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diff --git a/38497-h/38497-h.htm b/38497-h/38497-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b3ee5ac --- /dev/null +++ b/38497-h/38497-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9835 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, by S. Emma E. Edmonds—A Project Gutenberg eBook + </title> + + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + + body {margin-left: 12%; margin-right: 12%;} + + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right; font-style: normal;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + + hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + .giant {font-size: 200%} + .large {font-size: 125%} + + .blockquot {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .poem {margin-left: 15%;} + .note {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} + .hang {margin-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;} + .caption {text-align: center; font-size: small;} + + .right {text-align: right;} + .center {text-align: center;} + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .smcaplc {text-transform: lowercase; font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + p.dropcap:first-letter{float: left; padding-right: 3px; font-size: 250%; line-height: 83%; width:auto;} + .caps {text-transform:uppercase;} + + a:link {color:#0000ff; text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#6633cc; text-decoration:none} + + .spacer {padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;} + + .border {border-style: solid; border-width: 2px; margin: auto; width: 28em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, by S. Emma E. Edmonds + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Nurse and Spy in the Union Army + The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman in Hospitals, + Camps, and Battle-Fields + +Author: S. Emma E. Edmonds + +Release Date: January 5, 2012 [EBook #38497] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NURSE AND SPY IN THE UNION ARMY *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" /></div> + +<p> </p><p> <a name="front" id="front"></a></p><p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="" /><br /> +<small>Engraved by Geo. E. Perine, N. Y.</small></div> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/frontissig.jpg" alt="S. E. E. Edmonds" /></div> +<p class="caption">ENGRAVED FOR THE NURSE & SPY.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> +<div class="border"> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">NURSE AND SPY</span></p> +<p class="center"><small>IN THE</small></p> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">UNION ARMY:</span></p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">COMPRISING</p> +<p class="center"><span class="large">The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman<br /> +in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">By <span class="large">S. EMMA E. EDMONDS.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Published by Subscription only by<br /> +W. S. WILLIAMS & CO., HARTFORD, CONN.<br /> +JONES BROS. & CO., PHILADELPHIA AND CINCINNATI.<br /> +J. A. STODDARD & CO., CHICAGO, ILL.<br /> +1865.</p></div> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">Entered<br /> +According to Act of Congress in the year 1864,<br /> +By W. S. Williams & Company<br /> +In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States,<br /> +For the District of Connecticut.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Printed by Wiley, Waterman, & Eaton, Hartford, Conn.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">To the<br /> +Sick and Wounded Soldiers<br /> +of the<br /> +Army of the Potomac,<br /> +This Volume<br /> +Is Respectfully Inscribed<br /> +BY<br /> +The Author.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2>EMBELLISHMENTS.</h2> + + +<p class="center">PORTRAIT Engraved on Steel by Geo. E. Perine, N. Y. Disguises<br />and other +Scenes, Drawn and Engraved on Wood by R. O’Brien, New York.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td> </td><td align="right"><small>PAGE.</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td>PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#front"><span class="smcap">Frontispiece.</span></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>HOSPITAL TREE AT FAIR OAKS,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>CATERING FOR HOSPITALS,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>DISGUISED AS A CONTRABAND,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>MAKING HOE-CAKE FOR A SICK REBEL,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>ACTING ORDERLY ON THE BATTLE-FIELD,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>RIDING FOR LIFE,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>RELIEF FOR THE FAMISHING,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>DISGUISED AS FEMALE CONTRABAND,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>AN INTERESTING PATIENT,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_271">272</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>PLAYING POSSUM,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>PAYING A DEBT OF GRATITUDE,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_316">316</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>BURSTING OF A SHELL IN VICKSBURG,</td> + <td align="right"><a href="#Page_358">358</a></td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2>PUBLISHERS’ NOTICE.</h2> + + +<p>No apology is necessary for adding one more to the numerous “War Books” +which already fill a large space in American Literature; for, to the +general reader, nothing connected with the Rebellion can be more +interesting than the personal experiences of those who have been +intimately associated with the different phases of military life, in Camp, +Field, and Hospital.</p> + +<p>The “Nurse and Spy” is simply a record of events which have transpired in +the experience and under the observation of one who has been on the field +and participated in numerous battles—among which are the first and second +Bull Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the Seven days in front of Richmond, +Antietam, and Fredericksburg—serving in the capacity of “Spy” and as +“Field Nurse” for over two years.</p> + +<p>While in the “Secret Service” as a “Spy,” which is one of the most +hazardous positions in the army—she penetrated the enemy’s lines, in +various disguises, no less than eleven times; always with complete success +and without detection.</p> + +<p>Her efficient labors in the different Hospitals as well as her arduous +duties as “Field Nurse,” embrace many thrilling and touching incidents, +which are here most graphically described.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>Should any of her readers object to some of her disguises, it may be +sufficient to remind them it was from the purest motives and most +praiseworthy patriotism, that she laid aside, for a time, her own costume, +and assumed that of the opposite sex, enduring hardships, suffering untold +privations, and hazarding her life for her adopted country, in its trying +hour of need.</p> + +<p>In the opinion of many, it is the privilege of woman to minister to the +sick and soothe the sorrowing—and in the present crisis of our country’s +history, to aid our brothers to the extent of her capacity—and whether +duty leads her to the couch of luxury, the abode of poverty, the crowded +hospital, or the terrible battle field—it makes but little difference +what costume she assumes while in the discharge of her duties.—Perhaps +she should have the privilege of choosing for herself whatever may be the +surest protection from insult and inconvenience in her blessed, +self-sacrificing work.</p> + +<p>The moral character of the work,—being true to virtue, patriotism, and +philanthropy—together with the fine embellishments and neat mechanical +execution—will, we trust, render it an interesting and welcome visitor at +every fireside.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table width="65%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 17-28.</td></tr> +<tr><td>COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR—MY HOME AND MY DUTY—I ENLIST IN THE +CAUSE—EXCITEMENT AT THE WEST—TROOPS ON THE MARCH—MOBS AT +BALTIMORE—TEMPORARY HOSPITALS—UNAVOIDABLE EVILS—BEGGING FOR +COMFORTS—SUPPLIES FOR THE SICK—CAMP HOSPITALS—THUNDER STORMS IN CAMP—A +DYING OFFICER—SOLDIERS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS—PREPARATIONS FOR THE ADVANCE.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 29-41.</td></tr> +<tr><td>MARCHING ORDERS—REMOVAL OF THE SICK—A YOUNG PATIENT—VISIT FROM HIS +MOTHER—MARCH TOWARD MANASSAS—COLLECTING SUPPLIES—FATIGUES OF THE +MARCH—PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE—A CAMP PRAYER MEETING—DIVISIONS +DETAILED—MY PLACE ON THE FIELD—“RATHER CLOSE QUARTERS”—A BATTLE +SUNDAY—SKULKING FROM THE FIELD.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 41-54.</td></tr> +<tr><td>WATER FOR THE WOUNDED—COL. CAMERON KILLED—SCENES ON THE +BATTLE-FIELD—BURNSIDE’S BRIGADE—CAPTURE OF GRIFFIN’S AND RICKETT’S +BATTERIES—REBELS REINFORCED—THE PANIC AND RETREAT—THE WOUNDED AT +CENTERVILLE—MY RECONNOISSANCE—AN INSANE WOMAN ON THE FIELD—HIDING FROM +THE ENEMY—RETURN TO THE WOUNDED—EXPECTATION OF CAPTURE—ESCAPE FROM THE +REBELS—MY WALK TO ALEXANDRIA—FOOTSORE AND WEARY—ARRIVAL IN +WASHINGTON—LETTERS FROM DEAD SOLDIERS’ FRIENDS.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 55-70.</td></tr> +<tr><td>WASHINGTON AFTER BULL RUN—DEMORALIZATION OF THE ARMY—SICK +SOLDIERS—HOSPITAL SCENES—EXTRACTS FROM MY JOURNAL—SYMPATHY OF +SOLDIERS—FISHING FOR THE SICK—A FISH-LOVING DUTCHMAN—REORGANIZATION OF +THE ARMY—A VISIT TO THE PICKETS—PICKET DUTIES AND DANGERS—THE ARMY +INACTIVE—MCCLELLAN’S ADDRESS—MARCHING ORDERS AGAIN—EMBARKATION OF THE +ARMY FOR FORTRESS MONROE—THE CROWDED TRANSPORTS—DESCRIPTION OF THE +MONITOR—HER BUILD, ARMAMENT, TURRET AND ENGINES.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 71-82.</td></tr> +<tr><td>ARRIVAL AT FORTRESS MONROE—THE VILLAGE OF HAMPTON—VISITING THE +CONTRABANDS—ARRIVAL OF FUGITIVES—A REAL “CAMP MEETING”—FEEDING THE +NEGROES—CAMP MISERIES—MULES—MISS PERIWINKLE’S MULES—THE COQUETTISH, +THE MORAL, THE HISTRIONIC, AND THE PATHETIC MULE—OUR JACK—LINES OF +LOVE—MY BOX AND PRESENTS—A THREE-STORY CAKE—A SERENADE AND SURPRISE +PARTY—GOOD AND BAD CHAPLAINS—THE MORALS OF THE ARMY—SLANDERS ABOUT SOLDIERS.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 82-97.</td></tr> +<tr><td>THE MARCH TO YORKTOWN—SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES—CAMP COOKERY—DIFFERENT +CHARACTERS IN THE ARMY—ARRIVAL OF TRAINS—CHANGE OF CAMP—TRYING TO SHELL +US OUT—THE OLD SAW-MILL—A CONSTANT TARGET—ASSAULTS ON OUR OUTPOSTS—A +REBEL APPEAL—YORKTOWN AND VICINITY—THE SITUATION—BALLOON +RECONNOISSANCES—PROF. LOWE ON HIGH—REBEL VIXENS—A CURIOUS VISIT—A +STRANGE HOSTESS—SHE TRIES TO KILL ME—I WOUND HER AND CAPTURE A +PRISONER—A CONVERSION—THE SECESH WOMAN BECOMES A FEDERAL NURSE.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 97-109.</td></tr> +<tr><td>A LOST FRIEND—DEATH OF LIEUTENANT JAMES V.—HIS BURIAL—THE GRAVE BY +NIGHT—MY VOW—A SOLDIER-CHAPLAIN—RECOGNITIONS IN HEAVEN—DOUBTS AND +DISSATISFACTION—CAPTURE OF A SPY—MY EXAMINATIONS AT HEADQUARTERS—MY +DISGUISE AS A SPY—I AM METAMORPHOSED INTO A CONTRABAND—HIRED AS A +COOK—BISCUIT MAKING—THE DOCTOR’S TEA.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 110-121.</td></tr> +<tr><td>MY FIRST SECRET EXPEDITION—MY WORK AMONG CONTRABANDS—PICKAXE, SHOVEL AND +WHEELBARROW—COUNTING THE GUNS IN A REBEL FORTIFICATION—A CHANGE OF +WORK—CARRYING WATER TO THE REBEL SOLDIERS—GENERALS LEE AND JOHNSON—THE +REBEL FORCE AT YORKTOWN—A COUNCIL OF WAR—TURNING WHITE AGAIN—A REBEL +SPY—LIEUTENANT V.’S MURDERER—ON PICKET DUTY—MY RETURN TO OUR LINES—I +PUT ON UNIFORM AND MAKE MY REPORT.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 122-137.</td></tr> +<tr><td>EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN—OUR ARMY ON THE DOUBLE QUICK—PURSUIT OF THE +FUGITIVES—THE ENEMY’S WORKS—A BATTLE—ON THE FIELD—A “WOUNDED,” AND NOT +INJURED COLONEL—CARRYING THE WOUNDED—FORT MAGRUDER SILENCED—THE VICTORY +WON—BURYING THE DEAD—STORY OF A RING—WOUNDED REBELS—A BRAVE YOUNG +SERGEANT—CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS—A SOLDIER’S DEATH-BED—CLOSING SCENES—LAST WORDS.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 137-146.</td></tr> +<tr><td>MCCLELLAN’S DESPATCH FROM EWELL’S FARM—CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS—NEWS FROM +NORFOLK—DESCRIPTION OF THE MERRIMAC—THE ENGAGEMENT IN HAMPTON +ROADS—FIRST AND LAST FIGHT OF THE MERRIMAC—VICTORY OF THE +MONITOR—ADVANCE ON THE PENINSULA—THE BATTLE SONG—A MUDDY MARCH—ON THE +CHICKAHOMINY—CRITICAL POSITION OF GENERAL BANKS—THE PRESIDENT’S +DESPATCHES—MCCLELLAN’S REPLY.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 147-160.</td></tr> +<tr><td>ANOTHER DISGUISE—I BECOME AN IRISH PEDDLER—FEVER AND AGUE—A NIGHT OF +SUFFERING IN THE SWAMP—RETROSPECTION—LOST IN THE SWAMP—CANNON MY +GUIDES—A SICK REBEL—I FIND SOMETHING TO EAT—MY NEW PATIENT—SYMPATHY +FOR SUFFERING—TALK WITH A DYING REBEL—A WILLING DETENTION—EXTEMPORIZING +A LIGHT—THE LAST HOUR—SOLDIERS OF CHRIST—THE CHAMBER OF DEATH.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 161-173.</td></tr> +<tr><td>AM I A STOIC?—SOMEONE’S DARLING—COMPLETING MY DISGUISE—ANOTHER START +FOR THE REBEL LINES—PEPPERING MY EYES—CHALLENGED BY A PICKET—A COCKNEY +SENTINEL—GETTING INFORMATION—PLENTY OF BEEF, BUT NO SALT—RICE AND CORN +MEAL BREAD—PREPARING TO VISIT HEADQUARTERS—INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR +MCKEE—THE MAJOR’S MISPLACED CONFIDENCE—RETURN FOR THE BODY OF THE REBEL +CAPTAIN—MY LOOK-OUT FOR YANKEES—NEW ORDERS.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 173-186.</td></tr> +<tr><td>OUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHICKAHOMINY—PORTER’S SUCCESSES—DESPATCHES +TO THE PRESIDENT—HIS REPLY—HANOVER COURT HOUSE—TERRIBLE STORM AND +FLOOD—HOPES OF THE ENEMY—A SUDDEN AND STRONG ATTACK—I ACT AS AN +ORDERLY—THROUGH THE FLOOD—MY RETURN AND REPORT—JOYFUL NEWS—MY OWN +DISASTER—SCENES IN THE OLD MILL—WAITING ON THE WOUNDED—MY SUFFERINGS BY +THE ROADSIDE—A HARD-HEARTED CHAPLAIN—A STUMBLING BLOCK.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 186-196.</td></tr> +<tr><td>RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE—VICTORY FOR THE FEDERAL ARMS—ADDRESS TO THE +ARMY—MORE DESPATCHES—MY BATTLE TROPHY—PONY REB’S PERFORMANCES—THE +HOSPITAL TREE—TOUCHING SCENES—BISHOP SIMPSON—THE CROSS AND THE +FLAG—AFTER THE BATTLE—DELAYS BY STORMS, FLOODS AND MUD—MCCLELLAN’S CALL +FOR MORE MEN—IN READINESS TO MARCH—PROMISED REINFORCEMENTS.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 197-206.</td></tr> +<tr><td>LEAVE OF ABSENCE—VISIT TO THE WILLIAMSBURG HOSPITALS—EFFECTIVE +PREACHING—YORKTOWN REVISITED—LONGINGS—WHITE HOUSE LANDING—TIRED OF +IDLENESS—PREPARATIONS TO RETURN TO DUTY—STUART’S CAVALRY RAID—A TRAIN +FIRED INTO—FAIR OAKS GROVE—THE STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY—TRYING TIMES ON +THE PENINSULA—THE ENDURANCE OF OUR SOLDIERS—LABORS OF MR. ALVORD.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 207-219.</td></tr> +<tr><td>CHANGE OF BASE ACROSS THE PENINSULA—EVACUATION OF WHITE HOUSE—THE +MOVEMENT—BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE—GAINES’ MILL—A REPULSE—MCCLELLAN’S +DESPATCH—HOSPITALS IN DANGER—CONVALESCENT OFFICERS—LENDING MY HORSE—A +LOTTERY—INSPECTING FARM STOCK—CATCHING A COLT—DANGER OF CAPTURE—RIDING +FOR LIFE—BETWEEN TWO FIRES.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 219-233.</td></tr> +<tr><td>WITHDRAWAL TO MALVERN HILL—THE SOLDIER’S LAST WATCH—TROWBRIDGE’S +GRAVE—SCENES IN A HOSPITAL—CAPTURE OF THE WOUNDED—A NOBLE SURGEON—LINE +OF BATTLE—HARD FIGHTING—THE ENEMY REPULSED—HUNTING FOR FOOD—IN A +FARM-HOUSE—PERILOUS POSITION—SECURING THE SPOILS—RELIEF OF THE +FAMISHING—SUBLIME SCENE—ON THE MARCH—GENERAL KEYES—GUN-BOATS—ARRIVAL +AT HARRISON’S LANDING—SAD CONDITION OF TROOPS—OUR LOSSES—MCCLELLAN’S ADDRESS TO THE ARMY.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 233-248.</td></tr> +<tr><td>RETURN OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES—THE WOUNDED COLONEL—I VISIT +WASHINGTON—MILITARY DISPLAY—EPAULETS—ARISTOCRACY—SPIRIT OF JOHNNY +BULL—SOLDIERS’ FREE LIBRARY—CONTRABAND CAMP—NEGRO TESTIMONY—PATIENT +CHARLEY—PAINFUL POSITION—BROTHER’S LAST CONVERSATION—RETURN TO THE +ARMY—CHRISTIAN COMMISSION—GENERAL HOWARD’S SPEECH.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 249-260.</td></tr> +<tr><td>MY CONSTANT COMPANION—DISPELLING THE BLUES—GENTLE NELLIE—FACES IN THE +HOSPITAL—ASLEEP AND AWAKE—MY HORSE AGAIN—AT HARRISON’S +LANDING—IMPATIENT TO MOVE—DISSATISFACTION IN THE ARMY—RETREAT FROM +RICHMOND—RETURN TO NEWPORT NEWS—SUSPICIOUS QUARTERS—SEARCHING THE HOUSE +AND FINDING REBEL SOLDIERS—THANKS TO THE ARMY—OUR ARRIVAL AT ACQUIA CREEK.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 261-273.</td></tr> +<tr><td>POPE’S ARMY—A GENERAL S REQUEST—AGAIN A CONTRABAND—ENTERING THE REBEL +LINES AS A SPY—MY ESCAPE TO THE FEDERAL LINES—IN PERIL—KEARNEY +KILLED—CRAWLING THROUGH THE WOODS—BURIAL OF A PICKET—LOOKING FOR A +GENERAL—MR. NEGATIVE—MCCLELLAN AND POPE—THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM—A +TOUCHING DEATH-SCENE—AN INTERESTING PATIENT—BURIAL OF A FEMALE SOLDIER.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 273-285.</td></tr> +<tr><td>AFTER ANTIETAM—SURGEONS ON THE FIELD—THE HOSPITALS—LIEUTENANT-COLONEL +DWIGHT MORTALLY WOUNDED—A BRUTAL SURGEON—A WOUNDED CAPTAIN—AGONY FROM +THIRST—CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS—PRAYING AND FIGHTING—FOPS ON THE FIELD—A +REBEL PROGRAMME—PENNSYLVANIA TO BE STRIPPED—CAMP LIFE—DAILY ROUTINE—BURIAL SERVICES.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 286-296.</td></tr> +<tr><td>A MILITARY EXECUTION—THE PREPARATIONS—THE DEATH—HARPER’S FERRY—OLD +JOHN BROWN—CONTRAST—ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA—CONDITION OF THE ARMY—A +DREARY RIDE—A GREEN GUARD—SEEKING SHELTER—A GUERRILLA FIGHT—MY HORSE +KILLED—PLAYING POSSUM—MY POCKETS PICKED—A NARROW ESCAPE—RETURN TO +CAMP—AN INTERESTING MEETING.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 297-308.</td></tr> +<tr><td>MCCLELLAN REMOVED—HIS ADDRESS—BURNSIDE IN COMMAND—ON THE MARCH—MY +RIDE—OLD BATTLEFIELDS—SAD SIGHTS—“YANKEE SKULLS”—“BONE +ORNAMENTS”—FALMOUTH—SHELLING FREDERICKSBURG—PONTOON BRIDGES—OCCUPATION +OF THE CITY—AIDE-DE-CAMP—DREADFUL SLAUGHTER—A GALLANT MAJOR—STRANGE +SIGHTS—DARK NIGHT—DEATH OF GENERAL BAYARD—SOMEONE’S PET—RECROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 309-318.</td></tr> +<tr><td>AFTER THE BATTLE—SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED—GENERAL BURNSIDE’S +ORDER—“STUCK IN THE MUD”—HOOKER IN COMMAND—WESTERN CAMPAIGN—CAVALRY +RECONNOISSANCE—ANOTHER DISGUISE—AGAIN IN DIXIE—A WEDDING PARTY—IN A +TRAP—REBEL CONSCRIPT—ON THE MARCH—A REBEL CAPTAIN—A FIERCE +ENGAGEMENT—PAYING A DEBT OF GRATITUDE—AGAIN UNDER THE OLD FLAG.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 319-330.</td></tr> +<tr><td>APPOINTED DETECTIVE—I VISIT LOUISVILLE—SECESH ACQUAINTANCES—SEEKING +EMPLOYMENT—PEDDLING—REBEL SPIES—ACTING AS CLERK—TRAPPING SPIES—START +FOR VICKSBURG—PRO-SLAVERY TROOPS—CRUELTY TO NEGROES—VISITING +HOSPITALS—TOUCHING SCENES—AN ARMLESS SOLDIER—PATIENT +SUFFERING—TRIUMPHANT DEATH—RALLY ROUND THE FLAG—WESTERN +CHAPLAINS—SOLDIERS’ TESTIMONY—EFFECT OF PRAYER IN BATTLE—CARRYING THE WOUNDED.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 331-340.</td></tr> +<tr><td>A UNIONIST FROM THE REBEL ARMY—HIS TESTIMONY—SOUTHERN +HOSPITALS—PATRIOTISM—FEMALE RECRUITING—CRINOLINE—“SWEET LITTLE +MAN”—CONFEDERATE SYSTEM—NORTH AND SOUTH CONTRASTED—REBEL +IMPRESSMENT—BROTHERS’ CRUELTY—DYING FOR THE UNION—FATE OF A TENNESSEE +PATRIOT—ON THE MISSISSIPPI—INVISIBLE ATTRACTION—AN IMPORTANT +QUESTION—MORAL SUBLIMITY—CONTRABANDS JUBILEE.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 341-353.</td></tr> +<tr><td>ARRIVAL AT VICKSBURG—ITS SURROUNDINGS—GRANT’S ARMY—ASSAULT ON THE REBEL +WORKS—THE SEVEN COLOR-BEARERS—PEMBERTON’S HARANGUE—IN THE +TRENCHES—SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED—PEMBERTON’S PROPOSED +CAPITULATION—GRANT’S REPLY—TERMS OF SURRENDER—OCCUPATION OF THE +CITY—LOSS OF THE ENEMY—COMPLIMENTARY LETTER—GRANT’S SUCCESS—ATTACHMENT +OF HIS SOLDIERS—“FIGHTING DICK”—GOLD LACE—REBEL SUFFERINGS—SIGHTS IN +VICKSBURG—INCIDENTS OF THE SIEGE—CAVE LIFE.</td></tr> +<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 353-362.</td></tr> +<tr><td>WESTERN GIBRALTAR—THE “LEAD MINERS”—THE PALMETTO EXCHANGED FOR THE STARS +AND STRIPES—ENTHUSIASM OF TROOPS—SUFFERINGS FORGOTTEN—I AM ATTACKED BY +FEVER—UNFIT FOR DUTY—“VICKSBURG IS OURS”—SPIRIT YEARNINGS—“ROCK ME TO +SLEEP MOTHER”—IMPOSITION OF STEAMBOAT OFFICERS—GRANT’S CARE FOR HIS +MEN—BURSTING OF A SHELL IN CAMP—CONSEQUENCES—SPEECHLESS AGONY—I AM +RELEASED FROM DUTY—MY TRIP TO CAIRO—MISS MARY SAFFORD—ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 362-373.</td></tr> +<tr><td>REVIEW OF HOSPITAL AND CAMP LIFE—QUESTIONS ANSWERED—BEHIND THE +SCENES—BLESSED EMPLOYMENT—LIVING PAST SCENES OVER AGAIN—MY MOST +IMPORTANT LABORS—MOTHER AND SON—STRANGE POWER OF SYMPATHY—HERO’S +REPOSE—OFFICERS AND MEN—THE BRAVEST ARE KINDEST—GENERAL +SEDGWICK—BATTLE SCENES—MR. ALVORD’S DESCRIPTION—VOLUNTEER +SURGEONS—HEART SICKENING SIGHTS—AN AWFUL PICTURE—FEMALE +NURSES—SENTIMENTAL—PATRIOTIC—MEDICAL DEPARTMENT—YOUNG SURGEONS—ANECDOTES.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Pages 374-384.</td></tr> +<tr><td>CLOSING INCIDENTS—PROFESSOR LOWE’S BALLOON—FITZ JOHN PORTER’S +ADVENTURE—HIS UPWARD FLIGHT—RECONNOITERING FROM A DANGEROUS +POSITION—COOL COURAGE—ENTHUSIASTIC GREETING—AN EARNEST INQUIRER—A +BAPTISM IN THE ARMY—PREACHING BY MOONLIGHT—A MAGNIFICENT SCENE—A +WEDDING IN CAMP—GAY TIMES—A CONTRAST—HOSPITAL IN WINCHESTER—SPIRIT OF +REVENGE—SABLE HEROINE—A WHITE DARKEY—COLORED SOLDIERS—CONCLUSION.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img01.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">HOSPITAL TREE AT FAIR OAKS.—Page 191.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">NURSE AND SPY.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR—MY HOME AND MY DUTY—I ENLIST IN THE +CAUSE—EXCITEMENT AT THE WEST—TROOPS ON THE MARCH—MOBS AT +BALTIMORE—TEMPORARY HOSPITALS—UNAVOIDABLE EVILS—BEGGING FOR +COMFORTS—SUPPLIES FOR THE SICK—CAMP HOSPITALS—THUNDERS STORMS IN +CAMP—A DYING OFFICER—SOLDIERS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS—PREPARATIONS +FOR THE ADVANCE.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Early</span> in the spring of 1861, I was returning from the far West, and as I +sat waiting for the train which was to bear me to my adopted home in New +England, and was meditating upon the events which had transpired during +the past few months, the record of which was destined to blacken the fair +pages of American history, I was aroused from my reverie by a voice in the +street crying “New York Herald—Fall of Fort Sumter—President’s +Proclamation—Call for seventy-five thousand men!” This announcement +startled me, while my imagination portrayed the coming struggle in all its +fearful magnitude. War, civil war, with all its horrors seemed inevitable, +and even then was ready to burst like a volcano upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> most happy and +prosperous nation the sun ever shone upon. The contemplation of this sad +picture filled my eyes with tears and my heart with sorrow.</p> + +<p>It is true, I was not an American—I was not obliged to remain here during +this terrible strife—I could return to my native land where my parents +would welcome me to the home of my childhood, and my brothers and sisters +would rejoice at my coming. But these were not the thoughts which occupied +my mind. It was not my intention, or desire, to seek my own personal ease +and comfort while so much sorrow and distress filled the land. But the +great question to be decided, was, what can I do? What part am I to act in +this great drama? I was not able to decide for myself—so I carried this +question to the Throne of Grace, and found a satisfactory answer there.</p> + +<p>Five years previous to the time of which I write, I left my rural home, +not far from the banks of the St. John’s River, in the Province of New +Brunswick, and made my way to the United States. An insatiable thirst for +education led me to do this, for I believed then, as now, that the +“Foreign Missionary” field was the one in which I must labor, sooner or +later. I came here a stranger, with but little to recommend me to the +favorable notice of the good people, except a letter from the Pastor of +the church to which I belonged, and one from my +class-leader—notwithstanding,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> I found kind friends to help me in all my +undertakings, and whether in business, education, or spiritual +advancement, I have been assisted beyond my highest expectation. I thank +God that I am permitted in this hour of my adopted country’s need to +express a tithe of the gratitude which I feel toward the people of the +Northern States.</p> + +<p>Ten days after the President’s proclamation was issued, I was ready to +start for Washington, having been employed by the Government, and +furnished with all the necessary equipments. I was not merely to go to +Washington and remain there until a battle had been fought and the wounded +brought in, and then in some comfortable hospital sit quietly and fan the +patients, after the Surgeon had dressed their wounds; but I was to go to +the front and participate in all the excitement of the battle scenes, or +in other words, be a “<span class="smcap">Field Nurse</span>.”</p> + +<p>The great West was stirred to its center, and began to look like a vast +military camp. Recruiting offices were filled with men eager to enroll +their names as defenders of their country—and women were busily engaged +in preparing all the comforts that love and patriotism could suggest, for +those who were so soon to go forth to victory or to death, while the clash +of arms and strains of martial music almost drowned the hum of industry, +and war became the theme of every tongue.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>About this time I witnessed the departure of the first western troops +which started for Washington. The regiments were drawn up in line—fully +equipped for their journey—with their bright bayonets flashing in the +morning sunlight. It was on the principal street of a pleasant little +village of about a thousand inhabitants, where there was scarcely a family +who had not a father, husband, son, or brother in that little band of +soldiers who stood there ready to bid them farewell, perhaps for +years—perhaps forever. A farewell address was delivered by the village +Pastor, and a new Testament presented to each soldier, with the following +inscription: “Put your trust in God—and keep your powder dry.” Then came +the leave-taking—but it is too painful to dwell upon—the last fond word +was spoken, the last embrace given, then came the order “march”—and amid +the cheers of the citizens—with banners proudly floating, and the bands +playing “The Star Spangled Banner,” they moved forward on their way to the +Capital. On looking back now upon the scenes of that morning, +notwithstanding I have looked upon others much more thrilling since then, +yet I cannot recall that hour without feelings of deep emotion. While I +stood there and beheld those manly forms convulsed with emotion, and heard +the sobs of those whom they were leaving behind, I could only thank God +that I was free and could go forward and work, and was not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> obliged to +stay at home and weep. A few hours more, and I, too, was on my way to +Washington.</p> + +<p>When I reached Baltimore I found the city in an uproar—mobs were gathered +in the streets and the utmost excitement prevailed: and as the crowded +cars moved through the city toward the depot, the infuriated mob threw +showers of stones, brickbats, and other missiles, breaking the windows and +wounding some of the soldiers. Some of the men could not forbear firing +into the crowd—notwithstanding their orders were to the +contrary—however, it had a good effect, for the mob soon dispersed; they +probably had not forgotten the Sixth Massachusetts and the Pennsylvania +troops which had passed through a short time before. The cars soon reached +the depot, and started immediately for Washington—where we arrived in due +time—weary, and in great need of food and sleep.</p> + +<p>Soon after reaching Washington I commenced visiting the temporary +hospitals which were prepared to receive the soldiers who arrived there +sick. The troops came pouring in so fast, and the weather being extremely +warm, all the general hospitals were soon filled, and it seemed impossible +to prepare suitable, or comfortable, accommodations for all who required +medical attention.</p> + +<p>There are many things in connection with this war that we are disposed to +find fault with, and we think the blame rests upon such and such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +individuals—but after investigating the matter, we find that they are all +owing to a combination of circumstances entirely beyond the control of +those individuals—and it requires time to bring about the desired +results. This has been my experience with regard to the hospital +department. After walking through the streets for hours on a sultry +southern day in search of one of those temporary hospitals, I would find a +number of men there delirious with fever—others had been sun-struck and +carried there—but no physician to be found in attendance. Then, I would +naturally come to the conclusion that the surgeons were all slack +concerning their duty—but upon going to the office of the Surgeon in +charge of that department, would find that a certain number of surgeons +were detailed every morning to visit those hospitals, and were faithfully +performing their duty; but that the number of hospitals and patients were +increasing so fast that it required all day to make the tour. Consequently +the last ones visited were obliged to wait and suffer—without any blame +attaching to the surgeons.</p> + +<p>Then another great evil was to be remedied—there were thousands of sick +men to be taken care of—but for these the Government had made no +provision as regards more delicate kinds of food—nothing but hard bread, +coffee and pork, for sick and well, alike. The Sanitary Commission had not +yet come into operation and the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>consequence was our poor sick soldiers +suffered unspeakably from want of proper nourishment. I was speaking upon +this subject one day to Chaplain B. and his wife—my constant companions +in hospital labor—when Mrs. B. suggested that she and I should appeal to +the sympathies of the ladies of Washington and Georgetown, and try our +hand at begging. I agreed to the proposal at once, and wondered why I had +not thought of it myself—among all my schemes for alleviating the +sufferings of these men, it had never entered into my head to <i>beg</i> for +them. We decided to go to Georgetown first and if we succeeded there, to +canvass Washington. So we started, and commenced operations by calling +first upon a clergyman’s wife. We made inquiry there with regard to our +prospects of success, and the sentiments of the ladies generally upon the +war question, and finding that the majority were in our favor, we started +again quite hopefully—but not until the lady above mentioned had given us +an order on her grocer to the amount of five dollars. I gave Sister B. the +credit of that, for I had introduced her as the wife of the Rev. Mr. B., +chaplain of the 7th. Then I suggested that we should separate for a few +hours—she to take one street and I another, so that we might sooner get +through the city. My next call was at a doctor’s mansion, but I did not +find the lady at home; however, I learned that the doctor in question<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +kept a drug-store near by; she might be there; went, but found no lady; +thought fit to make my business known to the doctor, and the consequence +was, half a dozen bottles of blackberry wine and two of lemon syrup, with +a cordial invitation to call again. So prospered our mission throughout +the day, and at the close of it we had a sufficient supply of groceries, +brandy, ice, jellies, etc., to fill our little ambulance; and oh, what a +change those little delicacies wrought upon our poor sick boys. We were +encouraged by that day’s work, to continue our efforts in that direction, +and finally made Dr. W.’s store a depot for the donations of those kind +friends who wished to assist us in restoring to health the defenders of +our beloved country.</p> + +<p>Typhoid fever began to make its appearance in camp, as the burning sun of +June came pouring down upon us, and the hospitals were soon crowded with +its victims. It was then that my labors began in earnest, and as I went +from tent to tent, ministering to the wants of those delirious, helpless +men, I wondered if there ever was a “Missionary Field” which promised a +richer harvest, than the one in which I was already engaged; and oh, how +thankful I was that it was my privilege to take some small part in so +great a work.</p> + +<p>I shall notice, briefly, the manner in which the hospitals are conducted +in camp. There are large tents furnished for hospital purposes, which +will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> accommodate from twenty to twenty-five men. These tents are usually +put up in the most pleasant and shady part of the camp; the inside is +nicely leveled, and board floors laid, if boards can be procured, if not, +rubber blankets are laid down instead. Sometimes there are straw ticks and +cot bedsteads furnished, but not in sufficient quantity to supply all the +hospitals. Along each side of the tent the sick are laid, on blankets or +cots, leaving room to pass between the beds. In the center of the tent +stands a temporary board table, on which are kept books, medicines, et +cetera. The hospital corps consists of a surgeon, an assistant surgeon, a +hospital steward, a ward-master, four nurses, two cooks, and a man of all +work to carry water, cut wood, and make himself generally useful. The +immediate care of the sick devolves upon those four nurses, who are +generally detailed from the ranks, each one being on duty six hours +without intermission. The surgeons visit the patients twice every day, +oftener if required; the prescriptions are filled by the hospital steward, +and the medicine is administered by the nurses. The nurses are usually +very kind to the sick, and when off duty in the hospital, spend much of +their time in digging drains around the tents, planting evergreens, and +putting up awnings, all of which add much to the coolness and comfort of +the hospital. Draining the grounds is a very important part of hospital +duty, for when those terrible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> thunder-storms come, which are so frequent +in the south, it is morally impossible to keep the tent floors from being +flooded, unless there are drains all around the tents. Great excitement +prevails in camp during those tempests—the rain comes down in torrents, +while the wind blows a hurricane—lifting the tents from the ground, and +throwing everything into wild confusion. I have seen a dozen men stand for +hours around one hospital, holding down the ropes and tent poles to +prevent the sick from being exposed to the raging elements.</p> + +<p>In one of those storms, I saw a tent blown down, in which one of our +officers lay suffering from typhoid fever. We did our best to keep him dry +until a stretcher could be procured, but all in vain. Notwithstanding we +wrapped him in rubber blankets and shawls, yet the rain penetrated them +all, and by the time he was carried to a house, a quarter of a mile +distant, he was completely drenched. He was a noble fellow and I love to +speak of him. Mrs. B. and I remained with him alternately until he died, +which was five days from that time. We sent for his wife, who arrived just +in time to see him die. He was unconscious when she came, and we were +standing around his cot watching every shadow which the sable wing of +advancing death cast upon his features, and eagerly looking for a single +ray of returning reason. He looked up suddenly, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> seeing his wife +standing weeping, he beckoned her to come to him. Kneeling beside him, she +bent her ear close to the lips of the dying man. He whispered distinctly, +“I am going—the way is bright, don’t weep—farewell!” A little later he +was asked, “What is the foundation of your hope of Heaven?” His face was +calm and beautiful in its expression, and his splendid dark eyes lit up +with holy confidence and trust, as he replied, “Christ—Christ!” These +were his last words. Glorious words for a dying soldier. He lingered a few +hours, and then quietly and peacefully breathed out his life. So passed +away one of the most exemplary men it has ever been my lot to meet, either +in the army or elsewhere. The same day, the sorrowing widow, with the +remains of her beloved and noble husband, started for her northern home; +and that christian patriot now sleeps in a beautiful little cemetery near +the city of Detroit, Michigan, having rendered up his life a willing +sacrifice for his country.</p> + +<p>Mrs. B. was desirous of visiting some of the public buildings in +Washington and wished me to accompany her. I did so, but found that it was +almost impossible to get along through the crowded streets. The gallant +troops were coming in by thousands from every loyal State in the Union. +The Capitol and White House were common places of resort for soldiers. +Arms were stacked in the rotunda of the one and the lobbies of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> other, +while our “noble boys in blue” lounged in the cushioned seats of members +of Congress, or reclined in easy chairs in the President’s Mansion.</p> + +<p>Camps of instruction were prepared near the city, while every hillside and +valley for miles around was thickly dotted with snow white tents. Soldiers +drilling, fatigue parties building forts, artillery practicing, and the +supply trains moving to and from the various headquarters, presented a +picture deeply interesting. As I rode from camp to camp and contemplated +that immense army concentrating its force on the banks of the Potomac, and +saw with what zeal and enthusiasm the soldiers entered upon their duties, +I could but feel assured of the speedy termination of the conflict, and +look forward with eager anticipation to the day when that mighty host +would advance upon the enemy, and like an overwhelming torrent sweep +rebellion from the land.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">MARCHING ORDERS—REMOVAL OF THE SICK—A YOUNG PATIENT—VISIT FROM HIS +MOTHER—MARCH TOWARD MANASSAS—COLLECTING SUPPLIES—FATIGUES OF THE +MARCH—PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE—A CAMP PRAYER MEETING—DIVISIONS +DETAILED—MY PLACE ON THE FIELD—“RATHER CLOSE QUARTERS”—A BATTLE +SUNDAY—SKULKING FROM THE FIELD.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Marching orders</span> received to-day—two days more, and the Army of the +Potomac will be on its way to Bull Run. I find this registered in my +journal July 15th, 1861, without any comment whatever. But I do not +require a journal to refresh my memory with regard to the events of those +two days of preparation which followed their announcement. The Army of the +Potomac was soon to meet the enemy for the first time—a great battle was +to be fought. Oh, what excitement and enthusiasm that order +produced—nothing could be heard but the wild cheering of the men, as +regiment after regiment received their orders. The possibility of a defeat +never seemed to enter the mind of any. All the sick in camp now were to be +sent to Washington, clothes changed, knapsacks packed, letters written +home, packages sent to the express office, etc. After all was done, +everything in readiness, and the sick men tenderly laid in the ambulances, +Mrs. B. said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> “Now let us go to every ambulance and bid the boys +good-bye.” As we passed along from one ambulance to another, speaking +words of encouragement to each soldier, many a tear would start from +grateful eyes, and many a feeble voice uttered an earnest “God bless you,” +while others would draw from their bosoms some cherished relic, and give +as a token of remembrance. Oh how hard it was to part with those men, with +whom we had watched so many weary days and nights—we felt that they had, +truly, “become endeared to us through suffering.”</p> + +<p>There was one patient, however, we did not put into an ambulance, and who +was a great source of anxiety to us. He lay there upon a stretcher close +by, waiting to be carried to a house not far distant. He was young, not +seventeen, with clear blue eyes, curly auburn hair, and a broad, white +brow; his mother’s pride, and an only son. Two weeks previously he had +been attacked with typhoid fever. The surgeon said, “You may do all you +can for him, but it is a hopeless case.” Mrs. B. had devoted most of her +time to him and I was often called to assist her. He was delirious and +became quite unmanageable at times, and it required all the strength we +possessed to keep him in bed; but now the delirium of fever had passed +away and he was helpless as an infant. We had written for his mother to +come if possible, and had just received a letter from her, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>stating that +she was on her way to Washington; but would she come before we were +obliged to leave? Oh, we hoped so, and were anxiously looking for her.</p> + +<p>The ambulances started with their freight of emaciated, suffering men. +Slowly that long train wound its way toward the city looking like a great +funeral procession, and sadly we turned to our remaining patient, who was +deeply affected at the removal of his comrades. He was then carried to the +house above mentioned and a nurse left to take care of him, while we were +obliged to prepare for our own comfort on the long weary march which was +so near at hand. We had just commenced to pack our saddle-bags, when we +heard an unusual noise, as of some one crying piteously, and going out to +learn the cause of the excitement, whom should we find but the mother of +our handsome blue-eyed patient. She had called at the surgeon’s tent to +inquire for her son, and he had told her that all the sick had been sent +to Washington, he having forgotten for the moment, the exception with +regard to her son. The first words I heard were spoken in the most +touching manner—“Oh, why did you send away my boy? I wrote you I was +coming; Oh, why did you send him away!”</p> + +<p>I shall never forget the expression of that mother’s face as she stood +there wringing her hands and repeating the question. We very soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +rectified the mistake which the surgeon had made, and in a few moments she +was kneeling by the bedside of her darling boy, and we returned rejoicing +that it had been our privilege to “deliver him to his mother.” Oh, how +many, who come to Washington in search of loved ones, are caused +unnecessary pain, yes, weeks of torturing suspense and fruitless search, +in consequence of some little mistake on the part of a surgeon, a nurse, +or some person who is supposed to know just where the sought for are to be +found.</p> + +<p>The 17th of July dawned bright and clear, and everything being in +readiness, the Army of the Potomac took up its line of march for Manassas. +In gay spirits the army moved forward, the air resounding with the music +of the regimental bands, and patriotic songs of the soldiers. No gloomy +forebodings seemed to damp the spirits of the men, for a moment, but “On +to Richmond,” was echoed and re-echoed, as that vast army moved rapidly +over the country. I felt strangely out of harmony with the wild, joyous +spirit which pervaded the troops. As I rode slowly along, watching those +long lines of bayonets as they gleamed and flashed in the sunlight, I +thought that many, very many, of those enthusiastic men who appeared so +eager to meet the enemy, would never return to relate the success or +defeat of that splendid army. Even if victory should perch upon their +banners, and I had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> doubt it would, yet many noble lives must be +sacrificed ere it could be obtained.</p> + +<p>The main column reached Fairfax toward evening and encamped for the night. +Col. R.’s wife of the Second ——, Mrs. B. and myself were, I think, the +only three females who reached Fairfax that night. The day had been +extremely hot, and not being accustomed to ride all day beneath a burning +sun, we felt its effects very sensibly, and consequently, hailed with joy +the order to encamp for the night. Notwithstanding the heat and fatigue of +the day’s march, the troops were in high spirits, and immediately began +preparing supper. Some built fires while others went in search of, and +appropriated, every available article which might in any way add to the +comfort of hungry and fatigued men.</p> + +<p>The whole neighborhood was ransacked for milk, butter, eggs, poultry, etc. +which were found insufficient in quantity to supply the wants of such a +multitude. There might have been heard some stray shots fired in the +direction of a field where a drove of cattle were quietly grazing; and +soon after the odor of fresh steak was issuing from every part of the +camp. I wish to state, however, that all “raids” made upon hen-coops, etc. +were contrary to the orders of the General in command, for during the day +I had seen men put under arrest for shooting chickens by the roadside.</p> + +<p>I was amused to hear the answer of a hopeful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> young darkey cook, when +interrogated with regard to the broiled chickens and beef steak which he +brought on for supper. Col. R. demanded, in a very stern voice, “Jack, +where did you get that beef steak and those chickens?” “Massa, I’se +carried dem cl’ar from Washington; thought I’d cook ’em ’fore dey +sp’il’d”; and then added, with a broad grin, “I aint no thief, I aint.” +Col. R. replied: “That will do, Jack, you can go now.” Then the Colonel +told us how he had seen Jack running out of a house, as he rode along, and +a woman ran out calling after him with all her might, but Jack never +looked behind him, but escaped as fast as he could, and was soon out of +sight. Said he, “I thought the young rascal had been up to some mischief, +so I rode up and asked the woman what was the matter, and found he had +stolen all her chickens; I asked her how much they were worth; she +“reckoned” about two dollars. I think she made a pretty good hit, for +after I paid her, she told me she had had only two chickens.” Supper being +over, pickets posted, and camp guards detailed, all became quiet for the +night.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning the reveille beat, the whole camp was soon in +motion, and after a slight breakfast from our haversacks the march was +resumed. The day was very hot, and we found great difficulty in obtaining +water, the want of which caused the troops much suffering. Many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> of the +men were sun-struck, and others began to drop out of the ranks from +exhaustion. All such as were not able to march were put into ambulances +and sent back to Washington. Toward noon, the tedium of the march began to +be enlivened by sharp volleys of musketry, in the direction of the advance +guard; but those alarms were only occasioned by our skirmishers, pouring a +volley into everything which looked as if it might contain a masked +battery, or a band of the enemy’s sharpshooters.</p> + +<p>Considerable excitement prevailed throughout the day, as we were every +hour in expectation of meeting the enemy. Carefully feeling its way, +however, the army moved steadily on, investigating every field, building, +and ravine, for miles in front and to the right and left, until it reached +Centerville, where we halted for the night.</p> + +<p>The troops now began to feel the effects of the march, and there was +evidently a lack of that pic-nic hilarity which had characterized them the +day before. Several regiments had been supplied with new shoes the day +before leaving camp, and they found by sad experience, that they were not +the most comfortable things to march in, as their poor blistered feet +testified; in many cases their feet were literally raw, the thick woolen +stockings having chafed the skin off. Mrs. B. and I, having provided +ourselves before leaving camp, with a quantity of linen, bandages, lint, +ointment, etc.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> found it very convenient now, even before a shot had been +fired by the enemy.</p> + +<p>Our surgeons began to prepare for the coming battle, by appropriating +several buildings and fitting them up for the wounded—among others the +stone church at Centerville—a church which many a soldier will remember, +as long as memory lasts. Late that evening as I was returning from this +church, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. B., I proposed that we should walk +through the entire camp to see how the boys were employed, on this, the +eve of their first battle. We found many engaged in writing by the +glimmering light of the camp-fire—soldiers always carry writing materials +on a march; some were reading their bibles, perhaps with more than usual +interest; while others sat in groups, conversing in low earnest tones; but +the great mass were stretched upon the ground, wrapped in their blankets, +fast asleep, and all unconscious of the dangers of the morrow.</p> + +<p>We were about to return to our quarters in a log cabin built by the rebel +soldiers, and which had been evacuated only a few days previous, when we +heard several voices singing in a little grove not far from camp. We +turned and walked toward the grove, until we could hear distinctly, the +words of the following beautiful hymn:</p> + +<p class="poem">“O, for a faith that will not shrink,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though press’d by every foe,</span><br /> +That will not tremble on the brink<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of any earthly woe;</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span><br /> +That will not murmur or complain<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath the chastening rod,</span><br /> +But, in the hour of grief and pain,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will lean upon its God;</span><br /> +<br /> +A faith that shines more bright and clear<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When tempests rage without;</span><br /> +That, when in danger, knows no fear,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In darkness knows no doubt.”</span></p> + +<p>“Ah!” exclaimed Mr. B., “I recognize Willie L.’s voice there. I understand +now; this is Willie’s prayer meeting night, and notwithstanding the +fatigue of the march and blistered feet, he has not forgotten it.” We drew +nearer to listen to and enjoy the exercises unperceived, for no sooner had +the last words of the hymn died away on the still midnight air, than +Willie’s clear voice rose in prayer, filling the grove with its rich, +pathetic tones. He prayed for victory on the morrow, for his comrades, for +loved ones at home, and his voice grew tremulous with emotion, as he plead +with the Saviour to comfort and support his widowed mother, if he should +fall in battle.</p> + +<p>Then followed a practical talk about being faithful soldiers of Jesus, as +well as of their beloved country; of the necessity of being prepared at +any moment, to lay down the cross and take up the crown. One after another +prayed and spoke, until about a dozen—and that included the whole number +present—had addressed the Throne of Grace, and testified to the power of +the Gospel of Christ in the salvation of sinners. No one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> was called upon +to pray or speak, no one said he had nothing to say and then talked long +enough to prove it, no one excused his inability to interest his brethren, +and no time was lost by delay, but every one did his duty, and did it +promptly. We retired feeling refreshed and encouraged.</p> + +<p>After ascertaining the position of the enemy, Gen. McDowell ordered +forward three divisions, commanded by Heintzelman, Hunter and Tyler, Miles +being left in reserve at Centerville. Sunday morning before dawn, those +three divisions moved forward, presenting a magnificent spectacle, as +column after column wound its way over the green hills and through the +hazy valleys, with the soft moonlight falling on the long lines of shining +steel. Not a drum or bugle was heard during the march, and the deep +silence was only broken by the rumbling of artillery, the muffled tread of +infantry, or the low hum of thousands of subdued voices.</p> + +<p>The divisions separated where three roads branch off toward Bull Run, each +taking the road leading to its respective position. Soon the morning broke +bright and clear, bringing the two contending armies in plain sight of +each other. The enemy was posted on heights that rose in regular slopes +from the shore crowned here and there by earthworks. The woods that +interfered with his cannon ranges had all been cut away, and his guns had +a clean sweep of every approach. On our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> side the descent was more +gradual, and covered with a dense forest. The roar of artillery soon +announced that the battle had actually commenced.</p> + +<p>Mrs. B. and myself took our position on the field, according to orders, in +connection with Gen. Heintzelman’s division, having delivered our horses +to Jack for safe keeping, with strict orders to remain where he was, for +we might require them at any moment. I imagine now, I see Mrs. B., as she +stood there, looking as brave as possible, with her narrow brimmed leghorn +hat, black cloth riding habit, shortened to walking length by the use of a +page, a silver-mounted seven-shooter in her belt, a canteen of water swung +over one shoulder and a flask of brandy over the other, and a haversack +with provision, lint, bandages, adhesive plaster, etc. hanging by her +side. She was tall and slender, with dark brown hair, pale face, and blue +eyes.</p> + +<p>Chaplain B. sat upon his horse looking as solemn as if standing face to +face with the angel of death. The first man I saw killed was a gunner +belonging to Col. R.’s command. A shell had burst in the midst of the +battery, killing one and wounding three men and two horses. Mr. B. jumped +from his horse, hitched it to a tree, and ran forward to the battery; Mrs. +B. and I following his example as fast as we could. I stooped over one of +the wounded, who lay upon his face weltering in his blood; I raised his +head, and who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> should it be but Willie L. He was mortally wounded in the +breast, and the tide of life was fast ebbing away; the stretchers were +soon brought, and he was carried from the field.</p> + +<p>Seeing the disaster from a distance, Col. R. rode up to the battery, and +as he was engaged in giving orders, a solid shot came whizzing by in such +close proximity to his head, that it stunned him for a moment; but soon +recovering, he turned up the side of his head and shrugged his shoulders, +a peculiarity of his, and in his usual nasal twang, said, “rather close +quarters,” and rode away, apparently as unconcerned as if it had been a +humming bird which crossed his path. But not content with admonishing the +Colonel, the same shot struck my poor little flask of brandy which lay +near me on a drum-head, shattering it as spitefully as if sent by the +combined force of the Order of “Good Templars.”</p> + +<p>Now the battle began to rage with terrible fury. Nothing could be heard +save the thunder of artillery, the clash of steel, and the continuous roar +of musketry. Oh, what a scene for the bright sun of a holy Sabbath morning +to shine upon! Instead of the sweet influences which we associate with the +Sabbath—the chiming of church bells calling us to the house of prayer, +the Sabbath school, and all the solemn duties of the sanctuary, there was +confusion, destruction and death. There was no place of safety for miles +around; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> safest place was the post of duty. Many that day who turned +their backs upon the enemy and sought refuge in the woods some two miles +distant, were found torn to pieces by shell, or mangled by cannon ball—a +proper reward for those who, insensible to shame, duty, or patriotism, +desert their cause and comrades in the trying hour of battle, and skulk +away cringing under the fear of death.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">WATER FOR THE WOUNDED—COL. CAMERON KILLED—SCENES ON THE +BATTLE-FIELD—BURNSIDE’S BRIGADE—CAPTURE OF GRIFFIN’S AND RICKETT’S +BATTERIES—REBELS REINFORCED—THE PANIC AND RETREAT—THE WOUNDED AT +CENTERVILLE—MY RECONNOISSANCE—AN INSANE WOMAN ON THE FIELD—HIDING +FROM THE ENEMY—RETURN TO THE WOUNDED—EXPECTATION OF CAPTURE—ESCAPE +FROM THE REBELS—MY WALK TO ALEXANDRIA—FOOTSORE AND WEARY—ARRIVAL IN +WASHINGTON—LETTERS FROM DEAD SOLDIERS’ FRIENDS.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">I was</span> hurried off to Centerville, a distance of seven miles, for a fresh +supply of brandy, lint, etc. When I returned, the field was literally +strewn with wounded, dead and dying. Mrs. B. was nowhere to be found. Had +she been killed or wounded? A few moments of torturing suspense and then I +saw her coming toward me, running her horse with all possible speed, with +about fifty canteens hanging from the pommel of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> saddle. To all my +inquiries there was but one answer: “Don’t stay to care for the wounded +now; the troops are famishing with thirst and are beginning to fall back.” +Mr. B. then rode up with the same order, and we three started for a spring +a mile distant, having gathered up the empty canteens which lay strewn on +the field. This was the nearest spring; the enemy knew it, and +consequently had posted sharpshooters within rifle range to prevent the +troops being supplied with water. Notwithstanding this, we filled our +canteens, while the Minnie balls fell thick and fast around us, and +returned in safety to distribute the fruits of our labor among the +exhausted men.</p> + +<p>We spent three hours in this manner, while the tide of battle rolled on +more fiercely than before, until the enemy made a desperate charge on our +troops driving them back and taking full possession of the spring. +Chaplain B.’s horse was shot through the neck and bled to death in a few +moments. Then Mrs. B. and I dismounted and went to work again among the +wounded.</p> + +<p>Not long afterwards Col. Cameron, brother of the Secretary of War, came +dashing along the line, shouting, “Come on boys, the rebels are in full +retreat.” The words had scarcely been uttered when he fell, pierced to the +heart by a bullet. Surgeon P. was on the ground in an instant, but nothing +could be done for him; his wound was mortal, and he soon ceased to +breathe. There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> was no time to carry off the dead; we folded his arms +across his breast, closed his eyes, and left him in the cold embrace of +death.</p> + +<p>Still the battle continues without cessation; the grape and canister fill +the air as they go screaming on their fearful errand; the sight of that +field is perfectly appalling; men tossing their arms wildly calling for +help; there they lie bleeding, torn and mangled; legs, arms and bodies are +crushed and broken as if smitten by thunder-bolts; the ground is crimson +with blood; it is terrible to witness. Burnside’s brigade is being mown +down like grass by the rebel batteries; the men are not able to stand that +terrible storm of shot and shell; they begin to waver and fall back +slowly, but just at the right moment Capt. Sykes comes up to their relief +with his command of regulars. They sweep up the hill where Burnside’s +exhausted, shattered brigade still lingers, and are greeted with a shout +of joy, such as none but soldiers, who are almost overpowered by a fierce +enemy, and are reinforced by their brave comrades, can give.</p> + +<p>Onward they go, close up to the cloud of flame and smoke rolling from the +hill upon which the rebel batteries are placed—their muskets are +leveled—there is a click, click—a sheet of flame—a deep roll like that +of thunder, and the rebel gunners are seen to stagger and fall. The guns +become silent, and in a few moments are abandoned. This seems to occasion +great confusion in the rebel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> ranks. Regiments were scattered, and +officers were seen riding furiously and shouting their orders, which were +heard above the roar and din of battle.</p> + +<p>Captain Griffin’s and Rickett’s batteries are ordered forward to an +eminence from which the rebels have been driven. They come into position +and open a most destructive fire which completely routs the enemy. The +battle seems almost won and the enemy is retreating in confusion. Hear +what rebel Gen. Johnson says of his prospects at that time, in his +official report: “The long contest against a powerful enemy, and heavy +losses, especially of field officers, had greatly discouraged the troops +of Gen. Bee and Col. Evans. The aspect of affairs was critical.” Another +writes: “Fighting for hours under a burning sun, without a drop of water, +the conduct of our men could not be excelled; but human endurance has its +bounds, and all seemed about to be lost.” This goes to prove that it was a +desperately hard fought battle on both sides, and if no fresh troops had +been brought into the field, the victory would assuredly have been ours.</p> + +<p>But just as our army is confident of success, and is following up the +advantage which it has gained, rebel reinforcements arrive and turn the +tide of battle. Two rebel regiments of fresh troops are sent to make a +flank movement in order to capture Griffin’s and Rickett’s batteries. +They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> march through the woods, reach the top of the hill, and form a line +so completely in our rear as to fire almost upon the backs of the gunners. +Griffin sees them approach, but supposes them to be his supports sent by +Major Barry. However looking more intently at them, he thinks they are +rebels, and turns his guns upon them. Just as he is about to give the +order to fire, Major B. rides up shouting, “They are your supports, don’t +fire.” “No, sir, they are rebels,” replied Capt. Griffin. “I tell you, +sir, they are your supports,” said Major B. In obedience to orders the +guns were turned again, and while in the act of doing so, the supposed +supports fired a volley upon the gunners. Men and horses went down in an +instant. A moment more and those famous batteries were in the hands of the +enemy.</p> + +<p>The news of this disaster spread along our lines like wildfire; officers +and men were alike confounded; regiment after regiment broke and ran, and +almost immediately the panic commenced. Companies of cavalry were drawn up +in line across the road, with drawn sabers, but all was not sufficient to +stop the refluent tide of fugitives. Then came the artillery thundering +along, drivers lashing their horses furiously, which greatly added to the +terror of the panic stricken thousands crowded together en masse. In this +manner we reached Centerville where order was in some measure restored.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>Mrs. B. and I made our way to the stone church around which we saw stacks +of dead bodies piled up, and arms and legs were thrown together in heaps. +But how shall I describe the scene within the church at that hour. Oh, +there was suffering there which no pen can ever describe. One case I can +never forget. It was that of a poor fellow whose legs were both broken +above the knees, and from the knees to the thighs they were literally +smashed to fragments. He was dying; but oh, what a death was that. He was +insane, perfectly wild, and required two persons to hold him. Inflammation +had set in, and was rapidly doing its work; death soon released him, and +it was a relief to all present as well as to the poor sufferer.</p> + +<p>I went to another dying one who was bearing patiently all his sufferings. +Oh, poor pale face! I see it now, with its white lips and beseeching eyes; +and then the touching inquiry, “Do you think I’ll die before morning?” I +told him I thought he would, and asked: “Has death any terrors for you?” +He smiled that beautiful trusting smile which we sometimes see on the lips +of the dying saint, as he replied: “Oh no, I shall soon be asleep in +Jesus”; and then in a low plaintive voice he repeated the verse +commencing,</p> + +<p class="poem">Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep.</p> + +<p>While I stood beside him thus, someone tapped me on the shoulder. On +turning round I was beckoned to the side of one who was laid in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> corner, + +on the floor, with his face toward the wall. I knelt beside him and asked: +“What can I do for you, my friend?” He opened his eyes, with an effort, +and said, “I wish you to take that,” pointing to a small package which lay +beside him, “keep it until you get to Washington, and then, if it is not +too much trouble, I want you to write to mother and tell her how I was +wounded, and that I died trusting in Jesus.” Then I knew that I was +kneeling beside Willie L. He was almost gone—just ready “to lay down the +cross and take up the crown.” He signed to me to come nearer; and as I did +so, he put his hand to his head and tried to separate a lock of hair with +his fingers, but his strength failed; however, I understood that he wished +me to cut off a lock to send to his mother with the package. When he saw +that I understood him he seemed pleased that his last request was complied +with.</p> + +<p>Chaplain B. came and prayed with him, and while he was praying, the happy +spirit of Willie returned to Him who gave it. Heaven gained in this +instance another soul, but there was mourning in that widowed mother’s +heart. I thought, oh, how appropriate were the words of the poet to that +lonely mother:</p> + +<p class="poem">Not on the tented field,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O terror-fronted War!</span><br /> +Not on the battle-field,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All thy bleeding victims are;</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span><br /> +But in the lowly homes<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where sorrow broods like death,</span><br /> +And fast the mother’s sobs<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rise with each quick-drawn breath.</span><br /> +<br /> +That dimmed eye, fainting close—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And she may not be nigh!</span><br /> +’Tis mothers die—O God!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis but we mothers die.</span></p> + +<p>Our hearts and hands being fully occupied with such scenes as these, we +thought of nothing else. We knew nothing of the true state of affairs +outside, nor could we believe it possible when we learned that the whole +army had retreated toward Washington, leaving the wounded in the hands of +the enemy, and us, too, in rather an unpleasant situation. I could not +believe the stern truth, and was determined to find out for myself. +Consequently I went back to the heights, where I had seen the troops stack +their guns and throw themselves upon the ground at night-fall, but no +troops were there. I thought then that they had merely changed their +position, and that by going over the field I should certainly find them. I +had not gone far before I saw a camp fire in the distance. Supposing that +I had found a clue to the secret, I made all haste toward the fire; but as +I drew near I saw but one solitary figure sitting by it, and that was the +form of a female.</p> + +<p>Upon going up to her I recognised her as one of the washerwomen of our +army, I asked her what she was doing there and where the army<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> had gone. +Said she: “I don’t know anything about the army; I am cooking my husband’s +supper, and am expecting him home every minute; see what a lot of things I +have got for him,” pointing to a huge pile of blankets, haversacks and +canteens which she had gathered up, and over which she had constituted +herself sentinel. I soon found out that the poor creature had become +insane. The excitement of battle had proved too much for her, and all my +endeavors to persuade her to come with me were unavailing. I had no time +to spare, for I was convinced that the army had really decamped.</p> + +<p>Once more I started in the direction of Centerville. I had not gone more +than a few rods before I heard the clatter of horses’ hoofs. I stopped, +and looking in the direction of the fire I had just quitted, I saw a squad +of cavalry ride up to the woman who still sat there. Fortunately I had no +horse to make a noise or attract attention, having left mine at the +hospital with the intention of returning immediately. It was evident to my +mind that those were the enemy’s cavalry, and that it was necessary for me +to keep out of sight if possible until they were gone. Then the thought +came to me that the woman at the fire knew no better than to tell them +that I had been there a few minutes before. Happily, however, I was near a +fence, against which there were great piles of brush, and as the night was +becoming very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> dark and it was beginning to rain, I thought I could remain +undetected, at least until morning. My suspicions proved to be correct. +They were coming toward me, and compelling the woman to come and show them +the direction I had taken; I decided to crawl under one of those brush +heaps, which I did, and had scarcely done so, when up they came and +stopped over against the identical pile in which I was concealed.</p> + +<p>One of the men said “See here old woman, are you sure that she can tell us +if we find her?” “Oh, yes, she can tell you, I know she can,” was the +woman’s reply. They would go away a little distance and then come back +again; by and by they began to accuse the woman of playing a false game; +then they swore, threatened to shoot her, and she began to cry. All this +was an interesting performance I admit; but I did not enjoy it quite so +much, in consequence of being rather uncomfortably near the performers. At +last they gave it up as a hopeless case and rode away taking the woman +with them, and I was left in blissful ignorance of the mystery which they +wished me to unravel, and for once in my life I rejoiced at not having my +“curiosity” gratified.</p> + +<p>I remained there until the last echo of their retreating footsteps had +died away in the distance; then I came forth very cautiously and made my +way to Centerville, where the interesting intelligence awaited me that Mr. +and Mrs. B. had gone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> and had taken my horse, supposing that I had been +taken prisoner.</p> + +<p>The village of Centerville was not yet occupied by the rebels, so that I +might have made my escape without any further trouble; but how could I go +and leave those hospitals full of dying men, without a soul to give them a +drink of water? I must go into that Stone Church once more, even at the +risk of being taken prisoner. I did so—and the cry of “Water,” “water,” +was heard above the groans of the dying. Chaplain B. had told them before +leaving that they would soon be in the hands of the enemy—that the army +had retreated to Washington, and that there was no possibility of removing +the wounded. There they lay, calmly awaiting the approach of their cruel +captors, and apparently prepared to accept with resignation any fate which +their cruelty might suggest. Oh, how brave those men were! What moral +courage they possessed! Nothing but the grace of God and a right +appreciation of the great cause in which they had nobly fought, and bled, +could reconcile them to such suffering and humiliation.</p> + +<p>They all urged me to leave them, and not subject myself to the barbarous +treatment which I would be likely to receive if I should be taken +prisoner, adding—“If you do stay the rebels will not let you do anything +for us.” One of the men said: “Dr. E. has only been gone a little +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>while—he extracted three balls from my leg and arm, and that, too, with +his pen-knife. I saw twenty-one balls which he had taken from the limbs of +men in this hospital. He was determined to remain with us, but we would +not consent, for we knew he would not be allowed to do any more for us +after the rebels came; and you must go too, and go very soon or they will +be here.”</p> + +<p>After placing water within the reach of as many as could use their arms, +and giving some to those who could not—I turned to leave them, with +feelings that I cannot describe; but ere I reached the door a feeble voice +called me back—it was that of a young officer from Massachusetts; he held +in his hand a gold locket, and as he handed it to me he said—“Will you +please to open it?” I did so, and then held it for him to take a last look +at the picture which it contained. He grasped it eagerly and pressed it to +his lips again and again. The picture was that of a lady of rare beauty, +with an infant in her arms. She seemed scarcely more than a child herself; +on the opposite side was printed her name and address. While he still +gazed upon it with quivering lip, and I stood there waiting for some +tender message for the loved ones, the unmistakable tramp of cavalry was +heard in the street—a moment more, and I had snatched the locket from the +hands of the dying man and was gone.</p> + +<p>The streets were full of cavalry, but not near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> enough to discover me, as +the night was exceedingly dark and the rain came down in torrents. One +glance was sufficient to convince me that I could not escape by either +street. The only way was to climb a fence and go across lots, which I +immediately did, and came out on the Fairfax road about a mile from the +village, and then started for Washington on the “double quick.” I did not +reach Alexandria until noon the next day—almost exhausted, and my shoes +literally worn off my feet. Having walked all the way from Centerville in +the rain, without food, together with want of sleep and the fatigue of the +past week, caused me to present rather an interesting appearance. I +remained there two days before I could persuade my limbs to bear the +weight of my body. I then made my way to Washington, where I found my +friends quite anxious lest I had fallen into the hands of the enemy. A +number of men from whom I had received packages, money, etc., before going +into battle, and who reached Washington two days before I did, had come to +the conclusion that they had taken a pretty sure way of sending those +precious things to Richmond, and therefore my arrival was rather an +important event, and I was greeted with a hearty welcome.</p> + +<p>My first duty was to attend to those dying soldiers’ requests, which I did +immediately by writing to their friends and inclosing the articles which I +had received from the hands of those loved ones<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> who were now cold in +death. The answers to many of those letters lie before me while I write, +and are full of gratitude and kind wishes. One in particular I cannot read +without weeping. It is from Willie’s Mother. The following are a few +extracts: “Oh, can it be that my Willie will return to me no more? Shall I +never see my darling boy again, until I see him clothed in the +righteousness of Christ—thank God I shall see him then—I shall see him +then.”</p> + +<p class="poem">Now with all the mother’s heart<br /> +Torn and quivering with the smart,<br /> +I yield him, ’neath the chastening rod,<br /> +To my country and my God.</p> + +<p>“Oh, how I want to kiss those hands that closed my darling’s eyes, and +those lips which spoke words of comfort to him in a dying hour. The love +and prayers of a bereaved mother will follow you all through the journey +of life.” Yes, he is gone to return to her no more on earth, but her loss +is his eternal gain.</p> + +<p class="poem">Servant of God well done!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rest from thy loved employ;</span><br /> +The battle fought, the victory won,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Enter thy Master’s joy.</span></p> + +<p>He at least had won a victory—notwithstanding the defeat of the federal +army. Yes, a glorious victory.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">WASHINGTON AFTER BULL RUN—DEMORALIZATION OF THE ARMY—SICK +SOLDIERS—HOSPITAL SCENES—EXTRACTS FROM MY JOURNAL—SYMPATHY OF +SOLDIERS—FISHING FOR THE SICK—A FISH-LOVING DUTCHMAN—REORGANIZATION +OF THE ARMY—A VISIT TO THE PICKETS—PICKET DUTIES AND DANGERS—THE +ARMY INACTIVE—MCCLELLAN’S ADDRESS—MARCHING ORDERS AGAIN—EMBARKATION +OF THE ARMY FOR FORTRESS MONROE—THE CROWDED TRANSPORTS—DESCRIPTIONS +OF THE MONITOR—HER BUILD AND ARMAMENT—HER TURRET AND ENGINES.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Washington</span> at that time presented a picture strikingly illustrative of +military life in its most depressing form. To use the words of Captain +Noyes—“There were stragglers sneaking along through the mud inquiring for +their regiments, wanderers driven in by the pickets, some with guns and +some without, while every one you met had a sleepy, downcast appearance, +and looked as if he would like to hide his head from all the world.” Every +bar-room and groggery seemed filled to overflowing with officers and men, +and military discipline was nearly, or quite, forgotten for a time in the +army of the Potomac. While Washington was in this chaotic condition, the +rebel flag was floating over Munson’s Hill, in plain sight of the Federal +Capital.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>When General McClellan took command of the army of the Potomac, he found +it in a most lamentable condition, and the task of reorganizing and +disciplining such a mass of demoralized men was a Herculean one. However, +he proved himself equal to the task, and I think, that even his enemies +are willing to admit, that there is no parallel case in history where +there has been more tact, energy and skill displayed in transforming a +disorganized mob into an efficient and effective army; in fact, of +bringing order out of confusion.</p> + +<p>The hospitals in Washington, Alexandria and Georgetown were crowded with +wounded, sick, discouraged soldiers. That extraordinary march from Bull +Run, through rain, mud, and chagrin, did more toward filling the hospitals +than did the battle itself. I found Mrs. B. in a hospital, suffering from +typhoid fever, while Chaplain B. was looking after the temporal and +spiritual wants of the men with his usual energy and sympathy. He had many +apologies to offer “for running away with my horse,” as he termed it. +There were many familiar faces missing, and it required considerable time +to ascertain the fate of my friends. Many a weary walk I had from one +hospital to another to find some missing one who was reported to have been +sent to such and such a hospital; but after reading the register from top +to bottom I would find no such name there. Perhaps on my way out, in +passing the open door of one of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> wards, who should I see, laid upon a +cot, but the very object of my search, and upon returning to the office to +inform the steward of the fact, I would find that it was a slight mistake; +in registering the name; instead of being Josiah Phelps, it was Joseph +Philips; only a slight mistake, but such mistakes cause a great deal of +trouble sometimes.</p> + +<p>Measels, dysentery and typhoid fever were the prevailing diseases after +the retreat. After spending several days in visiting the different +hospitals, looking after personal friends, and writing letters for the +soldiers who were not able to write for themselves, I was regularly +installed in one of the general hospitals. I will here insert an extract +from my journal: “Aug. 3d, 1861. Georgetown, D. C. Have been on duty all +day. John C. is perfectly wild with delirium, and keeps shouting at the +top of his voice some military command, or, when vivid recollections of +the battle-field come to his mind, he enacts a pantomime of the terrible +strife—he goes through the whole manual of arms as correctly as if he +were in the ranks; and as he, in imagination, loads and fires in quick +succession, the flashing of his dying eye and the nervous vigor of his +trembling hands give fearful interest to the supposed encounter with the +enemy. When we tell him the enemy has retreated, he persists in pursuing; +and throwing his arms wildly around him he shouts to his men—‘Come on and +fight while there is a rebel left in Virginia!’ My friend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> Lieut. M. is +extremely weak and nervous, and the wild ravings of J. C. disturb him +exceedingly. I requested Surgeon P. to have him removed to a more quiet +ward, and received in reply—‘This is the most quiet ward in the whole +building.’ There are five hundred patients here who require constant +attention, and not half enough nurses to take care of them.</p> + +<p>“Oh, what an amount of suffering I am called to witness every hour and +every moment. There is no cessation, and yet it is strange that the sight +of all this suffering and death does not affect me more. I am simply eyes, +ears, hands and feet. It does seem as if there is a sort of stoicism +granted for such occasions. There are great, strong men dying all around +me, and while I write there are three being carried past the window to the +dead room. This is an excellent hospital—everything is kept in good +order, and the medical officers are skillful, kind and attentive.”</p> + +<p>The weary weeks went slowly by, while disease and death preyed upon the +men, and the “Soldiers’ Cemetery” was being quickly filled with new made +graves. The kindness of the soldiers toward each other is proverbial, and +is manifested in various ways. It is a common thing to see soldiers stand +guard night after night for sick comrades—and when off duty try, to the +utmost of their skill, to prepare their food in such a way as to tempt the +appetite of those poor fellows whom the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>surgeons “do not consider +sufficiently ill to excuse from duty;” but their comrades do, and do not +hesitate to perform their duty and their own also. And when brought to +camp hospital, helpless, worn down by disease, and fever preying upon +their vitals—those brave and faithful comrades do not forsake them, but +come several times every day to inquire how they are, and if there is +anything they can do for them. And it is touching to see those men, with +faces bronzed and stern, tenderly bending over the dying, while the tears +course down their sunburnt cheeks.</p> + +<p>There is scarcely a soldier’s grave where there is not to be seen some +marks of this noble characteristic of the soldier—the tastefully cut sod, +the planted evergreen, the carefully carved head-board, all tell of the +affectionate remembrance of the loved comrade. You will scarcely find such +strong and enduring friendship—such a spirit of self-sacrifice, and such +noble and grateful hearts, as among the soldiers. I think this is one +reason why the nurses do not feel the fatigue of hospital duty more than +they do; the gratitude of the men seems to act as a stimulant, and the +patient, uncomplaining faces of those suffering men almost invariably +greet you with a smile. I used to think that it was a disgrace for any +one, under ordinary circumstances, to be heard complaining, when those +mutilated, pain-racked ones bore everything with such heroic fortitude.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>I was not in the habit of going among the patients with a long, doleful +face, nor intimating by word or look that their case was a hopeless one, +unless a man was actually dying, and I felt it to be my duty to tell him +so. Cheerfulness was my motto, and a wonderful effect it had sometimes on +the despondent, gloomy feelings of discouraged and homesick sufferers. I +noticed that whenever I failed to arouse a man from such a state of +feeling, it generally proved a hopeless case. They were very likely not to +recover if they made up their minds that they must die, and persisted in +believing that there was no alternative.</p> + +<p>There were a great many pleasant things in connection with our camp +hospital duties. I really enjoyed gratifying some of the whims and strange +fancies of our poor convalescent boys, with whom I had become quite a +favorite. As I would pass along through the hospital in the morning, I +would generally have plenty of assistants in helping to make out my +programme for the day. For one I had to write letters, read some +particular book to another, and for a third I must catch some fish. I +remember on one occasion of an old Dutchman, a typhoid convalescent, +declaring that he could eat nothing until he could get some fresh fish, +and of course I must procure them for him. “But,” said I, “the doctor must +be consulted; perhaps he will not think it best for you to have any fish +yet, until you are stronger.” “Vell, I dusn’t care for te toctor—he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +dusn’t know vat mine appetite ish—te feesh I must have. Oh, mine Cot! I +must have some feesh.” And the old man wept like a child at the thought of +being disappointed. “Hunter’s Creek” was about a mile and a half from +camp, where Mr. and Mrs. B. and I had spent many an hour fishing and +shooting at the flocks of wild ducks which frequented it; so, after +providing myself with hook, line and bait, I made my way to the creek. +Soon after I commenced operations I drew up a monstrous eel, which defied +all my efforts to release the hook from its jaws. At last I was obliged to +draw it into camp by means of the line—and I was amply repaid for my +trouble on seeing the delight of the convalescents, and especially of my +old Dutchman, who continued to slap his hands together and say—“Dhat ish +coot—dhat ish coot.” The eel was handed over to the cook to be prepared +for dinner, and to the great satisfaction of the Dutchman he was permitted +to enjoy a portion of it.</p> + +<p>The army under McClellan began to assume a warlike aspect—perfect order +and military discipline were observed everywhere among the soldiers. It +was a splendid sight to see those well drilled troops on dress-parade—or +being reviewed by their gallant young commander, upon whose shoulders the +“stars” sat with so much grace and dignity.</p> + +<p>The monotony of camp life began to be broken up by armed reconnoissances +and skirmishing <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>between the pickets. Our lines were pushed forward to +Lewinsville on the right, and to Munson’s Hill in front. The pickets of +both armies were posted in plain sight of each other, only separated by +the beautiful corn-fields and peach-orchards. Picket firing was kept up +all along the lines on both sides, notwithstanding that flags of truce had +been sent in by both parties, several times, requesting that this +barbarous practice might cease.</p> + +<p>As soon as Mrs. B. was so far recovered as to be able to ride, we started +one day, accompanied by Mr. B. and Dr. E., for Munson’s Hill, to see the +pickets on duty. We rode along until we came within a short distance of +the rifle pits where our men were, when the rebels fired upon us. We +turned and rode back until we came to a clump of trees, where we +dismounted, hitched our horses, and proceeded the rest of the way on +foot—part of the way having to crouch along on our hands and knees, in +order to escape the bullets which were whistling above us. We reached the +rifle pits in safety, which were close to a rail fence, the rails of which +were perfectly riddled with Minnie balls. While we sat there looking +through an opera-glass, whiz! came a ball and struck the rail against +which my head rested; glancing, it passed through Dr. E.’s cap and lodged +in the shoulder of one of the men. We remained there until the firing +ceased, then returned to camp, carrying with us the wounded man.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>Picket duty is one of the most perilous and trying duties connected with +the service. A clergyman-soldier writing upon this subject, briefly +describes it: “Picket duty at all times is arbitrary, but at night it is +trebly so. No monarch on a throne, with absolute power, is more +independent, or exercises greater sway for the time being, than a private +soldier stationed on his beat with an enemy in front. Darkness veils all +distinctions. He is not obliged to know his own officers or comrades, or +the commanding general, only through the means of the countersign. With +musket loaded and capped he walks his rounds, having to do with matters +only of life and death, and at the same time clothed with absolute power. +It is a position of fearful importance and responsibility, one that makes +a man feel solemn and terribly in earnest. Often, too, these posts are in +thick woods, where the soldier stands alone, cut off from camp, cut off +from his fellows, subject only to the harrassings of his own imagination +and sense of danger. The shadows deepen into inky night; all objects +around him, even the little birds that were his companions during the day, +are gathered within the curtains of a hushed repose; but the soldier, with +every nerve and faculty of his mind strained to the utmost tension of +keenness and sensibility, speaks only in whispers; his fingers tighten +round the stock of his musket as he leans forward to catch the sound of +approaching <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>footsteps, or, in absence of danger, looks longingly up to +the cold, grey sky, with its wealth of shining stars.”</p> + +<p>Yes, the picket is exposed to danger constantly, and to various kinds of +danger. He knows not what moment a lurking foe may spring upon him from +the darkness, or a bullet from a scout or sharpshooter may reach him at +any time. Then, too, he is exposed to the raging elements—heat and cold, +rain and snow; no matter whether in the depths of the forest, or in the +open plain, or in the rifle-pit standing in water knee deep, the poor +picket must not heed the storm, but keep both eyes and ears open to catch +the slightest sound. After severe marches, when the men are greatly +fatigued, and it seems almost impossible to perform any more duty without +rest and sleep, some, of course, are sent on picket duty, while the rest +are permitted to sleep. Oh, how my heart has ached for those men; and it +seemed to me that the persons and regiments in which I was most interested +always had the most picket duty to perform.</p> + +<p>On the 14th of March General McClellan issued an address to the army of +the Potomac, announcing the reasons why they had been so long unemployed. +The battle of Bull Run was fought in July, 1861. It was now March, 1862, +and during this interval the army of the Potomac, numbering some two +hundred and fifty thousand men, had been inactive, excepting their daily +drills behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> their entrenchments. The flags of the enemy were in sight. +Washington was in a state of siege, and not a transport could ascend the +river without running the gauntlet of the rebel batteries. In his address +General McClellan announced the reasons for their inactivity as follows:</p> + +<p>“Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac: For a long time I have kept you +inactive, but not without a purpose. You were to be disciplined, armed and +instructed. The formidable artillery you now have had to be created. Other +armies were to move and accomplish certain results. I have held you back +that you might give the death-blow to the rebellion that has distracted +our once happy country. The patience you have shown, and your confidence +in your General, are worth a dozen victories. These preliminary results +are now accomplished. I feel that the patient labors of many months have +produced their fruit. The army of the Potomac is now a real army, +magnificent in material, admirable in discipline and instruction, +excellently equipped and armed. Your commanders are all that I could wish. +The moment for action has arrived, and I know that I can trust in you to +save our country. The period of inaction has passed. I will bring you now +face to face with the rebels, and only pray that God may defend the +right.”</p> + +<p>Marching orders were issued once more to the army of the Potomac. The sick +were sent off,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> camps broken up, and all stood prepared for another +encounter with the enemy. The bitter remembrance of the defeat at Bull Run +still rankled in the minds of the men, and now they were anxious for an +opportunity to retaliate upon the foe, and win back the laurels they had +so ingloriously lost upon that disastrous field. Various speculations were +indulged in with regard to their destination. One prophesied that they +were going to Richmond by way of Fredericksburg, another was positive that +they were to go by the way of Manassas, and a third declared that it was +down the Shenandoah valley to take Richmond on the flank and rear; but, to +the utter astonishment of all, they were ordered to Alexandria to embark +for Fortress Monroe. Regiment after regiment was huddled together on board +until every foot of room was occupied, and there remained but little +prospect of comfort for either officers or men.</p> + +<p>As soon as each transport received its cargo of men, horses and +provisions, it floated out into the stream, while another steamed up to +the wharf in its place, until the whole fleet lay side by side, freighted +with over a hundred thousand human lives, and awaiting the signal to weigh +anchor. The troops were eager for a campaign; they had lain inactive so +long, while “victory” thundered all around them, that they were becoming +impatient to strike another blow at rebellion, and blot out the +remembrance of the past. Roanoke, Pea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> Ridge, Newbern, Winchester and +Donelson—were a succession of victories which had been achieved, and the +army of the Potomac had not participated in them. The men felt this, and +were prepared for anything but inactivity. Everything being in readiness, +the signal was given, and the whole fleet was soon moving in the direction +of Fortress Monroe, with the stars and stripes floating from every +mast-head, and the music of national airs awakening the slumbering echoes +as we swiftly glided over the quiet waters of the Potomac.</p> + +<p>The first real object of interest which presented itself was the “Monitor” +lying off Fortress Monroe. It reminded me of what I once heard a man say +to his neighbor about his wife; said he, “Neighbor, you might worship your +wife without breaking either of the ten commandments.” “How is that?” +asked the man; “Because she is not the likeness of anything in heaven +above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth.” So +thought I of the Monitor.</p> + +<p>There she sat upon the water a glorious impregnable battery, the wonder of +the age, the terror of rebels, and the pride of the North. The Monitor is +so novel in structure that a minute description will be necessary to +convey an accurate idea of her character. “She has two hulls. The lower +one is of iron, five-eighths of an inch thick. The bottom is flat, and six +feet six inches in depth—sharp at both ends, the cut-water retreating at +an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> angle of about thirty degrees. The sides, instead of having the +ordinary bulge, incline at an angle of about fifty-one degrees. This hull +is one hundred and twenty-four feet long, and thirty-four feet broad at +the top. Resting on this is the upper hull, flat-bottomed, and both longer +and wider than the lower hull, so that it projects over in every +direction, like the guards of a steamboat. It is one hundred and +seventy-four feet long, forty-one feet four inches wide, and five feet +deep. These sides constitute the armor of the vessel. In the first place +is an inner guard of iron, half an inch thick. To this is fastened a wall +of white oak, placed endways, and thirty inches thick, to which are bolted +six plates of iron, each an inch thick, thus making a solid wall of +thirty-six and a half inches of wood and iron. This hull is fastened upon +the lower hull, so that the latter is entirely submerged, and the upper +one sinks down three feet into the water. Thus but two feet of hull are +exposed to a shot. The under hull is so guarded by the projecting upper +hull, that a ball, to strike it, would have to pass through twenty-five +feet of water. The upper hull is also pointed at both ends. The deck comes +flush with the top of the hull, and is made bomb-proof. No railing or +bulwark rises above the deck. The projecting ends serve as a protection to +the propeller, rudder and anchor, which cannot be struck. Neither the +anchor or chain is ever exposed. The anchor is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> peculiar, being very +short, but heavy. It is hoisted into a place fitted for it, outside of the +lower hull, but within the impenetrable shield of the upper one. On the +deck are but two structures rising above the surface, the pilot-house and +turret. The pilot-house is forward, made of plates of iron, the whole +about ten inches in thickness, and shot-proof. Small slits and holes are +cut through, to enable the pilot to see his course. The turret, which is +apparently the main feature of the battery, is a round cylinder, twenty +feet in interior diameter, and nine feet high. It is built entirely of +iron plates, one inch in thickness, eight of them securely bolted +together, one over another. Within this is a lining of one-inch iron, +acting as a damper to deaden the effects of a concussion when struck by a +ball—thus there is a shield of nine inches of iron. The turret rests on a +bed-plate, or ring, of composition, which is fastened to the deck. To help +support the weight, which is about a hundred tons, a vertical shaft, ten +inches in diameter, is attached and fastened to the bulk-head. The top is +made shot-proof by huge iron beams, and perforated to allow of +ventilation. It has two circular port-holes, both on one side of the +turret, three feet above the deck, and just large enough for the muzzle of +the gun to be run out. The turret is made to revolve, being turned by a +special engine. The operator within, by a rod connected with the engine, +is enabled to turn it at pleasure. It can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> be made to revolve at the rate +of sixty revolutions a minute, and can be regulated to stop within half a +degree of a given point. When the guns are drawn in to load, the port-hole +is stopped by a huge iron pendulum, which falls to its place, and makes +that part as secure as any, and can be quickly hoisted to one side. The +armament consists of two eleven-inch Dahlgren guns. Various improvements +in the gun-carriage enable the gunner to secure almost perfect aim.</p> + +<p>“The engine is not of great power, as the vessel was designed as a +battery, and not for swift sailing. It being almost entirely under water, +the ventilation is secured by blowers, drawing the air in forward, and +discharging it aft. A separate engine moves the blowers and fans the +fires. There is no chimney, so the draft must be entirely artificial. The +smoke passes out of gratings in the deck. Many suppose the Monitor to be +merely an iron-clad vessel, with a turret; but there are, in fact, between +thirty and forty patentable inventions upon her, and the turret is by no +means the most important one. Very properly, what these inventions are is +not proclaimed to the public.”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">ARRIVAL AT FORTRESS MONROE—THE VILLAGE OF HAMPTON—VISITING THE +CONTRABANDS—ARRIVAL OF FUGITIVES—A REAL “CAMP MEETING”—FEEDING THE +NEGROES—CAMP MISERIES—MULES—MISS PERIWINKLE’S MULES—THE +COQUETTISH, THE MORAL, THE HISTRIONIC, AND THE PATHETIC MULE—OUR +JACK—LINES OF LOVE—MY BOX AND PRESENTS—A THREE-STORY CAKE—A +SERENADE AND SURPRISE PARTY—GOOD AND BAD CHAPLAINS—THE MORALS OF THE +ARMY—SLANDERS ABOUT SOLDIERS.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">We</span> arrived at Fortress Monroe in a drenching rain, immediately +disembarked, and proceeded at once to Hampton—formerly a beautiful little +village containing about five hundred houses, many of them elegant brick +buildings, but which now lay a blackened mass of ruins, having been burned +a few months previous by order of rebel General Magruder. The village was +about three miles from Fortress Monroe, and situated on the west side of a +creek, or arm of the sea, called Hampton river, the Yorktown road passing +directly through its center. It was a great relief to the troops to +disembark from the filthy, crowded transports, notwithstanding they had to +march through the mud and rain, and then pitch their tents on the wet +ground. Fires were soon built, coffee made, and nice fresh bread served +out,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> which was brought to us by the commissary department at the fort.</p> + +<p>As Mrs. B. and I had a little respite at this particular juncture, we set +about visiting the contrabands. They occupied a long row of board +buildings near the fort. The men were employed in loading and unloading +Government vessels, and the women were busily engaged in cooking and +washing. No language can describe the joy of these men and women at being +liberated from bondage. As the Jews of old were looking for the promised +Messiah, so the slaves universally regarded the advent of the northern +army as the harbinger of their deliverance.</p> + +<p>Mr. A. relates the following anecdote, illustrative of this fact, which +took place at the battle of Newbern: “A slaveholder, breathless with +terror, spurred his horse to his utmost speed past his own house, not +venturing to stop. Just then a shell, with its terrific, unearthly shriek, +rushed through the air over his head. A poor slave, a man of unfeigned +piety and fervent prayer, in uncontrollable emotions of joy, ran into his +humble cabin, shouting: ‘Wife, he is running, he is running, and the wrath +of God is after him. Glory hallelujah! the appointed time has come; we are +free, we are free!’”</p> + +<p>With regard to my own visit to the contraband quarters, I give the +following extract from my journal: “Visited the contrabands to-day, and +was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> much pleased with their cheerful, happy appearance. They are +exceedingly ignorant, yet there is one subject upon which they can +converse freely and intelligibly, and that is—Christ—the way of +salvation. Almost all with whom I conversed to-day were praying men and +women. Oh, how I should like to teach these people! They seem so anxious +for instruction, I know they would learn quickly. Some of them are whiter +and prettier than most of our northern ladies. There is a family here, all +of whom have blue eyes, light hair, fair skin and rosy cheeks; yet they +are contrabands, and have been slaves. But why should blue eyes and golden +hair be the distinction between bond and free?”</p> + +<p>One bitter, stormy night, about eleven o’clock, a band of these poor +fugitives, numbering over forty, presented themselves at the picket line, +for admittance to the federal camp, imploring protection. The officer of +the picket guard being called, and the case presented, the contrabands +were permitted to pass through. But no sooner had their poor torn and +bleeding feet touched the federal soil, than they fell upon their knees, +and returned thanks to God and to the soldiers for their deliverance. They +came into camp about one o’clock in the morning, shouting “Glory! Glory to +God!” Notwithstanding the early hour, and the stormy night, the whole camp +was aroused; every one rushed out to find out the cause of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>excitement. There they were, black as midnight, all huddled together in a +little group—some praying, some singing, and others shouting. We had a +real “camp meeting” time for a while. Soon the exercises changed, and they +began to relate their experiences, not only religious experiences, but a +brief history of their lives. Some were husbands and fathers. Their +masters had sold them down south, lest they should escape. In their terror +they had escaped by night, and fled to the National banner for refuge, +leaving all behind that was dear to them.</p> + +<p>In conclusion, one old man, evidently their leader, stood up and said: “I +tell you, my breddern, dat de good Lord has borne wid dis yere slav’ry +long time wid great patience. But now he can’t bore it no longer, no how; +and he has said to de people ob de North—go and tell de slaveholders to +let de people go, dat dey may sarve me.” There were many there who had +listened to the old colored man’s speech and believed, as I did, that +there was more truth than poetry in it. Many hearts were moved with +sympathy towards them, as was soon proved by the actions of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>An immense fire was built, around which these poor darkies eagerly +gathered, as they were both wet, cold and hungry; then a large camp kettle +of coffee was made and set before them, with plenty of bread and meat to +satisfy their ravenous appetites—for ravenous they were, not having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +tasted food for more than two days. Then blankets were provided, and they +soon became comfortable, and as happy as human beings could be under such +circumstances. Mrs. B. and I returned to our tents feeling very much like +indorsing the sentiment of “Will Jones’ resolve:”</p> + +<p class="poem">Resolved, although my brother be a slave,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And poor and black, he is my brother still;</span><br /> +Can I, o’er trampled “institutions,” save<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That brother from the chain and lash, I will.</span></p> + +<p>A cold, drizzling rain continued to descend for several days, and our camp +became a fair specimen of “Virginia mud.” I began to feel the effects of +the miasma which came floating on every breeze from the adjacent swamps +and marshes, and fever and ague became my daily companions for a time. As +I sat in my tent, roasting or shivering as the case might be, I took a +strange pleasure in watching the long trains of six mule teams which were +constantly passing and repassing within a few rods of my tent. As “Miss +Periwinkle” remarks, there are several classes of mules. “The coquettish +mule has small feet, a nicely trimmed tail, perked up ears, and seems much +given to little tosses of the head, affected skips and prances, and, if he +wears bells or streamers, puts on as many airs as any belle. The moral +mule is a stout, hardworking creature, always tugging with all his might, +often pulling away after the rest have stopped, laboring under the +conscientious delusion that food<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> for the entire army depends upon his +individual exertions. The histrionic mule is a melo-dramatic sort of +quadruped, prone to startle humanity by erratic leaps and wild plunges, +much shaking of the stubborn head and lashing of his vicious heels; now +and then falling flat, and apparently dying <i>a la</i> Forrest, a gasp, a +groan, a shudder, etc., till the street is blocked up, the drivers all +swearing like so many demons, and the chief actor’s circulation becomes +decidedly quickened by every variety of kick, cuff and jerk imaginable. +When the last breath seems to have gone with the last kick, and the +harness has been taken off, then a sudden resurrection takes place. He +springs to his feet, and proceeds to give himself two or three comfortable +shakes, and if ever mule laughed in scornful triumph it is he, and as he +calmly surveys the excited crowd, seems to say: ‘A hit! a decided hit!’ +For once the most stupid of all animals has outwitted more than a dozen of +the lords of creation. The pathetic mule is, perhaps, the most interesting +of all; for although he always seems to be the smallest, thinnest, and +weakest of the six, yet, in addition to his equal portion of the heavy +load, he carries on his back a great postillion, with tremendous boots, +long tailed coat, and heavy whip. This poor creature struggles feebly +along, head down, coat muddy and rough, eye spiritless and sad, and his +whole appearance a perfect picture of meek misery, fit to touch a heart of +stone.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> Then there is another class of mules which always have a jolly, +cheer-up sort of look about them—they take everything good naturedly, +from cudgeling to carressing, and march along with a roguish twinkle in +their eye which is very interesting.”</p> + +<p>One morning, as I was just recovering from fever and ague, Jack, our +faithful colored boy, made his appearance at the door of my tent, touching +his hat in the most approved military style, and handed me a letter +bearing my address, saying, as he did so, “Dar’s a box at de ’spress +office for you. May I run and fotch it?” I said, “Oh, yes, Jack, you may +bring it, but be careful and keep the cover on, there may be chickens in +it.” Jack knew the meaning of that allusion to chickens, and so ran off +singing:</p> + +<p class="poem">Massa run, ha, ha!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Darkies stay, ho, ho!</span><br /> +It must be now dat de kingdom’s cumin<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In de year ob jubilo.</span></p> + +<p>In the meantime I opened my letter, from which I make the following +extract: “Having learned your address through Mrs. L——, whose son was +killed at the battle of Bull Run, we send you a donation in token of our +respect and esteem, and of our gratitude for your faithfulness on the +field and in the hospital.” The following lines were also inclosed:</p> + +<p class="poem">In the ranks of the sick and dying, in the chamber where death-dews fall,<br /> +Where the sleeper wakes from his trances to leap to the bugle-call,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>Is there hope for the wounded soldier? Ah, no! for his heart-blood flows,<br /> +And the flickering flames of life must wane, to fail at the evening’s close.<br /> +<br /> +Oh, thou who goest, like a sunbeam, to lighten the darkness and gloom,<br /> +Make way for the path of glory through the dim and shadowy room;<br /> +Go speak to him words of comfort, and teach him the way to die,<br /> +With his eyes upraised from the starry flag to the blessed cross on high.<br /> +<br /> +And tell him brave hearts are beating with pulses as noble as thine;<br /> +That we count them at home by the thousands—thou sweetest sister of mine;<br /> +That they fail not and flinch not from duty while the vials of wrath are outpoured,<br /> +And tell him to call it not grievous, but joyous to fall by the sword.<br /> +<br /> +When the hosts of the foe are outnumbered, and the day of the Lord is at hand,<br /> +Shall we halt in the heat of the battle, and fail at the word of command?<br /> +Oh, no! through the trouble and anguish, by the terrible pathway of blood,<br /> +We must bear up the flag of our freedom, on—on through the perilous flood.<br /> +<br /> +And if one should be brought faint and bleeding, though wounded, yet not unto death,<br /> +Oh plead with the soft airs of heaven to favor his languishing breath;<br /> +Be faithful to heal and to save him, assuaging the fever and pains,<br /> +Till the pulse in his strong arm be strengthened and the blood courses free in his veins.</p> + +<p>While Mrs. B. and I were speculating with regard to the contents of the +box, Jack’s woolly head reappeared in the doorway, and the subject of our +curiosity was before us. “Dar it be, and mity heavy, too; guess it mus’ be +from ——.” So saying, young hopeful disappeared. The box was soon opened, +its contents examined and commented upon. First came a beautiful silk and +rubber reversible cloak, which could be folded into such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> a small compass +that it could be put into an ordinary sized pocket, and a pair of rubber +boots.</p> + +<p>Then came a splendid silver-mounted revolver, belt and miniature +cartridge-box. But the greatest piece of perfection I ever saw came in the +shape of a “housewife;” it was lined and covered with oil silk, and my +name printed on it in gilt letters, above which was an eagle, and below +was the following inscription: “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten +thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” Then came +pocket-handkerchiefs, gloves, and other articles too numerous to mention. +But last, not least, was found in the bottom, stowed away in one corner, +two bottles of the best currant wine, a nice jar of jelly, and a large +loaf of cake, frosted and mottoed in fine style. This cake was certainly a +great curiosity. It was a three-story cake, with three doors made to slide +back by gently pulling a bell-handle which was made of rosettes of red, +white and blue ribbon. To the first bell-cord was attached a splendid gold +ring, to the second a ten dollar gold piece, and to the third and last a +small sized hunting cased gold watch and chain. At such revelations I +began to feel as if my humble tent had become an enchanted palace, and +that all I should have to do in future would be to rub that mysterious +ring, and the genii would appear, ready to supply all my wants. We then +commenced to divide the spoil, Mrs. B. positively asserting that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> she had +no right to any part of the donation, and I telling her that in all +probability it was all intended for her, and through one of those “slight +mistakes” it was directed to me.</p> + +<p>The news of this wonderful box soon spread through camp, and the result +was that we had a surprise party as soon as evening came, Chaplain B. +taking the opportunity of making some very appropriate remarks on the +occasion. Then came the band to serenade us, and the consequence was that +our cake and wine disappeared with our numerous friends, for we found that +all were willing to obey the scriptural injunction, “Take a little wine,” +etc. Chaplain B. is a very worthy, zealous, faithful minister, and I have +spoken very highly of him, but perhaps in doing so I have given the +impression that all chaplains are good and faithful. I am very sorry to +state that it is not so. There are some who have no fitness for their +work, and some a disgrace to their profession. I think I am safe in saying +that one bad chaplain will do more harm in a regiment than a hundred good +men can counteract. If there is any place on earth where faithful +ministers are needed more than another, it is in the army—it is in the +hospital. But may God have mercy upon those who go there, whose object is +dollars and cents—who neglect their duty, and fill the places which +should be occupied by Christ-like heralds of the cross who love the souls +of their fellow men. I think the words of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> the Saviour are particularly +applicable to some of the chaplains of the army when He says: “Woe unto +you hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men,” etc. I +have conversed with many in the army upon the subject of religion, who +told me that the conduct of certain chaplains had more influence in +keeping them away from the Saviour than all the combined forces of the +evil one. Such chaplains are there through political influence, regardless +of qualifications.</p> + +<p>Some persons have tried very hard to get up the general belief that the +army is terribly demoralized in its best estate, and all who go there must +inevitably plunge into vice; but a greater slander was never propagated. +There is, undoubtedly, vice in the army; but where is there a city or +community throughout the North where vice is not to be found? +notwithstanding the tide of moral and religious influence which is daily +brought to bear against it. Although the outer man appears rough, and much +drunkenness and other evils exist in the army, yet there is much that is +pure, lovely, and of good report in the character of both officers and +men. “I can speak of that I do know, and testify of that which I have +seen,” and I am free to say that I think the morals of the majority of the +men are quite as good, if not better than you will find among the same +number at home, made up of all classes as we find them in the army.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>It is true many have backslidden since they left home; but is equally true +that <i>very</i> many have been reformed, and are now better men than when they +enlisted. Every day’s history proves that there are thousands of noble +hearted, pure minded christians in our army, and none but traitors and +infidels, the enemies of God and man, will deny this fact.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">THE MARCH TO YORKTOWN—SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES—CAMP COOKERY—DIFFERENT +CHARACTERS IN THE ARMY—ARRIVAL OF TRAINS—CHANGE OF CAMP—TRYING TO +SHELL US OUT—THE OLD SAW-MILL—A CONSTANT TARGET—ASSAULTS ON OUR +OUTPOSTS—A REBEL APPEAL—YORKTOWN AND VICINITY—THE +SITUATION—BALLOON RECONNOISSANCES—PROF. LOWE ON HIGH—REBEL +VIXENS—A CURIOUS VISIT—A STRANGE HOSTESS—SHE TRIES TO KILL ME—I +WOUND HER AND CAPTURE A PRISONER—A CONVERSION—THE SECESH WOMAN +BECOMES A FEDERAL NURSE.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">On to Richmond</span> once more resounded through the camp, and the army was +again in motion. The Yorktown road is one long to be remembered, +especially by those who that day had to toil through its mud and mire, or, +by making a mis-step, fall into one of the yawning chasms from which some +unfortunate mule had been drawn. The rain had continued almost all the +time we were encamped at Hampton, “saturating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> the clayey soil, which soon +became a vast bed of mortar under the artillery trains.” The distance from +Hampton to Yorktown is about twenty-three miles, and it required all the +determination and energy of veterans to march half that distance in a day. +With two days’ rations in their haversacks, the men marched until they +arrived in front of Yorktown, where they bivouacked on the ground, over +which the water was running like a flood. We remained three days in that +condition, and it was the first time I ever saw anything like scarcity of +food in the army.</p> + +<p>It was scarce indeed, for we were only supplied with two days’ rations on +starting from Hampton. The fifth day had arrived, but no provisions had +yet appeared, and it seemed morally impossible to get a supply train over +the road. Mile after mile of corduroy bridge had to be made before a team +dare venture to approach. Our horses, too, were as badly off for forage as +the men were for provisions. On the fifth day, with several others, I +received permission to go out and buy what we could at the houses anywhere +within three miles of our encampment.</p> + +<p>After procuring a quantity of biscuit, pies, and corn bread, we returned +to camp, and were quite surprised to find the boys engaged in cutting up +and cooking fresh steak. We thought, of course, our provisions had +arrived, but found that it was only a little dash they had just made upon +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> “chivalry’s” cattle, appropriating them to their own use with a sort +of earnestness which seemed to say, I firmly believe in the old proverb, +<i>Aide toi, et le ciel t’aidera</i>.</p> + +<p>Oh, what a place the army is for the study of human nature! As I looked +around upon that mass of busy men, I thought I could discover almost every +trait in the human character depicted upon their countenances. There was +the selfish man, only intent upon serving himself, and fearing there would +not enough come to his share to satisfy his wants; then there was old +churlish Nabal away by himself building a fire for his own especial +benefit, and which “no man dare approach unto,” no, not within baking, +broiling, or roasting distance, not even to get a coal to kindle one for +himself. But that class of character, thank heaven, was a very small +minority. There, too, was the cheerful, happy man, who had been several +hours engaged in cutting up and serving out to others, and had no lot or +part in the broiled steaks which were smoking around him; yet he looked as +good natured as if he had dined on roast beef and plum pudding. Then there +was another phase of character—one who always made it the first duty, +under all circumstances, to look after those who were not able to look +after themselves.</p> + +<p>While the little trials of camp life have a tendency to harden and sour +the dispositions of some,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> they seem to bring to light and develop the +cheerful, happy, unselfish spirit of others. One has truthfully said that +“there is no other quality so diffusive of joy, both to him who possesses +it and to those with whom he has friendly intercourse, as cheerfulness. It +is the phase of a soul sitting in its own sunshine. There are luminous +planets which are viewed by the aid of their own light, others there are +which are seen through borrowed light. So it is with individuals. There +seem to be some who have scarcely any light of their own, and who shine by +the reflection of the light of others; while others there are who possess +an intrinsic and inexhaustible source of sunshine, which renders them not +only self-illuminating, but capable of irradiating those around them. Many +are cheerful when a sparkling rill of pleasure is gurgling in their +hearts, or when prosperity encircles them, or looms up gorgeously in their +prospective vision. But few are cheerful when adversity casts its gloomy +shadows around them; when sorrow and disappointment dry up their fountains +of pleasure and wither their hopes. In such crises cheerfulness is an +independent virtue, and in others an accidental mood.”</p> + +<p>The despondency of the few was soon removed, and the patience and +cheerfulness of the many rewarded by the arrival of the provision and +baggage trains. We then exchanged our camp for one in a more pleasant +locality, where there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> more wood and not quite so much water, which +added much to the comfort of the troops. The enemy soon found out our +position, and did not fail to inform us of the fact by frequently saluting +us with an immense shell, or thirty-two pound cannon ball, which would +burst over our heads or fall within a few rods—often within a few +feet—of our tents. We remained in that camp just one month, and, +notwithstanding the enemy shelled us night and day, I never saw a man or +beast injured by shot or shell in camp while we remained there.</p> + +<p>I presume many of my readers will remember seeing or hearing of the old +saw-mill which stood near a peach orchard, and which the soldiers +persisted in running, to the great annoyance of the rebels. That old +saw-mill deserves to be immortalized in song as well as in history; and if +it stood in any other than a christian land, it would undoubtedly become +an object of idolatry. There it stood, in perfect range of the enemy’s +batteries, a target at which they never seemed tired of firing, while our +brave soldiers risked their lives in sawing lumber for the purpose of +laying board floors in the hospital tents, to secure some degree of +comfort, for their poor sick comrades.</p> + +<p>Time after time the mill was set on fire by the explosion of shells as +they passed through it, but up would go some brave young hero, and stand +in the very jaws of death while his companions would hand him bucket after +bucket of water to quench<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> the flames. As soon as the fire was +extinguished the men resumed their labor, and the old mill steamed away +with all its might, as if proud of the “stars and stripes” which waved +from its summit, and of being permitted to show its patriotism and zeal +for the glorious cause of freedom by working for good old “Uncle Sam” and +his noble sons. Then it would give vent to its pent up wrath in hisses and +shrieks, bidding proud defiance to Jeff. Davis and his minions, who were +trying in vain to stop its humane and patriotic efforts. For more than +three weeks those brave men kept the steam up in that mill, until their +object was accomplished, having to stop almost every half hour to repair +the ravages of shot and shell. Notwithstanding the constant fire of the +rebel batteries, the dilapidated appearance of the mill from its effects, +and the danger of the situation, yet not a man was killed in or about it, +and not one wounded, to my knowledge.</p> + +<p>I remember one day of passing the mill in a great hurry—and it was well +that I was in a hurry, for I had scarcely rode by it when I heard a +terrific crash close at hand, which made my horse leap from the ground +with terror. Upon turning round I saw that a part of the smoke stack had +been carried away, and the mill was on fire. I rode up to the door and +inquired if any one was killed or injured; no, not a man was hurt, and the +fire was soon subdued by the vigorous efforts of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> those sturdy soldiers, +who looked as jolly over the disaster as if it had really been a good +joke.</p> + +<p>The rebels were beginning to make some desperate assaults upon our +outposts; they were driving in the advance pickets on our left wing, and +making similar demonstrations along different parts of the line. They were +evidently concentrating a large force behind their fortifications, and +were determined to make a desperate resistance. Deserters came in bringing +Richmond papers crowded with appeals to the Southern “chivalry,” of which +the following is a specimen:</p> + +<p>“The next few days may decide the fate of Richmond. It is either to remain +the Capital of the Confederacy, or to be turned over to the Federal +Government as a Yankee conquest. The Capital is either to be secured or +lost—it may be feared not temporarily, and with it Virginia. Then, if +there is blood to be shed, let it be shed here; no soil of the Confederacy +could drink it up more acceptably, and none would hold it more gratefully. +Wife, family, and friends are nothing. Leave them all for one glorious +hour to be devoted to the Republic. Life, death, and wounds are nothing if +we only be saved from the fate of a captured and humiliated Confederacy. +Let the Government act; let the people act. There is time yet. If fate +comes to its worst, let the ruins of Richmond be its most lasting +monument.”</p> + +<p>General McClellan’s despatch to the War <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>Department will best describe the +state of affairs at this time in Yorktown and vicinity; he says:</p> + +<p>“The whole line of the Warwick, which really heads within a mile of +Yorktown, is strongly defended by detached redoubts and other +fortifications, armed with heavy and light guns. The approaches, except at +Yorktown, are covered by the Warwick, over which there is but one, or at +most, two passages, both of which are covered by strong batteries. All the +prisoners state that General J. E. Johnson arrived at Yorktown yesterday, +with strong reinforcements. It seems clear that I shall have the whole +force of the enemy on my hands—probably not less than one hundred +thousand men, and possibly more.</p> + +<p>“Under the circumstances which have been developed since we arrived here, +I feel fully impressed with the conviction that here is to be fought the +great battle that is to decide the existing contest. I shall of course +commence the attack as soon as I can get up my siege train, and shall do +all in my power to carry the enemy’s works; but to do this, with a +reasonable degree of certainty, requires, in my judgment, that I should, +if possible, have at least the whole of the first corps to land upon the +Severn river and attack Gloucester in the rear. My present strength will +not admit of a detachment sufficient for this purpose without materially +impairing the efficiency of this column.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>While these preparations were going forward on both sides, Professor Lowe +was making balloon reconnoissances, and transmitting the result of his +observations to General McClellan by telegraph from his castle in the air, +which seemed suspended from the clouds, reminding one of the fabled gods +of old looking down from their ethereal abodes upon the conflicts of the +inhabitants of this mundane sphere. One of the officers one day playfully +remarked: “Professor, I am always sorry when I see you descend with your +balloon.” “Why are you sorry, Colonel? Would you wish to see me suspended +between heaven and earth all the time?” “Oh, no, not that; but when I see +you coming down I am afraid you will never get so near heaven again.”</p> + +<p>I was often sent out to procure supplies for the hospitals, butter, eggs, +milk, chickens, etc., and in my rambles I used to meet with many +interesting adventures. In some instances I met with narrow escapes with +my life, which were not quite so interesting; and the timely appearance of +my revolver often rescued me from the hands of the female rebels of the +Peninsula. Persons dwelling in regions which slavery has not debased can +hardly imagine the malice and ferocity manifested by the rebel vixens of +the slave states. Upon this point the testimony from all parts of the +South is invariable. The Louisville Journal says: “Thousands have read +with astonishment the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>account which historians give of the conduct of +women in Paris during the Reign of Terror. The women are said to have been +more fierce and bloodthirsty than even the fiercest and most bloodthirsty +of the men. Many of our people have supposed that the accounts given of +those things must surely be fictions or exaggerations. They have felt +themselves unable to conceive that woman’s nature could become a thing so +utterly revolting. But if they will look and listen in this region, at the +present time, they will find that they have no further reason for +incredulity or scepticism. The bitter and ferocious spirit of thousands of +rebel women in Kentucky, Tennessee, and other States, is scarcely, if at +all, surpassed by the female monsters that shrieked and howled for victims +in the French Revolution.”</p> + +<p>I will here relate a little incident illustrative of the peculiarity of my +adventures while on this catering business: One morning I started, all +alone, for a five mile ride to an isolated farm-house about three miles +back from the Hampton road, and which report said was well supplied with +all the articles of which I was in search. I cantered along briskly until +I came to a gate which opened into a lane leading directly to the house. +It was a large old fashioned two-story house, with immense chimneys built +outside, Virginia style. The farm appeared to be in good condition, fences +all up, a rare thing on the Peninsula, and corn-fields<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> flourishing as if +there were no such thing as war in the land.</p> + +<p>I rode up to the house and dismounted, hitched my horse to a post at the +door, and proceeded to ring the bell. A tall, stately lady made her +appearance, and invited me in with much apparent courtesy. She was dressed +in deep mourning, which was very becoming to her pale, sad face. She +seemed to be about thirty years of age, very prepossessing in appearance, +and evidently belonged to one of the “F. F. V’s.” As soon as I was seated +she inquired: “To what fortunate circumstance am I to attribute the +pleasure of this unexpected call?” I told her in a few words the nature of +my business. The intelligence seemed to cast a deep shadow over her pale +features, which all her efforts could not control. She seemed nervous and +excited, and something in her appearance aroused my suspicion, +notwithstanding her blandness of manner and lady-like deportment.</p> + +<p>She invited me into another room, while she prepared the articles which +she proposed to let me have, but I declined, giving as an excuse that I +preferred to sit where I could see whether my horse remained quiet. I +watched all her movements narrowly, not daring to turn my eyes aside for a +single moment. She walked round in her stately way for some time, without +accomplishing much in the way of facilitating my <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>departure, and she was +evidently trying to detain me for some purpose or other. Could it be that +she was meditating the best mode of attack, or was she expecting some one +to come, and trying to detain me until their arrival? Thoughts like these +passed through my mind in quick succession.</p> + +<p>At last I rose up abruptly, and asked her if the things were ready. She +answered me with an assumed smile of surprise, and said: “Oh, I did not +know that you were in a hurry: I was waiting for the boys to come and +catch some chickens for you.” “And pray, madam, where are the boys?” I +asked; “Oh, not far from here,” was her reply. “Well, I have decided not +to wait; you will please not detain me longer,” said I, as I moved toward +the door. She began to pack some butter and eggs both together in a small +basket which I had brought with me, while another stood beside her without +anything in it. I looked at her; she was trembling violently, and was as +pale as death. In a moment more she handed me the basket, and I held out a +greenback for her acceptance; “Oh, it was no consequence about the pay;” +she did not wish anything for it. So I thanked her and went out.</p> + +<p>In a few moments she came to the door, but did not offer to assist me, or +to hold the basket, or anything, but stood looking at me most maliciously, +I thought. I placed the basket on the top of the post to which my horse +had been hitched, took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> my seat in the saddle, and then rode up and took +my basket. Turning to her I bade her good morning, and thanking her again +for her kindness, I turned to ride away.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img02.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">CATERING FOR HOSPITALS.—Page 94.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>I had scarcely gone a rod when she discharged a pistol at me; by some +intuitive movement I threw myself forward on my horse’s neck and the ball +passed over my head. I turned my horse in a twinkling, and grasped my +revolver. She was in the act of firing the second time, but was so excited +that the bullet went wide of its mark. I held my seven-shooter in my hand, +considering where to aim. I did not wish to kill the wretch, but did +intend to wound her. When she saw that two could play at this game, she +dropped her pistol and threw up her hands imploringly. I took deliberate +aim at one of her hands, and sent the ball through the palm of her left +hand. She fell to the ground in an instant with a loud shriek. I +dismounted, and took the pistol which lay beside her, and placing it in my +belt, proceeded to take care of her ladyship after the following manner: I +unfastened the end of my halter-strap and tied it painfully tight around +her right wrist, and remounting my horse, I started, and brought the lady +to consciousness by dragging her by the wrist two or three rods along the +ground. I stopped, and she rose to her feet, and with wild entreaties she +begged me to release her, but, instead of doing so, I presented a pistol, +and told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> her that if she uttered another word or scream she was a dead +woman. In that way I succeeded in keeping her from alarming any one who +might be within calling distance, and so made my way toward McClellan’s +headquarters.</p> + +<p>After we had gone in that way about a mile and a half, I told her that she +might ride if she wished to do so, for I saw she was becoming weak from +loss of blood. She was glad to accept the offer, and I bound up her hand +with my handkerchief, gave her my scarf to throw over her head, and +assisted her to the saddle. I marched along beside her, holding tight to +the bridle rein all the while. When we were about a mile from McClellan’s +headquarters she fainted, and I caught her as she was falling from the +horse. I laid her by the roadside while I went for some water, which I +brought in my hat, and after bathing her face for some time she recovered.</p> + +<p>For the first time since we started I entered into conversation with her, +and found that within the last three weeks she had lost her father, +husband, and two brothers in the rebel army. They had all belonged to a +company of sharpshooters, and were the first to fall. She had been almost +insane since the intelligence reached her. She said I was the first Yankee +that she had seen since the death of her relatives, the evil one seemed to +urge her on to the step she had taken, and if I would not deliver her up +to the military powers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> she would go with me and take care of the +wounded. She even proposed to take the oath of allegiance, and seemed +deeply penitent. “If thy brother (or sister) sin against thee, and repent, +forgive him,” are the words of the Saviour. I tried to follow their sacred +teachings there and then, and told her that I forgave her fully if she was +only truly penitent. Her answer was sobs and tears.</p> + +<p>Soon after this conversation we started for camp, she weak and humbled, +and I strong and rejoicing. None ever knew from that day to this the +secret of that secesh woman becoming a nurse. Instead of being taken to +General McClellan’s headquarters, she went direct to the hospital, where +Dr. P. dressed her hand, which was causing her extreme pain. The good old +surgeon never could solve the mystery connected with her hand, for we both +refused to answer any questions relating to the wound, except that she was +shot by a “Yankee,” which placed the surgeon under obligations to take +care of the patient until she recovered—that is to say as long as it was +convenient for him to do so.</p> + +<p>The next day she returned to her house in an ambulance, accompanied by a +hospital steward, and brought away everything which could be made use of +in the hospitals, and so took up her abode with us. Her name was Alice M., +but we called her Nellie J. She soon proved the genuineness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> of her +conversion to the Federal faith by her zeal for the cause which she had so +recently espoused. As soon as she was well enough to act in the capacity +of nurse she commenced in good earnest, and became one of the most +faithful and efficient nurses in the army of the Potomac. But that was the +first and the only instance of a female rebel changing her sentiments, or +abating one iota in her cruelty or hatred toward the “Yankees;” and also +the only real lady in personal appearance, education and refinement, that +I ever met among the females of the Peninsula.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">A LOST FRIEND—DEATH OF LIEUTENANT JAMES V.—HIS BURIAL—THE GRAVE BY +NIGHT—MY VOW—A SOLDIER-CHAPLAIN—RECOGNITIONS IN HEAVEN—DOUBTS AND +DISSATISFACTION—CAPTURE OF A SPY—MY EXAMINATIONS AT HEADQUARTERS—MY +DISGUISE AS A SPY—I AM METAMORPHOSED INTO A CONTRABAND—HIRED AS A +COOK—BISCUIT MAKING—THE DOCTOR’S TEA.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Not</span> long after these events, returning one day from an excursion, I found +the camp almost deserted, and an unusual silence pervading all around. +Upon looking to the right and left to discover the cause of so much +quietness, I saw a procession of soldiers slowly winding their way from a +peach orchard, where they had just deposited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> the remains of a comrade. +Who could it have been? I did not dare to go and meet them to inquire, but +I waited in painful suspense until the procession came up, with arms +reversed. With sad faces and slow and measured tread they returned in +order as they had gone. I stepped forward and inquired whom they had +buried. Lieutenant James V. was the reply.</p> + +<p>My friend! They had buried him, and I had not seen him! I went to my tent +without uttering a word. I felt as if it could not be possible that what I +heard was true. It must be some one else. I did not inquire how, when or +where he had been killed, but there I sat with tearless eyes. Mr. and Mrs. +B. came in, she sobbing aloud, he calm and dignified, but with tears +slowly rolling down his face. Lieutenant V. was thirty-two years of age; +he was tall, had black wavy hair, and large black eyes. He was a sincere +christian, active in all the duties devolving upon a christian soldier, +and was greatly beloved both by officers and men. His loss was deeply +felt. His heart, though brave, was tender as a woman’s. He was noble and +generous, and had the highest regard for truth and law. Although gentle +and kind to all, yet he had an indomitable spirit and a peculiar courage +and daring, which almost amounted to recklessness in time of danger. He +was not an American, but was born of English parents, and was a native of +St. John, New Brunswick. I had known him <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>almost from childhood, and found +him always a faithful friend.</p> + +<p>When we met in the army we met as strangers. The changes which five years +had wrought, and the costume which I wore, together with change of name, +rendered it impossible for him to recognize me. I was glad that he did +not, and took peculiar pleasure in remaining unrecognized. We became +acquainted again, and a new friendship sprang up, on his part, for mine +was not new, which was very pleasant, at least to me. At times my position +became very embarrassing, for I was obliged to listen to a recapitulation +of my own former conversations and correspondence with him, which made me +feel very much like an eavesdropper. He had neither wife, mother nor +sister, and, like myself, was a wanderer from his native land. There was a +strong bond of sympathy existing between us, for we both believed that +duty called us there, and were willing to lay down even life itself, if +need be, in this glorious cause. Now he was gone, and I was left alone +with a deeper sorrow in my heart than I had ever known before.</p> + +<p>Chaplain B. broke the painful silence by informing me how he had met his +fate. He was acting in the capacity of aide-de-camp on General C.’s staff. +He was sent to carry an order from headquarters to the officer in command +of the outer picket line, and while riding along the line he was struck by +a Minnie ball, which passed through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> temple, killing him instantly. +His remains were brought to camp and prepared for their last resting +place. Without shroud or coffin, wrapped in his blanket, his body was +committed to the cold ground. They made his grave under a beautiful pear +tree, in full bloom, where he sleeps peacefully, notwithstanding the roar +of cannon and the din of battle which peal forth their funeral notes over +his dreamless bed.</p> + +<p class="poem">One more buried<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath the sod,</span><br /> +One more standing<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Before his God.</span><br /> +<br /> +We should not weep<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That he has gone;</span><br /> +With us ’tis night,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With him ’tis morn.</span></p> + +<p>Night came at last with its friendly mantle, and our camp was again hushed +in comparative repose. Twelve o’clock came, but I could not sleep. Visions +of a pale face and a mass of black wavy hair, matted with gore which oozed +from a dark purple spot on the temple, haunted me. I rose up quietly and +passed out into the open air. The cool night breeze felt grateful to my +burning brow, which glowed with feverish excitement. With a hasty word of +explanation I passed the camp guard, and was soon beside the grave of +Lieutenant V. The solemn grandeur of the heavens, the silent stars looking +lovingly down upon that little heaped up mound of earth, the death-like +stillness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> of the hour, only broken by the occasional booming of the +enemy’s cannon, all combined to make the scene awfully impressive. I felt +that I was not alone. I was in the presence of that God who had summoned +my friend to the eternal world, and the spirit of the departed one was +hovering near, although my dim eyes could not penetrate the mysterious +veil which hid him from my view. It was there, in that midnight hour, +kneeling beside the grave of him who was very dear to me, that I vowed to +avenge the death of that christian hero. I could now better understand the +feelings of poor Nellie when she fired the pistol at me, because I was +“one of the hated Yankees who was in sympathy with the murderers of her +husband, father and brothers.”</p> + +<p>But I could not forgive his murderers as she had done. I did not enjoy +taking care of the sick and wounded as I once did, but I longed to go +forth and do, as a noble chaplain did at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. +He picked up the musket and cartridge-box of a wounded soldier, stepped +into the front rank, and took deliberate aim at one rebel after another +until he had fired sixty rounds of cartridge; and as he sent a messenger +of death to each heart he also sent up the following brief prayer: “May +God have mercy upon your miserable soul.”</p> + +<p>From this time forward I became strangely interested in the fifteenth +chapter of first Corinthians—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> doctrine of the resurrection, and the +hope of “recognition of friends in heaven” became very precious to me. For +I believe with regard to our departed loved ones, that</p> + +<p class="poem">When safely landed on that heavenly shore<br /> +Where sighings cease and sorrows come no more—<br /> +With hearts no more by cruel anguish riven,<br /> +As we have loved on earth we’ll love in heaven.</p> + +<p>And infinitely more than we are capable of loving here. “Few things +connected with the great hereafter so deeply concern the heart as the +question of personal recognition in heaven. Dear ones of earth, linked to +our hearts by the most tender ties, have departed and gone away into the +unknown realm. We have carefully and tearfully laid their bodies in the +grave to slumber till the great awakening morning. If there is no personal +recognition in heaven, if we shall neither see nor know our friends there, +so far as we are concerned they are annihilated, and heaven has no genuine +antidote for the soul’s agony in the hour of bereavement. All the precious +memories of toil and trial, of conflict and victory, of gracious +manifestations and of holy joy, shared with them in the time of our +pilgrimage, will have perished forever. The anxiety of the soul with +regard to the recognition of our friends in the future state is natural. +It springs from the holiest sympathies of the human heart, and any inquiry +that may solve our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> doubts or relieve our anxiety is equally rational and +commendable.</p> + +<p>“Tell me, ye who have seen the open tomb receive into its bosom the sacred +trust committed to its keeping, in hope of the first resurrection—ye who +have heard the sullen rumbling of the clods as they dropped upon the +coffin lid, and told you that earth had gone back to earth; when the +separation from the object of your love was realized in all the desolation +of bereavement, next to the thought that you should ere long see Christ as +he is and be like him, was not that consolation the strongest which +assured you that the departed one, whom God has put from you into +darkness, will run to meet you when you cross the threshold of +immortality, and, with the holy rapture to which the redeemed alone can +give utterance, lead you to the exalted Saviour, and with you bow at his +feet and cast the conqueror’s crown before him? And is this hope vain? +Shall we not even know those dear ones in the spirit world? Was this light +of hope that gilded so beautifully the sad, dark hour of human woe, only a +mocking <i>ignis fatuus</i>, so soon to go out in everlasting darkness? Is this +affection, so deep, so holy, yearning over its object with undying love, +to be nipped in the very bud of its being? Nay, it cannot be. There must +have been some higher purpose; God could not delight in the bestowal of +affections that were to be blighted in their very beginning, and of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> hopes +that were to end only in the mockery of eternal disappointment.”</p> + +<p class="poem">If fate unite the faithful but to part,<br /> +Why is their memory sacred to the heart?</p> + +<p>Oh, thank God for <span class="smcaplc">FAITH</span>! for a faith that takes hold of that which is +within the veil. There we behold our loved ones basking in the sunshine of +the Redeemer’s love—there they see Him face to face, and know as they are +known. And they speak to us from the bright eternal world, and bid us</p> + +<p class="poem">Weep not at nature’s transient pain;<br /> +Congenial spirits part to meet again.</p> + +<p>Just at this crisis I received a letter from a friend of mine at the +North, disapproving in strong terms of my remaining any longer in the +army, requesting me to give up my situation immediately, and to meet him +in Washington two weeks from date. I regarded that friend’s opinions very +much, especially when they coincided with my own; but upon this point no +two opinions could differ more widely than did ours.</p> + +<p>It is true I was becoming dissatisfied with my situation as nurse, and was +determined to leave the hospital; but before doing so I thought it best to +call a council of three, Mr. and Mrs. B. and I, to decide what was the +best course to pursue. After an hour’s conference together the matter was +decided in my mind. Chaplain B. told me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> that he knew of a situation he +could get for me if I had sufficient moral courage to undertake its +duties; and, said he, “it is a situation of great danger and of vast +responsibility.”</p> + +<p>That morning a detachment of the Thirty-seventh New York had been sent out +as scouts, and had returned bringing in several prisoners, who stated that +one of the Federal spies had been captured at Richmond and was to be +executed. This information proved to be correct, and we lost a valuable +soldier from the secret service of the United States. Now it was necessary +for that vacancy to be supplied, and, as the Chaplain had said with +reference to it, it was a situation of great danger and vast +responsibility, and this was the one which Mr. B. could procure for me. +But was I capable of filling it with honor to myself and advantage to the +Federal Government? This was an important question for me to consider ere +I proceeded further. I did consider it thoroughly, and made up my mind to +accept it with all its fearful responsibilities. The subject of life and +death was not weighed in the balance; I left that in the hands of my +Creator, feeling assured that I was just as safe in passing the picket +lines of the enemy, if it was God’s will that I should go there, as I +would be in the Federal camp. And if not, then His will be done:</p> + +<p class="poem">Then welcome death, the end of fears.</p> + +<p>My name was sent in to headquarters, and I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> soon summoned to appear +there myself. Mr. and Mrs. B. accompanied me. We were ushered into the +presence of Generals Mc., M. and H., where I was questioned and +cross-questioned with regard to my views of the rebellion and my motive in +wishing to engage in so perilous an undertaking. My views were freely +given, my object briefly stated, and I had passed trial number one.</p> + +<p>Next I was examined with regard to my knowledge of the use of firearms, +and in that department I sustained my character in a manner worthy of a +veteran. Then I was again cross-questioned, but this time by a new +committee of military stars. Next came a phrenological examination, and +finding that my organs of secretiveness, combativeness, etc., were largely +developed, the oath of allegiance was administered, and I was dismissed +with a few complimentary remarks which made the good Mr. B. feel quite +proud of his <i>protege</i>. This was the third time that I had taken the oath +of allegiance to the United States, and I began to think, as many of our +soldiers do, that profanity had become a military necessity.</p> + +<p>I had three days in which to prepare for my debut into rebeldom, and I +commenced at once to remodel, transform and metamorphose for the occasion. +Early next morning I started for Fortress Monroe, where I procured a +number of articles indispensably necessary to a complete disguise. In the +first place I purchased a suit of contraband<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> clothing, real plantation +style, and then I went to a barber and had my hair sheared close to my +head.</p> + +<p>Next came the coloring process—head, face, neck, hands and arms were +colored black as any African, and then, to complete my contraband costume, +I required a wig of real negro wool. But how or where was it to be found? +There was no such thing at the Fortress, and none short of Washington. +Happily I found the mail-boat was about to start, and hastened on board, +and finding a Postmaster with whom I was acquainted, I stepped forward to +speak to him, forgetting my contraband appearance, and was saluted +with—“Well, Massa Cuff—what will you have?” Said I: “Massa send me to +you wid dis yere money for you to fotch him a darkie wig from Washington.” +“What the —— does he want of a darkie wig?” asked the Postmaster. “No +matter, dat’s my orders; guess it’s for some ’noiterin’ business.” “Oh, +for reconnoitering you mean; all right old fellow, I will bring it, tell +him.” I remained at Fortress Monroe until the Postmaster returned with the +article which was to complete my disguise, and then returned to camp near +Yorktown.</p> + +<p>On my return, I found myself without friends—a striking illustration of +the frailty of human friendship—I had been forgotten in those three short +days. I went to Mrs. B.’s tent and inquired if she wanted to hire a boy to +take care of her horse.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> She was very civil to me, asked if I came from +Fortress Monroe, and whether I could cook. She did not want to hire me, +but she thought she could find some one who did require a boy. Off she +went to Dr. E. and told him that there was a smart little contraband there +who was in search of work. Dr. E. came along, looking as important as two +year old doctors generally do. “Well, my boy, how much work can you do in +a day?” “Oh, I reckon I kin work right smart; kin do heaps o’ work. Will +you hire me, Massa?” “Don’t know but I may; can you cook?” “Yes, Massa, +kin cook anything I ebber seen.” “How much do you think you can earn a +month?” “Guess I kin earn ten dollars easy nuff.” Turning to Mrs. B. he +said in an undertone: “That darkie understands his business.” “Yes indeed, +I would hire him by all means, Doctor,” said Mrs. B. “Well, if you wish, +you can stay with me a month, and by that time I will be a better judge +how much you can earn.”</p> + +<p>So saying Dr. E. proceeded to give a synopsis of a contraband’s duty +toward a master of whom he expected ten dollars per month, especially +emphasising the last clause. Then I was introduced to the culinary +department, which comprised flour, pork, beans, a small portable stove, a +spider, and a medicine chest. It was now supper time, and I was supposed +to understand my business sufficiently to prepare supper without asking +any questions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> whatever, and also to display some of my boasted talents by +making warm biscuit for supper. But how was I to make biscuit with my +colored hands? and how dare I wash them for fear the color would wash off? +All this trouble was soon put to an end, however, by Jack’s making his +appearance while I was stirring up the biscuit with a stick, and in his +bustling, officious, negro style, he said: “See here nig—you don’t know +nuffin bout makin bisket. Jis let me show you once, and dat ar will save +you heaps o’ trouble wid Massa doct’r for time to come.” I very willingly +accepted of this proffered assistance, for I had all the necessary +ingredients in the dish, with pork fat for shortening, and soda and +cream-tartar, which I found in the medicine chest, ready for kneading and +rolling out. After washing his hands and rolling up his sleeves, Jack went +to work with a flourish and a grin of satisfaction at being “boss” over +the new cook. Tea made, biscuit baked, and the medicine chest set off with +tin cups, plates, etc., supper was announced. Dr. E. was much pleased with +the general appearance of things, and was evidently beginning to think +that he had found rather an intelligent contraband for a cook.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">MY FIRST SECRET EXPEDITION—MY WORK AMONG CONTRABANDS—PICKAXE, SHOVEL +AND WHEELBARROW—COUNTING THE GUNS IN A REBEL FORTIFICATION—A CHANGE +OF WORK—CARRYING WATER TO THE REBEL SOLDIERS—GENERALS LEE AND +JOHNSON—THE REBEL FORCE AT YORKTOWN—A COUNCIL OF WAR—TURNING WHITE +AGAIN—A REBEL SPY—LIEUTENANT V.’S MURDERER—ON PICKET DUTY—MY +RETURN TO OUR LINES—I PUT ON UNIFORM AND MAKE MY REPORT.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">After</span> supper I was left to my own reflections, which were anything but +pleasant at that time; for in the short space of three hours I must take +up my line of march toward the camp of the enemy. As I sat there +considering whether it was best for me to make myself known to Mrs. B. +before I started, Dr. E. put his head in at the tent door and said in a +hurried manner: “Ned, I want you to black my boots to-night; I shall +require them early in the morning.” “All right, Massa Doct’r,” said I; “I +allers blacks de boots over night.” After washing up the few articles +which had taken the place of dishes, and blacking the Doctor’s boots, I +went to seek an interview with Mrs. B. I found her alone and told her who +I was, but was obliged to give her satisfactory proofs of my identity +before she was convinced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> that I was the identical nurse with whom she had +parted three days previously.</p> + +<p>My arrangements were soon made, and I was ready to start on my first +secret expedition toward the Confederate capital. Mrs. B. was pledged to +secrecy with regard to her knowledge of “Ned” and his mysterious +disappearance. She was not permitted even to tell Mr. B. or Dr. E., and I +believe she kept her pledge faithfully. With a few hard crackers in my +pocket, and my revolver loaded and capped, I started on foot, without even +a blanket or anything which might create suspicion. At half-past nine +o’clock I passed through the outer picket line of the Union army, at +twelve o’clock I was within the rebel lines, and had not so much as been +halted once by a sentinel. I had passed within less than ten rods of a +rebel picket, and he had not seen me. I took this as a favorable omen, and +thanked heaven for it.</p> + +<p>As soon as I had gone a safe distance from the picket lines I lay down and +rested until morning. The night was chilly and the ground cold and damp, +and I passed the weary hours in fear and trembling. The first object which +met my view in the morning was a party of negroes carrying out hot coffee +and provisions to the rebel pickets. This was another fortunate +circumstance, for I immediately made their acquaintance, and was rewarded +for my promptness by receiving a cup of coffee and a piece of corn bread, +which helped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> very much to chase away the lingering chills of the +preceding night. I remained there until the darkies returned, and then +marched into Yorktown with them without eliciting the least suspicion.</p> + +<p>The negroes went to work immediately on the fortifications after reporting +to their overseers, and I was left standing alone, not having quite made +up my mind what part to act next. I was saved all further trouble in that +direction, for my idleness had attracted the notice of an officer, who +stepped forward and began to interrogate me after the following manner: +“Who do you belong to, and why are you not at work?” I answered in my best +negro dialect: “I dusn’t belong to nobody, Massa, I’se free and allers +was; I’se gwyne to Richmond to work.” But that availed me nothing, for +turning to a man who was dressed in citizen’s clothes and who seemed to be +in charge of the colored department, he said: “Take that black rascal and +set him to work, and if he don’t work well tie him up and give him twenty +lashes, just to impress upon his mind that there’s no free niggers here +while there’s a d—d Yankee left in Virginia.”</p> + +<p>So saying he rode away, and I was conducted to a breast-work which was in +course of erection, where about a hundred negroes were at work. I was soon +furnished with a pickaxe, shovel, and a monstrous wheelbarrow, and I +commenced forthwith<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> to imitate my companions in bondage. That portion +of the parapet upon which I was sent to work was about eight feet high. +The gravel was wheeled up in wheelbarrows on single planks, one end of +which rested on the brow of the breast-work and the other on the ground. I +need not say that this work was exceedingly hard for the strongest man; +but few were able to take up their wheelbarrows alone, and I was often +helped by some good natured darkie when I was just on the verge of +tumbling off the plank. All day long I worked in this manner, until my +hands were blistered from my wrists to the finger ends.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img03.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">DISGUISED AS A CONTRABAND.—Page 113.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>The colored men’s rations were different from those of the soldiers. They +had neither meat nor coffee, while the white men had both. Whiskey was +freely distributed to both black and white, but not in sufficient quantity +to unfit them for duty. The soldiers seemed to be as much in earnest as +the officers, and could curse the Yankees with quite as much vehemence. +Notwithstanding the hardships of the day I had had my eyes and ears open, +and had gained more than would counterbalance the day’s work.</p> + +<p>Night came, and I was released from toil. I was free to go where I pleased +within the fortifications, and I made good use of my liberty. I made out a +brief report of the mounted guns which I saw that night in my ramble round +the fort, viz.: fifteen three-inch rifled cannon, eighteen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> four and a +half-inch rifled cannon, twenty-nine thirty-two pounders, twenty-one +forty-two pounders, twenty-three eight-inch Columbiads, eleven nine-inch +Dahlgrens, thirteen ten-inch Columbiads, fourteen ten-inch mortars, and +seven eight-inch siege howitzers. This, together with a rough sketch of +the outer works, I put under the inner sole of my contraband shoe and +returned to the negro quarters.</p> + +<p>Finding my hands would not be in a condition to shovel much earth on the +morrow, I began to look round among the negroes to find some one who would +exchange places with me whose duty was of a less arduous character. I +succeeded in finding a lad of about my own size who was engaged in +carrying water to the troops. He said he would take my place the next day, +and he thought he could find a friend to do the same the day following, +for which brotherly kindness I gave him five dollars in greenbacks; but he +declared he could not take so much money—“he neber had so much money in +all his life before.” So by that operation I escaped the scrutiny of the +overseer, which would probably have resulted in the detection of my +assumed African complexion.</p> + +<p>The second day in the Confederate service was much pleasanter than the +first. I had only to supply one brigade with water, which did not require +much exertion, for the day was cool and the well was not far distant; +consequently I had an <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>opportunity of lounging a little among the +soldiers, and of hearing important subjects discussed. In that way I +learned the number of reinforcements which had arrived from different +places, and also had the pleasure of seeing General Lee, who arrived while +I was there. It was whispered among the men that he had been telegraphed +to for the purpose of inspecting the Yankee fortifications, as he was the +best engineer in the Confederacy, and that he had pronounced it impossible +to hold Yorktown after McClellan opened his siege guns upon it. Then, too, +General J. E. Johnson was hourly expected with a portion of his command. +Including all, the rebels estimated their force at one hundred and fifty +thousand at Yorktown and in that vicinity.</p> + +<p>When Johnson arrived there was a council of war held, and things began to +look gloomy. Then the report began to circulate that the town was to be +evacuated. One thing I noticed in the rebel army, that they do not keep +their soldiers in the dark as our officers do with regard to the movements +and destination of the troops. When an order comes to the Federal army +requiring them to make some important movement, no person knows whether +they are advancing or retreating until they get to Washington, or in sight +of the enemy’s guns, excepting two or three of the leading generals.</p> + +<p>Having a little spare time I visited my sable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> friends and carried some +water for them. After taking a draught of the cool beverage, one young +darkie looked up at me in a puzzled sort of manner, and turning round to +one of his companions, said: “Jim, I’ll be darned if that feller aint +turnin’ white; if he aint then I’m no nigger.” I felt greatly alarmed at +the remark, but said, very carelessly, “Well, gem’in I’se allers ’spected +to come white some time; my mudder’s a white woman.” This had the desired +effect, for they all laughed at my simplicity, and made no further remarks +upon the subject. As soon as I could conveniently get out of sight I took +a look at my complexion by means of a small pocket looking-glass which I +carried for that very purpose—and sure enough, as the negro had said, I +was really turning white. I was only a dark mulatto color now, whereas two +days previous I was as black as Cloe. However, I had a small vial of +nitrate of silver in weak solution, which I applied to prevent the +remaining color from coming off.</p> + +<p>Upon returning to my post with a fresh supply of water, I saw a group of +soldiers gathered around some individual who was haranguing them in real +Southern style. I went up quietly, put down my cans of water, and of +course had to fill the men’s canteens, which required considerable time, +especially as I was not in any particular hurry just then. I thought the +voice sounded familiar, and upon taking a sly look at the speaker I +recognized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> him at once as a peddler who used to come to the Federal camp +regularly once every week with newspapers and stationery, and especially +at headquarters. He would hang round there, under some pretext or other, +for half a day at a time.</p> + +<p>There he was, giving the rebels a full description of our camp and forces, +and also brought out a map of the entire works of McClellan’s position. He +wound up his discourse by saying: “They lost a splendid officer through my +means since I have been gone this time. It was a pity though to kill such +a man if he was a d—d Yankee.” Then he went on to tell how he had been at +headquarters, and heard “Lieutenant V.” say that he was going to visit the +picket line at such a time, and he had hastened away and informed the +rebel sharpshooters that one of the headquarter officers would be there at +a certain time, and if they would charge on that portion of the line they +might capture him and obtain some valuable information. Instead of this, +however, they watched for his approach, and shot him as soon as he made +his appearance.</p> + +<p>I thanked God for that information. I would willingly have wrought with +those negroes on that parapet for two months, and have worn the skin off +my hands half a dozen times, to have gained that single item. He was a +fated man from that moment; his life was not worth three cents in +Confederate scrip. But fortunately he did not know the feelings that +agitated the heart of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> that little black urchin who sat there so quietly +filling those canteens, and it was well that he did not.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the third day from the time I entered the camp of the +enemy I was sent, in company with the colored men, to carry supper to the +outer picket posts on the right wing. This was just what I wished for, and +had been making preparations during the day, in view of the possibility of +such an event, providing, among other things, a canteen full of whiskey. +Some of the men on picket duty were black and some were white. I had a +great partiality for those of my own color, so calling out several darkies +I spread before them some corn cake, and gave them a little whiskey for +dessert. While we were thus engaged the Yankee Minnie balls were whistling +round our heads, for the picket lines of the contending parties were not +half a mile distant from each other. The rebel pickets do not remain +together in groups of three or four as our men do, but are strung along, +one in each place, from three to four rods apart. I proposed to remain a +while with the pickets, and the darkies returned to camp without me.</p> + +<p>Not long after night an officer came riding along the lines, and seeing me +he inquired what I was doing there. One of the darkies replied that I had +helped to carry out their supper, and was waiting until the Yankees +stopped firing before I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> started to go back. Turning to me he said, “You +come along with me.” I did as I was ordered, and he turned and went back +the same way he came until we had gone about fifty rods, then halting in +front of a petty officer he said, “Put this fellow on the post where that +man was shot until I return.” I was conducted a few rods farther, and then +a rifle was put into my hands, which I was told to use freely in case I +should see anything or anybody approaching from the enemy. Then followed +the flattering remark, after taking me by the coat-collar and giving me a +pretty hard shake, “Now, you black rascal, if you sleep on your post I’ll +shoot you like a dog.” “Oh no, Massa, I’se too feerd to sleep,” was my +only reply.</p> + +<p>The night was very dark, and it was beginning to rain. I was all alone +now, but how long before the officer might return with some one to fill my +place I did not know, and I thought the best thing I could do was to make +good use of the present moment. After ascertaining as well as possible the +position of the picket on each side of me, each of whom I found to be +enjoying the shelter of the nearest tree, I deliberately and noiselessly +stepped into the darkness, and was soon gliding swiftly through the forest +toward the “land of the free,” with my splendid rifle grasped tightly lest +I should lose the prize. I did not dare to approach very near the Federal +lines, for I was in more danger of being shot by them than by the enemy; +so I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> spent the remainder of the night within hailing distance of our +lines, and with the first dawn of morning I hoisted the well known signal +and was welcomed once more to a sight of the dear old stars and stripes.</p> + +<p>I went immediately to my tent. Mrs. B. was delighted at my return; she was +the only person in camp who knew me. Jack was sent to the quartermaster’s +with an order for a new suit of soldier’s clothes. When he saw they were +for me, on his return, he said: “Hi! dat darkie tinks he’s some. Guess he +don’t cook no more for Massa Doct’r.” After removing as much of the color +as it was possible for soap and water to do, my complexion was a nice +maroon color, which my new costume showed off to good advantage. Had my +own mother seen me then, it would have been difficult to convince her of +our relationship. I made out my report immediately and carried it to +General McClellan’s headquarters, together with my trophy from the land of +traitors. I saw General G. B., but he did not recognize me, and ordered me +to go and tell A. to appear before him in an hour from that time. I +returned again to my tent, chalked my face, and dressed in the same style +as on examination day, went at the hour appointed, and received the hearty +congratulations of the General. The rifle was sent to Washington, and is +now in the capitol as a memento of the war.</p> + +<p>Do my friends wish to know how I felt in such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> a position and in such a +costume? I will tell them. I felt just as happy and as comfortable as it +was possible for any one to be under similar circumstances. I am naturally +fond of adventure, a little ambitious and a good deal romantic, and this +together with my devotion to the Federal cause and determination to assist +to the utmost of my ability in crushing the rebellion, made me forget the +unpleasant items, and not only endure, but really enjoy, the privations +connected with my perilous positions. Perhaps a spirit of adventure was +important—but <i>patriotism</i> was the grand secret of my success.</p> + +<p>Being fatigued, and the palms of both my hands in raw flesh, I thought it +best to wait a few days before setting out upon another adventure.</p> + +<p>While I was thus situated I made a point of becoming acquainted with +Nellie, my rebel captive. She was trying to make herself useful in the +hospital, notwithstanding her hand was very painful—often waiting upon +those who were suffering less than she was herself. Her pale, pensive face +and widow’s weeds seemed to possess peculiar attractions for Doctor E., +and her hand was a bond of mutual sympathy between them, and afforded many +pretexts for a half hour’s conversation.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN—OUR ARMY ON THE DOUBLE QUICK—PURSUIT OF THE +FUGITIVES—THE ENEMY’S WORKS—A BATTLE—ON THE FIELD—A “WOUNDED,” AND +NOT INJURED COLONEL—CARRYING THE WOUNDED—FORT MAGRUDER SILENCED—THE +VICTORY WON—BURYING THE DEAD—STORY OF A RING—WOUNDED REBELS—A +BRAVE YOUNG SERGEANT—CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS—A SOLDIER’S +DEATH-BED—CLOSING SCENES—LAST WORDS.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> next day the continuous roar of cannon all along the lines of the +enemy was kept up incessantly. “Nor did it cease at night, for when +darkness settled over the encampment, from the ramparts that stretched +away from Yorktown there were constant gushes of flame, while the heavy +thunder rolled far away in the gloom.” A little after midnight the +cannonading ceased, and a strange silence rested upon hill and valley. The +first dawn of day which broke peacefully over the landscape discovered to +the practiced eye of Professor Lowe that the entrenchments of the enemy +were deserted; the rebels had abandoned their stronghold during the night +and had fled toward Richmond.</p> + +<p>The news spread throughout the Federal army like lightning; from right to +left and from center<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> to circumference the entire encampment was one wild +scene of joy. Music and cheering were the first items in the programme, +and then came the following order: “Commandants of regiments will prepare +to march with two days’ rations, with the utmost dispatch. Leave, not to +return.” At about eight o’clock in the morning our advance guard entered +Yorktown. There were nearly one hundred guns of different kinds and +calibers and a large quantity of ammunition. The road over which the +fugitive army passed during the night was beat up into mortar, knee deep, +and was strewn with fragments of army wagons, tents and baggage.</p> + +<p>The Federal troops were in excellent spirits, and pushed on after the +retreating army almost on the double quick. In this manner they kept up +the pursuit until toward evening, when the cavalry came up with the +rear-guard of the enemy about two miles from Williamsburg, where a sharp +skirmish followed. Night came on and firing ceased; the rebels were behind +their entrenchments, and our army bivouaced for the night. The cavalry and +artillery forces were under command of General Stoneman; Generals +Heintzelman, Hooker and Smith were in command of the advance column of +infantry, while Generals Kearney, Couch and Casey brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>The enemy’s works were four miles in extent, nearly three-fourths of their +front being covered by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> the tributaries of Queen’s Creek and College +Creek. The main works were a large fortification, called Fort Magruder, +and twelve redoubts for field guns. The woods around and inside of those +works were felled, and the ground was thickly dotted with rifle pits. The +battle commenced the next morning at half-past seven o’clock. General +Hooker began the attack. The enemy were heavily reinforced, and made a +desperate resistance. Hooker lost a great number of men and five pieces of +artillery before Kearney, Couch or Casey came up. The roads were a perfect +sea of mud, and now it was raining in torrents. The roar of battle sounded +all along the lines; the thunder of cannon and the crash of musketry +reverberated through the woods and over the plain, assuring the advancing +troops that their companions were engaged in deadly strife.</p> + +<p>The thick growth of heavy timber was felled in all directions, forming a +splendid ambush for the rebel sharpshooters. The Federals moved forward in +the direction of the enemy’s works, steadily, firmly, through ditch and +swamp, mud and mire, loading and firing as they went, and from every tree, +bush and covert, which could conceal a man, the rebels poured a deadly +fire into the ranks of our advancing troops. I was glad now that I had +postponed my second visit to the enemy, for there was plenty of work for +me to do here, as the ghastly faces of the wounded and dying testified.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> I +was subject to all kinds of orders. One moment I was ordered to the front +with a musket in my hands; the next to mount a horse and carry an order to +some general, and very often to take hold of a stretcher with some strong +man and carry the wounded from the field.</p> + +<p>I remember one little incident in connection with my experience that day +which I shall never forget, viz.: Colonel —— fell, and I ran to help put +him on a stretcher and carry him to a place of safety, or where the +surgeons were, which was more than I was able to do without overtaxing my +strength, for he was a very heavy man. A poor little stripling of a +soldier and myself carried him about a quarter of a mile through a +terrific storm of bullets, and he groaning in a most piteous manner. We +laid him down carefully at the surgeon’s feet, and raised him tenderly +from the stretcher, spread a blanket and laid him upon it, then lingered +just a moment to see whether the wound was mortal. The surgeon commenced +to examine the case; there was no blood to indicate where the wound was, +and the poor sufferer was in such agony that he could not tell where it +was. So the surgeon examined by piecemeal until he had gone through with a +thorough examination, and there was not even a scratch to be seen. Doctor +E. straightened himself up and said, “Colonel, you are not wounded at all; +you had better let these boys carry you back again.” The Colonel became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +indignant, and rose to his feet with the air of an insulted hero and said: +“Doctor, if I live to get out of this battle I’ll call you to account for +those words;” to which Doctor E. replied with decision, “Sir, if you are +not with your regiment in fifteen minutes I shall report you to General +H.”</p> + +<p>I turned and left the spot in disgust, mentally regretting that the lead +or steel of the enemy had not entered the breast of one who seemed so +ambitious of the honor without the effect. As I returned to my post I made +up my mind in future to ascertain whether a man was wounded or not before +I did anything for him. The next I came to was Captain Wm. R. M., of the +—— Michigan. His leg was broken and shattered from the ankle to the +knee. As we went to lift him on a stretcher he said: “Just carry me out of +range of the guns, and then go back and look after the boys. Mc—— and L. +have fallen, and perhaps they are worse off than I am.” Oh how glad I was +to hear those words from his lips. It confirmed the opinion I had formed +of him long before; he was one of my first acquaintances in the army, and, +though he was a strict disciplinarian, I had watched his christian +deportment and kind and affectionate manner toward his men with admiration +and interest. I believed him noble and brave, and those few words on the +battle-field at such a moment spoke volumes for that faithful captain’s +heroism and love for his men.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>The battle was raging fiercely, the men were almost exhausted, the rebels +were fighting like demons, and were driving our troops back step by step, +while the space between the two lines was literally covered with dead and +wounded men and horses. One tremendous shout from the Federals rent the +air and fairly shook the earth. We all knew in an instant, as if by +intuition, what called forth such wild cheers from that weary and almost +overpowered army. “Kearney!” was shouted enthusiastically along the +Federal lines, while the fresh troops were hurled like thunderbolts upon +the foe. One battery after another was taken from the enemy, and charge +after charge was made upon their works, until the tide of battle was +turned, Fort Magruder silenced, and the stars and stripes were floating in +triumph over the rebel works.</p> + +<p>The battle was won, and victory crowned the Union arms. The rebels were +flying precipitately from the field, and showers of bullets thick as hail +followed the retreating fugitives. Night closed around us, and a darkness +which almost equaled that of “Egypt” settled over the battle-field, and +the pitiless rain came down in torrents, drenching alike the living and +the dead. There lay upon that crimson field two thousand two hundred and +twenty-eight of our own men, and more than that number of the enemy. It +was indescribably sad to see our weary, exhausted men, with torches,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +wading through mud to their knees piloting the ambulances over the field, +lest they should trample upon the bodies of their fallen comrades.</p> + +<p>All night long we toiled in this manner, and when morning came still there +were hundreds found upon the field. Those of the enemy were found in +heaps, both dead and wounded piled together in ravines, among the felled +timber, and in rifle pits half covered with mud. Now the mournful duty +came of identifying and burying the dead. Oh, what a day was that in the +history of my life, as well as of thousands both North and South. It makes +me shudder now while I recall its scenes.</p> + +<p class="poem">To see those fair young forms<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Crushed by the war-horse tread,</span><br /> +The dear and bleeding ones<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stretched by the piled-up dead.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, war, cruel war! Thou dost pierce the soul with untold sorrows, as well +as thy bleeding victims with death. How many joyous hopes and bright +prospects hast thou blasted; and how many hearts and homes hast thou made +desolate! “As we think of the great wave of woe and misery surging over +the land, we could cry out in very bitterness of soul—Oh God! how long, +how long!”</p> + +<p>The dead lay in long rows on the field, their ghastly faces hid from view +by handkerchiefs or the capes of their overcoats, while the faithful +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>soldiers were digging trenches in which to bury the mangled bodies of the +slain. I passed along the entire line and uncovered every face, in search +of one who had given me a small package the day before when going into +battle, telling me that if he should be killed to send it home; and, said +he, “here is a ring on my finger which I want you to send to ——. It has +never been off my finger since she placed it there the morning I started +for Washington. If I am killed please take it off and send it to her.” I +was now in search of him, but could find nothing of the missing one. At +last I saw a group of men nearly half a mile distant, who also seemed to +be engaged in burying the dead. I made my way toward them as fast as I +could, but when I reached them the bodies had all been lowered into the +trench, and they were already filling it up.</p> + +<p>I begged them to let me go down and see if my friend was among the dead, +to which the kind hearted boys consented. His body lay there partially +covered with earth; I uncovered his face; he was so changed I should not +have recognized him, but the ring told me that it was he. I tried with all +my might to remove the ring, but could not. The fingers were so swollen +that it was impossible to get it off. In life it was a pledge of +faithfulness from one he loved, “and in death they were not divided.”</p> + +<p>The dead having been buried and the wounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> removed to the churches and +college buildings in Williamsburg, the fatigued troops sought repose. Upon +visiting the wounded rebels I saw several whom I had met in Yorktown, +among them the sergeant of the picket post who had given me a friendly +shake and told me if I slept on my post he would shoot me like a dog. He +was pretty badly wounded, and did not seem to remember me. A little +farther on a young darkie lay groaning upon the floor. I went to look at +him, and asked if I could do anything for him. I recognized in the +distorted face before me the same darkie who had befriended me at +Yorktown, and to whom I had offered the five dollar greenback. I assure my +friends that I repaid that boy’s kindness with double interest; I told +Doctor E. what he had done for me when my “hands” turned traitors. He was +made an especial object of interest and care.</p> + +<p>Some few of the rebel prisoners were gentlemanly and intelligent, and +their countenances betokened a high state of moral culture. Many were low, +insolent, bloodthirsty creatures, who “neither feared God nor regarded +man;” while others there were who seemed not to know enough to be either +one thing or the other, but were simply living, breathing animals, subject +to any order, and who would just as soon retreat as advance, so long as +they did not have to fight. They did not care which way the battle went. +On the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> there was a vast contrast between the northern and southern +soldiers as they appeared in the hospitals, but perhaps prejudice had +something to do in making the rebels appear so much inferior to our men.</p> + +<p>In passing through the college building I noticed a young sergeant, a mere +boy, who was shot in the temple. He attracted my attention, and I made +some inquiry concerning him. He was a Federal, and belonged to the +—Massachusetts regiment. An old soldier sitting by him told me the +following: “That boy is not sixteen yet; he enlisted as a private, and +has, by his bravery and good conduct, earned the three stripes which you +see on his arm. He fought all day yesterday like a young lion, leading +charges again and again upon the enemy. After we lost our captain and +lieutenants he took command of the company, and led it through the battle +with the skill and courage of a young brigadier, until he fell stunned and +bleeding. I carried him off the field, but could not tell whether he was +dead or alive. I washed the blood from his face; the cold water had a +salutary effect upon him, for when Hancock and Kearney had completed their +work, and the cheers of victory rang over the bloody field, he was +sufficiently revived to hear the inspiring tones of triumph. Leaping to +his feet, faint and sick as he was, he took up the shout of victory in +unison with the conquerers on the field. But he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> scarcely uttered the +notes of victory and glory when his strength deserted him and he fell +insensible to the ground.” The old man added: “General —— says if he +lives through this he will go into the next battle with shoulder straps +on.” I went up to him, took his feverish hand, and told him that I was +glad that his wound was not mortal. He thanked me, and said with +enthusiasm, “I would rather have been killed than to have lost the +battle.”</p> + +<p>There is one thing that I have noticed on the field in every battle that I +have witnessed, viz.: that the christian man is the best soldier. Says a +minister of the Gospel, writing upon this subject: “It is a common saying +among the officers that, as a class, the men who stand foremost when the +battle rages are the christian men. Many a time I have talked with them +about such scenes, and they have told me that their souls have stood firm +in that hour of strife, and that they have been perfectly calm. I have had +christian generals tell me this. I have heard General Howard often say +that in the midst of the most terrific portion of the battle, when his +heart for a moment quailed, he would pause, and lift up his soul to God +and receive strength. “And,” said he, “I have gone through battles without +a particle of fear. I have thought that God sent me to defend my country. +I believed it was a christian duty to stand in the foremost of the fight, +and why should I be afraid?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>I once heard an eminently pious lady say that she never could reconcile +the idea in her mind of a christian going into the army to fight; it was +so inconsistent with the christian character that she was tempted to doubt +the piety of all fighting men. I respect the lady’s views upon the +subject, but beg leave to differ from her; for I believe that a man can +serve God just as acceptably in fighting the enemies of liberty, truth and +righteousness with the musket down South, as he can in the quiet pulpits +of the North; in fact I am inclined to think he can do so a little more +effectually in the former place. I only wish that there were more of our +holy men willing to take up the carnal weapons of warfare, forego the +luxuries of home, and, by setting examples worthy of emulation, both in +camp and on the battle field, thus strike a fatal blow at this unholy +rebellion.</p> + +<p>The last night I spent in the hospital before leaving Williamsburg, I +witnessed the death of a christian soldier, a perfect description of which +I find in the “Memorials of the War:” “It was the hour of midnight, when +the chaplain was summoned to the cot of a wounded soldier. He had only +left him an hour before, with confident hopes of his speedy +recovery—hopes which were shared by the surgeon and the wounded man +himself. But a sudden change had taken place, and the surgeon had come to +say that the man could live but an hour or two at most, and to beg the +chaplain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> to make the announcement to the dying man. He was soon at his +side, but overpowered by his emotions, was utterly unable to deliver his +message. The dying man, however, quickly read the solemn truth in the +altered looks of the chaplain, his faltering voice and ambiguous words. He +had not before entertained a doubt of his recovery. He was expecting soon +to see his mother, and with her kind nursing soon to be well. He was +therefore entirely unprepared for the announcement, and at first it was +overwhelming.</p> + +<p>“‘I am to die then; and—how long?’ As he had before expressed hope in +Christ, the chaplain replied: ‘You have made your peace with God; let +death come as soon as it will, He will carry you safely over the river.’ +‘Yes; but this is so awfully sudden, awfully sudden!’ His lips quivered; +he looked up grievingly: ‘And I shall not see my mother.’ ‘Christ is +better than a mother,’ murmured the chaplain. ‘Yes.’ The word came in a +whisper. His eyes were closed; the lips still wore that trembling grief, +as if the chastisement were too sore, too hard to be borne; but as the +minutes passed, and the soul lifted itself up stronger and more steadily +upon the wings of prayer, the countenance grew calmer, the lips steadier, +and when the eyes opened again there was a light in their depths that +could have come only from heaven.</p> + +<p>“‘I thank you for your courage,’ he said more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> feebly, taking the +chaplain’s hand; ‘the bitterness is over now, and I feel willing to die. +Tell my mother’—he paused, gave one sob, dry, and full of the last +anguish of earth—‘tell her how I longed to see her; but if God will +permit me I will be near her. Tell her to comfort all who loved me; to say +that I thought of them all. Tell my father that I am glad that he gave his +consent. Tell my minister, by word or letter, that I thought of him, and +that I thank him for all his counsels. Tell him I find that Christ will +not desert the passing soul, and that I wish him to give my testimony to +the living, that nothing is of real worth but the religion of Jesus; and +now, will you pray with me?’ With swelling emotion and tender tones the +chaplain besought God’s grace and presence; then, restraining his sobs, he +bowed down and pressed upon the beautiful brow, already chilled with the +breath of the coming angel, twice, thrice, a fervent kiss. They might have +been as tokens from the father and mother, as well as for himself.</p> + +<p>“So thought, perhaps, the dying soldier, for a heavenly smile touched his +face with new beauty, as he said, ‘Thank you; I won’t trouble you any +longer. You are wearied out; go to your rest.’ ‘The Lord God be with you!’ +was the firm response. ‘Amen,’ trembled from the fast whitening lips. +Another hour passed, still the chaplain did not go to rest, but retired to +an adjoining room; he was about to return to the bedside of the dying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +when the surgeon met him and whispered softly, ‘He is gone.’ Christ’s +soldier had found the captain of his salvation, and received his reward.”</p> + +<p class="poem">Tell my mother, when you see her,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I fell amid the strife;</span><br /> +And for freedom and my country<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have given up my life;</span><br /> +Tell her that I sent this message<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ere my tongue refused to speak,</span><br /> +And you tell her, comrade, won’t you?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tell my mother not to weep.</span><br /> +<br /> +Tell her, comrade, how we battled<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For our country and the right;</span><br /> +How I held the starry banner<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the thickest of the fight;</span><br /> +Tell her how they struggled for it,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And, with curses loud and deep,</span><br /> +Took my bosom for their target—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But tell her not to weep.</span><br /> +<br /> +Tell her I held up the banner<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Mid the screaming shot and shell,</span><br /> +Till the fatal leaden missile<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pierced my side, and then I fell.</span><br /> +Tell her I was ready, waiting,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When my pulses ceased to beat,</span><br /> +And I longed once more to see her—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But you tell her not to weep.</span><br /> +<br /> +Tell her that the truths she taught me<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nerved my arm and led my feet,</span><br /> +And I trusted in the promise<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Mid the battle’s fiercest heat.</span><br /> +Tell her, while my life was ebbing,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I kissed her face so sweet—</span><br /> +Kissed the picture that she gave me—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you tell her not to weep.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span><br /> +Tell her, comrade, when you see her,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That my battlefields are o’er,</span><br /> +And I’ve gone to join an army<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where rebellion comes no more;</span><br /> +Tell her that I hope to greet her,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When together we shall meet,</span><br /> +In that better home in heaven,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where we never more shall weep.</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">MCCLELLAN’S DESPATCH FROM EWELL’S FARM—CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS—NEWS +FROM NORFOLK—DESCRIPTION OF THE MERRIMAC—THE ENGAGEMENT IN HAMPTON +ROADS—FIRST AND LAST FIGHT OF THE MERRIMAC—VICTORY OF THE +MONITOR—ADVANCE ON THE PENINSULA—THE BATTLE SONG—A MUDDY MARCH—ON +THE CHICKAHOMINY—CRITICAL POSITION OF GENERAL BANKS—THE PRESIDENT’S +DESPATCHES—MCCLELLAN’S REPLY.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">On</span> the tenth of May headquarters were established beyond Williamsburg, and +communications were opened between the forces moving by land and water. +The following despatch was then sent by General McClellan to Secretary +Stanton:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Camp at Ewell’s Farm</span>,<br /> +“Three miles beyond Williamsburg,<br /> +“<i>May 10th—5 a. m.</i></p> + +<p>“From the information reaching me from every source, I regard it as +certain that the enemy will meet us with all his force on or near the +Chickahominy. They can concentrate many more men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> than I have, and are +collecting troops from all quarters, especially well disciplined +troops from the South. Casualties, sickness, garrisons and guards have +much reduced our numbers, and will continue to do so. I shall fight +the rebel army with whatever force I may have, but duty requires me to +urge that every effort be made to reinforce me, without delay, with +all the disposable troops in Eastern Virginia, and that we concentrate +all our forces, as far as possible, to fight the great battle now +impending, and to make it decisive. It is possible that the enemy may +abandon Richmond without a serious struggle, but I do not believe he +will; and it would be unwise to count upon anything but a stubborn and +desperate defense—a life and death contest. I see no other hope for +him than to fight this battle, and we must win it. I shall fight them +whatever their force may be; but I ask for every man that the +department can send me. No troops should now be left unemployed. Those +who entertain the opinion that the rebels will abandon Richmond +without a struggle are, in my judgment, badly advised, and do not +comprehend their situation, which is one requiring desperate measures. +I beg that the President and Secretary will maturely weigh what I say, +and leave nothing undone to comply with my request. If I am not +reinforced it is probable that I will be obliged to fight nearly +double my numbers strongly entrenched.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>Four days later he writes:</p> + +<p>“I will fight the enemy, whatever their force may be, with whatever +force I may have, and I believe that we shall beat them; but our +triumph should be made decisive and complete. The soldiers of this +army love their Government, and will fight well in its support. You +may rely upon them. They have confidence in me as their general, and +in you as their President. Strong reinforcements will at least save +the lives of many of them; the greater our force the more perfect will +be our combinations, and the less our loss. For obvious reasons I beg +you to give immediate consideration to this communication, and to +inform me fully, at the earliest moment, of your final decision.”</p> + +<p>A few days’ rest after the fatigues of the battle, and the glorious news +of the evacuation of Norfolk and the total annihilation of the Merrimac, +had a wonderful effect upon the spirits of our troops; they seemed +inspired with new courage and enthusiasm. Hitherto I have said nothing +concerning that great bugbear, the Merrimac. Perhaps some of my +“blue-nose” readers are not so well posted with regard to the origin and +structure of this formidable rebel battery as the Americans are, and it +may be interesting to some to listen to a brief description of it.</p> + +<p>“Upon the burning and evacuation of the Norfolk Navy Yard the steam +frigate Merrimac was scuttled and sunk, by order of Commodore <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>Macaulay. +This was one of the most magnificent ships in the American navy, being +rated as a forty-gun frigate, of four thousand tons burden. She was built +in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1856, and was considered one of the +finest specimens of naval architecture then afloat. She was two hundred +and eighty-one feet long, fifty-two feet broad, and drew twenty-three feet +of water. Her engines were of eight hundred horse power, driving a +two-bladed propeller fourteen feet in diameter, and so adjusted as to be +raised from the water when the vessel was driven by wind alone. Her +armament consisted of twenty-four nine-inch shell guns, fourteen +eight-inch, and two one hundred-pound pivot guns. This magnificent +structure was raised by the rebels and cut down, leaving only the hull, +which was exceedingly massive and solid. Over this they constructed a +sloping shield of railroad iron, firmly plaited together, and extending +two feet under the water. Its appearance was much like the slanting roof +of a house set upon a ship’s hull, like an extinguisher, the ends of the +vessel, fore and aft, projecting a few feet beyond this roof. The gun-deck +was completely inclosed by this shield, and nothing appeared above it but +a short smoke-stack and two flag-staffs.”</p> + +<p>An eye witness gives the following account of the first appearance and +conflict of the Merrimac: “About noon of Saturday, the eighth of March, +1862, this monster was seen coming around Craney<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> Island from Norfolk, +accompanied by two other war vessels, the Jamestown and Yorktown, and +quite a little fleet of armed tugs. The Merrimac, with her imposing +retinue in train, headed for Newport News, where there was a national +garrison, guarded by the sailing frigates the Cumberland, of one thousand +seven hundred and twenty-six tons, and the Congress, of one thousand eight +hundred and sixty-seven tons burden. The Merrimac steamed majestically +along, as if conscious of resistless strength, and as she passed the +Congress discharged a single broadside into the doomed ship, and then, +leaving her to the attention of the Jamestown and Yorktown, made directly +for the Cumberland. When the Merrimac was within a hundred yards of the +two frigates, they both discharged their tremendous broadsides against her +armor.</p> + +<p>“The mailed monster quivered a moment under the fearful concussion, but +every ball glanced from her sloping shield like the wooden arrows of the +Indian from the hide of the crocodile. Her ports were all closed. Not +deigning to pay any attention to the fierce but harmless assault of the +two frigates, she rushed straight forward upon her prey. The formidable +national battery at Newport News opened, with all its immense guns, at +point-blank range, and these solid shot and shells also glanced harmlessly +away. On rushed the silent Merrimac, with not a soul on board to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> seen, +true as an arrow, and with all the power of her irresistible weight, +plunged headlong with a fearful crash into the side of the helpless +frigate. The iron prow of the assailant struck the Cumberland amidships, +crushing in her side with a mortal gash. Then, reversing her engine, and +not even annoyed by the cannon balls rattling against her impervious mail, +she retraced her steps a few rods for another butt.</p> + +<p>“As she drew back she turned her broadside to the wounded victim, and +hurled into her bosom a merciless volley of shot and shells. The ponderous +missiles tore through the crowded ship, hurling her massive guns about her +decks, and scattering mutilated bodies in all directions. Again gathering +headway, she crowded on all steam and made another plunge at the +Cumberland. She struck directly upon the former wound, and crushed in the +whole side of the ship as if it had been a lattice work of laths.</p> + +<p>“Timbers as strong as nature and art could make them, were snapped and +crushed like dry twigs. As the sun went down, that night, over Hampton +Roads, every Union heart in the fleet and in the fortress throbbed with +despair. There was no gleam of hope. The Merrimac was impervious to balls, +and could go where she pleased. In the morning it would be easy work for +her to destroy our whole fleet. She could then shell Newport News and +Fortress Monroe at her leisure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> setting everything combustible in flames, +and driving every man from the guns.</p> + +<p>“‘That morrow! How anxiously we waited for it! how much we feared its +results! At sundown there was nothing to dispute the empire of the seas +with the Merrimac, and had a land attack been made by Magruder then, God +only knows what our fate would have been.’ All at once a speck of light +gleamed on the distant wave; it moved; it came nearer and nearer, and at +ten o’clock that night the Monitor appeared. ‘When the tale of brick is +doubled, Moses comes.’ I never more firmly believed in special providences +than at that hour. Even skeptics were converted, and said, ‘God has sent +her.’ But how insignificant she looked; she was but a speck on the dark +blue wave at night, and almost a laughable object by day. The enemy call +her a ‘cheese-box on a raft,’ and the comparison is a good one.” But +insignificant as she appeared, she saved the Union fleet, silenced the +rebel monster, and eventually caused her to commit suicide. No wonder then +that the news of the death of this formidable foe caused great rejoicing +among the Union troops.</p> + +<p>Orders were issued to continue the advance up the Peninsula; and as the +jubilant troops were engaged in striking tents and making the necessary +preparations consequent upon a hurried march, “The Battle Song of the +Republic” was being sung with enthusiasm throughout the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>encampment by +thousands of manly voices, and every loyal heart seemed inspired by the +glorious sentiments which it contained.</p> + +<p class="poem">Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;<br /> +He is trampling out the vintage where the grape of wrath is stored;<br /> +He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;">His truth is marching on.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—Glory, glory, hallelujah!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18.25em;">Glory, glory, hallelujah!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18.25em;">Glory, glory, hallelujah!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 17em;">His truth is marching on.</span><br /> +<br /> +I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;<br /> +They have builded Him an altar in the evening’s dews and damps;<br /> +I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaming lamps;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;">His day is marching on, etc.</span><br /> +<br /> +I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:<br /> +As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;<br /> +Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Since God is marching on, etc.</span><br /> +<br /> +He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;<br /> +He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat;<br /> +O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Our God is marching on, etc.</span><br /> +<br /> +In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,<br /> +With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me:<br /> +As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;">While God is marching on, etc.</span></p> + +<p>The roads were so indescribably bad at this time that the army could make +but little progress. I remember it required thirty-six hours for one train +to accomplish the distance of five miles. However, after several days +wading through mud and water, the troops reached the White House,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> where a +portion of the army remained for a time, while the advance guards pushed +on to the Chickahominy River, and established headquarters at Bottom’s +Bridge—its further progress being impeded by the destruction of the +bridge by the rebels.</p> + +<p>“The position of the troops were as follows: Stoneman’s advance-guard one +mile from New Bridge; Franklin’s corps three miles from New Bridge, with +Porter’s corps in advancing distance in its rear; Sumner’s corps on the +railroad, about three miles from the Chickahominy, connecting the right +with the left; Keyes’ on New Kent road, near Bottom’s Bridge, with +Heintzelman’s corps at supporting distance in its rear.” The ford was in +possession of the federal troops, and a reconstruction of the bridge was +immediately commenced.</p> + +<p>On the 24th of May the two following despatches were received by Gen. +McClellan from the President: “I wish you to move cautiously and safely. +You will have command of McDowell precisely as you indicated in your +despatch to us.”</p> + +<p>“In consequence of Gen. Banks’ critical position, I have been compelled to +suspend Gen. McDowell’s movement to join you. The enemy are making a +desperate push upon Harper’s Ferry, and we are trying to throw Gen. +Fremont’s force, and part of Gen. McDowell’s, in their rear!”</p> + +<p>On the 25th, the President also sent the following<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> to McClellan: “The +enemy is moving north in sufficient force to drive Gen. Banks before him; +precisely in what force we cannot tell. He is also threatening Leesburg +and Geary on the Manassas Gap Railroad, from north and south; I think the +movement is a general and concerted one—such as would not be if he was +acting upon the purpose of a very desperate defense of Richmond. I think +the time is near when you must either attack Richmond or give up the job, +and come to the defense of Washington. Let me hear from you instantly.”</p> + +<p>To which McClellan replied: “Telegram received. Independently of it, the +time is very near when I shall attack Richmond. The object of the movement +is probably to prevent reinforcements being sent to me. All the +information obtained agree in the statement that the mass of the rebel +troops are still in the vicinity of Richmond. I have no knowledge of +Banks’ position and force, nor what there is at Manassas; therefore cannot +form a definite opinion as to the forces against him. I have two corps +across Chickahominy, within six miles of Richmond; the others on this side +at other crossings, within same distance, and ready to cross when bridges +are completed.”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">ANOTHER DISGUISE—I BECOME AN IRISH PEDDLER—FEVER AND AGUE—A NIGHT +OF SUFFERING IN THE SWAMP—RETROSPECTION—LOST IN THE SWAMP—CANNON MY +GUIDES—A SICK REBEL—I FIND SOMETHING TO EAT—MY NEW +PATIENT—SYMPATHY FOR SUFFERING—TALK WITH A DYING REBEL—A WILLING +DETENTION—EXTEMPORIZING A LIGHT—THE LAST HOUR—SOLDIERS OF +CHRIST—THE CHAMBER OF DEATH.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">While</span> all these preparations were going forward, I was meditating another +visit to the rebel camp. It was not safe for me to attempt to palm myself +off again on the rebels as a colored boy. In the first place, I should be +in danger of being recognized as the cowardly picket who deserted his +post—a crime worthy of death; and in the next place, I should be in +imminent danger of blistering my hands again—a thing which I felt +particularly anxious to avoid, especially in performing labor that would +enable the enemy more successfully to repel the attacks of the Federals. +Now a new disguise was necessary, and I decided to abandon the African +relation, and assume that of the Hibernian. Having had this in view before +leaving Williamsburg, I procured the dress and outfit of an Irish female +peddler, following the army, selling cakes, pies, etc., together with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +considerable amount of brogue, and a set of Irish phrases, which did much +toward characterizing me as one of the “rale ould stock of bog-trotters.”</p> + +<p>The bridges were not finished across the Chickahominy when I was ready to +cross the river, so I packed up my new disguise in my cake and pie basket, +and my horse, “Frank,” and I took a bath in the cool water of the +Chickahominy. After swimming my noble steed across the river, I +dismounted, and led him to the edge of the water—gave him a farewell pat, +and let him swim back again to the other side, where a soldier awaited his +return. It was now evening; I did not know the precise distance to the +enemy’s picket line, but thought it best to avoid the roads, and +consequently I must spend the night in the swamp, as the only safe +retreat. It required some little time to don my new disguise, and feel at +home in the clothes. I thought the best place for my debut was the +“Chickahominy swamp.” I did not purpose, this time, to pass the enemy’s +lines in the night, but to present myself at the picket line, at a +seasonable hour, and ask admission as one of the fugitives of that section +flying from the approach of the Yankees, which was a usual thing.</p> + +<p>In crossing the river I had my basket strapped on my back, and did not +know that all it contained was completely drenched, until I required to +use its contents. It was, therefore, with feelings of dread and +disappointment that I discovered this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> sad fact, for I had been suffering +from slight ague chills during the day, and feared the consequences of +spending the night in wet clothing, especially in that malaria-infested +region. However, there was no alternative, and I was obliged to make the +best of it. I had brought a patch-work quilt with me from the hospital, +but that, too, was wet. Yet it kept off some of the chill night air, and +the miasmatic breath of that “dismal swamp.” The remembrance of the +sufferings of that night seem to be written upon my memory “as with a pen +of iron.” There I was, all alone, surrounded by worse, yes, infinitely +worse, than wild beasts—by blood-thirsty savages—who considered death +far too good for those who were in the employment of the United States +Government.</p> + +<p>That night I was attacked by severe chills—chills beyond description, or +even conception, except by those who have experienced the freezing +sensation of a genuine ague chill. During the latter part of the night the +other extreme presented itself, and it seemed as if I should roast alive, +and not a single drop of water to cool my parched tongue; it was enough to +make any one think of the “rich man” of the Bible, and in sympathy with +his feelings cry to “Father Abraham” for assistance. My mind began to +wander, and I became quite delirious. There seemed to be the horrors of a +thousand deaths concentrated around me; I was tortured by fiends of every +conceivable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> shape and magnitude. Oh, how it makes me shudder to recall +the scenes which my imagination conjured up during those dark weary hours! +Morning at last came, and I was aroused from the horrible night-mare which +had paralyzed my senses through the night, by the roar of cannon and the +screaming of shell through the forest.</p> + +<p>But there I was, helpless as an infant, equally unable to advance or +retreat, without friend or foe to molest or console me, and nothing even +to amuse me but my own thoughts. I looked upon the surrounding scenery, +and pronounced it very unromantic; then my eye fell upon my Irish costume, +and I began to remember the fine phrases which I had taken so much pains +to learn, when the perfect absurdity of my position rushed over my mind +with overwhelming force, and the ludicrousness of it made me, for the +moment, forget my lamentable condition, and with one uncontrollable burst +of laughter I made that swamp resound in a manner which would have done +credit to a person under happier circumstances, and in a better state of +health.</p> + +<p>That mood soon passed away, and I began a retrospection of my past life. +It certainly had been an eventful one. I took great interest in carefully +tracing each link in the chain of circumstances which had brought me to +the spot whereon I now lay, deserted and alone, in that notorious +Chickahominy swamp. And ere I was aware of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> it, I was sighing over a few +episodes in my past history—and mentally saying, well, only for this +intense love of adventure, such and such things “might have been,” and I +should now be rejoicing in the honorable title of —— ——, instead of +“wasting my sweetness on the desert air,” in the wilderness of the +Peninsula.</p> + +<p class="poem">Of all the sad words, of tongue or of pen,<br /> +The saddest are these—“<i>it might have been</i>.”</p> + +<p>The cannonading was only the result of a reconnoissance, and in a few +hours ceased altogether. But not so my fever and chills; they were my +constant companions for two days and two nights in succession. At the end +of that time I was an object of pity. With no medicine, no food, and +consequently little strength; I was nearly in a state of starvation. My +pies and cakes were spoiled in the basket, in consequence of the drenching +they had received in crossing the river, and now I had no means of +procuring more. But something must be done; I could not bear the thought +of thus starving to death in that inglorious manner; better die upon the +scaffold at Richmond, or be shot by the rebel pickets; anything but this. +So I thought and said, as I rallied all my remaining strength to arrange +my toilette preparatory to emerging from my concealment in the swamp.</p> + +<p>It was about nine o’clock in the morning of the third day after crossing +the river, when I started,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> as I thought, towards the enemy’s lines, and a +more broken-hearted, forlorn-looking “Bridget” never left “ould Ireland,” +than I appeared to be that morning. I traveled from that time until five +o’clock in the afternoon, and was then deeper in the swamp than when I +started. My head or brain was completely turned. I knew not which way to +go, nor did I know east from west, or north from south.</p> + +<p>It was a dark day in every sense of the word—and I had neither sun nor +compass to guide me. At five o’clock the glorious booming of cannon +reverberated through the dense wilderness, and to me, at that hour, it was +the sweetest and most soul-inspiring music that ever greeted my ear. I now +turned my face in the direction of the scene of action, and was not long +in extricating myself from the desert which had so long enveloped me.</p> + +<p>Soon after emerging from the swamp I saw, in the distance, a small white +house, and thither I bent my weary footsteps. I found it deserted, with +the exception of a sick rebel soldier, who lay upon a straw-tick on the +floor in a helpless condition. I went to him, and assuming the Irish +brogue, I inquired how he came to be left alone, and if I could render him +any assistance. He could only speak in a low whisper, and with much +difficulty, said he had been ill with typhoid fever a few weeks before, +and had not fully recovered when General Stoneman attacked the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> rebels +in the vicinity of Coal Harbor, and he was ordered to join his company. He +participated in a sharp skirmish, in which the rebels were obliged to +retreat; but he fell out by the way, and fearing to fall into the hands of +the Yankees, he had crawled along as best he could, sometimes on his hands +and knees, until he reached the house in which I found him.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img04.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">MAKING HOE-CAKE FOR A SICK REBEL.—Page 153.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>He had not eaten anything since leaving camp, and he was truly in a +starving condition. I did not dare say to him “ditto”—with regard to poor +“Bridget’s” case—but thought so, and realized it most painfully. He also +told me that the family who had occupied the house had abandoned it since +he came there, and that they had left some flour and corn-meal, but had +not time to cook anything for him. This was good news for me, and +exhausted as I was, I soon kindled a fire, and in less than fifteen +minutes a large hoe-cake was before it in process of baking, and a +sauce-pan of water heating, for there was no kettle to be found. After +searching about the premises, I found some tea packed away in a small +basket, with some earthearn ware, which the family had forgotten to take +with them. My cake being cooked, and tea made, I fed the poor famished +rebel as tenderly as if he had been my brother, and he seemed as grateful +for my kindness, and thanked me with as much politeness, as if I had been +Mrs. Jeff Davis. The next important item was to attend to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> the cravings of +my own appetite, which I did without much ceremony.</p> + +<p>After making my toilet and adjusting my wig in the most approved Irish +style, I approached the sick man, and for the first time noticed his +features and general appearance. He was a man about thirty years of age, +was tall and had a slight figure, regular features, dark hair and large, +mournful, hazel eyes; altogether he was a very pleasing and intelligent +looking man. I thought him quite an interesting patient, and if I had had +nothing more important to attend to, I should have enjoyed the privilege +of caring for him until he recovered. It is strange how sickness and +disease disarm our antipathy and remove our prejudices. There lay before +me an enemy to the Government for which I was daily and willingly exposing +my life and suffering unspeakable privation; he may have been the very man +who took deadly aim at my friend and sent the cruel bullet through his +temple; and yet, as I looked upon him in his helpless condition, I did not +feel the least resentment, or entertain an unkind thought toward him +personally, but looked upon him only as an unfortunate, suffering man, +whose sad condition called forth the best feelings of my nature, and I +longed to restore him to health and strength; not considering that the +very health and strength which I wished to secure for him would be +employed against the cause which I had espoused.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>I had a great desire to know more of this man who had so strangely called +forth my sympathies, and finding that he had grown stronger since he had +partaken of some nourishment, I entered into conversation with him. I +found that he was wholly and conscientiously a Confederate soldier, but, +strange to say, completely divested of that inveterate hatred of the +Yankees which is almost universal among the Southerners. I dared not +express my sentiments in very strong terms, but gently interrogated him +with regard to the right which he claimed the rebels had to take up arms +against the United States Government.</p> + +<p>At length I asked him if he professed to be a Soldier of the Cross; he +replied with emotion and enthusiasm, “Yes, thank God! I have fought longer +under the Captain of my Salvation than I have yet done under Jeff. Davis.” +My next and last question upon that subject was—“Can you, as a disciple +of Christ, conscientiously and consistently uphold the institution of +Slavery?” He made no reply, but fixed those mournful eyes on my face with +a sad expression, as much as to say—“Ah, Bridget, you have touched a +point upon which my own heart condemns me, and I know that God is greater +than my heart, and will also condemn me.”</p> + +<p>In this earnest conversation I had unconsciously forgotten much of my +Hibernian accent, and I thought that the sick man began to suspect that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +was not what my appearance indicated. It alarmed me for a moment, but I +soon recovered my composure after stepping forward and examining his +pulse, for he was fast sinking, and the little strength which he seemed to +have a short time before was nearly exhausted. After studying my +countenance a few moments he asked me to pray with him. I did not dare to +refuse the dying man’s request, nor did I dare to approach my Maker in an +assumed tone of voice; so I knelt down beside him, and in my own natural +voice breathed a brief and earnest prayer for the departing soldier, for +grace to sustain him in that trying hour, and finally for the triumph of +truth and right.</p> + +<p>When I arose from my knees he grasped my hand eagerly and said: “Please +tell me who you are. I cannot, if I would, betray you, for I shall very +soon be standing before that God whom you have just addressed.” I could +not tell him the truth and I would not tell him a falsehood, so I evaded a +direct reply, but promised that when he became stronger I would tell him +my history. He smiled languidly and closed his eyes, as much as to say +that he understood me.</p> + +<p>It was now growing late. I was not far from the rebel lines, but was not +able to successfully act a part in my present debilitated condition, and +besides, I was glad that I could consistently remain over night with that +poor dying man, rebel though he was. I began to look around for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>something +which I might convert into a light, but did not succeed in finding +anything better than a piece of salt pork, which I fried, pouring the fat +into a dish in which I put a cotton rag, and then lighting the end of the +rag I found I had secured quite a respectable light. After making some +corn-meal gruel for my patient, I took care to fasten the doors and +windows so that no one could enter the house without my knowledge, and +screened the windows so that no light might attract the rebel scouts.</p> + +<p>Thus with a sort of feeling of security I took my seat beside the sick +man. The dews of death were already gathering on his pallid brow. I took +his hand in mine, examined his pulse again, and wiped the cold +perspiration from his forehead. Oh how those beautiful eyes thanked me for +these little acts of kindness! He felt in his heart that I did not +sympathize with him as a rebel, but that I was willing to do all that a +sister could do for him in this hour of trial. This seemed to call forth +more gratitude than if I had been heart and hand with the South. He looked +up suddenly and saw me weeping—for I could not restrain my tears—he +seemed then to understand that he was really dying. Looking a little +startled he exclaimed—“Am I really dying?”</p> + +<p>Oh, how often have I been obliged to answer that awful question in the +affirmative! “Yes, you are dying, my friend. Is your peace made with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +God?” He replied, “My trust is in Christ; He was mine in life, and in +death He will not forsake me”—almost the very words I heard a dying +Federal soldier say, a few days before, at the hospital in Williamsburg. A +few weeks previous these two men had been arrayed against each other in +deadly strife; yet they were brethren; their faith and hope were the same; +they both trusted in the same Saviour for salvation.</p> + +<p>Then he said, “I have a last request to make. If you ever pass through the +Confederate camp between this and Richmond inquire for Major McKee, of +General Ewell’s staff, and give him a gold watch which you will find in my +pocket; he will know what to do with it; and tell him I died happy, +peacefully.” He then told me his name and the regiment to which he had +belonged. His name was Allen Hall. Taking a ring from his finger he tried +to put it on mine, but his strength failed, and after a pause he said, +“Keep that ring in memory of one whose sufferings you have alleviated, and +whose soul has been refreshed by your prayers in the hour of dissolution.” +Then folding his hands together as a little child would do at its mother’s +knee, he smiled a mute invitation for prayer. After a few moments’ +agonizing prayer in behalf of that departing spirit, the dying man raised +himself up in the bed and cried out with his dying breath, “Glory to God! +Glory to God! I am almost home!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>He was almost gone. I gave him some water, raised the window, and using my +hat for a fan, I sat down and watched the last glimmering spark of light +go out from those beautiful windows of the soul. Putting his hand in mine +he signed to me to raise his head in my arms. I did so, and in a few +moments he ceased to breathe.</p> + +<p>He died about twelve o’clock—his hand clasping mine in the painful grip +of death, my arm supporting him, and his head leaning on my bosom like a +wearied child. I laid him down, closed his eyes, and straightened his +rigid limbs; then folding his hands across his breast, I drew his blanket +close around him and left him in the silent embrace of death. The +beautiful, calm expression of his face made me think he looked</p> + +<p class="poem">Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch<br /> +About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.</p> + +<p>This was rather a strange position for me to occupy at midnight—alone +with death! Yet I thanked God that it was my privilege to be there; and I +thanked Him for the religion of Jesus which was the strength of my heart +in that trying hour. Yes, I could then rejoice in the providence which had +detained me in the Chickahominy swamp, and had thus brought me to the +bedside of that suffering stranger. Profound silence reigned supreme, and +there was naught to chase away the darkness of that gloomy midnight hour +save the consciousness that God was there.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>I felt it good thus to be drawn away from the tumult of war, and there, in +the presence of the angel of death, hold communion with my own heart and +drink deep from the well of holy meditation. I thought there were happy +spirits hovering round the lifeless form of him who was so lovable in life +and lovely in death. Yes, I imagined the shining host had returned from +escorting the triumphant spirit to the Throne of God, and were now +watching the beautiful casket which had encased the bright spirit whose +companionship had made some southern home bright and joyous.</p> + +<p>I thought, too, of the loved ones who had gone and left me to finish my +journey alone, and who would soon come to bear me away to that bright +eternal world, if I only proved faithful unto death. “How impressively +sad, how thrillingly beautiful, the lesson we glean from this silent +spirit communion! Our physical nature starts and shudders at the thought +of joining the silent numbers of the dead; but our spiritual nature +catches a glimpse of that spirit-life beyond the portals of the tomb, +where life, pure, free and joyous, shall be ours.”</p> + +<p class="poem">A lesson sad, but fraught with good—<br /> +A tearful one, but strengthening food—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Thou givest me;</span><br /> +We learn that “dust returns to dust,”<br /> +Anew in God we put our trust,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">And bow the knee.</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">AM I A STOIC?—SOMEONE’S DARLING—COMPLETING MY DISGUISE—ANOTHER +START FOR THE REBEL LINES—PEPPERING MY EYES—CHALLENGED BY A +PICKET—A COCKNEY SENTINEL—GETTING INFORMATION—PLENTY OF BEEF, BUT +NO SALT—RICE AND CORN MEAL BREAD—PREPARING TO VISIT +HEADQUARTERS—INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR MCKEE—THE MAJOR’S MISPLACED +CONFIDENCE—RETURN FOR THE BODY OF THE REBEL CAPTAIN—MY LOOK-OUT FOR +YANKEES—NEW ORDERS.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Perhaps</span> some of my readers will pronounce me a stoic, entirely devoid of +feeling, when I tell them that two hours after I wrapped the unconscious +form of my late patient in his winding-sheet, I enveloped myself in my +patchwork quilt, and laid me down not far from the corpse, and slept +soundly until six o’clock in the morning. Feeling much refreshed I arose, +and after spending a few moments by the side of my silent companion, +contemplating the changes which the King of Terrors had wrought, I cut a +lock of hair from his temple, took the watch and a small package of +letters from his pocket, replaced the blanket reverently, and bade him +farewell.</p> + +<p class="poem">Kiss him once for somebody’s sake<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Murmur a prayer soft and low;</span><br /> +One bright curl from its dark mates take,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They were somebody’s pride, you know:</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>Somebody’s hand hath rested there—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Was it a mother’s, soft and white?</span><br /> +And have the lips of a sister fair<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Been baptized in their waves of light?</span><br /> +<br /> +God knows best! He was somebody’s love;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Somebody’s heart enshrined him there;</span><br /> +Somebody wafted his name above,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Night and morn, on the wings of prayer.</span><br /> +Somebody wept when he marched away,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Looking so handsome, brave and grand;</span><br /> +Somebody’s kiss on his forehead lay,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Somebody clung to his parting hand.</span><br /> +<br /> +Somebody’s waiting and watching for him,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yearning to hold him again to her heart;</span><br /> +And there he lies with his dark eyes dim,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the smiling, childlike lips apart.</span><br /> +Tenderly bury the fair young dead,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pausing to drop in his grave a tear;</span><br /> +Carve on the wooden slab at his head<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Somebody’s darling slumbers here.”</span></p> + +<p>After hastily partaking of a slight repast, which I could scarcely term +breakfast, I commenced immediate preparations to leave the house. Upon +examining the basket in which I had found the tea on my arrival, I found a +number of articles which assisted me much in assuming a more perfect +disguise. There was mustard, pepper, an old pair of green spectacles, and +a bottle of red ink. Of the mustard I made a strong plaster about the size +of a dollar, and tied it on one side of my face until it blistered it +thoroughly. I then cut off the blister and put on a large patch of black +court-plaster; with the ink I painted a red line around my eyes, and after +giving my pale complexion a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> deep tinge with some ochre which I found in a +closet, I put on my green glasses and my Irish hood, which came over my +face about six inches.</p> + +<p>I then made the tour of the house from garret to cellar, to find all the +household fixings which an Irishwoman would be supposed to carry with her +in such an emergency—for I expected to be searched before I was admitted +through the lines. I packed both my baskets, for I had two now, and was +ready for another start. But before leaving I thought best to bury my +pistol and every article in my possession which could in any way induce +suspicion. Then taking a farewell look at the beautiful features of the +dead, I left the house, going directly the nearest road to the rebel +picket line. I felt perfectly safe in doing so, for the rebel soldier’s +watch was a sufficient passport in daylight, and a message for Major McKee +would insure me civility at least.</p> + +<p>I followed the Richmond road about five miles before meeting or seeing any +one. At length I saw a sentinel in the distance, but before he observed me +I sat down to rest and prepare my mind for the coming interview. While +thus waiting to have my courage reinforced, I took from my basket the +black pepper and sprinkled a little of it on my pocket handkerchief, which +I applied to my eyes. The effect was all I could have desired, for taking +a view of my prepossessing countenance in the small mirror which I always +carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> with me, I perceived that my eyes had a fine tender expression, +which added very much to the beauty of their red borders. I was reminded +of poor Leah of old who failed to secure the affection of her husband in +consequence of a similar blemish, and thought myself safe from the +slightest approach to admiration on the part of the chivalry.</p> + +<p>I now resumed my journey, and displayed a flag of truce, a piece of a +cotton window curtain which I brought from the house at which I had +stopped over night. As I came nearer the picket-guard signaled to me to +advance, which I did as fast as I could under the circumstances, being +encumbered with two heavy baskets packed full of earthenware, clothing, +quilts, etc. Upon coming up to the guard, instead of being dismayed at his +formidable appearance, I felt rejoiced, for there stood before me an +immense specimen of a jolly Englishman, with a blind smile on his +good-natured face, provoked, I presume, by the supremely ludicrous figure +I presented.</p> + +<p>He mildly questioned me with regard to my hopes and fears, whence I came +and whither I was going, and if I had seen any Yankees. My sorrowful story +was soon told. My peppery handkerchief was freely applied to my eyes, and +the tears ran down my face without the least effort on my part. The +good-natured guard’s sympathy was excited, more especially as I was a +foreigner like himself, and he told me I could pass along<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> and go just +wherever I pleased, so far as he was concerned, adding in a sad tone, “I +wish I was hat ’ome with my family, hand then Jeff. Davis hand the +Confederacy might go to ’ell for hall me. Hinglishmen ’ave no business +’ere.”</p> + +<p>I mentally exclaimed, “Good for you—you are one after my own heart,” but +I replied to the Englishman’s patriotic speech after the following manner: +“Och, indade I wish yez was all at home wid yer families, barrin them as +have no families; an sure its we poor craythurs of wimen that’s +heartbroken intirely, an fairly kilt wid this onnathral war;” and here my +eyes were again carefully wiped with my handkerchief.</p> + +<p>After thanking the picket-guard for his kindness, I went on my way toward +the rebel camp. I had not gone far when the guard called me back and +advised me not to stay in camp over night, for, said he, “One of our spies +has just come in and reported that the Yankees have finished the bridges +across the Chickahominy, and intend to attack us either to-day or +to-night, but Jackson and Lee are ready for them.” He went on to tell me +how many masked batteries they had prepared, and said he, “There is one,” +pointing to a brush-heap by the roadside, “that will give them fits if +they come this way.”</p> + +<p>Feeling somewhat in a hurry, I started once more for camp. I concluded +after getting through the lines that I could dispense with one of my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>baskets, so setting one of them down under a tree I felt much more +comfortable, and was not quite so conspicuous an object going into camp. I +went directly to headquarters and inquired for Major McKee. I was told +that he would not be there before evening, and my informant drawled out +after me, “He’s gone to set a trap for the d—d Yankees.”</p> + +<p>I made up my mind at once that I must find out as much as possible before +night, and make my way back before the impending battle came on. Upon +looking around the camp I saw a shanty where some negro women were cooking +meat. I went and told them that I was hungry and would like to have +something to eat. “Oh yes, honey, we’se got lots o’ meat and bread, but +haint got no salt; but reckon ye can eat it without.” So saying an old +auntie brought me a piece of boiled fresh beef and some bread; but I could +not make out what the bread was made of; as near as I could guess, +however, it was made of boiled rice and corn-meal, and that also was +without salt.</p> + +<p>I thought it would be well to look a little smarter before I presented +myself at headquarters again, lest I might not meet with that confidence +which I felt it was important for me to secure. My patched and painted +face made it impossible for any one to define the expression of my +countenance. My blistered cheek was becoming very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> painful in consequence +of the drawing of the court-plaster. I took off my glasses and bathed my +face in clear, cold water, which did not remove much of the color, but +made me a shade more like myself; then I succeeded in getting one of the +colored women to go to the doctor’s quarters and get me some unguent, or +simple cerate, with which I dressed the blister. My eyes were sufficiently +disfigured by this time to dispense with the glasses, so putting them in +my basket I laid them aside for another occasion. There was no difficulty +in finding out the force of the enemy or their plans for the coming +battle, for every one, men and women, seemed to think and talk of nothing +else.</p> + +<p>Five o’clock came, and with it Major McKee. I lost no time in presenting +myself before his majorship, and with a profound Irish courtesy I made +known my business, and delivered the watch and package. I did not require +any black pepper now to assist the lachrymal glands in performing their +duty, for the sad mementoes which I had just delivered to the major so +forcibly reminded me of the scenes of the past night that I could not +refrain from weeping. The major, rough and stern as he was, sat there with +his face between his hands and sobbed like a child. Soon he rose to his +feet, surveyed me from head to foot, and said, “You are a faithful woman, +and you shall be rewarded.”</p> + +<p>He then asked: “Can you go direct to that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> house, and show my men where +Allen’s body is?” I answered in the affirmative—whereupon he handed me a +ten dollar Federal bill, saying, as he did so: “If you succeed in finding +the house, I will give you as much more.” I thanked him, but positively +declined taking the money. He did not seem to understand the philosophy of +a person in my circumstances refusing money, and when I looked at him +again his face wore a doubtful, puzzled expression, which alarmed me. I +was actually frightened, and bursting into a passionate fit of weeping, I +exclaimed vehemently: “Oh, Gineral, forgive me! but me conshins wud niver +give me pace in this world nor in the nixt, if I wud take money for +carying the dyin missage for that swate boy that’s dead and gone—God rest +his soul. Och, indade, indade I nivir cud do sich a mane thing, if I im a +poor woman.” The major seemed satisfied, and told me to wait until he +returned with a detachment of men.</p> + +<p>When he returned with the men, I told him that I did not feel able to walk +that distance, and requested him to let me have a horse, stating the fact +that I had been sick for several days, and had slept but little the night +before. He did not answer a word, but ordered a horse saddled immediately, +which was led forward by a colored boy, who assisted me to mount. I really +felt mean, and for the first time since I had acted in the capacity of +spy, I despised myself for the very act<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> which I was about to perform. I +must betray the confidence which that man reposed in me. He was too +generous to harbor a suspicion against me, and thus furnished me the very +means of betraying him.</p> + +<p>This feeling did not last long, however, for as we started on our mission +he said to his men: “Now, boys, bring back the body of Captain Hall, if +you have to walk through Yankee blood to the knees.” That speech eased my +conscience considerably. I was surprised to hear him say “Captain Hall,” +for I did not know until then that he was an officer. There was nothing +about his uniform or person to indicate his rank, and I had supposed he +was a private soldier.</p> + +<p>We made our way toward the house very cautiously, lest we should be +surprised by the Federals. I rode at the head of the little band of rebels +as guide, not knowing but that I was leading them into the jaws of death +every step we advanced, and if so it would probably be death for me as +well as for them. Thus we traveled those five miles, silently, +thoughtfully, and stealthily. The sun had gone down behind the western +hills, and the deepening shadows were fast gathering around us as we came +in sight of the little white cottage in the forest, where I had so +recently spent such a strangely, awfully solemn night.</p> + +<p>The little detachment halted to rest, and to make arrangements before +approaching the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> This detachment consisted of twenty-four men, +under a sergeant and a corporal. The men were divided into squads, each of +which was to take its turn at carrying the body of their late Captain upon +a stretcher, which they had brought for that purpose. As we drew near, and +saw no sign of an approaching enemy, they regretted that they had not +brought an ambulance; but I did not regret it, for the present arrangement +suited me exactly. Having settled things satisfactorily among themselves, +we again resumed our march and were soon at the gate. The sergeant then +ordered the corporal to proceed to the house with a squad of men and bring +out the corpse, while he stationed the remaining men to guard all the +approaches to the house.</p> + +<p>He then asked me to ride down the road a little way, and if I should see +or hear anything of the Yankees to ride back as fast as possible and let +them know. I assented, and joyfully complied with the first part of his +request. This was a very pleasant duty assigned me, for which I mentally +thanked the sergeant a thousand times. I turned and rode slowly down the +road, but not “seeing or hearing anything of the Yankees,” I thought it +best to keep on in that direction until I did. I was like the zouave, +after the battle of Bull Run, who said he was ordered to retreat, but not +being ordered to halt at any particular place, he preferred to keep on +until he reached New York. So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> I preferred to keep on until I reached the +Chickahominy, where I reported progress to the Federal general.</p> + +<p>I had no desire to have that little escort captured, and consequently said +nothing about it in my report; so the sergeant, with his men, were +permitted to return to the rebel camp unmolested, bearing with them the +remains of their beloved captain. After getting out of sight of the rebel +guards, I made that horse go over the ground about as fast, I think, as he +ever did before—which seemed to give him a bad impression of Yankees in +general, and of me in particular, for ever after that night, it was as +much as a person’s life was worth to saddle him; at every attempt he would +kick and bite most savagely.</p> + +<p>The next day the following order was issued: “Upon advancing beyond the +Chickahominy the troops will go prepared for battle at a moment’s notice, +and will be entirely unencumbered, with the exception of ambulances. All +vehicles will be left on the eastern side of the Chickahominy, and +carefully packed.</p> + +<p>“The men will leave their knapsacks, packed, with the wagons, and will +carry three days rations. The arms will be put in perfect order before the +troops march, and a careful inspection made of them, as well as of the +cartridge-boxes, which in all cases will contain at least forty rounds; +twenty additional rounds will be carried by the men in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> their pockets. +Commanders of batteries will see that their limber and caisson-boxes are +filled to their utmost capacity.</p> + +<p>“Commanders of Army Corps will devote their personal attention to the +fulfillment of these orders, and will personally see that the proper +arrangements are made for packing and properly guarding the trains and +surplus baggage, taking all the steps necessary to insure their being +brought promptly to the front when needed; they will also take steps to +prevent the ambulances from interfering with the movements of any troops. +Sufficient guards and staff-officers will be detailed to carry out these +orders. The ammunition-wagons will be in readiness to march to their +respective brigades and batteries at a moment’s warning, but will not +cross the Chickahominy until they are sent for. All quarter-masters and +ordnance officers are to remain with their trains.</p> + +<p>“In the approaching battle the general commanding trusts that the troops +will preserve the discipline which he has been so anxious to enforce, and +which they have so generally observed. He calls upon all the officers and +soldiers to obey promptly and intelligently all the orders they may +receive; let them bear in mind that the Army of the Potomac has never yet +been checked, and let them preserve in battle perfect coolness and +confidence, the sure forerunners of success. They must keep well together, +throw away no shots,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> but aim carefully and low, and, above all things, +rely upon the bayonet. Commanders of regiments are reminded of the great +responsibility that rests upon them; upon their coolness, judgment and +discretion, the destinies of their regiments and success of the day will +depend.”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">OUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHICKAHOMINY—PORTER’S +SUCCESSES—DESPATCHES TO THE PRESIDENT—HIS REPLY—HANOVER COURT +HOUSE—TERRIBLE STORM AND FLOOD—HOPES OF THE ENEMY—A SUDDEN AND +STRONG ATTACK—I ACT AS AN ORDERLY—THROUGH THE FLOOD—MY RETURN AND +REPORT—JOYFUL NEWS—MY OWN DISASTER—SCENES IN THE OLD MILL—WAITING +ON THE WOUNDED—MY SUFFERINGS BY THE ROADSIDE—A HARD-HEARTED +CHAPLAIN—A STUMBLING BLOCK.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">For</span> several days the enemy had been concentrating a large force on the +right flank of the Federals, with the intention of cutting off their +communications with the river. A portion of Fitz John Porter’s corps was +detailed to dispose of this force, and also to cut the Virginia Central, +Richmond and Fredericksburg railroads. The communication was cut off, and +after two severe engagements the enemy retreated, leaving behind them +several hundred prisoners, their cannon and camp equipage. On the same day +the following<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> despatch was sent to the Secretary of War by the commanding +general:</p> + +<p>“Camp near New Bridge, May 28th. Porter has gained two complete victories +over superior forces; yet I feel obliged to move in the morning with +reinforcements to secure the complete destruction of the rebels in that +quarter. In doing so I run some risk here, but cannot help it. The enemy +are even in greater force than I had supposed. I will do all that quick +movements can accomplish, but you must send me all the troops you can, and +leave me to full latitude as to choice of commanders. It is absolutely +necessary to destroy the rebels near Hanover Court House before I can +advance.”</p> + +<p>To which the President replied: “I am very glad of General Porter’s +victory. Still, if it was a total rout of the enemy, I am puzzled to know +why the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad was not seized again, as you +say you have all the railroads but the Richmond and Fredericksburg. I am +painfully impressed with the importance of the struggle before you, and +shall aid you all I can consistently with my view of due regard to other +points.”</p> + +<p>Two days later McClellan telegraphs again: “From the tone of your +despatches I do not think that you appreciate the value and magnitude of +Porter’s victory. It has entirely relieved my right flank, which was +seriously threatened, it has routed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> and demoralized a considerable +portion of the rebel forces, taken over seven hundred and fifty prisoners, +killed and wounded large numbers; one gun, many small arms, and much +baggage taken. It was one of the handsomest things in the war, both in +itself and in its results. Porter has returned, and my army is again well +in hand. Another day will make the probable field of battle passable for +artillery. It is quite certain that there is nothing in front of McDowell +at Fredericksburg. I regard the burning of South Anne bridge as the least +important result of Porter’s movement.”</p> + +<p>The battle of Hanover Court House was certainly a splendid affair, and a +very important victory to the Army of the Potomac. Three days after this +battle, while the army was divided by the river, a portion of the troops +having crossed over the day before, a most fearful storm swept over the +Peninsula, accompanied with terrible exhibitions of lightning and +explosions of thunder. The water came down all night and all day in +perfect floods, completely inundating the valley through which the +Chickahominy flows, turning the narrow stream into a broad river, +converting the swamps into lakes, and carrying away one bridge and +rendering the other unsafe. And still the rain came pouring down in +torrents, reminding one of that crisis in the world’s history when “the +fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were +opened.” Had it not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> been for McClellan’s faith in the bible and in God’s +covenant with Noah, he would no doubt have seriously contemplated building +an ark, in order to save himself and his army from destruction. The rebels +seemed to think this flood was sent as a judgment from the Almighty upon +their hated enemies, and was a direct interposition of Providence in their +behalf, which would enable them to visit wholesale destruction upon the +Yankees.</p> + +<p>On the thirtieth of May the enemy, taking advantage of this terrible state +of things caused by the disastrous storm, came rushing down upon our +troops in immense force. A battle opened at about one o’clock in the +afternoon, and after three hours’ desperate fighting, General Casey’s +division, occupying the first line, was compelled to fall back in +considerable disorder upon the second line, causing temporary confusion; +but the rapid advance of Generals Heintzelman and Kearney with their +divisions soon checked the rebels. Sumner, Sedgwick, Couch, Keyes and the +other commanders also labored valiantly to retrieve the injury effected by +the unfortunate retirement of Casey’s command.</p> + +<p>The enemy, led by Hill and Longstreet, advanced in massive columns, with +threefold lines, and came boldly on like an overwhelming wave, as if +determined to crush all opposition by the suddenness and fierceness of the +attack. Total annihilation seemed to be their motto, and the determined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +and reckless daring of the fierce and bloodthirsty rebels in such +overpowering numbers carried conviction to many loyal hearts that they +would succeed in driving that devoted fragment of an army into the +Chickahominy, before it would be possible for reinforcements to arrive.</p> + +<p>At this time I was in military uniform, mounted upon my rebel horse, and +was acting orderly for General K. Several aides and orderlies had been +sent with messages and despatches, but no reinforcement had yet arrived, +and, taking a Federal view of it, the picture presented a gloomy +appearance. General K. reined in his horse abruptly, and taking from his +pocket an envelope, he hastily wrote on the back of it with a pencil—“In +the name of God bring your command to our relief, if you have to swim in +order to get here—or we are lost.” Handing it to me he said—“Go just as +fast as that horse can carry you to General G., present this with my +compliments, return immediately, and report to me.”</p> + +<p>I put poor little “Reb” over the road at the very top of his speed until +he was nearly white with foam, then plunged him into the Chickahominy and +swam him across the river. I met General G. about a hundred rods from the +river making the best of his way toward the bridge. Engineers were at once +set to work strengthening the crazy structure, which was swaying to and +fro with the rushing tide. The eager, excited troops dashed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> into the +water waist deep, and getting upon the floating planks went pouring over +in massive columns. I preferred to swim my horse back again rather than +risk myself upon such a bridge, for I looked every moment to see it give +way and engulf the whole division in the turbid waters of the swollen +creek. However, all reached the other side in safety, and started along +the flooded road on the double quick. This was cheering news to carry back +to General K., so I started again for the field in order to claim the +reward of “him who bringeth good tidings.”</p> + +<p>I found General K. in the thickest of the fight, encouraging his men and +shouting his orders distinctly above the roar and din of battle. Riding up +to him and touching my hat, I reported—“Just returned, sir. General G., +with his command, will be here immediately.” It was too good to keep to +himself, so he turned to his men and shouted at the top of his +voice—“Reinforcements! reinforcements!” then swinging his hat in the air +he perfectly electrified the whole line as far as his voice could reach, +and the glorious word “reinforcements” was passed along until that almost +exhausted line was reanimated and inspired with new hope.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img05.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">ACTING ORDERLY.—Page 178.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>While I was thus watching with delight the effects of this joyful news +upon the soldiers, my attention was directed to another object. General +H., who had made himself conspicuous by his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>gallant conduct, was struck +by a ball which shattered his arm badly. He was only a few rods from me, +and there was none near to help him. I asked General K. if I might go to +him, and after obtaining permission I rode up to him, leaped from my +horse, and hitched him near by. I then removed the clothing from his arm, +gave him some water, poured some on the wound, and went to my saddle-bags +to get some bandages, when my rebel pony laid hold of my arm with his +teeth and almost tore the flesh from the bone. Not content with that, he +turned his heels in an instant and kicked with both feet, sending me about +a rod. My arm was now almost as bad as General H.’s, and I could do but +little to help him, for in ten minutes it was swollen terribly, and I +could not raise it to my head; finally I was ordered back to an old +saw-mill about a mile and a half from the field, where were considerable +quantities of quarter-masters’ and commissary stores, with orders to have +them removed further to the rear; and all who were able to come to the +front, together with the surgeon and a portion of the hospital corps who +had been left there in charge of the sick, were to lose no time in +reporting themselves for duty on the field.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving at the old saw-mill I found it crowded with wounded men who +had crawled there from the battle-field, to have their wounds dressed if +possible, and if not to lie down and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>suffer where the shot and shell +could not reach them. I delivered my orders. In a few moments more there +was not a soul left to minister to those poor fellows who were huddled +together in that mill by the score; all had gone to the front, and I was +left there in a sad plight.</p> + +<p>I put my vicious little “Reb” in a building near the mill, where there was +plenty of hay and corn, but did not dare to unsaddle him. I then examined +the extent of the injury done to my arm, and found it was worse than I had +supposed. It was badly mangled by the horse’s teeth, and in one place a +large piece of flesh was torn from the arm and hung by small shreds. But +the arm was not the worst; he had kicked me in the side, which had lamed +and bruised me sadly. Yet this was no time to groan over a slight kick +from a horse, when so many lay around me with shattered limbs and ghastly +saber wounds, some of them even now in the very agonies of death. So, +resolutely saying to pain and lameness, “Stay thou here while I go +yonder,” I bound up my arm in a sling, and set about removing the +blood-clotted clothing from the wounds of those who needed it most; but +having neither knife or scissors, I was obliged in many instances to use +my teeth in order to tear the thick woolen garments stiffened and +saturated with blood, the very remembrance of which now makes me feel +rather uncomfortable in the gastric region; but then there was no +unpleasant sensation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>The next thing to be thought of was, how I could procure some bandages; +but as to getting them from the saddle-bags, I would as soon have thought +of bearding a lion in his den, as of tempting the jaws of that ferocious +animal again. However, there were two houses within a mile, and I decided +to try my fortune in that direction. First of all I went among the sick, +who were left there by the surgeon, and inquired if there were any who +were able to assist me in dressing wounds. Yes, I found two; one a little +mail-carrier, and the other a commissary sergeant, both of whom were +scarcely able to stand alone. These two I set to work pouring cold water +upon the wounded limbs occasionally, and giving the men water to drink +until I returned.</p> + +<p>At the first house I went to they would not let me in at all, but raised +the window and wished to know what was wanted. I told them, anything that +would admit of tearing up for bandages. No, they had nothing of the kind, +and closed the window again. I limped along to the next house. A man came +to the door, holding it, to prevent my attempting to get in. The same +question was asked, and a similar answer returned. By this time my +patience and strength were both exhausted, and my mind was made up with +regard to the course I should pursue. Therefore, drawing both my pistols +from my belt, I demanded some cotton, new or old—sheets, pillow-cases, or +any other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> article which would answer the purpose for bandages. The man +trembled from head to foot, and called his wife to know if she could let +me have anything of the sort; yes, she could, if I would pay her for it; +and of course I was willing to pay her; so she brought me an old sheet, a +pair of pillow-cases, and three yards of new factory cotton cloth, for +which she demanded five dollars. Happening to have only three dollars in +change, I told her I thought that would be sufficient; and so saying, I +left immediately.</p> + +<p>I did not know, until I had proceeded some distance, that the blood was +running from my arm in a perfect stream. In my excitement and +determination, I had grasped one of my pistols with the lame hand and +started those terrible gashes bleeding afresh. I grew faint and dizzy, and +sat down by the road-side to gather a little strength before proceeding +further. While I sat there I saw a horseman coming in the distance, but +could not tell whether it was friend or foe, for it was growing dark. I +waited until he came nearer, when I was rejoiced to see that it was a +chaplain; not Mr. B., but of course he was a good man, being a chaplain +and a Federal. So I felt that relief was at hand. But imagine my +disappointment and chagrin when he came up and, priest-like, looked upon +me, “and passed by on the other side.” Well, after all, I did not care so +much for myself, but I thanked heaven that he had come on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> the poor men’s +account, for he would, no doubt, do much during the night to relieve their +sufferings.</p> + +<p>Taking courage, I made my way slowly toward the mill, where I found, on my +arrival, the chaplain dismounted, coat off, and wisp in hand, rubbing and +brushing every speck of mud from his horse. After performing this +important duty, he then went to the nearest house, ordered supper, and +after partaking of a warm meal, he returned to the mill. Oh how glad I was +that all these preliminaries were gone through with, for now he would at +once enter upon the care of the wounded, and my heart ached for those two +sick boys, who were still attending to the wants of such as they could +assist, notwithstanding they required waiting upon themselves.</p> + +<p>The wounded were coming in faster than ever, and I was busy tearing up the +cotton in strips, and trying to bind up some of the poor mangled limbs, +the little sick sergeant being my right hand man. I looked around for the +chaplain, but he was no where to be seen. I hobbled out to the building +where I had seen him put his horse, to see if he had really gone away; no, +he had not gone. There he lay on the floor, upon which was a quantity of +hay, wrapped up in his blanket, apparently unconscious that there was any +such thing as suffering in the world. Oh how I wanted to go to him, +quietly lay my hand on him, and say:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> “Chaplain, will you be so kind as to +take the saddle from my horse; it has been on since early morning, and I +am not able to take it off.” Not that I cared particularly for having the +saddle removed, but just for sake of having “Reb” bring the chaplain to +his senses, and give him a little shaking up, so that he might realize +that these were war times, and that consequently it was out of the +question for chaplains in the army, especially in time of battle, to</p> + +<p class="poem">Be carried to the skies<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On flowery beds of ease;</span><br /> +While others fought to win the prize,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sailed through bloody seas.</span></p> + +<p>But instead of doing so, I sat down and wept bitter tears of +disappointment and sorrow, and then, with a heavy heart and aching limbs, +I returned again to the mill.</p> + +<p>All that weary night my heart burned with indignation, and I seemed +endowed with supernatural powers of endurance, for when morning came and +found me still at my post, without having tasted food for twenty-four +hours, I felt stronger and fresher than I had done the day before. My two +young sick friends had been persuaded to lie down, and were now fast +asleep, side by side with the wounded. But where was the chaplain? What +had become of him? He had escaped with the earliest dawn, without so much +as inquiring whether the men were dead or alive. This was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> the conduct of +a man who professed to be a faithful follower of Him who went about doing +good! This was a man whom I had reverenced and loved as a brother in +Christ. Oh, what a stumbling-block that man was to my soul; for weeks and +months Satan took occasion to make this a severe temptation and trial to +me. I was tempted to judge every christian by that unholy example, and to +doubt the truth of every christian experience which I heard related from +time to time. But, thank God, I had the example of my faithful friend, Mr. +B., to counterbalance this, and by God’s grace I was enabled to rise above +this temptation. My doubts were gradually removed, and my faith in +christians re-established—but I never sufficiently recovered from my +feelings of disgust towards that particular chaplain, to ever again be +able to persuade myself to listen to a sermon delivered by him, or to +attend any religious meeting at which he presided. I always looked upon +him afterwards, as “one who had stolen the livery of heaven to serve the +devil in;” a mere whited sepulchre, and unworthy the sacred name of a +minister of the Gospel.</p> + +<p class="poem">Oh, may our sympathizing breasts<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That generous pleasure know;</span><br /> +Kindly to share in others’ joy,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And weep for others’ woe.</span><br /> +<br /> +When poor and helpless sons of grief<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In deep distress are laid;</span><br /> +Soft be our hearts their pains to feel,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And swift our hands to aid.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span><br /> +On wings of love the Saviour flew,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To bless a ruined race;</span><br /> +We would, O Lord, thy steps pursue,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy bright example trace.</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE—VICTORY FOR THE FEDERAL ARMS—ADDRESS TO THE +ARMY—MORE DESPATCHES—MY BATTLE TROPHY—PONY REB’S PERFORMANCES—THE +HOSPITAL TREE—TOUCHING SCENES—BISHOP SIMPSON—THE CROSS AND THE +FLAG—AFTER THE BATTLE—DELAYS BY STORMS, FLOODS AND MUD—MCCLELLAN’S +CALL FOR MORE MEN—IN READINESS TO MARCH—PROMISED REINFORCEMENTS.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Night</span> brought a cessation of hostilities to the weary troops, but to +neither side a decided victory or defeat. Both armies bivouaced on the +bloody field, within a few rods of each other. There they lay waiting for +the morning light to decide the contest. The excitement and din of battle +had ceased; those brief hours of darkness proved a sweet respite from the +fierce struggle of the day, and in the holy calm of that midnight hour, +when silence brooded over the blood-washed plain, many brave soldiers lay +down on that gory field—</p> + +<p class="poem">The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die.</p> + +<p>Sunday, the first of June, dawned beautifully, a day of hallowed rest and +promise to the millions who rose to their devotions, ere the bell called +them to the house of prayer, but not of rest to the weary,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> broken armies +the drum-beat called from their wet and muddy beds to renew the contest. +At a quarter-past seven o’clock the battle again commenced, and raged +fiercely until about noon. Both armies fought with determination and +heroic bravery until the rebels were compelled to yield, and victory once +more perched upon the banners of the National troops.</p> + +<p>I came on the field about ten o’clock, and remained until the close of the +battle, but could do little more than look upon the terrible scene. +General McClellan was on the field when I arrived. I saw him ride along +the entire battle-front, and if I had not seen him, I could not have long +remained in ignorance of his presence—for the cheers from all parts of +the Federal lines told as plainly as words could express that their +beloved commander was with them, amid that desperate struggle for victory. +It was a terrible slaughter—more than fifteen thousand lay upon the +field. It was enough to make angels weep, to look down upon that field of +carnage. The dead and wounded of the enemy fell into the hands of the +Unionists, which added fearfully to the labors of that exhausted, +battle-worn army.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the third of June, General McClellan issued the +following address to his troops, which was read on dress parade, and was +received with tremendous cheering:</p> + +<p>“Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac! I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> fulfilled at least a part of +my promise to you. You are now face to face with the rebels, who are held +at bay in front of their capital. The final and decisive battle is at +hand. Unless you belie your past history, the result cannot be for a +moment doubtful. If the troops who labored so faithfully at Yorktown, and +fought so bravely, and won the hard fights at Williamsburg, West Point, +Hanover Court-house and Fair Oaks, now prove themselves worthy of their +antecedents, the victory is surely ours. The events of every day prove +your superiority; wherever you have met the enemy, you have beaten him; +wherever you have used the bayonet, he has given way in panic and +disorder.</p> + +<p>“I ask of you, now, one last crowning effort. The enemy has staked his all +on the issue of the coming battle. Let us meet him, crush him here, in the +very centre of the rebellion. Soldiers! I will be with you in this battle, +and share its dangers with you. Our confidence in each other is now +founded upon the past. Let us strike the blow which is to restore peace +and union to this distracted land. Upon your valor, discipline and mutual +confidence, the result depends.”</p> + +<p>Every battle fought on the Peninsula fearfully reduced the strength of the +Army of the Potomac, and proved to a demonstration that the enemy far +outnumbered the Union forces. Still there were no reinforcements, +notwithstanding McClellan’s daily urgent despatches to the President and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>Secretary of War, and the great impending battle in front of the rebel +Capital so near at hand.</p> + +<p>The next day McClellan sent another despatch, as follows:</p> + +<p>“Please inform me at once what reinforcements, if any, I can count upon +having at Fortress Monroe or White House, within the next three days, and +when each regiment may be expected to arrive. It is of the utmost +importance that I should know this immediately. The losses in the battle +of the thirty-first and first will amount to seven thousand. Regard this +as confidential for the present. After the losses in our last battle, I +trust that I shall no longer be regarded as an alarmist. I believe we have +at least one more desperate battle to fight.”</p> + +<p>The day after the battle of Fair Oaks, a splendid sword was presented to +me. It had been struck from the hand of a rebel colonel, while in the act +of raising it to strike one of our officers after he had fallen from his +horse. Oh, how proud I felt of that beautiful silver-mounted trophy, from +the bloody field of Fair Oaks, which had so recently been wielded by a +powerful arm, but powerless now, for he lay in the agonies of death, while +his splendid sword had passed into my feeble hands. I presume if he had +known this, it would have added another pang to his already agonized +spirit. The sword was presented by General K., to whom I gave my rebel +pony, with the comforting assurance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> that he was only intended for +ornament, and not for use; for generals were too scarce on the Peninsula +to risk their precious lives by coming in contact with him. The General +was delighted with him, and without paying the slightest attention to my +suggestion deliberately walked up to the pony and commenced patting him +and handling his limbs as if he were the most quiet creature in the world, +while “Reb” stood eyeing his new master with apparent satisfaction, and +seemed to rejoice that he had passed from my insignificant hands, and was +henceforth to be the honored bearer of shoulder-straps. After thoroughly +examining him he said: “He is certainly a splendid horse, and worth three +hundred dollars of any man’s money; all he requires is kind treatment, and +he will be as gentle as any one could desire.”</p> + +<p>But “Reb” very soon gave him to understand decidedly that he was +overrating his good qualities; for no sooner had the General turned his +back toward him than he struck him between the shoulders with both hind +feet, sending him his full length upon the ground; and as soon as he +attempted to rise he repeated the same performance until he had knocked +him down four or five times in succession. By that time the General was +pretty thoroughly convinced that “Reb’s” social qualities were somewhat +deficient, his bump of combativeness largely developed, and his gymnastics +quite impressive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>On the evening of the same day in which the victory was won I visited what +was then, and is still called, the “hospital tree,” near Fair Oaks. It was +an immense tree under whose shady, extended branches the wounded were +carried and laid down to await the stimulant, the opiate, or the +amputating knife, as the case might require. The ground around that tree +for several acres in extent was literally drenched with human blood, and +the men were laid so close together that there was no such thing as +passing between them; but each one was removed in their turn as the +surgeons could attend to them. I witnessed there some of the most +heart-rending sights it is possible for the human mind to conceive. Read +what a Massachusetts chaplain writes concerning it:</p> + +<p>“There is a large tree near the battle-ground of Fair Oaks, the top of +which was used as an observatory during the fight, which stands as a +memento of untold, and perhaps never to be told, suffering and sorrow. +Many of the wounded and dying were laid beneath its branches after the +battle, in order to receive surgical help, or to breathe their last more +quietly. What heart-rending scenes did I witness in that place, so full of +saddened memories to me and to others. Brave, uncomplaining men were +brought thither out of the woodland, the crimson tide of whose life was +ebbing away in the arms of those who carried them. Almost all who died met +death like heroes, with scarcely a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> groan. Those wounded, but not +mortally—how nobly they bore the necessary probings and needed +amputations! Two instances of this heroic fortitude deserve to be +specially mentioned. One of them is that of William C. Bentley, of the +Second Rhode Island regiment, both of whose legs were broken by a +bomb-shell, whose wrist and breast were mangled, and who yet was as calm +as if he suffered no pain. He refused any opiate or stimulant that might +dim his consciousness. He asked only that we should pray for him, that he +might be patient and submissive, and dictated a letter to be sent to his +mother. Then, and not till then, opiates were given him, and he fell +gently asleep, and for the last time.</p> + +<p>“The other case was that of Francis Sweetzer, of Company E, of the +Sixteenth Massachusetts Regiment, who witnessed in death, as he had +uniformly done in life, a good confession of Christ. ‘Thank God,’ he said, +‘that I am permitted to die for my country. Thank God more yet that I am +prepared to die;’ and then after a moment’s thought he modestly added, ‘at +least I hope I am.’ When he died he was in the act of prayer, and in that +position his limbs grew rigid, and so remained after the spirit had left +his body.”</p> + +<p>Oh, who that has witnessed such triumphant deaths on the battle-field will +presume to doubt that the spirit of that patriot who falls amid the +terrible clash of arms and the fierce surge of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>battle, is prepared to go +from that scene of blood and strife, and to enter into that rest that God +has prepared for them that love Him? Yes, the noble men who have gone from +under the sheltering wings of the different evangelical churches +throughout the land, have gone in the strength of God, and with the full +assurance that if they should fall fighting for the God-given rights of +humanity, there, amid the shock of battle, the still, small voice of Jesus +would be heard speaking peace to the departing soul, and that their +triumphant spirits would go home rejoicing to be forever with the Lord! +When I see a man first lay himself upon the altar of God, and then upon +the altar of his country, I have no fear for that man’s happiness in time +or in eternity.</p> + +<p>Good Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, soon after the +outbreak of the great rebellion, delivered a sermon on the National +crisis, at Chicago. It is represented as one of the ablest efforts of this +clergyman, so distinguished for his power in the pulpit. As it was one of +the anniversaries of the denomination, thousands were present to hear the +discourse. Suddenly, at one point in the sermon, and as the fitting close +of a most impassioned paragraph, he gave utterance to the following noble +sentiment: “We will take our glorious flag, the flag of our country, and +nail it just below the cross! That is high enough. There let it wave as it +waved of old. Around it let us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> gather: first Christ’s; then our +country’s.” Oh, that the sentiments of the following beautiful lines were +the sentiments of every heart in the United States:</p> + +<p class="poem">O Lord of Hosts! Almighty King!<br /> +Behold the sacrifice we bring!<br /> +To every arm thy strength impart,<br /> +Thy spirit shed through every heart!<br /> +<br /> +Wake in our breasts the living fires,<br /> +The holy faith that warmed our sires;<br /> +Thy hand hath made our nation free;<br /> +To die for her is serving Thee.<br /> +<br /> +Be Thou a pillar’d flame to show<br /> +The midnight snare, the silent foe,<br /> +And when the battle thunders loud,<br /> +Still guide us in its moving cloud.<br /> +<br /> +God of all nations! sovereign Lord!<br /> +In thy dread name we draw the sword,<br /> +We lift the starry flag on high<br /> +That fills with light our stormy sky.<br /> +<br /> +No more its flaming emblems wave<br /> +To bar from hope the trembling slave;<br /> +No more its radiant glories shine<br /> +To blast with woe one child of Thine!<br /> +<br /> +From treason’s rent, from murderer’s stain,<br /> +Guard Thou its folds till peace shall reign,<br /> +Till fort and field, till shore and sea,<br /> +Join our loud anthem, Praise to Thee!</p> + +<p>I cannot better describe the state of affairs after the battle of Fair +Oaks than by giving the following despatch from McClellan, dated June 7th: +“In reply to your despatch of 2 p. m. to-day, I have the honor to state +that the Chickahominy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> river has risen so as to flood the entire bottoms +to the depth of three or four feet; I am pushing forward the bridges in +spite of this, and the men are working night and day, up to their waists +in water, to complete them. The whole face of the country is a perfect +bog, entirely impassable for artillery, or even cavalry, except directly +in the narrow roads, which renders any general movement, either of this or +the rebel army, entirely out of the question until we have more favorable +weather. I am glad to learn that you are pressing forward reinforcements +so vigorously. I shall be in perfect readiness to move forward and take +Richmond the moment McCall reaches here and the ground will admit the +passage of artillery. I have advanced my pickets about a mile to-day, +driving off the rebel pickets and securing a very advantageous position. +The rebels have several batteries established, commanding the debouches +from two of our bridges, and fire upon our working parties continually; +but as yet they have killed but few of our men.”</p> + +<p>Again, June 10th, he says: “I am completely checked by the weather. The +roads and fields are literally impassable for artillery—almost so for +infantry. The Chickahominy is in a dreadful state. We have another rain +storm on our hands. I wish to be distinctly understood that whenever the +weather permits I will attack with whatever force I may have, although a +larger force would enable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> me to gain much more decisive results. I would +be glad to have McCall’s infantry sent forward by water at once, without +waiting for his artillery and cavalry.”</p> + +<p>The next day the Secretary of War replied: “Your despatch of 3.30 p. m. +yesterday has been received. I am fully impressed with the difficulties +mentioned, and which no art or skill can avoid, but only endure. Be +assured, General, that there never has been a moment when my desire has +been otherwise than to aid you with my whole heart, mind and strength, +since the hour we first met; and whatever others may say for their own +purposes, you never have had, and never can have, any one more truly your +friend, or more anxious to support you, or more joyful than I shall be at +the success which I have no doubt will soon be achieved by your arms.”</p> + +<p>The above despatch has the appearance of the genuine article—but I am +inclined to think it a clever counterfeit. While McClellan’s requests were +cheerfully complied with, as far as promises were concerned, little was +done to strengthen his weakened forces in view of the coming struggle with +an overwhelming force in front, and the flooded Chickahominy in the rear. +By unreliable promises he was filled with delusive hopes, and lead on to +more certain destruction—to disaster and failure, at least.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">LEAVE OF ABSENCE—VISIT TO THE WILLIAMSBURG HOSPITALS—EFFECTIVE +PREACHING—YORKTOWN REVISITED—LONGINGS—WHITE HOUSE LANDING—TIRED OF +IDLENESS—PREPARATIONS TO RETURN TO DUTY—STUART’S CAVALRY RAID—A +TRAIN FIRED INTO—FAIR OAKS GROVE—THE STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY—TRYING +TIMES ON THE PENINSULA—THE ENDURANCE OF OUR SOLDIERS—LABORS OF MR. +ALVORD.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">While</span> preparations were going on for the great battle in front of +Richmond, I obtained leave of absence for a week, and recruited my +shattered health, lame side and arm. Mr. and Mrs. B. were both gone home +on furlough, and Nellie was at the Williamsburg Hospital. I thought I +should like to visit the different hospitals, while I was thus riding +round from place to place in search of something of interest. I visited +Williamsburg Hospitals, both Union and rebel, and found many things +amusing and interesting.</p> + +<p>Nellie was delighted to see me, and told me much of her experience since +the battle of Williamsburg. Her hand was still in a sling, which reminded +me of my first shot at a rebel female. She was a most faithful nurse, and +had endeared herself to all the boys by her kindness and patience toward +them. She introduced me to several of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> her favorites, calling each by some +pet name, to which they seemed to answer as a matter of course. I spent a +day and a night there, and attended a meeting in the evening, which was +held by a minister from the Christian Commission for the benefit of the +wounded soldiers. Oh, what a sermon was that! The tender mercies of the +Father, the love of the Son of God, were described; the wailings of the +lost and the raptures of the redeemed were portrayed in the most powerful +and touching manner. I have never heard the sinner invited to the cross in +more persuasive strains than flowed from his lips.</p> + +<p>His countenance was pleasing, his manners courteous, and his deportment +unassuming. He did not preach one of those high-toned, intellectual +discourses which we so often hear, and which almost invariably fail to +reach the heart. But he preached Christ with such winning simplicity, such +forgetfulness of self, and with such an eager yearning after souls, that +even the most depraved were melted to tears. How soul-refreshing is this +simple mode of preaching! I seem to see him standing before me now, with +uplifted hands, glowing cheeks and streaming eyes—and though I have +forgotten much of the discourse, yet I can distinctly remember the +impression which it made upon me then. It was good, humbling, purifying. +He was evidently not a highly educated man, yet he proclaimed the +unsearchable riches of Christ in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> such a way as to make the proudest +eloquence and the most profound philosophy, seem in comparison, “like +sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.”</p> + +<p>Often, when hearing a certain class of ministers preach, I am reminded of +the saying of a good Baptist clergyman with regard to A. and B., two +ministers of his own denomination: “When I hear Brother A. preach, I am in +love with the man; but when I hear Brother B. preach, I am in love with +Jesus.” This is the kind of preaching we want—that which makes us fall in +love with Jesus, instead of the preacher. Oh, that there were more of +Christ, and less of self, preached.</p> + +<p>After leaving Williamsburg, I kept on down the Peninsula until I came to +Yorktown. After visiting the hospitals there, I then went to the old camp +where I had spent so many weeks. There were the dear old familiar places, +but all that gave them interest were gone now. The old saw-mill, too, was +gone, and all that remained was a heap of ruins, to tell where it once +stood. But there was a spot undisturbed, away in the corner of the peach +orchard, under an isolated pear tree, a heaped up mound, underneath which +rested the noble form of Lieutenant V. It was sweet to me to visit this +spot once more. I knew that in all probability it would be the last time; +at least for a long period, perhaps forever.</p> + +<p class="poem">When this frail body shall be done with earth,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And this heart shall be free from care;</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>When my spirit enters that other world,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh, say, shall I know thee there?</span><br /> +<br /> +When the last hours of life are closing around<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And death’s summons cometh to me;</span><br /> +Will God send an angel messenger down?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall I know the bright spirit as thee?</span><br /> +<br /> +Rest weary heart, rest patient and wait,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till thy happiness cometh to thee;</span><br /> +Thou’lt meet and thou’lt know when thou gainest that shore<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which opes to eternity.</span></p> + +<p>From Yorktown I went to the White House Landing, where everything looked +neat, orderly, peaceful and happy, as a quiet little country village. The +grounds were laid out in broad streets and squares, which were swept clean +as a floor, and there were long rows of snow-white tents, with their +neatly printed cotton sign-boards, “to guide the traveler on his way” to +the different head-quarters, provost marshal, hospital, sutlers, +blacksmith, etc.</p> + +<p>After spending a day there, and beginning to feel tired of idleness, I +made up my mind to return to camp again. So going to Colonel Ingalls, I +procured transportation for myself and horse, and stepping aboard of a +provision train destined for Fair Oaks Station, I anticipated a pleasant +ride; but, as usual, was blessed with quite a little adventure before I +reached my destination. The train started, and, after steaming over the +road for some time at its usual rate, had reached the vicinity of +Tunstall’s Station, when we heard the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> down train whistle, and immediately +after a sharp volley of musketry was fired in the same direction. The +engineer switched off the track, and awaited the other train. It came +thundering on as if the engineer was possessed by the <i>sauve qui peut</i> +spirit, and, as it passed, the wildest confusion was visible on board, and +the groans of the wounded could be heard above the screaming of the +engine. On it went, like a streak of lightning, signaling for our train to +follow.</p> + +<p>There was no time to be lost; our train was immediately in hot pursuit of +the other, and both were soon at the White House. Among those I saw taken +from the cars wounded, was the spy whom I had met in the rebel camp in +front of Yorktown, and heard haranguing his fellow countryman upon the +important service he had rendered the Confederate Government, and +confessing himself to be the cause of Lieutenant’s V’s death.</p> + +<p>Everything was thrown into wild confusion by the arrival of the trains and +the news of the attack. The troops at the White House were immediately +called out under arms to protect the depot. All this excitement had been +produced by a detachment of Stuart’s cavalry, consisting of about fifteen +hundred men, and which resulted in the slight disaster to the train; the +burning of two schooners laden with forage, and fourteen Government +wagons; the destruction of some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> sutler’s stores; the killing of several +of the guard and teamsters; some damage done to Tunstall’s Station; and +the tearing up of a portion of the railroad. There was but little damage +done to the train, considering that there were three hundred passengers. +Some military officers of high rank were on board, who would have been a +rich prize for the rebels if they had succeeded in capturing the train; +but it had eluded their grasp by the admirable conduct and presence of +mind of the engineer, who crowded on all possible steam, and escaped with +his freight of human life with only a loss of fourteen in killed and +wounded.</p> + +<p>As soon as the wounded were taken care of I visited the provost marshal, +and made known the fact that there was among the wounded a rebel spy who +required immediate attention. He sent a guard with me, who searched his +person and found satisfactory proof that my statement was correct. He was +only slightly wounded, and by the time the railroad was repaired he was +able to bear the fatigue of a journey to headquarters, and I returned to +camp.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-fifth of June the battle of Fair Oaks Grove was fought. +Hooker’s command had been ordered to occupy a new and important position, +when they were suddenly attacked while passing through a dense thicket and +almost impassable swamp. The foe was gradually pushed back until he was +obliged to seek safety behind his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> rifle-pits. About noon General +McClellan, who had remained at headquarters to communicate with the left +wing, rode upon the field and, to the joy of his soldiers, ordered them +again to advance. The order was cheerfully obeyed, and after renewed +desperate fighting, at sunset the day was won by the Federal arms.</p> + +<p>At this time it was not necessary for me to use any stratagem in order to +visit the rebel encampment, for all that was necessary to be known of the +rebel force and movements had been already ascertained. Consequently I was +quietly awaiting further developments, and while waiting was trying to +make myself generally useful in the hospitals. A singular case came under +my notice there: that of a man being stunned by the near approach of a +cannon-ball. It did not come in contact with even his clothing, and yet he +was knocked down senseless, and for several days he could neither hear nor +speak.</p> + +<p>I think the most trying time that the Army of the Potomac ever had on the +Peninsula was in front of Richmond, just before the seven days’ +battle—that is to say, if anything could be worse than the seven day’s +battle itself. A heavy and almost incessant firing was kept up day and +night, along the entire left wing, and the men were kept in those rifle +pits, (to say in water to the knees is a very moderate estimate), day +after day, until they looked like fit subjects for the hospital or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +lunatic asylum, and those troops in camp who were not supposed to be on +duty, but were kept in reserve, were often called out ten times in one +night. The firing would become so alarmingly hot that it was supposed a +general engagement was at hand; but on going out to the front, perhaps it +would cease for a moment, then they would be ordered back to camp again. +In that manner I have known the entire force to be kept in motion almost +all night, and sleep for any one was a thing out of the question.</p> + +<p>It soon became evident that there was some movement on foot which was not +understood by the great mass of the army, and I have no doubt it was a +good thing that the troops did not even imagine that a retreat was already +being planned by their commander. The men endured all these hardships most +uncomplainingly; yes, cheerfully; and every day was supposed to be the +last ere they would walk the streets of Richmond triumphantly, and thus +reap the fruits of their summer’s campaign.</p> + +<p>The constant fire kept up along the entire line, and the frequent charges +made upon rifle-pits, rapidly increased the numbers in the hospital, and +kept the surgeons and nurses busy night and day, and then they could not +attend to all who required assistance. Just at this particular juncture I +remember the timely aid afforded by the members of the Christian +Commission and Tract Society.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> They brought relief not only in one sense, +but in many. Spiritual food for the hungry, dying soldier—consolation for +the worn out and discouraged—delicacies for the sick and +feeble—warm-gushing heart sympathy for the suffering, and actual +assistance with their own hands in cases of amputations, and the removal +of the sick from one place to another. Rev. Mr. Alvord gives a very modest +account of the services which he rendered, when he says: “I went to the +hospitals, where I worked hour after hour with the surgeons. Men were +brought in with all sorts of wounds. Surgeons were scarce and were engaged +in amputations, so you know I could attend to minor matters. Where the +bullet had gone through body or limb, I could dress it perhaps as well as +any one; also, all sorts of flesh wounds. I cannot tell you of the variety +of operations I performed. The wounds had been stiffening since the day +before, not having been dressed. I enjoyed the work, as in every case such +relief was given. Then I could carry water to the thirsty, and speak words +of comfort to the dying; for, as you may suppose, there were many in this +state.”</p> + +<p>Again he says: “Just now, by my side, lies a Philadelphia zouave, a fine +boy to whom I have been ministering. I gave him some hot tea, with the +charming crackers Mr. Broughton sent; he is now sitting up, looking more +cheerful. I mention this in detail, that you may have a specimen of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> the +work which occupies one every moment through the day and night, who is +able or willing to work in this department. On the other side of me, as I +write here on my knees, lies a colored boy, haggard and sick, to whom I +have given medicine and similar food. His dark face is full of gratitude.”</p> + +<p>Many an hour I have worked and watched in hospitals by the side of Mr. +Alvord, and marked his cheerful christian spirit and warm sympathies for +the sufferers. And often, on a march, I have gone to him, and asked if he +would let some weary sick soldier ride in his carriage, who had fallen out +by the way—and my request was never refused, although to do so he would +sometimes have to walk through the mud himself, his horse being frequently +heavily loaded. I have also distributed publications for him, and have +stood by the cot of many a dying soldier where he has ministered +consolation to the departing spirit. He is one of those who will have many +stars in his crown of rejoicing when eternity unfolds the results of his +faithful labors.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">CHANGE OF BASE ACROSS THE PENINSULA—EVACUATION OF WHITE HOUSE—THE +MOVEMENT—BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE—GAINES’ MILL—A +REPULSE—MCCLELLAN’S DESPATCH—HOSPITALS IN DANGER—CONVALESCENT +OFFICERS—LENDING MY HORSE—A LOTTERY—INSPECTING FARM STOCK—CATCHING +A COLT—DANGER OF CAPTURE—RIDING FOR LIFE—BETWEEN TWO FIRES.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> employment of General McDowell’s force in the defense of Washington, +and its failure to co-operate by land with McClellan, necessitated on the +part of the Army of the Potomac an immediate change of base across the +Peninsula. Such a change in the face of a powerful enemy is considered one +of the most hazardous undertakings in war. But McClellan had no doubt of +the ability of his army to fight its way, even against superior numbers, +through to the James River, and thus secure a new position for an advance +against Richmond.</p> + +<p>The entire energy of the army was now directed to this object. A despatch +was sent by General Van Vliet, chief quartermaster of the Army of the +Potomac, to Colonel Ingalls, quartermaster at White House, as follows:</p> + +<p>“Run the cars to the last moment, and load them with provision and +ammunition. Load every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> wagon you have with subsistence, and send them to +Savage’s Station, by way of Bottom’s Bridge. If you are obliged to abandon +White House, burn everything that you cannot get off. You must throw all +our supplies up the James River as soon as possible, and accompany them +yourself with all your force. It will be of vast importance to establish +our depots on James River, without delay, if we abandon White House. I +will keep you advised of every movement so long as the wires work; after +that you must exercise your own judgment.”</p> + +<p>All these commands were obeyed. So excellent were the dispositions of the +different officers in command of the troops, depots and gunboats, and so +thorough was the warning of the approach of the enemy, that almost +everything was saved, and but a small amount of stores was destroyed to +prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. General Stoneman’s +communications with the main army being cut off, he fell back upon White +House Station, thence to Yorktown, when White House was evacuated.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-sixth instant orders were sent to all the corps commanders +on the right bank of the Chickahominy to be prepared to send as many +troops as they could spare on the following day to the left bank of the +river. General Franklin received instructions to hold General Slocum’s +division in readiness by daybreak on the twenty-seventh,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> and if heavy +firing should at that time be heard in the direction of General Porter, to +move at once to his assistance without further orders. At noon, on the +twenty-sixth, the approach of the enemy, who had crossed above Meadow +Bridge, was discovered by the advanced pickets at that point, and at +half-past twelve in the afternoon they were attacked and driven in. All +the pickets were now called in, and the regiment and battery at +Mechanicsville were withdrawn.</p> + +<p>About three o’clock in the afternoon the enemy formed his line of battle, +and came down upon our troops like a torrent—attacking the entire line. +McClellan, anticipating a fierce onset, was prepared for such an event, +and gave him a warm reception. Our artillery occupied positions commanding +all the roads and open ground. Timber had been felled, rifle-pits dug, and +the infantry were under cover of the thick woods. All remained quiet until +the rebel mass came rushing on—yelling as they came—within a short +distance of our line, when every battery and division opened +simultaneously a most destructive fire, which drove the enemy back with +tremendous slaughter. Several other attacks were made on our lines during +the afternoon, which proved disastrous to the enemy. At nine o’clock in +the evening the firing ceased, the action having lasted six hours.</p> + +<p>During the night the heavy siege guns and wagons were removed to the right +bank of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>Chickahominy, and most of the troops withdrawn, unknown to +the enemy. About noon the next day another general engagement came on, and +after seven hours hard fighting the left flank of the Federal line was +turned, and they were driven from their position.</p> + +<p>General McClellan says: “About seven o’clock in the evening they threw +fresh troops against General Porter with still greater fury, and finally +gained the woods held by our left. This reverse, aided by the confusion +that followed an unsuccessful charge by five companies of the Fifth +Cavalry, and followed as it was by more determined assaults on the +remainder of our lines, now outflanked, caused a general retreat from our +position to the hill in rear overlooking the bridge. French’s and +Meagher’s brigades now appeared, driving before them the stragglers who +were thronging toward the bridge. These brigades advanced boldly to the +front, and by their example, as well as by the steadiness of their +bearing, reanimated our troops and warned the enemy that reinforcements +had arrived. It was now dusk. The enemy, already repulsed several times +with terrible slaughter, and hearing the shouts of the fresh troops, +failed to follow up their advantage. This gave an opportunity to rally our +men behind the brigades of Generals French and Meagher, and they again +advanced up the hill, ready to repulse another attack. During the night +our thinned and exhausted <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>regiments were all withdrawn in safety, and by +the following morning all had reached the other side of the stream.”</p> + +<p>A despatch from General McClellan to Secretary Stanton, on the +twenty-eighth, tells a sad story, a part of which I quote:</p> + +<p>“Had I twenty thousand, or even ten thousand fresh troops to use +to-morrow, I could take Richmond; but I have not a man in reserve, and +shall be glad to cover my retreat, and save the material and <i>personnel</i> +of the army. If we have lost the day, we have yet preserved our honor, and +no one need blush for the Army of the Potomac. I have lost this battle +because my force was too small. I again repeat that I am not responsible +for this, and I say it with the earnestness of a General who feels in his +heart the loss of every brave man who has been needlessly sacrificed +to-day.</p> + +<p>“In addition to what I have already said, I only wish to say to the +President that I think he is wrong in regarding me as ungenerous, when I +said that my force was too weak. I merely intimated a truth which to-day +has been too plainly proved. If, at this instant, I could dispose of ten +thousand fresh men, I could gain the victory to-morrow. I know that a few +thousand more men would have changed this defeat to a victory. As it is, +the Government must not and cannot hold me responsible for the result.</p> + +<p>“I feel too earnestly to-night. I have seen too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> many dead and wounded +comrades to feel otherwise than that the Government has not sustained this +army. If you do not do so now, the game is lost. If I save this army now, +I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you, or to any other persons in +Washington. You have done your best to sacrifice this army.”</p> + +<p>While the battle of Gaines’ Mill was in progress, I was despatched to +several hospitals remote from the direct line of communication, with +orders to the surgeons, nurses, and such of the patients as could walk, to +take care of themselves as best they could, for no ambulances could reach +them; that the army was retreating to the James River, and if they +remained longer they would fall into the hands of the enemy.</p> + +<p>At one of the hospitals, about eight miles distant, I found a captain and +three lieutenants with whom I was acquainted. They were just recovering +from fever and unable to endure much fatigue, but could probably reach the +James River if they should try. I was beset on every side to give up my +horse to one and to another of them until I knew not what to say or do. I +did not feel unwilling to give my horse to assist them in escaping from +the rebels, and walk all the way myself, but I knew I was expected to +return immediately and report to the officer in command of the ambulance +corps, and undoubtedly would be required to perform other missions during +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> day. But all such excuses as these were thrown into the shade by the +powerful oratory of the convalescent captain, who poured forth a vehement +torrent of overwhelming arguments which would have made a less experienced +messenger believe that the horse was for the captain individually, had +been sent for his especial benefit, and was consequently entirely at his +disposal.</p> + +<p>His eloquence had not quite this effect upon me, notwithstanding I decided +to give up my horse and to take the consequences. I did not feel so +particularly drawn toward Captain A. as to let him have the horse entirely +to himself, and to leave the other three poor fellows to live or die. Upon +coming to the conclusion, after mature deliberation, to part with my +faithful horse, the same one I rode on the Bull Run battle-field, I +informed those officers of my intention. But, said I, not for the benefit +of any one of you in particular, but for the mutual benefit of all four; +then I proceeded to make arrangements that two of them should ride +alternately, and not faster than the other two could walk. Then I took two +slips of paper and told them to cast lots to see who should ride first.</p> + +<p>After they had drawn the lots to settle this matter, and the poor captain +was doomed to foot it the first part of the journey, and I saw that he +looked rather maliciously at me, as much as to say that I had assisted +fate in deciding that he should walk instead of ride, the thought struck +me that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> there would probably be some trouble when it came his turn to +ride. So I delivered the following brief lecture, which was especially +intended for his ear: “Gentlemen, you are aware that by giving you my +horse I am running the risk of incurring Major N.’s displeasure, and am +exposing myself to the very danger from which I am assisting you to +escape. Now, in return, I make one request of you, that is that you all do +as you have agreed to; don’t play false one with the other. Those who ride +are not to go faster than the others can walk, and you are to ride equal +distances as near as you may be able to judge, unless otherwise arranged +among yourselves. The horse you are to have taken care of when you arrive +at your destination. I trust these matters to your honor, but if honor +should forget to assert its rights, the case will be reported at +headquarters.”</p> + +<p>There were several others in the same hospital, but some were unconscious +of the state of affairs around them; others were conscious, but unable to +help themselves in the least. One of the noble hearted nurses refused to +leave those helpless men, whom he had taken care of so long, and was taken +prisoner. I marked that noble boy’s countenance, dress and general +appearance, and by making inquiry afterwards I found out that his name was +J. Robbins, of the Second Michigan Regiment, and after he had undergone +the hardships of imprisonment and had been exchanged, I had the honor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> of +meeting and congratulating him, I felt that it was a greater honor than to +converse with many of our major generals.</p> + +<p>As I turned to retrace my steps I began to think over the lottery +business, and wondered if I had not introduced a species of gambling into +my charitable deed. I did not feel clear on this point until I thought of +reading in the Bible something about casting lots. Yes, it must be right, +for there were instances of it in the Bible. I tried to remember an +instance to find out in what connection I had read it, but my mind was +quite confused, and it required some time to recall one of those passages. +After a while, however, I thought of the one where the Roman soldiers cast +lots for the vestments of the Saviour, but this text did not bring much +comfort to my mind; I was somehow reminded of the woman who had named her +child Beelzebub because it was a Scripture name, and I concluded to leave +the further discussion of the subject until a more convenient season.</p> + +<p>I remembered now of having noticed a farm house when I came that way in +the mornings around which were a number of horses, mules, or something of +that sort, and I thought it would be well to investigate the matter. +Moving along in that direction as fast as possible, I soon came to the +house and saw the animals there, feeding as before. Whatever I intended to +do must be done quickly, for the near approach of the cannonading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> warned +me that the army was fast retreating and I would soon be cut off from the +James river road. I went at once to examine the stock on the farm for the +purpose of ascertaining whether there was anything worth appropriating.</p> + +<p>There were four splendid mules and a colt, but whether the colt was a two +year old or ten I could not tell, for it was very small and very handsome, +looking much like an Indian pony, and it might be a dozen years old. But +the all absorbing questions in my mind were how was I going to secure this +colt, and if I should catch him what was I going to do with him, having +neither saddle nor bridle? I went to the barn, looked around and found an +old halter that, for want of something better, would be of service. Now +was the time to catch the colt, but this was easier said than done, for +upon going towards it I found that it was about as wild as a young +buffalo. Not discouraged, however, I started it, together with the mules, +in the direction of the barn, and opened a door leading into a long shed +connected with the barn. This plan succeeded admirably, for they all ran +into the shed without the least trouble. But the greatest difficulty was +to put the halter on the colt and get on his back; however, I at length +succeed, and, mounting it, started toward James river.</p> + +<p>The enemy had by this time succeeded in driving the Federals from their +first position, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> were now between them and me. Turning off from the +main road, I struck out into the woods and rode as fast as possible. The +woods were open and clear so that I could see a long way ahead. On I went +until I came near a little thicket so dense that I could not see anything +beyond its border. Not daring to go into any place which looked +suspicious, I turned to go round it, when my ear caught the click, click +of a dozen rifles, and a shower of Minnie balls came round me thick as +hailstones, but not one of them pierced even my clothing. My colt took +fright at this unexpected salute, and plunged into the woods in another +direction with the speed of lightning.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img06.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">RIDING FOR LIFE.—Page 217.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>I soon came to an open field and saw in the distance a large number of +soldiers. One glance convinced me that they were Federals, for they wore +United States uniform. Bounding over the field in an instant I had come +within a hundred yards of them before I noticed that they were prisoners, +guarded by a band of rebels. The first thing that caused me to discover +this fact was one of the prisoners waving his hand for me to go in another +direction, upon seeing which one of the rebel guards sprang forward and +struck the prisoner with the butt of his musket.</p> + +<p>This little demonstration revealed to me at once my position, and turning +I fled in the direction indicated by the prisoner, when another volley +followed me which proved as harmless as the first.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> I began now to think +that I was about as safe inside the rebel lines as anywhere, for their +bullets seemed quite harmless so far as I was personally concerned. I +remembered that when I was a child, I heard my mother once tell a Scotch +Presbyterian clergyman she was afraid I would meet with some violent +death, for I was always in some unheard of mischief, such as riding the +wildest colt on the farm, firing off my father’s shot-gun, and climbing to +the highest point of the buildings. To which the good old predestinarian +replied: “Ah weel, my guid woman, dinna fret; it is an auld saying, an’ I +believe a true one, ‘A wean that’s born to be hung ’ill ne’er be +droon’d.’” Then turning to me and laying his hand on my head, he said: +“But, me wee lassie, ye mauna tempt Providence wi’ your madcap antics, or +ye may no live oot half your days.” I did not know after all but that the +fates were reserving me for a more exalted death on the scaffold at +Richmond—for the old minister’s words would occasionally ring in my ears: +“If the wean is born to be hung it will ne’er be droon’d”—and, I added, +or be shot either. I was now outside of the rebel lines, but I was just +between two fires, and tremendous hot ones at that, for the whole lines +were a perfect blaze both of musketry and artillery. Nothing but the power +of the Almighty could have shielded me from such a storm of shot and +shell, and brought me through unscathed. It seems to me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> now that it was +almost as much of a miracle as that of the three Hebrew children coming +forth from the fiery furnace without even the smell of fire upon them.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">WITHDRAWAL TO MALVERN HILL—THE SOLDIER’S LAST WATCH—TROWBRIDGE’S +GRAVE—SCENES IN A HOSPITAL—CAPTURE OF THE WOUNDED—A NOBLE +SURGEON—LINE OF BATTLE—HARD FIGHTING—THE ENEMY REPULSED—HUNTING +FOR FOOD—IN A FARM-HOUSE—PERILOUS POSITION—SECURING THE +SPOILS—RELIEF OF THE FAMISHING—SUBLIME SCENE—ON THE MARCH—GENERAL +KEYES—GUN-BOATS—ARRIVAL AT HARRISON’S LANDING—SAD CONDITION OF +TROOPS—OUR LOSSES—MCCLELLAN’S ADDRESS TO THE ARMY.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">When</span> I reached the main army the troops had gained a new position, and +were driving the enemy back. The troops were well nigh exhausted, yet +fighting bravely and determinedly. Night came and put an end to that day’s +battle, but instead of spending the night in taking care of our poor +wounded men, we were obliged to retreat, under cover of darkness, to +Malvern Hill, and leave our wounded in the hands of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Of the many who died from exhaustion, as well as wounds, during our +retreat from the vicinity of Richmond, I know of none more worthy of +record than that of a young man of my acquaintance who died on the field +the night after this battle. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> was not wounded, but died at his post +from sheer exhaustion. In the course of the evening, I had seen and +offered him some brandy from my flask, which I had for the wounded. He was +then scarcely able to stand on his feet, yet he refused to take the +brandy, saying, “that others needed it more than he did; and besides,” +said he, “I never take any intoxicating liquor under any circumstances.”</p> + +<p>A notice of his death by an eye-witness, given under the heading, “the +Soldier’s Last Watch,” says: “A lonely grave, a little apart from others, +stands on the ground of one of the battles fought in the retreat from +Richmond, in the summer of 1862, which bears on its wooden head-board +simply the name, <span class="smcap">Trowbridge</span>.</p> + +<p>“The turf covers the remains of a youthful soldier who was not only brave +and patient, but exemplary as a christian. Those battles renewed from day +to day, and attended by so many hardships, destroyed many lives, in +addition to those lost in conflict with the enemy. Hundreds and thousands +of our gallant men, worn out by marches, fighting, hunger, and loss of +sleep, became discouraged, and either recklessly threw themselves into the +jaws of death, or fell into the hands of the enemy, because they were +unable to keep up with their more robust, though not braver companions.</p> + +<p>“The circumstances of the death of one of these silent martyrs to their +country were taken down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> from the lips of a soldier who was with him in +his last hours. It is all that may be known, save to a few bleeding +hearts, of one who, alas! like so many others, sleeps in that saddest of +all places, a battle-field. The worn-out soldier, the day before his +death, said to his lieutenant, ‘I am so weak and helpless, I do not know +what I can do further.’ He was told to lie down, and get what rest he +could on the battle-field. About ten at night, said his companion, as we +were talking together, an officer of the company came up, and told us we +should retreat at two o’clock in the morning. He ordered us to stand guard +till then, two hours each in turn. We took straws, and drew lots to decide +who should stand first. The lot fell on Trowbridge. I threw myself on the +ground, under a tree, with my blanket drawn over me, and was soon fast +asleep. At twelve I was aroused, but said, ‘you must be mistaken; it +cannot be five minutes since I lay down.’ We had been ordered not to speak +aloud, or to have a light; and he replied in a whisper, ‘Feel the hands of +my watch—it is twelve.’</p> + +<p>“I took his place, and he was soon asleep, or seemed to be. At half-past +one o’clock the order came to move. I went to awake Trowbridge, but had no +answer, except that he groaned heavily once and again. I tried to soothe +him, and awake him gently, but he turned aside his head, groaned once +more, and was gone. I struck a match, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> looked upon his features; they +were set, and ghastly in death. I placed his hand on my cheek, and asked +him if he was still conscious to press it. There was no response; life was +evidently extinct.</p> + +<p>“I made an attempt to find the surgeon, or chaplain, but they had both +gone forward with the army. So I searched his pockets, and taking from +them six dollars for his mother, and a letter directed to himself, I +replaced the envelope, that his name, at least, might be known to those +who should find the body. Several days after this, I was one of the number +detailed to go back to that spot and bury the dead. On searching near the +place where Trowbridge died, I found a grave with a wooden tablet, bearing +his name. Not far distant was a house at which I called, and asked the +inmates if they knew anything of that grave. The woman of the family then +brought forward an envelope, (the very one that I had replaced), and said +they had buried a soldier there, from whose pocket it was taken. It was a +relief to know what had become of the body. Of course I wrote to his +mother, sending the money, and giving an account of her son’s last +moments, and his burial.”</p> + +<p>This is only a solitary instance of the bravery and faithfulness of the +men who fought those terrible battles, day after day, many of whom died +with their muskets in their hands, and without receiving a wound, died +from hunger, thirst, and fatigue.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>There was a farm-house near the battle-field, to which the wounded were +carried, and the surgeons of the Union Army made it their headquarters +during the battle. I will not attempt to describe the scenes which I +witnessed in that building, for it beggars all description. The poor +fellows seemed to know that they could not be removed, and would +inevitably fall into the hands of the enemy. One man asked a surgeon, who +had just performed an operation on one of his arms, “Doctor, is there no +alternative—must I be taken prisoner?” The doctor was only a boy in +appearance, a little Scotchman, and as noble-hearted a man as ever +amputated a limb. He replied, in broad Scotch, “No, my man, there is no +alternative; but keep up a good heart, I am not going to leave you, I +shall be a prisoner for your sakes, and will take care of you as long as I +can.” He did so, and was really taken prisoner, but was not permitted to +do much for those for whom he had made such a noble sacrifice. He was +Doctor Cleland, of Detroit, Michigan.</p> + +<p>When the order was given to retreat that night, I started with my colt, +having a good saddle and bridle on him now, which I had taken off a dead +horse on the battle-field, and reached Malvern Hill about two o’clock in +the morning. After hitching my horse, and unstrapping a small bag of oats +and my blanket from the saddle, I fed him, and proceeded to take a glance +around, to see how things<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> looked. The artillery was already in position, +and the weary troops were in line of battle, but flat on the ground and +fast asleep—all except the guards, who were pacing backward and forward +in front of the line, ready to arouse the sleepers at any moment. Feeling +safe to consign myself to the arms of Morpheus after this reconnoissance, +I returned, wrapped myself in my blanket, and slept until the thundering +of cannon awoke me in the morning.</p> + +<p>Malvern Hill is an elevated plateau, about a mile and a half by +three-fourths of a mile in area, nearly cleared of timber, and with +several converging roads running over it. In front there are numerous +ravines. The ground slopes gradually toward the northeast to the wooded +plain beyond, giving clear ranges for artillery in different directions.</p> + +<p>The batteries were advantageously posted on those hills, while the reserve +troops were sheltered as much as possible by the ravines. The artillery of +the reserve was placed in position so as to bring the concentrated fire of +sixty guns to bear upon the enemy’s front and left, approaching from +Richmond or White Oak Swamp. The brave Colonel Tyler, First Connecticut, +with great exertion succeeded in getting ten of his siege guns in position +on the highest point of the hill; the men having to haul many of them up +by hand. Commodore Rodgers, commanding the flotilla on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> James river, +placed his gun-boats in position to protect the left flank and to command +the approaches from Richmond.</p> + +<p>The battle commenced about nine o’clock in the morning, and raged all day +with terrible fury. At three in the afternoon the enemy attacked our right +and center with tremendous force both of artillery and infantry. The +artillery was replied to with good effect, but our infantry lay upon the +ground and withheld their fire until the advancing column was within short +musket range, when they sprang to their feet and poured in a deadly volley +which entirely broke the attacking force, and drove the rebels back some +eight hundred yards in great confusion.</p> + +<p>The battle raged most furiously hour after hour, the enemy advancing in +massive column, often without order, but with perfect recklessness; and +the concentrated fire of our gun-boats, batteries and infantry mowing down +the advancing host in a most fearful manner, until the slain lay in heaps +upon the field.</p> + +<p>At four o’clock the firing ceased along the rebel line, and it was +supposed the battle was over; but it proved only a calm before a more +terrible storm.</p> + +<p>At six o’clock the enemy suddenly opened upon the left of our line with +the whole strength of his artillery, and fiercely pushed forward his +column of attack to carry the hill. His infantry in immense force formed +under cover of the woods, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> starting on a run across the open space, +charging almost up to the muzzle of the guns of our advance batteries, +came rushing on with yells and imprecations—but in a moment the whole +hill was one blaze of light—those terrible siege guns had belched forth a +murderous fire, and a simultaneous volley from the gun boats, infantry and +numerous batteries, sent the enemy reeling back to shelter, leaving the +ground covered with their dead and wounded. Then our men dashed forward +with the bayonet, with wild shouts and cheers, capturing prisoners and +colors, and driving the routed rebels in confusion from the field.</p> + +<p>At a little past four in the afternoon, when there was a lull in the +terrible storm of grape and cannister, I ventured to go to a house which +stood about half way between our line of battle and that of the enemy. I +found a large quantity of flour, bacon, smoked ham, etc. The appearance of +everything in the house indicated that the family had left suddenly, +without disturbing anything. The dishes were on the table, as if the +family had risen from dinner; the beds and bedding too remained +undisturbed; the late inhabitants seemed to have thought of nothing but of +saving their lives and escaping from the Yankees.</p> + +<p>I was not long in searching cupboard, pantry and store-room, and +appropriating tea, baking-soda, cream-of-tartar, et cetera. But in order +to reach the house unobserved by the rebels I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> been obliged to +crawl there on my hands and feet, and now the question arose how was I to +carry anything back with me? Taking a bed-quilt I spread it on the floor +and commenced selecting the most important articles, such as a small bag +of flour, ham, an iron spider, a large coffee-pot, and some other things; +after tying these up in the quilt I attached a long bed-cord to the +bundle, intending to drag it along the ground. Just as I was completing my +arrangements, a shell came crashing through the side of the house, and +passing through the window on the opposite side, it made the house tremble +as if shaken by an earthquake. Then another and another came in quick +succession until I was obliged to seek refuge in the cellar. The rebels +evidently thought that the house contained a band of our sharpshooters, +and were determined to dislodge them if possible, for they brought three +pieces to bear upon it for about twenty minutes, until they succeeded in +setting it on fire. Before the echo of the last shot had died away I heard +the crackling of the fire above my head, and thought it prudent to make an +attempt to escape. I did not find it very difficult to do so, as the fire +was principally confined to the upper part of the house. So taking my +precious burden of provisions, which still lay unharmed on the floor, I +began my retreat in the same manner in which I had advanced, drawing my +pack after me by means of the cord. I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> not make much progress, +however, for I found it very difficult to drag that immense weight over +the rough ground. But I at length succeeded in reaching the lines, and was +hailed by hearty cheers from those who were anxiously awaiting the result +of my hazardous mission. Several of the boys caught up the spoil and +carried it to the rear, where we built a fire and commenced cooking +immediately. An hour later we had a nice lot of hot bread, fried ham and +tea ready for disposal.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img07.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">FOOD FOR THE FAMISHING.—Page 227.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>Oh, I shall never forget the thrill of pleasure which I experienced when I +carried this food and set it before those famishing men, and saw them eat +it with a sort of awe and reverence as if it had fallen from heaven. One +of the men looked up, with moistened eyes, and said: “Bob, do you know +that this food has been sent us by our heavenly Father, just as much as +the manna was sent to the Children of Israel? That boy risked his life in +procuring it for us, but he never would have returned from that burning +building if God had not shielded him from the bursting shell. I believe it +has just come in time to save me from sharing the fate of poor +Trowbridge.”</p> + +<p>The battle of Malvern Hill presented, by far, the most sublime spectacle I +ever witnessed. All the battles I had seen before, and those which I have +seen since, were nothing to be compared to it. The elevated position which +the army occupied, the concentration of such an immense force in so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> small +compass, such a quantity of artillery on those hills all in operation at +the same time, the reflection of the flashes of fire from hundreds of guns +upon the dense cloud of smoke which hung suspended in the heavens, turning +it into a pillar of fire which reminded one of the camp of the Israelites +and of God’s dealings with His people of old, the vivid flashes of +lightning, the terrific peals of thunder mingled with the continuous blaze +of musketry, sudden explosions of shell and the deafening roar of cannon, +combined to make a scene which was <i>awfully grand</i>. My soul was filled +with the sublimity and grandeur of the scene, notwithstanding the ghastly +wounds and piteous groans of the mangled, helpless ones around me. Thus it +continued from seven to nine in the evening, the most thrilling picture +which the imagination can conceive.</p> + +<p>As soon as the firing ceased the rear of the army began to move off in the +direction of Harrison’s Landing, and the exhausted troops in front threw +themselves upon the ground to rest.</p> + +<p>The greater portion of the transportation of the army having been started +for Harrison’s Landing during the night, the order was at once issued for +the movement of the army upon the final repulse of the enemy at Malvern +Hill. The troops were to move by the left and rear; General Keyes’ corps +being ordered to remain in position until all had moved off—then to cover +the retreat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>General McClellan, in his official report, awards great credit to General +Keyes for the manner in which he carried out these orders. He took every +advantage of the ground to open new avenues to aid the movement, and made +preparations to obstruct the roads as soon as the army had withdrawn.</p> + +<p>In this way the march to Harrison’s Landing was continued; the bridges +were all destroyed and timber felled across the roads immediately after +the army passed, thus rendering any rapid pursuit by the enemy impossible. +The trains were kept in the middle of the road, leaving room for the +infantry on each side, so as to be in good position to repel any attack +which might be made during the march. His dispositions were so successful +that, to use his own words: “I do not think more vehicles or any more +public property were abandoned on the march from Turkey bridge than would +have been left, in the same state of the roads, if the army had been +moving toward the enemy instead of away from him; and when it is +understood that the carriages and teams belonging to the army, stretched +out in one line, would extend not far from forty miles, the energy and +caution necessary for their safe withdrawal from the presence of an enemy +in vastly superior numbers will be appreciated.”</p> + +<p>“High praise,” says the commanding general, “is also due to the officers +and men of the First Connecticut Artillery, Colonel Tyler, for the manner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +in which they withdrew all the heavy guns during the seven days and from +Malvern Hill. Owing to the crowded state of the roads the teams could not +be brought within a couple of miles of the position; but these energetic +soldiers removed the guns by hand for that distance, leaving nothing +behind.”</p> + +<p>The enemy followed the army with a small force, and occasionally threw a +few shells at the rear-guard, but were quickly dispersed by our batteries +and gun-boats, and on the evening of the third of July the entire army +reached the Landing.</p> + +<p>The troops presented a most distressing appearance as they drew up in +line, and stacked their guns at Harrison’s Bar. The rain had been pouring +down most of the night, and was still drenching the poor battle-worn, +foot-sore soldiers, and turning the roads into beds of mortar, and the low +marshy ground at the Landing into such a condition that it was impossible +to get along dry shod, except for those who rejoiced in the possession of +high boots.</p> + +<p>The aggregate of our entire losses in the seven days’ battles, from the +twenty-sixth of June to the first of July, inclusive, was ascertained, +after arriving at Harrison’s Landing, to be fifteen thousand two hundred +and forty-nine, namely: fifteen hundred and eighty-two killed; seven +thousand seven hundred and nine wounded, and five thousand nine hundred +and fifty-eight missing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>On the fourth of July the following address was issued to the troops by +General McClellan:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Headquarters, Army of the Potomac</span><br /> +<i>Camp near Harrison’s Landing</i>, July 4, 1862.</p> + +<p>“Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac:—Your achievements of the last +ten days have illustrated the valor and endurance of the American +soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and without hope of +reinforcements, you have succeeded in changing your base of operations +by a flank movement, always regarded as the most hazardous of military +expedients. You have saved all your material, all your trains and all +your guns, except a few lost in battle, taking in return guns and +colors from the enemy. Upon your march, you have been assailed day +after day, with desperate fury, by men of the same race and nation, +skillfully massed and led. Under every disadvantage of number, and +necessarily of position also, you have in every conflict beaten back +your foes with enormous slaughter. Your conduct ranks you among the +celebrated armies of history. No one will now question that each of +you may always with pride say: ‘I belong to the Army of the Potomac.’ +You have reached the new base, complete in organization and unimpaired +in spirit. The enemy may at any moment attack you. We are prepared to +meet them. I have personally established your lines. Let them come, +and we will convert their <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>repulse into a final defeat. Your +Government is strengthening you with the resources of a great people. +On this, our nation’s birth-day, we declare to our foes, who are +enemies against the best interests of mankind, that this army shall +enter the capital of the so-called confederacy; that our national +constitution shall prevail, and that the Union, which can alone insure +internal peace and external security to each State, ‘must and shall be +preserved,’ cost what it may in time, treasure, and blood.”</p></div> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">RETURN OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES—THE WOUNDED COLONEL—I VISIT +WASHINGTON—MILITARY DISPLAY—EPAULETS—ARISTOCRACY—SPIRIT OF JOHNNY +BULL—SOLDIERS’ FREE LIBRARY—CONTRABAND CAMP—NEGRO +TESTIMONY—PATIENT CHARLEY—PAINFUL POSITION—BROTHER’S LAST +CONVERSATION—RETURN TO THE ARMY—CHRISTIAN COMMISSION—GENERAL +HOWARD’S SPEECH.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">About</span> a week after we arrived at Harrison’s Landing a number of our absent +ones joined us, among whom were Mr. and Mrs. B., Nellie, Jack, my wounded +darkie friend from Williamsburg Hospital, and last and least of all came +that pusillanimous coward, Colonel ——, whom I had assisted in carrying +from the field at the battle of Williamsburg, and whom Doctor E. had +ordered back to his regiment under penalty of being <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>reported to his +superior officer. The next day after the arrival of this individual I +received a message requesting me to appear at the headquarters of the +—— regiment. I started immediately, and found to my astonishment that it +was this Colonel who desired an interview with me.</p> + +<p>He had been gone on furlough ever since the battle of Williamsburg, and +had played his cards so well that he had been promoted to the command of a +brigade. He had also managed, by false representations, to have the +following notice inserted in the leading newspapers of his native State, +viz.: “Colonel —— was severely wounded at the battle of Williamsburg, +while gallantly leading a desperate charge on the enemy’s works, and was +carried from the field, but no sooner had the surgeons bound up his wound +than the noble and patriotic colonel returned again to his command and led +his men again and again upon the foe, until the day was won; when he sank +upon the ground, exhausted from loss of blood and fatigue, and was carried +the second time by his men from the field.”</p> + +<p>The paper in which this false statement was published found its way to +camp, and Doctor E. replied to it, somewhat changing the editor’s +sentiments with regard to the conduct of the “noble and patriotic +colonel.” He, the colonel, had now returned to wreak vengeance upon Doctor E.</p> + +<p>Going to his tent I found the colonel alone. He arose as I entered, and in +rather an excited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> manner spoke as follows: “I am informed that you are +one of the persons who carried me off the field when I was wounded at +Williamsburg, and witnessed the infamous conduct of Doctor E., and heard +the insulting language which he used toward me.” I did not reply, but +stood gazing at the man before me. He looked me in the face for the first +time since I entered, and discovering the smile of contempt which I could +not suppress, he seized me roughly by the arm and exclaimed: “See here +boy, what do you mean? Why do you not answer me?” I replied with provoking +coolness and the same sarcastic smile: “Pardon me, sir, I was not aware +that you asked me a direct question; I understood you to say that you were +informed that I was one of the persons who carried you off the +battle-field at Williamsburg. I have the honor to inform you that thus far +your informant was correct.”</p> + +<p>“Then you saw the treatment which I received, and heard the abusive +language which Doctor E. made use of on that occasion?”</p> + +<p>“I saw Doctor E. examine you carefully and thoroughly, and when he could +discover no cause for your being brought there, I heard him say—‘Colonel, +you are not wounded at all. You had better let these boys carry you back +to your regiment;’ and when you so suddenly recovered your strength and +sprang to your feet, making use of threats and profane language, he said: +‘If you do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> not return to your regiment within fifteen minutes I will +report you to General ——.’”</p> + +<p>Suddenly relaxing his grasp of my arm, he assumed a fawning tone and +manner, and taking a paper from his pocket he asked me to put my name to +it, and he would reward me handsomely. I took the document from his hand +and read it carefully. It was drawn up, as near as I can remember after +the following manner: “This is to certify that Colonel —— has been +infamously treated and maliciously slandered by Doctor E., while said +colonel was suffering from a wound received at Williamsburg battle. Two of +the undersigned carried him bleeding from the field, and witnessed the +cruel treatment and insulting language of Doctor E.”</p> + +<p>After reading the document, I said very calmly and decidedly, “Colonel, I +must decline signing this paper.”</p> + +<p>By this time I had become indignant, and determined to cut short the +interview; so touching my hat in mock respect, I left him to his own +reflections.</p> + +<p>Now it came my turn to visit Washington—and the very next boat that left +the landing bore me over the quiet waters of the James river. In due time +I reached the Capital, and spent three days in visiting the hospitals in +Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria, and various other places of +interest.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>I was commissioned with numerous orders and had any amount of messages to +deliver for officers and others; as many of our men were in the different +hospitals in those cities, and I was expected to find them and deliver +letters, packages, etc.</p> + +<p>The military display made in Washington is certainly astonishing, +especially to those who are accustomed to see major generals go round in +slouched hats and fatigue coats, without even a star to designate their +rank. But cocked and plumed hats, scarlet lined riding cloaks, swords and +sashes, high boots and Spanish spurs, immense epaulets, glittering stars, +and gaily caparisoned horses, are to be seen by the hundred around +Willard’s hotel and other places of resort.</p> + +<p>I noticed that some in particular wore painfully tight uniforms and very +small caps, kept on by some new law of gravitation, as one portion rested +on the bump of self esteem and the other on the bridge of the nose. “Miss +Periwinkle” says of this class of military heroes: “They look like stuffed +fowls, and ride as if the safety of the nation depended upon their speed +alone.”</p> + +<p>Chaplain A. H. Quint manfully defends the multiplicity of epaulets in +Washington, and very appropriately remarks: “Willard’s is the news depot. +Consider how easily a hundred, interested to read the bulletin there, +could assemble. First, the general-in-chief is in Washington, and has a +staff necessarily. Secondly, the quartermaster general,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> the adjutant +general, the military governor, the paymaster-general, and the +surgeon-general, have each a staff. Thirdly, what military force there is +in the city has officers. Fourthly, there is a multitude of surgeons +easily mistaken for army officers, as they wear uniforms. Add to these the +convalescent officers just able to move about, and you have hundreds +necessarily in Washington. And of course the display of epaulets is +great.”</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the “troublous times,” there are generally gay times at +the Capital. Levees and public receptions are frequent, except during the +reign of terror, when some bold dash of rebel cavalry is made upon the +devoted city, and then there is a genuine panic for a short time.</p> + +<p>In Washington I think there is as much of the aristocratic spirit as you +will find in the United States. People there are respected and graded +according to their uniform; everything is regulated according to caste, +and it is as David Crocket says about dining: common people dine at +twelve, common clerks in departments at one, head clerks at two, +representatives at three, heads of departments at four, senators at five, +ambassadors at six, and the President—well, he doesn’t dine till the next +day.</p> + +<p>In one of my rambles I visited the Senate chamber. It was unoccupied, +except by a few specimens of young America, who were playing leapfrog over +the seats and desks. I leisurely <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>surveyed every item of interest—sat in +Sumner’s chair, and recalled the scene enacted there a few years previous, +and in imagination thrashed Brooks until he was a fit subject for a +hospital—then giving him a farewell <i>coup de pied</i>, I betook me to the +picture galleries.</p> + +<p>After admiring Pocahontas sufficiently, and gazing at expiring heroes, who +all “appeared to be quitting their earthly tabernacles in convulsions,” +ruffled shirts, and a tremendous shower of bomb-shell, until my head +ached; I then turned for relief to the noble form of “The Father of his +Country,” which looked out from the canvas in all the princely majesty +which characterized that <i>great</i> and <i>good</i> man. I stood wrapped in +profound reverence, when a friend drew my attention to two paintings which +I had not noticed before. They represented the surrender of Lord +Cornwallis and General Burgoyne. I felt a warm current of blood rush to my +face, as I contemplated the humiliating scene—the spirit of Johnny Bull +triumphed over my Yankee predilections—and I left the building with +feelings of humiliation and disgust.</p> + +<p>Next in order, I visited the “Soldier’s Free Library,” in Fifth street, +under the superintendence of John A. Fowle, Esq. He has accumulated over +two thousand five hundred volumes of well selected historical, +biographical and religious works. The soldiers in the different hospitals +have the free use of the library, which is open daily. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> room is nicely +furnished, and the pictures hanging on the walls give it a cheerful, +home-look, and the soldiers come there by the score. It is an excellent +arrangement. Thanks to the benevolent hearts and hands that have provided +such a luxury for the soldier.</p> + +<p>An hour’s walk through the contraband camp was amusing and instructive. +Here were specimens of all grades of the negro character, from the genuine +pious, cheerful trusting christian, to the saucy, lazy, degraded creature, +which generations of slavery has made almost on a level with the beasts of +the field. But all of them kind-hearted, merry-tempered, and quick to feel +and accept the least token of kindness.</p> + +<p>Their cheerfulness is proverbial; old women, with wool white with age, +bent over the wash-tub, grinned and gossiped in the most cheerful +manner—girls romped with their dusky sweethearts, and mothers tossed +their babies with that tender pride and mother-love which beautifies the +blackest and homeliest face.</p> + +<p>All were happy, because they were free—and there seemed to be no room for +anything like gloom or despondency in their hearts. Men, women, and +children sang, whistled and laughed together—and whether their songs were +of heaven, or of hoe-cakes, they were equally inspiring.</p> + +<p>I found a young lady there, from the North, who had come to Washington +with the intention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> of nursing the sick soldiers, but her sympathies being +divided between sick America and down-trodden Africa, she decided to teach +the contrabands instead. She seemed delighted with her employment, and the +little black faces were beaming with joy as they gathered around her to +receive instruction.</p> + +<p>One colored man stood listening to the questions which were being asked +and answered, and looked as if he would like to give in his testimony. I +turned to him, and asked: “How is it with you? do you think you can take +care of yourself, now that you have no master to look after you?” “Gosh +a-mighty, guess I can! Ben taking car’ of self and massa too for dis +fifteen year. Guess I can take car’ of dis nig all alone now.”</p> + +<p>While at one of the hospitals in Alexandria, the head steward told me the +following touching incident, which occurred in that hospital. Said he:</p> + +<p>“A young man had been placed under our care, who had a severe wound in the +thigh. The ball passed completely through, and amputation was necessary. +The limb was cut up close to the body, the arteries taken up, and he +seemed to be doing well. Subsequently, one of the small arteries sloughed +off; an incision was made, and it was taken up. ‘It is well it was not the +main artery,’ said the surgeon, as he performed the operation. ‘He might +have bled to death before it could have been taken up.’ But the patient, +(Charley, as we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> always spoke of him), got on finely for a time, and was a +favorite with us all.</p> + +<p>“I was passing through the ward one night, about midnight, when suddenly, +as I was passing Charley’s bed, he spoke to me: ‘H——, my leg is bleeding +again.’ I threw back the bedclothes, and the blood spirted in the air. The +main artery had sloughed off.</p> + +<p>“Fortunately, I knew just what to do; and in an instant I had pressed my +thumb on the place, and stopped the bleeding. It was so close to the body +that there was barely room for my thumb, but I succeeded in keeping it +there, and arousing one of the convalescents, sent him for the surgeon, +who came in on a run.</p> + +<p>“‘I am so thankful,’ said he, as he saw me, ‘that you were up, and knew +what to do, for otherwise he must have bled to death before I could have +got here.’</p> + +<p>“But on examination of the case, he looked exceedingly serious, and sent +for other surgeons. All came who were within reach, and a consultation was +held over the poor fellow. One conclusion was reached by all. There was no +place to work, save the spot where my thumb was placed; they could not +work under my thumb, and if I removed it he would bleed to death before +the artery could be taken up. There was no way to save his life.</p> + +<p>“Poor Charley! He was very calm when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> told him, and he requested that +his brother, who was in the same hospital, might be called up. He came and +sat down by the bedside, and for three hours I stood, and by the pressure +of my thumb kept up the life of Charley, while the brothers had their last +conversation on earth. It was a strange position for me to occupy, to feel +that I held the life of a fellow mortal in my hands, and stranger yet to +feel that an act of mine must cause that life to depart. Loving the poor +fellow as I did, it was a hard thought; but there was no alternative. The +last words were spoken. Charley had arranged all his business affairs, and +sent tender messages to absent ones, who little dreamed how near their +loved one stood to the grave. The tears filled my eyes more than once as I +listened to those parting words. The last good-bye was spoken; then +turning to me, he said: ‘Now, H——, I guess you had better remove your +thumb.’ ‘Oh, Charley! how can I,’ said I. ‘But it must be done, you know,’ +he replied. ‘I thank you very much for your kindness, and now, good-bye.’ +He turned away his head. I raised my thumb—once more the life-current +gushed forth, and in three minutes he was dead.”</p> + +<p>Having heard and seen considerable on my little pleasure trip, and my +leave of absence having nearly expired, I prepared to return once more to +duty, and on my way to the boat I was fortunate enough to meet with some +of the Christian <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>Commission delegates, who were going to Harrison’s +Landing on the same boat, and had quite a supply of good things for our +sick and wounded. May God bless the Christian Commission—it is doing a +noble work, not only for the sick and wounded, but for our soldiers +generally.</p> + +<p>General Howard, of Maine, that noble christian patriot of whom I have +spoken in a previous chapter, was one of the speakers at the great meeting +in Philadelphia, January twenty-eighth, the second anniversary of the +United States Christian Commission. He delivered a most touching and +appropriate address on that occasion, and as it expresses my own +sentiments, both with regard to the Christian Commission and the religion +of Christ generally, I will quote a portion of his speech, for the benefit +of my readers who may not have read it elsewhere:</p> + +<p>“I may be allowed to speak freely to the friends who are here to-night. +Let me tell you one thing which I need not suppress if I could, and that +is, that I feel in my heart a deep and abiding interest in the cause of my +Redeemer. I know that this is also the cause of the Christian Commission, +and therefore I love it, and identify myself with it; and I doubt not that +you love it, and will do everything to sustain it, for a like reason. And +now I ask you, as I am to go back to the field to take up my cross anew, +and to stand up night and day, evening and morning, for the cause of Him +I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> love, that your earnest, importunate prayers may follow me, and that +God would bless the soldiers, that evil may be repressed among them, and +that when they go into battle they may go without a fear, because they +know in whom they have believed.</p> + +<p>“I assert that the highest type of courage is christian courage. When your +spirit yearns up to God in prayer, ‘Oh, Lord, be my protector, and in this +peril let me run under the shadow of thy wing,’ then you will fear no +evil, though you walk through the valley and the shadow of death. My +friends, these things are realities with me. By the blessing of God, by +his spirit, he has enabled me to have a clear conviction that should he +take me away I shall go to be with him. Not because I am good, or holy, or +righteous; but because I have a Saviour; an all-sufficient Saviour, who is +able to save even the chief of sinners unto the utmost. Therefore, I am +able to say that I can go into the battle fearing no evil. And would to +God, for their sakes, that every officer in the army and every soldier in +the ranks could declare, in sincerity from the depths of his heart, that +God had done such great things for him! These, to me, are settled, solemn +convictions; and I speak them freely and frankly, as I am encouraged to do +on this auspicious occasion.</p> + +<p>“It may seem to some that it is expressing one’s feelings too publicly; +but I think it well for me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> to bear such testimony in a work like yours, +which contemplates this great and all-important result, the promotion of +heart religion and the salvation of souls. And especially do I feel this +in these times of excitement and terror—over the mere temporal +accessories of war, the dreadful sacrifice of lives, the horrible sights +of wounds, the caring for the sick and wounded, the lamentations for the +dead—amid all this I fear that the still, small voice has not always been +listened to; the silent and beautiful, though wonderful work of the Spirit +of God has not been seen, and its importance felt as it should be in our +land. This the Christian Commission is striving to accomplish; it seeks to +keep alive the spirit of Christianity among our soldiers. Their agency is +the leaven in our armies. May they leaven the whole lump!</p> + +<p>“It is this only that will prepare us for our liberty. This bond, the bond +of christian love, is the true bond after all that shall permanently unite +us. There is no other. We speak of the claims of commerce and trade, of +corn and cotton, that will unite the sections of our country; but these +are temporary, fluctuating, perishing links. The religion of Jesus Christ +is the lasting bond that connects not only Maine with Massachusetts and +Massachusetts with Connecticut, but Maine with Texas and Florida with +Wisconsin.</p> + +<p>“We boast of being an asylum for all nations. From England, Ireland, +France, Germany, Russia,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> and almost every country beyond the ocean, come +men, women and children, who settle down in our midst. How shall we cause +them to assimilate to us? How shall we ever make them good and useful +citizens? Will it be, think you, by merely giving them land on which to +settle? Will they become one with us because they grow in material wealth +and prosperity? No, no! Nothing but an education, a true education of +heart and morals, such as the religion of Jesus Christ imparts, can ever +truly and safely assimilate all these heterogeneous elements, and enable +us to be truly one people.</p> + +<p>“The gospel has its victories to achieve for us as well as the sword. Many +of the rebels hated us worse before the war than they do now. They respect +us much more than they once did, after seeing that we are not afraid to +expose our bodies to be burned, if necessary, in a just cause—the cause +of our country that we love; that we shrink from no sacrifice of money, +time or life in order to maintain and perpetuate the beautiful Government +that our fathers bequeathed to us. But this is not all. They have felt, +too, the power of the spirit of kindness and love, of which the religion +of Jesus has borne so many fruits in this struggle.</p> + +<p>“They have been astonished at the kindness which has been shown to them +when they have fallen into our hands. It was this that demoralized them at +Vicksburg. In the West the rebels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> are not so violent as they were. When +they come into our lines now they say they were forced to fight, that they +are Union men, and always were Union men. And they are coming in every +day. We have just heard that when General Rosecrans took command of the +Cumberland army, eight thousand delivered themselves up to us. And do they +hate us? No! We have melted them down by christian kindness and love. And, +my friends, this is the way to disarm them. I believe, and say it with +emphatic assurance, that if we all have the spirit of the Master in our +hearts we shall demoralize them wherever we find them!</p> + +<p>“I do not advocate any shrinking back or checking of the terrible steeds +of war. No! Fill up the ranks. Make the next campaign more vigorous than +any that has gone before it, so that it shall be, by the Divine help, +perfectly impossible for the rebels to keep the field. But let us wield +this power along with the alleviating and saving influences of the +religion of Christ. Let these, as diffused by the Christian Commission and +in other ways, follow our armies everywhere, blessing friend and foe +alike, and we shall then cause the enemy to come within our lines, not +only by the eight thousand, but by the sixteen and sixty thousand. It is +this that will ruin their cause, and finally break down their +opposition.”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">MY CONSTANT COMPANION—DISPELLING THE BLUES—GENTLE NELLIE—FACES IN +THE HOSPITAL—ASLEEP AND AWAKE—MY HORSE AGAIN—AT HARRISON’S +LANDING—IMPATIENT TO MOVE—DISSATISFACTION IN THE ARMY—RETREAT FROM +RICHMOND—RETURN TO NEWPORT NEWS—SUSPICIOUS QUARTERS—SEARCHING THE +HOUSE AND FINDING REBEL SOLDIERS—THANKS TO THE ARMY—OUR ARRIVAL AT +ACQUIA CREEK.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">While</span> we remained at Harrison’s Landing I spent much of my time in the +hospitals. Nellie was now my faithful friend and companion, my colleague +when on duty, and my escort on all occasions in my rides and rambles. She +was a splendid woman, and had the best faculty of dispelling the blues, +dumps and dismals of any person I ever met. When we went to a hospital and +found the nurses looking tired and anxious and the patients gloomy and +sad, it never required more than half an hour for us to get up a different +state of feeling, and dispel that “Hark-from-the-tombs-a-doleful-sound” +sort of spirit, and we invariably left the men in a more cheerful mood, +evidently benefited by having a little respite from that depressing +melancholy so prevalent among the sick, and so often indulged by nurses.</p> + +<p>In our own hospital we generally managed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> so assort and arrange the +patients as to have all of the same temperament and disease together, so +that we knew just what to do and what to say to suit each department. We +had our patients divided into three classes; one was our working +department, another our pleasure department, and a third our pathetic +department. One we visited with bandages, plasters and pins; another, with +books and flowers; and the third, with beef tea, currant wine, and general +consolation. Sometimes Nellie would sit and fan the patients for hours in +the latter department, and sing some soothing pieces in her soft, sweet +strains, until she would have them all asleep, or quiet as babies. I think +the soldiers may truly say of the gentle Nellie:</p> + +<p class="poem">Her soothing tones with peace beguile<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The weary hours of pain,</span><br /> +And make the lonely sufferer smile<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And joy to come again.</span><br /> +<br /> +Still let me often hear thy voice,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which gently whispers peace,</span><br /> +And let my troubled heart rejoice,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And strains of sadness cease;</span><br /> +<br /> +Still speak to me of pleasant things—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of faith, and hope, and joy;</span><br /> +Then shall I rise on lightsome wings<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where pains no more annoy.</span></p> + +<p>I used to watch with much interest the countenances of those men as they +lay fast asleep, and I often thought that I could read their characters +better when asleep than when awake. Some faces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> would grow stern and +grim—they were evidently dreaming of war, and living over again those +terrible battles in which they had so recently participated; some groaned +over their wounds, and cursed the rebels vigorously; others grew sad, and +would talk in the most pathetic tones, as if the pain borne so silently +through the day revenged itself now by betraying what the man’s pride +concealed so well while awake. Often the roughest grew young and pleasant +when sleep smoothed away the hard lines from the brow, letting the real +nature assert itself. Many times I would be quite disappointed, for the +faces which looked merry and pleasing when awake would suddenly grow dark +and hideous, as if communing with some dark spirits of another world.</p> + +<p>One poor fellow, whose brain was injured more than his body, would wear +himself out more in an hour when asleep than in a whole day when awake. +His imagination would conjure up the wildest fancies; one moment he was +cheering on his men, the next he was hurrying them back again; then +counting the dead around him, while an incessant stream of shouts, +whispered warnings and broken lamentations would escape from his lips.</p> + +<p>I became acquainted with a young man from Rhode Island in one of the +hospitals, who was the most patient and cheerful person it has been my lot +to meet under such circumstances. I find the following notice with regard +to him:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>“I came out here,” said he, +“as rough and as bad as any of them. But I had left a praying mother at home. While in camp at Poolesville I heard that +she was dead. After that her image was never out of my thoughts. It seemed +as if her form appeared to me as in a mirror, and always as wrestling for +her wayward son. Go where I might I felt as if I saw her in her place of +prayer, kneeling and putting up her petitions to God, and not even the +roar of battle could drown the soft tones of her voice.”</p> + +<p>He was at the battle of Fair Oaks, and when it ceased sat down on a log, +exhausted, by the wayside, and then, to use his own words, he “thought +over the matter.” Heaps of dead men lay on every side of him. They had +fallen, but he was still unharmed. The melting words of his mother’s +prayer came back to his mind with new power. He thought of his own +condition, and of her happy home, so far removed from the strife and agony +of war. A pious soldier of his company noticed that he was very +thoughtful, and inquired the reason. To this friend he opened his mind +freely, and told him how he felt. They sought occasion for private +conference, communed together and prayed; strength was given him to make +the “last resolve,” and the soldier who had been so rough and had became a +soldier in the Army of Jesus. The sainted mother had not prayed in vain. A +battle had just been fought, a victory won, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> was spreading joy +throughout the nation; but here, too, was a triumph, a different triumph, +such as cause the angels of God in heaven to rejoice.</p> + +<p class="poem">Just as I am, without one plea,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But that Thy blood was shed for me,</span><br /> +And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O Lamb of God! I come.</span></p> + +<p>One day, while employed in the hospital assisting Nellie in some new +arrangement for the amusement of the men, I received a letter from the +captain to whom I had given my horse for the use of himself and three +companions on the retreat from before Richmond. He and his friends had +reached the James river in safety, and had been so fortunate as to get on +board of one of the transports which had been sent for the wounded, and +were now comfortably installed in a hospital in Washington. He also wrote +that he had given my horse in charge of one of the quartermasters of +General G.’s brigade, a piece of information which I was exceedingly glad +to hear, for my colt was well nigh spoiled on the retreat, and if it had +not been, was not fit to ride much, or indeed at all, to do it justice, +for it proved to be not quite two years old.</p> + +<p>But upon finding the quartermaster I was politely informed that he had +bought and paid for the horse, and of course I could not have it. I said +nothing, but went to General M.’s headquarters, stated the case, and +procured an order which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> brought the horse in double-quick time, and no +thanks to the quartermaster.</p> + +<p>A month passed away, and everything remained quiet at Harrison’s Landing +and vicinity. The troops, having rested, began to grow tired of the +routine of camp life, and were anxious for another brush with the enemy. +The vigilant eye of McClellan noted the impatience of the men, and he +daily kept urging the necessity of reinforcements, and protested against +leaving the Peninsula, as retreat, in his opinion, would prove disastrous +both to the army and the cause. Our commander’s patience was well nigh +exhausted, as the following brief despatch of July 30th indicates:</p> + +<p>“I hope that it may soon be decided what is to be done by this army, and +that the decision may be to reinforce it at once. We are losing much +valuable time, and that at a moment when energy and decision are sadly +needed.”</p> + +<p>About this time an order came from Washington for all the sick to be sent +away, without giving any definite information with regard to the intended +movements of the army.</p> + +<p>August fourteenth orders came for the army to evacuate Harrison’s Landing. +None knew whither they were going, but notwithstanding every pain was +taken to conceal the destination from the troops, it was evident that we +were retreating; for the ominous fact that we turned our backs toward +Richmond was very suggestive of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> retreat. This had a demoralizing effect +upon the troops, for they had confidently expected to advance upon +Richmond and avenge the blood of their fallen comrades, whose graves +dotted so many hillsides on the Peninsula, and whose remains would now be +desecrated by rebel hands. The men were deeply moved; some wept like +children, others swore like demons, and all partook in the general +dissatisfaction of the movement.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the sixteenth the whole army was <i>en route</i> for parts +unknown. Our destination proved to be Newport News—a march of nearly +seventy miles. It was well for us we did not know it then, or probably +there would have been more swearing and less weeping among the soldiers. +So far as I was personally concerned, I had a very pleasant time during +that march. Mr. and Mrs. B., Dr. E., Nellie and myself, made up a small +party, independent of military discipline, and rode fast or slow, just as +it suited our fancy, called at the farm-houses and bought refreshments +when we were hungry, and had a good time generally. Nellie rode my +confiscated colt, and pronounced it a perfect gem. Dr. E. playfully said +that he supposed she admired it because it was a rebel, and I suggested +that he too must be a rebel, from the same premises.</p> + +<p>Time passed away pleasantly until we drew near to Yorktown, where sad +memories interrupted the animated conversation. Nellie was near her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +former home, with all its pleasant and sad associations. We visited the +grave of Lieutenant V. I could but rejoice that he had been taken away +from the evil to come. He had been saved from all those terrible marches +and horrible battles, and from this distressing and humiliating retreat. +We hitched our horses and remained some time there, some of the party +gathering the rich, ripe fruit, which hung in abundance from the peach +trees around us. Before leaving, we all bowed around the grave of our +friend. Chaplain B. offered up an ardent prayer that we might all be +faithful, and follow the example of our departed loved one, as he had +followed Christ, and meet him where war and strife would be heard no more.</p> + +<p class="poem">I know thou art gone to a clime of light,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To a world of joy and love,</span><br /> +Beyond the reach of the sunbeam’s flight,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the shadowless above.</span><br /> +<br /> +And I will rejoice in thy smiles again,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And hap’ly thy whisper hear;</span><br /> +Dispelling the gloom of sorrow and pain,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the twilight of death is near.</span></p> + +<p>We stopped at a farm-house one evening during our march, and engaged +lodgings for the night. The house was very large, and afforded ample +accommodations. It was the first one on the Peninsula at which I had seen +a strong, healthy-looking man, attending to his farm as if there was no +such thing as war in the land. The lady of the house was an active, +business-like sort of woman, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> went to work to make us comfortable. But +there was evidently something in or about that house which was not just +right—and we had not been there long when I detected suspicious +movements, and drew the attention of Dr. E. to the fact. The man seemed +very uneasy and restless, going from one room to another, shutting the +doors very carefully behind him, carrying parcels up stairs in a half +frightened way which increased our suspicion. I proposed to our little +party that they should remain while I rode back to the army for a +detachment of the provost-guard. My proposal was agreed to, and I started +back in the direction of the main column.</p> + +<p>The family seemed alarmed, and asked a great many questions concerning my +departure, to which I replied: “I am only going a short distance; I shall +probably be back by the time supper is ready.” I made all haste after I +disappeared from view of the house, and in an hour I was on my way back +again, having succeeded in finding the provost-marshal, and getting a +corporal and six men to go with me. They entered the house boldly, and +told the inmates that they had been informed that there were rebels +concealed in the house, and they had come for the purpose of searching it; +adding, that they would not disturb anything, if their suspicions were +unfounded.</p> + +<p>The lady said that she had some sick persons in the house, and did not +wish them disturbed, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>assuring them that her family were all Union, and +they would not harbor any rebels whatever. But all her excuses and +pretensions did not deter the guard from accomplishing their object. So +marching up stairs, they searched every room. In one room were found four +rebel soldiers, or guerillas, all of whom pretended to be very ill. Dr. E. +was called to examine the patients, and pronounced them well as he was. In +another room were two officers; they made no excuse at all, but said that +they were the landlord’s sons; had been in the rebel service, and were now +home on furlough. They said they had been home ever since Stuart’s cavalry +raid at White House, and were waiting for another such dash in order to +get back again.</p> + +<p>The provost-guard marched them all back to headquarters, which was in the +saddle, and our little party thought proper to take shelter that night +under the wing of the main column, instead of at a farm-house where we +were not sure but that our lives would pay for that piece of information +given, before morning.</p> + +<p>The army marched on until it reached the transports. Some embarked at +Yorktown, some at Newport News, and others at Fortress Monroe. The troops +were literally worn out and discouraged, caring but little where they +went, or what they did. They were huddled on board of transports, and were +landed at Aquia Creek.</p> + +<p>General McClellan finding his army, as he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> anticipated, much depressed +and discouraged in consequence of the retreat from the Peninsula, sent the +following appeal to General Halleck: “Please say a kind word to my army, +that I can repeat to them in general orders, in regard to their conduct at +Yorktown, Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover Court-house, and on the +Chickahominy, as well as in regard to the Seven Days, and the recent +retreat. No one has ever said anything to cheer them but myself. Say +nothing about me; merely give my men and officers credit for what they +have done. They deserve it.”</p> + +<p>The Army of the Potomac had performed an enormous amount of labor in +making entrenchments, constructing roads, bridges, etc., and did it with +the most gratifying cheerfulness and devotion to the interests of the +service. During the entire campaign they had fought ten severely contested +battles, and had beaten the enemy on every occasion, showing the most +determined bravery and invincible qualities it was possible for an army to +exhibit. They had submitted to exposure, sickness and death, without a +murmur; and they deserved the thanks of the government and the people for +their services.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Aquia Creek, we found ourselves the victims of another +rainstorm. Five of us went on board of a little steam-tug, and thus +escaped a severe drenching during the night, for we had not yet seen our +tents. When morning came we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> treated to breakfast, and the captain +was very kind indeed. We were just congratulating ourselves on our good +fortune, when we discovered that all our little valuables, relics which we +had brought from the Peninsula, toilet arrangements, and even our Bibles, +had been stolen while we were asleep. Nellie and I were indulging in some +uncharitable remarks concerning those persons upon whose hospitality we +had fared sumptuously and slept comfortably, and who had so generously +refused to take any remuneration in the shape of greenbacks, but who had +helped themselves to things more precious to us than money, when good +Chaplain B. entered just in time to catch the most unchristian-like +sentence we had uttered, and forthwith gave us a lecture upon the heinous +sin of ingratitude. When he had concluded, instead of saying amen, I said: +“from such hospitality in future, good Lord deliver us.”</p> + +<p>We did not remain long at Aquia Creek, but were ordered to embark +immediately for Alexandria, Virginia. When we arrived there, Pope’s army +was in danger of annihilation; and, consequently, as fast as the Army of +the Potomac arrived, it was ordered to Pope’s assistance; one portion in +one direction, and another in another direction, until it was cut up into +sections, and General McClellan was left at Washington, without an army or +anything to command except his staff.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">POPE’S ARMY—A GENERAL’S REQUEST—AGAIN A CONTRABAND—ENTERING THE +REBEL LINES AS A SPY—MY ESCAPE TO THE FEDERAL LINES—IN +PERIL—KEARNEY KILLED—CRAWLING THROUGH THE WOODS—BURIAL OF A +PICKET—LOOKING FOR A GENERAL—MR. NEGATIVE—MCCLELLAN AND POPE—THE +BATTLE OF ANTIETAM—A TOUCHING DEATH-SCENE—AN INTERESTING +PATIENT—BURIAL OF A FEMALE SOLDIER.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Immediately</span> after arriving at Alexandria, I started for the battle-field, +where a portion of McClellan’s army had gone to reinforce Pope. Everything +seemed to be in a confused state. There was no definite information with +regard to the force of the enemy in that direction, and it seemed +impossible to obtain any from reliable sources. McClellan’s troops were +ordered to the front, under new commanders, just as they came off the +transports in which they arrived from the Peninsula, without any rest, or +a proper supply of clothing, shoes, or blankets; all of which they much +needed, after such a march as they had just accomplished.</p> + +<p>While the battle raged, and the roar of cannon was reverberating over the +National Capital, McClellan sent the following request to General Halleck: +“I cannot express to you the pain and mortification I have experienced +to-day,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> in listening to the distant firing of my men. As I can be of no +further use here, I respectfully ask that, if there is a probability of +the conflict being renewed to-morrow, I may be permitted to go to the +scene of battle with my staff, merely to be with my own men, if nothing +more. They will fight none the worse for my being with them. If it is not +deemed best to intrust me with the command even of my own army, I simply +ask to be permitted to share their fate on the field of battle.”</p> + +<p>The troops under Pope were several days in the vicinity of the Shenandoah +Valley, with no rations but those they found in the fields, such as fruit, +green corn, and vegetables. They certainly were in a poor condition to +fight, and there was evidently a lack of that cheerful, enthusiastic +spirit, which had characterized them on the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>I was ordered by General H. to pass the rebel lines, and return as soon as +possible. I took the train at Warrenton Junction, went to Washington, +procured a disguise, that of a female contraband, and returned the same +night. I passed through the enemy’s lines in company with nine +contrabands, men, women, and children, who preferred to live in bondage +with their friends, rather than to be free without them. I had no +difficulty whatever in getting along, for I, with several others, was +ordered to headquarters to cook rations enough, the rebels said, to last +them until they reached Washington.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>The officers generally talked in low tones, but would sometimes become +excited, forget that there were darkies around, and would speak their +minds freely. When I had been there a few hours, I had obtained the very +information which I had been sent for. I had heard the plan of the morrow +discussed, the number of troops at several important points, and the +number expected to arrive during the night; and this, too, from the lips +of the commanding general and his staff.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img08.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">AT REBEL HEADQUARTERS.—Page 263.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>The rebel lines were guarded so strongly and so faithfully, that I did not +dare to return that night, but waited anxiously for the dawn of the +morrow.</p> + +<p>Early on the following morning, while assisting the cook to carry in +breakfast, I removed a coat from a camp-stool which stood in my way, and a +number of papers fell from its pockets, which I instantly transferred to +my own. I then hurried my arrangements in the tent, lest the documents +should be missed before I could make my escape. Breakfast was announced, +and I suddenly disappeared.</p> + +<p>Going toward the picket line nearest the Federals, and seeing an old house +in the distance, I went and hid myself in the cellar. Soon, firing +commenced in different directions, and grew hotter and hotter, until the +shot and shell began to shake the old house in which I had taken refuge, +and by and by it came tumbling down around me. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> part of the floor was +broken down, but still I remained unharmed, and did not attempt to leave +the ruins. I remembered that good old Elijah remained in the cave during +the tempest, the earthquake and the fire, and afterward came the still +small voice. So I waited patiently for the still small voice, and felt +secure; knowing that the Lord was a sure refuge, and could protect me +there as well as in a drawing-room in the quiet city.</p> + +<p>It was not long before deliverance came, and the rebels were obliged to +fall back and take a new position. When the firing ceased, I was safely +within the Federal lines. I went immediately to headquarters, and reported +myself as having just returned from rebeldom; gave a brief relation of my +experience, and delivered the documents which I had brought from rebel +headquarters. These proved to be orders intended for the different corps +commanders, with instructions how and when to move, so as to act in +concert with the entire plan of the morrow, and insure the capture of +Washington.</p> + +<p>During those battles and skirmishes of Pope’s memorable campaign, I +visited the rebel generals three times at their own camp-fires, within a +period of ten days, and came away with valuable information, unsuspected +and unmolested.</p> + +<p>While the second battle of Bull Run was in progress, I was a part of the +time with the Confederates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> and then back again to the Federals, having +made my escape while the battle raged most fiercely by concealing myself +in a ravine, and watching until the rebels charged upon a battery. While +they were engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, I escaped unobserved by friend +or foe.</p> + +<p>The last of these visits was made the night before the battle of +Chentilla, in which the brave Kearney was killed. I was within a few rods +of him when he fell, and was in the act of returning to the Union camp +under cover of the extreme darkness of that never-to-be-forgotten night. I +saw him ride up to the line, but supposed him to be a rebel officer until +the pickets fired at him, and even then I thought they had fired at me, +until I saw him fall from his horse, and heard their exclamations of joy +when they discovered who he was; for the one-armed general was known +throughout both armies for his bravery and brilliant career, and the name +of Kearney had become a word of terror to the rebels.</p> + +<p>When I learned who was their victim, I regretted that it had not been me +instead of him, whom they had discovered and shot. I would willingly have +died to save such a general to the Union army. But he was taken, while I, +poor insignificant creature, was left; but left with a heart and soul as +fully devoted to the Union cause as Kearney’s was; only lacking the +ability to accomplish the same results.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>I lost no time in making good my escape, while the attention of the +pickets were drawn in another direction. When I came to our lines, I found +it almost as difficult to get through as I had found it on the other side. +The night was so dark I could not make any sign by which the pickets could +recognize me, and I was in the depths of the forest, where the rustling of +the leaves and the crackling of dry branches under my feet betrayed my +foot-steps as I went along. However, after crawling up pretty close to the +line, and getting behind a tree to screen me from the bullets, if they +should fire, I managed to make myself understood. The picket said: “All +right,” and I passed through in safety.</p> + +<p>Coming within the lines, I saw a group of men kneeling on the ground +digging a grave with their bayonets, with the least possible noise; for +the picket lines were within half musket shot of each other. One of their +comrades had been killed, and they were thus preparing his last +resting-place.</p> + +<p class="poem">They buried him darkly at dead of night,<br /> +The turf with their bayonets turning.</p> + +<p>But there were no “struggling moonbeams,” or glimmering stars, to shed a +ray of light upon the midnight gloom of that solitary funeral—naught save +the vivid flashes of lurid flame which the lightning cast upon the sad +scene, lighting up for a moment the surrounding forest, and then dying +away, leaving the darkness more intolerable.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>We may well say of such as die at their post:</p> + +<p class="poem">Sweet be the death of those<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who for their country die;</span><br /> +Sleep on her bosom for repose,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And triumph where they lie.</span></p> + +<p>After reaching headquarters and donning another costume, I was dispatched +to Washington with official documents to McClellan, who was now in command +of the defenses of the Capital, and had control of all the troops who came +streaming in from the disastrous battle-field. I arrived in the city just +as the morning light was breaking, drenched from head to foot, and looking +as if mud was my native element.</p> + +<p>Making my way to where I supposed headquarters to be, I saw an important +looking individual near by, whom I addressed, and inquired if he could +tell me where General McClellan was to be found? “No, I can not.” Could he +tell me when he was expected at headquarters? “No.” Was there any person +there of whom I could inquire? “Not a person.” Did he know of any place +where the necessary information could be obtained? “Not a place.” Could he +make any suggestion, or throw the least ray of light upon the subject, +which might lead to the whereabouts of the general? “Not the slightest.”</p> + +<p>Turning away in disgust, I said to the man, “Well, good-by, Mr. Negative. +I hope the effort which you have made to assist me will not injure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> you +mentally or physically;” and so saying I rode away, feeling that if I was +as big as he imagined himself, and as strong as he was indifferent, I +would give him a vigorous shaking before leaving him.</p> + +<p>I went next to General H.’s headquarters. No one there could tell me +anything more definite than that the general had been gone all night, +carrying out General Halleck’s orders and making the best possible +disposition of the troops as fast as they came in, for the whole army was +now in full retreat. After two hours search I found him, delivered the +despatches, and returned to Washington, where I remained until the next +day, being completely tired out, not having had a night’s sleep for five +nights previous.</p> + +<p>On the first of September, General McClellan had an interview with the +President, who requested him to use all his influence with the Army of the +Potomac to insure its hearty co-operation with General Pope’s army. In +compliance with the President’s request, McClellan sent the following +despatch to General Porter: “I ask of you, for my sake, that of the +country, and the old Army of the Potomac, that you and all my friends will +lend the fullest and most cordial co-operation to General Pope in all the +operations now going on. The destinies of our country, the honor of our +arms, are at stake, and all depends upon the cheerful co-operation of all +in the field. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> week is the crisis of our fate. Say the same thing to +my friends in the Army of the Potomac, and that the last request I have to +make of them is, that, for their country’s sake, they will extend to +General Pope the same support they ever have to me.”</p> + +<p>Immediately after this followed the brilliant and triumphant victories at +South Mountain and Antietam, which more than counterbalanced the +disastrous campaign of Pope, and which sent a thrill of joy throughout the +North.</p> + +<p>But in this, as in most other instances of earthly bliss, the joy was not +unmixed with sorrow—sorrow for the noble dead and wounded upon those +bloody fields. At the memorable battle of Antietam there were nearly two +hundred thousand men and five hundred pieces of artillery engaged during a +period of fourteen hours without cessation; and at its termination two +thousand seven hundred of the enemy’s dead lay upon the field. The report +of the Federal general in command says: “Thirteen guns, thirty-nine +colors, upwards of fifteen thousand stand of small arms, and more than six +thousand prisoners, were the trophies which attest the success of our army +in the battles of South Mountain, Crampton’s Gap, and Antietam. Not a +single gun or color was lost by our army during these battles.”</p> + +<p>At the close of the battle I stood by the side of a dying officer of one +of the Massachusetts <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>regiments, who had passed through the thickest of +the fight unhurt, but just at the close of the battle he was struck by a +random shot which wounded him mortally. As he lay there, conscious of +approaching death, the musicians of the regiment happened to pass by. He +requested that they might be asked to play the “Star-Spangled Banner.” +They cheerfully complied with the dying man’s request, and while they +played the grand old tune his countenance beamed with joy. He inquired the +result of the battle, and when told that it was a victory he +exclaimed—“Oh! it is glorious to die for one’s country at such a time as +this!” Then turning to the chaplain he spoke in the most affecting manner; +he said his trust was in the Redeemer; then he sent loving messages to his +mother and friends at home. The chaplain read some comforting passages of +Scripture and prayed with him, and soon after the happy spirit passed +away.</p> + +<p>Some one very appropriately says: “When such sacrifices are laid upon the +altar of our country, we have surely new incentives to uphold the cause +for which they are made, and, with God’s help, not to allow the treason +which has slain so many victims, to accomplish its purpose. And, through +this bloody baptism, shall not our nation be purified at length, and +fitted to act a nobler part in the world’s history?” God grant it.</p> + +<p>In passing among the wounded after they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> been carried from the +field, my attention was attracted by the pale, sweet face of a youthful +soldier who was severely wounded in the neck. The wound still bled +profusely, and the boy was growing faint from loss of blood. I stooped +down and asked him if there was anything he would like to have done for +him. The soldier turned a pair of beautiful, clear, intelligent eyes upon +me for a moment in an earnest gaze, and then, as if satisfied with the +scrutiny, said faintly: “Yes, yes; there is something to be done, and that +quickly, for I am dying.”</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img09.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">AN INTERESTING PATIENT.—Page 271.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>Something in the tone and voice made me look more closely at the face of +the speaker, and that look satisfied me that my suspicion was well +founded. I went to one of the surgeons in attendance, and requested him to +come and see my patient. He did so, and after a moment’s examination of +the wound told me that nothing could be done whatever to save him. He then +left me, and I administered a little brandy and water to strengthen the +wounded boy, for he evidently wished to tell me something that was on his +mind before he died. The little trembling hand beckoned me closer, and I +knelt down beside him and bent my head until it touched the golden locks +on the pale brow before me; I listened with breathless attention to catch +every sound which fell from those dying lips, the substance of which was +as follows:</p> + +<p>“I can trust you, and will tell you a secret. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> am not what I seem, but +am a female. I enlisted from the purest motives, and have remained +undiscovered and unsuspected. I have neither father, mother nor sister. My +only brother was killed to-day. I closed his eyes about an hour before I +was wounded. I shall soon be with him. I am a christian, and have +maintained the christian character ever since I entered the army. I have +performed the duties of a soldier faithfully, and am willing to die for +the cause of truth and freedom. My trust is in God, and I die in peace. I +wish you to bury me with your own hands, that none may know after my death +that I am other than my appearance indicates.” Then looking at me again in +that earnest, scrutinizing manner, she said: “I know I can trust you—you +will do as I have requested?”</p> + +<p>I assured her that she might place implicit confidence in me, and that I +would do as she had desired me. Then I sought out a chaplain, who came and +prayed with her. She was calm and peaceful. I remained with her until she +died, which was about an hour. Then making a grave for her under the +shadow of a mulberry tree near the battle-field, apart from all others, +with the assistance of two of the boys who were detailed to bury the dead, +I carried her remains to that lonely spot and gave her a soldier’s burial, +without coffin or shroud, only a blanket for a winding-sheet. There she +sleeps in that beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> forest where the soft southern breezes sigh +mournfully through the foliage, and the little birds sing sweetly above +her grave.</p> + +<p class="poem">Her race is run. In Southern clime<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She rests among the brave;</span><br /> +Where perfumed blossoms gently fall,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Like tears, around her grave.</span><br /> +<br /> +No loving friends are near to weep<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or plant bright flowers there;</span><br /> +But birdlings chant a requiem sweet,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And strangers breathe a prayer.</span><br /> +<br /> +She sleeps in peace; yes, sweetly sleeps,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her sorrows all are o’er;</span><br /> +With her the storms of life are past:<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She’s found the heavenly shore.</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">AFTER ANTIETAM—SURGEONS ON THE FIELD—THE +HOSPITALS—LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DWIGHT MORTALLY WOUNDED—A BRUTAL +SURGEON—A WOUNDED CAPTAIN—AGONY FROM THIRST—CHRISTIAN +SOLDIERS—PRAYING AND FIGHTING—FOPS ON THE FIELD—A REBEL +PROGRAMME—PENNSYLVANIA TO BE STRIPPED—CAMP LIFE—DAILY +ROUTINE—BURIAL SERVICES.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">After</span> the battle of Antietam, one of the chaplains who was on the field +paid a fitting tribute to the colonel commanding the regiment to which he +belonged, and vividly described many scenes that came under my own +observation on that day, he says:</p> + +<p>“How faithfully many a surgeon labored! Our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> own assistant surgeon was a +hero; regardless of bullets in the hottest fire, he kept coolly on in his +work, while near by Dr. Kendall, of the Twelfth Massachusetts, was killed. +The nearest hospital, that of our own corps, was necessarily in range of +the enemy’s shell, which every now and then fell around and beyond. Near +by were five other hospitals, all for one wing. Here were generals and +privates brought together. General Mansfield I saw dying, and a few feet +off, an unknown private; General Hartsuff badly wounded, and by his side a +throng of others now on the same level. There is no distinction as to what +body or soul needs then.</p> + +<p>“Our own regiment helped to fill these hospitals. Our gallant dead are +remembered with all the other dead of Massachusetts. But one we lost, hard +to replace: Our brilliant, brave, generous, kind-hearted Lieut.-Colonel +Wilder Dwight, shot mortally, but living two days. Of wonderful promise at +home, cheerful, resigned, strong in faith and trust, ready to die; his +only wish being to see his father and mother. While lying in the garden, +moved only on a stretcher, he sent our own surgeon to relieve the wounded +who were lying all around, the surgeons being occupied in amputating limbs +of men in the hospitals; and again and again sent water provided for +himself to the poor fellows calling for it. Yet Colonel Dwight was not +free from brutal insolence. While waiting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> there in the night for an +ambulance in which to place him, only for shelter, suddenly a harsh voice +insisted on turning him out with all our men.</p> + +<p>“I found a pompous little surgeon angry and furious. I informed him why +the men were there, assured him of their good behavior, and requested +permission for them to remain as we were momentarily expecting the +ambulance. It was all in vain. Colonel Dwight himself was treated most +harshly, although of higher rank than the brute himself; and +notwithstanding I told the surgeon he was mortally wounded, he ordered the +guard to turn them out at the point of the bayonet, and to prevent their +return even to remove Colonel Dwight; refusing to tell his rank and even +his name, until I obtained it of another party. The men were driven away +while actually giving water to the wounded who had been calling in vain +for help. I assured him I would take care that his conduct was made known, +knowing from several scenes I had witnessed that day that he was, from +brutality, pomposity and harshness, utterly unfit to be in charge of +wounded men, and from gross disrespect to an officer higher in rank, unfit +to be in the army. This fellow was a medical director in General Reynolds’ +corps, Pennsylvania Reserves,” and the writer adds, “too good a corps to +have such a fellow among them.”</p> + +<p>The ordinary scene which presents itself after the strife of arms has +ceased, is familiar to every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> one. Heaps of slain, where friend and foe +lie side by side, mangled bodies, shrieks and groans of the wounded and +dying, are things which we always associate with the victories and defeats +of war. But we seldom expect or hear of songs of praise and shouts of +triumph from dying lips on the dreadful battle-field. The following +account was received from the lips of a brave and pious captain in one of +the Western regiments, as some friends were conveying him to a hospital +from the battle-field:</p> + +<p>“The man had been shot through both thighs with a rifle bullet; it was a +wound from which he could not recover. While lying on the field he +suffered intense agony from thirst. He supported his head upon his hand, +and the rain from heaven was falling around him. In a short time a little +pool of water collected near his elbow, and he thought if he could reach +that spot he might allay his raging thirst. He tried to get into a +position which would enable him to obtain a mouthful of the muddy water, +but in vain; and he must suffer the torture of seeing the means of relief +within sight, while all his efforts were unavailing.</p> + +<p>“‘Never,’ said he, ‘did I feel so much the loss of any earthly blessing. +By and by the shades of night fell around us, and the stars shone out +clear and beautiful above the dark field, where so many others lay +wounded, writhing in pain or faint from loss of blood. Thus situated, I +began to think of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> the great God who had given His son to die a death of +agony for me, and that He was in the heavens to which my eyes were turned; +that He was there above that scene of suffering and above those glorious +stars; and I felt that I was hastening home to meet Him, and praise Him +there. I felt that I ought to praise Him then, even wounded as I was, on +the battle-field. I could not help singing that beautiful hymn—</p> + +<p class="poem">“‘When I can read my title clear<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To mansions in the skies,</span><br /> +I’ll bid farewell to every fear,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And wipe my weeping eyes.’</span></p> + +<p>“‘And though I was not aware of it till then,’” he continued, “‘it proved +there was a christian brother in the thicket near me. I could not see him, +but was near enough to hear him. He took up the strain from me, and beyond +him another, and another, caught the words, and made them resound far and +wide over the terrible battle-field. There was a peculiar echo in the +place, and that added to the effect, as we made the night vocal with our +hymns of praise to God.’”</p> + +<p>The presence of such men in the army, animated by faith in God, and +conscious of Serving Him in serving their country, adds materially to its +elements of strength and success. The religious element has always been +acknowledged as a great power in military success. The more intelligent +that principle is, the more efficient it must be in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> securing this result. +There is every reason, natural as well as rational, why those who hold +their lives in their hand should acknowledge the God of battle, and pray +for themselves and their country in the midst of danger. The simplest +expression of the relations of praying and fighting was, perhaps, the +blunt order of the puritan chief, “Put your trust in God, and keep your +powder dry.” Cromwell and his praying puritans were dangerous men to meet +in battle. “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon was exceeding sharp, +tempered as it was by hourly prayers.” Who can but admire the sublime +spectacle which Gustavus Adolphus and his vast army presented on the eve +of the battle of Lutzen, in which the King fell, praying on bended knees, +and then chanting:</p> + +<p class="poem">Be of good cheer; your cause belongs<br /> +To Him who can avenge your wrongs;<br /> +Leave it to Him our Lord.</p> + +<p>The King fell, but the battle was gloriously won.</p> + +<p>“And so,” says a writer upon this subject, “unless we are untrue to our +better nature, it must ever be. Before going into battle, the foolish, +wicked oath is silent. With the bracing of the nerves for the shock of +battle, there goes up a silent prayer for strength, and valor and +deliverance. The wounded pray to be saved from death; the dying recall the +words of old petitions learned in childhood, and in those broken accents +commit their souls to God.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>The only amusing incident after a battle is, the crowd of spectators from +Washington and other places. If they are in carriages, their vehicles are +sure to get smashed, and then the trouble arises, what are they to do with +their baggage? Carry it, of course, or leave it behind. Even the wounded +soldiers cannot help laughing at their sorry plight, gesticulations, and +absurd questions.</p> + +<p>Among all this class of individuals, there are none to be compared with +government clerks for importance and absurdity. On one of these occasions +I remember of a number of those pompous creatures being distressed beyond +measure, because they could not return to Washington on a train which was +crowded beyond description with the wounded. After the cars moved off +there they stood gazing after it in the most disconsolate manner. Said +one, “I came out here by invitation of the Secretary of War, and now I +must return on foot, or remain here.” One of the soldiers contemptuously +surveyed him from head to foot, as he stood there with kid gloves, white +bosom, standing collar, etc., in all the glory and finery of a brainless +fop, starched up for display. “Well,” said the soldier, “we don’t know any +such individual as the Secretary of War out here, but I guess we can find +you something to do; perhaps you would take a fancy to one of these +muskets,” laying his hand on a pile beside him.</p> + +<p>The clerk turned away in disgust, and disdaining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> to reply to the soldier, +he inquired, “But where shall I sleep to-night?” The soldier replied, +“Just where you please, chummy; there is lots of room all around here,” +pointing to a spot of ground which was not occupied by the wounded. A +chaplain stepped up to him, and said: “If you wish to sleep, there is some +hay you can have;” and went on to give him a brief lecture upon the +impropriety of a young man, in perfect health, just fresh from the city, +talking about comfortable lodgings, and a place to sleep, when so many +wounded and dying lay all around him. He was horrified, and disappeared +immediately.</p> + +<p>Before the rebels attempted to cross into Maryland in force, the Richmond +papers were full of editorials, of which the following is a specimen:</p> + +<p>“Let not a blade of grass, or a stalk of corn, or a barrel of flour, or a +bushel of meal, or a sack of salt, or a horse, or a cow, or a hog, or a +sheep, be left wherever the Confederate troops move along. Let vengeance +be taken for all that has been done, until retribution itself shall stand +aghast. This is the country of the would-be-gentleman, McClellan. He has +caused a loss to us, in Virginia, of at least thirty thousand negroes, the +most valuable property that a Virginian can own. They have no negroes in +Pennsylvania. Retaliation, therefore, must fall upon something else. A +Dutch farmer has no negroes, but he has horses that can be seized, grain +that can be confiscated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> cattle that can be killed, and houses that can +be burned.”</p> + +<p>But when they really attempted to accomplish these feats, and found with +whom they had to contend, they were very glad to re-cross the Potomac, +without confiscating property or burning houses, and to escape, leaving +their dead and wounded on the field.</p> + +<p>After the battle of Antietam, the army was not in a condition to follow up +the rebels; but as soon as the Capital was safe, and the rebels were +driven from Maryland and Pennsylvania, vigorous efforts were made to +recruit, clothe, and reorganize the army. Harper’s Ferry was again +occupied, every weak point strengthened, and all the fords were strongly +guarded. While the army thus remained inactive for a few weeks, camp +duties and discipline were again strictly enforced and attended to.</p> + +<p>I would not have my readers think that camp-life in the army is so very +unpleasant, after all. I do not think so, for I have spent some of the +pleasantest, happiest hours of my life in camp, and I think thousands can +give the same testimony.</p> + +<p>One of our good chaplains from the North says that even the city of New +York itself can bear no favorable comparison to military life in the Army +of the Potomac. “After all,” he says: “New York is a humbug compared with +the army. It is tattoo, as I write; what music it is, compared with the +nuisance noises of those city streets!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> Our candles are not brilliant; but +the sight of the lights of the camps all around, is more pleasant than the +glare of the city gas. The air is the pure air of heaven, not the choky +stuff of the metropolis. The men are doing something noble, not dawdling +away these glorious days in selling tape and ribbons. The soldier lives to +some purpose, and if he dies it is a hero’s death. The silks of that +wealthy mart may be coveted by some; but what are the whole to our +bullet-riddled old flag, which passed from the stiffening hands of one +color-bearer to another, in the days of many a battle?”</p> + +<p>To give my reader a more definite idea of the routine of camp life, I will +enter into a detail of it more fully. At sunrise <i>reveille</i> beats, drum +echoing to drum until the entire encampment is astir, and busy as a +bee-hive. Roll-call immediately follows, which brings every man to his +place in the ranks, to answer to his name. An hour later breakfast call is +sounded by fife and drum, and the company cooks, who are detailed for that +purpose, deal out the rations to the men as they sit or stand around the +cook’s quarters.</p> + +<p>At half-past seven o’clock sick call announces to surgeons and patients +that they are expected to appear at the dispensing tent—if able to go +there. Then comes a general examination of tongues and pulses, and a +liberal distribution of <i>quinine</i> and blue pills, and sometimes a little +<i>eau de vie</i>, to wash down the bitter drugs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>Guard mounting at eight, which is an imposing affair in itself. The band +marches to the usual place of dress parade and strikes up some appropriate +piece, which is the signal for the regimental details to march to the +place of inspection. The line is formed, arms inspected, and general +appearance noted. Then the men are marched in review, and divided into +three reliefs—one of which is marched to the post of each sentinel, +where, after various important conferences, the old sentinel is relieved +and the new one takes his place, and so on around the whole camp. The old +guard is then marched to their quarters and formally dismissed, having +been on duty two hours out of every six during the last twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock the music sounds for company drill, which drill lasts an +hour and a half. The bugle announces dinner at one o’clock.</p> + +<p>At three in the afternoon battalion drill commences, which occupies an +hour. At half-past four is heard the first call for evening parade, and at +five o’clock comes off the great display of the day—dress parade.</p> + +<p>Supper at six, tattoo at half past eight, and roll-call again at nine; +immediately after which comes “taps” on the drum, which means “lights +out.”</p> + +<p>But between all these calls drills and parades are more interesting +services and duties. Away in one corner of the camp is our canvas or log +meeting-house, and besides our regular preaching,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> we have conference and +prayer meetings, debating clubs, military lectures, and numerous musical +entertainments.</p> + +<p>Then, too, comes visiting the sick in different hospitals, distribution of +reading matter and delicacies, and the blessed privilege of religious +conversation. And often the solemn services in connection with burying the +dead. I will here give a brief description of this service:</p> + +<p>The burial of a soldier in camp is a most solemn scene. A suitable escort +is formed in two ranks opposite the tent of the deceased, with shouldered +arms and bayonets unfixed. On the appearance of the coffin the soldiers +present arms. The procession then forms—on each side of the coffin are +the pall-bearers without muskets—and the escort moves forward with arms +reversed, viz.: musket under the left arm, barrel downward, and steadied +behind the back with the right hand. The band marches in front, with slow +and measured tread and muffled drum they move, pouring out their +melancholy wailings for the dead—a sadder dirge than which never fell +upon mortal ear.</p> + +<p>On reaching the place of interment the coffin is lowered into the grave, +the soldiers leaning upon their muskets, muzzle downward, the hands +clasped upon the butt of their guns, with heads uncovered and reverently +bowed upon their hands. The chaplain, who has walked in the rear of the +procession, conducts the burial service, at the end of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> which three +volleys are fired over the grave, the trench is filled up, and the +soldiers return to duty.</p> + +<p class="poem">Warrior, rest! thy toils are ended:<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s last fearful strife is o’er;</span><br /> +Clarion-calls, with death-notes blended,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall disturb thine ear no more!</span><br /> +Peaceful is thy dreamless slumber;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Peaceful, but how cold and stern!</span><br /> +Thou hast joined that silent number<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the land whence none return!</span><br /> +<br /> +Warrior, rest! thy banner o’er thee<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hangs in many a drooping fold;</span><br /> +Many a manly cheek before thee<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stain’d with tear-drops we behold.</span><br /> +Thine was not a hand to falter<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When thy sword should leave its sheath:</span><br /> +Thine was not a cheek to alter,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though thy duty led to death!</span><br /> +<br /> +Warrior, rest! a dirge is knelling<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Solemnly from shore to shore:</span><br /> +’Tis a nation’s tribute, telling<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That a patriot is no more!</span><br /> +And thy young bride weeps in sorrow<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That no more she hears thy tread;</span><br /> +That the night which knows no morrow<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Darkly veils thy laurel’d head!</span><br /> +<br /> +Warrior, rest! we smooth thy pillow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For thy last, long earthly sleep;</span><br /> +And beneath yon verdant willow<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Storms unheard will o’er thee sweep!</span><br /> +There, ’tis done! thy couch awaits thee!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Softly down thy head we lay;</span><br /> +Here repose, till God translates thee<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the dust to endless day!</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">A MILITARY EXECUTION—THE PREPARATIONS—THE DEATH—HARPER’S FERRY—OLD +JOHN BROWN—CONTRAST—ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA—CONDITION OF THE ARMY—A +DREARY RIDE—A GREEN GUARD—SEEKING SHELTER—A GUERRILLA FIGHT—MY +HORSE KILLED—PLAYING POSSUM—MY POCKETS PICKED—A NARROW +ESCAPE—RETURN TO CAMP—AN INTERESTING MEETING.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">About</span> this time one of those horrible and soul-revolting sights, a +“military execution,” took place; in other words, a soldier was shot in +cold blood by his comrades. I did not witness the execution, although it +occurred within a short distance of camp, and I give the particulars +relating to it from the record of the chaplain who attended the unhappy +man to the place of execution:</p> + +<p>“A painful episode, the first of the kind I have witnessed, took place +last Friday. It was a military execution. The person thus punished +belonged to the Third Maryland, which is in our division. On Tuesday last +his sentence was formally read to him. He was to be shot to death with +musketry on the next Friday, between the hours of noon and four in the +afternoon. He had learned the decision on the Sunday before. The day of +his execution was wet and gloomy. That<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> morning, in the midst of the +provost guard, he was sitting on a bag of grain, leaning against a tree, +while a sentry with fixed bayonet stood behind, never turning away from +him, save as another took his place. Useless seemed the watch, for arms +and feet had been secured, though not painfully, since the sentence was +read. The captain of the guard had humanely done all he could, and it was +partly by his request that I was there. A chaplain could minister where +others would not be allowed. The rain fell silently on him; the hours of +his life were numbered, even the minutes. He was to meet death, not in the +shock and excitement of battle, not as a martyr for his country, not in +disease, but in full health, and as a criminal. I have seen many a man +die, and have tried to perform the sacred duties of my station. I never +had so painful a task as this, because of these circumstances. Willingly, +gladly, he conversed, heard and answered. While such a work is painful, +yet it has its bright side, because of the ‘exceeding great and precious +promises’ it is one’s privilege to tell.</p> + +<p>“When the time came for removal to the place of execution, he entered an +ambulance, the chaplain accompanying him. Next, in another ambulance, was +the coffin; before, behind, and on either side a guard. Half a mile of +this sad journey brought him within a short distance of the spot. Then +leaving the ambulance, he walked to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> place selected. The rain had +ceased, the sun was shining on the dark lines of the whole division drawn +up in three sides of a hollow square. With guard in front and rear, he +passed with steady step to the open side of the square, accompanied by the +chaplain. There was a grave dug, and in front of it was his coffin. He sat +upon the coffin; his feet were reconfined, to allow of which he lifted +them voluntarily, and then his eyes were bandaged. In front of him the +firing party, of two from each regiment, were then drawn up, half held in +reserve, during which there was still a little time for words with his +chaplain.</p> + +<p>“The General (not McClellan) stood by, and the Provost Marshal read the +sentence and shook hands with the condemned. Then a prayer was offered, +amid uncovered heads and solemn faces. A last hand-shake with the +chaplain, which he had twice requested; a few words from him to the +chaplain; a lingering pressure by the hand of the condemned, his lips +moving with a prayer-sentence which he had been taught, and on which his +thoughts had dwelt before; and he was left alone. The word of command was +immediately given. One volley, and he fell over instantly, unconscious. A +record of the wounds were made by the surgeons who immediately examined +him. The troops filed by his grave, and returned by the way they came. He +left a mother and sister, and was twenty years of age.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>Soon after I spent a night at Harper’s Ferry. John Brown is still +remembered there, and the soldiers go round singing “His soul goes +marching on.” That medley of a song does not seem so senseless after all, +for the spirit of John Brown does seem to march along wonderfully fast, +and our troops are becoming imbued with it to a greater extent than is +generally supposed.</p> + +<p>I also visited the court-house, where public service was held by a +Massachusetts chaplain in the very room where John Brown was tried, +convicted and sentenced. There was the spot where he had lain upon his +litter. There in front of the judge’s platform were the juror’s seats. The +chair which the judge had occupied was now tenanted by an abolition +preacher. Oh! if old John Brown had only lived to see that day! but he is +gone, and</p> + +<p class="poem">His soul goes marching on.</p> + +<p>On the 25th of October, the pontoon bridges being completed at Harper’s +Ferry and at Berlin, the army once more advanced into Virginia. The ninth +corps and Pleasanton’s cavalry occupied Lovettsville, a pretty little +village reminding one of New England. The army was now in admirable +condition and fine spirits, and enjoyed this march exceedingly, scarcely a +man dropping out of the ranks for any cause whatever, but entering into +the spirit of the campaign with an energy which surpassed all their former +enthusiasm. As the army marched rapidly over the country from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> village to +village, the advance guard driving the enemy’s pickets from one covert to +another, many thrilling adventures occurred, several of which came under +my own observation, and as I am expected particularly to relate those in +which I was personally concerned, I will here relate one which came very +near being my last on this side the “river.”</p> + +<p>On the morning of the third day after we left Lovettsville I was sent back +to headquarters, which was said to be some twelve miles in the rear. I was +then with the advance guard, and when they started forward at daylight I +went to the rear. In order to go more quickly I left all my traps in an +ambulance—blankets, overcoat and grain, excepting enough to feed once. +Then starting at a brisk canter I soon lost sight of the advancing column. +I rode on mile after mile, and passed train after train, but could find no +one that could tell me where McClellan’s headquarters were.</p> + +<p>On I went in this way until noon, and then found that I was six miles from +headquarters. After riding a distance which seemed to me all of ten miles, +I at length found the place sought for. I fed my horse, attended to the +business which I had been sent to transact, and then tried to find +something in the way of rations for myself, but failed utterly. Not a +mouthful could I procure either at the sutler’s headquarters, cook-house, +or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> in any other place. I went to two houses and they told me they had not +a mouthful in the house cooked or uncooked—but of course I believed as +much of that story as I pleased.</p> + +<p>The day had been very cold; there had been several smart showers during my +ride, and now it began to snow—a sort of sleet which froze as fast as it +fell. This was an October day in Old Virginia. Oh! what an afternoon I +spent in the saddle on my return; hungry, wet, and shivering with cold. I +traveled as fast as my horse was able to go until ten o’clock at night, +with the hope of overtaking the troops I had left in the morning, but all +in vain, for the whole line of march and programme for the day had been +changed, in consequence of coming in contact with the enemy and having a +sharp skirmish, which resulted in our troops being nearly outflanked and +cut off from the main body of the army.</p> + +<p>Of course I had no opportunity of knowing this that night, so on I went in +another direction from that in which the advance guard had gone. By and by +I came to some fresh troops just from the North, who had lately enlisted +and been sent down to Washington, and now were on their way to join +McClellan’s army. They had been put on guard duty for the first time, and +that too without any definite orders, their officers having concluded to +remain there until the main column came up, and they scarcely knew where +they were or what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> orders to give their men. As I rode up, one of the +boys—for if boy he was, not more than sixteen summers had graced his +youthful brow—stepped out in the middle of the road with his musket at a +“trail arms,” and there he stood till I came up close to him, and then he +did not even say “halt,” but quietly told me that I could not go any +farther in that direction. Why not? Well, he didn’t exactly know, but he +was put there on guard, and he supposed it was to prevent any one from +going backward or forward. Whether they have the countersign or not? Well, +he did not know how that was. I then asked him if the officer of the guard +had given him the countersign. Yes, but he did not know whether it was +right or not.</p> + +<p>“Well,” said I, “perhaps I can tell you whether it is correct; I have just +come from headquarters.” He seemed to think that there could be no harm in +telling me if I had been at headquarters, so he told me without any +hesitation. Whereupon I proceeded to tell him of the impropriety of doing +so; that it was a military offense for which he could be punished +severely; and that he had no right to give the countersign to any one, not +even the general in command. Then told him how to hold his musket when he +challenged any one on his beat, and within how many paces to let them +approach him before halting them, etc. The boy received both lecture and +instructions “in the spirit of meekness,” and by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> time I had finished +a number of the men were standing around me eager to ask questions, and +especially if I knew to what portion of the army that particular regiment +was to be assigned.</p> + +<p>After passing along through these green troops I rode on till I came to a +little village, which I never learned the name of, and intended to stop +there the remainder of the night; but upon learning that a band of +guerrillas occupied it, I turned aside, preferring to seek some other +place of rest. I traveled till two o’clock in the morning, when my horse +began to show signs of giving out; then I stopped at a farm-house, but not +being able to make any one hear me, I hitched my horse under cover of a +wood-shed, and taking the blanket from under the saddle, I lay down beside +him, the saddle-blanket being my only covering. The storm had ceased, but +the night was intensely cold, and the snow was about two or three inches +deep. I shall always believe that I would have perished that night, had +not my faithful horse lain down beside me, and by the heat of his +beautiful head, which he laid across my shoulders, (a thing which he +always did whenever I lay down where he could reach me,) kept me from +perishing in my wet clothes.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that I had started at daylight the previous morning, +and had never been out of the saddle, or fed my horse but once since I +started, and had not eaten a mouthful <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>myself for twenty-four hours, and +had ridden all day and almost all night in the storm. In the morning my +feet and hands were so chilled that they were perfectly numb, and I could +scarcely stand. However, as soon as daylight came I started again. About a +mile from there I went into a field where the unhusked corn stood in +stacks, and fed my horse.</p> + +<p>While employed in this manner, there came along a party of our cavalry +looking after that band of guerrillas which I had passed the night before. +It was known that they were in the neighborhood, and these men were sent +out in search of them. I told them what I knew about it, and intimated +that if I were not so hungry, I would go back with them to the village. +That objection was soon removed, by supplying me with a substantial +breakfast from their haversacks. We started for the village, and had gone +about five miles when we were suddenly surprised and fired upon by the +guerrillas. Two of our men were killed on the spot, and my horse received +three bullets. He reared and plunged before he fell, and in doing so the +saddle-girth was broken, and saddle and rider were thrown over his head. I +was thrown on the ground violently which stunned me for a moment, and my +horse soon fell beside me, his blood pouring from three wounds. Making a +desperate effort to rise, he groaned once, fell back, and throwing his +neck across my body, he saturated me from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> head to foot with his blood. +He died in a few minutes. I remained in that position, not daring to rise, +for our party had fled and the rebels pursued them. A very few minutes +elapsed when the guerrillas returned, and the first thing I saw was one of +the men thrusting his sabre into one of the dead men beside me. I was +lying partially on my face, so I closed my eyes and passed for dead. The +rebels evidently thought I was unworthy of their notice, for after +searching the bodies of the two dead men they rode away; but just as I was +making up my mind to crawl out from under the dead horse, I heard the +tramp of a horse’s feet, and lay perfectly still and held my breath. It +was one of the same men, who had returned. Dismounting, he came up and +took hold of my feet, and partially drew me from under the horse’s head, +and then examined my pockets. Fortunately, I had no official documents +with me, and very little money—not more than five dollars. After +transferring the contents of my pockets to his own, he re-mounted his +horse and rode away, without ever suspecting that the object before him +was playing possum.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img10.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">PLAYING POSSUM.—Page 295.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>Not long after the departure of the guerrillas, our party returned with +reinforcements and pursued the rebel band. One of the men returned to camp +with me, letting me ride his horse, and walked all the way himself. The +guerrillas were captured that day, and, after searching them, my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +pocket-book was found upon one of them, and was returned to me with its +contents undisturbed. It lies before me, while I write, reminding me of +that narrow escape, and of the mercy of God in sparing my unprofitable +life.</p> + +<p class="poem">A Sov’reign Protector I have,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unseen, yet forever at hand;</span><br /> +Unchangeably faithful to save,—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Almighty to rule and command.</span></p> + +<p>After returning to camp, I found that I had sustained more injury by my +fall from the horse than I had realized at the time. But a broken limb +would have been borne cheerfully, if I could only have had my pet horse +again. That evening we held our weekly prayer-meeting, notwithstanding we +were on a march. Chaplain and Mrs. B., Nellie, and Dr. E. were present, +and joined heartily in singing the following hymn:</p> + +<p class="poem">And are we yet alive,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And see each other’s face?</span><br /> +Glory and praise to Jesus give,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For His redeeming grace.</span><br /> +Preserved by power divine<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To full salvation here,</span><br /> +Again in Jesus’ praise we join,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in his sight appear.</span><br /> +<br /> +What troubles have we seen!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What conflicts have we past!</span><br /> +Fightings without, and fears within,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Since we assembled last!</span><br /> +But out of all the Lord<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath brought us by His love;</span><br /> +And still he doth his help afford,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And hides our life above.</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">MCCLELLAN RELIEVED—HIS ADDRESS—BURNSIDE IN COMMAND—ON THE +MARCH—FALMOUTH—MY RIDE—OLD BATTLEFIELDS—SAD SIGHTS—“YANKEE +SKULLS”—“BONE ORNAMENTS”—SHELLING FREDERICKSBURG—PONTOON +BRIDGES—OCCUPATION OF THE CITY—AIDE-DE-CAMP—DREADFUL SLAUGHTER—A +GALLANT MAJOR—STRANGE SIGHTS—DARK NIGHT—DEATH OF GENERAL +BAYARD—SOMEONE’S PET—RECROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">After</span> reaching Warrenton the army encamped in that vicinity for a few +days—during which “Father Abraham” took the favorable opportunity of +relieving the idol of the Army of the Potomac from his command, and +ordered him to report at Trenton, New Jersey, just as he was entering upon +another campaign, with his army in splendid condition.</p> + +<p>After a brief address and an affecting farewell to officers and men, he +hastened to comply with the order. His farewell address was as follows:</p> + +<p>“November 7th, 1862. Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac: An +order of the President devolves upon Major-General Burnside the command of +this army. In parting from you I cannot express the love and gratitude I +bear you. As an army you have grown up under my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> care. In you I have never +found doubt or coldness. The battles you have fought under my command will +proudly live in our nation’s history. The glory you have achieved, our +mutual perils and fatigues, the graves of our comrades fallen in battle +and by disease, the broken forms of those whom wounds and sickness have +disabled—the strongest associations which can exist among men—unite us +still by an indissoluble tie. We shall ever be comrades in supporting the +constitution of our country and the nationality of its people.”</p> + +<p>That was a sad day for the Army of the Potomac.</p> + +<p>The new commander marched the army immediately to Falmouth, opposite +Fredericksburg. Of the incidents of that march I know nothing, for I went +to Washington, and from thence to Aquia Creek by water.</p> + +<p>I did not return to Washington on the cars, but rode on horseback, and +made a two days’ trip of it, visiting all the old places as I went. The +battle-ground of the first and second Bull Run battles, Centerville, +Fairfax Court House, and Chentilla.</p> + +<p>But how shall I describe the sights which I saw and the impressions which +I had as I rode over those fields! There were men and horses thrown +together in heaps, and some clay thrown on them above ground; others lay +where they had fallen, their limbs bleaching in the sun without the +appearance of burial.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>There was one in particular—a cavalryman: he and his horse both lay +together, nothing but the bones and clothing remained; but one of his arms +stood straight up, or rather the bones and the coatsleeve, his hand had +dropped off at the wrist and lay on the ground; not a finger or joint was +separated, but the hand was perfect. I dismounted twice for the purpose of +bringing away that hand, but did not do so after all. I would have done so +if it had been possible to find a clue to his name or regiment.</p> + +<p>The few families who still live in that vicinity tell horrid stories of +the brutal conduct of the rebels after those battles.</p> + +<p>A Southern clergyman declares that in the town where he now resides he saw +rebel soldiers selling “Yankee skulls” at ten dollars apiece. And it is a +common thing to see rebel women wear rings and ornaments made of our +soldiers’ bones—in fact they boast of it, even to the Union soldiers, +that they have “Yankee bone ornaments.”</p> + +<p>This to me was a far more sickening sight than was presented at the time +of the battles, with dead and wounded lying in their gore. I looked in +vain for the old “brush heap” which had once screened me from the rebel +cavalry; the fire had consumed it. But the remains of the Stone Church at +Centerville was an object of deep interest to me.</p> + +<p>I went from Washington to Aquia Creek by steamer, and from thence to +Falmouth on <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>horseback. I found the army encamped in the mud for miles +along the Rappahannock river.</p> + +<p>The river is very narrow between Falmouth and Fredericksburg, not more +than a stone’s cast in some places. I have often seen the pickets on both +sides amusing themselves by throwing stones across it.</p> + +<p>Some writer in describing the picturesque scenery in this locality says: +“There is a young river meandering through its center, towards which slope +down beautiful banks of mud on either side, while the fields are +delightfully variegated by alternate patches of snow and swamp, and the +numerous roads are in such condition that no matter which one you take you +are sure to wish you had tried another instead.”</p> + +<p>All the mud and bad roads on the Peninsula could not bear the least +comparison with that of Falmouth and along the Rappahannock.</p> + +<p>It was now December and the weather was extremely cold, yet the constant +rains kept the roads in the most terrible state imaginable.</p> + +<p>On riding along the brink of the river we could see distinctly the rebel +batteries frowning on the heights beyond the city of Fredericksburg, and +the rebel sentinels walking their rounds within talking distance of our +own pickets.</p> + +<p>On the eleventh the city was shelled by our troops. The pontoon bridges +were laid amid showers of bullets from the sharpshooters of the enemy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +who were ensconced in the houses on the opposite bank. However, the work +went steadily on, notwithstanding that two out of every three who were +engaged in laying the bridges were either killed or wounded. But as fast +as one fell another took his place.</p> + +<p>Soon it was deemed expedient to take care of those sharpshooters before +the bridges could be finished. Several companies filed into boats and +rowed across in a few minutes, the men of the Seventh Michigan leading the +van, and drove the rebels from the houses, killing some and taking many +prisoners.</p> + +<p>The bridges were soon completed, the troops marched over and took +possession of the city. Headquarters were established in the principal +building, and a church and other large buildings were appropriated for +hospital purposes.</p> + +<p>The following is an extract from my journal, written on the battlefield +the second day after we crossed the river:</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Battle-field, Fredericksburg, Va.</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>December 13, 1862</i>.</span></p> + +<p>In consequence of one of General H.’s staff officers being ill I have +volunteered to take his place, and am now aide-de-camp to General H. I +wish my friends could see me in my present uniform! This division will +probably charge on the enemy’s works this afternoon. God grant them +success! While I write the roar of cannon and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> musketry is almost +deafening, and the shot and shell are falling fast on all sides. This may +be my last entry in this journal. God’s will be done. I commit myself to +Him, soul and body. I must close. General H. has mounted his horse, and +says Come—!</p> + +<p>Of course it is not for me to say whose fault it was in sacrificing those +thousands of noble lives which fell upon that disastrous field, or in +charging again and again upon those terrible stone walls and +fortifications, after being repulsed every time with more than half their +number lying on the ground. The brave men, nothing daunted by their +thinned ranks, advanced more fiercely on the foe—</p> + +<p class="poem">Plunged in the battery’s smoke,<br /> +Fiercely the line they broke;<br /> +Strong was the saber stroke,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Making an army reel.</span></p> + +<p>But when it was proved to a demonstration that it was morally impossible +to take and retain those heights, in consequence of the natural advantage +of position which the rebels occupied, and still would occupy if they +should fall back—whose fault was it that the attempt was made time after +time, until the field was literally piled with dead and ran red with +blood? We may truly say of the brave soldiers thus sacrificed—</p> + +<p class="poem">Their’s not to reason why,<br /> +Their’s not to make reply,<br /> +Their’s but to do and die.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>Among the many who fell in that dreadful battle perhaps there is none more +worthy of notice than the brave and heroic Major Edward E. Sturtevant, of +Keene, New Hampshire, who fell while leading the gallant Fifth in a charge +upon the enemy. He was the first man in New Hampshire who enlisted <i>for +the war</i>. He was immediately authorized by the Governor to make +enlistments for the First New Hampshire Volunteers, and was eminently +successful. He held the commission of captain in the First Regiment, and +afterwards was promoted major of the Fifth.</p> + +<p>One of the leading papers of his native State has the following with +regard to him: “He was in every battle where the regiment was engaged, +nine or ten in number, besides skirmishes, and was slightly wounded at the +battle of Fair Oaks. He commanded the regiment most of the time on the +retreat from the Chickahominy to James river. The filial affection of the +deceased was of the strongest character, and made manifest in substantial +ways on many occasions. His death is the first in the household, and deep +is the grief that is experienced there; but that grief will doubtless be +mitigated by the consoling circumstance that the departed son and brother +died in a service that will hallow his memory forever. A braver man or +more faithful friend never yielded up his spirit amidst the clash of arms +and the wail of the dying.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>I well remember the desperate charge which that brave officer made upon +the enemy just before he fell, and the thinned and bleeding ranks of his +men as they returned, leaving their beloved commander on the field, +reminded me of the “gallant six hundred,” of whom Tennyson has written the +following lines:</p> + +<p class="poem">Stormed at with shot and shell,<br /> +They that had struck so well<br /> +Rode through the jaws of death,<br /> +Half a league back again<br /> +Up, from the mouth of hell—<br /> +All that was left of them.</p> + +<p>I have since had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the bereaved +family of the deceased, and deeply sympathize with them in the loss of one +so noble, kind, and brave.</p> + +<p>Major Sturtevant was the son of George W. Sturtevant, Esq., and nephew of +Rev. David. Kilburn—one of the pioneers of Methodism—whom thousands will +remember as a faithful and efficient minister of the Gospel.</p> + +<p>During the progress of that battle I saw many strange sights—although I +had been in many a fierce battle before. I never saw, till then, a man +deliberately shoot himself, with his own pistol, in order to save the +rebels the satisfaction of doing so, as it would seem.</p> + +<p>As one brigade was ordered into line of battle, I saw an officer take out +his pistol and shoot himself through the side—not mortally, I am sorry +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> say, but just sufficient to unfit him for duty; so he was carried to +the rear—he protesting that it was done by accident.</p> + +<p>Another officer I saw there, a young and handsome lieutenant, disgrace his +shoulder-straps by showing the white feather at the very moment when he +was most needed.</p> + +<p>I rode three miles with General H. to General Franklin’s headquarters, the +second night we were at Fredericksburg, and of all the nights that I can +recall to mind that was the darkest. On our way we had numerous ditches to +leap, various ravines to cross, and mountains to climb, which can be +better imagined than described. It was not only once or twice that horse +and rider went tumbling into chasms head first, but frequently.</p> + +<p>As we passed along, we stopped at the headquarters of General Bayard +(General of Cavalry) a few minutes—found him enjoying a cup of coffee +under a large tree, which constituted his headquarters. We called again +when we returned, but he was cold in death, having been struck by a stray +shot, and died in a short time. He was killed just where we had left him, +under the tree. He was a splendid officer, and his removal was a great +loss to the Federal cause. His death cast a gloom over his whole command +which was deeply felt.</p> + +<p>Of the wounded of this battle I can say but little, for my time was fully +occupied in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>responsible duties which I had volunteered to perform; +and so constantly was I employed, that I was not out of the saddle but +once in twelve hours, and that was to assist an officer of the +Seventy-ninth, who lay writhing in agony on the field, having been seized +with cramps and spasms, and was suffering the most extreme pain. He was +one of the brave and fearless ones, however, and in less than an hour, +after having taken some powerful medicine which I procured for him, he was +again on his horse, at the general’s side.</p> + +<p>On going to the Church hospital in search of Doctor E., I saw an immense +shell which had been sent through the building and fell on the floor, in +the centre of those wounded and dying men who had just been carried off +the field, and placed there for safety. But strange to say, it did not +burst or injure any one, and was carried out and laid beside the mangled +limbs which had been amputated in consequence of contact with just such +instruments of death. I saw the remains of the Rev. A. B. Fuller, Chaplain +of the Sixteenth Massachusetts, as they were removed to the camp. He was +faithful to his trust, and died at his post.</p> + +<p>On one of my necessary rides, in the darkness of that dreadful night, I +passed by a grave-yard near by where our reserves were lying—and there, +in that hour of darkness and danger, I heard the voice of prayer ascend. A +group of soldiers were there holding communion with God—strengthening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +their souls for the coming conflict. There are, scattered over the +battle-fields and camping-grounds of this war, Bethels, consecrated to +God, and sacred to souls who have wrestled and prevailed. This retirement +was a grave-yard, with a marble slab for an altar, where that little band +met to worship God—perhaps for the last time.</p> + +<p>But among all the dead and wounded, I saw none who touched my heart so +much as one beautiful boy, severely wounded; he was scarcely more than a +child, and certainly a very attractive one. Some one writes the following, +after he was sent to a hospital:</p> + +<p>“Among the many brave, uncomplaining fellows who were brought up to the +hospital from the battle of Fredericksburg, was a bright-eyed and +intelligent youth, sixteen years old, who belonged to a northern regiment. +He appeared more affectionate and tender, more refined and thoughtful than +many of his comrades, and attracted a good deal of attention from the +attendants and visitors. Manifestly the pet of some household which he had +left, perhaps, in spite of entreaty and tears. He expressed an anxious +longing for the arrival of his mother, who was expected, having been +informed that he was mortally wounded, and failing fast. Ere she arrived, +however, he died. But before the end, almost his last act of consciousness +was the thought that she had really come; for, as a lady sat by his pillow +and wiped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> the death-dews from his brow, just as his sight was failing, he +rallied a little, like an expiring taper in its socket, looked up +longingly and joyfully, and in tones that drew tears from every eye +whispered audibly, ‘Is that mother?’ Then drawing her toward him with all +his feeble power, he nestled his head in her arms, like a sleeping child, +and thus died, with the sweet word, ‘Mother,’ on his lips.”</p> + +<p class="poem">Raise me in your arms, dear mother,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let me once more look</span><br /> +On the green and waving willows,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the flowing brook;</span><br /> +Hark, those strains of angel music<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the choirs above!</span><br /> +Dearest mother, I am going,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Truly “God is love.”</span></p> + +<p>A council of war was held by our generals, and the conclusion arrived at +that the enterprise should be abandoned, and that the army should recross +the Rappahannock under cover of darkness. Everything was conducted in the +most quiet manner; so quiet, indeed, that the enemy never suspected the +movement, and the retreat was accomplished, and the bridges partially +removed, before the fact was discovered.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">AFTER THE BATTLE—SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED—GENERAL BURNSIDE’S +ORDER—“STUCK IN THE MUD”—HOOKER IN COMMAND—WESTERN +CAMPAIGN—CAVALRY RECONNOISSANCE—ANOTHER DISGUISE—AGAIN IN DIXIE—A +WEDDING PARTY—IN A TRAP—REBEL CONSCRIPT—ON THE MARCH—A REBEL +CAPTAIN—A FIERCE ENGAGEMENT—AGAIN UNDER THE OLD FLAG—PAYING A DEBT +OF GRATITUDE.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">After</span> the battle of Fredericksburg the weather was very cold, and the +wounded suffered exceedingly—even after they were sent to Aquia Creek, +and other places—for they could not all be provided for and made +comfortable immediately. Our troops returned to their old camps in the +mud, and remained stationary for several weeks, notwithstanding our daily +orders were to be ready to march at a moment’s notice. The unnecessary +slaughter of our men at Fredericksburg had a sad effect upon our troops, +and the tone of the northern press was truly distressing. The wailing for +the noble dead seemed wafted on every breeze, for</p> + +<p class="poem">In the city, in the village,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the hamlet far away,</span><br /> +Sit the mothers, watching, waiting,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For their soldier boys to-day.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span><br /> +They are coming, daily coming,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One by one, and score by score,</span><br /> +In their leaden casings folded,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Underneath the flag they bore.</span></p> + +<p>On the twentieth of January General Burnside issued the following order to +the army, which was joyfully received; for of all places for an +encampment, that seemed to be the most inconvenient and disagreeable:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac</span>,<br /> +<i>Camp near Falmouth, Va.</i>, Jan. 20, 1863.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">General Orders</span>—No. 7.</p> + +<p>The Commanding General announces to the Army of the Potomac that they +are about to meet the enemy once more. The late brilliant actions in +North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas, have divided and weakened the +enemy on the Rappahannock, and the auspicious moment seems to have +arrived to strike a great and mortal blow to the rebellion, and to +gain that decisive victory which is due to the country.</p> + +<p>Let the gallant soldiers of so many brilliant battle-fields accomplish +this achievement, and a fame the most glorious awaits them.</p> + +<p>The Commanding General calls for the firm and united action of +officers and men, and, under the providence of God, the Army of the +Potomac will have taken the great step towards restoring <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>peace to the +country, and the Government to its rightful authority.</p> + +<p>By command of <span class="smcap">Major-General Burnside</span>.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Lewis Richmond</span>, <i>Assistant Adjutant-General</i>.</span></p></div> + +<p>Soon after this order was issued a portion of the army did really +move—but the pontoons became “stuck in the mud,” and the troops returned +again. In this manner the winter wore away, and a severe winter I thought +it was; for in riding a distance of two miles, in two instances, I had my +feet frozen.</p> + +<p>General Hooker was now put in command of the Army of the Potomac, and +Burnside, with the Ninth Army Corps, ordered to the Western department. +Being desirous of leaving the Army of the Potomac, I now applied for +permission to go with the Ninth Corps, which was granted. I did not go +with the troops, however, but went to Washington first, and remained +several days; then took the cars and proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, +and arrived there before the troops did.</p> + +<p>The last entry in my journal, before leaving the Army of the Potomac, was +as follows: “The <i>weather</i> department is in perfect keeping with the War +Department; its policy being to make as many changes as possible, and +every one worse than the last. May God bless the old Army of the Potomac, +and save it from total annihilation.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>On the arrival of the troops at Louisville, they were sent in detachments +to different places—some to Bardstown, some to Lebanon, and others to +guard different portions of the railroad.</p> + +<p>The third day after my arrival I went out with a reconnoitering +expedition, under command of General M. It was entirely composed of +cavalry. We rode thirty-six miles that afternoon—the roads were splendid. +When we were about twelve miles from our lines we changed our course and +struck through the woods, fording creeks and crossing swamps, which was +anything but pleasant.</p> + +<p>After emerging from the thick undergrowth, on one occasion, we came upon +an inferior force of the enemy’s cavalry; a sharp skirmish ensued, which +resulted in the capture of five prisoners from the rebel band, and +wounding several. Three of our men were slightly wounded, but we returned +to Louisville in good order, and enjoyed the luxury of a good supper at a +hotel, which is a rare thing in that city.</p> + +<p>I took the cars the next day and went to Lebanon—dressed in one of the +rebel prisoner’s clothes—and thus disguised, made another trip to +rebeldom. My business purported to be buying up butter and eggs, at the +farm-houses, for the rebel army. I passed through the lines somewhere, +without knowing it; for on coming to a little village toward evening, I +found it occupied by a strong force of rebel cavalry. The first house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> I +went to was filled with officers and citizens. I had stumbled upon a +wedding party, unawares. Captain Logan, a recruiting officer, had been +married that afternoon to a brilliant young widow whose husband had been +killed in the rebel army a few months before. She had discovered that +widow’s weeds were not becoming to her style of beauty, so had decided to +appear once more in bridal costume, for a change.</p> + +<p>I was questioned pretty sharply by the handsome captain in regard to the +nature of my business in that locality, but finding me an innocent, +straightforward Kentuckian, he came to the conclusion that I was all +right. But he also arrived at the conclusion that I was old enough to be +in the army, and bantered me considerably upon my want of patriotism.</p> + +<p>The rebel soldier’s clothes which I wore did not indicate any thing more +than that I was a Kentuckian—for their cavalry do not dress in any +particular uniform, for scarcely two of them dress alike—the only +uniformity being that they most generally dress in butternut color.</p> + +<p>I tried to make my escape from that village as soon as possible, but just +as I was beginning to congratulate myself upon my good fortune, who should +confront me but Captain Logan. Said he: “See here, my lad; I think the +best thing you can do is to enlist, and join a company which is just +forming here in the village, and will leave in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> the morning. We are giving +a bounty to all who freely enlist, and are conscripting those who refuse. +Which do you propose to do, enlist and get the bounty, or refuse, and be +obliged to go without anything?” I replied, “I think I shall wait a few +days before I decide.” “But we can’t wait for you to decide,” said the +captain; “the Yankees may be upon us any moment, for we are not far from +their lines, and we will leave here either to-night or in the morning +early. I will give you two hours to decide this question, and in the mean +time you must be put under guard.” So saying, he marched me back with him, +and gave me in charge of the guards. In two or three hours he came for my +decision, and I told him that I had concluded to wait until I was +conscripted. “Well,” said he, “you will not have long to wait for that, so +you may consider yourself a soldier of the Confederacy from this hour, and +subject to military discipline.”</p> + +<p>This seemed to me like pretty serious business, especially as I would be +required to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate Government. +However, I did not despair, but trusted in Providence and my own ingenuity +to escape from this dilemma also; and as I was not required to take the +oath until the company was filled up, I was determined to be among the +missing ere it became necessary for me to make any professions of loyalty +to the rebel cause. I knew that if I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> refuse to be sworn into the +service after I was conscripted, that in all probability my true character +would be suspected, and I would have to suffer the penalty of death—and +that, too, in the most barbarous manner.</p> + +<p>I was glad to find that it was a company of cavalry that was being +organized, for if I could once get on a good horse there would be some +hope of my escape. There was no time to be lost, as the captain remarked, +for the Yankees might make a dash upon us at any moment; consequently a +horse and saddle was furnished me, and everything was made ready for a +start immediately. Ten o’clock came, and we had not yet started. The +captain finally concluded that, as everything seemed quiet, we would not +start until daylight.</p> + +<p>Music and dancing was kept up all night, and it was some time after +daylight when the captain made his appearance. A few moments more and we +were trotting briskly over the country, the captain complimenting me upon +my horsemanship, and telling me how grateful I would be to him when the +war was over and the South had gained her independence, and that I would +be proud that I had been one of the soldiers of the Southern confederacy, +who had steeped my saber in Yankee blood, and driven the vandals from our +soil. “Then,” said he, “you will thank me for the interest which I have +taken in you, and for the <i>gentle persuasives</i> which I made use of to +stir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> up your patriotism and remind you of your duty to your country.”</p> + +<p>In this manner we had traveled about half an hour, when we suddenly +encountered a reconnoitering party of the Federals, cavalry in advance, +and infantry in the rear. A contest soon commenced; we were ordered to +advance in line, which we did, until we came within a few yards of the +Yankees.</p> + +<p>The company advanced, but my horse suddenly became unmanageable, and it +required a second or two to bring him right again; and before I could +overtake the company and get in line the contending parties had met in a +hand to hand fight.</p> + +<p>All were engaged, so that when I, by accident, got on the Federal side of +the line, none observed me for several minutes, except the Federal +officer, who had recognized me and signed to me to fall in next to him. +That brought me face to face with my rebel captain, to whom I owed such a +debt of gratitude. Thinking this would be a good time to cancel all +obligations in that direction, I discharged the contents of my pistol in +his face.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img11.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">PAYING A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.—Page 316.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>This act made me the center of attraction. Every rebel seemed determined +to have the pleasure of killing me first, and a simultaneous dash was made +toward me and numerous saber strokes aimed at my head. Our men with one +accord rushed between me and the enemy, and warded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> off the blows with +their sabers, and attacked them with such fury that they were driven back +several rods.</p> + +<p>The infantry now came up and deployed as skirmishers, and succeeded in +getting a position where they had a complete cross-fire on the rebels, and +poured in volley after volley until nearly half their number lay upon the +ground. Finding it useless to fight longer at such a disadvantage they +turned and fled, leaving behind them eleven killed, twenty-nine wounded, +and seventeen prisoners.</p> + +<p>The confederate captain was wounded badly but not mortally; his handsome +face was very much disfigured, a part of his nose and nearly half of his +upper lip being shot away. I was sorry, for the graceful curve of his +mustache was sadly spoiled, and the happy bride of the previous morning +would no longer rejoice in the beauty of that manly face and exquisite +mustache of which she seemed so proud, and which had captivated her heart +ere she had been three months a widow.</p> + +<p>Our men suffered considerable loss before the infantry came up, but +afterward scarcely lost a man. I escaped without receiving a scratch, but +my horse was badly cut across the neck with a saber, but which did not +injure him materially, only for a short time.</p> + +<p>After burying the dead, Federal and rebel, we returned to camp with our +prisoners and wounded,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> and I rejoiced at having once more escaped from +the confederate lines.</p> + +<p>I was highly commended by the commanding general for my coolness +throughout the whole affair, and was told kindly and candidly that I would +not be permitted to go out again in that vicinity, in the capacity of spy, +as I would most assuredly meet with some of those who had seen me desert +their ranks, and I would consequently be hung up to the nearest tree.</p> + +<p>Not having any particular fancy for such an exalted position, and not at +all ambitious of having my name handed down to posterity among the list of +those who “expiated their crimes upon the gallows,” I turned my attention +to more quiet and less dangerous duties.</p> + +<p>Then sweet thoughts of home came stealing over my mind, and I exclaimed:</p> + +<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">Adieu, dear land,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">With beauty teeming,</span><br /> +Where first I roved a careless child;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Of thee my heart</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Will e’er be dreaming—</span><br /> +Thy snow-clad peaks and mountains wild.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Dear land, that I cherish,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">O, long may’st thou flourish!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">My memory must perish</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Ere I forget thee.</span></p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">APPOINTED DETECTIVE—I VISIT LOUISVILLE—SECESH ACQUAINTANCES—SEEKING +EMPLOYMENT—PEDDLING—REBEL SPIES—ACTING AS CLERK—TRAPPING +SPIES—START FOR VICKSBURG—PRO-SLAVERY TROOPS—CRUELTY TO +NEGROES—VISITING HOSPITALS—TOUCHING SCENES—AN ARMLESS +SOLDIER—PATIENT SUFFERING—TRIUMPHANT DEATH—RALLY ROUND THE +FLAG—WESTERN CHAPLAINS—SOLDIERS’ TESTIMONY—EFFECT OF PRAYER IN +BATTLE—CARRYING THE WOUNDED.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Being</span> prohibited from further explorations in that region outside of our +lines, I was appointed to act as detective inside of the lines, as there +were many spies in our midst who were daily giving information to the +enemy, and had baffled all attempts at discovery.</p> + +<p>I forthwith dressed in citizen’s clothes and proceeded to Louisville, and +there mingled freely with the citizens, visited the different places of +public resort, and made many secesh acquaintances.</p> + +<p>At length I found a merchant who was the most bitter in his denunciations +of the Yankees that it has ever been my lot to meet, and I thought he +would be a pretty good person to assist me in my undertakings. Stepping +into his store one morning I inquired if he was in need of a clerk. He +replied that he would require help in a few days, as one of his clerks was +going to leave.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>Then came the interrogatory process—Who was I, where did I come from, and +what had brought me to that city? Well, I was a foreigner, and wishing to +see a little of this great American war, I had come “down South;” and now +that I was here, finding myself scarce of money, I would like to find some +employment. This was literally true. I was a foreigner, and very often +scarce of money, and really wished him to employ me.</p> + +<p>He finally told me that I might come in the course of a week; but that did +not suit my purpose, so I told him I would rather come at once, as I would +be learning considerable before the other clerk went away; adding that he +might give me just whatever he pleased for the first week’s work. That +seemed to suit him and I was at once set to work.</p> + +<p>After I had been there several days, I was asked how I would like to go +out to the nearest camp and sell some small articles to the soldiers. I +would like it much; so was sent accordingly with an assortment of pocket +knives, combs and suspenders. By the middle of the afternoon I had sold +out my stock in trade, returned to the store, and gave a good account of +myself and of the goods intrusted to my care.</p> + +<p>My employer was pleased with my success and seemed interested in me, and +each day brought some new proof of his confidence. Things went on this way +for two weeks, in which time I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> succeeded, by the good merchant’s +assistance, in finding a clue to three rebel spies then within our lines.</p> + +<p>I was often questioned by my employer with regard to my political +sentiments, but of course I did not know anything about politics—in fact +I hardly knew how to apply the terms Federal and Confederate, and often +misapplied them when talking in the store, and was frequently told that I +must not call the d—d Yankees, Confederates, and all due pains were taken +to instruct me, and give me a proper insight into the true state of +affairs, as seen by Southern secessionists.</p> + +<p>At last I expressed a desire to enter the Confederate service, and asked +the merchant how I should manage to get through the Yankee lines if I +should decide to take such a step. After a long conversation, and much +planning, we at last decided that I should go through our lines the next +night with a person who was considered by our troops a thorough Union man, +as he had taken the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government—but who +was in reality a rebel spy.</p> + +<p>That afternoon I was sent out again to dispose of some goods to the +soldiers, and while I was gone took the favorable opportunity of informing +the Provost Marshal of my intended escape the following night together +with my brother spy.</p> + +<p>After telling him that I might not be able to leave the store again with +any more definite <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>information without incurring suspicion, and that he +had better send some one to the store at a certain hour the next day to +purchase some trifle, so that I might inclose in the parcel the necessary +information, I went back to the store, and my clever employer told me that +I had better not trouble myself any more about anything, but get ready for +my journey. Having but little preparation to make, however, I soon +returned to the store.</p> + +<p>Not long after a gentleman came in, to whom I was introduced, and was told +that this was the person who proposed to conduct me through the lines. He +was not announced in his true character, but I understood at once that +this gentlemanly personage was no less than the spy before referred to. He +questioned me pretty sharply, but I being “slow of speech,” referred him +to the merchant, whose eloquence had convinced me of my duty to the +Southern confederacy.</p> + +<p>My employer stood beside me and gave him a brief history of our +acquaintance and of his confidence in me; also of his own peculiar faculty +of impressing the truth upon unprejudiced minds.</p> + +<p>The spy evidently took me for a poor green boy whom the merchant had +flattered into the idea of becoming a soldier, but who did not realize the +responsibility of my position, and I confirmed him in that opinion by +saying—“Well, I suppose if I don’t like soldiering they will let me go +home again?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>The Provost Marshal himself came in during the day, and I had my document +ready informing him what time we would start and what direction we were to +take.</p> + +<p>The night came, and we started about nine o’clock. As we walked along +toward the rebel lines the spy seemed to think that I was a true patriot +in the rebel cause, for he entertained me with a long conversation +concerning his exploits in the secret service; and of the other two who +were still in camp he said one of them was a sutler, and the other sold +photographs of our generals.</p> + +<p>We were pursuing our way in the darkness, talking in a low, confidential +tone, when suddenly a number of cavalry dashed upon us and took us both +prisoners. As soon as we were captured we were searched, and documents +found on my companion which condemned him as a spy. We were then marched +back to Louisville and put under guard. The next morning he was taken care +of, and I was sent to General M.’s headquarters.</p> + +<p>The next thing to be done was to find the other two spies. The sutler was +found and put under arrest, and his goods confiscated, but the dealer in +photographs had made his escape.</p> + +<p>I never dared go back to Louisville again, for I had ample reason to +believe that my life would pay the penalty if I did.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>About this time the Ninth Army Corps was ordered to Vicksburg, where +General Grant had already commenced his siege. While the troops waited at +the depot for transportation a little incident occurred which illustrates +the spirit of the Kentucky soldiers on the slavery question.</p> + +<p>Two of our Kentucky regiments were stationed as guards at the depot, and +on this occasion were amusing themselves by throwing stones at every poor +negro who had occasion to pass within a stone’s throw of them.</p> + +<p>A Michigan regiment marched into the depot on its way to Vicksburg, and +along with it some smart, saucy darkies, in the capacity of servants. The +native soldiers began the same game with them, by throwing stones at and +abusing them; but the Michigan men informed them that “if they did not +stop that kind of business immediately they would find more work on hand +than they could attend to,” as they considered their servants a necessary +part of their regiment, and would not permit them to be abused or insulted +any more than if they were white men.</p> + +<p>This gave rise to a warm discussion between the troops, and ended in the +Kentuckians forbidding and prohibiting the different regiments from taking +a negro with them from the State under any circumstances. Of course this +incensed our patriotic troops, and in five minutes they were in line of +battle arrayed against their pro-slavery brethren<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> in arms. But before +blood was shed the commander of the post was informed, and hastened to the +spot to prevent further mischief. When the case was fully made known to +him he could not settle the matter, for he was a Kentuckian by birth, and +his sympathies were with the native troops—yet he knew if he should +decide in their favor that a bloody fight would be the consequence, as the +troops still remained in line of battle awaiting the decision of the +commander. He finally told them that they must remain there until he +telegraphed to the headquarters of the department and received an answer. +Consequently the troops were detained two days waiting for the despatch +that would decide the contest. The men became tired of the fun and marched +back to camp.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this affair the poor negroes fared worse than ever, and +the troops had no sooner gone back to camp than the Kentuckians swore they +would hang every “nigger” that came into their camp.</p> + +<p>During the day I was passing through the depot, and saw a little black +urchin selling cakes and pies, who had no sooner made his appearance than +the guards took his basket away from him. The boy commenced to cry, when +four of the soldiers took hold of him, each one taking hold of a hand or +foot, and pulled him almost limb from limb—just as I have seen cruel +schoolboys torture frogs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> When they threw him on the ground he could +neither speak, cry, nor walk, but there he lay a little quivering, +convulsive heap of pain and misery.</p> + +<p>The telegram came at last, and the troops were permitted to depart in +peace—taking with them their colored friends, to the chagrin of the +Kentucky guards.</p> + +<p>Before reaching Vicksburg I visited several hospitals where the wounded +had been brought from those terrible battles preceding the siege of +Vicksburg, where thousands lay, with all conceivable sorts of wounds.</p> + +<p>Several I saw without either arms or legs, having been torn and mangled by +shell so that it was impossible to save even a single limb—and yet they +lived, and would probably recover.</p> + +<p>One handsome young man lay on one of the hospital boats who had lost both +arms—a most noble specimen of the patient, cheerful, suffering soldier.</p> + +<p>Of this young man the Rev. Mr. Savage writes: “There he lay upon his cot, +armless, and knowing that this must be his condition through life; but yet +with a cheerful, happy countenance, and not a single word of complaint. I +ministered to his wants, and as I cut up fruit in mouthfuls, and put them +in his mouth, he would say, ‘Well, now, how good that is! How kind of you! +The Lord will bless you for it. I don’t see why you are so kind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> to me. As +if any one could be too kind to a man who had suffered such a loss in +defense of his country. His soul seemed to be resting peacefully upon +Jesus amid all his great sufferings. One thing touched me exceedingly: As +I spoke of his feelings, the tears coursed down his cheeks and lay upon +them. He had no hands with which even to wipe away the tears from his own +face; and as I took a handkerchief and tenderly performed this office, +that beautiful passage of scripture occurred to me with a force it never +did before: ‘and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.’”</p> + +<p>Near by lay another young man, an officer, mortally wounded—fast +breathing his life away—he seemed unconscious of his dying state. I asked +the nurse, in a low whisper, if he knew he was dying, but before the nurse +could reply, he looked up with a smile, and said: “Yes, yes, I know it. +Praise God! there is not a cloud between my soul and Jesus. I am +waiting—I—waiting—.” These were his last words. A few moments more and +his tongue was silent in death.</p> + +<p class="poem">But he’s gone to rest in heaven above,<br /> +To sing his Saviour’s praise.</p> + +<p>One of the military agents at Nashville relates a most thrilling incident, +which he witnessed in a hospital at that place. He says:</p> + +<p>“Last evening, when passing by the post hospital, my attention was +arrested by the singing, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> rather a loud voice, of ‘Rally round the +flag, boys,’ by one of the patients inside. While listening to the +beautiful music of that popular song, I observed to a nurse standing in +the door-way, that the person singing must be in a very merry mood, and +could not be very sick. ‘You are mistaken, sir,’ said he; ‘the poor fellow +engaged in singing that good old song is now grappling with death—has +been dying all day. I am his nurse,’ he continued, ‘and the scene so +affected me that I was obliged to leave the room. He is just about +breathing his last.’</p> + +<p>“I stepped into the ward, and true enough, the brave man was near his end. +His eyes were already fixed in death. He was struggling with all his +remaining strength against the grim monster, while at the same time there +gushed forth from his patriotic soul incoherently the words: ‘Rally round +the flag, boys,’ which had so often cheered him through his weary march, +and braced him up when entering the field of blood in defense of his +country. Finally he sank away into his death-slumber, and joined his +Maker’s command, that is marching onward to that far-off, better land. The +last audible sound that escaped his lips was, ‘Rally boys, rally once +again!’ As his eyes were closing, some dozen of his comrades joined in a +solemn, yet beautiful hymn, appropriate to the occasion. Take it +altogether, this was one of the most affecting scenes I have ever +witnessed in a hospital. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> drew tears copiously from near one hundred of +us. It occurred in the large ward which occupies the entire body of the +church on Cherry street. The deceased was an Illinoisan, and had been +wounded in one of the recent skirmishes.”</p> + +<p>I noticed in the Western department that the chaplains were much more +faithful to their trust, and attentive to the sick and wounded, than the +chaplains in the Army of the Potomac—taking them as a class.</p> + +<p>One man in speaking of his chaplain, said: “He is one of the best men in +the world; he has a temperance meeting once a week, a prayer meeting twice +a week, and other meetings as he is able to hold them; and then he labors +personally among the men. He also comforts the sick and dying. I saw him +with one of our comrades before he died, watching and praying with him; +and when he died, he closed his eyes and prepared him for the grave with +his own hands.”</p> + +<p>Another said: “Over at Frederickstown, as our lines were beginning to give +way, and many thought the day was lost, our chaplain stepped right out +from the ranks, between us and the enemy’s lines, knelt down upon the +ground, and lifted up his voice in most earnest prayer to God for divine +help in that hour of need. I never felt so in all my life as I did at that +moment. An inspiration, as from God, seemed to seize us all; we rallied, +charged, drove the enemy before us, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> gained the important victory at +Frederickstown, which perhaps has saved to us the State of Mississippi.”</p> + +<p>And yet another soldier gave testimony like the following, with regard to +a chaplain who had followed his regiment through every battle in which it +had participated. Said he: “He was with us day after day, and as soon as a +man fell wounded, he would take him up in his arms and carry him out where +the surgeon could take care of him; and the last day I saw him, his +clothes, from head to foot, were literally dripping with the blood of dead +and wounded men that he had carried from the battle-field.”</p> + +<p>This noble chaplain reminds me of a brave soldier in the Army of the +Potomac, who was in the hottest of the battle at Antietam, where the +bullets were sweeping like death-hail through the ranks. The line wavered; +there were strong symptoms of falling back on the part of his regiment. +This man rushed toward the color-bearer, who stood hesitating, seized the +standard and advanced with firm and rapid step several paces in front of +the foremost man; then thrusting down the flag-staff into the ground he +looked up at the banner, then at the wavering line, and said—“There, +boys, come up to that!”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">A UNIONIST FROM THE REBEL ARMY—HIS TESTIMONY—SOUTHERN +HOSPITALS—PATRIOTISM—FEMALE RECRUITING—CRINOLINE—“SWEET LITTLE +MAN”—CONFEDERATE SYSTEM—NORTH AND SOUTH CONTRASTED—REBEL +IMPRESSMENT—BROTHERS’ CRUELTY—DYING FOR THE UNION—FATE OF A +TENNESSEE PATRIOT—ON THE MISSISSIPPI—INVISIBLE ATTRACTION—AN +IMPORTANT QUESTION—MORAL SUBLIMITY—CONTRABAND’S JUBILEE.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">At</span> one of the hospitals near Vicksburg I met a man who had served a year +in the Confederate army, having been conscripted by the rebels, and +remained that length of time before he found an opportunity to escape.</p> + +<p>He was an educated, and highly intelligent young man, and it was deeply +interesting to listen to his account of the Southern side of this +rebellion. He told me that the Southern people, and especially the ladies, +were much more patriotic than the people of the North.</p> + +<p>After a battle, the citizens, both men and women, come with one accord to +assist in taking care of the wounded; bringing with them, gratuitously, +every article of comfort and convenience that their means will admit, and +their patriotism suggest.</p> + +<p>Farmers come to the hospitals with loads of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>provisions, and the women +come with fruits, wines, jellies, etc., and cheerfully submit to the +hardships and fatigue of hospital labor without the slightest +remuneration. Said he: “The women down South are the best recruiting +officers—for they absolutely refuse to tolerate, or admit to their +society, any young man who refuses to enlist; and very often send their +lovers, who have not enlisted, skirts and crinoline, with a note attached, +suggesting the appropriateness of such a costume unless they donned the +Confederate uniform at once.”</p> + +<p>I have often thought of this trait of the Southern ladies’ character, and +contrasted it with the flattering receptions so lavishly bestowed upon our +able-bodied “home guards,” by the New-England fair ones who profess to +love the old flag and despise its enemies. And I have wondered if an +extensive donation of “crinoline” would not be more effectual in filling +up our ranks, than graceful bows and bewitching smiles. And I would mildly +suggest that each package of crinoline be accompanied by the following +appropriate lines:</p> + +<p class="poem">Now, while our soldiers are fighting our battles,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each at his post to do all that he can,</span><br /> +Down among rebels and contraband chattels,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What are <i>you</i> doing, my sweet little man?</span><br /> +<br /> +All the brave boys under canvas are sleeping,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All of them pressing to march with the van,</span><br /> +Far from their homes where their sweethearts are weeping;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What are <i>you</i> waiting for, sweet little man?</span><br /> +<br /> +You, with the terrible warlike mustaches,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fit for a colonel or chief of a clan,</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>You with the waist made for sword-belts and sashes,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where are your shoulder-straps, sweet little man?</span><br /> +<br /> +We send you the buttonless garments of woman!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cover your face lest it freckle or tan;</span><br /> +Muster the apron-string guards on the common—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is the corps for the sweet little man.</span><br /> +<br /> +All the fair maidens about him shall cluster,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pluck the white feathers from bonnet and fan,</span><br /> +Make him a plume like a turkey-wing duster—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is the crest for the sweet little man.</span><br /> +<br /> +Give him for escort a file of young misses,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each of them armed with a deadly rattan,</span><br /> +They shall defend him from laughter and hisses<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Aimed by low boys at the sweet little man.</span></p> + +<p>And now, while I am contrasting the conduct of the North and South, I may +as well give another testimony in favor of the confederate system.</p> + +<p>The following testimony comes from one who has served in the rebel army in +the capacity of surgeon. He says: “The confederate military authorities +have complete control of the press, so that nothing is ever allowed to +appear in print which can in any way give information to the North or +prove a clue to Southern movements. In this it appears to me that they +have an unspeakable advantage over the North, with its numberless papers +and hundreds of correspondents in the loyal army. With what the +correspondents tell and surmise, and what the Confederates find out +through spies and informers of various kinds, they are able to see through +many of the plans of the Union forces before they are put into execution.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +No more common remark did I hear than this as officers were reading the +Northern papers: ‘See what d—d fools those Yankees are. General A—— has +left B—— for C——. We will cut him off. Why the Northern generals or +the Secretary of War tolerate this freedom of news we cannot imagine.’”</p> + +<p>And he further adds: “Every daily paper I have read since I came North has +contained information, either by direct statement or implication, by which +the enemy can profit. If we meant to play into the hands of the rebels, we +could hardly do it more successfully than our papers are doing it daily. +Sure am I that if a Southern paper contained such information of their +movements as do the Northern of ours, the editor’s neck would not be safe +an hour. But some will say: ‘We often see information quoted from the +Southern papers of their movements.’ Never, until the movement has been +carried out. It is always safe to conclude, if you see in a Southern paper +any statement with regard to the movement of troops, or that the army is +about to do a certain thing, that it will not be done, but something +different.”</p> + +<p>Freedom of opinion and of the press is certainly a precious boon, but when +it endangers the lives of our soldiers and frustrates the plans of our +Government, surely it is time to adopt measures to control it, just as +much as it is necessary to arrest the spies who come within our lines.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span>Another relates the following touching incident of the Southern style of +increasing their army, and punishing offenders: “When the rebels were +raising a force in Eastern Tennessee, two brothers by the name of Rowland +volunteered. A younger brother was a Union man, and refusing to enlist, +was seized and forced into the army. He constantly protested against his +impressment, but without avail. He then warned them that he would desert +the first opportunity, as he would not fight against the cause of right +and good government. They were inexorable, and he was torn from his family +and hurried to the field. At the battle of Fort Donaldson, Rowland escaped +from the rebels in the second day’s fight, and immediately joined the +loyal army. Though now to fight against his own brothers, he felt that he +was in a righteous cause, and contending for a worthy end. In the battle +of Pittsburg Landing he was taken prisoner by the very regiment to which +he had formerly belonged. This sealed his fate. On his way to Corinth +several of his old comrades, among them his two brothers, attempted to +kill him, one of them nearly running him through with a bayonet. He was, +however, rescued by the guard, and brought to camp. Three days after the +retreating army had reached Corinth, General Hardee, in whose division was +the regiment claiming this man as a deserter, gave orders to have Rowland +executed. About four o’clock in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>afternoon, the same day, some ten +thousand Tennessee troops were drawn up in two parallel lines, facing +inward, three hundred yards apart. The doomed man, surrounded by the +guard, detailed from his own regiment to shoot him, marched with a firm +step into the middle of the space between the two lines of troops. Here +his grave was already dug, and a black pine coffin lay beside it. No +minister of religion offered to direct his thoughts to a gracious Saviour. +The sentence was read, and he was asked if he had anything to say why it +should not be executed. He spoke in a firm, decided tone, in a voice which +could be heard by many hundreds, and nearly in the following words: +‘Fellow-soldiers, Tennesseeans—I was forced into Southern service against +my will, and against my conscience. I told them I would desert the first +opportunity I found, and I did it. I was always a Union man, and never +denied it; and I joined the Union army to do all the damage I could to the +Confederates. I believe the Union cause is right, and will triumph. They +can kill me but once, and I am not afraid to die in a good cause. My only +request is, that you let my wife and family know that I died in supporting +my principles. My brothers there would shoot me if they had a chance, but +I forgive them. Now shoot me through the heart, that I may die instantly.’</p> + +<p>“After Rowland had ceased to speak, he took off hat, coat and neck-tie, +and laying his hand on his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> heart, he said, “Aim here.” The sergeant of +the guard advanced to tie his hands and blindfold him. He asked the +privilege of standing untied, but the request was not granted. His eyes +were bandaged, he knelt upon his coffin and engaged in prayer for several +minutes, and then said he was ready. The lieutenant of the guard then gave +the word, ‘Fire!’ and twenty-four muskets were discharged. When the smoke +lifted, the body had fallen backward, and was still. Several bullets had +passed through his head, and some through his heart. His body was tumbled +into the rough pine box, and was buried by the men who shot him.”</p> + +<p>Such was the fate of a Tennessee patriot, who was not afraid to declare +his love for the Union, and his faith in its final triumph, in the very +presence of some of the leading traitors, and of thousands of his +rebellious countrymen, a moment, before sealing his patriotism with his +blood.</p> + +<p>On board of a transport, on the Mississippi river, as we glided toward our +destination, I sat quietly listening to the variety of topics which was +being discussed around me, until a peculiarly sweet voice caused me to +turn and look in the direction from whence it proceeded.</p> + +<p>Reader, has your heart ever been taken by storm, in consequence of the +mere intonations of a voice—ere you beheld the individual who gave them +utterance? On this occasion, I turned and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> saw “one of God’s images cut in +ebony.” Time had wrinkled his face, and the frosts of four-score winters +had whitened his woolly locks, palsied his limbs, and dimmed his vision. +He had been a slave all his life, and now, at the eleventh hour, when “the +silver cord was almost loosed, and the golden bowl well nigh broken,” he +was liberated from bondage, and was rejoicing in freedom from slavery, and +in that freedom wherewith Christ makes His children free.</p> + +<p>By some invisible attraction, a large crowd gathered around this old, +decrepid slave, and every eye was fixed upon his sable withered face, as +he gave a brief and touching history of his slave life.</p> + +<p>When he had finished, the soldiers eagerly began to ask questions—but +suddenly the old colored man turned querist, and raising himself up, and +leaning forward toward the crowd, he asked, in a voice strangely thrilling +and solemn, “Are any of you soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ?”</p> + +<p>One looked at another with evident embarrassment; but at length some one +stammered out—“We don’t know exactly; that is a hard question, Uncle.” +“Oh no,” said he, “dat is not a hard question—if you be soldiers of +Christ you <i>know</i> it, you must know it; de Lord does not do His work so +poorly dat His people don’t know when it’s done. Now jes’ let me say a +word more: Dear soldiers—before eber you lebe dis boat—before eber you +go into anoder battle—enlist for Jesus;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> become soldiers ob de blessed +Redeemer, and you are safe; safe when de battle rages, safe when de chills +ob death come, safe when de world’s on fire.”</p> + +<p>One of the men, desirous of changing the conversation, said: “Uncle, are +you blind?” He replied: “Oh no, bless de Lord, I am not blind to de tings +ob de spirit. I see by an eye ob faith my blessed Saviour sitting at de +right hand ob God, and I’ll soon see Him more clearly, for Jesus loves dis +old blind darkie, and will soon take him home.”</p> + +<p>Now, when we talk of moral sublimity we are apt to point to Alexander +conquering the world, to Hannibal surmounting the Alps, to Cæsar crossing +the Rubicon, or to Lawrence wrapping himself in the American flag and +crying “Don’t give up the ship!” But in my opinion here was a specimen of +moral sublimity equal to anything that ever graced the pages of history or +was ever exhibited upon a battle-field—a poor old, blind, palsied slave, +resting upon the “Rock of Ages,” while the waves of affliction dashed like +mountains at his feet; yet, looking up to heaven, and trusting in the +great and precious promises, he gave glory to God, and triumphed over pain +and disease, rejoicing even in tribulation.</p> + +<p>While the old slave was talking to the soldiers a number of young darkies +came forward, and when the conversation ceased they all struck up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> the +following piece, and sang it with good effect:</p> + +<p class="poem">Oh, praise an’ tanks! De Lord he come<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To set de people free;</span><br /> +An’ massa tink it day ob doom,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">An’ we ob jubilee.</span><br /> +De Lord dat heap de Red Sea waves,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He jes’ as strong as den;</span><br /> +He say de word—we las’ night slaves,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To-day de Lord’s free men.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—De yam will grow, de cotton blow,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">We’ll hab de rice an’ corn,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 7em;">O nebber you fear if nebber you hear</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">De driber blow his horn.</span><br /> +<br /> +Ole massa on his trabbles gone<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He lebe de land behind;</span><br /> +De Lord’s breff blow him furder on,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Like corn-shuck in de wind.</span><br /> +We own de hoe, we own de plow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We own de hands dat hold;</span><br /> +We sell de pig, we sell de cow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But neber chile be sold.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—De yam will grow, etc.</span><br /> +<br /> +We know de promise nebber fail,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">An’ nebber lie de Word;</span><br /> +So, like de ’postles in de jail,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We waited for de Lord.</span><br /> +An’ now He open ebery door,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">An’ trow away de key,</span><br /> +He tink we lub Him so before,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We lub Him better free.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span>—De yam will grow, etc.</span></p> + +<p>Then a collection was taken up among the soldiers and presented to the old +blind colored man, who wept with delight as he received it, for said +he—“I hab no home, no money, an’ no friend, but de Lord Jesus.”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">ARRIVAL AT VICKSBURG—ITS SURROUNDINGS—GRANT’S ARMY—ASSAULT ON THE +REBEL WORKS—THE SEVEN COLOR-BEARERS—PEMBERTON’S HARANGUE—IN THE +TRENCHES—SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED—PEMBERTON’S PROPOSED +CAPITULATION—GRANT’S REPLY—TERMS OF SURRENDER—OCCUPATION OF THE +CITY—LOSS OF THE ENEMY—COMPLIMENTARY LETTER—GRANT’S +SUCCESS—ATTACHMENT OF HIS SOLDIERS—“FIGHTING DICK”—GOLD LACE—REBEL +SUFFERINGS—SIGHTS IN VICKSBURG—INCIDENTS OF THE SIEGE—CAVE LIFE.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Our</span> troops at length joined General Grant’s army near Vicksburg, where +those veterans had been digging and fighting so many weeks.</p> + +<p>The city of Vicksburg is nestled among numerous terraced hills, and would +under other circumstances present a magnificent and romantic appearance; +but I could not at that time realize its beauty, for the knowledge of the +sufferings and distress of thousands within its walls detracted materially +from its outward grandeur.</p> + +<p>The enemy’s works had consisted of a series of redoubts extending from +Haines’ Bluff to the Warrenton road, a distance of some ten miles. It was +a vast plateau, upon which a multitude of little hills seemed to have been +sown broadcast, giving the enemy a position from which it could sweep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +every neighboring crest and enfilade every approach. But the rebels had +already been driven from this position after a severe struggle.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-second of May, at two o’clock in the morning, heavy guns +were opened upon the rebel works, and continued until ten o’clock, when a +desperate assault was made by three corps moving simultaneously. After a +severe engagement and heavy loss the flag of the Seventh Missouri was +planted on one of the rebel parapets, after seven color-bearers had been +shot down.</p> + +<p>After this contest the rebel general, Pemberton, addressed his men as +follows: “You have heard that I was incompetent and a traitor, and that it +was my intention to sell Vicksburg. Follow me, and you will see the cost +at which I will sell Vicksburg. When the last pound of beef, bacon and +flour, the last grain of corn, the last cow and hog, horse and dog shall +have been consumed, and the last man shall have perished in the trenches, +then, and not till then, will I sell Vicksburg.”</p> + +<p>It became evident that the works could not be carried by assault, and that +nothing but a regular siege could reduce the fortifications.</p> + +<p>While the siege was in progress our soldiers endured hardships, privations +and sufferings which words can but inadequately express. Our men were +closely packed in the trenches, often in water to the knees, and not +daring to lift their heads above the brow of the rifle pits, as the rebel +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>sharpshooters lost no time in saluting every unfortunate head which made +its appearance above ground.</p> + +<p>The sufferings of the wounded were extreme. Those who were wounded during +the day in the trenches nearest the city could not be removed until the +curtain of night fell upon the scene and screened them from the vigilant +eye of the enemy.</p> + +<p>General Grant steadily approached the doomed city by means of saps and +mines, and continued to blow up their defenses, until it was evident that +another day’s work would complete the capture of the city.</p> + +<p>Such was the position of affairs on the third of July, when General +Pemberton proposed an armistice and capitulation.</p> + +<p>Major General Bowen, of the Confederate army, was the bearer of a despatch +to General Grant, under a flag of truce, proposing the surrender of the +city, which was as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Headquarters, Vicksburg,</span><br /> +<i>July 3d, 1863</i>.</p> + +<p>Major General Grant, commanding United States forces:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">General</span>—I have the honor to propose to you an armistice for—hours, +with a view of arranging terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To +this end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three commissioners to +meet a like number to be named by yourself, at such place and hour +to-day as you may find convenient. I make this proposition to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> save +the farther effusion of blood, which must otherwise be shed to a +frightful extent, feeling myself fully able to maintain my position +for a yet indefinite period. This communication will be handed to you, +under flag of truce, by Major General James Bowen.</p> + +<p>Very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">J. C. PEMBERTON.</span></p></div> + +<p>To which General Grant replied:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Headquarters, Department of Tennessee</span>,<br /> +In the Field, near Vicksburg,<br /> +<i>July 3d, 1863</i>.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant General J. C. Pemberton, commanding Confederate forces, +etc.:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">General</span>—Your note of this date, just received, proposes an armistice +of several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of capitulation, +through commissioners to be appointed, etc. The effusion of blood you +propose stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may +choose by an unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Men who +have shown so much endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg +will always challenge the respect of an adversary, and, I can assure +you, will be treated with all the respect due them as prisoners of +war. I do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to +arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no other terms than +those indicated above.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">U. S. GRANT.</span></p></div> + +<p>Then the following document was made out by General Grant, and submitted +for acceptance:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">General</span>—In conformity with the agreement of this afternoon, I will submit +the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, +public stores, etc. On your accepting the terms proposed, I will march in +one division, as a guard, and take possession at eight o’clock to-morrow +morning. As soon as paroles can be made out and signed by the officers and +men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking +with them their regimental clothing, and staff, field and cavalry +officers, one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their +clothing, but no other property. If these conditions are accepted, any +amount of rations you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores you +now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for preparing them; +thirty wagons also, counting two two-horse or mule teams as one. You will +be allowed to transport such articles as cannot be carried along. The same +conditions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and privates +as fast as they become able to travel. The paroles for these latter must +be signed, however, whilst officers are present authorized to sign the +roll of prisoners.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>After some further correspondence on both sides this proposition was +accepted, and on the fourth of July the Federals took possession of the +city of Vicksburg.</p> + +<p>A paragraph from General Grant’s official despatch will best explain the +result of his campaign, together with the surrender of Vicksburg: “The +defeat of the enemy in five battles outside of Vicksburg, the occupation +of Jackson, the capital of the State of Mississippi, and the capture of +Vicksburg and its garrison and munitions of war, a loss to the enemy of +thirty-seven thousand prisoners, among whom were fifteen general officers, +at least ten thousand killed and wounded, and among the killed Generals +Tracy, Tilghman and Green, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of stragglers, +who can never be collected and organized. Arms and munitions of war for an +army of sixty thousand have fallen into our hands, besides a large amount +of other public property, consisting of railroads, locomotives, cars, +steamboats, cotton, etc., and much was destroyed to prevent our capturing +it.”</p> + +<p>On the thirteenth of July the President sent an autograph letter to +General Grant, of which the following is a copy:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Executive Mansion, Washington</span>,<br /> +<i>July 13th, 1863</i>.</p> + +<p>To Major General Grant:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear General</span>—I do not remember that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> you and I ever met +personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the +almost inestimable service you have done the country. I wish to say a +word further. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg I +thought you should do what you finally did—march the troops across +the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; +and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew better +than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition and the like could succeed. +When you got below and took Port Gipson, Grand Gulf and vicinity, I +thought you should go down the river and join Banks; and when you +turned northward, east of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I +now wish to make a personal acknowledgment that you were right and I +was wrong.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Yours, very truly,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">A. LINCOLN.</span></p></div> + +<p>It is stated on good authority that at the time the news of Grant’s +success reached the President, there were several gentlemen present some +of whom had just been informing Mr. Lincoln that there were great +complaints against General Grant with regard to his intemperate habits. +After reading the telegram announcing the fall of Vicksburg, the President +turned to his anxious friends of the temperance question and said:</p> + +<p>“So I understand Grant drinks whiskey to excess?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>“Yes,” was the reply.</p> + +<p>“What whiskey does he drink?”</p> + +<p>“What whiskey?” doubtfully queried his hearers.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Is it Bourbon or Monongahela?”</p> + +<p>“Why do you ask, Mr. President?”</p> + +<p>“Because if it makes him win victories like that at Vicksburg, I will send +a demijohn of the same kind to every general in the army.”</p> + +<p>It is also stated on the same authority that General Grant is strictly +temperate.</p> + +<p>His men are almost as much attached to him as are the Army of the Potomac +to General McClellan. He is a true soldier, and shares all the hardships +with his men, sleeping on the ground in the open air, and eating hard +bread and salt pork with as good a grace as any private soldier.</p> + +<p>He seldom wears a sword, except when absolutely necessary, and frequently +wears a semi-military coat and low crowned hat.</p> + +<p>The mistakes which people used to make, when coming to headquarters to see +the general, often reminded me of a genuine anecdote which is told of +General Richardson, or “Fighting Dick,” as we familiarly called him. It +occurred when the troops were encamped near Washington, and was as +follows:</p> + +<p>The general was sauntering along toward a fort, which was in course of +erection not far from headquarters, dressed in his usual uniform for +fatigue, namely: citizen’s pants, undress coat, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> an old straw hat +which had once been white, but was now two or three shades nearer the +general’s own complexion.</p> + +<p>Along came one of those dashing city staff officers, in white gloves, and +trimmed off with gold lace to the very extreme of military regulations. He +was in search of General Richardson, but did not know him personally. +Reining up his horse some little distance from the general, he shouted: +“hallo, old fellow! can you tell me where General Richardson’s +headquarters are?”</p> + +<p>The general pointed out the tent to him, and the young officer went +dashing along, without ever saying “thank you.” The general then turned on +his heel and went back to his tent, where he found the officer making a +fuss because there was no orderly to hold his horse. Turning to General +R., as he came up, he said: “Won’t you hold my horse while I find General +R.?” “Oh yes, certainly,” said he.</p> + +<p>After hitching the horse to a post near by for that purpose, the general +walked into the tent, and, confronting young pomposity, he said in his +peculiar twang, “Well, sir, what will you have?”</p> + +<p>When the Federal troops marched into Vicksburg, what a heart-sickening +sight it presented; the half-famished inhabitants had crawled from their +dens and caves in the earth, to find their houses demolished by shell, and +all their pleasant places laid waste.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>But the appearance of the soldiers as they came from the entrenchments +covered with mud and bespattered with the blood of their comrades who had +been killed or wounded, would have touched a heart of stone.</p> + +<p>The poor horses, and mules, too, were a sad sight, for they had fared even +worse than the soldiers—for there was no place of safety for them—not +even entrenchments, and they had scarcely anything at all to eat for +weeks, except mulberry leaves.</p> + +<p>One man, in speaking of the state of affairs in the city, during the +siege, said: “The terror of the women and children, their constant screams +and wailings over the dead bodies of their friends, mingled as they were +with the shrieks of bursting shell, and the pitiful groans of the dying, +was enough to appall the stoutest heart.” And others said it was a strange +fact that the women could not venture out of their caves a moment without +either being killed or wounded, while the men and officers walked or rode +about with but little loss of life comparatively.</p> + +<p>A lady says: “Sitting in my cave, one evening, I heard the most +heart-rending shrieks and groans, and upon making inquiry, I was told that +a mother had taken her child into a cave about a hundred yards from us, +and having laid it on its little bed, as the poor woman thought, in +safety, she took her seat near the entrance of the cave. A <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>mortar-shell +came rushing through the air, and fell upon the cave, and bursting in the +ground entered the cave; a fragment of the shell mashed the head of the +little sleeper, crushing out the young life, and leaving the distracted +mother to pierce the heavens with her cries of agony.”</p> + +<p>How blightingly the hand of war lay upon that once flourishing city! The +closed and desolate houses, the gardens with open gates, and the poor, +starving mules, standing amid the flowers, picking off every green leaf, +to allay their hunger, presented a sad picture.</p> + +<p>I will give the following quotation as a specimen of cave life in +Vicksburg: “I was sitting near the entrance of my cave about five o’clock +in the afternoon, when the bombardment commenced more furiously than +usual, the shells falling thickly around us, causing vast columns of earth +to fly upward, mingled with smoke. As usual, I was uncertain whether to +remain within, or to run out. As the rocking and trembling of the earth +was distinctly felt, and the explosions alarmingly near, I stood within +the mouth of the cave ready to make my escape, should one chance to fall +above our domicile.</p> + +<p>“In my anxiety I was startled by the shouts of the servants, and a most +fearful jar and rocking of the earth, followed by a deafening explosion, +such as I had never heard before. The cave filled instantly with smoke and +dust. I stood there, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> a tingling, prickling sensation in my head, +hands and feet, and with confused brain. Yet alive! was the first glad +thought that came to me—child, servants, all here, and saved!</p> + +<p>“I stepped out and found a group of persons before my cave, looking +anxiously for me, and lying all around were freshly-torn rose bushes, +arborvitæ trees, large clods of earth, splinters, and pieces of plank.</p> + +<p>“A mortar-shell had struck the corner of the cave; fortunately, so near +the brow of the hill, that it had gone obliquely into the earth, exploding +as it went, breaking large masses from the side of the hill—tearing away +the fence, the shrubbery and flowers—sweeping all like an avalanche down +near the entrance of my poor refuge.</p> + +<p>“On another occasion I sat reading in safety, I imagined, when the +unmistakable whirring of Parrott shells told us that the battery we so +much dreaded had opened from the entrenchments. I ran to the entrance to +call the servants in. Immediately after they entered a shell struck the +earth a few feet from the entrance, burying itself without exploding.</p> + +<p>“A man came in, much frightened, and asked permission to remain until the +danger was over. He had been there but a short time when a Parrott shell +came whirling in at the entrance and fell in the center of the cave before +us, and lay there, the fuse still smoking.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>“Our eyes were fastened upon that terrible missile of death as by the +fascination of a serpent, while we expected every moment that the terrific +explosion would take place. I pressed my child closer to my heart and drew +nearer the wall. Our fate seemed certain—our doom was sealed.</p> + +<p>“Just at this dreadful moment, George, a negro boy, rushed forward, seized +the shell, and threw it into the street, then ran swiftly in the opposite +direction.</p> + +<p>“Fortunately the fuse became extinguished and the shell fell harmless to +the ground, and is still looked upon as a monument of terror.”</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">WESTERN GIBRALTAR—THE “LEAD MINERS”—THE PALMETTO EXCHANGED FOR THE +STARS AND STRIPES—ENTHUSIASM OF TROOPS—SUFFERINGS FORGOTTEN—I AM +ATTACKED BY FEVER—UNFIT FOR DUTY—“VICKSBURG IS OURS”—SPIRIT +YEARNINGS—“ROCK ME TO SLEEP MOTHER”—IMPOSITION OF STEAMBOAT +OFFICERS—GRANT’S CARE FOR HIS MEN—BURSTING OF A SHELL IN +CAMP—CONSEQUENCES—SPEECHLESS AGONY—I AM RELEASED FROM DUTY—MY TRIP +TO CAIRO—MISS MARY SAFFORD—ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">It</span> was a proud day for the Union army when General U. S. Grant marched his +victorious troops into the rebel Sebastopol—or “the western Gibraltar,” +as the rebels were pleased to term it.</p> + +<p>The troops marched in triumphantly, the Forty-fifth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> Illinois, the “lead +miners,” leading the van, and as they halted in front of the fine white +marble Court House, and flung out the National banner to the breeze, and +planted the battle-worn flags bearing the dear old stars and +stripes—where the “palmetto” had so recently floated—then went up +tremendous shouts of triumphant and enthusiastic cheers, which were caught +up and re-echoed by the advancing troops until all was one wild scene of +joy; and the devastated city and its miserable inhabitants were forgotten +in the triumph of the hour.</p> + +<p>This excitement proved too much for me, as I had been suffering from fever +for several days previous, and had risen from my cot and mounted my horse +for the purpose of witnessing the crowning act of the campaign. Now it was +over, and I was exhausted and weak as a child.</p> + +<p>I was urged to go to a hospital, but refused; yet at length I was obliged +to report myself unfit for duty, but still persisted in sitting up most of +the time. Oh what dreary days and nights I passed in that dilapidated +city! A slow fever had fastened itself upon me, and in spite of all my +fortitude and determination to shake it off, I was each day becoming more +surely its victim.</p> + +<p>I could not bear the shouts of the men, or their songs of triumph which +rung out upon every breeze—one of which I can never forget, as I heard it +sung until my poor brain was distracted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> and in my hours of delirium I +kept repeating “Vicksburg is ours,” “Vicksburg is ours,” in a manner more +amusing than musical.</p> + +<p>I will here quote a few verses which I think are the same:</p> + +<p class="poem">Hark! borne upon the Southern breeze,<br /> +As whispers breathed above the trees,<br /> +Or as the swell from off the seas,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">In summer showers,</span><br /> +Fall softly on the ears of men<br /> +Strains sweetly indistinct, and then—<br /> +Hist! listen! catch the sound again—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">“Vicksburg is ours!”</span><br /> +<br /> +O’er sea-waves beating on the shore,<br /> +’Bove the thunder-storm and tempest o’er,<br /> +O’er cataracts in headlong roar,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">High, high it towers.</span><br /> +O’er all the breastworks and the moats,<br /> +The Starry Flag in triumph floats,<br /> +And heroes thunder from’ their throats<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">“Vicksburg is ours!”</span><br /> +<br /> +Spread all your banners in the sky,<br /> +The sword of victory gleams on high,<br /> +Our conquering eagles upward fly,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">And kiss the stars;</span><br /> +For Liberty the Gods awake,<br /> +And hurl the shattered foes a wreck,<br /> +The Northern arms make strong to break<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">The Southern bars.</span><br /> +<br /> +All honor to the brave and true<br /> +Who fought the bloody battles through,<br /> +And from the ramparts victory drew<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Where Vicksburg cowers;</span><br /> +And o’er the trenches, o’er the slain,<br /> +Through iron hail and leaden rain,<br /> +Still plunging onward, might and main,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Made Vicksburg ours.</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>I think I realized, in those hours of feverish restlessness and pain, the +heart-yearnings for the touch of a mother’s cool hand upon my brow, which +I had so often heard the poor sick and wounded soldiers speak of. Oh how I +longed for one gentle caress from her loving hand! and when I would +sometimes fall into a quiet slumber, and forget my surroundings, I would +often wake up and imagine my mother sat beside me, and would only realize +my sad mistake when looking in the direction I supposed her to be, there +would be seen some great bearded soldier, wrapped up in an overcoat, +smoking his pipe.</p> + +<p>The following lines in some measure express my spirit-longings for the +presence of my mother in those nights of torturing fever and days of +languor and despondency:</p> + +<p class="poem">Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight;<br /> +Make me a child again, just for to-night!<br /> +Mother, O come from the far-distant shore,<br /> +Take me again to your heart as of yore;<br /> +Over my slumbers your loving watch keep—<br /> +Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="spacer">*</span><span class="spacer">*</span><span class="spacer">*</span><span class="spacer">*</span><span class="spacer">*</span><span class="spacer">*</span></span><br /> +Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years!<br /> +I am so weary of toils and of tears,<br /> +Toil without recompense—tears all in vain—<br /> +Take them, and give me my childhood again.<br /> +I have grown weary of warfare and strife,<br /> +Weary of bartering my health and my life,<br /> +Weary of sowing for others to reap—<br /> +Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep.</p> + +<p>After the fall of Vicksburg a large proportion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> of the soldiers in that +vicinity, who had fought so bravely, endured so many hardships, and lain +in the entrenchments so many weary weeks during the siege, were permitted +to visit their homes on furlough.</p> + +<p>In view of this General Grant issued a special order forbidding steamboat +officers to charge more than five dollars to enlisted men, and seven +dollars to officers, as fare between Vicksburg and Cairo. Notwithstanding +this order the captains of steamers were in the habit of charging from +fifteen to thirty dollars apiece.</p> + +<p>On one occasion one of those steamers had on board an unusually large +number of soldiers, said to be over one thousand enlisted men and nearly +two hundred and fifty officers, <i>en route</i> for home on leave of absence; +and all had paid from twenty to twenty-five dollars each. But just as the +boat was about to push off from the wharf an order came from General Grant +requiring the money to be refunded to men and officers over and above the +stipulated sum mentioned in a previous order, or the captain to have his +boat confiscated and submit himself to imprisonment for disobedience of +orders. Of course the captain handed over the money, and amid cheers for +General Grant, sarcastic smiles, and many amusing and insinuating speeches +and doubtful compliments to the captain, the men pocketed the recovered +“greenbacks,” and went on their way rejoicing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>When the General was told of the imposition practiced by the boatmen on +his soldiers, he replied: “I will teach them, if they need the lesson, +that the men who have periled their lives to open the Mississippi for +their benefit cannot be imposed upon with impunity.”</p> + +<p>A noble trait in the character of this brave general is that he looks +after the welfare of his men as one who has to give an account of his +stewardship, or of those intrusted to his care.</p> + +<p>I remained in my tent for several days, not being able to walk about, or +scarcely able to sit up. I was startled one day from my usual quietude by +the bursting of a shell which had lain in front of my tent, and from which +no danger was apprehended; yet it burst at a moment when a number of +soldiers were gathered round it—and oh, what sad havoc it made of those +cheerful, happy boys of a moment previous! Two of them were killed +instantly and four were wounded seriously, and the tent where I lay was +cut in several places with fragments of shell, the tent poles knocked out +of their places, and the tent filled with dust and smoke.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img12.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">EXPLOSION OF A SHELL—Page 358.</p> +<p> </p> + +<p>One poor colored boy had one of his hands torn off at the wrist; and of +all the wounded that I have ever seen I never heard such unearthly yells +and unceasing lamentations as that boy poured forth night and day; ether +and chloroform were alike unavailing in hushing the cries of the poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> +sufferer. At length the voice began to grow weaker, and soon afterwards +ceased altogether; and upon making inquiry I found he had died groaning +and crying until his voice was hushed in death.</p> + +<p>The mother and sister of one of the soldiers who was killed by the +explosion of the shell arrived a short time after the accident occurred, +and it was truly a most pitiful sight to see the speechless grief of those +stricken ones as they sat beside the senseless clay of that beloved son +and brother.</p> + +<p>All my soldierly qualities seemed to have fled, and I was again a poor, +cowardly, nervous, whining woman; and as if to make up for lost time, and +to give vent to my long pent up feelings, I could do nothing but weep hour +after hour, until it would seem that my head was literally a fountain of +tears and my heart one great burden of sorrow. All the horrid scenes that +I had witnessed during the past two years seemed now before me with vivid +distinctness, and I could think of nothing else.</p> + +<p>It was under these circumstances that I made up my mind to leave the army; +and when once my mind is made up on any subject I am very apt to act at +once upon that decision. So it was in this case. I sent for the surgeon +and told him I was not able to remain longer—that I would certainly die +if I did not leave immediately.</p> + +<p>The good old surgeon concurred in my opinion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> and made out a certificate +of disability, and I was forthwith released from further duty as “Nurse +and Spy” in the Federal army.</p> + +<p>The very next day I embarked for Cairo, and on my arrival there I procured +female attire, and laid aside forever (perhaps) my military uniform; but I +had become so accustomed to it that I parted with it with much reluctance.</p> + +<p>While in Cairo I had the pleasure of seeing the celebrated Miss Mary +Safford, of whom so much has been said and written.</p> + +<p>One writer gives the following account of her, which is correct with +regard to personal appearance, and I have no doubt is correct throughout:</p> + +<p>“I cannot close this letter without a passing word in regard to one whose +name is mentioned by thousands of our soldiers with gratitude and +blessing.</p> + +<p>“Miss Mary Safford is a resident of this town, whose life, since the +beginning of this war, has been devoted to the amelioration of the +soldier’s lot and his comfort in the hospital.</p> + +<p>“She is a young lady, <i>petite</i> in figure, unpretending, but highly +cultivated, by no means officious, and so wholly unconscious of her +excellencies and the great work that she is achieving, that I fear this +public allusion to her may pain her modest nature.</p> + +<p>“Her sweet young face, full of benevolence, her pleasant voice and winning +manner, install her in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> every one’s heart directly; and the more one sees +of her the more they admire her great soul and noble nature.</p> + +<p>“Not a day elapses but she is found in the hospitals, unless indeed she is +absent on an errand of mercy up the Tennessee, or to the hospitals in +Kentucky.</p> + +<p>“Every sick and wounded soldier in Cairo knows and loves her, and, as she +enters the ward, every pale face brightens at her approach. As she passes +along she inquires of each one how he had passed the night, if he is well +supplied with books and tracts, and if there is anything she can do for +him. All tell her their story frankly—the old man old enough to be her +father, and the boy in his teens, all confide in her.</p> + +<p>“For one she must write a letter to his friend at home; she must sit down +and read at the cot of another; must procure, if the surgeon will allow +it, this or that article of food for a third; must soothe and encourage a +fourth who desponds and is ready to give up his hold on life; must pray +for a fifth who is afraid to die, and wrestle for him till light shines +through the dark valley; and so on, varied as may be the personal or +spiritual wants of the sufferers.</p> + +<p>“Surgeons, nurses, medical directors, and army officers, are all her true +friends, and so judicious and trustworthy is she, that the Chicago +Sanitary Commission have given her <i>carte blanche</i> to draw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> on their +stores at Cairo for anything she may need in her errands of mercy in the +hospitals.</p> + +<p>“She is performing a noble work, and that too in the most quiet and +unassuming manner.”</p> + +<p>From Cairo I went to Washington, where I spent several weeks, until I +recovered from my fever and was able to endure the fatigue of traveling. +Then after visiting the hospitals once more, and bidding farewell to old +scenes and associations, I returned to my friends to recruit my shattered +health.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">REVIEW OF HOSPITAL AND CAMP LIFE—QUESTIONS ANSWERED—BEHIND THE +SCENES—BLESSED EMPLOYMENT—LIVING PAST SCENES OVER AGAIN—MY MOST +IMPORTANT LABORS—MOTHER AND SON—STRANGE POWER OF SYMPATHY—HERO’S +REPOSE—OFFICERS AND MEN—THE BRAVEST ARE KINDEST—GENERAL +SEDGWICK—BATTLE SCENES—MR. ALVORD’S DESCRIPTION—VOLUNTEER +SURGEONS—HEART SICKENING SIGHTS—AN AWFUL PICTURE—FEMALE +NURSES—SENTIMENTAL—PATRIOTIC—MEDICAL DEPARTMENT—YOUNG +SURGEONS—ANECDOTES.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Since</span> I returned to New England there have been numerous questions asked +me with regard to hospitals, camp life, etc., which have not been fully +answered in the preceding narrative, and I have thought that perhaps it +would not be out of place to devote a chapter to that particular object.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span>One great question is: “Do the soldiers get the clothing and delicacies +which we send them—or is it true that the surgeons, officers and nurses +appropriate them to their own use?”</p> + +<p>In reply to this question I dare not assert that all the things which are +sent to the soldiers are faithfully distributed, and reach the individuals +for whom they were intended. But I have no hesitation in saying that I +have reason to believe that the cases are very rare where surgeons or +nurses tamper with those articles sent for the comfort of the sick and +wounded.</p> + +<p>If the ladies of the Soldiers’ Aid Societies and other benevolent +organizations could have seen even the quantity which I have seen with my +own eyes distributed, and the smile of gratitude with which those supplies +are welcomed by the sufferers, they would think that they were amply +rewarded for all their labor in preparing them.</p> + +<p>Just let those benevolent hearted ladies imagine themselves in my place +for a single day; removing blood-clotted and stiffened woollen garments +from ghastly wounds, and after applying the sponge and water remedy, +replacing those coarse, rough shirts by nice, cool, clean linen ones, then +dress the wounds with those soft white bandages and lint; take from the +express box sheet after sheet, and dainty little pillows with their snowy +cases, until you have the entire hospital supplied and every cot looking +clean and inviting to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> weary, wounded men—then as they are carried +and laid upon those comfortable beds, you will often see the tears of +gratitude gush forth, and hear the earnest “God bless the benevolent +ladies who send us these comforts.”</p> + +<p>Then, after the washing and clothing process is gone through with, the +nice wine or Boston crackers are brought forward, preserved fruits, wines, +jellies, etc., and distributed as the different cases may require.</p> + +<p>I have spent whole days in this blessed employment without realizing +weariness or fatigue, so completely absorbed would I become in my work, +and so rejoiced in having those comforts provided for our brave, suffering +soldiers.</p> + +<p>Time and again, since I have been engaged in writing this little +narrative, I have thrown down my pen, closed my eyes, and lived over again +those hours which I spent in ministering to the wants of those noble men, +and have longed to go back and engage in the same duties once more.</p> + +<p>I look back now upon my hospital labors as being the most important and +interesting in my life’s history. The many touching incidents which come +to my mind as I recall those thrilling scenes make me feel as if I should +never be satisfied until I had recorded them all, so that they might never +be forgotten. One occurs to my mind now which I must not omit:</p> + +<p>“In one of the fierce engagements with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> rebels near Mechanicsville, a +young lieutenant of a Rhode Island battery had his right foot so shattered +by a fragment of shell that on reaching Washington, after one of those +horrible ambulance rides, and a journey of a week’s duration, he was +obliged to undergo amputation.</p> + +<p>“He telegraphed home, hundreds of miles away, that all was going on well, +and with a soldier’s fortitude composed his mind and determined to bear +his sufferings alone. Unknown to him, however, his mother—one of those +dear reserves of the army—hastened up to join the main force. She reached +the city at midnight, and hastened to the hospital, but her son being in +such a critical condition, the nurses would have kept her from him until +morning. One sat by his side fanning him as he slept, her hand on the +feeble, fluctuating pulsations which foreboded sad results. But what +woman’s heart could resist the pleading of a mother at such a moment? In +the darkness she was finally allowed to glide in and take the nurse’s +place at his side. She touched his pulse as the nurse had done. Not a word +had been spoken; but the sleeping boy opened his eyes and said: ‘That +feels like my mother’s hand! Who is this beside me? It is my mother; turn +up the gas and let me see mother!’ The two loving faces met in one long, +joyful, sobbing embrace, and the fondness pent up in each heart wept forth +its own language.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span>“The gallant fellow underwent operation after operation, and at last, when +death drew near, and he was told by tearful friends that it only remained +to make him comfortable, he said he ‘had looked death in the face too many +times to be afraid now,’ and died as gallantly as did the men of the +Cumberland.”</p> + +<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">When a hero goes</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Unto his last repose,</span><br /> +When earth’s trump of fame shall wake him no more;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">When in the heavenly land</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Another soul doth stand,</span><br /> +Who perished for a Nation ere he reached the shore;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Whose eyes should sorrow dim?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Say, who should mourn for him?</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Mourn for the traitor—mourn</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">When honor is forsworn;</span><br /> +When the base wretch sells his land for gold,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Stands up unblushingly</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">And boasts his perfidy,</span><br /> +Then, then, O patriots! let your grief be told<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">But when God’s soldier yieldeth up his breath,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">O mourn ye not for him! it is not death!</span></p> + +<p>Another question is frequently asked me—“Are not the private soldiers +cruelly treated by the officers?” I never knew but a very few instances of +it, and then it was invariably by mean, cowardly officers, who were not +fit to be in command of so many mules. I have always noticed that the +bravest and best fighting officers are the kindest and most forbearing +toward their men.</p> + +<p>An interesting anecdote is told of the late brave General Sedgwick, which +illustrates this fact:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>“One day, while on a march, one of our best soldiers had fallen exhausted +by fatigue and illness, and lay helpless in the road, when an officer came +dashing along in evident haste to join his staff in advance.</p> + +<p>“It was pitiable to see the effort the poor boy made to drag his unwilling +limbs out of the road. He struggled up only to sink back with a look that +asked only the privilege of lying there undisturbed to die.</p> + +<p>“In an instant he found his head pillowed on an arm as gentle as his +far-away mother’s might have been, and a face bent over him expressive of +the deepest pity.</p> + +<p>“It is characteristic of our brave boys that they say but little. The +uncomplaining words of the soldier in this instance were few, but +understood.</p> + +<p>“The officer raised him in his arms and placed him in his own saddle, +supporting the limp and swaying figure by one firm arm, while with the +other he curbed the step of his impatient horse to a gentler pace.</p> + +<p>“For two miles, without a gesture of impatience, he traveled in this +tedious way, until he reached an ambulance train and placed the sick man +in one of the ambulances.</p> + +<p>“This was our noble Sedgwick—our brave general of the Sixth +Corps—pressed with great anxieties and knowing the preciousness of every +moment. His men used to say: ‘We all know that great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> things are to be +done, and well done, when we see that earnest figure in its rough blouse +hurrying past, and never have we been disappointed in him. He works +incessantly, is unostentatious, and when he appears among us all eyes +follow him with outspoken blessings.’”</p> + +<p>I have often been asked: “Have you ever been on a battle-field before the +dead and wounded were removed?” “How did it appear?” “Please describe +one.”</p> + +<p>I have been on many a battle-field, and have often tried to describe the +horrible scenes which I there witnessed, but have never yet been able to +find language to express half the horrors of such sights as I have seen on +those terrible fields.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Mr. Alvord has furnished us with a vivid description of a +battle-field, which I will give for the benefit of those who wish a true +and horrifying description of those bloody fields:</p> + +<p>“To-day I have witnessed more horrible scenes than ever before since I +have been in the army. Hundreds of wounded had lain since the battle, +among rebels, intermingled with heaps of slain—hungering, thirsting, and +with wounds inflaming and festering. Many had died simply from want of +care. Their last battle was fought! Almost every shattered limb required +amputation, so putrid had the wounds become.</p> + +<p>“I was angry (I think without sin) at your volunteer surgeons. Those of +the army were too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> few, and almost exhausted. But squads of volunteers, as +is usual, had come on without instruments, and without sense enough to set +themselves at work in any way, and without any idea of dressing small +wounds. They wanted to see amputation, and so, while hundreds were crying +for help, I found five of these gentlemen sitting at their ease, with legs +crossed, waiting for their expected reception by the medical director, who +was, of course, up to his elbows in work with saw and amputating knife. I +invited them to assist me in my labors among the suffering, but they had +‘not come to nurse’—they were ‘surgeons.’</p> + +<p>“The disgusting details of the field I need not describe. Over miles of +shattered forest and torn earth the dead lie, sometimes in <i>heaps</i> and +<i>winrows</i>—I mean literally! friend and foe, black and white, with +distorted features, among mangled and dead horses, trampled in mud, and +thrown in all conceivable sorts of places. You can distinctly hear, over +the whole field, the hum and hissing of decomposition. Of course you can +imagine shattered muskets, bayonets, cartridge-boxes, caps, torn clothing, +cannon-balls, fragments of shell, broken artillery, etc. I went over it +all just before evening, and after a couple of hours turned away in +sickening horror from the dreadful sight. I write in the midst of the +dead, buried and unburied—in the midst of hospitals full of dying, +suffering men, and weary, shattered regiments.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>This is a very mild illustration of some battle-fields, and yet it +presents an awful picture.</p> + +<p class="poem">O God! this land grows rich in loyal blood<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Poured out upon it to its utmost length!</span><br /> +The incense of a people’s sacrifice—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The wrested offering of a people’s strength.</span><br /> +<br /> +It is the costliest land beneath the sun!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis purchaseless! and scarce a rood</span><br /> +But hath its title written clear, and signed<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In some slain hero’s consecrated blood.</span><br /> +<br /> +And not a flower that gems its mellowing soil<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But thriveth well beneath the holy dew</span><br /> +Of tears, that ease a nation’s straining heart<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the Lord of Battles smites it through and through.</span></p> + +<p>Now a word about female nurses who go from the North to take care of the +soldiers in hospitals. I have said but little upon this point, but could +say much, as I have had ample opportunity for observation.</p> + +<p>Many of the noble women who have gone from the New England and other loyal +States have done, and are still doing, a work which will engrave their +names upon the hearts of the soldiers, as the name of Florence Nightingale +is engraved upon the hearts of her countrymen.</p> + +<p>It is a strange fact that the more highly cultivated and refined the +ladies are, they make all the better nurses. They are sure to submit to +inconvenience and privations with a much better grace than those of the +lower classes.</p> + +<p>It is true we have some sentimental young <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>ladies, who go down there and +expect to find everything in drawing-room style, with nothing to do but +sit and fan handsome young mustached heroes in shoulder-straps, and read +poetry, etc.; and on finding the <i>real</i> somewhat different from the +<i>ideal</i>, which their ardent imaginations had created, they become homesick +at once, and declare that they “cannot endure such work as washing private +soldiers’ dirty faces and combing tangled, matted hair; and, what is more, +won’t do it.” So after making considerable fuss, and trailing round in +very long silk skirts for several days, until everybody becomes disgusted, +they are politely invited by the surgeon in charge to migrate to some more +congenial atmosphere.</p> + +<p>But the patriotic, whole-souled, educated woman twists up her hair in a +“cleared-for-action” sort of style, rolls up the sleeves of her plain +cotton dress, and goes to work washing dirty faces, hands and feet, as if +she knew just what to do and how to do it. And when she gets through with +that part of the programme, she is just as willing to enter upon some new +duty, whether it is writing letters for the boys or reading for them, +administering medicine or helping to dress wounds. And everything is done +so cheerfully that one would think it was really a pleasure instead of a +disagreeable task.</p> + +<p>But the medical department is unquestionably the greatest institution in +the whole army. I will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> not attempt to answer all the questions I have +been asked concerning it, but will say that there are many true stories, +and some false ones, circulated with regard to that indispensable +fraternity.</p> + +<p>I think I may freely say that there is a shadow of truth in that old story +of “whiskey” and “incompetency” which we have so often heard applied to +individuals in the medical department, who are intrusted with the +treatment, and often the lives of our soldiers.</p> + +<p>There is a vast difference in surgeons; some are harsh and cruel—whether +it is from habit or insensibility I am not prepared to say—but I know the +men would face a rebel battery with less forebodings than they do some of +our worthy surgeons.</p> + +<p>There is a class who seem to act upon the principle of “no smart no cure,” +if we may be allowed to judge from the manner in which they twitch off +bandages and the scientific twists and jerks given to shattered limbs.</p> + +<p>Others again are very gentle and tender with the men, and seem to study +how to perform the necessary operations with the least possible pain to +the patients.</p> + +<p>But the young surgeons, fresh from the dissecting room, when operating in +conjunction with our old Western practitioners, forcibly reminded me of +the anecdote of the young collegian teaching his grandmother to suck an +egg: “We make an incision at the apex and an aperture at the base;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> then +making a vacuum with the tongue and palate, we suffer the contained matter +to be protruded into the mouth by atmospheric pressure.” “La! how +strange!” said his grandmother; “in my day we just made a hole in each +end, and then sucked it without half that trouble.”</p> + +<p>I once saw a young surgeon amputate a limb, and I could think of nothing +else than of a Kennebec Yankee whom I once saw carve a Thanksgiving +turkey; it was his first attempt at carving, and the way in which he +disjointed those limbs I shall never forget.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<div class="note"><p class="hang">CLOSING INCIDENTS—PROFESSOR LOWE’S BALLOON—FITZ JOHN PORTER’S +ADVENTURE—HIS UPWARD FLIGHT—RECONNOITERING FROM A DANGEROUS +POSITION—COOL COURAGE—ENTHUSIASTIC GREETING—AN EARNEST INQUIRER—A +BAPTISM IN THE ARMY—PREACHING BY MOONLIGHT—A MAGNIFICENT SCENE—A +WEDDING IN CAMP—GAY TIMES—A CONTRAST—HOSPITAL IN WINCHESTER—SPIRIT +OF REVENGE—SABLE HEROINE—A WHITE DARKEY—COLORED +SOLDIERS—CONCLUSION.</p></div> + + +<p> </p> +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">In</span> looking back over the events of the two years which I spent in the +army, I see so much worthy of record I scarcely know where to stop.</p> + +<p>A most thrilling incident occurs to my mind at this moment in connection +with Professor Lowe and his balloon, which I must relate before closing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> +It took place while McClellan’s army was in front of Yorktown.</p> + +<p>General Fitz John Porter having been in the habit of making frequent +ascensions in company with Professor Lowe, learned to go aloft alone.</p> + +<p>One morning he stepped into the car and ordered the cable to be let out +with all speed. We saw with surprise that the flurried assistants were +sending up the great straining canvas with a single rope attached. The +enormous bag was only partially inflated, and the loose folds opened and +shut with a sharp report like that of a pistol. Noisily, fitfully, the +great yellow mass rose toward the sky, the basket rocking like a feather +in the breeze. Presently a sound came from overhead like the explosion of +a shell—the cable had snapped asunder, and the balloon was adrift.</p> + +<p>All eyes were turned toward the receding car, where General Porter sat in +his ærial castle, being borne heavenward as fast as if on eagle wings, +without the power either to check or guide his upward flight.</p> + +<p>The whole army was agitated by this unwonted occurrence, and the rebel +army evidently partook in the general excitement.</p> + +<p>Lowe’s voice could be heard above the confusion and tumult shouting to the +soaring hero—“Open—the—valve! Climb—to—the—netting—and—reach—the +valve—rope!”</p> + +<p>“The valve—the valve!” repeated a multitude<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> of voices, but all in vain, +for it was impossible to make him hear.</p> + +<p>Soon the signal corps began to operate, and at last the general was made +to understand by signals when it was impossible to reach him by the human +voice.</p> + +<p>He appeared directly over the edge of the car, and then clambered up the +netting and reached for the cord, but he was so far above us then he +looked no bigger than a great black spider.</p> + +<p>It was a weird spectacle—that frail, fading object floating in the azure +sky, with the miniature boat swinging silently beneath, looking no bigger +than a humming-bird’s nest; and a hundred thousand brave hearts beneath +beating with the wildest excitement and warmest sympathy, yet powerless to +render the least assistance to their exalted brother-in-arms.</p> + +<p>“Had the general been floating down the rapids of Niagara he could not +have been farther from human assistance.”</p> + +<p>We at length saw him descend from the netting and reappear over the edge +of the basket, and he seemed to be motioning to the breathless crowd below +the story of his failure.</p> + +<p>Soon after the balloon began slowly to descend, and when we next saw him +it was with spyglass in hand, reconnoitering the rebel works. Shouts of +joy and laughter went up from the long lines of spectators as this cool +procedure was observed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>For a moment it seemed doubtful in which direction the balloon would +float; it faltered like an irresolute being, and at length moved +reluctantly toward Fortress Monroe. Bursting cheers, half uttered, +quivered on every lip. All eyes glistened, and many were dim with tears. +But the wayward canvas now turned due west, and was blown rapidly toward +the confederate works.</p> + +<p>Its course was fitfully direct, and the wind seemed to veer often, as if +contrary currents, conscious of the opportunity, were struggling for the +possession of the daring navigator.</p> + +<p>The south wind held the mastery for awhile, and the balloon passed the +Federal front amid groans of despair from the soldiers. It kept right on, +over sharpshooters, rifle-pits, etc., until it stood directly over the +rebel fortifications at Yorktown. The cool courage, either of heroism or +despair, seemed to seize the general, for turning his tremendous glass +upon the ramparts and masked batteries below, he viewed the remote camps, +the beleaguered town, the guns of Gloucester Point, and distant Norfolk. +Had he been reconnoitering from a secure perch on the top of the moon he +could not have been more vigilant; and the Confederates probably thought +this some Yankee device to peer into their sanctum in spite of ball or +shell. None of their large guns could be brought to bear upon the balloon, +but there were some discharges of musketry, which seemed to have no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +effect whatever, and finally even these demonstrations ceased.</p> + +<p>Both armies were gazing aloft in breathless suspense, while the deliberate +general continued to spy out the land.</p> + +<p>Suddenly another change of position, and the air craft plunged and tacked +about, and steered rapidly for the Federal lines again. Making a desperate +effort to catch the valve-rope, the general at length succeeded, and +giving it a jerk, the balloon came suddenly to the ground; fortunately, +however, it struck a tent as it descended, which perhaps saved the general +from any serious injuries from the fall.</p> + +<p>By the time the crowd had reached the spot, Porter had disentangled +himself from the folds of oiled canvas, and was ready to greet his anxious +friends; and amid hearty congratulations and vociferous cheers, he was +escorted to his quarters.</p> + +<p>As this chapter is devoted to incidents in camp, I will try to illustrate +the variety of interesting events with which our camps abound.</p> + +<p>After one of the most severe battles ever fought in Virginia, and while +our troops were still rejoicing over their victory, a young soldier sought +the chaplain for the purpose of religious conversation. Said the chaplain: +“The tears were in his eyes, and his lips trembled with emotion. I knew +that he was in earnest. We knelt down together and I prayed with him, and +he prayed for himself. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> this manner we spent several hours, pleading +with God in his behalf, until light broke through the darkness, and he +arose from his knees praising God.”</p> + +<p>Wishing to manifest by some outward sign his consecration to God and to +His service, he requested the chaplain to baptize him by immersion. The +next day being the Sabbath his request was complied with, in the presence +of thousands of his comrades.</p> + +<p>The scene was a most solemn one, and after the ordinance was administered +there was scarcely a dry eye in the company to which he belonged.</p> + +<p>In the evening one of the delegates of the Christian Commission preached +to an immense congregation of grim warriors seated on the ground—a little +pine grove for a church, the great blue dome of heaven for galleries, and +the clear, bright moon for a chandelier.</p> + +<p>The scene was a magnificent one. A little to the right lay a cloud of +white canvas tents shining in the moonlight, and just below, in plain +sight, were the transports dotting the water, with their gleaming lights +and star-spangled banners floating in the evening breeze. All combined to +make the scene beautiful and interesting.</p> + +<p>The discourse was excellent and well chosen, and the men listened with +profound attention, and I have no doubt with much profit. Then was sung</p> + +<p class="poem">Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing,</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>and the benediction being pronounced, the vast assembly marched to their +quarters as solemnly as if going from a funeral.</p> + +<p>Next came a wedding! Yes; a real wedding in camp. You must know that when +military necessity prevents our young heroes from going home to fulfill +their engagements to their devoted fair ones, it is the privilege of the +waiting damsels, in war times, to remove all unnecessary obstacles, and +facilitate matters by declaring themselves in favor of the <i>union</i>, and +claiming their lovers on the field.</p> + +<p>This wedding was a grand affair, and took place in a camp which was very +prettily decorated, being picturesquely arranged among pine trees—just +the most romantic place imaginable for such an event.</p> + +<p>A little before noon the guests began to arrive in large numbers. Among +them were Generals Hooker, Sickles, Carr, Mott, Hobart, Ward, Revere, +Bartlett, Birney, and Berry.</p> + +<p>The troops, looking their very best, formed a hollow square, in the center +of which a canopy was erected, and an altar formed of drums.</p> + +<p>As the generals marched into the square—General Hooker leading the +van—and grouped themselves on each side of the altar, the bands struck up +“Hail to the Chief,” and on the appearance of the bridal party the +“Wedding March” was played.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>The day was cold and windy, with a few snow-flakes interspersed, which +made the ladies in attendance look very much like “blue noses”; but the +blushing bride bore the cold and the admiring glances of the soldiers like +a martyr, and retained her dignity and self-possession throughout the +ceremony worthy of a heroine, as she was.</p> + +<p>To add to the dramatic effect of the scene, a line of battle was formed by +the remaining troops in that section, a short distance from camp, to repel +an expected attack of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The ceremony having been performed, dinner was announced, and all partook +of the good things provided for the occasion.</p> + +<p>After dinner, came numerous toasts, speeches, songs, and music from the +bands, and, to close up the day in good style, a regular military ball was +held, and fireworks exhibited in the evening—“and on the whole,” a +newspaper correspondent says, “it entirely eclipsed an opera at the +Academy of Music.”</p> + +<p>I have before alluded to the vindictive spirit manifested by the women of +Virginia toward our soldiers. I will illustrate this fact by an incident +which took place in one of the hospitals just after a severe battle.</p> + +<p>Many wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate, were brought into the +town of Winchester, and placed in the churches and court-house side by +side.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>The ladies (beg pardon, ladies, I mean females) of that place brought into +the hospital many things to nourish and tempt the appetites of the +sufferers, but they gave all these delicacies to the Confederate soldiers: +our men were passed by as unworthy of notice or sympathy.</p> + +<p>One day a lady, who had been a constant visitor, brought in a supply of +fragrant tea. She went from one cot to another of her friends, but had no +eye or heart of pity for others.</p> + +<p>One of our wounded men, who lay near his end, longed for a cup of this tea +as he saw it handed to those around him, and requested the chaplain, who +stood by his side, to ask the lady for a little of the tea.</p> + +<p>He did so in a very polite manner, at the same time telling her how ill +the man was, and that it was the soldier himself who wished him to make +the request.</p> + +<p>“No,” said she, and her face flushed with anger; “not a drop of it; this +tea is all for our suffering martyrs.”</p> + +<p>The chaplain replied: “Madam, I looked for no other answer. I beg pardon +for having seemed for a moment to expect a different one.”</p> + +<p>A few moments afterwards, as the poor disappointed man lay there seeing +the delicious tea passed on all sides of him and could not procure a drop +of it, an old lame negro woman came limping up the aisle with a large +basket on each arm.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>Coming up to where the chaplain stood, she laid down the baskets and +addressed him thus:</p> + +<p>“Massa, I’se a slave—my husban’ and chil’en is slaves. Will you ’cept +dese tings for de poor men?”</p> + +<p>Then taking up a roll of stockings, she said: “Dem I knit wid my own hands +for de soldiers, when all sleep, in my cabin. We know’d dis war was comin’ +long ’fore you Yankees did. We see it ’proaching, an’ we began to prepare +for it.”</p> + +<p>Then taking packages of tea, cans of fruit, pears and peaches, lint, linen +for bandages, and pocket-handkerchiefs, she said: “Massa, permit me to +give you dese for de poor men. I have not stole ’em. My own hands have +earned ’em over de washtub. I wish to do something for de Union soldiers, +Lord bless ’em!”</p> + +<p>“As she talked,” says the chaplain, “she grew more earnest, and looking +around on the mutilated men the tears rolled down her black face, and fell +on her hands, as she lifted the treasures out of the baskets and handed +them to me.”</p> + +<p>Our sick men looked with wonder and admiration on the old colored woman, +and soon a hundred voices cried out “God bless you, aunty! You are the +only white woman we have seen since we came to Winchester.”</p> + +<p>Some people assert that colored people have no souls. Which, think you, +acted most as if lacking soul—the black or the white woman in the +hospital at Winchester?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>The devotion of the negro woman, as manifested in the hospital, is a +perfect sample of the devotion of the contrabands, male and female, to the +Union cause.</p> + +<p>And now that the time has come when the colored men are permitted, by the +laws of the land, to assume the privileges of rational beings, and to go +forth as American soldiers to meet their cruel oppressors on the bloody +field, there is evidently as great, if not greater, enthusiasm and true +patriotism manifested by them, as by any troops in the United States army.</p> + +<p>And still further—it has been proved satisfactorily within the last +twelve months that the colored troops endure fatigue as cheerfully and +fight as well (and get less pay) as any of the white troops. Thank God, +this is one great point gained for the poor down-trodden descendants of +Africa.</p> + +<p>I imagine I see them, with their great shiny eyes and grinning faces, as +they march to the field, singing—</p> + +<p class="poem">Oh! we’re de bully soldiers of de “First of Arkansas,”<br /> +We are fightin’ for de Union, we are fightin’ for de law,<br /> +We can hit a rebel furder dan a white man eber saw,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">As we go marchin’ on:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Glory, glory, hallelujah, etc.</span><br /> +<br /> +See dar! above de center, where de flag is wavin’ bright;<br /> +We are goin’ out of slavery; we are bound for freedom’s light;<br /> +We mean to show Jeff. Davis how de Africans can fight!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Glory, glory, hallelujah,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Glory, glory, hallelujah,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Glory, glory, hallelujah,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">As we go marching on.</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>And now, what shall I say in conclusion? The war still continues—our +soldiers are daily falling in battle, and thousands are languishing in +hospitals or in Southern prisons; and I for months past have not given +even a cup of cold water to the sufferers. I am ashamed to acknowledge it! +But when I look around and see the streets crowded with strong, healthy +young men who ought to be foremost in the ranks of their country’s +defenders, I am not only ashamed, but I am indignant!</p> + +<p>To prove to my friends that I am not ambitious of gaining the reputation +of that venerable general (Halleck) whose “pen is mightier than his +sword,” I am about to return to the army to offer my services in any +capacity which will best promote the interests of the Federal cause—no +matter how perilous the position may be.</p> + +<p>And now I lay aside my pen, hoping that after “this cruel war is over,” +and peace shall have once more shed her sweet influence over our land, I +may be permitted to resume it again to record the annihilation of +rebellion, and the final triumph of Truth, Right, and <i>Liberty</i>.</p> + +<p class="poem">O Lord of Peace, who art Lord of Righteousness,<br /> +Constrain the anguished worlds from sin and grief,<br /> +Pierce them with conscience, purge them with redress,<br /> +<span class="smcap">And give us peace which is no counterfeit</span>!</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, by +S. 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