MORGANSON'S RAID AND BATTLE OF CHEROKEE RUN.--THE REBEL
CAVALRYMEN WHIRL THROUGH INDIANA AND OHIO.--BEATEN AND
CAPTURED.--KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE CONTINUE THEIR
MACHINATIONS.
“If that rebellion
Came like itself, in base and abject routs,
Led on by bloody youth, guarded with rage,
You revered father, and these noble lords
Had not been here to dress the ugly form
Of base and bloody insurrection.”
--Shakespeare.
“After the long-continued idleness of the Army of the Center around
Murphy's Hill, the people began to clamor for a movement of some
decisive character.
“During Gen. Rosenfelt's inactivity, Gen. Silent had moved with the
Army of the West against Gen. Pendleton, who had continued to obstruct
Conception River by holding Victor's Hill, as well as the grand bluffs
below. Gen. Silent had made some of the most wonderful marches and
successes ever known. He had opened ways for the water to flow from the
river into the lands; had cut canals through at different points; had
run the batteries of an hundred guns with his transports laden with
supplies for his army; marched on the opposite side of the river below
Pendleton, crossing his army below the Grand Bluffs in one day and
night; moved out against the enemy, who was in superior force,
cutting loose from his own base of supplies, and fought him in six
hardly-contested battles with victorious results each time, and he
finally succeeded in hemming Pendleton inside his fortifications at
Victor's Hill and forcing him, with his entire army, to surrender
unconditionally.
“The President had also in the meantime placed Gen. Meader in command
of the Army of the East on account of the constant failure of other
commanders during the Spring campaigns. Soon after assuming command
Meador had gained a great victory over the enemy at Gotlenburg, and had
driven him back across Grand River to his own ground. The enemy had
become so encouraged by his victories over our armies heretofore, that
he concluded to try a second invasion of the loyal States.
“The people who desired the success of the Union forces were greatly
rejoiced over the victory at Gotlenburg and in the West by Gen. Silent,
and by them Rosenfelt was constantly urged to do something by way of
giving some activity to his army. But he hesitated and thought the heat
of Summer was too great in that climate for his men to march and endure
the fatigues of a campaign. This was so discouraging to his troops that
many of them sought relief by obtaining a leave of absence and returning
home for a few days. Among those who returned were Gen. Anderson and my
son Peter. When they arrived at home all greeted them with many hearty
welcomes. My wife by this time had so far recovered as to be up a
portion of the day, and the return of the General and Peter seemed to
revive her drooping spirits. The children were overjoyed and Aunt Martha
was as much delighted as any of the family, and repeated her confidence
in the “good Laud's” having saved the General for some good purpose.
Finally she could not restrain herself any longer, and said:
“'Massa Gen'l, what you do wid Ham? Whar is he? I 'spect he be kill and
you done 'eluded you not tell ole Marfa'.
“'No, Martha,' said the General; 'Ham is well. I left him with Capt.
Jackson and Capt. Day to take care of our traps.'
“'Well, dat's all right. I feered he kill.'
“'No, Aunty; he is all right.'
“The next day Joseph Dent came in from the farm and told us he had
learned the night before that a meeting of a few of the leading men
had been held at Windsor, Canada, and that meetings were to be held
at different places in the Northern States by prominent Knights of
the Circle to consider what was best to be done, and also to appoint
delegates to meet somewhere in Canada at a time and place to be
hereafter designated, and that several propositions were being
considered about work which would be undertaken very soon; such as
destroying property, raiding in the North, releasing prisoners, etc.
“This information was of such a character that we deemed it important to
have a full report of what was at the time being done in Canada, as
that seemed to be the base of the enemy's operations for our part of the
country, and inasmuch as Peter had promised James Whitcomb, now Orderly
to Gen. Anderson, that he would go to Detroit and visit his aged parents
and satisfy them of his innocence should they have learned of his
misfortune in having been court-martialed and condemned, we concluded
that this would be an excellent opportunity for him to pass over to
Windsor or elsewhere in Canada and gather what information he could.
This being understood, he left at once, desirous that no time should be
lost during his leave of absence.
“The family being gathered in the parlor that evening, Gen. Anderson
said:
“'Mary, now give us your experience as a visitor at the White House; how
the President appeared to you, etc.?'
“Mary related what had transpired in a modest way, saying in conclusion
that nothing but the feeling aroused in her breast by the outrage that
was about to be perpetrated upon that poor, innocent boy could have
induced her to have undertaken such an expedition. She said she could do
anything except to ask favors. Said she:
“'Tom, my dear, you need have no fears about my ever becoming a lobbyist
in Washington, or a courtier at the White House. I have tried appealing
to the President once, and although successful that time, and treated
courteously and kindly by that big-hearted and noble old patriot, yet I
have hardly recovered from my scare up to this time; and now I do hope
that you will never mention this again, for it does really give me a
palpitation of the heart whenever the subject is alluded to. I am a
coward, I know I am, and am frightened still.'
“'Well, Mary, you did a noble act, and I am the prouder of you for it.'
He kissed her and she sank down in her chair overcome with emotion. We
then changed the subject, and the General entertained us by recitals of
the trials and vicissitudes of the army. We were all enjoying the visit
of the General very much and hoped to have a pleasant time, but a
few days after his arrival the country about Allentown became greatly
alarmed and excited.
“Gen. Morganson, of whom I have heretofore spoken, had crossed from
Kentucky at or near Louis City into Indiana, and was raiding the
country, taking horses, wagons, and all kinds of property that could
serve any purpose whatever in aiding the rebellion or in facilitating
its movements. Stores were pillaged, houses plundered, banks robbed, and
farms laid waste. The people were taken entirely by surprise, and the
only thing that could be resorted to to meet the emergency that was
upon them, was for the loyal citizens along the raider's path before
and behind to assemble and make resistance and obstruction to his march.
Gen. Anderson, comprehending the situation, at once gathered together
a few men and started in pursuit of Morganson. He collected men and
material as he went. He also aroused the people to action everywhere.
Morganson's force was being recruited from the Golden Circle as he
passed through the country.
[Illustration: Morganson's Raid 206]
“That community was never so thoroughly excited before. Many murders
were committed on his line of march, and this one had lost his horses,
that one had his house plundered; this town had been sacked, and in some
instances burned, and so on.
“Gen. Anderson made his march as rapidly as he could with raw men and
horses. He finally struck Morganson's rear and forced him to make a
stand. Gen. Anderson dismounted his men and told every man to cover
himself behind a tree where it could be done. The contest lasted for
about an hour, when a small body of men who had been gathered together
in advance of the raiders, struck him in the rear, as he was then
facing, and caused a great stampede, and his force broke in various
directions through the woods. Morganson turned upon this small force and
drove it back, making his escape. Gen. Anderson followed him up closely,
however, forcing him to change his course in the direction of the river.
Gen. Broomfield had withdrawn a small force from Kentucky, which finally
joined Gen. Anderson. Morganson was preparing to cross the river at a
point near an island, the water being shallow there. Gen. Anderson with
his raw recruits and about 100 of Broom-field's men at once assaulted
him, broke his line, and killed and wounded many of his men as they were
attempting to cross the river. After hard fighting for a few moments
Morganson and those of his command that were still with him surrendered.
“This ended the raiders and their foolish exploits. The men who had
volunteered to follow Gen. Anderson were of all ages and sizes--from the
schoolboy to the grandfather. None of them had been in the army or at
any time seen service, so that they were without any sort of discipline,
with the exception of a few who were at home on furlough from their
regiments, and some of Gen. Broomfield's command. But Gen. Anderson said
that they fought like veterans, each one in his own way. Morganson and
his command were taken to Camp Chase for safe keeping, and Gen. Anderson
returned to Allentown to enjoy the leave of absence interrupted by the
raiders.
“Joseph Dent came in the next morning after Gen. Anderson's return,
and told us that when Morganson entered Indiana on his raid the Golden
Circles were notified, and were getting ready to join him and make war
all over the State, but that he appeared too soon for them; that on
account of his (Dent's) illness he had not been able to advise us
earlier.”
Dr. Adams inquired who this Gen. Morganson was.
Uncle Daniel said: “He was part of Forrester's command, that had raided
around Rosenfelt so much during the previous Winter and Spring. He had
crossed the Combination River to the east of Rosenfelt at Carthage,
moving nearly due south by way of Greenberry, avoiding all points at
which there were Union troops. He doubtless believed either that the
members of the Golden Circle were ready to join him, armed and equipped,
or that his raid would strike consternation into the hearts of the
people, inasmuch as our armies were all far away from where he proposed
to lay the scene of his audacious exploits. But he made a mistake when
he began to take horses and other property from all alike, whether Union
men or rebel sympathizers. This changed the sentiments of many people
very rapidly.”
Said Maj. Clymer: “What has become of Gen. Morgan-son? I have not heard
of him since the war.”
“He was killed somewhere in Tennessee soon after his escape from Camp
Chase, so I have been informed.
“During Gen. Anderson's absence in pursuit of Morgan-son, Peter was
traveling rapidly through Canada. He returned the day following Gen.
Anderson's from his capture of the raiders.
“The people everywhere seemed to be greatly rejoiced at the General's
success. He received a great ovation from the citizens of Allentown, and
they cheered whenever he made his appearance. This caused him to keep
very close to the house, as he was not fond of demonstration. The
people, however, flocked to see him, and many of them could see great
virtues in our family who, prior to that time, did not know us because
we were not good enough for their society. So you see their own safety
was the patriotic spark that burned brightly in their bosoms. But
this is human nature. Selfishness seems to pervade nearly all, as is
evidenced every day. Many of those who wanted the rebellion to succeed
did so not because they were really rebels, but because they had said
that we could not conquer them, and were willing to see our Government
destroyed, merely to get a chance in the future to say to every one, 'I
told you so.' These people now want the Government placed in the hands
of its enemies for the same reason, so as to say, 'You cannot keep the
control out of the hands of such able and brave men as these.' Thus,
you see, it is in many merely a selfish pride of former expressed
opinions.”
“That is a new idea, Uncle Daniel,” said Dr. Adams; “but I am not sure
but there is much in what you say.”
“Yes, Doctor; experience and close observation have taught me many
things that I would have been slow to believe years ago. I am wandering,
however, from what I was stating.
“The next evening after Peter's return we were all at tea and while at
the table Aunt Sarah, my good wife, asked Peter the condition of his
foot. Peter replied that it was nearly well; he did not suffer from it
except occasionally when he caught cold in it.
“'You must be very careful, Peter,' said she; 'I am fearful about it.
You know how your brother James lingered and finally died with a mere
cut on his hand. I was disturbed about your wound last night in my
sleep. I was dreaming about it.'
“'Well, mother,' said Peter, 'you seem to be dreaming something
constantly, and will continue to do so, so long as you allow yourself to
be worried.'
“But Peter ceased speaking on the subject, and his face took the sad
expression that seemed to have fixed itself upon him. I then spoke up to
relieve the matter and said, 'Wife, you must not worry so much. You are
just able to be out, and I fear you will make yourself sick again. Peter
will take care of himself--at least I hope so.7
“Aunt Martha seemed to be listening to our conversation, and (having
been greatly indulged by all our family on account of marked kindness to
Gen. Anderson as well as to all the rest of the family) here chimed in
and said:
“'Marsa Lyon, I tells you dat you is wrong on dat pint. De mans don't
know how to take kear of demsefs. Now, dars Ham. He's like to get kill
any day, he am. He don't know nuffin, he don't.'
“Gen. Anderson and Peter laughed when she spoke of Ham getting killed.
Peter seemed to lose for the time-being his sad countenance, when he
remembered about Ham getting under the brush at Stone Run.
“Aunt Martha knew nothing about Ham's precipitate retreat during the
last battle, so she continued by saying:
“'Jes' see, Massa Tom, de Gen'l dar. Whar he bin if he lef wid de mans
when he got shotted at dat fight at Dolins-burg? He done bin dead sho.
Dars whar he bin. I tell you de good Laud know who he trus' him wid; yes
sah, he do. So he put him wid me and den he make my ole head cifer out
de cures what fotched him out. Jes' kase he want Marsa for good work,
dat's why. What would Ham do curin' him up? No, sah, he not know how,
and de Laud no trus' him.'
“Peter said: 'Aunt Martha, you rather like the Lord, I take it.'
“'Yes, sah, I do. He be good. He fotched de poor darkies out ob workin'
all de time for nuffin for dem Sesh, and he know what he doin'. He goin'
to let dem Sesh 'spect dat dey whip dem Yanks affer while, but he not
let dem do it. He jes' coaxin' dem on till he git good men hold of de
army, den dey all git smash up. Jes' like Genl Tom, de Laud save him for
dat. Don't you see dat? My! when Marsa Tom git after dem Sesh, dey done
gits ebry time, dey do; don't dey, Marsa Lyon.'
“I agreed with her and the rest laughed. She finally cut her speech
short and retired to the kitchen.
“After tea Gen. Anderson gave us quite an amusing account of his little
improvised army that followed Morgan-son. He said no braver set of men
ever marched, but that it was very hard to tell his men from the raiders
when they got together; that some were riding in saddles and some
without, substituting a doubled up blanket or quilt; some were on old
and some were on young horses; some were on ponies and some on mules,
some wore 'stove-pipe' hats, some caps, some straw hats, and some were
without either. Some had on frock, some dress, and some round-coats,
and many entirely without coats of any kind; some with boots, some with
shoes, and some entirely barefoot. Take them all in all, they were in
dress _à la_ Falstaff's troop, but they were a success, and did what the
Army of the Center, under Rosenfelt, had failed to do, and that was
to capture the rebel cavalry. This raid of Morganson was an audacious
adventure, doubtless encouraged by the Knights of the Golden Circle,
and had he waited long enough I have no doubt that we would have had an
uprising in Indiana that would have been very troublesome to put down.
It was quite fortunate that it occurred when it did.”
“Yes,” said Dr. Adams; “I have no doubt that plans were being perfected
about that time and later on for a general raiding and plunder of many
cities, as well as portions of the North outside of cities, where we
could be seriously damaged.”
Uncle Daniel resumed, saying: “During that evening we discussed matters
generally, but Peter felt very much disappointed at his being absent in
Canada while Gen. Anderson was bagging Morganson. He said that it was
just his luck to miss everything of this kind, but that he always had
the luck to get into some hard place in front of the enemy, and usually
get hurt in some way or other, but that when it came to getting rebels
into a place where they could be easily whipped or captured or chased
out of the country, the luck seemed always to fall to Gen. Anderson. He
turned to the General, and with a twinkle of the eye asked him if he
had Ham with him to assist in hiving these Sesh. The General laughed and
said no; that Ham was back watching out for the Army of the Center and
keeping Gen. Forrester from coming in some morning and taking away our
trunks and camp equipage. At this they both laughed.
“Peter said: 'Ham will not have quite the trouble that we have all had
heretofore since Forrester's command has been depleted by Morganson's
capture.'
“'No,' replied the General; 'he will only need to watch one of them
now.' The conversation then turned on Peter's trip into Canada.
“I inquired if he saw Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb. He said that he spent one
night at their house; said they were nice old people, very religious,
and lovely in every respect; that they were very proud of their children
and spoke of James as a brave and good boy. They knew nothing whatever
about his having been in trouble. When he told them that he knew him and
that he was on duty with Gen. Anderson, they were delighted, and asked
many questions about the army, our prospects, etc. They spoke of Seraine
as their lovely daughter; knew about her mission, her fondness for
Henry, and, in fact, gave him much information about Henry prior to
the war that we did not know. Altogether his stay with them was very
pleasant. After hearing about these good people, in whom we all felt an
interest, I insisted on his now giving us a full report of what he had
found out about the situation in Canada in reference to the conspiracy
and conspirators.
“He stated that on leaving Detroit, Mich., he went directly to Windsor,
and while there became acquainted with several gentlemen, one from
Chicago in particular by the name of John Wall. Peter, having learned
all about the Golden Circle, their signs, passwords, etc., had no
trouble in making himself known, and, as he represented that he was from
Nashville, Tenn., he got along without being suspected by any one. Wall
and he became friends at once, and as they had rooms adjacent at the
hotel they were together the first night in Peter's room until very
late. Wall knew all about Morganson's raid, but not about his failure
and capture. Peter learned that on his way home from the Detroit papers.
Wall told Peter that he feared Morganson would not succeed in obtaining
many recruits, as the authorities in Canada at the head of the
organization had not furnished the arms that were promised to their
friends in Indiana and Ohio; that he was at that time there for the
purpose of procuring arms for Illinois, and that he had been sent there
to see Mr. Jacob Thomlinson and a Mr. C. C. Carey on that business. He
said he was to have the arms smuggled through to Chicago, where they
would be subject to the orders of one Mr. N. Judy Cornington, and that
the intention was to release the prisoners at Chicago and Bock Island at
a time to be agreed upon for Camp Chase, Chicago, and other places.
At this point Gen. Anderson inquired if Wall was a man about five feet
eight inches in height, heavy build, gray eyes and light hair mixed with
gray, about half and half. Peter replied in the affirmative. The General
said:
“'He is the same man Wall that I met in company with Cornington, Buckner
and Eagle when I was in Chicago on my voyage of discovery.'
“'No doubt of it,' said Peter. Peter continued by saying that Wall gave
him full particulars as to what was intended. He said that so soon as
arms could be procured and the prisoners released it would be made so
hot for the Abolitionists, as he called the Union men, that they would
be glad to call their army back from the South in order to protect
themselves against fire and plunder in the North; that men were now
organizing to burn many of the cities North, and if that did not bring
the Abolitionists to terms other methods would be resorted to, but that
the destruction of property would be effective, as the North cared more
for their property than they did for the Government. The next day they
met a man by the name of Tucker, who was on his way to Montreal, where
he was to meet Jacob Thomlinson and Mr. Carey, in order to consult with
them about what was to be done in the direction mentioned by Wall.
“He said that arms must be procured at once; that the friends North were
ready but that no means had yet been provided so that they could act.
He thought that if Jacob Thomlinson did not have the arms in Canada he
should at once proceed or send to England for them; that he was ready
himself to perform the journey. To this Wall replied 'That is all that
is wanted in Illinois.' Tucker said that already men were in England
procuring and preparing material only recently discovered that would
burn up all the cities of the North without endangering the parties
applying it, and should this fail something else must be resorted to;
that the Confederacy could not and must not fail. He was in favor of
assassinating every leading man North if absolutely necessary to procure
their independence.
“Peter met several other Southern men while in Canada, as well as quite
a number of Northern men, who were in the conspiracy, and said that
they all seemed to be imbued with the same feeling and spirit--a
determination to have the rebellion succeed at no matter what cost. In
their desperation he thought they would resort to any means, no matter
how destructive, barbarous, or murderous. He left Wall and Tucker, and
visited one or two other places, and then returned, as he thought he was
meeting too many Southern men who might afterwards recognize him. His
statement only strengthened what we already had reason to believe.
Peter also said that this man Tucker and Wall placed great reliance in
Valamburg, of Ohio, and Thomas A. Strider and Bowen, of Indiana, and
felt sure that they would arouse the people of the North against the
Administration to such an extent that the war men would be put out by
the people, and anti-war men put in their places, so that a recognition
of the Southern Confederacy would be assured. The only thing that seemed
to alarm them was the success of Silent at Victor's Hill and Meador
at Gotlenburg. They said they had fears that these two men were their
greatest enemies, and would relieve from the Union army all the officers
who were not Abolitionists. They seemed to mean all who were opposed to
the Administration. They appeared to understand but two classes of men
in the North--their sympathizing friends, and Abolitionists.
“I made Peter write out his statement and leave it with me. I sent it to
the President, and soon received his thanks through his Secretary.
“Two days later Gen. Anderson and Peter left for their commands, and on
their arrival at the Army of the Center they were most enthusiastically
received by officers and men. An officer said:
“'General, you had to go home to get a chance at the rebs.'
“'Yes,' the General replied, 'Morganson and his men were merely visiting
up North during the vacation.'
“The General found his staff officers, orderlies, and old Ham at
his Headquarters. When he had seen them all and inquired as to their
welfare, he told James Whitcomb about Peter having seen his parents.
This delighted the boy very much to think that any of us should care
enough about him to seek out his father and mother. Ham, being present,
concluded that it was about his time to say a word, so he inquired of
the General about Martha. The General told him that she was well, and
sent love to him, and said she prayed for his safety.
“Ham laughed and said: 'I's not killed yet, but I 'spec' I will be some
day; for de nex' time I's gwine right into de fight, so I is. I jes'
tell you, Marsa Gen'l, I done sleep on dis, and jes' make up my mind dat
I fight dem Sesh de berry nex' time we git at em.'
“'Well, Ham,' said the General, 'I am not sure that we will need you to
do any fighting; but we would like it if you would stay around where
we could find you, the next battle in which we are engaged. Will you do
that?'
“'Yes, sah! I will, no mistake, dis time.' He got up pretty close to the
General, and said, 'Marsa Gen'l, you didn't tole Marfa 'bout I hidin' in
de bush, did you?'
“'No, Ham; we said nothing about it to any one.'
“'Thank you, Marsa Gen'l; thank you, sah. I go now an' look after de
hoses; I guess dey hungry.'
“'All right, Ham,' said the General; 'go on.'
“Gen. Rosenfelt at this time was reorganizing and putting his army in
shape for a forward movement.
“Gen. Papson had been home, and had just returned and was changing
some of his divisions. In this change he had assigned some three more
regiments to Gen. Anderson, thereby making his division very strong.
After the reorganization had been completed, Rosenfelt called several
of his Generals together at his Headquarters and talked over the
proposition to advance upon the enemy, and found perfect unanimity among
them in favor of an early advance. He then said to them that he should
move within ten days. His Quartermasters and Commissaries were put
to work and were busily engaged in procuring supplies and having them
loaded into the several corps and division train-wagons. Everything was
active in camp. The horses and mules were being re-shod, and the sound
of many anvils could be heard both by day and by night. Officers were
supplying their mess-chests and obtaining extra supplies, as they
supposed there would not be another opportunity very soon. At this time
the Army of the Center numbered some 60,000 effective men, and was in
splendid condition as to health, but had grown somewhat lazy after
so long a rest in camp with nothing to do. Gen. Biggs, who was in
his front, had scattered his forces very much, and while he had fewer
infantry than Rosenfelt, he had more cavalry. His cavalry, however, had
been diminished by the silly exploit of Morganson, who, as we know, had
been captured with many of his men, and those who were not captured had
concluded that raiding was unprofitable and did not return to Bigg's
army again. His force was divided about as follows: Polkhorn was at
Shell-town with about 20,000 men; Harding was at Waterhouse, to the
right some distance, with some 10,000 men; and at Tullahoming, with
about 15,000 men, lay Chatham in a well-intrenched position, his cavalry
to the front and left of his army about 8,000 strong. Gen. Bertram,
who surrendered Dolinsburg to Gen. Silent, was now holding Knoxburg and
Chatteraugus with some 18,000 men, about equally divided between the two
places.
“Rosenfelt was now compelled to attack his intrenched position or move
to the left, thereby endangering his communication to the rear. This was
somewhat perplexing to him. In marching forward he would be obliged to
leave forces behind him to guard his communications, thereby constantly
diminishing his strength, while the enemy in falling back would lose
none of his strength. Looking at the situation after he was ready, he
again concluded not to move. This caused a terrible clamor both in and
out of the army. Finally he was ordered peremptorily to move forward
against the enemy. He obeyed the order, the army was put in motion, and
a forward movement began. The question was how to out maneuver Biggs. A
feint was made on Shelltown, which lay in the direct route of his march.
This caused Biggs to concentrate his forces at this point. While this
movement was being made our main forces were moved by rapid marches to
Munster on the enemy's right, which jeopardized his communications with
Chatteraugus and the valley south.
“Biggs now finding his forces flanked, and seeing the danger of being
cut off from a junction with Bertram, fled precipitately over the
mountains to Fayette. Rosenfelt finding that Biggs had retreated in such
hot haste, was deceived into the belief that Biggs had gone into Georgia
at or near Romulus, and on finding that Bertram had left Chatteraugus
with his command, concluded that the enemy were re-enforcing the rebel
army in the East, and therefore thought to push on with force enough to
attack and defeat him, at the same time holding the strong points in
the rear. So he sent Gen. Critsinger with his corps to Chatteraugus, and
with the rest of his force marched over the mountain into the valley,
intending to have the larger portion of Critsinger's Corps join him
in the valley, and then to move south. Instead, however, of Gen. Biggs
having sent any portion of his army to re-enforce the rebel army in
the East, he was concentrating all his forces at Fayette and quietly
awaiting re-enforcements from the East. Gen. Longpath, with a corps of
20,000 men, was moving on railroad cars as rapidly as possible to the
support of Biggs. Gen. Rosenfelt was now on the road between Bridgeton
and Fayette without any knowledge as to the whereabouts of Biggs, and
yet he was now within fifteen miles of him, and Biggs with somewhere
about 80,000 men was lying in wait for Rosenfelt's advance. During
this afternoon a lady came into camp and asked to be shown to Gen.
Rosenfelt's Headquarters. When she appeared to the General he at once
recognized Mrs. Houghton, who had made such a trip just before the
battle of Murphy's Hill, in order to give the General the movements of
the enemy on his right the night before the assault. The General was
exceedingly glad to see her. She was invited to partake of soldiers'
fare, and was very pleasantly entertained. As soon as she could get an
opportunity she said to the General:
“'Are yot going to meet Gen. Biggs with your army?'
“The General responded: 'Yes, if I can ever find him.'
“'Well, General, if you continue marching in the direction that you are
now going, you will find him to-morrow.'
“The General laughed and said, 'I hope so; but, my dear lady, he is near
Romulus.'
“'No, General, he is not; he is at Fayette.'
“'At Fayette?' said the General with astonishment. 'You say he is at
Fayette?'
“'Yes, sir, I do; I saw his camp this day; I was not in the camp, but
in sight of it. I have been at Smallwood, some fifteen miles south of
Fayette, and know that Gen. Long-path, with his corps from Gen. Law's
command in Virginia has joined Biggs. The last of these troops passed on
yesterday for Fayette, and I was told by a well-informed person that the
corps would increase Bigg's army to between eighty and ninety thousand
men.'
“'Impossible!' said Rosenfelt; 'he would not have more than sixty
thousand with these.'
“'Yes; but, General, you must know that 20,000 of the Victor's Hill
paroled prisoners captured by Gen. Silent have been collected together
and organized into a corps under Gen. Stephenson, and are now in camp
with Biggs.'
“'Is that so?' inquired Rosenfelt.
“'Yes, General; what I have stated is true, and I hope you will believe
me this time. I once before took the chances of my life to give you
correct information, and had you believed my statement as then made
to Gen. Papson many a poor soldier might be living to-day who sleeps
beneath the sod. I come now as I did then, merely because I love my
country, and for no other reason. These rebels treat me kindly and never
ask me a question which would indicate their suspicion of me. I do not
dislike them personally, but I am an inborn Union woman, would make any
sacrifice for the preservation of our Government. General, you are in
the greatest danger of having your army destroyed. If I were a man and
a General in command of this army I would fall back at once to
Chatteraugus and make resistance, as they are sure to attack you in a
very short time. The understanding with them is that they must crush
your army before re-enforcements arrive to your support from the Army
of the West, that army having cleared that portion of the country of the
enemy.'
“Rosenfelt said: 'If you had seen the army and made an estimate of its
strength, I would then have no doubt, but I am persuaded that you are
mistaken as to the whole rebel army being at Fayette. They say so to
you, but there is merely a force there to impede my march. It is a mere
outpost. Their main army is at Romulus, Ga.'
“'Well, General, I should not like very much to see you move on this
outpost at Fayette, and I beseech you to send your scouts and find out
the exact situation before you make any further movement, as I assure
you that you will not proceed very far on this road without a great
battle, and one that you will have cause to remember the rest of your
life.'
“And so he has.”
“The General said: 'Well, it is best to proceed with great caution at
all times, and inasmuch as I know you feel sure of what you say, and
having given very correct information heretofore, I will halt for the
day and send my cavalry to Fayette and let them clear the town of the
rebels.'
“'Mrs. Houghton laughed and said: 'General, you had better give orders
to have what will be left of them (if you should send them there with
such orders) return and let you know which road will be left to you to
march on, which ever direction you may wish to go.'
“'Yes,' said the General, 'you seem to think we will not be strong
enough for the enemy.'
“'General, he has a great army.'
“Gen. Rosenfelt concluded that perhaps he had better be prepared, so he
placed Gen. McCabe's Corps on the right, Gen. Critsinger in the center;
Gen. Papson being some ten miles to his left near Cherokee Run, was
allowed to remain. His cavalry, under Gen. Straiter, was ordered to take
the main road to Fayette, and to enter the town if possible; but at
all events to feel the enemy and ascertain his position and force. The
cavalry were late in getting in motion, and when they had gone some ten
miles the darkness of the night impeded any rapid movement. But their
orders were such that they must move on. Soon they struck the rebel
pickets, who retired before them. Finally they approached the rebel camp
which was lighted and stretching out for miles to the east and south.
The rebels had discovered the approach of the cavalry and sent two
regiments of infantry on a side road to their rear, who opened on them
from an unsuspected quarter. This forced Gen. Straiter to strike off
to his left, following a road leading from Fayette to the old Mission
House. By doing this he made his escape with small loss, but was
completely cut off from his retreat back to Rosenfelt's Headquarters.
He traveled all night and struck the left of Gen. Papson's Corps at
daylight, giving this information to Papson, which was at once sent to
Rosenfelt. Messengers were sent with all dispatch to inform him of the
situation, and not only so, but to say that it looked as though the
enemy were about moving, and Gen. Papson thought they would be most
likely to strike our left. This Rosenfelt did not credit, as he could
not see, if they intended an attack, why they would not attack our
right. In this he was mistaken. The enemy were intending to turn our
left, take possession of the Mission House road, and interpose between
Chatter-augus and our army, secure Chatteraugus and Bridgeton, thereby
taking possession of the lines of railroad between there and Nashua,
forcing Rosen felt away from his base of supplies, and, eventually, to
destroy and capture his army.
“Gen. Papson, taking in the situation, ordered one of his divisions,
with Straiter's tired cavalry, at once on and across the road in rear
of Cherokee Run, holding two of the main crossings, at the same time
notifying Rosenfelt of his position and the reasons for it. In the
meantime Rosenfelt had concluded that the information given him by Mrs.
Houghton was in part correct. Having said this much to her, she asked
to be permitted to go into Chatteraugus, which she could do by crossing
over in the rear of the army to the Mission House road. Her request was
granted, and she started on her way. She had not traveled far before
she heard cannonading. She was then sure that the battle had begun.
Rosenfelt was greatly perplexed. Finally he agreed to Papson's
suggestions, and ordered Crit-singer's Corps to the left, and to join on
to Papson's right. By this time he could hear the sound of artillery
in the distance, but held McCabe, believing that the attack would most
likely be made on that road and on his right. Gen. Papson, seeing that
one brigade of the enemy had advanced to the crossing on Cherokee Run,
did not hesitate, but ordered Gen. Anderson to attack it, which he did
at once. The contest was a sharp one, but the enemy were driven back
very much broken up, with heavy loss in killed and wounded. Papson then
threw Palmerston's division in on the extreme left, on high ground,
covering the road and crossing well with artillery. In the afternoon
a strong force under Polkhorn advanced, and furiously attacked the two
divisions under Anderson and Palmerston. The contest raged for over an
hour.
“Palmerston was driven from his position, and our cavalry, which had been
posted on his left, was broken into fragments. Gen. Anderson changed
front with his left brigade and struck Polkhorn in flank and forced
him back on his main line. Palmerston was now supported by Sherlin's
division and his former position retaken. By this time Longpath had come
up on Polkhorn's left and had assailed violently Critsinger's left, and
after a severe struggle, in which the loss was great on both sides, our
lines gave way and the rebels came through and down the slope of the
hill in perfect swarms. Papson, quietly and coolly, as if in church,
threw a portion of his corps into the breach and checked the advance.
He then adjusted Critsinger's line and moved at once against Longpath's
right and broke it, driving it back in great confusion. He then advanced
his whole line and drove the enemy back for some distance through the
woods on to his reserves, and in this position night closed in on the
two armies. During the night Rosen-felt came up with McCabe's Corps,
which was now posted on a ridge to the right of Critsinger. This being
done, he had his corps commanders assemble at his Headquarters, now near
Papson. When all were together the manner of the enemy's assault was
stated and various views given as to his number. Some contended that his
whole army was engaged; some, his right wing only.
“General Papson was of a different opinion. He thought that the day's
battle had been fought on the part of the enemy by his advance merely;
that he was marching rapidly, believing that he could pass around
our left flank on the Mission House Road, by way of Roseville, into
Chatteraugus without much of a struggle, thinking our army all to be
on the Bridgeton and Fayette road; that in the morning they would attack
with their whole force; and for that we should prepare during the night.
Rosenfelt agreed that all arrangements for a great battle must be made
during the night. He directed that the lines be adjusted and made
as compact as possible, and all be ready to receive their assault by
daylight in the morning. He then sent out to find his cavalry commander,
Straiter. When found it was ascertained that part of his command had
retreated to Roseville.
“The General ordered him to get his command together that night and
move by daylight in the morning around our left, and on the right of the
enemy, and attack his right flank; to dismount his men and fight them as
he would infantry, and to fall back on Palmerston's left and there take
his position, and to maintain it if possible. He directed McCabe
to refuse the right of his line and to close up on the left with
Critsinger. Papson he directed to take command of the left and center
and to advance, if he should drive the enemy in the direction of the
Mission House road, so as to get the enemy across it if possible. The
two armies could be heard during the entire night moving into different
positions. The movements of the artillery sounded at times as if it was
coming into the other's line. Hospital parties could be heard on both
sides in search of the wounded. The light of the fires could be seen for
miles on either side, where the men were getting their scanty meals
and perhaps their last one. Rosenfelt was busy all night in giving
directions for the morrow. He rode all along his lines during the night.
“Biggs intended to make the assault at the opening of day the next
morning. Polkhorn was to move around and make an assault on our left
and center with one wing of the rebel army, composed of two corps. This
attack was delayed, however, by a heavy fog that hung over the field,
lasting for some two or three hours, giving Gen. Papson time to
strengthen his lines. At length the breathless suspense came to an end.
Bolenbroke with a full division had moved around on Papson's left flank
(our cavalry failing to get round as ordered) and made a most desperate
assault. This was taken up by successive Confederate divisions
toward the center with a view of getting possession of the road to
Chatteraugus. Gen. Papson was equal to the occasion, and Bolenbroke was
soon hurled back in utter rout, two of his Generals killed--Helmer and
Deshling--and many of their men and officers killed, wounded and taken
prisoners.
“In the same manner were all attempts to break Papson's line abortive.
While these things were going well and Pap-son's command proving itself
the superior of the enemy, rolling him back in dismay, a terrible
disaster befell us on the right, which endangered the safety of our
whole army.
“In the morning, very early, Rosenfelt, in passing along the lines of his
army, discovered that McCabe was stretched out like a string, with
no solidity whatever in his line; that Davies with his division was
entirely detached from the main line and isolated; and Critsinger was
also stretched over entirely too much ground. He at once ordered the
proper dispositions to be made, which was not attended to until late,
and in changing these divisions the movement was attended with the most
fearful results to our troops, a gap being opened in our front by the
withdrawal of one of our divisions to the rear, the place not being
closed up, as it should have been. On its discovery by the enemy,
Longpath threw Hoadley's division in at this point, at the same time
assaulting our right flank with Bertram's force. By this movement and
assault on our flank our whole right wing was utterly disorganized and
demoralized. They rushed in every direction. The commanders seemed to be
stampeded and worse demoralized (if such a thing could be) than even the
men. The woods swarmed with disorganized bands of men without officers.
The whole right became a confused mass, mingling together without any
reference to organization. In this mixed and confused condition they
came like a rushing torrent through the woods in all directions; but
finally, getting the direction to the northward, they bore everything
along in the same direction. Rosen-felt, by some means, was carried
along by this moving mass in the direction of Roseville, and, being
now separated from the rest of the army, he continued his way
to Chatter-augus, the presumption at least being that he went to
Chatteraugus in order to collect together and reform his shattered
divisions, that Papson might be properly protected in his looked-for
retreat with the remainder of the army.
“When Papson was looked for he was not to be seen coming on the road. He
had met the shock which came upon him after the General commanding
and the whole right wing had abandoned the field, leaving him and his
command to take care of themselves. Papson stood like the pillars of
Hercules, and met every assault of the combined army of Biggs with his
single corps. Gen. Gregor came back from the retreating column with his
command, as also did several other brigades. They were reconstructed
hurriedly and formed in line in support of Papson. He soon distributed
these troops and strengthened his flank. He fell back to a ridge across
the road over which the enemy were moving, and here reformed his lines
and encouraged his men. Gens. Anderson and Sherlin were gathering and
putting in line anywhere that they could do so the men who had been
lost from their commands on the right. The rebels were now advancing
on Papson with the assurance of an easy and triumphant march upon
Chatteraugus, where they expected to make prisoners of Rosenfelt and
his entire army. Papson was still receiving companies and regiments
returning to the field after finding that a portion of our army stood
its ground. Batteries that had been abandoned on the field by McCabe
and Crit-singer in their stampede were gathered and put in position with
other artillerymen to work them. Gen. Gregor was moved to the right with
his returned forces (who redeemed themselves at once), he hurled one of
Longpath's divisions from a hill on Papson's right, where a flank attack
was intended by the enemy. By this success we gained the position that
entirely protected our right. Papson now with his small force was in a
strong position. The fighting continued on different parts of our line.
Palmerston had been again driven from the left and Gen. Anderson again
sent to his support. He fell upon the enemy with his command and drove
him back with great slaughter. Palmerston was again re-established, and,
with his position strengthened, could now hold it. The battle raged with
great fury the full length of the line, and never did a Spartan band
stand more firmly than did our gallant men. At four o'clock like a
mighty tempest in all its most terrible fury did the musketry and
artillery of the enemy burst forth upon Papson's devoted columns, the
entire rebel forces moving down upon him in solid phalanx. Our forces
replied with all their artillery. The roar of the artillery, with its
blazing fire, the rattle of the musketry on both sides, equaled any ever
heard or witnessed. Solid masses boldly marched up in front of Papson's
lines, where they were literally mowed down by our musketry and
discharges of shrapnel and canister from our batteries. They would
recoil and then move forward again into the very jaws of death. You
could see them fall almost in heaps, as it were.
“This character of contest continued until darkness set in, our columns
not moving or swerving in the least. At dark the enemy retreated. The
victory of Gen. Papson was complete. Had the whole army remained and
supported Papson during the day a great battle would have been won by
our army, and Biggs driven out of the country, although his army was
so greatly in excess of Rosen-felt's in numbers. As the battle closed
Papson received orders from Rosenfelt at Chatteraugus to fall back to
Rose-ville, which was done. They encamped there for the night.
Gen. Anderson and staff were worn out and hungry. They hunted their
Headquarters, but Headquarters were not there. Old Ham was nowhere to be
found, and no provision had been made for anything to eat. Gen. Anderson
was greatly annoyed, but thought perhaps there was some excuse for it,
as most of the men seemed to get lost during the day.
“Capt. Day and my son Jackson said to the General: 'Perhaps he is with
Rosenfelt, assisting him in reorganizing the army in Chatteraugus.'
Matters were really too serious for jokes to be very amusing or
interesting at that time, so the conversations on the subject of Ham
and his whereabouts ceased. The next day they marched to Chatteraugus
without disturbance from the enemy. Many of our men remained on the
battlefield that night (compelled to do so from exhaustion) and came on
to camp next morning without the enemy coming in sight. Gen. Rosenfelt
stated his loss at 16,000, and Biggs admitted his to be 18,000. The army
of Rosenfelt was all collected and concentrated at Chatteraugus.
“When Gen. Anderson came into camp he had a search made for Headquarters
wagons and tents, as well as for Ham. Finally one of the orderlies found
Ham down under the bank near the river and brought him to Gen. Anderson.
When Ham saw the General he was delighted and called out: “'My Laud,
Marsa Gen'l, I 'spected you done dead!' “'Yes,' said the General; 'but
it seems you did not wait to see.'
“'No, sir; dat am so. I staid doe, Marsa Gen'l, jes' as long as anybody
else do whar I been. I tell you, our mans all git, dey do; and when I
seed dat big Gen'l what's ober all ob you'uns (what am his name)--when
I seed him a gittin' from dar, I 'eluded it war about time for dis ole
nigga to march on dis way, too. Dat Gen'l, he not ride slow, I tell
you; he go fas'. And, afore de Laud, I 'spected you ebery one killed
or cotched by dem Sesh; den whar's de use ob me stayin' any mo' at dat
place, Marsa Gen'l?' “'Well, Ham, did you ever study law?' “'No, sir;
I 'spect not; I dunno what it am.' “'I think you would have made a
good lawyer, Ham.' “'Well, Marsa Gen'l, de truf is, ole Ham no good for
nuffin'. I cannot stand dis fitin'; dat am de truf, Marsa Gen'l. So, you
see, I is no good. I stay all right jes' as long as it am all quiet; but
whar am de use ob me stayin' by myself?'
“The General laughed and said that was too good to keep. He let Ham off,
sending him out with Capt. Day and Jackson to get some tents and camp
equipage from the A. Q. M. The next day he amused himself telling Papson
and Sherlin what Ham said about 'no use for him to stay by hisself when
de big Gen'l gone.' They all enjoyed the joke except those that came
in early. Ham came back after a while to the General and begged him to
promise not to tell 'Marfa,' and then went off satisfied.
“Biggs soon followed up and took possession of the ridge to the east
running from the old Mission House to the Little Combination River,
called Middleton's Ridge, and also a spur branching off from the regular
chain of mountains down to the river west of Chatteraugus, known as
Looking-Glass Mountain. The line thus formed was in the shape of a
horseshoe, and, with the river washing the north side of the town,
Rosenfelt was completely encircled; the object of Biggs being to force
a surrender by starving him out, Biggs now fully commanding all
Rosenfelt's communications both by rail and river. This was the position
of the two armies at this time.
“Gen. Silent was ordered to leave Victor's Hill and proceed to
Chatteraugus, sending as many troops as could be spared from the Army of
the West. Gen. Meador was directed to send 20,000 men from the Army
of the East, in order to protect the communications of the Army of the
Center. In the meantime Broomfield had been ordered to move with his
force, then in Kentucky, on Knoxburg. Gen. Hord had come on transports
up the Combination River to Nashua with his corps from the Army of
the East, and had sent them in advance to protect the railroad between
Nashua and Bridgeton.
“Gen. Silent learning the situation, sent the troops forward from
Victor's Hill and hastened to the scene himself. The first order he
issued in connection with the Army of the Center was that of relieving
Rosenfelt of his command and placing Gen. Papson in his place. The
condition of the Army of the Center by this time was really frightful
and perilous, and to relieve this situation was the thing to be done,
if possible. To this end all the energy of the Chief was directed. To
do this before an unprovisioned army would be forced by starvation to
surrender was the problem. Gen. Silent telegraphed to Papson to hold
out, and the answer came, 'We will hold out until we starve.'”
“What a noble old Roman,” said Dr. Adams.
“Yes,” said Col. Bush; “the old man had no superior in the army, either
as a patriot or fighter; he was like a rock when he once took his
position and got his lines formed.”
“I knew him well,” said Inglesby; “he was a noble man. He would have
starved to death in Chatteraugus before he would have surrendered.”
“Uncle Daniel, what has become of Gen. Rosenfelt?” inquired Maj.
Clymer. “He was a kind man, and I liked him very much, barring some
faults.”
“Yes. Well, he became soreheaded and got mad at the Administration, and
was exceedingly bitter on Gen. Silent for relieving him, and soon took
shelter under the wing of the anti-war party; but I have not heard of
him for many years. I think he went to some foreign country, then came
back and went to mining. I have no knowledge of his whereabouts now,
however.”