CHANGE OF BASE ACROSS THE PENINSULA--EVACUATION OF WHITE HOUSE--THE
MOVEMENT--BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE--GAINES' MILL--A
REPULSE--MCCLELLAN'S DESPATCH--HOSPITALS IN DANGER--CONVALESCENT
OFFICERS--LENDING MY HORSE--A LOTTERY--INSPECTING FARM STOCK--CATCHING
A COLT--DANGER OF CAPTURE--RIDING FOR LIFE--BETWEEN TWO FIRES.
The employment of General McDowell's force in the defense of Washington,
and its failure to co-operate by land with McClellan, necessitated on the
part of the Army of the Potomac an immediate change of base across the
Peninsula. Such a change in the face of a powerful enemy is considered one
of the most hazardous undertakings in war. But McClellan had no doubt of
the ability of his army to fight its way, even against superior numbers,
through to the James River, and thus secure a new position for an advance
against Richmond.
The entire energy of the army was now directed to this object. A despatch
was sent by General Van Vliet, chief quartermaster of the Army of the
Potomac, to Colonel Ingalls, quartermaster at White House, as follows:
"Run the cars to the last moment, and load them with provision and
ammunition. Load every wagon you have with subsistence, and send them to
Savage's Station, by way of Bottom's Bridge. If you are obliged to abandon
White House, burn everything that you cannot get off. You must throw all
our supplies up the James River as soon as possible, and accompany them
yourself with all your force. It will be of vast importance to establish
our depots on James River, without delay, if we abandon White House. I
will keep you advised of every movement so long as the wires work; after
that you must exercise your own judgment."
All these commands were obeyed. So excellent were the dispositions of the
different officers in command of the troops, depots and gunboats, and so
thorough was the warning of the approach of the enemy, that almost
everything was saved, and but a small amount of stores was destroyed to
prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. General Stoneman's
communications with the main army being cut off, he fell back upon White
House Station, thence to Yorktown, when White House was evacuated.
On the twenty-sixth instant orders were sent to all the corps commanders
on the right bank of the Chickahominy to be prepared to send as many
troops as they could spare on the following day to the left bank of the
river. General Franklin received instructions to hold General Slocum's
division in readiness by daybreak on the twenty-seventh, and if heavy
firing should at that time be heard in the direction of General Porter, to
move at once to his assistance without further orders. At noon, on the
twenty-sixth, the approach of the enemy, who had crossed above Meadow
Bridge, was discovered by the advanced pickets at that point, and at
half-past twelve in the afternoon they were attacked and driven in. All
the pickets were now called in, and the regiment and battery at
Mechanicsville were withdrawn.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the enemy formed his line of battle,
and came down upon our troops like a torrent--attacking the entire line.
McClellan, anticipating a fierce onset, was prepared for such an event,
and gave him a warm reception. Our artillery occupied positions commanding
all the roads and open ground. Timber had been felled, rifle-pits dug, and
the infantry were under cover of the thick woods. All remained quiet until
the rebel mass came rushing on--yelling as they came--within a short
distance of our line, when every battery and division opened
simultaneously a most destructive fire, which drove the enemy back with
tremendous slaughter. Several other attacks were made on our lines during
the afternoon, which proved disastrous to the enemy. At nine o'clock in
the evening the firing ceased, the action having lasted six hours.
During the night the heavy siege guns and wagons were removed to the right
bank of the Chickahominy, and most of the troops withdrawn, unknown to
the enemy. About noon the next day another general engagement came on, and
after seven hours hard fighting the left flank of the Federal line was
turned, and they were driven from their position.
General McClellan says: "About seven o'clock in the evening they threw
fresh troops against General Porter with still greater fury, and finally
gained the woods held by our left. This reverse, aided by the confusion
that followed an unsuccessful charge by five companies of the Fifth
Cavalry, and followed as it was by more determined assaults on the
remainder of our lines, now outflanked, caused a general retreat from our
position to the hill in rear overlooking the bridge. French's and
Meagher's brigades now appeared, driving before them the stragglers who
were thronging toward the bridge. These brigades advanced boldly to the
front, and by their example, as well as by the steadiness of their
bearing, reanimated our troops and warned the enemy that reinforcements
had arrived. It was now dusk. The enemy, already repulsed several times
with terrible slaughter, and hearing the shouts of the fresh troops,
failed to follow up their advantage. This gave an opportunity to rally our
men behind the brigades of Generals French and Meagher, and they again
advanced up the hill, ready to repulse another attack. During the night
our thinned and exhausted regiments were all withdrawn in safety, and by
the following morning all had reached the other side of the stream."
A despatch from General McClellan to Secretary Stanton, on the
twenty-eighth, tells a sad story, a part of which I quote:
"Had I twenty thousand, or even ten thousand fresh troops to use
to-morrow, I could take Richmond; but I have not a man in reserve, and
shall be glad to cover my retreat, and save the material and _personnel_
of the army. If we have lost the day, we have yet preserved our honor, and
no one need blush for the Army of the Potomac. I have lost this battle
because my force was too small. I again repeat that I am not responsible
for this, and I say it with the earnestness of a General who feels in his
heart the loss of every brave man who has been needlessly sacrificed
to-day.
"In addition to what I have already said, I only wish to say to the
President that I think he is wrong in regarding me as ungenerous, when I
said that my force was too weak. I merely intimated a truth which to-day
has been too plainly proved. If, at this instant, I could dispose of ten
thousand fresh men, I could gain the victory to-morrow. I know that a few
thousand more men would have changed this defeat to a victory. As it is,
the Government must not and cannot hold me responsible for the result.
"I feel too earnestly to-night. I have seen too many dead and wounded
comrades to feel otherwise than that the Government has not sustained this
army. If you do not do so now, the game is lost. If I save this army now,
I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you, or to any other persons in
Washington. You have done your best to sacrifice this army."
While the battle of Gaines' Mill was in progress, I was despatched to
several hospitals remote from the direct line of communication, with
orders to the surgeons, nurses, and such of the patients as could walk, to
take care of themselves as best they could, for no ambulances could reach
them; that the army was retreating to the James River, and if they
remained longer they would fall into the hands of the enemy.
At one of the hospitals, about eight miles distant, I found a captain and
three lieutenants with whom I was acquainted. They were just recovering
from fever and unable to endure much fatigue, but could probably reach the
James River if they should try. I was beset on every side to give up my
horse to one and to another of them until I knew not what to say or do. I
did not feel unwilling to give my horse to assist them in escaping from
the rebels, and walk all the way myself, but I knew I was expected to
return immediately and report to the officer in command of the ambulance
corps, and undoubtedly would be required to perform other missions during
the day. But all such excuses as these were thrown into the shade by the
powerful oratory of the convalescent captain, who poured forth a vehement
torrent of overwhelming arguments which would have made a less experienced
messenger believe that the horse was for the captain individually, had
been sent for his especial benefit, and was consequently entirely at his
disposal.
His eloquence had not quite this effect upon me, notwithstanding I decided
to give up my horse and to take the consequences. I did not feel so
particularly drawn toward Captain A. as to let him have the horse entirely
to himself, and to leave the other three poor fellows to live or die. Upon
coming to the conclusion, after mature deliberation, to part with my
faithful horse, the same one I rode on the Bull Run battle-field, I
informed those officers of my intention. But, said I, not for the benefit
of any one of you in particular, but for the mutual benefit of all four;
then I proceeded to make arrangements that two of them should ride
alternately, and not faster than the other two could walk. Then I took two
slips of paper and told them to cast lots to see who should ride first.
After they had drawn the lots to settle this matter, and the poor captain
was doomed to foot it the first part of the journey, and I saw that he
looked rather maliciously at me, as much as to say that I had assisted
fate in deciding that he should walk instead of ride, the thought struck
me that there would probably be some trouble when it came his turn to
ride. So I delivered the following brief lecture, which was especially
intended for his ear: "Gentlemen, you are aware that by giving you my
horse I am running the risk of incurring Major N.'s displeasure, and am
exposing myself to the very danger from which I am assisting you to
escape. Now, in return, I make one request of you, that is that you all do
as you have agreed to; don't play false one with the other. Those who ride
are not to go faster than the others can walk, and you are to ride equal
distances as near as you may be able to judge, unless otherwise arranged
among yourselves. The horse you are to have taken care of when you arrive
at your destination. I trust these matters to your honor, but if honor
should forget to assert its rights, the case will be reported at
headquarters."
There were several others in the same hospital, but some were unconscious
of the state of affairs around them; others were conscious, but unable to
help themselves in the least. One of the noble hearted nurses refused to
leave those helpless men, whom he had taken care of so long, and was taken
prisoner. I marked that noble boy's countenance, dress and general
appearance, and by making inquiry afterwards I found out that his name was
J. Robbins, of the Second Michigan Regiment, and after he had undergone
the hardships of imprisonment and had been exchanged, I had the honor of
meeting and congratulating him, I felt that it was a greater honor than to
converse with many of our major generals.
As I turned to retrace my steps I began to think over the lottery
business, and wondered if I had not introduced a species of gambling into
my charitable deed. I did not feel clear on this point until I thought of
reading in the Bible something about casting lots. Yes, it must be right,
for there were instances of it in the Bible. I tried to remember an
instance to find out in what connection I had read it, but my mind was
quite confused, and it required some time to recall one of those passages.
After a while, however, I thought of the one where the Roman soldiers cast
lots for the vestments of the Saviour, but this text did not bring much
comfort to my mind; I was somehow reminded of the woman who had named her
child Beelzebub because it was a Scripture name, and I concluded to leave
the further discussion of the subject until a more convenient season.
I remembered now of having noticed a farm house when I came that way in
the mornings around which were a number of horses, mules, or something of
that sort, and I thought it would be well to investigate the matter.
Moving along in that direction as fast as possible, I soon came to the
house and saw the animals there, feeding as before. Whatever I intended to
do must be done quickly, for the near approach of the cannonading warned
me that the army was fast retreating and I would soon be cut off from the
James river road. I went at once to examine the stock on the farm for the
purpose of ascertaining whether there was anything worth appropriating.
There were four splendid mules and a colt, but whether the colt was a two
year old or ten I could not tell, for it was very small and very handsome,
looking much like an Indian pony, and it might be a dozen years old. But
the all absorbing questions in my mind were how was I going to secure this
colt, and if I should catch him what was I going to do with him, having
neither saddle nor bridle? I went to the barn, looked around and found an
old halter that, for want of something better, would be of service. Now
was the time to catch the colt, but this was easier said than done, for
upon going towards it I found that it was about as wild as a young
buffalo. Not discouraged, however, I started it, together with the mules,
in the direction of the barn, and opened a door leading into a long shed
connected with the barn. This plan succeeded admirably, for they all ran
into the shed without the least trouble. But the greatest difficulty was
to put the halter on the colt and get on his back; however, I at length
succeed, and, mounting it, started toward James river.
The enemy had by this time succeeded in driving the Federals from their
first position, and were now between them and me. Turning off from the
main road, I struck out into the woods and rode as fast as possible. The
woods were open and clear so that I could see a long way ahead. On I went
until I came near a little thicket so dense that I could not see anything
beyond its border. Not daring to go into any place which looked
suspicious, I turned to go round it, when my ear caught the click, click
of a dozen rifles, and a shower of Minnie balls came round me thick as
hailstones, but not one of them pierced even my clothing. My colt took
fright at this unexpected salute, and plunged into the woods in another
direction with the speed of lightning.
[Illustration: RIDING FOR LIFE.--Page 217.]
I soon came to an open field and saw in the distance a large number of
soldiers. One glance convinced me that they were Federals, for they wore
United States uniform. Bounding over the field in an instant I had come
within a hundred yards of them before I noticed that they were prisoners,
guarded by a band of rebels. The first thing that caused me to discover
this fact was one of the prisoners waving his hand for me to go in another
direction, upon seeing which one of the rebel guards sprang forward and
struck the prisoner with the butt of his musket.
This little demonstration revealed to me at once my position, and turning
I fled in the direction indicated by the prisoner, when another volley
followed me which proved as harmless as the first. I began now to think
that I was about as safe inside the rebel lines as anywhere, for their
bullets seemed quite harmless so far as I was personally concerned. I
remembered that when I was a child, I heard my mother once tell a Scotch
Presbyterian clergyman she was afraid I would meet with some violent
death, for I was always in some unheard of mischief, such as riding the
wildest colt on the farm, firing off my father's shot-gun, and climbing to
the highest point of the buildings. To which the good old predestinarian
replied: "Ah weel, my guid woman, dinna fret; it is an auld saying, an' I
believe a true one, 'A wean that's born to be hung 'ill ne'er be
droon'd.'" Then turning to me and laying his hand on my head, he said:
"But, me wee lassie, ye mauna tempt Providence wi' your madcap antics, or
ye may no live oot half your days." I did not know after all but that the
fates were reserving me for a more exalted death on the scaffold at
Richmond--for the old minister's words would occasionally ring in my ears:
"If the wean is born to be hung it will ne'er be droon'd"--and, I added,
or be shot either. I was now outside of the rebel lines, but I was just
between two fires, and tremendous hot ones at that, for the whole lines
were a perfect blaze both of musketry and artillery. Nothing but the power
of the Almighty could have shielded me from such a storm of shot and
shell, and brought me through unscathed. It seems to me now that it was
almost as much of a miracle as that of the three Hebrew children coming
forth from the fiery furnace without even the smell of fire upon them.