POST-BELLUM PENDANT.
Old Friends and their Kindness--General Grant--His Characteristic
Letter of Introduction to President Johnson--In Business in New
Orleans--Political Unfriendliness--Cause of Criticism of Military
Career--Appointed Surveyor of Customs--The Old Nurse.
Some weeks after the surrender the newspapers announced that I was to
visit Washington City. My old company commander, Bradford P. Alden, who
had resigned from the army some years before the war, came down from New
York to meet me. Not finding me, he wrote to tell me of his trip, that he
was anxious about me, lest I might be in need of assistance; that in that
event I should draw on him for such amount of money as I wanted. When
ready to return his favor he was not in the country, and it was only
through a mutual friend, General Alvord, that his address in Europe was
found and the amount returned. A more noble, lovable character never
descended from the people of Plymouth Rock.
About the 1st of November, 1865, business of personal nature called me to
Washington. I stopped at the Metropolitan Hotel. Upon seeing the arrival
in the morning papers, General W. A. Nichols, of the United States army,
called and insisted that my visit should be with him and his family. The
request was declined with the suggestion that the war-feeling was too warm
for an officer of the army to entertain a prominent Confederate, but he
insisted and urged that his good wife would not be satisfied unless the
visit was made. So it was settled, and I became his guest. He was on duty
at the time as assistant adjutant-general at the War Department. As I was
stopping with an officer of the army, the usages of military life
required that I should call upon the commanding general.
The next morning I walked with General Nichols to make an official call on
General Grant. He recognized us as we entered his office, rose and walked
to meet us. After the usual brief call, we rose to take leave, when he
asked to have us call on his family during the evening. Most of those whom
we met during the evening were old-time personal friends, especially the
father-in-law, Mr. Dent. When leaving, after a pleasant evening, General
Grant walked with us to the gate and asked if I cared to have my pardon. I
pleaded not guilty of an offence that required pardon. He said that he
meant amnesty,--that he wished to know if I cared to have it. I told him
that I intended to live in the country, and would prefer to have the
privileges of citizenship. He told me to call at his office at noon next
day; that in the mean time he would see the Secretary of War and the
President in regard to the matter.
The next day he gave me a letter to the President, and said that he had
seen him and thought the matter was arranged; that I should first see the
Secretary of War, then the President. His strong and characteristic letter
to the President was as follows:
"HEAD-QUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
"WASHINGTON, D. C., November 7, 1865.
"HIS EXCELLENCY A. JOHNSON,
"_President_:
"Knowing that General Longstreet, late of the army which was in
rebellion against the authority of the United States, is in the city,
and presuming that he intends asking executive clemency before
leaving, I beg to say a word in his favor.
"General Longstreet comes under the third, fifth, and eighth
exceptions made in your proclamation of the 29th of May, 1865. I
believe I can safely say that there is nowhere among the exceptions a
more honorable class of men than those embraced in the fifth and
eighth of these, nor a class that will more faithfully observe any
obligation which they may take upon themselves. General Longstreet,
in my opinion, stands high among this class. I have known him well for
more than twenty-six years, first as a cadet at West Point and
afterwards as an officer of the army. For five years from my
graduation we served together, a portion of the time in the same
regiment. I speak of him, therefore, from actual personal
acquaintance.
"In the late rebellion, I think, not one single charge was ever
brought against General Longstreet for persecution of prisoners of war
or of persons for their political opinions. If such charges were ever
made, I never heard them. I have no hesitation, therefore, in
recommending General Longstreet to your Excellency for pardon. I will
further state that my opinion of him is such that I shall feel it as a
personal favor to myself if this pardon is granted.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"U. S. GRANT,
"_Lieutenant-General_."
Supported by this generous endorsement, I called on the Secretary of War,
who referred me to the President. After a lengthy interview the President
asked to have the matter put off until next day, when I should call at
noon. The next day he was still unprepared to make decision, but, after a
long, pleasant talk, he said,--
"There are three persons of the South who can never receive amnesty: Mr.
Davis, General Lee, and yourself. You have given the Union cause too much
trouble."
I replied, "You know, Mr. President, that those who are forgiven most love
the most."
"Yes," he said, "you have very high authority for that, but you can't have
amnesty."
During a subsequent session of Congress, General Pope sent in a list of
names from Georgia for whom he asked relief from their political
disabilities. General Grant, after approving it, made request to one of
his friends in Congress to have my name put on the list, and I was
extended relief soon after it was given to General R. E. Lee.
In January, 1866, I engaged in business in New Orleans with the Owen
brothers,--William, Miller, and Edward, old soldiers of the Washington
Artillery,--as cotton factors, and speedily found fair prosperity. Before
the year was out I was asked to take position in an insurance company, but
declined, and repeated applications were refused under plea of limited
business experience, but, under promise of ample and competent assistance,
I accepted the place with a salary of five thousand dollars, and my
affairs were more than prosperous until I was asked an opinion upon the
political crisis of 1867.
As the whole animus of the latter-day adverse criticisms upon, and
uncritical assertions in regard to, the commander of the First Corps of
the Army of Northern Virginia had its origin in this matter of politics, a
brief review of the circumstances is in order.
As will be readily recalled by my older readers (while for the younger it
is a matter of history), President Johnson, after the war, adopted a
reconstruction policy of his own, and some of the States were reorganized
under it with Democratic governors and legislatures, and all would have
followed. But Congress, being largely Republican, was not satisfied, and
enacted that the States could not be accepted unless they provided in
their new constitutions for _negro suffrage_. In case they would not, the
State governments should be removed and the States placed in the hands of
general officers of the army as military governors, who should see that
the States were reorganized and restored to the Union under the laws.
Under the severe ordeal one of the city papers of New Orleans called upon
the generals of Confederate service to advise the people of the course
that they should pursue,--naming the officers. I thought it better policy
to hold the States, as they were organized, under the President's policy,
shape their constitutions as directed by Congress, and have the States not
yet reorganized follow the same course. My letter upon the subject was as
follows:
"NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 3, 1867.
"J. M. G. PARKER, ESQ.:
"DEAR SIR,--Your esteemed favor of the 15th ultimo was duly received.
"I was much pleased to have the opportunity to hear Senator Wilson,
and was agreeably surprised to meet such fairness and frankness from a
politician whom I had been taught to believe harsh in his feelings
towards the people of the South.
"I have considered your suggestion to wisely unite in efforts to
restore Louisiana to her former position in the Union 'through the
party now in power.' My letter of the 6th of April, to which you
refer, clearly indicates a desire for practical reconstruction and
reconciliation. There is only one route left open, which practical men
cannot fail to see.
"The serious difficulty arises from want of that wisdom so important
for the great work in hand. Still, I will be happy to work in any
harness that promises relief to our discomfited people and harmony to
the nation, whether bearing the mantle of Mr. Davis or Mr. Sumner.
"It is fair to assume that the strongest laws are those established by
the sword. The ideas that divided political parties before the
war--upon the rights of the States--were thoroughly discussed by our
wisest statesmen, and eventually appealed to the arbitrament of the
sword. The decision was in favor of the North, so that her
construction becomes the law, and should be so accepted.
"The military bill and amendments are the only peace-offerings they
have for us, and should be accepted as the starting-point for future
issues.
"Like others of the South not previously connected with politics, I
naturally acquiesced in the ways of Democracy, but, so far as I can
judge, there is nothing tangible in them, beyond the issues that were
put to test in the war and there lost. As there is nothing left to
take hold of except prejudice, which cannot be worked for good for any
one, it seems proper and right that we should seek some standing which
may encourage hope for the future.
"If I appreciate the issues of Democracy at this moment, they are the
enfranchisement of the negro and the rights of Congress in the
premises, but the acts have been passed, are parts of the laws of the
land, and no power but Congress can remove them.
"Besides, if we now accept the doctrine that the States only can
legislate on suffrage, we will fix the negro vote upon us, for he is
now a suffragan, and his vote, with the vote that will go with him,
will hold to his rights, while, by recognizing the acts of Congress,
we may, after a fair trial, if negro suffrage proves a mistake, appeal
and have Congress correct the error. It will accord better with wise
policy to insist that the negro shall vote in the Northern as well as
the Southern States.
"If every one will meet the crisis with proper appreciation of our
condition and obligations, the sun will rise to-morrow on a happy
people. Our fields will again begin to yield their increase, our
railways and waters will teem with abundant commerce, our towns and
cities will resound with the tumult of trade, and we will be
reinvigorated by the blessings of Almighty God.
"Very respectfully yours,
"JAMES LONGSTREET."
I might have added that not less forceful than the grounds I gave were the
obligations under which we were placed by the terms of our paroles,--"To
respect the laws of Congress,"--but the letter was enough.
The afternoon of the day upon which my letter was published the paper that
had called for advice published a column of editorial calling me traitor!
deserter of my friends! and accusing me of joining the enemy! but did not
publish a line of the letter upon which it based the charges! Other papers
of the Democracy took up the garbled representation of this journal and
spread it broadcast, not even giving the letter upon which they based
their evil attacks upon me.
Up to that time the First Corps, in all of its parts, in all of its
history, was above reproach. I was in successful business in New Orleans
as cotton factor, with a salary from an insurance company of five thousand
dollars per year.
The day after the announcement old comrades passed me on the streets
without speaking. Business began to grow dull. General Hood (the only one
of my old comrades who occasionally visited me) thought that he could save
the insurance business, and in a few weeks I found myself at leisure.
Two years after that period, on March 4, 1869, General Grant was
inaugurated President of the United States, and in the bigness of his
generous heart called me to Washington. Before I found opportunity to see
him he sent my name to the Senate for confirmation as surveyor of customs
at New Orleans. I was duly confirmed, and held the office until 1873, when
I resigned. Since that time I have lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, and in
Gainesville, Georgia, surrounded by a few of my old friends, and in
occasional appreciative touch with others, South and North.
Of all the people alive I still know and meet, probably no one carries me
farther back in recollections of my long life than does my "old nurse."
Most of the family servants were discharged after the war at Macon,
Mississippi, where some of them still reside, among them this old man,
Daniel, who still claims the family name, but at times uses another. He
calls promptly when I visit Macon and looks for "something to remember you
by." During my last visit he seemed more concerned for me than usual, and
on one of his calls asked,--
"Marse Jim, do you belong to any church?"
"Oh, yes," I said, "I try to be a good Christian."
He laughed loud and long, and said,--
"Something must have scared you mighty bad, to change you so from what you
was when I had to care for you."
In a recent letter he sent a message to say that he is getting to be a
little feeble.
Blessings on his brave heart!
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APPENDIX.
LETTERS OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE AND GENERAL LONGSTREET.
I.
_Lee to Anderson on Conduct of the First Corps._
August 26, 1864.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL R. H. ANDERSON,
_Commanding Longstreet's Corps_:
GENERAL,--I take great pleasure in presenting to you my congratulations
upon the conduct of the men of your corps. I believe that they will carry
anything they are put against. We tried very hard to stop Pickett's men
from capturing the breastworks of the enemy, but could not do it. I hope
his loss has been small.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
_General_.
II.
_Lee to Longstreet congratulating him on his Convalescence and
anticipating Return._
CAMP PETERSBURG, August 29, 1864.
GENERAL J. LONGSTREET:
MY DEAR GENERAL,--I received yesterday your letter of the 23d, and am much
gratified at your improvement. You will soon be as well as ever, and we
shall all be rejoiced at your return. You must not, however, become
impatient at the gradual progress you must necessarily make, but be
content with the steady advance you are making to health and strength.
Your progress will be the more certain and your recovery more confirmed.
Do not let Sherman capture you, and I will endeavor to hold Grant till you
come. I am glad to hear such good accounts of my little namesake. Good
lungs are a great blessing, and nothing expands them better than a full,
hearty yell. I hope Mrs. Longstreet is well, and that she is enjoying the
good peaches and melons of Georgia. We have but little enjoyment here. Our
enemy is very cautious, and he has become so proficient in intrenching
that he seems to march with a system already prepared. He threatens
dreadful things every day, but, thank God, he has not expunged us yet.
All your army friends inquire for you anxiously, and will be delighted to
hear of your improvement. We shall not object to your chirography, so you
must practise it often, and let me hear of your progress and well-doing.
Please present my kindest regards to Mrs. Longstreet, and love to my
namesake. The gentlemen of my staff are very grateful for your
remembrance, and unite with me in sincere wishes for your welfare and
happiness. I am sure the rest of this army would join did they know of the
opportunity.
With great regard, very truly yours,
R. E. LEE.
III.
_Longstreet to Lee._
HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY CORPS,
November 24, 1864.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--From the report of scouts received yesterday, it seems that the
Tenth Corps is still on this side, or if it went over to the south side,
has returned. The information, too, seems to indicate the arrival of the
Sixth Corps from the Valley.
Under these circumstances it will be necessary for me to force the enemy
to develop the extent of his move on this side before taking any more of
my troops to the south side. This I shall do, of course, as rapidly as
possible. I am going to have the roads leading from White Oak Swamp to the
Williamsburg road well broken up with subsoil ploughs. I think that the
enemy will then have to build a corduroy there as he moves. He surely
will, if I can have a good gentle rain after the roads are thoroughly
ploughed. Can't you apply this idea to advantage on your side on the roads
that General Grant will be obliged to travel if he goes to Burkeville? I
don't know, however, but that it would be better for us to go to
Burkeville and block the roads behind him. If the roads that General
Sherman must travel to get to Charleston or Savannah can be thoroughly
ploughed and the trees felled over them, I think that General Sherman will
not be able to get to his destination in fifty days, as the Northern
papers expect; and it is not thought to be possible that he can collect
more than fifty days' rations before reaching the coast. If the parties
are properly organized, I think that they might destroy or injure all of
the roads so as to break down General Sherman's animals, and result in the
capture of most of his forces.
I remain, very respectfully, yours most obediently,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
IV.
_Longstreet to Lee on Impressment of Gold and Measures for Final
Campaign._
[Confidential.]
HEAD-QUARTERS, February 14, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--Recent developments of the enemy's designs seem to indicate an
early concentration of his armies against Richmond. This, of course, would
involve a like concentration on our part, or the abandonment of our
capital. The latter emergency would, I think, be almost fatal,--probably
quite so, after our recent reverses. To concentrate here in time to meet
the movements of the enemy we will be obliged to use the little of our
Southern railroad that is left us in transporting our troops, so that we
cannot haul provisions over that route. I fear, therefore, that we will
not be able to feed our troops unless we adopt extraordinary efforts and
measures. I think that there is enough of the necessaries of life left in
Virginia and North Carolina to help us through our troubles if we can only
reach them. Impressing officers, however, nor collectors of taxes in kind,
nor any other plan heretofore employed, is likely to get those supplies in
time or in quantities to meet our necessities. The citizens will not give
their supplies up and permit their families and servants to suffer for the
necessaries of life without some strong inducement. For each one may
naturally think that the little that he would supply by denying himself
and family would go but little way where so much is needed. He does not
want Confederate money, for his meat and bread will buy him clothes, etc.,
for his family more readily and in larger quantities than the money that
the government would pay. The only thing that will insure our rations and
national existence is _gold_. Send out the gold through Virginia and North
Carolina and pay liberal prices, and my conviction is that we shall have
no more distress for want of food. The winter is about over, and the
families can and will subsist on molasses, bread, and vegetables for the
balance of the year if they can get gold for their supplies. There is a
great deal of meat and bread inside the enemy's lines that our people
would bring us for gold; but they won't go to that trouble for Confederate
money. They can keep gold so much safer than they can meat and bread, and
it is always food and clothing.
If the government has not the gold, it must impress it, or if there is no
law for the impressment, the gold must be taken without the law. Necessity
does not know or wait for law. If we stop to make laws in order that we
may reach the gold it will disappear the day that the law is mentioned in
Congress. To secure it no one should suspect that we are after it until we
knock at the doors of the vaults that contain it, and we must then have
guards to be sure that it is not made away with.
It seems to my mind that our prospects will be brighter than they have
been if we can only get food for our men; and I think that the plan that I
have proposed will secure the food.
There seem to be many reasons for the opinion that the enemy deems our
capital essential to him. To get the capital he will concentrate here
everything that he has, and we will be better able to fight him when we
shall have concentrated than when we are in detachments. The Army of the
Mississippi will get new life and spirits as soon as it finds itself
alongside of this, and we will feel more comfortable ourselves to know
that all are under one eye and one head that is able to handle them.
I remain, most respectfully and truly, your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
V.
_Lee to Longstreet on Plans for Campaign._
[Confidential.]
HEAD-QUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES ARMIES,
February 22, 1865.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL J. LONGSTREET,
_Commanding, etc._:
GENERAL,--Your letter of the 14th instant is received. It arrived during
my absence in Richmond, and has not been overlooked. I agree with you
entirely in believing that if we had gold we could get sufficient
supplies for our army, but the great difficulty is to obtain the gold. It
is not in the coffers of the government or the banks, but is principally
hoarded by individuals throughout the country, and is inaccessible to us.
I hope, under the reorganization of the commissary department, if we can
maintain possession of our communications, that the army will be better
supplied than heretofore, and that we can accumulate some provisions
ahead. As regards the concentration of our troops near the capital, the
effect would be to produce a like concentration of the enemy, and an
increase of our difficulties in obtaining food and forage. But this,
whether for good or evil, is now being accomplished by the enemy, who
seems to be forcing Generals Beauregard and Bragg in this direction. If
Sherman marches his army to Richmond, as General Beauregard reports it is
his intention to do, and General Schofield is able to unite with him, we
shall have to abandon our position on the James River, as lamentable as it
is on every account. The want of supplies alone would force us to withdraw
when the enemy reaches the Roanoke. Our line is so long, extending nearly
from the Chickahominy to the Nottoway, and the enemy is so close upon us,
that if we are obliged to withdraw we cannot concentrate all our troops
nearer than some point on the line of railroad between Richmond and
Danville. Should a necessity, therefore, arise, I propose to concentrate
at or near Burkeville. The route for the troops north of James River would
have to be through Richmond, on the road to Amelia Court-House, the
cavalry passing up the north branch of the river, and crossing at some
point above Richmond. Pickett's division would take the route through
Chesterfield Court-House, crossing the Appomattox at Goode's Bridge. With
the army concentrated at or near Burkeville, our communications north and
south would be by that railroad, and west by the Southside Railroad. We
might also seize the opportunity of striking at Grant, should he pursue us
rapidly, or at Sherman, before they could unite. I wish you to consider
this subject, and give me your views. I desire you also to make every
preparation to take the field at a moment's notice, and to accumulate all
the supplies you can. General Grant seems to be preparing to move out by
his left flank. He is accumulating near Hatcher's Run depots of supplies,
and apparently concentrating a strong force in that quarter. Yesterday and
to-day trains have passed from his right to his left loaded with troops,
which may be the body of eight thousand which you report having left
Signal Hill yesterday. I cannot tell whether it is his intention to
maintain his position until his other columns approach nearer, or to
anticipate any movement by us which he might suppose would then become
necessary. I wish you would watch closely his movements on the north side
of the river, and try and ascertain whether he is diminishing his force.
If he makes the move which appearances now indicate, he may draw out his
whole force, abandoning his lines of defence, or hold them partially and
move with the remainder of his troops.
I should like very much to confer with you on these subjects, but I fear
it will be impossible for me to go north of James River, and I do not know
that it will be convenient for you to come here.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
_General_.
P.S.--Can you not return Pickett's brigade to him in order that I may
withdraw Grimes's brigade from his line, its division having been ordered
to our right?
R. E. L.
VI.
_Longstreet to Lee on Impressment of Men._
[Confidential.]
HEAD-QUARTERS, February 23, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding, etc._:
GENERAL,--Your letter of yesterday is received. I think you did not
understand my letter of the 14th instant. My effort was to express
conviction that Sherman's move was aimed at Richmond, and that Grant's
concentration here would force us to do the same thing; and, that we might
be able to do so, it was necessary that we should have gold, by
impressment, to purchase our produce supplies. I think that it is not too
late yet. We can surely get the gold by sending impressing officers with
guards to the vaults in which it is stored.
I understand that there are twelve hundred men in Lynchburg already
organized, and that we may get eight or ten thousand men in Richmond by
taking everybody who is able to bear arms. The staff-officers about
Richmond would be nearly enough to officer this force. If such a force can
be raised and put in my lines, it can hold them, I think, and my corps can
move down to the relief of Beauregard, or it may be moved over to our
right, and hold Grant in check, so that Sherman will be obliged to unite
with him or seek a base at New-Berne or at Wilmington. This would give
Beauregard and Bragg time to unite their forces to meet Sherman and
Schofield here or wherever they may appear. We shall lose more men by a
move than by a battle. It is true that we may be compelled to move after
the battle, but I think not. If we fight Sherman as I suggest, we shall
surely drive him to the water for fresh supplies, even if we are not
otherwise successful. Then we may have time to concentrate as soon as
Grant, and reopen the line of communication with the South.
The local and other troops that we may get from Richmond and Lynchburg
will have tolerably comfortable huts, and there will be enough old
soldiers amongst them to teach them picket duty. There are also some
cavalrymen who can aid them.
I should think that Grant, if he moves, can only make a partial move,
similar to his last, and that would not injure us very materially.
In preparing to take the field, in view of the abandonment of Richmond, is
it your desire to keep our wagons about our camps that we may move at
once? Our wagons are out all the time gathering supplies, and at times
some distance; so that a very sudden move would leave them behind. Shall
we continue to send them or keep them with us?...
Your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
VII.
_Lee to Longstreet._
HEAD-QUARTERS, February 25, 1865.
GENERAL,--I have received your letters of the 23d and 24th insts. I fear I
did not entirely comprehend your views expressed in your letter of the
14th. I think, however, my reply meets your supposition, in the event of
concentration by the enemy. I shall in that case unite all the forces
possible. I think you are misinformed as to the number of men in
Lynchburg. At my last call upon General Colston, commissary there, he said
he had not one hundred men, and they were unarmed. I am very glad to hear
that General Ewell can get force enough from Richmond to man the lines
north of James River. I know him to be a brave old soldier, ready to
attempt anything, but I do not know where he will find the men. Please see
him and get a definite statement, for if that can be done it will lighten
our labor considerably. You cannot afford to keep your wagons by you.
They will have to be kept collecting provisions, forage, etc., or you will
starve. I am making great efforts to gather supplies, and send you some
documents which will show what the commissary-general is doing in addition
to the operations of the officers of his department. It will be a grievous
thing to be obliged to abandon our position, and I hope the necessity will
never arise, but it would be more grievous to lose our army. I am fully
alive to the benefits of procuring gold, but fear it cannot be obtained in
the way you suggest; still, I will try. I am much gratified by the
earnestness and zeal you display in our operations; and were our whole
population animated by the same spirit, we should be invincible. The last
reports from S. C. indicated that Sherman was turning eastward. It may be
to reach the Pedee in search of supplies.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
_General_.
GENERAL LONGSTREET,
_Commanding, etc._
VIII.
_Longstreet to Lee on Impressment of Gold._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST CORPS,
February 26, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--I have just heard from General Ewell indirectly that he can
raise force enough at Richmond to hold the lines on this side, so that my
corps may be withdrawn temporarily to your right, that is, if you can put
a part of the Second Corps in place of Pickett's division. This
arrangement will give you force enough to meet any move that the enemy may
make upon your right. If he makes no move, then you can, when the proper
moment arrives, detach a force to the aid of General Beauregard, and if
the enemy should then press you, you can abandon Petersburg and hold your
line here, and take up the line of the Appomattox. But I think that the
enemy will be forced to move a force south the moment that he finds that
you are reinforcing against Sherman, else he will encounter the risk of
losing Sherman as well as Richmond. There is some hazard in the plan, but
nothing can be accomplished in war without risk.
The other important question is provisions. We are doing tolerably well
by hauling from the country and paying market prices in Confederate money.
If you would give us gold I have reason to believe that we could get an
abundant supply for four months, and by that time we ought to be able to
reopen our communication with the South. The gold is here, and we should
take it. We have been impressing food and all of the necessaries of life
from women and children, and have been the means of driving thousands from
their homes in destitute conditions. Should we hesitate, then, about
putting a few who have made immense fortunes at our expense to a little
inconvenience by impressing their gold? It is necessary for us, and I do
not think that we should let our capital fall into the enemy's hands for
fear of injuring the feelings or interests of a few individuals. We have
expended too much of blood and treasure in holding it for the last four
years to allow it to go now by default. I think that it may be saved. If
it can, we should not leave any possible contingency untried.
I think, however, that the enemy's positions are so well selected and
fortified that we must either wait for an opportunity to draw him off from
here or await his attack. For even a successful assault would cripple us
so much that we could get no advantage commensurate with our loss.
I remain with great respect, and truly, your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
IX.
_Longstreet to Lee on his "Peace" Interview with General Ord._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 1, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--I had another interview with Major-General Ord yesterday, and
expressed the opinions that were spoken of in our interview at the
President's mansion on Sabbath last. He acceded promptly to my proposition
that the war must cease if we are to go to work to try to make peace, and
to the proposal for a military convention. I further claimed that we could
not go into convention upon any more favorable basis than an earnest
desire to arrange plans for peace that should be equally honorable for
both parties. To this also I understood him to give his unqualified
consent. He says that General Grant has the authority to meet you if you
have authority to appoint a military convention, and proposed that you
should indicate your desire to meet General Grant, if you felt authorized
to do so. As he made this proposition before mine, to the effect that
General Grant should express his desire to meet you, and as the interview
between General Ord and myself had been brought on at the request of
General Ord, I did not feel that I could well do otherwise than promise to
write to you of the disposition on their part to have the interview. If
you think it worth your time to invite General Grant to an interview, it
might be upon some other as the ostensible grounds, and this matter might
be brought up incidentally. I presume that General Grant's first
proposition will be to go into convention upon the basis of
reconstruction; but if I have not misunderstood General Ord's
conversation, General Grant will agree to take the matter up without
requiring any principle as a basis further than the general principle of
desiring to make peace upon terms that are equally honorable for both
sides. I would suggest that the interview take place on this side, and at
the place of meeting between General Ord and myself; because there are
several little points upon which you should be posted before the
interview, and I do not see that I can well do that by writing. Besides,
as "the ice has already been broken" on this side, your interview would be
relieved in a measure of the formality incident to such occasions. If it
should be on this side, I hope that you will give me two or three days'
notice. General Stevens is of the opinion that one thousand negro laborers
on this line during this month will so strengthen our position that we
will be able to spare a division, and I am satisfied that we can do so if
we can have the work completed, and can get the aid that General Ewell
promises us.
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
X.
_Longstreet to Lee on Exchange of Political Prisoners._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 1, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--I neglected to mention in my letter just finished that General
Ord expressed some apprehension for General Grant lest there might be some
misunderstanding in regard to the exchange of political prisoners. The
terms were general for the exchange of this class of prisoners, but were
not intended by him, he says, to include such as were under charges for
capital offences. General Grant desired that you should be advised of this
construction of the terms.
I remain, respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
XI.
_Lee to Longstreet on Interview with General Grant._
HEAD-QUARTERS,
March 2, 1865.
GENERAL,--I have received to-day your letter of the 1st instant, and
concluded to propose an interview to General Grant. As you desired to have
two or three days' notice, I have appointed Monday next, 6th instant, at
eleven A.M., at the point suggested by you. Will you send my letter to
General Grant, and arrange with General Ord for the interview? If you will
ride in to my quarters on Saturday next, 4th instant, by ten A.M., in
Richmond, I shall be happy to see you, when you can enlighten me on the
points you referred to in your letter.
I hope some good may result from the interview.
Very truly yours,
R. E. LEE,
_General_.
GENERAL J. LONGSTREET,
_Commanding, etc._:
P.S.--Seal the letter to General Grant before transmitting.
R. E. L.
XII.
_Longstreet to Lee urging Use of Gold._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 7, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--I received a letter yesterday from a friend in the interior of
North Carolina assuring me that there are large quantities of provisions
in the State; that many have two and three years' supply on hand, and that
gold will bring anything that we need to our armies. The gold is in the
country, and most of it is lying idle. Let us take it at once and save
Richmond, and end the war. If we hold Richmond and keep our cotton, the
war cannot last more than a year longer. If we give up Richmond we shall
never be recognized by foreign powers until the government of the United
States sees fit to recognize us. If we hold Richmond and let the enemy
have our cotton, it seems to me that we shall furnish him the means to
carry on the war against us. It looks to me as though the enemy had found
that our policy of destroying the cotton rather than let it fall into
their hands would break them down, and that it has forced them to the
policy of sending on here to make a contract to feed and clothe our armies
in order that they may get the means of carrying on the war of
subjugation. If we will keep our cotton and use our gold our work will be
comparatively easy.
I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
XIII.
_Longstreet to Lee on guarding the Danville Railroad._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 20, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding_:
GENERAL,--I presume that the enemy's next move will be to raid against the
Danville Railroad, and think that it would be well if we begin at once to
make our arrangements to meet it. In order that we may get the troops that
may be necessary to meet such a move, would suggest that we collect all
the dismounted men of Generals Fitz Lee, Rosser, and Lomax, and put them
behind our strongest lines, and draw out a corps of infantry and hold it
in readiness for the raid. General W. H. F. Lee's dismounts might also be
used behind our works to great advantage. With a cavalry force of two or
three thousand men to hold the enemy in check, I think that our infantry
may be able to overtake the raiding column. If we can get a large cavalry
force I think that we would surely be able to destroy the raiding force.
I remain your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
XIV.
_Longstreet to Assistant Adjutant-General Taylor on Suppression of
Desertion._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 25, 1865.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. H. TAYLOR,
_Assistant Adjutant-General_:
The impression prevails amongst the Georgia troops of this command that
persons at home having authority to raise local organizations are writing
and sending messages to the men in the ranks here, offering inducements to
them to quit our ranks and go home and join the home organizations. The
large and increasing number of desertions, particularly amongst the
Georgia troops, induces me to believe that some such outside influence
must be operating upon our men. Nearly all of the parties of deserters
seem to go home, and it must be under the influence of some promise, such
as being received in the local forces. I would suggest, therefore, the
publication of a general order warning all officers or persons authorized
to raise local organizations against receiving such deserters or in any
way harboring them, and cautioning all such parties that they shall be
punished for such crimes under the twenty-second and twenty-third Articles
of War. It may be well to publish the articles in the order, and to send
the order South to be published in all the Southern papers. If the order
is published, I would suggest that copies be sent to the Southern papers
by special messenger or by parties going South who will take pains to have
it published, otherwise I fear it may miscarry or be delayed by our
irregular mails. Another growing evil seems to trouble us now in the shape
of applications to raise negro companies, regiments, brigades, etc. The
desire for promotion seems to have taken possession of our army, and it
seems that nearly all the officers and men think that they could gain a
grade or more if allowed to go home. I presume that many may try to go
merely because they get furloughs. I would suggest, therefore, that some
regulation be published upon this subject, and it seems to me that it
should require the companies to be mustered in as non-commissioned
officers and privates by the enrolling officers, and that all of the
officers (general, field, and company) shall be selected from the
officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates on duty with the armies
of the Confederacy. If these matters are not speedily taken hold of by a
firm hand, I fear that we shall be seriously damaged by them.
I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
XV.
_Longstreet to Lee on Sheridan's Operations._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 28, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Commanding, etc._:
Your telegram asking if we can spare General Pickett's division as a
supporting force to our cavalry is received. I suggested that it should be
sent on that service because I was apprehensive that our railroad would be
in danger of being broken up behind us, leaving us without supplies
sufficient to hold Richmond until our communications south could be
re-established, or in case Sheridan went to N. C., his mounted force would
be too formidable for that of General Johnston's, and that General
Johnston would be in great danger if we shall not reinforce him. I do not
think that we can well spare the division. But I think that we would
choose a lesser risk by sparing it in case Sheridan's cavalry makes either
of these moves contemplated than we would by holding him here to await the
result of these operations. The enemy seems now to count upon taking
Richmond by raiding upon our lines of communication, and not by attacking
our lines of work. I think, therefore, we should endeavor to put a force
in the field that can contend against that of the enemy. If Grant sends
off his cavalry, he can hardly intend to make any general move of his main
army until its return. In every aspect of affairs, so far as I am advised,
I think that the greater danger is from keeping too close within our
trenches. If we can remain where we are independently of the railroad, and
if General Johnston would be safe with such a force as Sheridan's
operating against him, in addition to Sherman's, we had better keep the
division here. You know much more about all those points than I do, and
are much better able to decide upon them. My supply train is in from
Northern Neck, and starts back to-morrow for other provisions. If there is
any impropriety in sending it back, please telegraph me as soon as you
receive this, that I may recall it. We have about one hundred thousand
pounds of meat near Dublin and eighteen thousand at New Boston. The C. S.
complains that the railroad agents will not ship the meat unless it is
boxed. This cannot always be done. If you can in any way aid us in this
matter, we shall do very well for some time to come.
I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
XVI.
_Longstreet to Adjutant-General Taylor on Policy towards New
Organizations._
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
March 30, 1865.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. H. TAYLOR,
_Assistant Adjutant-General_:
Your letter expressing the views of the commander-in-chief in reference to
the policy to be pursued in raising negro troops is received. I am
apprehensive that we shall have applications and evidence enough to take
from us more men than we can well spare at this critical moment in our
affairs. It seems to me that any person who has the influence to raise a
company or a regiment by going home could do so as well by letters to his
friends at home. If I am right in this opinion, an order announcing that
the officers of the companies and regiments of colored troops would be
appointed from the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates _on
duty_ with our armies would have the effect of bringing back more
absentees than we should lose by making the appointments. If we may judge
of our future success in getting up new organizations by the past, we may
rely upon it that many will furnish the necessary evidence, and go home
and there remain for eight and ten and twelve months. I think it would be
well to publish a general order, explaining more clearly the policy
indicated in your letter, in order that a better general understanding may
exist amongst the parties who may desire to furnish evidence of their
ability to get up new organizations. Otherwise I may adopt rules which
would not be as favorable to the officers and men of this command as those
of other commands.
I remain very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) J. LONGSTREET,
_Lieutenant-General_.
XVII.
_Lee to Longstreet on Proposed Publication of a History of Virginia
Campaigns._
LEXINGTON, VA., January 19, 1866.
GENERAL J. LONGSTREET:
MY DEAR GENERAL,--Upon my return from Richmond, where I have been for a
week on business connected with Washington College, I found your letter of
the 26th ultimo. I regret very much that you never received my first
letter, as you might then, perhaps, have given me the information I
desired, with more ease to yourself and with more expedition than now. I
did not know how to address it, but sent it to a friend in Richmond, who
gave it to one of our officers going south, who transferred it to another,
etc., and after travelling many weary miles, has been recently returned to
me. I start it again in pursuit of you, though you did not tell me how to
address you. I have almost forgotten what it contained, but I hope it will
inform you of my purpose in writing a history of the campaigns in
Virginia, and of the object that I have in view, so that you may give me
all the information in your power. I shall be in no hurry in publishing,
and will not do so until I feel satisfied that I have got the true story,
as my only object is to disseminate the truth. I am very sorry to hear
that your records were destroyed too; but I hope Sorrel and Latrobe will
be able to supply you with all you require. I wish to relate the acts of
all the corps of the Army of Northern Virginia wherever they did duty, and
do not wish to omit so important a one as yours. I will therefore wait as
long as I can.
I shall be very glad to receive anything you may give to Mr. Washington
McLean, as I know you recommend no one but those who deserve your good
opinion.
I am delighted to hear that your arm is still improving, and hope it will
soon be restored. You are, however, becoming so accomplished with your
left hand as not to need it. You must remember me very kindly to Mrs.
Longstreet and all your children. I have not had an opportunity yet to
return the compliment she paid me. I had, while in Richmond, a great many
inquiries after you, and learned that you intended commencing business in
New Orleans. If you become as good a merchant as you were a soldier, I
shall be content. No one will then excel you, and no one can wish you more
success and more happiness than I. My interest and affection for you will
never cease, and my prayers are always offered for your prosperity.
I am most truly yours,
R. E. LEE.
XVIII.
_Lee to Longstreet--Congratulations._
LEXINGTON, VA., January 26, 1866.
LONGSTREET, OWEN & CO.,
_New Orleans_:
GENTLEMEN,--I am much obliged to you for your business card, and the
pleasure it has afforded me to know that you have entered into
partnership. I know you will do your work well, and please myself,
therefore, with the prospect of your great success.
I wrote to your senior a few days since, at Macon, Mississippi, and hope
he will receive my letter. I do not consider my partnership with him yet
dissolved, and shall not let go him during life.
Wishing you all happiness and prosperity, I am, with great affection, your
obedient servant,
R. E. LEE.
XIX.
_Lee to Longstreet, suggesting the Preparation of his Memoirs._
LEXINGTON, VA., March 9, 1866.
GENERAL J. LONGSTREET:
MY DEAR GENERAL,--Your son Garland handed me a few days since your letter
of the 15th of January, with the copies of your reports of operations in
East Tennessee, Wilderness, Virginia, and of some of my official letters
to you. I hope you will be able to send me a report of your operations
around Suffolk and Richmond previous to the evacuation of that city, and
of any of my general orders which you may be able to collect.
Can you not occupy your leisure time in preparing your memoirs of the war?
Every officer whose position and character would give weight to his
statements ought to do so. It is the only way in which we may hope that
fragments of truth will reach posterity. Mrs. Longstreet will act as your
amanuensis. I am very sorry that your arm improves so slowly. I trust it
will be eventually restored to you. You must present my kindest regards to
Mrs. Longstreet. I hope your home in New Orleans will be happy; that your
life, which is dear to me, may be long and prosperous.
Most truly yours,
R. E. LEE.
XX.
_Longstreet to Lee on Battle of Gaines's Mill._
NEW ORLEANS, LA., March 20, 1866.
GENERAL R. E. LEE,
_Lexington, Va._:
MY DEAR GENERAL,--Your favor of the 9th instant is received. The papers or
copies sent by Garland contain everything that I have or can get in the
shape of your letters and orders. I shall be able to give you an account
of movements, etc., connected with the Suffolk campaign and the siege of
Richmond when I can get our diaries,--that is, Sorrel's, Latrobe's, and my
own. But I fear that I shall not be able to do so in time to meet your
desires. I shall send all that I can gather together to your house as soon
as I can. I have sometimes thought that I would make the effort to write
at some future time, but begin to despair of my arm. It is too much labor
to write with my left hand, and it gives me inconvenience, indeed pain, to
keep my right hand in the constrained position necessary in writing. Our
business affairs occupy my days from nine till four P.M., so I am glad to
give my arm rest after that time. Mrs. Longstreet would be rather a poor
amanuensis in the evening, my only spare time, as her two little boys, Lee
and Jim, occupy most of her time. She is trying to get a picture of Lee to
send you. I delivered your message that you "regretted that you had not
been able to return the compliment." To go back to history and the war.
There is one portion of our records as written that I should like
corrected,--the battle of Gaines's Mill. Your report of that battle does
not recognize the fact that the line in my front, that is, the enemy's
line, was broken by the troops that were under my orders and handling. A
part of Jackson's command, being astray, reported to me just as I was
moving my column of attack forward,--Whiting's division,--and I put it in
my column of attack, as stated in my report. I think that you must have
overlooked my report on this point, and have been guided by Jackson's.
Jackson knew nothing of the matter of my having his troops, I suppose, and
merely made his report from riding over the ground after the battle. I
presume that he was not within one mile of the division when I put it in,
and had no idea of its whereabouts. General Whiting reported to me that he
had lost his way, and did not know where to find General Jackson, and
offered his troops if I had use for them. I was then moving to assault,
and put Whiting in a little behind Pickett's brigade. The commands made
the assault together, and broke the enemy's line. Anderson's brigade
followed and secured it, the assaulting columns being somewhat broken in
making the charge. Just after breaking his lines the enemy made a severe
attack, and would have recovered his position, I think, but for the timely
support of Anderson's and Kemper's brigades at this point. Another fact
should not be lost sight of in this connection. A. P. Hill had made
several formidable attacks at the same point, and had fought manfully
against it for several hours, and though not entirely successful, he must
have made a decided impression, and have injured the enemy as much as he
was himself injured, and thus weakened the enemy's lines so as to enable
us to break them. It is quite common to give those credit only who show
results, but it frequently happens, as in this case, that there are others
who merit as much who are not known by results,--that is, who are not seen
by others than those on the ground.
If you can come across my son when you have an idle moment, I hope that
you will give him a few words of kindly advice and encouragement. He is
taught to look up to you as superior to others. Mrs. Longstreet joins me
in affectionate salutations.
I remain very truly yours,
J. LONGSTREET.
XXI.
_Lee to Longstreet--Situation and Prospects._
LEXINGTON, VA., May 25, 1866.
GENERAL J. LONGSTREET:
MY DEAR GENERAL,--I was very glad to receive your letter of the 18th, but
you told me so little of yourself that I presume you intend writing to me
again shortly. But what you did say was very satisfactory, and I am much
pleased to know that your prospects in a commercial point of view are good
and progressive. I hope they may regularly and surely advance. I feel much
obliged by your kind proposition as regards myself. For the present I must
remain where I am. When I see that I have done all the good that I can
accomplish for Washington College I may find it necessary to do something
that will enable me to procure a competence for my family. I will then
turn my hand to whatever may offer. For myself I want nothing but my food
and clothes. I send in compliance with your request a number of
autographs, enough, I should think, to last for all time; but if they will
be of any service to you I will send more. Mr. Lowe has not yet reached
Lexington. It will give me pleasure to see him when he does, as he comes
from you. As you did not mention your arm, I hope that is improving too.
You must never omit to mention it, Mrs. Longstreet, and your children when
you write. I see Garland very often in my walks, but very rarely at my
house.... All unite in kindest regards to yourself and family.
Most truly yours,
R. E. LEE.
INDEX.
A.
Adams, General, wounded at Chickamauga, 446.
Alden, Bradford R., at Jefferson Barracks, 17;
friendliness of, to Longstreet, 632.
Alexander, General E. P., at Fredericksburg, 311, 316;
at Gettysburg, 389, 390, 391;
notifies Pickett to advance, 392;
goes to Tennessee with Longstreet, 437;
on Lookout Mountain, 463;
at Campbell's Station, 493;
at Knoxville, 497;
at Mechanicsville (1864), 553;
letter of, to Longstreet, on affairs at Wilderness, 570, 571.
Amazon Creek, engagement at, 606.
Amusement of soldiers, 325, 326.
Anderson, General G. B., at Seven Pines, 94;
at South Mountain, 222;
mortally wounded at Sharpsburg, 249.
Anderson, General G. T., at Sharpsburg, 242, 247;
wounded at Gettysburg, 372;
brigade of, receives Farnsworth's cavalry charge, 395;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 428;
joins Hood's division in Tennessee, 462;
in assault of Fort Sanders, 502, 503, 505, 506;
at Wilderness, 562;
captures prisoners at Farmville, 617.
Anderson, Lieutenant-General R. H., at Williamsburg, 72, 75, 76;
at Seven Pines, 94;
at Sharpsburg, 247, 249;
report of interview with General Lee at Gettysburg, 357;
in fight at Little Round Top, 372;
in command of left division on Rapidan (1864), 553;
division of, in the Wilderness, 559, 562;
succeeds Longstreet, wounded, 565;
at Five Forks, 602;
in engagement at Amazon Creek, 606;
makes attack at Rice's Station, 613;
letter to, from General Lee, 639.
Antietam, battle of. _See_ Sharpsburg.
Appendix, 639.
Appomattox, surrender at, officers urge negotiations for surrender, 618;
General Grant asks surrender, 619;
General Lee replies, asking terms, 619;
interview of General Pendleton with General Lee, 620, 621;
General Grant states terms for surrender, 622;
General Lee proposes meeting with General Grant, 622;
Sheridan's decisive action, 622;
General Lee gives orders for march to Appomattox Court-House, 623;
an account of last scenes of activity, 624;
General Lee confers with Longstreet and Mahone, 624, 625;
General Lee rides to meet General Grant, 625;
Longstreet endeavors to recall Lee, 626;
General Custer's demand of surrender from Longstreet, 627;
truce ordered, 628;
sympathy of soldiers for General Lee, 629;
Generals Grant and Longstreet meet, 630;
details of capitulation arranged, 630;
number of troops surrendered and paroled, 631.
Archer, General, at Shepherdstown, 264;
at Fredericksburg, 309;
captured at Gettysburg, 354, 389.
Arista, General, in command of Mexican forces, 22.
Armies. _See_ Confederate, Federal, Army of the Potomac, Army of
Northern Virginia.
Armistead, General, at Malvern Hill, 143;
killed beside Federal battery in Pickett's charge (Gettysburg), 394.
Armstrong, General, at Chickamauga, 441;
makes great capture of cattle, 530;
in sharp engagement on the French Broad, 532.
Army corps. _See_ Corps.
Army of Northern Virginia, losses of, in Maryland campaign, 266, 267;
condition of, on entering Maryland, 284;
reorganized in October, 1862, 290;
strength of, at Fredericksburg, 305;
strength and organization of, at Fredericksburg, 317 _et seq._;
divided into three corps, 332;
in readiness for Gettysburg campaign, 334;
organization of, in Gettysburg, 410;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 426 _et seq._;
strength of, in 1864, 552-554;
capitulation of, at Appomattox, 631.
Army of Observation, 18.
Army of Occupation, 19.
Army of the Potomac, organization of, in Maryland campaign, 209, 271;
strength of, at Antietam, 265;
losses of, at Antietam, 266;
reorganized by General Burnside, 292;
strength of, at Fredericksburg, 305;
in false position at Fredericksburg, 323;
before Gettysburg, 335;
Meade succeeds Hooker in command of, 348;
organization of, at Gettysburg, 415;
strength of, in 1864, 552;
crosses the Rapidan, 555;
posting of, at Five Forks, 593.
Army of the Tennessee, first victory of the, 456;
Longstreet offered command of, 466;
Hardee offered command of, 466 (note).
Army of Virginia organized, 153;
strength of, 153, 157.
"Attrition," policy of, 551.
Averill, General, makes raid from West Virginia into East Tennessee,
521, 522.
Avery, Colonel, death of, at Gettysburg, 375.
Ayres, General, at Five Forks, 598, 599, 601.
B.
Badeau, General, quoted on strength of Army of Potomac in 1864, 552, 553.
Baird, General, at Chickamauga, 441.
Baker, E. D., 61.
Ball's Bluff, engagement at, 61.
Banks, General N. P., in command of Second Corps, Army of Virginia, 153;
his battle against Jackson at Slaughter Mountain, 157.
Barksdale, General, at Fredericksburg, 301, 303;
takes battery at Gettysburg, 370;
guiding spirit of the battle, 371;
mortally wounded, 372.
Barlow, General, at Antietam, 250;
fall of, 252, 266;
at Gettysburg, 355.
Baxter, Colonel, crosses the river at Fredericksburg under fire, 303.
Beauregard, General G. T., at West Point, 16;
at Manassas, 33, 35;
instructions to commanders, 36;
order for battle, 44;
order miscarries, 46;
in charge of left, 49;
brave charge by, 50;
ordered West, 64;
proposal to bring, into Gettysburg campaign, 336;
prejudice against, of Davis, 432, 545;
Longstreet writes President Davis in favor of, 547.
Beauregard, Lieutenant R. T., at Chickamauga, 441.
Beaver Dam Creek. _See_ Mechanicsville.
Bee, General Bernard E., at Manassas, 46, 48;
gives name of "Stonewall" to Jackson, 49.
Benning, General, at Gettysburg, 370, 396;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 431;
at Chickamauga, 448;
at Petersburg, 606.
Bermuda Hundred, Pickett's division assigned to, 574;
assault on, by Parke (Petersburg), 605.
Berry, General, at Fredericksburg, 309.
Birney, General, at Fredericksburg, 309;
at Gettysburg, account of affair at Peach Orchard, 366;
at Wilderness, 559.
Blackburn's Ford, engagement at, 38.
_See_ Manassas, First.
Blair, Hon. Montgomery, peace mission of, 583.
Bonham, General M. S., at Manassas, 52.
Bostan, Colonel, killed, 630.
Boteler's Ford, 264.
_See_ Shepherdstown.
Bowen, Orderly, killed at Wilderness, 564.
Bragg, General Braxton, at West Point, 17;
threatening near Chattanooga, 434, 436;
Longstreet at head-quarters of, 438;
plan of, for Chickamauga, 439;
gives orders to Longstreet's division commanders, 447;
disturbed by plan of battle, 452;
absence of, from field, 455, 457;
order for retreat, 456, 457;
did not know result of Chickamauga until next day, 458;
receives report of battle from Longstreet, 461;
refuses to pursue the enemy, 462, 463;
officers call for removal of, 464;
puts Generals Polk and Hindman under charges, 465;
inquiry in regard to, by President Davis, 465;
on affairs subsequent to Chickamauga, 471;
criticism upon, 472;
ignores signal service reports and is surprised, 474, 475;
plans to capture Hooker's rear-guard by night attack, 475;
orders Longstreet into East Tennessee, 481;
urges Longstreet to make rapid movement, 483;
orders speedy attack of Knoxville by Longstreet, 501;
orders Longstreet to co-operation with his army after defeat at
Chattanooga, 507;
relieved of command by General Hardee, 515;
called to Richmond as commander-in-chief, 516;
suggestions of, before authorities at Richmond, 545;
action of, after Chickamauga criticised by Longstreet before
authorities at Richmond, 546;
ordered to Wilmington, 580;
comment on, by Confederate newspaper, 582 (note).
Branch, General L. O'B., report of, on march to Mechanicsville, 123.
Brandy Station, cavalry engagement at, between Stuart and Pleasonton,
338.
Brannan, General, at Chickamauga, 442.
Bratton, Colonel, in attack on Hooker's rear-guard near Lookout
Mountain, 476, 477.
Breckenridge, Major-General J. C., at Chickamauga, 441;
in assault, 445, 446;
appointed Secretary of War, 583, 584.
Bristoe Station, engagement at between Ewell and Hooker, 170.
Brockenbrough, General, at Fredericksburg, 307;
at Gettysburg, 354.
Bryan, General, in assault on Fort Sanders, 505, 520.
Buckner, General Simon, at Chickamauga, 439;
gives opinion adverse to Bragg, 465;
letter to, from Longstreet, 484, 485.
Buford, General, at Gettysburg, 351, 352, 353.
Bull Run. _See_ Manassas.
Bull's Gap, Longstreet's army at, 542.
Burnside, General A. E., ordered to Fredericksburg to aid Pope, 159;
begins work at "Burnside's bridge," 244;
continuance of, 254, 256, 257, 258;
McClellan's orders to, for taking bridge, 258;
effects crossing, 260;
battle concentrates against, 261;
his advance arrested, 262;
assigned to command Army of the Potomac, 291;
reorganizes army in three "Grand Divisions," 292;
submits plan to President Lincoln, 292;
plan of, for crossing Rappahannock at Fredericksburg, 301;
plan of, for battle, 304;
orders that Marye's Hill must be carried before night, 312;
orders of, to Franklin criticised, 315;
memorandum of, for renewal of attack on Marye's Hill, captured, 316;
abortive moves by, 322 _et seq._;
in East Tennessee, 434, 436, 480, 481;
has army of twenty-five thousand men north of Knoxville, 482;
acts on defensive at Knoxville, 488;
sends troops to Little Tennessee River, 490;
report of, on condition at Knoxville, 499, 500;
relieved of command at Knoxville by General Foster, 514;
in command of Ninth Corps in Virginia, 552.
Burnside's bridge. _See_ Burnside, General A. E., and Sharpsburg.
Butler, General Benjamin F., in front of Richmond, 575, 576;
move on Fort Fisher, 580.
C.
Campaign in far South, consideration of, 540.
Campaign of 1864, 551 _et seq._
Campbell, Judge J. A., 583.
Campbell's Station, engagement at, 492, 494.
Cannon-shots, remarkable, 254, 255.
Capitulation. _See_ Appomattox, surrender at.
Carr, General, at Dandridge, 526.
Cashtown, Lee calls for concentration at, 348.
Chambersburg, Confederates at, 351.
Chancellorsville, losses at, 327;
criticism upon, 329, 330.
Chantilly, battle of, 193;
killing of Kearny and Stevens at, 194.
Charles City Cross-Roads. _See_ Frayser's Farm.
Chattanooga, Federal army at, 462 _et seq._
Cheatham, General, at Chickamauga, 441;
gives opinion adverse to General Bragg, 465.
Chester Gap, Longstreet's command at, in retreat from Gettysburg, 431.
Chickahominy River, McClellan advances to, 82 (_see_ Seven Pines);
fighting along the, in summer of 1862, 120 _et seq._;
McClellan changes base from, to James River, 132.
Chickamauga, battle of (_see_ Westward movement), Longstreet arrives at
Bragg's head-quarters, 438;
plan for, 439;
Confederate purpose to push between enemy and his base at Chattanooga,
440;
Confederate positions, 440, 441;
Union positions, 441, 442;
General Bragg orders direct assault, 443, 445;
battle opened by advance of General D. H. Hill's corps, 445;
General Helm killed, 446;
attack by Cleburne, 446;
Longstreet's troops assault, 447;
wounding of General Hood, 448;
Federals driven back, 448, 449;
change in plan by Longstreet, 450;
right wing ceases active battle, 452;
contention by left wing as independent battle, 455;
the Union army melts away, 455, 456;
rejoicings of Confederates, 456;
General Thomas marches for Rossville Gap, 456;
retreat was made before issue of Rosecrans's order, 457;
Confederates hold Snodgrass Hill, 457;
losses, 458;
heavy losses by regiments, 459;
Longstreet urges pursuit of the Federals, 461 _et seq._;
absence of both commanders from the field, 472;
action of Bragg after close of, referred to at Richmond by Longstreet,
546.
Cleburne, General, at Chickamauga, 441, 446.
Cobb, General, attacked by Franklin at Crampton's Pass, 229, 230;
at Fredericksburg, 303;
killing of, 311.
Colgrove, Colonel Silas, finds Lee's "lost order," 213.
Confederate army, organization and strength of, at Manassas (First), 57;
strength of, at Sharpsburg, 265, 266;
losses of, at Sharpsburg, 266;
condition of, on entering Maryland, 284;
reorganized, 290;
strength of, at Fredericksburg, 305;
numbers and organization of, at Fredericksburg, 317 _et seq._;
divided into three corps, 332;
ready for Gettysburg campaign, 334;
organization of, at Gettysburg, 410;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 426 _et seq._;
strength and losses of, at Chickamauga, 458;
losses of, at Knoxville, 508;
strength of, 1864, 552;
capitulation of, 630.
Confederate flag. _See_ Flag.
Confederate soldier, tributes to, 200, 288;
amusement of, 325.
Congress, Confederate, tenders vote of thanks to General Longstreet, 550;
expresses want of confidence in President Davis, 583;
passes law for appointment of commander-in-chief, 583.
Cooke, Colonel, at Sharpsburg, 250, 267.
Corps, army, two provisional, organized by McClellan on Chickahominy, 82;
First (Confederate), losses of, at Sharpsburg, 266;
First (Confederate), firmness of, 334;
Second (Confederate), leading on march into Pennsylvania, 340;
First (Confederate), on march into Pennsylvania, 341;
Third (Confederate), march of, to Gettysburg, 344;
First (Confederate), at Gettysburg, 397 _et seq._;
vote of thanks to First (Confederate), in Congress, 550;
Ninth (Federal), under Burnside, 552;
General Lee on services of First (Confederate), 639.
Corpus Christi, army concentrates at, 19.
Corse, General, at Five Forks, 595, 600, 601;
captured, 614.
Couch, General D. N., at Seven Pines, 95, 98;
at Harper's Ferry, 229, 232.
Councils of war, at Richmond, April, 1862, 66;
Johnston's, before Seven Pines, 85, 86;
by General G. W. Smith, at Seven Pines, 107;
of Lee and his officers, June, 1862, 121;
in spring of 1864, at Richmond, 543-595.
Cox, General J. D., with Pleasonton, opens battle of South Mountain,
221, 223;
at Burnside's bridge in command of Ninth Corps, 258.
Crampton's Pass, description of, 206;
General Franklin ordered to, by McClellan, 217;
Hampton's cavalry at, 229;
Franklin and Cobb have engagement at, 229, 230.
Crittenden, General T. L., at Chickamauga, 442;
goes before court of inquiry, 465.
Crook, General, at Burnside's bridge (Antietam), 259;
attacks Confederate trains, 612.
Cross, Colonel, at Antietam, 266.
Cullen, J. S. D., letter of, to General Longstreet on second day at
Gettysburg, 383 (note).
Cumberland Church, engagement at, 615.
Cumberland Gap, engagement at, 513.
Cumming, Lieutenant, bravery of, at Fort Sanders, 520.
Curtin, Andrew G., Governor of Pennsylvania, letter of, to General
McClellan, 282.
Custer, General, at Gettysburg, 396;
defeats and captures most of Early's command at Waynesboro', 590;
at Five Forks, 598;
division of, at Appomattox, 622;
demands and is refused surrender of Longstreet, 627.
D.
Dandridge, affair at, 528 _et seq._
Danville Railroad, Longstreet on guarding of, 650.
Davis, Lieutenant-Colonel H., escapes with command from Harper's Ferry,
231.
Davis, Jefferson, President, in council, April, 1862, 66;
high opinion of McClellan, 66;
on battle-field (Frayser's Farm), 134;
letter to, from General Lee, relative to peace proposition, 204;
prejudice of, against Johnston and Beauregard, 432;
visits Army of Tennessee and makes inquiry as to General Bragg, 465;
proffers command to Longstreet, 466;
urges promotion of General Law, 467;
holds second conference with commanders at Bragg's head-quarters, 468;
favors Longstreet's suggestion for change of base to Rome, Georgia,
469;
leaves army more despondent than he found it, 470;
orders Longstreet to march to Bragg's relief, 507;
gives Longstreet discretionary authority over troops in the
department, 511;
orders Longstreet to send Martin's cavalry to Johnston, 539;
in council with Generals Lee, Longstreet, and Bragg, 545, 546;
want of confidence in, expressed by Congress, 583;
receives news of defeat at Petersburg in church at Richmond, 607.
Davis, General Jefferson C., at Chickamauga, 442.
Dearing, General, killed, 630.
Dent, Frederick, home of, 18.
Dent, Miss Julia, meets Lieutenant Grant, 18.
Dent, Marshall, maternal grandfather of author, 13.
Dent, Mary Ann, mother of author, 14.
Desertion, Longstreet on suppression of, 651.
Deshler, General, mortally wounded at Chickamauga, 446.
Devens, General, 590, 598.
Doby, Captain, killed at Wilderness, 564.
Doubleday, General Abner, in engagement against Jackson at Groveton,
176, 177;
at Antietam, 241;
at Fredericksburg, 309;
in command of a corps at Gettysburg, 353, 355.
Douglas, Colonel, killed at Sharpsburg, 243.
Dranesville, engagement at, 62.
Duncan, Captain J. H., defends Fort Gregg (Petersburg), 607.
Duryea, Colonel, charge of, at Burnside's bridge (Antietam), 259.
E.
Early, General Jubal A., at Manassas, 39;
at Williamsburg, 78;
at Sharpsburg, 242, 245;
appointment of, as lieutenant-general, 332;
on march to Gettysburg, 344;
in battle, 374, 375;
charges of, against Longstreet and First Corps, 397;
comment on, 402;
defeat in the Valley, 579;
command of, captured by Custer at Waynesboro', 590.
East Tennessee campaign, Longstreet ordered to, 480, 481;
organization of Confederate command for, 482;
move to Sweetwater, 483;
transportation under Bragg's quartermaster, 483;
letter of General Longstreet to General Buckner on delays, etc., 484,
485;
Buckner's endorsement, 485;
on short rations, 486;
orders to General Wheeler, 487;
"looked like campaign against Longstreet instead of Burnside," 488;
description of country, 488, 489;
engagement on the Little Tennessee River, 490;
engagement at Campbell's Station, 492-495;
Federals behind their works at Knoxville, 495;
gallant assault on Fort Loudon repulsed, 497;
Longstreet reinforced by General Bushrod R. Johnson, 501;
McLaws's orders to his command for assault of Fort Sanders, 503;
McLaws urges delay because of report of Bragg's defeat, 504;
reply to, by Longstreet, 504;
the assault made, 505, 506;
troops recalled on a misconception, 506, 507;
Bragg orders Longstreet to co-operate with his army after defeat at
Chattanooga, 507;
losses at Knoxville, 508;
Longstreet finds it impracticable to join Bragg, 509;
columns advancing for relief of Burnside, 510;
Longstreet marches up the Holston Valley, 511;
he is followed by General Parke, 512;
engagement at Cumberland Gap, 513;
want of clothing and shoes, 515, 521;
presence of Longstreet causes concern to Federal authorities and
General Grant, 515, 516;
charges against General Robertson, 517;
General McLaws ordered relieved from duty, 518;
General Law resigns under privilege, 519;
honorable mention of officers, 520;
the army revels in plenty on the French Broad, 520, 521;
brilliant achievement of General W. E. Jones at Cumberland Gap, 522,
523;
strategic importance of the field, 524, 538;
Foster advances against Longstreet, 525;
Union army makes stand at Dandridge, 526;
affair at, 528 _et seq._;
Longstreet drinks to health of Granger, 529;
General Foster calls Dandridge's expedition "a foraging excursion,"
530;
General Grant orders Foster to offensive against Longstreet, 532;
despatches on Longstreet from General Grant to Generals Halleck,
Thomas, and Schofield, 535-538;
Longstreet asks for ten thousand additional troops, 539;
Longstreet's purpose towards close of campaign, 539;
withdrawal eastward of Longstreet's command, 540;
authorities would not support campaign, 541;
Longstreet and his original command from Virginia rejoins General Lee
on the Rapidan, 547;
vote of thanks to General Longstreet and First Corps by Confederate
Congress, 550.
Edwards's Ferry. _See_ Ball's Bluff.
Elections of 1862, 1864, 479.
Elzey, General, arrives at Manassas, 49;
succeeds Kirby Smith, 50.
Emancipation Proclamation, issue of, made practicable by victory at
Antietam, 288, 289;
elections of 1862 not in support of, 479.
Ewell, General R. S., at West Point, 17;
engagement of, with Hooker, at Bristoe Station, 170;
loses a leg at Groveton, 177;
appointed to command of Second Corps on death of Jackson, 332;
engages Milroy at Winchester, 339;
march of, to Gettysburg, 344;
captures beeves and flour, 345;
in fight on Cemetery Hill, 355, 356;
attacked by Ruger, 387;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 431, 432;
in command of Second Corps on Rapidan (1864), 553;
becomes engaged in Wilderness, 558, 562;
takes several officers prisoners, 565;
in retreat from Petersburg, 612, 613;
brave stand and final surrender of, 614.
F.
Fairfax, Colonel, at Sharpsburg, 250;
takes scout to Longstreet, 345;
letter from, to General Longstreet on interview with General Lee,
"sunrise order," etc., 380, 381 (note);
drinks with Longstreet to health of Gordon Granger, 530;
captures a trooper on the French Broad, 532;
on delay at Wilderness after wounding of Longstreet, 567.
Fair Oaks. _See_ Seven Pines.
Falling Waters, Confederates at, in retreat from Gettysburg, 428, 429.
Farmville, panic of Confederate teamsters at, 616;
engagement at, 616, 617.
Farnsworth, General, charge of, at Gettysburg, 395;
killed, 395.
Federal army, organization and strength of, at Manassas (First) 57, 58;
strength and losses of, at Antietam, 265, 266;
reorganized by Burnside, 292;
strength of, at Fredericksburg, 305;
in false position, 323;
before Gettysburg, 335;
Meade succeeds Hooker in command of, 348;
organization of, at Gettysburg, 415;
strength and losses of, at Chickamauga, 458;
losses of, at Knoxville, 508;
strength of, in 1864, 552;
how posted at Five Forks, 593.
Ferrero, General, at Burnside's Bridge (Antietam), 259;
in East Tennessee campaign, 490;
covers retreat, 492.
Field, General, at Wilderness, 562-564;
gives account of battle, 567;
before Richmond, 577;
division of, withdrawn, 604;
division of, at Appomattox, 629.
Fiser, Colonel, wounded in assault on Fort Sanders, 520.
Fisher, Fort, move against, 580.
Fitzhugh, Captain, captured and loses despatch, 160.
Five Forks, battle of, General Grant's move around the Confederate
right, 595;
General Lee endeavors to anticipate, 596;
opening of, favorable to Confederates, 596;
General Grant orders Fifth Corps into battle, 597;
Sheridan's strategic plan, 598;
the battle irretrievable for Confederates, 599;
Pickett's battle, 599-602;
losses, 601, 602;
General Lee on, 604.
Flag, Confederate, origin of, 56.
"Foot Cavalry" of Virginia, 146.
Forrest, General, at Chickamauga, 441.
Foster, General John G., reaches Knoxville and relieves Burnside of
command at, 513, 514;
at Blain's Cross-Roads, 514;
assigns true cause for Longstreet's failure to follow, 515;
plans to intrench at Bull's Gap, 516;
army of, advances against Longstreet, occupying Dandridge, 526;
suffering from an old wound, gives command to General Parke, 528;
calls Dandridge expedition a "foraging excursion," 530;
urged to offensive by General Grant, 531, 532;
assaults Fort Gregg (Petersburg), 607.
Fowler, Captain W. H., at Chickamauga, 441.
Franklin, William B., given command of Sixth Corps, 82;
encounters Jackson at White Oak Swamp, 133;
arrives at Centreville to reinforce Pope, 190;
ordered by McClellan to Crampton's Pass, 217;
engages General Cobb of McLaws's command, 229, 230, 232;
report by, 257;
placed in command of Left Grand Division Army of the Potomac, 292;
arrives before Fredericksburg, 297;
troops of, enter Fredericksburg, 304;
orders to, by Burnside, criticised, 315.
Frayser's Farm, battle at, Longstreet encounters main force of
McClellan's army at, 133;
President Davis has narrow escape on the field, 134;
Jenkins captures Randol's battery, precipitating battle, 135;
Heintzelman's report of fight, 135;
McCall's report, 136;
General Holmes's account, 137;
General Kearny's account, 137;
capture of General McCall, 138, 139.
Frederick, Md., Confederates in, 201, 202, 205;
McClellan's army at, 213.
_See_ Maryland campaign.
Fredericksburg, battle and campaign of, Burnside's plans for, submitted
to President Lincoln, 292;
Union army on march to, 293;
General Sumner calls on civil authorities for surrender of town, 293;
reply of the mayor, 294-296;
citizens of, move beyond danger, 296;
description of field of, 297-299;
signal for battle, 301;
plans of Federals for crossing the river, 301, 302;
work of General Hunt and Colonel Hall, 302;
Federals occupy eastern part of town, 303;
Sumner's and Franklin's troops occupy city, 304;
plan of Federal commander, 304;
strength of the armies, 305;
mist veils the confronting armies, 306;
Confederate positions, 307;
General Meade's advance, 308;
the opening against the Confederate left, 309;
killing of General Cobb, 311;
destructive work of artillery, 311;
desperate charges by Griffin and Humphreys, 312;
before the stone wall on Marye's Hill, 313;
comparison of charges by Federals with those of Pickett, Pettigrew,
and Trimble at Gettysburg, 314;
criticism of orders to Franklin, 315;
losses in battle, 315, 316;
Burnside plans to renew attack, 316;
strength of armies in battle, 317;
organization of Confederate army, 317 _et seq._
Fremantle, Lieutenant-Colonel, of the Coldstream Guards, as guest of Lee
and Longstreet, 343;
congratulations of, to Longstreet on Pickett's charge, 394.
French, General William H., at Fredericksburg, 309, 310.
G.
Gaines's Mill, battle at, the Hills attack Fitz-John Porter, 126;
Longstreet's reserve engages, 127;
Anderson, Pickett, and Hood's charges, 129;
letter of Longstreet upon, to General Lee, 656.
Garfield, General James A., communication of, on Rosecrans's order to
retreat from Chickamauga, 457.
Garland, General Samuel, at Seven Pines, 94;
killed at South Mountain, 221;
allusion to, 223.
Garnett, R. B., at West Point, 16, 17;
killed in Pickett's charge (Gettysburg), 394.
Gary, General, in affair on Williamsburg road, 578.
Gee, Captain, killed at Five Forks, 599.
Generalship, power of battle in, rather than in numbers, 551.
Getty, General, in opening of battle of Wilderness, 558;
advance of, 559.
Gettysburg, battle and campaign of, first mentioned, 331, 334;
Confederate plan of campaign, 335, 336;
Hooker discovers Federal withdrawal from Fredericksburg, 337;
cavalry engagement in rear of the march, 338;
confusion in regard to cavalry orders, 342;
municipal authorities of Gettysburg and York surrender to General John
B. Gordon, 345;
Longstreet suggests change in direction of march, 347;
Federal corps' locations, 347, 348;
General George G. Meade succeeds Hooker in command of Federals, 348;
positions of armies June 30, 349, 350;
Confederate cavalry not at hand, 351;
description of field, 352 _et seq._;
preliminary fighting, 353, 354;
the battle opens, 354;
General John F. Reynolds killed, 354;
fight on Cemetery Hill, 355, 356;
Federals retreat through town, 356;
Howard forms new lines, 357;
forces engaged (on first day), 357;
Lee had not intended to deliver general battle, 358;
Lee seriously affected by absence of cavalry, 359;
commands of Longstreet's corps hurried forward, 359;
second day's battle, 362;
front of Meade's position, 363;
march of Sixth Corps (Federal), 364;
position of Confederates, 364;
Lee settles on attack by his right, 365;
advance of First Corps (Confederate), 366;
time of reaching position, 366;
Hood reports advantage of move to the right, 367;
renews appeal, 368;
opportunity for Confederate right seen by Halleck in Washington, 368;
Barksdale of McLaws's opens the fight and takes battery, 370;
Little Round Top the citadel of the field, 371;
fight at the hill and Brick Church, 371;
many officers killed or wounded, 371, 372;
Longstreet with Wofford's brigade on Little Round Top, 372;
Meade reinforces against Longstreet, 373;
losses of Longstreet and Meade on second day, 373;
late arrival of cavalry, 373;
Federals draw artillery from their right against Longstreet's battle,
374;
"man on the left who did not care to make battle win," 375;
General Pendleton on the order for "battle at sunrise," 377 _et seq._;
refutation of, 378-384;
losses on second day, 376, 377;
third day's battle, 385 _et seq._;
Lee's plans, 386;
Ruger opens against Ewell, 387;
Longstreet did not approve attack as made, 388,
but he prepared carefully for the assault, 389, 390;
Confederates on the left driven from their trenches, 391;
Longstreet assents to Pickett's advance, 392;
Pickett's, Trimble's, and Pettigrew's charge, 394;
Farnsworth's cavalry charge, 395;
the Confederate First Corps, 397;
Lee's acknowledgment of fault, 400;
epitome of battle, 402;
Cemetery Hill and Marye's Hill compared, 403;
impossibility of taking Cemetery Hill, 404;
forces engaged and losses in battle, 409;
organization of Confederate army, 410 _et seq._;
organization of Federal army, 415 _et seq._;
Confederate retreat, 426.
Gibbon, General, in engagement with Jackson at Groveton, 176;
at South Mountain, 224;
at Antietam, 241, 266;
at Fredericksburg, 309;
wounded in front of Pickett's charge (Gettysburg), 394;
on assaulting columns, on the 3d, at Gettysburg, 399;
at the Wilderness, 558, 559;
at Petersburg, 606-608.
Gist, General, at Chickamauga, 446.
Glendale. _See_ Frayser's Farm.
Goggin, Major, reports taking of Fort Sanders impossible, 505, 506.
Gold, price of, reaches 200, 317;
Longstreet advocates impressment of, 588, 641, 646, 649.
Gordon, General John B., authorities of Gettysburg and York surrender
to, 345;
corps of, assigned for sortie against Fort Steadman, 592;
at Appomattox, 623, 624.
Goree, Colonel T. J., 47;
on repulse of Pickett at Gettysburg, 400.
"Grand Divisions," Army of the Potomac organized in, 292.
Granger, General Gordon, covers gap in Mission Ridge at Chickamauga, 442;
in severe contention against Longstreet's left, 457;
in command of Federals at Dandridge, 528;
on Longstreet, 529.
Grant, General Ulysses S., at West Point, 17;
joins Fourth Regiment in Missouri as lieutenant, 18;
takes part in theatricals, 20;
operations of, at Vicksburg, 478;
assumes command of armies in Tennessee, 482;
orders Longstreet driven out of East Tennessee, 516;
visits Knoxville, 525;
wants Longstreet driven from Tennessee, 531;
urges General Foster to the offensive, 532;
despatches of, to Generals Halleck, Thomas, and Schofield, on plans
to drive Longstreet from Tennessee, 534-536;
finds Longstreet too far from his line of operations to properly
engage against, 538;
assigned as commander-in-chief, 543;
with Army of the Potomac, 552;
had no general plan for campaign (May, 1864), 555;
prepares for immediate battle (Wilderness), 556;
orders Ninth Corps into battle, 561;
plan of, for left attack in front of Richmond, 575, 576;
letters to, from General Lee, on military peace convention, 585, 586;
draws from East and West to strengthen combination against, 590 _et
seq._ (_see_ Five Forks, battle of);
gives up attack of Richmond by north side of James, 591;
gives orders for grand move by his left, 592;
number of troops in command of, 593;
movement by left begun, 595;
purpose of the latter, 596;
orders concerted assault at Petersburg, 604;
rides over captured works, 606;
asks surrender of General Lee, 619;
letter to, from General Lee, asking terms for surrender, 619;
renews efforts to strike across head of Confederate march, 620;
writes General Lee as to terms of surrender, 621, 622;
letter to, from General Lee, proposing meeting, 622;
arranges details of capitulation, 630;
tribute to, 630;
gives General Longstreet letter to President Johnson, 633;
inaugurated President, 638;
appoints Longstreet surveyor of customs at New Orleans, 638;
General Lee on interview with, 649.
Grant, Mrs. Ulysses S., proposed meeting of, with Mrs. Longstreet to
bring about peace, 584.
Grapevine Bridge. _See_ Mechanicsville.
Greene, General George S., at Gettysburg, 374.
Gregg, Fort (Petersburg), 606, 607.
Gregg, General D. McM., at Gettysburg, stubborn fight of, 396.
Gregg, General Maxcy, killed at Fredericksburg, 309;
captured with part of command by Rosser and Mumford, 617.
Griffin, General, attack of, at Fredericksburg, 312.
Groves, Major R. E., at Chickamauga, 441.
Groveton, engagement at, between Jackson and Pope's troops, 175.
_See_ Manassas, Second.
Gunboats, McClellan's facetious remark concerning, 151.
H.
Hagerstown, Confederates at, on retreat from Gettysburg, 427, 428.
Hall, Colonel Norman J., in command of troops attempting to cross river
at Fredericksburg, 302;
report of, 303.
Halleck, General Henry Wager, at West Point, 17;
assumes command as general-in-chief of Federal armies, 153;
thinks the capital in peril, 214;
letter to, on affairs in Maryland, 214-216;
Meade communicates purpose to, 349;
suggests to Meade that Lee may turn his left, 360;
sees opportunity for Confederate right at Gettysburg, 368;
concern of, over Longstreet's presence in East Tennessee, 515, 516;
despatch to, from General Grant, on Longstreet, 534-536;
despatch of, to General Grant, 537;
right in estimate of strategic importance of Longstreet's presence in
Tennessee, 538.
Hampton Roads conference, 583.
Hampton, Wade, at Manassas, 48;
wounded at Seven Pines, 98;
at Crampton's Gap, 229;
wounded at Gettysburg, 396;
ordered to join Johnston in the Carolinas, 589.
Hancock, Winfield Scott, takes two redoubts at Williamsburg, 77;
christened "The Superb," 80;
takes command of Richardson's brigade at Antietam, 251;
makes well-organized advance at Fredericksburg, 310;
assumes Federal command under special assignment on field of
Gettysburg (first day), 356;
wounded in Pickett's charge, 394;
on Meade's intentions on third day at Gettysburg, 398;
in command of Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, 552;
intrenches at night along front in Wilderness, 558;
advance of, in morning, 560;
movement against left of, by Longstreet, 562;
on Longstreet's advance, 568.
Hardee, General, commissioned lieutenant-general, 290;
offered and declines command of Army of Tennessee, 466;
succeeds Cheatham in command of corps, 469.
Hardie, General, at Fredericksburg, 307.
Harper's Ferry, capture of, proposed by Lee, 201;
plan for movement against, 202;
description of, 207;
situation at, 228;
McLaws at, 231;
Colonel Davis escapes from, 231;
Colonel Miles' commandant of, mortally wounded, 232;
surrendered by General White, 232;
holding of, not of strategic value, 286;
let alone in Gettysburg campaign, 287;
abandoned by Federals, 339.
Harrison, Fort, captured by Federals, 575.
Harrison, scout, employed by Longstreet, 324;
sent out with secret orders, 333;
makes report, 346.
Harrison's Landing, McClellan's army at, 145.
Hartranft, General, at Campbell Station, 492, 520;
at Fort Steadman, 594, 595.
Haskell, Colonel J. C., rides to recall General Lee from meeting General
Grant at Appomattox, 626.
Hatton, General, killed at Seven Pines, 98.
Hayes, Rutherford B., wounded at South Mountain, 223.
Hays, General H. T., at Gettysburg, 374.
Hazlett, Captain, battery of, on Little Round Top, 371;
killed, 372.
Heintzelman, General, in command of left wing on Chickahominy, 84;
report of, on Frayser's Farm fight, 135.
Helm, General Benjamin H., killed at Chickamauga, 446.
Heth, General, at Wilderness, 556, 558, 560;
on failure to intrench, 565;
at Petersburg, 605, 609;
at Farmville, 617.
Hill, Lieutenant-General A. P., promoted major-general, 85;
at Mechanicsville, 123 _et seq._;
at Gaines's Mill, 126;
intercepts orders of General Pope, 172;
at Harper's Ferry, 231;
arrives from Harper's Ferry in time to assist at Sharpsburg, 261;
makes strong battle against Burnside, 262;
at Shepherdstown, 264;
tactical moves by, at Antietam, 266;
appointed to command of Third Corps, 332;
marches towards Gettysburg, 350, 353;
in fight, 355, 356;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 431;
in command of Third Corps on Rapidan (1864), 553;
death of, at Petersburg, 605.
Hill, General D. H., at Williamsburg, 74;
asks permission to attack Hancock's redoubts, 77;
the movement made with heavy loss, 78;
humor of, 113;
letter to Longstreet denying proposed abandonment of Richmond when Lee
took command, 115, 116;
in conference with Lee on attacking McClellan, 121;
at Mechanicsville, 124;
at Gaines's Mill, 126;
at South Mountain, 221, 222, 224;
explains to General Lee the situation at South Mountain, 227;
at Sharpsburg, 241, 242, 251, 253;
horse shot under, by a cannon-ball, 254;
"like a game-cock" at Sharpsburg, 266;
record of, 332 (note);
at Chickamauga, in right wing, 441;
opens battle by front assault, 445;
urges change of tactics, 455;
writes petition for relief from Bragg, 465;
gives President Davis opinion adverse to Bragg, 466;
relieved of duty, 469.
Hindman, General T. C., in left wing at Chickamauga, 439;
advance of, 448;
relieved under charges by Bragg, 465.
Hoke, General, in front of Richmond, 574, 575;
in affair on Williamsburg road, 577;
sent to Wilmington, 580.
Holmes, General, on fight at Frayser's Farm, 137;
commissioned lieutenant-general, 290.
Hood, General J. B., at Gaines's Mill, 128, 129;
report on fight at Frayser's Farm, 137;
advance of, at Turkey Bridge, 139;
at Second Manassas, 188, 189;
at South Mountain, 222;
at Sharpsburg, 242, 266;
at Fredericksburg, 306, 317;
march of, from Chambersburg to Gettysburg, 361;
reports on advantage of move to the right (Gettysburg, second day),
367;
renews appeal, 368;
seriously wounded, 370;
division of, in third day's fight (Gettysburg), 393, 396;
in retreat from Gettysburg, 431;
division of, starts for Tennessee, 437;
arrival at Chickamauga, 439;
brigades of, in left wing, 439, 440;
leads advance, 447;
wounding of, 448;
successor for, considered, 467;
division of, in engagement on Little Tennessee, 490;
supersedes Johnston in command of Army of Georgia, 572;
army of, reduced to a skeleton, 581.
Hooker, General Joseph, at Williamsburg, 73, 75;
at Frayser's Farm, 138;
engagement of, with Ewell at Bristoe Station, 170;
at South Mountain, 223;
at Antietam, 241;
heavy loss in troops of, 243;
wounding of, 245;
given command of Centre Grand Division, Army of the Potomac, under
Burnside, 292;
arrives at Hartwood, near Fredericksburg, 297;
marches for fords of the upper Rappahannock, 326;
at Chancellorsville, 328, 329;
discovers abandonment of Fredericksburg by Confederates, 337;
succeeded by Meade, 348;
in Tennessee, 474.
Hoskiss, Major J., on capture of Early's command, 591.
Hotchkiss, Major T. R., at Chickamauga, 441.
Howard, General O. O., at Fredericksburg, 310;
approach to Gettysburg, 355;
retreats to Cemetery Hill, 356;
forms new lines after retreat, 357.
Howell, Captain E. P., at Chickamauga, 441.
Huger, General, Johnston's orders to, for Seven Pines, 89.
Humphreys, Major-General A. A., desperate attack by, at Fredericksburg,
312;
account by, of fight before the stone wall, 313;
at Gettysburg, 367, 373;
at Chickamauga, 440;
spirited advance of, 448;
in assault of Fort Sanders, 505;
honorably mentioned, 520;
as chief of staff gives strength of Army of the Potomac, 1864, 552;
quoted on affair on Williamsburg road, 578;
at Fort Steadman, 595;
at Petersburg, 606;
in pursuit of Confederates, 611;
in engagement at Rice's Station, 614.
Hunt, General, at Fredericksburg, 302.
Hunter, Colonel David, wounded at Manassas, 46.
Hunter, Hon. R. M. T., 583.
Hunton, General, capture of, 614.
I.
Imboden's cavalry, halt of, at Hancock vexes General Lee, 359.
Impressment of gold, urged by Longstreet, 588, 641, 646;
of men, urged by Longstreet, 644.
J.
Jackson, Lieutenant-General Thomas Jonathan, at Manassas, 46;
christened "Stonewall," 49;
order to, from General Lee, June 11, 1862, for movement against
McClellan, 114;
reinforced by Lawton and Whiting for that purpose, 115;
in conference with Lee and Longstreet, June, 1862, 121;
lateness of, at Mechanicsville, 123;
at Gaines's Mill, 126;
encounters Franklin at White Oak Swamp, 133;
ordered to follow McClellan's retreat from Malvern Hill, 146;
fails to support Magruder, 149, 150;
engages with Pope's forces at Slaughter Mountain, 156, 157;
move of, on Manassas Junction, 167, 168;
engages King's division at Groveton, 175, 177;
sustains attack at Manassas, 180, 182;
in heavy battle with Fitz-John Porter, 187;
some characteristics of, 191, 192;
hard pressed by Stevens at Chantilly, 193;
comment on move of, to Manassas Junction, 197, 198;
ordered by Lee to move against Harper's Ferry, 202, 231, 232;
leaves Harper's Ferry to rejoin Lee, 233;
arrives on field of Sharpsburg, 236;
division of, receives attack of Hooker at Sharpsburg, 241;
withdraws, 242;
ordered by General Lee to turn Federal right, 257;
commissioned lieutenant-general, 290;
called by Lee towards Fredericksburg, 299, 309;
loses opportunity for advance, 313;
severely wounded at Chancellorsville, 328;
death of, 332;
comment on, at Sharpsburg, 401 (note);
comment on, in Chickahominy campaign, 406;
at Second Manassas, 407.
James River, Confederate troops on, in April, 1862, 67;
McClellan changes base to, from the Chickahominy, 132;
Longstreet assigned to command north of, 574.
Jenkins, General Micah, at Seven Pines, 95, 100;
at Frayser's Farm, 135;
at Fredericksburg, 311;
ordered to Chambersburg with cavalry brigade, 340;
brigade of, transferred to Hood's division and goes to Tennessee, 437;
joins Hood's division after battle of Chickamauga, 462;
Longstreet urges appointment of, to command of Hood's division, 467;
engages in attack on Hooker's rear-guard, 475-477;
at Lenoir's Station, 491;
at Campbell's Station, 494;
before Knoxville, 495;
at Dandridge, 526;
ordered to Strawberry Plains, 531;
ordered to bridge the Holston River, 538;
takes part in flank move, 563,
and riding with Longstreet expresses high hopes, 563;
mortally wounded, 564;
tribute to, 566.
Jetersville, Confederates halted at, 610.
Johnson, General Bushrod R., at Chickamauga, 439;
before Snodgrass Hill, 450;
in assault on Fort Sanders, 505;
severely engages Federals at Cumberland Gap, 513;
honorable mention of, for march to Bean Station, 519;
in affair near Dandridge, 532;
at Five Forks, 596, 597;
division of, mostly escapes in retreat from Petersburg, 614.
Johnson, Major-General Edward, advance at Gettysburg (evening of second
day), 374, 387.
Johnson, President, letter to, from General Grant on Longstreet, 633,
634;
reconstruction policy of, 635.
Johnson, General R. W., at Chickamauga, 442.
Johnston, General Joseph Eggleston, position of, before Manassas, 35,
41, 43;
forces arrive at Manassas, 44;
on field, 49;
called to Richmond for council with War Department, 65;
at Williamsburg, 79;
compliment of, to Longstreet, 80;
prepares to attack McClellan before McDowell can reach him, 85;
calls council before Seven Pines, 85, 86;
orders to Generals Smith and Huger, 89;
orders troops to sleep on their lines, 100;
wounded at close of Seven Pines, 100;
high regard for, in army, 112;
President Davis jealous of, 432;
plan for campaign of, suggested by General Bragg, 545;
superseded by Hood, 572;
Longstreet asks for recall of, to service, 588;
assigned to command in the Carolinas, 589.
Jones, General D. R., at Savage Station, 132;
at Antietam, 260;
overcome by the killing of his brother-in-law, Colonel Kingsbury, 262.
Jones, General J. M., at Gettysburg, 374;
in opening of Wilderness, 558.
Jones, General J. R., wounded at Sharpsburg, 243.
Jones, General Samuel, raid against, at Salem, by General Averill, 521,
522.
Jones, General W. E., sent to arrest Union advance at Cumberland Gap,
503;
fights engagement at Walker's Ford, 508;
brilliant achievement of, at Cumberland Gap, 522, 523.
K.
Kearny, General Philip, at Williamsburg, 75;
at Seven Pines, 96;
report of, on battle, 99;
report of, on fight at Frayser's Farm, 137;
orders to, from Pope, on eve of Manassas (Second), 178;
opens against Jackson's left at Manassas, 182;
at Chantilly, 193;
killed, 194.
Kemper, General, wounded in Pickett's charge, 394.
Kershaw, General, at Elk Ridge, 208;
at Sharpsburg, 245;
at Gettysburg (opening of second day), 370;
at Chickamauga, 440;
charge of, 448;
at Cumberland Gap, 513;
honorably mentioned, 519;
in Wilderness, 563, 564;
with Early in the Valley, 579;
crosses a fired bridge at Richmond, 609;
surrenders at Rice's Station, 614.
Keyes, General E. D., on battle of Seven Pines, 110.
Kilpatrick, General J., at Gettysburg, 395, 396;
follows Confederate retreat, 427, 428, 430.
Kingsbury, Colonel, killed at Burnside's Bridge (Antietam), 259;
killing of, overcomes General D. R. Jones, his brother-in-law, 262.
Knoxville, siege of, description of town and Federal works, 495;
a gallant dash repulsed, 497;
Federal positions, 498, 499;
Fort Loudon (or Sanders) described, 499;
McLaws ordered to assault fort, 500;
General Bushrod R. Johnson marches to reinforce Longstreet, 501;
McLaws's orders to his command for assault of Fort Sanders, 503;
McLaws urges delay because of Bragg's reported defeat, 504;
Longstreet's answer thereto, 504, 505;
the assault made, 505, 506;
troops recalled under a misconception, 506, 507;
Bragg orders Longstreet to co-operate with his army, 507;
losses in, 508.
L.
Lamb, Colonel, wounded at Fort Fisher, 582.
Lane, General, at Fredericksburg, 309;
succeeds Pickett in command of charge at Gettysburg, 394.
Latane, Captain, killed on Stuart's raid, 118.
Latrobe, Colonel, at Fredericksburg, 316.
Law, General E. M., march of, to Gettysburg, 365;
succeeds to command of Hood's division at Gettysburg, 370;
in Chattanooga campaign, 464;
claims of, for promotion, urged by President Davis, 467;
takes part in night attack on Hooker's rear-guard, 476, 477;
order for preferring charges against, 477;
late report on Federal retreat from Lenoir's Station, 491 (note);
at Campbell's Station, 494;
charge against, that he withheld attack improperly, 495;
slow march of, 514;
resigns under privilege, 519;
action of President Davis towards, 548;
rearrest ordered by General Longstreet, 549.
Lawton, General, ordered by Lee to reinforce Jackson, 115;
wounded at Sharpsburg, 243.