"Hooker started toward Washington. Ewell gained possession of

Winchester and Martinsburg, but not of Harper's Ferry. There

is a rocky and thickly wooded range of heights called the Bull

Run Mountains, running from Leesburg south. As Hooker had not

occupied them but was farther to the East, Lee desired to do

so, for it would give him a strong position on Hooker's flank

and bring him (Lee) very near to Washington. He therefore

directed his cavalry to reconnoiter in that direction.

Stuart's reconnoitering party met the Union cavalry at Aldie,

and after a hard battle retreated. A series of cavalry combats

ensued, ending in the retreat of Stuart's cavalry behind the

Blue Ridge. Hooker was strongly posted east of the Bull Run

range and could not be attacked with much chance of success.

As Lee could not well remain inactive or retreat, he resolved

to invade Pennsylvania. This was a hazardous enterprise, for

Hooker might intervene between him and Richmond. Stuart's

cavalry was left to prevent this catastrophe by guarding the

passes in the Blue Ridge. Stuart was also directed to harass

Hooker and attack his rear should he attempt to cross the

Potomac in pursuit of Lee. Lee reached Chambersburg with

Longstreet's and Hill's corps. Ewell's corps was in advance at

Carlisle [June 27] and York," and advance bodies of cavalry

were threatening Harrisburg. The militia of Pennsylvania, New

York and Maryland were called out in force, but arms and

ammunition for them were inadequate. "On June 28th, Hooker

determined to send Slocum's corps and the garrison of Harper's

Ferry—the latter about 10,000 strong—to operate against Lee's

rear. This was an excellent plan, but Hooker's superior,

General Halleck, refused to allow him to remove the troops

from Harper's Ferry; and Hooker said if he could not manage

the campaign in his own way, he preferred to give up the

command of the army."

{3502}

He was accordingly relieved and the command was given to

Major-General George G. Meade, of the Fifth Corps. Meantime

(June 25-27) the Union army had crossed the Potomac and

advanced to Frederick, Maryland. "On June 28th, Lee learned

from a scout that the Union army was in his rear and that his

communication with Richmond was seriously endangered. … In

this emergency he concluded to threaten Baltimore. As a

preliminary measure, he directed his entire army to move on

Gettysburg. This he hoped would induce Meade to concentrate in

his front and leave his rear free; which was precisely what

Meade did do. … Under the impression that Lee's army was

spread out along the Susquehanna from Carlisle to York, Meade

threw out his own forces fan-shaped to march in that

direction. … The Union corps were marching on and getting

farther apart, while the enemy were concentrating. The advance

of Hill's corps, on the morning of July 1st, struck Buford's

division of Union cavalry a short distance to the west of

Gettysburg, and in spite of a stout resistance forced it

slowly back towards the town. The First Corps at this time was

five miles south of Gettysburg. General Reynolds went to the

support of Buford with the nearest division of the First

Corps—Wadsworth's—and directed that the others follow. While

forming his line of battle he was killed. General Howard

succeeded to the command of the field, but did not issue any

orders to the First Corps until the afternoon. In the meantime

General Doubleday continued the contest, captured a great part

of the forces that had assailed him, and cleared his immediate

front of all enemies. Before the Eleventh Corps came up the

enemy could have walked right over the small force opposed to

them, but owing to the absence of Stuart's cavalry [which, not

crossing the Potomac to follow Lee until the 27th, had

undertaken a long raid around the Union forces, and did not

succeed in joining the main body of the Confederates until

July 2d] they had not been kept informed as to the movements

Meade was making, and fearing that the whole Union army was

concentrated in their front they were overcautious. There was

now a lull in the battle for about an hour. The remainder of

the First Corps came up and was followed soon after by the

Eleventh Corps under General Schurz. About the same time the

Confederate corps of General Ewell arrived and made a junction

with that of Hill. General Howard assumed command of the Union

forces. Repeated attacks were now made against the First Corps

by Ewell from the north and Hill from the west; but the

Confederate charges were successfully repulsed. … Ewell's

attack also struck the Eleventh Corps on the right and front

with great force. … General Meade, when he heard of Reynold's

death, was 14 miles from Gettysburg at Taneytown, preparing to

form line of battle along Pipe Creek. He at once sent General

Hancock forward with orders to assume command of the field.

Hancock, perceiving that Cemetery Ridge [about half a mile

south of Gettysburg] was an admirable position for a defensive

battle, determined to hold it if possible. This was not an

easy thing to do, for the enemy were in overwhelming force,

and the feeble remnants of the First and Eleventh Corps were

not in a condition to make a prolonged resistance. … Hancock

directed Doubleday to send a force to Culp's Hill on the

right, while he instructed Buford to parade up and down on the

extreme left with his cavalry. The enemy were thus led to

suppose that the Union line was a long one and had been

heavily reënforced. As the losses on both sides had been

tremendous, probably not exceeded for the same number of

troops during the war, the enemy hesitated to advance,

particularly as some movements of Kilpatrick's cavalry seemed

to threaten their rear. They therefore deferred action until

Meade concentrated the next day. On General Hancock's

recommendation General Meade ordered his entire army to

Gettysburg. By dusk part of the Third Corps had arrived, and

soon after the Twelfth Corps and the Second Corps were close

at hand. … Most of the troops, though worn out with hard

marching, arrived by midday of July 2d. The Sixth Corps had 34

miles to march and came later in the afternoon. … The attack

as ordered by General Lee was to begin with Longstreet on the

right and be made 'en échelon.' That is, as soon as Longstreet

was fairly engaged, Hill's corps was to take up the fight and

go in, and as soon as Hill was fairly engaged, Ewell's corps

on the right was to attack. The object was to keep the whole

Union line in a turmoil at once, and prevent reënforcements

going from any corps not engaged to another that was fighting;

but Hill did not act until Longstreet's fight was over, and

Ewell did not act until Hill had been repulsed. … The enemy …

failed in every attack against Meade's main line, with the

exception of that portion south of Culp's Hill. Elated by the

fact that he had made a lodgement there, Ewell determined to

hold on at all hazards and sent heavy reënforcements during

the night to aid Johnson to make an attack in the morning. …

So ended the battle of the second day. At day dawn [July 3]

General Warren, acting for General Meade, established a cordon

of troops and batteries which drove Johnson out of his

position on the right. … Lee having failed in his attacks both

on Meade's left and right had to decide at once whether he

would give up the contest and retreat, or make another attempt

to force the Union line. As he had been reënforced by Stuart's

cavalry, and as a fresh division under Pickett was available,

he determined to try to pierce the left center of the Union

army and disperse the force opposed to him. To this end he

directed Longstreet to form a strong column of attack to be

composed of Pickett's division and Pettigrew's division and

two brigades of Pender's division, under Trimble, of Hill's

corps. To create confusion and prevent General Meade from

sending reënforcements to the menaced point, Stuart was

ordered to ride around the right of the Union army and make an

attack in rear. And still more to facilitate the attack 135

guns were to concentrate their fire against the Union center

and disperse the forces assembled there. About 1 P. M. the

terrific cannonade began and lasted for two hours, by which

time the Confederate ammunition was nearly exhausted. …

Stuart's cavalry attack proved abortive, for it was met and

frustrated by two brigades of Gregg's cavalry aided by

Custer's brigade, after a severe battle, which was hotly

contested on both sides. Stuart's further progress was checked

and he was forced to retreat. … Pickett formed his great

column of attack and came forward as soon as the fire from the

Union batteries slackened."

{3503}

Fresh guns had, however, been brought into position and swept

the ground over which Pickett moved. His charge, one of the

most desperately determined of the whole war, was heroically

met by Gibbon's division of the Second Corps and by part of

the First Corps, under the personal direction of General

Hancock, who was severely wounded in the terrible conflict.

Pickett was forced to retreat with the survivors of his

onslaught, and "the whole plain was soon covered with

fugitives; but, as no pursuit was ordered, General Lee in

person succeeded in rallying them and in re-forming the line

of battle. The next day, July 4th, General Lee drew back his

flanks and at evening began his retreat by two routes—the main

body on the direct road to Williamsport through the mountains,

the other via Chambersburg, the latter including the immense

train of the wounded. Gregg's division (except Huey's brigade)

was sent in pursuit by way of Chambersburg, but the enemy had

too much the start to render the chase effective. Kilpatrick,

however, got in front of the main body on the direct route

and, after a midnight battle at Monterey, fought during a

terrific thunder storm, succeeded in making sad havoc of

Ewell's trains. … Lee concentrated his army in the vicinity of

Williamsport, but as French had destroyed his pontoon bridge,

and as the Potomac had risen, he was unable to cross. He

therefore fortified his position. Meade did not follow Lee

directly, but went around by way of Frederick. After

considerable delay the Union army again confronted that of Lee

and were about—under orders from President Lincoln-to make an

attack, when Lee slipped away on the night of July 14th to the

Virginia side of the Potomac. This ended the campaign of

Gettysburg. The Union loss was 3,072 killed, 14,497 wounded,

5,434 missing=Total, 23,003. The Confederate loss was 2,592

killed, 12,709 wounded, 5,150 missing=Total, 20,451."

_A. Doubleday,

Gettysburg made plain (with 29 maps)._

ALSO IN:

_A. Doubleday,

Chancellorsville and Gettysburg

(Campaigns of the Civil War, volume 6, part 2)._

_J. Longstreet, H. J. Hunt and others,

Gettysburg

(Battles and Leaders, volume 3)._

_F. A. Walker,

History of the Second Army Corps,

chapter 8._

_A. L. Long,

Memoirs of Robert E. Lee,

chapter 15._

_Comte de Paris,

History of the American Civil War,

volume 3, book 3, chapter 4._

_D. X. Junkin and F. H. Norton,

Life of General Hancock,

chapters 11-13._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 27._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (June-July: Tennessee).

The Tullahoma campaign.

"During the first six months of the year 1863 the Army of the

Cumberland remained at Murfreesboro' and was comparatively

inactive. The troops were employed in the construction of

elaborate fortifications and in divers minor operations with

defensive or tentative objects. … Late in June the Army of the

Cumberland advanced against its old enemy, the Confederate

Army of the Tennessee, then holding the line of Duck River. In

this movement the Fourteenth Corps [General Thomas] was in the

centre, its appropriate place, and drove the enemy from

Hoover's Gap and from several positions in front of that gap.

General McCook [Twentieth Corps] on the right had a severe

combat at Liberty Gap, but finally pressed the enemy from the

hills. General Crittenden [Twenty-first Corps] on the left did

not meet much opposition. When Bragg's army had been driven

from its defensive line on Duck River, General Rosecrans moved

his army towards Manchester, and regarding this movement as

indicating either an attack upon his position at Tullahoma, or

the interruption of his communications, Bragg fell back from

that place. He did not consider himself strong enough to meet

Rosecrans in battle, and he consequently retreated first to

the Cumberland Mountains, and, soon after, across the

Tennessee River to Chattanooga. The Tullahoma campaign was

begun on the 23d of June and terminated on the 4th of July.

The enemy fought at the gaps of the mountains, but the defense

on the whole was feeble. The result was the possession by the

Army of the Cumberland of the region from Murfreesboro' to

Bridgeport, Alabama. At the close of the campaign the army

advanced to the northern base of the Cumberland Mountains, and

there halted to make preparations for a campaign south of the

Tennessee River."

_T. B. Van Horne,

Life of General George H. Thomas,

chapter 5._

ALSO IN:

_T. B. Van Horne,

History of the Army of the Cumberland,

chapter 19 (volume 1)._

_H. M. Cist,

The Army of the Cumberland

(Campaigns of the Civil War, volume 7)._

_P. H. Sheridan,

Personal Memoirs,

volume 1, chapter 14._

_D. S. Stanley,

The Tullahoma Campaign

(Sketches of War History,

Ohio Commandery L. L. of the United States, volume 3)._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (July: On the Mississippi).

The Defence of Helena.

"One of the most brilliant of the minor victories of the war

was gained at Helena, Arkansas, on the west bank of the

Mississippi, on the 4th of July, General Holmes [Confederate]

had asked and received permission to take that place, in the

middle of June, and had mustered for that purpose an army of

nearly 10,000 men. The garrison of Helena consisted of a

division of the Thirteenth Corps and a brigade of cavalry

numbering in all 4000 men, commanded by Major-General B. M.

Prentiss. Holmes felt so sure of victory that he doubtless

selected the 4th of July for his attack in a mere spirit of

bravado. He assaulted at daylight with converging columns, two

of which made considerable impression upon the outworks, but

never reached the town. The defense of the Union troops was

singularly skilful and energetic, and, after a few hours of

fighting, Holmes, finding himself utterly defeated, retired at

half-past ten. The little army of Prentiss was, of course, too

small to pursue. The last Confederate attempt to hold the

Mississippi River thus ended in a complete and most

humiliating repulse."

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 7, chapter 11._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (July: Mississippi).

The capture and destruction of Jackson.

When Vicksburg surrendered, Johnston was hovering in the rear

of Grant's army, and Sherman was watching his movements. On

the very day the surrender was completed the latter marched

rapidly upon Jackson, with 50,000 men, Johnston retreating

before him. The city was invested on the 10th, and defended by

the Confederates until the night of the 16th when they

evacuated with haste. General Sherman, writing to Admiral

Porter on the 19th of July, said: "We … have 500 prisoners,

are still pursuing and breaking railroads, so that the good

folks of Jackson will not soon again hear the favorite

locomotive whistle.

{3504}

The enemy burned nearly all the handsome dwellings round about

the town because they gave us shelter or to light up the

ground to prevent night attacks. He also set fire to a chief

block of stores in which were commissary supplies, and our

men, in spite of guards, have widened the circle of fire, so

that Jackson, once the pride and boast of Mississippi, is now

a ruined town. State-house, Governor's mansion, and some fine

dwellings, well within the lines of intrenchments, remain

untouched. I have been and am yet employed in breaking up the

railroad 40 miles north and 60 south; also 10 miles east. My

10-miles break west, of last May, is still untouched, so that

Jackson ceases to be a place for the enemy to collect stores

and men."

_Official Records,

series 1, volume 24, part 3, page 531._

ALSO IN:

_J. E. Johnston,

Narrative of Military Operations,

chapter 8._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (July: Kentucky).

John Morgan's Raid into Ohio and Indiana.

"The most famous raid of this time was that made in July by

John Morgan across the Ohio River. General Buckner was then in

East Tennessee, near the borders of Kentucky, getting ready to

make another dash toward Louisville, and Morgan went ahead to

prepare the way. He crossed the Cumberland River into Kentucky

with about 3,000 mounted men, sacked Columbia, captured

Lebanon with 400 prisoners, and rode on through Bardstown to

Brandenburg on the Ohio River, plundering and destroying as he

went. Many Kentuckians had joined him on the way, and he then

had 4,000 men and ten pieces of artillery. The advance of

Rosecrans's army just at that time prevented Buckner from

joining him, and Morgan determined to cross into Indiana.

There were two gunboats in the river, but he kept them off

with his artillery while his men crossed on two captured

steamboats. Morgan then rode through Indiana toward Cincinnati

fighting home guards, tearing up railroads, burning bridges

and mills and capturing much property. The whole State was

aroused by the danger, and thousands of armed men started

after the bold riders. Morgan became alarmed, and after

passing around Cincinnati, almost within sight of its

steeples, turned toward the Ohio to cross again into Kentucky.

A large Union force was following, others were advancing on

his flanks, and gunboats and steamboats filled with armed men

were moving up the river to cut him off. The people aided the

pursuers all they could by cutting down trees and barricading

the roads to stop Morgan's march. He was so delayed by these

and other things that he did not reach the Ohio until July

19th. He hoped to cross at a place called Buffington Ford, but

the Union men were upon him and he had to turn and fight.

After a severe battle, in which the Union troops were helped

by gunboats which cut off the raiders from crossing the ford,

about 800 of Morgan's men surrendered, and the rest, with

Morgan himself, fled up the river fourteen miles to Bellville,

where they tried to cross by swimming their horses. About 300

men had succeeded in getting over when the gunboats came up

and opened fire on them. A fearful scene ensued, for it was a

struggle of life and death. … Some got across, some were shot

and some drowned. Morgan was not among the fortunate ones who

escaped. With about 200 men he fled further up the river to

New Lisbon, where he was surrounded and forced to surrender.

This was a wonderful raid, but it did not do the Confederate

cause any good. A large part of the property destroyed was

private property, and this roused the anger of all the people

of the Border States. … Morgan and some of his officers were

sent to Columbus and confined in the penitentiary, from which

he and six others escaped in the following November by making

a hole through the bottom of their cell and digging a tunnel

under the foundations of the building."

_J. D. Champlin Jr.,

Young Folk's History of the War for the Union,

chapter 31._

ALSO IN:

_B. W. Duke,

History of Morgan's Cavalry,

chapters 14-15._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 23._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (July: New York).

The Draft Riots.

See NEW YORK (CITY): A. D. 1863.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (July: South Carolina).

The lodgement on Morris Island, and the assault on Fort Wagner.

After Du Pont's attack upon the forts in Charleston harbor

"the Confederates enjoyed two months of undisturbed leisure

for the construction and strengthening of their works, though

all this time the matter of a new essay at the reduction of

Sumter occupied more than its proper share of the attention of

the Government.

See UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863

(APRIL: South CAROLINA).

The forces in the Department of the South were not sufficient

to undertake a siege of Charleston by land, and the exigencies

of the more important campaigns going forward in Virginia,

Tennessee and Mississippi prevented their being reenforced. It

was resolved, therefore, to restrict operations to the harbor

and the islands immediately adjoining, and Admiral John A.

Dahlgren—after the death of Admiral Foote, who had been

designated for the purpose—and General Q. A. Gillmore were

charged with the command of the military and naval forces

engaged. … Admiral Dahlgren … assumed command on the 6th of

July. Gillmore had already been on the ground some three

weeks, and had nearly completed his preparations for a descent

upon Morris Island, when Dahlgren arrived. The admiral,

without a moment's delay, entered into the plans of the

general, and within forty-eight hours collected his scattered

monitors and steamed away to the harbor of Charleston. Morris

Island is a low strip of sandy beach, which lies to the south

of Charleston and, with Sullivan's Island to the north, guards

the entrance to the harbor, the two stretching out to sea like

the open jaws of an alligator. They are each about three and a

half miles long, separated from the mainland on the north, and

from the high ground of James Island on the south, by miry and

impracticable marshes stretching a distance of two or three

miles. Their inner ends are a little less than four miles from

the Charleston wharves, with Fort Sumter lying midway.

Gillmore resolved to make his attack from Folly Island, which

lies on the coast directly south of Morris, which it greatly

resembles in conformation, and from which it is separated by

Light House Inlet. It was occupied by a brigade under General

Israel Vogdes, who had fortified the southern end of it,

controlling the waters of Stono harbor and the approaches of

James Island.

{3505}

There was a heavy growth of underbrush at both ends of the

island; taking advantage of this, Vogdes, under Gillmore's

direction, constructed ten powerful batteries near its

southern extremity, completely masked from the enemy's view;

their purpose being to operate against the enemy's guns near

the landing place, to protect the debarkation of the troops,

and to cover their retreat in case of necessity. Most of this

work was done at night, and all of it as silently as possible.

… Alfred H. Terry's division of 4,000 and George C. Strong's

brigade of 2,500 were quietly brought together on Folly

Island, and on the afternoon of the 8th of July the former

force was sent up the Stono to make a demonstration against

James Island, while Strong's brigade was ordered to descend

upon Morris Island at daybreak of the 9th. Colonel T. W.

Higginson of the First South Carolina Volunteers, colored, was

ordered at the same time to cut the railroad between

Charleston and Savannah; a duty in which General Gillmore says

he 'signally failed.' The others punctually performed the

tasks assigned them. Terry's feint against Stono was so

imposing as to be taken for the real attack, by Beauregard,

who hastily gathered together a considerable force to resist

him, and paid little attention to the serious movement on the

beach." The Confederate troops on Morris Island, taken by

surprise, were "speedily driven out of all their batteries

south of Wagner, and abandoned to Gillmore three-fourths of

the island, with 11 pieces of heavy ordnance. The next day he

ordered Strong's brigade to assault Fort Wagner, an attempt

which failed, with slight loss on each side. On the 16th Terry

was attacked by a superior force on James Island, and although

he repulsed the enemy with the assistance of the gunboats

which accompanied him, he was recalled to Fol]y Island, the

purpose of his demonstration having been accomplished.

Although General Gillmore had as yet no conception of the

enormous strength of Fort Wagner, the assault and repulse of

the 11th of July convinced him that it could not be carried

offhand. He therefore determined, on consultation with Admiral

Dahlgren, to establish counter-batteries against it, hoping

with the combined fire of these and the gunboats to dismount

the guns of the work and so shake its defense as to carry it

by a determined assault. The preparations were made with great

energy, and by the morning of the 18th, exactly one week after

the first assault, General Gillmore was ready for the second."

The batteries and the fleet opened fire on the fort at noon of

July 18th; its defenders were soon driven from the parapets,

and "in the course of the afternoon the whole work seemed to

be beaten out of shape"; but, being constructed of fine quartz

sand, it had suffered damage only in appearance. At twilight,

the storming party, headed by Colonel Robert G. Shaw and his

Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment of colored troops, made a

most brave and resolute assault, actually climbing the parapet

of the fort, but only to leave 1500 dead, dying and wounded

upon its treacherous sands. The heroic young Colonel Shaw fell

dead among the foremost men; General Strong, Colonel Chatfield

and Colonel Putnam were killed or mortally wounded; General

Truman Seymour was wounded severely, and many other excellent

officers were in the lists of the slain or the sadly disabled.

"The death of Colonel Shaw was widely lamented, not only

because of his personal worth, but because he had become in a

certain sense the representative of the best strain of New

England anti-slavery sentiment. The Confederates recognized

this representative character by their treatment of his

corpse, replying to a request of his friends for his remains,

that they 'had buried him under a layer of his niggers.'"

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 7, chapter 15._

ALSO IN:

_T. W. Higginson,

Army Life in a Black Regiment._

_G. W. Williams,

History of the Negro Troops,

chapter 9._

_M. V. Dahlgren,

Memoirs of John A. Dahlgren,

chapter 14._

_A. Roman,

Military Operations of General Beauregard,

chapter 31 (volume 2)._

_D. Ammen,

The Navy in the Civil War,

volume 2: The Atlantic Coast, chapter 7._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 28._

_L. F. Emilio,

History of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers,

chapters. 4-5._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (July-November: Virginia).

Meade and Lee on the Rapidan.

Bristoe Station.

Rappahannock Station.

Kelly's Ford.

Mine Run.

The 18th of July found the whole army of General Meade once

more on the Virginia side of the Potomac. "His plan for the

pursuit of Lee was not unlike that of McClellan a year before,

but although he displayed much greater expedition and energy

in the execution of it than were shown by his predecessor, the

results, through no fault of his own, were unimportant.

General French, who had taken no part in the battle of

Gettysburg, had been placed in command of the Third Corps; he

was an old officer of the regular army, excellent in drill, in

routine, and all the every-day details of the service, but

utterly unfit for an enterprise requiring great audacity and

celerity. He was assigned upon this expedition to the duty of

throwing his corps through Manassas Gap and attacking the

flank of the enemy as he moved southward by Front Royal. Meade

succeeded in getting French into the Gap in time to have

broken the rebel army in two; but when he attacked, it was in

so inefficient a Manner, and with so small a portion of his

force, that the day was wasted and the enemy made their way

down the Valley to the lower gaps. This failure was a source

of deep mortification to General Meade. … The pursuit of the

enemy was not continued further. … The months of August and

September were a period of repose for the Army of the Potomac.

It was in fact in no condition to undertake active operations;

a considerable body of troops had been taken from Meade for

service in South Carolina, and a strong detachment had been

sent to the City of New York for the purpose of enforcing the

draft there. General Lee had retired behind the Rapidan for

several weeks of rest; neither army was ready at that time to

attack the other." Early in September Longstreet's Corps was

detached from Lee's army and sent west to strengthen Bragg at

Chattanooga, and in the latter part of the same month about

13,000 men (Eleventh and Twelfth Corps) were taken from Meade

and sent, under Hooker's command, to the same scene of pending

conflict. "But, even with this reduction of his command, after

the return of the troops detached to the North, Meade found

himself with an army of about 68,000 men; and, knowing this

force to be somewhat superior to that of the enemy, he

resolved to cross the Rapidan and attack him; but again, as so

often happened in the history of the contending armies in

Virginia, Lee had formed the project of a similar enterprise,

and began its execution a day or two in advance. He had

learned of the departure of two corps for the West." On the

9th of October "he began a flanking movement to the right of

the Union line."

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapter 9._

{3506}

"Conceiving that the Confederates would move by the Warrenton

pike, in order to cross Bull Run and get possession of

Centreville—thus to interpose between the Federal army and

Washington—Meade retired as speedily as possible. He had, in

reality, the start in the race, notwithstanding the day's loss

in the return movement. … On the morning of the 14th, Lee

advanced from Warrenton in two columns, but not by the 'pike.'

The left, under Hill, moving by the turnpike to New Baltimore,

was ordered to strike the railroad at Bristoe Station; the

right column, under Ewell, taking a more easterly route, was

directed to effect a junction at the same point. When Hill

approached Bristoe, Meade's army, with the exception of

Warren's corps, had passed that point. As the head of this

column came up, the 5th Corps, under General Sykes, had just

crossed Broad Run. Hill at once formed a line of battle to

attack the rear of that corps, when Warren came up, and, by a

bold onset, drove the enemy back, securing 450 prisoners and 5

guns. The National army, having won the race for position, and

obtained possession of the heights of Centreville, Lee's

movement was at an end, and he had but to retire to his old

line again … and, on the 18th, began his retrograde movement.

The following day Meade commenced pursuit, with the intention

of attacking the enemy on his retreat, but did not overtake

him, being detained by a heavy ruin storm, which so raised

Bull Run as to render it unfordable. … On the 7th of November

the whole army was put in motion toward the Rappahannock,

along which river the enemy was in position at Rappahannock

Station and Kelly's Ford. In two columns Meade advanced toward

these points. General French, commanding the left

wing—composed of the 1st, 2d and 3d Corps—was directed to

cross at Kelly's Ford, while the right wing—comprising the

5th and 6th Corps, under General Sedgwick—marched upon

Rappahannock Station. The 3d Corps, under Birney, led the

advance on Kelly's Ford. Reaching that point, without waiting

for pontoons, Birney crossed his own division by wading,

carried the rifle-pits, captured 500 prisoners and prevented

the enemy re-enforcing their troops at the Ford, by means of

batteries which he planted on the hills that commanded the

crossing. At the same time the right wing was contending

against more formidable obstacles at Rappahannock Station.

Early's division of Ewell's corps occupied a series of works

on the north side of the river. … Gaining a good position,

commanding the fort from the rear, Sedgwick planted his guns

and opened a fierce cannonade upon the enemy's several

batteries. Under cover of this fire, the temporary works were

assaulted and carried at the bayonet's point. Over 1,500

prisoners, 4 guns and 8 standards were captured. Sedgwick's

loss was about 300 in killed and wounded. The right column now

crossed the river without opposition, and, uniting with

French's forces, advanced to Brandy Station. November 8th was

lost in getting forward the trains, and in reconnoitering.

Under cover of that night Lee withdrew across the Rapidan.

Taking position between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan,

Meade remained quietly and undisturbed for two weeks. Finding

Lee indisposed for action, the Federal leader resolved once

more to try and bring on a general engagement. … The

Confederate army having gone into winter quarters, was located

over a wide extent of country. … This separation of the

enemy's corps, led Meade to hope, that, by crossing the lower

fords of the Rapidan, and advancing rapidly on the plank and

turnpike roads to Orange, C. H., he could concentrate his army

against Ewell's corps, cripple or destroy it, and then be able

to turn upon Hill, and in this way break Lee's army in

detail." But delays occurred which "frustrated the object of

the movement; … disclosed Meade's intention to the enemy, who

at once concentrated his entire force behind Mine Run, having

also time given for additional entrenchments along the menaced

points. The enemy's position was found to be exceedingly

strong by nature, and further perfected by the skill of busy

hands. … In front was Mine Run, a shallow stream, but

difficult to cross on account of its steep banks, the marshy

nature of the ground, and the dense undergrowth with which it

was flanked. … 'In view of the season of the year [said

General Meade in his subsequent report], the impossibility of

moving from that place if there came on even a couple of days

of rain; having failed in my first plan, which was to attack

the enemy before they could concentrate; and then having

failed in my plan to attack them after they had concentrated,

in the manner which I have related, I concluded that, under

the circumstances, it was impossible for me to do anything

more.' And this was the end of a movement, which, like

Hooker's advance to flank Fredericksburg, opened with fair

promise of success, and, like that advance, was a failure from

incidents which the situation permitted rather than asserted."

_O. J. Victor,

History of the Southern Rebellion,

division 12, chapter 1 (volume 4)._

ALSO IN:

_W. Swinton,

Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac,

chapter 10._

_J. E. Cooke,

Life of General Robert E. Lee,

part 7._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 29._

_A. A. Humphreys,

From Gettysburg to the Rapidan._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (August: Missouri-Kansas).

Quantrell's guerrilla raid.

The sacking and burning of Lawrence.

"Since the fall of Vicksburg many rebel soldiers had returned

from Arkansas to their homes in Western Missouri, and under

the secret orders so frequently sent from commanders in the

South into that State, the guerrilla bands along the Kansas

border suddenly grew in numbers and audacity. Though the whole

region was patrolled almost day and night by Union detachments

and scouts, a daring leader named Quantrell, who had been for

some weeks threatening various Kansas towns, assembled a band

of 300 picked and well-mounted followers at a place of

rendezvous near the line, about sunset of August 20. His

object being divined, half a dozen Union detachments from

different points started in chase of him; but skilfully

eluding all of them by an eccentric march, Quantrell crossed

the State line, and, reaching the open prairie country, where

roads were unnecessary, pushed directly for Lawrence, Kansas.

{3507}

… This town was 40 miles in the interior, and had no reason to

apprehend an attack, and though it could have assembled

several hundred men under arms in half an hour, its

inhabitants had no dream of danger when the marauders entered

the place at sunrise of August 21. Quantrell stationed

detachments to prevent any assembling or concentration of the

citizens, and then began a scene of pillage, arson and

massacre too horrible to relate. Stores and banks were robbed,

185 buildings burned, and from 150 to 200 inhabitants murdered

with a cold-blooded fiendishness which seems impossible to

believe of Americans. The direful work occupied but three or

four hours, when the perpetrators remounted their horses and

departed. Though they managed their retreat with such skill as

to avoid a general encounter, the pursuit was so hot that in

several skirmishes, and by cutting off stragglers and

laggards, 100 or more of the band were killed. The sudden

calamity raised excitement on the Kansas border to almost a

frenzy."

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, page 211._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (August-September: Tennessee).

Burnside's deliverance of East Tennessee.

The Union Army in Knoxville.

"Ever since the Federals had become masters of Kentucky they

had projected all expedition into East Tennessee. … Early In

the year 1862 the Federals had taken the defile of Cumberland

Gap, the principal door to East Tennessee; but drawn into the

pursuit of their adversaries in other directions, they had

very wisely renounced proceeding beyond the gap, and shortly

thereafter the Confederates had retaken the defile. In 1863

the role of liberator of East Tennessee was reserved for

General Burnside: it was an honorable compensation accorded to

the unfortunate but gallant soldier vanquished at

Fredericksburg. Two divisions of the Ninth Corps designated to

undertake this campaign having been, on June 4th, sent to the

aid of Grant, it became necessary to commence new

preparations. The scattered troops in Kentucky, several

regiments recruited in that State or composed of refugees from

East Tennessee, and a part of the fresh levies made in Ohio

and Indiana, formed the Twenty-third Corps, under the orders

of General Hartsuff. At the end of June … this little army was

in readiness to move, when Morgan started on his raid [and

Burnside's troops were sent in the pursuit]. Six weeks were

lost. It was the beginning of August. The Ninth Corps was

coming back from Vicksburg. But the men, worn out by the

climate, had need of rest. Burnside could not wait for them."

He set out upon his movement into East Tennessee with about

20,000 men, leaving Camp Nelson, near Lexington, on the 16th

of August. The Confederate General Buckner opposed him with an

equal number, including 3000 under General Fraser at

Cumberland Gap. Instead of attempting to force the passage of

the gap, Burnside "determined to make a flank movement around

the defile, by traversing more to the south, in the State of

Tennessee, the high table-land which on that side bears the

designation of Cumberland plateau. The roads which Burnside

would have to cross were long and difficult to travel, and

that portion of the country was little known, besides being

bare of resources; but the very difficult character of the

roads warranted the belief that the Confederates would be illy

prepared for defence in that region. No precaution was

neglected to ensure the success of this laborious and perilous

march," and the success achieved was perfect. "One can

understand with what joy the Federals, after eleven days of

toilsome march, entered the rich valley, a kind of promised

land, which stretched out before them. Public rumor had

greatly exaggerated their numbers. … Bragg, fearing with

reason lest by its flanking movements it [the division which

Burnside led in person] should separate him from Buckner and

then fall upon Chattanooga, had sent his lieutenant an order

to evacuate Knoxville." Buckner withdrew and Burnside made a

triumphal entry into Knoxville on the 3d of September.

"According to the testimony of eye-witnesses, the joy of the

people was beyond description. Innumerable Federal flags which

had been preserved in secret were displayed at the windows."

Frazer, who had not been withdrawn from Cumberland Gap, found

himself entrapped, when, on the 9th of September, Burnside

appeared before his works, and he surrendered without a shot.

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civil War in America,

volume 4, book 1, chapter 2._

ALSO IN:

_A. Woodbury,

Burnside and the 9th Army Corps,

part 3, chapters 4-5._

_T. W. Humes,

The Loyal Mountaineers of East Tennessee,

chapter 13._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 30, part 2._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (August-September: Tennessee).

Rosecrans's advance to Chattanooga.

Evacuation of the place by the Confederates.

Battle of Chickamauga.

"The seizure and occupation of the strategic point Chattanooga

was an essential part of the campaign by the national forces

against the Confederates. The Atlantic portion of the Southern

States is separated from the Mississippi Valley by majestic

folds of the earth's surface, constituting the Appalachian

Ranges. These folds run, in a general manner, parallel to each

other, and at intervals are crossed by transverse depressions

or gaps. Such passages or gateways are therefore of great

commercial, political and military importance. Chattanooga,

which in the Cherokee language means 'The Hawk's Nest,' is a

little town seated in one of these transverse depressions,

through which the Tennessee River and a system of railroads

pass. … From the region of Chattanooga the earth-folds range

in a southwesterly direction. Enumerating such of them as are

of interest on the present occasion, they are from west to

east as follows: Raccoon or Sand Mountain, Lookout Mountain,

Missionary Ridge, Pigeon Mountain, Chickamauga Hills. …

Chattanooga Valley … through which runs a stream of the same

name, is formed on the west by Lookout Mountain, here about

2,400 feet high, and on the east by Missionary Ridge, so

called because Catholic Missionaries had established, many

years ago, churches and schools upon it among the Cherokee

Indians. From the summit of Lookout Mountain portions of not

fewer than six States may be seen." In his Tullahoma campaign)

Rosecrans, in July, had compelled Bragg and the Confederate

army, by skilful flanking movements, to fan back to

Chattanooga.

See UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 1863 (June-July: Tennessee).

{3508}

He had ever since been urged from Washington to pursue his

attack and dislodge the enemy from the mountains. But he

delayed further movements for a month, repairing his railroad

communications, asking for reinforcements, and waiting for

corn to ripen for food and forage. When he advanced, it was to

turn the left of Bragg's position at Chattanooga, and "reach

his rear between Dalton and Atlanta. To do this, he had to

cross the Tennessee River below Chattanooga, and then pass the

three or four successive mountain ridges. … Rosecrans reached

the Tennessee River on the evening of the 20th of August, and

shelled Chattanooga from the heights on the north bank on the

21st. Bridges were thrown over the river at Caperton's Ferry,

mouth of Battle Creek, and Shell Mound, and the army, except

the cavalry, safely crossed in face of the enemy. By the 8th

of September" the several movements planned for Thomas, McCook

and Crittenden were successfully accomplished, and Chattanooga

was abandoned by the Confederates. "Thus the first object of

Rosecrans's campaign was accomplished: the important strategic

point Chattanooga was obtained. … Rosecrans, believing himself

perfectly secure in Chattanooga, and being convinced that

Bragg was fleeing southward, did nothing to fortify himself.

Taking measures to pursue his antagonist, he directed

Crittenden to leave one brigade at Chattanooga as a garrison,

and with the rest move forward to Ringgold. Thomas was to

march to Lafayette, and McCook upon Alpine and Summer Creek.

But Bragg, so far from continuing, had stopped his retreat—he

was concentrating at Lafayette. He had received, or was on the

point of receiving, the powerful re-enforcements directed to

join him. He was strictly ordered to check the farther advance

of the Army of the Cumberland. … Rosecrans had separated three

corps of his army by mountain ridges and by distances greater

than those intervening between each of them and the enemy.

Bragg had concentrated opposite his centre, and was holding

such a position that he could attack any of them with

overwhelming numbers. He had caused deserters and citizens to

go into Rosecrans's lines to confirm him in the impression

that the Confederates were in rapid retreat. … On the 11th of

September, Crittenden, not stopping to fortify Chattanooga,

pushed on toward Ringgold to cut off Buckner, who he had heard

was coming from East Tennessee to the support of Bragg.

Finding that Buckner had already passed, he turned toward

Lafayette to follow him, going up the east side of the

Chickamauga, but meeting a steadily increasing resistance he

took alarm, and fell back across that stream at Lee and

Gordon's Mills. The forces he had encountered were Cheatham's

and Walker's divisions. Thomas, who had now discovered Bragg's

position, directed McCook, who was advancing on Rome, to fall

back instantly and connect with him. Rosecrans's troops had

thus become scattered along an extended line from Lee and

Gordon's Mills to Alpine, a space of about forty miles. By the

17th they were brought more within supporting distance, and on

the morning of the 18th a concentration was begun toward

Crawfish Spring, but it was slowly executed. At this time the

two armies were confronting each other on the opposite banks

of the Chickamauga, a stream which, rising at the junction of

Missionary Ridge and Pigeon Mountain … empties into the

beautiful Tennessee River above Chattanooga. In the Indian

tongue Chickamauga means 'The Stagnant Stream,' 'The River of

Death'—a name, as we shall soon find, of ominous import.

Rosecrans was on the west bank of the Chickamauga. … On the

18th his right was … at Gordon's Mills, his left near the road

across from Rossville. Bragg's intention was to flank this

left and interpose between it and Chattanooga. … On the 18th

Longstreet's troops were arriving from Virginia, and Bragg was

ready. … The battle of Chickamauga commenced on the morning of

the 19th." Bragg's flanking movement, executed under General

Polk, and directed against the left of Rosecrans's line, where

Thomas had command, did not succeed. "The centre was then

assailed and pressed back, but, having been re-enforced, it

recovered its ground. Night came, and the battle was thus far

indecisive. … The night was spent in preparation. Thomas

constructed abatis and breastworks before his lines. … Bragg

was still determined to flank the national left, and intervene

between it and Chattanooga. He had ordered Polk to begin the

battle as soon as it was light enough to see," but Polk

delayed and it was not until 10 o'clock that "Breckenridge's

division, followed by Cleburne's, advanced against the

breastworks of Thomas, which were mostly in Cleburne's front.

Cleburne moved directly upon them, Breckenridge swinging round

to flank them. With so much energy were these attacks made,

that Thomas had to send repeatedly to Rosecrans for help. The

Confederates had been gaining ground, but with these

re-enforcements Thomas succeeded in driving back Cleburne with

very great loss, and even in advancing on the right of

Breckenridge." But, presently, by some blunder in the giving

or construing of an order, one division—that of General

"Wood—was withdrawn from Rosecrans line and posted uselessly

in the rear. "By this unfortunate mistake a gap was opened in

the line of battle, of which Hindman, of Longstreet's corps,

took instant advantage, and, striking Davis in flank and rear,

threw his whole division into confusion. … That break in the

line was never repaired. Longstreet's masses charged with such

terrible energy that it was impossible to check them. The

national right and centre were dispersed, flying toward

Rossville and Chattanooga. Sheridan, however, at length

succeeded in rallying a considerable portion of his division,

and managed to reach Thomas. On Thomas, who, in allusion to

these events, is often called 'The Rock of Chickamauga.' the

weight of the battle now fell. Everything depended on his

firmness. … In the flight of the right and part of the centre

from the field, Rosecrans, McCook and Crittenden were

enveloped and carried away. … Rosecrans … went to Chattanooga,

and thence telegraphed to Washington that his army had been

beaten. Thomas still remained immovable in his position," and

at a critical moment he was saved from a movement into his

rear, by General Gorden Granger, who pushed to the front with

some reserves. "Night came, and the Confederates were still

unable to shake him. But, as most of the army had retreated to

Chattanooga, he now deliberately fell back to Rossville. … The

dead and wounded he left in the hands of the enemy. On the

21st he offered battle again, and that night withdrew into the

defences of Chattanooga."

_J. W. Draper,

History of the American Civil War,

chapter 67, volume 3._

{3509}

"During the heavy fighting of the 20th, Thomas was the only

general officer on the field of rank above a division

commander. … Well was he called the 'Rock of Chickamauga,' …

There is nothing finer in history than Thomas at Chickamauga.

All things considered, the battle of Chickamauga, for the

forces engaged, was the hardest fought and the bloodiest

battle of the Rebellion. … The largest number of troops

Rosecrans had of all arms on the field during the two days'

fighting was 55,000 effective men. … Rosecrans's losses

aggregated killed, 1,687; wounded, 9,394; missing, 5,255.

Total loss, 16,336. Bragg, during the battle, when his entire

five corps were engaged, had about 70,000 effective troops in

line. … His losses, in part estimated, were 2,673 killed,

16,274 wounded, and 2,003 missing, a total of 20,950. A full

report of the rebel losses was never made."

_H. M. Cist,

The Army of the Cumberland

(Campaigns of the Civil War, volume 7), chapters 11-12._

ALSO IN:

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civil War in America,

volume 4, book 1, chapters 2-6._

_T. B. Van Horne,

History of the Army of the Cumberland,

volume 1, chapter 20._

_T. B. Van Horne,

Life of Major-General George H. Thomas,

chapters 6-7._

_W. B. Hazen,

Narrative of Military Service,

chapters 8-9._

_D. H. Hill, E. Opdycke, and others,

Chickamauga

(Battles and Leaders, volume 3)._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 30._

_P. H. Sheridan,

Personal Memoirs,

volume 1, chapter 15._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863

(August-October: Arkansas-Missouri).

The breaking of Confederate authority in Arkansas.

Occupation of Little Rock by national forces.

Rebel raids into Missouri.

"After the surrender of Vicksburg, the Federal General Steele

was sent to Helena, with a considerable force, and instructed

to form a junction with General Davidson, who was moving south

from Missouri, by way of Crowley's Ridge, west of the St.

Francis, and with the combined force drive the Confederates

south of the Arkansas River. Having effected this junction and

established his depot and hospitals at Duvall's Bluff, on the

White River, General Steele, on the 1st of August, advanced

against the Confederate army, which fell back toward Little

Rock. After several successful skirmishes, he reached the

Arkansas River, and threw part of his force upon the south

side, to threaten the Confederate communications with

Arkadelphia, their depot of supplies, and flank their position

at Little Rock. General Marmaduke was sent out with a cavalry

force to beat the Federals back, but was completely routed.

Seeing what must be the inevitable result of this movement of

General Steele, the Confederate General Holmes destroyed what

property he could, and after a slight resistance retreated

with his army in great disorder, pursued by the Federal

cavalry, and on the 10th of September General Steele, with the

Federal army, entered the capital of Arkansas. His entire

losses in killed, wounded and missing, in this whole movement,

did not exceed 100. He captured 1,000 prisoners, and such

public property as the Confederates had not time to destroy.

The Federal cavalry continued to press the retreating

Confederates southward; but a small force, which had eluded

pursuit and moved eastward, attacked the Federal garrison at

Pine Bluff, on the Arkansas, south of Little Rock, hoping to

recapture it and thus cripple the Federals and break their

communications. The attempt, which was made on the 28th of

October, was repulsed with decided loss on the part of the

confederates, and the same day the Federal cavalry occupied

Arkadelphia, and the Confederates retreated toward the Red

River. This completely restored Arkansas to the Federal

authority, except a small district in the extreme southwest,

and the region of Northwest Arkansas, over which the guerrilla

and other irregular troops of the Confederates continued to

roam, in their plundering excursions into Missouri, Kansas,

and the Indian Territory. Some of these were conducted on a

large scale. … The Confederate General Cabell, collecting

together as many of the guerrillas and Indians as possible,

and some of the routed troops driven from Little Rock and its

vicinity, started with a force variously estimated at from

4,000 to 10,000, in the latter part of September, from the

Choctaw settlements of the Indian Territory, crossed the

Arkansas River east of Fort Smith, and, on the 1st of October,

a detachment of his troops, under General Shelby, joined

Coffee at Crooked Prairie, Missouri, intending to make a raid

into Southwestern Missouri. This combined force, numbering

2,000 or 2,500 men, penetrated as far as the Missouri River at

Booneville, but were pursued by the Missouri militia, and

finally brought to a stand about eight miles southwest of

Arrow Rock, on the evening of the 12th of October. General E.

B. Brown who commanded the Federal troops, fought them till

dark that evening, and during the night, having detached a

small force to attack them in the rear, renewed the battle the

next morning at eight A. M. After a sharp contest they fled,

completely routed and broken up, with a loss of several

hundred in killed, wounded and prisoners. They were pursued to

the Arkansas line and prisoners gleaned all the way. … With

these last convulsive throes, the active existence of the

Confederate authority in Arkansas died out. On the 12th of

November a meeting was held at Little Rock, to consult on

measures for the restoration of the State to the Union, and

was succeeded by others in different parts of the State."

_W. J. Tenney,

Military and Naval History of the Rebellion,

chapter 36._

ALSO IN:

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civile war in America,

volume 4, book 3, chapter 3._

_W. Britton,

Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border,

chapters 21-22._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863

(August-December: South Carolina).

Siege and Reduction of Fort Wagner.

Bombardment of Fort Sumter and Charleston.

After the unsuccessful assault and bloody repulse of July 18th

General Gillmore began against Fort Wagner the operations of a

regular siege.

See UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863

(JULY: SOUTH CAROLINA)

"Trenches were dug, and by the middle of August the batteries

were within a quarter-mile of Wagner and within two and a half

miles of Sumter. The work on these batteries had to be done

mostly by night, for the forts kept up a heavy fire. Another

battery was also begun in the marsh on the west side of Morris

Island. The black mud there was so soft that it would not bear

the weight of a man, and was at least 16 feet deep. After the

site was chosen, a lieutenant was ordered to superintend the

work, and told to call for whatever materials he wanted. Being

something of a wag, he sent to the quartermaster for 100 men 18

feet high, to work in mud 16 feet deep; but as men of that

height could not be had, he had to be satisfied with workmen

of common stature.

{3510}

All the work had to be done in the dark, for it was within

range of the guns of the forts. During fourteen nights piles

were driven through the mud into the solid ground beneath, and

on them were piled 15,000 bags of sand to form a parapet.

After breaking down several trucks, a monster eight-inch

Parrott gun, a 200-pounder, was dragged across the swamp and

mounted, and about the middle of August the Swamp Angel, as

the soldiers named it, was ready to throw shells into

Charleston, nearly five miles away. On the 17th of August

twelve land-batteries and the monitors opened fire on Sumter,

Wagner, and Gregg. The heaviest of the fire was aimed at

Sumter, as General Gillmore wished to silence it before he

made another assault on Wagner. The bombardment was kept up

for seven days, when Gillmore sent a dispatch to General

Halleck, saying: 'Fort Sumter is to-day (August 24) a

shapeless and harmless mass of ruins.' On the 21st of August,

General Gillmore wrote to General Beauregard, who was in

command in Charleston, demanding the evacuation of Fort Sumter

and of Morris Island, threatening, in case of refusal, to

bombard Charleston. Not hearing from him, he ordered a few

shells to be thrown into the city from the Swamp Angel. Some

of them fell in the streets and frightened the people, but did

little damage. Beauregard then wrote him a letter in which he

accused him of barbarity in 'turning his guns against the old

men, the women and children, and the hospitals of a sleeping

city,' and called the act 'unworthy of any soldier. General

Gillmore replied that it was the duty of the commander of an

attacked place to 'see to it that the non-combatants were

removed,' and that he (Beauregard) had had forty days' time in

which to do it. But the Swamp Angel was fired only a few

times. At the thirty-sixth shot it burst and blew out the

whole of its breech, and no other gun was mounted in its

place. Gillmore then turned his attention once more to Fort

Wagner, which he determined to assault again. To do this it

was necessary to silence its guns and drive its defenders into

the bomb-proofs; so a heavy fire was opened on it by the

batteries, while the armored frigate New Ironsides poured

eleven-inch shells into it from the sea side. The bombardment

was kept up day and night, strong calcium lights being used by

night to blind the Confederates and to show all parts of their

works. The Confederates, driven from their guns, were obliged

to fly for safety to their bomb-proofs. In the morning of

September 7, the troops, under General Terry, were about ready

to make the assault, when it was reported that the fort was

empty. The garrisons of both Wagner and Gregg had fled during

the night, and the whole of Morris Island was at last in

possession of the Union troops. The next night an attack was

made on Sumter by thirty boat-loads of men from the fleet.

They reached the base of the walls and began to go up,

thinking that the garrison was asleep; but before they reached

the top a fire of musketry and hand-grenades was opened on

them by the Confederates within, aided by some gun boats

outside, and the assailants were driven off with a loss of

about 200. But little more was done against Charleston during

the rest of the year. General Gillmore thought that, as

Sumter's guns were silenced, the fleet might easily pass into

the harbor and capture Charleston. But Admiral Dahlgren did

not care to run the risk of the torpedoes and powder-mines

over which he knew he would have to pass. Besides, General

Beauregard had taken advantage of the long delay in taking

Wagner to strengthen the inner forts. Fort Johnson had been

made into a powerful earthwork, and the fleet, even if Sumter

were passed, would meet with as hot a fire as had been

experienced outside. General Gillmore therefore contented

himself with repairing Wagner and Gregg and turning their guns

on Charles·ton and the forts defending it. As they were a mile

nearer the city than the Swamp Angel battery, a slow

bombardment was kept up until near the end of the year. About

half of Charleston was reached by the shells, and many

buildings were greatly injured. As the wharfs and most of the

harbor were under fire, blockade-runners could no longer run

in, and the business of the city was thus wholly destroyed."

_J. D. Champlin, Jr.,

Young Folk's History of the War for the Union,

chapter 32._

ALSO IN:

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civil War in America,

volume 4, book 3, chapter 2._

_A. Roman,

Military Operations of General Beauregard,

volume 2, chapters 32-34._

_C. B. Boynton,

History of the Navy during the Rebellion,

volume 2, chapter 35._

_L. F. Emilio,

History of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.,

chapters 6-7._

[Image: Map of the Battlefield of Chattanooga. 1863.]

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (October-November: Tennessee).

The raising of the siege of Chattanooga.

"Battle above the Clouds," on Lookout Mountain.

Assault of Missionary Ridge.

The Rout of Bragg's army.

After its defeat at Chickamauga the National Army was

practically besieged on Chattanooga. Bragg acquired strong

positions on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and was

able to cut off all of Rosecrans's routes of supply, except

one long and difficult wagon-road. On the 17th of October an

important reorganization of the Union armies in the West was

effected. "The departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, and

the Tennessee, were united under the title of Military

Division of the Mississippi, of which General Grant was made

commander, and Thomas superseded Rosecrans in command of the

Army of the Cumberland. General Hooker, with two corps, was

sent to Tennessee. Grant arrived at Chattanooga on the 23d of

October, and found affairs in a deplorable condition. It was

impossible to supply the troops properly by the one

wagon-road, and they had been on short rations for some time,

while large numbers of the mules and horses were dead. Grant's

first care was to open a new and better line of supply.

Steamers could come up the river as far as Bridgeport, and he

ordered the immediate construction of a road and bridge to

reach that point by way of Brown's Ferry, which was done

within five days, the 'cracker line,' as the soldiers called

it, was opened, and thenceforth they had full rations and

abundance of everything. The enemy attempted to interrupt the

work on the road; but Hooker met them at Wauhatchie, west of

Lookout Mountain, and after a three-hours' action drove them

off [with It loss of 416 killed and wounded, the Confederate

loss being unknown]. Chattanooga was now no longer in a state

of siege; but it was still seriously menaced by Bragg's army,

which held a most singular position.

{3512}

Its flanks were on the northern ends of Lookout Mountain and

Mission Ridge, the crests of which were occupied for some

distance, and its centre stretched across Chattanooga valley.

This line was twelve miles long, and most of it was well

intrenched. Grant ordered Sherman [coming from Memphis] to

join him with one corps, and Sherman promptly obeyed, but as

he did considerable railroad repairing on the way, he did not

reach Chattanooga till the 15th of November. Meanwhile

Longstreet with 20,000 troops had been detached from Bragg's

army and sent against Burnside at Knoxville. After Sherman's

arrival, Grant had about 80,000 men."

_R. Johnson,

Short History of the War of Secession,

chapter 20._

"My orders for battle," writes General Grant, "were all

prepared in advance of Sherman's arrival, except the dates,

which could not be fixed while troops to be engaged were so

far away. The possession of Lookout Mountain was of no special

advantage to us now. Hooker was instructed to send Howard's

corps to the north side of the Tennessee, thence up behind the

hills on the north side, and to go into camp opposite

Chattanooga; with the remainder of the command, Hooker was, at

a time to be afterwards appointed, to ascend the western slope

between the upper and lower palisades, and so get into

Chattanooga Valley. The plan of battle was for Sherman to

attack the enemy's right flank, form a line across it, extend

our left over South Chickamauga River so as to threaten or

hold the railroad in Bragg's rear, and thus force him either

to weaken his lines elsewhere or lose his connection with his

base at Chickamauga Station. Hooker was to perform like

service on our right. His problem was to get from Lookout

Valley to Chattanooga Valley in the most expeditious way

possible; cross the latter valley rapidly to Rossville, south

of Bragg's line on Missionary Ridge, form line there across

the ridge facing north, with his right flank extended to

Chickamauga Valley east of the ridge, thus threatening the

enemy's rear on that flank and compelling him to reinforce

this also. Thomas, with the Army of the Cumberland, occupied

the centre, and was to assault while the enemy was engaged

with most of his forces on his two flanks. To carry out this

plan, Sherman was to cross at Brown's Ferry and move east of

Chattanooga to a point opposite the north end of Mission

Ridge, and to place his command back of the foot-hills out of

sight of the enemy on the ridge." Remaining in this concealed

position until the time of attack, Sherman's army was then,

under cover of night, to be rapidly brought back to the south

side of the Tennessee, at a point where Missionary Ridge

prolonged would touch the river, this being done by pontoons

ready provided at a spot also concealed. The execution of the

plan was delayed by heavy rains until November 23, when

Burnside's distress at Knoxville forced Grant to begin his

attack on Bragg by an advance of Thomas's army, at the center,

before the flanking preparations were completed. "This

movement [General Grant's narrative continues] secured to us a

line fully a mile in advance of the one we occupied in the

morning, and the one which the enemy had occupied to this

time. The fortifications were rapidly turned to face the other

way. During the following night they were made strong. We lost

in this preliminary action about 1,100 killed and wounded,

while the enemy probably lost quite as heavily, including the

prisoners that were captured. With the exception of the firing

of artillery, kept up from Missionary Ridge and Fort Wood

until night closed in, this ended the fighting for the first

day. … By the night of the 23d Sherman's command was in a

position to move," and by daylight two divisions of his

command were on the south side of the river, "well covered by

the works they had built. The work of laying the bridge, on

which to cross the artillery and cavalry, was now begun. … By

a little past noon the bridge was completed, as well as one

over the South Chickamauga … and all the infantry and

artillery were on the south side of the Tennessee. Sherman at

once formed his troops for assault on Missionary Ridge. … By

half-past three Sherman was in possession of the height

without having sustained much loss. … Artillery was dragged to

the top of the hill by hand, The enemy did not seem to be

aware of this movement until the top of the hill was gained.

There had been a drizzling rain during the day, and the clouds

were so low that Lookout Mountain and the top of Missionary

Ridge were obscured from the view of persons in the valley.

But now the enemy opened fire upon their assailants, and made

several attempts with their skirmishers to drive them away,

but without avail. Later in the day a more determined attack

was made, but this, too, failed, and Sherman was left to

fortify what he had gained. … While these operations were

going on to the east of Chattanooga, Hooker was engaged on the

west. He had three divisions … all west of Lookout Creek. The

enemy had the east bank of the creek strongly picketed and

entrenched. … The side of Lookout Mountain confronting

Hooker's command was rugged, heavily timbered, and full of

chasms. … Early on the morning of the 24th Hooker moved

Geary's division, supported by a brigade of Cruft's, up

Lookout Creek, to effect a crossing. The remainder of Cruft's

division was to seize the bridge over the creek, near the

crossing of the railroad. … This attracted the enemy so that

Geary's movement farther up was not observed. A heavy mist

obscured him from the view of the troops on the top of the

mountain. He crossed the creek almost unobserved, and captured

the picket of over 40 men on guard near by. He then commenced

ascending the mountain directly in his front. … By noon Geary

had gained the open ground on the north slope of the mountain,

with his right close up to the base of the upper palisade, but

there were strong fortifications in his front. The rest of the

command coming up, a line was formed from the base of the

upper palisade to the mouth of Chattanooga Creek. Thomas and I

were on the top of Orchard Knob. Hooker's advance now made our

line a continuous one. … The day was hazy, so that Hooker's

operations were not visible to us except at the moments when

the clouds would rise. But the sound of his artillery and

musketry was heard incessantly. The enemy on his front was

partially fortified, but was soon driven out of his works.

During the afternoon the clouds, which had so obscured the top

of Lookout all day as to hide whatever was going on from the

view of those below, settled down and made it so dark where

Hooker was as to stop operations for the time. At four o'clock

Hooker reported his position as impregnable.

{3513}

By a little after five direct communication was established,

and a brigade of troops was sent from Chattanooga to reinforce

him. … The morning of the 25th opened clear and bright, and

the whole field was in full view from the top of Orchard Knob.

It remained so all day. Bragg's headquarters were in full

view. … Sherman was out as soon as it was light enough to see,

and by sunrise his command was in motion. Three brigades held

the hill already gained. Morgan L. Smith moved along the east

base of Missionary Ridge; Loomis along the west base … and

Corse with his brigade was between the two, moving directly

towards the hill to be captured." The fighting was severe for

hours, and Bragg moved heavy masses of troops to resist

Sherman's advance, while a division from Thomas was sent to

reinforce the latter. "It had now got to be late in the

afternoon, and I had expected before this to see Hooker

crossing the ridge in the neighborhood of Rossville and

compelling Bragg to mass in that direction also. The enemy had

evacuated Lookout Mountain during the night, as I expected he

would. In crossing the valley he burned the bridge over

Chattanooga Creek, and did all he could to obstruct the roads

behind him. Hooker was off bright and early, with no

obstructions in his front but distance and the destruction

above named. He was detained four hours crossing Chattanooga

Creek, and thus was lost the immediate advantage I expected

from his forces. … But Sherman's condition was getting so

critical that the assault for his relief could not be delayed

any longer. Sheridan's and Wood's divisions had been lying

under arms from early morning, ready to move the instant the

signal was given. I now directed Thomas to order the charge at

once." In this splendid charge the Union troops drove the

Confederates from the first line of their works and then

pushed on, with no further orders, to the second line, with

the same success. "The retreat of the enemy along most of his

line was precipitate, and the panic so great that Bragg and

his officers lost all control over their men. Many were

captured and thousands threw away their arms in their flight.

Sheridan pushed forward until he reached the Chickamauga River

at a point above where the enemy crossed. … To Sheridan's

prompt movement the Army of the Cumberland and the nation are

indebted for the bulk of the capture of prisoners, artillery,

and small arms that day. … The enemy confronting Sherman, now

seeing everything to their left giving way, fled also. …

Hooker [pushing on to Rossville as soon as he had succeeded in

getting across Chattanooga Creek] … came upon the flank of a

division of the enemy, which soon commenced a retreat along

the ridge. This threw them on Palmer. They could make but

little resistance in the position they were caught in, and as

many of them as could do so escaped. Many, however, were

captured. … The victory at Chattanooga was won against great

odds, considering the advantage the enemy had of position."

_U. S. Grant,

Personal Memoirs,

chapters 42-44 (volume 2)._

"Grant's losses in these battles were 757 killed, 4,529

wounded, and 330 missing; total 5,616. The enemy's losses were

fewer in killed and wounded, owing to the fact that he was

protected by intrenchments, while the national' soldiers were

without cover. Grant captured 6,142 prisoners, 40 pieces of

artillery, 69 artillery carriages and caissons, and 7,000

stand of small arms; by far the greatest capture, in the open

field, which had then been made during the war. The battle of

Chattanooga was the grandest ever fought west of the

Alleghanies. It covered an extent of 13 miles, and Grant had

over 60,000 men engaged. The rebels numbered only 45,000 men,

but they enjoyed immense advantages of position in every part

of the field." Pursuit of the retreating Confederates began

early in the morning of the 26th, and considerable fighting

occurred on that day and the next. At Ringgold, Hooker was

checked by Cleburne's division, which held an easily defended

gap while the main column with its trains were moved beyond

reach. In this battle at Ringgold Hooker lost 65 killed and

377 wounded. He took three pieces of artillery and 230

prisoners.

_A. Badeau,

Military History of Ulysses S. Grant,

chapters 11-12 (volume 1)._

ALSO IN:

J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapter 5.

_H. M. Cist,

The Army of the Cumberland

(Campaigns of the Civil War, volume 7),

chapters 13-14._

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civil War in America,

volume 4, book 2._

_W. T. Sherman,

Memoirs,

chapter 13 (volume 1)._

_P. H. Sheridan,

Memoirs,

volume 1, chapter 16._

_T. B. Van Horne,

History of the Army of the Cumberland,

chapters 21-22 (volume 1)._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 31._

_B. F. Taylor,

Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (October-December: Tennessee).

The Siege of Knoxville.

"The Army of the Cumberland remaining quiet at Chattanooga,

Bragg (or his superiors) conceived the idea of improving his

leisure by a movement on Burnside, which Longstreet was

assigned to lead. Burnside had by this time spread his force

very widely, holding innumerable points and places southward

and eastward of Knoxville by brigades and detachments; and

Longstreet advancing silently and rapidly, was enabled to

strike heavily [October 20] at the little outpost of

Philadelphia, held by Colonel F. T. Wolford, with the 1st,

11th, and 12th Kentucky cavalry and 45th Ohio mounted

infantry—in all about 2,000 men. Wolford … withstood several

hours, hoping that the sound of guns would bring him

assistance from Loudon in his rear; but none arrived; and he

was at length obliged to cut his way out; losing his battery

and 32 wagons, but bringing off most of his command, with 51

prisoners. … Our total loss in prisoners to Longstreet

southward of Loudon is stated by Halleck at 650. The enemy

advancing resolutely yet cautiously, our troops were withdrawn

before them from Lenoir and from Loudon, concentrating at

Campbell's Station—General Burnside, who had hastened from

Knoxville at the tidings of danger, being personally in

command. Having been joined by his old (9th) corps, he was now

probably as strong as Longstreet; but a large portion of his

force was still dispersed far to the eastward, and he

apprehended being flanked by an advance from Kingston on his

left. He found himself so closely pressed, however, that he

must either fight or sacrifice his trains; so he chose an

advantageous position and suddenly faced the foe: his

batteries being all at hand, while those of his pursuers were

behind; so that he had decidedly the advantage in the fighting

till late in the afternoon, when they brought up three

batteries and opened, while their infantry were extended on

either hand, as if to outflank him.

{3514}

He then fell back to the next ridge, and again faced about;

holding his position firmly till after nightfall; when—his

trains having meantime obtained a fair start—he resumed his

retreat, and continued it unmolested until safe within the

sheltering intrenchments of Knoxville. Our loss in this affair

was about 800; that of the enemy was probably greater. …

Longstreet continued his pursuit and in due time beleaguered

the city [November 17], though he can hardly be said to have

invested it. … The defenses were engineered by Captain Poe,

and were signally effective. Directly on getting into

position, a smart assault was delivered on our right, held by

the 12th Illinois, 45th Ohio, 3d Michigan, and 12th Kentucky,

and a hill carried; but it was not essential to the defenses.

Our loss this day was about 100; among them was General W. P.

Sanders, of Kentucky, killed. Shelling and skirmishing barely

served to break the monotony for ten weary days, when—having

been reenforced by Sam Jones, and one or two other small

commands from Virginia—Longstreet delivered an assault, by a

picked storming party of three brigades, on an unfinished but

important work known as Fort Sanders, on our left, but was

bloodily repelled by General Ferrero, who held it—the loss of

the assailants being some 800, … while on our side the entire

loss that night was about 100; only 15 of these in the fort.

And now—Bragg having been defeated by Grant before

Chattanooga, and a relieving force under Sherman being close

at hand—Longstreet necessarily abandoned the siege, and moved

rapidly eastward unassailed to Russellville, Virginia: our

entire loss in the defense having been less than 1,000; while

his must have been twice or thrice that number. Sherman's

advance reached the city, and Burnside officially announced

the raising of the siege, December 5th."

_H. Greeley,

The American Conflict,

volume 2, chapter 18._

ALSO IN:

_A. Woodbury,

Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps,

part 3, chapter 6._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 31, part 1._

_T. W. Humes.

The Loyal Mountaineers of East Tennessee,

chapters 14-16._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (November).

President Lincoln's Address at Gettysburg.

"By the retreat of Lee from Gettysburg and the immediate

pursuit by Meade, the burial of the dead and care of the

wounded on that great battlefield were left largely to the

military and local authorities of the State of Pennsylvania.

Governor Andrew G. Curtin gave the humane and patriotic duty

his thoughtful attention; and during its execution the

appropriate design of changing a portion of the field into a

permanent cemetery, where the remains of the fallen heroes

might be brought together, and their last resting-place

suitably protected and embellished, was conceived and begun.

The citizen soldiery from seventeen of the loyal States had

taken part in the conflict on the Union side, and the several

Governors of these States heartily cooperated in the project,

which thus acquired a National character. This circumstance

made it natural that the dedication ceremonies should be of

more than usual interest and impressiveness. Accordingly, at

the beginning of November, 1863, when the work was approaching

its completion, Mr. David Wills, the special agent of Governor

Curtin, and also acting for the several States, who had not

only originated, but mainly superintended, the enterprise,

wrote the following letter of invitation to President Lincoln:

'The several States having soldiers in the Army of the

Potomac, who were killed at the battle of Gettysburg, or have

since died at the various hospitals which were established in

the vicinity, have procured grounds on a prominent part of the

battlefield for a cemetery, and are having the dead removed to

them and properly buried. These grounds will be consecrated

and set apart to this sacred purpose, by appropriate

ceremonies, on Thursday, the 19th instant. Honorable Edward

Everett will deliver the oration. I am authorized by the

Governors of the different States to invite you to be present

and participate in these ceremonies, which will doubtless be

very imposing and solemnly impressive. It is the desire that

after the oration, you, as Chief Executive of the nation,

formally set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few

appropriate remarks. It will be a source of great

gratification to the many widows and orphans that have been

made almost friendless by the great battle here, to have you

here personally; and it will kindle anew in the breasts of the

comrades of these brave dead, who are now in the tented field

or nobly meeting the foe in the front, a confidence that they

who sleep in death on the battlefield are not forgotten by

those highest in authority; and they will feel that, should

their fate be the same, their remains will not be uncared-for.

We hope you will be able to be present to perform this last

solemn act to the soldier dead on this battlefield.' President

Lincoln expressed his willingness to perform the duty

requested of him. … At the appointed hour on the 19th a vast

procession, with military music, moved to the cemetery grounds

where, in the midst of a distinguished auditory, the orator of

the day, Edward Everett, made an address worthy alike of his

own fame and the extraordinary occasion. … Mr. Everett ended

in a brilliant peroration, the echoes of which were lost in

the long and hearty plaudits of the great multitude, and then

President Lincoln arose to fill the part assigned him in the

programme. It was a trying ordeal to fittingly crown with a

few brief sentences the ceremonies of such a day, and such an

achievement in oratory; finished, erudite, apparently

exhaustive of the theme, replete with all the strength of

scholastic method and the highest graces of literary culture.

If there arose in the mind of any discriminating listener on

the platform a passing doubt whether Mr. Lincoln would or

could properly honor the unique occasion, that doubt vanished

with his opening sentence; for then and there the President

pronounced an address of dedication so pertinent, so brief yet

so comprehensive, so terse yet so eloquent, linking the deeds

of the present to the thoughts of the future, with simple

words, in such living, original, yet exquisitely molded,

maxim-like phrases that the best critics have awarded it an

unquestioned rank as one of the world's masterpieces in

rhetorical art.

{3515}

He said:

'Four-score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on

this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and

dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that

nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long

endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We

have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final

resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that

nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we

should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we

cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men,

living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far

above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little

note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never

forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to

be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought

here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to

be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us,—that

from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that

cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—

that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have

died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new

birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the

people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'"

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapter 7._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863 (December).

The President's Message to Congress, at the opening of its

session, December 8, was accompanied by the following

Proclamation of Amnesty, which made known the terms of

political reconstruction and rehabilitation that would be

favored by the Executive, in dealing with rebellious citizens

who might return to their allegiance:

"Whereas, in and by the Constitution of the United States, it

is provided that the President 'shall have power to grant

reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States,

except in cases of impeachment;' and Whereas a rebellion now

exists whereby the loyal State governments of several States

have for a long time been subverted, and many persons have

committed and are now guilty of treason against the United

States; and 'Whereas, with reference to said rebellion and

treason, laws have been enacted by Congress declaring

forfeitures and confiscation of property and liberation of

slaves, all upon terms and conditions therein stated, and also

declaring that the President was thereby authorized at any

time thereafter, by proclamation, to extend to persons who may

have participated in the existing rebellion, in any State or

part thereof, pardon and amnesty, with such exceptions and at

such times and on such conditions as he may deem expedient for

the public welfare; and Whereas the congressional declaration

for limited and conditional pardon accords with well

established judicial exposition of the pardoning power; and

Whereas, with reference to said rebellion, the President of

the United States has issued several proclamations, with

provisions in regard to the liberation of slaves; and Whereas

it is now desired by some persons heretofore engaged in said

rebellion to resume their allegiance to the United States, and

to reinaugurate loyal State governments within and for their

respective States: Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of

the United States, do proclaim, declare and make known to all

persons who have directly, or by implication, participated in

the existing rebellion, except as hereinafter excepted, that a

full pardon is hereby granted to them and each of them, with

restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves,

and in property cases where rights of third parties shall have

intervened, and upon the condition that every such person

shall take and subscribe an oath, and thenceforward keep and

maintain said oath inviolate; and which oath shall be

registered for permanent preservation, and shall be of the

tenor and effect following, to wit:

'I, ------, do solemnly swear, in presence of Almighty God,

that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and

defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union

of the States thereunder; and that I will, in like manner,

abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed

during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so

long and so far as not repealed, modified, or held void by

Congress, or by decision of the Supreme Court; and that I

will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all

proclamations of the President made during the existing

rebellion having reference to slaves, so long and so far as

not modified or declared void by decision of the Supreme

Court. So help me God.'

The persons excepted from the benefits of the foregoing

provisions are all who are, or shall have been, civil or

diplomatic officers or agents of the so-called Confederate

Government; all who have left judicial stations under the

United States to aid the rebellion; all who are, or shall have

been, military or naval officers of said so-called Confederate

Government above the rank of colonel in the Army, or of

lieutenant in the Navy; all who left seats in the United

States Congress to aid the rebellion; all who resigned

commissions in the Army or Navy of the United States, and

afterwards aided the rebellion; and all who have engaged in

any way in treating colored persons, or white persons in

charge of such, otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war,

and which persons may have been found in the United States

service as soldiers, seamen, or in any other capacity. And I

do further proclaim, declare, and make known that whenever in

any of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,

Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, [Virginia?], Florida, South

Carolina, and North Carolina, a number of persons, not less

than one tenth in number of the votes cast in such State at

the presidential election of the year of our Lord one thousand

eight hundred and sixty, each having taken the oath aforesaid

and not having since violated it, and being a qualified voter

by the election law of the State existing immediately before

the so-called act of secession, and excluding all others,

shall re-establish a State government which shall be

republican, and in nowise contravening said oath, such shall

be recognized as the true government of the State, and the

State shall receive thereunder the benefits of the

constitutional provision which declares that 'the United

States shall guaranty to every State in this Union a

republican form of government, and shall protect each of them

against invasion; and, on application of the Legislature, or

the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened),

against domestic violence.' And I do further proclaim,

declare, and make known that any provision which may be

adopted by such State government in relation to the freed

people of such State, which shall recognize and declare their

permanent freedom, provide for their education, and which may

yet be consistent, as a temporary arrangement, with their

present condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class,

will not be objected to by the national Executive.

{3516}

And it is suggested as not improper, that, in constructing a

loyal State government in any State, the name of the State,

the boundary, the subdivisions, the constitution, and the

general code of laws, as before the rebellion, be maintained,

subject only to the modifications made necessary by the

conditions hereinbefore stated, and such others, if any, not

contravening said conditions, and which may be deemed

expedient by those framing the new State government. To avoid

misunderstanding, it may be proper to say that this

proclamation, so far as it relates to State governments, has

no reference to States wherein loyal State governments have

all the while been maintained. And for the same reason, it may

be proper to further say, that whether members sent to

Congress from any State shall be admitted to seats

constitutionally rests exclusively with the respective Houses,

and not to any extent with the Executive. And still further,

that this proclamation is intended to present the people of

the States wherein the national authority has been suspended,

and loyal State governments have been subverted, a mode in and

by which the national authority and loyal State governments

may be re-established within said States, or in any of them;

and, while the mode presented is the best the Executive can

suggest, with his present impressions, it must not be

understood that no other possible mode would be acceptable.

Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the eighth day

of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight

hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United

States of America the eighty-eighth.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

In the Message Mr. Lincoln gave his reasons for the

Proclamation, and explained the grounds on which he rested the

policy declared in it, as follows: "On examination of this

proclamation it will appear, as is believed, that nothing is

attempted beyond what is amply justified by the Constitution.

True, the form of an oath is given, but no man is coerced to

take it. The man is only promised a pardon in case he

voluntarily takes the oath. The Constitution authorizes the

Executive to grant or withhold the pardon at his own absolute

discretion; and this includes the power to grant on terms, as

is fully established by judicial and other authorities. It is

also proffered that if, in any of the States named, a State

government shall be, in the mode prescribed, set up, such

government shall be recognized and guaranteed by the United

States, and that under it the State shall, on the

constitutional conditions, be protected against invasion and

domestic violence. The constitutional obligation of tire

United States to guarantee to every State in the Union a

republican form of government, and to protect the State, in

the cases stated, is explicit and full. But why tender the

benefits of this provision only to a State government set up

in this particular way? This section of the Constitution

contemplates a case wherein the element within a State,

favorable to republican government, in the Union, may be too

feeble for an opposite and hostile element external to or even

within the State; and such are precisely the cases with which

we are now dealing. An attempt to guarantee and protect a

revived State government, constructed in whole, or in

preponderating part, from the very element against whose

hostility and violence it is to be protected, is simply

absurd. There must be a test by which to separate the opposing

elements so as to build only from the sound; and that test is

a sufficiently liberal one which accepts as sound whoever will

make a sworn recantation of his former unsoundness. But if it

be proper to require, as a test of admission to the political

body, an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United

States, and to the Union under it, why also to the laws and

proclamations in regard to slavery? Those laws and

proclamations were enacted and put forth for the purpose of

aiding in the suppression of the rebellion. To give them their

fullest effect, there had to be a pledge for their

maintenance. In my judgment they have aided, and will further

aid, the cause for which they were intended. To now abandon

them would be not only to relinquish a lever of power, but

would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith. I may

add at this point, that while I remain in my present position

I shall not attempt to retract or modify the Emancipation

Proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person who is

free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts

of Congress. For these and other reasons it is thought best

that support of these measures shall be included in the oath;

and it is believed the Executive may lawfully claim it in

return for pardon and restoration of forfeited rights, which

he has clear constitutional power to withhold altogether, or

grant upon the terms which he shall deem wisest for the public

interest. It should be observed, also, that this part of the

oath is subject to the modifying and abrogating power of

legislation and supreme judicial decision. The proposed

acquiescence of the national Executive in any reasonable

temporary State arrangement for the freed people is made with

the view of possibly modifying the confusion and destitution

which must at best attend all classes by a total revolution of

labor throughout whole States. It is hoped that the already

deeply afflicted people in those States may be somewhat more

ready to give up the cause of their affliction, if, to this

extent, this vital matter be left to themselves; while no

power of the national Executive to prevent an abuse is

abridged by the proposition. The suggestion in the

proclamation as to maintaining the political frame-work of the

States on what is called reconstruction, is made in the hope

that it may do good without danger of harm. It will save

labor, and avoid great confusion. But why any proclamation now

upon this subject? This question is beset with the conflicting

views that the step might be delayed too long or be taken too

soon. In some States the elements for resumption seem ready

for action, but remain inactive, apparently for want of a

rallying-point—a plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plan of

B, rather than B that of A? And if A and B should agree, how

can they know but that the General Government here will reject

their plan? By the proclamation a plan is presented which may

be accepted by them as a rallying-point, and which they are

assured in advance will not be rejected here. This may bring

them to act sooner than they otherwise would. The objection to

a premature presentation of a plan by the national Executive

consists in the danger of committals on points which could be

more safely left to further developments. Care has been taken

to so shape the document as to avoid embarrassments from this

source.

{3517}

Saying that, on certain terms, certain classes will be

pardoned, with rights restored, it is not said that other

classes, or other terms, will never be included. Saying that

reconstruction will be accepted if presented in a specified

way, it is not said it will never be accepted in any other

way. The movements, by State action, for emancipation in

several of the States, not included in the Emancipation

Proclamation, are matters of profound gratulation. And while I

do not repeat in detail what I have heretofore so earnestly

urged upon this subject, my general views and feelings remain

unchanged; and I trust that Congress will omit no fair

opportunity of aiding these important steps to a great

consummation. In the midst of other cares, however important,

we must not lose sight of the fact that the war power is still

our main reliance. To that power alone we can look, yet for a

time, to give confidence to the people in the contested

regions, that the insurgent power will not again overrun them.

Until that confidence shall be established, little can be done

anywhere for what is called reconstruction. Hence our chiefest

care must still be directed to the army and navy, who have

thus far borne their harder part so nobly and well. And it may

be esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest efficiency

to these indispensable arms, we do also honorably recognize

the gallant men, from commander to sentinel, who compose them,

and to whom, more than to others, the world must stand

indebted for the home of freedom disenthralled, regenerated,

enlarged, and perpetuated.

Abraham Lincoln."

_A. Lincoln,

Complete Works,

volume 2, pages 442-456._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863-1864

(December-April: Tennessee-Mississippi).

Winter operations.

Sherman's Meridian Expedition.

Longstreet's withdrawal from East Tennessee.

"Sherman was at Vicksburg. On a line with Vicksburg, but

almost on the eastern boundary of the State, was the town of

Meridian. Here two railroads crossed, one running north and

south, extending from Mobile into the heart of Tennessee, and

the other extending to the eastward into Alabama and Georgia.

Railroads were few in the South at that time and the junction

had made Meridian an important point. Here the Confederates

had erected great warehouses for the storage of provisions and

munitions of war. A considerable body of troops, too, was

maintained at this point, whence they could be sent speedily

by rail north or south, east or west, as the necessity might

arise. General Sherman determined to fall upon Meridian, drive

away the Confederate garrison, burn the arsenal and tear up

the railroads so as to isolate the different parts of the

Confederacy thenceforth. But in addition to accomplishing this

he desired to effect the defeat and dispersal of the

Confederate cavalry force under General Forrest, which was

operating in Northern Mississippi and Southern Tennessee.

Forrest was a brave and dashing leader. His men were hardy

troopers, used to quick marches and reckless of danger. To

crush him and annihilate his command would be a notable

victory for the Union cause. Full of this project, Sherman

boarded a steamer at Vicksburg and set out for Memphis, where

were the headquarters of General W. Sooy Smith, then chief of

cavalry in the division of the Mississippi. The river was full

of great cakes of floating ice that bumped against the prow of

the boat and ground against her sides until those on board

feared that she might be sent to the bottom. But Memphis was

reached without accident, and Sherman and the chief of cavalry

were soon in earnest consultation. General Smith was ordered

to take the field against Forrest with a force of 7,000 men. …

It was agreed that General Smith should start from Memphis on

February 1 and march southeast, while Sherman should leave

Vicksburg February 3, and march due east. Thus they would

effect a junction in the vicinity of Meridian. Sherman then

re-embarked on the icy river and made his way back to

Vicksburg. Promptly on the appointed day the head of Sherman's

column passed out through the chain of earthworks that girdled

the land ward side of Vicksburg. It was to be an expedition of

destruction—a raid. His force of 25,000 men was in light

marching order and advanced with such rapidity that the

Confederates were driven from the very first, without having

time to rally and oppose the advance of the invaders. Jackson

was reached without any fighting, other than slight

skirmishing with Polk's cavalry. The ministerial general had

but 9,000 men in all, so he dared not make a determined stand

against Sherman, but fled, without even destroying his pontoon

bridge across the Pearl River, whereby the Federal advance was

much expedited. From Jackson eastward the path of Sherman's

army was marked by a broad belt of ashes and desolation. No

public property was spared, nor anything which could be

applied to public uses. Mills, railway stations, and rolling

stock were burned. Railway tracks were torn up, the ties

heaped on roaring fires and the rails heated red· hot and

twisted out of shape. Sometimes the soldiers would twine a hot

rail about a young tree, making what they facetiously termed

'Jeff Davis's neck-ties.' To Sherman's lines came escaping

slaves in droves, old and young men, women and pickaninnies. …

The slaves still further impoverished their masters by taking

horses and mules with them when they fled, so that after

Sherman's army had passed, most of the plantations in its

track were stripped of their live-stock, both cattle and

human. When Meridian was reached its defenders were nowhere to

be seen. Sherman took possession and waited for Smith. Days

passed without any word coming from the cavalry column. After

a week in Meridian, Sherman set the torch to the public

buildings and retraced his steps toward Vicksburg. He had

taken 400 prisoners, destroyed 150 miles of track, 67 bridges,

20 locomotives and 28 cars; had burned several thousand bales

of cotton, a number of steam mills, and over 2,000,000 bushels

of corn. Over 1,000 Union white refugees and 8,000 negroes

followed in his wake. In 1866, the historian Lossing, passing

through Meridian, asked the Mayor of the town if Sherman had

done the place much injury. 'Injury!' was the emphatic reply,

'Why, he took it away with him.'"

_W. J. Abbot,

Battle Fields and Victory,

chapter 1._

{3518}

General Smith, in his report to General Sherman, gave the

reasons for the falling back of the cavalry expedition, as

follows: "We advanced to West Point and felt of the enemy, who

was posted back of the Sakatonchee on our right and the Oktibbeha

in our front, in force fully equal to my own that was

available for service, encumbered as we were with our

pack-mules and the captured stock, which by this time must

have numbered full 3,000 horses and mules. The force consisted

of mounted infantry, which was dismounted and in strong

position under good cover, and beyond obstacles which could

only be passed by defiles. To attempt to force my way through

under such circumstances would have been the height of folly.

I could not cross the Tombigbee, as there were no bridges and

the stream could not be forded. To have attempted to turn the

position by our right would have carried me all the way round

to Houston again, and Forrest could again check me at the

Houlka Swamp. I was ten days behind time; could get no

communication through to you; did not know but what you were

returning, and so determined to make a push at Forrest in

front while I retired all my incumbrances and my main body

rapidly toward Okolona, just in time to prevent a rebel

brigade from getting in my rear, which had been thrown back

for that purpose. We then retired, fighting for over 60 miles

day and night."

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 32, part 1, page 252._

In East Tennessee, during the winter little was done by either

army. A slight encounter occurred at Dandridge, in January,

between Longstreet's forces and those of the Union General

Parke. In April Longstreet was recalled by Lee, and the Ninth

Corps, with Burnside again in command, went back to the army

of the Potomac.

_J. D. Cox,

Atlanta

(Campaigns of the Civil War, volume 9),

chapters 1-2._

ALSO IN:

_A. Badeau,

Military History of Ulysses S. Grant,

volume 1, chapter 13._

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civil War in America,

volume 4, book 4, chapter 1._

_W. T. Sherman,

Memoirs,

volume 1, chapter 14._

_W. J. Tenney,

Military and Naval History,

chapter 38._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863-1864 (December-July).

President Lincoln's plan of reconstruction, and its

application to Louisiana.

The opposing Congressional plan.

"The proclamation which accompanied the Annual Message of the

President for 1864 embodied the first suggestions of the

Administration on the important subject of reconstructing the

Governments of those States which had joined in the secession

movement. The matter had been canvassed somewhat extensively

by the public press, and by prominent politicians, in

anticipation of the overthrow of the rebellion. … A

considerable number of the friends of the Government, in both

houses, maintained that, by the act of secession, the revolted

States had put themselves outside the pale of the

Constitution, and were henceforth to be regarded and treated,

not as members of the Union, but as alien enemies:—that their

State organizations and State boundaries had been expunged by

their own act; and that they were to be readmitted to the

jurisdiction of the Constitution, and to the privileges of the

Union, only upon such terms and conditions as the Federal

Government of the loyal States might prescribe. … After the

appearance of the President's proclamation, the movement

towards reconstruction in Louisiana assumed greater

consistency, and was carried forward with greater steadiness

and strength. On the 8th of January a very large Free State

Convention was held at New Orleans, at which resolutions were

adopted indorsing all the acts and proclamations of the

President, and urging the immediate adoption of measures for

the restoration of the State to its old place in the Union. On

the 11th, General Banks issued a proclamation, appointing an

election for State officers on the 22d of February, who were

to be installed on the 4th of March, and another election for

delegates to a convention to revise the Constitution of the

State on the first Monday in April. The old Constitution and

laws of Louisiana were to be observed, except so far as they

relate to slavery. … Under this order, parties were organized

for the election of State officers. The friends of the

National Government were divided, and two candidates were put

in nomination for Governor, Honorable Michael Hahn being the

regular nominee, and representing the supporters of the policy

of the President, and Honorable B. F. Flanders being put in

nomination by those who desired a more radical policy than the

President had proposed. Both took very decided ground against

the continued existence of slavery within the State. … The

election resulted in the election of Mr. Hahn. … Mr. Hahn was

inaugurated as Governor on the 4th of March. On the 15th he

was clothed with the powers previously exercised by General

Banks, as military governor. … On March 16th, Governor Hahn

issued a proclamation, notifying the electors of the State of

the election for delegates to the convention previously

ordered by General Banks. The party which elected Governor

Hahn succeeded also in electing a large majority of the

delegates to the convention, which met in New Orleans on the

6th of April. On the 11th of May it adopted, by a vote of 70

to 16, a clause of the new Constitution, by which slavery was

forever abolished in the State. The Constitution was adopted

on the 5th of September, by a vote of 6,836 to 1,566. Great

umbrage was taken at these proceedings by some of the best

friends of the cause, as if there had been an unauthorized and

unjustifiable interference on the part of the President. … In

Arkansas, where a decided Union feeling had existed from the

outbreak of the rebellion, the appearance of the proclamation

was the signal for a movement to bring the State back into the

Union. On the 20th of January, a delegation of citizens from

that State had an interview with the President, in which they

urged the adoption of certain measures for the

re-establishment of a legal State Government, and especially

the ordering of an election for Governor. … Meantime, a

convention had assembled at Little Rock, composed of delegates

elected without any formality, and not under the authority of

the General Government, and proceeded to form a new State

Constitution, and to fix a day for an election. … The

convention framed a constitution abolishing slavery, which was

subsequently adopted by a large majority of the people. It

also provided for the election of State officers on the day

appointed for the vote upon the constitution; and the

legislature chosen at that election elected two gentlemen,

Messrs. Fishback and Baxter, as United States Senators, and

also Representatives. These gentlemen presented their

credentials at Washington. … The whole matter was referred to

the Judiciary Committee, who … reported on the 27th of June

that on the facts it did not appear that the rebellion was so

far suppressed in Arkansas as to entitle the State to

representation in Congress, and that therefore Messrs.

Fishback and Baxter were not entitled to seats as Senators

from the State of Arkansas. And the Senate on the next day

adopted their report by a vote of 27 to 6.

{3519}

In the House, meanwhile, the Committee on Elections, to whom

the application of the Arkansas members had been referred,

reported to postpone their admission until a commission could

be sent to inquire into and report the facts of the election,

and to create a commission for the examination of all such

cases. This proposition was, however, laid on the table, and

the members were not admitted. … The cause of the rejection of

these Senators and Representatives was, that a majority in

Congress had not agreed with the President in reference to the

plan of reconstruction which he proposed. A bill for the

reconstruction of the States was introduced into the Senate,

and finally passed both Houses on the last day of the session.

It provided that the President should appoint, for each of the

States declared in rebellion, a Provisional Governor, who

should be charged with the civil administration of the State

until a State Government should be organized and such other

civil officers as were necessary for the civil administration

of the State; that as soon as military resistance to the

United States should be suppressed and the people had

sufficiently returned to their obedience, the Governor should

make an enrolment of the white male citizens, specifying which

of them had taken the oath to support the Constitution of the

United States, and if those who had taken it were a majority

of the persons enrolled, he should order an election for

delegates to a Constitutional Convention, to be elected by the

loyal white male citizens of the United States aged twenty-one

years. … The bill further provided that when a constitution

containing … provisions [excluding rebels from office,

prohibiting slavery, and repudiating Confederate debts] should

have been framed by the convention and adopted by the popular

vote, the Governor should certify that fact to the President,

who, after obtaining the assent of Congress, should recognize

this government so established as the Government of the State,

and from that date senators and representatives and electors

for President and Vice-President should be elected in the

State. … This bill thus passed by Congress was presented to

the President just before the close of the session, but was

not signed by him."

_H. J. Raymond,

Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln,

chapter 16._

The President's reasons for not signing the bill were given to

the public as well as to Congress in the following

Proclamation:

"Whereas, at the late session, Congress passed a bill to

'guarantee to certain States, whose governments have been

usurped or overthrown, a republican form of government,' a

copy of which is hereunto annexed; And whereas the said bill

was presented to the President of the United States for his

approval less than one hour before the sine die adjournment of

said session, and was not signed by him; And whereas the said

bill contains, among other things, a plan for restoring the

States in rebellion to their proper practical relation in the

Union, which plan expresses the sense of Congress upon that

subject, and which plan it is now thought fit to lay before

the people for their consideration: Now, therefore, I, Abraham

Lincoln, President of the United States, do proclaim, declare,

and make known, that, while I am (as I was in December last,

when by proclamation I propounded a plan for restoration)

unprepared, by a formal approval of this bill, to be

inflexibly committed to any single plan of restoration; and,

while I am also unprepared to declare that the free-State

constitutions and governments already adopted and installed in

Arkansas and Louisiana shall be set aside and held for nought,

thereby repelling and discouraging the loyal citizens who have

set up the same as to further effort, or to declare a

constitutional competency in Congress to abolish slavery in

States, but am at the same time sincerely hoping and expecting

that a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery throughout

the nation may be adopted, nevertheless I am fully satisfied

with the system for restoration contained in the bill as one

very proper plan for the loyal people of any State choosing to

adopt it, and that I am, and at all times shall be, prepared

to give the executive aid and assistance to any such people,

so soon as the military resistance to the United States shall

have been suppressed in any such State, and the people thereof

shall have sufficiently returned to their obedience to the

Constitution and the laws of the United States, in which cases

military governors will be appointed, with directions to

proceed according to the bill.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused

the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city

of Washington, this eighth day of July, in the year of our

Lord one thousand eight hundred an sixty-four, and of the

independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.

Abraham Lincoln. By the President: William H. Seward,

Secretary of State."

_A. Lincoln,

Complete Works,

volume 2, page 545._

ALSO IN:

_J. G. Blaine,

Twenty Years of Congress,

volume 2, chapter 3._

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapters 16-17._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (January-February: Florida).

Unsuccessful Operations.

Battle of Olustee.

"Early in the winter of 1863-64, General Gillmore, commanding

the Department of the South, … resolved upon an expedition

into Florida to take possession of such portions of the

Eastern and Northern sections of the State as could be easily

held by small garrisons. … He afterwards added another detail

to his plan: to assist in bringing Florida back into the

Union, in accordance with the President's Proclamation of

December 8, 1863. This came in time to be regarded by the

opponents of the Administration as the sole purpose of the

expedition, and Mr. Lincoln has received a great deal of

unjust censure for having made a useless sacrifice of life for

a political end. … The expedition to Florida was under the

immediate charge of General Truman Seymour, an accomplished

and gallant officer of the regular army. He landed at

Jacksonville and pushed forward his mounted force 20 miles to

Baldwin. … Gillmore himself arrived at Baldwin on the 9th of

February, and after a full conference and, as he thought,

understanding with Seymour, returned to Jacksonville. … On the

18th he was surprised at receiving a letter from Seymour,

dated the day before, announcing his intention of moving at

once to the Suwanee River without supplies, and asking for a

strong demonstration of the army and navy in the Savannah

River to assist his movement. … Gillmore wrote a peremptory

letter, ordering him to restrict himself to holding Baldwin

and the south prong of the St. Mary's River and occupying

Palatka and Magnolia, and dispatched a staff officer to

Florida with it. He arrived too late.

{3520}

Seymour had made up his mind that there was less risk in going

forward than in staying at Baldwin, and like the brave and

devoted soldier that he was had resolved to take the

responsibility. He marched rapidly out towards Olustee, where

the enemy under General Joseph Finegan was supposed to be, but

came upon them unexpectedly about two miles east of that

place. The forces were equal in numbers, about 5,500 on each

side; the advantage to the Confederates was that they were in

a strong position selected by themselves and ready for the

fight. General J. R. Hawley, who commanded a brigade of

infantry in the battle, says: 'We rushed in, not waiting for

the proper full formation, and were fought in detail.' …

Seymour's attack was constantly repulsed with heavy loss,

until at nightfall he fell back to a new line. He was not

pursued, and retired in good order and unmolested to

Jacksonville. The Union loss was 1861; the Confederate, 940.

This misadventure put an end for the moment to the attempt to

occupy Florida."

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapter 11._

ALSO IN:

_S. Jones and J. R. Hawley,

Olustee

(Battles and Leaders, volume 4)._

_L. F. Emilio,

History of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers,

chapter 8._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (February-March: Virginia).

Kilpatrick's and Dahlgren's Raid to Richmond.

"Public feeling throughout the North had been greatly excited

by the deplorable condition of the prisoners of war held at

Richmond. Early in the year, before the opening of the great

campaign, some expeditions had been undertaken both from the

Army of the Potomac and from Fortress Monroe, with the

intention of relieving them. On February 27th, Custer, with

1500 horse, had crossed the Rapidan on a feint to the west of

the Confederate army, while Kilpatrick, starting on the

following day, moved down on its opposite flank, by

Spottsylvania Court House, to within 3½ miles of Richmond,

passing its first and second lines of defenses [March], but

being obliged to fall back from its third. Pursued by a force

of the enemy, he was compelled to cross the White House

Railroad and move down the peninsula. A detachment of

Kilpatrick's force, 400 strong, under Colonel Ulric Dahlgren,

leaving the main body at Spottsylvania, had gone to the right

through Louisa and Goochland Counties, intending to cross the

James River and enter Richmond from the south, while

Kilpatrick attacked it on the north. But the river was found

to be too deep to be forded. Dahlgren passed down the north

bank to the fortifications of Richmond, forcing his way

through the outer works, but being repulsed from the inner.

Finding that Kilpatrick's attempt had miscarried, he moved

toward King and Queen Court House; but after crossing the

Mattapony at Dabney's Ferry, he fell into an ambuscade [March

3], his command being scattered, and himself killed. Under a

false pretense that papers were found upon him showing an

intention to set fire to Richmond, and take the lives of Davis

and his cabinet, his corpse was insulted and the place of its

interment concealed. At the time of his death he was but 21

years of age."

_J. W. Draper,

History of the American Civil War,

chapter 82 (volume 3)._

"The document alleged to have been found upon the person of

Colonel Dahlgren is utterly discredited by the fact that the

signature attached to it cannot possibly be his own, because

it is not his name,—a letter is misplaced, and the real name

Dahlgren is spelled 'Dalhgren'; hence it is undeniable that

the paper is not only spurious, but is a forgery. … It is

entirely certain that no such orders were ever issued by

Colonel Dahlgren."

_Admiral J. A. Dahlgren,

Memoirs of Ulric Dahlgren,

pages 233-234._

ALSO IN:

_C. C. Chesney,

Essays in Military Biography,

page 185._

_B. J. Lossing,

Field Book of the Civil War,

volume 3, chapter 10._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 33._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (March-April).

General Grant in chief command of the whole army.

His plans of campaign.

"Immediate]y after the victories at Chattanooga Mr. Washburne

of Illinois, the devoted friend and firm supporter of General

Grant through good and evil report, introduced a bill in

Congress to revive the grade of lieutenant-general in the

army. The measure occasioned a good deal of discussion. This

high rank had never been conferred on any citizen of the

republic except Washington, who held it for a short time

before his death. It was discontinued for more than half a

century and then conferred by brevet only upon General Scott.

There were those who feared, or affected to fear, that so high

a military rank was threatening to the liberties of the

republic. The great majority of Congress, however, considered

the liberties of the republic more robust than this fear would

indicate, and the bill was finally passed on the 26th cf

February, and received the approval of the President on the

29th of February. … Immediately upon signing the bill the

President nominated Grant to the Senate for the office created

by it. … The Senate immediately confirmed his nomination, and

on the 3d of March the Secretary of War directed him to report

in person to the War Department as early as practicable. … He

started for Washington the next day, but in the midst of his

hurried preparations for departure he found time to write a

letter of the most warm and generous friendship to Sherman."

Grant's commission as Lieutenant-General of the Army of the

United States was formally presented to him by President

Lincoln on the 9th of March. "After the presentation of the

commission a brief conversation took place. General Grant

inquired what special service was expected of him. The

President replied that our country wanted him to take

Richmond; he said our generals had not been fortunate in their

efforts in that direction and asked if the Lieutenant-General

could do it. Grant, without hesitation, answered that he could

if he had the troops. These the President assured him he

should have. There was not one word said as to what route to

Richmond should be chosen. The next day Grant visited General

Meade at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac at Brandy

Station. … Meade said that it was possible Grant might want an

officer to command the Army of the Potomac who had been with

him in the West, and made especial mention of Sherman. He

begged him if that was the case not to hesitate about making

the change. … Grant assured him that he had no thought of

making any change; and that Sherman could not be spared from

the West. He returned to Washington on the 11th. The next day

he was placed in command of all the armies by orders from the

War Department; but without waiting for a single day to accept

the lavish proffers of hospitality which were showered upon

him, he started West again on the evening of the 11th of

March.

{3521}

In that short time he had utterly changed his views and plans

for the future conduct of the war. He had relinquished the

purpose he had hitherto firmly held of leading the Western

armies on the great campaign to Atlanta and the sea, and had

decided to take the field with the Army of the Potomac. …

Sherman at his request was promoted to command the Military

Division of the Mississippi, McPherson succeeded to Sherman's

command of the Department of the Tennessee, and Logan was

promoted to the command of McPherson's corps." The necessary

arrangements were quickly made. General Sherman assumed his

enlarged command on the 18th of March, and General Grant a few

days later was with the Army of the Potomac. He "established

his headquarters at Culpeper Court House near the end of

March, and spent a month in preparations for the great

campaign which he, in common with the entire North, hoped

would end the war. … The plan of the Lieutenant-General, as

set forth in his report, was extremely simple. So far as

practicable, the armies were to move together, and towards one

common center. Banks was to finish his operations in

Louisiana, and, leaving a small garrison on the Rio Grande,

was to concentrate an army of some 25,000 men, and move on

Mobile. Sherman was to move simultaneously with the other

armies, General Johnston's army being his objective, and the

heart of Georgia his ultimate aim. Sigel, who was in command

in the Shenandoah, was to move to the front in two columns,

one to threaten the enemy in the Valley, the other to cut the

railroads connecting Richmond with the Southwest. Gillmore was

to be brought north with his corps, and in company with

another corps, under W. F. Smith, was to form an army under

General B. F. Butler to operate against Richmond south of the

James. Lee's army was to be the objective point of Meade,

reënforced by Burnside. As to the route by which the Army of

the Potomac was to advance, Grant reserved his decision until

just before he started upon his march. … The two armies lay in

their intrenchments on both sides of the Rapidan. The

headquarters … of Lee [were] at Orange Court House; the Army

of Northern Virginia guarded the south bank of the river for

18 or 20 miles, Ewell commanding the right half, A. P. Hill

the left. The formidable works on Mine Run secured the

Confederate right wing, which was further protected by the

tangled and gloomy thickets of the Wilderness. Longstreet had

arrived from Tennessee with two fine divisions, and was held

in reserve at Gordonsville. The two armies were not so

unequally matched as Confederate writers insist. The strength

of the Army of the Potomac, present for duty equipped, on the

30th of April, was 122,146; this includes the 22,708 of

Burnside's Ninth Corps. The Army of Northern Virginia numbered

at the opening of this campaign not less than 61,953. While

this seems like a great disparity of strength, it must not be

forgotten that the Confederate general had an enormous

advantage of position. The dense woods and the thickly

timbered swamps … were as well known to him as the lines of

his own hand, and were absolutely unknown to his antagonist."

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapters 13-14._

ALSO IN:

_U. S. Grant,

Personal Memoirs,

chapters 46-47 (volume 2)._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (March-May: Louisiana).

The Red River Expedition.

"As the third year began, General Banks conceived the idea

that the trade of Western Louisiana could be opened by the

medium of the Red river, and projected an expedition to take

possession of the country adjacent to its course. This river

is open for navigation by larger vessels, only during the high

water of March and April. Porter was to command the fleet of

twenty of the finest vessels on the Mississippi, and Sherman

was persuaded to lend some of his troops for the purpose. A.

J. Smith was to start from Vicksburg with 10,000 men, while

Banks would proceed up river from New Orleans, with Franklin's

division. Steele from Little Rock was to operate towards

Shreveport to join the main army. General Taylor was in

command of the enemy's forces at Shreveport. The fleet started

up the Red river in company with the transports carrying A. J.

Smith's column. Fort De Russy was captured [March 14], the

enemy retiring before our troops, and Alexandria and

Nachitoches fell into our hands as the joint force advanced.

Banks put in an appearance a week later. There was more or

less skirmishing with the enemy's horse and outposts along the

entire route; and near Mansfield, at Sabine Cross-Roads, the

vanguard met the enemy in force. Sufficient care had not been

taken to keep the several bodies concentrated. It was on Smith

that the attack fell [April 8], and though this general's

record for endurance is of the best, he was nevertheless badly

worsted with a loss of 2,000 men out of 8,000 engaged, and

some twenty guns. Retiring to Pleasant Hill, another stand was

made for the possession of what had been so far gained. … The

fleet had meanwhile reached Grand Écore. High water was coming

to an end, and Porter was obliged to return down river, to

Alexandria. Here it was found that most of the vessels were of

too heavy draught to pass the falls below the town; and the

loss of most of them would have been certain, but for a dam

and waterway ably constructed by Colonel Bailey, an engineer

remarkably fertile in expedients. By means of this device the

fleet was safely floated over. On the retreat, Alexandria was

burned [May 15] by accident, traceable to no particular cause,

though, naturally enough laid by the Confederates to our

spirit of revenge."

_T. A. Dodge,

Bird's-Eye View of our Civil war,

chapter 31._

"We prefer not to enter into the bitter discussions to which

this disastrous campaign gave rise on both sides of the line.

A life-long quarrel sprang up between Kirby Smith and Taylor,

between Banks and Porter, while Franklin, Charles P. Stone

(Banks's chief-of-staff), and Albert L. Lee, all of whom

relinquished their commands, added their quota of

misunderstanding and resentment. … The Committee on the

Conduct of the War made an investigation of the matter in the

year 1865, at the time when the antagonism between Mr. Lincoln

and the Radicals in relation to the subject of reconstruction

had assumed an acute form. … The charge was made by the

committee against Banks, that what he had in view was to carry

out measures for the establishment of a State government in

Louisiana, and to afford an egress for cotton and other

products of that region, and that the attention directed to

the accomplishment of these objects exerted an unfavorable

influence on the expedition. … The honorable poverty in which

General Banks has passed his subsequent life is the best

answer to the reckless charges of his enemies."

_J. G. Nicolay and J. Hay,

Abraham Lincoln,

volume 8, chapter 11._

ALSO IN:

_D. D. Porter,

Naval History of the Civil War,

chapters 41-42._

_Report of Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War,

38th Congress, 2d Session, volume 2._

_Official Records,

Series 1, volume 33._

_R. B. Irwin,

History of the 19th Army Corps,

chapters 23-28._

{3522}

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864

(March-October: Arkansas-Missouri).

Last important operations in the West.

Price's raid.

"During the winter of 1863-1864 the forces of Generals Steele

and Blunt held the Arkansas River as a Federal line of

advance. … During this period of inactivity, however, Steele

was making preparations for a vigorous spring campaign. It was

decided that the column under General Banks and the columns

under General Steele from Little Rock and Fort Smith should

converge toward Shreveport, Louisiana. The Federal columns

under Steele left Little Rock and Fort Smith the latter part

of March, moved toward the Southern part of the State, and

after some fighting and manœuvring drove General Price's

forces from Camden, Arkadelphia and Washington. In the midst

of these successful operations, Steele received information

that Banks' army had been defeated and was retreating and that

Price had received reënforcements from Kirby Smith of 5000

infantry and a complement of artillery, and would at once

assume the offensive.

See UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864

(March-May: Louisiana).

Not feeling strong enough to fight the combined Confederate

forces, Steele determined to fall back upon Little Rock. He

had scarcely commenced his retrograde movement when Smith and

Price began to press him vigorously. A retreating fight was

kept up for several days, until the Federal army reached

Jenkins's Ferry on the Saline River," where Smith and Price

made an energetic attack on the Federal army (April 30) and

were repulsed with heavy loss. "After the battle of Jenkins's

Ferry, instead of making preparations to attack the Federal

forces at Little Rock and Fort Smith, Price commenced

organizing his forces for an expedition into Missouri. …

Price's army for the invasion of Missouri numbered some 15,000

men and 20 pieces of artillery before crossing the Arkansas

River, and consisted of three divisions, commanded by Generals

Fagan, Marmaduke and Shelby. … About the 1st of September,

while strong demonstrations were being made against Fort Smith

and Little Rock, Price, with his army, crossed the Arkansas

River about half-way between those points, at Dardanelle, and

marched to the northern part of the State without opposition,

and, in fact, without his movements being definitely known to

General Rosecrans, who then commanded the Department of the

Missouri at St. Louis," to which he had been appointed in

January. At Pilot Knob, where they arrived September 26th, the

Confederates were opposed by General Thomas Ewing, Jr., with a

small force of 1051 men. The fortifications at Pilot Knob were

strong and Ewing held them against the vigorous attacks of

Price throughout the 27th, but evacuated that night, blowing

up the magazine and retreating safely. The Confederate

invaders then marched on St. Louis and attacked the outer

defences of the city, some miles to the south of it, but found

themselves opposed by the veterans of General A. J. Smith's

division, which had been opportunely stopped on its way down

the Mississippi River to join Sherman. Foiled at St. Louis,

Price then moved upon Jefferson City, the State capital, but

was closely pursued and driven off. Advancing westward, he was

met at Lexington, October 20th, by forces from Kansas, under

General Blunt, but forced the latter to retire from the town,

after severe fighting. Thence to Independence his progress was

steadily resisted by Generals Blunt and Curtis, with

volunteers and militia from Kansas. At Independence, on the

22d, Pleasonton's cavalry, of Rosecrans's army, came up and

formed a junction with the forces of Curtis, and the next day

they engaged Price in battle near Westport. "The opposing

armies fought over an area of five or six square miles, and at

some points the fighting was furious. … About the middle of

the afternoon Price's lines began to give way, and by sundown

the entire Confederate army was in full retreat southward

along the State line, closely pursued by the victorious

Federal forces." At the crossing of the Marais des Cygnes

River he lost ten pieces of his artillery and a large number

of prisoners, including Generals Marmaduke and Cabell. "At

Newtonia in south-west Missouri, on the 28th of October, Price

made another stand, and was attacked by the pursuing forces …

and finally driven from the field with heavy loss. This was

next to the severest battle of the campaign. Blunt, and some

of the Missouri troops, continued the pursuit to the Arkansas

River, but Price did not again attempt to make a stand. His

line of march from Westport to Newtonia was strewn with the

debris of a routed army. He crossed the Arkansas River above

Fort Smith with a few pieces of artillery, with his army

demoralized and reduced by captures and dispersion to perhaps

less than 5,000 men. Most of the noted guerrilla bands

followed him from the State. The 'Price raid,' as it was

called in the West, was the last military operation of much

consequence that took place in Missouri and Arkansas. It is

certain that Price lost more than he gained in war material

and that the raid did not tend to strengthen the Confederate

cause in the West."

_W. Britton,

Résumé of Military Operations in

Missouri and Arkansas, 1864-1865

(Battles and Leaders, volume 4)._

"In General Price's report occurs the following summary of the

campaign: 'I marched 1,434 miles, fought 43 battles and

skirmishes, captured and paroled over 3,000 Federal officers

and men, captured 18 pieces of artillery, 3,000 stand of

small-arms, 16 stand of colors … and destroyed property to the

cost of $10,000,000. I lost ten pieces of artillery. 2 stand

of colors, 1,000 small arms, while I do not think I lost 1,000

prisoners. … I brought with me at least 5,000 recruits.'"

_Editor's note to above._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (April: Tennessee).

The Massacre at Fort Pillow.

After General Sherman's return from his raid to Meridian, and

General William Sooy Smith's return to Memphis, the

Confederate cavalry leader Forrest advanced into Tennessee,

devastating the country. "He captured Jackson in that State,

on the 23d of March, and moving northward, appeared before

Paducah, held by Colonel Hicks with 650 men.

{3523}

His demand for a surrender was accompanied with a threat: 'If

you surrender, you shall be treated as prisoners of war; but

if I have to storm your works, you may expect no quarter:' he

made three assaults, and then retired, having lost 1,500 men.

On the 12th of April he was at Fort Pillow, which was

garrisoned by 19 officers and 538 men, of whom 262 were

negroes. This force was not a part of the army, but a

nondescript body in process of formation, placed there to

cover a trading-post for the convenience of families supposed

to be friendly, or at least not hostile; it had been left in

violation of Sherman's peremptory orders. The attack was made

before sunrise; and after some severe fighting, Major Booth,

the commanding officer of the garrison, was killed. Major

Brodford, who succeeded him, drew the troops from the outer

line of intrenchments into the fort, and continued the contest

until afternoon. A gun-boat which had been co-operating in the

defense, withdrew to cool or clean her guns, and, the fire

slackening, Forrest sent a summons to surrender, and shortly

after a second, demanding that the surrender should be made in

twenty minutes. These terms were declined by Bradford. But

while the negotiations were in progress, the assailants were

stealthily advancing, and gaining such positions that they

could rush upon the fort. Accordingly, as soon as Bradford's

answer was received, they sprang forward. The fort was

instantly carried. Its garrison threw down their arms and

fled, seeking refuge wherever they could. And now was

perpetrated one of the most frightful acts of all recorded

history. The carnage did not cease with the struggle of the

storming, but was continued as a carnival of murder until

night, and renewed again the next morning. Without any

discrimination of color, age, or sex, the fugitives were

dragged from their hiding-places, and cruelly murdered.

Wounded men, who had made a gallant defense, were atrociously

compelled to stand up and be shot; some were burnt in their

tents, some were stabbed. For the black soldiers there was no

mercy. 'They were massacred because they were niggers,' and

the whites 'because they were fighting with niggers.' General

Stephen E. Lee, the superior of Forrest, partly denying and

partly excusing this atrocity, says, 'It is generally conceded

by all military precedent that, when the issue has been fairly

presented and the ability displayed, fearful results are

expected to follow a refusal to surrender. The case under

consideration is almost an extreme one. You had a servile race

armed against their masters, and in a country which had been

desolated by almost unprecedented outrages.' The Committee of

Congress on the Conduct of the War appointed a sub-committee

to go to such places as they might deem necessary, and take

testimony in relation to the Fort Pillow massacre. Their

report presents facts in connection with this massacre of the

deepest atrocity. Men were not only shot in cold blood and

drowned, but were even crucified, buried alive, nailed to the

floors of houses, which were then set on fire. 'No cruelty,'

says this committee, 'which the most fiendish malignity could

devise, was omitted by these murderers.' 'From 300 to 400 men

are known to have been killed at Fort Pillow, of whom at least

300 were murdered in cold blood after the post was in

possession of the rebels, and our men had thrown down their

arms and ceased to offer resistance.' … It should be mentioned

in behalf of General Forrest that one of the witnesses, who

had been rewounded, testified that 'Forrest gave orders to

stop the firing.'"

_J. W. Draper,

History of the American Civil War,

chapter 74 (volume 3)._

"I arrived off the fort at 6 a. m. on the morning of the 13th

inst. [April]. … About 8 a. m. the enemy sent in a flag of

truce with a proposal from General Forrest that he would put

me in possession of the fort and the country around until 5 p.

m. for the purpose of burying our dead and removing our

wounded, whom he had no means of attending to. I agreed to the

terms proposed. … We found about 70 wounded men in the fort

and around it, and buried, I should think, 150 bodies. … All

the wounded who had strength enough to speak agreed that after

the fort was taken an indiscriminate slaughter of our troops

was carried on by the enemy with a furious and vindictive

savageness which was never equalled by the most merciless of

the Indian tribes. Around on every side horrible testimony to

the truth of this statement could be seen. … Strewn from the

fort to the river bank, in the ravines and hollows, behind

logs and under the brush where they had crept for protection

from the assassins who pursued them, we found bodies

bayoneted, beaten, and shot to death, showing how cold blooded

and persistent was the slaughter of our unfortunate troops."

_Report of Acting-Master W. Ferguson,

United States Steamer Silver Cloud

(Official Records, Series 1, volume 32, part 1, page 571)._

ALSO IN:

_Report of Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War

(30th Congress, 1st Session, H. R. Report Number 65)._

_Comte de Paris,

History of the Civil War in America,

volume 4., book 4, chapter 1._

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (April-May: North Carolina).

Exploits of the ram Albemarle.

Surrender of Plymouth.

In the squadron [of the Confederates] we were gladdened by the

success of our iron-clad ram Albemarle, which vessel, under

Captain James B. Cooke, had (after overcoming innumerable

difficulties) succeeded in descending the Roanoke river, April

19th [1864], and dispersing the Federal squadron off Plymouth,

North Carolina. She sunk the steamer Southfield, and drove the

other vessels off; and her presence led to the recapture of

Plymouth by the Confederates. On the 5th of May the Albemarle

started from Plymouth with the small steamer Bombshell in

company, on what was called a secret expedition. I think it

probable the intention was to destroy the wooden men-of-war in

the sounds, and then tow troops in barges to Hatteras and

retake it. If this could have been done the Albemarle would

have had it all her own way, and Roanoke island, Newbern and

other places would again have fallen into the hands of the

Confederates. Shortly after leaving Plymouth the Albemarle

fell in with the Federal squadron, consisting of the steamers

Mattabesett, Sassacus, Wyalusing, Whitehead, Miami, Ceres,

Commodore Hull and Seymour—all under the command of Captain

Melancton Smith, and after a desperate combat was forced to

return to Plymouth."

_W. H. Parker,

Recollections of a Naval Officer,

page 339._

ALSO IN:

J. R. Soley,

The Blockade and the Cruisers

(The Navy in the Civil War, volume 1), chapter 4.

_D. Ammen,

The Atlantic Coast

(same Series, volume 2), chapter 9._

_B. Boynton,

History of the Navy,

volume 2, chapter 36._

{3524}

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1864 (May: Virginia).

Grant's movement on Richmond.

The Battle of the Wilderness.

"The movement of the Army of the Potomac commenced early on

the morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate direction

and orders of Major-General Mead, pursuant to instructions.

Before night the whole army was across the Rapidan—the Fifth

and Sixth Corps crossing at Germanna Ford, and the Second

Corps at United States' (Ely's) Ford, the cavalry, under

Major-General Sheridan, moving in advance,—with the greater

part of its trains, numbering about 4,000 wagons, meeting with

but slight opposition. The average distance traveled by the

troops that day was about 12 miles. This I regarded as a great

success, and it removed from my mind the most serious

apprehensions I had entertained, that of crossing the river in

the face of an active, large, well-appointed, and ably

commanded army, and how so large a train was to be carried

through a hostile country and protected. Early on the 5th, the

advance corps (the Fifth, Major General G. K. Warren

commanding), met and engaged the enemy outside his

intrenchments near Mine Run. The battle raged furiously all

day, the whole army being brought into the fight as fast as

the corps could be got upon the field, which, considering the

density of the forest and narrowness of the roads, was done

with commendable promptness.

See UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1863

(April-May: Virginia).

General Burnside, with the Ninth Corps, was at the time the

Army of the Potomac moved, left with the bulk of his corps at

the crossing of the Rappahannock River and Alexandria

railroad, holding the road back to Bull Run, with instructions

not to move until he received notice that a crossing of the

Rapidan was secured, but to move promptly as soon as such

notice was received. This crossing he was apprised of on the

afternoon of the 4th. By 6 o'clock of the morning of the 6th

he was leading his corps into action near the Wilderness

Tavern, some of his troops having marched a distance of over

30 miles, crossing both the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers.

Considering that a large proportion (probably two-thirds), of

his command was composed of new troops, unaccustomed to

marches and carrying the accouterments of a soldier, this was

a remarkable march. The battle of the Wilderness was renewed

by us at 5 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and continued

with unabated fury until darkness set in, each army holding

substantially the same position that they had on the evening

of the 5th. After dark the enemy made a feeble attempt to turn

our right flank, capturing several hundred prisoners and

creating considerable confusion. But the promptness of General

Sedgwick, who was personally present and commanded that part

of our line, soon reformed it and restored order. On the

morning of the 7th reconnaissances showed that the enemy had

fallen behind his intrenched lines, with pickets to the front,

covering a part of the battle-field. From this it was evident

to my mind that the two days' fighting had satisfied him of

his inability to further maintain the contest in the open

field, notwithstanding his advantage of position, and that he

would await an attack behind his works. I therefore determined

to push on and put my whole force between him and Richmond,

and orders were at once issued for a movement by his right

flank. On the night of the 7th the march was commenced toward

Spottsylvania Court House, the Fifth Corps moving on the most

direct road. But the enemy having become apprised of our

movement, and having the shorter line, was enabled to reach

there first."

_Gen. U. S. Grant,

Official Report

(Official Records, Series 1, volume 36, part 1, page 18)._