THE MARCH TO YORKTOWN--SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES--CAMP COOKERY--DIFFERENT
CHARACTERS IN THE ARMY--ARRIVAL OF TRAINS--CHANGE OF CAMP--TRYING TO
SHELL US OUT--THE OLD SAW-MILL--A CONSTANT TARGET--ASSAULTS ON OUR
OUTPOSTS--A REBEL APPEAL--YORKTOWN AND VICINITY--THE
SITUATION--BALLOON RECONNOISSANCES--PROF. LOWE ON HIGH--REBEL
VIXENS--A CURIOUS VISIT--A STRANGE HOSTESS--SHE TRIES TO KILL ME--I
WOUND HER AND CAPTURE A PRISONER--A CONVERSION--THE SECESH WOMAN
BECOMES A FEDERAL NURSE.
On to Richmond once more resounded through the camp, and the army was
again in motion. The Yorktown road is one long to be remembered,
especially by those who that day had to toil through its mud and mire, or,
by making a mis-step, fall into one of the yawning chasms from which some
unfortunate mule had been drawn. The rain had continued almost all the
time we were encamped at Hampton, "saturating the clayey soil, which soon
became a vast bed of mortar under the artillery trains." The distance from
Hampton to Yorktown is about twenty-three miles, and it required all the
determination and energy of veterans to march half that distance in a day.
With two days' rations in their haversacks, the men marched until they
arrived in front of Yorktown, where they bivouacked on the ground, over
which the water was running like a flood. We remained three days in that
condition, and it was the first time I ever saw anything like scarcity of
food in the army.
It was scarce indeed, for we were only supplied with two days' rations on
starting from Hampton. The fifth day had arrived, but no provisions had
yet appeared, and it seemed morally impossible to get a supply train over
the road. Mile after mile of corduroy bridge had to be made before a team
dare venture to approach. Our horses, too, were as badly off for forage as
the men were for provisions. On the fifth day, with several others, I
received permission to go out and buy what we could at the houses anywhere
within three miles of our encampment.
After procuring a quantity of biscuit, pies, and corn bread, we returned
to camp, and were quite surprised to find the boys engaged in cutting up
and cooking fresh steak. We thought, of course, our provisions had
arrived, but found that it was only a little dash they had just made upon
the "chivalry's" cattle, appropriating them to their own use with a sort
of earnestness which seemed to say, I firmly believe in the old proverb,
_Aide toi, et le ciel t'aidera_.
Oh, what a place the army is for the study of human nature! As I looked
around upon that mass of busy men, I thought I could discover almost every
trait in the human character depicted upon their countenances. There was
the selfish man, only intent upon serving himself, and fearing there would
not enough come to his share to satisfy his wants; then there was old
churlish Nabal away by himself building a fire for his own especial
benefit, and which "no man dare approach unto," no, not within baking,
broiling, or roasting distance, not even to get a coal to kindle one for
himself. But that class of character, thank heaven, was a very small
minority. There, too, was the cheerful, happy man, who had been several
hours engaged in cutting up and serving out to others, and had no lot or
part in the broiled steaks which were smoking around him; yet he looked as
good natured as if he had dined on roast beef and plum pudding. Then there
was another phase of character--one who always made it the first duty,
under all circumstances, to look after those who were not able to look
after themselves.
While the little trials of camp life have a tendency to harden and sour
the dispositions of some, they seem to bring to light and develop the
cheerful, happy, unselfish spirit of others. One has truthfully said that
"there is no other quality so diffusive of joy, both to him who possesses
it and to those with whom he has friendly intercourse, as cheerfulness. It
is the phase of a soul sitting in its own sunshine. There are luminous
planets which are viewed by the aid of their own light, others there are
which are seen through borrowed light. So it is with individuals. There
seem to be some who have scarcely any light of their own, and who shine by
the reflection of the light of others; while others there are who possess
an intrinsic and inexhaustible source of sunshine, which renders them not
only self-illuminating, but capable of irradiating those around them. Many
are cheerful when a sparkling rill of pleasure is gurgling in their
hearts, or when prosperity encircles them, or looms up gorgeously in their
prospective vision. But few are cheerful when adversity casts its gloomy
shadows around them; when sorrow and disappointment dry up their fountains
of pleasure and wither their hopes. In such crises cheerfulness is an
independent virtue, and in others an accidental mood."
The despondency of the few was soon removed, and the patience and
cheerfulness of the many rewarded by the arrival of the provision and
baggage trains. We then exchanged our camp for one in a more pleasant
locality, where there was more wood and not quite so much water, which
added much to the comfort of the troops. The enemy soon found out our
position, and did not fail to inform us of the fact by frequently saluting
us with an immense shell, or thirty-two pound cannon ball, which would
burst over our heads or fall within a few rods--often within a few
feet--of our tents. We remained in that camp just one month, and,
notwithstanding the enemy shelled us night and day, I never saw a man or
beast injured by shot or shell in camp while we remained there.
I presume many of my readers will remember seeing or hearing of the old
saw-mill which stood near a peach orchard, and which the soldiers
persisted in running, to the great annoyance of the rebels. That old
saw-mill deserves to be immortalized in song as well as in history; and if
it stood in any other than a christian land, it would undoubtedly become
an object of idolatry. There it stood, in perfect range of the enemy's
batteries, a target at which they never seemed tired of firing, while our
brave soldiers risked their lives in sawing lumber for the purpose of
laying board floors in the hospital tents, to secure some degree of
comfort, for their poor sick comrades.
Time after time the mill was set on fire by the explosion of shells as
they passed through it, but up would go some brave young hero, and stand
in the very jaws of death while his companions would hand him bucket after
bucket of water to quench the flames. As soon as the fire was
extinguished the men resumed their labor, and the old mill steamed away
with all its might, as if proud of the "stars and stripes" which waved
from its summit, and of being permitted to show its patriotism and zeal
for the glorious cause of freedom by working for good old "Uncle Sam" and
his noble sons. Then it would give vent to its pent up wrath in hisses and
shrieks, bidding proud defiance to Jeff. Davis and his minions, who were
trying in vain to stop its humane and patriotic efforts. For more than
three weeks those brave men kept the steam up in that mill, until their
object was accomplished, having to stop almost every half hour to repair
the ravages of shot and shell. Notwithstanding the constant fire of the
rebel batteries, the dilapidated appearance of the mill from its effects,
and the danger of the situation, yet not a man was killed in or about it,
and not one wounded, to my knowledge.
I remember one day of passing the mill in a great hurry--and it was well
that I was in a hurry, for I had scarcely rode by it when I heard a
terrific crash close at hand, which made my horse leap from the ground
with terror. Upon turning round I saw that a part of the smoke stack had
been carried away, and the mill was on fire. I rode up to the door and
inquired if any one was killed or injured; no, not a man was hurt, and the
fire was soon subdued by the vigorous efforts of those sturdy soldiers,
who looked as jolly over the disaster as if it had really been a good
joke.
The rebels were beginning to make some desperate assaults upon our
outposts; they were driving in the advance pickets on our left wing, and
making similar demonstrations along different parts of the line. They were
evidently concentrating a large force behind their fortifications, and
were determined to make a desperate resistance. Deserters came in bringing
Richmond papers crowded with appeals to the Southern "chivalry," of which
the following is a specimen:
"The next few days may decide the fate of Richmond. It is either to remain
the Capital of the Confederacy, or to be turned over to the Federal
Government as a Yankee conquest. The Capital is either to be secured or
lost--it may be feared not temporarily, and with it Virginia. Then, if
there is blood to be shed, let it be shed here; no soil of the Confederacy
could drink it up more acceptably, and none would hold it more gratefully.
Wife, family, and friends are nothing. Leave them all for one glorious
hour to be devoted to the Republic. Life, death, and wounds are nothing if
we only be saved from the fate of a captured and humiliated Confederacy.
Let the Government act; let the people act. There is time yet. If fate
comes to its worst, let the ruins of Richmond be its most lasting
monument."
General McClellan's despatch to the War Department will best describe the
state of affairs at this time in Yorktown and vicinity; he says:
"The whole line of the Warwick, which really heads within a mile of
Yorktown, is strongly defended by detached redoubts and other
fortifications, armed with heavy and light guns. The approaches, except at
Yorktown, are covered by the Warwick, over which there is but one, or at
most, two passages, both of which are covered by strong batteries. All the
prisoners state that General J. E. Johnson arrived at Yorktown yesterday,
with strong reinforcements. It seems clear that I shall have the whole
force of the enemy on my hands--probably not less than one hundred
thousand men, and possibly more.
"Under the circumstances which have been developed since we arrived here,
I feel fully impressed with the conviction that here is to be fought the
great battle that is to decide the existing contest. I shall of course
commence the attack as soon as I can get up my siege train, and shall do
all in my power to carry the enemy's works; but to do this, with a
reasonable degree of certainty, requires, in my judgment, that I should,
if possible, have at least the whole of the first corps to land upon the
Severn river and attack Gloucester in the rear. My present strength will
not admit of a detachment sufficient for this purpose without materially
impairing the efficiency of this column."
While these preparations were going forward on both sides, Professor Lowe
was making balloon reconnoissances, and transmitting the result of his
observations to General McClellan by telegraph from his castle in the air,
which seemed suspended from the clouds, reminding one of the fabled gods
of old looking down from their ethereal abodes upon the conflicts of the
inhabitants of this mundane sphere. One of the officers one day playfully
remarked: "Professor, I am always sorry when I see you descend with your
balloon." "Why are you sorry, Colonel? Would you wish to see me suspended
between heaven and earth all the time?" "Oh, no, not that; but when I see
you coming down I am afraid you will never get so near heaven again."
I was often sent out to procure supplies for the hospitals, butter, eggs,
milk, chickens, etc., and in my rambles I used to meet with many
interesting adventures. In some instances I met with narrow escapes with
my life, which were not quite so interesting; and the timely appearance of
my revolver often rescued me from the hands of the female rebels of the
Peninsula. Persons dwelling in regions which slavery has not debased can
hardly imagine the malice and ferocity manifested by the rebel vixens of
the slave states. Upon this point the testimony from all parts of the
South is invariable. The Louisville Journal says: "Thousands have read
with astonishment the account which historians give of the conduct of
women in Paris during the Reign of Terror. The women are said to have been
more fierce and bloodthirsty than even the fiercest and most bloodthirsty
of the men. Many of our people have supposed that the accounts given of
those things must surely be fictions or exaggerations. They have felt
themselves unable to conceive that woman's nature could become a thing so
utterly revolting. But if they will look and listen in this region, at the
present time, they will find that they have no further reason for
incredulity or scepticism. The bitter and ferocious spirit of thousands of
rebel women in Kentucky, Tennessee, and other States, is scarcely, if at
all, surpassed by the female monsters that shrieked and howled for victims
in the French Revolution."
I will here relate a little incident illustrative of the peculiarity of my
adventures while on this catering business: One morning I started, all
alone, for a five mile ride to an isolated farm-house about three miles
back from the Hampton road, and which report said was well supplied with
all the articles of which I was in search. I cantered along briskly until
I came to a gate which opened into a lane leading directly to the house.
It was a large old fashioned two-story house, with immense chimneys built
outside, Virginia style. The farm appeared to be in good condition, fences
all up, a rare thing on the Peninsula, and corn-fields flourishing as if
there were no such thing as war in the land.
I rode up to the house and dismounted, hitched my horse to a post at the
door, and proceeded to ring the bell. A tall, stately lady made her
appearance, and invited me in with much apparent courtesy. She was dressed
in deep mourning, which was very becoming to her pale, sad face. She
seemed to be about thirty years of age, very prepossessing in appearance,
and evidently belonged to one of the "F. F. V's." As soon as I was seated
she inquired: "To what fortunate circumstance am I to attribute the
pleasure of this unexpected call?" I told her in a few words the nature of
my business. The intelligence seemed to cast a deep shadow over her pale
features, which all her efforts could not control. She seemed nervous and
excited, and something in her appearance aroused my suspicion,
notwithstanding her blandness of manner and lady-like deportment.
She invited me into another room, while she prepared the articles which
she proposed to let me have, but I declined, giving as an excuse that I
preferred to sit where I could see whether my horse remained quiet. I
watched all her movements narrowly, not daring to turn my eyes aside for a
single moment. She walked round in her stately way for some time, without
accomplishing much in the way of facilitating my departure, and she was
evidently trying to detain me for some purpose or other. Could it be that
she was meditating the best mode of attack, or was she expecting some one
to come, and trying to detain me until their arrival? Thoughts like these
passed through my mind in quick succession.
At last I rose up abruptly, and asked her if the things were ready. She
answered me with an assumed smile of surprise, and said: "Oh, I did not
know that you were in a hurry: I was waiting for the boys to come and
catch some chickens for you." "And pray, madam, where are the boys?" I
asked; "Oh, not far from here," was her reply. "Well, I have decided not
to wait; you will please not detain me longer," said I, as I moved toward
the door. She began to pack some butter and eggs both together in a small
basket which I had brought with me, while another stood beside her without
anything in it. I looked at her; she was trembling violently, and was as
pale as death. In a moment more she handed me the basket, and I held out a
greenback for her acceptance; "Oh, it was no consequence about the pay;"
she did not wish anything for it. So I thanked her and went out.
In a few moments she came to the door, but did not offer to assist me, or
to hold the basket, or anything, but stood looking at me most maliciously,
I thought. I placed the basket on the top of the post to which my horse
had been hitched, took my seat in the saddle, and then rode up and took
my basket. Turning to her I bade her good morning, and thanking her again
for her kindness, I turned to ride away.
I had scarcely gone a rod when she discharged a pistol at me; by some
intuitive movement I threw myself forward on my horse's neck and the ball
passed over my head. I turned my horse in a twinkling, and grasped my
revolver. She was in the act of firing the second time, but was so excited
that the bullet went wide of its mark. I held my seven-shooter in my hand,
considering where to aim. I did not wish to kill the wretch, but did
intend to wound her. When she saw that two could play at this game, she
dropped her pistol and threw up her hands imploringly. I took deliberate
aim at one of her hands, and sent the ball through the palm of her left
hand. She fell to the ground in an instant with a loud shriek. I
dismounted, and took the pistol which lay beside her, and placing it in my
belt, proceeded to take care of her ladyship after the following manner: I
unfastened the end of my halter-strap and tied it painfully tight around
her right wrist, and remounting my horse, I started, and brought the lady
to consciousness by dragging her by the wrist two or three rods along the
ground. I stopped, and she rose to her feet, and with wild entreaties she
begged me to release her, but, instead of doing so, I presented a pistol,
and told her that if she uttered another word or scream she was a dead
woman. In that way I succeeded in keeping her from alarming any one who
might be within calling distance, and so made my way toward McClellan's
headquarters.
[Illustration: CATERING FOR HOSPITALS.--Page 94.]
After we had gone in that way about a mile and a half, I told her that she
might ride if she wished to do so, for I saw she was becoming weak from
loss of blood. She was glad to accept the offer, and I bound up her hand
with my handkerchief, gave her my scarf to throw over her head, and
assisted her to the saddle. I marched along beside her, holding tight to
the bridle rein all the while. When we were about a mile from McClellan's
headquarters she fainted, and I caught her as she was falling from the
horse. I laid her by the roadside while I went for some water, which I
brought in my hat, and after bathing her face for some time she recovered.
For the first time since we started I entered into conversation with her,
and found that within the last three weeks she had lost her father,
husband, and two brothers in the rebel army. They had all belonged to a
company of sharpshooters, and were the first to fall. She had been almost
insane since the intelligence reached her. She said I was the first Yankee
that she had seen since the death of her relatives, the evil one seemed to
urge her on to the step she had taken, and if I would not deliver her up
to the military powers, she would go with me and take care of the
wounded. She even proposed to take the oath of allegiance, and seemed
deeply penitent. "If thy brother (or sister) sin against thee, and repent,
forgive him," are the words of the Saviour. I tried to follow their sacred
teachings there and then, and told her that I forgave her fully if she was
only truly penitent. Her answer was sobs and tears.
Soon after this conversation we started for camp, she weak and humbled,
and I strong and rejoicing. None ever knew from that day to this the
secret of that secesh woman becoming a nurse. Instead of being taken to
General McClellan's headquarters, she went direct to the hospital, where
Dr. P. dressed her hand, which was causing her extreme pain. The good old
surgeon never could solve the mystery connected with her hand, for we both
refused to answer any questions relating to the wound, except that she was
shot by a "Yankee," which placed the surgeon under obligations to take
care of the patient until she recovered--that is to say as long as it was
convenient for him to do so.
The next day she returned to her house in an ambulance, accompanied by a
hospital steward, and brought away everything which could be made use of
in the hospitals, and so took up her abode with us. Her name was Alice M.,
but we called her Nellie J. She soon proved the genuineness of her
conversion to the Federal faith by her zeal for the cause which she had so
recently espoused. As soon as she was well enough to act in the capacity
of nurse she commenced in good earnest, and became one of the most
faithful and efficient nurses in the army of the Potomac. But that was the
first and the only instance of a female rebel changing her sentiments, or
abating one iota in her cruelty or hatred toward the "Yankees;" and also
the only real lady in personal appearance, education and refinement, that
I ever met among the females of the Peninsula.