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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/18721-8.txt b/18721-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f057d4b --- /dev/null +++ b/18721-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,19201 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Victim, by Thomas Dixon, Illustrated by +J. N. Marchand + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Victim + A romance of the Real Jefferson Davis + + +Author: Thomas Dixon + + + +Release Date: June 30, 2006 [eBook #18721] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICTIM*** + + +E-text prepared by David Garcia, Paul Ereaut, and the project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) from page +images generously made available by the Kentuckiana Digital Library +(http://kdl.kyvl.org/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 18721-h.htm or 18721-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721/18721-h/18721-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721/18721-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through the + Kentuckiana Digital Library. See + http://kdl.kyvl.org/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=kyetexts;cc=kyetexts;xc=1&idno=B92-201-30752212&view=toc + + +Transcriber's note: + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been made consistent. + + + + + +THE VICTIM + +A Romance of the Real Jefferson Davis + +by + +THOMAS DIXON + +Illustrated by J. N. Marchand + + + + + + + BOOKS BY THOMAS DIXON + + The Victim + The Southerner + The Sins of the Father + The Leopard's Spots + The Clansman + The Traitor + The One Woman + Comrades + The Root of Evil + The Life Worth Living + + + + +[Illustration: "The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced +on the girl" [Page 300]] + + + + +THE VICTIM + + + +"_A majestic soul has passed_"--Charles A. Dana + + +[Illustration: Colophon] + + + +New York and London +D. Appleton and Company +1914 +Copyright, 1914, by +Thomas Dixon +All rights reserved, including that of translation into all +foreign languages, including the Scandinavian +Printed in the United States of America + + + + + TO + THE BRAVE WHO DIED + FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED + TO BE RIGHT + + + + + _Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns! + Love rules. Her gentle purpose runs. + A mighty mother turns in tears + The pages of her battle years + Lamenting all her fallen sons!_ + + THOMPSON + + + + +TO THE READER + + +_In the historical romance which I have woven of the dramatic events of +the life of Jefferson Davis I have drawn his real character unobscured +by passion or prejudice. Forced by his people to lead their cause, his +genius created an engine of war so terrible in its power that through it +five million Southerners, without money, without a market, without +credit, withstood for four years the shock of twenty million men of +their own blood and of equal daring, backed by boundless resources._ + +_The achievement is without a parallel in history, and adds new glory to +the records of our race._ + +_The scenes have all been drawn from authentic records in my possession. +I have not at any point taken a liberty with an essential detail of +history._ + +Thomas Dixon. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + + +PROLOGUE + + + I The Curtain Rises + II The Parting + III A Midnight Session + IV A Friendly Warning + V Boy and Girl + VI God's Will + VII The Best Man Wins + VIII The Storm Center + IX The Old Régime + X The Gauge of Battle + XI Jennie's Vision + XII A Little Cloud + XIII The Closing of the Ranks + XIV Richmond in Gala Dress + XV The House on Church Hill + XVI The Flower-Decked Tent + XVII The Fatal Victory + XVIII The Aftermath + XIX Socola's Problem + XX The Anaconda + XXI Gathering Clouds + XXII Jennie's Recruit + XXIII The Fatal Blunder + XXIV The Sleeping Lioness + XXV The Bombardment + XXVI The Irreparable Loss + XXVII The Light that Failed + XXVIII The Snare of the Fowler + XXIX The Panic in Richmond + XXX The Deliverance + XXXI Love and War + XXXII The Path of Glory + XXXIII The Accusation + XXXIV The Turn of the Tide + XXXV Suspicion + XXXVI The Fatal Deed + XXXVII The Raiders + XXXVIII The Discovery + XXXIX The Conspirators + XL In Sight of Victory + XLI The Fall of Richmond + XLII The Capture + XLIII The Victor + XLIV Prison Bars + XLV The Master Mind + XLVI The Torture + XLVII Vindication + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl" + +"'You have given me new eyes--'" + +"'We have won, sir!' was the short curt answer" + +"Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle--'I understand, sir'" + +"Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and +confronted Dick" + +"'Do your duty--put them on him!'" + + + + +LEADING CHARACTERS OF THE STORY + + +_The Prologue_ + +1814-1853 + + Lt. Jefferson Davis, Of the U. S. Army. + Joseph E. Davis, His Big Brother. + Colonel Zachary Taylor, "Old Rough and Ready." + Sarah Knox Taylor, His Daughter. + James Pemberton, A Faithful Slave. + + +_The Story_ + +1860-1867 + + Hon. Roger Barton, An Original Secessionist. + Jennie, His Daughter. + Dick Welford, A Confederate Soldier. + Joseph Holt, A Renegade Southerner. + Henrico Socola, A Soldier of Fortune. + The President, Of the Confederacy. + Mrs. Davis, His Wife. + Burton Harrison, His Secretary. + Joseph E. Johnston, A Master of Retreat. + P. G. T. Beauregard, The First Hero. + Stonewall Jackson, Of the "Foot Cavalry." + Robert E. Lee, The Southern Commander. + U. S. Grant, The Bull Dog Fighter. + Nelson A. Miles, A Jailer. + John C. Underwood, A Reconstruction Judge. + + + + +THE VICTIM + +The Prologue + + + + +THE VICTIM + + +PROLOGUE + + + + +I + +KIDNAPPED + + +The hot sun of the South was sinking in red glow through the giant +tree-tops of a Mississippi forest beyond the village of Woodville. +A slender girl stood in the pathway watching a boy of seven trudge +manfully away beside his stalwart brother. + +Her lips trembled and eyes filled with tears. + +"Wait--wait!" she cried. + +With a sudden bound she snatched him to her heart. + +"Don't, Polly--you hurt!" the little fellow faltered, looking at her +with a feeling of sudden fear. "Why did you squeeze me so hard?" + +"You shouldn't have done that, honey," the big brother frowned. + +"I know," the sister pleaded, "but I couldn't help it." + +"What are you crying about?" the boy questioned. + +Again the girl's arm stole around his neck. + +"What's the matter with her, Big Brother?" he asked with a brave attempt +at scorn. + +The man slowly loosened the sister's arms. + +"I'm just going home with you, ain't I?" the child went on, with a +quiver in his voice. + +The older brother led him to a fallen log, sat down, and held his hands. + +"No, Boy," he said quietly. "I'd as well tell you the truth now. I'm +going to send you to Kentucky to a wonderful school, taught by learned +men from the Old World--wise monks who know everything. You want to go +to a real school, don't you?" + +"But my Mamma don't know--" + +"That's just it, Boy. We can't tell her. She wouldn't let you go." + +"Why?" + +"Well, she's a good Baptist, and it's a long, long way to the St. Thomas +monastery." + +"How far?" + +"A thousand miles, through these big woods--" + +The blue eyes dimmed. + +"I want to see my Mamma before I go--" his voice broke. + +The man shook his head. + +"No, Boy; it won't do. You're her baby--" + +The dark head sank with a cry. + +"I want to see her!" + +"Come, come, Jeff Davis, you're going to be a soldier. Remember you're +the son of a soldier who fought under General Washington and won our +freedom. You're named after Thomas Jefferson, the great President. Your +three brothers have just come home from New Orleans. Under Old Hickory +we drove the British back into their ships and sent 'em flying home to +England. The son of a soldier--the brother of soldiers--can't cry--" + +"I will if I want to!" + +"All right!" the man laughed--"I'll hold my hat and you can cry it +full--" + +He removed his hat and held it smilingly under the boy's firm little +chin. The childish lips tightened and the cheeks flushed with anger. +His bare toes began to dig holes in the soft rich earth. The appeal to +his soldier blood had struck into the pride of his heart and the insult +of a hat full of tears had hurt. + +At last, he found his tongue: + +"Does Pa know I'm goin'?" + +"Yes. He thinks you're a very small boy to go so far, but knows it's for +the best." + +"That's why he kissed me when I left?" + +"Yes." + +"I thought it was funny," he murmured with a half sob; "he never kissed +me before--" + +"He's quiet and reserved, Boy, but he's wise and good and loves you. +He's had a hard time out here in the wilderness fighting his way with a +wife and ten children. He never had a chance to get an education and the +children didn't either. Some of us are too old now. There's time for +you. We're going to stand aside and let you pass. You're our baby +brother, and we love you." + +The child's hand slowly stole into the rough one of the man. + +"And I love you, Big Brother--" the little voice faltered, "and all the +others, too, and that's-why-I'm-not-goin'!" + +"I'm so glad!" The girl clapped her hands and laughed. + +"Polly!--" + +"Well, I am, and I don't care what you say. He's too little to go so far +and you know he is--" + +The man grasped her hand and whispered: + +"Hush!" + +The brother slipped his arm around the Boy and drew him on his knee. He +waited a moment until the hard lines at the corners of the firm mouth +had relaxed under the pressure of his caress, pushed the tangled hair +back from his forehead and looked into the fine blue-gray eyes. His +voice was tender and his speech slow. + +"You must make up your mind to go, Boy. I don't want to force you. I +like to see your eyes flash when you say you _won't_ go. You've got the +stuff in you that real men are made of. That's why it's worth while to +send you. I've seen that since you could toddle about the house and +stamp your feet when things didn't suit you. Now, listen to me. I've +made a vow to God that you shall have as good a chance as any man to +make your way to the top. We're going to be the greatest nation in the +world. I saw it in the red flash of guns that day at New Orleans as I +lay there in the trench and watched the long lines of Red Coats go down +before us. Just a lot of raw recruits with old flintlocks! The men who +charged us, the picked veterans of England's grand army. But we cut 'em +to pieces, Boy! I fired a cannon loaded with grape shot that mowed a +lane straight through 'em. It must have killed two hundred men. They +burned our Capitol at Washington and the Federalist traitors at Hartford +were firin' on us in the rear, but Old Hickory showed the world that we +could lick England with one hand tied behind our back. And we did it. We +drove 'em like sheep--drove 'em into the sea. + +"There's but one name on every lip in this country now, Boy, and that's +Old Hickory. He'd be President next time--but for one thing,--just one +thing--he didn't have a chance to learn when he was a boy. He's not +educated." + +The brother paused, and a dreamy look came into his eyes. "We may make +him President anyhow. But if he'd been educated--there wouldn't be any +if or and about it. Washington and Jefferson and Madison belong to the +rich and powerful class. Jackson is a yeoman like your father. But he'd +be President. Boy, if he'd been educated! Nothing could stop him. Don't +you see this is your country? This is a poor man's world. All you have +to do is to train your mind. You've got to do this--you +understand--you've got to do it--" + +The man paused suddenly and looked into the Boy's wondering eyes. He had +forgotten the child's rebellion. The young pioneer of the wilderness was +talking to himself. Again he had seen a vision. + +He seized the Boy's arms: + +"Don't you see, Boy, don't you?" + +The child's mouth hardened again: + +"No, I don't. I'm just a little boy. I love my Mamma. She's good and +sweet to me and I'm not going to leave her--" + +Again Polly laughed. + +A smile slowly played about the brother's lips and eyes. He must show +his trump card. + +"But you don't know what I've got for you--" + +"What?" + +"Something you've always wanted to have for your own--" + +"A pony?" + +The man slowly rose: + +"Come out to the big road--" + +The Boy seized his sister's hand: + +"Polly, let's see!" + +The girl's eyes grew dim: + +"Oh, Jeff, I know you're goin'!" + +"No--we'll just see what it is--come on!" + +In five minutes they emerged from the deep woods into the clearing +around a cabin. Beside the roadway stood a horse and pony, both bridled +and saddled. + +The swift feet of the Boy flew across the opening, the sister wide-eyed +and trembling, close on his heels. He threw his arms around the pony's +neck and stroked his head with gentle touch. The pony pressed his mouth +against the Boy's cheek in friendly response. + +"Did you see him kiss me, Polly?" he cried tremblingly. + +"Yes, I saw him," was the solemn response. + +"Isn't he a beauty? Look, Polly--he's got a white spot on every foot and +one in his forehead and black as a coal all over--and Oh--what a +saddle--a red belt and red martingales!" + +He touched the saddle lovingly and circled the pony's neck with his +arms. + +The brother smiled again: + +"Well, what do you think of that?" + +The Boy was trembling now from head to foot, his heart in his throat as +he slowly asked: + +"You mean that--you'll--give--him--to me--for--all my own?" + +"If you'll be a good boy, go to school and work hard--yes." + +"All right, Big Brother," was the quick answer, "I'll go. Help me on him +quick, and let me try him!" + +The Boy lifted his bare foot into the strong hand, sprang into the +saddle, bounded down the road, wheeled, flew back and leaped to the +ground. + +"He's a dandy!" + +Polly dropped her head and started home, making a brave fight to keep +back the tears. Half way across the clearing she gave up in a long +pitiful wail. + +The Boy, busy with his pony, had not missed her. In a moment he was by +her side, his arms about her neck. + +"Don't cry, Polly honey, I'll be back before long," he pleaded. + +The only answer was a sob: + +"Good-by, Jeff--" + +Her hands slowly slipped through his. + +"Good-by, Polly--" + +He watched her go with quivering lips, and as the little figure slowly +faded into the shadows of the woods he called in broken accents: + +"Kiss Mamma for me--and tell her I wanted to go back and say +good-by--but Joe wouldn't let me!" + +"Yes, honey!" + +"And you--watch out for that old drunk man we saw once in the woods, +Polly!" + +"Yes!" + +"Don't let him get you--" + +"No--I won't--good--good-by!" + +"Good-by--" + +The last good-by stuck in the Boy's throat, but he lifted his blue eyes, +saw his pony and smiled through the tears. + + + + +II + +THE WILDERNESS + + +A journey of a thousand miles through the unbroken wilderness--the home +of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian Nations and all on his own beautiful +pony! It was no time for tears. + +The Boy's soul leaped for joy. + +The party was a delightful one. Major Hinds, a veteran of General +Jackson's campaign, the commander of the famous Mississippi Dragoons at +the battle of New Orleans, was the leader, accompanied by his wife, her +sister and niece, and best of all a boy his own age, the Major's little +son Howell. + +Howell also was riding a pony. He was a nice enough pony, of course, as +ponies went, but couldn't compare with his own. He made up his mind to +race the first chance they got, and show those pretty white heels to +his rival. He was just dying to tell him how fast they could beat the +ground--but he'd wait and surprise the party. + +A negro maid accompanied the ladies and a stalwart black man rode a +pack-mule laden with tents, blankets and a cooking outfit. They stopped +at houses when one could be reached at nightfall. If not, they camped in +the woods beneath the towering trees. There was no need of the tents +unless it rained. So dense was the foliage that only here and there a +bright star peeped through, or a moonbeam shot its silvery thread to the +ground. The Indians were all friendly. It was the boast of the Choctaws +that no man of their breed had ever shed the blood of a white man. + +For days they followed the course of the majestic river rolling its +yellow flood to the sea and watched the lazy flat and keel boats drift +slowly down to New Orleans bearing the wealth of the new Western World. +The men who had manned these rude craft were slowly tramping on foot +back to their homes in the North. Their boats could not stem the tide +for the return trip. Every day they passed these weary walkers. The Boy +was sorry they couldn't ride. His pony's step was so firm and quick and +strong. + +He raced with Howell the first day and beat him so far there was no fun +in it. He never challenged his rival again. He was the guest of Major +Hinds on this trip. It would be rude. But he slipped out in the dark +that night, and hugged his pony: + +"You're the finest horse that ever was!" he whispered. + +"Of course I am!" the pony laughed. + +"I love you--" + +"And I love you," was the quick response as the warm nose touched his +cheek. + +In the second week, they reached the first stand, "Folsoms'," on the +border of the Choctaw Nation. These stands were log cabins occupied by +squaw men--whites who had married Indian women. They must pass three +more of these stands the Major said--the "Leflores," known as the first +and second French camps, and the one at the crossing of the Tennessee +River, which had the unusual distinction of being kept by a half-breed +Chickasaw Indian. + +Here, weary, footsore travelers stopped to rest and refresh +themselves--and many dropped and died miles from those they loved. The +little graveyard with its rude, wooden-marked mounds the Boy saw with a +dull ache in his heart. + +And then the first bitter pang of homesickness came. He wondered if his +sweet mother were well. He wondered what she said when they told her he +had gone. He knew she had cried. What if she were dead and he could +never see her again? He sat down on a log, buried his face in his hands +and tried to cry the ache out of his heart. He felt that he must turn +back or die. But it wouldn't do. He had promised his Big Brother. He +rose, brushed the tears away, fed and watered his pony and tenderly +rubbed down every inch of his beautiful black skin. He forgot the ache +in his new-found love and the strength which had come into his boy's +soul from the sense of kinship with Nature which this beautiful dumb +four-footed friend had brought him. No man could be friendless or +forsaken who possessed the love of a horse. His horse knew and loved +him. He said it in a hundred ways. His wide, deep, lustrous eyes, +shining with intelligence, had told him! So had the touch of his big +warm mouth in many a friendly pony kiss. His pony could laugh, too. He +had seen the smiles flicker about his mouth and eyes as he pretended to +bite his bare legs. How could any human being be cruel or mean to a +horse! His pony had given him new courage and conscious power. He was +the master of Nature now when they flew along the trail through the deep +woods. His horse had given him wings. + +He looked up into the star-sown sky, and promised God to be kind and +gentle to all the dumb world for the love of the beautiful friend He had +given. + + + + +III + +THE HERMITAGE + + +At the last stand on the banks of the winding Tennessee, the Major sat +up late in eager discussion about Old Hickory with an enthusiastic +Tennesseean. The ladies had retired, and the Boy listened with quiet +eagerness to the talk. + +"Waal, we're goin' ter make Andrew Jackson President anyhow, Major!" the +Tennesseean drawled. + +"I'm afraid they'll beat us," the Major answered, with a shake of his +head. + +"How'll they beat us when we git ready ter make the fight?" + +"Old Hickory says himself, he ain't fit--" + +"I reckon we know more about that than he does," persisted the man from +Tennessee. + +"The aristocrats don't think so--" + +"What t'ell they got agin him? Ain't he the biggest man in this country +to-day? Didn't he lick Spain and England both at Pensacola and didn't he +finish the Red Coats at New Orleans--" + +"They say his education's poor--" + +"He knowed enough to make this country cock o' the walk--what more do +they want--damn 'em!" + +"They say he swears--" + +The Tennesseean roared: + +"Waal, if all the cussin' men vote fur him--he'll sho be elected!" + +"The real trouble--" the Major said thoughtfully, "is what the +scandal-mongers keep saying about his wife--" + +"He's killed one son-of-a-gun about that already, an' they better let +him alone--" + +"That's just it, my friend: he killed that skunk in a duel and it's not +the only one he has fought either. Old Hickory's got the temper of the +devil." + +"Waal, thar ain't nothin' in them lies about his wife--" + +The Major lifted his hand and moved closer: + +"There's just enough truth at the bottom of it all to give the liars the +chance they need to talk forever--" + +"I never knowed thar wuz ary grain er truth in hit, at all--" + +"There is, though," the Major interrupted, "and that's where we're going +to have a big fight on our hands when it comes to the rub. This Lewis +Robards, her first husband, was a quarrelsome cuss. Every man that +looked at his wife, he swore was after her, and if she lifted her eyes, +he was sure she was guilty. There was no divorce law in Virginia and +Robards petitioned the Legislature to pass an Act of Divorce in his +favor. The dog swore in this petition that his wife had deserted him and +was living with Andrew Jackson. He _was_ boarding with her mother, the +widow Donelson. The Legislature passed the Act, but it only authorized +the Courts of the Territory of Kentucky to try the case, and grant the +divorce if the facts were proven. + +"Robards never went to Court with it for over two years, and Jackson, +under the impression that the Legislature had given the divorce, married +Rachel Robards at Natchez in August, 1791. + +"Two years later, the skunk slips into Court and gets his divorce! + +"As quick as Old Hickory heard this, he married her over again. There +was a mighty hullabaloo kicked up about it by the politicians. They +tried to run Jackson out of the country--the little pups who were afraid +of him. He challenged the leader of this pack of hounds, and shot him +dead--" + +"Served him right, too," broke in the Tennesseean, removing his pipe, +with a nod of his shaggy head. + +"But it don't help him on the way to Washington!" The Major grunted, +suddenly rising and dismissing the subject for the night. + +The Boy's curiosity was kindled to see the great man whose name had +filled the world. + +The distance to Nashville was quickly covered. The Major pressed +straight through the town without pause and drew rein at the General's +gate. + +The welcome they received from their distinguished host was so simple, +so genuine, so real, the Boy's heart went out in loyal admiration. + +The house was a big rambling structure of logs, in front of which stood +a stately grove of magnificent forest trees. Behind it stretched the +grain and cotton fields. + +Nothing could surpass the unaffected and perfect courtesy with which the +General welcomed his guests. The tall, stately figure, moving with the +unconscious grace of perfect manhood, needed no rules of a dancing +master for his guidance. He had sprung from the common people, but he +was a born leader and ruler of men. + +The Boy listened with keen ears to hear him rip out one of those +terrible oaths of which so much had been said. His speech was gentle and +kind, and he asked a blessing at every meal exactly as his own quiet, +dignified father at home. In all the three weeks they remained his +guests not an oath or an ugly word fell from his lips. The Boy wondered +how people could tell such lies. + +The General liked boys, too. It was easy to see that. He gave hours of +his time to the games and sports of his adopted son, Andrew Jackson, +Jr., and his two little guests. He got up contests of all sorts. They +raced their ponies. They ran and jumped. They played marbles. They +followed the hounds. And always with them as friend and counselor, the +General, gentle, kind, considerate. The only thing he prohibited was +wrestling. + +"No, boys," he said with a frown. "That's not a good sport for high +spirited youth. To feel the hand of a rival on your body may lead to a +fight." + +The deep set eyes flashed with the memory of his own hot blooded boyhood +and young manhood. + +The General's wife won the Boy's whole heart from the moment he saw her. + +"How could they tell such lies!" he kept repeating with boyish +indignation. Pure and sweet as the face of his own mother was hers. +Loving, unselfish, tender and thoughtful, she moved through her house +with the gentle step of a ministering angel. The knightly deference with +which the General attended her slightest wish, stirred the Boy's +imagination. He could see him standing erect, pistol in hand, in the +gray dawn of the morning on which he faced the enemy who had slandered +her. He could see the big firm hand grip the pistol's handle in a clasp +of steel as he waited the signal of Death. He wondered what sort of +wound Dickenson's bullet had made in the General's breast. Anyhow, it +had not been fatal. His enemy lived but a few hours. + +He set his lips firmly, and repeated the Tennesseean's verdict: + +"Served him right, too." + +The Boy left the Hermitage under the spell of Old Hickory's personality +for life. He had seen a great man. + + + + +IV + +THE MONASTERY BELLS + + +The journey from Nashville to Springfield, Kentucky, was quick and +uneventful. Long before the spire of St. Thomas' church loomed on the +horizon, they passed through the wide, fertile fields of the Dominican +monks. The grim figure of a black friar was directing the harvest of a +sea of golden-yellow wheat. His workmen were sleek negro slaves. Herds +of fat cattle grazed on the hills. A flock of a thousand sheep were +nipping the fresh sweet grass in the valley. They passed a big flour +mill, whose lazy wheel swung in rhythmic unison with the laughing waters +of the creek that watered the rich valley. The monks were vowed to +poverty and self-denial. But their Order was rich in slaves and land, in +mills and herds and flocks and generous harvests. + +As the sun sank in a smother of purple and red behind the hills, they +saw the church and monastery. The bells were chanting their call to +evening prayer. + +The Boy held his breath in silent ecstasy. He had never heard anything +like it before. It was wonderful--those sweet notes echoing over hill +and valley in the solemn hush of the gathering twilight. + +They waited for the priests to emerge from the chapel before making +their presence known. Through the open windows the deep solemn throb of +the organ pealed. The soul of the Boy rose enchanted on new wings whose +power he had never dreamed. Hidden depths were sounded of whose +existence he could not know. There was no organ in the little bare log +church the Baptists had built near his father's farm in Mississippi. His +father and mother were Baptists and of course he was going to be a +Baptist some day. But why didn't they have stained glass windows like +those through which he saw the light now streaming--wonderful flashing +lights, whose colors seemed to pour from the soul of the organ. And why +didn't they have a great organ? + +He was going to like these Roman Catholics. He wondered what his mother +would say to that? + +It all seemed so familiar, too. Where had he heard those bells? Where +had he heard the peal of that organ and seen the flash of those gorgeous +lights? In the sky at sunset perhaps, and in the rumble of the storm. +Maybe in dreams--and now they had come true. + +In a few months, he found himself the only Protestant boy in school and +the smallest of all the scholars. The monks were kind. They seemed +somehow to love him better than the others. Father Wallace reminded him +of his big brother. He was so gentle. + +The Boy made up his mind to join the Catholic Church and went straight +to Father Wilson, the venerable head of the college. + +The old man smiled pleasantly: + +"And why do you wish this, my son?" + +"Oh, it's so much more beautiful than the Baptist Church. Besides it's +so much easier--" + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, sir. The Baptists have such a hard time getting religion. They +seek and mourn so long--" + +"Really?" + +"Indeed they do--yes, sir--I've seen stubborn sinners mourn all summer +in three protracted meetings and then not come through!" + +"And you don't like that sort of penance?" + +"No, sir. I've always dreaded it. And the worst thing is the new +converts have to stand right up in church before all the crowd and tell +their experience out loud. I'd hate that--" + +"And you like our ways better?" + +"A great deal better. The Catholics manage things so nicely. All you +have to do is to go to church, learn the catechism and the good priests +do all the rest--" + +"Oh--I see!" + +"Yes, sir." + +Father Wilson laid his wrinkled hand tenderly on the Boy's head: + +"You are very, very young, my son, and you are growing rapidly. What you +really need is good Catholic food. Sit down and have a piece of bread +and cheese with me." + +The Boy sat down and ate the offered bread and cheese in silence. + +"I can't join, Father Wilson?" he asked at last. + +The priest smiled again: + +"No, my son." + +"You don't like me, Father?" the boy asked wistfully. + +"We like you very much, sir. But we are responsible for the trust your +father and mother have put in us. In God's own time when you are older +and know the full meaning of your act, I should be glad--but not this +way." + +The Boy was so small, in fact, that a fine old priest in pity for his +tender years had a little bed put in his own room for him to watch the +light and shadows in eager young eyes when homesickness threatened. And +then he talked of the wonders and glory of Rome on her seven hills by +the Tiber, of the Coliseum, the death of Christian martyrs in the +arena--of the splendors of St. Peter's, beside whose glory all other +churches pale into insignificance. He lifted the curtain of history and +gave the child's mind flashes of the Old World whose pageants stretch +down the ages into the mists of eternity. + +Of books, the Boy learned little--but the monks kindled a light in his +soul the years could not dim. + +To the other students the old man was not so gentle. They were tougher +and he set their tasks accordingly. They rebelled at last and decided on +revenge. The plot was hatched and all in readiness for its execution. +The only problem was how to put the light out in his room. + +The Boy held the key to the citadel. He was on the inside. He could blow +the candle out and the thing was done. He refused at first, but the +rebels crowded around him and appealed to his sense of loyalty. + +"They can force you to sleep in his room," pleaded the ringleader, "but, +by Gimminy, that don't make you a monk, does it?" + +"No, of course not--" + +"You're one of _us_--stand by us. You didn't ask to sleep in his old +room, did you?" + +"No." + +"Well, you're there--the right man in the right place, in the nick of +time. _Will_ you stand by us?" + +"What do you want me to do?" + +"Just blow out the candle--that's all--we'll do the rest. Will you do +it?" + +The Boy hesitated, smiled and said: + +"Yes--when everything's quiet." + +The old man had gone to bed and began to snore. The Boy rose noiselessly +and blew the candle out. + +Instantly from the darkness without, poured a volley of cabbage heads, +squashes, potatoes and biscuits. Not a word was spoken, but the charge +of the light brigade was swift and terrible. + +The Boy pulled the cover over his head and waited for the storm to pass. + +When the light was lit and search made, not a culprit could be found. +They were all in bed sound asleep. The only one awake was the Boy in the +little bed on which lay scattered potatoes, biscuits and cabbage. + +The priest drew him from under the cover. His face was stern--the firm +mouth rigid with anger. + +"Did you know they were going to do that, sir?" he asked. + +The Boy trembled but held his tongue. + +"Answer me, sir!" + +"I didn't know just what they were going to do--" + +"You knew they were up to something?" + +"Yes!" + +"And you didn't tell me?" + +"No." + +"Why?" + +"I couldn't be a traitor, sir." + +"To those young rascals--no--but you could betray me--" + +"I'm not a monk, Father--" + +"Tell me what you know at once, sir, before I thrash you." + +"I don't know much," the Boy slowly answered, "and I can't tell you +that." + +There was a final ring in the tones with which he ended the sentence. +The culprit must be punished. It was out of the question that he should +whip him--this quiet, gentle, bright little fellow he had grown to love. +He was turned over to another--an old monk of fine face and voice full +of persuasive music. + +He took the Boy by the hand and led him up the last flight of stairs to +the top of the house and into a tiny bare room. The only piece of +furniture was an ominous looking cot in the middle of the floor. The Boy +had not read the history of the Spanish Inquisition, but it required no +great learning in history or philosophy to guess the use of that +machine. + +There was no terror in the blue eyes. Their light grew hard with +resolution. The monk to whom he had been delivered for punishment was +the one of all the monastery who had the kindliest, gentlest face. The +Boy had always thought him one of his best friends. + +Yet, without a word, he laid the culprit face downward on the strange +leather couch and drew the straps around his slim body. He had dreamed +of mercy, but all hope vanished now. He held his breath and set his lips +to receive the blow--the first he had ever felt. + +The monk took the switch in his hand and hesitated. He loved the bright, +handsome lad. The task was harder than he thought. + +He knelt beside the cot and put his hand on the dark little head: + +"I hate to strike you, my son--" + +"Don't then, Father," was the eager answer. + +"I've always had a very tender spot in my heart for you. Tell me what +you know and it'll be all right." + +"I can't--" + +"No matter how little, and I'll let you off." + +"Will you?" + +"I promise." + +"I know one thing," the Boy said with a smile. + +"Yes?" + +"I know who blew out the light." + +"Good!" + +"If I tell you that much, you'll let me off?" + +"Yes, my son." + +The little head wagged doubtfully: + +"Honest, now, Father?" + +"I give you my solemn word." + +"I blew it out!" + +The fine old face twitched with suppressed laughter as he loosed the +straps, sat down on the cot and drew the youngster in his lap. + +"You're a bright chap, my son. You'll go far in this world some day. A +great diplomat perhaps, but the road you've started on to-night can only +lead you at last into a blind alley. You know now that I love you, don't +you?" + +"Yes, Father." + +"Come now, my Boy, there's too much strength and character in those fine +eyes and that splendid square chin and jaw for you to let roistering +fools lead you by the nose. You wouldn't have gotten into that devilment +if they hadn't persuaded you--now would you?" + +"No." + +"All right. Use the brain and heart God has given you. Don't let fools +use it for their own ends. Do your own thinking. Be your own man. Stand +on your own bottom." + +And then, in low tones, the fine old face glowing with enthusiasm, the +monk talked to his little friend of Truth and Right, of Character and +Principle, of Love and God, until the tears began to slowly steal down +the rosy cheeks. + +A new resolution fixed itself in the Boy's soul. He _would_ live his own +life. No other human being should do it for him. + + + + +V + +HOME + + +The mother's heart rebelled at last. She would not be put off longer. +Her baby had been gone two years. She refused point blank to listen to +any further argument. + +Charles Green, the young Mississippian, studying law in Kentucky, and +acting as the Boy's guardian, was notified to bring him at the end of +the spring term. + +On a glorious day in June they left Bardstown for Louisville, to take +the new steamboat line for home. These wonderful boats were the marvels +of their day. Their names conveyed but a hint of the awe they inspired. +The fleet of three vessels bore the titles, _Volcano_, _Vesuvius_ and +_Ćtna_. And the sparks that flew heavenward from their black chimneys +were far more impressive to the people who crowded the shores than the +smoke and lava of old Vesuvius to the lazy loungers of Naples. + +The Boy saw his pony safely housed on board the _Ćtna_, and amid the +clang of bells and the scream of whistles, the floating wonder swung out +from her wharf into the yellow tide of the Ohio. + +Scores of people crowded her decks for the pleasure of a ride ten miles +down the river to return in their carriages. + +The Captain of the _Ćtna_, Robinson DeHart, held the Boy in a spell by +his lofty manners. He had been a sailor on board an ocean-going brig. To +him the landing of his vessel was an event, no matter how often the stop +was made, whether to put off a single passenger, or take on a regiment. +In fact, he never landed the _Ćtna_, even to take on a cord of wood, +without the use of his enormous speaking trumpet and his big brass +spy-glass. + +A beautiful, slow, uneventful voyage on the Father of Waters landed the +Boy in safety at the Woodville stopping-place. He leaped down the +gang-plank with a shout and clasped his Big Brother's hand. + +"My, my, but you've grown, Boy!" + +"Haven't I?" + +"Won't little mother be surprised and glad?" + +"Let's fool her," the Boy cried. "Let me go up by myself and she won't +know me!" + +"All right--we'll try." + +The brother stopped at the village and the young stranger walked alone +to his father's house. How beautiful it all seemed--the big log house +with the cabins clustering around it! A horse neighed at the barn and a +colt answered from the field. + +He walked boldly up to the porch and just inside the door sat his lovely +mother. She had been one of the most beautiful girls in all South +Carolina in her day, his father had often said. She was beautiful still. +She had known what happiness was. She was the mother of ten strong +children--five boys and five girls--and her heart was young with their +joys and hopes. A smile was playing about her fine mouth. She was +dreaming perhaps of his coming. + +The Boy cleared his throat with a deep manly note and spoke in studied +careless tones: + +"Seen any stray horses around here, ma'am?" + +The mother's eyes flashed as she sprang through the doorway and snatched +him to her heart with a cry of joy: + +"No--but I see a stray Boy! Oh, my darling, my baby, my heart!" + +And then words failed. She loosed her hold and held him at arm's length, +tried to say something, but only clasped him again and cried for joy. + +"Please, Ma, let me have him!" Polly pleaded. + +And then he clasped his sister in a long, voiceless hug--loosed her and +caught her again: + +"I missed you, Polly, dear!" he sighed. + +When all the others had been greeted, he turned to his mother: + +"Where's Pa?" + +"Down in the field with the colts." + +"I'll go find him!" + +With a bound he was off. He wondered what his silent, undemonstrative +father would do. He had always felt that he was a man of deep emotion +for all his self-control. + +He saw him in the field, walked along the edge of the woods, and +suddenly came before him without warning. The father's lips trembled. He +stooped without a word, clasped the Boy in his arms and kissed him again +and again. + +The youngster couldn't help wondering why a strong man should kiss so +big a boy. The mother--yes--but his father, a man--no. + +It was sweet, this home-coming to those who loved deepest. Somehow the +monastery, its bells, its organ, its jeweled windows, and its kindly +black-robed priests seemed far away and unreal now--only a dream that +had passed. + + + + +VI + +REBELLION + + +The mother's breakdown was not allowed to stop the Boy's education. Both +father and older brother were determined on this. They would use the +schools at home now. + +He was sent to the County Academy in the fall. The Boy didn't like it. +After the easy life with the kindly old monks at St. Thomas, this +academy was not only cheap and coarse and uninteresting, but the teacher +had no sense. He gave lessons so long and hard it was impossible to +memorize them. + +The Boy complained to the teacher. A lesson of the same length was +promptly given again. The rebel showed the teacher he was wrong by +failing to know it. + +"I'll thrash you, sir!" was the stern answer. + +The Boy would not take that from such a fool. He rose in his wrath, went +home and poured out the indignant story of his wrongs. + +The father was a man of few words, but the long silence which followed +gave a feeling of vague uneasiness. He was never dictatorial to his +children, but meant what he said. His voice was quiet and persuasive +when he finally spoke. + +"Of course, my son, you will have to choose for yourself whether you +will work with your hands only, or with your head and hands. You can't +be an idler, I need more cotton pickers. You don't like school, try the +cotton, I'll give you work." + +The Boy flushed and looked at his father keenly. It was no joke. He +meant exactly what he had said, and a boy with any sand in his gizzard +couldn't back down. + +"All right, sir," was the firm answer. "I'll begin in the morning." + +He went forth to his task with grim determination. The sun of early +September had just risen and it was already hot as he bent to work. +Cotton picking looked easy from a distance. When you got at it, things +somehow were different. A task of everlasting monotony, this bending +from boll to boll along the endless rows! He never realized before how +long the cotton rows were. There was a little stop at the end before +turning and selecting the next, but these rows seemed to stretch away +into eternity. + +Three hours at it, and he was mortally tired. His back ached in a dull +hopeless pain. He lifted his head and gazed longingly toward the school +he had scorned. + +"What a fool!" he sighed. "But I'll stick to it. I can do what any +nigger can." + +He looked curiously at the slaves who worked without apparent effort. +Not one of them seemed the least bit tired. He could get used to it, +too. After all, this breath of the open world was better than being +cooped up in a stuffy old schoolhouse with a fool to set impossible +tasks. + +"Pooh! I'll show my father!" he exclaimed. + +The negroes broke into a plantation song. Jim Pemberton, the leader, +sang each stanza in a clear fine tenor that rang over the field and +echoed through the deep woods. The others joined in the chorus and after +the last verse repeated in low sweet notes that died away so softly it +was impossible to tell the moment the song had ceased. + +The music was beautiful, but it was impossible for him to join in their +singing. He couldn't lower himself to an equality with black slaves. +This cotton picking seemed part of their scheme of life. Their strong +black bodies swayed in a sort of rhythmic movement even when they were +not singing. Somehow his body didn't fit into the scheme. His back ached +and ached. No matter. He had chosen, and he would show them he had a +man's spirit inside a boy's breast. + +At noon the ache had worn away and he felt a sense of joy in conquering +the pain. + +He ate his dinner in silence and wondered what Polly was thinking about +at school. Girl-like, she had cried and begged him to go back. + +With a cheerful wave of his hand to his mother, he returned to the field +before the negroes, strapped the bag on his shoulder and bent again to +his task. The afternoon was long. It seemed at three o'clock there could +be no end to it and still those long, long rows of white fleece +stretched on and on into eternity--all alike in dull, tiresome monotony. + +He whistled to keep up his courage. + +The negroes whispered to one another and smiled as they looked his way. +He paid no attention. + +By four o'clock, the weariness had become a habit and at sundown he felt +stronger than at dawn. He swung the bag over his back and started to the +weighing place. + +"Pooh--it's easy!" he said with scorn. + +The negroes crowded around his pile of cotton. + +"Dat Boy is sho one cotton-picker!" cried Jim Pemberton, regarding him +with grinning admiration. + +"Of course, I can pick cotton if I want to--" + +"But ye raly don't wanter?" Jim grinned. + +"Sure I do. I'm sick of school." + +Jim laughed aloud and, coming close, whispered insinuatingly: + +"I'se sho sick er pickin' cotton, an' when yer quits de job--" + +"I'm not going to quit--" + +"Yassah, yassah?--I understan' dat--but de pint is, _when_ yer _do_ +quit, don't fergit Jim, Marse Jeff. I likes you. You got de spunk. I +wants ter be yo' man." + +The appeal touched the Boy's pride. He answered with quiet dignity: + +"All right, James--" + +Jim lifted his head and walled his eyes: + +"Des listen at him call me Jeemes! I knows a real marster when I sees +him!" + +That night, the father asked no questions and made no comment on the +fact that he had picked a hundred and ten pounds of cotton--as much as +any man in the field. His deciding to work with his hands had apparently +been accepted as final. + +This thing of deciding life for himself was a serious business. It would +be very silly to jump into a career with slaves, coarse and degrading, +just because a fool happened to be teaching at the County Academy. He +must think this thing over. Tired as he was, he lay awake until eleven +o'clock, thinking, thinking for himself. + +It was lonesome work, too, this thinking for himself. + +If his father had only done the thinking for him, it would have been so +much easier to accept his decision and then rebel if he didn't like it. + +He returned to the field next morning with renewed determination. +Through the long, hot, interminable day he bent and fought the battle in +silence. His back ached worse than the first day. Every muscle in his +finely strung little body was bruised and sore and on fire. + +He began to ask if his father were right. Wasn't a man a double fool who +had brains and refused to use them? + +An idiot could pick cotton when the bag was fastened on his back. All he +needed was one hand. All he had to do was to bend, hour after hour, day +after day, until it became the habit of life and the ache stopped. + +He could see this now, for himself. He smiled at the quiet wisdom of his +father. He certainly knew how to manage boys. He must acknowledge that. +He was quiet and considerate about it, too. He didn't dictate. He only +suggested things for consideration and choice. It was easy to meet the +views of that kind of a father. He treated a boy with the dignity of a +man. + +When the cotton was weighed, the Boy faced his father: + +"I've thought it all over, sir, and I'd like to go back to school." + +"All right, my son, you can return in the morning." + +He made no comment. He indulged in no smile at the Boy's expense. He +received his decision with the serious dignity of a judge of the +Supreme Court of Life. + +The rebellion ended for all time. Teachers and schools took on a new +meaning. A lesson was no longer a hard task set by a heartless fool who +had been accidentally placed in a position of power. School meant the +training of his mind for a higher and more useful life. + +Progress now was steady. The next year a new teacher came, a real +teacher, the Rev. John Shaw from Boston, Massachusetts--a man of even +temper, just, gentle, a profound scholar with a mind whose contagious +enthusiasm drew the spirits of the young as a magnet. + +The Boy learned more under his guidance within a year than in all his +life before, and next full was ready to enter Transylvania University at +Lexington, Kentucky. + +The polite, handsome boy from Mississippi who had served an +apprenticeship with his father's negroes in a cotton field, gave the +professors no trouble. Good-natured, prudent, joyous, kind, manly, he +attended to his lessons and his own business. He neither gambled nor +drank, nor mingled with the rowdy set. He had come there for something +else. + +He had just passed his examinations for the Senior class in July, 1824, +when the first great sorrow came. The wise father whom he had grown to +love and reverence died in his sixty-eighth year. + +His thoughtful Big Brother came in person to tell him and break the blow +with new ambitions and new hopes. He had secured an appointment from +President Monroe as a cadet to West Point from the State of Mississippi. + +And then began the four years of stern discipline that makes a soldier +and fits him to command men. + +But once in those busy years did the gay spirit within rise in +rebellion, to learn wisdom in the bitterness of experience. + +With Emile Laserre, his jolly Creole friend from Louisiana, he slipped +down to Bennie Haven's on a frolic--taking French leave, of course. The +alarm was given of the approach of an instructor, and the two culprits +bolted for the barracks at breakneck speed through pitch darkness. +Scrambling madly through the woods, there was a sudden cry, a crash and +silence. He had fallen sixty feet over a precipice to the banks of the +Hudson. Young Laserre crawled carefully to the edge of the rock, peered +over and called through the darkness: + +"Are you dead, Jeff?" + +He was suffering too much to laugh, though he determined to give an +Irishman's reply to that question, if it killed him. He managed to +wheeze back the answer: + +"Not dead--but spachless!" + +Many were the temptations of rebellion from the friends he loved in the +years that followed, but never again did he yield. Somehow the thing +didn't work in his case. + +There was one professor who put his decision of obedience to the supreme +test. For some reason this particular instructor took a violent dislike +to the tall, dignified young Southerner. Perhaps because he was more +anxious to have the love of his cadet friends than the approval of his +teachers. Perhaps from some hidden spring of character within the +teacher which antagonized the firm will and strong personality of the +student who dared to do his own thinking. From whatever cause, it was +plain to all that the professor sought opportunities to insult and +browbeat the cadet he could not provoke into open rebellion. + +The professor was lecturing the class on presence of mind as the +supreme requisite of a successful soldier. He paused, and looked +directly at his young enemy: + +"Of course, there are some who will always be confused and wanting in an +emergency--not from cowardice, but from the mediocre nature of their +minds." + +The insult was direct and intended. He hoped to provoke an outburst +which would bring punishment, if not disgrace. + +The cadet's lips merely tightened and the steel from the depths of his +blue eyes flashed into his enemy's for a moment. He would bide his time. + +Three days later, in a building crowded with students, the professor was +teaching the class the process of making fire-balls. + +The room was a storehouse of explosives and the ball suddenly burst into +flames. + +Cadet Davis saw it first and calmly turned to his tormentor: + +"The fire-ball has ignited, sir,--what shall I do?" + +The professor dashed for the door: + +"Run! Run for your lives!" + +The cadet snatched the fire-ball from the floor, dashed it through the +window and calmly walked out. + +He had saved many lives and the building from destruction. His revenge +was complete and sweet. But deeper and sweeter than his triumph over an +enemy was the consciousness that he was master of himself. He had +learned life's profoundest lesson. + + + + +VII + +LIFE + + +On his graduation, the Second Lieutenant of Infantry, from the State of +Mississippi, barely twenty years old, reported for duty to the +Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis. + +He was ordered to the frontier to extend the boundaries of the growing +Republic--now accompanied by his faithful body servant, James Pemberton. + +The Fort, situated on the Wisconsin River, was the northern limit of the +Illinois tribe of Indians, and the starting point of all raids against +the Iroquois who still held the rich lands around the village of +Chicago. + +The Boy Lieutenant was the first lumberman to put axe into the virgin +forests of Wisconsin. He was sent into the wilderness with a detachment +for cutting timber to enlarge the Fort. + +Under the direction of two voyageurs he embarked in a little open boat +and began the perilous journey. + +The first day out his courage and presence of mind were put to quick +test. + +The Indians suddenly appeared on the shore and demanded a trade for +tobacco. The little party rowed to the bank and began to parley. A +guide's keen eyes saw through their smooth palaver the hostile purpose +of a bloody surprise and warned the commander. The order to push into +the river and pull for their lives was instantly given. + +With savage yells the Indians sprang into their canoes and gave chase. + +It was ten to one and they were sure of their prey. The chance of escape +from such strong, swift rowers in light bark canoes was slight. The low +fierce cries of victory and the joyous shout of coming torture rang over +the waters. + +The Indians gained rapidly. + +The young Lieutenant's eye measured the distance between them and saw +the race was hopeless. With quick command he ordered a huge blanket +stretched in the bow for a sail. The wind was blowing a furious gale +and might swamp their tiny craft. It was drowning or death by torture. +The commander's choice was instantaneous. + +The frail boat plunged suddenly forward, swayed and surged from side to +side through the angry, swirling waters, settled at last, and drew +steadily away from the maddened savages. + +With a curious smile, the boyish commander stood in the stern and +watched the black swarm of yelling devils fade in the distance. + +He was thinking of his old professor at West Point. His insult had been +the one thing in life to which he owed most. He could see that clearly +now. His heart went out in a wave of gratitude to his enemy. Our enemies +are always our best friends when we have eyes to see. + +The winter following he was ordered down to Winnebago. + +The village of Chicago was the nearest center of civilization. The only +way of reaching it was by wagon, and the journey consumed three months. + +There was much gambling in the long still nights, and some drinking. In +lieu of the excitement of the gaming table, he took his fun in breaking +and riding wild horses, and hairbreadth escapes were the order of his +daily exercise. It was gambling, perhaps, but it developed the muscles +of mind and body. + +His success with horses was remarkable. No animal that man has broken to +his use is keener to recognize a master and flout a coward than the +horse. No coward has ever been able to do anything with a spirited +horse. + +He was wrestling one day with a particularly vicious specimen, to the +terror and anguish of Jim Pemberton. + +"For de Lawd's sake, Marse Jeff, let dat debbil go!" + +"No, James, not yet--" + +"He ain't no count, no how--" + +"All the more reason why I should be his master, not he be mine." + +The horse was possessed of seven devils. He jumped and plunged and +bucked, wheeled and reared and walked on his hind legs in mad effort to +throw his cool rider. The moment he reared, the Lieutenant dropped his +feet from the stirrups and leaned close to the brute's trembling, angry +head. At last in one supreme effort the beast threw himself straight +into the air and fell backwards, with the savage purpose of crushing his +tormentor beneath his body. + +With a quiet laugh, the young officer slipped from the saddle and +allowed him to thump himself a crashing blow. As the horse sprang to his +feet to run, the Lieutenant leaped lightly into the saddle and the fight +was over. + +"Well, for de Lawd, did ye ebber see de beat er dat!" Jim Pemberton +cried with laughing admiration. + +Scarcely a week passed without its dangerous excursions against the +Pawnees, Comanches and other hostile tribes of Indians. The friendly +tribes, too, were everlastingly changing to hostiles in a night. Death +rode in the saddle with every man who left a fortified post in these +early days of our national life. + +The Lieutenant was ordered on a peculiarly long and daring raid into +hostile territory, and twice barely escaped a massacre. Their errand +accomplished, and leisurely returning to the Fort, they suddenly met a +large party of Indians. + +The Lieutenant shot a swift glance at their leader and saluted him with +friendly uplifted hand: + +"Can you tell us the way to the Fort, Chief?" + +The tall brave placed himself squarely in the path and pointed in the +wrong direction. + +Instantly the Lieutenant spurred his horse squarely on the savage, +grasped him by the hair, dragged him a hundred yards and flung him into +the bushes. The assault was so sudden, so unexpected, so daring, the +whole band was completely cowed, and the soldiers rode by without +attack. + +Nor was the Indian the only enemy to test the youngster's mettle. The +pioneer soldiers of the rank and file in these turbulent days had minds +of their own which they sometimes dared to use. + +The Lieutenant had no beard. His smooth, handsome face, clear blue eyes, +fresh color and gay laughter, gave the impression of a boy of nineteen, +when by the calendar he could boast of twenty-one. + +A big strapping, bearded soldier, employed in building the Fort, had +proven himself the terror of his fellow workmen. He was a man of +enormous strength and gave full rein to an ugly, quarrelsome +disposition. + +His eyes rested with decided disapproval on the graceful young master of +horses. + +"I'll whip that baby-faced Lieutenant," he coolly announced to his +satellites, "if ever he opens his jaw to me--watch me if I don't. What +does he know about work?" + +The men reported the threat to the Lieutenant. The next day without a +moment's hesitation, in quiet tones, he gave his first order to the +giant: + +"Put that piece of dressed scantling beside the window--" + +The man deliberately lifted a rough board and placed it. + +"The rough board won't do," said the even voice. "It must he a dressed +scantling." + +The soldier threw him an insolent laugh, and stooped to take up a board +exactly like the one he had laid down. + +The baby-faced Lieutenant suddenly seized a club, knocked him down, and +beat him until he yelled for quarter. + +The soldiers had watched the clash at first with grins and winks and +nudges, betting on their giant. His strength was invincible. When the +unexpected happened, and they saw the slender, plucky youngster standing +over the form of the fallen brave, they raised a lusty shout for him. + +When the giant scrambled to his feet, the victor said with a smile: + +"This has been a fight, man to man, and I'm satisfied. I'll not report +it officially." + +The big one grinned sheepishly and respectfully offered his hand: + +"You're all right, Lieutenant. I made a mistake. I beg your pardon. +You're the kind of a commander I've always liked." + +Again the soldiers gave a shout. No man under him ever again presumed on +his beardless face. He had only to make his orders known to have them +instantly obeyed. + +Jim Pemberton had watched the little drama of officer and man with an +ugly light gleaming in his eyes. The young master had not seen him. That +night in his quarters Jim quietly said: + +"I'd a killed him ef he'd a laid his big claws on you, Marse Jeff." + +"Would you, James?" + +"Dat I would, sah." + +Nothing more was said. But a new bond was sealed between master and man. + +While at Fort Crawford, the Lieutenant had been ordered up the Yellow +River to build a saw mill. He had handled the neighboring Indians with +such friendly skill and won their good will so completely, he was +adopted by their chief as a brother of the tribe. An old Indian woman +bent with age traveled a hundred miles to the Fort to warn the "Little +Chief" of a coming attack of hostile bands. Her warning was unheeded by +the new commander and a massacre followed. + +The success of this attack raised the war spirit of the entire frontier +and gave the soldiers a winter of exceptional danger and hardship. The +country in every direction swarmed with red warriors on the warpath. The +weather was intensely cold, and his Southern blood suffered agonies +unknown to his companions. Often wet to the skin and compelled to remain +in the saddle, the exposure at last brought on pneumonia. For months he +lay in his bed, directing, as best he could, the work of his men. + +James Pemberton lifted his weak, emaciated form in his arms as if he +were a child. The black man carried his money, his sword and pistols. At +any moment, day or night, he could have stepped from the door into the +wilderness and been free. He was free. He loved the man he served. With +tireless patience and tenderness, he nursed him back from the shadows of +death into life again. + +On recovering from this illness, the Lieutenant faced a new commander at +the head of his regiment--a man destined to set in motion the greatest +event of his life. + +Colonel Zachary Taylor had been promoted to the command of the First +Infantry on the death of Colonel Morgan. Already he had earned the title +that would become the slogan of his followers in the campaign which made +him President. "Old Rough and Ready" at this time was in the prime of +his vigorous manhood. + +Colonel Taylor sent the Lieutenant on an ugly, important mission. + +Four hundred pioneers had taken possession of the lead mines at Dubuque +against the protest of the Indians whose rights had been ignored. The +Lieutenant and fifty men were commissioned to eject the miners. To a +man, they were heavily armed. They believed they were being cheated of +their rights of discovery by the red tape of governmental interference. +They had sworn to resist any effort to drive them out of these mines. +Most of them were men of the higher types of Western adventurer. The +Lieutenant liked these hardy sons of his own race, and determined not to +use force against them if it could he avoided. + +He crossed the river to announce his official instructions, and was met +by a squad of daring, resolute fellows, armed and ready for a fight. + +Their leader, a tall, red-headed, serious-looking man, opened the +conference with scant ceremony. Looking the youthful officer squarely in +the eye, he slowly drawled: + +"Young man, we have defied the gov'ment once befo' when they sent their +boys up here to steal our mines. Now, ef yer know when yer well off, +you'll let honest white men alone and quit sidin' with Injuns--" + +There was no mistaking his accent. He meant war. + +The Lieutenant's answer came in quick, even, tones: + +"The United States Government has ordered your removal, gentlemen. My +business as a soldier is to obey. I shall be sorry to use force. But +I'll do it, if it's necessary. I suggest a private interview with your +leader--" he nodded to the red-headed man. + +"Sure!" + +"Talk it over!" + +"All right." + +The men from all sides gave their approval. The leader hesitated a +moment, and measured the tall, straight young officer. He didn't like +this wrestle at close quarters with those penetrating eyes and the +trained mind behind them. But with a toss of his red locks he muttered: + +"All right, fire away--you can talk your head off, for all the good +it'll do ye." + +They walked off together a few yards and sat down. + +With the friendliest smile the Lieutenant extended his hand: + +"Before we begin our chat, let's shake hands?" + +"Certain--shore--" + +The brawny hand clasped his. + +"I want you to know," the young officer continued earnestly, "my real +feelings toward you and your men. I've been out here four years with you +fellows, pushing the flag into the wilderness, and the more I see of you +the better I like you. I know real men when I see them. You're strong, +generous, brave, and you do things. You're building a great republic on +this frontier of the world. I've known your hospitality. You've had +little education in the schools, but you're trained for this big work in +the only school that counts out here--the School of Danger and Struggle +and Experience--" + +The brawny hand was lifted in a helpless sort of protest: + +"Look a here, Boy, you're goin' ter bamboozle me, I kin jist feel it in +my bones--" + +"On the other hand," the Lieutenant continued eagerly, "I assure you I +am going to treat you and your friends with the profoundest respect. +It's due you. Let's reason this thing out. You've taken up these mines +under the old right of first discovery--" + +"Yes, and they're ours, too,"--the lean jaws came together with a snap. + +"So I say. But it will take a little time and a little patience to +establish your claims. The Indian, you know, holds the first rights to +this land--" + +"T'ell with Injuns!" + +"Even so, isn't it better to first settle their claims and avoid war?" + +"Mebbe so." + +"And you know we can't settle with the Indians while you hold by force +the mines they claim as the owners of the soil--" + +The leader scratched his head and rose with sudden resolution: + +"Come on, and tell this to the boys." + +The leader escorted the Lieutenant to the crowd, and commanded them to +hear him. His speech was interrupted at first by angry exclamations, but +at its close there was respectful silence. The fight was won without a +blow. + +The new Colonel was much pleased at the successful ending of the +dangerous job. He had received the orders to eject these miners with a +wry face. That the work had been done without bloodshed had lifted a +load from his mind. + +The Lieutenant was honored on the night of his return by an invitation +to dine with Colonel Taylor's family. They had been settled in the +crowded quarters of the Fort during his absence--the wife, three +daughters and a little son. + +The Lieutenant's curiosity was but mildly roused at the thought of +meeting the girls. In the lofty ways of youth, he had put marriage out +of his mind. A soldier should not marry. He had given his whole soul to +his country, its flag and its service. He would be agreeable to the +ladies, of course, in deference to his commander and the honor he was +receiving at his hands. + +The dinner was a success. The mother was charming and gracious in her +welcome. Something in her ways recalled his own mother. + +She extended her hand with a genial smile, and took his breath with her +first remark: + +"I've quite fallen in love with you, sir, because of a story I heard of +your West Point career--" + +"Not in pity for my fall over the cliff, I hope," he answered gravely. + +The mother's voice dropped to a whisper: + +"No,--your friend Albert Sydney Johnston told me that you saved a large +part of your allowance and sent it home to your mother--" + +The young officer's lips trembled, and he looked away for a moment: + +"But she sent it back to me, madam." + +"Yes, until you wrote that she hurt you by not keeping it--" + +To relieve his evident embarrassment, the mother introduced him in rapid +succession to her daughters, the eldest Anne, the second Sarah Knox, the +youngest Elizabeth. Richard, the handsome little boy, had introduced +himself. He had liked the Lieutenant from the first. + +He had been so surprised by the mother's possession of one of the +sweetest secrets of his schoolboy life, and had blushed so furiously +over it, he had scarcely noticed the girls, merely bowing in his +confusion. + +It was not until they were seated at the table and the dinner had fairly +begun, that he became conscious of the charm of the second daughter, who +sat directly opposite. + +Her beauty was not dazzling, but in fifteen minutes she had completely +absorbed his attention. It was impossible, of course, not to look at +her. She sat squarely before him. There was no embarrassment in the +frank, honest curiosity with which she returned his gaze. + +The thing that first impressed him was the frankness of a winsome +personality. He listened with keen attention to her voice. There was no +simper, no affectation, no posing. She was just herself. He found +himself analyzing her character. Refined--yes. Intelligent--beyond a +doubt. She talked with her father in a quiet, authoritative way which +left no doubt on that score. Graceful, tender, sincere, too--her tones +to her impulsive brother and her younger sister proved that. And a will +of her own she had. The firmly set, full lips were eloquent of +character. He liked that above all things in a woman. He couldn't stand +a simpering doll. + +"Sing for us, Sarah!" her brother said impulsively, as they rose from +the table. + +"Certainly, Dick, if you wish it." + +There was no holding back for urging. No mock modesty. No foolishness in +her answer. It was straight, affectionate, responsive, open hearted, +generous--just like his own sweet little sister Polly when he had asked +of her a favor. + +And then, he blushed to find himself staring at her in a sort of dreamy +reverie. He hoped her music would not spoil the impression her +personality had made. This had happened once in his life. He could never +talk to the girl again, after he had heard her sing. The memory of it +was a nightmare. + +He watched her tune the guitar with a sense of silly dread. The tuning +finished, she turned to her brother and asked with a smile: + +"And what shall I sing, Sir Richard?" + +"The one I love best--'Fairy Bells.'" + +When the first line with its sweet accompaniment floated out from the +porch on the balmy air of the June evening, the Lieutenant's fears had +vanished. Never had he heard a song whose trembling melody so found his +inmost soul. It set the Fairy Bells ringing in the deep woods of his +far-away Mississippi home. He could see the fairy ringing them--her +beautiful hair streaming in the moonlight, a smile on her lips, the joy +and beauty of eternal youth in every movement of her exquisite form. + +When the last note had died softly away, he leaned close and before he +knew what he was doing, whispered: + +"Glorious, Miss Sarah!" + +"You like it very much?" she asked. + +"It's divine." + +"My favorite, too." + +All night the "Fairy Bells" rang in his heart. For the first time in +life, he failed to sleep. He listened entranced until dawn. + + + + +VIII + +LOVE + + +In the swift weeks which followed, life blossomed with new and wonderful +meaning. + +In the stern years on the plains, the young officer had known but one +motive of action--duty. He was an exile from home and its comforts, +friends and the haunts of civilized man for his country's sake. He had +come to plant her flag on the farthest frontier and push it farther +against all corners. + +In the struggle against the snows of winter and the pestilence of the +summer wilderness, he had fought Nature with the dogged determination of +the soldier. Snow meant winter quarters, the spring marching and +fighting. The hills were breastworks. The night brought dreams of +strategy and surprise. The grass and flowers were symbols of a nation's +wealth and the prophecy of war. + +By a strange magic, the coming of a girl had transformed the world. He +had seen the strategic value of these hills and valleys often before. He +had not dreamed of their beauty. The mists that hung over the ragged +lines of the western horizon were no longer fogs that might conceal an +army. They were the folds of a huge veil which Nature was softly drawing +over the face of a beautiful bride. Why had he not seen this before? + +The awful silence of the plains from which he had fled to books had +suddenly become God's great whispering gallery. He listened with joyous +awe and reverence. + +The stars had been his guides by night to find the trail. He had merely +lifted his eyes to make the reckoning. He had never seen before the +crystal flash from their jeweled depths. + +He looked into the eyes of the graceful young rider by his side and +longed to tell her of this miracle wrought in his soul. But he +hesitated. She was too dignified and self-possessed. It would be silly +when put into words. + +But the world to-day was too beautiful to hurry through it. He just +couldn't. + +"Let's stop on this hill and watch the sunset, Miss Sarah?" he +suggested. + +"I'd love to," was the simple answer. + +With a light laugh, she sprang from the saddle. They touched the ground +at the same moment. + +He looked at her with undisguised admiration. + +"You're a wonderful rider," he said. + +"A soldier's daughter must be--it's part of her life." + +He tied their horses to the low hanging limbs of a cluster of scrub +trees, and found a seat on the bowlders which the Indians had set for a +landmark on the lonely hilltop. + +Westward the plains stretched, a silent ocean of green, luscious grass. + +"What's that dark spot in the valley?" the girl eagerly asked. + +"Watch it a moment--" + +They sat in silence for five minutes. + +"Why, it's moving!" she cried. + +"Yes." + +"How curious--" + +"An illusion?" he suggested. + +"Nonsense, I'm not dreaming." + +"I've been dreaming a lot lately--" + +A smile played about the corners of her fine mouth. But she ignored the +hint. + +"Tell me," she cried; "you studied the sciences at West Point, what does +it mean?" + +"Look closely. Any fifteen-year-old boy of the plains could explain it." + +"Am I so ignorant?" she laughed. + +"No," he answered soberly, "our eyes just refuse to see things at which +we are looking until the voice within reveals. The eyes of a hunter +could make no mistake about such a spot--particularly if it moved." + +"It might be a passing cloud--" + +"There's none in the sky." + +"Tell me!" she pleaded. + +"A herd of buffalo." + +"That big black field! It must be ten acres--" + +The man laughed at her ignorance with a sudden longing in his heart to +help and protect her. + +"Ten acres! Look again. They are twenty miles away. The herd is packed +so densely, the ground is invisible. They cover a thousand acres." + +"Impossible--" + +"I assure you, it's true. They were once even more plentiful. But we're +pushing them back with the Indians into the sunset. And they, too, will +fade away into the twilight at last--" + +He stopped suddenly. He had almost spoken a sentence that would have +committed him beyond retreat. It was just on his lips to say: + +"I didn't take such tender views of Indians and buffaloes until I met +you!" + +For the life of him he couldn't make the girl out. Her voice was music. +Her laughter contagious. And yet she was reserved. About her personality +hung a spell which forbade familiarity. Flirting was a pastime in the +army. But it had never appealed to him. He was not so sure about her +when she laughed. + +And then her father worried him. The fiery old Southerner had the temper +of the devil when roused. He could see that this second daughter was his +favorite. He had caught a look of unreasonable anger and jealousy in his +eye only that afternoon when they rode away together. + +Still he must risk it. He had really suggested this sunset scene for +that purpose. The field was his own choosing. Only a coward could run +now. + +He managed at last to get his lips to work. + +"Since you came, Miss Sarah--I've been seeing life at a new angle--" he +paused awkwardly. + +The red blood mounted to her cheeks. + +"You have given me new eyes--" + +[Illustration: "'You have given me new eyes'"] + +She turned her head away. There was no mistaking the tremor of his +tones. She was too honest to simper and pretend. Her heart was pounding +so loudly she wondered if he could hear. + +He fumbled nervously with his glove, glanced at her from the corner of +his eye, and his voice sank to a whisper: + +"I--I love you, Sarah!" + +She turned slowly and looked at him through dimmed eyes: + +"And I love you--" + +She paused, brushed a tear from her cheek, and with sweet reproach +quietly added: + +"Why didn't you tell me sooner? We've lost so many beautiful days that +might have been perfect--" + +He suddenly stooped and kissed her full lips. + +"We'll not lose any more--" + +"The world _is_ beautiful, isn't it, dear!" she said, nestling closer. + +"Since I see with your eyes--yes. It was only a place to fight in, +before. Now it's a fairy world, and these wild flowers that cover the +plains only grow to make a carpet for the feet of the girl I love--" + +"A fairy world--yes--" she whispered, "it's been just that to me since I +first sang the 'Fairy Bells' for you--" + +"I'll never love another song as that," he said reverently. + +"Nor I," was the low response. "My heart will beat to its music +forever--it just means you, now--" + +For a long time they sat without words, holding each other's hand. The +sun hung a glowing ball of fire on the rim of the far-away hills, and +the shadows of the valley deepened into twilight. + +"How wonderful the silence of the plains!" the lover sighed. + +"It used to oppress me." + +The man nodded. + +"And now, I hear the beat of angels' wings and know that God is near--" + +"Because we love--" and she laughed for joy. + +Again they sat in sweet, brooding silence. + +A horseman rode over the hilltop in the glow of the fading sun. From its +summit, he lifted his hand and waved a salute. They looked below, and in +the doorway of a cabin, a young mother stood, a babe in her arms +answering with hand uplifted high above her child. + +"What does it matter, dear," she whispered, "a cabin or a palace!" + + + + +IX + +WAR + + +Side by side through the still white light of the full moon they rode +home, in each heart the glow of the wonder and joy of Love's first +revelation. Words were an intrusion. The eyes of the soul were seeing +now the hidden things of life. + +The gleam of the lights at the Fort brought them sharply out of +dreamland into the world of fact. + +"You must see my father to-night, dear," she said eagerly. + +"Must I, to-night?" + +"It's best." + +"I'd rather face a hundred Red Men in war paint." + +A merry laugh was her answer as she leaned close: + +"Don't be silly, he likes you." + +"But he _loves_ you." + +"Of course, and for that reason my happiness will be his." + +"God knows, I hope so," was the doleful response. "But if I must, I +must. I'll see him." + +A quick kiss in the friendly shadows and she was gone. + +He walked alone an hour after supper, screwing up his courage to the +point of bearding the Colonel in his den. He fumbled the door-bell at +last, his heart in his throat. + +Old Rough and Ready was not inclined to help him in his embarrassment. +Never had he seen the lines of his strong jaw harder or more set than +when he grunted: + +"Sit down, sir. Don't stand there staring. I'm not on inspection." + +The perspiration started on his forehead and he moistened his dry lips. + +"I beg your pardon, Colonel. I was a little flustered. +I've--a--something--on--my mind--" + +"Out with it!" + +"I--I--I'm in love with Miss Sarah." + +"You don't say?" + +"Y-yes, sir." + +"Well, it's no news to me. The whole family have been enjoying the +affair for some time. I suppose you're asking--or think you're +asking--for my daughter's hand in marriage?" + +"That's it--yes, sir--exactly." + +"I guessed as much. I'm glad to tell you, young man, that I've always +had the kindliest feelings for you personally--" + +"Thank you, sir--" + +"And the warmest admiration for your talents as an officer. You're a +good soldier. You have brains. You have executive ability. You're a +leader of men. You'll go far in your profession--" + +"Thank you, sir--" + +"And that's why I don't like you as a son-in-law." + +"W--Wha--" + +"I love my daughter, and I want her to be happy in a real home with a +real husband and children by her side. A soldier's life is a dog's life. +I've pitied the poor girl who gave up her home for me. Many a bitter +tear has she shed over my absence, in torturing dread of the next letter +from the frontier--" + +He paused and sprang to his feet: + +"A hundred times I've sworn no daughter of mine should ever marry a +soldier! The better the soldier, the more reason she should not marry +him--" + +"But, sir--" + +"There's no 'but' about it!" the Colonel thundered. "You're asking me to +let you murder my girl, that's all--but it's life. I'll have to give my +consent and wish you good luck, long life, and all the happiness you can +get out of a soldier's lot." + +The Colonel extended his hand and the Lieutenant grasped it with +grateful eagerness. + +The days that followed were red lettered in the calendar of life. + +And then it came--a crash of thunder out of the clear sky--the thing he +had somehow felt and dreaded. + +A petty court-martial was called to adjust a question of army +discipline. The court was composed of Z. Taylor, Colonel Commanding, +Major Thomas F. Smith, a fiery-tempered gay officer of the old army, +Lieutenant Jefferson Davis, and the new Second Lieutenant who had just +arrived from the Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis. + +The army regulations required that each officer sitting in court-martial +should be in full uniform. The new arrival from St. Louis had come +without his uniform. His trunk had miscarried and was returned to the +Jefferson Barracks. + +He rose with embarrassment: + +"I must beg the pardon of the Court, Colonel," he began cautiously, "for +not appearing in my uniform. As it is in St. Louis I respectfully ask to +be excused to-day from wearing it." + +The old Colonel scowled. It was just like a young fool to wish to sit in +solemn judgment on a fellow officer--in his shirt sleeves. If he had +asked to be excused from serving on the Court--yes--he could accept his +excuse and let him go. But this insolence was unbearable. The Colonel +glanced over the Court before putting the question to a vote. Smith was +his enemy. Whichever way he voted as President, the Major could be +depended on to go against his decision. There was a feud between those +two hot-tempered fire-eaters which had lasted for years. He glanced at +his future son-in-law with a smile of assured victory. Tom Smith would +vote against him, but the trembling youngster who had quailed before him +that night asking for his daughter's hand was practically in the family. +He smiled at the certainty of downing Smith once more. + +In a voice, whose tones left nothing to the imagination of the +presumptuous Second Lieutenant, the Colonel growled: + +"Gentlemen, we are asked to allow an officer to sit in the formal +judgment of a court-martial without uniform--I put the question to a +vote and cast mine. No!" + +"I vote yes!" shouted the Major. + +The Colonel did not condescend to look his way. He knew what that vote +was before he heard it. He bent his piercing eyes on his future +son-in-law: + +"Lieutenant Davis?" + +There was just a moment's hesitation. The Lieutenant smiled at his +embarrassed young fellow officer and mildly answered: + +"I think, Colonel, in view of the distance to St. Louis, we may excuse +the young man for the first offense--I vote--yes." + +The old Colonel stared at him in speechless amazement. Smith grinned. + +The Colonel's face grew purple with rage. He was just able to gasp his +words during the progress of the trial. It was brief, and when it ended +and the rest had gone, he faced the Lieutenant with blazing eyes: + +"How dare you, sir, vote with that damned fool against me?" + +"Why, I never thought to hurt you, Colonel--" + +"No? And what _did_ you think?" + +"I only thought of relieving the evident embarrassment of a young +officer--" + +"You did, eh?--no thought of me or my feelings, of my wishes. You're a +hell of a son-in-law, you are--" + +He paused for breath and choked with rage no words could express. When +at last his tongue found speech, he swore in oaths more expressive and +profound than modern man has ever dreamed. He damned the Court. He +damned Tom Smith. He damned the Second Lieutenant. He damned the +regiment. He damned the Government that created it. He damned the +Indians that called it to the plains. He damned the world and all in it, +and all things under it. But, particularly and specifically, he damned +the young ass who dared to flaunt his feelings and opinions after +smiling in his face at his house, for days and weeks and months. + +Finally, facing the blushing Lieutenant, his eyes flashing indignant +scorn, he shouted: + +"No man who votes with a damned fool like Tom Smith, can marry my +daughter!" + +"Colonel, I protest," pleaded the heartsick lover. + +"I forbid you to ever put your foot inside my quarters again!" + +"Colonel--" + +"Silence, sir! I forbid you to ever speak to my daughter again!" + +"But, Colonel--" + +"I repudiate you and all yours. I wipe you from the map. You don't +exist. I don't know you. I never knew you. Get out of my sight!" + +The tall, slender form slowly straightened and a look of cold pride +shot from the depths of his blue eyes. Without a word he turned and +left. + + + + +X + +ROMANCE + + +Black Hawk was leading his red warriors in a great uprising. A wave of +fierce excitement swept the frontier. There was stern work now for men +to do and women must wait alone. + +The regiment marched to the front. The Colonel as a man was freezingly +formal with the Lieutenant. As an officer, he knew his worth and relied +on it in every emergency. The State of Illinois had raised two companies +of raw recruits to join in subduing the Indians. The Colonel sent his +most efficient subordinate to swear in the new soldiers. On the morning +of the muster, there appeared before the tall Lieutenant, a man full +three inches taller, and famous in his county as the gawkiest, +slab-sidest, homeliest, best-natured fellow in the State. He was dressed +in a suit of blue jeans. + +In slow, pleasing drawl, he announced: + +"I am the Captain, of this company--" + +And he waved his long arm toward the crowd of his countrymen on the +right. + +Lieutenant Jefferson Davis promptly administered to Abraham Lincoln his +first oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States. + +Two men destined to immortal fame had met and passed with scarcely a +glance at each other. The young army officer was too much of a gentleman +to mark the ill-fitting blue jeans of the awkward captain of militia. +Great events, after all, make men great. Only the eye of God could +foresee the coming tragedy in which these two would play their mighty +rôles. + +At the end of the brief struggle on the frontier, Black Hawk's people +were scattered to the four winds and the brave old warrior, with a +handful of his men, sought Colonel Taylor's command to surrender. + +Again, the Colonel sent his most accomplished officer, the Lieutenant +whom he had forbidden to enter his house,--to treat with the fallen +Chief. + +The Lieutenant received with kindly words the broken-hearted warrior, +his two sons and sixty braves, and conducted them at once as prisoners +of war to the barracks at St. Louis. + +The cholera was raging at Rock Island, and on the boat two of the Indian +prisoners were seized with the fatal disease. The Lieutenant, at the +risk of his life, personally ministered to their needs. The two stricken +men made known to the commander in broken words and signs that they had +sworn an oath of eternal friendship. In pleading tones the stronger +said: + +"We beg the good Chief to put us ashore that hand in hand we may go to +the happy hunting grounds together." + +Near the first little settlement their prayer was granted. + +The young officer turned to his boat with a sigh as he saw the red +warriors slip their arms about each other and slowly sink to the ground +to die alone and unattended. + +Old Black Hawk sat in silent, stolid indifference to his fate until the +curious settlers began to crowd on the boat and stare at his misery. + +The Lieutenant interfered with sharp decision. + +"Push those men back, Corporal!" he ordered angrily. + +The crowd was roughly pushed back and the Lieutenant took Black Hawk +kindly by the arm and led him into a reserved apartment where he was +free from vulgar eyes. + +The old man's lips tightened. He gazed at the officer steadily and spoke +in measured tones: + +"The young war Chief treats me with much kindness. He is good and brave. +He puts himself in my place and sees all that I suffer. With him I am +much pleased." + +The Lieutenant bowed and left him under the protection of the guard. +Courtesy to a fallen foe in the old days was the first obligation of an +officer and a gentleman. + +In the autumn, Colonel Taylor again sent his Lieutenant on a distant +duty--this time one of peculiar danger. He was ordered to Louisville and +Lexington on recruiting service. And the cholera was known to be +epidemic but a few miles from Lexington. + +The good-by scene that night at the lovers' trysting place, the little +tent reception-room of the McCreas', was long and tender and solemn. + +"Oh, I feel dreadful about this trip, dear," his sweetheart kept +repeating with pitiful despair that refused to be comforted. + +"You must be brave, my own," he answered with a frown. "A soldier's +business is to die. I am a soldier. I go where duty calls--" + +"To battle--yes--but this black pestilence that comes in the night--I'm +afraid--I just can't help it--I'm afraid. I've always had a horror of +such things. I've a presentiment that you'll die that way--" + +"Presentiments and dreams go by opposites. I'll live to a ripe old +age--" + +She looked up into his face with a tender smile: + +"You think so?" + +"Yes, why not?" + +"Well--I've something to tell you--" + +She paused and the man bent low. + +"What?" + +"I've made a vow to God--" the voice stopped with a sob--"that if He +will only send you safely back to me this time--I'll wait no longer on +my father's whim--I am yours--" + +The lover clasped her trembling form to his heart. + +"Good-by, dearest," he said at last. "I wish to go with that promise +ringing in my soul." + +Ten days after he reached Lexington, the cholera broke out, and hundreds +fled. He stood by his men, watched their diet, nursed the sick, and +buried the dead. He helped the carpenter make the coffins and reverently +bore the victims to their graves. No fear was in his soul. Love was +chanting the anthem of Life. + +A strange new light was burning in the eyes of the woman he loved on the +day he returned in safety. + +She seized his hand and spoke with decision: + +"Come with me." + +Her father was standing at the gate. She faced him, holding defiantly +the hand of her lover. + +The old man saw and understood. His jaw was set with sullen +determination and his face hardened. + +"We have waited two long years," she began softly. "We have been patient +and hopeful, but you have given no sign. My lover's character is beyond +reproach, and I am proud of him. I am sorry to cross you, Father, but +I've made up my mind, I am going to marry him now." + +The Colonel turned in silence and slowly walked into the house. + +Captain McCrea engaged a stateroom for her on the boat for Louisville. +The lovers planned to meet at her aunt's, the Colonel's oldest sister. +The tearful good-bys had been said to Mother and sisters and brother. + +The Colonel had not spoken, but he had business on the boat before she +cast her lines from the shore. + +The daughter drew him into her stateroom and slipped her arms around his +neck. Few words were spoken and they were broken. + +"Please, Father--please?--I love you--please--" + +"No." + +"I'm no longer a child. I'm a woman. You're a real man and you know I +could have no respect for myself if I should yield my life's happiness +to a whim--" + +The old Colonel stroked her shoulder: + +"I understand. You're a chip off the old block. You're just as stubborn +as I am. And--I--won't--eat--my--words." + +With firm hand, he drew away and hurried from the boat. + +The Taylor clan of Kentucky gathered for the wedding in force. The +romance appealed to their fancy. They loved their high-spirited, +self-poised little kinswoman and they liked the tall, modest, young +officer she had chosen for her husband. The stern old Colonel was not +there, but his brother and his three sisters and all their tribe made +merry at the wedding feast. + +On the deck of the lazy river steamer, the bride and groom slowly +drifted down the moonlit shimmering way to the fields of Mississippi. + +The bride nestled close to her lover's side in the long sweet silences +too deep for words. + +He took her hand in his at last, and said tenderly: + +"I've something very important to tell you now, my dear--" + +"I'm not afraid--" + +"You trust me implicitly?" + +"Perfectly--" + +"You have given up all for me," he went on evenly, "I'll show your +father what I can do for you--" + +"You love me--it's enough." + +"No. I have resigned my commission in the army. I have given up my +career. We'll live only for each other now and build our nest in the far +sunny South beyond the frost line." + +A little smothered cry was her answer. And then her head slowly sank +with a sob on his breast. + + + + +XI + +THE FAIRY BELLS + + +They built their home on the banks of the great river where the tide +sweeps in graceful curve, all but completing the circle of an enchanted +isle. + +From the little flower-veiled porch through festoons of lacing boughs +gleamed the waters of the huge curved mirror held by Nature's hand. The +music from the decks of the steamers floated up on the soft air until +music and perfume of flowers seemed one. + +In the cool of the morning, on swift, high-bred horses, they rode side +by side along the river's towering bluff and laughed in sheer joy at +their foolish happiness. In the waning afternoon, hand in hand, they +walked the sunlit fields and paused at dusk to hear the songs of slaves. +The happiness of lovers is contagious. It sets the hearts of slaves to +singing. + +In the white solemn splendor of the Southern moon they strolled through +enchanted paths of scented roses. On the rustic seat beneath a magnolia +in full second bloom they listened to the song of a mocking-bird whose +mate had built her nest in the rose trellis beside their door. They +could count the beat of his bird heart night after night as he sang the +glory of his love and the beauty of his coming brood of young. + +"You are happy, dearest?" the lover sighed. + +"In heaven,--I am with you." + +"And it shall be forever." + +"Forever!" + +"The old life of blood and strife--it seems an ugly dream." + +"Except for the sweet days when you were near." + +"This only is life, my own, to hold your hand, and walk the way +together, to build, not to destroy, to make flowers bloom, birds and +slaves sing, to create, not kill--production is communion with God. We +live now in His peace that passeth understanding!" + +A long silence followed. An owl in a distant tree top gave a shrill +plaintive cry. The bride nestled closer and he felt her shiver. + +"You are chill, dearest?" he murmured. + +"Just a little." + +"We're forgetting the late August night winds--" + +"No--no--it's nothing--I'm just a wee bit afraid of an owl, that's all." + +A dark figure slowly approached and stood with uncovered head. + +"What is it, James?" the master asked. + +"It's too late, sir, for you and the mistis to be out in dis air--it's +chill an' fever time--" + +"Thank you, James--we'll go in at once." + +When the faithful footfall had died away, the lover lifted his bride in +his arms and carried her in, while she softly laughed and clung to his +strong young shoulders. + +It came with swift, sure tread, the silent white figure of the +Pestilence that walks in Tropic Splendor. + +The lover laughed the doctor's fears to scorn and the old man was brave +and cheerful in the presence of youth and happiness. + +James Pemberton followed him to the gate and held his horse's bridle +with a tremor in his black hand. + +"You don't think, doctor--" he paused, afraid to say the thing--"you +don't think my young mistis gwine ter die?" + +"She's very ill, Jim--it's an even fight for life." + +"Ef she do--hit'll kill my young marster--" + +"Soldiers can't die that way--no--" + +"Yassah--but dey ain't been married but three months, sah, an' he des +worship de very groun' her little foot walks on--she des can't die--she +too young an' putty, sah--hit des natchally can't be--" + +The doctor's gray head slowly moved as if in remembrance of tragic +scenes. + +"Death loves a shining mark sometimes!" + +He turned to the slave in tones of warning: + +"Watch your master closely--" + +"My _marster_--sah!" + +"He'll go down next--" + +"Yassah--yassah!" + +Two days later, the strong man collapsed with a crash that took even the +experienced old doctor by surprise. An iron will had bent over the +bedside of his bride and fought with grim defiance the battle with +unseen foe until the last ounce of strength had gone. + +In his delirium they moved him to another room and he awoke to find +himself in a prison cell on a desert island a thousand miles from the +mate he adored. + +He watched his jailers and at last his hour came. The tired guard beside +his prison pallet slept. With fevered stealth he rose and with the +strength of a giant, bent the bars of his cage and crawled and fought +his way over hill and valley, rocks and mountains, back to the bedside +of his beloved. + +He paused in rapture at the door. She was sitting up in bed, the pillows +propped behind her back, singing their favorite song--"Fairy Bells." How +soft and weirdly sweet her voice--its notes so far away and +plaintive--never had she sung so divinely! + +He held his breath lest a word or quiver of its melody should be lost. +And then he slipped his strong arms about her and looked into her eyes +shining with unearthly beauty. + +"You have come at last, my own!" she sighed. "I knew the Bells would +call you--" + +"Yes--dearest--and I'll never leave you again--they took me away a +wounded prisoner of war--but I broke the bars and came when I heard you +call--" + +"Look," she whispered, pointing with the slender blue-veined finger, +"there she is, in the doorway again with her baby in her arms, waving at +sunset to her lover on the hill?--what does it matter, a cabin or a +palace!" + +The shining eyes grew dim, the figure drooped, and a wild piteous cry +came from the lover's fevered lips: + +"Lord God of Love and Pity--she's dying!--Help--Help--Help!" + +His faithful servant, worn with watching day and night, heard the cry, +rushed to his side and caught his fainting form, as the light of the +world faded. + + + + +XII + +TRUTH + + +They nursed him slowly back into life again, the loving heart of the +older brother guiding the arm of his faithful slave. + +He refused to live at first. + +"It's no use, Joe," he cried with bitter despair. "Life isn't worth the +struggle any more. I'm tired, I just want to rest--by her side--that's +all." + +"I know, Boy, how you feel. But you must live. Duty calls. Great events +are stirring the world. You've a man's part to play--" + +"I won't play it. I'm done with ambition. I'm done with strife. The +game's not worth the candle. I've lived the only life worth living, and +it's finished." + +Little by little, each day, the brother slowly rebuilt in the stricken +soul the will to live. Before he was able to walk, he lifted the frail +form in his arms, carried him into his big library, and seated him in an +arm-chair before a fire of glowing logs. + +With a sweep of his arm about the room toward the crowded shelves he +began in earnest tones: + +"You're going to live with me now, Boy. We love each other with the love +of strong men. I need your help and companionship in my study. You had +the advantage of a college career--I didn't. We'll master here these +records of the world's life. We'll seek wisdom in the history and +experience of man. What do you know of the treasures buried in those big +volumes? Our young men go to school and plunge into life with a mere +smattering. Do you know the history of your own country, how it was +discovered, how its colonies grew, how its battles were fought against +overwhelming and impossible odds? How its great Constitution grew in the +hands of inspired leaders, who builded better than they knew a chart for +the guidance of man. Do you know the history of the mind of man? Do you +know the story of those ragged bleeding feet--of the great thinkers of +the ages who have found the path of truth through blood and tears and +then walked its way to the stake, to the block and the gallows? Come +with me into the big world of the past--read, study, think, and gird +yourself with power! We're just entering on the struggle that means life +or death to our Republic. I believe as I believe in God, that we have +set a beacon light on the shores of the world that will guide the human +race to its mightiest achievements--unless we fail to keep its lantern +trimmed and bright. + +"The poison of indolence is in our blood--the tendency to centralized +tyranny. We are but a few years removed from its curse. As we grow in +years, the temptation to make Washington the gilded Capital of an Empire +becomes more and more apparent. Unless we control this tendency to lapse +into the past, we are lost and the story of our fallen Republic will be +but one more added to the failures of history. Unless we can preserve +the sovereignty of our States, the Union will become an Empire, not a +Republic of republics. It's a difficult thing for men to govern +themselves, though they can do it better than anyone else has ever done +it for them. We are making this wonderful experiment here in the new +world. The fate of unborn millions hangs on its success. You're done +with self and self-seeking. Ambition is a dream that is passed. Good! +Lay your life in unselfish sacrifice on the altar of your country. Only +the man who has given up ambition is fit for great leadership. He alone +dares to seek and know and speak the Truth!" + +The tired spirit rose with a new view of human life, its aim and +purpose. For eight years he buried himself in the library on his +brother's estate. Through the long winter nights the two brilliant minds +fought over in friendly contests the battles of the ages until the +passion for Truth grew into the one purpose of a great soul. + +When the first rumblings of the storm that was to shake a continent +broke over the Republic, he stepped forth to take his place in the world +of action--the best equipped, most thoroughly trained, most perfectly +poised man who had ever entered the arena of American politics. + +His rise was brilliant and unprecedented. In his first contest he met +the foremost orator of the age, Sergeant Prentiss, and vanquished him on +his own ground. In two years he took his seat in Congress, the favorite +son of Mississippi. + +He had scarcely begun his career, as a lawmaker, when war was declared +against Mexico. He resigned his high office, raised a regiment and once +more found himself a soldier under the orders of stern old Zachary +Taylor. + +On his first battle field at the head of his Mississippi regiment, he +planted the flag of the Republic on the Grand Plaza of Monterey. And in +the supreme crisis of the battle of Buena Vista, with the blood +streaming from his wounds, he led his men in a charge against +overwhelming odds, turned the tide from defeat to victory and gave the +Presidency to the man who had denied to him his daughter's hand. + +He hobbled back on crutches to his brother's home in Mississippi amid +the shouts and frenzied acclaim of a proud and grateful people. Within +three years from the day he entered public life, he took his seat in the +Senate Chamber of the United States beside Clay, Calhoun and Webster, +the peer of any man within its walls, and with the conscious power of +Knowledge and Truth, girded himself for the coming struggle of giants. + + + + +The Story + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CURTAIN RISES + + +"For the Lord's sake, Jennie--" + +Dick Welford paused at the bottom of a range of steps which wound up the +capitol hill from Pennsylvania Avenue. + +The girl standing at the top stamped her foot imperiously. + +"Hurry--hurry!" + +"I won't--" + +"Then I'll leave you!" + +The boy laughed. + +"You don't dare. It's barely sunup--still dark in spots--the boogers'll +get you--" + +With a grin he deliberately sat down. + +"Dick Welford, you're the laziest white man I ever saw in my life--We +won't get a seat, I tell you--" + +"We can stand up." + +"We won't even get our noses in the door--" + +"You don't think these old Senators get up at daylight, do you?" + +"They didn't go to bed last night--" + +"I'll bet they didn't!" Dick laughed. + +"I know one that didn't anyhow--" + +"Who?" + +"Senator Davis." + +"How do you know?" + +"Spent the night there. Father stayed so late, Mrs. Davis put me to bed. +Regular procession all night long! And among his visitors the Blackest +Republican of them all--" + +"Old Abe run over from Illinois to say good-by?" + +"No, but his right hand man Seward did--" + +"Sly old snuff-dipping hypocrite--" + +"Anyhow, he's the brains of his party." + +"And he called on Jeff Davis last night?" + +"Not the first time either. Mrs. Davis told me that when the Senator was +so ill with neuralgia and came near losing his sight, Seward came every +day, sat in the darkened room and talked for hours to his enemy--" + +"That's because he's a Black Republican. Their ways are dark. They like +rooms with the shades pulled down--" + +"Anyhow he likes Mr. Davis." + +"Well, it's good-by to the old Union--how many Senators are going +to-day?" + +"Yulee and Mallory from Florida, Clay and Fitzpatrick from Alabama and +Senator Davis--" + +"All in a day?" + +"Yes--" + +"Jennie, they'll talk their heads off. It'll be three o'clock before the +first one finishes. We'll die. Let's go to Mt. Vernon--" + +"Dick Welford, I'm ashamed of you. You've no patriotism at all--" + +"And I just proposed a pilgrimage to the home of George Washington!" + +"You don't care what happens in the Senate Chamber to-day--" + +"No--I don't." + +The boy's lazy figure slowly rose, mounted the steps, paused and looked +down into the tense eager young face. + +"You really want to know," he began slowly, "why speaking tires me now?" + +"Yes--why?" + +"Because it's a waste of breath--we're going to fight!" + +The girl flushed with excitement. + +"Who told you? What have you heard? Who said so?" + +A dreamy look in the boy's eyes deepened. + +"Nobody's told me. I just know. It's in the air. A wild duck knows when +to go north. A bluebird knows when to move south. It's in the air. +That's the way I know--" his voice dropped. "Let's go to Mt. Vernon and +spend the day, Jennie--" + +The girl looked up sharply. The low persuasive tones were unmistakable. + +The faintest flush mantled her cheeks. + +"No--I wouldn't miss those speeches for anything. You promised to take +me to the Senate gallery. Come on." + +With a quick bound the boy scaled the next flight of steps and looked +down at her laughing: + +"All right, why don't _you_ come on!" + +With a frown she sprang up the stone stairs and he caught her step with +a sudden military salute. They walked in silence for a few minutes. + +"What's the matter with you to-day, Dick Welford?" + +"Why, Miss Jennie Barton?" + +"I never saw you quite so foolish." + +"Maybe it's because I never saw you quite so pretty--" + +The little figure stiffened with dignity. + +"That will do now, sir--" + +"Yessum!" + +She threw him a look of quiet scorn as they picked their way through the +piles of building material for the unfinished dome of the Capitol and +mounted the steps. + +Barely half past seven o'clock and the crowds were pouring into the +Senate Chamber, its cloak rooms and galleries. Within thirty minutes +after they had found seats opposite the diplomatic gallery every inch of +space in the great hall was jammed and packed. + +Southern women and their escorts outnumbered the others five to one. The +Southern wing of official Washington was out in force. + +The tense electric atmosphere was oppressive. + +The men and women whose eager anxious faces looked down on the circular +rows of senatorial chairs and desks were painfully conscious that they +were witnessing the final scene of a great historical era. + +What the future might hold God alone could know. Their fathers had +dreamed a beautiful dream--"_E Pluribus Unum_"--one out of many. The +Union had yet to be realized as an historical fact. The discordant +elements out of which our Constitution had been strangely wrought had +fought their way at last into two irreconcilable hostile sections, the +very structure of whose civilization rested on antagonistic conceptions +of life and government. + +The Northern Senators were in their seats with grave faces long before +the last straggling Southerner picked his way into the Chamber bowing +and smiling and apologizing to the ladies on whose richly embroidered +dresses he must step or give up the journey. + +For weeks the pretense of polite formalities between parties had been +unconsciously dropped. Men no longer bowed and smirked and passed the +time of day with shallow words. + +With heads erect, they glanced at each other and passed on. And if they +spoke, it was with taunt, insult and challenge. + +Jennie's keen eyes rested on two vacant chairs on the floor of the +Senate--every seat was crowded save these two. + +She pressed Dick's arm. + +"See--the vacant seats of South Carolina!" + +"They're not vacant," the boy drawled. + +"They are--look--" + +"I see a white figure in each--" + +"Nonsense!" + +"We're going to have war, I tell you! Death sits in those chairs to-day, +Jennie--" + +"Sh--don't talk like that--" + +The boy laughed. + +"I'm not afraid, you know--just a sort of second sight--maybe it means +I'll be killed--" + + * * * * * + +South Carolina had felt no forebodings on the day her Convention had +recalled those Senators. Kiett the eloquent leader of the Convention +sprang to his feet, his face flaming with passion that was half delirium +as he shouted: + +"This day is the culmination of long years of bitterness, of suffering +and of struggle. We are performing a great deed, which holds in its +magic not only the stirring present, it embraces the ages yet to come. I +am content with what has been done to-day. I shall be content with it +to-morrow. We have lowered the body of the old Union to its last resting +place. We drop the flag over its grave." + +When the vote was announced, without a single dissenting voice, the +crowd rose to their feet with a shout of applause which shook the +building to its foundations. It died away at last only to rise again +with redoubled fury. + +Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida had followed in rapid +succession, Louisiana's Convention was to meet on the twenty-sixth, +Texas on February first. On this the twenty-first day of January the +Senators from Florida, Mississippi and Alabama had announced their +farewell addresses to the Old Union. + +The girl's eyes swept the crowded tiers of the galleries packed with +beautifully gowned Southern women. Every glove, fan, handkerchief, +bonnet or dress--every dainty stocking and filmy piece of lingerie had +been imported direct from the fashion centers of Europe. Gowns of +priceless lace and velvets had been woven to order in the looms of +Genoa, Venice and Brussels. + +The South was rich. + +And yet not one of her representatives held his office in Washington +because of his money. Her ruling classes were without exception an +aristocracy of brains--yet they were distinctly an aristocracy. + +The election of Abraham Lincoln was more than a threat to confiscate +three thousand millions of dollars which the South had invested in +slaves. The homely rail splitter from the West was the prophecy of a new +social order which threatened the foundations of the modern world. He +himself was all unconscious of this fact. And yet this big reality was +the secret of the electric tension which strangled men into silence and +threw over the scene the sense of ominous foreboding. + +The debates in Congress during the tempestuous session had been utterly +insincere and without meaning. The real leaders knew that the time for +discussion had passed. Two absolutely irreconcilable moral principles +had clashed and the Republic was squarely and hopelessly broken into two +vast sectional divisions on the issue. + +Beyond the fierce and uncompromising hatred of Slavery which had grown +into a consuming passion throughout the North and had resulted in the +election of Lincoln as a purely sectional candidate--behind and +underneath this apparent moral rage lay a bigger and far more elemental +fact--the growing consciousness of the laboring man that the earth and +the fullness thereof were his. + +And bigger than the fear of the confiscation of their property and the +destruction of the Constitution their fathers had created loomed before +the Southern mind the Specter of a new democracy at the touch of whose +fetid breath the soul of culture and refinement they believed must die. +In the vulgar ranks of this democracy must march sooner or later four +million negroes but yesterday from the jungles of Africa. + +This greater issue was felt but dimly by the leaders on either side but +it was realized with sufficient clearness to make compromise impossible. + +In vain did the aged and the feeble plead once more for compromise. Real +men no longer wished it. + +The day of reckoning had come. The seeds of this tragedy were planted in +the foundation structure of the Republic. + +The Union of our fathers, for all the high sounding phrases of its +Declaration of Independence was not a democracy. It was from the +beginning an aristocratic republic founded squarely on African Slavery. +And the degraded position assigned to the man who labored with his hands +was recognized in our organic law. + +The Constitution itself was the work of a rich and powerful group of +leaders in each State, and its provisions were a compromise of +conflicting sectional property interests. + +The world had moved from 1789 to 1861. + +The North was unconsciously lifting the banner of a mighty revolution. +The South was clinging with the desperation of despair to the faith of +its fathers. + +The North was the world of steam and electricity, of new ideas, of +progress. The South still believed in the divine inspiration of the men +who founded the Republic. They must believe in it, for their racial life +depended on it. Four million negroes could not be loosed among five +million Southern white people and two such races live side by side under +the principles of a pure democracy. Had this issue been put to them in +the beginning not one Southern State would have entered the Union. + +The Northern workingman, with steam and electricity bringing North and +South into closer and closer touch, answered this cry of fear from the +South with the ultimatum of democracy: + +"This Nation can not endure half slave and half free!" + +Back of all the mouthings of demagogues and the billingsgate of +sectionalists lay this elemental fact--a democracy against a republic. + +Nor could the sword of the Sections settle such an issue. The sectional +sword could only settle an issue which grew out of it--whether a group +of States holding a common interest in this conflict of principles could +combine for their own peace and safety, leave the old Union, form a new +one and settle it in their own way. + +The North said no--the South said yes. This conviction bigger than party +platforms was the brooding terror which brought the sense of tragedy to +young and old, the learned and the unlearned--that made young men see +visions and maids dream of mighty deeds. + + * * * * * + +The Southern boy's eyes had again rested on the vacant chairs of the +Senators from South Carolina with a set look in their depths. + +The crowd turned with sudden stir to the door of the Senate Chamber. + +"Look," Jennie cried, "that's Mrs. Clem Clay of Alabama--how pale and +beautiful she is! The Senator's going to make the speech of his life +to-day. She's scared--Ah, that dress, that dress--isn't it a dream? Did +you ever see such a piece of velvet--and--do look at that dear little +gold hand holding the skirt up just high enough to see the exquisite +lace on her petticoat--" + +"Where's the golden hand--I don't see it?" Dick broke in skeptically. + +"Don't you see the chain hanging from her waist?" + +"Yes, I see that." + +"Follow it with your eye and you'll see the hand. The Bayard sisters +introduced them from Paris, you know." + +The boy had ceased to listen to Jennie's chatter. His eye had suddenly +rested on a group of three men seated in the diplomatic gallery--one +evidently of high official position by the deference paid him. The man +on the left of the official was young, handsome, slender, and pulled the +corners of his mustache with a slow lazy touch of his graceful hand. His +eyes were fixed on Jennie with a steady gaze. The Minister from +Sardinia, of the Court of Victor Emmanuel, sat on the right, bowing and +gesticulating with an enthusiasm out of all proportion to the importance +of the conversation. + +Behind this group sat a fourth man who leaned forward occasionally and +whispered to the official. His face was in shadow and the only thing +Dick could see was the thick dark brown beard which covered his regular +features and a pair of piercing black eyes. + +"For heaven's sake, Jennie," the boy cried at last, "who is that villain +in the Diplomatic gallery?" + +"Where?" + +"In the corner there on the right." + +"Oh, that's the Sardinian Minister--King Victor Emmanuel's new drummer +of trade for Genoa. He's getting ahead of the French, too." + +"No--no, I don't mean that little rat. I mean the big fellow with the +heavy jaw and a face like a rattlesnake. He's trying to charm you too." + +Jennie laughed. + +"Silly! That's the new Secretary of War, Joseph Holt." + +"A scoundrel, if God ever made one--" + +"Because he looks at me?" + +"No--that shows his good taste. It's the way he looks at you and moves +his crooked mouth and the way he bends his big flat head forward." + +"Rubbish--he's a loyal Southerner--and if we have to fight he'll be with +us." + +"Yes--he--_will_!" + +"Of course, he will. He's careful now. He's in old Buck's cabinet. Wait +and see. He called on Mr. Davis last night." + +"That's nothing--so did old Seward--" + +"Different--Seward's a Black Republican from New York--Holt's a Southern +Democrat from Mississippi." + +"And who's the young knight by his side with the dear little mustache to +which he seems so attached?" + +Jennie looked in silence for a moment. + +"I never saw him before. He's handsome, isn't he?" + +"Looks to me like a young black snake just shed his skin waiting for +that old adder to show him how to strike." + +"Dick--" + +"God save the Queen! They're coming here--they're coming for you--" + +The Secretary of War had nodded in recognition of Jennie, risen +suddenly, and moved toward the gallery exit with his slender companion. + +"Nonsense, Dick--he only bowed because he saw me staring--" + +"He's bringing that mustache to meet you--" + +The boy turned with a scowl toward the door of their gallery and saw the +Secretary of War slowly making his way through the crowd to their seats. + +"I told you so--" + +Jennie blushed and smiled in friendly response to the Secretary's +awkward effort at Southern politeness. + +"Miss Barton, may I ask a little favor of you?" + +"Certainly, Mr. Holt. Allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Welford of +Virginia." + +The Secretary bowed stiffly and Dick nodded his head with indifference. + +"The Italian Minister with whom I've just been talking wishes the honor +of an introduction for his Secretary. Miss Jennie, will you meet him?" + +"Certainly--" + +"He's looking forward to the possible new Empire of the South," Holt +whispered, "and proposes at an early day to forestall the French--" + +Dick threw him a look of scorn as he returned to the door and rose with +a scowl. + +"I'll go out and get fresh air." + +"Don't go--" + +"I can't breathe in here. Two's company and three's a crowd." + +She seized his arm: + +"Please sit down, Dick." + +"I'll be back directly--" + +In spite of her protest he bounded up the steps of the gallery, turned +sharply to the right, avoided the intruders and disappeared in the +crowd. + +The Secretary of War bowed again: + +"Miss Barton, permit me to introduce to you Signor Henrico Socola, +Secretary to His Excellency, the Minister of Sardinia." + +The slender figure bent low with an easy grace. + +"Pleased to meet you, Signor Socola," Jennie responded, lifting the +heavy lashes from her lustrous brown eyes with the slightest challenge +to his. + +"The pleasure is all mine, Mad'moiselle," he gravely replied. + +"You'll excuse me now if I hurry on?" the Secretary said, again bowing +and disappearing in the crowd. + +"Mr. Holt tells me, Miss Barton, that you know every Senator on the +floor." + +"Yes. My father has been in Congress and the Senate for twenty years." + +"You'll explain the drama to me to-day when the curtain rises?" + +"If I can." + +"I'll be so much obliged--" he paused and the even white teeth smiled +pleasantly. "I'm pretty well up on American history but confess a little +puzzled to-day. Your Southern Senators are really going to surrender +their power here without a struggle?" + +"What do you mean?" the girl asked with a slight frown. + +"That your Democratic party has still a majority in both the House and +the Senate. If the Southern members simply sit still in their places, +the incoming administration of Abraham Lincoln will be absolutely +powerless. The new President can not even call a cabinet to his side +without their consent." + +"The North has elected their President," Jennie answered with decision. +"The South scorns to stoop to the dishonor of cheating them out of it. +They've won the election. They can have it. The South will go and build +a government of her own--as we built this one--" + +"And fight twenty-three million people of the North?" + +"If forced to--yes!" + +"With the certainty of an uprising of your slaves at home?" + +Jennie laughed. + +"Our slaves would fight for us if we'd let them--" + +A curious smile twitched the lips of the Italian. + +"You speak with great confidence, Miss Barton!" + +"Yes. I know what I'm talking about." + +The keen eyes watched her from the shadows of the straight thick brows. + +"And your Senators who took a solemn oath in entering this Chamber to +support the Constitution will leave their seats in violation of that +oath?" + +The Southern girl flushed, turned with quick purpose to answer, laughed +and said with winning frankness: + +"You don't mind if I give you my father's answer in his own words? I +know them by heart--" + +"By all means." + +"An oath to support the Constitution of the United States does _not_ +bind the man who takes it to support an administration elected by a mob +whose purpose is to subvert the Constitution!" + +"Oh,--I see," was the quiet response. + +"You speak English with perfection, Signor!" Jennie said with a smile. + +"Yes, Mad'moiselle, I've spent my life in the Diplomatic service." + +He bowed gravely, lifted his head and caught the smile on the lips of +the Secretary of War standing in the shadows of the doorway of the +Diplomatic gallery. + +The stately figure of John C. Breckinridge, the Vice-President, suddenly +mounted the dais and his piercing eyes swept the assembly. He rapped for +order and the silence which followed was as the hush of death. + +"The curtain rises on our drama, Mad'moiselle," the smooth even voice +said. + +"Sh!" the girl whispered. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PARTING + + +The breathless galleries leaned forward to catch the slightest sound +from the arena below. + +One by one the Senators from the seceding Southern States rose and +renounced their allegiance to the United States in obedience to the +voice of their people. + +With each solemn exit the women of the galleries grew hysterical, waved +their perfumed handkerchiefs and shouted their approval with cries of +sympathy and admiration. + +David Yulee, Stephen K. Mallory and Benjamin Fitzpatrick had each closed +his portfolio and with slow measured tread marched down the crowded +aisle and out of the Chamber never again to enter its doors. + +All eyes were focused now on the brilliant young Senator from Alabama, +Clement C. Clay, Jr. It was understood that he had prepared an eloquent +defense of his action and would voice the passionate feeling of the +masses of the Southern people in this his last utterance in the +crumbling temple of the old Republic. + +He rose in his place, lifted his strong head with its leonine locks and +broad, high forehead, paused a moment and began his speech in the clear +steady tones of the trained orator, master of himself, his theme and his +audience. The Northern Senators met his gaze with scorn and he answered +with a look of bold defiance. + +The formal announcement of the secession of his State he made in brief +sharp sentences and plunged at once into the reasons for their solemn +act. + +"Forty-two years ago, Alabama was admitted into the Union," he declared +in ringing tones. "She entered it as she goes out, with the Republic +convulsed by the hostility of the North to her domestic institutions. +Not a decade has passed, not a year has elapsed since her birth as a +State that has not been marked by the steady and insolent growth of the +mob violence of the North which has demanded the confiscation of her +property and the destruction of the foundations of her civilization. + +"Who are the leaders of these mobs who seek thus to overthrow the +Constitution? Who are these hypocrites who claim the championship of +freedom and the moral leadership of the world? + +"The men who sold their own slaves to us because they could not use them +with profit in a northern climate; the men who built and manned every +American slave ship that ever sailed the seas; the sons of old Peter +Faneuil of Boston who built Faneuil Hall, their cradle of liberty, out +of the profits of slave ships whose trade the Southern people had +forbidden by law; the men who have flooded Congress for two generations +with petitions to dissolve the Union; the men who threatened to secede +with the addition of every foot of territory we have added to our +Republic! + +"These are the men who have denied to the manhood of the South Christian +Communion because they could not endure what they have been pleased to +style the moral leprosy of Slavery! These are the men who refuse us +permission to sojourn or even pass through the sacred precincts of a +Northern State and dare to carry our servants with us. These are the men +who deny to the South equal rights in the lands of the West bought by +Southern blood and brains and added to our inheritance against their +furious protests. These are the men who burn the sacred charters of +American Liberty in their public squares, and inscribe on their banners +the foul motto: + +"'The Constitution is an agreement with Death, a covenant with Hell.' + +"These are the men who dare to call us traitors! These are the men who +have deliberately passed laws in fourteen Northern States nullifying the +provisions of the Constitution of the Union which they have sworn to +defend and enforce--" + +The speaker paused and lifted high above his head a little morocco bound +volume. + +"Here in the presence of Almighty God--the God of our fathers, and these +witnesses, I read its solemn provisions which the laws of fourteen +Northern States have brazenly and openly defied!" + +He opened the little book and slowly read: + +"'Article 4, Section 2. + +"'_No person held to service of labor in one State, under the laws +thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of any law or +regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor--but shall +be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may +be due._'" + +He turned suddenly to the Northern Senators: + +"Your States have not only repudiated the Constitution you have sworn to +uphold, but your emissaries have invaded the peaceful South and sought +to lay it waste with fire and sword and servile insurrection. You have +murdered Southern men who have dared demand their rights on Northern +soil. You have invaded the borders of Southern States, burned their +dwellings and murdered their people. You have proclaimed John Brown, the +criminal maniac who sought to murder innocent and helpless men, women +and children in Virginia, a hero and martyr and then denounced _us_ in +your popular meetings, your religious and legislative assemblies as +habitual violators of the laws of God and the rights of humanity! You +have exerted all the moral and physical agencies that human ingenuity +can devise or a devil's malice employ to heap odium and infamy upon us +and make the very name of the South a by-word of hissing and of scorn +throughout the civilized world--" + +He paused overcome with emotion and lifted his hand to stay the burst of +applause from the galleries. + +"We have borne all this for long years and might have borne it many more +under the assurance of our Northern friends that such fanaticism does +not represent the true heart of the Northern people. But the fallacy of +these promises and the folly of our hopes have been too clearly proven +in the late election. The platform of the political party on which you +have swept every Northern State and elected a sectional President is a +foul libel upon our character and a declaration of open war on the lives +and property of the Southern people. + +"In defiance of the Constitution which protects our rights your mob has +decreed the confiscation of three thousand million dollars' worth of our +property. If we claim the protection of our common law, your mob +solemnly burns the Constitution in your public squares and denounces it +as 'an agreement with Death and covenant with Hell.' We appeal to the +Supreme Court of the Republic and when its Judges unanimously sustain +our position on every point, your mob cries: + +"'Down with the Supreme Court of the United States!' + +"You have not only insulted us as unchristian and heathen, you have +proclaimed that four million ignorant negroes but yesterday taken from +the savagery of cannibal Africa are our equals and entitled to share in +the solemn rights of American citizenship. Your declaration is an open +summons that they rise in insurrection with the knife in one hand and +the torch in the other. + +"Your mob has declared the South outlawed, branded with ignominy, +consigned to execration and ultimate destruction. Your mob has decreed +the death of Slavery and sends the new President to execute their +decree. + +"All right--kill Slavery and then what? Kill Slavery and what will you +do with its corpse? Who shall deliver us from the body of this death? We +are not leaving this Hall to fight for the Institution of African +Slavery. The grim specter of a degraded and mongrel citizenship which +lies back of your mob's programme of confiscation is the force that is +driving the Southern people out of the Union to find peace and safety. +Whatever may be the sins of Slavery in the South they are as nothing +when compared to the degradation of your life which must follow their +violent emancipation. The Southern white man is slowly lifting the +African out of barbarism into the light of Christian civilization. In +our own good time we will emancipate him and start him on a new life +beyond the boundaries of our Republic. Whatever may be the differences +of opinion in the South on the institution of slavery--there is no +difference and there has never been on one point--it was true +yesterday--it is true to-day--it will be true to-morrow--_Slavery is the +only modus viviendi by which two such races as the Negro and the Aryan +can live side by side in a free democracy with equality the law of its +life_--" + +Again a burst of tumultuous applause swept the gallery. + +"The issue is clear cut and terrible in its simplicity--the South stands +on the faith of our fathers who created this Republic. The South stands +for Constitutional freedom under the forms of established law. The +North has lifted the red flag of revolution and proclaims the +irresponsible despotism of an enthroned mob! + +"For a generation your school mistresses have been training your boys to +hate us and arming them to fight us. Make no mistake about this movement +to-day. We who go are but the servants of those who sent us. They now +recall their ambassadors, and we obey their sovereign will. Make no +mistake about it. They are not a brave and rash people, deluded by bad +men, who are attempting in an illegal way to wreck the Union. They seek +peace and safety outside driven by the Rebellion against Law and Order +within. + +"Are we more or less than men? Can we love our enemies and bless them +that curse and revile us? Are we devoid of the sensibilities, the +sentiments, the passions, the reason, and the instincts of mankind? Have +we no pride, no honor, no sense of shame, no reverence for our +ancestors, no care for posterity, no love for home, or family or +friends? Must we quail before the onion breath of an enthroned mob, +confess our baseness, discredit the fame of our sires, degrade our +children, abandon our homes, flee from our country and dishonor +ourselves--all for the sake of a Union whose Constitution you have +publicly burned and whose Supreme Court you have spit upon? + +"Shall we consent to live under an administration controlled by those +who not only deny us justice and equality and brand us as infamous, but +boldly proclaim their purpose to rob us of our property and destroy our +civilization? + +"The freemen of Alabama have proclaimed to the world they will not. In +their sovereign power they have recalled me. As their servant I go!" + +With a wave of his hand in an imperious gesture of defiance to the +silent Senators of the North, amid a scene of unparalleled passion, the +speaker turned to his seat, gathered his books and papers and strode +with quick firm step down the aisle. + +Jennie had leaped to her feet and stood clapping her hands in a frenzy +of excitement, unconscious of the existence of the strangely quiet young +man by her side. + +He rose and stood smiling into her flushed face as she gasped: + +"A wonderful speech--wasn't it?" + +"They say the South has never lacked audacity, Miss Barton. I'm +wondering if they are really going to make good such words with deeds." + +He spoke with a cold detachment that chilled and angered the impulsive +girl. A hot answer was on her lips when she remembered suddenly that he +was a foreigner. + +"Of course, Signor, you can not understand our feelings!" + +"On the other hand, I assure you, I do--I'm just wondering in a cold +intellectual way whether the oratorical temperament--the temperament of +passion, of righteous wrath of the explosive type which we have just +witnessed, will win in the trial by fire which war will bring--" + +"You doubt our courage?" she interrupted, with a slight curve of the +proud little lips. + +"Far from it--I assure you! I'm only wondering if it has the sullen, +dogged, staying qualities these stolid Northern men down there have +exhibited while they listened--" + +The girl threw him a quick surprised look and he stopped. His voice had +unconsciously taken the tones of a soliloquy. + +"I beg your pardon, Miss Barton," he said, with sudden swing to the +polite tones of society. "I'm annoying you with my foreign +speculations--" + +A sudden murmur swept the galleries and all eyes were turned on the tall +slender figure of Jefferson Davis as he slowly entered the Senate +Chamber. + +"Who is it?" Socola asked. + +"Senator Davis--you don't know him?" + +"I have never seen him before. He has been quite ill I hear." + +"Yes. He's been in bed for the past week suffering agonies from +neuralgia. He lost the sight of one of his eyes from chronic pain caused +by exposure in the service of his country in the northwest." + +"Really--I didn't know that." + +"He was compelled to remain in a darkened room for months the past year +to save the sight of his remaining eye." + +"That accounts for my not having seen him before." + +Socola followed the straight military figure with painful interest as he +slowly moved toward his seat greeting with evident weakness his +colleagues as he passed. He was astonished beyond measure at the +personality of the famous leader of the "Southern Conspirators" of whom +he had heard so much. He was the last man in all the crowd he would have +singled out for such a rôle. The face was too refined, too spiritual, +too purely intellectual for the man of revolution. His high forehead, +straight nose, thin compressed lips and pointed chin belonged to the +poet and dreamer rather than the man of action. The hollow cheek bones +and deeply furrowed mouth told of suffering so acute the sympathy of +every observer was instantly won. + +In spite of evident suffering his carriage was erect, dignified, and +graceful. The one trait which fastened the attention from the first and +held it was the remarkable intensity of expression which clothed his +thin muscular face. + +"You like him?" Jennie ventured at last. + +"I can't say, Miss Barton," was the slowly measured answer. "He is a +remarkably interesting man. I'm surprised and puzzled--" + +"Surprised and puzzled at what?" + +"Well, you see I know his history. The diplomatist makes it his business +to know the facts in the lives of the leaders of a nation to whose +Government he is accredited. Mr. Davis spent four years at West Point. +He gave seven years of his life to the service of the army in the West. +He carried your flag to victory in Mexico and hobbled home on crutches. +He was one of your greatest Secretaries of War. He sent George B. +McClellan and Robert E. Lee to the Crimea to master European warfare, +organized and developed your army, changed the model of your arms, +introduced the rifled musket and the minie ball. He explored your +Western Empire and surveyed the lines of the great continental railways +you are going to build to the Pacific Ocean. He planned and built your +system of waterworks in the city of Washington and superintends now the +extension of the Capitol building which will make it the most imposing +public structure in the world. He has never stooped to play the part of +a demagogue. He has never sought an office higher than the rôle of +Senator which fits his character and temperament. His mind has always +been busy dreaming of the imperial future of your widening Republic. His +eye has seen the vision of its extension to the Arctic on the north and +the jungles of Panama on the south. Why should such a man deliberately +come into this chamber to-day before this assembled crowd and commit +hari-kari?" + +"He's a true son of the South!" Jennie Barton proudly answered. + +"Even so, how can he do the astounding thing he proposes to carry out +to-day? His record shows that passionate devotion to the Union has been +the very breath of his life. I've memorized one of his outbursts as a +model of your English language--" + +Jennie laughed. + +"I never heard of his Union speeches, I'm sure!" + +"Strange that your people have forgotten them. Listen: 'From sire to son +has descended the love of the Union in our hearts, as in our history are +mingled the names of Concord and Camden, of Yorktown and Saratoga, of +New Orleans and Bunker Hill. Together they form a monument to the common +glory of our common country. Where is the Southern man who would wish +that monument less by one Northern name that constitutes the mass? Who, +standing on the ground made sacred by the blood of Warren, could allow +sectional feeling to curb his enthusiasm as he looks upon that obelisk +which rises a monument to freedom's and his country's triumph, and +stands a type of the time, the men and the event it commemorates; built +of material that mocks the waves of time, without niche or molding for +parasite or creeping thing to rest upon, pointing like a finger to the +sky to raise man's thoughts to high and noble deeds!'" + +Socola paused and turned his dark eyes on Jennie's upturned face. + +"How can the man who made that speech in Boston do this mad deed +to-day?" + +"Senator Clay has given the answer," was the girl's quick reply. + +"For Senator Clay, yes--the fiery, impulsive, passionate child of +emotion. But this thin hollow-cheeked student, thinker and philosopher, +who spoke the thrilling words I quote--he should belong to the order of +the Prophet and the Seer--the greatest leaders and teachers of history." + +"We believe he does, Signor!" was the quick answer. "Look--he's going +to speak--you'll hear him now." + +Jennie leaned forward, her thoughtful little chin in both hands, as a +silence so intense it was pain fell suddenly on the hushed assembly. + +The face of the Southern leader was chalk white in its pallor. His first +sentences were weak and scarcely reached beyond the circle of his +immediate hearers. His physician had forbidden him to leave his room. +The iron will had risen to perform a solemn duty. The Senators leaned +forward in their arm-chairs fearful of losing a word. + +He paused as if for breath and gazed a moment on the upturned faces with +the look of lingering tenderness which the dying cast on those upon whom +they gaze for the last time. + +His figure suddenly rose to its full height, as if the soul within had +thrust the feeble body aside to speak its message. His words, full, +clear and musical rang to the furthest listener craning his neck through +the jammed doorways of the galleries. Never was the music of the human +voice more profoundly appealing. Unshed tears were in its throbbing +tones. + +There was no straining for effect--no outburst of emotion. The +impression which reached the audience was the sense of restraint and the +consciousness of his unlimited reserve power. Back of the simple +clean-cut words which fell in musical cadence from his white lips was +the certainty that he was only speaking a small part of what he felt, +saw and knew. He neither stormed nor raved and yet he filled the hearts +of his hearers with unspeakable passion. + +He turned suddenly and bent his piercing single eye on the Northern +Senators: + +"I hope none who hear me will confound my position with the advocacy of +the right of a State to remain in the Union and disregard its +Constitutional obligations by the nullification of the law--" + +A sudden cheer swept the tense galleries. The sergeant-at-arms called +for order. The cheer rose again. The Vice-President rapped for silence +and threatened to close the galleries. The speaker lifted his hand and +commanded silence. + +"It was because of his deep attachment to the Union--his determination +to find some remedy for existing ills short of a severance of the ties +which bound South Carolina to the other States--that John C. Calhoun +advocated the doctrine of nullification which he proclaimed to be +peaceful and within the limits of State power. + +"Secession belongs to a different class of remedies. It is to be +justified upon the basis that the States are sovereign. There was a time +when none denied it. The phrase 'to execute the laws' General Jackson +applied to a State refusing to obey the law while yet a member of the +Union. You may make war on a foreign state. If it be the purpose of +gentlemen--" + +He paused and again his eagle eye swept the tiers of Northern Senators. + +"You may make war against a State which has withdrawn from the Union; +but there are no laws of the United States to be executed within the +limits of a seceded State--" + +Seward leaned forward in his seat and shook his head in grave dissent. +The speaker bent his gaze directly upon his great antagonist and spoke +with strange regretful tenderness. + +"A State finding herself in a condition in which Mississippi has judged +she is--in which her safety requires that she should provide for the +maintenance of her rights out of the Union--surrenders all the benefits +(and they are known to be many), deprives herself of all the advantages +(and they are known to be great), severs all the ties of affections (and +they are close and enduring) which have bound her to the Union; and thus +divesting herself of every benefit--taking upon herself every +burden--she claims to be exempt from any power to execute the laws of +the United States within her limits. + +"When Massachusetts was arraigned before the bar of the Senate for her +refusal to permit the execution of the laws of the United States within +her borders, my opinion was the same then as now. Her State is +sovereign. She never delegated to the Federal Government the power to +drive her by force. And when she chooses to take the last step which +separates her from the Union, it is her right to go!--" + +Another electric wave swept the crowd that burst into applause. The +speaker lifted his long arm with an impatient gesture. + +"And I would not vote one dollar nor one man to coerce her back into +unwilling submission. I would say to her--'God speed in the memory of +the kind associations which once existed between her and her sister +States.' + +"It has been a conviction of pressing necessity--a belief that we are to +be deprived in the Union of the rights which our fathers bequeathed +us--which has brought Mississippi to her present decision. + +"You have invoked the sacred Declaration of Independence as the basis of +an attack upon her social order. The Declaration of Independence is to +be construed by the circumstances and purposes for which it was made. It +was written by a Southern planter and slave owner. The Colonies were +declaring their independence from foreign tyranny--were asserting in the +language of Jefferson, 'that no man was born booted and spurred to ride +over the rest of mankind; that men were created equal'--meaning the men +of their American political community; that there was no divine right to +rule; that no man could inherit the right to govern; that there were no +classes by which power and place descended from father to son; but that +all stations were equally within the grasp of each member of the body +politic. These were the principles they announced. + +"They had no reference to a slave. The same document denounced George +III for the crime of attempting to stir their slaves to insurrection, as +John Brown attempted at Harper's Ferry. If their Declaration of +Independence announced that negroes were free and the equals of English +citizens how could the Prince be arraigned for daring to raise servile +insurrection among them? And how should this be named among the high +crimes of George III which caused the Colonies to sever their connection +with the Mother country? + +"If slaves were declared our equals how did it happen that in the +organic law of the Union they were given a lower caste and their +population allowed (and that only through the dominant race) a basis of +three-fifths representation in Congress? So stands the compact of Union +which binds us together. + +"We stand upon the principles on which our Government was founded!--" + +The sentence rang clear and thrilling as the peal of a trumpet. The +effect was electric. The galleries leaped to their feet, and cheered. + +Jennie turned to the silent diplomat. + +"Isn't he glorious!" + +"He stirs the hearts of men"--was the even answer. + +Around them were unmistakable evidences. Women were weeping hysterically +and men embracing one another in silence and tears. + +Again the Senator's hand was lifted high in command for silence and +again he faced Seward and his Northern colleagues with figure tense, +erect. + +"When you repudiate these principles, and when you deny to us the right +to withdraw from a Government which, thus perverted, threatens to +destroy our rights, we but tread the path of our fathers when we +proclaim our independence and take the hazard!" + +Again a cheer and shout which the Vice-President's gavel could not +quell. When the murmur at last died away the speaker's voice had dropped +to low appealing tenderness. + +"We do this, Senators, not in hostility to others, not to injure any +section of our common country, not for our own pecuniary benefit, but +from the high and solemn motive of defending and protecting the rights +we inherited, which we will transmit unshorn to our children. We seek +outside the Union that peace, with dignity and honor, which we can no +longer find within. + +"I trust I find myself a type of the general feeling of my constituents +towards yours. I am sure I feel no hostility toward you, Senators from +the North--" + +He paused and swept the Northern tiers with a look of tender appeal. + +"I am sure there is not one of you, whatever sharp discussion there may +have been between us, to whom I can not now say in the presence of my +God, I wish you well!" + +Seward turned his head from the speaker, his eyes dimmed--the scheming +diplomat and unscrupulous politician lost in the heart of the man for +the moment. + +"Such I am sure is the feeling of the people whom I represent toward +those whom you represent. I but express their desire when I say I hope +and they hope for peaceful relations with you, though we must part--" + +He paused as if to suppress emotions too deep for words while a silence, +intense and suffocating, held the crowd in a spell. The speaker's voice +dropped to still lower and softer notes of persuasive tenderness as each +rounded word of the next sentence fell slowly from the thin lips. + +"If war must come, we can only invoke the God of our fathers, who +delivered us from the power of the lion, to protect us from the ravages +of the bear, and putting our trust in Him and in our firm hearts and +strong arms we will vindicate the right as best we may--" + +No cheer greeted this solemn utterance. In the pause which followed, the +speaker deliberately gazed over the familiar faces of his Northern +opponents and continued with a suppressed intensity of feeling that +gripped his bitterest foe. + +"In the course of my service here, associated at different times with a +great variety of Senators, I see now around me some with whom I have +served long. There have been points of collision, but, whatever offense +there has been to me, I leave here. I carry with me no hostile +remembrance. For whatever offense I may have given which has not been +redressed, or for which satisfaction has not been demanded, I have, +Senators, in this solemn hour of our parting to offer you my apology--" + +The low musical voice died softly away in the silence of tears. + +A woman sobbed aloud. + +Socola bent toward his trembling companion and whispered: + +"Who is she?" + +Jennie brushed the tears from her brown eyes before replying: + +"The Senator's wife. She's heart-broken over it all--didn't sleep a +wink all night. I've been looking for her to faint every minute." + +The leader closed his portfolio. His hollow cheeks, thin lips and white +drawn face were clothed with an expression of sorrow beyond words as he +slowly turned and left the scene of his life's triumphs. + +The spell of his eloquence at last thrown off the crowd once more +dissolved into hostile lowering groups. + +Stern old Zack Chandler of Michigan collided with Jennie's father in the +cloak room, his eyes red with wrath. + +"Well, Barton," he growled, "after the damned insolence of that scene if +the North don't fight, I'll be much mistaken--" + +"You generally are, sir," Barton retorted. + +"If they don't fight, by the living God, I'll leave this country and +join another nation--the Comanche Indians preferred to this Government." + +Barton glanced at his opponent and his heavy jaw closed with a snap. + +"I trust, Senator," he said with deliberate venom, "you will not carry +out that resolution--the Comanche Indians have already suffered too much +from contact with the whites!" + +Dick Welford heard the shot and gripped the fierce old Southerner's hand +as Chandler turned on his heel and disappeared with an oath. + +"You got him that time, Senator!" + +Barton laughed with boyish glee. + +"I did, didn't I? Sometimes we can only think of our best things when +it's too late. But by Gimminy I got the old rascal this time, didn't I?" + +"You certainly plugged him--what did you think of the speeches?" + +"Clay said something! Davis is too slow. He's got no blood in his +veins. I don't like him. He'll pull us back into the Union yet if we +don't watch him. He's a reconstructionist at heart. The State of +Mississippi is dragging him out of Washington by the heels. He makes me +tired. The time for talk has passed. To your tents now, O Israel!" + +Dick hurried to the gallery and watched Socola talking in his graceful +Italian way with Jennie. He had hated this elegant foreigner the moment +he had laid eyes on him. He made up his mind to declare himself before +another sun set. + +He ignored the Italian's existence. + +"You are ready, Miss Jennie?" + +She took Dick's proffered arm in silence and bowed to Socola who watched +them go with a peculiar smile playing about his handsome mouth. + +Jennie insisted on stopping at Senator Davis' home to tell his wife of +the wonderful power with which his speech had swept the galleries. + +The house was still, the library door open. The girl paused on the +threshold in awe. The Senator's tall figure was lying prostrate across +his desk, his thin hands clasped in prayer, his face buried in his arms. +His lips were murmuring words too low to be heard until at last they +swelled in sorrowful repetition: + +"May God have us in his holy keeping and grant that before it is too +late peaceful councils may prevail!" + +The girl turned softly and left without a word. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A MIDNIGHT SESSION + + +The Secretary of War invited Socola to join him at the White House after +the Cabinet meeting which President Buchanan had called at the unusual +hour of ten at night. He had waited for more than two hours in the +anteroom and still the Cabinet was in session. Without show of +impatience he smoked cigar after cigar, flicked their ashes into the +fireplace and listened with an expression of quiet amusement to the +storm raging within while the sleet of a January blizzard rattled +against the windows with increasing fury. + +Once more the question of the little fort in the harbor of Charleston +had plunged the discordant Cabinet of the dying administration into the +convulsions of a miniature war. + +The feeble old President, overwhelmed by the gathering storm, crouched +in the corner by the fire. His emaciated figure was shrouded in a +ridiculous old dressing-gown. Mentally and physically prostrate he sat +shivering while his ministers wrangled. + +He rose at last, shambled to the Cabinet table, and leaned his trembling +hands on it for support. + +"What can I do, gentlemen--what can I do? If Anderson hadn't gone into +that fort at night, the State of South Carolina might not have +seceded--" + +Stanton shook his massive head with an expression of uncontrollable +rage. + +"Great God!" + +The President continued in feeble, pleading tones: + +"Now they tell me that unless Anderson withdraws his troops their +presence will provoke bloodshed--" + +"Let them fire on him if they dare!" shouted Stanton. + +"I cannot plunge my country into fratricidal war. My sands are nearly +run. I only ask of God that my sun may not set in a sea of blood--" + +He paused and lifted his thin hands, trembling like two withered leaves +of aspen in the winter's blast. + +"What can I do?" + +Stanton suddenly sprang from his seat and confronted the shivering old +man. + +"I'll tell you what you can _not_ do!" + +The President gasped for breath and listened helplessly. + +"You can't yield that fort to the conspirators who demand it. Dare to do +it, and I tell you, as the Attorney General of the United States, you +are guilty of high treason--and by the living God you should be hung!" + +The venerable Secretary of the Navy, Isaac Toucey, lifted his hand in +protest. Stanton merely threw him a look of scorn, and shouted into the +President's face: + +"Your act could no more be defended than Benedict Arnold's!" + +"And what say you, Holt?" the President asked, turning to his +heavy-jawed Secretary of War. + +"Send a ship to the relief of Sumter within twenty-four hours, and let +South Carolina take the consequences--" + +"Good!" Stanton cried. + +Holt's crooked mouth was drawn in grim lines, and the left-hand corner +was twisted into a still lower knot of ugly muscles. His furtive eyes +beneath their shaggy brows glanced quickly around the table to see the +effect of his patriotic stand. + +The President turned to the white-haired Secretary of the Navy: + +"And you, General Toucey?" + +The venerable statesman from Connecticut bowed gravely to his Chief and +spoke with quiet dignity. + +"I would order Anderson to return at once to Fort Moultrie--" + +Stanton smashed the table with his big fist. + +"And you know that the State of South Carolina has dismantled Fort +Moultrie?" + +Toucey answered Stanton's bluster with quiet emphasis. + +"I'm aware of that fact, sir!" + +"And it makes no difference?" + +"None whatever. Anderson left Fort Moultrie and moved into Fort Sumter +without orders--" + +A faint smile flickered about the drooping corners of Holt's mouth-- + +The speaker turned to Holt: + +"As a matter of fact, he moved into that fort against the positive +orders of your predecessor, James B. Floyd, the Secretary of War. As he +went there without orders, and against orders, he should be ordered back +forthwith--" + +"With the look of a maddened tiger Stanton flew at him. + +"And you expect to go back to Connecticut after making that statement?" + +"I do, sir--" + +"I couldn't believe it." + +"And why, pray?" + +"I asked the question in good faith, that I might know the character of +the people of Connecticut, or your estimate of them." + +The old man drew himself up with cold dignity. + +"I have served the people of my State for over forty years--their +Congressman, their Attorney General, their Governor, their Senator. I +consult no upstart of your feeble record, sir, on any question of +principle or policy!" + +Stanton quailed a moment beneath the cold scorn of his antagonist, +surprised that another man should dare to use his methods of invective. + +He lifted his hands with a gesture of contempt. + +"All I can say is, that if I should dare take that position and return +to the State of Pennsylvania, I should expect to be stoned the moment I +set foot on her soil, stoned through the State and flung into the river +at Pittsburg with a stone around my neck--" + +Toucey stared at his opponent. + +"And in my opinion they would deserve well of their country for the +performance!" + +While his Cabinet wrangled, the feeble, old man in the faded wrapper +shambled to the window and gazed with watery eyes on the swaying trees +of the White House grounds. The sleet had frozen in shining crystals and +every limb was hung in diamonds. The wind had risen to hurricane force, +howling and shrieking its requiem through the chill darkness. A huge +bough broke and fell to the ground with a crash that sent a shiver +through his distracted soul. + +He turned back to the table to hear their decision. It came with but one +dissenting voice, Toucey, Secretary of the Navy. + +"A ship be sent at once to the relief of Sumter." + +With stubborn terror the President refused to sign the order for an +armed vessel. At one o'clock they compromised on the little steamer, +_Star of the West_, and Buchanan agreed that she should attempt to land +provisions for Anderson's fifty-odd men. + +Holt hurried from the council chamber at one o'clock with a smile of +triumph playing about his sinister mouth. His plan had succeeded. He had +worked Stanton as the legal adviser of the President exactly as he had +foreseen. The little steamer would test the mettle of the men of South +Carolina who were training their batteries on Fort Sumter. If they dared +to fire on her--all right--the lines of battle would be drawn. + +He seized Socola's arm. + +"Come with me to the War Office." + +Inside, he closed the door, inspected the room in every nook and corner +for a possible eavesdropper, seated himself and leaned close to his +attentive listener. + +"I have established your character now through your connection with the +Minister from Sardinia beyond the possibility of any doubt. Your +position will not be called in question. You will appear in the South as +the representative, unofficial and yet duly accredited, for King Victor +Emmanuel. Your purpose will be, of course, the cultivation of friendly +relations with the officials of the new Government looking to the day of +its coming recognition--you understand?" + +"Perfectly--" + +"You have absolutely consecrated your life, and every talent, to your +country?" + +"Body and soul--" + +The dark eyes flashed with the light of a religious fanatic. + +"Good." The Secretary paused and studied his man a moment. + +"I introduced you to the girl not merely to obtain an invaluable witness +to your credentials should they be questioned--but for a double +purpose." + +Socola nodded. + +"I guessed as much." + +"She's bright, young, pretty, and you can pass the time pleasantly in +her company. The association will place you in a strong position. Her +father is a fool--the storm petrel of Secession. He has the biggest +mouth in America, barring none. His mouth is so huge, they'll never find +a muzzle big enough if they could get men enough around him to put it +on. He's bound to land somewhere high in the councils of the coming +Confederacy--" + +"There'll be one?" + +Holt smiled. + +"You doubt it?" + +"It may be bluster after all." + +"Men of the Davis type don't bluster, my boy. They are to meet at +Montgomery, Alabama, on February fourth. They'll organize the Cotton +States into a Southern Confederacy. If they can win Virginia, North +Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas, they may gobble Maryland, Kentucky, +and Missouri--all Slave States. If they get them all--they'll win +without a fight, and reconstruct the Union on their own terms; if they +don't--well, we'll see what we'll see--" + +"And you wish?" + +"That you get for me--and get quickly--inside information of what is +done and what is proposed to be done at Montgomery. I want the names of +every man discussed for high office among them, his chances of +appointment, his friends, his enemies--why they are his friends, why +they are his enemies. I want their plans, their prospects, their hopes, +their fears, and I want this information quickly. You will be supplied +with ample funds, and your report must be made to me in person. My +tenure of this office will be but a few weeks longer--but you are my +personal representative, you understand?" + +"Quite." + +"Your report must be in person to me, and to me alone." + +"I understand, sir." + +Socola rose, extended his hand, drew his cloak about his slender +shoulders and passed out into the storm, his dark face lighted by a +smile as he recalled the winsome face of Jennie Barton. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A FRIENDLY WARNING + + +The withdrawal of the Southern Senators and Representatives from +Congress produced in Washington the upheaval of a social earthquake. + +An atmosphere of tears and ominous foreboding hung pall-like over the +city's social life. Each step in the departure of wives and daughters +was a pang. + +Carriages drawn by sleek, high-bred horses dashed through the broad +streets with excited haste. The black coachman on the box held his reins +with a nervous grip that communicated itself to the horses. He had +caught the excitement in the quivering social structure of which he was +part. What he was really thinking down in the depths of his African soul +only God could see. His dark face merely grinned in quick obedience to +command. + +From every house where these farewells were being said, a weeping woman +emerged and waved a last adieu to the tear-stained faces at the window. + +Wagons and carts lumbered through the streets on their way to the wharf +or station, piled high with baggage. + +Hotel-keepers stood in the doorway of their establishments with darkened +brows. The glory of the past was departing. The future was a blank. + +On the morning after his farewell address to the Senate, a messenger, +who refused to give his name, was ushered into the library of Senator +Davis. + +The stately black butler bowed again with quiet dignity. + +"Yo' name, sah? I--failed to catch it?" + +The messenger lifted his hand: + +"No name. Please say to the Senator that I came from an important +official with a message of the gravest importance--I wish to see him +alone at once--" + +The faithful servant eyed his visitor with an ominous look. There was no +question of his loyalty to the man he served. + +"It's all right, Robert, I'm a friend of Senator Davis." + +A moment's hesitation and the black man bowed with deference. + +"Yassah--yassah--I tell him right away, sah. You sho' knows me anyhow, +sah--" + +The Senator was in bed suffering again from facial neuralgia. He rose +promptly, dressed hastily but completely and carefully and extended both +hands to his visitor. + +"You have come to see me at an unusual hour, sir. It must be +important--" + +"Of the utmost importance, Senator. A high official in the confidence of +the President sent me to inform you that Stanton, the Attorney General, +is planning to issue a warrant for your arrest for high treason." + +"Indeed?" + +"You are advised to leave Washington on the first train." + +A dry smile flickered about the corners of the Senator's strong mouth. + +"Thank you. Please say to my friend that I appreciate the spirit that +prompted his message. Ask him to say to Mr. Stanton that I have decided +to remain in Washington a week. Nothing would please me better than to +submit this issue to the courts for adjustment. He will find me at home +every day and at all hours." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +BOY AND GIRL + + +From the moment Dick Welford had seen Socola bowing and smiling before +Jennie Barton he had hated the man. He hated foreigners on general +principles, anyhow. This kind of foreigner he particularly loathed--the +slender, nervous type which suggested over-refinement to the point of +effeminacy. He had always hated slender, effeminate-looking men of the +native breed. This one was doubly offensive because he was an Italian. +How any woman with true womanly instincts could tolerate such a spider +was more than he could understand. + +Jennie Barton had always frankly said that she admired men of his own +type. He was six feet one, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and weighed a hundred +and ninety-six pounds at twenty-one years of age. He had always felt +instinctively that he was exactly the man for Jennie's mate. She was +nineteen, dark and slender, a bundle of quick, sensitive, nervous +intelligence. Her brown eyes were almost black and her luxuriant hair +seemed raven-hued beside his. He had always imagined it nestling beside +his big blond head in perfect contentment since the first summer he had +spent with Tom Barton at their cottage at the White Sulphur Springs. + +He had taken it for granted that she would say yes when he could screw +up his courage to speak. She had treated him as if he were already in +the family. + +"Confound it," he muttered, clenching his big fist, "that's what worries +me! Maybe she just thinks of me as one of her brothers!" + +It hadn't occurred to him until he saw the light kindle in her eyes at +the sight of that smooth-tongued reptilian foreigner. He was on his way +now to her house, to put the thing to the test before she could leave +Washington. Thank God, the spider was tied down here at the Sardinian +Ministry. He hoped Victor Emmanuel would send him as Consul to Shanghai. + +Mrs. Barton met him at the door with a motherly smile. + +"Walk right in the parlor, Dick. It's sweet of you to come so early +to-day. We're all in tears, packing to go. Jennie'll be delighted to see +you. Poor child--she's sick over it all." + +Mrs. Barton pressed Dick's hand with the softest touch that reassured +his fears. The only trouble about Mrs. Barton was she was gentle and +friendly to everybody, black and white, old and young, Yankee or +Southerner. She was even sorry for old John Brown when they hung him. + +"Poor thing, he was crazy," she said tenderly. "They ought to have sent +him to the asylum." + +Try as he might, he couldn't fling off the impression of tragedy the +meeting of Socola with Jennie had produced. He was in a nervous fit to +see and tell her of his love. Why the devil hadn't he done so before +anyhow? They might have been engaged and ready to be married by this +time. They had met when she was sixteen. + +Why on earth couldn't he throw off the fool idea that he was going to +lose her? His big fist suddenly closed with resolution. + +"I'll not lose her! I'll wring that viper's neck--I'll wade through +blood and death and the fires of h--" + +Just as he was plunging waist deep through the flames of the Pit, she +appeared in the door, the picture of wistful, tender beauty. + +He rose awkwardly and extended his hand. + +"Good morning, Dick!" + +"Good morning, Jennie--" + +Her hand was hot, her eyes heavy with tears. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"As if you didn't know--I've been saying good-by to some of the dearest +friends I've ever known. It's terrible. I just feel it's the end of the +world--" + +He started to say: "Don't worry, Jennie darling, you have me. I love +you!" The thought of it made the cold beads of perspiration suddenly +stand out on his forehead. It was one thing to think such +things--another to say it aloud to a girl with Jennie's serious brown +eyes. + +She seemed terribly serious this morning and far away somehow. Never had +he seen her so utterly lovely. The mood of tender seriousness made her +more beautiful than ever. If he only dared to crush her in his arms and +laugh the smiles back into her eyes. + +When he spoke it was only a commonplace he managed to blurt out: + +"So you're really going to-morrow?" + +"Yes--we've telegraphed the boys to come home from school at once and +join us in Montgomery." + +He tried to say it again, but the speech turned out to be political, not +personal. + +"Of course Virginia'll stand by her Southern sisters, Jennie--" + +"Yes--" + +"It's just a few old moss-backs holding her. No army will ever march +across her soil to fight a Southern State--" + +"I hope not." + +"Of course not. I'll meet them on the border with one musket anyhow--" + +The girl was looking out the window at the slowly drizzling rain and +made no answer. He flushed at her apparent indifference to his heroic +stand. + +"Don't you believe I would?" + +"Would what, Dick?" she smiled, recovering herself from her reverie. + +It was no use beating about the bush, trying to talk politics. He had to +make the plunge. + +He suddenly took her hand in his. + +She threw him a startled look, sat bolt upright, made the faintest +effort to draw her hand away, and blushed furiously. + +He was in for it now. There was no retreat. He gripped with desperate +earnestness, tried to speak, and choked. + +He drew a deep breath, tried again and only squeezed her hand harder. + +The girl began to smile in a sweet, triumphant way. It was nice, this +conscious power over a big, stunning six-footer who grasped her hand as +a drowning man a straw. The sense of her strength was thrilling. + +She looked at him with demure reproach. + +"Dick!" + +He grinned sheepishly and clung to her hand. + +"Yes--Jennie--" + +"Do you know what you are doing?" + +"No--but--I +know--what--I'm--trying--to--do--and--I'm--going--to--do--it--" + +Again his big hand crushed hers. + +"You're trying to break every bone in my hand as near as I can make +out--I'd like it back when you're through with it--" + +He found his tongue at last: + +"I--I--can't let you have it back, Jennie, I'm going to keep it +forever--" + +"Really?" + +"Yes--I am. I--I love you--Jennie--don't you love me--just--a--little +bit?" + +The girl laughed. + +"No!" + +"Not the least--little--tiny--bit?" + +"I don't think so--" + +The hand slipped through his limp fingers and he stared at her in a +hopeless, pitiful way. + +Her heart went out in a wave of tender sympathy. She put her hand back +in his in a wistful touch. + +"I'm sorry, Dick dear, I didn't think you loved me in that way--" + +"What did you think I was hanging round you so much for?" + +"I knew you liked me, of course. And I like you--but I've never thought +seriously about love." + +"There's no other fellow?" + +"Of course, not--" + +"You liked that Socola, didn't you?" + +"I liked him--yes--" + +"I thought so." + +"He's cultured, handsome, interesting--" + +"He's a sissy!" + +"Dick!" + +"A little wizened-faced rat--the spider-snake! I could break his long +neck. Yes--you do like him! I saw it when you met him. You're throwing +me down because you met him!" + +"Dick!" + +"But he shan't have you, I tell you--I'll show him I could lick a +thousand such sissies with one hand tied behind me." + +The girl rose with dignity. + +"Don't you dare to speak to me like that, sir--" + +"You're going to see that fellow again--I'll bet you've got an +engagement with him now--to-night--to-day!" + +The slender figure rose. + +"I'll see him if I please--when I please and where I please and I'll not +consult you about it, Dick Welford--Good day!" + +Trembling with anger the big, awkward boy turned and stumbled out of the +house. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +GOD'S WILL + + +Dick Welford had played directly into the hands of his enemy. When +Socola called at the Barton home to pay his respects to Miss Jennie and +wish them health and happiness and success in their new and dangerous +enterprise, he found the girl in a receptive mood. The accusation of +interest had stimulated her to her first effort to entertain the +self-poised and gentlemanly foreigner. + +He turned to Jennie with a winning appeal in his modulated voice: + +"Will you do me a very great favor, Miss Barton?" + +"If I can--certainly," was the quick answer. + +"I wish to meet your distinguished father. He is a great Southern +leader. I have been commissioned by the Sardinian Ministry to cultivate +the acquaintance of the leaders of the Confederacy. I am to make a +report direct to the Court of King Emmanuel on the prospects of the +South." + +Jennie rose with a smile. + +"With pleasure. I'll call father at once." + +Barton was delighted at the announcement. + +"Invite him to spend a week with us at Fairview," Jennie suggested. + +"Good idea--we'll show him what Southern hospitality means!" + +Burton grasped Socola's outstretched hand with enthusiasm. + +"Permit me," he began in his grand way, "to extend you a welcome to the +South. Your King is interested in our movement. It's natural. Europe +must reckon with us from the first. Cotton is the real King. We are +going to build on this staple an industrial empire whose influence will +dominate the world. The sooner the political rulers realize this the +better." + +Socola bowed. + +"I quite agree with you, Senator Barton. His Majesty King Victor +Emmanuel has great plans for the future. He is profoundly interested in +your movement. He does not believe that the map of Italy has yet been +fixed. It will be quite easy to convince his brilliant, open mind that +the boundaries of this country may be readjusted--" + +"I shall be delighted to show you every courtesy within my power, sir," +Barton responded. "You must go South with us to-morrow and spend a week +at Fairview, our country estate. You must meet my grand old father and +my mother and see the curse of slavery at its worst!" + +Barton laughed heartily and slipped his arm persuasively about the +graceful shoulders of his guest. + +"I hadn't thought of being so honored, I assure you--" + +He paused and looked at Jennie with a timid sort of appeal. + +"Come with us--we'll be delighted to have you--" + +"I'll enjoy it, I'm sure," he said hesitatingly. "We will reach +Montgomery in time for the meeting of the Convention of Seceding +States?" + +"Certainly," Barton replied. "I'm already elected a delegate from my +State. Her secession is but a question of days." + +Socola's white, even teeth gleamed in a happy smile. + +"I'll go with pleasure, Senator. You leave to-morrow?" + +"The ten-twenty train for the South. You'll join our party, of course?" + +"Of course." + +With a graceful bow he hurried home to complete the final preparations +for his departure. He walked with quick, strong step. And yet as he +approached the door of the little house in the humbler quarter of the +city his gait unconsciously slowed down. + +He dreaded this last struggle with his mother. But it must come. He +entered the modestly furnished sitting room and looked at her calm, +sweet face with a sudden sinking. She would be absolutely alone in the +world. And yet no harm could befall her. She was the friend of every +human being who knew her. It was the agony of this parting he dreaded +and the loneliness that would torture her in his absence. + +He spoke with forced cheerfulness. + +"Well, mater, it's all settled. I leave at ten-twenty to-morrow +morning." + +She rose and placed her hands on his shoulders. The tears blinded her. + +"How little I thought when I taught your boyish lips to speak the +musical tongue of Italy I was preparing this bitter hour for my soul! I +begged your father to resign his consulship at Genoa and brought you +home to teach you the great lesson--to love your country and reverence +your country's God. And since your father's death the dream of my heart +has been to see you a minister, teaching and uplifting the people into a +higher and nobler life--" + +"That is my aim, mater dear. I am consecrating body, mind and soul to +the task now of saving the Union, an inheritance priceless and glorious +to millions yet unborn. I'm going to break the chains that bind slaves. +I'm going to break the brutal and cruel power of the Southern Tyranny +that has been strangling the nation for forty years!" + +His eyes flashed with the fire of fanatical enthusiasm. + +He slipped his arm about his mother's slender waist, drew her to the +window and pointed to the unfinished dome of the white, majestic +capitol. + +"See, mater dear, the sun is bursting through the clouds now and +lighting with splendor the marble columns. Last night when the speeches +were done and the crowds gone I stood an hour and studied the flawless +symmetry of those magnificent wings and over it all the great solemn +dome with its myriad gleaming eyes far up in the sky--and I wondered if +God meant nothing big or significant to humanity when he breathed the +dream of that poem in marble into the souls of our people! I can't +believe it, dear. I stood and prayed while I dreamed. I saw in the +ragged scaffolding and the big ugly crane swinging from its place in the +sky the symbol of our crude beginnings--our ragged past. And then the +snow-white vision of the finished building, the most majestic monument +ever reared on earth to Freedom and her cause--and I saw the glory of a +new Democracy rising from the blood and agony of the past to be the hope +and inspiration of the world! + +"You hate this masquerade--this battle name I've chosen. Forget this, +dear, and see the vision your God has given to me. You've prayed that I +might be His minister. And so I am--and so I shall be when danger calls; +you dislike this repulsive mission on which I'm entering. Just now it's +the _one_ and only thing a brave man can do for his country. Forget that +I'm a spy and remember that I'm fitted for a divine service. I speak two +languages beside my own. Our people don't study languages. Few men of my +culture and endowment will do this dangerous and disagreeable work. I +rise on wings at the thought of it!" + +The mother's spirit caught at last the divine spark from the soul of the +young enthusiast. Her eyes were wide and shining without tears when she +slipped both arms about his neck and spoke with deep tenderness. + +"You have fully counted the cost, my son?" + +"Yes." + +"The lying, the cheating, the false pretenses, the assumed name, the +trusting hearts you must betray, the men you must kill alone, sometimes +to save your own life and serve your country's?" + +"It's war, mater dear. I hate its cruelty and its wrongs. I'll do my +best in these early days to make it impossible. But if it comes, I'll +play the game with my life in my hands, and if I had a hundred lives I'd +give them all to my country--my only regret is that I have but one--" + +"How strange the ways of God!" the mother broke in. "He planted this +love in your soul. He taught it to me and I to you and now it ends in +darkness and blood and death--" + +"But out of it, dear, must come the greater plan. You believe in +God--you must believe this, or else the Devil rules the universe, and +there is no God." + +The mother drew the young lips down and kissed them tenderly. + +"God's will be done, my Boy--it's the bitterness of death to me--but I +say it!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BEST MAN WINS + + +Before Socola could purchase his ticket for the South, Senator Barton +laid his heavy hand on his shoulder. + +"I just ran down, sir, to ask you to wait and go in Senator Davis' +party. He has been threatened with arrest by the cowards who are at the +present moment in charge of the Government. He can't afford to leave +town while there's a chance that so fortunate an event may be pulled +off. I have decided to stay until Lincoln's inauguration. My wife and +daughter will make you welcome at Fairview. And you'll meet my three +boys. I'm sorry I can't be with you." + +Socola's masked face showed no trace of disappointment. He merely asked +politely: + +"And the party of Senator Davis will start?" + +"A week from to-day, sir--and my wife and daughter will accompany +them--unless--of course--" + +He laughed heartily. + +"Unless the great Attorney General, Edwin M. Stanton, decides to arrest +him--if he'll only do it!" + +Socola nodded carelessly. + +"I understand, Senator. A week from to-day. The same hour--the same +train." + +In a moment he had disappeared in the crowd and hurried to the office of +the Secretary of War. + +Holt received his announcement with a smile about the corners of his +strong, crooked mouth. + +"That's lucky. I'd rather you were with Davis ten to one. Amuse yourself +for the week by getting all the information possible of their junta +here--" + +"Barton will stay until the inauguration--" + +"Of course--a spy in the camp of the enemy. He could be arrested, but +it's not wise under the circumstances--" + +"You will not arrest Senator Davis?" + +"Nonsense. Stanton's a fool. Nothing would please them better. I've +convinced him of that. A wrangle in the courts now over such an issue +would postpone its settlement indefinitely. The Supreme Court of the +United States has sustained the South on every issue that has been +raised. The North is leading a revolution. The South is entrenched +behind the law. They can't be ousted by law. It can only be done by the +bayonet--" + +Holt paused and looked thoughtfully across the Potomac. + +"Report to me daily--" + +Socola silently saluted and left the office with his first feeling of +suspicion and repulsion for his Chief. He didn't like the blunt, brutal +way this Southern Democrat talked. He couldn't believe in his honesty. +Beneath those bushy eyebrows burned a wolf's hunger for office and +power. On the surface he was loyal to the Union. He wondered if he were +not in reality playing a desperate waiting game, ready at the moment of +the crisis to throw his information to either side? The air of +Washington reeked with suspicion and double dealing. + +"Oh, my Country," he murmured bitterly, "if ever true men were needed!" + +He strolled through the street on which Senator Davis and Barton lived +directly opposite each other. He would call on Jennie and express his +regret that their party had been postponed. At the door he changed his +mind. Too much attention at this stage of the game would not be wise. He +passed on, glancing at the distinguished-looking group of men who were +emerging from the Davis door. + +He wondered what was going on in that home? It seemed impossible that +Davis should be the leader of a Southern rebellion. Clay or Toombs, +yes--but this man with his blood-marked history of devotion to the +Union--this man with his proud record of constructive statesmanship as +Senator and Secretary of War--it seemed preposterous! + +Could he have heard the counsel Davis was giving at that moment to the +excited men who made his unpretentious house their Mecca, he would have +been still more astonished. For six days and nights with but a few hours +snatched for sleep, he implored the excited leaders of Southern opinion +to avoid violence, and be patient. The one note of hopefulness in his +voice came with the mention of the new President-elect, Abraham Lincoln. + +"Mr. Lincoln is a man of friendly, moderate opinions personally," he +persistently advised. "He may he able to surround himself with a council +of conservative men who will use their power to hold the radical wing of +his party in check until by delay we can call a convention of all the +States and in this national assembly find a solution short of bloodshed. +We must try. We must exhaust every resource before we dream of war. We +must accept war only when it is forced upon us by our enemies." + +By telegrams and letters to every Southern leader he knew he urged +delay, moderation, postponement of all action. + +The week passed and the Cabinet of Buchanan had not dared accept the +Southern leader's challenge to arrest and trial. + +The Davis party had found their seats in the train for the South. Socola +strolled the platform alone, waiting without sign of interest for the +hour of departure. + +Dick Welford arrived five minutes before the train left and extended his +hand to Jennie. + +"Forgive me, Jennie!" + +With a bright smile she clasped his hand. + +"Of course, Dick--I took your silly ravings too seriously." + +"No--I was a fool. I'll make up for it. I'll go over now and shake hands +with the reptile if you say so--" + +"Nonsense--you'll not do anything of the sort. He's nothing to me. He's +the guest of the South--that's all." + +"Honest now, Jennie--you don't care for any other fellow?" + +"Nor for you, either!" she laughed. + +"Of course, I know that--but I can keep on trying, can't I?" + +"I don't see how I can prevent it!" + +Dick grinned good-naturedly and Jennie laughed again. + +"You're in for a siege with me, I'll tell you right now." + +"It's a free fight, Dick. I'm indifferent to the results." + +"Then you don't _mind_ if I win?" + +"Not in the least. At the present moment I'm a curious spectator--that's +all." + +"Lord, I wish I were going with you--" + +"I wish so, too--" + +"Honest, Jennie?" + +"Cross my heart--" + +Dick laughed aloud. + +"Say--I tell you what I'm going to do!" + +"Yes?" + +"If Virginia don't secede in ten days--I will. I'll resign my job here +with old Hunter and join the Confederacy. I don't like this new +clerkship business anyhow--expect me in ten days--" + +Before Jennie could answer he turned suddenly and left the car. + +At the end of the platform he ran squarely into Socola. He was about to +pass without recognition, stopped on an impulse, and extended his hand: + +"Fine day, Signor!" + +"Beautiful, M'sieur," was the smooth answer. + +Dick hesitated. + +"I'm afraid I was a little rude the other day?" + +"No offense, I'm sure, Mr. Welford--" + +"Of course, you can guess I'm in love with Miss Barton--" + +"I hadn't speculated on that point!" Socola laughed. + +"Well, I've been speculating about you--" + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes--and I'm going to be honest with you--I don't like you--we're +enemies from to-day. But I'll play the game fair and the best man +wins--" + +The two held each other's eye steadily for a moment and Socola's white +teeth flashed. + +"The best man wins, M'sieur!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE STORM CENTER + + +Socola hastened, through Jennie, to cultivate the acquaintance of +Senator Davis. + +"You'll be delighted with Mrs. Davis, too," the girl informed him with +enthusiasm. "His second love affair you know--this time, late in life, +he married the young accomplished granddaughter of Governor Howell of +New Jersey. Their devotion is beautiful--" + +The train had barely pulled out of the station before Socola found +himself in a delightful conversation with the Senator. To his amazement +he discovered that the Southerner was a close student of European +statesmanship and well informed on the conditions of modern Italy. + +"I am delighted beyond measure, Signor," he said earnestly, "to learn of +the interest of your King in the South. I have long felt that Cavour was +one of the greatest statesmen and diplomats of the world. His +achievement in establishing the Kingdom of Sardinia in the face of the +bitter rivalries and ambitions of Europe, to say nothing of the power of +Rome, was in itself enough to mark him as the foremost man of his age." + +"The King has great ambitions, Senator. Very shortly his title will be +King of Italy. He dreams of uniting all Italians." + +"And if it is possible, the Piedmontese are the people ordained for +leadership in that sublime work--" + +He looked thoughtfully out of the window at the Virginia hills and +Socola determined to change the conversation. He was fairly well +informed of the affairs in the little Kingdom on whose throne young +Victor Emmanuel sat, but this man evidently knew the philosophy of its +history as well as the facts. A question or two with his keen eye boring +through him might lead to an unpleasant situation. + +"Your family are all with you, Senator?" he asked pleasantly. + +Instantly the clouds lifted from the pale, thoughtful face. + +"Yes--I've three darling babies. I wish you to meet Mrs. Davis--come, +they are in the next car." + +In a moment the statesman had forgotten the storm of revolution. He was +laughing and playing with his children. However stern and high his +uncompromising opinions might be on public questions, he was wax in the +hands of the two lovely boys who climbed over him and the vivacious +little girl who slipped her arms about his neck. His respite from care +was brief. At the first important stop in Virginia a dense crowd had +packed the platforms. Their cries throbbed with anything but the spirit +of delay and compromise. + +"Davis!" + +"Hurrah for Jefferson Davis!" + +"Speech--speech!" + +"Davis!" + +"Speech!" + +There was something tense and compelling in the tones of these cries. +They rang as bugle calls to battle. In their hum and murmur there was +more than curiosity--more than the tribute of a people to their leader. +There was in the very sound the electric rush of the first crash of the +approaching storm. The man inside who had led soldiers to death on +battle fields felt it instantly and the smile died on his thin lips. The +roar outside his car window was not the cry of a mob echoing the +sentiments of a leader. It was the shrill imperial cry of a rising +people creating their leaders. + +From the moment he bowed his head and lifted his hand over the crowd +that greeted him, hopeless sorrow filled his soul. + +War was inevitable. + +These people did not realize it. But he saw it now in all its tragic +import. He had intended to counsel patience, moderation and delay. +Before the hot breath of the storm he felt already in his face such +advice was a waste of words. He would tell them the simple truth. He +could do most good in that way. These fiery, impulsive Southern people +were tired of argument, tired of compromise, tired of delay. They were +reared in the faith that their States were sovereign. And these +Virginians had good reason for their faith. The bankers of Europe had +but yesterday refused to buy the bonds of the United States Government +unless countersigned by the State of Virginia! + +These people not only believed in the sovereignty of their States and +their right to withdraw from the Union when they saw fit, but they could +not conceive the madness of the remaining States attempting to use force +to hold them. They knew, too, that millions of Northern voters were as +clear on that point as the people of the South. + +Their spokesman, Horace Greeley, in _The Tribune_ had said again and +again: + +"If the Southern States are mad enough to withdraw from the Union, they +must go. We cannot prevent it. Let our erring sisters go in peace." + +The people before him believed that Horace Greeley's paper represented +the North in this utterance. Davis knew that it was not true. + +In a flash of clear soul vision he saw the inevitable horror of the +coming struggle and determined to tell the people so. + +The message he delivered was a distinct shock. He not only told them in +tones of deep and tender emotion that war was inevitable, but that it +would be long and bloody. + +"We'll lick 'em in two months!" a voice yelled in protest and the crowd +cheered. + +The leader shook his fine head. + +"Don't deceive yourselves, my friends. War once begun, no man can +predict its end--" + +"It won't begin!" another cried. + +"You have convinced me to-day that it is now inevitable." + +"The Yankees won't fight!" shouted a big fellow in front. + +The speaker bent his gaze on the stalwart figure in remonstrance. + +"You never made a worse mistake in your life, my friend. I warn you--I +know these Yankees. Once in it they'll fight with grim, dogged, sullen, +unyielding courage. We're men of the same blood. They live North, you +South--that's all the difference." + +At every station the same scene was enacted. The crowd rushed around his +car with the sudden sweep of a whirlwind, and left for their homes with +grave, thoughtful faces. + +By three o'clock in the afternoon he was thoroughly exhausted by the +strain. The eager crowds had sapped his last ounce of vitality. + +The conductor of the train looked at him with pity and whispered: + +"I'll save you at the next station." + +The leader smiled his gratitude for the sympathy but wondered how it +could be done. + +At the next stop, the Senator had just taken his position on the rear +platform, lifted his hand for silence and said: + +"Friends and fellow citizens--" + +The engine suddenly blew off steam with hiss and roar and when it ceased +the train pulled out with a jerk amid the shouts and protests of the +crowd. The grateful speaker waved his hand in regretful but happy +farewell. + +The conductor repeated the trick for three stations until the exhausted +speaker had recovered his strength and then allowed him a few brief +remarks at each stop. + +From the moment the train entered the State of Mississippi, grim, +earnest men in groups of two, three, four and a dozen stepped on board, +saluted their Chief and took their seats. + +When the engine pulled into the station at Jackson a full brigade of +volunteer soldiers had taken their places in the ranks. + +The Governor and state officials met their leader and grasped his hand. + +"You have been commissioned, Senator," the Governor began eagerly, "as +Major-General in command of the forces of the State of Mississippi. Four +Brigadier-Generals have been appointed and await your assignment for +duty." + +The tall figure of the hero of Buena Vista suddenly stiffened. + +"I thank you. Governor, for the high honor conferred on me. No service +could be more congenial to my feelings at this moment." + +The Governor waved his hand at the crowd of silent waiting men. "Your +men are ready--the first question is the purchase of arms. I think a +stand of 75,000 will be sufficient for all contingencies?" + +The Senator spoke with emphasis: + +"The limit of your purchases should be our power to pay--" + +"You can't mean it!" the Governor exclaimed. + +"I repeat it--the limit of your purchase of arms should be the power to +pay. I say this to every State in the South. We shall need all we can +get and many more I fear." + +The Governor laughed. + +"General, you overrate our risks!" + +"On the other hand," Davis continued earnestly, "we are sure to +underestimate them at every turn." + +He paused, overcome with emotion. + +"A great war is impending, Governor, whose end no man can foresee. We +are not prepared for it. We have no arms, we have no ammunition and we +have no establishments to manufacture them. The South has never realized +and does not now believe that the North will fight her on the issue of +secession. They do not understand the silent growth of the power of +centralization which has changed the opinions of the North under the +teaching of Abolition fanatics--" + +Again he paused, overcome. + +"God help us!" he continued. "War is a terrible calamity even when waged +against aliens and strangers--our people are mad. They know not what +they do!" + +The new Commander hurried to Briarfield, his plantation home, to +complete his preparations for a long absence. + +Socola on a sudden impulse asked the honor of accompanying him. It was +granted without question and with cordial hospitality. + +It was an opportunity not to be lost. An intimate view of this man in +his home might be of the utmost importance. He promised Jennie to hasten +to Fairview when he had spent two days at Briarfield. Mrs. Barton was +glad of the opportunity to set her house in order for her charming and +interesting guest. + +The Davis plantation was a distinct shock to his fixed New England ideas +of the hellish institution of Slavery. + +The devotion of these simple black men and women to their master was not +only genuine, it was pathetic. He had never before conceived the abject +depths to which a human being might sink in contentment with chains. + +And he had come to break chains! These poor ignorant blacks kissed the +hand that bound them and called him their best friend. + +The man they called master actually moved among them, a minister of love +and mercy. He advised the negroes about the care of their families in +his long absence. He talked as a Hebrew Patriarch to his children. He +urged the younger men and women to look after the old and helpless. + +He was particularly solicitous about Bob, the oldest man on the place. +Over and over again he enumerated the comforts he thought he might need +and made provision to supply them. He sent him enough cochineal flannel +for his rheumatism to wrap him four-ply deep. For Rhinah, his wife, he +ordered enough flannel blankets for two families. + +"Is there anything else you can think of, Uncle Bob?" he asked kindly. + +The old man scratched his gray head and hesitated, looked into his +master's face, smiled and said: + +"I _would_ like one er dem rockin' cheers outen de big house, Marse +Jeff.--yassah!" + +"Of course, you shall have it. Come right up, you and Rhinah, and pick +out the two you like best." + +With suppressed laughter Socola watched the old negroes try each chair +in the hallway and finally select the two best rockers in the house. + +The Southern leader was obviously careworn and unhappy. Socola found his +heart unconsciously going out to him in sympathy. + +Assuming carefully his attitude of foreign detached interest, the young +man sought to draw him out. + +"You have given up all hope of adjustment and reunion with the North?" +he asked. + +"No," was the thoughtful reply, "not until the first blood is spilled." + +"Your people must see, Senator, that secession will imperil the +existence of their three thousand millions of dollars invested in +slaves?" + +"Certainly they see it," was the quick answer. "Slavery can never +survive the first shot of war, no matter which side wins. If the North +wins, we must free them, or else maintain a standing army on our borders +for all time. It would be unthinkable. Rivers are bad boundaries. We +could have no others. Fools have said and will continue to say that we +are fighting to establish a slave empire. Nothing could be further from +the truth. We are seeking to find that peace and tranquillity outside +the Union we have not been able to enjoy for the past forty years +inside. If the Southern States enact a Constitution of their own, they +will merely reaffirm the Constitution of their fathers with no essential +change. The North is leading a revolution, not the South. + +"Not one man in twenty down here owns a slave. The South would never +fight to maintain Slavery. We know that it is doomed. We simply demand +as the sons of the men who created this Republic, equal rights under its +laws. If we fight, it will be for our independence as freemen that we +may maintain those rights." + +"I must confess, sir," Socola replied with carefully modulated voice, +"that I fail to see as a student from without, why, if Slavery is doomed +and your leaders realize that fact, a compromise without bloodshed +would not be possible?" + +"If Slavery were the only issue, it would be possible--although as a +proud and sensitive people we propose to be the judge of the time when +we see fit to emancipate our slaves. Abolition fanatics, whose fathers +sold their slaves to us, can't dictate to the South on such a _moral_ +issue." + +"I see--your pride is involved." + +"Not merely pride--our self-respect. In 1831 before the Northern +Abolitionists began their crusade of violence there were one hundred +four abolition societies in America--ninety-eight of them in the South +and only six in the entire North. But the South grew rich. At the bottom +of our whole trouble lies the issue of sectional power. New England +threatened to secede from the Union when we added the Territory of +Louisiana to our domain, out of which we have carved seven great States. +Slavery at that time was not an issue. Sectional rivalry and sectional +hatred antedates even our fight against England for our freedom. +Washington was compelled to warn his soldiers when they entered New +England to avoid the appearance of offense. The Governor of +Massachusetts refused to call on George Washington, the first President +of the Union, when he visited Boston. + +"And mark you, back of the sectional issue looms a vastly bigger +one--whether the Union is a Republic of republics or a Centralized +Empire. The millions of foreigners who have poured into the North from +Europe during the past thirty years, until their white population +outnumbers ours four to one, know nothing and care nothing about the +Constitution of our fathers. They know nothing and care nothing for the +principles on which the Federal Union was founded. They came from +empires. They think as their fathers thought in Europe. And they are +driving the sons of the old Revolution in the North into the acceptance +of the ideas of centralized power. If this tendency continues the +President of the United States will become the most autocratic ruler of +the world. The South stands for the sovereignty of the States as the +only bulwark against the growth of this irresponsible centralized +despotism. The Democratic party of the North, thank God, yet stands with +us on that issue. Our only possible hope of success in case of war lies +in this fact--" + +Socola suddenly started. + +"Quite so--I see--The North may be divided, the South will be a unit." + +"Exactly; they'll fight as one man if they must." + +The longer Socola talked with this pale, earnest, self-poised man, the +deeper grew the conviction of his utter sincerity, his singleness of +purpose, his pure and lofty patriotism. His conception of the man and +his aims had completely changed and with this change of estimate came +the deeper conviction of the vastness of the tragedy toward which the +Nation was being hurled by some hidden, resistless power. He had come +into the South with a sense of moral superiority and the consciousness +not only of the righteousness of his cause but the certainty that God +would swiftly confound the enemies of the Union. He had waked with a +shock to the certainty that they were entering the arena of the +mightiest conflict of the century. + +He girded his soul anew for the rôle he had chosen to play. The +character of this Southern leader held for him an endless fascination. +It was part of his mission to study him and he lost no opportunity. The +greatest surprise he received during his stay was the day of the +election of President at Montgomery. He had expected to be present at +this meeting of the Southern Convention but, hearing that it would be +held behind closed doors, had decided on his visit to Briarfield. + +A messenger dashed up to the gate, sprang from his horse, hurried into +the garden, thrust a telegram into the Senator's hand. + +He opened it without haste, and read it slowly. His face went white and +he crushed the piece of paper with a sudden gesture of despair. For a +moment he forgot his guest, his head was raised as if in prayer and from +the depths came the agonizing cry of a soul in mortal anguish: + +"Lord, God, if it be possible let this cup pass from me!" + +A moment of dazed silence and he turned to Socola. He spoke as a judge +pronouncing his own sentence of death. His voice trembled with despair +and his lips twitched with pitiful suffering. + +"I have been elected President of the Southern Confederacy!" + +He handed the telegram to Socola, who scanned it with thrilling +interest. He had half expected this announcement from the first. What he +could not dream was the remarkable way in which the Southern leader +would receive it. + +"You are a foreigner, Signor. I may be permitted to speak freely to you. +You are a man of culture and sympathy and you can understand me. As God +is my judge, I have neither desired nor expected this position. I took +particular pains to forestall and make it impossible. But it has come. I +am not a politician. I have never stooped to their tricks. I cannot lie +and smile and bend to low chicanery. I hate a fool and I cannot hedge +and trim and be all things to all men. I have never been a demagogue. +I'm too old to begin. Other men are better suited to this position than +I--" + +He paused, overcome. Socola studied him with surprise. + +"Permit me to say, sir," he ventured disinterestedly, "that such a +spirit is evidence that your people have risen to the occasion and that +their choice may be an inspiration." + +The leader's eye suddenly pierced his guest's. + +"God knows what is best. It may be His hand. It may be that I must bow +to His will--" + +Again he paused and looked wistfully at Socola's youthful face. + +"You are young, Signor--you do not know what it is to yield the last +ambition of life! I have given all to my country for the past years. I +have sacrificed health and wealth and every desire of my soul--peace and +contentment here with those I love! When I saw this mighty struggle +coming, I feared a tragic end for my people. I fear it now. The man who +leads her armies will win immortality no matter what the fate of her +cause--I've dreamed of this, Signor--but they've nailed me to the +cross!" + +He called his negroes together and made them an affectionate speech. +They responded with deep expressions of their devotion and their faith. +With the greatest sorrow of life darkening his soul he left next day for +his inauguration at Montgomery. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE OLD RÉGIME + + +Socola left Briarfield with the assurance of the President-elect of the +Confederacy that he might spend a week with the Bartons and yet be in +ample time for the inauguration at Montgomery. + +He boarded the steamer at the Davis landing and floated lazily down to +Baton Rouge. + +From Briarfield he carried an overwhelming impression of the folly of +Slavery from its economic point of view. The thing which amazed his +orderly New England mind was the confusion, the waste, the sentimental +extravagance, the sheer idiocy of the slave system of labor as +contrasted with the free labor of the North. + +The one symbol before his vivid imagination was the sight of old Uncle +Bob and Aunt Rhinah seated in their rocking chairs gravely listening to +the patriarchal farewell of their master. The ancient seers dreamed of +Nirvana. These two wonderful old Africans had surely found it in the new +world. No wave of trouble could ever roll across their peaceful breasts +so long as their lord and master lived. He was their king, their +protector, their physician, their almoner, their friend. The burden of +life was on his shoulders, not on theirs. Their working days were over. +He must feed and clothe, house and care for their worthless bodies unto +the end. And the number of these helpless ones were constantly +increased. + +He marveled at the folly that imagined such a system of labor possible +in a real world where the iron laws of economic survival were allowed +free play. He ceased to wonder why it still flourished in the South. The +South was yet an unsettled jungle of bewildering tropical beauty. One +might travel for miles and hundreds of miles without the sight of a +single important town. Vast reaches of untouched forests stretched away +in all directions. Apparently the foot of man had never pressed them. +Rich plantations of thousands of acres were only scratched in spots to +yield their marvelous harvests of cotton and cane, of rice and corn. + +The idea of defending such a territory, extending over thousands of +miles, from the invading hosts of the rich and densely populated North +was preposterous. His heart leaped with the certainty of swift and sure +triumph for the Union should the question be submitted to the test of +the sword. + +As the boat touched her landing at Baton Rouge, Jennie waved her welcome +from the shore. The graceful figure of her younger brother stood +straight and trim by her side in his new volunteer uniform. Whatever the +political leaders might think or do, these Southern people meant to +fight. There was no mistaking that fact. With every letter to his Chief +in Washington he had made this plain. The deeper he had penetrated the +lower South the more overwhelming this conviction had become. + +For the moment he put the thought of his tragic mission out of his +heart. There was something wonderful in the breath of this early +Southern spring. The first week in February and flowers were blooming on +every lawn of every embowered cottage and every stately house! The song +of birds, the hum of bees, the sweet languor of the perfumed air found +his inmost soul. The snows lay cold and still and deathlike over the +Northern world. + +This was fairyland. + +And the Bartons' home on the banks of the river was the last touch that +completed the capture of his imagination. Through a vista of overhanging +boughs he caught the flash of its white fluted pillars in the distance. +The broad verandas were arched with climbing roses. In the center of the +sunlit space in front a fountain played, the splash of its cooling +waters keeping time to the song of mocking birds in shrubs and trees. In +the spacious grounds which swept to the water's edge more than a +thousand magnificent trees spread their cooling shade. The white rays of +the Southern sun shot through them like silver threads and glowed here +and there in the changing, shimmering splotches on the ground. + +And everywhere the grinning faces of slowly moving negroes. The very +rhythm of their lazy walk seemed a part of the landscape. + +This fairy world belonged to his country. His heart went out in renewed +devotion. Not one shining Southern star should ever be torn from her +diadem! He swore it. + +For three days he bathed in the beauty and joy of a Southern home. He +saw but little of Jennie. The boys absorbed him. They were eager for +news. They plied him with a thousand questions. Tom was going to join +the navy, Jimmie and Billy the army. + +"Would the United States Army stand by the old flag?" Tom asked with +painful eagerness. + +Socola was non-committal. + +"As a rule the sailor is loyal to the flag of his ship. It's the symbol +of home, of country, of all he holds dear." + +"That's so, too," Tom answered thoughtfully. "Well, we'll build a navy. +We built the old one. We can build a new one!" + +The last night he spent at Fairview was one never to be forgotten. It +gave him another picture of the old régime. They sat on the great +pillared front porch looking out on the silvery surface of the moonlit +river. Jennie's grandfather. Colonel James Barton, a stately man of +eighty-five, who had led a regiment with Jefferson Davis in the Mexican +War, though at that time long past the age of military service, honored +them with his presence to a late hour. + +His eyes were failing but his voice was stentorian. Its tones had been +developed to even deeper power during the past ten years owing to the +deafness of his wife. This beautiful old woman sat softly rocking beside +the Colonel, answering in gentle monosyllables the questions he roared +into her ears. + +To escape the volume of the Colonel's conversation Socola asked Jennie +to walk to the river's edge. + +They sat down on a bench perched high on the bluff which rose abruptly +from the water at the lower end of the grounds. The scene was one of +memorable beauty. + +He laughed at the folly of his schemes to learn the inner secrets of the +South. These people had no secrets. They wore their hearts on their +sleeves. He had only to ask a question to receive the answer direct +without reserve. + +"Your three younger brothers will fight for the South, of course, Miss +Jennie?" + +"Of course--I only wish I were a man!" + +"You have an older brother in New Orleans, I believe?" + +"Judge Barton, yes." + +"He, too, will enter the army?" + +The girl drew a deep breath and hesitated. + +"He says he will not. He is bitterly opposed to my father's views." + +Socola's eyes sparkled. + +"He is for the Union then?" + +"Yes." + +"He is a man of decided views and character I take it." + +"Yes--as firm and unyielding in his position as my father on the other +side." + +"You will be very bitter towards him if war should come?" + +"Bitter?" A little sob caught her voice. "He is my Big Brother. I love +him. It would break my heart--that's all--but I'll love him always." + +Her tones were music, her loyalty to her own so sweet in its simplicity, +so utterly charming, he opened his lips to speak the first words to test +her personal attitude toward him. A flirtation would be delightful with +such a girl. And Mr. Dick Welford was a fearful temptation. He put the +thought out of his heart. She was too good and fine to be made a pawn in +such a game. Beside it was utterly unnecessary. + +He had gotten exactly the information about this older brother in New +Orleans he desired and sat in brooding silence. + +Jennie rose suddenly. + +"Oh, I forgot--I must go in. My maids are waiting for me, I've an affair +to settle between them before they go to bed." + +Socola accompanied her to the door and turned again on the lawn to enjoy +the white glory of the Southern moon. The lights were still twinkling in +the long rows of negro cabins that lined the way to the overseer's +house. Through the shadows of the trees he could see the dark figures in +the doorways of their cabins silhouetted against the lighted candles in +the background. + +He strolled leisurely into the lower hall. The door of the library was +open. He paused at the scene within. A group of four little negro girls +surrounded Jennie. She was reading the Bible to them. + +"Can't you say your prayers together to-night?" the young mistress +asked. + +The kinky heads shook emphatically. + +Lucy couldn't say hers with Amy: + +"'Cause she ain't got no brother and sister to pray for." + +Maggie couldn't say hers with Mandy: + +"'Cause she ain't got no mother and father." + +So each repeated her prayer alone and stood before their little mistress +who sat in judgment on their day's deeds. + +Lucy had jabbed a carving knife into Amy's arm in a fit of temper. Her +prayer had made no mention of this important fact. The judge gave a +tender lecture on the need of repentance. The little sullen black figure +hung back stubbornly for a moment and walled her eyes at her enemy. A +sudden burst of tears and they were in each other's arms, crying and +begging forgiveness. And then they filed out, one by one. + +"Good night, Miss Jennie!" + +"Good night!" + +"God bless you, Miss Jennie--" + +"I'll never be bad no mo'!" + +He had come to break the chains that cut through human flesh and he had +found this--great God! + +For hours he lay awake, dreaming with wide staring eyes of the long +blood-stained history of human Slavery and its sharp contrast with the +strange travesty of such an institution which the South was giving to +the world. + +He had barely lost consciousness when he leaped to the floor, roused by +loud voices, tramping feet and the flash of weird lights on the lawn. +Growls and long calls echoed from point to point on the spacious +grounds, hulloes and echoing answers and the tramp of many feet. + +Some horrible thing had happened--sudden death, murder or war had broken +out. A voice was screaming from the balcony aloft that sounded like the +trumpet of the arch-angel calling the end of time. + +He listened. + +It was old Colonel Barton yelling at the sleepy negroes. In heaven's +high name what could they be doing? + +Socola dressed hastily and rushed down-stairs. Jennie and the boys +appeared almost at the same moment. + +"What is it?" Socola asked excitedly. "War has been declared? The slaves +have risen?" + +Jennie laughed. + +"No--no! Grandmamma smells a smell. She thinks something is burning +somewhere." + +"Oh--" + +The whole place, house, yard, grounds, outhouses, swarmed with bellowing +negroes. Those that were not bellowing were muttering in sleepy, +quarrelsome protest. + +And they all carried candles to look for a fire in the dark! + +There were at least seventy--two-thirds of them too old or too young to +be of any service, but they belonged to the house. + +The old Colonel's voice could be heard a mile. In his nightgown he was +roaring from the balcony, giving his orders for the busy crowd hunting +for fire with their candles flickering in the shadows. + +Old Mrs. Barton, serenely deaf, was of course oblivious of the sensation +she had created. The loss of her hearing had rendered doubly acute her +sense of smell. Candles had to be taken out of her room to be snuffed. +Lamps were extinguished only on the portico or on the lawn. Violets she +couldn't endure. A tea rose was never allowed in her room. Only one kind +of sweet rose would she tolerate at close range. + +In the mildest voice she was suggesting places to be searched. + +Far out at the negro quarters the candle brigade at length gathered--the +flickering lights closing in to a single point one by one. + +The smell was found. + +A family had been boiling soap--a slave-ridden plantation was a +miniature world which must be practically self-supporting. There could +be no economy of labor by its scientific division. Around the soap pot +the negro woman had swept some woolen rags. They were smoldering there +and the faint odor had been wafted to the great house. + +Socola couldn't sleep. All night long he could hear that wild +commotion--the old Colonel's voice roaring from the balcony and seventy +sleepy, good-for-nothing negroes with lighted candles looking for a fire +in the dark. When at last he was tired of laughing at the ridiculous +picture, his foolish fancy took another turn and fixed itself again on +old Bob and Aunt Rhinah in their rocking chairs, swathed in cochineal +flannel. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE GAUGE OF BATTLE + + +Socola found the little town of Montgomery, Alabama, breathing under a +suppression of emotion that was little short of uncanny on the day +Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President. + +The streets were crowded to suffocation and tents were necessary to +accommodate the people who could not be housed. + +He was surprised at the strange quiet which the spirit of the new +President had communicated to the people. There was no loud talk, no +braggadocio, no threats, no clamor for war. On the contrary there had +suddenly developed an overwhelming desire for a peaceful solution of the +crisis. + +The Convention which had unanimously elected Jefferson Davis, President, +and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President, had relegated the hot heads +and fire eaters to the rear. + +Three great agitators had really created the new nation, William L. +Yancey of Alabama, Robert Toombs of Georgia and Barnwell Rhett of South +Carolina. And they were consumed with ambition for the Presidency. + +Toombs was the most commanding figure among the uncompromising advocates +of secession in the South--an orator of consummate power, a man of wide +learning and magnetic personality. William L. Yancey was as powerful an +agitator as ever stirred the souls of an American audience since the +foundation of our Republic. Barnwell Rhett of the Charleston _Mercury_ +was the most influential editor the country had ever produced. + +Yet the suddenness with which these fiery leaders were dropped in the +hour of crisis was so amazing to the men themselves they had not yet +recovered sufficient breath to begin complaints. + +Toombs destroyed what chance he ever had by getting drunk at a banquet +the night before the Convention met. William L. Yancey's turbulent +history ruled him out of consideration. He had killed his father-in-law +in a street brawl. Rhett's extreme views had been the bugle call to +battle but something more than sound was needed now. + +Toombs was dropped even for Vice-President for Alexander H. Stephens, +the man who had pleaded in tears with his State not to secede. + +The highest honor had been forced on the one man in all the South who +most passionately wished to avoid it. + +So acute was the consciousness of tragedy there was scarcely a ripple of +applause at public functions where Socola had looked for mad enthusiasm. + +The old Constitution had been reënacted with no essential change. The +new President had even insisted that the Provisional Congress retain the +old flag as their emblem of nationality with only a new battle flag for +use in case of war. The Congress over-ruled him at this point with an +emphasis which they meant as a rebuke to his tendency to cling to the +hope of reconciliation. + +It was exactly one o'clock on Monday, February 18, 1861, that Jefferson +Davis rose between the towering pillars of the State Capitol in +Montgomery and began his inaugural address. It was careful, moderate, +statesmanlike, and a model of classic English. The closing sentence +swept the crowd. + +"It is joyous in the midst of perilous times to look thus upon a people +united in heart, whose one purpose of high resolve animates and actuates +the whole; where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the +balance against honor, and right, and liberty and equality." + +The cheer that greeted his appeal rose and fell again and again the +third time with redoubled power and enthusiasm. + +The President-elect stepped forward, placed his hand on the open Bible, +and took the oath of office. As the last word fell from his white lips +cannon thundered a salute from the hill crest and the great silk ensign +of the South was slowly lifted by the hand of the granddaughter of +President Tyler. + +As the breeze unrolled its huge red, white and blue folds against the +shining Southern skies the crowd burst into hysterical applause. + +A Nation had been born whose history might be brief, but the people who +created it and the leader who guided its destiny were the pledge of its +immortality. + +Socola found no difficulty in possessing himself of every secret of the +new Government. What was not proclaimed from the street corners and +shouted from the housetops, the newspapers printed in double leads. The +new Government had yet to organize its secret service. + +The President addressed himself with energy to the task which confronted +him. But seven States had yet enrolled in the Confederacy. Of four more +he felt sure. The first attempt to coerce a Southern State by force of +arms would close the ranks with Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and +Arkansas by his side. Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri were peopled by +the South and the institution of Slavery bound them in a common cause. + +And yet the defense of these eleven Southern States with their five +million white population and four million blacks was a task to stagger +the imagination of the greatest statesman of any age. This vast +territory would present an open front on land of more than a thousand +miles without a single natural barrier. Its sea coast presented three +thousand miles of water front--open to the attack of the navy. This +enormous coast of undefended shore was pierced by river after river +whose broad, deep waters would carry the gunboats of an enemy into the +heart of the South. + +The audacity of our fathers in challenging the power of Great Britain +was reasonable in comparison with the madness of the South's challenge +to the North. Three thousand miles of storm-tossed ocean defended our +Revolutionary ancestors from the base of the enemy supplies. Three +thousand miles of undefended coast invited the attack of the U. S. Navy, +while twenty million Northerners stood with their feet on the borders of +the South ready to advance without the possibility of hindrance save the +bare breasts of the men who might oppose them. + +The difference between the sections in material resources was absurd. +The North was rich and powerful Her engines of war were exhaustless and +under perfect control. The railroads of the South were few and poorly +equipped, with no work shops from which to renew their equipment when +exhausted. The railroad system of the entire country was absolutely +dependent on the North for supplies. The Missouri River was connected +with the Northern seaboard by the finest system of railways in the +world, with a total mileage of over thirty thousand. Its annual tonnage +was thirty-six million and its revenue valued at four thousand millions +of dollars. The annual value of the manufactures of the North was over +two thousand millions, and their machinery was complete for the +production of all the material of war. Her ships sailed every sea and +she could draw upon the resources of the known world. Her manufacturing +power compared to the South was five hundred to one. + +No leader in the history of his race was ever confronted by such +insuperable difficulties as faced Jefferson Davis. + +He had been called to direct the government of a proud, sensitive, +jealous people thrown without preparation into a position which +threatened their existence, without an army, without arms, or the means +to manufacture them, without even powder, or the means to make it, or +the material out of which it must be made, without a navy or a single +ship-yard in which to build one, and three thousand miles of coast to be +defended against a navy which had whipped the greatest maritime nation +of the world. His genius must meet every difficulty and supply every +want or his Confederacy would fall at the first shock of war. + +The one tremendous and apparently insuperable difficulty in case of war +was the lack of a navy. A navy could not be built in a day, or a year or +two years, were the resources of the Confederacy boundless. The ships of +war now in the possession of the United States were of incalculable +power in such a crisis. The South was cut in every quarter by navigable +rivers. Many of their waters opened on Northern interiors accessible to +great workshops from which new gunboats could be built with rapidity and +launched against the South. The Mississippi River, navigable for a +thousand miles, flowed through the entire breadth of the Confederacy +with its approaches and its mouth in the hands of the North. Both the +Tennessee and the Cumberland rivers had their mouths open to Northern +frontiers and were navigable in midwinter for transports and gunboats +which could pierce the heart of Tennessee and Alabama. + +It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that the first purpose of the +President of the Confederacy was to secure peace by all means consistent +with public honor and the trust imposed on him by the people. + +His first official act was the dispatch of Confederate Commissioners to +Washington to treat for peace. + +The hope that they would be received with courtesy and consideration was +a reasonable one. The greatest newspapers of the North were outspoken in +their opposition to the use of arms against any State of the Union. + +The New York _Tribune_, the creator of Lincoln's party, led in this +opposition to the use of force. The Albany _Argus_ and the New York +_Herald_ were equally emphatic. Governor Seymour of New York boldly +declared in a great mass meeting his unalterable opposition to coercion. +The Detroit _Free Press_ suggested that a fire would be poured into the +rear of any troops raised to coerce a State. It was already known that +Mr. Lincoln would not advocate coercion in his inaugural. + +Stephen A. Douglas, leader of the millions of the Northern Democracy, +offered a resolution in the Senate of the United States recommending the +immediate withdrawal of the garrisons from all forts within the limits +of the States which had seceded except those at Key West and Dry +Tortugas needful for coaling stations. + +"I proclaim boldly," declared the Senator from Illinois, "the policy of +those with whom I act. We are for peace!" + +Socola reported to his Chief in Washington that nothing was more certain +than that Jefferson Davis hoped for reunion, with guarantees against +aggression by the stronger section of the Union. + +Buchanan had agreed to receive the Southern Commissioners, and sent a +message to Congress announcing their presence and their overtures. + +The Commissioners found Washington seething with passion and trembling +with excitement. Buchanan had collapsed in terror, fearing each hour to +hear that his home had been sacked and burned at Wheatland. + +But the Southern leaders' hope of peaceful settlement was based on a +surer foundation than the shattered nerves of the feeble old man in the +White House. Joseph Holt, the Secretary of War, was a Southern Democrat +born in Kentucky, and from the State of Mississippi. Holt had called on +Davis in Washington and assured him of his loyalty to the South and her +people. The President of the Confederacy knew of his consuming personal +ambitions and had assured him of his influence to secure generous +treatment. + +But the Secretary of War had received information from the South. He had +studied the situation carefully. He believed his chances of advancement +in the North a better risk. The new Government had ignored him in the +selection of a Cabinet--and with quick decision he cast his fortunes +with the Union. That he had deceived Davis and Clay, to whom he had +given his pledge of Southern loyalty, was a matter of no importance, +save that these two men, who alone knew his treachery, were marked for +his vengeance. + +Little could they dream in this hour the strange end toward which Fate +was even now hurrying them through the machinations of this sullen, +envious Southern renegade. + +The Secretary of War placed his big fist on the throat of the trembling +President, and the Peace Commissioners could not reach the White House +or its councils. + +They were forced to await the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. + +Jefferson Davis gave himself body and soul to the task of preparing his +over-sanguine, credulous people for the possible tragedy of war. + +General Beauregard was ordered to command the forces in South Carolina, +and erect batteries for the defense of Charleston and the reduction of +Fort Sumter in case of an attempt to reënforce it. This grim fort, in +the center of the harbor of the chief Southern Atlantic city, commanded +the gateway of the Confederacy. If it should be reënforced, the +Confederate Government might be strangled by the fall of Charleston, and +the landing of an army even before a blow could be struck. + +Captain Raphael Semmes was sent North to buy every gun in the market. He +was directed to secure machinery, and skilled workingmen to man it, for +the establishment of arsenals and shops, and above all to buy any vessel +afloat suitable for offensive or defensive work. Not a single ship of +any description could be had, and the intervention of the authorities +finally prevented the delivery of a single piece of machinery or the +arms he had purchased. + +Major Huse was sent to Europe on the third day after the inauguration at +Montgomery on a similar mission. + +General G. W. Rains was appointed to establish a manufactory for +ammunition. His work was an achievement of genius. He created artificial +niter beds, from which sufficient saltpeter was obtained, and within a +year was furnishing the finest powder. + +General Gorgas was appointed Chief of Ordnance. There was but one iron +mill in the South which could cast a cannon, and that was the little +Tredegar works at Richmond, Virginia. The State of Virginia had voted +against secession and it would require the first act of war against her +Southern sisters to bring her to their defense. + +The widespread belief in the North that the South had secretly prepared +for war, was utterly false, and yet the impression was of the utmost +importance to the President of the Confederacy. It gave his weak +government a fictitious strength, and gave him a brief time in which to +prepare his raw recruits for their first battle. + +Day and night he prayed for peace at any sacrifice save that of honor. +The first bloodshed would be the match in the powder magazine. He +pressed his Commissioners in Washington for haste. + +The inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln had been so carefully worded, +its utterances so conservative and guarded, his expressions of good will +toward the South so surprisingly emphatic, that Davis could not believe +an act of aggression which would bring bloodshed could be committed by +his order. + +And yet day dragged after day with no opportunity afforded his +Commissioners to treat with the new Administration save through the +undignified course of an intermediary. The Southern President ordered +that all questions of form or ceremony be waived. + +Seward, the Secretary of State, gave to these Commissioners repeated +assurances of the peaceful intention of the Government at Washington, +and the most positive promise that Fort Sumter would be evacuated. He +also declared that no measure would be instituted either by the +Executive or Congress changing the situation except on due notice given +the Commissioners. + +These assurances were accepted by the Confederate President in absolute +good faith. And yet early in April the news was flashed to Montgomery +that extraordinary preparations were being made in the Northern ports +for a military and naval expedition against the South. On April the +fifth, sixth and seventh, a fleet of transports and warships with +shotted guns, munitions and military supplies sailed for Charleston. + +The Commissioners in alarm requested an answer to their proposals. To +their amazement they were informed that the President of the United +States had already determined to hold no communication with them +whatever in any capacity or listen to any proposals they had to make. + +On Beauregard's report to them that Anderson was endeavoring to +strengthen his position instead of evacuating the Fort the Commissioners +again communicated with Mr. Seward. + +The wily Secretary of State assured them that the Government had not +receded from his promise. On April seventh Mr. Seward sent them this +message: + +"Faith as to Sumter fully kept: wait and see." + +His war fleet was already on the high seas, their black prows pointed +southward, their one hundred and twenty guns shotted, their battle flags +streaming in the sky! + +Lincoln's sense of personal honor was too keen to permit this crooked +piece of diplomacy to stain the opening of his administration. He +dispatched a special messenger to the Governor of South Carolina and +gave notice of his purpose to use force if opposed in his intention of +supplying Fort Sumter. + +On the eve of the day the fleet was scheduled to arrive this notice was +delivered. But a storm at sea had delayed the expedition and Beauregard +asked the President of the Confederacy for instructions. + +His Cabinet was called, and its opinion was unanimous that Fort Sumter +must be reduced or the Confederacy dissolved. There was no choice. + +Their President rose, his drawn face deadly pale: + +"I agree with you, gentlemen. The order of the sailing of the fleet was +a declaration of war. The responsibility is on their shoulders, not +ours. To juggle for position as to who shall fire the first gun in such +an hour is unworthy of a great people and their cause. A deadly weapon +has been aimed at our heart. Only a fool would wait until the shot has +been fired. The assault has already been made. It is of no importance +who shall strike the first blow or fire the first gun." + +With quick decision he seized his pen and wrote the order for the +reduction of Fort Sumter. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +JENNIE'S VISION + + +Wild rumors of bombardment held Charleston in a spell. + +Jennie Barton sat alone on the roof of her aunt's house at two o'clock +on the morning of April 13. The others had gone to bed, certain that the +rumors were false. She had somehow felt the certainty of the crash. + +Seated beside the brick coping of the roof she leaned the strong little +chin in her hands, waited and watched. Lights were flickering around the +shore batteries like fireflies winking in the shadows of deep woods. Her +three brothers were there. She might look on their dead faces to-morrow. +Her father had rushed to Charleston from Washington at the first news of +the sailing of the fleet. He had begged and pleaded with General +Beauregard to reduce the Fort immediately, with or without orders from +Davis. + +"For God's sake, use your discretion as Commanding General and open +fire. If that fleet reaches Sumter the cause of the Confederacy is lost. +Old Davis is too slow. He's still crying peace, peace, when there is no +peace. The war has begun!" + +The General calmly shook his head and asked for instructions. + +Besides losing her brothers, she might be an orphan to-morrow. Her +father was quite capable of an attack on Sumter without orders. And if +the bombardment should begin he would probably be roaming over the +harbor from fort to fort, superintending the job under the guns of both +sides. + +"If Anderson does not accept the terms of surrender offered he will be +fired on at four o'clock." Jennie repeated the headlines of the extra +with a shiver. + +The chimes of St. Michael's struck three. The minutes slowly dragged. +The half hour was sung through the soft balmy air of the Southern +spring. + +Dick Welford, too, was behind one of those black guns on the shore. How +handsome he had looked in his bright new uniform! He was a soldier from +the crown of his blond head to the soles of his heavy feet. He had +laughed at danger. She had liked him for that. He hadn't posed. He +hadn't asked for sympathy or admiration. He just marched to his duty +with the quick, firm step of the man who means business. + +She was sorry now she hadn't told him how much she liked and admired +him. She might not have another chance-- + +"Nonsense, of course I will!" she murmured with a toss of her brown +head. + +A dog barked across the street, and a wagon rattled hurriedly over the +cobblestones below. A rooster crowed for day. + +She looked across the way, and a dark group of whispering women were +huddled in a corner on the roof, their gaze fixed on Sumter. + +Another wagon rumbled heavily over the cobbles, and another, and +another. A blue light flamed from Fort Sumter, blinking at intervals. +Anderson was signaling someone. To the fleet that lay on the eastern +horizon beyond the bar, perhaps. + +The chimes of St. Michael struck the fatal hour of four. Their sweet +notes rang clear and soft and musical over the dim housetops just as +they had sung to the sleeping world through years of joyous peace. + +Jennie sprang to her feet and strained her eyes toward the black lump +that was Sumter out in the harbor. She waited with quick beating heart +for the first flash of red from the shore batteries. It did not come. +Five minutes passed that seemed an hour, and still no sound of war. + +Only those wagons were rumbling now at closer intervals--one after the +other in quick succession. They were ammunition trains! The crack of the +drivers' whips could be heard distinctly, and the cries of the men +urging their horses on. The noise became at last a dull, continuous +roar. + +The chimes from the old church tower again sang the half hour and then +it came--_a sudden sword leap of red flame on the horizon_! A shell rose +in the sky, glowing in pale phosphorescent trail, and burst in a flash +of blinding flame over the dark lump in the harbor. The flash had +illumined the waters and revealed the clear outlines of the casemates +with their black mouths of steel gaping through the portholes. A roar of +deep, dull thunder shook the world. + +Jennie fell on her knees with clasped hands and upturned face. Her lips +were not moving, and no sound came from the little dry throat, but from +the depths of her heart rose the old, old cry of love. + +"Lord have mercy on my darling brothers, and keep them safe--let no harm +come to them--and Dick, too--brave and strong!" + +The house below was stirring with the rush of hurrying feet in the +corridors and the clatter on the narrow stairs that led to the roof. +They crowded to the edge and gazed seaward. The hum of voices came now +from every house. Women were crying. Some were praying. Men were talking +in low, excited tones. + +Jennie paid no attention to the people about her. Her eyes were fixed +on those tongues of flame that circled Sumter. + +Anderson was firing now, his big guns flashing their defiant answer to +Beauregard's batteries. Jennie watched the lurid track of his shells +with sickening dread. + +A man standing beside her in the gray dawn spoke. + +"A waste of ammunition!" + +The cannon boomed now with the regular throb of a great human pulse. The +sobs and excited cries and prayers of women had become a part of the +weird scene. + +A young mother stood beside Jennie with a baby boy in her arms. He was +delighted with the splendid display and the roar of the guns. + +He pointed his fingers to the circling shells and cried: + +"'Ook, mamma, 'ook!" + +The mother made no answer. Only with her hungry eyes did she follow +their track to the shore. Her mate was there. + +The baby clapped his hands and caught the rhythm of the throb and roar +of the cannon in his little voice: + +"Boom!--Boom!" + +The sun rose from the sea, a ball of dull red fire glowing ominously +through the haze of smoke that hung in the sky. + +Hour after hour the guns pealed, the windows rattled and the earth +trembled. + +Couriers were dashing into the city with reports from the batteries. +Soldiers were marching through the streets. It was reported that the men +from the fleet would attempt a landing. + +The women rushed to the little iron balcony and watched the troops +marching to repel them. + +In the first line Jennie saw the tall figure of Dick Welford. He glanced +upward, lifted his cap and held it steadily in his hand for four blocks +until they turned and swept out of sight. + +Jennie was leaning on the rail with tear-dimmed eyes. + +"I wonder why that soldier took his hat off?" her aunt asked. + +"Yes--I wonder!" was the soft answer. + +By three o'clock it was known that not a man had been killed at either +of the shore batteries and women began to smile and breathe once more. + +The newsboys were screaming an extra. + +Jennie hurried into the street and bought one. + +In big black headlines she read: + + RICHMOND AND WASHINGTON ABLAZE WITH EXCITEMENT! + + THE NORTH WILD WITH RAGE + + VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA ARMING TO COME TO OUR RESCUE! + +She walked rapidly to the water's edge to get the latest news from the +front. A tiny rowboat was deliberately pulling through the harbor +squarely under the guns of Sumter. She watched it with amazement, +looking each moment to see it disappear beneath the waves. It was +probably her foolish father. + +With steady, even stroke the boatman pulled for the shore as unconcerned +as if he were listening to the rattle of firecrackers on the fourth of +July. + +To her surprise it proved to be a negro. He tied his boat and +deliberately unloaded his supply of vegetables. His stolid, sphinx-like +face showed neither fear nor interest. + +"Weren't you afraid of Anderson's cannon, uncle?" Jennie asked. + +"Nobum--nobum--" + +"You might have been blown to pieces--" + +"Nobum--Marse Anderson daresn't hit me!" + +"Why not?" + +"He knows my marster don't 'low nuttin like dat--I'se too val'eble er +nigger. Nobum, dey ain't none ob 'em gwine ter pester me, an' I ain't +gwine ter meddle wid dem--dey kin des fight hit out twixt 'em--" + +Through the long night the steady boom of cannon, and the scream of +shells from the shore. + +At one o'clock next day the flagstaff was cut down by a solid shot, and +Sumter was silent. + +At three o'clock a mob surged up the street following Senator Barton, +who had just come from the harbor. He was on his way to Beauregard's +headquarters. + +Anderson had surrendered. + +A strange quiet held the city. There was no jubilation, no bonfires, no +illuminations to celebrate the victory. A sigh of relief for deliverance +from a great danger that had threatened their life--that was all. + +The Southern flag was flying now from the battered walls, and the people +were content. They were glad that Beauregard had given old Bob Anderson +the privilege of saluting his flag and marching out with the honors of +war. All they asked was to be let alone. + +And they were doubly grateful for the strange Providence that had saved +every soldier's life while the walls of the Fort had been hammered into +a shapeless mass. No blood had yet been spilled on either side. The +President of the Confederacy caught the wonderful news from the wires +with a cry of joy. + +"Peace may yet be possible!" he exclaimed excitedly. "No blood has been +spilled in actual conflict--" + +His joy was short lived. A rude awakening was in store. + +Dick Welford strolled along the brilliantly lighted "Battery" that night +with Jennie's little hand resting on his arm. + +"I tell you, Jennie, I was scared!" he was saying with boyish +earnestness. "You see a fellow never knows how he's going to come out of +a close place like that till he tries it. I had a fine uniform and I'd +learned the drill and all that--but I had not smelled brimstone at short +range. I didn't know how I'd do under fire. Now I know I'm a worthy +descendant of my old Scotch-Irish ancestor who held a British officer +before him for a shield and gracefully backed out of danger." + +They stopped and gazed over the lazy, shimmering waters of the harbor. + +Jennie looked up into his manly face with a glow of pride. + +"You're splendid, Dick,--I'm proud of you!" + +"Are you?" he asked eagerly. + +"Yes. You're just like my brothers." + +"Look here now, Jennie," he protested, "don't you go telling me that +you'll be a sister to me. I've got a lot of sisters at home and I don't +need any more--" + +"I didn't mean it that way, Dick," she responded tenderly. "My brothers +are just the finest, bravest men that God ever made in this +world--that's what I meant." + +"Don't you like me a little?" + +"I almost love you to-night--maybe it's our victory--maybe it's the fear +that made me pray for you and the boys on that house top the other +night--I don't know--" + +"Did you pray for me?" he asked softly. + +"Yes--" + +"I ought to be satisfied with that, but I'm not--I want you! Won't you +be mine?" + +She smiled into his eager face in a gentle, whimsical way. A half +promise to him was just trembling on her lips when Socola's slender, +erect figure suddenly crossed the street. He lifted his hat with a +genial bow. + +Dick ground his teeth in a smothered oath, and Jennie spoke abruptly: + +"Come--it's late--we must go in." + +Through the long night the girl lay awake with the calm, persistent, +smiling face of the foreigner looking into the depths of her brown +eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A LITTLE CLOUD + + +The first aggressive act of the President of the Confederacy revealed +his alert and far-seeing mind. His keen eye was bent upon the sea, with +an instinctive appreciation of the tremendous import of the long +Southern coast line. + +Without a ship afloat or a single navy yard, by a stroke of his pen he +created a fleet destined to sweep the commerce of the North from every +sea. His task was to create something out of nothing and how well he did +it events swiftly bore their testimony. + +The United States Government was the only nation which had refused to +join the agreement to abandon the use of letters of marque and reprisal +for destroying the unarmed vessels of commerce in time of war. This +unfortunate piece of diplomacy gave Jefferson Davis the opportunity to +strike his first blow at the power and prestige of the North. + +He immediately issued a proclamation offering to issue such letters to +any ship that would arm herself and enlist under the ensign of the +Confederate navy. The response was quick and the ultimate result the +lowering of the flag of the Union from practically every ship of +commerce that sailed the ocean. + +Gideon Welles conferred with his Chief in Washington and Abraham Lincoln +issued a proclamation which at the time created scarcely a ripple of +excitement. And yet that order was the most important document which +came from the White House during the entire four years of the war. + +When the test came sixteen captains, thirty-four commanders and one +hundred and eleven midshipmen resigned and cast their fortunes with the +South. Not one of them attempted to use his position to surrender a +ship. + +Small as it was, the entire navy of the United States was practically +intact. It comprised ninety ships of war--forty-two of them ready for +active service. The majority of the vessels ready for war were +steam-propelled craft of the latest improved type. + +The United States had been one of the first world powers to realize the +value of steam and rebuild its navy accordingly. In twenty years, +practically a new navy had been constructed, ranking in effective power +third only to England and France. Within the past five years, the +Government had built the steam frigates, _Merrimac_, _Niagara_, +_Colorado_, _Wabash_, _Minnesota_, and _Roanoke_. In addition to these +twelve powerful steam sloops of war had been commissioned--the +_Hartford_, _Brooklyn_, _Lancaster_, _Richmond_, _Narragansett_, +_Dakota_, _Iroquois_, _Wyoming_, and _Seminole_. They were of the +highest type of construction and compared favorably with the best ships +of the world. + +These ships at the opening of the war were widely scattered, but their +homeward bound streamers were all fluttering in the sky. + +President Lincoln in his proclamation ordered the most remarkable +blockade in the history of the world. This document declared three +thousand miles of Southern coast, from the Virginia Capes to the Rio +Grande, closed to the commerce of the world. + +The little fleet boldly sailed on its tremendous mission. The smoke of +its funnels made but a tiny smudge on the wide, shining Southern skies. +But with swift and terrible swirl this cloud, no bigger than a man's +hand, grew into a storm whose black shadow shrouded the Southland in +gloom. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CLOSING OF THE RANKS + + +A wave of fierce anger swept the North. The fall of Sumter was the one +topic on every lip. Men stopped their trade, their work, their play and +looked about them for the nearest rallying ground of soldiers. + +The President of the United States was quick to seize the favorable +moment to call for 75,000 volunteers. That these troops were to fight +the Confederacy was not questioned for a moment. + +The effect of this proclamation on the South was a political earthquake. +In a single day all differences of opinion were sunk in the common +cause. A feeling of profound wonder swept every thoughtful man within +the Southern States. To this moment, even a majority of those who +favored the policy of secession had done so under the belief that it was +the surest way of securing redress of grievances and of bringing the +Federal Government back to its original Constitutional principles. Many +of them believed, and all of their leaders in authority hoped, that a +re-formation of the Union would soon take place in peaceful ways on the +basis of the new Constitution proclaimed at Montgomery. Many Northern +newspapers, led by the New York _Herald_, had advocated this course. The +hope of the majority of the Southern people was steadfast that the Union +would thus be continued and strengthened, and made more perfect, as it +had been in 1789 after the withdrawal of nine States from the Old Union +by the adoption of the Constitution of 1787. + +Abraham Lincoln's proclamation shattered all hope of such peaceful +adjustment. + +Thousands of the best men in Virginia and North Carolina had voted +against secession. Not one of them, in the face of this proclamation, +would dispute longer with their brethren. Whatever they might think +about the expediency of withdrawing from the Union, they were absolutely +clear on two points. The President of the United States had no power +under the charter of our Government to declare war. Congress only could +do that. If the Cotton States were out of the Union, his act was illegal +because the usurpation of supreme power. If they were yet in the Union, +the raising of an army to invade their homes was a plain violation of +the Constitution. + +The heart of the South beat as one man. The cause of the war had been +suddenly shifted to a broader and deeper foundation about which no +possible difference could ever again arise in the Southern States. + +The demand for soldiers to invade the South was a bugle call to Southern +manhood to fight for their liberties and defend their homes. It gave +even to the staunchest Union men of the Old South the overt act of an +open breach of the Constitution. From the moment Abraham Lincoln +proclaimed a war without the act of Congress, from that moment he became +a dictator and a despot who deliberately sought to destroy their +liberties. + +The cause of the South not only meant the defense of their homes from +foreign invasion; it became a holy crusade for the reëstablishment of +Constitutional freedom. + +Virginia immediately seceded from the Union by the vote of the same men +who had refused to secede but a few weeks before. The old flag fell from +its staff on her Capitol and the new symbol of Southern unity was +unfurled in its place. As if by magic the new flag fluttered from every +hill, housetop and window, while crowds surged through the streets +shouting and waving it aloft. Cannon boomed its advent and cheering +thousands saluted it. + +A great torchlight parade illumined the streets on April 19. In this +procession walked the men who a week ago had marched through Franklin +Street waving the old flag of the Union and shouting themselves hoarse +in their determination to uphold it. They had signed the ordinance of +secession with streaming eyes, but they signed it with firm hands, and +sent their sons to the muster fields next day. + +Augusta County, a Whig and Union center, and Rockingham, an equally +strong Democratic Union county, each contributed fifteen hundred +soldiers to the new cause. Women not only began to prepare the equipment +for their men, but many of them began to arm and practice themselves. +Boys from ten to fourteen were daily drilling. In Petersburg three +hundred free negroes offered their services to fight or to ditch and +dig. + +The bitterness of the answers of the Southern Governors from the Border +States yet in the Union amazed the President at Washington. + +His demand for troops was refused in tones of scorn and defiance. + +Governor Magoffin of Kentucky replied: + +"The State will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her +sister Southern States." + +Governor Harris telegraphed from Nashville: + +"The State of Tennessee will not furnish a single man for coercion, but +fifty thousand if necessary for the defense of her rights." + +The message of Governor Ellis of North Carolina was equally emphatic: + +"I will be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of our +country, and to this war upon the liberties of a free people." + +Governor Rector of Arkansas replied: + +"Your demand adds insult to injury." + +Governor Jackson of Missouri was indignant beyond all others: + +"Your requisition in my judgment is illegal, unconstitutional, and +revolutionary--its objects inhuman and diabolical." + +Tennessee followed Virginia by seceding on May 6. Arkansas on May 18, +and North Carolina by unanimous vote on May 21. + +North Carolina had been slow to announce her final separation from the +old Union. But she had been prompt in proclaiming her own sovereign +rights within her territory when the National Government had dared to +call them in question. On the day the President had issued his +proclamation she seized Fort Macon at Beaufort. Fort Caswell was taken +and garrisoned by her volunteers, and on April 19, the arsenal at +Fayetteville was captured without bloodshed. The value of this +achievement to the South was incalculable. The Confederacy thus secured +sixty-five thousand stand of arms, of which twenty-eight thousand were +of the most modern pattern. + +Virginia had seceded on April 17 and immediately moved to secure under +the resumption of her complete sovereignty all the arms, munitions of +war, ship stores and military posts within her borders. Two posts of +tremendous importance she attempted to seize at once--the great navy +yard at Norfolk and the arsenal and shops at Harper's Ferry. The navy +yard contained a magnificent dry dock worth millions, huge ship houses, +supplies, ammunition, small arms and cannon, and had lying in its basin +several vessels of war, complete and incomplete. + +Harper's Ferry contained ten thousand muskets, five thousand rifles and +a complete set of machinery for the manufacture of arms capable of +turning out two thousand muskets a month. + +A force of Virginia volunteers moved on Harper's Ferry. The small +Federal garrison asked for a parley, which was granted. In a short time +flames were pouring from the armory and arsenal. The garrison had set +fire to the buildings and escaped across the railroad bridge into +Maryland. + +The Virginia troops rushed into the burning buildings, and saved five +thousand muskets and three thousand unfinished rifles. The garrison had +laid trains of powder to blow up the workshops, but the Virginians +extinguished the flames and saved to the South the invaluable machinery +for making and repairing muskets and rifles. It was shipped to +Fayetteville and Richmond and installed for safety. + +The destruction of the navy yard at Norfolk was more complete and +irreparable. The dry dock was little damaged, but the destruction of +stores and property was enormous. All ships in the harbor were set on +fire and scuttled. + +Events moved now with swift and terrible certainty. + +Massachusetts attempted, on April 19, to send a regiment through the +streets of Baltimore to invade the South, and the indignant wrath of her +citizens could not be controlled by the mayor or police. The street cars +on which they were riding across town to the Camden station were thrown +from the tracks. The crowds jammed the streets and shouted their curses +in the face of the advancing volunteers. Stones were hurled into their +ranks and two soldiers dropped. A volley was poured into the crowd and +several fell dead and wounded. + +The crowd went mad. Revolvers were drawn and fired point blank into the +ranks of the soldiers and those who were unarmed rushed to arm +themselves. From Frederic to Smith Streets the firing on both sides +continued with the regular crash of battle. Citizens were falling, but +even the unarmed men continued to press forward and hurl stones into the +ranks of the New Englanders. + +The troops began to yield before the determined onslaughts of the +infuriated crowds, bewildered and apparently without real commanders. +They pressed through the streets, staggering, confused, breaking into a +run and turning to fire on their assailants as they retreated. + +Harassed, bleeding and exhausted, the regiment at last reached the +Baltimore & Ohio station. The fight continued without pause. Volleys of +stones were hurled into the cars, shattering windows and paneling. The +troops were ordered to lie down on the floors and keep their heads below +the line of the windows. Maddened men pressed to the car windows, +cursing and yelling their defiance. For half a mile along the tracks the +crowd struggled and shouted, piling the rails with new obstructions as +fast as policemen could remove them. Through a steady roar of hoots, +yells and curses the train at last pulled slowly out, the troops pouring +a volley into the crowd. + +In this first irregular battle of the sections the Massachusetts +regiment lost four killed and thirty-six wounded. The Baltimoreans lost +twelve killed and an unknown number wounded. + +A wave of tremendous excitement swept the State of Maryland. Bridges on +all railroads leading north were immediately burned and the City of +Washington cut off from communication with the outside world. Troops +were compelled to avoid Baltimore and find transportation by water to +Annapolis. Mass meetings were held and speeches of bitter defiance +hurled against the Federal Government. The Baltimore Council +appropriated five hundred thousand dollars to put the city in a state of +defense, though the State had proclaimed its neutrality. + +The shrewd, good-natured, even-tempered President at Washington used all +his powers of personal diplomacy to pour oil on the troubled waters of +Maryland. In the meantime with swift, sure, and merciless tread he moved +on the turbulent State with the power of Federal arms. It was impossible +to hold the Capital of the Nation with a hostile State separating it +from the loyal North. + +The steps he took were all clearly unconstitutional, but they were +necessary to save the Capital. They were the acts of a dictator, for +Congress was not in session, but he dared to act. Troops were suddenly +thrown into the city of Baltimore and its streets and heights planted +with cannon. The chief of police was arrested and imprisoned, the police +board was suspended and the city brought under the rule of drumhead +court-martial. The writ of _habeas corpus_ was suspended by Federal +authorities in a free and sovereign State whose Legislature had +proclaimed its neutrality in the sectional conflict. Blank warrants were +issued by military officers and the house of every suspect entered by +force and searched. The mayor and his Council were arrested without +warrant, held without trial, and imprisoned in a military fortress, and +when the Legislature dared to protest, its members were arrested and its +session closed by bayonets. + +So thoroughly was this work done that within thirty days from the attack +on the troops of New England, Maryland's Governor by proclamation called +for four regiments of volunteers to assist the Washington Government in +the proposed invasion of the South. + +In like manner, with hand of steel within a velvet glove, Mr. Lincoln +prevented the secession of Kentucky and Missouri. It was done with less +violence, but it was done, and these rich and powerful States saved to +the Union. + +The swift and bloodless conquest of Maryland inspired the North with the +most grotesque conception of the war and its outcome. + +The British and French Governments had immediately recognized the +Confederate States as belligerents under the terms of international law +and closed their ports to the armed vessels of both contestants. Mr. +Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State, hastened to assure the nations of +Europe that a dissolution of the Union was an absurd impossibility. It +had never entered the mind of any candid statesman in America and should +be dismissed at once by statesmen in Europe. And yet at this time eleven +Southern States, stretching from the James to the Rio Grande, with a +population of eight millions, had by solemn act of their Legislatures +withdrawn from the Union and their armies were camping within a few +miles of the City of Washington. + +In all the North not a single statesman or a single newspaper appeared +to have any conception of the serious task before them. The fusillades +of rant, passion and bombast which filled the air would have been comic +but for the grim tragedy which was stalking in their wake. + +The "Rebellion" was ridiculed and sneered at in terms that taxed the +genius of the writers for words of contempt. + +The New York _Tribune_, the greatest and most powerful organ of public +opinion in the North, a paper which had boldly from the first proclaimed +the right of the South to peaceable secession, was now swept away with +the popular fury. + +Its editor gravely declared: + +"The Southern rebellion is nothing more or less than the natural +recourse of all mean-spirited and defeated tyrannies to rule or ruin, +making of course a wide distinction between the will and the power, for +the hanging of traitors is soon to begin before a month is over. The +Nations of Europe may rest assured that Jeff Davis and Co. will be +swinging from the battlements at Washington, at least by the fourth of +July. We spit upon a later and longer deferred justice." + +The New York _Times_ gave its opinion with equal clearness: + +"Let us make quick work. The Rebellion is an unborn tadpole. Let us not +fall into the delusion of mistaking a local commotion for a revolution. +A strong active pull together will do our work in thirty days. We have +only to send a column of twenty-five thousand men across the Potomac to +Richmond to burn out the rats there; another column of twenty-five +thousand to Cairo to seize the Cotton ports of the Mississippi and +retain the remaining twenty-five thousand called for by the President at +Washington--not because there is any need for them there but because we +do not require their services elsewhere." + +The staid old Philadelphia _Press_ declared: + +"No man of sense can for a moment doubt that all this +much-ado-about-nothing will end in a month. The Northern people are +invincible. The rebels are a band of ragamuffins who will fly like chaff +before the wind on our approach." + +The West vied with the East in boastful clamor. + +The Chicago _Tribune_ shouted from the top of its columns: + +"We insist that the West be allowed the honor of settling this little +trouble by herself since she is most interested in its suppression to +insure the free navigation of the Mississippi River. Let the East stand +aside. This is our war. We can end it successfully in two months. +Illinois can whip the whole South by herself. We insist on the affair +being turned over to us." + +With prospects of a short war and cheaply earned glory the rage for +volunteering was resistless. The war for three months was to be a +holiday excursion and every man would return a hero crowned with +garlands of flowers, the center of admiring thousands. The blacksmiths +of Brooklyn were busy making handcuffs for one of her crack regiments. +Each volunteer had sworn to lead at least one captive rebel in chains +through the crowded streets in the great parade on their return. + +Socola on his arrival at Montgomery from Charleston read these +fulminations from the North with amazement and rage. He sent his bitter +and emphatic protest against such madness to Holt. The faithful Joseph +had been rewarded with an office to his liking. He was now the Judge +Advocate General of the United States Army. He turned Socola's letters +over to Cameron, the new Secretary of War, who read them with rising +wrath. + +"The author of those letters," he said with a scowl, "is either a damned +fool, or traitor." + +Holt's lower lip was thrust out and the lines of his big mouth drawn +into a knot. + +"I assure you, sir--he is neither. He is absolutely loyal. His +patriotism is a religion. He has entered his dangerous and important +mission with the zeal of a religious fanatic." + +"That accounts for it then--he's insane. I don't care to read any more +such twaddle and I won't pay for the services of such a man out of the +funds of the War Department." + +With the utmost difficulty Holt secured the consent of the Secretary of +War to continue Socola's commission for two months longer. + +The only consolation the young patriot found in the contemptuous reply +his Government made to his solemn warnings was the almost equal fatuity +with which the Southern people were now approaching their first test of +battle. + +Until the proclamation of President Lincoln, both Jefferson Davis and +the South had believed in the possibility of a peaceful reconciliation. +Even when the proclamation had been made and the wild response of the +North had been instantly given, the Southern people refused to believe +that the millions of Northern voters who still clung to the old forms of +Constitutional Government under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas +would surrender their principles, arm themselves and march to coerce a +State at the command of a President against whom they had voted. + +Senator Barton, from his new position in the Confederate Senate, scouted +the idea of serious war. + +"Bah!" he growled to Socola, who was drawing him out. "The Yankees won't +fight!" + +"That's what they say about you, sir," was the cool response. + +"Who ever heard of a race of shopkeepers turning into soldiers?" The +Senator laughed. "Such men have no martial prowess! They are unequal to +mighty deeds of valor." + +The white teeth of the young observer gleamed in a smile. + +"On the other hand, Senator, I'm afraid history proves that commercial +communities, once aroused, are the most dogged, pugnacious, ambitious +and obstinate fighters of the world--Carthage, Venice, Genoa, Holland +and England have surely proven this--" + +"There's one thing certain," Barton roared. "We'll bring England to her +knees if there is a war. Cotton is the King of Commerce, and we hold the +key of his empire. The population of England will starve without our +cotton. If we need them they've got to come to our rescue, sir!" + +Socola did not argue the point. It was amazing how widespread was this +idea in the South. He wrote his Government again and again that the +whole movement of secession was based on this conception. + +There was one man in Washington who read these warnings with keen +insight--Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy. The part this quiet, +unassuming man was preparing to play in the mighty drama then unfolding +its first scene was little known or understood by those who were filling +the world with the noise of their bluster. + +Jefferson Davis at his desk in Montgomery saw with growing anxiety the +confidence of his people in immediate and overwhelming success. In +answer to Abraham Lincoln's proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers +to fight the South, he called for 100,000 to defend it. The rage for +volunteering in the South was even greater than the North. An army of +five hundred thousand men could have been enrolled for any length of +service if arms and equipment could have been found. It was utterly +impossible to arm and equip one hundred thousand, before the first +battle would be fought. + +Ambitious Southern boys, raging for the smell of battle, rushed from +post to post, begged and pleaded for a place in the ranks. They offered +big bounties for the places assigned to men who were lucky enough to be +accepted. + +The Confederate Congress, to the chagrin of their President, fixed the +time of service at six months. Jefferson Davis was apparently the only +man in the South who had any conception of the gigantic task before his +infant government. He begged and implored his Congress for an enrollment +of three years or the end of the war. The Congress laughed at his absurd +fears. The utmost they would grant was enlistment for the term of one +year. + +With grim foreboding but desperate earnestness the President of the +Confederacy turned his attention to the organization and equipment of +this force with which he was expected to defend the homes of eight +million people scattered over a territory of 728,000 square miles, with +an open frontier of a thousand miles and three thousand leagues of open +sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RICHMOND IN GALA DRESS + + +From the moment Virginia seceded from the Union it wan a foregone +conclusion that Richmond would be the capital of the new +Confederacy--not only because the great Virginian was the Father of the +Country and his glorious old Commonwealth the mother of States and +Presidents, but because her soil must be the arena of the first great +battle. + +On May 23, the Provisional Congress at Montgomery adjourned to meet in +Richmond on July 20, and Jefferson Davis began his triumphal procession +to the new Capital. + +Jennie Barton, her impulsive father, the Senator, Mrs Barton, with +temper serene and unruffled, and Signor Henrico Socola of the Sardinian +Ministry, were in the party. Dick Welford and two boys were already in +Virginia with their regiments. Tom was in New Orleans with Raphael +Semmes, fitting out the little steamer _Sumter_ for a Confederate +cruiser. + +Senator Barton had been requested by the new President to act as his +aide, and the champion of secession had accepted the honor under +protest. It was not of importance commensurate with his abilities, but +it was perhaps worth while for the moment until a greater field was +opened. + +The arrangement made Socola's association with Jennie of double +importance. As the train whirled through the sunlit fields of the South +he found his position by her side more and more agreeable and +interesting. She was a girl of remarkable intelligence. He had observed +that she was not afraid of silence. Her tongue was not forever going. In +fact she seemed disinclined to talk unless she had something to say. + +He glanced at her from the corners of his dark eyes with a friendly +smile. + +"You are serious to-day, Miss Jennie?" + +"Yes. I wish I were a man!" + +"You'd go to the front, of course?" + +"Yes--wouldn't you?" + +"For _my_ country--yes--" + +He paused a moment and went on carelessly: + +"Your older brother, the Judge, will fight for the Union?" + +The sensitive lips trembled. + +"No--thank God. He has sent my mother word that for her sake and mine +he'll not fight his father and younger brothers in battle. He's going to +do a braver thing than march to the front. He's going to face his +neighbors in New Orleans and stand squarely by his principles." + +"It will take a brave man to do that, won't it?" + +"The bravest of the brave." + +The train was just pulling into a sleepy Southern town, the tracks +running straight down the center of its main street. A company was drawn +up to salute the new President and cheering thousands had poured in from +the surrounding country to do him honor. They cheered themselves hoarse +and were still at it when the train slowly started northward. The +company which greeted their arrival with arms presented were on board +now, chatting, shouting, singing, waving their caps and handkerchiefs to +tear-stained women. + +The country through which the Presidential party passed had been +suddenly transformed into a vast military camp, the whole population war +mad. + +Every woman from every window of every house in sight of the train waved +a handkerchief. The flutter of those white flags never ceased. + +The city of Richmond gave their distinguished visitor a noble reception. +He was quartered temporarily at the Spotswood Hotel, but the City +Council had purchased the handsomest mansion in town at a cost of +$40,000 and offered it to him as their token of admiration of his +genius. + +Mr. Davis was deeply touched by this mark of esteem from Virginia, but +sternly refused the gift for himself. He accepted it for the Confederate +Government as the official residence of the President. + +Socola found the city a mere comfortable village in comparison with New +York or Boston or Philadelphia, though five times the size of +Montgomery. He strolled through its streets alone, wondering in which +one of the big old-fashioned mansions lived the remarkable Southern +woman to whom his Government had referred him for orders. He must await +the arrival of the messenger who would deliver to him in person its +description. In the meantime with tireless eye he was studying the +physical formation of every street and alley. He must know it, every +crook and turn. + +Until the advent of the troops Richmond had been one of the quietest of +all the smaller cities of America. Barely forty thousand inhabitants, +one third of whom were negro slaves, it could boast none of the displays +or excitements of a metropolis. Its vices were few, its life orderly and +its society the finest type of the genuine American our country had +developed. + +Rowdyism was unknown. The police department consisted of a dozen +"watchmen" whose chief duty was to round up a few straggling negroes who +might be found on the streets after nine o'clock at night and put them +in "the Cage" until morning. "The Cage" was a ramshackled wooden +building too absurd to be honored by the name of prison. + +The quiet, shady streets were suddenly transformed into the throbbing, +tumultuous avenues of a crowded Capital--already numbering more than one +hundred thousand inhabitants. + +Its pulse beat with a new and fevered life. Its atmosphere was tense +with the electric rumble of the coming storm--everywhere bustle, hurry +and feverish preparations for war. The Tredegar Iron Works had doubled +its force of men. Day and night the red glare of the furnaces threw its +sinister glow over the yellow, turbulent waters of the James. With every +throb now of its red heart a cannon was born destined to slay a thousand +men. + +Every hill was white with the tents of soldiers, their camps stretching +away into the distant fields and forests. + +Every street was thronged. Couriers on blooded horses dashed to and fro +bearing the messages of imperious masters. From every direction came the +crash of military bands. And over all the steady, low rumble of +artillery and the throbbing tramp of soldiers. In every field and wood +for miles around the city could be heard the neighing of horses, the +bugle call of the trooper, the shouts of gay recruits and the sharp +command of drilling officers. + +The rattle of the ambulance and the long, red trenches of the uncoffined +dead had not come yet. They were not even dreamed in the hearts of the +eager, rollicking, fun-loving children of the South. + +There were as yet no dances, no social festivities. The town was soldier +mad. Few men not in uniform were to be seen on the streets. A man in +citizen's clothes was under suspicion as to his principles. + +With each train, new companies and regiments arrived. Day and night the +tramp of soldiers' feet, the throb of drum, the scream of fife, the +gleam of bayonets. + +Everywhere soldiers were welcomed, fęted, lionized. The finest ladies of +Richmond vied with one another in serving their soldier guests. Society +turned out _en masse_ to every important review. + +Southern society was melted into a single pulsing thought--the fight in +defense of their homes and their liberty. In the white heat of this +mighty impulse the barriers of class and sex were melted. + +The most delicately reared and cultured lady of society admitted without +question the right of any man who wore a gray uniform to speak to her +without introduction and escort her anywhere on the streets. In not a +single instance was this high privilege abused by an insult, indignity +or an improper word. + +Socola saw but one lady who showed the slightest displeasure. + +A dainty little woman of eight, delicately trained in the ways of polite +society, was shocked at the familiarity of a soldier who had dared to +caress her. + +She turned to her elderly companion and gasped with indignation: + +"Auntie! Did you ever! Any man who wears a stripe on his pantaloons now +thinks he can speak to a lady!" + +Socola laughed and passed on to inspect the camp of the famous Hampton +Legion of South Carolina. + +His heart went out in a sudden wave of admiration for these Southern +people who could merge thus their souls and bodies into the cause of +their country. + +The Hampton Legion was recruited, armed and equipped and led by Wade +Hampton. Its private soldiers were the flower of South Carolina's +society. The dress parades of this regiment of gentlemen were the +admiration of the town. The carriages that hung around their maneuvers +were as gay and numerous as the assemblage on a fashionable race course. +Each member of this famous legion went into Richmond with his trunks and +body servant. They, too, were confident of a brief struggle. + +A kind fate held fast the dark curtains of the future. The camp was a +picnic ground, and Death was only a specter of the dim unknown. + +Just as Socola strolled by the grounds, the camp spied the handsome +figure of young Preston Hampton in a pair of spotless yellow kid gloves. +They caught and rolled him in the dust and spoiled his gloves. + +He laughed and took it good naturedly. + +The hardier sons of the South held the attention of the keen, observing +eyes with stronger interest. He knew what would become of those trunks +and fine clothes. The thing he wished most to know was the quality and +the temper of the average man in the Southern ranks. + +Socola met Dick Welford suddenly face to face, smiled and bowed. Dick +hesitated, returned his recognition and offered his hand. + +"Mr. Welford--" + +"Signor Socola." + +Dick's greeting was a little awkward, but the older man put him at once +at ease with his frank, friendly manners. + +"A brave show your _Champ de Mars_, sir!" + +"Does look like business, doesn't it?" Dick responded with pride. "Would +you like to go through the camps and see our men?" + +"Very much." + +"Come, I'll show you." + +Two hundred yards from the camp of the Hampton Legion they found the +Louisiana Zouaves of Wheat's command, small, tough-looking men with +gleaming black eyes. + +"Frenchmen!" Dick sneered. "They'll fight though--" + +"Their people in the old world have that reputation," Socola dryly +remarked. + +Beyond them lay a regiment of fierce, be-whiskered countrymen from the +lower sections of Mississippi. + +"Look out for those fellows," the young Southerner said serenely. +"They're from old Jeff's home. You'll hear from them. Their fathers all +fought in Mexico." + +Socola nodded. + +Beside the Mississippians lay a regiment of long-legged, sinewy riflemen +from Arkansas. + +A hundred yards further they saw the quaint coon-skin caps of John B. +Gordon's company from Georgia. + +Socola watched these lanky mountaineers with keen interest. + +"The Raccoon Roughs," Dick explained. "First company of Georgia +volunteers. They had to march over two or three States before anybody +would muster them in. They're happy as June bugs now." + +They passed two regiments of quiet North Carolinians. The young +Northerner observed their strong, muscular bodies and earnest faces. + +"And these two large regiments, Mr. Welford?" Socola asked. + +"Oh," the Virginian exclaimed with a careless touch of scorn in his +voice, "they're Tarheels--not much for looks, but I reckon they'll +_stick_." + +"I've an idea they will," was the serious reply. + +Dick pointed with pride to a fine-looking regiment of Virginians. + +"Good-looking soldiers," Socola observed. + +"Aren't they? That's my regiment. You'll hear from them in the first +battle." + +"And those giants?" Socola inquired, pointing to the right at a group of +tall, rude-looking fellows. + +"Texas Rangers." + +"I shouldn't care to meet them in a row--" + +"You know what General Taylor said of them in the Mexican War?" + +"No--" + +"_They're anything but gentlemen or cowards._" + +"I agree with him," Socola laughed. + +"What chance has a Yankee got against such men?" Dick asked with a wag +of his big blond head. + +"Let me show you what they think--" + +Socola drew a leaf of _Harper's Magazine_ from his pocket and spread it +before the young trooper's indignant gaze. + +The cartoon showed a sickly-looking Southerner carrying his musket under +an umbrella accompanied by a negro with a tray full of mint juleps. + +"That's a joke, isn't it!" Dick roared. "Will you give me this paper?" + +"Certainly, Monsieur!" + +Dick folded the sheet, still laughing. "I'll have some fun with this in +camp to-night. Come on--I want to show you just one more bunch of these +sickly-looking mint-julipers--" + +Again the Southerner roared. + +They quickened their pace and in a few minutes were passing through the +camps of the Red River men from Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. + +"Aren't you sorry for these poor fellows?" Dick laughed. + +"I have never seen anything like them," Socola admitted, looking on +their stalwart forms with undisguised admiration. Scarcely a man was +under six feet in height, with broad, massive shoulders and chests and +not an ounce of superfluous flesh. Their resemblance to each other was +remarkable. Nature had cast each one in the same heroic mold. The spread +of giant unbroken forests spoke in their brawny arms and legs. The look +of an eagle soaring over great rivers and fertile plains flashed in +their fearless eyes. + +"What do you think of them?" Dick asked with boyish pride. + +"I'd like to send their photographs to _Harper's_--" + +"For God's sake, don't do that!" Dick protested. "If you do, we'll never +get a chance to see a Yankee. I want to get in sight of 'em anyhow +before they run. All I ask of the Lord is to give me one whack at those +little, hump-backed, bow-legged shoemakers from Boston!" + +Socola smiled dryly. + +"In five minutes after we meet--there won't be a shoe-string left fit to +use." + +The dark face flashed with a strange light from the depths of the somber +eyes--only for an instant did he lose self-control. His voice was velvet +when he spoke. + +"Your faith is strong, M'sieur!" + +"It's not faith--we know. One Southerner can whip three Yankees any +day." + +"But suppose it should turn out that he had to whip five or six or a +dozen?" + +"Don't you think these fellows could do it?" + +Socola hesitated. It was a shame to pull down a faith that could remove +mountains. He shrugged his slender shoulders and a pensive look stole +over his face. He seemed to be talking to himself. + +"Your President tells me that his soldiers will do all that pluck and +muscle, endurance and dogged courage, dash and red-hot patriotism can +accomplish. And yet his view is not sanguine. A sad undertone I caught +in his voice. He says your war will be long and bloody--" + +"Yes--I know," Dick broke in, "but nobody agrees with him. We'll show +old Jeff what we can do, if he'll just give us _one_ chance--that's all +we ask--just _one_ chance. Read that editorial in the Richmond +_Examiner_--" + +He thrust a copy of the famous yellow journal of the South into Socola's +hand and pointed to a marked paragraph: + +"From mountain top and valleys to the shores of the seas there is one +wild shout of fierce resolve to capture Washington City at all and every +human hazard!" + +The North was marching southward with ropes and handcuffs with which to +end in triumph their holiday excursion on July 4. The South was marching +to meet them with eager pride, each man afraid the fight would be over +before he could reach the front to fire a single shot. And behind each +gay regiment of scornful men marched the white silent figure of Death. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE HOUSE ON CHURCH HILL + + +As Socola left his room at the Spotswood the following night, a stranger +met him at the turn of the dimly lighted corridor. + +"Signor Socola, I believe?" + +"At your service." + +"I know some mutual friends in Washington connected with the Sardinian +Ministry--" + +"I'm just starting for a stroll through the city," Socola interrupted. +"Will you join me?" + +"With pleasure. As I am well acquainted with the streets of Richmond, +allow me to be your guide." + +Socola followed with a nod of approval. Their walk led to the highest of +the city's seven hills. But few were stirring at this hour--half-past +seven. The people were busy at supper. + +The two men paused at the gate of a stately, old-fashioned mansion in +the middle of a spacious lawn. The odor of sweet pinks filled the air. +The rose trellis and elaborate scheme of flower beds and the boxwood +hedges told the story of wealth and culture and high social position. + +"I wish to introduce you to one of the most charming ladies of +Richmond," the stranger said in quick, business-like tones, opening the +gate as if he were used to the feel of the latch. + +"Certainly," was the short reply. + +In answer to the rap of the old-fashioned brass knocker, a quaint little +woman of forty opened the door and showed them into the parlor. + +The blinds were closed, and the room lighted by a single small kerosene +lamp. + +With quick precision the stranger presented his companion. + +"Miss Van Lew, permit me to introduce to you Signor Henrico Socola of +the Sardinian Ministry. He is the duly accredited but unofficial agent +of his Majesty, Victor Emmanuel, and is cultivating friendly relations +with the new Government of the South." + +Miss Van Low extended her hand and took the outstretched one with a +warmth that surprised her visitor beyond measure. + +"I recognized him at once," she said with emotion. + +"Recognized me?" + +"Your dear mother, sir, was my schoolmate in Philadelphia. I loved her. +How alike you are!" + +"Then we shall be friends--" + +"We shall be more than friends--we shall be comrades--" + +She paused and turned to the stranger: + +"You can leave us now." + +With a bow the man turned and left the room. + +Socola studied the little woman who had deliberately chosen to lay her +life, her fortune and her home on the altar of her Country. He saw with +a glance at her delicate but commanding figure the brilliant, +accomplished, resolute woman of personality and charm. + +She took the young man's hand again in hers and led him to a high-backed +mahogany settee. She stroked the hands with her thin, cold fingers. + +"How perfect the image of your mother! I would have known you anywhere. +_You_ must know and trust me. I was sent North to school. I came back to +Virginia a more determined Abolitionist than ever. Our people have +always hated Slavery. I made good my faith by freeing mine. We're not +so well-to-do now, my mother and I." + +She paused and looked wistfully about the stately room. + +"This house could tell the story of gay and beautiful scenes--of +balls--receptions and garden parties in bowers of roses--of coaches +drawn by six snow-white horses standing at our door for the start to the +White Sulphur Springs--" + +She stopped suddenly, mastered her emotions and went on dreamily: + +"Of great men and distinguished families our guests from the North and +the South--Bishop Mann, Chief Justice John Marshall, the Lees, the +Robinsons, Wickhams, Adams, Cabells,--the Carringtons--Fredrika Bremer, +the Swedish novelist, visited us and wrote of us in her 'Homes in the +New World.' Jennie Lind in the height of her glory sang in this room. +Edgar Allan Poe read here aloud his immortal poem, 'The Raven.' You must +realize what it means to me to become an outcast in Richmond--" + +She drew from her bosom a newspaper clipping and handed it to Socola. + +"Read that paragraph from this morning's editorial columns--" + +The young man scanned the marked clipping. + + RAPPED ON THE KNUCKS + + "One of the City papers contained on Monday a word of exhortation + to certain females of Southern residence (and perhaps birth) but + of decidedly Northern and Abolition proclivities. The creatures, + though specially alluded to, are not named. If such people do not + wish to be exposed and dealt with as alien enemies to the country + they would do well to cut stick while they can do so with safety + to their worthless carcasses--" + +"And you will not 'cut stick'?" + +"It's not the way of our breed. I've been doing what I could for the +past year. I have sent the Government at Washington letter after letter +giving them full and accurate accounts of men and events here. I have +made no concealment of my principles. We are Abolitionists and Unionists +and they know it. These Southern men will not lift their hands against +two helpless women unless they discover the deeper plans I've laid. I've +stopped them on the streets and openly flung my sentiments into their +faces. As the excitement has increased I have grown more violent and +more incoherent. They have begun to say that I am insane--" + +Socola lifted his hand in a quiet gesture. + +"Good. You can play the part." + +A look of elation overspread the thin, intellectual features. + +"True--I'll do it. I see it in a flash. 'Crazy old Bet,' they'll call +me--" + +She sprang to her feet. + +"Come upstairs." + +He followed her light step up three flights of stairs into the attic. +She pushed aside an old-fashioned wardrobe and opened a small door of +plain pine boards about four feet in height which led to the darkened +space beneath the roof. + +She stooped and entered and he followed. A small, neat room was revealed +eight feet high beside the inner wall, with ceiling sloping to three +feet on the opposite side. An iron safe was fitted into the space beside +the chimney and covered skillfully by a door completely cased in brick. +The device was so perfect it was impossible to detect the fact that it +was not a part of the chimney, each alternate layer of bricks fitted +exactly into the place chiseled out for it in the wall of the chimney +itself. + +Socola examined the arrangement with care. + +"A most skillful piece of work!" he exclaimed. + +"I laid those bricks in that door casing with my own hand. The old safe +has been there since my grandfather's day. This is your room, sir. That +safe is for your important papers. You can spend the night here in +safety when necessary. My house has been offered to the Government as +the headquarters of its secret service. I have in this safe an important +document for you." + +She opened it and handed Socola a sealed envelope addressed: + + + "Signor Henrico Socola, + Richmond, Virginia." + + +He broke the seal and read the order from the new Bureau of Military +Information placing him in command of its Richmond office. + +He offered the paper to the little woman who held the candle for him to +read. + +"I know its contents," she said, observing him keenly. "The Government +has chosen wisely. You can render invaluable service--" + +She paused and looked at Socola with a curious smile. + +"You know any girls in Richmond?" + +"But one and she has just arrived with the Presidential party--Miss +Jennie Barton--" + +"The Senator's daughter?" + +"The same." + +"Wonderful!" the little woman went on eagerly. "Her father is on the +staff of Jefferson Davis. Old Barton is a loud-mouthed fool who can't +keep a secret ten minutes. You must make love to his daughter--" + +Socola laughed. "Is it necessary?" + +"Absolutely. You can't remain in Richmond indefinitely without a better +excuse than your unofficial connection with the Ministry of Sardinia. +You are young. You are handsome. All Southern girls have +sweethearts--all Southern boys. They can't understand the boy who +hasn't. You'll be suspected at once unless you comply with the custom of +the country." + +"Of course. I needn't actually make love to her--" + +"That's exactly what you must do. Make love to her with all your +might--as if your life depends on her answer and your stay in Richmond +can be indefinite." + +"I don't like the idea," he protested. + +"Neither do I like this--" She swept the little attic room with a wave +of her slender hand. "Come, my comrade, you must--" + +He hesitated a moment, laughed, and said: + +"All right." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE FLOWER-DECKED TENT + + +When Socola rose the following morning he determined to throw every +scruple to the winds and devote himself to Jennie Barton with a zeal and +passion that would leave to his Southern rivals no doubt as to the +secret of his stay. + +At the first informal reception at the White House of the Confederacy +Jennie had been pronounced the most fascinating daughter of the new +Republic, as modest and unassuming as she was brilliant and beautiful. + +After the manner of Southern beaux he addressed a note to her on a sheet +of exquisitely tinted foreign paper, at the top of which was the richly +embossed coat of arms of the Socola family of North Italy. + +He asked of her the pleasure of a horseback ride over the hills of +Virginia. He was a superb horseman, and she rode as if born in the +saddle. + +He sealed the note with a piece of tinted wax and stamped it with the +die which reproduced his coat of arms. He smiled with satisfaction as he +addressed the envelope in his smooth and perfectly rounded handwriting. + +He read the answer with surprise and disappointment. The Senator had +replied for his daughter. A slight accident to her mother had caused her +to leave on the morning train for the South. She would probably remain +at Fairview for two weeks. + +There was no help for it. He must await her return. In the meantime +there was work to do. The army of the South was slowly but surely +shaping itself into a formidable engine of war. + +The master mind at the helm of the new Government had laid the +foundations of one of the most efficient forces ever sent into the arena +of battle. It was as yet only a foundation but one which inspired in his +mind not only a profound respect for his judgment, but a feeling of deep +foreboding for the future. + +Jefferson Davis had received a training of peculiar fitness for his +task. The first work before the South was the organization, equipment +and handling of its army of defense. The President they had called to +the leadership had spent four years at West Point and seven years in the +army on our frontiers, pushing the boundaries of the Republic into the +West. He had led a regiment of volunteers in the conquest of Mexico, and +in the battle of Buena Vista, not only saved the day in the moment of +supreme crisis, but had given evidence of the highest order of military +genius. On his return from the Mexican War he had been appointed a +Brigadier General by the President of the United States but had declined +the honor. + +For four years as Secretary of War in the Cabinet of Franklin Pierce he +had proven himself a master of military administration, had reorganized +and placed on a modern basis of the highest efficiency the army of the +Union and in this work has proven himself a terror to weakness, +tradition and corruption. + +He knew personally every officer of the first rank in the United States +Army. His judgment of these men and their ability as commanders was +marvelous in its accuracy. His genius as an army administrator +undoubtedly gave to the South her first advantage in the opening of the +conflict. + +From the men who had resigned from the old army to cast their fortunes +with the South his keen eye selected without hesitation the three men +for supreme command whose abilities had no equal in America for the +positions to which they were assigned. And these three men were patriots +of such singleness of purpose, breadth of vision and greatness of soul +that neither of them knew he was being considered for the highest +command until handed his commission. + +Samuel Cooper had been Adjutant General of the United States Army since +1852. Davis knew his record of stern discipline and uncompromising +efficiency, and although a man of Northern birth, he appointed him +Adjutant General of the Confederate Army without a moment's hesitation. + +Albert Sidney Johnston was his second appointment to the rank of full +General and Robert E. Lee his third--each destined to immortality. + +His fourth nomination for the rank of full General he made with +hesitation. Joseph E. Johnston under the terms of the law passed by the +Provisional Congress of the Confederacy was entitled to a position in +the first rank as acting Commissary General of the old army. The keen +intuition of the President had perceived from the first the evidences of +hesitation and of timidity in crisis which was the chief characteristic +of Joseph E. Johnston. His sense of fairness under the terms of the law +required that this man be given his chance. With misgivings but with +high hopes the appointment was made. + +Robert E. Lee he made military chieftain of the Government with +headquarters in Richmond. + +From four points the Northern forces were threatening the South. From +the West by a flanking movement which might open the Mississippi River; +from the mountains of Western Virginia whose people were in part opposed +to secession; from Washington by a direct movement on Richmond; and +from Fortress Monroe on the Virginia Peninsula. + +The first skirmish before Fortress Monroe, led by B. F. Butler, had been +repulsed with such ease no serious danger was felt in that quarter. The +ten thousand men under Holmes and McGruder could hold Butler +indefinitely. + +Davis had seen from the first that one of the supreme dangers of the +South lay in the long line of exposed frontier in the West. If a +commander of military genius should succeed in turning his flank here +the heart of the lower South would be pierced. + +For this important command he reserved Albert Sidney Johnston. + +The Northern army under George B. McClellan and Rosecrans had defeated +the troops in Western Virginia. In a series of small fights they had +lost a thousand men and all their artillery. General Lee was dispatched +from Richmond to repair if possible this disaster. + +The first two clashes had been a draw. The South had won first blood on +the Peninsula--the North in Western Virginia. The main army of the South +was now concentrated to oppose the main army of the North from +Washington. + +Brigadier General Beauregard, the widely acclaimed hero of Fort Sumter, +was in command of this army near Manassas Station on the road to +Alexandria. + +Beauregard's position was in a measure an accident of fortune. The first +shot had been fired by him at Sumter. He was the first paper-made hero +of the war. He had led the first regiment into Virginia to defend her +from invasion. + +He was the man of the hour. His training and record, too, gave promise +of high achievements. He had graduated from West Point in 1838, second +in a class of forty-five men. His family was of high French extraction, +having settled in Louisiana in the reign of Louis XV. He had entered the +Mexican War a lieutenant and emerged from the campaign a major. He was +now forty-five years old, in the prime of life. His ability had been +recognized by the National Government in the beginning of the year by +his appointment as Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point. +His commission had been revoked at the last moment by the vacillating +Buchanan because his brother-in-law, Senator Slidell of Louisiana, had +made a secession speech in Washington. + +Jefferson Davis was not enthusiastic in his confidence in the new hero. +He was too much given to outbursts of a public kind to please the +ascetic mind of the Southern leader. He had written some silly letters +to the public deriding the power of the North. No one could know better +than Davis how silly these utterances were. He "hated and despised the +Yankees." Davis feared and recognized their power. Beauregard's +assertion that the South could whip the North even if her only arms were +flintlocks and pitchforks had been often and loudly repeated. + +Of the army marshaling in front of him under the command of the +venerable Winfield Scott he wrote with the utmost contempt. + +"The enemies of the South," he declared, "are little more than an armed +rabble, gathered together hastily on a false pretense and for an unholy +purpose, with an octogenarian at its head!" + +In spite of his small stature, Beauregard was a man of striking personal +appearance--small, dark, thin, hair prematurely gray, his manners +distinguished and severe. + +It was natural that, with the fame of his first victory, itself the +provoking cause of the conflict, his distinguished foreign name and +courtly manners, he should have become the toast of the ladies in these +early days of the pomp and glory of war. He was the center of an ever +widening circle of fair admirers who lavished their attentions on him in +letters, in flags, and a thousand gay compliments. His camp table was +filled with exquisite flowers which flanked and sometimes covered his +maps and plans. He used his bouquets for paper weights. + +It was not to be wondered at, therefore, that the cold intellectual +standard by which Davis weighed men should have found Beauregard wanting +in the qualifications of supreme command. + +The President turned his eye to the flower-decked tent of his general +with grave misgivings. Yet he was the man of the hour. It was fair that +he should have his chance. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE FATAL VICTORY + + +On the banks of the Potomac General Scott had massed against Beauregard +the most formidable army which had ever marched under the flag of the +Union. Its preparation was considered thorough, its numbers all that +could he handled, and its artillery was the best in the world. All the +regular army east of the Rockies, seasoned veterans of Indian campaigns, +were joined with the immense force of volunteers from the Northern +States--fifty full regiments of volunteers, eight companies of regular +infantry, four companies of marines, nine companies of regular cavalry +and twelve batteries of artillery with forty-nine big guns. + +In command of this army of invasion was General McDowell, held to be the +most scientific general in the North. + +To supplement Beauregard's weakness as a commanding General in case of +emergency, Joseph E. Johnston was placed at Harper's Ferry to guard the +entrance of the Shenandoah Valley, secure the removal of the invaluable +machinery saved from the Arsenal, and form a junction with Beauregard +the moment he should be threatened. + +The movement of General Patterson's army against Harper's Ferry had been +too obviously a feint to deceive either Davis or Lee, his chief military +adviser. Johnston was given ten thousand men and able assistants +including General Jackson. + +On the tenth of July Beauregard, anxiously awaiting information of the +Federal advance, received an important message from an accomplished +Southern woman, Mrs. Rose O'Neal Greenhow. She had remained in +Washington as Miss Van Lew had in Richmond, to lay her life on the altar +of her country. During the administration of Buchanan she had been a +leader of Washington society. She was now a widow, noted for her wealth, +beauty, wit and forceful personality. Her home was the meeting place of +the most brilliant men and women of the old régime. Buchanan was her +personal friend, as was William H. Seward. Her niece, a granddaughter of +Dolly Madison, was the wife of the Little Giant of the West, Stephen A. +Douglas. + +Before leaving Washington to become the Adjutant General of Beauregard's +army Colonel Thomas Jordan had given her the cipher code of the South +and arranged to make her house the Northern headquarters of the Southern +secret service. + +Her first messenger was a girl carefully disguised as a farmer's +daughter returning from the sale of her vegetables in the Washington +market. She passed the lines without challenge and delivered her message +into Beauregard's hands. + +With quick decision Beauregard called his aide and dispatched the news +to the President at Richmond: + + + "I have positive information direct from Washington that the enemy + will move in force across the Potomac on Manassas via Fairfax Court + House and Centreville. I urge the immediate concentration of all + available forces on my lines." + + +The Southern commander began his preparations to receive the attack. + +The house on Church Hill had not been idle. Richmond swarmed with +Federal spies under the skillful guidance of Socola. + +General Scott knew in Washington within twenty-four hours that +Beauregard was planting his men behind the Bull Run River in a position +of great strength and that the formation of the ground was such with +Bull Run on his front that his dislodgment would be a tremendous task. + +The advance of the Federal army was delayed--delayed until the last gun +and scrap of machinery from Harper's Ferry had been safely housed in +Richmond and Fayetteville and Johnston had withdrawn his army to +Winchester in closer touch with Beauregard. + +And still the Union army did not move. Beauregard sent a trusted scout +into Washington to Mrs. Greenhow with a scrap of paper on which was +written in cipher the two words: + +"Trust Bearer--" + +He arrived at the moment she had received the long sought information of +the date of the army's march. She glanced at the stolid masked face of +the messenger and hesitated a moment. + +"You are a Southerner?" + +Donellan smiled. + +"I've spent most of my life in Washington, Madam," he said frankly. "I +was a clerk in the Department of the Interior. I cast my fortunes with +the South." + +It was enough. Her keen intuitions had scented danger in the man's +manner, his walk and personality. He was not a typical Southerner. The +officials of the Secret Service Bureau had already given her evidence of +their suspicions. She could not be too careful. + +She seized her pen and hastily wrote in cipher: + +"Order issued for McDowell to move on Manassas to-night." + +She handed the tiny scrap of paper to Donellan. + +"My agents will take you in a buggy with relays of horses down the +Potomac to a ferry near Dumfries. You will be ferried across." + +The man touched his hat. + +"I'll know the way from there, Madam." + +The scout delivered his message into Beauregard's hands that night +before eight o'clock. + +At noon the next day Colonel Jordan had placed in her hands his answer: + +"Yours received at eight o'clock. Let them come. We are ready. We rely +upon you for precise information. Be particular as to description and +destination of forces and quantity of artillery." + +She had not been idle. She was able to write a message of almost equal +importance to the one she had dispatched the day before. With quick +nervous hand she wrote on another tiny scrap of paper: + +"The Federal commander has ordered the Manassas railroad to be cut to +prevent the junction of Johnston with Beauregard." + +The moment the first authentic information reached President Davis of +the purpose to attack Beauregard he immediately urged General Johnston +to make his preparations for the juncture of their forces. + +And at once the President received confirmation of his fears of his +General-in-Chief. Johnston delayed and began a correspondence of +voluminous objections. + +July 17, on receipt of the dispatch to Beauregard announcing the plan to +cut the railroad, the President was forced to send Johnston a positive +order to move his army to Manassas. The order was obeyed with a +hesitation which imperiled the issue of battle. And while on the march, +Beauregard's pickets exchanging shots with McDowell's skirmish line, +Johnston began the first of his messages of complaint and haggling to +his Chief at Richmond. Jealous of Beauregard's popularity and fearful +of his possible insubordination, Johnston telegraphed Davis demanding +that his relative rank to Beauregard should be clearly defined before +the juncture of their armies. + +The question was utterly unnecessary. The promotion of Johnston to the +full grade of general could leave no conceivable doubt on such a point. +The President realized with a sickening certainty the beginning of a +quarrel between the two men, dangerous to the cause of the South. Their +failure to act in harmony would make certain the defeat of the raw +recruits on their first field of battle. + +He decided at the earliest possible moment to go in person and prevent +this threatened quarrel. Already blood had flowed. With a strong column +of infantry, artillery and cavalry McDowell had attempted to force the +approaches to one of the fords of Bull Run. They were twice driven back +and withdrew from the field. Longstreet's brigade had lost fifteen +killed and fifty-three wounded in holding his position. + +The President hastened to telegraph his sulking general the explicit +definition of rank he had demanded: + + + Richmond, July 20, 1861. + + "General J. E. Johnston, + + "Manassas Junction, Virginia. + + "You are a General of the Confederate Army possessed of the power + attached to that rank. You will know how to make the exact knowledge + of Brigadier General Beauregard, as well of the ground as of the + troops and preparation avail for the success of the object for which + you coöperate. The zeal of both assures me of harmonious action. + + "Jefferson Davis." + + +As a matter of fact the President was consumed with painful anxiety lest +there should not be harmonious action if Johnston should reach the +field in time for the fight. His own presence was required by law at +Richmond on July 20, for the delivery of his message to the assembled +Congress. It was impossible for him to leave for the front before Sunday +morning the 21st. + +The battle began at eight o'clock. + +General McDowell's army had moved to this attack hounded by the clamor +of demagogues for the immediate capture of Richmond by his "Grand Army." + +Every Northern newspaper had dinned into his ears and the ears of an +impatient public but one cry for months: + +"On to Richmond!" + +At last the news was spread in Washington that the army would move and +bivouac in Richmond's public square within ten days. The march was to be +a triumphal procession. The Washington politicians filled wagons and +carriages with champagne to celebrate the victory. Tickets were actually +printed and distributed for a ball in Richmond. The army was accompanied +by long lines of excited spectators to witness the one grand struggle of +the war--Congressmen, toughs from the saloons, gaudy ladies from +questionable resorts, a clamoring, perspiring rabble bent on witnessing +scenes of blood. + +The Union General's information as to Beauregard's position and army was +accurate and full. He knew that Johnston's command of ten thousand men +had begun to arrive the day before. He did not know that half of them +were still tangled up somewhere on the railroad waiting for +transportation. Even with Johnston's entire command on the ground his +army outnumbered the Southerners and his divisions of seasoned veterans +from the old army and his matchless artillery gave him an enormous +advantage. + +With consummate skill he planned the battle and began its successful +execution. + +His scouts had informed him that the Southern line was weak on its left +wing resting on the Stone Bridge across the river. Here the long drawn +line of Beauregard's army thinned to a single regiment supported at some +distance by a battalion. Here the skillful Union General determined to +strike. + +At two-thirty before daylight his dense lines of enthusiastic men swung +into the dusty moonlit road for their movement to flank the Confederate +left. + +Swiftly and silently the flower of McDowell's army, eighteen thousand +picked men, moved under the cover of the night to their chosen crossing +at Sudley's Ford, two miles beyond the farthest gray picket of +Beauregard's left. + +Tyler's division was halted at the Stone Bridge on which the lone +regiment of Col. Evans lay beyond the stream. He was ordered to feign an +attack on that point while the second and third divisions should creep +cautiously along a circuitous road two miles above, cross unopposed and +slip into the rear of Beauregard's long-drawn left wing, roll it up in a +mighty scroll of flame, join Tyler's division as it should sweep across +the Stone Bridge and together the three divisions in one solid mass +could crush the ten-mile battle line into hopeless confusion. + +The plan was skillfully and daringly conceived. + +Tyler's division halted at the Stone Bridge and silently formed as the +first glow of dawn tinged the eastern hills. + +The dull red of the July sun was just coloring the sky with its flame +when the second and third divisions crossed Bull Run at Sudley's Ford +and began their swift descent upon the rear of the unsuspecting Southern +army. + +As the sun burst above the hills, a circle of white smoke suddenly +curled away from a cannon's mouth above the Stone Bridge and slowly rose +in the still, clear morning air. Its sullen roar echoed over the valley. +The gray figures on the hill beyond leaped to their feet and looked. +Only the artillery was engaged and their shots were falling short. + +The Confederates appeared indifferent. The action was too obviously a +feint. Colonel Evans was holding his regiment for a clearer plan of +battle to develop. From the hilltop on which his men lay he scanned with +increasing uneasiness the horizon toward the west. In the far distance +against the bright Southern sky loomed the dark outline of the Blue +Ridge. The heavy background brought out in vivid contrast the woods and +fields, hollows and hills of the great Manassas plain in the foreground. + +Suddenly he saw it--a thin cloud of dust rising in the distance. As the +rushing wall of sixteen thousand men emerged from the "Big Forest," +through which they had worked their way along the crooked track of a +rarely used road, the dust cloud flared in the sky with ominous menace. + +Colonel Evans knew its meaning. Beauregard's army had been flanked and +the long thin lines of his left wing were caught in a trap. When the +first rush of the circling host had swept his little band back from the +Stone Bridge Tyler's army would then cross and the three divisions swoop +down on the doomed men. + +Evans suddenly swung his regiment and two field pieces into a new line +of battle facing the onrushing host and sent his courier flying to +General Bee to ask that his brigade be moved instantly to his support. + +When the shock came there were five regiments and six little field +pieces in the Southern ranks to meet McDowell's sixteen thousand +troops. + +With deafening roar their artillery opened. The long dense lines of +closely packed infantry began their steady firing in volleys. It sounded +as if some giant hand had grasped the hot Southern skies and was tearing +their blue canvas into strips and shreds. + +For an hour Bee's brigade withstood the onslaught of the two Federal +divisions--and then began to slowly fall back before the resistless wall +of fire. The Union army charged and drove the broken lines a half mile +before they rallied. + +Tyler's division now swept across the Stone Bridge and the shattered +Confederate left wing was practically surrounded by overwhelming odds. +Again the storm burst on the unsupported lines of Bee and drove them +three quarters of a mile before they paused. + +The charging Federal army had struck something they were destined to +feel again on many a field of blood. + +General T. J. Jackson had suddenly swung his brigade of five regiments +into the breach and stopped the wave of fire. + +Bee rushed to Jackson's side. + +"General," he cried pathetically, "they are beating us back!" + +The somber blue eyes of the Virginian gleamed beneath the heavy lashes: + +"Then sir, we will give them the bayonet!" + +Bee turned to his hard-pressed men and shouted: + +"See Jackson and his Virginians standing like a stone wall! Let us +conquer or die!" + +The words had scarcely passed his lips when Bee fell, mortally wounded. + +Four miles away on the top of a lonely hill sat Beauregard and Johnston +befogged in a series of pitiable blunders. + +The flanking of the Southern army was a complete and overwhelming +surprise. Johnston, unacquainted with the ground, had yielded the +execution of the battle to his subordinate. + +While the two puzzled generals were waiting on their hill top for their +orders of battle to be developed on the right they looked to the left +and the whole valley was a boiling hell of smoke and dust and flame. +Their left flank had been turned and the triumphant enemy was rolling +their long line up in a shroud of flame and death. + +The two Generals put spurs to their horses and dashed to the scene of +action, sending their couriers flying to countermand their first orders. +They reached the scene at the moment Bee's and Evans' shattered lines +were taking refuge in a wooded ravine and Jackson had moved his men into +a position to breast the shock of the enemy's avalanche. + +In his excitement Johnston seized the colors of the fourth Alabama +regiment and offered to lead them in a charge. + +Beauregard leaped from his horse, faced the troops and shouted: + +"I have come to die with you!" + +The first of the reserves were rushing to the front in a desperate +effort to save the day. But in spite of the presence of the two +Commanding Generals, in spite of the living stone wall Jackson had +thrown in the path of the Union hosts, a large part of the crushed left +wing could not be stopped and in mad panic broke for the rear toward +Manassas Junction. + +The fate of the Southern army hung on the problem of holding the hill +behind Jackson's brigade. On its bloody slopes his men crouched with +rifles leveled and from them poured a steady flame into the ranks of the +charging Union columns. + +Beauregard led the right wing of his newly formed battle line and +Jackson the center in a desperate charge. The Union ranks were pierced +and driven, only to re-form instantly and hurl their assailants back to +their former position. Charge and counter-charge followed in rapid and +terrible succession. + +The Confederates were being slowly overwhelmed. The combined Union +divisions now consisted of an enveloping battle line of twenty thousand +infantry, seven companies of cavalry and twenty-four pieces of +artillery, while behind them yet hung ten thousand reserves eager to +rush into action. + +Beauregard's combined forces defending the hill were scarcely seven +thousand men. At two o'clock the desperate Southern commander succeeded +in bringing up additional regiments from his right wing. Two brigades at +last were thrown into the storm center and a shout rose from the +hard-pressed Confederates. Again they charged, drove the Union hosts +back and captured a battery of artillery. + +The hill was saved and the enemy driven across the turnpike into the +woods. + +McDowell now hurried in a division of his reserves and re-formed his +battle line for the final grand assault. Once more he demonstrated his +skill by throwing his right wing into a wide circling movement to +envelop the Confederate position on its left flank. + +The scene was magnificent. As far as the eye could reach the glittering +bayonets of the Union infantry could be seen sweeping steadily through +field and wood flanked by its cavalry. Beauregard watched the cordon of +steel draw around his hard-pressed men and planted his regiments with +desperate determination to hurl them back. + +Far off in the distance rose a new cloud of dust in the direction of the +Manassas railroad. At their head was lifted a flag whose folds drooped +in the hot, blistering July air. They were moving directly on the rear +of McDowell's circling right wing. + +If they were Union reserves the day was lost. + +The Southerner lifted his field glasses and watched the drooping flag +now shrouded in dust--now emerging in the blazing sun. His glasses were +not strong enough. He could not make out its colors. + +Beauregard turned to Colonel Evans, whose little regiment had fought +with sullen desperation since sunrise. + +"I can't make out that flag. If it's Patterson's army from the +valley--God help us--" + +"It may be Elzey and Kirby Smith's regiments," Evans replied. "They're +lost somewhere along the road from Winchester." + +Again Beauregard strained his eyes on the steadily advancing flag. It +was a moment of crushing agony. + +"I'm afraid it's Patterson's men. We must fall back on our last +reserve--" + +He quickly lowered his glasses. + +"I haven't a courier left, Colonel. You must help me--" + +"Certainly, General." + +"Find Johnston, and ask him to at once mass the reserves to support and +protect our retreat--" + +Evans started immediately to execute the order. + +"Wait!" Beauregard shouted. + +His glasses were again fixed on the advancing flag. A gust of wind +suddenly flung its folds into the bright Southern sky line--the Stars +and Bars of the Confederacy! + +"Glory to God!" the commander exclaimed. "They're our men!" + +The dark face of the little General flashed with excitement as he turned +to Evans: + +"Ride, Colonel--ride with all your might and order General Kirby Smith +to press his command forward at double quick and strike that circling +line in the flank and rear!" + +There were but two thousand in the advancing column but the moral effect +of their sudden assault on the rear of the advancing victorious men, +unconscious of their presence, would be tremendous. A charge at the same +moment by his entire army confronting the enemy might snatch victory out +of the jaws of defeat. + +Beauregard placed himself at the head of his hard-pressed front, and +waited the thrilling cry of Smith's men. At last it came, the +heaven-piercing, hell-quivering, Rebel yell--the triumphant cry of the +Southern hunter in sight of his game! + +Jackson, Longstreet and Early with sudden rush of tigers sprang at the +throats of the Union lines in front. + +The men had scarcely gripped their guns to receive the assault when from +the rear rose the unearthly yell of the new army swooping down on their +unprotected flank. + +It was too much for the raw recruits of the North. They had marched and +fought with dogged courage since two o'clock before day--without pause +for food or drink. It was now four in the afternoon and the blazing sun +of July was pouring its merciless rays down on their dust-covered and +smoke-grimed faces without mercy. + +McDowell's right wing was crumpled like an eggshell between the combined +charges front and rear. It broke and rushed back in confusion on his +center. The whole army floundered a moment in tangled mass. In vain +their officers shouted themselves hoarse proclaiming their victory and +ordering them to rally. + +Wild, hopeless, senseless, unreasoning panic had seized the Union army. +They threw down their guns in thousands and started at breakneck speed +for Washington. With every jump they cursed their idiotic commanders +for leading them blindfolded into the jaws of hell. At least they had +common sense enough left to save what was left. + +The fields were covered with black swarms of flying soldiers. They cut +the horses from the gun carriages, mounted them and dashed forward +trampling down the crazed mobs on foot. + +As the shouting, screaming throng rushed at the Cub Run bridge, a well +directed shot from Kemper's battery smashed a team of horses that were +crossing. The wagon was upset and the bridge choked. + +In mad efforts to force a passage mob piled on mob until the panic +enveloped every division of the army that thirty minutes before was +sweeping with swift, sure tread to its final victorious charge. + +Across every bridge and ford of Bull Run the panic-stricken thousands +rushed pellmell, horse, foot, artillery, wagons, ambulances, excursion +carriages, red-jowled politicians mingling with screaming women whose +faces showed death white through the rouge on their lips and cheeks. + +For three miles rolled the dark tide of ruin and confusion--with not one +Confederate soldier in sight. + +It was three o'clock before the train bearing the anxious Confederate +President and his staff drew into Manassas Junction. He had heard no +news from the front and feared the worst. The long deep boom of the +great guns told him that the battle was raging. + +From the car window he saw rising an ominous cloud of dust rapidly +approaching the Junction. To his trained eye it could mean but one +thing--retreat. + +He sprang from the car and asked its meaning of a pale trembling youth +in disheveled, torn gray uniform. + +Billy Barton turned his bloodshot eyes on the President. His teeth were +chattering. + +"M-m-eaning of w-what?" he stammered. + +"That cloud of dust coming toward the station?" + +Billy stared in the direction the President pointed. + +"Why, that's the--the--w-w-wagoners--they're trying to save the pieces I +reckon--" + +"The army has been pushed back?" the President asked. + +"No, sir--they--they never p-p-ushed 'em back! They--they just jumped +right on top of 'em and made hash out of 'em where they stood! Thank God +a few of us got away." + +The President turned with a gesture of impatience to an older man, +dust-covered and smoke-smeared. + +"Can you direct me to General Beauregard's headquarters?" + +"Beauregard's dead!" he shouted, rushing toward the train to board it +for home. "Johnston's dead. Bee's dead. Bartow's dead. They're all +dead--piled in heaps--fur ez ye eye kin see. Take my advice and get out +of here quick." + +Without waiting for an answer he scrambled into the coach from which the +President had alighted. + +The station swarmed now with shouting, gesticulating, panic-stricken men +from the front. They crowded around the conductor. + +"Pull out of this!" + +"Crowd on steam!" + +"Save your engine and your train, man!" + +"And take us with you for God's sake!" + +The President pushed his way through the crowd. + +"I must go on, Conductor--the train is the only way to reach the +field--" + +"I'm sorry, sir," the conductor demurred. "I'm responsible for the +property of the railroad--" + +The panic-stricken men backed him up. + +"What's the use?" + +"The battle's lost!" + +"The whole army's wiped off the earth." + +"There's not a grease spot left!" + +The President confronted the trembling conductor: + +"Will you move your train?" + +"I can't do it, sir--" + +"Will you lend me your engine?" + +The conductor's face brightened. + +"I might do that." + +The engine was detached to the disgust of the panic-stricken men and the +cool-headed engineer nodded to the President, pulled his lever and the +locomotive shot out of the station and in five minutes Davis alighted +with his staff near the battle field. By the guidance of stragglers they +found headquarters. + +Adjutant General Jordan sent for horses and volunteered to conduct the +President to the front. + +While they were waiting he turned to Mr. Davis anxiously: + +"I think it extremely unwise, sir, for you to take this risk." + +The thin lips smiled: + +"I'll take the responsibility, General." + +The President and his staff mounted and galloped toward the front. + +The stragglers came now in droves. They were generous in their warnings. + +"Say, men, do ye want to die?" + +"You're ridin' straight inter the jaws er death." + +"Don't do it, I tell ye!" + +The President began to rally the men. As they neared the front he was +recognized and the wounded began to cheer. + +A big strapping soldier was carrying a slender wounded boy to the rear. + +The boy put his trembling hand on the man's shoulder, snatched off his +cap and shouted: "Three cheers for the President! Look, boys, he's +here--we'll lick 'em yet!" + +The President lifted his hat to the stripling, crying: + +"To a hero of the South!" + +The storm of battle was now rolling swiftly to the west--its roar +growing fainter with each cannon's throb. + +The President, sitting his horse with erect tense figure, dashed up the +hill to General Johnston: + +"How goes the battle, General?" + +"We have won, sir," was the sharp curt answer. + +[Illustration: "'We have won, sir!' was the short, curt answer."] + +The President wheeled his horse and rode rapidly into the front lines +until stopped by the captain of a command of cavalry. + +"You are too near the front, sir, without an escort--" + +The President rode beside the captain and watched him form his men for +their last charge on the enemy. He inspected the field with growing +amazement. For miles the earth was strewn with the wreck of the Northern +army--guns, knapsacks, blankets, canteens--and Brooklyn-made handcuffs! + +Their defeat had been so sudden, so complete, so overwhelming, it was +impossible at first to grasp its meaning. + +He passed the rugged figure of Jackson who had won his immortal title of +"Stonewall." An aide was binding a cloth about his wounded arm. + +The grim General pushed aside his surgeon, raised his battered cap and +shouted: + +"Hurrah for the President! Ten thousand fresh men and I will be in +Washington to-night!" + +The President lifted his hat and congratulated him. + +The victory of the South was complete and overwhelming. Jefferson Davis +breathed a sigh of relief for deliverance. Within two hours he knew that +this victory had not been won by superior generalship of his commanding +officers. They had been outwitted at every turn and overwhelmed by the +plan of battle their wily foe had forced upon them. It had not been won +by the superior courage of his men in the battle which raged from +sunrise until four o'clock. The broken and disorganized lines of the +South and the panic-stricken mob he had met on the way were eloquent +witnesses of Northern valor. + +His army had been saved from annihilation by the quick wit and daring +courage of a single Brigadier General who had moved his five regiments +on his own initiative in the nick of time and saved the Confederates +from utter rout. + +Victory had been snatched at last from the jaws of defeat by an +accident. The misfortune of a delayed regiment of Johnston's army was +suddenly turned into an astounding piece of luck. The sudden charge of +those two thousand men on the flank of the victorious army had produced +a panic among tired raw recruits. McDowell was at this moment master of +the field. In a moment of insane madness his unseasoned men had thrown +down their guns and fled. + +The little dark General in his flower-decked tent had made good his +boasts. And worse--the Northern army had proven his wildest assertions +true. They were a rabble. The star of Beauregard rose in the Southern +sky, and with its rise Disaster stalked grim and silent toward the +hilarious Confederacy. + +The South had won a victory destined to prove itself the most fatal +calamity that ever befell a nation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE AFTERMATH + + +Socola dismissed his hope of a speedy end of the war and devoted himself +with new enthusiasm to his work. His eyes were sleepless--his ear to the +ground. The information on conditions and public sentiment in Richmond +and the South which he had dispatched to Washington were of incalculable +service to his government. One of the immediate effects of the battle +was the return of Jennie Barton to the Capital. Her mother was improving +and Jimmie had been wounded. Her coming was most fortunate. It was of +the utmost importance that he secure a position in the Civil Service of +the Confederacy. It could be done through her father's influence. + +Socola watched the first division of Northern prisoners march through +the streets amid the shouts and laughter of a crowd of urchins black and +white. A feeling of blind rage surged within him. That the tables would +be shortly turned, he was sure. He would play his part now without a +scruple. He would use pretty Jennie Barton as any other pawn on the +chessboard of Life and Death over which he bent. + +Jefferson Davis watched the effects of the battle on the North with +breathless interest and increasing dismay. + +His worst fears were confirmed. + +He had hoped that a decisive victory would place his Government in a +position to make overtures for a peaceful adjustment of the conflict. + +The victory had been too decisive. The disgraceful rout of the Northern +army had stung twenty-three million people to the quick. Defeat so +overwhelming and surprising had roused the last drop of fighting blood +in their veins. + +Boasting and loud talk suddenly ceased. There was no lying about the +results. In all their bald hideous reality the Northern mind faced them +and began with steady purpose their vast preparations to wipe that +disgrace out in blood. + +Abraham Lincoln suddenly found himself relieved of all embarrassment in +the conduct of the war. His critics had threatened to wreck his +administration unless he forced their "Grand Army" to march on Richmond +and take it without a day's delay. + +In obedience to this idiotic clamor he was forced to order the army to +march. They came home by a shorter route than they marched and they came +quicker. + +They returned without baggage. + +Incompetent men and hungry demagogues had clamored for high positions in +the army. Their influence had been so great he had been forced to find +berths for many incompetent officers. + +He had suddenly become the actual Commander-in-Chief of the Army and +Navy and his word was law. Fools and incompetents were relegated to the +rear. Men who knew how to fight and how to organize armies marched to +the front. + +His administration had been embarrassed for funds. It was found next to +impossible to float a loan of a paltry seven million dollars for war +purposes. He borrowed one hundred and fifty million dollars next day at +a fraction above the legal rate of interest in New York. He asked +Congress for 400,000 more men and $400,000,000 to support them. Congress +voted a half million men and five hundred millions of dollars--a +hundred million more than he had asked. + +While Washington's streets were thronged with the mud-smeared, +panic-stricken rabble that was once an army, the Federal Congress +eagerly began the task of repairing the disaster. When they had done all +and much more than their President had asked, they calmly and +unanimously passed this resolution: + + + "_Resolved_, That the maintenance of the Constitution, the + preservation of the Union, and the enforcement of the laws, are + sacred trusts which must be executed; that no disaster shall + discourage us from the most ample performance of this high duty; + and that we pledge to the Country and the world the employment + of every resource, national and individual, for the suppression, + overthrow and punishment of rebels in arms." + + +To the dismay of the far-seeing Southern leader in Richmond the press +and people of the South received this resolution with shouts of +derision. In vain did he warn his own Congress that the North was +multiplying its armies, and building two navies with furious energy. + +The people of the South went mad over their amazing victory. Davis saw +their deliverance suddenly develop into the most appalling disaster. + +The decisive battle of the war was fought and won. The European powers +must immediately recognize the new Nation. In this hope their President +could reasonably share. Their other delusions he knew to be madness. + +The Southern press without a dissenting voice proclaimed that the +question of manhood between the North and South was settled and settled +forever. From the hustings the demagogue shouted: + +"One Southerner is the equal anywhere of five Yankees." + +Manassas, with its insignificant record of killed and wounded, was +compared with the decisive battles of the world. The war was over. There +might still be fought a few insignificant skirmishes before peace was +proclaimed but that auspicious event could not be long delayed. + +The fatal victory was followed by a period of fancied security and +deadly inactivity. Exertions ceased. Volunteers were few. The volatile, +sanguine people laughed at the fears of their croaking President. + +So firmly had they established the new Nation that politicians began to +plot and scheme for control of the Confederate Government on the +expiration of the Davis term of office. + +R. M. T. Hunter, the foremost statesman of Virginia, resigned his +position in the Cabinet to be unembarrassed in his fight for the +presidency. + +Beauregard had been promoted to the full rank of general and his tent +was now a bower of roses. Around the figure of the little fiery, +impulsive, boastful South Carolinian gathered a group of ambitious +schemers who determined to make him President. They filled the +newspapers with such fulsome praise that the popular nominee for an +honor six years in the distance, and shrouded in the smoke of battle, +sought to add fuel to the flame by waving the Crown aside! In a weak +bombastic letter which deceived no one, dated, + +"Within Hearing of the Enemies' Guns," he emphatically declared: + +"I am not a candidate, nor do I desire to be a candidate, for any civil +office in the gift of the people or Executive!" + +Controversies began between different Southern States, as to the +location of the permanent Capital of the Confederacy. The contest +developed so rapidly and went so far, that the Municipal Council of the +City of Nashville, Tennessee, voted an appropriation of $750,000 for a +residence for the President as an inducement to remove the Capital. + +A furious controversy broke out in the yellow journals of the South as +to why the Southern army had not pursued the panic-stricken mob into the +City of Washington, captured Lincoln and his Congress and ended the war +next day in a blaze of glory. + +It was inconceivable that it was the fault of the two heroes of the +battle, Joseph E. Johnston and Peter G. T. Beauregard. The President had +rushed to the battlefield for some purpose. The champions of the heroes +insinuated that his purpose was not to prevent their quarreling, but to +take command of the field and rob them of their glory. + +They made haste to find a scapegoat on whose shoulders to lay the +failure to pursue. They seized on Jefferson Davis as the man. They +declared in the most positive terms that Johnston and Beauregard, +flushed with victory, were marshaling their hosts to sweep into +Washington when they were stopped by the Confederate Chief and had no +choice but to bivouac for the night. + +Three men alone knew the truth: Davis, Beauregard and Johnston. The two +victorious generals remained silent while their friends made this +remarkable accusation against the President. + +The President remained silent to save his generals from the wrath of a +fickle public which might end their usefulness to the country. + +As a matter of fact, Davis' trained eye had seen the enormous advantage +of quick merciless pursuit the moment he was convinced that McDowell's +army had fled in panic. + +He had finally written a positive order commanding pursuit but was +persuaded by the continued pleas of both commanders not to press it. + +The reptile press of the South began on the President a bitter, +malignant and unceasing vilification for this, his first fatal and +inexcusable blunder! + +Defeat had freed Abraham Lincoln of fools and incompetents and armed him +with dictatorial powers. Victory had saddled on the Confederacy two +heroes destined to cripple its efficiency with interminable controversy, +sulking bitterness and personal ambitions. The halo of supreme military +genius which encircled the brows of Johnston and Beauregard with the +lifting of the smoke from the field of Bull Run grew quickly into two +storm clouds which threatened the life of the new Republic. + +Johnston's contempt for Beauregard had from the beginning been outspoken +to his intimate friends. The battle had raised this little upstart to +his equal in rank! He claimed that the President had robbed him of his +true position in the Southern army through favoritism in the appointment +of Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee to positions of seniority to +which they were not entitled. + +Johnston began a series of bitter insulting letters to the Confederate +President, complaining of his injustice and demanding his rights. Not +content with his letters to the Executive, Johnston poured his +complaints into the ears of his friends and admirers in the Confederate +Congress and began a systematic and determined personal campaign to +discredit and ruin the administration. + +Among his first recruits in his campaign against Jefferson Davis was the +fiery, original Secessionist, Roger Barton. Barton had never liked +Davis. Their temperaments were incompatible. He resigned his position on +the staff of the President, allied himself openly with Johnston and +became one of the bitterest and most uncompromising enemies of the +government. His position in the Confederate Senate would be a powerful +weapon with which to strike. + +The substance of Johnston's claim on which was founded this malignant +clique in Richmond was the merest quibble about the date of his +commission to the rank of full general. Because its date was later than +that of Robert E. Lee he felt himself insulted and degraded. + +When the President mildly and good naturedly informed him that his +position of Quartermaster General in the old army did not entitle him to +a field command and that Lee's rank as field commander was higher, he +replied in a letter which became the text of his champions. Its +high-flown language and bombastic claims showed only too plainly that a +consuming ambition had destroyed all sense of proportion in his mind. + +With uncontrolled passion he wrote to the President: + + + "Human power cannot efface the past. Congress may vacate my + commission and reduce me to the ranks. It cannot make it true + that I was not a general before July 4, 1861. + + "The effect of the course pursued is this: + + "It transforms me from the position first in rank to that of fourth. + The relative rank of the others among themselves (Cooper, Albert + Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) is unaltered. It is plain that + this is a blow aimed at me only. It reduces my rank in the grade + I hold. This has never been done heretofore in the regular service + in America but by the sentence of a court-martial as a punishment + and as a disgrace for some military offense. + + "It seeks to tarnish my fair name as a soldier and as a man, earned + by more than thirty years of laborious and perilous service. I have + but this--the scars of many wounds all honestly taken in my front + and in the front of battle, and my father's revolutionary sword. + It was delivered to me from his venerable hand without stain of + dishonor. Its blade is still unblemished as when it passed from his + hand to mine. I drew it in the war not for rank or fame (sic!), but + to defend the sacred soil, the homes and hearths, the women and + children, aye, and the men of my mother, Virginia--my native South. + It may hereafter be the sword of a general leading armies, or of a + private volunteer. But while I live and have an arm to wield it, it + shall never be sheathed until the freedom, independence, and full + rights of the South are achieved. When that is done, it then will + be a matter of small concern to the Government, to Congress, or to + the Country, what my rank or lot may be. + + "What has the aspect of a studied indignity is offered me. My noble + associate with me in the battle has his preferment connected with the + victory won by our common trials and dangers. His commission bears + the date of July 21, 1861, but care seems to be taken to exclude the + idea that I had any part in winning that triumph. + + "My commission is made to bear such a date that my once inferiors + in the service of the United States and of the Confederate States + (Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) shall be above me. + But it must not be dated as of July 21, nor be suggestive of the + victory of Manassas! + + "If the action against which I have protested is legal, it is not + for me to question the expediency of degrading one who has served + laboriously from the commencement of the war on this frontier, and + borne a prominent part in the only great event of that war, for the + benefit of persons, neither of whom has yet struck a blow for this + Confederacy. + + "These views and the freedom with which they are presented may be + unusual, so likewise is the occasion which calls them forth. + + "I have the honor to be, most respectfully, + Your obedient servant, + J. E. Johnston, _General_." + + +With a curve of his thin lips and a look of mortal weariness on his +haggard face, the man on whose shoulders rested the burden of the lives +of millions of his people seized his pen and wrote this brief note: + + + "Richmond, Va., September 14, 1861. + + "General J. E. Johnston: + + "Sir: + + "I have just received and read your letter of the 12 instant. Its + language is, as you say, unusual; its arguments and statements utterly + one-sided, and its insinuations as unfounded as they are unbecoming. + + "I am, etc., + Jefferson Davis." + + +While the Commander of the victorious Confederacy was sulking in his +tent on the field of Manassas, playing this pitiful farce about the date +of a commission, and allowing his army to go to pieces, George B. +McClellan with tireless energy and matchless genius as an organizer was +whipping into shape Lincoln's new levy of five hundred thousand +determined Northern men. + +To further add to his embarrassment and cripple his work the Vice +President of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens, developed early +into a chronic opponent of the administration. Much of this opposition +was due to dyspepsia but it was none the less effective in undermining +the influence of the Executive. Mr. Stephens' theories were the +outgrowth of the most radical application of the dogma of States' +Rights. + +Before secession he had bitterly opposed the withdrawal of Georgia from +the Union. His extreme advocacy of the Sovereignty of the States now +threatened the unity and integrity of the Confederacy as a Republic. + +He proclaimed the remarkable doctrine that as the war was one in which +the people had led the politicians into a struggle for their rights, +therefore the people could be absolutely relied on by the administrators +of the Government to properly conduct the war. The people could always +be depended on when a battle was to be fought. When no fighting was to +be done they should be at home attending to their families and their +business. The people were intelligent. They were patriotic. And they +were as good judges of the necessity of their presence with the colors +as the commanders of the armies. The generals were professional +soldiers. They fought for rank and pay and most of them had no property +in the South! + +In the face of such doctrines proclaimed from so high a source it was +not to be wondered at if thousands of men obtained furloughs on long +leaves of absence. In the judgment of the intelligent and patriotic +people of the South the war was practically over. Why should they swell +the ranks of great armies to augment the power of military lords? + +While these comfortable doctrines were being proclaimed in the South, +the North was drilling five hundred thousand soldiers who had enlisted +for three years. + +The soreheads, theorists, and chronic kickers now had their supreme +opportunity to harass the President. They rallied behind the sulking +General and his friends and established a vigilant and malignant +opposition to Jefferson Davis in the Confederate Congress. + +They centered their criticism naturally on the weakest spot in the new +Government--the weakest spot in all new nations--its financial policy. + +They demanded the immediate purchase of all the cotton in the South and +its exportation to England as a basis of credit. They blithely ignored +two facts--that the Government had no money with which to purchase this +enormous quantity of the property of its people and the still more +important fact that the ports of the South had been blockaded, that this +blockade was becoming more and more effective and that blockade-runners +could not be found with sufficient tonnage to move one-tenth of the crop +if they were willing to risk capture and confiscation. + +If the President could have met the members of his Congress in daily +social intercourse much of the opposition could have been cleared by his +close reasoning and the magnetism of his powerful personality. But under +the strain of his official life his health forbade the attempt at social +amenities. + +He ceased to entertain except at formal receptions, gave himself body +and soul to his duties as President and allowed his critics full swing +with their tongues. + +The Richmond _Examiner_ early developed into the leader of the reptile +press of the South which sought by all means fair or foul to break down +and destroy the President. This sheet was made the organ of all the +bickering, backbiting, complaining and sulking in the army and the civil +life of the new Republic. + +Because the President could not spare the time for social +entertainments, he was soundly abused for the stinginess of his +administration. Because the young people of Richmond could not be +received at the White House of the Confederacy on every evening in the +week _The Examiner_ sneered at the assumption of "superior dignity by +the satraps." + +This scurrilous newspaper at last made the infamous charge that Davis +was getting rich on his savings from a salary of twenty-five thousand +dollars in Confederate money! Every politician who had been overlooked +rushed into these friendly columns and aired his grievances. The old +secession leaders who had been thrust aside for the presidency by the +people who had forced the office on Jefferson Davis now pressed forward +to put their knives into the sensitive soul of the man they envied. Wm. +L. Yancey, Barnwell Rhett and Robert Toombs joined his foes in a chorus +of criticism and abuse. Every man who had been slighted in high +positions bestowed on rivals rushed now to the attack. + +Davis was never a man who could hedge and trim and lie and be all +things to all men. He was totally lacking in the patience that can +flatter a fool. He was too sincere, too downright in his honesty for +such demagoguery. + +He was abused for a thousand things for which he was in no sense +responsible and made no effort to defend himself. He merely took refuge +in dignified silence. And when his enemies could not provoke him into +angry outbursts they accused him of contempt for public opinion. + +In this hour of his sore trial he lacked the sense of broad humor which +saved Abraham Lincoln. His rival in Washington was abused with far more +savage cruelty--but it always reminded him of a funny story. He told the +story, roared with laughter himself, and turned again to his work. + +Not so with Jefferson Davis. He was keenly and painfully sensitive to +the approval or condemnation of the people about him. The thoughtless +word of a child could cut him to the quick. To have explained many of +the difficulties on which he was attacked would have been to endanger +the usefulness of one of his generals or expose the army to danger. + +He steadfastly remained silent and accepted as inevitable the accusation +that his manner was cold and repellent. + +But once did his soul completely break down under the strain. + +An officer whom he loved had been censured by one of his commanding +generals who demanded his removal. This censure was conveyed to the +President in a letter marked "Private." + +The officer was removed. Hard as the duty was, he felt that as the +servant of his country he had no other choice. + +Flushed and indignant, his old friend called. + +"You know me, Mr. President," he cried passionately. "How can I ever +hold my head up again under censure from you--one of my oldest and best +friends?" + +The muscles of the drawn face twitched with nervous agony. He could not +with his high sense of honor as President tell this man that he loved +him and found no fault with him. To make his acceptance of the situation +easier, his only course was to roust his friend's anger. + +He turned and said curtly: + +"You have, I believe, received your orders. I can suggest nothing but +obedience." + +Too angry to ask an explanation, he strode from the room without a word. + +The President closed his desk, climbed the steep hill of the Capitol +Square, walked home in brooding silence, and locked himself in his room +without eating his dinner. + +Alarmed at his absence, Mrs. Davis at last gently rapped on his door. +With tender tact she drew from his reluctant lips the story. + +Turning his dimmed eyes on hers, he burst out in tones of quivering +anguish: + +"Oh, my Winnie dear, how could any man with a soul write a letter like +that, mark it private and force me to plunge a knife into the heart of +my best friend and leave it there without a word--" + +"You should have told your friend the whole truth!" + +"No--he could have made trouble in the army. His commander knew that I +could bear it best." + +"You must try to mingle more with those men, dear," his wife pleaded. +"Use your brains and personality to win them. You can do it." + +"At the cost of precious hours I can give to better service for my +country. No. I've given my life to the South. I'll eat my heart out in +silence if I must--" + +He paused and looked at her tenderly. + +"Only your friendly eyes shall see, my dear. After all, what does it +matter what men think of me now? If we succeed, we shall hear no more of +malcontents. If we do not succeed, I shall be held accountable by both +friend and foe. It's written so in the book of life. I must accept it. +I'll just do my best and God will give me strength to bear what comes." + +And so while the South was gayly celebrating the end of the war and +every crow was busy pecking at the sensitive heart of their leader, the +ominous shadow of five hundred thousand Northern soldiers, armed with +the best weapons and drilled by the masters of military science, was +slowly but surely drawing near. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SOCOLA'S PROBLEM + + +Socola found his conquest of Jennie beset with unforeseen difficulties. +His vanity received a shock. His success with girls at home had slightly +turned his head. + +His mother was largely responsible for his conceit. She honestly +believed that he was the handsomest man in America. For more than six +years--in fact, since his eighteenth birthday--his mother's favorite pet +name was "Handsome." He had heard this repeated so often he had finally +accepted it philosophically as one of the fixed phenomena of nature. + +From the moment he made up his mind to win Jennie he considered the work +done--until he had set seriously about it. + +The first difficulty he encountered was the discovery that a large +number of Southern boys apparently considered the chief business of life +going to see the girls--this girl in particular. + +The first day he called he found five young men who had lingered beyond +their appointed hours and were encroaching on his time without the +slightest desire to apologize. He could see that she was trying to get +rid of them but they hung on with a dogged, quiet persistence that was +annoying beyond measure. + +War seemed to have precipitated an epidemic of furious love-making. He +watched Jennie twist these enterprising young Southerners around her +slender fingers with an ease that was alarming. They were fine-looking, +wholesome fellows, too--a little given to boyish boasting of military +prowess, but for all that genuine, serious, big-hearted boys. + +The matter-of-fact way in which she ruled them, as if she were a queen +born to the royal purple and they were so many lackeys, was something +new under the sun. + +For a moment the thought was cheering. Perhaps it was her way of serving +notice on his rivals that her real interests lay in another direction. +But the disconcerting thing about it was that it seemed to be a habit of +mind. + +For the life of him he couldn't make out her real attitude. The one +encouraging feature was that she certainly treated him with more +seriousness than these home boys. It might be, of course, because she +thought him a foreigner. And yet he didn't believe it. She had a way of +looking frankly and inquiringly into his eyes with a deep, serious +expression. Such a look could not mean idle curiosity. + +And yet the problem he could not solve was how far he dared as yet to +presume on that interest. A single false step might imperil his +enterprise. His plan was of double importance since the break between +her impulsive father and the President of the Confederacy. Barton was +now the spokesman for the Opposition. His tongue was one that knew no +restraint. An engagement with his daughter might mean the possession of +invaluable secrets of the Richmond Government. Barton's championship of +the quarrelsome commanders, who, in the first flood tide of their +popularity as the heroes of Manassas, gave them the position of military +dictators, would also place in his hands information of the army which +would be priceless. The Confederate Congress sat behind closed doors. On +the right footing in the Barton household he could put himself in +possession of every scheme of the Southern law-makers from the moment of +its conception. + +The trait of the girl's character which astounded him was the sudden +merging of every thought in the cause of the South. Even the time she +spent laughing and flirting with those soldier boys was a sort of holy +service she was rendering to her country. The devotion of these Southern +women to the Confederacy was remarkable. + +It had already become an obsession. + +From the moment blood had begun to flow, the soul and body of every +Southern woman was laid a living offering on the altar of her country. +He watched this development with awe and admiration. It was an ominous +sign. It meant a reserve power in the South on which statesmen had not +counted. It might set at nought the weight of armies. + +The moment he began to carefully approach the inner citadel of the +girl's heart he found the figure of a gray soldier clad in steel on +guard. What he said didn't interest her. He was a foreigner. She +listened politely and attentively but her real thoughts were not there. +He had not believed it possible that patriotism could so obsess the soul +of a beautiful girl of nineteen. The devotion of the Southern women, +young and old, to the cause of the South was fast developing into a +mania. + +They were displaying a wisdom, too, which Southern men apparently did +not possess. While the hot-headed, fiery masters of men were busy +quarreling with one another, criticising and crippling the +administration of their Government, the women were supporting the +President with a unanimity and enthusiasm that was amazing. + +Jennie Barton refused to listen to her father's abuse. + +Socola found them in the middle of a family quarrel on the subject so +intense he could not help hearing the conversation from the adjoining +room before Jennie entered. + +"The President hates Johnston, I tell you," stormed the Senator. "He +doesn't like Beauregard either. He's jealous of him!" + +"Father dear, how can you be so absurd!" the girl protested. "A few +months ago Beauregard was a captain of artillery. The President has made +him a general of equal rank with Lee and Johnston--" + +"He's doing all he can now to spite him!" + +"So General Beauregard says--the conceit of it! This little general but +yesterday a captain to dare to say that the President who had honored +him with such high command would sacrifice the country and injure +himself just to spite the man he has promoted!" + +"That will do, Jennie," the Senator commanded. "Women don't understand +politics!" + +"Thank God I don't understand that kind. I just know enough to be loyal +to my Chief, when our life and his may depend on it--" + +With a stamp of his heavy foot the Senator ended the discussion by +leaving the room. + +Jennie smiled sweetly as she extended her hand to Socola. + +"I hope you were not alarmed, Signor. We never fight--" + +"The President of the Confederacy is a very fortunate leader, Miss +Jennie--" + +"Why?" + +"He has invincible champions--" + +The girl blushed. + +"I'm afraid we don't know much. We just feel things." + +"I think sometimes we only _know_ that way--" + +He paused and looked at her hat with a gesture of dismay. + +"You're not going out?" + +"I must," she said apologetically. "I've bought a whole carriage load of +peaches and grapes. I went to the Alabama hospital yesterday with a +little basket full and made some poor fellows glad. They gave out too +quickly. Those who got none looked so wistfully at me as I passed out. I +couldn't sleep last night. For hours and hours their deep-sunken eyes +followed and haunted me with their pleading. And so I've got a whole +load to take to-day. You'll go with me--won't you?" + +He had come to declare his love and make this beautiful girl his +conquest. She was ending the day by making him her lackey and errand +boy. + +It couldn't be helped. There was no mistaking the tones of her voice. +She would certainly go. The only way to be with her was to dance +attendance on wounded Confederate soldiers. + +It was all in the day's work. Many a scout engulfed in the ranks of his +enemy must charge his own men to save his life. He would not only make +the best of it, he would take advantage of it to press his way a step +closer to her heart. + +"Are all of the girls of the South like you, Miss Jennie?" he asked with +a quizzical smile. + +"You mean insulting to their fathers?" she laughed. + +"If you care to put it so--I mean, is their loyalty to the Confederacy a +mania?" + +"Is mine a mania?" + +"Perhaps I should say a divine passion--are all your Southern women thus +inspired?" + +"Yes." + +"In the far South and the West?" + +"Everywhere!" + +"It's wonderful." + +"Perhaps because we can't fight we try to make up for it." + +He watched her keenly. + +"It's something bigger than that. Somehow it's a prophecy to me of a new +future--a new world. Maybe after all political wisdom shall not begin +and end with man." + +Jennie blushed again under the admiring gaze with which Socola held her. + +The carriage stopped at the door of the Alabama hospital. Socola leaped +to the ground and extended his hand for Jennie's. He allowed himself the +slightest pressure of the slender fingers as he lifted her out. It was +his right in just that moment to press her hand. He put the slightest +bit more than was needed to firmly grasp it, and the blood flamed hotly +in her cheeks. + +He hastened to carry her baskets and boxes of peaches and grapes inside. + +For an hour he followed her with faithful dog step in her ministry of +love. His orderly Northern mind shuddered at the sight of the confusion +incident to the sudden organization of this hospital work. He had heard +it was equally bad in the North. Two armed mobs had rushed into battle +with scarcely a thought of what might be done with the mangled men who +would be borne from the field. + +Jennie bent low over the cot of a dying boy from her home county. He +clung to her hand piteously. The waters were too swift and deep for +speech. Before she could slip her hand from his and pass on the man on +the next cot died in convulsions. + +Socola watched his agonized face with a strange sense of exaltation. It +was the law of progress--this way of death and suffering. The voice +within kept repeating the one big faith of his life: + +"Not one drop of human blood shed in defense of truth and right is ever +spilled in vain!" + +Through all the scenes of death and suffering beautiful Southern women +moved with soft tread and eager hands. + +A pretty girl of sixteen, with wistful blue eyes, approached a rough, +wounded soldier. She carried a towel and tin basin of water. + +"Can't I do something for you?" she asked the man in gray. + +He smiled through his black beard into her sweet young face: + +"No'm, I reckon not--" + +"Can't I wash your face?" the girl pleaded. + +The wounded man softly laughed. + +"Waal, hit's been washed fourteen times to-day, but I'll stand it again, +if you say so!" + +The girl laughed and blushed and passed quickly on. + +When all the grapes and peaches had been distributed save in one basket +Socola looked at these enquiringly. + +"And these, Miss Jennie--they're the finest of the lot?" + +The girl smiled tenderly. + +"They're for revenge--" + +"Revenge?" + +"Yes. The next ward is full of Yankees. I'm going to heap coals of fire +on their heads--come--" + +The last luscious peach and bunch of grapes had been distributed and the +last soldier in blue had murmured: + +"God bless you, Miss!" + +Jennie paused at the door and waved her hand in friendly adieu to the +hungry, homesick eyes that still followed her. + +She brushed a tear from her cheek and whispered: + +"That's for my Big Brother. I'll tell him about it some day. He's still +in the Union--but he's mine!" + +She drew her lace handkerchief from her belt, dried her tears and looked +up with a laugh. + +"I'm not so loyal after all--am I?" + +"No. But I've seen something bigger than loyalty," he breathed softly, +"something divine--" + +"Come," said the girl lightly. "I wish you to meet the most wonderful +woman in Richmond. She's in charge of this hospital--" + +Socola laughed skeptically. + +"I've already seen the most wonderful woman in Richmond, Miss Jennie--" + +"But she _is_--really--the most wonderful woman in all the South--I +think in the world--Mrs. Arthur Hopkins--" + +"Really?" + +"She has done what no man ever has anyhow--sold all her property for two +hundred thousand dollars and given it to the Confederacy. And not +satisfied with giving all she had--she gave herself." + +Socola followed the girl in silence into the little office of the +hospital and found himself gasping with astonishment at the sight of the +delicate woman who extended her hand in friendly greeting. + +She was so perfect an image of his own mother it was uncanny--the same +straight, firm mouth, the strong, intellectual forehead with the heavy, +straight-lined eyebrows, the waving rich brown hair, with a strand of +silver here and there--the somber dress of black, the white lace collar +and the dainty white lace cap on the back of her beautiful hair--it took +his breath. + +The more he saw of these Southern people, men and women, the more absurd +became the stuff he had read so often about the Puritan of New England +and the Cavalier of the South. He was more and more overwhelmed with the +conviction that the Americans were _one_ people racially and +temperamentally. The only difference on earth between them was that +some settled in the bleak hills and rock-bound coast of the North and +others in the sunlit fields and along the shining shores of the South. + +He returned with Jennie Barton to her home with the deepening conviction +that he was making no progress. He must use this girl's passionate +devotion to her country as the lever by which to break into her heart or +he would fail. + +He paused on the doorstep and spoke with quick decision: + +"Miss Jennie, your Southern women have fired my imagination. I'm going +to resign my commission with the Sardinian Ministry and enter the +service of the South--" + +"You mean it?" + +"I was never in more deadly earnest." + +He looked straight into her brown eyes until she lowered them. + +"I need not tell you that you have been my inspiration. You understand +that without my saying it." + +Before Jennie could answer he had turned and gone with quick, firm step. + +She watched his slender, graceful figure with a new sense of +exhilaration and tenderness. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE ANACONDA + + +While General Joseph E. Johnston was devoting his energies to a campaign +to change the date of his commission and his friends organizing their +opposition to the President at Richmond, Gideon Welles, the quiet, +unassuming Secretary of the Navy at Washington, was slowly but surely +drawing the mighty coil, the United States Navy, about the throat of the +South. He made little noise but the work he did was destined to become +the determining factor of the war. + +The first blow was struck at North Carolina. + +On August 26, 1861, at one o'clock the fleet quietly put to sea from +Fortress Monroe. On Tuesday they arrived at Hatteras Inlet, opened fire +on the two forts guarding its entrance and on the twenty-ninth a white +flag was raised. Seven hundred and fifteen prisoners were surrendered, +one thousand stand of arms, and thirty pieces of cannon. At a single +blow the whole vast inland water coast of North Carolina on her Sounds +was opened to the enemy with communications from Norfolk, Virginia, to +Beaufort. A garrison of a thousand men could hold those forts for all +time with the navy in command of the sea. + +Burnside followed with his expedition into the Sounds, captured Roanoke +Island and the fall of Newbern was inevitable. Every river-mouth and +inlet of the entire coast of North Carolina was now in the hands of the +Federal Government save the single port of Wilmington. + +The moral effect of this blow by the navy was tremendous in the North. +It was the first token of renewed power since the defeat at Bull Run. +The navy had not only turned the tide of defeat in the imagination of +the people, the achievement was one of vast importance to the North and +the most sinister import to the South. + +The Federal Government had gained the first important base on the +Southern coast for her blockading squadron and given a foothold for the +military invasion of North Carolina. + +The President at Richmond was compelled to watch this tragedy in +helpless sorrow. The South had no navy with which to dispute the command +of the sea and yet she had three thousand miles of coast line! + +With swift, remorseless sweep the navy struck Port Royal, South +Carolina, and established the second secure base for the blockading +squadrons. + +The Beaufort district of South Carolina captured by this expedition was +one of the richest and most thickly settled of the State, containing +fifteen hundred square miles. It produced annually fifty million pounds +of rice and fourteen thousand bales of cotton. And in its population +were thirty thousand slaves suddenly brought under the power of the +Federal Government. + +The coast of Florida was next pierced. The blockade of the enormous +coast line of the South was declared at first an impossibility. Within +less than a year the United States Navy had established bases within +striking distance of every port. New ships were being launched, +purchased or chartered daily and the giant Anaconda was slowly winding +its terrible coil about the commerce of the Confederacy. + +Jefferson Davis was not the man to accept this ominous situation without +a desperate struggle. The man who had substituted iron gun carriages for +wood in the army consulted his Secretary of the Navy on the possibility +of revolutionizing the naval-warfare of the world by the construction of +an iron-clad ship of first-class power. In his report to the Confederate +Naval Committee, Secretary Mallory had developed this possibility two +months before the subject had been broached in the report of Gideon +Welles in Washington. + +"I regard the possession of an iron-armored ship," Mallory urged, "as a +matter of the first necessity. Such a vessel at this time could traverse +the entire coast of the United States, prevent all blockade, and +encounter with a fine prospect of success their entire navy. Inequality +of numbers may be overcome by invulnerability, and thus not only does +economy but naval success dictate the wisdom and expediency of fighting +with iron against wood, without regard to first cost." + +The President of the Confederacy gave his hearty endorsement to this +plan--and summoned the genius of the South to the task. At the bottom of +the harbor of Norfolk lay the half-burned hull of the steam frigate +_Merrimac_ which the Government had set on fire and sunk on destroying +the Navy Yard. + +The _Merrimac_ was raised. A board was appointed to draw plans and +estimate the cost of the conversion of the vessel into a powerful, +floating, iron-clad battery. In the crippled condition of the Norfolk +Navy Yard the task was tremendous and the expense would be great. + +The President ordered the work prosecuted with the utmost vigor. Day and +night the ring of hammers on heavy iron echoed over the quiet harbor of +Norfolk. Blacksmiths were forging the most terrible ship of war that +ever sailed the seas. If the hopes of her builders should be realized, +the navy of the North would be swept from the ocean and the proudest +ships of the world be reduced to junk in a day. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE GATHERING CLOUDS + + +Disaster followed disaster for the South now in swift succession. The +United States Navy, not content with the supremacy of the high seas, set +to work with determination to build a war fleet on the great rivers of +the West which could pierce the heart of the lower South. + +Before the South could possibly secure arms and ammunition with which to +equip the army of Albert Sidney Johnston, these gunboats were steaming +down the Ohio and Mississippi bearing thousands of troops armed, drilled +and led by stark, game-fighting generals from the West. + +By the end of November the Federal troops threatening Tennessee numbered +fifty thousand and they were rapidly reënforced until they aggregated a +hundred thousand. + +General Albert Sidney Johnston sent the most urgent appeals for arms to +the Governors of Georgia and Alabama, to General Bragg at Pensacola and +to the Government at Richmond. He asked for thirty thousand muskets and +got but one thousand. The guns were not in the South. They could not be +manufactured. Fully one-half his men had no arms at all. Whole brigades +remained without weapons for months. The entire force at his command +never numbered more than twenty-two thousand during this perilous fall. +And yet, by the masterly handling of his little army, its frequent and +rapid expeditions, he kept his powerful opponents in constant +expectations of an attack and produced the impression that he commanded +an enormous force. + +In the meantime the sensational newspapers were loud in their demands. + +The Richmond yellow Journal shouted: + +"Let Johnston muster his forces, advance into Kentucky, capture +Louisville, push across the Ohio and carry the war into Africa." + +Swift and terrible the blow fell. + +And always the navy's smoke on the horizon. From the Ohio, the Tennessee +and Cumberland rivers could be navigated for hundreds of miles into +Tennessee and Alabama. But two forts guarded the rivers and protected +these States. + +Early in February, 1862, the gunboats under Admiral Foote slowly steamed +up the Tennessee and attacked Fort Henry. The array they covered was +commanded by General Grant. The Federal fleet and army hurled twenty +thousand men and fifty-four cannon against the little fort of eleven +guns. With but forty men General Tilghman fought this host and held them +at bay for two hours and ten minutes, until the main body of his +garrison of twenty-five hundred troops had marched out and were safely +on their way to Fort Donelson, twelve miles across the country on the +banks of the Cumberland. Fort Henry was of small importance. Fort +Donelson commanded the approach to Nashville. + +There was not a moment's delay. Grant telegraphed Halleck that he would +capture Fort Donelson two days later. Admiral Foote sent three light +gunboats up the Tennessee to clear the river into Alabama, swept down +stream with his heavier craft to the Ohio and turned into the +Cumberland. Grant pressed directly across the strip of twelve miles +with his army bearing on Fort Donelson. + +The commander at Fort Donelson had at first but six thousand men +including the garrison from Fort Henry which had just arrived. Had Grant +been able to strike on the eighth of February, the day he had wired to +Halleck he would capture the fort, its fall would have been sure. But +high water delayed him, and Albert Sidney Johnston hastened to pour in +reënforcements. Every available soldier at his command was rushed to the +rescue. He determined to fight for Nashville at Donelson. General +Buckner's command of Kentuckians, General Pillow's Tennesseeans and +General Floyd's brigade of Virginia troops were all poured into the fort +before the thirteenth. This force, approximating twenty thousand men, +properly commanded should hold Donelson indefinitely. + +The fortification was magnificently placed on a bluff commanding +the river for two miles. Its batteries consisted of eight +thirty-two-pounders, three thirty-two-pound carronades, one ten-inch +Columbiad and one thirty-two-pounder rifle. A line of entrenchments +stretched for two miles around the fort enclosing it. + +Into these trenches the newly arrived troops were thrown. + +Dick Welford, with Floyd's Virginians, gripped his musket with eager +enthusiasm for his first real battle. His separation from Jennie had +been a bitter trial. In his eagerness to get to the front he had the +misfortune to serve in the ill fated campaign in West Virginia, which +preceded Bull Run. Beauregard and J. E. Johnston were in easy touch with +Richmond. His unlucky brigade had been transferred to Albert Sidney +Johnston's command. + +The men had been in the trenches through the long miserable night +expecting an attack at any moment. + +Half waking, half dreaming, he lay on the cold ground wondering what +Jennie was doing--and always with the nightmare of that foreign snake +winding his way into her favor. Well, his chance would come in this +battle. He would lead his men in a charge. He was a corporal now. He +would come out of it with straps on his shoulders, he could see Jennie's +eyes flash with tears of pride as she read the story of his heroism and +his promotion. + +"I'll show that reptile what a man can do!" he muttered. + +The tired body relaxed and his big blond head sank on his arms. + +A sudden crash of thunder and he sprang to his feet, his hand tight on +his gun. There they were in the gray light of the chill February +morning--the fleet of Federal gunboats under Foote, their big black +funnels pouring clouds of smoke into the sky, darkening the dull red +glow of the rising sun. He counted six of them--_Carondalet_, +_Pittsburgh_, _Louisville_, _St. Louis_, _Tyler_ and _Conestoga_. + +A white breath of smoke flashed from the _Carondalet's_ bow, and Dick +watched the shell rise with a shriek and fall short of the fort. + +The fleet moved closer and another shell screamed through the sky and +again fell short. They moved again, found the range, and for four hours +the earth trembled beneath the steady roar of their forty-six guns. + +At eleven o'clock Dick saw the long lines of men in blue deploy for an +assault on the entrenchments. They moved with quick sure step, these men +under Grant. He was sorry for them. They were marching to certain death. + +On the blue waves rolled, pouring volley after volley into the heaps of +earth behind which the Southerners lay. + +They were close enough now and the quick command rang along the +trenches. + +"Fire!" + +A storm of death swept the ranks in the open fields. They stood their +ground stubbornly, those dogged western fighters. Dazed and cut to +pieces, they rallied and pressed forward again only to be mowed down in +heaps. + +They gave it up at last and sullenly withdrew, leaving the dead piled +high and the wounded slowly freezing to death where they lay. + +The artillery kept the earth quivering with the steady roar of their +guns and the Federal sharpshooters harassed the trenches without a +moment's respite. It was impossible to move for food or water until +nightfall. + +At dawn next day Dick once more gripped his gun and peered over the +embankment. The morning passed without attack. What could it mean? They +saw at last--another fleet. Clouds of black smoke on the river told the +story. Reënforcements had arrived. + +At half-past two o'clock the fleet formed in line of battle--threw their +big flags to the breeze and dashed squarely on the fort. + +They swept now within point blank range of three hundred yards, pouring +in a storm of shot. + +But the Confederate batteries were too heavy and too well manned. +Fifty-seven shells struck the flagship and more than a hundred took +effect on the five boats leading the assault. The fleet was crushed and +put out of commission. Every boat was disabled except one and that +withdrew beyond the range of the batteries. + +Dick watched the magnificent spectacle with thrilling pride. He could +have enjoyed the show but for the bitter cold. It was twenty degrees +below the freezing point, and while the battle raged between the fleet +and fort it began to sleet and snow. When the crippled boats at last +drifted down the yellow tide and out of range, he found to his amazement +that a thick coat of ice had formed on the hand in which he held his +musket. His clothes were frozen stiff on his body. + +He leaped to his feet and beat his arms fiercely, and glanced over the +embankment toward those ominous-looking piles of blue. The sleet was +sheathing their bodies in crystal shrouds now. No flag of truce was +allowed and the wounded lay freezing and dying where they fell. He could +hear the stronger ones still crying for help. Their long piteous moans +rang above the howl of the wind through the breaking boughs of the +trees. + +It was hideous. Why didn't they rescue those men? Why didn't they +proclaim a truce to bury the dead and save the wounded? Grant must be a +fiend! Far off on the river another black smudge was seen in the sky. +More reënforcements were coming. + +The three Confederate generals suddenly waked with a shock to realize +that their foe had landed a second army, cutting their communications +with Nashville. + +A council of war was hastily called on the night of the fourteenth. It +was a discordant aggregation. Floyd, the former Secretary of War in +Buchanan's administration, was the senior officer in command. He was +regarded more as a politician than a soldier and his exploits in West +Virginia had not added to his fame. The men around him had little +respect for his capacity as a commander. Besides quarreling had become +the fashion in the armies of the victorious South since the affair at +Bull Run. The example of Joseph E. Johnston and Beauregard was +contagious. + +There was but one thing to do. The wrangling generals were unanimous on +that point. They must make a desperate assault next morning on Grant's +right wing and reëstablish their communications with Nashville at all +hazards. + +Under cover of the darkness on the morning of the fifteenth, the men +were marched from their trenches and massed on the Federal right. But a +handful were left to guard the entrenchments on the Confederate right. + +At the first streak of dawn, the concentrated lines of the Confederates +were hurled on the division of McClernand. Before two o'clock Grant's +right wing had been crushed into a shapeless mass with the loss of his +artillery. The way was open to Nashville and the discordant commanding +generals of the Confederacy paused. + +Buckner ordered up his artillery and reserves to pursue the enemy or +hold his newly-won position. Pillow flatly refused to allow a single gun +to be withdrawn from the entrenchments and sent peremptory orders to his +victorious subordinate to return to the trenches on the right. + +As Buckner was reluctantly returning to the old lines he encountered +Floyd. + +"Where are you going?" the Commander-in-Chief demanded. + +"I am ordered back to the entrenchments--" + +"You think it wise to walk back into the trap we've just escaped from?" + +"I do not!" was the short answer. "We are outnumbered three to one. We +can not hold our connections open in the face of such an army backed by +gunboats and transports which can bring reënforcements daily. The road +is open, we should save our army by an immediate juncture with Albert +Sidney Johnston before Nashville." + +"I agree with you," Floyd replied. "Hold your troops until I consult +with Pillow." + +While Floyd and Pillow wrangled, Grant dashed on the scene. He had not +been present during the battle. The wounded Commodore had begged him for +a consultation on board his flagship five miles below. + +When Grant reached the field he met a sight that should have dismayed +him and sent his shattered army to the shelter of the gunboats and a +hasty retreat down the Cumberland to a place of safety. + +McClernand had been crushed and his disorganized troops thrown back in +confusion in front of the entrenchments of the Confederate right. His +troops had been on the field for five days and five nights drenched in +snow, sleet, mud, ice and water. The field was strewn with the dead and +wounded. Great red splotches of frozen blood marked the ground in all +directions. Beneath the sheltering pines where the white, smooth snow +lay unbroken by the tramp of heavy feet and the crush of artillery, +crimson streams could be seen everywhere. For two miles the ground was +covered with the mangled dead, dying, and freezing. Smashed artillery +and dead horses lay in heaps. In the retreat the heavy wheels of the +artillery had rolled over the bodies of the dead and wounded, crushing +and mangling many beyond recognition. + +No general ever gazed upon a more ghastly scene than that which greeted +the eye of U. S. Grant in this moment of his life's supreme crisis. The +suffering of his wounded who had fought with the desperation of madness +to save themselves from the cold, had left its mark on their stark, +white faces. The ice had pressed a death mask on the convulsed features +and held them in the moment of agony. They looked up into his face now, +the shining eyes, gaping mouths, clenched fists, and crooked twisted +limbs. + +McClernand's raw troops retreating over this field of horrors were +largely beyond control. Grant knew the enemy had been reënforced. He +could reasonably assume from the evidence before him of the terrific +slaughter in the open field that his own army was in peril. The +transports were in sight ready to move his army to a place of safety +where he might re-form his broken ranks. + +His decision was instantaneous and thoroughly characteristic. He turned +to C. F. Smith in command of his left wing whose division had been but +slightly engaged. + +"General Smith, the enemy does not follow up their advantage. +They are probably in a worse condition than I am. Mass your men +and charge their entrenchments on the right--never let up for a +minute--drive--drive--drive them!" + +The charging hosts swept the thin lines of the half abandoned trenches +with the fury of a cyclone. The Confederate right was broken and rolled +back in confusion, fresh troops were rushed from the Federal reserves +and a new cordon of death thrown round the fort. + +On the night of this fatal fifteenth of February Dick Welford was +detailed for guard duty at the door of General Floyd's tent. He heard +their council of war with sinking heart. + +General Pillow favored a second desperate assault on the enemies' right +to re-open the way to Nashville. + +Buckner faced him with rage: + +"It was possible to-day, sir, and we did it. Now the enemy has been +reënforced for the third time. If you had sent my guns as I ordered the +way would still be open--" + +"We can yet cut our way out," Pillow growled. + +"Yes, with the sacrifice of three fourths of our brave men to save one +fourth. I'll not be a party to such butchery. We're caught now in a +death trap. The only rational thing to do is to surrender." + +Floyd rose nervously. + +"I'm not going to surrender, gentlemen. The North has accused me of +treachery in Buchanan's Cabinet. I couldn't expect decent treatment from +them. A steamer with recruits has just arrived from Nashville. I shall +make my escape on it with as many men as can be carried." + +"And I'll accompany you," Pillow declared. + +"Go if you like, gentlemen," Buckner replied. "I'll stand by my men and +share their fate." + +Floyd and Pillow hastily began their preparations to go. + +Buckner quietly asked: + +"Am I to consider the command turned over to me?" + +"Certainly," Floyd answered. "I turn over the command." + +"I pass it, too," Pillow quickly added. + +General Buckner called for pen, ink and paper and dispatched a courier +immediately to General Grant. The reply was in two words: + +"Unconditional surrender." + +Pillow crossed the river under cover of the night and made his way into +the country. + +Floyd offered to take Dick Welford on board the little steamer. + +"No, thank you," the young Virginian answered curtly. + +"You prefer to surrender?" + +"I'm not going to surrender. I'm going to join Col. Forrest's cavalry +and fight my way out." + +With a wave of his arm Floyd hurried on board the steamer and fled to +Nashville. + +Dick had seen Forrest lead one of his matchless charges of cavalry in +their fight that day. With a handful of men he had cut his way through +a solid mass of struggling infantry and thrown them into confusion. + +He had watched this grave, silent, unobtrusive man of humble birth and +little education with the keenest interest. He felt instinctively that +he was a man of genius. From to-day he knew that as a leader of cavalry +he had few equals. He had pointed out to his superiors in their council +of war a possible path of escape by a road partially overflowed along +the river banks. It was judged impracticable. + +In the darkness of the freezing night Dick rode behind his silent new +commander along this road with perfect faith. Forrest threw his command +into Nashville and saved the city from anarchy when the dreaded news of +the fall of Donelson precipitated a panic. + +The South had met her first crushing defeat--a defeat more disastrous +than the North had suffered at Bull Ran. Grant had lost three thousand +men but the Confederate garrisons had been practically wiped out with +the loss of more than fifteen thousand muskets, every big gun and +thirteen thousand prisoners of war. + +When Grant met Buckner, the victor and vanquished quietly shook hands. +They had been friends at West Point. + +"Why didn't you attack me on Friday?" the Northerner asked. + +"I was not in command." + +"If you had, my reënforcements could not possibly have reached me in +time." + +Buckner smiled grimly. + +"In other words a little more promptness on one side, a little less +resolute decision on the other--and the tables would have been turned!" + +"That's just it," was the short answer. + +It was an ominous day for the South. Bigger than the loss of the capital +of Tennessee which Johnston evacuated the next day, bigger than the +loss of fifteen thousand men and their guns loomed the figure of a new +Federal commander. Out of the mud, and slush, ice and frozen pools of +blood--out of the storm cloud of sleet and snow and black palls of smoke +emerged the stolid, bulldog face of Ulysses S. Grant. Lincoln made him a +major general. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +JENNIE'S RECRUIT + + +Socola lost no time in applying for a position. The one place of all +others he wished was a berth in the War Department. It was useless to +try for it. No foreigner had ever been admitted to tiny position of +trust in this wing of the Confederate Government. + +He would try for a position in the Department of State. His supposed +experience in the Diplomatic Service and his mastery of two languages +besides the English would be in his favor. The struggle for recognition +from the powers of Europe was the card he could play. Once placed in the +Department of State he would make the acquaintance of every clerk and +subordinate who possessed a secret of the slightest value to his cause. + +He wished to enter the Department of State for another reason. He had +learned from absolutely reliable sources that Judah P. Benjamin, the +present Secretary of War, was slated for Secretary of State in the new +Cabinet which would be named when Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as +permanent President. He knew Benjamin to be the ablest man in the +Cabinet, the one man on whose judgment Davis leaned with greatest +confidence. It would he of immense value to his cause to be in daily +touch with this man. + +Fortunately he had mastered shorthand the last year of his stay in +Washington. This accomplishment, rare in the South, would be an +additional argument with which to secure his appointment. + +Jennie had promised to accompany him to the office of the President and +add her voice to his plea. She had quite won the heart of the badgered +chieftain of the Confederacy by her steady loyalty to his +administration. The malignant opposition of Senator Barton was +notorious. This opposition at the moment had become peculiarly +vindictive and embarrassing. The fall of Fort Donelson and the loss of +Nashville had precipitated a storm of hostile criticism. The fierce +junta of malcontents in the Confederate Congress were eager to seize on +any excuse to attack the President. They were now demanding the removal +of Albert Sidney Johnston from his command. Davis knew that his +commanding general in Tennessee was the greatest soldier of his +time--and that all he needed was a single opportunity to demonstrate his +genius. He refused with scorn to sacrifice such a man to public clamor. +At the White House reception the night before he had heard Jennie Barton +stoutly defending him against his accusers who demanded the head of +General Johnston. + +He had passed her later in the evening, pressed her hand and whispered: + +"If our men were only as loyal! Ask anything you will of me--to the half +of my kingdom." + +Jennie wished to put this impulsive promise to the test. She would see +that Socola secured his appointment. This brilliant young recruit for +the South was her gift to her country and she was proud of him. It had +all come about too quickly for her to analyze her feelings. She only +realized that she felt a sense of tender proprietary interest in him. +That he could render valuable service she did not doubt for a moment. + +She had told him to meet her at the statue of Washington in the Capitol +Square. They would wait there for the appearance of the President and +follow him. His habits were simple and democratic. He walked daily from +the Confederate White House to the Capitol grounds, crossed the Square +and at the foot of the hill entered his office in the Custom House on +Main Street, unaccompanied by an escort of any kind. + +Anybody on earth could approach and speak to him. The humbler the man or +woman, the easier the approach was always made. + +Socola was waiting at the big group of statuary contemplating the lines +of its fine workmanship with curious interest. + +Jennie startled him from a reverie: + +"You like him?" + +The white teeth gleamed in pleasant surprise. + +"The father of his country?--Yes--I like him. It's going to be my +country, too, you know." + +They strolled through the grounds and watched the squirrels leap from +the limbs of a great tree to the swaying boughs of the next. + +A tall awkward trooper on whose hat was the sign of a North Carolina +regiment toiled painfully up the hill slightly under the influence of +whisky. Socola saw that he was navigating the steep with difficulty and +turned into a by-path to give him a free passage. It was never pleasant +to meet a man under the influence of liquor in the presence of ladies. + +They had taken but a few steps along the little path when the quick firm +military tread of the President was heard. + +They turned just in time to see him encounter the toiling trooper from +North Carolina. + +The soldier's jaw suddenly dropped and his eyes kindled with joy. He +stood squarely in the President's way and laughed good naturedly. + +"Say--Mister!" + +"Well, sir?" + +"Say--now--ain't yo' name Jeff'son Davis?" + +The President nodded in a friendly way. + +"It is." + +"I knowed it," the trooper laughed. "By Gum, I knowed it, the minute I +laid my eyes on ye--" + +He moved closer with insinuating joy. + +"I bet ye could never guess how I knowed it--could ye?" + +"Hardly--" + +"Ye want me ter tell ye?" The trooper laughed again. "I knowed ye the +very minute I seed ye--'cause ye look thez ezactly like a Confederate +postage stamp! I know 'em 'cause I've licked 'em!" + +The President laughed and passed on his way without looking back. + +They found a crowd of cranks and inventors waiting to see him. He had +the same weakness as Abraham Lincoln for this class of men. He never +allowed a clerk to turn one way without his personal attention. His +interest in all scientific problems was keen, and he had always +maintained the open mind of youth to all inventions. + +Socola and Jennie strolled through the city for an hour until the crank +levee was over. The President's secretary, Burton Harrison, promised +them an interview at the end of that time. He ushered them into the room +under the impression that all the callers had gone. He had overlooked a +modest, timid youth who had quietly approached the Chief Executive's +desk. + +They paused until he was at leisure. The moment was one of illumination +for Socola. He saw a trait of character in the Southern leader whose +existence he had not suspected. + +"My name is Ashe--Mr. President, S. A. Ashe," the youth began. + +Davis bowed gravely. + +"Have a seat, sir." + +The boy sat down and twiddled his cap nervously. + +"I've come to ask an appointment of some kind in the regular army of the +Confederacy. I'm an officer of the North Carolina militia. I wish to +enter the regular army." + +The Confederate chieftain looked at the peculiarly youthful, beardless +face. He couldn't be more than eighteen from appearances. + +"I'm afraid you're too young, sir," he said slowly, shaking his head. + +The boy drew himself up with a touch of wounded pride. + +"Why, Mr. Davis, I voted for you for President last November." + +Instantly the Chief Executive rose, blushing his apology. He laid his +hand on the boy's shoulder and spoke with the utmost deference. + +"I beg your pardon, sir. I should have been more observant and +thoughtful. I was very much like you when I was a boy. It was a long +time before I had any whiskers myself." + +With a friendly smile he touched his thin beard. + +He sent the young man away happy with his promise of consideration. That +he should have asked this beardless boy's pardon in so pointed a manner +Socola thought remarkable. That the Chief Executive of nine million +people should blush suddenly over such a trifle was the flash that +revealed a great soul. + +The President advanced and gave Jennie both his hands in cordial +greeting. + +"I've brought you a recruit, sir," the girl cried with a merry laugh. + +"Indeed?" + +"I have resigned my commission with the Sardinian Ministry, Mr. +President, and wish to offer my services to the South." + +"We need every true friend the world can send us, Signor--I thank you--" + +"I wish, sir," Socola hastened to say, "to render the most efficient +service possible. I have no training as a soldier. I have experience as +a diplomat. I speak three languages and I am an expert stenographer--" + +"I'm sorry, Signor," the President interrupted, "that I have no vacancy +in my office--or I should be pleased to have you here." + +"Perhaps your State Department may find me useful?" + +"No doubt they can. I'll give you a letter to the Secretary recommending +your appointment." + +He seated himself at once, wrote the letter and handed it to Socola. + +Jennie thanked him and, with a warm pressure of his hand, passed into +the hall with Socola. + +At the outer door Burton Harrison overtook them: + +"Just a moment, Miss Barton. The President wishes to ask you a +question." + +Davis drew her to the window. + +"I should have been more careful of the credentials of our friend +perhaps, Miss Jennie. You can vouch for his loyalty?" + +"Absolutely." + +She had scarcely uttered the word in tones of positive conviction before +she realized the startling fact that she had spoken under the impulse of +some strange intuition and not from her knowledge of the man's character +and history. + +In spite of her effort at self-control she blushed furiously. Mr. Davis +apparently did not observe it. + +"I have been much impressed with his poise and culture and intelligence. +You met him in Washington, of course?" + +"Yes--" + +"You know positively that he was the Secretary of the Sardinian +Minister?" + +"Positively, Mr. President--" + +"Thank you, my dear. I'll take your word for it." + +Jennie walked home on air. She had made history. How tragic its sequel +was destined to be, a kind Providence concealed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE FATAL BLUNDER + + +On February 22, 1862, Jefferson Davis committed the one irretrievable +mistake of his administration. He consented to his inauguration as +permanent President of the Confederacy under the strict forms of +Constitutional law. + +The South was entering the shadows of the darkest hour of her new life. +A military dictator clothed with autocratic power could have subdued the +discordant elements and marshaled the resources of the country to meet +the crisis. A constitutional President would bind himself hand and foot +with legal forms. A military dictator might ride to victory and carry +his country with him. + +His two Commanding Generals had allowed the victorious army of Manassas +to drift into a rabble while they wrangled for position, precedence and +power. + +The swift and terrible blows which the navy had dealt the South, +delivered so silently and yet with such deadly effect that the people +had not yet realized their import, had convinced the President that the +war would be one of the bloodiest in history. + +The fall of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson with the evacuation of +Nashville had been a sword thrust into the heart of the lower South. The +extent of these disasters had not been realized by the public. The South +was yet a sleeping lioness. She could be roused and her powers wielded +with certainty by one man. But his hand must be firm. + +There was one man in the Cabinet of the Confederacy who clearly saw this +from the first dawn of the new year--Judah P. Benjamin, the astute +Secretary of War. His keen logical mind had brushed aside the fog of +sentiment and saw _one_ thing--the need of success and the way in which +to attain it. + +The morning of February twenty-second was Washington's birthday, and for +that reason fixed by the South as the day of the inauguration of their +President. Nothing could have shown more clearly the tenacity with which +the Southern people were clinging to their old forms. The day slowly +dawned through lowering storm clouds. + +The President went early to his office for a consultation with the +members of his new Cabinet. Judah P. Benjamin, his chosen chief +counselor as Secretary of State, was unusually reticent. The details of +the inauguration were quickly agreed on and Davis hastened to return to +his room at the White House to complete his preparations for the +ceremony. + +Benjamin followed his Chief thirty minutes later with the most important +communication he had ever decided to make. + +As the most trusted adviser of the President he had long had the freedom +of the house. + +The resolute Hebrew features of the Secretary were set with resolution. +He pushed his way to the door of Mr. Davis' room, rapped for admission +and without waiting for an answer softly and swiftly entered. His +mission was too important to admit of delay. + +He paused at the threshold in surprise. + +Jefferson Davis was on his knees in prayer so deep and earnest he had +not heard. + +He waited with head bowed in silent sympathy for five minutes and looked +with increasing amazement at the white face of the man who prayed. This +agony of soul before the God of his fathers was a revelation to the +Minister of State. + +His lips were moving now in audible words. + +"Thou alone art my refuge, O Lord! Without Thee I shall fail. Have pity +on Thy servant--with Thy wisdom guide!" + +The time was swiftly passing. The Minister could not wait. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. President," he began in low tones, "but I have +most important communications to make to you--" + +The voice of prayer softly died away and slowly the look of earth came +back to the tired face. He turned his hollow cheeks to Benjamin with no +attempt to mask the agony of his spirit, slowly rose and motioned him to +a chair. + +The Secretary lifted his hand. + +"I'm restless. If you don't mind, I'll stand. I have marked three +editorial attacks on you and your administration in three of the most +powerful newspapers in the South--the Richmond _Examiner_, the Raleigh +_Standard_ and the Charleston _Mercury_--read them please--and then I +have something to say!" + +The President seated himself and read each marked sentence with care. + +"The same old thing, Benjamin--only a little more virulent this +time--what of it?" + +"This! The success of our cause demands the suppression of these reptile +sheets and the imprisonment of their editors--" + +"Would success be worth having if we must buy it at the cost of the +liberties of our people?" + +Benjamin stopped short in his tracks. He had been walking back and forth +with swift panther-like tread. + +"We are at war, Mr. President--fierce, savage, cruel, it's going to be. +You have realized this from the first. The world will demand of us just +one thing--success in arms. With this we win all. Lose this and we lose +all--our liberties and a great deal more. Our coast is pierced now at +regular intervals to the mouth of the Mississippi River--at Fortress +Monroe in Virginia--the entire inland waters of North Carolina, Port +Royal, South Carolina, Florida's line has been broken. Grant's army is +swarming into Tennessee. McClellan is drilling three hundred thousand +men in Washington to descend on Richmond. It's no time to nurse such +reptiles in our bosom--" + +"I can't play the petty tyrant--" + +"They'll sting you to death--I warn you--no administration on earth can +live in times of war and endure such infamous abuse as these +conspirators are now heaping on your head. And mark you--they have only +begun. The junta of disgruntled generals which they have organized will +strangle the cause of the South unless you grip the situation to-day +with a hand of steel. They are laying their plans in the new Congress to +paralyze your work and heap on your head the scorn of the world." + +The President moved with a gesture of impatience. + +"I've told you, Benjamin, that I will not suppress these papers nor sign +your order for the arrest of the editors. I am leading the cause of a +great people to preserve Constitutional liberty. Freedom of speech is +one of their rights--" + +"In times of peace, yes--but not in the crisis of war when the tongue of +a fool may betray the lives of millions. I am not here merely to ask you +to suppress these three treacherous rags--I'm here to ask a bigger and +far more important thing. I want you to stop this inaugural ceremony +to-day--" + +Davis rose with a quick excited movement. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Just what I say. Stop in time. We inaugurated a Provisional Government +at Montgomery to last one year. Why one year? Because we believed the +war would be over before that year expired. It would have been madness +to provide for the establishment of the elaborate and clumsy forms of a +Constitutional Government during the progress of war. Why set up a +Constitution until you have won by the sword the power to maintain it?" + +"But," Davis interrupted, "if we delay the adoption of a Constitution we +confess to the world our want of confidence in the success of our cause. +Such a permanent Constitution will be to our people the supreme sign of +faith--" + +"With these jackals and hyenas of the press yelping and snarling and +snapping at your heels? These men will destroy the faith of our best men +and women if you only allow them to repeat their lies often enough. They +will believe them at last, themselves. You have the confidence to-day of +the whole South. Your bitterest enemy could not name a candidate to +oppose your election last November. Give these traitors time and they +will change all--" + +"Not with military success--" + +"Granted. But if these jackals break down the confidence of the people +in the administration, volunteering ceases and we have no army." + +"We must use the Conscription. It is inevitable--" + +"Exactly!" the Secretary cried triumphantly. "And Conscription is the +_reductio ad absurdum_ of your dream of Constitutional Law. Why set up a +Constitution at all to-day?" + +"Congress must pass a Conscript law when necessity demands it." + +"In their own way, yes--with ifs and ands and clauses which defeat its +purpose." + +"They must respond to the demands of our people when their patriotism is +aroused." + +"Our people have patriotism to spare if we can only guide it in the +right direction. If it goes to seed in the personal quarrels of +generals, if it exhausts itself in abuse of the Executive, while an +overwhelming enemy marches on us--What then?" + +The President lifted his head. + +"And you recommend?" + +"Stop this ceremony. Refuse the position of permanent President and use +your powers as Provisional President in a Military Dictatorship until +the South wins--" + +"Never!" was the quick reply. "I'll go down in eternal defeat sooner +than win an empire by such betrayal of the trust imposed in me--" + +"You're not betraying the trust imposed in you by assuming these +powers!" Benjamin exclaimed with passion. "You're fulfilling that trust. +You're doing what the people have called you to do--establishing the +independence of the South! The Government at Washington has been +compelled to exercise despotic powers from the first--" + +"Exactly--and that's why we can't afford to do it. We are fighting the +battle of the North and the South for Constitutional liberty." + +"Even so, if we lose and they win, the cause is lost. Seward is now +imprisoning thousands of Northern men who have dared to sympathize with +us--" + +"An act of infamous tyranny!" + +"But if he wins--who will dare to criticise the wisdom of his policy +fifty years from to-day? If we lose, who will give us credit for our +high ideals of Civil Law in times of war? You have the chance to-day to +win. Leap into the saddle and command the obedience of every man, woman +and child in the South! Your Congress which assembles to-day is a weak +impossible body of men. They have nothing to do except to make foolish +speeches and hatch conspiracies against your administration. We have +muzzled them behind closed doors. The remedy is worse than the disease. +The rumors they circulate through the reptile press do more harm than +the record of their vapid talk could possibly accomplish. Why tie these +millstones around your neck? They came yesterday to demand the head of +Albert Sidney Johnston. They are organizing to drive Lee out of the +army. They allow no opportunity to pass to sneer at his position as your +chief military adviser since his return from Western Virginia. You know +and I know that Albert Sidney Johnston and R. E. Lee are our greatest +generals--" + +"I'll protect them from the chatter of fools--never fear--" + +"To what end if you allow them to break down the faith of our people in +their Government? The strong arm, alone, can save us. It's no time to +haggle about the forms of law. Your duty is clear. Stop this foolish +ceremony of Inauguration to-day and assume in due time the +Dictatorship--" + +Davis threw both arms up in a gesture of impatient refusal. + +"It's a waste of breath, Benjamin. I'll die first!" + +The elastic spirit of the younger man recovered its poise at once and +accepted the decision. + +With a genial smile he slipped one arm around the tall figure. + +"Brave, generous, big-hearted, foolish--my captain! Well, I've done my +duty as your chief counselor. Now I'll obey orders--one thing more I +must add in warning. Richmond swarms with spies. It will be impossible +to defend the Capital on the approach of McClellan's army without a +proclamation of martial law." + +The President looked up sharply. + +"We'll compromise on that. I'll proclaim martial law and suspend the +_writ_ in Richmond--" + +"And a radius of ten miles." + +"All right--I'll do that." + +It was the utmost concession the wily minister of State could wring from +his Chief. But it was important. The Secretary had his eye on a certain +house on Church Hill. It might be necessary to expel its owners. + +"By the way," the President added, as his Secretary stood with his hand +on the door. "I wrote a recommendation to your new department for the +appointment of a young friend of Miss Barton to a position in your +office. He's a man of brilliant talents--a foreigner who has cast his +fortunes with us. Do what you can for him--" + +"I'll remember--" the Secretary nodded and hurried to his office to +issue his proclamation of martial law for the city and district of +Richmond. + +At ten o'clock the rain began to pour in torrents. The streets were +flooded. Rushing rivers of muddy water roared over its cobble stones and +leaped down its steep hills into the yellow tide of the James. + +Every flag drooped and flapped in dismal weeping against its staff. The +decorations of the houses and windows outside were ruined. The bunting +swayed and sagged in deep curves across the streets, pouring a stream of +water from the folds. + +At twelve o'clock, the procession formed in the Hall of the Virginia +Legislature and marched through the pouring rain to the platform erected +around the statue of Washington. In spite of the storm an immense crowd +packed the space around the speaker's stand, presenting the curious +spectacle of a sea of umbrellas. + +Socola watched this crowd stand patiently in the downpour with a +deepening sense of the tragedy it foreshadowed. The people who could set +their teeth and go through an inauguration ceremony scheduled in the +open air on such a day might be defeated in battle, but the victor would +pay his tribute of blood. He had not dared to ask Jennie to accept his +escort on such a day and yet they drifted to each other's side by some +strange power of attraction. + +The scene was weird in its utter depression of all enthusiasm, and yet +the sullen purpose which held the people was sublime in its persistence. +An awning covered the speaker's stand and beneath this friendly cover +the ceremony was performed down to the last detail. + +The President rose and faced his audience under the most trying +conditions. Oratory was beyond human effort. He did not attempt it. He +read his frank dignified address in simple, clear, musical tones which +rang with strange effect over the crowd of drenched men and women. Not a +single cheer broke the delivery of his address. He sought in no way to +apologize for the disasters which had befallen his people. He faced them +bravely and summoned his followers to be equally brave. + +The close of his address caught the morbid fancy of Socola with peculiar +fascination. Clouds of unusual threatening depths were rolling across +the heavens, against which the canopied platform was sharply outlined. +The thin form of the President rose white and ghost-like against this +black background of clouds. He was extremely pale, his cheeks hollowed +deep, his head bared regardless of the chill mists which beat through +the canopy. + +His tall figure stood tense, trembling, deathlike--the emblem of +sacrificial offering on the altar of his country. + +Socola whispered to Jennie: + +"Where have I witnessed this scene before?" + +"Surely not in America--" + +"No"--he mused thoughtfully--"I remember now--on a lonely hill outside +Jerusalem the Roman soldiers were crucifying a man on a day like +this--that's where I saw it!" + +He had scarcely spoken the uncanny words in a low undertone when the +speaker closed his address with a remarkable prayer. + +Suddenly dropping his manuscript on the table he lifted his eyes into +the darkened heavens and cried with deep passion: + +"With humble gratitude and adoration, to Thee, O God, I trustingly +commit myself, and prayerfully invoke Thy blessing on my country and its +cause!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE SLEEPING LIONESS + + +Again the smoke of the navy shadowed the Southern skies. Two expeditions +were aiming mortal blows at the lower South. + +The Confederacy had concentrated its forces of the upper waters of the +Mississippi on Island Number 10 near New Madrid. The work of putting +this little Gibraltar in a state of perfect defense had been rushed with +all possible haste. New Madrid had been found indefensible and evacuated +on March thirteenth. + +On the seventeenth, Commodore Foote's fleet steamed into position and +the first shell from his guns shrieked its message of death across the +island. The gunboats concentrated their fire on the main battery which +was located on low ground, almost submerged by the high water and +separated from the others by a wide slough. Their gun platforms were +covered with water--the men in gray must work their pieces standing +half-leg deep in mud and slush. Five iron-clad gunboats led the attack. +Three of them were lashed together in midstream and one lay under the +shelter of each shore. Their concentrated fire was terrific. For nine +hours they poured a stream of shot and shell on the lone battery with +its beaver gunmen. + +At three o'clock Captain Rucker in charge of the battery called for +reënforcements to relieve his exhausted men. Volunteers rushed to his +assistance and his guns roared until darkness brought them respite. It +had been done. A single half-submerged battery exposed to the +concentrated fire of a powerful fleet had held them at bay and compelled +them to withdraw at nightfall. Rucker fired the last shot as twilight +gathered over the yellow waters. His battery had mounted five guns at +sunrise. Three of them were dismantled. Two of them still spoke defiance +from their mud-soaked beds. + +On April the sixth, the fleet reënforced succeeded in slipping past the +batteries in a heavy fog. A landing was effected above and below the +island in large force, and its surrender was a military necessity. + +Foote and Pope captured MacKall, the commander, two brigadier generals, +six colonels, a stand of ten thousand arms, two thousand soldiers, +seventy pieces of siege artillery, thirty pieces of field artillery, +fifty-six thousand solid shot, six transports and a floating battery of +sixteen guns. + +A cry of anguish came from the heart of the Confederate President. The +loss of men was insignificant--the loss of this enormous store of heavy +guns and ammunition with no factory as yet capable of manufacturing them +was irreparable. + +But the cup of his misery was not yet full. The greatest fleet the +United States Navy had gathered, was circling the mouth of the +Mississippi with its guns pointing toward New Orleans. Gideon Welles had +selected for command of this important enterprise the man of destiny, +Davis Glasgow Farragut, a Southerner whose loyalty to the Union had +never been questioned. + +Eighty-two ships answered Farragut's orders in his West Gulf squadron at +their rendezvous. His ships were wood, but no braver men ever walked the +decks of a floating battery. + +In March he managed to crawl across the bar and push his fleet into the +mouth of the Mississippi. The _Colorado_ was too deep and was left +outside. The _Pensacola_ and the _Mississippi_ he succeeded in +dragging through the mud. + +His ships inside, the Commander ordered them stripped for the death +grapple. + +New Orleans had been from the first considered absolutely impregnable to +attack from the sea. Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, twenty miles below +the city, were each fortifications of the first rank mounting powerful +guns which swept the narrow channel of the river from shore to shore. + +The use of steam, however, in naval warfare was as yet an untried +element of force in the attacking fleet against shore batteries. That +steam in wooden vessels could overcome the enormous advantage of the +solidity and power of shore guns had been considered preposterous by +military experts. + +Jefferson Davis had utilized every shipbuilder in New Orleans to hastily +construct the beginnings of a Southern navy. Two powerful iron-clad +gunboats, _Louisiana_ and _Mississippi_, were under way but not ready +for service. Eight small vessels had been bought and armed. + +To secure the city against the possibility of any fleet passing the +forts at night or through fog, the channel of the river between Forts +Jackson and St. Phillip was securely closed. Eleven dismasted schooners +were moored in line across the river and secured by six heavy chains. +These chains formed an unbroken obstruction from shore to shore. + +This raft was placed immediately below the forts. + +There was no serious alarm in the city on the appearance of the fleet in +the mouth of the river. For months they had been cruising about the Gulf +of Mexico without apparent decision. + +The people laughed at their enemy. There was but one verdict: + +"They'll think twice before attempting to repeat the scenes of 1812." + +Not only were the two great forts impregnable but the shores were lined +with batteries. What could wooden ships do with such forts and guns? It +was a joke that they should pretend to attack them. Their only possible +danger was from the new iron-clad gunboats in the upper waters of the +river. They were building two of their own kind which would be ready +long before the enemy could break through the defenses from the North. + +When Farragut stripped his fleet for action and moved toward the forts +on the sixteenth of April, New Orleans was the gayest city in America. +The spirit of festivity was universal. Balls, theaters, operas were the +order of the day. Gay parties of young people flocked down the river and +swarmed the levees to witness the fun of the foolish attempt of a lot of +old wooden ships to reduce the great forts. + +The guns were roaring now their mighty anthem. Ships and forts--forts +and ships. The batteries of Farragut's mortar schooners were hurling +their eleven-inch shells with harmless inaccuracy. + +The people laughed again. + +For six days the earth trembled beneath the fierce bombardment. The +fleet had thrown twenty-five thousand shells and General Duncan reported +but two guns dismantled, with half a dozen men killed and wounded. The +forts stood grim and terrible, their bristling line of black-lipped guns +unbroken, their defenses as strong as when the first shot was fired. + +On the evening of April twenty-third, the fire of the fleet slackened. +Farragut had given up the foolish attempt, of course. He had undertaken +the impossible and at last had accepted the fact. + +But the people of New Orleans had not reckoned on the character of the +daring commander of the Federal fleet. He coolly decided that since he +could not silence the guns of the forts he would run past them with his +swift steam craft and take the chances of their batteries sending him to +the bottom. + +Once past these forts and the city would be at his mercy. + +He must first clear the river of the obstruction placed below the forts. +Farragut ordered two gunboats to steal through the darkness without +lights and clear this raft. The work was swiftly done. The task was +rendered unexpectedly easy by a break caused by a severe storm. + +At three o'clock in the morning of the twenty-fourth, the lookout on the +ramparts of the forts saw the black hulls of the fleet, swiftly and +silently steaming up the river straight for the mouths of their guns. + +The word was flashed to the little nondescript fleet of the Confederacy +lying in the smooth waters above and they moved instantly to the support +of the forts. + +The night was one of calm and glorious beauty. The Southern skies +sparkled with jeweled stars. The waning moon threw its soft, mellow +light on the shining waters, revealing the dark hulls of the fleet with +striking clearness. The daring column was moving straight for Fort +Jackson. They must pass close under the noses of her guns. + +They were in for it now. + +The dim star-lit world with its fading moon suddenly burst into sheets +of blinding, roaring flame. The mortar batteries moored in range, opened +instantly in response--their eleven-inch shells, glowing with +phosphorescent halo, circled and screamed and fell. + +The black hulls belched their broadsides of yellow flame now. From +battlement and casemate of forts rolled the thunder of their batteries, +sending their heavy shots smashing into the wooden hulls. + +Through the flaming jaws of hell, the fleet, with lungs throbbing with +every pound of steam, dashed and passed the forts! + +Farragut led in the _Hartford_. But his work had only begun. He had +scarcely reckoned on the little Confederate fleet. He found them a +serious proposition. + +Suddenly above the flash and roar and the batteries of the forts and +over the broadsides of the ships leaped a wall of fire straight into the +sky. + +Slowly but surely the flaming heavens moved down on the attacking fleet +lighting the yellow waters with unearthly glare. + +The Confederates had loosed a fleet of fire ships loaded with pitch pine +cargoes. Farragut's lines wavered in the black confusion of rolling +clouds of impenetrable smoke, lighted by the glare of leaping flames. + +The daring little fleet of the Confederacy moved down through the +blinding vapors of their own fires and boldly attacked the on-coming +hosts. Friend could scarcely be told from foe. + +A game little Confederate tug stuck her nose into a fire-ship, pushed it +squarely against Farragut's _Hartford_ and slipped between his guns in +the smoke and flame unharmed. The Flagship ran aground. Her sailors +bravely stuck to their post and from their pumps threw a deluge of water +on the flames and extinguished them. The engines of the _Hartford_, +working with all their might, pulled her off the shore under her own +steam. The _Louisiana_, the new gunboat of the Confederacy, had been +pressed into service with but two of her guns working--but she was of +little use and became unmanageable. + +Captain Kennon, the gallant Confederate commander of the _Governor +Moore_, found that the bow of his ship interfered with the aim of his +gunners. + +"Lower your muzzle and blow the bow of your ship away!" + +The big gun dipped its black mouth and blew the bow of his own ship to +splinters and through the opening poured shot after shot into the +Federal fleet. Kennon fired his last shot at point-blank range, turned +the broken nose of his ship ashore and blew her up. + +For an hour and a half the two desperate foes wrestled with each other +amid flame and smoke and darkness. As the first blush of dawn mantled +the eastern sky the conflict slowly died away. + +Three of Farragut's gunboats had been driven back and one sunk, but his +fleet had done the immortal deed. Battered and riddled with shots, they +had passed the forts successfully. As the sun rose on the beautiful +spring morning he lifted his battle flags and steamed up the river. + +New Orleans, the commercial capital of the South, the largest export +city of the world, lay on the horizon in silent shimmering beauty, a +priceless treasure, at his mercy. + +Speechless crowds of thousands thronged the streets. The small garrison +had been withdrawn and the city left to its fate. The marines stood +statue-like before the City Hall, their bayonets glittering in the +sunlight. Not a breath of wind stirred. In dead, ominous silence the +flag of the South was lowered from its staff and the flag of the Union +raised in its old place. + +There was one man among the thousands who saw this flag with a cry of +joy. Judge Roger Barton, Jr., had braved the scorn of his neighbors +through good report and evil report, holding their respect by the sheer +heroism of his undaunted courage. His aged grandfather was in the city +at the moment, having come on a visit from Fairview. Baton Rouge must +fall at once. There was nothing to prevent Farragut's fleet from +steaming up the river now for hundreds of miles. The old Colonel was +furious when informed that he could not return to Fairview. But there +was no help for it. + +"Don't worry, Grandfather," the judge pleaded; "you can depend on it, +Senator Barton will save Fairview if it's within human power--" + +"But your grandmother is there, sir!" thundered the old man, "helpless +on her back. There's no one to protect her from the damned Yankees--" + +The Judge smiled. + +"Maybe the Yankees will not be so bad after all, grandfather. Anyhow +there's no help for it. I've got you here with me safe and sound and I'm +going to keep you--" + +The fall of New Orleans sent a dagger into the heart of the South. Ft. +Donelson had broken the center. The fall of New Orleans had smashed the +left wing of the far-flung battle line. The power of the Confederacy was +crushed in the rich and powerful State of Louisiana at a single stroke. +The route to Texas was cut. The United States Navy had established a +base from which to send their fleets into the interior by the great +rivers and by the gulf from the Rio Grande to the Keys of Florida. + +The sleeping lioness stirred at last. The delusion of Bull Run had +passed. It took six months of disasters to do for the South what Bull +Run did for the North in six days. The South began now to rise in her +might and gird her loins for the fight she had foolishly thought won on +the plains of Manassas. + +Senator Barton was in bed so ill from an attack of influenza it was +impossible for him to travel. + +Jennie hastily packed her trunk and left on the first train for the +South. She must reach her helpless grandmother before the Federal army +could attack Baton Rouge. + +The tenderness with which Socola helped her on board the train had +brought the one ray of sunlight into her heart. She had expected to go +in tears and terror for what the future held in store in the stricken +world at home. + +A smile on the lips of a stranger had set her heart to beating with joy. + +She was ashamed of herself for being so happy. But it was impossible to +make her heart stop beating and laughing. He had not yet spoken a word +of love but she knew. She knew with a knowledge sweet and perfect +because she had suddenly realized her own secret. She might have gone on +for months in Richmond without knowing that she cared any more for him +than for a dozen other boys who were as attentive. In this hour of +parting it had come in a blinding flash as he bent over her hand to say +good-by. It made no difference when he should speak. Love had come into +her own heart full, wonderful, joyous, maddening in its glory. She could +wait in silence until in the fullness of time he must speak. It was +enough to know that she loved. + +"May I write to you occasionally, Miss Jennie?" he asked with a timid, +hesitating look. + +She laughed. + +"Of course, you must write and tell me everything that happens here." + +Socola wondered why she laughed. It was disconcerting. He hadn't faced +the question of loving Jennie. She was just a charming, beautiful child +whose acquaintance he could use for great ends. His depression came from +the tremendous nerve strain of his work. The early movement of +McClellan's army had kept him in that darkened attic on Church Hill +continuously every hour of the past night. He was feeling the strain. He +would throw it off when he got a good night's rest. + +It was not until twenty-four hours after Jennie's departure that he +waked with a dull ache in his heart that refused to go. And so while he +dragged himself about his task with a sense of sickening loneliness, a +girl was softly singing in the far South. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE BOMBARDMENT + + +Baton Rouge seethed with excitement on the day of Jennie's arrival. +Every wagon and dray was pressed into service. The people were hauling +their cotton to be burned on the commons. Negroes swarmed over the +bales, cutting them open, piling high the fleecy lint and then applying +the torch. The flames leaped upward with a roar and dropped as suddenly +into a smoldering and smoking mass. + +A crowd rushed to the wharf to see them fire an enormous flat-boat piled +mountain-high with cotton. A dozen bales had been broken open and the +whole floating funeral pyre stood shrouded in spotless white which +leaped into flames as it was pushed into the stream. + +Along the levee as far as the eye could reach negroes crawled like black +ants rolling the cotton into the river. The ties were smashed, and the +white bundle of cotton tumbled into the water and was set on fire. Each +bale sent up its cloud of smoke until the surface of the whole river +seemed alive with a fleet of war crowding its steam to run fresh +batteries. Another flat-boat was piled high, its bales cut open, soaked +with whiskey, and set on fire. The blue flames of burning alcohol gave a +touch of weird and sinister color to the scene. + +The men who owned this cotton stood by cheering and helping in its +destruction. The two flat-boats with flames leaping into the smoke pall +of the darkened skies led the fleet of fire down the river to greet +Farragut's men in their way. + +Every saloon was emptied and every gutter flowed with wines and liquors. + + * * * * * + +Jennie found her grandmother resting serenely in her great rocking +chair, apparently indifferent to the uproar of the town. The household +with its seventy-odd negro servants was running its usual smooth, +careless course. + +Jennie read aloud the announcement in the morning paper of Butler's +order to New Orleans: + +"All devices, signs, and flags of the Confederacy shall be suppressed--" + +She clenched her fist and sprang to her feet. + +"Good! I'll devote all my red, white and blue silk to the manufacture of +Confederate flags! When one is confiscated--I'll make another. I'll wear +one pinned on my bosom. The man who says, 'Take it off,' will have to +pull it off himself. The man who does that--well, I've a pistol +ready!--" + +"What are you saying, dear?" the old lady asked with her thin hand +behind her ear. + +"Oh, nothing much, grandma dear," was the sweet answer. "I was only +wishing I were a man!" + +She slipped her arms about her thin neck and whispered this in deep, +tragic tones. With a bound she was off to the depot to see the last +squad of soldiers depart for the front before the gunboats arrived. + +They waved their hats to the crowds of women and children as the train +slowly pulled out. + +"God bless you, ladies! We're going to fight for you!" + +Jennie drew her handkerchief, waved and sobbed the chorus in reply. + +"God bless you, soldiers! Fight for us!" + +Four hours later the black gunboats swung at their anchors. The proud +little conquered city lay at the mercy of their guns. + +Jennie watched them with shining eyes, and that without fear. The Union +flag was streaming from every peak and halyard. + +The girl rushed home, made a flag five inches long, pinned it to her +shoulder and deliberately walked down town. Mattie Morgan joined her at +the corner and drew one from the folds of her dress, emboldened by the +example. + +They marched straight to the State House terrace to take a good look at +the _Brooklyn_ lying close inshore. Fifteen or twenty Federal officers +were standing on the first terrace, stared at by the crowd as if they +were wild beasts. + +"Oh, Mattie," Jennie faltered. "We didn't expect to meet these people. +What shall we do?" + +"Stand by your colors now. There's nothing else to do." + +On they marched, hearts thumping painfully with conscious humiliation at +their silly bravado. Fine, noble-looking, quiet fellows those officers +in blue--refinement and gentlemanly bearing in every movement of their +stalwart bodies. They had come ashore as friendly sightseers and stood +admiring the beauty of the quaint old town. Jennie's eyes filled with +tears of vexation. + +"Let's go home, Mattie--" + +"I say so, too--" + +"Never again for me! I'll hang my flag on the mantel. I'll not try to +wave it in the face of a gentleman again--oof--what silly fools we +were!" + +The Federal commander of the fleet had warned the citizens of Baton +Rouge that any hostile demonstration against his ships or men would mean +the instant bombardment of the town. + +Jennie had just finished breakfast and helped her grandmother to find +her way to the rocker. Mandy had been sent to the store for some thread +with which to make a new uniform for one of the boys. Jennie resolved to +turn her energies to practical account now. No more flaunting of tiny +flags in the faces of brave, dignified young officers of the navy. + +The maid rushed through the hall wild with excitement. She had run every +step back from the store without the thread. + +"Lowdy, Miss Jennie," she gasped, "sumfin' awful happened!" + +"What is it? What's the matter?" + +Mandy stood in dumb terror, the whites of her eyes shining. She was +listening apparently for the arch-angel's trumpet to sound. + +Jennie seized her shoulders. + +"What's the matter? Tell me before I murder you!" + +"Yassam!" Mandy gasped and again her head was cocked to one side as if +straining her ears for the dreaded sound of Gabriel. + +"What's happened?--Tell me!" Jennie stormed. + +At last poor Mandy's senses slowly returned. She stared into her young +mistress' face and gasped: + +"Yassam--Mr. Castle's killed a Yankee ossifer on de ship an' dey gwine +ter shell--" + +"Boom!" + +The deep thunder peal of a great gun shook the world. There was no +mistaking the sound of it or its meaning. The fleet had opened fire on +the defenseless town. Mandy's teeth chattered and her voice failed. + +And then pandemonium. + +Poor old negroes and helpless pickaninnies swarmed into the house for +shelter from the doom of Judgment Day. + +"Run--run for your lives--get out of the way of those shells!" Jennie +shouted. + +Her three terror-stricken maids huddled by her side in helpless panic. + +Her grandmother sprang to her feet and asked in subdued tones: + +"What is it, child?" + +"The fleet's shelling the town--grandma--you'll be killed--the house'll +be smashed--you must run--run for your life--" + +Jennie screamed her warning into the sweet old lady's ears and seized +her by the hand. + +"But they can't shell a town full of helpless women and children, my +dear," the grandmother protested gently. "It's impossible--" + +"Boom--boom!" pealed two guns in quick succession. + +"De Lawd save us!" Lucy screamed. + +"You see they're doing it--come--" + +Jennie grasped her grandmother's hand firmly and dragged her from the +house. From the servants' quarters came one long wail of prayer and +lamentation mingled with shouts and exhortation. An old bed-ridden black +woman, a fervent Methodist, raised a hymn: + +"_Better days are coming, we'll all go right!_" + +Jennie had reached the gate when she suddenly remembered her canary--a +present Billy had given her on her eighteenth birthday. She rushed back +into the house, snatched the cage up and started on the run again. + +What was the use? It was impossible to take the bird. He would starve to +death. + +She quickly opened the cage, took him out and kissed his yellow head. + +"Good-by, Jimmy darling!" + +The tears would come in spite of all she could do. + +"I hope you'll be happy!" + +With quick decision she tossed him in the air. + +The bird gave one helpless chirp of surprise and terror at the strange +new world, fluttered in a circle, spread his wings at last and was gone. + +The girl brushed her tears away and returned to her grandmother's side. +The gravel was cutting her feet. Her shoes were utterly unfit for +running. She would rush back and get a pair of the boys' strong ones. +She had worn them before. + +"Wait, grandma!" she shouted. "I must change my shoes!" + +Back into the house she plunged and found the shoes. Seeing the house +still standing, she thought of other things she might need, grasped her +tooth brushes and thrust them in her corset. She would certainly need a +comb. She added that--a powder bag and lace collar lying on the bureau +were also saved. Her hair was tumbling down. She thought of hairpins and +tucking comb and added them. + +Her grandmother in alarm came back to find her. They decided between +them to fill a pillow case with little things they would certainly need. + +There was a lull in the shelling. Jennie's maids rushed back in terror +at being left alone. + +The guns again opened with redoubled fury. Still bent on saving +something Jennie grabbed two soiled underskirts and an old cloak and +once more dragged her grandmother to the door. + + * * * * * + +Five big shells sailed squarely over the house at the same moment. They +seemed to swing in circles, spiral-shaped like corkscrews. The dull whiz +and swish of their flight made the most blood-curdling unearthly noise. +Her grandmother fumbled at the door trying to turn the bolt of the +unused lock. + +"Don't fool with that door, grandma!" Jennie cried--"run--run--you'll be +killed." + +"I won't run!" the old lady said with firm decision. "I'll go down there +and tell those cowards what I think of their firing on women and +children--" + +A big shell whizzed past the house and grandma jumped behind a pillar. +She was painfully deaf to human speech--but the whiz of that shell found +her nerves. They ran now without looking back--ran at least for a +hundred yards until the poor old lady could run no more and then walked +as rapidly as possible. + +They were at last on the main country road, leading out of town. +Hurrying terror-stricken people, young, old, black and white, were +passing them every moment now. + +A mile and a half out her grandmother broke down completely. A gentleman +passing in a buggy took pity on her gray hairs and lifted her to the +seat by his side while his own little ones crouched at her feet. + +Jennie waved her hand as they drove off: + +"I'll find you somewhere, grandma dear--don't worry!" + +Another mile she trudged with Mandy and Lucy clinging to her skirts and +then sat down to rest. Her nerves were slowly recovering their poise and +she began to laugh at the funny sights the terror-stricken people +presented at every turn. + +A cart approached piled high with household goods. + +"Let's ride, Mandy!" Jennie cried. + +"Yassam, dat's what I says, too," the little black maid eagerly agreed. + +The cart belonged to a neighbor. It was driven by an old negro man. + +"Let us ride, uncle!" Jennie called. + +The old man pulled his reins quickly and laughed good-naturedly. + +"Dat you shall, Honey. De name er Gawd, ter see Miss Jennie Barton +settin' here in dis dirty road!" + +He helped them climb to seats on the top of his load. Jennie found a +berth between a flour barrel and mattress, while Mandy sat astride of an +enormous bundle of bed clothes. Lucy scrambled up beside the driver. + +The hot sun was pouring its fierce rays down without mercy. The old +negro pulled a faded umbrella from beneath his seat, raised it, and +handed it to Jennie with a grand bow. + +"Thank you, uncle. You certainly are good to us!" + +"Yassam--yassam--I wish I could do mo', honey chile. De ve'y idee er dem +slue-footed Yankees er shellin' our town an' scerin' all our ladies ter +death. Dey gwine ter pay fur all dis 'fore dey git through." + +Three miles out they began to overtake the main body of the fugitives +who escaped at the first mad rush. Hundreds of bedraggled women and +children were toiling along the dust-covered road in the blistering sun, +some bare-headed, some with hats on, some with street clothes, others +with their morning wrappers just as they had fled from their unfinished +breakfast. + +Little girls of eight and ten and twelve were wandering along through +the suffocating dust alone. + +Jennie called to one she knew: + +"Where's your mother, child?" + +The girl shook her dust-powdered head. + +"I don't know, m'am." + +"Where are you going?" + +"To walk on till I find her." + +Her mother was wandering with distracted cries among the crowds a mile +in the rear looking for a nursing baby she had lost in the excitement. + +Jennie's eyes kindled at the sight of faithful negroes everywhere +lugging the treasures of their mistresses. She began asking them what +they were carrying just to hear the answer that always came with a touch +of loyal pride. + +"Dese is my missy's clothes! I sho weren't gwine let dem Yankees steal +dem!" + +"Didn't you save any of your own things?" + +"Didn't have time ter git mine!" + +They came to a guerilla camp. Men and horses were resting on either side +of the road. Some of them were carrying water to their horses or to the +women who cooked about their camp fires. The scene looked like a monster +barbecue. These irregular troops of the South were friends in time of +need to-day. + +They crowded the road, asking for news and commenting freely on the +shelling of the city. + +A rough-looking fellow pushed his way to Jennie's cart. + +"When did they begin firin'?" + +"Just after breakfast." + +Yesterday she would have resented the familiar tones in which this +uncouth illiterate countryman spoke without the formality of an +introduction. In this hour of common peril he was a Knight entering the +lists wearing her colors. + +He didn't mince words in expressing his opinions. + +"It's your own fault if you've saved nothing. The people in Baton Rouge +must have been damned fools not to know trouble wuz comin' with them +gunboats lyin' thar with their big-mouthed cannon gapin' right into the +streets. If the men had had any sense women wouldn't a been drove into +the woods like this--" + +"But they had no warning. They began to shell us without a minute's +notice--" + +His rough fist closed and his heavy jaw came together with a grinding +sound. + +"Waal, you're ruined--so am I--and my brothers and all our people, too. +There's nothin' left now except to die--and I'll do it!" + +The girl clapped her hands. + +"I wish I could go with you!" + +He turned back toward his camp fire with a shake of his unkempt head. + +"Die fighting for us!" Jennie cried. + +He waved his black powder-stained hand: + +"That I will, little girl!" + +The rough figure rose in the unconscious dignity with which he waved his +arm and pledged his word to fight to the death. War had leveled all +ranks. + +The talk on the road was all of burning homes, buildings demolished, +famine, murder, and death. + +Jennie suddenly found herself singing a lot of Methodist Camp Meeting +hymns with an utterly foolish happiness surging through her heart. + +She led off with "_Better days are coming._" Mandy was still too scared +to sing the chorus of this first hymn but she joined softly in the next. +It was one of her favorites: + +"_I hope to die shoutin'--the Lord will provide._" + +The old man driving the cart kept time with a strange undertone of +interpolation all his own. The one he loved best he repeated again and +again. + +"I'm a runnin'--a runnin' up ter glory!" + +How could she be happy amid a scene of such desolation and suffering? +She tried to reproach herself and somehow couldn't be sorry. A vision of +something more wonderful than houses and land, goods and chattels, +slaves and systems of government, had made her heart beat with sudden +joy and her eyes sparkle with happiness. It was only the picture of a +dark slender young fellow who had never spoken a word of love that +flashed before her. And yet the vision had wrought a spell that +transformed the world. + +The guns no longer echoed behind them. A courier came dashing from the +city at sunset asking the people to return to their homes. + +Two old men had rowed out to the war ships during the bombardment. They +called to the commander of the flagship as they pushed their skiff +alongside: + +"There are no men in town, sir--you're only killing women and children!" + +The commander leaned over the rail of his gunboat. + +"I'm sorry, gentlemen. I thought, of course, your town had been +evacuated before your men were fools enough to fire on my marines. I've +shelled your streets to intimidate them." + +The firing ceased. The order to shell the city had been caused by four +guerillas firing on a yawl which was about to land without a flag of +truce. Their volley killed and wounded three. + +"These four men," shouted the elders from the skiff, "were the only +soldiers in town!" + +One woman had been killed and three wounded. Twenty houses had been +pierced by shells and two little children drowned in their flight. A +baby had been born in the woods and died of the exposure. + +It was three o'clock next day before Jennie reached home, her +grandmother utterly oblivious of her own discomforts but complaining +bitterly because she could hear nothing from the old Colonel who had +found it impossible to leave New Orleans. They had not been separated so +long since the Mexican war. Jennie comforted her as best she could, put +her to bed, and took refuge in a tub of cold water. + +The dusty road had peeled the skin off both her heels but no +matter--thank God, she was at home again. + +Orders were issued now from the Federal commandant for the government of +the town. No person was permitted to leave without a pass. All families +were prohibited to leave--except persons separated by the former +exodus. Cannon were planted in every street. Five thousand soldiers had +been thrown into the city, General Williams commanding. Any house +unoccupied by its owners would be used by the soldiers. + +Jennie decided to stick to the house at all hazards until forced to go. +She walked down town to the post office in the vain hope a letter might +have come through from New Orleans to her grandmother. Soldiers were +lounging in the streets in squads of forty and fifty. A crowd was +playing cards in the ditch and swearing as they fought the flies. Crowds +of soldiers relieved from duty were marching aimlessly along the street. +Some were sleeping on the pavements, others sprawled flat on their backs +in the sun, heads pillowed in each other's lap. + +To her surprise a letter addressed in the familiar handwriting of her +brother was handed out at the post office by the young soldier in +charge. + +The seal had been broken. + +Jennie's eyes flashed with rage. + +"How dare you open and read my letter, sir!" she cried with indignation. + +"I'm sorry, Miss," he answered politely. "We're only soldiers. Our +business is to obey orders." + +Jennie blushed furiously. + +"Of course, I beg your pardon. I wasn't thinking when I spoke." + +She read the letter with eager interest: + + + "Dearest little Sister: + + "You must bring grandmother to New Orleans at the earliest possible + opportunity. Grandpa can't get out. He is as restless and unhappy as + a caged tiger. Do come quickly. If you need money let me know. Hoping + soon to see you. With a heart full of love, + + "Your big brother, + + "Roger." + + +It would be best. Her grandmother would be safe there in any event. If +our troops again captured New Orleans she would be in the house of the +South. If the Federal army still held it, she was at home in her +grandson's house. + +The wildest rumors were flying thick. No passes would be issued to leave +the city on any pretext. Beauregard was reported about to move his army +from Corinth to attack Baton Rouge. + +The troops were massing for the defense of the city. The Federal cavalry +had scoured the country for ten miles in search of guerillas. + +Through all the turmoil and confusion of the wildly disordered house +Jennie kept repeating the foolish old hymn in soft monotones: + +"_I hope to die shouting--the Lord will provide!_" + +General Williams sent a guard to protect the house. A file of six +soldiers marched to the gate and their commander saluted: + +"Madam, the pickets await your orders." + +General Williams had met her brother in New Orleans. His loyalty was +enough to mark the beautiful old homestead for protection. + +Jennie laughed. It was a funny situation were it not so tragic. Her +father and three brothers fighting these men with tooth and nail while +an officer saluted and put his soldiers at her command. + +Butler's men were arresting the aged citizens of Baton Rouge now. +Without charge or warrant they were hustled on the transports, hurried +to New Orleans and thrown into jail. Jennie ground her white teeth with +rage: + +"Oh, to be ruled by such a wretch!" + +From the first day he had set foot on the soil of Louisiana Butler had +made himself thoroughly loathed. His order reflecting on the character +of the women of New Orleans had not only shocked the South, it had +roused the indignation of the civilized world. + +A proud and sensitive people had no redress. + +One of the first six citizens sentenced to prison in Fort Jackson was +Dr. Craven, the Methodist minister. A soldier nosing about his house at +night had heard the preacher at family prayers. He had asked God's +blessing on the cause of the South while kneeling in prayer. When Jennie +heard of it, she cried through her tears: + +"Show me a dungeon deep enough to keep me from praying for my brothers +who are fighting for us!" + +The speech of Butler which had gone farthest and sank deepest into the +outraged souls of the people of Southern Louisiana was his defiant +utterance to Solomon Benjamin on the threat of England to intervene in +our struggle: + +"Let England or France dare to try it," Butler swore in a towering rage, +"and I'll be damned if I don't arm every negro in the South and make +them cut the throats of every man, woman and child in it. I'll make them +lay this country waste with fire and sword and leave it desolate." + +That Butler was capable of using his enormous power as the Military +Governor of Louisiana to accomplish this purpose, no one who had any +knowledge of the man or his methods doubted for a moment. + +On the slightest pretexts he arrested whom he pleased, male and female, +and threw them into prison. Aged men who had incurred his displeasure +were confined at hard labor with ball and chain. Men were imprisoned in +Fort Jackson, whose only offense was the giving of medicine to sick +Confederate soldiers. The wife of a former member of Congress was +arrested and sent to Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Her only offense +was that she laughed at some foolish thing that marked the progress of +a funeral procession through the streets of the city. + +On his office wall in the St. Charles Hotel Butler had inscribed in huge +letters: + + + "THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HE AND A SHE ADDER IN THEIR VENOM." + + +His henchmen were allowed to indulge their rapacity at will. The homes +of distinguished men and women were seized on any pretext and turned +into disreputable establishments which were run for gain. They +appropriated the contents of wine cellars, plundered the wardrobes and +dining-rooms of ladies and gentlemen to their hearts' content. Fines +were levied and collected in many cases where it could be secured. Those +who refused to pay were given the choice of ball and chain. A thriving +trade in cotton was opened against the positive orders of the Washington +Government. Butler's own brother was the thrifty banker and broker of +this corrupt transaction. + +Property was "confiscated" right and left, provisions and military +stores were exchanged for cotton. The chief of this régime of organized +plunder lived in daily fear of assassination. It was said he wore secret +armor. He never ventured out except heavily guarded. In his office +several pistols lay beside him and the chair on which his visitor was +seated was chained to the wall to prevent someone suddenly rising and +smashing his brains out. + +There were ten thousand soldiers in Baton Rouge now though the +anticipated attack of the Confederates had not materialized. Perhaps +they had heard of the heavy reënforcements in time. The poor fellows +from the cool hills and mountains of the North were dying in hundreds in +the blistering July sun of the South. They didn't know how to take care +of themselves and their officers didn't seem to care. Butler was a +lawyer and a politician first--a general only when the navy had done his +work for him. + +Jennie saw hundreds of these sick and dying men lying on their backs in +the broiling sun, waiting for wagons to carry them to the hospital. One +had died absolutely alone without a human being near to notice or to +care. The girl's heart was sick with anguish at the sight of scores too +weak to lift their hands to fight the ravenous flies swarming in their +eyes and months. All day and all night Baumstark, the little undertaker, +was working with half a dozen aides making coffins. + +Day and night they died like dogs with no human help extended. The +Catholic priest who had not been arrested as yet, passing among them in +search of his own, bent for a moment over a dying soldier and spoke in +friendly tones. The poor fellow burst into tears and with his last gasp +cried: + +"Thank God! I have heard _one_ kind word before I die!" + +The Federal pickets were driven in at last, and the guard around the +house withdrawn. General Williams insisted that Jennie and her +grandmother find a place of refuge more secure than the coming +battlefield. + +They thanked the General but decided to brave battle at home to the +terrors of another flight. + +The little band of twenty-five hundred Confederates struck the town like +a thunderbolt and fought with desperation against the combined fleet and +heavy garrison. They drove the Federals at first in panic to the water's +edge and the shelter of the cannon until a Maine regiment barred the +way, fighting like demons, and rallied the fleeing mob. When the smoke +of battle lifted the gray army had gone with the loss of only sixty-five +killed and a hundred and fifty wounded. + +The worst calamity which befell Baton Rouge was the death of General +Williams, the gentlemanly and considerate Federal commander. + +Butler's man who took his place lacked both his soldierly training and +his fine scruples as a Christian gentleman. There were no more guards +placed around "Rebel" homes. + +The marauder came with swift sure tread on the heels of victory. + +A squad of officers and men smashed in the front door at Fairview +without so much as a knock for signal. To the shivering servant who +stood in the hall the leader called: + +"Where are the damned secesh women? We know they've hid in here and +we'll make them dance for hiding--" + +Jennie suddenly appeared in the library door, her face white, her hand +concealed in the pocket of her dress. + +"There are but two women here, gentlemen," she began steadily--"my +grandmother and I. The house is at your mercy--" + +The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl. He stopped +short in his tracks at the sight of the glitter of her eye and changed +his mind. + +"All right, look out for the old hen. We'll let you know when it's time +to pick up the pieces." + +Jennie returned to the library and slipped her arm about her +grandmother's neck standing beside her chair while she set her little +jaw firmly and waited for the end. + +They rushed the dining-room first and split its side-board open with +axes--fine old carved mahogany pieces so hardened with age, the ax +blades chipped from the blows as if striking marble. The china was +smashed chests were laid open with axes, and their contents of silver +removed. + +They rushed the parlors and stripped them of every ornament. Jennie's +piano they dragged into the center of the floor, smashed its ivory keys +and split its rosewood case into splinters. An officer slashed the +portrait of Mrs. Barton into shreds and hurled the frame on the floor. +Every portrait on the walls shared a similar fate. + +Upstairs the fun grew wild. Mrs. Barton's beautiful old mahogany armoir +whose single door was a fine French mirror was shivered with a blow from +a sledge hammer, emptied of every article and the shelves splintered +with axes. They broke every bureau and case of drawers, scattered their +contents on the floor, selecting what suited their fancy. Every rag of +the boys' clothes, the old Colonel's and Senator Barton's were tied in +bundles. + +They entered Jennie's room, broke every mirror, tore down the rods from +the bed and ripped the net into shreds. The desk was split, letters +turned out and scattered over the floor. A light sewing machine was sent +below for a souvenir. The heavy one was broken with an ax. + +From Jennie's bureau they tore a pink flowered muslin, stuck it on a +bayonet and paraded the room, the officers striking it with their swords +shouting their dull insults: + +"I've struck the damned secesh!" + +"The proud little hellion!" + +"That's the time I cut her!" + +One seized her bonnet, put it on, tied the ribbon under his chin and +amid the shouts of his half-drunken companions, paraded the house, and +wore it into the streets when he left. + +When the noise had died away and the house was still at last, Jennie +came forth from the little room in which she had taken refuge, leading +her grandmother. Hand in hand they viewed the wreck. + +The thing that hurt the girl most of all was the ruin of her desk--her +letters from Dick Welford, the boys, her father and mother, the diary +she had kept with the intimate secrets of her young heart--all had been +opened, thumbed and thrown over the floor. The little perfumed notes she +had received from her first beaux--invitations to buggy rides, concerts, +and parties, and all of them beginning, "Compliments of"--had been +profaned by dirty greasy fingers. Some were torn into little bits and +scattered over the room, others were ground into the floor by hobnails +in heavy boot heels. + +Her last letter from Socola was stolen--to be turned over to the +commander for inspection no doubt. And then she broke into a foolish +laugh. The strain was over. What did it matter--this clutter of goods +and chattels on the floor--she was young--it was the morning of life and +she had met her fate! + +In a sudden rush of emotion she threw her arms around her grandmother's +neck and cried: + +"Thank the good Lord, grandma, they didn't shoot you!" + +The sweet old lady was strangely quiet, and her eyes had a queer set +look. She bore the strain without a break until they entered the wreck +of the stately parlor. She saw the slashed portrait of the Colonel lying +on the floor and sank in a heap beside it without a word or sound. + +Jennie succeeded at last in obtaining a pass to New Orleans, consigning +the body to Judge Roger Barton. She stepped on board the little steamer +absolutely alone. Every servant had gone to the camp of the soldiers or +had entered the service of the crowd of marauders who decided to return +to Fairview and occupy the house. + +Jennie had gone through so much the tired spirit refused to respond to +further sensations. She obeyed orders in a dumb mechanical way. + +The officers at New Orleans opened her baggage and searched it without +ceremony, or the slightest show of interest on her part. + +They were administering the "oath" of loyalty to the United States. She +would have to turn Yankee to do this last duty of love. She covered her +face with her hands and prayed breathlessly for the boys and for the +Confederacy while the words of the oath were mumbled by the officer-- + +"So help you God?" + +Jennie's only answer was to close her eyes and pray harder. + +"So help you God?" the officer shouted again. + +The girl lifted her tear-stained face and nodded, closed her eyes again +and prayed. + +"Help them, O God,--my brothers Tom and Jimmie and Billy and Dick +Welford--and--and the man I love--save them and their cause for Jesus' +sake--I don't know what they made me say--I only did it for poor +grandpa's sake--I didn't mean it. Forgive me, dear Lord, and save my +people!" + +The Judge met them with a carriage and hearse. He slipped his strong arm +around the girl, drew her close and kissed the waving brown hair again +and again. + +"Dear little sis--you're at home now," he said softly. + +A shiver ran through her figure and she sat bolt upright. + +"No, Big Brother," she answered firmly, "I'm not. New Orleans is in the +hands of the enemy. I'd set it on fire and wipe it from the face of the +earth to-morrow if I could sweep old Ben Butler and his men into the +bottomless pit with its ashes--" + +She paused at the look of pain on his face. + +"Except you--dear--you're my brother, always my dear Big Brother and +I'll love you forever. What you think right is right--for you. You are +for the Union, because you believe it's right. I honor you for being +true to your convictions--" + +"You can never know what it has cost me--Honey--" + +She drew him down and kissed him tenderly. + +"Yes, I do know--and it's all right--even if you draw your sword and +meet us in battle--you're fighting for the right as God shows it to +you--but I've just one favor to ask--" + +"I'll do anything on earth for you I can--you know that--" + +She looked at him steadily a moment in silence and spoke in hard cold +tones. + +"Get me out of New Orleans inside the Confederate lines--anywhere--a +guerilla camp--a swamp--anywhere, you understand. I'll find my way to +Richmond--" + +He pressed her hand in silence and then softly answered: + +"I understand, dear--and I'll arrange it for you. I'll hire a schooner +to set you across Lake Pontchartrain." + +The old Colonel looked on the face of his dead wife and went to bed. He +made no complaints. He asked no questions. The book of life was closed. +Within a week he died as peacefully as a child. + +Ten days later Jennie had passed the Federal lines and was whirling +through the Carolinas, her soul aflame with a new deathless courage. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE IRREPARABLE LOSS + + +Jefferson Davis not only refused to remove Albert Sidney Johnston from +his command in answer to the clamor of his critics, he wrote his general +letters expressing such unbounded confidence in his genius that he +inspired him to begin the most brilliant campaign on which the South had +yet entered. + +Grant, flushed with victory, had encamped his army along the banks of +the Tennessee, then at flood and easily navigable for gunboats and +transports. The bulldog fighter of Fort Donelson had allowed his maxim +of war to lead him into a situation which the eye of Johnston was quick +to see. + +Grant's famous motto was: + +"Never be over anxious about what your enemy is going to do to you; make +him anxious about what you are going to do to him." + +In accordance with this principle the Union General was busy preparing +his Grand Army for a triumphant march into the far South. He was +drilling and training his men for their attack on the Confederates at +Corinth. His army was not in a position for defense. It was, in fact, +strung out into a long line of camps for military instruction, preparing +to advance on the foe he had grown to despise. + +Sherman's division occupied a position near Shiloh Church. A half mile +further was B. M. Prentiss with newly arrived regiments, one of which +still had no ammunition. Near the river McClernand was camped behind +Sherman and Hurlbert still farther back. Near them lay W. H. L. +Wallace's division, and at Crump's Landing, Lew Wallace was stationed +with six thousand men. + +Grant himself was nine miles down the river at Savannah, a point at +which he expected to form a junction with Buell's army approaching from +the east. + +Grant sat at breakfast on a beautiful Sunday morning quietly sipping his +coffee while he planned his conquest of the vast territory which now lay +at the mercy of his army the moment the juncture should be effected. + +With swift stealthy tread, Johnston was moving through the dense forests +of the wild region to the south. His army had been rapidly recruited to +approximately forty thousand effective men. Beauregard had been detached +from the East and was second in command. + +The night before this beautiful spring Sabbath morning the Confederate +army had bivouacked within two miles of the Federal front. Johnston had +so baffled the scouts and reconnoitering parties of Grant that his +presence was not suspected. + +In the gray mists of the dawn his divisions silently deployed and formed +in line of battle. General Leonidas Polk on the left, Braxton Bragg in +the center, William J. Hardee on the right and John C. Breckinridge in +reserve. + +The men were alert and eager to avenge the defeats of Forts Henry and +Donelson. With chuckles of exhilaration they had listened that night to +the rolling of the drums in Grant's camps. + +A mist from the river valley hung low over the fresh budding trees. With +swift elastic tread the gray lines moved forward through the shadows of +the dawn. + +So complete was the surprise that not a picket was encountered. Not a +single company of cavalry guarded the flanks of the sleeping army. + +The mists lifted and the sheen of white tents could be seen through the +trees. + +Only a few of the blue soldiers had risen. They were washing and cooking +their morning meal. Some had sat down to eat at generous mess-chests. +Thousands were yet soundly sleeping in their tents. + +On Prentiss' division from flank to flank with sudden fury the gray host +fell. Even the camp sentinels were taken completely by surprise and +barely had time to discharge their guns. On their heels rushed the +Confederates cheering madly. + +Officers and men were killed in their beds and many fled in confusion +without their arms. Hildebrand's brigade of Sherman's division was +engulfed by the cyclone and swept from existence, appearing no more in +the battle. + +In vain the broken lines of the Federal camps were formed and re-formed. +Charge followed charge in swift and terrible succession. + +By half past ten o'clock the Confederates had captured and demolished +three great military encampments and taken three batteries of artillery. +Storehouses and munitions of war in rich profusion were captured at +every turn. The demoralized Union army was retreating at every point. + +When Grant reached the field, the lines both of attack and defense were +lost in confusion. The battle raged in groups. Sometimes mere squads of +men surged back and forth over the broken, tangled, blood-soaked arena, +now in ravines and swamps, now for a moment emerging into clearings and +then buried again in the deep woods. + +The stolid Federal commander sat his horse, keen-eyed, vigilant and +imperturbable in the storm of ruin. His early efforts counted for little +in the blind confusion and turmoil of his crushed army. Lew Wallace had +been ordered to the field in post haste. The bridge across Owl Creek, +held by Sherman in the morning, was now in the hands of the +Confederates. Wallace marched and countermarched his army in a vain +effort to reach the field. + +At two o'clock Johnston had brought up his reserves and ordered the +entire gray army to charge and sweep the field. His fine face flushed +with victory, he rose in his saddle, addressed a few eloquent words to +Breckinridge's division, placed himself at the head of his army and his +sword flashed in the sunlight as he shouted to the line: + +"Charge!" + +Dick Welford had been detached from Forrest's cavalry on staff duty by +his Chief's side. Forrest had been marked by Johnston for promotion for +his work at Donelson, and Dick had grown to worship his gallant +Commanding General. He had watched his plan of battle grow with boyish +pride. He knew his Chief was going to crush the two divisions of Grant's +army in detail before they could be united. And he had done it. Such +complete and overwhelming victory would lift the South from her slough +of despair. + +With a shout of triumph he spurred his horse neck to neck with his +General. + +At two o'clock the blue lines were still rolling back on the river in +hopeless confusion, the gray lines cheering and charging and crushing +without mercy. + +A ball pierced Johnston's right leg. Dick saw his hand drop the rein for +an instant and a look of pain sweep his handsome face. + +"You're wounded, sir?" he asked. + +"It's nothing, boy," he answered, "only a flesh cut--drive--drive--drive +them!" + +Without pause he rode on and on. + +He was riding the white horse of Death--an artery had been cut and his +precious life was slowly but surely ebbing away. + +He swayed in his saddle and Dick dashed forward: + +"General, your wound must be dressed!" + +Governor Harris of Tennessee, his aide, observed him at the same moment +and spurred his horse to his side. + +The General turned his dim eyes to the Governor and gasped: + +"I fear I'm mortally wounded--" + +He reeled in his saddle and would have fallen had not Dick caught him +and tenderly lowered him to the ground. + +The brave war Governor of Tennessee received the falling Commander in +his arms and helped Dick bear him a short distance from the field into a +deep ravine. + +Dick took the flask of whiskey from his pocket and pressed it to his +lips in vain. A moment and he was dead. + +In a passion of grief the boy threw his arms around his beloved Chief +and called through his tears and groans: + +"My God, General, you can't die--you mustn't die now! Don't you hear the +boys shouting? They're driving Grant's army into the river. They've +avenged Donelson!--General--for God's sake speak to me--say you won't +die--you can't, you can't--Oh, Lord God, save his precious life!--" + +No sign or answer came. His breast had ceased to move. The Governor +tenderly lifted the grief-stricken boy and sent him with his General's +last message. + +"Find Beauregard and tell him he is in command of the field. Not a word +of the death of the Chief until his victory is complete." + +Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle. + +"I understand, sir." + +[Illustration: "Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle--'I understand, +sir'"] + +It was late in the afternoon before he located General Beauregard and +delivered the fateful news. + +The victorious Confederate army had furiously pressed its charge. +Johnston's word had passed from command to command. + +"Forward--forward--let every order be forward!" + +Everything had yielded at last before them. From camp to camp, from +rallying point to rallying point the Union hosts had been hurled, +division piling on division in wild confusion. + +Driven headlong, the broken ranks were thrown in panic on the banks of +the river. Thousands crouched in ravines and sought shelter under the +steep bluffs of the river banks. Trampling mobs were struggling in vain +to board the transports and cross the river. The Federal reserve line +had been completely crushed, and the entire army, driven from the field +they had held that morning, were huddled in a confused mass of a half +mile around the Pittsburg Landing. + +The next charge of the Confederates would hurl the whole army into the +river or they must surrender. + +The gunboats had opened in vain. They were throwing their shells a mile +beyond the Confederate lines where they fell harmlessly. + +The Confederate division commanders were gathering their hosts for the +last charge at sunset. There was yet an hour of daylight in which to end +the struggle with the complete annihilation of the Union army. Down +under the steep banks of the river's edge the demoralized remnants of +the shattered divisions were already stacking their arms to surrender. +They had made their last stand. + +General Bragg turned to his aide: + +"Tell Major Stewart of the twenty-first Alabama to advance and drive the +enemy into the river!" + +The aide saluted. + +"And carry that order along the whole line!" + +The aide put spurs to his horse to execute the command, when a courier +dashed up from General Beauregard's headquarters. + +"Direct me to General Bragg!" + +The aide pointed to the General and rode back with Beauregard's courier. + +"General Beauregard orders that you cease fighting and rest your men +to-night." + +Bragg turned his rugged dark face on the messenger with a scowl. + +"You have promulgated this order to the army?" + +"I have, sir--" + +"If you had not, I would not obey it--" + +He paused and threw one hand high above his head. + +"Our victory has been thrown to the winds!" + +The sudden and inexplicable abandonment of this complete and +overwhelming success was one of the most remarkable events in the +history of modern warfare. + +The men bivouacked on the field. + +The blunder was fatal and irretrievable. Even while the order was being +given to cease firing the advance guard of Buell's army was already +approaching the other bank of the river. Twenty-five thousand fresh men +under cover of the darkness began to pour their long lines into position +to save Grant's shattered ranks. + +As night fell another misfortune was on the way to obscure the star of +Beauregard. His soldiers, elated with their wonderful victory, broke +into disorderly plundering of the captured Federal camps. Except for a +few thousand sternly disciplined troops under Bragg's command the whole +Southern army suddenly degenerated into a mob of roving plunderers, mad +with folly. In the rich stores of the Federal army thousands of gallons +of wines and liquors were found. Hundreds of gray soldiers became +intoxicated. While scenes of the wildest revelry and disorder were being +enacted around the camp fires, Buell's army was silently crossing the +river under cover of the night and forming in line of battle for +to-morrow's baptism of blood. + +Albert Sidney Johnston's body lay cold in death--and the army of the +victorious South had no head. Better had there been no second general of +full rank in the field. Either of Johnston's division commanders, Bragg, +Hardee, Polk or Breckinridge, would have driven Grant's panic-stricken +mob into the river within an hour if let alone. + +But the little hero of Bull Run of the flower-decked tent halted his men +to rest for the night at the very hour of the day when Napoleon ordered +his first charge on one of his immortal battlefields. + +Beauregard gave his foe ample time for breakfast next morning. The sun +was an hour high in the heavens before the battle was joined. + +The genius of Johnston had surprised Grant and rolled his army back on +the river--never pausing for a moment to give him time to rally his +broken ranks. + +But when Beauregard leisurely led his disorganized army next morning +against Grant's new lines, there was no shock, no surprise--the line was +ready. His panic-stricken men had been reorganized and massed in strong +defensive position and reënforced by the divisions of Generals Nelson, +McCook, Crittenden, and Thomas of Buell's army--twenty-five thousand +strong. + +Lew Wallace's division had also effected the junction and the Federal +front presented a solid wall of fifty-three thousand determined men +against whom Beauregard must now throw his little army of thirty +thousand effective fighters. + +The assault was made with dash and courage. For four hours the battle +raged with fury. The shattered regiments that had been surprised and +crushed the day before, yielded at one time before the onslaughts of the +Confederates. By noon Beauregard had sent into the shambles his last +brigade and reserves and shortly afterwards gave his first order to +withdraw his army. + +Breckinridge's division covered the retreat and there was no attempt at +pursuit. Grant was only too glad to save his army. The first great +battle of the war had been fought and won by the genius of the South's +commander and its results thrown away by the hero of Bull Run. + +Never was the wisdom of a great leader more thoroughly vindicated than +was Jefferson Davis in the record Albert Sidney Johnston made at Shiloh. +The men who had been loudest in demanding his removal stood dumb before +the story of his genius. + +The death list of this battle sent a shiver of horror through the North +and the South. All other battles of the war were but skirmishes to this. + +The Confederate losses in killed, wounded and missing were ten thousand +six hundred and ninety-nine. At Bull Run the combined armies of Joseph +E. Johnston and Beauregard lost but one thousand nine hundred and +sixty-four men. + +Grant's army lost thirteen thousand one hundred and sixty-two in killed, +wounded and prisoners. McDowell at Bull Run had lost but two thousand +seven hundred, and yet was removed from his command. + +The rage against Grant in the North was unbounded. The demand for his +removal was so determined, so universal, so persistent, it was necessary +for Abraham Lincoln to bow to it temporarily. + +Lincoln positively refused to sacrifice his fighting General for his +first error, but sent Halleck into the field as Commander-in-Chief and +left Grant in command of his division. + +The bulldog fighter of the North learned his lesson at Shiloh. The South +never again caught him napping. + +Great as the losses were to the North they were as nothing to the +disaster which this bloody field brought to the Confederacy. Albert +Sidney Johnston alive was equal to an army of a hundred thousand +men--dead; his loss was irreparable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE LIGHT THAT FAILED + + +The struggle which Jefferson Davis was making to parry the force of the +mortal blows delivered by the United States Navy at last gave promise of +startling success. + +The fight to establish the right of the Confederacy to arm its allies +under letters of marque and reprisal had been won by the Southern +President. The first armed vessel sailing under the orders of Davis +which was captured by the navy had brought the question to sharp issue. +The Washington Government had proclaimed the vessels flying the +Confederate flag under letters of marque to be pirates and subject to +the treatment of felons. + +The Captain and the crew of the _Savannah_ when captured had been put in +irons and condemned to death as pirates. If the Washington Government +could make good this daring assumption, the power of the Confederacy to +damage the commerce of the North would be practically destroyed at a +blow. + +Davis met the crisis with firmness. He selected an equal number of +Federal prisoners of war in Richmond and threw them into a dungeon below +Libby Prison. He dispatched a letter to Washington whose language could +not be misunderstood. + + + "Dare to execute an officer or sailor of the _Savannah_, and I will + put to death as felons an equal number of Federal officers and men. + I have placed them in close confinement and ordered similar treatment + to that accorded our prisoners from the captured vessel." + + +Socola received a message summoning him to the house on Church Hill. +A courier had arrived from Washington. The Government must know +immediately if this threat were idle or genuine. If Jefferson Davis +should dare to execute these thirteen officers and men, the +administration could not resist the storm of indignant protest which +would overwhelm it from the North. + +Socola read the cipher dispatch by the dim light of the candle in his +attic and turned to Miss Van Lew. + +"My information in the State Department is of the most positive kind. +The prisoners have been put in the dungeon set apart for condemned +felons and they but wait the word of the execution of the men from the +_Savannah_, to be led to certain death. It may be talk. We must know. +Apply for permission to visit the condemned men and minister to their +comfort--" + +"At once," was the prompt response. "I've made friends with Captain +Todd, the Commandant of Libby Prison; I'll succeed." + +Crazy Bet appeared at Libby Prison next morning with a basket of flowers +for the condemned men. Captain Todd humored her mania. Poor old +abolition fanatic, she could do no harm. She was too frank and outspoken +to be dangerous. Besides, it was a war of brothers. His own sister was +the wife of Abraham Lincoln. These condemned men were the best blood of +the North. It was a pitiful tragedy. + +Miss Van Lew, with a market basket on her arm, watched for Socola's +appearance from the office of the Secretary of State. The young clerk +was walking slowly down Main Street and turned into an unused narrow +road at the foot of the hill. + +Crazy Bet, swinging the basket and humming a song, passed him without +turning her head. + +"It's true," she whispered quickly, "all horribly true. Thirteen of the +finest officers of the Union army have been condemned to death the +moment the crew of the _Savannah_ are executed--among them Colonel +Cochrane of New York and Colonel Paul Revere of Massachusetts. The +dispatch must go to-night." + +"To-night," was the short answer. + +Within an hour Socola's courier was on his way to Washington with a +message which unlocked the prison doors of the condemned men on both +sides of the line. + +Abraham Lincoln stoutly opposed a repetition of the effort to treat +Confederate prisoners as outlaws, no matter where taken by land or sea. +Davis had established the legality of his letters of marque and reprisal +beyond question. + +The United States Navy in the first flood of its victories made another +false step which brought to the South an hour of brilliant hope. Captain +Wilkes overhauled a British steamer carrying the royal mail and took +from her decks by force the Commissioners Mason and Slidell whom Davis +had dispatched to Europe to plead for the recognition of the +Confederacy. The North had gone wild with joy over the act and Congress +voted Wilkes the thanks of the nation as its hero. + +Great Britain demanded an apology and the restoration of the prisoners, +put her navy on a war footing and dispatched a division of her army to +Canada to strike the North by land as well as sea. + +The hard common sense of Abraham Lincoln rescued the National Government +from a delicate and dangerous situation. Lincoln apologized to Great +Britain, restored the Confederate Commissioners and returned with +redoubled energy to the prosecution of the war. In answer to the shouts +of demagogues and the reproaches of both friend and foe, the homely +rail-splitter from the West had a simple answer. + +"One war at a time." + +Jefferson Davis watched this threat of British invasion with breathless +intensity. He saw the hope of thus breaking the power of the navy fade +with sickening disappointment. + +There was one more hope. The hull of the _Merrimac_ had been raised from +the bottom of the harbor of Norfolk and the work of transforming her +into a giant iron-clad ship capable of carrying a fighting crew of three +hundred men had been completed, though her engines were slow. + +But the enthusiastic men set to this task by Davis had accomplished +wonders. Their reports to him had raised high hopes of a sensation. If +this new monster of the sea should succeed single handed in destroying +the fleet of six vessels lying in Hampton Roads, the naval warfare of +the world would be revolutionized in a day and overtures for peace might +be within sight. + +The Norfolk newspapers, under instructions from the Confederate +Commandant, pronounced the experiment of the _Merrimac_ a stupid and +fearful failure. Her engines were useless. Her steering gear wouldn't +work. Her armament was so heavy she couldn't be handled. These papers +were easily circulated at Newport News and Old Point Comfort among the +officers and men of the Federal fleet. + +The men who had built the strange craft knew she was anything but a +failure. With eager, excited hands her crew finished the last touch of +her preparations and with her guns shotted she slowly steamed out of the +harbor of Norfolk accompanied by two saucy little improvised gunboats, +the _Beaufort_ and the _Raleigh_. + +Her speed was not more than five knots an hour and she steered so badly +the _Beaufort_ was compelled to pull her into the main current of the +channel more than once. + +The Federal squadron lay off Newport News, the _Congress_ and the +_Cumberland_ well out in the stream, the _Minnesota_, _Roanoke_ and _St. +Lawrence_ further down toward Fortress Monroe. The _Congress_, +_Cumberland_ and _St. Lawrence_ mounted one hundred and twenty-four +guns, twenty-two of them of nine-inch caliber. Their crews aggregated +more than a thousand men. + +The new crack steam frigates _Minnesota_ and _Roanoke_ had crews of six +hundred men each and carried more than eighty guns of nine and +eleven-inch caliber. That any single craft afloat would dare attack such +a squadron was preposterous. + +It was one o'clock before the strange black looking object swung into +the channel and turned her nose up stream toward Newport News. + +The crews of the _Congress_ and the _Cumberland_ were lounging on deck +enjoying the balmy spring air. It was wash day and the clothes were +fluttering in the breeze. + +They couldn't make out the foolish-looking thing at first. It looked +like the top of a long-hipped roof house that had been sawed off at the +eaves and pushed into the water. The two little river steamers that +accompanied the raft seemed to be towing it. + +"What 'ell, Bill, is that thing?" a sailor asked his mate on the +_Congress_. + +Bill scanned the horizon. + +"I give it up, sir," he admitted. "I been a sailin' the seas for forty +years--but that's one on me!" + +A battle signal suddenly flashed from the _Cumberland_ and down came the +wash lines. + +The _Beaufort_ with a single thirty-two-pounder rifle mounted in her bow +was steaming alongside the port of the strange craft. A puff of white +smoke flared from her single gun and its dull roar waked the still +beautiful waters of the Virginia harbor. + +The _Merrimac_ flung her big battle flag into the sky and her tiny +escorts dropped down stream to give her free play. The _Congress_ and +the _Cumberland_ were surprised, but they slipped their anchors in a +jiffy, swung their guns in haste and began pouring a storm of shot on +the iron sides of the coming foe. + +The _Merrimac_ moved forward with slow, steady throb as though the shot +that rained on her slanting sides were so many pebbles thrown by school +boys. She passed the _Congress_ and pointed her ugly prow for the +_Cumberland_. The ship poured her broadside squarely into the face of +the Merrimac without damage and the bow gun roared an answer that +pierced her bulwarks. + +Through the thick cloud of heavy smoke that hung low on the water the +throbbing monster bore straight down on the _Cumberland_, struck her +amidship and sent her to the bottom. + +As the gallant ship sank in sickening lurches her brave crew cheered her +to her grave and continued firing her useless guns until the waves +engulfed the decks. When her keel touched the bottom her flag was still +flying from her masthead. She rolled over on her beam's end and carried +the flag beneath the waves. + +The Confederate mosquito fleet, consisting of the little gunboats +_Patrick Henry_, _Teaser_ and _Jamestown_, swung down from the river +now, ran boldly past the flaming shore batteries and joined in the +attack on the Federal squadron. + +The _Congress_ had set one of her sails and with the aid of a tug was +desperately working to reach shoal water before she could be sunk. Her +captain succeeded in beaching her directly under the guns of the shore +batteries. At four o'clock she gave up the bloody unequal contest and +hauled down her colors. + +The _Minnesota_, _Roanoke_ and _St. Lawrence_, in trying to reach the +scene of the battle, had all been grounded. The _Minnesota_ was still +lying helpless in the mud as the sun set and the new monarch of the seas +slowly withdrew to Sewell's Point to overhaul her machinery and prepare +to finish her work next day. + +The _Merrimac_ had lost twenty-one killed and wounded--among the wounded +was her gallant flag officer, Franklin Buchanan. The _Patrick Henry_ had +lost fourteen, the _Beaufort_ eight, the _Raleigh_ seven, including two +officers. + +The Federal squadron had lost two ships and four hundred men. + +But by far the greatest loss to the United States Navy was the supremacy +of the seas. The power of her fleets had been smashed at a blow. The +ugly, black, powder-stained, iron thing lying under the guns of Sewell's +Point had won the crown of the world's naval supremacy. The fleets of +the United States were practically out of commission while she was +afloat. The panic at the North which followed the startling news from +Hampton Roads was indescribable. Abraham Lincoln hastily called a +Cabinet meeting to consider what action it was necessary to take to meet +the now appalling situation. Never before had any man in authority at +Washington realized how absolute was their dependence on the United +States Navy--how impossible it would be to maintain the Government +without its power. + +Edwin M. Stanton, the indefatigable Secretary of War, completely lost +his nerve at this Cabinet meeting. He paced the floor with quick excited +tread, glancing out of the window of the White House toward the waters +of the Potomac with undisguised fear. + +"I am sure, gentlemen," he said to the Cabinet, "that monster is now on +her way to Washington. In my opinion we will have a shell from one of +her big guns in the White House before we leave this room!" + +Lincoln was profoundly depressed but refused to believe the cause of the +Union could thus be completely lost at a single blow from a nondescript, +iron raft. Yet it was only too easy to see that the moral effect of this +victory would be crushing on public opinion. + +The wires to Washington were hot with frantic calls for help. New York +was ready to surrender at the first demand. So utter was the +demoralization at Fortress Monroe, the one absolutely impregnable fort +on the Atlantic coast, that the commander had already determined to +surrender in answer to the first shot the _Merrimac_ should fire. + +The preparations for moving McClellan's army to the Virginia Peninsula +for the campaign to capture Richmond were suddenly halted. Two hundred +thousand men must rest on their arms until this crisis should pass. All +orders issued to the Army of the Potomac were now made contingent on the +destruction of the iron monster lying in Hampton Roads. + +By one of the strangest coincidences in history the United States Navy +had completed an experiment in floating iron at precisely the same +moment. + +While the guns of the battle were yet echoing over the waters of the +harbor, this strange little craft, a floating iron cheese box, was +slowly steaming into the Virginia capes. + +At nine o'clock that night Ericsson's _Monitor_ was beside the +panic-stricken _Roanoke_. + +When C. S. Bushnell took the model of this strange craft to Washington, +he was referred to Commander C. H. Davis by the Naval Board. When Davis +had examined it he handed it back to Bushnell with a pitying smile: + +"Take the little thing home, and worship it. It would not be idolatry, +because it's made in the image of nothing in the heaven above or the +earth beneath or in the waters under the earth." + +Wiser councils had prevailed, and the floating cheese box was completed +and arrived in Hampton Roads in time to put its powers to supreme test. + +The _Merrimac's_ crew ate their breakfast at their leisure and prepared +to drive their ugly duckling into the battle line again and finish the +work of destroying the battered Federal squadron. + +The _Merrimac_ had fought the battle of the day before under the +constant pounding of more than one hundred guns bearing on her iron +sides. Her armor was intact. Two of her guns were disabled by having +their muzzles shot off. Her nose had been torn off and sank with the +_Cumberland_. One anchor, her smoke stacks and steam pipes were shot +away. Every scrap of her railing, stanchions, and boat davits had been +swept clean. Her flag staff was gone and a boarding pike had been set up +in its place. + +With stern faces, and absolutely sure of victory, her crew swung her +into the stream, crowded on full steam and moved down on the +_Minnesota_. + +Close under the ship's side they saw for the first time the cheese box. +They had heard of the experiment of her building but knew nothing of her +arrival. + +Her insignificant size was a surprise and the big _Merrimac_ dashed at +her with a sullen furious growl of her big guns. The game little bulldog +swung out from the _Minnesota_ and made straight for the onrushing +monster. + +The flotilla of gunboats had been signaled to retire and watch the +duel. + +From the big eleven-inch guns of the _Monitor_ shot after shot was +hurled against the slanting armored walls of the _Merrimac_. + +Broadside after broadside poured from her guns against the iron-clad +tower of the _Monitor_. + +The _Merrimac_, drawing twenty feet of water, was slow and difficult to +handle. The game little _Monitor_ drew but twelve feet and required no +maneuvering. Her tower revolved. She could stand and fight in one spot +all day. + +The big black hull of the _Merrimac_ bore down on the _Monitor_ now to +ram and sink her at a blow. The nimble craft side stepped the avalanche +of iron, turned quickly and attempted to jamb her nose into the steering +gear of the Southerner--but in vain. + +For two solid hours the iron-clads pounded and hammered each other. The +shots made no impression on either boat. + +Again the _Merrimac_ tried to ram her antagonist and run her aground. +The nimble foe avoided the blow, though struck a grinding, crushing +side-swipe. + +The little _Monitor_ now stuck her nose squarely against the side of the +_Merrimac_, held it there, and fired both her eleven-inch guns against +the walls of the Southerner. + +The charge of powder was not heavy enough. No harm was done. The impact +of the shots had merely forced the sloping sides an inch or two. + +The captain of the _Merrimac_ turned to his men in sharp command. + +"All hands on deck. Board and capture her!" + +The smoke-smeared crew swarmed to the portholes and were just in the act +of springing on the decks of the _Monitor_, when she backed quickly and +dropped down stream. + +After six hours of thunder in each other's faces the _Monitor_ drew +away into the shoal waters guarding the _Minnesota_. + +The _Merrimac_ could not follow her in the shallows and at two o'clock +turned her prow again toward Sewell's Point. + +The battle was a drawn conflict. But the plucky little _Monitor_ had won +a tremendous moral victory. She had rescued the navy in the nick of +time. The Government at Washington once more breathed. + +From the heights of rejoicing the South sank again to the bitterness of +failure. For twenty-four hours her flag had been mistress of the seas. +Jefferson Davis saw the hope of peace fade into the certainty of a +struggle for the possession of Richmond. + +The way had been cleared. McClellan's two hundred thousand men were +rushing on their transports for the Virginia peninsula. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER + + +Long before Jennie Barton arrived in Richmond Socola had waked to the +realization of the fact that he had been caught in the trap he had set +for another. He had laughed at his growing interest in the slender dark +little Southerner. He imagined that he had hypnotized himself into the +idea that he really liked her. He had kept no account of the number of +visits he had made. They were part of his programme. They had grown so +swiftly into the habit of his thought and life he had not stopped to +question the motive that prompted his zeal in pressing his attentions. + +In fact his mind had become so evenly adjusted to hers, his happiness +had been so quietly perfect, he had lost sight of the fact that he was +pressing his attentions at all. + +The day she was suddenly called South and he said good-by with her brown +eyes looking so frankly into his he was brought sharply up against the +fact that he was in love. + +When he took her warm hand in his to press it for the last time, he felt +an almost resistless impulse to bend and kiss her. From that moment he +realized that he was in love--madly, hopelessly, desperately. + +He had left the car and hurried back to his post in the State +Department, his heart beating like a trip hammer. It was a novel +experience. He had never taken girls seriously before. The last girl on +earth he had ever meant to take seriously was this slip of a Southern +enthusiast. For a moment he was furious at the certainty of his abject +surrender. He lifted his eyes to the big columns of the Confederate +Capitol and laughed: + +"Come, come, man--common sense--this is a joke! Forget it all. To your +work--your country calls!" + +Somehow the country refused to issue but one call--the old eternal cry +of love. Wherever he turned, Jennie's brown eyes were smiling into his. +He looked at the Confederate Capitol to inspire him to deeds of daring +and all he could remember was that she was a glorious little rebel with +three brothers fighting for the flag that floated there. All he could +get out of the supreme emblem of the "Rebellion" was that it was her +Capitol and _her_ flag and he loved her. + +And then he laughed for sheer joy that love had come into his heart and +made the world beautiful. He surrendered himself body and soul to the +madness and wonder of it all. + +If he could only see his mother and tell her, she could understand. He +couldn't talk to the bundle of nerves Miss Van Lew had become. Her eyes +burned each day with a deeper and deeper light of fanatical patriotism. +He had yielded none of his own enthusiasm. But this secret of his heart +was too sweet to be shared by a comrade in arms. + +Only God's eye, or the soul of the mother who bore him, could understand +what he felt. The realization of his love for Jennie brought a new fear +into his heart. His nerve was put daily to supreme test in the dangerous +work in which he was engaged. A single mistake would start an +investigation sure to end with a rope around his neck. Love had given +life a new meaning. The chatter of the squirrels in the Capitol Square +was all about their homes and babies in the tree tops. The song of +birds in the old flower garden on Church Hill made his heart thump with +a joy that was agony. The flowers were just bursting into full bloom and +their perfume filled the air with the lazy dreaming of the southern +spring. + +He must speak his love. His heart would burst with its beating. His mate +must know. And she had returned to Richmond with a bitterness against +the North that was something new in the development of her character. + +The newspapers of Richmond had published an elaborate account of the +sacking of her father's house, the smashing of its furniture and theft +of its valuables. It had created a profound sensation. There was no +mistaking the passion with which she had told this story. + +He had laughed at first over the fun of winning the fairest little rebel +in the South and carrying his bride away a prize of war, against the +combined efforts of his Southern rivals. His love and pride had not +doubted for a moment that her heart would yield to the man she loved no +matter what uniform he might wear at the end of this war. + +He couldn't make up his mind to ask her to marry him until she should +know his real name and his true principles. + +What would she do if the truth were revealed? His heart fairly stopped +its beating at the thought. The fall of Richmond he now regarded as a +practical certainty. The _Merrimac_ had proven a vain hope to the +Confederacy. + +McClellan was landing his magnificent army on the Peninsula and +preparing to sweep all before him. McDowell's forty thousand men were +moving on his old line of march straight from Washington. Their two +armies would unite before the city and circle it with an invincible wall +of fire and steel. Fremont, Milroy and Banks were sweeping through the +valley of the Shenandoah. Their armies would unite, break the +connections of the Confederacy at Lynchburg and the South would be +crushed. + +That this would all be accomplished within thirty days he had the most +positive assurances from Washington. So sure was Miss Van Lew of +McClellan's triumphant entry into Richmond she had put her house in +order for his reception. Her parlor had been scrupulously cleaned. Its +blinds were drawn and the room dark, but a flag staff was ready and a +Union standard concealed in one of her feather beds. Over the old house +on Church Hill the emblem of the Nation would first be flung to the +breeze in the conquered Capital of the Confederacy. + +The certainty of his discovery in the rush of the Union army into the +city was now the nightmare which haunted his imagination. + +He could fight the Confederate Government on even terms. He asked no +odds. His life was on the hazard. Something more than the life of a +Union spy was at stake in his affair with Jennie. Her life and happiness +were bound in his. He felt this by an unerring instinct. + +If this proud, sensitive, embittered girl should stumble on even a +suspicion of the truth, she would tear her heart out of her body if +necessary to put him out of her life. + +For a moment he was tempted to give up his work and return to the North. +It was the one sure way to avoid discovery when Richmond fell. The war +over, he would have his even chance with other men when its bitterness +had been softened. His work in Richmond was practically done. His men +could finish it. The number of soldiers in the Southern armies had been +accurately counted and reported to Washington. Why should he risk the +happiness of the woman he loved and his own happiness for life by +remaining another day? + +The thought had no sooner taken shape than he put it out of his mind. + +"Bah! I've set my hand to a great task. I'm not a quitter. I'll stand by +my guns. No true woman ever loved a coward!" + +He would take his chances and tell her his love. + +He lifted the old-fashioned brass knocker on Senator Barton's door and +banged it with such force he laughed at his own foolish eagerness: + +"At least I needn't smash my way in!" he muttered. + +"Yassah, des walk right in de parlor, sah," Jennie's maid said, with her +teeth shining in a knowing smile. + +Senator Barton had recovered from his illness. There could be no doubt +about it. He was in the library holding forth in eloquent tones to a +group of Confederate Congressmen who made his house their rendezvous. He +was enjoying the martyrdom which the outrage on his home and the death +of his aged mother and father had brought. He was using it to inveigh +with new bitterness against the imbecility of Jefferson Davis and his +administration. He held Davis personally responsible for every defeat of +the South. He was the one man who had caused the fall of New Orleans, +the loss of Fort Donelson and the failure to reap the victory at Shiloh. + +"But you must remember, Senator," one of his henchmen mildly protested, +"that Davis did save Albert Sidney Johnston to us and that alone made a +victory possible." + +"And what of it, if he threw it away by appointing a fool second in +Command?" + +There was a good answer to this--too good for the henchman to dare use +it. He had sent Beauregard west to join Albert Sidney Johnston's command +because Barton's junta, supporting Joseph E. Johnston against the +administration, would no longer tolerate Beauregard in the same camp +with their chief. They had demanded a free field for Joseph E. Johnston +in the conflict with McClellan or they had threatened his resignation +and the disruption of the Confederate army. + +The President, sick unto death over the wrangling of these two generals, +had separated them and sent Beauregard west where the genius of Albert +Sidney Johnston could use his personal popularity, and his own more +powerful mind would neutralize in any council of war the little man's +feeble generalship. + +Socola listened to Barton's fierce, unreasoning invective with a sense +of dread. It was impossible to realize that this big-mouthed, bitter, +vindictive, ridiculous politician was the father of the gentle girl he +loved. There must be something of his power of malignant hatred +somewhere in Jennie's nature. He had caught just a glimpse of it in the +story she had told the Richmond papers. + +She stood in the doorway at last, a smiling vision of modest beauty. Her +dress of fine old lace seemed woven of the tender smiles that played +about the sensitive mouth. + +He sprang to his feet and took her hand, his heart thumping with joy. +She felt it tremble and laughed outright. + +"So you have returned a fiercer rebel than ever, Miss Jennie?" he said +hesitatingly. + +He tried to say something purely conventional but it popped out when he +opened his mouth--the ugly thought that was gnawing at his happiness. + +"Yes," she answered thoughtfully, "I never realized before what it meant +to be with my own people. I could have burned New Orleans and laughed +at its ruins to have smoked Ben Butler out of it--" + +"President Davis has proclaimed him an outlaw I see," Socola added. + +"If he can only capture and hang him, the people of Louisiana would be +perfectly willing to lose all--" + +"But your brother, the Judge, is still loyal to the Union--you can't +hate him you know?" + +Jennie's eyes flashed into Socola's. + +Why had he asked the one question that opened the wound in her heart? +Perhaps her mind had suggested it. She had scarcely spoken the bitter +words before she saw the vision of his serious face and regretted it. + +"Strange you should have mentioned my brother's name at the very moment +his image was before me," the girl thoughtfully replied. + +"Clairvoyance perhaps--" + +"You believe in such things?" Jennie asked. + +"Yes. My mother leaped from her bed with a scream one night and told me +that she had seen my father's spirit, felt him bend over her and touch +her lips. He had died at exactly that moment." + +"Wonderful, isn't it," Jennie murmured softly, "the vision of love!" + +She was dreaming of the moments of her distress in the sacking of her +home when the vision of this man's smiling face had suddenly set her to +laughing. + +"Yes," Socola answered. "I asked you about your older brother because I +don't like the idea of you poisoning your beautiful young life with +hatred. Such thoughts kill--they can't bring health and strength, Miss +Jennie." + +"Of course," the girl responded tenderly, "you can see things more +calmly. You can't understand how deep the knife has entered our hearts +in the South." + +"That's just what I do understand. It's that against which I'm warning +you. This war can't last always you know. There must be a +readjustment--" + +"Between the North and South?" + +"Of course--" + +"Never!" + +With sudden emotion she leaped to her feet her little fists clinched. +She stood trembling in silence for a moment and her face paled. + +"No, Signor," she went on in cold tones. "There can be no readjustment +of this war. It's to the death now. I confess myself a rebel body and +soul--_Confess_? I glory in it! I'm proud of being one. I thought my +father extravagant at first. Ben Butler has changed my views. The South +can't look back now. It's forward--forward--always forward to death--or +independence!" + +She paused overcome with emotion. + +"Yes," she went on in quick tones, "I thank God we're two different +tribes! I'm proud of the South and her old-fashioned, out-of-date +chivalry. The South respects and honors women. God never made the +Southern white man who could issue Butler's orders in New Orleans or +insult the heart-broken women who are forced to enter his office with +the vile motto he has placed over his desk--" + +Socola lifted his hand in gentle smiling protest. + +"But you must remember, Miss Jennie, that General Butler is a peculiar +individual. He probably does not represent the best that's in New +England--" + +"God knows I hope not for their sakes," was the answer. "I only wish I +could fight in the ranks with our boys. If I can't fight at least I'm +going to help our men in other ways. I'll work with my hands as a slave. +I'll sew and knit and nurse. I'll breathe my soul into the souls of our +men. I sing Dixie when I rise in the morning. I hum it all day. I sing +it with my last thoughts as I go to sleep." + +Socola moved uneasily. + +She looked at him a moment with an expression of sudden tenderness. + +"I can't tell you how proud and happy I am in the thought that I may +have helped you to give your brilliant mind to the service of the South. +It's my offering to my country and her cause!" + +It was impossible to resist the glow of love in her shining face. Socola +felt his soul dissolve. + +With a little gesture of resignation she dropped to a seat on the lounge +beside the window, her young face outlined against a mass of early roses +in full bloom. Their perfume poured through the window and filled the +room. + +Socola seated himself deliberately by her side and held her gaze with +direct purpose. She saw and understood and her heart beat in quick +response. + +"You realize that you _are_ the incarnate Cause of the South for me?" + +She smiled triumphantly. + +"I have always known it." + +There was no silly boasting in her tones, no trace of the Southern +girl's light mood with one of her numerous beaux. Her words were spoken +with deliberate tenderness. + +"And yet how deeply and wonderfully you could not know--" + +"I have guessed perhaps--" + +He took her hand in his. + +"I love you, Jennie--" + +Her voice was the tenderest whisper. + +"And I love you, my sweetheart--" + +He clasped her in his arms and held her in silence. + +She pushed him at arm's length and looked wistfully into his face. + +"For the past month my heart has been singing. Through all the shame and +misery of the sacking of our home, I could laugh and be happy--foolishly +happy, because I knew that you loved me--" + +"How did you know?" + +"You told me--" + +"When?" + +"With the last little touch of your hand when I went South." + +He pressed it with desperate tenderness. + +"It shall be forever?" + +"Forever!" + +"Neither life nor death, nor height nor depth can separate us?" + +"What could separate us, my lover? You are mine. I am yours. You have +given your life to our cause--" + +"I am but a soldier of fortune--" + +"You are my soldier--you have given your life because I asked it. I give +you mine in return--" + +"Swear to me that you'll love me always!" + +She answered with a kiss. + +"I swear it." + +Again he clasped her in his arms and hurried from the house. The +twilight was falling. Artillery wagons were rumbling through the +streets. A troop train had arrived from the South. Its regiments were +rushing across the city to reënforce McGruder's thin lines on the +Peninsula. McClellan's guns were already thundering on the shores. + +He hurried to the house on Church Hill, his dark face flushed with +happiness, his heart beating a reveille of fear and joy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE PANIC IN RICHMOND + + +Richmond now entered the shadows of her darkest hour. Three armies were +threatening from the west commanded by Fremont, Milroy, and Banks, whose +forces were ordered to unite. McDowell with forty thousand men lay at +Fredericksburg and threatened a junction with McClellan, who was moving +up the Peninsula with an effective army of 105,000. + +Joseph E. Johnston had under his command more than fifty thousand with +which to oppose McClellan's advance. It was the opinion of Davis and Lee +that the stand for battle should be made on the narrow neck of the +Peninsula which lent itself naturally to defense. + +To retreat toward Richmond would not only prove discouraging to the +army, and precipitate a panic in the city, it meant the abandonment of +Norfolk, the loss of the navy yard, the destruction of the famous +iron-clad, and the opening of the James River to the gunboats of the +enemy to Drury's Bluff within twelve miles of the Confederate Capital. + +In this crisis Johnston gave confirmation to the worst fears of the +President. He displayed the constitutional timidity and hesitation to +fight which marked every step of his military career to its tragic end. + +With the greatest army under his command which the Confederacy had ever +brought together--with Longstreet, McGruder and G. W. Smith as his +lieutenants, he was preparing to retreat without a battle. + +The President called in council of war General Lee, Randolph, the +Secretary of War, and General Johnston. Johnston asked that Longstreet +and Smith be invited. The President consented. + +After full consultation, Davis decided, with Lee's approval to hold the +Peninsula, save the navy yard and keep command of the James. And +Johnston received orders accordingly. + +With characteristic stubbornness the Field Commander persisted in his +determination to retreat without a battle. + +With aching heart Davis sent him a telegram. + + + "Richmond, Va., May 1st, 1861. + + "General Joseph E. Johnston, + + "Yorktown, Va. + + "Accepting your conclusion that you must soon retire, arrangements + are commenced for the abandonment of the navy yard and removal of + public property from Norfolk and the Peninsula. + + "Your announcement to-day that you would withdraw to-morrow night, + takes us by surprise and must involve enormous losses, including + unfinished gunboats. Will the safety of your army allow more time? + + "Jefferson Davis." + + +Johnston had retreated from his base at Manassas with absurd haste, +burning enormous stores and supplies of which the Confederacy was in +desperate need. The losses now occasioned by his hasty withdrawal from +Yorktown were even more serious. + +The destruction of the iron-clad which had smashed the Federal fleet in +Hampton Roads sent a shiver of horror throughout the South. + + * * * * * + +The fiery trial through which Davis was passing brought out the finest +traits of his strong character. + +He had received ample warning that one of the first places marked for +destruction by the Federal fleet passing up the Mississippi River was +his home "Briarfield." He refused to send troops to defend it. His house +was sacked, his valuable library destroyed, the place swept bare of his +fine blooded stock and the negroes deported by force. + +To his wife he wrote: + + + "You will see the notice of the destruction of our home. If our cause + succeeds we shall not mourn our personal deprivation; if it should + not, why--'the deluge.' I hope I shall be able to provide for the + comfort of the old negroes." + + +Uncle Bob and Aunt Rhinah had been roughly handled by Butler's men. The +foragers utterly refused to believe them when they told of their +master's kindness in giving them piles of blankets. They were roughly +informed that they had stolen them from the house and their treasures +were confiscated amid the lamentations of the aged couple. The two +precious rocking chairs were left them but of blankets and linens they +were stripped bare. + + * * * * * + +With Johnston's army in retreat toward Richmond, his rear guard of but +twelve thousand men under General McGruder had demonstrated the wisdom +of Davis' position that the Peninsula could be successfully defended. +McGruder's little army held McClellan at bay for nearly thirty days. He +was dislodged from his position with terrible slaughter of the Union +forces. McClellan's army lost two thousand two hundred and seventy-five +men in this encounter, McGruder less than a thousand. Had Johnston +concentrated his fifty thousand men on this line McClellan would never +have taken it, and the only iron-clad the South possessed might have +been saved. + +The daring Commander of the _Merrimac_, while McClellan was encamped +before Yorktown, had appeared in Hampton Roads and challenged the whole +Federal fleet again to fight. The _Monitor_ had taken refuge under the +guns of Fortress Monroe and refused to come out. The ugly duckling of +the Confederacy, in plain view of the whole Federal fleet and witnessed +by French and English vessels, captured three schooners and carried them +into port as prizes of war. + +When Norfolk was abandoned, the iron-clad drew so much water she could +only ascend the James by lightening her until her wooden sides showed +above the water line. She was therefore set on fire and blown up on +Johnston's retreat uncovering the banks of the James to the artillery of +McClellan. + +The Federal fleet could now dash up the James. + +They did this immediately on the news of the destruction of the +Confederate iron-clad. + +On May fifteenth, the _Galena_, the _Aroostook_, the _Monitor_, the +_Port Royal_, and the _Stevens_ steamed up the river without opposition +to Drury's Bluff within twelve miles of the Capital of the South. A +half-finished fort mounting four guns guarded this point. The river was +also obstructed by a double row of piles and sunken vessels. + +If the eleven-inch guns of the _Monitor_ could be brought to bear on +this fort, it was a problem how long the batteries could be held in +action. + +The wildest alarm swept Richmond. The railroads were jammed with frantic +people trying to get out. The depots were piled with mountains of +baggage it was impossible to move. A mass meeting was held on the night +the fleet ascended the river which was addressed by Governor Letcher and +Mayor Mayo. + +The Governor ended his speech with a sentence that set the crowd wild +with enthusiasm. + +"Sooner than see our beloved city conquered to-day by our enemies we +will lay it in ashes with our own hands!" + +The Legislature of Virginia showed its grit by passing a resolution +practically inviting the President of the Confederacy to lay the city in +ruins if he deemed wise: + + + "_Resolved_, That the General Assembly hereby expresses its desire + that the Capital of the State be _defended to the last extremity_, + if such defense is in accordance with the views of the President + of the Confederate States, and that the President be assured that + whatever destruction and loss of property of the State or of + individuals shall thereby result, will be cheerfully submitted to." + + +When the Committee handed this document to Jefferson Davis, he faced +them with a look of resolution: + +"Richmond will not be abandoned, gentlemen, until McClellan marches over +the dead bodies of our army. Not for one moment have I considered the +idea of surrendering the Capital--" + +"Good!" + +"Thank God!" + +"Hurrah for the President!" + +The Committee grasped his hand, convinced that no base surrender of +their Capital would be tolerated by their leader. + +"Rest assured, gentlemen," he continued earnestly, "if blood must be +shed, it shall be here. No soil of the Confederacy could drink it more +acceptably and none hold it more gratefully. We shall stake all on this +one glorious hour for our Republic. Life, death, and wounds are nothing +if we shall be saved from the fate of a captured Capital and a +humiliated Confederacy--" + +The Government and the city had need of grim resolution. The Federal +fleet moved up into range and opened fire on the batteries at Drury's +Bluff. The little Confederate gunboat _Patrick Henry_ which had won fame +in the first engagement of the _Merrimac_ steamed down into line and +joined her fire with the fort. + +General Lee had planted light batteries on the banks of the river to +sweep the decks of the fleet with grape and cannister. + +The little _Monitor_, the _Galena_, and the _Stevens_ steamed straight +up to within six hundred yards of the battery of the fort and opened +with their eleven-inch guns. The _Galena_ and the _Stevens_ were +iron-clad steamers with thin armor. + +For four hours the guns thundered. The batteries poured a hail of shot +on the _Monitor_. They bounded off her round-tower and her water-washed +decks like pebbles. The rifled gun on the _Stevens_ burst and disabled +her. The _Galena_ was pierced by heavy shot and severely crippled, +losing thirty-seven of her men. As the _Monitor_ was built, it was +impossible to make effective her guns at close range against the high +bluff on which the Confederate battery was placed. + +At eleven o'clock the crippled fleet slowly moved down the river and +Richmond was saved. + + * * * * * + +When Johnston in his retreat up the Peninsula reached the high ground +near the Chickahominy river, he threw out his lines and prepared to give +McClellan battle. He dispatched a messenger to the President at Richmond +informing him of this fact. The Cabinet was in session. A spirited +discussion ensued. The Secretary of War and the whole council were +alarmed at the prospect of battle on such an ill chosen position. His +rear would rest on an enormous swamp through which the treacherous river +flowed. There were no roads or bridges of sufficient capacity to take +his army rapidly if he should be compelled to retreat. + +"I suggest, Mr. President," said the Secretary of War, "that you call +General Johnston's attention to this fact." + +Davis shook his head emphatically. + +"No, gentlemen. We have entrusted the command to General Johnston. It is +his business with all the facts before him to know what is best. It +would be utterly unfair and very dangerous to attempt to control his +operations by advice from the Capital." + +Davis was too great a general and too generous and just to deny Johnston +his opportunity for supreme service to his country. It was the fixed +policy of the President to select the best man for the position to which +he assigned him and leave the responsibility of action on the field to +his judgment. + +On the following morning instead of a report of battle the President +received a dispatch announcing that his General had decided to cross the +Chickahominy River and use its swamps and dangerous crossings as his +line of defense. + +The Cabinet expressed its sense of profound relief and Davis watched his +commander with an increase of confidence in his judgment. If the narrow +roads and weak bridges across the river were guarded, an army of half +his size could hold McClellan for months. The nearest crossing was +twenty-five miles from Richmond. + +General Reagan of the Cabinet rode down that night to see Hood at the +head of his Texas brigade. + +At noon next day on returning to the city he saw the President coming +out of his office. + +The long arm of the Chief was lifted and Reagan halted. + +"Wait a minute--" + +"At your service, Mr. President." + +"Get your dinner and ride down to the Chickahominy with me. I want to +see General Johnston." + +Reagan shouted an answer which the President failed to catch: + +"You won't have to go to the Chickahominy to see Johnston!" + +Joining Reagan after dinner the President rode rapidly through the +suburban district called "The Rockets," and had reached the high ground +beyond. A half mile away stretched a vast field of white tents. + +"Whose camp is that?" Davis asked in surprise. + +"Hood's brigade," Reagan replied. + +"Why Hood's on the Chickahominy twenty-odd miles from here--" + +"I camped here with them last night, sir--" + +"Impossible!" + +Reagan watched the thin face of the Confederate Chieftain grow deadly +pale. + +"If you wish to see General Johnston, Mr. President, you'll find him in +that red brick house on the right--" + +Reagan pointed in the direction of the house. + +The President looked at his friend a moment, a quizzical expression +relieving his anxiety. + +"Of course--it's a joke, Reagan." + +"It's true, sir!" + +Davis shook his head: + +"General Johnston is on the Chickahominy guarding the crossings. I sent +my aide with a dispatch to him last night." + +"He hadn't returned when you left the office--" + +"No--" + +"I thought not. There can be no mistake, sir. I saw General Johnston and +his staff enter that house and establish his headquarters there--" + +"Here in the suburbs of Richmond?" + +"Right here, sir--" + +Davis put spurs to his horse, and waved to his aide: + +"Colonel Ives--come!" + +Reagan turned and rode again into Hood's camp. + +The President rode straight to Johnston's headquarters. He sprang to the +ground with a quick decisive leap. + +The ceremony between the two men was scant. No words were wasted. + +"You have moved your army into the suburbs of Richmond, General +Johnston?" + +"I have--" + +"Why?" + +"I consider this better ground--" + +"You have left no rear guard to contest McClellan's crossing?" + +"No." + +"May I ask why you chose to give up the defenses of such a river without +a blow?" + +"My army was out of provisions--" + +"They could have been rushed to you--" + +"The ground near the Chickahominy is low and marshy. The water is bad--" + +"And you have come to the very gates of the city?" + +"Because the ground is dry, the water good, and we are near our +supplies--" + +The President's lips trembled with rage. + +"And McClellan can now plant his guns within six miles and his soldiers +hear our church bells on Sunday--" + +"Possibly--" + +The President's eye pierced his General. + +"Richmond is to be surrendered without a battle?" + +"That depends, sir, upon conditions--" + +The Confederate Chief suddenly threw his thin hands above his head and +faced his stubborn sulking Commander. + +"If you are not going to give battle, I'll appoint a man in your place +who will--" + +Before Johnston could reply the President turned on his heel, waved to +Colonel Ives, mounted his horse and dashed into the city. + +His Cabinet was called in hasty consultation with General Lee. + +Davis turned to his counselors. + +"Gentlemen, I have just held a most amazing conference with General +Johnston. You were afraid he would fight beyond the Chickahominy. He has +crossed the river, left its natural defenses unguarded, and has run all +the way to town without pause. I have told him to fight or get out of +the saddle. In my judgment he intends to back straight through the city +and abandon it without a blow. We must face the situation." + +He turned to Lee. The question he was going to put to the man in whom he +had supreme confidence would test both his judgment and his character. +On his answer would hang his career. If it should be what the +Confederate Chief believed, Lee was the man of destiny and his hour had +struck. + +"In case Johnston abandons Richmond," the President slowly began, "where +in your opinion, General Lee, is the next best line of defense?" + +Lee's fine mouth was set for a moment. He spoke at first with +deliberation. + +"As a military engineer, my answer is simple. The next best line of +defense would be at Staten River--but--" + +He suddenly leaped to his feet, his eyes streaming with tears. + +"Richmond must not be given up--it shall not be given up!" + +Davis sprang to his side and clasped Lee's hand. + +"So say I, General!" + +From that moment the President and his chief military adviser lived on +Johnston's battle line, Lee ready at a moment's notice to spring into +the saddle and hurl his men against McClellan the moment Johnston should +falter. + +The Commander was forced to a decision for battle. He could not allow +his arch enemy to remove him without a fight. + +The retreat across the Chickahominy had given McClellan an enormous +advantage which his skillful eye saw at once. He threw two grand +divisions of his army across the river and pushed his siege guns up +within six miles of Richmond. His engineers immediately built +substantial bridges across the stream over which he could move in safety +his heaviest guns in any emergency, either for reënforcements or +retreat. + +He swung his right wing far to the north in a wide circling movement +until he was in easy touch with McDowell's forty thousand men at +Fredericksburg. + +McClellan was within sight of the consummation of his hopes. When this +wide movement of his army had been successfully made without an arm +lifted to oppose, he climbed a tall tree within sight of Richmond from +which he could view the magnificent panorama. + +A solid wall of living blue with glittering bayonets and black-fanged +batteries of artillery, his army spread for ten miles. Beyond them here +and there only he saw patches of crouching gray in the underbrush or +crawling through the marshes. + +The Northern Commander came down from his perch and threw his arms +around his aide: + +"We've got them, boy!" he cried enthusiastically. "We've got them!" + +It was not to be wondered at that the boastful oratorical Confederate +Congress should have taken to their heels. They ran in such haste, the +people of Richmond began to laugh and in their laughter took fresh +courage. + +A paper printed in double leads on its first page a remarkable account +of the stampede: + + + "For fear of accident on the railroad, the stampeded Congress left + in a number of the strongest and swiftest of our new canal-boats. + The boats were drawn by mules of established sweetness of temper. + To protect our law-makers from snakes and bullfrogs that infest the + line of the canal, General Winder detailed a regiment of ladies to + march in advance of the mules, and clear the tow-path of these + troublesome pirates. The ladies are ordered to accompany the + Confederate Congress to a secluded cave in the mountains of Hepsidan, + and leave them there in charge of the children of that vicinity until + McClellan thinks proper to let them come forth. The ladies will at + once return to the defense of their country." + + +The President for a brief time was free of his critics. + +On May thirty-first, Johnston's army, under the direct eye of Davis and +Lee on the field, gave battle to McClellan's left wing--comprising the +two grand divisions that had been pushed across the Chickahominy to the +environs of Richmond. + +The opening attack was delayed by the failure of General Holmes to +strike McClellan's rear as planned. A terrific rain storm the night +before had flooded a stream and it was impossible for him to cross. + +Late in the afternoon Longstreet and Hill hurled their divisions through +the thick woods and marshes on McClellan. + +Longstreet's men drove before them the clouds of blue skirmishers, +plunged into the marshes with water two feet deep and dashed on the +fortified lines of the enemy. The Southerners crept through the dense +underbrush to the very muzzles of the guns in the redoubts, charged, +cleared them, grappling hand to hand with the desperate men who fought +like demons. + +Line after line was thus carried until at nightfall McClellan's left +wing had been pushed back over two miles through swamp and waters red +with blood. + +The slaughter had been frightful in the few hours in which the battle +had raged. On the Confederate left where Johnston commanded in person +the Union army held its position until dark, unbroken. + +Johnston fell from his horse wounded and Davis on the field immediately +appointed General Lee to command. + +The appointment of Lee to be Commander-in-Chief not only intensified the +hatred of Johnston for the President, it made G. W. Smith, the man who +was Johnston's second, his implacable enemy for life. Technically G. W. +Smith would have succeeded to the command of the army had not Davis +exercised his power on the field of battle to appoint the man of his +choice. + +In no act of his long, eventful life did Davis evince such clearness of +vision and quick decision, under trying conditions. Lee had failed in +Western Virginia and McClellan had out-generaled him, the yellow +journals had declared. They called Lee "Old Spade." So intense was the +opposition to Lee that Davis had sent him to erect the coast defenses of +South Carolina. The Governor of the State protested against the +appointment of so incompetent a man to this important work. Davis sent +the Governor an emphatic message in reply: + +"If Robert E. Lee is not a general I have none to send you." + +Davis now called the man whom McClellan had defeated to the supreme +command against McClellan at the head of his grand army in sight of the +housetops of Richmond. Only a leader of the highest genius could have +dared to make such a decision in such a crisis. + +Davis made it without a moment's hesitation and in that act of +individual will gave to the world the greatest commander of the age. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE DELIVERANCE + + +From the moment Davis placed Lee in the saddle order slowly emerged from +chaotic conditions and the first rays of light began to illumine the +fortunes of the Confederacy. + +Modest and unassuming in his personality, he demonstrated from the first +his skill as an organizer and his power in the conception and execution +of far-reaching strategy. + +From the moment he breathed his spirit into the army he made it a rapid, +compact, accurate and terrible engine of war. The contemptible assault +of the Richmond _Examiner_ fell harmless from the armor of his genius. +Davis was bitterly denounced for his favoritism in passing G. W. Smith +and appointing Governor Letcher's pet. He was accused of playing a game +of low politics to make "a spawn of West Point" the next Governor of +Virginia. But events moved with a pace too swift to give the yellow +journals or the demagogues time to get their breath. + +Lee had sent Jackson into the Valley of the Shenandoah to make a +diversion which might hold the armies moving on the Capital from the +west and at the same time puzzle McDowell at Fredericksburg. + +Lee, Jackson and Davis were three men who worked in perfect harmony from +the moment they met in their first council of war at the White House of +the Confederacy. So perfect was Lee's confidence in Jackson, he was +sent into the Valley unhampered by instructions which would interfere +with the execution of any movement his genius might suggest. + +Left thus to his own initiative, Jackson conceived the most brilliant +series of engagements in the history of modern war. He determined to use +his infantry by forced marches to cover in a day the ground usually made +by cavalry and fall on the armies of his opponents one by one before +they could form a juncture. + +On May 23, by a swift, silent march of his little army of fifteen +thousand men, he took Banks completely by surprise, crushed and captured +his advance guard at Fort Royal, struck him in the flank and drove him +back into Strassburg, through Winchester, and hurled his shattered army +in confusion and panic across the Potomac on its Washington base. + +Desperate alarm swept the Capital of the Union. Stanton, the Secretary +of War, issued a frantic appeal to the Governors of the Northern States +for militia to defend Washington. Panic reigned in the cities of the +North. Governors and mayors issued the most urgent appeals for +enlistments. + +Fremont was ordered to move with all possible haste and form a juncture +with a division of McDowell's army and cut off Jackson's line of +retreat. + +The wily Confederate General wheeled suddenly and rushed on Fremont +before Shields could reach him. On June 8, at Cross Keys, he crushed +Fremont, turned with sudden eagle swoop and defeated Shields at Port +Republic. + +Washington believed that Jackson commanded an enormous army, and that +the National Capital was in danger of his invading host. The defeated +armies of Milroy, Banks, Fremont and Shields were all drawn in to defend +the city. + +In this campaign of a few weeks Jackson had marched his infantry six +hundred miles, fought four pitched battles and seven minor engagements. +He had defeated four armies, each greater than his own, captured seven +pieces of artillery, ten thousand stands of arms, four thousand +prisoners and enormous stores of provisions and ammunition. It required +a train of wagons twelve miles long to transport his treasures--every +pound of which he saved for his Government. + +He was never surprised, never defeated, never lost a train or an +organized piece of his army, put out of commission sixty thousand +Northern soldiers under four distinguished generals and in obedience to +Lee's command was now sweeping through the mountain passes to the relief +of Richmond. + +While Jackson was thus moving to join his forces with Lee, Washington +was shivering in fear of his attack. + +On the day Jackson was scheduled to fall on the flank of McClellan's +besieging army Lee moved his men to the assault. The first battle which +Johnston had joined at Seven Pines had only checked McClellan's advance. + +The Grand Army of the Potomac still lay on its original lines, and +McClellan had used every day in strengthening his entrenchments. Lee had +built defensive works to enable a part of his army to defend the city +while he should throw the flower of his gray soldiers on his enemy in a +desperate flank assault in coöperation with Jackson. + +On the arrival of his triumphant lieutenant from the Shenandoah Valley +Lee suddenly sprang on McClellan with the leap of a lion. The Northern +Commander fought with terrible courage, amazed and uneasy over the +discovery that Jackson had suddenly appeared on his flank. + +Within thirty-six hours McClellan's right wing was crushed and in +retreat. Within seven days Lee drove his Grand Army of more than a +hundred thousand men from the gates of Richmond thirty-five miles and +hurled them on the banks of the James at Harrison's Landing under the +shelter of the Federal gunboats. + +Instead of marching in triumph through the streets of the Confederate +Capital, McClellan congratulated himself and his Government on his good +fortune in saving his army from annihilation. His broken columns had +reached a place of safety after a series of defeats which had +demoralized his command and resulted in the loss of ten thousand +prisoners and ten thousand more in killed and wounded. He had been +compelled to abandon or burn stores valued at millions. The South had +captured thirty-five thousand stand of arms and fifty-two pieces of +artillery. + +Lee in his report modestly expressed his disappointment that greater +results had not been achieved. + +"Under ordinary circumstances," he wrote, "the Federal army should have +been destroyed. Its escape was due to causes already stated. Prominent +among them was the want of correct and timely information. The first, +attributable chiefly to the character of the country, enabled General +McClellan skillfully to conceal his retreat and to add much to the +obstructions with which nature had beset the way of our pursuing column. +But regret that more was not accomplished gives way to gratitude to the +Sovereign Ruler of the Universe for the results achieved." + +Jackson, the grim soldier, whose habit was to pray all night before +battle, wrote with the fervor of the religious enthusiast. + +"Undying gratitude is due to God for this great victory--by which +despondency increases in the North, hope brightens in the South and the +Capital of Virginia and the Confederacy is saved." + +A wave of exultation swept the South--while Death stalked through the +streets of Richmond. + +Instead of the tramp of victorious hosts, their bayonets glittering in +the sunlight, which Socola had confidently expected, he watched from the +windows of the Department of State the interminable lines of ambulances +bearing the wounded from the fields of McClellan's seven-days' battle. + +The darkened room on Church Hill was opened. Miss Van Lew had watched +the glass rattle under the thunder of McClellan's guns, and then with +sinking heart heard their roar fade in the distance until only the +rumble of the ambulances through the streets told that he had been +there. She burned the flag. It was too dangerous a piece of bunting to +risk in her house now. It would be many weary months before she would +need another. + +Through every hour of the day and night since Lee sprang on McClellan, +those never-ending lines of ambulances had wound their way through the +streets. Every store and every home and every public building had been +converted into a hospital. The counters of trade were moved aside and +through the plate glass along the crowded streets could be seen the long +rows of pallets on which the mangled bodies of the wounded lay. Every +home set aside at least one room for the wounded boys of the South. + +The heart-rending cries of the men from the wagons as they jolted over +the cobble stones rose day and night--a sad, weird requiem of agony, +half-groan, half-chant, to which the ear of pity could never grow +indifferent. + +Death was the one figure now with which every man, woman and child was +familiar. The rattle of the dead-wagons could be heard at every turn. +They piled them high, these uncoffined bodies of the brave, and hurried +them under the burning sun to the trenches outside the city. They piled +them in long heaps to await the slow work of the tired grave-diggers. +The frail board coffins in which they were placed at last would often +burst from the swelling corpse. The air was filled with poisonous odors. + +The hospitals were jammed with swollen, disfigured bodies of the wounded +and the dying. Gangrene and erysipelas did their work each hour in the +weltering heat of mid-summer. + +But the South received her dead and mangled boys with a majesty of grief +that gave no cry to the ear of the world. Mothers lifted their eyes from +the faces of their dead and firmly spoke the words of resignation: + +"Thy will, O Lord, be done!" + +Her houses were filled with the wounded, the dying and the dead, but +Richmond lifted up her head. The fields about her were covered with +imperishable glory. + +The Confederacy had won immortality. + +The women of the South resolved to wear no mourning for their dead. +Their boys had laid their lives a joyous offering on their country's +altar. They would make no cry. + +Johnston had lost six thousand and eighty-four men, dead, wounded and +missing at Seven Pines, and Lee had lost seventeen thousand five hundred +and eighty-three in seven days of continuous battle. But the South was +thrilled with the joy of a great deliverance. + +Jefferson Davis in his address to the army expressed the universal +feeling of his people: + + + "Richmond, July 5, 1862. + + "_To the Army of Eastern Virginia_: + + "_Soldiers_: + + "I congratulate you upon the series of brilliant victories which, + under the favor of Divine Providence, you have lately won; and as + President of the Confederate States, hereby tender to you the + thanks of the country, whose just cause you have so skillfuly and + heroically saved. + + "Ten days ago an invading army, vastly superior to yours in numbers + and the material of war, closely beleaguered your Capital and + vauntingly proclaimed our speedy conquest. You marched to attack + the enemy in his entrenchments. With well-directed movements and + death-defying valor you charged upon him in his strong positions, + drove him from field to field over a distance of more than + thirty-five miles, and, despite his reënforcements, compelled him + to seek safety under the cover of his gunboats, where he now lies + cowering before the army so lately despised and threatened with + utter subjugation. + + "The fortitude with which you have borne trial and privation, the + gallantry with which you have entered into each successive battle, + must have been witnessed to be fully appreciated. A grateful people + will not fail to recognize you and to bear you in loved remembrance. + Well may it be said of you that you have 'done enough for glory,' + but duty to a suffering country and to the cause of Constitutional + liberty claims for you yet further effort. Let it be your pride to + relax in nothing which can promote your future efficiency; your one + great object being to drive the invader from your soil, and, carrying + your standards beyond the outer borders of the Confederacy, to wring + from an unscrupulous foe the recognition of your birthright and + independence." + + +Within the year from the fatal victory at Bull Run the South had through +bitterness, tears and defeat at last found herself. Under the firm and +wise leadership of Davis, her disasters had been repaired and her army +brought to the highest standard of efficiency. + +At the head of her armies now stood Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. +Their fame filled the world. In the west, Braxton Bragg, a brilliant and +efficient commander, was marshaling his army to drive the Union lines +into Kentucky. + +From the depths of despair the South rose to the heights of daring +assurance. For the moment the junta of politicians led by Senator Barton +were compelled to halt in their assaults on the President. The people of +the South had forgotten the issue of the date on Joseph E. Johnston's +commission as general. + +With characteristic foolhardiness, however, Barton determined that they +should not forget it. He opened a series of bitter attacks on Davis for +the appalling lack of management which had permitted McClellan to save +what was left of his army. He boldly proclaimed the amazing doctrine +that the wounding of Johnston at Seven Pines was an irreparable disaster +to the South. + +"Had Johnston remained in command," he loudly contended, "there can be +no doubt that he would have annihilated or captured McClellan's whole +army and ended the war." + +On this platform he gave a banquet to General Johnston on the occasion +of his departure from Richmond for his new command in the west. The +Senator determined to hold his faction together for future assaults. +Lee's record was yet too recent to permit the politicians to surrender +without a fight. + +The banquet was to be a love feast at which all factions opposed to +Davis should be united behind the banner of Johnston. Henry S. Foote had +quarreled with William L. Yancey. These two fire-eaters were +enthusiastic partisans of his General. + +Major Barbour, Johnston's chief quartermaster, presided at the head of +the banquet table in Old Tom Griffin's place on Main Street. Foote was +seated on his right, Governor Milledge T. Bonham of South Carolina next. +Then came Gustavus W. Smith, whose hatred of Davis was implacable for +daring to advance Robert E. Lee over his head. Next sat John U. Daniel, +the editor of Richmond's yellow journal, the _Examiner_. Daniel's arm +was in a sling. He had been by Johnston's side when wounded at Seven +Pines. + +At the other end of the table sat Major Moore, the assistant +quartermaster, and by his side on the left, General Joseph E. Johnston, +full of wounds in the flesh and grievances of soul. On his right was +John B. Floyd of Fort Donelson fame whom Davis had relieved of his +command. And next William L. Yancey, the matchless orator of secession, +whose hatred of Davis was greater than this old hatred of Abolition. + +The feast was such as only Tom Griffin knew how to prepare. + +Johnston as usual was grave and taciturn, still suffering from his +unhealed wound. Yancey and Foote, the reconciled friends who had shaken +hands in a common cause, were the life of the party. + +Daniel, the editor of the organ of the Soreheads and Irreconcilables, +was even more taciturn than his beloved Chief. General Bonham sang a +love song. Yancey and Foote vied with each other in the brilliancy of +their wit. + +When the banquet had lasted for two hours, Yancey turned to Old Tom +Griffin and said: + +"Fresh glasses now and bumpers of champagne!" + +When the glasses were filled the Alabama orator lifted his glass. + +"This toast is to be drunk standing, gentlemen!" + +Every man save Johnston sprang to his feet. Yancey looked straight into +the eye of the General and shouted: + +"Gentlemen! We drink to the health of the only man who can save the +Southern Confederacy--General Joseph E. Johnston!" + +The glasses were emptied and a shout of applause rang from every +banqueter save one. The General had not yet touched his glass. + +Without rising, Johnston lifted his eyes and said in grave tones: + +"Mr. Yancey, the man you describe is now in the field--his name is +Robert E. Lee. I drink to his health." + +Yancey's quick wit answered in a flash: + +"I can only reply to you, sir, as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses +did to General Washington--'Your modesty is only equaled by your +valor!'" + +Johnston's tribute to Lee was genuine, and yet nursing his grudge +against the President with malignant intensity he left for the west, +encouraging his friends to fight the Chieftain of the Confederacy with +tooth and nail and that to the last ditch. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +LOVE AND WAR + + +Captain Richard Welford reached Richmond from the Western army two days +after Lee had driven McClellan under the shelter of the navy. He had +been wounded in battle, promoted to the rank of Captain for gallantry on +the field and sent home on furlough for two months. + +He used his left hand to raise the knocker on Jennie's door. His right +arm was yet in a sling. His heart was beating a wild march as he rushed +from the hotel to the Senator's house. He had not heard from Jennie in +two months but the communications of the Western army had been cut more +than once and he thought nothing of the long silence. It had only made +his hunger to see the girl he loved the more acute. He had fairly +shouted his joy when a piece of shell broke his right arm and hurled him +from his horse. He never thought of promotion for gallantry. It came as +a surprise. The one hope that leaped when he scrambled to his feet and +felt the helpless arm hanging by his side was to see the girl he had +left behind. + +"Glory to God!" he murmured fervently, "I'll go to her now!" + +He was just a little proud of that broken arm as he waited for her +entrance. The shoulder straps he wore looked well, too. She would be +surprised. It had all happened so quickly, no account had yet reached +the Richmond papers. + +Jennie bounded into the room with a cry of joy. + +"Oh, Dick, I'm so glad to see you!" + +He smiled and extended his left hand. + +"Jennie!" was all he could say. + +"You are wounded?" she whispered. + +Dick nodded. + +"Yep--a shell toppled me over but I was on my feet in a minute +laughing--and I'll bet you couldn't guess what about?" + +"No--" + +"Laughed because I knew I'd get to see you--" + +"I'm so proud of you!" she cried through her tears. + +"Are you?" he asked tenderly. + +"Of course I am--don't you think I know what those shoulder straps +mean?" + +"Well, I just care because you care, Jennie--" + +"You're a brave Southern boy fighting for our rights--you care for that, +too." + +"Oh yes, of course, but that's not the big thing after all, little +girl--" + +He paused and seized her hand. + +She blushed and drew it gently away. + +"Please--not that now--" + +"Why--not now?" + +He asked the question in tones so low they were almost a gasp. He felt +his doom in the way she had withdrawn her hand. + +"Because--" she hesitated just a moment to strike the blow she knew +would hurt so pitifully and then went on firmly, "I've met my fate, +Dick--and pledged him my heart." + +The Captain lifted his shoulders with a little movement of soldierly +pride, held himself firmly, mastered the first rush of despair and then +spoke with assumed indifference: + +"Socola?" + +Jennie smiled faintly. + +"Yes." + +He rose awkwardly and started to the door. Jennie placed her hand on his +wounded arm with a gesture of pathetic protest. + +"Dick!" + +"I can't help it, I must go--" + +"Not like this!" + +"I can't smile and lie to you. It means too much. I hate that man. He's +a scoundrel, if God ever made one--" + +Jennie's hand slipped from his arm. + +"That will do now--not another word--" + +"I beg your pardon, Jennie," he stammered. "I didn't think what I was +saying, honey. It just popped out because it was inside. You'll forgive +me?" + +The anger died in her eyes and she took his outstretched hand. + +"Of course, I understand--and I'm sorry. I appreciate the love you've +given me. I wish in my heart I could have returned it. You deserve it--" + +The Captain lifted his left hand. + +"No pity, please. I'm man enough to fight--and I'm going to fight. +You're not yet _Signora_ Socola--" + +The girl laughed. + +"That's more like a soldier!" + +"We'll be friends anyhow, Jennie?" + +"Always." + +The Captain left the Senator's house with a grim smile playing about his +strong mouth. He had made up his mind to fight for love and country on +the same base. He would ask for his transfer to the Secret Service of +the Confederacy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +THE PATH OF GLORY + + +Jefferson Davis had created the most compact and terrible engine of war +set in motion since Napoleon founded the Empire of France. It had been +done under conditions of incredible difficulty, but it had been done. +The smashing of McClellan's army brought to the North the painful +realization of this fact. Abraham Lincoln must call for another half +million soldiers and no man could foresee the end. + +Davis had begun in April, 1861, without an arsenal, laboratory or powder +mill of any capacity, and with no foundry or rolling mill for iron +except the little Tredegar works in Richmond. + +He had supplied them. + +Harassed by an army of half a million men in blue led by able generals +and throttled by a cable of steel which the navy had drawn about his +coast line, he had done this work and at the same time held his own +defiantly and successfully. Crippled by a depreciated currency, +assaulted daily by a powerful conspiracy of sore-head politicians and +quarreling generals, strangled by a blockade that deprived him of nearly +all means of foreign aid--he had still succeeded in raising the needed +money. Unable to use the labor of slaves except in the unskilled work of +farms, hampered by lack of transportation even of food for the army, +with no stock of war material on hand,--steel, copper, leather or iron +with which to build his establishments--yet with quiet persistence he +set himself to solve these problems and succeeded. + +He had created, apparently out of nothing, foundries and rolling mills +at Selma, Richmond, Atlanta and Macon, smelting works at Petersburg, a +chemical laboratory at Charlotte, a powder mill superior to any of the +United States and unsurpassed by any in Europe,--a mighty chain of +arsenals, armories, and laboratories equal in their capacity and +appointments to the best of those in the North, stretching link by link +from Virginia to Alabama. + +He established artificial niter beds at Richmond, Columbus, Charleston, +Savannah, Mobile and Selma of sufficient capacity to supply the niter +needed in the powder mills. + +Mines for iron, lead and copper were opened and operated. Manufactories +for the production of sulphuric and nitric acid were established and +successfully operated. + +Minor articles were supplied by devices hitherto unheard of in the +equipment of armies. Leather was scarce and its supply impossible in the +quantities demanded. + +Knapsacks were abolished and haversacks of cloth made by patriotic women +with their needles took their places. The scant supply of leather was +divided between the makers of shoes for the soldiers and saddles and +harness for the horses. Shoes for the soldiers were the prime necessity. +To save leather the waist and cartridge-box belts were made of heavy +cotton cloth stitched in three or four thicknesses. Bridle reins were +made of cotton in the same way. Cartridge boxes were finally made +thus--with a single piece of leather for the flap. Even saddle skirts +for the cavalry were made of heavy cotton strongly stitched. + +Men to work the meager tanneries were exempt from military services and +transportation for hides and leather supplies was free. + +A fishery was established on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina from +which oil was manufactured. Every wayside blacksmith shop was utilized +as a government factory for the production of horseshoes for the +cavalry. + +To meet the demands for articles of prime necessity which could not be +made in the South, a line of blockade runners was established between +the port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Bermuda. Vessels capable of +storing in their hold six hundred bales of cotton were purchased in +England and put into this service. They were long, low, narrow craft +built for speed. They could show their heels to any ship of the United +States Navy. Painted a pale grayish-blue color, and lying low on the +water they were sighted with difficulty in the day and they carried no +lights at night. The moment one was trapped and sunk by the blockading +fleet, another was ready to take her place. + +Depots and stores were established and drawn on by these fleet ships +both at Nassau and Havana. + +By the fall of 1862, through the port of Wilmington, from the arsenals +at Richmond and Fayetteville, and from the victorious fields of Manassas +and the Seven Days' Battle around Richmond, sufficient arms had been +obtained to equip two hundred thousand soldiers and supply their +batteries with serviceable artillery. + +On April 16, 1862, Davis asked of his Congress that every white man in +the South between the ages of 18 and 35 be called to the colors and all +short term volunteer contracts annulled. The law was promptly passed in +spite of the conspirators who fought him at every turn. Camps of +instruction were established in every State, and a commandant sent from +Richmond to take charge of the new levies. + +Solidity was thus given to the military system of the Confederacy and +its organization centralized and freed from the bickerings of State +politicians. + +With her loins thus girded for the conflict the South entered the second +phase of the war--the path of glory from the shattered army of McClellan +on the James to Hooker's crushed and bleeding lines at Chancellorsville. + +The fiercest clamor for the removal of McClellan from his command swept +the North. The position of the Northern General was one of peculiar +weakness politically. He was an avowed Democrat. His head had been +turned by flattery and he had at one time dallied with the idea of +deposing Abraham Lincoln by the assumption of a military dictatorship. +Lincoln knew this. The demand for his removal would have swayed a +President of less balance. + +Lincoln refused to deprive McClellan of his command but yielded +sufficiently to the clamor of the radicals of his own party to appoint +John Pope of the Western army to the command of a new division of troops +designed to advance on Richmond. + +The generals under McClellan who did not agree with his slow methods +were detached with their men and assigned to service under Pope. + +McClellan did not hesitate to denounce Pope as an upstart and a braggart +who had won his position by the lowest tricks of the demagogue. He +declared that the new commander was a military impostor, a tool of the +radical wing of the Republican party, a man who mistook brutality in +warfare for power and sought to increase the horrors of war by arming +slaves, legalizing plunder and making the people of the South +irreconcilable to a restored Union by atrocities whose memory could +never be effaced. + +Pope's first acts on assuming command did much to justify McClellan's +savage criticism. He issued a bombastic address to his army which +brought tears to Lincoln's eyes and roars of laughter from Little Mac's +loyal friends. + +He issued a series of silly general orders making war on the +noncombatant population of Virginia within his line. If citizens refused +to take an oath of allegiance which he prescribed they were to be driven +from their homes and if they dared to return, were to be arrested and +treated as spies. + +His soldiers were given license to plunder. Houses were robbed and +cattle shot in the fields. Against these practices McClellan had set his +face with grim resolution. He fought only organized armies. He protected +the aged, and all noncombatants. It was not surprising, therefore, when +Lincoln ordered him to march his army to the support of Pope, McClellan +was in no hurry to get there. + +Pope had boldly advanced across the Rappahannock and a portion of his +army had reached Culpeper Court House. He had determined to make good +the proclamation with which he had assumed command. + +In this remarkable document he said: + +"By special assignment of the President of the United States, I have +assumed command of this army. I have come to you from the West where we +have always seen the backs of our enemies--from an army whose business +it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when found, whose +policy has been attack not defense. Let us study the probable lines of +retreat of our opponents and leave ours to take care of themselves. Let +us look before us and not behind." + +While his eyes were steadily fixed before him Jackson, moving with the +stealthy tread of a tiger, slipped in behind his advance guard, sprang +on it and tore his lines to pieces before he could move reënforcements +to their rescue. + +When his reënforcements reached the ground Jackson had just finished +burying the dead, picking up the valuable arms left on the field and +sending his prisoners to the rear. + +Before Pope could lead his fresh men to an attack the vanguard of Lee's +army was in sight and the general who had just issued his flaming +proclamation took to his heels and fled across the Rappahannock where he +called frantically for the divisions of McClellan's army which had not +yet joined him. + +While Lee threatened Pope's front by repeated feints at different points +along the river, he dispatched Jackson's corps of twenty-five thousand +"foot cavalry" on a wide flanking movement through the Blue Ridge to +turn the Federal right, destroy his stores at Manassas Junction and +attack him in the rear before his reënforcements could arrive. + +With swiftness Jackson executed the brilliant movement. Within +twenty-four hours his men had made the wide swing through the low +mountain ranges and crouched between Pope's army and the Federal +Capital. To a man of less courage and coolness this position would have +been one of tragic danger. Should Pope suddenly turn from Lee's +pretended attacks and spring on Jackson he might be crushed between two +columns. Franklin and Sumner's corps were at Alexandria to reënforce his +lines. + +Jackson had marched into the jaws of death and yet he not only showed no +fear, he made a complete circuit of Pope's army, struck his storehouses +at Manassas Junction and captured them before the Federal Commander +dreamed that an army was in his rear. Eight pieces of artillery and +three hundred prisoners were among the spoils. Fifty thousand pounds of +bacon, a thousand barrels of beef, two thousand barrels of pork, two +thousand barrels of flour, and vast quantities of quartermaster's stores +also fell into his hands. + +Jackson took what he could transport and burned the rest. + +Pope rushed now in frantic haste to destroy Jackson before Lee's army +could reach him. + +Jackson was too quick for the eloquent commander. He slipped past his +opponent and took a strong position west of the turnpike from Warrenton +where he could easily unite with Longstreet's advancing corps. + +Pope attempted to turn Jackson's left with a division of his army and +the wily Southerner fell on his moving columns with sudden savage +energy, fought until nine o'clock at night and drove him back with heavy +loss. + +When Pope moved to the attack next day at two o'clock Longstreet had +reached Jackson's side. The attack failed and his men fell back through +pools of blood. The Federal Commander was still sending pompous messages +to Washington announcing his marvelous achievements while his army had +steadily retreated from Culpeper Court House beyond the Rappahannock, +back to Manassas where the first battle of the war was fought. + +At dawn on August 30, the high spirited troops of the South were under +arms standing with clinched muskets within a few hundred yards of the +pickets of Pope. Their far flung battle line stretched for five miles +from Sudley Springs on the left to the Warrenton road and on obliquely +to the southwest. + +The artillery opened the action and for eight hours the heavens shook +with its roar. At three o'clock in the afternoon Pope determined to hurl +the flower of his army against Jackson's corps and smash it. His first +division pressed forward and engaged the Confederates at close +quarters. A fierce and bloody conflict followed, Jackson's troops +refusing to yield an inch. The Federal Commander brought up two reserve +lines to support the first but before they could be of any use, +Longstreet's artillery was planted to rake them with a murderous fire +and they fell back in confusion. + +As the reserves retreated Jackson ordered his men to charge and at the +same moment Longstreet hurled his division against the Federal center, +and the whole Confederate army with piercing yell leaped forward and +swept the field as far as the eye could reach. + +No sublimer pageant of blood and flame and smoke and shrouded Death ever +moved across the earth than that which Lee now witnessed from the +hilltop on which he stood. For five miles across the Manassas plains the +gray waves rolled, their polished bayonets gleaming in the blazing sun. +They swept through the open fields, now lost a moment in the woods, now +flashing again in the open. They paused and the artillery dashed to the +front, spread their guns in line and roared their call of death to the +struggling, fleeing, demoralized army. Another shout and the charging +hosts swept on again to a new point of vantage from which to fire. +Through clouds of smoke and dust the red tongues of flame from a hundred +big-mouthed guns flashed and faded and flashed again. + +The charging men slipped on the wet grass where the dead lay thickest. +Waves of white curling smoke rose above the tree-tops and hung in dense +clouds over the field lighted by the red glare of the sinking sun. + +The relief corps could be seen dashing on, with stretchers and +ambulances following in the wake of the victorious army. + +The hum and roar of the vast field of carnage came now on the ears of +the listener--the groans of the wounded and the despairing cry of the +dying. And still the living waves of gray-tipped steel rolled on in +relentless sweep. + +Again the fleeing Federal soldiers choked the waters of Bull Run. Masses +of struggling fugitives were pushed from the banks into the water and +pressed down. Here and there a wounded man clung to the branch of an +overhanging tree until exhausted and sank to rise no more. + +The meadows were trampled and red. Hundreds of weak and tired men were +ridden down by cavalry and crushed by artillery. On and on rushed the +remorseless machine of the Confederacy, crushing, killing, scarring, +piling the dead in heaps. + +It was ten o'clock that night before the army of Lee halted and Pope's +exhausted lines fell into the trenches around Centreville for a few +hours' respite. At dawn Jackson was struggling with his tired victorious +division to again turn Pope's flank, get into his rear and cut off his +retreat. + +A cold and drenching rainstorm delayed his march and the rabble that was +once Pope's army succeeded in getting into the defenses of Washington. + +Davis' army took seven thousand prisoners and picked up more than two +thousand wounded soldiers whom their boastful commander had left on the +field to die. Thirty pieces of artillery and twenty thousand small arms +fell into Lee's hands. + +Pope's losses since Jackson first struck his advance guard at Culpeper +Court House had been more than twenty thousand men and his army had been +driven into Washington so utterly demoralized it was unfit for further +service until reorganized under an abler man. + +For the moment the North was stunned by the blow. Deceived by Pope's +loud dispatches claiming victory for the first two days it was +impossible to realize that his shattered and broken army was cowering +and bleeding under the shadow of the Federal Capitol. + +Even on the night of August thirtieth, with his men lying exhausted at +Centreville where they had dropped at ten o'clock when Lee's army had +mercifully halted, poor Pope continued to send his marvelous messages to +the War Department. + +He reported to Halleck: + +"The enemy is badly whipped, and we shall do well enough. Do not be +uneasy. We will hold our own here. We have delayed the enemy as long as +possible without losing the army. We have damaged him heavily, and I +think the army entitled to the gratitude of the country." + +To this childish twaddle Halleck replied: + +"My dear General, you have done nobly!" + +Abraham Lincoln, however, realized the truth quickly. He removed Pope +and in spite of the threat of his Cabinet to resign called McClellan to +reorganize the dispirited army. + +The North was in no mood to listen to the bombastic defense of General +Pope. They were stunned by the sudden sweep of the Confederate army from +the gates of Richmond on June first, to the defenses at Washington +within sixty days with the loss of twenty thousand men under McClellan +and twenty thousand more under Pope. + +The armies of the Union had now been driven back to the point from which +they had started on July 16, 1861. It had been necessary to withdraw +Burnside's army from eastern North Carolina and the forces of the Union +from western Virginia. The war had been transferred to the suburbs of +Washington and the Northern people who had confidently expected +McClellan to be in Richmond in June were now trembling for the safety of +Pennsylvania and Maryland, to say nothing of the possibility of +Confederate occupation of the Capital. + +An aggressive movement of all the forces of the South under Lee in the +East and Bragg and Johnston in the West was ordered. + +In spite of the fact that Lee's army could not be properly shod--the +supply of army shoes being inadequate and the lack of shoe factories a +defect the Confederacy had yet been unable to remedy, the Southern +Commander threw his army of barefooted veterans across the Potomac and +boldly invaded Maryland on September the fifth. + +The appearance of Stonewall Jackson on his entrance into Frederick City, +Maryland, was described by a Northern war correspondent in graphic +terms: + +"Old Stonewall was the observed of all observers. He was dressed in the +coarsest kind of homespun, seedy, and dirty at that. He wore an old hat +which any Northern beggar would consider an insult to have offered him. +In his general appearance he was in no respect to be distinguished from +the mongrel barefoot crew who followed his fortunes. I had heard much of +the decayed appearance of rebel soldiers,--but such a looking crowd! +Ireland in her worst straits could present no parallel, and yet they +glory in their shame!" + +Lee's army was now fifty miles north of Washington, within striking +distance of Baltimore. His strategy had completely puzzled the War +Department of the Federal Government. McClellan was equally puzzled. +Lincoln and his Cabinet believed Lee's movement into Maryland a feint to +draw the army from the defense of the Capital, and, when this was +accomplished, by a sudden swoop the Southern Commander would turn and +capture the city. + +While McClellan was thus halting in tragic indecision one of the +unforeseen accidents of war occurred which put him in possession of +Lee's plan of campaign and should have led to the annihilation of the +Southern army. A copy of the order directing the movement of the +Confederates from Frederick, Maryland, was thrown to the ground by a +petulant officer to whom it was directed. It fell into the hands of a +Federal soldier who hurried to McClellan's headquarters with the fateful +document. + +Jackson's corps had been sent on one of his famous "foot cavalry" +expeditions to sweep the Federal garrison from Martinsburg, surround and +capture Harper's Ferry. McClellan at once moved a division of his army +to crush the small command Lee had stationed at South Mountain to guard +Jackson's movement. + +McClellan threw his men against this little division of the Confederates +and attempted to force his way to the relief of Harper's Ferry. The +battle raged with fury until nine o'clock at night. Their purpose +accomplished Lee withdrew them to his new position at Sharpsburg to +await the advent of Jackson. + +The "foot cavalry" had surrounded Harper's Ferry, assaulted it at dawn +and in two hours the garrison surrendered. Thirteen thousand prisoners +with their rifles and seventy-three pieces of artillery fell into +Jackson's hands. Leaving General A. P. Hill to receive the final +surrender of the troops Jackson set out at once for Sharpsburg to join +his army with Lee's. + +The Southern Commander had but forty thousand men with which to meet +McClellan's ninety thousand, but at sunrise on September seventeenth, +his batteries opened fire and the bloodiest struggle of the Civil War +began. Through the long hours of this eventful day the lines of blue and +gray charged and counter-charged across the scarlet field. When darkness +fell neither side had yielded. The dead lay in ghastly heaps and the +long pitiful wail of the wounded rose to Heaven. + +Lee had lost two thousand killed and six thousand wounded. McClellan had +lost more than twelve thousand. His army was so terribly shattered by +the bloody work, he did not renew the struggle on the following day. Lee +waited until night for his assault and learning that reënforcements were +on the way to join McClellan's command withdrew across the Potomac. + +It was a day later before Lee's movements were sufficiently clear for +McClellan to claim a victory. + +On September nineteenth, he telegraphed Washington: + +"I do not know if the enemy is falling back or recrossing the river. We +may safely claim the victory as ours." + +Abraham Lincoln hastened to take advantage of McClellan's claim to issue +his Emancipation Proclamation. And yet so utter had been the failure of +his general to cope with Lee and Jackson, the President of the United +States relieved McClellan of his command. + +While Lee's invasion had failed of the larger purpose, its moral effect +on the North had been tremendous. He carried back into Virginia fourteen +thousand prisoners, eighty pieces of artillery and invaluable equipment +for his army. + +In the meantime the Western army under Bragg had invaded Kentucky, +sweeping to the gates of Cincinnati and Louisville and retiring with +more than five thousand prisoners, five thousand small arms and ten +pieces of artillery. + +The gain in territory by the invasion of Maryland and Kentucky had been +nothing but the moral effect of these movements had been far reaching. +The daring valor of the small Confederate armies fighting against +overwhelming odds had stirred the imagination of the world. In the west +they had carried their triumphant battle flag from Chattanooga to +Cincinnati, and although forced to retire, had shown the world that the +conquest at the southwestern territory was a gigantic task which was yet +to be seriously undertaken. + +The London _Times_, commenting on these campaigns, declared: + +"Whatever may be the fate of the new nationality or its subsequent +claims to the respect of mankind, it will assuredly begin its career +with a reputation for genius and valor which the most famous nations may +envy." + +On McClellan's fall he was succeeded by General Burnside who found a +magnificently trained army of veteran soldiers at his command. It was +now divided into three grand divisions of two corps each, commanded by +three generals of tried and proven ability, Sumner, Hooker and Franklin. + +Burnside quickly formed and began the execution of an advance against +Richmond. He moved his army rapidly down the left bank of the +Rappahannock River to Fredericksburg, and ordered pontoon bridges to +cross the stream. His army could thus defend Washington while moving in +force on the Confederate Capital. + +When Burnside led his one hundred and thirteen thousand men across the +river and occupied the town of Fredericksburg, Lee and Jackson were +ready to receive him. Lee had entrenched on the line of crescent-shaped +hills behind the town. + +When the new Northern Commander threw his army, with its bands playing +and its thousand flags flying, against these hills on the morning of +December 13, 1862, he plunged headlong and blindfolded into a death +trap. + +Charge after charge was repulsed with unparalleled slaughter. Lee's guns +were planted to cross fire on each charging line of blue. Burnside's +men were mowed down in thousands until their sublime valor won the +praise and the pity of their foe. + +When night at last drew the veil over the awful scene the shattered +masses of the charging army were huddled under the shelter of the houses +in Fredericksburg leaving the field piled high with the dead and the +wounded. The wounded were freezing to death in the pitiless cold. + +Burnside had lost thirteen thousand men--the flower of his troops--the +bravest men the North had ever sent into battle. + +Jackson's keen eye was quick to see the shambles into which this +demoralized army had been pushed. The river behind them could be crossed +only on a narrow pontoon bridge. A swift and merciless night attack +would either drive the bleeding lines into the freezing river, +annihilate or capture the whole army. He urged Lee to this attack. Lee +demurred. He could not know the extent of the enemy's losses. It was +inconceivable to the Southern Commander that Burnside with his one +hundred and thirteen thousand picked soldiers, could be repulsed with +such slight losses to the South. Only a small part of the army under his +command had been active in the battle and their losses were +insignificant in comparison with the records of former struggles. +Burnside would renew the attack with redoubled vigor. He refused to move +his men from their entrenchments into the open field where they would be +exposed to the batteries beyond the river. + +Jackson turned his somber blue eyes on Lee: + +"Send my corps into Fredericksburg alone to-night. Hold the hills with +the rest of the army. I'll do the work." + +"You cannot distinguish friend from foe, General Jackson--" + +"I'll strip my men to the waist and tie white bands around their right +arms." + +"In this freezing cold?" + +"They'll obey my orders, General Lee--" + +"It's too horrible--" + +"It's war, sir," was Jackson's reply. "War means fighting--fighting to +kill, to destroy--fighting with tooth and nail--" + +Lee shook his head. He refused to take the risk. Jackson returned to his +headquarters with heavy heart. His chief of medical staff was busy +preparing bandages for his men. He had been sure of Lee's consent. He +countermanded the order and Burnside's army was saved from annihilation. +When the sun rose next morning half his men were safely across the +river--and the remainder quickly followed. + +Again the North was stunned. Another wave of horror swept its homes as +the lists of the dead and wounded were printed. + +Burnside resigned his command and "Fighting" Joe Hooker was placed at +the head of the Northern troops. Since June first, Lee and Jackson had +destroyed four blue armies and driven their commanders from the +field,--McClellan twice, John Pope and now Burnside. + +The political effects of these brilliant achievements of Davis' army had +been paralyzing on the administration of Lincoln. The Proclamation of +Emancipation which he had issued immediately after the bloody battle in +Maryland had not only fallen flat in the North, it had created a +reaction against his policies and the conduct of the war. The November +elections had gone against him and his party had been all but wiped out. + +The Democrats in New York had reversed a majority of one hundred and +seven thousand against them in 1860 and swept the State, electing their +entire ticket. The administration was defeated in New Jersey, +Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. + +The voters of the North not only condemned the administration for +declaring the slaves free, but they assaulted the war policy of their +Government with savage fury. They condemned the wholesale arrest of +thousands of citizens for their political opinions and arraigned the +Government for its incompetence in conducting the military operations of +an army of more than twice the numbers of the triumphant South. + +The Emancipation Proclamation and the victories of Davis' army had not +only divided and demoralized the North, they had solidified Southern +opinion. + +Even Alexander H. Stephens, the Vice-President of the Confederacy, who +had been a thorn in the flesh of Davis from the beginning in his +advocacy of foolish and impossible measures of compromise now took his +position for war to the death. In a fiery speech in North Carolina +following Lincoln's proclamation Stephens said: + +"As for any reconstruction of the Union--such a thing is +impossible--such an idea must not be tolerated for an instant. +Reconstruction would not end the war, but would produce a more horrible +war than that in which we are now engaged. The only terms on which we +can obtain permanent peace is final and complete separation from the +North. Rather than submit to anything short of that, let us resolve to +die as men worthy of freedom." + +A few days after the defeat of Burnside's army at Fredericksburg the +South was thrilled by the feat of General McGruder in Galveston harbor. +The daring Confederate Commander had seized two little steamers and +fitted them up as gun boats by piling cotton on their sides for +bulwarks. With these two rafts of cotton coöperating on the water, his +infantry waded out into the waters of Galveston Bay and attacked the +Federal fleet with their bare hands. + +When the smoke of battle lifted the city of Galveston was in Confederate +hands, the fleet had been smashed and scattered and the port opened to +commerce. Commodore Renshaw had blown up his flag ship to prevent her +falling into McGruder's hands and gone down with her. The garrison +surrendered. + +Jackson had invented a "foot cavalry." McGruder had supplemented it by a +"foot navy." + +At Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on the same day General Bragg had engaged +the army of Rosecrans and fought one of the bloodiest engagements of the +war. Its net results were in favor of the Confederacy in spite of the +fact that he permitted Rosecrans to move into Murfreesboro. The Northern +army had lost nine thousand men, killed and wounded, and Bragg carried +from the field six thousand Federal prisoners, thirty pieces of +artillery, sixty thousand stand of small arms, ambulances, mules, horses +and an enormous amount of valuable stores. + +His own losses had been great but far less than those he inflicted on +Rosecrans. He had lost one thousand two hundred and ninety-two killed, +seven thousand nine hundred and forty-five wounded and one thousand +twenty-seven missing. + +At Charleston a fleet of iron-clads on the model of the _Monitor_ had +been crushed by the batteries and driven back to sea with heavy loss. +The _Keokuk_ was left a stranded wreck in the harbor. + +A second attack on Vicksburg had failed under Sherman. A third attack by +Grant had been repulsed. Farragut's attack on Port Hudson had failed +with the loss of the _Richmond_. + +The Federal Government now put forth its grandest effort to crush at a +blow the apparently invincible army of Davis' still lying in its +trenches on the heights behind Fredericksburg. + +Hooker's army was raised to an effective force of one hundred and thirty +thousand and his artillery increased to four hundred guns. Lee had been +compelled to detach Longstreet's corps, comprising nearly a third of his +army for service in North Carolina. The force under his command was +barely fifty thousand. + +So great was the superiority of the Northern army Hooker divided his +forces for an enveloping movement, each wing of his being still greater +than the whole force under Lee. + +Sedgwick's corps crossed the river below Fredericksburg and began a +flanking movement from the south while Hooker threw the main body across +the Rappahannock at three fords seven miles above. + +On April thirtieth, he issued an address to his men. His forces were all +safely across the river without firing a shot. He had Lee's little army +caught in a trap between his two grand divisions. + +In his proclamation he boldly announced: + +"The operations of the last three days have determined that our enemy +must ingloriously fly, or come out from behind their defenses and give +us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him." + +His enemy was not slow in coming out from behind his defenses. With +quick decision Lee divided his little army by planting ten thousand men +under Early on Marye's Heights to stop Sedgwick's division and moved +swiftly with the remainder to meet Hooker in the dense woods of the +Wilderness near Chancellorsville. + +With consummate daring and the strategy of genius he again divided his +army. He detached Jackson's corps and sent his "foot cavalry" on a swift +wide detour of twenty-odd miles to swing around Hooker's right and +strike him in the flank while he pretended an attack in force on his +front. + +It was nearly sundown when Jackson's tired but eager men saw from the +hill top their unsuspecting foe quietly cooking their evening meal. + +When the battle clouds lifted at the end of three days of carnage, +Hooker's army of one hundred and thirty thousand men had been cut to +pieces and flung back across the Rappahannock, leaving seventeen +thousand killed and wounded on the field. + +In the face of his crushing defeat Hooker issued another address to his +army. + +He boldly announced from his safe retreat beyond the banks of the river: + +"The Major-General commanding tenders to the army his congratulations on +its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplished all +that was expected the reasons are well known to the army. It is +sufficient to say, that they were of a character not to be foreseen or +prevented by human sagacity or resources. + +"In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock before +delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given +renewed evidence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the +principles it represents. + +"Profoundly loyal and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac +will give or decline battle whenever its interests or honor may command +it. + +"By the celerity and secrecy of our movements, our advance and passage +of the river was undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel dared to +follow us. The events of the last week may well cause the heart of every +officer and soldier of the army to swell with pride!" + +The heart of the North quickly swelled with such pride that the +President was forced to remove General Hooker and appoint General George +Meade to his command. + +While the South was celebrating the wonderful achievement of their now +invincible army, Lee's greatest general lay dying at a little farm house +a few miles from the scene of his immortal achievement. Jackson had been +accidentally wounded by a volley from his own men fired by his orders. + +His wound was not supposed to be fatal and arrangements were made for +his removal to Richmond when he was suddenly stricken with pneumonia and +rapidly sank. He lifted his eyes to his physician and calmly said: + +"If I live, it will be for the best--and if I die, it will be for the +best; God knows and directs all things for the best." + +His last moments were marked with expressions of his abiding faith in +the wisdom and love of the God he had faithfully served. + +Yet his spirit was still on the field of battle. In the delirium which +preceded death his voice rang in sharp command: + +"Tell Major Hawkes to send forward provisions to the men!" + +His head sank and a smile lighted his rugged face. In low tender tones +be gasped his last words on earth: + +"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." + +So passed the greatest military genius our race has produced--the man +who never met defeat. His loss was mourned not only by the South but by +the world. His death extinguished a light on the shores of Time. + +The leading London paper said of him: + +"That mixture of daring and judgment which is the mark of heaven-born +generals distinguished him beyond any man of his age. The blows he +struck at the enemy were as terrible and decisive as those of Bonaparte +himself." + +Thousands followed him in sorrow to the grave. The South was bathed in +tears. + +Lee realized that he had lost his right arm and yet, undaunted, he +marshaled his legions and girded his loins for an invasion of Northern +soil. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +THE ACCUSATION + + +Captain Welford had entered the Secret Service of the Confederacy +believing firmly that Socola was a Federal spy. He would not make known +his suspicions until he had secured evidence on which to demand his +arrest. + +This evidence he found most difficult to secure. For months he had +watched the handsome foreigner with the patience of a hound. He had +taken particular pains to hold Jennie's friendship in order to be thrown +with Socola on every possible occasion. His men from the Secret Service +Department had followed Socola's every movement day and night with no +results. + +He pretended the most philosophic acceptance of the situation and +bantered the lovers with expressions of his surprise that an early +marriage had not been announced. + +Socola received the Captain's professions of friendship with no sign of +suspicion. He read Dick's mind as an open book. He saw through his +pretentions and the tragic purpose which underlay his good-natured +banter. He knew instinctively that his movements were watched and moved +with the utmost caution. For a time he found it impossible to visit the +house on Church Hill. Detectives were on his heels the moment he turned +his steps to that hill. + +The boarding house in which he lived was watched day and night. And yet +so carefully had he executed his work the men who were hounding him were +completely puzzled. They could not know, of course, that Socola had +chosen as his secretary a man in the Department of State. This man he +had involved in his conspiracy so completely and hopelessly from the +first interview that there was no retreat. He had risked his own life on +his judgment of character the day he made his first proposition. But his +estimate had proven correct. The fellow blustered and then accepted the +bribe and entered with enthusiasm into his service. + +Through this clerk the wily director of the Federal Bureau of +Information was compelled now to communicate with Miss Van Lew. Socola +had secured his services in the nick of time. He had been an old friend +of the Van Lew family before the war, their people were distantly +related and no suspicion could attach to his visits to her house unless +made at an unusual hour. + +It was nearly a year from the day he began his watch before Captain +Welford succeeded in connecting the stenographer in the Department of +State with the woman on Church Hill. + +He had been quietly studying "Crazy Bet" for months. From the first he +had accused this woman of being a spy. The older men in the Department +laughed. Miss Van Lew was the standard joke of the amateurs who entered +the Service. The older men all knew that she was a harmless fool whose +mind had been unbalanced by her love for negroes and her abolition +ideas. + +With characteristic stubbornness Dick refused to accept their decision +and set about in his own way to watch her. She was in the habit now of +making more and more frequent trips to Libby Prison, carrying flowers +and delicacies to the Northern prisoners. Dick had observed the use of +an old fashioned French platter with an extremely thick bottom. He +called the attention of the guard to this platter. + +The keen ears of the woman had heard it mentioned. The double bottom at +that moment was harmless. The messages she had carried to the prisoners +had all been taken from their hiding place and the platter returned to +her through the bars. + +She hurried home before the guard could make up his mind to examine the +contrivance. The next day Dick was on the watch. The Captain whispered +to the guard who halted "Crazy Bet" at the door. + +"I'll have to examine that thing," he said sharply. + +"Take it then!" she said with a foolish laugh. + +She slipped the old shawl from around it and suddenly plumped the +platter squarely into the guard's hands. The double bottom that day was +filled with boiling water. + +"Hell fire!" the guard yelled, dropping the platter with a crash. + +He blew on his fingers and let her pick it up and pass on. + +The woman had fooled the guard completely, but she had not been so +successful with Dick. The trick was _too_ smoothly done. No woman with +an unbalanced mind would have been capable of it. + +With extraordinary care the Captain followed her through the crowded +streets and saw her pass Socola in front of the Custom House. No sign of +recognition was made by either, but he saw the stenographer stoop and +pick up something from the edge of the sidewalk. + +He would have thought nothing of such an act had he not been following +this woman on whom his suspicions had been fixed. He leaped at once to +the truth. + +Miss Van Lew had dropped a cypher message and Socola had taken it. + +He watched her again the next day, and, suddenly turning the corner of +an obscure street, saw Socola speak to her in low quick tones, raising +his voice on his appearance to an idle conventional greeting. + +He passed them without apparently noticing anything unusual and hurried +to his office with his suspicions now a burning certainty. He had only +to wait his opportunity to trap his quarry in the possession of a +dispatch that would send him to the gallows. + +His evidence was not yet sufficient to ask for his arrest. It was +sufficient to convince Jennie Barton whose loyalty to the South was so +intense she would not walk on the same side of the street with Miss Van +Lew. + +He rushed to the Barton house. + +Jennie saw before he spoke that he bore a message of tragic import. + +"What is it, Dick?" she asked under her breath. "Why do you look at me +so?" + +"Jennie," he began seriously, "you are sure that you love the South?" + +"Don't ask me idiotic questions," she answered sternly; "what are you +driving at?" + +"If I prove to you that the man to whom you have pledged your love is an +impostor--" + +She lifted her head in a gesture of cold protest. + +"I thought we had settled that question." + +"But you must listen to me," he went on with calm persistence. "If I +prove to you that this man is a Federal spy--" + +Jennie broke into a laugh. + +"I can't get mad at you--you're such a big clumsy goose--" + +"I said if I _prove_ it--" + +There was no mistaking the fact that he was in dead earnest. + +The girl's face went white and her eyes took on a hard glitter. + +"Now, Dick Welford, that you've said it--you've _got_ to prove it--" + +The Captain lifted his hand solemnly. + +"I'll prove it. You know Miss Van Lew, the old abolitionist on Church +Hill?--" + +"I don't know that such a creature walks the earth." + +"You've heard of her?" + +"Yes." + +"You know that she is a traitor to her own people?" + +"I've heard it." + +The Captain paused and looked straight at her with searching gaze. + +"I just ran into Socola talking to this woman--" + +"Is that all?" + +"No." + +"What else?" + +"Yesterday I saw them pass each other on Main Street. Socola stooped and +picked up something from the pavement--" + +"Something she dropped?" + +"I'm sure of it--" + +"But you didn't see her drop it?" + +"No--" + +"How can you be so absurd!" + +"You don't believe what I tell you?" + +"But it proves nothing--" + +"To me, it's as plain as day--" + +"Because you hate him. I'm ashamed of you, Dick." + +"Mark my words, I'll prove it before I'm through." + +"I'll give you the chance now--that's his knock on the front door--" + +"I'd rather not make my accusation to-day--" + +"You've made it to me." + +"You're a loyal Southern girl. I had the right to make it to you." + +The girl laughed. + +"And I'll demand of him an explanation--" + +Before he could protest Socola walked into the room and grasped Jennie's +hand. + +"Captain Welford," she laughed, "has just accused you of hobnobbing with +the enemy on the streets--what explanation can you offer?" + +"Need I explain?" he asked lightly. + +"Miss Van Lew _is_ a suspicious character." + +"That's my excuse, I fear. She is a character. I've been curious to know +if she is really sane. I stopped her on the street and asked her a +question. Is it forbidden in Richmond?" + +He spoke with easy convincing carelessness. + +Jennie smiled. + +"Captain Welford evidently thinks so--" + +"And you?" + +"I am quite satisfied with your explanation--" + +Dick took a step closer and faced his enemy. + +"Well, I'm not Signor Socola--if that's your name--" + +"Dick!" Jennie interrupted angrily. + +The Captain ignored the interruption, holding the eye of the man he +hated. + +"You spoke to that woman in low quick tones--" + +"Your imagination is vivid, Captain--" + +Dick squared his jaw into Socola's face. + +"It's vivid enough to see through you. I'm going to wring your neck +before we're through with this thing--" + +Jennie thrust her trembling figure between the two men and confronted +Dick. + +[Illustration: "Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the +two men and confronted Dick."] + +"How dare you insult the man I love in my presence, Dick Welford?" + +"Because I love the South better than my life and you do, too, Jennie +Barton--" + +The girl's eyes flashed with rage. + +"Leave this room, sir!" + +Dick still faced Socola. + +"Get out of this town to-night--or I'll wring your neck, you damned +spy!" + +"Leave this room, Dick Welford!" Jennie repeated. + +The Captain turned and left without even a glance over his broad +shoulders. + +"I couldn't strike him in your presence, dear," Socola apologized. + +"You behaved splendidly. I'm proud of your perfect poise and mastery of +yourself. Our Southern men splutter easily." + +Socola took her hand and pressed it. + +"You don't believe this?" + +"I'd sooner doubt my own heart--I'd sooner doubt God--" + +"I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of your love," he murmured gently. + +He knelt that night and tried to ask God to show him the way. His heart +was rising in fierce rebellion at the deception into which he had +entrapped himself. And yet never had his country's need been so bitter +and the service he was rendering so priceless. He rose at last with face +stern and pale. He would fight to the end. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE TURN OF THE TIDE + + +The death of Jackson was to Jefferson Davis an appalling disaster. He +had never seriously believed the Southern people could win their unequal +struggle against the millions of the North backed by their inexhaustible +resources until the achievements of Lee and Jackson had introduced a new +element into the conflict. So resistless and terrible had become the +effective war power of Southern soldiers led by these two men whose +minds moved in such harmony with each other and with their Chief in +Richmond that the South at last was in sight of success. + +The impossible had been accomplished. Anything now seemed possible. +Jackson's death had destroyed this new equation of war. + +Davis' faith in Jackson was in every way equal to Lee's and Lee but once +refused to follow Jackson's lead in his veto on his Lieutenant's plan to +annihilate Burnside's army at Fredericksburg. + +When the report reached Richmond that Jackson was dying Davis was +inconsolable. + +The whole evening the President of the Confederacy shut himself in his +room--unable to think of anything save the impending calamity. When the +end was sure he sent with his own hand the handsomest flag in Richmond +in which to wrap his body. + +When Davis gazed on the white, cold, rugged features, the tears were +streaming down his hollow checks. He bent low and the tears fell on the +face of the dead. + +When an officer of the Government came to the President's Mansion where +the body lay in state to consult him on a matter of importance, the +Confederate Chieftain stared at his questioner in a dazed sort of way +and remained silent. + +Lifting his haggard face at last he said in pathetic tones: + +"You must excuse me, my friend, I am staggering from a dreadful blow--I +cannot think--" + +Three days and nights the endless procession passed the bier and paid +their tribute of adoration and love. And when he was borne to his last +resting place through the streets of the city, the sidewalks, the +windows and the housetops were a throbbing mass of weeping women and +men. + +Jefferson Davis was perhaps the only man in the South in a position to +realize the enormous loss which the Confederacy had sustained in the +death of Lee's great lieutenant. + +The Southern people who gloried in Jackson's deeds had as yet no real +appreciation of the services he had rendered. They could not realize +their loss until events should prove that no man could be found to take +his place. + +The brilliant victory of Chancellorsville, following so closely on +Fredericksburg, had lifted the Confederacy to the heights. + +In the West the army had held its own. The safety of Vicksburg was not +seriously questioned. General Bragg confronted Rosecrans with an army so +strong he dared not attack it and yet not strong enough to drive +Rosecrans from Tennessee. + +Two campaigns were discussed with Davis. + +The members of his Cabinet, who regarded the possession of Vicksburg and +the continued grip on the Mississippi River vital to the life of the +Confederacy, were alarmed at Grant's purpose to fight his way to this +stronghold and take it. + +They urged that Lee's army be divided and half of it sent immediately to +reënforce Bragg. With this force in the West Rosecrans could be crushed +and Grant driven from his design of opening the Mississippi. + +Lee, flushed with his victories, naturally objected to the weakening of +his army by such a division. He proposed a more daring and effective way +of relieving Vicksburg. + +He would raise his army to eighty-five thousand men, clear Virginia of +the enemy and sweep into Pennsylvania, carry the war into the North, +forage on its rich fields, capture Harrisburg and march on Washington. + +Davis did not wish to risk this invasion of Northern soil. But his +situation was peculiar. His relations with Lee had been remarkable for +their perfect accord. They had never differed on an essential point of +political or military strategy. Davis' pride in Lee's genius was +unbounded, his confidence in his judgment perfect. + +Lee was absolutely sure that his army raised to eighty-five thousand +effective men could go anywhere on the continent and do anything within +human power. He had crushed McClellan's army of two hundred thousand +with seventy-five thousand men, and driven him from his entrenchments at +Richmond down the Peninsula. With sixty thousand he had crushed Pope and +hurled his army into the entrenchments at Washington, a bleeding, +disorganized mob. With sixty-two thousand he had cut to pieces +Burnside's hundred and thirteen thousand. With fifty thousand he had +rolled up Hooker's host of one hundred and thirty thousand in a scroll +of flame and death and flung them across the Rappahannock. + +His fame filled the world. His soldiers worshiped him. At his command +they would charge the gates of hell with their bare hands. His soldiers +were seasoned veterans in whose prowess he had implicit faith. His faith +was not a guess. It was founded on achievements so brilliant there was +scarcely room for a doubt. + +Lee succeeded in convincing Davis that he could invade the North, live +on its rich fields and win a battle which would open the way, not only +to save Vicksburg from capture, but secure the peace and independence of +the South. + +A single great victory on Northern soil with his army threatening +Washington would make peace a certainty. Davis was quick to see the +logic of Lee's plan. It was reasonable. It was a fair risk. And yet the +dangers were so enormous he consented with reluctance. + +Reagan, the Western member of his Cabinet, urged with all the eloquence +of his loyal soul the importance of holding intact the communications +with the territory beyond the Mississippi. He begged and pleaded for the +plan to reënforce Bragg and play the safe game with Vicksburg. Davis +listened to his advice with the utmost respect and weighed each point +with solemn sense of his responsibility. + +The one point he made last he tried to drive home in a sharp personal +appeal. + +"You cannot afford, Mr. President," he urged with vehemence, "to further +expose your own people of Mississippi to the ravages of such men as now +control the invading army. They have laid your own home waste. The +people of Vicksburg are your neighbors. They know you personally. The +people of this territory have sent their sons and brothers into Virginia +by thousands. There are no soldiers left to defend them--" + +The President lifted his thin hand in protest. + +"I can't let the personal argument sway me, Reagan. Our own people must +endure what is best for the cause. All I wish to know is what _is_ +best--your plan or General Lee's." + +Lee persuaded him against his personal judgment to consent to the daring +scheme of Northern invasion. + +So intent was Reagan on the plan of direct relief to Vicksburg that +after Lee had begun his preparations for the advance, Davis called a +Cabinet meeting and reconsidered the whole question. Reagan pleaded with +tears at last for what he knew his Chief felt to be best. Davis weighed +for the second time each point with care and again decided that Lee's +plan promised the greater end--peace. + +The moment his final decision was made Davis at once commissioned Vice +President Alexander H. Stephens, who knew Lincoln personally, to go to +Washington to make the proposition for an armistice and begin the +negotiations for a permanent peace on the day Lee should make good his +promise. + +The letter with which Stephens started to Washington asked on its face +that the President of the United States arrange for an exchange of +prisoners which would be prompt and effective and prevent all suffering +by Northern men in Southern climates and Southern men in Northern +prisons. Davis had asked again and again that all prisoners be +exchanged. The Federal War Department had obstructed this exchange until +thousands of Northern soldiers crowded the prisons of the South and it +was impossible for the Confederate authorities to properly care for +them. Medicine had been made contraband of war by the North and the +simplest remedies could not be had for the Confederate soldiers or their +prisoners. Behind this humane purpose of Stephens' mission lay the +bigger proposition, which was a verbal one, to propose peace on Lee's +victory on Northern soil. + +Lee's army lay on the plains of Culpeper during the beautiful month of +May. The vast field was astir with the feverish breath of preparations +for the grand march. Trains rushed to the front loaded with munitions of +war. New batteries of artillery with the finest equipment ever known +were added to his army. The ordnance trains were packed to their +capacity. His troops were better equipped than ever before in the +history of the war. Every department of the huge, pitiless machine was +running like clockwork. + +Fifteen thousand cavalry were reviewed at Brandy Station led by Stuart's +waving plume--Stuart, the matchless leader who had twice ridden round a +hostile army of a hundred thousand men. Crowds of cheering women watched +this wonderful pageant and waved their handkerchiefs to the handsome +young cavalier as he passed on his magnificent horse draped with +garlands of flowers. + +It required an entire week to review the cavalry, infantry, and +artillery. + +On June the first, the advance began. + +Ewell's corps, once commanded by Jackson, led the way. They swung +rapidly through the Blue Ridge Mountains, into the Valley and suddenly +pounced on General Milroy at Winchester. Milroy with a few of his +officers escaped through the Confederate lines at night and succeeded in +crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. Ewell captured three thousand +prisoners, thirty pieces of artillery, a hundred wagons and great +stores. Seven hundred more men were taken at Martinsburg. + +On June twenty-seventh, the whole of Lee's army was encamped at +Chambersburg in Pennsylvania in striking distance of the Capital of the +State. + +The execution of this march had been a remarkable piece of strategy. He +had completely baffled the Northern Commanders, spread terror through +the North and precipitated the wildest panic in Washington. + +Within twenty-odd days the Southern General had brought his forces from +Fredericksburg, Virginia, confronted by an army of one hundred thousand +men, through the Blue Ridge, and the Shenandoah Valley into +Pennsylvania. He had done this in the face of one of the most powerful +and best equipped armies the North had put into the field. He had swept +the hostile garrisons at Winchester, Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry into +his prisons and camped in Pennsylvania without his progress being once +arrested or a serious battle forced upon him. He had cleared Virginia of +the army which threatened Richmond and they were rushing breathlessly +after him in a desperate effort to save the Capital of Pennsylvania. + +So far Lee had made good every prediction on which he had based his plan +of campaign. + +Davis felt so sure that he would make good his promised victory that he +hurriedly dispatched Stephens to Fortress Monroe under a flag of truce +and asked for a safe conduct for his Commissioner to Washington. + +In alarm the Governors of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and +West Virginia called out their militia. Lee was not deterred by their +panic. He knew that those raw troops would cut no figure in the swift +and terrible drama which was being staged among the ragged crags around +Gettysburg. The veteran armies of the North and South would decide the +issue. If he won, he would brush aside the militia as so many school +boys and march into Washington. + +Meade was rushing his army after his antagonist with feverish haste. His +advance guard struck Lee before the town of Gettysburg on July first, +1863. A desperate struggle ensued. Neither Meade nor Lee had yet reached +the field. + +Within a mile of the town the Confederates made a sudden and united +charge and smashed the Federal line into atoms. General Reynolds, their +Commander, was killed and his army driven headlong into the streets of +Gettysburg. Ewell, charging through the town, swept all before him and +took five thousand prisoners. + +The crowded masses of fugitives, fleeing for their lives, passed out of +the town and rushed up the slopes of the hills beyond. + +At five o'clock Lee halted his men until the rest of his army should +reach the field. + +During the night General Meade rallied his disorganized men, poured his +fresh troops among them and entrenched his army on the heights where his +defeated advance guard had taken refuge. + +Had Lee withdrawn the next morning when he scanned those hills which +looked down on him through bristling brows of brass and iron the history +of the Confederacy might have been longer. It could not have been more +illustrious. + +His reasons for assault were sound. To his council of war he was +explicit. + +"I had not intended, gentlemen," he said, "to fight a general battle at +such distance from our base, unless attacked by the enemy. We find +ourselves confronted by the Federal army. It is difficult to withdraw +through the mountains with our large trains. The country is unfavorable +for collecting supplies while in the presence of the main body of the +enemy as he can restrain our foraging parties by occupying the mountain +passes. The battle is in a measure unavoidable. We have won a great +victory to-day. We can defeat Meade's army in spite of these hills." + +When Lee surveyed the heights of Gettysburg again on the morning of the +second of July, he saw that the Northerners held a position of +extraordinary power. Yet his men were flushed with victory after +victory. They had swept their foe before them in the first encounter as +chaff before a storm. They were equal to anything short of a miracle. + +He ordered Longstreet to hurl his corps against Cemetery Ridge and drive +the enemy from his key position before the entrenchments could be +completed. + +Longstreet was slow. Jackson would have struck with the rapidity of +lightning. On this swift action Lee had counted. The blow should have +been delivered before eight o'clock. It was two o'clock in the afternoon +before Longstreet made the attack and Meade's position had been made +stronger each hour. + +From two o'clock until dark the long lines of gray rolled and dashed +against the heights and broke in red pools of blood on their rocky +slopes. + +Three hundred pieces of artillery thundered their message in an Oratorio +of Death. The earth shook. Hills and rocks danced and reeled before the +excited vision of the onrushing men. For two hours the guns roared and +thundered without pause. The shriek of shell, the crash of falling +trees, the showers of flying rocks ripped from cliffs by solid shot, the +shouts of charging hosts, the splash of bursting shrapnel, the neighing +of torn and mangled horses, transformed the green hills of Pennsylvania +into a smoke-wreathed, flaming hell. The living lay down that night to +sleep with their heads pillowed on the dead. + +On this second day Lee's men had gained a slight advantage. They had +taken Round Top and held it for two hours. They had at least proven that +it could be done. They had driven in the lines on the Federal left. The +Southern Commander still believed his men could do the impossible. +Longstreet begged his Chief that night to withdraw and choose another +field. Lee ordered the third day's fight. On his gray horse he watched +Pickett lead his immortal charge and fall back down the hill. + +He rode quietly to the front, rallying the broken lines. He made no +speech. He uttered no bombast. + +He calmly lifted his hand and cried: + +"Never mind--boys!" + +To his officers he said: + +"It's all my fault. We'll talk it over afterward. Let every good man +rally now." + +His army had never known a panic. The men quietly fell into line and +cheered their Commander. + +To an English officer on the field Lee quietly said: + +"This has been a sad day for us, Colonel--a sad day; but we can't expect +always to gain victories." + +Lee had lost twenty thousand men and fourteen generals. Meade had lost +twenty-three thousand men and seventeen generals. Lee withdrew his army +across the swollen Potomac, carrying away his guns and all the prisoners +he had taken. + +General Meade had saved the North, but Lee's army was still intact, on +its old invincible lines in Virginia, sixty-five thousand strong. + +The news from Gettysburg crushed the soul of Davis. He had hoped with +this battle to end the war, and stop the frightful slaughter of our +noblest men, North and South. His Commissioner, Alexander H. Stephens, +was halted at Fortress Monroe and sent back to Richmond with an +insulting answer. + +So bitter was Lee's disappointment that he offered his resignation to +Davis. + +The President at once wrote a generous letter in which he renewed the +expressions of his confidence in the genius of his Commanding General +and begged him to guard his precious life from undue exposure. + +Gettysburg was but one of the appalling calamities which crushed the +hopes of the Confederate Chieftain on this memorable fourth of July, +1863. + +On the recovery of Joseph E. Johnston from his wound at Seven Pines he +was assigned to the old command of Albert Sidney Johnston in the West. +His department included the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, +Georgia and North Carolina. + +He entered on the duties of his new and important field--complaining, +peevish, sulking. + +On the day before his departure Mrs. Davis visited his wife and +expressed to General Johnston the earnest wish of her heart for her +husband's success. + +"I sincerely hope, General," she said cordially, "that your campaign +will be brilliant and successful." + +The General pursed the hard lines of his mouth. + +"I might succeed if I had Lee's chances with the army of Northern +Virginia." + +From the moment Johnston reached his field he began to quarrel with his +generals and complain to the Government at Richmond. He made no serious +effort to unite his forces for the defense of Vicksburg and continuously +wrote and telegraphed to the War Department that his authority was +inadequate to really command so extended a territory. He made no effort +to throw the twenty-four thousand men he commanded into a juncture with +Pemberton who was struggling valiantly against Grant's fifty thousand +closing in on the doomed city. + +On May eighteenth, Johnston sent a courier to Pemberton and advised him +to evacuate Vicksburg without a fight! Pemberton held a council of war +and refused to give up the Mississippi River without a struggle. +Johnston sat down in his tent and left him to his fate. + +Grant closed in on Vicksburg and the struggle began. Pemberton could not +believe that Johnston would not march to his relief. + +Women and children stood by their homes amid the roar of guns and the +bursting of shells. Caves were dug in the hills and they took refuge +under the ground. + +A shell burst before a group of children hurrying from their homes to +the hills. The dirt thrown up from the explosion knocked three little +fellows down, but luckily no bones were broken. They jumped up, brushed +their clothes, wiped the dirt from their eyes, and hurried on without a +whimper. + +When the dark days of starvation came, the women nursed the sick and +wounded, lived on mule and horse meat and parched corn. + +Johnston continued to send telegrams to the War Department saying he +needed more troops and didn't know where to get them. Yet he was in +absolute command of all the troops in his department and could order +them to march at a moment's notice in any direction he wished. He +hesitated and continued to send telegrams and write letters for more +explicit instructions. + +He got them finally in a direct peremptory order from the War +Department. + +On June fifteenth, he telegraphed his Government: + +"I consider saving Vicksburg hopeless." + +Davis ordered his Secretary of War to reply immediately in unmistakable +language: + + + "Your telegram grieves and alarms us, Vicksburg must not be lost + without a struggle. The interest and honor of the Confederacy + forbid it. I rely on you to avert this loss. If better resource + does not offer you must hazard attack. It may be made in concert + with the garrison, if practicable, but otherwise without. By day + or night as you think best." + + +The Secretary of War, brooding in anxiety over the possibility of +Johnston's timidity in the crisis, again telegraphed him six days +later: + + + "Only my convictions of almost imperative necessity for action + induced the official dispatch I have sent you. On every ground I + have great deference to your judgment and military genius, but I + feel it right to share, if need be to take the responsibility and + leave you free to follow the most desperate course the occasion may + demand. Rely upon it, the eyes and hopes of the whole Confederacy + are upon you, with the full confidence that you will act, and with + the sentiment that it were better to fail nobly daring, than through + prudence even to be inactive. I rely on you for all possible to save + Vicksburg." + + +On June twenty-seventh, Grant telegraphed Washington: + + + "Joe Johnston has postponed his attack until he can receive ten + thousand reënforcements from Bragg's army. They are expected early + next week. I feel strong enough against this increase and do not + despair of having Vicksburg before they arrive." + + +Pemberton's army held Vicksburg practically without food for forty-seven +days. His brave men were exposed to blistering suns and drenching rains +and confined to their trenches through every hour of the night. They had +reached the limit of human endurance and were now physically too weak to +attempt a sortie. Johnston still sat in his tent writing letters and +telegrams to Richmond. + +Pemberton surrendered his garrison to General Grant on July fourth, and +the Mississippi was opened to the Federal fleet from its mouth to its +source. + +Grant telegraphed to Washington: + + + "The enemy surrendered this morning, General Sherman will face + immediately on Johnston and drive him from the State." + + +But the great letter writer did not wait for Sherman to face him. He +immediately abandoned the Capital of Mississippi and retreated into the +interior. + +In the fall of Vicksburg, the Confederacy had suffered a most appalling +calamity--not only had the Mississippi River been opened to the Federal +gunboats, but Grant had captured twenty-four thousand prisoners of war, +including three Major Generals and nine Brigadiers, ninety pieces of +artillery and forty thousand small arms. + +The Johnston clique at Richmond made this disaster the occasion of +fierce assaults on Jefferson Davis and fresh complaints of the treatment +of their favorite General. The dogged persistence with which this group +of soreheads proclaimed the infallibility of the genius of the weakest +and most ineffective general of the Confederacy was phenomenal. The more +miserable Johnston's failures the louder these men shouted his praises. +The yellow journals of the South continued to praise this sulking old +man until half the people of the Confederacy were hoodwinked into +believing in his greatness. + +The results of this Johnston delusion were destined to bear fatal fruit +in the hour of the South's supreme trial. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +SUSPICION + + +Jennie Barton had refused to listen to Captain Welford's accusation of +treachery against her lover but the seed of suspicion had been planted. +It grew with such rapidity her peace of mind was utterly destroyed. + +In vain she put the ugly thought aside. + +"It's impossible!" she murmured a hundred times only to come back to the +idea that would not down. + +Night after night she tossed on her pillow unable to sleep. The longer +she faced the problem of Socola's character and antecedents the more +probable became the truth of Dick's suspicions. She had made his present +position in the State Department possible. + +Again her love rose in rebellion. "It's a lie--a lie!" she sobbed. "I +won't believe it. Dick's crazy jealousy's at the bottom of it all--" + +Why had Socola buried himself in the Department of State so completely +since the scene with Dick? His calls had been brief. Their relations had +been strained in spite of her honest effort to put them back on the old +footing. + +He gave as his excuse for not calling oftener the enormous pressure of +work which the crisis of the invasion of Pennsylvania had brought to his +office. The excuse was valid. But perfect love would find a way. It +should need no excuse. + +There was something wrong. She realized it now with increasing agony. +Unable to endure the strain she sent for Socola. + +Their meeting was awkward. She made no effort to apologize or smooth +things over. Her attitude was instinctive. She gave her feelings full +rein. + +She fixed on him a steady searching gaze. + +"It's useless for me to try to pretend, my love. There's something wrong +between us." + +"Your mind has been poisoned," was the quick, serious answer. "Thoughts +are things. They have the power to kill or give life. A poisonous idea +has been planted in your soul. It's killing your love for me. I feel +it--and I'm helpless." + +"You can cast it out," she answered tenderly. + +"How?" + +"Tell me frankly and honestly the whole story of your life--" + +"You believe me an impostor?" + +"I love you--" + +"And that is not enough?" + +"No. Make suspicion impossible. You can do this--if you are innocent as +I believe you are--" + +She paused and a sob caught her voice. + +"Oh, my love, it's killing me--I can neither eat nor sleep. Show me that +such a thing is impossible--" + +He took her hand. + +"How foolish, my own, to ask this of me--we love right or wrong. Love is +the fulfillment of the law. You call me here to cross-examine me--" + +"No--no--dear heart--just to have you soothe my fears and make me laugh +again--" + +"But how is it possible--once this thought has found its way into your +mind? If I am a spy, as your Captain Welford says, it is my business to +deceive the enemy. I couldn't tell the truth and live in Richmond. I +would swing from the nearest limb if I should be discovered--" + +Jennie covered her face with her hands: + +"Don't--don't--please--" + +"Can't you see how useless such a question?" + +"You can't convince me?" she asked pathetically. + +"I won't try," he said firmly. "You must trust me because you love me. +Nothing I could say could convince you--" + +He paused and held her hands in a desperate clasp-- + +"Trust me, dear--I promise in good time to convince you that I am all +your heart has told you--" + +"You must convince me now--or I'll die," she sobbed. + +"You're asking the impossible--" + +He stroked her hand with tender touch, rose and led her to the door. + +"You'll try to trust me?" + +There was an unreal sound in her voice as Jennie slowly replied: + +"Yes--I'll try." + +Socola hurried to the house on Church Hill and dispatched a courier on a +mission of tragic importance. Kilpatrick and Dahlgren were preparing to +capture Richmond by a daring raid of three thousand cavalrymen. + +Jennie watched him go with the determination to know the truth at all +hazards. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +THE FATAL DEED + + +The battle of Gettysburg and the disaster of the fall of Vicksburg once +more gave to the Johnston junta in the Confederate Congress their +opportunity to harass the President. + +Their power for evil had been greatly diminished by the pressure of the +swiftly moving tragedy of the war. + +The appearance of this Congress was curiously plain and uninteresting. +With the exception of J. L. M. Curry of Alabama and Barksdale of +Mississippi there was not a man among them of constructive ability as a +statesman. Foote of Tennessee was noted for his high-flown English, his +endless harangues and his elaborate historical illustrations. Had his +ability been equal to the intensity of his hatred for Davis he would +have been a dangerous man to the administration. James Lyons of Virginia +stood six feet three in his stockings, had fine, even, white teeth, and +was considered the handsomest man in the assembly. + +Yancey, the fierce, uncompromising agitator of secession, was too +violent to command the influence to which his genius entitled him. + +Senator Barton, fierce, impatient, bombastic, had long ago exhausted the +vocabulary of invective and could only repeat himself in descending +anti-climax. + +Hill of Georgia was a young man of ability who gave promise of greater +things under more favorable conditions. + +The real business of this Congress was transacted in secret executive +sessions. When the public was admitted, the people of Richmond generally +looked on with contempt. They sneeringly referred to them as "the +College Debating Society, on Capitol Hill." + +The surroundings of their halls added to the impression of +inefficiency--dingy, dirty and utterly lacking in the luxuries which the +mind associates with the exercise of sovereign power. + +The Senate was forced to find quarters in the third story of the "State +House." There was no gallery and the spectators were separated from the +members by an improvised railing. The only difference noticeable between +the Senators and the spectators was that the members had seats and the +listeners and loafers had standing room only behind the rail. + +The House of Representatives had a better chamber. But its walls were +bare of ornament or paintings, its chairs were uncushioned, its desks +dingy and slashed with pocket knives. Its members sat with their heels +in the air and their bodies sprawled in every conceivable attitude of +ugly indifference. + +The heart and brains of the South were on the field of battle--her +noblest sons destined to sleep in unmarked graves. + +The scenes of personal violence which disgraced the sittings of this +nondescript body of law makers did much to relieve the President of the +burden of their hostility. + +Foote of Tennessee provoked an encounter with Judge Dargan of Alabama +which came near a tragic ending. The Judge was an old man of eccentric +dress, much given to talking to himself--particularly as he wandered +about the streets of Richmond. The gallery of the House loved him from +the first for his funny habit of scratching his arm when the itch of +eloquence attacked him. And he always addressed the Speaker as "Mr. +Cheerman." They loved him particularly for that. The eccentric Judge had +a peculiarly fierce antipathy to Foote. Words of defiance had passed +between them on more than one occasion. The House was in secret night +session. The Judge was speaking. + +Foote sitting near, glanced up at his enemy and muttered: + +"Damned old scoundrel--" + +The Judge's gray head suddenly lifted, he snatched a bowie knife from +his pocket and dashed for the man who had insulted him. + +From every direction rose the shouts and cries of the excited House. + +"Stop him!" + +"Hold him!" + +"Great God!" + +"Judge--Judge!" + +The wildest uproar followed. Half a dozen members threw themselves on +the old man, dragged him to the floor, pinned him down and wrested the +knife from his grasp. + +When the eloquent gentleman from Tennessee saw that his assailant was +disarmed and safely guarded by six stalwart men he struck an attitude, +expanded his chest, smote it with both hands and exclaimed with +melodramatic gusto: + +"I defy the steel of the assassin!" + +The House burst into shouts of uncontrollable laughter, and adjourned +for the night. + +Another scene of more tragic violence occurred in the Senate--a hand to +hand fight between William L. Yancey and Ben Hill. The Senator from +Georgia threw his antagonist across a desk, held him there in a grip of +steel and pounded his face until dragged away by friends. Yancey's spine +was wrenched in the struggle, and it was rumored that this injury caused +his death. It possibly hastened the end already sure from age, disease +and careless living. + +Committees from this assembly of law makers who attempted to instruct +the conscientious, hard-working man of genius the Southern people had +made their President found little comfort in their efforts. + +Davis received them with punctilious ceremony. His manners were always +those of a gentleman--but he never allowed them to return to their +onerous work in the Debating Society without a clear idea of his views. +They were never expressed with violence. But the ice sometimes formed on +the window panes if he stood near while talking. + +A Congressional Committee were demanding the restoration of Beauregard +to command. + +"General Beauregard asked me to relieve him, gentlemen--" + +"Only on furlough for illness," interrupted the Chairman. + +"And you have forced him into retirement!" added a member. + +The President rose, walked to the window, gazed out on the crowded +street for a moment and turned, suddenly confronting his tormentors. He +spoke with quiet dignity, weighing each word with cold precision: + +"If the whole world asked me to restore General Beauregard to the +command which I have given to Braxton Bragg, I would refuse." He resumed +his seat and the Committee retired to Senator Barton's house where they +found a sympathetic ear. + +Bragg was preparing to fight one of the greatest battles of the war. At +Chickamauga, the "River of Death," he encountered Rosecrans. At the end +of two days of carnage the Union army was totally routed, right, left, +and center and hurled back from Georgia into Chattanooga. Polk's wing +captured twenty-eight pieces of artillery and Longstreet's twenty-one. +Eight thousand prisoners of war were taken, fifteen thousand stand of +arms and forty regimental colors. + +Rosecrans' army of eighty thousand men was literally cut to pieces by +Bragg's fifty thousand Southerners. No more brilliant achievement of +military genius illumines history. Chickamauga was in every way as +desperate a battle as Arcola--and in all Napoleon's Italian campaigns +nothing more daring and wonderful was accomplished by the Man of +Destiny. + +Bragg had justified the faith of Davis. Rosecrans was hemmed in in +Chattanooga, his supplies cut off and his army facing starvation when he +was relieved of his command, Thomas succeeding him. Grant was hurried to +Chattanooga with two army corps to raise the siege. + +With his reënforcements Grant raised the siege, surprised and defeated +Bragg's army which had been weakened by the detachment of Longstreet's +corps for a movement on Knoxville. + +Bragg withdrew his army again into Georgia and resigned his command. The +stern, irritable Confederate fighter was disgusted with the constant +attacks on him by peanut politicians and refused to hear Davis' plea +that he remain at the head of the Western army. The President called him +to Richmond and made him his Chief of Staff. + +The disaster to the Confederacy at Chattanooga which gave General Grant +supreme command of the Union forces, brought to the Johnston junta at +Richmond its opportunity to once more press their favorite to the front. +Since his Vicksburg fiasco the President had isolated him. Davis +resisted this appointment with deep foreboding of its possible disaster +to the South. + +In the midst of this bitter struggle over the selection of a Western +Field Commander, the President of the Confederacy received the first +and only recognition of his Government accorded by any European power. + +His early education at the St. Thomas Monastery had given the Southern +leader a lofty opinion of the Roman Catholic Church. Davis had always +seen in the members of this faith in America friends who could not be +alienated from the oppressed. + +Failing to receive recognition from the great powers of Europe, he +dispatched his diplomatic representative to Rome with a carefully worded +letter to the Pope in which he expressed his gratitude to Pius IX for +his efforts in behalf of peace. The Pope had urged his bishops in New +Orleans and New York to strive to end the war. + +The Vatican received the Confederate diplomat with every mark of +courtesy and every expression of respect accorded the most powerful +nations of the world. The Dominican friars had not forgotten the +wistful, eager boy they had taught, and loved in Kentucky. + +The Pope replied to this communication in an official letter which +virtually recognized the Confederacy--both in his capacity as a temporal +sovereign and as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. + +The President read this letter with renewed hope of favorable action +abroad. + + + "ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONORABLE PRESIDENT: + + "Salutation: + + "We have just received with all suitable welcome the persons sent by + you to place in our hands your letter dated twenty-third of September + last. + + "Not slight was the pleasure we experienced when we learned from + those persons and the letter, with what feelings of joy and gratitude + you were animated, illustrious and honorable President, as soon as + you were informed of our letters to our venerable brother John, + Archbishop of New York, and John, Archbishop of New Orleans, dated + the eighteenth of October of last year, and in which we have with all + our strength excited and exhorted these venerable brothers, that in + their episcopal piety and solicitude, they should endeavor, with the + most ardent zeal, and in our name, to bring about the end of the + fatal civil war which has broken out in those countries, in order + that the American people may obtain peace and concord, and dwell + charitably together. + + "It is particularly agreeable to us to see that you, illustrious and + honorable President, and your good people, are animated with the + same desire of peace and tranquillity which we have in our letters + inculcated upon our venerable brothers. May it please God at the same + time to make the other people of America and their ruler, reflecting + seriously how terrible is civil war, and what calamities it engenders, + listen to the inspiration of a calm spirit, and adopt resolutely the + part of peace. + + "As for us, we shall not cease to offer up the most fervent prayers + to God Almighty that He may pour out upon all the people of America + the Spirit and peace and charity, and that He will stop the great + evils which afflict them. We at the same time beseech the God of pity + to shed abroad upon you the light of His countenance and attach you + to us by a perfect friendship. + + "Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the third of December, 1863, of our + Pontificate 18. + + "(Signed) Pius IX." + + +The dark hour was swiftly approaching when the South and her leader +would need the prayers of all God's saints. + +Failing to persuade Bragg to reconsider his resignation, Davis appointed +General Hardee as his successor to command the Western army. Hardee +declared the responsibility was more than he could assume. + +Under the urgent necessity of driving the Union army back from its +position at Chattanooga and heartsick with eternal wrangling of the +opposition, Davis reluctantly ordered Joseph E. Johnston personally to +assume command of the Army of Tennessee--and the fatal deed was done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +THE RAIDERS + + +In February, 1864, both North and South were straining every nerve for +the last act of the grand drama of blood and tears. The Presidential +election would be held in November to choose a successor to Abraham +Lincoln. At this moment Lincoln was the most unpopular, the most +reviled, the most misunderstood and the most abused man who had ever +served as President of the United States. The opposition to him inside +his own party was fierce, malignant, vindictive and would stop short of +nothing to encompass his defeat in their nominating convention. They had +not hesitated even to accuse his wife of treason. + +Military success and military success alone could save the +administration at Washington. George B. McClellan, the most popular +general of the Union army, was already slated to oppose Lincoln on a +platform demanding peace. + +If the South could hold her own until the first Monday in November, the +opposition to the war in the North would crush the administration and +peace would be had at the price of Southern independence. + +No man in America understood the tense situation more clearly than +Jefferson Davis. His agents in the North kept him personally informed of +every movement of the political chess board. Personally he had never +believed in the possibility of the South winning in a conflict of arms +since the death of Jackson had been given its full significance in the +battle of Gettysburg. He had however believed in the possibility of the +party of the North which stood for the old Constitution winning an +election on the issue of a bloody and unsuccessful war and, on their +winning, that he could open negotiations for peace and gain every point +for which the war had been fought. It all depended on the battles of the +coming spring and summer. + +Grant, the new Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Union, had been +given a free hand with unlimited resources of men and money. He was now +directing the movements of nearly a million soldiers in blue. + +Sherman was drilling under his orders an army of a hundred thousand with +which to march into Georgia--while Grant himself would direct the +movement of a quarter of a million men in his invasion of Virginia. + +The Confederate President saw at once that Lee's army must be raised to +its highest point of efficiency and that it was of equal importance that +Joseph E. Johnston should be given as many or more men with which to +oppose Sherman. + +To allow for Johnston's feeble strategy, Davis sent him 68,000 soldiers +to Dalton, Georgia, to meet Sherman's 100,000 and gave Lee 64,000 with +which to oppose Grant's 150,000 threatening to cross the Rapidan and +move directly on Richmond. + +Socola had informed the War Department at Washington that the +Confederate Capital had been stripped of any semblance of an effective +garrison to fill the ranks of Lee and Johnston. + +General Judson Kilpatrick was authorized to select three thousand picked +cavalry, dash suddenly on Richmond, capture it and release the 15,000 +Union prisoners confined in its walls and stockades. + +These prisoners Grant steadily refused to receive in exchange. In vain +Davis besought the Federal Government to take them home in return for +an equal number of Confederate prisoners who were freezing and dying in +the North. + +Grant's logic was inexorable. Every Confederate prisoner exchanged and +sent back home meant a recruit to Lee's army. It was cruel to leave his +men to languish in beleaguered Richmond whose citizens were rioting in +the streets for bread, but he figured these prisoners as soldiers dying +in battle. The Confederate Government had no medicine for them. The +blockade was drawn so tight scarcely an ounce of medicine could be +obtained for the Confederate army. Davis offered the Washington +Government to let their own surgeons come to Richmond and carry medicine +and food to their prisoners. His request was refused. + +The only thing Grant conceded was his consent to Kilpatrick's attempt to +free and arm these 15,000 prisoners and loose them with fire and sword +in the streets of the Confederate Capital. + +Little did the men, women and children of Richmond dream that they were +lying down each night to sleep on the thin crust of a volcano. + +Captain Welford in the pursuit of Socola and Miss Van Lew had found that +the woman on Church Hill persisted in her visits to the prisons. Libby, +which contained a number of Union officers of rank, was her favorite. + +On the last day of February his patient watch was rewarded. He had +placed a spy in Libby disguised as a captive Union soldier. + +This man had sent the Captain an urgent message to communicate with him +at once. Within thirty minutes Welford confronted him in the guardroom +of the prison. + +The Captain spoke in sharp nervous tones: + +"Well?" + +"I've something big--" + +He paused and glanced about the room. + +"Go on!" + +"There's a plot on foot inside to escape--" + +"Of course. They're always plotting to escape--we've no real prison +system--no discipline. Hundreds have escaped already. It's nothing +new--" + +"This _is_ new," the spy went on eagerly, "They let me into their +councils last night. There's going to be a big raid on Richmond--the men +inside are going to fight their way out, arm themselves and burn the +city. When they get the signal from the outside they'll batter down the +walls and rush through--" + +"Batter down the walls?" + +"Yes, sir--" + +"How?" + +"They've loosed two big rafters and have them ready to use as battering +rams--" + +"You're sure of this?" + +"Sure's God's in heaven. Go in and see for yourself--" + +Captain Welford gave a low whistle. + +"This is big news. There are enough prisoners in Richmond to make an +army corps--eleven hundred in here--twenty-five hundred at Crew and +Pemberton's--at Belle Isle and the other stockades at least fifteen +thousand in all. They are guarded by a handful of men. If they realize +their power, they can batter their way out in five minutes and sweep the +city with blood and fire--" + +He stopped suddenly, drew a deep breath and turned again to the man. + +"That'll do for you here. Take a little rest. You'd as well go back into +a lion's den when they find out that I know. They'd spot you sure and +tear you limb from limb." + +The spy saluted. + +"Report to me a week from to-day at the office. You've earned a +vacation." + +The man saluted again and passed quickly out. + +Captain Welford asked the Superintendent to call his prisoners together. + +"I have something to say to them." + +A thousand silent men in blue were gathered in the assembly room of the +old warehouse. + +Captain Welford boldly entered the place carrying a box in his hand. He +placed it on the floor, sprang on it and lifted his hand over the crowd: + +"I've an announcement to make, gentlemen," he began quietly amid a +silence that was death like. "The Department which I represent has +learned that you are planning to batter down the walls and join a force +of raiders who are on the way to capture Richmond--" + +He paused and a murmur of smothered despair, inarticulate, bitter, crept +through the crowd. + +"To forestall this little scheme, I have planted a thousand pounds of +powder under this building. I have mined every other prison. The first +one of you that lifts his finger to escape gives the signal that will +blow you into Eternity--" + +Dick stepped from the box and made his way out without another word. He +could feel the wild heart beat of baffled hope as they followed him to +the door with despairing eyes. + +A murmur of sickening rage swept the prison. An ominous silence fell +where hope had beat high. + +The same strategic announcement was made in every prison in Richmond. No +mines had been laid. But the story served its purpose. Fifteen thousand +men were bound hand and foot by fear. Three hundred soldiers guarded +them successfully. Not a finger was lifted to help their bold rescuers +who were already dashing toward the city. + +Colonel Ulric Dahlgren was crossing the James above Richmond to strike +from the south side, while General Kilpatrick led the attack direct from +the north, Dahlgren crossed the river at Ely's Ford, passed in the rear +of Lee's army, captured a Confederate court martial in session, but +missed a park of sixty-eight pieces of artillery which had been left +unguarded. + +When they again reached the James at Davis' Mill, where a ford was +supposed to be, none could be found. Stanton had sent from Washington a +negro guide. They accused the negro of treachery and hung him from the +nearest limb without the formality of a drumhead court martial. + +At dawn on March first, Bradley Johnson's cavalry, guarding Lee's flank, +struck one of Kilpatrick's parties and drove them in on the main body. +They pursued Kilpatrick's men through Ashland and down to the outer +defenses of Richmond. + +Hero the raiders dismounted their twenty-five hundred men and prepared +to attack the entrenchments. Wade Hampton immediately moved out to meet +him. Bradley Johnson's Marylanders drew up in Kilpatrick's rear at the +same moment, and captured five men bearing dispatches from Dahlgren. He +would attack on the rear at sunset. He asked Kilpatrick to strike at the +same moment. + +Johnson boldly charged Kilpatrick's rear with his handful of men and +drove him headlong down the Peninsula to the York River. The Confederate +leader had but seventy-five men and two pieces of artillery but he hung +on Kilpatrick's division of twenty-five hundred and captured a hundred +and forty prisoners. + +Dahlgren at night with but four hundred men boldly attacked the defenses +on the north side of the city. He was met by a company of Richmond boys +under eighteen years of age. The youngsters gave such good account of +themselves that he withdrew from the field, leaving forty of his men +dead and wounded. + +In his retreat down the Peninsula, he failed to find Kilpatrick's +division. His command was cut to pieces and captured and Dahlgren +himself killed. + +The part which Socola had played in this raid was successfully +accomplished without a hitch. He was compelled to answer the drum which +called every clerk of his Department to arms for the defense of the +city. In the darkness he succeeded in pressing into Dahlgren's lines and +on his retreat made his way back to his place in the ranks of the +Confederates. + +It was a little thing which betrayed him after the real danger was past +and brought him face to face with Jennie Barton. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +THE DISCOVERY + + +From the moment Captain Welford had discovered the plot of the prisoners +to coöperate with Kilpatrick and Dahlgren he was morally sure that Miss +Van Lew had been their messenger. He was equally sure that Socola had +been one of her accomplices. + +On the day of the announcement of his powder plant to the prisoners he +set a guard to watch the house on Church Hill, and report to him the +moment "Crazy Bet" should emerge. + +Within two hours he received the message that she was on her way down +town with her market basket swinging on her arm. Dick knew that this +woman could not recognize him personally. He was only distantly related +to the Welfords of Richmond. + +Miss Van Lew was in a nervous agony to deliver her dispatch to +Kilpatrick, warning him that the purpose of the raid had been discovered +and that he must act with the utmost caution. She had no scout at hand +and Kilpatrick's was expected every moment at her rendezvous near the +market. + +Dick turned the corner, circled a block, and met her. She was childishly +swinging the basket on her arm and humming a song. She smiled vacantly +into his face. He caught the look of shrewd intelligence and saw through +her masquerade. A single word from her lips now would send her to the +gallows and certainly lead to Socola's arrest. + +The Captain was certain that she carried dispatches on her person at +that moment. If he could only induce her to drop them, the trick would +be turned. + +He turned, retraced his steps, overtook her and whispered as he passed: + +"Your trusted messenger--" + +She paid no attention. There was not the slightest recognition--no +surprise--no inquiry. Her thin face was a mask of death. + +Was this man Kilpatrick's scout? Or was he a Secret Service man on her +trail? The questions seethed through her excited soul. Her life hung on +the answer. It was a question of judgment of character and personality. +The man was a stranger. But the need was terrible. Should she take the +chance? + +She quickened her pace and passed Dick. + +Again she heard him whisper: + +"Your messenger is here. I am going through to-night." + +In her hand clasped tight was her dispatch torn into strips and each +strip rolled into a tiny ball. Should she commence to drop them one by +one? + +Perplexed, she stopped and glanced back suddenly into Dick's face. Her +decision was instantaneous. The subtle sixth sense had revealed in a +flash of his eager eyes her mortal danger. She turned into a side street +and hurried home. + +The Captain was again baffled by a woman's wit. His disappointment was +keen. He had hoped to prove his accusation to Jennie Barton before the +sun set. She had ceased to fight his suspicions of Socola. His name was +not mentioned. She was watching her lover with more desperate +earnestness even than he. + +The Captain had failed to entrap the wily little woman with her market +basket, but through her he struck the trail of the big quarry he had +sought for two years. Socola was imperiled by a woman's sentimental +whim--this woman with nerves of steel and a heart whose very throb she +could control by an indomitable will. + +Heartsick over her failure to get through the lines her warning to +Kilpatrick, she had felt the responsibility of young Dahlgren's tragic +death. Woman-like she determined, at the risk of her life and the life +of every man she knew, to send the body of this boy back to his father +in the North. + +In vain Socola pleaded against this mad undertaking. + +The woman's soul had been roused by the pathetic figure of the daring +young raider whose crutches were found strapped to his saddle. He had +lost a leg but a few months before. + +He had been buried at the cross-roads where he fell--the roads from +Stevensville and Mantua Ferry. In pity for the sorrow of his +distinguished father Davis had ordered the body disinterred and brought +into Richmond. It was buried at night in a spot unknown to anyone save +the Confederate authorities. Feeling had run so high on the discovery of +the purpose of the raiders to burn the city that the Confederate +President feared some shocking indignity might be offered the body. + +The night Miss Van Lew selected for her enterprise was cold and dark and +the rain fell in dismal, continuous drizzle. The grave had been +discovered by a negro who saw the soldiers bury the body. It was +identified by the missing right leg. + +The work was done without interruption or discovery. + +Socola placed the body in Rowley's wagon which was filled with young +peach trees concealing the casket. The pickets would be deceived by the +simple device. Should one of them thrust his bayonet into the depths of +those young trees more than one neck would pay the penalty. But they +wouldn't. He was sure of it. + +At the picket post Rowley sat in stolid indifference while he heard the +order to search his wagon. He engaged the guard in conversation. Wagons +entered and passed and still he talked lazily to his chosen friend. + +The Lieutenant looked from his tent and yelled at last: + +"What 'ell's the matter with you--search that man and let him go--" + +"It would be a pity to tear up all those fruit trees!" the guard said +with a yawn. + +"I didn't think you'd bother 'em," Rowley answered indifferently, "but I +know a soldier's duty--" + +Another wagon dashed up in a hurry. The guard examined him and he passed +on. + +Again the Lieutenant called: + +"Search that man and let him go!" + +Rowley's face was a mask of lazy indifference. + +The guard glanced at him and spoke in low tones: + +"Your face is guarantee enough, partner--go on--" + +Socola flanked the picket and joined Rowley. Near Hungary, on the farm +of Orrick the German, a grave was hurriedly dug and the casket placed in +it. The women helped to heap the dirt in and plant over it one of the +peach trees. + +Three days later in response to a pitiful appeal from Dahlgren's father, +Davis ordered the boy's body sent to Washington. The grave had been +robbed. The sensation this created was second only to the raid itself. + +It was only too evident to the secret service of the Confederate +Government that an organization of Federal spies honeycombed the city. +The most desperate and determined efforts were put forth to unearth +these conspirators. + +Captain Welford had made the discovery that the conspirators who had +stolen Dahlgren's body had cut his curling blond hair and dispatched it +to Washington. The bearer of this dispatch was a negro. He had been +thoroughly searched, but no incriminating papers were found. The Captain +had removed a lock of this peculiarly beautiful hair and allowed the +messenger of love to go on his way determined to follow him on his +return to Richmond and locate his accomplices. + +Dick's report of this affair to Jennie had started a train of ideas +which again centered her suspicions on Socola. The night this body had +been stolen she had sent for her lover in a fit of depression. The rain +was pouring in cold, drizzling monotony. Her loneliness had become +unbearable. + +He was not at home and could not be found. Alarmed and still more +depressed she sent her messenger three times. The last call he made was +long past midnight. + +Her suspicion of his connection with the service of the enemy had become +unendurable. She had not seen or heard from him since the effort to find +him that night. He was at his desk at work as usual next morning. + +She wrote him a note and begged that he call at once. He came within +half an hour, a wistful smile lighting his face as he extended his hand: + +"I am forgiven for having been born abroad?" + +"I have sent for you--" + +"I've waited long." + +"It's not the first time I've asked you to call," she cried in strained +tones. + +"No?" + +She held his gaze with steady intensity. + +"I sent for you the night young Dahlgren's body was stolen--" + +"Really?" + +"It was raining. I was horribly depressed. I couldn't endure the +strain. I meant to surrender utterly and trust you--" + +"I didn't get your message--" + +"I know that you didn't--where were you?" + +"Engaged on important business for the Government--" + +"What Government?" + +"How can you ask such a question?" + +"I do ask it. I sent for you three times--the third time after midnight. +It wasn't very modest, perhaps, I was so miserable I didn't care. I just +wanted to put my arms around your neck and tell you to love me +always--that nothing else mattered--" + +"Nothing else does matter, dearest--" + +"Yes--it does. It matters whether you have used me to betray my people. +Where were you at twelve o'clock night before last?" + +"I'd rather not tell you--" + +"I demand it--" + +A quizzical smile played about Socola's handsome mouth as he faced her +frankly. + +"I was in a gambling establishment--" + +"Whose?" + +"Johnnie Worsham's--" + +"What were you doing there? You neither drink nor gamble." + +Again the dark face smiled. + +"I was asked by my Chief to report on the habits of every man in my +Department--particularly to report every man who frequents the gambling +hells of Richmond--" + +Jennie watched him nervously, her hands trembling. + +"It's possible of course--" + +Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she threw herself into his +arms. + +And then it happened--the little thing, trivial and insignificant, +that makes and unmakes life. + +For a long while no words were spoken. With gentle touch he soothed her +trembling body, bending to kiss the waves of rich brown hair. + +She pushed him at arm's length at last and looked up smiling. + +"I can't help it--I love you!" + +"When will you learn that we must trust where we love--" + +He stopped suddenly. Her brown eyes were fixed with terror on a single +strand of curling blond hair caught on the button of his waistcoat. + +"What is it?" he asked in alarm. + +She drew the hair from his coat carefully and held it to the light in +silence. + +"You can't be jealous?" + +She looked at him curiously. + +"Yes. I have a rival--" + +"A rival?" + +Her eyes pierced him. + +"Your love for the Union! I've suspected you before. You've evaded my +questions. Our love has been so big and sweet a thing that you have +always stammered and hesitated to tell me a deliberate lie. It's not +necessary now. I know. Ulrich Dahlgren is the age of my brother Billy. +They used to play together in Washington at Commodore Dahlgren's home +and at ours. He had the most peculiarly beautiful blond hair I ever saw +on a man. I'd know it anywhere on earth. That strand is his, poor boy! +Besides, Dick Welford captured your messenger with that pathetic little +bundle on his way to Washington--" + +Socola started in spite of his desperate effort at self-control and was +about to speak when Jennie lifted her hand. + +"Don't, please. It's useless to quibble and argue with me longer. We +face each other with souls bare. I don't ask you why you have deceived +me. Your business as a Federal spy is to deceive the enemy--" + +"You are not my enemy," he interrupted in a sudden burst of passion. +"You are my mate! You are mine by all the laws of God and nature. I love +you. I worship you. We are _not_ enemies. We never have been--we never +shall be. With the last breath I breathe your name shall be on my +lips--" + +"You may speak your last word soon--" + +"What do you mean?" + +"I am going to surrender you to the authorities--" + +"And you have just been sobbing in my arms--the man you have sworn to +love forever?" + +"It's the only atonement I can make. Through you I have betrayed my +country and my people. I would gladly die in your place. The hard thing +will be to do my duty and give you up to the death you have earned." + +"You can deliver me to execution?" + +"Yes--" was the firm answer. "Listen to this--" + +She seized a copy of the morning paper. + +"Colonel Dahlgren's instructions to his men. This document was found on +his person when shot. There is no question of its genuineness--" + +She paused and read in cold hard tones: + + + "Guides, pioneers (with oakum, turpentine and torpedoes), signal + officer, quarter master, commissary, scouts, and picket men in rebel + uniform--remain on the north bank and move down with the force on the + south bank. If communications can be kept up without giving an alarm + it must be done. Everything depends upon a surprise, and no one must + be allowed to pass ahead of this column. All mills must be burned and + the canal destroyed. Keep the force on the southern side posted of + any important movement of the enemy, and in case of danger some of + the scouts must swim the river and bring us information. We must try + to secure the bridge to the city (one mile below Belle Isle) and + release the prisoners at the same time. If we do not succeed they + must then dash down, and we will try to carry the bridge from each + side. The bridges once secured, and the prisoners loosed and over the + river, the bridges will be secured and the city destroyed--" + + +Jennie paused and lifted her eyes burning with feverish light. + +"Merciful God! How? With oakum and turpentine. A city of one hundred +thousand inhabitants, under the cover of darkness--men, women and +children, the aged, the poor, the helpless!" + +Socola made no answer. A thoughtful dreamy look masked his handsome +features. + +Jennie read the next sentence from the Dahlgren paper in high quivering +tones: + + + "The men must be kept together and well in hand, and once in the + city, it must be destroyed and _Jeff Davis and his Cabinet_ killed--" + + +The girl paused and fixed her gaze on Socola. + +"The man who planned that raid came with the willful and deliberate +murder of unarmed men in his soul. The man who helped him inside is +equally guilty of his crime--" + +She resumed her reading without waiting for reply. + + + "Prisoners will go along with combustible material. The officer must + use his discretion about the time of assisting us. Pioneers must be + prepared to construct a bridge or destroy one. They must have plenty + of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be rolled in soaked + balls, and given to the men to burn when we get into the city--" + + +Socola lifted his hand. + +"Please, dear--these instructions are not mine. I do not excuse or +palliate them. The daring youngster who conceived this paid the penalty +with his life. It's all that any of us can give for his country. There's +something that interests me now far more than this sensation--far more +than the mere fact that my true business here has been discovered by you +and my life forfeited to your Government--" + +"And that is?" + +"That the woman I love can deliver me to death--" + +"You doubt it?" + +"I had not believed it possible." + +"I'll show you." + +Jennie stepped to the door and pulled the old-fashioned bell-cord. + +A servant appeared. + +In strained tones the girl said: + +"Go to Captain Welford's office and ask him to come here immediately +with two soldiers--" + +"Yassam--" + +The negro bowed and hurried from the house, and Jennie sat down in +silence beside the door. + +Socola confronted her, his hands gripped in nervous agony behind his +back, his slender figure erect, his breath coming in deep excited +draughts. + +"You think that I'll submit to my fate without a fight?" + +"You've got to submit. Your escape from Richmond is a physical +impossibility--" + +He searched the depths of her heart. + +"I was not thinking of my body just then. I have no desire to live if +you can hand me to my executioner--" + +He paused and a sob came from the girl's distracted soul. + +He moved a step closer. + +"I'm not afraid to die--you must know that--I'm not a coward--" + +"No. I couldn't have loved a coward!" + +"The thing I can't endure is that you, the woman to whom I have +surrendered my soul, should judge me worthy of death. Come, my own, this +is madness. We must see each other as God sees now. You must realize +that only the highest and noblest motive could have sent a man of my +character and training on such a mission. We differ in our political +views for the moment--even as you differ from the older brother whom you +love and respect--" + +"I am not responsible for my brother's acts. I am for yours--" + +"Nonsense, dear heart. My work was ordained of God from the beginning. +It was fate. Nothing could have stopped me. I came under a mighty +impulse of love for my country--bigger than the North or the South. God +sent me. You have helped me. But if you had not I would still have +succeeded. Can't you forget for the moment the details of this +blood-stained struggle--the maimed lad with his crutches strapped to his +saddle, lost in the black storm night in the country of his enemies and +shot to pieces--the mad scheme his impulsive brain had dreamed of wiping +your Capital from the earth and leading fifteen thousand shouting +prisoners back into freedom and life--surely he paid for his madness. +Forget that I have deceived you, and see the vision of which I dream--a +purified and redeemed Nation--united forever--no North, no South--no +East, no West--the inheritance of our children and all the children of +the world's oppressed! I am fighting for you and yours as well as my +own. The South is mine. I love its beautiful mountains and plains--its +rivers and shining seas--Oh, my love, can't you see this divine vision +of the future? The Union must be saved. The stars in their courses +fight its battles. Nothing is surer in the calendar of time than that +the day is swiftly coming when the old flag your fathers first flung to +the breeze will be again lifted from your Capitol building. You can't +put me out of your life as a criminal worthy of death! I won't have it. +I am yours and you are mine. I am not pleading for my life. I'm pleading +for something bigger and sweeter than life. I'm pleading for my love. I +can laugh at death. I can't endure that you put me out of your heart--" + +Jennie rose with determination, walked to the window and laughed +hysterically. + +"Well, I'm going to put you out. Captain Welford and his men are coming. +They've just turned the corner!" + +The man's figure slowly straightened, and his eyes closed in +resignation. + +"Then it's God's will and my work is done." + +With a sudden cry Jennie threw herself in his arms. + +"Forgive me, dear Lord. I can't do this hideous thing! It's my duly, but +I can't. My darling--my own! You shall not die. I was mad. Forgive me! +Forgive me! My own--" + +"Halt!" + +The sharp command of the Captain rang outside the door. + +"Get into this room--quick--" the girl cried, pushing Socola into the +adjoining room and slamming the door as Dick entered the hall. + +She faced the Captain with a smile. + +"It's all right, now, Dick. I thought I had discovered an important +secret. It was a mistake--" + +The Captain smiled. + +"You don't mind my looking about the house?" + +"_Searching_ the house?" + +"Just the lower floor?" + +"I do mind it. How dare you suggest such a thing, sir--" + +"Because I've made a guess at the truth. You discovered important +evidence incriminating Socola. Your first impulse was to do your +duty--you weakened at the last moment--" + +"Absurd!" she gasped. + +"I happened to hear a door slam as I entered. I'll have to look around a +little." + +He started to the door behind which Socola had taken refuge. Jennie +confronted him. + +"You can't go in there--" + +"It's no use, Jennie--I'm going to search that room--the whole house if +necessary." + +"Why?" + +"I know that Socola is here--" + +"And if he is?" + +"I'll arrest him--" + +"On what charge?" + +"He is a Federal spy and you know it--" + +"You can't prove it." + +"I've found the evidence. I have searched his rooms--" + +"Searched his _rooms_?" + +"Your servant told me that he was here. I leaped to a conclusion, forced +his door and found this--" + +He thrust a well-thumbed copy of the cipher code of the Federal Secret +Service into her hand. + +"You--you--can't execute him, Dick," Jennie sobbed. + +"I will." + +"You can't. I love him. He can do no more harm here." + +"He's done enough. His life belongs to the South--" + +She placed her trembling hand on his arm. + +"You are sure that deep down in your heart there's not another motive?" + +"No matter how many motives--one is enough. I have the evidence on which +to send him to the gallows--" + +The girl's head drooped. + +"And I gave it to you--God have mercy!" + +The tears began to stream down her checks. Dick moved uneasily and +looked the other way. + +"I've got to do it," he repeated stubbornly. + +Her voice was the merest whisper when she spoke. + +"You're not going to arrest him, Dick. He will leave Richmond never to +enter the South again. I'll pledge my life on his promise. His death can +do us no good. It can do you no good--I--I--couldn't live and know +that I had killed the man I love--" + +"You haven't killed him. He has forfeited his life a thousand times in +his work as a spy." + +"I sent for you. I caused his betrayal. I shall be responsible if he +dies--" + +Again the little head drooped in pitiful suffering. She lifted it at +last with a smile. + +"Dick, you're too big and generous for low revenge. You hate this man. +But you love me. I know that. I'm proud and grateful for it. I appeal to +the best that's in you. Save my life and his--" + +"You couldn't live if he should die, Jennie?" the man asked tenderly. + +"Not if he should die in this way--" + +The Captain struggled and hesitated. + +Again her hand touched his arm. + +"I ask the big divine thing of you, Dick?" + +"It's hard. I've won and you take my triumph from me. For two years I've +given body and soul to the task of unmasking this man." + +"I'm asking his life--and mine--" the pleading voice repeated. + +"I'll give him up on one condition--" + +"What?" + +The Captain held her gaze in silence a moment. + +"That you send him back to the North and put him out of your life +forever!" + +Jennie laughed softly through her tears. + +"You big, generous, foolish boy--you might have left that to me--" + +"All right," he hastened to agree. "I'll leave it to you. Forgive me. I +can't deny you anything--" + +"You're a glorious lover, Dick!" she cried tenderly. "Why didn't I love +you?" + +"I don't know, honey," he replied chokingly. "We just love because we +must--there's no rhyme or reason to it--" + +He paused and laughed. + +"Well, it's all over now, Jennie. I've given him back to you--good-by--" + +She grasped his hand and held it firmly. + +"Don't you dare say good-by to me, sir--you've got to love me, too--as +long as I live--my first sweetheart--brave, generous, kind--" + +She drew his blond head low and kissed him. + +He looked at her through dimmed eyes and slowly said: + +"That makes life worth living, Jennie." + +He turned and quickly left the house. + +She heard his low orders to his men and watched them pass up the street +with their rifles on their shoulders. + +She opened the door and Socola entered, his face deathlike in its +pallor. + +"Why did he stay so long?" + +"He has searched your room and found your cipher code--" + +"And you have saved my life?" + +"It was I who put it in peril--" + +"No--I gave my life in willing sacrifice when the war began--" + +"You are to leave," Jennie went on evenly--"leave at once--" + +"Of course--" + +"And give me your solemn parole--never again during this war to fight +the South--" + +"It is your right to demand it. I agree." + +She gently took his hand. + +"I know that I can trust you now--" She paused and looked wistfully into +his face. "One last long look into your dear eyes--" + +"Not the last--" + +"One last kiss--" + +She drew his lips down to hers. + +"One last moment in your arms." She clung to him desperately and freed +herself with quick resolution. + +"And now you must go--from Richmond--from the South and out of my life +forever--" + +"You can't mean this!" he protested bitterly. + +"I do," was the firm answer. "Good-by." + +He pressed her hand and shook his head. + +"I refuse to say it--" + +"You must." + +"No--" + +"It is the end--" + +"It is only the beginning." + +With a look of tenderness he left her standing in the doorway, the +hunger of eternity in her brown eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +THE CONSPIRATORS + + +The raid of Dahlgren and Kilpatrick had sent a thrill of horror through +Richmond. The people had suddenly waked to the realization of what it +meant to hold fifteen thousand desperate prisoners in their city with a +handful of soldiers to guard them. + +The discovery on the young leader's body of the remarkable papers of +instructions to burn the city and murder the Confederate President and +his Cabinet produced a sharp discussion between Jefferson Davis and his +councilors. + +Not only did the people of Richmond demand that such methods of warfare +be met by retaliation of the most drastic kind but the Cabinet now +joined in this demand. Hundreds of prisoners had been captured both from +Dahlgren's and Kilpatrick's division. + +It was urged on Davis with the most dogged determination that these +prisoners--in view of the character of their instructions to burn a city +crowded with unarmed men, women and children and murder in cold blood +the civil officers of the Confederate Government--should be treated as +felons and executed by hanging. + +The President had refused on every occasion to lend his power to brutal +measures of retaliation. This time his Cabinet was persistent and in +dead earnest in their purpose to force his hand. + +Davis faced his angry council with unruffled spirit. + +"I understand your feelings, gentlemen," he said evenly. "You have had +a narrow escape. The South does not use such methods of warfare. Nor +will I permit our Government to fall to such level by an act of +retaliation. The prisoners we hold are soldiers of the enemy's army. +Their business is to obey orders--not plan campaigns--" + +"We have captured officers also," Benjamin interrupted. + +"Subordinate officers are not morally responsible for the plans of their +superiors." + +No argument could move the Confederate Chieftain. He was adamant to all +appeals for harsh treatment. Even Lee had at last found it impossible to +maintain discipline in his army unless he prevented the review of his +court martial by Davis. The President was never known to sign the death +warrant of a Confederate soldier. Lincoln was a man of equally tender +heart and yet the Northern President did sign the death warrants of more +than two hundred Union soldiers during his administration. + +The only action Davis would permit was the removal of the fifteen +thousand prisoners further south to places of safety where such raids +would be impossible. The prisons of Richmond were emptied and the +stockades at Salisbury and Andersonville over-crowded with these men. + +Davis renewed his urgent appeal to the Federal Government for the +exchange of these men. His request was treated with discourtesy and +steadily refused. When the hot climate of Georgia caused the high death +rate at Andersonville he released thousands of those men without +exchange and notified the Washington Government to send transportation +for them to Savannah. + +Lincoln had given Grant a free hand in assuming the command of all the +armies of the Union. But he watched his cruel policy of refusal to +exchange prisoners with increasing anguish. In every way possible, +without directly opposing his commanding general, the big-hearted +President at Washington managed to smuggle Southern prisoners back into +the South unknown to Grant and take an equal number of Union soldiers +home. + +A crowd of Southern boys from the prison at Elmira, New York, were +announced to arrive in Richmond on the morning train from +Fredericksburg. Among them Jennie expected her brother Jimmie who had +been captured in battle six months ago. She hurried to the station to +meet them. + +A great crowd had gathered. A row of coffins was placed on the ground at +the end of the long platform awaiting the train going south. A dozen men +were sitting on those rude caskets smoking, talking, laughing, their +feet drawn up tailor-fashion to keep them out of the mud. + +With a shiver the girl hurried to the other gate. + +Her eager eyes searched in vain among the ragged wretches who shambled +from the cars. A man from Baton Rouge, whom she failed to recognize, +lifted his faded hat and handed her a letter. + +She read it through her tears and hurried to the Confederate White House +to show it to the President. Davis scanned the scrawl with indignant +sympathy: + + + "_Dear Little Sis_: + + "This is the last message I shall ever send. Before it can reach you + I shall be dead--for which I'll thank God. I'm sorry now I didn't + take my chances with the other fellows, bribe the guard and escape + from Camp Douglas in Chicago. A lot of the boys did it. Somehow I + couldn't stoop. Maybe the fear of the degrading punishment they gave + McGoffin, the son of the Governor of Kentucky, when he failed, + influenced me, weak and despondent as I was. They hung him by the + thumbs to make him confess the name of his accomplices. He refused + to speak and they left him hanging until the balls of his thumbs + both burst open and he fainted. + + "The last month at Camp Douglas was noted for scant rations. Hunger + was the prevailing epidemic. At one end of our barracks was the + kitchen, and by the door stood a barrel into which was thrown beef + bones and slops. I saw a starving boy fish out one of these bones + and begin to gnaw it. A guard discovered him. He snatched the bone + from the prisoner's hand, cocked his pistol, pressed it to his head + and ordered him to his all-fours and made him bark for the bone he + held above him-- + + "We expected better treatment when transferred to Elmira. But I've + lost hope. I'm too weak to ever pull up again. I've made friends + with a guard who has given me the list of the men who have died here + in the five months since we came. In the first four months out of + five thousand and twenty-seven men held here, one thousand three + hundred and eleven died--six and one-half per cent a month--" + + +Davis paused and shook his head-- + +"The highest rate we have ever known at Salisbury or Andersonville +during those spring months was three per cent!" + +He finished the last line in quivering tones. + + + "There's not a chance on earth that I'll live to see you again. See + the President and beg him for God's sake to save as many of the boys + as he can. With a heart full of love. + + "Jimmie." + + +The President took both of Jennie's hands in his. + +"I need not tell you, my dear, that I have done and am doing my level +best. The policy of the new Federal Commander is to refuse all offers of +exchange. You understand my position?" + +"Perfectly," was the sorrowful answer. "I only came as a duty to bear +his dying message--" + +"Express to your father and mother my deepest sympathy." + +With a gentle pressure of the Chieftain's hand the girl answered: + +"I need not tell you I appreciate it--" + +The President watched her go with a look of helpless anguish. His +troubles for the moment had only begun. The returned prisoners had +marched in a body to his office to thank their Chief for his sympathy +and help and asked him to say something to them. + +Jennie paused and stared in a dazed way into the poor shrunken faces. +When the President appeared every ragged hat was in the air and they +cheered with all the might of the strength that was left in them. The +girl burst into tears. These men, so forlorn, so dried up with a +strange, half-animal, hunted look in their eyes--others restless and +wild-looking--others calmly vacant in their stare as if they had been +dead for years! + +A poor mother was rushing in and out among them hunting for her son. + +"He was coming with you boys, you know!" she cried. + +She stopped suddenly and laughed at her own anxiety and confusion. + +"He's here somewhere--I just can't find him--help me, men!" + +She hadn't spoken his name, in her eager search for his loved face. She +kept lifting the cloth from a basket of provisions which she had cooked +that morning. + +"I've got his breakfast here--poor boy--I expect he's hungry." + +She had lost all consciousness of the crowd now. + +She was talking to herself, trying to keep her courage up. + +The President looked into the emaciated faces before him and lifted his +long arm in solemn salutation. + + + "_Soldiers of the South_: + + "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this tribute of your + loyalty. You were offered your freedom in prison at any moment if + you would take the oath and forswear your allegiance to the South. + You deliberately chose the living death to the betrayal of your + faith. I stand with uncovered head before you. I am proud to be the + Chief Executive of such men!" + + +Again they cheered. + +The old mother with her basket was searching again for her boy. + +Jennie slipped an arm gently around her and led her away. + +On the day Lee left Richmond for the front to meet Grant's invading +host, the Confederate President was in agony over a letter from General +Winder portraying the want and suffering among the prisoners confined at +Andersonville. + +"If we could only get them across the Mississippi," Davis cried, "where +beef and supplies of all kind are abundant--but what can we do for them +here?" + +"Our men are in the same fix," Lee answered quickly, "except that +they're free. These sufferings are the result of our necessity, not of +our policy. Do not distress yourself." + +The South was entering now the darkest hours of her want. The market +price of food was beyond the reach of the poor or even the moderately +well-to-do. Turkeys sold for $60 each. Flour was $300 a barrel, corn +meal $50 a bushel. Boots were $200 a pair. A man's coat cost $350--his +trousers $100. He could get along without a vest. Wood was $50 a cord. +It took $1,800 to buy $100 in gold. + +In the midst of this universal suffering the yellow journals of the +South, led by the Richmond _Examiner_, made the most bitter and +determined assaults on Davis to force him to a policy of retaliation on +Northern prisoners. + +"Hoist the black flag!" shrieked the _Examiner_. "Retaliate on these +Yankee prisoners for the starvation and abuse of our men in the North--a +land teeming with plenty." The President was held up to the scorn and +curses of the Southern people because with quiet dignity he refused to +lower the standard of his Government to a policy of revenge on helpless +soldiers in his power. + +To a Committee of the Confederate Congress who waited on him with these +insane demands he answered with scorn: + +"You dare ask me to torture helpless prisoners of war! I will resign my +office at the call of my country. But no people have the right to demand +such deeds at my hands!" + +In answer to this brave, humane stand of the Southern President the +_Examiner_ had the unspeakable effrontery to accuse him of clemency to +his captives that he might curry favor with the North and shield himself +if the South should fail. + +No characteristic of Davis was more marked than his regard for the weak, +the helpless and the captive. His final answer to his assailants was to +repeat with emphasis his orders to General Winder to see to it that the +same rations issued to Confederate soldiers in the field should be given +to all prisoners of war, though taken from a starving army and people. + +Enraged by the defeat of their mad schemes, the conspirators drew +together now to depose Davis and set up a military dictatorship. + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +IN SIGHT OF VICTORY + + +When Grant crossed the Rapidan with his army of one hundred forty-one +thousand one hundred and sixty men Lee faced him with sixty-four +thousand. The problem of saving Richmond from the tremendous force under +the personal command of the most successful general of the North was not +the only danger which threatened the Confederate Capital. Butler was +pressing from the Peninsula with forty thousand men along the line of +McClellan's old march, supported again by the navy. + +Jefferson Davis knew the task before Lee to be a gigantic one yet he did +not believe that Grant would succeed in reaching Richmond. + +The moment the Federal general crossed the Rapidan and threw his army +into the tangled forest of the Wilderness, Lee sprang from the jungles +at his throat. + +Battle followed battle in swift and terrible succession. At Cold Harbor +thirty days later the climax came. Grant lost ten thousand men in twenty +minutes. The Northern general had set out to hammer Lee to death by +steady, remorseless pounding. At the end of a month he had lost more +than sixty thousand men and Lee's army was as strong as when the fight +began. + +Grant's campaign to take Richmond was the bloodiest and most tragic +failure in the history of war. The North in bitter anguish demanded his +removal from command. Lincoln stubbornly refused to interfere with his +bulldog fighter. He sent him word to hold on and chew and choke. + +As Grant in his whirl of blood approached the old battle grounds of +McClellan, Davis rode out daily to confer with Lee. He was never more +cheerful--never surer of the safety of his Capital. His faith in God and +the certainty that he would in the end give victory to a cause so just +and holy grew in strength with the report from each glorious field. No +doubt of the right or justice of his cause ever entered his mind. Day +and night he repeated the lines of his favorite hymn: + + + "I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, + Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand." + + +Again and again he said to his wife half in soliloquy, half in exalted +prayer: + +"We can conquer a peace against the world in arms and keep the rights of +freemen if we are worthy of the privilege!" + +The spirit which animated the patriotic soldiers who followed their +commander in this bloody campaign was in every way as high as that which +inspired their President. + +Jennie spent an hour each day ministering to the sick prisoners who had +returned from the North and were unable to go further than Richmond. It +was her service of love for Jimmie's friends and comrades. + +A poor fellow was dying of the want he had endured in prison. He lifted +his dimmed eyes to hers: + +"Will you write to my wife for me, Miss?" + +"Yes--yes--I will." + +"And give her my love--" + +He paused for breath and fumbled in his pocket. + +"I've a letter from her here--read it before you write. Our little girl +had malaria. She tried willow tea and everything she could think of for +the chills. The doctor said nothin' but quinine could save her. She +couldn't get it, the blockade was too tight, and so our baby died--and +now I'm dyin' and my poor starvin' girl will have nothin' to comfort +her--but--" + +He gasped and lifted himself on his elbow. + +"If our folks can just quit free men, it's all right. It's all right!" + +The women and children of Richmond were suffering now for food. The +Thirteenth Virginia regiment sent Billy Barton into the city with a +contribution for their relief. + +Billy delivered it to Jennie with more than a boy's pride. There was +something bigger in the quiet announcement he made. + +"Here's one day's rations from the regiment, sis," he said--"all our +flour, pork, bacon and meal. The boys are fasting to-day. It's their +love offering to those we've left at home--" + +Jennie kissed him. + +"It's beautiful of you and your men, boy. Give my love to them all and +tell them I'm proud to be their countrywoman--" + +"And they're proud of their country and their General, too--maybe you +wouldn't believe it--but every regiment in Lee's army has reënlisted for +the war." + +She seized Billy's hand. + +"Come with me--I want you to see the President and tell him what your +regiment has done. It'll help him." + +As they approached the White House a long, piercing scream came through +the open windows. + +"What on earth?" Jennie exclaimed. + +"An accident of some kind," the boy answered, seizing her arm and +hurrying forward. Every window and door of the big lonely house set +apart on its hill swung wide open, the lights streaming through them, +the wind blowing the curtains through the windows. The lights blazed +even in the third story. + +Mrs. Burton Harrison, the wife of the President's Secretary, met them at +the door, her eyes red with weeping. + +She pressed Jennie's hand. + +"Little Joe has been killed--" + +"Mrs. Davis' beautiful boy--impossible!" + +"He climbed over the bannisters and fell to the brick pavement and died +a few minutes after his mother reached his side--" + +The girl could make no answer. She had come on a sudden impulse to cheer +the lonely leader of her people. Perhaps his need in this dark hour had +called her. She thought of Socola's story of his mother's vision and +wondered with a sudden pang of self-pity where the man she loved was +to-night. + +This beautiful child, named in honor of his favorite brother, was the +greatest joy of the badgered soul of the Confederate leader. + +Suddenly his white face appeared at the head of the stairs. A courier +had come from the battlefield with an important dispatch. Grant and Lee +were locked in their death grapple in the Wilderness. He would try even +in this solemn hour to do his whole duty. + +He passed the sympathetic group murmuring a sentence whose pathos +brought the tears again to Jennie's eyes. + +"Not my will, O Lord, but thine--thine--thine!" + +He took the dispatch from the courier's hand and held it open for some +time, staring at it with fixed gaze. + +He searched the courier's face and asked pathetically: + +"Will you tell me, my friend, what is in it--I--I--cannot read--" + +The courier read the message in low tones. A great battle was joined. +The fate of a nation hung on its issue. The stricken man drew from his +pocket a tiny gold pencil and tried to write an answer--stopped suddenly +and pressed his hand on his heart. + +Billy sprang to his side and seized the dispatch: + +"I'll take the message to General Cooper--Mr. President--" + +The white face turned to the young soldier and looked at him pitifully: + +"Thank you, my son--thank you--it is best--I must have this hour with +our little boy--leave me with my dead!" + +Jennie stayed to help the stricken home. + +She took little Jeff in her arms to rock him to sleep. He drew her head +down and whispered: + +"Miss Jennie, I got to Joe first after he fell. I knelt down beside him +and said all the prayers I know--but God wouldn't wake him!" + +The girl drew the child close and kissed the reddened eyes. Over her +head beat the steady tramp of the father's feet, back and forth, back +and forth, a wounded lion in his cage. The windows and doors were still +wide open, the curtains waving wan and ghost-like from their hangings. + +Two days later she followed the funeral procession to the +cemetery--thousands of children, each child with a green bough or bunch +of flowers to pile on the red mound. + +A beautiful girl pushed her way to Jennie's side and lifted a handful of +snowdrops. + +"Please put these on little Joe," she said wistfully. "I knew him so +well." + +With a sob the child turned and fled. Jennie never learned her name. +She turned to the grave again, her gaze fixed on the striking figure of +the grief-stricken father, bare-headed, straight as an arrow, his fine +face silhouetted against the shining Southern sky. The mother stood back +amid the shadows, in her somber wrappings, her tall figure drooped in +pitiful grief. + +The leader turned quickly from his personal sorrows to those of his +country, his indomitable courage rising to greater heights as dangers +thickened. + +Two weeks later General Sheridan attempted what Dahlgren tried and +failed to accomplish. + +The President hurried from his office to his home, seized his pistols, +mounted his horse and rode out to join Generals Gracie and Ransom who +were placing their skeleton brigades to repulse the attack. + +The crack of rifles could be distinctly heard from the Executive +Mansion. + +The mother called her children to prayers. As little Jeff knelt he +raised his chubby face and said with solemn earnestness: + +"You had better have my pony saddled, and let me go out and help +father--we can pray afterwards!" + +In driving Sheridan's cavalry back from Richmond General Stuart fell at +Yellow Tavern mortally wounded--the bravest of the brave--a full Major +General who had won immortal fame at thirty-one years of age. His +beautiful wife, the daughter of a Union General, Philip St. George +Cooke, could not reach his bedside before he breathed his last. + +The President reverently entered the death chamber and stood for fifteen +minutes holding the hand of his brilliant young commander. + +They told him that he could not live to see his wife. + +"I should have liked to have seen her," he said gently, "but God's will +be done." + +The doctor felt his fast fading pulse. + +"Doctor, I suppose I'm going fast now," Stuart said. "It will soon be +over. I hope I have fulfilled my duty to my country and my God--" + +"Your end is near, General Stuart," the doctor responded softly. + +"All right," was the even answer. "I'll end my little affairs down here. +To Mrs. Robert E. Lee I give my gold spurs, in eternal memory of the +love I bear my glorious Chief. To my staff, my horses--" + +He paused and turned to the heavier officer who stood with bowed head. + +"You take the larger one--he'll carry you better. To my son I leave my +sword--" + +He was silent a moment and then said with an effort: + +"Now I want you to sing for me the song I love best: + + + "'Rock of ages cleft for me + Let me hide myself in thee'"-- + + +With his fast-failing breath he joined in the song, turned and murmured: + +"I'm going fast now--God's will be done--" + +So passed the greatest cavalry leader our country has produced--a man +whose joyous life was one long feast of good will toward his fellow men. + + * * * * * + +In spite of all losses, in spite of four years of frightful carnage, in +spite of the loss of the Mississippi, the States of Louisiana and +Tennessee, the Confederacy was in sight of victory. + +Lee had baffled Grant's great army at every turn and now held him +securely at bay before Petersburg. The North was mortally tired of the +bloody struggle. The party which demanded peace was greater than any +political division--it included thousands of the best men in the party +of Abraham Lincoln. + +The nomination of General McClellan for President on a platform +declaring the war a failure and demanding that it end was a foregone +conclusion. Jefferson Davis knew this from inside information his +friends had sent from every section of the North. + +The Confederacy had only to hold its lines intact until the first Monday +in November and the Northern voters would end the war. + +The one point of mortal danger to the South lay in the mental structure +of Joseph E. Johnston, the man whom Davis had been persuaded, against +his better judgment, to appoint to the command of one of the greatest +armies the Confederacy had ever put into the field. + +Johnston had been sent to Dalton, Georgia, and placed in command of +sixty-eight thousand picked Confederate soldiers with which to attack +and drive Sherman out of the lower South. + +Lee with sixty-four thousand had defeated Grant's one hundred and forty +thousand. Richmond was safe, and the North was besieging Washington with +an army of heart-broken mothers and fathers who demanded Grant's +removal. + +No effort was spared by Davis to enable Johnston to stay Sherman's +advance and assume the offensive. The whole military strength of the +South and West was pressed forward to him. His commissary and ordnance +departments were the best in the Confederacy. His troops were eager to +advance and retrieve the disaster at Missionary Ridge--the first and +only case of panic and cowardice that had marred the brilliant record of +the Confederacy. + +The position of Johnston's army was one of commanding strength. Long +mountain ranges, with few and difficult passes, made it next to +impossible for Sherman to turn his flank or dislodge him by direct +attack. Sherman depended for his supplies on a single line of railroad +from Nashville. + +Davis confidently believed that Johnston could crush Sherman in the +first pitched battle and render his position untenable. + +And then began the most remarkable series of retreats recorded in the +history of war. + +Without a blow and without waiting for an attack, Johnston suddenly +withdrew from his trenches at Dalton and ran eighteen miles into the +interior of Georgia. He stopped at Resaca in a strong position on a +peninsula formed by the junction of two rivers fortified by rifle pits +and earthworks. + +He gave this up and ran thirteen miles further into Georgia to +Adairsville. Not liking the looks of Adairsville he struck camp and ran +to Cassville seventeen miles. + +He then declared he would fight Sherman at Kingston. Sherman failing to +divide his army, as Johnston had supposed he would, he changed his mind +and ran beyond Etowah. He next retreated to Alatoona. Here Sherman +spread out his army, threatened Marietta and Johnston ran again. + +On July fifth he ran from Kenesaw Mountain and took refuge behind the +Chattahoochee River. + +From Dalton to Resaca, from Resaca to Adairsville, from Adairsville to +Alatoona (involving the loss of Kingston and Rome with their mills, +foundries and military stores), from Alatoona to Kenesaw, from Kenesaw +to the Chattahoochee and then tumbled into the trenches before Atlanta. + +Retreat had followed retreat for two months and a half over one hundred +and fifty miles to the gates of Atlanta without a single pitched +battle! + +Davis watched this tragedy unfold its appalling scenes with increasing +bitterness, disappointment and alarm. + +The demand for Johnston's removal was overwhelming in the State of +Georgia whose gate city was now besieged by Sherman. The people of the +whole South had watched this retreat of a hundred and fifty miles into +their territory with sickening hearts. + +Again Johnston began his nagging and complaining to the Richmond +authorities. His most important message was an accusation of disloyalty +against Joseph E. Brown. He telegraphed in blunt plain English: + +"The Governor of Georgia refuses me provisions and the use of his +roads." + +Brown answered: + +"The roads are open to him and in capital condition. I have furnished +him abundantly with provisions." + +The President of the Confederacy now faced the most dangerous and tragic +decision of his entire administration. The removal of Johnston from his +command before Sherman's victorious army in the heart of Georgia could +be justified only on the grounds of the sternest necessity. The +Commanding General not only had the backing of his powerful junta in +Richmond who were now busy with their conspiracy to establish a +dictatorship and oust the President from his office, but he was +immensely popular with his army. His care for his soldiers was fatherly. +His painful efforts to save their lives, even at the cost of the loss of +his country, were duly appreciated by the leaders of opinion in the +army. Johnston had the power to draw and hold the good will of the men +who surrounded him. He had the power, too, of infecting his men with his +likes and dislikes. His hatred of Davis had been for three years the +one mania of his sulking mind. + +To remove him from command in such a crisis was to challenge a mutiny in +his army which might lead to serious results. Yet if he should continue +to retreat, and back out of Atlanta without a fight as he had backed out +of every position for the one hundred and fifty miles from Dalton, the +results would be still more appalling. + +The loss of Atlanta at this moment meant the defeat of the peace party +of the North, and the reëlection of Lincoln. If Lincoln should be +elected it was inconceivable that the South could continue the unequal +struggle for four years more. + +If Johnston would only hold his trenches and save Atlanta for a few days +the South would win. Lee could hold Grant indefinitely. + +The thought which appalled Davis was the suspicion which now amounted to +a practical certainty that his retreating General would evacuate Atlanta +as he had threatened to abandon Richmond when confronted by McClellan, +and had abandoned Vicksburg without a blow. + +He must know this with absolute certainty before yielding to the demand +for his removal. That no possible mistake could be made, he dispatched +his Chief of Staff, General Braxton Bragg, to Atlanta for conference +with Johnston and make a personal report. + +Bragg reported that Johnston was arranging to abandon Atlanta without a +battle and the President promptly removed him from command and appointed +Hood in his place. + +When Hood assumed command of the disgruntled army, it was too late to +save Atlanta. Had Johnston delivered battle with his full force at +Dalton, Sherman might have been crushed as Rosecrans was overwhelmed at +Chickamauga. + +Hood's army was driven back into their trenches. Sherman threw his hosts +under cover of night on a wide flanking movement and Atlanta fell. + +Under the mighty impulse of this news Lincoln was reëlected, the peace +party of the North defeated and the doom of the Confederacy sealed. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +THE FALL OF RICHMOND + + +The conspirators who had complained most bitterly of Davis for the +appointment of Lee to the command of the army before Richmond when +McClellan was thundering at its gates, now succeeded in passing through +the Confederate Congress a bill to create a military dictatorship which +they offered to the man for whose promotion they had condemned the +President. + +Lee treated this attempt to strike the Confederate Chieftain over his +head with the contempt it deserved. Davis laughed at his enemies by the +most complete acceptance of their plans. + +His answer to Senator Barton's committee was explicit. + +"I have absolute confidence in General Lee's patriotism and military +genius. I will gladly coöperate with Congress in any plan to place him +in supreme command." + +Lee refused to accept the responsibility except with the advice and +direction of the President, and the conspiracy ended in a fiasco. + +From the moment Sherman's army pierced the heart of the South the +Confederate President saw with clear vision that the cause of Southern +independence was lost. Lee's army must slowly starve. His one supreme +purpose now was to fight to the last ditch for better terms than +unconditional surrender which would mean the loss of billions in +property and the possible enfranchisement of a million slaves. + +That Lincoln was intensely anxious to stop the shedding of blood he knew +from more than one authentic source. It was rumored that the Northern +President was willing to consider compensation for the slaves. An army +of a hundred thousand determined Southern soldiers led by an indomitable +general could fight indefinitely. That it was of the utmost importance +to the life of the South to secure a surrender which would forbid the +enfranchisement of the slaves and the degradation of an electorate to +their level, Davis saw with clear vision. From the North now came +overtures of peace. Francis P. Blair asked for permission to visit +Richmond. + +Blair proposed to end the war by uniting the armies of the North and +South for an advance on Mexico to maintain the Monroe Doctrine against +the new Emperor whom Europe had set upon a throne in the Western +Hemisphere. + +The Confederate President received his proposals with courtesy. + +"I have tried in vain, Mr. Blair," he said gravely, "to open +negotiations with Washington. How can the first step be taken?" + +"Mr. Lincoln, I am sure, will receive commissioners--though he would +give me no assurance on that point. We must stop this deluge of blood. I +cherish the hope that the pride and honor of the Southern States will +suffer no shock in the adjustment." + +The result of this meeting was the appointment by Davis of three +Commissioners to meet the representatives of the United States. +Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter and Judge John A. Campbell were +sent to this important conference. For some unknown reason they were +halted at Fortress Monroe and not allowed to proceed to Washington. A +change had been suddenly produced in the attitude of the National +Government. Whether it was due to the talk of the men in Richmond who +were trying to depose Davis or whether it was due to the fall of Fort +Fisher and the closing of the port of Wilmington, the last artery which +connected the Confederacy with the outside world, could not be known. + +The Confederate Commissioners were met by Abraham Lincoln himself and +his Secretary of State, William H. Seward, in Hampton Roads. The +National Government demanded in effect, unconditional surrender. + +Davis used the indignant surprise with which this startling announcement +was received in Richmond and the South to rouse the people to a last +desperate effort to save the country from the deluge which the Radical +wing of the Northern Congress had now threatened--the confiscation of +the property of the whites and the enfranchisement of the negro race. In +his judgment this could only be done by forcing the National Government +through a prolongation of the war to pledge the South some measure of +protection before they should lay down their arms. + +Mass meetings were held and the people called to defend their cause with +their last drop of blood. The President made a speech that night to a +crowd in the Metropolitan Hall on Franklin Street in Richmond which +swept them into a frenzy of patriotic passion. Even his bitterest enemy, +the editor of the _Examiner_, was spellbound by his eloquence. + +When he first appeared on the speakers' stand and lifted his tall thin +figure, gazing over the crowd with glittering eye, a tremendous cheer +swept the assembly. In that moment, he was the incarnate Soul of the +South. The Chieftain of the men who wore the gray in this hour of solemn +trial, stood before them with countenance like the lightning. Cheer on +cheer rose and fell with throbbing passion. + +A smile of strange prophetic sweetness lighted his pale haggard face. +The ovation he received was the sure promise to his tired soul that when +the passions and prejudices, the agony and madness of war had passed the +people would understand all he had tried to do in their service. In that +moment of divine illumination he saw his place in the hearts of his +countrymen and was content. + +He spoke with even restrained flow of words, with a mastery of himself +and his audience that is the mark of the orator of the highest genius. +His gestures were few. His low, vibrant, musical voice found the heart +of his farthest listener. He swayed them with indescribable passion. + +Into the faces of the foe who had demanded unconditional surrender he +hurled the defiance of an unconquered and unconquerable soul. He closed +with an historical illustration which lifted his audience to the highest +reach of emotion. Kossuth had abandoned Hungary with an army of thirty +thousand men in the field. The friends of liberty had never forgiven nor +could forgive this betrayal. + +"What shall we say," he cried, "of the disgrace beneath which we should +be buried if we surrender with an army in the field more numerous than +that with which Napoleon achieved the glory of France, an army standing +among its homesteads, an army in which each individual is superior in +warlike quality to the individual who opposes him!" + +When the tumult and applause had died away did he realize in the secret +places of his heart that the spirit of the South had been broken by the +terrible experiences of four years of blood and fire and death? His iron +will gave no sign. To him the manhood of the Southern soldier was +unconquerable, his courage dauntless forever. + +Six months after Sherman's sword had pierced the heart of the South from +Atlanta, Lee's army in the trenches before Petersburg had reached the +end of their endurance. Lee wired Davis that his thin line could hold +back Grant's hosts but a few days and that Richmond must fall. His men +were living on parched corn. + +The President hurried to the White House and slipped his arm around his +wife. + +"You must leave the city, my dear." + +"Please let me stay with you," she pleaded. + +"Impossible," he answered firmly. "My headquarters must be in the +saddle. Your presence here could only grieve and distress me. You can +take care of our babies. I know you wish to help and comfort me. You can +do this in but one way--go and take the children to a place of safety--" + +He paused, overcome with emotion. + +"If I live," he continued slowly, "you can come to me when the struggle +is over, but I do not expect to survive the destruction of our +liberties." + +He drew his small hoard of gold from his pocket, removed a five-dollar +piece for himself, and gave it all to his wife together with the +Confederate money he had on hand. + +"You must take only your clothing," he said after a moment's silence. +"The flour and supplies in your pantry must be left. The people are in +want." + +He had arranged for his family to settle in North Carolina. The day +before his wife left, he gave her a pistol and taught her trembling +hands to load, aim and fire it. + +"The danger will be," he warned, "that you may full into the hands of +lawless bands of deserters from both armies who are even now pillaging +and burning. You can at least, if you must, force your assailants to +kill you. If you cannot remain undisturbed in your own land make for the +coast of Florida and take a ship for a foreign country." + +Their hearts dumb with despair, his wife and children boarded the +train--or the thing that once had been a train--the roof of the cars +leaked and the engine wheezed and moved with great distress. + +The stern face of the Southern leader was set in his hour of trial. He +felt that he might never again look on the faces of those he loved. His +little girl clung convulsively to his neck in agonizing prayer that she +might stay. The boy begged and pleaded with tears raining down his +chubby face. + +Just outside of Richmond the engine broke down and the heartsick family +sat in the dismal day-coach all night. Sleepers had not been invented. +They were twelve hours getting to Danville--a week on the way to +Charlotte. + +The reign of terror had already begun. + +The President's wife avoided seeing people lest they should be +compromised when the invading army should sweep over the State. + +They found everything packed up in the house that had been rented, but +Weill, the big-hearted Jew who was the agent, sent their meals from his +house for a week, refusing every suggestion of pay. He offered his own +purse or any other service he could render. + +When Burton Harrison had seen them safely established in Charlotte he +returned at once to his duties with the President in Richmond. + +On the beautiful Sunday morning of April 2, 1865, a messenger hurriedly +entered St. Paul's Church, walked to the President's pew and handed him +a slip of paper. He rose and quietly left. + +Not a rumor had reached the city of Lee's broken lines. In fact a false +rumor had been published of a great victory which his starving army had +achieved the day before. + +The report of the evacuation of Richmond fell on incredulous ears. The +streets were unusually quiet. Beyond the James the fresh green of the +spring clothed the fields in radiant beauty. The rumble of no artillery +disturbed the quiet. Scarcely a vehicle of any kind could be seen. The +church bells were still ringing their call to the house of God. + +The straight military figure entered the Executive office. A wagon +dashed down Main Street and backed up in front of the Custom House door. +Boxes were hurried from the President's office and loaded into it. + +A low hum and clatter began to rise from the streets. The news of +disaster and evacuation spread like lightning and disorder grew. The +streets were crowded with fugitives making their way to the depot--pale +women with disheveled hair and tear-stained faces leading barefooted +children who were crying in vague terror of something they could not +understand. Wagons were backed to the doors of every department of the +Confederate Government. As fast as they could be loaded they were driven +to the Danville depot. + +All was confusion and turmoil. Important officers were not to be seen +and when they were found would answer no questions. Here and there +groups of mean-visaged loafers began to gather with ominous looks toward +the houses of the better class. + +The halls of the silent Capitol building were deserted--a single +footfall echoed with hollow sound. + +The Municipal Council gathered in a dingy little room to consider the +surrender of the city. Mayor Mayo dashed in and out with the latest +information he could get from the War Department. He was slightly +incoherent in his excitement, but he was full of pluck and chewed +tobacco defiantly. He announced that the last hope was gone and that he +would maintain order with two regiments of militia. + +He gave orders to destroy every drop of liquor in the stores, saloons +and warehouses and establish a patrol. + +The militia slipped through the fingers of their officers and in a few +hours the city was without a government. Disorder, pillage, shouts, +revelry and confusion were the order of the night. Black masses of men +swayed and surged through the dimly-lighted streets, smashing into +stores and warehouses at will. Some of them were carrying out the +Mayor's orders to destroy the liquor. Others decided that the best way +to destroy it was to drink it. The gutters ran with liquor and the fumes +filled the air. + +To the rear guard of Lee's army under Ewell was left the task of blowing +up the vessels in the James, and destroying the bridges across the +river. The thunder of exploding mines and torpedoes now shook the earth. +The ships were blown to atoms and the wharves fired. + +In vain the Mayor protested against the firing of the great warehouses. +Orders were orders, and the soldiers obeyed. The warehouses were fired, +the sparks leaped to the surrounding buildings and the city was in +flames. + +As day dawned a black pall of smoke obscured the heavens. The sun's rays +lighted the banks of rolling smoke with lurid glare. The roar of the +conflagration now drowned all other sounds. + +The upper part of Main Street was choked with pillagers--men with drays, +some with bags, some rolling their stolen barrels painfully up the +hills. + +A small squadron of Federal cavalry rode calmly into the wild scene. +General Weitzel, in command of the two divisions of Grant's army on the +north side, had sent in forty Massachusetts troopers to investigate +conditions. + +At the corner of Eleventh Street they broke into a trot for the Square +and planted their guidons on the Capitol of the Confederacy. + +Long before this advance guard could be seen in the distance the old +flag of the Union had been flung from the top of the house on Church +Hill. Foreseeing the fall of the city Miss Van Lew had sent to the +Federal Commander for a flag. Through his scouts he had sent it. As +Weitzel's two grand divisions swung into Main Street this piece of +bunting eighteen feet long and nine feet wide waved from the Van Lew +mansion on the hill above them. + +Stretching from the Exchange Hotel to the slopes of Church Hill, down +the hill, through the valley, and up the ascent swept this gorgeous +array of the triumphant army, its bayonets gleaming in the sunlight, +every standard, battle flag and guidon streaming in the sky, every band +playing, swords flashing, and shout after shout rolling from end to end +of the line. + +To the roar of the flames, the throb of drum, the scream of fife, the +crash of martial music, and the shouts of marching hosts, was added now +the deep thunder of exploding shells in the burning arsenals. + +A regiment of negro cavalry swept by the Exchange Hotel and as they +turned the corner drew their sabers with a savage shout. + +An old Virginian with white locks standing in the doorway of the hotel +gazed on these negro troops a moment, threw his hands on high, and +solemnly cried: + +"Blow, Gabriel! Blow your trumpet--for God's sake blow!" + +For hours the fire raged unchecked--burned until the entire business +section of the city lay a smoldering heap of ashes. Crowds of men, women +and children crowded the Capitol Square fighting with smoke and flying +cinders for a breath of fresh air. Piles of furniture lay heaped on its +greensward. Terror-stricken, weeping women had dragged it from their +homes. In improvised tents made of broken tables and chairs covered with +sheets and bedding hundreds of homeless women and children huddled. + +As night fell the pitiful reaction came from the turmoil and excitement +of the day. The quiet of a great desolation brooded over the smoking +ruins. + +In the rich and powerful North millions were mad with joy. In New York +twenty thousand people gathered in Union Square and sang the Doxology. + +Jennie Barton was in Richmond through it all and yet the tragedy made no +impression on her heart or mind. A greater event absorbed her. + +Dick Welford had hurried to Lee's army on the day following Socola's +departure from Richmond. He wanted to fight once more. Through all the +whirlwind of death and blood from the first crash with Grant in the +Wilderness to his vain assaults on Petersburg he had fought without a +scratch. His life was charmed. And then in the first day of the final +struggle which broke the lines of Lee's starving army he fell, leading +his men in a glorious charge. He reached the hospital in Richmond the +day before the city's evacuation. + +Jennie had watched by his bedside every hour since his arrival. But few +words passed between them. She let him hold her hand for hours in +silence, always looking, looking and smiling his deathless love. + +He had not spoken Socola's name nor had she. + +"It's funny, Jennie," he said at last, "I don't hate him any more--" + +The girl's head drooped and the tears streamed down her checks. + +"Please, Dick--don't--" + +"Yes," he insisted, "I want to talk about it and you must hear me--won't +you?" + +"Of course, if you wish it," she answered tenderly. + +"You see I don't hate these Yankee soldiers any more--anyhow. I saw too +many of them die from the Wilderness to Petersburg--brave manly fellows. +The fire of battle has burned the hate out of me. Now I just want you to +be happy, Jennie dear, that's all--good-by--" + +His hand slipped from hers and in a moment his spirit had passed. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +THE CAPTURE + + +At midnight on the day of the evacuation the President and his Cabinet +left Richmond for Danville. He still believed that Lee might cut his way +through Grant's lines and join his army with Johnston's in North +Carolina. Lee had restored Johnston to command of the small army that +yet survived in opposition to Sherman. He had hopes that Johnston's +personal popularity with the soldiers might in a measure restore their +spirits. + +The President established his temporary Capital at Danville. G. W. +Sutherlin placed his beautiful home at his disposal. Communications with +Lee had been cut and the wildest rumors were afloat. Davis wrote his +last proclamation urging his people to maintain their courage. + +In this remarkable document he said: + + + "I announce to you, my fellow countrymen, that it is my purpose + to maintain your cause with my whole heart and soul. I will never + consent to abandon to the enemy one foot of the soil of any of the + States of the Confederacy. + + "If by stress of numbers, we should be compelled to a temporary + withdrawal from the limits of Virginia or any other border State, + we will return until the baffled and exhausted enemy shall abandon + in despair his endless and impossible task of making slaves of a + people resolved to be free. + + "Let us, then, not despair, my countrymen, but, relying on God, meet + the foe with fresh defiance, and with unconquered and unconquerable + hearts." + + +So Washington spoke to his starving, freezing little army at Valley +Forge in the darkest hour of our struggle for independence against Great +Britain. With the help of France Washington succeeded at last. + +Davis was destined to fail. No friendly foreign power came to his aid. +His courage was none the less sublime for this reason. + +Lee's skeleton army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, and Davis +hurried to Greensboro where Johnston and Beauregard were encamped with +twenty-eight thousand men. Two hundred school girls marched to the house +in Danville and cheered him as he left. + +Mrs. Sutherlin in the last hour of his stay asked for a moment of his +time. + +He ushered her into his room with grave courtesy. + +"Dear Madam," he began smilingly, "you have risked your home and the +safety of your husband to honor me and the South. I thank you for myself +and the people. Is there anything I can do to show how much I appreciate +it?" + +"You have greatly honored us by accepting our hospitality," was the +quick cheerful answer. "We shall always be rich in its memory. I have +but one favor to ask of you--" + +"Name it--" + +She drew a bag from a basket and handed it to him. + +"Accept this little gift we have saved. It will help you on your +journey. It's only a thousand dollars in gold--I wish it were more." + +The President's eyes grew dim and he shook his head. + +"No--no--dear, dear Mrs. Sutherlin. Your needs will be greater than +mine. Besides, I have asked all for the cause--nothing for +myself--nothing!" + +He left Danville with heart warmed by the smiles and cheers of two +hundred beautiful girls and the offer of every dollar a patriotic woman +possessed. + +He had need of its memory to cheer him at Greensboro. Here he felt for +the first time the results of the malignant campaign which Holden's +Raleigh _Standard_ had waged against him and his administration. So +great was the panic and so bitter the feeling which Holden's sheet had +roused that it was impossible for the President and his Cabinet to find +accommodations in any hotel or house. He was compelled to camp in a +freight car. + +It remained for a brave Southern woman to resent this insult to the +Chieftain. When Mrs. C. A. L'Hommedieu learned that the President was in +town, housed in a freight car and shunned by the citizens, she sent him +a note and begged him to make her house his home and to honor her by +commanding anything in it and all that she possessed. + +The leader was at this moment preparing to leave for Charlotte and had +to decline her generous and brave offer. But he was deeply moved. He +stopped his work to write her a beautiful letter of thanks. + +His interview with Johnston and Beauregard was strained and formal. +Johnston's army in its present position in the hands of a resolute and +daring commander could have formed a light column of ten thousand +cavalry and cut its way through all opposition to the Mississippi River. +Knowing the character of his General so well he had small hopes. + +After receiving the report of the condition of the army the President +called his Cabinet to consider what should be done. + +Johnston sat at as great a distance from Davis as the room would permit. + +The President reviewed briefly the situation and turned calmly to +Johnston: + +"General, we should like now to hear your views." + +The reply was given with brutal brevity and in tones of unconcealed +defiance and hatred. + +"Sir," the great retreater blurted out, "my views are that our people +are tired of war, feel themselves whipped and will not fight." + +A dead silence followed. + +The President turned in quiet dignity to Beauregard: + +"And what do you say, General Beauregard?" + +"I agree with what General Johnston has said," he replied. + +There was no appeal from the decision of these two commanders in such an +hour. The President dictated a letter to General Sherman suggesting +their surrender and outlining the advantageous terms which the Northern +Commander accepted. + +And then the Confederate Chieftain received a message so amazing he +could not at first credit its authority. + +A courier from Sherman conveyed the announcement to Johnston that Davis +might leave the country on a United States vessel and take whoever and +whatever he pleased with him. + +The answer of Jefferson Davis was characteristic. + +"Please thank General Sherman for his offer and say that I can do no act +which will put me under obligations to the Federal Government." + +Sherman had asked Lincoln at their last interview whether he should +capture Davis or let him go. + +A sunny smile overspread the rugged features of the National President: + +"That reminds me," he said, "of a temperance lecturer in Illinois. Wet +and cold he stopped for the night at a wayside inn. The landlord, noting +his condition, asked if he would have a glass of brandy. + +"'No--no--' came the quick reply. 'I am a temperance lecturer and do +not drink--' he paused and his voice dropped to a whisper--'I would like +some water however--and if you should of _your own_ accord, put a little +brandy in it _unbeknownst_ to me--why, it will be all right.'" + +Sherman was trying to carry out the wishes of the man with the loving +heart. + +At Charlotte Davis was handed a telegram announcing the assassination of +Abraham Lincoln. His thin fate went death white. Handing the telegram to +his Secretary, he quietly said: + +"I am sorry. We have lost our noblest and best friend in the court of +the enemy." + +He immediately telegraphed the news to his wife who had fled further +south to Abbeville, South Carolina. Mrs. Davis burst into tears on +reading the fatal message. Her woman's intuition saw the vision of +horror which the tragedy meant to her and to her stricken people. + +The President left Charlotte with an escort of a thousand cavalrymen for +Abbeville. His journey was slow. The wagons were carrying all that +remained of the Confederate Treasury with the money in currency from the +Richmond banks which had been entrusted to the care of the Secretary of +the Treasury. + +Davis stopped at a little cabin on the roadside and asked the lady who +stood in the doorway for a drink of water. + +She turned to comply with his request. + +While he was drinking a baby barely able to walk crawled down the steps +and toddled to him. + +The mother smiled. + +"Is this not President Davis?" she asked tremblingly. + +"It is, Madam," he answered with a bow. + +She pointed proudly to the child: + +"He's named for you!" + +The President drew a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the +mother. + +"Please keep it for my little namesake and tell him when he is old +enough to know." + +As he rode away with Reagan, his faithful Postmaster General, he said: + +"The last coin I had on earth, Reagan. I wouldn't have had that but for +the fact I'd never seen one like it and kept it for luck." + +"I reckon the war's about finished us," the General replied. + +"Yes," Davis cheerfully answered. "My home is a wreck. Benjamin's and +Breckinridge's are in Federal hands. Mallory's fine residence at +Pensacola has been burned by the enemy. Your home in Texas has been +wrecked and burned--" + +He paused and drew from his pocketbook a few Confederate bills. + +"That is my estate at the present moment." + +He received next day a letter from his wife which greatly cheered him: + + + "_Abbeville, S. C._, April 28, 1865. + + "_My dear old Husband_: + + "Your very sweet letter reached me safely by Mr. Harrison and was + a great relief. I leave here in the morning at 6 o'clock for the + wagon train going to Georgia. Washington will be the first place I + shall unload at. From there we shall probably go on to Atlanta + or thereabouts, and wait a little until we hear something of you. + Let me beseech you not to calculate upon seeing me unless I happen + to cross your shortest path toward your bourne, be that what it may. + + "It is surely not the fate to which you invited me in the _brighter_ + days. But you must remember that you did not invite me to a great + hero's home but to that of a plain farmer. I have shared all your + triumphs, been the only beneficiary of them, now I am claiming the + privilege for the first time of being all to you, since these + pleasures have passed for me. + + "My plans are these, subject to your approval. I think I shall be + able to procure funds enough to enable me to put the two eldest to + school. I shall go to Florida if possible and from thence go over + to Bermuda or Nassau, from thence to England, unless a good school + offers elsewhere, and put them to the best school I can find, and + then with the two youngest join you in Texas--and that is the + prospect which bears me up, to be once more with you if need be--but + God loves those who obey Him and I know there is a future for you. + + "Here they are all your friends and have the most unbounded + confidence in you. Mr. Burt and his wife have urged me to live with + them--offered to take the chances of the Yankees with us--begged to + have little Maggie--done everything in fact that relatives could do. + I shall never forget all their generous devotion to you. + + "I have seen a great many men who have gone through--not one has + talked fight. A stand cannot be made in this country! Do not be + induced to try it. As to the trans-Mississippi, I doubt if at first + things will be straight, but the spirit is there, and the daily + accretions will be great when the deluded of this side are crushed + between the upper and nether millstones. But you have not tried the + 'strict construction' fallacy. If we are to require a Constitution, + it must be much stretched during our hours of outside pressure if + it covers us at all. + + "Be careful how you go to Augusta. I get rumors that Brown is going + to seize all Government property, and the people are averse and mean + to resist with pistols. They are a set of wretches together, and I + wish you were safe out of their land. God bless you, keep you. I + have wrestled with Him for you. I believe He will restore us to + happiness. + + "Devotedly, + + "Your Wife." + + "Kindest regards to Robert, and thanks for faithful conduct. Love + to Johnson and John Wood. Maggie sends you her best love." + + +The President and his party reached Abbeville on May first, only to find +that his wife had left for Washington, Georgia. + +At Abbeville, in the home of Armistead Burt, Davis called his last +Cabinet meeting and council of war. + +There were present five brigade commanders, General Braxton Bragg, his +Chief-of-Staff, Breckinridge, Benjamin and Reagan of his Cabinet. The +indomitable spirit made the last appeal for courage and the continuance +of the fight until better terms could be made that might save the South +from utter ruin and the shame of possible negro rule. + +He faced them with firm resolution, his piercing eye undimmed by +calamity. + +"The South, gentlemen," he declared, "is in a panic for the moment. We +have resources to continue the war. Let those who remain with arms in +their hands set the example and others will rally. Let the brave men yet +with me renew their determination to fight. Around you reënforcements +will gather." + +The replies of his discouraged commanders were given in voices that sank +to whispers. Each man was called on for his individual opinion. + +Slowly and painfully each gave his answer in the negative. The war was +hopeless, but they would not disband their men until they had guarded +the President to a place of safety. + +"No!" Davis answered passionately. "I will listen to no proposition for +my safety. I appeal to you for the cause of my country. Stand by it, +men--stand by it!" + +His appeal was received in silence. His councilors could not agree with +him. The proud old man drew his slender body to its full height, lifted +his hands and cried pathetically: + +"The friends of the South consent to her degradation!" + +He attempted to pass from the meeting, his emaciated face white with +anger. His step tottered and his body swayed and would have sunk to the +floor had not General Breckinridge caught him in his arms and led him +from the room. + +Benjamin parted from the President when they crossed the Savannah River +and he had dropped the Seal of the Confederate Government in the depths +of its still, beautiful waters. + +"Where are you going?" Reagan asked. + +"To the farthest place from the United States," was the quick reply, "if +it takes me to China." + +He made his way successfully to England and won fame and fortune in the +old world. + +On hearing that the Federal cavalry were scouring the country, +Breckinridge and Reagan proposed that Davis disguise himself in a +soldier's clothes, a wool hat and brogan shoes, take one man with him +and go to the coast of Florida, ship to Cuba. + +His reply was firm: + +"I shall not leave Southern soil while a Confederate regiment is on it. +Kirby Smith has an army of 25,000 men. He has not surrendered. General +Hampton will cut his way across the Mississippi. We can lead an army of +60,000 men on the plains of Texas and fight until we get better terms +than unconditional surrender." + +Breckinridge was left at Washington to dispose of the small sum yet left +in the Treasury and turn over to their agent the money of the Richmond +banks. + +Robert Toombs lived in Washington. General Reagan called on the +distinguished leader. + +He invited his guest into his library and closed the door. + +"You have money, Reagan?" + +"Enough to take me west of the Mississippi--" + +"You are well mounted?" + +"One of the best horses in the country." + +"I am at home," he added generously. "I can command what I want, and if +you need anything, I can supply you--" + +"Thank you, General," Reagan responded heartily. + +Toombs hesitated a moment, and then asked suddenly: + +"Has President Davis money?" + +"No, but I have enough to take us both across the Mississippi." + +"Is Mr. Davis well mounted?" + +"He has his fine bay, 'Kentucky,' and General Lee sent him at Greensboro +by his son Robert, his gray war horse 'Traveler,' as a present. He has +two first class horses." + +Again Toombs was silent. + +"Mr. Davis and I," he went on thoughtfully, "have had our quarrels. We +have none now. I want you to say to him that my men are around me here, +and if he desires it I will call them together and see him safely across +the Chattahoochee River at the risk of my life--" + +"I'll tell him, General Toombs," Reagan cordially responded. "And I +appreciate your noble offer. It differs from others who have pretended +to be his best friends. They are getting away from him as fast as they +can. Some are base enough to malign him to curry favor with the enemy. +I've known Jefferson Davis intimately for ten years. The past four years +of war I've been with him daily under every condition of victory and +defeat, and I swear to you that he's the truest, gentlest, bravest, +tenderest, manliest man I have ever known--" + +"Let me know," Toombs urged, "if I can serve him in any possible way." + +When Reagan delivered the message to the President he responded warmly: + +"That's like Toombs. He was always a whole souled man. If it were +necessary I should not hesitate to accept his offer." + +He was slowly reading his wife's last letters which had been delivered +to him by scouts who were still faithful. + +They were riding in a wagon with picked Mississippi teamsters twenty +miles below Washington: + + + "All well, with Winnie sweet and smiling. Billy plenty of laughter + and talk with the teamsters keeps quiet. Jeff is happy beyond + expression. Maggie one and two quite well. + + "I have $2,500, something to sell, and have heart and a hopeful one, + but above all, my precious only love, a heartful of prayer. May God + keep you and have His sword and buckler over you. Do not try to make + a stand on this side. It is not in the people. Leave your escort + and take another road often. Alabama is full of cavalry, fresh and + earnest in pursuit. May God keep you and bring you safe to the + arms of + + "Your devoted, + + "Winnie." + + +He opened and read another: + + + "_My own precious Banny_: + + "May God give us both patience against this heavy trial. The soldiers + are very unruly and have taken almost all the mules and horses from + the camp. Do not try to meet me. I dread the Yankees getting news + of you so much. You are the country's only hope and the very best + intentions do not advise a stand this side of the river. Why not cut + loose from your escort? Go swiftly and alone with the exception of + two or three. + + "Oh, may God in His goodness keep you safe, my own. Maggie says she + has your prayer book safe. May God keep you, my old and only love, + as ever, devotedly, + + "Your own, + + "Winnie." + + +He had not seen his wife and babies since they left Richmond. The +conduct of the soldiers determined his course. He turned to Reagan: + +"This move will probably cause me to be captured or killed. You are not +bound to go with me--but I must protect my family." + +"I go with you, sir--" was the prompt response. + +The soldiers were dismissed and the money still remaining in the +Treasury divided among them. A picked guard of ten men rode with the +fallen Chieftain in search of his loved ones. + +They joined Mrs. Davis after a hard ride and found her camp threatened +by marauders. He traveled with her two days and, apparently out of +danger, she begged him to leave her and make good his escape. He finally +agreed to do this and with Reagan, the members of his staff and Burton +Harrison, his Secretary, started for the Florida coast. + +The day was one of dismal fog and rain and the party lost the way, +turning in a circle, and at sunset met Mrs. Davis and her company at the +fork of the road near the Ocmulgee River. + +The President and staff traveled with his wife next day and made +twenty-eight miles. At Irwinsville their presence was betrayed to the +Federal cavalry, his camp surrounded by Colonel Pritchard, and the +Confederate President and party arrested. + +The soldiers plundered his baggage, tore open his wife's trunks and +scattered her dresses. In one of these trunks they found a pair of new +hoopskirts which Mrs. Davis had bought but never worn. An enterprising +newspaper man immediately invented and sent broadcast the story that he +had been captured trying to escape in his wife's hoopskirts. His enemies +refused to hear any contradiction of this invention. It was too good not +to be true. They clung to it long after Colonel Pritchard and every man +present had given it the lie. + +They had traveled a day's journey toward Macon, the headquarters of +General Wilson, when an excited man galloped into the camp waving over +his head a printed slip of paper. + +"What is it?" Davis asked of his guard. + +The guard seized and read the slip and turned to the Confederate +Chieftain and his wife. + +"Andrew Johnson's proclamation offering a reward of $100,000 for the +capture of Jefferson Davis as the murderer of Abraham Lincoln!" + +A cry of anguish came from the faithful wife. + +The leader touched her shoulder gently. + +"Hush, my dear. The miserable scoundrel who wrote that proclamation knew +that it is false. He is the one man in the United States who knows that +I preferred Abraham Lincoln in the White House to him or any other man +the North might elect. Such an accusation must fail--" + +The wife was not comforted. + +"These men may assassinate you!" + +The soldiers crowded about their defenseless prisoner and heaped on him +the vilest curses and insults. He made no answer. The far-away look in +his eagle eye told them only too plainly that he did not hear. + +Colonel Pritchard in his manly way made every effort to protect him from +insult. Within a short distance of Macon, the prisoners were halted and +their escort drawn up in line on either side of the road. Colonel +Pritchard had ridden into Macon for a brigade to escort his captives +through the streets of the city. + +The soldiers again cursed and jeered. The children climbed into their +father's arms, kissed and hugged him tenderly and put their little hands +over his ears that he should not hear what they said. + +He soothed their fears and comforted them with beautiful lines from the +Psalms which he quoted in tones of marvelous sweetness. + +General Wilson received his distinguished prisoner with the deference +due his rank and character. His guard in silence opened their lines and +presented arms as Davis entered the building. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +THE VICTOR + + +Socola hurried into Richmond three days after its fall in the desperate +hope that he might be of service to Jennie. + +He was two days finding her. She had offered her services to Mrs. +Hopkins in the Alabama hospital. He sent in his card and she refused to +see him. He asked an interview with Mrs. Hopkins and begged her to help. +Her motherly heart went out to him in sympathy. His utter misery was so +plainly written in his drawn face. + +"You're so like my own mother, madame," he pleaded. "I'm an orphan +to-day. Our army has conquered, but I have lost. I find myself repeating +the old question, what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world +and forfeit his life? She is my life--I can't--I won't give her up. Tell +her she must see me. I will not leave Richmond until I see her. If she +leaves, I'll follow her to the ends of the world. Tell her this." + +The gentle hand pressed his. + +"I'll tell her." + +"And try to help me?" he begged. + +"All the world loves a lover," the fine thin lips slowly repeated--"yes, +I'll try." + +At the end of ten minutes she returned alone. Her face gave no hope. + +"I'm afraid it's useless. She positively refuses." + +"You gave her my message?" + +"Yes." + +"I'll wait a day and try again--" + +"You knew of Captain Welford's death, I suppose?" + +Socola started and turned pale. + +"No--" + +"He died and was buried two days ago near the spot where General Stuart +sleeps." + +The lover was stunned for a moment. The hidden thought flashed through +his mind that she might have married Welford in the reaction over her +discovery of his deception. He opened his lips to ask the question and +held his peace. It was impossible. She couldn't have done such a thing. +He put the idea out of his heart. + +"Thank you for the information, dear madame," he answered gravely, +turned and left the building. + +He walked quickly to his hotel, hired a negro to get him a wreath of +roses and meet him at the cemetery gate. He had just placed them on +Welford's grave as Jennie suddenly appeared. + +She stopped, transfixed in astonishment--her eyes wide with excitement. + +He walked slowly to meet her and stood looking into her soul, searching +its depths. + +"You here?" she gasped-- + +"Yes. I brought my tribute to a brave and generous foe. He hated me, +perhaps--but for your sake he gave me my life--I never hated him--" + +"With his last breath he told me that he no longer hated you," she +answered dreamily. + +"And you cannot forgive?" + +"No. Our lives are far apart now. The gulf between us can never be +passed." + +He smiled tenderly and spoke with vibrant passion. + +"I'm going to show you that it can be passed. I'm going to love you +with such devotion I'll draw you at last with resistless power--" + +"Never--" + +She turned quickly and left him gazing wistfully at her slender figure +silhouetted against the glow of the sunset. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +PRISON BARS + + +The ship which bore the distinguished prisoner from Savannah did not +proceed to Washington, but anchored in Hampton Roads at Fortress Monroe. + +A little tug puffed up and drew alongside the steamer. She took off +Alexander H. Stephens, General Joseph Wheeler and Burton Harrison. +Stephens and Wheeler were sent to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. + +The next, day the tug returned. + +Little Jeff ran to his mother trembling and sobbing: + +"They say they've come for father--beg them to let us go with him!" + +Davis stepped quickly forward and returned with an officer. + +"It's true," he whispered. "They have come for Clay and me. Try not to +weep. These people will gloat over your grief." + +Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Clay stood close holding each other's hands in +silent sympathy and grim determination to control their emotions. They +parted with their husbands in dumb anguish. + +As the tug bore the fallen Chieftain from the ship, he bared his head, +drew his tall figure to its full height, and, standing between the files +of soldiers, gazed on his wife and weeping children until the mists drew +their curtain over the solemn scene. + +Mrs. Davis' stateroom was entered now by a raiding party headed by +Captain Hudson. Her trunks were again forced open and everything taken +which the Captain or his men desired--among them all her children's +clothes. Jeff seized his little soldier uniform of Confederate gray and +ran with it. He managed to hide and save it. + +Captain Hudson then demanded the shawl which Davis had thrown over his +shoulders on the damp morning when he was captured. + +"You have no right to steal my property," his wife replied indignantly. +"Peace has been declared. The war is over. This is plain robbery." + +Hudson called in another file of soldiers. + +"Hand out that shawl or I'll take the last rag you have on earth. I'll +pay you for it, if you wish. But I'm going to have it." + +Mrs. Davis took the shawl from Mrs. Clay's shoulders and handed it to +the brute. + +"At least I may get rid of your odious presence," she cried, "by +complying with your demand." + +Hudson took the shawl with a grin and led his men away. Two of his +officers returned in a few minutes and thrust their heads in the +stateroom of Mrs. Davis' sister with whom Mrs. Clay was sitting. + +"Gentlemen, this is a ladies' stateroom," said the Senator's wife. + +One of them threw the door open violently and growled: + +"There are no ladies here!" + +"I am quite sure," was the sweet reply, "that there are no gentlemen +present!" + +With an oath they passed on. Little tugs filled with vulgar sightseers +steamed around the ship and shouted a continuous stream of insults when +one of the Davis party could be seen. + +General Nelson A. Miles, the young officer who had been appointed jailer +of Jefferson Davis and Clement C. Clay boarded the ship and proceeded +without ceremony to give his orders to their wives. + +"Will you tell me, General," Mrs. Davis asked, "where my husband is +imprisoned and what his treatment is to be?" + +"Not a word," was the short reply. + +His manner was so abrupt and boorish she did not press for further news. + +Miles ventured some on his own account. + +"Jeff Davis announced the assassination of Abraham Lincoln the day +before it happened. I guess he knew all about it--" + +The wife bit her lips and suppressed a sharp answer. Her husband's life +was now in this man's hands. + +"You are forbidden to buy or read a newspaper," he added curtly, "and +your ship will leave this port under sealed orders." + +In vain Davis pleaded that his wife and children might be allowed to go +to Washington or Richmond where they had acquaintances and friends. + +"They will return to Savannah," Miles answered, "by the same ship in +which they came and remain in Savannah under military guard." + +Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in a casemate of Fortress Monroe, the +embrasure of which was closed with a heavy iron grating. The two doors +which communicated with the gunner's room were closed with heavy double +shutters fastened with crossbars and padlocks. The side openings were +sealed with fresh masonry. + +Two sentinels with loaded muskets paced the floor without a moment's +pause day or night. Two other sentinels and a commissioned officer +occupied the gunner's room, the door and window of which were securely +fastened. Sentinels were stationed on the parapet overhead whose steady +tramp day and night made sleep impossible. + +The embrasure opened on the big ditch which surrounds the fort--sixty +feet wide and ten feet deep in salt water. Beyond the ditch, on the +glacis, was a double line of sentinels and in the casemate rooms on +either side of his prison were quartered that part of the guard which +was not on post. + +To render rest or comfort impossible a lighted lamp was placed within +three feet of the prisoner's eyes and kept burning brightly all night. +His jailer knew he had but one eye whose sight remained and that he was +a chronic sufferer from neuralgia. + +His escape from Fortress Monroe was a physical impossibility without one +of the extraordinary precautions taken. The purpose of these +arrangements could have only been to inflict pain, humiliation and +possibly to take his life. He had never been robust since the breakdown +of his health on the Western plains. Worn by privation and exposure, +approaching sixty years of age, he was in no condition physically to +resist disease. + +The damp walls, the coarse food, the loss of sleep caused by the tramp +of sentinels inside his room, outside and on the roof over his head and +the steady blaze of a lamp in his eyes at night within forty-eight hours +had completed his prostration. + +But his jailers were not content. + +On May twenty-third, Captain Titlow entered his cell with two +blacksmiths bearing a pair of heavy leg irons coupled together by a +ponderous chain. + +"I am sorry to inform you, sir," the polite young officer began, "that I +have been ordered to put you in irons." + +"Has General Miles given that order?" + +"He has." + +"I wish to see him at once, please." + +"General Miles has just left the fort, sir." + +"You can postpone the execution of your order until I see him?" + +"I have been warned against delay." + +"No soldier ever gave such an order," was the stern reply; "no soldier +should receive or execute it--" + +"His orders are from Washington--mine are from him." + +"But he can telegraph--there must be some mistake--no such outrage is on +record in the history of nations--" + +"My orders are peremptory." + +"You shall not inflict on me and on my people through me this insult +worse than death. I will not submit to it!" + +"I sincerely trust, sir," the Captain urged kindly, "that you will not +compel me to use force." + +"I am a gentleman and a soldier, Captain Titlow," was the stern answer. +"I know how to die--" he paused and pointed to the sentinel who stood +ready. "Let your men shoot me at once--I will not submit to this +outrage!" + +The prisoner backed away with his hand on a chair and stood waiting. + +The Captain turned to his blacksmiths: + +"Do your duty--put them on him!" + +[Illustration: "'Do your duty--put them on him'"] + +As the workman bent with his chain Davis hurled him to the other side of +the cell and lifted his chair. + +The sentinel cocked and lowered his musket advancing on the prisoner who +met him defiantly with bared breast. + +The Captain sprang between them: + +"Put down your gun. I'll give you orders to fire when necessary." + +He turned to the officer at the door: + +"Bring in four of your strongest men--unarmed--you understand?" + +"Yes, sir--" + +The men entered, sprang on their helpless victim, bore him to the floor, +pinned him down with their heavy bodies and held him securely while the +blacksmiths riveted the chains on one leg and fastened the clasp on the +other with a heavy padlock. + +He had resented this cowardly insult for himself and his people. He had +resisted with the hope that he might be killed before it was +accomplished. He saw now with clear vision that the purpose of his +jailer was to torture him to death. His proud spirit rose in fierce +rebellion. He would cheat them of their prey. They might take his life +but it should be done under the forms of law in open day. He would live. +His will would defy death. He would learn to sleep with the tramp of +three sets of sentinels in his ears. He would eat their coarse food at +whatever cost to his feelings. He would learn to bury his face in his +bedding to avoid the rays of the lamp with which they were trying to +blind him. + +He had need of all his fierce resolution. + +He had resolved to ask no favors, but his suffering had been so acute, +his determination melted at the doctor's kind expressions. + +The physician found him stretched on his pallet, horribly emaciated and +breathing with difficulty, his whole body a mere fascine of raw and +tremulous nerves, his eyes restless and fevered, his head continually +shifting from side to side searching instinctively for a cool spot on +the hot coarse hair pillow. + +"Tell me," Dr. Craven said kindly, "what I can do to add to your +comfort?" + +The question was asked with such genuine sympathy it was impossible to +resist it. + +A smile flickered about his thin mouth, "This camp mattress, Doctor," he +slowly replied, "I find a little thin. The slats beneath chafe my poor +bones. I've a frail body--though in my youth and young manhood, while +soldiering in the West, I have done some rough camping and campaigning. +There was flesh then to cover my nerves and bones." + +The doctor called an attendant: + +"Bring this prisoner another mattress and a softer pillow." + +"Thank you," Davis responded cordially. + +"You are a smoker?" the doctor asked. + +"I have been all my life, until General Miles took my pipe and tobacco." + +The doctor wrote to the Adjutant General and asked that his patient be +given the use of his pipe. + +On his visit two days later the doctor said: + +"You must spend as little time in bed as possible. Exercise will be your +best medicine." + +The prisoner drew back the cover and showed the lacerated ankles. + +"Impossible you see--the pain is so intense I can't stand erect. These +shackles are very heavy. If I stand, the weight of them cuts into my +flesh--they have already torn broad patches of skin from the places they +touch. If you can pad a cushion there, I will gladly try to drag them +about--" + +Dr. Craven sought the jailer: + +"General Miles," he began respectfully, "in my opinion the condition of +state-prisoner Davis requires the removal of those shackles until such +time as his health shall be established on a firmer basis. Exercise he +must have." + +"You believe that is a medical necessity?" + +"I do, most earnestly." + +About the same time General Miles had heard from the country. The +incident had already aroused sharp criticism of the Government. Stanton +had come down to Fortress Monroe and peeped through the bars at the +victim he was torturing, and had extracted all the comfort possible from +the incident. The shackles were removed. + +His jailer persisted in denying him the most innocent books to read. He +asked the doctor to get for him if possible the geology or the botany of +the South. General Miles thought them dangerous subjects. At least the +names sounded treasonable. He denied the request. + +The prisoner asked for his trunk and clothes. Miles decided to keep them +in his own office and dole out the linen by his own standards of need. + +Davis turned to his physician with a flash of anger. + +"It's contemptible that they should thus dole out my clothes as if I +were a convict in some penitentiary. They mean to degrade me. It can't +be done. No man can be degraded by unmerited insult heaped upon the +helpless. Such acts can only degrade their perpetrators. The day will +come when the people will blush at the memory of such treatment--" + +At last the loss of sleep proved beyond his endurance. He had tried to +fight it out but gave up in a burst of passionate protest to Dr. Craven. +The sight of his eye was failing. The horror of blindness chilled his +soul. + +"My treatment here," he began with an effort at restraint, "is killing +me by inches. Let them make shorter work of it. I can't sleep. No man +can live without sleep. My jailers know this. I am never alone a +moment--always the eye of a guard staring at me day and night. If I doze +a feverish moment the noise of the relieving guard each two hours wakes +me and the blazing lamp pours its glare into my aching throbbing eyes. +There must be a change or I shall go mad or blind or both." + +He paused a moment and lifted his hollow face to the physician +pathetically. + +"Have you ever been conscious of being watched? Of having an eye fixed +on you every moment, scrutinizing your smallest act, the change of the +muscles of your face or the pose of your body? To have a human eye +riveted on you every moment, waking, sleeping, sitting, walking, is a +refinement of torture never dreamed of by a Comanche Indian--it is the +eye of a spy or an enemy gloating over the pain and humiliation which it +creates. The lamp burning in my eyes is a form of torment devised by +someone who knew my habit of life never to sleep except in total +darkness. When I took old Black Hawk the Indian Chief a captive to our +barracks at St. Louis I shielded him from the vulgar gaze of the +curious. I have lived too long in the woods to be frightened by an owl +and I've seen Death too often to flinch at any form of pain--but this +torture of being forever watched is beginning to prey on my reason." + +The doctor's report that day was written in plain English: + +"I find Mr. Davis in a very critical state, his nervous debility +extreme, his mind despondent, his appetite gone, complexion livid, and +pulse denoting deep prostration of all vital energies. I am alarmed and +anxious over the responsibility of my position. If he should die in +prison without trial, subject to such severities as have been inflicted +on his attenuated frame the world will form conclusions and with enough +color to pass them into history." + +Dr. Craven was getting too troublesome. General Miles dismissed him, and +called in Dr. George Cooper, a physician whose political opinions were +supposed to be sounder. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV + +THE MASTER MIND + + +Socola read the story of the chaining of the Confederate Chieftain with +indignation. His intimate association with Jefferson Davis had convinced +him of his singular purity of character and loftiness of soul. That he +was capable of conspiring to murder Abraham Lincoln was inconceivable. +That the charge should be made and pressed seriously by the National +Government was a disgrace to the country. + +Charles O'Connor, the greatest lawyer in America, indignant at the +outrage, had offered his services to the prisoner. Socola hastened to a +conference with O'Connor and placed himself at his command. + +The lawyer sent him to Washington to find out the master mind at the +bottom of these remarkable proceedings. + +"Johnson the President," he warned, "is only a tool in the hands of a +_stronger_ man. Find that man. Stanton, the Secretary of War, is +vindictive enough, but he lacks the cunning. Stevens, the leader of the +House, is the real ruler of the Nation at this moment. Yet I have the +most positive information that Stevens sneers at the attempt to accuse +Davis of the assassination of Lincoln. Stevens hated Lincoln only a +degree less than he hates Davis. He is blunt, outspoken, brutal in his +views. There can be no question of the honesty of his position. Sumner, +the leader of the Senate, is incapable of such low intrigue. Find the +man and report to me." + +Socola found him within six hours after his arrival in Washington. He +was morally sure of him from the moment he left O'Connor's office. + +Immediately on his arrival at the Capital he sought an interview with +Joseph Holt, now the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army. +He was therefore in charge of the prosecution of the cases of Clay and +Davis. + +For five minutes he watched the crooked poisonous mouth of the +ex-Secretary of War and knew the truth. This vindictive venomous old +man, ambitious, avaricious, implacable in his hatreds, had organized a +Board of Assassination, which he called "The Bureau of Military +Justice." This remarkable Bureau had already murdered Mrs. Surratt on +perjured testimony. + +Socola had given his ex-Chief no intimation of his personal feelings and +no hint of his association with O'Connor. + +"I've a little favor to ask of you, young man," Holt said suavely. + +Socola bowed. + +"At your service, Chief--" + +"I need a man of intelligence and skill to convey a proposition to Wirz, +the keeper of Andersonville prison. He has been sentenced to death by +the Bureau of Military Justice. I'm going to offer him his life on one +condition--" + +"And that is?" + +"If he will confess under oath that Davis ordered the starving and +torturing of prisoners at Andersonville I'll commute his sentence--" + +"I see--" + +"I'll give you an order to interview Wirz. He has never seen you. Report +to me his answer." + +When Socola explained to Wirz in sympathetic tones the offer of the +Government to spare his life for the implication of Davis in direct +orders from Richmond commanding cruelties at Andersonville, the +condemned man lifted his wounded body and stared at his visitor. + +His answer closed the interview. + +"Tell the scoundrel who sent you that I am a soldier. I was a soldier in +Germany before I cast my fortunes with the South. I bear in my body the +wounds of honorable warfare. If I hadn't time to learn the meaning of +honor from my friends in the South, my mother taught me in the old +world. You ask me to save my life from these assassins by swearing away +the life of another. Tell my executioner that I never saw the President +of the Confederacy. I never received an order of any kind from him. I +did the best I could for the men in my charge at Andersonville and tried +honestly to improve their conditions. I am not a perjurer, even to save +my own life. A soldier's business is to die. I am ready." + +Socola extended his hand through the bars and grasped the prisoner's. + +The deeper he dived into the seething mass of corruption and blind +passion which had engulfed Washington the more desperate he saw the +situation of Davis at Fortress Monroe. After two weeks of careful work +he hurried to New York and reported the situation to O'Connor. + +"The master mind," he began slowly, "I found at once. His name is +Holt--" + +"The Judge Advocate General?" + +"Yes." + +"That accounts for my inability to obtain a copy of the charges against +Davis. Holt drew those charges. They are in his hands and he has +determined to press his prisoner to trial before his Board of Assassins +without allowing me to know the substance of his accusations. It's +infamous." + +"There are complications which may increase our dangers or suddenly lift +them--" + +"Complications--what do you mean?" + +"The President, who has been intensely hostile to Davis, realizes that +his own term of office and possibly his life are now at stake. He has +broken with the Radicals who control Congress, old Thaddeus Stevens's at +their head. Stevens lives in Washington in brazen defiance of +conventionalities with a negro woman whom he separated from her husband +thirty odd years ago. Under the influence of this negress he has +introduced a bill into the House of Representatives to confiscate the +remaining property of the white people of the South and give it to the +negroes--dividing the land into plots of forty acres each. He proposes +also to disfranchise the whites of the Southern States, enfranchise the +negroes, destroy the State lines and erect on their ruins territories +ruled by negroes whom his faction can control. + +"Johnson the President, a Southern born white man, has already informed +the Radicals that he will fight this programme to the last ditch. +Stevens' answer was characteristic of the imperious old leader. 'Let him +dare! I'll impeach Andrew Johnson, remove him from office and hang him +from the balcony of the White House.' + +"The President realizes that the Bureau of Military Justice which he +allowed Holt to create may be used as the engine of his own destruction. +They have already taken the first steps to impeach him--" + +"Then he'll never dare allow another case to be tried before that +Bureau--" O'Connor interrupted. + +"It remains to be seen. He is afraid of both Stanton and Holt. The +Bureau of Military Justice is their hobby." + +O'Connor sprang to his feet. + +"We must smash it by an appeal to the people. Their sense of justice is +yet the salt that will save the Nation. The key to the situation is in +the character of the remarkable witnesses whom Holt has produced before +this tribunal of assassination. In my judgment they are a gang of hired +perjurers. Their leader is a fellow named Conover. There are five men +associated with him. They used these witnesses against Mrs. Surratt. +They used them against Wirz. They are preparing to use them against +Davis. It is inconceivable that these plugs from the gutters of New York +could have really stumbled on the facts to which they have sworn. Find +who these men are. Get their records to the last hour of the day you +track them--and report to me." + +Socola organized a force of detectives and set them to work. The task +was a difficult one. He found that Conover and his pals were protected +by the unlimited power of the National Government. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +THE TORTURE + + +While the prisoner fought to save his reason in the dungeon at Fortress +Monroe, his wife was denied the right to lift her hand in his defense. +No communication was allowed between them except through his jailer. + +On arrival in Savannah Mrs. Davis and her children were compelled to +walk through the blazing heat the long distance from the wharf uptown, +the whole party trudging immigrant fashion through the streets. Her +sister carried the baby. Mrs. Davis and the two little boys and Maggie +followed with parcels, and Robert, her faithful black man, brought up +the rear with the baggage. + +The people of Savannah, on learning of their arrival, treated their +prisoners with the utmost kindness. Every home in the city was thrown +open to them. Her children had been robbed of all their clothing except +what they wore. The neighbors hurried in with clothes. + +The newspaper of Savannah of the new régime, _The Republican_, published +and republished with gleeful comments the most sensational accounts of +the brutal scene of the shackling of Davis. Maggie composed a prayer and +taught her little brothers to repeat it in concert for their grace at +the table morning, noon and night: + +"Dear Lord, give our father something he can eat, and keep him strong, +and bring him back to us with eyes that can see and in his good senses, +to his little children, for Jesus' sake." + +Nearly every day the child who composed the prayer was so moved by its +recital she would run from the table and dry her tears in the next room +before she could eat. + +Hourly scenes of violence increased between the whites and the inflamed +blacks. A negro sentinel leveled his gun at little Jeff and threatened +to shoot him for calling him "Uncle." With prayers and tears the mother +sent her children away to the home of a friend in Montreal. + +A year passed before President Johnson in answer to the wife's desperate +pleading permitted her to visit her husband in prison. She arrived from +Montreal on the cold raw morning of May 10, 1866, at four o'clock before +day. There was no hotel at the fort at that time and the mother was +compelled to sit in the desolate little waiting room with her baby +without a fire until ten o'clock. + +General Miles called. His references to her husband were made in a +manner which brutally expressed his hatred and contempt. She had been +informed that his health was in so dangerous a condition that physicians +had despaired of his life. + +Miles hastened to say: + +"'Davis' is in good health--" + +"I can see him at once?" she begged. + +"Yes. You understand the terms of your parole that you are to take no +deadly weapons into the prison?" + +Suppressing a smile at the unique use of the language which a man of the +rank of Miles could make she replied quickly: + +"I understand. Please arrange that I can see him at once." + +Without answering the jailer turned and left the room. In a few minutes +an officer appeared who conducted her to the room in Carroll Hall to +which Dr. Cooper had forced Miles to remove the prisoner. Dr. Cooper +proved as troublesome to the General as Dr. Craven. In fact a little +more so. He had a way of swearing when angered which made the General +nervous. American physicians don't make good politicians when the life +of a patient is involved. + +They were challenged by three lines of sentries, each requiring a +password, ascended a stairway, turned to the right and entered a guard +room where three young officers were sitting. Through the bars of the +inner room the wife gazed at her husband with streaming eyes. + +His body had shrunk to a skeleton, his eyes set and glassy, his cheek +bones pressing against the shining skin. He rose and tottered across the +room, his breath coming in short gasps, his voice scarcely audible. + +Mrs. Davis was locked in with him. She sent the baby back to her +quarters by Frederick, another faithful negro servant who had followed +their fortunes through good report and evil. + +His room had a horse bucket for water, a basin and pitcher on an old +chair whose back had been sawed off, a little iron bedstead with hard +mattress, one pillow, a wooden table, and a wooden chair with one leg +shorter than the others which might be used as an improvised rocker. His +bed was so thick with bugs the room was filled with their odor. He was +so innocent of such things he couldn't imagine what distressed him so at +night--insisting that he had contracted some sort of skin disease. + +His dinner was brought slopped from one dish to another and covered by a +gray hospital towel sogged with the liquids. The man of fastidious taste +glanced at the platter and saw that the good doctor's wife had added +oysters to his menu that day and ate one. His vitality was so low even +this gave him intense pain. + +He was not bitter, but expressed his quiet contempt for the systematic +petty insults which his jailer was now heaping on him daily. His +physician had demanded that he take exercise in the open air. Miles +always walked with him and never permitted an occasion of this kind to +pass without directing at his helpless prisoner personal insults so +offensive that Davis always cut his walks short to be rid of his +tormentor. On one occasion the general was so brutal in his conversation +after he had locked his prisoner in his room that he suddenly sprang at +the bars, grasped them with his trembling, skeleton hands and cried: + +"But for these you should answer to me--here and now!" + +A favorite pastime of his jailer was to admit crowds of vulgar +sightseers and permit them to gaze at his prisoner. + +A woman inquired of Frederick, who was on his way to his room: + +"Where's Jeff?" + +The negro bowed gravely and drew his stalwart figure erect: + +"I am sorry, madame, not to be able to tell you. I do not know any such +person." + +"Yes, you do--aren't you his servant?" + +"No, madame, you are mistaken. I have the honor to serve ex-President +Davis." + +Only a great soul can command the love and respect of servants as did +this quiet grave statesman of the old régime. + +Never during the long hours of these weeks and months of torture did he +lose his dignity or his lofty bearing quail before his tormentor. He was +too refined and dignified to be abusive, and too proud in General Miles' +delicate phraseology to "beg." + +The loving wife began now her desperate fight to nurse him back into +life again. + +The new Commandant of the fort, General Burton, who replaced Miles, +proved himself a gentleman and a soldier of the old school. He +immediately gave to the prisoner every courtesy possible and to his wife +sympathy and help. + +The Bishop of Montreal sent him a case of green chartreuse from his own +stores. This powerful digestive stimulant helped his feeble appetite to +take the nourishment needed to sustain life and slowly build his +strength. + +He could sleep only when read to, and many a day dawned on the worn +figure of his wife still droning her voice into his sensitive ears, with +one hand on his pulse praying God it might still beat. At times it +stopped, and then she roused the sleeper, gave him the stimulant and +made him eat something which she always kept ready. Dr. Cooper had +warned that the walls of his heart were so weak even a sound sleep might +prove his death if too long continued. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII + +VINDICATION + + +When Socola had finished his work developing the history and character +of Conover and his crew of professional perjurers there was a sudden +collapse in the machinery of the Bureau of Military Justice. Holt was +compelled not only to repudiate the wretches by whose hired testimony he +had committed more than one murder through the forms of military law, +but also to issue a long document defending himself as Judge Advocate +General of the United States from the charge of subornation of +perjury--the vilest accusation that can be brought against a sworn +officer of any court. His weak defense served its purpose for the +moment. He managed to cling to his office and his salary for a brief +season. With the advent of restored law he sank into merited oblivion. + +The charge of murder having collapsed, the Government now pressed +against Davis an indictment for treason. Salmon P. Chase, the Chief +Justice of the United States, warned the President and his Cabinet that +no such charge could be sustained. + +And still malice held the Confederate Chieftain a prisoner. Every other +leader of the South had long since been released. On the public exposure +of Holt and his perjurers the conscience of the North, led by Horace +Greeley and Gerrit Smith, demanded the speedy trial or release of Davis. + +The Radical conspirators at Washington, under the leadership of Stevens +inspired by his dusky companion, were now pressing with feverish haste +their programme of revolution. They passed each measure over the veto of +the President amid jeers, groans and curses. They disfranchised +one-third of the whites of the South, gave the ballot to a million +ignorant negroes but yesterday taken from the jungles of Africa, blotted +out the civil governments of the Southern States, and sent the army back +to enforce their decrees. Stevens introduced his bill to confiscate the +property of the whites and give it to the negroes. This measure was his +pet. It was the only one of his schemes which would be defeated on a +two-thirds vote if Johnson should veto it. Stevens and Butler at once +drew their bill of indictment against the President and set in motion +the machinery to remove him from office--the grim old leader still +swearing that he would hang him. + +In this auspicious moment Charles O'Connor marshaled his forces and +demanded the release of Davis on bail. Andrew Johnson had seen a new +light. He was now in a life and death struggle with the newly enthroned +mob to save the Republic from a Dictatorship. The conspirators had +already selected the man they proposed to set up on his removal from +office. + +The President issued an order to General Burton at Fortress Monroe to +produce his prisoner in the United States District Court of Richmond. + +On May fourth, 1867, the little steamer from the fort touched the wharf +at Richmond and Jefferson Davis and his wife once more appeared in the +Capital of the Confederacy. + +The South had come to greet them. + +All differences of opinion were stilled before the white face of the man +who had been put in irons for their sins. They came from the four +corners of the country for which he had tolled and suffered. + +Senator Barton, his wife and daughter and all his surviving sons had +come from Fairview to do him honor. A vast crowd assembled at the wharf. +No king ever entered his palace with grander welcome. The road from the +wharf to the Spotswood Hotel was a living sea of humanity. His carriage +couldn't move until the way was forced open by the mounted police. The +windows and roofs of every house were crowded. Men and women everywhere +were in tears. As the carriage turned into Main Street a man shouted: + +"Hats off, Virginians!" + +Every head was bared in the vast throng which stretched a mile along the +thoroughfare. As he passed in triumph, the people for whom he had worked +and suffered crowded to his carriage, stretched out their hands in +silence and touched his garments while the tears rolled down their +cheeks. + +They arraigned him for trial on a charge of high treason. + +The indictment had also named Robert E. Lee as guilty of the same crime. +Grant lifted his mailed fist and told the Government he would fight if +necessary to protect the man who had surrendered in good faith to his +army. The peanut politicians dropped Lee's name. + +When the tall, emaciated leader of the South stood erect before his +accusers in court he faced a scene which proclaimed the advent of the +new Democracy in America which must yet make good its right to live. + +On the Judge's bench sat John C. Underwood, a crawling, shambling, +shuffling, ignorant demagogue who had set a new standard of judicial +honor and dignity. He had selected one of the handsomest homes in +Virginia, ordered it confiscated as a Federal judge, and made his wife +buy it in and convey it to him after warning other bidders to keep off +the scene. The thief was living in his stolen mansion on the day he sat +down beside the Chief Justice of the United States in this trial. When +Chase had warned the Government that no charge of treason could stand +against Davis, Underwood assured the Attorney General that he would fix +a negro jury in Richmond which could be relied on to give the verdict +necessary. He had impaneled the first grand jury ever assembled in +America composed of negroes and whites. A negro petit jury now sat in +the box grinning at the judge, their thick lips, flat noses and +omnipotent African odor proclaiming the dawn of a new era in the history +of America. + +Salmon P. Chase with quiet dignity voted to quash the indictment. +Underwood with a vulgar stump speech to the crowd of negroes voted to +hold the indictment good. The case was sent to the Supreme Court on this +disagreement and the defendant admitted to bail. + +Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Augustus +Schell, representing the noblest spirit in the North were among the men +who signed his bail bond. + +When he was released and walked out of the court room cheer after cheer +swept the struggling crowd that greeted him. Senator Barton took the +driver's place on the box while thousands followed to the hotel shouting +themselves hoarse. For three hours he stood shaking the hands of weeping +men and women. No sublimer tribute was ever paid to human worth. It came +with healing to his wounded soul. The anguish of the past was as if it +had never been. + +Jennie Barton gazed with astonishment when Socola grasped his +outstretched hand. She was standing near enough to hear his voice. + +"I want to thank you, young man," he said gratefully, "for all you've +done for me and mine. Mr. O'Connor tells me that your services have been +invaluable. For myself, my wife and babies and my people, I thank you +again. I wish I might do something to repay you--" + +"I've only done my duty," was the modest response. "But I think you +might help me a little--" + +"If it's within my power--" + +"You remember Miss Barton?" + +"I've just shaken hands with her--she is here!" + +"Would you mind putting in a word--" + +"I'll do more, sir--I'm in command to-day. I'll issue positive orders--" + +Jennie moved, he saw her and beckoned. She came, blushing. + +"What's this, my little comrade?" he whispered, seizing her hands. "The +war is over. I've shaken hands with Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith +to-day. There can be no stragglers in our camp, I owe my life to this +young man." + +He took Jennie's hand, placed it on Socola's arm, and he led her silent +and blushing from the crowd to an alcove in the far corner of the hall. + +She looked up into his face with tenderness. + +"You've done a noble and beautiful thing in the gift of your life to our +Chief for these two miserable years--" + +"They've been miserable to you?" + +She smiled. + +"But I knew you would come--" + +"You'll not send me away again?" + +She slowly slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him. + +They stood on the balcony hand in hand and watched the crowds surging +about the carriage as the tall Chieftain left the hotel to take the +train to greet his children. + +Socola uncovered his head and spoke reverently. + +"He belongs to the race of giants who have made our Nation what it is +to-day. We owe a debt to the unflinching dignity and honesty of his +mind. He made hedging, trimming and compromise impossible--the issues +which divided us of Life and Death. A weaker man would have wavered and +we should have had to fight our battles over again. They have been +settled for all time." + +Jennie lifted her eyes to his: + +"What's your name, my sweetheart?" + +He laughed softly. + +"Does it matter now? Our country's one--my name is Love." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICTIM*** + + +******* This file should be named 18721-8.txt or 18721-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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N. Marchand</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Victim</p> +<p> A romance of the Real Jefferson Davis</p> +<p>Author: Thomas Dixon</p> +<p>Release Date: June 30, 2006 [eBook #18721]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICTIM***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by David Garcia, Paul Ereaut,<br /> + and the project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/">http://www.pgdp.net/</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by the<br /> + Kentuckiana Digital Library<br /> + (<a href="http://kdl.kyvl.org/">http://kdl.kyvl.org/</a>)</h3> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through the + Kentuckiana Digital Library. See + <a href="http://kdl.kyvl.org/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=kyetexts;cc=kyetexts;xc=1&idno=B92-201-30752212&view=toc"> + http://kdl.kyvl.org/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=kyetexts;cc=kyetexts;xc=1&idno=B92-201-30752212&view=toc</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<p>Transcriber's Note: Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been made consistent.</p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + + + + +<h1>THE VICTIM</h1> + +<div class="figcenter" style="margin: 2% 33% 2% 33%; border: thin solid black;" > +<p style="text-align: center;"> + BOOKS BY THOMAS DIXON<br /> +<br /> + The Victim<br /> + The Southerner<br /> + The Sins of the Father<br /> + The Leopard's Spots<br /> + The Clansman<br /> + The Traitor<br /> + The One Woman<br /> + Comrades<br /> + The Root of Evil<br /> + The Life Worth Living +</p> +</div> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<img src="images/ill-004.jpg" width="489" height="726" +alt=""The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl" [Page 300]" +title=""The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl" [Page 300]" /> +<span class="caption">"The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl" [Page 300]</span> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /></div> + + +<h2>THE VICTIM<br /></h2> +<h2><i>A ROMANCE OF<br /> THE REAL JEFFERSON DAVIS</i><br /><br /></h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>THOMAS DIXON</h2> + +<h4>"<i>A majestic soul has passed</i>"—<span class="smcap">Charles A. Dana</span><br /><br /></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 101px;"> +<img src="images/ill-005.jpg" width="101" height="125" alt="colophon" title="colophon" /> +<br /><br /></div> + +<h3>ILLUSTRATED BY J. N. MARCHAND<br /><br /></h3> + +<h3>NEW YORK AND LONDON<br /> D. APPLETON AND COMPANY<br /> 1914<br /><br /></h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1914, <span class="smcap">by</span><br /> +THOMAS DIXON<br /></h3> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> +<h3><i>All rights reserved, including that of translation into all<br /> +foreign languages, including the Scandinavian</i><br /><br /></h3> + +<h3>Printed in the United States of America<br /></h3> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + + + + +<h3>TO<br /> +<br /> +THE BRAVE WHO DIED<br /> +<br /> +FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED<br /> +<br /> +TO BE RIGHT<br /><br /><br /></h3> + +<h3> +<i>Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns!<br /> +Love rules. Her gentle purpose runs.<br /> +A mighty mother turns in tears<br /> +The pages of her battle years<br /> +Lamenting all her fallen sons!</i><br /> +</h3> + +<p style= "text-align: center"> +<span class="smcap">THOMPSON</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TO THE READER</h2> + + +<p><i>In the historical romance which I have woven of the dramatic events of +the life of Jefferson Davis I have drawn his real character unobscured +by passion or prejudice. Forced by his people to lead their cause, his +genius created an engine of war so terrible in its power that through it +five million Southerners, without money, without a market, without +credit, withstood for four years the shock of twenty million men of +their own blood and of equal daring, backed by boundless resources.</i></p> + +<p><i>The achievement is without a parallel in history, and adds new glory to +the records of our race.</i></p> + +<p><i>The scenes have all been drawn from authentic records in my possession. +I have not at any point taken a liberty with an essential detail of +history.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: right"> +<span class="smcap">Thomas Dixon</span>.<br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> + +<tr><td align='right'></td> +<td align='left'></td> +<td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>PROLOGUE</td> +<td align='left'></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>CHAPTER</td> +<td align='left'></td> +<td align='right'></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>I</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Curtain Rises</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_69'>69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>II</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Parting</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_82'>82</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>III</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Midnight Session</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Friendly Warning</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_107'>107</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>V</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Boy and Girl</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">God's Will</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_115'>115</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Best Man Wins</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_120'>120</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Storm Center</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_125'>125</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Old Régime</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_137'>137</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>X</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Gauge of Battle</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_145'>145</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Jennie's Vision</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_156'>156</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Little Cloud</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_164'>164</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Closing of the Ranks</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Richmond in Gala Dress</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_179'>179</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The House on Church Hill</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_189'>189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Flower-Decked Tent</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Fatal Victory</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_201'>201</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Aftermath</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_219'>219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Socola's Problem</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_233'>233</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Anaconda</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Gathering Clouds</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_245'>245</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Jennie's Recruit</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_257'>257</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Fatal Blunder</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_264'>264</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Sleeping Lioness</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_274'>274</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Bombardment</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_284'>284</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Irreparable Loss</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_305'>305</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Light that Failed</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_315'>315</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Snare of the Fowler</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_326'>326</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXIX</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Panic in Richmond</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_336'>336</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXX</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Deliverance</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_350'>350</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Love and War</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_360'>360</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Path of Glory</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_363'>363</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Accusation</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_385'>385</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXIV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Turn of the Tide</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_392'>392</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Suspicion</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_406'>406</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXVI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Fatal Deed</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_409'>409</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXVII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Raiders</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_417'>417</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXVIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Discovery</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_424'>424</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXXIX</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Conspirators</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_440'>440</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XL</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">In Sight of Victory</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_447'>447</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Fall of Richmond</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_459'>459</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Capture</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_470'>470</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLIII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Victor</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_484'>484</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLIV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Prison Bars</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_487'>487</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLV</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Master Mind</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_496'>496</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLVI</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Torture</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_501'>501</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XLVII</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Vindication</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_506'>506</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="illustrations"> + +<tr><td align='left'>"The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl"</td> +<td align='right'><i>Frontispiece</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>"'You have given me new eyes—'"</td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>"'We have won, sir!' was the short curt answer"</td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_217'>217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>"Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle— 'I understand,sir'"</td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_310'>310</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>"Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and confronted Dick"</td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_390'>390</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>"'Do your duty— put them on him!'"</td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_491'>491</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LEADING CHARACTERS OF THE STORY</h2> + +<p> +<i>The Prologue</i><br /> +1814-1853<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Lt. Jefferson Davis</span>, Of the U. S. Army.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Joseph E. Davis</span>, His Big Brother.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Colonel Zachary Taylor</span>, "Old Rough and Ready."<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sarah Knox Taylor</span>, His Daughter.<br /> +<span class="smcap">James Pemberton</span>, A Faithful Slave.<br /> +<br /> +<i>The Story</i><br /> +1860-1867<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hon. Roger Barton</span>, An Original Secessionist.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jennie</span>, His Daughter.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dick Welford</span>, A Confederate Soldier.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Joseph Holt</span>, A Renegade Southerner.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Henrico Socola</span>, A Soldier of Fortune.<br /> +<span class="smcap">The President</span>, Of the Confederacy.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Davis</span>, His Wife.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Burton Harrison</span>, His Secretary.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Joseph E. Johnston</span>, A Master of Retreat.<br /> +<span class="smcap">P. G. T. Beauregard</span>, The First Hero.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Stonewall Jackson</span>, Of the "Foot Cavalry."<br /> +<span class="smcap">Robert E. Lee</span>, The Southern Commander.<br /> +<span class="smcap">U. S. Grant</span>, The Bull Dog Fighter.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nelson A. Miles</span>, A Jailer.<br /> +<span class="smcap">John C. Underwood</span>, A Reconstruction Judge.<br /> +</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>THE VICTIM</h1> + +<h2><b>The Prologue</b></h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE VICTIM</h2> + + +<h3>PROLOGUE</h3> + + + + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>I</h2> + +<h3>KIDNAPPED</h3> + + +<p>The hot sun of the South was sinking in red glow through the giant +tree-tops of a Mississippi forest beyond the village of Woodville. A +slender girl stood in the pathway watching a boy of seven trudge +manfully away beside his stalwart brother.</p> + +<p>Her lips trembled and eyes filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"Wait—wait!" she cried.</p> + +<p>With a sudden bound she snatched him to her heart.</p> + +<p>"Don't, Polly—you hurt!" the little fellow faltered, looking at her +with a feeling of sudden fear. "Why did you squeeze me so hard?"</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't have done that, honey," the big brother frowned.</p> + +<p>"I know," the sister pleaded, "but I couldn't help it."</p> + +<p>"What are you crying about?" the boy questioned.</p> + +<p>Again the girl's arm stole around his neck.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with her, Big Brother?" he asked with a brave attempt +at scorn.</p> + +<p>The man slowly loosened the sister's arms.</p> + +<p>"I'm just going home with you, ain't I?" the child went on, with a +quiver in his voice.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> +<p>The older brother led him to a fallen log, sat down, and held his hands.</p> + +<p>"No, Boy," he said quietly. "I'd as well tell you the truth now. I'm +going to send you to Kentucky to a wonderful school, taught by learned +men from the Old World—wise monks who know everything. You want to go +to a real school, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"But my Mamma don't know—"</p> + +<p>"That's just it, Boy. We can't tell her. She wouldn't let you go."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, she's a good Baptist, and it's a long, long way to the St. Thomas +monastery."</p> + +<p>"How far?"</p> + +<p>"A thousand miles, through these big woods—"</p> + +<p>The blue eyes dimmed.</p> + +<p>"I want to see my Mamma before I go—" his voice broke.</p> + +<p>The man shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, Boy; it won't do. You're her baby—"</p> + +<p>The dark head sank with a cry.</p> + +<p>"I want to see her!"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Jeff Davis, you're going to be a soldier. Remember you're +the son of a soldier who fought under General Washington and won our +freedom. You're named after Thomas Jefferson, the great President. Your +three brothers have just come home from New Orleans. Under Old Hickory +we drove the British back into their ships and sent 'em flying home to +England. The son of a soldier—the brother of soldiers—can't cry—"</p> + +<p>"I will if I want to!"</p> + +<p>"All right!" the man laughed—"I'll hold my hat and you can cry it +full—"</p> + +<p>He removed his hat and held it smilingly under the boy's firm little +chin. The childish lips tightened and the cheeks flushed with anger. +His bare toes began to dig holes in t<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>he soft rich earth. The appeal to +his soldier blood had struck into the pride of his heart and the insult +of a hat full of tears had hurt.</p> + +<p>At last, he found his tongue:</p> + +<p>"Does Pa know I'm goin'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He thinks you're a very small boy to go so far, but knows it's for +the best."</p> + +<p>"That's why he kissed me when I left?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I thought it was funny," he murmured with a half sob; "he never kissed +me before—"</p> + +<p>"He's quiet and reserved, Boy, but he's wise and good and loves you. +He's had a hard time out here in the wilderness fighting his way with a +wife and ten children. He never had a chance to get an education and the +children didn't either. Some of us are too old now. There's time for +you. We're going to stand aside and let you pass. You're our baby +brother, and we love you."</p> + +<p>The child's hand slowly stole into the rough one of the man.</p> + +<p>"And I love you, Big Brother—" the little voice faltered, "and all the +others, too, and that's-why-I'm-not-goin'!"</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad!" The girl clapped her hands and laughed.</p> + +<p>"Polly!—"</p> + +<p>"Well, I am, and I don't care what you say. He's too little to go so far +and you know he is—"</p> + +<p>The man grasped her hand and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Hush!"</p> + +<p>The brother slipped his arm around the Boy and drew him on his knee. He +waited a moment until the hard lines at the corners of the firm mouth +had relaxed under the pressure of his caress, pushed the tangled hair +back from his forehead and looked into the fine blue-gray eyes. His<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +voice was tender and his speech slow.</p> + +<p>"You must make up your mind to go, Boy. I don't want to force you. I +like to see your eyes flash when you say you <i>won't</i> go. You've got the +stuff in you that real men are made of. That's why it's worth while to +send you. I've seen that since you could toddle about the house and +stamp your feet when things didn't suit you. Now, listen to me. I've +made a vow to God that you shall have as good a chance as any man to +make your way to the top. We're going to be the greatest nation in the +world. I saw it in the red flash of guns that day at New Orleans as I +lay there in the trench and watched the long lines of Red Coats go down +before us. Just a lot of raw recruits with old flintlocks! The men who +charged us, the picked veterans of England's grand army. But we cut 'em +to pieces, Boy! I fired a cannon loaded with grape shot that mowed a +lane straight through 'em. It must have killed two hundred men. They +burned our Capitol at Washington and the Federalist traitors at Hartford +were firin' on us in the rear, but Old Hickory showed the world that we +could lick England with one hand tied behind our back. And we did it. We +drove 'em like sheep—drove 'em into the sea.</p> + +<p>"There's but one name on every lip in this country now, Boy, and that's +Old Hickory. He'd be President next time—but for one thing,—just one +thing—he didn't have a chance to learn when he was a boy. He's not +educated."</p> + +<p>The brother paused, and a dreamy look came into his eyes. "We may make +him President anyhow. But if he'd been educated—there wouldn't be any +if or and about it. Washington and Jefferson and Madison belong to the +rich and powerful class. Jackson is a yeoman like your father. But he'd +be President. Boy, if he'd been educated! Nothing could stop him. Don't +you see this is your <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>country? This is a poor man's world. All you have +to do is to train your mind. You've got to do this—you +understand—you've got to do it—"</p> + +<p>The man paused suddenly and looked into the Boy's wondering eyes. He had +forgotten the child's rebellion. The young pioneer of the wilderness was +talking to himself. Again he had seen a vision.</p> + +<p>He seized the Boy's arms:</p> + +<p>"Don't you see, Boy, don't you?"</p> + +<p>The child's mouth hardened again:</p> + +<p>"No, I don't. I'm just a little boy. I love my Mamma. She's good and +sweet to me and I'm not going to leave her—"</p> + +<p>Again Polly laughed.</p> + +<p>A smile slowly played about the brother's lips and eyes. He must show +his trump card.</p> + +<p>"But you don't know what I've got for you—"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Something you've always wanted to have for your own—"</p> + +<p>"A pony?"</p> + +<p>The man slowly rose:</p> + +<p>"Come out to the big road—"</p> + +<p>The Boy seized his sister's hand:</p> + +<p>"Polly, let's see!"</p> + +<p>The girl's eyes grew dim:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jeff, I know you're goin'!"</p> + +<p>"No—we'll just see what it is—come on!"</p> + +<p>In five minutes they emerged from the deep woods into the clearing +around a cabin. Beside the roadway stood a horse and pony, both bridled +and saddled.</p> + +<p>The swift feet of the Boy flew across the opening, the sister wide-eyed +and trembling, close on his heels. He threw his arms around the pony's +neck and stroked his head with gentle touch. The pony pressed his mouth +against the Boy'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>s cheek in friendly response.</p> + +<p>"Did you see him kiss me, Polly?" he cried tremblingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I saw him," was the solemn response.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he a beauty? Look, Polly—he's got a white spot on every foot and +one in his forehead and black as a coal all over—and Oh—what a +saddle—a red belt and red martingales!"</p> + +<p>He touched the saddle lovingly and circled the pony's neck with his +arms.</p> + +<p>The brother smiled again:</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think of that?"</p> + +<p>The Boy was trembling now from head to foot, his heart in his throat as +he slowly asked:</p> + +<p>"You mean that—you'll—give—him—to me—for—all my own?"</p> + +<p>"If you'll be a good boy, go to school and work hard—yes."</p> + +<p>"All right, Big Brother," was the quick answer, "I'll go. Help me on him +quick, and let me try him!"</p> + +<p>The Boy lifted his bare foot into the strong hand, sprang into the +saddle, bounded down the road, wheeled, flew back and leaped to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"He's a dandy!"</p> + +<p>Polly dropped her head and started home, making a brave fight to keep +back the tears. Half way across the clearing she gave up in a long +pitiful wail.</p> + +<p>The Boy, busy with his pony, had not missed her. In a moment he was by +her side, his arms about her neck.</p> + +<p>"Don't cry, Polly honey, I'll be back before long," he pleaded.</p> + +<p>The only answer was a sob:</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Jeff—"</p> + +<p>Her hands slowly slipped through his.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> +<p>"Good-by, Polly—"</p> + +<p>He watched her go with quivering lips, and as the little figure slowly +faded into the shadows of the woods he called in broken accents:</p> + +<p>"Kiss Mamma for me—and tell her I wanted to go back and say +good-by—but Joe wouldn't let me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, honey!"</p> + +<p>"And you—watch out for that old drunk man we saw once in the woods, +Polly!"</p> + +<p>"Yes!"</p> + +<p>"Don't let him get you—"</p> + +<p>"No—I won't—good—good-by!"</p> + +<p>"Good-by—"</p> + +<p>The last good-by stuck in the Boy's throat, but he lifted his blue eyes, +saw his pony and smiled through the tears.</p> + + +<h2>II</h2> + +<h3>THE WILDERNESS</h3> + +<p>A journey of a thousand miles through the unbroken wilderness—the home +of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian Nations and all on his own beautiful +pony! It was no time for tears.</p> + +<p>The Boy's soul leaped for joy.</p> + +<p>The party was a delightful one. Major Hinds, a veteran of General +Jackson's campaign, the commander of the famous Mississippi Dragoons at +the battle of New Orleans, was the leader, accompanied by his wife, her +sister and niece, and best of all a boy his own age, the Major's little +son Howell.</p> + +<p>Howell also was riding a pony. He was a nice enough pony, of course, as +ponies went, but couldn't compare with his own. He made up his mind to +race the first chance they got, and show those pretty white heels to +his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>rival. He was just dying to tell him how fast they could beat the +ground—but he'd wait and surprise the party.</p> + +<p>A negro maid accompanied the ladies and a stalwart black man rode a +pack-mule laden with tents, blankets and a cooking outfit. They stopped +at houses when one could be reached at nightfall. If not, they camped in +the woods beneath the towering trees. There was no need of the tents +unless it rained. So dense was the foliage that only here and there a +bright star peeped through, or a moonbeam shot its silvery thread to the +ground. The Indians were all friendly. It was the boast of the Choctaws +that no man of their breed had ever shed the blood of a white man.</p> + +<p>For days they followed the course of the majestic river rolling its +yellow flood to the sea and watched the lazy flat and keel boats drift +slowly down to New Orleans bearing the wealth of the new Western World. +The men who had manned these rude craft were slowly tramping on foot +back to their homes in the North. Their boats could not stem the tide +for the return trip. Every day they passed these weary walkers. The Boy +was sorry they couldn't ride. His pony's step was so firm and quick and +strong.</p> + +<p>He raced with Howell the first day and beat him so far there was no fun +in it. He never challenged his rival again. He was the guest of Major +Hinds on this trip. It would be rude. But he slipped out in the dark +that night, and hugged his pony:</p> + +<p>"You're the finest horse that ever was!" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Of course I am!" the pony laughed.</p> + +<p>"I love you—"</p> + +<p>"And I love you," was the quick response as the warm nose touched his +cheek.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> +<p>In the second week, they reached the first stand, "Folsoms'," on the +border of the Choctaw Nation. These stands were log cabins occupied by +squaw men—whites who had married Indian women. They must pass three +more of these stands the Major said—the "Leflores," known as the first +and second French camps, and the one at the crossing of the Tennessee +River, which had the unusual distinction of being kept by a half-breed +Chickasaw Indian.</p> + +<p>Here, weary, footsore travelers stopped to rest and refresh +themselves—and many drooped and died miles from those they loved. The +little graveyard with its rude, wooden-marked mounds the Boy saw with a +dull ache in his heart.</p> + +<p>And then the first bitter pang of homesickness came. He wondered if his +sweet mother were well. He wondered what she said when they told her he +had gone. He knew she had cried. What if she were dead and he could +never see her again? He sat down on a log, buried his face in his hands +and tried to cry the ache out of his heart. He felt that he must turn +back or die. But it wouldn't do. He had promised his Big Brother. He +rose, brushed the tears away, fed and watered his pony and tenderly +rubbed down every inch of his beautiful black skin. He forgot the ache +in his new-found love and the strength which had come into his boy's +soul from the sense of kinship with Nature which this beautiful dumb +four-footed friend had brought him. No man could be friendless or +forsaken who possessed the love of a horse. His horse knew and loved +him. He said it in a hundred ways. His wide, deep, lustrous eyes, +shining with intelligence, had told him! So had the touch of his big +warm mouth in many a friendly pony kiss. His pony could laugh, too. He +had seen the smiles flicker about his mouth and eyes as he pretended to +bite his bare legs. How could any human being be cruel or mean to a +horse! His pony had given him new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> courage and conscious power. He was +the master of Nature now when they flew along the trail through the deep +woods. His horse had given him wings.</p> + +<p>He looked up into the star-sown sky, and promised God to be kind and +gentle to all the dumb world for the love of the beautiful friend He had +given.</p> + + +<h2>III</h2> + +<h3>THE HERMITAGE</h3> + +<p>At the last stand on the banks of the winding Tennessee, the Major sat +up late in eager discussion about Old Hickory with an enthusiastic +Tennesseean. The ladies had retired, and the Boy listened with quiet +eagerness to the talk.</p> + +<p>"Waal, we're goin' ter make Andrew Jackson President anyhow, Major!" the +Tennesseean drawled.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid they'll beat us," the Major answered, with a shake of his +head.</p> + +<p>"How'll they beat us when we git ready ter make the fight?"</p> + +<p>"Old Hickory says himself, he ain't fit—"</p> + +<p>"I reckon we know more about that than he does," persisted the man from +Tennessee.</p> + +<p>"The aristocrats don't think so—"</p> + +<p>"What t'ell they got agin him? Ain't he the biggest man in this country +to-day? Didn't he lick Spain and England both at Pensacola and didn't he +finish the Red Coats at New Orleans—"</p> + +<p>"They say his education's poor—"</p> + +<p>"He knowed enough to make this country cock o' the walk—what more do +they want—damn 'em!"</p> + +<p>"They say he swears—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> +<p>The Tennesseean roared:</p> + +<p>"Waal, if all the cussin' men vote fur him—he'll sho be elected!"</p> + +<p>"The real trouble—" the Major said thoughtfully, "is what the +scandal-mongers keep saying about his wife—"</p> + +<p>"He's killed one son-of-a-gun about that already, an' they better let +him alone—"</p> + +<p>"That's just it, my friend: he killed that skunk in a duel and it's not +the only one he has fought either. Old Hickory's got the temper of the +devil."</p> + +<p>"Waal, thar ain't nothin' in them lies about his wife—"</p> + +<p>The Major lifted his hand and moved closer:</p> + +<p>"There's just enough truth at the bottom of it all to give the liars the +chance they need to talk forever—"</p> + +<p>"I never knowed thar wuz ary grain er truth in hit, at all—"</p> + +<p>"There is, though," the Major interrupted, "and that's where we're going +to have a big fight on our hands when it comes to the rub. This Lewis +Robards, her first husband, was a quarrelsome cuss. Every man that +looked at his wife, he swore was after her, and if she lifted her eyes, +he was sure she was guilty. There was no divorce law in Virginia and +Robards petitioned the Legislature to pass an Act of Divorce in his +favor. The dog swore in this petition that his wife had deserted him and +was living with Andrew Jackson. He <i>was</i> boarding with her mother, the +widow Donelson. The Legislature passed the Act, but it only authorized +the Courts of the Territory of Kentucky to try the case, and grant the +divorce if the facts were proven.</p> + +<p>"Robards never went to Court with it for over two years, and Jackson, +under the impression that the Legislature had given the divorce, married +Rachel Robards at Natchez in August, 1791.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> +<p>"Two years later, the skunk slips into Court and gets his divorce!</p> + +<p>"As quick as Old Hickory heard this, he married her over again. There +was a mighty hullabaloo kicked up about it by the politicians. They +tried to run Jackson out of the country—the little pups who were afraid +of him. He challenged the leader of this pack of hounds, and shot him +dead—"</p> + +<p>"Served him right, too," broke in the Tennesseean, removing his pipe, +with a nod of his shaggy head.</p> + +<p>"But it don't help him on the way to Washington!" The Major grunted, +suddenly rising and dismissing the subject for the night.</p> + +<p>The Boy's curiosity was kindled to see the great man whose name had +filled the world.</p> + +<p>The distance to Nashville was quickly covered. The Major pressed +straight through the town without pause and drew rein at the General's +gate.</p> + +<p>The welcome they received from their distinguished host was so simple, +so genuine, so real, the Boy's heart went out in loyal admiration.</p> + +<p>The house was a big rambling structure of logs, in front of which stood +a stately grove of magnificent forest trees. Behind it stretched the +grain and cotton fields.</p> + +<p>Nothing could surpass the unaffected and perfect courtesy with which the +General welcomed his guests. The tall, stately figure, moving with the +unconscious grace of perfect manhood, needed no rules of a dancing +master for his guidance. He had sprung from the common people, but he +was a born leader and ruler of men.</p> + +<p>The Boy listened with keen ears to hear him rip out one of those +terrible oaths of which so much had been said. His speech was gentle and +kind, and he asked a blessing at every meal exactly as his own quiet, +dignified father at home. In all the three weeks they remained his +guests not an oath or an ugly word fell from his lips<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>. The Boy wondered +how people could tell such lies.</p> + +<p>The General liked boys, too. It was easy to see that. He gave hours of +his time to the games and sports of his adopted son, Andrew Jackson, +Jr., and his two little guests. He got up contests of all sorts. They +raced their ponies. They ran and jumped. They played marbles. They +followed the hounds. And always with them as friend and counselor, the +General, gentle, kind, considerate. The only thing he prohibited was +wrestling.</p> + +<p>"No, boys," he said with a frown. "That's not a good sport for high +spirited youth. To feel the hand of a rival on your body may lead to a +fight."</p> + +<p>The deep set eyes flashed with the memory of his own hot blooded boyhood +and young manhood.</p> + +<p>The General's wife won the Boy's whole heart from the moment he saw her.</p> + +<p>"How could they tell such lies!" he kept repeating with boyish +indignation. Pure and sweet as the face of his own mother was hers. +Loving, unselfish, tender and thoughtful, she moved through her house +with the gentle step of a ministering angel. The knightly deference with +which the General attended her slightest wish, stirred the Boy's +imagination. He could see him standing erect, pistol in hand, in the +gray dawn of the morning on which he faced the enemy who had slandered +her. He could see the big firm hand grip the pistol's handle in a clasp +of steel as he waited the signal of Death. He wondered what sort of +wound Dickenson's bullet had made in the General's breast. Anyhow, it +had not been fatal. His enemy lived but a few hours.</p> + +<p>He set his lips firmly, and repeated the Tennesseean's verdict:</p> + +<p>"Served him right, too."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> +<p>The Boy left the Hermitage under the spell of Old Hickory's personality +for life. He had seen a great man.</p> + + +<h2>IV</h2> + +<h3>THE MONASTERY BELLS</h3> + +<p>The journey from Nashville to Springfield, Kentucky, was quick and +uneventful. Long before the spire of St. Thomas' church loomed on the +horizon, they passed through the wide, fertile fields of the Dominican +monks. The grim figure of a black friar was directing the harvest of a +sea of golden-yellow wheat. His workmen were sleek negro slaves. Herds +of fat cattle grazed on the hills. A flock of a thousand sheep were +nipping the fresh sweet grass in the valley. They passed a big flour +mill, whose lazy wheel swung in rhythmic unison with the laughing waters +of the creek that watered the rich valley. The monks were vowed to +poverty and self-denial. But their Order was rich in slaves and land, in +mills and herds and flocks and generous harvests.</p> + +<p>As the sun sank in a smother of purple and red behind the hills, they +saw the church and monastery. The bells were chanting their call to +evening prayer.</p> + +<p>The Boy held his breath in silent ecstasy. He had never heard anything +like it before. It was wonderful—those sweet notes echoing over hill +and valley in the solemn hush of the gathering twilight.</p> + +<p>They waited for the priests to emerge from the chapel before making +their presence known. Through the open windows the deep solemn throb of +the organ pealed. The soul of the Boy rose enchanted on new wings whose +power he had never dreamed. Hidden depths were sounded of whose +existence he could not know. There was no orga<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>n in the little bare log +church the Baptists had built near his father's farm in Mississippi. His +father and mother were Baptists and of course he was going to be a +Baptist some day. But why didn't they have stained glass windows like +those through which he saw the light now streaming—wonderful flashing +lights, whose colors seemed to pour from the soul of the organ. And why +didn't they have a great organ?</p> + +<p>He was going to like these Roman Catholics. He wondered what his mother +would say to that?</p> + +<p>It all seemed so familiar, too. Where had he heard those bells? Where +had he heard the peal of that organ and seen the flash of those gorgeous +lights? In the sky at sunset perhaps, and in the rumble of the storm. +Maybe in dreams—and now they had come true.</p> + +<p>In a few months, he found himself the only Protestant boy in school and +the smallest of all the scholars. The monks were kind. They seemed +somehow to love him better than the others. Father Wallace reminded him +of his big brother. He was so gentle.</p> + +<p>The Boy made up his mind to join the Catholic Church and went straight +to Father Wilson, the venerable head of the college.</p> + +<p>The old man smiled pleasantly:</p> + +<p>"And why do you wish this, my son?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's so much more beautiful than the Baptist Church. Besides it's +so much easier—"</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. The Baptists have such a hard time getting religion. They +seek and mourn so long—"</p> + +<p>"Really?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed they do—yes, sir—I've seen stubborn sinners mourn all summer +in three protracted meetings and then not come through!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> +<p>"And you don't like that sort of penance?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir. I've always dreaded it. And the worst thing is the new +converts have to stand right up in church before all the crowd and tell +their experience out loud. I'd hate that—"</p> + +<p>"And you like our ways better?"</p> + +<p>"A great deal better. The Catholics manage things so nicely. All you +have to do is to go to church, learn the catechism and the good priests +do all the rest—"</p> + +<p>"Oh—I see!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Father Wilson laid his wrinkled hand tenderly on the Boy's head:</p> + +<p>"You are very, very young, my son, and you are growing rapidly. What you +really need is good Catholic food. Sit down and have a piece of bread +and cheese with me."</p> + +<p>The Boy sat down and ate the offered bread and cheese in silence.</p> + +<p>"I can't join, Father Wilson?" he asked at last.</p> + +<p>The priest smiled again:</p> + +<p>"No, my son."</p> + +<p>"You don't like me, Father?" the boy asked wistfully.</p> + +<p>"We like you very much, sir. But we are responsible for the trust your +father and mother have put in us. In God's own time when you are older +and know the full meaning of your act, I should be glad—but not this +way."</p> + +<p>The Boy was so small, in fact, that a fine old priest in pity for his +tender years had a little bed put in his own room for him to watch the +light and shadows in eager young eyes when homesickness threatened. And +then he talked of the wonders and glory of Rome on her seven hills by +the Tiber, of the Coliseum, the death of Christian martyrs in the +arena—of the splendors of St. Peter's, beside whose glory all other +churches pale into insigni<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>ficance. He lifted the curtain of history and +gave the child's mind flashes of the Old World whose pageants stretch +down the ages into the mists of eternity.</p> + +<p>Of books, the Boy learned little—but the monks kindled a light in his +soul the years could not dim.</p> + +<p>To the other students the old man was not so gentle. They were tougher +and he set their tasks accordingly. They rebelled at last and decided on +revenge. The plot was hatched and all in readiness for its execution. +The only problem was how to put the light out in his room.</p> + +<p>The Boy held the key to the citadel. He was on the inside. He could blow +the candle out and the thing was done. He refused at first, but the +rebels crowded around him and appealed to his sense of loyalty.</p> + +<p>"They can force you to sleep in his room," pleaded the ringleader, "but, +by Gimminy, that don't make you a monk, does it?"</p> + +<p>"No, of course not—"</p> + +<p>"You're one of <i>us</i>—stand by us. You didn't ask to sleep in his old +room, did you?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're there—the right man in the right place, in the nick of +time. <i>Will</i> you stand by us?"</p> + +<p>"What do you want me to do?"</p> + +<p>"Just blow out the candle—that's all—we'll do the rest. Will you do +it?"</p> + +<p>The Boy hesitated, smiled and said:</p> + +<p>"Yes—when everything's quiet."</p> + +<p>The old man had gone to bed and began to snore. The Boy rose noiselessly +and blew the candle out.</p> + +<p>Instantly from the darkness without, poured a volley of cabbage heads, +squashes, potatoes and biscuits. Not a word was spoken, but the charge +of the light brigade was swift and terrible.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> +<p>The Boy pulled the cover over his head and waited for the storm to pass.</p> + +<p>When the light was lit and search made, not a culprit could be found. +They were all in bed sound asleep. The only one awake was the Boy in the +little bed on which lay scattered potatoes, biscuits and cabbage.</p> + +<p>The priest drew him from under the cover. His face was stern—the firm +mouth rigid with anger.</p> + +<p>"Did you know they were going to do that, sir?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The Boy trembled but held his tongue.</p> + +<p>"Answer me, sir!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know just what they were going to do—"</p> + +<p>"You knew they were up to something?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!"</p> + +<p>"And you didn't tell me?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't be a traitor, sir."</p> + +<p>"To those young rascals—no—but you could betray me—"</p> + +<p>"I'm not a monk, Father—"</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you know at once, sir, before I thrash you."</p> + +<p>"I don't know much," the Boy slowly answered, "and I can't tell you +that."</p> + +<p>There was a final ring in the tones with which he ended the sentence. +The culprit must be punished. It was out of the question that he should +whip him—this quiet, gentle, bright little fellow he had grown to love. +He was turned over to another—an old monk of fine face and voice full +of persuasive music.</p> + +<p>He took the Boy by the hand and led him up the last flight of stairs to +the top of the house and into a tiny bare room. The only piece of +furniture was an ominous looking cot in the middle of the floor. The Boy +had not read the history of the Spanish Inquisition, but it required no +great l<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>earning in history or philosophy to guess the use of that +machine.</p> + +<p>There was no terror in the blue eyes. Their light grew hard with +resolution. The monk to whom he had been delivered for punishment was +the one of all the monastery who had the kindliest, gentlest face. The +Boy had always thought him one of his best friends.</p> + +<p>Yet, without a word, he laid the culprit face downward on the strange +leather couch and drew the straps around his slim body. He had dreamed +of mercy, but all hope vanished now. He held his breath and set his lips +to receive the blow—the first he had ever felt.</p> + +<p>The monk took the switch in his hand and hesitated. He loved the bright, +handsome lad. The task was harder than he thought.</p> + +<p>He knelt beside the cot and put his hand on the dark little head:</p> + +<p>"I hate to strike you, my son—"</p> + +<p>"Don't then, Father," was the eager answer.</p> + +<p>"I've always had a very tender spot in my heart for you. Tell me what +you know and it'll be all right."</p> + +<p>"I can't—"</p> + +<p>"No matter how little, and I'll let you off."</p> + +<p>"Will you?"</p> + +<p>"I promise."</p> + +<p>"I know one thing," the Boy said with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"I know who blew out the light."</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>"If I tell you that much, you'll let me off?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my son."</p> + +<p>The little head wagged doubtfully:</p> + +<p>"Honest, now, Father?"</p> + +<p>"I give you my solemn word."</p> + +<p>"I blew it out!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> +<p>The fine old face twitched with suppressed laughter as he loosed the +straps, sat down on the cot and drew the youngster in his lap.</p> + +<p>"You're a bright chap, my son. You'll go far in this world some day. A +great diplomat perhaps, but the road you've started on to-night can only +lead you at last into a blind alley. You know now that I love you, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Father."</p> + +<p>"Come now, my Boy, there's too much strength and character in those fine +eyes and that splendid square chin and jaw for you to let roistering +fools lead you by the nose. You wouldn't have gotten into that devilment +if they hadn't persuaded you—now would you?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"All right. Use the brain and heart God has given you. Don't let fools +use it for their own ends. Do your own thinking. Be your own man. Stand +on your own bottom."</p> + +<p>And then, in low tones, the fine old face glowing with enthusiasm, the +monk talked to his little friend of Truth and Right, of Character and +Principle, of Love and God, until the tears began to slowly steal down +the rosy cheeks.</p> + +<p>A new resolution fixed itself in the Boy's soul. He <i>would</i> live his own +life. No other human being should do it for him.</p> + + +<h2>V</h2> + +<h3>HOME</h3> + +<p>The mother's heart rebelled at last. She would not be put off longer. +Her baby had been gone two years. She refused point blank to listen to +any further argument.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> +<p>Charles Green, the young Mississippian, studying law in Kentucky, and +acting as the Boy's guardian, was notified to bring him at the end of +the spring term.</p> + +<p>On a glorious day in June they left Bardstown for Louisville, to take +the new steamboat line for home. These wonderful boats were the marvels +of their day. Their names conveyed but a hint of the awe they inspired. +The fleet of three vessels bore the titles, <i>Volcano</i>, <i>Vesuvius</i> and +<i>Ætna</i>. And the sparks that flew heavenward from their black chimneys +were far more impressive to the people who crowded the shores than the +smoke and lava of old Vesuvius to the lazy loungers of Naples.</p> + +<p>The Boy saw his pony safely housed on board the <i>Ætna</i>, and amid the +clang of bells and the scream of whistles, the floating wonder swung out +from her wharf into the yellow tide of the Ohio.</p> + +<p>Scores of people crowded her decks for the pleasure of a ride ten miles +down the river to return in their carriages.</p> + +<p>The Captain of the <i>Ætna</i>, Robinson DeHart, held the Boy in a spell by +his lofty manners. He had been a sailor on board an ocean-going brig. To +him the landing of his vessel was an event, no matter how often the stop +was made, whether to put off a single passenger, or take on a regiment. +In fact, he never landed the <i>Ætna</i>, even to take on a cord of wood, +without the use of his enormous speaking trumpet and his big brass +spy-glass.</p> + +<p>A beautiful, slow, uneventful voyage on the Father of Waters landed the +Boy in safety at the Woodville stopping-place. He leaped down the +gang-plank with a shout and clasped his Big Brother's hand.</p> + +<p>"My, my, but you've grown, Boy!"</p> + +<p>"Haven't I?"</p> + +<p>"Won't little mother be surprised and glad?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> +<p>"Let's fool her," the Boy cried. "Let me go up by myself and she won't +know me!"</p> + +<p>"All right—we'll try."</p> + +<p>The brother stopped at the village and the young stranger walked alone +to his father's house. How beautiful it all seemed—the big log house +with the cabins clustering around it! A horse neighed at the barn and a +colt answered from the field.</p> + +<p>He walked boldly up to the porch and just inside the door sat his lovely +mother. She had been one of the most beautiful girls in all South +Carolina in her day, his father had often said. She was beautiful still. +She had known what happiness was. She was the mother of ten strong +children—five boys and five girls—and her heart was young with their +joys and hopes. A smile was playing about her fine mouth. She was +dreaming perhaps of his coming.</p> + +<p>The Boy cleared his throat with a deep manly note and spoke in studied +careless tones:</p> + +<p>"Seen any stray horses around here, ma'am?"</p> + +<p>The mother's eyes flashed as she sprang through the doorway and snatched +him to her heart with a cry of joy:</p> + +<p>"No—but I see a stray Boy! Oh, my darling, my baby, my heart!"</p> + +<p>And then words failed. She loosed her hold and held him at arm's length, +tried to say something, but only clasped him again and cried for joy.</p> + +<p>"Please, Ma, let me have him!" Polly pleaded.</p> + +<p>And then he clasped his sister in a long, voiceless hug—loosed her and +caught her again:</p> + +<p>"I missed you, Polly, dear!" he sighed.</p> + +<p>When all the others had been greeted, he turned to his mother:</p> + +<p>"Where's Pa?"</p> + +<p>"Down in the field with the colts."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> +<p>"I'll go find him!"</p> + +<p>With a bound he was off. He wondered what his silent, undemonstrative +father would do. He had always felt that he was a man of deep emotion +for all his self-control.</p> + +<p>He saw him in the field, walked along the edge of the woods, and +suddenly came before him without warning. The father's lips trembled. He +stooped without a word, clasped the Boy in his arms and kissed him again +and again.</p> + +<p>The youngster couldn't help wondering why a strong man should kiss so +big a boy. The mother—yes—but his father, a man—no.</p> + +<p>It was sweet, this home-coming to those who loved deepest. Somehow the +monastery, its bells, its organ, its jeweled windows, and its kindly +black-robed priests seemed far away and unreal now—only a dream that +had passed.</p> + + + +<h2>VI</h2> + +<h3>REBELLION</h3> + + +<p>The mother's breakdown was not allowed to stop the Boy's education. Both +father and older brother were determined on this. They would use the +schools at home now.</p> + +<p>He was sent to the County Academy in the fall. The Boy didn't like it. +After the easy life with the kindly old monks at St. Thomas, this +academy was not only cheap and coarse and uninteresting, but the teacher +had no sense. He gave lessons so long and hard it was impossible to +memorize them.</p> + +<p>The Boy complained to the teacher. A lesson of the same length was +promptly given again. The rebel showed the teacher he was wrong by +failing to know it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll thrash you, sir!" was the stern answer.</p> + +<p>The Boy would not take that from such a fool. He rose in his wrath, went +home and poured out the indignant story of his wrongs.</p> + +<p>The father was a man of few words, but the long silence which followed +gave a feeling of vague uneasiness. He was never dictatorial to his +children, but meant what he said. His voice was quiet and persuasive +when he finally spoke.</p> + +<p>"Of course, my son, you will have to choose for yourself whether you +will work with your hands only, or with your head and hands. You can't +be an idler, I need more cotton pickers. You don't like school, try the +cotton, I'll give you work."</p> + +<p>The Boy flushed and looked at his father keenly. It was no joke. He +meant exactly what he had said, and a boy with any sand in his gizzard +couldn't back down.</p> + +<p>"All right, sir," was the firm answer. "I'll begin in the morning."</p> + +<p>He went forth to his task with grim determination. The sun of early +September had just risen and it was already hot as he bent to work. +Cotton picking looked easy from a distance. When you got at it, things +somehow were different. A task of everlasting monotony, this bending +from boll to boll along the endless rows! He never realized before how +long the cotton rows were. There was a little stop at the end before +turning and selecting the next, but these rows seemed to stretch away +into eternity.</p> + +<p>Three hours at it, and he was mortally tired. His back ached in a dull +hopeless pain. He lifted his head and gazed longingly toward the school +he had scorned.</p> + +<p>"What a fool!" he sighed. "But I'll stick to it. I can do what any +nigger can."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> +<p>He looked curiously at the slaves who worked without apparent effort. +Not one of them seemed the least bit tired. He could get used to it, +too. After all, this breath of the open world was better than being +cooped up in a stuffy old schoolhouse with a fool to set impossible +tasks.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I'll show my father!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The negroes broke into a plantation song. Jim Pemberton, the leader, +sang each stanza in a clear fine tenor that rang over the field and +echoed through the deep woods. The others joined in the chorus and after +the last verse repeated in low sweet notes that died away so softly it +was impossible to tell the moment the song had ceased.</p> + +<p>The music was beautiful, but it was impossible for him to join in their +singing. He couldn't lower himself to an equality with black slaves. +This cotton picking seemed part of their scheme of life. Their strong +black bodies swayed in a sort of rhythmic movement even when they were +not singing. Somehow his body didn't fit into the scheme. His back ached +and ached. No matter. He had chosen, and he would show them he had a +man's spirit inside a boy's breast.</p> + +<p>At noon the ache had worn away and he felt a sense of joy in conquering +the pain.</p> + +<p>He ate his dinner in silence and wondered what Polly was thinking about +at school. Girl-like, she had cried and begged him to go back.</p> + +<p>With a cheerful wave of his hand to his mother, he returned to the field +before the negroes, strapped the bag on his shoulder and bent again to +his task. The afternoon was long. It seemed at three o'clock there could +be no end to it and still those long, long rows of white fleece +stretched on and on into eternity—all alike in dull, tiresome monotony.</p> + +<p>He whistled to keep up his courage.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> +<p>The negroes whispered to one another and smiled as they looked his way. +He paid no attention.</p> + +<p>By four o'clock, the weariness had become a habit and at sundown he felt +stronger than at dawn. He swung the bag over his back and started to the +weighing place.</p> + +<p>"Pooh—it's easy!" he said with scorn.</p> + +<p>The negroes crowded around his pile of cotton.</p> + +<p>"Dat Boy is sho one cotton-picker!" cried Jim Pemberton, regarding him +with grinning admiration.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I can pick cotton if I want to—"</p> + +<p>"But ye raly don't wanter?" Jim grinned.</p> + +<p>"Sure I do. I'm sick of school."</p> + +<p>Jim laughed aloud and, coming close, whispered insinuatingly:</p> + +<p>"I'se sho sick er pickin' cotton, an' when yer quits de job—"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to quit—"</p> + +<p>"Yassah, yassah?—I understan' dat—but de pint is, <i>when</i> yer <i>do</i> +quit, don't fergit Jim, Marse Jeff. I likes you. You got de spunk. I +wants ter be yo' man."</p> + +<p>The appeal touched the Boy's pride. He answered with quiet dignity:</p> + +<p>"All right, James—"</p> + +<p>Jim lifted his head and walled his eyes:</p> + +<p>"Des listen at him call me Jeemes! I knows a real marster when I sees +him!"</p> + +<p>That night, the father asked no questions and made no comment on the +fact that he had picked a hundred and ten pounds of cotton—as much as +any man in the field. His deciding to work with his hands had apparently +been accepted as final.</p> + +<p>This thing of deciding life for himself was a serious business. It would +be very silly to jump into a career with slaves, coarse and degrading, +just because a fool happened to be teaching at the County Academy. He +must think this thi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>ng over. Tired as he was, he lay awake until eleven +o'clock, thinking, thinking for himself.</p> + +<p>It was lonesome work, too, this thinking for himself.</p> + +<p>If his father had only done the thinking for him, it would have been so +much easier to accept his decision and then rebel if he didn't like it.</p> + +<p>He returned to the field next morning with renewed determination. +Through the long, hot, interminable day he bent and fought the battle in +silence. His back ached worse than the first day. Every muscle in his +finely strung little body was bruised and sore and on fire.</p> + +<p>He began to ask if his father were right. Wasn't a man a double fool who +had brains and refused to use them?</p> + +<p>An idiot could pick cotton when the bag was fastened on his back. All he +needed was one hand. All he had to do was to bend, hour after hour, day +after day, until it became the habit of life and the ache stopped.</p> + +<p>He could see this now, for himself. He smiled at the quiet wisdom of his +father. He certainly knew how to manage boys. He must acknowledge that. +He was quiet and considerate about it, too. He didn't dictate. He only +suggested things for consideration and choice. It was easy to meet the +views of that kind of a father. He treated a boy with the dignity of a +man.</p> + +<p>When the cotton was weighed, the Boy faced his father:</p> + +<p>"I've thought it all over, sir, and I'd like to go back to school."</p> + +<p>"All right, my son, you can return in the morning."</p> + +<p>He made no comment. He indulged in no smile at the Boy's expense. He +received his decision with the serious dignity of a judge of the +Supreme Court of Life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rebellion ended for all time. Teachers and schools took on a new +meaning. A lesson was no longer a hard task set by a heartless fool who +had been accidentally placed in a position of power. School meant the +training of his mind for a higher and more useful life.</p> + +<p>Progress now was steady. The next year a new teacher came, a real +teacher, the Rev. John Shaw from Boston, Massachusetts—a man of even +temper, just, gentle, a profound scholar with a mind whose contagious +enthusiasm drew the spirits of the young as a magnet.</p> + +<p>The Boy learned more under his guidance within a year than in all his +life before, and next full was ready to enter Transylvania University at +Lexington, Kentucky.</p> + +<p>The polite, handsome boy from Mississippi who had served an +apprenticeship with his father's negroes in a cotton field, gave the +professors no trouble. Good-natured, prudent, joyous, kind, manly, he +attended to his lessons and his own business. He neither gambled nor +drank, nor mingled with the rowdy set. He had come there for something +else.</p> + +<p>He had just passed his examinations for the Senior class in July, 1824, +when the first great sorrow came. The wise father whom he had grown to +love and reverence died in his sixty-eighth year.</p> + +<p>His thoughtful Big Brother came in person to tell him and break the blow +with new ambitions and new hopes. He had secured an appointment from +President Monroe as a cadet to West Point from the State of Mississippi.</p> + +<p>And then began the four years of stern discipline that makes a soldier +and fits him to command men.</p> + +<p>But once in those busy years did the gay spirit within rise in +rebellion, to learn wisdom in the bitterness of experi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>ence.</p> + +<p>With Emile Laserre, his jolly Creole friend from Louisiana, he slipped +down to Bennie Haven's on a frolic—taking French leave, of course. The +alarm was given of the approach of an instructor, and the two culprits +bolted for the barracks at breakneck speed through pitch darkness. +Scrambling madly through the woods, there was a sudden cry, a crash and +silence. He had fallen sixty feet over a precipice to the banks of the +Hudson. Young Laserre crawled carefully to the edge of the rock, peered +over and called through the darkness:</p> + +<p>"Are you dead, Jeff?"</p> + +<p>He was suffering too much to laugh, though he determined to give an +Irishman's reply to that question, if it killed him. He managed to +wheeze back the answer:</p> + +<p>"Not dead—but spachless!"</p> + +<p>Many were the temptations of rebellion from the friends he loved in the +years that followed, but never again did he yield. Somehow the thing +didn't work in his case.</p> + +<p>There was one professor who put his decision of obedience to the supreme +test. For some reason this particular instructor took a violent dislike +to the tall, dignified young Southerner. Perhaps because he was more +anxious to have the love of his cadet friends than the approval of his +teachers. Perhaps from some hidden spring of character within the +teacher which antagonized the firm will and strong personality of the +student who dared to do his own thinking. From whatever cause, it was +plain to all that the professor sought opportunities to insult and +browbeat the cadet he could not provoke into open rebellion.</p> + +<p>The professor was lecturing the class on presence of mind as the +supreme requisite of a successful soldier. He paused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>, and looked +directly at his young enemy:</p> + +<p>"Of course, there are some who will always be confused and wanting in an +emergency—not from cowardice, but from the mediocre nature of their +minds."</p> + +<p>The insult was direct and intended. He hoped to provoke an outburst +which would bring punishment, if not disgrace.</p> + +<p>The cadet's lips merely tightened and the steel from the depths of his +blue eyes flashed into his enemy's for a moment. He would bide his time.</p> + +<p>Three days later, in a building crowded with students, the professor was +teaching the class the process of making fire-balls.</p> + +<p>The room was a storehouse of explosives and the ball suddenly burst into +flames.</p> + +<p>Cadet Davis saw it first and calmly turned to his tormentor:</p> + +<p>"The fire-ball has ignited, sir,—what shall I do?"</p> + +<p>The professor dashed for the door:</p> + +<p>"Run! Run for your lives!"</p> + +<p>The cadet snatched the fire-ball from the floor, dashed it through the +window and calmly walked out.</p> + +<p>He had saved many lives and the building from destruction. His revenge +was complete and sweet. But deeper and sweeter than his triumph over an +enemy was the consciousness that he was master of himself. He had +learned life's profoundest lesson.</p> + + +<h2>VII</h2> + +<h3>LIFE</h3> + + +<p>On his graduation, the Second Lieutenant of Infantry, from the State of +Mississippi, barely twenty years old, reported for duty to the +Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was ordered to the frontier to extend the boundaries of the growing +Republic—now accompanied by his faithful body servant, James Pemberton.</p> + +<p>The Fort, situated on the Wisconsin River, was the northern limit of the +Illinois tribe of Indians, and the starting point of all raids against +the Iroquois who still held the rich lands around the village of +Chicago.</p> + +<p>The Boy Lieutenant was the first lumberman to put axe into the virgin +forests of Wisconsin. He was sent into the wilderness with a detachment +for cutting timber to enlarge the Fort.</p> + +<p>Under the direction of two voyageurs he embarked in a little open boat +and began the perilous journey.</p> + +<p>The first day out his courage and presence of mind were put to quick +test.</p> + +<p>The Indians suddenly appeared on the shore and demanded a trade for +tobacco. The little party rowed to the bank and began to parley. A +guide's keen eyes saw through their smooth palaver the hostile purpose +of a bloody surprise and warned the commander. The order to push into +the river and pull for their lives was instantly given.</p> + +<p>With savage yells the Indians sprang into their canoes and gave chase.</p> + +<p>It was ten to one and they were sure of their prey. The chance of escape +from such strong, swift rowers in light bark canoes was slight. The low +fierce cries of victory and the joyous shout of coming torture rang over +the waters.</p> + +<p>The Indians gained rapidly.</p> + +<p>The young Lieutenant's eye measured the distance between them and saw +the race was hopeless. With quick command he ordered a huge blanket +stretched in the bow for a sail. The wind was blowing a furious gale +and might swamp their tiny craft. It was drowning or death by tortur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>e. +The commander's choice was instantaneous.</p> + +<p>The frail boat plunged suddenly forward, swayed and surged from side to +side through the angry, swirling waters, settled at last, and drew +steadily away from the maddened savages.</p> + +<p>With a curious smile, the boyish commander stood in the stern and +watched the black swarm of yelling devils fade in the distance.</p> + +<p>He was thinking of his old professor at West Point. His insult had been +the one thing in life to which he owed most. He could see that clearly +now. His heart went out in a wave of gratitude to his enemy. Our enemies +are always our best friends when we have eyes to see.</p> + +<p>The winter following he was ordered down to Winnebago.</p> + +<p>The village of Chicago was the nearest center of civilization. The only +way of reaching it was by wagon, and the journey consumed three months.</p> + +<p>There was much gambling in the long still nights, and some drinking. In +lieu of the excitement of the gaming table, he took his fun in breaking +and riding wild horses, and hairbreadth escapes were the order of his +daily exercise. It was gambling, perhaps, but it developed the muscles +of mind and body.</p> + +<p>His success with horses was remarkable. No animal that man has broken to +his use is keener to recognize a master and flout a coward than the +horse. No coward has ever been able to do anything with a spirited +horse.</p> + +<p>He was wrestling one day with a particularly vicious specimen, to the +terror and anguish of Jim Pemberton.</p> + +<p>"For de Lawd's sake, Marse Jeff, let dat debbil go!"</p> + +<p>"No, James, not yet—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> +<p>"He ain't no count, no how—"</p> + +<p>"All the more reason why I should be his master, not he be mine."</p> + +<p>The horse was possessed of seven devils. He jumped and plunged and +bucked, wheeled and reared and walked on his hind legs in mad effort to +throw his cool rider. The moment he reared, the Lieutenant dropped his +feet from the stirrups and leaned close to the brute's trembling, angry +head. At last in one supreme effort the beast threw himself straight +into the air and fell backwards, with the savage purpose of crushing his +tormentor beneath his body.</p> + +<p>With a quiet laugh, the young officer slipped from the saddle and +allowed him to thump himself a crashing blow. As the horse sprang to his +feet to run, the Lieutenant leaped lightly into the saddle and the fight +was over.</p> + +<p>"Well, for de Lawd, did ye ebber see de beat er dat!" Jim Pemberton +cried with laughing admiration.</p> + +<p>Scarcely a week passed without its dangerous excursions against the +Pawnees, Comanches and other hostile tribes of Indians. The friendly +tribes, too, were everlastingly changing to hostiles in a night. Death +rode in the saddle with every man who left a fortified post in these +early days of our national life.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant was ordered on a peculiarly long and daring raid into +hostile territory, and twice barely escaped a massacre. Their errand +accomplished, and leisurely returning to the Fort, they suddenly met a +large party of Indians.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant shot a swift glance at their leader and saluted him with +friendly uplifted hand:</p> + +<p>"Can you tell us the way to the Fort, Chief?"</p> + +<p>The tall brave placed himself squarely in the path and pointed in the +wrong direction.</p> + +<p>Instantly the Lieutenant spurred his horse squarely on the savage, +grasped him by the hair, dragged him a hundred yard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>s and flung him into +the bushes. The assault was so sudden, so unexpected, so daring, the +whole band was completely cowed, and the soldiers rode by without +attack.</p> + +<p>Nor was the Indian the only enemy to test the youngster's mettle. The +pioneer soldiers of the rank and file in these turbulent days had minds +of their own which they sometimes dared to use.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant had no beard. His smooth, handsome face, clear blue eyes, +fresh color and gay laughter, gave the impression of a boy of nineteen, +when by the calendar he could boast of twenty-one.</p> + +<p>A big strapping, bearded soldier, employed in building the Fort, had +proven himself the terror of his fellow workmen. He was a man of +enormous strength and gave full rein to an ugly, quarrelsome +disposition.</p> + +<p>His eyes rested with decided disapproval on the graceful young master of +horses.</p> + +<p>"I'll whip that baby-faced Lieutenant," he coolly announced to his +satellites, "if ever he opens his jaw to me—watch me if I don't. What +does he know about work?"</p> + +<p>The men reported the threat to the Lieutenant. The next day without a +moment's hesitation, in quiet tones, he gave his first order to the +giant:</p> + +<p>"Put that piece of dressed scantling beside the window—"</p> + +<p>The man deliberately lifted a rough board and placed it.</p> + +<p>"The rough board won't do," said the even voice. "It must be a dressed +scantling."</p> + +<p>The soldier threw him an insolent laugh, and stooped to take up a board +exactly like the one he had laid down.</p> + +<p>The baby-faced Lieutenant suddenly seized a club, knocked him down, and +beat him until he yelled for quarter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<p>The soldiers had watched the clash at first with grins and winks and +nudges, betting on their giant. His strength was invincible. When the +unexpected happened, and they saw the slender, plucky youngster standing +over the form of the fallen brave, they raised a lusty shout for him.</p> + +<p>When the giant scrambled to his feet, the victor said with a smile:</p> + +<p>"This has been a fight, man to man, and I'm satisfied. I'll not report +it officially."</p> + +<p>The big one grinned sheepishly and respectfully offered his hand:</p> + +<p>"You're all right, Lieutenant. I made a mistake. I beg your pardon. +You're the kind of a commander I've always liked."</p> + +<p>Again the soldiers gave a shout. No man under him ever again presumed on +his beardless face. He had only to make his orders known to have them +instantly obeyed.</p> + +<p>Jim Pemberton had watched the little drama of officer and man with an +ugly light gleaming in his eyes. The young master had not seen him. That +night in his quarters Jim quietly said:</p> + +<p>"I'd a killed him ef he'd a laid his big claws on you, Marse Jeff."</p> + +<p>"Would you, James?"</p> + +<p>"Dat I would, sah."</p> + +<p>Nothing more was said. But a new bond was sealed between master and man.</p> + +<p>While at Fort Crawford, the Lieutenant had been ordered up the Yellow +River to build a saw mill. He had handled the neighboring Indians with +such friendly skill and won their good will so completely, he was +adopted by their chief as a brother of the tribe. An old Indian woman +bent with age traveled a hundred miles to the Fort to warn the "Little +Chief" of a coming attack of hostile bands. H<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>er warning was unheeded by +the new commander and a massacre followed.</p> + +<p>The success of this attack raised the war spirit of the entire frontier +and gave the soldiers a winter of exceptional danger and hardship. The +country in every direction swarmed with red warriors on the warpath. The +weather was intensely cold, and his Southern blood suffered agonies +unknown to his companions. Often wet to the skin and compelled to remain +in the saddle, the exposure at last brought on pneumonia. For months he +lay in his bed, directing, as best he could, the work of his men.</p> + +<p>James Pemberton lifted his weak, emaciated form in his arms as if he +were a child. The black man carried his money, his sword and pistols. At +any moment, day or night, he could have stepped from the door into the +wilderness and been free. He was free. He loved the man he served. With +tireless patience and tenderness, he nursed him back from the shadows of +death into life again.</p> + +<p>On recovering from this illness, the Lieutenant faced a new commander at +the head of his regiment—a man destined to set in motion the greatest +event of his life.</p> + +<p>Colonel Zachary Taylor had been promoted to the command of the First +Infantry on the death of Colonel Morgan. Already he had earned the title +that would become the slogan of his followers in the campaign which made +him President. "Old Rough and Ready" at this time was in the prime of +his vigorous manhood.</p> + +<p>Colonel Taylor sent the Lieutenant on an ugly, important mission.</p> + +<p>Four hundred pioneers had taken possession of the lead mines at Dubuque +against the protest of the Indians whose rights had been ignored. The +Lieutenant and fifty men were commissioned to eject the miners. To a +man, they were heavily armed. They believed they were being cheated <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>of +their rights of discovery by the red tape of governmental interference. +They had sworn to resist any effort to drive them out of these mines. +Most of them were men of the higher types of Western adventurer. The +Lieutenant liked these hardy sons of his own race, and determined not to +use force against them if it could be avoided.</p> + +<p>He crossed the river to announce his official instructions, and was met +by a squad of daring, resolute fellows, armed and ready for a fight.</p> + +<p>Their leader, a tall, red-headed, serious-looking man, opened the +conference with scant ceremony. Looking the youthful officer squarely in +the eye, he slowly drawled:</p> + +<p>"Young man, we have defied the gov'ment once befo' when they sent their +boys up here to steal our mines. Now, ef yer know when yer well off, +you'll let honest white men alone and quit sidin' with Injuns—"</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking his accent. He meant war.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant's answer came in quick, even, tones:</p> + +<p>"The United States Government has ordered your removal, gentlemen. My +business as a soldier is to obey. I shall be sorry to use force. But +I'll do it, if it's necessary. I suggest a private interview with your +leader—" he nodded to the red-headed man.</p> + +<p>"Sure!"</p> + +<p>"Talk it over!"</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>The men from all sides gave their approval. The leader hesitated a +moment, and measured the tall, straight young officer. He didn't like +this wrestle at close quarters with those penetrating eyes and the +trained mind behind them. But with a toss of his red locks he muttered:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> +<p>"All right, fire away—you can talk your head off, for all the good +it'll do ye."</p> + +<p>They walked off together a few yards and sat down.</p> + +<p>With the friendliest smile the Lieutenant extended his hand:</p> + +<p>"Before we begin our chat, let's shake hands?"</p> + +<p>"Certain—shore—"</p> + +<p>The brawny hand clasped his.</p> + +<p>"I want you to know," the young officer continued earnestly, "my real +feelings toward you and your men. I've been out here four years with you +fellows, pushing the flag into the wilderness, and the more I see of you +the better I like you. I know real men when I see them. You're strong, +generous, brave, and you do things. You're building a great republic on +this frontier of the world. I've known your hospitality. You've had +little education in the schools, but you're trained for this big work in +the only school that counts out here—the School of Danger and Struggle +and Experience—"</p> + +<p>The brawny hand was lifted in a helpless sort of protest:</p> + +<p>"Look a here, Boy, you're goin' ter bamboozle me, I kin jist feel it in +my bones—"</p> + +<p>"On the other hand," the Lieutenant continued eagerly, "I assure you I +am going to treat you and your friends with the profoundest respect. +It's due you. Let's reason this thing out. You've taken up these mines +under the old right of first discovery—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they're ours, too,"—the lean jaws came together with a snap.</p> + +<p>"So I say. But it will take a little time and a little patience to +establish your claims. The Indian, you know, holds the first rights to +this land—"</p> + +<p>"T'ell with Injuns!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> +<p>"Even so, isn't it better to first settle their claims and avoid war?"</p> + +<p>"Mebbe so."</p> + +<p>"And you know we can't settle with the Indians while you hold by force +the mines they claim as the owners of the soil—"</p> + +<p>The leader scratched his head and rose with sudden resolution:</p> + +<p>"Come on, and tell this to the boys."</p> + +<p>The leader escorted the Lieutenant to the crowd, and commanded them to +hear him. His speech was interrupted at first by angry exclamations, but +at its close there was respectful silence. The fight was won without a +blow.</p> + +<p>The new Colonel was much pleased at the successful ending of the +dangerous job. He had received the orders to eject these miners with a +wry face. That the work had been done without bloodshed had lifted a +load from his mind.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant was honored on the night of his return by an invitation +to dine with Colonel Taylor's family. They had been settled in the +crowded quarters of the Fort during his absence—the wife, three +daughters and a little son.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant's curiosity was but mildly roused at the thought of +meeting the girls. In the lofty ways of youth, he had put marriage out +of his mind. A soldier should not marry. He had given his whole soul to +his country, its flag and its service. He would be agreeable to the +ladies, of course, in deference to his commander and the honor he was +receiving at his hands.</p> + +<p>The dinner was a success. The mother was charming and gracious in her +welcome. Something in her ways recalled his own mother.</p> + +<p>She extended her hand with a genial smile, and took his breath with her +first remark:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> +<p>"I've quite fallen in love with you, sir, because of a story I heard of +your West Point career—"</p> + +<p>"Not in pity for my fall over the cliff, I hope," he answered gravely.</p> + +<p>The mother's voice dropped to a whisper:</p> + +<p>"No,—your friend Albert Sydney Johnston told me that you saved a large +part of your allowance and sent it home to your mother—"</p> + +<p>The young officer's lips trembled, and he looked away for a moment:</p> + +<p>"But she sent it back to me, madam."</p> + +<p>"Yes, until you wrote that she hurt you by not keeping it—"</p> + +<p>To relieve his evident embarrassment, the mother introduced him in rapid +succession to her daughters, the eldest Anne, the second Sarah Knox, the +youngest Elizabeth. Richard, the handsome little boy, had introduced +himself. He had liked the Lieutenant from the first.</p> + +<p>He had been so surprised by the mother's possession of one of the +sweetest secrets of his schoolboy life, and had blushed so furiously +over it, he had scarcely noticed the girls, merely bowing in his +confusion.</p> + +<p>It was not until they were seated at the table and the dinner had fairly +begun, that he became conscious of the charm of the second daughter, who +sat directly opposite.</p> + +<p>Her beauty was not dazzling, but in fifteen minutes she had completely +absorbed his attention. It was impossible, of course, not to look at +her. She sat squarely before him. There was no embarrassment in the +frank, honest curiosity with which she returned his gaze.</p> + +<p>The thing that first impressed him was the frankness of a winsome +personality. He listened with keen attention to her voice. There was no +simper, no affectation, no posing. She was just herself. He found +himself analyzing her character. Refined—yes. Intelligent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>—beyond a +doubt. She talked with her father in a quiet, authoritative way which +left no doubt on that score. Graceful, tender, sincere, too—her tones +to her impulsive brother and her younger sister proved that. And a will +of her own she had. The firmly set, full lips were eloquent of +character. He liked that above all things in a woman. He couldn't stand +a simpering doll.</p> + +<p>"Sing for us, Sarah!" her brother said impulsively, as they rose from +the table.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Dick, if you wish it."</p> + +<p>There was no holding back for urging. No mock modesty. No foolishness in +her answer. It was straight, affectionate, responsive, open hearted, +generous—just like his own sweet little sister Polly when he had asked +of her a favor.</p> + +<p>And then, he blushed to find himself staring at her in a sort of dreamy +reverie. He hoped her music would not spoil the impression her +personality had made. This had happened once in his life. He could never +talk to the girl again, after he had heard her sing. The memory of it +was a nightmare.</p> + +<p>He watched her tune the guitar with a sense of silly dread. The tuning +finished, she turned to her brother and asked with a smile:</p> + +<p>"And what shall I sing, Sir Richard?"</p> + +<p>"The one I love best—'Fairy Bells.'"</p> + +<p>When the first line with its sweet accompaniment floated out from the +porch on the balmy air of the June evening, the Lieutenant's fears had +vanished. Never had he heard a song whose trembling melody so found his +inmost soul. It set the Fairy Bells ringing in the deep woods of his +far-away Mississippi home. He could see the fairy ringing them—her +beautiful hair streaming in the moonlight, a smile on her lips, the joy +and beauty of eternal youth in every movement of her exquisite form.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> +<p>When the last note had died softly away, he leaned close and before he +knew what he was doing, whispered:</p> + +<p>"Glorious, Miss Sarah!"</p> + +<p>"You like it very much?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"It's divine."</p> + +<p>"My favorite, too."</p> + +<p>All night the "Fairy Bells" rang in his heart. For the first time in +life, he failed to sleep. He listened entranced until dawn.</p> + + + +<h2>VIII</h2> + +<h3>LOVE</h3> + + +<p>In the swift weeks which followed, life blossomed with new and wonderful +meaning.</p> + +<p>In the stern years on the plains, the young officer had known but one +motive of action—duty. He was an exile from home and its comforts, +friends and the haunts of civilized man for his country's sake. He had +come to plant her flag on the farthest frontier and push it farther +against all corners.</p> + +<p>In the struggle against the snows of winter and the pestilence of the +summer wilderness, he had fought Nature with the dogged determination of +the soldier. Snow meant winter quarters, the spring marching and +fighting. The hills were breastworks. The night brought dreams of +strategy and surprise. The grass and flowers were symbols of a nation's +wealth and the prophecy of war.</p> + +<p>By a strange magic, the coming of a girl had transformed the world. He +had seen the strategic value of these hills and valleys often before. He +had not dreamed of their beauty. The mists that hung over the ragged +lines o<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>f the western horizon were no longer fogs that might conceal an +army. They were the folds of a huge veil which Nature was softly drawing +over the face of a beautiful bride. Why had he not seen this before?</p> + +<p>The awful silence of the plains from which he had fled to books had +suddenly become God's great whispering gallery. He listened with joyous +awe and reverence.</p> + +<p>The stars had been his guides by night to find the trail. He had merely +lifted his eyes to make the reckoning. He had never seen before the +crystal flash from their jeweled depths.</p> + +<p>He looked into the eyes of the graceful young rider by his side and +longed to tell her of this miracle wrought in his soul. But he +hesitated. She was too dignified and self-possessed. It would be silly +when put into words.</p> + +<p>But the world to-day was too beautiful to hurry through it. He just +couldn't.</p> + +<p>"Let's stop on this hill and watch the sunset, Miss Sarah?" he +suggested.</p> + +<p>"I'd love to," was the simple answer.</p> + +<p>With a light laugh, she sprang from the saddle. They touched the ground +at the same moment.</p> + +<p>He looked at her with undisguised admiration.</p> + +<p>"You're a wonderful rider," he said.</p> + +<p>"A soldier's daughter must be—it's part of her life."</p> + +<p>He tied their horses to the low hanging limbs of a cluster of scrub +trees, and found a seat on the bowlders which the Indians had set for a +landmark on the lonely hilltop.</p> + +<p>Westward the plains stretched, a silent ocean of green, luscious grass.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> +<p>"What's that dark spot in the valley?" the girl eagerly asked.</p> + +<p>"Watch it a moment—"</p> + +<p>They sat in silence for five minutes.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's moving!" she cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How curious—"</p> + +<p>"An illusion?" he suggested.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, I'm not dreaming."</p> + +<p>"I've been dreaming a lot lately—"</p> + +<p>A smile played about the corners of her fine mouth. But she ignored the +hint.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," she cried; "you studied the sciences at West Point, what does +it mean?"</p> + +<p>"Look closely. Any fifteen-year-old boy of the plains could explain it."</p> + +<p>"Am I so ignorant?" she laughed.</p> + +<p>"No," he answered soberly, "our eyes just refuse to see things at which +we are looking until the voice within reveals. The eyes of a hunter +could make no mistake about such a spot—particularly if it moved."</p> + +<p>"It might be a passing cloud—"</p> + +<p>"There's none in the sky."</p> + +<p>"Tell me!" she pleaded.</p> + +<p>"A herd of buffalo."</p> + +<p>"That big black field! It must be ten acres—"</p> + +<p>The man laughed at her ignorance with a sudden longing in his heart to +help and protect her.</p> + +<p>"Ten acres! Look again. They are twenty miles away. The herd is packed +so densely, the ground is invisible. They cover a thousand acres."</p> + +<p>"Impossible—"</p> + +<p>"I assure you, it's true. They were once even more plentiful. But we're +pushing them back with the Indians into the sunset. And they, too, will +fade away into the twilight at last—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> +<p>He stopped suddenly. He had almost spoken a sentence that would have +committed him beyond retreat. It was just on his lips to say:</p> + +<p>"I didn't take such tender views of Indians and buffaloes until I met +you!"</p> + +<p>For the life of him he couldn't make the girl out. Her voice was music. +Her laughter contagious. And yet she was reserved. About her personality +hung a spell which forbade familiarity. Flirting was a pastime in the +army. But it had never appealed to him. He was not so sure about her +when she laughed.</p> + +<p>And then her father worried him. The fiery old Southerner had the temper +of the devil when roused. He could see that this second daughter was his +favorite. He had caught a look of unreasonable anger and jealousy in his +eye only that afternoon when they rode away together.</p> + +<p>Still he must risk it. He had really suggested this sunset scene for +that purpose. The field was his own choosing. Only a coward could run +now.</p> + +<p>He managed at last to get his lips to work.</p> + +<p>"Since you came, Miss Sarah—I've been seeing life at a new angle—" he +paused awkwardly.</p> + +<p>The red blood mounted to her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"You have given me new eyes—"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<img src="images/ill-063.jpg" width="489" height="701" +alt=""'You have given me new eyes'"" +title=""'You have given me new eyes'"" /> +<span class="caption">"'You have given me new eyes'"</span> +</div> + +<p>She turned her head away. There was no mistaking the tremor of his +tones. She was too honest to simper and pretend. Her heart was pounding +so loudly she wondered if he could hear.</p> + +<p>He fumbled nervously with his glove, glanced at her from the corner of +his eye, and his voice sank to a whisper:</p> + +<p>"I—I love you, Sarah!"</p> + +<p>She turned slowly and looked at him through dimmed eyes:</p> + +<p>"And I love you—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> +<p>She paused, brushed a tear from her cheek, and with sweet reproach +quietly added:</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell me sooner? We've lost so many beautiful days that +might have been perfect—"</p> + +<p>He suddenly stooped and kissed her full lips.</p> + +<p>"We'll not lose any more—"</p> + +<p>"The world <i>is</i> beautiful, isn't it, dear!" she said, nestling closer.</p> + +<p>"Since I see with your eyes—yes. It was only a place to fight in, +before. Now it's a fairy world, and these wild flowers that cover the +plains only grow to make a carpet for the feet of the girl I love—"</p> + +<p>"A fairy world—yes—" she whispered, "it's been just that to me since I +first sang the 'Fairy Bells' for you—"</p> + +<p>"I'll never love another song as that," he said reverently.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," was the low response. "My heart will beat to its music +forever—it just means you, now—"</p> + +<p>For a long time they sat without words, holding each other's hand. The +sun hung a glowing ball of fire on the rim of the far-away hills, and +the shadows of the valley deepened into twilight.</p> + +<p>"How wonderful the silence of the plains!" the lover sighed.</p> + +<p>"It used to oppress me."</p> + +<p>The man nodded.</p> + +<p>"And now, I hear the beat of angels' wings and know that God is near—"</p> + +<p>"Because we love—" and she laughed for joy.</p> + +<p>Again they sat in sweet, brooding silence.</p> + +<p>A horseman rode over the hilltop in the glow of the fading sun. From its +summit, he lifted his hand and waved a salute. They looked below, and in +the doorway of a cabin, a young mother stood, a babe in her arms +answering with hand uplifted high above her child.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What does it matter, dear," she whispered, "a cabin or a palace!"</p> + + +<h2>IX</h2> + +<h3>WAR</h3> + + +<p>Side by side through the still white light of the full moon they rode +home, in each heart the glow of the wonder and joy of Love's first +revelation. Words were an intrusion. The eyes of the soul were seeing +now the hidden things of life.</p> + +<p>The gleam of the lights at the Fort brought them sharply out of +dreamland into the world of fact.</p> + +<p>"You must see my father to-night, dear," she said eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Must I, to-night?"</p> + +<p>"It's best."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather face a hundred Red Men in war paint."</p> + +<p>A merry laugh was her answer as she leaned close:</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly, he likes you."</p> + +<p>"But he <i>loves</i> you."</p> + +<p>"Of course, and for that reason my happiness will be his."</p> + +<p>"God knows, I hope so," was the doleful response. "But if I must, I +must. I'll see him."</p> + +<p>A quick kiss in the friendly shadows and she was gone.</p> + +<p>He walked alone an hour after supper, screwing up his courage to the +point of bearding the Colonel in his den. He fumbled the door-bell at +last, his heart in his throat.</p> + +<p>Old Rough and Ready was not inclined to help him in his embarrassment. +Never had he seen the lines of his strong jaw ha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>rder or more set than +when he grunted:</p> + +<p>"Sit down, sir. Don't stand there staring. I'm not on inspection."</p> + +<p>The perspiration started on his forehead and he moistened his dry lips.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Colonel. I was a little flustered. +I've—a—something—on—my mind—"</p> + +<p>"Out with it!"</p> + +<p>"I—I—I'm in love with Miss Sarah."</p> + +<p>"You don't say?"</p> + +<p>"Y-yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's no news to me. The whole family have been enjoying the +affair for some time. I suppose you're asking—or think you're +asking—for my daughter's hand in marriage?"</p> + +<p>"That's it—yes, sir—exactly."</p> + +<p>"I guessed as much. I'm glad to tell you, young man, that I've always +had the kindliest feelings for you personally—"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir—"</p> + +<p>"And the warmest admiration for your talents as an officer. You're a +good soldier. You have brains. You have executive ability. You're a +leader of men. You'll go far in your profession—"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir—"</p> + +<p>"And that's why I don't like you as a son-in-law."</p> + +<p>"W—Wha—"</p> + +<p>"I love my daughter, and I want her to be happy in a real home with a +real husband and children by her side. A soldier's life is a dog's life. +I've pitied the poor girl who gave up her home for me. Many a bitter +tear has she shed over my absence, in torturing dread of the next letter +from the frontier—"</p> + +<p>He paused and sprang to his feet:</p> + +<p>"A hundred times I've sworn no daughter of mine should ever marry a +soldier! The better the soldier, the more reaso<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>n she should not marry +him—"</p> + +<p>"But, sir—"</p> + +<p>"There's no 'but' about it!" the Colonel thundered. "You're asking me to +let you murder my girl, that's all—but it's life. I'll have to give my +consent and wish you good luck, long life, and all the happiness you can +get out of a soldier's lot."</p> + +<p>The Colonel extended his hand and the Lieutenant grasped it with +grateful eagerness.</p> + +<p>The days that followed were red lettered in the calendar of life.</p> + +<p>And then it came—a crash of thunder out of the clear sky—the thing he +had somehow felt and dreaded.</p> + +<p>A petty court-martial was called to adjust a question of army +discipline. The court was composed of Z. Taylor, Colonel Commanding, +Major Thomas F. Smith, a fiery-tempered gay officer of the old army, +Lieutenant Jefferson Davis, and the new Second Lieutenant who had just +arrived from the Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis.</p> + +<p>The army regulations required that each officer sitting in court-martial +should be in full uniform. The new arrival from St. Louis had come +without his uniform. His trunk had miscarried and was returned to the +Jefferson Barracks.</p> + +<p>He rose with embarrassment:</p> + +<p>"I must beg the pardon of the Court, Colonel," he began cautiously, "for +not appearing in my uniform. As it is in St. Louis I respectfully ask to +be excused to-day from wearing it."</p> + +<p>The old Colonel scowled. It was just like a young fool to wish to sit in +solemn judgment on a fellow officer—in his shirt sleeves. If he had +asked to be excused from serving on the Court—yes—he could accept his +excuse and let him go. But this insolence was unbearable. The Colonel +glanced over the Court before putting the que<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>stion to a vote. Smith was +his enemy. Whichever way he voted as President, the Major could be +depended on to go against his decision. There was a feud between those +two hot-tempered fire-eaters which had lasted for years. He glanced at +his future son-in-law with a smile of assured victory. Tom Smith would +vote against him, but the trembling youngster who had quailed before him +that night asking for his daughter's hand was practically in the family. +He smiled at the certainty of downing Smith once more.</p> + +<p>In a voice, whose tones left nothing to the imagination of the +presumptuous Second Lieutenant, the Colonel growled:</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, we are asked to allow an officer to sit in the formal +judgment of a court-martial without uniform—I put the question to a +vote and cast mine. No!"</p> + +<p>"I vote yes!" shouted the Major.</p> + +<p>The Colonel did not condescend to look his way. He knew what that vote +was before he heard it. He bent his piercing eyes on his future +son-in-law:</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Davis?"</p> + +<p>There was just a moment's hesitation. The Lieutenant smiled at his +embarrassed young fellow officer and mildly answered:</p> + +<p>"I think, Colonel, in view of the distance to St. Louis, we may excuse +the young man for the first offense—I vote—yes."</p> + +<p>The old Colonel stared at him in speechless amazement. Smith grinned.</p> + +<p>The Colonel's face grew purple with rage. He was just able to gasp his +words during the progress of the trial. It was brief, and when it ended +and the rest had gone, he faced the Lieutenant with blazing eyes:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> +<p>"How dare you, sir, vote with that damned fool against me?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I never thought to hurt you, Colonel—"</p> + +<p>"No? And what <i>did</i> you think?"</p> + +<p>"I only thought of relieving the evident embarrassment of a young +officer—"</p> + +<p>"You did, eh?—no thought of me or my feelings, of my wishes. You're a +hell of a son-in-law, you are—"</p> + +<p>He paused for breath and choked with rage no words could express. When +at last his tongue found speech, he swore in oaths more expressive and +profound than modern man has ever dreamed. He damned the Court. He +damned Tom Smith. He damned the Second Lieutenant. He damned the +regiment. He damned the Government that created it. He damned the +Indians that called it to the plains. He damned the world and all in it, +and all things under it. But, particularly and specifically, he damned +the young ass who dared to flaunt his feelings and opinions after +smiling in his face at his house, for days and weeks and months.</p> + +<p>Finally, facing the blushing Lieutenant, his eyes flashing indignant +scorn, he shouted:</p> + +<p>"No man who votes with a damned fool like Tom Smith, can marry my +daughter!"</p> + +<p>"Colonel, I protest," pleaded the heartsick lover.</p> + +<p>"I forbid you to ever put your foot inside my quarters again!"</p> + +<p>"Colonel—"</p> + +<p>"Silence, sir! I forbid you to ever speak to my daughter again!"</p> + +<p>"But, Colonel—"</p> + +<p>"I repudiate you and all yours. I wipe you from the map. You don't +exist. I don't know you. I never knew you. Get out of my sight!"</p> + +<p>The tall, slender form slowly straightened and a look of cold pride +shot from the depths of his blue eyes. Without a word<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> he turned and +left.</p> + + +<h2>X</h2> + +<h3>ROMANCE</h3> + + +<p>Black Hawk was leading his red warriors in a great uprising. A wave of +fierce excitement swept the frontier. There was stern work now for men +to do and women must wait alone.</p> + +<p>The regiment marched to the front. The Colonel as a man was freezingly +formal with the Lieutenant. As an officer, he knew his worth and relied +on it in every emergency. The State of Illinois had raised two companies +of raw recruits to join in subduing the Indians. The Colonel sent his +most efficient subordinate to swear in the new soldiers. On the morning +of the muster, there appeared before the tall Lieutenant, a man full +three inches taller, and famous in his county as the gawkiest, +slab-sidest, homeliest, best-natured fellow in the State. He was dressed +in a suit of blue jeans.</p> + +<p>In slow, pleasing drawl, he announced:</p> + +<p>"I am the Captain, of this company—"</p> + +<p>And he waved his long arm toward the crowd of his countrymen on the +right.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Jefferson Davis promptly administered to Abraham Lincoln his +first oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States.</p> + +<p>Two men destined to immortal fame had met and passed with scarcely a +glance at each other. The young army officer was too much of a gentleman +to mark the ill-fitting blue jeans of the awkward captain of militia. +Great events, after all, make men great. Only the eye of God could +foresee the coming tragedy in which thes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>e two would play their mighty +rôles.</p> + +<p>At the end of the brief struggle on the frontier, Black Hawk's people +were scattered to the four winds and the brave old warrior, with a +handful of his men, sought Colonel Taylor's command to surrender.</p> + +<p>Again, the Colonel sent his most accomplished officer, the Lieutenant +whom he had forbidden to enter his house,—to treat with the fallen +Chief.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant received with kindly words the broken-hearted warrior, +his two sons and sixty braves, and conducted them at once as prisoners +of war to the barracks at St. Louis.</p> + +<p>The cholera was raging at Rock Island, and on the boat two of the Indian +prisoners were seized with the fatal disease. The Lieutenant, at the +risk of his life, personally ministered to their needs. The two stricken +men made known to the commander in broken words and signs that they had +sworn an oath of eternal friendship. In pleading tones the stronger +said:</p> + +<p>"We beg the good Chief to put us ashore that hand in hand we may go to +the happy hunting grounds together."</p> + +<p>Near the first little settlement their prayer was granted.</p> + +<p>The young officer turned to his boat with a sigh as he saw the red +warriors slip their arms about each other and slowly sink to the ground +to die alone and unattended.</p> + +<p>Old Black Hawk sat in silent, stolid indifference to his fate until the +curious settlers began to crowd on the boat and stare at his misery.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant interfered with sharp decision.</p> + +<p>"Push those men back, Corporal!" he ordered angrily.</p> + +<p>The crowd was roughly pushed back and the Lieutenant took Black Hawk +kindly by the arm and led him into a reserved <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>apartment where he was +free from vulgar eyes.</p> + +<p>The old man's lips tightened. He gazed at the officer steadily and spoke +in measured tones:</p> + +<p>"The young war Chief treats me with much kindness. He is good and brave. +He puts himself in my place and sees all that I suffer. With him I am +much pleased."</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant bowed and left him under the protection of the guard. +Courtesy to a fallen foe in the old days was the first obligation of an +officer and a gentleman.</p> + +<p>In the autumn, Colonel Taylor again sent his Lieutenant on a distant +duty—this time one of peculiar danger. He was ordered to Louisville and +Lexington on recruiting service. And the cholera was known to be +epidemic but a few miles from Lexington.</p> + +<p>The good-by scene that night at the lovers' trysting place, the little +tent reception-room of the McCreas', was long and tender and solemn.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I feel dreadful about this trip, dear," his sweetheart kept +repeating with pitiful despair that refused to be comforted.</p> + +<p>"You must be brave, my own," he answered with a frown. "A soldier's +business is to die. I am a soldier. I go where duty calls—"</p> + +<p>"To battle—yes—but this black pestilence that comes in the night—I'm +afraid—I just can't help it—I'm afraid. I've always had a horror of +such things. I've a presentiment that you'll die that way—"</p> + +<p>"Presentiments and dreams go by opposites. I'll live to a ripe old +age—"</p> + +<p>She looked up into his face with a tender smile:</p> + +<p>"You think so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, why not?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> +<p>"Well—I've something to tell you—"</p> + +<p>She paused and the man bent low.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I've made a vow to God—" the voice stopped with a sob—"that if He +will only send you safely back to me this time—I'll wait no longer on +my father's whim—I am yours—"</p> + +<p>The lover clasped her trembling form to his heart.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, dearest," he said at last. "I wish to go with that promise +ringing in my soul."</p> + +<p>Ten days after he reached Lexington, the cholera broke out, and hundreds +fled. He stood by his men, watched their diet, nursed the sick, and +buried the dead. He helped the carpenter make the coffins and reverently +bore the victims to their graves. No fear was in his soul. Love was +chanting the anthem of Life.</p> + +<p>A strange new light was burning in the eyes of the woman he loved on the +day he returned in safety.</p> + +<p>She seized his hand and spoke with decision:</p> + +<p>"Come with me."</p> + +<p>Her father was standing at the gate. She faced him, holding defiantly +the hand of her lover.</p> + +<p>The old man saw and understood. His jaw was set with sullen +determination and his face hardened.</p> + +<p>"We have waited two long years," she began softly. "We have been patient +and hopeful, but you have given no sign. My lover's character is beyond +reproach, and I am proud of him. I am sorry to cross you, Father, but +I've made up my mind, I am going to marry him now."</p> + +<p>The Colonel turned in silence and slowly walked into the house.</p> + +<p>Captain McCrea engaged a stateroom for her on the boat for Louisville. +The lovers planned to meet at her aunt's, the Colonel's oldest sister. +The tearful good-bys had been said to Mother and sisters and brother. +The Colonel had not spoken, but he had business on the boat before sh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>e +cast her lines from the shore.</p> + +<p>The daughter drew him into her stateroom and slipped her arms around his +neck. Few words were spoken and they were broken.</p> + +<p>"Please, Father—please?—I love you—please—"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I'm no longer a child. I'm a woman. You're a real man and you know I +could have no respect for myself if I should yield my life's happiness +to a whim—"</p> + +<p>The old Colonel stroked her shoulder:</p> + +<p>"I understand. You're a chip off the old block. You're just as stubborn +as I am. And—I—won't—eat—my—words."</p> + +<p>With firm hand, he drew away and hurried from the boat.</p> + +<p>The Taylor clan of Kentucky gathered for the wedding in force. The +romance appealed to their fancy. They loved their high-spirited, +self-poised little kinswoman and they liked the tall, modest, young +officer she had chosen for her husband. The stern old Colonel was not +there, but his brother and his three sisters and all their tribe made +merry at the wedding feast.</p> + +<p>On the deck of the lazy river steamer, the bride and groom slowly +drifted down the moonlit shimmering way to the fields of Mississippi.</p> + +<p>The bride nestled close to her lover's side in the long sweet silences +too deep for words.</p> + +<p>He took her hand in his at last, and said tenderly:</p> + +<p>"I've something very important to tell you now, my dear—"</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid—"</p> + +<p>"You trust me implicitly?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly—"</p> + +<p>"You have given up all for me," he went on evenly, "I'll show your +father what I can do for you—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> +<p>"You love me—it's enough."</p> + +<p>"No. I have resigned my commission in the army. I have given up my +career. We'll live only for each other now and build our nest in the far +sunny South beyond the frost line."</p> + +<p>A little smothered cry was her answer. And then her head slowly sank +with a sob on his breast.</p> + + + + +<h2>XI</h2> + +<h3>THE FAIRY BELLS</h3> + +<p>They built their home on the banks of the great river where the tide +sweeps in graceful curve, all but completing the circle of an enchanted +isle.</p> + +<p>From the little flower-veiled porch through festoons of lacing boughs +gleamed the waters of the huge curved mirror held by Nature's hand. The +music from the decks of the steamers floated up on the soft air until +music and perfume of flowers seemed one.</p> + +<p>In the cool of the morning, on swift, high-bred horses, they rode side +by side along the river's towering bluff and laughed in sheer joy at +their foolish happiness. In the waning afternoon, hand in hand, they +walked the sunlit fields and paused at dusk to hear the songs of slaves. +The happiness of lovers is contagious. It sets the hearts of slaves to +singing.</p> + +<p>In the white solemn splendor of the Southern moon they strolled through +enchanted paths of scented roses. On the rustic seat beneath a magnolia +in full second bloom they listened to the song of a mocking-bird whose +mate had built her nest in the rose trellis beside their door. They +could count the beat of his bird heart night after night as he sang the +glory of his love and the beauty of his coming brood of young.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> +<p>"You are happy, dearest?" the lover sighed.</p> + +<p>"In heaven,—I am with you."</p> + +<p>"And it shall be forever."</p> + +<p>"Forever!"</p> + +<p>"The old life of blood and strife—it seems an ugly dream."</p> + +<p>"Except for the sweet days when you were near."</p> + +<p>"This only is life, my own, to hold your hand, and walk the way +together, to build, not to destroy, to make flowers bloom, birds and +slaves sing, to create, not kill—production is communion with God. We +live now in His peace that passeth understanding!"</p> + +<p>A long silence followed. An owl in a distant tree top gave a shrill +plaintive cry. The bride nestled closer and he felt her shiver.</p> + +<p>"You are chill, dearest?" he murmured.</p> + +<p>"Just a little."</p> + +<p>"We're forgetting the late August night winds—"</p> + +<p>"No—no—it's nothing—I'm just a wee bit afraid of an owl, that's all."</p> + +<p>A dark figure slowly approached and stood with uncovered head.</p> + +<p>"What is it, James?" the master asked.</p> + +<p>"It's too late, sir, for you and the mistis to be out in dis air—it's +chill an' fever time—"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, James—we'll go in at once."</p> + +<p>When the faithful footfall had died away, the lover lifted his bride in +his arms and carried her in, while she softly laughed and clung to his +strong young shoulders.</p> + +<p>It came with swift, sure tread, the silent white figure of the +Pestilence that walks in Tropic Splendor.</p> + +<p>The lover laughed the doctor's fears to scorn and the old man was brave +and cheerful in the presence of youth and happiness.</p> + +<p>James Pemberton followed him to the gate and held his horse's bridle +with a tremor in his black hand.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> +<p>"You don't think, doctor—" he paused, afraid to say the thing—"you +don't think my young mistis gwine ter die?"</p> + +<p>"She's very ill, Jim—it's an even fight for life."</p> + +<p>"Ef she do—hit'll kill my young marster—"</p> + +<p>"Soldiers can't die that way—no—"</p> + +<p>"Yassah—but dey ain't been married but three months, sah, an' he des +worship de very groun' her little foot walks on—she des can't die—she +too young an' putty, sah—hit des natchally can't be—"</p> + +<p>The doctor's gray head slowly moved as if in remembrance of tragic +scenes.</p> + +<p>"Death loves a shining mark sometimes!"</p> + +<p>He turned to the slave in tones of warning:</p> + +<p>"Watch your master closely—"</p> + +<p>"My <i>marster</i>—sah!"</p> + +<p>"He'll go down next—"</p> + +<p>"Yassah—yassah!"</p> + +<p>Two days later, the strong man collapsed with a crash that took even the +experienced old doctor by surprise. An iron will had bent over the +bedside of his bride and fought with grim defiance the battle with +unseen foe until the last ounce of strength had gone.</p> + +<p>In his delirium they moved him to another room and he awoke to find +himself in a prison cell on a desert island a thousand miles from the +mate he adored.</p> + +<p>He watched his jailers and at last his hour came. The tired guard beside +his prison pallet slept. With fevered stealth he rose and with the +strength of a giant, bent the bars of his cage and crawled and fought +his way over hill and valley, rocks and mountains, back to the bedside +of his beloved.</p> + +<p>He paused in rapture at the door. She was sitting up in bed, the pillows +propped behind her back, singing their favorite song—"Fairy Bells." How +soft and weirdly sweet her voice—its notes so far away and +plaintiv<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>e—never had she sung so divinely!</p> + +<p>He held his breath lest a word or quiver of its melody should be lost. +And then he slipped his strong arms about her and looked into her eyes +shining with unearthly beauty.</p> + +<p>"You have come at last, my own!" she sighed. "I knew the Bells would +call you—"</p> + +<p>"Yes—dearest—and I'll never leave you again—they took me away a +wounded prisoner of war—but I broke the bars and came when I heard you +call—"</p> + +<p>"Look," she whispered, pointing with the slender blue-veined finger, +"there she is, in the doorway again with her baby in her arms, waving at +sunset to her lover on the hill?—what does it matter, a cabin or a +palace!"</p> + +<p>The shining eyes grew dim, the figure drooped, and a wild piteous cry +came from the lover's fevered lips:</p> + +<p>"Lord God of Love and Pity—she's dying!—Help—Help—Help!"</p> + +<p>His faithful servant, worn with watching day and night, heard the cry, +rushed to his side and caught his fainting form, as the light of the +world faded.</p> + + + +<h2>XII</h2> + +<h3>TRUTH</h3> + + +<p>They nursed him slowly back into life again, the loving heart of the +older brother guiding the arm of his faithful slave.</p> + +<p>He refused to live at first.</p> + +<p>"It's no use, Joe," he cried with bitter despair. "Life isn't worth the +struggle any more. I'm tired, I just want to rest—by her side—that's +all."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<p>"I know, Boy, how you feel. But you must live. Duty calls. Great events +are stirring the world. You've a man's part to play—"</p> + +<p>"I won't play it. I'm done with ambition. I'm done with strife. The +game's not worth the candle. I've lived the only life worth living, and +it's finished."</p> + +<p>Little by little, each day, the brother slowly rebuilt in the stricken +soul the will to live. Before he was able to walk, he lifted the frail +form in his arms, carried him into his big library, and seated him in an +arm-chair before a fire of glowing logs.</p> + +<p>With a sweep of his arm about the room toward the crowded shelves he +began in earnest tones:</p> + +<p>"You're going to live with me now, Boy. We love each other with the love +of strong men. I need your help and companionship in my study. You had +the advantage of a college career—I didn't. We'll master here these +records of the world's life. We'll seek wisdom in the history and +experience of man. What do you know of the treasures buried in those big +volumes? Our young men go to school and plunge into life with a mere +smattering. Do you know the history of your own country, how it was +discovered, how its colonies grew, how its battles were fought against +overwhelming and impossible odds? How its great Constitution grew in the +hands of inspired leaders, who builded better than they knew a chart for +the guidance of man. Do you know the history of the mind of man? Do you +know the story of those ragged bleeding feet—of the great thinkers of +the ages who have found the path of truth through blood and tears and +then walked its way to the stake, to the block and the gallows? Come +with me into the big world of the past—read, study, think, and gird +yourself with power! We're just entering on the struggle that means life +or death to our Republic. I believe as I believe in God, that we have +set a beacon light on the shores of the world that will guide the hum<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>an +race to its mightiest achievements—unless we fail to keep its lantern +trimmed and bright.</p> + +<p>"The poison of indolence is in our blood—the tendency to centralized +tyranny. We are but a few years removed from its curse. As we grow in +years, the temptation to make Washington the gilded Capital of an Empire +becomes more and more apparent. Unless we control this tendency to lapse +into the past, we are lost and the story of our fallen Republic will be +but one more added to the failures of history. Unless we can preserve +the sovereignty of our States, the Union will become an Empire, not a +Republic of republics. It's a difficult thing for men to govern +themselves, though they can do it better than anyone else has ever done +it for them. We are making this wonderful experiment here in the new +world. The fate of unborn millions hangs on its success. You're done +with self and self-seeking. Ambition is a dream that is passed. Good! +Lay your life in unselfish sacrifice on the altar of your country. Only +the man who has given up ambition is fit for great leadership. He alone +dares to seek and know and speak the Truth!"</p> + +<p>The tired spirit rose with a new view of human life, its aim and +purpose. For eight years he buried himself in the library on his +brother's estate. Through the long winter nights the two brilliant minds +fought over in friendly contests the battles of the ages until the +passion for Truth grew into the one purpose of a great soul.</p> + +<p>When the first rumblings of the storm that was to shake a continent +broke over the Republic, he stepped forth to take his place in the world +of action—the best equipped, most thoroughly trained, most perfectly +poised man who had ever entered the arena of American politics.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> +<p>His rise was brilliant and unprecedented. In his first contest he met +the foremost orator of the age, Sergeant Prentiss, and vanquished him on +his own ground. In two years he took his seat in Congress, the favorite +son of Mississippi.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely begun his career, as a law-maker, when war was declared +against Mexico. He resigned his high office, raised a regiment and once +more found himself a soldier under the orders of stern old Zachary +Taylor.</p> + +<p>On his first battle field at the head of his Mississippi regiment, he +planted the flag of the Republic on the Grand Plaza of Monterey. And in +the supreme crisis of the battle of Buena Vista, with the blood +streaming from his wounds, he led his men in a charge against +overwhelming odds, turned the tide from defeat to victory and gave the +Presidency to the man who had denied to him his daughter's hand.</p> + +<p>He hobbled back on crutches to his brother's home in Mississippi amid +the shouts and frenzied acclaim of a proud and grateful people. Within +three years from the day he entered public life, he took his seat in the +Senate Chamber of the United States beside Clay, Calhoun and Webster, +the peer of any man within its walls, and with the conscious power of +Knowledge and Truth, girded himself for the coming struggle of giants.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Story</h2> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE CURTAIN RISES</h3> + + +<p>"For the Lord's sake, Jennie—"</p> + +<p>Dick Welford paused at the bottom of a range of steps which wound up the +capitol hill from Pennsylvania Avenue.</p> + +<p>The girl standing at the top stamped her foot imperiously.</p> + +<p>"Hurry—hurry!"</p> + +<p>"I won't—"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll leave you!"</p> + +<p>The boy laughed.</p> + +<p>"You don't dare. It's barely sunup—still dark in spots—the boogers'll +get you—"</p> + +<p>With a grin he deliberately sat down.</p> + +<p>"Dick Welford, you're the laziest white man I ever saw in my life—We +won't get a seat, I tell you—"</p> + +<p>"We can stand up."</p> + +<p>"We won't even get our noses in the door—"</p> + +<p>"You don't think these old Senators get up at daylight, do you?"</p> + +<p>"They didn't go to bed last night—"</p> + +<p>"I'll bet they didn't!" Dick laughed.</p> + +<p>"I know one that didn't anyhow—"</p> + +<p>"Who?"</p> + +<p>"Senator Davis."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"Spent the night there. Father stayed so late, Mrs. Davis put me to bed. +Regular procession all night long! And among his visitors the Blackest +Republican of them all—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> +<p>"Old Abe run over from Illinois to say good-by?"</p> + +<p>"No, but his right hand man Seward did—"</p> + +<p>"Sly old snuff-dipping hypocrite—"</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, he's the brains of his party."</p> + +<p>"And he called on Jeff Davis last night?"</p> + +<p>"Not the first time either. Mrs. Davis told me that when the Senator was +so ill with neuralgia and came near losing his sight, Seward came every +day, sat in the darkened room and talked for hours to his enemy—"</p> + +<p>"That's because he's a Black Republican. Their ways are dark. They like +rooms with the shades pulled down—"</p> + +<p>"Anyhow he likes Mr. Davis."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's good-by to the old Union—how many Senators are going +to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Yulee and Mallory from Florida, Clay and Fitzpatrick from Alabama and +Senator Davis—"</p> + +<p>"All in a day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—"</p> + +<p>"Jennie, they'll talk their heads off. It'll be three o'clock before the +first one finishes. We'll die. Let's go to Mt. Vernon—"</p> + +<p>"Dick Welford, I'm ashamed of you. You've no patriotism at all—"</p> + +<p>"And I just proposed a pilgrimage to the home of George Washington!"</p> + +<p>"You don't care what happens in the Senate Chamber to-day—"</p> + +<p>"No—I don't."</p> + +<p>The boy's lazy figure slowly rose, mounted the steps, paused and looked +down into the tense eager young face.</p> + +<p>"You really want to know," he began slowly, "why speaking tires me now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—why?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> +<p>"Because it's a waste of breath—we're going to fight!"</p> + +<p>The girl flushed with excitement.</p> + +<p>"Who told you? What have you heard? Who said so?"</p> + +<p>A dreamy look in the boy's eyes deepened.</p> + +<p>"Nobody's told me. I just know. It's in the air. A wild duck knows when +to go north. A bluebird knows when to move south. It's in the air. +That's the way I know—" his voice dropped. "Let's go to Mt. Vernon and +spend the day, Jennie—"</p> + +<p>The girl looked up sharply. The low persuasive tones were unmistakable.</p> + +<p>The faintest flush mantled her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"No—I wouldn't miss those speeches for anything. You promised to take +me to the Senate gallery. Come on."</p> + +<p>With a quick bound the boy scaled the next flight of steps and looked +down at her laughing:</p> + +<p>"All right, why don't <i>you</i> come on!"</p> + +<p>With a frown she sprang up the stone stairs and he caught her step with +a sudden military salute. They walked in silence for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you to-day, Dick Welford?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Miss Jennie Barton?"</p> + +<p>"I never saw you quite so foolish."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's because I never saw you quite so pretty—"</p> + +<p>The little figure stiffened with dignity.</p> + +<p>"That will do now, sir—"</p> + +<p>"Yessum!"</p> + +<p>She threw him a look of quiet scorn as they picked their way through the +piles of building material for the unfinished dome of the Capitol and +mounted the steps.</p> + +<p>Barely half past seven o'clock and the crowds were pouring into the +Senate Chamber, its cloak rooms and galleries. Wit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>hin thirty minutes +after they had found seats opposite the diplomatic gallery every inch of +space in the great hall was jammed and packed.</p> + +<p>Southern women and their escorts outnumbered the others five to one. The +Southern wing of official Washington was out in force.</p> + +<p>The tense electric atmosphere was oppressive.</p> + +<p>The men and women whose eager anxious faces looked down on the circular +rows of senatorial chairs and desks were painfully conscious that they +were witnessing the final scene of a great historical era.</p> + +<p>What the future might hold God alone could know. Their fathers had +dreamed a beautiful dream—"<i>E Pluribus Unum</i>"—one out of many. The +Union had yet to be realized as an historical fact. The discordant +elements out of which our Constitution had been strangely wrought had +fought their way at last into two irreconcilable hostile sections, the +very structure of whose civilization rested on antagonistic conceptions +of life and government.</p> + +<p>The Northern Senators were in their seats with grave faces long before +the last straggling Southerner picked his way into the Chamber bowing +and smiling and apologizing to the ladies on whose richly embroidered +dresses he must step or give up the journey.</p> + +<p>For weeks the pretense of polite formalities between parties had been +unconsciously dropped. Men no longer bowed and smirked and passed the +time of day with shallow words.</p> + +<p>With heads erect, they glanced at each other and passed on. And if they +spoke, it was with taunt, insult and challenge.</p> + +<p>Jennie's keen eyes rested on two vacant chairs on the floor of the +Senate—every seat was crowded save these two.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> +<p>She pressed Dick's arm.</p> + +<p>"See—the vacant seats of South Carolina!"</p> + +<p>"They're not vacant," the boy drawled.</p> + +<p>"They are—look—"</p> + +<p>"I see a white figure in each—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!"</p> + +<p>"We're going to have war, I tell you! Death sits in those chairs to-day, +Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"Sh—don't talk like that—"</p> + +<p>The boy laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid, you know—just a sort of second sight—maybe it means +I'll be killed—"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>South Carolina had felt no forebodings on the day her Convention had +recalled those Senators. Kiett the eloquent leader of the Convention +sprang to his feet, his face flaming with passion that was half delirium +as he shouted:</p> + +<p>"This day is the culmination of long years of bitterness, of suffering +and of struggle. We are performing a great deed, which holds in its +magic not only the stirring present, it embraces the ages yet to come. I +am content with what has been done to-day. I shall be content with it +to-morrow. We have lowered the body of the old Union to its last resting +place. We drop the flag over its grave."</p> + +<p>When the vote was announced, without a single dissenting voice, the +crowd rose to their feet with a shout of applause which shook the +building to its foundations. It died away at last only to rise again +with redoubled fury.</p> + +<p>Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida had followed in rapid +succession, Louisiana's Convention was to meet on the twenty-sixth, +Texas on February first. On this the twenty-first day of January the +Senators from Florida, Mississippi and Alabama had announced their +farewell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> addresses to the Old Union.</p> + +<p>The girl's eyes swept the crowded tiers of the galleries packed with +beautifully gowned Southern women. Every glove, fan, handkerchief, +bonnet or dress—every dainty stocking and filmy piece of lingerie had +been imported direct from the fashion centers of Europe. Gowns of +priceless lace and velvets had been woven to order in the looms of +Genoa, Venice and Brussels.</p> + +<p>The South was rich.</p> + +<p>And yet not one of her representatives held his office in Washington +because of his money. Her ruling classes were without exception an +aristocracy of brains—yet they were distinctly an aristocracy.</p> + +<p>The election of Abraham Lincoln was more than a threat to confiscate +three thousand millions of dollars which the South had invested in +slaves. The homely rail splitter from the West was the prophecy of a new +social order which threatened the foundations of the modern world. He +himself was all unconscious of this fact. And yet this big reality was +the secret of the electric tension which strangled men into silence and +threw over the scene the sense of ominous foreboding.</p> + +<p>The debates in Congress during the tempestuous session had been utterly +insincere and without meaning. The real leaders knew that the time for +discussion had passed. Two absolutely irreconcilable moral principles +had clashed and the Republic was squarely and hopelessly broken into two +vast sectional divisions on the issue.</p> + +<p>Beyond the fierce and uncompromising hatred of Slavery which had grown +into a consuming passion throughout the North and had resulted in the +election of Lincoln as a purely sectional candidate—behind and +underneath this apparent moral rage lay a bigger and far more elemental +fact—the growing consciousness of the laboring man that the earth and +the fullness thereof were h<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>is.</p> + +<p>And bigger than the fear of the confiscation of their property and the +destruction of the Constitution their fathers had created loomed before +the Southern mind the Specter of a new democracy at the touch of whose +fetid breath the soul of culture and refinement they believed must die. +In the vulgar ranks of this democracy must march sooner or later four +million negroes but yesterday from the jungles of Africa.</p> + +<p>This greater issue was felt but dimly by the leaders on either side but +it was realized with sufficient clearness to make compromise impossible.</p> + +<p>In vain did the aged and the feeble plead once more for compromise. Real +men no longer wished it.</p> + +<p>The day of reckoning had come. The seeds of this tragedy were planted in +the foundation structure of the Republic.</p> + +<p>The Union of our fathers, for all the high sounding phrases of its +Declaration of Independence was not a democracy. It was from the +beginning an aristocratic republic founded squarely on African Slavery. +And the degraded position assigned to the man who labored with his hands +was recognized in our organic law.</p> + +<p>The Constitution itself was the work of a rich and powerful group of +leaders in each State, and its provisions were a compromise of +conflicting sectional property interests.</p> + +<p>The world had moved from 1789 to 1861.</p> + +<p>The North was unconsciously lifting the banner of a mighty revolution. +The South was clinging with the desperation of despair to the faith of +its fathers.</p> + +<p>The North was the world of steam and electricity, of new ideas, of +progress. The South still believed in the divine inspiration of the men +who founded the Republic. They must believe in it, for their racial life +depended on it. Four million negroes could not be loosed among five +million <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>Southern white people and two such races live side by side under +the principles of a pure democracy. Had this issue been put to them in +the beginning not one Southern State would have entered the Union.</p> + +<p>The Northern workingman, with steam and electricity bringing North and +South into closer and closer touch, answered this cry of fear from the +South with the ultimatum of democracy:</p> + +<p>"This Nation can not endure half slave and half free!"</p> + +<p>Back of all the mouthings of demagogues and the billingsgate of +sectionalists lay this elemental fact—a democracy against a republic.</p> + +<p>Nor could the sword of the Sections settle such an issue. The sectional +sword could only settle an issue which grew out of it—whether a group +of States holding a common interest in this conflict of principles could +combine for their own peace and safety, leave the old Union, form a new +one and settle it in their own way.</p> + +<p>The North said no—the South said yes. This conviction bigger than party +platforms was the brooding terror which brought the sense of tragedy to +young and old, the learned and the unlearned—that made young men see +visions and maids dream of mighty deeds.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Southern boy's eyes had again rested on the vacant chairs of the +Senators from South Carolina with a set look in their depths.</p> + +<p>The crowd turned with sudden stir to the door of the Senate Chamber.</p> + +<p>"Look," Jennie cried, "that's Mrs. Clem Clay of Alabama—how pale and +beautiful she is! The Senator's going to make the speech of his life +to-day. She's scared—Ah, that dress, that dress—isn't it a dream? Did +you ever see <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>such a piece of velvet—and—do look at that dear little +gold hand holding the skirt up just high enough to see the exquisite +lace on her petticoat—"</p> + +<p>"Where's the golden hand—I don't see it?" Dick broke in skeptically.</p> + +<p>"Don't you see the chain hanging from her waist?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see that."</p> + +<p>"Follow it with your eye and you'll see the hand. The Bayard sisters +introduced them from Paris, you know."</p> + +<p>The boy had ceased to listen to Jennie's chatter. His eye had suddenly +rested on a group of three men seated in the diplomatic gallery—one +evidently of high official position by the deference paid him. The man +on the left of the official was young, handsome, slender, and pulled the +corners of his mustache with a slow lazy touch of his graceful hand. His +eyes were fixed on Jennie with a steady gaze. The Minister from +Sardinia, of the Court of Victor Emmanuel, sat on the right, bowing and +gesticulating with an enthusiasm out of all proportion to the importance +of the conversation.</p> + +<p>Behind this group sat a fourth man who leaned forward occasionally and +whispered to the official. His face was in shadow and the only thing +Dick could see was the thick dark brown beard which covered his regular +features and a pair of piercing black eyes.</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, Jennie," the boy cried at last, "who is that villain +in the Diplomatic gallery?"</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"In the corner there on the right."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's the Sardinian Minister—King Victor Emmanuel's new drummer +of trade for Genoa. He's getting ahead of the French, too."</p> + +<p>"No—no, I don't mean that little rat. I mean the big fellow with the +heavy jaw and a face like a rattlesnake. He's try<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>ing to charm you too."</p> + +<p>Jennie laughed.</p> + +<p>"Silly! That's the new Secretary of War, Joseph Holt."</p> + +<p>"A scoundrel, if God ever made one—"</p> + +<p>"Because he looks at me?"</p> + +<p>"No—that shows his good taste. It's the way he looks at you and moves +his crooked mouth and the way he bends his big flat head forward."</p> + +<p>"Rubbish—he's a loyal Southerner—and if we have to fight he'll be with +us."</p> + +<p>"Yes—he—<i>will</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Of course, he will. He's careful now. He's in old Buck's cabinet. Wait +and see. He called on Mr. Davis last night."</p> + +<p>"That's nothing—so did old Seward—"</p> + +<p>"Different—Seward's a Black Republican from New York—Holt's a Southern +Democrat from Mississippi."</p> + +<p>"And who's the young knight by his side with the dear little mustache to +which he seems so attached?"</p> + +<p>Jennie looked in silence for a moment.</p> + +<p>"I never saw him before. He's handsome, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Looks to me like a young black snake just shed his skin waiting for +that old adder to show him how to strike."</p> + +<p>"Dick—"</p> + +<p>"God save the Queen! They're coming here—they're coming for you—"</p> + +<p>The Secretary of War had nodded in recognition of Jennie, risen +suddenly, and moved toward the gallery exit with his slender companion.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Dick—he only bowed because he saw me staring—"</p> + +<p>"He's bringing that mustache to meet you—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> +<p>The boy turned with a scowl toward the door of their gallery and saw the +Secretary of War slowly making his way through the crowd to their seats.</p> + +<p>"I told you so—"</p> + +<p>Jennie blushed and smiled in friendly response to the Secretary's +awkward effort at Southern politeness.</p> + +<p>"Miss Barton, may I ask a little favor of you?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Mr. Holt. Allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Welford of +Virginia."</p> + +<p>The Secretary bowed stiffly and Dick nodded his head with indifference.</p> + +<p>"The Italian Minister with whom I've just been talking wishes the honor +of an introduction for his Secretary. Miss Jennie, will you meet him?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly—"</p> + +<p>"He's looking forward to the possible new Empire of the South," Holt +whispered, "and proposes at an early day to forestall the French—"</p> + +<p>Dick threw him a look of scorn as he returned to the door and rose with +a scowl.</p> + +<p>"I'll go out and get fresh air."</p> + +<p>"Don't go—"</p> + +<p>"I can't breathe in here. Two's company and three's a crowd."</p> + +<p>She seized his arm:</p> + +<p>"Please sit down, Dick."</p> + +<p>"I'll be back directly—"</p> + +<p>In spite of her protest he bounded up the steps of the gallery, turned +sharply to the right, avoided the intruders and disappeared in the +crowd.</p> + +<p>The Secretary of War bowed again:</p> + +<p>"Miss Barton, permit me to introduce to you Signor Henrico Socola, +Secretary to His Excellency, the Minister of Sardinia."</p> + +<p>The slender figure bent low with an easy grace.</p> + +<p>"Pleased to meet you, Signor Socola," Jennie responded, lifting the +heavy lashes from her lustrous brown eyes with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>the slightest challenge +to his.</p> + +<p>"The pleasure is all mine, Mad'moiselle," he gravely replied.</p> + +<p>"You'll excuse me now if I hurry on?" the Secretary said, again bowing +and disappearing in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Holt tells me, Miss Barton, that you know every Senator on the +floor."</p> + +<p>"Yes. My father has been in Congress and the Senate for twenty years."</p> + +<p>"You'll explain the drama to me to-day when the curtain rises?"</p> + +<p>"If I can."</p> + +<p>"I'll be so much obliged—" he paused and the even white teeth smiled +pleasantly. "I'm pretty well up on American history but confess a little +puzzled to-day. Your Southern Senators are really going to surrender +their power here without a struggle?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" the girl asked with a slight frown.</p> + +<p>"That your Democratic party has still a majority in both the House and +the Senate. If the Southern members simply sit still in their places, +the incoming administration of Abraham Lincoln will be absolutely +powerless. The new President can not even call a cabinet to his side +without their consent."</p> + +<p>"The North has elected their President," Jennie answered with decision. +"The South scorns to stoop to the dishonor of cheating them out of it. +They've won the election. They can have it. The South will go and build +a government of her own—as we built this one—"</p> + +<p>"And fight twenty-three million people of the North?"</p> + +<p>"If forced to—yes!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> +<p>"With the certainty of an uprising of your slaves at home?"</p> + +<p>Jennie laughed.</p> + +<p>"Our slaves would fight for us if we'd let them—"</p> + +<p>A curious smile twitched the lips of the Italian.</p> + +<p>"You speak with great confidence, Miss Barton!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I know what I'm talking about."</p> + +<p>The keen eyes watched her from the shadows of the straight thick brows.</p> + +<p>"And your Senators who took a solemn oath in entering this Chamber to +support the Constitution will leave their seats in violation of that +oath?"</p> + +<p>The Southern girl flushed, turned with quick purpose to answer, laughed +and said with winning frankness:</p> + +<p>"You don't mind if I give you my father's answer in his own words? I +know them by heart—"</p> + +<p>"By all means."</p> + +<p>"An oath to support the Constitution of the United States does <i>not</i> +bind the man who takes it to support an administration elected by a mob +whose purpose is to subvert the Constitution!"</p> + +<p>"Oh,—I see," was the quiet response.</p> + +<p>"You speak English with perfection, Signor!" Jennie said with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mad'moiselle, I've spent my life in the Diplomatic service."</p> + +<p>He bowed gravely, lifted his head and caught the smile on the lips of +the Secretary of War standing in the shadows of the doorway of the +Diplomatic gallery.</p> + +<p>The stately figure of John C. Breckinridge, the Vice-President, suddenly +mounted the dais and his piercing eyes swept the assembly. He rapped for +order and the silence which followed was as the hush of death.</p> + +<p>"The curtain rises on our drama, Mad'moiselle," the smooth even voice +said.</p> + +<p>"Sh!" the girl whispered.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE PARTING</h3> + + +<p>The breathless galleries leaned forward to catch the slightest sound +from the arena below.</p> + +<p>One by one the Senators from the seceding Southern States rose and +renounced their allegiance to the United States in obedience to the +voice of their people.</p> + +<p>With each solemn exit the women of the galleries grew hysterical, waved +their perfumed handkerchiefs and shouted their approval with cries of +sympathy and admiration.</p> + +<p>David Yulee, Stephen K. Mallory and Benjamin Fitzpatrick had each closed +his portfolio and with slow measured tread marched down the crowded +aisle and out of the Chamber never again to enter its doors.</p> + +<p>All eyes were focused now on the brilliant young Senator from Alabama, +Clement C. Clay, Jr. It was understood that he had prepared an eloquent +defense of his action and would voice the passionate feeling of the +masses of the Southern people in this his last utterance in the +crumbling temple of the old Republic.</p> + +<p>He rose in his place, lifted his strong head with its leonine locks and +broad, high forehead, paused a moment and began his speech in the clear +steady tones of the trained orator, master of himself, his theme and his +audience. The Northern Senators met his gaze with scorn and he answered +with a look of bold defiance.</p> + +<p>The formal announcement of the secession of his State he made in brief +sharp sentences and plunged at once into the reasons for their solemn +act.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> +<p>"Forty-two years ago, Alabama was admitted into the Union," he declared +in ringing tones. "She entered it as she goes out, with the Republic +convulsed by the hostility of the North to her domestic institutions. +Not a decade has passed, not a year has elapsed since her birth as a +State that has not been marked by the steady and insolent growth of the +mob violence of the North which has demanded the confiscation of her +property and the destruction of the foundations of her civilization.</p> + +<p>"Who are the leaders of these mobs who seek thus to overthrow the +Constitution? Who are these hypocrites who claim the championship of +freedom and the moral leadership of the world?</p> + +<p>"The men who sold their own slaves to us because they could not use them +with profit in a northern climate; the men who built and manned every +American slave ship that ever sailed the seas; the sons of old Peter +Faneuil of Boston who built Faneuil Hall, their cradle of liberty, out +of the profits of slave ships whose trade the Southern people had +forbidden by law; the men who have flooded Congress for two generations +with petitions to dissolve the Union; the men who threatened to secede +with the addition of every foot of territory we have added to our +Republic!</p> + +<p>"These are the men who have denied to the manhood of the South Christian +Communion because they could not endure what they have been pleased to +style the moral leprosy of Slavery! These are the men who refuse us +permission to sojourn or even pass through the sacred precincts of a +Northern State and dare to carry our servants with us. These are the men +who deny to the South equal rights in the lands of the West bought by +Southern blood and brains and added to our inheritance against their +furious protests. These are the men who burn the sacred charters of +American Liberty in their public squares, and inscribe on their banners +the foul motto:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'The Constitution is an agreement with Death, a covenant with Hell.'</p> + +<p>"These are the men who dare to call us traitors! These are the men who +have deliberately passed laws in fourteen Northern States nullifying the +provisions of the Constitution of the Union which they have sworn to +defend and enforce—"</p> + +<p>The speaker paused and lifted high above his head a little morocco bound +volume.</p> + +<p>"Here in the presence of Almighty God—the God of our fathers, and these +witnesses, I read its solemn provisions which the laws of fourteen +Northern States have brazenly and openly defied!"</p> + +<p>He opened the little book and slowly read:</p> + +<p>"'Article 4, Section 2.</p> + +<p><i>"'No person held to service of labor in one State, under the laws +thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of any law or +regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor—but shall +be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may +be due.'"</i></p> + +<p>He turned suddenly to the Northern Senators:</p> + +<p>"Your States have not only repudiated the Constitution you have sworn to +uphold, but your emissaries have invaded the peaceful South and sought +to lay it waste with fire and sword and servile insurrection. You have +murdered Southern men who have dared demand their rights on Northern +soil. You have invaded the borders of Southern States, burned their +dwellings and murdered their people. You have proclaimed John Brown, the +criminal maniac who sought to murder innocent and helpless men, women +and children in Virginia, a hero and martyr and then denounced <i>us</i> in +your popular meetings, your religious and legislative assemblies as +habitual violators of the laws of God and the rights of hum<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>anity! You +have exerted all the moral and physical agencies that human ingenuity +can devise or a devil's malice employ to heap odium and infamy upon us +and make the very name of the South a by-word of hissing and of scorn +throughout the civilized world—"</p> + +<p>He paused overcome with emotion and lifted his hand to stay the burst of +applause from the galleries.</p> + +<p>"We have borne all this for long years and might have borne it many more +under the assurance of our Northern friends that such fanaticism does +not represent the true heart of the Northern people. But the fallacy of +these promises and the folly of our hopes have been too clearly proven +in the late election. The platform of the political party on which you +have swept every Northern State and elected a sectional President is a +foul libel upon our character and a declaration of open war on the lives +and property of the Southern people.</p> + +<p>"In defiance of the Constitution which protects our rights your mob has +decreed the confiscation of three thousand million dollars' worth of our +property. If we claim the protection of our common law, your mob +solemnly burns the Constitution in your public squares and denounces it +as 'an agreement with Death and covenant with Hell.' We appeal to the +Supreme Court of the Republic and when its Judges unanimously sustain +our position on every point, your mob cries:</p> + +<p>"'Down with the Supreme Court of the United States!'</p> + +<p>"You have not only insulted us as unchristian and heathen, you have +proclaimed that four million ignorant negroes but yesterday taken from +the savagery of cannibal Africa are our equals and entitled to share in +the solemn rights of American citizenship. Your declaration is an open +summons that they rise in insurrection with the kni<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>fe in one hand and +the torch in the other.</p> + +<p>"Your mob has declared the South outlawed, branded with ignominy, +consigned to execration and ultimate destruction. Your mob has decreed +the death of Slavery and sends the new President to execute their +decree.</p> + +<p>"All right—kill Slavery and then what? Kill Slavery and what will you +do with its corpse? Who shall deliver us from the body of this death? We +are not leaving this Hall to fight for the Institution of African +Slavery. The grim specter of a degraded and mongrel citizenship which +lies back of your mob's programme of confiscation is the force that is +driving the Southern people out of the Union to find peace and safety. +Whatever may be the sins of Slavery in the South they are as nothing +when compared to the degradation of your life which must follow their +violent emancipation. The Southern white man is slowly lifting the +African out of barbarism into the light of Christian civilization. In +our own good time we will emancipate him and start him on a new life +beyond the boundaries of our Republic. Whatever may be the differences +of opinion in the South on the institution of slavery—there is no +difference and there has never been on one point—it was true +yesterday—it is true to-day—it will be true to-morrow—<i>Slavery is the +only modus viviendi by which two such races as the Negro and the Aryan +can live side by side in a free democracy with equality the law of its +life</i>—"</p> + +<p>Again a burst of tumultuous applause swept the gallery.</p> + +<p>"The issue is clear cut and terrible in its simplicity—the South stands +on the faith of our fathers who created this Republic. The South stands +for Constitutional freedom under the forms of established law. The +North has <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>lifted the red flag of revolution and proclaims the +irresponsible despotism of an enthroned mob!</p> + +<p>"For a generation your school mistresses have been training your boys to +hate us and arming them to fight us. Make no mistake about this movement +to-day. We who go are but the servants of those who sent us. They now +recall their ambassadors, and we obey their sovereign will. Make no +mistake about it. They are not a brave and rash people, deluded by bad +men, who are attempting in an illegal way to wreck the Union. They seek +peace and safety outside driven by the Rebellion against Law and Order +within.</p> + +<p>"Are we more or less than men? Can we love our enemies and bless them +that curse and revile us? Are we devoid of the sensibilities, the +sentiments, the passions, the reason, and the instincts of mankind? Have +we no pride, no honor, no sense of shame, no reverence for our +ancestors, no care for posterity, no love for home, or family or +friends? Must we quail before the onion breath of an enthroned mob, +confess our baseness, discredit the fame of our sires, degrade our +children, abandon our homes, flee from our country and dishonor +ourselves—all for the sake of a Union whose Constitution you have +publicly burned and whose Supreme Court you have spit upon?</p> + +<p>"Shall we consent to live under an administration controlled by those +who not only deny us justice and equality and brand us as infamous, but +boldly proclaim their purpose to rob us of our property and destroy our +civilization?</p> + +<p>"The freemen of Alabama have proclaimed to the world they will not. In +their sovereign power they have recalled me. As their servant I go!"</p> + +<p>With a wave of his hand in an imperious gesture of defiance to the +silent Senators of the North, amid a scene of unparalleled passion, the +speaker turned to his seat, gather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>ed his books and papers and strode +with quick firm step down the aisle.</p> + +<p>Jennie had leaped to her feet and stood clapping her hands in a frenzy +of excitement, unconscious of the existence of the strangely quiet young +man by her side.</p> + +<p>He rose and stood smiling into her flushed face as she gasped:</p> + +<p>"A wonderful speech—wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"They say the South has never lacked audacity, Miss Barton. I'm +wondering if they are really going to make good such words with deeds."</p> + +<p>He spoke with a cold detachment that chilled and angered the impulsive +girl. A hot answer was on her lips when she remembered suddenly that he +was a foreigner.</p> + +<p>"Of course, Signor, you can not understand our feelings!"</p> + +<p>"On the other hand, I assure you, I do—I'm just wondering in a cold +intellectual way whether the oratorical temperament—the temperament of +passion, of righteous wrath of the explosive type which we have just +witnessed, will win in the trial by fire which war will bring—"</p> + +<p>"You doubt our courage?" she interrupted, with a slight curve of the +proud little lips.</p> + +<p>"Far from it—I assure you! I'm only wondering if it has the sullen, +dogged, staying qualities these stolid Northern men down there have +exhibited while they listened—"</p> + +<p>The girl threw him a quick surprised look and he stopped. His voice had +unconsciously taken the tones of a soliloquy.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Miss Barton," he said, with sudden swing to the +polite tones of society. "I'm annoying you with my foreign +speculations—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> +<p>A sudden murmur swept the galleries and all eyes were turned on the tall +slender figure of Jefferson Davis as he slowly entered the Senate +Chamber.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" Socola asked.</p> + +<p>"Senator Davis—you don't know him?"</p> + +<p>"I have never seen him before. He has been quite ill I hear."</p> + +<p>"Yes. He's been in bed for the past week suffering agonies from +neuralgia. He lost the sight of one of his eyes from chronic pain caused +by exposure in the service of his country in the northwest."</p> + +<p>"Really—I didn't know that."</p> + +<p>"He was compelled to remain in a darkened room for months the past year +to save the sight of his remaining eye."</p> + +<p>"That accounts for my not having seen him before."</p> + +<p>Socola followed the straight military figure with painful interest as he +slowly moved toward his seat greeting with evident weakness his +colleagues as he passed. He was astonished beyond measure at the +personality of the famous leader of the "Southern Conspirators" of whom +he had heard so much. He was the last man in all the crowd he would have +singled out for such a rôle. The face was too refined, too spiritual, +too purely intellectual for the man of revolution. His high forehead, +straight nose, thin compressed lips and pointed chin belonged to the +poet and dreamer rather than the man of action. The hollow cheek bones +and deeply furrowed mouth told of suffering so acute the sympathy of +every observer was instantly won.</p> + +<p>In spite of evident suffering his carriage was erect, dignified, and +graceful. The one trait which fastened the attention from the first and +held it was the remarkable intensity of expression which clothed his +thin muscular face.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> +<p>"You like him?" Jennie ventured at last.</p> + +<p>"I can't say, Miss Barton," was the slowly measured answer. "He is a +remarkably interesting man. I'm surprised and puzzled—"</p> + +<p>"Surprised and puzzled at what?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see I know his history. The diplomatist makes it his business +to know the facts in the lives of the leaders of a nation to whose +Government he is accredited. Mr. Davis spent four years at West Point. +He gave seven years of his life to the service of the army in the West. +He carried your flag to victory in Mexico and hobbled home on crutches. +He was one of your greatest Secretaries of War. He sent George B. +McClellan and Robert E. Lee to the Crimea to master European warfare, +organized and developed your army, changed the model of your arms, +introduced the rifled musket and the minie ball. He explored your +Western Empire and surveyed the lines of the great continental railways +you are going to build to the Pacific Ocean. He planned and built your +system of waterworks in the city of Washington and superintends now the +extension of the Capitol building which will make it the most imposing +public structure in the world. He has never stooped to play the part of +a demagogue. He has never sought an office higher than the rôle of +Senator which fits his character and temperament. His mind has always +been busy dreaming of the imperial future of your widening Republic. His +eye has seen the vision of its extension to the Arctic on the north and +the jungles of Panama on the south. Why should such a man deliberately +come into this chamber to-day before this assembled crowd and commit +hari-kari?"</p> + +<p>"He's a true son of the South!" Jennie Barton proudly answered.</p> + +<p>"Even so, how can he do the astounding thing he proposes to carry out +to-day? His record shows that passionate devotion to the Union has been +the very breath of his life. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>I've memorized one of his outbursts as a +model of your English language—"</p> + +<p>Jennie laughed.</p> + +<p>"I never heard of his Union speeches, I'm sure!"</p> + +<p>"Strange that your people have forgotten them. Listen: 'From sire to son +has descended the love of the Union in our hearts, as in our history are +mingled the names of Concord and Camden, of Yorktown and Saratoga, of +New Orleans and Bunker Hill. Together they form a monument to the common +glory of our common country. Where is the Southern man who would wish +that monument less by one Northern name that constitutes the mass? Who, +standing on the ground made sacred by the blood of Warren, could allow +sectional feeling to curb his enthusiasm as he looks upon that obelisk +which rises a monument to freedom's and his country's triumph, and +stands a type of the time, the men and the event it commemorates; built +of material that mocks the waves of time, without niche or molding for +parasite or creeping thing to rest upon, pointing like a finger to the +sky to raise man's thoughts to high and noble deeds!'"</p> + +<p>Socola paused and turned his dark eyes on Jennie's upturned face.</p> + +<p>"How can the man who made that speech in Boston do this mad deed +to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Senator Clay has given the answer," was the girl's quick reply.</p> + +<p>"For Senator Clay, yes—the fiery, impulsive, passionate child of +emotion. But this thin hollow-cheeked student, thinker and philosopher, +who spoke the thrilling words I quote—he should belong to the order of +the Prophet and the Seer—the greatest leaders and teachers of history."</p> + +<p>"We believe he does, Signor!" was the quick answer. "Look—he's going +to speak—you'll hear him now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jennie leaned forward, her thoughtful little chin in both hands, as a +silence so intense it was pain fell suddenly on the hushed assembly.</p> + +<p>The face of the Southern leader was chalk white in its pallor. His first +sentences were weak and scarcely reached beyond the circle of his +immediate hearers. His physician had forbidden him to leave his room. +The iron will had risen to perform a solemn duty. The Senators leaned +forward in their arm-chairs fearful of losing a word.</p> + +<p>He paused as if for breath and gazed a moment on the upturned faces with +the look of lingering tenderness which the dying cast on those upon whom +they gaze for the last time.</p> + +<p>His figure suddenly rose to its full height, as if the soul within had +thrust the feeble body aside to speak its message. His words, full, +clear and musical rang to the furthest listener craning his neck through +the jammed doorways of the galleries. Never was the music of the human +voice more profoundly appealing. Unshed tears were in its throbbing +tones.</p> + +<p>There was no straining for effect—no outburst of emotion. The +impression which reached the audience was the sense of restraint and the +consciousness of his unlimited reserve power. Back of the simple +clean-cut words which fell in musical cadence from his white lips was +the certainty that he was only speaking a small part of what he felt, +saw and knew. He neither stormed nor raved and yet he filled the hearts +of his hearers with unspeakable passion.</p> + +<p>He turned suddenly and bent his piercing single eye on the Northern +Senators:</p> + +<p>"I hope none who hear me will confound my position with the advocacy of +the right of a State to remain in the Union and disregard its +Constitutional obligations by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> nullification of the law—"</p> + +<p>A sudden cheer swept the tense galleries. The sergeant-at-arms called +for order. The cheer rose again. The Vice-President rapped for silence +and threatened to close the galleries. The speaker lifted his hand and +commanded silence.</p> + +<p>"It was because of his deep attachment to the Union—his determination +to find some remedy for existing ills short of a severance of the ties +which bound South Carolina to the other States—that John C. Calhoun +advocated the doctrine of nullification which he proclaimed to be +peaceful and within the limits of State power.</p> + +<p>"Secession belongs to a different class of remedies. It is to be +justified upon the basis that the States are sovereign. There was a time +when none denied it. The phrase 'to execute the laws' General Jackson +applied to a State refusing to obey the law while yet a member of the +Union. You may make war on a foreign state. If it be the purpose of +gentlemen—"</p> + +<p>He paused and again his eagle eye swept the tiers of Northern Senators.</p> + +<p>"You may make war against a State which has withdrawn from the Union; +but there are no laws of the United States to be executed within the +limits of a seceded State—"</p> + +<p>Seward leaned forward in his seat and shook his head in grave dissent. +The speaker bent his gaze directly upon his great antagonist and spoke +with strange regretful tenderness.</p> + +<p>"A State finding herself in a condition in which Mississippi has judged +she is—in which her safety requires that she should provide for the +maintenance of her rights out of the Union—surrenders all the benefits +(and they are known to be many), deprives herself of all the advantages +(and they are known to be great), severs <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>all the ties of affections (and +they are close and enduring) which have bound her to the Union; and thus +divesting herself of every benefit—taking upon herself every +burden—she claims to be exempt from any power to execute the laws of +the United States within her limits.</p> + +<p>"When Massachusetts was arraigned before the bar of the Senate for her +refusal to permit the execution of the laws of the United States within +her borders, my opinion was the same then as now. Her State is +sovereign. She never delegated to the Federal Government the power to +drive her by force. And when she chooses to take the last step which +separates her from the Union, it is her right to go!—"</p> + +<p>Another electric wave swept the crowd that burst into applause. The +speaker lifted his long arm with an impatient gesture.</p> + +<p>"And I would not vote one dollar nor one man to coerce her back into +unwilling submission. I would say to her—'God speed in the memory of +the kind associations which once existed between her and her sister +States.'</p> + +<p>"It has been a conviction of pressing necessity—a belief that we are to +be deprived in the Union of the rights which our fathers bequeathed +us—which has brought Mississippi to her present decision.</p> + +<p>"You have invoked the sacred Declaration of Independence as the basis of +an attack upon her social order. The Declaration of Independence is to +be construed by the circumstances and purposes for which it was made. It +was written by a Southern planter and slave owner. The Colonies were +declaring their independence from foreign tyranny—were asserting in the +language of Jefferson, 'that no man was born booted and spurred to ride +over the rest of mankind; that men were created equal'—meaning the men +of their American political commun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>ity; that there was no divine right to +rule; that no man could inherit the right to govern; that there were no +classes by which power and place descended from father to son; but that +all stations were equally within the grasp of each member of the body +politic. These were the principles they announced.</p> + +<p>"They had no reference to a slave. The same document denounced George +III for the crime of attempting to stir their slaves to insurrection, as +John Brown attempted at Harper's Ferry. If their Declaration of +Independence announced that negroes were free and the equals of English +citizens how could the Prince be arraigned for daring to raise servile +insurrection among them? And how should this be named among the high +crimes of George III which caused the Colonies to sever their connection +with the Mother country?</p> + +<p>"If slaves were declared our equals how did it happen that in the +organic law of the Union they were given a lower caste and their +population allowed (and that only through the dominant race) a basis of +three-fifths representation in Congress? So stands the compact of Union +which binds us together.</p> + +<p>"We stand upon the principles on which our Government was founded!—"</p> + +<p>The sentence rang clear and thrilling as the peal of a trumpet. The +effect was electric. The galleries leaped to their feet, and cheered.</p> + +<p>Jennie turned to the silent diplomat.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he glorious!"</p> + +<p>"He stirs the hearts of men"—was the even answer.</p> + +<p>Around them were unmistakable evidences. Women were weeping hysterically +and men embracing one another in silence and tears.</p> + +<p>Again the Senator's hand was lifted high in command for silence and +again he faced Seward and his Northern colleagu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>es with figure tense, +erect.</p> + +<p>"When you repudiate these principles, and when you deny to us the right +to withdraw from a Government which, thus perverted, threatens to +destroy our rights, we but tread the path of our fathers when we +proclaim our independence and take the hazard!"</p> + +<p>Again a cheer and shout which the Vice-President's gavel could not +quell. When the murmur at last died away the speaker's voice had dropped +to low appealing tenderness.</p> + +<p>"We do this, Senators, not in hostility to others, not to injure any +section of our common country, not for our own pecuniary benefit, but +from the high and solemn motive of defending and protecting the rights +we inherited, which we will transmit unshorn to our children. We seek +outside the Union that peace, with dignity and honor, which we can no +longer find within.</p> + +<p>"I trust I find myself a type of the general feeling of my constituents +towards yours. I am sure I feel no hostility toward you, Senators from +the North—"</p> + +<p>He paused and swept the Northern tiers with a look of tender appeal.</p> + +<p>"I am sure there is not one of you, whatever sharp discussion there may +have been between us, to whom I can not now say in the presence of my +God, I wish you well!"</p> + +<p>Seward turned his head from the speaker, his eyes dimmed—the scheming +diplomat and unscrupulous politician lost in the heart of the man for +the moment.</p> + +<p>"Such I am sure is the feeling of the people whom I represent toward +those whom you represent. I but express their desire when I say I hope +and they hope for peaceful relations with you, though we must part—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> +<p>He paused as if to suppress emotions too deep for words while a silence, +intense and suffocating, held the crowd in a spell. The speaker's voice +dropped to still lower and softer notes of persuasive tenderness as each +rounded word of the next sentence fell slowly from the thin lips.</p> + +<p>"If war must come, we can only invoke the God of our fathers, who +delivered us from the power of the lion, to protect us from the ravages +of the bear, and putting our trust in Him and in our firm hearts and +strong arms we will vindicate the right as best we may—"</p> + +<p>No cheer greeted this solemn utterance. In the pause which followed, the +speaker deliberately gazed over the familiar faces of his Northern +opponents and continued with a suppressed intensity of feeling that +gripped his bitterest foe.</p> + +<p>"In the course of my service here, associated at different times with a +great variety of Senators, I see now around me some with whom I have +served long. There have been points of collision, but, whatever offense +there has been to me, I leave here. I carry with me no hostile +remembrance. For whatever offense I may have given which has not been +redressed, or for which satisfaction has not been demanded, I have, +Senators, in this solemn hour of our parting to offer you my apology—"</p> + +<p>The low musical voice died softly away in the silence of tears.</p> + +<p>A woman sobbed aloud.</p> + +<p>Socola bent toward his trembling companion and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Who is she?"</p> + +<p>Jennie brushed the tears from her brown eyes before replying:</p> + +<p>"The Senator's wife. She's heart-broken over it all—didn't sleep a +wink all night. I've been looking for her to faint <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>every minute."</p> + +<p>The leader closed his portfolio. His hollow cheeks, thin lips and white +drawn face were clothed with an expression of sorrow beyond words as he +slowly turned and left the scene of his life's triumphs.</p> + +<p>The spell of his eloquence at last thrown off the crowd once more +dissolved into hostile lowering groups.</p> + +<p>Stern old Zack Chandler of Michigan collided with Jennie's father in the +cloak room, his eyes red with wrath.</p> + +<p>"Well, Barton," he growled, "after the damned insolence of that scene if +the North don't fight, I'll be much mistaken—"</p> + +<p>"You generally are, sir," Barton retorted.</p> + +<p>"If they don't fight, by the living God, I'll leave this country and +join another nation—the Comanche Indians preferred to this Government."</p> + +<p>Barton glanced at his opponent and his heavy jaw closed with a snap.</p> + +<p>"I trust, Senator," he said with deliberate venom, "you will not carry +out that resolution—the Comanche Indians have already suffered too much +from contact with the whites!"</p> + +<p>Dick Welford heard the shot and gripped the fierce old Southerner's hand +as Chandler turned on his heel and disappeared with an oath.</p> + +<p>"You got him that time, Senator!"</p> + +<p>Barton laughed with boyish glee.</p> + +<p>"I did, didn't I? Sometimes we can only think of our best things when +it's too late. But by Gimminy I got the old rascal this time, didn't I?"</p> + +<p>"You certainly plugged him—what did you think of the speeches?"</p> + +<p>"Clay said something! Davis is too slow. He's got no blood in his +veins. I don't like him. He'll pull us back into <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>the Union yet if we +don't watch him. He's a reconstructionist at heart. The State of +Mississippi is dragging him out of Washington by the heels. He makes me +tired. The time for talk has passed. To your tents now, O Israel!"</p> + +<p>Dick hurried to the gallery and watched Socola talking in his graceful +Italian way with Jennie. He had hated this elegant foreigner the moment +he had laid eyes on him. He made up his mind to declare himself before +another sun set.</p> + +<p>He ignored the Italian's existence.</p> + +<p>"You are ready, Miss Jennie?"</p> + +<p>She took Dick's proffered arm in silence and bowed to Socola who watched +them go with a peculiar smile playing about his handsome mouth.</p> + +<p>Jennie insisted on stopping at Senator Davis' home to tell his wife of +the wonderful power with which his speech had swept the galleries.</p> + +<p>The house was still, the library door open. The girl paused on the +threshold in awe. The Senator's tall figure was lying prostrate across +his desk, his thin hands clasped in prayer, his face buried in his arms. +His lips were murmuring words too low to be heard until at last they +swelled in sorrowful repetition:</p> + +<p>"May God have us in his holy keeping and grant that before it is too +late peaceful councils may prevail!"</p> + +<p>The girl turned softly and left without a word.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A MIDNIGHT SESSION</h3> + + +<p>The Secretary of War invited Socola to join him at the White House after +the Cabinet meeting which President Buchanan had called at the unusual +hour of ten at night. He had waited for more than two hours in the +anteroom and still the Cabinet was in session. Without show of +impatience he smoked cigar after cigar, flicked their ashes into the +fireplace and listened with an expression of quiet amusement to the +storm raging within while the sleet of a January blizzard rattled +against the windows with increasing fury.</p> + +<p>Once more the question of the little fort in the harbor of Charleston +had plunged the discordant Cabinet of the dying administration into the +convulsions of a miniature war.</p> + +<p>The feeble old President, overwhelmed by the gathering storm, crouched +in the corner by the fire. His emaciated figure was shrouded in a +ridiculous old dressing-gown. Mentally and physically prostrate he sat +shivering while his ministers wrangled.</p> + +<p>He rose at last, shambled to the Cabinet table, and leaned his trembling +hands on it for support.</p> + +<p>"What can I do, gentlemen—what can I do? If Anderson hadn't gone into +that fort at night, the State of South Carolina might not have +seceded—"</p> + +<p>Stanton shook his massive head with an expression of uncontrollable +rage.</p> + +<p>"Great God!"</p> + +<p>The President continued in feeble, pleading tones:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now they tell me that unless Anderson withdraws his troops their +presence will provoke bloodshed—"</p> + +<p>"Let them fire on him if they dare!" shouted Stanton.</p> + +<p>"I cannot plunge my country into fratricidal war. My sands are nearly +run. I only ask of God that my sun may not set in a sea of blood—"</p> + +<p>He paused and lifted his thin hands, trembling like two withered leaves +of aspen in the winter's blast.</p> + +<p>"What can I do?"</p> + +<p>Stanton suddenly sprang from his seat and confronted the shivering old +man.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what you can <i>not</i> do!"</p> + +<p>The President gasped for breath and listened helplessly.</p> + +<p>"You can't yield that fort to the conspirators who demand it. Dare to do +it, and I tell you, as the Attorney General of the United States, you +are guilty of high treason—and by the living God you should be hung!"</p> + +<p>The venerable Secretary of the Navy, Isaac Toucey, lifted his hand in +protest. Stanton merely threw him a look of scorn, and shouted into the +President's face:</p> + +<p>"Your act could no more be defended than Benedict Arnold's!"</p> + +<p>"And what say you, Holt?" the President asked, turning to his +heavy-jawed Secretary of War.</p> + +<p>"Send a ship to the relief of Sumter within twenty-four hours, and let +South Carolina take the consequences—"</p> + +<p>"Good!" Stanton cried.</p> + +<p>Holt's crooked mouth was drawn in grim lines, and the left-hand corner +was twisted into a still lower knot of ugly muscles. His furtive eyes +beneath their shaggy brows glanced quickly around the table to see the +effect of his patriotic stand.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> +<p>The President turned to the white-haired Secretary of the Navy:</p> + +<p>"And you, General Toucey?"</p> + +<p>The venerable statesman from Connecticut bowed gravely to his Chief and +spoke with quiet dignity.</p> + +<p>"I would order Anderson to return at once to Fort Moultrie—"</p> + +<p>Stanton smashed the table with his big fist.</p> + +<p>"And you know that the State of South Carolina has dismantled Fort +Moultrie?"</p> + +<p>Toucey answered Stanton's bluster with quiet emphasis.</p> + +<p>"I'm aware of that fact, sir!"</p> + +<p>"And it makes no difference?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever. Anderson left Fort Moultrie and moved into Fort Sumter +without orders—"</p> + +<p>A faint smile flickered about the drooping corners of Holt's mouth—</p> + +<p>The speaker turned to Holt:</p> + +<p>"As a matter of fact, he moved into that fort against the positive +orders of your predecessor, James B. Floyd, the Secretary of War. As he +went there without orders, and against orders, he should be ordered back +forthwith—"</p> + +<p>"With the look of a maddened tiger Stanton flew at him.</p> + +<p>"And you expect to go back to Connecticut after making that statement?"</p> + +<p>"I do, sir—"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't believe it."</p> + +<p>"And why, pray?"</p> + +<p>"I asked the question in good faith, that I might know the character of +the people of Connecticut, or your estimate of them."</p> + +<p>The old man drew himself up with cold dignity.</p> + +<p>"I have served the people of my State for over forty years—their +Congressman, their Attorney General, their Governor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> their Senator. I +consult no upstart of your feeble record, sir, on any question of +principle or policy!"</p> + +<p>Stanton quailed a moment beneath the cold scorn of his antagonist, +surprised that another man should dare to use his methods of invective.</p> + +<p>He lifted his hands with a gesture of contempt.</p> + +<p>"All I can say is, that if I should dare take that position and return +to the State of Pennsylvania, I should expect to be stoned the moment I +set foot on her soil, stoned through the State and flung into the river +at Pittsburg with a stone around my neck—"</p> + +<p>Toucey stared at his opponent.</p> + +<p>"And in my opinion they would deserve well of their country for the +performance!"</p> + +<p>While his Cabinet wrangled, the feeble, old man in the faded wrapper +shambled to the window and gazed with watery eyes on the swaying trees +of the White House grounds. The sleet had frozen in shining crystals and +every limb was hung in diamonds. The wind had risen to hurricane force, +howling and shrieking its requiem through the chill darkness. A huge +bough broke and fell to the ground with a crash that sent a shiver +through his distracted soul.</p> + +<p>He turned back to the table to hear their decision. It came with but one +dissenting voice, Toucey, Secretary of the Navy.</p> + +<p>"A ship be sent at once to the relief of Sumter."</p> + +<p>With stubborn terror the President refused to sign the order for an +armed vessel. At one o'clock they compromised on the little steamer, +<i>Star of the West</i>, and Buchanan agreed that she should attempt to land +provisions for Anderson's fifty-odd men.</p> + +<p>Holt hurried from the council chamber at one o'clock with a smile of +triumph playing about his sinister mouth. His plan h<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>ad succeeded. He had +worked Stanton as the legal adviser of the President exactly as he had +foreseen. The little steamer would test the mettle of the men of South +Carolina who were training their batteries on Fort Sumter. If they dared +to fire on her—all right—the lines of battle would be drawn.</p> + +<p>He seized Socola's arm.</p> + +<p>"Come with me to the War Office."</p> + +<p>Inside, he closed the door, inspected the room in every nook and corner +for a possible eavesdropper, seated himself and leaned close to his +attentive listener.</p> + +<p>"I have established your character now through your connection with the +Minister from Sardinia beyond the possibility of any doubt. Your +position will not be called in question. You will appear in the South as +the representative, unofficial and yet duly accredited, for King Victor +Emmanuel. Your purpose will be, of course, the cultivation of friendly +relations with the officials of the new Government looking to the day of +its coming recognition—you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly—"</p> + +<p>"You have absolutely consecrated your life, and every talent, to your +country?"</p> + +<p>"Body and soul—"</p> + +<p>The dark eyes flashed with the light of a religious fanatic.</p> + +<p>"Good." The Secretary paused and studied his man a moment.</p> + +<p>"I introduced you to the girl not merely to obtain an invaluable witness +to your credentials should they be questioned—but for a double +purpose."</p> + +<p>Socola nodded.</p> + +<p>"I guessed as much."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> +<p>"She's bright, young, pretty, and you can pass the time pleasantly in +her company. The association will place you in a strong position. Her +father is a fool—the storm petrel of Secession. He has the biggest +mouth in America, barring none. His mouth is so huge, they'll never find +a muzzle big enough if they could get men enough around him to put it +on. He's bound to land somewhere high in the councils of the coming +Confederacy—"</p> + +<p>"There'll be one?"</p> + +<p>Holt smiled.</p> + +<p>"You doubt it?"</p> + +<p>"It may be bluster after all."</p> + +<p>"Men of the Davis type don't bluster, my boy. They are to meet at +Montgomery, Alabama, on February fourth. They'll organize the Cotton +States into a Southern Confederacy. If they can win Virginia, North +Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas, they may gobble Maryland, Kentucky, +and Missouri—all Slave States. If they get them all—they'll win +without a fight, and reconstruct the Union on their own terms; if they +don't—well, we'll see what we'll see—"</p> + +<p>"And you wish?"</p> + +<p>"That you get for me—and get quickly—inside information of what is +done and what is proposed to be done at Montgomery. I want the names of +every man discussed for high office among them, his chances of +appointment, his friends, his enemies—why they are his friends, why +they are his enemies. I want their plans, their prospects, their hopes, +their fears, and I want this information quickly. You will be supplied +with ample funds, and your report must be made to me in person. My +tenure of this office will be but a few weeks longer—but you are my +personal representative, you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Quite."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> +<p>"Your report must be in person to me, and to me alone."</p> + +<p>"I understand, sir."</p> + +<p>Socola rose, extended his hand, drew his cloak about his slender +shoulders and passed out into the storm, his dark face lighted by a +smile as he recalled the winsome face of Jennie Barton.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>A FRIENDLY WARNING</h3> + + +<p>The withdrawal of the Southern Senators and Representatives from +Congress produced in Washington the upheaval of a social earthquake.</p> + +<p>An atmosphere of tears and ominous foreboding hung pall-like over the +city's social life. Each step in the departure of wives and daughters +was a pang.</p> + +<p>Carriages drawn by sleek, high-bred horses dashed through the broad +streets with excited haste. The black coachman on the box held his reins +with a nervous grip that communicated itself to the horses. He had +caught the excitement in the quivering social structure of which he was +part. What he was really thinking down in the depths of his African soul +only God could see. His dark face merely grinned in quick obedience to +command.</p> + +<p>From every house where these farewells were being said, a weeping woman +emerged and waved a last adieu to the tear-stained faces at the window.</p> + +<p>Wagons and carts lumbered through the streets on their way to the wharf +or station, piled high with baggage.</p> + +<p>Hotel-keepers stood in the doorway of their establishments with darkened +brows. The glory of the past was departing. The future was a blank.</p> + +<p>On the morning after his farewell address to the Senate, a messenger, +who refused to give his name, was ushered into the library of Senator +Davis.</p> + +<p>The stately black butler bowed again with quiet dignity.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yo' name, sah? I—failed to catch it?"</p> + +<p>The messenger lifted his hand:</p> + +<p>"No name. Please say to the Senator that I came from an important +official with a message of the gravest importance—I wish to see him +alone at once—"</p> + +<p>The faithful servant eyed his visitor with an ominous look. There was no +question of his loyalty to the man he served.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Robert, I'm a friend of Senator Davis."</p> + +<p>A moment's hesitation and the black man bowed with deference.</p> + +<p>"Yassah—yassah—I tell him right away, sah. You sho' knows me anyhow, +sah—"</p> + +<p>The Senator was in bed suffering again from facial neuralgia. He rose +promptly, dressed hastily but completely and carefully and extended both +hands to his visitor.</p> + +<p>"You have come to see me at an unusual hour, sir. It must be +important—"</p> + +<p>"Of the utmost importance, Senator. A high official in the confidence of +the President sent me to inform you that Stanton, the Attorney General, +is planning to issue a warrant for your arrest for high treason."</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"You are advised to leave Washington on the first train."</p> + +<p>A dry smile flickered about the corners of the Senator's strong mouth.</p> + +<p>"Thank you. Please say to my friend that I appreciate the spirit that +prompted his message. Ask him to say to Mr. Stanton that I have decided +to remain in Washington a week. Nothing would please me better than to +submit this issue to the courts for adjustment. He will find me at home +every day and at all hours."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>BOY AND GIRL</h3> + + +<p>From the moment Dick Welford had seen Socola bowing and smiling before +Jennie Barton he had hated the man. He hated foreigners on general +principles, anyhow. This kind of foreigner he particularly loathed—the +slender, nervous type which suggested over-refinement to the point of +effeminacy. He had always hated slender, effeminate-looking men of the +native breed. This one was doubly offensive because he was an Italian. +How any woman with true womanly instincts could tolerate such a spider +was more than he could understand.</p> + +<p>Jennie Barton had always frankly said that she admired men of his own +type. He was six feet one, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and weighed a hundred +and ninety-six pounds at twenty-one years of age. He had always felt +instinctively that he was exactly the man for Jennie's mate. She was +nineteen, dark and slender, a bundle of quick, sensitive, nervous +intelligence. Her brown eyes were almost black and her luxuriant hair +seemed raven-hued beside his. He had always imagined it nestling beside +his big blond head in perfect contentment since the first summer he had +spent with Tom Barton at their cottage at the White Sulphur Springs.</p> + +<p>He had taken it for granted that she would say yes when he could screw +up his courage to speak. She had treated him as if he were already in +the family.</p> + +<p>"Confound it," he muttered, clenching his big fist, "that's what worries +me! Maybe she just thinks of me as one of her brothers!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> +<p>It hadn't occurred to him until he saw the light kindle in her eyes at +the sight of that smooth-tongued reptilian foreigner. He was on his way +now to her house, to put the thing to the test before she could leave +Washington. Thank God, the spider was tied down here at the Sardinian +Ministry. He hoped Victor Emmanuel would send him as Consul to Shanghai.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Barton met him at the door with a motherly smile.</p> + +<p>"Walk right in the parlor, Dick. It's sweet of you to come so early +to-day. We're all in tears, packing to go. Jennie'll be delighted to see +you. Poor child—she's sick over it all."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Barton pressed Dick's hand with the softest touch that reassured +his fears. The only trouble about Mrs. Barton was she was gentle and +friendly to everybody, black and white, old and young, Yankee or +Southerner. She was even sorry for old John Brown when they hung him.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing, he was crazy," she said tenderly. "They ought to have sent +him to the asylum."</p> + +<p>Try as he might, he couldn't fling off the impression of tragedy the +meeting of Socola with Jennie had produced. He was in a nervous fit to +see and tell her of his love. Why the devil hadn't he done so before +anyhow? They might have been engaged and ready to be married by this +time. They had met when she was sixteen.</p> + +<p>Why on earth couldn't he throw off the fool idea that he was going to +lose her? His big fist suddenly closed with resolution.</p> + +<p>"I'll not lose her! I'll wring that viper's neck—I'll wade through +blood and death and the fires of h—"</p> + +<p>Just as he was plunging waist deep through the flames of the Pit, she +appeared in the door, the picture of wistful, tender beauty.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> +<p>He rose awkwardly and extended his hand.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Dick!"</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Jennie—"</p> + +<p>Her hand was hot, her eyes heavy with tears.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"As if you didn't know—I've been saying good-by to some of the dearest +friends I've ever known. It's terrible. I just feel it's the end of the +world—"</p> + +<p>He started to say: "Don't worry, Jennie darling, you have me. I love +you!" The thought of it made the cold beads of perspiration suddenly +stand out on his forehead. It was one thing to think such +things—another to say it aloud to a girl with Jennie's serious brown +eyes.</p> + +<p>She seemed terribly serious this morning and far away somehow. Never had +he seen her so utterly lovely. The mood of tender seriousness made her +more beautiful than ever. If he only dared to crush her in his arms and +laugh the smiles back into her eyes.</p> + +<p>When he spoke it was only a commonplace he managed to blurt out:</p> + +<p>"So you're really going to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—we've telegraphed the boys to come home from school at once and +join us in Montgomery."</p> + +<p>He tried to say it again, but the speech turned out to be political, not +personal.</p> + +<p>"Of course Virginia'll stand by her Southern sisters, Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"Yes—"</p> + +<p>"It's just a few old moss-backs holding her. No army will ever march +across her soil to fight a Southern State—"</p> + +<p>"I hope not."</p> + +<p>"Of course not. I'll meet them on the border with one musket anyhow—"</p> + +<p>The girl was looking out the window at the slowly drizzling rain and +made no answer. He flushed at her apparent indiff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>erence to his heroic +stand.</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe I would?"</p> + +<p>"Would what, Dick?" she smiled, recovering herself from her reverie.</p> + +<p>It was no use beating about the bush, trying to talk politics. He had to +make the plunge.</p> + +<p>He suddenly took her hand in his.</p> + +<p>She threw him a startled look, sat bolt upright, made the faintest +effort to draw her hand away, and blushed furiously.</p> + +<p>He was in for it now. There was no retreat. He gripped with desperate +earnestness, tried to speak, and choked.</p> + +<p>He drew a deep breath, tried again and only squeezed her hand harder.</p> + +<p>The girl began to smile in a sweet, triumphant way. It was nice, this +conscious power over a big, stunning six-footer who grasped her hand as +a drowning man a straw. The sense of her strength was thrilling.</p> + +<p>She looked at him with demure reproach.</p> + +<p>"Dick!"</p> + +<p>He grinned sheepishly and clung to her hand.</p> + +<p>"Yes—Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"Do you know what you are doing?"</p> + +<p>"No—but—I +know—what—I'm—trying—to—do—and—I'm—going—to—do—it—"</p> + +<p>Again his big hand crushed hers.</p> + +<p>"You're trying to break every bone in my hand as near as I can make +out—I'd like it back when you're through with it—"</p> + +<p>He found his tongue at last:</p> + +<p>"I—I—can't let you have it back, Jennie, I'm going to keep it +forever—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> +<p>"Really?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—I am. I—I love you—Jennie—don't you love me—just—a—little +bit?"</p> + +<p>The girl laughed.</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>"Not the least—little—tiny—bit?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so—"</p> + +<p>The hand slipped through his limp fingers and he stared at her in a +hopeless, pitiful way.</p> + +<p>Her heart went out in a wave of tender sympathy. She put her hand back +in his in a wistful touch.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Dick dear, I didn't think you loved me in that way—"</p> + +<p>"What did you think I was hanging round you so much for?"</p> + +<p>"I knew you liked me, of course. And I like you—but I've never thought +seriously about love."</p> + +<p>"There's no other fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, not—"</p> + +<p>"You liked that Socola, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"I liked him—yes—"</p> + +<p>"I thought so."</p> + +<p>"He's cultured, handsome, interesting—"</p> + +<p>"He's a sissy!"</p> + +<p>"Dick!"</p> + +<p>"A little wizened-faced rat—the spider-snake! I could break his long +neck. Yes—you do like him! I saw it when you met him. You're throwing +me down because you met him!"</p> + +<p>"Dick!"</p> + +<p>"But he shan't have you, I tell you—I'll show him I could lick a +thousand such sissies with one hand tied behind me."</p> + +<p>The girl rose with dignity.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare to speak to me like that, sir—"</p> + +<p>"You're going to see that fellow again—I'll bet +you've got an engagement with him now—to-night<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>—to-day!"</p> + +<p>The slender figure rose.</p> + +<p>"I'll see him if I please—when I please and where I please and I'll not +consult you about it, Dick Welford—Good day!"</p> + +<p>Trembling with anger the big, awkward boy turned and stumbled out of the +house.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>GOD'S WILL</h3> + + +<p>Dick Welford had played directly into the hands of his enemy. When +Socola called at the Barton home to pay his respects to Miss Jennie and +wish them health and happiness and success in their new and dangerous +enterprise, he found the girl in a receptive mood. The accusation of +interest had stimulated her to her first effort to entertain the +self-poised and gentlemanly foreigner.</p> + +<p>He turned to Jennie with a winning appeal in his modulated voice:</p> + +<p>"Will you do me a very great favor, Miss Barton?"</p> + +<p>"If I can—certainly," was the quick answer.</p> + +<p>"I wish to meet your distinguished father. He is a great Southern +leader. I have been commissioned by the Sardinian Ministry to cultivate +the acquaintance of the leaders of the Confederacy. I am to make a +report direct to the Court of King Emmanuel on the prospects of the +South."</p> + +<p>Jennie rose with a smile.</p> + +<p>"With pleasure. I'll call father at once."</p> + +<p>Barton was delighted at the announcement.</p> + +<p>"Invite him to spend a week with us at Fairview," Jennie suggested.</p> + +<p>"Good idea—we'll show him what Southern hospitality means!"</p> + +<p>Burton grasped Socola's outstretched hand with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Permit me," he began in his grand way, "to extend you a welcome to the +South. Your King is interested in our movement<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>. It's natural. Europe +must reckon with us from the first. Cotton is the real King. We are +going to build on this staple an industrial empire whose influence will +dominate the world. The sooner the political rulers realize this the +better."</p> + +<p>Socola bowed.</p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you, Senator Barton. His Majesty King Victor +Emmanuel has great plans for the future. He is profoundly interested in +your movement. He does not believe that the map of Italy has yet been +fixed. It will be quite easy to convince his brilliant, open mind that +the boundaries of this country may be readjusted—"</p> + +<p>"I shall be delighted to show you every courtesy within my power, sir," +Barton responded. "You must go South with us to-morrow and spend a week +at Fairview, our country estate. You must meet my grand old father and +my mother and see the curse of slavery at its worst!"</p> + +<p>Barton laughed heartily and slipped his arm persuasively about the +graceful shoulders of his guest.</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of being so honored, I assure you—"</p> + +<p>He paused and looked at Jennie with a timid sort of appeal.</p> + +<p>"Come with us—we'll be delighted to have you—"</p> + +<p>"I'll enjoy it, I'm sure," he said hesitatingly. "We will reach +Montgomery in time for the meeting of the Convention of Seceding +States?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," Barton replied. "I'm already elected a delegate from my +State. Her secession is but a question of days."</p> + +<p>Socola's white, even teeth gleamed in a happy smile.</p> + +<p>"I'll go with pleasure, Senator. You leave to-morrow?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> +<p>"The ten-twenty train for the South. You'll join our party, of course?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>With a graceful bow he hurried home to complete the final preparations +for his departure. He walked with quick, strong step. And yet as he +approached the door of the little house in the humbler quarter of the +city his gait unconsciously slowed down.</p> + +<p>He dreaded this last struggle with his mother. But it must come. He +entered the modestly furnished sitting room and looked at her calm, +sweet face with a sudden sinking. She would be absolutely alone in the +world. And yet no harm could befall her. She was the friend of every +human being who knew her. It was the agony of this parting he dreaded +and the loneliness that would torture her in his absence.</p> + +<p>He spoke with forced cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>"Well, mater, it's all settled. I leave at ten-twenty to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p>She rose and placed her hands on his shoulders. The tears blinded her.</p> + +<p>"How little I thought when I taught your boyish lips to speak the +musical tongue of Italy I was preparing this bitter hour for my soul! I +begged your father to resign his consulship at Genoa and brought you +home to teach you the great lesson—to love your country and reverence +your country's God. And since your father's death the dream of my heart +has been to see you a minister, teaching and uplifting the people into a +higher and nobler life—"</p> + +<p>"That is my aim, mater dear. I am consecrating body, mind and soul to +the task now of saving the Union, an inheritance priceless and glorious +to millions yet unborn. I'm going to break the chains that bind slaves. +I'm going to break the brutal and cruel power of the Southern Tyranny +that has been strangling the nation for forty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> years!"</p> + +<p>His eyes flashed with the fire of fanatical enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>He slipped his arm about his mother's slender waist, drew her to the +window and pointed to the unfinished dome of the white, majestic +capitol.</p> + +<p>"See, mater dear, the sun is bursting through the clouds now and +lighting with splendor the marble columns. Last night when the speeches +were done and the crowds gone I stood an hour and studied the flawless +symmetry of those magnificent wings and over it all the great solemn +dome with its myriad gleaming eyes far up in the sky—and I wondered if +God meant nothing big or significant to humanity when he breathed the +dream of that poem in marble into the souls of our people! I can't +believe it, dear. I stood and prayed while I dreamed. I saw in the +ragged scaffolding and the big ugly crane swinging from its place in the +sky the symbol of our crude beginnings—our ragged past. And then the +snow-white vision of the finished building, the most majestic monument +ever reared on earth to Freedom and her cause—and I saw the glory of a +new Democracy rising from the blood and agony of the past to be the hope +and inspiration of the world!</p> + +<p>"You hate this masquerade—this battle name I've chosen. Forget this, +dear, and see the vision your God has given to me. You've prayed that I +might be His minister. And so I am—and so I shall be when danger calls; +you dislike this repulsive mission on which I'm entering. Just now it's +the <i>one</i> and only thing a brave man can do for his country. Forget that +I'm a spy and remember that I'm fitted for a divine service. I speak two +languages beside my own. Our people don't study languages. Few men of my +culture and endowment will do this dangerous and disagreeable work. I +rise on win<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>gs at the thought of it!"</p> + +<p>The mother's spirit caught at last the divine spark from the soul of the +young enthusiast. Her eyes were wide and shining without tears when she +slipped both arms about his neck and spoke with deep tenderness.</p> + +<p>"You have fully counted the cost, my son?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"The lying, the cheating, the false pretenses, the assumed name, the +trusting hearts you must betray, the men you must kill alone, sometimes +to save your own life and serve your country's?"</p> + +<p>"It's war, mater dear. I hate its cruelty and its wrongs. I'll do my +best in these early days to make it impossible. But if it comes, I'll +play the game with my life in my hands, and if I had a hundred lives I'd +give them all to my country—my only regret is that I have but one—"</p> + +<p>"How strange the ways of God!" the mother broke in. "He planted this +love in your soul. He taught it to me and I to you and now it ends in +darkness and blood and death—"</p> + +<p>"But out of it, dear, must come the greater plan. You believe in +God—you must believe this, or else the Devil rules the universe, and +there is no God."</p> + +<p>The mother drew the young lips down and kissed them tenderly.</p> + +<p>"God's will be done, my Boy—it's the bitterness of death to me—but I +say it!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE BEST MAN WINS</h3> + + +<p>Before Socola could purchase his ticket for the South, Senator Barton +laid his heavy hand on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I just ran down, sir, to ask you to wait and go in Senator Davis' +party. He has been threatened with arrest by the cowards who are at the +present moment in charge of the Government. He can't afford to leave +town while there's a chance that so fortunate an event may be pulled +off. I have decided to stay until Lincoln's inauguration. My wife and +daughter will make you welcome at Fairview. And you'll meet my three +boys. I'm sorry I can't be with you."</p> + +<p>Socola's masked face showed no trace of disappointment. He merely asked +politely:</p> + +<p>"And the party of Senator Davis will start?"</p> + +<p>"A week from to-day, sir—and my wife and daughter will accompany +them—unless—of course—"</p> + +<p>He laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Unless the great Attorney General, Edwin M. Stanton, decides to arrest +him—if he'll only do it!"</p> + +<p>Socola nodded carelessly.</p> + +<p>"I understand, Senator. A week from to-day. The same hour—the same +train."</p> + +<p>In a moment he had disappeared in the crowd and hurried to the office of +the Secretary of War.</p> + +<p>Holt received his announcement with a smile about the corners of his +strong, crooked mouth.</p> + +<p>"That's lucky. I'd rather you were with Davis ten to one. Amuse yourself +for the week by getting all the information possible of their junta +here—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> +<p>"Barton will stay until the inauguration—"</p> + +<p>"Of course—a spy in the camp of the enemy. He could be arrested, but +it's not wise under the circumstances—"</p> + +<p>"You will not arrest Senator Davis?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense. Stanton's a fool. Nothing would please them better. I've +convinced him of that. A wrangle in the courts now over such an issue +would postpone its settlement indefinitely. The Supreme Court of the +United States has sustained the South on every issue that has been +raised. The North is leading a revolution. The South is entrenched +behind the law. They can't be ousted by law. It can only be done by the +bayonet—"</p> + +<p>Holt paused and looked thoughtfully across the Potomac.</p> + +<p>"Report to me daily—"</p> + +<p>Socola silently saluted and left the office with his first feeling of +suspicion and repulsion for his Chief. He didn't like the blunt, brutal +way this Southern Democrat talked. He couldn't believe in his honesty. +Beneath those bushy eyebrows burned a wolf's hunger for office and +power. On the surface he was loyal to the Union. He wondered if he were +not in reality playing a desperate waiting game, ready at the moment of +the crisis to throw his information to either side? The air of +Washington reeked with suspicion and double dealing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my Country," he murmured bitterly, "if ever true men were needed!"</p> + +<p>He strolled through the street on which Senator Davis and Barton lived +directly opposite each other. He would call on Jennie and express his +regret that their party had been postponed. At the door he changed his +mind. Too much attention at this stage of the game would not be wise. He +passed on, glancing at the distinguished-looking group of men who were +emerging from the Davis do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>or.</p> + +<p>He wondered what was going on in that home? It seemed impossible that +Davis should be the leader of a Southern rebellion. Clay or Toombs, +yes—but this man with his blood-marked history of devotion to the +Union—this man with his proud record of constructive statesmanship as +Senator and Secretary of War—it seemed preposterous!</p> + +<p>Could he have heard the counsel Davis was giving at that moment to the +excited men who made his unpretentious house their Mecca, he would have +been still more astonished. For six days and nights with but a few hours +snatched for sleep, he implored the excited leaders of Southern opinion +to avoid violence, and be patient. The one note of hopefulness in his +voice came with the mention of the new President-elect, Abraham Lincoln.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lincoln is a man of friendly, moderate opinions personally," he +persistently advised. "He may be able to surround himself with a council +of conservative men who will use their power to hold the radical wing of +his party in check until by delay we can call a convention of all the +States and in this national assembly find a solution short of bloodshed. +We must try. We must exhaust every resource before we dream of war. We +must accept war only when it is forced upon us by our enemies."</p> + +<p>By telegrams and letters to every Southern leader he knew he urged +delay, moderation, postponement of all action.</p> + +<p>The week passed and the Cabinet of Buchanan had not dared accept the +Southern leader's challenge to arrest and trial.</p> + +<p>The Davis party had found their seats in the train for the South. Socola +strolled the platform alone, waiting without sign of interest for the +hour of departure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dick Welford arrived five minutes before the train left and extended his +hand to Jennie.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Jennie!"</p> + +<p>With a bright smile she clasped his hand.</p> + +<p>"Of course, Dick—I took your silly ravings too seriously."</p> + +<p>"No—I was a fool. I'll make up for it. I'll go over now and shake hands +with the reptile if you say so—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense—you'll not do anything of the sort. He's nothing to me. He's +the guest of the South—that's all."</p> + +<p>"Honest now, Jennie—you don't care for any other fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Nor for you, either!" she laughed.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I know that—but I can keep on trying, can't I?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see how I can prevent it!"</p> + +<p>Dick grinned good-naturedly and Jennie laughed again.</p> + +<p>"You're in for a siege with me, I'll tell you right now."</p> + +<p>"It's a free fight, Dick. I'm indifferent to the results."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't <i>mind</i> if I win?"</p> + +<p>"Not in the least. At the present moment I'm a curious spectator—that's +all."</p> + +<p>"Lord, I wish I were going with you—"</p> + +<p>"I wish so, too—"</p> + +<p>"Honest, Jennie?"</p> + +<p>"Cross my heart—"</p> + +<p>Dick laughed aloud.</p> + +<p>"Say—I tell you what I'm going to do!"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> +<p>"If Virginia don't secede in ten days—I will. I'll resign my job here +with old Hunter and join the Confederacy. I don't like this new +clerkship business anyhow—expect me in ten days—"</p> + +<p>Before Jennie could answer he turned suddenly and left the car.</p> + +<p>At the end of the platform he ran squarely into Socola. He was about to +pass without recognition, stopped on an impulse, and extended his hand:</p> + +<p>"Fine day, Signor!"</p> + +<p>"Beautiful, M'sieur," was the smooth answer.</p> + +<p>Dick hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I was a little rude the other day?"</p> + +<p>"No offense, I'm sure, Mr. Welford—"</p> + +<p>"Of course, you can guess I'm in love with Miss Barton—"</p> + +<p>"I hadn't speculated on that point!" Socola laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've been speculating about you—"</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—and I'm going to be honest with you—I don't like you—we're +enemies from to-day. But I'll play the game fair and the best man +wins—"</p> + +<p>The two held each other's eye steadily for a moment and Socola's white +teeth flashed.</p> + +<p>"The best man wins, M'sieur!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE STORM CENTER</h3> + + +<p>Socola hastened, through Jennie, to cultivate the acquaintance of +Senator Davis.</p> + +<p>"You'll be delighted with Mrs. Davis, too," the girl informed him with +enthusiasm. "His second love affair you know—this time, late in life, +he married the young accomplished granddaughter of Governor Howell of +New Jersey. Their devotion is beautiful—"</p> + +<p>The train had barely pulled out of the station before Socola found +himself in a delightful conversation with the Senator. To his amazement +he discovered that the Southerner was a close student of European +statesmanship and well informed on the conditions of modern Italy.</p> + +<p>"I am delighted beyond measure, Signor," he said earnestly, "to learn of +the interest of your King in the South. I have long felt that Cavour was +one of the greatest statesmen and diplomats of the world. His +achievement in establishing the Kingdom of Sardinia in the face of the +bitter rivalries and ambitions of Europe, to say nothing of the power of +Rome, was in itself enough to mark him as the foremost man of his age."</p> + +<p>"The King has great ambitions, Senator. Very shortly his title will be +King of Italy. He dreams of uniting all Italians."</p> + +<p>"And if it is possible, the Piedmontese are the people ordained for +leadership in that sublime work—"</p> + +<p>He looked thoughtfully out of the window at the Virginia hills and +Socola determined to change the conversation. H<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>e was fairly well +informed of the affairs in the little Kingdom on whose throne young +Victor Emmanuel sat, but this man evidently knew the philosophy of its +history as well as the facts. A question or two with his keen eye boring +through him might lead to an unpleasant situation.</p> + +<p>"Your family are all with you, Senator?" he asked pleasantly.</p> + +<p>Instantly the clouds lifted from the pale, thoughtful face.</p> + +<p>"Yes—I've three darling babies. I wish you to meet Mrs. Davis—come, +they are in the next car."</p> + +<p>In a moment the statesman had forgotten the storm of revolution. He was +laughing and playing with his children. However stern and high his +uncompromising opinions might be on public questions, he was wax in the +hands of the two lovely boys who climbed over him and the vivacious +little girl who slipped her arms about his neck. His respite from care +was brief. At the first important stop in Virginia a dense crowd had +packed the platforms. Their cries throbbed with anything but the spirit +of delay and compromise.</p> + +<p>"Davis!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Jefferson Davis!"</p> + +<p>"Speech—speech!"</p> + +<p>"Davis!"</p> + +<p>"Speech!"</p> + +<p>There was something tense and compelling in the tones of these cries. +They rang as bugle calls to battle. In their hum and murmur there was +more than curiosity—more than the tribute of a people to their leader. +There was in the very sound the electric rush of the first crash of the +approaching storm. The man inside who had led soldiers to death on +battle fields felt it instantly and the smile died on his thin lips. The +roar outside his car window was not the cry of a mob echoing the +sentiments o<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>f a leader. It was the shrill imperial cry of a rising +people creating their leaders.</p> + +<p>From the moment he bowed his head and lifted his hand over the crowd +that greeted him, hopeless sorrow filled his soul.</p> + +<p>War was inevitable.</p> + +<p>These people did not realize it. But he saw it now in all its tragic +import. He had intended to counsel patience, moderation and delay. +Before the hot breath of the storm he felt already in his face such +advice was a waste of words. He would tell them the simple truth. He +could do most good in that way. These fiery, impulsive Southern people +were tired of argument, tired of compromise, tired of delay. They were +reared in the faith that their States were sovereign. And these +Virginians had good reason for their faith. The bankers of Europe had +but yesterday refused to buy the bonds of the United States Government +unless countersigned by the State of Virginia!</p> + +<p>These people not only believed in the sovereignty of their States and +their right to withdraw from the Union when they saw fit, but they could +not conceive the madness of the remaining States attempting to use force +to hold them. They knew, too, that millions of Northern voters were as +clear on that point as the people of the South.</p> + +<p>Their spokesman, Horace Greeley, in <i>The Tribune</i> had said again and +again:</p> + +<p>"If the Southern States are mad enough to withdraw from the Union, they +must go. We cannot prevent it. Let our erring sisters go in peace."</p> + +<p>The people before him believed that Horace Greeley's paper represented +the North in this utterance. Davis knew that it was not true.</p> + +<p>In a flash of clear soul vision he saw the inevitable horror of the +coming struggle and determined to tell the people so.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> + +<p>The message he delivered was a distinct shock. He not only told them in +tones of deep and tender emotion that war was inevitable, but that it +would be long and bloody.</p> + +<p>"We'll lick 'em in two months!" a voice yelled in protest and the crowd +cheered.</p> + +<p>The leader shook his fine head.</p> + +<p>"Don't deceive yourselves, my friends. War once begun, no man can +predict its end—"</p> + +<p>"It won't begin!" another cried.</p> + +<p>"You have convinced me to-day that it is now inevitable."</p> + +<p>"The Yankees won't fight!" shouted a big fellow in front.</p> + +<p>The speaker bent his gaze on the stalwart figure in remonstrance.</p> + +<p>"You never made a worse mistake in your life, my friend. I warn you—I +know these Yankees. Once in it they'll fight with grim, dogged, sullen, +unyielding courage. We're men of the same blood. They live North, you +South—that's all the difference."</p> + +<p>At every station the same scene was enacted. The crowd rushed around his +car with the sudden sweep of a whirlwind, and left for their homes with +grave, thoughtful faces.</p> + +<p>By three o'clock in the afternoon he was thoroughly exhausted by the +strain. The eager crowds had sapped his last ounce of vitality.</p> + +<p>The conductor of the train looked at him with pity and whispered:</p> + +<p>"I'll save you at the next station."</p> + +<p>The leader smiled his gratitude for the sympathy but wondered how it +could be done.</p> + +<p>At the next stop, the Senator had just taken his position on the rear +platform, lifted his hand for silence and said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Friends and fellow citizens—"</p> + +<p>The engine suddenly blew off steam with hiss and roar and when it ceased +the train pulled out with a jerk amid the shouts and protests of the +crowd. The grateful speaker waved his hand in regretful but happy +farewell.</p> + +<p>The conductor repeated the trick for three stations until the exhausted +speaker had recovered his strength and then allowed him a few brief +remarks at each stop.</p> + +<p>From the moment the train entered the State of Mississippi, grim, +earnest men in groups of two, three, four and a dozen stepped on board, +saluted their Chief and took their seats.</p> + +<p>When the engine pulled into the station at Jackson a full brigade of +volunteer soldiers had taken their places in the ranks.</p> + +<p>The Governor and state officials met their leader and grasped his hand.</p> + +<p>"You have been commissioned, Senator," the Governor began eagerly, "as +Major-General in command of the forces of the State of Mississippi. Four +Brigadier-Generals have been appointed and await your assignment for +duty."</p> + +<p>The tall figure of the hero of Buena Vista suddenly stiffened.</p> + +<p>"I thank you. Governor, for the high honor conferred on me. No service +could be more congenial to my feelings at this moment."</p> + +<p>The Governor waved his hand at the crowd of silent waiting men. "Your +men are ready—the first question is the purchase of arms. I think a +stand of 75,000 will be sufficient for all contingencies?"</p> + +<p>The Senator spoke with emphasis:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> +<p>"The limit of your purchases should be our power to pay—"</p> + +<p>"You can't mean it!" the Governor exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I repeat it—the limit of your purchase of arms should be the power to +pay. I say this to every State in the South. We shall need all we can +get and many more I fear."</p> + +<p>The Governor laughed.</p> + +<p>"General, you overrate our risks!"</p> + +<p>"On the other hand," Davis continued earnestly, "we are sure to +underestimate them at every turn."</p> + +<p>He paused, overcome with emotion.</p> + +<p>"A great war is impending, Governor, whose end no man can foresee. We +are not prepared for it. We have no arms, we have no ammunition and we +have no establishments to manufacture them. The South has never realized +and does not now believe that the North will fight her on the issue of +secession. They do not understand the silent growth of the power of +centralization which has changed the opinions of the North under the +teaching of Abolition fanatics—"</p> + +<p>Again he paused, overcome.</p> + +<p>"God help us!" he continued. "War is a terrible calamity even when waged +against aliens and strangers—our people are mad. They know not what +they do!"</p> + +<p>The new Commander hurried to Briarfield, his plantation home, to +complete his preparations for a long absence.</p> + +<p>Socola on a sudden impulse asked the honor of accompanying him. It was +granted without question and with cordial hospitality.</p> + +<p>It was an opportunity not to be lost. An intimate view of this man in +his home might be of the utmost importance. He promised Jennie to hasten +to Fairview when he had spent two days at Briarfield. Mrs. Barton was +glad of the opportunity to set her house in order for her char<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>ming and +interesting guest.</p> + +<p>The Davis plantation was a distinct shock to his fixed New England ideas +of the hellish institution of Slavery.</p> + +<p>The devotion of these simple black men and women to their master was not +only genuine, it was pathetic. He had never before conceived the abject +depths to which a human being might sink in contentment with chains.</p> + +<p>And he had come to break chains! These poor ignorant blacks kissed the +hand that bound them and called him their best friend.</p> + +<p>The man they called master actually moved among them, a minister of love +and mercy. He advised the negroes about the care of their families in +his long absence. He talked as a Hebrew Patriarch to his children. He +urged the younger men and women to look after the old and helpless.</p> + +<p>He was particularly solicitous about Bob, the oldest man on the place. +Over and over again he enumerated the comforts he thought he might need +and made provision to supply them. He sent him enough cochineal flannel +for his rheumatism to wrap him four-ply deep. For Rhinah, his wife, he +ordered enough flannel blankets for two families.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything else you can think of, Uncle Bob?" he asked kindly.</p> + +<p>The old man scratched his gray head and hesitated, looked into his +master's face, smiled and said:</p> + +<p>"I <i>would</i> like one er dem rockin' cheers outen de big house, Marse +Jeff.—yassah!"</p> + +<p>"Of course, you shall have it. Come right up, you and Rhinah, and pick +out the two you like best."</p> + +<p>With suppressed laughter Socola watched the old negroes try each chair +in the hallway and finally select the two best rockers in the house.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> +<p>The Southern leader was obviously careworn and unhappy. Socola found his +heart unconsciously going out to him in sympathy.</p> + +<p>Assuming carefully his attitude of foreign detached interest, the young +man sought to draw him out.</p> + +<p>"You have given up all hope of adjustment and reunion with the North?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," was the thoughtful reply, "not until the first blood is spilled."</p> + +<p>"Your people must see, Senator, that secession will imperil the +existence of their three thousand millions of dollars invested in +slaves?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly they see it," was the quick answer. "Slavery can never +survive the first shot of war, no matter which side wins. If the North +wins, we must free them, or else maintain a standing army on our borders +for all time. It would be unthinkable. Rivers are bad boundaries. We +could have no others. Fools have said and will continue to say that we +are fighting to establish a slave empire. Nothing could be further from +the truth. We are seeking to find that peace and tranquillity outside +the Union we have not been able to enjoy for the past forty years +inside. If the Southern States enact a Constitution of their own, they +will merely reaffirm the Constitution of their fathers with no essential +change. The North is leading a revolution, not the South.</p> + +<p>"Not one man in twenty down here owns a slave. The South would never +fight to maintain Slavery. We know that it is doomed. We simply demand +as the sons of the men who created this Republic, equal rights under its +laws. If we fight, it will be for our independence as freemen that we +may maintain those rights."</p> + +<p>"I must confess, sir," Socola replied with carefully modulated voice, +"that I fail to see as a student from without, why, if Slavery is doomed +and your leaders realize that fact, a compromise without bloodshed +would not be pos<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>sible?"</p> + +<p>"If Slavery were the only issue, it would be possible—although as a +proud and sensitive people we propose to be the judge of the time when +we see fit to emancipate our slaves. Abolition fanatics, whose fathers +sold their slaves to us, can't dictate to the South on such a <i>moral</i> +issue."</p> + +<p>"I see—your pride is involved."</p> + +<p>"Not merely pride—our self-respect. In 1831 before the Northern +Abolitionists began their crusade of violence there were one hundred +four abolition societies in America—ninety-eight of them in the South +and only six in the entire North. But the South grew rich. At the bottom +of our whole trouble lies the issue of sectional power. New England +threatened to secede from the Union when we added the Territory of +Louisiana to our domain, out of which we have carved seven great States. +Slavery at that time was not an issue. Sectional rivalry and sectional +hatred antedates even our fight against England for our freedom. +Washington was compelled to warn his soldiers when they entered New +England to avoid the appearance of offense. The Governor of +Massachusetts refused to call on George Washington, the first President +of the Union, when he visited Boston.</p> + +<p>"And mark you, back of the sectional issue looms a vastly bigger +one—whether the Union is a Republic of republics or a Centralized +Empire. The millions of foreigners who have poured into the North from +Europe during the past thirty years, until their white population +outnumbers ours four to one, know nothing and care nothing about the +Constitution of our fathers. They know nothing and care nothing for the +principles on which the Federal Union was founded. They came from +empires. They think as their fathers thought in Europe. And they are +driving the sons of the old Revoluti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>on in the North into the acceptance +of the ideas of centralized power. If this tendency continues the +President of the United States will become the most autocratic ruler of +the world. The South stands for the sovereignty of the States as the +only bulwark against the growth of this irresponsible centralized +despotism. The Democratic party of the North, thank God, yet stands with +us on that issue. Our only possible hope of success in case of war lies +in this fact—"</p> + +<p>Socola suddenly started.</p> + +<p>"Quite so—I see—The North may be divided, the South will be a unit."</p> + +<p>"Exactly; they'll fight as one man if they must."</p> + +<p>The longer Socola talked with this pale, earnest, self-poised man, the +deeper grew the conviction of his utter sincerity, his singleness of +purpose, his pure and lofty patriotism. His conception of the man and +his aims had completely changed and with this change of estimate came +the deeper conviction of the vastness of the tragedy toward which the +Nation was being hurled by some hidden, resistless power. He had come +into the South with a sense of moral superiority and the consciousness +not only of the righteousness of his cause but the certainty that God +would swiftly confound the enemies of the Union. He had waked with a +shock to the certainty that they were entering the arena of the +mightiest conflict of the century.</p> + +<p>He girded his soul anew for the rôle he had chosen to play. The +character of this Southern leader held for him an endless fascination. +It was part of his mission to study him and he lost no opportunity. The +greatest surprise he received during his stay was the day of the +election of President at Montgomery. He had expected to be present at +this meeting of the Southern Convention but, hearing that it would be +held behind closed doors,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> had decided on his visit to Briarfield.</p> + +<p>A messenger dashed up to the gate, sprang from his horse, hurried into +the garden, thrust a telegram into the Senator's hand.</p> + +<p>He opened it without haste, and read it slowly. His face went white and +he crushed the piece of paper with a sudden gesture of despair. For a +moment he forgot his guest, his head was raised as if in prayer and from +the depths came the agonizing cry of a soul in mortal anguish:</p> + +<p>"Lord, God, if it be possible let this cup pass from me!"</p> + +<p>A moment of dazed silence and he turned to Socola. He spoke as a judge +pronouncing his own sentence of death. His voice trembled with despair +and his lips twitched with pitiful suffering.</p> + +<p>"I have been elected President of the Southern Confederacy!"</p> + +<p>He handed the telegram to Socola, who scanned it with thrilling +interest. He had half expected this announcement from the first. What he +could not dream was the remarkable way in which the Southern leader +would receive it.</p> + +<p>"You are a foreigner, Signor. I may be permitted to speak freely to you. +You are a man of culture and sympathy and you can understand me. As God +is my judge, I have neither desired nor expected this position. I took +particular pains to forestall and make it impossible. But it has come. I +am not a politician. I have never stooped to their tricks. I cannot lie +and smile and bend to low chicanery. I hate a fool and I cannot hedge +and trim and be all things to all men. I have never been a demagogue. +I'm too old to begin. Other men are better suited to this position than +I—" He paused, overcome. Socola studied him with surprise.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> +<p>"Permit me to say, sir," he ventured disinterestedly, "that such a +spirit is evidence that your people have risen to the occasion and that +their choice may be an inspiration."</p> + +<p>The leader's eye suddenly pierced his guest's.</p> + +<p>"God knows what is best. It may be His hand. It may be that I must bow +to His will—"</p> + +<p>Again he paused and looked wistfully at Socola's youthful face.</p> + +<p>"You are young, Signor—you do not know what it is to yield the last +ambition of life! I have given all to my country for the past years. I +have sacrificed health and wealth and every desire of my soul—peace and +contentment here with those I love! When I saw this mighty struggle +coming, I feared a tragic end for my people. I fear it now. The man who +leads her armies will win immortality no matter what the fate of her +cause—I've dreamed of this, Signor—but they've nailed me to the +cross!"</p> + +<p>He called his negroes together and made them an affectionate speech. +They responded with deep expressions of their devotion and their faith. +With the greatest sorrow of life darkening his soul he left next day for +his inauguration at Montgomery.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE OLD RÉGIME</h3> + + +<p>Socola left Briarfield with the assurance of the President-elect of the +Confederacy that he might spend a week with the Bartons and yet be in +ample time for the inauguration at Montgomery.</p> + +<p>He boarded the steamer at the Davis landing and floated lazily down to +Baton Rouge.</p> + +<p>From Briarfield he carried an overwhelming impression of the folly of +Slavery from its economic point of view. The thing which amazed his +orderly New England mind was the confusion, the waste, the sentimental +extravagance, the sheer idiocy of the slave system of labor as +contrasted with the free labor of the North.</p> + +<p>The one symbol before his vivid imagination was the sight of old Uncle +Bob and Aunt Rhinah seated in their rocking chairs gravely listening to +the patriarchal farewell of their master. The ancient seers dreamed of +Nirvana. These two wonderful old Africans had surely found it in the new +world. No wave of trouble could ever roll across their peaceful breasts +so long as their lord and master lived. He was their king, their +protector, their physician, their almoner, their friend. The burden of +life was on his shoulders, not on theirs. Their working days were over. +He must feed and clothe, house and care for their worthless bodies unto +the end. And the number of these helpless ones were constantly +increased.</p> + +<p>He marveled at the folly that imagined such a system of labor possible +in a real world where the iron laws of economic surv<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>ival were allowed +free play. He ceased to wonder why it still flourished in the South. The +South was yet an unsettled jungle of bewildering tropical beauty. One +might travel for miles and hundreds of miles without the sight of a +single important town. Vast reaches of untouched forests stretched away +in all directions. Apparently the foot of man had never pressed them. +Rich plantations of thousands of acres were only scratched in spots to +yield their marvelous harvests of cotton and cane, of rice and corn.</p> + +<p>The idea of defending such a territory, extending over thousands of +miles, from the invading hosts of the rich and densely populated North +was preposterous. His heart leaped with the certainty of swift and sure +triumph for the Union should the question be submitted to the test of +the sword.</p> + +<p>As the boat touched her landing at Baton Rouge, Jennie waved her welcome +from the shore. The graceful figure of her younger brother stood +straight and trim by her side in his new volunteer uniform. Whatever the +political leaders might think or do, these Southern people meant to +fight. There was no mistaking that fact. With every letter to his Chief +in Washington he had made this plain. The deeper he had penetrated the +lower South the more overwhelming this conviction had become.</p> + +<p>For the moment he put the thought of his tragic mission out of his +heart. There was something wonderful in the breath of this early +Southern spring. The first week in February and flowers were blooming on +every lawn of every embowered cottage and every stately house! The song +of birds, the hum of bees, the sweet languor of the perfumed air found +his inmost soul. The snows lay cold and still and deathlike over the +Northern world.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> +<p>This was fairyland.</p> + +<p>And the Bartons' home on the banks of the river was the last touch that +completed the capture of his imagination. Through a vista of overhanging +boughs he caught the flash of its white fluted pillars in the distance. +The broad verandas were arched with climbing roses. In the center of the +sunlit space in front a fountain played, the splash of its cooling +waters keeping time to the song of mocking birds in shrubs and trees. In +the spacious grounds which swept to the water's edge more than a +thousand magnificent trees spread their cooling shade. The white rays of +the Southern sun shot through them like silver threads and glowed here +and there in the changing, shimmering splotches on the ground.</p> + +<p>And everywhere the grinning faces of slowly moving negroes. The very +rhythm of their lazy walk seemed a part of the landscape.</p> + +<p>This fairy world belonged to his country. His heart went out in renewed +devotion. Not one shining Southern star should ever be torn from her +diadem! He swore it.</p> + +<p>For three days he bathed in the beauty and joy of a Southern home. He +saw but little of Jennie. The boys absorbed him. They were eager for +news. They plied him with a thousand questions. Tom was going to join +the navy, Jimmie and Billy the army.</p> + +<p>"Would the United States Army stand by the old flag?" Tom asked with +painful eagerness.</p> + +<p>Socola was non-committal.</p> + +<p>"As a rule the sailor is loyal to the flag of his ship. It's the symbol +of home, of country, of all he holds dear."</p> + +<p>"That's so, too," Tom answered thoughtfully. "Well, we'll build a navy. +We built the old one. We can build a new one!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> +<p>The last night he spent at Fairview was one never to be forgotten. It +gave him another picture of the old régime. They sat on the great +pillared front porch looking out on the silvery surface of the moonlit +river. Jennie's grandfather, Colonel James Barton, a stately man of +eighty-five, who had led a regiment with Jefferson Davis in the Mexican +War, though at that time long past the age of military service, honored +them with his presence to a late hour.</p> + +<p>His eyes were failing but his voice was stentorian. Its tones had been +developed to even deeper power during the past ten years owing to the +deafness of his wife. This beautiful old woman sat softly rocking beside +the Colonel, answering in gentle monosyllables the questions he roared +into her ears.</p> + +<p>To escape the volume of the Colonel's conversation Socola asked Jennie +to walk to the river's edge.</p> + +<p>They sat down on a bench perched high on the bluff which rose abruptly +from the water at the lower end of the grounds. The scene was one of +memorable beauty.</p> + +<p>He laughed at the folly of his schemes to learn the inner secrets of the +South. These people had no secrets. They wore their hearts on their +sleeves. He had only to ask a question to receive the answer direct +without reserve.</p> + +<p>"Your three younger brothers will fight for the South, of course, Miss +Jennie?"</p> + +<p>"Of course—I only wish I were a man!"</p> + +<p>"You have an older brother in New Orleans, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"Judge Barton, yes."</p> + +<p>"He, too, will enter the army?"</p> + +<p>The girl drew a deep breath and hesitated.</p> + +<p>"He says he will not. He is bitterly opposed to my father's views."</p> + +<p>Socola's eyes sparkled.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> +<p>"He is for the Union then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"He is a man of decided views and character I take it."</p> + +<p>"Yes—as firm and unyielding in his position as my father on the other +side."</p> + +<p>"You will be very bitter towards him if war should come?"</p> + +<p>"Bitter?" A little sob caught her voice. "He is my Big Brother. I love +him. It would break my heart—that's all—but I'll love him always."</p> + +<p>Her tones were music, her loyalty to her own so sweet in its simplicity, +so utterly charming, he opened his lips to speak the first words to test +her personal attitude toward him. A flirtation would be delightful with +such a girl. And Mr. Dick Welford was a fearful temptation. He put the +thought out of his heart. She was too good and fine to be made a pawn in +such a game. Beside it was utterly unnecessary.</p> + +<p>He had gotten exactly the information about this older brother in New +Orleans he desired and sat in brooding silence.</p> + +<p>Jennie rose suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I forgot—I must go in. My maids are waiting for me, I've an affair +to settle between them before they go to bed."</p> + +<p>Socola accompanied her to the door and turned again on the lawn to enjoy +the white glory of the Southern moon. The lights were still twinkling in +the long rows of negro cabins that lined the way to the overseer's +house. Through the shadows of the trees he could see the dark figures in +the doorways of their cabins silhouetted against the lighted candles in +the background.</p> + +<p>He strolled leisurely into the lower hall. The door of the library was +open. He paused at the scene within. A group of four little negro girls +surrounded Jennie. She was r<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>eading the Bible to them.</p> + +<p>"Can't you say your prayers together to-night?" the young mistress +asked.</p> + +<p>The kinky heads shook emphatically.</p> + +<p>Lucy couldn't say hers with Amy:</p> + +<p>"'Cause she ain't got no brother and sister to pray for."</p> + +<p>Maggie couldn't say hers with Mandy:</p> + +<p>"'Cause she ain't got no mother and father."</p> + +<p>So each repeated her prayer alone and stood before their little mistress +who sat in judgment on their day's deeds.</p> + +<p>Lucy had jabbed a carving knife into Amy's arm in a fit of temper. Her +prayer had made no mention of this important fact. The judge gave a +tender lecture on the need of repentance. The little sullen black figure +hung back stubbornly for a moment and walled her eyes at her enemy. A +sudden burst of tears and they were in each other's arms, crying and +begging forgiveness. And then they filed out, one by one.</p> + +<p>"Good night, Miss Jennie!"</p> + +<p>"Good night!"</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Miss Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"I'll never be bad no mo'!"</p> + +<p>He had come to break the chains that cut through human flesh and he had +found this—great God!</p> + +<p>For hours he lay awake, dreaming with wide staring eyes of the long +blood-stained history of human Slavery and its sharp contrast with the +strange travesty of such an institution which the South was giving to +the world.</p> + +<p>He had barely lost consciousness when he leaped to the floor, roused by +loud voices, tramping feet and the flash of weird lights on the lawn. +Growls and long calls echoed from point to point on the spacious +grounds, hulloes and echoing answers and the tramp of many feet.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> +<p>Some horrible thing had happened—sudden death, murder or war had broken +out. A voice was screaming from the balcony aloft that sounded like the +trumpet of the arch-angel calling the end of time.</p> + +<p>He listened.</p> + +<p>It was old Colonel Barton yelling at the sleepy negroes. In heaven's +high name what could they be doing?</p> + +<p>Socola dressed hastily and rushed down-stairs. Jennie and the boys +appeared almost at the same moment.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" Socola asked excitedly. "War has been declared? The slaves +have risen?"</p> + +<p>Jennie laughed.</p> + +<p>"No—no! Grandmamma smells a smell. She thinks something is burning +somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Oh—"</p> + +<p>The whole place, house, yard, grounds, outhouses, swarmed with bellowing +negroes. Those that were not bellowing were muttering in sleepy, +quarrelsome protest.</p> + +<p>And they all carried candles to look for a fire in the dark!</p> + +<p>There were at least seventy—two-thirds of them too old or too young to +be of any service, but they belonged to the house.</p> + +<p>The old Colonel's voice could be heard a mile. In his nightgown he was +roaring from the balcony, giving his orders for the busy crowd hunting +for fire with their candles flickering in the shadows.</p> + +<p>Old Mrs. Barton, serenely deaf, was of course oblivious of the sensation +she had created. The loss of her hearing had rendered doubly acute her +sense of smell. Candles had to be taken out of her room to be snuffed. +Lamps were extinguished only on the portico or on the lawn. Violets she +couldn't endure. A tea rose was never allowed in her room. Only one kind +of sweet rose would she tolerate at close range.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> +<p>In the mildest voice she was suggesting places to be searched.</p> + +<p>Far out at the negro quarters the candle brigade at length gathered—the +flickering lights closing in to a single point one by one.</p> + +<p>The smell was found.</p> + +<p>A family had been boiling soap—a slave-ridden plantation was a +miniature world which must be practically self-supporting. There could +be no economy of labor by its scientific division. Around the soap pot +the negro woman had swept some woolen rags. They were smoldering there +and the faint odor had been wafted to the great house.</p> + +<p>Socola couldn't sleep. All night long he could hear that wild +commotion—the old Colonel's voice roaring from the balcony and seventy +sleepy, good-for-nothing negroes with lighted candles looking for a fire +in the dark. When at last he was tired of laughing at the ridiculous +picture, his foolish fancy took another turn and fixed itself again on +old Bob and Aunt Rhinah in their rocking chairs, swathed in cochineal +flannel.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE GAUGE OF BATTLE</h3> + + +<p>Socola found the little town of Montgomery, Alabama, breathing under a +suppression of emotion that was little short of uncanny on the day +Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President.</p> + +<p>The streets were crowded to suffocation and tents were necessary to +accommodate the people who could not be housed.</p> + +<p>He was surprised at the strange quiet which the spirit of the new +President had communicated to the people. There was no loud talk, no +braggadocio, no threats, no clamor for war. On the contrary there had +suddenly developed an overwhelming desire for a peaceful solution of the +crisis.</p> + +<p>The Convention which had unanimously elected Jefferson Davis, President, +and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President, had relegated the hot heads +and fire eaters to the rear.</p> + +<p>Three great agitators had really created the new nation, William L. +Yancey of Alabama, Robert Toombs of Georgia and Barnwell Rhett of South +Carolina. And they were consumed with ambition for the Presidency.</p> + +<p>Toombs was the most commanding figure among the uncompromising advocates +of secession in the South—an orator of consummate power, a man of wide +learning and magnetic personality. William L. Yancey was as powerful an +agitator as ever stirred the souls of an American audience since the +foundation of our Republic. Barnwell Rhett of the Charleston <i>Mercury</i> +was the most influential editor the country had ever produced.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> +<p>Yet the suddenness with which these fiery leaders were dropped in the +hour of crisis was so amazing to the men themselves they had not yet +recovered sufficient breath to begin complaints.</p> + +<p>Toombs destroyed what chance he ever had by getting drunk at a banquet +the night before the Convention met. William L. Yancey's turbulent +history ruled him out of consideration. He had killed his father-in-law +in a street brawl. Rhett's extreme views had been the bugle call to +battle but something more than sound was needed now.</p> + +<p>Toombs was dropped even for Vice-President for Alexander H. Stephens, +the man who had pleaded in tears with his State not to secede.</p> + +<p>The highest honor had been forced on the one man in all the South who +most passionately wished to avoid it.</p> + +<p>So acute was the consciousness of tragedy there was scarcely a ripple of +applause at public functions where Socola had looked for mad enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>The old Constitution had been reënacted with no essential change. The +new President had even insisted that the Provisional Congress retain the +old flag as their emblem of nationality with only a new battle flag for +use in case of war. The Congress over-ruled him at this point with an +emphasis which they meant as a rebuke to his tendency to cling to the +hope of reconciliation.</p> + +<p>It was exactly one o'clock on Monday, February 18, 1861, that Jefferson +Davis rose between the towering pillars of the State Capitol in +Montgomery and began his inaugural address. It was careful, moderate, +statesmanlike, and a model of classic English. The closing sentence +swept the crowd.</p> + +<p>"It is joyous in the midst of perilous times to look thus upon a people +united in heart, whose one purpose of high resolve a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>nimates and actuates +the whole; where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the +balance against honor, and right, and liberty and equality."</p> + +<p>The cheer that greeted his appeal rose and fell again and again the +third time with redoubled power and enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>The President-elect stepped forward, placed his hand on the open Bible, +and took the oath of office. As the last word fell from his white lips +cannon thundered a salute from the hill crest and the great silk ensign +of the South was slowly lifted by the hand of the granddaughter of +President Tyler.</p> + +<p>As the breeze unrolled its huge red, white and blue folds against the +shining Southern skies the crowd burst into hysterical applause.</p> + +<p>A Nation had been born whose history might be brief, but the people who +created it and the leader who guided its destiny were the pledge of its +immortality.</p> + +<p>Socola found no difficulty in possessing himself of every secret of the +new Government. What was not proclaimed from the street corners and +shouted from the housetops, the newspapers printed in double leads. The +new Government had yet to organize its secret service.</p> + +<p>The President addressed himself with energy to the task which confronted +him. But seven States had yet enrolled in the Confederacy. Of four more +he felt sure. The first attempt to coerce a Southern State by force of +arms would close the ranks with Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and +Arkansas by his side. Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri were peopled by +the South and the institution of Slavery bound them in a common cause.</p> + +<p>And yet the defense of these eleven Southern States with their five +million white population and four million blacks was a task to stagger +the imagination of the greatest s<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>tatesman of any age. This vast +territory would present an open front on land of more than a thousand +miles without a single natural barrier. Its sea coast presented three +thousand miles of water front—open to the attack of the navy. This +enormous coast of undefended shore was pierced by river after river +whose broad, deep waters would carry the gunboats of an enemy into the +heart of the South.</p> + +<p>The audacity of our fathers in challenging the power of Great Britain +was reasonable in comparison with the madness of the South's challenge +to the North. Three thousand miles of storm-tossed ocean defended our +Revolutionary ancestors from the base of the enemy's supplies. Three +thousand miles of undefended coast invited the attack of the U. S. Navy, +while twenty million Northerners stood with their feet on the borders of +the South ready to advance without the possibility of hindrance save the +bare breasts of the men who might oppose them.</p> + +<p>The difference between the sections in material resources was absurd. +The North was rich and powerful. Her engines of war were exhaustless and +under perfect control. The railroads of the South were few and poorly +equipped, with no work shops from which to renew their equipment when +exhausted. The railroad system of the entire country was absolutely +dependent on the North for supplies. The Missouri River was connected +with the Northern seaboard by the finest system of railways in the +world, with a total mileage of over thirty thousand. Its annual tonnage +was thirty-six million and its revenue valued at four thousand millions +of dollars. The annual value of the manufactures of the North was over +two thousand millions, and their machinery was complete for the +production of all the material of war. Her ships sailed every sea and +she could draw upon the resources of the known world. Her manufacturing +pow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>er compared to the South was five hundred to one.</p> + +<p>No leader in the history of his race was ever confronted by such +insuperable difficulties as faced Jefferson Davis.</p> + +<p>He had been called to direct the government of a proud, sensitive, +jealous people thrown without preparation into a position which +threatened their existence, without an army, without arms, or the means +to manufacture them, without even powder, or the means to make it, or +the material out of which it must be made, without a navy or a single +ship-yard in which to build one, and three thousand miles of coast to be +defended against a navy which had whipped the greatest maritime nation +of the world. His genius must meet every difficulty and supply every +want or his Confederacy would fall at the first shock of war.</p> + +<p>The one tremendous and apparently insuperable difficulty in case of war +was the lack of a navy. A navy could not be built in a day, or a year or +two years, were the resources of the Confederacy boundless. The ships of +war now in the possession of the United States were of incalculable +power in such a crisis. The South was cut in every quarter by navigable +rivers. Many of their waters opened on Northern interiors accessible to +great workshops from which new gunboats could be built with rapidity and +launched against the South. The Mississippi River, navigable for a +thousand miles, flowed through the entire breadth of the Confederacy +with its approaches and its mouth in the hands of the North. Both the +Tennessee and the Cumberland rivers had their mouths open to Northern +frontiers and were navigable in midwinter for transports and gunboats +which could pierce the heart of Tennessee and Alabama.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> +<p>It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that the first purpose of the +President of the Confederacy was to secure peace by all means consistent +with public honor and the trust imposed on him by the people.</p> + +<p>His first official act was the dispatch of Confederate Commissioners to +Washington to treat for peace.</p> + +<p>The hope that they would be received with courtesy and consideration was +a reasonable one. The greatest newspapers of the North were outspoken in +their opposition to the use of arms against any State of the Union.</p> + +<p>The New York <i>Tribune</i>, the creator of Lincoln's party, led in this +opposition to the use of force. The Albany <i>Argus</i> and the New York +<i>Herald</i> were equally emphatic. Governor Seymour of New York boldly +declared in a great mass meeting his unalterable opposition to coercion. +The Detroit <i>Free Press</i> suggested that a fire would be poured into the +rear of any troops raised to coerce a State. It was already known that +Mr. Lincoln would not advocate coercion in his inaugural.</p> + +<p>Stephen A. Douglas, leader of the millions of the Northern Democracy, +offered a resolution in the Senate of the United States recommending the +immediate withdrawal of the garrisons from all forts within the limits +of the States which had seceded except those at Key West and Dry +Tortugas needful for coaling stations.</p> + +<p>"I proclaim boldly," declared the Senator from Illinois, "the policy of +those with whom I act. We are for peace!"</p> + +<p>Socola reported to his Chief in Washington that nothing was more certain +than that Jefferson Davis hoped for reunion, with guarantees against +aggression by the stronger section of the Union.</p> + +<p>Buchanan had agreed to receive the Southern Commissioners, and sent a +message to Congress announcing their presence and their overtures.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> +<p>The Commissioners found Washington seething with passion and trembling +with excitement. Buchanan had collapsed in terror, fearing each hour to +hear that his home had been sacked and burned at Wheatland.</p> + +<p>But the Southern leaders' hope of peaceful settlement was based on a +surer foundation than the shattered nerves of the feeble old man in the +White House. Joseph Holt, the Secretary of War, was a Southern Democrat +born in Kentucky, and from the State of Mississippi. Holt had called on +Davis in Washington and assured him of his loyalty to the South and her +people. The President of the Confederacy knew of his consuming personal +ambitions and had assured him of his influence to secure generous +treatment.</p> + +<p>But the Secretary of War had received information from the South. He had +studied the situation carefully. He believed his chances of advancement +in the North a better risk. The new Government had ignored him in the +selection of a Cabinet—and with quick decision he cast his fortunes +with the Union. That he had deceived Davis and Clay, to whom he had +given his pledge of Southern loyalty, was a matter of no importance, +save that these two men, who alone knew his treachery, were marked for +his vengeance.</p> + +<p>Little could they dream in this hour the strange end toward which Fate +was even now hurrying them through the machinations of this sullen, +envious Southern renegade.</p> + +<p>The Secretary of War placed his big fist on the throat of the trembling +President, and the Peace Commissioners could not reach the White House +or its councils.</p> + +<p>They were forced to await the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis gave himself body and soul to the task of preparing his +over-sanguine, credulous people for the possible <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>tragedy of war.</p> + +<p>General Beauregard was ordered to command the forces in South Carolina, +and erect batteries for the defense of Charleston and the reduction of +Fort Sumter in case of an attempt to reënforce it. This grim fort, in +the center of the harbor of the chief Southern Atlantic city, commanded +the gateway of the Confederacy. If it should be reënforced, the +Confederate Government might be strangled by the fall of Charleston, and +the landing of an army even before a blow could be struck.</p> + +<p>Captain Raphael Semmes was sent North to buy every gun in the market. He +was directed to secure machinery, and skilled workingmen to man it, for +the establishment of arsenals and shops, and above all to buy any vessel +afloat suitable for offensive or defensive work. Not a single ship of +any description could be had, and the intervention of the authorities +finally prevented the delivery of a single piece of machinery or the +arms he had purchased.</p> + +<p>Major Huse was sent to Europe on the third day after the inauguration at +Montgomery on a similar mission.</p> + +<p>General G. W. Rains was appointed to establish a manufactory for +ammunition. His work was an achievement of genius. He created artificial +niter beds, from which sufficient saltpeter was obtained, and within a +year was furnishing the finest powder.</p> + +<p>General Gorgas was appointed Chief of Ordnance. There was but one iron +mill in the South which could cast a cannon, and that was the little +Tredegar works at Richmond, Virginia. The State of Virginia had voted +against secession and it would require the first act of war against her +Southern sisters to bring her to their defense.</p> + +<p>The widespread belief in the North that the South had secretly prepared +for war, was utterly false, and yet the impressio<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>n was of the utmost +importance to the President of the Confederacy. It gave his weak +government a fictitious strength, and gave him a brief time in which to +prepare his raw recruits for their first battle.</p> + +<p>Day and night he prayed for peace at any sacrifice save that of honor. +The first bloodshed would be the match in the powder magazine. He +pressed his Commissioners in Washington for haste.</p> + +<p>The inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln had been so carefully worded, +its utterances so conservative and guarded, his expressions of good will +toward the South so surprisingly emphatic, that Davis could not believe +an act of aggression which would bring bloodshed could be committed by +his order.</p> + +<p>And yet day dragged after day with no opportunity afforded his +Commissioners to treat with the new Administration save through the +undignified course of an intermediary. The Southern President ordered +that all questions of form or ceremony be waived.</p> + +<p>Seward, the Secretary of State, gave to these Commissioners repeated +assurances of the peaceful intention of the Government at Washington, +and the most positive promise that Fort Sumter would be evacuated. He +also declared that no measure would be instituted either by the +Executive or Congress changing the situation except on due notice given +the Commissioners.</p> + +<p>These assurances were accepted by the Confederate President in absolute +good faith. And yet early in April the news was flashed to Montgomery +that extraordinary preparations were being made in the Northern ports +for a military and naval expedition against the South. On April the +fifth, sixth and seventh, a fleet of transports and warships with +shotted guns, munitions and military supplies sailed for Charleston.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> +<p>The Commissioners in alarm requested an answer to their proposals. To +their amazement they were informed that the President of the United +States had already determined to hold no communication with them +whatever in any capacity or listen to any proposals they had to make.</p> + +<p>On Beauregard's report to them that Anderson was endeavoring to +strengthen his position instead of evacuating the Fort the Commissioners +again communicated with Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p>The wily Secretary of State assured them that the Government had not +receded from his promise. On April seventh Mr. Seward sent them this +message:</p> + +<p>"Faith as to Sumter fully kept: wait and see."</p> + +<p>His war fleet was already on the high seas, their black prows pointed +southward, their one hundred and twenty guns shotted, their battle flags +streaming in the sky!</p> + +<p>Lincoln's sense of personal honor was too keen to permit this crooked +piece of diplomacy to stain the opening of his administration. He +dispatched a special messenger to the Governor of South Carolina and +gave notice of his purpose to use force if opposed in his intention of +supplying Fort Sumter.</p> + +<p>On the eve of the day the fleet was scheduled to arrive this notice was +delivered. But a storm at sea had delayed the expedition and Beauregard +asked the President of the Confederacy for instructions.</p> + +<p>His Cabinet was called, and its opinion was unanimous that Fort Sumter +must be reduced or the Confederacy dissolved. There was no choice.</p> + +<p>Their President rose, his drawn face deadly pale:</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, gentlemen. The order of the sailing of the fleet was +a declaration of war. The responsibility is on their shoulders, not +ours. To juggle for position as to who shall fire the first gun in such +an hour is unworthy of a great people and their cause. A deadly weapon +ha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>s been aimed at our heart. Only a fool would wait until the shot has +been fired. The assault has already been made. It is of no importance +who shall strike the first blow or fire the first gun."</p> + +<p>With quick decision he seized his pen and wrote the order for the +reduction of Fort Sumter.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>JENNIE'S VISION</h3> + + +<p>Wild rumors of bombardment held Charleston in a spell.</p> + +<p>Jennie Barton sat alone on the roof of her aunt's house at two o'clock +on the morning of April 13. The others had gone to bed, certain that the +rumors were false. She had somehow felt the certainty of the crash.</p> + +<p>Seated beside the brick coping of the roof she leaned the strong little +chin in her hands, waited and watched. Lights were flickering around the +shore batteries like fireflies winking in the shadows of deep woods. Her +three brothers were there. She might look on their dead faces to-morrow. +Her father had rushed to Charleston from Washington at the first news of +the sailing of the fleet. He had begged and pleaded with General +Beauregard to reduce the Fort immediately, with or without orders from +Davis.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, use your discretion as Commanding General and open +fire. If that fleet reaches Sumter the cause of the Confederacy is lost. +Old Davis is too slow. He's still crying peace, peace, when there is no +peace. The war has begun!"</p> + +<p>The General calmly shook his head and asked for instructions.</p> + +<p>Besides losing her brothers, she might be an orphan to-morrow. Her +father was quite capable of an attack on Sumter without orders. And if +the bombardment should begin he would probably be roaming over the +harbor from fort to fort, superintending the job under the guns of both +sid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>es.</p> + +<p>"If Anderson does not accept the terms of surrender offered he will be +fired on at four o'clock." Jennie repeated the headlines of the extra +with a shiver.</p> + +<p>The chimes of St. Michael's struck three. The minutes slowly dragged. +The half hour was sung through the soft balmy air of the Southern +spring.</p> + +<p>Dick Welford, too, was behind one of those black guns on the shore. How +handsome he had looked in his bright new uniform! He was a soldier from +the crown of his blond head to the soles of his heavy feet. He had +laughed at danger. She had liked him for that. He hadn't posed. He +hadn't asked for sympathy or admiration. He just marched to his duty +with the quick, firm step of the man who means business.</p> + +<p>She was sorry now she hadn't told him how much she liked and admired +him. She might not have another chance—</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, of course I will!" she murmured with a toss of her brown +head.</p> + +<p>A dog barked across the street, and a wagon rattled hurriedly over the +cobblestones below. A rooster crowed for day.</p> + +<p>She looked across the way, and a dark group of whispering women were +huddled in a corner on the roof, their gaze fixed on Sumter.</p> + +<p>Another wagon rumbled heavily over the cobbles, and another, and +another. A blue light flamed from Fort Sumter, blinking at intervals. +Anderson was signaling someone. To the fleet that lay on the eastern +horizon beyond the bar, perhaps.</p> + +<p>The chimes of St. Michael struck the fatal hour of four. Their sweet +notes rang clear and soft and musical over the dim housetops just as +they had sung to the sleeping world through years of joyous peace.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> +<p>Jennie sprang to her feet and strained her eyes toward the black lump +that was Sumter out in the harbor. She waited with quick beating heart +for the first flash of red from the shore batteries. It did not come. +Five minutes passed that seemed an hour, and still no sound of war.</p> + +<p>Only those wagons were rumbling now at closer intervals—one after the +other in quick succession. They were ammunition trains! The crack of the +drivers' whips could be heard distinctly, and the cries of the men +urging their horses on. The noise became at last a dull, continuous +roar.</p> + +<p>The chimes from the old church tower again sang the half hour and then +it came—<i>a sudden sword leap of red flame on the horizon</i>! A shell rose +in the sky, glowing in pale phosphorescent trail, and burst in a flash +of blinding flame over the dark lump in the harbor. The flash had +illumined the waters and revealed the clear outlines of the casemates +with their black mouths of steel gaping through the portholes. A roar of +deep, dull thunder shook the world.</p> + +<p>Jennie fell on her knees with clasped hands and upturned face. Her lips +were not moving, and no sound came from the little dry throat, but from +the depths of her heart rose the old, old cry of love.</p> + +<p>"Lord have mercy on my darling brothers, and keep them safe—let no harm +come to them—and Dick, too—brave and strong!"</p> + +<p>The house below was stirring with the rush of hurrying feet in the +corridors and the clatter on the narrow stairs that led to the roof. +They crowded to the edge and gazed seaward. The hum of voices came now +from every house. Women were crying. Some were praying. Men were talking +in low, excited tones.</p> + +<p>Jennie paid no attention to the people about her.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> +<p>Her eyes were fixed on those tongues of flame that circled Sumter.</p> + +<p>Anderson was firing now, his big guns flashing their defiant answer to +Beauregard's batteries. Jennie watched the lurid track of his shells +with sickening dread.</p> + +<p>A man standing beside her in the gray dawn spoke.</p> + +<p>"A waste of ammunition!"</p> + +<p>The cannon boomed now with the regular throb of a great human pulse. The +sobs and excited cries and prayers of women had become a part of the +weird scene.</p> + +<p>A young mother stood beside Jennie with a baby boy in her arms. He was +delighted with the splendid display and the roar of the guns.</p> + +<p>He pointed his fingers to the circling shells and cried:</p> + +<p>"'Ook, mamma, 'ook!"</p> + +<p>The mother made no answer. Only with her hungry eyes did she follow +their track to the shore. Her mate was there.</p> + +<p>The baby clapped his hands and caught the rhythm of the throb and roar +of the cannon in his little voice:</p> + +<p>"Boom!—Boom!"</p> + +<p>The sun rose from the sea, a ball of dull red fire glowing ominously +through the haze of smoke that hung in the sky.</p> + +<p>Hour after hour the guns pealed, the windows rattled and the earth +trembled.</p> + +<p>Couriers were dashing into the city with reports from the batteries. +Soldiers were marching through the streets. It was reported that the men +from the fleet would attempt a landing.</p> + +<p>The women rushed to the little iron balcony and watched the troops +marching to repel them.</p> + +<p>In the first line Jennie saw the tall figure of Dick Welford. He glanced +upward, lifted his cap and held it steadily in his hand for four blocks +until they turned and swept out of sight.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jennie was leaning on the rail with tear-dimmed eyes.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why that soldier took his hat off?" her aunt asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes—I wonder!" was the soft answer.</p> + +<p>By three o'clock it was known that not a man had been killed at either +of the shore batteries and women began to smile and breathe once more.</p> + +<p>The newsboys were screaming an extra.</p> + +<p>Jennie hurried into the street and bought one.</p> + +<p>In big black headlines she read:<br /><br /></p> + +<p class="quote"> +RICHMOND AND WASHINGTON ABLAZE WITH EXCITEMENT!<br /> +<br /> +THE NORTH WILD WITH RAGE<br /> +<br /> +VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA ARMING TO COME TO OUR RESCUE!<br /> +<br /></p> + +<p>She walked rapidly to the water's edge to get the latest news from the +front. A tiny rowboat was deliberately pulling through the harbor +squarely under the guns of Sumter. She watched it with amazement, +looking each moment to see it disappear beneath the waves. It was +probably her foolish father.</p> + +<p>With steady, even stroke the boatman pulled for the shore as unconcerned +as if he were listening to the rattle of firecrackers on the fourth of +July.</p> + +<p>To her surprise it proved to be a negro. He tied his boat and +deliberately unloaded his supply of vegetables. His stolid, sphinx-like +face showed neither fear nor interest.</p> + +<p>"Weren't you afraid of Anderson's cannon, uncle?" Jennie asked.</p> + +<p>"Nobum—nobum—"</p> + +<p>"You might have been blown to pieces—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> +<p>"Nobum—Marse Anderson daresn't hit me!"</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"He knows my marster don't 'low nuttin like dat—I'se too val'eble er +nigger. Nobum, dey ain't none ob 'em gwine ter pester me, an' I ain't +gwine ter meddle wid dem—dey kin des fight hit out twixt 'em—"</p> + +<p>Through the long night the steady boom of cannon, and the scream of +shells from the shore.</p> + +<p>At one o'clock next day the flagstaff was cut down by a solid shot, and +Sumter was silent.</p> + +<p>At three o'clock a mob surged up the street following Senator Barton, +who had just come from the harbor. He was on his way to Beauregard's +headquarters.</p> + +<p>Anderson had surrendered.</p> + +<p>A strange quiet held the city. There was no jubilation, no bonfires, no +illuminations to celebrate the victory. A sigh of relief for deliverance +from a great danger that had threatened their life—that was all.</p> + +<p>The Southern flag was flying now from the battered walls, and the people +were content. They were glad that Beauregard had given old Bob Anderson +the privilege of saluting his flag and marching out with the honors of +war. All they asked was to be let alone.</p> + +<p>And they were doubly grateful for the strange Providence that had saved +every soldier's life while the walls of the Fort had been hammered into +a shapeless mass. No blood had yet been spilled on either side. The +President of the Confederacy caught the wonderful news from the wires +with a cry of joy.</p> + +<p>"Peace may yet be possible!" he exclaimed excitedly. "No blood has been +spilled in actual conflict—"</p> + +<p>His joy was short lived. A rude awakening was in store.</p> + +<p>Dick Welford strolled along the brilliantly lighted "Battery" that night +with Jennie's little hand resting on his arm.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> +<p>"I tell you, Jennie, I was scared!" he was saying with boyish +earnestness. "You see a fellow never knows how he's going to come out of +a close place like that till he tries it. I had a fine uniform and I'd +learned the drill and all that—but I had not smelled brimstone at short +range. I didn't know how I'd do under fire. Now I know I'm a worthy +descendant of my old Scotch-Irish ancestor who held a British officer +before him for a shield and gracefully backed out of danger."</p> + +<p>They stopped and gazed over the lazy, shimmering waters of the harbor.</p> + +<p>Jennie looked up into his manly face with a glow of pride.</p> + +<p>"You're splendid, Dick,—I'm proud of you!"</p> + +<p>"Are you?" he asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You're just like my brothers."</p> + +<p>"Look here now, Jennie," he protested, "don't you go telling me that +you'll be a sister to me. I've got a lot of sisters at home and I don't +need any more—"</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean it that way, Dick," she responded tenderly. "My brothers +are just the finest, bravest men that God ever made in this +world—that's what I meant."</p> + +<p>"Don't you like me a little?"</p> + +<p>"I almost love you to-night—maybe it's our victory—maybe it's the fear +that made me pray for you and the boys on that house top the other +night—I don't know—"</p> + +<p>"Did you pray for me?" he asked softly.</p> + +<p>"Yes—"</p> + +<p>"I ought to be satisfied with that, but I'm not—I want you! Won't you +be mine?"</p> + +<p>She smiled into his eager face in a gentle, whimsical way. A half +promise to him was just trembling on her lips when Socola's slender, +erect figure suddenly crossed the street. He lifted his hat with a +genial bow.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> +<p>Dick ground his teeth in a smothered oath, and Jennie spoke abruptly:</p> + +<p>"Come—it's late—we must go in."</p> + +<p>Through the long night the girl lay awake with the calm, persistent, +smiling face of the foreigner looking into the depths of her brown +eyes.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>A LITTLE CLOUD</h3> + + +<p>The first aggressive act of the President of the Confederacy revealed +his alert and far-seeing mind. His keen eye was bent upon the sea, with +an instinctive appreciation of the tremendous import of the long +Southern coast line.</p> + +<p>Without a ship afloat or a single navy yard, by a stroke of his pen he +created a fleet destined to sweep the commerce of the North from every +sea. His task was to create something out of nothing and how well he did +it events swiftly bore their testimony.</p> + +<p>The United States Government was the only nation which had refused to +join the agreement to abandon the use of letters of marque and reprisal +for destroying the unarmed vessels of commerce in time of war. This +unfortunate piece of diplomacy gave Jefferson Davis the opportunity to +strike his first blow at the power and prestige of the North.</p> + +<p>He immediately issued a proclamation offering to issue such letters to +any ship that would arm herself and enlist under the ensign of the +Confederate navy. The response was quick and the ultimate result the +lowering of the flag of the Union from practically every ship of +commerce that sailed the ocean.</p> + +<p>Gideon Welles conferred with his Chief in Washington and Abraham Lincoln +issued a proclamation which at the time created scarcely a ripple of +excitement. And yet that order was the most important document which +came from the White House during the entire four years of the war.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> +<p>When the test came sixteen captains, thirty-four commanders and one +hundred and eleven midshipmen resigned and cast their fortunes with the +South. Not one of them attempted to use his position to surrender a +ship.</p> + +<p>Small as it was, the entire navy of the United States was practically +intact. It comprised ninety ships of war—forty-two of them ready for +active service. The majority of the vessels ready for war were +steam-propelled craft of the latest improved type.</p> + +<p>The United States had been one of the first world powers to realize the +value of steam and rebuild its navy accordingly. In twenty years, +practically a new navy had been constructed, ranking in effective power +third only to England and France. Within the past five years, the +Government had built the steam frigates, <i>Merrimac</i>, <i>Niagara</i>, +<i>Colorado</i>, <i>Wabash</i>, <i>Minnesota</i>, and <i>Roanoke</i>. +In addition to these twelve powerful steam sloops of war had been +commissioned—the <i>Hartford</i>, <i>Brooklyn</i>, <i>Lancaster</i>, +<i>Richmond</i>, <i>Narragansett</i>, <i>Dakota</i>, <i>Iroquois</i>, +<i>Wyoming</i>, and <i>Seminole</i>. They were of the highest type of +construction and compared favorably with the best ships of the world.</p> + +<p>These ships at the opening of the war were widely scattered, but their +homeward bound streamers were all fluttering in the sky.</p> + +<p>President Lincoln in his proclamation ordered the most remarkable +blockade in the history of the world. This document declared three +thousand miles of Southern coast, from the Virginia Capes to the Rio +Grande, closed to the commerce of the world.</p> + +<p>The little fleet boldly sailed on its tremendous mission. The smoke of +its funnels made but a tiny smudge on the wide, shining Southern skies. +But with swift and terrible swirl this cloud, no bigger than a man's +hand, grew into a storm whose black shadow shrouded the Southland in +gloom.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE CLOSING OF THE RANKS</h3> + + +<p>A wave of fierce anger swept the North. The fall of Sumter was the one +topic on every lip. Men stopped their trade, their work, their play and +looked about them for the nearest rallying ground of soldiers.</p> + +<p>The President of the United States was quick to seize the favorable +moment to call for 75,000 volunteers. That these troops were to fight +the Confederacy was not questioned for a moment.</p> + +<p>The effect of this proclamation on the South was a political earthquake. +In a single day all differences of opinion were sunk in the common +cause. A feeling of profound wonder swept every thoughtful man within +the Southern States. To this moment, even a majority of those who +favored the policy of secession had done so under the belief that it was +the surest way of securing redress of grievances and of bringing the +Federal Government back to its original Constitutional principles. Many +of them believed, and all of their leaders in authority hoped, that a +re-formation of the Union would soon take place in peaceful ways on the +basis of the new Constitution proclaimed at Montgomery. Many Northern +newspapers, led by the New York <i>Herald</i>, had advocated this course. The +hope of the majority of the Southern people was steadfast that the Union +would thus be continued and strengthened, and made more perfect, as it +had been in 1789 after the withdrawal of nine States from the Old Union +by the adoption of the Constitution of 1787.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> +<p>Abraham Lincoln's proclamation shattered all hope of such peaceful +adjustment.</p> + +<p>Thousands of the best men in Virginia and North Carolina had voted +against secession. Not one of them, in the face of this proclamation, +would dispute longer with their brethren. Whatever they might think +about the expediency of withdrawing from the Union, they were absolutely +clear on two points. The President of the United States had no power +under the charter of our Government to declare war. Congress only could +do that. If the Cotton States were out of the Union, his act was illegal +because the usurpation of supreme power. If they were yet in the Union, +the raising of an army to invade their homes was a plain violation of +the Constitution.</p> + +<p>The heart of the South beat as one man. The cause of the war had been +suddenly shifted to a broader and deeper foundation about which no +possible difference could ever again arise in the Southern States.</p> + +<p>The demand for soldiers to invade the South was a bugle call to Southern +manhood to fight for their liberties and defend their homes. It gave +even to the staunchest Union men of the Old South the overt act of an +open breach of the Constitution. From the moment Abraham Lincoln +proclaimed a war without the act of Congress, from that moment he became +a dictator and a despot who deliberately sought to destroy their +liberties.</p> + +<p>The cause of the South not only meant the defense of their homes from +foreign invasion; it became a holy crusade for the reëstablishment of +Constitutional freedom.</p> + +<p>Virginia immediately seceded from the Union by the vote of the same men +who had refused to secede but a few weeks before. The old flag fell from +its staff on her Capitol and the new symbol of Southern unity was +unfurled in its place. As if by magic the new flag fluttered from every +hill, housetop and window, while crowds surged through the s<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>treets +shouting and waving it aloft. Cannon boomed its advent and cheering +thousands saluted it.</p> + +<p>A great torchlight parade illumined the streets on April 19. In this +procession walked the men who a week ago had marched through Franklin +Street waving the old flag of the Union and shouting themselves hoarse +in their determination to uphold it. They had signed the ordinance of +secession with streaming eyes, but they signed it with firm hands, and +sent their sons to the muster fields next day.</p> + +<p>Augusta County, a Whig and Union center, and Rockingham, an equally +strong Democratic Union county, each contributed fifteen hundred +soldiers to the new cause. Women not only began to prepare the equipment +for their men, but many of them began to arm and practice themselves. +Boys from ten to fourteen were daily drilling. In Petersburg three +hundred free negroes offered their services to fight or to ditch and +dig.</p> + +<p>The bitterness of the answers of the Southern Governors from the Border +States yet in the Union amazed the President at Washington.</p> + +<p>His demand for troops was refused in tones of scorn and defiance.</p> + +<p>Governor Magoffin of Kentucky replied:</p> + +<p>"The State will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her +sister Southern States."</p> + +<p>Governor Harris telegraphed from Nashville:</p> + +<p>"The State of Tennessee will not furnish a single man for coercion, but +fifty thousand if necessary for the defense of her rights."</p> + +<p>The message of Governor Ellis of North Carolina was equally emphatic:</p> + +<p>"I will be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of our +country, and to this war upon the liberties of a fr<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>ee people."</p> + +<p>Governor Rector of Arkansas replied:</p> + +<p>"Your demand adds insult to injury."</p> + +<p>Governor Jackson of Missouri was indignant beyond all others:</p> + +<p>"Your requisition in my judgment is illegal, unconstitutional, and +revolutionary—its objects inhuman and diabolical."</p> + +<p>Tennessee followed Virginia by seceding on May 6. Arkansas on May 18, +and North Carolina by unanimous vote on May 21.</p> + +<p>North Carolina had been slow to announce her final separation from the +old Union. But she had been prompt in proclaiming her own sovereign +rights within her territory when the National Government had dared to +call them in question. On the day the President had issued his +proclamation she seized Fort Macon at Beaufort. Fort Caswell was taken +and garrisoned by her volunteers, and on April 19, the arsenal at +Fayetteville was captured without bloodshed. The value of this +achievement to the South was incalculable. The Confederacy thus secured +sixty-five thousand stand of arms, of which twenty-eight thousand were +of the most modern pattern.</p> + +<p>Virginia had seceded on April 17 and immediately moved to secure under +the resumption of her complete sovereignty all the arms, munitions of +war, ship stores and military posts within her borders. Two posts of +tremendous importance she attempted to seize at once—the great navy +yard at Norfolk and the arsenal and shops at Harper's Ferry. The navy +yard contained a magnificent dry dock worth millions, huge ship houses, +supplies, ammunition, small arms and cannon, and had lying in its basin +several vessels of war, complete and incomplete.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> +<p>Harper's Ferry contained ten thousand muskets, five thousand rifles and +a complete set of machinery for the manufacture of arms capable of +turning out two thousand muskets a month.</p> + +<p>A force of Virginia volunteers moved on Harper's Ferry. The small +Federal garrison asked for a parley, which was granted. In a short time +flames were pouring from the armory and arsenal. The garrison had set +fire to the buildings and escaped across the railroad bridge into +Maryland.</p> + +<p>The Virginia troops rushed into the burning buildings, and saved five +thousand muskets and three thousand unfinished rifles. The garrison had +laid trains of powder to blow up the workshops, but the Virginians +extinguished the flames and saved to the South the invaluable machinery +for making and repairing muskets and rifles. It was shipped to +Fayetteville and Richmond and installed for safety.</p> + +<p>The destruction of the navy yard at Norfolk was more complete and +irreparable. The dry dock was little damaged, but the destruction of +stores and property was enormous. All ships in the harbor were set on +fire and scuttled.</p> + +<p>Events moved now with swift and terrible certainty.</p> + +<p>Massachusetts attempted, on April 19, to send a regiment through the +streets of Baltimore to invade the South, and the indignant wrath of her +citizens could not be controlled by the mayor or police. The street cars +on which they were riding across town to the Camden station were thrown +from the tracks. The crowds jammed the streets and shouted their curses +in the face of the advancing volunteers. Stones were hurled into their +ranks and two soldiers dropped. A volley was poured into the crowd and +several fell dead and wounded.</p> + +<p>The crowd went mad. Revolvers were drawn and fired point blank into the +ranks of the soldiers and those who were una<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>rmed rushed to arm +themselves. From Frederic to Smith Streets the firing on both sides +continued with the regular crash of battle. Citizens were falling, but +even the unarmed men continued to press forward and hurl stones into the +ranks of the New Englanders.</p> + +<p>The troops began to yield before the determined onslaughts of the +infuriated crowds, bewildered and apparently without real commanders. +They pressed through the streets, staggering, confused, breaking into a +run and turning to fire on their assailants as they retreated.</p> + +<p>Harassed, bleeding and exhausted, the regiment at last reached the +Baltimore & Ohio station. The fight continued without pause. Volleys of +stones were hurled into the cars, shattering windows and paneling. The +troops were ordered to lie down on the floors and keep their heads below +the line of the windows. Maddened men pressed to the car windows, +cursing and yelling their defiance. For half a mile along the tracks the +crowd struggled and shouted, piling the rails with new obstructions as +fast as policemen could remove them. Through a steady roar of hoots, +yells and curses the train at last pulled slowly out, the troops pouring +a volley into the crowd.</p> + +<p>In this first irregular battle of the sections the Massachusetts +regiment lost four killed and thirty-six wounded. The Baltimoreans lost +twelve killed and an unknown number wounded.</p> + +<p>A wave of tremendous excitement swept the State of Maryland. Bridges on +all railroads leading north were immediately burned and the City of +Washington cut off from communication with the outside world. Troops +were compelled to avoid Baltimore and find transportation by water to +Annapolis. Mass meetings were held and speeches of bitter defiance +hurled against the Feder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>al Government. The Baltimore Council +appropriated five hundred thousand dollars to put the city in a state of +defense, though the State had proclaimed its neutrality.</p> + +<p>The shrewd, good-natured, even-tempered President at Washington used all +his powers of personal diplomacy to pour oil on the troubled waters of +Maryland. In the meantime with swift, sure, and merciless tread he moved +on the turbulent State with the power of Federal arms. It was impossible +to hold the Capital of the Nation with a hostile State separating it +from the loyal North.</p> + +<p>The steps he took were all clearly unconstitutional, but they were +necessary to save the Capital. They were the acts of a dictator, for +Congress was not in session, but he dared to act. Troops were suddenly +thrown into the city of Baltimore and its streets and heights planted +with cannon. The chief of police was arrested and imprisoned, the police +board was suspended and the city brought under the rule of drumhead +court-martial. The writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> was suspended by Federal +authorities in a free and sovereign State whose Legislature had +proclaimed its neutrality in the sectional conflict. Blank warrants were +issued by military officers and the house of every suspect entered by +force and searched. The mayor and his Council were arrested without +warrant, held without trial, and imprisoned in a military fortress, and +when the Legislature dared to protest, its members were arrested and its +session closed by bayonets.</p> + +<p>So thoroughly was this work done that within thirty days from the attack +on the troops of New England, Maryland's Governor by proclamation called +for four regiments of volunteers to assist the Washington Government in +the proposed invasion of the South.</p> + +<p>In like manner, with hand of steel within a velvet glove, Mr. Lincoln +prevented the secession of Kentucky and Missouri. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>It was done with less +violence, but it was done, and these rich and powerful States saved to +the Union.</p> + +<p>The swift and bloodless conquest of Maryland inspired the North with the +most grotesque conception of the war and its outcome.</p> + +<p>The British and French Governments had immediately recognized the +Confederate States as belligerents under the terms of international law +and closed their ports to the armed vessels of both contestants. Mr. +Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State, hastened to assure the nations of +Europe that a dissolution of the Union was an absurd impossibility. It +had never entered the mind of any candid statesman in America and should +be dismissed at once by statesmen in Europe. And yet at this time eleven +Southern States, stretching from the James to the Rio Grande, with a +population of eight millions, had by solemn act of their Legislatures +withdrawn from the Union and their armies were camping within a few +miles of the City of Washington.</p> + +<p>In all the North not a single statesman or a single newspaper appeared +to have any conception of the serious task before them. The fusillades +of rant, passion and bombast which filled the air would have been comic +but for the grim tragedy which was stalking in their wake.</p> + +<p>The "Rebellion" was ridiculed and sneered at in terms that taxed the +genius of the writers for words of contempt.</p> + +<p>The New York <i>Tribune</i>, the greatest and most powerful organ of public +opinion in the North, a paper which had boldly from the first proclaimed +the right of the South to peaceable secession, was now swept away with +the popular fury.</p> + +<p>Its editor gravely declared:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> +<p>"The Southern rebellion is nothing more or less than the natural +recourse of all mean-spirited and defeated tyrannies to rule or ruin, +making of course a wide distinction between the will and the power, for +the hanging of traitors is soon to begin before a month is over. The +Nations of Europe may rest assured that Jeff Davis and Co. will be +swinging from the battlements at Washington, at least by the fourth of +July. We spit upon a later and longer deferred justice."</p> + +<p>The New York <i>Times</i> gave its opinion with equal clearness:</p> + +<p>"Let us make quick work. The Rebellion is an unborn tadpole. Let us not +fall into the delusion of mistaking a local commotion for a revolution. +A strong active pull together will do our work in thirty days. We have +only to send a column of twenty-five thousand men across the Potomac to +Richmond to burn out the rats there; another column of twenty-five +thousand to Cairo to seize the Cotton ports of the Mississippi and +retain the remaining twenty-five thousand called for by the President at +Washington—not because there is any need for them there but because we +do not require their services elsewhere."</p> + +<p>The staid old Philadelphia <i>Press</i> declared:</p> + +<p>"No man of sense can for a moment doubt that all this +much-ado-about-nothing will end in a month. The Northern people are +invincible. The rebels are a band of ragamuffins who will fly like chaff +before the wind on our approach."</p> + +<p>The West vied with the East in boastful clamor.</p> + +<p>The Chicago <i>Tribune</i> shouted from the top of its columns:</p> + +<p>"We insist that the West be allowed the honor of settling this little +trouble by herself since she is most interested in its suppression to +insure the free navigation of the Mississippi River. Let the East stand +aside. This is our war. We can end it successfully in two months. +Illino<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>is can whip the whole South by herself. We insist on the affair +being turned over to us."</p> + +<p>With prospects of a short war and cheaply earned glory the rage for +volunteering was resistless. The war for three months was to be a +holiday excursion and every man would return a hero crowned with +garlands of flowers, the center of admiring thousands. The blacksmiths +of Brooklyn were busy making handcuffs for one of her crack regiments. +Each volunteer had sworn to lead at least one captive rebel in chains +through the crowded streets in the great parade on their return.</p> + +<p>Socola on his arrival at Montgomery from Charleston read these +fulminations from the North with amazement and rage. He sent his bitter +and emphatic protest against such madness to Holt. The faithful Joseph +had been rewarded with an office to his liking. He was now the Judge +Advocate General of the United States Army. He turned Socola's letters +over to Cameron, the new Secretary of War, who read them with rising +wrath.</p> + +<p>"The author of those letters," he said with a scowl, "is either a damned +fool, or traitor."</p> + +<p>Holt's lower lip was thrust out and the lines of his big mouth drawn +into a knot.</p> + +<p>"I assure you, sir—he is neither. He is absolutely loyal. His +patriotism is a religion. He has entered his dangerous and important +mission with the zeal of a religious fanatic."</p> + +<p>"That accounts for it then—he's insane. I don't care to read any more +such twaddle and I won't pay for the services of such a man out of the +funds of the War Department."</p> + +<p>With the utmost difficulty Holt secured the consent of the Secretary of +War to continue Socola's commission for two months longer.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> +<p>The only consolation the young patriot found in the contemptuous reply +his Government made to his solemn warnings was the almost equal fatuity +with which the Southern people were now approaching their first test of +battle.</p> + +<p>Until the proclamation of President Lincoln, both Jefferson Davis and +the South had believed in the possibility of a peaceful reconciliation. +Even when the proclamation had been made and the wild response of the +North had been instantly given, the Southern people refused to believe +that the millions of Northern voters who still clung to the old forms of +Constitutional Government under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas +would surrender their principles, arm themselves and march to coerce a +State at the command of a President against whom they had voted.</p> + +<p>Senator Barton, from his new position in the Confederate Senate, scouted +the idea of serious war.</p> + +<p>"Bah!" he growled to Socola, who was drawing him out. "The Yankees won't +fight!"</p> + +<p>"That's what they say about you, sir," was the cool response.</p> + +<p>"Who ever heard of a race of shopkeepers turning into soldiers?" The +Senator laughed. "Such men have no martial prowess! They are unequal to +mighty deeds of valor."</p> + +<p>The white teeth of the young observer gleamed in a smile.</p> + +<p>"On the other hand, Senator, I'm afraid history proves that commercial +communities, once aroused, are the most dogged, pugnacious, ambitious +and obstinate fighters of the world—Carthage, Venice, Genoa, Holland +and England have surely proven this—"</p> + +<p>"There's one thing certain," Barton roared. "We'll bring England to her +knees if there is a war. Cotton is the King of Commerce, and we hold the +key of his empire. The population of England will starve without our +cotton. If we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> need them they've got to come to our rescue, sir!"</p> + +<p>Socola did not argue the point. It was amazing how widespread was this +idea in the South. He wrote his Government again and again that the +whole movement of secession was based on this conception.</p> + +<p>There was one man in Washington who read these warnings with keen +insight—Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy. The part this quiet, +unassuming man was preparing to play in the mighty drama then unfolding +its first scene was little known or understood by those who were filling +the world with the noise of their bluster.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis at his desk in Montgomery saw with growing anxiety the +confidence of his people in immediate and overwhelming success. In +answer to Abraham Lincoln's proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers +to fight the South, he called for 100,000 to defend it. The rage for +volunteering in the South was even greater than the North. An army of +five hundred thousand men could have been enrolled for any length of +service if arms and equipment could have been found. It was utterly +impossible to arm and equip one hundred thousand, before the first +battle would be fought.</p> + +<p>Ambitious Southern boys, raging for the smell of battle, rushed from +post to post, begged and pleaded for a place in the ranks. They offered +big bounties for the places assigned to men who were lucky enough to be +accepted.</p> + +<p>The Confederate Congress, to the chagrin of their President, fixed the +time of service at six months. Jefferson Davis was apparently the only +man in the South who had any conception of the gigantic task before his +infant government. He begged and implored his Congress for an enrollment +of three years or the end of the war. The Congress laughed at his absurd +fears. The utmost they would grant was enlistment for the term of one +year.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>With grim foreboding but desperate earnestness the President of the +Confederacy turned his attention to the organization and equipment of +this force with which he was expected to defend the homes of eight +million people scattered over a territory of 728,000 square miles, with +an open frontier of a thousand miles and three thousand leagues of open +sea.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>RICHMOND IN GALA DRESS</h3> + + +<p>From the moment Virginia seceded from the Union it was a foregone +conclusion that Richmond would be the capital of the new +Confederacy—not only because the great Virginian was the Father of the +Country and his glorious old Commonwealth the mother of States and +Presidents, but because her soil must be the arena of the first great +battle.</p> + +<p>On May 23, the Provisional Congress at Montgomery adjourned to meet in +Richmond on July 20, and Jefferson Davis began his triumphal procession +to the new Capital.</p> + +<p>Jennie Barton, her impulsive father, the Senator, Mrs Barton, with +temper serene and unruffled, and Signor Henrico Socola of the Sardinian +Ministry, were in the party. Dick Welford and two boys were already in +Virginia with their regiments. Tom was in New Orleans with Raphael +Semmes, fitting out the little steamer <i>Sumter</i> for a Confederate +cruiser.</p> + +<p>Senator Barton had been requested by the new President to act as his +aide, and the champion of secession had accepted the honor under +protest. It was not of importance commensurate with his abilities, but +it was perhaps worth while for the moment until a greater field was +opened.</p> + +<p>The arrangement made Socola's association with Jennie of double +importance. As the train whirled through the sunlit fields of the South +he found his position by her side more and more agreeable and +interesting. She was a girl of remarkable intelligence. He had observed +that she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> was not afraid of silence. Her tongue was not forever going. In +fact she seemed disinclined to talk unless she had something to say.</p> + +<p>He glanced at her from the corners of his dark eyes with a friendly +smile.</p> + +<p>"You are serious to-day, Miss Jennie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I wish I were a man!"</p> + +<p>"You'd go to the front, of course?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"For <i>my</i> country—yes—"</p> + +<p>He paused a moment and went on carelessly:</p> + +<p>"Your older brother, the Judge, will fight for the Union?"</p> + +<p>The sensitive lips trembled.</p> + +<p>"No—thank God. He has sent my mother word that for her sake and mine +he'll not fight his father and younger brothers in battle. He's going to +do a braver thing than march to the front. He's going to face his +neighbors in New Orleans and stand squarely by his principles."</p> + +<p>"It will take a brave man to do that, won't it?"</p> + +<p>"The bravest of the brave."</p> + +<p>The train was just pulling into a sleepy Southern town, the tracks +running straight down the center of its main street. A company was drawn +up to salute the new President and cheering thousands had poured in from +the surrounding country to do him honor. They cheered themselves hoarse +and were still at it when the train slowly started northward. The +company which greeted their arrival with arms presented were on board +now, chatting, shouting, singing, waving their caps and handkerchiefs to +tear-stained women.</p> + +<p>The country through which the Presidential party passed had been +suddenly transformed into a vast military camp, the whole population war +mad.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> +<p>Every woman from every window of every house in sight of the train waved +a handkerchief. The flutter of those white flags never ceased.</p> + +<p>The city of Richmond gave their distinguished visitor a noble reception. +He was quartered temporarily at the Spotswood Hotel, but the City +Council had purchased the handsomest mansion in town at a cost of +$40,000 and offered it to him as their token of admiration of his +genius.</p> + +<p>Mr. Davis was deeply touched by this mark of esteem from Virginia, but +sternly refused the gift for himself. He accepted it for the Confederate +Government as the official residence of the President.</p> + +<p>Socola found the city a mere comfortable village in comparison with New +York or Boston or Philadelphia, though five times the size of +Montgomery. He strolled through its streets alone, wondering in which +one of the big old-fashioned mansions lived the remarkable Southern +woman to whom his Government had referred him for orders. He must await +the arrival of the messenger who would deliver to him in person its +description. In the meantime with tireless eye he was studying the +physical formation of every street and alley. He must know it, every +crook and turn.</p> + +<p>Until the advent of the troops Richmond had been one of the quietest of +all the smaller cities of America. Barely forty thousand inhabitants, +one third of whom were negro slaves, it could boast none of the displays +or excitements of a metropolis. Its vices were few, its life orderly and +its society the finest type of the genuine American our country had +developed.</p> + +<p>Rowdyism was unknown. The police department consisted of a dozen +"watchmen" whose chief duty was to round up a few straggling negroes who +might be found on the streets after nine o'clock at night and put them +in "the Cage" until morning. "The Cage" was a ramshackled wooden +building too absurd to be honored by the na<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>me of prison.</p> + +<p>The quiet, shady streets were suddenly transformed into the throbbing, +tumultuous avenues of a crowded Capital—already numbering more than one +hundred thousand inhabitants.</p> + +<p>Its pulse beat with a new and fevered life. Its atmosphere was tense +with the electric rumble of the coming storm—everywhere bustle, hurry +and feverish preparations for war. The Tredegar Iron Works had doubled +its force of men. Day and night the red glare of the furnaces threw its +sinister glow over the yellow, turbulent waters of the James. With every +throb now of its red heart a cannon was born destined to slay a thousand +men.</p> + +<p>Every hill was white with the tents of soldiers, their camps stretching +away into the distant fields and forests.</p> + +<p>Every street was thronged. Couriers on blooded horses dashed to and fro +bearing the messages of imperious masters. From every direction came the +crash of military bands. And over all the steady, low rumble of +artillery and the throbbing tramp of soldiers. In every field and wood +for miles around the city could be heard the neighing of horses, the +bugle call of the trooper, the shouts of gay recruits and the sharp +command of drilling officers.</p> + +<p>The rattle of the ambulance and the long, red trenches of the uncoffined +dead had not come yet. They were not even dreamed in the hearts of the +eager, rollicking, fun-loving children of the South.</p> + +<p>There were as yet no dances, no social festivities. The town was soldier +mad. Few men not in uniform were to be seen on the streets. A man in +citizen's clothes was under suspicion as to his principles.</p> + +<p>With each train, new companies and regiments arrived. Day and night the +tramp of soldiers' feet, the throb of drum, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> scream of fife, the +gleam of bayonets.</p> + +<p>Everywhere soldiers were welcomed, fêted, lionized. The finest ladies of +Richmond vied with one another in serving their soldier guests. Society +turned out <i>en masse</i> to every important review.</p> + +<p>Southern society was melted into a single pulsing thought—the fight in +defense of their homes and their liberty. In the white heat of this +mighty impulse the barriers of class and sex were melted.</p> + +<p>The most delicately reared and cultured lady of society admitted without +question the right of any man who wore a gray uniform to speak to her +without introduction and escort her anywhere on the streets. In not a +single instance was this high privilege abused by an insult, indignity +or an improper word.</p> + +<p>Socola saw but one lady who showed the slightest displeasure.</p> + +<p>A dainty little woman of eight, delicately trained in the ways of polite +society, was shocked at the familiarity of a soldier who had dared to +caress her.</p> + +<p>She turned to her elderly companion and gasped with indignation:</p> + +<p>"Auntie! Did you ever! Any man who wears a stripe on his pantaloons now +thinks he can speak to a lady!"</p> + +<p>Socola laughed and passed on to inspect the camp of the famous Hampton +Legion of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>His heart went out in a sudden wave of admiration for these Southern +people who could merge thus their souls and bodies into the cause of +their country.</p> + +<p>The Hampton Legion was recruited, armed and equipped and led by Wade +Hampton. Its private soldiers were the flower of South Carolina's +society. The dress parades of this regiment of gentlemen were the +admiration of the town. The carriages that hung around their maneuvers +we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>re as gay and numerous as the assemblage on a fashionable race course. +Each member of this famous legion went into Richmond with his trunks and +body servant. They, too, were confident of a brief struggle.</p> + +<p>A kind fate held fast the dark curtains of the future. The camp was a +picnic ground, and Death was only a specter of the dim unknown.</p> + +<p>Just as Socola strolled by the grounds, the camp spied the handsome +figure of young Preston Hampton in a pair of spotless yellow kid gloves. +They caught and rolled him in the dust and spoiled his gloves.</p> + +<p>He laughed and took it good naturedly.</p> + +<p>The hardier sons of the South held the attention of the keen, observing +eyes with stronger interest. He knew what would become of those trunks +and fine clothes. The thing he wished most to know was the quality and +the temper of the average man in the Southern ranks.</p> + +<p>Socola met Dick Welford suddenly face to face, smiled and bowed. Dick +hesitated, returned his recognition and offered his hand.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Welford—"</p> + +<p>"Signor Socola."</p> + +<p>Dick's greeting was a little awkward, but the older man put him at once +at ease with his frank, friendly manners.</p> + +<p>"A brave show your <i>Champ de Mars</i>, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Does look like business, doesn't it?" Dick responded with pride. "Would +you like to go through the camps and see our men?"</p> + +<p>"Very much."</p> + +<p>"Come, I'll show you."</p> + +<p>Two hundred yards from the camp of the Hampton Legion they found the +Louisiana Zouaves of Wheat's command, small, tough-looking men with +gleaming black eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Frenchmen!" Dick sneered. "They'll fight though—"</p> + +<p>"Their people in the old world have that reputation," Socola dryly +remarked.</p> + +<p>Beyond them lay a regiment of fierce, be-whiskered countrymen from the +lower sections of Mississippi.</p> + +<p>"Look out for those fellows," the young Southerner said serenely. +"They're from old Jeff's home. You'll hear from them. Their fathers all +fought in Mexico."</p> + +<p>Socola nodded.</p> + +<p>Beside the Mississippians lay a regiment of long-legged, sinewy riflemen +from Arkansas.</p> + +<p>A hundred yards further they saw the quaint coon-skin caps of John B. +Gordon's company from Georgia.</p> + +<p>Socola watched these lanky mountaineers with keen interest.</p> + +<p>"The Raccoon Roughs," Dick explained. "First company of Georgia +volunteers. They had to march over two or three States before anybody +would muster them in. They're happy as June bugs now."</p> + +<p>They passed two regiments of quiet North Carolinians. The young +Northerner observed their strong, muscular bodies and earnest faces.</p> + +<p>"And these two large regiments, Mr. Welford?" Socola asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh," the Virginian exclaimed with a careless touch of scorn in his +voice, "they're Tarheels—not much for looks, but I reckon they'll +<i>stick</i>."</p> + +<p>"I've an idea they will," was the serious reply.</p> + +<p>Dick pointed with pride to a fine-looking regiment of Virginians.</p> + +<p>"Good-looking soldiers," Socola observed.</p> + +<p>"Aren't they? That's my regiment. You'll hear from them in the first +battle."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> +<p>"And those giants?" Socola inquired, pointing to the right at a group of +tall, rude-looking fellows.</p> + +<p>"Texas Rangers."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't care to meet them in a row—"</p> + +<p>"You know what General Taylor said of them in the Mexican War?"</p> + +<p>"No—"</p> + +<p>"<i>They're anything but gentlemen or cowards.</i>"</p> + +<p>"I agree with him," Socola laughed.</p> + +<p>"What chance has a Yankee got against such men?" Dick asked with a wag +of his big blond head.</p> + +<p>"Let me show you what they think—"</p> + +<p>Socola drew a leaf of <i>Harper's Magazine</i> from his pocket and spread it +before the young trooper's indignant gaze.</p> + +<p>The cartoon showed a sickly-looking Southerner carrying his musket under +an umbrella accompanied by a negro with a tray full of mint juleps.</p> + +<p>"That's a joke, isn't it!" Dick roared. "Will you give me this paper?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Monsieur!"</p> + +<p>Dick folded the sheet, still laughing. "I'll have some fun with this in +camp to-night. Come on—I want to show you just one more bunch of these +sickly-looking mint-julipers—"</p> + +<p>Again the Southerner roared.</p> + +<p>They quickened their pace and in a few minutes were passing through the +camps of the Red River men from Arkansas and Northern Louisiana.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you sorry for these poor fellows?" Dick laughed.</p> + +<p>"I have never seen anything like them," Socola admitted, looking on +their stalwart forms with undisguised admiration. Scarcely a man was +under six feet in height, with broad, massive shoulders and chests and +not an ounce of superfluous flesh. Their resemblance to each other was +remarkable. Nature had cast each one in the same her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>oic mold. The spread +of giant unbroken forests spoke in their brawny arms and legs. The look +of an eagle soaring over great rivers and fertile plains flashed in +their fearless eyes.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of them?" Dick asked with boyish pride.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to send their photographs to <i>Harper's</i>—"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, don't do that!" Dick protested. "If you do, we'll never +get a chance to see a Yankee. I want to get in sight of 'em anyhow +before they run. All I ask of the Lord is to give me one whack at those +little, hump-backed, bow-legged shoemakers from Boston!"</p> + +<p>Socola smiled dryly.</p> + +<p>"In five minutes after we meet—there won't be a shoe-string left fit to +use."</p> + +<p>The dark face flashed with a strange light from the depths of the somber +eyes—only for an instant did he lose self-control. His voice was velvet +when he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Your faith is strong, M'sieur!"</p> + +<p>"It's not faith—we know. One Southerner can whip three Yankees any +day."</p> + +<p>"But suppose it should turn out that he had to whip five or six or a +dozen?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think these fellows could do it?"</p> + +<p>Socola hesitated. It was a shame to pull down a faith that could remove +mountains. He shrugged his slender shoulders and a pensive look stole +over his face. He seemed to be talking to himself.</p> + +<p>"Your President tells me that his soldiers will do all that pluck and +muscle, endurance and dogged courage, dash and red-hot patriotism can +accomplish. And yet his view is not sanguine. A sad undertone I caught +in his voice. He says your war will be long and bloody—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes—I know," Dick broke in, "but nobody agrees with him. We'll show +old Jeff what we can do, if he'll just give us <i>one</i> chance—that's all +we ask—just <i>one</i> chance. Read that editorial in the Richmond +<i>Examiner</i>—"</p> + +<p>He thrust a copy of the famous yellow journal of the South into Socola's +hand and pointed to a marked paragraph:</p> + +<p>"From mountain top and valleys to the shores of the seas there is one +wild shout of fierce resolve to capture Washington City at all and every +human hazard!"</p> + +<p>The North was marching southward with ropes and handcuffs with which to +end in triumph their holiday excursion on July 4. The South was marching +to meet them with eager pride, each man afraid the fight would be over +before he could reach the front to fire a single shot. And behind each +gay regiment of scornful men marched the white silent figure of Death.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE HOUSE ON CHURCH HILL</h3> + + +<p>As Socola left his room at the Spotswood the following night, a stranger +met him at the turn of the dimly lighted corridor.</p> + +<p>"Signor Socola, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"At your service."</p> + +<p>"I know some mutual friends in Washington connected with the Sardinian +Ministry—"</p> + +<p>"I'm just starting for a stroll through the city," Socola interrupted. +"Will you join me?"</p> + +<p>"With pleasure. As I am well acquainted with the streets of Richmond, +allow me to be your guide."</p> + +<p>Socola followed with a nod of approval. Their walk led to the highest of +the city's seven hills. But few were stirring at this hour—half-past +seven. The people were busy at supper.</p> + +<p>The two men paused at the gate of a stately, old-fashioned mansion in +the middle of a spacious lawn. The odor of sweet pinks filled the air. +The rose trellis and elaborate scheme of flower beds and the boxwood +hedges told the story of wealth and culture and high social position.</p> + +<p>"I wish to introduce you to one of the most charming ladies of +Richmond," the stranger said in quick, business-like tones, opening the +gate as if he were used to the feel of the latch.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," was the short reply.</p> + +<p>In answer to the rap of the old-fashioned brass knocker, a quaint little +woman of forty opened the door and showed them into the parlor.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> +<p>The blinds were closed, and the room lighted by a single small kerosene +lamp.</p> + +<p>With quick precision the stranger presented his companion.</p> + +<p>"Miss Van Lew, permit me to introduce to you Signor Henrico Socola of +the Sardinian Ministry. He is the duly accredited but unofficial agent +of his Majesty, Victor Emmanuel, and is cultivating friendly relations +with the new Government of the South."</p> + +<p>Miss Van Lew extended her hand and took the outstretched one with a +warmth that surprised her visitor beyond measure.</p> + +<p>"I recognized him at once," she said with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Recognized me?"</p> + +<p>"Your dear mother, sir, was my schoolmate in Philadelphia. I loved her. +How alike you are!"</p> + +<p>"Then we shall be friends—"</p> + +<p>"We shall be more than friends—we shall be comrades—"</p> + +<p>She paused and turned to the stranger:</p> + +<p>"You can leave us now."</p> + +<p>With a bow the man turned and left the room.</p> + +<p>Socola studied the little woman who had deliberately chosen to lay her +life, her fortune and her home on the altar of her Country. He saw with +a glance at her delicate but commanding figure the brilliant, +accomplished, resolute woman of personality and charm.</p> + +<p>She took the young man's hand again in hers and led him to a high-backed +mahogany settee. She stroked the hands with her thin, cold fingers.</p> + +<p>"How perfect the image of your mother! I would have known you anywhere. +<i>You</i> must know and trust me. I was sent North to school. I came back to +Virginia a more determined Abolitionist than ever. Our people have +always hated Slavery. I made good my faith by freeing mine. We're not +so well-to-do now, my mother and I."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>She paused and looked wistfully about the stately room.</p> + +<p>"This house could tell the story of gay and beautiful scenes—of +balls—receptions and garden parties in bowers of roses—of coaches +drawn by six snow-white horses standing at our door for the start to the +White Sulphur Springs—"</p> + +<p>She stopped suddenly, mastered her emotions and went on dreamily:</p> + +<p>"Of great men and distinguished families our guests from the North and +the South—Bishop Mann, Chief Justice John Marshall, the Lees, the +Robinsons, Wickhams, Adams, Cabells,—the Carringtons—Fredrika Bremer, +the Swedish novelist, visited us and wrote of us in her 'Homes in the +New World.' Jennie Lind in the height of her glory sang in this room. +Edgar Allan Poe read here aloud his immortal poem, 'The Raven.' You must +realize what it means to me to become an outcast in Richmond—"</p> + +<p>She drew from her bosom a newspaper clipping and handed it to Socola.</p> + +<p>"Read that paragraph from this morning's editorial columns—"</p> + +<p>The young man scanned the marked clipping.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>RAPPED ON THE KNUCKS</p> + +<p>"One of the City papers contained on Monday a word of exhortation +to certain females of Southern residence (and perhaps birth) but of +decidedly Northern and Abolition proclivities. The creatures, +though specially alluded to, are not named. If such people do not +wish to be exposed and dealt with as alien enemies to the country +they would do well to cut stick while they can do so with safety to +their worthless carcasses—"</p></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> +<p>"And you will not 'cut stick'?"</p> + +<p>"It's not the way of our breed. I've been doing what I could for the +past year. I have sent the Government at Washington letter after letter +giving them full and accurate accounts of men and events here. I have +made no concealment of my principles. We are Abolitionists and Unionists +and they know it. These Southern men will not lift their hands against +two helpless women unless they discover the deeper plans I've laid. I've +stopped them on the streets and openly flung my sentiments into their +faces. As the excitement has increased I have grown more violent and +more incoherent. They have begun to say that I am insane—"</p> + +<p>Socola lifted his hand in a quiet gesture.</p> + +<p>"Good. You can play the part."</p> + +<p>A look of elation overspread the thin, intellectual features.</p> + +<p>"True—I'll do it. I see it in a flash. 'Crazy old Bet,' they'll call +me—"</p> + +<p>She sprang to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Come upstairs."</p> + +<p>He followed her light step up three flights of stairs into the attic. +She pushed aside an old-fashioned wardrobe and opened a small door of +plain pine boards about four feet in height which led to the darkened +space beneath the roof.</p> + +<p>She stooped and entered and he followed. A small, neat room was revealed +eight feet high beside the inner wall, with ceiling sloping to three +feet on the opposite side. An iron safe was fitted into the space beside +the chimney and covered skillfully by a door completely cased in brick. +The device was so perfect it was impossible to detect the fact that it +was not a part of the chimney, each alternate layer of bricks fitted +exactly into the place chiseled out for it in the wall of the chimney +itself.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> +<p>Socola examined the arrangement with care.</p> + +<p>"A most skillful piece of work!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I laid those bricks in that door casing with my own hand. The old safe +has been there since my grandfather's day. This is your room, sir. That +safe is for your important papers. You can spend the night here in +safety when necessary. My house has been offered to the Government as +the headquarters of its secret service. I have in this safe an important +document for you."</p> + +<p>She opened it and handed Socola a sealed envelope addressed:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"Signor Henrico Socola,<br /> +Richmond, Virginia."<br /> +</p> + +<p>He broke the seal and read the order from the new Bureau of Military +Information placing him in command of its Richmond office.</p> + +<p>He offered the paper to the little woman who held the candle for him to +read.</p> + +<p>"I know its contents," she said, observing him keenly. "The Government +has chosen wisely. You can render invaluable service—"</p> + +<p>She paused and looked at Socola with a curious smile.</p> + +<p>"You know any girls in Richmond?"</p> + +<p>"But one and she has just arrived with the Presidential party—Miss +Jennie Barton—"</p> + +<p>"The Senator's daughter?"</p> + +<p>"The same."</p> + +<p>"Wonderful!" the little woman went on eagerly. "Her father is on the +staff of Jefferson Davis. Old Barton is a loud-mouthed fool who can't +keep a secret ten minutes. You must make love to his daughter—"</p> + +<p>Socola laughed. "Is it necessary?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely. You can't remain in Richmond indefinitely without a better +excuse than your unofficial connection with the Ministry of Sardinia. +You are young. You are handsome. All Southern girls have +sweethearts—a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>ll Southern boys. They can't understand the boy who +hasn't. You'll be suspected at once unless you comply with the custom of +the country."</p> + +<p>"Of course. I needn't actually make love to her—"</p> + +<p>"That's exactly what you must do. Make love to her with all your +might—as if your life depends on her answer and your stay in Richmond +can be indefinite."</p> + +<p>"I don't like the idea," he protested.</p> + +<p>"Neither do I like this—" She swept the little attic room with a wave +of her slender hand. "Come, my comrade, you must—"</p> + +<p>He hesitated a moment, laughed, and said:</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE FLOWER-DECKED TENT</h3> + + +<p>When Socola rose the following morning he determined to throw every +scruple to the winds and devote himself to Jennie Barton with a zeal and +passion that would leave to his Southern rivals no doubt as to the +secret of his stay.</p> + +<p>At the first informal reception at the White House of the Confederacy +Jennie had been pronounced the most fascinating daughter of the new +Republic, as modest and unassuming as she was brilliant and beautiful.</p> + +<p>After the manner of Southern beaux he addressed a note to her on a sheet +of exquisitely tinted foreign paper, at the top of which was the richly +embossed coat of arms of the Socola family of North Italy.</p> + +<p>He asked of her the pleasure of a horseback ride over the hills of +Virginia. He was a superb horseman, and she rode as if born in the +saddle.</p> + +<p>He sealed the note with a piece of tinted wax and stamped it with the +die which reproduced his coat of arms. He smiled with satisfaction as he +addressed the envelope in his smooth and perfectly rounded handwriting.</p> + +<p>He read the answer with surprise and disappointment. The Senator had +replied for his daughter. A slight accident to her mother had caused her +to leave on the morning train for the South. She would probably remain +at Fairview for two weeks.</p> + +<p>There was no help for it. He must await her return. In the meantime +there was work to do. The army of the South was slo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>wly but surely +shaping itself into a formidable engine of war.</p> + +<p>The master mind at the helm of the new Government had laid the +foundations of one of the most efficient forces ever sent into the arena +of battle. It was as yet only a foundation but one which inspired in his +mind not only a profound respect for his judgment, but a feeling of deep +foreboding for the future.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis had received a training of peculiar fitness for his +task. The first work before the South was the organization, equipment +and handling of its army of defense. The President they had called to +the leadership had spent four years at West Point and seven years in the +army on our frontiers, pushing the boundaries of the Republic into the +West. He had led a regiment of volunteers in the conquest of Mexico, and +in the battle of Buena Vista, not only saved the day in the moment of +supreme crisis, but had given evidence of the highest order of military +genius. On his return from the Mexican War he had been appointed a +Brigadier General by the President of the United States but had declined +the honor.</p> + +<p>For four years as Secretary of War in the Cabinet of Franklin Pierce he +had proven himself a master of military administration, had reorganized +and placed on a modern basis of the highest efficiency the army of the +Union and in this work has proven himself a terror to weakness, +tradition and corruption.</p> + +<p>He knew personally every officer of the first rank in the United States +Army. His judgment of these men and their ability as commanders was +marvelous in its accuracy. His genius as an army administrator +undoubtedly gave to the South her first advantage in the opening of the +conflict.</p> + +<p>From the men who had resigned from the old army to cast their fortunes +with the South his keen eye selected without hesit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>ation the three men +for supreme command whose abilities had no equal in America for the +positions to which they were assigned. And these three men were patriots +of such singleness of purpose, breadth of vision and greatness of soul +that neither of them knew he was being considered for the highest +command until handed his commission.</p> + +<p>Samuel Cooper had been Adjutant General of the United States Army since +1852. Davis knew his record of stern discipline and uncompromising +efficiency, and although a man of Northern birth, he appointed him +Adjutant General of the Confederate Army without a moment's hesitation.</p> + +<p>Albert Sidney Johnston was his second appointment to the rank of full +General and Robert E. Lee his third—each destined to immortality.</p> + +<p>His fourth nomination for the rank of full General he made with +hesitation. Joseph E. Johnston under the terms of the law passed by the +Provisional Congress of the Confederacy was entitled to a position in +the first rank as acting Commissary General of the old army. The keen +intuition of the President had perceived from the first the evidences of +hesitation and of timidity in crisis which was the chief characteristic +of Joseph E. Johnston. His sense of fairness under the terms of the law +required that this man be given his chance. With misgivings but with +high hopes the appointment was made.</p> + +<p>Robert E. Lee he made military chieftain of the Government with +headquarters in Richmond.</p> + +<p>From four points the Northern forces were threatening the South. From +the West by a flanking movement which might open the Mississippi River; +from the mountains of Western Virginia whose people were in part opposed +to secession; from Washington by a direct movement on Richmond; and +from Fortress Monroe on the Virginia Peni<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>nsula.</p> + +<p>The first skirmish before Fortress Monroe, led by B. F. Butler, had been +repulsed with such ease no serious danger was felt in that quarter. The +ten thousand men under Holmes and McGruder could hold Butler +indefinitely.</p> + +<p>Davis had seen from the first that one of the supreme dangers of the +South lay in the long line of exposed frontier in the West. If a +commander of military genius should succeed in turning his flank here +the heart of the lower South would be pierced.</p> + +<p>For this important command he reserved Albert Sidney Johnston.</p> + +<p>The Northern army under George B. McClellan and Rosecrans had defeated +the troops in Western Virginia. In a series of small fights they had +lost a thousand men and all their artillery. General Lee was dispatched +from Richmond to repair if possible this disaster.</p> + +<p>The first two clashes had been a draw. The South had won first blood on +the Peninsula—the North in Western Virginia. The main army of the South +was now concentrated to oppose the main army of the North from +Washington.</p> + +<p>Brigadier General Beauregard, the widely acclaimed hero of Fort Sumter, +was in command of this army near Manassas Station on the road to +Alexandria.</p> + +<p>Beauregard's position was in a measure an accident of fortune. The first +shot had been fired by him at Sumter. He was the first paper-made hero +of the war. He had led the first regiment into Virginia to defend her +from invasion.</p> + +<p>He was the man of the hour. His training and record, too, gave promise +of high achievements. He had graduated from West Point in 1838, second +in a class of forty-five men. His family was of high French extraction, +having settled in Louisiana in the reign of Louis XV. He had e<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>ntered the +Mexican War a lieutenant and emerged from the campaign a major. He was +now forty-five years old, in the prime of life. His ability had been +recognized by the National Government in the beginning of the year by +his appointment as Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point. +His commission had been revoked at the last moment by the vacillating +Buchanan because his brother-in-law, Senator Slidell of Louisiana, had +made a secession speech in Washington.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis was not enthusiastic in his confidence in the new hero. +He was too much given to outbursts of a public kind to please the +ascetic mind of the Southern leader. He had written some silly letters +to the public deriding the power of the North. No one could know better +than Davis how silly these utterances were. He "hated and despised the +Yankees." Davis feared and recognized their power. Beauregard's +assertion that the South could whip the North even if her only arms were +flintlocks and pitchforks had been often and loudly repeated.</p> + +<p>Of the army marshaling in front of him under the command of the +venerable Winfield Scott he wrote with the utmost contempt.</p> + +<p>"The enemies of the South," he declared, "are little more than an armed +rabble, gathered together hastily on a false pretense and for an unholy +purpose, with an octogenarian at its head!"</p> + +<p>In spite of his small stature, Beauregard was a man of striking personal +appearance—small, dark, thin, hair prematurely gray, his manners +distinguished and severe.</p> + +<p>It was natural that, with the fame of his first victory, itself the +provoking cause of the conflict, his distinguished foreign name and +courtly manners, he should have become the toast of the ladies in these +early days of the pomp and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> glory of war. He was the center of an ever +widening circle of fair admirers who lavished their attentions on him in +letters, in flags, and a thousand gay compliments. His camp table was +filled with exquisite flowers which flanked and sometimes covered his +maps and plans. He used his bouquets for paper weights.</p> + +<p>It was not to be wondered at, therefore, that the cold intellectual +standard by which Davis weighed men should have found Beauregard wanting +in the qualifications of supreme command.</p> + +<p>The President turned his eye to the flower-decked tent of his general +with grave misgivings. Yet he was the man of the hour. It was fair that +he should have his chance.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE FATAL VICTORY</h3> + + +<p>On the banks of the Potomac General Scott had massed against Beauregard +the most formidable army which had ever marched under the flag of the +Union. Its preparation was considered thorough, its numbers all that +could be handled, and its artillery was the best in the world. All the +regular army east of the Rockies, seasoned veterans of Indian campaigns, +were joined with the immense force of volunteers from the Northern +States—fifty full regiments of volunteers, eight companies of regular +infantry, four companies of marines, nine companies of regular cavalry +and twelve batteries of artillery with forty-nine big guns.</p> + +<p>In command of this army of invasion was General McDowell, held to be the +most scientific general in the North.</p> + +<p>To supplement Beauregard's weakness as a commanding General in case of +emergency, Joseph E. Johnston was placed at Harper's Ferry to guard the +entrance of the Shenandoah Valley, secure the removal of the invaluable +machinery saved from the Arsenal, and form a junction with Beauregard +the moment he should be threatened.</p> + +<p>The movement of General Patterson's army against Harper's Ferry had been +too obviously a feint to deceive either Davis or Lee, his chief military +adviser. Johnston was given ten thousand men and able assistants +including General Jackson.</p> + +<p>On the tenth of July Beauregard, anxiously awaiting information of the +Federal advance, received an important message f<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>rom an accomplished +Southern woman, Mrs. Rose O'Neal Greenhow. She had remained in +Washington as Miss Van Lew had in Richmond, to lay her life on the altar +of her country. During the administration of Buchanan she had been a +leader of Washington society. She was now a widow, noted for her wealth, +beauty, wit and forceful personality. Her home was the meeting place of +the most brilliant men and women of the old régime. Buchanan was her +personal friend, as was William H. Seward. Her niece, a granddaughter of +Dolly Madison, was the wife of the Little Giant of the West, Stephen A. +Douglas.</p> + +<p>Before leaving Washington to become the Adjutant General of Beauregard's +army Colonel Thomas Jordan had given her the cipher code of the South +and arranged to make her house the Northern headquarters of the Southern +secret service.</p> + +<p>Her first messenger was a girl carefully disguised as a farmer's +daughter returning from the sale of her vegetables in the Washington +market. She passed the lines without challenge and delivered her message +into Beauregard's hands.</p> + +<p>With quick decision Beauregard called his aide and dispatched the news +to the President at Richmond:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have positive information direct from Washington that the enemy +will move in force across the Potomac on Manassas via Fairfax Court +House and Centreville. I urge the immediate concentration of all +available forces on my lines."</p></div> + +<p>The Southern commander began his preparations to receive the attack.</p> + +<p>The house on Church Hill had not been idle. Richmond swarmed with +Federal spies under the skillful guidance of Soc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>ola.</p> + +<p>General Scott knew in Washington within twenty-four hours that +Beauregard was planting his men behind the Bull Run River in a position +of great strength and that the formation of the ground was such with +Bull Run on his front that his dislodgment would be a tremendous task.</p> + +<p>The advance of the Federal army was delayed—delayed until the last gun +and scrap of machinery from Harper's Ferry had been safely housed in +Richmond and Fayetteville and Johnston had withdrawn his army to +Winchester in closer touch with Beauregard.</p> + +<p>And still the Union army did not move. Beauregard sent a trusted scout +into Washington to Mrs. Greenhow with a scrap of paper on which was +written in cipher the two words:</p> + +<p>"Trust Bearer—"</p> + +<p>He arrived at the moment she had received the long sought information of +the date of the army's march. She glanced at the stolid masked face of +the messenger and hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>"You are a Southerner?"</p> + +<p>Donellan smiled.</p> + +<p>"I've spent most of my life in Washington, Madam," he said frankly. "I +was a clerk in the Department of the Interior. I cast my fortunes with +the South."</p> + +<p>It was enough. Her keen intuitions had scented danger in the man's +manner, his walk and personality. He was not a typical Southerner. The +officials of the Secret Service Bureau had already given her evidence of +their suspicious. She could not be too careful.</p> + +<p>She seized her pen and hastily wrote in cipher:</p> + +<p>"Order issued for McDowell to move on Manassas to-night."</p> + +<p>She handed the tiny scrap of paper to Donellan.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> +<p>"My agents will take you in a buggy with relays of horses down the +Potomac to a ferry near Dumfries. You will be ferried across."</p> + +<p>The man touched his hat.</p> + +<p>"I'll know the way from there, Madam."</p> + +<p>The scout delivered his message into Beauregard's hands that night +before eight o'clock.</p> + +<p>At noon the next day Colonel Jordan had placed in her hands his answer:</p> + +<p>"Yours received at eight o'clock. Let them come. We are ready. We rely +upon you for precise information. Be particular as to description and +destination of forces and quantity of artillery."</p> + +<p>She had not been idle. She was able to write a message of almost equal +importance to the one she had dispatched the day before. With quick +nervous hand she wrote on another tiny scrap of paper:</p> + +<p>"The Federal commander has ordered the Manassas railroad to be cut to +prevent the junction of Johnston with Beauregard."</p> + +<p>The moment the first authentic information reached President Davis of +the purpose to attack Beauregard he immediately urged General Johnston +to make his preparations for the juncture of their forces.</p> + +<p>And at once the President received confirmation of his fears of his +General-in-Chief. Johnston delayed and began a correspondence of +voluminous objections.</p> + +<p>July 17, on receipt of the dispatch to Beauregard announcing the plan to +cut the railroad, the President was forced to send Johnston a positive +order to move his army to Manassas. The order was obeyed with a +hesitation which imperiled the issue of battle. And while on the march, +Beauregard's pickets exchanging shots with McDowell's skirmish line, +Johnston began the first of his messages of complaint and haggling to +his Chief at Richmond. Jealous of Beauregard's popularity and fearful +of his possible insubordination, Johnston telegraph<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>ed Davis demanding +that his relative rank to Beauregard should be clearly defined before +the juncture of their armies.</p> + +<p>The question was utterly unnecessary. The promotion of Johnston to the +full grade of general could leave no conceivable doubt on such a point. +The President realized with a sickening certainty the beginning of a +quarrel between the two men, dangerous to the cause of the South. Their +failure to act in harmony would make certain the defeat of the raw +recruits on their first field of battle.</p> + +<p>He decided at the earliest possible moment to go in person and prevent +this threatened quarrel. Already blood had flowed. With a strong column +of infantry, artillery and cavalry McDowell had attempted to force the +approaches to one of the fords of Bull Run. They were twice driven back +and withdrew from the field. Longstreet's brigade had lost fifteen +killed and fifty-three wounded in holding his position.</p> + +<p>The President hastened to telegraph his sulking general the explicit +definition of rank he had demanded:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +<span class="smcap">Richmond</span>, July 20, 1861.<br /> +"General J. E. Johnston,<br /> +"Manassas Junction, Virginia.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="quote">"You are a General of the Confederate Army possessed of the power +attached to that rank. You will know how to make the exact knowledge of +Brigadier General Beauregard, as well of the ground as of the troops and +preparation avail for the success of the object for which you coöperate. +The zeal of both assures me of harmonious action.</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"<span class="smcap">Jefferson Davis.</span>"<br /> +</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact the President was consumed with painful anxiety lest +there should not be harmonious action if Johnston should reach the +field in time for the fight. H<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>is own presence was required by law at +Richmond on July 20, for the delivery of his message to the assembled +Congress. It was impossible for him to leave for the front before Sunday +morning the 21st.</p> + +<p>The battle began at eight o'clock.</p> + +<p>General McDowell's army had moved to this attack hounded by the clamor +of demagogues for the immediate capture of Richmond by his "Grand Army."</p> + +<p>Every Northern newspaper had dinned into his ears and the ears of an +impatient public but one cry for months:</p> + +<p>"On to Richmond!"</p> + +<p>At last the news was spread in Washington that the army would move and +bivouac in Richmond's public square within ten days. The march was to be +a triumphal procession. The Washington politicians filled wagons and +carriages with champagne to celebrate the victory. Tickets were actually +printed and distributed for a ball in Richmond. The army was accompanied +by long lines of excited spectators to witness the one grand struggle of +the war—Congressmen, toughs from the saloons, gaudy ladies from +questionable resorts, a clamoring, perspiring rabble bent on witnessing +scenes of blood.</p> + +<p>The Union General's information as to Beauregard's position and army was +accurate and full. He knew that Johnston's command of ten thousand men +had begun to arrive the day before. He did not know that half of them +were still tangled up somewhere on the railroad waiting for +transportation. Even with Johnston's entire command on the ground his +army outnumbered the Southerners and his divisions of seasoned veterans +from the old army and his matchless artillery gave him an enormous +advantage.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> +<p>With consummate skill he planned the battle and began its successful +execution.</p> + +<p>His scouts had informed him that the Southern line was weak on its left +wing resting on the Stone Bridge across the river. Here the long drawn +line of Beauregard's army thinned to a single regiment supported at some +distance by a battalion. Here the skillful Union General determined to +strike.</p> + +<p>At two-thirty before daylight his dense lines of enthusiastic men swung +into the dusty moonlit road for their movement to flank the Confederate +left.</p> + +<p>Swiftly and silently the flower of McDowell's army, eighteen thousand +picked men, moved under the cover of the night to their chosen crossing +at Sudley's Ford, two miles beyond the farthest gray picket of +Beauregard's left.</p> + +<p>Tyler's division was halted at the Stone Bridge on which the lone +regiment of Col. Evans lay beyond the stream. He was ordered to feign an +attack on that point while the second and third divisions should creep +cautiously along a circuitous road two miles above, cross unopposed and +slip into the rear of Beauregard's long-drawn left wing, roll it up in a +mighty scroll of flame, join Tyler's division as it should sweep across +the Stone Bridge and together the three divisions in one solid mass +could crush the ten-mile battle line into hopeless confusion.</p> + +<p>The plan was skillfully and daringly conceived.</p> + +<p>Tyler's division halted at the Stone Bridge and silently formed as the +first glow of dawn tinged the eastern hills.</p> + +<p>The dull red of the July sun was just coloring the sky with its flame +when the second and third divisions crossed Bull Run at Sudley's Ford +and began their swift descent upon the rear of the unsuspecting Southern +army.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> +<p>As the sun burst above the hills, a circle of white smoke suddenly +curled away from a cannon's mouth above the Stone Bridge and slowly rose +in the still, clear morning air. Its sullen roar echoed over the valley. +The gray figures on the hill beyond leaped to their feet and looked. +Only the artillery was engaged and their shots were falling short.</p> + +<p>The Confederates appeared indifferent. The action was too obviously a +feint. Colonel Evans was holding his regiment for a clearer plan of +battle to develop. From the hilltop on which his men lay he scanned with +increasing uneasiness the horizon toward the west. In the far distance +against the bright Southern sky loomed the dark outline of the Blue +Ridge. The heavy background brought out in vivid contrast the woods and +fields, hollows and hills of the great Manassas plain in the foreground.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he saw it—a thin cloud of dust rising in the distance. As the +rushing wall of sixteen thousand men emerged from the "Big Forest," +through which they had worked their way along the crooked track of a +rarely used road, the dust cloud flared in the sky with ominous menace.</p> + +<p>Colonel Evans knew its meaning. Beauregard's army had been flanked and +the long thin lines of his left wing were caught in a trap. When the +first rush of the circling host had swept his little band back from the +Stone Bridge Tyler's army would then cross and the three divisions swoop +down on the doomed men.</p> + +<p>Evans suddenly swung his regiment and two field pieces into a new line +of battle facing the onrushing host and sent his courier flying to +General Bee to ask that his brigade be moved instantly to his support.</p> + +<p>When the shock came there were five regiments and six little field +pieces in the Southern ranks to meet McDowell's sixteen thousand +troops.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> +<p>With deafening roar their artillery opened. The long dense lines of +closely packed infantry began their steady firing in volleys. It sounded +as if some giant hand had grasped the hot Southern skies and was tearing +their blue canvas into strips and shreds.</p> + +<p>For an hour Bee's brigade withstood the onslaught of the two Federal +divisions—and then began to slowly fall back before the resistless wall +of fire. The Union army charged and drove the broken lines a half mile +before they rallied.</p> + +<p>Tyler's division now swept across the Stone Bridge and the shattered +Confederate left wing was practically surrounded by overwhelming odds. +Again the storm burst on the unsupported lines of Bee and drove them +three quarters of a mile before they paused.</p> + +<p>The charging Federal army had struck something they were destined to +feel again on many a field of blood.</p> + +<p>General T. J. Jackson had suddenly swung his brigade of five regiments +into the breach and stopped the wave of fire.</p> + +<p>Bee rushed to Jackson's side.</p> + +<p>"General," he cried pathetically, "they are beating us back!"</p> + +<p>The somber blue eyes of the Virginian gleamed beneath the heavy lashes:</p> + +<p>"Then sir, we will give them the bayonet!"</p> + +<p>Bee turned to his hard-pressed men and shouted:</p> + +<p>"See Jackson and his Virginians standing like a stone wall! Let us +conquer or die!"</p> + +<p>The words had scarcely passed his lips when Bee fell, mortally wounded.</p> + +<p>Four miles away on the top of a lonely hill sat Beauregard and Johnston +befogged in a series of pitiable blunders.</p> + +<p>The flanking of the Southern army was a complete and overwhelming +surprise. Johnston, unacquainted with the ground<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>, had yielded the +execution of the battle to his subordinate.</p> + +<p>While the two puzzled generals were waiting on their hill top for their +orders of battle to be developed on the right they looked to the left +and the whole valley was a boiling hell of smoke and dust and flame. +Their left flank had been turned and the triumphant enemy was rolling +their long line up in a shroud of flame and death.</p> + +<p>The two Generals put spurs to their horses and dashed to the scene of +action, sending their couriers flying to countermand their first orders. +They reached the scene at the moment Bee's and Evans' shattered lines +were taking refuge in a wooded ravine and Jackson had moved his men into +a position to breast the shock of the enemy's avalanche.</p> + +<p>In his excitement Johnston seized the colors of the fourth Alabama +regiment and offered to lead them in a charge.</p> + +<p>Beauregard leaped from his horse, faced the troops and shouted:</p> + +<p>"I have come to die with you!"</p> + +<p>The first of the reserves were rushing to the front in a desperate +effort to save the day. But in spite of the presence of the two +Commanding Generals, in spite of the living stone wall Jackson had +thrown in the path of the Union hosts, a large part of the crushed left +wing could not be stopped and in mad panic broke for the rear toward +Manassas Junction.</p> + +<p>The fate of the Southern army hung on the problem of holding the hill +behind Jackson's brigade. On its bloody slopes his men crouched with +rifles leveled and from them poured a steady flame into the ranks of the +charging Union columns.</p> + +<p>Beauregard led the right wing of his newly formed battle line and +Jackson the center in a desperate charge. The Uni<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>on ranks were pierced +and driven, only to reform instantly and hurl their assailants back to +their former position. Charge and counter-charge followed in rapid and +terrible succession.</p> + +<p>The Confederates were being slowly overwhelmed. The combined Union +divisions now consisted of an enveloping battle line of twenty thousand +infantry, seven companies of cavalry and twenty-four pieces of +artillery, while behind them yet hung ten thousand reserves eager to +rush into action.</p> + +<p>Beauregard's combined forces defending the hill were scarcely seven +thousand men. At two o'clock the desperate Southern commander succeeded +in bringing up additional regiments from his right wing. Two brigades at +last were thrown into the storm center and a shout rose from the +hard-pressed Confederates. Again they charged, drove the Union hosts +back and captured a battery of artillery.</p> + +<p>The hill was saved and the enemy driven across the turnpike into the +woods.</p> + +<p>McDowell now hurried in a division of his reserves and reformed his +battle line for the final grand assault. Once more he demonstrated his +skill by throwing his right wing into a wide circling movement to +envelop the Confederate position on its left flank.</p> + +<p>The scene was magnificent. As far as the eye could reach the glittering +bayonets of the Union infantry could be seen sweeping steadily through +field and wood flanked by its cavalry. Beauregard watched the cordon of +steel draw around his hard-pressed men and planted his regiments with +desperate determination to hurl them back.</p> + +<p>Far off in the distance rose a new cloud of dust in the direction of the +Manassas railroad. At their head was lifted a flag whose folds drooped +in the hot, blistering July air. They were moving directly on the rear +of McDowell's circling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> right wing.</p> + +<p>If they were Union reserves the day was lost.</p> + +<p>The Southerner lifted his field glasses and watched the drooping flag +now shrouded in dust—now emerging in the blazing sun. His glasses were +not strong enough. He could not make out its colors.</p> + +<p>Beauregard turned to Colonel Evans, whose little regiment had fought +with sullen desperation since sunrise.</p> + +<p>"I can't make out that flag. If it's Patterson's army from the +valley—God help us—"</p> + +<p>"It may be Elzey and Kirby Smith's regiments," Evans replied. "They're +lost somewhere along the road from Winchester."</p> + +<p>Again Beauregard strained his eyes on the steadily advancing flag. It +was a moment of crushing agony.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's Patterson's men. We must fall back on our last +reserve—"</p> + +<p>He quickly lowered his glasses.</p> + +<p>"I haven't a courier left, Colonel. You must help me—"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, General."</p> + +<p>"Find Johnston, and ask him to at once mass the reserves to support and +protect our retreat—"</p> + +<p>Evans started immediately to execute the order.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" Beauregard shouted.</p> + +<p>His glasses were again fixed on the advancing flag. A gust of wind +suddenly flung its folds into the bright Southern sky line—the Stars +and Bars of the Confederacy!</p> + +<p>"Glory to God!" the commander exclaimed. "They're our men!"</p> + +<p>The dark face of the little General flashed with excitement as he turned +to Evans:</p> + +<p>"Ride, Colonel—ride with all your might and order General Kirby Smith +to press his command forward at double quick and strike that circling +line in the flank and rear!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>There were but two thousand in the advancing column but the moral effect +of their sudden assault on the rear of the advancing victorious men, +unconscious of their presence, would be tremendous. A charge at the same +moment by his entire army confronting the enemy might snatch victory out +of the jaws of defeat.</p> + +<p>Beauregard placed himself at the head of his hard-pressed front, and +waited the thrilling cry of Smith's men. At last it came, the +heaven-piercing, hell-quivering, Rebel yell—the triumphant cry of the +Southern hunter in sight of his game!</p> + +<p>Jackson, Longstreet and Early with sudden rush of tigers sprang at the +throats of the Union lines in front.</p> + +<p>The men had scarcely gripped their guns to receive the assault when from +the rear rose the unearthly yell of the new army swooping down on their +unprotected flank.</p> + +<p>It was too much for the raw recruits of the North. They had marched and +fought with dogged courage since two o'clock before day—without pause +for food or drink. It was now four in the afternoon and the blazing sun +of July was pouring its merciless rays down on their dust-covered and +smoke-grimed faces without mercy.</p> + +<p>McDowell's right wing was crumpled like an eggshell between the combined +charges front and rear. It broke and rushed back in confusion on his +center. The whole army floundered a moment in tangled mass. In vain +their officers shouted themselves hoarse proclaiming their victory and +ordering them to rally.</p> + +<p>Wild, hopeless, senseless, unreasoning panic had seized the Union army. +They threw down their guns in thousands and started at breakneck speed +for Washington. With every jump they cursed their idiotic commanders +for leading them blindfolded into the jaws of hell. A<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>t least they had +common sense enough left to save what was left.</p> + +<p>The fields were covered with black swarms of flying soldiers. They cut +the horses from the gun carriages, mounted them and dashed forward +trampling down the crazed mobs on foot.</p> + +<p>As the shouting, screaming throng rushed at the Cub Run bridge, a well +directed shot from Kemper's battery smashed a team of horses that were +crossing. The wagon was upset and the bridge choked.</p> + +<p>In mad efforts to force a passage mob piled on mob until the panic +enveloped every division of the army that thirty minutes before was +sweeping with swift, sure tread to its final victorious charge.</p> + +<p>Across every bridge and ford of Bull Run the panic-stricken thousands +rushed pellmell, horse, foot, artillery, wagons, ambulances, excursion +carriages, red-jowled politicians mingling with screaming women whose +faces showed death white through the rouge on their lips and cheeks.</p> + +<p>For three miles rolled the dark tide of ruin and confusion—with not one +Confederate soldier in sight.</p> + +<p>It was three o'clock before the train bearing the anxious Confederate +President and his staff drew into Manassas Junction. He had heard no +news from the front and feared the worst. The long deep boom of the +great guns told him that the battle was raging.</p> + +<p>From the car window he saw rising an ominous cloud of dust rapidly +approaching the Junction. To his trained eye it could mean but one +thing—retreat.</p> + +<p>He sprang from the car and asked its meaning of a pale trembling youth +in disheveled, torn gray uniform.</p> + +<p>Billy Barton turned his bloodshot eyes on the President. His teeth were +chattering.</p> + +<p>"M-m-eaning of w-what?" he stammered.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> +<p>"That cloud of dust coming toward the station?"</p> + +<p>Billy stared in the direction the President pointed.</p> + +<p>"Why, that's the—the—w-w-wagoners—they're trying to save the pieces I +reckon—"</p> + +<p>"The army has been pushed back?" the President asked.</p> + +<p>"No, sir—they—they never p-p-ushed 'em back! They—they just jumped +right on top of 'em and made hash out of 'em where they stood! Thank God +a few of us got away."</p> + +<p>The President turned with a gesture of impatience to an older man, +dust-covered and smoke-smeared.</p> + +<p>"Can you direct me to General Beauregard's headquarters?"</p> + +<p>"Beauregard's dead!" he shouted, rushing toward the train to board it +for home. "Johnston's dead. Bee's dead. Bartow's dead. They're all +dead—piled in heaps—fur ez ye eye kin see. Take my advice and get out +of here quick."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for an answer he scrambled into the coach from which the +President had alighted.</p> + +<p>The station swarmed now with shouting, gesticulating, panic-stricken men +from the front. They crowded around the conductor.</p> + +<p>"Pull out of this!"</p> + +<p>"Crowd on steam!"</p> + +<p>"Save your engine and your train, man!"</p> + +<p>"And take us with you for God's sake!"</p> + +<p>The President pushed his way through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"I must go on, Conductor—the train is the only way to reach the +field—"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, sir," the conductor demurred. "I'm responsible for the +property of the railroad—"</p> + +<p>The panic-stricken men backed him up.</p> + +<p>"What's the use?"</p> + +<p>"The battle's lost!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> +<p>"The whole army's wiped off the earth."</p> + +<p>"There's not a grease spot left!"</p> + +<p>The President confronted the trembling conductor:</p> + +<p>"Will you move your train?"</p> + +<p>"I can't do it, sir—"</p> + +<p>"Will you lend me your engine?"</p> + +<p>The conductor's face brightened.</p> + +<p>"I might do that."</p> + +<p>The engine was detached to the disgust of the panic-stricken men and the +cool-headed engineer nodded to the President, pulled his lever and the +locomotive shot out of the station and in five minutes Davis alighted +with his staff near the battle field. By the guidance of stragglers they +found headquarters.</p> + +<p>Adjutant General Jordan sent for horses and volunteered to conduct the +President to the front.</p> + +<p>While they were waiting he turned to Mr. Davis anxiously:</p> + +<p>"I think it extremely unwise, sir, for you to take this risk."</p> + +<p>The thin lips smiled:</p> + +<p>"I'll take the responsibility, General."</p> + +<p>The President and his staff mounted and galloped toward the front.</p> + +<p>The stragglers came now in droves. They were generous in their warnings.</p> + +<p>"Say, men, do ye want to die?"</p> + +<p>"You're ridin' straight inter the jaws er death."</p> + +<p>"Don't do it, I tell ye!"</p> + +<p>The President began to rally the men. As they neared the front he was +recognized and the wounded began to cheer.</p> + +<p>A big strapping soldier was carrying a slender wounded boy to the rear.</p> + +<p>The boy put his trembling hand on the man's shoulder, snatched off his +cap and shouted:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> +<p>"Three cheers for the President! Look, boys, he's here—we'll lick 'em +yet!"</p> + +<p>The President lifted his hat to the stripling, crying:</p> + +<p>"To a hero of the South!"</p> + +<p>The storm of battle was now rolling swiftly to the west—its roar +growing fainter with each cannon's throb.</p> + +<p>The President, sitting his horse with erect tense figure, dashed up the +hill to General Johnston:</p> + +<p>"How goes the battle, General?"</p> + +<p>"We have won, sir," was the sharp curt answer.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<img src="images/ill-233.jpg" width="489" height="725" alt=""'We have won, sir!' was the short, curt answer."" title=""'We have won, sir!' was the short, curt answer."" /> +<span class="caption">"'We have won, sir!' was the short, curt answer."</span> +</div> + +<p>The President wheeled his horse and rode rapidly into the front lines +until stopped by the captain of a command of cavalry.</p> + +<p>"You are too near the front, sir, without an escort—"</p> + +<p>The President rode beside the captain and watched him form his men for +their last charge on the enemy. He inspected the field with growing +amazement. For miles the earth was strewn with the wreck of the Northern +army—guns, knapsacks, blankets, canteens—and Brooklyn-made handcuffs!</p> + +<p>Their defeat had been so sudden, so complete, so overwhelming, it was +impossible at first to grasp its meaning.</p> + +<p>He passed the rugged figure of Jackson who had won his immortal title of +"Stonewall." An aide was binding a cloth about his wounded arm.</p> + +<p>The grim General pushed aside his surgeon, raised his battered cap and +shouted:</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the President! Ten thousand fresh men and I will be in +Washington to-night!"</p> + +<p>The President lifted his hat and congratulated him.</p> + +<p>The victory of the South was complete and overwhelming. Jefferson Davis +breathed a sigh of relief for deliverance. Within two hours he knew that +this victory had not been won by superior generalship of his commanding +offi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>cers. They had been outwitted at every turn and overwhelmed by the +plan of battle their wily foe had forced upon them. It had not been won +by the superior courage of his men in the battle which raged from +sunrise until four o'clock. The broken and disorganized lines of the +South and the panic-stricken mob he had met on the way were eloquent +witnesses of Northern valor.</p> + +<p>His army had been saved from annihilation by the quick wit and daring +courage of a single Brigadier General who had moved his five regiments +on his own initiative in the nick of time and saved the Confederates +from utter rout.</p> + +<p>Victory had been snatched at last from the jaws of defeat by an +accident. The misfortune of a delayed regiment of Johnston's army was +suddenly turned into an astounding piece of luck. The sudden charge of +those two thousand men on the flank of the victorious army had produced +a panic among tired raw recruits. McDowell was at this moment master of +the field. In a moment of insane madness his unseasoned men had thrown +down their guns and fled.</p> + +<p>The little dark General in his flower-decked tent had made good his +boasts. And worse—the Northern army had proven his wildest assertions +true. They were a rabble. The star of Beauregard rose in the Southern +sky, and with its rise Disaster stalked grim and silent toward the +hilarious Confederacy.</p> + +<p>The South had won a victory destined to prove itself the most fatal +calamity that ever befell a nation.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE AFTERMATH</h3> + + +<p>Socola dismissed his hope of a speedy end of the war and devoted himself +with new enthusiasm to his work. His eyes were sleepless—his ear to the +ground. The information on conditions and public sentiment in Richmond +and the South which he had dispatched to Washington were of incalculable +service to his government. One of the immediate effects of the battle +was the return of Jennie Barton to the Capital. Her mother was improving +and Jimmie had been wounded. Her coming was most fortunate. It was of +the utmost importance that he secure a position in the Civil Service of +the Confederacy. It could be done through her father's influence.</p> + +<p>Socola watched the first division of Northern prisoners march through +the streets amid the shouts and laughter of a crowd of urchins black and +white. A feeling of blind rage surged within him. That the tables would +be shortly turned, he was sure. He would play his part now without a +scruple. He would use pretty Jennie Barton as any other pawn on the +chessboard of Life and Death over which he bent.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis watched the effects of the battle on the North with +breathless interest and increasing dismay.</p> + +<p>His worst fears were confirmed.</p> + +<p>He had hoped that a decisive victory would place his Government in a +position to make overtures for a peaceful adjustment of the conflict.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> +<p>The victory had been too decisive. The disgraceful rout of the Northern +army had stung twenty-three million people to the quick. Defeat so +overwhelming and surprising had roused the last drop of fighting blood +in their veins.</p> + +<p>Boasting and loud talk suddenly ceased. There was no lying about the +results. In all their bald hideous reality the Northern mind faced them +and began with steady purpose their vast preparations to wipe that +disgrace out in blood.</p> + +<p>Abraham Lincoln suddenly found himself relieved of all embarrassment in +the conduct of the war. His critics had threatened to wreck his +administration unless he forced their "Grand Army" to march on Richmond +and take it without a day's delay.</p> + +<p>In obedience to this idiotic clamor he was forced to order the army to +march. They came home by a shorter route than they marched and they came +quicker.</p> + +<p>They returned without baggage.</p> + +<p>Incompetent men and hungry demagogues had clamored for high positions in +the army. Their influence had been so great he had been forced to find +berths for many incompetent officers.</p> + +<p>He had suddenly become the actual Commander-in-Chief of the Army and +Navy and his word was law. Fools and incompetents were relegated to the +rear. Men who knew how to fight and how to organize armies marched to +the front.</p> + +<p>His administration had been embarrassed for funds. It was found next to +impossible to float a loan of a paltry seven million dollars for war +purposes. He borrowed one hundred and fifty million dollars next day at +a fraction above the legal rate of interest in New York. He asked +Congress for 400,000 more men and $400,000,000 to support them. Congress +voted a half million men and five hundred millions of dollars—a +hundred million <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>more than he had asked.</p> + +<p>While Washington's streets were thronged with the mud-smeared, +panic-stricken rabble that was once an army, the Federal Congress +eagerly began the task of repairing the disaster. When they had done all +and much more than their President had asked, they calmly and +unanimously passed this resolution:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Resolved</i>, That the maintenance of the Constitution, the +preservation of the Union, and the enforcement of the laws, are +sacred trusts which must be executed; that no disaster shall +discourage us from the most ample performance of this high duty; +and that we pledge to the Country and the world the employment of +every resource, national and individual, for the suppression, +overthrow and punishment of rebels in arms."</p></div> + +<p>To the dismay of the far-seeing Southern leader in Richmond the press +and people of the South received this resolution with shouts of +derision. In vain did he warn his own Congress that the North was +multiplying its armies, and building two navies with furious energy.</p> + +<p>The people of the South went mad over their amazing victory. Davis saw +their deliverance suddenly develop into the most appalling disaster.</p> + +<p>The decisive battle of the war was fought and won. The European powers +must immediately recognize the new Nation. In this hope their President +could reasonably share. Their other delusions he knew to be madness.</p> + +<p>The Southern press without a dissenting voice proclaimed that the +question of manhood between the North and South was settled and settled +forever. From the hustings the demagogue shouted:</p> + +<p>"One Southerner is the equal anywhere of five Yankees."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> +<p>Manassas, with its insignificant record of killed and wounded, was +compared with the decisive battles of the world. The war was over. There +might still be fought a few insignificant skirmishes before peace was +proclaimed but that auspicious event could not be long delayed.</p> + +<p>The fatal victory was followed by a period of fancied security and +deadly inactivity. Exertions ceased. Volunteers were few. The volatile, +sanguine people laughed at the fears of their croaking President.</p> + +<p>So firmly had they established the new Nation that politicians began to +plot and scheme for control of the Confederate Government on the +expiration of the Davis term of office.</p> + +<p>R. M. T. Hunter, the foremost statesman of Virginia, resigned his +position in the Cabinet to be unembarrassed in his fight for the +presidency.</p> + +<p>Beauregard had been promoted to the full rank of general and his tent +was now a bower of roses. Around the figure of the little fiery, +impulsive, boastful South Carolinian gathered a group of ambitious +schemers who determined to make him President. They filled the +newspapers with such fulsome praise that the popular nominee for an +honor six years in the distance, and shrouded in the smoke of battle, +sought to add fuel to the flame by waving the Crown aside! In a weak +bombastic letter which deceived no one, dated,</p> + +<p>"Within Hearing of the Enemies' Guns," he emphatically declared:</p> + +<p>"I am not a candidate, nor do I desire to be a candidate, for any civil +office in the gift of the people or Executive!"</p> + +<p>Controversies began between different Southern States, as to the +location of the permanent Capital of the Confederacy. The contest +developed so rapidly and went so far, that the Municipal Council of the +City of Nashville, Tennessee, voted an appropriation of $750,000 for a +resi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>dence for the President as an inducement to remove the Capital.</p> + +<p>A furious controversy broke out in the yellow journals of the South as +to why the Southern army had not pursued the panic-stricken mob into the +City of Washington, captured Lincoln and his Congress and ended the war +next day in a blaze of glory.</p> + +<p>It was inconceivable that it was the fault of the two heroes of the +battle, Joseph E. Johnston and Peter G. T. Beauregard. The President had +rushed to the battlefield for some purpose. The champions of the heroes +insinuated that his purpose was not to prevent their quarreling, but to +take command of the field and rob them of their glory.</p> + +<p>They made haste to find a scapegoat on whose shoulders to lay the +failure to pursue. They seized on Jefferson Davis as the man. They +declared in the most positive terms that Johnston and Beauregard, +flushed with victory, were marshaling their hosts to sweep into +Washington when they were stopped by the Confederate Chief and had no +choice but to bivouac for the night.</p> + +<p>Three men alone knew the truth: Davis, Beauregard and Johnston. The two +victorious generals remained silent while their friends made this +remarkable accusation against the President.</p> + +<p>The President remained silent to save his generals from the wrath of a +fickle public which might end their usefulness to the country.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Davis' trained eye had seen the enormous advantage +of quick merciless pursuit the moment he was convinced that McDowell's +army had fled in panic.</p> + +<p>He had finally written a positive order commanding pursuit but was +persuaded by the continued pleas of both commanders not to press it.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> +<p>The reptile press of the South began on the President a bitter, +malignant and unceasing vilification for this, his first fatal and +inexcusable blunder!</p> + +<p>Defeat had freed Abraham Lincoln of fools and incompetents and armed him +with dictatorial powers. Victory had saddled on the Confederacy two +heroes destined to cripple its efficiency with interminable controversy, +sulking bitterness and personal ambitions. The halo of supreme military +genius which encircled the brows of Johnston and Beauregard with the +lifting of the smoke from the field of Bull Run grew quickly into two +storm clouds which threatened the life of the new Republic.</p> + +<p>Johnston's contempt for Beauregard had from the beginning been outspoken +to his intimate friends. The battle had raised this little upstart to +his equal in rank! He claimed that the President had robbed him of his +true position in the Southern army through favoritism in the appointment +of Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee to positions of seniority to +which they were not entitled.</p> + +<p>Johnston began a series of bitter insulting letters to the Confederate +President, complaining of his injustice and demanding his rights. Not +content with his letters to the Executive, Johnston poured his +complaints into the ears of his friends and admirers in the Confederate +Congress and began a systematic and determined personal campaign to +discredit and ruin the administration.</p> + +<p>Among his first recruits in his campaign against Jefferson Davis was the +fiery, original Secessionist, Roger Barton. Barton had never liked +Davis. Their temperaments were incompatible. He resigned his position on +the staff of the President, allied himself openly with Johnston and +became one of the bitterest and most uncompromising enemies of the +government. His position in the Confederate Senate would be a powerful +weapon with which to str<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>ike.</p> + +<p>The substance of Johnston's claim on which was founded this malignant +clique in Richmond was the merest quibble about the date of his +commission to the rank of full general. Because its date was later than +that of Robert E. Lee he felt himself insulted and degraded.</p> + +<p>When the President mildly and good naturedly informed him that his +position of Quartermaster General in the old army did not entitle him to +a field command and that Lee's rank as field commander was higher, he +replied in a letter which became the text of his champions. Its +high-flown language and bombastic claims showed only too plainly that a +consuming ambition had destroyed all sense of proportion in his mind.</p> + +<p>With uncontrolled passion he wrote to the President:</p> + + +<p class="quote">"Human power cannot efface the past. Congress may vacate my commission +and reduce me to the ranks. It cannot make it true that I was not a +general before July 4, 1861.</p> + +<p class="quote">"The effect of the course pursued is this:</p> + +<p class="quote">"It transforms me from the position first in rank to that of fourth. The +relative rank of the others among themselves (Cooper, Albert Sidney +Johnston and Robert E. Lee) is unaltered. It is plain that this is a +blow aimed at me only. It reduces my rank in the grade I hold. This has +never been done heretofore in the regular service in America but by the +sentence of a court-martial as a punishment and as a disgrace for some +military offense.</p> + +<p class="quote">"It seeks to tarnish my fair name as a soldier and as a man, earned by +more than thirty years of laborious and perilous service. I have but +this—the scars of many wounds all honestly taken in my front and in the +front of battle, and my father's revolutionary sword. It was delivered +to me from his venerable hand without stain of dishonor. Its blade is +still unblemished as when it passed from his hand to mine. I drew it in +the war not for rank or fame (sic!),<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> but to defend the sacred soil, the +homes and hearths, the women and children, aye, and the men of my +mother, Virginia—my native South. It may hereafter be the sword of a +general leading armies, or of a private volunteer. But while I live and +have an arm to wield it, it shall never be sheathed until the freedom, +independence, and full rights of the South are achieved. When that is +done, it then will be a matter of small concern to the Government, to +Congress, or to the Country, what my rank or lot may be.</p> + +<p class="quote">"What has the aspect of a studied indignity is offered me. My noble +associate with me in the battle has his preferment connected with the +victory won by our common trials and dangers. His commission bears the +date of July 21, 1861, but care seems to be taken to exclude the idea +that I had any part in winning that triumph.</p> + +<p class="quote">"My commission is made to bear such a date that my once inferiors in the +service of the United States and of the Confederate States (Cooper, +Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) shall be above me. But it must +not be dated as of July 21, nor be suggestive of the victory of +Manassas!</p> + +<p class="quote">"If the action against which I have protested is legal, it is not for me +to question the expediency of degrading one who has served laboriously +from the commencement of the war on this frontier, and borne a prominent +part in the only great event of that war, for the benefit of persons, +neither of whom has yet struck a blow for this Confederacy.</p> + +<p class="quote">"These views and the freedom with which they are presented may be +unusual, so likewise is the occasion which calls them forth.</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"I have the honor to be, most respectfully,<br /> +Your obedient servant,<br /> +<span class="smcap">J. E. Johnston</span>, <i>General</i>."<br /> +</p> + + + +<p>With a curve of his thin lips and a look of mortal weariness on his +haggard face, the man on whose shoulders rested the burden of the lives +of millions of his people seized his pen and wrote this brief note:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<p class="quote"> +"<span class="smcap">Richmond, Va.</span>, September 14, 1861.<br /> +"<span class="smcap">General J. E. Johnston</span>:<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="quote">"I have just received and read your letter of the 12 instant. Its +language is, as you say, unusual; its arguments and statements utterly +one-sided, and its insinuations as unfounded as they are unbecoming.</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"I am, etc.,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jefferson Davis.</span>"<br /> +</p> + + +<p>While the Commander of the victorious Confederacy was sulking in his +tent on the field of Manassas, playing this pitiful farce about the date +of a commission, and allowing his army to go to pieces, George B. +McClellan with tireless energy and matchless genius as an organizer was +whipping into shape Lincoln's new levy of five hundred thousand +determined Northern men.</p> + +<p>To further add to his embarrassment and cripple his work the Vice +President of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens, developed early +into a chronic opponent of the administration. Much of this opposition +was due to dyspepsia but it was none the less effective in undermining +the influence of the Executive. Mr. Stephens' theories were the +outgrowth of the most radical application of the dogma of States' +Rights.</p> + +<p>Before secession he had bitterly opposed the withdrawal of Georgia from +the Union. His extreme advocacy of the Sovereignty of the States now +threatened the unity and integrity of the Confederacy as a Republic.</p> + +<p>He proclaimed the remarkable doctrine that as the war was one in which +the people had led the politicians into a struggle for their rights, +therefore the people could be absolutely relied on by the administrators +of the Government to properly conduct the war. The people could always +be depended on when a battle was to be fought. When no fighting was to +be done they should be at home attending to their families and their +business. The peopl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>e were intelligent. They were patriotic. And they +were as good judges of the necessity of their presence with the colors +as the commanders of the armies. The generals were professional +soldiers. They fought for rank and pay and most of them had no property +in the South!</p> + +<p>In the face of such doctrines proclaimed from so high a source it was +not to be wondered at if thousands of men obtained furloughs on long +leaves of absence. In the judgment of the intelligent and patriotic +people of the South the war was practically over. Why should they swell +the ranks of great armies to augment the power of military lords?</p> + +<p>While these comfortable doctrines were being proclaimed in the South, +the North was drilling five hundred thousand soldiers who had enlisted +for three years.</p> + +<p>The soreheads, theorists, and chronic kickers now had their supreme +opportunity to harass the President. They rallied behind the sulking +General and his friends and established a vigilant and malignant +opposition to Jefferson Davis in the Confederate Congress.</p> + +<p>They centered their criticism naturally on the weakest spot in the new +Government—the weakest spot in all new nations—its financial policy.</p> + +<p>They demanded the immediate purchase of all the cotton in the South and +its exportation to England as a basis of credit. They blithely ignored +two facts—that the Government had no money with which to purchase this +enormous quantity of the property of its people and the still more +important fact that the ports of the South had been blockaded, that this +blockade was becoming more and more effective and that blockade-runners +could not be found with sufficient tonnage to move one-tenth of the crop +if they were willing to risk capture and confiscation.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> +<p>If the President could have met the members of his Congress in daily +social intercourse much of the opposition could have been cleared by his +close reasoning and the magnetism of his powerful personality. But under +the strain of his official life his health forbade the attempt at social +amenities.</p> + +<p>He ceased to entertain except at formal receptions, gave himself body +and soul to his duties as President and allowed his critics full swing +with their tongues.</p> + +<p>The Richmond <i>Examiner</i> early developed into the leader of the reptile +press of the South which sought by all means fair or foul to break down +and destroy the President. This sheet was made the organ of all the +bickering, backbiting, complaining and sulking in the army and the civil +life of the new Republic.</p> + +<p>Because the President could not spare the time for social +entertainments, he was soundly abused for the stinginess of his +administration. Because the young people of Richmond could not be +received at the White House of the Confederacy on every evening in the +week <i>The Examiner</i> sneered at the assumption of "superior dignity by +the satraps."</p> + +<p>This scurrilous newspaper at last made the infamous charge that Davis +was getting rich on his savings from a salary of twenty-five thousand +dollars in Confederate money! Every politician who had been overlooked +rushed into these friendly columns and aired his grievances. The old +secession leaders who had been thrust aside for the presidency by the +people who had forced the office on Jefferson Davis now pressed forward +to put their knives into the sensitive soul of the man they envied. Wm. +L. Yancey, Barnwell Rhett and Robert Toombs joined his foes in a chorus +of criticism and abuse. Every man who had been slighted in high +positions bestowed on rivals rushed now to the attack.</p> + +<p>Davis was never a man who could hedge and trim and lie and be all +things to all men. He was totally lacking in the p<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>atience that can +flatter a fool. He was too sincere, too downright in his honesty for +such demagoguery.</p> + +<p>He was abused for a thousand things for which he was in no sense +responsible and made no effort to defend himself. He merely took refuge +in dignified silence. And when his enemies could not provoke him into +angry outbursts they accused him of contempt for public opinion.</p> + +<p>In this hour of his sore trial he lacked the sense of broad humor which +saved Abraham Lincoln. His rival in Washington was abused with far more +savage cruelty—but it always reminded him of a funny story. He told the +story, roared with laughter himself, and turned again to his work.</p> + +<p>Not so with Jefferson Davis. He was keenly and painfully sensitive to +the approval or condemnation of the people about him. The thoughtless +word of a child could cut him to the quick. To have explained many of +the difficulties on which he was attacked would have been to endanger +the usefulness of one of his generals or expose the army to danger.</p> + +<p>He steadfastly remained silent and accepted as inevitable the accusation +that his manner was cold and repellent.</p> + +<p>But once did his soul completely break down under the strain.</p> + +<p>An officer whom he loved had been censured by one of his commanding +generals who demanded his removal. This censure was conveyed to the +President in a letter marked "Private."</p> + +<p>The officer was removed. Hard as the duty was, he felt that as the +servant of his country he had no other choice.</p> + +<p>Flushed and indignant, his old friend called.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> +<p>"You know me, Mr. President," he cried passionately. "How can I ever +hold my head up again under censure from you—one of my oldest and best +friends?"</p> + +<p>The muscles of the drawn face twitched with nervous agony. He could not +with his high sense of honor as President tell this man that he loved +him and found no fault with him. To make his acceptance of the situation +easier, his only course was to roust his friend's anger.</p> + +<p>He turned and said curtly:</p> + +<p>"You have, I believe, received your orders. I can suggest nothing but +obedience."</p> + +<p>Too angry to ask an explanation, he strode from the room without a word.</p> + +<p>The President closed his desk, climbed the steep hill of the Capitol +Square, walked home in brooding silence, and locked himself in his room +without eating his dinner.</p> + +<p>Alarmed at his absence, Mrs. Davis at last gently rapped on his door. +With tender tact she drew from his reluctant lips the story.</p> + +<p>Turning his dimmed eyes on hers, he burst out in tones of quivering +anguish:</p> + +<p>"Oh, my Winnie dear, how could any man with a soul write a letter like +that, mark it private and force me to plunge a knife into the heart of +my best friend and leave it there without a word—"</p> + +<p>"You should have told your friend the whole truth!"</p> + +<p>"No—he could have made trouble in the army. His commander knew that I +could bear it best."</p> + +<p>"You must try to mingle more with those men, dear," his wife pleaded. +"Use your brains and personality to win them. You can do it."</p> + +<p>"At the cost of precious hours I can give to better service for my +country. No. I've given my life to the South. I'll eat my heart out in +silence if I must—"</p> + +<p>He paused and looked at her tenderly.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> +<p>"Only your friendly eyes shall see, my dear. After all, what does it +matter what men think of me now? If we succeed, we shall hear no more of +malcontents. If we do not succeed, I shall be held accountable by both +friend and foe. It's written so in the book of life. I must accept it. +I'll just do my best and God will give me strength to bear what comes."</p> + +<p>And so while the South was gayly celebrating the end of the war and +every crow was busy pecking at the sensitive heart of their leader, the +ominous shadow of five hundred thousand Northern soldiers, armed with +the best weapons and drilled by the masters of military science, was +slowly but surely drawing near.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>SOCOLA'S PROBLEM</h3> + + +<p>Socola found his conquest of Jennie beset with unforeseen difficulties. +His vanity received a shock. His success with girls at home had slightly +turned his head.</p> + +<p>His mother was largely responsible for his conceit. She honestly +believed that he was the handsomest man in America. For more than six +years—in fact, since his eighteenth birthday—his mother's favorite pet +name was "Handsome." He had heard this repeated so often he had finally +accepted it philosophically as one of the fixed phenomena of nature.</p> + +<p>From the moment he made up his mind to win Jennie he considered the work +done—until he had set seriously about it.</p> + +<p>The first difficulty he encountered was the discovery that a large +number of Southern boys apparently considered the chief business of life +going to see the girls—this girl in particular.</p> + +<p>The first day he called he found five young men who had lingered beyond +their appointed hours and were encroaching on his time without the +slightest desire to apologize. He could see that she was trying to get +rid of them but they hung on with a dogged, quiet persistence that was +annoying beyond measure.</p> + +<p>War seemed to have precipitated an epidemic of furious love-making. He +watched Jennie twist these enterprising young Southerners around her +slender fingers with an ease that was alarming. They were fine-looking, +wholesome fellows, too—a little given to boyish boasting of military +prowess, but for all that genuine, serious, big-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>hearted boys.</p> + +<p>The matter-of-fact way in which she ruled them, as if she were a queen +born to the royal purple and they were so many lackeys, was something +new under the sun.</p> + +<p>For a moment the thought was cheering. Perhaps it was her way of serving +notice on his rivals that her real interests lay in another direction. +But the disconcerting thing about it was that it seemed to be a habit of +mind.</p> + +<p>For the life of him he couldn't make out her real attitude. The one +encouraging feature was that she certainly treated him with more +seriousness than these home boys. It might be, of course, because she +thought him a foreigner. And yet he didn't believe it. She had a way of +looking frankly and inquiringly into his eyes with a deep, serious +expression. Such a look could not mean idle curiosity.</p> + +<p>And yet the problem he could not solve was how far he dared as yet to +presume on that interest. A single false step might imperil his +enterprise. His plan was of double importance since the break between +her impulsive father and the President of the Confederacy. Barton was +now the spokesman for the Opposition. His tongue was one that knew no +restraint. An engagement with his daughter might mean the possession of +invaluable secrets of the Richmond Government. Barton's championship of +the quarrelsome commanders, who, in the first flood tide of their +popularity as the heroes of Manassas, gave them the position of military +dictators, would also place in his hands information of the army which +would be priceless. The Confederate Congress sat behind closed doors. On +the right footing in the Barton household he could put himself in +possession of every scheme of the Southern law-makers from the moment of +its conception.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> +<p>The trait of the girl's character which astounded him was the sudden +merging of every thought in the cause of the South. Even the time she +spent laughing and flirting with those soldier boys was a sort of holy +service she was rendering to her country. The devotion of these Southern +women to the Confederacy was remarkable.</p> + +<p>It had already become an obsession.</p> + +<p>From the moment blood had begun to flow, the soul and body of every +Southern woman was laid a living offering on the altar of her country. +He watched this development with awe and admiration. It was an ominous +sign. It meant a reserve power in the South on which statesmen had not +counted. It might set at nought the weight of armies.</p> + +<p>The moment he began to carefully approach the inner citadel of the +girl's heart he found the figure of a gray soldier clad in steel on +guard. What he said didn't interest her. He was a foreigner. She +listened politely and attentively but her real thoughts were not there. +He had not believed it possible that patriotism could so obsess the soul +of a beautiful girl of nineteen. The devotion of the Southern women, +young and old, to the cause of the South was fast developing into a +mania.</p> + +<p>They were displaying a wisdom, too, which Southern men apparently did +not possess. While the hot-headed, fiery masters of men were busy +quarreling with one another, criticising and crippling the +administration of their Government, the women were supporting the +President with a unanimity and enthusiasm that was amazing.</p> + +<p>Jennie Barton refused to listen to her father's abuse.</p> + +<p>Socola found them in the middle of a family quarrel on the subject so +intense he could not help hearing the conversation from the adjoining +room before Jennie entered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The President hates Johnston, I tell you," stormed the Senator. "He +doesn't like Beauregard either. He's jealous of him!"</p> + +<p>"Father dear, how can you be so absurd!" the girl protested. "A few +months ago Beauregard was a captain of artillery. The President has made +him a general of equal rank with Lee and Johnston—"</p> + +<p>"He's doing all he can now to spite him!"</p> + +<p>"So General Beauregard says—the conceit of it! This little general but +yesterday a captain to dare to say that the President who had honored +him with such high command would sacrifice the country and injure +himself just to spite the man he has promoted!"</p> + +<p>"That will do, Jennie," the Senator commanded. "Women don't understand +politics!"</p> + +<p>"Thank God I don't understand that kind. I just know enough to be loyal +to my Chief, when our life and his may depend on it—"</p> + +<p>With a stamp of his heavy foot the Senator ended the discussion by +leaving the room.</p> + +<p>Jennie smiled sweetly as she extended her hand to Socola.</p> + +<p>"I hope you were not alarmed, Signor. We never fight—"</p> + +<p>"The President of the Confederacy is a very fortunate leader, Miss +Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"He has invincible champions—"</p> + +<p>The girl blushed.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we don't know much. We just feel things."</p> + +<p>"I think sometimes we only <i>know</i> that way—"</p> + +<p>He paused and looked at her hat with a gesture of dismay.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> +<p>"You're not going out?"</p> + +<p>"I must," she said apologetically. "I've bought a whole carriage load of +peaches and grapes. I went to the Alabama hospital yesterday with a +little basket full and made some poor fellows glad. They gave out too +quickly. Those who got none looked so wistfully at me as I passed out. I +couldn't sleep last night. For hours and hours their deep-sunken eyes +followed and haunted me with their pleading. And so I've got a whole +load to take to-day. You'll go with me—won't you?"</p> + +<p>He had come to declare his love and make this beautiful girl his +conquest. She was ending the day by making him her lackey and errand +boy.</p> + +<p>It couldn't be helped. There was no mistaking the tones of her voice. +She would certainly go. The only way to be with her was to dance +attendance on wounded Confederate soldiers.</p> + +<p>It was all in the day's work. Many a scout engulfed in the ranks of his +enemy must charge his own men to save his life. He would not only make +the best of it, he would take advantage of it to press his way a step +closer to her heart.</p> + +<p>"Are all of the girls of the South like you, Miss Jennie?" he asked with +a quizzical smile.</p> + +<p>"You mean insulting to their fathers?" she laughed.</p> + +<p>"If you care to put it so—I mean, is their loyalty to the Confederacy a +mania?"</p> + +<p>"Is mine a mania?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I should say a divine passion—are all your Southern women thus +inspired?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"In the far South and the West?"</p> + +<p>"Everywhere!"</p> + +<p>"It's wonderful."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> +<p>"Perhaps because we can't fight we try to make up for it."</p> + +<p>He watched her keenly.</p> + +<p>"It's something bigger than that. Somehow it's a prophecy to me of a new +future—a new world. Maybe after all political wisdom shall not begin +and end with man."</p> + +<p>Jennie blushed again under the admiring gaze with which Socola held her.</p> + +<p>The carriage stopped at the door of the Alabama hospital. Socola leaped +to the ground and extended his hand for Jennie's. He allowed himself the +slightest pressure of the slender fingers as he lifted her out. It was +his right in just that moment to press her hand. He put the slightest +bit more than was needed to firmly grasp it, and the blood flamed hotly +in her cheeks.</p> + +<p>He hastened to carry her baskets and boxes of peaches and grapes inside.</p> + +<p>For an hour he followed her with faithful dog step in her ministry of +love. His orderly Northern mind shuddered at the sight of the confusion +incident to the sudden organization of this hospital work. He had heard +it was equally bad in the North. Two armed mobs had rushed into battle +with scarcely a thought of what might be done with the mangled men who +would be borne from the field.</p> + +<p>Jennie bent low over the cot of a dying boy from her home county. He +clung to her hand piteously. The waters were too swift and deep for +speech. Before she could slip her hand from his and pass on the man on +the next cot died in convulsions.</p> + +<p>Socola watched his agonized face with a strange sense of exaltation. It +was the law of progress—this way of death and suffering. The voice +within kept repeating the one big faith of his life:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> +<p>"Not one drop of human blood shed in defense of truth and right is ever +spilled in vain!"</p> + +<p>Through all the scenes of death and suffering beautiful Southern women +moved with soft tread and eager hands.</p> + +<p>A pretty girl of sixteen, with wistful blue eyes, approached a rough, +wounded soldier. She carried a towel and tin basin of water.</p> + +<p>"Can't I do something for you?" she asked the man in gray.</p> + +<p>He smiled through his black beard into her sweet young face:</p> + +<p>"No'm, I reckon not—"</p> + +<p>"Can't I wash your face?" the girl pleaded.</p> + +<p>The wounded man softly laughed.</p> + +<p>"Waal, hit's been washed fourteen times to-day, but I'll stand it again, +if you say so!"</p> + +<p>The girl laughed and blushed and passed quickly on.</p> + +<p>When all the grapes and peaches had been distributed save in one basket +Socola looked at these enquiringly.</p> + +<p>"And these, Miss Jennie—they're the finest of the lot?"</p> + +<p>The girl smiled tenderly.</p> + +<p>"They're for revenge—"</p> + +<p>"Revenge?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. The next ward is full of Yankees. I'm going to heap coals of fire +on their heads—come—"</p> + +<p>The last luscious peach and bunch of grapes had been distributed and the +last soldier in blue had murmured:</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Miss!"</p> + +<p>Jennie paused at the door and waved her hand in friendly adieu to the +hungry, homesick eyes that still followed her.</p> + +<p>She brushed a tear from her cheek and whispered:</p> + +<p>"That's for my Big Brother. I'll tell him about it some day. He's still +in the Union—but he's mine!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> +<p>She drew her lace handkerchief from her belt, dried her tears and looked +up with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so loyal after all—am I?"</p> + +<p>"No. But I've seen something bigger than loyalty," he breathed softly, +"something divine—"</p> + +<p>"Come," said the girl lightly. "I wish you to meet the most wonderful +woman in Richmond. She's in charge of this hospital—"</p> + +<p>Socola laughed skeptically.</p> + +<p>"I've already seen the most wonderful woman in Richmond, Miss Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"But she <i>is</i>—really—the most wonderful woman in all the South—I +think in the world—Mrs. Arthur Hopkins—"</p> + +<p>"Really?"</p> + +<p>"She has done what no man ever has anyhow—sold all her property for two +hundred thousand dollars and given it to the Confederacy. And not +satisfied with giving all she had—she gave herself."</p> + +<p>Socola followed the girl in silence into the little office of the +hospital and found himself gasping with astonishment at the sight of the +delicate woman who extended her hand in friendly greeting.</p> + +<p>She was so perfect an image of his own mother it was uncanny—the same +straight, firm mouth, the strong, intellectual forehead with the heavy, +straight-lined eyebrows, the waving rich brown hair, with a strand of +silver here and there—the somber dress of black, the white lace collar +and the dainty white lace cap on the back of her beautiful hair—it took +his breath.</p> + +<p>The more he saw of these Southern people, men and women, the more absurd +became the stuff he had read so often about the Puritan of New England +and the Cavalier of the South. He was more and more overwhelmed with the +conviction that the Americans were <i>one</i> people racially and +temperamentally. The only difference on earth between them was that +some settled in the bleak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> hills and rock-bound coast of the North and +others in the sunlit fields and along the shining shores of the South.</p> + +<p>He returned with Jennie Barton to her home with the deepening conviction +that he was making no progress. He must use this girl's passionate +devotion to her country as the lever by which to break into her heart or +he would fail.</p> + +<p>He paused on the doorstep and spoke with quick decision:</p> + +<p>"Miss Jennie, your Southern women have fired my imagination. I'm going +to resign my commission with the Sardinian Ministry and enter the +service of the South—"</p> + +<p>"You mean it?"</p> + +<p>"I was never in more deadly earnest."</p> + +<p>He looked straight into her brown eyes until she lowered them.</p> + +<p>"I need not tell you that you have been my inspiration. You understand +that without my saying it."</p> + +<p>Before Jennie could answer he had turned and gone with quick, firm step.</p> + +<p>She watched his slender, graceful figure with a new sense of +exhilaration and tenderness.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE ANACONDA</h3> + + +<p>While General Joseph E. Johnston was devoting his energies to a campaign +to change the date of his commission and his friends organizing their +opposition to the President at Richmond, Gideon Welles, the quiet, +unassuming Secretary of the Navy at Washington, was slowly but surely +drawing the mighty coil, the United States Navy, about the throat of the +South. He made little noise but the work he did was destined to become +the determining factor of the war.</p> + +<p>The first blow was struck at North Carolina.</p> + +<p>On August 26, 1861, at one o'clock the fleet quietly put to sea from +Fortress Monroe. On Tuesday they arrived at Hatteras Inlet, opened fire +on the two forts guarding its entrance and on the twenty-ninth a white +flag was raised. Seven hundred and fifteen prisoners were surrendered, +one thousand stand of arms, and thirty pieces of cannon. At a single +blow the whole vast inland water coast of North Carolina on her Sounds +was opened to the enemy with communications from Norfolk, Virginia, to +Beaufort. A garrison of a thousand men could hold those forts for all +time with the navy in command of the sea.</p> + +<p>Burnside followed with his expedition into the Sounds, captured Roanoke +Island and the fall of Newbern was inevitable. Every river-mouth and +inlet of the entire coast of North Carolina was now in the hands of the +Federal Government save the single port of Wilmington.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> +<p>The moral effect of this blow by the navy was tremendous in the North. +It was the first token of renewed power since the defeat at Bull Run. +The navy had not only turned the tide of defeat in the imagination of +the people, the achievement was one of vast importance to the North and +the most sinister import to the South.</p> + +<p>The Federal Government had gained the first important base on the +Southern coast for her blockading squadron and given a foothold for the +military invasion of North Carolina.</p> + +<p>The President at Richmond was compelled to watch this tragedy in +helpless sorrow. The South had no navy with which to dispute the command +of the sea and yet she had three thousand miles of coast line!</p> + +<p>With swift, remorseless sweep the navy struck Port Royal, South +Carolina, and established the second secure base for the blockading +squadrons.</p> + +<p>The Beaufort district of South Carolina captured by this expedition was +one of the richest and most thickly settled of the State, containing +fifteen hundred square miles. It produced annually fifty million pounds +of rice and fourteen thousand bales of cotton. And in its population +were thirty thousand slaves suddenly brought under the power of the +Federal Government.</p> + +<p>The coast of Florida was next pierced. The blockade of the enormous +coast line of the South was declared at first an impossibility. Within +less than a year the United States Navy had established bases within +striking distance of every port. New ships were being launched, +purchased or chartered daily and the giant Anaconda was slowly winding +its terrible coil about the commerce of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis was not the man to accept this ominous situation without +a desperate struggle. The man who had substituted iron gun carriages for +wood in the army consulted his Secretary of the Navy on the possibility +of revolutionizing the naval-warfare of the world by the construc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>tion of +an iron-clad ship of first-class power. In his report to the Confederate +Naval Committee, Secretary Mallory had developed this possibility two +months before the subject had been broached in the report of Gideon +Welles in Washington.</p> + +<p>"I regard the possession of an iron-armored ship," Mallory urged, "as a +matter of the first necessity. Such a vessel at this time could traverse +the entire coast of the United States, prevent all blockade, and +encounter with a fine prospect of success their entire navy. Inequality +of numbers may be overcome by invulnerability, and thus not only does +economy but naval success dictate the wisdom and expediency of fighting +with iron against wood, without regard to first cost."</p> + +<p>The President of the Confederacy gave his hearty endorsement to this +plan—and summoned the genius of the South to the task. At the bottom of +the harbor of Norfolk lay the half-burned hull of the steam frigate +<i>Merrimac</i> which the Government had set on fire and sunk on destroying +the Navy Yard.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i> was raised. A board was appointed to draw plans and +estimate the cost of the conversion of the vessel into a powerful, +floating, iron-clad battery. In the crippled condition of the Norfolk +Navy Yard the task was tremendous and the expense would be great.</p> + +<p>The President ordered the work prosecuted with the utmost vigor. Day and +night the ring of hammers on heavy iron echoed over the quiet harbor of +Norfolk. Blacksmiths were forging the most terrible ship of war that +ever sailed the seas. If the hopes of her builders should be realized, +the navy of the North would be swept from the ocean and the proudest +ships of the world be reduced to junk in a day.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE GATHERING CLOUDS</h3> + + +<p>Disaster followed disaster for the South now in swift succession. The +United States Navy, not content with the supremacy of the high seas, set +to work with determination to build a war fleet on the great rivers of +the West which could pierce the heart of the lower South.</p> + +<p>Before the South could possibly secure arms and ammunition with which to +equip the army of Albert Sidney Johnston, these gunboats were steaming +down the Ohio and Mississippi bearing thousands of troops armed, drilled +and led by stark, game-fighting generals from the West.</p> + +<p>By the end of November the Federal troops threatening Tennessee numbered +fifty thousand and they were rapidly reënforced until they aggregated a +hundred thousand.</p> + +<p>General Albert Sidney Johnston sent the most urgent appeals for arms to +the Governors of Georgia and Alabama, to General Bragg at Pensacola and +to the Government at Richmond. He asked for thirty thousand muskets and +got but one thousand. The guns were not in the South. They could not be +manufactured. Fully one-half his men had no arms at all. Whole brigades +remained without weapons for months. The entire force at his command +never numbered more than twenty-two thousand during this perilous fall. +And yet, by the masterly handling of his little army, its frequent and +rapid expeditions, he kept his powerful opponents in constant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +expectations of an attack and produced the impression that he commanded +an enormous force.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the sensational newspapers were loud in their demands.</p> + +<p>The Richmond yellow Journal shouted:</p> + +<p>"Let Johnston muster his forces, advance into Kentucky, capture +Louisville, push across the Ohio and carry the war into Africa."</p> + +<p>Swift and terrible the blow fell.</p> + +<p>And always the navy's smoke on the horizon. From the Ohio, the Tennessee +and Cumberland rivers could be navigated for hundreds of miles into +Tennessee and Alabama. But two forts guarded the rivers and protected +these States.</p> + +<p>Early in February, 1862, the gunboats under Admiral Foote slowly steamed +up the Tennessee and attacked Fort Henry. The array they covered was +commanded by General Grant. The Federal fleet and army hurled twenty +thousand men and fifty-four cannon against the little fort of eleven +guns. With but forty men General Tilghman fought this host and held them +at bay for two hours and ten minutes, until the main body of his +garrison of twenty-five hundred troops had marched out and were safely +on their way to Fort Donelson, twelve miles across the country on the +banks of the Cumberland. Fort Henry was of small importance. Fort +Donelson commanded the approach to Nashville.</p> + +<p>There was not a moment's delay. Grant telegraphed Halleck that he would +capture Fort Donelson two days later. Admiral Foote sent three light +gunboats up the Tennessee to clear the river into Alabama, swept down +stream with his heavier craft to the Ohio and turned into the +Cumberland. Grant pressed directly across the strip of twelve miles +with his army bearing on Fort Donelson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> + +<p>The commander at Fort Donelson had at first but six thousand men +including the garrison from Fort Henry which had just arrived. Had Grant +been able to strike on the eighth of February, the day he had wired to +Halleck he would capture the fort, its fall would have been sure. But +high water delayed him, and Albert Sidney Johnston hastened to pour in +reënforcements. Every available soldier at his command was rushed to the +rescue. He determined to fight for Nashville at Donelson. General +Buckner's command of Kentuckians, General Pillow's Tennesseeans and +General Floyd's brigade of Virginia troops were all poured into the fort +before the thirteenth. This force, approximating twenty thousand men, +properly commanded should hold Donelson indefinitely.</p> + +<p>The fortification was magnificently placed on a bluff commanding the +river for two miles. Its batteries consisted of eight +thirty-two-pounders, three thirty-two-pound carronades, one ten-inch +Columbiad and one thirty-two-pounder rifle. A line of entrenchments +stretched for two miles around the fort enclosing it.</p> + +<p>Into these trenches the newly arrived troops were thrown.</p> + +<p>Dick Welford, with Floyd's Virginians, gripped his musket with eager +enthusiasm for his first real battle. His separation from Jennie had +been a bitter trial. In his eagerness to get to the front he had the +misfortune to serve in the ill fated campaign in West Virginia, which +preceded Bull Run. Beauregard and J. E. Johnston were in easy touch with +Richmond. His unlucky brigade had been transferred to Albert Sidney +Johnston's command.</p> + +<p>The men had been in the trenches through the long miserable night +expecting an attack at any moment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + +<p>Half waking, half dreaming, he lay on the cold ground wondering what +Jennie was doing—and always with the nightmare of that foreign snake +winding his way into her favor. Well, his chance would come in this +battle. He would lead his men in a charge. He was a corporal now. He +would come out of it with straps on his shoulders, he could see Jennie's +eyes flash with tears of pride as she read the story of his heroism and +his promotion.</p> + +<p>"I'll show that reptile what a man can do!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>The tired body relaxed and his big blond head sank on his arms.</p> + +<p>A sudden crash of thunder and he sprang to his feet, his hand tight on +his gun. There they were in the gray light of the chill February +morning—the fleet of Federal gunboats under Foote, their big black +funnels pouring clouds of smoke into the sky, darkening the dull red +glow of the rising sun. He counted six of them—<i>Carondalet</i>, +<i>Pittsburgh</i>, <i>Louisville</i>, <i>St. Louis</i>, <i>Tyler</i> and <i>Conestoga</i>.</p> + +<p>A white breath of smoke flashed from the <i>Carondalet's</i> bow, and Dick +watched the shell rise with a shriek and fall short of the fort.</p> + +<p>The fleet moved closer and another shell screamed through the sky and +again fell short. They moved again, found the range, and for four hours +the earth trembled beneath the steady roar of their forty-six guns.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock Dick saw the long lines of men in blue deploy for an +assault on the entrenchments. They moved with quick sure step, these men +under Grant. He was sorry for them. They were marching to certain death.</p> + +<p>On the blue waves rolled, pouring volley after volley into the heaps of +earth behind which the Southerners lay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> + +<p>They were close enough now and the quick command rang along the +trenches.</p> + +<p>"Fire!"</p> + +<p>A storm of death swept the ranks in the open fields. They stood their +ground stubbornly, those dogged western fighters. Dazed and cut to +pieces, they rallied and pressed forward again only to be mowed down in +heaps.</p> + +<p>They gave it up at last and sullenly withdrew, leaving the dead piled +high and the wounded slowly freezing to death where they lay.</p> + +<p>The artillery kept the earth quivering with the steady roar of their +guns and the Federal sharpshooters harassed the trenches without a +moment's respite. It was impossible to move for food or water until +nightfall.</p> + +<p>At dawn next day Dick once more gripped his gun and peered over the +embankment. The morning passed without attack. What could it mean? They +saw at last—another fleet. Clouds of black smoke on the river told the +story. Reënforcements had arrived.</p> + +<p>At half-past two o'clock the fleet formed in line of battle—threw their +big flags to the breeze and dashed squarely on the fort.</p> + +<p>They swept now within point blank range of three hundred yards, pouring +in a storm of shot.</p> + +<p>But the Confederate batteries were too heavy and too well manned. +Fifty-seven shells struck the flagship and more than a hundred took +effect on the five boats leading the assault. The fleet was crushed and +put out of commission. Every boat was disabled except one and that +withdrew beyond the range of the batteries.</p> + +<p>Dick watched the magnificent spectacle with thrilling pride. He could +have enjoyed the show but for the bitter cold. It was twenty degrees +below the freezing point, and while the battle raged between the fleet +and fort it began <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>to sleet and snow. When the crippled boats at last +drifted down the yellow tide and out of range, he found to his amazement +that a thick coat of ice had formed on the hand in which he held his +musket. His clothes were frozen stiff on his body.</p> + +<p>He leaped to his feet and beat his arms fiercely, and glanced over the +embankment toward those ominous-looking piles of blue. The sleet was +sheathing their bodies in crystal shrouds now. No flag of truce was +allowed and the wounded lay freezing and dying where they fell. He could +hear the stronger ones still crying for help. Their long piteous moans +rang above the howl of the wind through the breaking boughs of the +trees.</p> + +<p>It was hideous. Why didn't they rescue those men? Why didn't they +proclaim a truce to bury the dead and save the wounded? Grant must be a +fiend! Far off on the river another black smudge was seen in the sky. +More reënforcements were coming.</p> + +<p>The three Confederate generals suddenly waked with a shock to realize +that their foe had landed a second army, cutting their communications +with Nashville.</p> + +<p>A council of war was hastily called on the night of the fourteenth. It +was a discordant aggregation. Floyd, the former Secretary of War in +Buchanan's administration, was the senior officer in command. He was +regarded more as a politician than a soldier and his exploits in West +Virginia had not added to his fame. The men around him had little +respect for his capacity as a commander. Besides quarreling had become +the fashion in the armies of the victorious South since the affair at +Bull Run. The example of Joseph E. Johnston and Beauregard was +contagious.</p> + +<p>There was but one thing to do. The wrangling generals were unanimous on +that point. They must make a desperate assault next morning on Grant's +right wing and reëstablish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> their communications with Nashville at all +hazards.</p> + +<p>Under cover of the darkness on the morning of the fifteenth, the men +were marched from their trenches and massed on the Federal right. But a +handful were left to guard the entrenchments on the Confederate right.</p> + +<p>At the first streak of dawn, the concentrated lines of the Confederates +were hurled on the division of McClernand. Before two o'clock Grant's +right wing had been crushed into a shapeless mass with the loss of his +artillery. The way was open to Nashville and the discordant commanding +generals of the Confederacy paused.</p> + +<p>Buckner ordered up his artillery and reserves to pursue the enemy or +hold his newly-won position. Pillow flatly refused to allow a single gun +to be withdrawn from the entrenchments and sent peremptory orders to his +victorious subordinate to return to the trenches on the right.</p> + +<p>As Buckner was reluctantly returning to the old lines he encountered +Floyd.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" the Commander-in-Chief demanded.</p> + +<p>"I am ordered back to the entrenchments—"</p> + +<p>"You think it wise to walk back into the trap we've just escaped from?"</p> + +<p>"I do not!" was the short answer. "We are outnumbered three to one. We +can not hold our connections open in the face of such an army backed by +gunboats and transports which can bring reënforcements daily. The road +is open, we should save our army by an immediate juncture with Albert +Sidney Johnston before Nashville."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," Floyd replied. "Hold your troops until I consult +with Pillow."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> +<p>While Floyd and Pillow wrangled, Grant dashed on the scene. He had not +been present during the battle. The wounded Commodore had begged him for +a consultation on board his flagship five miles below.</p> + +<p>When Grant reached the field he met a sight that should have dismayed +him and sent his shattered army to the shelter of the gunboats and a +hasty retreat down the Cumberland to a place of safety.</p> + +<p>McClernand had been crushed and his disorganized troops thrown back in +confusion in front of the entrenchments of the Confederate right. His +troops had been on the field for five days and five nights drenched in +snow, sleet, mud, ice and water. The field was strewn with the dead and +wounded. Great red splotches of frozen blood marked the ground in all +directions. Beneath the sheltering pines where the white, smooth snow +lay unbroken by the tramp of heavy feet and the crush of artillery, +crimson streams could be seen everywhere. For two miles the ground was +covered with the mangled dead, dying, and freezing. Smashed artillery +and dead horses lay in heaps. In the retreat the heavy wheels of the +artillery had rolled over the bodies of the dead and wounded, crushing +and mangling many beyond recognition.</p> + +<p>No general ever gazed upon a more ghastly scene than that which greeted +the eye of U. S. Grant in this moment of his life's supreme crisis. The +suffering of his wounded who had fought with the desperation of madness +to save themselves from the cold, had left its mark on their stark, +white faces. The ice had pressed a death mask on the convulsed features +and held them in the moment of agony. They looked up into his face now, +the shining eyes, gaping mouths, clenched fists, and crooked twisted +limbs.</p> + +<p>McClernand's raw troops retreating over this field of horrors were +largely beyond control. Grant knew the enemy had been reënforced. He +could reasonably assume from the evide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>nce before him of the terrific +slaughter in the open field that his own army was in peril. The +transports were in sight ready to move his army to a place of safety +where he might reform his broken ranks.</p> + +<p>His decision was instantaneous and thoroughly characteristic. He turned +to C. F. Smith in command of his left wing whose division had been but +slightly engaged.</p> + +<p>"General Smith, the enemy does not follow up their advantage. They are +probably in a worse condition than I am. Mass your men and charge their +entrenchments on the right—never let up for a +minute—drive—drive—drive them!"</p> + +<p>The charging hosts swept the thin lines of the half abandoned trenches +with the fury of a cyclone. The Confederate right was broken and rolled +back in confusion, fresh troops were rushed from the Federal reserves +and a new cordon of death thrown round the fort.</p> + +<p>On the night of this fatal fifteenth of February Dick Welford was +detailed for guard duty at the door of General Floyd's tent. He heard +their council of war with sinking heart.</p> + +<p>General Pillow favored a second desperate assault on the enemies' right +to re-open the way to Nashville.</p> + +<p>Buckner faced him with rage:</p> + +<p>"It was possible to-day, sir, and we did it. Now the enemy has been +reënforced for the third time. If you had sent my guns as I ordered the +way would still be open—"</p> + +<p>"We can yet cut our way out," Pillow growled.</p> + +<p>"Yes, with the sacrifice of three fourths of our brave men to save one +fourth. I'll not be a party to such butchery. We're caught now in a +death trap. The only rational <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>thing to do is to surrender."</p> + +<p>Floyd rose nervously.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to surrender, gentlemen. The North has accused me of +treachery in Buchanan's Cabinet. I couldn't expect decent treatment from +them. A steamer with recruits has just arrived from Nashville. I shall +make my escape on it with as many men as can be carried."</p> + +<p>"And I'll accompany you," Pillow declared.</p> + +<p>"Go if you like, gentlemen," Buckner replied. "I'll stand by my men and +share their fate."</p> + +<p>Floyd and Pillow hastily began their preparations to go.</p> + +<p>Buckner quietly asked:</p> + +<p>"Am I to consider the command turned over to me?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," Floyd answered. "I turn over the command."</p> + +<p>"I pass it, too," Pillow quickly added.</p> + +<p>General Buckner called for pen, ink and paper and dispatched a courier +immediately to General Grant. The reply was in two words:</p> + +<p>"Unconditional surrender."</p> + +<p>Pillow crossed the river under cover of the night and made his way into +the country.</p> + +<p>Floyd offered to take Dick Welford on board the little steamer.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," the young Virginian answered curtly.</p> + +<p>"You prefer to surrender?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to surrender. I'm going to join Col. Forrest's cavalry +and fight my way out."</p> + +<p>With a wave of his arm Floyd hurried on board the steamer and fled to +Nashville.</p> + +<p>Dick had seen Forrest lead one of his matchless charges of cavalry in +their fight that day. With a handful of men he had cut his way through +a solid mass of struggling i<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>nfantry and thrown them into confusion.</p> + +<p>He had watched this grave, silent, unobtrusive man of humble birth and +little education with the keenest interest. He felt instinctively that +he was a man of genius. From to-day he knew that as a leader of cavalry +he had few equals. He had pointed out to his superiors in their council +of war a possible path of escape by a road partially overflowed along +the river banks. It was judged impracticable.</p> + +<p>In the darkness of the freezing night Dick rode behind his silent new +commander along this road with perfect faith. Forrest threw his command +into Nashville and saved the city from anarchy when the dreaded news of +the fall of Donelson precipitated a panic.</p> + +<p>The South had met her first crushing defeat—a defeat more disastrous +than the North had suffered at Bull Ran. Grant had lost three thousand +men but the Confederate garrisons had been practically wiped out with +the loss of more than fifteen thousand muskets, every big gun and +thirteen thousand prisoners of war.</p> + +<p>When Grant met Buckner, the victor and vanquished quietly shook hands. +They had been friends at West Point.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you attack me on Friday?" the Northerner asked.</p> + +<p>"I was not in command."</p> + +<p>"If you had, my reënforcements could not possibly have reached me in +time."</p> + +<p>Buckner smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>"In other words a little more promptness on one side, a little less +resolute decision on the other—and the tables would have been turned!"</p> + +<p>"That's just it," was the short answer.</p> + +<p>It was an ominous day for the South. Bigger than the loss of the capital +of Tennessee which Johnston evacuated the next day, bigger than the +loss of fifteen thousand me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>n and their guns loomed the figure of a new +Federal commander. Out of the mud, and slush, ice and frozen pools of +blood—out of the storm cloud of sleet and snow and black palls of smoke +emerged the stolid, bulldog face of Ulysses S. Grant. Lincoln made him a +major general.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>JENNIE'S RECRUIT</h3> + + +<p>Socola lost no time in applying for a position. The one place of all +others he wished was a berth in the War Department. It was useless to +try for it. No foreigner had ever been admitted to any position of +trust in this wing of the Confederate Government.</p> + +<p>He would try for a position in the Department of State. His supposed +experience in the Diplomatic Service and his mastery of two languages +besides the English would be in his favor. The struggle for recognition +from the powers of Europe was the card he could play. Once placed in the +Department of State he would make the acquaintance of every clerk and +subordinate who possessed a secret of the slightest value to his cause.</p> + +<p>He wished to enter the Department of State for another reason. He had +learned from absolutely reliable sources that Judah P. Benjamin, the +present Secretary of War, was slated for Secretary of State in the new +Cabinet which would be named when Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as +permanent President. He knew Benjamin to be the ablest man in the +Cabinet, the one man on whose judgment Davis leaned with greatest +confidence. It would be of immense value to his cause to be in daily +touch with this man.</p> + +<p>Fortunately he had mastered shorthand the last year of his stay in +Washington. This accomplishment, rare in the South, would be an +additional argument with which to secure his appointment.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> +<p>Jennie had promised to accompany him to the office of the President and +add her voice to his plea. She had quite won the heart of the badgered +chieftain of the Confederacy by her steady loyalty to his +administration. The malignant opposition of Senator Barton was +notorious. This opposition at the moment had become peculiarly +vindictive and embarrassing. The fall of Fort Donelson and the loss of +Nashville had precipitated a storm of hostile criticism. The fierce +junta of malcontents in the Confederate Congress were eager to seize on +any excuse to attack the President. They were now demanding the removal +of Albert Sidney Johnston from his command. Davis knew that his +commanding general in Tennessee was the greatest soldier of his +time—and that all he needed was a single opportunity to demonstrate his +genius. He refused with scorn to sacrifice such a man to public clamor. +At the White House reception the night before he had heard Jennie Barton +stoutly defending him against his accusers who demanded the head of +General Johnston.</p> + +<p>He had passed her later in the evening, pressed her hand and whispered:</p> + +<p>"If our men were only as loyal! Ask anything you will of me—to the half +of my kingdom."</p> + +<p>Jennie wished to put this impulsive promise to the test. She would see +that Socola secured his appointment. This brilliant young recruit for +the South was her gift to her country and she was proud of him. It had +all come about too quickly for her to analyze her feelings. She only +realized that she felt a sense of tender proprietary interest in him. +That he could render valuable service she did not doubt for a moment.</p> + +<p>She had told him to meet her at the statue of Washington in the Capitol +Square. They would wait there for the appearance of the President and +follow him. His habits were simple and democratic. He walked daily from +the Confederate White House to the Capitol grounds, crossed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>the Square +and at the foot of the hill entered his office in the Custom House on +Main Street, unaccompanied by an escort of any kind.</p> + +<p>Anybody on earth could approach and speak to him. The humbler the man or +woman, the easier the approach was always made.</p> + +<p>Socola was waiting at the big group of statuary contemplating the lines +of its fine workmanship with curious interest.</p> + +<p>Jennie startled him from a reverie:</p> + +<p>"You like him?"</p> + +<p>The white teeth gleamed in pleasant surprise.</p> + +<p>"The father of his country?—Yes—I like him. It's going to be my +country, too, you know."</p> + +<p>They strolled through the grounds and watched the squirrels leap from +the limbs of a great tree to the swaying boughs of the next.</p> + +<p>A tall awkward trooper on whose hat was the sign of a North Carolina +regiment toiled painfully up the hill slightly under the influence of +whisky. Socola saw that he was navigating the steep with difficulty and +turned into a by-path to give him a free passage. It was never pleasant +to meet a man under the influence of liquor in the presence of ladies.</p> + +<p>They had taken but a few steps along the little path when the quick firm +military tread of the President was heard.</p> + +<p>They turned just in time to see him encounter the toiling trooper from +North Carolina.</p> + +<p>The soldier's jaw suddenly dropped and his eyes kindled with joy. He +stood squarely in the President's way and laughed good naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Say—Mister!"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Say—now—ain't yo' name Jeff'son Davis?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> +<p>The President nodded in a friendly way.</p> + +<p>"It is."</p> + +<p>"I knowed it," the trooper laughed. "By Gum, I knowed it, the minute I +laid my eyes on ye—"</p> + +<p>He moved closer with insinuating joy.</p> + +<p>"I bet ye could never guess how I knowed it—could ye?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly—"</p> + +<p>"Ye want me ter tell ye?" The trooper laughed again. "I knowed ye the +very minute I seed ye—'cause ye look thez ezactly like a Confederate +postage stamp! I know 'em 'cause I've licked 'em!"</p> + +<p>The President laughed and passed on his way without looking back.</p> + +<p>They found a crowd of cranks and inventors waiting to see him. He had +the same weakness as Abraham Lincoln for this class of men. He never +allowed a clerk to turn one way without his personal attention. His +interest in all scientific problems was keen, and he had always +maintained the open mind of youth to all inventions.</p> + +<p>Socola and Jennie strolled through the city for an hour until the crank +levee was over. The President's secretary, Burton Harrison, promised +them an interview at the end of that time. He ushered them into the room +under the impression that all the callers had gone. He had overlooked a +modest, timid youth who had quietly approached the Chief Executive's +desk.</p> + +<p>They paused until he was at leisure. The moment was one of illumination +for Socola. He saw a trait of character in the Southern leader whose +existence he had not suspected.</p> + +<p>"My name is Ashe—Mr. President, S. A. Ashe," the youth began.</p> + +<p>Davis bowed gravely.</p> + +<p>"Have a seat, sir."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> +<p>The boy sat down and twiddled his cap nervously.</p> + +<p>"I've come to ask an appointment of some kind in the regular army of the +Confederacy. I'm an officer of the North Carolina militia. I wish to +enter the regular army."</p> + +<p>The Confederate chieftain looked at the peculiarly youthful, beardless +face. He couldn't be more than eighteen from appearances.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you're too young, sir," he said slowly, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>The boy drew himself up with a touch of wounded pride.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mr. Davis, I voted for you for President last November."</p> + +<p>Instantly the Chief Executive rose, blushing his apology. He laid his +hand on the boy's shoulder and spoke with the utmost deference.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir. I should have been more observant and +thoughtful. I was very much like you when I was a boy. It was a long +time before I had any whiskers myself."</p> + +<p>With a friendly smile he touched his thin beard.</p> + +<p>He sent the young man away happy with his promise of consideration. That +he should have asked this beardless boy's pardon in so pointed a manner +Socola thought remarkable. That the Chief Executive of nine million +people should blush suddenly over such a trifle was the flash that +revealed a great soul.</p> + +<p>The President advanced and gave Jennie both his hands in cordial +greeting.</p> + +<p>"I've brought you a recruit, sir," the girl cried with a merry laugh.</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"I have resigned my commission with the Sardinian Ministry, Mr. +President, and wish to offer my services to the South."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> +<p>"We need every true friend the world can send us, Signor—I thank you—"</p> + +<p>"I wish, sir," Socola hastened to say, "to render the most efficient +service possible. I have no training as a soldier. I have experience as +a diplomat. I speak three languages and I am an expert stenographer—"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Signor," the President interrupted, "that I have no vacancy +in my office—or I should be pleased to have you here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps your State Department may find me useful?"</p> + +<p>"No doubt they can. I'll give you a letter to the Secretary recommending +your appointment."</p> + +<p>He seated himself at once, wrote the letter and handed it to Socola.</p> + +<p>Jennie thanked him and, with a warm pressure of his hand, passed into +the hall with Socola.</p> + +<p>At the outer door Burton Harrison overtook them:</p> + +<p>"Just a moment, Miss Barton. The President wishes to ask you a +question."</p> + +<p>Davis drew her to the window.</p> + +<p>"I should have been more careful of the credentials of our friend +perhaps, Miss Jennie. You can vouch for his loyalty?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely."</p> + +<p>She had scarcely uttered the word in tones of positive conviction before +she realized the startling fact that she had spoken under the impulse of +some strange intuition and not from her knowledge of the man's character +and history.</p> + +<p>In spite of her effort at self-control she blushed furiously. Mr. Davis +apparently did not observe it.</p> + +<p>"I have been much impressed with his poise and culture and intelligence. +You met him in Washington, of course?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> +<p>"You know positively that he was the Secretary of the Sardinian +Minister?"</p> + +<p>"Positively, Mr. President—"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my dear. I'll take your word for it."</p> + +<p>Jennie walked home on air. She had made history. How tragic its sequel +was destined to be, a kind Providence concealed.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE FATAL BLUNDER</h3> + + +<p>On February 22, 1862, Jefferson Davis committed the one irretrievable +mistake of his administration. He consented to his inauguration as +permanent President of the Confederacy under the strict forms of +Constitutional law.</p> + +<p>The South was entering the shadows of the darkest hour of her new life. +A military dictator clothed with autocratic power could have subdued the +discordant elements and marshaled the resources of the country to meet +the crisis. A constitutional President would bind himself hand and foot +with legal forms. A military dictator might ride to victory and carry +his country with him.</p> + +<p>His two Commanding Generals had allowed the victorious army of Manassas +to drift into a rabble while they wrangled for position, precedence and +power.</p> + +<p>The swift and terrible blows which the navy had dealt the South, +delivered so silently and yet with such deadly effect that the people +had not yet realized their import, had convinced the President that the +war would be one of the bloodiest in history.</p> + +<p>The fall of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson with the evacuation of +Nashville had been a sword thrust into the heart of the lower South. The +extent of these disasters had not been realized by the public. The South +was yet a sleeping lioness. She could be roused and her powers wielded +with certainty by one man. But his hand must be firm.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> +<p>There was one man in the Cabinet of the Confederacy who clearly saw this +from the first dawn of the new year—Judah P. Benjamin, the astute +Secretary of War. His keen logical mind had brushed aside the fog of +sentiment and saw <i>one</i> thing—the need of success and the way in which +to attain it.</p> + +<p>The morning of February twenty-second was Washington's birthday, and for +that reason fixed by the South as the day of the inauguration of their +President. Nothing could have shown more clearly the tenacity with which +the Southern people were clinging to their old forms. The day slowly +dawned through lowering storm clouds.</p> + +<p>The President went early to his office for a consultation with the +members of his new Cabinet. Judah P. Benjamin, his chosen chief +counselor as Secretary of State, was unusually reticent. The details of +the inauguration were quickly agreed on and Davis hastened to return to +his room at the White House to complete his preparations for the +ceremony.</p> + +<p>Benjamin followed his Chief thirty minutes later with the most important +communication he had ever decided to make.</p> + +<p>As the most trusted adviser of the President he had long had the freedom +of the house.</p> + +<p>The resolute Hebrew features of the Secretary were set with resolution. +He pushed his way to the door of Mr. Davis' room, rapped for admission +and without waiting for an answer softly and swiftly entered. His +mission was too important to admit of delay.</p> + +<p>He paused at the threshold in surprise.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis was on his knees in prayer so deep and earnest he had +not heard.</p> + +<p>He waited with head bowed in silent sympathy for five minutes and looked +with increasing amazement at the white face of the man who prayed. This +agony of soul before the God of his fathers was a revelation to the +Minis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>ter of State.</p> + +<p>His lips were moving now in audible words.</p> + +<p>"Thou alone art my refuge, O Lord! Without Thee I shall fail. Have pity +on Thy servant—with Thy wisdom guide!"</p> + +<p>The time was swiftly passing. The Minister could not wait.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Mr. President," he began in low tones, "but I have +most important communications to make to you—"</p> + +<p>The voice of prayer softly died away and slowly the look of earth came +back to the tired face. He turned his hollow cheeks to Benjamin with no +attempt to mask the agony of his spirit, slowly rose and motioned him to +a chair.</p> + +<p>The Secretary lifted his hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm restless. If you don't mind, I'll stand. I have marked three +editorial attacks on you and your administration in three of the most +powerful newspapers in the South—the Richmond <i>Examiner</i>, the Raleigh +<i>Standard</i> and the Charleston <i>Mercury</i>—read them please—and then I +have something to say!"</p> + +<p>The President seated himself and read each marked sentence with care.</p> + +<p>"The same old thing, Benjamin—only a little more virulent this +time—what of it?"</p> + +<p>"This! The success of our cause demands the suppression of these reptile +sheets and the imprisonment of their editors—"</p> + +<p>"Would success be worth having if we must buy it at the cost of the +liberties of our people?"</p> + +<p>Benjamin stopped short in his tracks. He had been walking back and forth +with swift panther-like tread.</p> + +<p>"We are at war, Mr. President—fierce, savage, cruel, it's going to be. +You have realized this from the first. The world will demand of us just +one thing—success in arms. Wit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>h this we win all. Lose this and we lose +all—our liberties and a great deal more. Our coast is pierced now at +regular intervals to the mouth of the Mississippi River—at Fortress +Monroe in Virginia—the entire inland waters of North Carolina, Port +Royal, South Carolina, Florida's line has been broken. Grant's army is +swarming into Tennessee. McClellan is drilling three hundred thousand +men in Washington to descend on Richmond. It's no time to nurse such +reptiles in our bosom—"</p> + +<p>"I can't play the petty tyrant—"</p> + +<p>"They'll sting you to death—I warn you—no administration on earth can +live in times of war and endure such infamous abuse as these +conspirators are now heaping on your head. And mark you—they have only +begun. The junta of disgruntled generals which they have organized will +strangle the cause of the South unless you grip the situation to-day +with a hand of steel. They are laying their plans in the new Congress to +paralyze your work and heap on your head the scorn of the world."</p> + +<p>The President moved with a gesture of impatience.</p> + +<p>"I've told you, Benjamin, that I will not suppress these papers nor sign +your order for the arrest of the editors. I am leading the cause of a +great people to preserve Constitutional liberty. Freedom of speech is +one of their rights—"</p> + +<p>"In times of peace, yes—but not in the crisis of war when the tongue of +a fool may betray the lives of millions. I am not here merely to ask you +to suppress these three treacherous rags—I'm here to ask a bigger and +far more important thing. I want you to stop this inaugural ceremony +to-day—"</p> + +<p>Davis rose with a quick excited movement.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> +<p>"Just what I say. Stop in time. We inaugurated a Provisional Government +at Montgomery to last one year. Why one year? Because we believed the +war would be over before that year expired. It would have been madness +to provide for the establishment of the elaborate and clumsy forms of a +Constitutional Government during the progress of war. Why set up a +Constitution until you have won by the sword the power to maintain it?"</p> + +<p>"But," Davis interrupted, "if we delay the adoption of a Constitution we +confess to the world our want of confidence in the success of our cause. +Such a permanent Constitution will be to our people the supreme sign of +faith—"</p> + +<p>"With these jackals and hyenas of the press yelping and snarling and +snapping at your heels? These men will destroy the faith of our best men +and women if you only allow them to repeat their lies often enough. They +will believe them at last, themselves. You have the confidence to-day of +the whole South. Your bitterest enemy could not name a candidate to +oppose your election last November. Give these traitors time and they +will change all—"</p> + +<p>"Not with military success—"</p> + +<p>"Granted. But if these jackals break down the confidence of the people +in the administration, volunteering ceases and we have no army."</p> + +<p>"We must use the Conscription. It is inevitable—"</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" the Secretary cried triumphantly. "And Conscription is the +<i>reductio ad absurdum</i> of your dream of Constitutional Law. Why set up a +Constitution at all to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Congress must pass a Conscript law when necessity demands it."</p> + +<p>"In their own way, yes—with ifs and ands and clauses which defeat its +purpose."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> +<p>"They must respond to the demands of our people when their patriotism is +aroused."</p> + +<p>"Our people have patriotism to spare if we can only guide it in the +right direction. If it goes to seed in the personal quarrels of +generals, if it exhausts itself in abuse of the Executive, while an +overwhelming enemy marches on us—What then?"</p> + +<p>The President lifted his head.</p> + +<p>"And you recommend?"</p> + +<p>"Stop this ceremony. Refuse the position of permanent President and use +your powers as Provisional President in a Military Dictatorship until +the South wins—"</p> + +<p>"Never!" was the quick reply. "I'll go down in eternal defeat sooner +than win an empire by such betrayal of the trust imposed in me—"</p> + +<p>"You're not betraying the trust imposed in you by assuming these +powers!" Benjamin exclaimed with passion. "You're fulfilling that trust. +You're doing what the people have called you to do—establishing the +independence of the South! The Government at Washington has been +compelled to exercise despotic powers from the first—"</p> + +<p>"Exactly—and that's why we can't afford to do it. We are fighting the +battle of the North and the South for Constitutional liberty."</p> + +<p>"Even so, if we lose and they win, the cause is lost. Seward is now +imprisoning thousands of Northern men who have dared to sympathize with +us—"</p> + +<p>"An act of infamous tyranny!"</p> + +<p>"But if he wins—who will dare to criticise the wisdom of his policy +fifty years from to-day? If we lose, who will give us credit for our +high ideals of Civil Law in times of war? You have the chance to-day to +win. Leap into the saddle and command the obedience of every man, woman +and child in the South! Your Congress which assembles to-day is a weak +impossible body of men. They hav<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>e nothing to do except to make foolish +speeches and hatch conspiracies against your administration. We have +muzzled them behind closed doors. The remedy is worse than the disease. +The rumors they circulate through the reptile press do more harm than +the record of their vapid talk could possibly accomplish. Why tie these +millstones around your neck? They came yesterday to demand the head of +Albert Sidney Johnston. They are organizing to drive Lee out of the +army. They allow no opportunity to pass to sneer at his position as your +chief military adviser since his return from Western Virginia. You know +and I know that Albert Sidney Johnston and R. E. Lee are our greatest +generals—"</p> + +<p>"I'll protect them from the chatter of fools—never fear—"</p> + +<p>"To what end if you allow them to break down the faith of our people in +their Government? The strong arm, alone, can save us. It's no time to +haggle about the forms of law. Your duty is clear. Stop this foolish +ceremony of Inauguration to-day and assume in due time the +Dictatorship—"</p> + +<p>Davis threw both arms up in a gesture of impatient refusal.</p> + +<p>"It's a waste of breath, Benjamin. I'll die first!"</p> + +<p>The elastic spirit of the younger man recovered its poise at once and +accepted the decision.</p> + +<p>With a genial smile he slipped one arm around the tall figure.</p> + +<p>"Brave, generous, big-hearted, foolish—my captain! Well, I've done my +duty as your chief counselor. Now I'll obey orders—one thing more I +must add in warning. Richmond swarms with spies. It will be impossible +to defend the Capital on the approach of McClellan's army without a +proclamation of martial law."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> +<p>The President looked up sharply.</p> + +<p>"We'll compromise on that. I'll proclaim martial law and suspend the +<i>writ</i> in Richmond—"</p> + +<p>"And a radius of ten miles."</p> + +<p>"All right—I'll do that."</p> + +<p>It was the utmost concession the wily minister of State could wring from +his Chief. But it was important. The Secretary had his eye on a certain +house on Church Hill. It might be necessary to expel its owners.</p> + +<p>"By the way," the President added, as his Secretary stood with his hand +on the door. "I wrote a recommendation to your new department for the +appointment of a young friend of Miss Barton to a position in your +office. He's a man of brilliant talents—a foreigner who has cast his +fortunes with us. Do what you can for him—"</p> + +<p>"I'll remember—" the Secretary nodded and hurried to his office to +issue his proclamation of martial law for the city and district of +Richmond.</p> + +<p>At ten o'clock the rain began to pour in torrents. The streets were +flooded. Rushing rivers of muddy water roared over its cobble stones and +leaped down its steep hills into the yellow tide of the James.</p> + +<p>Every flag drooped and flapped in dismal weeping against its staff. The +decorations of the houses and windows outside were ruined. The bunting +swayed and sagged in deep curves across the streets, pouring a stream of +water from the folds.</p> + +<p>At twelve o'clock, the procession formed in the Hall of the Virginia +Legislature and marched through the pouring rain to the platform erected +around the statue of Washington. In spite of the storm an immense crowd +packed the space around the speaker's stand, presenting the curious +spectacle of a sea of umbrellas.</p> + +<p>Socola watched this crowd stand patiently in the downpour with a +deepening sense of the tragedy it foreshadowed. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>The people who could set +their teeth and go through an inauguration ceremony scheduled in the +open air on such a day might be defeated in battle, but the victor would +pay his tribute of blood. He had not dared to ask Jennie to accept his +escort on such a day and yet they drifted to each other's side by some +strange power of attraction.</p> + +<p>The scene was weird in its utter depression of all enthusiasm, and yet +the sullen purpose which held the people was sublime in its persistence. +An awning covered the speaker's stand and beneath this friendly cover +the ceremony was performed down to the last detail.</p> + +<p>The President rose and faced his audience under the most trying +conditions. Oratory was beyond human effort. He did not attempt it. He +read his frank dignified address in simple, clear, musical tones which +rang with strange effect over the crowd of drenched men and women. Not a +single cheer broke the delivery of his address. He sought in no way to +apologize for the disasters which had befallen his people. He faced them +bravely and summoned his followers to be equally brave.</p> + +<p>The close of his address caught the morbid fancy of Socola with peculiar +fascination. Clouds of unusual threatening depths were rolling across +the heavens, against which the canopied platform was sharply outlined. +The thin form of the President rose white and ghostlike against this +black background of clouds. He was extremely pale, his cheeks hollowed +deep, his head bared regardless of the chill mists which beat through +the canopy.</p> + +<p>His tall figure stood tense, trembling, deathlike—the emblem of +sacrificial offering on the altar of his country.</p> + +<p>Socola whispered to Jennie:</p> + +<p>"Where have I witnessed this scene before?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> +<p>"Surely not in America—"</p> + +<p>"No"—he mused thoughtfully—"I remember now—on a lonely hill outside +Jerusalem the Roman soldiers were crucifying a man on a day like +this—that's where I saw it!"</p> + +<p>He had scarcely spoken the uncanny words in a low undertone when the +speaker closed his address with a remarkable prayer.</p> + +<p>Suddenly dropping his manuscript on the table he lifted his eyes into +the darkened heavens and cried with deep passion:</p> + +<p>"With humble gratitude and adoration, to Thee, O God, I trustingly +commit myself, and prayerfully invoke Thy blessing on my country and its +cause!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>THE SLEEPING LIONESS</h3> + + +<p>Again the smoke of the navy shadowed the Southern skies. Two expeditions +were aiming mortal blows at the lower South.</p> + +<p>The Confederacy had concentrated its forces of the upper waters of the +Mississippi on Island Number 10 near New Madrid. The work of putting +this little Gibraltar in a state of perfect defense had been rushed with +all possible haste. New Madrid had been found indefensible and evacuated +on March thirteenth.</p> + +<p>On the seventeenth, Commodore Foote's fleet steamed into position and +the first shell from his guns shrieked its message of death across the +island. The gunboats concentrated their fire on the main battery which +was located on low ground, almost submerged by the high water and +separated from the others by a wide slough. Their gun platforms were +covered with water—the men in gray must work their pieces standing +half-leg deep in mud and slush. Five iron-clad gunboats led the attack. +Three of them were lashed together in midstream and one lay under the +shelter of each shore. Their concentrated fire was terrific. For nine +hours they poured a stream of shot and shell on the lone battery with +its beaver gunmen.</p> + +<p>At three o'clock Captain Rucker in charge of the battery called for +reënforcements to relieve his exhausted men. Volunteers rushed to his +assistance and his guns roared until darkness brought them respite. It +had been done. A single half-submerged battery exposed to the +concentrated fire of a powerful fleet had held<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> them at bay and compelled +them to withdraw at nightfall. Rucker fired the last shot as twilight +gathered over the yellow waters. His battery had mounted five guns at +sunrise. Three of them were dismantled. Two of them still spoke defiance +from their mud-soaked beds.</p> + +<p>On April the sixth, the fleet reënforced succeeded in slipping past the +batteries in a heavy fog. A landing was effected above and below the +island in large force, and its surrender was a military necessity.</p> + +<p>Foote and Pope captured MacKall, the commander, two brigadier generals, +six colonels, a stand of ten thousand arms, two thousand soldiers, +seventy pieces of siege artillery, thirty pieces of field artillery, +fifty-six thousand solid shot, six transports and a floating battery of +sixteen guns.</p> + +<p>A cry of anguish came from the heart of the Confederate President. The +loss of men was insignificant—the loss of this enormous store of heavy +guns and ammunition with no factory as yet capable of manufacturing them +was irreparable.</p> + +<p>But the cup of his misery was not yet full. The greatest fleet the +United States Navy had gathered, was circling the mouth of the +Mississippi with its guns pointing toward New Orleans. Gideon Welles had +selected for command of this important enterprise the man of destiny, +Davis Glasgow Farragut, a Southerner whose loyalty to the Union had +never been questioned.</p> + +<p>Eighty-two ships answered Farragut's orders in his West Gulf squadron at +their rendezvous. His ships were wood, but no braver men ever walked the +decks of a floating battery.</p> + +<p>In March he managed to crawl across the bar and push his fleet into the +mouth of the Mississippi. The <i>Colorado</i> was too deep and was left +outside. The <i>Pensacola</i> and the <i>Mississippi</i> he succeeded in dragging +through the mud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<p>His ships inside, the Commander ordered them stripped for the death +grapple.</p> + +<p>New Orleans had been from the first considered absolutely impregnable to +attack from the sea. Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, twenty miles below +the city, were each fortifications of the first rank mounting powerful +guns which swept the narrow channel of the river from shore to shore.</p> + +<p>The use of steam, however, in naval warfare was as yet an untried +element of force in the attacking fleet against shore batteries. That +steam in wooden vessels could overcome the enormous advantage of the +solidity and power of shore guns had been considered preposterous by +military experts.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis had utilized every shipbuilder in New Orleans to hastily +construct the beginnings of a Southern navy. Two powerful iron-clad +gunboats, <i>Louisiana</i> and <i>Mississippi</i>, were under way but not ready +for service. Eight small vessels had been bought and armed.</p> + +<p>To secure the city against the possibility of any fleet passing the +forts at night or through fog, the channel of the river between Forts +Jackson and St. Phillip was securely closed. Eleven dismasted schooners +were moored in line across the river and secured by six heavy chains. +These chains formed an unbroken obstruction from shore to shore.</p> + +<p>This raft was placed immediately below the forts.</p> + +<p>There was no serious alarm in the city on the appearance of the fleet in +the mouth of the river. For months they had been cruising about the Gulf +of Mexico without apparent decision.</p> + +<p>The people laughed at their enemy. There was but one verdict:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> +<p>"They'll think twice before attempting to repeat the scenes of 1812."</p> + +<p>Not only were the two great forts impregnable but the shores were lined +with batteries. What could wooden ships do with such forts and guns? It +was a joke that they should pretend to attack them. Their only possible +danger was from the new iron-clad gunboats in the upper waters of the +river. They were building two of their own kind which would be ready +long before the enemy could break through the defenses from the North.</p> + +<p>When Farragut stripped his fleet for action and moved toward the forts +on the sixteenth of April, New Orleans was the gayest city in America. +The spirit of festivity was universal. Balls, theaters, operas were the +order of the day. Gay parties of young people flocked down the river and +swarmed the levees to witness the fun of the foolish attempt of a lot of +old wooden ships to reduce the great forts.</p> + +<p>The guns were roaring now their mighty anthem. Ships and forts—forts +and ships. The batteries of Farragut's mortar schooners were hurling +their eleven-inch shells with harmless inaccuracy.</p> + +<p>The people laughed again.</p> + +<p>For six days the earth trembled beneath the fierce bombardment. The +fleet had thrown twenty-five thousand shells and General Duncan reported +but two guns dismantled, with half a dozen men killed and wounded. The +forts stood grim and terrible, their bristling line of black-lipped guns +unbroken, their defenses as strong as when the first shot was fired.</p> + +<p>On the evening of April twenty-third, the fire of the fleet slackened. +Farragut had given up the foolish attempt, of course. He had undertaken +the impossible and at last had accepted the fact.</p> + +<p>But the people of New Orleans had not reckoned on the character of the +daring commander of the Federal fleet. He coolly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>decided that since he +could not silence the guns of the forts he would run past them with his +swift steam craft and take the chances of their batteries sending him to +the bottom.</p> + +<p>Once past these forts and the city would be at his mercy.</p> + +<p>He must first clear the river of the obstruction placed below the forts. +Farragut ordered two gunboats to steal through the darkness without +lights and clear this raft. The work was swiftly done. The task was +rendered unexpectedly easy by a break caused by a severe storm.</p> + +<p>At three o'clock in the morning of the twenty-fourth, the lookout on the +ramparts of the forts saw the black hulls of the fleet, swiftly and +silently steaming up the river straight for the mouths of their guns.</p> + +<p>The word was flashed to the little nondescript fleet of the Confederacy +lying in the smooth waters above and they moved instantly to the support +of the forts.</p> + +<p>The night was one of calm and glorious beauty. The Southern skies +sparkled with jeweled stars. The waning moon threw its soft, mellow +light on the shining waters, revealing the dark hulls of the fleet with +striking clearness. The daring column was moving straight for Fort +Jackson. They must pass close under the noses of her guns.</p> + +<p>They were in for it now.</p> + +<p>The dim star-lit world with its fading moon suddenly burst into sheets +of blinding, roaring flame. The mortar batteries moored in range, opened +instantly in response—their eleven-inch shells, glowing with +phosphorescent halo, circled and screamed and fell.</p> + +<p>The black hulls belched their broadsides of yellow flame now. From +battlement and casemate of forts rolled the thunder of their batteries, +sending their heavy shots smashi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>ng into the wooden hulls.</p> + +<p>Through the flaming jaws of hell, the fleet, with lungs throbbing with +every pound of steam, dashed and passed the forts!</p> + +<p>Farragut led in the <i>Hartford</i>. But his work had only begun. He had +scarcely reckoned on the little Confederate fleet. He found them a +serious proposition.</p> + +<p>Suddenly above the flash and roar and the batteries of the forts and +over the broadsides of the ships leaped a wall of fire straight into the +sky.</p> + +<p>Slowly but surely the flaming heavens moved down on the attacking fleet +lighting the yellow waters with unearthly glare.</p> + +<p>The Confederates had loosed a fleet of fire ships loaded with pitch pine +cargoes. Farragut's lines wavered in the black confusion of rolling +clouds of impenetrable smoke, lighted by the glare of leaping flames.</p> + +<p>The daring little fleet of the Confederacy moved down through the +blinding vapors of their own fires and boldly attacked the on-coming +hosts. Friend could scarcely be told from foe.</p> + +<p>A game little Confederate tug stuck her nose into a fire-ship, pushed it +squarely against Farragut's <i>Hartford</i> and slipped between his guns in +the smoke and flame unharmed. The Flagship ran aground. Her sailors +bravely stuck to their post and from their pumps threw a deluge of water +on the flames and extinguished them. The engines of the <i>Hartford</i>, +working with all their might, pulled her off the shore under her own +steam. The <i>Louisiana</i>, the new gunboat of the Confederacy, had been +pressed into service with but two of her guns working—but she was of +little use and became unmanageable.</p> + +<p>Captain Kennon, the gallant Confederate commander of the <i>Governor +Moore</i>, found that the bow of his ship i<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>nterfered with the aim of his +gunners.</p> + +<p>"Lower your muzzle and blow the bow of your ship away!"</p> + +<p>The big gun dipped its black mouth and blew the bow of his own ship to +splinters and through the opening poured shot after shot into the +Federal fleet. Kennon fired his last shot at point-blank range, turned +the broken nose of his ship ashore and blew her up.</p> + +<p>For an hour and a half the two desperate foes wrestled with each other +amid flame and smoke and darkness. As the first blush of dawn mantled +the eastern sky the conflict slowly died away.</p> + +<p>Three of Farragut's gunboats had been driven back and one sunk, but his +fleet had done the immortal deed. Battered and riddled with shots, they +had passed the forts successfully. As the sun rose on the beautiful +spring morning he lifted his battle flags and steamed up the river.</p> + +<p>New Orleans, the commercial capital of the South, the largest export +city of the world, lay on the horizon in silent shimmering beauty, a +priceless treasure, at his mercy.</p> + +<p>Speechless crowds of thousands thronged the streets. The small garrison +had been withdrawn and the city left to its fate. The marines stood +statue-like before the City Hall, their bayonets glittering in the +sunlight. Not a breath of wind stirred. In dead, ominous silence the +flag of the South was lowered from its staff and the flag of the Union +raised in its old place.</p> + +<p>There was one man among the thousands who saw this flag with a cry of +joy. Judge Roger Barton, Jr., had braved the scorn of his neighbors +through good report and evil report, holding their respect by the sheer +heroism of his undaunted courage. His aged grandfather was in the city +at the moment, having come on a visit from Fairview. Baton Rouge must +fall at once. There was no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>thing to prevent Farragut's fleet from +steaming up the river now for hundreds of miles. The old Colonel was +furious when informed that he could not return to Fairview. But there +was no help for it.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Grandfather," the judge pleaded; "you can depend on it, +Senator Barton will save Fairview if it's within human power—"</p> + +<p>"But your grandmother is there, sir!" thundered the old man, "helpless +on her back. There's no one to protect her from the damned Yankees—"</p> + +<p>The Judge smiled.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the Yankees will not be so bad after all, grandfather. Anyhow +there's no help for it. I've got you here with me safe and sound and I'm +going to keep you—"</p> + +<p>The fall of New Orleans sent a dagger into the heart of the South. Ft. +Donelson had broken the center. The fall of New Orleans had smashed the +left wing of the far-flung battle line. The power of the Confederacy was +crushed in the rich and powerful State of Louisiana at a single stroke. +The route to Texas was cut. The United States Navy had established a +base from which to send their fleets into the interior by the great +rivers and by the gulf from the Rio Grande to the Keys of Florida.</p> + +<p>The sleeping lioness stirred at last. The delusion of Bull Run had +passed. It took six months of disasters to do for the South what Bull +Run did for the North in six days. The South began now to rise in her +might and gird her loins for the fight she had foolishly thought won on +the plains of Manassas.</p> + +<p>Senator Barton was in bed so ill from an attack of influenza it was +impossible for him to travel.</p> + +<p>Jennie hastily packed her trunk and left on the first train for the +South. She must reach her helpless grandmother before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> the Federal army +could attack Baton Rouge.</p> + +<p>The tenderness with which Socola helped her on board the train had +brought the one ray of sunlight into her heart. She had expected to go +in tears and terror for what the future held in store in the stricken +world at home.</p> + +<p>A smile on the lips of a stranger had set her heart to beating with joy.</p> + +<p>She was ashamed of herself for being so happy. But it was impossible to +make her heart stop beating and laughing. He had not yet spoken a word +of love but she knew. She knew with a knowledge sweet and perfect +because she had suddenly realized her own secret. She might have gone on +for months in Richmond without knowing that she cared any more for him +than for a dozen other boys who were as attentive. In this hour of +parting it had come in a blinding flash as he bent over her hand to say +good-by. It made no difference when he should speak. Love had come into +her own heart full, wonderful, joyous, maddening in its glory. She could +wait in silence until in the fullness of time he must speak. It was +enough to know that she loved.</p> + +<p>"May I write to you occasionally, Miss Jennie?" he asked with a timid, +hesitating look.</p> + +<p>She laughed.</p> + +<p>"Of course, you must write and tell me everything that happens here."</p> + +<p>Socola wondered why she laughed. It was disconcerting. He hadn't faced +the question of loving Jennie. She was just a charming, beautiful child +whose acquaintance he could use for great ends. His depression came from +the tremendous nerve strain of his work. The early movement of +McClellan's army had kept him in that darkened attic on Church Hill +continuously every h<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>our of the past night. He was feeling the strain. He +would throw it off when he got a good night's rest.</p> + +<p>It was not until twenty-four hours after Jennie's departure that he +waked with a dull ache in his heart that refused to go. And so while he +dragged himself about his task with a sense of sickening loneliness, a +girl was softly singing in the far South.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>THE BOMBARDMENT</h3> + + +<p>Baton Rouge seethed with excitement on the day of Jennie's arrival. +Every wagon and dray was pressed into service. The people were hauling +their cotton to be burned on the commons. Negroes swarmed over the +bales, cutting them open, piling high the fleecy lint and then applying +the torch. The flames leaped upward with a roar and dropped as suddenly +into a smoldering and smoking mass.</p> + +<p>A crowd rushed to the wharf to see them fire an enormous flat-boat piled +mountain-high with cotton. A dozen bales had been broken open and the +whole floating funeral pyre stood shrouded in spotless white which +leaped into flames as it was pushed into the stream.</p> + +<p>Along the levee as far as the eye could reach negroes crawled like black +ants rolling the cotton into the river. The ties were smashed, and the +white bundle of cotton tumbled into the water and was set on fire. Each +bale sent up its cloud of smoke until the surface of the whole river +seemed alive with a fleet of war crowding its steam to run fresh +batteries. Another flat-boat was piled high, its bales cut open, soaked +with whiskey, and set on fire. The blue flames of burning alcohol gave a +touch of weird and sinister color to the scene.</p> + +<p>The men who owned this cotton stood by cheering and helping in its +destruction. The two flat-boats with flames leaping into the smoke pall +of the darkened skies led the fleet of fire down the river to greet +Farragut's men in their way.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> +<p>Every saloon was emptied and every gutter flowed with wines and liquors.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Jennie found her grandmother resting serenely in her great rocking +chair, apparently indifferent to the uproar of the town. The household +with its seventy-odd negro servants was running its usual smooth, +careless course.</p> + +<p>Jennie read aloud the announcement in the morning paper of Butler's +order to New Orleans:</p> + +<p>"All devices, signs, and flags of the Confederacy shall be suppressed—"</p> + +<p>She clenched her fist and sprang to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Good! I'll devote all my red, white and blue silk to the manufacture of +Confederate flags! When one is confiscated—I'll make another. I'll wear +one pinned on my bosom. The man who says, 'Take it off,' will have to +pull it off himself. The man who does that—well, I've a pistol +ready!—"</p> + +<p>"What are you saying, dear?" the old lady asked with her thin hand +behind her ear.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing much, grandma dear," was the sweet answer. "I was only +wishing I were a man!"</p> + +<p>She slipped her arms about her thin neck and whispered this in deep, +tragic tones. With a bound she was off to the depot to see the last +squad of soldiers depart for the front before the gunboats arrived.</p> + +<p>They waved their hats to the crowds of women and children as the train +slowly pulled out.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, ladies! We're going to fight for you!"</p> + +<p>Jennie drew her handkerchief, waved and sobbed the chorus in reply.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, soldiers! Fight for us!"</p> + +<p>Four hours later the black gunboats swung at their anchors. The proud +little conquered city lay at the mercy of their gu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>ns.</p> + +<p>Jennie watched them with shining eyes, and that without fear. The Union +flag was streaming from every peak and halyard.</p> + +<p>The girl rushed home, made a flag five inches long, pinned it to her +shoulder and deliberately walked down town. Mattie Morgan joined her at +the corner and drew one from the folds of her dress, emboldened by the +example.</p> + +<p>They marched straight to the State House terrace to take a good look at +the <i>Brooklyn</i> lying close inshore. Fifteen or twenty Federal officers +were standing on the first terrace, stared at by the crowd as if they +were wild beasts.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mattie," Jennie faltered. "We didn't expect to meet these people. +What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Stand by your colors now. There's nothing else to do."</p> + +<p>On they marched, hearts thumping painfully with conscious humiliation at +their silly bravado. Fine, noble-looking, quiet fellows those officers +in blue—refinement and gentlemanly bearing in every movement of their +stalwart bodies. They had come ashore as friendly sightseers and stood +admiring the beauty of the quaint old town. Jennie's eyes filled with +tears of vexation.</p> + +<p>"Let's go home, Mattie—"</p> + +<p>"I say so, too—"</p> + +<p>"Never again for me! I'll hang my flag on the mantel. I'll not try to +wave it in the face of a gentleman again—oof—what silly fools we +were!"</p> + +<p>The Federal commander of the fleet had warned the citizens of Baton +Rouge that any hostile demonstration against his ships or men would mean +the instant bombardment of the town.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> +<p>Jennie had just finished breakfast and helped her grandmother to find +her way to the rocker. Mandy had been sent to the store for some thread +with which to make a new uniform for one of the boys. Jennie resolved to +turn her energies to practical account now. No more flaunting of tiny +flags in the faces of brave, dignified young officers of the navy.</p> + +<p>The maid rushed through the hall wild with excitement. She had run every +step back from the store without the thread.</p> + +<p>"Lowdy, Miss Jennie," she gasped, "sumfin' awful happened!"</p> + +<p>"What is it? What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>Mandy stood in dumb terror, the whites of her eyes shining. She was +listening apparently for the arch-angel's trumpet to sound.</p> + +<p>Jennie seized her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Tell me before I murder you!"</p> + +<p>"Yassam!" Mandy gasped and again her head was cocked to one side as if +straining her ears for the dreaded sound of Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"What's happened?—Tell me!" Jennie stormed.</p> + +<p>At last poor Mandy's senses slowly returned. She stared into her young +mistress' face and gasped:</p> + +<p>"Yassam—Mr. Castle's killed a Yankee ossifer on de ship an' dey gwine +ter shell—"</p> + +<p>"Boom!"</p> + +<p>The deep thunder peal of a great gun shook the world. There was no +mistaking the sound of it or its meaning. The fleet had opened fire on +the defenseless town. Mandy's teeth chattered and her voice failed.</p> + +<p>And then pandemonium.</p> + +<p>Poor old negroes and helpless pickaninnies swarmed into the house for +shelter from the doom of Judgment Day.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> +<p>"Run—run for your lives—get out of the way of those shells!" Jennie +shouted.</p> + +<p>Her three terror-stricken maids huddled by her side in helpless panic.</p> + +<p>Her grandmother sprang to her feet and asked in subdued tones:</p> + +<p>"What is it, child?"</p> + +<p>"The fleet's shelling the town—grandma—you'll be killed—the house'll +be smashed—you must run—run for your life—"</p> + +<p>Jennie screamed her warning into the sweet old lady's ears and seized +her by the hand.</p> + +<p>"But they can't shell a town full of helpless women and children, my +dear," the grandmother protested gently. "It's impossible—"</p> + +<p>"Boom—boom!" pealed two guns in quick succession.</p> + +<p>"De Lawd save us!" Lucy screamed.</p> + +<p>"You see they're doing it—come—"</p> + +<p>Jennie grasped her grandmother's hand firmly and dragged her from the +house. From the servants' quarters came one long wail of prayer and +lamentation mingled with shouts and exhortation. An old bed-ridden black +woman, a fervent Methodist, raised a hymn:</p> + +<p>"<i>Better days are coming, we'll all go right!</i>"</p> + +<p>Jennie had reached the gate when she suddenly remembered her canary—a +present Billy had given her on her eighteenth birthday. She rushed back +into the house, snatched the cage up and started on the run again.</p> + +<p>What was the use? It was impossible to take the bird. He would starve to +death.</p> + +<p>She quickly opened the cage, took him out and kissed his yellow head.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Jimmy darling!"</p> + +<p>The tears would come in spite of all she could do.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> +<p>"I hope you'll be happy!"</p> + +<p>With quick decision she tossed him in the air.</p> + +<p>The bird gave one helpless chirp of surprise and terror at the strange +new world, fluttered in a circle, spread his wings at last and was gone.</p> + +<p>The girl brushed her tears away and returned to her grandmother's side. +The gravel was cutting her feet. Her shoes were utterly unfit for +running. She would rush back and get a pair of the boys' strong ones. +She had worn them before.</p> + +<p>"Wait, grandma!" she shouted. "I must change my shoes!"</p> + +<p>Back into the house she plunged and found the shoes. Seeing the house +still standing, she thought of other things she might need, grasped her +tooth brushes and thrust them in her corset. She would certainly need a +comb. She added that—a powder bag and lace collar lying on the bureau +were also saved. Her hair was tumbling down. She thought of hair-pins +and tucking comb and added them.</p> + +<p>Her grandmother in alarm came back to find her. They decided between +them to fill a pillow case with little things they would certainly need.</p> + +<p>There was a lull in the shelling. Jennie's maids rushed back in terror +at being left alone.</p> + +<p>The guns again opened with redoubled fury. Still bent on saving +something Jennie grabbed two soiled underskirts and an old cloak and +once more dragged her grandmother to the door.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Five big shells sailed squarely over the house at the same moment. They +seemed to swing in circles, spiral-shaped like corkscrews. The dull whiz +and swish of their flight made the most blood-curdling unearthly noise. +Her grandmother fumbled at the door trying to turn the bolt of the +unused lock.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> +<p>"Don't fool with that door, grandma!" Jennie cried—"run—run—you'll be +killed."</p> + +<p>"I won't run!" the old lady said with firm decision. "I'll go down there +and tell those cowards what I think of their firing on women and +children—"</p> + +<p>A big shell whizzed past the house and grandma jumped behind a pillar. +She was painfully deaf to human speech—but the whiz of that shell found +her nerves. They ran now without looking back—ran at least for a +hundred yards until the poor old lady could run no more and then walked +as rapidly as possible.</p> + +<p>They were at last on the main country road, leading out of town. +Hurrying terror-stricken people, young, old, black and white, were +passing them every moment now.</p> + +<p>A mile and a half out her grandmother broke down completely. A gentleman +passing in a buggy took pity on her gray hairs and lifted her to the +seat by his side while his own little ones crouched at her feet.</p> + +<p>Jennie waved her hand as they drove off:</p> + +<p>"I'll find you somewhere, grandma dear—don't worry!"</p> + +<p>Another mile she trudged with Mandy and Lucy clinging to her skirts and +then sat down to rest. Her nerves were slowly recovering their poise and +she began to laugh at the funny sights the terror-stricken people +presented at every turn.</p> + +<p>A cart approached piled high with household goods.</p> + +<p>"Let's ride, Mandy!" Jennie cried.</p> + +<p>"Yassam, dat's what I says, too," the little black maid eagerly agreed.</p> + +<p>The cart belonged to a neighbor. It was driven by an old negro man.</p> + +<p>"Let us ride, uncle!" Jennie called.</p> + +<p>The old man pulled his reins quickly and laughed good-naturedly.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> +<p>"Dat you shall, Honey. De name er Gawd, ter see Miss Jennie Barton +settin' here in dis dirty road!"</p> + +<p>He helped them climb to seats on the top of his load. Jennie found a +berth between a flour barrel and mattress, while Mandy sat astride of an +enormous bundle of bed clothes. Lucy scrambled up beside the driver.</p> + +<p>The hot sun was pouring its fierce rays down without mercy. The old +negro pulled a faded umbrella from beneath his seat, raised it, and +handed it to Jennie with a grand bow.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, uncle. You certainly are good to us!"</p> + +<p>"Yassam—yassam—I wish I could do mo', honey chile. De ve'y idee er dem +slue-footed Yankees er shellin' our town an' scerin' all our ladies ter +death. Dey gwine ter pay fur all dis 'fore dey git through."</p> + +<p>Three miles out they began to overtake the main body of the fugitives +who escaped at the first mad rush. Hundreds of bedraggled women and +children were toiling along the dust-covered road in the blistering sun, +some bareheaded, some with hats on, some with street clothes, others +with their morning wrappers just as they had fled from their unfinished +breakfast.</p> + +<p>Little girls of eight and ten and twelve were wandering along through +the suffocating dust alone.</p> + +<p>Jennie called to one she knew:</p> + +<p>"Where's your mother, child?"</p> + +<p>The girl shook her dust-powdered head.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, m'am."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"To walk on till I find her."</p> + +<p>Her mother was wandering with distracted cries among the crowds a mile +in the rear looking for a nursing baby she had lost in the excitement.</p> + +<p>Jennie's eyes kindled at the sight of faithful negroes everywhere +lugging the treasures of their mistresses. She began asking them what +they were carrying just to hear the answer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> that always came with a touch +of loyal pride.</p> + +<p>"Dese is my missy's clothes! I sho weren't gwine let dem Yankees steal +dem!"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you save any of your own things?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't have time ter git mine!"</p> + +<p>They came to a guerilla camp. Men and horses were resting on either side +of the road. Some of them were carrying water to their horses or to the +women who cooked about their camp fires. The scene looked like a monster +barbecue. These irregular troops of the South were friends in time of +need to-day.</p> + +<p>They crowded the road, asking for news and commenting freely on the +shelling of the city.</p> + +<p>A rough-looking fellow pushed his way to Jennie's cart.</p> + +<p>"When did they begin firin'?"</p> + +<p>"Just after breakfast."</p> + +<p>Yesterday she would have resented the familiar tones in which this +uncouth illiterate countryman spoke without the formality of an +introduction. In this hour of common peril he was a Knight entering the +lists wearing her colors.</p> + +<p>He didn't mince words in expressing his opinions.</p> + +<p>"It's your own fault if you've saved nothing. The people in Baton Rouge +must have been damned fools not to know trouble wuz comin' with them +gunboats lyin' thar with their big-mouthed cannon gapin' right into the +streets. If the men had had any sense women wouldn't a been drove into +the woods like this—"</p> + +<p>"But they had no warning. They began to shell us without a minute's +notice—"</p> + +<p>His rough fist closed and his heavy jaw came together with a grinding +sound.</p> + +<p>"Waal, you're ruined—so am I—and my brothers and all our people, too. +There's nothin' left now except to die—and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> I'll do it!"</p> + +<p>The girl clapped her hands.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could go with you!"</p> + +<p>He turned back toward his camp fire with a shake of his unkempt head.</p> + +<p>"Die fighting for us!" Jennie cried.</p> + +<p>He waved his black powder-stained hand:</p> + +<p>"That I will, little girl!"</p> + +<p>The rough figure rose in the unconscious dignity with which he waved his +arm and pledged his word to fight to the death. War had leveled all +ranks.</p> + +<p>The talk on the road was all of burning homes, buildings demolished, +famine, murder, and death.</p> + +<p>Jennie suddenly found herself singing a lot of Methodist Camp Meeting +hymns with an utterly foolish happiness surging through her heart.</p> + +<p>She led off with "<i>Better days are coming.</i>" Mandy was still too scared +to sing the chorus of this first hymn but she joined softly in the next. +It was one of her favorites:</p> + +<p>"<i>I hope to die shoutin'—the Lord will provide.</i>"</p> + +<p>The old man driving the cart kept time with a strange undertone of +interpolation all his own. The one he loved best he repeated again and +again.</p> + +<p>"I'm a runnin'—a runnin' up ter glory!"</p> + +<p>How could she be happy amid a scene of such desolation and suffering? +She tried to reproach herself and somehow couldn't be sorry. A vision of +something more wonderful than houses and land, goods and chattels, +slaves and systems of government, had made her heart beat with sudden +joy and her eyes sparkle with happiness. It was only the picture of a +dark slender young fellow who had never spoken a word of love that +flashed before her. And yet the vision had wrought a spell that +transformed the world.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> +<p>The guns no longer echoed behind them. A courier came dashing from the +city at sunset asking the people to return to their homes.</p> + +<p>Two old men had rowed out to the war ships during the bombardment. They +called to the commander of the flagship as they pushed their skiff +alongside:</p> + +<p>"There are no men in town, sir—you're only killing women and children!"</p> + +<p>The commander leaned over the rail of his gunboat.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, gentlemen. I thought, of course, your town had been +evacuated before your men were fools enough to fire on my marines. I've +shelled your streets to intimidate them."</p> + +<p>The firing ceased. The order to shell the city had been caused by four +guerillas firing on a yawl which was about to land without a flag of +truce. Their volley killed and wounded three.</p> + +<p>"These four men," shouted the elders from the skiff, "were the only +soldiers in town!"</p> + +<p>One woman had been killed and three wounded. Twenty houses had been +pierced by shells and two little children drowned in their flight. A +baby had been born in the woods and died of the exposure.</p> + +<p>It was three o'clock next day before Jennie reached home, her +grandmother utterly oblivious of her own discomforts but complaining +bitterly because she could hear nothing from the old Colonel who had +found it impossible to leave New Orleans. They had not been separated so +long since the Mexican war. Jennie comforted her as best she could, put +her to bed, and took refuge in a tub of cold water.</p> + +<p>The dusty road had peeled the skin off both her heels but no +matter—thank God, she was at home again.</p> + +<p>Orders were issued now from the Federal commandant for the government of +the town. No person was permitted to leave without a pass. All families +were prohibited to leave—except persons separated by the former +exod<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>us. Cannon were planted in every street. Five thousand soldiers had +been thrown into the city, General Williams commanding. Any house +unoccupied by its owners would be used by the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Jennie decided to stick to the house at all hazards until forced to go. +She walked down town to the post office in the vain hope a letter might +have come through from New Orleans to her grandmother. Soldiers were +lounging in the streets in squads of forty and fifty. A crowd was +playing cards in the ditch and swearing as they fought the flies. Crowds +of soldiers relieved from duty were marching aimlessly along the street. +Some were sleeping on the pavements, others sprawled flat on their backs +in the sun, heads pillowed in each other's lap.</p> + +<p>To her surprise a letter addressed in the familiar handwriting of her +brother was handed out at the post office by the young soldier in +charge.</p> + +<p>The seal had been broken.</p> + +<p>Jennie's eyes flashed with rage.</p> + +<p>"How dare you open and read my letter, sir!" she cried with indignation.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Miss," he answered politely. "We're only soldiers. Our +business is to obey orders."</p> + +<p>Jennie blushed furiously.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I beg your pardon. I wasn't thinking when I spoke."</p> + +<p>She read the letter with eager interest:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"Dearest little Sister:</p> +<p class="quote"> +"You must bring grandmother to New Orleans at the earliest possible +opportunity. Grandpa can't get out. He is as restless and unhappy as a +caged tiger. Do come quickly. If you need money let me know. Hoping soon +to see you. With a heart full of love,</p> + +<p class="quote">"Your big brother,<br /><br /> +"<span class="smcap">Roger.</span>" +</p> + +<p>It would be best. Her grandmother would be safe there in any event. If +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>our troops again captured New Orleans she would be in the house of the +South. If the Federal army still held it, she was at home in her +grandson's house.</p> + +<p>The wildest rumors were flying thick. No passes would be issued to leave +the city on any pretext. Beauregard was reported about to move his army +from Corinth to attack Baton Rouge.</p> + +<p>The troops were massing for the defense of the city. The Federal cavalry +had scoured the country for ten miles in search of guerillas.</p> + +<p>Through all the turmoil and confusion of the wildly disordered house +Jennie kept repeating the foolish old hymn in soft monotones:</p> + +<p>"<i>I hope to die shouting—the Lord will provide!</i>"</p> + +<p>General Williams sent a guard to protect the house. A file of six +soldiers marched to the gate and their commander saluted:</p> + +<p>"Madam, the pickets await your orders."</p> + +<p>General Williams had met her brother in New Orleans. His loyalty was +enough to mark the beautiful old homestead for protection.</p> + +<p>Jennie laughed. It was a funny situation were it not so tragic. Her +father and three brothers fighting these men with tooth and nail while +an officer saluted and put his soldiers at her command.</p> + +<p>Butler's men were arresting the aged citizens of Baton Rouge now. +Without charge or warrant they were hustled on the transports, hurried +to New Orleans and thrown into jail. Jennie ground her white teeth with +rage:</p> + +<p>"Oh, to be ruled by such a wretch!"</p> + +<p>From the first day he had set foot on the soil of Louisiana Butler had +made himself thoroughly loathed. His order reflecting on the character +of the women of New Orleans had not only shocked the South, it had +roused the indi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>gnation of the civilized world.</p> + +<p>A proud and sensitive people had no redress.</p> + +<p>One of the first six citizens sentenced to prison in Fort Jackson was +Dr. Craven, the Methodist minister. A soldier nosing about his house at +night had heard the preacher at family prayers. He had asked God's +blessing on the cause of the South while kneeling in prayer. When Jennie +heard of it, she cried through her tears:</p> + +<p>"Show me a dungeon deep enough to keep me from praying for my brothers +who are fighting for us!"</p> + +<p>The speech of Butler which had gone farthest and sank deepest into the +outraged souls of the people of Southern Louisiana was his defiant +utterance to Solomon Benjamin on the threat of England to intervene in +our struggle:</p> + +<p>"Let England or France dare to try it," Butler swore in a towering rage, +"and I'll be damned if I don't arm every negro in the South and make +them cut the throats of every man, woman and child in it. I'll make them +lay this country waste with fire and sword and leave it desolate."</p> + +<p>That Butler was capable of using his enormous power as the Military +Governor of Louisiana to accomplish this purpose, no one who had any +knowledge of the man or his methods doubted for a moment.</p> + +<p>On the slightest pretexts he arrested whom he pleased, male and female, +and threw them into prison. Aged men who had incurred his displeasure +were confined at hard labor with ball and chain. Men were imprisoned in +Fort Jackson, whose only offense was the giving of medicine to sick +Confederate soldiers. The wife of a former member of Congress was +arrested and sent to Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Her only offense +was that she laughed at some foolish thing that marked the progress of +a funeral procession through the streets of the city.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p> + +<p>On his office wall in the St. Charles Hotel Butler had inscribed in huge +letters:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HE AND A SHE ADDER IN THEIR VENOM."</p> + +<p>His henchmen were allowed to indulge their rapacity at will. The homes +of distinguished men and women were seized on any pretext and turned +into disreputable establishments which were run for gain. They +appropriated the contents of wine cellars, plundered the wardrobes and +dining-rooms of ladies and gentlemen to their hearts' content. Fines +were levied and collected in many cases where it could be secured. Those +who refused to pay were given the choice of ball and chain. A thriving +trade in cotton was opened against the positive orders of the Washington +Government. Butler's own brother was the thrifty banker and broker of +this corrupt transaction.</p> + +<p>Property was "confiscated" right and left, provisions and military +stores were exchanged for cotton. The chief of this régime of organized +plunder lived in daily fear of assassination. It was said he wore secret +armor. He never ventured out except heavily guarded. In his office +several pistols lay beside him and the chair on which his visitor was +seated was chained to the wall to prevent someone suddenly rising and +smashing his brains out.</p> + +<p>There were ten thousand soldiers in Baton Rouge now though the +anticipated attack of the Confederates had not materialized. Perhaps +they had heard of the heavy reënforcements in time. The poor fellows +from the cool hills and mountains of the North were dying in hundreds in +the blistering July sun of the South. They didn't know how to take care +of themselves and their officers didn't seem to care. Butler was a +lawyer and a poli<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>tician first—a general only when the navy had done his +work for him.</p> + +<p>Jennie saw hundreds of these sick and dying men lying on their backs in +the broiling sun, waiting for wagons to carry them to the hospital. One +had died absolutely alone without a human being near to notice or to +care. The girl's heart was sick with anguish at the sight of scores too +weak to lift their hands to fight the ravenous flies swarming in their +eyes and mouths. All day and all night Baumstark, the little undertaker, +was working with half a dozen aides making coffins.</p> + +<p>Day and night they died like dogs with no human help extended. The +Catholic priest who had not been arrested as yet, passing among them in +search of his own, bent for a moment over a dying soldier and spoke in +friendly tones. The poor fellow burst into tears and with his last gasp +cried:</p> + +<p>"Thank God! I have heard <i>one</i> kind word before I die!"</p> + +<p>The Federal pickets were driven in at last, and the guard around the +house withdrawn. General Williams insisted that Jennie and her +grandmother find a place of refuge more secure than the coming +battlefield.</p> + +<p>They thanked the General but decided to brave battle at home to the +terrors of another flight.</p> + +<p>The little band of twenty-five hundred Confederates struck the town like +a thunderbolt and fought with desperation against the combined fleet and +heavy garrison. They drove the Federals at first in panic to the water's +edge and the shelter of the cannon until a Maine regiment barred the +way, fighting like demons, and rallied the fleeing mob. When the smoke +of battle lifted the gray army had gone with the loss of only sixty-five +killed and a hundred and fifty wounded.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> +<p>The worst calamity which befell Baton Rouge was the death of General +Williams, the gentlemanly and considerate Federal commander.</p> + +<p>Butler's man who took his place lacked both his soldierly training and +his fine scruples as a Christian gentleman. There were no more guards +placed around "Rebel" homes.</p> + +<p>The marauder came with swift sure tread on the heels of victory.</p> + +<p>A squad of officers and men smashed in the front door at Fairview +without so much as a knock for signal. To the shivering servant who +stood in the hall the leader called:</p> + +<p>"Where are the damned secesh women? We know they've hid in here and +we'll make them dance for hiding—"</p> + +<p>Jennie suddenly appeared in the library door, her face white, her hand +concealed in the pocket of her dress.</p> + +<p>"There are but two women here, gentlemen," she began steadily—"my +grandmother and I. The house is at your mercy—"</p> + +<p>The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl. He stopped +short in his tracks at the sight of the glitter of her eye and changed +his mind.</p> + +<p>"All right, look out for the old hen. We'll let you know when it's time +to pick up the pieces."</p> + +<p>Jennie returned to the library and slipped her arm about her +grandmother's neck standing beside her chair while she set her little +jaw firmly and waited for the end.</p> + +<p>They rushed the dining-room first and split its sideboard open with +axes—fine old carved mahogany pieces so hardened with age, the ax +blades chipped from the blows as if striking marble. The china was +smashed, chests were laid open with axes, and their contents of silver +removed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>.</p> + +<p>They rushed the parlors and stripped them of every ornament. Jennie's +piano they dragged into the center of the floor, smashed its ivory keys +and split its rosewood case into splinters. An officer slashed the +portrait of Mrs. Barton into shreds and hurled the frame on the floor. +Every portrait on the walls shared a similar fate.</p> + +<p>Upstairs the fun grew wild. Mrs. Barton's beautiful old mahogany armoir +whose single door was a fine French mirror was shivered with a blow from +a sledge hammer, emptied of every article and the shelves splintered +with axes. They broke every bureau and case of drawers, scattered their +contents on the floor, selecting what suited their fancy. Every rag of +the boys' clothes, the old Colonel's and Senator Barton's were tied in +bundles.</p> + +<p>They entered Jennie's room, broke every mirror, tore down the rods from +the bed and ripped the net into shreds. The desk was split, letters +turned out and scattered over the floor. A light sewing machine was sent +below for a souvenir. The heavy one was broken with an ax.</p> + +<p>From Jennie's bureau they tore a pink flowered muslin, stuck it on a +bayonet and paraded the room, the officers striking it with their swords +shouting their dull insults:</p> + +<p>"I've struck the damned secesh!"</p> + +<p>"The proud little hellion!"</p> + +<p>"That's the time I cut her!"</p> + +<p>One seized her bonnet, put it on, tied the ribbon under his chin and +amid the shouts of his half-drunken companions, paraded the house, and +wore it into the streets when he left.</p> + +<p>When the noise had died away and the house was still at last, Jennie +came forth from the little room in which she had tak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>en refuge, leading +her grandmother. Hand in hand they viewed the wreck.</p> + +<p>The thing that hurt the girl most of all was the ruin of her desk—her +letters from Dick Welford, the boys, her father and mother, the diary +she had kept with the intimate secrets of her young heart—all had been +opened, thumbed and thrown over the floor. The little perfumed notes she +had received from her first beaux—invitations to buggy rides, concerts, +and parties, and all of them beginning, "Compliments of"—had been +profaned by dirty greasy fingers. Some were torn into little bits and +scattered over the room, others were ground into the floor by hobnails +in heavy boot heels.</p> + +<p>Her last letter from Socola was stolen—to be turned over to the +commander for inspection no doubt. And then she broke into a foolish +laugh. The strain was over. What did it matter—this clutter of goods +and chattels on the floor—she was young—it was the morning of life and +she had met her fate!</p> + +<p>In a sudden rush of emotion she threw her arms around her grandmother's +neck and cried:</p> + +<p>"Thank the good Lord, grandma, they didn't shoot you!"</p> + +<p>The sweet old lady was strangely quiet, and her eyes had a queer set +look. She bore the strain without a break until they entered the wreck +of the stately parlor. She saw the slashed portrait of the Colonel lying +on the floor and sank in a heap beside it without a word or sound.</p> + +<p>Jennie succeeded at last in obtaining a pass to New Orleans, consigning +the body to Judge Roger Barton. She stepped on board the little steamer +absolutely alone. Every servant had gone to the camp of the soldiers or +had entered the service of the crowd of marauders who decided to return +to Fairview and occupy the house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jennie had gone through so much the tired spirit refused to respond to +further sensations. She obeyed orders in a dumb mechanical way.</p> + +<p>The officers at New Orleans opened her baggage and searched it without +ceremony, or the slightest show of interest on her part.</p> + +<p>They were administering the "oath" of loyalty to the United States. She +would have to turn Yankee to do this last duty of love. She covered her +face with her hands and prayed breathlessly for the boys and for the +Confederacy while the words of the oath were mumbled by the officer—</p> + +<p>"So help you God?"</p> + +<p>Jennie's only answer was to close her eyes and pray harder.</p> + +<p>"So help you God?" the officer shouted again.</p> + +<p>The girl lifted her tear-stained face and nodded, closed her eyes again +and prayed.</p> + +<p>"Help them, O God,—my brothers Tom and Jimmie and Billy and Dick +Welford—and—and the man I love—save them and their cause for Jesus' +sake—I don't know what they made me say—I only did it for poor +grandpa's sake—I didn't mean it. Forgive me, dear Lord, and save my +people!"</p> + +<p>The Judge met them with a carriage and hearse. He slipped his strong arm +around the girl, drew her close and kissed the waving brown hair again +and again.</p> + +<p>"Dear little sis—you're at home now," he said softly.</p> + +<p>A shiver ran through her figure and she sat bolt upright.</p> + +<p>"No, Big Brother," she answered firmly, "I'm not. New Orleans is in the +hands of the enemy. I'd set it on fire and wipe it from the face of the +earth to-morrow if I could sweep old Ben Butler and his men into the +bottomless pit <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>with its ashes—"</p> + +<p>She paused at the look of pain on his face.</p> + +<p>"Except you—dear—you're my brother, always my dear Big Brother and +I'll love you forever. What you think right is right—for you. You are +for the Union, because you believe it's right. I honor you for being +true to your convictions—"</p> + +<p>"You can never know what it has cost me—Honey—"</p> + +<p>She drew him down and kissed him tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do know—and it's all right—even if you draw your sword and +meet us in battle—you're fighting for the right as God shows it to +you—but I've just one favor to ask—"</p> + +<p>"I'll do anything on earth for you I can—you know that—"</p> + +<p>She looked at him steadily a moment in silence and spoke in hard cold +tones.</p> + +<p>"Get me out of New Orleans inside the Confederate lines—anywhere—a +guerilla camp—a swamp—anywhere, you understand. I'll find my way to +Richmond—"</p> + +<p>He pressed her hand in silence and then softly answered:</p> + +<p>"I understand, dear—and I'll arrange it for you. I'll hire a schooner +to set you across Lake Pontchartrain."</p> + +<p>The old Colonel looked on the face of his dead wife and went to bed. He +made no complaints. He asked no questions. The book of life was closed. +Within a week he died as peacefully as a child.</p> + +<p>Ten days later Jennie had passed the Federal lines and was whirling +through the Carolinas, her soul aflame with a new deathless courage.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>THE IRREPARABLE LOSS</h3> + + +<p>Jefferson Davis not only refused to remove Albert Sidney Johnston from +his command in answer to the clamor of his critics, he wrote his general +letters expressing such unbounded confidence in his genius that he +inspired him to begin the most brilliant campaign on which the South had +yet entered.</p> + +<p>Grant, flushed with victory, had encamped his army along the banks of +the Tennessee, then at flood and easily navigable for gunboats and +transports. The bulldog fighter of Fort Donelson had allowed his maxim +of war to lead him into a situation which the eye of Johnston was quick +to see.</p> + +<p>Grant's famous motto was:</p> + +<p>"Never be over anxious about what your enemy is going to do to you; make +him anxious about what you are going to do to him."</p> + +<p>In accordance with this principle the Union General was busy preparing +his Grand Army for a triumphant march into the far South. He was +drilling and training his men for their attack on the Confederates at +Corinth. His army was not in a position for defense. It was, in fact, +strung out into a long line of camps for military instruction, preparing +to advance on the foe he had grown to despise.</p> + +<p>Sherman's division occupied a position near Shiloh Church. A half mile +further was B. M. Prentiss with newly arrived regiments, one of which +still had no ammunition. Near the river McClernand was camped behind +Sherman and Hurlbert still farther back. Near them lay W. H. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>L. +Wallace's division, and at Crump's Landing, Lew Wallace was stationed +with six thousand men.</p> + +<p>Grant himself was nine miles down the river at Savannah, a point at +which he expected to form a junction with Buell's army approaching from +the east.</p> + +<p>Grant sat at breakfast on a beautiful Sunday morning quietly sipping his +coffee while he planned his conquest of the vast territory which now lay +at the mercy of his army the moment the juncture should be effected.</p> + +<p>With swift stealthy tread, Johnston was moving through the dense forests +of the wild region to the south. His army had been rapidly recruited to +approximately forty thousand effective men. Beauregard had been detached +from the East and was second in command.</p> + +<p>The night before this beautiful spring Sabbath morning the Confederate +army had bivouacked within two miles of the Federal front. Johnston had +so baffled the scouts and reconnoitering parties of Grant that his +presence was not suspected.</p> + +<p>In the gray mists of the dawn his divisions silently deployed and formed +in line of battle. General Leonidas Polk on the left, Braxton Bragg in +the center, William J. Hardee on the right and John C. Breckinridge in +reserve.</p> + +<p>The men were alert and eager to avenge the defeats of Forts Henry and +Donelson. With chuckles of exhilaration they had listened that night to +the rolling of the drums in Grant's camps.</p> + +<p>A mist from the river valley hung low over the fresh budding trees. With +swift elastic tread the gray lines moved forward through the shadows of +the dawn.</p> + +<p>So complete was the surprise that not a picket was encountered. Not a +single company of cavalry guarded the flanks o<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>f the sleeping army.</p> + +<p>The mists lifted and the sheen of white tents could be seen through the +trees.</p> + +<p>Only a few of the blue soldiers had risen. They were washing and cooking +their morning meal. Some had sat down to eat at generous mess-chests. +Thousands were yet soundly sleeping in their tents.</p> + +<p>On Prentiss' division from flank to flank with sudden fury the gray host +fell. Even the camp sentinels were taken completely by surprise and +barely had time to discharge their guns. On their heels rushed the +Confederates cheering madly.</p> + +<p>Officers and men were killed in their beds and many fled in confusion +without their arms. Hildebrand's brigade of Sherman's division was +engulfed by the cyclone and swept from existence, appearing no more in +the battle.</p> + +<p>In vain the broken lines of the Federal camps were formed and reformed. +Charge followed charge in swift and terrible succession.</p> + +<p>By half past ten o'clock the Confederates had captured and demolished +three great military encampments and taken three batteries of artillery. +Storehouses and munitions of war in rich profusion were captured at +every turn. The demoralized Union army was retreating at every point.</p> + +<p>When Grant reached the field, the lines both of attack and defense were +lost in confusion. The battle raged in groups. Sometimes mere squads of +men surged back and forth over the broken, tangled, blood-soaked arena, +now in ravines and swamps, now for a moment emerging into clearings and +then buried again in the deep woods.</p> + +<p>The stolid Federal commander sat his horse, keen-eyed, vigilant and +imperturbable in the storm of ruin. His early efforts counted for little +in the blind confusion and turmoil of his crushed army. Lew Wallace had +been ordered to th<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>e field in post haste. The bridge across Owl Creek, +held by Sherman in the morning, was now in the hands of the +Confederates. Wallace marched and countermarched his army in a vain +effort to reach the field.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock Johnston had brought up his reserves and ordered the +entire gray army to charge and sweep the field. His fine face flushed +with victory, he rose in his saddle, addressed a few eloquent words to +Breckinridge's division, placed himself at the head of his army and his +sword flashed in the sunlight as he shouted to the line:</p> + +<p>"Charge!"</p> + +<p>Dick Welford had been detached from Forrest's cavalry on staff duty by +his Chief's side. Forrest had been marked by Johnston for promotion for +his work at Donelson, and Dick had grown to worship his gallant +Commanding General. He had watched his plan of battle grow with boyish +pride. He knew his Chief was going to crush the two divisions of Grant's +army in detail before they could be united. And he had done it. Such +complete and overwhelming victory would lift the South from her slough +of despair.</p> + +<p>With a shout of triumph he spurred his horse neck to neck with his +General.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock the blue lines were still rolling back on the river in +hopeless confusion, the gray lines cheering and charging and crushing +without mercy.</p> + +<p>A ball pierced Johnston's right leg. Dick saw his hand drop the rein for +an instant and a look of pain sweep his handsome face.</p> + +<p>"You're wounded, sir?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It's nothing, boy," he answered, "only a flesh cut—drive—drive—drive +them!"</p> + +<p>Without pause he rode on and on.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> +<p>He was riding the white horse of Death—an artery had been cut and his +precious life was slowly but surely ebbing away.</p> + +<p>He swayed in his saddle and Dick dashed forward:</p> + +<p>"General, your wound must be dressed!"</p> + +<p>Governor Harris of Tennessee, his aide, observed him at the same moment +and spurred his horse to his side.</p> + +<p>The General turned his dim eyes to the Governor and gasped:</p> + +<p>"I fear I'm mortally wounded—"</p> + +<p>He reeled in his saddle and would have fallen had not Dick caught him +and tenderly lowered him to the ground.</p> + +<p>The brave war Governor of Tennessee received the falling Commander in +his arms and helped Dick bear him a short distance from the field into a +deep ravine.</p> + +<p>Dick took the flask of whiskey from his pocket and pressed it to his +lips in vain. A moment and he was dead.</p> + +<p>In a passion of grief the boy threw his arms around his beloved Chief +and called through his tears and groans:</p> + +<p>"My God, General, you can't die—you mustn't die now! Don't you hear the +boys shouting? They're driving Grant's army into the river. They've +avenged Donelson!—General—for God's sake speak to me—say you won't +die—you can't, you can't—Oh, Lord God, save his precious life!—"</p> + +<p>No sign or answer came. His breast had ceased to move. The Governor +tenderly lifted the grief-stricken boy and sent him with his General's +last message.</p> + +<p>"Find Beauregard and tell him he is in command of the field. Not a word +of the death of the Chief until his victory is complete."</p> + +<p>Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle.</p> + +<p>"I understand, sir."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<img src="images/ill-329.jpg" width="489" height="722" alt=""Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle—'I understand, sir'"" title=""Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle—'I understand, sir'"" /> +<span class="caption">"Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle—'I understand, sir'"</span> +</div> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon before he located General Beauregard and +delivered the fateful news.</p> + +<p>The victorious Confederate army had furiously pressed its charge. +Johnston's word had passed from command to command.</p> + +<p>"Forward—forward—let every order be forward!"</p> + +<p>Everything had yielded at last before them. From camp to camp, from +rallying point to rallying point the Union hosts had been hurled, +division piling on division in wild confusion.</p> + +<p>Driven headlong, the broken ranks were thrown in panic on the banks of +the river. Thousands crouched in ravines and sought shelter under the +steep bluffs of the river banks. Trampling mobs were struggling in vain +to board the transports and cross the river. The Federal reserve line +had been completely crushed, and the entire army, driven from the field +they had held that morning, were huddled in a confused mass of a half +mile around the Pittsburg Landing.</p> + +<p>The next charge of the Confederates would hurl the whole army into the +river or they must surrender.</p> + +<p>The gunboats had opened in vain. They were throwing their shells a mile +beyond the Confederate lines where they fell harmlessly.</p> + +<p>The Confederate division commanders were gathering their hosts for the +last charge at sunset. There was yet an hour of daylight in which to end +the struggle with the complete annihilation of the Union army. Down +under the steep banks of the river's edge the demoralized remnants of +the shattered divisions were already stacking their arms to surrender. +They had made their last stand.</p> + +<p>General Bragg turned to his aide:</p> + +<p>"Tell Major Stewart of the twenty-first Alabama to advance and drive the +enemy into the river!"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> +<p>The aide saluted.</p> + +<p>"And carry that order along the whole line!"</p> + +<p>The aide put spurs to his horse to execute the command, when a courier +dashed up from General Beauregard's headquarters.</p> + +<p>"Direct me to General Bragg!"</p> + +<p>The aide pointed to the General and rode back with Beauregard's courier.</p> + +<p>"General Beauregard orders that you cease fighting and rest your men +to-night."</p> + +<p>Bragg turned his rugged dark face on the messenger with a scowl.</p> + +<p>"You have promulgated this order to the army?"</p> + +<p>"I have, sir—"</p> + +<p>"If you had not, I would not obey it—"</p> + +<p>He paused and threw one hand high above his head.</p> + +<p>"Our victory has been thrown to the winds!"</p> + +<p>The sudden and inexplicable abandonment of this complete and +overwhelming success was one of the most remarkable events in the +history of modern warfare.</p> + +<p>The men bivouacked on the field.</p> + +<p>The blunder was fatal and irretrievable. Even while the order was being +given to cease firing the advance guard of Buell's army was already +approaching the other bank of the river. Twenty-five thousand fresh men +under cover of the darkness began to pour their long lines into position +to save Grant's shattered ranks.</p> + +<p>As night fell another misfortune was on the way to obscure the star of +Beauregard. His soldiers, elated with their wonderful victory, broke +into disorderly plundering of the captured Federal camps. Except for a +few thousand sternly disciplined troops under Bragg's command the whole +Southern army suddenly degenerated into a mob of roving plunderers, mad +with folly. In the rich stores of the Federal army thousands of gallons +of wines and liquors were found. Hundreds of gray soldi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>ers became +intoxicated. While scenes of the wildest revelry and disorder were being +enacted around the camp fires, Buell's army was silently crossing the +river under cover of the night and forming in line of battle for +to-morrow's baptism of blood.</p> + +<p>Albert Sidney Johnston's body lay cold in death—and the army of the +victorious South had no head. Better had there been no second general of +full rank in the field. Either of Johnston's division commanders, Bragg, +Hardée, Polk or Breckinridge, would have driven Grant's panic-stricken +mob into the river within an hour if let alone.</p> + +<p>But the little hero of Bull Run of the flower-decked tent halted his men +to rest for the night at the very hour of the day when Napoleon ordered +his first charge on one of his immortal battlefields.</p> + +<p>Beauregard gave his foe ample time for breakfast next morning. The sun +was an hour high in the heavens before the battle was joined.</p> + +<p>The genius of Johnston had surprised Grant and rolled his army back on +the river—never pausing for a moment to give him time to rally his +broken ranks.</p> + +<p>But when Beauregard leisurely led his disorganized army next morning +against Grant's new lines, there was no shock, no surprise—the line was +ready. His panic-stricken men had been reorganized and massed in strong +defensive position and reënforced by the divisions of Generals Nelson, +McCook, Crittenden, and Thomas of Buell's army—twenty-five thousand +strong.</p> + +<p>Lew Wallace's division had also effected the junction and the Federal +front presented a solid wall of fifty-three thousand determined men +against whom Beauregard must now throw his little army of thirty +thousand effective fighters.</p> + +<p>The assault was made with dash and courage. For four hours the battle +raged with fury. The shattered regiments that h<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>ad been surprised and +crushed the day before, yielded at one time before the onslaughts of the +Confederates. By noon Beauregard had sent into the shambles his last +brigade and reserves and shortly afterwards gave his first order to +withdraw his army.</p> + +<p>Breckinridge's division covered the retreat and there was no attempt at +pursuit. Grant was only too glad to save his army. The first great +battle of the war had been fought and won by the genius of the South's +commander and its results thrown away by the hero of Bull Run.</p> + +<p>Never was the wisdom of a great leader more thoroughly vindicated than +was Jefferson Davis in the record Albert Sidney Johnston made at Shiloh. +The men who had been loudest in demanding his removal stood dumb before +the story of his genius.</p> + +<p>The death list of this battle sent a shiver of horror through the North +and the South. All other battles of the war were but skirmishes to this.</p> + +<p>The Confederate losses in killed, wounded and missing were ten thousand +six hundred and ninety-nine. At Bull Run the combined armies of Joseph +E. Johnston and Beauregard lost but one thousand nine hundred and +sixty-four men.</p> + +<p>Grant's army lost thirteen thousand one hundred and sixty-two in killed, +wounded and prisoners. McDowell at Bull Run had lost but two thousand +seven hundred, and yet was removed from his command.</p> + +<p>The rage against Grant in the North was unbounded. The demand for his +removal was so determined, so universal, so persistent, it was necessary +for Abraham Lincoln to bow to it temporarily.</p> + +<p>Lincoln positively refused to sacrifice his fighting General for his +first error, but sent Halleck into the field as Commander-in-Chief and +left Grant in command of his division.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p> + +<p>The bulldog fighter of the North learned his lesson at Shiloh. The South +never again caught him napping.</p> + +<p>Great as the losses were to the North they were as nothing to the +disaster which this bloody field brought to the Confederacy. Albert +Sidney Johnston alive was equal to an army of a hundred thousand +men—dead; his loss was irreparable.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE LIGHT THAT FAILED</h3> + + +<p>The struggle which Jefferson Davis was making to parry the force of the +mortal blows delivered by the United States Navy at last gave promise of +startling success.</p> + +<p>The fight to establish the right of the Confederacy to arm its allies +under letters of marque and reprisal had been won by the Southern +President. The first armed vessel sailing under the orders of Davis +which was captured by the navy had brought the question to sharp issue. +The Washington Government had proclaimed the vessels flying the +Confederate flag under letters of marque to be pirates and subject to +the treatment of felons.</p> + +<p>The Captain and the crew of the <i>Savannah</i> when captured had been put in +irons and condemned to death as pirates. If the Washington Government +could make good this daring assumption, the power of the Confederacy to +damage the commerce of the North would be practically destroyed at a +blow.</p> + +<p>Davis met the crisis with firmness. He selected an equal number of +Federal prisoners of war in Richmond and threw them into a dungeon below +Libby Prison. He dispatched a letter to Washington whose language could +not be misunderstood.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Dare to execute an officer or sailor of the <i>Savannah</i>, and I will +put to death as felons an equal number of Federal officers and men. +I have placed them in close confinement and ordered similar +treatment to that accorded our <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>prisoners from the captured vessel."</p></div> + +<p>Socola received a message summoning him to the house on Church Hill. A +courier had arrived from Washington. The Government must know +immediately if this threat were idle or genuine. If Jefferson Davis +should dare to execute these thirteen officers and men, the +administration could not resist the storm of indignant protest which +would overwhelm it from the North.</p> + +<p>Socola read the cipher dispatch by the dim light of the candle in his +attic and turned to Miss Van Lew.</p> + +<p>"My information in the State Department is of the most positive kind. +The prisoners have been put in the dungeon set apart for condemned +felons and they but wait the word of the execution of the men from the +<i>Savannah</i>, to be led to certain death. It may be talk. We must know. +Apply for permission to visit the condemned men and minister to their +comfort—"</p> + +<p>"At once," was the prompt response. "I've made friends with Captain +Todd, the Commandant of Libby Prison; I'll succeed."</p> + +<p>Crazy Bet appeared at Libby Prison next morning with a basket of flowers +for the condemned men. Captain Todd humored her mania. Poor old +abolition fanatic, she could do no harm. She was too frank and outspoken +to be dangerous. Besides, it was a war of brothers. His own sister was +the wife of Abraham Lincoln. These condemned men were the best blood of +the North. It was a pitiful tragedy.</p> + +<p>Miss Van Lew, with a market basket on her arm, watched for Socola's +appearance from the office of the Secretary of State. The young clerk +was walking slowly down Main Street and turned into an unused narrow +road at the foot of the hill.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span></p> +<p>Crazy Bet, swinging the basket and humming a song, passed him without +turning her head.</p> + +<p>"It's true," she whispered quickly, "all horribly true. Thirteen of the +finest officers of the Union army have been condemned to death the +moment the crew of the <i>Savannah</i> are executed—among them Colonel +Cochrane of New York and Colonel Paul Revere of Massachusetts. The +dispatch must go to-night."</p> + +<p>"To-night," was the short answer.</p> + +<p>Within an hour Socola's courier was on his way to Washington with a +message which unlocked the prison doors of the condemned men on both +sides of the line.</p> + +<p>Abraham Lincoln stoutly opposed a repetition of the effort to treat +Confederate prisoners as outlaws, no matter where taken by land or sea. +Davis had established the legality of his letters of marque and reprisal +beyond question.</p> + +<p>The United States Navy in the first flood of its victories made another +false step which brought to the South an hour of brilliant hope. Captain +Wilkes overhauled a British steamer carrying the royal mail and took +from her decks by force the Commissioners Mason and Slidell whom Davis +had dispatched to Europe to plead for the recognition of the +Confederacy. The North had gone wild with joy over the act and Congress +voted Wilkes the thanks of the nation as its hero.</p> + +<p>Great Britain demanded an apology and the restoration of the prisoners, +put her navy on a war footing and dispatched a division of her army to +Canada to strike the North by land as well as sea.</p> + +<p>The hard common sense of Abraham Lincoln rescued the National Government +from a delicate and dangerous situation. Lincoln apologized to Great +Britain, restored the Confederate Commissioners and returned with +redoubled energy to the prosecution of the war. In answer to the shouts +of demagogues and the reproaches of both friend and foe, the homely +rail-splitter from the W<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>est had a simple answer.</p> + +<p>"One war at a time."</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis watched this threat of British invasion with breathless +intensity. He saw the hope of thus breaking the power of the navy fade +with sickening disappointment.</p> + +<p>There was one more hope. The hull of the <i>Merrimac</i> had been raised from +the bottom of the harbor of Norfolk and the work of transforming her +into a giant iron-clad ship capable of carrying a fighting crew of three +hundred men had been completed, though her engines were slow.</p> + +<p>But the enthusiastic men set to this task by Davis had accomplished +wonders. Their reports to him had raised high hopes of a sensation. If +this new monster of the sea should succeed single handed in destroying +the fleet of six vessels lying in Hampton Roads, the naval warfare of +the world would be revolutionized in a day and overtures for peace might +be within sight.</p> + +<p>The Norfolk newspapers, under instructions from the Confederate +Commandant, pronounced the experiment of the <i>Merrimac</i> a stupid and +fearful failure. Her engines were useless. Her steering gear wouldn't +work. Her armament was so heavy she couldn't be handled. These papers +were easily circulated at Newport News and Old Point Comfort among the +officers and men of the Federal fleet.</p> + +<p>The men who had built the strange craft knew she was anything but a +failure. With eager, excited hands her crew finished the last touch of +her preparations and with her guns shotted she slowly steamed out of the +harbor of Norfolk accompanied by two saucy little improvised gunboats, +the <i>Beaufort</i> and the <i>Raleigh</i>.</p> + +<p>Her speed was not more than five knots an hour and she steered so badly +the <i>Beaufort</i> was compelled to pull her into the main current of the +channel more than once.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Federal squadron lay off Newport News, the <i>Congress</i> and the +<i>Cumberland</i> well out in the stream, the <i>Minnesota</i>, <i>Roanoke</i> and <i>St. +Lawrence</i> further down toward Fortress Monroe. The <i>Congress</i>, +<i>Cumberland</i> and <i>St. Lawrence</i> mounted one hundred and twenty-four +guns, twenty-two of them of nine-inch caliber. Their crews aggregated +more than a thousand men.</p> + +<p>The new crack steam frigates <i>Minnesota</i> and <i>Roanoke</i> had crews of six +hundred men each and carried more than eighty guns of nine and +eleven-inch caliber. That any single craft afloat would dare attack such +a squadron was preposterous.</p> + +<p>It was one o'clock before the strange black looking object swung into +the channel and turned her nose up stream toward Newport News.</p> + +<p>The crews of the <i>Congress</i> and the <i>Cumberland</i> were lounging on deck +enjoying the balmy spring air. It was wash day and the clothes were +fluttering in the breeze.</p> + +<p>They couldn't make out the foolish-looking thing at first. It looked +like the top of a long-hipped roof house that had been sawed off at the +eaves and pushed into the water. The two little river steamers that +accompanied the raft seemed to be towing it.</p> + +<p>"What 'ell, Bill, is that thing?" a sailor asked his mate on the +<i>Congress</i>.</p> + +<p>Bill scanned the horizon.</p> + +<p>"I give it up, sir," he admitted. "I been a sailin' the seas for forty +years—but that's one on me!"</p> + +<p>A battle signal suddenly flashed from the <i>Cumberland</i> and down came the +wash lines.</p> + +<p>The <i>Beaufort</i> with a single thirty-two-pounder rifle mounted in her bow +was steaming alongside the port of the strange craft. A puff of white +smoke flared from her single gun and its dull roar waked the still +beautiful wa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>ters of the Virginia harbor.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i> flung her big battle flag into the sky and her tiny +escorts dropped down stream to give her free play. The <i>Congress</i> and +the <i>Cumberland</i> were surprised, but they slipped their anchors in a +jiffy, swung their guns in haste and began pouring a storm of shot on +the iron sides of the coming foe.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i> moved forward with slow, steady throb as though the shot +that rained on her slanting sides were so many pebbles thrown by school +boys. She passed the <i>Congress</i> and pointed her ugly prow for the +<i>Cumberland</i>. The ship poured her broadside squarely into the face of +the Merrimac without damage and the bow gun roared an answer that +pierced her bulwarks.</p> + +<p>Through the thick cloud of heavy smoke that hung low on the water the +throbbing monster bore straight down on the <i>Cumberland</i>, struck her +amidship and sent her to the bottom.</p> + +<p>As the gallant ship sank in sickening lurches her brave crew cheered her +to her grave and continued firing her useless guns until the waves +engulfed the decks. When her keel touched the bottom her flag was still +flying from her masthead. She rolled over on her beam's end and carried +the flag beneath the waves.</p> + +<p>The Confederate mosquito fleet, consisting of the little gunboats +<i>Patrick Henry</i>, <i>Teaser</i> and <i>Jamestown</i>, swung down from the river +now, ran boldly past the flaming shore batteries and joined in the +attack on the Federal squadron.</p> + +<p>The <i>Congress</i> had set one of her sails and with the aid of a tug was +desperately working to reach shoal water before she could be sunk. Her +captain succeeded in beaching her directly under the guns of the shore +batteries. At four o'clock she gave up the bloody unequal contest and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +hauled down her colors.</p> + +<p>The <i>Minnesota</i>, <i>Roanoke</i> and <i>St. Lawrence</i>, in trying to reach the +scene of the battle, had all been grounded. The <i>Minnesota</i> was still +lying helpless in the mud as the sun set and the new monarch of the seas +slowly withdrew to Sewell's Point to overhaul her machinery and prepare +to finish her work next day.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i> had lost twenty-one killed and wounded—among the wounded +was her gallant flag officer, Franklin Buchanan. The <i>Patrick Henry</i> had +lost fourteen, the <i>Beaufort</i> eight, the <i>Raleigh</i> seven, including two +officers.</p> + +<p>The Federal squadron had lost two ships and four hundred men.</p> + +<p>But by far the greatest loss to the United States Navy was the supremacy +of the seas. The power of her fleets had been smashed at a blow. The +ugly, black, powder-stained, iron thing lying under the guns of Sewell's +Point had won the crown of the world's naval supremacy. The fleets of +the United States were practically out of commission while she was +afloat. The panic at the North which followed the startling news from +Hampton Roads was indescribable. Abraham Lincoln hastily called a +Cabinet meeting to consider what action it was necessary to take to meet +the now appalling situation. Never before had any man in authority at +Washington realized how absolute was their dependence on the United +States Navy—how impossible it would be to maintain the Government +without its power.</p> + +<p>Edwin M. Stanton, the indefatigable Secretary of War, completely lost +his nerve at this Cabinet meeting. He paced the floor with quick excited +tread, glancing out of the window of the White House toward the waters +of the Potomac with undisguised fear.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> +<p>"I am sure, gentlemen," he said to the Cabinet, "that monster is now on +her way to Washington. In my opinion we will have a shell from one of +her big guns in the White House before we leave this room!"</p> + +<p>Lincoln was profoundly depressed but refused to believe the cause of the +Union could thus be completely lost at a single blow from a nondescript, +iron raft. Yet it was only too easy to see that the moral effect of this +victory would be crushing on public opinion.</p> + +<p>The wires to Washington were hot with frantic calls for help. New York +was ready to surrender at the first demand. So utter was the +demoralization at Fortress Monroe, the one absolutely impregnable fort +on the Atlantic coast, that the commander had already determined to +surrender in answer to the first shot the <i>Merrimac</i> should fire.</p> + +<p>The preparations for moving McClellan's army to the Virginia Peninsula +for the campaign to capture Richmond were suddenly halted. Two hundred +thousand men must rest on their arms until this crisis should pass. All +orders issued to the Army of the Potomac were now made contingent on the +destruction of the iron monster lying in Hampton Roads.</p> + +<p>By one of the strangest coincidences in history the United States Navy +had completed an experiment in floating iron at precisely the same +moment.</p> + +<p>While the guns of the battle were yet echoing over the waters of the +harbor, this strange little craft, a floating iron cheese box, was +slowly steaming into the Virginia capes.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock that night Ericsson's <i>Monitor</i> was beside the +panic-stricken <i>Roanoke</i>.</p> + +<p>When C. S. Bushnell took the model of this strange craft to Washington, +he was referred to Commander C. H. Davis by the Naval Board. When Davis +had examined it he handed it back to Bushnell with a pitying smile:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> +<p>"Take the little thing home, and worship it. It would not be idolatry, +because it's made in the image of nothing in the heaven above or the +earth beneath or in the waters under the earth."</p> + +<p>Wiser councils had prevailed, and the floating cheese box was completed +and arrived in Hampton Roads in time to put its powers to supreme test.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac's</i> crew ate their breakfast at their leisure and prepared +to drive their ugly duckling into the battle line again and finish the +work of destroying the battered Federal squadron.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i> had fought the battle of the day before under the +constant pounding of more than one hundred guns bearing on her iron +sides. Her armor was intact. Two of her guns were disabled by having +their muzzles shot off. Her nose had been torn off and sank with the +<i>Cumberland</i>. One anchor, her smoke stacks and steam pipes were shot +away. Every scrap of her railing, stanchions, and boat davits had been +swept clean. Her flag staff was gone and a boarding pike had been set up +in its place.</p> + +<p>With stern faces, and absolutely sure of victory, her crew swung her +into the stream, crowded on full steam and moved down on the +<i>Minnesota</i>.</p> + +<p>Close under the ship's side they saw for the first time the cheese box. +They had heard of the experiment of her building but knew nothing of her +arrival.</p> + +<p>Her insignificant size was a surprise and the big <i>Merrimac</i> dashed at +her with a sullen furious growl of her big guns. The game little bulldog +swung out from the <i>Minnesota</i> and made straight for the onrushing +monster.</p> + +<p>The flotilla of gunboats had been signaled to retire and watch the +duel.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> +<p>From the big eleven-inch guns of the <i>Monitor</i> shot after shot was +hurled against the slanting armored walls of the <i>Merrimac</i>.</p> + +<p>Broadside after broadside poured from her guns against the iron-clad +tower of the <i>Monitor</i>.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i>, drawing twenty feet of water, was slow and difficult to +handle. The game little <i>Monitor</i> drew but twelve feet and required no +maneuvering. Her tower revolved. She could stand and fight in one spot +all day.</p> + +<p>The big black hull of the <i>Merrimac</i> bore down on the <i>Monitor</i> now to +ram and sink her at a blow. The nimble craft side stepped the avalanche +of iron, turned quickly and attempted to jamb her nose into the steering +gear of the Southerner—but in vain.</p> + +<p>For two solid hours the iron-clads pounded and hammered each other. The +shots made no impression on either boat.</p> + +<p>Again the <i>Merrimac</i> tried to ram her antagonist and run her aground. +The nimble foe avoided the blow, though struck a grinding, crushing +side-swipe.</p> + +<p>The little <i>Monitor</i> now stuck her nose squarely against the side of the +<i>Merrimac</i>, held it there, and fired both her eleven-inch guns against +the walls of the Southerner.</p> + +<p>The charge of powder was not heavy enough. No harm was done. The impact +of the shots had merely forced the sloping sides an inch or two.</p> + +<p>The captain of the <i>Merrimac</i> turned to his men in sharp command.</p> + +<p>"All hands on deck. Board and capture her!"</p> + +<p>The smoke-smeared crew swarmed to the portholes and were just in the act +of springing on the decks of the <i>Monitor</i>, when she backed quickly and +dropped down stream.</p> + +<p>After six hours of thunder in each other's faces the <i>Monitor</i> drew +away into the shoal waters guarding the <i>Minnesota<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></i>.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merrimac</i> could not follow her in the shallows and at two o'clock +turned her prow again toward Sewell's Point.</p> + +<p>The battle was a drawn conflict. But the plucky little <i>Monitor</i> had won +a tremendous moral victory. She had rescued the navy in the nick of +time. The Government at Washington once more breathed.</p> + +<p>From the heights of rejoicing the South sank again to the bitterness of +failure. For twenty-four hours her flag had been mistress of the seas. +Jefferson Davis saw the hope of peace fade into the certainty of a +struggle for the possession of Richmond.</p> + +<p>The way had been cleared. McClellan's two hundred thousand men were +rushing on their transports for the Virginia peninsula.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER</h3> + + +<p>Long before Jennie Barton arrived in Richmond Socola had waked to the +realization of the fact that he had been caught in the trap he had set +for another. He had laughed at his growing interest in the slender dark +little Southerner. He imagined that he had hypnotized himself into the +idea that he really liked her. He had kept no account of the number of +visits he had made. They were part of his programme. They had grown so +swiftly into the habit of his thought and life he had not stopped to +question the motive that prompted his zeal in pressing his attentions.</p> + +<p>In fact his mind had become so evenly adjusted to hers, his happiness +had been so quietly perfect, he had lost sight of the fact that he was +pressing his attentions at all.</p> + +<p>The day she was suddenly called South and he said good-by with her brown +eyes looking so frankly into his he was brought sharply up against the +fact that he was in love.</p> + +<p>When he took her warm hand in his to press it for the last time, he felt +an almost resistless impulse to bend and kiss her. From that moment he +realized that he was in love—madly, hopelessly, desperately.</p> + +<p>He had left the car and hurried back to his post in the State +Department, his heart beating like a trip hammer. It was a novel +experience. He had never taken girls seriously before. The last girl on +earth he had ever meant to take seriously was this slip of a Southern +enthusia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>st. For a moment he was furious at the certainty of his abject +surrender. He lifted his eyes to the big columns of the Confederate +Capitol and laughed:</p> + +<p>"Come, come, man—common sense—this is a joke! Forget it all. To your +work—your country calls!"</p> + +<p>Somehow the country refused to issue but one call—the old eternal cry +of love. Wherever he turned, Jennie's brown eyes were smiling into his. +He looked at the Confederate Capitol to inspire him to deeds of daring +and all he could remember was that she was a glorious little rebel with +three brothers fighting for the flag that floated there. All he could +get out of the supreme emblem of the "Rebellion" was that it was her +Capitol and <i>her</i> flag and he loved her.</p> + +<p>And then he laughed for sheer joy that love had come into his heart and +made the world beautiful. He surrendered himself body and soul to the +madness and wonder of it all.</p> + +<p>If he could only see his mother and tell her, she could understand. He +couldn't talk to the bundle of nerves Miss Van Lew had become. Her eyes +burned each day with a deeper and deeper light of fanatical patriotism. +He had yielded none of his own enthusiasm. But this secret of his heart +was too sweet to be shared by a comrade in arms.</p> + +<p>Only God's eye, or the soul of the mother who bore him, could understand +what he felt. The realization of his love for Jennie brought a new fear +into his heart. His nerve was put daily to supreme test in the dangerous +work in which he was engaged. A single mistake would start an +investigation sure to end with a rope around his neck. Love had given +life a new meaning. The chatter of the squirrels in the Capitol Square +was all about their homes and babies in the tree tops. The song of +bir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>ds in the old flower garden on Church Hill made his heart thump with +a joy that was agony. The flowers were just bursting into full bloom and +their perfume filled the air with the lazy dreaming of the southern +spring.</p> + +<p>He must speak his love. His heart would burst with its beating. His mate +must know. And she had returned to Richmond with a bitterness against +the North that was something new in the development of her character.</p> + +<p>The newspapers of Richmond had published an elaborate account of the +sacking of her father's house, the smashing of its furniture and theft +of its valuables. It had created a profound sensation. There was no +mistaking the passion with which she had told this story.</p> + +<p>He had laughed at first over the fun of winning the fairest little rebel +in the South and carrying his bride away a prize of war, against the +combined efforts of his Southern rivals. His love and pride had not +doubted for a moment that her heart would yield to the man she loved no +matter what uniform he might wear at the end of this war.</p> + +<p>He couldn't make up his mind to ask her to marry him until she should +know his real name and his true principles.</p> + +<p>What would she do if the truth were revealed? His heart fairly stopped +its beating at the thought. The fall of Richmond he now regarded as a +practical certainty. The <i>Merrimac</i> had proven a vain hope to the +Confederacy.</p> + +<p>McClellan was landing his magnificent army on the Peninsula and +preparing to sweep all before him. McDowell's forty thousand men were +moving on his old line of march straight from Washington. Their two +armies would unite before the city and circle it with an invincible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> wall +of fire and steel. Fremont, Milroy and Banks were sweeping through the +valley of the Shenandoah. Their armies would unite, break the +connections of the Confederacy at Lynchburg and the South would be +crushed.</p> + +<p>That this would all be accomplished within thirty days he had the most +positive assurances from Washington. So sure was Miss Van Lew of +McClellan's triumphant entry into Richmond she had put her house in +order for his reception. Her parlor had been scrupulously cleaned. Its +blinds were drawn and the room dark, but a flag staff was ready and a +Union standard concealed in one of her feather beds. Over the old house +on Church Hill the emblem of the Nation would first be flung to the +breeze in the conquered Capital of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>The certainty of his discovery in the rush of the Union army into the +city was now the nightmare which haunted his imagination.</p> + +<p>He could fight the Confederate Government on even terms. He asked no +odds. His life was on the hazard. Something more than the life of a +Union spy was at stake in his affair with Jennie. Her life and happiness +were bound in his. He felt this by an unerring instinct.</p> + +<p>If this proud, sensitive, embittered girl should stumble on even a +suspicion of the truth, she would tear her heart out of her body if +necessary to put him out of her life.</p> + +<p>For a moment he was tempted to give up his work and return to the North. +It was the one sure way to avoid discovery when Richmond fell. The war +over, he would have his even chance with other men when its bitterness +had been softened. His work in Richmond was practically done. His men +could finish it. The number of soldiers in the Southern armies had been +accurately counted a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>nd reported to Washington. Why should he risk the +happiness of the woman he loved and his own happiness for life by +remaining another day?</p> + +<p>The thought had no sooner taken shape than he put it out of his mind.</p> + +<p>"Bah! I've set my hand to a great task. I'm not a quitter. I'll stand by +my guns. No true woman ever loved a coward!"</p> + +<p>He would take his chances and tell her his love.</p> + +<p>He lifted the old-fashioned brass knocker on Senator Barton's door and +banged it with such force he laughed at his own foolish eagerness:</p> + +<p>"At least I needn't smash my way in!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>"Yassah, des walk right in de parlor, sah," Jennie's maid said, with her +teeth shining in a knowing smile.</p> + +<p>Senator Barton had recovered from his illness. There could be no doubt +about it. He was in the library holding forth in eloquent tones to a +group of Confederate Congressmen who made his house their rendezvous. He +was enjoying the martyrdom which the outrage on his home and the death +of his aged mother and father had brought. He was using it to inveigh +with new bitterness against the imbecility of Jefferson Davis and his +administration. He held Davis personally responsible for every defeat of +the South. He was the one man who had caused the fall of New Orleans, +the loss of Fort Donelson and the failure to reap the victory at Shiloh.</p> + +<p>"But you must remember, Senator," one of his henchmen mildly protested, +"that Davis did save Albert Sidney Johnston to us and that alone made a +victory possible."</p> + +<p>"And what of it, if he threw it away by appointing a fool second in +Command?"</p> + +<p>There was a good answer to this—too good for the henchman to dare use +it. He had sent Beauregard west to join Albert Si<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>dney Johnston's command +because Barton's junta, supporting Joseph E. Johnston against the +administration, would no longer tolerate Beauregard in the same camp +with their chief. They had demanded a free field for Joseph E. Johnston +in the conflict with McClellan or they had threatened his resignation +and the disruption of the Confederate army.</p> + +<p>The President, sick unto death over the wrangling of these two generals, +had separated them and sent Beauregard west where the genius of Albert +Sidney Johnston could use his personal popularity, and his own more +powerful mind would neutralize in any council of war the little man's +feeble generalship.</p> + +<p>Socola listened to Barton's fierce, unreasoning invective with a sense +of dread. It was impossible to realize that this big-mouthed, bitter, +vindictive, ridiculous politician was the father of the gentle girl he +loved. There must be something of his power of malignant hatred +somewhere in Jennie's nature. He had caught just a glimpse of it in the +story she had told the Richmond papers.</p> + +<p>She stood in the doorway at last, a smiling vision of modest beauty. Her +dress of fine old lace seemed woven of the tender smiles that played +about the sensitive mouth.</p> + +<p>He sprang to his feet and took her hand, his heart thumping with joy. +She felt it tremble and laughed outright.</p> + +<p>"So you have returned a fiercer rebel than ever, Miss Jennie?" he said +hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>He tried to say something purely conventional but it popped out when he +opened his mouth—the ugly thought that was gnawing at his happiness.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered thoughtfully, "I never realized before what it meant +to be with my own people. I could have burned New Orleans and laughed +at its ruins to have smoked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> Ben Butler out of it—"</p> + +<p>"President Davis has proclaimed him an outlaw I see," Socola added.</p> + +<p>"If he can only capture and hang him, the people of Louisiana would be +perfectly willing to lose all—"</p> + +<p>"But your brother, the Judge, is still loyal to the Union—you can't +hate him you know?"</p> + +<p>Jennie's eyes flashed into Socola's.</p> + +<p>Why had he asked the one question that opened the wound in her heart? +Perhaps her mind had suggested it. She had scarcely spoken the bitter +words before she saw the vision of his serious face and regretted it.</p> + +<p>"Strange you should have mentioned my brother's name at the very moment +his image was before me," the girl thoughtfully replied.</p> + +<p>"Clairvoyance perhaps—"</p> + +<p>"You believe in such things?" Jennie asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes. My mother leaped from her bed with a scream one night and told me +that she had seen my father's spirit, felt him bend over her and touch +her lips. He had died at exactly that moment."</p> + +<p>"Wonderful, isn't it," Jennie murmured softly, "the vision of love!"</p> + +<p>She was dreaming of the moments of her distress in the sacking of her +home when the vision of this man's smiling face had suddenly set her to +laughing.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Socola answered. "I asked you about your older brother because I +don't like the idea of you poisoning your beautiful young life with +hatred. Such thoughts kill—they can't bring health and strength, Miss +Jennie."</p> + +<p>"Of course," the girl responded tenderly, "you can see things more +calmly. You can't understand how deep the knife has entered our hearts +in the South."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p> +<p>"That's just what I do understand. It's that against which I'm warning +you. This war can't last always you know. There must be a +readjustment—"</p> + +<p>"Between the North and South?"</p> + +<p>"Of course—"</p> + +<p>"Never!"</p> + +<p>With sudden emotion she leaped to her feet her little fists clinched. +She stood trembling in silence for a moment and her face paled.</p> + +<p>"No, Signor," she went on in cold tones. "There can be no readjustment +of this war. It's to the death now. I confess myself a rebel body and +soul—<i>Confess</i>? I glory in it! I'm proud of being one. I thought my +father extravagant at first. Ben Butler has changed my views. The South +can't look back now. It's forward—forward—always forward to death—or +independence!"</p> + +<p>She paused overcome with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she went on in quick tones, "I thank God we're two different +tribes! I'm proud of the South and her old-fashioned, out-of-date +chivalry. The South respects and honors women. God never made the +Southern white man who could issue Butler's orders in New Orleans or +insult the heart-broken women who are forced to enter his office with +the vile motto he has placed over his desk—"</p> + +<p>Socola lifted his hand in gentle smiling protest.</p> + +<p>"But you must remember, Miss Jennie, that General Butler is a peculiar +individual. He probably does not represent the best that's in New +England—"</p> + +<p>"God knows I hope not for their sakes," was the answer. "I only wish I +could fight in the ranks with our boys. If I can't fight at least I'm +going to help our men in other ways. I'll work with my hands as a slave. +I'll sew and knit and nurse. I'll breathe my soul into the souls of our +men. I sing Dixie when I rise in the morning. I hum it all day. I sing +it with my last thoughts as I go to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>sleep."</p> + +<p>Socola moved uneasily.</p> + +<p>She looked at him a moment with an expression of sudden tenderness.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you how proud and happy I am in the thought that I may +have helped you to give your brilliant mind to the service of the South. +It's my offering to my country and her cause!"</p> + +<p>It was impossible to resist the glow of love in her shining face. Socola +felt his soul dissolve.</p> + +<p>With a little gesture of resignation she dropped to a seat on the lounge +beside the window, her young face outlined against a mass of early roses +in full bloom. Their perfume poured through the window and filled the +room.</p> + +<p>Socola seated himself deliberately by her side and held her gaze with +direct purpose. She saw and understood and her heart beat in quick +response.</p> + +<p>"You realize that you <i>are</i> the incarnate Cause of the South for me?"</p> + +<p>She smiled triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"I have always known it."</p> + +<p>There was no silly boasting in her tones, no trace of the Southern +girl's light mood with one of her numerous beaux. Her words were spoken +with deliberate tenderness.</p> + +<p>"And yet how deeply and wonderfully you could not know—"</p> + +<p>"I have guessed perhaps—"</p> + +<p>He took her hand in his.</p> + +<p>"I love you, Jennie—"</p> + +<p>Her voice was the tenderest whisper.</p> + +<p>"And I love you, my sweetheart—"</p> + +<p>He clasped her in his arms and held her in silence.</p> + +<p>She pushed him at arm's length and looked wistfully into his face.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> +<p>"For the past month my heart has been singing. Through all the shame and +misery of the sacking of our home, I could laugh and be happy—foolishly +happy, because I knew that you loved me—"</p> + +<p>"How did you know?"</p> + +<p>"You told me—"</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"With the last little touch of your hand when I went South."</p> + +<p>He pressed it with desperate tenderness.</p> + +<p>"It shall be forever?"</p> + +<p>"Forever!"</p> + +<p>"Neither life nor death, nor height nor depth can separate us?"</p> + +<p>"What could separate us, my lover? You are mine. I am yours. You have +given your life to our cause—"</p> + +<p>"I am but a soldier of fortune—"</p> + +<p>"You are my soldier—you have given your life because I asked it. I give +you mine in return—"</p> + +<p>"Swear to me that you'll love me always!"</p> + +<p>She answered with a kiss.</p> + +<p>"I swear it."</p> + +<p>Again he clasped her in his arms and hurried from the house. The +twilight was falling. Artillery wagons were rumbling through the +streets. A troop train had arrived from the South. Its regiments were +rushing across the city to reënforce McGruder's thin lines on the +Peninsula. McClellan's guns were already thundering on the shores.</p> + +<p>He hurried to the house on Church Hill, his dark face flushed with +happiness, his heart beating a reveille of fear and joy.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE PANIC IN RICHMOND</h3> + + +<p>Richmond now entered the shadows of her darkest hour. Three armies were +threatening from the west commanded by Fremont, Milroy, and Banks, whose +forces were ordered to unite. McDowell with forty thousand men lay at +Fredericksburg and threatened a junction with McClellan, who was moving +up the Peninsula with an effective army of 105,000.</p> + +<p>Joseph E. Johnston had under his command more than fifty thousand with +which to oppose McClellan's advance. It was the opinion of Davis and Lee +that the stand for battle should be made on the narrow neck of the +Peninsula which lent itself naturally to defense.</p> + +<p>To retreat toward Richmond would not only prove discouraging to the +army, and precipitate a panic in the city, it meant the abandonment of +Norfolk, the loss of the navy yard, the destruction of the famous +iron-clad, and the opening of the James River to the gunboats of the +enemy to Drury's Bluff within twelve miles of the Confederate Capital.</p> + +<p>In this crisis Johnston gave confirmation to the worst fears of the +President. He displayed the constitutional timidity and hesitation to +fight which marked every step of his military career to its tragic end.</p> + +<p>With the greatest army under his command which the Confederacy had ever +brought together—with Longstreet, McGruder and G. W. Smith as his +lieutenants, he was preparing to retreat without a battle.</p> + +<p>The President called in council of war General Lee, Randolph, the +Secretary of War, and General Johnston. Johnston as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>ked that Longstreet +and Smith be invited. The President consented.</p> + +<p>After full consultation, Davis decided, with Lee's approval to hold the +Peninsula, save the navy yard and keep command of the James. And +Johnston received orders accordingly.</p> + +<p>With characteristic stubbornness the Field Commander persisted in his +determination to retreat without a battle.</p> + +<p>With aching heart Davis sent him a telegram.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Richmond, Va.</span>, May 1st, 1861.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">General Joseph E. Johnston</span>,</p> + +<p>"Yorktown, Va.</p> + +<p>"Accepting your conclusion that you must soon retire, arrangements +are commenced for the abandonment of the navy yard and removal of +public property from Norfolk and the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>"Your announcement to-day that you would withdraw to-morrow night, +takes us by surprise and must involve enormous losses, including +unfinished gunboats. Will the safety of your army allow more time?</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Jefferson Davis.</span>"</p></div> + +<p>Johnston had retreated from his base at Manassas with absurd haste, +burning enormous stores and supplies of which the Confederacy was in +desperate need. The losses now occasioned by his hasty withdrawal from +Yorktown were even more serious.</p> + +<p>The destruction of the iron-clad which had smashed the Federal fleet in +Hampton Roads sent a shiver of horror throughout the South.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The fiery trial through which Davis was passing brought out the finest +traits of his strong character.</p> + +<p>He had received ample warning that one of the first places marked for +destruction by the Federal fleet passing up the Mis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>sissippi River was +his home "Briarfield." He refused to send troops to defend it. His house +was sacked, his valuable library destroyed, the place swept bare of his +fine blooded stock and the negroes deported by force.</p> + +<p>To his wife he wrote:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You will see the notice of the destruction of our home. If our +cause succeeds we shall not mourn our personal deprivation; if it +should not, why—'the deluge.' I hope I shall be able to provide +for the comfort of the old negroes."</p></div> + +<p>Uncle Bob and Aunt Rhinah had been roughly handled by Butler's men. The +foragers utterly refused to believe them when they told of their +master's kindness in giving them piles of blankets. They were roughly +informed that they had stolen them from the house and their treasures +were confiscated amid the lamentations of the aged couple. The two +precious rocking chairs were left them but of blankets and linens they +were stripped bare.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>With Johnston's army in retreat toward Richmond, his rear guard of but +twelve thousand men under General McGruder had demonstrated the wisdom +of Davis' position that the Peninsula could be successfully defended. +McGruder's little army held McClellan at bay for nearly thirty days. He +was dislodged from his position with terrible slaughter of the Union +forces. McClellan's army lost two thousand two hundred and seventy-five +men in this encounter, McGruder less than a thousand. Had Johnston +concentrated his fifty thousand men on this line McClellan would never +have taken it, and the only iron-clad the South possessed might have +been saved.</p> + +<p>The daring Commander of the <i>Merrimac</i>, while McClellan was encamped +before Yorktown, had appeared in Hampton Roads and ch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>allenged the whole +Federal fleet again to fight. The <i>Monitor</i> had taken refuge under the +guns of Fortress Monroe and refused to come out. The ugly duckling of +the Confederacy, in plain view of the whole Federal fleet and witnessed +by French and English vessels, captured three schooners and carried them +into port as prizes of war.</p> + +<p>When Norfolk was abandoned, the iron-clad drew so much water she could +only ascend the James by lightening her until her wooden sides showed +above the water line. She was therefore set on fire and blown up on +Johnston's retreat uncovering the banks of the James to the artillery of +McClellan.</p> + +<p>The Federal fleet could now dash up the James.</p> + +<p>They did this immediately on the news of the destruction of the +Confederate iron-clad.</p> + +<p>On May fifteenth, the <i>Galena</i>, the <i>Aroostook</i>, the <i>Monitor</i>, the +<i>Port Royal</i>, and the <i>Stevens</i> steamed up the river without opposition +to Drury's Bluff within twelve miles of the Capital of the South. A +half-finished fort mounting four guns guarded this point. The river was +also obstructed by a double row of piles and sunken vessels.</p> + +<p>If the eleven-inch guns of the <i>Monitor</i> could be brought to bear on +this fort, it was a problem how long the batteries could be held in +action.</p> + +<p>The wildest alarm swept Richmond. The railroads were jammed with frantic +people trying to get out. The depots were piled with mountains of +baggage it was impossible to move. A mass meeting was held on the night +the fleet ascended the river which was addressed by Governor Letcher and +Mayor Mayo.</p> + +<p>The Governor ended his speech with a sentence that set the crowd wild +with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Sooner than see our beloved city conquered to-day by our enemies we +will lay it in ashes with our own hands!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Legislature of Virginia showed its grit by passing a resolution +practically inviting the President of the Confederacy to lay the city in +ruins if he deemed wise:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Resolved</i>, That the General Assembly hereby expresses its desire +that the Capital of the State be <i>defended to the last extremity</i>, +if such defense is in accordance with the views of the President of +the Confederate States, and that the President be assured that +whatever destruction and loss of property of the State or of +individuals shall thereby result, will be cheerfully submitted to."</p></div> + +<p>When the Committee handed this document to Jefferson Davis, he faced +them with a look of resolution:</p> + +<p>"Richmond will not be abandoned, gentlemen, until McClellan marches over +the dead bodies of our army. Not for one moment have I considered the +idea of surrendering the Capital—"</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>"Thank God!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the President!"</p> + +<p>The Committee grasped his hand, convinced that no base surrender of +their Capital would be tolerated by their leader.</p> + +<p>"Rest assured, gentlemen," he continued earnestly, "if blood must be +shed, it shall be here. No soil of the Confederacy could drink it more +acceptably and none hold it more gratefully. We shall stake all on this +one glorious hour for our Republic. Life, death, and wounds are nothing +if we shall be saved from the fate of a captured Capital and a +humiliated Confederacy—"</p> + +<p>The Government and the city had need of grim resolution. The Federal +fleet moved up into range and opened fire on the batteries at Drury's +Bluff. The little Confederate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> gunboat <i>Patrick Henry</i> which had won fame +in the first engagement of the <i>Merrimac</i> steamed down into line and +joined her fire with the fort.</p> + +<p>General Lee had planted light batteries on the banks of the river to +sweep the decks of the fleet with grape and cannister.</p> + +<p>The little <i>Monitor</i>, the <i>Galena</i>, and the <i>Stevens</i> steamed straight +up to within six hundred yards of the battery of the fort and opened +with their eleven-inch guns. The <i>Galena</i> and the <i>Stevens</i> were +iron-clad steamers with thin armor.</p> + +<p>For four hours the guns thundered. The batteries poured a hail of shot +on the <i>Monitor</i>. They bounded off her round-tower and her water-washed +decks like pebbles. The rifled gun on the <i>Stevens</i> burst and disabled +her. The <i>Galena</i> was pierced by heavy shot and severely crippled, +losing thirty-seven of her men. As the <i>Monitor</i> was built, it was +impossible to make effective her guns at close range against the high +bluff on which the Confederate battery was placed.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock the crippled fleet slowly moved down the river and +Richmond was saved.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>When Johnston in his retreat up the Peninsula reached the high ground +near the Chickahominy river, he threw out his lines and prepared to give +McClellan battle. He dispatched a messenger to the President at Richmond +informing him of this fact. The Cabinet was in session. A spirited +discussion ensued. The Secretary of War and the whole council were +alarmed at the prospect of battle on such an ill chosen position. His +rear would rest on an enormous swamp through which the treacherous river +flowed. There were no roads or bridges of sufficient capacity to take +his army rapidly if he should be compelled to retreat.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span></p> +<p>"I suggest, Mr. President," said the Secretary of War, "that you call +General Johnston's attention to this fact."</p> + +<p>Davis shook his head emphatically.</p> + +<p>"No, gentlemen. We have entrusted the command to General Johnston. It is +his business with all the facts before him to know what is best. It +would be utterly unfair and very dangerous to attempt to control his +operations by advice from the Capital."</p> + +<p>Davis was too great a general and too generous and just to deny Johnston +his opportunity for supreme service to his country. It was the fixed +policy of the President to select the best man for the position to which +he assigned him and leave the responsibility of action on the field to +his judgment.</p> + +<p>On the following morning instead of a report of battle the President +received a dispatch announcing that his General had decided to cross the +Chickahominy River and use its swamps and dangerous crossings as his +line of defense.</p> + +<p>The Cabinet expressed its sense of profound relief and Davis watched his +commander with an increase of confidence in his judgment. If the narrow +roads and weak bridges across the river were guarded, an army of half +his size could hold McClellan for months. The nearest crossing was +twenty-five miles from Richmond.</p> + +<p>General Reagan of the Cabinet rode down that night to see Hood at the +head of his Texas brigade.</p> + +<p>At noon next day on returning to the city he saw the President coming +out of his office.</p> + +<p>The long arm of the Chief was lifted and Reagan halted.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute—"</p> + +<p>"At your service, Mr. President."</p> + +<p>"Get your dinner and ride down to the Chickahominy with me. I want to +see General Johnston."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p> +<p>Reagan shouted an answer which the President failed to catch:</p> + +<p>"You won't have to go to the Chickahominy to see Johnston!"</p> + +<p>Joining Reagan after dinner the President rode rapidly through the +suburban district called "The Rockets," and had reached the high ground +beyond. A half mile away stretched a vast field of white tents.</p> + +<p>"Whose camp is that?" Davis asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Hood's brigade," Reagan replied.</p> + +<p>"Why Hood's on the Chickahominy twenty-odd miles from here—"</p> + +<p>"I camped here with them last night, sir—"</p> + +<p>"Impossible!"</p> + +<p>Reagan watched the thin face of the Confederate Chieftain grow deadly +pale.</p> + +<p>"If you wish to see General Johnston, Mr. President, you'll find him in +that red brick house on the right—"</p> + +<p>Reagan pointed in the direction of the house.</p> + +<p>The President looked at his friend a moment, a quizzical expression +relieving his anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Of course—it's a joke, Reagan."</p> + +<p>"It's true, sir!"</p> + +<p>Davis shook his head:</p> + +<p>"General Johnston is on the Chickahominy guarding the crossings. I sent +my aide with a dispatch to him last night."</p> + +<p>"He hadn't returned when you left the office—"</p> + +<p>"No—"</p> + +<p>"I thought not. There can be no mistake, sir. I saw General Johnston and +his staff enter that house and establish his headquarters there—"</p> + +<p>"Here in the suburbs of Richmond?"</p> + +<p>"Right here, sir—"</p> + +<p>Davis put spurs to his horse, and waved to his aide:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p> +<p>"Colonel Ives—come!"</p> + +<p>Reagan turned and rode again into Hood's camp.</p> + +<p>The President rode straight to Johnston's headquarters. He sprang to the +ground with a quick decisive leap.</p> + +<p>The ceremony between the two men was scant. No words were wasted.</p> + +<p>"You have moved your army into the suburbs of Richmond, General +Johnston?"</p> + +<p>"I have—"</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I consider this better ground—"</p> + +<p>"You have left no rear guard to contest McClellan's crossing?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"May I ask why you chose to give up the defenses of such a river without +a blow?"</p> + +<p>"My army was out of provisions—"</p> + +<p>"They could have been rushed to you—"</p> + +<p>"The ground near the Chickahominy is low and marshy. The water is bad—"</p> + +<p>"And you have come to the very gates of the city?"</p> + +<p>"Because the ground is dry, the water good, and we are near our +supplies—"</p> + +<p>The President's lips trembled with rage.</p> + +<p>"And McClellan can now plant his guns within six miles and his soldiers +hear our church bells on Sunday—"</p> + +<p>"Possibly—"</p> + +<p>The President's eye pierced his General.</p> + +<p>"Richmond is to be surrendered without a battle?"</p> + +<p>"That depends, sir, upon conditions—"</p> + +<p>The Confederate Chief suddenly threw his thin hands above his head and +faced his stubborn sulking Commander.</p> + +<p>"If you are not going to give battle, I'll appoint a man in your place +who will—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> +<p>Before Johnston could reply the President turned on his heel, waved to +Colonel Ives, mounted his horse and dashed into the city.</p> + +<p>His Cabinet was called in hasty consultation with General Lee.</p> + +<p>Davis turned to his counselors.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, I have just held a most amazing conference with General +Johnston. You were afraid he would fight beyond the Chickahominy. He has +crossed the river, left its natural defenses unguarded, and has run all +the way to town without pause. I have told him to fight or get out of +the saddle. In my judgment he intends to back straight through the city +and abandon it without a blow. We must face the situation."</p> + +<p>He turned to Lee. The question he was going to put to the man in whom he +had supreme confidence would test both his judgment and his character. +On his answer would hang his career. If it should be what the +Confederate Chief believed, Lee was the man of destiny and his hour had +struck.</p> + +<p>"In case Johnston abandons Richmond," the President slowly began, "where +in your opinion, General Lee, is the next best line of defense?"</p> + +<p>Lee's fine mouth was set for a moment. He spoke at first with +deliberation.</p> + +<p>"As a military engineer, my answer is simple. The next best line of +defense would be at Staten River—but—"</p> + +<p>He suddenly leaped to his feet, his eyes streaming with tears.</p> + +<p>"Richmond must not be given up—it shall not be given up!"</p> + +<p>Davis sprang to his side and clasped Lee's hand.</p> + +<p>"So say I, General!"</p> + +<p>From that moment the President and his chief military adviser lived on +Johnston's battle line, Lee ready at a moment's notice to spring into +the saddle and hurl his men again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>st McClellan the moment Johnston should +falter.</p> + +<p>The Commander was forced to a decision for battle. He could not allow +his arch enemy to remove him without a fight.</p> + +<p>The retreat across the Chickahominy had given McClellan an enormous +advantage which his skillful eye saw at once. He threw two grand +divisions of his army across the river and pushed his siege guns up +within six miles of Richmond. His engineers immediately built +substantial bridges across the stream over which he could move in safety +his heaviest guns in any emergency, either for reënforcements or +retreat.</p> + +<p>He swung his right wing far to the north in a wide circling movement +until he was in easy touch with McDowell's forty thousand men at +Fredericksburg.</p> + +<p>McClellan was within sight of the consummation of his hopes. When this +wide movement of his army had been successfully made without an arm +lifted to oppose, he climbed a tall tree within sight of Richmond from +which he could view the magnificent panorama.</p> + +<p>A solid wall of living blue with glittering bayonets and black-fanged +batteries of artillery, his army spread for ten miles. Beyond them here +and there only he saw patches of crouching gray in the underbrush or +crawling through the marshes.</p> + +<p>The Northern Commander came down from his perch and threw his arms +around his aide:</p> + +<p>"We've got them, boy!" he cried enthusiastically. "We've got them!"</p> + +<p>It was not to be wondered at that the boastful oratorical Confederate +Congress should have taken to their heels. They ran in such haste, the +people of Richmond began to laugh and in their laughter took fresh +courage.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p> +<p>A paper printed in double leads on its first page a remarkable account +of the stampede:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"For fear of accident on the railroad, the stampeded Congress left +in a number of the strongest and swiftest of our new canal-boats. +The boats were drawn by mules of established sweetness of temper. +To protect our law-makers from snakes and bullfrogs that infest the +line of the canal, General Winder detailed a regiment of ladies to +march in advance of the mules, and clear the tow-path of these +troublesome pirates. The ladies are ordered to accompany the +Confederate Congress to a secluded cave in the mountains of +Hepsidan, and leave them there in charge of the children of that +vicinity until McClellan thinks proper to let them come forth. The +ladies will at once return to the defense of their country."</p></div> + +<p>The President for a brief time was free of his critics.</p> + +<p>On May thirty-first, Johnston's army, under the direct eye of Davis and +Lee on the field, gave battle to McClellan's left wing—comprising the +two grand divisions that had been pushed across the Chickahominy to the +environs of Richmond.</p> + +<p>The opening attack was delayed by the failure of General Holmes to +strike McClellan's rear as planned. A terrific rain storm the night +before had flooded a stream and it was impossible for him to cross.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon Longstreet and Hill hurled their divisions through +the thick woods and marshes on McClellan.</p> + +<p>Longstreet's men drove before them the clouds of blue skirmishers, +plunged into the marshes with water two feet deep and dashed on the +fortified lines of the enemy. The Southerners crept through the dense +underbrush to the very muzzles of the guns in the redoubts, charged, +cleared them, grappling hand to hand with the desperate men who fought +like demons.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span></p> +<p>Line after line was thus carried until at nightfall McClellan's left +wing had been pushed back over two miles through swamp and waters red +with blood.</p> + +<p>The slaughter had been frightful in the few hours in which the battle +had raged. On the Confederate left where Johnston commanded in person +the Union army held its position until dark, unbroken.</p> + +<p>Johnston fell from his horse wounded and Davis on the field immediately +appointed General Lee to command.</p> + +<p>The appointment of Lee to be Commander-in-Chief not only intensified the +hatred of Johnston for the President, it made G. W. Smith, the man who +was Johnston's second, his implacable enemy for life. Technically G. W. +Smith would have succeeded to the command of the army had not Davis +exercised his power on the field of battle to appoint the man of his +choice.</p> + +<p>In no act of his long, eventful life did Davis evince such clearness of +vision and quick decision, under trying conditions. Lee had failed in +Western Virginia and McClellan had out-generaled him, the yellow +journals had declared. They called Lee "Old Spade." So intense was the +opposition to Lee that Davis had sent him to erect the coast defenses of +South Carolina. The Governor of the State protested against the +appointment of so incompetent a man to this important work. Davis sent +the Governor an emphatic message in reply:</p> + +<p>"If Robert E. Lee is not a general I have none to send you."</p> + +<p>Davis now called the man whom McClellan had defeated to the supreme +command against McClellan at the head of his grand army in sight of the +housetops of Richmond. Only a leader of the highest genius could have +dared to make such a decision in such a crisis.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span></p> +<p>Davis made it without a moment's hesitation and in that act of +individual will gave to the world the greatest commander of the age.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>THE DELIVERANCE</h3> + + +<p>From the moment Davis placed Lee in the saddle order slowly emerged from +chaotic conditions and the first rays of light began to illumine the +fortunes of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>Modest and unassuming in his personality, he demonstrated from the first +his skill as an organizer and his power in the conception and execution +of far-reaching strategy.</p> + +<p>From the moment he breathed his spirit into the army he made it a rapid, +compact, accurate and terrible engine of war. The contemptible assault +of the Richmond <i>Examiner</i> fell harmless from the armor of his genius. +Davis was bitterly denounced for his favoritism in passing G. W. Smith +and appointing Governor Letcher's pet. He was accused of playing a game +of low politics to make "a spawn of West Point" the next Governor of +Virginia. But events moved with a pace too swift to give the yellow +journals or the demagogues time to get their breath.</p> + +<p>Lee had sent Jackson into the Valley of the Shenandoah to make a +diversion which might hold the armies moving on the Capital from the +west and at the same time puzzle McDowell at Fredericksburg.</p> + +<p>Lee, Jackson and Davis were three men who worked in perfect harmony from +the moment they met in their first council of war at the White House of +the Confederacy. So perfect was Lee's confidence in Jackson, he was +sent into the Valley unhampered by instructions which would int<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>erfere +with the execution of any movement his genius might suggest.</p> + +<p>Left thus to his own initiative, Jackson conceived the most brilliant +series of engagements in the history of modern war. He determined to use +his infantry by forced marches to cover in a day the ground usually made +by cavalry and fall on the armies of his opponents one by one before +they could form a juncture.</p> + +<p>On May 23, by a swift, silent march of his little army of fifteen +thousand men, he took Banks completely by surprise, crushed and captured +his advance guard at Fort Royal, struck him in the flank and drove him +back into Strassburg, through Winchester, and hurled his shattered army +in confusion and panic across the Potomac on its Washington base.</p> + +<p>Desperate alarm swept the Capital of the Union. Stanton, the Secretary +of War, issued a frantic appeal to the Governors of the Northern States +for militia to defend Washington. Panic reigned in the cities of the +North. Governors and mayors issued the most urgent appeals for +enlistments.</p> + +<p>Fremont was ordered to move with all possible haste and form a juncture +with a division of McDowell's army and cut off Jackson's line of +retreat.</p> + +<p>The wily Confederate General wheeled suddenly and rushed on Fremont +before Shields could reach him. On June 8, at Cross Keys, he crushed +Fremont, turned with sudden eagle swoop and defeated Shields at Port +Republic.</p> + +<p>Washington believed that Jackson commanded an enormous army, and that +the National Capital was in danger of his invading host. The defeated +armies of Milroy, Banks, Fremont and Shields were all drawn in to defend +the city.</p> + +<p>In this campaign of a few weeks Jackson had marched his infantry six +hundred miles, fought four pitched battles <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>and seven minor engagements. +He had defeated four armies, each greater than his own, captured seven +pieces of artillery, ten thousand stands of arms, four thousand +prisoners and enormous stores of provisions and ammunition. It required +a train of wagons twelve miles long to transport his treasures—every +pound of which he saved for his Government.</p> + +<p>He was never surprised, never defeated, never lost a train or an +organized piece of his army, put out of commission sixty thousand +Northern soldiers under four distinguished generals and in obedience to +Lee's command was now sweeping through the mountain passes to the relief +of Richmond.</p> + +<p>While Jackson was thus moving to join his forces with Lee, Washington +was shivering in fear of his attack.</p> + +<p>On the day Jackson was scheduled to fall on the flank of McClellan's +besieging army Lee moved his men to the assault. The first battle which +Johnston had joined at Seven Pines had only checked McClellan's advance.</p> + +<p>The Grand Army of the Potomac still lay on its original lines, and +McClellan had used every day in strengthening his entrenchments. Lee had +built defensive works to enable a part of his army to defend the city +while he should throw the flower of his gray soldiers on his enemy in a +desperate flank assault in cooperation with Jackson.</p> + +<p>On the arrival of his triumphant lieutenant from the Shenandoah Valley +Lee suddenly sprang on McClellan with the leap of a lion. The Northern +Commander fought with terrible courage, amazed and uneasy over the +discovery that Jackson had suddenly appeared on his flank.</p> + +<p>Within thirty-six hours McClellan's right wing was crushed and in +retreat. Within seven days Lee drove his Grand Arm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>y of more than a +hundred thousand men from the gates of Richmond thirty-five miles and +hurled them on the banks of the James at Harrison's Landing under the +shelter of the Federal gunboats.</p> + +<p>Instead of marching in triumph through the streets of the Confederate +Capital, McClellan congratulated himself and his Government on his good +fortune in saving his army from annihilation. His broken columns had +reached a place of safety after a series of defeats which had +demoralized his command and resulted in the loss of ten thousand +prisoners and ten thousand more in killed and wounded. He had been +compelled to abandon or burn stores valued at millions. The South had +captured thirty-five thousand stand of arms and fifty-two pieces of +artillery.</p> + +<p>Lee in his report modestly expressed his disappointment that greater +results had not been achieved.</p> + +<p>"Under ordinary circumstances," he wrote, "the Federal army should have +been destroyed. Its escape was due to causes already stated. Prominent +among them was the want of correct and timely information. The first, +attributable chiefly to the character of the country, enabled General +McClellan skillfully to conceal his retreat and to add much to the +obstructions with which nature had beset the way of our pursuing column. +But regret that more was not accomplished gives way to gratitude to the +Sovereign Ruler of the Universe for the results achieved."</p> + +<p>Jackson, the grim soldier, whose habit was to pray all night before +battle, wrote with the fervor of the religious enthusiast.</p> + +<p>"Undying gratitude is due to God for this great victory—by which +despondency increases in the North, hope brightens in the South and the +Capital of Virginia and the Confederacy is saved."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p> +<p>A wave of exultation swept the South—while Death stalked through the +streets of Richmond.</p> + +<p>Instead of the tramp of victorious hosts, their bayonets glittering in +the sunlight, which Socola had confidently expected, he watched from the +windows of the Department of State the interminable lines of ambulances +bearing the wounded from the fields of McClellan's seven-days' battle.</p> + +<p>The darkened room on Church Hill was opened. Miss Van Lew had watched +the glass rattle under the thunder of McClellan's guns, and then with +sinking heart heard their roar fade in the distance until only the +rumble of the ambulances through the streets told that he had been +there. She burned the flag. It was too dangerous a piece of bunting to +risk in her house now. It would be many weary months before she would +need another.</p> + +<p>Through every hour of the day and night since Lee sprang on McClellan, +those never-ending lines of ambulances had wound their way through the +streets. Every store and every home and every public building had been +converted into a hospital. The counters of trade were moved aside and +through the plate glass along the crowded streets could be seen the long +rows of pallets on which the mangled bodies of the wounded lay. Every +home set aside at least one room for the wounded boys of the South.</p> + +<p>The heart-rending cries of the men from the wagons as they jolted over +the cobble stones rose day and night—a sad, weird requiem of agony, +half-groan, half-chant, to which the ear of pity could never grow +indifferent.</p> + +<p>Death was the one figure now with which every man, woman and child was +familiar. The rattle of the dead-wagons could be heard at every turn. +They piled them high, these uncoffined bodies of the brave, and hurried +them under the burning sun to the trenches outside the city. They piled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +them in long heaps to await the slow work of the tired grave-diggers. +The frail board coffins in which they were placed at last would often +burst from the swelling corpse. The air was filled with poisonous odors.</p> + +<p>The hospitals were jammed with swollen, disfigured bodies of the wounded +and the dying. Gangrene and erysipelas did their work each hour in the +weltering heat of mid-summer.</p> + +<p>But the South received her dead and mangled boys with a majesty of grief +that gave no cry to the ear of the world. Mothers lifted their eyes from +the faces of their dead and firmly spoke the words of resignation:</p> + +<p>"Thy will, O Lord, be done!"</p> + +<p>Her houses were filled with the wounded, the dying and the dead, but +Richmond lifted up her head. The fields about her were covered with +imperishable glory.</p> + +<p>The Confederacy had won immortality.</p> + +<p>The women of the South resolved to wear no mourning for their dead. +Their boys had laid their lives a joyous offering on their country's +altar. They would make no cry.</p> + +<p>Johnston had lost six thousand and eighty-four men, dead, wounded and +missing at Seven Pines, and Lee had lost seventeen thousand five hundred +and eighty-three in seven days of continuous battle. But the South was +thrilled with the joy of a great deliverance.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis in his address to the army expressed the universal +feeling of his people:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"<span class="smcap">Richmond</span>, July 5, 1862.<br /> +"<i>To the Army of Eastern Virginia</i>:<br /> +"<i>Soldiers</i>:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="quote">"I congratulate you upon the series of brilliant victories which, under +the favor of Divine Providence, you have lately won; and as President of +the Confederate States, hereby tender to you the thanks of the country, +whose just cause you have so skillfuly and heroically saved.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span></p> + +<p class="quote">"Ten days ago an invading army, vastly superior to yours in numbers and +the material of war, closely beleaguered your Capital and vauntingly +proclaimed our speedy conquest. You marched to attack the enemy in his +entrenchments. With well-directed movements and death-defying valor you +charged upon him in his strong positions, drove him from field to field +over a distance of more than thirty-five miles, and, despite his +reënforcements, compelled him to seek safety under the cover of his +gunboats, where he now lies cowering before the army so lately despised +and threatened with utter subjugation.</p> + +<p class="quote">"The fortitude with which you have borne trial and privation, the +gallantry with which you have entered into each successive battle, must +have been witnessed to be fully appreciated. A grateful people will not +fail to recognize you and to bear you in loved remembrance. Well may it +be said of you that you have 'done enough for glory,' but duty to a +suffering country and to the cause of Constitutional liberty claims for +you yet further effort. Let it be your pride to relax in nothing which +can promote your future efficiency; your one great object being to drive +the invader from your soil, and, carrying your standards beyond the +outer borders of the Confederacy, to wring from an unscrupulous foe the +recognition of your birthright and independence."</p> + +<p>Within the year from the fatal victory at Bull Run the South had through +bitterness, tears and defeat at last found herself. Under the firm and +wise leadership of Davis, her disasters had been repaired and her army +brought to the highest standard of efficiency.</p> + +<p>At the head of her armies now stood Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. +Their fame filled the world. In the west, Braxton Bragg, a brilliant and +efficient commander, was marshaling his army to drive the Union lines +into Kentucky.</p> + +<p>From the depths of despair the South rose to the heights of daring +assurance. For the moment the junta of politicia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>ns led by Senator Barton +were compelled to halt in their assaults on the President. The people of +the South had forgotten the issue of the date on Joseph E. Johnston's +commission as general.</p> + +<p>With characteristic foolhardiness, however, Barton determined that they +should not forget it. He opened a series of bitter attacks on Davis for +the appalling lack of management which had permitted McClellan to save +what was left of his army. He boldly proclaimed the amazing doctrine +that the wounding of Johnston at Seven Pines was an irreparable disaster +to the South.</p> + +<p>"Had Johnston remained in command," he loudly contended, "there can be +no doubt that he would have annihilated or captured McClellan's whole +army and ended the war."</p> + +<p>On this platform he gave a banquet to General Johnston on the occasion +of his departure from Richmond for his new command in the west. The +Senator determined to hold his faction together for future assaults. +Lee's record was yet too recent to permit the politicians to surrender +without a fight.</p> + +<p>The banquet was to be a love feast at which all factions opposed to +Davis should be united behind the banner of Johnston. Henry S. Foote had +quarreled with William L. Yancey. These two fire-eaters were +enthusiastic partisans of his General.</p> + +<p>Major Barbour, Johnston's chief quartermaster, presided at the head of +the banquet table in Old Tom Griffin's place on Main Street. Foote was +seated on his right, Governor Milledge T. Bonham of South Carolina next. +Then came Gustavus W. Smith, whose hatred of Davis was implacable for +daring to advance Robert E. Lee over his head. Next sat John U. Daniel, +the editor of Richmond's yellow journal, the <i>Examiner</i>. Daniel's arm +was in a sling. He had been by Johnston's side when wounded a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>t Seven +Pines.</p> + +<p>At the other end of the table sat Major Moore, the assistant +quartermaster, and by his side on the left, General Joseph E. Johnston, +full of wounds in the flesh and grievances of soul. On his right was +John B. Floyd of Fort Donelson fame whom Davis had relieved of his +command. And next William L. Yancey, the matchless orator of secession, +whose hatred of Davis was greater than this old hatred of Abolition.</p> + +<p>The feast was such as only Tom Griffin knew how to prepare.</p> + +<p>Johnston as usual was grave and taciturn, still suffering from his +unhealed wound. Yancey and Foote, the reconciled friends who had shaken +hands in a common cause, were the life of the party.</p> + +<p>Daniel, the editor of the organ of the Soreheads and Irreconcilables, +was even more taciturn than his beloved Chief. General Bonham sang a +love song. Yancey and Foote vied with each other in the brilliancy of +their wit.</p> + +<p>When the banquet had lasted for two hours, Yancey turned to Old Tom +Griffin and said:</p> + +<p>"Fresh glasses now and bumpers of champagne!"</p> + +<p>When the glasses were filled the Alabama orator lifted his glass.</p> + +<p>"This toast is to be drunk standing, gentlemen!"</p> + +<p>Every man save Johnston sprang to his feet. Yancey looked straight into +the eye of the General and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen! We drink to the health of the only man who can save the +Southern Confederacy—General Joseph E. Johnston!"</p> + +<p>The glasses were emptied and a shout of applause rang from every +banqueter save one. The General had not yet touched his glass.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> +<p>Without rising, Johnston lifted his eyes and said in grave tones:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Yancey, the man you describe is now in the field—his name is +Robert E. Lee. I drink to his health."</p> + +<p>Yancey's quick wit answered in a flash:</p> + +<p>"I can only reply to you, sir, as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses +did to General Washington—'Your modesty is only equaled by your +valor!'"</p> + +<p>Johnston's tribute to Lee was genuine, and yet nursing his grudge +against the President with malignant intensity he left for the west, +encouraging his friends to fight the Chieftain of the Confederacy with +tooth and nail and that to the last ditch.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + +<h3>LOVE AND WAR</h3> + + +<p>Captain Richard Welford reached Richmond from the Western army two days +after Lee had driven McClellan under the shelter of the navy. He had +been wounded in battle, promoted to the rank of Captain for gallantry on +the field and sent home on furlough for two months.</p> + +<p>He used his left hand to raise the knocker on Jennie's door. His right +arm was yet in a sling. His heart was beating a wild march as he rushed +from the hotel to the Senator's house. He had not heard from Jennie in +two months but the communications of the Western army had been cut more +than once and he thought nothing of the long silence. It had only made +his hunger to see the girl he loved the more acute. He had fairly +shouted his joy when a piece of shell broke his right arm and hurled him +from his horse. He never thought of promotion for gallantry. It came as +a surprise. The one hope that leaped when he scrambled to his feet and +felt the helpless arm hanging by his side was to see the girl he had +left behind.</p> + +<p>"Glory to God!" he murmured fervently, "I'll go to her now!"</p> + +<p>He was just a little proud of that broken arm as he waited for her +entrance. The shoulder straps he wore looked well, too. She would be +surprised. It had all happened so quickly, no account had yet reached +the Richmond papers.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> +<p>Jennie bounded into the room with a cry of joy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick, I'm so glad to see you!"</p> + +<p>He smiled and extended his left hand.</p> + +<p>"Jennie!" was all he could say.</p> + +<p>"You are wounded?" she whispered.</p> + +<p>Dick nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yep—a shell toppled me over but I was on my feet in a minute +laughing—and I'll bet you couldn't guess what about?"</p> + +<p>"No—"</p> + +<p>"Laughed because I knew I'd get to see you—"</p> + +<p>"I'm so proud of you!" she cried through her tears.</p> + +<p>"Are you?" he asked tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Of course I am—don't you think I know what those shoulder straps +mean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I just care because you care, Jennie—"</p> + +<p>"You're a brave Southern boy fighting for our rights—you care for that, +too."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, of course, but that's not the big thing after all, little +girl—"</p> + +<p>He paused and seized her hand.</p> + +<p>She blushed and drew it gently away.</p> + +<p>"Please—not that now—"</p> + +<p>"Why—not now?"</p> + +<p>He asked the question in tones so low they were almost a gasp. He felt +his doom in the way she had withdrawn her hand.</p> + +<p>"Because—" she hesitated just a moment to strike the blow she knew +would hurt so pitifully and then went on firmly, "I've met my fate, +Dick—and pledged him my heart."</p> + +<p>The Captain lifted his shoulders with a little movement of soldierly +pride, held himself firmly, mastered the first rush of despair and then +spoke with assumed indifference:</p> + +<p>"Socola?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> +<p>Jennie smiled faintly.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>He rose awkwardly and started to the door. Jennie placed her hand on his +wounded arm with a gesture of pathetic protest.</p> + +<p>"Dick!"</p> + +<p>"I can't help it, I must go—"</p> + +<p>"Not like this!"</p> + +<p>"I can't smile and lie to you. It means too much. I hate that man. He's +a scoundrel, if God ever made one—"</p> + +<p>Jennie's hand slipped from his arm.</p> + +<p>"That will do now—not another word—"</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Jennie," he stammered. "I didn't think what I was +saying, honey. It just popped out because it was inside. You'll forgive +me?"</p> + +<p>The anger died in her eyes and she took his outstretched hand.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I understand—and I'm sorry. I appreciate the love you've +given me. I wish in my heart I could have returned it. You deserve it—"</p> + +<p>The Captain lifted his left hand.</p> + +<p>"No pity, please. I'm man enough to fight—and I'm going to fight. +You're not yet <i>Signora</i> Socola—"</p> + +<p>The girl laughed.</p> + +<p>"That's more like a soldier!"</p> + +<p>"We'll be friends anyhow, Jennie?"</p> + +<p>"Always."</p> + +<p>The Captain left the Senator's house with a grim smile playing about his +strong mouth. He had made up his mind to fight for love and country on +the same base. He would ask for his transfer to the Secret Service of +the Confederacy.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> + +<h3>THE PATH OF GLORY</h3> + + +<p>Jefferson Davis had created the most compact and terrible engine of war +set in motion since Napoleon founded the Empire of France. It had been +done under conditions of incredible difficulty, but it had been done. +The smashing of McClellan's army brought to the North the painful +realization of this fact. Abraham Lincoln must call for another half +million soldiers and no man could foresee the end.</p> + +<p>Davis had begun in April, 1861, without an arsenal, laboratory or powder +mill of any capacity, and with no foundry or rolling mill for iron +except the little Tredegar works in Richmond.</p> + +<p>He had supplied them.</p> + +<p>Harassed by an army of half a million men in blue led by able generals +and throttled by a cable of steel which the navy had drawn about his +coast line, he had done this work and at the same time held his own +defiantly and successfully. Crippled by a depreciated currency, +assaulted daily by a powerful conspiracy of sore-head politicians and +quarreling generals, strangled by a blockade that deprived him of nearly +all means of foreign aid—he had still succeeded in raising the needed +money. Unable to use the labor of slaves except in the unskilled work of +farms, hampered by lack of transportation even of food for the army, +with no stock of war material on hand,—steel, copper, leather or iron +with which to build his establishments—yet with quiet persistence he +set himself to solve these problems and suc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span>ceeded.</p> + +<p>He had created, apparently out of nothing, foundries and rolling mills +at Selma, Richmond, Atlanta and Macon, smelting works at Petersburg, a +chemical laboratory at Charlotte, a powder mill superior to any of the +United States and unsurpassed by any in Europe,—a mighty chain of +arsenals, armories, and laboratories equal in their capacity and +appointments to the best of those in the North, stretching link by link +from Virginia to Alabama.</p> + +<p>He established artificial niter beds at Richmond, Columbus, Charleston, +Savannah, Mobile and Selma of sufficient capacity to supply the niter +needed in the powder mills.</p> + +<p>Mines for iron, lead and copper were opened and operated. Manufactories +for the production of sulphuric and nitric acid were established and +successfully operated.</p> + +<p>Minor articles were supplied by devices hitherto unheard of in the +equipment of armies. Leather was scarce and its supply impossible in the +quantities demanded.</p> + +<p>Knapsacks were abolished and haversacks of cloth made by patriotic women +with their needles took their places. The scant supply of leather was +divided between the makers of shoes for the soldiers and saddles and +harness for the horses. Shoes for the soldiers were the prime necessity. +To save leather the waist and cartridge-box belts were made of heavy +cotton cloth stitched in three or four thicknesses. Bridle reins were +made of cotton in the same way. Cartridge boxes were finally made +thus—with a single piece of leather for the flap. Even saddle skirts +for the cavalry were made of heavy cotton strongly stitched.</p> + +<p>Men to work the meager tanneries were exempt from military services and +transportation for hides and leather supplies was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> free.</p> + +<p>A fishery was established on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina from +which oil was manufactured. Every wayside blacksmith shop was utilized +as a government factory for the production of horseshoes for the +cavalry.</p> + +<p>To meet the demands for articles of prime necessity which could not be +made in the South, a line of blockade runners was established between +the port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Bermuda. Vessels capable of +storing in their hold six hundred bales of cotton were purchased in +England and put into this service. They were long, low, narrow craft +built for speed. They could show their heels to any ship of the United +States Navy. Painted a pale grayish-blue color, and lying low on the +water they were sighted with difficulty in the day and they carried no +lights at night. The moment one was trapped and sunk by the blockading +fleet, another was ready to take her place.</p> + +<p>Depots and stores were established and drawn on by these fleet ships +both at Nassau and Havana.</p> + +<p>By the fall of 1862, through the port of Wilmington, from the arsenals +at Richmond and Fayetteville, and from the victorious fields of Manassas +and the Seven Days' Battle around Richmond, sufficient arms had been +obtained to equip two hundred thousand soldiers and supply their +batteries with serviceable artillery.</p> + +<p>On April 16, 1862, Davis asked of his Congress that every white man in +the South between the ages of 18 and 35 be called to the colors and all +short term volunteer contracts annulled. The law was promptly passed in +spite of the conspirators who fought him at every turn. Camps of +instruction were established in every State, and a commandant sent from +Richmond to take charge of the new levies.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p> +<p>Solidity was thus given to the military system of the Confederacy and +its organization centralized and freed from the bickerings of State +politicians.</p> + +<p>With her loins thus girded for the conflict the South entered the second +phase of the war—the path of glory from the shattered army of McClellan +on the James to Hooker's crushed and bleeding lines at Chancellorsville.</p> + +<p>The fiercest clamor for the removal of McClellan from his command swept +the North. The position of the Northern General was one of peculiar +weakness politically. He was an avowed Democrat. His head had been +turned by flattery and he had at one time dallied with the idea of +deposing Abraham Lincoln by the assumption of a military dictatorship. +Lincoln knew this. The demand for his removal would have swayed a +President of less balance.</p> + +<p>Lincoln refused to deprive McClellan of his command but yielded +sufficiently to the clamor of the radicals of his own party to appoint +John Pope of the Western army to the command of a new division of troops +designed to advance on Richmond.</p> + +<p>The generals under McClellan who did not agree with his slow methods +were detached with their men and assigned to service under Pope.</p> + +<p>McClellan did not hesitate to denounce Pope as an upstart and a braggart +who had won his position by the lowest tricks of the demagogue. He +declared that the new commander was a military impostor, a tool of the +radical wing of the Republican party, a man who mistook brutality in +warfare for power and sought to increase the horrors of war by arming +slaves, legalizing plunder and making the people of the South +irreconcilable to a restored Union by atrocities whose memory could +never be effaced.</p> + +<p>Pope's first acts on assuming command did much to justify McClellan's +savage criticism. He issued a bombastic addres<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>s to his army which +brought tears to Lincoln's eyes and roars of laughter from Little Mac's +loyal friends.</p> + +<p>He issued a series of silly general orders making war on the +noncombatant population of Virginia within his line. If citizens refused +to take an oath of allegiance which he prescribed they were to be driven +from their homes and if they dared to return, were to be arrested and +treated as spies.</p> + +<p>His soldiers were given license to plunder. Houses were robbed and +cattle shot in the fields. Against these practices McClellan had set his +face with grim resolution. He fought only organized armies. He protected +the aged, and all noncombatants. It was not surprising, therefore, when +Lincoln ordered him to march his army to the support of Pope, McClellan +was in no hurry to get there.</p> + +<p>Pope had boldly advanced across the Rappahannock and a portion of his +army had reached Culpeper Court House. He had determined to make good +the proclamation with which he had assumed command.</p> + +<p>In this remarkable document he said:</p> + +<p>"By special assignment of the President of the United States, I have +assumed command of this army. I have come to you from the West where we +have always seen the backs of our enemies—from an army whose business +it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when found, whose +policy has been attack not defense. Let us study the probable lines of +retreat of our opponents and leave ours to take care of themselves. Let +us look before us and not behind."</p> + +<p>While his eyes were steadily fixed before him Jackson, moving with the +stealthy tread of a tiger, slipped in behind his advance guard, sprang +on it and tore his lines to pieces before he could move reënforcements +to their rescue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p> + +<p>When his reënforcements reached the ground Jackson had just finished +burying the dead, picking up the valuable arms left on the field and +sending his prisoners to the rear.</p> + +<p>Before Pope could lead his fresh men to an attack the vanguard of Lee's +army was in sight and the general who had just issued his flaming +proclamation took to his heels and fled across the Rappahannock where he +called frantically for the divisions of McClellan's army which had not +yet joined him.</p> + +<p>While Lee threatened Pope's front by repeated feints at different points +along the river, he dispatched Jackson's corps of twenty-five thousand +"foot cavalry" on a wide flanking movement through the Blue Ridge to +turn the Federal right, destroy his stores at Manassas Junction and +attack him in the rear before his reënforcements could arrive.</p> + +<p>With swiftness Jackson executed the brilliant movement. Within +twenty-four hours his men had made the wide swing through the low +mountain ranges and crouched between Pope's army and the Federal +Capital. To a man of less courage and coolness this position would have +been one of tragic danger. Should Pope suddenly turn from Lee's +pretended attacks and spring on Jackson he might be crushed between two +columns. Franklin and Sumner's corps were at Alexandria to reënforce his +lines.</p> + +<p>Jackson had marched into the jaws of death and yet he not only showed no +fear, he made a complete circuit of Pope's army, struck his storehouses +at Manassas Junction and captured them before the Federal Commander +dreamed that an army was in his rear. Eight pieces of artillery and +three hundred prisoners were among the spoils. Fifty thousand pounds of +bacon, a thousand barrels of beef, two thousand barrels of pork, two +thousand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> barrels of flour, and vast quantities of quartermaster's stores +also fell into his hands.</p> + +<p>Jackson took what he could transport and burned the rest.</p> + +<p>Pope rushed now in frantic haste to destroy Jackson before Lee's army +could reach him.</p> + +<p>Jackson was too quick for the eloquent commander. He slipped past his +opponent and took a strong position west of the turnpike from Warrenton +where he could easily unite with Longstreet's advancing corps.</p> + +<p>Pope attempted to turn Jackson's left with a division of his army and +the wily Southerner fell on his moving columns with sudden savage +energy, fought until nine o'clock at night and drove him back with heavy +loss.</p> + +<p>When Pope moved to the attack next day at two o'clock Longstreet had +reached Jackson's side. The attack failed and his men fell back through +pools of blood. The Federal Commander was still sending pompous messages +to Washington announcing his marvelous achievements while his army had +steadily retreated from Culpeper Court House beyond the Rappahannock, +back to Manassas where the first battle of the war was fought.</p> + +<p>At dawn on August 30, the high spirited troops of the South were under +arms standing with clinched muskets within a few hundred yards of the +pickets of Pope. Their far flung battle line stretched for five miles +from Sudley Springs on the left to the Warrenton road and on obliquely +to the southwest.</p> + +<p>The artillery opened the action and for eight hours the heavens shook +with its roar. At three o'clock in the afternoon Pope determined to hurl +the flower of his army against Jackson's corps and smash it. His first +division pressed forward and engaged the Confederates at close +quarters. A fierce and bloody conflict followed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>, Jackson's troops +refusing to yield an inch. The Federal Commander brought up two reserve +lines to support the first but before they could be of any use, +Longstreet's artillery was planted to rake them with a murderous fire +and they fell back in confusion.</p> + +<p>As the reserves retreated Jackson ordered his men to charge and at the +same moment Longstreet hurled his division against the Federal center, +and the whole Confederate army with piercing yell leaped forward and +swept the field as far as the eye could reach.</p> + +<p>No sublimer pageant of blood and flame and smoke and shrouded Death ever +moved across the earth than that which Lee now witnessed from the +hilltop on which he stood. For five miles across the Manassas plains the +gray waves rolled, their polished bayonets gleaming in the blazing sun. +They swept through the open fields, now lost a moment in the woods, now +flashing again in the open. They paused and the artillery dashed to the +front, spread their guns in line and roared their call of death to the +struggling, fleeing, demoralized army. Another shout and the charging +hosts swept on again to a new point of vantage from which to fire. +Through clouds of smoke and dust the red tongues of flame from a hundred +big-mouthed guns flashed and faded and flashed again.</p> + +<p>The charging men slipped on the wet grass where the dead lay thickest. +Waves of white curling smoke rose above the tree-tops and hung in dense +clouds over the field lighted by the red glare of the sinking sun.</p> + +<p>The relief corps could be seen dashing on, with stretchers and +ambulances following in the wake of the victorious army.</p> + +<p>The hum and roar of the vast field of carnage came now on the ears of +the listener—the groans of the wounded and the despairing cry of the +dying. And still the living waves of gray-tipped steel rolled on in +relentless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> sweep.</p> + +<p>Again the fleeing Federal soldiers choked the waters of Bull Run. Masses +of struggling fugitives were pushed from the banks into the water and +pressed down. Here and there a wounded man clung to the branch of an +overhanging tree until exhausted and sank to rise no more.</p> + +<p>The meadows were trampled and red. Hundreds of weak and tired men were +ridden down by cavalry and crushed by artillery. On and on rushed the +remorseless machine of the Confederacy, crushing, killing, scarring, +piling the dead in heaps.</p> + +<p>It was ten o'clock that night before the army of Lee halted and Pope's +exhausted lines fell into the trenches around Centreville for a few +hours' respite. At dawn Jackson was struggling with his tired victorious +division to again turn Pope's flank, get into his rear and cut off his +retreat.</p> + +<p>A cold and drenching rainstorm delayed his march and the rabble that was +once Pope's army succeeded in getting into the defenses of Washington.</p> + +<p>Davis' army took seven thousand prisoners and picked up more than two +thousand wounded soldiers whom their boastful commander had left on the +field to die. Thirty pieces of artillery and twenty thousand small arms +fell into Lee's hands.</p> + +<p>Pope's losses since Jackson first struck his advance guard at Culpeper +Court House had been more than twenty thousand men and his army had been +driven into Washington so utterly demoralized it was unfit for further +service until reorganized under an abler man.</p> + +<p>For the moment the North was stunned by the blow. Deceived by Pope's +loud dispatches claiming victory for the first two days it was +impossible to realize that his shattered and broken army was cowering +and bleeding under the sha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span>dow of the Federal Capitol.</p> + +<p>Even on the night of August thirtieth, with his men lying exhausted at +Centreville where they had dropped at ten o'clock when Lee's army had +mercifully halted, poor Pope continued to send his marvelous messages to +the War Department.</p> + +<p>He reported to Halleck:</p> + +<p>"The enemy is badly whipped, and we shall do well enough. Do not be +uneasy. We will hold our own here. We have delayed the enemy as long as +possible without losing the army. We have damaged him heavily, and I +think the army entitled to the gratitude of the country."</p> + +<p>To this childish twaddle Halleck replied:</p> + +<p>"My dear General, you have done nobly!"</p> + +<p>Abraham Lincoln, however, realized the truth quickly. He removed Pope +and in spite of the threat of his Cabinet to resign called McClellan to +reorganize the dispirited army.</p> + +<p>The North was in no mood to listen to the bombastic defense of General +Pope. They were stunned by the sudden sweep of the Confederate army from +the gates of Richmond on June first, to the defenses at Washington +within sixty days with the loss of twenty thousand men under McClellan +and twenty thousand more under Pope.</p> + +<p>The armies of the Union had now been driven back to the point from which +they had started on July 16, 1861. It had been necessary to withdraw +Burnside's army from eastern North Carolina and the forces of the Union +from western Virginia. The war had been transferred to the suburbs of +Washington and the Northern people who had confidently expected +McClellan to be in Richmond in June were now trembling for the safety of +Pennsylvania and Maryland, to say nothing of the possibility of +Confederate occupation of the Capital.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span></p> + +<p>An aggressive movement of all the forces of the South under Lee in the +East and Bragg and Johnston in the West was ordered.</p> + +<p>In spite of the fact that Lee's army could not be properly shod—the +supply of army shoes being inadequate and the lack of shoe factories a +defect the Confederacy had yet been unable to remedy, the Southern +Commander threw his army of barefooted veterans across the Potomac and +boldly invaded Maryland on September the fifth.</p> + +<p>The appearance of Stonewall Jackson on his entrance into Frederick City, +Maryland, was described by a Northern war correspondent in graphic +terms:</p> + +<p>"Old Stonewall was the observed of all observers. He was dressed in the +coarsest kind of homespun, seedy, and dirty at that. He wore an old hat +which any Northern beggar would consider an insult to have offered him. +In his general appearance he was in no respect to be distinguished from +the mongrel barefoot crew who followed his fortunes. I had heard much of +the decayed appearance of rebel soldiers,—but such a looking crowd! +Ireland in her worst straits could present no parallel, and yet they +glory in their shame!"</p> + +<p>Lee's army was now fifty miles north of Washington, within striking +distance of Baltimore. His strategy had completely puzzled the War +Department of the Federal Government. McClellan was equally puzzled. +Lincoln and his Cabinet believed Lee's movement into Maryland a feint to +draw the army from the defense of the Capital, and, when this was +accomplished, by a sudden swoop the Southern Commander would turn and +capture the city.</p> + +<p>While McClellan was thus halting in tragic indecision one of the +unforeseen accidents of war occurred which put him in possession of +Lee's plan of campaign and should ha<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>ve led to the annihilation of the +Southern army. A copy of the order directing the movement of the +Confederates from Frederick, Maryland, was thrown to the ground by a +petulant officer to whom it was directed. It fell into the hands of a +Federal soldier who hurried to McClellan's headquarters with the fateful +document.</p> + +<p>Jackson's corps had been sent on one of his famous "foot cavalry" +expeditions to sweep the Federal garrison from Martinsburg, surround and +capture Harper's Ferry. McClellan at once moved a division of his army +to crush the small command Lee had stationed at South Mountain to guard +Jackson's movement.</p> + +<p>McClellan threw his men against this little division of the Confederates +and attempted to force his way to the relief of Harper's Ferry. The +battle raged with fury until nine o'clock at night. Their purpose +accomplished Lee withdrew them to his new position at Sharpsburg to +await the advent of Jackson.</p> + +<p>The "foot cavalry" had surrounded Harper's Ferry, assaulted it at dawn +and in two hours the garrison surrendered. Thirteen thousand prisoners +with their rifles and seventy-three pieces of artillery fell into +Jackson's hands. Leaving General A. P. Hill to receive the final +surrender of the troops Jackson set out at once for Sharpsburg to join +his army with Lee's.</p> + +<p>The Southern Commander had but forty thousand men with which to meet +McClellan's ninety thousand, but at sunrise on September seventeenth, +his batteries opened fire and the bloodiest struggle of the Civil War +began. Through the long hours of this eventful day the lines of blue and +gray charged and counter-charged across the scarlet field. When darkness +fell neither side had yielded. The dead lay in ghastly heaps and the +long pitiful wail of the wounded rose to Heaven.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p> +<p>Lee had lost two thousand killed and six thousand wounded. McClellan had +lost more than twelve thousand. His army was so terribly shattered by +the bloody work, he did not renew the struggle on the following day. Lee +waited until night for his assault and learning that reënforcements were +on the way to join McClellan's command withdrew across the Potomac.</p> + +<p>It was a day later before Lee's movements were sufficiently clear for +McClellan to claim a victory.</p> + +<p>On September nineteenth, he telegraphed Washington:</p> + +<p>"I do not know if the enemy is falling back or recrossing the river. We +may safely claim the victory as ours."</p> + +<p>Abraham Lincoln hastened to take advantage of McClellan's claim to issue +his Emancipation Proclamation. And yet so utter had been the failure of +his general to cope with Lee and Jackson, the President of the United +States relieved McClellan of his command.</p> + +<p>While Lee's invasion had failed of the larger purpose, its moral effect +on the North had been tremendous. He carried back into Virginia fourteen +thousand prisoners, eighty pieces of artillery and invaluable equipment +for his army.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the Western army under Bragg had invaded Kentucky, +sweeping to the gates of Cincinnati and Louisville and retiring with +more than five thousand prisoners, five thousand small arms and ten +pieces of artillery.</p> + +<p>The gain in territory by the invasion of Maryland and Kentucky had been +nothing but the moral effect of these movements had been far reaching. +The daring valor of the small Confederate armies fighting against +overwhelming odds had stirred the imagination of the world. In the west +they had carried their triumphant battle flag from Chattanooga to +Cincinnati, and although forced to retire, had shown the world that the +conquest at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> the southwestern territory was a gigantic task which was yet +to be seriously undertaken.</p> + +<p>The London <i>Times</i>, commenting on these campaigns, declared:</p> + +<p>"Whatever may be the fate of the new nationality or its subsequent +claims to the respect of mankind, it will assuredly begin its career +with a reputation for genius and valor which the most famous nations may +envy."</p> + +<p>On McClellan's fall he was succeeded by General Burnside who found a +magnificently trained army of veteran soldiers at his command. It was +now divided into three grand divisions of two corps each, commanded by +three generals of tried and proven ability, Sumner, Hooker and Franklin.</p> + +<p>Burnside quickly formed and began the execution of an advance against +Richmond. He moved his army rapidly down the left bank of the +Rappahannock River to Fredericksburg, and ordered pontoon bridges to +cross the stream. His army could thus defend Washington while moving in +force on the Confederate Capital.</p> + +<p>When Burnside led his one hundred and thirteen thousand men across the +river and occupied the town of Fredericksburg, Lee and Jackson were +ready to receive him. Lee had entrenched on the line of crescent-shaped +hills behind the town.</p> + +<p>When the new Northern Commander threw his army, with its bands playing +and its thousand flags flying, against these hills on the morning of +December 13, 1862, he plunged headlong and blindfolded into a death +trap.</p> + +<p>Charge after charge was repulsed with unparalleled slaughter. Lee's guns +were planted to cross fire on each charging line of blue. Burnside's +men were mowed down in thousa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span>nds until their sublime valor won the +praise and the pity of their foe.</p> + +<p>When night at last drew the veil over the awful scene the shattered +masses of the charging army were huddled under the shelter of the houses +in Fredericksburg leaving the field piled high with the dead and the +wounded. The wounded were freezing to death in the pitiless cold.</p> + +<p>Burnside had lost thirteen thousand men—the flower of his troops—the +bravest men the North had ever sent into battle.</p> + +<p>Jackson's keen eye was quick to see the shambles into which this +demoralized army had been pushed. The river behind them could be crossed +only on a narrow pontoon bridge. A swift and merciless night attack +would either drive the bleeding lines into the freezing river, +annihilate or capture the whole army. He urged Lee to this attack. Lee +demurred. He could not know the extent of the enemy's losses. It was +inconceivable to the Southern Commander that Burnside with his one +hundred and thirteen thousand picked soldiers, could be repulsed with +such slight losses to the South. Only a small part of the army under his +command had been active in the battle and their losses were +insignificant in comparison with the records of former struggles. +Burnside would renew the attack with redoubled vigor. He refused to move +his men from their entrenchments into the open field where they would be +exposed to the batteries beyond the river.</p> + +<p>Jackson turned his somber blue eyes on Lee:</p> + +<p>"Send my corps into Fredericksburg alone to-night. Hold the hills with +the rest of the army. I'll do the work."</p> + +<p>"You cannot distinguish friend from foe, General Jackson—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p> +<p>"I'll strip my men to the waist and tie white bands around their right +arms."</p> + +<p>"In this freezing cold?"</p> + +<p>"They'll obey my orders, General Lee—"</p> + +<p>"It's too horrible—"</p> + +<p>"It's war, sir," was Jackson's reply. "War means fighting—fighting to +kill, to destroy—fighting with tooth and nail—"</p> + +<p>Lee shook his head. He refused to take the risk. Jackson returned to his +headquarters with heavy heart. His chief of medical staff was busy +preparing bandages for his men. He had been sure of Lee's consent. He +countermanded the order and Burnside's army was saved from annihilation. +When the sun rose next morning half his men were safely across the +river—and the remainder quickly followed.</p> + +<p>Again the North was stunned. Another wave of horror swept its homes as +the lists of the dead and wounded were printed.</p> + +<p>Burnside resigned his command and "Fighting" Joe Hooker was placed at +the head of the Northern troops. Since June first, Lee and Jackson had +destroyed four blue armies and driven their commanders from the +field,—McClellan twice, John Pope and now Burnside.</p> + +<p>The political effects of these brilliant achievements of Davis' army had +been paralyzing on the administration of Lincoln. The Proclamation of +Emancipation which he had issued immediately after the bloody battle in +Maryland had not only fallen flat in the North, it had created a +reaction against his policies and the conduct of the war. The November +elections had gone against him and his party had been all but wiped out.</p> + +<p>The Democrats in New York had reversed a majority of one hundred and +seven thousand against them in 1860 and swept the State, electing their +entire ticket. The administration was defeated in New Jersey, +Pennsylvania, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.</p> + +<p>The voters of the North not only condemned the administration for +declaring the slaves free, but they assaulted the war policy of their +Government with savage fury. They condemned the wholesale arrest of +thousands of citizens for their political opinions and arraigned the +Government for its incompetence in conducting the military operations of +an army of more than twice the numbers of the triumphant South.</p> + +<p>The Emancipation Proclamation and the victories of Davis' army had not +only divided and demoralized the North, they had solidified Southern +opinion.</p> + +<p>Even Alexander H. Stephens, the Vice-President of the Confederacy, who +had been a thorn in the flesh of Davis from the beginning in his +advocacy of foolish and impossible measures of compromise now took his +position for war to the death. In a fiery speech in North Carolina +following Lincoln's proclamation Stephens said:</p> + +<p>"As for any reconstruction of the Union—such a thing is +impossible—such an idea must not be tolerated for an instant. +Reconstruction would not end the war, but would produce a more horrible +war than that in which we are now engaged. The only terms on which we +can obtain permanent peace is final and complete separation from the +North. Rather than submit to anything short of that, let us resolve to +die as men worthy of freedom."</p> + +<p>A few days after the defeat of Burnside's army at Fredericksburg the +South was thrilled by the feat of General McGruder in Galveston harbor. +The daring Confederate Commander had seized two little steamers and +fitted them up as gun boats by piling cotton on their sides for +bulwarks. With these two rafts of cotton coöperating on the water, his +infantry waded out into the waters of Galveston Bay and attacked the +Federal fleet with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> their bare hands.</p> + +<p>When the smoke of battle lifted the city of Galveston was in Confederate +hands, the fleet had been smashed and scattered and the port opened to +commerce. Commodore Renshaw had blown up his flag ship to prevent her +falling into McGruder's hands and gone down with her. The garrison +surrendered.</p> + +<p>Jackson had invented a "foot cavalry." McGruder had supplemented it by a +"foot navy."</p> + +<p>At Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on the same day General Bragg had engaged +the army of Rosecrans and fought one of the bloodiest engagements of the +war. Its net results were in favor of the Confederacy in spite of the +fact that he permitted Rosecrans to move into Murfreesboro. The Northern +army had lost nine thousand men, killed and wounded, and Bragg carried +from the field six thousand Federal prisoners, thirty pieces of +artillery, sixty thousand stand of small arms, ambulances, mules, horses +and an enormous amount of valuable stores.</p> + +<p>His own losses had been great but far less than those he inflicted on +Rosecrans. He had lost one thousand two hundred and ninety-two killed, +seven thousand nine hundred and forty-five wounded and one thousand +twenty-seven missing.</p> + +<p>At Charleston a fleet of iron-clads on the model of the <i>Monitor</i> had +been crushed by the batteries and driven back to sea with heavy loss. +The <i>Keokuk</i> was left a stranded wreck in the harbor.</p> + +<p>A second attack on Vicksburg had failed under Sherman. A third attack by +Grant had been repulsed. Farragut's attack on Port Hudson had failed +with the loss of the <i>Richmond</i>.</p> + +<p>The Federal Government now put forth its grandest effort to crush at a +blow the apparently invincible army of Davis' still lying in its +trenches on the heights behind Fred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>ericksburg.</p> + +<p>Hooker's army was raised to an effective force of one hundred and thirty +thousand and his artillery increased to four hundred guns. Lee had been +compelled to detach Longstreet's corps, comprising nearly a third of his +army for service in North Carolina. The force under his command was +barely fifty thousand.</p> + +<p>So great was the superiority of the Northern army Hooker divided his +forces for an enveloping movement, each wing of his being still greater +than the whole force under Lee.</p> + +<p>Sedgwick's corps crossed the river below Fredericksburg and began a +flanking movement from the south while Hooker threw the main body across +the Rappahannock at three fords seven miles above.</p> + +<p>On April thirtieth, he issued an address to his men. His forces were all +safely across the river without firing a shot. He had Lee's little army +caught in a trap between his two grand divisions.</p> + +<p>In his proclamation he boldly announced:</p> + +<p>"The operations of the last three days have determined that our enemy +must ingloriously fly, or come out from behind their defenses and give +us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him."</p> + +<p>His enemy was not slow in coming out from behind his defenses. With +quick decision Lee divided his little army by planting ten thousand men +under Early on Marye's Heights to stop Sedgwick's division and moved +swiftly with the remainder to meet Hooker in the dense woods of the +Wilderness near Chancellorsville.</p> + +<p>With consummate daring and the strategy of genius he again divided his +army. He detached Jackson's corps and sent his "foot cavalry" on a swift +wide detour of twenty-odd miles to swing around Hooker's right and +strike him in the flank while he pretended an attack in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>force on his +front.</p> + +<p>It was nearly sundown when Jackson's tired but eager men saw from the +hill top their unsuspecting foe quietly cooking their evening meal.</p> + +<p>When the battle clouds lifted at the end of three days of carnage, +Hooker's army of one hundred and thirty thousand men had been cut to +pieces and flung back across the Rappahannock, leaving seventeen +thousand killed and wounded on the field.</p> + +<p>In the face of his crushing defeat Hooker issued another address to his +army.</p> + +<p>He boldly announced from his safe retreat beyond the banks of the river:</p> + +<p>"The Major-General commanding tenders to the army his congratulations on +its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplished all +that was expected the reasons are well known to the army. It is +sufficient to say, that they were of a character not to be foreseen or +prevented by human sagacity or resources.</p> + +<p>"In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock before +delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given +renewed evidence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the +principles it represents.</p> + +<p>"Profoundly loyal and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac +will give or decline battle whenever its interests or honor may command +it.</p> + +<p>"By the celerity and secrecy of our movements, our advance and passage +of the river was undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel dared to +follow us. The events of the last week may well cause the heart of every +officer and soldier of the army to swell with pride!"</p> + +<p>The heart of the North quickly swelled with such pride that the +President was forced to remove General Hooker an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>d appoint General George +Meade to his command.</p> + +<p>While the South was celebrating the wonderful achievement of their now +invincible army, Lee's greatest general lay dying at a little farm house +a few miles from the scene of his immortal achievement. Jackson had been +accidentally wounded by a volley from his own men fired by his orders.</p> + +<p>His wound was not supposed to be fatal and arrangements were made for +his removal to Richmond when he was suddenly stricken with pneumonia and +rapidly sank. He lifted his eyes to his physician and calmly said:</p> + +<p>"If I live, it will be for the best—and if I die, it will be for the +best; God knows and directs all things for the best."</p> + +<p>His last moments were marked with expressions of his abiding faith in +the wisdom and love of the God he had faithfully served.</p> + +<p>Yet his spirit was still on the field of battle. In the delirium which +preceded death his voice rang in sharp command:</p> + +<p>"Tell Major Hawkes to send forward provisions to the men!"</p> + +<p>His head sank and a smile lighted his rugged face. In low tender tones +be gasped his last words on earth:</p> + +<p>"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."</p> + +<p>So passed the greatest military genius our race has produced—the man +who never met defeat. His loss was mourned not only by the South but by +the world. His death extinguished a light on the shores of Time.</p> + +<p>The leading London paper said of him:</p> + +<p>"That mixture of daring and judgment which is the mark of heaven-born +generals distinguished him beyond any man of his age. The blows he +struck at the enemy were as terrible and decisive as those of Bonaparte +himself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thousands followed him in sorrow to the grave. The South was bathed in +tears.</p> + +<p>Lee realized that he had lost his right arm and yet, undaunted, he +marshaled his legions and girded his loins for an invasion of Northern +soil.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE ACCUSATION</h3> + + +<p>Captain Welford had entered the Secret Service of the Confederacy +believing firmly that Socola was a Federal spy. He would not make known +his suspicions until he had secured evidence on which to demand his +arrest.</p> + +<p>This evidence he found most difficult to secure. For months he had +watched the handsome foreigner with the patience of a hound. He had +taken particular pains to hold Jennie's friendship in order to be thrown +with Socola on every possible occasion. His men from the Secret Service +Department had followed Socola's every movement day and night with no +results.</p> + +<p>He pretended the most philosophic acceptance of the situation and +bantered the lovers with expressions of his surprise that an early +marriage had not been announced.</p> + +<p>Socola received the Captain's professions of friendship with no sign of +suspicion. He read Dick's mind as an open book. He saw through his +pretentions and the tragic purpose which underlay his good-natured +banter. He knew instinctively that his movements were watched and moved +with the utmost caution. For a time he found it impossible to visit the +house on Church Hill. Detectives were on his heels the moment he turned +his steps to that hill.</p> + +<p>The boarding house in which he lived was watched day and night. And yet +so carefully had he executed his work the men who were hounding him were +completely puzzled. They could not know, of course, that Socola had +cho<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span>sen as his secretary a man in the Department of State. This man he +had involved in his conspiracy so completely and hopelessly from the +first interview that there was no retreat. He had risked his own life on +his judgment of character the day he made his first proposition. But his +estimate had proven correct. The fellow blustered and then accepted the +bribe and entered with enthusiasm into his service.</p> + +<p>Through this clerk the wily director of the Federal Bureau of +Information was compelled now to communicate with Miss Van Lew. Socola +had secured his services in the nick of time. He had been an old friend +of the Van Lew family before the war, their people were distantly +related and no suspicion could attach to his visits to her house unless +made at an unusual hour.</p> + +<p>It was nearly a year from the day he began his watch before Captain +Welford succeeded in connecting the stenographer in the Department of +State with the woman on Church Hill.</p> + +<p>He had been quietly studying "Crazy Bet" for months. From the first he +had accused this woman of being a spy. The older men in the Department +laughed. Miss Van Lew was the standard joke of the amateurs who entered +the Service. The older men all knew that she was a harmless fool whose +mind had been unbalanced by her love for negroes and her abolition +ideas.</p> + +<p>With characteristic stubbornness Dick refused to accept their decision +and set about in his own way to watch her. She was in the habit now of +making more and more frequent trips to Libby Prison, carrying flowers +and delicacies to the Northern prisoners. Dick had observed the use of +an old fashioned French platter with an extremely thick bottom. He +called the attention of the guard to this platter.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span></p> +<p>The keen ears of the woman had heard it mentioned. The double bottom at +that moment was harmless. The messages she had carried to the prisoners +had all been taken from their hiding place and the platter returned to +her through the bars.</p> + +<p>She hurried home before the guard could make up his mind to examine the +contrivance. The next day Dick was on the watch. The Captain whispered +to the guard who halted "Crazy Bet" at the door.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to examine that thing," he said sharply.</p> + +<p>"Take it then!" she said with a foolish laugh.</p> + +<p>She slipped the old shawl from around it and suddenly plumped the +platter squarely into the guard's hands. The double bottom that day was +filled with boiling water.</p> + +<p>"Hell fire!" the guard yelled, dropping the platter with a crash.</p> + +<p>He blew on his fingers and let her pick it up and pass on.</p> + +<p>The woman had fooled the guard completely, but she had not been so +successful with Dick. The trick was <i>too</i> smoothly done. No woman with +an unbalanced mind would have been capable of it.</p> + +<p>With extraordinary care the Captain followed her through the crowded +streets and saw her pass Socola in front of the Custom House. No sign of +recognition was made by either, but he saw the stenographer stoop and +pick up something from the edge of the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>He would have thought nothing of such an act had he not been following +this woman on whom his suspicions had been fixed. He leaped at once to +the truth.</p> + +<p>Miss Van Lew had dropped a cypher message and Socola had taken it.</p> + +<p>He watched her again the next day, and, suddenly turning the corner of +an obscure street, saw Socola speak to her in low quick tones, raising +his voice on his appearance t<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span>o an idle conventional greeting.</p> + +<p>He passed them without apparently noticing anything unusual and hurried +to his office with his suspicions now a burning certainty. He had only +to wait his opportunity to trap his quarry in the possession of a +dispatch that would send him to the gallows.</p> + +<p>His evidence was not yet sufficient to ask for his arrest. It was +sufficient to convince Jennie Barton whose loyalty to the South was so +intense she would not walk on the same side of the street with Miss Van +Lew.</p> + +<p>He rushed to the Barton house.</p> + +<p>Jennie saw before he spoke that he bore a message of tragic import.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dick?" she asked under her breath. "Why do you look at me +so?"</p> + +<p>"Jennie," he began seriously, "you are sure that you love the South?"</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me idiotic questions," she answered sternly; "what are you +driving at?"</p> + +<p>"If I prove to you that the man to whom you have pledged your love is an +impostor—"</p> + +<p>She lifted her head in a gesture of cold protest.</p> + +<p>"I thought we had settled that question."</p> + +<p>"But you must listen to me," he went on with calm persistence. "If I +prove to you that this man is a Federal spy—"</p> + +<p>Jennie broke into a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I can't get mad at you—you're such a big clumsy goose—"</p> + +<p>"I said if I <i>prove</i> it—"</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the fact that he was in dead earnest.</p> + +<p>The girl's face went white and her eyes took on a hard glitter.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now, Dick Welford, that you've said it—you've <i>got</i> to prove it—"</p> + +<p>The Captain lifted his hand solemnly.</p> + +<p>"I'll prove it. You know Miss Van Lew, the old abolitionist on Church +Hill?—"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that such a creature walks the earth."</p> + +<p>"You've heard of her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You know that she is a traitor to her own people?"</p> + +<p>"I've heard it."</p> + +<p>The Captain paused and looked straight at her with searching gaze.</p> + +<p>"I just ran into Socola talking to this woman—"</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"What else?"</p> + +<p>"Yesterday I saw them pass each other on Main Street. Socola stooped and +picked up something from the pavement—"</p> + +<p>"Something she dropped?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it—"</p> + +<p>"But you didn't see her drop it?"</p> + +<p>"No—"</p> + +<p>"How can you be so absurd!"</p> + +<p>"You don't believe what I tell you?"</p> + +<p>"But it proves nothing—"</p> + +<p>"To me, it's as plain as day—"</p> + +<p>"Because you hate him. I'm ashamed of you, Dick."</p> + +<p>"Mark my words, I'll prove it before I'm through."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you the chance now—that's his knock on the front door—"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not make my accusation to-day—"</p> + +<p>"You've made it to me."</p> + +<p>"You're a loyal Southern girl. I had the right to make it to you."</p> + +<p>The girl laughed.</p> + +<p>"And I'll demand of him an explanation—"</p> + +<p>Before he could protest Socola walked into the room and grasped Jennie's +hand.</p> + +<p>"Captain Welford," she laughed, "has just accused you of hobnobbing with +the enemy on the streets—what explanation can you offer?"</p> + +<p>"Need I explain?" he asked lightly.</p> + +<p>"Miss Van Lew <i>is</i> a suspicious character."</p> + +<p>"That's my excuse, I fear. She is a character. I've been curious to know +if she is really sane. I stopped her on the street and asked her a +question. Is it forbidden in Richmond?"</p> + +<p>He spoke with easy convincing carelessness.</p> + +<p>Jennie smiled.</p> + +<p>"Captain Welford evidently thinks so—"</p> + +<p>"And you?"</p> + +<p>"I am quite satisfied with your explanation—"</p> + +<p>Dick took a step closer and faced his enemy.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not Signor Socola—if that's your name—"</p> + +<p>"Dick!" Jennie interrupted angrily.</p> + +<p>The Captain ignored the interruption, holding the eye of the man he +hated.</p> + +<p>"You spoke to that woman in low quick tones—"</p> + +<p>"Your imagination is vivid, Captain—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span></p> +<p>Dick squared his jaw into Socola's face.</p> + +<p>"It's vivid enough to see through you. I'm going to wring your neck +before we're through with this thing—"</p> + +<p>Jennie thrust her trembling figure between the two men and confronted +Dick.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<img src="images/ill-409.jpg" width="489" height="726" +alt=""Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and confronted Dick."" +title=""Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and confronted Dick."" /> +<span class="caption">"Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and confronted Dick."</span> +</div> + +<p>"How dare you insult the man I love in my presence, Dick Welford?"</p> + +<p>"Because I love the South better than my life and you do, too, Jennie +Barton—"</p> + +<p>The girl's eyes flashed with rage.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> +<p>"Leave this room, sir!"</p> + +<p>Dick still faced Socola.</p> + +<p>"Get out of this town to-night—or I'll wring your neck, you damned +spy!"</p> + +<p>"Leave this room, Dick Welford!" Jennie repeated.</p> + +<p>The Captain turned and left without even a glance over his broad +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't strike him in your presence, dear," Socola apologized.</p> + +<p>"You behaved splendidly. I'm proud of your perfect poise and mastery of +yourself. Our Southern men splutter easily."</p> + +<p>Socola took her hand and pressed it.</p> + +<p>"You don't believe this?"</p> + +<p>"I'd sooner doubt my own heart—I'd sooner doubt God—"</p> + +<p>"I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of your love," he murmured gently.</p> + +<p>He knelt that night and tried to ask God to show him the way. His heart +was rising in fierce rebellion at the deception into which he had +entrapped himself. And yet never had his country's need been so bitter +and the service he was rendering so priceless. He rose at last with face +stern and pale. He would fight to the end.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV</h2> + +<h3>THE TURN OF THE TIDE</h3> + + +<p>The death of Jackson was to Jefferson Davis an appalling disaster. He +had never seriously believed the Southern people could win their unequal +struggle against the millions of the North backed by their inexhaustible +resources until the achievements of Lee and Jackson had introduced a new +element into the conflict. So resistless and terrible had become the +effective war power of Southern soldiers led by these two men whose +minds moved in such harmony with each other and with their Chief in +Richmond that the South at last was in sight of success.</p> + +<p>The impossible had been accomplished. Anything now seemed possible. +Jackson's death had destroyed this new equation of war.</p> + +<p>Davis' faith in Jackson was in every way equal to Lee's and Lee but once +refused to follow Jackson's lead in his veto on his Lieutenant's plan to +annihilate Burnside's army at Fredericksburg.</p> + +<p>When the report reached Richmond that Jackson was dying Davis was +inconsolable.</p> + +<p>The whole evening the President of the Confederacy shut himself in his +room—unable to think of anything save the impending calamity. When the +end was sure he sent with his own hand the handsomest flag in Richmond +in which to wrap his body.</p> + +<p>When Davis gazed on the white, cold, rugged features, the tears were +streaming down his hollow checks. He bent low and the tears fell on the +face of the dead.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p> +<p>When an officer of the Government came to the President's Mansion where +the body lay in state to consult him on a matter of importance, the +Confederate Chieftain stared at his questioner in a dazed sort of way +and remained silent.</p> + +<p>Lifting his haggard face at last he said in pathetic tones:</p> + +<p>"You must excuse me, my friend, I am staggering from a dreadful blow—I +cannot think—"</p> + +<p>Three days and nights the endless procession passed the bier and paid +their tribute of adoration and love. And when he was borne to his last +resting place through the streets of the city, the sidewalks, the +windows and the housetops were a throbbing mass of weeping women and +men.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis was perhaps the only man in the South in a position to +realize the enormous loss which the Confederacy had sustained in the +death of Lee's great lieutenant.</p> + +<p>The Southern people who gloried in Jackson's deeds had as yet no real +appreciation of the services he had rendered. They could not realize +their loss until events should prove that no man could be found to take +his place.</p> + +<p>The brilliant victory of Chancellorsville, following so closely on +Fredericksburg, had lifted the Confederacy to the heights.</p> + +<p>In the West the army had held its own. The safety of Vicksburg was not +seriously questioned. General Bragg confronted Rosecrans with an army so +strong he dared not attack it and yet not strong enough to drive +Rosecrans from Tennessee.</p> + +<p>Two campaigns were discussed with Davis.</p> + +<p>The members of his Cabinet, who regarded the possession of Vicksburg and +the continued grip on the Mississippi River vital to the life of the +Confederacy, were alarmed at Grant's purpose to fight his way to this +stronghold and ta<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>ke it.</p> + +<p>They urged that Lee's army be divided and half of it sent immediately to +reënforce Bragg. With this force in the West Rosecrans could be crushed +and Grant driven from his design of opening the Mississippi.</p> + +<p>Lee, flushed with his victories, naturally objected to the weakening of +his army by such a division. He proposed a more daring and effective way +of relieving Vicksburg.</p> + +<p>He would raise his army to eighty-five thousand men, clear Virginia of +the enemy and sweep into Pennsylvania, carry the war into the North, +forage on its rich fields, capture Harrisburg and march on Washington.</p> + +<p>Davis did not wish to risk this invasion of Northern soil. But his +situation was peculiar. His relations with Lee had been remarkable for +their perfect accord. They had never differed on an essential point of +political or military strategy. Davis' pride in Lee's genius was +unbounded, his confidence in his judgment perfect.</p> + +<p>Lee was absolutely sure that his army raised to eighty-five thousand +effective men could go anywhere on the continent and do anything within +human power. He had crushed McClellan's army of two hundred thousand +with seventy-five thousand men, and driven him from his entrenchments at +Richmond down the Peninsula. With sixty thousand he had crushed Pope and +hurled his army into the entrenchments at Washington, a bleeding, +disorganized mob. With sixty-two thousand he had cut to pieces +Burnside's hundred and thirteen thousand. With fifty thousand he had +rolled up Hooker's host of one hundred and thirty thousand in a scroll +of flame and death and flung them across the Rappahannock.</p> + +<p>His fame filled the world. His soldiers worshiped him. At his command +they would charge the gates of hell with their bare hands. His soldiers +were seasoned veterans in whos<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span>e prowess he had implicit faith. His faith +was not a guess. It was founded on achievements so brilliant there was +scarcely room for a doubt.</p> + +<p>Lee succeeded in convincing Davis that he could invade the North, live +on its rich fields and win a battle which would open the way, not only +to save Vicksburg from capture, but secure the peace and independence of +the South.</p> + +<p>A single great victory on Northern soil with his army threatening +Washington would make peace a certainty. Davis was quick to see the +logic of Lee's plan. It was reasonable. It was a fair risk. And yet the +dangers were so enormous he consented with reluctance.</p> + +<p>Reagan, the Western member of his Cabinet, urged with all the eloquence +of his loyal soul the importance of holding intact the communications +with the territory beyond the Mississippi. He begged and pleaded for the +plan to reënforce Bragg and play the safe game with Vicksburg. Davis +listened to his advice with the utmost respect and weighed each point +with solemn sense of his responsibility.</p> + +<p>The one point he made last he tried to drive home in a sharp personal +appeal.</p> + +<p>"You cannot afford, Mr. President," he urged with vehemence, "to further +expose your own people of Mississippi to the ravages of such men as now +control the invading army. They have laid your own home waste. The +people of Vicksburg are your neighbors. They know you personally. The +people of this territory have sent their sons and brothers into Virginia +by thousands. There are no soldiers left to defend them—"</p> + +<p>The President lifted his thin hand in protest.</p> + +<p>"I can't let the personal argument sway me, Reagan. Our own people must +endure what is best for the cause. All I wish to know is what <i>is</i> +best—your plan or General Lee's."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lee persuaded him against his personal judgment to consent to the daring +scheme of Northern invasion.</p> + +<p>So intent was Reagan on the plan of direct relief to Vicksburg that +after Lee had begun his preparations for the advance, Davis called a +Cabinet meeting and reconsidered the whole question. Reagan pleaded with +tears at last for what he knew his Chief felt to be best. Davis weighed +for the second time each point with care and again decided that Lee's +plan promised the greater end—peace.</p> + +<p>The moment his final decision was made Davis at once commissioned Vice +President Alexander H. Stephens, who knew Lincoln personally, to go to +Washington to make the proposition for an armistice and begin the +negotiations for a permanent peace on the day Lee should make good his +promise.</p> + +<p>The letter with which Stephens started to Washington asked on its face +that the President of the United States arrange for an exchange of +prisoners which would be prompt and effective and prevent all suffering +by Northern men in Southern climates and Southern men in Northern +prisons. Davis had asked again and again that all prisoners be +exchanged. The Federal War Department had obstructed this exchange until +thousands of Northern soldiers crowded the prisons of the South and it +was impossible for the Confederate authorities to properly care for +them. Medicine had been made contraband of war by the North and the +simplest remedies could not be had for the Confederate soldiers or their +prisoners. Behind this humane purpose of Stephens' mission lay the +bigger proposition, which was a verbal one, to propose peace on Lee's +victory on Northern soil.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span></p> +<p>Lee's army lay on the plains of Culpeper during the beautiful month of +May. The vast field was astir with the feverish breath of preparations +for the grand march. Trains rushed to the front loaded with munitions of +war. New batteries of artillery with the finest equipment ever known +were added to his army. The ordnance trains were packed to their +capacity. His troops were better equipped than ever before in the +history of the war. Every department of the huge, pitiless machine was +running like clockwork.</p> + +<p>Fifteen thousand cavalry were reviewed at Brandy Station led by Stuart's +waving plume—Stuart, the matchless leader who had twice ridden round a +hostile army of a hundred thousand men. Crowds of cheering women watched +this wonderful pageant and waved their handkerchiefs to the handsome +young cavalier as he passed on his magnificent horse draped with +garlands of flowers.</p> + +<p>It required an entire week to review the cavalry, infantry, and +artillery.</p> + +<p>On June the first, the advance began.</p> + +<p>Ewell's corps, once commanded by Jackson, led the way. They swung +rapidly through the Blue Ridge Mountains, into the Valley and suddenly +pounced on General Milroy at Winchester. Milroy with a few of his +officers escaped through the Confederate lines at night and succeeded in +crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. Ewell captured three thousand +prisoners, thirty pieces of artillery, a hundred wagons and great +stores. Seven hundred more men were taken at Martinsburg.</p> + +<p>On June twenty-seventh, the whole of Lee's army was encamped at +Chambersburg in Pennsylvania in striking distance of the Capital of the +State.</p> + +<p>The execution of this march had been a remarkable piece of strategy. He +had completely baffled the Northern Commanders, spread terror through +the North and precipitated the w<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span>ildest panic in Washington.</p> + +<p>Within twenty-odd days the Southern General had brought his forces from +Fredericksburg, Virginia, confronted by an army of one hundred thousand +men, through the Blue Ridge, and the Shenandoah Valley into +Pennsylvania. He had done this in the face of one of the most powerful +and best equipped armies the North had put into the field. He had swept +the hostile garrisons at Winchester, Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry into +his prisons and camped in Pennsylvania without his progress being once +arrested or a serious battle forced upon him. He had cleared Virginia of +the army which threatened Richmond and they were rushing breathlessly +after him in a desperate effort to save the Capital of Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>So far Lee had made good every prediction on which he had based his plan +of campaign.</p> + +<p>Davis felt so sure that he would make good his promised victory that he +hurriedly dispatched Stephens to Fortress Monroe under a flag of truce +and asked for a safe conduct for his Commissioner to Washington.</p> + +<p>In alarm the Governors of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and +West Virginia called out their militia. Lee was not deterred by their +panic. He knew that those raw troops would cut no figure in the swift +and terrible drama which was being staged among the ragged crags around +Gettysburg. The veteran armies of the North and South would decide the +issue. If he won, he would brush aside the militia as so many school +boys and march into Washington.</p> + +<p>Meade was rushing his army after his antagonist with feverish haste. His +advance guard struck Lee before the town of Gettysburg on July first, +1863. A desperate struggle ensued. Neither Meade nor Lee had yet reached +the field.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span></p> +<p>Within a mile of the town the Confederates made a sudden and united +charge and smashed the Federal line into atoms. General Reynolds, their +Commander, was killed and his army driven headlong into the streets of +Gettysburg. Ewell, charging through the town, swept all before him and +took five thousand prisoners.</p> + +<p>The crowded masses of fugitives, fleeing for their lives, passed out of +the town and rushed up the slopes of the hills beyond.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock Lee halted his men until the rest of his army should +reach the field.</p> + +<p>During the night General Meade rallied his disorganized men, poured his +fresh troops among them and entrenched his army on the heights where his +defeated advance guard had taken refuge.</p> + +<p>Had Lee withdrawn the next morning when he scanned those hills which +looked down on him through bristling brows of brass and iron the history +of the Confederacy might have been longer. It could not have been more +illustrious.</p> + +<p>His reasons for assault were sound. To his council of war he was +explicit.</p> + +<p>"I had not intended, gentlemen," he said, "to fight a general battle at +such distance from our base, unless attacked by the enemy. We find +ourselves confronted by the Federal army. It is difficult to withdraw +through the mountains with our large trains. The country is unfavorable +for collecting supplies while in the presence of the main body of the +enemy as he can restrain our foraging parties by occupying the mountain +passes. The battle is in a measure unavoidable. We have won a great +victory to-day. We can defeat Meade's army in spite of these hills."</p> + +<p>When Lee surveyed the heights of Gettysburg again on the morning of the +second of July, he saw that the Northerners held a position of +extraordinary power. Yet his men were flushed with victory after +victory. They had sw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span>ept their foe before them in the first encounter as +chaff before a storm. They were equal to anything short of a miracle.</p> + +<p>He ordered Longstreet to hurl his corps against Cemetery Ridge and drive +the enemy from his key position before the entrenchments could be +completed.</p> + +<p>Longstreet was slow. Jackson would have struck with the rapidity of +lightning. On this swift action Lee had counted. The blow should have +been delivered before eight o'clock. It was two o'clock in the afternoon +before Longstreet made the attack and Meade's position had been made +stronger each hour.</p> + +<p>From two o'clock until dark the long lines of gray rolled and dashed +against the heights and broke in red pools of blood on their rocky +slopes.</p> + +<p>Three hundred pieces of artillery thundered their message in an Oratorio +of Death. The earth shook. Hills and rocks danced and reeled before the +excited vision of the onrushing men. For two hours the guns roared and +thundered without pause. The shriek of shell, the crash of falling +trees, the showers of flying rocks ripped from cliffs by solid shot, the +shouts of charging hosts, the splash of bursting shrapnel, the neighing +of torn and mangled horses, transformed the green hills of Pennsylvania +into a smoke-wreathed, flaming hell. The living lay down that night to +sleep with their heads pillowed on the dead.</p> + +<p>On this second day Lee's men had gained a slight advantage. They had +taken Round Top and held it for two hours. They had at least proven that +it could be done. They had driven in the lines on the Federal left. The +Southern Commander still believed his men could do the impossible. +Longstreet begged his Chief that night to withdraw and choose another +field. Lee ordered the third day's fight. On his gray horse he watched +Pickett lead his immortal charge and fall back down the hill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span></p> + +<p>He rode quietly to the front, rallying the broken lines. He made no +speech. He uttered no bombast.</p> + +<p>He calmly lifted his hand and cried:</p> + +<p>"Never mind—boys!"</p> + +<p>To his officers he said:</p> + +<p>"It's all my fault. We'll talk it over afterward. Let every good man +rally now."</p> + +<p>His army had never known a panic. The men quietly fell into line and +cheered their Commander.</p> + +<p>To an English officer on the field Lee quietly said:</p> + +<p>"This has been a sad day for us, Colonel—a sad day; but we can't expect +always to gain victories."</p> + +<p>Lee had lost twenty thousand men and fourteen generals. Meade had lost +twenty-three thousand men and seventeen generals. Lee withdrew his army +across the swollen Potomac, carrying away his guns and all the prisoners +he had taken.</p> + +<p>General Meade had saved the North, but Lee's army was still intact, on +its old invincible lines in Virginia, sixty-five thousand strong.</p> + +<p>The news from Gettysburg crushed the soul of Davis. He had hoped with +this battle to end the war, and stop the frightful slaughter of our +noblest men, North and South. His Commissioner, Alexander H. Stephens, +was halted at Fortress Monroe and sent back to Richmond with an +insulting answer.</p> + +<p>So bitter was Lee's disappointment that he offered his resignation to +Davis.</p> + +<p>The President at once wrote a generous letter in which he renewed the +expressions of his confidence in the genius of his Commanding General +and begged him to guard his precious life from undue exposure.</p> + +<p>Gettysburg was but one of the appalling calamities which crushed the +hopes of the Confederate Chieftain on this memorab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span>le fourth of July, +1863.</p> + +<p>On the recovery of Joseph E. Johnston from his wound at Seven Pines he +was assigned to the old command of Albert Sidney Johnston in the West. +His department included the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, +Georgia and North Carolina.</p> + +<p>He entered on the duties of his new and important field—complaining, +peevish, sulking.</p> + +<p>On the day before his departure Mrs. Davis visited his wife and +expressed to General Johnston the earnest wish of her heart for her +husband's success.</p> + +<p>"I sincerely hope, General," she said cordially, "that your campaign +will be brilliant and successful."</p> + +<p>The General pursed the hard lines of his mouth.</p> + +<p>"I might succeed if I had Lee's chances with the army of Northern +Virginia."</p> + +<p>From the moment Johnston reached his field he began to quarrel with his +generals and complain to the Government at Richmond. He made no serious +effort to unite his forces for the defense of Vicksburg and continuously +wrote and telegraphed to the War Department that his authority was +inadequate to really command so extended a territory. He made no effort +to throw the twenty-four thousand men he commanded into a juncture with +Pemberton who was struggling valiantly against Grant's fifty thousand +closing in on the doomed city.</p> + +<p>On May eighteenth, Johnston sent a courier to Pemberton and advised him +to evacuate Vicksburg without a fight! Pemberton held a council of war +and refused to give up the Mississippi River without a struggle. +Johnston sat down in his tent and left him to his fate.</p> + +<p>Grant closed in on Vicksburg and the struggle began. Pemberton could not +believe that Johnston would not march to his relief.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> +<p>Women and children stood by their homes amid the roar of guns and the +bursting of shells. Caves were dug in the hills and they took refuge +under the ground.</p> + +<p>A shell burst before a group of children hurrying from their homes to +the hills. The dirt thrown up from the explosion knocked three little +fellows down, but luckily no bones were broken. They jumped up, brushed +their clothes, wiped the dirt from their eyes, and hurried on without a +whimper.</p> + +<p>When the dark days of starvation came, the women nursed the sick and +wounded, lived on mule and horse meat and parched corn.</p> + +<p>Johnston continued to send telegrams to the War Department saying he +needed more troops and didn't know where to get them. Yet he was in +absolute command of all the troops in his department and could order +them to march at a moment's notice in any direction he wished. He +hesitated and continued to send telegrams and write letters for more +explicit instructions.</p> + +<p>He got them finally in a direct peremptory order from the War +Department.</p> + +<p>On June fifteenth, he telegraphed his Government:</p> + +<p>"I consider saving Vicksburg hopeless."</p> + +<p>Davis ordered his Secretary of War to reply immediately in unmistakable +language:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Your telegram grieves and alarms us, Vicksburg must not be lost +without a struggle. The interest and honor of the Confederacy +forbid it. I rely on you to avert this loss. If better resource +does not offer you must hazard attack. It may be made in concert +with the garrison, if practicable, but otherwise without. By day or +night as you think best."</p></div> + +<p>The Secretary of War, brooding in anxiety over the possibility of +Johnston's timidity in the crisis, again telegraphed him six days +later:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Only my convictions of almost imperative necessity for action +induced the official dispatch I have sent you. On every ground I +have great deference to your judgment and military genius, but I +feel it right to share, if need be to take the responsibility and +leave you free to follow the most desperate course the occasion may +demand. Rely upon it, the eyes and hopes of the whole Confederacy +are upon you, with the full confidence that you will act, and with +the sentiment that it were better to fail nobly daring, than +through prudence even to be inactive. I rely on you for all +possible to save Vicksburg."</p></div> + +<p>On June twenty-seventh, Grant telegraphed Washington:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Joe Johnston has postponed his attack until he can receive ten +thousand reënforcements from Bragg's army. They are expected early +next week. I feel strong enough against this increase and do not +despair of having Vicksburg before they arrive."</p></div> + +<p>Pemberton's army held Vicksburg practically without food for forty-seven +days. His brave men were exposed to blistering suns and drenching rains +and confined to their trenches through every hour of the night. They had +reached the limit of human endurance and were now physically too weak to +attempt a sortie. Johnston still sat in his tent writing letters and +telegrams to Richmond.</p> + +<p>Pemberton surrendered his garrison to General Grant on July fourth, and +the Mississippi was opened to the Federal fleet from its mouth to its +source.</p> + +<p>Grant telegraphed to Washington:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The enemy surrendered this morning, General Sherman will face +immediately on Johnston and drive him from the State."</p></div> + +<p>But the great letter writer did not wait for Sherman to face him. He +immediately abandoned the Capital of Mississippi and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> retreated into the +interior.</p> + +<p>In the fall of Vicksburg, the Confederacy had suffered a most appalling +calamity—not only had the Mississippi River been opened to the Federal +gunboats, but Grant had captured twenty-four thousand prisoners of war, +including three Major Generals and nine Brigadiers, ninety pieces of +artillery and forty thousand small arms.</p> + +<p>The Johnston clique at Richmond made this disaster the occasion of +fierce assaults on Jefferson Davis and fresh complaints of the treatment +of their favorite General. The dogged persistence with which this group +of soreheads proclaimed the infallibility of the genius of the weakest +and most ineffective general of the Confederacy was phenomenal. The more +miserable Johnston's failures the louder these men shouted his praises. +The yellow journals of the South continued to praise this sulking old +man until half the people of the Confederacy were hoodwinked into +believing in his greatness.</p> + +<p>The results of this Johnston delusion were destined to bear fatal fruit +in the hour of the South's supreme trial.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV</h2> + +<h3>SUSPICION</h3> + + +<p>Jennie Barton had refused to listen to Captain Welford's accusation of +treachery against her lover but the seed of suspicion had been planted. +It grew with such rapidity her peace of mind was utterly destroyed.</p> + +<p>In vain she put the ugly thought aside.</p> + +<p>"It's impossible!" she murmured a hundred times only to come back to the +idea that would not down.</p> + +<p>Night after night she tossed on her pillow unable to sleep. The longer +she faced the problem of Socola's character and antecedents the more +probable became the truth of Dick's suspicions. She had made his present +position in the State Department possible.</p> + +<p>Again her love rose in rebellion. "It's a lie—a lie!" she sobbed. "I +won't believe it. Dick's crazy jealousy's at the bottom of it all—"</p> + +<p>Why had Socola buried himself in the Department of State so completely +since the scene with Dick? His calls had been brief. Their relations had +been strained in spite of her honest effort to put them back on the old +footing.</p> + +<p>He gave as his excuse for not calling oftener the enormous pressure of +work which the crisis of the invasion of Pennsylvania had brought to his +office. The excuse was valid. But perfect love would find a way. It +should need no excuse.</p> + +<p>There was something wrong. She realized it now with increasing agony. +Unable to endure the strain she sent for Socola.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span></p> +<p>Their meeting was awkward. She made no effort to apologize or smooth +things over. Her attitude was instinctive. She gave her feelings full +rein.</p> + +<p>She fixed on him a steady searching gaze.</p> + +<p>"It's useless for me to try to pretend, my love. There's something wrong +between us."</p> + +<p>"Your mind has been poisoned," was the quick, serious answer. "Thoughts +are things. They have the power to kill or give life. A poisonous idea +has been planted in your soul. It's killing your love for me. I feel +it—and I'm helpless."</p> + +<p>"You can cast it out," she answered tenderly.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Tell me frankly and honestly the whole story of your life—"</p> + +<p>"You believe me an impostor?"</p> + +<p>"I love you—"</p> + +<p>"And that is not enough?"</p> + +<p>"No. Make suspicion impossible. You can do this—if you are innocent as +I believe you are—"</p> + +<p>She paused and a sob caught her voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my love, it's killing me—I can neither eat nor sleep. Show me that +such a thing is impossible—"</p> + +<p>He took her hand.</p> + +<p>"How foolish, my own, to ask this of me—we love right or wrong. Love is +the fulfillment of the law. You call me here to cross-examine me—"</p> + +<p>"No—no—dear heart—just to have you soothe my fears and make me laugh +again—"</p> + +<p>"But how is it possible—once this thought has found its way into your +mind? If I am a spy, as your Captain Welford says, it is my business to +deceive the enemy. I couldn't tell the truth and live in Richmond. I +would swing from the nearest limb if I should be discovered—"</p> + +<p>Jennie covered her face with her hands:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span></p> +<p>"Don't—don't—please—"</p> + +<p>"Can't you see how useless such a question?"</p> + +<p>"You can't convince me?" she asked pathetically.</p> + +<p>"I won't try," he said firmly. "You must trust me because you love me. +Nothing I could say could convince you—"</p> + +<p>He paused and held her hands in a desperate clasp—</p> + +<p>"Trust me, dear—I promise in good time to convince you that I am all +your heart has told you—"</p> + +<p>"You must convince me now—or I'll die," she sobbed.</p> + +<p>"You're asking the impossible—"</p> + +<p>He stroked her hand with tender touch, rose and led her to the door.</p> + +<p>"You'll try to trust me?"</p> + +<p>There was an unreal sound in her voice as Jennie slowly replied:</p> + +<p>"Yes—I'll try."</p> + +<p>Socola hurried to the house on Church Hill and dispatched a courier on a +mission of tragic importance. Kilpatrick and Dahlgren were preparing to +capture Richmond by a daring raid of three thousand cavalrymen.</p> + +<p>Jennie watched him go with the determination to know the truth at all +hazards.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI</h2> + +<h3>THE FATAL DEED</h3> + + +<p>The battle of Gettysburg and the disaster of the fall of Vicksburg once +more gave to the Johnston junta in the Confederate Congress their +opportunity to harass the President.</p> + +<p>Their power for evil had been greatly diminished by the pressure of the +swiftly moving tragedy of the war.</p> + +<p>The appearance of this Congress was curiously plain and uninteresting. +With the exception of J. L. M. Curry of Alabama and Barksdale of +Mississippi there was not a man among them of constructive ability as a +statesman. Foote of Tennessee was noted for his high-flown English, his +endless harangues and his elaborate historical illustrations. Had his +ability been equal to the intensity of his hatred for Davis he would +have been a dangerous man to the administration. James Lyons of Virginia +stood six feet three in his stockings, had fine, even, white teeth, and +was considered the handsomest man in the assembly.</p> + +<p>Yancey, the fierce, uncompromising agitator of secession, was too +violent to command the influence to which his genius entitled him.</p> + +<p>Senator Barton, fierce, impatient, bombastic, had long ago exhausted the +vocabulary of invective and could only repeat himself in descending +anti-climax.</p> + +<p>Hill of Georgia was a young man of ability who gave promise of greater +things under more favorable conditions.</p> + +<p>The real business of this Congress was transacted in secret executive +sessions. When the public was admitted, the people o<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span>f Richmond generally +looked on with contempt. They sneeringly referred to them as "the +College Debating Society, on Capitol Hill."</p> + +<p>The surroundings of their halls added to the impression of +inefficiency—dingy, dirty and utterly lacking in the luxuries which the +mind associates with the exercise of sovereign power.</p> + +<p>The Senate was forced to find quarters in the third story of the "State +House." There was no gallery and the spectators were separated from the +members by an improvised railing. The only difference noticeable between +the Senators and the spectators was that the members had seats and the +listeners and loafers had standing room only behind the rail.</p> + +<p>The House of Representatives had a better chamber. But its walls were +bare of ornament or paintings, its chairs were uncushioned, its desks +dingy and slashed with pocket knives. Its members sat with their heels +in the air and their bodies sprawled in every conceivable attitude of +ugly indifference.</p> + +<p>The heart and brains of the South were on the field of battle—her +noblest sons destined to sleep in unmarked graves.</p> + +<p>The scenes of personal violence which disgraced the sittings of this +nondescript body of law makers did much to relieve the President of the +burden of their hostility.</p> + +<p>Foote of Tennessee provoked an encounter with Judge Dargan of Alabama +which came near a tragic ending. The Judge was an old man of eccentric +dress, much given to talking to himself—particularly as he wandered +about the streets of Richmond. The gallery of the House loved him from +the first for his funny habit of scratching his arm when the itch of +eloquence attacked him. And he always addressed the Speaker as "Mr. +Cheerman." They loved him particularly for that. The eccentric<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> Judge had +a peculiarly fierce antipathy to Foote. Words of defiance had passed +between them on more than one occasion. The House was in secret night +session. The Judge was speaking.</p> + +<p>Foote sitting near, glanced up at his enemy and muttered:</p> + +<p>"Damned old scoundrel—"</p> + +<p>The Judge's gray head suddenly lifted, he snatched a bowie knife from +his pocket and dashed for the man who had insulted him.</p> + +<p>From every direction rose the shouts and cries of the excited House.</p> + +<p>"Stop him!"</p> + +<p>"Hold him!"</p> + +<p>"Great God!"</p> + +<p>"Judge—Judge!"</p> + +<p>The wildest uproar followed. Half a dozen members threw themselves on +the old man, dragged him to the floor, pinned him down and wrested the +knife from his grasp.</p> + +<p>When the eloquent gentleman from Tennessee saw that his assailant was +disarmed and safely guarded by six stalwart men he struck an attitude, +expanded his chest, smote it with both hands and exclaimed with +melodramatic gusto:</p> + +<p>"I defy the steel of the assassin!"</p> + +<p>The House burst into shouts of uncontrollable laughter, and adjourned +for the night.</p> + +<p>Another scene of more tragic violence occurred in the Senate—a hand to +hand fight between William L. Yancey and Ben Hill. The Senator from +Georgia threw his antagonist across a desk, held him there in a grip of +steel and pounded his face until dragged away by friends. Yancey's spine +was wrenched in the struggle, and it was rumored that this injury caused +his death. It possibly hastened the end already sure from age, disease +and carele<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span>ss living.</p> + +<p>Committees from this assembly of law makers who attempted to instruct +the conscientious, hard-working man of genius the Southern people had +made their President found little comfort in their efforts.</p> + +<p>Davis received them with punctilious ceremony. His manners were always +those of a gentleman—but he never allowed them to return to their +onerous work in the Debating Society without a clear idea of his views. +They were never expressed with violence. But the ice sometimes formed on +the window panes if he stood near while talking.</p> + +<p>A Congressional Committee were demanding the restoration of Beauregard +to command.</p> + +<p>"General Beauregard asked me to relieve him, gentlemen—"</p> + +<p>"Only on furlough for illness," interrupted the Chairman.</p> + +<p>"And you have forced him into retirement!" added a member.</p> + +<p>The President rose, walked to the window, gazed out on the crowded +street for a moment and turned, suddenly confronting his tormentors. He +spoke with quiet dignity, weighing each word with cold precision:</p> + +<p>"If the whole world asked me to restore General Beauregard to the +command which I have given to Braxton Bragg, I would refuse." He resumed +his seat and the Committee retired to Senator Barton's house where they +found a sympathetic ear.</p> + +<p>Bragg was preparing to fight one of the greatest battles of the war. At +Chickamauga, the "River of Death," he encountered Rosecrans. At the end +of two days of carnage the Union army was totally routed, right, left, +and center and hurled back from Georgia into Chattanooga. Polk's wing +captured twenty-eight pieces of artillery and Longstreet's twenty-one. +Eight thousand prison<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>ers of war were taken, fifteen thousand stand of +arms and forty regimental colors.</p> + +<p>Rosecrans' army of eighty thousand men was literally cut to pieces by +Bragg's fifty thousand Southerners. No more brilliant achievement of +military genius illumines history. Chickamauga was in every way as +desperate a battle as Arcola—and in all Napoleon's Italian campaigns +nothing more daring and wonderful was accomplished by the Man of +Destiny.</p> + +<p>Bragg had justified the faith of Davis. Rosecrans was hemmed in in +Chattanooga, his supplies cut off and his army facing starvation when he +was relieved of his command, Thomas succeeding him. Grant was hurried to +Chattanooga with two army corps to raise the siege.</p> + +<p>With his reënforcements Grant raised the siege, surprised and defeated +Bragg's army which had been weakened by the detachment of Longstreet's +corps for a movement on Knoxville.</p> + +<p>Bragg withdrew his army again into Georgia and resigned his command. The +stern, irritable Confederate fighter was disgusted with the constant +attacks on him by peanut politicians and refused to hear Davis' plea +that he remain at the head of the Western army. The President called him +to Richmond and made him his Chief of Staff.</p> + +<p>The disaster to the Confederacy at Chattanooga which gave General Grant +supreme command of the Union forces, brought to the Johnston junta at +Richmond its opportunity to once more press their favorite to the front. +Since his Vicksburg fiasco the President had isolated him. Davis +resisted this appointment with deep foreboding of its possible disaster +to the South.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this bitter struggle over the selection of a Western +Field Commander, the President of the Confederacy received the first +and only recognition of his Governmen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span>t accorded by any European power.</p> + +<p>His early education at the St. Thomas Monastery had given the Southern +leader a lofty opinion of the Roman Catholic Church. Davis had always +seen in the members of this faith in America friends who could not be +alienated from the oppressed.</p> + +<p>Failing to receive recognition from the great powers of Europe, he +dispatched his diplomatic representative to Rome with a carefully worded +letter to the Pope in which he expressed his gratitude to Pius IX for +his efforts in behalf of peace. The Pope had urged his bishops in New +Orleans and New York to strive to end the war.</p> + +<p>The Vatican received the Confederate diplomat with every mark of +courtesy and every expression of respect accorded the most powerful +nations of the world. The Dominican friars had not forgotten the +wistful, eager boy they had taught, and loved in Kentucky.</p> + +<p>The Pope replied to this communication in an official letter which +virtually recognized the Confederacy—both in his capacity as a temporal +sovereign and as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.</p> + +<p>The President read this letter with renewed hope of favorable action +abroad.</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONORABLE PRESIDENT:<br /> +<br /> +"Salutation:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="quote">"We have just received with all suitable welcome the persons sent by you +to place in our hands your letter dated twenty-third of September last.</p> + +<p class="quote">"Not slight was the pleasure we experienced when we learned from those +persons and the letter, with what feelings of joy and gratitude you were +animated, illustrious and honorable President, as soon as you were +informed of our letters to our venerable brother John, Archbishop of +New York, and John, Archbishop of New Orleans, dated the eighteenth <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span>of +October of last year, and in which we have with all our strength excited +and exhorted these venerable brothers, that in their episcopal piety and +solicitude, they should endeavor, with the most ardent zeal, and in our +name, to bring about the end of the fatal civil war which has broken out +in those countries, in order that the American people may obtain peace +and concord, and dwell charitably together.</p> + +<p class="quote">"It is particularly agreeable to us to see that you, illustrious and +honorable President, and your good people, are animated with the same +desire of peace and tranquillity which we have in our letters inculcated +upon our venerable brothers. May it please God at the same time to make +the other people of America and their ruler, reflecting seriously how +terrible is civil war, and what calamities it engenders, listen to the +inspiration of a calm spirit, and adopt resolutely the part of peace.</p> + +<p class="quote">"As for us, we shall not cease to offer up the most fervent prayers to +God Almighty that He may pour out upon all the people of America the +Spirit and peace and charity, and that He will stop the great evils +which afflict them. We at the same time beseech the God of pity to shed +abroad upon you the light of His countenance and attach you to us by a +perfect friendship.</p> + +<p class="quote">"Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the third of December, 1863, of our +Pontificate 18.</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"(Signed)<br /> +<span class="smcap">Pius IX</span>." +</p> + +<p>The dark hour was swiftly approaching when the South and her leader +would need the prayers of all God's saints.</p> + +<p>Failing to persuade Bragg to reconsider his resignation, Davis appointed +General Hardee as his successor to command the Western army. Hardee +declared the responsibility was more than he could assume.</p> + +<p>Under the urgent necessity of driving the Union army back from its +position at Chattanooga and heartsick with eternal wrangling of the +opposition, Davis reluctantly ordered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> Joseph E. Johnston personally to +assume command of the Army of Tennessee—and the fatal deed was done.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE RAIDERS</h3> + + +<p>In February, 1864, both North and South were straining every nerve for +the last act of the grand drama of blood and tears. The Presidential +election would be held in November to choose a successor to Abraham +Lincoln. At this moment Lincoln was the most unpopular, the most +reviled, the most misunderstood and the most abused man who had ever +served as President of the United States. The opposition to him inside +his own party was fierce, malignant, vindictive and would stop short of +nothing to encompass his defeat in their nominating convention. They had +not hesitated even to accuse his wife of treason.</p> + +<p>Military success and military success alone could save the +administration at Washington. George B. McClellan, the most popular +general of the Union army, was already slated to oppose Lincoln on a +platform demanding peace.</p> + +<p>If the South could hold her own until the first Monday in November, the +opposition to the war in the North would crush the administration and +peace would be had at the price of Southern independence.</p> + +<p>No man in America understood the tense situation more clearly than +Jefferson Davis. His agents in the North kept him personally informed of +every movement of the political chess board. Personally he had never +believed in the possibility of the South winning in a conflict of arms +since the death of Jackson had been given its full significance in the +battle of Gettysburg. He had howeve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span>r believed in the possibility of the +party of the North which stood for the old Constitution winning an +election on the issue of a bloody and unsuccessful war and, on their +winning, that he could open negotiations for peace and gain every point +for which the war had been fought. It all depended on the battles of the +coming spring and summer.</p> + +<p>Grant, the new Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Union, had been +given a free hand with unlimited resources of men and money. He was now +directing the movements of nearly a million soldiers in blue.</p> + +<p>Sherman was drilling under his orders an army of a hundred thousand with +which to march into Georgia—while Grant himself would direct the +movement of a quarter of a million men in his invasion of Virginia.</p> + +<p>The Confederate President saw at once that Lee's army must be raised to +its highest point of efficiency and that it was of equal importance that +Joseph E. Johnston should be given as many or more men with which to +oppose Sherman.</p> + +<p>To allow for Johnston's feeble strategy, Davis sent him 68,000 soldiers +to Dalton, Georgia, to meet Sherman's 100,000 and gave Lee 64,000 with +which to oppose Grant's 150,000 threatening to cross the Rapidan and +move directly on Richmond.</p> + +<p>Socola had informed the War Department at Washington that the +Confederate Capital had been stripped of any semblance of an effective +garrison to fill the ranks of Lee and Johnston.</p> + +<p>General Judson Kilpatrick was authorized to select three thousand picked +cavalry, dash suddenly on Richmond, capture it and release the 15,000 +Union prisoners confined in its walls and stockades.</p> + +<p>These prisoners Grant steadily refused to receive in exchange. In vain +Davis besought the Federal Government to take them home in return for +an equal number of Confederate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> prisoners who were freezing and dying in +the North.</p> + +<p>Grant's logic was inexorable. Every Confederate prisoner exchanged and +sent back home meant a recruit to Lee's army. It was cruel to leave his +men to languish in beleaguered Richmond whose citizens were rioting in +the streets for bread, but he figured these prisoners as soldiers dying +in battle. The Confederate Government had no medicine for them. The +blockade was drawn so tight scarcely an ounce of medicine could be +obtained for the Confederate army. Davis offered the Washington +Government to let their own surgeons come to Richmond and carry medicine +and food to their prisoners. His request was refused.</p> + +<p>The only thing Grant conceded was his consent to Kilpatrick's attempt to +free and arm these 15,000 prisoners and loose them with fire and sword +in the streets of the Confederate Capital.</p> + +<p>Little did the men, women and children of Richmond dream that they were +lying down each night to sleep on the thin crust of a volcano.</p> + +<p>Captain Welford in the pursuit of Socola and Miss Van Lew had found that +the woman on Church Hill persisted in her visits to the prisons. Libby, +which contained a number of Union officers of rank, was her favorite.</p> + +<p>On the last day of February his patient watch was rewarded. He had +placed a spy in Libby disguised as a captive Union soldier.</p> + +<p>This man had sent the Captain an urgent message to communicate with him +at once. Within thirty minutes Welford confronted him in the guardroom +of the prison.</p> + +<p>The Captain spoke in sharp nervous tones:</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span></p> +<p>"I've something big—"</p> + +<p>He paused and glanced about the room.</p> + +<p>"Go on!"</p> + +<p>"There's a plot on foot inside to escape—"</p> + +<p>"Of course. They're always plotting to escape—we've no real prison +system—no discipline. Hundreds have escaped already. It's nothing +new—"</p> + +<p>"This <i>is</i> new," the spy went on eagerly, "They let me into their +councils last night. There's going to be a big raid on Richmond—the men +inside are going to fight their way out, arm themselves and burn the +city. When they get the signal from the outside they'll batter down the +walls and rush through—"</p> + +<p>"Batter down the walls?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir—"</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"They've loosed two big rafters and have them ready to use as battering +rams—"</p> + +<p>"You're sure of this?"</p> + +<p>"Sure's God's in heaven. Go in and see for yourself—"</p> + +<p>Captain Welford gave a low whistle.</p> + +<p>"This is big news. There are enough prisoners in Richmond to make an +army corps—eleven hundred in here—twenty-five hundred at Crew and +Pemberton's—at Belle Isle and the other stockades at least fifteen +thousand in all. They are guarded by a handful of men. If they realize +their power, they can batter their way out in five minutes and sweep the +city with blood and fire—"</p> + +<p>He stopped suddenly, drew a deep breath and turned again to the man.</p> + +<p>"That'll do for you here. Take a little rest. You'd as well go back into +a lion's den when they find out that I know. They'd spot you sure and +tear you limb from limb."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span></p> +<p>The spy saluted.</p> + +<p>"Report to me a week from to-day at the office. You've earned a +vacation."</p> + +<p>The man saluted again and passed quickly out.</p> + +<p>Captain Welford asked the Superintendent to call his prisoners together.</p> + +<p>"I have something to say to them."</p> + +<p>A thousand silent men in blue were gathered in the assembly room of the +old warehouse.</p> + +<p>Captain Welford boldly entered the place carrying a box in his hand. He +placed it on the floor, sprang on it and lifted his hand over the crowd:</p> + +<p>"I've an announcement to make, gentlemen," he began quietly amid a +silence that was death like. "The Department which I represent has +learned that you are planning to batter down the walls and join a force +of raiders who are on the way to capture Richmond—"</p> + +<p>He paused and a murmur of smothered despair, inarticulate, bitter, crept +through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"To forestall this little scheme, I have planted a thousand pounds of +powder under this building. I have mined every other prison. The first +one of you that lifts his finger to escape gives the signal that will +blow you into Eternity—"</p> + +<p>Dick stepped from the box and made his way out without another word. He +could feel the wild heart beat of baffled hope as they followed him to +the door with despairing eyes.</p> + +<p>A murmur of sickening rage swept the prison. An ominous silence fell +where hope had beat high.</p> + +<p>The same strategic announcement was made in every prison in Richmond. No +mines had been laid. But the story served its purpose. Fifteen thousand +men were bound hand and foot by fear. Three hundred soldiers guarded +them successfully. Not a finger was lifted to help their bold rescuers +who were already dashing toward the city.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span></p> + +<p>Colonel Ulric Dahlgren was crossing the James above Richmond to strike +from the south side, while General Kilpatrick led the attack direct from +the north, Dahlgren crossed the river at Ely's Ford, passed in the rear +of Lee's army, captured a Confederate court martial in session, but +missed a park of sixty-eight pieces of artillery which had been left +unguarded.</p> + +<p>When they again reached the James at Davis' Mill, where a ford was +supposed to be, none could be found. Stanton had sent from Washington a +negro guide. They accused the negro of treachery and hung him from the +nearest limb without the formality of a drumhead court martial.</p> + +<p>At dawn on March first, Bradley Johnson's cavalry, guarding Lee's flank, +struck one of Kilpatrick's parties and drove them in on the main body. +They pursued Kilpatrick's men through Ashland and down to the outer +defenses of Richmond.</p> + +<p>Hero the raiders dismounted their twenty-five hundred men and prepared +to attack the entrenchments. Wade Hampton immediately moved out to meet +him. Bradley Johnson's Marylanders drew up in Kilpatrick's rear at the +same moment, and captured five men bearing dispatches from Dahlgren. He +would attack on the rear at sunset. He asked Kilpatrick to strike at the +same moment.</p> + +<p>Johnson boldly charged Kilpatrick's rear with his handful of men and +drove him headlong down the Peninsula to the York River. The Confederate +leader had but seventy-five men and two pieces of artillery but he hung +on Kilpatrick's division of twenty-five hundred and captured a hundred +and forty prisoners.</p> + +<p>Dahlgren at night with but four hundred men boldly attacked the defenses +on the north side of the city. He was met by a company of Richmond boys +under eighteen years of age. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span>youngsters gave such good account of +themselves that he withdrew from the field, leaving forty of his men +dead and wounded.</p> + +<p>In his retreat down the Peninsula, he failed to find Kilpatrick's +division. His command was cut to pieces and captured and Dahlgren +himself killed.</p> + +<p>The part which Socola had played in this raid was successfully +accomplished without a hitch. He was compelled to answer the drum which +called every clerk of his Department to arms for the defense of the +city. In the darkness he succeeded in pressing into Dahlgren's lines and +on his retreat made his way back to his place in the ranks of the +Confederates.</p> + +<p>It was a little thing which betrayed him after the real danger was past +and brought him face to face with Jennie Barton.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE DISCOVERY</h3> + + +<p>From the moment Captain Welford had discovered the plot of the prisoners +to coöperate with Kilpatrick and Dahlgren he was morally sure that Miss +Van Lew had been their messenger. He was equally sure that Socola had +been one of her accomplices.</p> + +<p>On the day of the announcement of his powder plant to the prisoners he +set a guard to watch the house on Church Hill, and report to him the +moment "Crazy Bet" should emerge.</p> + +<p>Within two hours he received the message that she was on her way down +town with her market basket swinging on her arm. Dick knew that this +woman could not recognize him personally. He was only distantly related +to the Welfords of Richmond.</p> + +<p>Miss Van Lew was in a nervous agony to deliver her dispatch to +Kilpatrick, warning him that the purpose of the raid had been discovered +and that he must act with the utmost caution. She had no scout at hand +and Kilpatrick's was expected every moment at her rendezvous near the +market.</p> + +<p>Dick turned the corner, circled a block, and met her. She was childishly +swinging the basket on her arm and humming a song. She smiled vacantly +into his face. He caught the look of shrewd intelligence and saw through +her masquerade. A single word from her lips now would send her to the +gallows and certainly lead to Socola's arrest.</p> + +<p>The Captain was certain that she carried dispatches on her person at +that moment. If he could only induce her to drop th<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span>em, the trick would +be turned.</p> + +<p>He turned, retraced his steps, overtook her and whispered as he passed:</p> + +<p>"Your trusted messenger—"</p> + +<p>She paid no attention. There was not the slightest recognition—no +surprise—no inquiry. Her thin face was a mask of death.</p> + +<p>Was this man Kilpatrick's scout? Or was he a Secret Service man on her +trail? The questions seethed through her excited soul. Her life hung on +the answer. It was a question of judgment of character and personality. +The man was a stranger. But the need was terrible. Should she take the +chance?</p> + +<p>She quickened her pace and passed Dick.</p> + +<p>Again she heard him whisper:</p> + +<p>"Your messenger is here. I am going through to-night."</p> + +<p>In her hand clasped tight was her dispatch torn into strips and each +strip rolled into a tiny ball. Should she commence to drop them one by +one?</p> + +<p>Perplexed, she stopped and glanced back suddenly into Dick's face. Her +decision was instantaneous. The subtle sixth sense had revealed in a +flash of his eager eyes her mortal danger. She turned into a side street +and hurried home.</p> + +<p>The Captain was again baffled by a woman's wit. His disappointment was +keen. He had hoped to prove his accusation to Jennie Barton before the +sun set. She had ceased to fight his suspicions of Socola. His name was +not mentioned. She was watching her lover with more desperate +earnestness even than he.</p> + +<p>The Captain had failed to entrap the wily little woman with her market +basket, but through her he struck the trail of the big quarry he had +sought for two years. Socola was imperiled by a woman's sentimental +whim—this woman with nerves of steel and a heart whose very throb <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span>she +could control by an indomitable will.</p> + +<p>Heartsick over her failure to get through the lines her warning to +Kilpatrick, she had felt the responsibility of young Dahlgren's tragic +death. Woman-like she determined, at the risk of her life and the life +of every man she knew, to send the body of this boy back to his father +in the North.</p> + +<p>In vain Socola pleaded against this mad undertaking.</p> + +<p>The woman's soul had been roused by the pathetic figure of the daring +young raider whose crutches were found strapped to his saddle. He had +lost a leg but a few months before.</p> + +<p>He had been buried at the cross-roads where he fell—the roads from +Stevensville and Mantua Ferry. In pity for the sorrow of his +distinguished father Davis had ordered the body disinterred and brought +into Richmond. It was buried at night in a spot unknown to anyone save +the Confederate authorities. Feeling had run so high on the discovery of +the purpose of the raiders to burn the city that the Confederate +President feared some shocking indignity might be offered the body.</p> + +<p>The night Miss Van Lew selected for her enterprise was cold and dark and +the rain fell in dismal, continuous drizzle. The grave had been +discovered by a negro who saw the soldiers bury the body. It was +identified by the missing right leg.</p> + +<p>The work was done without interruption or discovery.</p> + +<p>Socola placed the body in Rowley's wagon which was filled with young +peach trees concealing the casket. The pickets would be deceived by the +simple device. Should one of them thrust his bayonet into the depths of +those young trees more than one neck would pay the penalty. But they +would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span>n't. He was sure of it.</p> + +<p>At the picket post Rowley sat in stolid indifference while he heard the +order to search his wagon. He engaged the guard in conversation. Wagons +entered and passed and still he talked lazily to his chosen friend.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant looked from his tent and yelled at last:</p> + +<p>"What 'ell's the matter with you—search that man and let him go—"</p> + +<p>"It would be a pity to tear up all those fruit trees!" the guard said +with a yawn.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think you'd bother 'em," Rowley answered indifferently, "but I +know a soldier's duty—"</p> + +<p>Another wagon dashed up in a hurry. The guard examined him and he passed +on.</p> + +<p>Again the Lieutenant called:</p> + +<p>"Search that man and let him go!"</p> + +<p>Rowley's face was a mask of lazy indifference.</p> + +<p>The guard glanced at him and spoke in low tones:</p> + +<p>"Your face is guarantee enough, partner—go on—"</p> + +<p>Socola flanked the picket and joined Rowley. Near Hungary, on the farm +of Orrick the German, a grave was hurriedly dug and the casket placed in +it. The women helped to heap the dirt in and plant over it one of the +peach trees.</p> + +<p>Three days later in response to a pitiful appeal from Dahlgren's father, +Davis ordered the boy's body sent to Washington. The grave had been +robbed. The sensation this created was second only to the raid itself.</p> + +<p>It was only too evident to the secret service of the Confederate +Government that an organization of Federal spies honeycombed the city. +The most desperate and determined efforts were put forth to unearth +these conspirators.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span></p> +<p>Captain Welford had made the discovery that the conspirators who had +stolen Dahlgren's body had cut his curling blond hair and dispatched it +to Washington. The bearer of this dispatch was a negro. He had been +thoroughly searched, but no incriminating papers were found. The Captain +had removed a lock of this peculiarly beautiful hair and allowed the +messenger of love to go on his way determined to follow him on his +return to Richmond and locate his accomplices.</p> + +<p>Dick's report of this affair to Jennie had started a train of ideas +which again centered her suspicions on Socola. The night this body had +been stolen she had sent for her lover in a fit of depression. The rain +was pouring in cold, drizzling monotony. Her loneliness had become +unbearable.</p> + +<p>He was not at home and could not be found. Alarmed and still more +depressed she sent her messenger three times. The last call he made was +long past midnight.</p> + +<p>Her suspicion of his connection with the service of the enemy had become +unendurable. She had not seen or heard from him since the effort to find +him that night. He was at his desk at work as usual next morning.</p> + +<p>She wrote him a note and begged that he call at once. He came within +half an hour, a wistful smile lighting his face as he extended his hand:</p> + +<p>"I am forgiven for having been born abroad?"</p> + +<p>"I have sent for you—"</p> + +<p>"I've waited long."</p> + +<p>"It's not the first time I've asked you to call," she cried in strained +tones.</p> + +<p>"No?"</p> + +<p>She held his gaze with steady intensity.</p> + +<p>"I sent for you the night young Dahlgren's body was stolen—"</p> + +<p>"Really?"</p> + +<p>"It was raining. I was horribly depressed. I couldn't endure the +strain. I meant to surrender utterly and tru<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span>st you—"</p> + +<p>"I didn't get your message—"</p> + +<p>"I know that you didn't—where were you?"</p> + +<p>"Engaged on important business for the Government—"</p> + +<p>"What Government?"</p> + +<p>"How can you ask such a question?"</p> + +<p>"I do ask it. I sent for you three times—the third time after midnight. +It wasn't very modest, perhaps, I was so miserable I didn't care. I just +wanted to put my arms around your neck and tell you to love me +always—that nothing else mattered—"</p> + +<p>"Nothing else does matter, dearest—"</p> + +<p>"Yes—it does. It matters whether you have used me to betray my people. +Where were you at twelve o'clock night before last?"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not tell you—"</p> + +<p>"I demand it—"</p> + +<p>A quizzical smile played about Socola's handsome mouth as he faced her +frankly.</p> + +<p>"I was in a gambling establishment—"</p> + +<p>"Whose?"</p> + +<p>"Johnnie Worsham's—"</p> + +<p>"What were you doing there? You neither drink nor gamble."</p> + +<p>Again the dark face smiled.</p> + +<p>"I was asked by my Chief to report on the habits of every man in my +Department—particularly to report every man who frequents the gambling +hells of Richmond—"</p> + +<p>Jennie watched him nervously, her hands trembling.</p> + +<p>"It's possible of course—"</p> + +<p>Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she threw herself into his +arms.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span></p> +<p>And then it happened—the little thing, trivial and insignificant, +that makes and unmakes life.</p> + +<p>For a long while no words were spoken. With gentle touch he soothed her +trembling body, bending to kiss the waves of rich brown hair.</p> + +<p>She pushed him at arm's length at last and looked up smiling.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it—I love you!"</p> + +<p>"When will you learn that we must trust where we love—"</p> + +<p>He stopped suddenly. Her brown eyes were fixed with terror on a single +strand of curling blond hair caught on the button of his waistcoat.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked in alarm.</p> + +<p>She drew the hair from his coat carefully and held it to the light in +silence.</p> + +<p>"You can't be jealous?"</p> + +<p>She looked at him curiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I have a rival—"</p> + +<p>"A rival?"</p> + +<p>Her eyes pierced him.</p> + +<p>"Your love for the Union! I've suspected you before. You've evaded my +questions. Our love has been so big and sweet a thing that you have +always stammered and hesitated to tell me a deliberate lie. It's not +necessary now. I know. Ulrich Dahlgren is the age of my brother Billy. +They used to play together in Washington at Commodore Dahlgren's home +and at ours. He had the most peculiarly beautiful blond hair I ever saw +on a man. I'd know it anywhere on earth. That strand is his, poor boy! +Besides, Dick Welford captured your messenger with that pathetic little +bundle on his way to Washington—"</p> + +<p>Socola started in spite of his desperate effort at self-control and was +about to speak when Jennie lifted her hand.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span></p> +<p>"Don't, please. It's useless to quibble and argue with me longer. We +face each other with souls bare. I don't ask you why you have deceived +me. Your business as a Federal spy is to deceive the enemy—"</p> + +<p>"You are not my enemy," he interrupted in a sudden burst of passion. +"You are my mate! You are mine by all the laws of God and nature. I love +you. I worship you. We are <i>not</i> enemies. We never have been—we never +shall be. With the last breath I breathe your name shall be on my +lips—"</p> + +<p>"You may speak your last word soon—"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I am going to surrender you to the authorities—"</p> + +<p>"And you have just been sobbing in my arms—the man you have sworn to +love forever?"</p> + +<p>"It's the only atonement I can make. Through you I have betrayed my +country and my people. I would gladly die in your place. The hard thing +will be to do my duty and give you up to the death you have earned."</p> + +<p>"You can deliver me to execution?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—" was the firm answer. "Listen to this—"</p> + +<p>She seized a copy of the morning paper.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Dahlgren's instructions to his men. This document was found on +his person when shot. There is no question of its genuineness—"</p> + +<p>She paused and read in cold hard tones:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Guides, pioneers (with oakum, turpentine and torpedoes), signal +officer, quarter master, commissary, scouts, and picket men in +rebel uniform—remain on the north bank and move down with the +force on the south bank. If communications can be kept up without +giving an alarm it must be done. Everything depends upon a +surprise, and no one must be allowed to pass ahead of this column. +All mills must be burned and the canal destroyed. Keep the force +on the southern side posted of any important movement <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span>of the enemy, +and in case of danger some of the scouts must swim the river and +bring us information. We must try to secure the bridge to the city +(one mile below Belle Isle) and release the prisoners at the same +time. If we do not succeed they must then dash down, and we will +try to carry the bridge from each side. The bridges once secured, +and the prisoners loosed and over the river, the bridges will be +secured and the city destroyed—"</p></div> + +<p>Jennie paused and lifted her eyes burning with feverish light.</p> + +<p>"Merciful God! How? With oakum and turpentine. A city of one hundred +thousand inhabitants, under the cover of darkness—men, women and +children, the aged, the poor, the helpless!"</p> + +<p>Socola made no answer. A thoughtful dreamy look masked his handsome +features.</p> + +<p>Jennie read the next sentence from the Dahlgren paper in high quivering +tones:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The men must be kept together and well in hand, and once in the +city, it must be destroyed and <i>Jeff Davis and his Cabinet</i> +killed—"</p></div> + +<p>The girl paused and fixed her gaze on Socola.</p> + +<p>"The man who planned that raid came with the willful and deliberate +murder of unarmed men in his soul. The man who helped him inside is +equally guilty of his crime—"</p> + +<p>She resumed her reading without waiting for reply.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Prisoners will go along with combustible material. The officer +must use his discretion about the time of assisting us. Pioneers +must be prepared to construct a bridge or destroy one. They must +have plenty of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be +rolled in soaked balls, and given to the men to burn when we get +into the city—"</p></div> + +<p>Socola lifted his hand.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span></p> +<p>"Please, dear—these instructions are not mine. I do not excuse or +palliate them. The daring youngster who conceived this paid the penalty +with his life. It's all that any of us can give for his country. There's +something that interests me now far more than this sensation—far more +than the mere fact that my true business here has been discovered by you +and my life forfeited to your Government—"</p> + +<p>"And that is?"</p> + +<p>"That the woman I love can deliver me to death—"</p> + +<p>"You doubt it?"</p> + +<p>"I had not believed it possible."</p> + +<p>"I'll show you."</p> + +<p>Jennie stepped to the door and pulled the old-fashioned bell-cord.</p> + +<p>A servant appeared.</p> + +<p>In strained tones the girl said:</p> + +<p>"Go to Captain Welford's office and ask him to come here immediately +with two soldiers—"</p> + +<p>"Yassam—"</p> + +<p>The negro bowed and hurried from the house, and Jennie sat down in +silence beside the door.</p> + +<p>Socola confronted her, his hands gripped in nervous agony behind his +back, his slender figure erect, his breath coming in deep excited +draughts.</p> + +<p>"You think that I'll submit to my fate without a fight?"</p> + +<p>"You've got to submit. Your escape from Richmond is a physical +impossibility—"</p> + +<p>He searched the depths of her heart.</p> + +<p>"I was not thinking of my body just then. I have no desire to live if +you can hand me to my executioner—"</p> + +<p>He paused and a sob came from the girl's distracted soul.</p> + +<p>He moved a step closer.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span></p> +<p>"I'm not afraid to die—you must know that—I'm not a coward—"</p> + +<p>"No. I couldn't have loved a coward!"</p> + +<p>"The thing I can't endure is that you, the woman to whom I have +surrendered my soul, should judge me worthy of death. Come, my own, this +is madness. We must see each other as God sees now. You must realize +that only the highest and noblest motive could have sent a man of my +character and training on such a mission. We differ in our political +views for the moment—even as you differ from the older brother whom you +love and respect—"</p> + +<p>"I am not responsible for my brother's acts. I am for yours—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, dear heart. My work was ordained of God from the beginning. +It was fate. Nothing could have stopped me. I came under a mighty +impulse of love for my country—bigger than the North or the South. God +sent me. You have helped me. But if you had not I would still have +succeeded. Can't you forget for the moment the details of this +blood-stained struggle—the maimed lad with his crutches strapped to his +saddle, lost in the black storm night in the country of his enemies and +shot to pieces—the mad scheme his impulsive brain had dreamed of wiping +your Capital from the earth and leading fifteen thousand shouting +prisoners back into freedom and life—surely he paid for his madness. +Forget that I have deceived you, and see the vision of which I dream—a +purified and redeemed Nation—united forever—no North, no South—no +East, no West—the inheritance of our children and all the children of +the world's oppressed! I am fighting for you and yours as well as my +own. The South is mine. I love its beautiful mountains and plains—its +rivers and shining seas—Oh, my love, can't you see this divine vision +of the future? The Union must be saved. The stars in their courses +fight its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span> battles. Nothing is surer in the calendar of time than that +the day is swiftly coming when the old flag your fathers first flung to +the breeze will be again lifted from your Capitol building. You can't +put me out of your life as a criminal worthy of death! I won't have it. +I am yours and you are mine. I am not pleading for my life. I'm pleading +for something bigger and sweeter than life. I'm pleading for my love. I +can laugh at death. I can't endure that you put me out of your heart—"</p> + +<p>Jennie rose with determination, walked to the window and laughed +hysterically.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to put you out. Captain Welford and his men are coming. +They've just turned the corner!"</p> + +<p>The man's figure slowly straightened, and his eyes closed in +resignation.</p> + +<p>"Then it's God's will and my work is done."</p> + +<p>With a sudden cry Jennie threw herself in his arms.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, dear Lord. I can't do this hideous thing! It's my duly, but +I can't. My darling—my own! You shall not die. I was mad. Forgive me! +Forgive me! My own—"</p> + +<p>"Halt!"</p> + +<p>The sharp command of the Captain rang outside the door.</p> + +<p>"Get into this room—quick—" the girl cried, pushing Socola into the +adjoining room and slamming the door as Dick entered the hall.</p> + +<p>She faced the Captain with a smile.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, now, Dick. I thought I had discovered an important +secret. It was a mistake—"</p> + +<p>The Captain smiled.</p> + +<p>"You don't mind my looking about the house?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Searching</i> the house?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span></p> +<p>"Just the lower floor?"</p> + +<p>"I do mind it. How dare you suggest such a thing, sir—"</p> + +<p>"Because I've made a guess at the truth. You discovered important +evidence incriminating Socola. Your first impulse was to do your +duty—you weakened at the last moment—"</p> + +<p>"Absurd!" she gasped.</p> + +<p>"I happened to hear a door slam as I entered. I'll have to look around a +little."</p> + +<p>He started to the door behind which Socola had taken refuge. Jennie +confronted him.</p> + +<p>"You can't go in there—"</p> + +<p>"It's no use, Jennie—I'm going to search that room—the whole house if +necessary."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I know that Socola is here—"</p> + +<p>"And if he is?"</p> + +<p>"I'll arrest him—"</p> + +<p>"On what charge?"</p> + +<p>"He is a Federal spy and you know it—"</p> + +<p>"You can't prove it."</p> + +<p>"I've found the evidence. I have searched his rooms—"</p> + +<p>"Searched his <i>rooms</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Your servant told me that he was here. I leaped to a conclusion, forced +his door and found this—"</p> + +<p>He thrust a well-thumbed copy of the cipher code of the Federal Secret +Service into her hand.</p> + +<p>"You—you—can't execute him, Dick," Jennie sobbed.</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"You can't. I love him. He can do no more harm here."</p> + +<p>"He's done enough. His life belongs to the South—"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span></p> +<p>She placed her trembling hand on his arm.</p> + +<p>"You are sure that deep down in your heart there's not another motive?"</p> + +<p>"No matter how many motives—one is enough. I have the evidence on which +to send him to the gallows—"</p> + +<p>The girl's head drooped.</p> + +<p>"And I gave it to you—God have mercy!"</p> + +<p>The tears began to stream down her checks. Dick moved uneasily and +looked the other way.</p> + +<p>"I've got to do it," he repeated stubbornly.</p> + +<p>Her voice was the merest whisper when she spoke.</p> + +<p>"You're not going to arrest him, Dick. He will leave Richmond never to +enter the South again. I'll pledge my life on his promise. His death can +do us no good. It can do you no good—I—I—couldn't live and know +that I had killed the man I love—"</p> + +<p>"You haven't killed him. He has forfeited his life a thousand times in +his work as a spy."</p> + +<p>"I sent for you. I caused his betrayal. I shall be responsible if he +dies—"</p> + +<p>Again the little head drooped in pitiful suffering. She lifted it at +last with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Dick, you're too big and generous for low revenge. You hate this man. +But you love me. I know that. I'm proud and grateful for it. I appeal to +the best that's in you. Save my life and his—"</p> + +<p>"You couldn't live if he should die, Jennie?" the man asked tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Not if he should die in this way—"</p> + +<p>The Captain struggled and hesitated.</p> + +<p>Again her hand touched his arm.</p> + +<p>"I ask the big divine thing of you, Dick?"</p> + +<p>"It's hard. I've won and you take my triumph from me. For two years I've +given body and soul to the task of unmasking this man."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span></p> +<p>"I'm asking his life—and mine—" the pleading voice repeated.</p> + +<p>"I'll give him up on one condition—"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>The Captain held her gaze in silence a moment.</p> + +<p>"That you send him back to the North and put him out of your life +forever!"</p> + +<p>Jennie laughed softly through her tears.</p> + +<p>"You big, generous, foolish boy—you might have left that to me—"</p> + +<p>"All right," he hastened to agree. "I'll leave it to you. Forgive me. I +can't deny you anything—"</p> + +<p>"You're a glorious lover, Dick!" she cried tenderly. "Why didn't I love +you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, honey," he replied chokingly. "We just love because we +must—there's no rhyme or reason to it—"</p> + +<p>He paused and laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's all over now, Jennie. I've given him back to you—good-by—"</p> + +<p>She grasped his hand and held it firmly.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare say good-by to me, sir—you've got to love me, too—as +long as I live—my first sweetheart—brave, generous, kind—"</p> + +<p>She drew his blond head low and kissed him.</p> + +<p>He looked at her through dimmed eyes and slowly said:</p> + +<p>"That makes life worth living, Jennie."</p> + +<p>He turned and quickly left the house.</p> + +<p>She heard his low orders to his men and watched them pass up the street +with their rifles on their shoulders.</p> + +<p>She opened the door and Socola entered, his face deathlike in its +pallor.</p> + +<p>"Why did he stay so long?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span></p> +<p>"He has searched your room and found your cipher code—"</p> + +<p>"And you have saved my life?"</p> + +<p>"It was I who put it in peril—"</p> + +<p>"No—I gave my life in willing sacrifice when the war began—"</p> + +<p>"You are to leave," Jennie went on evenly—"leave at once—"</p> + +<p>"Of course—"</p> + +<p>"And give me your solemn parole—never again during this war to fight +the South—"</p> + +<p>"It is your right to demand it. I agree."</p> + +<p>She gently took his hand.</p> + +<p>"I know that I can trust you now—" She paused and looked wistfully into +his face. "One last long look into your dear eyes—"</p> + +<p>"Not the last—"</p> + +<p>"One last kiss—"</p> + +<p>She drew his lips down to hers.</p> + +<p>"One last moment in your arms." She clung to him desperately and freed +herself with quick resolution.</p> + +<p>"And now you must go—from Richmond—from the South and out of my life +forever—"</p> + +<p>"You can't mean this!" he protested bitterly.</p> + +<p>"I do," was the firm answer. "Good-by."</p> + +<p>He pressed her hand and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I refuse to say it—"</p> + +<p>"You must."</p> + +<p>"No—"</p> + +<p>"It is the end—"</p> + +<p>"It is only the beginning."</p> + +<p>With a look of tenderness he left her standing in the doorway, the +hunger of eternity in her brown eyes.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE CONSPIRATORS</h3> + + +<p>The raid of Dahlgren and Kilpatrick had sent a thrill of horror through +Richmond. The people had suddenly waked to the realization of what it +meant to hold fifteen thousand desperate prisoners in their city with a +handful of soldiers to guard them.</p> + +<p>The discovery on the young leader's body of the remarkable papers of +instructions to burn the city and murder the Confederate President and +his Cabinet produced a sharp discussion between Jefferson Davis and his +councilors.</p> + +<p>Not only did the people of Richmond demand that such methods of warfare +be met by retaliation of the most drastic kind but the Cabinet now +joined in this demand. Hundreds of prisoners had been captured both from +Dahlgren's and Kilpatrick's division.</p> + +<p>It was urged on Davis with the most dogged determination that these +prisoners—in view of the character of their instructions to burn a city +crowded with unarmed men, women and children and murder in cold blood +the civil officers of the Confederate Government—should be treated as +felons and executed by hanging.</p> + +<p>The President had refused on every occasion to lend his power to brutal +measures of retaliation. This time his Cabinet was persistent and in +dead earnest in their purpose to force his hand.</p> + +<p>Davis faced his angry council with unruffled spirit.</p> + +<p>"I understand your feelings, gentlemen," he said evenly. "You have had +a narrow escape. The South does not use such met<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span>hods of warfare. Nor +will I permit our Government to fall to such level by an act of +retaliation. The prisoners we hold are soldiers of the enemy's army. +Their business is to obey orders—not plan campaigns—"</p> + +<p>"We have captured officers also," Benjamin interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Subordinate officers are not morally responsible for the plans of their +superiors."</p> + +<p>No argument could move the Confederate Chieftain. He was adamant to all +appeals for harsh treatment. Even Lee had at last found it impossible to +maintain discipline in his army unless he prevented the review of his +court martial by Davis. The President was never known to sign the death +warrant of a Confederate soldier. Lincoln was a man of equally tender +heart and yet the Northern President did sign the death warrants of more +than two hundred Union soldiers during his administration.</p> + +<p>The only action Davis would permit was the removal of the fifteen +thousand prisoners further south to places of safety where such raids +would be impossible. The prisons of Richmond were emptied and the +stockades at Salisbury and Andersonville over-crowded with these men.</p> + +<p>Davis renewed his urgent appeal to the Federal Government for the +exchange of these men. His request was treated with discourtesy and +steadily refused. When the hot climate of Georgia caused the high death +rate at Andersonville he released thousands of those men without +exchange and notified the Washington Government to send transportation +for them to Savannah.</p> + +<p>Lincoln had given Grant a free hand in assuming the command of all the +armies of the Union. But he watched his cruel policy of refusal to +exchange prisoners with inc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span>reasing anguish. In every way possible, +without directly opposing his commanding general, the big-hearted +President at Washington managed to smuggle Southern prisoners back into +the South unknown to Grant and take an equal number of Union soldiers +home.</p> + +<p>A crowd of Southern boys from the prison at Elmira, New York, were +announced to arrive in Richmond on the morning train from +Fredericksburg. Among them Jennie expected her brother Jimmie who had +been captured in battle six months ago. She hurried to the station to +meet them.</p> + +<p>A great crowd had gathered. A row of coffins was placed on the ground at +the end of the long platform awaiting the train going south. A dozen men +were sitting on those rude caskets smoking, talking, laughing, their +feet drawn up tailor-fashion to keep them out of the mud.</p> + +<p>With a shiver the girl hurried to the other gate.</p> + +<p>Her eager eyes searched in vain among the ragged wretches who shambled +from the cars. A man from Baton Rouge, whom she failed to recognize, +lifted his faded hat and handed her a letter.</p> + +<p>She read it through her tears and hurried to the Confederate White House +to show it to the President. Davis scanned the scrawl with indignant +sympathy:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Dear Little Sis</i>:</p> + +<p>"This is the last message I shall ever send. Before it can reach +you I shall be dead—for which I'll thank God. I'm sorry now I +didn't take my chances with the other fellows, bribe the guard and +escape from Camp Douglas in Chicago. A lot of the boys did it. +Somehow I couldn't stoop. Maybe the fear of the degrading +punishment they gave McGoffin, the son of the Governor of Kentucky, +when he failed, influenced me, weak and despondent as I was. They +hung him by the thumbs to make him confess the name of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span> +accomplices. He refused to speak and they left him hanging until +the balls of his thumbs both burst open and he fainted.</p> + +<p>"The last month at Camp Douglas was noted for scant rations. Hunger +was the prevailing epidemic. At one end of our barracks was the +kitchen, and by the door stood a barrel into which was thrown beef +bones and slops. I saw a starving boy fish out one of these bones +and begin to gnaw it. A guard discovered him. He snatched the bone +from the prisoner's hand, cocked his pistol, pressed it to his head +and ordered him to his all-fours and made him bark for the bone he +held above him—</p> + +<p>"We expected better treatment when transferred to Elmira. But I've +lost hope. I'm too weak to ever pull up again. I've made friends +with a guard who has given me the list of the men who have died +here in the five months since we came. In the first four months out +of five thousand and twenty-seven men held here, one thousand three +hundred and eleven died—six and one-half per cent a month—"</p></div> + +<p>Davis paused and shook his head—</p> + +<p>"The highest rate we have ever known at Salisbury or Andersonville +during those spring months was three per cent!"</p> + +<p>He finished the last line in quivering tones.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There's not a chance on earth that I'll live to see you again. See +the President and beg him for God's sake to save as many of the +boys as he can. With a heart full of love.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Jimmie.</span>"</p></div> + +<p>The President took both of Jennie's hands in his.</p> + +<p>"I need not tell you, my dear, that I have done and am doing my level +best. The policy of the new Federal Commander is to refuse all offers of +exchange. You understand my position?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span></p> +<p>"Perfectly," was the sorrowful answer. "I only came as a duty to bear +his dying message—"</p> + +<p>"Express to your father and mother my deepest sympathy."</p> + +<p>With a gentle pressure of the Chieftain's hand the girl answered:</p> + +<p>"I need not tell you I appreciate it—"</p> + +<p>The President watched her go with a look of helpless anguish. His +troubles for the moment had only begun. The returned prisoners had +marched in a body to his office to thank their Chief for his sympathy +and help and asked him to say something to them.</p> + +<p>Jennie paused and stared in a dazed way into the poor shrunken faces. +When the President appeared every ragged hat was in the air and they +cheered with all the might of the strength that was left in them. The +girl burst into tears. These men, so forlorn, so dried up with a +strange, half-animal, hunted look in their eyes—others restless and +wild-looking—others calmly vacant in their stare as if they had been +dead for years!</p> + +<p>A poor mother was rushing in and out among them hunting for her son.</p> + +<p>"He was coming with you boys, you know!" she cried.</p> + +<p>She stopped suddenly and laughed at her own anxiety and confusion.</p> + +<p>"He's here somewhere—I just can't find him—help me, men!"</p> + +<p>She hadn't spoken his name, in her eager search for his loved face. She +kept lifting the cloth from a basket of provisions which she had cooked +that morning.</p> + +<p>"I've got his breakfast here—poor boy—I expect he's hungry."</p> + +<p>She had lost all consciousness of the crowd now. She was talking to +herself, trying to keep her courage up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span></p> + +<p>The President looked into the emaciated faces before him and lifted his +long arm in solemn salutation.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Soldiers of the South</i>:</p> + +<p>"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this tribute of your +loyalty. You were offered your freedom in prison at any moment if +you would take the oath and forswear your allegiance to the South. +You deliberately chose the living death to the betrayal of your +faith. I stand with uncovered head before you. I am proud to be the +Chief Executive of such men!"</p></div> + +<p>Again they cheered.</p> + +<p>The old mother with her basket was searching again for her boy.</p> + +<p>Jennie slipped an arm gently around her and led her away.</p> + +<p>On the day Lee left Richmond for the front to meet Grant's invading +host, the Confederate President was in agony over a letter from General +Winder portraying the want and suffering among the prisoners confined at +Andersonville.</p> + +<p>"If we could only get them across the Mississippi," Davis cried, "where +beef and supplies of all kind are abundant—but what can we do for them +here?"</p> + +<p>"Our men are in the same fix," Lee answered quickly, "except that +they're free. These sufferings are the result of our necessity, not of +our policy. Do not distress yourself."</p> + +<p>The South was entering now the darkest hours of her want. The market +price of food was beyond the reach of the poor or even the moderately +well-to-do. Turkeys sold for $60 each. Flour was $300 a barrel, corn +meal $50 a bushel. Boots were $200 a pair. A man's coat cost $350—his +trousers $100. He could get along without a vest. Wood was $50 a cord. +It took $1,800 to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span> buy $100 in gold.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this universal suffering the yellow journals of the +South, led by the Richmond <i>Examiner</i>, made the most bitter and +determined assaults on Davis to force him to a policy of retaliation on +Northern prisoners.</p> + +<p>"Hoist the black flag!" shrieked the <i>Examiner</i>. "Retaliate on these +Yankee prisoners for the starvation and abuse of our men in the North—a +land teeming with plenty." The President was held up to the scorn and +curses of the Southern people because with quiet dignity he refused to +lower the standard of his Government to a policy of revenge on helpless +soldiers in his power.</p> + +<p>To a Committee of the Confederate Congress who waited on him with these +insane demands he answered with scorn:</p> + +<p>"You dare ask me to torture helpless prisoners of war! I will resign my +office at the call of my country. But no people have the right to demand +such deeds at my hands!"</p> + +<p>In answer to this brave, humane stand of the Southern President the +<i>Examiner</i> had the unspeakable effrontery to accuse him of clemency to +his captives that he might curry favor with the North and shield himself +if the South should fail.</p> + +<p>No characteristic of Davis was more marked than his regard for the weak, +the helpless and the captive. His final answer to his assailants was to +repeat with emphasis his orders to General Winder to see to it that the +same rations issued to Confederate soldiers in the field should be given +to all prisoners of war, though taken from a starving army and people.</p> + +<p>Enraged by the defeat of their mad schemes, the conspirators drew +together now to depose Davis and set up a military dictatorship.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL</h2> + +<h3>IN SIGHT OF VICTORY</h3> + + +<p>When Grant crossed the Rapidan with his army of one hundred forty-one +thousand one hundred and sixty men Lee faced him with sixty-four +thousand. The problem of saving Richmond from the tremendous force under +the personal command of the most successful general of the North was not +the only danger which threatened the Confederate Capital. Butler was +pressing from the Peninsula with forty thousand men along the line of +McClellan's old march, supported again by the navy.</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis knew the task before Lee to be a gigantic one yet he did +not believe that Grant would succeed in reaching Richmond.</p> + +<p>The moment the Federal general crossed the Rapidan and threw his army +into the tangled forest of the Wilderness, Lee sprang from the jungles +at his throat.</p> + +<p>Battle followed battle in swift and terrible succession. At Cold Harbor +thirty days later the climax came. Grant lost ten thousand men in twenty +minutes. The Northern general had set out to hammer Lee to death by +steady, remorseless pounding. At the end of a month he had lost more +than sixty thousand men and Lee's army was as strong as when the fight +began.</p> + +<p>Grant's campaign to take Richmond was the bloodiest and most tragic +failure in the history of war. The North in bitter anguish demanded his +removal from command. Lincoln stubbornly refused to interfere with his +bulldog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span> fighter. He sent him word to hold on and chew and choke.</p> + +<p>As Grant in his whirl of blood approached the old battle grounds of +McClellan, Davis rode out daily to confer with Lee. He was never more +cheerful—never surer of the safety of his Capital. His faith in God and +the certainty that he would in the end give victory to a cause so just +and holy grew in strength with the report from each glorious field. No +doubt of the right or justice of his cause ever entered his mind. Day +and night he repeated the lines of his favorite hymn:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand,<br /> +Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand."<br /> +</p> + +<p>Again and again he said to his wife half in soliloquy, half in exalted +prayer:</p> + +<p>"We can conquer a peace against the world in arms and keep the rights of +freemen if we are worthy of the privilege!"</p> + +<p>The spirit which animated the patriotic soldiers who followed their +commander in this bloody campaign was in every way as high as that which +inspired their President.</p> + +<p>Jennie spent an hour each day ministering to the sick prisoners who had +returned from the North and were unable to go further than Richmond. It +was her service of love for Jimmie's friends and comrades.</p> + +<p>A poor fellow was dying of the want he had endured in prison. He lifted +his dimmed eyes to hers:</p> + +<p>"Will you write to my wife for me, Miss?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes—I will."</p> + +<p>"And give her my love—"</p> + +<p>He paused for breath and fumbled in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I've a letter from her here—read it before you write. Our little girl +had malaria. She tried willow tea and everything she could think of for +the chills. The doctor said n<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span>othin' but quinine could save her. She +couldn't get it, the blockade was too tight, and so our baby died—and +now I'm dyin' and my poor starvin' girl will have nothin' to comfort +her—but—"</p> + +<p>He gasped and lifted himself on his elbow.</p> + +<p>"If our folks can just quit free men, it's all right. It's all right!"</p> + +<p>The women and children of Richmond were suffering now for food. The +Thirteenth Virginia regiment sent Billy Barton into the city with a +contribution for their relief.</p> + +<p>Billy delivered it to Jennie with more than a boy's pride. There was +something bigger in the quiet announcement he made.</p> + +<p>"Here's one day's rations from the regiment, sis," he said—"all our +flour, pork, bacon and meal. The boys are fasting to-day. It's their +love offering to those we've left at home—"</p> + +<p>Jennie kissed him.</p> + +<p>"It's beautiful of you and your men, boy. Give my love to them all and +tell them I'm proud to be their countrywoman—"</p> + +<p>"And they're proud of their country and their General, too—maybe you +wouldn't believe it—but every regiment in Lee's army has reënlisted for +the war."</p> + +<p>She seized Billy's hand.</p> + +<p>"Come with me—I want you to see the President and tell him what your +regiment has done. It'll help him."</p> + +<p>As they approached the White House a long, piercing scream came through +the open windows.</p> + +<p>"What on earth?" Jennie exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"An accident of some kind," the boy answered, seizing her arm and +hurrying forward. Every window and door of the big lonely house set +apart on its hill swung wide open, the lights streaming through them, +the wind blowing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span>the curtains through the windows. The lights blazed +even in the third story.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burton Harrison, the wife of the President's Secretary, met them at +the door, her eyes red with weeping.</p> + +<p>She pressed Jennie's hand.</p> + +<p>"Little Joe has been killed—"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Davis' beautiful boy—impossible!"</p> + +<p>"He climbed over the bannisters and fell to the brick pavement and died +a few minutes after his mother reached his side—"</p> + +<p>The girl could make no answer. She had come on a sudden impulse to cheer +the lonely leader of her people. Perhaps his need in this dark hour had +called her. She thought of Socola's story of his mother's vision and +wondered with a sudden pang of self-pity where the man she loved was +to-night.</p> + +<p>This beautiful child, named in honor of his favorite brother, was the +greatest joy of the badgered soul of the Confederate leader.</p> + +<p>Suddenly his white face appeared at the head of the stairs. A courier +had come from the battlefield with an important dispatch. Grant and Lee +were locked in their death grapple in the Wilderness. He would try even +in this solemn hour to do his whole duty.</p> + +<p>He passed the sympathetic group murmuring a sentence whose pathos +brought the tears again to Jennie's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Not my will, O Lord, but thine—thine—thine!"</p> + +<p>He took the dispatch from the courier's hand and held it open for some +time, staring at it with fixed gaze.</p> + +<p>He searched the courier's face and asked pathetically:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span></p> +<p>"Will you tell me, my friend, what is in it—I—I—cannot read—"</p> + +<p>The courier read the message in low tones. A great battle was joined. +The fate of a nation hung on its issue. The stricken man drew from his +pocket a tiny gold pencil and tried to write an answer—stopped suddenly +and pressed his hand on his heart.</p> + +<p>Billy sprang to his side and seized the dispatch:</p> + +<p>"I'll take the message to General Cooper—Mr. President—"</p> + +<p>The white face turned to the young soldier and looked at him pitifully:</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my son—thank you—it is best—I must have this hour with +our little boy—leave me with my dead!"</p> + +<p>Jennie stayed to help the stricken home.</p> + +<p>She took little Jeff in her arms to rock him to sleep. He drew her head +down and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Miss Jennie, I got to Joe first after he fell. I knelt down beside him +and said all the prayers I know—but God wouldn't wake him!"</p> + +<p>The girl drew the child close and kissed the reddened eyes. Over her +head beat the steady tramp of the father's feet, back and forth, back +and forth, a wounded lion in his cage. The windows and doors were still +wide open, the curtains waving wan and ghostlike from their hangings.</p> + +<p>Two days later she followed the funeral procession to the +cemetery—thousands of children, each child with a green bough or bunch +of flowers to pile on the red mound.</p> + +<p>A beautiful girl pushed her way to Jennie's side and lifted a handful of +snowdrops.</p> + +<p>"Please put these on little Joe," she said wistfully. "I knew him so +well."</p> + +<p>With a sob the child turned and fled. Jennie never learned her name. +She turned to the grave again, her gaze fixed on t<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span>he striking figure of +the grief-stricken father, bareheaded, straight as an arrow, his fine +face silhouetted against the shining Southern sky. The mother stood back +amid the shadows, in her somber wrappings, her tall figure drooped in +pitiful grief.</p> + +<p>The leader turned quickly from his personal sorrows to those of his +country, his indomitable courage rising to greater heights as dangers +thickened.</p> + +<p>Two weeks later General Sheridan attempted what Dahlgren tried and +failed to accomplish.</p> + +<p>The President hurried from his office to his home, seized his pistols, +mounted his horse and rode out to join Generals Gracie and Ransom who +were placing their skeleton brigades to repulse the attack.</p> + +<p>The crack of rifles could be distinctly heard from the Executive +Mansion.</p> + +<p>The mother called her children to prayers. As little Jeff knelt he +raised his chubby face and said with solemn earnestness:</p> + +<p>"You had better have my pony saddled, and let me go out and help +father—we can pray afterwards!"</p> + +<p>In driving Sheridan's cavalry back from Richmond General Stuart fell at +Yellow Tavern mortally wounded—the bravest of the brave—a full Major +General who had won immortal fame at thirty-one years of age. His +beautiful wife, the daughter of a Union General, Philip St. George +Cooke, could not reach his bedside before he breathed his last.</p> + +<p>The President reverently entered the death chamber and stood for fifteen +minutes holding the hand of his brilliant young commander.</p> + +<p>They told him that he could not live to see his wife.</p> + +<p>"I should have liked to have seen her," he said gently, "but God's will +be done."</p> + +<p>The doctor felt his fast fading pulse.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span></p> +<p>"Doctor, I suppose I'm going fast now," Stuart said. "It will soon be +over. I hope I have fulfilled my duty to my country and my God—"</p> + +<p>"Your end is near, General Stuart," the doctor responded softly.</p> + +<p>"All right," was the even answer. "I'll end my little affairs down here. +To Mrs. Robert E. Lee I give my gold spurs, in eternal memory of the +love I bear my glorious Chief. To my staff, my horses—"</p> + +<p>He paused and turned to the heavier officer who stood with bowed head.</p> + +<p>"You take the larger one—he'll carry you better. To my son I leave my +sword—"</p> + +<p>He was silent a moment and then said with an effort:</p> + +<p>"Now I want you to sing for me the song I love best:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"'Rock of ages cleft for me<br /> +Let me hide myself in thee'"—<br /> +</p> + +<p>With his fast-failing breath he joined in the song, turned and murmured:</p> + +<p>"I'm going fast now—God's will be done—"</p> + +<p>So passed the greatest cavalry leader our country has produced—a man +whose joyous life was one long feast of good will toward his fellow men.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In spite of all losses, in spite of four years of frightful carnage, in +spite of the loss of the Mississippi, the States of Louisiana and +Tennessee, the Confederacy was in sight of victory.</p> + +<p>Lee had baffled Grant's great army at every turn and now held him +securely at bay before Petersburg. The North was mortally tired of the +bloody struggle. The party which demanded peace was greater than any +political division—it included thousands of the best men in the par<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span>ty +of Abraham Lincoln.</p> + +<p>The nomination of General McClellan for President on a platform +declaring the war a failure and demanding that it end was a foregone +conclusion. Jefferson Davis knew this from inside information his +friends had sent from every section of the North.</p> + +<p>The Confederacy had only to hold its lines intact until the first Monday +in November and the Northern voters would end the war.</p> + +<p>The one point of mortal danger to the South lay in the mental structure +of Joseph E. Johnston, the man whom Davis had been persuaded, against +his better judgment, to appoint to the command of one of the greatest +armies the Confederacy had ever put into the field.</p> + +<p>Johnston had been sent to Dalton, Georgia, and placed in command of +sixty-eight thousand picked Confederate soldiers with which to attack +and drive Sherman out of the lower South.</p> + +<p>Lee with sixty-four thousand had defeated Grant's one hundred and forty +thousand. Richmond was safe, and the North was besieging Washington with +an army of heart-broken mothers and fathers who demanded Grant's +removal.</p> + +<p>No effort was spared by Davis to enable Johnston to stay Sherman's +advance and assume the offensive. The whole military strength of the +South and West was pressed forward to him. His commissary and ordnance +departments were the best in the Confederacy. His troops were eager to +advance and retrieve the disaster at Missionary Ridge—the first and +only case of panic and cowardice that had marred the brilliant record of +the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>The position of Johnston's army was one of commanding strength. Long +mountain ranges, with few and difficult passes, made it next to +impossible for Sherman to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span> turn his flank or dislodge him by direct +attack. Sherman depended for his supplies on a single line of railroad +from Nashville.</p> + +<p>Davis confidently believed that Johnston could crush Sherman in the +first pitched battle and render his position untenable.</p> + +<p>And then began the most remarkable series of retreats recorded in the +history of war.</p> + +<p>Without a blow and without waiting for an attack, Johnston suddenly +withdrew from his trenches at Dalton and ran eighteen miles into the +interior of Georgia. He stopped at Resaca in a strong position on a +peninsula formed by the junction of two rivers fortified by rifle pits +and earthworks.</p> + +<p>He gave this up and ran thirteen miles further into Georgia to +Adairsville. Not liking the looks of Adairsville he struck camp and ran +to Cassville seventeen miles.</p> + +<p>He then declared he would fight Sherman at Kingston. Sherman failing to +divide his army, as Johnston had supposed he would, he changed his mind +and ran beyond Etowah. He next retreated to Alatoona. Here Sherman +spread out his army, threatened Marietta and Johnston ran again.</p> + +<p>On July fifth he ran from Kenesaw Mountain and took refuge behind the +Chattahoochee River.</p> + +<p>From Dalton to Resaca, from Resaca to Adairsville, from Adairsville to +Alatoona (involving the loss of Kingston and Rome with their mills, +foundries and military stores), from Alatoona to Kenesaw, from Kenesaw +to the Chattahoochee and then tumbled into the trenches before Atlanta.</p> + +<p>Retreat had followed retreat for two months and a half over one hundred +and fifty miles to the gates of Atlanta without a single pitched +battle!</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span></p> +<p>Davis watched this tragedy unfold its appalling scenes with increasing +bitterness, disappointment and alarm.</p> + +<p>The demand for Johnston's removal was overwhelming in the State of +Georgia whose gate city was now besieged by Sherman. The people of the +whole South had watched this retreat of a hundred and fifty miles into +their territory with sickening hearts.</p> + +<p>Again Johnston began his nagging and complaining to the Richmond +authorities. His most important message was an accusation of disloyalty +against Joseph E. Brown. He telegraphed in blunt plain English:</p> + +<p>"The Governor of Georgia refuses me provisions and the use of his +roads."</p> + +<p>Brown answered:</p> + +<p>"The roads are open to him and in capital condition. I have furnished +him abundantly with provisions."</p> + +<p>The President of the Confederacy now faced the most dangerous and tragic +decision of his entire administration. The removal of Johnston from his +command before Sherman's victorious army in the heart of Georgia could +be justified only on the grounds of the sternest necessity. The +Commanding General not only had the backing of his powerful junta in +Richmond who were now busy with their conspiracy to establish a +dictatorship and oust the President from his office, but he was +immensely popular with his army. His care for his soldiers was fatherly. +His painful efforts to save their lives, even at the cost of the loss of +his country, were duly appreciated by the leaders of opinion in the +army. Johnston had the power to draw and hold the good will of the men +who surrounded him. He had the power, too, of infecting his men with his +likes and dislikes. His hatred of Davis had been for three years the +one mania of his sulking mind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span></p> + +<p>To remove him from command in such a crisis was to challenge a mutiny in +his army which might lead to serious results. Yet if he should continue +to retreat, and back out of Atlanta without a fight as he had backed out +of every position for the one hundred and fifty miles from Dalton, the +results would be still more appalling.</p> + +<p>The loss of Atlanta at this moment meant the defeat of the peace party +of the North, and the reëlection of Lincoln. If Lincoln should be +elected it was inconceivable that the South could continue the unequal +struggle for four years more.</p> + +<p>If Johnston would only hold his trenches and save Atlanta for a few days +the South would win. Lee could hold Grant indefinitely.</p> + +<p>The thought which appalled Davis was the suspicion which now amounted to +a practical certainty that his retreating General would evacuate Atlanta +as he had threatened to abandon Richmond when confronted by McClellan, +and had abandoned Vicksburg without a blow.</p> + +<p>He must know this with absolute certainty before yielding to the demand +for his removal. That no possible mistake could be made, he dispatched +his Chief of Staff, General Braxton Bragg, to Atlanta for conference +with Johnston and make a personal report.</p> + +<p>Bragg reported that Johnston was arranging to abandon Atlanta without a +battle and the President promptly removed him from command and appointed +Hood in his place.</p> + +<p>When Hood assumed command of the disgruntled army, it was too late to +save Atlanta. Had Johnston delivered battle with his full force at +Dalton, Sherman might have been crushed as Rosecrans was overwhelmed at +Chickamauga.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span></p> +<p>Hood's army was driven back into their trenches. Sherman threw his hosts +under cover of night on a wide flanking movement and Atlanta fell.</p> + +<p>Under the mighty impulse of this news Lincoln was reëlected, the peace +party of the North defeated and the doom of the Confederacy sealed.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI</h2> + +<h3>THE FALL OF RICHMOND</h3> + + +<p>The conspirators who had complained most bitterly of Davis for the +appointment of Lee to the command of the army before Richmond when +McClellan was thundering at its gates, now succeeded in passing through +the Confederate Congress a bill to create a military dictatorship which +they offered to the man for whose promotion they had condemned the +President.</p> + +<p>Lee treated this attempt to strike the Confederate Chieftain over his +head with the contempt it deserved. Davis laughed at his enemies by the +most complete acceptance of their plans.</p> + +<p>His answer to Senator Barton's committee was explicit.</p> + +<p>"I have absolute confidence in General Lee's patriotism and military +genius. I will gladly coöperate with Congress in any plan to place him +in supreme command."</p> + +<p>Lee refused to accept the responsibility except with the advice and +direction of the President, and the conspiracy ended in a fiasco.</p> + +<p>From the moment Sherman's army pierced the heart of the South the +Confederate President saw with clear vision that the cause of Southern +independence was lost. Lee's army must slowly starve. His one supreme +purpose now was to fight to the last ditch for better terms than +unconditional surrender which would mean the loss of billions in +property and the possible enfranchisement of a million slaves.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span></p> +<p>That Lincoln was intensely anxious to stop the shedding of blood he knew +from more than one authentic source. It was rumored that the Northern +President was willing to consider compensation for the slaves. An army +of a hundred thousand determined Southern soldiers led by an indomitable +general could fight indefinitely. That it was of the utmost importance +to the life of the South to secure a surrender which would forbid the +enfranchisement of the slaves and the degradation of an electorate to +their level, Davis saw with clear vision. From the North now came +overtures of peace. Francis P. Blair asked for permission to visit +Richmond.</p> + +<p>Blair proposed to end the war by uniting the armies of the North and +South for an advance on Mexico to maintain the Monroe Doctrine against +the new Emperor whom Europe had set upon a throne in the Western +Hemisphere.</p> + +<p>The Confederate President received his proposals with courtesy.</p> + +<p>"I have tried in vain, Mr. Blair," he said gravely, "to open +negotiations with Washington. How can the first step be taken?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Lincoln, I am sure, will receive commissioners—though he would +give me no assurance on that point. We must stop this deluge of blood. I +cherish the hope that the pride and honor of the Southern States will +suffer no shock in the adjustment."</p> + +<p>The result of this meeting was the appointment by Davis of three +Commissioners to meet the representatives of the United States. +Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter and Judge John A. Campbell were +sent to this important conference. For some unknown reason they were +halted at Fortress Monroe and not allowed to proceed to Washington. A +change had been suddenly produced in the attitude of the National +Government. Whether it was due to the talk of the men in Richmond<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span> who +were trying to depose Davis or whether it was due to the fall of Fort +Fisher and the closing of the port of Wilmington, the last artery which +connected the Confederacy with the outside world, could not be known.</p> + +<p>The Confederate Commissioners were met by Abraham Lincoln himself and +his Secretary of State, William H. Seward, in Hampton Roads. The +National Government demanded in effect, unconditional surrender.</p> + +<p>Davis used the indignant surprise with which this startling announcement +was received in Richmond and the South to rouse the people to a last +desperate effort to save the country from the deluge which the Radical +wing of the Northern Congress had now threatened—the confiscation of +the property of the whites and the enfranchisement of the negro race. In +his judgment this could only be done by forcing the National Government +through a prolongation of the war to pledge the South some measure of +protection before they should lay down their arms.</p> + +<p>Mass meetings were held and the people called to defend their cause with +their last drop of blood. The President made a speech that night to a +crowd in the Metropolitan Hall on Franklin Street in Richmond which +swept them into a frenzy of patriotic passion. Even his bitterest enemy, +the editor of the <i>Examiner</i>, was spellbound by his eloquence.</p> + +<p>When he first appeared on the speakers' stand and lifted his tall thin +figure, gazing over the crowd with glittering eye, a tremendous cheer +swept the assembly. In that moment, he was the incarnate Soul of the +South. The Chieftain of the men who wore the gray in this hour of solemn +trial, stood before them with countenance like the lightning. Cheer on +cheer rose and fell with throbbing passion.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span></p> +<p>A smile of strange prophetic sweetness lighted his pale haggard face. +The ovation he received was the sure promise to his tired soul that when +the passions and prejudices, the agony and madness of war had passed the +people would understand all he had tried to do in their service. In that +moment of divine illumination he saw his place in the hearts of his +countrymen and was content.</p> + +<p>He spoke with even restrained flow of words, with a mastery of himself +and his audience that is the mark of the orator of the highest genius. +His gestures were few. His low, vibrant, musical voice found the heart +of his farthest listener. He swayed them with indescribable passion.</p> + +<p>Into the faces of the foe who had demanded unconditional surrender he +hurled the defiance of an unconquered and unconquerable soul. He closed +with an historical illustration which lifted his audience to the highest +reach of emotion. Kossuth had abandoned Hungary with an army of thirty +thousand men in the field. The friends of liberty had never forgiven nor +could forgive this betrayal.</p> + +<p>"What shall we say," he cried, "of the disgrace beneath which we should +be buried if we surrender with an army in the field more numerous than +that with which Napoleon achieved the glory of France, an army standing +among its homesteads, an army in which each individual is superior in +warlike quality to the individual who opposes him!"</p> + +<p>When the tumult and applause had died away did he realize in the secret +places of his heart that the spirit of the South had been broken by the +terrible experiences of four years of blood and fire and death? His iron +will gave no sign. To him the manhood of the Southern soldier was +unconquerable, his courage dauntless forever.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span></p> +<p>Six months after Sherman's sword had pierced the heart of the South from +Atlanta, Lee's army in the trenches before Petersburg had reached the +end of their endurance. Lee wired Davis that his thin line could hold +back Grant's hosts but a few days and that Richmond must fall. His men +were living on parched corn.</p> + +<p>The President hurried to the White House and slipped his arm around his +wife.</p> + +<p>"You must leave the city, my dear."</p> + +<p>"Please let me stay with you," she pleaded.</p> + +<p>"Impossible," he answered firmly. "My headquarters must be in the +saddle. Your presence here could only grieve and distress me. You can +take care of our babies. I know you wish to help and comfort me. You can +do this in but one way—go and take the children to a place of safety—"</p> + +<p>He paused, overcome with emotion.</p> + +<p>"If I live," he continued slowly, "you can come to me when the struggle +is over, but I do not expect to survive the destruction of our +liberties."</p> + +<p>He drew his small hoard of gold from his pocket, removed a five-dollar +piece for himself, and gave it all to his wife together with the +Confederate money he had on hand.</p> + +<p>"You must take only your clothing," he said after a moment's silence. +"The flour and supplies in your pantry must be left. The people are in +want."</p> + +<p>He had arranged for his family to settle in North Carolina. The day +before his wife left, he gave her a pistol and taught her trembling +hands to load, aim and fire it.</p> + +<p>"The danger will be," he warned, "that you may full into the hands of +lawless bands of deserters from both armies who are even now pillaging +and burning. You can at least, if you must, force your assailants to +kill you. If you cannot remain undisturbed in your own land make for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> the +coast of Florida and take a ship for a foreign country."</p> + +<p>Their hearts dumb with despair, his wife and children boarded the +train—or the thing that once had been a train—the roof of the cars +leaked and the engine wheezed and moved with great distress.</p> + +<p>The stern face of the Southern leader was set in his hour of trial. He +felt that he might never again look on the faces of those he loved. His +little girl clung convulsively to his neck in agonizing prayer that she +might stay. The boy begged and pleaded with tears raining down his +chubby face.</p> + +<p>Just outside of Richmond the engine broke down and the heartsick family +sat in the dismal day-coach all night. Sleepers had not been invented. +They were twelve hours getting to Danville—a week on the way to +Charlotte.</p> + +<p>The reign of terror had already begun.</p> + +<p>The President's wife avoided seeing people lest they should be +compromised when the invading army should sweep over the State.</p> + +<p>They found everything packed up in the house that had been rented, but +Weill, the big-hearted Jew who was the agent, sent their meals from his +house for a week, refusing every suggestion of pay. He offered his own +purse or any other service he could render.</p> + +<p>When Burton Harrison had seen them safely established in Charlotte he +returned at once to his duties with the President in Richmond.</p> + +<p>On the beautiful Sunday morning of April 2, 1865, a messenger hurriedly +entered St. Paul's Church, walked to the President's pew and handed him +a slip of paper. He rose and quietly left.</p> + +<p>Not a rumor had reached the city of Lee's broken lines. In fact a false +rumor had been published of a great victory which his starving army had +achieved the day before.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span></p> + +<p>The report of the evacuation of Richmond fell on incredulous ears. The +streets were unusually quiet. Beyond the James the fresh green of the +spring clothed the fields in radiant beauty. The rumble of no artillery +disturbed the quiet. Scarcely a vehicle of any kind could be seen. The +church bells were still ringing their call to the house of God.</p> + +<p>The straight military figure entered the Executive office. A wagon +dashed down Main Street and backed up in front of the Custom House door. +Boxes were hurried from the President's office and loaded into it.</p> + +<p>A low hum and clatter began to rise from the streets. The news of +disaster and evacuation spread like lightning and disorder grew. The +streets were crowded with fugitives making their way to the depot—pale +women with disheveled hair and tear-stained faces leading barefooted +children who were crying in vague terror of something they could not +understand. Wagons were backed to the doors of every department of the +Confederate Government. As fast as they could be loaded they were driven +to the Danville depot.</p> + +<p>All was confusion and turmoil. Important officers were not to be seen +and when they were found would answer no questions. Here and there +groups of mean-visaged loafers began to gather with ominous looks toward +the houses of the better class.</p> + +<p>The halls of the silent Capitol building were deserted—a single +footfall echoed with hollow sound.</p> + +<p>The Municipal Council gathered in a dingy little room to consider the +surrender of the city. Mayor Mayo dashed in and out with the latest +information he could get from the War Department. He was slightly +incoherent in his excitement, but he was full of pluck and chewed +tobacco defiantly. He announced that the last hope was gone and that he +would maintain order with two r<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span>egiments of militia.</p> + +<p>He gave orders to destroy every drop of liquor in the stores, saloons +and warehouses and establish a patrol.</p> + +<p>The militia slipped through the fingers of their officers and in a few +hours the city was without a government. Disorder, pillage, shouts, +revelry and confusion were the order of the night. Black masses of men +swayed and surged through the dimly-lighted streets, smashing into +stores and warehouses at will. Some of them were carrying out the +Mayor's orders to destroy the liquor. Others decided that the best way +to destroy it was to drink it. The gutters ran with liquor and the fumes +filled the air.</p> + +<p>To the rear guard of Lee's army under Ewell was left the task of blowing +up the vessels in the James, and destroying the bridges across the +river. The thunder of exploding mines and torpedoes now shook the earth. +The ships were blown to atoms and the wharves fired.</p> + +<p>In vain the Mayor protested against the firing of the great warehouses. +Orders were orders, and the soldiers obeyed. The warehouses were fired, +the sparks leaped to the surrounding buildings and the city was in +flames.</p> + +<p>As day dawned a black pall of smoke obscured the heavens. The sun's rays +lighted the banks of rolling smoke with lurid glare. The roar of the +conflagration now drowned all other sounds.</p> + +<p>The upper part of Main Street was choked with pillagers—men with drays, +some with bags, some rolling their stolen barrels painfully up the +hills.</p> + +<p>A small squadron of Federal cavalry rode calmly into the wild scene. +General Weitzel, in command of the two divisions of Grant's army on the +north side, had sent in forty Massachusetts troopers to investigate +conditions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the corner of Eleventh Street they broke into a trot for the Square +and planted their guidons on the Capitol of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>Long before this advance guard could be seen in the distance the old +flag of the Union had been flung from the top of the house on Church +Hill. Foreseeing the fall of the city Miss Van Lew had sent to the +Federal Commander for a flag. Through his scouts he had sent it. As +Weitzel's two grand divisions swung into Main Street this piece of +bunting eighteen feet long and nine feet wide waved from the Van Lew +mansion on the hill above them.</p> + +<p>Stretching from the Exchange Hotel to the slopes of Church Hill, down +the hill, through the valley, and up the ascent swept this gorgeous +array of the triumphant army, its bayonets gleaming in the sunlight, +every standard, battle flag and guidon streaming in the sky, every band +playing, swords flashing, and shout after shout rolling from end to end +of the line.</p> + +<p>To the roar of the flames, the throb of drum, the scream of fife, the +crash of martial music, and the shouts of marching hosts, was added now +the deep thunder of exploding shells in the burning arsenals.</p> + +<p>A regiment of negro cavalry swept by the Exchange Hotel and as they +turned the corner drew their sabers with a savage shout.</p> + +<p>An old Virginian with white locks standing in the doorway of the hotel +gazed on these negro troops a moment, threw his hands on high, and +solemnly cried:</p> + +<p>"Blow, Gabriel! Blow your trumpet—for God's sake blow!"</p> + +<p>For hours the fire raged unchecked—burned until the entire business +section of the city lay a smoldering heap of ashes. Crowds of men, women +and children crowded the Capitol Square fighting with smoke and flying +cinders for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span>a breath of fresh air. Piles of furniture lay heaped on its +greensward. Terror-stricken, weeping women had dragged it from their +homes. In improvised tents made of broken tables and chairs covered with +sheets and bedding hundreds of homeless women and children huddled.</p> + +<p>As night fell the pitiful reaction came from the turmoil and excitement +of the day. The quiet of a great desolation brooded over the smoking +ruins.</p> + +<p>In the rich and powerful North millions were mad with joy. In New York +twenty thousand people gathered in Union Square and sang the Doxology.</p> + +<p>Jennie Barton was in Richmond through it all and yet the tragedy made no +impression on her heart or mind. A greater event absorbed her.</p> + +<p>Dick Welford had hurried to Lee's army on the day following Socola's +departure from Richmond. He wanted to fight once more. Through all the +whirlwind of death and blood from the first crash with Grant in the +Wilderness to his vain assaults on Petersburg he had fought without a +scratch. His life was charmed. And then in the first day of the final +struggle which broke the lines of Lee's starving army he fell, leading +his men in a glorious charge. He reached the hospital in Richmond the +day before the city's evacuation.</p> + +<p>Jennie had watched by his bedside every hour since his arrival. But few +words passed between them. She let him hold her hand for hours in +silence, always looking, looking and smiling his deathless love.</p> + +<p>He had not spoken Socola's name nor had she.</p> + +<p>"It's funny, Jennie," he said at last, "I don't hate him any more—"</p> + +<p>The girl's head drooped and the tears streamed down her checks.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span></p> +<p>"Please, Dick—don't—"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he insisted, "I want to talk about it and you must hear me—won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you wish it," she answered tenderly.</p> + +<p>"You see I don't hate these Yankee soldiers any more—anyhow. I saw too +many of them die from the Wilderness to Petersburg—brave manly fellows. +The fire of battle has burned the hate out of me. Now I just want you to +be happy, Jennie dear, that's all—good-by—"</p> + +<p>His hand slipped from hers and in a moment his spirit had passed.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII</h2> + +<h3>THE CAPTURE</h3> + + +<p>At midnight on the day of the evacuation the President and his Cabinet +left Richmond for Danville. He still believed that Lee might cut his way +through Grant's lines and join his army with Johnston's in North +Carolina. Lee had restored Johnston to command of the small army that +yet survived in opposition to Sherman. He had hopes that Johnston's +personal popularity with the soldiers might in a measure restore their +spirits.</p> + +<p>The President established his temporary Capital at Danville. G. W. +Sutherlin placed his beautiful home at his disposal. Communications with +Lee had been cut and the wildest rumors were afloat. Davis wrote his +last proclamation urging his people to maintain their courage.</p> + +<p>In this remarkable document he said:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I announce to you, my fellow countrymen, that it is my purpose to +maintain your cause with my whole heart and soul. I will never +consent to abandon to the enemy one foot of the soil of any of the +States of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>"If by stress of numbers, we should be compelled to a temporary +withdrawal from the limits of Virginia or any other border State, +we will return until the baffled and exhausted enemy shall abandon +in despair his endless and impossible task of making slaves of a +people resolved to be free.</p> + +<p>"Let us, then, not despair, my countrymen, but, relying on God, +meet the foe with fresh defiance, and with unconquered and +unconquerable hearts."</p></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span></p> +<p>So Washington spoke to his starving, freezing little army at Valley +Forge in the darkest hour of our struggle for independence against Great +Britain. With the help of France Washington succeeded at last.</p> + +<p>Davis was destined to fail. No friendly foreign power came to his aid. +His courage was none the less sublime for this reason.</p> + +<p>Lee's skeleton army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, and Davis +hurried to Greensboro where Johnston and Beauregard were encamped with +twenty-eight thousand men. Two hundred school girls marched to the house +in Danville and cheered him as he left.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sutherlin in the last hour of his stay asked for a moment of his +time.</p> + +<p>He ushered her into his room with grave courtesy.</p> + +<p>"Dear Madam," he began smilingly, "you have risked your home and the +safety of your husband to honor me and the South. I thank you for myself +and the people. Is there anything I can do to show how much I appreciate +it?"</p> + +<p>"You have greatly honored us by accepting our hospitality," was the +quick cheerful answer. "We shall always be rich in its memory. I have +but one favor to ask of you—"</p> + +<p>"Name it—"</p> + +<p>She drew a bag from a basket and handed it to him.</p> + +<p>"Accept this little gift we have saved. It will help you on your +journey. It's only a thousand dollars in gold—I wish it were more."</p> + +<p>The President's eyes grew dim and he shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No—no—dear, dear Mrs. Sutherlin. Your needs will be greater than +mine. Besides, I have asked all for the cause—nothing for +myself—nothing!"</p> + +<p>He left Danville with heart warmed by the smiles and cheers of two +hundred beautiful girls and the offer of every dolla<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span>r a patriotic woman +possessed.</p> + +<p>He had need of its memory to cheer him at Greensboro. Here he felt for +the first time the results of the malignant campaign which Holden's +Raleigh <i>Standard</i> had waged against him and his administration. So +great was the panic and so bitter the feeling which Holden's sheet had +roused that it was impossible for the President and his Cabinet to find +accommodations in any hotel or house. He was compelled to camp in a +freight car.</p> + +<p>It remained for a brave Southern woman to resent this insult to the +Chieftain. When Mrs. C. A. L'Hommedieu learned that the President was in +town, housed in a freight car and shunned by the citizens, she sent him +a note and begged him to make her house his home and to honor her by +commanding anything in it and all that she possessed.</p> + +<p>The leader was at this moment preparing to leave for Charlotte and had +to decline her generous and brave offer. But he was deeply moved. He +stopped his work to write her a beautiful letter of thanks.</p> + +<p>His interview with Johnston and Beauregard was strained and formal. +Johnston's army in its present position in the hands of a resolute and +daring commander could have formed a light column of ten thousand +cavalry and cut its way through all opposition to the Mississippi River. +Knowing the character of his General so well he had small hopes.</p> + +<p>After receiving the report of the condition of the army the President +called his Cabinet to consider what should be done.</p> + +<p>Johnston sat at as great a distance from Davis as the room would permit.</p> + +<p>The President reviewed briefly the situation and turned calmly to +Johnston:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span></p> +<p>"General, we should like now to hear your views."</p> + +<p>The reply was given with brutal brevity and in tones of unconcealed +defiance and hatred.</p> + +<p>"Sir," the great retreater blurted out, "my views are that our people +are tired of war, feel themselves whipped and will not fight."</p> + +<p>A dead silence followed.</p> + +<p>The President turned in quiet dignity to Beauregard:</p> + +<p>"And what do you say, General Beauregard?"</p> + +<p>"I agree with what General Johnston has said," he replied.</p> + +<p>There was no appeal from the decision of these two commanders in such an +hour. The President dictated a letter to General Sherman suggesting +their surrender and outlining the advantageous terms which the Northern +Commander accepted.</p> + +<p>And then the Confederate Chieftain received a message so amazing he +could not at first credit its authority.</p> + +<p>A courier from Sherman conveyed the announcement to Johnston that Davis +might leave the country on a United States vessel and take whoever and +whatever he pleased with him.</p> + +<p>The answer of Jefferson Davis was characteristic.</p> + +<p>"Please thank General Sherman for his offer and say that I can do no act +which will put me under obligations to the Federal Government."</p> + +<p>Sherman had asked Lincoln at their last interview whether he should +capture Davis or let him go.</p> + +<p>A sunny smile overspread the rugged features of the National President:</p> + +<p>"That reminds me," he said, "of a temperance lecturer in Illinois. Wet +and cold he stopped for the night at a wayside inn. The landlord, noting +his condition, asked if he would have a glass of brandy.</p> + +<p>"'No—no—' came the quick reply. 'I am a temperance lecturer and do +not drink—' he paused and his voice dropped <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span>to a whisper—'I would like +some water however—and if you should of <i>your own</i> accord, put a little +brandy in it <i>unbeknownst</i> to me—why, it will be all right.'"</p> + +<p>Sherman was trying to carry out the wishes of the man with the loving +heart.</p> + +<p>At Charlotte Davis was handed a telegram announcing the assassination of +Abraham Lincoln. His thin fate went death white. Handing the telegram to +his Secretary, he quietly said:</p> + +<p>"I am sorry. We have lost our noblest and best friend in the court of +the enemy."</p> + +<p>He immediately telegraphed the news to his wife who had fled further +south to Abbeville, South Carolina. Mrs. Davis burst into tears on +reading the fatal message. Her woman's intuition saw the vision of +horror which the tragedy meant to her and to her stricken people.</p> + +<p>The President left Charlotte with an escort of a thousand cavalrymen for +Abbeville. His journey was slow. The wagons were carrying all that +remained of the Confederate Treasury with the money in currency from the +Richmond banks which had been entrusted to the care of the Secretary of +the Treasury.</p> + +<p>Davis stopped at a little cabin on the roadside and asked the lady who +stood in the doorway for a drink of water.</p> + +<p>She turned to comply with his request.</p> + +<p>While he was drinking a baby barely able to walk crawled down the steps +and toddled to him.</p> + +<p>The mother smiled.</p> + +<p>"Is this not President Davis?" she asked tremblingly.</p> + +<p>"It is, Madam," he answered with a bow.</p> + +<p>She pointed proudly to the child:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span></p> +<p>"He's named for you!"</p> + +<p>The President drew a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the +mother.</p> + +<p>"Please keep it for my little namesake and tell him when he is old +enough to know."</p> + +<p>As he rode away with Reagan, his faithful Postmaster General, he said:</p> + +<p>"The last coin I had on earth, Reagan. I wouldn't have had that but for +the fact I'd never seen one like it and kept it for luck."</p> + +<p>"I reckon the war's about finished us," the General replied.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Davis cheerfully answered. "My home is a wreck. Benjamin's and +Breckinridge's are in Federal hands. Mallory's fine residence at +Pensacola has been burned by the enemy. Your home in Texas has been +wrecked and burned—"</p> + +<p>He paused and drew from his pocketbook a few Confederate bills.</p> + +<p>"That is my estate at the present moment."</p> + +<p>He received next day a letter from his wife which greatly cheered him:</p> + + +<p class="quote"> +"<i>Abbeville, S. C.</i>, April 28, 1865.<br /> +"<i>My dear old Husband</i>:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="quote">"Your very sweet letter reached me safely by Mr. Harrison and was a +great relief. I leave here in the morning at 6 o'clock for the wagon +train going to Georgia. Washington will be the first place I shall +unload at. From there we shall probably go on to Atlanta or thereabouts, +and wait a little until we hear something of you. Let me beseech you not +to calculate upon seeing me unless I happen to cross your shortest path +toward your bourne, be that what it may.</p> + +<p class="quote">"It is surely not the fate to which you invited me in the <i>brighter</i> +days. But you must remember that you did not invite me to a great hero's +home but to that of a plain farmer. I have shared all your triumphs, +been the only beneficiary o<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span>f them, now I am claiming the privilege for +the first time of being all to you, since these pleasures have passed +for me.</p> + +<p class="quote">"My plans are these, subject to your approval. I think I shall be able +to procure funds enough to enable me to put the two eldest to school. I +shall go to Florida if possible and from thence go over to Bermuda or +Nassau, from thence to England, unless a good school offers elsewhere, +and put them to the best school I can find, and then with the two +youngest join you in Texas—and that is the prospect which bears me up, +to be once more with you if need be—but God loves those who obey Him +and I know there is a future for you.</p> + +<p class="quote">"Here they are all your friends and have the most unbounded confidence +in you. Mr. Burt and his wife have urged me to live with them—offered +to take the chances of the Yankees with us—begged to have little +Maggie—done everything in fact that relatives could do. I shall never +forget all their generous devotion to you.</p> + +<p class="quote">"I have seen a great many men who have gone through—not one has talked +fight. A stand cannot be made in this country! Do not be induced to try +it. As to the trans-Mississippi, I doubt if at first things will be +straight, but the spirit is there, and the daily accretions will be +great when the deluded of this side are crushed between the upper and +nether millstones. But you have not tried the 'strict construction' +fallacy. If we are to require a Constitution, it must be much stretched +during our hours of outside pressure if it covers us at all.</p> + +<p class="quote">"Be careful how you go to Augusta. I get rumors that Brown is going to +seize all Government property, and the people are averse and mean to +resist with pistols. They are a set of wretches together, and I wish you +were safe out of their land. God bless you, keep you. I have wrestled +with Him for you. I believe He will restore us to happiness.</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"Devotedly,<br /><br /> +"<span class="smcap">Your Wife</span>."<br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span>"Kindest regards to Robert, and thanks for faithful conduct. Love +to Johnson and John Wood. Maggie sends you her best love." +</p> + +<p>The President and his party reached Abbeville on May first, only to find +that his wife had left for Washington, Georgia.</p> + +<p>At Abbeville, in the home of Armistead Burt, Davis called his last +Cabinet meeting and council of war.</p> + +<p>There were present five brigade commanders, General Braxton Bragg, his +Chief-of-Staff, Breckinridge, Benjamin and Reagan of his Cabinet. The +indomitable spirit made the last appeal for courage and the continuance +of the fight until better terms could be made that might save the South +from utter ruin and the shame of possible negro rule.</p> + +<p>He faced them with firm resolution, his piercing eye undimmed by +calamity.</p> + +<p>"The South, gentlemen," he declared, "is in a panic for the moment. We +have resources to continue the war. Let those who remain with arms in +their hands set the example and others will rally. Let the brave men yet +with me renew their determination to fight. Around you reënforcements +will gather."</p> + +<p>The replies of his discouraged commanders were given in voices that sank +to whispers. Each man was called on for his individual opinion.</p> + +<p>Slowly and painfully each gave his answer in the negative. The war was +hopeless, but they would not disband their men until they had guarded +the President to a place of safety.</p> + +<p>"No!" Davis answered passionately. "I will listen to no proposition for +my safety. I appeal to you for the cause of my country. Stand by it, +men—stand by it!"</p> + +<p>His appeal was received in silence. His councilors could not agree with +him. The proud old man drew his slender body to it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span>s full height, lifted +his hands and cried pathetically:</p> + +<p>"The friends of the South consent to her degradation!"</p> + +<p>He attempted to pass from the meeting, his emaciated face white with +anger. His step tottered and his body swayed and would have sunk to the +floor had not General Breckinridge caught him in his arms and led him +from the room.</p> + +<p>Benjamin parted from the President when they crossed the Savannah River +and he had dropped the Seal of the Confederate Government in the depths +of its still, beautiful waters.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" Reagan asked.</p> + +<p>"To the farthest place from the United States," was the quick reply, "if +it takes me to China."</p> + +<p>He made his way successfully to England and won fame and fortune in the +old world.</p> + +<p>On hearing that the Federal cavalry were scouring the country, +Breckinridge and Reagan proposed that Davis disguise himself in a +soldier's clothes, a wool hat and brogan shoes, take one man with him +and go to the coast of Florida, ship to Cuba.</p> + +<p>His reply was firm:</p> + +<p>"I shall not leave Southern soil while a Confederate regiment is on it. +Kirby Smith has an army of 25,000 men. He has not surrendered. General +Hampton will cut his way across the Mississippi. We can lead an army of +60,000 men on the plains of Texas and fight until we get better terms +than unconditional surrender."</p> + +<p>Breckinridge was left at Washington to dispose of the small sum yet left +in the Treasury and turn over to their agent the money of the Richmond +banks.</p> + +<p>Robert Toombs lived in Washington. General Reagan called on the +distinguished leader.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span></p> +<p>He invited his guest into his library and closed the door.</p> + +<p>"You have money, Reagan?"</p> + +<p>"Enough to take me west of the Mississippi—"</p> + +<p>"You are well mounted?"</p> + +<p>"One of the best horses in the country."</p> + +<p>"I am at home," he added generously. "I can command what I want, and if +you need anything, I can supply you—"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, General," Reagan responded heartily.</p> + +<p>Toombs hesitated a moment, and then asked suddenly:</p> + +<p>"Has President Davis money?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I have enough to take us both across the Mississippi."</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Davis well mounted?"</p> + +<p>"He has his fine bay, 'Kentucky,' and General Lee sent him at Greensboro +by his son Robert, his gray war horse 'Traveler,' as a present. He has +two first class horses."</p> + +<p>Again Toombs was silent.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis and I," he went on thoughtfully, "have had our quarrels. We +have none now. I want you to say to him that my men are around me here, +and if he desires it I will call them together and see him safely across +the Chattahoochee River at the risk of my life—"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell him, General Toombs," Reagan cordially responded. "And I +appreciate your noble offer. It differs from others who have pretended +to be his best friends. They are getting away from him as fast as they +can. Some are base enough to malign him to curry favor with the enemy. +I've known Jefferson Davis intimately for ten years. The past four years +of war I've been with him daily under every condition of victory and +defeat, and I swear to you that he's the truest, gentlest, bravest, +tenderest, manliest man I have ever known—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let me know," Toombs urged, "if I can serve him in any possible way."</p> + +<p>When Reagan delivered the message to the President he responded warmly:</p> + +<p>"That's like Toombs. He was always a whole souled man. If it were +necessary I should not hesitate to accept his offer."</p> + +<p>He was slowly reading his wife's last letters which had been delivered +to him by scouts who were still faithful.</p> + +<p>They were riding in a wagon with picked Mississippi teamsters twenty +miles below Washington:</p> + + +<p class="quote">"All well, with Winnie sweet and smiling. Billy plenty of laughter and +talk with the teamsters keeps quiet. Jeff is happy beyond expression. +Maggie one and two quite well.</p> + +<p class="quote">"I have $2,500, something to sell, and have heart and a hopeful one, but +above all, my precious only love, a heartful of prayer. May God keep you +and have His sword and buckler over you. Do not try to make a stand on +this side. It is not in the people. Leave your escort and take another +road often. Alabama is full of cavalry, fresh and earnest in pursuit. +May God keep you and bring you safe to the arms of</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"Your devoted,<br /><br /> +"<span class="smcap">Winnie</span>."<br /> +</p> + +<p>He opened and read another:</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"<i>My own precious Banny</i>:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="quote">"May God give us both patience against this heavy trial. The soldiers +are very unruly and have taken almost all the mules and horses from the +camp. Do not try to meet me. I dread the Yankees getting news of you so +much. You are the country's only hope and the very best intentions do +not advise a stand this side of the river. Why not cut loose from your +escort? Go swiftly and alone with the exception of two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</a></span> or three.</p> + +<p class="quote">"Oh, may God in His goodness keep you safe, my own. Maggie says she has +your prayer book safe. May God keep you, my old and only love, as ever, +devotedly,</p> + +<p class="quote"> +"Your own,<br /><br /> +"<span class="smcap">Winnie.</span>" +</p> + +<p>He had not seen his wife and babies since they left Richmond. The +conduct of the soldiers determined his course. He turned to Reagan:</p> + +<p>"This move will probably cause me to be captured or killed. You are not +bound to go with me—but I must protect my family."</p> + +<p>"I go with you, sir—" was the prompt response.</p> + +<p>The soldiers were dismissed and the money still remaining in the +Treasury divided among them. A picked guard of ten men rode with the +fallen Chieftain in search of his loved ones.</p> + +<p>They joined Mrs. Davis after a hard ride and found her camp threatened +by marauders. He traveled with her two days and, apparently out of +danger, she begged him to leave her and make good his escape. He finally +agreed to do this and with Reagan, the members of his staff and Burton +Harrison, his Secretary, started for the Florida coast.</p> + +<p>The day was one of dismal fog and rain and the party lost the way, +turning in a circle, and at sunset met Mrs. Davis and her company at the +fork of the road near the Ocmulgee River.</p> + +<p>The President and staff traveled with his wife next day and made +twenty-eight miles. At Irwinsville their presence was betrayed to the +Federal cavalry, his camp surrounded by Colonel Pritchard, and the +Confederate President and party arrested.</p> + +<p>The soldiers plundered his baggage, tore open his wife's trunks and +scattered her dresses. In one of these trunks they found a pair of new +hoopskirts which Mrs. Davis had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</a></span>bought but never worn. An enterprising +newspaper man immediately invented and sent broadcast the story that he +had been captured trying to escape in his wife's hoopskirts. His enemies +refused to hear any contradiction of this invention. It was too good not +to be true. They clung to it long after Colonel Pritchard and every man +present had given it the lie.</p> + +<p>They had traveled a day's journey toward Macon, the headquarters of +General Wilson, when an excited man galloped into the camp waving over +his head a printed slip of paper.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" Davis asked of his guard.</p> + +<p>The guard seized and read the slip and turned to the Confederate +Chieftain and his wife.</p> + +<p>"Andrew Johnson's proclamation offering a reward of $100,000 for the +capture of Jefferson Davis as the murderer of Abraham Lincoln!"</p> + +<p>A cry of anguish came from the faithful wife.</p> + +<p>The leader touched her shoulder gently.</p> + +<p>"Hush, my dear. The miserable scoundrel who wrote that proclamation knew +that it is false. He is the one man in the United States who knows that +I preferred Abraham Lincoln in the White House to him or any other man +the North might elect. Such an accusation must fail—"</p> + +<p>The wife was not comforted.</p> + +<p>"These men may assassinate you!"</p> + +<p>The soldiers crowded about their defenseless prisoner and heaped on him +the vilest curses and insults. He made no answer. The far-away look in +his eagle eye told them only too plainly that he did not hear.</p> + +<p>Colonel Pritchard in his manly way made every effort to protect him from +insult. Within a short distance of Macon, the prisoners were halted and +their escort drawn up in line on either side of the road. Colonel +Pritc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</a></span>hard had ridden into Macon for a brigade to escort his captives +through the streets of the city.</p> + +<p>The soldiers again cursed and jeered. The children climbed into their +father's arms, kissed and hugged him tenderly and put their little hands +over his ears that he should not hear what they said.</p> + +<p>He soothed their fears and comforted them with beautiful lines from the +Psalms which he quoted in tones of marvelous sweetness.</p> + +<p>General Wilson received his distinguished prisoner with the deference +due his rank and character. His guard in silence opened their lines and +presented arms as Davis entered the building.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII</h2> + +<h3>THE VICTOR</h3> + + +<p>Socola hurried into Richmond three days after its fall in the desperate +hope that he might be of service to Jennie.</p> + +<p>He was two days finding her. She had offered her services to Mrs. +Hopkins in the Alabama hospital. He sent in his card and she refused to +see him. He asked an interview with Mrs. Hopkins and begged her to help. +Her motherly heart went out to him in sympathy. His utter misery was so +plainly written in his drawn face.</p> + +<p>"You're so like my own mother, madame," he pleaded. "I'm an orphan +to-day. Our army has conquered, but I have lost. I find myself repeating +the old question, what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world +and forfeit his life? She is my life—I can't—I won't give her up. Tell +her she must see me. I will not leave Richmond until I see her. If she +leaves, I'll follow her to the ends of the world. Tell her this."</p> + +<p>The gentle hand pressed his.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell her."</p> + +<p>"And try to help me?" he begged.</p> + +<p>"All the world loves a lover," the fine thin lips slowly repeated—"yes, +I'll try."</p> + +<p>At the end of ten minutes she returned alone. Her face gave no hope.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's useless. She positively refuses."</p> + +<p>"You gave her my message?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I'll wait a day and try again—"</p> + +<p>"You knew of Captain Welford's death, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>Socola started and turned pale.</p> + +<p>"No—"</p> + +<p>"He died and was buried two days ago near the spot where General Stuart +sleeps."</p> + +<p>The lover was stunned for a moment. The hidden thought flashed through +his mind that she might have married Welford in the reaction over her +discovery of his deception. He opened his lips to ask the question and +held his peace. It was impossible. She couldn't have done such a thing. +He put the idea out of his heart.</p> + +<p>"Thank you for the information, dear madame," he answered gravely, +turned and left the building.</p> + +<p>He walked quickly to his hotel, hired a negro to get him a wreath of +roses and meet him at the cemetery gate. He had just placed them on +Welford's grave as Jennie suddenly appeared.</p> + +<p>She stopped, transfixed in astonishment—her eyes wide with excitement.</p> + +<p>He walked slowly to meet her and stood looking into her soul, searching +its depths.</p> + +<p>"You here?" she gasped—</p> + +<p>"Yes. I brought my tribute to a brave and generous foe. He hated me, +perhaps—but for your sake he gave me my life—I never hated him—"</p> + +<p>"With his last breath he told me that he no longer hated you," she +answered dreamily.</p> + +<p>"And you cannot forgive?"</p> + +<p>"No. Our lives are far apart now. The gulf between us can never be +passed."</p> + +<p>He smiled tenderly and spoke with vibrant passion.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to show you that it can be passed. I'm going to love you +with such devotion I'll draw you at last with res<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</a></span>istless power—"</p> + +<p>"Never—"</p> + +<p>She turned quickly and left him gazing wistfully at her slender figure +silhouetted against the glow of the sunset.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV</h2> + +<h3>PRISON BARS</h3> + + +<p>The ship which bore the distinguished prisoner from Savannah did not +proceed to Washington, but anchored in Hampton Roads at Fortress Monroe.</p> + +<p>A little tug puffed up and drew alongside the steamer. She took off +Alexander H. Stephens, General Joseph Wheeler and Burton Harrison. +Stephens and Wheeler were sent to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor.</p> + +<p>The next, day the tug returned.</p> + +<p>Little Jeff ran to his mother trembling and sobbing:</p> + +<p>"They say they've come for father—beg them to let us go with him!"</p> + +<p>Davis stepped quickly forward and returned with an officer.</p> + +<p>"It's true," he whispered. "They have come for Clay and me. Try not to +weep. These people will gloat over your grief."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Clay stood close holding each other's hands in +silent sympathy and grim determination to control their emotions. They +parted with their husbands in dumb anguish.</p> + +<p>As the tug bore the fallen Chieftain from the ship, he bared his head, +drew his tall figure to its full height, and, standing between the files +of soldiers, gazed on his wife and weeping children until the mists drew +their curtain over the solemn scene.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Davis' stateroom was entered now by a raiding party headed by +Captain Hudson. Her trunks were again forced open and everything taken +which the Captain or his men de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</a></span>sired—among them all her children's +clothes. Jeff seized his little soldier uniform of Confederate gray and +ran with it. He managed to hide and save it.</p> + +<p>Captain Hudson then demanded the shawl which Davis had thrown over his +shoulders on the damp morning when he was captured.</p> + +<p>"You have no right to steal my property," his wife replied indignantly. +"Peace has been declared. The war is over. This is plain robbery."</p> + +<p>Hudson called in another file of soldiers.</p> + +<p>"Hand out that shawl or I'll take the last rag you have on earth. I'll +pay you for it, if you wish. But I'm going to have it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Davis took the shawl from Mrs. Clay's shoulders and handed it to +the brute.</p> + +<p>"At least I may get rid of your odious presence," she cried, "by +complying with your demand."</p> + +<p>Hudson took the shawl with a grin and led his men away. Two of his +officers returned in a few minutes and thrust their heads in the +stateroom of Mrs. Davis' sister with whom Mrs. Clay was sitting.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, this is a ladies' stateroom," said the Senator's wife.</p> + +<p>One of them threw the door open violently and growled:</p> + +<p>"There are no ladies here!"</p> + +<p>"I am quite sure," was the sweet reply, "that there are no gentlemen +present!"</p> + +<p>With an oath they passed on. Little tugs filled with vulgar sightseers +steamed around the ship and shouted a continuous stream of insults when +one of the Davis party could be seen.</p> + +<p>General Nelson A. Miles, the young officer who had been appointed jailer +of Jefferson Davis and Clement C. Clay boarded the ship and proceeded +without ceremony to give his o<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</a></span>rders to their wives.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me, General," Mrs. Davis asked, "where my husband is +imprisoned and what his treatment is to be?"</p> + +<p>"Not a word," was the short reply.</p> + +<p>His manner was so abrupt and boorish she did not press for further news.</p> + +<p>Miles ventured some on his own account.</p> + +<p>"Jeff Davis announced the assassination of Abraham Lincoln the day +before it happened. I guess he knew all about it—"</p> + +<p>The wife bit her lips and suppressed a sharp answer. Her husband's life +was now in this man's hands.</p> + +<p>"You are forbidden to buy or read a newspaper," he added curtly, "and +your ship will leave this port under sealed orders."</p> + +<p>In vain Davis pleaded that his wife and children might be allowed to go +to Washington or Richmond where they had acquaintances and friends.</p> + +<p>"They will return to Savannah," Miles answered, "by the same ship in +which they came and remain in Savannah under military guard."</p> + +<p>Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in a casemate of Fortress Monroe, the +embrasure of which was closed with a heavy iron grating. The two doors +which communicated with the gunner's room were closed with heavy double +shutters fastened with crossbars and padlocks. The side openings were +sealed with fresh masonry.</p> + +<p>Two sentinels with loaded muskets paced the floor without a moment's +pause day or night. Two other sentinels and a commissioned officer +occupied the gunner's room, the door and window of which were securely +fastened. Sentinels were stationed on the parapet overhead whose steady +tramp day and night made sleep impossible.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</a></span></p> +<p>The embrasure opened on the big ditch which surrounds the fort—sixty +feet wide and ten feet deep in salt water. Beyond the ditch, on the +glacis, was a double line of sentinels and in the casemate rooms on +either side of his prison were quartered that part of the guard which +was not on post.</p> + +<p>To render rest or comfort impossible a lighted lamp was placed within +three feet of the prisoner's eyes and kept burning brightly all night. +His jailer knew he had but one eye whose sight remained and that he was +a chronic sufferer from neuralgia.</p> + +<p>His escape from Fortress Monroe was a physical impossibility without one +of the extraordinary precautions taken. The purpose of these +arrangements could have only been to inflict pain, humiliation and +possibly to take his life. He had never been robust since the breakdown +of his health on the Western plains. Worn by privation and exposure, +approaching sixty years of age, he was in no condition physically to +resist disease.</p> + +<p>The damp walls, the coarse food, the loss of sleep caused by the tramp +of sentinels inside his room, outside and on the roof over his head and +the steady blaze of a lamp in his eyes at night within forty-eight hours +had completed his prostration.</p> + +<p>But his jailers were not content.</p> + +<p>On May twenty-third, Captain Titlow entered his cell with two +blacksmiths bearing a pair of heavy leg irons coupled together by a +ponderous chain.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to inform you, sir," the polite young officer began, "that I +have been ordered to put you in irons."</p> + +<p>"Has General Miles given that order?"</p> + +<p>"He has."</p> + +<p>"I wish to see him at once, please."</p> + +<p>"General Miles has just left the fort, sir."</p> + +<p>"You can postpone the execution of your order until I see him?"</p> + +<p>"I have been warned against delay."</p> + +<p>"No soldier ever gave such an order," was the stern reply; "no soldier +should receive or execute it—"</p> + +<p>"His orders are from Washington—mine are from him."</p> + +<p>"But he can telegraph—there must be some mistake—no such outrage is on +record in the history of nations—"</p> + +<p>"My orders are peremptory."</p> + +<p>"You shall not inflict on me and on my people through me this insult +worse than death. I will not submit to it!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I sincerely trust, sir," the Captain urged kindly, "that you will not +compel me to use force."</p> + +<p>"I am a gentleman and a soldier, Captain Titlow," was the stern answer. +"I know how to die—" he paused and pointed to the sentinel who stood +ready. "Let your men shoot me at once—I will not submit to this +outrage!"</p> + +<p>The prisoner backed away with his hand on a chair and stood waiting.</p> + +<p>The Captain turned to his blacksmiths:</p> + +<p>"Do your duty—put them on him!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 489px;"> +<img src="images/ill-513.jpg" width="489" height="713" alt=""'Do your duty—put them on him'"" title=""'Do your duty—put them on him'"" /> +<span class="caption">"'Do your duty—put them on him'"</span> +</div> + +<p>As the workman bent with his chain Davis hurled him to the other side of +the cell and lifted his chair.</p> + +<p>The sentinel cocked and lowered his musket advancing on the prisoner who +met him defiantly with bared breast.</p> + +<p>The Captain sprang between them:</p> + +<p>"Put down your gun. I'll give you orders to fire when necessary."</p> + +<p>He turned to the officer at the door:</p> + +<p>"Bring in four of your strongest men—unarmed—you understand?"</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</a></span></p> +<p>"Yes, sir—"</p> + +<p>The men entered, sprang on their helpless victim, bore him to the floor, +pinned him down with their heavy bodies and held him securely while the +blacksmiths riveted the chains on one leg and fastened the clasp on the +other with a heavy padlock.</p> + +<p>He had resented this cowardly insult for himself and his people. He had +resisted with the hope that he might be killed before it was +accomplished. He saw now with clear vision that the purpose of his +jailer was to torture him to death. His proud spirit rose in fierce +rebellion. He would cheat them of their prey. They might take his life +but it should be done under the forms of law in open day. He would live. +His will would defy death. He would learn to sleep with the tramp of +three sets of sentinels in his ears. He would eat their coarse food at +whatever cost to his feelings. He would learn to bury his face in his +bedding to avoid the rays of the lamp with which they were trying to +blind him.</p> + +<p>He had need of all his fierce resolution.</p> + +<p>He had resolved to ask no favors, but his suffering had been so acute, +his determination melted at the doctor's kind expressions.</p> + +<p>The physician found him stretched on his pallet, horribly emaciated and +breathing with difficulty, his whole body a mere fascine of raw and +tremulous nerves, his eyes restless and fevered, his head continually +shifting from side to side searching instinctively for a cool spot on +the hot coarse hair pillow.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," Dr. Craven said kindly, "what I can do to add to your +comfort?"</p> + +<p>The question was asked with such genuine sympathy it was impossible to +resist it.</p> + +<p>A smile flickered about his thin mouth, "This camp mattress, Doctor," he +slowly replied, "I find a little thin. The slats beneath chafe my poor +bones. I've a frail body—though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</a></span> in my youth and young manhood, while +soldiering in the West, I have done some rough camping and campaigning. +There was flesh then to cover my nerves and bones."</p> + +<p>The doctor called an attendant:</p> + +<p>"Bring this prisoner another mattress and a softer pillow."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Davis responded cordially.</p> + +<p>"You are a smoker?" the doctor asked.</p> + +<p>"I have been all my life, until General Miles took my pipe and tobacco."</p> + +<p>The doctor wrote to the Adjutant General and asked that his patient be +given the use of his pipe.</p> + +<p>On his visit two days later the doctor said:</p> + +<p>"You must spend as little time in bed as possible. Exercise will be your +best medicine."</p> + +<p>The prisoner drew back the cover and showed the lacerated ankles.</p> + +<p>"Impossible you see—the pain is so intense I can't stand erect. These +shackles are very heavy. If I stand, the weight of them cuts into my +flesh—they have already torn broad patches of skin from the places they +touch. If you can pad a cushion there, I will gladly try to drag them +about—"</p> + +<p>Dr. Craven sought the jailer:</p> + +<p>"General Miles," he began respectfully, "in my opinion the condition of +state-prisoner Davis requires the removal of those shackles until such +time as his health shall be established on a firmer basis. Exercise he +must have."</p> + +<p>"You believe that is a medical necessity?"</p> + +<p>"I do, most earnestly."</p> + +<p>About the same time General Miles had heard from the country. The +incident had already aroused sharp criticism of the Government. Stanton +had come down to Fortress Monroe and peeped through the bars at the +victim he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</a></span> torturing, and had extracted all the comfort possible from +the incident. The shackles were removed.</p> + +<p>His jailer persisted in denying him the most innocent books to read. He +asked the doctor to get for him if possible the geology or the botany of +the South. General Miles thought them dangerous subjects. At least the +names sounded treasonable. He denied the request.</p> + +<p>The prisoner asked for his trunk and clothes. Miles decided to keep them +in his own office and dole out the linen by his own standards of need.</p> + +<p>Davis turned to his physician with a flash of anger.</p> + +<p>"It's contemptible that they should thus dole out my clothes as if I +were a convict in some penitentiary. They mean to degrade me. It can't +be done. No man can be degraded by unmerited insult heaped upon the +helpless. Such acts can only degrade their perpetrators. The day will +come when the people will blush at the memory of such treatment—"</p> + +<p>At last the loss of sleep proved beyond his endurance. He had tried to +fight it out but gave up in a burst of passionate protest to Dr. Craven. +The sight of his eye was failing. The horror of blindness chilled his +soul.</p> + +<p>"My treatment here," he began with an effort at restraint, "is killing +me by inches. Let them make shorter work of it. I can't sleep. No man +can live without sleep. My jailers know this. I am never alone a +moment—always the eye of a guard staring at me day and night. If I doze +a feverish moment the noise of the relieving guard each two hours wakes +me and the blazing lamp pours its glare into my aching throbbing eyes. +There must be a change or I shall go mad or blind or both."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</a></span></p> +<p>He paused a moment and lifted his hollow face to the physician +pathetically.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever been conscious of being watched? Of having an eye fixed +on you every moment, scrutinizing your smallest act, the change of the +muscles of your face or the pose of your body? To have a human eye +riveted on you every moment, waking, sleeping, sitting, walking, is a +refinement of torture never dreamed of by a Comanche Indian—it is the +eye of a spy or an enemy gloating over the pain and humiliation which it +creates. The lamp burning in my eyes is a form of torment devised by +someone who knew my habit of life never to sleep except in total +darkness. When I took old Black Hawk the Indian Chief a captive to our +barracks at St. Louis I shielded him from the vulgar gaze of the +curious. I have lived too long in the woods to be frightened by an owl +and I've seen Death too often to flinch at any form of pain—but this +torture of being forever watched is beginning to prey on my reason."</p> + +<p>The doctor's report that day was written in plain English:</p> + +<p>"I find Mr. Davis in a very critical state, his nervous debility +extreme, his mind despondent, his appetite gone, complexion livid, and +pulse denoting deep prostration of all vital energies. I am alarmed and +anxious over the responsibility of my position. If he should die in +prison without trial, subject to such severities as have been inflicted +on his attenuated frame the world will form conclusions and with enough +color to pass them into history."</p> + +<p>Dr. Craven was getting too troublesome. General Miles dismissed him, and +called in Dr. George Cooper, a physician whose political opinions were +supposed to be sounder.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV</h2> + +<h3>THE MASTER MIND</h3> + + +<p>Socola read the story of the chaining of the Confederate Chieftain with +indignation. His intimate association with Jefferson Davis had convinced +him of his singular purity of character and loftiness of soul. That he +was capable of conspiring to murder Abraham Lincoln was inconceivable. +That the charge should be made and pressed seriously by the National +Government was a disgrace to the country.</p> + +<p>Charles O'Connor, the greatest lawyer in America, indignant at the +outrage, had offered his services to the prisoner. Socola hastened to a +conference with O'Connor and placed himself at his command.</p> + +<p>The lawyer sent him to Washington to find out the master mind at the +bottom of these remarkable proceedings.</p> + +<p>"Johnson the President," he warned, "is only a tool in the hands of a +<i>stronger</i> man. Find that man. Stanton, the Secretary of War, is +vindictive enough, but he lacks the cunning. Stevens, the leader of the +House, is the real ruler of the Nation at this moment. Yet I have the +most positive information that Stevens sneers at the attempt to accuse +Davis of the assassination of Lincoln. Stevens hated Lincoln only a +degree less than he hates Davis. He is blunt, outspoken, brutal in his +views. There can be no question of the honesty of his position. Sumner, +the leader of the Senate, is incapable of such low intrigue. Find the +man and report to me."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</a></span></p> +<p>Socola found him within six hours after his arrival in Washington. He +was morally sure of him from the moment he left O'Connor's office.</p> + +<p>Immediately on his arrival at the Capital he sought an interview with +Joseph Holt, now the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army. +He was therefore in charge of the prosecution of the cases of Clay and +Davis.</p> + +<p>For five minutes he watched the crooked poisonous mouth of the +ex-Secretary of War and knew the truth. This vindictive venomous old +man, ambitious, avaricious, implacable in his hatreds, had organized a +Board of Assassination, which he called "The Bureau of Military +Justice." This remarkable Bureau had already murdered Mrs. Surratt on +perjured testimony.</p> + +<p>Socola had given his ex-Chief no intimation of his personal feelings and +no hint of his association with O'Connor.</p> + +<p>"I've a little favor to ask of you, young man," Holt said suavely.</p> + +<p>Socola bowed.</p> + +<p>"At your service, Chief—"</p> + +<p>"I need a man of intelligence and skill to convey a proposition to Wirz, +the keeper of Andersonville prison. He has been sentenced to death by +the Bureau of Military Justice. I'm going to offer him his life on one +condition—"</p> + +<p>"And that is?"</p> + +<p>"If he will confess under oath that Davis ordered the starving and +torturing of prisoners at Andersonville I'll commute his sentence—"</p> + +<p>"I see—"</p> + +<p>"I'll give you an order to interview Wirz. He has never seen you. Report +to me his answer."</p> + +<p>When Socola explained to Wirz in sympathetic tones the offer of the +Government to spare his life for the implication of Davis in direct +orders from Richmond commanding crue<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</a></span>lties at Andersonville, the +condemned man lifted his wounded body and stared at his visitor.</p> + +<p>His answer closed the interview.</p> + +<p>"Tell the scoundrel who sent you that I am a soldier. I was a soldier in +Germany before I cast my fortunes with the South. I bear in my body the +wounds of honorable warfare. If I hadn't time to learn the meaning of +honor from my friends in the South, my mother taught me in the old +world. You ask me to save my life from these assassins by swearing away +the life of another. Tell my executioner that I never saw the President +of the Confederacy. I never received an order of any kind from him. I +did the best I could for the men in my charge at Andersonville and tried +honestly to improve their conditions. I am not a perjurer, even to save +my own life. A soldier's business is to die. I am ready."</p> + +<p>Socola extended his hand through the bars and grasped the prisoner's.</p> + +<p>The deeper he dived into the seething mass of corruption and blind +passion which had engulfed Washington the more desperate he saw the +situation of Davis at Fortress Monroe. After two weeks of careful work +he hurried to New York and reported the situation to O'Connor.</p> + +<p>"The master mind," he began slowly, "I found at once. His name is +Holt—"</p> + +<p>"The Judge Advocate General?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"That accounts for my inability to obtain a copy of the charges against +Davis. Holt drew those charges. They are in his hands and he has +determined to press his prisoner to trial before his Board of Assassins +without allowing me to know the substance of his accusations. It's +infamous."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</a></span></p> +<p>"There are complications which may increase our dangers or suddenly lift +them—"</p> + +<p>"Complications—what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"The President, who has been intensely hostile to Davis, realizes that +his own term of office and possibly his life are now at stake. He has +broken with the Radicals who control Congress, old Thaddeus Stevens's at +their head. Stevens lives in Washington in brazen defiance of +conventionalities with a negro woman whom he separated from her husband +thirty odd years ago. Under the influence of this negress he has +introduced a bill into the House of Representatives to confiscate the +remaining property of the white people of the South and give it to the +negroes—dividing the land into plots of forty acres each. He proposes +also to disfranchise the whites of the Southern States, enfranchise the +negroes, destroy the State lines and erect on their ruins territories +ruled by negroes whom his faction can control.</p> + +<p>"Johnson the President, a Southern born white man, has already informed +the Radicals that he will fight this programme to the last ditch. +Stevens' answer was characteristic of the imperious old leader. 'Let him +dare! I'll impeach Andrew Johnson, remove him from office and hang him +from the balcony of the White House.'</p> + +<p>"The President realizes that the Bureau of Military Justice which he +allowed Holt to create may be used as the engine of his own destruction. +They have already taken the first steps to impeach him—"</p> + +<p>"Then he'll never dare allow another case to be tried before that +Bureau—" O'Connor interrupted.</p> + +<p>"It remains to be seen. He is afraid of both Stanton and Holt. The +Bureau of Military Justice is their hobby."</p> + +<p>O'Connor sprang to his feet.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</a></span></p> +<p>"We must smash it by an appeal to the people. Their sense of justice is +yet the salt that will save the Nation. The key to the situation is in +the character of the remarkable witnesses whom Holt has produced before +this tribunal of assassination. In my judgment they are a gang of hired +perjurers. Their leader is a fellow named Conover. There are five men +associated with him. They used these witnesses against Mrs. Surratt. +They used them against Wirz. They are preparing to use them against +Davis. It is inconceivable that these plugs from the gutters of New York +could have really stumbled on the facts to which they have sworn. Find +who these men are. Get their records to the last hour of the day you +track them—and report to me."</p> + +<p>Socola organized a force of detectives and set them to work. The task +was a difficult one. He found that Conover and his pals were protected +by the unlimited power of the National Government.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a>CHAPTER XLVI</h2> + +<h3>THE TORTURE</h3> + + +<p>While the prisoner fought to save his reason in the dungeon at Fortress +Monroe, his wife was denied the right to lift her hand in his defense. +No communication was allowed between them except through his jailer.</p> + +<p>On arrival in Savannah Mrs. Davis and her children were compelled to +walk through the blazing heat the long distance from the wharf uptown, +the whole party trudging immigrant fashion through the streets. Her +sister carried the baby. Mrs. Davis and the two little boys and Maggie +followed with parcels, and Robert, her faithful black man, brought up +the rear with the baggage.</p> + +<p>The people of Savannah, on learning of their arrival, treated their +prisoners with the utmost kindness. Every home in the city was thrown +open to them. Her children had been robbed of all their clothing except +what they wore. The neighbors hurried in with clothes.</p> + +<p>The newspaper of Savannah of the new régime, <i>The Republican</i>, published +and republished with gleeful comments the most sensational accounts of +the brutal scene of the shackling of Davis. Maggie composed a prayer and +taught her little brothers to repeat it in concert for their grace at +the table morning, noon and night:</p> + +<p>"Dear Lord, give our father something he can eat, and keep him strong, +and bring him back to us with eyes that can see and in his good senses, +to his little children, for Jesus' sake."</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</a></span></p> +<p>Nearly every day the child who composed the prayer was so moved by its +recital she would run from the table and dry her tears in the next room +before she could eat.</p> + +<p>Hourly scenes of violence increased between the whites and the inflamed +blacks. A negro sentinel leveled his gun at little Jeff and threatened +to shoot him for calling him "Uncle." With prayers and tears the mother +sent her children away to the home of a friend in Montreal.</p> + +<p>A year passed before President Johnson in answer to the wife's desperate +pleading permitted her to visit her husband in prison. She arrived from +Montreal on the cold raw morning of May 10, 1866, at four o'clock before +day. There was no hotel at the fort at that time and the mother was +compelled to sit in the desolate little waiting room with her baby +without a fire until ten o'clock.</p> + +<p>General Miles called. His references to her husband were made in a +manner which brutally expressed his hatred and contempt. She had been +informed that his health was in so dangerous a condition that physicians +had despaired of his life.</p> + +<p>Miles hastened to say:</p> + +<p>"'Davis' is in good health—"</p> + +<p>"I can see him at once?" she begged.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You understand the terms of your parole that you are to take no +deadly weapons into the prison?"</p> + +<p>Suppressing a smile at the unique use of the language which a man of the +rank of Miles could make she replied quickly:</p> + +<p>"I understand. Please arrange that I can see him at once."</p> + +<p>Without answering the jailer turned and left the room. In a few minutes +an officer appeared who conducted her to the room in Carroll Hall to +which Dr. Cooper had forced Miles to remove the prisoner. Dr. Cooper +proved as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</a></span> troublesome to the General as Dr. Craven. In fact a little +more so. He had a way of swearing when angered which made the General +nervous. American physicians don't make good politicians when the life +of a patient is involved.</p> + +<p>They were challenged by three lines of sentries, each requiring a +password, ascended a stairway, turned to the right and entered a guard +room where three young officers were sitting. Through the bars of the +inner room the wife gazed at her husband with streaming eyes.</p> + +<p>His body had shrunk to a skeleton, his eyes set and glassy, his cheek +bones pressing against the shining skin. He rose and tottered across the +room, his breath coming in short gasps, his voice scarcely audible.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Davis was locked in with him. She sent the baby back to her +quarters by Frederick, another faithful negro servant who had followed +their fortunes through good report and evil.</p> + +<p>His room had a horse bucket for water, a basin and pitcher on an old +chair whose back had been sawed off, a little iron bedstead with hard +mattress, one pillow, a wooden table, and a wooden chair with one leg +shorter than the others which might be used as an improvised rocker. His +bed was so thick with bugs the room was filled with their odor. He was +so innocent of such things he couldn't imagine what distressed him so at +night—insisting that he had contracted some sort of skin disease.</p> + +<p>His dinner was brought slopped from one dish to another and covered by a +gray hospital towel sogged with the liquids. The man of fastidious taste +glanced at the platter and saw that the good doctor's wife had added +oysters to his menu that day and ate one. His vitality was so low even +this gave him intense pain.</p> + +<p>He was not bitter, but expressed his quiet contempt for the systematic +petty insults which his jailer was now heaping on h<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</a></span>im daily. His +physician had demanded that he take exercise in the open air. Miles +always walked with him and never permitted an occasion of this kind to +pass without directing at his helpless prisoner personal insults so +offensive that Davis always cut his walks short to be rid of his +tormentor. On one occasion the general was so brutal in his conversation +after he had locked his prisoner in his room that he suddenly sprang at +the bars, grasped them with his trembling, skeleton hands and cried:</p> + +<p>"But for these you should answer to me—here and now!"</p> + +<p>A favorite pastime of his jailer was to admit crowds of vulgar +sightseers and permit them to gaze at his prisoner.</p> + +<p>A woman inquired of Frederick, who was on his way to his room:</p> + +<p>"Where's Jeff?"</p> + +<p>The negro bowed gravely and drew his stalwart figure erect:</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, madame, not to be able to tell you. I do not know any such +person."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you do—aren't you his servant?"</p> + +<p>"No, madame, you are mistaken. I have the honor to serve ex-President +Davis."</p> + +<p>Only a great soul can command the love and respect of servants as did +this quiet grave statesman of the old régime.</p> + +<p>Never during the long hours of these weeks and months of torture did he +lose his dignity or his lofty bearing quail before his tormentor. He was +too refined and dignified to be abusive, and too proud in General Miles' +delicate phraseology to "beg."</p> + +<p>The loving wife began now her desperate fight to nurse him back into +life again.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</a></span></p> +<p>The new Commandant of the fort, General Burton, who replaced Miles, +proved himself a gentleman and a soldier of the old school. He +immediately gave to the prisoner every courtesy possible and to his wife +sympathy and help.</p> + +<p>The Bishop of Montreal sent him a case of green chartreuse from his own +stores. This powerful digestive stimulant helped his feeble appetite to +take the nourishment needed to sustain life and slowly build his +strength.</p> + +<p>He could sleep only when read to, and many a day dawned on the worn +figure of his wife still droning her voice into his sensitive ears, with +one hand on his pulse praying God it might still beat. At times it +stopped, and then she roused the sleeper, gave him the stimulant and +made him eat something which she always kept ready. Dr. Cooper had +warned that the walls of his heart were so weak even a sound sleep might +prove his death if too long continued.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVII" id="CHAPTER_XLVII"></a>CHAPTER XLVII</h2> + +<h3>VINDICATION</h3> + + +<p>When Socola had finished his work developing the history and character +of Conover and his crew of professional perjurers there was a sudden +collapse in the machinery of the Bureau of Military Justice. Holt was +compelled not only to repudiate the wretches by whose hired testimony he +had committed more than one murder through the forms of military law, +but also to issue a long document defending himself as Judge Advocate +General of the United States from the charge of subornation of +perjury—the vilest accusation that can be brought against a sworn +officer of any court. His weak defense served its purpose for the +moment. He managed to cling to his office and his salary for a brief +season. With the advent of restored law he sank into merited oblivion.</p> + +<p>The charge of murder having collapsed, the Government now pressed +against Davis an indictment for treason. Salmon P. Chase, the Chief +Justice of the United States, warned the President and his Cabinet that +no such charge could be sustained.</p> + +<p>And still malice held the Confederate Chieftain a prisoner. Every other +leader of the South had long since been released. On the public exposure +of Holt and his perjurers the conscience of the North, led by Horace +Greeley and Gerrit Smith, demanded the speedy trial or release of Davis.</p> + +<p>The Radical conspirators at Washington, under the leadership of Stevens +inspired by his dusky companion, were now pressing with feverish haste +their programme of revolutio<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</a></span>n. They passed each measure over the veto of +the President amid jeers, groans and curses. They disfranchised +one-third of the whites of the South, gave the ballot to a million +ignorant negroes but yesterday taken from the jungles of Africa, blotted +out the civil governments of the Southern States, and sent the army back +to enforce their decrees. Stevens introduced his bill to confiscate the +property of the whites and give it to the negroes. This measure was his +pet. It was the only one of his schemes which would be defeated on a +two-thirds vote if Johnson should veto it. Stevens and Butler at once +drew their bill of indictment against the President and set in motion +the machinery to remove him from office—the grim old leader still +swearing that he would hang him.</p> + +<p>In this auspicious moment Charles O'Connor marshaled his forces and +demanded the release of Davis on bail. Andrew Johnson had seen a new +light. He was now in a life and death struggle with the newly enthroned +mob to save the Republic from a Dictatorship. The conspirators had +already selected the man they proposed to set up on his removal from +office.</p> + +<p>The President issued an order to General Burton at Fortress Monroe to +produce his prisoner in the United States District Court of Richmond.</p> + +<p>On May fourth, 1867, the little steamer from the fort touched the wharf +at Richmond and Jefferson Davis and his wife once more appeared in the +Capital of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>The South had come to greet them.</p> + +<p>All differences of opinion were stilled before the white face of the man +who had been put in irons for their sins. They came from the four +corners of the country for which he had tolled and suffered.</p> + +<p>Senator Barton, his wife and daughter and all his surviving sons had +come from Fairview to do him honor. A vast crowd <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</a></span>assembled at the wharf. +No king ever entered his palace with grander welcome. The road from the +wharf to the Spotswood Hotel was a living sea of humanity. His carriage +couldn't move until the way was forced open by the mounted police. The +windows and roofs of every house were crowded. Men and women everywhere +were in tears. As the carriage turned into Main Street a man shouted:</p> + +<p>"Hats off, Virginians!"</p> + +<p>Every head was bared in the vast throng which stretched a mile along the +thoroughfare. As he passed in triumph, the people for whom he had worked +and suffered crowded to his carriage, stretched out their hands in +silence and touched his garments while the tears rolled down their +cheeks.</p> + +<p>They arraigned him for trial on a charge of high treason.</p> + +<p>The indictment had also named Robert E. Lee as guilty of the same crime. +Grant lifted his mailed fist and told the Government he would fight if +necessary to protect the man who had surrendered in good faith to his +army. The peanut politicians dropped Lee's name.</p> + +<p>When the tall, emaciated leader of the South stood erect before his +accusers in court he faced a scene which proclaimed the advent of the +new Democracy in America which must yet make good its right to live.</p> + +<p>On the Judge's bench sat John C. Underwood, a crawling, shambling, +shuffling, ignorant demagogue who had set a new standard of judicial +honor and dignity. He had selected one of the handsomest homes in +Virginia, ordered it confiscated as a Federal judge, and made his wife +buy it in and convey it to him after warning other bidders to keep off +the scene. The thief was living in his stolen mansion on the day he sat +down beside the Chief Justice of the United States in this trial. When +Chase had warned the Government that no charge of treason could s<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</a></span>tand +against Davis, Underwood assured the Attorney General that he would fix +a negro jury in Richmond which could be relied on to give the verdict +necessary. He had impaneled the first grand jury ever assembled in +America composed of negroes and whites. A negro petit jury now sat in +the box grinning at the judge, their thick lips, flat noses and +omnipotent African odor proclaiming the dawn of a new era in the history +of America.</p> + +<p>Salmon P. Chase with quiet dignity voted to quash the indictment. +Underwood with a vulgar stump speech to the crowd of negroes voted to +hold the indictment good. The case was sent to the Supreme Court on this +disagreement and the defendant admitted to bail.</p> + +<p>Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Augustus +Schell, representing the noblest spirit in the North were among the men +who signed his bail bond.</p> + +<p>When he was released and walked out of the court room cheer after cheer +swept the struggling crowd that greeted him. Senator Barton took the +driver's place on the box while thousands followed to the hotel shouting +themselves hoarse. For three hours he stood shaking the hands of weeping +men and women. No sublimer tribute was ever paid to human worth. It came +with healing to his wounded soul. The anguish of the past was as if it +had never been.</p> + +<p>Jennie Barton gazed with astonishment when Socola grasped his +outstretched hand. She was standing near enough to hear his voice.</p> + +<p>"I want to thank you, young man," he said gratefully, "for all you've +done for me and mine. Mr. O'Connor tells me that your services have been +invaluable. For myself, my wife and babies and my people, I thank you +again. I wish I might do something to repay you—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've only done my duty," was the modest response. "But I think you +might help me a little—"</p> + +<p>"If it's within my power—"</p> + +<p>"You remember Miss Barton?"</p> + +<p>"I've just shaken hands with her—she is here!"</p> + +<p>"Would you mind putting in a word—"</p> + +<p>"I'll do more, sir—I'm in command to-day. I'll issue positive orders—"</p> + +<p>Jennie moved, he saw her and beckoned. She came, blushing.</p> + +<p>"What's this, my little comrade?" he whispered, seizing her hands. "The +war is over. I've shaken hands with Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith +to-day. There can be no stragglers in our camp, I owe my life to this +young man."</p> + +<p>He took Jennie's hand, placed it on Socola's arm, and he led her silent +and blushing from the crowd to an alcove in the far corner of the hall.</p> + +<p>She looked up into his face with tenderness.</p> + +<p>"You've done a noble and beautiful thing in the gift of your life to our +Chief for these two miserable years—"</p> + +<p>"They've been miserable to you?"</p> + +<p>She smiled.</p> + +<p>"But I knew you would come—"</p> + +<p>"You'll not send me away again?"</p> + +<p>She slowly slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him.</p> + +<p>They stood on the balcony hand in hand and watched the crowds surging +about the carriage as the tall Chieftain left the hotel to take the +train to greet his children.</p> + +<p>Socola uncovered his head and spoke reverently.</p> + +<p>"He belongs to the race of giants who have made our Nation what it is +to-day. We owe a debt to the unflinching dignit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</a></span>y and honesty of his +mind. He made hedging, trimming and compromise impossible—the issues +which divided us of Life and Death. A weaker man would have wavered and +we should have had to fight our battles over again. They have been +settled for all time."</p> + +<p>Jennie lifted her eyes to his:</p> + +<p>"What's your name, my sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>He laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"Does it matter now? Our country's one—my name is Love."</p> + + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICTIM***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 18721-h.txt or 18721-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/7/2/18721</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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N. Marchand + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Victim + A romance of the Real Jefferson Davis + + +Author: Thomas Dixon + + + +Release Date: June 30, 2006 [eBook #18721] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICTIM*** + + +E-text prepared by David Garcia, Paul Ereaut, and the project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) from page +images generously made available by the Kentuckiana Digital Library +(http://kdl.kyvl.org/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 18721-h.htm or 18721-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721/18721-h/18721-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721/18721-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through the + Kentuckiana Digital Library. See + http://kdl.kyvl.org/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=kyetexts;cc=kyetexts;xc=1&idno=B92-201-30752212&view=toc + + +Transcriber's note: + + Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been made consistent. + + + + + +THE VICTIM + +A Romance of the Real Jefferson Davis + +by + +THOMAS DIXON + +Illustrated by J. N. Marchand + + + + + + + BOOKS BY THOMAS DIXON + + The Victim + The Southerner + The Sins of the Father + The Leopard's Spots + The Clansman + The Traitor + The One Woman + Comrades + The Root of Evil + The Life Worth Living + + + + +[Illustration: "The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced +on the girl" [Page 300]] + + + + +THE VICTIM + + + +"_A majestic soul has passed_"--Charles A. Dana + + +[Illustration: Colophon] + + + +New York and London +D. Appleton and Company +1914 +Copyright, 1914, by +Thomas Dixon +All rights reserved, including that of translation into all +foreign languages, including the Scandinavian +Printed in the United States of America + + + + + TO + THE BRAVE WHO DIED + FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED + TO BE RIGHT + + + + + _Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns! + Love rules. Her gentle purpose runs. + A mighty mother turns in tears + The pages of her battle years + Lamenting all her fallen sons!_ + + THOMPSON + + + + +TO THE READER + + +_In the historical romance which I have woven of the dramatic events of +the life of Jefferson Davis I have drawn his real character unobscured +by passion or prejudice. Forced by his people to lead their cause, his +genius created an engine of war so terrible in its power that through it +five million Southerners, without money, without a market, without +credit, withstood for four years the shock of twenty million men of +their own blood and of equal daring, backed by boundless resources._ + +_The achievement is without a parallel in history, and adds new glory to +the records of our race._ + +_The scenes have all been drawn from authentic records in my possession. +I have not at any point taken a liberty with an essential detail of +history._ + +Thomas Dixon. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + + +PROLOGUE + + + I The Curtain Rises + II The Parting + III A Midnight Session + IV A Friendly Warning + V Boy and Girl + VI God's Will + VII The Best Man Wins + VIII The Storm Center + IX The Old Regime + X The Gauge of Battle + XI Jennie's Vision + XII A Little Cloud + XIII The Closing of the Ranks + XIV Richmond in Gala Dress + XV The House on Church Hill + XVI The Flower-Decked Tent + XVII The Fatal Victory + XVIII The Aftermath + XIX Socola's Problem + XX The Anaconda + XXI Gathering Clouds + XXII Jennie's Recruit + XXIII The Fatal Blunder + XXIV The Sleeping Lioness + XXV The Bombardment + XXVI The Irreparable Loss + XXVII The Light that Failed + XXVIII The Snare of the Fowler + XXIX The Panic in Richmond + XXX The Deliverance + XXXI Love and War + XXXII The Path of Glory + XXXIII The Accusation + XXXIV The Turn of the Tide + XXXV Suspicion + XXXVI The Fatal Deed + XXXVII The Raiders + XXXVIII The Discovery + XXXIX The Conspirators + XL In Sight of Victory + XLI The Fall of Richmond + XLII The Capture + XLIII The Victor + XLIV Prison Bars + XLV The Master Mind + XLVI The Torture + XLVII Vindication + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl" + +"'You have given me new eyes--'" + +"'We have won, sir!' was the short curt answer" + +"Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle--'I understand, sir'" + +"Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and +confronted Dick" + +"'Do your duty--put them on him!'" + + + + +LEADING CHARACTERS OF THE STORY + + +_The Prologue_ + +1814-1853 + + Lt. Jefferson Davis, Of the U. S. Army. + Joseph E. Davis, His Big Brother. + Colonel Zachary Taylor, "Old Rough and Ready." + Sarah Knox Taylor, His Daughter. + James Pemberton, A Faithful Slave. + + +_The Story_ + +1860-1867 + + Hon. Roger Barton, An Original Secessionist. + Jennie, His Daughter. + Dick Welford, A Confederate Soldier. + Joseph Holt, A Renegade Southerner. + Henrico Socola, A Soldier of Fortune. + The President, Of the Confederacy. + Mrs. Davis, His Wife. + Burton Harrison, His Secretary. + Joseph E. Johnston, A Master of Retreat. + P. G. T. Beauregard, The First Hero. + Stonewall Jackson, Of the "Foot Cavalry." + Robert E. Lee, The Southern Commander. + U. S. Grant, The Bull Dog Fighter. + Nelson A. Miles, A Jailer. + John C. Underwood, A Reconstruction Judge. + + + + +THE VICTIM + +The Prologue + + + + +THE VICTIM + + +PROLOGUE + + + + +I + +KIDNAPPED + + +The hot sun of the South was sinking in red glow through the giant +tree-tops of a Mississippi forest beyond the village of Woodville. +A slender girl stood in the pathway watching a boy of seven trudge +manfully away beside his stalwart brother. + +Her lips trembled and eyes filled with tears. + +"Wait--wait!" she cried. + +With a sudden bound she snatched him to her heart. + +"Don't, Polly--you hurt!" the little fellow faltered, looking at her +with a feeling of sudden fear. "Why did you squeeze me so hard?" + +"You shouldn't have done that, honey," the big brother frowned. + +"I know," the sister pleaded, "but I couldn't help it." + +"What are you crying about?" the boy questioned. + +Again the girl's arm stole around his neck. + +"What's the matter with her, Big Brother?" he asked with a brave attempt +at scorn. + +The man slowly loosened the sister's arms. + +"I'm just going home with you, ain't I?" the child went on, with a +quiver in his voice. + +The older brother led him to a fallen log, sat down, and held his hands. + +"No, Boy," he said quietly. "I'd as well tell you the truth now. I'm +going to send you to Kentucky to a wonderful school, taught by learned +men from the Old World--wise monks who know everything. You want to go +to a real school, don't you?" + +"But my Mamma don't know--" + +"That's just it, Boy. We can't tell her. She wouldn't let you go." + +"Why?" + +"Well, she's a good Baptist, and it's a long, long way to the St. Thomas +monastery." + +"How far?" + +"A thousand miles, through these big woods--" + +The blue eyes dimmed. + +"I want to see my Mamma before I go--" his voice broke. + +The man shook his head. + +"No, Boy; it won't do. You're her baby--" + +The dark head sank with a cry. + +"I want to see her!" + +"Come, come, Jeff Davis, you're going to be a soldier. Remember you're +the son of a soldier who fought under General Washington and won our +freedom. You're named after Thomas Jefferson, the great President. Your +three brothers have just come home from New Orleans. Under Old Hickory +we drove the British back into their ships and sent 'em flying home to +England. The son of a soldier--the brother of soldiers--can't cry--" + +"I will if I want to!" + +"All right!" the man laughed--"I'll hold my hat and you can cry it +full--" + +He removed his hat and held it smilingly under the boy's firm little +chin. The childish lips tightened and the cheeks flushed with anger. +His bare toes began to dig holes in the soft rich earth. The appeal to +his soldier blood had struck into the pride of his heart and the insult +of a hat full of tears had hurt. + +At last, he found his tongue: + +"Does Pa know I'm goin'?" + +"Yes. He thinks you're a very small boy to go so far, but knows it's for +the best." + +"That's why he kissed me when I left?" + +"Yes." + +"I thought it was funny," he murmured with a half sob; "he never kissed +me before--" + +"He's quiet and reserved, Boy, but he's wise and good and loves you. +He's had a hard time out here in the wilderness fighting his way with a +wife and ten children. He never had a chance to get an education and the +children didn't either. Some of us are too old now. There's time for +you. We're going to stand aside and let you pass. You're our baby +brother, and we love you." + +The child's hand slowly stole into the rough one of the man. + +"And I love you, Big Brother--" the little voice faltered, "and all the +others, too, and that's-why-I'm-not-goin'!" + +"I'm so glad!" The girl clapped her hands and laughed. + +"Polly!--" + +"Well, I am, and I don't care what you say. He's too little to go so far +and you know he is--" + +The man grasped her hand and whispered: + +"Hush!" + +The brother slipped his arm around the Boy and drew him on his knee. He +waited a moment until the hard lines at the corners of the firm mouth +had relaxed under the pressure of his caress, pushed the tangled hair +back from his forehead and looked into the fine blue-gray eyes. His +voice was tender and his speech slow. + +"You must make up your mind to go, Boy. I don't want to force you. I +like to see your eyes flash when you say you _won't_ go. You've got the +stuff in you that real men are made of. That's why it's worth while to +send you. I've seen that since you could toddle about the house and +stamp your feet when things didn't suit you. Now, listen to me. I've +made a vow to God that you shall have as good a chance as any man to +make your way to the top. We're going to be the greatest nation in the +world. I saw it in the red flash of guns that day at New Orleans as I +lay there in the trench and watched the long lines of Red Coats go down +before us. Just a lot of raw recruits with old flintlocks! The men who +charged us, the picked veterans of England's grand army. But we cut 'em +to pieces, Boy! I fired a cannon loaded with grape shot that mowed a +lane straight through 'em. It must have killed two hundred men. They +burned our Capitol at Washington and the Federalist traitors at Hartford +were firin' on us in the rear, but Old Hickory showed the world that we +could lick England with one hand tied behind our back. And we did it. We +drove 'em like sheep--drove 'em into the sea. + +"There's but one name on every lip in this country now, Boy, and that's +Old Hickory. He'd be President next time--but for one thing,--just one +thing--he didn't have a chance to learn when he was a boy. He's not +educated." + +The brother paused, and a dreamy look came into his eyes. "We may make +him President anyhow. But if he'd been educated--there wouldn't be any +if or and about it. Washington and Jefferson and Madison belong to the +rich and powerful class. Jackson is a yeoman like your father. But he'd +be President. Boy, if he'd been educated! Nothing could stop him. Don't +you see this is your country? This is a poor man's world. All you have +to do is to train your mind. You've got to do this--you +understand--you've got to do it--" + +The man paused suddenly and looked into the Boy's wondering eyes. He had +forgotten the child's rebellion. The young pioneer of the wilderness was +talking to himself. Again he had seen a vision. + +He seized the Boy's arms: + +"Don't you see, Boy, don't you?" + +The child's mouth hardened again: + +"No, I don't. I'm just a little boy. I love my Mamma. She's good and +sweet to me and I'm not going to leave her--" + +Again Polly laughed. + +A smile slowly played about the brother's lips and eyes. He must show +his trump card. + +"But you don't know what I've got for you--" + +"What?" + +"Something you've always wanted to have for your own--" + +"A pony?" + +The man slowly rose: + +"Come out to the big road--" + +The Boy seized his sister's hand: + +"Polly, let's see!" + +The girl's eyes grew dim: + +"Oh, Jeff, I know you're goin'!" + +"No--we'll just see what it is--come on!" + +In five minutes they emerged from the deep woods into the clearing +around a cabin. Beside the roadway stood a horse and pony, both bridled +and saddled. + +The swift feet of the Boy flew across the opening, the sister wide-eyed +and trembling, close on his heels. He threw his arms around the pony's +neck and stroked his head with gentle touch. The pony pressed his mouth +against the Boy's cheek in friendly response. + +"Did you see him kiss me, Polly?" he cried tremblingly. + +"Yes, I saw him," was the solemn response. + +"Isn't he a beauty? Look, Polly--he's got a white spot on every foot and +one in his forehead and black as a coal all over--and Oh--what a +saddle--a red belt and red martingales!" + +He touched the saddle lovingly and circled the pony's neck with his +arms. + +The brother smiled again: + +"Well, what do you think of that?" + +The Boy was trembling now from head to foot, his heart in his throat as +he slowly asked: + +"You mean that--you'll--give--him--to me--for--all my own?" + +"If you'll be a good boy, go to school and work hard--yes." + +"All right, Big Brother," was the quick answer, "I'll go. Help me on him +quick, and let me try him!" + +The Boy lifted his bare foot into the strong hand, sprang into the +saddle, bounded down the road, wheeled, flew back and leaped to the +ground. + +"He's a dandy!" + +Polly dropped her head and started home, making a brave fight to keep +back the tears. Half way across the clearing she gave up in a long +pitiful wail. + +The Boy, busy with his pony, had not missed her. In a moment he was by +her side, his arms about her neck. + +"Don't cry, Polly honey, I'll be back before long," he pleaded. + +The only answer was a sob: + +"Good-by, Jeff--" + +Her hands slowly slipped through his. + +"Good-by, Polly--" + +He watched her go with quivering lips, and as the little figure slowly +faded into the shadows of the woods he called in broken accents: + +"Kiss Mamma for me--and tell her I wanted to go back and say +good-by--but Joe wouldn't let me!" + +"Yes, honey!" + +"And you--watch out for that old drunk man we saw once in the woods, +Polly!" + +"Yes!" + +"Don't let him get you--" + +"No--I won't--good--good-by!" + +"Good-by--" + +The last good-by stuck in the Boy's throat, but he lifted his blue eyes, +saw his pony and smiled through the tears. + + + + +II + +THE WILDERNESS + + +A journey of a thousand miles through the unbroken wilderness--the home +of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian Nations and all on his own beautiful +pony! It was no time for tears. + +The Boy's soul leaped for joy. + +The party was a delightful one. Major Hinds, a veteran of General +Jackson's campaign, the commander of the famous Mississippi Dragoons at +the battle of New Orleans, was the leader, accompanied by his wife, her +sister and niece, and best of all a boy his own age, the Major's little +son Howell. + +Howell also was riding a pony. He was a nice enough pony, of course, as +ponies went, but couldn't compare with his own. He made up his mind to +race the first chance they got, and show those pretty white heels to +his rival. He was just dying to tell him how fast they could beat the +ground--but he'd wait and surprise the party. + +A negro maid accompanied the ladies and a stalwart black man rode a +pack-mule laden with tents, blankets and a cooking outfit. They stopped +at houses when one could be reached at nightfall. If not, they camped in +the woods beneath the towering trees. There was no need of the tents +unless it rained. So dense was the foliage that only here and there a +bright star peeped through, or a moonbeam shot its silvery thread to the +ground. The Indians were all friendly. It was the boast of the Choctaws +that no man of their breed had ever shed the blood of a white man. + +For days they followed the course of the majestic river rolling its +yellow flood to the sea and watched the lazy flat and keel boats drift +slowly down to New Orleans bearing the wealth of the new Western World. +The men who had manned these rude craft were slowly tramping on foot +back to their homes in the North. Their boats could not stem the tide +for the return trip. Every day they passed these weary walkers. The Boy +was sorry they couldn't ride. His pony's step was so firm and quick and +strong. + +He raced with Howell the first day and beat him so far there was no fun +in it. He never challenged his rival again. He was the guest of Major +Hinds on this trip. It would be rude. But he slipped out in the dark +that night, and hugged his pony: + +"You're the finest horse that ever was!" he whispered. + +"Of course I am!" the pony laughed. + +"I love you--" + +"And I love you," was the quick response as the warm nose touched his +cheek. + +In the second week, they reached the first stand, "Folsoms'," on the +border of the Choctaw Nation. These stands were log cabins occupied by +squaw men--whites who had married Indian women. They must pass three +more of these stands the Major said--the "Leflores," known as the first +and second French camps, and the one at the crossing of the Tennessee +River, which had the unusual distinction of being kept by a half-breed +Chickasaw Indian. + +Here, weary, footsore travelers stopped to rest and refresh +themselves--and many dropped and died miles from those they loved. The +little graveyard with its rude, wooden-marked mounds the Boy saw with a +dull ache in his heart. + +And then the first bitter pang of homesickness came. He wondered if his +sweet mother were well. He wondered what she said when they told her he +had gone. He knew she had cried. What if she were dead and he could +never see her again? He sat down on a log, buried his face in his hands +and tried to cry the ache out of his heart. He felt that he must turn +back or die. But it wouldn't do. He had promised his Big Brother. He +rose, brushed the tears away, fed and watered his pony and tenderly +rubbed down every inch of his beautiful black skin. He forgot the ache +in his new-found love and the strength which had come into his boy's +soul from the sense of kinship with Nature which this beautiful dumb +four-footed friend had brought him. No man could be friendless or +forsaken who possessed the love of a horse. His horse knew and loved +him. He said it in a hundred ways. His wide, deep, lustrous eyes, +shining with intelligence, had told him! So had the touch of his big +warm mouth in many a friendly pony kiss. His pony could laugh, too. He +had seen the smiles flicker about his mouth and eyes as he pretended to +bite his bare legs. How could any human being be cruel or mean to a +horse! His pony had given him new courage and conscious power. He was +the master of Nature now when they flew along the trail through the deep +woods. His horse had given him wings. + +He looked up into the star-sown sky, and promised God to be kind and +gentle to all the dumb world for the love of the beautiful friend He had +given. + + + + +III + +THE HERMITAGE + + +At the last stand on the banks of the winding Tennessee, the Major sat +up late in eager discussion about Old Hickory with an enthusiastic +Tennesseean. The ladies had retired, and the Boy listened with quiet +eagerness to the talk. + +"Waal, we're goin' ter make Andrew Jackson President anyhow, Major!" the +Tennesseean drawled. + +"I'm afraid they'll beat us," the Major answered, with a shake of his +head. + +"How'll they beat us when we git ready ter make the fight?" + +"Old Hickory says himself, he ain't fit--" + +"I reckon we know more about that than he does," persisted the man from +Tennessee. + +"The aristocrats don't think so--" + +"What t'ell they got agin him? Ain't he the biggest man in this country +to-day? Didn't he lick Spain and England both at Pensacola and didn't he +finish the Red Coats at New Orleans--" + +"They say his education's poor--" + +"He knowed enough to make this country cock o' the walk--what more do +they want--damn 'em!" + +"They say he swears--" + +The Tennesseean roared: + +"Waal, if all the cussin' men vote fur him--he'll sho be elected!" + +"The real trouble--" the Major said thoughtfully, "is what the +scandal-mongers keep saying about his wife--" + +"He's killed one son-of-a-gun about that already, an' they better let +him alone--" + +"That's just it, my friend: he killed that skunk in a duel and it's not +the only one he has fought either. Old Hickory's got the temper of the +devil." + +"Waal, thar ain't nothin' in them lies about his wife--" + +The Major lifted his hand and moved closer: + +"There's just enough truth at the bottom of it all to give the liars the +chance they need to talk forever--" + +"I never knowed thar wuz ary grain er truth in hit, at all--" + +"There is, though," the Major interrupted, "and that's where we're going +to have a big fight on our hands when it comes to the rub. This Lewis +Robards, her first husband, was a quarrelsome cuss. Every man that +looked at his wife, he swore was after her, and if she lifted her eyes, +he was sure she was guilty. There was no divorce law in Virginia and +Robards petitioned the Legislature to pass an Act of Divorce in his +favor. The dog swore in this petition that his wife had deserted him and +was living with Andrew Jackson. He _was_ boarding with her mother, the +widow Donelson. The Legislature passed the Act, but it only authorized +the Courts of the Territory of Kentucky to try the case, and grant the +divorce if the facts were proven. + +"Robards never went to Court with it for over two years, and Jackson, +under the impression that the Legislature had given the divorce, married +Rachel Robards at Natchez in August, 1791. + +"Two years later, the skunk slips into Court and gets his divorce! + +"As quick as Old Hickory heard this, he married her over again. There +was a mighty hullabaloo kicked up about it by the politicians. They +tried to run Jackson out of the country--the little pups who were afraid +of him. He challenged the leader of this pack of hounds, and shot him +dead--" + +"Served him right, too," broke in the Tennesseean, removing his pipe, +with a nod of his shaggy head. + +"But it don't help him on the way to Washington!" The Major grunted, +suddenly rising and dismissing the subject for the night. + +The Boy's curiosity was kindled to see the great man whose name had +filled the world. + +The distance to Nashville was quickly covered. The Major pressed +straight through the town without pause and drew rein at the General's +gate. + +The welcome they received from their distinguished host was so simple, +so genuine, so real, the Boy's heart went out in loyal admiration. + +The house was a big rambling structure of logs, in front of which stood +a stately grove of magnificent forest trees. Behind it stretched the +grain and cotton fields. + +Nothing could surpass the unaffected and perfect courtesy with which the +General welcomed his guests. The tall, stately figure, moving with the +unconscious grace of perfect manhood, needed no rules of a dancing +master for his guidance. He had sprung from the common people, but he +was a born leader and ruler of men. + +The Boy listened with keen ears to hear him rip out one of those +terrible oaths of which so much had been said. His speech was gentle and +kind, and he asked a blessing at every meal exactly as his own quiet, +dignified father at home. In all the three weeks they remained his +guests not an oath or an ugly word fell from his lips. The Boy wondered +how people could tell such lies. + +The General liked boys, too. It was easy to see that. He gave hours of +his time to the games and sports of his adopted son, Andrew Jackson, +Jr., and his two little guests. He got up contests of all sorts. They +raced their ponies. They ran and jumped. They played marbles. They +followed the hounds. And always with them as friend and counselor, the +General, gentle, kind, considerate. The only thing he prohibited was +wrestling. + +"No, boys," he said with a frown. "That's not a good sport for high +spirited youth. To feel the hand of a rival on your body may lead to a +fight." + +The deep set eyes flashed with the memory of his own hot blooded boyhood +and young manhood. + +The General's wife won the Boy's whole heart from the moment he saw her. + +"How could they tell such lies!" he kept repeating with boyish +indignation. Pure and sweet as the face of his own mother was hers. +Loving, unselfish, tender and thoughtful, she moved through her house +with the gentle step of a ministering angel. The knightly deference with +which the General attended her slightest wish, stirred the Boy's +imagination. He could see him standing erect, pistol in hand, in the +gray dawn of the morning on which he faced the enemy who had slandered +her. He could see the big firm hand grip the pistol's handle in a clasp +of steel as he waited the signal of Death. He wondered what sort of +wound Dickenson's bullet had made in the General's breast. Anyhow, it +had not been fatal. His enemy lived but a few hours. + +He set his lips firmly, and repeated the Tennesseean's verdict: + +"Served him right, too." + +The Boy left the Hermitage under the spell of Old Hickory's personality +for life. He had seen a great man. + + + + +IV + +THE MONASTERY BELLS + + +The journey from Nashville to Springfield, Kentucky, was quick and +uneventful. Long before the spire of St. Thomas' church loomed on the +horizon, they passed through the wide, fertile fields of the Dominican +monks. The grim figure of a black friar was directing the harvest of a +sea of golden-yellow wheat. His workmen were sleek negro slaves. Herds +of fat cattle grazed on the hills. A flock of a thousand sheep were +nipping the fresh sweet grass in the valley. They passed a big flour +mill, whose lazy wheel swung in rhythmic unison with the laughing waters +of the creek that watered the rich valley. The monks were vowed to +poverty and self-denial. But their Order was rich in slaves and land, in +mills and herds and flocks and generous harvests. + +As the sun sank in a smother of purple and red behind the hills, they +saw the church and monastery. The bells were chanting their call to +evening prayer. + +The Boy held his breath in silent ecstasy. He had never heard anything +like it before. It was wonderful--those sweet notes echoing over hill +and valley in the solemn hush of the gathering twilight. + +They waited for the priests to emerge from the chapel before making +their presence known. Through the open windows the deep solemn throb of +the organ pealed. The soul of the Boy rose enchanted on new wings whose +power he had never dreamed. Hidden depths were sounded of whose +existence he could not know. There was no organ in the little bare log +church the Baptists had built near his father's farm in Mississippi. His +father and mother were Baptists and of course he was going to be a +Baptist some day. But why didn't they have stained glass windows like +those through which he saw the light now streaming--wonderful flashing +lights, whose colors seemed to pour from the soul of the organ. And why +didn't they have a great organ? + +He was going to like these Roman Catholics. He wondered what his mother +would say to that? + +It all seemed so familiar, too. Where had he heard those bells? Where +had he heard the peal of that organ and seen the flash of those gorgeous +lights? In the sky at sunset perhaps, and in the rumble of the storm. +Maybe in dreams--and now they had come true. + +In a few months, he found himself the only Protestant boy in school and +the smallest of all the scholars. The monks were kind. They seemed +somehow to love him better than the others. Father Wallace reminded him +of his big brother. He was so gentle. + +The Boy made up his mind to join the Catholic Church and went straight +to Father Wilson, the venerable head of the college. + +The old man smiled pleasantly: + +"And why do you wish this, my son?" + +"Oh, it's so much more beautiful than the Baptist Church. Besides it's +so much easier--" + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, sir. The Baptists have such a hard time getting religion. They +seek and mourn so long--" + +"Really?" + +"Indeed they do--yes, sir--I've seen stubborn sinners mourn all summer +in three protracted meetings and then not come through!" + +"And you don't like that sort of penance?" + +"No, sir. I've always dreaded it. And the worst thing is the new +converts have to stand right up in church before all the crowd and tell +their experience out loud. I'd hate that--" + +"And you like our ways better?" + +"A great deal better. The Catholics manage things so nicely. All you +have to do is to go to church, learn the catechism and the good priests +do all the rest--" + +"Oh--I see!" + +"Yes, sir." + +Father Wilson laid his wrinkled hand tenderly on the Boy's head: + +"You are very, very young, my son, and you are growing rapidly. What you +really need is good Catholic food. Sit down and have a piece of bread +and cheese with me." + +The Boy sat down and ate the offered bread and cheese in silence. + +"I can't join, Father Wilson?" he asked at last. + +The priest smiled again: + +"No, my son." + +"You don't like me, Father?" the boy asked wistfully. + +"We like you very much, sir. But we are responsible for the trust your +father and mother have put in us. In God's own time when you are older +and know the full meaning of your act, I should be glad--but not this +way." + +The Boy was so small, in fact, that a fine old priest in pity for his +tender years had a little bed put in his own room for him to watch the +light and shadows in eager young eyes when homesickness threatened. And +then he talked of the wonders and glory of Rome on her seven hills by +the Tiber, of the Coliseum, the death of Christian martyrs in the +arena--of the splendors of St. Peter's, beside whose glory all other +churches pale into insignificance. He lifted the curtain of history and +gave the child's mind flashes of the Old World whose pageants stretch +down the ages into the mists of eternity. + +Of books, the Boy learned little--but the monks kindled a light in his +soul the years could not dim. + +To the other students the old man was not so gentle. They were tougher +and he set their tasks accordingly. They rebelled at last and decided on +revenge. The plot was hatched and all in readiness for its execution. +The only problem was how to put the light out in his room. + +The Boy held the key to the citadel. He was on the inside. He could blow +the candle out and the thing was done. He refused at first, but the +rebels crowded around him and appealed to his sense of loyalty. + +"They can force you to sleep in his room," pleaded the ringleader, "but, +by Gimminy, that don't make you a monk, does it?" + +"No, of course not--" + +"You're one of _us_--stand by us. You didn't ask to sleep in his old +room, did you?" + +"No." + +"Well, you're there--the right man in the right place, in the nick of +time. _Will_ you stand by us?" + +"What do you want me to do?" + +"Just blow out the candle--that's all--we'll do the rest. Will you do +it?" + +The Boy hesitated, smiled and said: + +"Yes--when everything's quiet." + +The old man had gone to bed and began to snore. The Boy rose noiselessly +and blew the candle out. + +Instantly from the darkness without, poured a volley of cabbage heads, +squashes, potatoes and biscuits. Not a word was spoken, but the charge +of the light brigade was swift and terrible. + +The Boy pulled the cover over his head and waited for the storm to pass. + +When the light was lit and search made, not a culprit could be found. +They were all in bed sound asleep. The only one awake was the Boy in the +little bed on which lay scattered potatoes, biscuits and cabbage. + +The priest drew him from under the cover. His face was stern--the firm +mouth rigid with anger. + +"Did you know they were going to do that, sir?" he asked. + +The Boy trembled but held his tongue. + +"Answer me, sir!" + +"I didn't know just what they were going to do--" + +"You knew they were up to something?" + +"Yes!" + +"And you didn't tell me?" + +"No." + +"Why?" + +"I couldn't be a traitor, sir." + +"To those young rascals--no--but you could betray me--" + +"I'm not a monk, Father--" + +"Tell me what you know at once, sir, before I thrash you." + +"I don't know much," the Boy slowly answered, "and I can't tell you +that." + +There was a final ring in the tones with which he ended the sentence. +The culprit must be punished. It was out of the question that he should +whip him--this quiet, gentle, bright little fellow he had grown to love. +He was turned over to another--an old monk of fine face and voice full +of persuasive music. + +He took the Boy by the hand and led him up the last flight of stairs to +the top of the house and into a tiny bare room. The only piece of +furniture was an ominous looking cot in the middle of the floor. The Boy +had not read the history of the Spanish Inquisition, but it required no +great learning in history or philosophy to guess the use of that +machine. + +There was no terror in the blue eyes. Their light grew hard with +resolution. The monk to whom he had been delivered for punishment was +the one of all the monastery who had the kindliest, gentlest face. The +Boy had always thought him one of his best friends. + +Yet, without a word, he laid the culprit face downward on the strange +leather couch and drew the straps around his slim body. He had dreamed +of mercy, but all hope vanished now. He held his breath and set his lips +to receive the blow--the first he had ever felt. + +The monk took the switch in his hand and hesitated. He loved the bright, +handsome lad. The task was harder than he thought. + +He knelt beside the cot and put his hand on the dark little head: + +"I hate to strike you, my son--" + +"Don't then, Father," was the eager answer. + +"I've always had a very tender spot in my heart for you. Tell me what +you know and it'll be all right." + +"I can't--" + +"No matter how little, and I'll let you off." + +"Will you?" + +"I promise." + +"I know one thing," the Boy said with a smile. + +"Yes?" + +"I know who blew out the light." + +"Good!" + +"If I tell you that much, you'll let me off?" + +"Yes, my son." + +The little head wagged doubtfully: + +"Honest, now, Father?" + +"I give you my solemn word." + +"I blew it out!" + +The fine old face twitched with suppressed laughter as he loosed the +straps, sat down on the cot and drew the youngster in his lap. + +"You're a bright chap, my son. You'll go far in this world some day. A +great diplomat perhaps, but the road you've started on to-night can only +lead you at last into a blind alley. You know now that I love you, don't +you?" + +"Yes, Father." + +"Come now, my Boy, there's too much strength and character in those fine +eyes and that splendid square chin and jaw for you to let roistering +fools lead you by the nose. You wouldn't have gotten into that devilment +if they hadn't persuaded you--now would you?" + +"No." + +"All right. Use the brain and heart God has given you. Don't let fools +use it for their own ends. Do your own thinking. Be your own man. Stand +on your own bottom." + +And then, in low tones, the fine old face glowing with enthusiasm, the +monk talked to his little friend of Truth and Right, of Character and +Principle, of Love and God, until the tears began to slowly steal down +the rosy cheeks. + +A new resolution fixed itself in the Boy's soul. He _would_ live his own +life. No other human being should do it for him. + + + + +V + +HOME + + +The mother's heart rebelled at last. She would not be put off longer. +Her baby had been gone two years. She refused point blank to listen to +any further argument. + +Charles Green, the young Mississippian, studying law in Kentucky, and +acting as the Boy's guardian, was notified to bring him at the end of +the spring term. + +On a glorious day in June they left Bardstown for Louisville, to take +the new steamboat line for home. These wonderful boats were the marvels +of their day. Their names conveyed but a hint of the awe they inspired. +The fleet of three vessels bore the titles, _Volcano_, _Vesuvius_ and +_AEtna_. And the sparks that flew heavenward from their black chimneys +were far more impressive to the people who crowded the shores than the +smoke and lava of old Vesuvius to the lazy loungers of Naples. + +The Boy saw his pony safely housed on board the _AEtna_, and amid the +clang of bells and the scream of whistles, the floating wonder swung out +from her wharf into the yellow tide of the Ohio. + +Scores of people crowded her decks for the pleasure of a ride ten miles +down the river to return in their carriages. + +The Captain of the _AEtna_, Robinson DeHart, held the Boy in a spell by +his lofty manners. He had been a sailor on board an ocean-going brig. To +him the landing of his vessel was an event, no matter how often the stop +was made, whether to put off a single passenger, or take on a regiment. +In fact, he never landed the _AEtna_, even to take on a cord of wood, +without the use of his enormous speaking trumpet and his big brass +spy-glass. + +A beautiful, slow, uneventful voyage on the Father of Waters landed the +Boy in safety at the Woodville stopping-place. He leaped down the +gang-plank with a shout and clasped his Big Brother's hand. + +"My, my, but you've grown, Boy!" + +"Haven't I?" + +"Won't little mother be surprised and glad?" + +"Let's fool her," the Boy cried. "Let me go up by myself and she won't +know me!" + +"All right--we'll try." + +The brother stopped at the village and the young stranger walked alone +to his father's house. How beautiful it all seemed--the big log house +with the cabins clustering around it! A horse neighed at the barn and a +colt answered from the field. + +He walked boldly up to the porch and just inside the door sat his lovely +mother. She had been one of the most beautiful girls in all South +Carolina in her day, his father had often said. She was beautiful still. +She had known what happiness was. She was the mother of ten strong +children--five boys and five girls--and her heart was young with their +joys and hopes. A smile was playing about her fine mouth. She was +dreaming perhaps of his coming. + +The Boy cleared his throat with a deep manly note and spoke in studied +careless tones: + +"Seen any stray horses around here, ma'am?" + +The mother's eyes flashed as she sprang through the doorway and snatched +him to her heart with a cry of joy: + +"No--but I see a stray Boy! Oh, my darling, my baby, my heart!" + +And then words failed. She loosed her hold and held him at arm's length, +tried to say something, but only clasped him again and cried for joy. + +"Please, Ma, let me have him!" Polly pleaded. + +And then he clasped his sister in a long, voiceless hug--loosed her and +caught her again: + +"I missed you, Polly, dear!" he sighed. + +When all the others had been greeted, he turned to his mother: + +"Where's Pa?" + +"Down in the field with the colts." + +"I'll go find him!" + +With a bound he was off. He wondered what his silent, undemonstrative +father would do. He had always felt that he was a man of deep emotion +for all his self-control. + +He saw him in the field, walked along the edge of the woods, and +suddenly came before him without warning. The father's lips trembled. He +stooped without a word, clasped the Boy in his arms and kissed him again +and again. + +The youngster couldn't help wondering why a strong man should kiss so +big a boy. The mother--yes--but his father, a man--no. + +It was sweet, this home-coming to those who loved deepest. Somehow the +monastery, its bells, its organ, its jeweled windows, and its kindly +black-robed priests seemed far away and unreal now--only a dream that +had passed. + + + + +VI + +REBELLION + + +The mother's breakdown was not allowed to stop the Boy's education. Both +father and older brother were determined on this. They would use the +schools at home now. + +He was sent to the County Academy in the fall. The Boy didn't like it. +After the easy life with the kindly old monks at St. Thomas, this +academy was not only cheap and coarse and uninteresting, but the teacher +had no sense. He gave lessons so long and hard it was impossible to +memorize them. + +The Boy complained to the teacher. A lesson of the same length was +promptly given again. The rebel showed the teacher he was wrong by +failing to know it. + +"I'll thrash you, sir!" was the stern answer. + +The Boy would not take that from such a fool. He rose in his wrath, went +home and poured out the indignant story of his wrongs. + +The father was a man of few words, but the long silence which followed +gave a feeling of vague uneasiness. He was never dictatorial to his +children, but meant what he said. His voice was quiet and persuasive +when he finally spoke. + +"Of course, my son, you will have to choose for yourself whether you +will work with your hands only, or with your head and hands. You can't +be an idler, I need more cotton pickers. You don't like school, try the +cotton, I'll give you work." + +The Boy flushed and looked at his father keenly. It was no joke. He +meant exactly what he had said, and a boy with any sand in his gizzard +couldn't back down. + +"All right, sir," was the firm answer. "I'll begin in the morning." + +He went forth to his task with grim determination. The sun of early +September had just risen and it was already hot as he bent to work. +Cotton picking looked easy from a distance. When you got at it, things +somehow were different. A task of everlasting monotony, this bending +from boll to boll along the endless rows! He never realized before how +long the cotton rows were. There was a little stop at the end before +turning and selecting the next, but these rows seemed to stretch away +into eternity. + +Three hours at it, and he was mortally tired. His back ached in a dull +hopeless pain. He lifted his head and gazed longingly toward the school +he had scorned. + +"What a fool!" he sighed. "But I'll stick to it. I can do what any +nigger can." + +He looked curiously at the slaves who worked without apparent effort. +Not one of them seemed the least bit tired. He could get used to it, +too. After all, this breath of the open world was better than being +cooped up in a stuffy old schoolhouse with a fool to set impossible +tasks. + +"Pooh! I'll show my father!" he exclaimed. + +The negroes broke into a plantation song. Jim Pemberton, the leader, +sang each stanza in a clear fine tenor that rang over the field and +echoed through the deep woods. The others joined in the chorus and after +the last verse repeated in low sweet notes that died away so softly it +was impossible to tell the moment the song had ceased. + +The music was beautiful, but it was impossible for him to join in their +singing. He couldn't lower himself to an equality with black slaves. +This cotton picking seemed part of their scheme of life. Their strong +black bodies swayed in a sort of rhythmic movement even when they were +not singing. Somehow his body didn't fit into the scheme. His back ached +and ached. No matter. He had chosen, and he would show them he had a +man's spirit inside a boy's breast. + +At noon the ache had worn away and he felt a sense of joy in conquering +the pain. + +He ate his dinner in silence and wondered what Polly was thinking about +at school. Girl-like, she had cried and begged him to go back. + +With a cheerful wave of his hand to his mother, he returned to the field +before the negroes, strapped the bag on his shoulder and bent again to +his task. The afternoon was long. It seemed at three o'clock there could +be no end to it and still those long, long rows of white fleece +stretched on and on into eternity--all alike in dull, tiresome monotony. + +He whistled to keep up his courage. + +The negroes whispered to one another and smiled as they looked his way. +He paid no attention. + +By four o'clock, the weariness had become a habit and at sundown he felt +stronger than at dawn. He swung the bag over his back and started to the +weighing place. + +"Pooh--it's easy!" he said with scorn. + +The negroes crowded around his pile of cotton. + +"Dat Boy is sho one cotton-picker!" cried Jim Pemberton, regarding him +with grinning admiration. + +"Of course, I can pick cotton if I want to--" + +"But ye raly don't wanter?" Jim grinned. + +"Sure I do. I'm sick of school." + +Jim laughed aloud and, coming close, whispered insinuatingly: + +"I'se sho sick er pickin' cotton, an' when yer quits de job--" + +"I'm not going to quit--" + +"Yassah, yassah?--I understan' dat--but de pint is, _when_ yer _do_ +quit, don't fergit Jim, Marse Jeff. I likes you. You got de spunk. I +wants ter be yo' man." + +The appeal touched the Boy's pride. He answered with quiet dignity: + +"All right, James--" + +Jim lifted his head and walled his eyes: + +"Des listen at him call me Jeemes! I knows a real marster when I sees +him!" + +That night, the father asked no questions and made no comment on the +fact that he had picked a hundred and ten pounds of cotton--as much as +any man in the field. His deciding to work with his hands had apparently +been accepted as final. + +This thing of deciding life for himself was a serious business. It would +be very silly to jump into a career with slaves, coarse and degrading, +just because a fool happened to be teaching at the County Academy. He +must think this thing over. Tired as he was, he lay awake until eleven +o'clock, thinking, thinking for himself. + +It was lonesome work, too, this thinking for himself. + +If his father had only done the thinking for him, it would have been so +much easier to accept his decision and then rebel if he didn't like it. + +He returned to the field next morning with renewed determination. +Through the long, hot, interminable day he bent and fought the battle in +silence. His back ached worse than the first day. Every muscle in his +finely strung little body was bruised and sore and on fire. + +He began to ask if his father were right. Wasn't a man a double fool who +had brains and refused to use them? + +An idiot could pick cotton when the bag was fastened on his back. All he +needed was one hand. All he had to do was to bend, hour after hour, day +after day, until it became the habit of life and the ache stopped. + +He could see this now, for himself. He smiled at the quiet wisdom of his +father. He certainly knew how to manage boys. He must acknowledge that. +He was quiet and considerate about it, too. He didn't dictate. He only +suggested things for consideration and choice. It was easy to meet the +views of that kind of a father. He treated a boy with the dignity of a +man. + +When the cotton was weighed, the Boy faced his father: + +"I've thought it all over, sir, and I'd like to go back to school." + +"All right, my son, you can return in the morning." + +He made no comment. He indulged in no smile at the Boy's expense. He +received his decision with the serious dignity of a judge of the +Supreme Court of Life. + +The rebellion ended for all time. Teachers and schools took on a new +meaning. A lesson was no longer a hard task set by a heartless fool who +had been accidentally placed in a position of power. School meant the +training of his mind for a higher and more useful life. + +Progress now was steady. The next year a new teacher came, a real +teacher, the Rev. John Shaw from Boston, Massachusetts--a man of even +temper, just, gentle, a profound scholar with a mind whose contagious +enthusiasm drew the spirits of the young as a magnet. + +The Boy learned more under his guidance within a year than in all his +life before, and next full was ready to enter Transylvania University at +Lexington, Kentucky. + +The polite, handsome boy from Mississippi who had served an +apprenticeship with his father's negroes in a cotton field, gave the +professors no trouble. Good-natured, prudent, joyous, kind, manly, he +attended to his lessons and his own business. He neither gambled nor +drank, nor mingled with the rowdy set. He had come there for something +else. + +He had just passed his examinations for the Senior class in July, 1824, +when the first great sorrow came. The wise father whom he had grown to +love and reverence died in his sixty-eighth year. + +His thoughtful Big Brother came in person to tell him and break the blow +with new ambitions and new hopes. He had secured an appointment from +President Monroe as a cadet to West Point from the State of Mississippi. + +And then began the four years of stern discipline that makes a soldier +and fits him to command men. + +But once in those busy years did the gay spirit within rise in +rebellion, to learn wisdom in the bitterness of experience. + +With Emile Laserre, his jolly Creole friend from Louisiana, he slipped +down to Bennie Haven's on a frolic--taking French leave, of course. The +alarm was given of the approach of an instructor, and the two culprits +bolted for the barracks at breakneck speed through pitch darkness. +Scrambling madly through the woods, there was a sudden cry, a crash and +silence. He had fallen sixty feet over a precipice to the banks of the +Hudson. Young Laserre crawled carefully to the edge of the rock, peered +over and called through the darkness: + +"Are you dead, Jeff?" + +He was suffering too much to laugh, though he determined to give an +Irishman's reply to that question, if it killed him. He managed to +wheeze back the answer: + +"Not dead--but spachless!" + +Many were the temptations of rebellion from the friends he loved in the +years that followed, but never again did he yield. Somehow the thing +didn't work in his case. + +There was one professor who put his decision of obedience to the supreme +test. For some reason this particular instructor took a violent dislike +to the tall, dignified young Southerner. Perhaps because he was more +anxious to have the love of his cadet friends than the approval of his +teachers. Perhaps from some hidden spring of character within the +teacher which antagonized the firm will and strong personality of the +student who dared to do his own thinking. From whatever cause, it was +plain to all that the professor sought opportunities to insult and +browbeat the cadet he could not provoke into open rebellion. + +The professor was lecturing the class on presence of mind as the +supreme requisite of a successful soldier. He paused, and looked +directly at his young enemy: + +"Of course, there are some who will always be confused and wanting in an +emergency--not from cowardice, but from the mediocre nature of their +minds." + +The insult was direct and intended. He hoped to provoke an outburst +which would bring punishment, if not disgrace. + +The cadet's lips merely tightened and the steel from the depths of his +blue eyes flashed into his enemy's for a moment. He would bide his time. + +Three days later, in a building crowded with students, the professor was +teaching the class the process of making fire-balls. + +The room was a storehouse of explosives and the ball suddenly burst into +flames. + +Cadet Davis saw it first and calmly turned to his tormentor: + +"The fire-ball has ignited, sir,--what shall I do?" + +The professor dashed for the door: + +"Run! Run for your lives!" + +The cadet snatched the fire-ball from the floor, dashed it through the +window and calmly walked out. + +He had saved many lives and the building from destruction. His revenge +was complete and sweet. But deeper and sweeter than his triumph over an +enemy was the consciousness that he was master of himself. He had +learned life's profoundest lesson. + + + + +VII + +LIFE + + +On his graduation, the Second Lieutenant of Infantry, from the State of +Mississippi, barely twenty years old, reported for duty to the +Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis. + +He was ordered to the frontier to extend the boundaries of the growing +Republic--now accompanied by his faithful body servant, James Pemberton. + +The Fort, situated on the Wisconsin River, was the northern limit of the +Illinois tribe of Indians, and the starting point of all raids against +the Iroquois who still held the rich lands around the village of +Chicago. + +The Boy Lieutenant was the first lumberman to put axe into the virgin +forests of Wisconsin. He was sent into the wilderness with a detachment +for cutting timber to enlarge the Fort. + +Under the direction of two voyageurs he embarked in a little open boat +and began the perilous journey. + +The first day out his courage and presence of mind were put to quick +test. + +The Indians suddenly appeared on the shore and demanded a trade for +tobacco. The little party rowed to the bank and began to parley. A +guide's keen eyes saw through their smooth palaver the hostile purpose +of a bloody surprise and warned the commander. The order to push into +the river and pull for their lives was instantly given. + +With savage yells the Indians sprang into their canoes and gave chase. + +It was ten to one and they were sure of their prey. The chance of escape +from such strong, swift rowers in light bark canoes was slight. The low +fierce cries of victory and the joyous shout of coming torture rang over +the waters. + +The Indians gained rapidly. + +The young Lieutenant's eye measured the distance between them and saw +the race was hopeless. With quick command he ordered a huge blanket +stretched in the bow for a sail. The wind was blowing a furious gale +and might swamp their tiny craft. It was drowning or death by torture. +The commander's choice was instantaneous. + +The frail boat plunged suddenly forward, swayed and surged from side to +side through the angry, swirling waters, settled at last, and drew +steadily away from the maddened savages. + +With a curious smile, the boyish commander stood in the stern and +watched the black swarm of yelling devils fade in the distance. + +He was thinking of his old professor at West Point. His insult had been +the one thing in life to which he owed most. He could see that clearly +now. His heart went out in a wave of gratitude to his enemy. Our enemies +are always our best friends when we have eyes to see. + +The winter following he was ordered down to Winnebago. + +The village of Chicago was the nearest center of civilization. The only +way of reaching it was by wagon, and the journey consumed three months. + +There was much gambling in the long still nights, and some drinking. In +lieu of the excitement of the gaming table, he took his fun in breaking +and riding wild horses, and hairbreadth escapes were the order of his +daily exercise. It was gambling, perhaps, but it developed the muscles +of mind and body. + +His success with horses was remarkable. No animal that man has broken to +his use is keener to recognize a master and flout a coward than the +horse. No coward has ever been able to do anything with a spirited +horse. + +He was wrestling one day with a particularly vicious specimen, to the +terror and anguish of Jim Pemberton. + +"For de Lawd's sake, Marse Jeff, let dat debbil go!" + +"No, James, not yet--" + +"He ain't no count, no how--" + +"All the more reason why I should be his master, not he be mine." + +The horse was possessed of seven devils. He jumped and plunged and +bucked, wheeled and reared and walked on his hind legs in mad effort to +throw his cool rider. The moment he reared, the Lieutenant dropped his +feet from the stirrups and leaned close to the brute's trembling, angry +head. At last in one supreme effort the beast threw himself straight +into the air and fell backwards, with the savage purpose of crushing his +tormentor beneath his body. + +With a quiet laugh, the young officer slipped from the saddle and +allowed him to thump himself a crashing blow. As the horse sprang to his +feet to run, the Lieutenant leaped lightly into the saddle and the fight +was over. + +"Well, for de Lawd, did ye ebber see de beat er dat!" Jim Pemberton +cried with laughing admiration. + +Scarcely a week passed without its dangerous excursions against the +Pawnees, Comanches and other hostile tribes of Indians. The friendly +tribes, too, were everlastingly changing to hostiles in a night. Death +rode in the saddle with every man who left a fortified post in these +early days of our national life. + +The Lieutenant was ordered on a peculiarly long and daring raid into +hostile territory, and twice barely escaped a massacre. Their errand +accomplished, and leisurely returning to the Fort, they suddenly met a +large party of Indians. + +The Lieutenant shot a swift glance at their leader and saluted him with +friendly uplifted hand: + +"Can you tell us the way to the Fort, Chief?" + +The tall brave placed himself squarely in the path and pointed in the +wrong direction. + +Instantly the Lieutenant spurred his horse squarely on the savage, +grasped him by the hair, dragged him a hundred yards and flung him into +the bushes. The assault was so sudden, so unexpected, so daring, the +whole band was completely cowed, and the soldiers rode by without +attack. + +Nor was the Indian the only enemy to test the youngster's mettle. The +pioneer soldiers of the rank and file in these turbulent days had minds +of their own which they sometimes dared to use. + +The Lieutenant had no beard. His smooth, handsome face, clear blue eyes, +fresh color and gay laughter, gave the impression of a boy of nineteen, +when by the calendar he could boast of twenty-one. + +A big strapping, bearded soldier, employed in building the Fort, had +proven himself the terror of his fellow workmen. He was a man of +enormous strength and gave full rein to an ugly, quarrelsome +disposition. + +His eyes rested with decided disapproval on the graceful young master of +horses. + +"I'll whip that baby-faced Lieutenant," he coolly announced to his +satellites, "if ever he opens his jaw to me--watch me if I don't. What +does he know about work?" + +The men reported the threat to the Lieutenant. The next day without a +moment's hesitation, in quiet tones, he gave his first order to the +giant: + +"Put that piece of dressed scantling beside the window--" + +The man deliberately lifted a rough board and placed it. + +"The rough board won't do," said the even voice. "It must he a dressed +scantling." + +The soldier threw him an insolent laugh, and stooped to take up a board +exactly like the one he had laid down. + +The baby-faced Lieutenant suddenly seized a club, knocked him down, and +beat him until he yelled for quarter. + +The soldiers had watched the clash at first with grins and winks and +nudges, betting on their giant. His strength was invincible. When the +unexpected happened, and they saw the slender, plucky youngster standing +over the form of the fallen brave, they raised a lusty shout for him. + +When the giant scrambled to his feet, the victor said with a smile: + +"This has been a fight, man to man, and I'm satisfied. I'll not report +it officially." + +The big one grinned sheepishly and respectfully offered his hand: + +"You're all right, Lieutenant. I made a mistake. I beg your pardon. +You're the kind of a commander I've always liked." + +Again the soldiers gave a shout. No man under him ever again presumed on +his beardless face. He had only to make his orders known to have them +instantly obeyed. + +Jim Pemberton had watched the little drama of officer and man with an +ugly light gleaming in his eyes. The young master had not seen him. That +night in his quarters Jim quietly said: + +"I'd a killed him ef he'd a laid his big claws on you, Marse Jeff." + +"Would you, James?" + +"Dat I would, sah." + +Nothing more was said. But a new bond was sealed between master and man. + +While at Fort Crawford, the Lieutenant had been ordered up the Yellow +River to build a saw mill. He had handled the neighboring Indians with +such friendly skill and won their good will so completely, he was +adopted by their chief as a brother of the tribe. An old Indian woman +bent with age traveled a hundred miles to the Fort to warn the "Little +Chief" of a coming attack of hostile bands. Her warning was unheeded by +the new commander and a massacre followed. + +The success of this attack raised the war spirit of the entire frontier +and gave the soldiers a winter of exceptional danger and hardship. The +country in every direction swarmed with red warriors on the warpath. The +weather was intensely cold, and his Southern blood suffered agonies +unknown to his companions. Often wet to the skin and compelled to remain +in the saddle, the exposure at last brought on pneumonia. For months he +lay in his bed, directing, as best he could, the work of his men. + +James Pemberton lifted his weak, emaciated form in his arms as if he +were a child. The black man carried his money, his sword and pistols. At +any moment, day or night, he could have stepped from the door into the +wilderness and been free. He was free. He loved the man he served. With +tireless patience and tenderness, he nursed him back from the shadows of +death into life again. + +On recovering from this illness, the Lieutenant faced a new commander at +the head of his regiment--a man destined to set in motion the greatest +event of his life. + +Colonel Zachary Taylor had been promoted to the command of the First +Infantry on the death of Colonel Morgan. Already he had earned the title +that would become the slogan of his followers in the campaign which made +him President. "Old Rough and Ready" at this time was in the prime of +his vigorous manhood. + +Colonel Taylor sent the Lieutenant on an ugly, important mission. + +Four hundred pioneers had taken possession of the lead mines at Dubuque +against the protest of the Indians whose rights had been ignored. The +Lieutenant and fifty men were commissioned to eject the miners. To a +man, they were heavily armed. They believed they were being cheated of +their rights of discovery by the red tape of governmental interference. +They had sworn to resist any effort to drive them out of these mines. +Most of them were men of the higher types of Western adventurer. The +Lieutenant liked these hardy sons of his own race, and determined not to +use force against them if it could he avoided. + +He crossed the river to announce his official instructions, and was met +by a squad of daring, resolute fellows, armed and ready for a fight. + +Their leader, a tall, red-headed, serious-looking man, opened the +conference with scant ceremony. Looking the youthful officer squarely in +the eye, he slowly drawled: + +"Young man, we have defied the gov'ment once befo' when they sent their +boys up here to steal our mines. Now, ef yer know when yer well off, +you'll let honest white men alone and quit sidin' with Injuns--" + +There was no mistaking his accent. He meant war. + +The Lieutenant's answer came in quick, even, tones: + +"The United States Government has ordered your removal, gentlemen. My +business as a soldier is to obey. I shall be sorry to use force. But +I'll do it, if it's necessary. I suggest a private interview with your +leader--" he nodded to the red-headed man. + +"Sure!" + +"Talk it over!" + +"All right." + +The men from all sides gave their approval. The leader hesitated a +moment, and measured the tall, straight young officer. He didn't like +this wrestle at close quarters with those penetrating eyes and the +trained mind behind them. But with a toss of his red locks he muttered: + +"All right, fire away--you can talk your head off, for all the good +it'll do ye." + +They walked off together a few yards and sat down. + +With the friendliest smile the Lieutenant extended his hand: + +"Before we begin our chat, let's shake hands?" + +"Certain--shore--" + +The brawny hand clasped his. + +"I want you to know," the young officer continued earnestly, "my real +feelings toward you and your men. I've been out here four years with you +fellows, pushing the flag into the wilderness, and the more I see of you +the better I like you. I know real men when I see them. You're strong, +generous, brave, and you do things. You're building a great republic on +this frontier of the world. I've known your hospitality. You've had +little education in the schools, but you're trained for this big work in +the only school that counts out here--the School of Danger and Struggle +and Experience--" + +The brawny hand was lifted in a helpless sort of protest: + +"Look a here, Boy, you're goin' ter bamboozle me, I kin jist feel it in +my bones--" + +"On the other hand," the Lieutenant continued eagerly, "I assure you I +am going to treat you and your friends with the profoundest respect. +It's due you. Let's reason this thing out. You've taken up these mines +under the old right of first discovery--" + +"Yes, and they're ours, too,"--the lean jaws came together with a snap. + +"So I say. But it will take a little time and a little patience to +establish your claims. The Indian, you know, holds the first rights to +this land--" + +"T'ell with Injuns!" + +"Even so, isn't it better to first settle their claims and avoid war?" + +"Mebbe so." + +"And you know we can't settle with the Indians while you hold by force +the mines they claim as the owners of the soil--" + +The leader scratched his head and rose with sudden resolution: + +"Come on, and tell this to the boys." + +The leader escorted the Lieutenant to the crowd, and commanded them to +hear him. His speech was interrupted at first by angry exclamations, but +at its close there was respectful silence. The fight was won without a +blow. + +The new Colonel was much pleased at the successful ending of the +dangerous job. He had received the orders to eject these miners with a +wry face. That the work had been done without bloodshed had lifted a +load from his mind. + +The Lieutenant was honored on the night of his return by an invitation +to dine with Colonel Taylor's family. They had been settled in the +crowded quarters of the Fort during his absence--the wife, three +daughters and a little son. + +The Lieutenant's curiosity was but mildly roused at the thought of +meeting the girls. In the lofty ways of youth, he had put marriage out +of his mind. A soldier should not marry. He had given his whole soul to +his country, its flag and its service. He would be agreeable to the +ladies, of course, in deference to his commander and the honor he was +receiving at his hands. + +The dinner was a success. The mother was charming and gracious in her +welcome. Something in her ways recalled his own mother. + +She extended her hand with a genial smile, and took his breath with her +first remark: + +"I've quite fallen in love with you, sir, because of a story I heard of +your West Point career--" + +"Not in pity for my fall over the cliff, I hope," he answered gravely. + +The mother's voice dropped to a whisper: + +"No,--your friend Albert Sydney Johnston told me that you saved a large +part of your allowance and sent it home to your mother--" + +The young officer's lips trembled, and he looked away for a moment: + +"But she sent it back to me, madam." + +"Yes, until you wrote that she hurt you by not keeping it--" + +To relieve his evident embarrassment, the mother introduced him in rapid +succession to her daughters, the eldest Anne, the second Sarah Knox, the +youngest Elizabeth. Richard, the handsome little boy, had introduced +himself. He had liked the Lieutenant from the first. + +He had been so surprised by the mother's possession of one of the +sweetest secrets of his schoolboy life, and had blushed so furiously +over it, he had scarcely noticed the girls, merely bowing in his +confusion. + +It was not until they were seated at the table and the dinner had fairly +begun, that he became conscious of the charm of the second daughter, who +sat directly opposite. + +Her beauty was not dazzling, but in fifteen minutes she had completely +absorbed his attention. It was impossible, of course, not to look at +her. She sat squarely before him. There was no embarrassment in the +frank, honest curiosity with which she returned his gaze. + +The thing that first impressed him was the frankness of a winsome +personality. He listened with keen attention to her voice. There was no +simper, no affectation, no posing. She was just herself. He found +himself analyzing her character. Refined--yes. Intelligent--beyond a +doubt. She talked with her father in a quiet, authoritative way which +left no doubt on that score. Graceful, tender, sincere, too--her tones +to her impulsive brother and her younger sister proved that. And a will +of her own she had. The firmly set, full lips were eloquent of +character. He liked that above all things in a woman. He couldn't stand +a simpering doll. + +"Sing for us, Sarah!" her brother said impulsively, as they rose from +the table. + +"Certainly, Dick, if you wish it." + +There was no holding back for urging. No mock modesty. No foolishness in +her answer. It was straight, affectionate, responsive, open hearted, +generous--just like his own sweet little sister Polly when he had asked +of her a favor. + +And then, he blushed to find himself staring at her in a sort of dreamy +reverie. He hoped her music would not spoil the impression her +personality had made. This had happened once in his life. He could never +talk to the girl again, after he had heard her sing. The memory of it +was a nightmare. + +He watched her tune the guitar with a sense of silly dread. The tuning +finished, she turned to her brother and asked with a smile: + +"And what shall I sing, Sir Richard?" + +"The one I love best--'Fairy Bells.'" + +When the first line with its sweet accompaniment floated out from the +porch on the balmy air of the June evening, the Lieutenant's fears had +vanished. Never had he heard a song whose trembling melody so found his +inmost soul. It set the Fairy Bells ringing in the deep woods of his +far-away Mississippi home. He could see the fairy ringing them--her +beautiful hair streaming in the moonlight, a smile on her lips, the joy +and beauty of eternal youth in every movement of her exquisite form. + +When the last note had died softly away, he leaned close and before he +knew what he was doing, whispered: + +"Glorious, Miss Sarah!" + +"You like it very much?" she asked. + +"It's divine." + +"My favorite, too." + +All night the "Fairy Bells" rang in his heart. For the first time in +life, he failed to sleep. He listened entranced until dawn. + + + + +VIII + +LOVE + + +In the swift weeks which followed, life blossomed with new and wonderful +meaning. + +In the stern years on the plains, the young officer had known but one +motive of action--duty. He was an exile from home and its comforts, +friends and the haunts of civilized man for his country's sake. He had +come to plant her flag on the farthest frontier and push it farther +against all corners. + +In the struggle against the snows of winter and the pestilence of the +summer wilderness, he had fought Nature with the dogged determination of +the soldier. Snow meant winter quarters, the spring marching and +fighting. The hills were breastworks. The night brought dreams of +strategy and surprise. The grass and flowers were symbols of a nation's +wealth and the prophecy of war. + +By a strange magic, the coming of a girl had transformed the world. He +had seen the strategic value of these hills and valleys often before. He +had not dreamed of their beauty. The mists that hung over the ragged +lines of the western horizon were no longer fogs that might conceal an +army. They were the folds of a huge veil which Nature was softly drawing +over the face of a beautiful bride. Why had he not seen this before? + +The awful silence of the plains from which he had fled to books had +suddenly become God's great whispering gallery. He listened with joyous +awe and reverence. + +The stars had been his guides by night to find the trail. He had merely +lifted his eyes to make the reckoning. He had never seen before the +crystal flash from their jeweled depths. + +He looked into the eyes of the graceful young rider by his side and +longed to tell her of this miracle wrought in his soul. But he +hesitated. She was too dignified and self-possessed. It would be silly +when put into words. + +But the world to-day was too beautiful to hurry through it. He just +couldn't. + +"Let's stop on this hill and watch the sunset, Miss Sarah?" he +suggested. + +"I'd love to," was the simple answer. + +With a light laugh, she sprang from the saddle. They touched the ground +at the same moment. + +He looked at her with undisguised admiration. + +"You're a wonderful rider," he said. + +"A soldier's daughter must be--it's part of her life." + +He tied their horses to the low hanging limbs of a cluster of scrub +trees, and found a seat on the bowlders which the Indians had set for a +landmark on the lonely hilltop. + +Westward the plains stretched, a silent ocean of green, luscious grass. + +"What's that dark spot in the valley?" the girl eagerly asked. + +"Watch it a moment--" + +They sat in silence for five minutes. + +"Why, it's moving!" she cried. + +"Yes." + +"How curious--" + +"An illusion?" he suggested. + +"Nonsense, I'm not dreaming." + +"I've been dreaming a lot lately--" + +A smile played about the corners of her fine mouth. But she ignored the +hint. + +"Tell me," she cried; "you studied the sciences at West Point, what does +it mean?" + +"Look closely. Any fifteen-year-old boy of the plains could explain it." + +"Am I so ignorant?" she laughed. + +"No," he answered soberly, "our eyes just refuse to see things at which +we are looking until the voice within reveals. The eyes of a hunter +could make no mistake about such a spot--particularly if it moved." + +"It might be a passing cloud--" + +"There's none in the sky." + +"Tell me!" she pleaded. + +"A herd of buffalo." + +"That big black field! It must be ten acres--" + +The man laughed at her ignorance with a sudden longing in his heart to +help and protect her. + +"Ten acres! Look again. They are twenty miles away. The herd is packed +so densely, the ground is invisible. They cover a thousand acres." + +"Impossible--" + +"I assure you, it's true. They were once even more plentiful. But we're +pushing them back with the Indians into the sunset. And they, too, will +fade away into the twilight at last--" + +He stopped suddenly. He had almost spoken a sentence that would have +committed him beyond retreat. It was just on his lips to say: + +"I didn't take such tender views of Indians and buffaloes until I met +you!" + +For the life of him he couldn't make the girl out. Her voice was music. +Her laughter contagious. And yet she was reserved. About her personality +hung a spell which forbade familiarity. Flirting was a pastime in the +army. But it had never appealed to him. He was not so sure about her +when she laughed. + +And then her father worried him. The fiery old Southerner had the temper +of the devil when roused. He could see that this second daughter was his +favorite. He had caught a look of unreasonable anger and jealousy in his +eye only that afternoon when they rode away together. + +Still he must risk it. He had really suggested this sunset scene for +that purpose. The field was his own choosing. Only a coward could run +now. + +He managed at last to get his lips to work. + +"Since you came, Miss Sarah--I've been seeing life at a new angle--" he +paused awkwardly. + +The red blood mounted to her cheeks. + +"You have given me new eyes--" + +[Illustration: "'You have given me new eyes'"] + +She turned her head away. There was no mistaking the tremor of his +tones. She was too honest to simper and pretend. Her heart was pounding +so loudly she wondered if he could hear. + +He fumbled nervously with his glove, glanced at her from the corner of +his eye, and his voice sank to a whisper: + +"I--I love you, Sarah!" + +She turned slowly and looked at him through dimmed eyes: + +"And I love you--" + +She paused, brushed a tear from her cheek, and with sweet reproach +quietly added: + +"Why didn't you tell me sooner? We've lost so many beautiful days that +might have been perfect--" + +He suddenly stooped and kissed her full lips. + +"We'll not lose any more--" + +"The world _is_ beautiful, isn't it, dear!" she said, nestling closer. + +"Since I see with your eyes--yes. It was only a place to fight in, +before. Now it's a fairy world, and these wild flowers that cover the +plains only grow to make a carpet for the feet of the girl I love--" + +"A fairy world--yes--" she whispered, "it's been just that to me since I +first sang the 'Fairy Bells' for you--" + +"I'll never love another song as that," he said reverently. + +"Nor I," was the low response. "My heart will beat to its music +forever--it just means you, now--" + +For a long time they sat without words, holding each other's hand. The +sun hung a glowing ball of fire on the rim of the far-away hills, and +the shadows of the valley deepened into twilight. + +"How wonderful the silence of the plains!" the lover sighed. + +"It used to oppress me." + +The man nodded. + +"And now, I hear the beat of angels' wings and know that God is near--" + +"Because we love--" and she laughed for joy. + +Again they sat in sweet, brooding silence. + +A horseman rode over the hilltop in the glow of the fading sun. From its +summit, he lifted his hand and waved a salute. They looked below, and in +the doorway of a cabin, a young mother stood, a babe in her arms +answering with hand uplifted high above her child. + +"What does it matter, dear," she whispered, "a cabin or a palace!" + + + + +IX + +WAR + + +Side by side through the still white light of the full moon they rode +home, in each heart the glow of the wonder and joy of Love's first +revelation. Words were an intrusion. The eyes of the soul were seeing +now the hidden things of life. + +The gleam of the lights at the Fort brought them sharply out of +dreamland into the world of fact. + +"You must see my father to-night, dear," she said eagerly. + +"Must I, to-night?" + +"It's best." + +"I'd rather face a hundred Red Men in war paint." + +A merry laugh was her answer as she leaned close: + +"Don't be silly, he likes you." + +"But he _loves_ you." + +"Of course, and for that reason my happiness will be his." + +"God knows, I hope so," was the doleful response. "But if I must, I +must. I'll see him." + +A quick kiss in the friendly shadows and she was gone. + +He walked alone an hour after supper, screwing up his courage to the +point of bearding the Colonel in his den. He fumbled the door-bell at +last, his heart in his throat. + +Old Rough and Ready was not inclined to help him in his embarrassment. +Never had he seen the lines of his strong jaw harder or more set than +when he grunted: + +"Sit down, sir. Don't stand there staring. I'm not on inspection." + +The perspiration started on his forehead and he moistened his dry lips. + +"I beg your pardon, Colonel. I was a little flustered. +I've--a--something--on--my mind--" + +"Out with it!" + +"I--I--I'm in love with Miss Sarah." + +"You don't say?" + +"Y-yes, sir." + +"Well, it's no news to me. The whole family have been enjoying the +affair for some time. I suppose you're asking--or think you're +asking--for my daughter's hand in marriage?" + +"That's it--yes, sir--exactly." + +"I guessed as much. I'm glad to tell you, young man, that I've always +had the kindliest feelings for you personally--" + +"Thank you, sir--" + +"And the warmest admiration for your talents as an officer. You're a +good soldier. You have brains. You have executive ability. You're a +leader of men. You'll go far in your profession--" + +"Thank you, sir--" + +"And that's why I don't like you as a son-in-law." + +"W--Wha--" + +"I love my daughter, and I want her to be happy in a real home with a +real husband and children by her side. A soldier's life is a dog's life. +I've pitied the poor girl who gave up her home for me. Many a bitter +tear has she shed over my absence, in torturing dread of the next letter +from the frontier--" + +He paused and sprang to his feet: + +"A hundred times I've sworn no daughter of mine should ever marry a +soldier! The better the soldier, the more reason she should not marry +him--" + +"But, sir--" + +"There's no 'but' about it!" the Colonel thundered. "You're asking me to +let you murder my girl, that's all--but it's life. I'll have to give my +consent and wish you good luck, long life, and all the happiness you can +get out of a soldier's lot." + +The Colonel extended his hand and the Lieutenant grasped it with +grateful eagerness. + +The days that followed were red lettered in the calendar of life. + +And then it came--a crash of thunder out of the clear sky--the thing he +had somehow felt and dreaded. + +A petty court-martial was called to adjust a question of army +discipline. The court was composed of Z. Taylor, Colonel Commanding, +Major Thomas F. Smith, a fiery-tempered gay officer of the old army, +Lieutenant Jefferson Davis, and the new Second Lieutenant who had just +arrived from the Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis. + +The army regulations required that each officer sitting in court-martial +should be in full uniform. The new arrival from St. Louis had come +without his uniform. His trunk had miscarried and was returned to the +Jefferson Barracks. + +He rose with embarrassment: + +"I must beg the pardon of the Court, Colonel," he began cautiously, "for +not appearing in my uniform. As it is in St. Louis I respectfully ask to +be excused to-day from wearing it." + +The old Colonel scowled. It was just like a young fool to wish to sit in +solemn judgment on a fellow officer--in his shirt sleeves. If he had +asked to be excused from serving on the Court--yes--he could accept his +excuse and let him go. But this insolence was unbearable. The Colonel +glanced over the Court before putting the question to a vote. Smith was +his enemy. Whichever way he voted as President, the Major could be +depended on to go against his decision. There was a feud between those +two hot-tempered fire-eaters which had lasted for years. He glanced at +his future son-in-law with a smile of assured victory. Tom Smith would +vote against him, but the trembling youngster who had quailed before him +that night asking for his daughter's hand was practically in the family. +He smiled at the certainty of downing Smith once more. + +In a voice, whose tones left nothing to the imagination of the +presumptuous Second Lieutenant, the Colonel growled: + +"Gentlemen, we are asked to allow an officer to sit in the formal +judgment of a court-martial without uniform--I put the question to a +vote and cast mine. No!" + +"I vote yes!" shouted the Major. + +The Colonel did not condescend to look his way. He knew what that vote +was before he heard it. He bent his piercing eyes on his future +son-in-law: + +"Lieutenant Davis?" + +There was just a moment's hesitation. The Lieutenant smiled at his +embarrassed young fellow officer and mildly answered: + +"I think, Colonel, in view of the distance to St. Louis, we may excuse +the young man for the first offense--I vote--yes." + +The old Colonel stared at him in speechless amazement. Smith grinned. + +The Colonel's face grew purple with rage. He was just able to gasp his +words during the progress of the trial. It was brief, and when it ended +and the rest had gone, he faced the Lieutenant with blazing eyes: + +"How dare you, sir, vote with that damned fool against me?" + +"Why, I never thought to hurt you, Colonel--" + +"No? And what _did_ you think?" + +"I only thought of relieving the evident embarrassment of a young +officer--" + +"You did, eh?--no thought of me or my feelings, of my wishes. You're a +hell of a son-in-law, you are--" + +He paused for breath and choked with rage no words could express. When +at last his tongue found speech, he swore in oaths more expressive and +profound than modern man has ever dreamed. He damned the Court. He +damned Tom Smith. He damned the Second Lieutenant. He damned the +regiment. He damned the Government that created it. He damned the +Indians that called it to the plains. He damned the world and all in it, +and all things under it. But, particularly and specifically, he damned +the young ass who dared to flaunt his feelings and opinions after +smiling in his face at his house, for days and weeks and months. + +Finally, facing the blushing Lieutenant, his eyes flashing indignant +scorn, he shouted: + +"No man who votes with a damned fool like Tom Smith, can marry my +daughter!" + +"Colonel, I protest," pleaded the heartsick lover. + +"I forbid you to ever put your foot inside my quarters again!" + +"Colonel--" + +"Silence, sir! I forbid you to ever speak to my daughter again!" + +"But, Colonel--" + +"I repudiate you and all yours. I wipe you from the map. You don't +exist. I don't know you. I never knew you. Get out of my sight!" + +The tall, slender form slowly straightened and a look of cold pride +shot from the depths of his blue eyes. Without a word he turned and +left. + + + + +X + +ROMANCE + + +Black Hawk was leading his red warriors in a great uprising. A wave of +fierce excitement swept the frontier. There was stern work now for men +to do and women must wait alone. + +The regiment marched to the front. The Colonel as a man was freezingly +formal with the Lieutenant. As an officer, he knew his worth and relied +on it in every emergency. The State of Illinois had raised two companies +of raw recruits to join in subduing the Indians. The Colonel sent his +most efficient subordinate to swear in the new soldiers. On the morning +of the muster, there appeared before the tall Lieutenant, a man full +three inches taller, and famous in his county as the gawkiest, +slab-sidest, homeliest, best-natured fellow in the State. He was dressed +in a suit of blue jeans. + +In slow, pleasing drawl, he announced: + +"I am the Captain, of this company--" + +And he waved his long arm toward the crowd of his countrymen on the +right. + +Lieutenant Jefferson Davis promptly administered to Abraham Lincoln his +first oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States. + +Two men destined to immortal fame had met and passed with scarcely a +glance at each other. The young army officer was too much of a gentleman +to mark the ill-fitting blue jeans of the awkward captain of militia. +Great events, after all, make men great. Only the eye of God could +foresee the coming tragedy in which these two would play their mighty +roles. + +At the end of the brief struggle on the frontier, Black Hawk's people +were scattered to the four winds and the brave old warrior, with a +handful of his men, sought Colonel Taylor's command to surrender. + +Again, the Colonel sent his most accomplished officer, the Lieutenant +whom he had forbidden to enter his house,--to treat with the fallen +Chief. + +The Lieutenant received with kindly words the broken-hearted warrior, +his two sons and sixty braves, and conducted them at once as prisoners +of war to the barracks at St. Louis. + +The cholera was raging at Rock Island, and on the boat two of the Indian +prisoners were seized with the fatal disease. The Lieutenant, at the +risk of his life, personally ministered to their needs. The two stricken +men made known to the commander in broken words and signs that they had +sworn an oath of eternal friendship. In pleading tones the stronger +said: + +"We beg the good Chief to put us ashore that hand in hand we may go to +the happy hunting grounds together." + +Near the first little settlement their prayer was granted. + +The young officer turned to his boat with a sigh as he saw the red +warriors slip their arms about each other and slowly sink to the ground +to die alone and unattended. + +Old Black Hawk sat in silent, stolid indifference to his fate until the +curious settlers began to crowd on the boat and stare at his misery. + +The Lieutenant interfered with sharp decision. + +"Push those men back, Corporal!" he ordered angrily. + +The crowd was roughly pushed back and the Lieutenant took Black Hawk +kindly by the arm and led him into a reserved apartment where he was +free from vulgar eyes. + +The old man's lips tightened. He gazed at the officer steadily and spoke +in measured tones: + +"The young war Chief treats me with much kindness. He is good and brave. +He puts himself in my place and sees all that I suffer. With him I am +much pleased." + +The Lieutenant bowed and left him under the protection of the guard. +Courtesy to a fallen foe in the old days was the first obligation of an +officer and a gentleman. + +In the autumn, Colonel Taylor again sent his Lieutenant on a distant +duty--this time one of peculiar danger. He was ordered to Louisville and +Lexington on recruiting service. And the cholera was known to be +epidemic but a few miles from Lexington. + +The good-by scene that night at the lovers' trysting place, the little +tent reception-room of the McCreas', was long and tender and solemn. + +"Oh, I feel dreadful about this trip, dear," his sweetheart kept +repeating with pitiful despair that refused to be comforted. + +"You must be brave, my own," he answered with a frown. "A soldier's +business is to die. I am a soldier. I go where duty calls--" + +"To battle--yes--but this black pestilence that comes in the night--I'm +afraid--I just can't help it--I'm afraid. I've always had a horror of +such things. I've a presentiment that you'll die that way--" + +"Presentiments and dreams go by opposites. I'll live to a ripe old +age--" + +She looked up into his face with a tender smile: + +"You think so?" + +"Yes, why not?" + +"Well--I've something to tell you--" + +She paused and the man bent low. + +"What?" + +"I've made a vow to God--" the voice stopped with a sob--"that if He +will only send you safely back to me this time--I'll wait no longer on +my father's whim--I am yours--" + +The lover clasped her trembling form to his heart. + +"Good-by, dearest," he said at last. "I wish to go with that promise +ringing in my soul." + +Ten days after he reached Lexington, the cholera broke out, and hundreds +fled. He stood by his men, watched their diet, nursed the sick, and +buried the dead. He helped the carpenter make the coffins and reverently +bore the victims to their graves. No fear was in his soul. Love was +chanting the anthem of Life. + +A strange new light was burning in the eyes of the woman he loved on the +day he returned in safety. + +She seized his hand and spoke with decision: + +"Come with me." + +Her father was standing at the gate. She faced him, holding defiantly +the hand of her lover. + +The old man saw and understood. His jaw was set with sullen +determination and his face hardened. + +"We have waited two long years," she began softly. "We have been patient +and hopeful, but you have given no sign. My lover's character is beyond +reproach, and I am proud of him. I am sorry to cross you, Father, but +I've made up my mind, I am going to marry him now." + +The Colonel turned in silence and slowly walked into the house. + +Captain McCrea engaged a stateroom for her on the boat for Louisville. +The lovers planned to meet at her aunt's, the Colonel's oldest sister. +The tearful good-bys had been said to Mother and sisters and brother. + +The Colonel had not spoken, but he had business on the boat before she +cast her lines from the shore. + +The daughter drew him into her stateroom and slipped her arms around his +neck. Few words were spoken and they were broken. + +"Please, Father--please?--I love you--please--" + +"No." + +"I'm no longer a child. I'm a woman. You're a real man and you know I +could have no respect for myself if I should yield my life's happiness +to a whim--" + +The old Colonel stroked her shoulder: + +"I understand. You're a chip off the old block. You're just as stubborn +as I am. And--I--won't--eat--my--words." + +With firm hand, he drew away and hurried from the boat. + +The Taylor clan of Kentucky gathered for the wedding in force. The +romance appealed to their fancy. They loved their high-spirited, +self-poised little kinswoman and they liked the tall, modest, young +officer she had chosen for her husband. The stern old Colonel was not +there, but his brother and his three sisters and all their tribe made +merry at the wedding feast. + +On the deck of the lazy river steamer, the bride and groom slowly +drifted down the moonlit shimmering way to the fields of Mississippi. + +The bride nestled close to her lover's side in the long sweet silences +too deep for words. + +He took her hand in his at last, and said tenderly: + +"I've something very important to tell you now, my dear--" + +"I'm not afraid--" + +"You trust me implicitly?" + +"Perfectly--" + +"You have given up all for me," he went on evenly, "I'll show your +father what I can do for you--" + +"You love me--it's enough." + +"No. I have resigned my commission in the army. I have given up my +career. We'll live only for each other now and build our nest in the far +sunny South beyond the frost line." + +A little smothered cry was her answer. And then her head slowly sank +with a sob on his breast. + + + + +XI + +THE FAIRY BELLS + + +They built their home on the banks of the great river where the tide +sweeps in graceful curve, all but completing the circle of an enchanted +isle. + +From the little flower-veiled porch through festoons of lacing boughs +gleamed the waters of the huge curved mirror held by Nature's hand. The +music from the decks of the steamers floated up on the soft air until +music and perfume of flowers seemed one. + +In the cool of the morning, on swift, high-bred horses, they rode side +by side along the river's towering bluff and laughed in sheer joy at +their foolish happiness. In the waning afternoon, hand in hand, they +walked the sunlit fields and paused at dusk to hear the songs of slaves. +The happiness of lovers is contagious. It sets the hearts of slaves to +singing. + +In the white solemn splendor of the Southern moon they strolled through +enchanted paths of scented roses. On the rustic seat beneath a magnolia +in full second bloom they listened to the song of a mocking-bird whose +mate had built her nest in the rose trellis beside their door. They +could count the beat of his bird heart night after night as he sang the +glory of his love and the beauty of his coming brood of young. + +"You are happy, dearest?" the lover sighed. + +"In heaven,--I am with you." + +"And it shall be forever." + +"Forever!" + +"The old life of blood and strife--it seems an ugly dream." + +"Except for the sweet days when you were near." + +"This only is life, my own, to hold your hand, and walk the way +together, to build, not to destroy, to make flowers bloom, birds and +slaves sing, to create, not kill--production is communion with God. We +live now in His peace that passeth understanding!" + +A long silence followed. An owl in a distant tree top gave a shrill +plaintive cry. The bride nestled closer and he felt her shiver. + +"You are chill, dearest?" he murmured. + +"Just a little." + +"We're forgetting the late August night winds--" + +"No--no--it's nothing--I'm just a wee bit afraid of an owl, that's all." + +A dark figure slowly approached and stood with uncovered head. + +"What is it, James?" the master asked. + +"It's too late, sir, for you and the mistis to be out in dis air--it's +chill an' fever time--" + +"Thank you, James--we'll go in at once." + +When the faithful footfall had died away, the lover lifted his bride in +his arms and carried her in, while she softly laughed and clung to his +strong young shoulders. + +It came with swift, sure tread, the silent white figure of the +Pestilence that walks in Tropic Splendor. + +The lover laughed the doctor's fears to scorn and the old man was brave +and cheerful in the presence of youth and happiness. + +James Pemberton followed him to the gate and held his horse's bridle +with a tremor in his black hand. + +"You don't think, doctor--" he paused, afraid to say the thing--"you +don't think my young mistis gwine ter die?" + +"She's very ill, Jim--it's an even fight for life." + +"Ef she do--hit'll kill my young marster--" + +"Soldiers can't die that way--no--" + +"Yassah--but dey ain't been married but three months, sah, an' he des +worship de very groun' her little foot walks on--she des can't die--she +too young an' putty, sah--hit des natchally can't be--" + +The doctor's gray head slowly moved as if in remembrance of tragic +scenes. + +"Death loves a shining mark sometimes!" + +He turned to the slave in tones of warning: + +"Watch your master closely--" + +"My _marster_--sah!" + +"He'll go down next--" + +"Yassah--yassah!" + +Two days later, the strong man collapsed with a crash that took even the +experienced old doctor by surprise. An iron will had bent over the +bedside of his bride and fought with grim defiance the battle with +unseen foe until the last ounce of strength had gone. + +In his delirium they moved him to another room and he awoke to find +himself in a prison cell on a desert island a thousand miles from the +mate he adored. + +He watched his jailers and at last his hour came. The tired guard beside +his prison pallet slept. With fevered stealth he rose and with the +strength of a giant, bent the bars of his cage and crawled and fought +his way over hill and valley, rocks and mountains, back to the bedside +of his beloved. + +He paused in rapture at the door. She was sitting up in bed, the pillows +propped behind her back, singing their favorite song--"Fairy Bells." How +soft and weirdly sweet her voice--its notes so far away and +plaintive--never had she sung so divinely! + +He held his breath lest a word or quiver of its melody should be lost. +And then he slipped his strong arms about her and looked into her eyes +shining with unearthly beauty. + +"You have come at last, my own!" she sighed. "I knew the Bells would +call you--" + +"Yes--dearest--and I'll never leave you again--they took me away a +wounded prisoner of war--but I broke the bars and came when I heard you +call--" + +"Look," she whispered, pointing with the slender blue-veined finger, +"there she is, in the doorway again with her baby in her arms, waving at +sunset to her lover on the hill?--what does it matter, a cabin or a +palace!" + +The shining eyes grew dim, the figure drooped, and a wild piteous cry +came from the lover's fevered lips: + +"Lord God of Love and Pity--she's dying!--Help--Help--Help!" + +His faithful servant, worn with watching day and night, heard the cry, +rushed to his side and caught his fainting form, as the light of the +world faded. + + + + +XII + +TRUTH + + +They nursed him slowly back into life again, the loving heart of the +older brother guiding the arm of his faithful slave. + +He refused to live at first. + +"It's no use, Joe," he cried with bitter despair. "Life isn't worth the +struggle any more. I'm tired, I just want to rest--by her side--that's +all." + +"I know, Boy, how you feel. But you must live. Duty calls. Great events +are stirring the world. You've a man's part to play--" + +"I won't play it. I'm done with ambition. I'm done with strife. The +game's not worth the candle. I've lived the only life worth living, and +it's finished." + +Little by little, each day, the brother slowly rebuilt in the stricken +soul the will to live. Before he was able to walk, he lifted the frail +form in his arms, carried him into his big library, and seated him in an +arm-chair before a fire of glowing logs. + +With a sweep of his arm about the room toward the crowded shelves he +began in earnest tones: + +"You're going to live with me now, Boy. We love each other with the love +of strong men. I need your help and companionship in my study. You had +the advantage of a college career--I didn't. We'll master here these +records of the world's life. We'll seek wisdom in the history and +experience of man. What do you know of the treasures buried in those big +volumes? Our young men go to school and plunge into life with a mere +smattering. Do you know the history of your own country, how it was +discovered, how its colonies grew, how its battles were fought against +overwhelming and impossible odds? How its great Constitution grew in the +hands of inspired leaders, who builded better than they knew a chart for +the guidance of man. Do you know the history of the mind of man? Do you +know the story of those ragged bleeding feet--of the great thinkers of +the ages who have found the path of truth through blood and tears and +then walked its way to the stake, to the block and the gallows? Come +with me into the big world of the past--read, study, think, and gird +yourself with power! We're just entering on the struggle that means life +or death to our Republic. I believe as I believe in God, that we have +set a beacon light on the shores of the world that will guide the human +race to its mightiest achievements--unless we fail to keep its lantern +trimmed and bright. + +"The poison of indolence is in our blood--the tendency to centralized +tyranny. We are but a few years removed from its curse. As we grow in +years, the temptation to make Washington the gilded Capital of an Empire +becomes more and more apparent. Unless we control this tendency to lapse +into the past, we are lost and the story of our fallen Republic will be +but one more added to the failures of history. Unless we can preserve +the sovereignty of our States, the Union will become an Empire, not a +Republic of republics. It's a difficult thing for men to govern +themselves, though they can do it better than anyone else has ever done +it for them. We are making this wonderful experiment here in the new +world. The fate of unborn millions hangs on its success. You're done +with self and self-seeking. Ambition is a dream that is passed. Good! +Lay your life in unselfish sacrifice on the altar of your country. Only +the man who has given up ambition is fit for great leadership. He alone +dares to seek and know and speak the Truth!" + +The tired spirit rose with a new view of human life, its aim and +purpose. For eight years he buried himself in the library on his +brother's estate. Through the long winter nights the two brilliant minds +fought over in friendly contests the battles of the ages until the +passion for Truth grew into the one purpose of a great soul. + +When the first rumblings of the storm that was to shake a continent +broke over the Republic, he stepped forth to take his place in the world +of action--the best equipped, most thoroughly trained, most perfectly +poised man who had ever entered the arena of American politics. + +His rise was brilliant and unprecedented. In his first contest he met +the foremost orator of the age, Sergeant Prentiss, and vanquished him on +his own ground. In two years he took his seat in Congress, the favorite +son of Mississippi. + +He had scarcely begun his career, as a lawmaker, when war was declared +against Mexico. He resigned his high office, raised a regiment and once +more found himself a soldier under the orders of stern old Zachary +Taylor. + +On his first battle field at the head of his Mississippi regiment, he +planted the flag of the Republic on the Grand Plaza of Monterey. And in +the supreme crisis of the battle of Buena Vista, with the blood +streaming from his wounds, he led his men in a charge against +overwhelming odds, turned the tide from defeat to victory and gave the +Presidency to the man who had denied to him his daughter's hand. + +He hobbled back on crutches to his brother's home in Mississippi amid +the shouts and frenzied acclaim of a proud and grateful people. Within +three years from the day he entered public life, he took his seat in the +Senate Chamber of the United States beside Clay, Calhoun and Webster, +the peer of any man within its walls, and with the conscious power of +Knowledge and Truth, girded himself for the coming struggle of giants. + + + + +The Story + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CURTAIN RISES + + +"For the Lord's sake, Jennie--" + +Dick Welford paused at the bottom of a range of steps which wound up the +capitol hill from Pennsylvania Avenue. + +The girl standing at the top stamped her foot imperiously. + +"Hurry--hurry!" + +"I won't--" + +"Then I'll leave you!" + +The boy laughed. + +"You don't dare. It's barely sunup--still dark in spots--the boogers'll +get you--" + +With a grin he deliberately sat down. + +"Dick Welford, you're the laziest white man I ever saw in my life--We +won't get a seat, I tell you--" + +"We can stand up." + +"We won't even get our noses in the door--" + +"You don't think these old Senators get up at daylight, do you?" + +"They didn't go to bed last night--" + +"I'll bet they didn't!" Dick laughed. + +"I know one that didn't anyhow--" + +"Who?" + +"Senator Davis." + +"How do you know?" + +"Spent the night there. Father stayed so late, Mrs. Davis put me to bed. +Regular procession all night long! And among his visitors the Blackest +Republican of them all--" + +"Old Abe run over from Illinois to say good-by?" + +"No, but his right hand man Seward did--" + +"Sly old snuff-dipping hypocrite--" + +"Anyhow, he's the brains of his party." + +"And he called on Jeff Davis last night?" + +"Not the first time either. Mrs. Davis told me that when the Senator was +so ill with neuralgia and came near losing his sight, Seward came every +day, sat in the darkened room and talked for hours to his enemy--" + +"That's because he's a Black Republican. Their ways are dark. They like +rooms with the shades pulled down--" + +"Anyhow he likes Mr. Davis." + +"Well, it's good-by to the old Union--how many Senators are going +to-day?" + +"Yulee and Mallory from Florida, Clay and Fitzpatrick from Alabama and +Senator Davis--" + +"All in a day?" + +"Yes--" + +"Jennie, they'll talk their heads off. It'll be three o'clock before the +first one finishes. We'll die. Let's go to Mt. Vernon--" + +"Dick Welford, I'm ashamed of you. You've no patriotism at all--" + +"And I just proposed a pilgrimage to the home of George Washington!" + +"You don't care what happens in the Senate Chamber to-day--" + +"No--I don't." + +The boy's lazy figure slowly rose, mounted the steps, paused and looked +down into the tense eager young face. + +"You really want to know," he began slowly, "why speaking tires me now?" + +"Yes--why?" + +"Because it's a waste of breath--we're going to fight!" + +The girl flushed with excitement. + +"Who told you? What have you heard? Who said so?" + +A dreamy look in the boy's eyes deepened. + +"Nobody's told me. I just know. It's in the air. A wild duck knows when +to go north. A bluebird knows when to move south. It's in the air. +That's the way I know--" his voice dropped. "Let's go to Mt. Vernon and +spend the day, Jennie--" + +The girl looked up sharply. The low persuasive tones were unmistakable. + +The faintest flush mantled her cheeks. + +"No--I wouldn't miss those speeches for anything. You promised to take +me to the Senate gallery. Come on." + +With a quick bound the boy scaled the next flight of steps and looked +down at her laughing: + +"All right, why don't _you_ come on!" + +With a frown she sprang up the stone stairs and he caught her step with +a sudden military salute. They walked in silence for a few minutes. + +"What's the matter with you to-day, Dick Welford?" + +"Why, Miss Jennie Barton?" + +"I never saw you quite so foolish." + +"Maybe it's because I never saw you quite so pretty--" + +The little figure stiffened with dignity. + +"That will do now, sir--" + +"Yessum!" + +She threw him a look of quiet scorn as they picked their way through the +piles of building material for the unfinished dome of the Capitol and +mounted the steps. + +Barely half past seven o'clock and the crowds were pouring into the +Senate Chamber, its cloak rooms and galleries. Within thirty minutes +after they had found seats opposite the diplomatic gallery every inch of +space in the great hall was jammed and packed. + +Southern women and their escorts outnumbered the others five to one. The +Southern wing of official Washington was out in force. + +The tense electric atmosphere was oppressive. + +The men and women whose eager anxious faces looked down on the circular +rows of senatorial chairs and desks were painfully conscious that they +were witnessing the final scene of a great historical era. + +What the future might hold God alone could know. Their fathers had +dreamed a beautiful dream--"_E Pluribus Unum_"--one out of many. The +Union had yet to be realized as an historical fact. The discordant +elements out of which our Constitution had been strangely wrought had +fought their way at last into two irreconcilable hostile sections, the +very structure of whose civilization rested on antagonistic conceptions +of life and government. + +The Northern Senators were in their seats with grave faces long before +the last straggling Southerner picked his way into the Chamber bowing +and smiling and apologizing to the ladies on whose richly embroidered +dresses he must step or give up the journey. + +For weeks the pretense of polite formalities between parties had been +unconsciously dropped. Men no longer bowed and smirked and passed the +time of day with shallow words. + +With heads erect, they glanced at each other and passed on. And if they +spoke, it was with taunt, insult and challenge. + +Jennie's keen eyes rested on two vacant chairs on the floor of the +Senate--every seat was crowded save these two. + +She pressed Dick's arm. + +"See--the vacant seats of South Carolina!" + +"They're not vacant," the boy drawled. + +"They are--look--" + +"I see a white figure in each--" + +"Nonsense!" + +"We're going to have war, I tell you! Death sits in those chairs to-day, +Jennie--" + +"Sh--don't talk like that--" + +The boy laughed. + +"I'm not afraid, you know--just a sort of second sight--maybe it means +I'll be killed--" + + * * * * * + +South Carolina had felt no forebodings on the day her Convention had +recalled those Senators. Kiett the eloquent leader of the Convention +sprang to his feet, his face flaming with passion that was half delirium +as he shouted: + +"This day is the culmination of long years of bitterness, of suffering +and of struggle. We are performing a great deed, which holds in its +magic not only the stirring present, it embraces the ages yet to come. I +am content with what has been done to-day. I shall be content with it +to-morrow. We have lowered the body of the old Union to its last resting +place. We drop the flag over its grave." + +When the vote was announced, without a single dissenting voice, the +crowd rose to their feet with a shout of applause which shook the +building to its foundations. It died away at last only to rise again +with redoubled fury. + +Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida had followed in rapid +succession, Louisiana's Convention was to meet on the twenty-sixth, +Texas on February first. On this the twenty-first day of January the +Senators from Florida, Mississippi and Alabama had announced their +farewell addresses to the Old Union. + +The girl's eyes swept the crowded tiers of the galleries packed with +beautifully gowned Southern women. Every glove, fan, handkerchief, +bonnet or dress--every dainty stocking and filmy piece of lingerie had +been imported direct from the fashion centers of Europe. Gowns of +priceless lace and velvets had been woven to order in the looms of +Genoa, Venice and Brussels. + +The South was rich. + +And yet not one of her representatives held his office in Washington +because of his money. Her ruling classes were without exception an +aristocracy of brains--yet they were distinctly an aristocracy. + +The election of Abraham Lincoln was more than a threat to confiscate +three thousand millions of dollars which the South had invested in +slaves. The homely rail splitter from the West was the prophecy of a new +social order which threatened the foundations of the modern world. He +himself was all unconscious of this fact. And yet this big reality was +the secret of the electric tension which strangled men into silence and +threw over the scene the sense of ominous foreboding. + +The debates in Congress during the tempestuous session had been utterly +insincere and without meaning. The real leaders knew that the time for +discussion had passed. Two absolutely irreconcilable moral principles +had clashed and the Republic was squarely and hopelessly broken into two +vast sectional divisions on the issue. + +Beyond the fierce and uncompromising hatred of Slavery which had grown +into a consuming passion throughout the North and had resulted in the +election of Lincoln as a purely sectional candidate--behind and +underneath this apparent moral rage lay a bigger and far more elemental +fact--the growing consciousness of the laboring man that the earth and +the fullness thereof were his. + +And bigger than the fear of the confiscation of their property and the +destruction of the Constitution their fathers had created loomed before +the Southern mind the Specter of a new democracy at the touch of whose +fetid breath the soul of culture and refinement they believed must die. +In the vulgar ranks of this democracy must march sooner or later four +million negroes but yesterday from the jungles of Africa. + +This greater issue was felt but dimly by the leaders on either side but +it was realized with sufficient clearness to make compromise impossible. + +In vain did the aged and the feeble plead once more for compromise. Real +men no longer wished it. + +The day of reckoning had come. The seeds of this tragedy were planted in +the foundation structure of the Republic. + +The Union of our fathers, for all the high sounding phrases of its +Declaration of Independence was not a democracy. It was from the +beginning an aristocratic republic founded squarely on African Slavery. +And the degraded position assigned to the man who labored with his hands +was recognized in our organic law. + +The Constitution itself was the work of a rich and powerful group of +leaders in each State, and its provisions were a compromise of +conflicting sectional property interests. + +The world had moved from 1789 to 1861. + +The North was unconsciously lifting the banner of a mighty revolution. +The South was clinging with the desperation of despair to the faith of +its fathers. + +The North was the world of steam and electricity, of new ideas, of +progress. The South still believed in the divine inspiration of the men +who founded the Republic. They must believe in it, for their racial life +depended on it. Four million negroes could not be loosed among five +million Southern white people and two such races live side by side under +the principles of a pure democracy. Had this issue been put to them in +the beginning not one Southern State would have entered the Union. + +The Northern workingman, with steam and electricity bringing North and +South into closer and closer touch, answered this cry of fear from the +South with the ultimatum of democracy: + +"This Nation can not endure half slave and half free!" + +Back of all the mouthings of demagogues and the billingsgate of +sectionalists lay this elemental fact--a democracy against a republic. + +Nor could the sword of the Sections settle such an issue. The sectional +sword could only settle an issue which grew out of it--whether a group +of States holding a common interest in this conflict of principles could +combine for their own peace and safety, leave the old Union, form a new +one and settle it in their own way. + +The North said no--the South said yes. This conviction bigger than party +platforms was the brooding terror which brought the sense of tragedy to +young and old, the learned and the unlearned--that made young men see +visions and maids dream of mighty deeds. + + * * * * * + +The Southern boy's eyes had again rested on the vacant chairs of the +Senators from South Carolina with a set look in their depths. + +The crowd turned with sudden stir to the door of the Senate Chamber. + +"Look," Jennie cried, "that's Mrs. Clem Clay of Alabama--how pale and +beautiful she is! The Senator's going to make the speech of his life +to-day. She's scared--Ah, that dress, that dress--isn't it a dream? Did +you ever see such a piece of velvet--and--do look at that dear little +gold hand holding the skirt up just high enough to see the exquisite +lace on her petticoat--" + +"Where's the golden hand--I don't see it?" Dick broke in skeptically. + +"Don't you see the chain hanging from her waist?" + +"Yes, I see that." + +"Follow it with your eye and you'll see the hand. The Bayard sisters +introduced them from Paris, you know." + +The boy had ceased to listen to Jennie's chatter. His eye had suddenly +rested on a group of three men seated in the diplomatic gallery--one +evidently of high official position by the deference paid him. The man +on the left of the official was young, handsome, slender, and pulled the +corners of his mustache with a slow lazy touch of his graceful hand. His +eyes were fixed on Jennie with a steady gaze. The Minister from +Sardinia, of the Court of Victor Emmanuel, sat on the right, bowing and +gesticulating with an enthusiasm out of all proportion to the importance +of the conversation. + +Behind this group sat a fourth man who leaned forward occasionally and +whispered to the official. His face was in shadow and the only thing +Dick could see was the thick dark brown beard which covered his regular +features and a pair of piercing black eyes. + +"For heaven's sake, Jennie," the boy cried at last, "who is that villain +in the Diplomatic gallery?" + +"Where?" + +"In the corner there on the right." + +"Oh, that's the Sardinian Minister--King Victor Emmanuel's new drummer +of trade for Genoa. He's getting ahead of the French, too." + +"No--no, I don't mean that little rat. I mean the big fellow with the +heavy jaw and a face like a rattlesnake. He's trying to charm you too." + +Jennie laughed. + +"Silly! That's the new Secretary of War, Joseph Holt." + +"A scoundrel, if God ever made one--" + +"Because he looks at me?" + +"No--that shows his good taste. It's the way he looks at you and moves +his crooked mouth and the way he bends his big flat head forward." + +"Rubbish--he's a loyal Southerner--and if we have to fight he'll be with +us." + +"Yes--he--_will_!" + +"Of course, he will. He's careful now. He's in old Buck's cabinet. Wait +and see. He called on Mr. Davis last night." + +"That's nothing--so did old Seward--" + +"Different--Seward's a Black Republican from New York--Holt's a Southern +Democrat from Mississippi." + +"And who's the young knight by his side with the dear little mustache to +which he seems so attached?" + +Jennie looked in silence for a moment. + +"I never saw him before. He's handsome, isn't he?" + +"Looks to me like a young black snake just shed his skin waiting for +that old adder to show him how to strike." + +"Dick--" + +"God save the Queen! They're coming here--they're coming for you--" + +The Secretary of War had nodded in recognition of Jennie, risen +suddenly, and moved toward the gallery exit with his slender companion. + +"Nonsense, Dick--he only bowed because he saw me staring--" + +"He's bringing that mustache to meet you--" + +The boy turned with a scowl toward the door of their gallery and saw the +Secretary of War slowly making his way through the crowd to their seats. + +"I told you so--" + +Jennie blushed and smiled in friendly response to the Secretary's +awkward effort at Southern politeness. + +"Miss Barton, may I ask a little favor of you?" + +"Certainly, Mr. Holt. Allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Welford of +Virginia." + +The Secretary bowed stiffly and Dick nodded his head with indifference. + +"The Italian Minister with whom I've just been talking wishes the honor +of an introduction for his Secretary. Miss Jennie, will you meet him?" + +"Certainly--" + +"He's looking forward to the possible new Empire of the South," Holt +whispered, "and proposes at an early day to forestall the French--" + +Dick threw him a look of scorn as he returned to the door and rose with +a scowl. + +"I'll go out and get fresh air." + +"Don't go--" + +"I can't breathe in here. Two's company and three's a crowd." + +She seized his arm: + +"Please sit down, Dick." + +"I'll be back directly--" + +In spite of her protest he bounded up the steps of the gallery, turned +sharply to the right, avoided the intruders and disappeared in the +crowd. + +The Secretary of War bowed again: + +"Miss Barton, permit me to introduce to you Signor Henrico Socola, +Secretary to His Excellency, the Minister of Sardinia." + +The slender figure bent low with an easy grace. + +"Pleased to meet you, Signor Socola," Jennie responded, lifting the +heavy lashes from her lustrous brown eyes with the slightest challenge +to his. + +"The pleasure is all mine, Mad'moiselle," he gravely replied. + +"You'll excuse me now if I hurry on?" the Secretary said, again bowing +and disappearing in the crowd. + +"Mr. Holt tells me, Miss Barton, that you know every Senator on the +floor." + +"Yes. My father has been in Congress and the Senate for twenty years." + +"You'll explain the drama to me to-day when the curtain rises?" + +"If I can." + +"I'll be so much obliged--" he paused and the even white teeth smiled +pleasantly. "I'm pretty well up on American history but confess a little +puzzled to-day. Your Southern Senators are really going to surrender +their power here without a struggle?" + +"What do you mean?" the girl asked with a slight frown. + +"That your Democratic party has still a majority in both the House and +the Senate. If the Southern members simply sit still in their places, +the incoming administration of Abraham Lincoln will be absolutely +powerless. The new President can not even call a cabinet to his side +without their consent." + +"The North has elected their President," Jennie answered with decision. +"The South scorns to stoop to the dishonor of cheating them out of it. +They've won the election. They can have it. The South will go and build +a government of her own--as we built this one--" + +"And fight twenty-three million people of the North?" + +"If forced to--yes!" + +"With the certainty of an uprising of your slaves at home?" + +Jennie laughed. + +"Our slaves would fight for us if we'd let them--" + +A curious smile twitched the lips of the Italian. + +"You speak with great confidence, Miss Barton!" + +"Yes. I know what I'm talking about." + +The keen eyes watched her from the shadows of the straight thick brows. + +"And your Senators who took a solemn oath in entering this Chamber to +support the Constitution will leave their seats in violation of that +oath?" + +The Southern girl flushed, turned with quick purpose to answer, laughed +and said with winning frankness: + +"You don't mind if I give you my father's answer in his own words? I +know them by heart--" + +"By all means." + +"An oath to support the Constitution of the United States does _not_ +bind the man who takes it to support an administration elected by a mob +whose purpose is to subvert the Constitution!" + +"Oh,--I see," was the quiet response. + +"You speak English with perfection, Signor!" Jennie said with a smile. + +"Yes, Mad'moiselle, I've spent my life in the Diplomatic service." + +He bowed gravely, lifted his head and caught the smile on the lips of +the Secretary of War standing in the shadows of the doorway of the +Diplomatic gallery. + +The stately figure of John C. Breckinridge, the Vice-President, suddenly +mounted the dais and his piercing eyes swept the assembly. He rapped for +order and the silence which followed was as the hush of death. + +"The curtain rises on our drama, Mad'moiselle," the smooth even voice +said. + +"Sh!" the girl whispered. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PARTING + + +The breathless galleries leaned forward to catch the slightest sound +from the arena below. + +One by one the Senators from the seceding Southern States rose and +renounced their allegiance to the United States in obedience to the +voice of their people. + +With each solemn exit the women of the galleries grew hysterical, waved +their perfumed handkerchiefs and shouted their approval with cries of +sympathy and admiration. + +David Yulee, Stephen K. Mallory and Benjamin Fitzpatrick had each closed +his portfolio and with slow measured tread marched down the crowded +aisle and out of the Chamber never again to enter its doors. + +All eyes were focused now on the brilliant young Senator from Alabama, +Clement C. Clay, Jr. It was understood that he had prepared an eloquent +defense of his action and would voice the passionate feeling of the +masses of the Southern people in this his last utterance in the +crumbling temple of the old Republic. + +He rose in his place, lifted his strong head with its leonine locks and +broad, high forehead, paused a moment and began his speech in the clear +steady tones of the trained orator, master of himself, his theme and his +audience. The Northern Senators met his gaze with scorn and he answered +with a look of bold defiance. + +The formal announcement of the secession of his State he made in brief +sharp sentences and plunged at once into the reasons for their solemn +act. + +"Forty-two years ago, Alabama was admitted into the Union," he declared +in ringing tones. "She entered it as she goes out, with the Republic +convulsed by the hostility of the North to her domestic institutions. +Not a decade has passed, not a year has elapsed since her birth as a +State that has not been marked by the steady and insolent growth of the +mob violence of the North which has demanded the confiscation of her +property and the destruction of the foundations of her civilization. + +"Who are the leaders of these mobs who seek thus to overthrow the +Constitution? Who are these hypocrites who claim the championship of +freedom and the moral leadership of the world? + +"The men who sold their own slaves to us because they could not use them +with profit in a northern climate; the men who built and manned every +American slave ship that ever sailed the seas; the sons of old Peter +Faneuil of Boston who built Faneuil Hall, their cradle of liberty, out +of the profits of slave ships whose trade the Southern people had +forbidden by law; the men who have flooded Congress for two generations +with petitions to dissolve the Union; the men who threatened to secede +with the addition of every foot of territory we have added to our +Republic! + +"These are the men who have denied to the manhood of the South Christian +Communion because they could not endure what they have been pleased to +style the moral leprosy of Slavery! These are the men who refuse us +permission to sojourn or even pass through the sacred precincts of a +Northern State and dare to carry our servants with us. These are the men +who deny to the South equal rights in the lands of the West bought by +Southern blood and brains and added to our inheritance against their +furious protests. These are the men who burn the sacred charters of +American Liberty in their public squares, and inscribe on their banners +the foul motto: + +"'The Constitution is an agreement with Death, a covenant with Hell.' + +"These are the men who dare to call us traitors! These are the men who +have deliberately passed laws in fourteen Northern States nullifying the +provisions of the Constitution of the Union which they have sworn to +defend and enforce--" + +The speaker paused and lifted high above his head a little morocco bound +volume. + +"Here in the presence of Almighty God--the God of our fathers, and these +witnesses, I read its solemn provisions which the laws of fourteen +Northern States have brazenly and openly defied!" + +He opened the little book and slowly read: + +"'Article 4, Section 2. + +"'_No person held to service of labor in one State, under the laws +thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of any law or +regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor--but shall +be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may +be due._'" + +He turned suddenly to the Northern Senators: + +"Your States have not only repudiated the Constitution you have sworn to +uphold, but your emissaries have invaded the peaceful South and sought +to lay it waste with fire and sword and servile insurrection. You have +murdered Southern men who have dared demand their rights on Northern +soil. You have invaded the borders of Southern States, burned their +dwellings and murdered their people. You have proclaimed John Brown, the +criminal maniac who sought to murder innocent and helpless men, women +and children in Virginia, a hero and martyr and then denounced _us_ in +your popular meetings, your religious and legislative assemblies as +habitual violators of the laws of God and the rights of humanity! You +have exerted all the moral and physical agencies that human ingenuity +can devise or a devil's malice employ to heap odium and infamy upon us +and make the very name of the South a by-word of hissing and of scorn +throughout the civilized world--" + +He paused overcome with emotion and lifted his hand to stay the burst of +applause from the galleries. + +"We have borne all this for long years and might have borne it many more +under the assurance of our Northern friends that such fanaticism does +not represent the true heart of the Northern people. But the fallacy of +these promises and the folly of our hopes have been too clearly proven +in the late election. The platform of the political party on which you +have swept every Northern State and elected a sectional President is a +foul libel upon our character and a declaration of open war on the lives +and property of the Southern people. + +"In defiance of the Constitution which protects our rights your mob has +decreed the confiscation of three thousand million dollars' worth of our +property. If we claim the protection of our common law, your mob +solemnly burns the Constitution in your public squares and denounces it +as 'an agreement with Death and covenant with Hell.' We appeal to the +Supreme Court of the Republic and when its Judges unanimously sustain +our position on every point, your mob cries: + +"'Down with the Supreme Court of the United States!' + +"You have not only insulted us as unchristian and heathen, you have +proclaimed that four million ignorant negroes but yesterday taken from +the savagery of cannibal Africa are our equals and entitled to share in +the solemn rights of American citizenship. Your declaration is an open +summons that they rise in insurrection with the knife in one hand and +the torch in the other. + +"Your mob has declared the South outlawed, branded with ignominy, +consigned to execration and ultimate destruction. Your mob has decreed +the death of Slavery and sends the new President to execute their +decree. + +"All right--kill Slavery and then what? Kill Slavery and what will you +do with its corpse? Who shall deliver us from the body of this death? We +are not leaving this Hall to fight for the Institution of African +Slavery. The grim specter of a degraded and mongrel citizenship which +lies back of your mob's programme of confiscation is the force that is +driving the Southern people out of the Union to find peace and safety. +Whatever may be the sins of Slavery in the South they are as nothing +when compared to the degradation of your life which must follow their +violent emancipation. The Southern white man is slowly lifting the +African out of barbarism into the light of Christian civilization. In +our own good time we will emancipate him and start him on a new life +beyond the boundaries of our Republic. Whatever may be the differences +of opinion in the South on the institution of slavery--there is no +difference and there has never been on one point--it was true +yesterday--it is true to-day--it will be true to-morrow--_Slavery is the +only modus viviendi by which two such races as the Negro and the Aryan +can live side by side in a free democracy with equality the law of its +life_--" + +Again a burst of tumultuous applause swept the gallery. + +"The issue is clear cut and terrible in its simplicity--the South stands +on the faith of our fathers who created this Republic. The South stands +for Constitutional freedom under the forms of established law. The +North has lifted the red flag of revolution and proclaims the +irresponsible despotism of an enthroned mob! + +"For a generation your school mistresses have been training your boys to +hate us and arming them to fight us. Make no mistake about this movement +to-day. We who go are but the servants of those who sent us. They now +recall their ambassadors, and we obey their sovereign will. Make no +mistake about it. They are not a brave and rash people, deluded by bad +men, who are attempting in an illegal way to wreck the Union. They seek +peace and safety outside driven by the Rebellion against Law and Order +within. + +"Are we more or less than men? Can we love our enemies and bless them +that curse and revile us? Are we devoid of the sensibilities, the +sentiments, the passions, the reason, and the instincts of mankind? Have +we no pride, no honor, no sense of shame, no reverence for our +ancestors, no care for posterity, no love for home, or family or +friends? Must we quail before the onion breath of an enthroned mob, +confess our baseness, discredit the fame of our sires, degrade our +children, abandon our homes, flee from our country and dishonor +ourselves--all for the sake of a Union whose Constitution you have +publicly burned and whose Supreme Court you have spit upon? + +"Shall we consent to live under an administration controlled by those +who not only deny us justice and equality and brand us as infamous, but +boldly proclaim their purpose to rob us of our property and destroy our +civilization? + +"The freemen of Alabama have proclaimed to the world they will not. In +their sovereign power they have recalled me. As their servant I go!" + +With a wave of his hand in an imperious gesture of defiance to the +silent Senators of the North, amid a scene of unparalleled passion, the +speaker turned to his seat, gathered his books and papers and strode +with quick firm step down the aisle. + +Jennie had leaped to her feet and stood clapping her hands in a frenzy +of excitement, unconscious of the existence of the strangely quiet young +man by her side. + +He rose and stood smiling into her flushed face as she gasped: + +"A wonderful speech--wasn't it?" + +"They say the South has never lacked audacity, Miss Barton. I'm +wondering if they are really going to make good such words with deeds." + +He spoke with a cold detachment that chilled and angered the impulsive +girl. A hot answer was on her lips when she remembered suddenly that he +was a foreigner. + +"Of course, Signor, you can not understand our feelings!" + +"On the other hand, I assure you, I do--I'm just wondering in a cold +intellectual way whether the oratorical temperament--the temperament of +passion, of righteous wrath of the explosive type which we have just +witnessed, will win in the trial by fire which war will bring--" + +"You doubt our courage?" she interrupted, with a slight curve of the +proud little lips. + +"Far from it--I assure you! I'm only wondering if it has the sullen, +dogged, staying qualities these stolid Northern men down there have +exhibited while they listened--" + +The girl threw him a quick surprised look and he stopped. His voice had +unconsciously taken the tones of a soliloquy. + +"I beg your pardon, Miss Barton," he said, with sudden swing to the +polite tones of society. "I'm annoying you with my foreign +speculations--" + +A sudden murmur swept the galleries and all eyes were turned on the tall +slender figure of Jefferson Davis as he slowly entered the Senate +Chamber. + +"Who is it?" Socola asked. + +"Senator Davis--you don't know him?" + +"I have never seen him before. He has been quite ill I hear." + +"Yes. He's been in bed for the past week suffering agonies from +neuralgia. He lost the sight of one of his eyes from chronic pain caused +by exposure in the service of his country in the northwest." + +"Really--I didn't know that." + +"He was compelled to remain in a darkened room for months the past year +to save the sight of his remaining eye." + +"That accounts for my not having seen him before." + +Socola followed the straight military figure with painful interest as he +slowly moved toward his seat greeting with evident weakness his +colleagues as he passed. He was astonished beyond measure at the +personality of the famous leader of the "Southern Conspirators" of whom +he had heard so much. He was the last man in all the crowd he would have +singled out for such a role. The face was too refined, too spiritual, +too purely intellectual for the man of revolution. His high forehead, +straight nose, thin compressed lips and pointed chin belonged to the +poet and dreamer rather than the man of action. The hollow cheek bones +and deeply furrowed mouth told of suffering so acute the sympathy of +every observer was instantly won. + +In spite of evident suffering his carriage was erect, dignified, and +graceful. The one trait which fastened the attention from the first and +held it was the remarkable intensity of expression which clothed his +thin muscular face. + +"You like him?" Jennie ventured at last. + +"I can't say, Miss Barton," was the slowly measured answer. "He is a +remarkably interesting man. I'm surprised and puzzled--" + +"Surprised and puzzled at what?" + +"Well, you see I know his history. The diplomatist makes it his business +to know the facts in the lives of the leaders of a nation to whose +Government he is accredited. Mr. Davis spent four years at West Point. +He gave seven years of his life to the service of the army in the West. +He carried your flag to victory in Mexico and hobbled home on crutches. +He was one of your greatest Secretaries of War. He sent George B. +McClellan and Robert E. Lee to the Crimea to master European warfare, +organized and developed your army, changed the model of your arms, +introduced the rifled musket and the minie ball. He explored your +Western Empire and surveyed the lines of the great continental railways +you are going to build to the Pacific Ocean. He planned and built your +system of waterworks in the city of Washington and superintends now the +extension of the Capitol building which will make it the most imposing +public structure in the world. He has never stooped to play the part of +a demagogue. He has never sought an office higher than the role of +Senator which fits his character and temperament. His mind has always +been busy dreaming of the imperial future of your widening Republic. His +eye has seen the vision of its extension to the Arctic on the north and +the jungles of Panama on the south. Why should such a man deliberately +come into this chamber to-day before this assembled crowd and commit +hari-kari?" + +"He's a true son of the South!" Jennie Barton proudly answered. + +"Even so, how can he do the astounding thing he proposes to carry out +to-day? His record shows that passionate devotion to the Union has been +the very breath of his life. I've memorized one of his outbursts as a +model of your English language--" + +Jennie laughed. + +"I never heard of his Union speeches, I'm sure!" + +"Strange that your people have forgotten them. Listen: 'From sire to son +has descended the love of the Union in our hearts, as in our history are +mingled the names of Concord and Camden, of Yorktown and Saratoga, of +New Orleans and Bunker Hill. Together they form a monument to the common +glory of our common country. Where is the Southern man who would wish +that monument less by one Northern name that constitutes the mass? Who, +standing on the ground made sacred by the blood of Warren, could allow +sectional feeling to curb his enthusiasm as he looks upon that obelisk +which rises a monument to freedom's and his country's triumph, and +stands a type of the time, the men and the event it commemorates; built +of material that mocks the waves of time, without niche or molding for +parasite or creeping thing to rest upon, pointing like a finger to the +sky to raise man's thoughts to high and noble deeds!'" + +Socola paused and turned his dark eyes on Jennie's upturned face. + +"How can the man who made that speech in Boston do this mad deed +to-day?" + +"Senator Clay has given the answer," was the girl's quick reply. + +"For Senator Clay, yes--the fiery, impulsive, passionate child of +emotion. But this thin hollow-cheeked student, thinker and philosopher, +who spoke the thrilling words I quote--he should belong to the order of +the Prophet and the Seer--the greatest leaders and teachers of history." + +"We believe he does, Signor!" was the quick answer. "Look--he's going +to speak--you'll hear him now." + +Jennie leaned forward, her thoughtful little chin in both hands, as a +silence so intense it was pain fell suddenly on the hushed assembly. + +The face of the Southern leader was chalk white in its pallor. His first +sentences were weak and scarcely reached beyond the circle of his +immediate hearers. His physician had forbidden him to leave his room. +The iron will had risen to perform a solemn duty. The Senators leaned +forward in their arm-chairs fearful of losing a word. + +He paused as if for breath and gazed a moment on the upturned faces with +the look of lingering tenderness which the dying cast on those upon whom +they gaze for the last time. + +His figure suddenly rose to its full height, as if the soul within had +thrust the feeble body aside to speak its message. His words, full, +clear and musical rang to the furthest listener craning his neck through +the jammed doorways of the galleries. Never was the music of the human +voice more profoundly appealing. Unshed tears were in its throbbing +tones. + +There was no straining for effect--no outburst of emotion. The +impression which reached the audience was the sense of restraint and the +consciousness of his unlimited reserve power. Back of the simple +clean-cut words which fell in musical cadence from his white lips was +the certainty that he was only speaking a small part of what he felt, +saw and knew. He neither stormed nor raved and yet he filled the hearts +of his hearers with unspeakable passion. + +He turned suddenly and bent his piercing single eye on the Northern +Senators: + +"I hope none who hear me will confound my position with the advocacy of +the right of a State to remain in the Union and disregard its +Constitutional obligations by the nullification of the law--" + +A sudden cheer swept the tense galleries. The sergeant-at-arms called +for order. The cheer rose again. The Vice-President rapped for silence +and threatened to close the galleries. The speaker lifted his hand and +commanded silence. + +"It was because of his deep attachment to the Union--his determination +to find some remedy for existing ills short of a severance of the ties +which bound South Carolina to the other States--that John C. Calhoun +advocated the doctrine of nullification which he proclaimed to be +peaceful and within the limits of State power. + +"Secession belongs to a different class of remedies. It is to be +justified upon the basis that the States are sovereign. There was a time +when none denied it. The phrase 'to execute the laws' General Jackson +applied to a State refusing to obey the law while yet a member of the +Union. You may make war on a foreign state. If it be the purpose of +gentlemen--" + +He paused and again his eagle eye swept the tiers of Northern Senators. + +"You may make war against a State which has withdrawn from the Union; +but there are no laws of the United States to be executed within the +limits of a seceded State--" + +Seward leaned forward in his seat and shook his head in grave dissent. +The speaker bent his gaze directly upon his great antagonist and spoke +with strange regretful tenderness. + +"A State finding herself in a condition in which Mississippi has judged +she is--in which her safety requires that she should provide for the +maintenance of her rights out of the Union--surrenders all the benefits +(and they are known to be many), deprives herself of all the advantages +(and they are known to be great), severs all the ties of affections (and +they are close and enduring) which have bound her to the Union; and thus +divesting herself of every benefit--taking upon herself every +burden--she claims to be exempt from any power to execute the laws of +the United States within her limits. + +"When Massachusetts was arraigned before the bar of the Senate for her +refusal to permit the execution of the laws of the United States within +her borders, my opinion was the same then as now. Her State is +sovereign. She never delegated to the Federal Government the power to +drive her by force. And when she chooses to take the last step which +separates her from the Union, it is her right to go!--" + +Another electric wave swept the crowd that burst into applause. The +speaker lifted his long arm with an impatient gesture. + +"And I would not vote one dollar nor one man to coerce her back into +unwilling submission. I would say to her--'God speed in the memory of +the kind associations which once existed between her and her sister +States.' + +"It has been a conviction of pressing necessity--a belief that we are to +be deprived in the Union of the rights which our fathers bequeathed +us--which has brought Mississippi to her present decision. + +"You have invoked the sacred Declaration of Independence as the basis of +an attack upon her social order. The Declaration of Independence is to +be construed by the circumstances and purposes for which it was made. It +was written by a Southern planter and slave owner. The Colonies were +declaring their independence from foreign tyranny--were asserting in the +language of Jefferson, 'that no man was born booted and spurred to ride +over the rest of mankind; that men were created equal'--meaning the men +of their American political community; that there was no divine right to +rule; that no man could inherit the right to govern; that there were no +classes by which power and place descended from father to son; but that +all stations were equally within the grasp of each member of the body +politic. These were the principles they announced. + +"They had no reference to a slave. The same document denounced George +III for the crime of attempting to stir their slaves to insurrection, as +John Brown attempted at Harper's Ferry. If their Declaration of +Independence announced that negroes were free and the equals of English +citizens how could the Prince be arraigned for daring to raise servile +insurrection among them? And how should this be named among the high +crimes of George III which caused the Colonies to sever their connection +with the Mother country? + +"If slaves were declared our equals how did it happen that in the +organic law of the Union they were given a lower caste and their +population allowed (and that only through the dominant race) a basis of +three-fifths representation in Congress? So stands the compact of Union +which binds us together. + +"We stand upon the principles on which our Government was founded!--" + +The sentence rang clear and thrilling as the peal of a trumpet. The +effect was electric. The galleries leaped to their feet, and cheered. + +Jennie turned to the silent diplomat. + +"Isn't he glorious!" + +"He stirs the hearts of men"--was the even answer. + +Around them were unmistakable evidences. Women were weeping hysterically +and men embracing one another in silence and tears. + +Again the Senator's hand was lifted high in command for silence and +again he faced Seward and his Northern colleagues with figure tense, +erect. + +"When you repudiate these principles, and when you deny to us the right +to withdraw from a Government which, thus perverted, threatens to +destroy our rights, we but tread the path of our fathers when we +proclaim our independence and take the hazard!" + +Again a cheer and shout which the Vice-President's gavel could not +quell. When the murmur at last died away the speaker's voice had dropped +to low appealing tenderness. + +"We do this, Senators, not in hostility to others, not to injure any +section of our common country, not for our own pecuniary benefit, but +from the high and solemn motive of defending and protecting the rights +we inherited, which we will transmit unshorn to our children. We seek +outside the Union that peace, with dignity and honor, which we can no +longer find within. + +"I trust I find myself a type of the general feeling of my constituents +towards yours. I am sure I feel no hostility toward you, Senators from +the North--" + +He paused and swept the Northern tiers with a look of tender appeal. + +"I am sure there is not one of you, whatever sharp discussion there may +have been between us, to whom I can not now say in the presence of my +God, I wish you well!" + +Seward turned his head from the speaker, his eyes dimmed--the scheming +diplomat and unscrupulous politician lost in the heart of the man for +the moment. + +"Such I am sure is the feeling of the people whom I represent toward +those whom you represent. I but express their desire when I say I hope +and they hope for peaceful relations with you, though we must part--" + +He paused as if to suppress emotions too deep for words while a silence, +intense and suffocating, held the crowd in a spell. The speaker's voice +dropped to still lower and softer notes of persuasive tenderness as each +rounded word of the next sentence fell slowly from the thin lips. + +"If war must come, we can only invoke the God of our fathers, who +delivered us from the power of the lion, to protect us from the ravages +of the bear, and putting our trust in Him and in our firm hearts and +strong arms we will vindicate the right as best we may--" + +No cheer greeted this solemn utterance. In the pause which followed, the +speaker deliberately gazed over the familiar faces of his Northern +opponents and continued with a suppressed intensity of feeling that +gripped his bitterest foe. + +"In the course of my service here, associated at different times with a +great variety of Senators, I see now around me some with whom I have +served long. There have been points of collision, but, whatever offense +there has been to me, I leave here. I carry with me no hostile +remembrance. For whatever offense I may have given which has not been +redressed, or for which satisfaction has not been demanded, I have, +Senators, in this solemn hour of our parting to offer you my apology--" + +The low musical voice died softly away in the silence of tears. + +A woman sobbed aloud. + +Socola bent toward his trembling companion and whispered: + +"Who is she?" + +Jennie brushed the tears from her brown eyes before replying: + +"The Senator's wife. She's heart-broken over it all--didn't sleep a +wink all night. I've been looking for her to faint every minute." + +The leader closed his portfolio. His hollow cheeks, thin lips and white +drawn face were clothed with an expression of sorrow beyond words as he +slowly turned and left the scene of his life's triumphs. + +The spell of his eloquence at last thrown off the crowd once more +dissolved into hostile lowering groups. + +Stern old Zack Chandler of Michigan collided with Jennie's father in the +cloak room, his eyes red with wrath. + +"Well, Barton," he growled, "after the damned insolence of that scene if +the North don't fight, I'll be much mistaken--" + +"You generally are, sir," Barton retorted. + +"If they don't fight, by the living God, I'll leave this country and +join another nation--the Comanche Indians preferred to this Government." + +Barton glanced at his opponent and his heavy jaw closed with a snap. + +"I trust, Senator," he said with deliberate venom, "you will not carry +out that resolution--the Comanche Indians have already suffered too much +from contact with the whites!" + +Dick Welford heard the shot and gripped the fierce old Southerner's hand +as Chandler turned on his heel and disappeared with an oath. + +"You got him that time, Senator!" + +Barton laughed with boyish glee. + +"I did, didn't I? Sometimes we can only think of our best things when +it's too late. But by Gimminy I got the old rascal this time, didn't I?" + +"You certainly plugged him--what did you think of the speeches?" + +"Clay said something! Davis is too slow. He's got no blood in his +veins. I don't like him. He'll pull us back into the Union yet if we +don't watch him. He's a reconstructionist at heart. The State of +Mississippi is dragging him out of Washington by the heels. He makes me +tired. The time for talk has passed. To your tents now, O Israel!" + +Dick hurried to the gallery and watched Socola talking in his graceful +Italian way with Jennie. He had hated this elegant foreigner the moment +he had laid eyes on him. He made up his mind to declare himself before +another sun set. + +He ignored the Italian's existence. + +"You are ready, Miss Jennie?" + +She took Dick's proffered arm in silence and bowed to Socola who watched +them go with a peculiar smile playing about his handsome mouth. + +Jennie insisted on stopping at Senator Davis' home to tell his wife of +the wonderful power with which his speech had swept the galleries. + +The house was still, the library door open. The girl paused on the +threshold in awe. The Senator's tall figure was lying prostrate across +his desk, his thin hands clasped in prayer, his face buried in his arms. +His lips were murmuring words too low to be heard until at last they +swelled in sorrowful repetition: + +"May God have us in his holy keeping and grant that before it is too +late peaceful councils may prevail!" + +The girl turned softly and left without a word. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A MIDNIGHT SESSION + + +The Secretary of War invited Socola to join him at the White House after +the Cabinet meeting which President Buchanan had called at the unusual +hour of ten at night. He had waited for more than two hours in the +anteroom and still the Cabinet was in session. Without show of +impatience he smoked cigar after cigar, flicked their ashes into the +fireplace and listened with an expression of quiet amusement to the +storm raging within while the sleet of a January blizzard rattled +against the windows with increasing fury. + +Once more the question of the little fort in the harbor of Charleston +had plunged the discordant Cabinet of the dying administration into the +convulsions of a miniature war. + +The feeble old President, overwhelmed by the gathering storm, crouched +in the corner by the fire. His emaciated figure was shrouded in a +ridiculous old dressing-gown. Mentally and physically prostrate he sat +shivering while his ministers wrangled. + +He rose at last, shambled to the Cabinet table, and leaned his trembling +hands on it for support. + +"What can I do, gentlemen--what can I do? If Anderson hadn't gone into +that fort at night, the State of South Carolina might not have +seceded--" + +Stanton shook his massive head with an expression of uncontrollable +rage. + +"Great God!" + +The President continued in feeble, pleading tones: + +"Now they tell me that unless Anderson withdraws his troops their +presence will provoke bloodshed--" + +"Let them fire on him if they dare!" shouted Stanton. + +"I cannot plunge my country into fratricidal war. My sands are nearly +run. I only ask of God that my sun may not set in a sea of blood--" + +He paused and lifted his thin hands, trembling like two withered leaves +of aspen in the winter's blast. + +"What can I do?" + +Stanton suddenly sprang from his seat and confronted the shivering old +man. + +"I'll tell you what you can _not_ do!" + +The President gasped for breath and listened helplessly. + +"You can't yield that fort to the conspirators who demand it. Dare to do +it, and I tell you, as the Attorney General of the United States, you +are guilty of high treason--and by the living God you should be hung!" + +The venerable Secretary of the Navy, Isaac Toucey, lifted his hand in +protest. Stanton merely threw him a look of scorn, and shouted into the +President's face: + +"Your act could no more be defended than Benedict Arnold's!" + +"And what say you, Holt?" the President asked, turning to his +heavy-jawed Secretary of War. + +"Send a ship to the relief of Sumter within twenty-four hours, and let +South Carolina take the consequences--" + +"Good!" Stanton cried. + +Holt's crooked mouth was drawn in grim lines, and the left-hand corner +was twisted into a still lower knot of ugly muscles. His furtive eyes +beneath their shaggy brows glanced quickly around the table to see the +effect of his patriotic stand. + +The President turned to the white-haired Secretary of the Navy: + +"And you, General Toucey?" + +The venerable statesman from Connecticut bowed gravely to his Chief and +spoke with quiet dignity. + +"I would order Anderson to return at once to Fort Moultrie--" + +Stanton smashed the table with his big fist. + +"And you know that the State of South Carolina has dismantled Fort +Moultrie?" + +Toucey answered Stanton's bluster with quiet emphasis. + +"I'm aware of that fact, sir!" + +"And it makes no difference?" + +"None whatever. Anderson left Fort Moultrie and moved into Fort Sumter +without orders--" + +A faint smile flickered about the drooping corners of Holt's mouth-- + +The speaker turned to Holt: + +"As a matter of fact, he moved into that fort against the positive +orders of your predecessor, James B. Floyd, the Secretary of War. As he +went there without orders, and against orders, he should be ordered back +forthwith--" + +"With the look of a maddened tiger Stanton flew at him. + +"And you expect to go back to Connecticut after making that statement?" + +"I do, sir--" + +"I couldn't believe it." + +"And why, pray?" + +"I asked the question in good faith, that I might know the character of +the people of Connecticut, or your estimate of them." + +The old man drew himself up with cold dignity. + +"I have served the people of my State for over forty years--their +Congressman, their Attorney General, their Governor, their Senator. I +consult no upstart of your feeble record, sir, on any question of +principle or policy!" + +Stanton quailed a moment beneath the cold scorn of his antagonist, +surprised that another man should dare to use his methods of invective. + +He lifted his hands with a gesture of contempt. + +"All I can say is, that if I should dare take that position and return +to the State of Pennsylvania, I should expect to be stoned the moment I +set foot on her soil, stoned through the State and flung into the river +at Pittsburg with a stone around my neck--" + +Toucey stared at his opponent. + +"And in my opinion they would deserve well of their country for the +performance!" + +While his Cabinet wrangled, the feeble, old man in the faded wrapper +shambled to the window and gazed with watery eyes on the swaying trees +of the White House grounds. The sleet had frozen in shining crystals and +every limb was hung in diamonds. The wind had risen to hurricane force, +howling and shrieking its requiem through the chill darkness. A huge +bough broke and fell to the ground with a crash that sent a shiver +through his distracted soul. + +He turned back to the table to hear their decision. It came with but one +dissenting voice, Toucey, Secretary of the Navy. + +"A ship be sent at once to the relief of Sumter." + +With stubborn terror the President refused to sign the order for an +armed vessel. At one o'clock they compromised on the little steamer, +_Star of the West_, and Buchanan agreed that she should attempt to land +provisions for Anderson's fifty-odd men. + +Holt hurried from the council chamber at one o'clock with a smile of +triumph playing about his sinister mouth. His plan had succeeded. He had +worked Stanton as the legal adviser of the President exactly as he had +foreseen. The little steamer would test the mettle of the men of South +Carolina who were training their batteries on Fort Sumter. If they dared +to fire on her--all right--the lines of battle would be drawn. + +He seized Socola's arm. + +"Come with me to the War Office." + +Inside, he closed the door, inspected the room in every nook and corner +for a possible eavesdropper, seated himself and leaned close to his +attentive listener. + +"I have established your character now through your connection with the +Minister from Sardinia beyond the possibility of any doubt. Your +position will not be called in question. You will appear in the South as +the representative, unofficial and yet duly accredited, for King Victor +Emmanuel. Your purpose will be, of course, the cultivation of friendly +relations with the officials of the new Government looking to the day of +its coming recognition--you understand?" + +"Perfectly--" + +"You have absolutely consecrated your life, and every talent, to your +country?" + +"Body and soul--" + +The dark eyes flashed with the light of a religious fanatic. + +"Good." The Secretary paused and studied his man a moment. + +"I introduced you to the girl not merely to obtain an invaluable witness +to your credentials should they be questioned--but for a double +purpose." + +Socola nodded. + +"I guessed as much." + +"She's bright, young, pretty, and you can pass the time pleasantly in +her company. The association will place you in a strong position. Her +father is a fool--the storm petrel of Secession. He has the biggest +mouth in America, barring none. His mouth is so huge, they'll never find +a muzzle big enough if they could get men enough around him to put it +on. He's bound to land somewhere high in the councils of the coming +Confederacy--" + +"There'll be one?" + +Holt smiled. + +"You doubt it?" + +"It may be bluster after all." + +"Men of the Davis type don't bluster, my boy. They are to meet at +Montgomery, Alabama, on February fourth. They'll organize the Cotton +States into a Southern Confederacy. If they can win Virginia, North +Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas, they may gobble Maryland, Kentucky, +and Missouri--all Slave States. If they get them all--they'll win +without a fight, and reconstruct the Union on their own terms; if they +don't--well, we'll see what we'll see--" + +"And you wish?" + +"That you get for me--and get quickly--inside information of what is +done and what is proposed to be done at Montgomery. I want the names of +every man discussed for high office among them, his chances of +appointment, his friends, his enemies--why they are his friends, why +they are his enemies. I want their plans, their prospects, their hopes, +their fears, and I want this information quickly. You will be supplied +with ample funds, and your report must be made to me in person. My +tenure of this office will be but a few weeks longer--but you are my +personal representative, you understand?" + +"Quite." + +"Your report must be in person to me, and to me alone." + +"I understand, sir." + +Socola rose, extended his hand, drew his cloak about his slender +shoulders and passed out into the storm, his dark face lighted by a +smile as he recalled the winsome face of Jennie Barton. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A FRIENDLY WARNING + + +The withdrawal of the Southern Senators and Representatives from +Congress produced in Washington the upheaval of a social earthquake. + +An atmosphere of tears and ominous foreboding hung pall-like over the +city's social life. Each step in the departure of wives and daughters +was a pang. + +Carriages drawn by sleek, high-bred horses dashed through the broad +streets with excited haste. The black coachman on the box held his reins +with a nervous grip that communicated itself to the horses. He had +caught the excitement in the quivering social structure of which he was +part. What he was really thinking down in the depths of his African soul +only God could see. His dark face merely grinned in quick obedience to +command. + +From every house where these farewells were being said, a weeping woman +emerged and waved a last adieu to the tear-stained faces at the window. + +Wagons and carts lumbered through the streets on their way to the wharf +or station, piled high with baggage. + +Hotel-keepers stood in the doorway of their establishments with darkened +brows. The glory of the past was departing. The future was a blank. + +On the morning after his farewell address to the Senate, a messenger, +who refused to give his name, was ushered into the library of Senator +Davis. + +The stately black butler bowed again with quiet dignity. + +"Yo' name, sah? I--failed to catch it?" + +The messenger lifted his hand: + +"No name. Please say to the Senator that I came from an important +official with a message of the gravest importance--I wish to see him +alone at once--" + +The faithful servant eyed his visitor with an ominous look. There was no +question of his loyalty to the man he served. + +"It's all right, Robert, I'm a friend of Senator Davis." + +A moment's hesitation and the black man bowed with deference. + +"Yassah--yassah--I tell him right away, sah. You sho' knows me anyhow, +sah--" + +The Senator was in bed suffering again from facial neuralgia. He rose +promptly, dressed hastily but completely and carefully and extended both +hands to his visitor. + +"You have come to see me at an unusual hour, sir. It must be +important--" + +"Of the utmost importance, Senator. A high official in the confidence of +the President sent me to inform you that Stanton, the Attorney General, +is planning to issue a warrant for your arrest for high treason." + +"Indeed?" + +"You are advised to leave Washington on the first train." + +A dry smile flickered about the corners of the Senator's strong mouth. + +"Thank you. Please say to my friend that I appreciate the spirit that +prompted his message. Ask him to say to Mr. Stanton that I have decided +to remain in Washington a week. Nothing would please me better than to +submit this issue to the courts for adjustment. He will find me at home +every day and at all hours." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +BOY AND GIRL + + +From the moment Dick Welford had seen Socola bowing and smiling before +Jennie Barton he had hated the man. He hated foreigners on general +principles, anyhow. This kind of foreigner he particularly loathed--the +slender, nervous type which suggested over-refinement to the point of +effeminacy. He had always hated slender, effeminate-looking men of the +native breed. This one was doubly offensive because he was an Italian. +How any woman with true womanly instincts could tolerate such a spider +was more than he could understand. + +Jennie Barton had always frankly said that she admired men of his own +type. He was six feet one, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and weighed a hundred +and ninety-six pounds at twenty-one years of age. He had always felt +instinctively that he was exactly the man for Jennie's mate. She was +nineteen, dark and slender, a bundle of quick, sensitive, nervous +intelligence. Her brown eyes were almost black and her luxuriant hair +seemed raven-hued beside his. He had always imagined it nestling beside +his big blond head in perfect contentment since the first summer he had +spent with Tom Barton at their cottage at the White Sulphur Springs. + +He had taken it for granted that she would say yes when he could screw +up his courage to speak. She had treated him as if he were already in +the family. + +"Confound it," he muttered, clenching his big fist, "that's what worries +me! Maybe she just thinks of me as one of her brothers!" + +It hadn't occurred to him until he saw the light kindle in her eyes at +the sight of that smooth-tongued reptilian foreigner. He was on his way +now to her house, to put the thing to the test before she could leave +Washington. Thank God, the spider was tied down here at the Sardinian +Ministry. He hoped Victor Emmanuel would send him as Consul to Shanghai. + +Mrs. Barton met him at the door with a motherly smile. + +"Walk right in the parlor, Dick. It's sweet of you to come so early +to-day. We're all in tears, packing to go. Jennie'll be delighted to see +you. Poor child--she's sick over it all." + +Mrs. Barton pressed Dick's hand with the softest touch that reassured +his fears. The only trouble about Mrs. Barton was she was gentle and +friendly to everybody, black and white, old and young, Yankee or +Southerner. She was even sorry for old John Brown when they hung him. + +"Poor thing, he was crazy," she said tenderly. "They ought to have sent +him to the asylum." + +Try as he might, he couldn't fling off the impression of tragedy the +meeting of Socola with Jennie had produced. He was in a nervous fit to +see and tell her of his love. Why the devil hadn't he done so before +anyhow? They might have been engaged and ready to be married by this +time. They had met when she was sixteen. + +Why on earth couldn't he throw off the fool idea that he was going to +lose her? His big fist suddenly closed with resolution. + +"I'll not lose her! I'll wring that viper's neck--I'll wade through +blood and death and the fires of h--" + +Just as he was plunging waist deep through the flames of the Pit, she +appeared in the door, the picture of wistful, tender beauty. + +He rose awkwardly and extended his hand. + +"Good morning, Dick!" + +"Good morning, Jennie--" + +Her hand was hot, her eyes heavy with tears. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"As if you didn't know--I've been saying good-by to some of the dearest +friends I've ever known. It's terrible. I just feel it's the end of the +world--" + +He started to say: "Don't worry, Jennie darling, you have me. I love +you!" The thought of it made the cold beads of perspiration suddenly +stand out on his forehead. It was one thing to think such +things--another to say it aloud to a girl with Jennie's serious brown +eyes. + +She seemed terribly serious this morning and far away somehow. Never had +he seen her so utterly lovely. The mood of tender seriousness made her +more beautiful than ever. If he only dared to crush her in his arms and +laugh the smiles back into her eyes. + +When he spoke it was only a commonplace he managed to blurt out: + +"So you're really going to-morrow?" + +"Yes--we've telegraphed the boys to come home from school at once and +join us in Montgomery." + +He tried to say it again, but the speech turned out to be political, not +personal. + +"Of course Virginia'll stand by her Southern sisters, Jennie--" + +"Yes--" + +"It's just a few old moss-backs holding her. No army will ever march +across her soil to fight a Southern State--" + +"I hope not." + +"Of course not. I'll meet them on the border with one musket anyhow--" + +The girl was looking out the window at the slowly drizzling rain and +made no answer. He flushed at her apparent indifference to his heroic +stand. + +"Don't you believe I would?" + +"Would what, Dick?" she smiled, recovering herself from her reverie. + +It was no use beating about the bush, trying to talk politics. He had to +make the plunge. + +He suddenly took her hand in his. + +She threw him a startled look, sat bolt upright, made the faintest +effort to draw her hand away, and blushed furiously. + +He was in for it now. There was no retreat. He gripped with desperate +earnestness, tried to speak, and choked. + +He drew a deep breath, tried again and only squeezed her hand harder. + +The girl began to smile in a sweet, triumphant way. It was nice, this +conscious power over a big, stunning six-footer who grasped her hand as +a drowning man a straw. The sense of her strength was thrilling. + +She looked at him with demure reproach. + +"Dick!" + +He grinned sheepishly and clung to her hand. + +"Yes--Jennie--" + +"Do you know what you are doing?" + +"No--but--I +know--what--I'm--trying--to--do--and--I'm--going--to--do--it--" + +Again his big hand crushed hers. + +"You're trying to break every bone in my hand as near as I can make +out--I'd like it back when you're through with it--" + +He found his tongue at last: + +"I--I--can't let you have it back, Jennie, I'm going to keep it +forever--" + +"Really?" + +"Yes--I am. I--I love you--Jennie--don't you love me--just--a--little +bit?" + +The girl laughed. + +"No!" + +"Not the least--little--tiny--bit?" + +"I don't think so--" + +The hand slipped through his limp fingers and he stared at her in a +hopeless, pitiful way. + +Her heart went out in a wave of tender sympathy. She put her hand back +in his in a wistful touch. + +"I'm sorry, Dick dear, I didn't think you loved me in that way--" + +"What did you think I was hanging round you so much for?" + +"I knew you liked me, of course. And I like you--but I've never thought +seriously about love." + +"There's no other fellow?" + +"Of course, not--" + +"You liked that Socola, didn't you?" + +"I liked him--yes--" + +"I thought so." + +"He's cultured, handsome, interesting--" + +"He's a sissy!" + +"Dick!" + +"A little wizened-faced rat--the spider-snake! I could break his long +neck. Yes--you do like him! I saw it when you met him. You're throwing +me down because you met him!" + +"Dick!" + +"But he shan't have you, I tell you--I'll show him I could lick a +thousand such sissies with one hand tied behind me." + +The girl rose with dignity. + +"Don't you dare to speak to me like that, sir--" + +"You're going to see that fellow again--I'll bet you've got an +engagement with him now--to-night--to-day!" + +The slender figure rose. + +"I'll see him if I please--when I please and where I please and I'll not +consult you about it, Dick Welford--Good day!" + +Trembling with anger the big, awkward boy turned and stumbled out of the +house. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +GOD'S WILL + + +Dick Welford had played directly into the hands of his enemy. When +Socola called at the Barton home to pay his respects to Miss Jennie and +wish them health and happiness and success in their new and dangerous +enterprise, he found the girl in a receptive mood. The accusation of +interest had stimulated her to her first effort to entertain the +self-poised and gentlemanly foreigner. + +He turned to Jennie with a winning appeal in his modulated voice: + +"Will you do me a very great favor, Miss Barton?" + +"If I can--certainly," was the quick answer. + +"I wish to meet your distinguished father. He is a great Southern +leader. I have been commissioned by the Sardinian Ministry to cultivate +the acquaintance of the leaders of the Confederacy. I am to make a +report direct to the Court of King Emmanuel on the prospects of the +South." + +Jennie rose with a smile. + +"With pleasure. I'll call father at once." + +Barton was delighted at the announcement. + +"Invite him to spend a week with us at Fairview," Jennie suggested. + +"Good idea--we'll show him what Southern hospitality means!" + +Burton grasped Socola's outstretched hand with enthusiasm. + +"Permit me," he began in his grand way, "to extend you a welcome to the +South. Your King is interested in our movement. It's natural. Europe +must reckon with us from the first. Cotton is the real King. We are +going to build on this staple an industrial empire whose influence will +dominate the world. The sooner the political rulers realize this the +better." + +Socola bowed. + +"I quite agree with you, Senator Barton. His Majesty King Victor +Emmanuel has great plans for the future. He is profoundly interested in +your movement. He does not believe that the map of Italy has yet been +fixed. It will be quite easy to convince his brilliant, open mind that +the boundaries of this country may be readjusted--" + +"I shall be delighted to show you every courtesy within my power, sir," +Barton responded. "You must go South with us to-morrow and spend a week +at Fairview, our country estate. You must meet my grand old father and +my mother and see the curse of slavery at its worst!" + +Barton laughed heartily and slipped his arm persuasively about the +graceful shoulders of his guest. + +"I hadn't thought of being so honored, I assure you--" + +He paused and looked at Jennie with a timid sort of appeal. + +"Come with us--we'll be delighted to have you--" + +"I'll enjoy it, I'm sure," he said hesitatingly. "We will reach +Montgomery in time for the meeting of the Convention of Seceding +States?" + +"Certainly," Barton replied. "I'm already elected a delegate from my +State. Her secession is but a question of days." + +Socola's white, even teeth gleamed in a happy smile. + +"I'll go with pleasure, Senator. You leave to-morrow?" + +"The ten-twenty train for the South. You'll join our party, of course?" + +"Of course." + +With a graceful bow he hurried home to complete the final preparations +for his departure. He walked with quick, strong step. And yet as he +approached the door of the little house in the humbler quarter of the +city his gait unconsciously slowed down. + +He dreaded this last struggle with his mother. But it must come. He +entered the modestly furnished sitting room and looked at her calm, +sweet face with a sudden sinking. She would be absolutely alone in the +world. And yet no harm could befall her. She was the friend of every +human being who knew her. It was the agony of this parting he dreaded +and the loneliness that would torture her in his absence. + +He spoke with forced cheerfulness. + +"Well, mater, it's all settled. I leave at ten-twenty to-morrow +morning." + +She rose and placed her hands on his shoulders. The tears blinded her. + +"How little I thought when I taught your boyish lips to speak the +musical tongue of Italy I was preparing this bitter hour for my soul! I +begged your father to resign his consulship at Genoa and brought you +home to teach you the great lesson--to love your country and reverence +your country's God. And since your father's death the dream of my heart +has been to see you a minister, teaching and uplifting the people into a +higher and nobler life--" + +"That is my aim, mater dear. I am consecrating body, mind and soul to +the task now of saving the Union, an inheritance priceless and glorious +to millions yet unborn. I'm going to break the chains that bind slaves. +I'm going to break the brutal and cruel power of the Southern Tyranny +that has been strangling the nation for forty years!" + +His eyes flashed with the fire of fanatical enthusiasm. + +He slipped his arm about his mother's slender waist, drew her to the +window and pointed to the unfinished dome of the white, majestic +capitol. + +"See, mater dear, the sun is bursting through the clouds now and +lighting with splendor the marble columns. Last night when the speeches +were done and the crowds gone I stood an hour and studied the flawless +symmetry of those magnificent wings and over it all the great solemn +dome with its myriad gleaming eyes far up in the sky--and I wondered if +God meant nothing big or significant to humanity when he breathed the +dream of that poem in marble into the souls of our people! I can't +believe it, dear. I stood and prayed while I dreamed. I saw in the +ragged scaffolding and the big ugly crane swinging from its place in the +sky the symbol of our crude beginnings--our ragged past. And then the +snow-white vision of the finished building, the most majestic monument +ever reared on earth to Freedom and her cause--and I saw the glory of a +new Democracy rising from the blood and agony of the past to be the hope +and inspiration of the world! + +"You hate this masquerade--this battle name I've chosen. Forget this, +dear, and see the vision your God has given to me. You've prayed that I +might be His minister. And so I am--and so I shall be when danger calls; +you dislike this repulsive mission on which I'm entering. Just now it's +the _one_ and only thing a brave man can do for his country. Forget that +I'm a spy and remember that I'm fitted for a divine service. I speak two +languages beside my own. Our people don't study languages. Few men of my +culture and endowment will do this dangerous and disagreeable work. I +rise on wings at the thought of it!" + +The mother's spirit caught at last the divine spark from the soul of the +young enthusiast. Her eyes were wide and shining without tears when she +slipped both arms about his neck and spoke with deep tenderness. + +"You have fully counted the cost, my son?" + +"Yes." + +"The lying, the cheating, the false pretenses, the assumed name, the +trusting hearts you must betray, the men you must kill alone, sometimes +to save your own life and serve your country's?" + +"It's war, mater dear. I hate its cruelty and its wrongs. I'll do my +best in these early days to make it impossible. But if it comes, I'll +play the game with my life in my hands, and if I had a hundred lives I'd +give them all to my country--my only regret is that I have but one--" + +"How strange the ways of God!" the mother broke in. "He planted this +love in your soul. He taught it to me and I to you and now it ends in +darkness and blood and death--" + +"But out of it, dear, must come the greater plan. You believe in +God--you must believe this, or else the Devil rules the universe, and +there is no God." + +The mother drew the young lips down and kissed them tenderly. + +"God's will be done, my Boy--it's the bitterness of death to me--but I +say it!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BEST MAN WINS + + +Before Socola could purchase his ticket for the South, Senator Barton +laid his heavy hand on his shoulder. + +"I just ran down, sir, to ask you to wait and go in Senator Davis' +party. He has been threatened with arrest by the cowards who are at the +present moment in charge of the Government. He can't afford to leave +town while there's a chance that so fortunate an event may be pulled +off. I have decided to stay until Lincoln's inauguration. My wife and +daughter will make you welcome at Fairview. And you'll meet my three +boys. I'm sorry I can't be with you." + +Socola's masked face showed no trace of disappointment. He merely asked +politely: + +"And the party of Senator Davis will start?" + +"A week from to-day, sir--and my wife and daughter will accompany +them--unless--of course--" + +He laughed heartily. + +"Unless the great Attorney General, Edwin M. Stanton, decides to arrest +him--if he'll only do it!" + +Socola nodded carelessly. + +"I understand, Senator. A week from to-day. The same hour--the same +train." + +In a moment he had disappeared in the crowd and hurried to the office of +the Secretary of War. + +Holt received his announcement with a smile about the corners of his +strong, crooked mouth. + +"That's lucky. I'd rather you were with Davis ten to one. Amuse yourself +for the week by getting all the information possible of their junta +here--" + +"Barton will stay until the inauguration--" + +"Of course--a spy in the camp of the enemy. He could be arrested, but +it's not wise under the circumstances--" + +"You will not arrest Senator Davis?" + +"Nonsense. Stanton's a fool. Nothing would please them better. I've +convinced him of that. A wrangle in the courts now over such an issue +would postpone its settlement indefinitely. The Supreme Court of the +United States has sustained the South on every issue that has been +raised. The North is leading a revolution. The South is entrenched +behind the law. They can't be ousted by law. It can only be done by the +bayonet--" + +Holt paused and looked thoughtfully across the Potomac. + +"Report to me daily--" + +Socola silently saluted and left the office with his first feeling of +suspicion and repulsion for his Chief. He didn't like the blunt, brutal +way this Southern Democrat talked. He couldn't believe in his honesty. +Beneath those bushy eyebrows burned a wolf's hunger for office and +power. On the surface he was loyal to the Union. He wondered if he were +not in reality playing a desperate waiting game, ready at the moment of +the crisis to throw his information to either side? The air of +Washington reeked with suspicion and double dealing. + +"Oh, my Country," he murmured bitterly, "if ever true men were needed!" + +He strolled through the street on which Senator Davis and Barton lived +directly opposite each other. He would call on Jennie and express his +regret that their party had been postponed. At the door he changed his +mind. Too much attention at this stage of the game would not be wise. He +passed on, glancing at the distinguished-looking group of men who were +emerging from the Davis door. + +He wondered what was going on in that home? It seemed impossible that +Davis should be the leader of a Southern rebellion. Clay or Toombs, +yes--but this man with his blood-marked history of devotion to the +Union--this man with his proud record of constructive statesmanship as +Senator and Secretary of War--it seemed preposterous! + +Could he have heard the counsel Davis was giving at that moment to the +excited men who made his unpretentious house their Mecca, he would have +been still more astonished. For six days and nights with but a few hours +snatched for sleep, he implored the excited leaders of Southern opinion +to avoid violence, and be patient. The one note of hopefulness in his +voice came with the mention of the new President-elect, Abraham Lincoln. + +"Mr. Lincoln is a man of friendly, moderate opinions personally," he +persistently advised. "He may he able to surround himself with a council +of conservative men who will use their power to hold the radical wing of +his party in check until by delay we can call a convention of all the +States and in this national assembly find a solution short of bloodshed. +We must try. We must exhaust every resource before we dream of war. We +must accept war only when it is forced upon us by our enemies." + +By telegrams and letters to every Southern leader he knew he urged +delay, moderation, postponement of all action. + +The week passed and the Cabinet of Buchanan had not dared accept the +Southern leader's challenge to arrest and trial. + +The Davis party had found their seats in the train for the South. Socola +strolled the platform alone, waiting without sign of interest for the +hour of departure. + +Dick Welford arrived five minutes before the train left and extended his +hand to Jennie. + +"Forgive me, Jennie!" + +With a bright smile she clasped his hand. + +"Of course, Dick--I took your silly ravings too seriously." + +"No--I was a fool. I'll make up for it. I'll go over now and shake hands +with the reptile if you say so--" + +"Nonsense--you'll not do anything of the sort. He's nothing to me. He's +the guest of the South--that's all." + +"Honest now, Jennie--you don't care for any other fellow?" + +"Nor for you, either!" she laughed. + +"Of course, I know that--but I can keep on trying, can't I?" + +"I don't see how I can prevent it!" + +Dick grinned good-naturedly and Jennie laughed again. + +"You're in for a siege with me, I'll tell you right now." + +"It's a free fight, Dick. I'm indifferent to the results." + +"Then you don't _mind_ if I win?" + +"Not in the least. At the present moment I'm a curious spectator--that's +all." + +"Lord, I wish I were going with you--" + +"I wish so, too--" + +"Honest, Jennie?" + +"Cross my heart--" + +Dick laughed aloud. + +"Say--I tell you what I'm going to do!" + +"Yes?" + +"If Virginia don't secede in ten days--I will. I'll resign my job here +with old Hunter and join the Confederacy. I don't like this new +clerkship business anyhow--expect me in ten days--" + +Before Jennie could answer he turned suddenly and left the car. + +At the end of the platform he ran squarely into Socola. He was about to +pass without recognition, stopped on an impulse, and extended his hand: + +"Fine day, Signor!" + +"Beautiful, M'sieur," was the smooth answer. + +Dick hesitated. + +"I'm afraid I was a little rude the other day?" + +"No offense, I'm sure, Mr. Welford--" + +"Of course, you can guess I'm in love with Miss Barton--" + +"I hadn't speculated on that point!" Socola laughed. + +"Well, I've been speculating about you--" + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes--and I'm going to be honest with you--I don't like you--we're +enemies from to-day. But I'll play the game fair and the best man +wins--" + +The two held each other's eye steadily for a moment and Socola's white +teeth flashed. + +"The best man wins, M'sieur!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE STORM CENTER + + +Socola hastened, through Jennie, to cultivate the acquaintance of +Senator Davis. + +"You'll be delighted with Mrs. Davis, too," the girl informed him with +enthusiasm. "His second love affair you know--this time, late in life, +he married the young accomplished granddaughter of Governor Howell of +New Jersey. Their devotion is beautiful--" + +The train had barely pulled out of the station before Socola found +himself in a delightful conversation with the Senator. To his amazement +he discovered that the Southerner was a close student of European +statesmanship and well informed on the conditions of modern Italy. + +"I am delighted beyond measure, Signor," he said earnestly, "to learn of +the interest of your King in the South. I have long felt that Cavour was +one of the greatest statesmen and diplomats of the world. His +achievement in establishing the Kingdom of Sardinia in the face of the +bitter rivalries and ambitions of Europe, to say nothing of the power of +Rome, was in itself enough to mark him as the foremost man of his age." + +"The King has great ambitions, Senator. Very shortly his title will be +King of Italy. He dreams of uniting all Italians." + +"And if it is possible, the Piedmontese are the people ordained for +leadership in that sublime work--" + +He looked thoughtfully out of the window at the Virginia hills and +Socola determined to change the conversation. He was fairly well +informed of the affairs in the little Kingdom on whose throne young +Victor Emmanuel sat, but this man evidently knew the philosophy of its +history as well as the facts. A question or two with his keen eye boring +through him might lead to an unpleasant situation. + +"Your family are all with you, Senator?" he asked pleasantly. + +Instantly the clouds lifted from the pale, thoughtful face. + +"Yes--I've three darling babies. I wish you to meet Mrs. Davis--come, +they are in the next car." + +In a moment the statesman had forgotten the storm of revolution. He was +laughing and playing with his children. However stern and high his +uncompromising opinions might be on public questions, he was wax in the +hands of the two lovely boys who climbed over him and the vivacious +little girl who slipped her arms about his neck. His respite from care +was brief. At the first important stop in Virginia a dense crowd had +packed the platforms. Their cries throbbed with anything but the spirit +of delay and compromise. + +"Davis!" + +"Hurrah for Jefferson Davis!" + +"Speech--speech!" + +"Davis!" + +"Speech!" + +There was something tense and compelling in the tones of these cries. +They rang as bugle calls to battle. In their hum and murmur there was +more than curiosity--more than the tribute of a people to their leader. +There was in the very sound the electric rush of the first crash of the +approaching storm. The man inside who had led soldiers to death on +battle fields felt it instantly and the smile died on his thin lips. The +roar outside his car window was not the cry of a mob echoing the +sentiments of a leader. It was the shrill imperial cry of a rising +people creating their leaders. + +From the moment he bowed his head and lifted his hand over the crowd +that greeted him, hopeless sorrow filled his soul. + +War was inevitable. + +These people did not realize it. But he saw it now in all its tragic +import. He had intended to counsel patience, moderation and delay. +Before the hot breath of the storm he felt already in his face such +advice was a waste of words. He would tell them the simple truth. He +could do most good in that way. These fiery, impulsive Southern people +were tired of argument, tired of compromise, tired of delay. They were +reared in the faith that their States were sovereign. And these +Virginians had good reason for their faith. The bankers of Europe had +but yesterday refused to buy the bonds of the United States Government +unless countersigned by the State of Virginia! + +These people not only believed in the sovereignty of their States and +their right to withdraw from the Union when they saw fit, but they could +not conceive the madness of the remaining States attempting to use force +to hold them. They knew, too, that millions of Northern voters were as +clear on that point as the people of the South. + +Their spokesman, Horace Greeley, in _The Tribune_ had said again and +again: + +"If the Southern States are mad enough to withdraw from the Union, they +must go. We cannot prevent it. Let our erring sisters go in peace." + +The people before him believed that Horace Greeley's paper represented +the North in this utterance. Davis knew that it was not true. + +In a flash of clear soul vision he saw the inevitable horror of the +coming struggle and determined to tell the people so. + +The message he delivered was a distinct shock. He not only told them in +tones of deep and tender emotion that war was inevitable, but that it +would be long and bloody. + +"We'll lick 'em in two months!" a voice yelled in protest and the crowd +cheered. + +The leader shook his fine head. + +"Don't deceive yourselves, my friends. War once begun, no man can +predict its end--" + +"It won't begin!" another cried. + +"You have convinced me to-day that it is now inevitable." + +"The Yankees won't fight!" shouted a big fellow in front. + +The speaker bent his gaze on the stalwart figure in remonstrance. + +"You never made a worse mistake in your life, my friend. I warn you--I +know these Yankees. Once in it they'll fight with grim, dogged, sullen, +unyielding courage. We're men of the same blood. They live North, you +South--that's all the difference." + +At every station the same scene was enacted. The crowd rushed around his +car with the sudden sweep of a whirlwind, and left for their homes with +grave, thoughtful faces. + +By three o'clock in the afternoon he was thoroughly exhausted by the +strain. The eager crowds had sapped his last ounce of vitality. + +The conductor of the train looked at him with pity and whispered: + +"I'll save you at the next station." + +The leader smiled his gratitude for the sympathy but wondered how it +could be done. + +At the next stop, the Senator had just taken his position on the rear +platform, lifted his hand for silence and said: + +"Friends and fellow citizens--" + +The engine suddenly blew off steam with hiss and roar and when it ceased +the train pulled out with a jerk amid the shouts and protests of the +crowd. The grateful speaker waved his hand in regretful but happy +farewell. + +The conductor repeated the trick for three stations until the exhausted +speaker had recovered his strength and then allowed him a few brief +remarks at each stop. + +From the moment the train entered the State of Mississippi, grim, +earnest men in groups of two, three, four and a dozen stepped on board, +saluted their Chief and took their seats. + +When the engine pulled into the station at Jackson a full brigade of +volunteer soldiers had taken their places in the ranks. + +The Governor and state officials met their leader and grasped his hand. + +"You have been commissioned, Senator," the Governor began eagerly, "as +Major-General in command of the forces of the State of Mississippi. Four +Brigadier-Generals have been appointed and await your assignment for +duty." + +The tall figure of the hero of Buena Vista suddenly stiffened. + +"I thank you. Governor, for the high honor conferred on me. No service +could be more congenial to my feelings at this moment." + +The Governor waved his hand at the crowd of silent waiting men. "Your +men are ready--the first question is the purchase of arms. I think a +stand of 75,000 will be sufficient for all contingencies?" + +The Senator spoke with emphasis: + +"The limit of your purchases should be our power to pay--" + +"You can't mean it!" the Governor exclaimed. + +"I repeat it--the limit of your purchase of arms should be the power to +pay. I say this to every State in the South. We shall need all we can +get and many more I fear." + +The Governor laughed. + +"General, you overrate our risks!" + +"On the other hand," Davis continued earnestly, "we are sure to +underestimate them at every turn." + +He paused, overcome with emotion. + +"A great war is impending, Governor, whose end no man can foresee. We +are not prepared for it. We have no arms, we have no ammunition and we +have no establishments to manufacture them. The South has never realized +and does not now believe that the North will fight her on the issue of +secession. They do not understand the silent growth of the power of +centralization which has changed the opinions of the North under the +teaching of Abolition fanatics--" + +Again he paused, overcome. + +"God help us!" he continued. "War is a terrible calamity even when waged +against aliens and strangers--our people are mad. They know not what +they do!" + +The new Commander hurried to Briarfield, his plantation home, to +complete his preparations for a long absence. + +Socola on a sudden impulse asked the honor of accompanying him. It was +granted without question and with cordial hospitality. + +It was an opportunity not to be lost. An intimate view of this man in +his home might be of the utmost importance. He promised Jennie to hasten +to Fairview when he had spent two days at Briarfield. Mrs. Barton was +glad of the opportunity to set her house in order for her charming and +interesting guest. + +The Davis plantation was a distinct shock to his fixed New England ideas +of the hellish institution of Slavery. + +The devotion of these simple black men and women to their master was not +only genuine, it was pathetic. He had never before conceived the abject +depths to which a human being might sink in contentment with chains. + +And he had come to break chains! These poor ignorant blacks kissed the +hand that bound them and called him their best friend. + +The man they called master actually moved among them, a minister of love +and mercy. He advised the negroes about the care of their families in +his long absence. He talked as a Hebrew Patriarch to his children. He +urged the younger men and women to look after the old and helpless. + +He was particularly solicitous about Bob, the oldest man on the place. +Over and over again he enumerated the comforts he thought he might need +and made provision to supply them. He sent him enough cochineal flannel +for his rheumatism to wrap him four-ply deep. For Rhinah, his wife, he +ordered enough flannel blankets for two families. + +"Is there anything else you can think of, Uncle Bob?" he asked kindly. + +The old man scratched his gray head and hesitated, looked into his +master's face, smiled and said: + +"I _would_ like one er dem rockin' cheers outen de big house, Marse +Jeff.--yassah!" + +"Of course, you shall have it. Come right up, you and Rhinah, and pick +out the two you like best." + +With suppressed laughter Socola watched the old negroes try each chair +in the hallway and finally select the two best rockers in the house. + +The Southern leader was obviously careworn and unhappy. Socola found his +heart unconsciously going out to him in sympathy. + +Assuming carefully his attitude of foreign detached interest, the young +man sought to draw him out. + +"You have given up all hope of adjustment and reunion with the North?" +he asked. + +"No," was the thoughtful reply, "not until the first blood is spilled." + +"Your people must see, Senator, that secession will imperil the +existence of their three thousand millions of dollars invested in +slaves?" + +"Certainly they see it," was the quick answer. "Slavery can never +survive the first shot of war, no matter which side wins. If the North +wins, we must free them, or else maintain a standing army on our borders +for all time. It would be unthinkable. Rivers are bad boundaries. We +could have no others. Fools have said and will continue to say that we +are fighting to establish a slave empire. Nothing could be further from +the truth. We are seeking to find that peace and tranquillity outside +the Union we have not been able to enjoy for the past forty years +inside. If the Southern States enact a Constitution of their own, they +will merely reaffirm the Constitution of their fathers with no essential +change. The North is leading a revolution, not the South. + +"Not one man in twenty down here owns a slave. The South would never +fight to maintain Slavery. We know that it is doomed. We simply demand +as the sons of the men who created this Republic, equal rights under its +laws. If we fight, it will be for our independence as freemen that we +may maintain those rights." + +"I must confess, sir," Socola replied with carefully modulated voice, +"that I fail to see as a student from without, why, if Slavery is doomed +and your leaders realize that fact, a compromise without bloodshed +would not be possible?" + +"If Slavery were the only issue, it would be possible--although as a +proud and sensitive people we propose to be the judge of the time when +we see fit to emancipate our slaves. Abolition fanatics, whose fathers +sold their slaves to us, can't dictate to the South on such a _moral_ +issue." + +"I see--your pride is involved." + +"Not merely pride--our self-respect. In 1831 before the Northern +Abolitionists began their crusade of violence there were one hundred +four abolition societies in America--ninety-eight of them in the South +and only six in the entire North. But the South grew rich. At the bottom +of our whole trouble lies the issue of sectional power. New England +threatened to secede from the Union when we added the Territory of +Louisiana to our domain, out of which we have carved seven great States. +Slavery at that time was not an issue. Sectional rivalry and sectional +hatred antedates even our fight against England for our freedom. +Washington was compelled to warn his soldiers when they entered New +England to avoid the appearance of offense. The Governor of +Massachusetts refused to call on George Washington, the first President +of the Union, when he visited Boston. + +"And mark you, back of the sectional issue looms a vastly bigger +one--whether the Union is a Republic of republics or a Centralized +Empire. The millions of foreigners who have poured into the North from +Europe during the past thirty years, until their white population +outnumbers ours four to one, know nothing and care nothing about the +Constitution of our fathers. They know nothing and care nothing for the +principles on which the Federal Union was founded. They came from +empires. They think as their fathers thought in Europe. And they are +driving the sons of the old Revolution in the North into the acceptance +of the ideas of centralized power. If this tendency continues the +President of the United States will become the most autocratic ruler of +the world. The South stands for the sovereignty of the States as the +only bulwark against the growth of this irresponsible centralized +despotism. The Democratic party of the North, thank God, yet stands with +us on that issue. Our only possible hope of success in case of war lies +in this fact--" + +Socola suddenly started. + +"Quite so--I see--The North may be divided, the South will be a unit." + +"Exactly; they'll fight as one man if they must." + +The longer Socola talked with this pale, earnest, self-poised man, the +deeper grew the conviction of his utter sincerity, his singleness of +purpose, his pure and lofty patriotism. His conception of the man and +his aims had completely changed and with this change of estimate came +the deeper conviction of the vastness of the tragedy toward which the +Nation was being hurled by some hidden, resistless power. He had come +into the South with a sense of moral superiority and the consciousness +not only of the righteousness of his cause but the certainty that God +would swiftly confound the enemies of the Union. He had waked with a +shock to the certainty that they were entering the arena of the +mightiest conflict of the century. + +He girded his soul anew for the role he had chosen to play. The +character of this Southern leader held for him an endless fascination. +It was part of his mission to study him and he lost no opportunity. The +greatest surprise he received during his stay was the day of the +election of President at Montgomery. He had expected to be present at +this meeting of the Southern Convention but, hearing that it would be +held behind closed doors, had decided on his visit to Briarfield. + +A messenger dashed up to the gate, sprang from his horse, hurried into +the garden, thrust a telegram into the Senator's hand. + +He opened it without haste, and read it slowly. His face went white and +he crushed the piece of paper with a sudden gesture of despair. For a +moment he forgot his guest, his head was raised as if in prayer and from +the depths came the agonizing cry of a soul in mortal anguish: + +"Lord, God, if it be possible let this cup pass from me!" + +A moment of dazed silence and he turned to Socola. He spoke as a judge +pronouncing his own sentence of death. His voice trembled with despair +and his lips twitched with pitiful suffering. + +"I have been elected President of the Southern Confederacy!" + +He handed the telegram to Socola, who scanned it with thrilling +interest. He had half expected this announcement from the first. What he +could not dream was the remarkable way in which the Southern leader +would receive it. + +"You are a foreigner, Signor. I may be permitted to speak freely to you. +You are a man of culture and sympathy and you can understand me. As God +is my judge, I have neither desired nor expected this position. I took +particular pains to forestall and make it impossible. But it has come. I +am not a politician. I have never stooped to their tricks. I cannot lie +and smile and bend to low chicanery. I hate a fool and I cannot hedge +and trim and be all things to all men. I have never been a demagogue. +I'm too old to begin. Other men are better suited to this position than +I--" + +He paused, overcome. Socola studied him with surprise. + +"Permit me to say, sir," he ventured disinterestedly, "that such a +spirit is evidence that your people have risen to the occasion and that +their choice may be an inspiration." + +The leader's eye suddenly pierced his guest's. + +"God knows what is best. It may be His hand. It may be that I must bow +to His will--" + +Again he paused and looked wistfully at Socola's youthful face. + +"You are young, Signor--you do not know what it is to yield the last +ambition of life! I have given all to my country for the past years. I +have sacrificed health and wealth and every desire of my soul--peace and +contentment here with those I love! When I saw this mighty struggle +coming, I feared a tragic end for my people. I fear it now. The man who +leads her armies will win immortality no matter what the fate of her +cause--I've dreamed of this, Signor--but they've nailed me to the +cross!" + +He called his negroes together and made them an affectionate speech. +They responded with deep expressions of their devotion and their faith. +With the greatest sorrow of life darkening his soul he left next day for +his inauguration at Montgomery. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE OLD REGIME + + +Socola left Briarfield with the assurance of the President-elect of the +Confederacy that he might spend a week with the Bartons and yet be in +ample time for the inauguration at Montgomery. + +He boarded the steamer at the Davis landing and floated lazily down to +Baton Rouge. + +From Briarfield he carried an overwhelming impression of the folly of +Slavery from its economic point of view. The thing which amazed his +orderly New England mind was the confusion, the waste, the sentimental +extravagance, the sheer idiocy of the slave system of labor as +contrasted with the free labor of the North. + +The one symbol before his vivid imagination was the sight of old Uncle +Bob and Aunt Rhinah seated in their rocking chairs gravely listening to +the patriarchal farewell of their master. The ancient seers dreamed of +Nirvana. These two wonderful old Africans had surely found it in the new +world. No wave of trouble could ever roll across their peaceful breasts +so long as their lord and master lived. He was their king, their +protector, their physician, their almoner, their friend. The burden of +life was on his shoulders, not on theirs. Their working days were over. +He must feed and clothe, house and care for their worthless bodies unto +the end. And the number of these helpless ones were constantly +increased. + +He marveled at the folly that imagined such a system of labor possible +in a real world where the iron laws of economic survival were allowed +free play. He ceased to wonder why it still flourished in the South. The +South was yet an unsettled jungle of bewildering tropical beauty. One +might travel for miles and hundreds of miles without the sight of a +single important town. Vast reaches of untouched forests stretched away +in all directions. Apparently the foot of man had never pressed them. +Rich plantations of thousands of acres were only scratched in spots to +yield their marvelous harvests of cotton and cane, of rice and corn. + +The idea of defending such a territory, extending over thousands of +miles, from the invading hosts of the rich and densely populated North +was preposterous. His heart leaped with the certainty of swift and sure +triumph for the Union should the question be submitted to the test of +the sword. + +As the boat touched her landing at Baton Rouge, Jennie waved her welcome +from the shore. The graceful figure of her younger brother stood +straight and trim by her side in his new volunteer uniform. Whatever the +political leaders might think or do, these Southern people meant to +fight. There was no mistaking that fact. With every letter to his Chief +in Washington he had made this plain. The deeper he had penetrated the +lower South the more overwhelming this conviction had become. + +For the moment he put the thought of his tragic mission out of his +heart. There was something wonderful in the breath of this early +Southern spring. The first week in February and flowers were blooming on +every lawn of every embowered cottage and every stately house! The song +of birds, the hum of bees, the sweet languor of the perfumed air found +his inmost soul. The snows lay cold and still and deathlike over the +Northern world. + +This was fairyland. + +And the Bartons' home on the banks of the river was the last touch that +completed the capture of his imagination. Through a vista of overhanging +boughs he caught the flash of its white fluted pillars in the distance. +The broad verandas were arched with climbing roses. In the center of the +sunlit space in front a fountain played, the splash of its cooling +waters keeping time to the song of mocking birds in shrubs and trees. In +the spacious grounds which swept to the water's edge more than a +thousand magnificent trees spread their cooling shade. The white rays of +the Southern sun shot through them like silver threads and glowed here +and there in the changing, shimmering splotches on the ground. + +And everywhere the grinning faces of slowly moving negroes. The very +rhythm of their lazy walk seemed a part of the landscape. + +This fairy world belonged to his country. His heart went out in renewed +devotion. Not one shining Southern star should ever be torn from her +diadem! He swore it. + +For three days he bathed in the beauty and joy of a Southern home. He +saw but little of Jennie. The boys absorbed him. They were eager for +news. They plied him with a thousand questions. Tom was going to join +the navy, Jimmie and Billy the army. + +"Would the United States Army stand by the old flag?" Tom asked with +painful eagerness. + +Socola was non-committal. + +"As a rule the sailor is loyal to the flag of his ship. It's the symbol +of home, of country, of all he holds dear." + +"That's so, too," Tom answered thoughtfully. "Well, we'll build a navy. +We built the old one. We can build a new one!" + +The last night he spent at Fairview was one never to be forgotten. It +gave him another picture of the old regime. They sat on the great +pillared front porch looking out on the silvery surface of the moonlit +river. Jennie's grandfather. Colonel James Barton, a stately man of +eighty-five, who had led a regiment with Jefferson Davis in the Mexican +War, though at that time long past the age of military service, honored +them with his presence to a late hour. + +His eyes were failing but his voice was stentorian. Its tones had been +developed to even deeper power during the past ten years owing to the +deafness of his wife. This beautiful old woman sat softly rocking beside +the Colonel, answering in gentle monosyllables the questions he roared +into her ears. + +To escape the volume of the Colonel's conversation Socola asked Jennie +to walk to the river's edge. + +They sat down on a bench perched high on the bluff which rose abruptly +from the water at the lower end of the grounds. The scene was one of +memorable beauty. + +He laughed at the folly of his schemes to learn the inner secrets of the +South. These people had no secrets. They wore their hearts on their +sleeves. He had only to ask a question to receive the answer direct +without reserve. + +"Your three younger brothers will fight for the South, of course, Miss +Jennie?" + +"Of course--I only wish I were a man!" + +"You have an older brother in New Orleans, I believe?" + +"Judge Barton, yes." + +"He, too, will enter the army?" + +The girl drew a deep breath and hesitated. + +"He says he will not. He is bitterly opposed to my father's views." + +Socola's eyes sparkled. + +"He is for the Union then?" + +"Yes." + +"He is a man of decided views and character I take it." + +"Yes--as firm and unyielding in his position as my father on the other +side." + +"You will be very bitter towards him if war should come?" + +"Bitter?" A little sob caught her voice. "He is my Big Brother. I love +him. It would break my heart--that's all--but I'll love him always." + +Her tones were music, her loyalty to her own so sweet in its simplicity, +so utterly charming, he opened his lips to speak the first words to test +her personal attitude toward him. A flirtation would be delightful with +such a girl. And Mr. Dick Welford was a fearful temptation. He put the +thought out of his heart. She was too good and fine to be made a pawn in +such a game. Beside it was utterly unnecessary. + +He had gotten exactly the information about this older brother in New +Orleans he desired and sat in brooding silence. + +Jennie rose suddenly. + +"Oh, I forgot--I must go in. My maids are waiting for me, I've an affair +to settle between them before they go to bed." + +Socola accompanied her to the door and turned again on the lawn to enjoy +the white glory of the Southern moon. The lights were still twinkling in +the long rows of negro cabins that lined the way to the overseer's +house. Through the shadows of the trees he could see the dark figures in +the doorways of their cabins silhouetted against the lighted candles in +the background. + +He strolled leisurely into the lower hall. The door of the library was +open. He paused at the scene within. A group of four little negro girls +surrounded Jennie. She was reading the Bible to them. + +"Can't you say your prayers together to-night?" the young mistress +asked. + +The kinky heads shook emphatically. + +Lucy couldn't say hers with Amy: + +"'Cause she ain't got no brother and sister to pray for." + +Maggie couldn't say hers with Mandy: + +"'Cause she ain't got no mother and father." + +So each repeated her prayer alone and stood before their little mistress +who sat in judgment on their day's deeds. + +Lucy had jabbed a carving knife into Amy's arm in a fit of temper. Her +prayer had made no mention of this important fact. The judge gave a +tender lecture on the need of repentance. The little sullen black figure +hung back stubbornly for a moment and walled her eyes at her enemy. A +sudden burst of tears and they were in each other's arms, crying and +begging forgiveness. And then they filed out, one by one. + +"Good night, Miss Jennie!" + +"Good night!" + +"God bless you, Miss Jennie--" + +"I'll never be bad no mo'!" + +He had come to break the chains that cut through human flesh and he had +found this--great God! + +For hours he lay awake, dreaming with wide staring eyes of the long +blood-stained history of human Slavery and its sharp contrast with the +strange travesty of such an institution which the South was giving to +the world. + +He had barely lost consciousness when he leaped to the floor, roused by +loud voices, tramping feet and the flash of weird lights on the lawn. +Growls and long calls echoed from point to point on the spacious +grounds, hulloes and echoing answers and the tramp of many feet. + +Some horrible thing had happened--sudden death, murder or war had broken +out. A voice was screaming from the balcony aloft that sounded like the +trumpet of the arch-angel calling the end of time. + +He listened. + +It was old Colonel Barton yelling at the sleepy negroes. In heaven's +high name what could they be doing? + +Socola dressed hastily and rushed down-stairs. Jennie and the boys +appeared almost at the same moment. + +"What is it?" Socola asked excitedly. "War has been declared? The slaves +have risen?" + +Jennie laughed. + +"No--no! Grandmamma smells a smell. She thinks something is burning +somewhere." + +"Oh--" + +The whole place, house, yard, grounds, outhouses, swarmed with bellowing +negroes. Those that were not bellowing were muttering in sleepy, +quarrelsome protest. + +And they all carried candles to look for a fire in the dark! + +There were at least seventy--two-thirds of them too old or too young to +be of any service, but they belonged to the house. + +The old Colonel's voice could be heard a mile. In his nightgown he was +roaring from the balcony, giving his orders for the busy crowd hunting +for fire with their candles flickering in the shadows. + +Old Mrs. Barton, serenely deaf, was of course oblivious of the sensation +she had created. The loss of her hearing had rendered doubly acute her +sense of smell. Candles had to be taken out of her room to be snuffed. +Lamps were extinguished only on the portico or on the lawn. Violets she +couldn't endure. A tea rose was never allowed in her room. Only one kind +of sweet rose would she tolerate at close range. + +In the mildest voice she was suggesting places to be searched. + +Far out at the negro quarters the candle brigade at length gathered--the +flickering lights closing in to a single point one by one. + +The smell was found. + +A family had been boiling soap--a slave-ridden plantation was a +miniature world which must be practically self-supporting. There could +be no economy of labor by its scientific division. Around the soap pot +the negro woman had swept some woolen rags. They were smoldering there +and the faint odor had been wafted to the great house. + +Socola couldn't sleep. All night long he could hear that wild +commotion--the old Colonel's voice roaring from the balcony and seventy +sleepy, good-for-nothing negroes with lighted candles looking for a fire +in the dark. When at last he was tired of laughing at the ridiculous +picture, his foolish fancy took another turn and fixed itself again on +old Bob and Aunt Rhinah in their rocking chairs, swathed in cochineal +flannel. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE GAUGE OF BATTLE + + +Socola found the little town of Montgomery, Alabama, breathing under a +suppression of emotion that was little short of uncanny on the day +Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President. + +The streets were crowded to suffocation and tents were necessary to +accommodate the people who could not be housed. + +He was surprised at the strange quiet which the spirit of the new +President had communicated to the people. There was no loud talk, no +braggadocio, no threats, no clamor for war. On the contrary there had +suddenly developed an overwhelming desire for a peaceful solution of the +crisis. + +The Convention which had unanimously elected Jefferson Davis, President, +and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President, had relegated the hot heads +and fire eaters to the rear. + +Three great agitators had really created the new nation, William L. +Yancey of Alabama, Robert Toombs of Georgia and Barnwell Rhett of South +Carolina. And they were consumed with ambition for the Presidency. + +Toombs was the most commanding figure among the uncompromising advocates +of secession in the South--an orator of consummate power, a man of wide +learning and magnetic personality. William L. Yancey was as powerful an +agitator as ever stirred the souls of an American audience since the +foundation of our Republic. Barnwell Rhett of the Charleston _Mercury_ +was the most influential editor the country had ever produced. + +Yet the suddenness with which these fiery leaders were dropped in the +hour of crisis was so amazing to the men themselves they had not yet +recovered sufficient breath to begin complaints. + +Toombs destroyed what chance he ever had by getting drunk at a banquet +the night before the Convention met. William L. Yancey's turbulent +history ruled him out of consideration. He had killed his father-in-law +in a street brawl. Rhett's extreme views had been the bugle call to +battle but something more than sound was needed now. + +Toombs was dropped even for Vice-President for Alexander H. Stephens, +the man who had pleaded in tears with his State not to secede. + +The highest honor had been forced on the one man in all the South who +most passionately wished to avoid it. + +So acute was the consciousness of tragedy there was scarcely a ripple of +applause at public functions where Socola had looked for mad enthusiasm. + +The old Constitution had been reenacted with no essential change. The +new President had even insisted that the Provisional Congress retain the +old flag as their emblem of nationality with only a new battle flag for +use in case of war. The Congress over-ruled him at this point with an +emphasis which they meant as a rebuke to his tendency to cling to the +hope of reconciliation. + +It was exactly one o'clock on Monday, February 18, 1861, that Jefferson +Davis rose between the towering pillars of the State Capitol in +Montgomery and began his inaugural address. It was careful, moderate, +statesmanlike, and a model of classic English. The closing sentence +swept the crowd. + +"It is joyous in the midst of perilous times to look thus upon a people +united in heart, whose one purpose of high resolve animates and actuates +the whole; where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the +balance against honor, and right, and liberty and equality." + +The cheer that greeted his appeal rose and fell again and again the +third time with redoubled power and enthusiasm. + +The President-elect stepped forward, placed his hand on the open Bible, +and took the oath of office. As the last word fell from his white lips +cannon thundered a salute from the hill crest and the great silk ensign +of the South was slowly lifted by the hand of the granddaughter of +President Tyler. + +As the breeze unrolled its huge red, white and blue folds against the +shining Southern skies the crowd burst into hysterical applause. + +A Nation had been born whose history might be brief, but the people who +created it and the leader who guided its destiny were the pledge of its +immortality. + +Socola found no difficulty in possessing himself of every secret of the +new Government. What was not proclaimed from the street corners and +shouted from the housetops, the newspapers printed in double leads. The +new Government had yet to organize its secret service. + +The President addressed himself with energy to the task which confronted +him. But seven States had yet enrolled in the Confederacy. Of four more +he felt sure. The first attempt to coerce a Southern State by force of +arms would close the ranks with Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and +Arkansas by his side. Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri were peopled by +the South and the institution of Slavery bound them in a common cause. + +And yet the defense of these eleven Southern States with their five +million white population and four million blacks was a task to stagger +the imagination of the greatest statesman of any age. This vast +territory would present an open front on land of more than a thousand +miles without a single natural barrier. Its sea coast presented three +thousand miles of water front--open to the attack of the navy. This +enormous coast of undefended shore was pierced by river after river +whose broad, deep waters would carry the gunboats of an enemy into the +heart of the South. + +The audacity of our fathers in challenging the power of Great Britain +was reasonable in comparison with the madness of the South's challenge +to the North. Three thousand miles of storm-tossed ocean defended our +Revolutionary ancestors from the base of the enemy supplies. Three +thousand miles of undefended coast invited the attack of the U. S. Navy, +while twenty million Northerners stood with their feet on the borders of +the South ready to advance without the possibility of hindrance save the +bare breasts of the men who might oppose them. + +The difference between the sections in material resources was absurd. +The North was rich and powerful Her engines of war were exhaustless and +under perfect control. The railroads of the South were few and poorly +equipped, with no work shops from which to renew their equipment when +exhausted. The railroad system of the entire country was absolutely +dependent on the North for supplies. The Missouri River was connected +with the Northern seaboard by the finest system of railways in the +world, with a total mileage of over thirty thousand. Its annual tonnage +was thirty-six million and its revenue valued at four thousand millions +of dollars. The annual value of the manufactures of the North was over +two thousand millions, and their machinery was complete for the +production of all the material of war. Her ships sailed every sea and +she could draw upon the resources of the known world. Her manufacturing +power compared to the South was five hundred to one. + +No leader in the history of his race was ever confronted by such +insuperable difficulties as faced Jefferson Davis. + +He had been called to direct the government of a proud, sensitive, +jealous people thrown without preparation into a position which +threatened their existence, without an army, without arms, or the means +to manufacture them, without even powder, or the means to make it, or +the material out of which it must be made, without a navy or a single +ship-yard in which to build one, and three thousand miles of coast to be +defended against a navy which had whipped the greatest maritime nation +of the world. His genius must meet every difficulty and supply every +want or his Confederacy would fall at the first shock of war. + +The one tremendous and apparently insuperable difficulty in case of war +was the lack of a navy. A navy could not be built in a day, or a year or +two years, were the resources of the Confederacy boundless. The ships of +war now in the possession of the United States were of incalculable +power in such a crisis. The South was cut in every quarter by navigable +rivers. Many of their waters opened on Northern interiors accessible to +great workshops from which new gunboats could be built with rapidity and +launched against the South. The Mississippi River, navigable for a +thousand miles, flowed through the entire breadth of the Confederacy +with its approaches and its mouth in the hands of the North. Both the +Tennessee and the Cumberland rivers had their mouths open to Northern +frontiers and were navigable in midwinter for transports and gunboats +which could pierce the heart of Tennessee and Alabama. + +It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that the first purpose of the +President of the Confederacy was to secure peace by all means consistent +with public honor and the trust imposed on him by the people. + +His first official act was the dispatch of Confederate Commissioners to +Washington to treat for peace. + +The hope that they would be received with courtesy and consideration was +a reasonable one. The greatest newspapers of the North were outspoken in +their opposition to the use of arms against any State of the Union. + +The New York _Tribune_, the creator of Lincoln's party, led in this +opposition to the use of force. The Albany _Argus_ and the New York +_Herald_ were equally emphatic. Governor Seymour of New York boldly +declared in a great mass meeting his unalterable opposition to coercion. +The Detroit _Free Press_ suggested that a fire would be poured into the +rear of any troops raised to coerce a State. It was already known that +Mr. Lincoln would not advocate coercion in his inaugural. + +Stephen A. Douglas, leader of the millions of the Northern Democracy, +offered a resolution in the Senate of the United States recommending the +immediate withdrawal of the garrisons from all forts within the limits +of the States which had seceded except those at Key West and Dry +Tortugas needful for coaling stations. + +"I proclaim boldly," declared the Senator from Illinois, "the policy of +those with whom I act. We are for peace!" + +Socola reported to his Chief in Washington that nothing was more certain +than that Jefferson Davis hoped for reunion, with guarantees against +aggression by the stronger section of the Union. + +Buchanan had agreed to receive the Southern Commissioners, and sent a +message to Congress announcing their presence and their overtures. + +The Commissioners found Washington seething with passion and trembling +with excitement. Buchanan had collapsed in terror, fearing each hour to +hear that his home had been sacked and burned at Wheatland. + +But the Southern leaders' hope of peaceful settlement was based on a +surer foundation than the shattered nerves of the feeble old man in the +White House. Joseph Holt, the Secretary of War, was a Southern Democrat +born in Kentucky, and from the State of Mississippi. Holt had called on +Davis in Washington and assured him of his loyalty to the South and her +people. The President of the Confederacy knew of his consuming personal +ambitions and had assured him of his influence to secure generous +treatment. + +But the Secretary of War had received information from the South. He had +studied the situation carefully. He believed his chances of advancement +in the North a better risk. The new Government had ignored him in the +selection of a Cabinet--and with quick decision he cast his fortunes +with the Union. That he had deceived Davis and Clay, to whom he had +given his pledge of Southern loyalty, was a matter of no importance, +save that these two men, who alone knew his treachery, were marked for +his vengeance. + +Little could they dream in this hour the strange end toward which Fate +was even now hurrying them through the machinations of this sullen, +envious Southern renegade. + +The Secretary of War placed his big fist on the throat of the trembling +President, and the Peace Commissioners could not reach the White House +or its councils. + +They were forced to await the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. + +Jefferson Davis gave himself body and soul to the task of preparing his +over-sanguine, credulous people for the possible tragedy of war. + +General Beauregard was ordered to command the forces in South Carolina, +and erect batteries for the defense of Charleston and the reduction of +Fort Sumter in case of an attempt to reenforce it. This grim fort, in +the center of the harbor of the chief Southern Atlantic city, commanded +the gateway of the Confederacy. If it should be reenforced, the +Confederate Government might be strangled by the fall of Charleston, and +the landing of an army even before a blow could be struck. + +Captain Raphael Semmes was sent North to buy every gun in the market. He +was directed to secure machinery, and skilled workingmen to man it, for +the establishment of arsenals and shops, and above all to buy any vessel +afloat suitable for offensive or defensive work. Not a single ship of +any description could be had, and the intervention of the authorities +finally prevented the delivery of a single piece of machinery or the +arms he had purchased. + +Major Huse was sent to Europe on the third day after the inauguration at +Montgomery on a similar mission. + +General G. W. Rains was appointed to establish a manufactory for +ammunition. His work was an achievement of genius. He created artificial +niter beds, from which sufficient saltpeter was obtained, and within a +year was furnishing the finest powder. + +General Gorgas was appointed Chief of Ordnance. There was but one iron +mill in the South which could cast a cannon, and that was the little +Tredegar works at Richmond, Virginia. The State of Virginia had voted +against secession and it would require the first act of war against her +Southern sisters to bring her to their defense. + +The widespread belief in the North that the South had secretly prepared +for war, was utterly false, and yet the impression was of the utmost +importance to the President of the Confederacy. It gave his weak +government a fictitious strength, and gave him a brief time in which to +prepare his raw recruits for their first battle. + +Day and night he prayed for peace at any sacrifice save that of honor. +The first bloodshed would be the match in the powder magazine. He +pressed his Commissioners in Washington for haste. + +The inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln had been so carefully worded, +its utterances so conservative and guarded, his expressions of good will +toward the South so surprisingly emphatic, that Davis could not believe +an act of aggression which would bring bloodshed could be committed by +his order. + +And yet day dragged after day with no opportunity afforded his +Commissioners to treat with the new Administration save through the +undignified course of an intermediary. The Southern President ordered +that all questions of form or ceremony be waived. + +Seward, the Secretary of State, gave to these Commissioners repeated +assurances of the peaceful intention of the Government at Washington, +and the most positive promise that Fort Sumter would be evacuated. He +also declared that no measure would be instituted either by the +Executive or Congress changing the situation except on due notice given +the Commissioners. + +These assurances were accepted by the Confederate President in absolute +good faith. And yet early in April the news was flashed to Montgomery +that extraordinary preparations were being made in the Northern ports +for a military and naval expedition against the South. On April the +fifth, sixth and seventh, a fleet of transports and warships with +shotted guns, munitions and military supplies sailed for Charleston. + +The Commissioners in alarm requested an answer to their proposals. To +their amazement they were informed that the President of the United +States had already determined to hold no communication with them +whatever in any capacity or listen to any proposals they had to make. + +On Beauregard's report to them that Anderson was endeavoring to +strengthen his position instead of evacuating the Fort the Commissioners +again communicated with Mr. Seward. + +The wily Secretary of State assured them that the Government had not +receded from his promise. On April seventh Mr. Seward sent them this +message: + +"Faith as to Sumter fully kept: wait and see." + +His war fleet was already on the high seas, their black prows pointed +southward, their one hundred and twenty guns shotted, their battle flags +streaming in the sky! + +Lincoln's sense of personal honor was too keen to permit this crooked +piece of diplomacy to stain the opening of his administration. He +dispatched a special messenger to the Governor of South Carolina and +gave notice of his purpose to use force if opposed in his intention of +supplying Fort Sumter. + +On the eve of the day the fleet was scheduled to arrive this notice was +delivered. But a storm at sea had delayed the expedition and Beauregard +asked the President of the Confederacy for instructions. + +His Cabinet was called, and its opinion was unanimous that Fort Sumter +must be reduced or the Confederacy dissolved. There was no choice. + +Their President rose, his drawn face deadly pale: + +"I agree with you, gentlemen. The order of the sailing of the fleet was +a declaration of war. The responsibility is on their shoulders, not +ours. To juggle for position as to who shall fire the first gun in such +an hour is unworthy of a great people and their cause. A deadly weapon +has been aimed at our heart. Only a fool would wait until the shot has +been fired. The assault has already been made. It is of no importance +who shall strike the first blow or fire the first gun." + +With quick decision he seized his pen and wrote the order for the +reduction of Fort Sumter. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +JENNIE'S VISION + + +Wild rumors of bombardment held Charleston in a spell. + +Jennie Barton sat alone on the roof of her aunt's house at two o'clock +on the morning of April 13. The others had gone to bed, certain that the +rumors were false. She had somehow felt the certainty of the crash. + +Seated beside the brick coping of the roof she leaned the strong little +chin in her hands, waited and watched. Lights were flickering around the +shore batteries like fireflies winking in the shadows of deep woods. Her +three brothers were there. She might look on their dead faces to-morrow. +Her father had rushed to Charleston from Washington at the first news of +the sailing of the fleet. He had begged and pleaded with General +Beauregard to reduce the Fort immediately, with or without orders from +Davis. + +"For God's sake, use your discretion as Commanding General and open +fire. If that fleet reaches Sumter the cause of the Confederacy is lost. +Old Davis is too slow. He's still crying peace, peace, when there is no +peace. The war has begun!" + +The General calmly shook his head and asked for instructions. + +Besides losing her brothers, she might be an orphan to-morrow. Her +father was quite capable of an attack on Sumter without orders. And if +the bombardment should begin he would probably be roaming over the +harbor from fort to fort, superintending the job under the guns of both +sides. + +"If Anderson does not accept the terms of surrender offered he will be +fired on at four o'clock." Jennie repeated the headlines of the extra +with a shiver. + +The chimes of St. Michael's struck three. The minutes slowly dragged. +The half hour was sung through the soft balmy air of the Southern +spring. + +Dick Welford, too, was behind one of those black guns on the shore. How +handsome he had looked in his bright new uniform! He was a soldier from +the crown of his blond head to the soles of his heavy feet. He had +laughed at danger. She had liked him for that. He hadn't posed. He +hadn't asked for sympathy or admiration. He just marched to his duty +with the quick, firm step of the man who means business. + +She was sorry now she hadn't told him how much she liked and admired +him. She might not have another chance-- + +"Nonsense, of course I will!" she murmured with a toss of her brown +head. + +A dog barked across the street, and a wagon rattled hurriedly over the +cobblestones below. A rooster crowed for day. + +She looked across the way, and a dark group of whispering women were +huddled in a corner on the roof, their gaze fixed on Sumter. + +Another wagon rumbled heavily over the cobbles, and another, and +another. A blue light flamed from Fort Sumter, blinking at intervals. +Anderson was signaling someone. To the fleet that lay on the eastern +horizon beyond the bar, perhaps. + +The chimes of St. Michael struck the fatal hour of four. Their sweet +notes rang clear and soft and musical over the dim housetops just as +they had sung to the sleeping world through years of joyous peace. + +Jennie sprang to her feet and strained her eyes toward the black lump +that was Sumter out in the harbor. She waited with quick beating heart +for the first flash of red from the shore batteries. It did not come. +Five minutes passed that seemed an hour, and still no sound of war. + +Only those wagons were rumbling now at closer intervals--one after the +other in quick succession. They were ammunition trains! The crack of the +drivers' whips could be heard distinctly, and the cries of the men +urging their horses on. The noise became at last a dull, continuous +roar. + +The chimes from the old church tower again sang the half hour and then +it came--_a sudden sword leap of red flame on the horizon_! A shell rose +in the sky, glowing in pale phosphorescent trail, and burst in a flash +of blinding flame over the dark lump in the harbor. The flash had +illumined the waters and revealed the clear outlines of the casemates +with their black mouths of steel gaping through the portholes. A roar of +deep, dull thunder shook the world. + +Jennie fell on her knees with clasped hands and upturned face. Her lips +were not moving, and no sound came from the little dry throat, but from +the depths of her heart rose the old, old cry of love. + +"Lord have mercy on my darling brothers, and keep them safe--let no harm +come to them--and Dick, too--brave and strong!" + +The house below was stirring with the rush of hurrying feet in the +corridors and the clatter on the narrow stairs that led to the roof. +They crowded to the edge and gazed seaward. The hum of voices came now +from every house. Women were crying. Some were praying. Men were talking +in low, excited tones. + +Jennie paid no attention to the people about her. Her eyes were fixed +on those tongues of flame that circled Sumter. + +Anderson was firing now, his big guns flashing their defiant answer to +Beauregard's batteries. Jennie watched the lurid track of his shells +with sickening dread. + +A man standing beside her in the gray dawn spoke. + +"A waste of ammunition!" + +The cannon boomed now with the regular throb of a great human pulse. The +sobs and excited cries and prayers of women had become a part of the +weird scene. + +A young mother stood beside Jennie with a baby boy in her arms. He was +delighted with the splendid display and the roar of the guns. + +He pointed his fingers to the circling shells and cried: + +"'Ook, mamma, 'ook!" + +The mother made no answer. Only with her hungry eyes did she follow +their track to the shore. Her mate was there. + +The baby clapped his hands and caught the rhythm of the throb and roar +of the cannon in his little voice: + +"Boom!--Boom!" + +The sun rose from the sea, a ball of dull red fire glowing ominously +through the haze of smoke that hung in the sky. + +Hour after hour the guns pealed, the windows rattled and the earth +trembled. + +Couriers were dashing into the city with reports from the batteries. +Soldiers were marching through the streets. It was reported that the men +from the fleet would attempt a landing. + +The women rushed to the little iron balcony and watched the troops +marching to repel them. + +In the first line Jennie saw the tall figure of Dick Welford. He glanced +upward, lifted his cap and held it steadily in his hand for four blocks +until they turned and swept out of sight. + +Jennie was leaning on the rail with tear-dimmed eyes. + +"I wonder why that soldier took his hat off?" her aunt asked. + +"Yes--I wonder!" was the soft answer. + +By three o'clock it was known that not a man had been killed at either +of the shore batteries and women began to smile and breathe once more. + +The newsboys were screaming an extra. + +Jennie hurried into the street and bought one. + +In big black headlines she read: + + RICHMOND AND WASHINGTON ABLAZE WITH EXCITEMENT! + + THE NORTH WILD WITH RAGE + + VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA ARMING TO COME TO OUR RESCUE! + +She walked rapidly to the water's edge to get the latest news from the +front. A tiny rowboat was deliberately pulling through the harbor +squarely under the guns of Sumter. She watched it with amazement, +looking each moment to see it disappear beneath the waves. It was +probably her foolish father. + +With steady, even stroke the boatman pulled for the shore as unconcerned +as if he were listening to the rattle of firecrackers on the fourth of +July. + +To her surprise it proved to be a negro. He tied his boat and +deliberately unloaded his supply of vegetables. His stolid, sphinx-like +face showed neither fear nor interest. + +"Weren't you afraid of Anderson's cannon, uncle?" Jennie asked. + +"Nobum--nobum--" + +"You might have been blown to pieces--" + +"Nobum--Marse Anderson daresn't hit me!" + +"Why not?" + +"He knows my marster don't 'low nuttin like dat--I'se too val'eble er +nigger. Nobum, dey ain't none ob 'em gwine ter pester me, an' I ain't +gwine ter meddle wid dem--dey kin des fight hit out twixt 'em--" + +Through the long night the steady boom of cannon, and the scream of +shells from the shore. + +At one o'clock next day the flagstaff was cut down by a solid shot, and +Sumter was silent. + +At three o'clock a mob surged up the street following Senator Barton, +who had just come from the harbor. He was on his way to Beauregard's +headquarters. + +Anderson had surrendered. + +A strange quiet held the city. There was no jubilation, no bonfires, no +illuminations to celebrate the victory. A sigh of relief for deliverance +from a great danger that had threatened their life--that was all. + +The Southern flag was flying now from the battered walls, and the people +were content. They were glad that Beauregard had given old Bob Anderson +the privilege of saluting his flag and marching out with the honors of +war. All they asked was to be let alone. + +And they were doubly grateful for the strange Providence that had saved +every soldier's life while the walls of the Fort had been hammered into +a shapeless mass. No blood had yet been spilled on either side. The +President of the Confederacy caught the wonderful news from the wires +with a cry of joy. + +"Peace may yet be possible!" he exclaimed excitedly. "No blood has been +spilled in actual conflict--" + +His joy was short lived. A rude awakening was in store. + +Dick Welford strolled along the brilliantly lighted "Battery" that night +with Jennie's little hand resting on his arm. + +"I tell you, Jennie, I was scared!" he was saying with boyish +earnestness. "You see a fellow never knows how he's going to come out of +a close place like that till he tries it. I had a fine uniform and I'd +learned the drill and all that--but I had not smelled brimstone at short +range. I didn't know how I'd do under fire. Now I know I'm a worthy +descendant of my old Scotch-Irish ancestor who held a British officer +before him for a shield and gracefully backed out of danger." + +They stopped and gazed over the lazy, shimmering waters of the harbor. + +Jennie looked up into his manly face with a glow of pride. + +"You're splendid, Dick,--I'm proud of you!" + +"Are you?" he asked eagerly. + +"Yes. You're just like my brothers." + +"Look here now, Jennie," he protested, "don't you go telling me that +you'll be a sister to me. I've got a lot of sisters at home and I don't +need any more--" + +"I didn't mean it that way, Dick," she responded tenderly. "My brothers +are just the finest, bravest men that God ever made in this +world--that's what I meant." + +"Don't you like me a little?" + +"I almost love you to-night--maybe it's our victory--maybe it's the fear +that made me pray for you and the boys on that house top the other +night--I don't know--" + +"Did you pray for me?" he asked softly. + +"Yes--" + +"I ought to be satisfied with that, but I'm not--I want you! Won't you +be mine?" + +She smiled into his eager face in a gentle, whimsical way. A half +promise to him was just trembling on her lips when Socola's slender, +erect figure suddenly crossed the street. He lifted his hat with a +genial bow. + +Dick ground his teeth in a smothered oath, and Jennie spoke abruptly: + +"Come--it's late--we must go in." + +Through the long night the girl lay awake with the calm, persistent, +smiling face of the foreigner looking into the depths of her brown +eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A LITTLE CLOUD + + +The first aggressive act of the President of the Confederacy revealed +his alert and far-seeing mind. His keen eye was bent upon the sea, with +an instinctive appreciation of the tremendous import of the long +Southern coast line. + +Without a ship afloat or a single navy yard, by a stroke of his pen he +created a fleet destined to sweep the commerce of the North from every +sea. His task was to create something out of nothing and how well he did +it events swiftly bore their testimony. + +The United States Government was the only nation which had refused to +join the agreement to abandon the use of letters of marque and reprisal +for destroying the unarmed vessels of commerce in time of war. This +unfortunate piece of diplomacy gave Jefferson Davis the opportunity to +strike his first blow at the power and prestige of the North. + +He immediately issued a proclamation offering to issue such letters to +any ship that would arm herself and enlist under the ensign of the +Confederate navy. The response was quick and the ultimate result the +lowering of the flag of the Union from practically every ship of +commerce that sailed the ocean. + +Gideon Welles conferred with his Chief in Washington and Abraham Lincoln +issued a proclamation which at the time created scarcely a ripple of +excitement. And yet that order was the most important document which +came from the White House during the entire four years of the war. + +When the test came sixteen captains, thirty-four commanders and one +hundred and eleven midshipmen resigned and cast their fortunes with the +South. Not one of them attempted to use his position to surrender a +ship. + +Small as it was, the entire navy of the United States was practically +intact. It comprised ninety ships of war--forty-two of them ready for +active service. The majority of the vessels ready for war were +steam-propelled craft of the latest improved type. + +The United States had been one of the first world powers to realize the +value of steam and rebuild its navy accordingly. In twenty years, +practically a new navy had been constructed, ranking in effective power +third only to England and France. Within the past five years, the +Government had built the steam frigates, _Merrimac_, _Niagara_, +_Colorado_, _Wabash_, _Minnesota_, and _Roanoke_. In addition to these +twelve powerful steam sloops of war had been commissioned--the +_Hartford_, _Brooklyn_, _Lancaster_, _Richmond_, _Narragansett_, +_Dakota_, _Iroquois_, _Wyoming_, and _Seminole_. They were of the +highest type of construction and compared favorably with the best ships +of the world. + +These ships at the opening of the war were widely scattered, but their +homeward bound streamers were all fluttering in the sky. + +President Lincoln in his proclamation ordered the most remarkable +blockade in the history of the world. This document declared three +thousand miles of Southern coast, from the Virginia Capes to the Rio +Grande, closed to the commerce of the world. + +The little fleet boldly sailed on its tremendous mission. The smoke of +its funnels made but a tiny smudge on the wide, shining Southern skies. +But with swift and terrible swirl this cloud, no bigger than a man's +hand, grew into a storm whose black shadow shrouded the Southland in +gloom. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CLOSING OF THE RANKS + + +A wave of fierce anger swept the North. The fall of Sumter was the one +topic on every lip. Men stopped their trade, their work, their play and +looked about them for the nearest rallying ground of soldiers. + +The President of the United States was quick to seize the favorable +moment to call for 75,000 volunteers. That these troops were to fight +the Confederacy was not questioned for a moment. + +The effect of this proclamation on the South was a political earthquake. +In a single day all differences of opinion were sunk in the common +cause. A feeling of profound wonder swept every thoughtful man within +the Southern States. To this moment, even a majority of those who +favored the policy of secession had done so under the belief that it was +the surest way of securing redress of grievances and of bringing the +Federal Government back to its original Constitutional principles. Many +of them believed, and all of their leaders in authority hoped, that a +re-formation of the Union would soon take place in peaceful ways on the +basis of the new Constitution proclaimed at Montgomery. Many Northern +newspapers, led by the New York _Herald_, had advocated this course. The +hope of the majority of the Southern people was steadfast that the Union +would thus be continued and strengthened, and made more perfect, as it +had been in 1789 after the withdrawal of nine States from the Old Union +by the adoption of the Constitution of 1787. + +Abraham Lincoln's proclamation shattered all hope of such peaceful +adjustment. + +Thousands of the best men in Virginia and North Carolina had voted +against secession. Not one of them, in the face of this proclamation, +would dispute longer with their brethren. Whatever they might think +about the expediency of withdrawing from the Union, they were absolutely +clear on two points. The President of the United States had no power +under the charter of our Government to declare war. Congress only could +do that. If the Cotton States were out of the Union, his act was illegal +because the usurpation of supreme power. If they were yet in the Union, +the raising of an army to invade their homes was a plain violation of +the Constitution. + +The heart of the South beat as one man. The cause of the war had been +suddenly shifted to a broader and deeper foundation about which no +possible difference could ever again arise in the Southern States. + +The demand for soldiers to invade the South was a bugle call to Southern +manhood to fight for their liberties and defend their homes. It gave +even to the staunchest Union men of the Old South the overt act of an +open breach of the Constitution. From the moment Abraham Lincoln +proclaimed a war without the act of Congress, from that moment he became +a dictator and a despot who deliberately sought to destroy their +liberties. + +The cause of the South not only meant the defense of their homes from +foreign invasion; it became a holy crusade for the reestablishment of +Constitutional freedom. + +Virginia immediately seceded from the Union by the vote of the same men +who had refused to secede but a few weeks before. The old flag fell from +its staff on her Capitol and the new symbol of Southern unity was +unfurled in its place. As if by magic the new flag fluttered from every +hill, housetop and window, while crowds surged through the streets +shouting and waving it aloft. Cannon boomed its advent and cheering +thousands saluted it. + +A great torchlight parade illumined the streets on April 19. In this +procession walked the men who a week ago had marched through Franklin +Street waving the old flag of the Union and shouting themselves hoarse +in their determination to uphold it. They had signed the ordinance of +secession with streaming eyes, but they signed it with firm hands, and +sent their sons to the muster fields next day. + +Augusta County, a Whig and Union center, and Rockingham, an equally +strong Democratic Union county, each contributed fifteen hundred +soldiers to the new cause. Women not only began to prepare the equipment +for their men, but many of them began to arm and practice themselves. +Boys from ten to fourteen were daily drilling. In Petersburg three +hundred free negroes offered their services to fight or to ditch and +dig. + +The bitterness of the answers of the Southern Governors from the Border +States yet in the Union amazed the President at Washington. + +His demand for troops was refused in tones of scorn and defiance. + +Governor Magoffin of Kentucky replied: + +"The State will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her +sister Southern States." + +Governor Harris telegraphed from Nashville: + +"The State of Tennessee will not furnish a single man for coercion, but +fifty thousand if necessary for the defense of her rights." + +The message of Governor Ellis of North Carolina was equally emphatic: + +"I will be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of our +country, and to this war upon the liberties of a free people." + +Governor Rector of Arkansas replied: + +"Your demand adds insult to injury." + +Governor Jackson of Missouri was indignant beyond all others: + +"Your requisition in my judgment is illegal, unconstitutional, and +revolutionary--its objects inhuman and diabolical." + +Tennessee followed Virginia by seceding on May 6. Arkansas on May 18, +and North Carolina by unanimous vote on May 21. + +North Carolina had been slow to announce her final separation from the +old Union. But she had been prompt in proclaiming her own sovereign +rights within her territory when the National Government had dared to +call them in question. On the day the President had issued his +proclamation she seized Fort Macon at Beaufort. Fort Caswell was taken +and garrisoned by her volunteers, and on April 19, the arsenal at +Fayetteville was captured without bloodshed. The value of this +achievement to the South was incalculable. The Confederacy thus secured +sixty-five thousand stand of arms, of which twenty-eight thousand were +of the most modern pattern. + +Virginia had seceded on April 17 and immediately moved to secure under +the resumption of her complete sovereignty all the arms, munitions of +war, ship stores and military posts within her borders. Two posts of +tremendous importance she attempted to seize at once--the great navy +yard at Norfolk and the arsenal and shops at Harper's Ferry. The navy +yard contained a magnificent dry dock worth millions, huge ship houses, +supplies, ammunition, small arms and cannon, and had lying in its basin +several vessels of war, complete and incomplete. + +Harper's Ferry contained ten thousand muskets, five thousand rifles and +a complete set of machinery for the manufacture of arms capable of +turning out two thousand muskets a month. + +A force of Virginia volunteers moved on Harper's Ferry. The small +Federal garrison asked for a parley, which was granted. In a short time +flames were pouring from the armory and arsenal. The garrison had set +fire to the buildings and escaped across the railroad bridge into +Maryland. + +The Virginia troops rushed into the burning buildings, and saved five +thousand muskets and three thousand unfinished rifles. The garrison had +laid trains of powder to blow up the workshops, but the Virginians +extinguished the flames and saved to the South the invaluable machinery +for making and repairing muskets and rifles. It was shipped to +Fayetteville and Richmond and installed for safety. + +The destruction of the navy yard at Norfolk was more complete and +irreparable. The dry dock was little damaged, but the destruction of +stores and property was enormous. All ships in the harbor were set on +fire and scuttled. + +Events moved now with swift and terrible certainty. + +Massachusetts attempted, on April 19, to send a regiment through the +streets of Baltimore to invade the South, and the indignant wrath of her +citizens could not be controlled by the mayor or police. The street cars +on which they were riding across town to the Camden station were thrown +from the tracks. The crowds jammed the streets and shouted their curses +in the face of the advancing volunteers. Stones were hurled into their +ranks and two soldiers dropped. A volley was poured into the crowd and +several fell dead and wounded. + +The crowd went mad. Revolvers were drawn and fired point blank into the +ranks of the soldiers and those who were unarmed rushed to arm +themselves. From Frederic to Smith Streets the firing on both sides +continued with the regular crash of battle. Citizens were falling, but +even the unarmed men continued to press forward and hurl stones into the +ranks of the New Englanders. + +The troops began to yield before the determined onslaughts of the +infuriated crowds, bewildered and apparently without real commanders. +They pressed through the streets, staggering, confused, breaking into a +run and turning to fire on their assailants as they retreated. + +Harassed, bleeding and exhausted, the regiment at last reached the +Baltimore & Ohio station. The fight continued without pause. Volleys of +stones were hurled into the cars, shattering windows and paneling. The +troops were ordered to lie down on the floors and keep their heads below +the line of the windows. Maddened men pressed to the car windows, +cursing and yelling their defiance. For half a mile along the tracks the +crowd struggled and shouted, piling the rails with new obstructions as +fast as policemen could remove them. Through a steady roar of hoots, +yells and curses the train at last pulled slowly out, the troops pouring +a volley into the crowd. + +In this first irregular battle of the sections the Massachusetts +regiment lost four killed and thirty-six wounded. The Baltimoreans lost +twelve killed and an unknown number wounded. + +A wave of tremendous excitement swept the State of Maryland. Bridges on +all railroads leading north were immediately burned and the City of +Washington cut off from communication with the outside world. Troops +were compelled to avoid Baltimore and find transportation by water to +Annapolis. Mass meetings were held and speeches of bitter defiance +hurled against the Federal Government. The Baltimore Council +appropriated five hundred thousand dollars to put the city in a state of +defense, though the State had proclaimed its neutrality. + +The shrewd, good-natured, even-tempered President at Washington used all +his powers of personal diplomacy to pour oil on the troubled waters of +Maryland. In the meantime with swift, sure, and merciless tread he moved +on the turbulent State with the power of Federal arms. It was impossible +to hold the Capital of the Nation with a hostile State separating it +from the loyal North. + +The steps he took were all clearly unconstitutional, but they were +necessary to save the Capital. They were the acts of a dictator, for +Congress was not in session, but he dared to act. Troops were suddenly +thrown into the city of Baltimore and its streets and heights planted +with cannon. The chief of police was arrested and imprisoned, the police +board was suspended and the city brought under the rule of drumhead +court-martial. The writ of _habeas corpus_ was suspended by Federal +authorities in a free and sovereign State whose Legislature had +proclaimed its neutrality in the sectional conflict. Blank warrants were +issued by military officers and the house of every suspect entered by +force and searched. The mayor and his Council were arrested without +warrant, held without trial, and imprisoned in a military fortress, and +when the Legislature dared to protest, its members were arrested and its +session closed by bayonets. + +So thoroughly was this work done that within thirty days from the attack +on the troops of New England, Maryland's Governor by proclamation called +for four regiments of volunteers to assist the Washington Government in +the proposed invasion of the South. + +In like manner, with hand of steel within a velvet glove, Mr. Lincoln +prevented the secession of Kentucky and Missouri. It was done with less +violence, but it was done, and these rich and powerful States saved to +the Union. + +The swift and bloodless conquest of Maryland inspired the North with the +most grotesque conception of the war and its outcome. + +The British and French Governments had immediately recognized the +Confederate States as belligerents under the terms of international law +and closed their ports to the armed vessels of both contestants. Mr. +Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State, hastened to assure the nations of +Europe that a dissolution of the Union was an absurd impossibility. It +had never entered the mind of any candid statesman in America and should +be dismissed at once by statesmen in Europe. And yet at this time eleven +Southern States, stretching from the James to the Rio Grande, with a +population of eight millions, had by solemn act of their Legislatures +withdrawn from the Union and their armies were camping within a few +miles of the City of Washington. + +In all the North not a single statesman or a single newspaper appeared +to have any conception of the serious task before them. The fusillades +of rant, passion and bombast which filled the air would have been comic +but for the grim tragedy which was stalking in their wake. + +The "Rebellion" was ridiculed and sneered at in terms that taxed the +genius of the writers for words of contempt. + +The New York _Tribune_, the greatest and most powerful organ of public +opinion in the North, a paper which had boldly from the first proclaimed +the right of the South to peaceable secession, was now swept away with +the popular fury. + +Its editor gravely declared: + +"The Southern rebellion is nothing more or less than the natural +recourse of all mean-spirited and defeated tyrannies to rule or ruin, +making of course a wide distinction between the will and the power, for +the hanging of traitors is soon to begin before a month is over. The +Nations of Europe may rest assured that Jeff Davis and Co. will be +swinging from the battlements at Washington, at least by the fourth of +July. We spit upon a later and longer deferred justice." + +The New York _Times_ gave its opinion with equal clearness: + +"Let us make quick work. The Rebellion is an unborn tadpole. Let us not +fall into the delusion of mistaking a local commotion for a revolution. +A strong active pull together will do our work in thirty days. We have +only to send a column of twenty-five thousand men across the Potomac to +Richmond to burn out the rats there; another column of twenty-five +thousand to Cairo to seize the Cotton ports of the Mississippi and +retain the remaining twenty-five thousand called for by the President at +Washington--not because there is any need for them there but because we +do not require their services elsewhere." + +The staid old Philadelphia _Press_ declared: + +"No man of sense can for a moment doubt that all this +much-ado-about-nothing will end in a month. The Northern people are +invincible. The rebels are a band of ragamuffins who will fly like chaff +before the wind on our approach." + +The West vied with the East in boastful clamor. + +The Chicago _Tribune_ shouted from the top of its columns: + +"We insist that the West be allowed the honor of settling this little +trouble by herself since she is most interested in its suppression to +insure the free navigation of the Mississippi River. Let the East stand +aside. This is our war. We can end it successfully in two months. +Illinois can whip the whole South by herself. We insist on the affair +being turned over to us." + +With prospects of a short war and cheaply earned glory the rage for +volunteering was resistless. The war for three months was to be a +holiday excursion and every man would return a hero crowned with +garlands of flowers, the center of admiring thousands. The blacksmiths +of Brooklyn were busy making handcuffs for one of her crack regiments. +Each volunteer had sworn to lead at least one captive rebel in chains +through the crowded streets in the great parade on their return. + +Socola on his arrival at Montgomery from Charleston read these +fulminations from the North with amazement and rage. He sent his bitter +and emphatic protest against such madness to Holt. The faithful Joseph +had been rewarded with an office to his liking. He was now the Judge +Advocate General of the United States Army. He turned Socola's letters +over to Cameron, the new Secretary of War, who read them with rising +wrath. + +"The author of those letters," he said with a scowl, "is either a damned +fool, or traitor." + +Holt's lower lip was thrust out and the lines of his big mouth drawn +into a knot. + +"I assure you, sir--he is neither. He is absolutely loyal. His +patriotism is a religion. He has entered his dangerous and important +mission with the zeal of a religious fanatic." + +"That accounts for it then--he's insane. I don't care to read any more +such twaddle and I won't pay for the services of such a man out of the +funds of the War Department." + +With the utmost difficulty Holt secured the consent of the Secretary of +War to continue Socola's commission for two months longer. + +The only consolation the young patriot found in the contemptuous reply +his Government made to his solemn warnings was the almost equal fatuity +with which the Southern people were now approaching their first test of +battle. + +Until the proclamation of President Lincoln, both Jefferson Davis and +the South had believed in the possibility of a peaceful reconciliation. +Even when the proclamation had been made and the wild response of the +North had been instantly given, the Southern people refused to believe +that the millions of Northern voters who still clung to the old forms of +Constitutional Government under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas +would surrender their principles, arm themselves and march to coerce a +State at the command of a President against whom they had voted. + +Senator Barton, from his new position in the Confederate Senate, scouted +the idea of serious war. + +"Bah!" he growled to Socola, who was drawing him out. "The Yankees won't +fight!" + +"That's what they say about you, sir," was the cool response. + +"Who ever heard of a race of shopkeepers turning into soldiers?" The +Senator laughed. "Such men have no martial prowess! They are unequal to +mighty deeds of valor." + +The white teeth of the young observer gleamed in a smile. + +"On the other hand, Senator, I'm afraid history proves that commercial +communities, once aroused, are the most dogged, pugnacious, ambitious +and obstinate fighters of the world--Carthage, Venice, Genoa, Holland +and England have surely proven this--" + +"There's one thing certain," Barton roared. "We'll bring England to her +knees if there is a war. Cotton is the King of Commerce, and we hold the +key of his empire. The population of England will starve without our +cotton. If we need them they've got to come to our rescue, sir!" + +Socola did not argue the point. It was amazing how widespread was this +idea in the South. He wrote his Government again and again that the +whole movement of secession was based on this conception. + +There was one man in Washington who read these warnings with keen +insight--Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy. The part this quiet, +unassuming man was preparing to play in the mighty drama then unfolding +its first scene was little known or understood by those who were filling +the world with the noise of their bluster. + +Jefferson Davis at his desk in Montgomery saw with growing anxiety the +confidence of his people in immediate and overwhelming success. In +answer to Abraham Lincoln's proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers +to fight the South, he called for 100,000 to defend it. The rage for +volunteering in the South was even greater than the North. An army of +five hundred thousand men could have been enrolled for any length of +service if arms and equipment could have been found. It was utterly +impossible to arm and equip one hundred thousand, before the first +battle would be fought. + +Ambitious Southern boys, raging for the smell of battle, rushed from +post to post, begged and pleaded for a place in the ranks. They offered +big bounties for the places assigned to men who were lucky enough to be +accepted. + +The Confederate Congress, to the chagrin of their President, fixed the +time of service at six months. Jefferson Davis was apparently the only +man in the South who had any conception of the gigantic task before his +infant government. He begged and implored his Congress for an enrollment +of three years or the end of the war. The Congress laughed at his absurd +fears. The utmost they would grant was enlistment for the term of one +year. + +With grim foreboding but desperate earnestness the President of the +Confederacy turned his attention to the organization and equipment of +this force with which he was expected to defend the homes of eight +million people scattered over a territory of 728,000 square miles, with +an open frontier of a thousand miles and three thousand leagues of open +sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RICHMOND IN GALA DRESS + + +From the moment Virginia seceded from the Union it wan a foregone +conclusion that Richmond would be the capital of the new +Confederacy--not only because the great Virginian was the Father of the +Country and his glorious old Commonwealth the mother of States and +Presidents, but because her soil must be the arena of the first great +battle. + +On May 23, the Provisional Congress at Montgomery adjourned to meet in +Richmond on July 20, and Jefferson Davis began his triumphal procession +to the new Capital. + +Jennie Barton, her impulsive father, the Senator, Mrs Barton, with +temper serene and unruffled, and Signor Henrico Socola of the Sardinian +Ministry, were in the party. Dick Welford and two boys were already in +Virginia with their regiments. Tom was in New Orleans with Raphael +Semmes, fitting out the little steamer _Sumter_ for a Confederate +cruiser. + +Senator Barton had been requested by the new President to act as his +aide, and the champion of secession had accepted the honor under +protest. It was not of importance commensurate with his abilities, but +it was perhaps worth while for the moment until a greater field was +opened. + +The arrangement made Socola's association with Jennie of double +importance. As the train whirled through the sunlit fields of the South +he found his position by her side more and more agreeable and +interesting. She was a girl of remarkable intelligence. He had observed +that she was not afraid of silence. Her tongue was not forever going. In +fact she seemed disinclined to talk unless she had something to say. + +He glanced at her from the corners of his dark eyes with a friendly +smile. + +"You are serious to-day, Miss Jennie?" + +"Yes. I wish I were a man!" + +"You'd go to the front, of course?" + +"Yes--wouldn't you?" + +"For _my_ country--yes--" + +He paused a moment and went on carelessly: + +"Your older brother, the Judge, will fight for the Union?" + +The sensitive lips trembled. + +"No--thank God. He has sent my mother word that for her sake and mine +he'll not fight his father and younger brothers in battle. He's going to +do a braver thing than march to the front. He's going to face his +neighbors in New Orleans and stand squarely by his principles." + +"It will take a brave man to do that, won't it?" + +"The bravest of the brave." + +The train was just pulling into a sleepy Southern town, the tracks +running straight down the center of its main street. A company was drawn +up to salute the new President and cheering thousands had poured in from +the surrounding country to do him honor. They cheered themselves hoarse +and were still at it when the train slowly started northward. The +company which greeted their arrival with arms presented were on board +now, chatting, shouting, singing, waving their caps and handkerchiefs to +tear-stained women. + +The country through which the Presidential party passed had been +suddenly transformed into a vast military camp, the whole population war +mad. + +Every woman from every window of every house in sight of the train waved +a handkerchief. The flutter of those white flags never ceased. + +The city of Richmond gave their distinguished visitor a noble reception. +He was quartered temporarily at the Spotswood Hotel, but the City +Council had purchased the handsomest mansion in town at a cost of +$40,000 and offered it to him as their token of admiration of his +genius. + +Mr. Davis was deeply touched by this mark of esteem from Virginia, but +sternly refused the gift for himself. He accepted it for the Confederate +Government as the official residence of the President. + +Socola found the city a mere comfortable village in comparison with New +York or Boston or Philadelphia, though five times the size of +Montgomery. He strolled through its streets alone, wondering in which +one of the big old-fashioned mansions lived the remarkable Southern +woman to whom his Government had referred him for orders. He must await +the arrival of the messenger who would deliver to him in person its +description. In the meantime with tireless eye he was studying the +physical formation of every street and alley. He must know it, every +crook and turn. + +Until the advent of the troops Richmond had been one of the quietest of +all the smaller cities of America. Barely forty thousand inhabitants, +one third of whom were negro slaves, it could boast none of the displays +or excitements of a metropolis. Its vices were few, its life orderly and +its society the finest type of the genuine American our country had +developed. + +Rowdyism was unknown. The police department consisted of a dozen +"watchmen" whose chief duty was to round up a few straggling negroes who +might be found on the streets after nine o'clock at night and put them +in "the Cage" until morning. "The Cage" was a ramshackled wooden +building too absurd to be honored by the name of prison. + +The quiet, shady streets were suddenly transformed into the throbbing, +tumultuous avenues of a crowded Capital--already numbering more than one +hundred thousand inhabitants. + +Its pulse beat with a new and fevered life. Its atmosphere was tense +with the electric rumble of the coming storm--everywhere bustle, hurry +and feverish preparations for war. The Tredegar Iron Works had doubled +its force of men. Day and night the red glare of the furnaces threw its +sinister glow over the yellow, turbulent waters of the James. With every +throb now of its red heart a cannon was born destined to slay a thousand +men. + +Every hill was white with the tents of soldiers, their camps stretching +away into the distant fields and forests. + +Every street was thronged. Couriers on blooded horses dashed to and fro +bearing the messages of imperious masters. From every direction came the +crash of military bands. And over all the steady, low rumble of +artillery and the throbbing tramp of soldiers. In every field and wood +for miles around the city could be heard the neighing of horses, the +bugle call of the trooper, the shouts of gay recruits and the sharp +command of drilling officers. + +The rattle of the ambulance and the long, red trenches of the uncoffined +dead had not come yet. They were not even dreamed in the hearts of the +eager, rollicking, fun-loving children of the South. + +There were as yet no dances, no social festivities. The town was soldier +mad. Few men not in uniform were to be seen on the streets. A man in +citizen's clothes was under suspicion as to his principles. + +With each train, new companies and regiments arrived. Day and night the +tramp of soldiers' feet, the throb of drum, the scream of fife, the +gleam of bayonets. + +Everywhere soldiers were welcomed, feted, lionized. The finest ladies of +Richmond vied with one another in serving their soldier guests. Society +turned out _en masse_ to every important review. + +Southern society was melted into a single pulsing thought--the fight in +defense of their homes and their liberty. In the white heat of this +mighty impulse the barriers of class and sex were melted. + +The most delicately reared and cultured lady of society admitted without +question the right of any man who wore a gray uniform to speak to her +without introduction and escort her anywhere on the streets. In not a +single instance was this high privilege abused by an insult, indignity +or an improper word. + +Socola saw but one lady who showed the slightest displeasure. + +A dainty little woman of eight, delicately trained in the ways of polite +society, was shocked at the familiarity of a soldier who had dared to +caress her. + +She turned to her elderly companion and gasped with indignation: + +"Auntie! Did you ever! Any man who wears a stripe on his pantaloons now +thinks he can speak to a lady!" + +Socola laughed and passed on to inspect the camp of the famous Hampton +Legion of South Carolina. + +His heart went out in a sudden wave of admiration for these Southern +people who could merge thus their souls and bodies into the cause of +their country. + +The Hampton Legion was recruited, armed and equipped and led by Wade +Hampton. Its private soldiers were the flower of South Carolina's +society. The dress parades of this regiment of gentlemen were the +admiration of the town. The carriages that hung around their maneuvers +were as gay and numerous as the assemblage on a fashionable race course. +Each member of this famous legion went into Richmond with his trunks and +body servant. They, too, were confident of a brief struggle. + +A kind fate held fast the dark curtains of the future. The camp was a +picnic ground, and Death was only a specter of the dim unknown. + +Just as Socola strolled by the grounds, the camp spied the handsome +figure of young Preston Hampton in a pair of spotless yellow kid gloves. +They caught and rolled him in the dust and spoiled his gloves. + +He laughed and took it good naturedly. + +The hardier sons of the South held the attention of the keen, observing +eyes with stronger interest. He knew what would become of those trunks +and fine clothes. The thing he wished most to know was the quality and +the temper of the average man in the Southern ranks. + +Socola met Dick Welford suddenly face to face, smiled and bowed. Dick +hesitated, returned his recognition and offered his hand. + +"Mr. Welford--" + +"Signor Socola." + +Dick's greeting was a little awkward, but the older man put him at once +at ease with his frank, friendly manners. + +"A brave show your _Champ de Mars_, sir!" + +"Does look like business, doesn't it?" Dick responded with pride. "Would +you like to go through the camps and see our men?" + +"Very much." + +"Come, I'll show you." + +Two hundred yards from the camp of the Hampton Legion they found the +Louisiana Zouaves of Wheat's command, small, tough-looking men with +gleaming black eyes. + +"Frenchmen!" Dick sneered. "They'll fight though--" + +"Their people in the old world have that reputation," Socola dryly +remarked. + +Beyond them lay a regiment of fierce, be-whiskered countrymen from the +lower sections of Mississippi. + +"Look out for those fellows," the young Southerner said serenely. +"They're from old Jeff's home. You'll hear from them. Their fathers all +fought in Mexico." + +Socola nodded. + +Beside the Mississippians lay a regiment of long-legged, sinewy riflemen +from Arkansas. + +A hundred yards further they saw the quaint coon-skin caps of John B. +Gordon's company from Georgia. + +Socola watched these lanky mountaineers with keen interest. + +"The Raccoon Roughs," Dick explained. "First company of Georgia +volunteers. They had to march over two or three States before anybody +would muster them in. They're happy as June bugs now." + +They passed two regiments of quiet North Carolinians. The young +Northerner observed their strong, muscular bodies and earnest faces. + +"And these two large regiments, Mr. Welford?" Socola asked. + +"Oh," the Virginian exclaimed with a careless touch of scorn in his +voice, "they're Tarheels--not much for looks, but I reckon they'll +_stick_." + +"I've an idea they will," was the serious reply. + +Dick pointed with pride to a fine-looking regiment of Virginians. + +"Good-looking soldiers," Socola observed. + +"Aren't they? That's my regiment. You'll hear from them in the first +battle." + +"And those giants?" Socola inquired, pointing to the right at a group of +tall, rude-looking fellows. + +"Texas Rangers." + +"I shouldn't care to meet them in a row--" + +"You know what General Taylor said of them in the Mexican War?" + +"No--" + +"_They're anything but gentlemen or cowards._" + +"I agree with him," Socola laughed. + +"What chance has a Yankee got against such men?" Dick asked with a wag +of his big blond head. + +"Let me show you what they think--" + +Socola drew a leaf of _Harper's Magazine_ from his pocket and spread it +before the young trooper's indignant gaze. + +The cartoon showed a sickly-looking Southerner carrying his musket under +an umbrella accompanied by a negro with a tray full of mint juleps. + +"That's a joke, isn't it!" Dick roared. "Will you give me this paper?" + +"Certainly, Monsieur!" + +Dick folded the sheet, still laughing. "I'll have some fun with this in +camp to-night. Come on--I want to show you just one more bunch of these +sickly-looking mint-julipers--" + +Again the Southerner roared. + +They quickened their pace and in a few minutes were passing through the +camps of the Red River men from Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. + +"Aren't you sorry for these poor fellows?" Dick laughed. + +"I have never seen anything like them," Socola admitted, looking on +their stalwart forms with undisguised admiration. Scarcely a man was +under six feet in height, with broad, massive shoulders and chests and +not an ounce of superfluous flesh. Their resemblance to each other was +remarkable. Nature had cast each one in the same heroic mold. The spread +of giant unbroken forests spoke in their brawny arms and legs. The look +of an eagle soaring over great rivers and fertile plains flashed in +their fearless eyes. + +"What do you think of them?" Dick asked with boyish pride. + +"I'd like to send their photographs to _Harper's_--" + +"For God's sake, don't do that!" Dick protested. "If you do, we'll never +get a chance to see a Yankee. I want to get in sight of 'em anyhow +before they run. All I ask of the Lord is to give me one whack at those +little, hump-backed, bow-legged shoemakers from Boston!" + +Socola smiled dryly. + +"In five minutes after we meet--there won't be a shoe-string left fit to +use." + +The dark face flashed with a strange light from the depths of the somber +eyes--only for an instant did he lose self-control. His voice was velvet +when he spoke. + +"Your faith is strong, M'sieur!" + +"It's not faith--we know. One Southerner can whip three Yankees any +day." + +"But suppose it should turn out that he had to whip five or six or a +dozen?" + +"Don't you think these fellows could do it?" + +Socola hesitated. It was a shame to pull down a faith that could remove +mountains. He shrugged his slender shoulders and a pensive look stole +over his face. He seemed to be talking to himself. + +"Your President tells me that his soldiers will do all that pluck and +muscle, endurance and dogged courage, dash and red-hot patriotism can +accomplish. And yet his view is not sanguine. A sad undertone I caught +in his voice. He says your war will be long and bloody--" + +"Yes--I know," Dick broke in, "but nobody agrees with him. We'll show +old Jeff what we can do, if he'll just give us _one_ chance--that's all +we ask--just _one_ chance. Read that editorial in the Richmond +_Examiner_--" + +He thrust a copy of the famous yellow journal of the South into Socola's +hand and pointed to a marked paragraph: + +"From mountain top and valleys to the shores of the seas there is one +wild shout of fierce resolve to capture Washington City at all and every +human hazard!" + +The North was marching southward with ropes and handcuffs with which to +end in triumph their holiday excursion on July 4. The South was marching +to meet them with eager pride, each man afraid the fight would be over +before he could reach the front to fire a single shot. And behind each +gay regiment of scornful men marched the white silent figure of Death. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE HOUSE ON CHURCH HILL + + +As Socola left his room at the Spotswood the following night, a stranger +met him at the turn of the dimly lighted corridor. + +"Signor Socola, I believe?" + +"At your service." + +"I know some mutual friends in Washington connected with the Sardinian +Ministry--" + +"I'm just starting for a stroll through the city," Socola interrupted. +"Will you join me?" + +"With pleasure. As I am well acquainted with the streets of Richmond, +allow me to be your guide." + +Socola followed with a nod of approval. Their walk led to the highest of +the city's seven hills. But few were stirring at this hour--half-past +seven. The people were busy at supper. + +The two men paused at the gate of a stately, old-fashioned mansion in +the middle of a spacious lawn. The odor of sweet pinks filled the air. +The rose trellis and elaborate scheme of flower beds and the boxwood +hedges told the story of wealth and culture and high social position. + +"I wish to introduce you to one of the most charming ladies of +Richmond," the stranger said in quick, business-like tones, opening the +gate as if he were used to the feel of the latch. + +"Certainly," was the short reply. + +In answer to the rap of the old-fashioned brass knocker, a quaint little +woman of forty opened the door and showed them into the parlor. + +The blinds were closed, and the room lighted by a single small kerosene +lamp. + +With quick precision the stranger presented his companion. + +"Miss Van Lew, permit me to introduce to you Signor Henrico Socola of +the Sardinian Ministry. He is the duly accredited but unofficial agent +of his Majesty, Victor Emmanuel, and is cultivating friendly relations +with the new Government of the South." + +Miss Van Low extended her hand and took the outstretched one with a +warmth that surprised her visitor beyond measure. + +"I recognized him at once," she said with emotion. + +"Recognized me?" + +"Your dear mother, sir, was my schoolmate in Philadelphia. I loved her. +How alike you are!" + +"Then we shall be friends--" + +"We shall be more than friends--we shall be comrades--" + +She paused and turned to the stranger: + +"You can leave us now." + +With a bow the man turned and left the room. + +Socola studied the little woman who had deliberately chosen to lay her +life, her fortune and her home on the altar of her Country. He saw with +a glance at her delicate but commanding figure the brilliant, +accomplished, resolute woman of personality and charm. + +She took the young man's hand again in hers and led him to a high-backed +mahogany settee. She stroked the hands with her thin, cold fingers. + +"How perfect the image of your mother! I would have known you anywhere. +_You_ must know and trust me. I was sent North to school. I came back to +Virginia a more determined Abolitionist than ever. Our people have +always hated Slavery. I made good my faith by freeing mine. We're not +so well-to-do now, my mother and I." + +She paused and looked wistfully about the stately room. + +"This house could tell the story of gay and beautiful scenes--of +balls--receptions and garden parties in bowers of roses--of coaches +drawn by six snow-white horses standing at our door for the start to the +White Sulphur Springs--" + +She stopped suddenly, mastered her emotions and went on dreamily: + +"Of great men and distinguished families our guests from the North and +the South--Bishop Mann, Chief Justice John Marshall, the Lees, the +Robinsons, Wickhams, Adams, Cabells,--the Carringtons--Fredrika Bremer, +the Swedish novelist, visited us and wrote of us in her 'Homes in the +New World.' Jennie Lind in the height of her glory sang in this room. +Edgar Allan Poe read here aloud his immortal poem, 'The Raven.' You must +realize what it means to me to become an outcast in Richmond--" + +She drew from her bosom a newspaper clipping and handed it to Socola. + +"Read that paragraph from this morning's editorial columns--" + +The young man scanned the marked clipping. + + RAPPED ON THE KNUCKS + + "One of the City papers contained on Monday a word of exhortation + to certain females of Southern residence (and perhaps birth) but + of decidedly Northern and Abolition proclivities. The creatures, + though specially alluded to, are not named. If such people do not + wish to be exposed and dealt with as alien enemies to the country + they would do well to cut stick while they can do so with safety + to their worthless carcasses--" + +"And you will not 'cut stick'?" + +"It's not the way of our breed. I've been doing what I could for the +past year. I have sent the Government at Washington letter after letter +giving them full and accurate accounts of men and events here. I have +made no concealment of my principles. We are Abolitionists and Unionists +and they know it. These Southern men will not lift their hands against +two helpless women unless they discover the deeper plans I've laid. I've +stopped them on the streets and openly flung my sentiments into their +faces. As the excitement has increased I have grown more violent and +more incoherent. They have begun to say that I am insane--" + +Socola lifted his hand in a quiet gesture. + +"Good. You can play the part." + +A look of elation overspread the thin, intellectual features. + +"True--I'll do it. I see it in a flash. 'Crazy old Bet,' they'll call +me--" + +She sprang to her feet. + +"Come upstairs." + +He followed her light step up three flights of stairs into the attic. +She pushed aside an old-fashioned wardrobe and opened a small door of +plain pine boards about four feet in height which led to the darkened +space beneath the roof. + +She stooped and entered and he followed. A small, neat room was revealed +eight feet high beside the inner wall, with ceiling sloping to three +feet on the opposite side. An iron safe was fitted into the space beside +the chimney and covered skillfully by a door completely cased in brick. +The device was so perfect it was impossible to detect the fact that it +was not a part of the chimney, each alternate layer of bricks fitted +exactly into the place chiseled out for it in the wall of the chimney +itself. + +Socola examined the arrangement with care. + +"A most skillful piece of work!" he exclaimed. + +"I laid those bricks in that door casing with my own hand. The old safe +has been there since my grandfather's day. This is your room, sir. That +safe is for your important papers. You can spend the night here in +safety when necessary. My house has been offered to the Government as +the headquarters of its secret service. I have in this safe an important +document for you." + +She opened it and handed Socola a sealed envelope addressed: + + + "Signor Henrico Socola, + Richmond, Virginia." + + +He broke the seal and read the order from the new Bureau of Military +Information placing him in command of its Richmond office. + +He offered the paper to the little woman who held the candle for him to +read. + +"I know its contents," she said, observing him keenly. "The Government +has chosen wisely. You can render invaluable service--" + +She paused and looked at Socola with a curious smile. + +"You know any girls in Richmond?" + +"But one and she has just arrived with the Presidential party--Miss +Jennie Barton--" + +"The Senator's daughter?" + +"The same." + +"Wonderful!" the little woman went on eagerly. "Her father is on the +staff of Jefferson Davis. Old Barton is a loud-mouthed fool who can't +keep a secret ten minutes. You must make love to his daughter--" + +Socola laughed. "Is it necessary?" + +"Absolutely. You can't remain in Richmond indefinitely without a better +excuse than your unofficial connection with the Ministry of Sardinia. +You are young. You are handsome. All Southern girls have +sweethearts--all Southern boys. They can't understand the boy who +hasn't. You'll be suspected at once unless you comply with the custom of +the country." + +"Of course. I needn't actually make love to her--" + +"That's exactly what you must do. Make love to her with all your +might--as if your life depends on her answer and your stay in Richmond +can be indefinite." + +"I don't like the idea," he protested. + +"Neither do I like this--" She swept the little attic room with a wave +of her slender hand. "Come, my comrade, you must--" + +He hesitated a moment, laughed, and said: + +"All right." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE FLOWER-DECKED TENT + + +When Socola rose the following morning he determined to throw every +scruple to the winds and devote himself to Jennie Barton with a zeal and +passion that would leave to his Southern rivals no doubt as to the +secret of his stay. + +At the first informal reception at the White House of the Confederacy +Jennie had been pronounced the most fascinating daughter of the new +Republic, as modest and unassuming as she was brilliant and beautiful. + +After the manner of Southern beaux he addressed a note to her on a sheet +of exquisitely tinted foreign paper, at the top of which was the richly +embossed coat of arms of the Socola family of North Italy. + +He asked of her the pleasure of a horseback ride over the hills of +Virginia. He was a superb horseman, and she rode as if born in the +saddle. + +He sealed the note with a piece of tinted wax and stamped it with the +die which reproduced his coat of arms. He smiled with satisfaction as he +addressed the envelope in his smooth and perfectly rounded handwriting. + +He read the answer with surprise and disappointment. The Senator had +replied for his daughter. A slight accident to her mother had caused her +to leave on the morning train for the South. She would probably remain +at Fairview for two weeks. + +There was no help for it. He must await her return. In the meantime +there was work to do. The army of the South was slowly but surely +shaping itself into a formidable engine of war. + +The master mind at the helm of the new Government had laid the +foundations of one of the most efficient forces ever sent into the arena +of battle. It was as yet only a foundation but one which inspired in his +mind not only a profound respect for his judgment, but a feeling of deep +foreboding for the future. + +Jefferson Davis had received a training of peculiar fitness for his +task. The first work before the South was the organization, equipment +and handling of its army of defense. The President they had called to +the leadership had spent four years at West Point and seven years in the +army on our frontiers, pushing the boundaries of the Republic into the +West. He had led a regiment of volunteers in the conquest of Mexico, and +in the battle of Buena Vista, not only saved the day in the moment of +supreme crisis, but had given evidence of the highest order of military +genius. On his return from the Mexican War he had been appointed a +Brigadier General by the President of the United States but had declined +the honor. + +For four years as Secretary of War in the Cabinet of Franklin Pierce he +had proven himself a master of military administration, had reorganized +and placed on a modern basis of the highest efficiency the army of the +Union and in this work has proven himself a terror to weakness, +tradition and corruption. + +He knew personally every officer of the first rank in the United States +Army. His judgment of these men and their ability as commanders was +marvelous in its accuracy. His genius as an army administrator +undoubtedly gave to the South her first advantage in the opening of the +conflict. + +From the men who had resigned from the old army to cast their fortunes +with the South his keen eye selected without hesitation the three men +for supreme command whose abilities had no equal in America for the +positions to which they were assigned. And these three men were patriots +of such singleness of purpose, breadth of vision and greatness of soul +that neither of them knew he was being considered for the highest +command until handed his commission. + +Samuel Cooper had been Adjutant General of the United States Army since +1852. Davis knew his record of stern discipline and uncompromising +efficiency, and although a man of Northern birth, he appointed him +Adjutant General of the Confederate Army without a moment's hesitation. + +Albert Sidney Johnston was his second appointment to the rank of full +General and Robert E. Lee his third--each destined to immortality. + +His fourth nomination for the rank of full General he made with +hesitation. Joseph E. Johnston under the terms of the law passed by the +Provisional Congress of the Confederacy was entitled to a position in +the first rank as acting Commissary General of the old army. The keen +intuition of the President had perceived from the first the evidences of +hesitation and of timidity in crisis which was the chief characteristic +of Joseph E. Johnston. His sense of fairness under the terms of the law +required that this man be given his chance. With misgivings but with +high hopes the appointment was made. + +Robert E. Lee he made military chieftain of the Government with +headquarters in Richmond. + +From four points the Northern forces were threatening the South. From +the West by a flanking movement which might open the Mississippi River; +from the mountains of Western Virginia whose people were in part opposed +to secession; from Washington by a direct movement on Richmond; and +from Fortress Monroe on the Virginia Peninsula. + +The first skirmish before Fortress Monroe, led by B. F. Butler, had been +repulsed with such ease no serious danger was felt in that quarter. The +ten thousand men under Holmes and McGruder could hold Butler +indefinitely. + +Davis had seen from the first that one of the supreme dangers of the +South lay in the long line of exposed frontier in the West. If a +commander of military genius should succeed in turning his flank here +the heart of the lower South would be pierced. + +For this important command he reserved Albert Sidney Johnston. + +The Northern army under George B. McClellan and Rosecrans had defeated +the troops in Western Virginia. In a series of small fights they had +lost a thousand men and all their artillery. General Lee was dispatched +from Richmond to repair if possible this disaster. + +The first two clashes had been a draw. The South had won first blood on +the Peninsula--the North in Western Virginia. The main army of the South +was now concentrated to oppose the main army of the North from +Washington. + +Brigadier General Beauregard, the widely acclaimed hero of Fort Sumter, +was in command of this army near Manassas Station on the road to +Alexandria. + +Beauregard's position was in a measure an accident of fortune. The first +shot had been fired by him at Sumter. He was the first paper-made hero +of the war. He had led the first regiment into Virginia to defend her +from invasion. + +He was the man of the hour. His training and record, too, gave promise +of high achievements. He had graduated from West Point in 1838, second +in a class of forty-five men. His family was of high French extraction, +having settled in Louisiana in the reign of Louis XV. He had entered the +Mexican War a lieutenant and emerged from the campaign a major. He was +now forty-five years old, in the prime of life. His ability had been +recognized by the National Government in the beginning of the year by +his appointment as Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point. +His commission had been revoked at the last moment by the vacillating +Buchanan because his brother-in-law, Senator Slidell of Louisiana, had +made a secession speech in Washington. + +Jefferson Davis was not enthusiastic in his confidence in the new hero. +He was too much given to outbursts of a public kind to please the +ascetic mind of the Southern leader. He had written some silly letters +to the public deriding the power of the North. No one could know better +than Davis how silly these utterances were. He "hated and despised the +Yankees." Davis feared and recognized their power. Beauregard's +assertion that the South could whip the North even if her only arms were +flintlocks and pitchforks had been often and loudly repeated. + +Of the army marshaling in front of him under the command of the +venerable Winfield Scott he wrote with the utmost contempt. + +"The enemies of the South," he declared, "are little more than an armed +rabble, gathered together hastily on a false pretense and for an unholy +purpose, with an octogenarian at its head!" + +In spite of his small stature, Beauregard was a man of striking personal +appearance--small, dark, thin, hair prematurely gray, his manners +distinguished and severe. + +It was natural that, with the fame of his first victory, itself the +provoking cause of the conflict, his distinguished foreign name and +courtly manners, he should have become the toast of the ladies in these +early days of the pomp and glory of war. He was the center of an ever +widening circle of fair admirers who lavished their attentions on him in +letters, in flags, and a thousand gay compliments. His camp table was +filled with exquisite flowers which flanked and sometimes covered his +maps and plans. He used his bouquets for paper weights. + +It was not to be wondered at, therefore, that the cold intellectual +standard by which Davis weighed men should have found Beauregard wanting +in the qualifications of supreme command. + +The President turned his eye to the flower-decked tent of his general +with grave misgivings. Yet he was the man of the hour. It was fair that +he should have his chance. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE FATAL VICTORY + + +On the banks of the Potomac General Scott had massed against Beauregard +the most formidable army which had ever marched under the flag of the +Union. Its preparation was considered thorough, its numbers all that +could he handled, and its artillery was the best in the world. All the +regular army east of the Rockies, seasoned veterans of Indian campaigns, +were joined with the immense force of volunteers from the Northern +States--fifty full regiments of volunteers, eight companies of regular +infantry, four companies of marines, nine companies of regular cavalry +and twelve batteries of artillery with forty-nine big guns. + +In command of this army of invasion was General McDowell, held to be the +most scientific general in the North. + +To supplement Beauregard's weakness as a commanding General in case of +emergency, Joseph E. Johnston was placed at Harper's Ferry to guard the +entrance of the Shenandoah Valley, secure the removal of the invaluable +machinery saved from the Arsenal, and form a junction with Beauregard +the moment he should be threatened. + +The movement of General Patterson's army against Harper's Ferry had been +too obviously a feint to deceive either Davis or Lee, his chief military +adviser. Johnston was given ten thousand men and able assistants +including General Jackson. + +On the tenth of July Beauregard, anxiously awaiting information of the +Federal advance, received an important message from an accomplished +Southern woman, Mrs. Rose O'Neal Greenhow. She had remained in +Washington as Miss Van Lew had in Richmond, to lay her life on the altar +of her country. During the administration of Buchanan she had been a +leader of Washington society. She was now a widow, noted for her wealth, +beauty, wit and forceful personality. Her home was the meeting place of +the most brilliant men and women of the old regime. Buchanan was her +personal friend, as was William H. Seward. Her niece, a granddaughter of +Dolly Madison, was the wife of the Little Giant of the West, Stephen A. +Douglas. + +Before leaving Washington to become the Adjutant General of Beauregard's +army Colonel Thomas Jordan had given her the cipher code of the South +and arranged to make her house the Northern headquarters of the Southern +secret service. + +Her first messenger was a girl carefully disguised as a farmer's +daughter returning from the sale of her vegetables in the Washington +market. She passed the lines without challenge and delivered her message +into Beauregard's hands. + +With quick decision Beauregard called his aide and dispatched the news +to the President at Richmond: + + + "I have positive information direct from Washington that the enemy + will move in force across the Potomac on Manassas via Fairfax Court + House and Centreville. I urge the immediate concentration of all + available forces on my lines." + + +The Southern commander began his preparations to receive the attack. + +The house on Church Hill had not been idle. Richmond swarmed with +Federal spies under the skillful guidance of Socola. + +General Scott knew in Washington within twenty-four hours that +Beauregard was planting his men behind the Bull Run River in a position +of great strength and that the formation of the ground was such with +Bull Run on his front that his dislodgment would be a tremendous task. + +The advance of the Federal army was delayed--delayed until the last gun +and scrap of machinery from Harper's Ferry had been safely housed in +Richmond and Fayetteville and Johnston had withdrawn his army to +Winchester in closer touch with Beauregard. + +And still the Union army did not move. Beauregard sent a trusted scout +into Washington to Mrs. Greenhow with a scrap of paper on which was +written in cipher the two words: + +"Trust Bearer--" + +He arrived at the moment she had received the long sought information of +the date of the army's march. She glanced at the stolid masked face of +the messenger and hesitated a moment. + +"You are a Southerner?" + +Donellan smiled. + +"I've spent most of my life in Washington, Madam," he said frankly. "I +was a clerk in the Department of the Interior. I cast my fortunes with +the South." + +It was enough. Her keen intuitions had scented danger in the man's +manner, his walk and personality. He was not a typical Southerner. The +officials of the Secret Service Bureau had already given her evidence of +their suspicions. She could not be too careful. + +She seized her pen and hastily wrote in cipher: + +"Order issued for McDowell to move on Manassas to-night." + +She handed the tiny scrap of paper to Donellan. + +"My agents will take you in a buggy with relays of horses down the +Potomac to a ferry near Dumfries. You will be ferried across." + +The man touched his hat. + +"I'll know the way from there, Madam." + +The scout delivered his message into Beauregard's hands that night +before eight o'clock. + +At noon the next day Colonel Jordan had placed in her hands his answer: + +"Yours received at eight o'clock. Let them come. We are ready. We rely +upon you for precise information. Be particular as to description and +destination of forces and quantity of artillery." + +She had not been idle. She was able to write a message of almost equal +importance to the one she had dispatched the day before. With quick +nervous hand she wrote on another tiny scrap of paper: + +"The Federal commander has ordered the Manassas railroad to be cut to +prevent the junction of Johnston with Beauregard." + +The moment the first authentic information reached President Davis of +the purpose to attack Beauregard he immediately urged General Johnston +to make his preparations for the juncture of their forces. + +And at once the President received confirmation of his fears of his +General-in-Chief. Johnston delayed and began a correspondence of +voluminous objections. + +July 17, on receipt of the dispatch to Beauregard announcing the plan to +cut the railroad, the President was forced to send Johnston a positive +order to move his army to Manassas. The order was obeyed with a +hesitation which imperiled the issue of battle. And while on the march, +Beauregard's pickets exchanging shots with McDowell's skirmish line, +Johnston began the first of his messages of complaint and haggling to +his Chief at Richmond. Jealous of Beauregard's popularity and fearful +of his possible insubordination, Johnston telegraphed Davis demanding +that his relative rank to Beauregard should be clearly defined before +the juncture of their armies. + +The question was utterly unnecessary. The promotion of Johnston to the +full grade of general could leave no conceivable doubt on such a point. +The President realized with a sickening certainty the beginning of a +quarrel between the two men, dangerous to the cause of the South. Their +failure to act in harmony would make certain the defeat of the raw +recruits on their first field of battle. + +He decided at the earliest possible moment to go in person and prevent +this threatened quarrel. Already blood had flowed. With a strong column +of infantry, artillery and cavalry McDowell had attempted to force the +approaches to one of the fords of Bull Run. They were twice driven back +and withdrew from the field. Longstreet's brigade had lost fifteen +killed and fifty-three wounded in holding his position. + +The President hastened to telegraph his sulking general the explicit +definition of rank he had demanded: + + + Richmond, July 20, 1861. + + "General J. E. Johnston, + + "Manassas Junction, Virginia. + + "You are a General of the Confederate Army possessed of the power + attached to that rank. You will know how to make the exact knowledge + of Brigadier General Beauregard, as well of the ground as of the + troops and preparation avail for the success of the object for which + you cooeperate. The zeal of both assures me of harmonious action. + + "Jefferson Davis." + + +As a matter of fact the President was consumed with painful anxiety lest +there should not be harmonious action if Johnston should reach the +field in time for the fight. His own presence was required by law at +Richmond on July 20, for the delivery of his message to the assembled +Congress. It was impossible for him to leave for the front before Sunday +morning the 21st. + +The battle began at eight o'clock. + +General McDowell's army had moved to this attack hounded by the clamor +of demagogues for the immediate capture of Richmond by his "Grand Army." + +Every Northern newspaper had dinned into his ears and the ears of an +impatient public but one cry for months: + +"On to Richmond!" + +At last the news was spread in Washington that the army would move and +bivouac in Richmond's public square within ten days. The march was to be +a triumphal procession. The Washington politicians filled wagons and +carriages with champagne to celebrate the victory. Tickets were actually +printed and distributed for a ball in Richmond. The army was accompanied +by long lines of excited spectators to witness the one grand struggle of +the war--Congressmen, toughs from the saloons, gaudy ladies from +questionable resorts, a clamoring, perspiring rabble bent on witnessing +scenes of blood. + +The Union General's information as to Beauregard's position and army was +accurate and full. He knew that Johnston's command of ten thousand men +had begun to arrive the day before. He did not know that half of them +were still tangled up somewhere on the railroad waiting for +transportation. Even with Johnston's entire command on the ground his +army outnumbered the Southerners and his divisions of seasoned veterans +from the old army and his matchless artillery gave him an enormous +advantage. + +With consummate skill he planned the battle and began its successful +execution. + +His scouts had informed him that the Southern line was weak on its left +wing resting on the Stone Bridge across the river. Here the long drawn +line of Beauregard's army thinned to a single regiment supported at some +distance by a battalion. Here the skillful Union General determined to +strike. + +At two-thirty before daylight his dense lines of enthusiastic men swung +into the dusty moonlit road for their movement to flank the Confederate +left. + +Swiftly and silently the flower of McDowell's army, eighteen thousand +picked men, moved under the cover of the night to their chosen crossing +at Sudley's Ford, two miles beyond the farthest gray picket of +Beauregard's left. + +Tyler's division was halted at the Stone Bridge on which the lone +regiment of Col. Evans lay beyond the stream. He was ordered to feign an +attack on that point while the second and third divisions should creep +cautiously along a circuitous road two miles above, cross unopposed and +slip into the rear of Beauregard's long-drawn left wing, roll it up in a +mighty scroll of flame, join Tyler's division as it should sweep across +the Stone Bridge and together the three divisions in one solid mass +could crush the ten-mile battle line into hopeless confusion. + +The plan was skillfully and daringly conceived. + +Tyler's division halted at the Stone Bridge and silently formed as the +first glow of dawn tinged the eastern hills. + +The dull red of the July sun was just coloring the sky with its flame +when the second and third divisions crossed Bull Run at Sudley's Ford +and began their swift descent upon the rear of the unsuspecting Southern +army. + +As the sun burst above the hills, a circle of white smoke suddenly +curled away from a cannon's mouth above the Stone Bridge and slowly rose +in the still, clear morning air. Its sullen roar echoed over the valley. +The gray figures on the hill beyond leaped to their feet and looked. +Only the artillery was engaged and their shots were falling short. + +The Confederates appeared indifferent. The action was too obviously a +feint. Colonel Evans was holding his regiment for a clearer plan of +battle to develop. From the hilltop on which his men lay he scanned with +increasing uneasiness the horizon toward the west. In the far distance +against the bright Southern sky loomed the dark outline of the Blue +Ridge. The heavy background brought out in vivid contrast the woods and +fields, hollows and hills of the great Manassas plain in the foreground. + +Suddenly he saw it--a thin cloud of dust rising in the distance. As the +rushing wall of sixteen thousand men emerged from the "Big Forest," +through which they had worked their way along the crooked track of a +rarely used road, the dust cloud flared in the sky with ominous menace. + +Colonel Evans knew its meaning. Beauregard's army had been flanked and +the long thin lines of his left wing were caught in a trap. When the +first rush of the circling host had swept his little band back from the +Stone Bridge Tyler's army would then cross and the three divisions swoop +down on the doomed men. + +Evans suddenly swung his regiment and two field pieces into a new line +of battle facing the onrushing host and sent his courier flying to +General Bee to ask that his brigade be moved instantly to his support. + +When the shock came there were five regiments and six little field +pieces in the Southern ranks to meet McDowell's sixteen thousand +troops. + +With deafening roar their artillery opened. The long dense lines of +closely packed infantry began their steady firing in volleys. It sounded +as if some giant hand had grasped the hot Southern skies and was tearing +their blue canvas into strips and shreds. + +For an hour Bee's brigade withstood the onslaught of the two Federal +divisions--and then began to slowly fall back before the resistless wall +of fire. The Union army charged and drove the broken lines a half mile +before they rallied. + +Tyler's division now swept across the Stone Bridge and the shattered +Confederate left wing was practically surrounded by overwhelming odds. +Again the storm burst on the unsupported lines of Bee and drove them +three quarters of a mile before they paused. + +The charging Federal army had struck something they were destined to +feel again on many a field of blood. + +General T. J. Jackson had suddenly swung his brigade of five regiments +into the breach and stopped the wave of fire. + +Bee rushed to Jackson's side. + +"General," he cried pathetically, "they are beating us back!" + +The somber blue eyes of the Virginian gleamed beneath the heavy lashes: + +"Then sir, we will give them the bayonet!" + +Bee turned to his hard-pressed men and shouted: + +"See Jackson and his Virginians standing like a stone wall! Let us +conquer or die!" + +The words had scarcely passed his lips when Bee fell, mortally wounded. + +Four miles away on the top of a lonely hill sat Beauregard and Johnston +befogged in a series of pitiable blunders. + +The flanking of the Southern army was a complete and overwhelming +surprise. Johnston, unacquainted with the ground, had yielded the +execution of the battle to his subordinate. + +While the two puzzled generals were waiting on their hill top for their +orders of battle to be developed on the right they looked to the left +and the whole valley was a boiling hell of smoke and dust and flame. +Their left flank had been turned and the triumphant enemy was rolling +their long line up in a shroud of flame and death. + +The two Generals put spurs to their horses and dashed to the scene of +action, sending their couriers flying to countermand their first orders. +They reached the scene at the moment Bee's and Evans' shattered lines +were taking refuge in a wooded ravine and Jackson had moved his men into +a position to breast the shock of the enemy's avalanche. + +In his excitement Johnston seized the colors of the fourth Alabama +regiment and offered to lead them in a charge. + +Beauregard leaped from his horse, faced the troops and shouted: + +"I have come to die with you!" + +The first of the reserves were rushing to the front in a desperate +effort to save the day. But in spite of the presence of the two +Commanding Generals, in spite of the living stone wall Jackson had +thrown in the path of the Union hosts, a large part of the crushed left +wing could not be stopped and in mad panic broke for the rear toward +Manassas Junction. + +The fate of the Southern army hung on the problem of holding the hill +behind Jackson's brigade. On its bloody slopes his men crouched with +rifles leveled and from them poured a steady flame into the ranks of the +charging Union columns. + +Beauregard led the right wing of his newly formed battle line and +Jackson the center in a desperate charge. The Union ranks were pierced +and driven, only to re-form instantly and hurl their assailants back to +their former position. Charge and counter-charge followed in rapid and +terrible succession. + +The Confederates were being slowly overwhelmed. The combined Union +divisions now consisted of an enveloping battle line of twenty thousand +infantry, seven companies of cavalry and twenty-four pieces of +artillery, while behind them yet hung ten thousand reserves eager to +rush into action. + +Beauregard's combined forces defending the hill were scarcely seven +thousand men. At two o'clock the desperate Southern commander succeeded +in bringing up additional regiments from his right wing. Two brigades at +last were thrown into the storm center and a shout rose from the +hard-pressed Confederates. Again they charged, drove the Union hosts +back and captured a battery of artillery. + +The hill was saved and the enemy driven across the turnpike into the +woods. + +McDowell now hurried in a division of his reserves and re-formed his +battle line for the final grand assault. Once more he demonstrated his +skill by throwing his right wing into a wide circling movement to +envelop the Confederate position on its left flank. + +The scene was magnificent. As far as the eye could reach the glittering +bayonets of the Union infantry could be seen sweeping steadily through +field and wood flanked by its cavalry. Beauregard watched the cordon of +steel draw around his hard-pressed men and planted his regiments with +desperate determination to hurl them back. + +Far off in the distance rose a new cloud of dust in the direction of the +Manassas railroad. At their head was lifted a flag whose folds drooped +in the hot, blistering July air. They were moving directly on the rear +of McDowell's circling right wing. + +If they were Union reserves the day was lost. + +The Southerner lifted his field glasses and watched the drooping flag +now shrouded in dust--now emerging in the blazing sun. His glasses were +not strong enough. He could not make out its colors. + +Beauregard turned to Colonel Evans, whose little regiment had fought +with sullen desperation since sunrise. + +"I can't make out that flag. If it's Patterson's army from the +valley--God help us--" + +"It may be Elzey and Kirby Smith's regiments," Evans replied. "They're +lost somewhere along the road from Winchester." + +Again Beauregard strained his eyes on the steadily advancing flag. It +was a moment of crushing agony. + +"I'm afraid it's Patterson's men. We must fall back on our last +reserve--" + +He quickly lowered his glasses. + +"I haven't a courier left, Colonel. You must help me--" + +"Certainly, General." + +"Find Johnston, and ask him to at once mass the reserves to support and +protect our retreat--" + +Evans started immediately to execute the order. + +"Wait!" Beauregard shouted. + +His glasses were again fixed on the advancing flag. A gust of wind +suddenly flung its folds into the bright Southern sky line--the Stars +and Bars of the Confederacy! + +"Glory to God!" the commander exclaimed. "They're our men!" + +The dark face of the little General flashed with excitement as he turned +to Evans: + +"Ride, Colonel--ride with all your might and order General Kirby Smith +to press his command forward at double quick and strike that circling +line in the flank and rear!" + +There were but two thousand in the advancing column but the moral effect +of their sudden assault on the rear of the advancing victorious men, +unconscious of their presence, would be tremendous. A charge at the same +moment by his entire army confronting the enemy might snatch victory out +of the jaws of defeat. + +Beauregard placed himself at the head of his hard-pressed front, and +waited the thrilling cry of Smith's men. At last it came, the +heaven-piercing, hell-quivering, Rebel yell--the triumphant cry of the +Southern hunter in sight of his game! + +Jackson, Longstreet and Early with sudden rush of tigers sprang at the +throats of the Union lines in front. + +The men had scarcely gripped their guns to receive the assault when from +the rear rose the unearthly yell of the new army swooping down on their +unprotected flank. + +It was too much for the raw recruits of the North. They had marched and +fought with dogged courage since two o'clock before day--without pause +for food or drink. It was now four in the afternoon and the blazing sun +of July was pouring its merciless rays down on their dust-covered and +smoke-grimed faces without mercy. + +McDowell's right wing was crumpled like an eggshell between the combined +charges front and rear. It broke and rushed back in confusion on his +center. The whole army floundered a moment in tangled mass. In vain +their officers shouted themselves hoarse proclaiming their victory and +ordering them to rally. + +Wild, hopeless, senseless, unreasoning panic had seized the Union army. +They threw down their guns in thousands and started at breakneck speed +for Washington. With every jump they cursed their idiotic commanders +for leading them blindfolded into the jaws of hell. At least they had +common sense enough left to save what was left. + +The fields were covered with black swarms of flying soldiers. They cut +the horses from the gun carriages, mounted them and dashed forward +trampling down the crazed mobs on foot. + +As the shouting, screaming throng rushed at the Cub Run bridge, a well +directed shot from Kemper's battery smashed a team of horses that were +crossing. The wagon was upset and the bridge choked. + +In mad efforts to force a passage mob piled on mob until the panic +enveloped every division of the army that thirty minutes before was +sweeping with swift, sure tread to its final victorious charge. + +Across every bridge and ford of Bull Run the panic-stricken thousands +rushed pellmell, horse, foot, artillery, wagons, ambulances, excursion +carriages, red-jowled politicians mingling with screaming women whose +faces showed death white through the rouge on their lips and cheeks. + +For three miles rolled the dark tide of ruin and confusion--with not one +Confederate soldier in sight. + +It was three o'clock before the train bearing the anxious Confederate +President and his staff drew into Manassas Junction. He had heard no +news from the front and feared the worst. The long deep boom of the +great guns told him that the battle was raging. + +From the car window he saw rising an ominous cloud of dust rapidly +approaching the Junction. To his trained eye it could mean but one +thing--retreat. + +He sprang from the car and asked its meaning of a pale trembling youth +in disheveled, torn gray uniform. + +Billy Barton turned his bloodshot eyes on the President. His teeth were +chattering. + +"M-m-eaning of w-what?" he stammered. + +"That cloud of dust coming toward the station?" + +Billy stared in the direction the President pointed. + +"Why, that's the--the--w-w-wagoners--they're trying to save the pieces I +reckon--" + +"The army has been pushed back?" the President asked. + +"No, sir--they--they never p-p-ushed 'em back! They--they just jumped +right on top of 'em and made hash out of 'em where they stood! Thank God +a few of us got away." + +The President turned with a gesture of impatience to an older man, +dust-covered and smoke-smeared. + +"Can you direct me to General Beauregard's headquarters?" + +"Beauregard's dead!" he shouted, rushing toward the train to board it +for home. "Johnston's dead. Bee's dead. Bartow's dead. They're all +dead--piled in heaps--fur ez ye eye kin see. Take my advice and get out +of here quick." + +Without waiting for an answer he scrambled into the coach from which the +President had alighted. + +The station swarmed now with shouting, gesticulating, panic-stricken men +from the front. They crowded around the conductor. + +"Pull out of this!" + +"Crowd on steam!" + +"Save your engine and your train, man!" + +"And take us with you for God's sake!" + +The President pushed his way through the crowd. + +"I must go on, Conductor--the train is the only way to reach the +field--" + +"I'm sorry, sir," the conductor demurred. "I'm responsible for the +property of the railroad--" + +The panic-stricken men backed him up. + +"What's the use?" + +"The battle's lost!" + +"The whole army's wiped off the earth." + +"There's not a grease spot left!" + +The President confronted the trembling conductor: + +"Will you move your train?" + +"I can't do it, sir--" + +"Will you lend me your engine?" + +The conductor's face brightened. + +"I might do that." + +The engine was detached to the disgust of the panic-stricken men and the +cool-headed engineer nodded to the President, pulled his lever and the +locomotive shot out of the station and in five minutes Davis alighted +with his staff near the battle field. By the guidance of stragglers they +found headquarters. + +Adjutant General Jordan sent for horses and volunteered to conduct the +President to the front. + +While they were waiting he turned to Mr. Davis anxiously: + +"I think it extremely unwise, sir, for you to take this risk." + +The thin lips smiled: + +"I'll take the responsibility, General." + +The President and his staff mounted and galloped toward the front. + +The stragglers came now in droves. They were generous in their warnings. + +"Say, men, do ye want to die?" + +"You're ridin' straight inter the jaws er death." + +"Don't do it, I tell ye!" + +The President began to rally the men. As they neared the front he was +recognized and the wounded began to cheer. + +A big strapping soldier was carrying a slender wounded boy to the rear. + +The boy put his trembling hand on the man's shoulder, snatched off his +cap and shouted: "Three cheers for the President! Look, boys, he's +here--we'll lick 'em yet!" + +The President lifted his hat to the stripling, crying: + +"To a hero of the South!" + +The storm of battle was now rolling swiftly to the west--its roar +growing fainter with each cannon's throb. + +The President, sitting his horse with erect tense figure, dashed up the +hill to General Johnston: + +"How goes the battle, General?" + +"We have won, sir," was the sharp curt answer. + +[Illustration: "'We have won, sir!' was the short, curt answer."] + +The President wheeled his horse and rode rapidly into the front lines +until stopped by the captain of a command of cavalry. + +"You are too near the front, sir, without an escort--" + +The President rode beside the captain and watched him form his men for +their last charge on the enemy. He inspected the field with growing +amazement. For miles the earth was strewn with the wreck of the Northern +army--guns, knapsacks, blankets, canteens--and Brooklyn-made handcuffs! + +Their defeat had been so sudden, so complete, so overwhelming, it was +impossible at first to grasp its meaning. + +He passed the rugged figure of Jackson who had won his immortal title of +"Stonewall." An aide was binding a cloth about his wounded arm. + +The grim General pushed aside his surgeon, raised his battered cap and +shouted: + +"Hurrah for the President! Ten thousand fresh men and I will be in +Washington to-night!" + +The President lifted his hat and congratulated him. + +The victory of the South was complete and overwhelming. Jefferson Davis +breathed a sigh of relief for deliverance. Within two hours he knew that +this victory had not been won by superior generalship of his commanding +officers. They had been outwitted at every turn and overwhelmed by the +plan of battle their wily foe had forced upon them. It had not been won +by the superior courage of his men in the battle which raged from +sunrise until four o'clock. The broken and disorganized lines of the +South and the panic-stricken mob he had met on the way were eloquent +witnesses of Northern valor. + +His army had been saved from annihilation by the quick wit and daring +courage of a single Brigadier General who had moved his five regiments +on his own initiative in the nick of time and saved the Confederates +from utter rout. + +Victory had been snatched at last from the jaws of defeat by an +accident. The misfortune of a delayed regiment of Johnston's army was +suddenly turned into an astounding piece of luck. The sudden charge of +those two thousand men on the flank of the victorious army had produced +a panic among tired raw recruits. McDowell was at this moment master of +the field. In a moment of insane madness his unseasoned men had thrown +down their guns and fled. + +The little dark General in his flower-decked tent had made good his +boasts. And worse--the Northern army had proven his wildest assertions +true. They were a rabble. The star of Beauregard rose in the Southern +sky, and with its rise Disaster stalked grim and silent toward the +hilarious Confederacy. + +The South had won a victory destined to prove itself the most fatal +calamity that ever befell a nation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE AFTERMATH + + +Socola dismissed his hope of a speedy end of the war and devoted himself +with new enthusiasm to his work. His eyes were sleepless--his ear to the +ground. The information on conditions and public sentiment in Richmond +and the South which he had dispatched to Washington were of incalculable +service to his government. One of the immediate effects of the battle +was the return of Jennie Barton to the Capital. Her mother was improving +and Jimmie had been wounded. Her coming was most fortunate. It was of +the utmost importance that he secure a position in the Civil Service of +the Confederacy. It could be done through her father's influence. + +Socola watched the first division of Northern prisoners march through +the streets amid the shouts and laughter of a crowd of urchins black and +white. A feeling of blind rage surged within him. That the tables would +be shortly turned, he was sure. He would play his part now without a +scruple. He would use pretty Jennie Barton as any other pawn on the +chessboard of Life and Death over which he bent. + +Jefferson Davis watched the effects of the battle on the North with +breathless interest and increasing dismay. + +His worst fears were confirmed. + +He had hoped that a decisive victory would place his Government in a +position to make overtures for a peaceful adjustment of the conflict. + +The victory had been too decisive. The disgraceful rout of the Northern +army had stung twenty-three million people to the quick. Defeat so +overwhelming and surprising had roused the last drop of fighting blood +in their veins. + +Boasting and loud talk suddenly ceased. There was no lying about the +results. In all their bald hideous reality the Northern mind faced them +and began with steady purpose their vast preparations to wipe that +disgrace out in blood. + +Abraham Lincoln suddenly found himself relieved of all embarrassment in +the conduct of the war. His critics had threatened to wreck his +administration unless he forced their "Grand Army" to march on Richmond +and take it without a day's delay. + +In obedience to this idiotic clamor he was forced to order the army to +march. They came home by a shorter route than they marched and they came +quicker. + +They returned without baggage. + +Incompetent men and hungry demagogues had clamored for high positions in +the army. Their influence had been so great he had been forced to find +berths for many incompetent officers. + +He had suddenly become the actual Commander-in-Chief of the Army and +Navy and his word was law. Fools and incompetents were relegated to the +rear. Men who knew how to fight and how to organize armies marched to +the front. + +His administration had been embarrassed for funds. It was found next to +impossible to float a loan of a paltry seven million dollars for war +purposes. He borrowed one hundred and fifty million dollars next day at +a fraction above the legal rate of interest in New York. He asked +Congress for 400,000 more men and $400,000,000 to support them. Congress +voted a half million men and five hundred millions of dollars--a +hundred million more than he had asked. + +While Washington's streets were thronged with the mud-smeared, +panic-stricken rabble that was once an army, the Federal Congress +eagerly began the task of repairing the disaster. When they had done all +and much more than their President had asked, they calmly and +unanimously passed this resolution: + + + "_Resolved_, That the maintenance of the Constitution, the + preservation of the Union, and the enforcement of the laws, are + sacred trusts which must be executed; that no disaster shall + discourage us from the most ample performance of this high duty; + and that we pledge to the Country and the world the employment + of every resource, national and individual, for the suppression, + overthrow and punishment of rebels in arms." + + +To the dismay of the far-seeing Southern leader in Richmond the press +and people of the South received this resolution with shouts of +derision. In vain did he warn his own Congress that the North was +multiplying its armies, and building two navies with furious energy. + +The people of the South went mad over their amazing victory. Davis saw +their deliverance suddenly develop into the most appalling disaster. + +The decisive battle of the war was fought and won. The European powers +must immediately recognize the new Nation. In this hope their President +could reasonably share. Their other delusions he knew to be madness. + +The Southern press without a dissenting voice proclaimed that the +question of manhood between the North and South was settled and settled +forever. From the hustings the demagogue shouted: + +"One Southerner is the equal anywhere of five Yankees." + +Manassas, with its insignificant record of killed and wounded, was +compared with the decisive battles of the world. The war was over. There +might still be fought a few insignificant skirmishes before peace was +proclaimed but that auspicious event could not be long delayed. + +The fatal victory was followed by a period of fancied security and +deadly inactivity. Exertions ceased. Volunteers were few. The volatile, +sanguine people laughed at the fears of their croaking President. + +So firmly had they established the new Nation that politicians began to +plot and scheme for control of the Confederate Government on the +expiration of the Davis term of office. + +R. M. T. Hunter, the foremost statesman of Virginia, resigned his +position in the Cabinet to be unembarrassed in his fight for the +presidency. + +Beauregard had been promoted to the full rank of general and his tent +was now a bower of roses. Around the figure of the little fiery, +impulsive, boastful South Carolinian gathered a group of ambitious +schemers who determined to make him President. They filled the +newspapers with such fulsome praise that the popular nominee for an +honor six years in the distance, and shrouded in the smoke of battle, +sought to add fuel to the flame by waving the Crown aside! In a weak +bombastic letter which deceived no one, dated, + +"Within Hearing of the Enemies' Guns," he emphatically declared: + +"I am not a candidate, nor do I desire to be a candidate, for any civil +office in the gift of the people or Executive!" + +Controversies began between different Southern States, as to the +location of the permanent Capital of the Confederacy. The contest +developed so rapidly and went so far, that the Municipal Council of the +City of Nashville, Tennessee, voted an appropriation of $750,000 for a +residence for the President as an inducement to remove the Capital. + +A furious controversy broke out in the yellow journals of the South as +to why the Southern army had not pursued the panic-stricken mob into the +City of Washington, captured Lincoln and his Congress and ended the war +next day in a blaze of glory. + +It was inconceivable that it was the fault of the two heroes of the +battle, Joseph E. Johnston and Peter G. T. Beauregard. The President had +rushed to the battlefield for some purpose. The champions of the heroes +insinuated that his purpose was not to prevent their quarreling, but to +take command of the field and rob them of their glory. + +They made haste to find a scapegoat on whose shoulders to lay the +failure to pursue. They seized on Jefferson Davis as the man. They +declared in the most positive terms that Johnston and Beauregard, +flushed with victory, were marshaling their hosts to sweep into +Washington when they were stopped by the Confederate Chief and had no +choice but to bivouac for the night. + +Three men alone knew the truth: Davis, Beauregard and Johnston. The two +victorious generals remained silent while their friends made this +remarkable accusation against the President. + +The President remained silent to save his generals from the wrath of a +fickle public which might end their usefulness to the country. + +As a matter of fact, Davis' trained eye had seen the enormous advantage +of quick merciless pursuit the moment he was convinced that McDowell's +army had fled in panic. + +He had finally written a positive order commanding pursuit but was +persuaded by the continued pleas of both commanders not to press it. + +The reptile press of the South began on the President a bitter, +malignant and unceasing vilification for this, his first fatal and +inexcusable blunder! + +Defeat had freed Abraham Lincoln of fools and incompetents and armed him +with dictatorial powers. Victory had saddled on the Confederacy two +heroes destined to cripple its efficiency with interminable controversy, +sulking bitterness and personal ambitions. The halo of supreme military +genius which encircled the brows of Johnston and Beauregard with the +lifting of the smoke from the field of Bull Run grew quickly into two +storm clouds which threatened the life of the new Republic. + +Johnston's contempt for Beauregard had from the beginning been outspoken +to his intimate friends. The battle had raised this little upstart to +his equal in rank! He claimed that the President had robbed him of his +true position in the Southern army through favoritism in the appointment +of Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee to positions of seniority to +which they were not entitled. + +Johnston began a series of bitter insulting letters to the Confederate +President, complaining of his injustice and demanding his rights. Not +content with his letters to the Executive, Johnston poured his +complaints into the ears of his friends and admirers in the Confederate +Congress and began a systematic and determined personal campaign to +discredit and ruin the administration. + +Among his first recruits in his campaign against Jefferson Davis was the +fiery, original Secessionist, Roger Barton. Barton had never liked +Davis. Their temperaments were incompatible. He resigned his position on +the staff of the President, allied himself openly with Johnston and +became one of the bitterest and most uncompromising enemies of the +government. His position in the Confederate Senate would be a powerful +weapon with which to strike. + +The substance of Johnston's claim on which was founded this malignant +clique in Richmond was the merest quibble about the date of his +commission to the rank of full general. Because its date was later than +that of Robert E. Lee he felt himself insulted and degraded. + +When the President mildly and good naturedly informed him that his +position of Quartermaster General in the old army did not entitle him to +a field command and that Lee's rank as field commander was higher, he +replied in a letter which became the text of his champions. Its +high-flown language and bombastic claims showed only too plainly that a +consuming ambition had destroyed all sense of proportion in his mind. + +With uncontrolled passion he wrote to the President: + + + "Human power cannot efface the past. Congress may vacate my + commission and reduce me to the ranks. It cannot make it true + that I was not a general before July 4, 1861. + + "The effect of the course pursued is this: + + "It transforms me from the position first in rank to that of fourth. + The relative rank of the others among themselves (Cooper, Albert + Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) is unaltered. It is plain that + this is a blow aimed at me only. It reduces my rank in the grade + I hold. This has never been done heretofore in the regular service + in America but by the sentence of a court-martial as a punishment + and as a disgrace for some military offense. + + "It seeks to tarnish my fair name as a soldier and as a man, earned + by more than thirty years of laborious and perilous service. I have + but this--the scars of many wounds all honestly taken in my front + and in the front of battle, and my father's revolutionary sword. + It was delivered to me from his venerable hand without stain of + dishonor. Its blade is still unblemished as when it passed from his + hand to mine. I drew it in the war not for rank or fame (sic!), but + to defend the sacred soil, the homes and hearths, the women and + children, aye, and the men of my mother, Virginia--my native South. + It may hereafter be the sword of a general leading armies, or of a + private volunteer. But while I live and have an arm to wield it, it + shall never be sheathed until the freedom, independence, and full + rights of the South are achieved. When that is done, it then will + be a matter of small concern to the Government, to Congress, or to + the Country, what my rank or lot may be. + + "What has the aspect of a studied indignity is offered me. My noble + associate with me in the battle has his preferment connected with the + victory won by our common trials and dangers. His commission bears + the date of July 21, 1861, but care seems to be taken to exclude the + idea that I had any part in winning that triumph. + + "My commission is made to bear such a date that my once inferiors + in the service of the United States and of the Confederate States + (Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) shall be above me. + But it must not be dated as of July 21, nor be suggestive of the + victory of Manassas! + + "If the action against which I have protested is legal, it is not + for me to question the expediency of degrading one who has served + laboriously from the commencement of the war on this frontier, and + borne a prominent part in the only great event of that war, for the + benefit of persons, neither of whom has yet struck a blow for this + Confederacy. + + "These views and the freedom with which they are presented may be + unusual, so likewise is the occasion which calls them forth. + + "I have the honor to be, most respectfully, + Your obedient servant, + J. E. Johnston, _General_." + + +With a curve of his thin lips and a look of mortal weariness on his +haggard face, the man on whose shoulders rested the burden of the lives +of millions of his people seized his pen and wrote this brief note: + + + "Richmond, Va., September 14, 1861. + + "General J. E. Johnston: + + "Sir: + + "I have just received and read your letter of the 12 instant. Its + language is, as you say, unusual; its arguments and statements utterly + one-sided, and its insinuations as unfounded as they are unbecoming. + + "I am, etc., + Jefferson Davis." + + +While the Commander of the victorious Confederacy was sulking in his +tent on the field of Manassas, playing this pitiful farce about the date +of a commission, and allowing his army to go to pieces, George B. +McClellan with tireless energy and matchless genius as an organizer was +whipping into shape Lincoln's new levy of five hundred thousand +determined Northern men. + +To further add to his embarrassment and cripple his work the Vice +President of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens, developed early +into a chronic opponent of the administration. Much of this opposition +was due to dyspepsia but it was none the less effective in undermining +the influence of the Executive. Mr. Stephens' theories were the +outgrowth of the most radical application of the dogma of States' +Rights. + +Before secession he had bitterly opposed the withdrawal of Georgia from +the Union. His extreme advocacy of the Sovereignty of the States now +threatened the unity and integrity of the Confederacy as a Republic. + +He proclaimed the remarkable doctrine that as the war was one in which +the people had led the politicians into a struggle for their rights, +therefore the people could be absolutely relied on by the administrators +of the Government to properly conduct the war. The people could always +be depended on when a battle was to be fought. When no fighting was to +be done they should be at home attending to their families and their +business. The people were intelligent. They were patriotic. And they +were as good judges of the necessity of their presence with the colors +as the commanders of the armies. The generals were professional +soldiers. They fought for rank and pay and most of them had no property +in the South! + +In the face of such doctrines proclaimed from so high a source it was +not to be wondered at if thousands of men obtained furloughs on long +leaves of absence. In the judgment of the intelligent and patriotic +people of the South the war was practically over. Why should they swell +the ranks of great armies to augment the power of military lords? + +While these comfortable doctrines were being proclaimed in the South, +the North was drilling five hundred thousand soldiers who had enlisted +for three years. + +The soreheads, theorists, and chronic kickers now had their supreme +opportunity to harass the President. They rallied behind the sulking +General and his friends and established a vigilant and malignant +opposition to Jefferson Davis in the Confederate Congress. + +They centered their criticism naturally on the weakest spot in the new +Government--the weakest spot in all new nations--its financial policy. + +They demanded the immediate purchase of all the cotton in the South and +its exportation to England as a basis of credit. They blithely ignored +two facts--that the Government had no money with which to purchase this +enormous quantity of the property of its people and the still more +important fact that the ports of the South had been blockaded, that this +blockade was becoming more and more effective and that blockade-runners +could not be found with sufficient tonnage to move one-tenth of the crop +if they were willing to risk capture and confiscation. + +If the President could have met the members of his Congress in daily +social intercourse much of the opposition could have been cleared by his +close reasoning and the magnetism of his powerful personality. But under +the strain of his official life his health forbade the attempt at social +amenities. + +He ceased to entertain except at formal receptions, gave himself body +and soul to his duties as President and allowed his critics full swing +with their tongues. + +The Richmond _Examiner_ early developed into the leader of the reptile +press of the South which sought by all means fair or foul to break down +and destroy the President. This sheet was made the organ of all the +bickering, backbiting, complaining and sulking in the army and the civil +life of the new Republic. + +Because the President could not spare the time for social +entertainments, he was soundly abused for the stinginess of his +administration. Because the young people of Richmond could not be +received at the White House of the Confederacy on every evening in the +week _The Examiner_ sneered at the assumption of "superior dignity by +the satraps." + +This scurrilous newspaper at last made the infamous charge that Davis +was getting rich on his savings from a salary of twenty-five thousand +dollars in Confederate money! Every politician who had been overlooked +rushed into these friendly columns and aired his grievances. The old +secession leaders who had been thrust aside for the presidency by the +people who had forced the office on Jefferson Davis now pressed forward +to put their knives into the sensitive soul of the man they envied. Wm. +L. Yancey, Barnwell Rhett and Robert Toombs joined his foes in a chorus +of criticism and abuse. Every man who had been slighted in high +positions bestowed on rivals rushed now to the attack. + +Davis was never a man who could hedge and trim and lie and be all +things to all men. He was totally lacking in the patience that can +flatter a fool. He was too sincere, too downright in his honesty for +such demagoguery. + +He was abused for a thousand things for which he was in no sense +responsible and made no effort to defend himself. He merely took refuge +in dignified silence. And when his enemies could not provoke him into +angry outbursts they accused him of contempt for public opinion. + +In this hour of his sore trial he lacked the sense of broad humor which +saved Abraham Lincoln. His rival in Washington was abused with far more +savage cruelty--but it always reminded him of a funny story. He told the +story, roared with laughter himself, and turned again to his work. + +Not so with Jefferson Davis. He was keenly and painfully sensitive to +the approval or condemnation of the people about him. The thoughtless +word of a child could cut him to the quick. To have explained many of +the difficulties on which he was attacked would have been to endanger +the usefulness of one of his generals or expose the army to danger. + +He steadfastly remained silent and accepted as inevitable the accusation +that his manner was cold and repellent. + +But once did his soul completely break down under the strain. + +An officer whom he loved had been censured by one of his commanding +generals who demanded his removal. This censure was conveyed to the +President in a letter marked "Private." + +The officer was removed. Hard as the duty was, he felt that as the +servant of his country he had no other choice. + +Flushed and indignant, his old friend called. + +"You know me, Mr. President," he cried passionately. "How can I ever +hold my head up again under censure from you--one of my oldest and best +friends?" + +The muscles of the drawn face twitched with nervous agony. He could not +with his high sense of honor as President tell this man that he loved +him and found no fault with him. To make his acceptance of the situation +easier, his only course was to roust his friend's anger. + +He turned and said curtly: + +"You have, I believe, received your orders. I can suggest nothing but +obedience." + +Too angry to ask an explanation, he strode from the room without a word. + +The President closed his desk, climbed the steep hill of the Capitol +Square, walked home in brooding silence, and locked himself in his room +without eating his dinner. + +Alarmed at his absence, Mrs. Davis at last gently rapped on his door. +With tender tact she drew from his reluctant lips the story. + +Turning his dimmed eyes on hers, he burst out in tones of quivering +anguish: + +"Oh, my Winnie dear, how could any man with a soul write a letter like +that, mark it private and force me to plunge a knife into the heart of +my best friend and leave it there without a word--" + +"You should have told your friend the whole truth!" + +"No--he could have made trouble in the army. His commander knew that I +could bear it best." + +"You must try to mingle more with those men, dear," his wife pleaded. +"Use your brains and personality to win them. You can do it." + +"At the cost of precious hours I can give to better service for my +country. No. I've given my life to the South. I'll eat my heart out in +silence if I must--" + +He paused and looked at her tenderly. + +"Only your friendly eyes shall see, my dear. After all, what does it +matter what men think of me now? If we succeed, we shall hear no more of +malcontents. If we do not succeed, I shall be held accountable by both +friend and foe. It's written so in the book of life. I must accept it. +I'll just do my best and God will give me strength to bear what comes." + +And so while the South was gayly celebrating the end of the war and +every crow was busy pecking at the sensitive heart of their leader, the +ominous shadow of five hundred thousand Northern soldiers, armed with +the best weapons and drilled by the masters of military science, was +slowly but surely drawing near. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SOCOLA'S PROBLEM + + +Socola found his conquest of Jennie beset with unforeseen difficulties. +His vanity received a shock. His success with girls at home had slightly +turned his head. + +His mother was largely responsible for his conceit. She honestly +believed that he was the handsomest man in America. For more than six +years--in fact, since his eighteenth birthday--his mother's favorite pet +name was "Handsome." He had heard this repeated so often he had finally +accepted it philosophically as one of the fixed phenomena of nature. + +From the moment he made up his mind to win Jennie he considered the work +done--until he had set seriously about it. + +The first difficulty he encountered was the discovery that a large +number of Southern boys apparently considered the chief business of life +going to see the girls--this girl in particular. + +The first day he called he found five young men who had lingered beyond +their appointed hours and were encroaching on his time without the +slightest desire to apologize. He could see that she was trying to get +rid of them but they hung on with a dogged, quiet persistence that was +annoying beyond measure. + +War seemed to have precipitated an epidemic of furious love-making. He +watched Jennie twist these enterprising young Southerners around her +slender fingers with an ease that was alarming. They were fine-looking, +wholesome fellows, too--a little given to boyish boasting of military +prowess, but for all that genuine, serious, big-hearted boys. + +The matter-of-fact way in which she ruled them, as if she were a queen +born to the royal purple and they were so many lackeys, was something +new under the sun. + +For a moment the thought was cheering. Perhaps it was her way of serving +notice on his rivals that her real interests lay in another direction. +But the disconcerting thing about it was that it seemed to be a habit of +mind. + +For the life of him he couldn't make out her real attitude. The one +encouraging feature was that she certainly treated him with more +seriousness than these home boys. It might be, of course, because she +thought him a foreigner. And yet he didn't believe it. She had a way of +looking frankly and inquiringly into his eyes with a deep, serious +expression. Such a look could not mean idle curiosity. + +And yet the problem he could not solve was how far he dared as yet to +presume on that interest. A single false step might imperil his +enterprise. His plan was of double importance since the break between +her impulsive father and the President of the Confederacy. Barton was +now the spokesman for the Opposition. His tongue was one that knew no +restraint. An engagement with his daughter might mean the possession of +invaluable secrets of the Richmond Government. Barton's championship of +the quarrelsome commanders, who, in the first flood tide of their +popularity as the heroes of Manassas, gave them the position of military +dictators, would also place in his hands information of the army which +would be priceless. The Confederate Congress sat behind closed doors. On +the right footing in the Barton household he could put himself in +possession of every scheme of the Southern law-makers from the moment of +its conception. + +The trait of the girl's character which astounded him was the sudden +merging of every thought in the cause of the South. Even the time she +spent laughing and flirting with those soldier boys was a sort of holy +service she was rendering to her country. The devotion of these Southern +women to the Confederacy was remarkable. + +It had already become an obsession. + +From the moment blood had begun to flow, the soul and body of every +Southern woman was laid a living offering on the altar of her country. +He watched this development with awe and admiration. It was an ominous +sign. It meant a reserve power in the South on which statesmen had not +counted. It might set at nought the weight of armies. + +The moment he began to carefully approach the inner citadel of the +girl's heart he found the figure of a gray soldier clad in steel on +guard. What he said didn't interest her. He was a foreigner. She +listened politely and attentively but her real thoughts were not there. +He had not believed it possible that patriotism could so obsess the soul +of a beautiful girl of nineteen. The devotion of the Southern women, +young and old, to the cause of the South was fast developing into a +mania. + +They were displaying a wisdom, too, which Southern men apparently did +not possess. While the hot-headed, fiery masters of men were busy +quarreling with one another, criticising and crippling the +administration of their Government, the women were supporting the +President with a unanimity and enthusiasm that was amazing. + +Jennie Barton refused to listen to her father's abuse. + +Socola found them in the middle of a family quarrel on the subject so +intense he could not help hearing the conversation from the adjoining +room before Jennie entered. + +"The President hates Johnston, I tell you," stormed the Senator. "He +doesn't like Beauregard either. He's jealous of him!" + +"Father dear, how can you be so absurd!" the girl protested. "A few +months ago Beauregard was a captain of artillery. The President has made +him a general of equal rank with Lee and Johnston--" + +"He's doing all he can now to spite him!" + +"So General Beauregard says--the conceit of it! This little general but +yesterday a captain to dare to say that the President who had honored +him with such high command would sacrifice the country and injure +himself just to spite the man he has promoted!" + +"That will do, Jennie," the Senator commanded. "Women don't understand +politics!" + +"Thank God I don't understand that kind. I just know enough to be loyal +to my Chief, when our life and his may depend on it--" + +With a stamp of his heavy foot the Senator ended the discussion by +leaving the room. + +Jennie smiled sweetly as she extended her hand to Socola. + +"I hope you were not alarmed, Signor. We never fight--" + +"The President of the Confederacy is a very fortunate leader, Miss +Jennie--" + +"Why?" + +"He has invincible champions--" + +The girl blushed. + +"I'm afraid we don't know much. We just feel things." + +"I think sometimes we only _know_ that way--" + +He paused and looked at her hat with a gesture of dismay. + +"You're not going out?" + +"I must," she said apologetically. "I've bought a whole carriage load of +peaches and grapes. I went to the Alabama hospital yesterday with a +little basket full and made some poor fellows glad. They gave out too +quickly. Those who got none looked so wistfully at me as I passed out. I +couldn't sleep last night. For hours and hours their deep-sunken eyes +followed and haunted me with their pleading. And so I've got a whole +load to take to-day. You'll go with me--won't you?" + +He had come to declare his love and make this beautiful girl his +conquest. She was ending the day by making him her lackey and errand +boy. + +It couldn't be helped. There was no mistaking the tones of her voice. +She would certainly go. The only way to be with her was to dance +attendance on wounded Confederate soldiers. + +It was all in the day's work. Many a scout engulfed in the ranks of his +enemy must charge his own men to save his life. He would not only make +the best of it, he would take advantage of it to press his way a step +closer to her heart. + +"Are all of the girls of the South like you, Miss Jennie?" he asked with +a quizzical smile. + +"You mean insulting to their fathers?" she laughed. + +"If you care to put it so--I mean, is their loyalty to the Confederacy a +mania?" + +"Is mine a mania?" + +"Perhaps I should say a divine passion--are all your Southern women thus +inspired?" + +"Yes." + +"In the far South and the West?" + +"Everywhere!" + +"It's wonderful." + +"Perhaps because we can't fight we try to make up for it." + +He watched her keenly. + +"It's something bigger than that. Somehow it's a prophecy to me of a new +future--a new world. Maybe after all political wisdom shall not begin +and end with man." + +Jennie blushed again under the admiring gaze with which Socola held her. + +The carriage stopped at the door of the Alabama hospital. Socola leaped +to the ground and extended his hand for Jennie's. He allowed himself the +slightest pressure of the slender fingers as he lifted her out. It was +his right in just that moment to press her hand. He put the slightest +bit more than was needed to firmly grasp it, and the blood flamed hotly +in her cheeks. + +He hastened to carry her baskets and boxes of peaches and grapes inside. + +For an hour he followed her with faithful dog step in her ministry of +love. His orderly Northern mind shuddered at the sight of the confusion +incident to the sudden organization of this hospital work. He had heard +it was equally bad in the North. Two armed mobs had rushed into battle +with scarcely a thought of what might be done with the mangled men who +would be borne from the field. + +Jennie bent low over the cot of a dying boy from her home county. He +clung to her hand piteously. The waters were too swift and deep for +speech. Before she could slip her hand from his and pass on the man on +the next cot died in convulsions. + +Socola watched his agonized face with a strange sense of exaltation. It +was the law of progress--this way of death and suffering. The voice +within kept repeating the one big faith of his life: + +"Not one drop of human blood shed in defense of truth and right is ever +spilled in vain!" + +Through all the scenes of death and suffering beautiful Southern women +moved with soft tread and eager hands. + +A pretty girl of sixteen, with wistful blue eyes, approached a rough, +wounded soldier. She carried a towel and tin basin of water. + +"Can't I do something for you?" she asked the man in gray. + +He smiled through his black beard into her sweet young face: + +"No'm, I reckon not--" + +"Can't I wash your face?" the girl pleaded. + +The wounded man softly laughed. + +"Waal, hit's been washed fourteen times to-day, but I'll stand it again, +if you say so!" + +The girl laughed and blushed and passed quickly on. + +When all the grapes and peaches had been distributed save in one basket +Socola looked at these enquiringly. + +"And these, Miss Jennie--they're the finest of the lot?" + +The girl smiled tenderly. + +"They're for revenge--" + +"Revenge?" + +"Yes. The next ward is full of Yankees. I'm going to heap coals of fire +on their heads--come--" + +The last luscious peach and bunch of grapes had been distributed and the +last soldier in blue had murmured: + +"God bless you, Miss!" + +Jennie paused at the door and waved her hand in friendly adieu to the +hungry, homesick eyes that still followed her. + +She brushed a tear from her cheek and whispered: + +"That's for my Big Brother. I'll tell him about it some day. He's still +in the Union--but he's mine!" + +She drew her lace handkerchief from her belt, dried her tears and looked +up with a laugh. + +"I'm not so loyal after all--am I?" + +"No. But I've seen something bigger than loyalty," he breathed softly, +"something divine--" + +"Come," said the girl lightly. "I wish you to meet the most wonderful +woman in Richmond. She's in charge of this hospital--" + +Socola laughed skeptically. + +"I've already seen the most wonderful woman in Richmond, Miss Jennie--" + +"But she _is_--really--the most wonderful woman in all the South--I +think in the world--Mrs. Arthur Hopkins--" + +"Really?" + +"She has done what no man ever has anyhow--sold all her property for two +hundred thousand dollars and given it to the Confederacy. And not +satisfied with giving all she had--she gave herself." + +Socola followed the girl in silence into the little office of the +hospital and found himself gasping with astonishment at the sight of the +delicate woman who extended her hand in friendly greeting. + +She was so perfect an image of his own mother it was uncanny--the same +straight, firm mouth, the strong, intellectual forehead with the heavy, +straight-lined eyebrows, the waving rich brown hair, with a strand of +silver here and there--the somber dress of black, the white lace collar +and the dainty white lace cap on the back of her beautiful hair--it took +his breath. + +The more he saw of these Southern people, men and women, the more absurd +became the stuff he had read so often about the Puritan of New England +and the Cavalier of the South. He was more and more overwhelmed with the +conviction that the Americans were _one_ people racially and +temperamentally. The only difference on earth between them was that +some settled in the bleak hills and rock-bound coast of the North and +others in the sunlit fields and along the shining shores of the South. + +He returned with Jennie Barton to her home with the deepening conviction +that he was making no progress. He must use this girl's passionate +devotion to her country as the lever by which to break into her heart or +he would fail. + +He paused on the doorstep and spoke with quick decision: + +"Miss Jennie, your Southern women have fired my imagination. I'm going +to resign my commission with the Sardinian Ministry and enter the +service of the South--" + +"You mean it?" + +"I was never in more deadly earnest." + +He looked straight into her brown eyes until she lowered them. + +"I need not tell you that you have been my inspiration. You understand +that without my saying it." + +Before Jennie could answer he had turned and gone with quick, firm step. + +She watched his slender, graceful figure with a new sense of +exhilaration and tenderness. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE ANACONDA + + +While General Joseph E. Johnston was devoting his energies to a campaign +to change the date of his commission and his friends organizing their +opposition to the President at Richmond, Gideon Welles, the quiet, +unassuming Secretary of the Navy at Washington, was slowly but surely +drawing the mighty coil, the United States Navy, about the throat of the +South. He made little noise but the work he did was destined to become +the determining factor of the war. + +The first blow was struck at North Carolina. + +On August 26, 1861, at one o'clock the fleet quietly put to sea from +Fortress Monroe. On Tuesday they arrived at Hatteras Inlet, opened fire +on the two forts guarding its entrance and on the twenty-ninth a white +flag was raised. Seven hundred and fifteen prisoners were surrendered, +one thousand stand of arms, and thirty pieces of cannon. At a single +blow the whole vast inland water coast of North Carolina on her Sounds +was opened to the enemy with communications from Norfolk, Virginia, to +Beaufort. A garrison of a thousand men could hold those forts for all +time with the navy in command of the sea. + +Burnside followed with his expedition into the Sounds, captured Roanoke +Island and the fall of Newbern was inevitable. Every river-mouth and +inlet of the entire coast of North Carolina was now in the hands of the +Federal Government save the single port of Wilmington. + +The moral effect of this blow by the navy was tremendous in the North. +It was the first token of renewed power since the defeat at Bull Run. +The navy had not only turned the tide of defeat in the imagination of +the people, the achievement was one of vast importance to the North and +the most sinister import to the South. + +The Federal Government had gained the first important base on the +Southern coast for her blockading squadron and given a foothold for the +military invasion of North Carolina. + +The President at Richmond was compelled to watch this tragedy in +helpless sorrow. The South had no navy with which to dispute the command +of the sea and yet she had three thousand miles of coast line! + +With swift, remorseless sweep the navy struck Port Royal, South +Carolina, and established the second secure base for the blockading +squadrons. + +The Beaufort district of South Carolina captured by this expedition was +one of the richest and most thickly settled of the State, containing +fifteen hundred square miles. It produced annually fifty million pounds +of rice and fourteen thousand bales of cotton. And in its population +were thirty thousand slaves suddenly brought under the power of the +Federal Government. + +The coast of Florida was next pierced. The blockade of the enormous +coast line of the South was declared at first an impossibility. Within +less than a year the United States Navy had established bases within +striking distance of every port. New ships were being launched, +purchased or chartered daily and the giant Anaconda was slowly winding +its terrible coil about the commerce of the Confederacy. + +Jefferson Davis was not the man to accept this ominous situation without +a desperate struggle. The man who had substituted iron gun carriages for +wood in the army consulted his Secretary of the Navy on the possibility +of revolutionizing the naval-warfare of the world by the construction of +an iron-clad ship of first-class power. In his report to the Confederate +Naval Committee, Secretary Mallory had developed this possibility two +months before the subject had been broached in the report of Gideon +Welles in Washington. + +"I regard the possession of an iron-armored ship," Mallory urged, "as a +matter of the first necessity. Such a vessel at this time could traverse +the entire coast of the United States, prevent all blockade, and +encounter with a fine prospect of success their entire navy. Inequality +of numbers may be overcome by invulnerability, and thus not only does +economy but naval success dictate the wisdom and expediency of fighting +with iron against wood, without regard to first cost." + +The President of the Confederacy gave his hearty endorsement to this +plan--and summoned the genius of the South to the task. At the bottom of +the harbor of Norfolk lay the half-burned hull of the steam frigate +_Merrimac_ which the Government had set on fire and sunk on destroying +the Navy Yard. + +The _Merrimac_ was raised. A board was appointed to draw plans and +estimate the cost of the conversion of the vessel into a powerful, +floating, iron-clad battery. In the crippled condition of the Norfolk +Navy Yard the task was tremendous and the expense would be great. + +The President ordered the work prosecuted with the utmost vigor. Day and +night the ring of hammers on heavy iron echoed over the quiet harbor of +Norfolk. Blacksmiths were forging the most terrible ship of war that +ever sailed the seas. If the hopes of her builders should be realized, +the navy of the North would be swept from the ocean and the proudest +ships of the world be reduced to junk in a day. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE GATHERING CLOUDS + + +Disaster followed disaster for the South now in swift succession. The +United States Navy, not content with the supremacy of the high seas, set +to work with determination to build a war fleet on the great rivers of +the West which could pierce the heart of the lower South. + +Before the South could possibly secure arms and ammunition with which to +equip the army of Albert Sidney Johnston, these gunboats were steaming +down the Ohio and Mississippi bearing thousands of troops armed, drilled +and led by stark, game-fighting generals from the West. + +By the end of November the Federal troops threatening Tennessee numbered +fifty thousand and they were rapidly reenforced until they aggregated a +hundred thousand. + +General Albert Sidney Johnston sent the most urgent appeals for arms to +the Governors of Georgia and Alabama, to General Bragg at Pensacola and +to the Government at Richmond. He asked for thirty thousand muskets and +got but one thousand. The guns were not in the South. They could not be +manufactured. Fully one-half his men had no arms at all. Whole brigades +remained without weapons for months. The entire force at his command +never numbered more than twenty-two thousand during this perilous fall. +And yet, by the masterly handling of his little army, its frequent and +rapid expeditions, he kept his powerful opponents in constant +expectations of an attack and produced the impression that he commanded +an enormous force. + +In the meantime the sensational newspapers were loud in their demands. + +The Richmond yellow Journal shouted: + +"Let Johnston muster his forces, advance into Kentucky, capture +Louisville, push across the Ohio and carry the war into Africa." + +Swift and terrible the blow fell. + +And always the navy's smoke on the horizon. From the Ohio, the Tennessee +and Cumberland rivers could be navigated for hundreds of miles into +Tennessee and Alabama. But two forts guarded the rivers and protected +these States. + +Early in February, 1862, the gunboats under Admiral Foote slowly steamed +up the Tennessee and attacked Fort Henry. The array they covered was +commanded by General Grant. The Federal fleet and army hurled twenty +thousand men and fifty-four cannon against the little fort of eleven +guns. With but forty men General Tilghman fought this host and held them +at bay for two hours and ten minutes, until the main body of his +garrison of twenty-five hundred troops had marched out and were safely +on their way to Fort Donelson, twelve miles across the country on the +banks of the Cumberland. Fort Henry was of small importance. Fort +Donelson commanded the approach to Nashville. + +There was not a moment's delay. Grant telegraphed Halleck that he would +capture Fort Donelson two days later. Admiral Foote sent three light +gunboats up the Tennessee to clear the river into Alabama, swept down +stream with his heavier craft to the Ohio and turned into the +Cumberland. Grant pressed directly across the strip of twelve miles +with his army bearing on Fort Donelson. + +The commander at Fort Donelson had at first but six thousand men +including the garrison from Fort Henry which had just arrived. Had Grant +been able to strike on the eighth of February, the day he had wired to +Halleck he would capture the fort, its fall would have been sure. But +high water delayed him, and Albert Sidney Johnston hastened to pour in +reenforcements. Every available soldier at his command was rushed to the +rescue. He determined to fight for Nashville at Donelson. General +Buckner's command of Kentuckians, General Pillow's Tennesseeans and +General Floyd's brigade of Virginia troops were all poured into the fort +before the thirteenth. This force, approximating twenty thousand men, +properly commanded should hold Donelson indefinitely. + +The fortification was magnificently placed on a bluff commanding +the river for two miles. Its batteries consisted of eight +thirty-two-pounders, three thirty-two-pound carronades, one ten-inch +Columbiad and one thirty-two-pounder rifle. A line of entrenchments +stretched for two miles around the fort enclosing it. + +Into these trenches the newly arrived troops were thrown. + +Dick Welford, with Floyd's Virginians, gripped his musket with eager +enthusiasm for his first real battle. His separation from Jennie had +been a bitter trial. In his eagerness to get to the front he had the +misfortune to serve in the ill fated campaign in West Virginia, which +preceded Bull Run. Beauregard and J. E. Johnston were in easy touch with +Richmond. His unlucky brigade had been transferred to Albert Sidney +Johnston's command. + +The men had been in the trenches through the long miserable night +expecting an attack at any moment. + +Half waking, half dreaming, he lay on the cold ground wondering what +Jennie was doing--and always with the nightmare of that foreign snake +winding his way into her favor. Well, his chance would come in this +battle. He would lead his men in a charge. He was a corporal now. He +would come out of it with straps on his shoulders, he could see Jennie's +eyes flash with tears of pride as she read the story of his heroism and +his promotion. + +"I'll show that reptile what a man can do!" he muttered. + +The tired body relaxed and his big blond head sank on his arms. + +A sudden crash of thunder and he sprang to his feet, his hand tight on +his gun. There they were in the gray light of the chill February +morning--the fleet of Federal gunboats under Foote, their big black +funnels pouring clouds of smoke into the sky, darkening the dull red +glow of the rising sun. He counted six of them--_Carondalet_, +_Pittsburgh_, _Louisville_, _St. Louis_, _Tyler_ and _Conestoga_. + +A white breath of smoke flashed from the _Carondalet's_ bow, and Dick +watched the shell rise with a shriek and fall short of the fort. + +The fleet moved closer and another shell screamed through the sky and +again fell short. They moved again, found the range, and for four hours +the earth trembled beneath the steady roar of their forty-six guns. + +At eleven o'clock Dick saw the long lines of men in blue deploy for an +assault on the entrenchments. They moved with quick sure step, these men +under Grant. He was sorry for them. They were marching to certain death. + +On the blue waves rolled, pouring volley after volley into the heaps of +earth behind which the Southerners lay. + +They were close enough now and the quick command rang along the +trenches. + +"Fire!" + +A storm of death swept the ranks in the open fields. They stood their +ground stubbornly, those dogged western fighters. Dazed and cut to +pieces, they rallied and pressed forward again only to be mowed down in +heaps. + +They gave it up at last and sullenly withdrew, leaving the dead piled +high and the wounded slowly freezing to death where they lay. + +The artillery kept the earth quivering with the steady roar of their +guns and the Federal sharpshooters harassed the trenches without a +moment's respite. It was impossible to move for food or water until +nightfall. + +At dawn next day Dick once more gripped his gun and peered over the +embankment. The morning passed without attack. What could it mean? They +saw at last--another fleet. Clouds of black smoke on the river told the +story. Reenforcements had arrived. + +At half-past two o'clock the fleet formed in line of battle--threw their +big flags to the breeze and dashed squarely on the fort. + +They swept now within point blank range of three hundred yards, pouring +in a storm of shot. + +But the Confederate batteries were too heavy and too well manned. +Fifty-seven shells struck the flagship and more than a hundred took +effect on the five boats leading the assault. The fleet was crushed and +put out of commission. Every boat was disabled except one and that +withdrew beyond the range of the batteries. + +Dick watched the magnificent spectacle with thrilling pride. He could +have enjoyed the show but for the bitter cold. It was twenty degrees +below the freezing point, and while the battle raged between the fleet +and fort it began to sleet and snow. When the crippled boats at last +drifted down the yellow tide and out of range, he found to his amazement +that a thick coat of ice had formed on the hand in which he held his +musket. His clothes were frozen stiff on his body. + +He leaped to his feet and beat his arms fiercely, and glanced over the +embankment toward those ominous-looking piles of blue. The sleet was +sheathing their bodies in crystal shrouds now. No flag of truce was +allowed and the wounded lay freezing and dying where they fell. He could +hear the stronger ones still crying for help. Their long piteous moans +rang above the howl of the wind through the breaking boughs of the +trees. + +It was hideous. Why didn't they rescue those men? Why didn't they +proclaim a truce to bury the dead and save the wounded? Grant must be a +fiend! Far off on the river another black smudge was seen in the sky. +More reenforcements were coming. + +The three Confederate generals suddenly waked with a shock to realize +that their foe had landed a second army, cutting their communications +with Nashville. + +A council of war was hastily called on the night of the fourteenth. It +was a discordant aggregation. Floyd, the former Secretary of War in +Buchanan's administration, was the senior officer in command. He was +regarded more as a politician than a soldier and his exploits in West +Virginia had not added to his fame. The men around him had little +respect for his capacity as a commander. Besides quarreling had become +the fashion in the armies of the victorious South since the affair at +Bull Run. The example of Joseph E. Johnston and Beauregard was +contagious. + +There was but one thing to do. The wrangling generals were unanimous on +that point. They must make a desperate assault next morning on Grant's +right wing and reestablish their communications with Nashville at all +hazards. + +Under cover of the darkness on the morning of the fifteenth, the men +were marched from their trenches and massed on the Federal right. But a +handful were left to guard the entrenchments on the Confederate right. + +At the first streak of dawn, the concentrated lines of the Confederates +were hurled on the division of McClernand. Before two o'clock Grant's +right wing had been crushed into a shapeless mass with the loss of his +artillery. The way was open to Nashville and the discordant commanding +generals of the Confederacy paused. + +Buckner ordered up his artillery and reserves to pursue the enemy or +hold his newly-won position. Pillow flatly refused to allow a single gun +to be withdrawn from the entrenchments and sent peremptory orders to his +victorious subordinate to return to the trenches on the right. + +As Buckner was reluctantly returning to the old lines he encountered +Floyd. + +"Where are you going?" the Commander-in-Chief demanded. + +"I am ordered back to the entrenchments--" + +"You think it wise to walk back into the trap we've just escaped from?" + +"I do not!" was the short answer. "We are outnumbered three to one. We +can not hold our connections open in the face of such an army backed by +gunboats and transports which can bring reenforcements daily. The road +is open, we should save our army by an immediate juncture with Albert +Sidney Johnston before Nashville." + +"I agree with you," Floyd replied. "Hold your troops until I consult +with Pillow." + +While Floyd and Pillow wrangled, Grant dashed on the scene. He had not +been present during the battle. The wounded Commodore had begged him for +a consultation on board his flagship five miles below. + +When Grant reached the field he met a sight that should have dismayed +him and sent his shattered army to the shelter of the gunboats and a +hasty retreat down the Cumberland to a place of safety. + +McClernand had been crushed and his disorganized troops thrown back in +confusion in front of the entrenchments of the Confederate right. His +troops had been on the field for five days and five nights drenched in +snow, sleet, mud, ice and water. The field was strewn with the dead and +wounded. Great red splotches of frozen blood marked the ground in all +directions. Beneath the sheltering pines where the white, smooth snow +lay unbroken by the tramp of heavy feet and the crush of artillery, +crimson streams could be seen everywhere. For two miles the ground was +covered with the mangled dead, dying, and freezing. Smashed artillery +and dead horses lay in heaps. In the retreat the heavy wheels of the +artillery had rolled over the bodies of the dead and wounded, crushing +and mangling many beyond recognition. + +No general ever gazed upon a more ghastly scene than that which greeted +the eye of U. S. Grant in this moment of his life's supreme crisis. The +suffering of his wounded who had fought with the desperation of madness +to save themselves from the cold, had left its mark on their stark, +white faces. The ice had pressed a death mask on the convulsed features +and held them in the moment of agony. They looked up into his face now, +the shining eyes, gaping mouths, clenched fists, and crooked twisted +limbs. + +McClernand's raw troops retreating over this field of horrors were +largely beyond control. Grant knew the enemy had been reenforced. He +could reasonably assume from the evidence before him of the terrific +slaughter in the open field that his own army was in peril. The +transports were in sight ready to move his army to a place of safety +where he might re-form his broken ranks. + +His decision was instantaneous and thoroughly characteristic. He turned +to C. F. Smith in command of his left wing whose division had been but +slightly engaged. + +"General Smith, the enemy does not follow up their advantage. +They are probably in a worse condition than I am. Mass your men +and charge their entrenchments on the right--never let up for a +minute--drive--drive--drive them!" + +The charging hosts swept the thin lines of the half abandoned trenches +with the fury of a cyclone. The Confederate right was broken and rolled +back in confusion, fresh troops were rushed from the Federal reserves +and a new cordon of death thrown round the fort. + +On the night of this fatal fifteenth of February Dick Welford was +detailed for guard duty at the door of General Floyd's tent. He heard +their council of war with sinking heart. + +General Pillow favored a second desperate assault on the enemies' right +to re-open the way to Nashville. + +Buckner faced him with rage: + +"It was possible to-day, sir, and we did it. Now the enemy has been +reenforced for the third time. If you had sent my guns as I ordered the +way would still be open--" + +"We can yet cut our way out," Pillow growled. + +"Yes, with the sacrifice of three fourths of our brave men to save one +fourth. I'll not be a party to such butchery. We're caught now in a +death trap. The only rational thing to do is to surrender." + +Floyd rose nervously. + +"I'm not going to surrender, gentlemen. The North has accused me of +treachery in Buchanan's Cabinet. I couldn't expect decent treatment from +them. A steamer with recruits has just arrived from Nashville. I shall +make my escape on it with as many men as can be carried." + +"And I'll accompany you," Pillow declared. + +"Go if you like, gentlemen," Buckner replied. "I'll stand by my men and +share their fate." + +Floyd and Pillow hastily began their preparations to go. + +Buckner quietly asked: + +"Am I to consider the command turned over to me?" + +"Certainly," Floyd answered. "I turn over the command." + +"I pass it, too," Pillow quickly added. + +General Buckner called for pen, ink and paper and dispatched a courier +immediately to General Grant. The reply was in two words: + +"Unconditional surrender." + +Pillow crossed the river under cover of the night and made his way into +the country. + +Floyd offered to take Dick Welford on board the little steamer. + +"No, thank you," the young Virginian answered curtly. + +"You prefer to surrender?" + +"I'm not going to surrender. I'm going to join Col. Forrest's cavalry +and fight my way out." + +With a wave of his arm Floyd hurried on board the steamer and fled to +Nashville. + +Dick had seen Forrest lead one of his matchless charges of cavalry in +their fight that day. With a handful of men he had cut his way through +a solid mass of struggling infantry and thrown them into confusion. + +He had watched this grave, silent, unobtrusive man of humble birth and +little education with the keenest interest. He felt instinctively that +he was a man of genius. From to-day he knew that as a leader of cavalry +he had few equals. He had pointed out to his superiors in their council +of war a possible path of escape by a road partially overflowed along +the river banks. It was judged impracticable. + +In the darkness of the freezing night Dick rode behind his silent new +commander along this road with perfect faith. Forrest threw his command +into Nashville and saved the city from anarchy when the dreaded news of +the fall of Donelson precipitated a panic. + +The South had met her first crushing defeat--a defeat more disastrous +than the North had suffered at Bull Ran. Grant had lost three thousand +men but the Confederate garrisons had been practically wiped out with +the loss of more than fifteen thousand muskets, every big gun and +thirteen thousand prisoners of war. + +When Grant met Buckner, the victor and vanquished quietly shook hands. +They had been friends at West Point. + +"Why didn't you attack me on Friday?" the Northerner asked. + +"I was not in command." + +"If you had, my reenforcements could not possibly have reached me in +time." + +Buckner smiled grimly. + +"In other words a little more promptness on one side, a little less +resolute decision on the other--and the tables would have been turned!" + +"That's just it," was the short answer. + +It was an ominous day for the South. Bigger than the loss of the capital +of Tennessee which Johnston evacuated the next day, bigger than the +loss of fifteen thousand men and their guns loomed the figure of a new +Federal commander. Out of the mud, and slush, ice and frozen pools of +blood--out of the storm cloud of sleet and snow and black palls of smoke +emerged the stolid, bulldog face of Ulysses S. Grant. Lincoln made him a +major general. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +JENNIE'S RECRUIT + + +Socola lost no time in applying for a position. The one place of all +others he wished was a berth in the War Department. It was useless to +try for it. No foreigner had ever been admitted to tiny position of +trust in this wing of the Confederate Government. + +He would try for a position in the Department of State. His supposed +experience in the Diplomatic Service and his mastery of two languages +besides the English would be in his favor. The struggle for recognition +from the powers of Europe was the card he could play. Once placed in the +Department of State he would make the acquaintance of every clerk and +subordinate who possessed a secret of the slightest value to his cause. + +He wished to enter the Department of State for another reason. He had +learned from absolutely reliable sources that Judah P. Benjamin, the +present Secretary of War, was slated for Secretary of State in the new +Cabinet which would be named when Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as +permanent President. He knew Benjamin to be the ablest man in the +Cabinet, the one man on whose judgment Davis leaned with greatest +confidence. It would he of immense value to his cause to be in daily +touch with this man. + +Fortunately he had mastered shorthand the last year of his stay in +Washington. This accomplishment, rare in the South, would be an +additional argument with which to secure his appointment. + +Jennie had promised to accompany him to the office of the President and +add her voice to his plea. She had quite won the heart of the badgered +chieftain of the Confederacy by her steady loyalty to his +administration. The malignant opposition of Senator Barton was +notorious. This opposition at the moment had become peculiarly +vindictive and embarrassing. The fall of Fort Donelson and the loss of +Nashville had precipitated a storm of hostile criticism. The fierce +junta of malcontents in the Confederate Congress were eager to seize on +any excuse to attack the President. They were now demanding the removal +of Albert Sidney Johnston from his command. Davis knew that his +commanding general in Tennessee was the greatest soldier of his +time--and that all he needed was a single opportunity to demonstrate his +genius. He refused with scorn to sacrifice such a man to public clamor. +At the White House reception the night before he had heard Jennie Barton +stoutly defending him against his accusers who demanded the head of +General Johnston. + +He had passed her later in the evening, pressed her hand and whispered: + +"If our men were only as loyal! Ask anything you will of me--to the half +of my kingdom." + +Jennie wished to put this impulsive promise to the test. She would see +that Socola secured his appointment. This brilliant young recruit for +the South was her gift to her country and she was proud of him. It had +all come about too quickly for her to analyze her feelings. She only +realized that she felt a sense of tender proprietary interest in him. +That he could render valuable service she did not doubt for a moment. + +She had told him to meet her at the statue of Washington in the Capitol +Square. They would wait there for the appearance of the President and +follow him. His habits were simple and democratic. He walked daily from +the Confederate White House to the Capitol grounds, crossed the Square +and at the foot of the hill entered his office in the Custom House on +Main Street, unaccompanied by an escort of any kind. + +Anybody on earth could approach and speak to him. The humbler the man or +woman, the easier the approach was always made. + +Socola was waiting at the big group of statuary contemplating the lines +of its fine workmanship with curious interest. + +Jennie startled him from a reverie: + +"You like him?" + +The white teeth gleamed in pleasant surprise. + +"The father of his country?--Yes--I like him. It's going to be my +country, too, you know." + +They strolled through the grounds and watched the squirrels leap from +the limbs of a great tree to the swaying boughs of the next. + +A tall awkward trooper on whose hat was the sign of a North Carolina +regiment toiled painfully up the hill slightly under the influence of +whisky. Socola saw that he was navigating the steep with difficulty and +turned into a by-path to give him a free passage. It was never pleasant +to meet a man under the influence of liquor in the presence of ladies. + +They had taken but a few steps along the little path when the quick firm +military tread of the President was heard. + +They turned just in time to see him encounter the toiling trooper from +North Carolina. + +The soldier's jaw suddenly dropped and his eyes kindled with joy. He +stood squarely in the President's way and laughed good naturedly. + +"Say--Mister!" + +"Well, sir?" + +"Say--now--ain't yo' name Jeff'son Davis?" + +The President nodded in a friendly way. + +"It is." + +"I knowed it," the trooper laughed. "By Gum, I knowed it, the minute I +laid my eyes on ye--" + +He moved closer with insinuating joy. + +"I bet ye could never guess how I knowed it--could ye?" + +"Hardly--" + +"Ye want me ter tell ye?" The trooper laughed again. "I knowed ye the +very minute I seed ye--'cause ye look thez ezactly like a Confederate +postage stamp! I know 'em 'cause I've licked 'em!" + +The President laughed and passed on his way without looking back. + +They found a crowd of cranks and inventors waiting to see him. He had +the same weakness as Abraham Lincoln for this class of men. He never +allowed a clerk to turn one way without his personal attention. His +interest in all scientific problems was keen, and he had always +maintained the open mind of youth to all inventions. + +Socola and Jennie strolled through the city for an hour until the crank +levee was over. The President's secretary, Burton Harrison, promised +them an interview at the end of that time. He ushered them into the room +under the impression that all the callers had gone. He had overlooked a +modest, timid youth who had quietly approached the Chief Executive's +desk. + +They paused until he was at leisure. The moment was one of illumination +for Socola. He saw a trait of character in the Southern leader whose +existence he had not suspected. + +"My name is Ashe--Mr. President, S. A. Ashe," the youth began. + +Davis bowed gravely. + +"Have a seat, sir." + +The boy sat down and twiddled his cap nervously. + +"I've come to ask an appointment of some kind in the regular army of the +Confederacy. I'm an officer of the North Carolina militia. I wish to +enter the regular army." + +The Confederate chieftain looked at the peculiarly youthful, beardless +face. He couldn't be more than eighteen from appearances. + +"I'm afraid you're too young, sir," he said slowly, shaking his head. + +The boy drew himself up with a touch of wounded pride. + +"Why, Mr. Davis, I voted for you for President last November." + +Instantly the Chief Executive rose, blushing his apology. He laid his +hand on the boy's shoulder and spoke with the utmost deference. + +"I beg your pardon, sir. I should have been more observant and +thoughtful. I was very much like you when I was a boy. It was a long +time before I had any whiskers myself." + +With a friendly smile he touched his thin beard. + +He sent the young man away happy with his promise of consideration. That +he should have asked this beardless boy's pardon in so pointed a manner +Socola thought remarkable. That the Chief Executive of nine million +people should blush suddenly over such a trifle was the flash that +revealed a great soul. + +The President advanced and gave Jennie both his hands in cordial +greeting. + +"I've brought you a recruit, sir," the girl cried with a merry laugh. + +"Indeed?" + +"I have resigned my commission with the Sardinian Ministry, Mr. +President, and wish to offer my services to the South." + +"We need every true friend the world can send us, Signor--I thank you--" + +"I wish, sir," Socola hastened to say, "to render the most efficient +service possible. I have no training as a soldier. I have experience as +a diplomat. I speak three languages and I am an expert stenographer--" + +"I'm sorry, Signor," the President interrupted, "that I have no vacancy +in my office--or I should be pleased to have you here." + +"Perhaps your State Department may find me useful?" + +"No doubt they can. I'll give you a letter to the Secretary recommending +your appointment." + +He seated himself at once, wrote the letter and handed it to Socola. + +Jennie thanked him and, with a warm pressure of his hand, passed into +the hall with Socola. + +At the outer door Burton Harrison overtook them: + +"Just a moment, Miss Barton. The President wishes to ask you a +question." + +Davis drew her to the window. + +"I should have been more careful of the credentials of our friend +perhaps, Miss Jennie. You can vouch for his loyalty?" + +"Absolutely." + +She had scarcely uttered the word in tones of positive conviction before +she realized the startling fact that she had spoken under the impulse of +some strange intuition and not from her knowledge of the man's character +and history. + +In spite of her effort at self-control she blushed furiously. Mr. Davis +apparently did not observe it. + +"I have been much impressed with his poise and culture and intelligence. +You met him in Washington, of course?" + +"Yes--" + +"You know positively that he was the Secretary of the Sardinian +Minister?" + +"Positively, Mr. President--" + +"Thank you, my dear. I'll take your word for it." + +Jennie walked home on air. She had made history. How tragic its sequel +was destined to be, a kind Providence concealed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE FATAL BLUNDER + + +On February 22, 1862, Jefferson Davis committed the one irretrievable +mistake of his administration. He consented to his inauguration as +permanent President of the Confederacy under the strict forms of +Constitutional law. + +The South was entering the shadows of the darkest hour of her new life. +A military dictator clothed with autocratic power could have subdued the +discordant elements and marshaled the resources of the country to meet +the crisis. A constitutional President would bind himself hand and foot +with legal forms. A military dictator might ride to victory and carry +his country with him. + +His two Commanding Generals had allowed the victorious army of Manassas +to drift into a rabble while they wrangled for position, precedence and +power. + +The swift and terrible blows which the navy had dealt the South, +delivered so silently and yet with such deadly effect that the people +had not yet realized their import, had convinced the President that the +war would be one of the bloodiest in history. + +The fall of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson with the evacuation of +Nashville had been a sword thrust into the heart of the lower South. The +extent of these disasters had not been realized by the public. The South +was yet a sleeping lioness. She could be roused and her powers wielded +with certainty by one man. But his hand must be firm. + +There was one man in the Cabinet of the Confederacy who clearly saw this +from the first dawn of the new year--Judah P. Benjamin, the astute +Secretary of War. His keen logical mind had brushed aside the fog of +sentiment and saw _one_ thing--the need of success and the way in which +to attain it. + +The morning of February twenty-second was Washington's birthday, and for +that reason fixed by the South as the day of the inauguration of their +President. Nothing could have shown more clearly the tenacity with which +the Southern people were clinging to their old forms. The day slowly +dawned through lowering storm clouds. + +The President went early to his office for a consultation with the +members of his new Cabinet. Judah P. Benjamin, his chosen chief +counselor as Secretary of State, was unusually reticent. The details of +the inauguration were quickly agreed on and Davis hastened to return to +his room at the White House to complete his preparations for the +ceremony. + +Benjamin followed his Chief thirty minutes later with the most important +communication he had ever decided to make. + +As the most trusted adviser of the President he had long had the freedom +of the house. + +The resolute Hebrew features of the Secretary were set with resolution. +He pushed his way to the door of Mr. Davis' room, rapped for admission +and without waiting for an answer softly and swiftly entered. His +mission was too important to admit of delay. + +He paused at the threshold in surprise. + +Jefferson Davis was on his knees in prayer so deep and earnest he had +not heard. + +He waited with head bowed in silent sympathy for five minutes and looked +with increasing amazement at the white face of the man who prayed. This +agony of soul before the God of his fathers was a revelation to the +Minister of State. + +His lips were moving now in audible words. + +"Thou alone art my refuge, O Lord! Without Thee I shall fail. Have pity +on Thy servant--with Thy wisdom guide!" + +The time was swiftly passing. The Minister could not wait. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. President," he began in low tones, "but I have +most important communications to make to you--" + +The voice of prayer softly died away and slowly the look of earth came +back to the tired face. He turned his hollow cheeks to Benjamin with no +attempt to mask the agony of his spirit, slowly rose and motioned him to +a chair. + +The Secretary lifted his hand. + +"I'm restless. If you don't mind, I'll stand. I have marked three +editorial attacks on you and your administration in three of the most +powerful newspapers in the South--the Richmond _Examiner_, the Raleigh +_Standard_ and the Charleston _Mercury_--read them please--and then I +have something to say!" + +The President seated himself and read each marked sentence with care. + +"The same old thing, Benjamin--only a little more virulent this +time--what of it?" + +"This! The success of our cause demands the suppression of these reptile +sheets and the imprisonment of their editors--" + +"Would success be worth having if we must buy it at the cost of the +liberties of our people?" + +Benjamin stopped short in his tracks. He had been walking back and forth +with swift panther-like tread. + +"We are at war, Mr. President--fierce, savage, cruel, it's going to be. +You have realized this from the first. The world will demand of us just +one thing--success in arms. With this we win all. Lose this and we lose +all--our liberties and a great deal more. Our coast is pierced now at +regular intervals to the mouth of the Mississippi River--at Fortress +Monroe in Virginia--the entire inland waters of North Carolina, Port +Royal, South Carolina, Florida's line has been broken. Grant's army is +swarming into Tennessee. McClellan is drilling three hundred thousand +men in Washington to descend on Richmond. It's no time to nurse such +reptiles in our bosom--" + +"I can't play the petty tyrant--" + +"They'll sting you to death--I warn you--no administration on earth can +live in times of war and endure such infamous abuse as these +conspirators are now heaping on your head. And mark you--they have only +begun. The junta of disgruntled generals which they have organized will +strangle the cause of the South unless you grip the situation to-day +with a hand of steel. They are laying their plans in the new Congress to +paralyze your work and heap on your head the scorn of the world." + +The President moved with a gesture of impatience. + +"I've told you, Benjamin, that I will not suppress these papers nor sign +your order for the arrest of the editors. I am leading the cause of a +great people to preserve Constitutional liberty. Freedom of speech is +one of their rights--" + +"In times of peace, yes--but not in the crisis of war when the tongue of +a fool may betray the lives of millions. I am not here merely to ask you +to suppress these three treacherous rags--I'm here to ask a bigger and +far more important thing. I want you to stop this inaugural ceremony +to-day--" + +Davis rose with a quick excited movement. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Just what I say. Stop in time. We inaugurated a Provisional Government +at Montgomery to last one year. Why one year? Because we believed the +war would be over before that year expired. It would have been madness +to provide for the establishment of the elaborate and clumsy forms of a +Constitutional Government during the progress of war. Why set up a +Constitution until you have won by the sword the power to maintain it?" + +"But," Davis interrupted, "if we delay the adoption of a Constitution we +confess to the world our want of confidence in the success of our cause. +Such a permanent Constitution will be to our people the supreme sign of +faith--" + +"With these jackals and hyenas of the press yelping and snarling and +snapping at your heels? These men will destroy the faith of our best men +and women if you only allow them to repeat their lies often enough. They +will believe them at last, themselves. You have the confidence to-day of +the whole South. Your bitterest enemy could not name a candidate to +oppose your election last November. Give these traitors time and they +will change all--" + +"Not with military success--" + +"Granted. But if these jackals break down the confidence of the people +in the administration, volunteering ceases and we have no army." + +"We must use the Conscription. It is inevitable--" + +"Exactly!" the Secretary cried triumphantly. "And Conscription is the +_reductio ad absurdum_ of your dream of Constitutional Law. Why set up a +Constitution at all to-day?" + +"Congress must pass a Conscript law when necessity demands it." + +"In their own way, yes--with ifs and ands and clauses which defeat its +purpose." + +"They must respond to the demands of our people when their patriotism is +aroused." + +"Our people have patriotism to spare if we can only guide it in the +right direction. If it goes to seed in the personal quarrels of +generals, if it exhausts itself in abuse of the Executive, while an +overwhelming enemy marches on us--What then?" + +The President lifted his head. + +"And you recommend?" + +"Stop this ceremony. Refuse the position of permanent President and use +your powers as Provisional President in a Military Dictatorship until +the South wins--" + +"Never!" was the quick reply. "I'll go down in eternal defeat sooner +than win an empire by such betrayal of the trust imposed in me--" + +"You're not betraying the trust imposed in you by assuming these +powers!" Benjamin exclaimed with passion. "You're fulfilling that trust. +You're doing what the people have called you to do--establishing the +independence of the South! The Government at Washington has been +compelled to exercise despotic powers from the first--" + +"Exactly--and that's why we can't afford to do it. We are fighting the +battle of the North and the South for Constitutional liberty." + +"Even so, if we lose and they win, the cause is lost. Seward is now +imprisoning thousands of Northern men who have dared to sympathize with +us--" + +"An act of infamous tyranny!" + +"But if he wins--who will dare to criticise the wisdom of his policy +fifty years from to-day? If we lose, who will give us credit for our +high ideals of Civil Law in times of war? You have the chance to-day to +win. Leap into the saddle and command the obedience of every man, woman +and child in the South! Your Congress which assembles to-day is a weak +impossible body of men. They have nothing to do except to make foolish +speeches and hatch conspiracies against your administration. We have +muzzled them behind closed doors. The remedy is worse than the disease. +The rumors they circulate through the reptile press do more harm than +the record of their vapid talk could possibly accomplish. Why tie these +millstones around your neck? They came yesterday to demand the head of +Albert Sidney Johnston. They are organizing to drive Lee out of the +army. They allow no opportunity to pass to sneer at his position as your +chief military adviser since his return from Western Virginia. You know +and I know that Albert Sidney Johnston and R. E. Lee are our greatest +generals--" + +"I'll protect them from the chatter of fools--never fear--" + +"To what end if you allow them to break down the faith of our people in +their Government? The strong arm, alone, can save us. It's no time to +haggle about the forms of law. Your duty is clear. Stop this foolish +ceremony of Inauguration to-day and assume in due time the +Dictatorship--" + +Davis threw both arms up in a gesture of impatient refusal. + +"It's a waste of breath, Benjamin. I'll die first!" + +The elastic spirit of the younger man recovered its poise at once and +accepted the decision. + +With a genial smile he slipped one arm around the tall figure. + +"Brave, generous, big-hearted, foolish--my captain! Well, I've done my +duty as your chief counselor. Now I'll obey orders--one thing more I +must add in warning. Richmond swarms with spies. It will be impossible +to defend the Capital on the approach of McClellan's army without a +proclamation of martial law." + +The President looked up sharply. + +"We'll compromise on that. I'll proclaim martial law and suspend the +_writ_ in Richmond--" + +"And a radius of ten miles." + +"All right--I'll do that." + +It was the utmost concession the wily minister of State could wring from +his Chief. But it was important. The Secretary had his eye on a certain +house on Church Hill. It might be necessary to expel its owners. + +"By the way," the President added, as his Secretary stood with his hand +on the door. "I wrote a recommendation to your new department for the +appointment of a young friend of Miss Barton to a position in your +office. He's a man of brilliant talents--a foreigner who has cast his +fortunes with us. Do what you can for him--" + +"I'll remember--" the Secretary nodded and hurried to his office to +issue his proclamation of martial law for the city and district of +Richmond. + +At ten o'clock the rain began to pour in torrents. The streets were +flooded. Rushing rivers of muddy water roared over its cobble stones and +leaped down its steep hills into the yellow tide of the James. + +Every flag drooped and flapped in dismal weeping against its staff. The +decorations of the houses and windows outside were ruined. The bunting +swayed and sagged in deep curves across the streets, pouring a stream of +water from the folds. + +At twelve o'clock, the procession formed in the Hall of the Virginia +Legislature and marched through the pouring rain to the platform erected +around the statue of Washington. In spite of the storm an immense crowd +packed the space around the speaker's stand, presenting the curious +spectacle of a sea of umbrellas. + +Socola watched this crowd stand patiently in the downpour with a +deepening sense of the tragedy it foreshadowed. The people who could set +their teeth and go through an inauguration ceremony scheduled in the +open air on such a day might be defeated in battle, but the victor would +pay his tribute of blood. He had not dared to ask Jennie to accept his +escort on such a day and yet they drifted to each other's side by some +strange power of attraction. + +The scene was weird in its utter depression of all enthusiasm, and yet +the sullen purpose which held the people was sublime in its persistence. +An awning covered the speaker's stand and beneath this friendly cover +the ceremony was performed down to the last detail. + +The President rose and faced his audience under the most trying +conditions. Oratory was beyond human effort. He did not attempt it. He +read his frank dignified address in simple, clear, musical tones which +rang with strange effect over the crowd of drenched men and women. Not a +single cheer broke the delivery of his address. He sought in no way to +apologize for the disasters which had befallen his people. He faced them +bravely and summoned his followers to be equally brave. + +The close of his address caught the morbid fancy of Socola with peculiar +fascination. Clouds of unusual threatening depths were rolling across +the heavens, against which the canopied platform was sharply outlined. +The thin form of the President rose white and ghost-like against this +black background of clouds. He was extremely pale, his cheeks hollowed +deep, his head bared regardless of the chill mists which beat through +the canopy. + +His tall figure stood tense, trembling, deathlike--the emblem of +sacrificial offering on the altar of his country. + +Socola whispered to Jennie: + +"Where have I witnessed this scene before?" + +"Surely not in America--" + +"No"--he mused thoughtfully--"I remember now--on a lonely hill outside +Jerusalem the Roman soldiers were crucifying a man on a day like +this--that's where I saw it!" + +He had scarcely spoken the uncanny words in a low undertone when the +speaker closed his address with a remarkable prayer. + +Suddenly dropping his manuscript on the table he lifted his eyes into +the darkened heavens and cried with deep passion: + +"With humble gratitude and adoration, to Thee, O God, I trustingly +commit myself, and prayerfully invoke Thy blessing on my country and its +cause!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE SLEEPING LIONESS + + +Again the smoke of the navy shadowed the Southern skies. Two expeditions +were aiming mortal blows at the lower South. + +The Confederacy had concentrated its forces of the upper waters of the +Mississippi on Island Number 10 near New Madrid. The work of putting +this little Gibraltar in a state of perfect defense had been rushed with +all possible haste. New Madrid had been found indefensible and evacuated +on March thirteenth. + +On the seventeenth, Commodore Foote's fleet steamed into position and +the first shell from his guns shrieked its message of death across the +island. The gunboats concentrated their fire on the main battery which +was located on low ground, almost submerged by the high water and +separated from the others by a wide slough. Their gun platforms were +covered with water--the men in gray must work their pieces standing +half-leg deep in mud and slush. Five iron-clad gunboats led the attack. +Three of them were lashed together in midstream and one lay under the +shelter of each shore. Their concentrated fire was terrific. For nine +hours they poured a stream of shot and shell on the lone battery with +its beaver gunmen. + +At three o'clock Captain Rucker in charge of the battery called for +reenforcements to relieve his exhausted men. Volunteers rushed to his +assistance and his guns roared until darkness brought them respite. It +had been done. A single half-submerged battery exposed to the +concentrated fire of a powerful fleet had held them at bay and compelled +them to withdraw at nightfall. Rucker fired the last shot as twilight +gathered over the yellow waters. His battery had mounted five guns at +sunrise. Three of them were dismantled. Two of them still spoke defiance +from their mud-soaked beds. + +On April the sixth, the fleet reenforced succeeded in slipping past the +batteries in a heavy fog. A landing was effected above and below the +island in large force, and its surrender was a military necessity. + +Foote and Pope captured MacKall, the commander, two brigadier generals, +six colonels, a stand of ten thousand arms, two thousand soldiers, +seventy pieces of siege artillery, thirty pieces of field artillery, +fifty-six thousand solid shot, six transports and a floating battery of +sixteen guns. + +A cry of anguish came from the heart of the Confederate President. The +loss of men was insignificant--the loss of this enormous store of heavy +guns and ammunition with no factory as yet capable of manufacturing them +was irreparable. + +But the cup of his misery was not yet full. The greatest fleet the +United States Navy had gathered, was circling the mouth of the +Mississippi with its guns pointing toward New Orleans. Gideon Welles had +selected for command of this important enterprise the man of destiny, +Davis Glasgow Farragut, a Southerner whose loyalty to the Union had +never been questioned. + +Eighty-two ships answered Farragut's orders in his West Gulf squadron at +their rendezvous. His ships were wood, but no braver men ever walked the +decks of a floating battery. + +In March he managed to crawl across the bar and push his fleet into the +mouth of the Mississippi. The _Colorado_ was too deep and was left +outside. The _Pensacola_ and the _Mississippi_ he succeeded in +dragging through the mud. + +His ships inside, the Commander ordered them stripped for the death +grapple. + +New Orleans had been from the first considered absolutely impregnable to +attack from the sea. Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, twenty miles below +the city, were each fortifications of the first rank mounting powerful +guns which swept the narrow channel of the river from shore to shore. + +The use of steam, however, in naval warfare was as yet an untried +element of force in the attacking fleet against shore batteries. That +steam in wooden vessels could overcome the enormous advantage of the +solidity and power of shore guns had been considered preposterous by +military experts. + +Jefferson Davis had utilized every shipbuilder in New Orleans to hastily +construct the beginnings of a Southern navy. Two powerful iron-clad +gunboats, _Louisiana_ and _Mississippi_, were under way but not ready +for service. Eight small vessels had been bought and armed. + +To secure the city against the possibility of any fleet passing the +forts at night or through fog, the channel of the river between Forts +Jackson and St. Phillip was securely closed. Eleven dismasted schooners +were moored in line across the river and secured by six heavy chains. +These chains formed an unbroken obstruction from shore to shore. + +This raft was placed immediately below the forts. + +There was no serious alarm in the city on the appearance of the fleet in +the mouth of the river. For months they had been cruising about the Gulf +of Mexico without apparent decision. + +The people laughed at their enemy. There was but one verdict: + +"They'll think twice before attempting to repeat the scenes of 1812." + +Not only were the two great forts impregnable but the shores were lined +with batteries. What could wooden ships do with such forts and guns? It +was a joke that they should pretend to attack them. Their only possible +danger was from the new iron-clad gunboats in the upper waters of the +river. They were building two of their own kind which would be ready +long before the enemy could break through the defenses from the North. + +When Farragut stripped his fleet for action and moved toward the forts +on the sixteenth of April, New Orleans was the gayest city in America. +The spirit of festivity was universal. Balls, theaters, operas were the +order of the day. Gay parties of young people flocked down the river and +swarmed the levees to witness the fun of the foolish attempt of a lot of +old wooden ships to reduce the great forts. + +The guns were roaring now their mighty anthem. Ships and forts--forts +and ships. The batteries of Farragut's mortar schooners were hurling +their eleven-inch shells with harmless inaccuracy. + +The people laughed again. + +For six days the earth trembled beneath the fierce bombardment. The +fleet had thrown twenty-five thousand shells and General Duncan reported +but two guns dismantled, with half a dozen men killed and wounded. The +forts stood grim and terrible, their bristling line of black-lipped guns +unbroken, their defenses as strong as when the first shot was fired. + +On the evening of April twenty-third, the fire of the fleet slackened. +Farragut had given up the foolish attempt, of course. He had undertaken +the impossible and at last had accepted the fact. + +But the people of New Orleans had not reckoned on the character of the +daring commander of the Federal fleet. He coolly decided that since he +could not silence the guns of the forts he would run past them with his +swift steam craft and take the chances of their batteries sending him to +the bottom. + +Once past these forts and the city would be at his mercy. + +He must first clear the river of the obstruction placed below the forts. +Farragut ordered two gunboats to steal through the darkness without +lights and clear this raft. The work was swiftly done. The task was +rendered unexpectedly easy by a break caused by a severe storm. + +At three o'clock in the morning of the twenty-fourth, the lookout on the +ramparts of the forts saw the black hulls of the fleet, swiftly and +silently steaming up the river straight for the mouths of their guns. + +The word was flashed to the little nondescript fleet of the Confederacy +lying in the smooth waters above and they moved instantly to the support +of the forts. + +The night was one of calm and glorious beauty. The Southern skies +sparkled with jeweled stars. The waning moon threw its soft, mellow +light on the shining waters, revealing the dark hulls of the fleet with +striking clearness. The daring column was moving straight for Fort +Jackson. They must pass close under the noses of her guns. + +They were in for it now. + +The dim star-lit world with its fading moon suddenly burst into sheets +of blinding, roaring flame. The mortar batteries moored in range, opened +instantly in response--their eleven-inch shells, glowing with +phosphorescent halo, circled and screamed and fell. + +The black hulls belched their broadsides of yellow flame now. From +battlement and casemate of forts rolled the thunder of their batteries, +sending their heavy shots smashing into the wooden hulls. + +Through the flaming jaws of hell, the fleet, with lungs throbbing with +every pound of steam, dashed and passed the forts! + +Farragut led in the _Hartford_. But his work had only begun. He had +scarcely reckoned on the little Confederate fleet. He found them a +serious proposition. + +Suddenly above the flash and roar and the batteries of the forts and +over the broadsides of the ships leaped a wall of fire straight into the +sky. + +Slowly but surely the flaming heavens moved down on the attacking fleet +lighting the yellow waters with unearthly glare. + +The Confederates had loosed a fleet of fire ships loaded with pitch pine +cargoes. Farragut's lines wavered in the black confusion of rolling +clouds of impenetrable smoke, lighted by the glare of leaping flames. + +The daring little fleet of the Confederacy moved down through the +blinding vapors of their own fires and boldly attacked the on-coming +hosts. Friend could scarcely be told from foe. + +A game little Confederate tug stuck her nose into a fire-ship, pushed it +squarely against Farragut's _Hartford_ and slipped between his guns in +the smoke and flame unharmed. The Flagship ran aground. Her sailors +bravely stuck to their post and from their pumps threw a deluge of water +on the flames and extinguished them. The engines of the _Hartford_, +working with all their might, pulled her off the shore under her own +steam. The _Louisiana_, the new gunboat of the Confederacy, had been +pressed into service with but two of her guns working--but she was of +little use and became unmanageable. + +Captain Kennon, the gallant Confederate commander of the _Governor +Moore_, found that the bow of his ship interfered with the aim of his +gunners. + +"Lower your muzzle and blow the bow of your ship away!" + +The big gun dipped its black mouth and blew the bow of his own ship to +splinters and through the opening poured shot after shot into the +Federal fleet. Kennon fired his last shot at point-blank range, turned +the broken nose of his ship ashore and blew her up. + +For an hour and a half the two desperate foes wrestled with each other +amid flame and smoke and darkness. As the first blush of dawn mantled +the eastern sky the conflict slowly died away. + +Three of Farragut's gunboats had been driven back and one sunk, but his +fleet had done the immortal deed. Battered and riddled with shots, they +had passed the forts successfully. As the sun rose on the beautiful +spring morning he lifted his battle flags and steamed up the river. + +New Orleans, the commercial capital of the South, the largest export +city of the world, lay on the horizon in silent shimmering beauty, a +priceless treasure, at his mercy. + +Speechless crowds of thousands thronged the streets. The small garrison +had been withdrawn and the city left to its fate. The marines stood +statue-like before the City Hall, their bayonets glittering in the +sunlight. Not a breath of wind stirred. In dead, ominous silence the +flag of the South was lowered from its staff and the flag of the Union +raised in its old place. + +There was one man among the thousands who saw this flag with a cry of +joy. Judge Roger Barton, Jr., had braved the scorn of his neighbors +through good report and evil report, holding their respect by the sheer +heroism of his undaunted courage. His aged grandfather was in the city +at the moment, having come on a visit from Fairview. Baton Rouge must +fall at once. There was nothing to prevent Farragut's fleet from +steaming up the river now for hundreds of miles. The old Colonel was +furious when informed that he could not return to Fairview. But there +was no help for it. + +"Don't worry, Grandfather," the judge pleaded; "you can depend on it, +Senator Barton will save Fairview if it's within human power--" + +"But your grandmother is there, sir!" thundered the old man, "helpless +on her back. There's no one to protect her from the damned Yankees--" + +The Judge smiled. + +"Maybe the Yankees will not be so bad after all, grandfather. Anyhow +there's no help for it. I've got you here with me safe and sound and I'm +going to keep you--" + +The fall of New Orleans sent a dagger into the heart of the South. Ft. +Donelson had broken the center. The fall of New Orleans had smashed the +left wing of the far-flung battle line. The power of the Confederacy was +crushed in the rich and powerful State of Louisiana at a single stroke. +The route to Texas was cut. The United States Navy had established a +base from which to send their fleets into the interior by the great +rivers and by the gulf from the Rio Grande to the Keys of Florida. + +The sleeping lioness stirred at last. The delusion of Bull Run had +passed. It took six months of disasters to do for the South what Bull +Run did for the North in six days. The South began now to rise in her +might and gird her loins for the fight she had foolishly thought won on +the plains of Manassas. + +Senator Barton was in bed so ill from an attack of influenza it was +impossible for him to travel. + +Jennie hastily packed her trunk and left on the first train for the +South. She must reach her helpless grandmother before the Federal army +could attack Baton Rouge. + +The tenderness with which Socola helped her on board the train had +brought the one ray of sunlight into her heart. She had expected to go +in tears and terror for what the future held in store in the stricken +world at home. + +A smile on the lips of a stranger had set her heart to beating with joy. + +She was ashamed of herself for being so happy. But it was impossible to +make her heart stop beating and laughing. He had not yet spoken a word +of love but she knew. She knew with a knowledge sweet and perfect +because she had suddenly realized her own secret. She might have gone on +for months in Richmond without knowing that she cared any more for him +than for a dozen other boys who were as attentive. In this hour of +parting it had come in a blinding flash as he bent over her hand to say +good-by. It made no difference when he should speak. Love had come into +her own heart full, wonderful, joyous, maddening in its glory. She could +wait in silence until in the fullness of time he must speak. It was +enough to know that she loved. + +"May I write to you occasionally, Miss Jennie?" he asked with a timid, +hesitating look. + +She laughed. + +"Of course, you must write and tell me everything that happens here." + +Socola wondered why she laughed. It was disconcerting. He hadn't faced +the question of loving Jennie. She was just a charming, beautiful child +whose acquaintance he could use for great ends. His depression came from +the tremendous nerve strain of his work. The early movement of +McClellan's army had kept him in that darkened attic on Church Hill +continuously every hour of the past night. He was feeling the strain. He +would throw it off when he got a good night's rest. + +It was not until twenty-four hours after Jennie's departure that he +waked with a dull ache in his heart that refused to go. And so while he +dragged himself about his task with a sense of sickening loneliness, a +girl was softly singing in the far South. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE BOMBARDMENT + + +Baton Rouge seethed with excitement on the day of Jennie's arrival. +Every wagon and dray was pressed into service. The people were hauling +their cotton to be burned on the commons. Negroes swarmed over the +bales, cutting them open, piling high the fleecy lint and then applying +the torch. The flames leaped upward with a roar and dropped as suddenly +into a smoldering and smoking mass. + +A crowd rushed to the wharf to see them fire an enormous flat-boat piled +mountain-high with cotton. A dozen bales had been broken open and the +whole floating funeral pyre stood shrouded in spotless white which +leaped into flames as it was pushed into the stream. + +Along the levee as far as the eye could reach negroes crawled like black +ants rolling the cotton into the river. The ties were smashed, and the +white bundle of cotton tumbled into the water and was set on fire. Each +bale sent up its cloud of smoke until the surface of the whole river +seemed alive with a fleet of war crowding its steam to run fresh +batteries. Another flat-boat was piled high, its bales cut open, soaked +with whiskey, and set on fire. The blue flames of burning alcohol gave a +touch of weird and sinister color to the scene. + +The men who owned this cotton stood by cheering and helping in its +destruction. The two flat-boats with flames leaping into the smoke pall +of the darkened skies led the fleet of fire down the river to greet +Farragut's men in their way. + +Every saloon was emptied and every gutter flowed with wines and liquors. + + * * * * * + +Jennie found her grandmother resting serenely in her great rocking +chair, apparently indifferent to the uproar of the town. The household +with its seventy-odd negro servants was running its usual smooth, +careless course. + +Jennie read aloud the announcement in the morning paper of Butler's +order to New Orleans: + +"All devices, signs, and flags of the Confederacy shall be suppressed--" + +She clenched her fist and sprang to her feet. + +"Good! I'll devote all my red, white and blue silk to the manufacture of +Confederate flags! When one is confiscated--I'll make another. I'll wear +one pinned on my bosom. The man who says, 'Take it off,' will have to +pull it off himself. The man who does that--well, I've a pistol +ready!--" + +"What are you saying, dear?" the old lady asked with her thin hand +behind her ear. + +"Oh, nothing much, grandma dear," was the sweet answer. "I was only +wishing I were a man!" + +She slipped her arms about her thin neck and whispered this in deep, +tragic tones. With a bound she was off to the depot to see the last +squad of soldiers depart for the front before the gunboats arrived. + +They waved their hats to the crowds of women and children as the train +slowly pulled out. + +"God bless you, ladies! We're going to fight for you!" + +Jennie drew her handkerchief, waved and sobbed the chorus in reply. + +"God bless you, soldiers! Fight for us!" + +Four hours later the black gunboats swung at their anchors. The proud +little conquered city lay at the mercy of their guns. + +Jennie watched them with shining eyes, and that without fear. The Union +flag was streaming from every peak and halyard. + +The girl rushed home, made a flag five inches long, pinned it to her +shoulder and deliberately walked down town. Mattie Morgan joined her at +the corner and drew one from the folds of her dress, emboldened by the +example. + +They marched straight to the State House terrace to take a good look at +the _Brooklyn_ lying close inshore. Fifteen or twenty Federal officers +were standing on the first terrace, stared at by the crowd as if they +were wild beasts. + +"Oh, Mattie," Jennie faltered. "We didn't expect to meet these people. +What shall we do?" + +"Stand by your colors now. There's nothing else to do." + +On they marched, hearts thumping painfully with conscious humiliation at +their silly bravado. Fine, noble-looking, quiet fellows those officers +in blue--refinement and gentlemanly bearing in every movement of their +stalwart bodies. They had come ashore as friendly sightseers and stood +admiring the beauty of the quaint old town. Jennie's eyes filled with +tears of vexation. + +"Let's go home, Mattie--" + +"I say so, too--" + +"Never again for me! I'll hang my flag on the mantel. I'll not try to +wave it in the face of a gentleman again--oof--what silly fools we +were!" + +The Federal commander of the fleet had warned the citizens of Baton +Rouge that any hostile demonstration against his ships or men would mean +the instant bombardment of the town. + +Jennie had just finished breakfast and helped her grandmother to find +her way to the rocker. Mandy had been sent to the store for some thread +with which to make a new uniform for one of the boys. Jennie resolved to +turn her energies to practical account now. No more flaunting of tiny +flags in the faces of brave, dignified young officers of the navy. + +The maid rushed through the hall wild with excitement. She had run every +step back from the store without the thread. + +"Lowdy, Miss Jennie," she gasped, "sumfin' awful happened!" + +"What is it? What's the matter?" + +Mandy stood in dumb terror, the whites of her eyes shining. She was +listening apparently for the arch-angel's trumpet to sound. + +Jennie seized her shoulders. + +"What's the matter? Tell me before I murder you!" + +"Yassam!" Mandy gasped and again her head was cocked to one side as if +straining her ears for the dreaded sound of Gabriel. + +"What's happened?--Tell me!" Jennie stormed. + +At last poor Mandy's senses slowly returned. She stared into her young +mistress' face and gasped: + +"Yassam--Mr. Castle's killed a Yankee ossifer on de ship an' dey gwine +ter shell--" + +"Boom!" + +The deep thunder peal of a great gun shook the world. There was no +mistaking the sound of it or its meaning. The fleet had opened fire on +the defenseless town. Mandy's teeth chattered and her voice failed. + +And then pandemonium. + +Poor old negroes and helpless pickaninnies swarmed into the house for +shelter from the doom of Judgment Day. + +"Run--run for your lives--get out of the way of those shells!" Jennie +shouted. + +Her three terror-stricken maids huddled by her side in helpless panic. + +Her grandmother sprang to her feet and asked in subdued tones: + +"What is it, child?" + +"The fleet's shelling the town--grandma--you'll be killed--the house'll +be smashed--you must run--run for your life--" + +Jennie screamed her warning into the sweet old lady's ears and seized +her by the hand. + +"But they can't shell a town full of helpless women and children, my +dear," the grandmother protested gently. "It's impossible--" + +"Boom--boom!" pealed two guns in quick succession. + +"De Lawd save us!" Lucy screamed. + +"You see they're doing it--come--" + +Jennie grasped her grandmother's hand firmly and dragged her from the +house. From the servants' quarters came one long wail of prayer and +lamentation mingled with shouts and exhortation. An old bed-ridden black +woman, a fervent Methodist, raised a hymn: + +"_Better days are coming, we'll all go right!_" + +Jennie had reached the gate when she suddenly remembered her canary--a +present Billy had given her on her eighteenth birthday. She rushed back +into the house, snatched the cage up and started on the run again. + +What was the use? It was impossible to take the bird. He would starve to +death. + +She quickly opened the cage, took him out and kissed his yellow head. + +"Good-by, Jimmy darling!" + +The tears would come in spite of all she could do. + +"I hope you'll be happy!" + +With quick decision she tossed him in the air. + +The bird gave one helpless chirp of surprise and terror at the strange +new world, fluttered in a circle, spread his wings at last and was gone. + +The girl brushed her tears away and returned to her grandmother's side. +The gravel was cutting her feet. Her shoes were utterly unfit for +running. She would rush back and get a pair of the boys' strong ones. +She had worn them before. + +"Wait, grandma!" she shouted. "I must change my shoes!" + +Back into the house she plunged and found the shoes. Seeing the house +still standing, she thought of other things she might need, grasped her +tooth brushes and thrust them in her corset. She would certainly need a +comb. She added that--a powder bag and lace collar lying on the bureau +were also saved. Her hair was tumbling down. She thought of hairpins and +tucking comb and added them. + +Her grandmother in alarm came back to find her. They decided between +them to fill a pillow case with little things they would certainly need. + +There was a lull in the shelling. Jennie's maids rushed back in terror +at being left alone. + +The guns again opened with redoubled fury. Still bent on saving +something Jennie grabbed two soiled underskirts and an old cloak and +once more dragged her grandmother to the door. + + * * * * * + +Five big shells sailed squarely over the house at the same moment. They +seemed to swing in circles, spiral-shaped like corkscrews. The dull whiz +and swish of their flight made the most blood-curdling unearthly noise. +Her grandmother fumbled at the door trying to turn the bolt of the +unused lock. + +"Don't fool with that door, grandma!" Jennie cried--"run--run--you'll be +killed." + +"I won't run!" the old lady said with firm decision. "I'll go down there +and tell those cowards what I think of their firing on women and +children--" + +A big shell whizzed past the house and grandma jumped behind a pillar. +She was painfully deaf to human speech--but the whiz of that shell found +her nerves. They ran now without looking back--ran at least for a +hundred yards until the poor old lady could run no more and then walked +as rapidly as possible. + +They were at last on the main country road, leading out of town. +Hurrying terror-stricken people, young, old, black and white, were +passing them every moment now. + +A mile and a half out her grandmother broke down completely. A gentleman +passing in a buggy took pity on her gray hairs and lifted her to the +seat by his side while his own little ones crouched at her feet. + +Jennie waved her hand as they drove off: + +"I'll find you somewhere, grandma dear--don't worry!" + +Another mile she trudged with Mandy and Lucy clinging to her skirts and +then sat down to rest. Her nerves were slowly recovering their poise and +she began to laugh at the funny sights the terror-stricken people +presented at every turn. + +A cart approached piled high with household goods. + +"Let's ride, Mandy!" Jennie cried. + +"Yassam, dat's what I says, too," the little black maid eagerly agreed. + +The cart belonged to a neighbor. It was driven by an old negro man. + +"Let us ride, uncle!" Jennie called. + +The old man pulled his reins quickly and laughed good-naturedly. + +"Dat you shall, Honey. De name er Gawd, ter see Miss Jennie Barton +settin' here in dis dirty road!" + +He helped them climb to seats on the top of his load. Jennie found a +berth between a flour barrel and mattress, while Mandy sat astride of an +enormous bundle of bed clothes. Lucy scrambled up beside the driver. + +The hot sun was pouring its fierce rays down without mercy. The old +negro pulled a faded umbrella from beneath his seat, raised it, and +handed it to Jennie with a grand bow. + +"Thank you, uncle. You certainly are good to us!" + +"Yassam--yassam--I wish I could do mo', honey chile. De ve'y idee er dem +slue-footed Yankees er shellin' our town an' scerin' all our ladies ter +death. Dey gwine ter pay fur all dis 'fore dey git through." + +Three miles out they began to overtake the main body of the fugitives +who escaped at the first mad rush. Hundreds of bedraggled women and +children were toiling along the dust-covered road in the blistering sun, +some bare-headed, some with hats on, some with street clothes, others +with their morning wrappers just as they had fled from their unfinished +breakfast. + +Little girls of eight and ten and twelve were wandering along through +the suffocating dust alone. + +Jennie called to one she knew: + +"Where's your mother, child?" + +The girl shook her dust-powdered head. + +"I don't know, m'am." + +"Where are you going?" + +"To walk on till I find her." + +Her mother was wandering with distracted cries among the crowds a mile +in the rear looking for a nursing baby she had lost in the excitement. + +Jennie's eyes kindled at the sight of faithful negroes everywhere +lugging the treasures of their mistresses. She began asking them what +they were carrying just to hear the answer that always came with a touch +of loyal pride. + +"Dese is my missy's clothes! I sho weren't gwine let dem Yankees steal +dem!" + +"Didn't you save any of your own things?" + +"Didn't have time ter git mine!" + +They came to a guerilla camp. Men and horses were resting on either side +of the road. Some of them were carrying water to their horses or to the +women who cooked about their camp fires. The scene looked like a monster +barbecue. These irregular troops of the South were friends in time of +need to-day. + +They crowded the road, asking for news and commenting freely on the +shelling of the city. + +A rough-looking fellow pushed his way to Jennie's cart. + +"When did they begin firin'?" + +"Just after breakfast." + +Yesterday she would have resented the familiar tones in which this +uncouth illiterate countryman spoke without the formality of an +introduction. In this hour of common peril he was a Knight entering the +lists wearing her colors. + +He didn't mince words in expressing his opinions. + +"It's your own fault if you've saved nothing. The people in Baton Rouge +must have been damned fools not to know trouble wuz comin' with them +gunboats lyin' thar with their big-mouthed cannon gapin' right into the +streets. If the men had had any sense women wouldn't a been drove into +the woods like this--" + +"But they had no warning. They began to shell us without a minute's +notice--" + +His rough fist closed and his heavy jaw came together with a grinding +sound. + +"Waal, you're ruined--so am I--and my brothers and all our people, too. +There's nothin' left now except to die--and I'll do it!" + +The girl clapped her hands. + +"I wish I could go with you!" + +He turned back toward his camp fire with a shake of his unkempt head. + +"Die fighting for us!" Jennie cried. + +He waved his black powder-stained hand: + +"That I will, little girl!" + +The rough figure rose in the unconscious dignity with which he waved his +arm and pledged his word to fight to the death. War had leveled all +ranks. + +The talk on the road was all of burning homes, buildings demolished, +famine, murder, and death. + +Jennie suddenly found herself singing a lot of Methodist Camp Meeting +hymns with an utterly foolish happiness surging through her heart. + +She led off with "_Better days are coming._" Mandy was still too scared +to sing the chorus of this first hymn but she joined softly in the next. +It was one of her favorites: + +"_I hope to die shoutin'--the Lord will provide._" + +The old man driving the cart kept time with a strange undertone of +interpolation all his own. The one he loved best he repeated again and +again. + +"I'm a runnin'--a runnin' up ter glory!" + +How could she be happy amid a scene of such desolation and suffering? +She tried to reproach herself and somehow couldn't be sorry. A vision of +something more wonderful than houses and land, goods and chattels, +slaves and systems of government, had made her heart beat with sudden +joy and her eyes sparkle with happiness. It was only the picture of a +dark slender young fellow who had never spoken a word of love that +flashed before her. And yet the vision had wrought a spell that +transformed the world. + +The guns no longer echoed behind them. A courier came dashing from the +city at sunset asking the people to return to their homes. + +Two old men had rowed out to the war ships during the bombardment. They +called to the commander of the flagship as they pushed their skiff +alongside: + +"There are no men in town, sir--you're only killing women and children!" + +The commander leaned over the rail of his gunboat. + +"I'm sorry, gentlemen. I thought, of course, your town had been +evacuated before your men were fools enough to fire on my marines. I've +shelled your streets to intimidate them." + +The firing ceased. The order to shell the city had been caused by four +guerillas firing on a yawl which was about to land without a flag of +truce. Their volley killed and wounded three. + +"These four men," shouted the elders from the skiff, "were the only +soldiers in town!" + +One woman had been killed and three wounded. Twenty houses had been +pierced by shells and two little children drowned in their flight. A +baby had been born in the woods and died of the exposure. + +It was three o'clock next day before Jennie reached home, her +grandmother utterly oblivious of her own discomforts but complaining +bitterly because she could hear nothing from the old Colonel who had +found it impossible to leave New Orleans. They had not been separated so +long since the Mexican war. Jennie comforted her as best she could, put +her to bed, and took refuge in a tub of cold water. + +The dusty road had peeled the skin off both her heels but no +matter--thank God, she was at home again. + +Orders were issued now from the Federal commandant for the government of +the town. No person was permitted to leave without a pass. All families +were prohibited to leave--except persons separated by the former +exodus. Cannon were planted in every street. Five thousand soldiers had +been thrown into the city, General Williams commanding. Any house +unoccupied by its owners would be used by the soldiers. + +Jennie decided to stick to the house at all hazards until forced to go. +She walked down town to the post office in the vain hope a letter might +have come through from New Orleans to her grandmother. Soldiers were +lounging in the streets in squads of forty and fifty. A crowd was +playing cards in the ditch and swearing as they fought the flies. Crowds +of soldiers relieved from duty were marching aimlessly along the street. +Some were sleeping on the pavements, others sprawled flat on their backs +in the sun, heads pillowed in each other's lap. + +To her surprise a letter addressed in the familiar handwriting of her +brother was handed out at the post office by the young soldier in +charge. + +The seal had been broken. + +Jennie's eyes flashed with rage. + +"How dare you open and read my letter, sir!" she cried with indignation. + +"I'm sorry, Miss," he answered politely. "We're only soldiers. Our +business is to obey orders." + +Jennie blushed furiously. + +"Of course, I beg your pardon. I wasn't thinking when I spoke." + +She read the letter with eager interest: + + + "Dearest little Sister: + + "You must bring grandmother to New Orleans at the earliest possible + opportunity. Grandpa can't get out. He is as restless and unhappy as + a caged tiger. Do come quickly. If you need money let me know. Hoping + soon to see you. With a heart full of love, + + "Your big brother, + + "Roger." + + +It would be best. Her grandmother would be safe there in any event. If +our troops again captured New Orleans she would be in the house of the +South. If the Federal army still held it, she was at home in her +grandson's house. + +The wildest rumors were flying thick. No passes would be issued to leave +the city on any pretext. Beauregard was reported about to move his army +from Corinth to attack Baton Rouge. + +The troops were massing for the defense of the city. The Federal cavalry +had scoured the country for ten miles in search of guerillas. + +Through all the turmoil and confusion of the wildly disordered house +Jennie kept repeating the foolish old hymn in soft monotones: + +"_I hope to die shouting--the Lord will provide!_" + +General Williams sent a guard to protect the house. A file of six +soldiers marched to the gate and their commander saluted: + +"Madam, the pickets await your orders." + +General Williams had met her brother in New Orleans. His loyalty was +enough to mark the beautiful old homestead for protection. + +Jennie laughed. It was a funny situation were it not so tragic. Her +father and three brothers fighting these men with tooth and nail while +an officer saluted and put his soldiers at her command. + +Butler's men were arresting the aged citizens of Baton Rouge now. +Without charge or warrant they were hustled on the transports, hurried +to New Orleans and thrown into jail. Jennie ground her white teeth with +rage: + +"Oh, to be ruled by such a wretch!" + +From the first day he had set foot on the soil of Louisiana Butler had +made himself thoroughly loathed. His order reflecting on the character +of the women of New Orleans had not only shocked the South, it had +roused the indignation of the civilized world. + +A proud and sensitive people had no redress. + +One of the first six citizens sentenced to prison in Fort Jackson was +Dr. Craven, the Methodist minister. A soldier nosing about his house at +night had heard the preacher at family prayers. He had asked God's +blessing on the cause of the South while kneeling in prayer. When Jennie +heard of it, she cried through her tears: + +"Show me a dungeon deep enough to keep me from praying for my brothers +who are fighting for us!" + +The speech of Butler which had gone farthest and sank deepest into the +outraged souls of the people of Southern Louisiana was his defiant +utterance to Solomon Benjamin on the threat of England to intervene in +our struggle: + +"Let England or France dare to try it," Butler swore in a towering rage, +"and I'll be damned if I don't arm every negro in the South and make +them cut the throats of every man, woman and child in it. I'll make them +lay this country waste with fire and sword and leave it desolate." + +That Butler was capable of using his enormous power as the Military +Governor of Louisiana to accomplish this purpose, no one who had any +knowledge of the man or his methods doubted for a moment. + +On the slightest pretexts he arrested whom he pleased, male and female, +and threw them into prison. Aged men who had incurred his displeasure +were confined at hard labor with ball and chain. Men were imprisoned in +Fort Jackson, whose only offense was the giving of medicine to sick +Confederate soldiers. The wife of a former member of Congress was +arrested and sent to Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Her only offense +was that she laughed at some foolish thing that marked the progress of +a funeral procession through the streets of the city. + +On his office wall in the St. Charles Hotel Butler had inscribed in huge +letters: + + + "THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HE AND A SHE ADDER IN THEIR VENOM." + + +His henchmen were allowed to indulge their rapacity at will. The homes +of distinguished men and women were seized on any pretext and turned +into disreputable establishments which were run for gain. They +appropriated the contents of wine cellars, plundered the wardrobes and +dining-rooms of ladies and gentlemen to their hearts' content. Fines +were levied and collected in many cases where it could be secured. Those +who refused to pay were given the choice of ball and chain. A thriving +trade in cotton was opened against the positive orders of the Washington +Government. Butler's own brother was the thrifty banker and broker of +this corrupt transaction. + +Property was "confiscated" right and left, provisions and military +stores were exchanged for cotton. The chief of this regime of organized +plunder lived in daily fear of assassination. It was said he wore secret +armor. He never ventured out except heavily guarded. In his office +several pistols lay beside him and the chair on which his visitor was +seated was chained to the wall to prevent someone suddenly rising and +smashing his brains out. + +There were ten thousand soldiers in Baton Rouge now though the +anticipated attack of the Confederates had not materialized. Perhaps +they had heard of the heavy reenforcements in time. The poor fellows +from the cool hills and mountains of the North were dying in hundreds in +the blistering July sun of the South. They didn't know how to take care +of themselves and their officers didn't seem to care. Butler was a +lawyer and a politician first--a general only when the navy had done his +work for him. + +Jennie saw hundreds of these sick and dying men lying on their backs in +the broiling sun, waiting for wagons to carry them to the hospital. One +had died absolutely alone without a human being near to notice or to +care. The girl's heart was sick with anguish at the sight of scores too +weak to lift their hands to fight the ravenous flies swarming in their +eyes and months. All day and all night Baumstark, the little undertaker, +was working with half a dozen aides making coffins. + +Day and night they died like dogs with no human help extended. The +Catholic priest who had not been arrested as yet, passing among them in +search of his own, bent for a moment over a dying soldier and spoke in +friendly tones. The poor fellow burst into tears and with his last gasp +cried: + +"Thank God! I have heard _one_ kind word before I die!" + +The Federal pickets were driven in at last, and the guard around the +house withdrawn. General Williams insisted that Jennie and her +grandmother find a place of refuge more secure than the coming +battlefield. + +They thanked the General but decided to brave battle at home to the +terrors of another flight. + +The little band of twenty-five hundred Confederates struck the town like +a thunderbolt and fought with desperation against the combined fleet and +heavy garrison. They drove the Federals at first in panic to the water's +edge and the shelter of the cannon until a Maine regiment barred the +way, fighting like demons, and rallied the fleeing mob. When the smoke +of battle lifted the gray army had gone with the loss of only sixty-five +killed and a hundred and fifty wounded. + +The worst calamity which befell Baton Rouge was the death of General +Williams, the gentlemanly and considerate Federal commander. + +Butler's man who took his place lacked both his soldierly training and +his fine scruples as a Christian gentleman. There were no more guards +placed around "Rebel" homes. + +The marauder came with swift sure tread on the heels of victory. + +A squad of officers and men smashed in the front door at Fairview +without so much as a knock for signal. To the shivering servant who +stood in the hall the leader called: + +"Where are the damned secesh women? We know they've hid in here and +we'll make them dance for hiding--" + +Jennie suddenly appeared in the library door, her face white, her hand +concealed in the pocket of her dress. + +"There are but two women here, gentlemen," she began steadily--"my +grandmother and I. The house is at your mercy--" + +The man in front gave a short laugh and advanced on the girl. He stopped +short in his tracks at the sight of the glitter of her eye and changed +his mind. + +"All right, look out for the old hen. We'll let you know when it's time +to pick up the pieces." + +Jennie returned to the library and slipped her arm about her +grandmother's neck standing beside her chair while she set her little +jaw firmly and waited for the end. + +They rushed the dining-room first and split its side-board open with +axes--fine old carved mahogany pieces so hardened with age, the ax +blades chipped from the blows as if striking marble. The china was +smashed chests were laid open with axes, and their contents of silver +removed. + +They rushed the parlors and stripped them of every ornament. Jennie's +piano they dragged into the center of the floor, smashed its ivory keys +and split its rosewood case into splinters. An officer slashed the +portrait of Mrs. Barton into shreds and hurled the frame on the floor. +Every portrait on the walls shared a similar fate. + +Upstairs the fun grew wild. Mrs. Barton's beautiful old mahogany armoir +whose single door was a fine French mirror was shivered with a blow from +a sledge hammer, emptied of every article and the shelves splintered +with axes. They broke every bureau and case of drawers, scattered their +contents on the floor, selecting what suited their fancy. Every rag of +the boys' clothes, the old Colonel's and Senator Barton's were tied in +bundles. + +They entered Jennie's room, broke every mirror, tore down the rods from +the bed and ripped the net into shreds. The desk was split, letters +turned out and scattered over the floor. A light sewing machine was sent +below for a souvenir. The heavy one was broken with an ax. + +From Jennie's bureau they tore a pink flowered muslin, stuck it on a +bayonet and paraded the room, the officers striking it with their swords +shouting their dull insults: + +"I've struck the damned secesh!" + +"The proud little hellion!" + +"That's the time I cut her!" + +One seized her bonnet, put it on, tied the ribbon under his chin and +amid the shouts of his half-drunken companions, paraded the house, and +wore it into the streets when he left. + +When the noise had died away and the house was still at last, Jennie +came forth from the little room in which she had taken refuge, leading +her grandmother. Hand in hand they viewed the wreck. + +The thing that hurt the girl most of all was the ruin of her desk--her +letters from Dick Welford, the boys, her father and mother, the diary +she had kept with the intimate secrets of her young heart--all had been +opened, thumbed and thrown over the floor. The little perfumed notes she +had received from her first beaux--invitations to buggy rides, concerts, +and parties, and all of them beginning, "Compliments of"--had been +profaned by dirty greasy fingers. Some were torn into little bits and +scattered over the room, others were ground into the floor by hobnails +in heavy boot heels. + +Her last letter from Socola was stolen--to be turned over to the +commander for inspection no doubt. And then she broke into a foolish +laugh. The strain was over. What did it matter--this clutter of goods +and chattels on the floor--she was young--it was the morning of life and +she had met her fate! + +In a sudden rush of emotion she threw her arms around her grandmother's +neck and cried: + +"Thank the good Lord, grandma, they didn't shoot you!" + +The sweet old lady was strangely quiet, and her eyes had a queer set +look. She bore the strain without a break until they entered the wreck +of the stately parlor. She saw the slashed portrait of the Colonel lying +on the floor and sank in a heap beside it without a word or sound. + +Jennie succeeded at last in obtaining a pass to New Orleans, consigning +the body to Judge Roger Barton. She stepped on board the little steamer +absolutely alone. Every servant had gone to the camp of the soldiers or +had entered the service of the crowd of marauders who decided to return +to Fairview and occupy the house. + +Jennie had gone through so much the tired spirit refused to respond to +further sensations. She obeyed orders in a dumb mechanical way. + +The officers at New Orleans opened her baggage and searched it without +ceremony, or the slightest show of interest on her part. + +They were administering the "oath" of loyalty to the United States. She +would have to turn Yankee to do this last duty of love. She covered her +face with her hands and prayed breathlessly for the boys and for the +Confederacy while the words of the oath were mumbled by the officer-- + +"So help you God?" + +Jennie's only answer was to close her eyes and pray harder. + +"So help you God?" the officer shouted again. + +The girl lifted her tear-stained face and nodded, closed her eyes again +and prayed. + +"Help them, O God,--my brothers Tom and Jimmie and Billy and Dick +Welford--and--and the man I love--save them and their cause for Jesus' +sake--I don't know what they made me say--I only did it for poor +grandpa's sake--I didn't mean it. Forgive me, dear Lord, and save my +people!" + +The Judge met them with a carriage and hearse. He slipped his strong arm +around the girl, drew her close and kissed the waving brown hair again +and again. + +"Dear little sis--you're at home now," he said softly. + +A shiver ran through her figure and she sat bolt upright. + +"No, Big Brother," she answered firmly, "I'm not. New Orleans is in the +hands of the enemy. I'd set it on fire and wipe it from the face of the +earth to-morrow if I could sweep old Ben Butler and his men into the +bottomless pit with its ashes--" + +She paused at the look of pain on his face. + +"Except you--dear--you're my brother, always my dear Big Brother and +I'll love you forever. What you think right is right--for you. You are +for the Union, because you believe it's right. I honor you for being +true to your convictions--" + +"You can never know what it has cost me--Honey--" + +She drew him down and kissed him tenderly. + +"Yes, I do know--and it's all right--even if you draw your sword and +meet us in battle--you're fighting for the right as God shows it to +you--but I've just one favor to ask--" + +"I'll do anything on earth for you I can--you know that--" + +She looked at him steadily a moment in silence and spoke in hard cold +tones. + +"Get me out of New Orleans inside the Confederate lines--anywhere--a +guerilla camp--a swamp--anywhere, you understand. I'll find my way to +Richmond--" + +He pressed her hand in silence and then softly answered: + +"I understand, dear--and I'll arrange it for you. I'll hire a schooner +to set you across Lake Pontchartrain." + +The old Colonel looked on the face of his dead wife and went to bed. He +made no complaints. He asked no questions. The book of life was closed. +Within a week he died as peacefully as a child. + +Ten days later Jennie had passed the Federal lines and was whirling +through the Carolinas, her soul aflame with a new deathless courage. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE IRREPARABLE LOSS + + +Jefferson Davis not only refused to remove Albert Sidney Johnston from +his command in answer to the clamor of his critics, he wrote his general +letters expressing such unbounded confidence in his genius that he +inspired him to begin the most brilliant campaign on which the South had +yet entered. + +Grant, flushed with victory, had encamped his army along the banks of +the Tennessee, then at flood and easily navigable for gunboats and +transports. The bulldog fighter of Fort Donelson had allowed his maxim +of war to lead him into a situation which the eye of Johnston was quick +to see. + +Grant's famous motto was: + +"Never be over anxious about what your enemy is going to do to you; make +him anxious about what you are going to do to him." + +In accordance with this principle the Union General was busy preparing +his Grand Army for a triumphant march into the far South. He was +drilling and training his men for their attack on the Confederates at +Corinth. His army was not in a position for defense. It was, in fact, +strung out into a long line of camps for military instruction, preparing +to advance on the foe he had grown to despise. + +Sherman's division occupied a position near Shiloh Church. A half mile +further was B. M. Prentiss with newly arrived regiments, one of which +still had no ammunition. Near the river McClernand was camped behind +Sherman and Hurlbert still farther back. Near them lay W. H. L. +Wallace's division, and at Crump's Landing, Lew Wallace was stationed +with six thousand men. + +Grant himself was nine miles down the river at Savannah, a point at +which he expected to form a junction with Buell's army approaching from +the east. + +Grant sat at breakfast on a beautiful Sunday morning quietly sipping his +coffee while he planned his conquest of the vast territory which now lay +at the mercy of his army the moment the juncture should be effected. + +With swift stealthy tread, Johnston was moving through the dense forests +of the wild region to the south. His army had been rapidly recruited to +approximately forty thousand effective men. Beauregard had been detached +from the East and was second in command. + +The night before this beautiful spring Sabbath morning the Confederate +army had bivouacked within two miles of the Federal front. Johnston had +so baffled the scouts and reconnoitering parties of Grant that his +presence was not suspected. + +In the gray mists of the dawn his divisions silently deployed and formed +in line of battle. General Leonidas Polk on the left, Braxton Bragg in +the center, William J. Hardee on the right and John C. Breckinridge in +reserve. + +The men were alert and eager to avenge the defeats of Forts Henry and +Donelson. With chuckles of exhilaration they had listened that night to +the rolling of the drums in Grant's camps. + +A mist from the river valley hung low over the fresh budding trees. With +swift elastic tread the gray lines moved forward through the shadows of +the dawn. + +So complete was the surprise that not a picket was encountered. Not a +single company of cavalry guarded the flanks of the sleeping army. + +The mists lifted and the sheen of white tents could be seen through the +trees. + +Only a few of the blue soldiers had risen. They were washing and cooking +their morning meal. Some had sat down to eat at generous mess-chests. +Thousands were yet soundly sleeping in their tents. + +On Prentiss' division from flank to flank with sudden fury the gray host +fell. Even the camp sentinels were taken completely by surprise and +barely had time to discharge their guns. On their heels rushed the +Confederates cheering madly. + +Officers and men were killed in their beds and many fled in confusion +without their arms. Hildebrand's brigade of Sherman's division was +engulfed by the cyclone and swept from existence, appearing no more in +the battle. + +In vain the broken lines of the Federal camps were formed and re-formed. +Charge followed charge in swift and terrible succession. + +By half past ten o'clock the Confederates had captured and demolished +three great military encampments and taken three batteries of artillery. +Storehouses and munitions of war in rich profusion were captured at +every turn. The demoralized Union army was retreating at every point. + +When Grant reached the field, the lines both of attack and defense were +lost in confusion. The battle raged in groups. Sometimes mere squads of +men surged back and forth over the broken, tangled, blood-soaked arena, +now in ravines and swamps, now for a moment emerging into clearings and +then buried again in the deep woods. + +The stolid Federal commander sat his horse, keen-eyed, vigilant and +imperturbable in the storm of ruin. His early efforts counted for little +in the blind confusion and turmoil of his crushed army. Lew Wallace had +been ordered to the field in post haste. The bridge across Owl Creek, +held by Sherman in the morning, was now in the hands of the +Confederates. Wallace marched and countermarched his army in a vain +effort to reach the field. + +At two o'clock Johnston had brought up his reserves and ordered the +entire gray army to charge and sweep the field. His fine face flushed +with victory, he rose in his saddle, addressed a few eloquent words to +Breckinridge's division, placed himself at the head of his army and his +sword flashed in the sunlight as he shouted to the line: + +"Charge!" + +Dick Welford had been detached from Forrest's cavalry on staff duty by +his Chief's side. Forrest had been marked by Johnston for promotion for +his work at Donelson, and Dick had grown to worship his gallant +Commanding General. He had watched his plan of battle grow with boyish +pride. He knew his Chief was going to crush the two divisions of Grant's +army in detail before they could be united. And he had done it. Such +complete and overwhelming victory would lift the South from her slough +of despair. + +With a shout of triumph he spurred his horse neck to neck with his +General. + +At two o'clock the blue lines were still rolling back on the river in +hopeless confusion, the gray lines cheering and charging and crushing +without mercy. + +A ball pierced Johnston's right leg. Dick saw his hand drop the rein for +an instant and a look of pain sweep his handsome face. + +"You're wounded, sir?" he asked. + +"It's nothing, boy," he answered, "only a flesh cut--drive--drive--drive +them!" + +Without pause he rode on and on. + +He was riding the white horse of Death--an artery had been cut and his +precious life was slowly but surely ebbing away. + +He swayed in his saddle and Dick dashed forward: + +"General, your wound must be dressed!" + +Governor Harris of Tennessee, his aide, observed him at the same moment +and spurred his horse to his side. + +The General turned his dim eyes to the Governor and gasped: + +"I fear I'm mortally wounded--" + +He reeled in his saddle and would have fallen had not Dick caught him +and tenderly lowered him to the ground. + +The brave war Governor of Tennessee received the falling Commander in +his arms and helped Dick bear him a short distance from the field into a +deep ravine. + +Dick took the flask of whiskey from his pocket and pressed it to his +lips in vain. A moment and he was dead. + +In a passion of grief the boy threw his arms around his beloved Chief +and called through his tears and groans: + +"My God, General, you can't die--you mustn't die now! Don't you hear the +boys shouting? They're driving Grant's army into the river. They've +avenged Donelson!--General--for God's sake speak to me--say you won't +die--you can't, you can't--Oh, Lord God, save his precious life!--" + +No sign or answer came. His breast had ceased to move. The Governor +tenderly lifted the grief-stricken boy and sent him with his General's +last message. + +"Find Beauregard and tell him he is in command of the field. Not a word +of the death of the Chief until his victory is complete." + +Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle. + +"I understand, sir." + +[Illustration: "Dick saluted and sprang into the saddle--'I understand, +sir'"] + +It was late in the afternoon before he located General Beauregard and +delivered the fateful news. + +The victorious Confederate army had furiously pressed its charge. +Johnston's word had passed from command to command. + +"Forward--forward--let every order be forward!" + +Everything had yielded at last before them. From camp to camp, from +rallying point to rallying point the Union hosts had been hurled, +division piling on division in wild confusion. + +Driven headlong, the broken ranks were thrown in panic on the banks of +the river. Thousands crouched in ravines and sought shelter under the +steep bluffs of the river banks. Trampling mobs were struggling in vain +to board the transports and cross the river. The Federal reserve line +had been completely crushed, and the entire army, driven from the field +they had held that morning, were huddled in a confused mass of a half +mile around the Pittsburg Landing. + +The next charge of the Confederates would hurl the whole army into the +river or they must surrender. + +The gunboats had opened in vain. They were throwing their shells a mile +beyond the Confederate lines where they fell harmlessly. + +The Confederate division commanders were gathering their hosts for the +last charge at sunset. There was yet an hour of daylight in which to end +the struggle with the complete annihilation of the Union army. Down +under the steep banks of the river's edge the demoralized remnants of +the shattered divisions were already stacking their arms to surrender. +They had made their last stand. + +General Bragg turned to his aide: + +"Tell Major Stewart of the twenty-first Alabama to advance and drive the +enemy into the river!" + +The aide saluted. + +"And carry that order along the whole line!" + +The aide put spurs to his horse to execute the command, when a courier +dashed up from General Beauregard's headquarters. + +"Direct me to General Bragg!" + +The aide pointed to the General and rode back with Beauregard's courier. + +"General Beauregard orders that you cease fighting and rest your men +to-night." + +Bragg turned his rugged dark face on the messenger with a scowl. + +"You have promulgated this order to the army?" + +"I have, sir--" + +"If you had not, I would not obey it--" + +He paused and threw one hand high above his head. + +"Our victory has been thrown to the winds!" + +The sudden and inexplicable abandonment of this complete and +overwhelming success was one of the most remarkable events in the +history of modern warfare. + +The men bivouacked on the field. + +The blunder was fatal and irretrievable. Even while the order was being +given to cease firing the advance guard of Buell's army was already +approaching the other bank of the river. Twenty-five thousand fresh men +under cover of the darkness began to pour their long lines into position +to save Grant's shattered ranks. + +As night fell another misfortune was on the way to obscure the star of +Beauregard. His soldiers, elated with their wonderful victory, broke +into disorderly plundering of the captured Federal camps. Except for a +few thousand sternly disciplined troops under Bragg's command the whole +Southern army suddenly degenerated into a mob of roving plunderers, mad +with folly. In the rich stores of the Federal army thousands of gallons +of wines and liquors were found. Hundreds of gray soldiers became +intoxicated. While scenes of the wildest revelry and disorder were being +enacted around the camp fires, Buell's army was silently crossing the +river under cover of the night and forming in line of battle for +to-morrow's baptism of blood. + +Albert Sidney Johnston's body lay cold in death--and the army of the +victorious South had no head. Better had there been no second general of +full rank in the field. Either of Johnston's division commanders, Bragg, +Hardee, Polk or Breckinridge, would have driven Grant's panic-stricken +mob into the river within an hour if let alone. + +But the little hero of Bull Run of the flower-decked tent halted his men +to rest for the night at the very hour of the day when Napoleon ordered +his first charge on one of his immortal battlefields. + +Beauregard gave his foe ample time for breakfast next morning. The sun +was an hour high in the heavens before the battle was joined. + +The genius of Johnston had surprised Grant and rolled his army back on +the river--never pausing for a moment to give him time to rally his +broken ranks. + +But when Beauregard leisurely led his disorganized army next morning +against Grant's new lines, there was no shock, no surprise--the line was +ready. His panic-stricken men had been reorganized and massed in strong +defensive position and reenforced by the divisions of Generals Nelson, +McCook, Crittenden, and Thomas of Buell's army--twenty-five thousand +strong. + +Lew Wallace's division had also effected the junction and the Federal +front presented a solid wall of fifty-three thousand determined men +against whom Beauregard must now throw his little army of thirty +thousand effective fighters. + +The assault was made with dash and courage. For four hours the battle +raged with fury. The shattered regiments that had been surprised and +crushed the day before, yielded at one time before the onslaughts of the +Confederates. By noon Beauregard had sent into the shambles his last +brigade and reserves and shortly afterwards gave his first order to +withdraw his army. + +Breckinridge's division covered the retreat and there was no attempt at +pursuit. Grant was only too glad to save his army. The first great +battle of the war had been fought and won by the genius of the South's +commander and its results thrown away by the hero of Bull Run. + +Never was the wisdom of a great leader more thoroughly vindicated than +was Jefferson Davis in the record Albert Sidney Johnston made at Shiloh. +The men who had been loudest in demanding his removal stood dumb before +the story of his genius. + +The death list of this battle sent a shiver of horror through the North +and the South. All other battles of the war were but skirmishes to this. + +The Confederate losses in killed, wounded and missing were ten thousand +six hundred and ninety-nine. At Bull Run the combined armies of Joseph +E. Johnston and Beauregard lost but one thousand nine hundred and +sixty-four men. + +Grant's army lost thirteen thousand one hundred and sixty-two in killed, +wounded and prisoners. McDowell at Bull Run had lost but two thousand +seven hundred, and yet was removed from his command. + +The rage against Grant in the North was unbounded. The demand for his +removal was so determined, so universal, so persistent, it was necessary +for Abraham Lincoln to bow to it temporarily. + +Lincoln positively refused to sacrifice his fighting General for his +first error, but sent Halleck into the field as Commander-in-Chief and +left Grant in command of his division. + +The bulldog fighter of the North learned his lesson at Shiloh. The South +never again caught him napping. + +Great as the losses were to the North they were as nothing to the +disaster which this bloody field brought to the Confederacy. Albert +Sidney Johnston alive was equal to an army of a hundred thousand +men--dead; his loss was irreparable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE LIGHT THAT FAILED + + +The struggle which Jefferson Davis was making to parry the force of the +mortal blows delivered by the United States Navy at last gave promise of +startling success. + +The fight to establish the right of the Confederacy to arm its allies +under letters of marque and reprisal had been won by the Southern +President. The first armed vessel sailing under the orders of Davis +which was captured by the navy had brought the question to sharp issue. +The Washington Government had proclaimed the vessels flying the +Confederate flag under letters of marque to be pirates and subject to +the treatment of felons. + +The Captain and the crew of the _Savannah_ when captured had been put in +irons and condemned to death as pirates. If the Washington Government +could make good this daring assumption, the power of the Confederacy to +damage the commerce of the North would be practically destroyed at a +blow. + +Davis met the crisis with firmness. He selected an equal number of +Federal prisoners of war in Richmond and threw them into a dungeon below +Libby Prison. He dispatched a letter to Washington whose language could +not be misunderstood. + + + "Dare to execute an officer or sailor of the _Savannah_, and I will + put to death as felons an equal number of Federal officers and men. + I have placed them in close confinement and ordered similar treatment + to that accorded our prisoners from the captured vessel." + + +Socola received a message summoning him to the house on Church Hill. +A courier had arrived from Washington. The Government must know +immediately if this threat were idle or genuine. If Jefferson Davis +should dare to execute these thirteen officers and men, the +administration could not resist the storm of indignant protest which +would overwhelm it from the North. + +Socola read the cipher dispatch by the dim light of the candle in his +attic and turned to Miss Van Lew. + +"My information in the State Department is of the most positive kind. +The prisoners have been put in the dungeon set apart for condemned +felons and they but wait the word of the execution of the men from the +_Savannah_, to be led to certain death. It may be talk. We must know. +Apply for permission to visit the condemned men and minister to their +comfort--" + +"At once," was the prompt response. "I've made friends with Captain +Todd, the Commandant of Libby Prison; I'll succeed." + +Crazy Bet appeared at Libby Prison next morning with a basket of flowers +for the condemned men. Captain Todd humored her mania. Poor old +abolition fanatic, she could do no harm. She was too frank and outspoken +to be dangerous. Besides, it was a war of brothers. His own sister was +the wife of Abraham Lincoln. These condemned men were the best blood of +the North. It was a pitiful tragedy. + +Miss Van Lew, with a market basket on her arm, watched for Socola's +appearance from the office of the Secretary of State. The young clerk +was walking slowly down Main Street and turned into an unused narrow +road at the foot of the hill. + +Crazy Bet, swinging the basket and humming a song, passed him without +turning her head. + +"It's true," she whispered quickly, "all horribly true. Thirteen of the +finest officers of the Union army have been condemned to death the +moment the crew of the _Savannah_ are executed--among them Colonel +Cochrane of New York and Colonel Paul Revere of Massachusetts. The +dispatch must go to-night." + +"To-night," was the short answer. + +Within an hour Socola's courier was on his way to Washington with a +message which unlocked the prison doors of the condemned men on both +sides of the line. + +Abraham Lincoln stoutly opposed a repetition of the effort to treat +Confederate prisoners as outlaws, no matter where taken by land or sea. +Davis had established the legality of his letters of marque and reprisal +beyond question. + +The United States Navy in the first flood of its victories made another +false step which brought to the South an hour of brilliant hope. Captain +Wilkes overhauled a British steamer carrying the royal mail and took +from her decks by force the Commissioners Mason and Slidell whom Davis +had dispatched to Europe to plead for the recognition of the +Confederacy. The North had gone wild with joy over the act and Congress +voted Wilkes the thanks of the nation as its hero. + +Great Britain demanded an apology and the restoration of the prisoners, +put her navy on a war footing and dispatched a division of her army to +Canada to strike the North by land as well as sea. + +The hard common sense of Abraham Lincoln rescued the National Government +from a delicate and dangerous situation. Lincoln apologized to Great +Britain, restored the Confederate Commissioners and returned with +redoubled energy to the prosecution of the war. In answer to the shouts +of demagogues and the reproaches of both friend and foe, the homely +rail-splitter from the West had a simple answer. + +"One war at a time." + +Jefferson Davis watched this threat of British invasion with breathless +intensity. He saw the hope of thus breaking the power of the navy fade +with sickening disappointment. + +There was one more hope. The hull of the _Merrimac_ had been raised from +the bottom of the harbor of Norfolk and the work of transforming her +into a giant iron-clad ship capable of carrying a fighting crew of three +hundred men had been completed, though her engines were slow. + +But the enthusiastic men set to this task by Davis had accomplished +wonders. Their reports to him had raised high hopes of a sensation. If +this new monster of the sea should succeed single handed in destroying +the fleet of six vessels lying in Hampton Roads, the naval warfare of +the world would be revolutionized in a day and overtures for peace might +be within sight. + +The Norfolk newspapers, under instructions from the Confederate +Commandant, pronounced the experiment of the _Merrimac_ a stupid and +fearful failure. Her engines were useless. Her steering gear wouldn't +work. Her armament was so heavy she couldn't be handled. These papers +were easily circulated at Newport News and Old Point Comfort among the +officers and men of the Federal fleet. + +The men who had built the strange craft knew she was anything but a +failure. With eager, excited hands her crew finished the last touch of +her preparations and with her guns shotted she slowly steamed out of the +harbor of Norfolk accompanied by two saucy little improvised gunboats, +the _Beaufort_ and the _Raleigh_. + +Her speed was not more than five knots an hour and she steered so badly +the _Beaufort_ was compelled to pull her into the main current of the +channel more than once. + +The Federal squadron lay off Newport News, the _Congress_ and the +_Cumberland_ well out in the stream, the _Minnesota_, _Roanoke_ and _St. +Lawrence_ further down toward Fortress Monroe. The _Congress_, +_Cumberland_ and _St. Lawrence_ mounted one hundred and twenty-four +guns, twenty-two of them of nine-inch caliber. Their crews aggregated +more than a thousand men. + +The new crack steam frigates _Minnesota_ and _Roanoke_ had crews of six +hundred men each and carried more than eighty guns of nine and +eleven-inch caliber. That any single craft afloat would dare attack such +a squadron was preposterous. + +It was one o'clock before the strange black looking object swung into +the channel and turned her nose up stream toward Newport News. + +The crews of the _Congress_ and the _Cumberland_ were lounging on deck +enjoying the balmy spring air. It was wash day and the clothes were +fluttering in the breeze. + +They couldn't make out the foolish-looking thing at first. It looked +like the top of a long-hipped roof house that had been sawed off at the +eaves and pushed into the water. The two little river steamers that +accompanied the raft seemed to be towing it. + +"What 'ell, Bill, is that thing?" a sailor asked his mate on the +_Congress_. + +Bill scanned the horizon. + +"I give it up, sir," he admitted. "I been a sailin' the seas for forty +years--but that's one on me!" + +A battle signal suddenly flashed from the _Cumberland_ and down came the +wash lines. + +The _Beaufort_ with a single thirty-two-pounder rifle mounted in her bow +was steaming alongside the port of the strange craft. A puff of white +smoke flared from her single gun and its dull roar waked the still +beautiful waters of the Virginia harbor. + +The _Merrimac_ flung her big battle flag into the sky and her tiny +escorts dropped down stream to give her free play. The _Congress_ and +the _Cumberland_ were surprised, but they slipped their anchors in a +jiffy, swung their guns in haste and began pouring a storm of shot on +the iron sides of the coming foe. + +The _Merrimac_ moved forward with slow, steady throb as though the shot +that rained on her slanting sides were so many pebbles thrown by school +boys. She passed the _Congress_ and pointed her ugly prow for the +_Cumberland_. The ship poured her broadside squarely into the face of +the Merrimac without damage and the bow gun roared an answer that +pierced her bulwarks. + +Through the thick cloud of heavy smoke that hung low on the water the +throbbing monster bore straight down on the _Cumberland_, struck her +amidship and sent her to the bottom. + +As the gallant ship sank in sickening lurches her brave crew cheered her +to her grave and continued firing her useless guns until the waves +engulfed the decks. When her keel touched the bottom her flag was still +flying from her masthead. She rolled over on her beam's end and carried +the flag beneath the waves. + +The Confederate mosquito fleet, consisting of the little gunboats +_Patrick Henry_, _Teaser_ and _Jamestown_, swung down from the river +now, ran boldly past the flaming shore batteries and joined in the +attack on the Federal squadron. + +The _Congress_ had set one of her sails and with the aid of a tug was +desperately working to reach shoal water before she could be sunk. Her +captain succeeded in beaching her directly under the guns of the shore +batteries. At four o'clock she gave up the bloody unequal contest and +hauled down her colors. + +The _Minnesota_, _Roanoke_ and _St. Lawrence_, in trying to reach the +scene of the battle, had all been grounded. The _Minnesota_ was still +lying helpless in the mud as the sun set and the new monarch of the seas +slowly withdrew to Sewell's Point to overhaul her machinery and prepare +to finish her work next day. + +The _Merrimac_ had lost twenty-one killed and wounded--among the wounded +was her gallant flag officer, Franklin Buchanan. The _Patrick Henry_ had +lost fourteen, the _Beaufort_ eight, the _Raleigh_ seven, including two +officers. + +The Federal squadron had lost two ships and four hundred men. + +But by far the greatest loss to the United States Navy was the supremacy +of the seas. The power of her fleets had been smashed at a blow. The +ugly, black, powder-stained, iron thing lying under the guns of Sewell's +Point had won the crown of the world's naval supremacy. The fleets of +the United States were practically out of commission while she was +afloat. The panic at the North which followed the startling news from +Hampton Roads was indescribable. Abraham Lincoln hastily called a +Cabinet meeting to consider what action it was necessary to take to meet +the now appalling situation. Never before had any man in authority at +Washington realized how absolute was their dependence on the United +States Navy--how impossible it would be to maintain the Government +without its power. + +Edwin M. Stanton, the indefatigable Secretary of War, completely lost +his nerve at this Cabinet meeting. He paced the floor with quick excited +tread, glancing out of the window of the White House toward the waters +of the Potomac with undisguised fear. + +"I am sure, gentlemen," he said to the Cabinet, "that monster is now on +her way to Washington. In my opinion we will have a shell from one of +her big guns in the White House before we leave this room!" + +Lincoln was profoundly depressed but refused to believe the cause of the +Union could thus be completely lost at a single blow from a nondescript, +iron raft. Yet it was only too easy to see that the moral effect of this +victory would be crushing on public opinion. + +The wires to Washington were hot with frantic calls for help. New York +was ready to surrender at the first demand. So utter was the +demoralization at Fortress Monroe, the one absolutely impregnable fort +on the Atlantic coast, that the commander had already determined to +surrender in answer to the first shot the _Merrimac_ should fire. + +The preparations for moving McClellan's army to the Virginia Peninsula +for the campaign to capture Richmond were suddenly halted. Two hundred +thousand men must rest on their arms until this crisis should pass. All +orders issued to the Army of the Potomac were now made contingent on the +destruction of the iron monster lying in Hampton Roads. + +By one of the strangest coincidences in history the United States Navy +had completed an experiment in floating iron at precisely the same +moment. + +While the guns of the battle were yet echoing over the waters of the +harbor, this strange little craft, a floating iron cheese box, was +slowly steaming into the Virginia capes. + +At nine o'clock that night Ericsson's _Monitor_ was beside the +panic-stricken _Roanoke_. + +When C. S. Bushnell took the model of this strange craft to Washington, +he was referred to Commander C. H. Davis by the Naval Board. When Davis +had examined it he handed it back to Bushnell with a pitying smile: + +"Take the little thing home, and worship it. It would not be idolatry, +because it's made in the image of nothing in the heaven above or the +earth beneath or in the waters under the earth." + +Wiser councils had prevailed, and the floating cheese box was completed +and arrived in Hampton Roads in time to put its powers to supreme test. + +The _Merrimac's_ crew ate their breakfast at their leisure and prepared +to drive their ugly duckling into the battle line again and finish the +work of destroying the battered Federal squadron. + +The _Merrimac_ had fought the battle of the day before under the +constant pounding of more than one hundred guns bearing on her iron +sides. Her armor was intact. Two of her guns were disabled by having +their muzzles shot off. Her nose had been torn off and sank with the +_Cumberland_. One anchor, her smoke stacks and steam pipes were shot +away. Every scrap of her railing, stanchions, and boat davits had been +swept clean. Her flag staff was gone and a boarding pike had been set up +in its place. + +With stern faces, and absolutely sure of victory, her crew swung her +into the stream, crowded on full steam and moved down on the +_Minnesota_. + +Close under the ship's side they saw for the first time the cheese box. +They had heard of the experiment of her building but knew nothing of her +arrival. + +Her insignificant size was a surprise and the big _Merrimac_ dashed at +her with a sullen furious growl of her big guns. The game little bulldog +swung out from the _Minnesota_ and made straight for the onrushing +monster. + +The flotilla of gunboats had been signaled to retire and watch the +duel. + +From the big eleven-inch guns of the _Monitor_ shot after shot was +hurled against the slanting armored walls of the _Merrimac_. + +Broadside after broadside poured from her guns against the iron-clad +tower of the _Monitor_. + +The _Merrimac_, drawing twenty feet of water, was slow and difficult to +handle. The game little _Monitor_ drew but twelve feet and required no +maneuvering. Her tower revolved. She could stand and fight in one spot +all day. + +The big black hull of the _Merrimac_ bore down on the _Monitor_ now to +ram and sink her at a blow. The nimble craft side stepped the avalanche +of iron, turned quickly and attempted to jamb her nose into the steering +gear of the Southerner--but in vain. + +For two solid hours the iron-clads pounded and hammered each other. The +shots made no impression on either boat. + +Again the _Merrimac_ tried to ram her antagonist and run her aground. +The nimble foe avoided the blow, though struck a grinding, crushing +side-swipe. + +The little _Monitor_ now stuck her nose squarely against the side of the +_Merrimac_, held it there, and fired both her eleven-inch guns against +the walls of the Southerner. + +The charge of powder was not heavy enough. No harm was done. The impact +of the shots had merely forced the sloping sides an inch or two. + +The captain of the _Merrimac_ turned to his men in sharp command. + +"All hands on deck. Board and capture her!" + +The smoke-smeared crew swarmed to the portholes and were just in the act +of springing on the decks of the _Monitor_, when she backed quickly and +dropped down stream. + +After six hours of thunder in each other's faces the _Monitor_ drew +away into the shoal waters guarding the _Minnesota_. + +The _Merrimac_ could not follow her in the shallows and at two o'clock +turned her prow again toward Sewell's Point. + +The battle was a drawn conflict. But the plucky little _Monitor_ had won +a tremendous moral victory. She had rescued the navy in the nick of +time. The Government at Washington once more breathed. + +From the heights of rejoicing the South sank again to the bitterness of +failure. For twenty-four hours her flag had been mistress of the seas. +Jefferson Davis saw the hope of peace fade into the certainty of a +struggle for the possession of Richmond. + +The way had been cleared. McClellan's two hundred thousand men were +rushing on their transports for the Virginia peninsula. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER + + +Long before Jennie Barton arrived in Richmond Socola had waked to the +realization of the fact that he had been caught in the trap he had set +for another. He had laughed at his growing interest in the slender dark +little Southerner. He imagined that he had hypnotized himself into the +idea that he really liked her. He had kept no account of the number of +visits he had made. They were part of his programme. They had grown so +swiftly into the habit of his thought and life he had not stopped to +question the motive that prompted his zeal in pressing his attentions. + +In fact his mind had become so evenly adjusted to hers, his happiness +had been so quietly perfect, he had lost sight of the fact that he was +pressing his attentions at all. + +The day she was suddenly called South and he said good-by with her brown +eyes looking so frankly into his he was brought sharply up against the +fact that he was in love. + +When he took her warm hand in his to press it for the last time, he felt +an almost resistless impulse to bend and kiss her. From that moment he +realized that he was in love--madly, hopelessly, desperately. + +He had left the car and hurried back to his post in the State +Department, his heart beating like a trip hammer. It was a novel +experience. He had never taken girls seriously before. The last girl on +earth he had ever meant to take seriously was this slip of a Southern +enthusiast. For a moment he was furious at the certainty of his abject +surrender. He lifted his eyes to the big columns of the Confederate +Capitol and laughed: + +"Come, come, man--common sense--this is a joke! Forget it all. To your +work--your country calls!" + +Somehow the country refused to issue but one call--the old eternal cry +of love. Wherever he turned, Jennie's brown eyes were smiling into his. +He looked at the Confederate Capitol to inspire him to deeds of daring +and all he could remember was that she was a glorious little rebel with +three brothers fighting for the flag that floated there. All he could +get out of the supreme emblem of the "Rebellion" was that it was her +Capitol and _her_ flag and he loved her. + +And then he laughed for sheer joy that love had come into his heart and +made the world beautiful. He surrendered himself body and soul to the +madness and wonder of it all. + +If he could only see his mother and tell her, she could understand. He +couldn't talk to the bundle of nerves Miss Van Lew had become. Her eyes +burned each day with a deeper and deeper light of fanatical patriotism. +He had yielded none of his own enthusiasm. But this secret of his heart +was too sweet to be shared by a comrade in arms. + +Only God's eye, or the soul of the mother who bore him, could understand +what he felt. The realization of his love for Jennie brought a new fear +into his heart. His nerve was put daily to supreme test in the dangerous +work in which he was engaged. A single mistake would start an +investigation sure to end with a rope around his neck. Love had given +life a new meaning. The chatter of the squirrels in the Capitol Square +was all about their homes and babies in the tree tops. The song of +birds in the old flower garden on Church Hill made his heart thump with +a joy that was agony. The flowers were just bursting into full bloom and +their perfume filled the air with the lazy dreaming of the southern +spring. + +He must speak his love. His heart would burst with its beating. His mate +must know. And she had returned to Richmond with a bitterness against +the North that was something new in the development of her character. + +The newspapers of Richmond had published an elaborate account of the +sacking of her father's house, the smashing of its furniture and theft +of its valuables. It had created a profound sensation. There was no +mistaking the passion with which she had told this story. + +He had laughed at first over the fun of winning the fairest little rebel +in the South and carrying his bride away a prize of war, against the +combined efforts of his Southern rivals. His love and pride had not +doubted for a moment that her heart would yield to the man she loved no +matter what uniform he might wear at the end of this war. + +He couldn't make up his mind to ask her to marry him until she should +know his real name and his true principles. + +What would she do if the truth were revealed? His heart fairly stopped +its beating at the thought. The fall of Richmond he now regarded as a +practical certainty. The _Merrimac_ had proven a vain hope to the +Confederacy. + +McClellan was landing his magnificent army on the Peninsula and +preparing to sweep all before him. McDowell's forty thousand men were +moving on his old line of march straight from Washington. Their two +armies would unite before the city and circle it with an invincible wall +of fire and steel. Fremont, Milroy and Banks were sweeping through the +valley of the Shenandoah. Their armies would unite, break the +connections of the Confederacy at Lynchburg and the South would be +crushed. + +That this would all be accomplished within thirty days he had the most +positive assurances from Washington. So sure was Miss Van Lew of +McClellan's triumphant entry into Richmond she had put her house in +order for his reception. Her parlor had been scrupulously cleaned. Its +blinds were drawn and the room dark, but a flag staff was ready and a +Union standard concealed in one of her feather beds. Over the old house +on Church Hill the emblem of the Nation would first be flung to the +breeze in the conquered Capital of the Confederacy. + +The certainty of his discovery in the rush of the Union army into the +city was now the nightmare which haunted his imagination. + +He could fight the Confederate Government on even terms. He asked no +odds. His life was on the hazard. Something more than the life of a +Union spy was at stake in his affair with Jennie. Her life and happiness +were bound in his. He felt this by an unerring instinct. + +If this proud, sensitive, embittered girl should stumble on even a +suspicion of the truth, she would tear her heart out of her body if +necessary to put him out of her life. + +For a moment he was tempted to give up his work and return to the North. +It was the one sure way to avoid discovery when Richmond fell. The war +over, he would have his even chance with other men when its bitterness +had been softened. His work in Richmond was practically done. His men +could finish it. The number of soldiers in the Southern armies had been +accurately counted and reported to Washington. Why should he risk the +happiness of the woman he loved and his own happiness for life by +remaining another day? + +The thought had no sooner taken shape than he put it out of his mind. + +"Bah! I've set my hand to a great task. I'm not a quitter. I'll stand by +my guns. No true woman ever loved a coward!" + +He would take his chances and tell her his love. + +He lifted the old-fashioned brass knocker on Senator Barton's door and +banged it with such force he laughed at his own foolish eagerness: + +"At least I needn't smash my way in!" he muttered. + +"Yassah, des walk right in de parlor, sah," Jennie's maid said, with her +teeth shining in a knowing smile. + +Senator Barton had recovered from his illness. There could be no doubt +about it. He was in the library holding forth in eloquent tones to a +group of Confederate Congressmen who made his house their rendezvous. He +was enjoying the martyrdom which the outrage on his home and the death +of his aged mother and father had brought. He was using it to inveigh +with new bitterness against the imbecility of Jefferson Davis and his +administration. He held Davis personally responsible for every defeat of +the South. He was the one man who had caused the fall of New Orleans, +the loss of Fort Donelson and the failure to reap the victory at Shiloh. + +"But you must remember, Senator," one of his henchmen mildly protested, +"that Davis did save Albert Sidney Johnston to us and that alone made a +victory possible." + +"And what of it, if he threw it away by appointing a fool second in +Command?" + +There was a good answer to this--too good for the henchman to dare use +it. He had sent Beauregard west to join Albert Sidney Johnston's command +because Barton's junta, supporting Joseph E. Johnston against the +administration, would no longer tolerate Beauregard in the same camp +with their chief. They had demanded a free field for Joseph E. Johnston +in the conflict with McClellan or they had threatened his resignation +and the disruption of the Confederate army. + +The President, sick unto death over the wrangling of these two generals, +had separated them and sent Beauregard west where the genius of Albert +Sidney Johnston could use his personal popularity, and his own more +powerful mind would neutralize in any council of war the little man's +feeble generalship. + +Socola listened to Barton's fierce, unreasoning invective with a sense +of dread. It was impossible to realize that this big-mouthed, bitter, +vindictive, ridiculous politician was the father of the gentle girl he +loved. There must be something of his power of malignant hatred +somewhere in Jennie's nature. He had caught just a glimpse of it in the +story she had told the Richmond papers. + +She stood in the doorway at last, a smiling vision of modest beauty. Her +dress of fine old lace seemed woven of the tender smiles that played +about the sensitive mouth. + +He sprang to his feet and took her hand, his heart thumping with joy. +She felt it tremble and laughed outright. + +"So you have returned a fiercer rebel than ever, Miss Jennie?" he said +hesitatingly. + +He tried to say something purely conventional but it popped out when he +opened his mouth--the ugly thought that was gnawing at his happiness. + +"Yes," she answered thoughtfully, "I never realized before what it meant +to be with my own people. I could have burned New Orleans and laughed +at its ruins to have smoked Ben Butler out of it--" + +"President Davis has proclaimed him an outlaw I see," Socola added. + +"If he can only capture and hang him, the people of Louisiana would be +perfectly willing to lose all--" + +"But your brother, the Judge, is still loyal to the Union--you can't +hate him you know?" + +Jennie's eyes flashed into Socola's. + +Why had he asked the one question that opened the wound in her heart? +Perhaps her mind had suggested it. She had scarcely spoken the bitter +words before she saw the vision of his serious face and regretted it. + +"Strange you should have mentioned my brother's name at the very moment +his image was before me," the girl thoughtfully replied. + +"Clairvoyance perhaps--" + +"You believe in such things?" Jennie asked. + +"Yes. My mother leaped from her bed with a scream one night and told me +that she had seen my father's spirit, felt him bend over her and touch +her lips. He had died at exactly that moment." + +"Wonderful, isn't it," Jennie murmured softly, "the vision of love!" + +She was dreaming of the moments of her distress in the sacking of her +home when the vision of this man's smiling face had suddenly set her to +laughing. + +"Yes," Socola answered. "I asked you about your older brother because I +don't like the idea of you poisoning your beautiful young life with +hatred. Such thoughts kill--they can't bring health and strength, Miss +Jennie." + +"Of course," the girl responded tenderly, "you can see things more +calmly. You can't understand how deep the knife has entered our hearts +in the South." + +"That's just what I do understand. It's that against which I'm warning +you. This war can't last always you know. There must be a +readjustment--" + +"Between the North and South?" + +"Of course--" + +"Never!" + +With sudden emotion she leaped to her feet her little fists clinched. +She stood trembling in silence for a moment and her face paled. + +"No, Signor," she went on in cold tones. "There can be no readjustment +of this war. It's to the death now. I confess myself a rebel body and +soul--_Confess_? I glory in it! I'm proud of being one. I thought my +father extravagant at first. Ben Butler has changed my views. The South +can't look back now. It's forward--forward--always forward to death--or +independence!" + +She paused overcome with emotion. + +"Yes," she went on in quick tones, "I thank God we're two different +tribes! I'm proud of the South and her old-fashioned, out-of-date +chivalry. The South respects and honors women. God never made the +Southern white man who could issue Butler's orders in New Orleans or +insult the heart-broken women who are forced to enter his office with +the vile motto he has placed over his desk--" + +Socola lifted his hand in gentle smiling protest. + +"But you must remember, Miss Jennie, that General Butler is a peculiar +individual. He probably does not represent the best that's in New +England--" + +"God knows I hope not for their sakes," was the answer. "I only wish I +could fight in the ranks with our boys. If I can't fight at least I'm +going to help our men in other ways. I'll work with my hands as a slave. +I'll sew and knit and nurse. I'll breathe my soul into the souls of our +men. I sing Dixie when I rise in the morning. I hum it all day. I sing +it with my last thoughts as I go to sleep." + +Socola moved uneasily. + +She looked at him a moment with an expression of sudden tenderness. + +"I can't tell you how proud and happy I am in the thought that I may +have helped you to give your brilliant mind to the service of the South. +It's my offering to my country and her cause!" + +It was impossible to resist the glow of love in her shining face. Socola +felt his soul dissolve. + +With a little gesture of resignation she dropped to a seat on the lounge +beside the window, her young face outlined against a mass of early roses +in full bloom. Their perfume poured through the window and filled the +room. + +Socola seated himself deliberately by her side and held her gaze with +direct purpose. She saw and understood and her heart beat in quick +response. + +"You realize that you _are_ the incarnate Cause of the South for me?" + +She smiled triumphantly. + +"I have always known it." + +There was no silly boasting in her tones, no trace of the Southern +girl's light mood with one of her numerous beaux. Her words were spoken +with deliberate tenderness. + +"And yet how deeply and wonderfully you could not know--" + +"I have guessed perhaps--" + +He took her hand in his. + +"I love you, Jennie--" + +Her voice was the tenderest whisper. + +"And I love you, my sweetheart--" + +He clasped her in his arms and held her in silence. + +She pushed him at arm's length and looked wistfully into his face. + +"For the past month my heart has been singing. Through all the shame and +misery of the sacking of our home, I could laugh and be happy--foolishly +happy, because I knew that you loved me--" + +"How did you know?" + +"You told me--" + +"When?" + +"With the last little touch of your hand when I went South." + +He pressed it with desperate tenderness. + +"It shall be forever?" + +"Forever!" + +"Neither life nor death, nor height nor depth can separate us?" + +"What could separate us, my lover? You are mine. I am yours. You have +given your life to our cause--" + +"I am but a soldier of fortune--" + +"You are my soldier--you have given your life because I asked it. I give +you mine in return--" + +"Swear to me that you'll love me always!" + +She answered with a kiss. + +"I swear it." + +Again he clasped her in his arms and hurried from the house. The +twilight was falling. Artillery wagons were rumbling through the +streets. A troop train had arrived from the South. Its regiments were +rushing across the city to reenforce McGruder's thin lines on the +Peninsula. McClellan's guns were already thundering on the shores. + +He hurried to the house on Church Hill, his dark face flushed with +happiness, his heart beating a reveille of fear and joy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE PANIC IN RICHMOND + + +Richmond now entered the shadows of her darkest hour. Three armies were +threatening from the west commanded by Fremont, Milroy, and Banks, whose +forces were ordered to unite. McDowell with forty thousand men lay at +Fredericksburg and threatened a junction with McClellan, who was moving +up the Peninsula with an effective army of 105,000. + +Joseph E. Johnston had under his command more than fifty thousand with +which to oppose McClellan's advance. It was the opinion of Davis and Lee +that the stand for battle should be made on the narrow neck of the +Peninsula which lent itself naturally to defense. + +To retreat toward Richmond would not only prove discouraging to the +army, and precipitate a panic in the city, it meant the abandonment of +Norfolk, the loss of the navy yard, the destruction of the famous +iron-clad, and the opening of the James River to the gunboats of the +enemy to Drury's Bluff within twelve miles of the Confederate Capital. + +In this crisis Johnston gave confirmation to the worst fears of the +President. He displayed the constitutional timidity and hesitation to +fight which marked every step of his military career to its tragic end. + +With the greatest army under his command which the Confederacy had ever +brought together--with Longstreet, McGruder and G. W. Smith as his +lieutenants, he was preparing to retreat without a battle. + +The President called in council of war General Lee, Randolph, the +Secretary of War, and General Johnston. Johnston asked that Longstreet +and Smith be invited. The President consented. + +After full consultation, Davis decided, with Lee's approval to hold the +Peninsula, save the navy yard and keep command of the James. And +Johnston received orders accordingly. + +With characteristic stubbornness the Field Commander persisted in his +determination to retreat without a battle. + +With aching heart Davis sent him a telegram. + + + "Richmond, Va., May 1st, 1861. + + "General Joseph E. Johnston, + + "Yorktown, Va. + + "Accepting your conclusion that you must soon retire, arrangements + are commenced for the abandonment of the navy yard and removal of + public property from Norfolk and the Peninsula. + + "Your announcement to-day that you would withdraw to-morrow night, + takes us by surprise and must involve enormous losses, including + unfinished gunboats. Will the safety of your army allow more time? + + "Jefferson Davis." + + +Johnston had retreated from his base at Manassas with absurd haste, +burning enormous stores and supplies of which the Confederacy was in +desperate need. The losses now occasioned by his hasty withdrawal from +Yorktown were even more serious. + +The destruction of the iron-clad which had smashed the Federal fleet in +Hampton Roads sent a shiver of horror throughout the South. + + * * * * * + +The fiery trial through which Davis was passing brought out the finest +traits of his strong character. + +He had received ample warning that one of the first places marked for +destruction by the Federal fleet passing up the Mississippi River was +his home "Briarfield." He refused to send troops to defend it. His house +was sacked, his valuable library destroyed, the place swept bare of his +fine blooded stock and the negroes deported by force. + +To his wife he wrote: + + + "You will see the notice of the destruction of our home. If our cause + succeeds we shall not mourn our personal deprivation; if it should + not, why--'the deluge.' I hope I shall be able to provide for the + comfort of the old negroes." + + +Uncle Bob and Aunt Rhinah had been roughly handled by Butler's men. The +foragers utterly refused to believe them when they told of their +master's kindness in giving them piles of blankets. They were roughly +informed that they had stolen them from the house and their treasures +were confiscated amid the lamentations of the aged couple. The two +precious rocking chairs were left them but of blankets and linens they +were stripped bare. + + * * * * * + +With Johnston's army in retreat toward Richmond, his rear guard of but +twelve thousand men under General McGruder had demonstrated the wisdom +of Davis' position that the Peninsula could be successfully defended. +McGruder's little army held McClellan at bay for nearly thirty days. He +was dislodged from his position with terrible slaughter of the Union +forces. McClellan's army lost two thousand two hundred and seventy-five +men in this encounter, McGruder less than a thousand. Had Johnston +concentrated his fifty thousand men on this line McClellan would never +have taken it, and the only iron-clad the South possessed might have +been saved. + +The daring Commander of the _Merrimac_, while McClellan was encamped +before Yorktown, had appeared in Hampton Roads and challenged the whole +Federal fleet again to fight. The _Monitor_ had taken refuge under the +guns of Fortress Monroe and refused to come out. The ugly duckling of +the Confederacy, in plain view of the whole Federal fleet and witnessed +by French and English vessels, captured three schooners and carried them +into port as prizes of war. + +When Norfolk was abandoned, the iron-clad drew so much water she could +only ascend the James by lightening her until her wooden sides showed +above the water line. She was therefore set on fire and blown up on +Johnston's retreat uncovering the banks of the James to the artillery of +McClellan. + +The Federal fleet could now dash up the James. + +They did this immediately on the news of the destruction of the +Confederate iron-clad. + +On May fifteenth, the _Galena_, the _Aroostook_, the _Monitor_, the +_Port Royal_, and the _Stevens_ steamed up the river without opposition +to Drury's Bluff within twelve miles of the Capital of the South. A +half-finished fort mounting four guns guarded this point. The river was +also obstructed by a double row of piles and sunken vessels. + +If the eleven-inch guns of the _Monitor_ could be brought to bear on +this fort, it was a problem how long the batteries could be held in +action. + +The wildest alarm swept Richmond. The railroads were jammed with frantic +people trying to get out. The depots were piled with mountains of +baggage it was impossible to move. A mass meeting was held on the night +the fleet ascended the river which was addressed by Governor Letcher and +Mayor Mayo. + +The Governor ended his speech with a sentence that set the crowd wild +with enthusiasm. + +"Sooner than see our beloved city conquered to-day by our enemies we +will lay it in ashes with our own hands!" + +The Legislature of Virginia showed its grit by passing a resolution +practically inviting the President of the Confederacy to lay the city in +ruins if he deemed wise: + + + "_Resolved_, That the General Assembly hereby expresses its desire + that the Capital of the State be _defended to the last extremity_, + if such defense is in accordance with the views of the President + of the Confederate States, and that the President be assured that + whatever destruction and loss of property of the State or of + individuals shall thereby result, will be cheerfully submitted to." + + +When the Committee handed this document to Jefferson Davis, he faced +them with a look of resolution: + +"Richmond will not be abandoned, gentlemen, until McClellan marches over +the dead bodies of our army. Not for one moment have I considered the +idea of surrendering the Capital--" + +"Good!" + +"Thank God!" + +"Hurrah for the President!" + +The Committee grasped his hand, convinced that no base surrender of +their Capital would be tolerated by their leader. + +"Rest assured, gentlemen," he continued earnestly, "if blood must be +shed, it shall be here. No soil of the Confederacy could drink it more +acceptably and none hold it more gratefully. We shall stake all on this +one glorious hour for our Republic. Life, death, and wounds are nothing +if we shall be saved from the fate of a captured Capital and a +humiliated Confederacy--" + +The Government and the city had need of grim resolution. The Federal +fleet moved up into range and opened fire on the batteries at Drury's +Bluff. The little Confederate gunboat _Patrick Henry_ which had won fame +in the first engagement of the _Merrimac_ steamed down into line and +joined her fire with the fort. + +General Lee had planted light batteries on the banks of the river to +sweep the decks of the fleet with grape and cannister. + +The little _Monitor_, the _Galena_, and the _Stevens_ steamed straight +up to within six hundred yards of the battery of the fort and opened +with their eleven-inch guns. The _Galena_ and the _Stevens_ were +iron-clad steamers with thin armor. + +For four hours the guns thundered. The batteries poured a hail of shot +on the _Monitor_. They bounded off her round-tower and her water-washed +decks like pebbles. The rifled gun on the _Stevens_ burst and disabled +her. The _Galena_ was pierced by heavy shot and severely crippled, +losing thirty-seven of her men. As the _Monitor_ was built, it was +impossible to make effective her guns at close range against the high +bluff on which the Confederate battery was placed. + +At eleven o'clock the crippled fleet slowly moved down the river and +Richmond was saved. + + * * * * * + +When Johnston in his retreat up the Peninsula reached the high ground +near the Chickahominy river, he threw out his lines and prepared to give +McClellan battle. He dispatched a messenger to the President at Richmond +informing him of this fact. The Cabinet was in session. A spirited +discussion ensued. The Secretary of War and the whole council were +alarmed at the prospect of battle on such an ill chosen position. His +rear would rest on an enormous swamp through which the treacherous river +flowed. There were no roads or bridges of sufficient capacity to take +his army rapidly if he should be compelled to retreat. + +"I suggest, Mr. President," said the Secretary of War, "that you call +General Johnston's attention to this fact." + +Davis shook his head emphatically. + +"No, gentlemen. We have entrusted the command to General Johnston. It is +his business with all the facts before him to know what is best. It +would be utterly unfair and very dangerous to attempt to control his +operations by advice from the Capital." + +Davis was too great a general and too generous and just to deny Johnston +his opportunity for supreme service to his country. It was the fixed +policy of the President to select the best man for the position to which +he assigned him and leave the responsibility of action on the field to +his judgment. + +On the following morning instead of a report of battle the President +received a dispatch announcing that his General had decided to cross the +Chickahominy River and use its swamps and dangerous crossings as his +line of defense. + +The Cabinet expressed its sense of profound relief and Davis watched his +commander with an increase of confidence in his judgment. If the narrow +roads and weak bridges across the river were guarded, an army of half +his size could hold McClellan for months. The nearest crossing was +twenty-five miles from Richmond. + +General Reagan of the Cabinet rode down that night to see Hood at the +head of his Texas brigade. + +At noon next day on returning to the city he saw the President coming +out of his office. + +The long arm of the Chief was lifted and Reagan halted. + +"Wait a minute--" + +"At your service, Mr. President." + +"Get your dinner and ride down to the Chickahominy with me. I want to +see General Johnston." + +Reagan shouted an answer which the President failed to catch: + +"You won't have to go to the Chickahominy to see Johnston!" + +Joining Reagan after dinner the President rode rapidly through the +suburban district called "The Rockets," and had reached the high ground +beyond. A half mile away stretched a vast field of white tents. + +"Whose camp is that?" Davis asked in surprise. + +"Hood's brigade," Reagan replied. + +"Why Hood's on the Chickahominy twenty-odd miles from here--" + +"I camped here with them last night, sir--" + +"Impossible!" + +Reagan watched the thin face of the Confederate Chieftain grow deadly +pale. + +"If you wish to see General Johnston, Mr. President, you'll find him in +that red brick house on the right--" + +Reagan pointed in the direction of the house. + +The President looked at his friend a moment, a quizzical expression +relieving his anxiety. + +"Of course--it's a joke, Reagan." + +"It's true, sir!" + +Davis shook his head: + +"General Johnston is on the Chickahominy guarding the crossings. I sent +my aide with a dispatch to him last night." + +"He hadn't returned when you left the office--" + +"No--" + +"I thought not. There can be no mistake, sir. I saw General Johnston and +his staff enter that house and establish his headquarters there--" + +"Here in the suburbs of Richmond?" + +"Right here, sir--" + +Davis put spurs to his horse, and waved to his aide: + +"Colonel Ives--come!" + +Reagan turned and rode again into Hood's camp. + +The President rode straight to Johnston's headquarters. He sprang to the +ground with a quick decisive leap. + +The ceremony between the two men was scant. No words were wasted. + +"You have moved your army into the suburbs of Richmond, General +Johnston?" + +"I have--" + +"Why?" + +"I consider this better ground--" + +"You have left no rear guard to contest McClellan's crossing?" + +"No." + +"May I ask why you chose to give up the defenses of such a river without +a blow?" + +"My army was out of provisions--" + +"They could have been rushed to you--" + +"The ground near the Chickahominy is low and marshy. The water is bad--" + +"And you have come to the very gates of the city?" + +"Because the ground is dry, the water good, and we are near our +supplies--" + +The President's lips trembled with rage. + +"And McClellan can now plant his guns within six miles and his soldiers +hear our church bells on Sunday--" + +"Possibly--" + +The President's eye pierced his General. + +"Richmond is to be surrendered without a battle?" + +"That depends, sir, upon conditions--" + +The Confederate Chief suddenly threw his thin hands above his head and +faced his stubborn sulking Commander. + +"If you are not going to give battle, I'll appoint a man in your place +who will--" + +Before Johnston could reply the President turned on his heel, waved to +Colonel Ives, mounted his horse and dashed into the city. + +His Cabinet was called in hasty consultation with General Lee. + +Davis turned to his counselors. + +"Gentlemen, I have just held a most amazing conference with General +Johnston. You were afraid he would fight beyond the Chickahominy. He has +crossed the river, left its natural defenses unguarded, and has run all +the way to town without pause. I have told him to fight or get out of +the saddle. In my judgment he intends to back straight through the city +and abandon it without a blow. We must face the situation." + +He turned to Lee. The question he was going to put to the man in whom he +had supreme confidence would test both his judgment and his character. +On his answer would hang his career. If it should be what the +Confederate Chief believed, Lee was the man of destiny and his hour had +struck. + +"In case Johnston abandons Richmond," the President slowly began, "where +in your opinion, General Lee, is the next best line of defense?" + +Lee's fine mouth was set for a moment. He spoke at first with +deliberation. + +"As a military engineer, my answer is simple. The next best line of +defense would be at Staten River--but--" + +He suddenly leaped to his feet, his eyes streaming with tears. + +"Richmond must not be given up--it shall not be given up!" + +Davis sprang to his side and clasped Lee's hand. + +"So say I, General!" + +From that moment the President and his chief military adviser lived on +Johnston's battle line, Lee ready at a moment's notice to spring into +the saddle and hurl his men against McClellan the moment Johnston should +falter. + +The Commander was forced to a decision for battle. He could not allow +his arch enemy to remove him without a fight. + +The retreat across the Chickahominy had given McClellan an enormous +advantage which his skillful eye saw at once. He threw two grand +divisions of his army across the river and pushed his siege guns up +within six miles of Richmond. His engineers immediately built +substantial bridges across the stream over which he could move in safety +his heaviest guns in any emergency, either for reenforcements or +retreat. + +He swung his right wing far to the north in a wide circling movement +until he was in easy touch with McDowell's forty thousand men at +Fredericksburg. + +McClellan was within sight of the consummation of his hopes. When this +wide movement of his army had been successfully made without an arm +lifted to oppose, he climbed a tall tree within sight of Richmond from +which he could view the magnificent panorama. + +A solid wall of living blue with glittering bayonets and black-fanged +batteries of artillery, his army spread for ten miles. Beyond them here +and there only he saw patches of crouching gray in the underbrush or +crawling through the marshes. + +The Northern Commander came down from his perch and threw his arms +around his aide: + +"We've got them, boy!" he cried enthusiastically. "We've got them!" + +It was not to be wondered at that the boastful oratorical Confederate +Congress should have taken to their heels. They ran in such haste, the +people of Richmond began to laugh and in their laughter took fresh +courage. + +A paper printed in double leads on its first page a remarkable account +of the stampede: + + + "For fear of accident on the railroad, the stampeded Congress left + in a number of the strongest and swiftest of our new canal-boats. + The boats were drawn by mules of established sweetness of temper. + To protect our law-makers from snakes and bullfrogs that infest the + line of the canal, General Winder detailed a regiment of ladies to + march in advance of the mules, and clear the tow-path of these + troublesome pirates. The ladies are ordered to accompany the + Confederate Congress to a secluded cave in the mountains of Hepsidan, + and leave them there in charge of the children of that vicinity until + McClellan thinks proper to let them come forth. The ladies will at + once return to the defense of their country." + + +The President for a brief time was free of his critics. + +On May thirty-first, Johnston's army, under the direct eye of Davis and +Lee on the field, gave battle to McClellan's left wing--comprising the +two grand divisions that had been pushed across the Chickahominy to the +environs of Richmond. + +The opening attack was delayed by the failure of General Holmes to +strike McClellan's rear as planned. A terrific rain storm the night +before had flooded a stream and it was impossible for him to cross. + +Late in the afternoon Longstreet and Hill hurled their divisions through +the thick woods and marshes on McClellan. + +Longstreet's men drove before them the clouds of blue skirmishers, +plunged into the marshes with water two feet deep and dashed on the +fortified lines of the enemy. The Southerners crept through the dense +underbrush to the very muzzles of the guns in the redoubts, charged, +cleared them, grappling hand to hand with the desperate men who fought +like demons. + +Line after line was thus carried until at nightfall McClellan's left +wing had been pushed back over two miles through swamp and waters red +with blood. + +The slaughter had been frightful in the few hours in which the battle +had raged. On the Confederate left where Johnston commanded in person +the Union army held its position until dark, unbroken. + +Johnston fell from his horse wounded and Davis on the field immediately +appointed General Lee to command. + +The appointment of Lee to be Commander-in-Chief not only intensified the +hatred of Johnston for the President, it made G. W. Smith, the man who +was Johnston's second, his implacable enemy for life. Technically G. W. +Smith would have succeeded to the command of the army had not Davis +exercised his power on the field of battle to appoint the man of his +choice. + +In no act of his long, eventful life did Davis evince such clearness of +vision and quick decision, under trying conditions. Lee had failed in +Western Virginia and McClellan had out-generaled him, the yellow +journals had declared. They called Lee "Old Spade." So intense was the +opposition to Lee that Davis had sent him to erect the coast defenses of +South Carolina. The Governor of the State protested against the +appointment of so incompetent a man to this important work. Davis sent +the Governor an emphatic message in reply: + +"If Robert E. Lee is not a general I have none to send you." + +Davis now called the man whom McClellan had defeated to the supreme +command against McClellan at the head of his grand army in sight of the +housetops of Richmond. Only a leader of the highest genius could have +dared to make such a decision in such a crisis. + +Davis made it without a moment's hesitation and in that act of +individual will gave to the world the greatest commander of the age. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE DELIVERANCE + + +From the moment Davis placed Lee in the saddle order slowly emerged from +chaotic conditions and the first rays of light began to illumine the +fortunes of the Confederacy. + +Modest and unassuming in his personality, he demonstrated from the first +his skill as an organizer and his power in the conception and execution +of far-reaching strategy. + +From the moment he breathed his spirit into the army he made it a rapid, +compact, accurate and terrible engine of war. The contemptible assault +of the Richmond _Examiner_ fell harmless from the armor of his genius. +Davis was bitterly denounced for his favoritism in passing G. W. Smith +and appointing Governor Letcher's pet. He was accused of playing a game +of low politics to make "a spawn of West Point" the next Governor of +Virginia. But events moved with a pace too swift to give the yellow +journals or the demagogues time to get their breath. + +Lee had sent Jackson into the Valley of the Shenandoah to make a +diversion which might hold the armies moving on the Capital from the +west and at the same time puzzle McDowell at Fredericksburg. + +Lee, Jackson and Davis were three men who worked in perfect harmony from +the moment they met in their first council of war at the White House of +the Confederacy. So perfect was Lee's confidence in Jackson, he was +sent into the Valley unhampered by instructions which would interfere +with the execution of any movement his genius might suggest. + +Left thus to his own initiative, Jackson conceived the most brilliant +series of engagements in the history of modern war. He determined to use +his infantry by forced marches to cover in a day the ground usually made +by cavalry and fall on the armies of his opponents one by one before +they could form a juncture. + +On May 23, by a swift, silent march of his little army of fifteen +thousand men, he took Banks completely by surprise, crushed and captured +his advance guard at Fort Royal, struck him in the flank and drove him +back into Strassburg, through Winchester, and hurled his shattered army +in confusion and panic across the Potomac on its Washington base. + +Desperate alarm swept the Capital of the Union. Stanton, the Secretary +of War, issued a frantic appeal to the Governors of the Northern States +for militia to defend Washington. Panic reigned in the cities of the +North. Governors and mayors issued the most urgent appeals for +enlistments. + +Fremont was ordered to move with all possible haste and form a juncture +with a division of McDowell's army and cut off Jackson's line of +retreat. + +The wily Confederate General wheeled suddenly and rushed on Fremont +before Shields could reach him. On June 8, at Cross Keys, he crushed +Fremont, turned with sudden eagle swoop and defeated Shields at Port +Republic. + +Washington believed that Jackson commanded an enormous army, and that +the National Capital was in danger of his invading host. The defeated +armies of Milroy, Banks, Fremont and Shields were all drawn in to defend +the city. + +In this campaign of a few weeks Jackson had marched his infantry six +hundred miles, fought four pitched battles and seven minor engagements. +He had defeated four armies, each greater than his own, captured seven +pieces of artillery, ten thousand stands of arms, four thousand +prisoners and enormous stores of provisions and ammunition. It required +a train of wagons twelve miles long to transport his treasures--every +pound of which he saved for his Government. + +He was never surprised, never defeated, never lost a train or an +organized piece of his army, put out of commission sixty thousand +Northern soldiers under four distinguished generals and in obedience to +Lee's command was now sweeping through the mountain passes to the relief +of Richmond. + +While Jackson was thus moving to join his forces with Lee, Washington +was shivering in fear of his attack. + +On the day Jackson was scheduled to fall on the flank of McClellan's +besieging army Lee moved his men to the assault. The first battle which +Johnston had joined at Seven Pines had only checked McClellan's advance. + +The Grand Army of the Potomac still lay on its original lines, and +McClellan had used every day in strengthening his entrenchments. Lee had +built defensive works to enable a part of his army to defend the city +while he should throw the flower of his gray soldiers on his enemy in a +desperate flank assault in cooeperation with Jackson. + +On the arrival of his triumphant lieutenant from the Shenandoah Valley +Lee suddenly sprang on McClellan with the leap of a lion. The Northern +Commander fought with terrible courage, amazed and uneasy over the +discovery that Jackson had suddenly appeared on his flank. + +Within thirty-six hours McClellan's right wing was crushed and in +retreat. Within seven days Lee drove his Grand Army of more than a +hundred thousand men from the gates of Richmond thirty-five miles and +hurled them on the banks of the James at Harrison's Landing under the +shelter of the Federal gunboats. + +Instead of marching in triumph through the streets of the Confederate +Capital, McClellan congratulated himself and his Government on his good +fortune in saving his army from annihilation. His broken columns had +reached a place of safety after a series of defeats which had +demoralized his command and resulted in the loss of ten thousand +prisoners and ten thousand more in killed and wounded. He had been +compelled to abandon or burn stores valued at millions. The South had +captured thirty-five thousand stand of arms and fifty-two pieces of +artillery. + +Lee in his report modestly expressed his disappointment that greater +results had not been achieved. + +"Under ordinary circumstances," he wrote, "the Federal army should have +been destroyed. Its escape was due to causes already stated. Prominent +among them was the want of correct and timely information. The first, +attributable chiefly to the character of the country, enabled General +McClellan skillfully to conceal his retreat and to add much to the +obstructions with which nature had beset the way of our pursuing column. +But regret that more was not accomplished gives way to gratitude to the +Sovereign Ruler of the Universe for the results achieved." + +Jackson, the grim soldier, whose habit was to pray all night before +battle, wrote with the fervor of the religious enthusiast. + +"Undying gratitude is due to God for this great victory--by which +despondency increases in the North, hope brightens in the South and the +Capital of Virginia and the Confederacy is saved." + +A wave of exultation swept the South--while Death stalked through the +streets of Richmond. + +Instead of the tramp of victorious hosts, their bayonets glittering in +the sunlight, which Socola had confidently expected, he watched from the +windows of the Department of State the interminable lines of ambulances +bearing the wounded from the fields of McClellan's seven-days' battle. + +The darkened room on Church Hill was opened. Miss Van Lew had watched +the glass rattle under the thunder of McClellan's guns, and then with +sinking heart heard their roar fade in the distance until only the +rumble of the ambulances through the streets told that he had been +there. She burned the flag. It was too dangerous a piece of bunting to +risk in her house now. It would be many weary months before she would +need another. + +Through every hour of the day and night since Lee sprang on McClellan, +those never-ending lines of ambulances had wound their way through the +streets. Every store and every home and every public building had been +converted into a hospital. The counters of trade were moved aside and +through the plate glass along the crowded streets could be seen the long +rows of pallets on which the mangled bodies of the wounded lay. Every +home set aside at least one room for the wounded boys of the South. + +The heart-rending cries of the men from the wagons as they jolted over +the cobble stones rose day and night--a sad, weird requiem of agony, +half-groan, half-chant, to which the ear of pity could never grow +indifferent. + +Death was the one figure now with which every man, woman and child was +familiar. The rattle of the dead-wagons could be heard at every turn. +They piled them high, these uncoffined bodies of the brave, and hurried +them under the burning sun to the trenches outside the city. They piled +them in long heaps to await the slow work of the tired grave-diggers. +The frail board coffins in which they were placed at last would often +burst from the swelling corpse. The air was filled with poisonous odors. + +The hospitals were jammed with swollen, disfigured bodies of the wounded +and the dying. Gangrene and erysipelas did their work each hour in the +weltering heat of mid-summer. + +But the South received her dead and mangled boys with a majesty of grief +that gave no cry to the ear of the world. Mothers lifted their eyes from +the faces of their dead and firmly spoke the words of resignation: + +"Thy will, O Lord, be done!" + +Her houses were filled with the wounded, the dying and the dead, but +Richmond lifted up her head. The fields about her were covered with +imperishable glory. + +The Confederacy had won immortality. + +The women of the South resolved to wear no mourning for their dead. +Their boys had laid their lives a joyous offering on their country's +altar. They would make no cry. + +Johnston had lost six thousand and eighty-four men, dead, wounded and +missing at Seven Pines, and Lee had lost seventeen thousand five hundred +and eighty-three in seven days of continuous battle. But the South was +thrilled with the joy of a great deliverance. + +Jefferson Davis in his address to the army expressed the universal +feeling of his people: + + + "Richmond, July 5, 1862. + + "_To the Army of Eastern Virginia_: + + "_Soldiers_: + + "I congratulate you upon the series of brilliant victories which, + under the favor of Divine Providence, you have lately won; and as + President of the Confederate States, hereby tender to you the + thanks of the country, whose just cause you have so skillfuly and + heroically saved. + + "Ten days ago an invading army, vastly superior to yours in numbers + and the material of war, closely beleaguered your Capital and + vauntingly proclaimed our speedy conquest. You marched to attack + the enemy in his entrenchments. With well-directed movements and + death-defying valor you charged upon him in his strong positions, + drove him from field to field over a distance of more than + thirty-five miles, and, despite his reenforcements, compelled him + to seek safety under the cover of his gunboats, where he now lies + cowering before the army so lately despised and threatened with + utter subjugation. + + "The fortitude with which you have borne trial and privation, the + gallantry with which you have entered into each successive battle, + must have been witnessed to be fully appreciated. A grateful people + will not fail to recognize you and to bear you in loved remembrance. + Well may it be said of you that you have 'done enough for glory,' + but duty to a suffering country and to the cause of Constitutional + liberty claims for you yet further effort. Let it be your pride to + relax in nothing which can promote your future efficiency; your one + great object being to drive the invader from your soil, and, carrying + your standards beyond the outer borders of the Confederacy, to wring + from an unscrupulous foe the recognition of your birthright and + independence." + + +Within the year from the fatal victory at Bull Run the South had through +bitterness, tears and defeat at last found herself. Under the firm and +wise leadership of Davis, her disasters had been repaired and her army +brought to the highest standard of efficiency. + +At the head of her armies now stood Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. +Their fame filled the world. In the west, Braxton Bragg, a brilliant and +efficient commander, was marshaling his army to drive the Union lines +into Kentucky. + +From the depths of despair the South rose to the heights of daring +assurance. For the moment the junta of politicians led by Senator Barton +were compelled to halt in their assaults on the President. The people of +the South had forgotten the issue of the date on Joseph E. Johnston's +commission as general. + +With characteristic foolhardiness, however, Barton determined that they +should not forget it. He opened a series of bitter attacks on Davis for +the appalling lack of management which had permitted McClellan to save +what was left of his army. He boldly proclaimed the amazing doctrine +that the wounding of Johnston at Seven Pines was an irreparable disaster +to the South. + +"Had Johnston remained in command," he loudly contended, "there can be +no doubt that he would have annihilated or captured McClellan's whole +army and ended the war." + +On this platform he gave a banquet to General Johnston on the occasion +of his departure from Richmond for his new command in the west. The +Senator determined to hold his faction together for future assaults. +Lee's record was yet too recent to permit the politicians to surrender +without a fight. + +The banquet was to be a love feast at which all factions opposed to +Davis should be united behind the banner of Johnston. Henry S. Foote had +quarreled with William L. Yancey. These two fire-eaters were +enthusiastic partisans of his General. + +Major Barbour, Johnston's chief quartermaster, presided at the head of +the banquet table in Old Tom Griffin's place on Main Street. Foote was +seated on his right, Governor Milledge T. Bonham of South Carolina next. +Then came Gustavus W. Smith, whose hatred of Davis was implacable for +daring to advance Robert E. Lee over his head. Next sat John U. Daniel, +the editor of Richmond's yellow journal, the _Examiner_. Daniel's arm +was in a sling. He had been by Johnston's side when wounded at Seven +Pines. + +At the other end of the table sat Major Moore, the assistant +quartermaster, and by his side on the left, General Joseph E. Johnston, +full of wounds in the flesh and grievances of soul. On his right was +John B. Floyd of Fort Donelson fame whom Davis had relieved of his +command. And next William L. Yancey, the matchless orator of secession, +whose hatred of Davis was greater than this old hatred of Abolition. + +The feast was such as only Tom Griffin knew how to prepare. + +Johnston as usual was grave and taciturn, still suffering from his +unhealed wound. Yancey and Foote, the reconciled friends who had shaken +hands in a common cause, were the life of the party. + +Daniel, the editor of the organ of the Soreheads and Irreconcilables, +was even more taciturn than his beloved Chief. General Bonham sang a +love song. Yancey and Foote vied with each other in the brilliancy of +their wit. + +When the banquet had lasted for two hours, Yancey turned to Old Tom +Griffin and said: + +"Fresh glasses now and bumpers of champagne!" + +When the glasses were filled the Alabama orator lifted his glass. + +"This toast is to be drunk standing, gentlemen!" + +Every man save Johnston sprang to his feet. Yancey looked straight into +the eye of the General and shouted: + +"Gentlemen! We drink to the health of the only man who can save the +Southern Confederacy--General Joseph E. Johnston!" + +The glasses were emptied and a shout of applause rang from every +banqueter save one. The General had not yet touched his glass. + +Without rising, Johnston lifted his eyes and said in grave tones: + +"Mr. Yancey, the man you describe is now in the field--his name is +Robert E. Lee. I drink to his health." + +Yancey's quick wit answered in a flash: + +"I can only reply to you, sir, as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses +did to General Washington--'Your modesty is only equaled by your +valor!'" + +Johnston's tribute to Lee was genuine, and yet nursing his grudge +against the President with malignant intensity he left for the west, +encouraging his friends to fight the Chieftain of the Confederacy with +tooth and nail and that to the last ditch. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +LOVE AND WAR + + +Captain Richard Welford reached Richmond from the Western army two days +after Lee had driven McClellan under the shelter of the navy. He had +been wounded in battle, promoted to the rank of Captain for gallantry on +the field and sent home on furlough for two months. + +He used his left hand to raise the knocker on Jennie's door. His right +arm was yet in a sling. His heart was beating a wild march as he rushed +from the hotel to the Senator's house. He had not heard from Jennie in +two months but the communications of the Western army had been cut more +than once and he thought nothing of the long silence. It had only made +his hunger to see the girl he loved the more acute. He had fairly +shouted his joy when a piece of shell broke his right arm and hurled him +from his horse. He never thought of promotion for gallantry. It came as +a surprise. The one hope that leaped when he scrambled to his feet and +felt the helpless arm hanging by his side was to see the girl he had +left behind. + +"Glory to God!" he murmured fervently, "I'll go to her now!" + +He was just a little proud of that broken arm as he waited for her +entrance. The shoulder straps he wore looked well, too. She would be +surprised. It had all happened so quickly, no account had yet reached +the Richmond papers. + +Jennie bounded into the room with a cry of joy. + +"Oh, Dick, I'm so glad to see you!" + +He smiled and extended his left hand. + +"Jennie!" was all he could say. + +"You are wounded?" she whispered. + +Dick nodded. + +"Yep--a shell toppled me over but I was on my feet in a minute +laughing--and I'll bet you couldn't guess what about?" + +"No--" + +"Laughed because I knew I'd get to see you--" + +"I'm so proud of you!" she cried through her tears. + +"Are you?" he asked tenderly. + +"Of course I am--don't you think I know what those shoulder straps +mean?" + +"Well, I just care because you care, Jennie--" + +"You're a brave Southern boy fighting for our rights--you care for that, +too." + +"Oh yes, of course, but that's not the big thing after all, little +girl--" + +He paused and seized her hand. + +She blushed and drew it gently away. + +"Please--not that now--" + +"Why--not now?" + +He asked the question in tones so low they were almost a gasp. He felt +his doom in the way she had withdrawn her hand. + +"Because--" she hesitated just a moment to strike the blow she knew +would hurt so pitifully and then went on firmly, "I've met my fate, +Dick--and pledged him my heart." + +The Captain lifted his shoulders with a little movement of soldierly +pride, held himself firmly, mastered the first rush of despair and then +spoke with assumed indifference: + +"Socola?" + +Jennie smiled faintly. + +"Yes." + +He rose awkwardly and started to the door. Jennie placed her hand on his +wounded arm with a gesture of pathetic protest. + +"Dick!" + +"I can't help it, I must go--" + +"Not like this!" + +"I can't smile and lie to you. It means too much. I hate that man. He's +a scoundrel, if God ever made one--" + +Jennie's hand slipped from his arm. + +"That will do now--not another word--" + +"I beg your pardon, Jennie," he stammered. "I didn't think what I was +saying, honey. It just popped out because it was inside. You'll forgive +me?" + +The anger died in her eyes and she took his outstretched hand. + +"Of course, I understand--and I'm sorry. I appreciate the love you've +given me. I wish in my heart I could have returned it. You deserve it--" + +The Captain lifted his left hand. + +"No pity, please. I'm man enough to fight--and I'm going to fight. +You're not yet _Signora_ Socola--" + +The girl laughed. + +"That's more like a soldier!" + +"We'll be friends anyhow, Jennie?" + +"Always." + +The Captain left the Senator's house with a grim smile playing about his +strong mouth. He had made up his mind to fight for love and country on +the same base. He would ask for his transfer to the Secret Service of +the Confederacy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +THE PATH OF GLORY + + +Jefferson Davis had created the most compact and terrible engine of war +set in motion since Napoleon founded the Empire of France. It had been +done under conditions of incredible difficulty, but it had been done. +The smashing of McClellan's army brought to the North the painful +realization of this fact. Abraham Lincoln must call for another half +million soldiers and no man could foresee the end. + +Davis had begun in April, 1861, without an arsenal, laboratory or powder +mill of any capacity, and with no foundry or rolling mill for iron +except the little Tredegar works in Richmond. + +He had supplied them. + +Harassed by an army of half a million men in blue led by able generals +and throttled by a cable of steel which the navy had drawn about his +coast line, he had done this work and at the same time held his own +defiantly and successfully. Crippled by a depreciated currency, +assaulted daily by a powerful conspiracy of sore-head politicians and +quarreling generals, strangled by a blockade that deprived him of nearly +all means of foreign aid--he had still succeeded in raising the needed +money. Unable to use the labor of slaves except in the unskilled work of +farms, hampered by lack of transportation even of food for the army, +with no stock of war material on hand,--steel, copper, leather or iron +with which to build his establishments--yet with quiet persistence he +set himself to solve these problems and succeeded. + +He had created, apparently out of nothing, foundries and rolling mills +at Selma, Richmond, Atlanta and Macon, smelting works at Petersburg, a +chemical laboratory at Charlotte, a powder mill superior to any of the +United States and unsurpassed by any in Europe,--a mighty chain of +arsenals, armories, and laboratories equal in their capacity and +appointments to the best of those in the North, stretching link by link +from Virginia to Alabama. + +He established artificial niter beds at Richmond, Columbus, Charleston, +Savannah, Mobile and Selma of sufficient capacity to supply the niter +needed in the powder mills. + +Mines for iron, lead and copper were opened and operated. Manufactories +for the production of sulphuric and nitric acid were established and +successfully operated. + +Minor articles were supplied by devices hitherto unheard of in the +equipment of armies. Leather was scarce and its supply impossible in the +quantities demanded. + +Knapsacks were abolished and haversacks of cloth made by patriotic women +with their needles took their places. The scant supply of leather was +divided between the makers of shoes for the soldiers and saddles and +harness for the horses. Shoes for the soldiers were the prime necessity. +To save leather the waist and cartridge-box belts were made of heavy +cotton cloth stitched in three or four thicknesses. Bridle reins were +made of cotton in the same way. Cartridge boxes were finally made +thus--with a single piece of leather for the flap. Even saddle skirts +for the cavalry were made of heavy cotton strongly stitched. + +Men to work the meager tanneries were exempt from military services and +transportation for hides and leather supplies was free. + +A fishery was established on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina from +which oil was manufactured. Every wayside blacksmith shop was utilized +as a government factory for the production of horseshoes for the +cavalry. + +To meet the demands for articles of prime necessity which could not be +made in the South, a line of blockade runners was established between +the port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Bermuda. Vessels capable of +storing in their hold six hundred bales of cotton were purchased in +England and put into this service. They were long, low, narrow craft +built for speed. They could show their heels to any ship of the United +States Navy. Painted a pale grayish-blue color, and lying low on the +water they were sighted with difficulty in the day and they carried no +lights at night. The moment one was trapped and sunk by the blockading +fleet, another was ready to take her place. + +Depots and stores were established and drawn on by these fleet ships +both at Nassau and Havana. + +By the fall of 1862, through the port of Wilmington, from the arsenals +at Richmond and Fayetteville, and from the victorious fields of Manassas +and the Seven Days' Battle around Richmond, sufficient arms had been +obtained to equip two hundred thousand soldiers and supply their +batteries with serviceable artillery. + +On April 16, 1862, Davis asked of his Congress that every white man in +the South between the ages of 18 and 35 be called to the colors and all +short term volunteer contracts annulled. The law was promptly passed in +spite of the conspirators who fought him at every turn. Camps of +instruction were established in every State, and a commandant sent from +Richmond to take charge of the new levies. + +Solidity was thus given to the military system of the Confederacy and +its organization centralized and freed from the bickerings of State +politicians. + +With her loins thus girded for the conflict the South entered the second +phase of the war--the path of glory from the shattered army of McClellan +on the James to Hooker's crushed and bleeding lines at Chancellorsville. + +The fiercest clamor for the removal of McClellan from his command swept +the North. The position of the Northern General was one of peculiar +weakness politically. He was an avowed Democrat. His head had been +turned by flattery and he had at one time dallied with the idea of +deposing Abraham Lincoln by the assumption of a military dictatorship. +Lincoln knew this. The demand for his removal would have swayed a +President of less balance. + +Lincoln refused to deprive McClellan of his command but yielded +sufficiently to the clamor of the radicals of his own party to appoint +John Pope of the Western army to the command of a new division of troops +designed to advance on Richmond. + +The generals under McClellan who did not agree with his slow methods +were detached with their men and assigned to service under Pope. + +McClellan did not hesitate to denounce Pope as an upstart and a braggart +who had won his position by the lowest tricks of the demagogue. He +declared that the new commander was a military impostor, a tool of the +radical wing of the Republican party, a man who mistook brutality in +warfare for power and sought to increase the horrors of war by arming +slaves, legalizing plunder and making the people of the South +irreconcilable to a restored Union by atrocities whose memory could +never be effaced. + +Pope's first acts on assuming command did much to justify McClellan's +savage criticism. He issued a bombastic address to his army which +brought tears to Lincoln's eyes and roars of laughter from Little Mac's +loyal friends. + +He issued a series of silly general orders making war on the +noncombatant population of Virginia within his line. If citizens refused +to take an oath of allegiance which he prescribed they were to be driven +from their homes and if they dared to return, were to be arrested and +treated as spies. + +His soldiers were given license to plunder. Houses were robbed and +cattle shot in the fields. Against these practices McClellan had set his +face with grim resolution. He fought only organized armies. He protected +the aged, and all noncombatants. It was not surprising, therefore, when +Lincoln ordered him to march his army to the support of Pope, McClellan +was in no hurry to get there. + +Pope had boldly advanced across the Rappahannock and a portion of his +army had reached Culpeper Court House. He had determined to make good +the proclamation with which he had assumed command. + +In this remarkable document he said: + +"By special assignment of the President of the United States, I have +assumed command of this army. I have come to you from the West where we +have always seen the backs of our enemies--from an army whose business +it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when found, whose +policy has been attack not defense. Let us study the probable lines of +retreat of our opponents and leave ours to take care of themselves. Let +us look before us and not behind." + +While his eyes were steadily fixed before him Jackson, moving with the +stealthy tread of a tiger, slipped in behind his advance guard, sprang +on it and tore his lines to pieces before he could move reenforcements +to their rescue. + +When his reenforcements reached the ground Jackson had just finished +burying the dead, picking up the valuable arms left on the field and +sending his prisoners to the rear. + +Before Pope could lead his fresh men to an attack the vanguard of Lee's +army was in sight and the general who had just issued his flaming +proclamation took to his heels and fled across the Rappahannock where he +called frantically for the divisions of McClellan's army which had not +yet joined him. + +While Lee threatened Pope's front by repeated feints at different points +along the river, he dispatched Jackson's corps of twenty-five thousand +"foot cavalry" on a wide flanking movement through the Blue Ridge to +turn the Federal right, destroy his stores at Manassas Junction and +attack him in the rear before his reenforcements could arrive. + +With swiftness Jackson executed the brilliant movement. Within +twenty-four hours his men had made the wide swing through the low +mountain ranges and crouched between Pope's army and the Federal +Capital. To a man of less courage and coolness this position would have +been one of tragic danger. Should Pope suddenly turn from Lee's +pretended attacks and spring on Jackson he might be crushed between two +columns. Franklin and Sumner's corps were at Alexandria to reenforce his +lines. + +Jackson had marched into the jaws of death and yet he not only showed no +fear, he made a complete circuit of Pope's army, struck his storehouses +at Manassas Junction and captured them before the Federal Commander +dreamed that an army was in his rear. Eight pieces of artillery and +three hundred prisoners were among the spoils. Fifty thousand pounds of +bacon, a thousand barrels of beef, two thousand barrels of pork, two +thousand barrels of flour, and vast quantities of quartermaster's stores +also fell into his hands. + +Jackson took what he could transport and burned the rest. + +Pope rushed now in frantic haste to destroy Jackson before Lee's army +could reach him. + +Jackson was too quick for the eloquent commander. He slipped past his +opponent and took a strong position west of the turnpike from Warrenton +where he could easily unite with Longstreet's advancing corps. + +Pope attempted to turn Jackson's left with a division of his army and +the wily Southerner fell on his moving columns with sudden savage +energy, fought until nine o'clock at night and drove him back with heavy +loss. + +When Pope moved to the attack next day at two o'clock Longstreet had +reached Jackson's side. The attack failed and his men fell back through +pools of blood. The Federal Commander was still sending pompous messages +to Washington announcing his marvelous achievements while his army had +steadily retreated from Culpeper Court House beyond the Rappahannock, +back to Manassas where the first battle of the war was fought. + +At dawn on August 30, the high spirited troops of the South were under +arms standing with clinched muskets within a few hundred yards of the +pickets of Pope. Their far flung battle line stretched for five miles +from Sudley Springs on the left to the Warrenton road and on obliquely +to the southwest. + +The artillery opened the action and for eight hours the heavens shook +with its roar. At three o'clock in the afternoon Pope determined to hurl +the flower of his army against Jackson's corps and smash it. His first +division pressed forward and engaged the Confederates at close +quarters. A fierce and bloody conflict followed, Jackson's troops +refusing to yield an inch. The Federal Commander brought up two reserve +lines to support the first but before they could be of any use, +Longstreet's artillery was planted to rake them with a murderous fire +and they fell back in confusion. + +As the reserves retreated Jackson ordered his men to charge and at the +same moment Longstreet hurled his division against the Federal center, +and the whole Confederate army with piercing yell leaped forward and +swept the field as far as the eye could reach. + +No sublimer pageant of blood and flame and smoke and shrouded Death ever +moved across the earth than that which Lee now witnessed from the +hilltop on which he stood. For five miles across the Manassas plains the +gray waves rolled, their polished bayonets gleaming in the blazing sun. +They swept through the open fields, now lost a moment in the woods, now +flashing again in the open. They paused and the artillery dashed to the +front, spread their guns in line and roared their call of death to the +struggling, fleeing, demoralized army. Another shout and the charging +hosts swept on again to a new point of vantage from which to fire. +Through clouds of smoke and dust the red tongues of flame from a hundred +big-mouthed guns flashed and faded and flashed again. + +The charging men slipped on the wet grass where the dead lay thickest. +Waves of white curling smoke rose above the tree-tops and hung in dense +clouds over the field lighted by the red glare of the sinking sun. + +The relief corps could be seen dashing on, with stretchers and +ambulances following in the wake of the victorious army. + +The hum and roar of the vast field of carnage came now on the ears of +the listener--the groans of the wounded and the despairing cry of the +dying. And still the living waves of gray-tipped steel rolled on in +relentless sweep. + +Again the fleeing Federal soldiers choked the waters of Bull Run. Masses +of struggling fugitives were pushed from the banks into the water and +pressed down. Here and there a wounded man clung to the branch of an +overhanging tree until exhausted and sank to rise no more. + +The meadows were trampled and red. Hundreds of weak and tired men were +ridden down by cavalry and crushed by artillery. On and on rushed the +remorseless machine of the Confederacy, crushing, killing, scarring, +piling the dead in heaps. + +It was ten o'clock that night before the army of Lee halted and Pope's +exhausted lines fell into the trenches around Centreville for a few +hours' respite. At dawn Jackson was struggling with his tired victorious +division to again turn Pope's flank, get into his rear and cut off his +retreat. + +A cold and drenching rainstorm delayed his march and the rabble that was +once Pope's army succeeded in getting into the defenses of Washington. + +Davis' army took seven thousand prisoners and picked up more than two +thousand wounded soldiers whom their boastful commander had left on the +field to die. Thirty pieces of artillery and twenty thousand small arms +fell into Lee's hands. + +Pope's losses since Jackson first struck his advance guard at Culpeper +Court House had been more than twenty thousand men and his army had been +driven into Washington so utterly demoralized it was unfit for further +service until reorganized under an abler man. + +For the moment the North was stunned by the blow. Deceived by Pope's +loud dispatches claiming victory for the first two days it was +impossible to realize that his shattered and broken army was cowering +and bleeding under the shadow of the Federal Capitol. + +Even on the night of August thirtieth, with his men lying exhausted at +Centreville where they had dropped at ten o'clock when Lee's army had +mercifully halted, poor Pope continued to send his marvelous messages to +the War Department. + +He reported to Halleck: + +"The enemy is badly whipped, and we shall do well enough. Do not be +uneasy. We will hold our own here. We have delayed the enemy as long as +possible without losing the army. We have damaged him heavily, and I +think the army entitled to the gratitude of the country." + +To this childish twaddle Halleck replied: + +"My dear General, you have done nobly!" + +Abraham Lincoln, however, realized the truth quickly. He removed Pope +and in spite of the threat of his Cabinet to resign called McClellan to +reorganize the dispirited army. + +The North was in no mood to listen to the bombastic defense of General +Pope. They were stunned by the sudden sweep of the Confederate army from +the gates of Richmond on June first, to the defenses at Washington +within sixty days with the loss of twenty thousand men under McClellan +and twenty thousand more under Pope. + +The armies of the Union had now been driven back to the point from which +they had started on July 16, 1861. It had been necessary to withdraw +Burnside's army from eastern North Carolina and the forces of the Union +from western Virginia. The war had been transferred to the suburbs of +Washington and the Northern people who had confidently expected +McClellan to be in Richmond in June were now trembling for the safety of +Pennsylvania and Maryland, to say nothing of the possibility of +Confederate occupation of the Capital. + +An aggressive movement of all the forces of the South under Lee in the +East and Bragg and Johnston in the West was ordered. + +In spite of the fact that Lee's army could not be properly shod--the +supply of army shoes being inadequate and the lack of shoe factories a +defect the Confederacy had yet been unable to remedy, the Southern +Commander threw his army of barefooted veterans across the Potomac and +boldly invaded Maryland on September the fifth. + +The appearance of Stonewall Jackson on his entrance into Frederick City, +Maryland, was described by a Northern war correspondent in graphic +terms: + +"Old Stonewall was the observed of all observers. He was dressed in the +coarsest kind of homespun, seedy, and dirty at that. He wore an old hat +which any Northern beggar would consider an insult to have offered him. +In his general appearance he was in no respect to be distinguished from +the mongrel barefoot crew who followed his fortunes. I had heard much of +the decayed appearance of rebel soldiers,--but such a looking crowd! +Ireland in her worst straits could present no parallel, and yet they +glory in their shame!" + +Lee's army was now fifty miles north of Washington, within striking +distance of Baltimore. His strategy had completely puzzled the War +Department of the Federal Government. McClellan was equally puzzled. +Lincoln and his Cabinet believed Lee's movement into Maryland a feint to +draw the army from the defense of the Capital, and, when this was +accomplished, by a sudden swoop the Southern Commander would turn and +capture the city. + +While McClellan was thus halting in tragic indecision one of the +unforeseen accidents of war occurred which put him in possession of +Lee's plan of campaign and should have led to the annihilation of the +Southern army. A copy of the order directing the movement of the +Confederates from Frederick, Maryland, was thrown to the ground by a +petulant officer to whom it was directed. It fell into the hands of a +Federal soldier who hurried to McClellan's headquarters with the fateful +document. + +Jackson's corps had been sent on one of his famous "foot cavalry" +expeditions to sweep the Federal garrison from Martinsburg, surround and +capture Harper's Ferry. McClellan at once moved a division of his army +to crush the small command Lee had stationed at South Mountain to guard +Jackson's movement. + +McClellan threw his men against this little division of the Confederates +and attempted to force his way to the relief of Harper's Ferry. The +battle raged with fury until nine o'clock at night. Their purpose +accomplished Lee withdrew them to his new position at Sharpsburg to +await the advent of Jackson. + +The "foot cavalry" had surrounded Harper's Ferry, assaulted it at dawn +and in two hours the garrison surrendered. Thirteen thousand prisoners +with their rifles and seventy-three pieces of artillery fell into +Jackson's hands. Leaving General A. P. Hill to receive the final +surrender of the troops Jackson set out at once for Sharpsburg to join +his army with Lee's. + +The Southern Commander had but forty thousand men with which to meet +McClellan's ninety thousand, but at sunrise on September seventeenth, +his batteries opened fire and the bloodiest struggle of the Civil War +began. Through the long hours of this eventful day the lines of blue and +gray charged and counter-charged across the scarlet field. When darkness +fell neither side had yielded. The dead lay in ghastly heaps and the +long pitiful wail of the wounded rose to Heaven. + +Lee had lost two thousand killed and six thousand wounded. McClellan had +lost more than twelve thousand. His army was so terribly shattered by +the bloody work, he did not renew the struggle on the following day. Lee +waited until night for his assault and learning that reenforcements were +on the way to join McClellan's command withdrew across the Potomac. + +It was a day later before Lee's movements were sufficiently clear for +McClellan to claim a victory. + +On September nineteenth, he telegraphed Washington: + +"I do not know if the enemy is falling back or recrossing the river. We +may safely claim the victory as ours." + +Abraham Lincoln hastened to take advantage of McClellan's claim to issue +his Emancipation Proclamation. And yet so utter had been the failure of +his general to cope with Lee and Jackson, the President of the United +States relieved McClellan of his command. + +While Lee's invasion had failed of the larger purpose, its moral effect +on the North had been tremendous. He carried back into Virginia fourteen +thousand prisoners, eighty pieces of artillery and invaluable equipment +for his army. + +In the meantime the Western army under Bragg had invaded Kentucky, +sweeping to the gates of Cincinnati and Louisville and retiring with +more than five thousand prisoners, five thousand small arms and ten +pieces of artillery. + +The gain in territory by the invasion of Maryland and Kentucky had been +nothing but the moral effect of these movements had been far reaching. +The daring valor of the small Confederate armies fighting against +overwhelming odds had stirred the imagination of the world. In the west +they had carried their triumphant battle flag from Chattanooga to +Cincinnati, and although forced to retire, had shown the world that the +conquest at the southwestern territory was a gigantic task which was yet +to be seriously undertaken. + +The London _Times_, commenting on these campaigns, declared: + +"Whatever may be the fate of the new nationality or its subsequent +claims to the respect of mankind, it will assuredly begin its career +with a reputation for genius and valor which the most famous nations may +envy." + +On McClellan's fall he was succeeded by General Burnside who found a +magnificently trained army of veteran soldiers at his command. It was +now divided into three grand divisions of two corps each, commanded by +three generals of tried and proven ability, Sumner, Hooker and Franklin. + +Burnside quickly formed and began the execution of an advance against +Richmond. He moved his army rapidly down the left bank of the +Rappahannock River to Fredericksburg, and ordered pontoon bridges to +cross the stream. His army could thus defend Washington while moving in +force on the Confederate Capital. + +When Burnside led his one hundred and thirteen thousand men across the +river and occupied the town of Fredericksburg, Lee and Jackson were +ready to receive him. Lee had entrenched on the line of crescent-shaped +hills behind the town. + +When the new Northern Commander threw his army, with its bands playing +and its thousand flags flying, against these hills on the morning of +December 13, 1862, he plunged headlong and blindfolded into a death +trap. + +Charge after charge was repulsed with unparalleled slaughter. Lee's guns +were planted to cross fire on each charging line of blue. Burnside's +men were mowed down in thousands until their sublime valor won the +praise and the pity of their foe. + +When night at last drew the veil over the awful scene the shattered +masses of the charging army were huddled under the shelter of the houses +in Fredericksburg leaving the field piled high with the dead and the +wounded. The wounded were freezing to death in the pitiless cold. + +Burnside had lost thirteen thousand men--the flower of his troops--the +bravest men the North had ever sent into battle. + +Jackson's keen eye was quick to see the shambles into which this +demoralized army had been pushed. The river behind them could be crossed +only on a narrow pontoon bridge. A swift and merciless night attack +would either drive the bleeding lines into the freezing river, +annihilate or capture the whole army. He urged Lee to this attack. Lee +demurred. He could not know the extent of the enemy's losses. It was +inconceivable to the Southern Commander that Burnside with his one +hundred and thirteen thousand picked soldiers, could be repulsed with +such slight losses to the South. Only a small part of the army under his +command had been active in the battle and their losses were +insignificant in comparison with the records of former struggles. +Burnside would renew the attack with redoubled vigor. He refused to move +his men from their entrenchments into the open field where they would be +exposed to the batteries beyond the river. + +Jackson turned his somber blue eyes on Lee: + +"Send my corps into Fredericksburg alone to-night. Hold the hills with +the rest of the army. I'll do the work." + +"You cannot distinguish friend from foe, General Jackson--" + +"I'll strip my men to the waist and tie white bands around their right +arms." + +"In this freezing cold?" + +"They'll obey my orders, General Lee--" + +"It's too horrible--" + +"It's war, sir," was Jackson's reply. "War means fighting--fighting to +kill, to destroy--fighting with tooth and nail--" + +Lee shook his head. He refused to take the risk. Jackson returned to his +headquarters with heavy heart. His chief of medical staff was busy +preparing bandages for his men. He had been sure of Lee's consent. He +countermanded the order and Burnside's army was saved from annihilation. +When the sun rose next morning half his men were safely across the +river--and the remainder quickly followed. + +Again the North was stunned. Another wave of horror swept its homes as +the lists of the dead and wounded were printed. + +Burnside resigned his command and "Fighting" Joe Hooker was placed at +the head of the Northern troops. Since June first, Lee and Jackson had +destroyed four blue armies and driven their commanders from the +field,--McClellan twice, John Pope and now Burnside. + +The political effects of these brilliant achievements of Davis' army had +been paralyzing on the administration of Lincoln. The Proclamation of +Emancipation which he had issued immediately after the bloody battle in +Maryland had not only fallen flat in the North, it had created a +reaction against his policies and the conduct of the war. The November +elections had gone against him and his party had been all but wiped out. + +The Democrats in New York had reversed a majority of one hundred and +seven thousand against them in 1860 and swept the State, electing their +entire ticket. The administration was defeated in New Jersey, +Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. + +The voters of the North not only condemned the administration for +declaring the slaves free, but they assaulted the war policy of their +Government with savage fury. They condemned the wholesale arrest of +thousands of citizens for their political opinions and arraigned the +Government for its incompetence in conducting the military operations of +an army of more than twice the numbers of the triumphant South. + +The Emancipation Proclamation and the victories of Davis' army had not +only divided and demoralized the North, they had solidified Southern +opinion. + +Even Alexander H. Stephens, the Vice-President of the Confederacy, who +had been a thorn in the flesh of Davis from the beginning in his +advocacy of foolish and impossible measures of compromise now took his +position for war to the death. In a fiery speech in North Carolina +following Lincoln's proclamation Stephens said: + +"As for any reconstruction of the Union--such a thing is +impossible--such an idea must not be tolerated for an instant. +Reconstruction would not end the war, but would produce a more horrible +war than that in which we are now engaged. The only terms on which we +can obtain permanent peace is final and complete separation from the +North. Rather than submit to anything short of that, let us resolve to +die as men worthy of freedom." + +A few days after the defeat of Burnside's army at Fredericksburg the +South was thrilled by the feat of General McGruder in Galveston harbor. +The daring Confederate Commander had seized two little steamers and +fitted them up as gun boats by piling cotton on their sides for +bulwarks. With these two rafts of cotton cooeperating on the water, his +infantry waded out into the waters of Galveston Bay and attacked the +Federal fleet with their bare hands. + +When the smoke of battle lifted the city of Galveston was in Confederate +hands, the fleet had been smashed and scattered and the port opened to +commerce. Commodore Renshaw had blown up his flag ship to prevent her +falling into McGruder's hands and gone down with her. The garrison +surrendered. + +Jackson had invented a "foot cavalry." McGruder had supplemented it by a +"foot navy." + +At Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on the same day General Bragg had engaged +the army of Rosecrans and fought one of the bloodiest engagements of the +war. Its net results were in favor of the Confederacy in spite of the +fact that he permitted Rosecrans to move into Murfreesboro. The Northern +army had lost nine thousand men, killed and wounded, and Bragg carried +from the field six thousand Federal prisoners, thirty pieces of +artillery, sixty thousand stand of small arms, ambulances, mules, horses +and an enormous amount of valuable stores. + +His own losses had been great but far less than those he inflicted on +Rosecrans. He had lost one thousand two hundred and ninety-two killed, +seven thousand nine hundred and forty-five wounded and one thousand +twenty-seven missing. + +At Charleston a fleet of iron-clads on the model of the _Monitor_ had +been crushed by the batteries and driven back to sea with heavy loss. +The _Keokuk_ was left a stranded wreck in the harbor. + +A second attack on Vicksburg had failed under Sherman. A third attack by +Grant had been repulsed. Farragut's attack on Port Hudson had failed +with the loss of the _Richmond_. + +The Federal Government now put forth its grandest effort to crush at a +blow the apparently invincible army of Davis' still lying in its +trenches on the heights behind Fredericksburg. + +Hooker's army was raised to an effective force of one hundred and thirty +thousand and his artillery increased to four hundred guns. Lee had been +compelled to detach Longstreet's corps, comprising nearly a third of his +army for service in North Carolina. The force under his command was +barely fifty thousand. + +So great was the superiority of the Northern army Hooker divided his +forces for an enveloping movement, each wing of his being still greater +than the whole force under Lee. + +Sedgwick's corps crossed the river below Fredericksburg and began a +flanking movement from the south while Hooker threw the main body across +the Rappahannock at three fords seven miles above. + +On April thirtieth, he issued an address to his men. His forces were all +safely across the river without firing a shot. He had Lee's little army +caught in a trap between his two grand divisions. + +In his proclamation he boldly announced: + +"The operations of the last three days have determined that our enemy +must ingloriously fly, or come out from behind their defenses and give +us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him." + +His enemy was not slow in coming out from behind his defenses. With +quick decision Lee divided his little army by planting ten thousand men +under Early on Marye's Heights to stop Sedgwick's division and moved +swiftly with the remainder to meet Hooker in the dense woods of the +Wilderness near Chancellorsville. + +With consummate daring and the strategy of genius he again divided his +army. He detached Jackson's corps and sent his "foot cavalry" on a swift +wide detour of twenty-odd miles to swing around Hooker's right and +strike him in the flank while he pretended an attack in force on his +front. + +It was nearly sundown when Jackson's tired but eager men saw from the +hill top their unsuspecting foe quietly cooking their evening meal. + +When the battle clouds lifted at the end of three days of carnage, +Hooker's army of one hundred and thirty thousand men had been cut to +pieces and flung back across the Rappahannock, leaving seventeen +thousand killed and wounded on the field. + +In the face of his crushing defeat Hooker issued another address to his +army. + +He boldly announced from his safe retreat beyond the banks of the river: + +"The Major-General commanding tenders to the army his congratulations on +its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplished all +that was expected the reasons are well known to the army. It is +sufficient to say, that they were of a character not to be foreseen or +prevented by human sagacity or resources. + +"In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock before +delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given +renewed evidence of its confidence in itself and its fidelity to the +principles it represents. + +"Profoundly loyal and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac +will give or decline battle whenever its interests or honor may command +it. + +"By the celerity and secrecy of our movements, our advance and passage +of the river was undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel dared to +follow us. The events of the last week may well cause the heart of every +officer and soldier of the army to swell with pride!" + +The heart of the North quickly swelled with such pride that the +President was forced to remove General Hooker and appoint General George +Meade to his command. + +While the South was celebrating the wonderful achievement of their now +invincible army, Lee's greatest general lay dying at a little farm house +a few miles from the scene of his immortal achievement. Jackson had been +accidentally wounded by a volley from his own men fired by his orders. + +His wound was not supposed to be fatal and arrangements were made for +his removal to Richmond when he was suddenly stricken with pneumonia and +rapidly sank. He lifted his eyes to his physician and calmly said: + +"If I live, it will be for the best--and if I die, it will be for the +best; God knows and directs all things for the best." + +His last moments were marked with expressions of his abiding faith in +the wisdom and love of the God he had faithfully served. + +Yet his spirit was still on the field of battle. In the delirium which +preceded death his voice rang in sharp command: + +"Tell Major Hawkes to send forward provisions to the men!" + +His head sank and a smile lighted his rugged face. In low tender tones +be gasped his last words on earth: + +"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." + +So passed the greatest military genius our race has produced--the man +who never met defeat. His loss was mourned not only by the South but by +the world. His death extinguished a light on the shores of Time. + +The leading London paper said of him: + +"That mixture of daring and judgment which is the mark of heaven-born +generals distinguished him beyond any man of his age. The blows he +struck at the enemy were as terrible and decisive as those of Bonaparte +himself." + +Thousands followed him in sorrow to the grave. The South was bathed in +tears. + +Lee realized that he had lost his right arm and yet, undaunted, he +marshaled his legions and girded his loins for an invasion of Northern +soil. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +THE ACCUSATION + + +Captain Welford had entered the Secret Service of the Confederacy +believing firmly that Socola was a Federal spy. He would not make known +his suspicions until he had secured evidence on which to demand his +arrest. + +This evidence he found most difficult to secure. For months he had +watched the handsome foreigner with the patience of a hound. He had +taken particular pains to hold Jennie's friendship in order to be thrown +with Socola on every possible occasion. His men from the Secret Service +Department had followed Socola's every movement day and night with no +results. + +He pretended the most philosophic acceptance of the situation and +bantered the lovers with expressions of his surprise that an early +marriage had not been announced. + +Socola received the Captain's professions of friendship with no sign of +suspicion. He read Dick's mind as an open book. He saw through his +pretentions and the tragic purpose which underlay his good-natured +banter. He knew instinctively that his movements were watched and moved +with the utmost caution. For a time he found it impossible to visit the +house on Church Hill. Detectives were on his heels the moment he turned +his steps to that hill. + +The boarding house in which he lived was watched day and night. And yet +so carefully had he executed his work the men who were hounding him were +completely puzzled. They could not know, of course, that Socola had +chosen as his secretary a man in the Department of State. This man he +had involved in his conspiracy so completely and hopelessly from the +first interview that there was no retreat. He had risked his own life on +his judgment of character the day he made his first proposition. But his +estimate had proven correct. The fellow blustered and then accepted the +bribe and entered with enthusiasm into his service. + +Through this clerk the wily director of the Federal Bureau of +Information was compelled now to communicate with Miss Van Lew. Socola +had secured his services in the nick of time. He had been an old friend +of the Van Lew family before the war, their people were distantly +related and no suspicion could attach to his visits to her house unless +made at an unusual hour. + +It was nearly a year from the day he began his watch before Captain +Welford succeeded in connecting the stenographer in the Department of +State with the woman on Church Hill. + +He had been quietly studying "Crazy Bet" for months. From the first he +had accused this woman of being a spy. The older men in the Department +laughed. Miss Van Lew was the standard joke of the amateurs who entered +the Service. The older men all knew that she was a harmless fool whose +mind had been unbalanced by her love for negroes and her abolition +ideas. + +With characteristic stubbornness Dick refused to accept their decision +and set about in his own way to watch her. She was in the habit now of +making more and more frequent trips to Libby Prison, carrying flowers +and delicacies to the Northern prisoners. Dick had observed the use of +an old fashioned French platter with an extremely thick bottom. He +called the attention of the guard to this platter. + +The keen ears of the woman had heard it mentioned. The double bottom at +that moment was harmless. The messages she had carried to the prisoners +had all been taken from their hiding place and the platter returned to +her through the bars. + +She hurried home before the guard could make up his mind to examine the +contrivance. The next day Dick was on the watch. The Captain whispered +to the guard who halted "Crazy Bet" at the door. + +"I'll have to examine that thing," he said sharply. + +"Take it then!" she said with a foolish laugh. + +She slipped the old shawl from around it and suddenly plumped the +platter squarely into the guard's hands. The double bottom that day was +filled with boiling water. + +"Hell fire!" the guard yelled, dropping the platter with a crash. + +He blew on his fingers and let her pick it up and pass on. + +The woman had fooled the guard completely, but she had not been so +successful with Dick. The trick was _too_ smoothly done. No woman with +an unbalanced mind would have been capable of it. + +With extraordinary care the Captain followed her through the crowded +streets and saw her pass Socola in front of the Custom House. No sign of +recognition was made by either, but he saw the stenographer stoop and +pick up something from the edge of the sidewalk. + +He would have thought nothing of such an act had he not been following +this woman on whom his suspicions had been fixed. He leaped at once to +the truth. + +Miss Van Lew had dropped a cypher message and Socola had taken it. + +He watched her again the next day, and, suddenly turning the corner of +an obscure street, saw Socola speak to her in low quick tones, raising +his voice on his appearance to an idle conventional greeting. + +He passed them without apparently noticing anything unusual and hurried +to his office with his suspicions now a burning certainty. He had only +to wait his opportunity to trap his quarry in the possession of a +dispatch that would send him to the gallows. + +His evidence was not yet sufficient to ask for his arrest. It was +sufficient to convince Jennie Barton whose loyalty to the South was so +intense she would not walk on the same side of the street with Miss Van +Lew. + +He rushed to the Barton house. + +Jennie saw before he spoke that he bore a message of tragic import. + +"What is it, Dick?" she asked under her breath. "Why do you look at me +so?" + +"Jennie," he began seriously, "you are sure that you love the South?" + +"Don't ask me idiotic questions," she answered sternly; "what are you +driving at?" + +"If I prove to you that the man to whom you have pledged your love is an +impostor--" + +She lifted her head in a gesture of cold protest. + +"I thought we had settled that question." + +"But you must listen to me," he went on with calm persistence. "If I +prove to you that this man is a Federal spy--" + +Jennie broke into a laugh. + +"I can't get mad at you--you're such a big clumsy goose--" + +"I said if I _prove_ it--" + +There was no mistaking the fact that he was in dead earnest. + +The girl's face went white and her eyes took on a hard glitter. + +"Now, Dick Welford, that you've said it--you've _got_ to prove it--" + +The Captain lifted his hand solemnly. + +"I'll prove it. You know Miss Van Lew, the old abolitionist on Church +Hill?--" + +"I don't know that such a creature walks the earth." + +"You've heard of her?" + +"Yes." + +"You know that she is a traitor to her own people?" + +"I've heard it." + +The Captain paused and looked straight at her with searching gaze. + +"I just ran into Socola talking to this woman--" + +"Is that all?" + +"No." + +"What else?" + +"Yesterday I saw them pass each other on Main Street. Socola stooped and +picked up something from the pavement--" + +"Something she dropped?" + +"I'm sure of it--" + +"But you didn't see her drop it?" + +"No--" + +"How can you be so absurd!" + +"You don't believe what I tell you?" + +"But it proves nothing--" + +"To me, it's as plain as day--" + +"Because you hate him. I'm ashamed of you, Dick." + +"Mark my words, I'll prove it before I'm through." + +"I'll give you the chance now--that's his knock on the front door--" + +"I'd rather not make my accusation to-day--" + +"You've made it to me." + +"You're a loyal Southern girl. I had the right to make it to you." + +The girl laughed. + +"And I'll demand of him an explanation--" + +Before he could protest Socola walked into the room and grasped Jennie's +hand. + +"Captain Welford," she laughed, "has just accused you of hobnobbing with +the enemy on the streets--what explanation can you offer?" + +"Need I explain?" he asked lightly. + +"Miss Van Lew _is_ a suspicious character." + +"That's my excuse, I fear. She is a character. I've been curious to know +if she is really sane. I stopped her on the street and asked her a +question. Is it forbidden in Richmond?" + +He spoke with easy convincing carelessness. + +Jennie smiled. + +"Captain Welford evidently thinks so--" + +"And you?" + +"I am quite satisfied with your explanation--" + +Dick took a step closer and faced his enemy. + +"Well, I'm not Signor Socola--if that's your name--" + +"Dick!" Jennie interrupted angrily. + +The Captain ignored the interruption, holding the eye of the man he +hated. + +"You spoke to that woman in low quick tones--" + +"Your imagination is vivid, Captain--" + +Dick squared his jaw into Socola's face. + +"It's vivid enough to see through you. I'm going to wring your neck +before we're through with this thing--" + +Jennie thrust her trembling figure between the two men and confronted +Dick. + +[Illustration: "Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the +two men and confronted Dick."] + +"How dare you insult the man I love in my presence, Dick Welford?" + +"Because I love the South better than my life and you do, too, Jennie +Barton--" + +The girl's eyes flashed with rage. + +"Leave this room, sir!" + +Dick still faced Socola. + +"Get out of this town to-night--or I'll wring your neck, you damned +spy!" + +"Leave this room, Dick Welford!" Jennie repeated. + +The Captain turned and left without even a glance over his broad +shoulders. + +"I couldn't strike him in your presence, dear," Socola apologized. + +"You behaved splendidly. I'm proud of your perfect poise and mastery of +yourself. Our Southern men splutter easily." + +Socola took her hand and pressed it. + +"You don't believe this?" + +"I'd sooner doubt my own heart--I'd sooner doubt God--" + +"I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of your love," he murmured gently. + +He knelt that night and tried to ask God to show him the way. His heart +was rising in fierce rebellion at the deception into which he had +entrapped himself. And yet never had his country's need been so bitter +and the service he was rendering so priceless. He rose at last with face +stern and pale. He would fight to the end. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE TURN OF THE TIDE + + +The death of Jackson was to Jefferson Davis an appalling disaster. He +had never seriously believed the Southern people could win their unequal +struggle against the millions of the North backed by their inexhaustible +resources until the achievements of Lee and Jackson had introduced a new +element into the conflict. So resistless and terrible had become the +effective war power of Southern soldiers led by these two men whose +minds moved in such harmony with each other and with their Chief in +Richmond that the South at last was in sight of success. + +The impossible had been accomplished. Anything now seemed possible. +Jackson's death had destroyed this new equation of war. + +Davis' faith in Jackson was in every way equal to Lee's and Lee but once +refused to follow Jackson's lead in his veto on his Lieutenant's plan to +annihilate Burnside's army at Fredericksburg. + +When the report reached Richmond that Jackson was dying Davis was +inconsolable. + +The whole evening the President of the Confederacy shut himself in his +room--unable to think of anything save the impending calamity. When the +end was sure he sent with his own hand the handsomest flag in Richmond +in which to wrap his body. + +When Davis gazed on the white, cold, rugged features, the tears were +streaming down his hollow checks. He bent low and the tears fell on the +face of the dead. + +When an officer of the Government came to the President's Mansion where +the body lay in state to consult him on a matter of importance, the +Confederate Chieftain stared at his questioner in a dazed sort of way +and remained silent. + +Lifting his haggard face at last he said in pathetic tones: + +"You must excuse me, my friend, I am staggering from a dreadful blow--I +cannot think--" + +Three days and nights the endless procession passed the bier and paid +their tribute of adoration and love. And when he was borne to his last +resting place through the streets of the city, the sidewalks, the +windows and the housetops were a throbbing mass of weeping women and +men. + +Jefferson Davis was perhaps the only man in the South in a position to +realize the enormous loss which the Confederacy had sustained in the +death of Lee's great lieutenant. + +The Southern people who gloried in Jackson's deeds had as yet no real +appreciation of the services he had rendered. They could not realize +their loss until events should prove that no man could be found to take +his place. + +The brilliant victory of Chancellorsville, following so closely on +Fredericksburg, had lifted the Confederacy to the heights. + +In the West the army had held its own. The safety of Vicksburg was not +seriously questioned. General Bragg confronted Rosecrans with an army so +strong he dared not attack it and yet not strong enough to drive +Rosecrans from Tennessee. + +Two campaigns were discussed with Davis. + +The members of his Cabinet, who regarded the possession of Vicksburg and +the continued grip on the Mississippi River vital to the life of the +Confederacy, were alarmed at Grant's purpose to fight his way to this +stronghold and take it. + +They urged that Lee's army be divided and half of it sent immediately to +reenforce Bragg. With this force in the West Rosecrans could be crushed +and Grant driven from his design of opening the Mississippi. + +Lee, flushed with his victories, naturally objected to the weakening of +his army by such a division. He proposed a more daring and effective way +of relieving Vicksburg. + +He would raise his army to eighty-five thousand men, clear Virginia of +the enemy and sweep into Pennsylvania, carry the war into the North, +forage on its rich fields, capture Harrisburg and march on Washington. + +Davis did not wish to risk this invasion of Northern soil. But his +situation was peculiar. His relations with Lee had been remarkable for +their perfect accord. They had never differed on an essential point of +political or military strategy. Davis' pride in Lee's genius was +unbounded, his confidence in his judgment perfect. + +Lee was absolutely sure that his army raised to eighty-five thousand +effective men could go anywhere on the continent and do anything within +human power. He had crushed McClellan's army of two hundred thousand +with seventy-five thousand men, and driven him from his entrenchments at +Richmond down the Peninsula. With sixty thousand he had crushed Pope and +hurled his army into the entrenchments at Washington, a bleeding, +disorganized mob. With sixty-two thousand he had cut to pieces +Burnside's hundred and thirteen thousand. With fifty thousand he had +rolled up Hooker's host of one hundred and thirty thousand in a scroll +of flame and death and flung them across the Rappahannock. + +His fame filled the world. His soldiers worshiped him. At his command +they would charge the gates of hell with their bare hands. His soldiers +were seasoned veterans in whose prowess he had implicit faith. His faith +was not a guess. It was founded on achievements so brilliant there was +scarcely room for a doubt. + +Lee succeeded in convincing Davis that he could invade the North, live +on its rich fields and win a battle which would open the way, not only +to save Vicksburg from capture, but secure the peace and independence of +the South. + +A single great victory on Northern soil with his army threatening +Washington would make peace a certainty. Davis was quick to see the +logic of Lee's plan. It was reasonable. It was a fair risk. And yet the +dangers were so enormous he consented with reluctance. + +Reagan, the Western member of his Cabinet, urged with all the eloquence +of his loyal soul the importance of holding intact the communications +with the territory beyond the Mississippi. He begged and pleaded for the +plan to reenforce Bragg and play the safe game with Vicksburg. Davis +listened to his advice with the utmost respect and weighed each point +with solemn sense of his responsibility. + +The one point he made last he tried to drive home in a sharp personal +appeal. + +"You cannot afford, Mr. President," he urged with vehemence, "to further +expose your own people of Mississippi to the ravages of such men as now +control the invading army. They have laid your own home waste. The +people of Vicksburg are your neighbors. They know you personally. The +people of this territory have sent their sons and brothers into Virginia +by thousands. There are no soldiers left to defend them--" + +The President lifted his thin hand in protest. + +"I can't let the personal argument sway me, Reagan. Our own people must +endure what is best for the cause. All I wish to know is what _is_ +best--your plan or General Lee's." + +Lee persuaded him against his personal judgment to consent to the daring +scheme of Northern invasion. + +So intent was Reagan on the plan of direct relief to Vicksburg that +after Lee had begun his preparations for the advance, Davis called a +Cabinet meeting and reconsidered the whole question. Reagan pleaded with +tears at last for what he knew his Chief felt to be best. Davis weighed +for the second time each point with care and again decided that Lee's +plan promised the greater end--peace. + +The moment his final decision was made Davis at once commissioned Vice +President Alexander H. Stephens, who knew Lincoln personally, to go to +Washington to make the proposition for an armistice and begin the +negotiations for a permanent peace on the day Lee should make good his +promise. + +The letter with which Stephens started to Washington asked on its face +that the President of the United States arrange for an exchange of +prisoners which would be prompt and effective and prevent all suffering +by Northern men in Southern climates and Southern men in Northern +prisons. Davis had asked again and again that all prisoners be +exchanged. The Federal War Department had obstructed this exchange until +thousands of Northern soldiers crowded the prisons of the South and it +was impossible for the Confederate authorities to properly care for +them. Medicine had been made contraband of war by the North and the +simplest remedies could not be had for the Confederate soldiers or their +prisoners. Behind this humane purpose of Stephens' mission lay the +bigger proposition, which was a verbal one, to propose peace on Lee's +victory on Northern soil. + +Lee's army lay on the plains of Culpeper during the beautiful month of +May. The vast field was astir with the feverish breath of preparations +for the grand march. Trains rushed to the front loaded with munitions of +war. New batteries of artillery with the finest equipment ever known +were added to his army. The ordnance trains were packed to their +capacity. His troops were better equipped than ever before in the +history of the war. Every department of the huge, pitiless machine was +running like clockwork. + +Fifteen thousand cavalry were reviewed at Brandy Station led by Stuart's +waving plume--Stuart, the matchless leader who had twice ridden round a +hostile army of a hundred thousand men. Crowds of cheering women watched +this wonderful pageant and waved their handkerchiefs to the handsome +young cavalier as he passed on his magnificent horse draped with +garlands of flowers. + +It required an entire week to review the cavalry, infantry, and +artillery. + +On June the first, the advance began. + +Ewell's corps, once commanded by Jackson, led the way. They swung +rapidly through the Blue Ridge Mountains, into the Valley and suddenly +pounced on General Milroy at Winchester. Milroy with a few of his +officers escaped through the Confederate lines at night and succeeded in +crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. Ewell captured three thousand +prisoners, thirty pieces of artillery, a hundred wagons and great +stores. Seven hundred more men were taken at Martinsburg. + +On June twenty-seventh, the whole of Lee's army was encamped at +Chambersburg in Pennsylvania in striking distance of the Capital of the +State. + +The execution of this march had been a remarkable piece of strategy. He +had completely baffled the Northern Commanders, spread terror through +the North and precipitated the wildest panic in Washington. + +Within twenty-odd days the Southern General had brought his forces from +Fredericksburg, Virginia, confronted by an army of one hundred thousand +men, through the Blue Ridge, and the Shenandoah Valley into +Pennsylvania. He had done this in the face of one of the most powerful +and best equipped armies the North had put into the field. He had swept +the hostile garrisons at Winchester, Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry into +his prisons and camped in Pennsylvania without his progress being once +arrested or a serious battle forced upon him. He had cleared Virginia of +the army which threatened Richmond and they were rushing breathlessly +after him in a desperate effort to save the Capital of Pennsylvania. + +So far Lee had made good every prediction on which he had based his plan +of campaign. + +Davis felt so sure that he would make good his promised victory that he +hurriedly dispatched Stephens to Fortress Monroe under a flag of truce +and asked for a safe conduct for his Commissioner to Washington. + +In alarm the Governors of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and +West Virginia called out their militia. Lee was not deterred by their +panic. He knew that those raw troops would cut no figure in the swift +and terrible drama which was being staged among the ragged crags around +Gettysburg. The veteran armies of the North and South would decide the +issue. If he won, he would brush aside the militia as so many school +boys and march into Washington. + +Meade was rushing his army after his antagonist with feverish haste. His +advance guard struck Lee before the town of Gettysburg on July first, +1863. A desperate struggle ensued. Neither Meade nor Lee had yet reached +the field. + +Within a mile of the town the Confederates made a sudden and united +charge and smashed the Federal line into atoms. General Reynolds, their +Commander, was killed and his army driven headlong into the streets of +Gettysburg. Ewell, charging through the town, swept all before him and +took five thousand prisoners. + +The crowded masses of fugitives, fleeing for their lives, passed out of +the town and rushed up the slopes of the hills beyond. + +At five o'clock Lee halted his men until the rest of his army should +reach the field. + +During the night General Meade rallied his disorganized men, poured his +fresh troops among them and entrenched his army on the heights where his +defeated advance guard had taken refuge. + +Had Lee withdrawn the next morning when he scanned those hills which +looked down on him through bristling brows of brass and iron the history +of the Confederacy might have been longer. It could not have been more +illustrious. + +His reasons for assault were sound. To his council of war he was +explicit. + +"I had not intended, gentlemen," he said, "to fight a general battle at +such distance from our base, unless attacked by the enemy. We find +ourselves confronted by the Federal army. It is difficult to withdraw +through the mountains with our large trains. The country is unfavorable +for collecting supplies while in the presence of the main body of the +enemy as he can restrain our foraging parties by occupying the mountain +passes. The battle is in a measure unavoidable. We have won a great +victory to-day. We can defeat Meade's army in spite of these hills." + +When Lee surveyed the heights of Gettysburg again on the morning of the +second of July, he saw that the Northerners held a position of +extraordinary power. Yet his men were flushed with victory after +victory. They had swept their foe before them in the first encounter as +chaff before a storm. They were equal to anything short of a miracle. + +He ordered Longstreet to hurl his corps against Cemetery Ridge and drive +the enemy from his key position before the entrenchments could be +completed. + +Longstreet was slow. Jackson would have struck with the rapidity of +lightning. On this swift action Lee had counted. The blow should have +been delivered before eight o'clock. It was two o'clock in the afternoon +before Longstreet made the attack and Meade's position had been made +stronger each hour. + +From two o'clock until dark the long lines of gray rolled and dashed +against the heights and broke in red pools of blood on their rocky +slopes. + +Three hundred pieces of artillery thundered their message in an Oratorio +of Death. The earth shook. Hills and rocks danced and reeled before the +excited vision of the onrushing men. For two hours the guns roared and +thundered without pause. The shriek of shell, the crash of falling +trees, the showers of flying rocks ripped from cliffs by solid shot, the +shouts of charging hosts, the splash of bursting shrapnel, the neighing +of torn and mangled horses, transformed the green hills of Pennsylvania +into a smoke-wreathed, flaming hell. The living lay down that night to +sleep with their heads pillowed on the dead. + +On this second day Lee's men had gained a slight advantage. They had +taken Round Top and held it for two hours. They had at least proven that +it could be done. They had driven in the lines on the Federal left. The +Southern Commander still believed his men could do the impossible. +Longstreet begged his Chief that night to withdraw and choose another +field. Lee ordered the third day's fight. On his gray horse he watched +Pickett lead his immortal charge and fall back down the hill. + +He rode quietly to the front, rallying the broken lines. He made no +speech. He uttered no bombast. + +He calmly lifted his hand and cried: + +"Never mind--boys!" + +To his officers he said: + +"It's all my fault. We'll talk it over afterward. Let every good man +rally now." + +His army had never known a panic. The men quietly fell into line and +cheered their Commander. + +To an English officer on the field Lee quietly said: + +"This has been a sad day for us, Colonel--a sad day; but we can't expect +always to gain victories." + +Lee had lost twenty thousand men and fourteen generals. Meade had lost +twenty-three thousand men and seventeen generals. Lee withdrew his army +across the swollen Potomac, carrying away his guns and all the prisoners +he had taken. + +General Meade had saved the North, but Lee's army was still intact, on +its old invincible lines in Virginia, sixty-five thousand strong. + +The news from Gettysburg crushed the soul of Davis. He had hoped with +this battle to end the war, and stop the frightful slaughter of our +noblest men, North and South. His Commissioner, Alexander H. Stephens, +was halted at Fortress Monroe and sent back to Richmond with an +insulting answer. + +So bitter was Lee's disappointment that he offered his resignation to +Davis. + +The President at once wrote a generous letter in which he renewed the +expressions of his confidence in the genius of his Commanding General +and begged him to guard his precious life from undue exposure. + +Gettysburg was but one of the appalling calamities which crushed the +hopes of the Confederate Chieftain on this memorable fourth of July, +1863. + +On the recovery of Joseph E. Johnston from his wound at Seven Pines he +was assigned to the old command of Albert Sidney Johnston in the West. +His department included the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, +Georgia and North Carolina. + +He entered on the duties of his new and important field--complaining, +peevish, sulking. + +On the day before his departure Mrs. Davis visited his wife and +expressed to General Johnston the earnest wish of her heart for her +husband's success. + +"I sincerely hope, General," she said cordially, "that your campaign +will be brilliant and successful." + +The General pursed the hard lines of his mouth. + +"I might succeed if I had Lee's chances with the army of Northern +Virginia." + +From the moment Johnston reached his field he began to quarrel with his +generals and complain to the Government at Richmond. He made no serious +effort to unite his forces for the defense of Vicksburg and continuously +wrote and telegraphed to the War Department that his authority was +inadequate to really command so extended a territory. He made no effort +to throw the twenty-four thousand men he commanded into a juncture with +Pemberton who was struggling valiantly against Grant's fifty thousand +closing in on the doomed city. + +On May eighteenth, Johnston sent a courier to Pemberton and advised him +to evacuate Vicksburg without a fight! Pemberton held a council of war +and refused to give up the Mississippi River without a struggle. +Johnston sat down in his tent and left him to his fate. + +Grant closed in on Vicksburg and the struggle began. Pemberton could not +believe that Johnston would not march to his relief. + +Women and children stood by their homes amid the roar of guns and the +bursting of shells. Caves were dug in the hills and they took refuge +under the ground. + +A shell burst before a group of children hurrying from their homes to +the hills. The dirt thrown up from the explosion knocked three little +fellows down, but luckily no bones were broken. They jumped up, brushed +their clothes, wiped the dirt from their eyes, and hurried on without a +whimper. + +When the dark days of starvation came, the women nursed the sick and +wounded, lived on mule and horse meat and parched corn. + +Johnston continued to send telegrams to the War Department saying he +needed more troops and didn't know where to get them. Yet he was in +absolute command of all the troops in his department and could order +them to march at a moment's notice in any direction he wished. He +hesitated and continued to send telegrams and write letters for more +explicit instructions. + +He got them finally in a direct peremptory order from the War +Department. + +On June fifteenth, he telegraphed his Government: + +"I consider saving Vicksburg hopeless." + +Davis ordered his Secretary of War to reply immediately in unmistakable +language: + + + "Your telegram grieves and alarms us, Vicksburg must not be lost + without a struggle. The interest and honor of the Confederacy + forbid it. I rely on you to avert this loss. If better resource + does not offer you must hazard attack. It may be made in concert + with the garrison, if practicable, but otherwise without. By day + or night as you think best." + + +The Secretary of War, brooding in anxiety over the possibility of +Johnston's timidity in the crisis, again telegraphed him six days +later: + + + "Only my convictions of almost imperative necessity for action + induced the official dispatch I have sent you. On every ground I + have great deference to your judgment and military genius, but I + feel it right to share, if need be to take the responsibility and + leave you free to follow the most desperate course the occasion may + demand. Rely upon it, the eyes and hopes of the whole Confederacy + are upon you, with the full confidence that you will act, and with + the sentiment that it were better to fail nobly daring, than through + prudence even to be inactive. I rely on you for all possible to save + Vicksburg." + + +On June twenty-seventh, Grant telegraphed Washington: + + + "Joe Johnston has postponed his attack until he can receive ten + thousand reenforcements from Bragg's army. They are expected early + next week. I feel strong enough against this increase and do not + despair of having Vicksburg before they arrive." + + +Pemberton's army held Vicksburg practically without food for forty-seven +days. His brave men were exposed to blistering suns and drenching rains +and confined to their trenches through every hour of the night. They had +reached the limit of human endurance and were now physically too weak to +attempt a sortie. Johnston still sat in his tent writing letters and +telegrams to Richmond. + +Pemberton surrendered his garrison to General Grant on July fourth, and +the Mississippi was opened to the Federal fleet from its mouth to its +source. + +Grant telegraphed to Washington: + + + "The enemy surrendered this morning, General Sherman will face + immediately on Johnston and drive him from the State." + + +But the great letter writer did not wait for Sherman to face him. He +immediately abandoned the Capital of Mississippi and retreated into the +interior. + +In the fall of Vicksburg, the Confederacy had suffered a most appalling +calamity--not only had the Mississippi River been opened to the Federal +gunboats, but Grant had captured twenty-four thousand prisoners of war, +including three Major Generals and nine Brigadiers, ninety pieces of +artillery and forty thousand small arms. + +The Johnston clique at Richmond made this disaster the occasion of +fierce assaults on Jefferson Davis and fresh complaints of the treatment +of their favorite General. The dogged persistence with which this group +of soreheads proclaimed the infallibility of the genius of the weakest +and most ineffective general of the Confederacy was phenomenal. The more +miserable Johnston's failures the louder these men shouted his praises. +The yellow journals of the South continued to praise this sulking old +man until half the people of the Confederacy were hoodwinked into +believing in his greatness. + +The results of this Johnston delusion were destined to bear fatal fruit +in the hour of the South's supreme trial. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +SUSPICION + + +Jennie Barton had refused to listen to Captain Welford's accusation of +treachery against her lover but the seed of suspicion had been planted. +It grew with such rapidity her peace of mind was utterly destroyed. + +In vain she put the ugly thought aside. + +"It's impossible!" she murmured a hundred times only to come back to the +idea that would not down. + +Night after night she tossed on her pillow unable to sleep. The longer +she faced the problem of Socola's character and antecedents the more +probable became the truth of Dick's suspicions. She had made his present +position in the State Department possible. + +Again her love rose in rebellion. "It's a lie--a lie!" she sobbed. "I +won't believe it. Dick's crazy jealousy's at the bottom of it all--" + +Why had Socola buried himself in the Department of State so completely +since the scene with Dick? His calls had been brief. Their relations had +been strained in spite of her honest effort to put them back on the old +footing. + +He gave as his excuse for not calling oftener the enormous pressure of +work which the crisis of the invasion of Pennsylvania had brought to his +office. The excuse was valid. But perfect love would find a way. It +should need no excuse. + +There was something wrong. She realized it now with increasing agony. +Unable to endure the strain she sent for Socola. + +Their meeting was awkward. She made no effort to apologize or smooth +things over. Her attitude was instinctive. She gave her feelings full +rein. + +She fixed on him a steady searching gaze. + +"It's useless for me to try to pretend, my love. There's something wrong +between us." + +"Your mind has been poisoned," was the quick, serious answer. "Thoughts +are things. They have the power to kill or give life. A poisonous idea +has been planted in your soul. It's killing your love for me. I feel +it--and I'm helpless." + +"You can cast it out," she answered tenderly. + +"How?" + +"Tell me frankly and honestly the whole story of your life--" + +"You believe me an impostor?" + +"I love you--" + +"And that is not enough?" + +"No. Make suspicion impossible. You can do this--if you are innocent as +I believe you are--" + +She paused and a sob caught her voice. + +"Oh, my love, it's killing me--I can neither eat nor sleep. Show me that +such a thing is impossible--" + +He took her hand. + +"How foolish, my own, to ask this of me--we love right or wrong. Love is +the fulfillment of the law. You call me here to cross-examine me--" + +"No--no--dear heart--just to have you soothe my fears and make me laugh +again--" + +"But how is it possible--once this thought has found its way into your +mind? If I am a spy, as your Captain Welford says, it is my business to +deceive the enemy. I couldn't tell the truth and live in Richmond. I +would swing from the nearest limb if I should be discovered--" + +Jennie covered her face with her hands: + +"Don't--don't--please--" + +"Can't you see how useless such a question?" + +"You can't convince me?" she asked pathetically. + +"I won't try," he said firmly. "You must trust me because you love me. +Nothing I could say could convince you--" + +He paused and held her hands in a desperate clasp-- + +"Trust me, dear--I promise in good time to convince you that I am all +your heart has told you--" + +"You must convince me now--or I'll die," she sobbed. + +"You're asking the impossible--" + +He stroked her hand with tender touch, rose and led her to the door. + +"You'll try to trust me?" + +There was an unreal sound in her voice as Jennie slowly replied: + +"Yes--I'll try." + +Socola hurried to the house on Church Hill and dispatched a courier on a +mission of tragic importance. Kilpatrick and Dahlgren were preparing to +capture Richmond by a daring raid of three thousand cavalrymen. + +Jennie watched him go with the determination to know the truth at all +hazards. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +THE FATAL DEED + + +The battle of Gettysburg and the disaster of the fall of Vicksburg once +more gave to the Johnston junta in the Confederate Congress their +opportunity to harass the President. + +Their power for evil had been greatly diminished by the pressure of the +swiftly moving tragedy of the war. + +The appearance of this Congress was curiously plain and uninteresting. +With the exception of J. L. M. Curry of Alabama and Barksdale of +Mississippi there was not a man among them of constructive ability as a +statesman. Foote of Tennessee was noted for his high-flown English, his +endless harangues and his elaborate historical illustrations. Had his +ability been equal to the intensity of his hatred for Davis he would +have been a dangerous man to the administration. James Lyons of Virginia +stood six feet three in his stockings, had fine, even, white teeth, and +was considered the handsomest man in the assembly. + +Yancey, the fierce, uncompromising agitator of secession, was too +violent to command the influence to which his genius entitled him. + +Senator Barton, fierce, impatient, bombastic, had long ago exhausted the +vocabulary of invective and could only repeat himself in descending +anti-climax. + +Hill of Georgia was a young man of ability who gave promise of greater +things under more favorable conditions. + +The real business of this Congress was transacted in secret executive +sessions. When the public was admitted, the people of Richmond generally +looked on with contempt. They sneeringly referred to them as "the +College Debating Society, on Capitol Hill." + +The surroundings of their halls added to the impression of +inefficiency--dingy, dirty and utterly lacking in the luxuries which the +mind associates with the exercise of sovereign power. + +The Senate was forced to find quarters in the third story of the "State +House." There was no gallery and the spectators were separated from the +members by an improvised railing. The only difference noticeable between +the Senators and the spectators was that the members had seats and the +listeners and loafers had standing room only behind the rail. + +The House of Representatives had a better chamber. But its walls were +bare of ornament or paintings, its chairs were uncushioned, its desks +dingy and slashed with pocket knives. Its members sat with their heels +in the air and their bodies sprawled in every conceivable attitude of +ugly indifference. + +The heart and brains of the South were on the field of battle--her +noblest sons destined to sleep in unmarked graves. + +The scenes of personal violence which disgraced the sittings of this +nondescript body of law makers did much to relieve the President of the +burden of their hostility. + +Foote of Tennessee provoked an encounter with Judge Dargan of Alabama +which came near a tragic ending. The Judge was an old man of eccentric +dress, much given to talking to himself--particularly as he wandered +about the streets of Richmond. The gallery of the House loved him from +the first for his funny habit of scratching his arm when the itch of +eloquence attacked him. And he always addressed the Speaker as "Mr. +Cheerman." They loved him particularly for that. The eccentric Judge had +a peculiarly fierce antipathy to Foote. Words of defiance had passed +between them on more than one occasion. The House was in secret night +session. The Judge was speaking. + +Foote sitting near, glanced up at his enemy and muttered: + +"Damned old scoundrel--" + +The Judge's gray head suddenly lifted, he snatched a bowie knife from +his pocket and dashed for the man who had insulted him. + +From every direction rose the shouts and cries of the excited House. + +"Stop him!" + +"Hold him!" + +"Great God!" + +"Judge--Judge!" + +The wildest uproar followed. Half a dozen members threw themselves on +the old man, dragged him to the floor, pinned him down and wrested the +knife from his grasp. + +When the eloquent gentleman from Tennessee saw that his assailant was +disarmed and safely guarded by six stalwart men he struck an attitude, +expanded his chest, smote it with both hands and exclaimed with +melodramatic gusto: + +"I defy the steel of the assassin!" + +The House burst into shouts of uncontrollable laughter, and adjourned +for the night. + +Another scene of more tragic violence occurred in the Senate--a hand to +hand fight between William L. Yancey and Ben Hill. The Senator from +Georgia threw his antagonist across a desk, held him there in a grip of +steel and pounded his face until dragged away by friends. Yancey's spine +was wrenched in the struggle, and it was rumored that this injury caused +his death. It possibly hastened the end already sure from age, disease +and careless living. + +Committees from this assembly of law makers who attempted to instruct +the conscientious, hard-working man of genius the Southern people had +made their President found little comfort in their efforts. + +Davis received them with punctilious ceremony. His manners were always +those of a gentleman--but he never allowed them to return to their +onerous work in the Debating Society without a clear idea of his views. +They were never expressed with violence. But the ice sometimes formed on +the window panes if he stood near while talking. + +A Congressional Committee were demanding the restoration of Beauregard +to command. + +"General Beauregard asked me to relieve him, gentlemen--" + +"Only on furlough for illness," interrupted the Chairman. + +"And you have forced him into retirement!" added a member. + +The President rose, walked to the window, gazed out on the crowded +street for a moment and turned, suddenly confronting his tormentors. He +spoke with quiet dignity, weighing each word with cold precision: + +"If the whole world asked me to restore General Beauregard to the +command which I have given to Braxton Bragg, I would refuse." He resumed +his seat and the Committee retired to Senator Barton's house where they +found a sympathetic ear. + +Bragg was preparing to fight one of the greatest battles of the war. At +Chickamauga, the "River of Death," he encountered Rosecrans. At the end +of two days of carnage the Union army was totally routed, right, left, +and center and hurled back from Georgia into Chattanooga. Polk's wing +captured twenty-eight pieces of artillery and Longstreet's twenty-one. +Eight thousand prisoners of war were taken, fifteen thousand stand of +arms and forty regimental colors. + +Rosecrans' army of eighty thousand men was literally cut to pieces by +Bragg's fifty thousand Southerners. No more brilliant achievement of +military genius illumines history. Chickamauga was in every way as +desperate a battle as Arcola--and in all Napoleon's Italian campaigns +nothing more daring and wonderful was accomplished by the Man of +Destiny. + +Bragg had justified the faith of Davis. Rosecrans was hemmed in in +Chattanooga, his supplies cut off and his army facing starvation when he +was relieved of his command, Thomas succeeding him. Grant was hurried to +Chattanooga with two army corps to raise the siege. + +With his reenforcements Grant raised the siege, surprised and defeated +Bragg's army which had been weakened by the detachment of Longstreet's +corps for a movement on Knoxville. + +Bragg withdrew his army again into Georgia and resigned his command. The +stern, irritable Confederate fighter was disgusted with the constant +attacks on him by peanut politicians and refused to hear Davis' plea +that he remain at the head of the Western army. The President called him +to Richmond and made him his Chief of Staff. + +The disaster to the Confederacy at Chattanooga which gave General Grant +supreme command of the Union forces, brought to the Johnston junta at +Richmond its opportunity to once more press their favorite to the front. +Since his Vicksburg fiasco the President had isolated him. Davis +resisted this appointment with deep foreboding of its possible disaster +to the South. + +In the midst of this bitter struggle over the selection of a Western +Field Commander, the President of the Confederacy received the first +and only recognition of his Government accorded by any European power. + +His early education at the St. Thomas Monastery had given the Southern +leader a lofty opinion of the Roman Catholic Church. Davis had always +seen in the members of this faith in America friends who could not be +alienated from the oppressed. + +Failing to receive recognition from the great powers of Europe, he +dispatched his diplomatic representative to Rome with a carefully worded +letter to the Pope in which he expressed his gratitude to Pius IX for +his efforts in behalf of peace. The Pope had urged his bishops in New +Orleans and New York to strive to end the war. + +The Vatican received the Confederate diplomat with every mark of +courtesy and every expression of respect accorded the most powerful +nations of the world. The Dominican friars had not forgotten the +wistful, eager boy they had taught, and loved in Kentucky. + +The Pope replied to this communication in an official letter which +virtually recognized the Confederacy--both in his capacity as a temporal +sovereign and as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. + +The President read this letter with renewed hope of favorable action +abroad. + + + "ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONORABLE PRESIDENT: + + "Salutation: + + "We have just received with all suitable welcome the persons sent by + you to place in our hands your letter dated twenty-third of September + last. + + "Not slight was the pleasure we experienced when we learned from + those persons and the letter, with what feelings of joy and gratitude + you were animated, illustrious and honorable President, as soon as + you were informed of our letters to our venerable brother John, + Archbishop of New York, and John, Archbishop of New Orleans, dated + the eighteenth of October of last year, and in which we have with all + our strength excited and exhorted these venerable brothers, that in + their episcopal piety and solicitude, they should endeavor, with the + most ardent zeal, and in our name, to bring about the end of the + fatal civil war which has broken out in those countries, in order + that the American people may obtain peace and concord, and dwell + charitably together. + + "It is particularly agreeable to us to see that you, illustrious and + honorable President, and your good people, are animated with the + same desire of peace and tranquillity which we have in our letters + inculcated upon our venerable brothers. May it please God at the same + time to make the other people of America and their ruler, reflecting + seriously how terrible is civil war, and what calamities it engenders, + listen to the inspiration of a calm spirit, and adopt resolutely the + part of peace. + + "As for us, we shall not cease to offer up the most fervent prayers + to God Almighty that He may pour out upon all the people of America + the Spirit and peace and charity, and that He will stop the great + evils which afflict them. We at the same time beseech the God of pity + to shed abroad upon you the light of His countenance and attach you + to us by a perfect friendship. + + "Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the third of December, 1863, of our + Pontificate 18. + + "(Signed) Pius IX." + + +The dark hour was swiftly approaching when the South and her leader +would need the prayers of all God's saints. + +Failing to persuade Bragg to reconsider his resignation, Davis appointed +General Hardee as his successor to command the Western army. Hardee +declared the responsibility was more than he could assume. + +Under the urgent necessity of driving the Union army back from its +position at Chattanooga and heartsick with eternal wrangling of the +opposition, Davis reluctantly ordered Joseph E. Johnston personally to +assume command of the Army of Tennessee--and the fatal deed was done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +THE RAIDERS + + +In February, 1864, both North and South were straining every nerve for +the last act of the grand drama of blood and tears. The Presidential +election would be held in November to choose a successor to Abraham +Lincoln. At this moment Lincoln was the most unpopular, the most +reviled, the most misunderstood and the most abused man who had ever +served as President of the United States. The opposition to him inside +his own party was fierce, malignant, vindictive and would stop short of +nothing to encompass his defeat in their nominating convention. They had +not hesitated even to accuse his wife of treason. + +Military success and military success alone could save the +administration at Washington. George B. McClellan, the most popular +general of the Union army, was already slated to oppose Lincoln on a +platform demanding peace. + +If the South could hold her own until the first Monday in November, the +opposition to the war in the North would crush the administration and +peace would be had at the price of Southern independence. + +No man in America understood the tense situation more clearly than +Jefferson Davis. His agents in the North kept him personally informed of +every movement of the political chess board. Personally he had never +believed in the possibility of the South winning in a conflict of arms +since the death of Jackson had been given its full significance in the +battle of Gettysburg. He had however believed in the possibility of the +party of the North which stood for the old Constitution winning an +election on the issue of a bloody and unsuccessful war and, on their +winning, that he could open negotiations for peace and gain every point +for which the war had been fought. It all depended on the battles of the +coming spring and summer. + +Grant, the new Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Union, had been +given a free hand with unlimited resources of men and money. He was now +directing the movements of nearly a million soldiers in blue. + +Sherman was drilling under his orders an army of a hundred thousand with +which to march into Georgia--while Grant himself would direct the +movement of a quarter of a million men in his invasion of Virginia. + +The Confederate President saw at once that Lee's army must be raised to +its highest point of efficiency and that it was of equal importance that +Joseph E. Johnston should be given as many or more men with which to +oppose Sherman. + +To allow for Johnston's feeble strategy, Davis sent him 68,000 soldiers +to Dalton, Georgia, to meet Sherman's 100,000 and gave Lee 64,000 with +which to oppose Grant's 150,000 threatening to cross the Rapidan and +move directly on Richmond. + +Socola had informed the War Department at Washington that the +Confederate Capital had been stripped of any semblance of an effective +garrison to fill the ranks of Lee and Johnston. + +General Judson Kilpatrick was authorized to select three thousand picked +cavalry, dash suddenly on Richmond, capture it and release the 15,000 +Union prisoners confined in its walls and stockades. + +These prisoners Grant steadily refused to receive in exchange. In vain +Davis besought the Federal Government to take them home in return for +an equal number of Confederate prisoners who were freezing and dying in +the North. + +Grant's logic was inexorable. Every Confederate prisoner exchanged and +sent back home meant a recruit to Lee's army. It was cruel to leave his +men to languish in beleaguered Richmond whose citizens were rioting in +the streets for bread, but he figured these prisoners as soldiers dying +in battle. The Confederate Government had no medicine for them. The +blockade was drawn so tight scarcely an ounce of medicine could be +obtained for the Confederate army. Davis offered the Washington +Government to let their own surgeons come to Richmond and carry medicine +and food to their prisoners. His request was refused. + +The only thing Grant conceded was his consent to Kilpatrick's attempt to +free and arm these 15,000 prisoners and loose them with fire and sword +in the streets of the Confederate Capital. + +Little did the men, women and children of Richmond dream that they were +lying down each night to sleep on the thin crust of a volcano. + +Captain Welford in the pursuit of Socola and Miss Van Lew had found that +the woman on Church Hill persisted in her visits to the prisons. Libby, +which contained a number of Union officers of rank, was her favorite. + +On the last day of February his patient watch was rewarded. He had +placed a spy in Libby disguised as a captive Union soldier. + +This man had sent the Captain an urgent message to communicate with him +at once. Within thirty minutes Welford confronted him in the guardroom +of the prison. + +The Captain spoke in sharp nervous tones: + +"Well?" + +"I've something big--" + +He paused and glanced about the room. + +"Go on!" + +"There's a plot on foot inside to escape--" + +"Of course. They're always plotting to escape--we've no real prison +system--no discipline. Hundreds have escaped already. It's nothing +new--" + +"This _is_ new," the spy went on eagerly, "They let me into their +councils last night. There's going to be a big raid on Richmond--the men +inside are going to fight their way out, arm themselves and burn the +city. When they get the signal from the outside they'll batter down the +walls and rush through--" + +"Batter down the walls?" + +"Yes, sir--" + +"How?" + +"They've loosed two big rafters and have them ready to use as battering +rams--" + +"You're sure of this?" + +"Sure's God's in heaven. Go in and see for yourself--" + +Captain Welford gave a low whistle. + +"This is big news. There are enough prisoners in Richmond to make an +army corps--eleven hundred in here--twenty-five hundred at Crew and +Pemberton's--at Belle Isle and the other stockades at least fifteen +thousand in all. They are guarded by a handful of men. If they realize +their power, they can batter their way out in five minutes and sweep the +city with blood and fire--" + +He stopped suddenly, drew a deep breath and turned again to the man. + +"That'll do for you here. Take a little rest. You'd as well go back into +a lion's den when they find out that I know. They'd spot you sure and +tear you limb from limb." + +The spy saluted. + +"Report to me a week from to-day at the office. You've earned a +vacation." + +The man saluted again and passed quickly out. + +Captain Welford asked the Superintendent to call his prisoners together. + +"I have something to say to them." + +A thousand silent men in blue were gathered in the assembly room of the +old warehouse. + +Captain Welford boldly entered the place carrying a box in his hand. He +placed it on the floor, sprang on it and lifted his hand over the crowd: + +"I've an announcement to make, gentlemen," he began quietly amid a +silence that was death like. "The Department which I represent has +learned that you are planning to batter down the walls and join a force +of raiders who are on the way to capture Richmond--" + +He paused and a murmur of smothered despair, inarticulate, bitter, crept +through the crowd. + +"To forestall this little scheme, I have planted a thousand pounds of +powder under this building. I have mined every other prison. The first +one of you that lifts his finger to escape gives the signal that will +blow you into Eternity--" + +Dick stepped from the box and made his way out without another word. He +could feel the wild heart beat of baffled hope as they followed him to +the door with despairing eyes. + +A murmur of sickening rage swept the prison. An ominous silence fell +where hope had beat high. + +The same strategic announcement was made in every prison in Richmond. No +mines had been laid. But the story served its purpose. Fifteen thousand +men were bound hand and foot by fear. Three hundred soldiers guarded +them successfully. Not a finger was lifted to help their bold rescuers +who were already dashing toward the city. + +Colonel Ulric Dahlgren was crossing the James above Richmond to strike +from the south side, while General Kilpatrick led the attack direct from +the north, Dahlgren crossed the river at Ely's Ford, passed in the rear +of Lee's army, captured a Confederate court martial in session, but +missed a park of sixty-eight pieces of artillery which had been left +unguarded. + +When they again reached the James at Davis' Mill, where a ford was +supposed to be, none could be found. Stanton had sent from Washington a +negro guide. They accused the negro of treachery and hung him from the +nearest limb without the formality of a drumhead court martial. + +At dawn on March first, Bradley Johnson's cavalry, guarding Lee's flank, +struck one of Kilpatrick's parties and drove them in on the main body. +They pursued Kilpatrick's men through Ashland and down to the outer +defenses of Richmond. + +Hero the raiders dismounted their twenty-five hundred men and prepared +to attack the entrenchments. Wade Hampton immediately moved out to meet +him. Bradley Johnson's Marylanders drew up in Kilpatrick's rear at the +same moment, and captured five men bearing dispatches from Dahlgren. He +would attack on the rear at sunset. He asked Kilpatrick to strike at the +same moment. + +Johnson boldly charged Kilpatrick's rear with his handful of men and +drove him headlong down the Peninsula to the York River. The Confederate +leader had but seventy-five men and two pieces of artillery but he hung +on Kilpatrick's division of twenty-five hundred and captured a hundred +and forty prisoners. + +Dahlgren at night with but four hundred men boldly attacked the defenses +on the north side of the city. He was met by a company of Richmond boys +under eighteen years of age. The youngsters gave such good account of +themselves that he withdrew from the field, leaving forty of his men +dead and wounded. + +In his retreat down the Peninsula, he failed to find Kilpatrick's +division. His command was cut to pieces and captured and Dahlgren +himself killed. + +The part which Socola had played in this raid was successfully +accomplished without a hitch. He was compelled to answer the drum which +called every clerk of his Department to arms for the defense of the +city. In the darkness he succeeded in pressing into Dahlgren's lines and +on his retreat made his way back to his place in the ranks of the +Confederates. + +It was a little thing which betrayed him after the real danger was past +and brought him face to face with Jennie Barton. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +THE DISCOVERY + + +From the moment Captain Welford had discovered the plot of the prisoners +to cooeperate with Kilpatrick and Dahlgren he was morally sure that Miss +Van Lew had been their messenger. He was equally sure that Socola had +been one of her accomplices. + +On the day of the announcement of his powder plant to the prisoners he +set a guard to watch the house on Church Hill, and report to him the +moment "Crazy Bet" should emerge. + +Within two hours he received the message that she was on her way down +town with her market basket swinging on her arm. Dick knew that this +woman could not recognize him personally. He was only distantly related +to the Welfords of Richmond. + +Miss Van Lew was in a nervous agony to deliver her dispatch to +Kilpatrick, warning him that the purpose of the raid had been discovered +and that he must act with the utmost caution. She had no scout at hand +and Kilpatrick's was expected every moment at her rendezvous near the +market. + +Dick turned the corner, circled a block, and met her. She was childishly +swinging the basket on her arm and humming a song. She smiled vacantly +into his face. He caught the look of shrewd intelligence and saw through +her masquerade. A single word from her lips now would send her to the +gallows and certainly lead to Socola's arrest. + +The Captain was certain that she carried dispatches on her person at +that moment. If he could only induce her to drop them, the trick would +be turned. + +He turned, retraced his steps, overtook her and whispered as he passed: + +"Your trusted messenger--" + +She paid no attention. There was not the slightest recognition--no +surprise--no inquiry. Her thin face was a mask of death. + +Was this man Kilpatrick's scout? Or was he a Secret Service man on her +trail? The questions seethed through her excited soul. Her life hung on +the answer. It was a question of judgment of character and personality. +The man was a stranger. But the need was terrible. Should she take the +chance? + +She quickened her pace and passed Dick. + +Again she heard him whisper: + +"Your messenger is here. I am going through to-night." + +In her hand clasped tight was her dispatch torn into strips and each +strip rolled into a tiny ball. Should she commence to drop them one by +one? + +Perplexed, she stopped and glanced back suddenly into Dick's face. Her +decision was instantaneous. The subtle sixth sense had revealed in a +flash of his eager eyes her mortal danger. She turned into a side street +and hurried home. + +The Captain was again baffled by a woman's wit. His disappointment was +keen. He had hoped to prove his accusation to Jennie Barton before the +sun set. She had ceased to fight his suspicions of Socola. His name was +not mentioned. She was watching her lover with more desperate +earnestness even than he. + +The Captain had failed to entrap the wily little woman with her market +basket, but through her he struck the trail of the big quarry he had +sought for two years. Socola was imperiled by a woman's sentimental +whim--this woman with nerves of steel and a heart whose very throb she +could control by an indomitable will. + +Heartsick over her failure to get through the lines her warning to +Kilpatrick, she had felt the responsibility of young Dahlgren's tragic +death. Woman-like she determined, at the risk of her life and the life +of every man she knew, to send the body of this boy back to his father +in the North. + +In vain Socola pleaded against this mad undertaking. + +The woman's soul had been roused by the pathetic figure of the daring +young raider whose crutches were found strapped to his saddle. He had +lost a leg but a few months before. + +He had been buried at the cross-roads where he fell--the roads from +Stevensville and Mantua Ferry. In pity for the sorrow of his +distinguished father Davis had ordered the body disinterred and brought +into Richmond. It was buried at night in a spot unknown to anyone save +the Confederate authorities. Feeling had run so high on the discovery of +the purpose of the raiders to burn the city that the Confederate +President feared some shocking indignity might be offered the body. + +The night Miss Van Lew selected for her enterprise was cold and dark and +the rain fell in dismal, continuous drizzle. The grave had been +discovered by a negro who saw the soldiers bury the body. It was +identified by the missing right leg. + +The work was done without interruption or discovery. + +Socola placed the body in Rowley's wagon which was filled with young +peach trees concealing the casket. The pickets would be deceived by the +simple device. Should one of them thrust his bayonet into the depths of +those young trees more than one neck would pay the penalty. But they +wouldn't. He was sure of it. + +At the picket post Rowley sat in stolid indifference while he heard the +order to search his wagon. He engaged the guard in conversation. Wagons +entered and passed and still he talked lazily to his chosen friend. + +The Lieutenant looked from his tent and yelled at last: + +"What 'ell's the matter with you--search that man and let him go--" + +"It would be a pity to tear up all those fruit trees!" the guard said +with a yawn. + +"I didn't think you'd bother 'em," Rowley answered indifferently, "but I +know a soldier's duty--" + +Another wagon dashed up in a hurry. The guard examined him and he passed +on. + +Again the Lieutenant called: + +"Search that man and let him go!" + +Rowley's face was a mask of lazy indifference. + +The guard glanced at him and spoke in low tones: + +"Your face is guarantee enough, partner--go on--" + +Socola flanked the picket and joined Rowley. Near Hungary, on the farm +of Orrick the German, a grave was hurriedly dug and the casket placed in +it. The women helped to heap the dirt in and plant over it one of the +peach trees. + +Three days later in response to a pitiful appeal from Dahlgren's father, +Davis ordered the boy's body sent to Washington. The grave had been +robbed. The sensation this created was second only to the raid itself. + +It was only too evident to the secret service of the Confederate +Government that an organization of Federal spies honeycombed the city. +The most desperate and determined efforts were put forth to unearth +these conspirators. + +Captain Welford had made the discovery that the conspirators who had +stolen Dahlgren's body had cut his curling blond hair and dispatched it +to Washington. The bearer of this dispatch was a negro. He had been +thoroughly searched, but no incriminating papers were found. The Captain +had removed a lock of this peculiarly beautiful hair and allowed the +messenger of love to go on his way determined to follow him on his +return to Richmond and locate his accomplices. + +Dick's report of this affair to Jennie had started a train of ideas +which again centered her suspicions on Socola. The night this body had +been stolen she had sent for her lover in a fit of depression. The rain +was pouring in cold, drizzling monotony. Her loneliness had become +unbearable. + +He was not at home and could not be found. Alarmed and still more +depressed she sent her messenger three times. The last call he made was +long past midnight. + +Her suspicion of his connection with the service of the enemy had become +unendurable. She had not seen or heard from him since the effort to find +him that night. He was at his desk at work as usual next morning. + +She wrote him a note and begged that he call at once. He came within +half an hour, a wistful smile lighting his face as he extended his hand: + +"I am forgiven for having been born abroad?" + +"I have sent for you--" + +"I've waited long." + +"It's not the first time I've asked you to call," she cried in strained +tones. + +"No?" + +She held his gaze with steady intensity. + +"I sent for you the night young Dahlgren's body was stolen--" + +"Really?" + +"It was raining. I was horribly depressed. I couldn't endure the +strain. I meant to surrender utterly and trust you--" + +"I didn't get your message--" + +"I know that you didn't--where were you?" + +"Engaged on important business for the Government--" + +"What Government?" + +"How can you ask such a question?" + +"I do ask it. I sent for you three times--the third time after midnight. +It wasn't very modest, perhaps, I was so miserable I didn't care. I just +wanted to put my arms around your neck and tell you to love me +always--that nothing else mattered--" + +"Nothing else does matter, dearest--" + +"Yes--it does. It matters whether you have used me to betray my people. +Where were you at twelve o'clock night before last?" + +"I'd rather not tell you--" + +"I demand it--" + +A quizzical smile played about Socola's handsome mouth as he faced her +frankly. + +"I was in a gambling establishment--" + +"Whose?" + +"Johnnie Worsham's--" + +"What were you doing there? You neither drink nor gamble." + +Again the dark face smiled. + +"I was asked by my Chief to report on the habits of every man in my +Department--particularly to report every man who frequents the gambling +hells of Richmond--" + +Jennie watched him nervously, her hands trembling. + +"It's possible of course--" + +Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she threw herself into his +arms. + +And then it happened--the little thing, trivial and insignificant, +that makes and unmakes life. + +For a long while no words were spoken. With gentle touch he soothed her +trembling body, bending to kiss the waves of rich brown hair. + +She pushed him at arm's length at last and looked up smiling. + +"I can't help it--I love you!" + +"When will you learn that we must trust where we love--" + +He stopped suddenly. Her brown eyes were fixed with terror on a single +strand of curling blond hair caught on the button of his waistcoat. + +"What is it?" he asked in alarm. + +She drew the hair from his coat carefully and held it to the light in +silence. + +"You can't be jealous?" + +She looked at him curiously. + +"Yes. I have a rival--" + +"A rival?" + +Her eyes pierced him. + +"Your love for the Union! I've suspected you before. You've evaded my +questions. Our love has been so big and sweet a thing that you have +always stammered and hesitated to tell me a deliberate lie. It's not +necessary now. I know. Ulrich Dahlgren is the age of my brother Billy. +They used to play together in Washington at Commodore Dahlgren's home +and at ours. He had the most peculiarly beautiful blond hair I ever saw +on a man. I'd know it anywhere on earth. That strand is his, poor boy! +Besides, Dick Welford captured your messenger with that pathetic little +bundle on his way to Washington--" + +Socola started in spite of his desperate effort at self-control and was +about to speak when Jennie lifted her hand. + +"Don't, please. It's useless to quibble and argue with me longer. We +face each other with souls bare. I don't ask you why you have deceived +me. Your business as a Federal spy is to deceive the enemy--" + +"You are not my enemy," he interrupted in a sudden burst of passion. +"You are my mate! You are mine by all the laws of God and nature. I love +you. I worship you. We are _not_ enemies. We never have been--we never +shall be. With the last breath I breathe your name shall be on my +lips--" + +"You may speak your last word soon--" + +"What do you mean?" + +"I am going to surrender you to the authorities--" + +"And you have just been sobbing in my arms--the man you have sworn to +love forever?" + +"It's the only atonement I can make. Through you I have betrayed my +country and my people. I would gladly die in your place. The hard thing +will be to do my duty and give you up to the death you have earned." + +"You can deliver me to execution?" + +"Yes--" was the firm answer. "Listen to this--" + +She seized a copy of the morning paper. + +"Colonel Dahlgren's instructions to his men. This document was found on +his person when shot. There is no question of its genuineness--" + +She paused and read in cold hard tones: + + + "Guides, pioneers (with oakum, turpentine and torpedoes), signal + officer, quarter master, commissary, scouts, and picket men in rebel + uniform--remain on the north bank and move down with the force on the + south bank. If communications can be kept up without giving an alarm + it must be done. Everything depends upon a surprise, and no one must + be allowed to pass ahead of this column. All mills must be burned and + the canal destroyed. Keep the force on the southern side posted of + any important movement of the enemy, and in case of danger some of + the scouts must swim the river and bring us information. We must try + to secure the bridge to the city (one mile below Belle Isle) and + release the prisoners at the same time. If we do not succeed they + must then dash down, and we will try to carry the bridge from each + side. The bridges once secured, and the prisoners loosed and over the + river, the bridges will be secured and the city destroyed--" + + +Jennie paused and lifted her eyes burning with feverish light. + +"Merciful God! How? With oakum and turpentine. A city of one hundred +thousand inhabitants, under the cover of darkness--men, women and +children, the aged, the poor, the helpless!" + +Socola made no answer. A thoughtful dreamy look masked his handsome +features. + +Jennie read the next sentence from the Dahlgren paper in high quivering +tones: + + + "The men must be kept together and well in hand, and once in the + city, it must be destroyed and _Jeff Davis and his Cabinet_ killed--" + + +The girl paused and fixed her gaze on Socola. + +"The man who planned that raid came with the willful and deliberate +murder of unarmed men in his soul. The man who helped him inside is +equally guilty of his crime--" + +She resumed her reading without waiting for reply. + + + "Prisoners will go along with combustible material. The officer must + use his discretion about the time of assisting us. Pioneers must be + prepared to construct a bridge or destroy one. They must have plenty + of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be rolled in soaked + balls, and given to the men to burn when we get into the city--" + + +Socola lifted his hand. + +"Please, dear--these instructions are not mine. I do not excuse or +palliate them. The daring youngster who conceived this paid the penalty +with his life. It's all that any of us can give for his country. There's +something that interests me now far more than this sensation--far more +than the mere fact that my true business here has been discovered by you +and my life forfeited to your Government--" + +"And that is?" + +"That the woman I love can deliver me to death--" + +"You doubt it?" + +"I had not believed it possible." + +"I'll show you." + +Jennie stepped to the door and pulled the old-fashioned bell-cord. + +A servant appeared. + +In strained tones the girl said: + +"Go to Captain Welford's office and ask him to come here immediately +with two soldiers--" + +"Yassam--" + +The negro bowed and hurried from the house, and Jennie sat down in +silence beside the door. + +Socola confronted her, his hands gripped in nervous agony behind his +back, his slender figure erect, his breath coming in deep excited +draughts. + +"You think that I'll submit to my fate without a fight?" + +"You've got to submit. Your escape from Richmond is a physical +impossibility--" + +He searched the depths of her heart. + +"I was not thinking of my body just then. I have no desire to live if +you can hand me to my executioner--" + +He paused and a sob came from the girl's distracted soul. + +He moved a step closer. + +"I'm not afraid to die--you must know that--I'm not a coward--" + +"No. I couldn't have loved a coward!" + +"The thing I can't endure is that you, the woman to whom I have +surrendered my soul, should judge me worthy of death. Come, my own, this +is madness. We must see each other as God sees now. You must realize +that only the highest and noblest motive could have sent a man of my +character and training on such a mission. We differ in our political +views for the moment--even as you differ from the older brother whom you +love and respect--" + +"I am not responsible for my brother's acts. I am for yours--" + +"Nonsense, dear heart. My work was ordained of God from the beginning. +It was fate. Nothing could have stopped me. I came under a mighty +impulse of love for my country--bigger than the North or the South. God +sent me. You have helped me. But if you had not I would still have +succeeded. Can't you forget for the moment the details of this +blood-stained struggle--the maimed lad with his crutches strapped to his +saddle, lost in the black storm night in the country of his enemies and +shot to pieces--the mad scheme his impulsive brain had dreamed of wiping +your Capital from the earth and leading fifteen thousand shouting +prisoners back into freedom and life--surely he paid for his madness. +Forget that I have deceived you, and see the vision of which I dream--a +purified and redeemed Nation--united forever--no North, no South--no +East, no West--the inheritance of our children and all the children of +the world's oppressed! I am fighting for you and yours as well as my +own. The South is mine. I love its beautiful mountains and plains--its +rivers and shining seas--Oh, my love, can't you see this divine vision +of the future? The Union must be saved. The stars in their courses +fight its battles. Nothing is surer in the calendar of time than that +the day is swiftly coming when the old flag your fathers first flung to +the breeze will be again lifted from your Capitol building. You can't +put me out of your life as a criminal worthy of death! I won't have it. +I am yours and you are mine. I am not pleading for my life. I'm pleading +for something bigger and sweeter than life. I'm pleading for my love. I +can laugh at death. I can't endure that you put me out of your heart--" + +Jennie rose with determination, walked to the window and laughed +hysterically. + +"Well, I'm going to put you out. Captain Welford and his men are coming. +They've just turned the corner!" + +The man's figure slowly straightened, and his eyes closed in +resignation. + +"Then it's God's will and my work is done." + +With a sudden cry Jennie threw herself in his arms. + +"Forgive me, dear Lord. I can't do this hideous thing! It's my duly, but +I can't. My darling--my own! You shall not die. I was mad. Forgive me! +Forgive me! My own--" + +"Halt!" + +The sharp command of the Captain rang outside the door. + +"Get into this room--quick--" the girl cried, pushing Socola into the +adjoining room and slamming the door as Dick entered the hall. + +She faced the Captain with a smile. + +"It's all right, now, Dick. I thought I had discovered an important +secret. It was a mistake--" + +The Captain smiled. + +"You don't mind my looking about the house?" + +"_Searching_ the house?" + +"Just the lower floor?" + +"I do mind it. How dare you suggest such a thing, sir--" + +"Because I've made a guess at the truth. You discovered important +evidence incriminating Socola. Your first impulse was to do your +duty--you weakened at the last moment--" + +"Absurd!" she gasped. + +"I happened to hear a door slam as I entered. I'll have to look around a +little." + +He started to the door behind which Socola had taken refuge. Jennie +confronted him. + +"You can't go in there--" + +"It's no use, Jennie--I'm going to search that room--the whole house if +necessary." + +"Why?" + +"I know that Socola is here--" + +"And if he is?" + +"I'll arrest him--" + +"On what charge?" + +"He is a Federal spy and you know it--" + +"You can't prove it." + +"I've found the evidence. I have searched his rooms--" + +"Searched his _rooms_?" + +"Your servant told me that he was here. I leaped to a conclusion, forced +his door and found this--" + +He thrust a well-thumbed copy of the cipher code of the Federal Secret +Service into her hand. + +"You--you--can't execute him, Dick," Jennie sobbed. + +"I will." + +"You can't. I love him. He can do no more harm here." + +"He's done enough. His life belongs to the South--" + +She placed her trembling hand on his arm. + +"You are sure that deep down in your heart there's not another motive?" + +"No matter how many motives--one is enough. I have the evidence on which +to send him to the gallows--" + +The girl's head drooped. + +"And I gave it to you--God have mercy!" + +The tears began to stream down her checks. Dick moved uneasily and +looked the other way. + +"I've got to do it," he repeated stubbornly. + +Her voice was the merest whisper when she spoke. + +"You're not going to arrest him, Dick. He will leave Richmond never to +enter the South again. I'll pledge my life on his promise. His death can +do us no good. It can do you no good--I--I--couldn't live and know +that I had killed the man I love--" + +"You haven't killed him. He has forfeited his life a thousand times in +his work as a spy." + +"I sent for you. I caused his betrayal. I shall be responsible if he +dies--" + +Again the little head drooped in pitiful suffering. She lifted it at +last with a smile. + +"Dick, you're too big and generous for low revenge. You hate this man. +But you love me. I know that. I'm proud and grateful for it. I appeal to +the best that's in you. Save my life and his--" + +"You couldn't live if he should die, Jennie?" the man asked tenderly. + +"Not if he should die in this way--" + +The Captain struggled and hesitated. + +Again her hand touched his arm. + +"I ask the big divine thing of you, Dick?" + +"It's hard. I've won and you take my triumph from me. For two years I've +given body and soul to the task of unmasking this man." + +"I'm asking his life--and mine--" the pleading voice repeated. + +"I'll give him up on one condition--" + +"What?" + +The Captain held her gaze in silence a moment. + +"That you send him back to the North and put him out of your life +forever!" + +Jennie laughed softly through her tears. + +"You big, generous, foolish boy--you might have left that to me--" + +"All right," he hastened to agree. "I'll leave it to you. Forgive me. I +can't deny you anything--" + +"You're a glorious lover, Dick!" she cried tenderly. "Why didn't I love +you?" + +"I don't know, honey," he replied chokingly. "We just love because we +must--there's no rhyme or reason to it--" + +He paused and laughed. + +"Well, it's all over now, Jennie. I've given him back to you--good-by--" + +She grasped his hand and held it firmly. + +"Don't you dare say good-by to me, sir--you've got to love me, too--as +long as I live--my first sweetheart--brave, generous, kind--" + +She drew his blond head low and kissed him. + +He looked at her through dimmed eyes and slowly said: + +"That makes life worth living, Jennie." + +He turned and quickly left the house. + +She heard his low orders to his men and watched them pass up the street +with their rifles on their shoulders. + +She opened the door and Socola entered, his face deathlike in its +pallor. + +"Why did he stay so long?" + +"He has searched your room and found your cipher code--" + +"And you have saved my life?" + +"It was I who put it in peril--" + +"No--I gave my life in willing sacrifice when the war began--" + +"You are to leave," Jennie went on evenly--"leave at once--" + +"Of course--" + +"And give me your solemn parole--never again during this war to fight +the South--" + +"It is your right to demand it. I agree." + +She gently took his hand. + +"I know that I can trust you now--" She paused and looked wistfully into +his face. "One last long look into your dear eyes--" + +"Not the last--" + +"One last kiss--" + +She drew his lips down to hers. + +"One last moment in your arms." She clung to him desperately and freed +herself with quick resolution. + +"And now you must go--from Richmond--from the South and out of my life +forever--" + +"You can't mean this!" he protested bitterly. + +"I do," was the firm answer. "Good-by." + +He pressed her hand and shook his head. + +"I refuse to say it--" + +"You must." + +"No--" + +"It is the end--" + +"It is only the beginning." + +With a look of tenderness he left her standing in the doorway, the +hunger of eternity in her brown eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +THE CONSPIRATORS + + +The raid of Dahlgren and Kilpatrick had sent a thrill of horror through +Richmond. The people had suddenly waked to the realization of what it +meant to hold fifteen thousand desperate prisoners in their city with a +handful of soldiers to guard them. + +The discovery on the young leader's body of the remarkable papers of +instructions to burn the city and murder the Confederate President and +his Cabinet produced a sharp discussion between Jefferson Davis and his +councilors. + +Not only did the people of Richmond demand that such methods of warfare +be met by retaliation of the most drastic kind but the Cabinet now +joined in this demand. Hundreds of prisoners had been captured both from +Dahlgren's and Kilpatrick's division. + +It was urged on Davis with the most dogged determination that these +prisoners--in view of the character of their instructions to burn a city +crowded with unarmed men, women and children and murder in cold blood +the civil officers of the Confederate Government--should be treated as +felons and executed by hanging. + +The President had refused on every occasion to lend his power to brutal +measures of retaliation. This time his Cabinet was persistent and in +dead earnest in their purpose to force his hand. + +Davis faced his angry council with unruffled spirit. + +"I understand your feelings, gentlemen," he said evenly. "You have had +a narrow escape. The South does not use such methods of warfare. Nor +will I permit our Government to fall to such level by an act of +retaliation. The prisoners we hold are soldiers of the enemy's army. +Their business is to obey orders--not plan campaigns--" + +"We have captured officers also," Benjamin interrupted. + +"Subordinate officers are not morally responsible for the plans of their +superiors." + +No argument could move the Confederate Chieftain. He was adamant to all +appeals for harsh treatment. Even Lee had at last found it impossible to +maintain discipline in his army unless he prevented the review of his +court martial by Davis. The President was never known to sign the death +warrant of a Confederate soldier. Lincoln was a man of equally tender +heart and yet the Northern President did sign the death warrants of more +than two hundred Union soldiers during his administration. + +The only action Davis would permit was the removal of the fifteen +thousand prisoners further south to places of safety where such raids +would be impossible. The prisons of Richmond were emptied and the +stockades at Salisbury and Andersonville over-crowded with these men. + +Davis renewed his urgent appeal to the Federal Government for the +exchange of these men. His request was treated with discourtesy and +steadily refused. When the hot climate of Georgia caused the high death +rate at Andersonville he released thousands of those men without +exchange and notified the Washington Government to send transportation +for them to Savannah. + +Lincoln had given Grant a free hand in assuming the command of all the +armies of the Union. But he watched his cruel policy of refusal to +exchange prisoners with increasing anguish. In every way possible, +without directly opposing his commanding general, the big-hearted +President at Washington managed to smuggle Southern prisoners back into +the South unknown to Grant and take an equal number of Union soldiers +home. + +A crowd of Southern boys from the prison at Elmira, New York, were +announced to arrive in Richmond on the morning train from +Fredericksburg. Among them Jennie expected her brother Jimmie who had +been captured in battle six months ago. She hurried to the station to +meet them. + +A great crowd had gathered. A row of coffins was placed on the ground at +the end of the long platform awaiting the train going south. A dozen men +were sitting on those rude caskets smoking, talking, laughing, their +feet drawn up tailor-fashion to keep them out of the mud. + +With a shiver the girl hurried to the other gate. + +Her eager eyes searched in vain among the ragged wretches who shambled +from the cars. A man from Baton Rouge, whom she failed to recognize, +lifted his faded hat and handed her a letter. + +She read it through her tears and hurried to the Confederate White House +to show it to the President. Davis scanned the scrawl with indignant +sympathy: + + + "_Dear Little Sis_: + + "This is the last message I shall ever send. Before it can reach you + I shall be dead--for which I'll thank God. I'm sorry now I didn't + take my chances with the other fellows, bribe the guard and escape + from Camp Douglas in Chicago. A lot of the boys did it. Somehow I + couldn't stoop. Maybe the fear of the degrading punishment they gave + McGoffin, the son of the Governor of Kentucky, when he failed, + influenced me, weak and despondent as I was. They hung him by the + thumbs to make him confess the name of his accomplices. He refused + to speak and they left him hanging until the balls of his thumbs + both burst open and he fainted. + + "The last month at Camp Douglas was noted for scant rations. Hunger + was the prevailing epidemic. At one end of our barracks was the + kitchen, and by the door stood a barrel into which was thrown beef + bones and slops. I saw a starving boy fish out one of these bones + and begin to gnaw it. A guard discovered him. He snatched the bone + from the prisoner's hand, cocked his pistol, pressed it to his head + and ordered him to his all-fours and made him bark for the bone he + held above him-- + + "We expected better treatment when transferred to Elmira. But I've + lost hope. I'm too weak to ever pull up again. I've made friends + with a guard who has given me the list of the men who have died here + in the five months since we came. In the first four months out of + five thousand and twenty-seven men held here, one thousand three + hundred and eleven died--six and one-half per cent a month--" + + +Davis paused and shook his head-- + +"The highest rate we have ever known at Salisbury or Andersonville +during those spring months was three per cent!" + +He finished the last line in quivering tones. + + + "There's not a chance on earth that I'll live to see you again. See + the President and beg him for God's sake to save as many of the boys + as he can. With a heart full of love. + + "Jimmie." + + +The President took both of Jennie's hands in his. + +"I need not tell you, my dear, that I have done and am doing my level +best. The policy of the new Federal Commander is to refuse all offers of +exchange. You understand my position?" + +"Perfectly," was the sorrowful answer. "I only came as a duty to bear +his dying message--" + +"Express to your father and mother my deepest sympathy." + +With a gentle pressure of the Chieftain's hand the girl answered: + +"I need not tell you I appreciate it--" + +The President watched her go with a look of helpless anguish. His +troubles for the moment had only begun. The returned prisoners had +marched in a body to his office to thank their Chief for his sympathy +and help and asked him to say something to them. + +Jennie paused and stared in a dazed way into the poor shrunken faces. +When the President appeared every ragged hat was in the air and they +cheered with all the might of the strength that was left in them. The +girl burst into tears. These men, so forlorn, so dried up with a +strange, half-animal, hunted look in their eyes--others restless and +wild-looking--others calmly vacant in their stare as if they had been +dead for years! + +A poor mother was rushing in and out among them hunting for her son. + +"He was coming with you boys, you know!" she cried. + +She stopped suddenly and laughed at her own anxiety and confusion. + +"He's here somewhere--I just can't find him--help me, men!" + +She hadn't spoken his name, in her eager search for his loved face. She +kept lifting the cloth from a basket of provisions which she had cooked +that morning. + +"I've got his breakfast here--poor boy--I expect he's hungry." + +She had lost all consciousness of the crowd now. + +She was talking to herself, trying to keep her courage up. + +The President looked into the emaciated faces before him and lifted his +long arm in solemn salutation. + + + "_Soldiers of the South_: + + "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this tribute of your + loyalty. You were offered your freedom in prison at any moment if + you would take the oath and forswear your allegiance to the South. + You deliberately chose the living death to the betrayal of your + faith. I stand with uncovered head before you. I am proud to be the + Chief Executive of such men!" + + +Again they cheered. + +The old mother with her basket was searching again for her boy. + +Jennie slipped an arm gently around her and led her away. + +On the day Lee left Richmond for the front to meet Grant's invading +host, the Confederate President was in agony over a letter from General +Winder portraying the want and suffering among the prisoners confined at +Andersonville. + +"If we could only get them across the Mississippi," Davis cried, "where +beef and supplies of all kind are abundant--but what can we do for them +here?" + +"Our men are in the same fix," Lee answered quickly, "except that +they're free. These sufferings are the result of our necessity, not of +our policy. Do not distress yourself." + +The South was entering now the darkest hours of her want. The market +price of food was beyond the reach of the poor or even the moderately +well-to-do. Turkeys sold for $60 each. Flour was $300 a barrel, corn +meal $50 a bushel. Boots were $200 a pair. A man's coat cost $350--his +trousers $100. He could get along without a vest. Wood was $50 a cord. +It took $1,800 to buy $100 in gold. + +In the midst of this universal suffering the yellow journals of the +South, led by the Richmond _Examiner_, made the most bitter and +determined assaults on Davis to force him to a policy of retaliation on +Northern prisoners. + +"Hoist the black flag!" shrieked the _Examiner_. "Retaliate on these +Yankee prisoners for the starvation and abuse of our men in the North--a +land teeming with plenty." The President was held up to the scorn and +curses of the Southern people because with quiet dignity he refused to +lower the standard of his Government to a policy of revenge on helpless +soldiers in his power. + +To a Committee of the Confederate Congress who waited on him with these +insane demands he answered with scorn: + +"You dare ask me to torture helpless prisoners of war! I will resign my +office at the call of my country. But no people have the right to demand +such deeds at my hands!" + +In answer to this brave, humane stand of the Southern President the +_Examiner_ had the unspeakable effrontery to accuse him of clemency to +his captives that he might curry favor with the North and shield himself +if the South should fail. + +No characteristic of Davis was more marked than his regard for the weak, +the helpless and the captive. His final answer to his assailants was to +repeat with emphasis his orders to General Winder to see to it that the +same rations issued to Confederate soldiers in the field should be given +to all prisoners of war, though taken from a starving army and people. + +Enraged by the defeat of their mad schemes, the conspirators drew +together now to depose Davis and set up a military dictatorship. + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +IN SIGHT OF VICTORY + + +When Grant crossed the Rapidan with his army of one hundred forty-one +thousand one hundred and sixty men Lee faced him with sixty-four +thousand. The problem of saving Richmond from the tremendous force under +the personal command of the most successful general of the North was not +the only danger which threatened the Confederate Capital. Butler was +pressing from the Peninsula with forty thousand men along the line of +McClellan's old march, supported again by the navy. + +Jefferson Davis knew the task before Lee to be a gigantic one yet he did +not believe that Grant would succeed in reaching Richmond. + +The moment the Federal general crossed the Rapidan and threw his army +into the tangled forest of the Wilderness, Lee sprang from the jungles +at his throat. + +Battle followed battle in swift and terrible succession. At Cold Harbor +thirty days later the climax came. Grant lost ten thousand men in twenty +minutes. The Northern general had set out to hammer Lee to death by +steady, remorseless pounding. At the end of a month he had lost more +than sixty thousand men and Lee's army was as strong as when the fight +began. + +Grant's campaign to take Richmond was the bloodiest and most tragic +failure in the history of war. The North in bitter anguish demanded his +removal from command. Lincoln stubbornly refused to interfere with his +bulldog fighter. He sent him word to hold on and chew and choke. + +As Grant in his whirl of blood approached the old battle grounds of +McClellan, Davis rode out daily to confer with Lee. He was never more +cheerful--never surer of the safety of his Capital. His faith in God and +the certainty that he would in the end give victory to a cause so just +and holy grew in strength with the report from each glorious field. No +doubt of the right or justice of his cause ever entered his mind. Day +and night he repeated the lines of his favorite hymn: + + + "I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, + Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand." + + +Again and again he said to his wife half in soliloquy, half in exalted +prayer: + +"We can conquer a peace against the world in arms and keep the rights of +freemen if we are worthy of the privilege!" + +The spirit which animated the patriotic soldiers who followed their +commander in this bloody campaign was in every way as high as that which +inspired their President. + +Jennie spent an hour each day ministering to the sick prisoners who had +returned from the North and were unable to go further than Richmond. It +was her service of love for Jimmie's friends and comrades. + +A poor fellow was dying of the want he had endured in prison. He lifted +his dimmed eyes to hers: + +"Will you write to my wife for me, Miss?" + +"Yes--yes--I will." + +"And give her my love--" + +He paused for breath and fumbled in his pocket. + +"I've a letter from her here--read it before you write. Our little girl +had malaria. She tried willow tea and everything she could think of for +the chills. The doctor said nothin' but quinine could save her. She +couldn't get it, the blockade was too tight, and so our baby died--and +now I'm dyin' and my poor starvin' girl will have nothin' to comfort +her--but--" + +He gasped and lifted himself on his elbow. + +"If our folks can just quit free men, it's all right. It's all right!" + +The women and children of Richmond were suffering now for food. The +Thirteenth Virginia regiment sent Billy Barton into the city with a +contribution for their relief. + +Billy delivered it to Jennie with more than a boy's pride. There was +something bigger in the quiet announcement he made. + +"Here's one day's rations from the regiment, sis," he said--"all our +flour, pork, bacon and meal. The boys are fasting to-day. It's their +love offering to those we've left at home--" + +Jennie kissed him. + +"It's beautiful of you and your men, boy. Give my love to them all and +tell them I'm proud to be their countrywoman--" + +"And they're proud of their country and their General, too--maybe you +wouldn't believe it--but every regiment in Lee's army has reenlisted for +the war." + +She seized Billy's hand. + +"Come with me--I want you to see the President and tell him what your +regiment has done. It'll help him." + +As they approached the White House a long, piercing scream came through +the open windows. + +"What on earth?" Jennie exclaimed. + +"An accident of some kind," the boy answered, seizing her arm and +hurrying forward. Every window and door of the big lonely house set +apart on its hill swung wide open, the lights streaming through them, +the wind blowing the curtains through the windows. The lights blazed +even in the third story. + +Mrs. Burton Harrison, the wife of the President's Secretary, met them at +the door, her eyes red with weeping. + +She pressed Jennie's hand. + +"Little Joe has been killed--" + +"Mrs. Davis' beautiful boy--impossible!" + +"He climbed over the bannisters and fell to the brick pavement and died +a few minutes after his mother reached his side--" + +The girl could make no answer. She had come on a sudden impulse to cheer +the lonely leader of her people. Perhaps his need in this dark hour had +called her. She thought of Socola's story of his mother's vision and +wondered with a sudden pang of self-pity where the man she loved was +to-night. + +This beautiful child, named in honor of his favorite brother, was the +greatest joy of the badgered soul of the Confederate leader. + +Suddenly his white face appeared at the head of the stairs. A courier +had come from the battlefield with an important dispatch. Grant and Lee +were locked in their death grapple in the Wilderness. He would try even +in this solemn hour to do his whole duty. + +He passed the sympathetic group murmuring a sentence whose pathos +brought the tears again to Jennie's eyes. + +"Not my will, O Lord, but thine--thine--thine!" + +He took the dispatch from the courier's hand and held it open for some +time, staring at it with fixed gaze. + +He searched the courier's face and asked pathetically: + +"Will you tell me, my friend, what is in it--I--I--cannot read--" + +The courier read the message in low tones. A great battle was joined. +The fate of a nation hung on its issue. The stricken man drew from his +pocket a tiny gold pencil and tried to write an answer--stopped suddenly +and pressed his hand on his heart. + +Billy sprang to his side and seized the dispatch: + +"I'll take the message to General Cooper--Mr. President--" + +The white face turned to the young soldier and looked at him pitifully: + +"Thank you, my son--thank you--it is best--I must have this hour with +our little boy--leave me with my dead!" + +Jennie stayed to help the stricken home. + +She took little Jeff in her arms to rock him to sleep. He drew her head +down and whispered: + +"Miss Jennie, I got to Joe first after he fell. I knelt down beside him +and said all the prayers I know--but God wouldn't wake him!" + +The girl drew the child close and kissed the reddened eyes. Over her +head beat the steady tramp of the father's feet, back and forth, back +and forth, a wounded lion in his cage. The windows and doors were still +wide open, the curtains waving wan and ghost-like from their hangings. + +Two days later she followed the funeral procession to the +cemetery--thousands of children, each child with a green bough or bunch +of flowers to pile on the red mound. + +A beautiful girl pushed her way to Jennie's side and lifted a handful of +snowdrops. + +"Please put these on little Joe," she said wistfully. "I knew him so +well." + +With a sob the child turned and fled. Jennie never learned her name. +She turned to the grave again, her gaze fixed on the striking figure of +the grief-stricken father, bare-headed, straight as an arrow, his fine +face silhouetted against the shining Southern sky. The mother stood back +amid the shadows, in her somber wrappings, her tall figure drooped in +pitiful grief. + +The leader turned quickly from his personal sorrows to those of his +country, his indomitable courage rising to greater heights as dangers +thickened. + +Two weeks later General Sheridan attempted what Dahlgren tried and +failed to accomplish. + +The President hurried from his office to his home, seized his pistols, +mounted his horse and rode out to join Generals Gracie and Ransom who +were placing their skeleton brigades to repulse the attack. + +The crack of rifles could be distinctly heard from the Executive +Mansion. + +The mother called her children to prayers. As little Jeff knelt he +raised his chubby face and said with solemn earnestness: + +"You had better have my pony saddled, and let me go out and help +father--we can pray afterwards!" + +In driving Sheridan's cavalry back from Richmond General Stuart fell at +Yellow Tavern mortally wounded--the bravest of the brave--a full Major +General who had won immortal fame at thirty-one years of age. His +beautiful wife, the daughter of a Union General, Philip St. George +Cooke, could not reach his bedside before he breathed his last. + +The President reverently entered the death chamber and stood for fifteen +minutes holding the hand of his brilliant young commander. + +They told him that he could not live to see his wife. + +"I should have liked to have seen her," he said gently, "but God's will +be done." + +The doctor felt his fast fading pulse. + +"Doctor, I suppose I'm going fast now," Stuart said. "It will soon be +over. I hope I have fulfilled my duty to my country and my God--" + +"Your end is near, General Stuart," the doctor responded softly. + +"All right," was the even answer. "I'll end my little affairs down here. +To Mrs. Robert E. Lee I give my gold spurs, in eternal memory of the +love I bear my glorious Chief. To my staff, my horses--" + +He paused and turned to the heavier officer who stood with bowed head. + +"You take the larger one--he'll carry you better. To my son I leave my +sword--" + +He was silent a moment and then said with an effort: + +"Now I want you to sing for me the song I love best: + + + "'Rock of ages cleft for me + Let me hide myself in thee'"-- + + +With his fast-failing breath he joined in the song, turned and murmured: + +"I'm going fast now--God's will be done--" + +So passed the greatest cavalry leader our country has produced--a man +whose joyous life was one long feast of good will toward his fellow men. + + * * * * * + +In spite of all losses, in spite of four years of frightful carnage, in +spite of the loss of the Mississippi, the States of Louisiana and +Tennessee, the Confederacy was in sight of victory. + +Lee had baffled Grant's great army at every turn and now held him +securely at bay before Petersburg. The North was mortally tired of the +bloody struggle. The party which demanded peace was greater than any +political division--it included thousands of the best men in the party +of Abraham Lincoln. + +The nomination of General McClellan for President on a platform +declaring the war a failure and demanding that it end was a foregone +conclusion. Jefferson Davis knew this from inside information his +friends had sent from every section of the North. + +The Confederacy had only to hold its lines intact until the first Monday +in November and the Northern voters would end the war. + +The one point of mortal danger to the South lay in the mental structure +of Joseph E. Johnston, the man whom Davis had been persuaded, against +his better judgment, to appoint to the command of one of the greatest +armies the Confederacy had ever put into the field. + +Johnston had been sent to Dalton, Georgia, and placed in command of +sixty-eight thousand picked Confederate soldiers with which to attack +and drive Sherman out of the lower South. + +Lee with sixty-four thousand had defeated Grant's one hundred and forty +thousand. Richmond was safe, and the North was besieging Washington with +an army of heart-broken mothers and fathers who demanded Grant's +removal. + +No effort was spared by Davis to enable Johnston to stay Sherman's +advance and assume the offensive. The whole military strength of the +South and West was pressed forward to him. His commissary and ordnance +departments were the best in the Confederacy. His troops were eager to +advance and retrieve the disaster at Missionary Ridge--the first and +only case of panic and cowardice that had marred the brilliant record of +the Confederacy. + +The position of Johnston's army was one of commanding strength. Long +mountain ranges, with few and difficult passes, made it next to +impossible for Sherman to turn his flank or dislodge him by direct +attack. Sherman depended for his supplies on a single line of railroad +from Nashville. + +Davis confidently believed that Johnston could crush Sherman in the +first pitched battle and render his position untenable. + +And then began the most remarkable series of retreats recorded in the +history of war. + +Without a blow and without waiting for an attack, Johnston suddenly +withdrew from his trenches at Dalton and ran eighteen miles into the +interior of Georgia. He stopped at Resaca in a strong position on a +peninsula formed by the junction of two rivers fortified by rifle pits +and earthworks. + +He gave this up and ran thirteen miles further into Georgia to +Adairsville. Not liking the looks of Adairsville he struck camp and ran +to Cassville seventeen miles. + +He then declared he would fight Sherman at Kingston. Sherman failing to +divide his army, as Johnston had supposed he would, he changed his mind +and ran beyond Etowah. He next retreated to Alatoona. Here Sherman +spread out his army, threatened Marietta and Johnston ran again. + +On July fifth he ran from Kenesaw Mountain and took refuge behind the +Chattahoochee River. + +From Dalton to Resaca, from Resaca to Adairsville, from Adairsville to +Alatoona (involving the loss of Kingston and Rome with their mills, +foundries and military stores), from Alatoona to Kenesaw, from Kenesaw +to the Chattahoochee and then tumbled into the trenches before Atlanta. + +Retreat had followed retreat for two months and a half over one hundred +and fifty miles to the gates of Atlanta without a single pitched +battle! + +Davis watched this tragedy unfold its appalling scenes with increasing +bitterness, disappointment and alarm. + +The demand for Johnston's removal was overwhelming in the State of +Georgia whose gate city was now besieged by Sherman. The people of the +whole South had watched this retreat of a hundred and fifty miles into +their territory with sickening hearts. + +Again Johnston began his nagging and complaining to the Richmond +authorities. His most important message was an accusation of disloyalty +against Joseph E. Brown. He telegraphed in blunt plain English: + +"The Governor of Georgia refuses me provisions and the use of his +roads." + +Brown answered: + +"The roads are open to him and in capital condition. I have furnished +him abundantly with provisions." + +The President of the Confederacy now faced the most dangerous and tragic +decision of his entire administration. The removal of Johnston from his +command before Sherman's victorious army in the heart of Georgia could +be justified only on the grounds of the sternest necessity. The +Commanding General not only had the backing of his powerful junta in +Richmond who were now busy with their conspiracy to establish a +dictatorship and oust the President from his office, but he was +immensely popular with his army. His care for his soldiers was fatherly. +His painful efforts to save their lives, even at the cost of the loss of +his country, were duly appreciated by the leaders of opinion in the +army. Johnston had the power to draw and hold the good will of the men +who surrounded him. He had the power, too, of infecting his men with his +likes and dislikes. His hatred of Davis had been for three years the +one mania of his sulking mind. + +To remove him from command in such a crisis was to challenge a mutiny in +his army which might lead to serious results. Yet if he should continue +to retreat, and back out of Atlanta without a fight as he had backed out +of every position for the one hundred and fifty miles from Dalton, the +results would be still more appalling. + +The loss of Atlanta at this moment meant the defeat of the peace party +of the North, and the reelection of Lincoln. If Lincoln should be +elected it was inconceivable that the South could continue the unequal +struggle for four years more. + +If Johnston would only hold his trenches and save Atlanta for a few days +the South would win. Lee could hold Grant indefinitely. + +The thought which appalled Davis was the suspicion which now amounted to +a practical certainty that his retreating General would evacuate Atlanta +as he had threatened to abandon Richmond when confronted by McClellan, +and had abandoned Vicksburg without a blow. + +He must know this with absolute certainty before yielding to the demand +for his removal. That no possible mistake could be made, he dispatched +his Chief of Staff, General Braxton Bragg, to Atlanta for conference +with Johnston and make a personal report. + +Bragg reported that Johnston was arranging to abandon Atlanta without a +battle and the President promptly removed him from command and appointed +Hood in his place. + +When Hood assumed command of the disgruntled army, it was too late to +save Atlanta. Had Johnston delivered battle with his full force at +Dalton, Sherman might have been crushed as Rosecrans was overwhelmed at +Chickamauga. + +Hood's army was driven back into their trenches. Sherman threw his hosts +under cover of night on a wide flanking movement and Atlanta fell. + +Under the mighty impulse of this news Lincoln was reelected, the peace +party of the North defeated and the doom of the Confederacy sealed. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +THE FALL OF RICHMOND + + +The conspirators who had complained most bitterly of Davis for the +appointment of Lee to the command of the army before Richmond when +McClellan was thundering at its gates, now succeeded in passing through +the Confederate Congress a bill to create a military dictatorship which +they offered to the man for whose promotion they had condemned the +President. + +Lee treated this attempt to strike the Confederate Chieftain over his +head with the contempt it deserved. Davis laughed at his enemies by the +most complete acceptance of their plans. + +His answer to Senator Barton's committee was explicit. + +"I have absolute confidence in General Lee's patriotism and military +genius. I will gladly cooeperate with Congress in any plan to place him +in supreme command." + +Lee refused to accept the responsibility except with the advice and +direction of the President, and the conspiracy ended in a fiasco. + +From the moment Sherman's army pierced the heart of the South the +Confederate President saw with clear vision that the cause of Southern +independence was lost. Lee's army must slowly starve. His one supreme +purpose now was to fight to the last ditch for better terms than +unconditional surrender which would mean the loss of billions in +property and the possible enfranchisement of a million slaves. + +That Lincoln was intensely anxious to stop the shedding of blood he knew +from more than one authentic source. It was rumored that the Northern +President was willing to consider compensation for the slaves. An army +of a hundred thousand determined Southern soldiers led by an indomitable +general could fight indefinitely. That it was of the utmost importance +to the life of the South to secure a surrender which would forbid the +enfranchisement of the slaves and the degradation of an electorate to +their level, Davis saw with clear vision. From the North now came +overtures of peace. Francis P. Blair asked for permission to visit +Richmond. + +Blair proposed to end the war by uniting the armies of the North and +South for an advance on Mexico to maintain the Monroe Doctrine against +the new Emperor whom Europe had set upon a throne in the Western +Hemisphere. + +The Confederate President received his proposals with courtesy. + +"I have tried in vain, Mr. Blair," he said gravely, "to open +negotiations with Washington. How can the first step be taken?" + +"Mr. Lincoln, I am sure, will receive commissioners--though he would +give me no assurance on that point. We must stop this deluge of blood. I +cherish the hope that the pride and honor of the Southern States will +suffer no shock in the adjustment." + +The result of this meeting was the appointment by Davis of three +Commissioners to meet the representatives of the United States. +Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter and Judge John A. Campbell were +sent to this important conference. For some unknown reason they were +halted at Fortress Monroe and not allowed to proceed to Washington. A +change had been suddenly produced in the attitude of the National +Government. Whether it was due to the talk of the men in Richmond who +were trying to depose Davis or whether it was due to the fall of Fort +Fisher and the closing of the port of Wilmington, the last artery which +connected the Confederacy with the outside world, could not be known. + +The Confederate Commissioners were met by Abraham Lincoln himself and +his Secretary of State, William H. Seward, in Hampton Roads. The +National Government demanded in effect, unconditional surrender. + +Davis used the indignant surprise with which this startling announcement +was received in Richmond and the South to rouse the people to a last +desperate effort to save the country from the deluge which the Radical +wing of the Northern Congress had now threatened--the confiscation of +the property of the whites and the enfranchisement of the negro race. In +his judgment this could only be done by forcing the National Government +through a prolongation of the war to pledge the South some measure of +protection before they should lay down their arms. + +Mass meetings were held and the people called to defend their cause with +their last drop of blood. The President made a speech that night to a +crowd in the Metropolitan Hall on Franklin Street in Richmond which +swept them into a frenzy of patriotic passion. Even his bitterest enemy, +the editor of the _Examiner_, was spellbound by his eloquence. + +When he first appeared on the speakers' stand and lifted his tall thin +figure, gazing over the crowd with glittering eye, a tremendous cheer +swept the assembly. In that moment, he was the incarnate Soul of the +South. The Chieftain of the men who wore the gray in this hour of solemn +trial, stood before them with countenance like the lightning. Cheer on +cheer rose and fell with throbbing passion. + +A smile of strange prophetic sweetness lighted his pale haggard face. +The ovation he received was the sure promise to his tired soul that when +the passions and prejudices, the agony and madness of war had passed the +people would understand all he had tried to do in their service. In that +moment of divine illumination he saw his place in the hearts of his +countrymen and was content. + +He spoke with even restrained flow of words, with a mastery of himself +and his audience that is the mark of the orator of the highest genius. +His gestures were few. His low, vibrant, musical voice found the heart +of his farthest listener. He swayed them with indescribable passion. + +Into the faces of the foe who had demanded unconditional surrender he +hurled the defiance of an unconquered and unconquerable soul. He closed +with an historical illustration which lifted his audience to the highest +reach of emotion. Kossuth had abandoned Hungary with an army of thirty +thousand men in the field. The friends of liberty had never forgiven nor +could forgive this betrayal. + +"What shall we say," he cried, "of the disgrace beneath which we should +be buried if we surrender with an army in the field more numerous than +that with which Napoleon achieved the glory of France, an army standing +among its homesteads, an army in which each individual is superior in +warlike quality to the individual who opposes him!" + +When the tumult and applause had died away did he realize in the secret +places of his heart that the spirit of the South had been broken by the +terrible experiences of four years of blood and fire and death? His iron +will gave no sign. To him the manhood of the Southern soldier was +unconquerable, his courage dauntless forever. + +Six months after Sherman's sword had pierced the heart of the South from +Atlanta, Lee's army in the trenches before Petersburg had reached the +end of their endurance. Lee wired Davis that his thin line could hold +back Grant's hosts but a few days and that Richmond must fall. His men +were living on parched corn. + +The President hurried to the White House and slipped his arm around his +wife. + +"You must leave the city, my dear." + +"Please let me stay with you," she pleaded. + +"Impossible," he answered firmly. "My headquarters must be in the +saddle. Your presence here could only grieve and distress me. You can +take care of our babies. I know you wish to help and comfort me. You can +do this in but one way--go and take the children to a place of safety--" + +He paused, overcome with emotion. + +"If I live," he continued slowly, "you can come to me when the struggle +is over, but I do not expect to survive the destruction of our +liberties." + +He drew his small hoard of gold from his pocket, removed a five-dollar +piece for himself, and gave it all to his wife together with the +Confederate money he had on hand. + +"You must take only your clothing," he said after a moment's silence. +"The flour and supplies in your pantry must be left. The people are in +want." + +He had arranged for his family to settle in North Carolina. The day +before his wife left, he gave her a pistol and taught her trembling +hands to load, aim and fire it. + +"The danger will be," he warned, "that you may full into the hands of +lawless bands of deserters from both armies who are even now pillaging +and burning. You can at least, if you must, force your assailants to +kill you. If you cannot remain undisturbed in your own land make for the +coast of Florida and take a ship for a foreign country." + +Their hearts dumb with despair, his wife and children boarded the +train--or the thing that once had been a train--the roof of the cars +leaked and the engine wheezed and moved with great distress. + +The stern face of the Southern leader was set in his hour of trial. He +felt that he might never again look on the faces of those he loved. His +little girl clung convulsively to his neck in agonizing prayer that she +might stay. The boy begged and pleaded with tears raining down his +chubby face. + +Just outside of Richmond the engine broke down and the heartsick family +sat in the dismal day-coach all night. Sleepers had not been invented. +They were twelve hours getting to Danville--a week on the way to +Charlotte. + +The reign of terror had already begun. + +The President's wife avoided seeing people lest they should be +compromised when the invading army should sweep over the State. + +They found everything packed up in the house that had been rented, but +Weill, the big-hearted Jew who was the agent, sent their meals from his +house for a week, refusing every suggestion of pay. He offered his own +purse or any other service he could render. + +When Burton Harrison had seen them safely established in Charlotte he +returned at once to his duties with the President in Richmond. + +On the beautiful Sunday morning of April 2, 1865, a messenger hurriedly +entered St. Paul's Church, walked to the President's pew and handed him +a slip of paper. He rose and quietly left. + +Not a rumor had reached the city of Lee's broken lines. In fact a false +rumor had been published of a great victory which his starving army had +achieved the day before. + +The report of the evacuation of Richmond fell on incredulous ears. The +streets were unusually quiet. Beyond the James the fresh green of the +spring clothed the fields in radiant beauty. The rumble of no artillery +disturbed the quiet. Scarcely a vehicle of any kind could be seen. The +church bells were still ringing their call to the house of God. + +The straight military figure entered the Executive office. A wagon +dashed down Main Street and backed up in front of the Custom House door. +Boxes were hurried from the President's office and loaded into it. + +A low hum and clatter began to rise from the streets. The news of +disaster and evacuation spread like lightning and disorder grew. The +streets were crowded with fugitives making their way to the depot--pale +women with disheveled hair and tear-stained faces leading barefooted +children who were crying in vague terror of something they could not +understand. Wagons were backed to the doors of every department of the +Confederate Government. As fast as they could be loaded they were driven +to the Danville depot. + +All was confusion and turmoil. Important officers were not to be seen +and when they were found would answer no questions. Here and there +groups of mean-visaged loafers began to gather with ominous looks toward +the houses of the better class. + +The halls of the silent Capitol building were deserted--a single +footfall echoed with hollow sound. + +The Municipal Council gathered in a dingy little room to consider the +surrender of the city. Mayor Mayo dashed in and out with the latest +information he could get from the War Department. He was slightly +incoherent in his excitement, but he was full of pluck and chewed +tobacco defiantly. He announced that the last hope was gone and that he +would maintain order with two regiments of militia. + +He gave orders to destroy every drop of liquor in the stores, saloons +and warehouses and establish a patrol. + +The militia slipped through the fingers of their officers and in a few +hours the city was without a government. Disorder, pillage, shouts, +revelry and confusion were the order of the night. Black masses of men +swayed and surged through the dimly-lighted streets, smashing into +stores and warehouses at will. Some of them were carrying out the +Mayor's orders to destroy the liquor. Others decided that the best way +to destroy it was to drink it. The gutters ran with liquor and the fumes +filled the air. + +To the rear guard of Lee's army under Ewell was left the task of blowing +up the vessels in the James, and destroying the bridges across the +river. The thunder of exploding mines and torpedoes now shook the earth. +The ships were blown to atoms and the wharves fired. + +In vain the Mayor protested against the firing of the great warehouses. +Orders were orders, and the soldiers obeyed. The warehouses were fired, +the sparks leaped to the surrounding buildings and the city was in +flames. + +As day dawned a black pall of smoke obscured the heavens. The sun's rays +lighted the banks of rolling smoke with lurid glare. The roar of the +conflagration now drowned all other sounds. + +The upper part of Main Street was choked with pillagers--men with drays, +some with bags, some rolling their stolen barrels painfully up the +hills. + +A small squadron of Federal cavalry rode calmly into the wild scene. +General Weitzel, in command of the two divisions of Grant's army on the +north side, had sent in forty Massachusetts troopers to investigate +conditions. + +At the corner of Eleventh Street they broke into a trot for the Square +and planted their guidons on the Capitol of the Confederacy. + +Long before this advance guard could be seen in the distance the old +flag of the Union had been flung from the top of the house on Church +Hill. Foreseeing the fall of the city Miss Van Lew had sent to the +Federal Commander for a flag. Through his scouts he had sent it. As +Weitzel's two grand divisions swung into Main Street this piece of +bunting eighteen feet long and nine feet wide waved from the Van Lew +mansion on the hill above them. + +Stretching from the Exchange Hotel to the slopes of Church Hill, down +the hill, through the valley, and up the ascent swept this gorgeous +array of the triumphant army, its bayonets gleaming in the sunlight, +every standard, battle flag and guidon streaming in the sky, every band +playing, swords flashing, and shout after shout rolling from end to end +of the line. + +To the roar of the flames, the throb of drum, the scream of fife, the +crash of martial music, and the shouts of marching hosts, was added now +the deep thunder of exploding shells in the burning arsenals. + +A regiment of negro cavalry swept by the Exchange Hotel and as they +turned the corner drew their sabers with a savage shout. + +An old Virginian with white locks standing in the doorway of the hotel +gazed on these negro troops a moment, threw his hands on high, and +solemnly cried: + +"Blow, Gabriel! Blow your trumpet--for God's sake blow!" + +For hours the fire raged unchecked--burned until the entire business +section of the city lay a smoldering heap of ashes. Crowds of men, women +and children crowded the Capitol Square fighting with smoke and flying +cinders for a breath of fresh air. Piles of furniture lay heaped on its +greensward. Terror-stricken, weeping women had dragged it from their +homes. In improvised tents made of broken tables and chairs covered with +sheets and bedding hundreds of homeless women and children huddled. + +As night fell the pitiful reaction came from the turmoil and excitement +of the day. The quiet of a great desolation brooded over the smoking +ruins. + +In the rich and powerful North millions were mad with joy. In New York +twenty thousand people gathered in Union Square and sang the Doxology. + +Jennie Barton was in Richmond through it all and yet the tragedy made no +impression on her heart or mind. A greater event absorbed her. + +Dick Welford had hurried to Lee's army on the day following Socola's +departure from Richmond. He wanted to fight once more. Through all the +whirlwind of death and blood from the first crash with Grant in the +Wilderness to his vain assaults on Petersburg he had fought without a +scratch. His life was charmed. And then in the first day of the final +struggle which broke the lines of Lee's starving army he fell, leading +his men in a glorious charge. He reached the hospital in Richmond the +day before the city's evacuation. + +Jennie had watched by his bedside every hour since his arrival. But few +words passed between them. She let him hold her hand for hours in +silence, always looking, looking and smiling his deathless love. + +He had not spoken Socola's name nor had she. + +"It's funny, Jennie," he said at last, "I don't hate him any more--" + +The girl's head drooped and the tears streamed down her checks. + +"Please, Dick--don't--" + +"Yes," he insisted, "I want to talk about it and you must hear me--won't +you?" + +"Of course, if you wish it," she answered tenderly. + +"You see I don't hate these Yankee soldiers any more--anyhow. I saw too +many of them die from the Wilderness to Petersburg--brave manly fellows. +The fire of battle has burned the hate out of me. Now I just want you to +be happy, Jennie dear, that's all--good-by--" + +His hand slipped from hers and in a moment his spirit had passed. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +THE CAPTURE + + +At midnight on the day of the evacuation the President and his Cabinet +left Richmond for Danville. He still believed that Lee might cut his way +through Grant's lines and join his army with Johnston's in North +Carolina. Lee had restored Johnston to command of the small army that +yet survived in opposition to Sherman. He had hopes that Johnston's +personal popularity with the soldiers might in a measure restore their +spirits. + +The President established his temporary Capital at Danville. G. W. +Sutherlin placed his beautiful home at his disposal. Communications with +Lee had been cut and the wildest rumors were afloat. Davis wrote his +last proclamation urging his people to maintain their courage. + +In this remarkable document he said: + + + "I announce to you, my fellow countrymen, that it is my purpose + to maintain your cause with my whole heart and soul. I will never + consent to abandon to the enemy one foot of the soil of any of the + States of the Confederacy. + + "If by stress of numbers, we should be compelled to a temporary + withdrawal from the limits of Virginia or any other border State, + we will return until the baffled and exhausted enemy shall abandon + in despair his endless and impossible task of making slaves of a + people resolved to be free. + + "Let us, then, not despair, my countrymen, but, relying on God, meet + the foe with fresh defiance, and with unconquered and unconquerable + hearts." + + +So Washington spoke to his starving, freezing little army at Valley +Forge in the darkest hour of our struggle for independence against Great +Britain. With the help of France Washington succeeded at last. + +Davis was destined to fail. No friendly foreign power came to his aid. +His courage was none the less sublime for this reason. + +Lee's skeleton army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, and Davis +hurried to Greensboro where Johnston and Beauregard were encamped with +twenty-eight thousand men. Two hundred school girls marched to the house +in Danville and cheered him as he left. + +Mrs. Sutherlin in the last hour of his stay asked for a moment of his +time. + +He ushered her into his room with grave courtesy. + +"Dear Madam," he began smilingly, "you have risked your home and the +safety of your husband to honor me and the South. I thank you for myself +and the people. Is there anything I can do to show how much I appreciate +it?" + +"You have greatly honored us by accepting our hospitality," was the +quick cheerful answer. "We shall always be rich in its memory. I have +but one favor to ask of you--" + +"Name it--" + +She drew a bag from a basket and handed it to him. + +"Accept this little gift we have saved. It will help you on your +journey. It's only a thousand dollars in gold--I wish it were more." + +The President's eyes grew dim and he shook his head. + +"No--no--dear, dear Mrs. Sutherlin. Your needs will be greater than +mine. Besides, I have asked all for the cause--nothing for +myself--nothing!" + +He left Danville with heart warmed by the smiles and cheers of two +hundred beautiful girls and the offer of every dollar a patriotic woman +possessed. + +He had need of its memory to cheer him at Greensboro. Here he felt for +the first time the results of the malignant campaign which Holden's +Raleigh _Standard_ had waged against him and his administration. So +great was the panic and so bitter the feeling which Holden's sheet had +roused that it was impossible for the President and his Cabinet to find +accommodations in any hotel or house. He was compelled to camp in a +freight car. + +It remained for a brave Southern woman to resent this insult to the +Chieftain. When Mrs. C. A. L'Hommedieu learned that the President was in +town, housed in a freight car and shunned by the citizens, she sent him +a note and begged him to make her house his home and to honor her by +commanding anything in it and all that she possessed. + +The leader was at this moment preparing to leave for Charlotte and had +to decline her generous and brave offer. But he was deeply moved. He +stopped his work to write her a beautiful letter of thanks. + +His interview with Johnston and Beauregard was strained and formal. +Johnston's army in its present position in the hands of a resolute and +daring commander could have formed a light column of ten thousand +cavalry and cut its way through all opposition to the Mississippi River. +Knowing the character of his General so well he had small hopes. + +After receiving the report of the condition of the army the President +called his Cabinet to consider what should be done. + +Johnston sat at as great a distance from Davis as the room would permit. + +The President reviewed briefly the situation and turned calmly to +Johnston: + +"General, we should like now to hear your views." + +The reply was given with brutal brevity and in tones of unconcealed +defiance and hatred. + +"Sir," the great retreater blurted out, "my views are that our people +are tired of war, feel themselves whipped and will not fight." + +A dead silence followed. + +The President turned in quiet dignity to Beauregard: + +"And what do you say, General Beauregard?" + +"I agree with what General Johnston has said," he replied. + +There was no appeal from the decision of these two commanders in such an +hour. The President dictated a letter to General Sherman suggesting +their surrender and outlining the advantageous terms which the Northern +Commander accepted. + +And then the Confederate Chieftain received a message so amazing he +could not at first credit its authority. + +A courier from Sherman conveyed the announcement to Johnston that Davis +might leave the country on a United States vessel and take whoever and +whatever he pleased with him. + +The answer of Jefferson Davis was characteristic. + +"Please thank General Sherman for his offer and say that I can do no act +which will put me under obligations to the Federal Government." + +Sherman had asked Lincoln at their last interview whether he should +capture Davis or let him go. + +A sunny smile overspread the rugged features of the National President: + +"That reminds me," he said, "of a temperance lecturer in Illinois. Wet +and cold he stopped for the night at a wayside inn. The landlord, noting +his condition, asked if he would have a glass of brandy. + +"'No--no--' came the quick reply. 'I am a temperance lecturer and do +not drink--' he paused and his voice dropped to a whisper--'I would like +some water however--and if you should of _your own_ accord, put a little +brandy in it _unbeknownst_ to me--why, it will be all right.'" + +Sherman was trying to carry out the wishes of the man with the loving +heart. + +At Charlotte Davis was handed a telegram announcing the assassination of +Abraham Lincoln. His thin fate went death white. Handing the telegram to +his Secretary, he quietly said: + +"I am sorry. We have lost our noblest and best friend in the court of +the enemy." + +He immediately telegraphed the news to his wife who had fled further +south to Abbeville, South Carolina. Mrs. Davis burst into tears on +reading the fatal message. Her woman's intuition saw the vision of +horror which the tragedy meant to her and to her stricken people. + +The President left Charlotte with an escort of a thousand cavalrymen for +Abbeville. His journey was slow. The wagons were carrying all that +remained of the Confederate Treasury with the money in currency from the +Richmond banks which had been entrusted to the care of the Secretary of +the Treasury. + +Davis stopped at a little cabin on the roadside and asked the lady who +stood in the doorway for a drink of water. + +She turned to comply with his request. + +While he was drinking a baby barely able to walk crawled down the steps +and toddled to him. + +The mother smiled. + +"Is this not President Davis?" she asked tremblingly. + +"It is, Madam," he answered with a bow. + +She pointed proudly to the child: + +"He's named for you!" + +The President drew a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the +mother. + +"Please keep it for my little namesake and tell him when he is old +enough to know." + +As he rode away with Reagan, his faithful Postmaster General, he said: + +"The last coin I had on earth, Reagan. I wouldn't have had that but for +the fact I'd never seen one like it and kept it for luck." + +"I reckon the war's about finished us," the General replied. + +"Yes," Davis cheerfully answered. "My home is a wreck. Benjamin's and +Breckinridge's are in Federal hands. Mallory's fine residence at +Pensacola has been burned by the enemy. Your home in Texas has been +wrecked and burned--" + +He paused and drew from his pocketbook a few Confederate bills. + +"That is my estate at the present moment." + +He received next day a letter from his wife which greatly cheered him: + + + "_Abbeville, S. C._, April 28, 1865. + + "_My dear old Husband_: + + "Your very sweet letter reached me safely by Mr. Harrison and was + a great relief. I leave here in the morning at 6 o'clock for the + wagon train going to Georgia. Washington will be the first place I + shall unload at. From there we shall probably go on to Atlanta + or thereabouts, and wait a little until we hear something of you. + Let me beseech you not to calculate upon seeing me unless I happen + to cross your shortest path toward your bourne, be that what it may. + + "It is surely not the fate to which you invited me in the _brighter_ + days. But you must remember that you did not invite me to a great + hero's home but to that of a plain farmer. I have shared all your + triumphs, been the only beneficiary of them, now I am claiming the + privilege for the first time of being all to you, since these + pleasures have passed for me. + + "My plans are these, subject to your approval. I think I shall be + able to procure funds enough to enable me to put the two eldest to + school. I shall go to Florida if possible and from thence go over + to Bermuda or Nassau, from thence to England, unless a good school + offers elsewhere, and put them to the best school I can find, and + then with the two youngest join you in Texas--and that is the + prospect which bears me up, to be once more with you if need be--but + God loves those who obey Him and I know there is a future for you. + + "Here they are all your friends and have the most unbounded + confidence in you. Mr. Burt and his wife have urged me to live with + them--offered to take the chances of the Yankees with us--begged to + have little Maggie--done everything in fact that relatives could do. + I shall never forget all their generous devotion to you. + + "I have seen a great many men who have gone through--not one has + talked fight. A stand cannot be made in this country! Do not be + induced to try it. As to the trans-Mississippi, I doubt if at first + things will be straight, but the spirit is there, and the daily + accretions will be great when the deluded of this side are crushed + between the upper and nether millstones. But you have not tried the + 'strict construction' fallacy. If we are to require a Constitution, + it must be much stretched during our hours of outside pressure if + it covers us at all. + + "Be careful how you go to Augusta. I get rumors that Brown is going + to seize all Government property, and the people are averse and mean + to resist with pistols. They are a set of wretches together, and I + wish you were safe out of their land. God bless you, keep you. I + have wrestled with Him for you. I believe He will restore us to + happiness. + + "Devotedly, + + "Your Wife." + + "Kindest regards to Robert, and thanks for faithful conduct. Love + to Johnson and John Wood. Maggie sends you her best love." + + +The President and his party reached Abbeville on May first, only to find +that his wife had left for Washington, Georgia. + +At Abbeville, in the home of Armistead Burt, Davis called his last +Cabinet meeting and council of war. + +There were present five brigade commanders, General Braxton Bragg, his +Chief-of-Staff, Breckinridge, Benjamin and Reagan of his Cabinet. The +indomitable spirit made the last appeal for courage and the continuance +of the fight until better terms could be made that might save the South +from utter ruin and the shame of possible negro rule. + +He faced them with firm resolution, his piercing eye undimmed by +calamity. + +"The South, gentlemen," he declared, "is in a panic for the moment. We +have resources to continue the war. Let those who remain with arms in +their hands set the example and others will rally. Let the brave men yet +with me renew their determination to fight. Around you reenforcements +will gather." + +The replies of his discouraged commanders were given in voices that sank +to whispers. Each man was called on for his individual opinion. + +Slowly and painfully each gave his answer in the negative. The war was +hopeless, but they would not disband their men until they had guarded +the President to a place of safety. + +"No!" Davis answered passionately. "I will listen to no proposition for +my safety. I appeal to you for the cause of my country. Stand by it, +men--stand by it!" + +His appeal was received in silence. His councilors could not agree with +him. The proud old man drew his slender body to its full height, lifted +his hands and cried pathetically: + +"The friends of the South consent to her degradation!" + +He attempted to pass from the meeting, his emaciated face white with +anger. His step tottered and his body swayed and would have sunk to the +floor had not General Breckinridge caught him in his arms and led him +from the room. + +Benjamin parted from the President when they crossed the Savannah River +and he had dropped the Seal of the Confederate Government in the depths +of its still, beautiful waters. + +"Where are you going?" Reagan asked. + +"To the farthest place from the United States," was the quick reply, "if +it takes me to China." + +He made his way successfully to England and won fame and fortune in the +old world. + +On hearing that the Federal cavalry were scouring the country, +Breckinridge and Reagan proposed that Davis disguise himself in a +soldier's clothes, a wool hat and brogan shoes, take one man with him +and go to the coast of Florida, ship to Cuba. + +His reply was firm: + +"I shall not leave Southern soil while a Confederate regiment is on it. +Kirby Smith has an army of 25,000 men. He has not surrendered. General +Hampton will cut his way across the Mississippi. We can lead an army of +60,000 men on the plains of Texas and fight until we get better terms +than unconditional surrender." + +Breckinridge was left at Washington to dispose of the small sum yet left +in the Treasury and turn over to their agent the money of the Richmond +banks. + +Robert Toombs lived in Washington. General Reagan called on the +distinguished leader. + +He invited his guest into his library and closed the door. + +"You have money, Reagan?" + +"Enough to take me west of the Mississippi--" + +"You are well mounted?" + +"One of the best horses in the country." + +"I am at home," he added generously. "I can command what I want, and if +you need anything, I can supply you--" + +"Thank you, General," Reagan responded heartily. + +Toombs hesitated a moment, and then asked suddenly: + +"Has President Davis money?" + +"No, but I have enough to take us both across the Mississippi." + +"Is Mr. Davis well mounted?" + +"He has his fine bay, 'Kentucky,' and General Lee sent him at Greensboro +by his son Robert, his gray war horse 'Traveler,' as a present. He has +two first class horses." + +Again Toombs was silent. + +"Mr. Davis and I," he went on thoughtfully, "have had our quarrels. We +have none now. I want you to say to him that my men are around me here, +and if he desires it I will call them together and see him safely across +the Chattahoochee River at the risk of my life--" + +"I'll tell him, General Toombs," Reagan cordially responded. "And I +appreciate your noble offer. It differs from others who have pretended +to be his best friends. They are getting away from him as fast as they +can. Some are base enough to malign him to curry favor with the enemy. +I've known Jefferson Davis intimately for ten years. The past four years +of war I've been with him daily under every condition of victory and +defeat, and I swear to you that he's the truest, gentlest, bravest, +tenderest, manliest man I have ever known--" + +"Let me know," Toombs urged, "if I can serve him in any possible way." + +When Reagan delivered the message to the President he responded warmly: + +"That's like Toombs. He was always a whole souled man. If it were +necessary I should not hesitate to accept his offer." + +He was slowly reading his wife's last letters which had been delivered +to him by scouts who were still faithful. + +They were riding in a wagon with picked Mississippi teamsters twenty +miles below Washington: + + + "All well, with Winnie sweet and smiling. Billy plenty of laughter + and talk with the teamsters keeps quiet. Jeff is happy beyond + expression. Maggie one and two quite well. + + "I have $2,500, something to sell, and have heart and a hopeful one, + but above all, my precious only love, a heartful of prayer. May God + keep you and have His sword and buckler over you. Do not try to make + a stand on this side. It is not in the people. Leave your escort + and take another road often. Alabama is full of cavalry, fresh and + earnest in pursuit. May God keep you and bring you safe to the + arms of + + "Your devoted, + + "Winnie." + + +He opened and read another: + + + "_My own precious Banny_: + + "May God give us both patience against this heavy trial. The soldiers + are very unruly and have taken almost all the mules and horses from + the camp. Do not try to meet me. I dread the Yankees getting news + of you so much. You are the country's only hope and the very best + intentions do not advise a stand this side of the river. Why not cut + loose from your escort? Go swiftly and alone with the exception of + two or three. + + "Oh, may God in His goodness keep you safe, my own. Maggie says she + has your prayer book safe. May God keep you, my old and only love, + as ever, devotedly, + + "Your own, + + "Winnie." + + +He had not seen his wife and babies since they left Richmond. The +conduct of the soldiers determined his course. He turned to Reagan: + +"This move will probably cause me to be captured or killed. You are not +bound to go with me--but I must protect my family." + +"I go with you, sir--" was the prompt response. + +The soldiers were dismissed and the money still remaining in the +Treasury divided among them. A picked guard of ten men rode with the +fallen Chieftain in search of his loved ones. + +They joined Mrs. Davis after a hard ride and found her camp threatened +by marauders. He traveled with her two days and, apparently out of +danger, she begged him to leave her and make good his escape. He finally +agreed to do this and with Reagan, the members of his staff and Burton +Harrison, his Secretary, started for the Florida coast. + +The day was one of dismal fog and rain and the party lost the way, +turning in a circle, and at sunset met Mrs. Davis and her company at the +fork of the road near the Ocmulgee River. + +The President and staff traveled with his wife next day and made +twenty-eight miles. At Irwinsville their presence was betrayed to the +Federal cavalry, his camp surrounded by Colonel Pritchard, and the +Confederate President and party arrested. + +The soldiers plundered his baggage, tore open his wife's trunks and +scattered her dresses. In one of these trunks they found a pair of new +hoopskirts which Mrs. Davis had bought but never worn. An enterprising +newspaper man immediately invented and sent broadcast the story that he +had been captured trying to escape in his wife's hoopskirts. His enemies +refused to hear any contradiction of this invention. It was too good not +to be true. They clung to it long after Colonel Pritchard and every man +present had given it the lie. + +They had traveled a day's journey toward Macon, the headquarters of +General Wilson, when an excited man galloped into the camp waving over +his head a printed slip of paper. + +"What is it?" Davis asked of his guard. + +The guard seized and read the slip and turned to the Confederate +Chieftain and his wife. + +"Andrew Johnson's proclamation offering a reward of $100,000 for the +capture of Jefferson Davis as the murderer of Abraham Lincoln!" + +A cry of anguish came from the faithful wife. + +The leader touched her shoulder gently. + +"Hush, my dear. The miserable scoundrel who wrote that proclamation knew +that it is false. He is the one man in the United States who knows that +I preferred Abraham Lincoln in the White House to him or any other man +the North might elect. Such an accusation must fail--" + +The wife was not comforted. + +"These men may assassinate you!" + +The soldiers crowded about their defenseless prisoner and heaped on him +the vilest curses and insults. He made no answer. The far-away look in +his eagle eye told them only too plainly that he did not hear. + +Colonel Pritchard in his manly way made every effort to protect him from +insult. Within a short distance of Macon, the prisoners were halted and +their escort drawn up in line on either side of the road. Colonel +Pritchard had ridden into Macon for a brigade to escort his captives +through the streets of the city. + +The soldiers again cursed and jeered. The children climbed into their +father's arms, kissed and hugged him tenderly and put their little hands +over his ears that he should not hear what they said. + +He soothed their fears and comforted them with beautiful lines from the +Psalms which he quoted in tones of marvelous sweetness. + +General Wilson received his distinguished prisoner with the deference +due his rank and character. His guard in silence opened their lines and +presented arms as Davis entered the building. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +THE VICTOR + + +Socola hurried into Richmond three days after its fall in the desperate +hope that he might be of service to Jennie. + +He was two days finding her. She had offered her services to Mrs. +Hopkins in the Alabama hospital. He sent in his card and she refused to +see him. He asked an interview with Mrs. Hopkins and begged her to help. +Her motherly heart went out to him in sympathy. His utter misery was so +plainly written in his drawn face. + +"You're so like my own mother, madame," he pleaded. "I'm an orphan +to-day. Our army has conquered, but I have lost. I find myself repeating +the old question, what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world +and forfeit his life? She is my life--I can't--I won't give her up. Tell +her she must see me. I will not leave Richmond until I see her. If she +leaves, I'll follow her to the ends of the world. Tell her this." + +The gentle hand pressed his. + +"I'll tell her." + +"And try to help me?" he begged. + +"All the world loves a lover," the fine thin lips slowly repeated--"yes, +I'll try." + +At the end of ten minutes she returned alone. Her face gave no hope. + +"I'm afraid it's useless. She positively refuses." + +"You gave her my message?" + +"Yes." + +"I'll wait a day and try again--" + +"You knew of Captain Welford's death, I suppose?" + +Socola started and turned pale. + +"No--" + +"He died and was buried two days ago near the spot where General Stuart +sleeps." + +The lover was stunned for a moment. The hidden thought flashed through +his mind that she might have married Welford in the reaction over her +discovery of his deception. He opened his lips to ask the question and +held his peace. It was impossible. She couldn't have done such a thing. +He put the idea out of his heart. + +"Thank you for the information, dear madame," he answered gravely, +turned and left the building. + +He walked quickly to his hotel, hired a negro to get him a wreath of +roses and meet him at the cemetery gate. He had just placed them on +Welford's grave as Jennie suddenly appeared. + +She stopped, transfixed in astonishment--her eyes wide with excitement. + +He walked slowly to meet her and stood looking into her soul, searching +its depths. + +"You here?" she gasped-- + +"Yes. I brought my tribute to a brave and generous foe. He hated me, +perhaps--but for your sake he gave me my life--I never hated him--" + +"With his last breath he told me that he no longer hated you," she +answered dreamily. + +"And you cannot forgive?" + +"No. Our lives are far apart now. The gulf between us can never be +passed." + +He smiled tenderly and spoke with vibrant passion. + +"I'm going to show you that it can be passed. I'm going to love you +with such devotion I'll draw you at last with resistless power--" + +"Never--" + +She turned quickly and left him gazing wistfully at her slender figure +silhouetted against the glow of the sunset. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +PRISON BARS + + +The ship which bore the distinguished prisoner from Savannah did not +proceed to Washington, but anchored in Hampton Roads at Fortress Monroe. + +A little tug puffed up and drew alongside the steamer. She took off +Alexander H. Stephens, General Joseph Wheeler and Burton Harrison. +Stephens and Wheeler were sent to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. + +The next, day the tug returned. + +Little Jeff ran to his mother trembling and sobbing: + +"They say they've come for father--beg them to let us go with him!" + +Davis stepped quickly forward and returned with an officer. + +"It's true," he whispered. "They have come for Clay and me. Try not to +weep. These people will gloat over your grief." + +Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Clay stood close holding each other's hands in +silent sympathy and grim determination to control their emotions. They +parted with their husbands in dumb anguish. + +As the tug bore the fallen Chieftain from the ship, he bared his head, +drew his tall figure to its full height, and, standing between the files +of soldiers, gazed on his wife and weeping children until the mists drew +their curtain over the solemn scene. + +Mrs. Davis' stateroom was entered now by a raiding party headed by +Captain Hudson. Her trunks were again forced open and everything taken +which the Captain or his men desired--among them all her children's +clothes. Jeff seized his little soldier uniform of Confederate gray and +ran with it. He managed to hide and save it. + +Captain Hudson then demanded the shawl which Davis had thrown over his +shoulders on the damp morning when he was captured. + +"You have no right to steal my property," his wife replied indignantly. +"Peace has been declared. The war is over. This is plain robbery." + +Hudson called in another file of soldiers. + +"Hand out that shawl or I'll take the last rag you have on earth. I'll +pay you for it, if you wish. But I'm going to have it." + +Mrs. Davis took the shawl from Mrs. Clay's shoulders and handed it to +the brute. + +"At least I may get rid of your odious presence," she cried, "by +complying with your demand." + +Hudson took the shawl with a grin and led his men away. Two of his +officers returned in a few minutes and thrust their heads in the +stateroom of Mrs. Davis' sister with whom Mrs. Clay was sitting. + +"Gentlemen, this is a ladies' stateroom," said the Senator's wife. + +One of them threw the door open violently and growled: + +"There are no ladies here!" + +"I am quite sure," was the sweet reply, "that there are no gentlemen +present!" + +With an oath they passed on. Little tugs filled with vulgar sightseers +steamed around the ship and shouted a continuous stream of insults when +one of the Davis party could be seen. + +General Nelson A. Miles, the young officer who had been appointed jailer +of Jefferson Davis and Clement C. Clay boarded the ship and proceeded +without ceremony to give his orders to their wives. + +"Will you tell me, General," Mrs. Davis asked, "where my husband is +imprisoned and what his treatment is to be?" + +"Not a word," was the short reply. + +His manner was so abrupt and boorish she did not press for further news. + +Miles ventured some on his own account. + +"Jeff Davis announced the assassination of Abraham Lincoln the day +before it happened. I guess he knew all about it--" + +The wife bit her lips and suppressed a sharp answer. Her husband's life +was now in this man's hands. + +"You are forbidden to buy or read a newspaper," he added curtly, "and +your ship will leave this port under sealed orders." + +In vain Davis pleaded that his wife and children might be allowed to go +to Washington or Richmond where they had acquaintances and friends. + +"They will return to Savannah," Miles answered, "by the same ship in +which they came and remain in Savannah under military guard." + +Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in a casemate of Fortress Monroe, the +embrasure of which was closed with a heavy iron grating. The two doors +which communicated with the gunner's room were closed with heavy double +shutters fastened with crossbars and padlocks. The side openings were +sealed with fresh masonry. + +Two sentinels with loaded muskets paced the floor without a moment's +pause day or night. Two other sentinels and a commissioned officer +occupied the gunner's room, the door and window of which were securely +fastened. Sentinels were stationed on the parapet overhead whose steady +tramp day and night made sleep impossible. + +The embrasure opened on the big ditch which surrounds the fort--sixty +feet wide and ten feet deep in salt water. Beyond the ditch, on the +glacis, was a double line of sentinels and in the casemate rooms on +either side of his prison were quartered that part of the guard which +was not on post. + +To render rest or comfort impossible a lighted lamp was placed within +three feet of the prisoner's eyes and kept burning brightly all night. +His jailer knew he had but one eye whose sight remained and that he was +a chronic sufferer from neuralgia. + +His escape from Fortress Monroe was a physical impossibility without one +of the extraordinary precautions taken. The purpose of these +arrangements could have only been to inflict pain, humiliation and +possibly to take his life. He had never been robust since the breakdown +of his health on the Western plains. Worn by privation and exposure, +approaching sixty years of age, he was in no condition physically to +resist disease. + +The damp walls, the coarse food, the loss of sleep caused by the tramp +of sentinels inside his room, outside and on the roof over his head and +the steady blaze of a lamp in his eyes at night within forty-eight hours +had completed his prostration. + +But his jailers were not content. + +On May twenty-third, Captain Titlow entered his cell with two +blacksmiths bearing a pair of heavy leg irons coupled together by a +ponderous chain. + +"I am sorry to inform you, sir," the polite young officer began, "that I +have been ordered to put you in irons." + +"Has General Miles given that order?" + +"He has." + +"I wish to see him at once, please." + +"General Miles has just left the fort, sir." + +"You can postpone the execution of your order until I see him?" + +"I have been warned against delay." + +"No soldier ever gave such an order," was the stern reply; "no soldier +should receive or execute it--" + +"His orders are from Washington--mine are from him." + +"But he can telegraph--there must be some mistake--no such outrage is on +record in the history of nations--" + +"My orders are peremptory." + +"You shall not inflict on me and on my people through me this insult +worse than death. I will not submit to it!" + +"I sincerely trust, sir," the Captain urged kindly, "that you will not +compel me to use force." + +"I am a gentleman and a soldier, Captain Titlow," was the stern answer. +"I know how to die--" he paused and pointed to the sentinel who stood +ready. "Let your men shoot me at once--I will not submit to this +outrage!" + +The prisoner backed away with his hand on a chair and stood waiting. + +The Captain turned to his blacksmiths: + +"Do your duty--put them on him!" + +[Illustration: "'Do your duty--put them on him'"] + +As the workman bent with his chain Davis hurled him to the other side of +the cell and lifted his chair. + +The sentinel cocked and lowered his musket advancing on the prisoner who +met him defiantly with bared breast. + +The Captain sprang between them: + +"Put down your gun. I'll give you orders to fire when necessary." + +He turned to the officer at the door: + +"Bring in four of your strongest men--unarmed--you understand?" + +"Yes, sir--" + +The men entered, sprang on their helpless victim, bore him to the floor, +pinned him down with their heavy bodies and held him securely while the +blacksmiths riveted the chains on one leg and fastened the clasp on the +other with a heavy padlock. + +He had resented this cowardly insult for himself and his people. He had +resisted with the hope that he might be killed before it was +accomplished. He saw now with clear vision that the purpose of his +jailer was to torture him to death. His proud spirit rose in fierce +rebellion. He would cheat them of their prey. They might take his life +but it should be done under the forms of law in open day. He would live. +His will would defy death. He would learn to sleep with the tramp of +three sets of sentinels in his ears. He would eat their coarse food at +whatever cost to his feelings. He would learn to bury his face in his +bedding to avoid the rays of the lamp with which they were trying to +blind him. + +He had need of all his fierce resolution. + +He had resolved to ask no favors, but his suffering had been so acute, +his determination melted at the doctor's kind expressions. + +The physician found him stretched on his pallet, horribly emaciated and +breathing with difficulty, his whole body a mere fascine of raw and +tremulous nerves, his eyes restless and fevered, his head continually +shifting from side to side searching instinctively for a cool spot on +the hot coarse hair pillow. + +"Tell me," Dr. Craven said kindly, "what I can do to add to your +comfort?" + +The question was asked with such genuine sympathy it was impossible to +resist it. + +A smile flickered about his thin mouth, "This camp mattress, Doctor," he +slowly replied, "I find a little thin. The slats beneath chafe my poor +bones. I've a frail body--though in my youth and young manhood, while +soldiering in the West, I have done some rough camping and campaigning. +There was flesh then to cover my nerves and bones." + +The doctor called an attendant: + +"Bring this prisoner another mattress and a softer pillow." + +"Thank you," Davis responded cordially. + +"You are a smoker?" the doctor asked. + +"I have been all my life, until General Miles took my pipe and tobacco." + +The doctor wrote to the Adjutant General and asked that his patient be +given the use of his pipe. + +On his visit two days later the doctor said: + +"You must spend as little time in bed as possible. Exercise will be your +best medicine." + +The prisoner drew back the cover and showed the lacerated ankles. + +"Impossible you see--the pain is so intense I can't stand erect. These +shackles are very heavy. If I stand, the weight of them cuts into my +flesh--they have already torn broad patches of skin from the places they +touch. If you can pad a cushion there, I will gladly try to drag them +about--" + +Dr. Craven sought the jailer: + +"General Miles," he began respectfully, "in my opinion the condition of +state-prisoner Davis requires the removal of those shackles until such +time as his health shall be established on a firmer basis. Exercise he +must have." + +"You believe that is a medical necessity?" + +"I do, most earnestly." + +About the same time General Miles had heard from the country. The +incident had already aroused sharp criticism of the Government. Stanton +had come down to Fortress Monroe and peeped through the bars at the +victim he was torturing, and had extracted all the comfort possible from +the incident. The shackles were removed. + +His jailer persisted in denying him the most innocent books to read. He +asked the doctor to get for him if possible the geology or the botany of +the South. General Miles thought them dangerous subjects. At least the +names sounded treasonable. He denied the request. + +The prisoner asked for his trunk and clothes. Miles decided to keep them +in his own office and dole out the linen by his own standards of need. + +Davis turned to his physician with a flash of anger. + +"It's contemptible that they should thus dole out my clothes as if I +were a convict in some penitentiary. They mean to degrade me. It can't +be done. No man can be degraded by unmerited insult heaped upon the +helpless. Such acts can only degrade their perpetrators. The day will +come when the people will blush at the memory of such treatment--" + +At last the loss of sleep proved beyond his endurance. He had tried to +fight it out but gave up in a burst of passionate protest to Dr. Craven. +The sight of his eye was failing. The horror of blindness chilled his +soul. + +"My treatment here," he began with an effort at restraint, "is killing +me by inches. Let them make shorter work of it. I can't sleep. No man +can live without sleep. My jailers know this. I am never alone a +moment--always the eye of a guard staring at me day and night. If I doze +a feverish moment the noise of the relieving guard each two hours wakes +me and the blazing lamp pours its glare into my aching throbbing eyes. +There must be a change or I shall go mad or blind or both." + +He paused a moment and lifted his hollow face to the physician +pathetically. + +"Have you ever been conscious of being watched? Of having an eye fixed +on you every moment, scrutinizing your smallest act, the change of the +muscles of your face or the pose of your body? To have a human eye +riveted on you every moment, waking, sleeping, sitting, walking, is a +refinement of torture never dreamed of by a Comanche Indian--it is the +eye of a spy or an enemy gloating over the pain and humiliation which it +creates. The lamp burning in my eyes is a form of torment devised by +someone who knew my habit of life never to sleep except in total +darkness. When I took old Black Hawk the Indian Chief a captive to our +barracks at St. Louis I shielded him from the vulgar gaze of the +curious. I have lived too long in the woods to be frightened by an owl +and I've seen Death too often to flinch at any form of pain--but this +torture of being forever watched is beginning to prey on my reason." + +The doctor's report that day was written in plain English: + +"I find Mr. Davis in a very critical state, his nervous debility +extreme, his mind despondent, his appetite gone, complexion livid, and +pulse denoting deep prostration of all vital energies. I am alarmed and +anxious over the responsibility of my position. If he should die in +prison without trial, subject to such severities as have been inflicted +on his attenuated frame the world will form conclusions and with enough +color to pass them into history." + +Dr. Craven was getting too troublesome. General Miles dismissed him, and +called in Dr. George Cooper, a physician whose political opinions were +supposed to be sounder. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV + +THE MASTER MIND + + +Socola read the story of the chaining of the Confederate Chieftain with +indignation. His intimate association with Jefferson Davis had convinced +him of his singular purity of character and loftiness of soul. That he +was capable of conspiring to murder Abraham Lincoln was inconceivable. +That the charge should be made and pressed seriously by the National +Government was a disgrace to the country. + +Charles O'Connor, the greatest lawyer in America, indignant at the +outrage, had offered his services to the prisoner. Socola hastened to a +conference with O'Connor and placed himself at his command. + +The lawyer sent him to Washington to find out the master mind at the +bottom of these remarkable proceedings. + +"Johnson the President," he warned, "is only a tool in the hands of a +_stronger_ man. Find that man. Stanton, the Secretary of War, is +vindictive enough, but he lacks the cunning. Stevens, the leader of the +House, is the real ruler of the Nation at this moment. Yet I have the +most positive information that Stevens sneers at the attempt to accuse +Davis of the assassination of Lincoln. Stevens hated Lincoln only a +degree less than he hates Davis. He is blunt, outspoken, brutal in his +views. There can be no question of the honesty of his position. Sumner, +the leader of the Senate, is incapable of such low intrigue. Find the +man and report to me." + +Socola found him within six hours after his arrival in Washington. He +was morally sure of him from the moment he left O'Connor's office. + +Immediately on his arrival at the Capital he sought an interview with +Joseph Holt, now the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army. +He was therefore in charge of the prosecution of the cases of Clay and +Davis. + +For five minutes he watched the crooked poisonous mouth of the +ex-Secretary of War and knew the truth. This vindictive venomous old +man, ambitious, avaricious, implacable in his hatreds, had organized a +Board of Assassination, which he called "The Bureau of Military +Justice." This remarkable Bureau had already murdered Mrs. Surratt on +perjured testimony. + +Socola had given his ex-Chief no intimation of his personal feelings and +no hint of his association with O'Connor. + +"I've a little favor to ask of you, young man," Holt said suavely. + +Socola bowed. + +"At your service, Chief--" + +"I need a man of intelligence and skill to convey a proposition to Wirz, +the keeper of Andersonville prison. He has been sentenced to death by +the Bureau of Military Justice. I'm going to offer him his life on one +condition--" + +"And that is?" + +"If he will confess under oath that Davis ordered the starving and +torturing of prisoners at Andersonville I'll commute his sentence--" + +"I see--" + +"I'll give you an order to interview Wirz. He has never seen you. Report +to me his answer." + +When Socola explained to Wirz in sympathetic tones the offer of the +Government to spare his life for the implication of Davis in direct +orders from Richmond commanding cruelties at Andersonville, the +condemned man lifted his wounded body and stared at his visitor. + +His answer closed the interview. + +"Tell the scoundrel who sent you that I am a soldier. I was a soldier in +Germany before I cast my fortunes with the South. I bear in my body the +wounds of honorable warfare. If I hadn't time to learn the meaning of +honor from my friends in the South, my mother taught me in the old +world. You ask me to save my life from these assassins by swearing away +the life of another. Tell my executioner that I never saw the President +of the Confederacy. I never received an order of any kind from him. I +did the best I could for the men in my charge at Andersonville and tried +honestly to improve their conditions. I am not a perjurer, even to save +my own life. A soldier's business is to die. I am ready." + +Socola extended his hand through the bars and grasped the prisoner's. + +The deeper he dived into the seething mass of corruption and blind +passion which had engulfed Washington the more desperate he saw the +situation of Davis at Fortress Monroe. After two weeks of careful work +he hurried to New York and reported the situation to O'Connor. + +"The master mind," he began slowly, "I found at once. His name is +Holt--" + +"The Judge Advocate General?" + +"Yes." + +"That accounts for my inability to obtain a copy of the charges against +Davis. Holt drew those charges. They are in his hands and he has +determined to press his prisoner to trial before his Board of Assassins +without allowing me to know the substance of his accusations. It's +infamous." + +"There are complications which may increase our dangers or suddenly lift +them--" + +"Complications--what do you mean?" + +"The President, who has been intensely hostile to Davis, realizes that +his own term of office and possibly his life are now at stake. He has +broken with the Radicals who control Congress, old Thaddeus Stevens's at +their head. Stevens lives in Washington in brazen defiance of +conventionalities with a negro woman whom he separated from her husband +thirty odd years ago. Under the influence of this negress he has +introduced a bill into the House of Representatives to confiscate the +remaining property of the white people of the South and give it to the +negroes--dividing the land into plots of forty acres each. He proposes +also to disfranchise the whites of the Southern States, enfranchise the +negroes, destroy the State lines and erect on their ruins territories +ruled by negroes whom his faction can control. + +"Johnson the President, a Southern born white man, has already informed +the Radicals that he will fight this programme to the last ditch. +Stevens' answer was characteristic of the imperious old leader. 'Let him +dare! I'll impeach Andrew Johnson, remove him from office and hang him +from the balcony of the White House.' + +"The President realizes that the Bureau of Military Justice which he +allowed Holt to create may be used as the engine of his own destruction. +They have already taken the first steps to impeach him--" + +"Then he'll never dare allow another case to be tried before that +Bureau--" O'Connor interrupted. + +"It remains to be seen. He is afraid of both Stanton and Holt. The +Bureau of Military Justice is their hobby." + +O'Connor sprang to his feet. + +"We must smash it by an appeal to the people. Their sense of justice is +yet the salt that will save the Nation. The key to the situation is in +the character of the remarkable witnesses whom Holt has produced before +this tribunal of assassination. In my judgment they are a gang of hired +perjurers. Their leader is a fellow named Conover. There are five men +associated with him. They used these witnesses against Mrs. Surratt. +They used them against Wirz. They are preparing to use them against +Davis. It is inconceivable that these plugs from the gutters of New York +could have really stumbled on the facts to which they have sworn. Find +who these men are. Get their records to the last hour of the day you +track them--and report to me." + +Socola organized a force of detectives and set them to work. The task +was a difficult one. He found that Conover and his pals were protected +by the unlimited power of the National Government. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +THE TORTURE + + +While the prisoner fought to save his reason in the dungeon at Fortress +Monroe, his wife was denied the right to lift her hand in his defense. +No communication was allowed between them except through his jailer. + +On arrival in Savannah Mrs. Davis and her children were compelled to +walk through the blazing heat the long distance from the wharf uptown, +the whole party trudging immigrant fashion through the streets. Her +sister carried the baby. Mrs. Davis and the two little boys and Maggie +followed with parcels, and Robert, her faithful black man, brought up +the rear with the baggage. + +The people of Savannah, on learning of their arrival, treated their +prisoners with the utmost kindness. Every home in the city was thrown +open to them. Her children had been robbed of all their clothing except +what they wore. The neighbors hurried in with clothes. + +The newspaper of Savannah of the new regime, _The Republican_, published +and republished with gleeful comments the most sensational accounts of +the brutal scene of the shackling of Davis. Maggie composed a prayer and +taught her little brothers to repeat it in concert for their grace at +the table morning, noon and night: + +"Dear Lord, give our father something he can eat, and keep him strong, +and bring him back to us with eyes that can see and in his good senses, +to his little children, for Jesus' sake." + +Nearly every day the child who composed the prayer was so moved by its +recital she would run from the table and dry her tears in the next room +before she could eat. + +Hourly scenes of violence increased between the whites and the inflamed +blacks. A negro sentinel leveled his gun at little Jeff and threatened +to shoot him for calling him "Uncle." With prayers and tears the mother +sent her children away to the home of a friend in Montreal. + +A year passed before President Johnson in answer to the wife's desperate +pleading permitted her to visit her husband in prison. She arrived from +Montreal on the cold raw morning of May 10, 1866, at four o'clock before +day. There was no hotel at the fort at that time and the mother was +compelled to sit in the desolate little waiting room with her baby +without a fire until ten o'clock. + +General Miles called. His references to her husband were made in a +manner which brutally expressed his hatred and contempt. She had been +informed that his health was in so dangerous a condition that physicians +had despaired of his life. + +Miles hastened to say: + +"'Davis' is in good health--" + +"I can see him at once?" she begged. + +"Yes. You understand the terms of your parole that you are to take no +deadly weapons into the prison?" + +Suppressing a smile at the unique use of the language which a man of the +rank of Miles could make she replied quickly: + +"I understand. Please arrange that I can see him at once." + +Without answering the jailer turned and left the room. In a few minutes +an officer appeared who conducted her to the room in Carroll Hall to +which Dr. Cooper had forced Miles to remove the prisoner. Dr. Cooper +proved as troublesome to the General as Dr. Craven. In fact a little +more so. He had a way of swearing when angered which made the General +nervous. American physicians don't make good politicians when the life +of a patient is involved. + +They were challenged by three lines of sentries, each requiring a +password, ascended a stairway, turned to the right and entered a guard +room where three young officers were sitting. Through the bars of the +inner room the wife gazed at her husband with streaming eyes. + +His body had shrunk to a skeleton, his eyes set and glassy, his cheek +bones pressing against the shining skin. He rose and tottered across the +room, his breath coming in short gasps, his voice scarcely audible. + +Mrs. Davis was locked in with him. She sent the baby back to her +quarters by Frederick, another faithful negro servant who had followed +their fortunes through good report and evil. + +His room had a horse bucket for water, a basin and pitcher on an old +chair whose back had been sawed off, a little iron bedstead with hard +mattress, one pillow, a wooden table, and a wooden chair with one leg +shorter than the others which might be used as an improvised rocker. His +bed was so thick with bugs the room was filled with their odor. He was +so innocent of such things he couldn't imagine what distressed him so at +night--insisting that he had contracted some sort of skin disease. + +His dinner was brought slopped from one dish to another and covered by a +gray hospital towel sogged with the liquids. The man of fastidious taste +glanced at the platter and saw that the good doctor's wife had added +oysters to his menu that day and ate one. His vitality was so low even +this gave him intense pain. + +He was not bitter, but expressed his quiet contempt for the systematic +petty insults which his jailer was now heaping on him daily. His +physician had demanded that he take exercise in the open air. Miles +always walked with him and never permitted an occasion of this kind to +pass without directing at his helpless prisoner personal insults so +offensive that Davis always cut his walks short to be rid of his +tormentor. On one occasion the general was so brutal in his conversation +after he had locked his prisoner in his room that he suddenly sprang at +the bars, grasped them with his trembling, skeleton hands and cried: + +"But for these you should answer to me--here and now!" + +A favorite pastime of his jailer was to admit crowds of vulgar +sightseers and permit them to gaze at his prisoner. + +A woman inquired of Frederick, who was on his way to his room: + +"Where's Jeff?" + +The negro bowed gravely and drew his stalwart figure erect: + +"I am sorry, madame, not to be able to tell you. I do not know any such +person." + +"Yes, you do--aren't you his servant?" + +"No, madame, you are mistaken. I have the honor to serve ex-President +Davis." + +Only a great soul can command the love and respect of servants as did +this quiet grave statesman of the old regime. + +Never during the long hours of these weeks and months of torture did he +lose his dignity or his lofty bearing quail before his tormentor. He was +too refined and dignified to be abusive, and too proud in General Miles' +delicate phraseology to "beg." + +The loving wife began now her desperate fight to nurse him back into +life again. + +The new Commandant of the fort, General Burton, who replaced Miles, +proved himself a gentleman and a soldier of the old school. He +immediately gave to the prisoner every courtesy possible and to his wife +sympathy and help. + +The Bishop of Montreal sent him a case of green chartreuse from his own +stores. This powerful digestive stimulant helped his feeble appetite to +take the nourishment needed to sustain life and slowly build his +strength. + +He could sleep only when read to, and many a day dawned on the worn +figure of his wife still droning her voice into his sensitive ears, with +one hand on his pulse praying God it might still beat. At times it +stopped, and then she roused the sleeper, gave him the stimulant and +made him eat something which she always kept ready. Dr. Cooper had +warned that the walls of his heart were so weak even a sound sleep might +prove his death if too long continued. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII + +VINDICATION + + +When Socola had finished his work developing the history and character +of Conover and his crew of professional perjurers there was a sudden +collapse in the machinery of the Bureau of Military Justice. Holt was +compelled not only to repudiate the wretches by whose hired testimony he +had committed more than one murder through the forms of military law, +but also to issue a long document defending himself as Judge Advocate +General of the United States from the charge of subornation of +perjury--the vilest accusation that can be brought against a sworn +officer of any court. His weak defense served its purpose for the +moment. He managed to cling to his office and his salary for a brief +season. With the advent of restored law he sank into merited oblivion. + +The charge of murder having collapsed, the Government now pressed +against Davis an indictment for treason. Salmon P. Chase, the Chief +Justice of the United States, warned the President and his Cabinet that +no such charge could be sustained. + +And still malice held the Confederate Chieftain a prisoner. Every other +leader of the South had long since been released. On the public exposure +of Holt and his perjurers the conscience of the North, led by Horace +Greeley and Gerrit Smith, demanded the speedy trial or release of Davis. + +The Radical conspirators at Washington, under the leadership of Stevens +inspired by his dusky companion, were now pressing with feverish haste +their programme of revolution. They passed each measure over the veto of +the President amid jeers, groans and curses. They disfranchised +one-third of the whites of the South, gave the ballot to a million +ignorant negroes but yesterday taken from the jungles of Africa, blotted +out the civil governments of the Southern States, and sent the army back +to enforce their decrees. Stevens introduced his bill to confiscate the +property of the whites and give it to the negroes. This measure was his +pet. It was the only one of his schemes which would be defeated on a +two-thirds vote if Johnson should veto it. Stevens and Butler at once +drew their bill of indictment against the President and set in motion +the machinery to remove him from office--the grim old leader still +swearing that he would hang him. + +In this auspicious moment Charles O'Connor marshaled his forces and +demanded the release of Davis on bail. Andrew Johnson had seen a new +light. He was now in a life and death struggle with the newly enthroned +mob to save the Republic from a Dictatorship. The conspirators had +already selected the man they proposed to set up on his removal from +office. + +The President issued an order to General Burton at Fortress Monroe to +produce his prisoner in the United States District Court of Richmond. + +On May fourth, 1867, the little steamer from the fort touched the wharf +at Richmond and Jefferson Davis and his wife once more appeared in the +Capital of the Confederacy. + +The South had come to greet them. + +All differences of opinion were stilled before the white face of the man +who had been put in irons for their sins. They came from the four +corners of the country for which he had tolled and suffered. + +Senator Barton, his wife and daughter and all his surviving sons had +come from Fairview to do him honor. A vast crowd assembled at the wharf. +No king ever entered his palace with grander welcome. The road from the +wharf to the Spotswood Hotel was a living sea of humanity. His carriage +couldn't move until the way was forced open by the mounted police. The +windows and roofs of every house were crowded. Men and women everywhere +were in tears. As the carriage turned into Main Street a man shouted: + +"Hats off, Virginians!" + +Every head was bared in the vast throng which stretched a mile along the +thoroughfare. As he passed in triumph, the people for whom he had worked +and suffered crowded to his carriage, stretched out their hands in +silence and touched his garments while the tears rolled down their +cheeks. + +They arraigned him for trial on a charge of high treason. + +The indictment had also named Robert E. Lee as guilty of the same crime. +Grant lifted his mailed fist and told the Government he would fight if +necessary to protect the man who had surrendered in good faith to his +army. The peanut politicians dropped Lee's name. + +When the tall, emaciated leader of the South stood erect before his +accusers in court he faced a scene which proclaimed the advent of the +new Democracy in America which must yet make good its right to live. + +On the Judge's bench sat John C. Underwood, a crawling, shambling, +shuffling, ignorant demagogue who had set a new standard of judicial +honor and dignity. He had selected one of the handsomest homes in +Virginia, ordered it confiscated as a Federal judge, and made his wife +buy it in and convey it to him after warning other bidders to keep off +the scene. The thief was living in his stolen mansion on the day he sat +down beside the Chief Justice of the United States in this trial. When +Chase had warned the Government that no charge of treason could stand +against Davis, Underwood assured the Attorney General that he would fix +a negro jury in Richmond which could be relied on to give the verdict +necessary. He had impaneled the first grand jury ever assembled in +America composed of negroes and whites. A negro petit jury now sat in +the box grinning at the judge, their thick lips, flat noses and +omnipotent African odor proclaiming the dawn of a new era in the history +of America. + +Salmon P. Chase with quiet dignity voted to quash the indictment. +Underwood with a vulgar stump speech to the crowd of negroes voted to +hold the indictment good. The case was sent to the Supreme Court on this +disagreement and the defendant admitted to bail. + +Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Augustus +Schell, representing the noblest spirit in the North were among the men +who signed his bail bond. + +When he was released and walked out of the court room cheer after cheer +swept the struggling crowd that greeted him. Senator Barton took the +driver's place on the box while thousands followed to the hotel shouting +themselves hoarse. For three hours he stood shaking the hands of weeping +men and women. No sublimer tribute was ever paid to human worth. It came +with healing to his wounded soul. The anguish of the past was as if it +had never been. + +Jennie Barton gazed with astonishment when Socola grasped his +outstretched hand. She was standing near enough to hear his voice. + +"I want to thank you, young man," he said gratefully, "for all you've +done for me and mine. Mr. O'Connor tells me that your services have been +invaluable. For myself, my wife and babies and my people, I thank you +again. I wish I might do something to repay you--" + +"I've only done my duty," was the modest response. "But I think you +might help me a little--" + +"If it's within my power--" + +"You remember Miss Barton?" + +"I've just shaken hands with her--she is here!" + +"Would you mind putting in a word--" + +"I'll do more, sir--I'm in command to-day. I'll issue positive orders--" + +Jennie moved, he saw her and beckoned. She came, blushing. + +"What's this, my little comrade?" he whispered, seizing her hands. "The +war is over. I've shaken hands with Horace Greeley and Gerrit Smith +to-day. There can be no stragglers in our camp, I owe my life to this +young man." + +He took Jennie's hand, placed it on Socola's arm, and he led her silent +and blushing from the crowd to an alcove in the far corner of the hall. + +She looked up into his face with tenderness. + +"You've done a noble and beautiful thing in the gift of your life to our +Chief for these two miserable years--" + +"They've been miserable to you?" + +She smiled. + +"But I knew you would come--" + +"You'll not send me away again?" + +She slowly slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him. + +They stood on the balcony hand in hand and watched the crowds surging +about the carriage as the tall Chieftain left the hotel to take the +train to greet his children. + +Socola uncovered his head and spoke reverently. + +"He belongs to the race of giants who have made our Nation what it is +to-day. We owe a debt to the unflinching dignity and honesty of his +mind. He made hedging, trimming and compromise impossible--the issues +which divided us of Life and Death. A weaker man would have wavered and +we should have had to fight our battles over again. They have been +settled for all time." + +Jennie lifted her eyes to his: + +"What's your name, my sweetheart?" + +He laughed softly. + +"Does it matter now? Our country's one--my name is Love." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VICTIM*** + + +******* This file should be named 18721.txt or 18721.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/7/2/18721 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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