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diff --git a/6962-8.txt b/6962-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5669259 --- /dev/null +++ b/6962-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,24113 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Military Reminiscences of the Civil War V2, by +Jacob Dolson Cox + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: Military Reminiscences of the Civil War V2 + +Author: Jacob Dolson Cox + +Posting Date: October 12, 2014 [EBook #6962] +Release Date: November, 2004 +First Posted: February 17, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MILITARY REMINISCENCES--CIVIL WAR V2 *** + + + + +Produced by Steve Schulze, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + + + + +MILITARY REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR + +BY JACOB DOLSON COX, A.M., LL.D. + +_Formerly Major-General commanding Twenty-Third Army Corps_ + +VOLUME II. + +NOVEMBER 1863-JUNE 1865 + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +GRANT IN COMMAND--ROSECRANS RELIEVED + +Importance of unity in command--Inevitable difficulties in a double +organization--Burnside's problem different from that of +Rosecrans--Co-operation necessarily imperfect--Growth of Grant's +reputation--Solid grounds of it--Special orders sent him--Voyage to +Cairo--Meets Stanton at Louisville--Division of the Mississippi +created--It included Burnside's and Rosecrans's +departments--Alternate forms in regard to Rosecrans--He is +relieved--Thomas succeeds him--Grant's relations to the change--His +intellectual methods--Taciturnity--Patience--Discussions in his +presence--Clear judgments--His "good anecdote"--Rosecrans sends +Garfield to Washington--Congressman or General--Duplication of +offices--Interview between Garfield and Stanton--Dana's +dispatches--Garfield's visit to me--Description of the rout of +Rosecrans's right wing--Effect on the general--Retreat to +Chattanooga--Lookout Mountain abandoned--The President's +problem--Dana's light upon it--Stanton's use of it--Grant's +acquiescence--Subsequent relations of Garfield and +Rosecrans--Improving the "cracker line"--Opening the +Tennessee--Combat at Wauhatchie. + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE--END OF BURNSIDE'S CAMPAIGN + +Departments not changed by Grant--Sherman assigned to that of the +Tennessee--Burnside's situation and supplies--His +communications--Building a railroad--Threatened from Virginia--His +plans--Bragg sends Longstreet into East Tennessee--Their +cross-purposes--Correspondence of Grant and Burnside--Dana and +Wilson sent to consult--Grant approves Burnside's course--Latter +slowly retires on Knoxville--The place prepared for a siege--Combat +at Campbell's station--Within the lines at Knoxville--Topography of +the place--Defences--Assignment of positions--The forts--General +Sanders killed--His self-sacrifice--Longstreet's lines of +investment--His assault of Fort Sanders--The combat--The +repulse--The victory at Missionary Ridge and results--Division of +Confederate forces a mistake--Grant sends Sherman to raise the siege +of Knoxville--East Tennessee a "horror"--Longstreet retreats toward +Virginia--Sherman rejoins Grant--Granger's unwillingness to +remain--General Foster sent to relieve Burnside--Criticism of this +act--Halleck's misunderstanding of the real situation--Grant's easy +comprehension of it--His conduct in enlarged responsibility--General +Hunter's inspection report. + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +AFFAIRS IN DISTRICT OF OHIO--PLOT TO LIBERATE PRISONERS AT JOHNSON'S +ISLAND + +Administrative duties--Major McLean adjutant-general--His loyalty +questioned--Ordered away--Succeeded by Captain Anderson--Robert +Anderson's family--Vallandigham canvass--Bounty-jumping--Action of +U. S. Courts--of the local Probate Court--Efforts to provoke +collision--Interview with the sheriff--Letter to Governor +Tod--Shooting soldiers in Dayton--The October election--Great +majority against Vallandigham--The soldier vote--Wish for field +service--Kinglake's Crimean War--Its lessons--Confederate plots in +Canada--Attempt on military prison at Johnson's Island--Assembling +militia there--Fortifying Sandusky Bay--Inspection of the +prison--Condition and treatment of the prisoners. + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A WINTER RIDE ON THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS + +Ordered to East Tennessee--Preparation for a long ride--A small +party of officers--Rendezvous at Lexington, Ky.--Changes in my +staff--The escort--A small train--A gay cavalcade--The blue-grass +country--War-time roads--Valley of the Rockcastle--Quarters for the +night--London--Choice of routes-Longstreet in the way--A turn +southward--Williamsburg--Meeting Burnside--Fording the +Cumberland--Pine Mountain--A hard pull--Teamsters' chorus--Big Creek +Gap--First view of East Tennessee--Jacksboro--A forty-mile +trot--Escape from unwelcome duty--In command of Twenty-third +Corps--The army-supply problem--Siege bread--Starved +beef--Burnside's dinner to Sherman. + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WINTER BIVOUACS IN EAST TENNESSEE + +Blain's Cross-roads--Hanson's headquarters--A hearty +welcome--Establishing field quarters--Tents and houses--A good +quartermaster--Headquarters' business--Soldiers' camps--Want of +clothing and shoes--The rations--Running the country +mills--Condition of horses and mules--Visit to Opdycke's camp--A +Christmas dinner--Veteran enlistments--Patriotic spirit--Detachment +at Strawberry Plains--Concentration of corps there--Camp on a +knoll--A night scene--Climate of the valley--Affair at Mossy +Creek--New Year's blizzard--Pitiful condition of the +troops--Patience and courage--Zero weather. + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +GRANT'S VISIT--THE DANDRIDGE AFFAIR + +Grant at Knoxville--Comes to Strawberry Plains--A gathering at +Parke's quarters--Grant's quiet manner--No conversational +discussion--Contrast with Sherman--Talk of cadet days--Grant's +riding-school story--No council of war--Qualities of his +dispatches--Returns by Cumberland Gap--Longstreet's +situation--Destitution of both armies--Railroad repairs and improved +service--Light-draught steamboats--Bridges--Cattle herds on the +way--Results of Grant's inspection tour--Foster's movement to +Dandridge on the French Broad--Sheridan--His qualities--August +Willich--Hazen--His disagreement with Sheridan--Its causes and +consequences--Combat at Dandridge--A mutual surprise--Sheridan's +bridge--An amusing blunder--A consultation in Dandridge--Sturgis's +toddy--Retreat to Strawberry Plains--A hard night march--A rough +day--An uncomfortable bivouac--Concentration toward +Knoxville--Rumors of reinforcement of Longstreet--Expectation of +another siege--The rumors untrue. + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +WINTER QUARTERS IN EAST TENNESSEE--PREPARATIONS FOR a NEW CAMPAIGN + +Sending our animals to Kentucky--Consultations--Affair with enemy's +cavalry--Roughing it--Distribution of troops--Cavalry engagement at +Sevierville--Quarters in Knoxville--Leading Loyalists--Social and +domestic conditions--Discussion of the spring campaign--Of Foster's +successor--Organization of Grant's armies--Embarrassments in +assignment of officers to duty--Discussion of the system-Cipher +telegraphing--Control of the key--Grant's collision with +Stanton--Absurdity of the War Department's method--General Stoneman +assigned to Twenty-third Corps--His career and character--General +Schofield succeeds to the command of the Department of the Ohio. + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +SCHOFIELD IN EAST TENNESSEE---DUTIES AS CHIEF OF STAFF--FINAL +OPERATIONS IN THE VALLEY + +Fresh reports of Longstreet's advance--They are unfounded--Grant's +wish to rid the valley of the enemy--Conference with +Foster--Necessity for further recuperation of the army--Continuance +of the quiet policy--Longstreet's view of the situation--His +suggestions to his government--He makes an advance again-Various +demonstrations--Schofield moves against Longstreet--My appointment +as chief of staff in the field--Organization of the active +column--Schofield's purposes--March to Morristown--Going the Grand +Rounds--Cavalry outpost--A sleepy sentinel--Return to New +Market--Once more at Morristown--Ninth Corps sent East--Grant +Lieutenant-General--Sherman commands in the West--Study of plans of +campaign--My assignment to Third Division, Twenty-third +Corps--Importance of staff duties--Colonel Wherry and Major +Campbell--General Wood--Schofield and the politicians--Post at +Bull's Gap--Grapevine telegraph--Families going through the +lines--Local vendetta--The Sanitary Commission--Rendezvous assigned +by Sherman--Preliminary movements--Marching to Georgia--A spring +camp on the Hiwassee--The Atlanta campaign begun. + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +GRANT, HALLECK, AND SHERMAN--JOHNSTON AND MR. DAVIS + +Grant's desire for activity in the winter--Scattering to +live--Subordinate movements--The Meridian expedition--Use of the +Mississippi--Sherman's estimate of it--Concentration to be made in +the spring--Grant joins the Potomac Army--Motives in doing so--Meade +as an army commander--Halleck on concentration--North Carolina +expedition given up--Burnside to join Grant--Old relations of +Sherman and Halleck--Present cordial friendship--Frank +correspondence--The supply question--Railway administration--Bridge +defences--Reduction of baggage--Tents--Sherman on spies and +deserters--Changes in Confederate army--Bragg +relieved--Hardee--Beauregard--Johnston--Davis's suggestion of +plans--Correspondence with Johnston--Polk's +mediation--Characteristics--Bragg's letters--Lee writes +Longstreet--Johnston's dilatory discussion--No results--Longstreet +joins Lee--Grant and Sherman have the initiative--Prices in the +Confederacy. + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: DALTON AND RESACA + +The opposing forces--North Georgia +triangle--Topography--Dalton--Army of the Ohio enters +Georgia--Positions of the other armies--Turning Tunnel Hill--First +meeting with Sherman--Thomas--Sherman's plan as to +Dalton--McPherson's orders and movement--Those of Thomas and +Schofield--Hopes of a decisive engagement--Thomas attacks north end +of Rocky Face--Opdycke on the ridge--Developing Johnston's +lines--Schofield's advance on 9th May--The flanking march through +Snake Creek Gap--Retiring movement of my division--Passing +lines--Johnston's view of the situation--Use of temporary +intrenchments and barricades--Passing the Snake Creek defile-Camp +Creek line--A wheel in line--Rough march of left flank--Battle of +Resaca--Crossing Camp Creek--Storming Confederate line--My division +relieved by Newton's--Incidents--Further advance of left +flank--Progress of right flank--Johnston retreats. + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: ADVANCE TO THE ETOWAH + +Tactics modified by character of the country--Use of the +spade--Johnston's cautious defensive--Methods of Grant and +Sherman--Open country between Oostanaula and Etowah--Movement in +several columns--Sherman's eagerness--Route of left wing--Of +McPherson on the right--Necessity of exact system in such +marches--Route of Twenty-third Corps--Hooker gets in the way--Delays +occasioned--Closing in on Cassville--Our commanding +position--Johnston's march to Cassville--His order to fight +there--Protest of Hood and Polk--Retreat over the Etowah--Sherman +crosses near Kingston--My reconnoissance to the Allatoona +crossing--Destruction of iron works and mills--Marching without +baggage--Barbarism of war--Desolation it causes--Changes in our +corps organization--Hascall takes Judah's division--Our place of +crossing the Etowah--Interference again--Kingston the new +base--Rations--Camp coffee. + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: NEW HOPE CHURCH AND THE KENNESAW LINES + +Sherman's plan for June--Movements of 24th May-Johnston's position +at Dallas and New Hope Church--We concentrate to attack--Pickett's +Mill--Dallas--Flanking movements--Method developed by the character +of the country--Closer personal relations to Sherman--Turning +Johnston's right--Crossroads at Burnt Church-A tangled +forest--Fighting in a thunderstorm--Sudden freshet--Bivouac in a +thicket---Johnston retires to a new line--Formidable character of +the old one--Sherman extends to the railroad on our left--Blair's +corps joins the army--General Hovey's retirement--The principles +involved--Politics and promotions. + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: MARIETTA LINES--CROSSING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE + +Continuous rains in June--Allatoona made a field depot on the +railway and fortified--Johnston in the Marietta lines--That from +Pine Mountain to Lost Mountain abandoned--Swinging our right +flank--Affair at Kolb's farm--Preparing for a general attack--Battle +of Kennesaw-The tactical problem--Work of my division--Topography +about Cheney's--Our advance on the 27th--Nickajack valley +reached--The army moves behind us--Johnston retreats to the +Chattahoochee--Twenty-third Corps at Smyrna Camp-ground--Crossing +the Chattahoochee at Soap Creek--At Roswell--Johnston again +retreats--Correspondence with Davis--Mission of B. H. Hill--Visit of +Bragg to Johnston--Johnston's unfortunate reticence--He is relieved +and Hood placed in command--Significance of the change to the +Confederacy and to us. + + +CHAPTER XL + +HOOD'S DEFENCE OF ATLANTA--RESULTS OF ITS CAPTURE + +Lines of supply by field trains--Canvas pontoons--Why replaced by +bridges--Wheeling toward Atlanta--Battle of Peachtree Creek--Battle +of Atlanta--Battle of Ezra Church--Aggressive spirit of Confederates +exhausted--Sherman turns Atlanta by the south--Pivot position of +Twenty-third Corps--Hood's illusions--Rapidity of our troops in +intrenching--Movements of 31st August--Affair at Jonesboro--Atlanta +won--Morale of Hood's army--Exaggerating difference in +numbers--Examination of returns--Efforts to bring back +absentees--The sweeping conscription--Sherman's candid +estimates--Unwise use of cavalry--Forrest's work--Confederate +estimate of Sherman's campaign. + + +CHAPTER XLI + +THE REST AT ATLANTA--STAFF ORGANIZATION AND CHANGES + +Position of the Army of the Ohio at Decatur--Refitting for a new +campaign--Depression of Hood's army--Sherman's reasons for a +temporary halt--Fortifying Atlanta as a new base--Officers detailed +for the political campaign-Schofield makes inspection tour of his +department--My temporary command of the Army of the Ohio--Furloughs +and leaves of absence--Promotions of several colonels--General +Hascall resigns--Staff changes--My military family--Anecdote of +Lieutenant Tracy--Discipline of the army--Sensitiveness to approval +or blame--Illustration--Example of skirmishing advance--Sufferings +of non-combatants within our lines--A case in point--Pillaging and +its results--Citizens passing through the lines--"The rigors of the +climate"--Visit of Messrs. Hill and Foster--McPherson's death--The +loss to Sherman and to the army--His personal traits--Appointment of +his successor. + + +CHAPTER XLII + +CAMPAIGN OF OCTOBER--HOOD MOVES UPON OUR COMMUNICATIONS + +Hood's plan to transfer the campaign to northern Georgia--Made +partly subordinate to Beauregard--Forrest on a raid--Sherman makes +large detachments--Sends Thomas to Tennessee--Hood across the +Chattahoochee--Sherman follows--Affair at Allatoona--Planning the +March to the Sea--Sherman at Rome--Reconnoissance down the +Coosa--Hood at Resaca--Sherman in pursuit--Hood retreats down the +Chattooga valley--We follow in two columns--Concentrate at +Gaylesville--Beauregard and Hood at Gadsden--Studying the +situation--Thomas's advice--Schofield rejoins--Conference regarding +the Twenty-third Corps--Hood marches on Decatur--His explanation of +change of plan--Sherman marches back to Rome--We are ordered to join +Thomas--Hood repulsed at Decatur marches to Tuscumbia--Our own march +begun--Parting with Sherman--Dalton--Chattanooga--Presidential +election--Voting by steam--Retrospect of October camp-life--Camp +sports--Soldiers' pets--Story of a lizard. + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +NASHVILLE CAMPAIGN--HOOD'S ADVANCE FROM THE TENNESSEE + +Schofield to command the army assembled at Pulaski--Forrest's +Tennessee River raid--Schofield at Johnsonville--My division at +Thompson's--Hastening reinforcements to Thomas--Columbia--The +barrens--Pulaski--Hood delays--Suggests Purdy as a base--He advances +from Florence--Our march to Columbia--Thomas's distribution of the +forces--Decatur evacuated--Pontoon bridge there--Withdrawing from +Columbia--Posts between Nashville and Chattanooga--The cavalry on +29th November--Their loss of touch with the army. + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +NASHVILLE-HOOD'S ARMY ROUTED + +Defensive works of Nashville--Hood's lines--The ice +blockade--Halleck on remounts for cavalry--Pressing horses and its +abuse--The cavalry problem--Changes in organization--Assignment of +General Couch--Confederate cavalry at Nashville--Counter-movements +of our own--Detailed movements of our right--Difference of +recollection between Schofield and Wilson--The field +dispatches--Carrying Hood's works--Confederate rout. + + +CHAPTER XLV + +PURSUIT OF HOOD--END OF THE CAMPAIGN + +Night after the battle--Unusual exposure--Hardships of company +officers--Bad roads--Halt at Franklin--Visiting the +battlefield--Continued pursuit--Decatur reoccupied--Hood at Tupelo, +Miss.--Summary of captures--Thomas suggests winter-quarters--Grant +orders continued activity--Schofield's proposal to move the corps to +the East--Grant's correspondence with Sherman--Schofield's +suggestion adopted--Illness--I ask for "sick-leave"--Do not use +it--Promotion--Reinforcements--March from Columbia to +Clifton--Columns on different roads--Western part of the +barrens--Fording Buffalo River--An illumined camp--Dismay of the +farmer--Clifton on the Tennessee--Admiral Lee--Methods of +transport--Weary waiting--Private grumbling--Ordered East--Revulsion +of spirits--On the transport fleet--Thomas's frame of mind at close +of the campaign. + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +CAMPAIGN IN NORTH CAROLINA--CAPTURE OF WILMINGTON + +Rendezvous at Washington--Capture of Fort Fisher--Schofield ordered +to North Carolina--Grant and Schofield visit Terry--Department of +North Carolina--Army of the Ohio in the field--Correspondence of +Grant and Sherman--Sherman conscious of his risks but hopeful of +great results--His plan of march from Savannah--Relation of +Wilmington to New Berne--Our arrival at Washington--The Potomac +frozen--Peace conference at Fort Monroe--Interview with Mr. +Stanton--The thirteenth amendment of the Constitution--Political +excitement at the capital--A little dinner-party--Garfield, H. W. +Davis, and Schenck--Davis on Lincoln--Destination of our +army--Embarkation--Steamship "Atlantic"--Visit to Fort Monroe--The +sea-voyage--Cape Fear Inlet--General Terry's lines--Bragg the +Confederate commander--Reconnoitring his lines--The colored +troops--"Monitor" engaged with Fort Anderson--Alternate +plans--Marching on Wilmington by the west bank of the river--My +column opposite the town--Orders not applicable to the +situation--Difficulty of communication--Use of +discretion--Wilmington evacuated--A happy result. + + +CHAPTER XLVII + +THE CONFEDERACY IN STRAITS--JOHNSTON COMMANDS IN THE CAROLINAS--OUR +OPERATIONS FROM NEW BERNE--BATTLE OF KINSTON + +The Confederates lose Charleston and Columbia--Facing a +crisis--Hopeless apathy of Southern people--Mr. Davis's +perplexity--Beauregard startles him--Lee calls Johnston to +command--Personal relations of leading officers--Dwindling +armies--The cavalry--Assignments of generals--The Beaufort and New +Berne line--Am ordered to New Berne--Provisional corps--Advance to +cover railway building--Dover and Gum swamps--Bragg concentrates to +oppose us--Position near Kinston--Bragg's plan of attack--Our own +movements--Condition of railroad and river--Our advance to Wise's +Forks and Southwest Creek--Precautions--Conference with +Schofield--Battle of Kinston--Enemy attack our left front--Rout of +Upham's brigade--Main line firm--Ruger's division reaches the field +Enemy repulsed--End of first day's fight--Extending our trenches on +the left--Sharp skirmishing of the 9th--Bragg's reinforcements--His +attack of the 10th--Final repulse and retreat of the enemy. + + +CHAPTER XLVIII + +JUNCTION WITH SHERMAN AT GOLDSBOROUGH--THE MARCH ON +RALEIGH--CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES + +Occupation of Kinston--Opening of Neuse River--Rebel ram +destroyed--Listening to the distant battle at Bentonville--Entering +Goldsborough--Meeting Sherman--Grant's congratulations--His own +plans--Sketch of Sherman's march--Lee and Johnston's +correspondence--Their gloomy outlook--Am made commandant of +Twenty-third Corps--Terry assigned to Tenth--Schofield promoted in +the Regular Army--Stanton's proviso--Ill effects of living on the +country--Stopping it in North Carolina--Camp jubilee over the fall +of Richmond--Changes in Sherman's plans--Our march on +Smithfield--House-burning--News of Lee's surrender--Overtures from +Governor Vance--Entering Raleigh--A mocking-bird's greeting--Further +negotiations as to North Carolina--Johnston proposes an +armistice--Broader scope of negotiations--The Southern people desire +peace--Terrors of non-combatants assuaged--News of Lincoln's +assassination--Precautions to preserve order--The dawn of peace. + + +CHAPTER XLIX + +THE SHERMAN-JOHNSTON CONVENTION + +Sherman's earlier views of the slavery question--Opinions in +1864--War rights vs. statesmanship--Correspondence with +Halleck--Conference with Stanton at Savannah--Letter to General +Robert Anderson--Conference with Lincoln at City Point--First effect +of the assassination of the President--Situation on the Confederate +side--Davis at Danville--Cut off from Lee--Goes to +Greensborough--Calls Johnston to conference--Lee's surrender--The +Greensborough meeting--Approach of Stoneman's cavalry raid--Vance's +deputation to Sherman--Davis orders their arrest--Vance asserts his +loyalty--Attempts to concentrate Confederate forces on the +Greensborough-Charlotte line--Cabinet meeting--Overthrow of the +Confederacy acknowledged--Davis still hopeful--Yields to the +cabinet--Dictates Johnston's letter to Sherman--Sherman's +reply--Meeting arranged--Sherman sends preliminary correspondence to +Washington--The Durham meeting--The negotiations--Two points of +difficulty--Second day's session--Johnston's power to promise the +disbanding of the civil government--The terms agreed +upon--Transmittal letters--Assembling the Virginia +legislature--Sherman's wish to make explicit declaration of the end +of slavery--The assassination affecting public sentiment--Sherman's +personal faith in Johnston--He sees the need of modifying the +terms--Grant's arrival. + + +CHAPTER L + +THE SECOND SHERMAN-JOHNSTON CONVENTION--SURRENDER + +Davis's last cabinet meeting--Formal opinions approving the +"Basis"--"The Confederacy is conquered"--Grant brings disapproval +from the Johnston administration--Sherman gives notice of the +termination of the truce--No military disadvantage from +it--Sherman's vindication of himself--Grant's admirable +conduct--Johnston advises Davis to yield--Capitulation assented to, +but a volunteer cavalry force to accompany Davis's flight--A new +conference at Durham--Davis's imaginary treasure--Grant's return to +Washington--Terms of the parole given by Johnston's army--The +capitulation complete--Schofield and his army to carry out the +details--The rest of Sherman's army marches north--His farewell to +Johnston--Order announcing the end of the war--Johnston's fine +reply--Stanton's strange dispatch to the newspapers--Its tissue of +errors--Its baseless objections--Sherman's +exasperation--Interference with his military authority over his +subordinates--Garbling Grant's dispatch--Sherman strikes +back--Breach between Sherman and Halleck--It also grew out of the +published matter--Analysis of the facts--My opinion as recorded at +the time. + + +CHAPTER LI + +PAROLING AND DISBANDING JOHNSTON'S ARMY--CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR +IN NORTH CAROLINA + +General Schofield's policy when left in command--Lincoln's +Emancipation Proclamation in force--Davis's line of flight from +Charlotte, N. C.--Wade Hampton's course of conduct--Fate of the +cabinet officers--Bragg, Wheeler, and Cooper--Issuing paroles to +Johnston and his army--Greensborough in my district--Going there +with Schofield--Hardee meets and accompanies us--Comparing +memories--We reach Johnston's headquarters--Condition of his +army--Our personal interview with him--The numbers of his +troops--His opinion of Sherman's army--Of the murder of +Lincoln--Governor Morehead's home--The men in gray march +homeward--Incident of a flag--The Salisbury prison site--Treatment +of prisoners of war--Local government in the interim--Union +men--Elements of new strife--The negroes--Household service--Wise +dealing with the labor question--No money--Death of +manufactures--Necessity the mother of invention--Uses of +adversity--Peace welcomed--Visit to Greene's battle-field at +Guilford-Old-Court-House. + + + +APPENDIX C + +INDEX + + + + +MILITARY REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +GRANT IN COMMAND--ROSECRANS RELIEVED + + +Importance of unity in command--Inevitable difficulties in a double +organization--Burnside's problem different from that of +Rosecrans--Cooperation necessarily imperfect--Growth of Grant's +reputation--Solid grounds of it--Special orders sent him--Voyage to +Cairo--Meets Stanton at Louisville--Division of the Mississippi +created--It included Burnside's and Rosecrans's +departments--Alternate forms in regard to Rosecrans--He is +relieved--Thomas succeeds him--Grant's relations to the change--His +intellectual methods--Taciturnity--Patience--Discussions in his +presence--Clear judgments--His "good anecdote"--Rosecrans sends +Garfield to Washington--Congressman or General--Duplication of +offices--Interview between Garfield and Stanton--Dana's +dispatches--Garfield's visit to me--Description of the rout of +Rosecrans's right wing--Effect on the general--Retreat to +Chattanooga--Lookout Mountain abandoned--The President's +problem--Dana's light upon it--Stanton's use of it--Grant's +acquiescence--Subsequent relations of Garfield and +Rosecrans--Improving the "cracker line"--Opening the +Tennessee--Combat at Wauhatchie. + + +It is very evident that, at the close of September, Mr. Lincoln and +Mr. Stanton had become satisfied that a radical change must be made +in the organization of the Western armies. The plan of sending +separate armies to co-operate, as Rosecrans's and Burnside's had +been expected to do, was in itself vicious. It is, after a fashion, +an attempt of two to ride a horse without one of them riding behind. +Each will form a plan for his own army, as indeed he ought to do, +and when one of them thinks the time has come for help from the +other, that other may be out of reach or committed to operations +which cannot readily be dropped. It is almost axiomatic that in any +one theatre of operations there must be one head to direct. +[Footnote: Napoleon used to ridicule the vicious practice of +subdividing armies in the same theatre of war. He called it putting +them up in small parcels, "_des petits paquets_." Memoirs of Gouvion +St.-Cyr, vol. iv.] In the present case it ought to have been evident +to the authorities at Washington that as soon as Burnside occupied +East Tennessee, both distance and the peculiar conditions of his +problem would forbid any efficient cooperation with Rosecrans. The +latter was the junior in rank, and knew that, whatever might be +Burnside's generosity, there were many possible contingencies in +such a campaign in which the War Department might find it the easy +solution of a difficulty to direct the senior officer to assume the +command of both armies. So long as matters went well, Rosecrans had +little or no communication with Burnside; but as soon as the enemy +began to show a bold front, he became impatient for assistance. The +perplexities of his own situation made him blind to those of +Burnside. This is human nature, and was, no doubt, true of both in +varying degrees. Halleck, at Washington, was in no true sense a +commander of the armies. He had given peremptory orders to advance +in June and again in July, but when asked whether this relieved the +subordinate of responsibility and took away his discretion, could +make no distinct answer. The unpleasant relations thus created +necessarily affected the whole campaign. Halleck hesitated to advise +a halt when he learned that Longstreet had gone to reinforce Bragg, +and Rosecrans dreaded the blame of halting without such suggestion. +So the battle had to be fought, and the ill consequences had to be +repaired afterward as best they could. + +The official correspondence of the summer shows a constantly growing +faith in Grant. His great success at Vicksburg gave him fame and +prestige, but there was beside this a specific effect produced on +the President and the War Department by his unceasing activity, his +unflagging zeal, his undismayed courage. He was as little inclined +to stop as they at Washington were inclined to have him. He was as +ready to move as they were to ask it, and anticipated their wish. He +took what was given him and did the best he could with it. The +result was that the tone adopted toward him was very different from +that used with any other commander. It was confidently assumed that +he was doing all that was possible, and there was no disposition to +worry him with suggestions or orders. + +When the operations in the Mississippi valley were reduced to +secondary importance by the surrender of Vicksburg, it was certain +that Grant would be called to conduct one of the great armies which +must still make war upon the rebellion. In a visit to New Orleans to +consult with Banks, he had been lamed by a fractious horse and was +disabled for some days. As soon as he was able to ride in an +ambulance he was on duty, and was assured by General Halleck that +plenty of work would be cut out for him as soon as he was fully +recovered. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxx. pt. iv. p. 274.] +At the beginning of October he was ordered to take steamboat and go +to Cairo, where he would find special instructions. This dispatch +reached him on the 9th, and the same day he sailed for Cairo, +arriving there on the 16th, when he learned that an officer of the +War Department would meet him at Louisville. Hastening to Louisville +by rail, he met Mr. Stanton himself, who had travelled _incognito_ +from Washington. The Secretary of War produced the formal orders +which had been drawn at the War Department creating the Division of +the Mississippi, which included Rosecrans's, Burnside's, and his own +departments, and put him in supreme command of all. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 404.] The order was drawn in two forms, one relieving +Rosecrans and putting Thomas in command of the Department of the +Cumberland, and the other omitting this. After consultation with Mr. +Stanton, the order relieving Rosecrans was issued and Grant +published his own assumption of command. His staff had accompanied +him, on a hint contained in an earlier dispatch, and after a day +spent with the Secretary of War (October 18-19) he immediately +proceeded to Chattanooga. He was hardly able to mount a horse, and +when on foot had to get about on crutches. + +It has been commonly assumed that the choice whether he would remove +Rosecrans was submitted to Grant as a personal question affecting +his relations with his subordinates, and that he decided it on the +ground of his dislike of Rosecrans. The records of the official +correspondence seem to me to show the fact rather to be that +Rosecrans's removal was thought best by the Secretary, the doubt +being whether Grant would prefer to retain him instead of meeting +the embarrassments incident to so important a change in the +organization of the beleaguered army. Grant was always disposed to +work with the tools he had, and through his whole military career +showed himself averse to meddling much with the organization of his +army. He had strong likes and dislikes, but was very reticent of his +expression of them. He would quietly take advantage of vacancies or +of circumstances to put men where he wanted them, but very rarely +made sweeping reorganization. If any one crossed him or became +antagonistic without open insubordination, he would bear with it +till an opportunity came to get rid of the offender. He hated verbal +quarrelling, never used violent language, but formed his judgments +and bided his time for acting on them. This sometimes looked like a +lack of frankness, and there were times when a warm but honest +altercation would have cleared the air and removed +misunderstandings. It was really due to a sort of shyness which was +curiously blended with remarkable faith in himself. From behind his +wall of taciturnity he was on the alert to see what was within +sight, and to form opinions of men and things that rooted fast and +became part of his mental constitution. He sometimes unbent and +would talk with apparent freedom and ease; but, so far as I +observed, it was in the way of narrative or anecdote, and almost +never in the form of discussion or comparison of views. It used to +be said that during the Vicksburg campaign he liked to have Sherman +and McPherson meet at his tent, and would manage to set them to +discussing the military situation. Sherman would be brilliant and +trenchant; McPherson would be politely critical and intellectual; +Rawlins would break in occasionally with some blunt and vigorous +opinion of his own: Grant sat impassable and dumb in his camp-chair, +smoking; but the lively discussion stimulated his strong +commonsense, and gave him more assured confidence in the judgments +and conclusions he reached. He sometimes enjoyed with a spice of +real humor the mistaken assumption of fluent men that reticent ones +lack brains. I will venture to illustrate it by an anecdote of a +date subsequent to the war. One day during his presidency, he came +into the room where his cabinet was assembling, quietly laughing to +himself. "I have just read," said he, "one of the best anecdotes I +have ever met. It was that John Adams after he had been President +was one day taking a party out to dinner, at his home in Quincy, +when one of his guests noticed a portrait over the door and said, +'You have a fine portrait of Washington there, Mr. Adams!' 'Yes,' +was the reply, 'and that old wooden head made his fortune by keeping +his mouth shut;'" and Grant laughed again with uncommon enjoyment. +The apocryphal story gained a permanent interest in Grant's mouth, +for though he showed no consciousness that it could have any +application to himself, he evidently thought that keeping the mouth +shut was not enough in itself to ensure fortune, and at any rate was +not displeased at finding such a ground of sympathy with the Father +of his country. Grant's telling the story seemed to me, under the +circumstances, infinitely more amusing than the original. + +During the month which followed the battle of Chickamauga, Rosecrans +had elaborated his report of the campaign. On the 15th of October he +ordered General Garfield to proceed to Washington with it and to +explain personally to the Secretary of the War and the +General-in-Chief the details of the actual condition of the army, +its lines of communication, the scarcity of supplies and especially +of forage for horses and mules, with all other matters which would +assist the War Department in fully appreciating the situation. +Garfield's term as member of Congress began with the 4th of March +preceding, but the active session would only commence on the first +Monday of December. There was some doubt as to the status of army +officers who were elected to Congress. General Frank P. Blair had +been elected as well as Garfield, and it was in Blair's case that +the issue was made by those who objected to the legality of what +they called a duplication of offices. Later in the session of +Congress it was settled that the two commissions were incompatible, +and that one must choose between them. Blair resigned his seat at +Washington and returned to Sherman's army. Garfield, who had found +camp life a cause of oft-recurring and severe disease of his +digestive system, resigned his army commission and retained his +place in Congress. When he left Rosecrans, however, he was still +hopeful that the two duties might be found consistent, and looked +forward to further military employment. + +On his way to Nashville, Garfield made a careful inspection of the +road to Jasper and Bridgeport, and reported it with recommendations +for the improvement of the transportation service. He arrived at +Nashville on the 19th of October, and was met by the rumor that the +Secretary of War and General Grant were at Louisville, and that +Grant would come down the road by special train next day. He +telegraphed the news to Rosecrans with the significant question, +What does it mean? Rosecrans knew what it meant, for Grant's order +assuming command and relieving him had been earlier telegraphed to +him, and he had already penned his dignified and appropriate +farewell order to the Army of the Cumberland. + +Mr. Stanton awaited Garfield's coming at Louisville, and there was a +full and frank interview between them. The order relieving Rosecrans +ended Garfield's official connection with him, and, even if it had +not been so, it would have been his duty to make no concealments in +answering the earnest and eager cross-questioning of the Secretary. +Mr. Stanton had not only had dispatches full of information from +General Meigs, who now also met him at Louisville, but his +assistant, Mr. Charles A. Dana, had gone early to Chattanooga, had +been present at the battle of Chickamauga, and had there some +perilous experiences of his own. Dana was still with Rosecrans, and +had sent to the Secretary a series of cipher dispatches giving a +vivid interior view of affairs and of men. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxx. pt. i. pp. 220, etc.; vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. +69-74, 265; pt. ii. pp. 52-70.] The talented journalist had known +how to give his communications the most lively effect, and they had +great weight with the Secretary. They were not always quite just, +for they were written at speed under the spell of first impressions, +and necessarily under the influence of army acquaintances in whom he +had confidence. There is, however, no evidence that he was +predisposed to judge harshly of Rosecrans, and the unfavorable +conclusions he reached were echoed in Mr. Stanton's words and acts. +[Footnote: Since this was written Mr. Dana has published his +Recollections, based on his dispatches, but the omissions make it +still important to read the originals.] The Secretary of War was +consequently prepared to show such knowledge of the battle of +Chickamauga and the events which followed it, that it would be +impossible for Garfield to avoid mention of incidents which bore +unfavorably upon Rosecrans. He might have been silent if Mr. Stanton +had not known so well how to question him, but when he found how +full the information of the Secretary was, his duty as a military +subordinate coincided with his duty as a responsible member of +Congress, and he discussed without reserve the battle and its +results. Mr. Stanton also questioned General Steedman, who was on +his way home, and wrote to his assistant in Washington for the +information of the President, that his interview with these officers +more than confirmed the worst that had reached him from other +sources as to the conduct of Rosecrans, and the strongest things he +had heard of the credit due to Thomas. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 684.] + +Garfield came from Louisville to Cincinnati, where I was on duty at +headquarters of my district, and found me, as may easily be +believed, full of intense interest in the campaign. I had been kept +informed of all that directly affected Burnside, my immediate chief, +but my old acquaintance with Rosecrans and sincere personal regard +for him made me desire much more complete information touching his +campaign than was given the public. Garfield's own relations to it +were hardly less interesting to me, and our intimacy was such that +our thoughts at that time were common property. He spent a day with +me, and we talked far into the night, going over the chief points of +the campaign and his interview with Mr. Stanton. His friendship for +Rosecrans amounted to warm affection and very strong personal +liking. Yet I found he had reached the same judgment of his mental +qualities and his capacity as a commander which I had formed at an +earlier day. Rosecrans's perceptions were acute and often +intuitively clear. His fertility was great. He lacked poise, +however, and the steadiness of will necessary to handle great +affairs successfully. Then there was the fatal defect of the +liability to be swept away by excitement and to lose all efficient +control of himself and of others in the very crisis when complete +self-possession is the essential quality of a great general. + +We sat alone in my room, face to face, at midnight, as Garfield +described to me the scene on the 20th of September on the +battlefield, when through the gap in the line made by the withdrawal +of Wood's division the Confederates poured. He pictured the +astonishment of all who witnessed it, the doubt as to the evidence +of their own senses; the effort of Sheridan further to the right to +change front and strike the enemy in flank; the hesitation of the +men; the wavering and then the breaking of the right wing into a +panic-stricken rout, each man running for life to the Dry Valley +road, thinking only how he might reach Chattanooga before the enemy +should overtake him, officers and men swept along in that most +hopeless of mobs, a disorganized army. He described the effort of +Rosecrans and the staff to rally the fugitives and to bring a +battery into action, under a shower of flying bullets and crashing +shells. It failed, for men were as deaf to reason in their mad panic +as would be a drove of stampeded cattle. What was needed was a fresh +and well-organized division to cover the rout, to hold back the +enemy, and to give time for rallying the fugitives. But no such +division was at hand, and the rush to the rear could not be stayed. +The enemy was already between the headquarters group and Brannan's +division which Wood had joined, and these, throwing back the right +flank, were presenting a new front toward the west, where +Longstreet, preventing his men from pursuing too far, turned his +energies to the effort to break the curved line of which Thomas at +the Snodgrass house was the centre. + +The staff and orderlies gathered about Rosecrans and tried to make +their way out of the press. With the conviction that nothing more +could be done, mental and physical weakness seemed to overcome the +general. He rode silently along, abstracted, as if he neither saw +nor heard. Garfield went to him and suggested that he be allowed to +try to make his way by Rossville to Thomas, the sound of whose +battle seemed to indicate that he was not yet broken. Rosecrans +assented listlessly and mechanically. As Garfield told it to me, he +leaned forward, bringing his excited face close to mine, and his +hand came heavily down upon my knee as in whispered tones he +described the collapse of nerve and of will that had befallen his +chief. The words burned themselves into my memory. + +Garfield called for volunteers to accompany him, but only a single +orderly with his personal aide-de-camp followed him; and he made his +way to the right, passed through the gap at Rossville, saw Granger, +who was preparing to move Steedman's division to the front, and rode +on to join Thomas, running the gantlet of the enemy's fire as he +passed near them on the Kelley farm. He never tired of telling of +the calm and quiet heroism of Thomas, holding his position on the +horse-shoe ridge till night put an end to the fighting, and then +retiring in perfect order to the Rossville Gap, to which he was +ordered. This part of the story has been made familiar to all. An +eyewitness has told how, when Rosecrans reached Chattanooga, he had +to be helped from his horse. His nerves were exhausted by the strain +he had undergone, and only gradually recovered from the shock. +[Footnote: Cist, The Army of the Cumberland, p. 226.] His first +dispatch to Washington was the announcement that his army had met +with a serious disaster, the extent of which he could not himself +tell. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxx. pt. i. p. 142.] The +most alarming feature of the news was that he was himself a dozen +miles from the battlefield and had evidently lost all control of +events. The truth turned out to be that two divisions would include +all the troops that were broken,--namely, Sheridan's, two brigades +of Davis's, and one of Van Cleve's,--whilst seven other divisions +stood firm and Thomas assumed command of them. As these retired in +order, and as the enemy had suffered more in killed and wounded than +our army, Bragg was entitled to claim a victory only because the +field was left in his hands with large numbers of wounded and +numerous trophies of cannon. It was then claimed by some of our best +officers, and is still an open question whether, if Rosecrans had +been with Thomas and, calling to him Granger's troops, had resumed +the offensive, the chances were not in our favor, and whether Bragg +might not have been the one to retreat. + +Unfortunately there was no doubt that the general was defeated, +whether his army was or not. The most cursory study of the map +showed that the only practicable road by which the army could be +supplied was along the river from Bridgeport. Lookout Mountain +commanded this; and not to hold Lookout was practically to announce +a purpose to retreat into middle Tennessee. Dana informed the +Secretary of War that Garfield and Granger had urged Rosecrans to +hold the mountain, but that he would not listen to it. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxx. pt. i. p. 215.] He could much better +afford to intrench a division there than Bragg could, for the +Confederates were tied to Mission Ridge by the necessity of covering +the Atlanta Railroad, which was their line of supply, and any troops +put across the Chattanooga valley were in the air and likely to be +cut off if the long and thin line which connected them were broken. +Had Lookout Mountain been held, Hooker could have come at once into +his place in line when he reached the Tennessee, and the reinforced +army would have been ready, as soon as it was rested and supplied, +to resume an offensive campaign. Instead of this, the country was +for a month tortured with the apprehension that the Army of the +Cumberland must retreat because it could not be fed by means of the +mountain road over Walden's Ridge. After the fortifications at +Chattanooga were strong enough to put the place beyond danger from +direct assault, it would only be adding to the danger of starvation +to send more men there before a better line of supply was opened. + +The problem which the President and Secretary of War pondered most +anxiously was the capacity and fitness of Rosecrans to conduct the +new campaign. Would he rise energetically to the height of the great +task, or would he sink into the paralysis of will which so long +followed the battle of Stone's River? Dana's dispatches were studied +for the light they threw on this question more than for all the +other interesting details they contained. For the first three or +four days, they teemed with impressions of the battle itself and the +cause of the disaster to the right wing. Then came the assurance +that Chattanooga was safe and could withstand a regular siege. Next, +in logical order as in time, was the attempt to look into the future +and to estimate the commander by the way he grappled with the +difficulties of the situation. On the 27th of September Dana +discussed at some length the army feeling toward the corps and +division commanders who had been involved in the rout, and the +embarrassment of Rosecrans in dealing with the subject. "The defects +of his character," he wrote, "complicate the difficulty. He abounds +in friendliness and approbativeness, and is greatly lacking in +firmness and steadiness of will. He is a temporizing man, dreads so +heavy an alternative as is now presented." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxx. pt. i p. 202.] On the 12th of October he returned +to the subject of Rosecrans's characteristics, mentioning his +refusal to listen to the urgent reasons why he should hold Lookout +Mountain to protect his supply line. "Rosecrans," he said, "who is +sometimes as obstinate and inaccessible to reason as at others he is +irresolute, vacillating, and inconclusive, rejected all their +arguments, and the mountain was given up." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxx. pt. i. p. 215.] Picturing the starvation of the +horses and mules and the danger of it for the soldiers, he added: +"In the midst of this the commanding general devotes that part of +the time which is not employed in pleasant gossip, to the +composition of a long report to prove that the government is to +blame for his failure. It is my duty to declare that while few +persons exhibit more estimable social qualities, I have never seen a +public man possessing talent with less administrative power, less +clearness and steadiness in difficulty, and greater practical +incapacity than General Rosecrans. He has inventive fertility and +knowledge, but he has no strength of will and no concentration of +purpose. His mind scatters. There is no system in the use of his +busy days and restless nights, no courage against individuals in his +composition, and with great love of command he is a feeble +commander." [Footnote: _Ibid_.] + +It needs no proof that such a report would have great influence at +Washington, and if it at all harmonized with the drift of +impressions caused by the inaction and the wrangling of the summer, +it would be decisive. It was with it in his pocket that Mr. Stanton +had cross-questioned Garfield, and drew out answers which, as he +said, corroborated it. The same correspondence had set forth the +universal faith in Thomas's imperturbable steadiness and courage, +and the admiring faith in him which had possessed the whole army. +The natural and the almost necessary outcome of it all was that +Thomas should be placed in command of the Department and Army of the +Cumberland, and Grant in supreme control of the active operations in +the whole valley of the Mississippi. As to Rosecrans's removal, +Grant did not bring it about, he only acquiesced in it; willingly, +no doubt, but without initiative or suggestion on his part. +[Footnote: Grant's Personal Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 18.] + +It may be well here to say a word upon the subsequent relations of +Garfield and Rosecrans. In the next winter a joint resolution was +offered in Congress thanking General Thomas and the officers and men +under his command for their conduct in the battle of Chickamauga. +The established etiquette in such matters is to name the general +commanding the army, whose services are recognized, and not his +subordinates; these are included in the phrase, "officers and men +under his command." To omit Rosecrans's name and to substitute +Thomas's was equivalent to a public condemnation of the former. +Garfield had been promoted to be major-general for his conduct in +the battle, and it was popularly understood that this meant his +special act in volunteering to make his way to Thomas after +Rosecrans and the staff were swept along the Dry Valley road in the +rout. The promotion was recognized as a censure by implication on +his chief. As Garfield was now chairman of the committee of the +House of Representatives on military affairs, he was placed in a +peculiarly embarrassing position. His sincere liking for Rosecrans +made him wish to spare him the humiliation involved in the passage +of such a resolution, and his generosity was the more stimulated by +the knowledge that his own promotion had been used to emphasize the +shortcoming of his friend. He could not argue that on the +battlefield itself there had been no faults committed; but he was +very earnest in insisting that the general strategy of the campaign +had been admirable, and the result in securing Chattanooga as a +fortified base for future operations had been glorious. He therefore +moved to amend the resolution by inserting Rosecrans's name and +modifying the rest so as to make it apply to the campaign and its +results. He supported this in an eloquent speech which dwelt upon +the admirable parts of Rosecrans's generalship and skilfully avoided +the question of personal conduct on the field. He carried the House +with him, but a joint resolution must pass the Senate also, and it +never came to a vote in that body. + +When in 1880 Garfield was elected President, and in the midst of a +heated campaign had to run the gantlet of personal attacks +infinitely worse than the picket fire under which he had galloped +across the Kelley farm, a letter was produced which he had written +to Mr. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, in June, 1863, when he was +urging Rosecrans to terminate the inglorious delays at Murfreesboro +by marching on Tullahoma. In his letter to Mr. Chase he had +expressed in warmest terms his personal affection for Rosecrans, but +had also condemned the summer's delays as unnecessary and contrary +to military principles. In the violence of partisan discussion the +letter was seized upon as evidence of a breach of faith toward his +chief, who was now acting with the political party opposed to +Garfield's election. The letter was a personal one, written in +private friendship to Mr. Chase, with whom Garfield had kept up an +occasional correspondence since the beginning of the war. I had done +the like, for Mr. Chase had admitted us both to his intimacy when he +was Governor of Ohio. It cannot for a moment be maintained that +military subordination is inconsistent with temperate and respectful +criticism (for such this was) of a superior, in private +communications to a friend. But it was argued that the relation of +chief of staff involved another kind of confidence. It +unquestionably involved the duty of observing and maintaining +perfectly every confidence actually reposed in him. But the public +acts of the chief were anything but confidential. They were in the +face of all the world, and these only were the subject of his +private and friendly criticism. That criticism he had, moreover, +expressed to Rosecrans himself as distinctly as he wrote it to Mr. +Chase, and had declared it publicly in the written consultation or +council of war to which the corps and division commanders were +called. [Footnote: _Ante_, vol. i. p. 483.] + +But Garfield was also at that time a member of Congress, having +duties to the President, the Cabinet, and his colleagues and fellow +members growing out of that relation. Rosecrans not only knew this, +but was supposed by many to have invited Garfield to take the staff +appointment partly by reason of this. Under all the circumstances, +therefore, the ground of complaint becomes shadowy and disappears. +Rosecrans, however, was made to think he had suffered a wrong. He +forgot the generosity with which Garfield had saved him from +humiliation in the session of 1863-64, and said bitter things which +put an end to the friendly relations which had till then been +maintained. + +To return to Chattanooga in October, 1863: one thing remained to be +done before a new campaign could begin. A better mode of supplying +the army must be found. Thomas had answered Grant's injunction to +hold Chattanooga at all hazards by saying, "I will hold the town +till we starve." The memorable words have been interpreted as a +dauntless assurance of stubborn defence; but they more truly meant +that the actual peril was not from the enemy, but from hunger. +Rosecrans had begun to feel the necessity of opening a new route to +Bridgeport before he was relieved, and on the very day he laid down +the command, he had directed Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, sent to +him to be chief engineer of his army since the battle, to examine +the river banks in the vicinity of Williams Island, six or seven +miles below the town by the river, and to report upon the +feasibility of laying a pontoon bridge there which could be +protected. The expectation had been that Hooker would concentrate +his two corps at Bridgeport, make his own crossing of the Tennessee, +and push forward to the hills commanding Lookout Valley. By +intrenching himself strongly in the vicinity of Wauhatchie, he would +confine the Confederates to Lookout Mountain on the west, and cover +the roads along the river so as to make them safe for supply trains. +The only interruption in the connected communications would then be +around the base of Lookout itself, where the road could not be used, +of course, so long as Bragg should be able to hold the mountain. If, +however, a bridge could be laid somewhere in rear of such a +fortified position, the road on the north bank of the river could be +used, for this road ran across the neck of Moccasin Point, out of +range of a cannonade from the mountain, and after a short haul of a +mile or two, the wagon trains could recross the river by the bridge +at the town. + +Hooker had showed no eagerness to take the laboring oar in this +business, and excused his delay in concentrating at Bridgeport by +the lack of wagons. General Smith's reconnoissance satisfied him +that Brown's Ferry, a little above the island, would admirably serve +the purpose. A roadway to the river on each side already existed. On +the south side was a gorge and a brook, which sheltered the landing +there, and would cover and hide troops moving toward the top of the +ridge commanding Lookout Valley. Smith reported his discovery to +Thomas and suggested that pontoons be built in Chattanooga, and used +to convey a force by night to the ferry, where they might be met by +Hooker coming from below. Thomas approved the plan, and as soon as +Grant arrived, he inspected the ground in company with Thomas and +Smith, and ordered it to be executed. The boats were completed by +the end of a week, and on the night of the 26th of October the +expedition started under the command of General Smith in person. +Brigadier-Generals Hazen and Turchin and Colonel T. R. Stanley of +the Eighteenth Ohio [Footnote: Colonel Stanley had been one of my +associates in the Ohio Senate in the winter of 1860-61. On the +origin and development of the plan and its complete execution, see +Reports of General Smith and others, Official Records, vol. xxxi. +pt. i. pp. 77-137.] were assigned to command the three detachments +of troops and boats assigned to the duty, and reported to Smith. +Covered by the darkness and in absolute silence, they were to float +down the stream which flowed around Moccasin Point in a great curve +under the base of Lookout, on which batteries commanded long reaches +of the river both above and below. Reaching the ferry on the enemy's +side, they would land and carry the picket posts with a rush, Hazen +to move to the left and seize the ridge facing the mountain, and +Turchin to do the like toward the right, facing down stream. Colonel +Stanley's detachment had the charge of the boats, which were fitted +with row-locks and oars, and these were to do the ferrying when the +proper place was reached. Each boat contained a corporal and four +men as a crew, and twenty-five armed soldiers. They were fifty in +number, besides two flatboats to be used as a ferry to cross the +artillery. The whole force consisted of 5000 men and three batteries +of artillery. The boats carried about a third of the whole, and the +principal columns marched by the road on the north bank to the +places assigned and were concealed in the forest. The plan worked +beautifully. Starting at three o'clock in the morning of the 27th, +the darkness of the night and a slight fog hid the boats from the +Confederate pickets. The oars were only used to keep the boats in +proper position in the current, and great care was taken to move +silently. Colonel Stanley took the lead with General Hazen in one of +the flatboats, having a good guide. The landing on the south bank +was found, and the troops landed and drove off the enemy's picket, +which was taken completely by surprise. The boats were swiftly +pulled to the north bank, where the troops which marched by the road +were already in position. The ferrying was hurried with a will, and +before the Confederates had time to bring any considerable force to +oppose, strong positions were taken covering the ferry, these were +covered by an abatis of slashed forest trees and intrenched. The +surprise had been complete, and the success had been perfect. + +Hooker crossed the river on the bridge at Bridgeport, and on the +morning of the 28th marched by way of Running Waters and Whitesides +to Wauhatchie. Geary's division reached Wauhatchie about five in the +afternoon, and about midnight was fiercely attacked by Jenkins' +division of Longstreet's corps. The combat continued for some time, +the enemy having some advantage at first as they attacked Geary's +left flank in a direction from which he did not expect them. Other +troops were urged forward to Geary's assistance, but the enemy +retired as they approached the scene of action and only his division +was seriously engaged. He reported a list of 216 casualties, whilst +the Confederates admitted a loss of about 400. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 119, 233.] Hooker's position was made +strongly defensible, so that Bragg did not again venture to disturb +it, and the easy lines of supply for Chattanooga were opened. The +subsistence problem was solved. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE--END OF BURNSIDE'S CAMPAIGN + + +Departments not changed by Grant--Sherman assigned to that of the +Tennessee--Burnside's situation and supplies--His +communications--Building a railroad--Threatened from Virginia--His +plans--Bragg sends Longstreet into East Tennessee--Their +cross-purposes--Correspondence of Grant and Burnside--Dana and +Wilson sent to consult--Grant approves Burnside's course--Latter +slowly retires on Knoxville--The place prepared for a siege--Combat +at Campbell's station--Within the lines at Knoxville--Topography of +the place--Defences--Assignment of positions-The forts--General +Sanders killed--His self-sacrifice--Longstreet's lines of +investment--His assault of Fort Sanders--The combat--The +repulse--The victory at Missionary Ridge and results--Division of +Confederate forces a mistake--Grant sends Sherman to raise the siege +of Knoxville--East Tennessee a "horror"--Longstreet retreats toward +Virginia--Sherman rejoins Grant--Granger's unwillingness to +remain--General Foster sent to relieve Burnside--Criticism of this +act--Halleck's misunderstanding of the real situation--Grant's easy +comprehension of it--His conduct in enlarged responsibility--General +Hunter's inspection report. + + +One of the first questions which General Grant had to decide was +that of the continuance of the three separate departments of the +Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee. It was very undesirable to +concentrate the ordinary administrative work of these departments at +his own headquarters. It would overburden him with business routine +which need not go beyond a department commander. He needed to be +free to give his strength to the conduct of military affairs in the +field. It was also convenient to have the active army under a triple +division of principal parts. All these reasons led him to a prompt +determination to preserve the department organizations if the War +Department would consent. The very day of his arrival at Chattanooga +(October 23) he recommended Sherman for the Department of the +Tennessee and the continuance of the others. His wish was approved +at Washington, and acted upon, so that from this time to the end of +the war the organization in the West remained what he now made it. + +Before reaching Chattanooga, Grant had telegraphed to Burnside and +had received from him a detailed statement of the numbers and +positions of his troops. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. +i. pp. 680, 681.] Burnside also laid before him the dearth of +supplies and short stock of ammunition, with the great need of +clothing. Unless the railroad to Chattanooga could be fully +reopened, he suggested making a depot at McMinnville, where was the +end of one of the branches of the railway, from which the road to +Knoxville would be considerably shorter than from Kentucky. He also +informed Grant that he had taken steps to repair the wagon road from +Clinton in East Tennessee to the mouth of South Fork of the +Cumberland, the head of steamboat navigation when the stream should +be swollen by the winter rains. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iii. pp. 33, +34.] The problem of supplies for him was as difficult as for the +Cumberland army, and was not so soon solved. It grew more serious +still when the siege of Knoxville interrupted for a month all +communication with a base in Kentucky, in middle Tennessee, or at +Chattanooga. + +In reply to an inquiry from General Grant, Burnside, on the 22d, +[Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. 702.] gave his opinion as to the +relative importance of points in East Tennessee, pointing out that +unless communication with Kentucky were to be wholly abandoned, the +valley must be held nearly or quite to the Virginia line; Knoxville +would be the central position, and Loudon would be the intermediate +one between him and Chattanooga. In a dispatch to the President of +the same date, Burnside said that his command had been on half +rations of everything but fresh beef ever since his arrival in the +valley. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 701.] He also explained that he was +improving the wagon road along the line of projected railroad down +the South Fork of the Cumberland, so that sections of it could be +laid with rails and the wagoning gradually shortened. He had been +able to make an arrangement with the railroad company in Kentucky to +assume the cost of the extension of the line from the northward, and +by using his military power to call out negro laborers and to +provide the engineering supervision, was making considerable +progress without any money appropriations from Congress for this +specific purpose. The quartermaster's department had taken issue +with the general as to his authority to do this; but the President +and Secretary of War sanctioned his acts and would not allow him to +be interfered with. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxx. pt iii, +p. 787.] The work stopped when he was relieved of command; but so +long as he was in power, his clear apprehension of the vital +necessity of a railway line to feed and clothe his army kept him +persistent and indomitable in his purpose. The withdrawal of the +enemy southward from Chattanooga, and the conversion of that place +into a great military depot in the spring superseded Burnside's +plan, but he had been right in concluding that East Tennessee could +not be held if the troops depended upon supply by wagon trains. + +Grant had hardly reached Chattanooga when Halleck informed him that +it was pretty certain that Ewell's corps of 20,000 or 25,000 men had +gone from Lee's army toward East Tennessee by way of southwestern +Virginia. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 712.] There thus +seemed to be strong confirmation of rumors which Burnside had before +reported. Before the end of the month there were also signs of a +concentration south of Loudon, and the question became a pressing +one, what line of action should be prescribed for Burnside if the +Confederates should thus attack him from both ends of the valley. He +did not credit the rumor as to Ewell's corps, but began to think +that a large detachment from Bragg's army would attack him from the +south. It is curious to find the report rife that Longstreet would +march against Burnside, even before Bragg had issued orders to that +effect. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 718. Oct. +24.] Burnside himself proposed to take up the pontoon bridge at +Loudon, and move it to Knoxville, for both the Holston and the +Little Tennessee were now unfordable and would protect his flank +against small expeditions of the enemy. [Footnote: 2 _Id_., p. 756.] +His plan was to hold all the country he could and to concentrate at +Knoxville and stand a siege whenever the enemy should prove too +strong for him in the open field. Grant was not yet persuaded that +this was best, and wanted the line of the Hiwassee held for the +present, so that Burnside should draw nearer to Thomas rather than +increase the distance before the Cumberland army should be prepared +for active work in the field. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 770.] + +Bragg's order to Longstreet to march against Burnside was issued on +the 4th of November. [Footnote: _Id_. pt. iii. p. 634.] Railway +transportation was provided for the first stages of the movement, +but it was not efficiently used. Longstreet had no confidence in the +result of the expedition, as his correspondence with Bragg very +plainly shows. Stevenson's division of Hardee's corps was at +Sweetwater, the end of the railway at that time, and about a day's +march from the crossing of the Holston at Loudon. Ten days had been +wasted in getting Longstreet's corps to Sweetwater, and Bragg and he +each charged the other with the responsibility for it. Longstreet +asserted that he had been given no control over the railway, and +Bragg insisted that the control was ample. Then the former had urged +that Stevenson's division should be attached to his command, saying +this was his understanding at the start. Bragg replied that he never +had any such intention and that Stevenson could not be spared. +Longstreet retorted that with his present force it would be +unreasonable to expect great results. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 635-637, 644, 670, 671, 680, 681, 687: +Longstreet's Report, _Id_., pt. i. pp. 455, etc.] + +Meanwhile Sherman was hastening to Chattanooga, and the chances for +making the diversion against Burnside profitable to the Confederate +cause were rapidly diminishing. They soon vanished entirely, and +Grant's great opportunity came instead. Longstreet's corps consisted +of nine brigades of infantry in two strong divisions under +Major-General McLaws and Brigadier-General Jenkins, two battalions +of artillery aggregating nine batteries, and a cavalry corps of +three divisions and three batteries of artillery under Major-General +Wheeler. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 451, 454.] Besides these troops a +force was collected in the upper Holston valley to operate from the +northeast in conjunction with Longstreet and under his command. At +its head was Major-General Ransom, and it consisted of three +brigades of infantry and three of cavalry, with six batteries of +artillery. The column with Longstreet numbered 14,000 infantry and +artillery, and about 6000 cavalry. It was strengthened when before +Knoxville by Buckner's division about 3300 strong. Ransom's forces +numbered 7500. [Footnote: These numbers are taken from the official +returns for October 31st, except Wheeler's cavalry, which was not +then reported and is estimated. Longstreet's corps is given in the +tables, Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. ii. p. 656. Ransom's, +_Id_., pt. iii. p. 644.] On November 22d Bragg wrote to Longstreet +that nearly 11,000 reinforcements were moving to his assistance, but +of what these were made up (except Buckner's division) does not +clearly appear. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 736.] + +The information Halleck collected at Washington indicated that +Longstreet's column was a strong one, possibly numbering 40,000, but +he urged that Burnside should not retreat. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +145.] The National forces in East Tennessee consisted, first, of the +troops under General Willcox at Cumberland Gap and the vicinity, +4400; the Ninth Corps, Brigadier-General Potter commanding, 6350; +and part of the Twenty-third Corps, 7800, with two bodies of cavalry +numbering 7400. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. +811.] Willcox's troops and part of the cavalry were ordered to hold +in check the Confederates under Ransom, one brigade of cavalry under +Colonel Byrd was posted at Kingston to keep up communication with +Chattanooga, and the rest was available to meet Longstreet, either +in the field or behind intrenchments at Knoxville, as Grant should +direct. + +Longstreet's army was considerably overrated in the information +received from Washington, but not unnaturally. [Footnote: Halleck to +Grant, _Id_., pt. iii. p. 145.] It was assumed that he had with him +all three divisions of his corps, and it was not known that Walker's +division was detached. It had also been known that Stevenson's +division was at Sweetwater two or three weeks before Longstreet +assembled his forces there, and it seemed certain that it was the +advance-guard of his whole command. Indeed Longstreet himself +supposed so, and complained because it was not allowed to remain +with him. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 635.] Concluding, therefore, that +Burnside could not safely meet Longstreet in the field, Grant +proposed that he should hold the Confederates in check, retreating +slowly. He believed that in a week from the time Longstreet showed +himself at the Holston River, he could assume the aggressive against +Bragg so vigorously as to bring Longstreet back at speed and relieve +Burnside of the pressure. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 143; to Halleck, p. +154.] Bragg also expected this, and had ordered that the railway +connection should be maintained as far as possible, looking for a +crushing blow at Burnside and a quick reassembling of his forces. +The delays between the 4th and 14th of November had been fatal to +this plan, and it would have been the part of wisdom to abandon it +frankly. + +Neither the authorities at Washington nor Grant gave Burnside +credit, at first, for the cheerful courage with which he was ready +to take the losing side of the game, if need be, and thus give a +glorious opportunity to the co-operating army. His chivalrous +self-forgetfulness in such matters was perfect, when it was likely +to lead to the success of the larger cause he had at heart. To reach +a more perfect understanding than could be had by correspondence +Grant sent Colonel J. H. Wilson of his staff to Knoxville to consult +personally with Burnside. This officer was accompanied by Mr. Dana, +and their dispatches to Grant and to the Secretary of War give a +clear and vivid picture of the situation. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 258, etc; pt. iii. pp. 146, 154.] +Burnside clearly saw the importance of making his stand at +Knoxville, and proposed to fortify that place so that he could stand +a siege there. [Footnote: Burnside to Willcox, _Id_., p. 177. B.'s +Report, _Id_., pt. i. p. 273.] He proposed to draw back slowly from +the Holston at Loudon, tolling Longstreet on and getting him beyond +supporting distance of Bragg. When Grant should have disposed of the +weakened enemy in his front, he could easily drive Longstreet out of +East Tennessee into Virginia. Grant approved without qualification +the course taken by Burnside. [Footnote: Grant to Burnside, _Id_., +pt. iii. p. 177.] During the siege which followed, there was a good +deal of solicitude about Burnside, but it should be remembered in +justice to him that his own confidence never faltered and was fully +justified by the result. + +Prior to the visit of Wilson and Dana he had sent his engineer, +Captain O. M. Poe, to Loudon to remove the pontoon bridge before the +occupation of the south bank of the Holston by the enemy should make +it impossible to save it. The bridge had been made of unusually +large and heavy boats, and it was a difficult task to haul them out +of the water and drag them half a mile to the railway. The south end +of the bridge was loosened and the whole swung with the current +against the right bank, where the dismantling and removal of the +boats was successfully accomplished under the eyes of a cavalry +force of the enemy which watched the performance from the opposite +bank. The bridge was carried to Knoxville and laid across the +Holston there. Its size and weight proved to be great points in its +favor for the special use there, and it was of inestimable value +during the partial investment of the town. [Footnote: Poe's Report, +Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 294. Century War Book, vol. +iii.] + +On the 13th of November Longstreet brought up his own pontoons and +laid a bridge near Loudon, and the next day began a vigorous advance +upon Knoxville. Burnside had matured his plans, and opposed the +advance of Longstreet with one division, Hartranft's of the Ninth +Corps, and another, White's of the Twenty-third Corps. He was weak +in cavalry, however, and could only meet Wheeler's corps with a +single division under Brigadier-General Sanders. Burnside had +secured Sanders's promotion from Mr. Stanton when the Secretary was +at Louisville in October, in recognition of the ability and +gallantry shown in the expedition to East Tennessee in June and his +other services during the campaign. By giving Shackelford charge of +the cavalry operating in the upper valley and putting Sanders in +command of those resisting Wheeler, Burnside was sure of vigor and +courage in the leadership of both divisions. Longstreet kept Wheeler +on the left bank of the Holston, directing him to overwhelm Sanders +and move directly opposite Knoxville, taking the city by a surprise +if possible. But Sanders opposed a stubborn resistance, falling back +deliberately, and held the hills south of Knoxville near the river. +Wheeler was thus baffled, and returned to Longstreet on the 17th of +November. The absence of his cavalry had been a mistake, as it +turned out; for the Confederate infantry, after crossing at Loudon +to the right bank, had not been able to push Burnside back as fast +as Bragg's plans required, nor had they succeeded at all in getting +in the rear of the National forces. + +As soon as it was definitely known at Knoxville that Longstreet was +over the Holston, Burnside went to the front at Lenoir's to take +command in person. [Footnote: Burnside's Report, Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 273.] He left General Parke as chief of staff +in general charge of affairs at headquarters, with Captain Poe in +charge of the engineer work of preparing lines of defence connecting +the forts already planned and partly constructed. Wilson and Dana +stayed in Knoxville till the 15th, and then rode rapidly to the +westward, passing around Longstreet's columns and rejoining Grant at +Chattanooga on the night of the 17th, with latest assurances from +Burnside that he would hold Knoxville stubbornly. Longstreet's +tactics were to move one of his infantry divisions directly at +Burnside's position, while with the other he turned its flank and +sought to get to the rear. Burnside met the plan by the analogous +one of alternate withdrawals of a division, one holding the enemy at +bay while the other took post in echelon in the rear and opposed the +flanking column till a concentration could be made. + +At Campbell's Station Longstreet attacked with vigor, determined to +finish matters with the force before him. Ferrero's division of the +Ninth Corps had now joined. Hartranft repulsed an attack by McLaws, +whilst the trains and the division of Ferrero passed on, and Ferrero +took a strong position half a mile in rear covering the junction of +roads. White then retired and came into line on Ferrero's left. When +these were solidly in place Hartranft took an opportune moment to +withdraw and came into line on the left of White. The manoeuvres +were perfectly performed, and the fighting of our troops had been +everything that could be desired, meeting and matching Longstreet's +veterans in a way to establish the soldierly reputation of all. The +comparatively new organization of the Twenty-third Corps proved +itself equal to the best, and Burnside declared that he could desire +no better soldiers. The same tactics were continued through the day, +and Burnside followed the hard labor and the fighting of the day +with a night march which brought him to Knoxville on the morning of +the 17th. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 274, +275, 296.] He had personally handled his little army through the day +with coolness and success, and had raised to enthusiasm the +confidence and devotion of his men. Each side had a casualty list of +about 300. + +Wheeler had marched back along the left bank of the Holston half-way +to Lenoir's and crossed at Louisville, joining Longstreet again near +Knoxville on the 17th, as has been already stated. He now took the +advance and pressed sharply in upon the town. General Sanders had +been recalled by Burnside from the south, and entering Knoxville by +the pontoon bridge, passed out to the westward on the Loudon road, +meeting the enemy as he advanced, and gradually falling back to a +position a mile beyond the lines, where he made a stubborn stand and +held Wheeler at bay till night closed the combat. From the fortified +points about the city the cavalry engagement had been in full view, +and the heroism of Sanders and his men was in the presence of a +cloud of witnesses. They made little barricades of rail piles, and +though these were frequently sent flying by the cannon balls and +shells with which Alexander's artillery pounded them all day, they +held at nightfall the line Sanders had been directed to hold in the +morning, and had not given back an inch. [Footnote: Colonel O. M. +Poe, in "Century War Book," vol. iii. p. 737.] + +Knoxville was so situated that its outline was a sort of +parallelogram of high ground, averaging a hundred and fifty feet or +more above the river which ran along the town on the south. Two +creeks ran through the town in little valleys, and in the northern +suburbs where the land was much lower than the town it had been +practicable, by damming these streams to make inundations which +covered a considerable part of the northern front and added very +materially to the defences. At the four corners of the +parallelogram, enclosed works had been planned for use by a small +garrison, and these had been partly constructed. Captain Poe, the +chief engineer, had staked out infantry lines connecting these +forts, with epaulements for artillery at intervals, and work had +been hastened during the days from the 13th of November, as soon as +Burnside's plan of holding the city had been approved. When the +troops approached the city on the morning of the 17th, the position +for every brigade and every battery had been assigned, and officers +were in waiting to lead each to its place. All the infantry was put +in line except Reilly's brigade of the Twenty-third Corps, which was +placed in reserve in the streets of the town. [Footnote: Poe's +Report, Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 295.] + +The most important of the forts was at the northwest angle of the +works, upon a commanding hill. It was afterward called Fort Sanders +in honor of the cavalry commander who lost his life in front of its +western face. This work was planned as approximately a square with +sides of about a hundred yards and bastions at the corners. The +eastern front had not been completed, and was now left entirely +open, as the northern face connected with the infantry trench. The +ditch was twelve feet wide and about eight deep, and the parapet was +about twelve feet high, making its crest about twenty feet above the +bottom of the ditch. The berme usually left between the bottom of +the parapet slope and the ditch was cut away so as to leave no level +standing-place at the top of the scarp. This was the work which +Longstreet afterward assaulted. Its chief defect was due to the +situation and the contour of the ground around, which made its +position so prominent a salient in the lines that the flanking fire +was necessarily imperfect, leaving a considerable sector without +fire beyond the angle of the northwest bastion. The point of the +bastion was truncated, and a single gun put in the _pan coupé_. The +three other forts were less elaborate but of similar profile. + +As soon as the infantry took position, the men were set +industriously to work to strengthen the defences. The first infantry +trench between the forts had been a mere rifle-pit two and one half +feet deep with the earth heaped in front as it was thrown out, to +raise a parapet. Every hour made the line stronger, and work on it +was continued till nearly every part of it was a good cover against +artillery fire. The critical time was during the 18th of November, +when as yet there was practically no cover between the forts. The +cavalry was ordered to oppose the most determined resistance to the +establishment of close investing lines by the enemy, and Sanders set +his men a most inspiring example. He was a classmate of Captain Poe +at West Point, and on the night of the 17th he shared Poe's blanket. +Before dawn he went to the front, and passed from one to another of +the little barricades held by his dismounted troopers. The +Confederates increased the vigor of their attacks, and if any of our +men were driven back by the hot fire, Sanders would walk +deliberately up to the rail-pile and stand erect and exposed till +his men rallied to him. For hours he did this, and his life seemed +to be charmed, but about the middle of the afternoon he was mortally +wounded, and the screen he had so resolutely interposed between the +enemy and our infantry digging in the trenches was rolled aside. +[Footnote: Paper by General Poe in "Century War Book," vol. iii. p. +737.] The time thus gained had been precious, though it was bought +at so high a price. The lines were already safe against a _coup de +main_. [Footnote: Poe's Report, Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. +p. 296.] + +Longstreet's principal lines were north of Knoxville beyond the +railway and the station buildings. He also occupied a line of hills, +but pushed forward strong skirmish lines and detachments to cover +the making of intrenchments closer to the town. There were frequent +bickering combats, but no general engagement. The enemy made efforts +to destroy the pontoon bridge by sending down logs and rafts from +above. These were met by an iron cable boom stretched across the +river above the bridge, borne on wooden floats to keep it at the +surface. [Footnote: Century War Book, vol. iii. p. 739.] Several +efforts were made to drive Burnside's men from the hills covering +the town on the south side of the river, but they were defeated, and +communication was kept up with the valley of the French Broad River, +and supplies enough were brought in to make it certain that Burnside +could not be starved out, although the rations were reduced to the +smallest quantity and the fewest elements which would support life. + +A week passed thus, Burnside being shut off from all communication +with the outer world. The 25th of November came with the almost +miraculous storming of Missionary Ridge by the army under Grant at +Chattanooga. Bragg retreated southward and Longstreet had no longer +a possibility of rejoining him. Yet Burnside knew nothing of it, and +did not dream of the more than complete justification his slow +defensive campaign was having, in the tout and demoralization of the +Confederate army in Georgia in Longstreet's absence. The latter was +now forced to attack the fortifications or to raise the siege of +Knoxville. He knew, at least by rumor, what Burnside was ignorant +of,--not only the defeat of Bragg, but that a force was already +moving from Grant's army to the relief of Knoxville. Bragg had also +sent to him a staff officer with exhortations to prompt action. For +a day or two Longstreet tried to attract Burnside's attention to the +south of the river and to other parts of the lines, and then on the +28th prepared a desperate assault upon the great salient of Fort +Sanders. + +The artillery in the fort was under the command of Lieutenant Samuel +N. Benjamin, Second U. S. Artillery, whose battery of twenty-pounder +Parrotts had done good service at South Mountain and Antietam. The +infantry was of Ferrero's division of the Ninth Corps. There was a +slight abatis in front of the fort, and on the suggestion of Mr. +Hoxie, an officer of the railway, some old telegraph wire left at +the depot was used by Captain Poe to make an entanglement by +fastening it between small stumps of a grove which had been felled +along the slope northwest of the bastion at the salient. +Longstreet's plan of assault was to attack the northwest angle of +the fort with two columns of regiments, consisting of Wofford's and +Humphrey's brigades of McLaws's division. Anderson's brigade was to +attack the infantry trench a little east of the fort. Longstreet's +instructions were to make the assault at break of day on the 29th. +The columns were to move silently and swiftly without firing and +endeavor to carry the parapet by the bayonet. [Footnote: +Longstreet's Report, Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 461.] +The determined advance of the enemy's rifle pits by his skirmishers +in the night of the 28th gave warning of what was to be expected. +The morning of the 29th was damp and foggy, but the watchful pickets +detected the formation of the enemy's columns. About six o'clock the +Confederate batteries opened a heavy fire on the fort, which did not +reply, ammunition being too precious to be wasted. In about twenty +minutes the cannonade ceased and the columns moved to the assault. +The fire of our lines was concentrated upon them, and they lost +heavily; but they kept on, somewhat disordered by the entanglement +as well as by their losses, and came to the ditch. No doubt its +depth and the high face of the parapet surprised them, for they had +no scaling ladders. They jumped into the ditch and tried to scramble +up the slope of the earthwork. Some got to the top, only to be shot +down or captured. The guns flanking the ditch raked it with double +charges of canister. Shells were lighted and thrown as hand-grenades +into the practically helpless crowd below. Those who had not entered +the ditch soon wavered and fell back, at first sullenly and slowly, +then in despair running for life to cover. Those who remained and +could walk surrendered and were marched to the southwest angle of +the fort, where they were brought within the lines. + +The remnants of the broken columns were rallied behind their outer +lines, but no effort was made to renew the assault. They had done +all that was possible for flesh and blood. The casualties in the +assault had been about 1000, whilst within the fortifications only +13 killed and wounded were reported. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 277, 278, 344, 461, 487, 490, 519, 520.] +Buckner's division had joined Longstreet a day or two before the +assault, but took no active part in it. Their absence from +Missionary Ridge still further reduced Bragg's army, whilst it did +not give to Longstreet any practical benefit. The division of the +Confederate forces had thus proved to be a great military mistake. +Its only chance had been in a swift attack upon Burnside and a +prompt return, and this chance had vanished with the delays in the +railroad transportation of Longstreet's men to Sweetwater. Prudence +dictated that the expedition should be abandoned on the 13th of +November; but the fear of seeming vacillating, a weakness of +second-rate minds as great as vacillation itself, had made Bragg +order the column forward. Burnside's well-conducted retreat, on the +other hand, had lured Longstreet forward, and the patient endurance +of a siege had kept the enemy in front of Knoxville, and even led to +the further depletion of Bragg by the detachment of Buckner, giving +to Grant the very opportunity he desired. The good fortune of the +National commander culminated at Missionary Ridge. Soldiers believe +in good luck quite as much as in genius, and follow a leader whose +star is in the ascendant with a confidence which is the guaranty of +victory. Great opportunities, however, come to all. The difference +between a great soldier and an inferior one is that the great man +uses his opportunities to the full, and so fortune seems to be in +league with him. When Grant had driven Bragg back on Dalton, the +latter could realize what he had lost by his errors. It was now +impossible for Longstreet to rejoin him. It was even doubtful if +Wheeler's cavalry could do so. The whole National army was between +the widely separated Confederate wings, and nothing was left to +Longstreet but a humiliating march back to Lee by way of the upper +Holston and the headwaters of the James River. Pride delayed it, and +the depth of winter favored the delay; but it was a foregone +conclusion from the hour that Wood's and Sheridan's divisions +crowned Missionary Ridge. + +For two weeks there had been no communication between Burnside and +the outer world. Lincoln had been full of anxiety, but had found +some comfort in the reports from Cumberland Gap that cannonading was +still heard in the direction of Knoxville. It proved that Burnside +held out, and gave additional earnestness to the President's +exhortation to hurry a column to his relief immediately after +Grant's victory. Grant needed no urging. A report had reached him +that Burnside still was confident on the 23d, and had supplies for +ten or twelve days on the scale of short rations he was issuing. On +the very evening of his success he wrote to Sherman, "The next thing +now will be to relieve Burnside." He directed Thomas to detach +Granger's Corps, and this with part of the Army of the Tennessee +would make a column of 20,000 men to march at once for Knoxville +under Granger's command. Three days passed, and Grant, being +dissatisfied that the relieving column was not already far on its +way, directed Sherman on the 29th to take command in person and push +it energetically toward Burnside. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxi. pt. ii. pp. 45, 49; Sherman's Memoirs, vol. i. pp. 366, 368.] +Sherman immediately went forward, and on the 1st of December he was +over the Hiwassee River, approaching Loudon. He telegraphed Grant +that he would let Burnside hear his guns on the 3d or 4th at +farthest; but he added what throws much light on the feeling of +military men in regard to campaigning in East Tennessee. In his +frank and familiar style he said, "Recollect that East Tennessee is +my horror. That any military man should send a force into East +Tennessee puzzles me. Burnside is there and must be relieved; but +when relieved, I want to get out and he should come out too." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 297.] From a +strictly military point of view this was sound; but Burnside had +been sent there more from political than from military reasons, and +it was now too late to think of letting the loyal mountaineers +return under Confederate rule. + +Meanwhile at Knoxville Burnside was closely watching the evidences +of Longstreet's purposes and eagerly listening for news from +Chattanooga. On the 1st of December wagon trains began to move +eastward from the besiegers' camp, and on the 3d and 4th more of +them, so that it became probable that Longstreet was about to raise +the siege. In the night of the 3d Captain Audenried, Sherman's +aide-de-camp, came into Knoxville from the south, having made a long +circuit with a small body of cavalry, from Sherman's camp, which on +the night of the 2d was forty miles from the city by the direct +road. Colonel Long, commanding Sherman's cavalry, had selected part +of his best mounted men for the expedition, and Audenried had +accompanied him. The good news of Sherman's approach was thus made +certain, and it was evident that Longstreet's information was +earlier than Burnside's. The Confederate camps were evacuated on the +night of the 4th, and on the 5th Burnside, sending a detachment to +follow up Longstreet's retreat toward the east, sent one of his +staff with an escort in the other direction to meet Sherman. The +messenger from Burnside met the head of the relieving column at +Marysville, a day's march for infantry. Sherman halted his little +army, and wrote Burnside that he felt disposed to stop, "for a stern +chase is a long one," since Longstreet had retreated. He rode in to +Knoxville the next day and consulted with Burnside. He was evidently +dubious of any advantage from a pursuit of Longstreet, and +Burnside's disposition was to avoid urging any comrade to undertake +an unpleasant task for his sake. He therefore cordially assisted +Sherman in solving his doubts in favor of taking back all his troops +except Granger's Fourth Corps, and wrote a letter of warm thanks for +the prompt march to his relief, adding his opinion that the Fourth +Corps would make him strong enough to meet Longstreet, and that it +was advisable for Sherman to rejoin Grant with the rest. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. ii. p. 36.] This was accordingly +done, and Sherman was free to give his attention to a winter +campaign toward the Gulf, from which he hoped important results. + +Granger did not relish the prospect of a protracted absence from the +Army of the Cumberland, and protested in vigorous and long +dispatches to Thomas, to Grant, to Burnside, to Sherman, and later +to Foster, [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iii. pp. 358, 365, 391-393; +Sherman's Memoirs, vol. i. p. 368.] but with no effect, except that +Grant was displeased with his original reluctance to march to +Burnside's relief as well as with these protests. The result showed +itself in the spring, when Granger was relieved from the command of +the corps, which was conferred upon Howard. + +The raising of the siege brought Burnside into communication with +Cumberland Gap, and he learned that Major-General John G. Foster was +at Tazewell, under orders to relieve him of the command of the +department. This was in apparent accord with the wish which Burnside +had expressed, [Footnote: _Ante_, vol. i. pp. 527, 528.] but as +action had been postponed it was reasonable to expect that further +consultation would be had before he should be relieved, and that +Grant's judgment would be asked in regard to it. After the +controversies which followed the battle of Fredericksburg, Halleck +was habitually unfriendly to Burnside, and we have seen how +uniformly a wrong interpretation was given to the events of the +current campaign. Foster's appointment to succeed Burnside was dated +the 16th of November, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. +iii. p. 166.] and he had been in Kentucky or near Cumberland Gap +during the siege of Knoxville. The day the order was made relieving +Burnside was that on which he was battling with Longstreet at +Campbell's Station, holding him at bay in the slow retreat upon +Knoxville, where he arrived on the 17th. On this morning Grant was +writing him, "So far you are doing exactly what appears to me +right," [Footnote: _Id_., p. 177.] and this was written after the +receipt of Dana and Wilson's full dispatches of the 13th and 14th, +as well as Burnside's of the 13th. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 138.] Yet so +strangely was the same information misread by Halleck, that on the +16th he was telegraphing Grant that Burnside was hesitating whether +to fight or retreat out of East Tennessee. "I fear he will not +fight," he added, "although strongly urged to do so. Unless you can +give him immediate assistance, he will surrender his position to the +enemy." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 163. This dispatch of Halleck seems to +have been called out by one of Dana to Stanton on the 14th in which +he said, "Burnside has determined to retreat toward the Gaps." +(Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. 259.) Halleck failed to +interpret this in connection with one of the 13th in which Dana had +stated alternate lines of retreat, "if finally compelled," and +Burnside's judgment in favor of the line of Cumberland Gap in such +last resort rather than toward Kingston. (_Ibid_.) Dana had fully +conveyed, however, Burnside's determination to hold Knoxville "as +long as possible," and his reasons for making a stubborn fight +there. By failing to keep this in mind, the Secretary and +General-in-Chief became unnecessarily agitated, and forgot in their +conduct what was due to Grant almost as much as what was due to +Burnside.] On the next day Burnside entered Knoxville, where +fortifications had been hurriedly built, and the siege began. The +heroic defence of Knoxville lasted three weeks, and when Longstreet +withdrew toward Virginia, the successful general learned that he had +been removed from command at the very moment he was completing, with +Grant's unqualified approval, the preparation for that stubborn +resistance which saved East Tennessee and averted the "terrible +misfortune" which Halleck feared. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iii. p. +145.] The importance of holding East Tennessee, now that it had been +liberated, was urged upon the War Department by Burnside from the +beginning. He had pointed it out when ordered to abandon it and +march to Rosecrans's assistance. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxx. pt. +iii. p. 904.] So far from hesitating to fight Longstreet, Dana found +him determined to "expose his whole force to capture rather than +withdraw from the country." [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxi. pt. i. p. +260.] It was not till Mr. Dana's later dispatches were received that +the misapprehensions were corrected at Washington. Then the story of +the occupation and defence of East Tennessee was explained, and +justice was done the wisdom of the general's course as well as his +patriotic and unselfish spirit. A part of the trouble had been due +to the fact that after Grant reached Nashville Burnside's +correspondence was with him, and, in accord with military usage, he +dropped direct correspondence with Washington, except when addressed +from there. + +It was too late, however, to undo what had been done. Foster was in +Kentucky, carrying forward into East Tennessee such detachments as +could be picked up. He reached Knoxville on the 10th of December, +and the next day Burnside turned over the command to him, and +started for Cincinnati by way of Jacksboro and Williamsburg. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 372, 384.] The +President was most hearty in his approval of Burnside's conduct when +once he understood it, and insisted that after a brief rest he +should again enter into active service. Congress passed strong +resolutions of thanks to him and to his troops, [Footnote: _Id_., +pt. i. p. 281.] and it began to be understood that the campaign had +been a creditable one. + +It was in such a command that Burnside appeared at his best. The +independence of his campaign gave full play to his active energy, +whilst the bodies of troops were not so large as to prevent his +personal leadership in their combats. In a great army he was at a +disadvantage from lack of true system in handling great and +complicated affairs when he was in chief command; and if his +position was a subordinate one he lacked the sort of responsibility +which called out his best qualities, and he was therefore liable to +become the formal intermediary for the transmission of orders. In +such cases, too, he was in danger of suffering from faults of +subordinates whom his kind heart had permitted to retain important +positions for which they were not fit. When acting immediately under +his eye, he could give them energy and courage which they would lack +when left to themselves. The sore spot in his experience in 1864 was +the failure to make full use of the explosion of the mine at +Petersburg, and the Court of Inquiry made it clear that the fault +lay with inefficient subordinates. One of the most prominent of +these was said to have stayed in a bomb-proof instead of leading his +command. But the same officer had done the same thing in Fort +Sanders at Knoxville, as had been officially reported by Captain +Benjamin, the Chief of Artillery; [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxi. pt. i. p. 344.] and Benjamin was an officer of such military +and personal standing that a court-martial should certainly have +investigated the case. A mistaken leniency brought bitter fruit. + +The campaign had been a new test for General Grant also, and it is +instructive to follow him in grasping the details of his enlarged +responsibility. When communication with Burnside became difficult +and infrequent, he gave orders to Willcox at Cumberland Gap and to +subordinates of Burnside in Kentucky and Ohio. He provided for +starting supplies to Knoxville by all practicable routes as soon as +the siege should be raised. He cut trenchantly through pretences +where he thought a lack of vigorous performance was covered up by +verbosity of reports. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iii. p. 233.] He was +quietly but easily master, and showed no symptom of being +overweighted by his task or flurried by the excitements of a +critical juncture in affairs. He does not impress one as brilliant +in genius, but as eminently sound and sensible. His quality of +greatness was that he handled great affairs as he would little ones, +without betraying any consciousness that this was a great thing to +do. He reminds one of Wellington in the combination of lucid and +practical common-sense with aggressive bull-dog courage. Some +telling lines, developing his traits as he appeared to a critical +observer, are found in a dispatch of General David Hunter to the +Secretary of War, giving a report of his visit to Chattanooga where +he was sent to inspect the army. Hunter was one of the oldest of the +regular officers in service, knew thoroughly Grant's history and +early army reputation, and his words have peculiar significance. +Grant had received him with a sort of filial kindness, making him at +home in his quarters, and opening his mind and his purposes to him +with his characteristic modesty and simplicity of manner. Hunter +says: "I saw him almost every moment, except when sleeping, of the +three weeks I spent in Chattanooga.... He is a hard worker, writes +his own dispatches and orders, and does his own thinking. He is +modest, quiet, never swears, and seldom drinks, as he took only two +drinks during the three weeks I was with him. He listens quietly to +the opinions of others and then judges promptly for himself; and he +is very prompt to avail himself in the field of all the errors of +his enemy. He is certainly a good judge of men, and has called +around him valuable counsellors." He naively adds: "Prominent as +General Grant is before the country, these remarks of mine may +appear trite and uncalled for, but having been ordered to inspect +his command, I thought it not improper for me to add my testimony +with regard to the commander." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxi. pt. iii. p. 402.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +AFFAIRS IN DISTRICT OF OHIO--PLOT TO LIBERATE PRISONERS AT JOHNSON'S +ISLAND. + + +Administrative duties--Major McLean adjutant-general--His loyalty +questioned--Ordered away--Succeeded by Captain Anderson--Robert +Anderson's family--Vallandigham canvass--Bounty-jumping--Action of +U. S. Courts--of the local Probate Court--Efforts to provoke +collision--Interview with the sheriff--Letter to Governor +Tod--Shooting soldiers in Dayton--The October election--Great +majority against Vallandigham--The soldier vote--Wish for field +service--Kinglake's Crimean War--Its lessons--Confederate plots in +Canada--Attempt on military prison at Johnson's Island--Assembling +militia there--Fortifying Sandusky Bay--Inspection of the +prison--Condition and treatment of the prisoners. + + +In the sketch I have given of the campaign in East Tennessee, I have +reached the time when I joined the Twenty-third Corps in front of +Knoxville, and became part of the organization with which my +fortunes were to be united till the end of the war. It is necessary, +however, to go back and pick up the threads of personal experience +during this autumn of 1863. + +The arrangement of the business of the department which I have +mentioned [Footnote: _Ante_, vol. i. p. 492.] gave me some work in +addition to that which properly belonged to the District of Ohio and +Michigan. I did not appear officially in it, but under Burnside's +instructions to his adjutant-general on leaving Cincinnati, the +questions arising in daily administration were submitted to me, and +on my advice current orders were issued in Burnside's name. This +kept me in close communication with the general personally as well +as officially, and made me aware of the progress of events more +perfectly than I could otherwise have been. The adjutant-general in +charge of the Cincinnati headquarters was Major N. H. McLean, an +experienced officer of the regular army, and most systematic and +able in his administrative duties. He was punctilious in his +performance of duty, and was especially averse to having his +military conduct seem in any way influenced by political motives. +Like many other officers of the army, he made his devotion to his +government as a soldier the basis of all his action, and disclaimed +any interest in politics. But in the summer of 1863 politics in Ohio +became too heated to allow any neutrality or even any hesitation in +open declarations of principle. Vallandigham was a candidate for +governor, although an exile under the judgment of the military +court. Local politicians were not always discreet, and some of them +demanded avowals of Major McLean, which he refused to make, not +because of any sympathy with Vallandigham's partisans, but because +he thought it unbecoming his military character to submit to +catechising. This was enough to condemn him in the eyes of those who +literally enforced the proverb that "he that is not for us is +against us," and they sent to the War Department a highly colored +statement of McLean's conduct, accusing him of disloyalty. Mr. +Stanton, in his characteristic way, condemned him first and tried +him afterward. The first we knew of it, an order came sending McLean +off to the Pacific coast,--to Oregon, I believe. General Burnside +protested, and warmly sustained the major as a loyal man and able +officer; but the mischief was done, and it was months before it +could be undone. Indeed it was years before the injury done him in +his professional career was fully recognized and a serious attempt +was made to recompense him. + +When Major McLean was thus removed, the business of his office fell +into the hands of Captain William P. Anderson of the +adjutant-general's department, who issued the orders and conducted +the correspondence in General Burnside's name. The captain was a +nephew of General Robert Anderson, and though the general had no +sons himself, his near kinsmen gave striking evidence of the earnest +and militant patriotism of a loyal Kentucky stock closely allied to +a well-known Ohio family. The roster of the members of the family +who saw military service is an exceptional one. [Footnote: Colonel +Charles Anderson, brother of the general, was in Texas when the +Civil War began, but abandoned his interests there, and coming back +to Ohio was made colonel of the Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, which he +led in the battle of Stone's River, where he was wounded. He was in +1863 made the Union candidate for lieutenant-governor on the ticket +with John Brough, whom he succeeded as governor when Brough died in +1865. + +Colonel Latham Anderson, son of Charles, graduated at West Point in +1859 and became a captain in the Fifth U. S. Infantry and colonel of +the Eighth California Volunteers. His war service was mostly in New +Mexico and on the frontier. + +Larz Anderson, another brother of the general, was represented in +the War of the Rebellion by five sons who had honorable records: (1) +Nicholas Longworth Anderson was adjutant, lieutenant-colonel, and +colonel of the Sixth Ohio Infantry. He was severely wounded at +Stone's River and Chickamauga. He left the service at the close of +the war as brevet-major-general. + +(2) William Pope Anderson enlisted as a private in the Sixth Ohio +Infantry, became sergeant-major and second lieutenant. He was then +appointed assistant-adjutant-general with rank of captain. He was +slightly wounded in the battle of Shiloh. + +(3) Edward Lowell Anderson was first lieutenant and captain in the +Fifty-second Ohio Infantry. He was wounded at Jonesboro, but +continued in service to the end of the war. + +(4) Frederick Pope Anderson was first lieutenant in the One Hundred +and Eighty-first Ohio Infantry. + +(5) Larz Anderson, Jr., was a mere lad, but served without +commission as volunteer aide-de-camp on the staff of +Brigadier-General N. C. McLean. + +William Marshall Anderson, of Chillicothe, Ohio, another brother of +the general, had two sons in the war service: (1) Thomas McArthur +Anderson was captain in the Fourteenth U.S. Infantry, and after the +war became its colonel, and later a general officer in the +Philippines.] + +Including the general himself, his brother Charles, and the nephews, +ten kinsmen supported the flag of the country in the field. Such a +family record is so remarkable as to be worthy of preservation. + +To return to the affairs of our military administration of the +department and district, the situation was complicated by the fact +that Vallandigham had openly declared a purpose to return to Ohio +during his candidacy. I did not hesitate to let it be known that +upon his doing so, the alternative in his sentence would be +enforced, and that he would be sent to Fort Warren for imprisonment. +Mr. Pugh, who had been induced to accept the nomination for +lieutenant-governor with him, made a visit to Windsor, in Canada +(opposite Detroit), where Vallandigham met him. The result of the +conference was that Vallandigham remained quietly in Canada till the +election was over, leaving it to his friends to make as much +political capital out of his exile as they could. + +As evidence of the fierceness of the passions roused among his +partisans, a few significant facts may be mentioned. The +conscription law had led, as we have seen, [Footnote: Henry Reuben +Anderson was second lieutenant in the Forty-third Ohio Infantry, +captain in the Sixth U.S. Volunteer Infantry, and after the war was +transferred to the Fourth U.S. Artillery as first lieutenant.] to +wholesale frauds in the form of "bounty-jumping." It was of course +the duty of the military authorities to prevent this by arresting +deserters and holding them to military service and discipline under +their enlistment. A common form of fraud was for a well-grown young +man to offer himself as a recruit, take the oath that he was of +lawful age, receive the hundreds of dollars of bounty, and then +bring forward his parents to claim him as a minor enlisting without +their permission. We always recognized promptly the authority of a +writ of _habeas corpus_ from the Federal courts in such cases, and +the judges examined the recruit and his friends carefully, to detect +a fraudulent conspiracy if there was one. If the case appeared to be +free from collusion and the evidence of minority sufficient, an +order of release was made, conditioned on the repayment to the +government of the bounty received and the expenses of the +proceeding. + +The depot of recruits for the army was on the south side of the +river in Kentucky; but in any case that was not palpably fraudulent +I directed the officers in charge to bring the recruit to +Cincinnati, where Judge Leavitt's writ could reach him, and to +submit the case to the United States District Court. The following +letter will illustrate this, being one addressed by me to General +Tillson, who commanded in Covington, which, with the region within a +radius of some fifteen miles, was part of my district:-- + +"HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF OHIO, CINCINNATI, + +9th September, 1863. + + +GENERAL,--Judge Leavitt of the United States District Court called +this morning with a Mr. Eckmann, who wishes to get his son, a minor, +out of the First Heavy Artillery. The boy is named Summerfield +Eckmann, and is in Company C. As you have stated to me that it is +practicable to fill up the place of minors and invalids as fast as +they can be got rid of, I would like to have the case looked into at +once, and unless some reason unknown to me exists, have him sent to +report to Colonel Boone at Kemper Barracks, where the writ from the +Federal Court may be served. By agreement with the father, if the +judge should discharge him, the bounty will be paid back, and you +will please send a statement of what amount was paid and how his +account with the government stands. + +Very respectfully, your obed't serv't, +(Signed) J. D. Cox, +B. G. Commanding. + +Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson, +Com'g, etc., Covington, Ky." + + +All honest and deserving cases could be satisfactorily disposed of +in this way. But the fraudulent "bounty-jumpers" wanted nothing so +little as a full investigation before the United States Courts. +These cases, therefore, if they appeared in court at all, would be +brought before local judges supposed to be prejudiced against the +government and who would not require restitution. To prevent this, +the War Department issued instructions based on the decision of the +United States Supreme Court in Ableman v. Booth, in which Chief +Justice Taney had delivered the opinion. These instructions directed +that in cases arising under the conscription and recruiting laws, +the writ of habeas corpus should be obeyed only when issued by +United States courts. With full knowledge of these instructions and +of the Supreme Court decision which had been a party shibboleth in +the fugitive-slave cases before the war, the Probate judge of the +county seemed bent on provoking a collision with the National +authorities. His court was, among courts of record, that of inferior +jurisdiction in the county, and the higher courts gave us no +trouble. A letter which I wrote to Governor Tod at the close of +August so fully gives the details of the matter and of the view I +then took of it, that I prefer to let it stand as my statement of +it, rather than any paraphrase I could now make. I said:-- + +"I have the honour to call your attention to a persistent effort on +the part of the Probate Judge of the county to produce a collision +between the sheriff and posse of the vicinity and the United States +government. + +"You have probably noticed the newspaper accounts of a habeas corpus +case before Judge ------ some time since, in which the writ was +issued to Lieutenant-Colonel Boone, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio +Volunteer Infantry, commanding at Kemper barracks in this city, +directing him to bring before the court one Hicks, held as a +deserter from the army. + +"In accordance with instructions from the War Department, based upon +the decision of Chief Justice Taney in the case of Ableman v. Booth, +Lieutenant-Colonel Boone answered in writing, stating that the man +was held by the authority of the United States as a deserter, and +that, without intending any disrespect to the court, it was +impossible for him to deliver the prisoner to the officers of a +State court. Lieutenant-Colonel Boone further attached to his answer +and made part of it the instructions from Washington and the order +of Major-General Burnside promulgating the same, and it was thus +made matter of record in the court that the case was one directly +affecting the government of the United States. The judge was also +notified by counsel that it was the purpose of the Federal officers +to take the case to the courts of last resort should his decision be +in accordance with that which he had rendered in other cases, and +that the matter would thus, without doubt, be ultimately determined +by the judicial decision of the highest courts having cognizance, +and that there could be no occasion for collision between himself +and the military authorities. + +"The judge issued an attachment against Lieutenant-Colonel Boone for +contempt, and directed Major-General Burnside to be made party to +the record. General Burnside answered in a similar manner to Colonel +Boone. The court made no personal order in General B.'s case, but +directed the sheriff of the county to arrest Lieutenant-Colonel +Boone and bring him before the court. The sheriff went to Colonel +Boone's quarters and was there informed that the writ could not be +executed, as, under orders received, the military authorities would +not permit it. The sheriff so made return to the court, and has, as +he informs me this morning, been again directed peremptorily by the +judge to execute the writ at every hazard. + +"The sheriff came to me to know what would be our course if he +should raise the posse comitatus in obedience to the writ. My answer +was that the United States forces would use no aggression, but that +I wished him and the judge to understand distinctly that the writ +could only be executed by overpowering the United States troops in +open fight, and that it became all concerned to consider well before +they became overt traitors by levying war against the Federal +government; that I should regard them as public enemies at the first +overt act and use the utmost vigor against them; and that after +suppressing any disturbance they might create, my first duty would +be to arrest the judge and himself and hand them over to the United +States courts to be tried for treason. I likewise expressed my +surprise that in a matter which was avowedly an undisguised attempt +to bring the State authorities into open conflict with the National +government, he had not appealed to the governor of the State, its +chief executive (he being himself but a subordinate), for +instructions. As he professed embarrassment as to his duty, I told +him I would state what in my opinion a loyal sheriff should do in +such a case; and that was to make a written return upon the writ +saying that it could not be obeyed without levying open war against +the United States, and was therefore returned unexecuted.... In view +of the circumstances, I have thought best to lay the matter before +you, that you may, if you see proper, direct the sheriff to take no +steps calculated to bring the State and National authorities into +collision, without full communication with and instruction from +yourself as chief executive. I have no concern as to the success of +any forcible attempt upon Colonel Boone, but regard it as very +desirable that no such attempt should be made, and especially that +it should not be precipitated, without your knowledge, by the action +of the Probate Court of this county in overruling a decision of the +Supreme Court of the United States. + +"I shall forward a copy of this letter to the Secretary of War for +his information, and have the honor to remain," etc. + +There were some amusing incidents connected with the sheriff's +embarrassment which could not properly appear in my letter to the +governor. Both he and the Probate judge were candidates for +re-election, and it seemed certain that the aggressive Vallandigham +faction in the party would control the nominations in the party +convention. In such excited times extreme men are almost sure to +take the lead. The sheriff saw very clearly that there was nothing +profitable to him in a forcible attack upon the United States troops +in barracks, and knew that a call upon the _posse_ would be +responded to by nobody but ruffians of the criminal class who might +like an opportunity to gather as a mob with a pretext of lawful +authority. He complained to me with a comical distress that the +judge had taken advantage of him to gain with the extremists of his +party the credit for bold defiance of the government, whilst he, the +sheriff, was left to bear the brunt of the real danger. I had told +him in an earlier interview that if he called out the _posse_ it +would be his duty to lead it in person, and had intimated that I +should direct the soldiers to save bloodshed by carefully marking +the leaders in an attack. I now suggested that if he should inform +the judge that he should summon him first as one of the _posse_ and +require him to march beside him, he would probably find the zeal for +a collision diminished. + +Whatever were the reasons which controlled, there was no _posse_ +summoned, and I heard no more of the arrest of Colonel Boone. Both +judge and sheriff lived to look back upon the episode in their lives +with other feelings than those which excited them nearly to +desperation in that singular political campaign. It was not always +easy to draw a satisfactory line in dealing practically with such +powdery elements and social conditions as those of 1863, but the +best results seemed to come from carefulness not to provoke +unnecessary collision with political prejudices and not to interfere +with personal liberty more than was necessary, whilst showing +inexorable firmness in carrying out such measures as we had to +adopt. Two cases which arose in Dayton made it necessary to +distinguish between two possible courses, and though there was a +good deal of difference in judgment among loyal men I thought the +event fully justified us in that which we pursued. + +The arrest of Vallandigham had left a certain class of people in +Dayton on the verge of violent outbreak. A mob had wrecked the +publishing office of the Union party paper, and we had kept a small +garrison at the city to preserve the peace, The "roughs" of the +place were insolent to the soldiers and their officers, and it +required firm discipline to keep our men as patient as we wished +them to be. One day a wrangle began, and one of the city "rowdies" +pulled a pistol and fired upon a soldier. We arrested the criminal, +but whilst we held him, an indictment was found against him in the +local court, and he was demanded by the civil authorities for trial. +We knew very well that in any jury of that county enough partisans +of Vallandigham would be found to prevent a conviction, but I +ordered the man to be delivered up. This was pretty sharply +criticised by the more ardent Union men, but I answered that it was +necessary to find out whether justice could be administered by the +civil authorities before applying military rule. + +The delivery of the man was no doubt looked upon as an act of +timidity, and it was not long before we had a repetition of the +offence. I had taken pains to have the garrison at Dayton carefully +instructed that they must be patient and cool, avoiding every +provocation, but if attacked, the aggressor must be punished on the +spot. In the second case, the man who drew his weapon was instantly +shot down. There was now a demand for the soldier to be tried by the +local civil court; but I said that the boot was on the other foot. +The charge against the soldier was for an act performed in the line +of his military duty, and of this our military courts had +cognizance. The case was investigated by a military tribunal and the +man justified. The result was every way satisfactory. Assaulting +soldiers lost its attractiveness to town bullies, and the case in +which the civilian had been left to the action of the civil courts +was a standing proof of the inefficiency of those tribunals in +matters where partisan passions entered, and where the unanimity of +a jury was consequently impossible. + +The State election occurred in October, and although there had been +great fears of rioting and bloodshed, these fears were happily +disappointed. There had been enough of the preliminary education as +to the relations of the military authorities to the preservation of +the peace, to make it generally understood that disturbances would +be dangerous. The soldiers were, however, kept carefully out of +sight except as they exercised their personal right to vote. They +were under arms at their barracks, and no leaves of absence were +given. These precautions were all that was needed. In Cincinnati the +election was said to be one of the quietest and most orderly ever +known. The people seemed to appreciate the gravity of the situation +and to realize that it must be soberly and thoughtfully met. Hosts +of men who would willingly have been in opposition to the +administration party on questions of economy or of details in the +conduct of the war declined to vote for Vallandigham, whose +utterances had been the great matter of debate during the canvass, +and whose disloyalty being thus brought home to the voters in every +neighborhood, had repelled all but the most passionate of his party +friends. John Brough, the Union party candidate, himself a "war +democrat," was elected governor by an unprecedented majority of over +a hundred thousand. The soldiers' vote had helped to swell this +majority, and as returns had to be made from polling-places opened +for each Ohio regiment in the field, there was considerable delay +before the extent of the political victory was fully known. The home +vote was enough for every practical purpose, and it, of course, was +known at once. The returns from the army vote kept adding to the +majority, and gave, day by day, a new stimulus to political +interest, one party rejoicing over the unanimity of the country's +defenders, and the other affecting to see dangers of military +despotism. For this reason it was fortunate that the soldiers' vote +was not necessary to decide the election, and that without it +Brough's triumph went beyond any ordinary measure of party success. + +The remarkable result of the election was felt throughout the +country as an indication of renewed determination of the people that +the war must be fought out to the complete crushing of the Rebellion +and the restoration of the Union. There was a noticeable +crystallization of public opinion after it. Reasonable men in the +defeated party found it easy to accept conclusions which were backed +up by so great majorities. Agitation was quieted, and there was an +evident disposition to acquiesce in what was so evidently the +popular current. + +My aversion for the anomalous position of a military commandant out +of the actual field of war had not been lessened by my experiences +of the summer, and both directly and indirectly I renewed my +requests for a field command. I had been told that the Secretary of +War awaited only an opening which would permit him to assign me to +duty with the advanced grade which had been given me after Antietam, +and I had been advised, in a way that seemed authoritative, to wait +patiently for this. It became evident in the autumn that such +waiting was likely to be profitless as well as wearisome. A regular +army officer had a backing in the _esprit de corps_ at the +departments, and Halleck was watchful to give the full weight of his +official influence in favor of such a one. It was, perhaps +naturally, assumed that a volunteer would be assisted by political +friends, and if he did not make use of such influence he would fall +between two stools. After my first appointment I was never aware of +receiving any help from these personal influences, and had gotten +whatever recognition I had from my immediate commanders in the +field. Burnside had intimated that if Hartsuff's ill health should +make that officer retire from the command of the Twenty-third Corps, +he would assign me to it in the expectation that the corresponding +rank would then be conferred by the President. If I have any regret +respecting my own action in seeking active duty, it is that I did +not ask for the command of one of the divisions in the corps on the +movement into East Tennessee. It was Burnside's wish that I should +remain in Cincinnati and I acquiesced; but I have had a lingering +belief that my influence with him would have helped decide him to +remain in the West had I been with him in Knoxville in October and +November. Be that as it may, I was fully determined after the Ohio +election was over to cease looking for anything more than a field +command, according to my present rank, and to be urgent till I +obtained it. + +In this year the first volume of Kinglake's "History of the Crimean +War" was published, and reading it in the intervals of other duty in +Cincinnati, I found in it lessons of hope and confidence in our +armies that were to me both stimulating and encouraging. It would +not be strange if an English soldier should feel that Kinglake was +quite too frank in his revelation of the mistakes and +discouragements which attended England's first military operations +after the "forty years' peace." But it was precisely this +photographic realism and unreserve which gave the book its peculiar +value. I found Lord Raglan and his subordinates intelligent men, +feeling their way through doubts and mistakes to a new experimental +knowledge of their task. I compared them and their work with what I +had seen in our own service when a great army had to be organized +and put in the field and everything had to be created anew. I saw +that we had been no worse off than our neighbors, and that our +tuition in the school of experience had gone on quite as rapidly as +theirs. I thanked Kinglake in my heart for telling us that Raglan +tested what he was doing by asking himself how "the Duke" would have +done had he been there. It was only another way of applying the +lessons of past experience to the present duty; but it seemed +peculiarly human that the English general in the perplexities of his +troublesome problem in the Crimea should summon up the shade of +Wellington and ask how the practical soldier of the Spanish +Peninsular War would act were he deciding for his old staff officer +what he must do at the Alma or in front of Sebastopol. + +The student of military history sees that the weak points in the +British army on the peace establishment had been that systematic and +continuous preparation for active war had not been insisted on. It +needed the organizing genius of Roon and Moltke in the Prussian army +to make such a mobilization as that of 1866 and that of 1870, and to +show what is possible in preparing an armed host to take the field. +Preparation for war has had a totally different meaning since those +campaigns, and the start of a day or two in reaching the field was +shown to involve the winning and losing a great campaign. As matters +stood in 1854, however, the great military powers of Europe should +be considered as having only the raw material of armies as they had +depots of military stores, and true organization in every department +had to be effected after a declaration of war. Studying it in 1863, +it seemed to me that the only advantage England or France would have +had over us at the outbreak of the Rebellion would have been in the +greater number of men partly drilled and the greater quantities of +arms and ammunition in store. Kinglake taught us that others would +have had to go through most of the discouragements we had +experienced, and that our aptitude in learning had been perhaps +greater than theirs would have been. His unreserved disclosure of +the errors and the miseries of the siege of Sebastopol was +infinitely more instructive than any history which hid the +humiliating facts and covered all with the glamour and glory of the +final success. His faithful dealing was in the line of true +discipline, though the reading of his story must have been a sore +chastisement of spirit for many an English soldier and statesman. It +was more effective than the comments of any "war correspondent," +however capable; for it was free from every suspicion of +unfriendliness, and was written with the fullest access to official +evidence. I cannot help believing that the book was no small factor +in the general movement in Europe toward a much more scientific +comprehension and a much better practical mastery of the elements of +army organization and administration in times of peace. + +But what I am quite sure of is that its perusal was a source of +great comfort and encouragement to me in the midst of our own +struggle; because it assured me, as I compared Raglan's experience +with ours, that we had not gone so far astray in learning our +lesson, and were not so completely on the dunces' bench, as I had +been disposed to fear. We had plenty of blunders to confess, and +there was no room for over-confidence; but the book prompted every +earnest soldier among us to believe that we could make still better +use of our experience, and to feel bolder in relying on his own +judgment and courage in drawing new expedients from our peculiar +circumstances and in developing new adaptations of military science +to our own campaigns. Staff schools cannot turn out great generals +to order, and the man who leads will continue to be more important +than any other element of an army; but no leader can work well with +dull and antiquated tools, and the present generation can hardly see +a great war begun with so little adequate preparation for it as was +common before our great civil strife. + +On the 9th of November the humdrum routine at my district +headquarters was interrupted by a dispatch from the officer +commanding at Detroit, Michigan, giving warning of what was more +explicitly reported in one of the 10th, saying that he was +positively informed that within forty-eight hours two armed steamers +would attack Johnson's Island and release the prisoners held there. +[Footnote: Official Records, series ii. vol. vi. pp. 491, 495, 635.] + +The military prison at Johnson's Island was built for the +confinement of Confederate officers who had been captured in battle, +and their number was so large that to release them would be an +enterprise of no little importance, if successful. The island lay in +Sandusky Bay, within a few hours' sail of several Canadian ports. +Its garrison consisted of a single regiment which had all the +employment it needed to furnish the ordinary prison guards, and +would be entirely too weak to oppose any considerable force +attacking from without, especially as it would be prudent to assume +that such an attack would be accompanied by an outbreak of the +prisoners within. + +I immediately communicated with Governor Tod and with the Commissary +of Prisoners at Washington, Colonel Hoffman, and on the same day +sent a battery of three-inch rifled cannon and 500 newly raised +recruits to Sandusky. I telegraphed the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings, our +consul-general at Montreal, asking what he could learn in Canada as +to the threatened expedition. He thought it was the mere "bombast" +of Confederate emissaries and refugees in the Canadian provinces, +and made light of it. On the 12th, however, the Secretary of War +telegraphed me that Lord Lyons, the British ambassador, confirmed +the report, and directed me to take energetic action to defeat the +expected raid. The dispatch reached me at nine o'clock in the +morning, and as it would be necessary to consult with the governor +and get him to call out a force of State militia, I telegraphed him +that I would go to Columbus on the half-past-ten train from +Cincinnati, and asked him to be ready to call out the militia as +soon as I could see him. I then sent messages to the commandants of +militia regiments near the railway line, requesting them to call out +their men at once in anticipation of an order from the governor to +proceed to Sandusky. I also communicated with my subordinates in +command at Detroit, Sandusky, and Columbus, giving a hint of my +purposes. Finding I was likely to be late at the railway station, I +sent a message to Mr. Woodward, the superintendent of the Little +Miami Railroad, asking him to hold the train for me. The train had +gone when the message reached him, but he ordered out an extra +locomotive, and when I reached the station it was under orders to +overtake the regular train. With an aide-de-camp I mounted the +locomotive, and we were off at speed. The train was overtaken at +Xenia, half-way to Columbus, and I was able to keep my appointment +with the governor. + +It happened that there was at this time a plot also to take the camp +of military prisoners at Columbus, indicating a wide-spread scheme +among the Confederate prisoners in Ohio, and General Mason, who +commanded there, did not think it would be safe to reduce his +garrison. The governor acted at once upon my suggestion, and ordered +out the militia regiments which I had warned before leaving +Cincinnati. My regular train had gone on, but Mr. Woodward had +provided for a special one from Columbus, and we were soon speeding +on in the hope of making the connection with a train going West on +the Lake Shore Railway. The connection was made, though it became +necessary to make what was then regarded as extraordinary speed to +do it. Over one stretch of the road we ran twenty miles in eighteen +minutes by the watch, and our average rate was high enough to make +it a noteworthy journey. I reached Sandusky at midnight, and found +reports of the militia regiments already on the way, and that the +hostile expedition had not yet left Canada. + +There is always a considerable amount of business labor connected +with the sudden assembly of new troops in a city like Sandusky. +Provision must be made for quarters and for their subsistence. The +militia were not like troops accustomed to take the field, and were +not provided with tents. The autumn was well advanced, and severe +winter weather was likely to come at any time. Competent officers +had to be selected to take responsible charge of each of the supply +departments, including arms and ammunition. A battery of +Parrott-rifled cannon was ordered to report to me as well as some +heavy coast artillery. The first organization of means to look after +the coming troops and the artillery being made, the next duty was a +personal reconnoissance of my field of operations. A gentleman put +at my disposal a small sailing yacht of light draught, and with a +good crew and a fresh breeze the principal points of the lower bay +were visited, including Johnson's Island. + +Sandusky Bay is the largest land-locked body of water connected with +Lake Erie. It is some twenty miles long by three or four wide, its +length running east and west, and narrow tongues of land separating +it from the lake. The mouth of the bay is about a mile wide, but the +water is quite shallow except in the narrow channel, which is +sinuous and runs very close to Cedar Point, the extremity of the +long, low sandy cape which separates the eastern part of the bay +from the open water. A lighthouse on the point and range lights near +it give direction to vessels approaching, which run from the +northwest, head on, till they seem almost ashore at the foot of the +lighthouse tower, when they turn sharply to the southwest, the +channel being zigzag up to the city, which lies on the southeast +shore. It did not need a second glance to determine that Cedar Point +was the place to fortify, and that batteries there would rake any +vessel approaching the harbor, as well as on its way in, if it +should succeed in passing the point. + +Johnson's Island lies a mile or two inside the entrance to the bay +on the western side. A narrow channel separates it from the land on +that side, which is a high rocky peninsula called Marblehead. The +island had been cultivated as a farm, containing a hundred acres or +more, with some pleasant groves amid the fields, and with a gently +undulating surface which gave it an agreeable variety and a +picturesque appearance. The landing at the island was on the bay +side, three or four miles from the city wharves. If a hostile force +should land on the peninsula at Marblehead, it could not reach the +island by reason of the channel which separates it from the land on +the west. The only chance of success for such a raid was to make a +surprise of it before Cedar Point could be fortified, to enter the +bay and land a force sufficient to overpower the prison garrison +before it should be reinforced. + +Under the terms of the treaty with Great Britain, our navy was +represented by a single vessel of war on Lake Erie, the steamer +"Michigan," which carried a battery of eight or ten guns. She was +ordered to Sandusky to co-operate with me at the same time that I +was directed to go there. She was commanded by Captain John Carter, +a bluff and hearty seaman of the old school, whom I found cordially +ready to work with me in the most perfect harmony and mutual +understanding. I lost no time in transporting my two rifled +batteries to Cedar Point, and throwing up hasty earthworks to cover +them. From the moment they were in position it was certain that no +unarmed steamboat could enter the harbor. A part of my infantry was +encamped in rear of the batteries, covered by a grove of evergreen +trees, near enough to support the guns if an effort were made to +land there. The rest of the infantry was assigned to increase the +garrison on Johnson's Island itself. The news had spread that there +was a concentration of our forces at Sandusky, and by the time we +were ready for an attack the raiders were well aware that their +plans had failed. + +Their project had not been a hopeless one if they could have kept it +secret, but that was almost impossible. The leaders in it were +commonly reported to have been some of Morgan's men who had made +their way to Canada when he was captured. By the aid of Confederate +agents they had procured the means to organize a considerable band +of adventurers, and had chartered two steamboats which were to meet +them at the mouth of the Detroit River. The assembly of such a body +of men attracted the attention of the Canadian authorities, and +information was sent to Lord Lyons at Washington. Our officers at +Detroit also got wind of it, and employed the police and detectives +to ferret out the facts. The raiders had assembled, and the boats +were ready, when, on the 14th of November, they learned that their +plans were exposed and the chance to succeed was lost. The less +eager ones were quick to abandon the enterprise, and the bolder +spirits found themselves reduced to a handful. So they scattered, +threatening to try it again at some more convenient time. + +As soon as the work of preparation at Cedar Point was well under +way, I accepted the invitation of Captain Carter to make a +reconnoissance in the "Michigan." We sailed out of the harbor and +made the tour of the beautiful group of islands known as the Bass +Islands, in the midst of which is the little harbor of Put-in-Bay. +We were on the classic ground where Perry had won his naval victory +in the War of 1812, and although we found no trace of the threatened +raid, the circumstances which took us there added to the interest +with which we examined the scene of Perry's glory. On my return I +reported to the Secretary of War that all present danger had passed, +and asked to be allowed to send the militia home. The weather had +become stormy, and the State troops naturally became impatient when +the need of their continued exposure seemed to be at an end. They +were soon allowed to go, but it was wisely determined to put the +heavy guns in a fortification on the island, where they could +command the entrance to the bay and yet be so connected with the +permanent garrison as to avoid the establishment of two camps with +the necessary increase of expense as well as numbers. + +This delayed me a fortnight at Sandusky, and the delay was quite as +unwelcome to me as to the militia. I had been away from Cincinnati +but a few days when I received a dispatch from General Burnside, +saying that if I was still minded to accept a field command he +thought he could give me one of his corps. As this was exactly what +I had been wishing for, it will be easily believed that I chafed at +the circumstances which seemed to tie me to the shore of Lake Erie +when I longed to be on my way to East Tennessee. I laid the matter +before the War Department by telegraph, and begged to be allowed to +go. Mr. Stanton answered on the 22d that I could not yet leave +Sandusky. I hurried the work to be done there with all possible +energy, so as to remove the cause of delay, and on the 3d of +December was gratified to learn that the order had been issued +directing me to report in person to the general in command at +Knoxville. I was not informed that I should not find Burnside there +when I should arrive, and assumed that my work at Sandusky was the +only cause of delay in my orders to go; but I was soon to learn of +other changes which I did not anticipate. + +My stay at Sandusky gave me the opportunity to make an inspection of +the military prison at Johnson's Island, and I availed myself of it. +As only officers were confined there, the high average intelligence +and character of these would of course show itself in their personal +habits and in their methods of employing the time, which hung heavy +on their hands. In all such situations the energy and hopefulness of +the individual are the best guaranty for continued good health, +whilst ennui, listlessness, and idleness are the pretty sure +forerunners of melancholy and homesickness, which lead to serious +maladies. It would be hard to find a more salubrious site for a camp +than Johnson's Island. Naturally well drained, diversified with +grove and meadow, open to the breeze from every quarter, washed by +the pure waters of Lake Erie, it is to-day, as it was then, a +beautiful and attractive spot. The winter there is not usually +severe. The vast body of water comprising the Great Lakes modifies +the climate and tempers it so that the autumn is generally prolonged +and pleasant. Winter begins late, but is apt to be changeable and +disagreeable, and a raw and backward spring, with chilling winds off +the frozen waters, is the part of the year most to be dreaded. +Native Ohioans insist that there is no climate more wholesome and +pleasant than this lake-shore belt, which is now the land of +continuous vineyards and peach orchards. A native of the Gulf States +would, however, find its winter and spring severe and trying, more +from sudden changes than from any extremely low temperature. Taking +it all in all, it is probable that no place for a prison camp could +be found in the Northern States which would be liable to fewer +objections. + +The prison itself was constructed in the manner which seemed +simplest and cheapest. A large square on the sloping hillsides was +surrounded with a high wooden fence. On the outside of this, near +the top, was a gallery or balcony supported on brackets. + +This was the walk for the sentinels, and from it they had a +commanding view of the interior of the enclosure. Sentry-boxes, +looking like turrets, were at the corners and at intervals on the +sides. Within, the barracks for the prisoners were on the west or +northwest side, leaving the larger space open in front for exercise. +The buildings were of pine boards, roughly but well constructed, so +that they were dry and tight. Rows of bunks ran along the sides, +filled with beds of straw. The shelter and accommodation was +decidedly better than that which we made for our own troops at Camp +Dennison, our first camp of instruction. Through most of the year +there was no ground for complaint. In winter, and especially on +winter nights, it would be impossible to keep up anything like a +steady temperature, and the thin shell of the building would soon +chill through in a nipping and frosty air. We had to meet this +difficulty in all winter quarters for troops, and there seemed to be +no way to remove it. If one could be heavily clad, it was generally +more healthful to endure a steady low temperature, than to meet the +alternations of heat and cold which came of the replenishing and +dying out of the fires in stoves during the long winter night. As +many men have many minds, it was almost impossible to secure +anything like system in a long shed-like building occupied by a +little democracy of hundreds of persons. + +The food was plain but good in quality, similar to the army ration, +and at the time of my visit was abundant. I took occasion to go +through the barracks unattended by the officers of the garrison, and +encouraged the prisoners to make known any complaints. There were +practically none that were not necessarily incident to the position +of a prisoner of war in actual confinement. The loss of liberty, the +weary pacing of the enclosure in front of their barracks, the lack +of interesting occupation, home-sickness, and general +discomfort,--these were the ills of which they spoke. Among the +prisoners was General Jeff. Thompson, of Missouri,--the ranking +officer among them, as I recollect,--and I sought an introduction to +him and talked with him in regard to the prison life. He was +depressed and ailing, though not consenting to go into hospital, and +spoke feelingly of the discouraging monotony and ennui of their +existence, but made no complaint of the administration of the prison +in any way. To be exchanged was the burden of their wishes and +prayers, and in this every one with ordinary human sympathies must +feel with them. Games of chess, draughts, dominoes, and cards were +their indoor amusements, and some of the more energetic kept up an +attempt at regular out-door exercise. + +It happened that the chief surgeon of the camp was an old neighbor +of mine, Dr. M. C. Woodworth, and I questioned him closely as to the +medical and sanitary condition. He was a man of the highest +character in his profession and as a citizen. I had absolute +confidence in his uprightness as well as his ability. His statements +fully corroborated the conclusions I drew from my own observation. I +was fully satisfied that the garrison administration was honest and +humane, and that the prisoners suffered only such evils as were +necessarily incident to confinement in a narrow space, and to life +in temporary barracks of the kind used in all military camps. + +I learned that those prisoners who had means of their own were +permitted to open private accounts with merchants and bankers in the +city of Sandusky, and had little difficulty in increasing their +physical comforts in many ways. Since the war I have conversed with +business men of that town who personally knew of these arrangements, +and who have given me details of remittances and credits furnished +to prisoners, and of some considerable investments made for them. A +certain surveillance was necessary in such cases to give assurance +that no unlawful advantage was taken of such opportunities, but +there was very little if any reason to believe such leniency was +abused. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A WINTER RIDE ON THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS + + +Ordered to East Tennessee--Preparation for a long ride--A small +party of officers--Rendezvous at Lexington, Ky.--Changes in my +staff--The escort-A small train--A gay cavalcade--The blue-grass +country--War-time roads--Valley of the Rockcastle--Quarters for the +night--London--Choice of routes--Longstreet in the way--A turn +southward--Williamsburg--Meeting Burnside--Fording the +Cumberland--Pine Mountain--A hard pull--Teamsters' chorus--Big Creek +Gap--First view of East Tennessee--Jacksboro--A forty-mile +trot--Escape from unwelcome duty--In command of Twenty-third +Corps--The army-supply problem--Siege bread--Starved +beef--Burnside's dinner to Sherman. + + +The order of the War Department directing me to report in person to +the general commanding in East Tennessee was issued on the 2nd of +December. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 314.] +It was to take effect when I should have completed my duties at +Sandusky, but as I had pressed all my work forward to completion +some days before, in the expectation of the order, I was prepared to +leave at once. A copy of the order was telegraphed to me on the 3rd, +and I left for Cincinnati the same evening. On reaching the district +and department headquarters, I learned that Burnside was relieved, +and that General Foster had passed through the city, going on toward +East Tennessee to assume command of the department. Longstreet +raised the siege of Knoxville the very day I reached Cincinnati, but +this was not yet known, and several days passed before we had +authentic information that the way to Knoxville was open. There was +work to do in closing up the business of the district, packing +papers and books pertaining to my headquarters, and providing for +their safe-keeping. A number of officers belonging to Burnside's +command were waiting an opportunity to rejoin the army, and I +arranged a rendezvous for these at Lexington, Ky., where I would +join them. A small troop of cavalry was detailed to act as our +escort, and the quartermaster's department promised wagons for our +baggage and supplies. On the 8th the news of Longstreet's retreat +indicated that the road through Cumberland Gap to Knoxville was +probably open, and sending our horses and baggage to Lexington by +railroad, I left Cincinnati with my staff on Wednesday, the 9th, for +the same place. Reaching there at evening, the next day was spent in +packing our wagons and organizing our little party, and the +cavalcade marched out of the pretty town of Lexington early on the +11th. + +My staff was not altogether the same as it was in my Virginia +campaigns. I had lost my friend, Surgeon Holmes, by death. He had +been assigned to duty with me in Cincinnati, but his lungs had +become diseased through exposure in the field, and he had died of +consumption a few weeks before. My aide Captain Christie was +similarly affected, and resigned to prolong his life. He ultimately +died of the illness thus contracted. My aide Lieutenant Conine was +appointed colonel of one of the new colored regiments, and went with +it to Virginia. Major Bascom, my adjutant-general, Major Treat, my +commissary, and Lieutenant Theodore Cox, my aide-de-camp, were +ordered to accompany me, and were all that remained of my old staff. +In the place of Conine I secured the detail of Captain E. D. +Saunders, assistant-adjutant-general, who had served temporarily on +my staff during the preceding season. He was the son of an old +resident of Cincinnati, an excellent officer in his department as +well as a gallant soldier, and he remained with me in closest +relations till he fell by my side in the Atlanta campaign in the +following year. His assignment as aide-de-camp was out of the usual +course, but it was allowed in view of the contingency that Major +Bascom could not remain with me if I should not continue in command +of an army corps. In this case Saunders would become my +adjutant-general, and this was what in fact occurred a little later. + +At Lexington I found a group of ten or a dozen officers who were +eager to join my party in the ride over the mountains. The one of +highest rank was Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Strong of General Foster's +staff, who had been allowed a short leave of absence when his chief +started for the West, and was now hastening back to duty. I found a +ground for pleasant acquaintance with him in his relationship to +Bishop Bedell of Ohio, a venerated friend of mine as long as he +lived. Colonel Strong was a brother of Mrs. Bedell, and was a +refined and cultivated gentleman. Lieutenant-Colonel James T. +Sterling of the One Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry was also on his +way to join his regiment at Knoxville. He had been a captain in the +Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with me in my first +campaign in West Virginia, where I had become attached to him for +his military as well as his personal character. He became my +inspector-general in the field. Captain D. W. H. Day, assistant +quartermaster, was also en route to the Twenty-third Corps in the +field, and was directed to take charge of our little train. His +unbounded energy and his power to surmount obstacles so impressed me +that on our reaching Knoxville I had him also assigned to permanent +duty with me in his department. The others passed out of the circle +of permanent acquaintances when the journey was over, but they were +all pleasant travelling companions, and one or two of them would +have been remarkable anywhere for their wit and cheerfulness. It was +as happy and jolly a party as one need wish for in a rough ride of a +couple of hundred miles over the mountains. + +Our escort turned out to be only twenty horsemen instead of a full +troop, but these were enough for protection against mere marauders, +and we had to take the chance of meeting organized bodies of the +enemy. Four army wagons were furnished us. One of these was loaded +with oats for our horses, and carried the personal baggage of the +cavalry troop. Another was loaded with ordinary army rations. A +third was devoted to mess supplies of the officers of the party, and +as we were going into a country wasted by war and almost +famine-stricken, we each tried to carry with us a small stock of +choice provisions which might eke out a little comfort to the mess. +The fourth wagon carried our personal baggage. Captain Day had +carefully selected strong and serviceable horses for the teams, and +the wagons were minutely inspected to see that they were fit for the +mountain work in a wilderness where wheelwrights could not be found. +It was our purpose to get both forage and provisions on the road if +we could buy them, and to save the stock in our wagons for a time of +necessity or to carry as much as possible into Knoxville. + +I had telegraphed to Burnside as soon as I reached Cincinnati, +formally reporting myself as under his orders for duty in the field +by permission of the Secretary of War. I expressed my regret to hear +of his leaving the command, and urged my assignment to duty before +he laid down his authority. No answer to my dispatch was received, +and the fact was that full communication with Burnside by the +Cumberland Gap route was not opened till the 9th of December, so +that my letter was among the correspondence received by Burnside the +day he turned over the command to Foster. Another cause of +uneasiness to me was the change of department boundaries made in the +order assigning General Foster to command. The States north of the +Ohio were separated from the department, and I was apprehensive that +other changes might occur which would make me fall between two +stools. That there was danger of just such disappointments turned +out to be very true. My anxious determination to get forward to +Knoxville with the least possible delay was justified, and I had +reason to congratulate myself on acting promptly upon it. + +Our cavalcade presented a gay appearance as we marched out of +Lexington on Friday morning. There were twelve or fifteen officers, +all well mounted and followed by a group of servants riding and +leading our extra horses. Part of the cavalry troop led the way, the +guidons fluttering in the van. Behind us came an ambulance and the +army wagons with clean white canvas covers and well-groomed teams of +four horses each, driven in army fashion by a driver astride of the +near wheel-horse, a mounted wagon-master superintending the whole. +The little column was closed by a squad of the cavalry acting as +rear-guard. There had not been any severe winter weather as yet, and +though the road was sloppy, the sun was bright overhead, and its +beams flashed from our side-arms and equipments. Our first day's +ride was to take us to Richmond, a thriving town twenty-five miles +away, the county-seat of Madison County, and a good turnpike road +made this an easy day's journey. We were in the rich blue-grass +region, and though all of central Kentucky showed the marks of war's +ravages, this region was comparatively unscathed, and the beautiful +rolling country was neither abandoned nor untilled. Horses and +cattle were noticeably few, for raids like Morgan's had been +frequent enough to teach the peril of having flocks and herds to +tempt the enemy. Farmers gave more attention than before to +agriculture proper and the raising of crops which would directly +support the family. There was nothing dispiriting in the view of the +country on this first day's ride, and though a winter landscape can +hardly be exhilarating when it is leafless and bare, gray, and a +little sombre in color, we found ourselves under no stress of +sympathy with misfortune or want, as is so often the case with the +soldier. + +On leaving Richmond our really rough work began. The roads would +have been bad enough at any time, but the hard use by army trains in +bad weather and the entire lack of repair had made them execrable. +All the ordinary methods of keeping highways in order by local +administration were suspended by the war, and the only work done +upon them was what each wagon-master could do with his drivers to +mend the worst places so that his train could get through. As we +could not be sure of finding food for man or beast on the road, it +was necessary to gauge our speed by the distance our wagons could +make, so that we should not be separated from them. About twenty +miles a day was the maximum, and though we sometimes got a little +further, there were days when our journey was much less. South of +Richmond and on the border between Madison and Rockcastle counties, +we crossed Big Hill, the first of the outlying ranges of the +Cumberland Mountains. These great ridges are nearly parallel to each +other, and even the "gaps" in them are so high that there is always +a long and hard pull for wagon teams in surmounting them. Over the +summit we came down into the valleys tributary to the Rockcastle +River. Twenty or twenty-five miles away another summit marks the +boundary between this valley and the principal depression in which +the Cumberland River finds its devious course to the south and west. +The rocks are sandstone through which the Rockcastle River has cut +deep gorges and chasms, and the weathering of the cliffs has left +the strata and crevices exposed with so much of the regularity of +layers of masonry as to tell at once the story of the impression +made on the early explorers of the region, and the suggestion by +Nature herself of a name for the beautiful stream that dashes along +to join the Cumberland many miles below. + +Our second day's journey ended far from any village or tavern, in +this romantic valley. A pouring rain had begun about noon, and we +plodded and splashed along till we reached a large log house which +seemed a convenient halting-place as far advanced as our wagons +could be brought. The house belonged to a thrifty widow. Half of it +was simply furnished, and in this part she and her children lived. +The other half was a large unfurnished room with the walls of hewn +logs and a great fireplace of stone in the middle of the long side +of the room. Out of this opened a little bedroom, a mere closet, in +which the spare bed for guests was placed. The widow put these two +rooms at our disposal. A roaring fire was soon burning on the +hearth, our saddles and horse trappings were arranged on the sides +of the room to serve as pillows, and blankets were brought in from +the ambulance. Supper was got, partly from our own stores, cooked +with the help of the family, and we were early ready for bed. The +guest chamber was assigned to me, but it was so small that for the +sake of ventilation the door was kept open, and the ruddy firelight +flashed upon as picturesque and as merry a group as one could wish +to see. A weary day in the saddle made all of us ready for sleep, +and quips and jokes soon died out as one after another seemed to +drop off into forgetfulness. The physical fatigue of the day made +one of the party develop a phenomenal capacity for snoring in his +heavy sleep, and in the quiet his nasal trumpeting grew more +pronounced. It proceeded by phrases, as it were, each effort +stronger than the preceding, till a fortissimo passage came and +ended with a snort which echoed through the room and was followed by +perfect silence. From the corner of the room came a drawling voice +with a sigh as of deep relief, "Thank God _he's_ dead." The shout of +laughter which followed showed that nearly all had roused themselves +for the _finale_, and the badgered performer of the music lost much +of the real comfort of his night's rest by his fear of committing +himself to a complete oblivion which might subject him to another +chaffing bout from his companions. + +Another wet and uncomfortable day's ride brought us to London, an +unattractive village at the parting of the ways, the principal road +leading on to Cumberland Gap, and another on the right going to a +ford of the Cumberland River at Williamsburg, where there would be +again a choice of routes up the Elk Fork of the Cumberland between +the ridges known as Jellico Mountain and Pine Mountain. The left +wing of Burnside's column had taken this route in October, and after +crossing the Cumberland had climbed Jellico Mountain on their right +hand, and reached the headwaters of Emory River, a tributary of the +Tennessee which breaks through the mountains at Emory Gap, the +easiest route into East Tennessee. Another road kept in the valley +of Elk Fork till a place was reached where Pine Mountain, on the +left, could be scaled, and once over its summit a hard road led to +Big Creek Gap in the Cumberland Mountains, and thence by way of +Jacksboro to Knoxville. + +At London we were met with news from East Tennessee which made me +reconsider the question of our route. We heard from Cumberland Gap +that after General Foster had joined Burnside at Knoxville, +Longstreet had moved in force to Rutledge, where he intercepted this +line of communication, and that Knoxville could not be reached by +that road for some time to come. This seemed to make it necessary to +turn off to the south. As between the road to Emory Gap over Jellico +Mountain and that to Big Creek Gap over Pine Mountain, the best +evidence seemed to indicate the latter as the easier, but with the +qualification which travellers in so wild a region have often to +face, that whichever way you go you will wish you had gone the +other. The name of Williamsburg on the Cumberland sounded as if it +might be a considerable town, but the man who gave us the route +warned us that we should find "it's not much of a 'burg neither when +you git thar." Our ride into London had been on Sunday, and was +surely a work of necessity if not of mercy. Captain B. had found his +horse a little shaky in coming down the steep hills, and at one +little stream the jaded beast came down on his knees in the water. +The captain with affected seriousness argued that it was a +punishment for travelling on the day of rest, but was effectually +silenced by the wag of the party, who humorously remarked, "Ah! if +your horse is so weak on Sunday what would have become of him and +you on a week day?" London did not afford us any lodgings that +tempted us indoors, and we wrapped ourselves in our blankets and +slept on the open veranda of a dilapidated house, building a +camp-fire in the yard in front. The rain had ceased, and we +preferred the frosty air to the narrow and stuffy quarters we should +otherwise have had to take. + +The evening of the 14th of December brought us to the Cumberland +River, and as it was rising from the heavy rain of the preceding +week, we should have been glad to get over at once, but the wagons +could not overtake us till night, and we stopped at a country-house +on the north side where we were made quite comfortable. About one +o'clock in the morning, however, I was awakened by voices in the +room below me, and recognized that of Captain French of Burnside's +staff, who was asking the farmer to light a fire and prepare to +receive the general and his party, who were a little behind, wet and +nearly frozen. I got up and dressed myself, went downstairs to greet +the captain, who was soon joined by the rest of the party. The +general had come by the route I was taking, but his wagons had +broken down on the mountain-side, and he had been obliged to abandon +them. The party had picked up somewhere an old-fashioned stage-coach +on thorough braces, and this was drawn by ten mules. They had packed +on the backs of other mules such of their personal effects and +stores as they could, and had left the rest by the roadside. They +had halted for the night on the south side of the river, but at +midnight had been roused by the news that the river was rising, and +that they must pass the ford at once if they expected to get over. +In the darkness of the night it had been both difficult and +perilous, for the ford was diagonal to the course of the stream, and +there was great danger of getting into deep water. They were all +soaking wet and chilled, covered with mud, and as forlorn and +unkempt a set of men as was ever seen. They warmed and partly dried +themselves by the fire, and pushed on as soon as day began to break, +for the general was impatient to get forward. Colonel Goodrich, +Colonel Richmond, Major Van Buren, and the personal staff were with +him, and as my own staff had been well acquainted with them, it was +an interesting rencounter with all the events of the Knoxville +campaign to discuss. The general had sent his proposal to me to join +him, the very day Longstreet reached the Holston River at Loudon, +and when it had become evident that the Confederates were committed +to an active campaign in East Tennessee. General Hartsuff had found +that he could not endure the work, and had decided to leave before +Knoxville should be invested. My regret that I could not start at +once was diminished by the fact that the investment was complete +before I could possibly have reached Knoxville, so that no time had +been lost. But all the circumstances showed that Burnside had +regarded his request to be relieved as indefinitely postponed, and +the appointment of General Foster to succeed him was unexpected. He +had not heard that I was on my way, but after meeting me sent a +dispatch to Foster as soon as he reached the telegraph line. He had +informed Foster at Knoxville of his purpose in having me join him, +and sent this message in a friendly wish to promote my interests. + +As soon as the general and his party were off, we began our +preparation to cross the river. Their experience had shown that the +increase of difficulty in keeping the ford at night was more than +would probably come from the rise of the water. I therefore ordered +everything to be ready as soon as it was broad daylight. We had +eaten our breakfast and were in the saddle as soon as we could see +clearly. Captain Day carefully examined the ford with a few of the +cavalrymen, and fixed the landmarks which would guide us to the +shallowest places. With these precautions and by carefully following +directions we got over without mishap. The water did not quite reach +the bodies of the wagons, and by lifting our feet out of our +stirrups we got over dryshod. The stream was swift, and the only way +to keep one's direction safely was to look ahead and not downward. +Had we tried it in the night, we should no doubt have fared as badly +as our friends who had preceded us. + +A day's hard journey for the wagon teams brought us to the foot of +Pine Mountain at the point where the road leaves the bed of Elk Fork +to climb the steep ascent. We were now only nineteen miles from +Jacksboro, in the valley of the Clinch, but the distance was +multiplied by the cumulating difficulties of the way. We were not +far from Cross Mountain, a ridge which, as its name indicates, +connects the long parallel ranges of Jellico, Pine, and Cumberland +mountains. We must climb Pine Mountain to its crest, descend along +the shoulders of Cross Mountain near the head of the valley, then +scale the side of Cumberland Mountain to reach Big Creek Gap, from +which the valley of East Tennessee would open before us. We camped +for the night and prepared for an early start in the morning. The +teams were well fed and groomed, and the whole equipment was +carefully inspected to see that everything was ready for the strain +of the rough work of the morrow. + +The morning of the 16th was fair and frosty, and we were astir +early. Pine Mountain loomed before us like the steep roof of some +vast gothic cathedral. The ridge seemed as straight as a house +ridge, and we could not see that any natural depression made the +ascent much easier in one place than another. Our road ran up a spur +of the mountain till the regular slope was reached, then turning to +the right it gradually mounted the steep incline by a diagonal +course on a long shelf cut in the hillside, with here and there a +level spot on which the teams could breathe. From where we stood in +the valley the mountain face looked precipitous, and the road a mere +line gradually rising along its front. It would have been bad enough +if it had been a metalled road in good order; but it was only a +rough track alternating in mud and rock, that had never been good +even in mid-summer, and it was now next to impassable. Under the +direction of Captain Day and the wagonmaster the teams were doubled, +two of the wagons being left in the valley till the others should +reach the summit, when the teams were to be brought back. When they +came to the long and hard pull, the drivers gave us a good sample of +army wagoning, their yelling and cracking of whips keeping up a +continual chorus, and at specially hard points the quartermaster and +wagon-master joined in the music like the baying of a pack of +hounds, while the horses seemed to be stimulated to almost frantic +action. This could not be kept up long, and when one of the level +breathing-places was reached all subsided into quiet, while the +steaming and puffing horses regained their wind for another effort. + +Five miles of advance was the utmost we could make on that day, but +this was fifteen for the teams, as they had to be brought down the +mountain over the same road and drag up the wagons which had been +left at the foot. Our party of cavaliers waited lazily in the valley +till the first of the wagons were near the summit, and then rode on +to overtake them on the other side of the ridge. It was an easy and +picturesque ride for us who were well mounted, but a wearing labor +and strain for the teamsters and their animals. We congratulated +ourselves on the care with which the "outfit" had been selected at +Lexington, for we came through without accident on a road where +wrecks were plentier than milestones. + +We had sweet slumber that night in the keen air of the mountain top, +and were ready for the last day of mountain work. We were fourteen +miles from Jacksboro, and were resolved to reach the little town +before night. The road was unlike the long inclined plane cut in the +side of Pine Mountain. We were in the midst of a mass of irregular +stony hills, all of them part of the highlands between the summits +of the two ranges. It was hard and rough work, but we were not +obliged to double the teams again. The last ascent of the Cumberland +Mountains toward Big Creek Gap was over bare rock much of the way, +the sandstone strata lying horizontal, and the road being a gigantic +staircase in which the steps were sometimes a foot each, but oftener +more, with an occasional rise of fully four feet in the edge of the +rocky outcrop. In the road the sharp edges of these stairs had been +rounded off, partly by wear and a little by mechanical means, but +they distinctly retained the stair-like character and looked +absolutely impracticable. At the worst places the teamsters would +halt and throw together stones or branches of trees to fill the +angle in the rock, then mounting, a whoop and a crack of the whip +was the signal for the team to dash at the obstacle. The horses' +shoes would strike fire from the level rock of the long "treader" +above, the wagon would be bounced up the step, when a little bit of +level would bring them to another rise in the staircase. We +zigzagged along as the road sought the easiest places among the +rocks, and perseverance at last had its reward when we crowned the +summit and looked down into the broad and beautiful valleys of the +Clinch and the Holston, the lovely tributaries which form the +Tennessee River. + +Our first look into Big Creek Gap was a startling and pleasurable +surprise which has remained indelibly fixed in memory. Clouds had +been hanging about the top of the mountain, and as we ascended the +last slope and reached the crest, they hung so low over us that we +could almost touch them. It was not like going into a fog, as is +usually the case in climbing mountains, but these seemed smooth as +silk on the under surface and hung over us as well defined as the +covering of a tent. This gave to the prospect an accidental and very +peculiar effect that one might not see again in crossing the pass a +hundred times. As we looked eastward from the depression in the +crest in which our roadway ran, a great circling amphitheatre lay +before us, almost perfect in the symmetry of its curves. The ridge +on right and left which formed its outer margin was higher than the +spot on which we stood, and the silky clouds over our heads rested +on it as on the walls of a natural coliseum, like the _velum_ of +canvas of the ancient gigantic structure in Rome, except that here, +nature outdoing all art, spread the lovely awning over the whole +vast and cavernous auditorium a mile or more across. The gloom of +the interior threw the retreating slopes into a mysterious shadow in +which it were easy to imagine them peopled with ranks of ghostly +auditors gazing upon the stage. It was there, full in our faces, +that the most startling and almost incredible effect was visible. +The circle of the mountains was there broken by an opening flanked +on either side by stupendous perpendicular cliffs, and we looked +through it upon a charming landscape bathed in glorious sunshine. A +blue stream dashed foaming through the great gap and wandered off to +join the river beyond. The broad and undulating valley fifty miles +across was backed by another mountain wall which towered opposite to +that from whose battlements we were gazing, not a long and level +ridge like so many of those in the Alleghanies, but a picturesque +Alpine mountain scene, with peaks snow-clad and dazzling in the +sunlight,--the Great Smokies, the noblest of all the mountain groups +of the Appalachian chain. The gloom and shadow of our vast +amphitheatre held us in awe, while the brilliancy of the scene +beyond the great stage opening seemed to draw us to it as to a +promised land. We sat upon our horses, spellbound, gazing upon what +seemed at once too grand and too beautiful to be real. Had we been +superstitious like soldiers of an ancient time, we might have seen a +miraculous portent in it; and even as it was, such sentiment as may +be permitted in the sceptical spirit of our own day could find a +happy omen in the scene. We were entering upon a new chapter in our +military lives, and it was cheering to us, in entering East +Tennessee, through the great gate that opened before us, to have so +charming a picture to lure us on. We wound down the mountain side, +happy but quiet. There was no one among us so lacking in earnest +character as to be unmoved. We had left the wagons far behind, and +the clinking of our horses' shoes upon the rocks was the only sound +which broke the silence till the roaring and laughing brook that +gives a name to the pass met us and rollicked beside us, as we went +out between the giant cliffs into the broad and cheerful valley. + +At Jacksboro we entered the theatre of active warlike operations, +and found ourselves in the usual atmosphere of rumors. It was of +course known that Longstreet had retreated to the northeast after +raising the siege, but some insisted that he was moving down the +valley again, and that Foster was to be shut up in Knoxville as +Burnside had been. It was evident that there was no definite +information on which any of these local opinions were based, and I +was satisfied that our road was open and safe. The only risk was +from some raiding column of cavalry, and we must take our chances as +to that. After a good night's rest, I decided on the morning of the +18th to take with me Colonel Strong of General Foster's staff and +Colonel Sterling, and leaving the wagons behind, to make the forty +miles to Knoxville in a single day's ride. What we had heard of the +destitution in the city made it seem best that most of the party +should remain with the wagons and the supplies, and so avoid the +risk of throwing too many guests upon the hospitality of +headquarters. We took a few of the cavalry as an escort, and both +horses and men were in such good condition and so hardened to the +road that we scarcely broke from a trot in the whole distance, +except to stop for resting and feeding our nags at noon. + +We reached Knoxville in the afternoon, and Colonel Strong was warmly +welcomed by those of the staff who were present, but the general was +absent at the front. He was expected back the next night, however, +and comfortable quarters were provided for us meanwhile. My +instinctive fears of complications in regard to my own assignment to +duty proved to be true. The very day I left Lexington General Foster +had issued an order assigning me to command the District of +Kentucky, and it had passed me on the road. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 383, 394.] My determination to obey +literally the order from the War Department to report in person, and +the haste with which I had started, proved my salvation from the +kind of duty at the rear which I was bent on escaping. The District +of Kentucky would have been even worse than that of Ohio, for the +strife between political factions embroiled every one who commanded +there, and the order to me had been issued because the officer in +command was obnoxious to one of these factions. + +General Foster returned on the 19th, and on my reporting to him I +found at once the benefit of General Burnside's representations in +regard to me. Colonel Strong was also well aware of my earnest wish +for field service, and the friendship which had grown up on the +road, no doubt, made him an influential advocate with his chief. The +general received me very kindly, and said that his action had been +based on the supposition that I would prefer duty in Kentucky during +the winter rather than make the rough journey over the mountains at +that season. On my assuring him that my coming without waiting to +communicate with him was because of my earnest request to the War +Department for service in the field, he was evidently pleased and +immediately revoked the orders already made, and assigned me to the +Twenty-third Corps, to command it as the senior general officer +present. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii, p. 457.] + +I had been eight days on the road from Lexington, and the rest of +the party who remained with the wagons were a day longer in reaching +Knoxville. It had given me a vivid appreciation of the impossibility +of supplying an army in East Tennessee by wagon trains over the +mountains. The roads by Cumberland Gap or by Emory Gap were less +precipitous, but they were more muddy. The forage was exhausted +along all the routes, and till grass should grow large trains of +supplies were not to be thought of. The effort to force trains +through in the autumn had been most destructive to the teams. +Noticing how the way was lined by the carcasses of dead horses and +mules, we kept an accurate count one day of the number of these. In +the twenty miles of that day's journey we counted a hundred and +fifty dead draught animals. The movement of wagon-trains had, of +course, been suspended when Longstreet advanced upon Knoxville, and +bad weather had hardly begun then. Beef cattle could be driven in +herds, but the country was so stripped of forage that the danger of +starvation by the way made this mode of supply nearly as hopeless as +the other. + +The only permanent solution of the subsistence problem was to be +found in enlarging the facilities for railway communication at +Chattanooga so that that town might become a great depot from which +the East Tennessee troops could draw as soon as the railroad to +Knoxville should be repaired, or light steamboats be brought to the +upper Tennessee and Holston rivers. They showed us at Knoxville +samples of the bread issued to the garrison during the siege. It was +made of a mixture of all the breadstuffs which were in store or +could be procured, but the chief ingredient was Indian corn ground +up cob and all. It was not an attractive loaf, but it would support +life, though the bulk was out of proportion to the nutriment. The +cattle had been kept in corral till they were too thin and weak to +be fit for food, but there was no other, and the commissaries killed +the weakest and issued them as rations because these would otherwise +die a natural death. Sherman and his staff had expressed their +astonishment that an appetizing dinner had been spread for them at +Burnside's headquarters; [Footnote: Sherman's Memoirs, vol. i. p. +368.] but they would have wondered more if they had known of the way +in which the town and vicinity had been ransacked to do honor to the +welcome guests who had relieved the beleaguered army. General Poe +vividly describes the straits they were in, and the heroic sort of +hospitality which had hunted far and wide for something fit to set +before the leader of the column which had raised the siege. +[Footnote: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, vol. iii. p. 745.] +There had been no danger of actual starvation, but only the coarsest +of bread and the poorest of beef could be distributed. Eating, in +such circumstances, was not a pleasure, and the pangs of real hunger +were necessary to make the ration at all palatable. The withdrawal +of the enemy relieved the situation somewhat, for it opened the +country to foraging parties, and every kind of produce which money +could tempt the people to part with was bought and brought into the +camps. It was little enough at best, and three months of pinching +want were to be endured before anything like regular supplies could +be furnished to the army. It was to such a house of destitution we +had come, but we had come voluntarily to share the labors and the +triumphs of our comrades in the field and we had no regrets. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WINTER BIVOUACS IN EAST TENNESSEE + + +Blain's Cross-roads--Hanson's headquarters--A hearty +welcome--Establishing field quarters--Tents and houses--A good +quartermaster--Headquarters' business--Soldiers' camps--Want of +clothing and shoes--The rations--Running the country +mills--Condition of horses and mules--Visit to Opdycke's camp--A +Christmas dinner--Veteran enlistments--Patriotic spirit--Detachment +at Strawberry Plains--Concentration of corps there--Camp on a +knoll-A night scene-Climate of the valley--Affair at Mossy +Creek--New Year's blizzard--Pitiful condition of the +troops--Patience and courage--Zero weather. + + +The Twenty-third Corps was encamped at Blain's Cross-roads, +seventeen miles northeast of Knoxville, on the road to Rutledge, +where Longstreet was supposed to be. The Fourth Corps, under General +Granger, and the Ninth, under General Parke, were in the same +neighborhood. The cavalry corps covered the front and flanks on both +sides of Holston River. A concentration of the Army of the Ohio and +its reinforcements had been made there to meet a rumored return of +the Confederates toward Knoxville after an affair at Rutledge in +which Longstreet had captured a wagon-train loaded with supplies for +us. I left Knoxville on the morning of the 21st of December, +accompanied by my staff officers, and rode to Blain's Cross-roads. I +found the corps under temporary command of Brigadier-General Mahlon +D. Manson, of Indiana, who had commanded one of the divisions in the +preceding campaign. Manson occupied an old log house too small for +himself and staff. There was but one bed in it, and at night the +general occupied this, whilst his staff slept in their blankets on +the floor. We had travelled leisurely, as I wished to study the +country between Knoxville and the camp, and we reached the corps too +late to make any arrangement for the night, and had to cast +ourselves on our comrades' hospitality. I was most heartily welcomed +by General Manson, who did the best he could for me by offering me +the half of his own bed, whilst the staff took similar lodgings with +his officers in a shed veranda at the back of the house lying snugly +together, wrapped in their blankets. Manson was a burly, +whole-souled man, brave and loyally unselfish, and turned over the +command to me with a sincerity of subordination which won my +confidence at once. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. +pp. 462, 463.] It was not a comfortable night in the overcrowded log +house for either hosts or guests, but it was made cheery by the +hearty soldiers' welcome we received, and we sat late around the +crackling fire in the stone chimney after we had eaten with a +relish, known only in camp, the best supper which the meagre rations +of the army could furnish. + +Our first occupation next day was to establish my own headquarters, +for a military man does not feel at home until his little camp is +set in some decent nook with the regularity and order which shows +good system, and with the sentinel pacing before the entrance. I +have always found it most comfortable and most healthful to live +under canvas, even in winter, in the sparsely settled parts of the +country. It might be different in Europe or in the more densely +peopled States at the East, but in the West and South a house cannot +always be found in proper proximity to the line, and changing from +house to tent and back again is much more dangerous to health than +adherence to what seems the more exposed kind of life. There is also +a question of discipline and _morale_ involved, and the effect of +example at headquarters is felt through the whole command. With no +little difficulty we found four old tents without flies, but these +were carefully pitched in a clean place accessible to all parts of +the corps, and when we were installed in them we had a real +satisfaction in being at home and ready for business. Our difficulty +in procuring four poor tents was simply an index of the scarcity of +all supplies and equipments. The depots at Cincinnati and Nashville +were packed with everything we wanted, but there had been no time to +get them forward when the siege began, and now the impassable +mountain roads cut us off as completely as a circle of hostile +camps. We especially felt the lack of the flies for the tents in +roughing it. This extra roof makes as great a difference in keeping +a tent habitable in wet weather, as an extra cape or a poncho does +in keeping the rain off one's person, or in civil life the +omnipresent umbrella. Our overcoats and ponchos kept out the wet in +the longest march, but without a fly the tent roof and walls would +drip with moisture. In Captain Day, however, I had a quartermaster +whose indomitable energy would not be long baffled, and in his +journeys to and fro in charge of the supply trains of the corps he +kept a sharp eye out for whatever would make our headquarters outfit +more efficient. The warehouses at Knoxville were searched, and a +better tent found in one place and a fly in another gradually +brought our little camp into what soldiers regard as a home-like +condition. The clerical work and the official correspondence of the +command could then go on; for the headquarters of an army corps in +the field is as busy a place as a bank or counting-house in a city. +It is the business centre for a military population of 12,000 or +15,000 men, where local government is carried on, and where their +feeding, clothing, arming, and equipping are organized and directed, +to say nothing of the military conduct in regard to the enemy, or of +the administration of affairs relating to the neighboring +inhabitants. + +The troops were in bivouac, generally in the woods about us, where +shelter could be made in ways well known to lumbermen and hunters. +The most common form was a lean-to, made by setting a couple of +crotched posts in the ground with a long pole for a ridge. Against +this were laid other poles and branches of trees sloping to the +ground on the windward side. The roof was roughly thatched with +evergreen branches laid so that rain would be shed outward. A bed of +small evergreen twigs within made a comfortable couch, and unlimited +firewood from the forest made a camp fire in front that kept +everybody toasting warm in ordinary weather. The regimental and +company officers had similar quarters, improved sometimes by a roof +of canvas or tarpaulin beneath the evergreen thatch. There were but +few days in the East Tennessee winters when such shelter was not a +sufficient protection for men young and accustomed to hardship. It +was in fact more comfortable than life in tents at division and +corps headquarters, but with us tents were a necessity on account of +the clerical business which I have mentioned. + +The want most felt was that of clothing and shoes. The supply of +these had run very low by the time Burnside had marched through +Kentucky and Tennessee to Knoxville, and almost none had been +received since. Many of the soldiers were literally in rags, and +none were prepared for winter when Longstreet interrupted all +communication with the base of supplies. Their shoes were worn out, +and this, even more than their raggedness, made winter marching out +of the question. The barefooted men had to be left behind, and of +those who started the more poorly shod would straggle, no matter how +good their own will was or how carefully the officers tried to +enforce discipline and keep their men together. + +The food question was in a very unsatisfactory way, but had improved +a good deal after the siege of Knoxville was raised. Some herds had +been brought part of the way, and had been kept together, so that +they were driven in as soon as the road was open. Some were captured +and some were lost, but enough arrived so that the meat ration was +pretty regularly issued in full weight. A large amount of pork had +been salted and packed at Knoxville, and was issued as an occasional +change from the ordinary ration of fresh beef. The "small rations" +of coffee, sugar, salt, etc., were almost wholly wanting, and our +soldiers had been so accustomed to a regular issue of these that the +deprivation was a very serious matter. As to breadstuffs, none could +be got from our depots and we were wholly dependent upon the +country. We put all the mills within our lines under military +supervision, and systematized the grinding so that the supply of +meal and flour should be equitably distributed to the army and to +the inhabitants. As the people were loyal, there was no wish on the +part of the military authorities to take corn or other grain without +payment, and the people brought in freely or sold to us on their +farms all that they could spare. Still the supply was short, and was +soon exhausted in the vicinity of the army, so that we had to send +forage trains to great distances and with very unsatisfactory +results. During the whole winter we rarely succeeded in obtaining +half rations of bread, and oftentimes the fraction was so small as +to be hardly worth estimating. In such a situation corn could not be +taken for horse-feed, and as the long forage in our vicinity was +exhausted, the animals were in pitiful condition. In many instances +artillery horses dropped dead of starvation at the picket rope. + +The Fourth Corps was no better off than ourselves. Granger had left +the Army of the Cumberland immediately after the battle of +Missionary Ridge, and although the situation at Chattanooga had been +a good deal mitigated, no considerable supplies of clothing had then +arrived. The distress was therefore universal in our East Tennessee +army. Learning that Sheridan's division was encamped not far from us +at Blain's Cross-roads, I rode over to find Colonel Emerson Opdycke +of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio, who was in that division. +He was a townsman of mine, and our families were intimate, and other +neighbors and friends were with him. I could give them later news +from home than any of them had, for until the end of the year the +newspapers I brought from Cincinnati were the latest in camp. I +found Opdycke's camp like our own. He was in the woods, under a +lean-to shelter such as I have described, with a camp-fire of great +logs in front of it. He was just opening the first letters he had +got from home since the battle of Chickamauga in September, and +these had been a long time on the way, for they had gone to +Chattanooga and had come by casual conveyance from there. His +statements fully agreed with the reports I had got from the +Twenty-third Corps officers in regard to the condition of the +troops. It was the same with all. They would not suffer greatly if +they could remain in the forest encampments till shoes and clothing +could come to us, but any active campaigning must produce +intolerable suffering. + +Our mess wished to celebrate Christmas by a dinner at which a few of +our comrades might share the luxury of some canned vegetables and +other stores we had brought from Ohio, and we sent a man with a +foraging party that was going twenty miles away for hay and corn. +After a diligent search he succeeded in getting a turkey and a pair +of fowls, and we kept the festival in what seemed luxurious style to +our friends who had been through the campaign. The spirit of +officers and men was all that could be wished, for they thoroughly +understood the causes of their privation, and knew that it was +unavoidable. Their patriotism and their moral tone were +magnificently shown in the re-enlistments which were at this time +going on. The troops of the original enlistment of 1861 were now +near the end of their term of three years, and it was the wise +policy of the government to let the question of a new term be +settled now while the winter was interrupting active operations. +Regiments whose term of service would expire in the spring or summer +of 1864 were offered a month's furlough at home and the title of +"veterans" if they would re-enlist. The furlough was to be enjoyed +before the opening of the next campaign, and the regiments were to +be sent off as fast as circumstances would permit. We knew that the +home visit would be a strong inducement to many, but we were +astonished and awed at the noble unanimity of the popular spirit of +the men. Almost to a man they were determined to "see it out," as +they said. The re-enlistment was accepted by companies, but there +was great pride in preserving the regimental organization as well. +The closing week of the year was devoted to this business, other +duty being suspended as far as circumstances would permit. When a +company had "veteranized" by the re-enlistment of a majority, they +announced it by parading on the company street and giving three +rousing cheers. These cheers were the news of the day, and the +company letter and the number of the regiment passed eagerly from +mouth to mouth as the signal of a new veteran company was heard. +Some companies re-enlisted without an exception. In one regiment +there were only 15 men in the ten companies who did not sign the new +rolls. In fact only the physically disabled with here and there a +discontented man were omitted in the veteran enlistment. It was a +remarkable incident in the history of the war and a speaking one. It +illustrates better than anything, except the original outburst of +patriotism in 1861, the character of the men who formed our rank and +file. Could we only have had then an efficient system of filling up +these veteran regiments by new recruits, the whole would have made +an incomparable army; but, alas, we were to see them reduced to a +handful while new regiments were organized, only (as it looked to us +in the field) to give the "patronage" of the appointments to +politicians, or to reward successful recruiting instead of soldierly +ability tested in action. + +Soon after General Foster was assigned to the department he reissued +an order which Burnside had made earlier but had revoked, by which +Brigadier-General Samuel D. Sturgis was appointed to the command of +the cavalry corps. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii, +p. 394.] Sturgis had commanded a division of the Ninth Corps in +Maryland and Virginia, and was one of those whose dismissal Burnside +had demanded for the insubordination which followed the battle of +Fredericksburg. Good policy would have dictated that he should be +sent to some other command; but he was ordered to report to +Burnside, and had no active employment until Foster arrived. The +cavalry corps had had several lively engagements with the +Confederate horse, and was now concentrated near Mossy Creek, where +it was supported by a brigade of infantry from the second division +of the Twenty-third Corps, in command of Colonel Mott of the One +Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 488, 489, 562.] +Our information showed that Longstreet's forces were now +concentrated about Morristown, and that nothing larger than scouting +parties came across to the west side of the Holston. It became +prudent, therefore, to transfer part of our forces from the Rutledge +road over to that which runs from Knoxville along the line of the +railroad to Morristown. Both the railroad and the wagon-road cross +the Holston at Strawberry Plains and go up the valley on the east +side of the river by way of New Market and Mossy Creek. On the 24th +and 25th I was directed to send two more brigades to Strawberry +Plains, [Footnote: _Id_., p. 490.]one of which was put over the +river to cover the reconstruction of the railway bridge which was +going on. This was the long trestle which had been burned by Sanders +in the preceding summer, and had since been repaired and destroyed +by the opposing armies alternately. On the 27th I was ordered to +move the other division of the corps to Strawberry Plains, thus +concentrating my command in that vicinity. Our distance from +Knoxville would be about the same as at Blain's Cross-roads, but the +divergence of the roads made our march some six or eight miles +across the country. + +It was a great hardship to the men to abandon the huts they had made +with a good deal of labor, and which were the more necessary for +them by reason of the destitution which I have described. Nor was it +pleasant for us at headquarters, for we had got our own +establishment into a condition of tolerable comfort. Some brick had +been got from a ruined and abandoned house, and with them a chimney +with an open fireplace had been built at the back of one of our +tents, which thus made a cheerful sitting-room for our mess. It is a +soldier's proverb that comfortable quarters are sure to bring +marching orders, and we were only illustrating the rule. The march +was made in the afternoon through rain and mud, and we reached +Strawberry Plains just before nightfall in the short midwinter day. +The Plains were a nearly level space in a curve of the river, though +the village of the name was on some rough hills on the other bank at +the end of the long trestle bridge. The level lands had been for +some time occupied by the cavalry, and were so cut into mud-holes +and defiled in every way as to be unfit for an infantry camp. A +little on one side, however, was an isolated gently rounded hill +covered with a mixed forest of oak and pine. With a little crowding +this would make a clean and well-drained camp for the division I had +brought with me. The brigades were placed so that they encircled the +hill on the lower slopes with openings between leading to the top, +on which I placed my headquarters. The little quadrangle of tents on +the top, the forest-covered slopes, the busy soldiery below making +new camps for themselves, made a romantic picture despite the +discomforts. I cannot better show the impression made at the moment +than by quoting from a letter written home the next day: "When we +arrived, the rain was pouring in torrents, the dead leaves, wet and +deep, soaked our boots and made it slow work to kindle a fire, and +as we stood about in our overcoats heavy with water, we were not +especially impressed with the romance of the scene; but when we had +found a few old pine-knots to start the fire with, and the heavy +smoke of the damp leaves changed to a bright flame,--when the tents +were pitched, a cup of hot coffee made, and we sat about the fire +watching the flashing light on the deep green of the pines and the +beautiful russet of the oak leaves with the white of the tents +beneath, the few square yards about us were made as lovely as a +fairy scene shut in by the impenetrable gloom beyond. The old +witchery of camp life now came over us, we forgot rain and cold, +singing and chatting as merrily as if care were dead, till finally +rolling in our blankets under our tents, we went to sleep as sweetly +and soundly as children." + +A day or two of bright mild weather followed, and the troops got +themselves fairly well sheltered again. The cutting of trees for +huts and for firewood thinned out the forest, and the elevation of +the camp above the surrounding country exposed us to the wind, as we +soon learned to our cost. Whilst the fair days lasted, we had a +favorable example of an East Tennessee winter, as is shown by the +further quotation from the home letter just cited. "I am sitting in +the open air," I said, "before the camp-fire of great logs, writing +upon my atlas on my knee, which is more comfortable than doing it in +the chilly shade of the tent. I wish you could have seen our camp +last night. We were grouped around the fire, some sitting and +lolling on the logs drawn up for fuel, some in camp chairs. The +smoke from the camps about us made the whole air hazy. Over the +tents through a vista of pine-trees the moon was rising red through +the thickened air, while overhead the stars were shining. The +wonderful perspective the firelight makes in the forest, here +brought out and deepened the mass of color of the evergreens, there +made the bare trunk and limbs of a leafless oak stand like a chalk +drawing against the black background, and again it gave rich velvety +warmth to the brown of the dead leaves which hung thick on some +trees, while the gloom beyond and the snug enclosure of our little +quadrangle of tents shut us in with a sense of shelter, and +completed a picture that would have made Rembrandt die of envy." We +were hardened by our continuous exposure so that we felt no +discomfort in sitting thus in the open air till late in the evening, +though we woke in the morning to find the dead leaves which made our +carpet stiff and crisp with the frost. Still, it was much milder +than the Christmas weather of northern Ohio, or we could not have +taken it so easily. + +On the 29th the cavalry had a lively affair with the enemy at Mossy +Creek, some twenty miles above us. General Sturgis was making a +reconnoissance of the country between the French Broad and the +Holston rivers, sending the cavalry partly toward Dandridge on the +former stream, under command of Colonel Foster, and partly toward +Morristown, under Brigadier-General W. L. Elliott of the Cumberland +army. Elliott was supported by Mott's brigade of infantry, part of +which acted under his orders. Foster found no enemy, but Elliott had +advanced about three miles beyond Mossy Creek when he encountered +the cavalry corps of the Confederates, advancing, apparently, with a +purpose similar to ours. The infantry were posted by Sturgis upon a +ridge half a mile beyond the railway bridge at Mossy Creek, and the +cavalry with the artillery were ordered to retire slowly to the same +position. The enemy under Major-General William T. Martin consisted +of two divisions of horsemen and two batteries of artillery. They +closely followed our retiring troops, who made cool resistance and +drew back slowly and in order. When the position of the infantry was +reached, the whole force was halted to receive the Confederate +attack. Sturgis had two batteries of artillery with his corps, but +had sent a section of each with Colonel Foster, and Elliott now +placed the remaining sections on right and left of the road, each +supported by infantry. Martin boldly attacked till he found himself +confronted by Mott's infantry, which opened upon him with a +withering fire. The artillery also fired canister upon the advancing +enemy, and our horsemen, dismounting, extended the line and did good +execution with their carbines. The first assault being repulsed, +Martin was unwilling to give it up so, and bringing his artillery +into better position renewed the fight. A sharp skirmishing combat +was kept up for several hours, when the enemy retreated. Darkness +came on soon after, and the pursuit was not pushed far. Our losses +had been 17 killed and 87 wounded. That of the enemy was reported to +be much more severe. The result of the engagement was to repress the +enterprise of the Confederates, so that Mossy Creek remained for +some time our undisturbed outpost in the valley. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 625-641.] + +On New Year's eve we had a change of weather which rudely broke in +upon our dream of a steady and mild winter. It had been raining +nearly all day, and we had just turned in about ten o'clock in the +evening when a sudden gale sprung up from the northward. The +water-soaked ground did not hold the tent pins very well, and the +rattling of canvas warned us to look after the fastenings. The staff +were all quickly at work, the servants being, as usual, slow in +answering a call in the night. The front of our mess tent blew in, +and the roof and sides were bellying out and flapping like a ship's +sail half clewed up. I caught the door-flaps and held them down to +the pole with all my strength, shouting to the black boys to turn +out before the whole should fly away. Then we had a lively time for +an hour, going from tent to tent to drive the pins tighter and make +things secure. We had just got them snug, as we thought, and began +to listen to the roaring of the wind with something like defiance, +when a "stick-and-clay" chimney, which Colonel Sterling and my +brother had at the back of their tent, took fire and was near +setting the whole encampment in a blaze. This made another shout and +rush, till the chimney was torn away from the canvas and the fire +extinguished. The gale was so fierce that the sparks from the +camp-fires rolled along the ground instead of rising, and we should +have burned up had not the rain kept the tents soaking wet. It grew +cold so fast that by the time we had made the encampment safe, the +wet canvas froze stiff. It must be confessed that we did not sleep +well that night, and we got up in the morning aching with cold. It +still blew a gale, though the sky was clear and the thermometer had +fallen to zero. It was a typical cyclone coming as a cold wave from +the North, and, as we afterward learned, was exceptional in its +suddenness and bitterness along the whole line from Minnesota to +northern Georgia. + +The soldiers in the camps had slept but little, for they were +obliged to keep awake and near the fires to escape freezing. No one +who has not lived in tents or in bivouac in such a time can +understand what real suffering from cold is. Exposure by day is easy +to bear compared with the chill by night when camp-fires burn low +and men lie shivering, their teeth chattering, while extreme +drowsiness makes exertion painful and there is danger of going off +into the sleep that knows no waking. On New Year's day morning the +ground was frozen solid. All huddled about the fires, but the gale +was so fierce that on the windward side there seemed to be no +radiation of heat, so completely was the fire blown away from that +side of the logs. On the leeward side the smoke suffocated and the +sparks burned one, and men passed from one side to the other +doubting which was the more tolerable. + +I spent a good part of the morning going through the regimental +camps and giving such encouragement and cheer as I could. The +patience and courage of the troops were marvellous, though many of +the men were in a pitiable condition as to clothing. They were +tatterdemalions in appearance, but heroes at heart. Some had nothing +but drawers upon their legs, their trousers being utterly worn to +rags. Some had no coats and drew their tattered blankets about them, +sitting upon their haunches, like Indians, about the camp-fires. I +do not recall a single querulous or ill-natured complaint. It was +heart-breaking work to see their misery, but they were so +intelligent that they knew as well as I did that it had grown out of +the inevitable fortunes of war, in spite of the utmost efforts of +their commanders to get supplies forward as soon as the siege of +Knoxville had been raised. I estimated that fully one-third of the +command had lost and worn out some material portion of their +clothing, so as to be suffering for lack of it. A little thing which +added greatly to the discomfort of the men was that in some whole +brigades they had been without soap for two months. This made +cleanliness impossible, and clustering about the fires as they were +forced to do, they became so begrimed that a liberal supply of soap +would have been necessary to restore their color and show to what +race they belonged. Yet, hungry, cold, ragged, and dirty, they +responded cheerily to my New-Year's greetings, and at this very time +the "veteranizing" was going on without a check until nearly every +one of the old regiments re-enlisted for another term. + +At our headquarters on the hill-top we realized that our picturesque +situation had its disadvantages, for we were doubly exposed to the +force of the wind. We were on a high dome, as it were, with nothing +whatever to make a lee or break the power of the icy gale. In one or +two of the tents, furnaces or stoves of stone had been made, on the +pattern of those we had used in West Virginia in 1861. The trench in +the ground with flat stone covering level with the tent floor and +connected with an opening on the outside, proved the most successful +device. We collected in these, and used every manner of pastime to +kill the tedious hours till the subsidence of the wind made our +usual outdoor life and activity possible again. Our efforts at meals +were a woeful sort of failure. Cooking under such difficulties was +more a name than a fact, and we left the mess tent shivering and +hardly less hungry than we entered it. But all things have an end, +however tedious they seem in passing, and the 2d of January seemed +pleasant in the comparison, for the "blizzard" was over, and the +weather was calm though cold. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +GRANT'S VISIT--THE DANDRIDGE AFFAIR + + +Grant at Knoxville--Comes to Strawberry Plains--A gathering at +Parke's quarters--Grant's quiet manner--No conversational +discussion--Contrast with Sherman--Talk of cadet days--Grant's +riding-school story--No council of war--Qualities of his +dispatches--Returns by Cumberland Gap--Longstreet's +situation--Destitution of both armies--Railroad repairs and improved +service--Light-draught steamboats--Bridges--Cattle herds on the +way--Results of Grant's inspection tour--Foster's movement to +Dandridge on the French Broad--Sheridan--His qualities--August +Willich--Hazen--His disagreement with Sheridan--Its causes and +consequences--Combat at Dandridge--A mutual surprise--Sheridan's +bridge--An amusing blunder--A consultation in Dandridge--Sturgis's +toddy--Retreat to Strawberry Plains--A hard night march--A rough +day--An uncomfortable bivouac--Concentration toward +Knoxville--Rumors of reinforcement of Longstreet--Expectation of +another siege--The rumors untrue. + + +In the midst of the severest suffering of the army from cold and +want, General Grant came in person to inspect the condition of +affairs in East Tennessee. He reached Knoxville on the 30th of +December, and after spending two or three days with General Foster, +came up to Strawberry Plains. The first intensity of the cold wave +had passed by, but it was still "zero weather" when he came: indeed +he had waited in Knoxville for a little moderating of the +temperature, but finding that it continued very cold, his desire to +complete the inspection hurried him on. The corps and division +commanders accompanied him in a ride through the camps that he might +see the destitution of the army, and the necessity for sparing the +troops all unnecessary exposure. The great trestle bridge across the +Holston was examined, and the features of the topography which made +Strawberry Plains an important point in military operations covering +Knoxville and the line of communication with Cumberland Gap. + +At the end of the ride we gathered in General Parke's quarters for +what I supposed would be a discussion of the situation and a +comparison of views as to our future work. It was my first meeting +with Grant, and I was full of interest in observing him. On the ride +he had been quietly attentive, making no show of curiosity, asking +few questions, carrying himself in an unpretentious business-like +way. In the social meeting at General Parke's I was disappointed +that the conversation did not take the direction of a military +discussion. Grant did not seem to desire further information, but +was satisfied with what he had seen. He took no lead in +conversation, and it was evident that he almost wholly lacked +facility in that way. What he said was kindly; there was nothing +like surliness in his manner; but he seemed to be without the +faculty of drawing other people out and putting himself in easy +accord with them. No doubt his interviews with General Foster had +contained all that was necessary for making up his mind as to our +situation except the personal inspection he was now engaged in; but +had he been Sherman, he would have gone over the phases of the +matter which could properly be made the subject of general +discussion, would have emphasized whatever could be made +encouraging, and exhorted to patience and courage in doing the +present duty. Grant did nothing of the kind. He smoked and listened, +and did not accept any of the openings which others made for +conversation upon the campaign. + +A majority of the officers in the group were West Point men, and +college life is always a resource for small-talk when other subjects +fail. The experiences of the military school, the characteristics of +friends and classmates there, the qualities of the officers and +professors, escapades and larks at Benny Havens' were found to have +perennial freshness and interest. Grant evidently enjoyed this, and +began to talk more freely. One could see that he did not lack the +sense of humor, and he told an anecdote simply but without failing +to make its points tell. His voice lacked volume, and seemed thin +and rather high-keyed. It was half-deprecatory in tone, with an air +of shyness, and he had a way of glancing quickly from one to +another, as if looking for signs of response to his venture into +talk. As he went on, this wore off to some extent, and he laughed +quietly over the reminiscences he was telling. He told very well a +story of his experience in the riding-school, where the +riding-master in his time was an amusing sort of tyrant. Grant's +strong point was horsemanship, and the riding-master, whether +seriously or as a joke, determined to "take down" the young cadet. +At the exercise Grant was mounted on a powerful but vicious brute +that the cadets fought shy of, and was put at leaping the bar. The +bar was raised higher and higher as he came round the ring, till it +passed the "record." The stubborn rider would not say enough, but +the stubborn horse was disposed to shy and refuse to leap. Grant +gritted his teeth and spurred at it, but just as the horse gathered +for the spring, his swelling body burst the girth and rider and +saddle tumbled into the ring. Half stunned, he gathered himself up +from the dust only to hear the strident, cynical voice of the +riding-master calling out, "Cadet Grant, six demerits for +dismounting without leave!" + +I believe Grant's story is the only memory I brought away from what +I had imagined would be a council of war presided over by the most +prominent figure in our armies, soon to command them all. As a +council of war it certainly did not fill the ideal of an eager and +earnest young officer; but if we supplement it by a reading of the +daily and hourly dispatches in which the clear practical judgment, +the unswerving faith in final success, the unbending will, the +restless energy and industry, the power to master numberless +details, and a consciousness of capacity to command, all plainly +stand forth as traits of Grant's character, we can see that a +judgment based only on the incidents of the meeting around the +fireplace in the shabby house at Strawberry Plains after our ride on +that bitter winter's day would be very misleading. + +Grant's visit had plainly shown him that the great problem with us +was the clothing and subsistence of the troops, and that our very +existence depended on it. He therefore determined to ride over the +mountains by way of Cumberland Gap, and form his own judgment as to +the truth of the reports of the impassable condition of the roads. +The weather had hardly moderated at all when he left us on the 4th +of January, and this long and severe journey was proof of his +forgetfulness of personal comfort in his devotion to duty. Before +following him further in his investigation, it may be profitable to +go back and note some of the circumstances which brought him to +Knoxville. + +When Longstreet raised the siege of Knoxville, he took position near +Rogersville, where he would be in reach of the unbroken part of the +railway connecting him with Virginia, which now became his base. His +force continued unchanged, and was not materially increased or +diminished until the winter was nearly over, when the cavalry which +belonged to the Army of Tennessee was ordered back into Georgia. +Like Foster, he was reduced to inaction for lack of clothing and +supplies. Forage had become very scarce in every part of Tennessee, +and it was with great difficulty that the horses were kept alive in +either army. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. +817, 819.] To go into cantonments, sheltering the men as well as +possible, to send all extra horses to the rear and wait for the +springing of the grass and the settling of the roads when winter +should be over, was the dictate of common-sense, as was clearly seen +by everybody on the ground. It was not pleasant to leave the loyal +men of the upper counties of the valley to suffer under the +Confederate occupation; but nothing short of a continuous and +reliable line of supplies would enable Foster to occupy the country +up to the Virginia line. There was no gate to be shut behind +Longstreet if he were driven out. He could come back as soon as our +troops withdrew. Marching and countermarching would destroy the +nearly naked and barefoot troops without accomplishing any permanent +good. + +The authorities at Washington were beset by the well-grounded +complaints of the loyal representatives of the upper valley, and had +become blind by habit to the difficulties of supplying and moving +troops among the mountains in winter. From the first week after +Foster relieved Burnside, Halleck complained that Longstreet was not +driven beyond the Virginia line and kept there. These complaints +were repeated to Grant, and the latter promised, in dispatches of +the 23d and 24th of December, to go to Knoxville in person. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 472, 479.] In +the last of these he said, "If Longstreet is not driven from +Tennessee, it shall not be my fault." He came, and saw that it was +not Foster's fault, and that no more than Foster could he make a +winter campaign with men in such a state of destitution. As I have +already said, droves of beef, cattle, and hogs could be brought "on +the hoof," in poor condition it is true, but fit to be eaten. Yet +soldiers could not campaign on fresh beef and pork only, and bread +stuffs and all vegetable food were practically not to be had; so of +coffee, sugar, salt, and the small rations generally. This, however, +was the least part of the trouble, for the condition of the army as +to clothing and shoes was simply appalling. When many had not even +rags to cover their nakedness, and none were clad as civilized men +should be to face the winter's snows and rains, it was nonsense to +talk of campaigning. Grant saw this at a glance when he reached our +camps. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 19, 43.] +We have not the whole situation when even this is told. Wagons and +teams, artillery with their horses, cavalry with theirs, are as +necessary as infantry; and when foraging trains could hardly collect +forage enough to feed the animals seeking it, those that were left +at the picket rope had to die there. To talk, then, of hauling +supplies for man and beast in a marching column was preposterous. + +It was quite proper to ask whether the impracticability of bringing +wagon trains over the mountains was as complete as we reported, and +Grant's horseback journey back into Kentucky when the thermometer +was at zero is sufficient proof that he found it imperatively +necessary to settle that question also with his own eyes and without +delay. We shall see presently what he reported. He knew before he +left Chattanooga that the railroad from Nashville was hardly +supplying Thomas's army. To Foster's appeals for at least some +clothing and shoes by that route, General Meigs, who was there, +replied that it could only be done "at the cost of starvation to our +animals or short rations to our men" in the Army of the Cumberland. +[Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 476.] He said that the +railroad must be "not only repaired, but rebuilt," before it could +do more than supply the troops already dependent on it. General +McCallum, the superintendent of military railroads, had gone west, +and was inspecting the Nashville and Chattanooga Road, and carefully +studying the problem of its possible capacity. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. +422, 444.] In consequence of this a change was made in the local +superintendence, and Mr. Adna Anderson was put in charge of +operating the line, while Mr. W. W. Wright was made constructing +engineer. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 371, 372.] Under +their energy and ability it was repaired and operated so that East +Tennessee as well as Sherman's army in Georgia were abundantly +supplied during the Atlanta campaign; but this is part of the +history of the next spring and summer. To reduce the number of +mouths to feed at Chattanooga, Grant sent portions of the Army of +the Tennessee into northern Alabama, where they could be supplied by +boats coming up the Tennessee River. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 429, 496, 502.] The same considerations +influenced him in assenting to Sherman's plan of the Meridian +Expedition, where the troops engaged in it could live partly at +least on a country not yet ravaged by armies, whilst they would make +a diversion in favor of the weakened army left with Thomas. It is +safe to say that no such division of efforts would have occurred if +the railroad had been ready to supply the concentrated army on an +advance into Georgia. Sherman understood it to be an interlude, and +expected to be back and join the main army by the time the railroad +should be repaired and supplies accumulated. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +498.] As auxiliary to the line of supplies, the railroad from +Bridgeport to Decatur was also to be repaired, so as to connect with +steamboats at the latter place. + +In Foster's department the same energy was directed toward improving +the communication with Chattanooga. The hull of the light-draught +steamboat which Colonel Byrd had found under construction at +Kingston was taken as a model, and two more were put on the stocks. +[Footnote: _Ante_, vol. i. p.523. Official Records vol. xxxi. pt. +iii. p. 483.] Pontoon bridges were prepared for use at different +points on the river. Lumber was cut to rebuild the great railway +bridge at Loudon and the long trestle at Strawberry Plains. The +little train of "twenty-odd cars" which Burnside had captured was +carefully guarded and kept running on the only bit of railroad in +East Tennessee that was now open, viz., that from Loudon through +Knoxville to Strawberry Plains. Herds of cattle were threading +mountain paths to avoid the deep mud of the wagon roads from +Kentucky, and on those roads desperate but too often fruitless +efforts were making to push forward some wagon-loads of shoes and +clothing. + +In the consultations at Knoxville Foster had plainly stated his own +conviction that the only wise course was to abandon the thought of +aggressive warfare until spring; to station the troops so as to +cover Knoxville, but to select their positions chiefly with +reference to collecting forage and breadstuffs; to send all +unnecessary animals to the rear and in every way to simplify to the +utmost the problem of carrying the army through the winter, +preserving it for active use when the change of season and the +improvement of the railway line should make regular supplies +possible. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 281 _et +seq_.] Grant listened and suspended his judgment till he had +examined the situation for himself. An accident to General Foster +had increased the complication of affairs. He was occasionally +suffering from lameness resulting from an old wound in the leg, and +had found on his first journey over the mountains that he was in +danger of being disabled by it. Within a fortnight after he reached +Knoxville, his horse fell with him in passing over some slippery +rocks, and caught the wounded leg under him. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. +iii. p. 502.] This completely disabled the general for active field +service, and on the advice of his surgeon he asked to be relieved. +This request was forwarded on the 26th of December, and Grant had +been notified of it on the same day. It could not be acted on at +once, and during the few weeks that Foster remained at the head of +the department, he was obliged to remain in Knoxville, entrusting to +General Parke, as senior officer, the active command of combined +movements in the field. + +When General Grant reached Nashville, he reported to the War +Department the results of his visit to us. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. p. 99.] He said that he found the troops so destitute +of clothing and shoes that not more than two-thirds of them could +march; that the difficulty of supplying them even with food was so +great that it was not advisable to send reinforcements; consequently +that the policy advised by Foster must be followed and active +operations suspended. Of his own journey he said, "From the personal +inspection made, I am satisfied that no portion of our supplies can +be hauled by teams from Camp Nelson [Ky.]." He proposed, on the +first rise of the Cumberland River, to send supplies by steamboat up +the Cumberland to the mouth of the Big South Fork, in the hope that +as this was a new route some forage for the teams could be got along +it, and that wagoning would be possible by that line into East +Tennessee. It did not turn out to be so, and the only relief we got +was by way of Chattanooga, where light-draught steamboats added +something to the facilities for supply. As his own most pressing +needs were relieved, General Thomas sent the steamboat "Lookout" +with a small cargo of shoes and clothing to Loudon. There our little +railway train met the boat and brought the goods to Knoxville, so +that in my own command we began to receive a little about the 10th +of January. It was very little, but it was greatly encouraging as a +foretaste of better things to come. + +On the 12th General Foster was obliged to telegraph Grant that +things had grown worse rather than better since his visit. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 71, 72.] Many +animals were dying daily. The weather was still intensely cold, and +floating ice combined with high water, in the Holston had twice +broken the pontoon bridge at Knoxville. Food for man and beast was +all eaten out on the north side of the Holston River, and he +proposed to move most of the troops to the south and east of the +French Broad, in the hope of finding a region in which some corn and +forage might still remain. The great trestle bridge at Strawberry +Plains was completed, and a strong post would be left there to +protect it. A regiment was at work upon the bridge at Loudon. To +diminish the number of mouths to be fed, Foster gave the "veteran +furlough" at this time to several more of the regiments which had +re-enlisted. Trustworthy evidence showed that Longstreet was quite +as badly off as we were, and that he was not likely to move unless, +like us, he was forced to do so to find forage. Cavalry parties had +reported to us that there were considerable quantities of corn in +the neighborhood of Sevierville, and this was the inducement to send +most of our troops to that side of the French Broad River. To avoid +any appearance of retreat, it was ordered that we march from +Strawberry Plains to Dandridge, which was a flank movement to our +right, one day's march. There we should extemporize some sort of +ferry to cross the French Broad and seek camps in regions which +promised some supplies, but within supporting distance of our +several detachments. The men whose clothing was most lacking and who +were without shoes would remain in our present camp and be +temporarily attached to the post established to protect the bridge. +The cavalry, which had been near Mossy Creek (fourteen miles up the +Holston), was directed to move straight across the angle between the +two rivers, and cover the flank march of the infantry to Dandridge. +It was thought probable that the cavalry might subsist for a short +time in the neighborhood of Dandridge and in the valley of the +Nolachucky, the principal tributary of the French Broad from the +north; indeed, the time of crossing the larger river by the infantry +was not fixed, but would be determined by our good or bad fortune in +finding forage and bread-stuffs near Dandridge. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 82, 87, 99, 101.] + +The 15th of January was the day fixed for the march. The weather was +not so cold as it had been, but was very raw and uncomfortable. At +the last moment General Foster found it necessary to have a +consultation with Parke and Granger; and Sheridan, whose division of +the Fourth Corps led off on the road, was directed to select +positions for the infantry of that corps and mine as we reached +Dandridge. He was also authorized to assign mills to the use of the +different commands so as to systematize our means of supply and +prevent disorder. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. +p. 102.] The march was nineteen miles to Dandridge, and our +positions were about a mile in front of the village, on the hills +covering it. Both the Fourth and the Ninth Corps had remained in +their camps at Blain's Crossroads up to this time, and the Ninth now +took my place at Strawberry Plains, covering Knoxville from that +direction. It had less than 4000 men present for duty. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 292.] Our moving column consisted of Sheridan's and Wood's +divisions of the Fourth Corps and parts of three brigades from the +Twenty-third; less than 10,000 men in all. The ground was frozen, +and as we were moving over roads which had not been much travelled, +the way was comparatively smooth for our artillery and wagons. It +was not so much so for the infantry, and the little unevenness being +sharpened by frost, quickly cut through the men's old shoes. Those +who were barefoot were ordered to stay behind, but the shoes of +others were in so bad a state that there were places where I saw the +road marked with bloody tracks from the wounded feet of the +soldiers. + +Reaching Dandridge a little in advance of my command, I reported to +Sheridan, and he showed me the line he had selected, on which we +were to occupy the left. Colonel Sterling, my inspector-general, was +assigned the duty of placing the brigades in position as they +arrived. The cavalry had preceded us, and we found them occupying +the town and picketing the roads toward Morristown and the elbow of +the Nolachucky River northeast of us, locally called the Bend o' +Chucky. A range of hills known as Bay's Mountain was the water-shed +between the valleys of the Holston and the French Broad, and we +expected the cavalry to cover the front on a line from Kimbrough's +Cross-roads near the mountain to the Bend o' Chucky. This line would +be nine or ten miles from Dandridge, and would communicate also with +Mott's brigade of my command, which had been left in its post at +Mossy Creek, on the Holston, under orders to fall back deliberately +to Strawberry Plains if attacked by superior forces. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 99.] If these positions +could be held, the cavalry could not only collect the forage in the +Nolachucky valley as far up as their detachments could reach, but +would also threaten the left flank of Longstreet's position at +Morristown. + +Those who only knew Sheridan after the war would hardly recognize +him in the thin and wiry little man I met at Dandridge. His hollow +cheeks made his cheekbones noticeably prominent, and his features +had a decided Milesian cast. His reputation at that time was that of +an impetuous and vehement fighter when engaged, rousing himself to a +belligerent wrath and fury that made his spirit contagious and +stimulated his troops to a like vigor. At other times he was +unpretentious and genial, and whilst regarded as a good division +commander was not thought of as specially fitted for large and +independent responsibilities. He was not considered cool enough for +the broader duties of a commander, and indeed had had rather bad +luck in the great battles of Stone's River and Chickamauga, where +the qualities called for were those which enable a perfectly +self-possessed officer to extricate his command from a perilous +position. He has told me himself that he was slow in learning to +have confidence in his own power to direct in such cases, and that +it was only after he had tested himself, step by step, that he came +to rely on his own judgment and will, as he did in the Shenandoah +valley and at Five Forks. It was his blazing impetuosity in action +that made Grant think of him as specially fitted for a cavalry +leader, and his growth into the able commander of an army was a +later development of his talents. He received me very cordially, and +in our trying wintry experience at Dandridge began a friendly +acquaintance which continued unbroken till his death. + +General Thomas J. Wood was not with his division, and it was under +the command of General August Willich, whom I had seen drilling +Robert McCook's German regiment, the Ninth Ohio, as its adjutant, at +Camp Dennison in the spring of 1861. I had expected to find +Brigadier-General William B. Hazen in temporary command during +Wood's leave of absence, but when I went to his quarters was +surprised to find him in arrest. Hazen had been one of the first of +the officers of the regular army with whom I became acquainted at +the beginning of the war, and he had offered to accept a staff +position with me. I had a real regard for him, and naturally offered +my friendly services in his present predicament. It seemed that +Sheridan had called on him for a report as to the condition of +things in his front, and Hazen had taken advantage of some +peculiarity of the situation which he thought Sheridan did not +sufficiently understand, to make a report which was ironical and so +irritating that Sheridan's answer was to order him to keep his +quarters in arrest. Their quarrel, however, dated from the battle of +Missionary Ridge, where Sheridan accused Wood's division, and Hazen +in particular, with usurping the honors of being first on the crest +and capturing part of Bragg's artillery. Sheridan honestly thought +his division entitled to the honor, but the official evidence seems +to me to be against him. At any rate, it began a very pretty quarrel +which never was wholly made up, and which had many queer little +episodes, in war and in peace, on the Indian frontier and at +Washington, for many years thereafter. Hazen was an officer of real +ability, of brilliant courage and splendid personal presence. His +fault was that he was too keen in seeing flaws in other people's +performance of duty, and apt to dilate upon them in his official +reports when such officers were wholly independent of him. This made +him a good many enemies notwithstanding his noble qualities and his +genial kindliness to his friends. A military officer usually finds +it hard enough to submit gracefully to the criticisms of his +superiors, and naturally takes it ill if this prerogative is +exercised by those of equal grade without authority. Such a practice +puts into the official records matter which does not belong there, +and which, however honestly stated, may be very unjust, because all +the explanatory circumstances are not likely to be known to the +critic. At any rate, the person criticised is not amenable to that +tribunal, and this is enough in itself to cause a sense of injury. +[Footnote: See Review of General Hazen's Narrative of Military +Service, "The Nation," Nov. 5, 1885.] Sheridan took very kindly my +mediation in Hazen's behalf, and probably had never intended more +than a temporary arrest. After Granger came to the front and resumed +command of the corps, I heard no more of the trouble. + +We had escorted a small train in which were some wagon-loads of +clothing and shoes for the cavalry, and the mounted corps remained +at Dandridge during the 15th of January, issuing these supplies. The +rear of our infantry column came up on the next day, so that we were +assembled and in position before evening. The cavalry moved out in +the afternoon of the 16th, part on the right toward the Nolachucky +River, and the left toward Kimbrough's Cross-roads on the Morristown +road. The right wing found the enemy's cavalry in their front about +five miles from town, but the left wing found Kimbrough's occupied +by Longstreet's infantry. His whole force, except Ransom's division, +had advanced upon information of the movement of our cavalry on the +14th. In doing this Longstreet had turned the position of the +brigade of infantry left at Mossy Creek, and Colonel Mott retired on +the 16th to Strawberry Plains in accordance with his orders. Toward +evening the cavalry on our right were driven back in a lively +skirmish, and those on the left were recalled to give them support. +The whole were united and repulsed the enemy's horsemen, taking +position for the night about a mile in front of our infantry camps. +On the 17th the enemy's infantry advanced, and reached the posts of +our cavalry in the afternoon. Longstreet now made a vigorous attack +with his troops of both arms, and gradually drove back our horsemen, +who resisted him with their carbines, fighting dismounted. Sheridan +supported the cavalry with some infantry and a lively skirmishing +combat continued for an hour or two till darkness came on. The +affair was something of a surprise to both parties. Longstreet had +evidently made his movement in the hope of giving our cavalry a +lesson which might check their enterprise and make them keep their +distance, and was astonished to come upon our infantry at Dandridge. +We were in motion to put our infantry on the south side of the +French Broad, and were equally surprised to find the enemy in force +on the same route. + +General Parke and General Granger had ridden over from Strawberry +Plains and reached Dandridge in the afternoon. Hearing of the +presence of what was reported to be the whole of Longstreet's army, +and not liking to accept battle with superior forces with the river +at his back, Parke had caused an examination of the river to be +made, and learned that just below the town was a shallow, fordable +at an ordinary stage of water, and now about waist-deep for the men. +In the low physical condition of our troops and their lack of +clothing he very wisely thought it would not do to make them march +through the river, but devised a foot-bridge by putting army wagons +end to end and making a path over the boxes of the wagons. Sheridan +was ordered to detach a brigade immediately to make this bridge, and +it set to work at once. The plan was to march the infantry to the +south side of the river and afterward remove the wagons, covering +the operation by the cavalry who could then ford the stream, which +though very cold and running with ice was not impracticable for +horsemen. + +About dusk, as the skirmishing in front ceased, Sheridan and myself, +with Sturgis, the commandant of the cavalry, were called to meet +Generals Parke and Granger at a house in the town to report the +condition of affairs in our front and to receive orders for +marching. The bridge had been completed, as was supposed, and the +brigade which had made it had been ordered across, when, on reaching +the land on the left bank, they found, to their amazement, that they +were upon an island with an equally deep and wide channel beyond! +This news had just been received when we assembled at headquarters. +Sheridan was greatly mortified at the blunder, but there was then no +help for it. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. i. p. 79.] +It was impracticable to complete the bridge before morning, and it +was doubtful if wagons enough could be got together. My own command +was on the extreme left of the line, partly covering the road back +to Strawberry Plains, and we had not been engaged. The fighting had +been in front of the centre and right. I could therefore throw no +light on the question of the enemy's force. The information from +other parts of the line and from prisoners left no doubt that +infantry had engaged in the attack late in the afternoon and that +Longstreet was present in force. There was therefore no dissent from +the conclusion that it would be unwise to accept a battle with the +river behind us, and orders were given to leave the position in the +night and retire to Strawberry Plains. The wagons and most of the +artillery were to follow the advance-guard, which was Sheridan's +division, my command to march next, and Willich's (Wood's) division +of the Fourth Corps to be the rear-guard. The cavalry were to march +on a road a little to the right, leading to New Market, and would +thus cover our flank. [Footnote: For the Dandridge expedition, see +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. i. pp. 79 _et seq_.] + +Granger had been ailing for a day or two and had not been with the +troops. He was lying on a bed in the room where we met, and the rest +of us sat about the fireplace, a tallow candle being on a rude table +in the middle of the floor. Sturgis came in later than the others, +having had a longer ride. He was a handsome fellow, with full, round +features, sharp black eyes, and curly black hair and mustache. He +had been seated but a few minutes when he noticed a bottle of +whiskey on the table and a glass which had been placed there as camp +hospitality for any one that wanted it, but had apparently been +neglected. Glancing that way, Sturgis said, "If I had a little bit +of sugar, I believe I'd take a toddy." A colored boy produced a +sugar-bowl and the toddy was taken. The conversation ran on a few +moments, when, as if it were a wholly new suggestion, the same voice +repeated, "If I had a little bit of sugar, I believe I'd take a +toddy;" and again the attendant did the honors. Our orders were +received and we were about ready to go to our commands, when again, +with polite intonation and a most amusing unconsciousness of any +repetition, came the words, "If I had a little bit of sugar, I +believe I'd take a toddy." The incident was certainly a funny one in +itself, but I should not have cared to repeat it had not the +official records of Sturgis's defeat by Forrest in the Tishimingo +affair later in the year emphasized the mischief of lax habits as to +temperance. The judgment of his superiors and of those who knew him +well was made severer by the knowledge of his weakness in this +respect. Railway officers insist upon absolute sobriety in +locomotive engineers; but if there be one employment in which such +coolness of head is more absolutely essential than in another, I +believe it is in commanding troops in the field. [Footnote: See +Marbot's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 242, for results of Wittgenstein's +reliance on an intemperate officer, Kulnieff, in the Russian +campaign of 1812.] Sturgis's military downfall was a severe lesson, +but he gave every evidence afterward of having learned it, and +"lived cleanly" through many years of service after the Civil War +was over. + +The march back to Strawberry Plains began by starting the wagon +train to the rear as soon as it was dark. Sheridan's division was +drawn out soon afterward. My command was ordered to leave the line +at eight o'clock, and Willich's to follow when the road should be +clear as far as the first defensible ridge beyond the village where +a rear-guard could make a successful stand. The cavalry were to +maintain their position till morning and cover the movement. It was +about half-past eight when my column closed up upon the wagons ahead +of me, but as they had not yet climbed the first hill, we found +ourselves necessarily halted in the main street of the village. +General Willich had prudently placed a tent a little to the right of +the road where it leaves the town, and there he made his quarters +until the column should completely pass that point. He could thus +keep his division in their bivouac in support of the cavalry till he +knew the rest of the little army had cleared the place and could +secure some rest, whilst he was still in easy communication with +both the marching column and his own men. He reaped the advantage of +his forethought. As my command had to assist the wagons and the +artillery, no such means of bettering the situation was possible for +us. I had notified Willich that I would be in person at the extreme +rear of my command so that he could communicate with me most +promptly and obtain my support if he were seriously attacked. The +brigade in the lead was directed to give the wagons and cannon every +help in getting forward, and the column was ordered to keep well +closed up. + +The day had been a mild one in comparison with the fortnight +preceding, and rain set in early in the evening. The surface of the +clayey roads soon became very slippery, then cut into deep ruts, and +the moisture was just enough to give the mud the consistency of +tenacious putty. The teams, half starved, were very weak, and it +seemed as if they would never mount the hills before them, which +were the southern end of the ridge of Bay's Mountain, separating the +Holston valley from the Nolachucky. Three or four teams had to be +united to drag up a single cannon or caisson, and the time as well +as the distance was thus trebled or quadrupled. In some instances +more than twenty horses were thus hitched to a single piece, besides +having infantrymen at the wheels as thick as they could cluster, +pushing and lifting. The column which was halted thus waiting for +the wagon trains and artillery to climb a hill, grew weary of +standing. The men would break ranks and sit down in the fence +corners, where they built little camp-fires, and, rainy as it was, +they fell asleep leaning against each other in these little +bivouacs. Then would come word from the front to close up, and the +regimental officers would give the command to fall in. The men would +rouse themselves, the column would march, perhaps less than a +hundred yards, when the road would be blocked again, the men would +again seek the fence corners and stir up the fires that had been +left by those who were now in advance. Thus in cold and wet and +weariness the night wore on, till when day broke about six o'clock +next morning we had put a distance of less than two miles between us +and the village, and Willich's division had barely reached the first +wooded ridge beyond the town. + +During all the last hours of the night we were anxious lest we +should be attacked by the enemy, who by crowning the hills above the +road would have had us at great disadvantage. I had concerted with +General Willich a plan of action if we were assailed, but the enemy +took no advantage of our situation, and I have always believed that +as the meeting at Dandridge was a mutual surprise, by a similar +coincidence both parties were retiring at the same time. Our cavalry +moved off toward New Market at daybreak, but it was not till late in +the forenoon, when we had toiled on several miles further, that the +Confederate cavalry approached our infantry rear-guard and +accompanied its march for a time with some light skirmishing. + +The weather grew colder during the day, and in the afternoon the +rain changed to moist driving snow. The sleepy, weary troops toiled +doggedly on; the wagons and the cannon were helped over the bad +places in the way, for we were determined not to abandon any, and +the enemy was not hurrying us. When night fell, on the 18th, my own +command and Willich's division were still three miles from +Strawberry Plains, though Sheridan's division and part of the wagon +train had reached that place and crossed the Holston. We halted the +men here and went into bivouac for the night. It had been a +wretchedly cheerless and uncomfortable march, but the increasing +cold and flying snow made the camp scarcely less inclement. The +officers were, as was frequently the case, worse off than the men, +for they could not carry their rations in haversacks, and the +separation from the wagons in such a desolate country meant a +prolonged fast. The delay caused by the rain and mud had been +unexpected, and the march we had hoped to make in the night had +taken more than twenty-four hours. During that time myself and staff +had not eaten a mouthful, and we had no expectation of seeing food +till we should get across the Holston next day and reach our +headquarters wagons. Better luck happened us, however. We found a +deserted and unfinished log cabin which had a roof and a +stick-and-clay chimney, though it had no floor or chinking. The snow +drove through between the logs, but the roof was over our heads and +we soon had a lively fire roaring in the chimney. Some bundles of +corn-stalks were found in a field near by, and of these we made a +bed on the ground in front of the fire, and began to think we might +forget our hunger in thankfulness for fire and shelter such as it +was. But still better was in store for us. One of our tired forage +trains had gone into park near us, and the teamsters offered to +share their supper with us. They had corn "pone," some salt pork, +and for a rarity some newly arrived coffee. We sat on the +corn-stalks around the fire with an iron camp-kettle in the midst +containing the black coffee which we dipped out with battered tin +cups, and we held in our hands pieces of the corn-pone and slices of +fried pork, congratulating each other on the unexpected luxury of +our supper. Hunger and fatigue were so good a sauce that it seemed +really a luxury, and we banished care with an ease which now seems +hardly credible. The supper ended, sleep was not long a-wooing, +though my rest was more broken than that of the others, for frequent +dispatches came from headquarters which I had to answer, and orders +had to be sent to the troops to continue the march on the morrow in +accordance with the directions which I had received. I had provided +myself in Cincinnati with a field dispatch book in form of a +manifold letter-writer which I myself carried in a sabretasch during +all the rest of the war. In this, by means of the carbon sheets and +agate-pointed stylus, a dispatch and its copy were written at once, +and a valuable record kept of every day's business. I could sit by +the bivouac fire and write upon my knee without troubling a weary +aide-de-camp to make a copy. I had in my saddle portmanteau also a +little pair of brass candlesticks screwing together in form of a +large watch-case, so that I could be provided with a light at the +root of a tree in the darkness, if it was necessary to send or +receive dispatches where there was neither shelter nor fire. These +were necessaries; for food we could take our chances. + +We halted the troops in wooded slopes where they were sheltered from +the storm and where the evergreen boughs were speedily converted +into tents of a sort, as well as soft and fragrant beds. Their +ration was still scant, but nearly all of them picked up some +addition to it on a day's march, so that the camps were more +cheerful than they had been in the intensely severe weather of the +first half of the month. On the next day we continued the movement, +passing through Strawberry Plains and three miles further on the +road to Knoxville. The Fourth Corps troops were ordered to go to the +last-named city, there to cross the Holston and move out toward +Sevierville into the country we had expected to reach by way of +Dandridge. The Ninth Corps remained a little longer at Strawberry +Plains. + +On the 18th of January General Foster's plans were unsettled by a +dispatch received from General Grant, dated at Nashville on the +16th, but in some manner delayed in transmittal. This conveyed the +rather startling information that Longstreet had been reinforced by +a division of Ewell's Corps with expectation of another also, and +that the Confederate commander was in fact moving in force on +Knoxville. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 109, +127.] The source of the information is not disclosed, but the news +was stated with a positiveness uncommon with Grant. It reached +Foster just as he had Parke's report of our having most unexpectedly +met Longstreet's infantry at Dandridge and of our retreat on +Strawberry Plains. The news was without foundation, for Longstreet +had not been reinforced and his movement had no other significance +than that which I have given it; but, coming on the heels of the +accidental collision at Dandridge, there was a curious coincidence +in the events which gave strong apparent confirmation to the report, +and it was a matter of course that Foster should accept it as true +and act upon it. + +He directed the sick and all extra baggage to be sent at once to +Knoxville. Part of the Fourth Corps troops were ordered to the same +place. The cavalry, except two regiments left with General Parke for +picket duty, was ordered to pass through Knoxville toward +Sevierville to obstruct any further movement of the enemy on the +Dandridge line. Parke was ordered to hold the rest of the army +together, resisting Longstreet's advance, and retiring deliberately +on Knoxville. Preparations were made to destroy the long trestle +bridge at Strawberry Plains, and this important structure was +devoted to ruin for the third or fourth time since Sanders entered +the valley in the preceding summer. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 129, 162.] Grant had said to Foster that the +impossibility of supplying more troops in East Tennessee made it +useless to send reinforcements, and that he must keep between +Longstreet and Thomas, retiring toward Chattanooga if necessary. +Halleck complicated the situation by telegraphing direct to Thomas +that he must aid Foster to any extent needed, and that the line from +Knoxville to Cumberland Gap must be maintained at all hazards. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 130.] Foster reported to Grant that he had so +greatly improved the defences and armament of Knoxville that it +could not be taken, and that he would not retire further than this +place unless it were explicitly ordered. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 138.] +This was in accordance with General Grant's wish, and his confidence +in the information as to Longstreet's reinforcement was such that he +telegraphed Halleck on the 20th that the siege of Knoxville was +about to be renewed. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. +ii. p. 149.] The chronic inability of Halleck to understand East +Tennessee affairs is shown in his insistence on still maintaining +the Cumberland Gap line, which was necessarily uncovered whenever +the enemy approached Strawberry Plains. Chattanooga had now become +our base, and remained so for all troops in East Tennessee till the +end of the war. We at the front got the first authentic information +which disproved the report of Longstreet's reinforcement and showed +that he had retired to Morristown. Foster was thus enabled to +telegraph Grant on the 20th that the evidence did not sustain the +report, and that he doubted whether the Confederate commander would +again attempt Knoxville. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 151.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +WINTER QUARTERS IN EAST TENNESSEE--PREPARATIONS FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN + + +Sending our animals to Kentucky--Consultations--Affair with enemy's +cavalry--Roughing it--Distribution of troops--Cavalry engagement at +Sevierville--Quarters in Knoxville--Leading Loyalists--Social and +domestic conditions--Discussion of the spring campaign--Of Foster's +successor--Organization of Grant's armies--Embarrassments in +assignment of officers to duty--Discussion of the system--Cipher +telegraphing--Control of the key--Grant's collision with +Stanton--Absurdity of the War Department's method--General Stoneman +assigned to Twenty-third Corps--His career and character--General +Schofield succeeds to the command of the Department of the Ohio. + + +In connection with the movements of concentration about Knoxville, +General Foster carried out his scheme of sending back to pasture in +Kentucky and Tennessee all the horses and mules, except a very few +teams needed to distribute supplies and two or three horses at each +division headquarters for the commanding officer and an aide or two. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 203-204.] The +animals were herded and driven together, an escort of cavalry +accompanying them, and the whole put in charge of Captain Day of my +staff, as quartermaster, the same whose energy in our journey over +the mountains I have already noted. This measure definitely +committed us, of course, to a quiet and defensive line of conduct +for the next three months. On the 21st of January we were +deliberately closing in around Knoxville, where the Fourth Corps was +already concentrated, and General Foster had called upon the three +corps commanders to meet him at his headquarters in the city for the +purpose of putting in official form our opinion upon the necessity +of suspending active operations in view of the condition of the +troops and animals. We met there on the next day, and submitted our +reports in response to interrogatories on several points. My own +statement summarized the facts in regard to the supplies of food, +forage, clothing, and the impossibility of drawing anything more +from the country except some very limited quantities of +bread-stuffs. My conclusion was that economy of life, animals, +property, and (taking the next six months together) of time also, +required that the troops should go into permanent quarters for a +short period to be devoted to recuperation, drill, and instruction, +organization of means of supply, and general preparation for an +active campaign in the spring. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. p. 176.] I, however, added that this was on the +hypothesis that no imperative military reasons existed for continued +active campaigning; for in presence of such a necessity every +officer and man of the corps would most cheerfully continue to +undergo every hardship and endure every privation. There was +complete unanimity among us in regard to the subject, and General +Foster's orders were issued accordingly. + +Whilst we were in conference, reports came in from General Willcox, +who had been left in command of the Ninth Corps at Strawberry +Plains, that the enemy were pressing him rather vigorously. Word +came also from General Spears that hostile infantry and cavalry had +appeared in large force at Blain's Cross-roads. Sturgis also +reported from the direction of Sevierville that the whole rebel army +had gone to Strawberry Plains. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 163, 174.] +Toward evening of the 22d our troops had come within some five or +six miles of Knoxville, but the enemy showed so strong a disposition +to attack that Foster ordered me to return to the front, take +command of both corps (Ninth and Twenty-third) and of the cavalry +with them, and check the Confederates, as there was some danger that +our troops would change the concerted movement into a precipitate +retreat. General Parke was suffering in health from recent exposure +and remained in Knoxville. Galloping out from the town, I reached +the troops a little before dark, halted them, and by a personal +reconnoissance satisfied myself that only cavalry were before us. +Our men had passed some wooded hills which were important to cover +our position and give a starting-point for an aggressive movement on +our part. Reversing their movement, I reoccupied these hills, +brusquely driving back the enemy's advance-guard and checking their +main body. It was now dark, and putting our forces in line of battle +ready for an advance at daybreak, they were allowed to bivouac for +the night, whilst I rode rapidly back to Knoxville, in accordance +with my arrangement with General Foster to report to him in person +the particulars of the situation. He approved my suggestion that I +should advance the whole line in the morning and settle the question +what force was before us. The wagons had come into the town, and my +headquarters with them; so taking each of us a blanket, myself and +the two staff officers who had accompanied me (Colonel Sterling and +my brother) rode back again at midnight to the front, and rested +till daybreak on the rough floor of a log cabin. The line then was +advanced, but the enemy had taken the hint from the preparations of +the evening and had decamped. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. p. 184.] Detachments went in pursuit some eight +miles, but the Confederates had definitely withdrawn, and we +obtained conclusive proof that only their cavalry had followed us +across the Holston River. + +The interrupted movement toward Knoxville was resumed, but it +required me to remain another night in roughest bivouac, and another +day without food, except as a mouthful could be found at hazard. I +had begun the Dandridge movement with a cold which threatened +pneumonia, but had grown steadily better through all the exposure, +finding, as often happened to me in the course of the war, that the +physical and mental stimulus of active campaigning even in the worst +of weather was tonic and health-giving. + +As soon as the situation was cleared up by trustworthy information +of Longstreet's movements, General Foster resumed his plans for +winter quarters. His first intention of sending the Fourth Corps +toward Sevierville was modified by Grant's directions to put that +corps where it could most readily rejoin the Army of the Cumberland. +He therefore ordered me to move the Twenty-third Corps in that +direction, and formally united to the corps the brigade of East +Tennessee troops under Brigadier-General James G. Spears, which had +theretofore been an independent organization. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 162.] Sturgis, who had marched with +most of the cavalry on the route thus assigned to me, reported that +the road was the worst he ever saw, and, with all the experience of +bad roads we had had, this meant that it was impracticable for our +few and weak teams. [Footnote: _Ibid._] This put an end to all hope +of living on the country, and Foster accepted the necessity of +distributing his troops about Knoxville and along the lines leading +to Chattanooga. + +On the 22d of January orders were issued assigning the Fourth Corps +to quarters extending from Kingston to Loudon along the river and +railroad. The Ninth Corps took post between Campbell's Station and +Knoxville. The Twenty-third Corps encamped at Knoxville and in the +immediate vicinity. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 183.] The cavalry occupied +the country southeast of the Holston holding a front on the French +Broad River. A few small outposts further up the valley were +maintained for observation. + +A brilliant cavalry combat near Sevierville on the 27th ended the +active work under General Foster's command. Longstreet, hearing of +the presence of our cavalry south of the French Broad, directed +General Martin, commanding his cavalry corps, to get his forces +across the river and meet Sturgis at once. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 611.] The latter had McCook's +division in advance, supported by Garrard's near Pigeon River. +Martin advanced upon McCook, but was surprised to find his adversary +seize the initiative. Learning of the Confederate advance, McCook +marched to meet them on the road leading to Fair Garden. Martin was +driven back, his right (Morgan's division) being routed by a gallant +charge led by Colonel La Grange, First Wisconsin Cavalry, who +commanded a brigade. [Footnote: Id. pt. i. pp. 139, 141.] Two +regimental commanders, seven other commissioned officers, over a +hundred privates, and two pieces of artillery were captured by the +charge. General Morgan's battle-flag was also among the trophies. +Our own casualties amounted to only thirty-one. Martin beat a hasty +retreat across the French Broad to Dandridge, and Longstreet frankly +admitted Martin's defeat with a loss of 200 men and the two guns. +[Footnote: _Id_. pp. 149-150.] He attributed it to the inefficiency +of his cavalry commander, and urged that one more competent be sent +him. [Footnote: _Id_pt. ii. p. 632.] Sturgis followed on the 28th to +Fair's Island Ford near Dandridge, where he was met by Armstrong's +division of the Confederates. Longstreet now passed over an infantry +force in rear of our cavalry, and they fell back to Maryville. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 653.] Both parties found the winter work too +costly, and were now glad to take a few weeks for rest and +recuperation. + +As my headquarters were assigned to Knoxville, I had the opportunity +of increasing my knowledge of the people and of the social +complications which grew out of the war. I found quarters for myself +and Lieutenant Theodore Cox, my aide, at the house of Mr. Cowen, a +young merchant of the city, whose father was one of the prominent +business men. The house was on the north side of a suburban street +running parallel to the river, and not far from the buildings of the +East Tennessee University, which were partially fortified and +connected with Fort Sanders by a line of infantry trench. The fields +on the opposite side of the road were open, and sloped down to the +river bank, and in these my headquarters guard pitched their tents +and the general quarters of the staff were also placed. A near +neighbor, in the direction of the college, was the Rev. Dr. Humes, +rector of the Episcopal parish, and after the war President of the +University. General Burnside had spoken of him as a noble man, of +devoted loyalty as well as earnest piety, and I was glad to know him +as one who by his high intelligence and character was an authority +on all that related to Holston valley. [Footnote: Thomas W. Humes, +S.T.D. He has, since the war (1888), published a volume devoted to +the East Tennessee loyalists, entitled "The Loyal Mountaineers of +Tennessee."] John Williams, John M. Fleming, and O. P. Temple were +among those who represented the Union sentiment of Knoxville, as did +Perez Dickinson among the merchants. [Footnote: Since this chapter +was written, Chancellor Temple has contributed a valuable work to +the history of the Rebellion, in his "East Tennessee and the Civil +War," Cincinnati. 1899.] John Baxter, afterward Judge of the United +States Circuit Court, was a strong and wise friend of the +government. Horace Maynard represented the district in Congress both +before and after the war, and was regarded at Washington as its +official representative even in the period when the Confederate +occupation made him an exile from his home. William G. Brownlow was +in Knoxville also, having returned as soon as our army had opened +the way. His son, "Colonel Jim," was doing gallant service at the +head of the First East Tennessee Cavalry. Around this group of +leading men were arrayed the great majority of the people, devoted +in their attachment to the Union. The men of property among them had +sometimes been forced to dissimulate in order to protect their +persons and their possessions; but now that the National army was in +the valley, there was no mistaking the earnest satisfaction and the +hearty sympathy of these people. There was a minority who had been +open Secessionists, and these had been influential beyond their +numbers, by reason of their wealth and social standing; for here, as +well as everywhere else in the South, owners of slaves easily became +champions of the extreme doctrines of what they called the +constitutional guaranty of their property. They claimed to include +most of the "upper class" in their numbers, though this was by no +means true in this region. + +The feelings of both Union men and Secessionists were very bitter, +and social life was as strongly marked by these divisions as the +hostile camps. The number of slaves was comparatively small, but +they were the house servants in the towns, and their disposition to +assert their liberty added to the social turmoil. The mistress of +the house where I lodged hired her cook from a neighbor who claimed +the woman as a slave; but the employer found herself obliged to make +another bargain with the cook, and to pay her a second wage in order +to keep her at work at all. The Unionists of East Tennessee were not +yet fully advanced to the emancipation of the slaves as a result of +the war. Parson Brownlow had fiercely denounced the Secessionists +for arguing that secession was necessary to preserve property in +slaves. Our army commanders thought it prudent not to agitate this +question, and contented themselves with keeping within the limits of +the statutes and the general orders of the War Department, which +forbade military interference to return fugitives to the masters or +to compel their obedience. The matter was left to work itself out, +as it rapidly did. + +After the first of February the weather became settled and gave us a +more favorable opinion of the East Tennessee climate. We had sharp +frosts at night with occasional light flurries of snow, but the days +were usually bright, it thawed about midday, and the average +temperature was such as to make active exercise delightful. The +summits of the Great Smoky Mountains were covered with snow, and +made a picturesque framing for the natural loveliness of the +valleys. The roads were nowhere metalled, and the alternate freezing +and thawing made them nearly impassable; but if we had been able to +bring forward proper forage and supplies, we should have overcome +the other obstacles to active campaigning. As it was, we could only +await the approach of spring, when the settling of the roads and the +opening of railroad communication with Chattanooga and Nashville +would make it possible to bring back from Kentucky and feed our +horses which had been sent to the rear. + +There was, beside, the question of the change necessary in the +command of the department, since there was no probability that +General Foster's health would permit him to retain it and he had +urgently requested that his successor should be assigned to duty. +Indeed, the question of organization reached down to the regiments +and brigades, and was a burning one in all the armies of Grant's +Military Division. Besides this, the revival of the grade of +Lieutenant-General was already mooted in Congress, and it was nearly +a foregone conclusion that Grant would have the command of all the +armies and the task of co-ordinating their movements. Our little +army in East Tennessee was agitated not only with the speculations +as to our new commander, but with debates as to our probable part in +the next campaign, and the forces which would be given to us with +which to do our work. Would the Ninth Corps remain in the +department, or would it be ordered to the East for duty under +Burnside, as was already rumored? Would our task be simply to +garrison East Tennessee; should we make Longstreet's army our +objective and follow him into Virginia; or should we be united to +Sherman's and Thomas's armies for a campaign in Georgia? We eagerly +listened for every hint which might be dropped at headquarters, but +Grant's proverbial reticence left us to our conjectures, and each +question was answered only when official orders were finally +published. Much that was very blind to us is now easily traced in +the Official Records. + +When General Foster informed the War Department that the opening of +his old wound made it necessary to relieve him of command in East +Tennessee, the President was in some perplexity in regard to several +prominent officers. He was disposed to find some adequate employment +for Rosecrans, who was still backed by a very strong political +coterie in Washington. He was convinced that injustice had been done +Burnside, and was thinking of sending him with the Ninth Corps, +largely increased in numbers, to his old field of successful work on +the Carolina coast. The opposition of influential politicians of +Kansas and Missouri to Schofield, whose confirmation as +major-general was still obstructed in the Senate, he felt as a +personal hostility to himself. Grant was also desirous of suitable +assignments to command for McPherson, W. F. Smith, and Sheridan. The +almost certain passage of the bill to give a higher grade in the +army, and the assumption that Grant would be promoted to it, gave +the opportunity to make a satisfactory arrangement of all these +cases. Burnside's return to active work and the removal to the East +of the Ninth Corps were determined on, with General Parke's return, +at his own desire, to the position of Burnside's chief of staff. +McPherson was to take the Army of the Tennessee when Sherman should +be promoted to the command of the Military Division of the +Mississippi. Smith and Sheridan were to have high assignments in the +Eastern army. Rosecrans was sent to Missouri, and Schofield, to his +great content, was appointed to command the Army of the Ohio. These +changes were gradually shaped in the correspondence of Grant with +army headquarters during the fall and winter. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 122, 277, 458, 529, 571; vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 79, 80, 182, 202, 209, 229, 230, 251, 336; also a +curious letter of Hooker to Stranton, _id_., pp. 467-469. See also +Schofield's "Forty-six Years in the Army," pp. 108-110. I have +treated these changes more in detail in chapter vii. of Force's +"General Sherman" (Great Commanders' series). See preface of the +work last named.] They were followed by others in the corps +divisions and brigades, so that the organization of all the Western +armies took permanent form before Grant was called to Washington to +assume his new rank at the beginning of March. + +In regard to general officers the question of assignments and +promotions was always an embarrassing one for commanders of armies +in the field. As the law prescribed the maximum number of +major-generals and of brigadiers, political and military pressure +combined to keep the list always full. [Footnote: In reply to +Grant's request for the promotion of General W.F. Smith, Halleck +Informed him, on Jan. 13, 1864, that there was not only no vacancy, +but that by some error more had again been appointed that the law +authorized, and some already in service would have to be dropped. +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 80. As to brigaders, see +Halleck to Grant, _Id_., p. 481.] Closest watch was kept by +politicians and others at Washington, and if a vacancy occurred, the +pressure to fill it was exactly such as would be made for a civil +office in the gift of the government. Officers of the regular army +found in General Halleck a powerful support, and it was assumed that +those appointed from civil life would be looked after by their +political friends. The effort which was made by the War Department +in the winter to force into active service or into retirement all +officers who for any cause had been "shelved" was well intended, but +in practice it accentuated the feeling of experienced commanders +that a radical reform was essential. An intelligent system was +demanded, reaching from top to bottom of the army, separating its +discipline, its assignments to duty, its promotions and its removals +from political influences, and making merit alone the basis of +advancement. In the condition of public affairs no such thorough +work was possible. The embarrassments of army commanders had been +very bluntly explained to the War Department in the confidential +dispatches of Mr. Dana from Chattanooga. His judgments may sometimes +have been hasty, but he gives a very vivid picture of the mischiefs +which follow from having incompetent, intemperate, or inefficient +men saddled upon an army. The same dispatches, however, showed also +how unwillingly the commanders resorted to extreme severity with men +toward whom they had feelings of personal kindness. In strong hands +like Grant's or Sherman's the power to get promptly rid of such +incumbrances (which Dana recommended) would be ably used and work +well. As to political considerations, the President on more than one +occasion admitted that he felt obliged, at times, to let these +control his action, instead of reasons based on the efficiency of +the army. [Footnote: For Dana's dispatches on this subject, see +Official Records, vol. xxx. pt. i. p. 220; vol. xxxi. pt. i. pp. 69, +73, 265; pt. ii. pp. 54, 63. In his published "Recollections of the +Civil War" (1898), Mr. Dana has omitted some of his most trenchant +personal criticisms.] + +Along with the graver embarrassments which General Grant found in +organizing his armies for a new campaign were smaller ones, which +though sometimes concerned with trivial matters were not on that +account likely to be less annoying. When the general visited us at +Knoxville and Strawberry Plains in the severe weather of early +January, he came practically unattended. He had with him +Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. Comstock of the engineers, who continued in +confidential staff relations to him to the end of the war, well +known then and ever since as an officer of rare ability and +discretion. At Knoxville Grant received a dispatch in cipher which +he could not read because the telegraph operator at his headquarters +at Nashville alone had the key. This gave him great annoyance and +might have had very serious consequences. When therefore he reached +Nashville on his return ride over the mountains, he directed the +operator to reveal the key to Colonel Comstock, who was always with +him. The operator of course reported the fact to the superintendent +of military telegraphs at Washington (Colonel Anson Stager), and on +the report of the latter to the Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton +ordered the operator summarily dismissed from his employment, and +formally reprimanded Colonel Comstock as if the revelation had been +merely on his personal order. Of course Grant, who had never dreamed +that he was treading upon anybody's toes, immediately assumed the +full responsibility. He showed the folly of making details of method +override the public necessity to which they were subservient, and +asked that the operator should be restored to his employment and not +made to suffer for obeying his personal order. He said: "I could see +no reason why I was not as capable of selecting a proper person to +intrust with this secret as Colonel Stager." One would think this +ought to have ended the matter, but it did not, though the operator +was restored to duty. Mr. Stanton had the old cipher thrown away, +issued a new one, and stuck to the plan of trusting it to an +ordinary civilian operator, whilst it was not allowed to be known to +the commanding general or the most responsible staff officer. Grant +made the sensible suggestion that the key be given to military +officers only, and be kept from the civilian operators; but Mr. +Stanton adhered to the farcical notion of carrying on a cipher +correspondence which should be open to the irresponsible +transmitter, but secret as to the responsible commanding general to +whom it was addressed. If it were meant for a system of espionage +upon the general by thus inseparably tying to him a civilian over +whom he had no control, like an agent of a secret police reporting +to a Fouche or a Savary, it would be an intelligible though bungling +contrivance; but as a means of secret communication with a general +it was ridiculous in the extreme. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 150, 159, 161, 172, 323, 324, 361.] + +The telegraph operators were young men who had learned the art +usually in the northern telegraph offices and were hired for +military service like other civilian employees. The operator at +Grant's headquarters at Nashville had a busy place, and could not be +spared to accompany the general whenever he visited a distant post, +even if such inseparable attendance had been agreeable to the +commander. Many of the operators were faithful and intelligent men, +but there were some who were not; and an incident occurred in the +Nashville campaign in the next year which showed what mischiefs were +likely to happen when a telegraph operator was cowardly or +untrustworthy. [Footnote: See "The Battle of Franklin," by the +present writer, pp. 29, 30.] + +Returning to the affairs of the Army of the Ohio, at the same time +that General Schofield was ordered to report to Grant for duty, +Major-General George Stoneman was sent from the East with a similar +order. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 166, +182.] It had not then been announced that the Ninth Corps would +return to the East, and apparently assuming that the Army of the +Ohio would include more than one corps of infantry, General Grant +suggested the assignment of Schofield to the department and Stoneman +to the Twenty-third Corps. This was ordered accordingly on the 28th +of January. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 229, 251.] Stoneman's last service +had been as Hooker's chief of cavalry in the Chancellorsville +campaign, and under Hooker's orders he had been upon a separate +expedition of cavalry during that unfortunate battle. In the general +miscarriage of the campaign, he was, with questionable justice, held +responsible in part for the failure and was displaced. In the +general plan of setting everybody to work again, he was sent to +Grant, though, as time had brought about a more favorable judgment +regarding him, it would have been fair to assign him to duty again +with the Army of the Potomac. I think he expected the command of the +cavalry of the western army, but Grant had selected +Brigadier-General William Sooy Smith for that position, and looking +about for suitable duty for Stoneman, the Twenty-third Corps was +seen to have no permanent commander assigned by the President, and +Stoneman was nominated for it. As events turned out, the appointment +was for a very short period. + +My command of the corps with the rank of brigadier was of course +anomalous, and would necessarily be temporary unless the appropriate +rank were restored to me. Had Burnside remained in East Tennessee, +it is probable that his wish would have prevailed; but he was +absent, and I was a comparative stranger, forming new relations to +Grant and his principal subordinates. Foster had also assured me +that he would wish no change in the corps command if he stayed at +the head of the Department, but as his health caused his withdrawal, +the new arrangements were made without consulting him. Under these +circumstances there was nothing for me to do but to accept the +inevitable and take such active work as my seniority in my present +rank would give. + +When General Foster learned that he would soon be relieved, he very +cordially offered to do anything in his power to further my wishes +in regard to any choice of duty when I should be superseded in the +corps. I replied that my strong desire was to get the most active +field service, and as it was doubtful whether the corps would not be +kept to garrison East Tennessee, I would like to be transferred to +the Army of the Cumberland, which was certain to make the next +campaign in Georgia. On his suggestion I wrote a letter to General +Grant asking the transfer on the grounds stated. This application +General Foster forwarded with a letter of his own supporting it in +very friendly manner. Nothing came of this, but it was the reason +for the delay which occurred in my assignment to permanent work in +the Army of the Ohio. Some of my friends in the Fourth Corps, +knowing that Sheridan was to leave his division, had suggested my +appointment there, but the surplus of general officers prevented. +Major-General Newton, one of those who came west from the Potomac +army, was assigned to that division. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxii. pt. i. p.18.] + +Generals Schofield and Stoneman reached Knoxville on the 9th of +February, and the changes in command were promptly made. [Footnote: +_Id._, pt. ii. pp. 356, 358, 359, 364, 365.] For a fortnight I was +off duty, awaiting orders. General Foster took his leave of us, +thoroughly respected by all, though his crippled physical condition +had interfered with his personal activity. + +My separation from the corps command only affected myself and my two +personal aides-de-camp. I had recommended Major Bascom, my +adjutant-general, and Major Treat, my commissary, for permanent +positions on the corps staff, and these recommendations were kindly +adopted by General Stoneman, so that they ceased to belong to my +military family, though both offered to follow my fortunes. The +other staff appointments were in the nature of details, most of +which were temporarily continued. Pending General Grant's action on +my application, I remained at Knoxville, looking on and making the +acquaintance of the officers newly arrived. + +General Stoneman was a tall, thin man, full bearded, with large +eyes. He had an air of habitual sadness, or gravity approaching it, +and was commonly reputed to have an irritable temper, but I saw +nothing of it. I think he would have made an acceptable commander of +the corps if fortune had left him in that position. His place in the +regular army (Major of the Fourth United States Cavalry [Footnote: +He and General Sturgis were the two majors of the same regiment.]) +had led to his assignment to a cavalry command at the East, and he +returned to that arm of the service a little later. Grant took a +dislike to Stoneman, partly on account of the manner in which he had +been sent to him from the East. When the suggestion was made that, +if the opposition in the Senate to Schofield's confirmation should +defeat his promotion, Stoneman should succeed to his command, Grant +dryly replied that he did not know General Stoneman's merits. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 394] Even a year +later he showed the same distrust by speaking of him as an officer +who had failed. This was by no means just, but showed the +persistence of Grant's impressions. [Footnote: General Stoneman +retired from the army at the close of the war and made his home in +California, of which State he became governor.] + +With General Schofield's arrival began my close association with him +which was to last until the end of the war. In person he was a +solid, rather stout man, of medium height, with a round bald head +and long black beard coming down on his breast. He had a reputation +for scientific tastes, and had, after his graduation at West Point, +been instructor in astronomy there. He was two or three years my +junior in age, and was among the younger general officers. The +obstruction, thus far, to his confirmation in his higher grade so +far resembled my own experience as to be a ground of sympathy +between us. As I was glad of his better luck in his prompt +reappointment, I may also say that his hearty recognition of my own +service and experience inspired me with sincere friendship. I look +back to my service as his subordinate with unmixed satisfaction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +SCHOFIELD IN EAST TENNESSEE--DUTIES AS CHIEF OF STAFF--FINAL +OPERATIONS IN THE VALLEY + + +Fresh reports of Longstreet's advance--They are unfounded--Grant's +wish to rid the valley of the enemy--Conference with +Foster--Necessity for further recuperation of the army--Continuance +of the quiet policy--Longstreet's view of the situation--His +suggestions to his government--He makes an advance again--Various +demonstrations--Schofield moves against Longstreet--My appointment +as chief of staff in the field--Organization of the active +column--Schofield's purposes--March to Morristown--Going the Grand +Rounds--Cavalry outpost--A sleepy sentinel--Return to New +Market--Once more at Morristown--Ninth Corps sent East--Grant +Lieutenant-General--Sherman commands in the West--Study of plans of +campaign--My assignment to Third Division, Twenty-third +Corps--Importance of staff duties--Colonel Wherry and Major +Campbell--General Wood--Schofield and the politicians--Post at +Bull's Gap--Grapevine telegraph--Families going through the +lines--Local vendetta--The Sanitary Commission--Rendezvous assigned +by Sherman--Preliminary movements--Marching to Georgia--A spring +camp on the Hiwassee--The Atlanta campaign begun. + + +On assuming command in East Tennessee, Schofield was met by +directions from General Grant, full of fresh urgency that Longstreet +should be driven beyond the Virginia line. The occasion for this was +the receipt of new intelligence that Longstreet was reinforced from +the East, and would make another effort at an aggressive campaign. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 337.] The +recurrence of this stereotyped form of alarm looked very much like +information sent from the Confederates themselves for the purpose of +keeping us on the defensive; but perhaps it is only of a piece with +other evidence which shows the slight value of all information which +is not got by contact with the enemy. The truth was that none of the +reports that Ewell and others had been sent to Longstreet had any +foundation. He was left to his own resources, with only the +authority to call his next neighbor in southwestern Virginia to his +assistance if he were in danger of being overwhelmed. But Grant was +annoyed by these recurrent alarms, and his aggressive nature chafed +at it. "I intend to drive him out or get whipped this month," he +said to Thomas before Schofield's arrival; and on the 11th of +February he wrote to the latter: "I deem it of the utmost importance +to drive Longstreet out immediately, so as to furlough the balance +of our veterans and to prepare for a spring campaign of our own +choosing, instead of permitting the enemy to dictate it for us." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 367.] + +Nothing would have pleased Schofield better than to have had +Longstreet come down to Knoxville and fight there, but the cogent +reasons which had made Foster suspend active operations and devote +every energy to getting his men and animals in condition for a +vigorous spring campaign, had lost none of their force. Our animals +had already been sent away to save their lives, and by the help of +the little steamboats built at Kingston and for which General Meigs +had sent engines from the North, we were beginning to receive at +Knoxville some of the clothing for which our men were suffering. + +Grant had already ordered Thomas to be prepared to march at once to +reinforce Schofield, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 359.] when he had a +personal interview at Nashville with General Foster, who was on his +way home. Foster so fully explained the impossibility of supplying +troops much further up the valley than Knoxville, and the absolute +need of building up the physical strength of man and beast after the +half starvation since winter set in, that Grant yielded to the +inevitable and directed Schofield to remain on the defensive till +the approach of spring should give a prospect of activity which +should not be destructive to the little army. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 373-375.] He ordered that the +re-enlisting veterans should have their furloughs as soon as +possible, and that men and animals should have all the rest they +could get, preparatory for early operations in the spring. + +After his retreat from Knoxville, Longstreet had kept up an active +correspondence with Mr. Davis, and with Lee, Johnston, and +Beauregard, in reference to further plans of campaign. The ease with +which Thomas could reinforce Schofield was so plain to him that he +saw nothing attractive in another advance on Knoxville. The plan +which seemed to attract him most was to mount his infantry on mules +and make a dash through the mountains into Kentucky by way of Pound +Gap. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 652-789, 790-792.] To collect ten +thousand mules and send them to him, to make a depot for rations and +forage at Abingdon sufficient to support the column on its journey +through the mountains, to furnish a train to carry it,--all this +seemed evidently chimerical to those to whom he proposed it. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 760.] The Confederacy had all it could do to +feed its existing armies where they were, and was living from hand +to mouth. + +The thing which the Confederate government seemed most to desire was +that Longstreet should effect a junction with Johnston and the two +open an offensive campaign against Thomas. [Footnote: _Id._ pp. 806, +808, 810.] The evil consequences of Bragg's blunder in detaching +Longstreet before the battle of Missionary Ridge became more evident +every day; but how were the commands to be reunited? A long and +perilous flank march must be made by both armies, with an almost +certainty that Grant would concentrate first and fall upon them in +succession. + +Longstreet was restless and anxious to do something pending this +discussion, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. +699.] and resolved to try an advance from Morristown upon Knoxville. +He began his movement just as Grant had concluded to allow +Schofield's army to remain quiet till spring. On the 19th of +February he reached New Market, seven or eight miles above +Strawberry Plains and twenty-five from Knoxville. The information he +got gave him the idea that our troops were "demoralized," and that +it was a favorable opportunity for an effort to capture Schofield's +army. [Footnote: _Id.,_ p. 735.] He was quite wrong as to the +_morale_ of our troops, though we were depleted by furloughs and +were nearly immovable for lack of train animals. He urged Johnston +to move toward Knoxville to co-operate with him, [Footnote: _Id.,_ +p. 744.] but Polk was now in trouble by reason of Sherman's march +from Vicksburg upon Meridian and Johnston was ordered to assist +Polk. [Footnote: _Id.,_ p. 763.] Then Grant, to balk both efforts, +ordered Thomas to make a demonstration against Johnston, which was +effective in preventing co-operation in either direction. [Footnote: +_Id.,_ p. 480.] + +Schofield was at first disposed to regard the enemy's advance as an +effort to find forage and to strip the country more bare than it +already was, if that were possible. On the 18th, however, Longstreet +advanced again, and threatened to cross the Holston at Strawberry +Plains, scouring the country in the angle between that river and the +French Broad. The rumors which reached Schofield were [Footnote: +_Id.,_ p. 415.] that his real purpose was to cross the French Broad, +move along the foot of Chilhowee Mountains and make his way to +Johnston. It is very probable that this was his real purpose. On the +19th he was ordered to send at any rate Martin's cavalry to rejoin +Johnston, [Footnote: _Id.,_ p. 772.] and to make the junction +complete would so evidently please the Confederate government that +it may be assumed Longstreet would do it if he saw the way open. +Schofield therefore prepared to concentrate and move in either +direction, but took no active step for a few days. On the 23d the +information was sufficient to make it clear that Longstreet was not +moving in force toward Georgia, but was retiring toward Morristown, +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 449, 455.] and +Schofield immediately issued orders of march to his troops to +follow. The fact was that Longstreet was so much disturbed by the +withdrawal of Martin's cavalry [Footnote: Martin's cavalry at this +time was what remained of Wheeler's corps which had accompanied +Longstreet from Bragg's army the previous autumn.] that he declared +this forced him to leave East Tennessee and place his forces at +Bristol on the Virginia border. On getting a second dispatch from +Mr. Davis, he modified his reasons, saying that Schofield had been +reinforced from Chattanooga. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 788-790.] This +was incorrect, for the Fourth Corps was the only part of the Army of +the Cumberland which joined the Army of the Ohio at any time during +the winter, and only Wood's division of it participated in +Schofield's present movement. He also wrote as if he had been near +enough to Knoxville to discover for himself that the fortifications +were greatly strengthened;[Footnote: _Id._, p. 810.] but as he had +not approached nearer than seventeen miles, he could hardly have +gained much information on this subject. No doubt rumors of work on +the defences of the city had spread through the country during the +winter, but there could hardly have been any discovery at this time. +The use of it to smooth the appearance of an abortive effort was +only a passage in military apologetics. + +I had been awaiting orders in Knoxville a fortnight when the advance +against Longstreet began, and as no definite answer had come to my +application for transfer, General Schofield invited me to act as his +chief of staff in the field during active operations or until my +assignment to permanent duty should be settled. I gladly accepted +the general's proposal and joined headquarters at once. [Footnote: +See Official Records vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 495.] Our little army +consisted nominally of parts of three corps, but the column in the +field consisted of one division of the Twenty-third Corps, under the +immediate command of General Stoneman, one of the Fourth Corps under +Brigadier-General Thomas J. Wood, and the skeleton of the Ninth +Corps under General Parke. [Footnote: _Id_. p. 455.] We had also +Colonel Garrard's division of cavalry. Another division of the +Twenty-third Corps under Brigadier-General Milo S. Hascall was left +as the garrison of Knoxville, with the heavy artillery organization +under Brigadier-General Davis Tillson and a small detachment of +cavalry. Hascall was particularly directed to scout far out to the +eastward, watching for any attempt of the enemy to pass along the +mountain base, as well as against any effort to capture the city by +a _coup de main_. + +Our marching column numbered 13,873 officers and men, distributed +thus: Wood's division, 5477; Parke's detachments of two divisions of +the Ninth Corps, 3031; Stoneman with the second division of the +Twenty-third Corps, 3363; Garrard's cavalry, 2002. [Footnote: _Id_. +pp. 502, 504.] Longstreet's forces were 20,787, of which 5034 were +cavalry. Schofield's purpose was essentially that of a +reconnoissance in force to learn definitely the composition and +apparent plans of the enemy, though willing to accept a defensive +battle if a favorable opportunity should occur. If Longstreet were +finally leaving East Tennessee, Grant's intention was to send all +troops of the Fourth Corps back to Thomas, so as to concentrate the +Army of the Cumberland in preparation for the spring campaign in +Georgia. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 456, 490.] + +On the 24th of February we were at Strawberry Plains. The long +trestle bridge of the railway had been destroyed when our forces had +concentrated at Knoxville a month before, and our first task was to +complete a wagon bridge across the Holston so that we could move +onward toward New Market and Morristown with a possibility of +keeping up a supply of food. We did not wait for the bridge to be +completed, however, and orders were issued on the 26th to begin +crossing, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 474.] +using flatboats for the men, whilst the artillery and wagons used a +ford that was then passable. Grant did not expect Schofield to march +his infantry farther than Strawberry Plains, but to push the +reconnoissance beyond that point with cavalry. [Footnote: Id., p. +495.] Schofield, however, felt that to do his work thoroughly, his +horsemen should be strongly and closely supported. On the 29th our +headquarters were at New Market and the column on its way to +Morristown. We overtook it in the afternoon and occupied the town +that evening. As so often happens in war, our movement had hardly +begun when the fine weather ended, and we marched from Strawberry +Plains in pouring rain, over wretched roads which rapidly became +worse. This delayed the troops and only part were at Morristown when +darkness fell. These were disposed so as to cover the town in front +with pickets well out, and a detachment of cavalry a mile or two +farther forward. Most of the horsemen were on our flanks, covering +roads by which our position could be turned. + +All the information we could get pointed to an abandonment of East +Tennessee by the enemy, but it was hard for us to believe that the +sudden retreat of Longstreet, after his announced intention to +attack Knoxville, was not under orders which indicated a plan we +ought to fathom. We had heard of his first purpose at many places on +our road, for it is almost impossible to keep the people of the +country from learning the destination of a moving column, and now +the inhabitants who remained at Morristown were aware that +Longstreet's men regarded Bristol as their destination. There were, +however, rumors and some evidence that Longstreet had stopped his +retreat and was about to turn upon us. This called for a careful +disposal of our troops and preparation for supporting them promptly +with those that were still on the road. As nothing came of it, there +would be no reason for mentioning it, except that it was the +occasion for an amusing bit of personal experience of my own. + +Some of the more pronounced Secessionists had left the town with +Longstreet, through fear that the loyalists might take vengeance on +them for some of the wrongs they had suffered. We occupied as +headquarters a house thus vacated, but it was absolutely empty and +gave us only a roof over our heads. We had a few camp stools and a +camp desk or two, and slept on the bare floor wrapped in our +blankets, with our saddles for pillows. Late in the evening some +loyal men brought in such reports of the enemy advancing to attack +us at daybreak, that as a measure of prudence determined to go the +"grand rounds" an hour or two before day, and especially to visit +the cavalry outpost at the front and send forward a reconnoissance +from it to make sure of full warning if there was any need of it. +When I was roused by the sergeant of the headquarters guard and my +horse was brought to the door, it was not a night for a pleasure +excursion. A cold winter rain was pouring down, and the blackness of +darkness was intense. I took only a single orderly with me, buttoned +my cape close over my great-coat, pulled down the rim of my felt hat +and started off, trusting to my horse to keep the road till my eyes +should get a little used to the darkness. As both armies had +encamped around the town, the fences were of course all gone and the +wagons had cut so many tracks to right and left that it seemed all +road, or rather all mire and no road. Whilst we were among the camps +the smouldering camp-fires were of some help, but when we got beyond +these we could only splash along cautiously, steering for the +smaller fires which marked the picket reserves. Beyond the line of +sentries there was nothing to guide us, and keeping our direction as +well as we could, we plodded on until a faint glimmer showed the +camp of the cavalry outpost. It was in an open wood, and the dying +camp-fires gave only light enough to show the tall trunks of the +forest trees, black against a background of dull red. Part of +Longstreet's army had been in cantonments here during the winter, +and many of the huts were still standing, their dim outlines and +irregular forms hardly visible, but giving an air of weird mystery +to the surroundings. Some of these huts were occupied by the +cavalry, and the first we came upon had as its tenant an Irish +dragoon, and him we turned out to guide us to the captain's +quarters. The occasionally flashing light only seemed to make the +darkness visible, and the Irishman told us to follow him closely, +"and look out," says he, "for there's pits every little way where +thim ribils dug foundations for their chimbleys." He started on and +I followed, keeping my horse's nose close to his shoulder. Suddenly +he disappeared, and as I jerked my horse back on his haunches, Paddy +sung out: "Och! I've found one, sorr!" and sure enough he had gone +in, head and heels, in one of the "pits." He scrambled out and +cautiously led my horse around the hole, but we had hardly gone a +rod further before Pat went out again, like a candle, with "Be +jabers, I've found another." But he took his mud baths +good-humoredly, and led us without further accident to the captain. +From him I got the reports from the vedettes at the front, and after +ordering a reconnoissance to be pushed well forward, turned back to +inspect the infantry line of sentinels. These were generally found +on the alert and well instructed, but as we went across ditches and +miry fields we came suddenly upon one asleep in a fence corner where +he had tried to make some shelter from the storm. When the horses +halted beside him, he sprang up bewildered, and stood bolt upright, +trying to look at us, evidently uncertain whether we were rebels, +but too confused to utter a single word. I ordered him to call the +corporal of the guard, and asked him if that was the way he guarded +the camp. He began to stammer out denials of being asleep with a +foreign accent and in broken English, which made his stupidity seem +more stupid. I reported him to the officer of the guard, but finding +he was a raw recruit, I refrained from ordering him before a general +court-martial, and directed a lighter summary punishment that his +regimental officers could impose. + +After examining the more important part of the line, we splashed +back to quarters as day was breaking, got a fire built in our +cheerless room, hung my coat, which was heavy with water, before it +to dry, and crossing my mud-cased legs, sat down for half an hour of +rest and revery, listening for carbine shots at the front that would +tell if the scouting party had found an enemy. The rest of the staff +were still sleeping, oblivious of war's alarms and preparing for the +work of the day by trusting the watching to those on duty, as they +would be trusted in turn when similarly on guard. How often were +such incidents repeated, night and day, through campaign after +campaign, till they became so familiar that it seems almost puerile +to mention them! + +On beginning the movement to Morristown, orders had been given to +press the rebuilding of the railroad bridge at Strawberry Plains, +for our continuance so far from our supplies depended upon it. We +had no trains of wagons to keep up our communication with our base, +and the utmost we could do was to carry four or five days' supply +with us. We therefore spent three or four days in vigorous efforts +to gain information of the enemy by means of our cavalry. We learned +that Longstreet held the line of Bays Mountain, where the railway +passes through Bull's Gap, thirteen miles above Morristown. His +right flank seemed to be at Rogersville on the Holston, and his left +rested near the Nolachucky beyond Greeneville. We could not learn +that any of his forces except Martin's cavalry had left him, though +we were mystified by the disappearance of Ransom's division from the +accounts of the enemy's organization. The fact was that that officer +was transferred to the cavalry command, and the organization of his +division was merged in the others. + +On the 2d of March Grant directed that McCook's division of cavalry +should go back to Thomas as soon as they could possibly be spared, +and on Schofield's reporting the results of our reconnoissances, he +advised the latter not to bring on an engagement, but to content +ourselves with holding as much of the country as we could. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 14.] The bill +creating the grade of lieutenant-general was now the law, and Grant +had been promoted to it. On the invitation of the President he was +about to go to Washington for consultation, keeping in telegraphic +communication with his department commanders. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +17.] Consequently it agreed well with his views to let affairs +remain quiet during his absence. The rains continued, however, and +even if he had desired further advance it would have been out of the +question till the bridge at Strawberry Plains was rebuilt. The +rations brought with us were exhausted, and on the 4th we withdrew +the infantry fourteen miles, to a position four miles above New +Market, where we hoped to be able to feed the troops with our few +wagons, until the railroad should again be available. + +Headquarters in the field were established at New Market, and I +remained there with authority to direct and support the cavalry +movements actively kept up in our front. General Schofield was thus +enabled to spend part of his time at Knoxville attending to the +clothing and supply of the troops, the gathering of reinforcements, +return of veterans, and all the matters of department administration +which centred there. In case of the necessity of combined action in +Grant's absence, Thomas was authorized to assume command. + +The Holston bridge at Strawberry Plains was completed on March 11th, +and our forces were at once put in motion for Morristown, where we +once more encamped on the 12th. Nothing new had been learned of the +enemy; but there was nothing to learn, for Longstreet quietly +occupied the line of Bays Mountain, and, like ourselves, was busy +getting his troops clothed and shod, while he discussed with the +Richmond authorities various plans of campaign. The cavalry ordered +back to Johnston was making its way along the base of the mountains, +and occasional news of their advance was exaggerated into stories of +all Longstreet's army being in motion. Schofield very wisely thought +the best way to know what his enemy was doing was to be as near him +as practicable without assaulting his strong positions with an +inferior force, and therefore ordered the fresh advance as soon as +the railway could be made to transport supplies. + +On the 14th Grant was again at Nashville, and took immediate steps +to send the Ninth Corps to Burnside at Annapolis, [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 67.] in accordance with an +arrangement which was settled at the Washington conferences. +Schofield was directed to have no delay in getting the Ninth Corps +off, and he issued his formal orders to that effect on the 16th. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 82.] This reduced the forces in East Tennessee +to a very small number, but a bold front was preserved and active +reconnoitering kept up. On the 18th Stoneman's infantry was placed +at Mossy Creek, between New Market and Morristown, and Wood with two +brigades of his division was ordered to Rutledge about half-way to +Cumberland Gap. The other brigade was placed at Strawberry Plains to +protect the stores accumulated there. The cavalry which remained to +Schofield was divided, part reporting to Stoneman and part to Wood, +and the country was carefully watched from the Nolachucky on the +east to Cumberland Gap on the northwest. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. pp. 88, 89.] I was personally directed +to keep headquarters in the field, with power to act, in emergencies +and in matters of detail, in Schofield's name, while the general +returned to the department headquarters at Knoxville, where he made +to Sherman, as his now superior, a full report of the situation, +with suggestions as to the future work of the army of the Ohio. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 96.] It was now settled that a new campaign, +both East and West, should open in April, if possible, and +everything else was to be made subservient to preparation for it. +Steps were taken to bring back the furloughed veterans, to remount +the cavalry in Kentucky and bring it forward, and to secure such +additional infantry as should enable Schofield to take the field +with three strong divisions of foot, and at least two of horse, +besides leaving about ten thousand men in Kentucky and five thousand +in East Tennessee. + +The question what should be the work of the Army of the Ohio had +naturally interested us who belonged to it, and while Grant was in +Washington I prepared and submitted to General Schofield a sketch of +a plan of campaign. It was based on the assumption that the Army of +the Potomac would not operate by its left along the lowlands of +Virginia, as McClellan had done, but would follow the railway +through Culpepper and Orange Court House to Richmond. This route was +in a high and healthy country, the streams would be crossed where +they were comparatively insignificant, and the natural obstacles to +an advance seemed much less formidable than upon the coast line. +True, the army would have to depend upon the railway for its +supplies, but so must Sherman in the West, and the Virginia line was +only a fraction of his in length. It had the advantage of covering +the Shenandoah valley as it advanced, and saving the large +detachment which had to be devoted to that region and to the +protection of Washington. But besides this (and this was the feature +directly affecting us in East Tennessee), it opened for the Army of +the Ohio a rôle of usefulness which seemed to me very important. + +If Schofield were to take the field in Georgia, he could carry to +Sherman, at most, some twelve or fourteen thousand infantry and six +or eight of cavalry. The proper protection of Kentucky and East +Tennessee required just about the same number of troops. His active +column in the decisive campaign would therefore be only half of the +forces in his department. Whenever it should be apparent that +Georgia was our field of operations, Longstreet's twenty thousand +men would be set free to join Lee in Virginia (as actually +happened), or could be used in any other theatre of operations, +whilst our garrisons could not be greatly reduced because small +raids of mounted men could harry the wide expanse of country behind +us unless all the important points were fully guarded. This also was +demonstrated by our actual experience, and was a plain deduction +from facts and principles. To drive Longstreet into Virginia and +destroy the railroad so that he could not return was, therefore, to +force the enemy to do the thing most advantageous to himself; that +is, to concentrate his forces at the East in entire security that he +would not be troubled by any advance on our part into southwestern +Virginia. + +If, on the other hand, we could move eastward along the railroad, we +could bring our supplies to our camps as we advanced. Sherman's army +behind us would make our base at Chattanooga safe; the great +mountain barrier on the right would so cover our flank that scarce +any force need be left in Tennessee, but all could be put in the +aggressive column: the troops in Kentucky could be brought forward +as we progressed, for our movement would cover that district; +finally, on reaching the New River valley we could be joined by the +forces in West Virginia. The advance, therefore, instead of being +with a dwindling column would be with a growing one, and when the +Army of the Potomac should approach the valley of the James, we +should be ready with about forty thousand to come into line as the +right wing of that army. Approaching Richmond from the north and +west, the south side railroad would be at once in our grasp, and +that to Petersburg within easy reach. + +The objection to such a plan which would first occur to a critic, +would be that convergent movements from so distant bases are +proverbially uncertain; but this objection is greatly weakened by a +study of the topography of the country. The Holston valley is so +isolated that, approached by the railway line with a good base +behind the column, it is strongly defensible, and if the advance is +so timed as not to pass the New River before the Army of the Potomac +should be swinging in toward Richmond from the northwest, Lee's army +would be too fully occupied to make a detachment strong enough to +oppose us, and the line by which he would operate against us would +be threatened by the army of our friends. There would also be a safe +line of retreat always open for us, in case of check. [Footnote: +Napoleon was a master of strategy who fully appreciated the +objections to exterior lines, but in the campaign of Wagram in 1809 +he ordered Marmont to lead a column from Italy to Vienna by a route +having strong resemblances to that which I have sketched. He +regarded the character of the route itself, protected as it was by +mountain ranges, and giving the assurance of a line of retreat, as +making an exception to ordinary cases and overcoming the objections +which would have been conclusive against attempting it in an open +country.] Another interesting feature in this plan is that if +railway communication between Sherman and the Potomac Army had been +opened in the summer of 1864, it would have been an interior line of +immense importance, not improbably modifying essentially the final +campaign of the war. + +General Schofield thought well enough of my sketch to adopt it as a +suggestion to General Grant, which he submitted as soon as the +latter returned from the East. The General-in-Chief had, however, +already made arrangements which committed him to operating by the +left of the Potomac Army. He had sent General W. F. Smith to +Fortress Monroe for the purpose of taking the field at the head of +the movable part of Butler's Army of the James, and Burnside's +command at Annapolis was at that time expected to make another line +of operations from the seacoast in North Carolina. There was also a +disposition to leave in Sherman's hands all the departments which +constituted the Military Division of the Mississippi, and allow him +to concentrate the movable forces of all in his operations against +Johnston. Grant therefore adhered to his original purpose of +destroying enough of the railroad near the Watauga River to make a +serious obstruction to hostile movements against East Tennessee from +the east, and turn everything that could be spared into the advance +upon Atlanta. Another thing which had weight with him was the fact +that Schofield's confirmation as major-general was still delayed and +opposed in the Senate, and he intended, if it were finally defeated, +to consolidate the Department of the Ohio with that of the +Cumberland under General Thomas. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. iii. p. 11.] + +On the 29th of March General Sherman visited Schofield at Knoxville, +and a full understanding was reached regarding the place the Army of +the Ohio was to take in the great campaign of the spring. All the +troops in the department were to constitute the Twenty-third Corps, +and Schofield was to command the moving column in the field as well +as the department. To avoid the inconvenience of having a double +head to this column, Stoneman was to be transferred to the command +of the cavalry in place of Sturgis, and Schofield was to be assigned +to the formal command of the corps. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxii. pt. iii. pp. 221, 268, 312.] Sturgis was then to be sent +to Memphis to take command of the column there organizing for the +purpose of operating against Forrest. + +As to operations in the upper valley of the Holston, it was +determined to occupy Bull's Gap at an early day, and to keep up such +an apparent purpose of advancing as should detain Longstreet in East +Tennessee as long as possible. If he retreated he was to be +followed, so as to induce him to burn the railway bridges, and thus +to avoid disclosing our own purpose of leaving that portion of the +valley which we should plainly proclaim if we ourselves should +destroy the railway. Everything was to be ready for movement, and at +the last moment, if the enemy had not already done it, we were to +burn railway bridges and tear up the track for a considerable +distance. Then the divisions which were to take the field in Georgia +were to march rapidly to Cleveland, and come in on the left of +Sherman's grand army as he advanced from Chattanooga. + +As the plan of campaign thus took definite shape, it gave the +occasion also for a settlement of my personal problem of permanent +assignment to duty. It had become evident that there was no room for +transfer to another command, and the active part marked out for the +Twenty-third Corps removed the only ground for wishing it. No better +soldiers could be found than those which made up our divisions, and +my acquaintance with General Schofield had ripened into a confidence +which made me entirely content to follow him as my commander. He +warmly invited me to continue permanently in the position of chief +of staff, but gave me the alternate choice of one of the divisions +of the active column. My preference for responsible command in the +field decided me to take a division, and by his further permission I +chose the third, in which were a considerable number of officers who +had served with me in other campaigns. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 245.] I would not be understood, however, to +depreciate the position of chief of staff of such a department and +army. Properly filled, few positions in active service could be +pleasanter or more useful. I had tested this during the six weeks +preceding, and had found the associations and the duty every way +most agreeable. The general was always prompt to assume his proper +responsibility and to order the movements or the administrative acts +which are peculiarly the province of the commander; but he gave me +the task of arranging the subordinate details, and the authority to +direct them in his name. To distribute the parts each corps or +division was to perform; to co-ordinate all the arrangements so that +they should move harmoniously; to bring to a common centre all the +information, external and internal, which affected the conduct and +efficiency of the whole; to supervise the matters of organization, +of equipment, and of supply; to consult with the medical director as +to hospital work and the sanitary condition of the army, and to be +guarantor that the common end is vigorously and intelligently +pursued by every part of the army,--all this, as scarcely needs +telling, makes a chief of staff the right arm of the commander, and +his most trusted adviser and confidant. He makes his commander feel +free to give his own thought to the larger problems of a campaign, +with confidence that the whole machinery of the army will work +smoothly toward the object which he has in view. I did not then, nor +do I now, underestimate the importance of the duty which an +industrious staff officer may thus perform, and I had found it made +personally pleasant by the even temper and appreciative justice of +General Schofield's rule. I had, however, formed so strong a +predilection for the immediate and active conduct of troops in the +field, that this determined me to choose the division command. In +the new organization of the corps I should, in this, report directly +to the general, and should be next in rank to him (in the infantry) +by virtue of seniority, so that in his absence, or when two +divisions were temporarily detached from the army, I should exercise +a superior command. These were advantages which every experienced +soldier estimates highly, and I was to enjoy them, until good +fortune and the steady friendship of my superiors gave me, a second +time, and this time in permanent form, the corps command with the +rank belonging to it. There was no mistake, therefore, in my choice +of duty; and considering the part Sherman's whole army was to play +in the remaining campaigns of the war, it was a matter of personal +good fortune also that the Army of the Ohio became an integral part +of the great western organization, and marched southward, not +eastward. + +On the staff I had been thrown into intimate relations to Colonel +William M. Wherry, senior aide-de-camp, and Major J. A. Campbell, +adjutant-general. These officers continued to the end of the war in +these positions, which they filled with great credit and usefulness. +Major Campbell was admirably fitted for the supervision of the +records and the correspondence of the army, and for reducing to the +form of clear and succinct orders the directions of the general. He +was accurate, systematic, and untiring; always at his post, whether +it were at his desk in camp, or by the side of his chief in the +field. Of slight, almost frail body, with an intellectual face, he +looked unequal to rough field work, but showed a stamina in fact +which many a more robust man envied. Colonel Wherry was the +incessantly active personal representative of the general, intrusted +with his oral orders, and making for him those examinations and +investigations which are only satisfactory when the commander has +learned to trust the eye and the cool judgment of his assistant as +his own. Wherry had been with General Schofield from the first +campaign in Missouri in 1861, and both were with Lyon when he fell +at Wilson's Creek. He remained his confidential aide through the +whole war, and for years afterward, being early appointed from +Missouri to the line of one of the new regiments of the regular +army. Lithe, graceful, and genial, he was always welcome, when he +came to a point where fighting was going on, to learn for the +general the actual situation or to bring his orders. [Footnote: +Wherry is now (1899) Brigadier-General of the United States Army, +retired, after brilliant service in the campaign of Santiago, Cuba.] + +During the winter the division of the Fourth Corps commanded by +Brigadier-General Thomas J. Wood had been in closest connection with +us. It had taken part in all the marchings and countermarchings of +the period when I was chief of staff, and I had thus begun an +acquaintance with its commander which was to grow into lasting +friendship. General Wood was colonel of the Second Regular Cavalry, +a Kentuckian who had earnestly taken the National side, and an +influential officer of the old army. His intelligence and activity +were very marked, and his courage was of the cool indomitable +character most highly prized in divisions of a great army. Of medium +height, solid but not large build, dark hair and complexion, high +forehead, he was a noticeable man in any assemblage of officers. A +fluent talker, attentive to polite forms of speech as well as of +conduct, he was liked and respected throughout the army, and +especially in the Army of the Cumberland, where he had served +throughout the war. He had won promotion by gallant and meritorious +services again and again, when at the battle of Chickamauga it was +his ill fortune to receive the famous order to "close up on Brannan +and support him." The situation made the order ambiguous, but Wood +understood it to mean that he should move to the left till he should +find himself in rear of Brannan's division, since another division +was between them in the line. He thought it a strange order, but +thought also that Rosecrans must know why he sent it, and that it +was "his not to reason why" but to obey. The obedience opened the +gap through which Longstreet's men poured, breaking the line and +routing part of the right wing. Wood took the place assigned him by +Thomas in the horse-shoe curve around the Snodgrass hill, and did +his full share of the desperate fighting which held that part of the +field. But he had thus become the subject of a controversy, and the +friends of Rosecrans charged him with a too literal obedience, and a +failure to use a sound discretion in his action. The result was that +whilst Rosecrans was removed from active field service, Wood still +found himself under a cloud, and opposed by influences which stood +in the way of his promotion till the war was almost ended. He +continued to be distinguished in every engagement of the Atlanta +campaign and that of Nashville, and no division saw harder or more +honorable service than his. + +The first week in April saw the changes in the organization of the +Twenty-third Corps which I have indicated. On the 3d I was relieved +of staff duty and assigned to the third division, with orders to +proceed at once to Bull's Gap and take temporary command of the +corps whilst General Stoneman should hasten to Kentucky to prepare +the cavalry corps for active service. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxii. pt. iii. pp. 245, 259, 268.] I think the change was +agreeable to Stoneman, for he was most at home with mounted troops +and liked that service. Schofield's permanent assignment to the +Twenty-third Corps was made on April 4th by the President, though +the general had still to await for some time the action of the +Senate on the confirmation of his promotion. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 258.] His enemies were still +persistent, and even succeeded in obtaining a report of the Senate +committee against his confirmation. General Sherman wrote to his +brother, the senator, in behalf of his subordinate;[Footnote: _Id_., +pp. 332, 343.] but it was not till General Grant was back in +Washington and used his powerful personal influence that the +confirmation was finally secured after the campaign had opened. It +seemed at one time that not even the manifest mischief of deranging +the organization of the army, as deliberately settled by both Grant +and Sherman, would overcome the political hostility arrayed against +him. This was without any reasonable foundation. Although Schofield +was not given to political discussion, my closeness to him enabled +me to know that he was an earnestly loyal man whose heart was warmly +engaged in the National cause. He believed in emancipation as a +right and politic war measure, and in fighting the rebellion +vigorously till it should be conquered. He had made enemies among +the Kansas politicians because he tried to prevent the war on that +frontier from degenerating into a vendetta when murder and robbery +should take the place of civilized warfare. Some influential +radicals in Missouri were hostile because he held the scales even +between them and the conservative Union men. + +At Bull's Gap I found the corps headquarters in a shingle-palace +which had been built for a hotel at the railway station, and which +was now the only house there. It was empty as a barn and fast going +to ruin, but it gave shelter for our office work. Wood's division of +the Fourth Corps was put in march to join the Army of the +Cumberland, and we were left to watch the enemy and await the moment +when the destruction of the railway and our own march southward +should begin. We soon had a curious bit of evidence that Longstreet +had finally abandoned the expectation of re-occupying East +Tennessee. It was found in the applications made by women to join +their husbands who were in the Confederate service. The "grapevine +telegraph" was an "institution" during the whole war. News which was +either interesting or important was passed on through the lines, and +it was impossible to be so rigid in precautions as greatly to delay +it. To stop it was utterly futile. Longstreet had hardly received +the orders from his government to prepare to rejoin Lee's army in +Virginia, when the headquarters of our army at Knoxville felt the +pressure of applications for leave to pass the lines. On the 6th of +April a party of forty women and children came up by railway, to be +sent through the lines under a flag. They were of course without +tents or any means of camping out, and the crazy building in which I +had my quarters was that night as crowded and as picturesque as an +Asiatic caravanserai. The rain and the almost impassable roads made +their journey anything but one of pleasure, but by the aid of the +few wagons at the post they went forward in a day or two. A second +party, about as large, followed in the course of a week, and had +even a rougher time than the first. There were delays on the part of +their friends, in sending trains and escort to meet them at the +break in the railway, but the hope of rejoining loved ones gave them +courage, and they bore cheerfully their sufferings and privations. + +The bitterness of the feud between the loyalists and disunionists in +the Holston valley can hardly be imagined by those who did not +witness it. The persecutions of the loyal mountaineers had been such +that when their turn of ruling came they would have been more than +human if they had not retaliated. The organization of home-guards +gave to these armed bodies of men the power, and with it came the +temptation to abuse it. The memory of the men who had been hanged +for bridge-burning, and of those who had languished and died in +prison charged with no crime but disloyalty to the Confederacy, was +a constant stimulus to severity. Their blood seemed to cry from the +ground. We found a constant necessity for moderating their passions, +and it was not always possible to keep them within the bounds of +civilized warfare. My experience in West Virginia was repeated with +some phases of still greater intensity. When we got these loyal men +away from home, campaigning on distant fields, there was no trouble +in enforcing discipline, and they showed no more fierceness of +personal retaliation than other troops. I suspect this will +everywhere be true, in greater or less measure, and that in all wars +it will be found for the interest of humanity not to allow local +troops to garrison their own homes. + +The scouts and irregular organizations were, as usual, the most +likely to fall into excesses. I had an example of this, falling +under my own eye at the time I am speaking of, and showing how, +under this intense exasperation, the "bush-whacking" degenerated +into guerilla war in which no quarter was given on either side. I +had sent out a reconnoissance of a party of Indiana cavalry +accompanied by some thirty of the Tennessee scouts, the whole force +about a hundred in number. They had encountered a hostile party of +"irregulars" some thirty strong, and had routed them. They brought +in fifteen prisoners, and reported ten of the enemy killed. Those +who were captured had all surrendered to the Indiana men, and the +Tennesseeans were disposed to complain that quarter had been given. +True, the party which had been attacked was said to have committed +great outrages, and to have been engaged in forcing loyal men into +the Confederate Army under their conscription laws. The chief of the +scouts came to my quarters, and I put to him the ordinary question +as to the luck of his last expedition. "Oh," said he, in a dejected +nasal tone; "some pretty good luck and some bad luck." "What bad +luck?" said I, thinking some of his men had got hurt. "Oh, them +Indiana cavalry fellows let the captain of the gang and fourteen of +his men surrender to 'em." "And what became of the rest?" "_We_ had +to deal with them," said he, significantly; "and they didn't +surrender." Such is civil war when it becomes a deadly feud between +old neighbors and acquaintances. + +The month of April ran on with continued activity of reconnoitring +parties, but no larger movements. The spring was unusually backward. +There was a flurry of snow on the 16th, but it did not lie on the +ground, and about the 20th lovely spring weather began in earnest. +The best evidence we had that our lines of communication were +getting in more efficient condition, was the arrival of an agent of +the Sanitary Commission with a large shipment of fresh vegetables +for gratuitous distribution. We were sorely in need of them. There +was a good deal of incipient scurvy in camp, and scarce any one was +wholly free from disorders caused by too restricted diet. Our +regular rations were bacon and flour, varied occasionally by a small +issue of dried white beans or rice. This was nutritious enough, but +after some months' steady use, nature pretty imperatively demanded a +change. The noble organization of the Commission had been watching +for the opportunity, and the arrival of a generous supply of +potatoes, onions, and pickled cabbage made feast days for everybody +from the general down. At my headquarters we had been confined to +the soldiers' rations, and it was impossible to get anything else. +The only ferment to raise our bread was saleratus, and we had become +very tired of saleratus biscuit. No luxuries ever tasted so well as +these plain vegetables. Our physical condition craved them, and they +were food and medicine at once. The sauerkraut was finely shaved +cabbage laid down in brine, and a steaming platter of it made the +_pièce de résistance_ of our camp dinner as long as it lasted. The +onions we sliced and ate raw with a dressing of vinegar. The gusto +with which we enjoyed this change of diet remains a vivid +remembrance after a quarter of a century, and is the best proof of +our need of it. The health of the whole camp was restored, and we +were "hard as nails" during the year of rough campaigning that was +to follow. + +The first week in May was the time of rendezvous for Sherman's grand +army in northern Georgia, and with the opening of the last week in +April the signal was given to destroy the railroad between Bull's +Gap and the Watauga River, or further if the enemy should leave the +crossing of that stream unharmed. Our position at the gap was high +in the cleft of Bays Mountain through which the railway passes and +then turns southeastward to the Nolachucky. The road then goes up +the valley of that stream and over a ridge to the Watauga, which +runs to the northwest, joining the Holston again by a route which is +nearly at right angles to the general trend of the valley. The +Watauga is not easily fordable at an ordinary stage of water, and +thus the triangle between the Holston on the left, the Watauga in +front, and the Nolachucky on the right, made the debatable ground of +the upper valley. Whilst we held the barrier at Bull's Gap the enemy +could not stay on the hither side of the Watauga, nor could we pass +the river and stop short of a strong position an equal distance +beyond. + +We made a strong demonstration of cavalry supported by infantry, as +if we were determined to cross the Watauga and push on into +Virginia. The Confederate cavalry set fire to the bridge, as we +expected them to do. One brigade was ordered to Jonesboro, to march +back destroying all the railway bridges and tearing up and twisting +the iron rails as far as possible. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. iii. pp. 477, 492.] With another force I began in person +a similar work of destruction on the section nearest Bull's Gap. +Time could only be given us for this work till the 27th of April, +but on the evening of that day my division was reunited at the gap, +having torn up and twisted about one third of the track over a space +of fifty miles, and thoroughly destroyed all the wooden bridges. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 500, 512.] + +The footsore and sick were put on a railway train, and with the rest +I began the march for Knoxville. As General Sherman was urgent for +speed in our movement, the columns were kept near the railway and +the trains were run to meet them, taking the men in detachments. The +first day of May found us at Charleston, the crossing of the +Hiwassee River, with two divisions of the Twenty-third corps and +with General Schofield in our midst. A new division from Indiana was +on its way, by rail, to join us at Cleveland, and it was certain +that we could be in our place as left wing, before the 5th, the day +assigned by Sherman. Two days were given to getting up and +organizing our trains, and on Tuesday, the 3d, we marched at +daybreak, with our field organization complete. The Atlanta campaign +was begun. General Schofield went over to Chattanooga to meet +Sherman, and the command of the corps on the march was committed to +me. [Footnote: _Id_., xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 5, 22, 32, 48.] On the +4th, leaving Cleveland, we crossed the Georgia line and advanced to +Red Clay, where, with the Army of the Cumberland on our right, the +union of Sherman's forces in the field was completed. + +At the Hiwassee we were a hundred and forty miles from Bull's Gap, +and had made the distance in three days, marching half the way and +being carried the other half by rail. In going south we seemed to +meet the advancing spring. In the upper valley we could only see a +suspicion of green, here and there, on an early tree, but at our +Sunday camp at Charleston in a fine bend of the Hiwassee, a fresh +green robe covered all the hills, and the sun was so bright and warm +that the shade of my clean new tent was very comfortable. It would +be hard to find a scene better making a romance of campaigning than +that about us. Chilhowee and the great Smoky Mountains piled their +deep blue masses against the eastern horizon, whilst at our feet +rolled as beautiful a river as ever bore a musical Indian name. The +grassy banks rise about a hundred feet above the water, and then the +hills roll and rise around us in charming variety. Near the water's +edge a great spring pours out from the bank in a swift steady stream +two yards wide and six inches deep, giving sweet and pure water +enough for a whole army, and the zigzag paths to it are filled with +picturesque groups of soldiers loaded with camp kettles or canteens. +We should have been dull indeed if we had not felt the exhilaration +of the scene. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +GRANT, HALLECK AND SHERMAN--JOHNSTON AND MR. DAVIS + + +Grant's desire for activity in the winter--Scattering to +live--Subordinate movements--The Meridian expedition--Use of the +Mississippi--Sherman's estimate of it--Concentration to be made in +the spring--Grant joins the Potomac Army--Motives in doing so--Meade +as an army commander--Halleck on concentration--North Carolina +expedition given up--Burnside to join Grant--Old relations of +Sherman and Halleck--Present cordial friendship--Frank +correspondence--The supply question--Railway administration--Bridge +defences--Reduction of baggage--Tents--Sherman on spies and +deserters--Changes in Confederate army--Bragg +relieved--Hardee--Beauregard--Johnston--Davis's suggestion of +plans--Correspondence with Johnston--Polk's +mediation--Characteristics--Bragg's letters--Lee writes +Longstreet--Johnston's dilatory discussion--No results--Longstreet +joins Lee--Grant and Sherman have the initiative--Prices in the +Confederacy. + + +The threshold of the new campaign is a fit place to pick up the +threads of the relations of Sherman to his superiors and his +subordinates, and to notice the manner in which he laid out the +responsible work before him. + +Grant had no thought of suspending operations in winter, further +than circumstances should make it imperative. As soon as the siege +of Knoxville was raised, he applied himself earnestly to the +question, What next? His first choice would have been to start from +Chattanooga as a base, and make the Confederate Army his object. The +insuperable obstacle to this was the impossibility, at the time, of +supplying the forces already collected on the upper Tennessee. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 503.] The +railroad to Nashville must be practically rebuilt and made much more +efficient than it was, or both Thomas's and Foster's armies would be +tied fast without the possibility of advancing. To make it possible +to feed Sherman's auxiliary force, he sent it down the river to +Bellefonte, some thirty miles below Bridgeport, opened steamboat +communication with it, and set it at work repairing the railway from +Nashville to Decatur and from Decatur to Stevenson. This would +furnish an additional line to Chattanooga when completed, and would +make an accumulation of stores there a possibility. He saw the risks +involved in this scattering of forces, but he had no choice; they +must scatter to live. He did not mean that the army should be +inactive, however; as early as the 7th of December, 1863, he wrote +quite fully to Halleck suggesting a movement from the lower +Mississippi on Mobile, using for this purpose the forces that would +be relieved from guarding the lines about Chattanooga. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 349.] + +By the middle of the month he had begun to organize a cavalry force +under Gen. W. Sooy Smith, to move against Forrest in West Tennessee, +and was giving shape to other plans of activity. [Footnote: _Id._, +pp. 429, 431, 473.] Sherman had taken a short leave of absence to +visit his family upon the death of one of his sons, a bright lad, +whose loss was a severe bereavement. On his return to duty, he was +directed to go down the Mississippi, visit the important posts of +his department, and take steps to suppress guerilla interference +with the navigation of the Mississippi. Before leaving his command, +he had suggested an active movement of part of his army in northern +Alabama, to break up the railroad in the neighborhood of Corinth, +whilst he himself led a force up the Yazoo River to attack Granada +from the south, with a similar purpose. He thought he could do this +and get back in time to take part in the "plan of grand campaign" +which Grant was studying. In the same letter he said he deemed Sooy +Smith "too mistrustful of himself for a leader against Forrest," and +suggested Brigadier-General Joseph A. Mower, of whose energy and +courage he had a high opinion. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxi. pt. iii. p. 445.] + +On the subject of the necessity of protecting the river navigation +by every means, Sherman expressed himself in superlatives, as he was +apt to do, but his meaning was plain and sensible. He said to Logan, +to secure its safety "I would slay millions. On that point I am not +only insane, but mad," and will convince the natives that "though to +stand behind a big cotton-wood and shoot at a passing boat is good +sport and safe, it may still reach and kill their friends and +families hundreds of miles off." [Footnote: _Id._ vol. xxx. pt. iii. +p. 459.] Out of this discussion came finally his suggestion of an +extensive movement from Vicksburg upon Meridian for the purpose of +destroying the railway lines, especially in the vicinity of the +latter place, and of isolating the region bordering on the +Mississippi, so that a small force could garrison it and protect +commerce. The suggestion was adopted by Grant. With Sherman's column +the cavalry under Sooy Smith was to co-operate. [Footnote: _Id._, +pp. 473, 527.] + +Meridian was made the objective point of this movement, though Grant +intimated to Halleck that if Sherman found it would not too greatly +prolong the subordinate campaign, he might march on Mobile. +[Footnote: _Id._, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 100.] When the march began, +Sherman allowed it to be given out that he would attack Mobile, but +this was to deceive the enemy. In his correspondence with General +Banks he limited his task to that which has been stated, though he +asked Banks to help him keep up the notion that Mobile was aimed at, +as it would deter the enemy from heavily reinforcing General Polk by +the garrison there and by troops sent from Atlanta. "I must return +to the army in the field in Alabama in February," said he, "but +propose to avail myself of the short time allowed me here in the +department, to strike a blow at Meridian and Demopolis." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 114.] In this view the +movement was a success, notwithstanding the failure of the cavalry +column to co-operate. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 498.] The biographer of +General Polk disputes the importance and the permanence of the +interruption of railway communication in Mississippi; [Footnote: +Leonidas Polk, Bishop and General, vol. ii. p. 309.] but it is +certain that no important hostile movement from that region was made +again till Hood's campaign against Thomas a year later, and that was +seriously if not fatally delayed by the want of railway +communication between Florence or Tuscumbia and the interior of the +Gulf States. + +On his first visit to Washington after he became lieutenant-general, +Grant found that it was the general expectation of members of +Congress that he should infuse his personal energy into the next +campaign of the army in Virginia. He learned also that the +President, the Cabinet, and General Halleck despaired of the +accomplishment of this by any stringency of orders from a distance, +and thought it could be done only when he should be near enough to +solve questions as they arose by his personal presence and +influence. As a subordinate, few men could do better service than +General Meade; but he seemed to develop a caution amounting almost +to inaction in the presence of the Confederate Army under General +Lee. This had allowed the Richmond government to send Longstreet's +corps to reinforce Bragg at the west; and it was because the grand +opportunity was not improved by Meade that it became necessary to +send Hooker a thousand miles with the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps to +reinforce Rosecrans. Halleck expressed the sentiment of the +administration and of the country when he wrote to Grant on December +13th, "As General Meade's operations have failed to produce any +results, Lee may send by rail reinforcements to Longstreet without +our knowing it. This contingency must also be considered." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 396.] It was, in +fact, what Longstreet strenuously urged his government to do. As +late as February 17th, when it was certain that Grant would soon be +in command of all the National armies, Halleck, in a long letter of +which the burden was that Lee's army must be made the objective in +the Eastern campaign, plainly intimated that Meade could not give +the Army of the Potomac the necessary aggressive energy. "Meade +retreated before Lee with a very much larger force," he said, "and +he does not now deem himself strong enough to attack Lee's present +army." [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pt. ii. p. 411] After +mentioning the opportunities to break or defeat the enemy which had +been lost or not improved at Antietam and Chancellorsville, he adds +that of Meade after Gettysburg, and continues: "I am also of opinion +that General Meade could have succeeded recently at Mine Run had he +persevered in his attack." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 412.] Pointing out +that McClellan had operated by exterior lines, and Burnside, Hooker, +and Meade by interior ones, and that all had alike failed, he argues +that this does not prove anything against either line of operation, +whether by the James River or by Culpepper; but the sound military +principle still is to avoid scattering the eastern army by North +Carolina expeditions and the like, which were then mooted, and to +concentrate the forces in the east against Lee's army and fight it +out to a finish. [Footnote: _Id_. p. 413.] The letter is an able +one, but the reference to it is now made for the sole purpose of +showing how the problem was placed before General Grant when the +supreme responsibility was cast upon him. He accepted the view so +ably presented. He did not allow the proposed expedition to be made +by Burnside, though he had himself favored it before; but united his +troops to the army on the Rapidan. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. p. 143.] He kept up for a time a nominal duality of +organization, not putting Burnside under Meade or Meade under +Burnside. This made an ostensible reason for the next step, which +was to take the field there in person and try what effect his own +inflexible will might have in giving an aggressive impetus to that +army. It seemed to him to be a choice between that and a continued +dead-lock to the end of the chapter. Thus it was that Grant gave up +his own desire to continue at the head of the western armies which +he had led to successive and glorious victories. Thus it was that +Sherman was right in saying to him, "Like yourself, you take the +biggest load." [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iii. p. 313.] The decision was +not prompted by egotism. There was no vanity in Grant's composition. +He simply saw, as he thought, that in that way decisive progress +might be made, and so he quietly went that way. + +Sherman's relations to Halleck had always been close and most +friendly. Outside of official communications they had kept up a +personal correspondence, part of which is found in the Official +Records. From the day when it became apparent that Grant was to +become lieutenant-general, Sherman yielded to his impulse to comfort +and reassure his older friend on what must necessarily involve +disappointment if not humiliation. In a long letter from the +Mississippi in January, he takes pleasure in telling how he had +spoken in public of Halleck's good qualities and talents. "I spoke +of your indomitable industry and called to mind how, when Ord, +Loeser, Spotts, and I were shut up in our stateroom, trying to keep +warm with lighted candles and playing cards on the old Lexington, +off Cape Horn, you were lashed to your berth studying, boning harder +than you ever did at West Point." [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. 261.] +This was on their voyage out to California during the Mexican War. +In a cordial answer (February 16th), Halleck said he expected Grant +to receive the promotion, and should most cordially welcome him to +the chief command, glad himself to be relieved from so thankless and +disagreeable a position. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. +pt. ii. p. 408.] He enlarged upon its difficulties, though he did +not see, apparently, that it had been in his power to take the field +as Grant afterward did, and that it was by his own act that he had +become "simply a military adviser of the Secretary of War and the +President." He bore witness to the fact that there was more harmony +in the western army than in the eastern, saying, "There is less +jealousy and backbiting and a greater disposition to assist each +other." [Footnote: _Ibid_.] In reply Sherman assured Halleck of his +own belief that Grant would prefer to command the "army of the +centre" which was to advance from Chattanooga, and did not want the +position of general-in-chief at Washington. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +498.] + +At the beginning of April Sherman wrote again to Halleck, expressing +his belief that he could make his army a unit in action and feeling. +"We have never had," he said, "and God grant we never may have the +dissensions which have so marred the usefulness of our fellows whom +a common cause and common interests alone ought to unite as +brothers." [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iii. p. 222.] It was in this letter +that he asked Halleck to say to the President that he would prefer +not to be nominated to the vacant major-generalship in the regular +army. "I have now all the rank necessary to command, and I believe +all here concede to me the ability, yet accidents may happen, and I +don't care about increasing the distance of my fall. The moment +another appears on the arena better than me, I will cheerfully +subside. Indeed, now, my preference would be to have my Fifteenth +Corps, which was as large a family as I feel willing to provide for; +yet I know Grant has a mammoth load to carry. He wants here some one +who will fulfil his plans, whole and entire and at the time +appointed, and he believes I will do it. I hope he is not mistaken. +I know my weak points, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for +past favors and advice, and will in the future heed all you may +offer, with the deepest confidence in your ability and sincerity." + +A single reference more will complete this sketch of the relations +of those prominent men. The week before the opening of his campaign +(April 24th) Sherman wrote again: "I see a mischievous paragraph +that you are dissatisfied and will resign; of course I don't believe +it. If I did, I would enter my protest. You possess a knowledge of +law and of the principles of war far beyond that of any other +officer in our service. You remember that I regretted your going to +Washington for your own sake, but now that you are there you should +not leave." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. +469.] This hearty friendship and cordial comradeship lasted unbroken +till Halleck's too famous advice to Mr. Stanton after Lincoln was +assassinated, to direct Sherman's subordinates in the Gulf States +and in the West not to obey the orders he might issue in pursuance +of his convention with the Confederate General Johnston. That was a +sore blow which shattered this lifelong friendship, though it now +seems probable that had Halleck's dispatch to Stanton not been +published without the rest of the correspondence, Sherman might have +found possible a more innocent meaning for his words than they +seemed to have when they were read by themselves. This, however, is +not the place to discuss that subject. [Footnote: See Chap. L., +_post_.] + +In considering Sherman's means of supplying his army in the field, +we must note the situation and connections of Nashville, which made +it naturally the principal depot for operations in Alabama and +Georgia. A hundred and eighty-six miles by rail south of the Ohio +River, centrally situated as the capital of Tennessee, it was +directly connected with Chattanooga by a hundred and fifty miles of +railroad, and indirectly by way of Decatur, Alabama, and Stevenson, +a line thirty-five miles longer. These railway connections would of +themselves make Nashville an important post, but it had also the +advantage of water communication with the Ohio. It lies at the +southern bend of the Cumberland River, the course of which is nearly +due north from the city to its mouth, and the stream is navigable +for steamboats the greater part of the year. The Tennessee, a much +larger river, is nearly parallel to the Cumberland in this part of +its course, and a partially constructed railroad from its banks at +Johnsonville to Nashville, seventy-odd miles, was completed during +the winter. With these three lines of communication, there was very +little danger that the great Nashville depot could run short of +munitions or rations, or be seriously isolated by raids of the +enemy. It was to communication between Chattanooga and Nashville +that Sherman had to give his best thought and will. The War +Department had sent out Colonel McCallum, the General Superintendent +of Military Railways in January, and improvements had then been +begun, which under Sherman's energetic command made a brilliant +success of this part of the military administration through the +whole campaign. [Footnote: See "Sherman" (Great Commanders Series), +pp. 199 _et seq_. Also letter of McCallum to Stanton, Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. pp. 143-145: Order appointing Adna +Anderson general superintendent of transportation and W. W. Wright +chief engineer of construction, _Id_., p. 365: Sherman's order +organizing the military use of the railways, _Id_., pt. iii. p. +279.] The management of the railways in use was given to Adna +Anderson, and the engineering and bridge-construction to W. W. +Wright. These gentlemen were both civil engineers and experts in +railroad building and management. Military rank was given them later +in order to enable them to control officers and men of the army on +proper occasions. Their skill and energy were of inestimable value +to the army, and gave them brilliant reputations which they fully +earned. They remained in their military railway duties to the end of +the war, and were distinguished in the same profession in civil life +to the end of their lives. When Sherman assumed command of the +Division of the Mississippi, about eighty carloads a day was the +limit of the capacity of the road and the delivery at Chattanooga. +It was only half of what was needed to insure rapid progress of the +campaign. By the 1st of May it had increased to a hundred and thirty +cars a day, with exceptional days on which the delivery ran higher; +but a steady average of a hundred and fifty (the needed quantity) +had not been reached, and every day's advance into Georgia would +increase the length of the line. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. iii. pp. 466, 490.] + +In a characteristic letter to General Thomas, Sherman explained the +necessity of having the railway management directed from his own +headquarters instead of those of the Army of the Cumberland, and in +one to Mr. Lincoln he tersely repelled the idea that he was unduly +hard on the inhabitants of the country and their business. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 489; and vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 25, 33.] +General Meigs, the quartermaster-general, who knew the country by +personal inspection, fully agreed with Sherman and wrote him on +April 20th, advising him to "resist the pressure of civilians and +private donations and supplies; march your troops, and devote the +cars solely to transportation of military necessities.... Many +civilians," he added, "can give charitable, patriotic, benevolent, +and religious reasons to be allowed to go to the front; the reasons +are so good that nothing but an absolute and unchangeable +prohibition of all such travel will do any good." [Footnote: _Id_., +vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 434.] + +The business management of the military railways was a matter of +greatest importance, but it must be supplemented by an adequate +system of defence. To cut the long line and interrupt the +communications of the army would, of course, be the constant effort +of the enemy. Every wooden bridge across a stream was a most +vulnerable point. A burnt bridge meant a delay of trains till it +could be rebuilt, and Sherman's estimate that he must receive at the +front a hundred and fifty car-loads daily, shows how soon trouble +would be caused if the steady roll of car-wheels should cease. For +the freight cars of that day, ten tons made a load, and with the +light locomotives and iron rails then in use, twenty or thirty cars +made a full train. A system of blockhouses for the protection of the +bridges had been gradually developed by the engineers of the Army of +the Cumberland on suggestions made by General Halleck and others, +and was under the charge of Colonel W. E. Merrill, who enlarged and +improved it. This able officer was retained at the head of the +defensive system, and his success in it was noteworthy. [Footnote: +Colonel Merrill has given a valuable memoir on the construction and +use of the blockhouses, in "Ohio Loyal Legion Papers," vol. iii. p. +389. After the war, he was for many years United States Engineer in +charge of Ohio River improvements.] + +With a careful system of railway work went also thorough study of +the wagon trains necessary in the field to carry the baggage of the +army, its ammunition, and a few days' rations, its hospital +supplies, and the records and papers of all the business +departments. Besides the supplies for men, the food for the teams, +for the cavalry horses, and for the horses of mounted officers makes +in the aggregate a bulk and weight astonishing to those who for the +first time undertake the calculation. Great droves of beef cattle +accompanied the march, and were coming forward on all the roads from +the country in the rear where they could be bought and collected. +The purchase, driving, coralling, feeding, and distributing of these +made, of itself, a great business for the commissaries of +subsistence. The introduction of the shelter tent of two +india-rubber blankets got us rid of the regimental trains, which at +the beginning of the war had been the most unwieldy of all our +_impedimenta_. The two soldiers who were thus partners in the little +house they carried on their backs, clubbed all their arrangements +for comfort, and by working together greatly reduced the hardships +of campaigning. Sherman applied the full force of his mind and the +strong impulse of his personal example to discarding everything not +essential to the army work, and to securing the utmost mobility in +his columns. Throughout the campaign his own headquarters looked +small and bare compared with those of many of his subordinates. Some +writers have ridiculed this, as if it were a mere "fad" of the +general; but it was both wise and shrewd to keep before the army the +constant lesson that privation was necessary, and that the orders on +the subject must be obeyed, since the commander set the example of +obedience. It was akin to Bonaparte's marching on foot through the +burning sands of Syria after his repulse from St. Jean d'Acre. It +was speaking to the soldiers in the ranks a language which they +understood, and which helped them in their arduous work more than +proclamations. + +A marked trait of Sherman's military intellect was his accurate +judgment of the force of his enemy, and his freedom from the common +fault of overestimating the army opposed to him. In his +correspondence with General Thomas in April, discussing the +preparations for the campaign and the severe reduction of burdens to +a scale which was "rather the limit of our aim than what we can +really accomplish," he had occasion to acknowledge the receipt of +information concerning the enemy which Thomas had collected. "I read +the reports of your scouts with interest," he said, but added, "I +usually prefer to make my estimate of the enemy from general +reasoning rather than from the words of spies or deserters." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 323.] The +remark is significant. Prior to the opening of a campaign, whilst +affairs are quiet, pretty reliable information of an enemy's +strength and positions may usually be got; but when the time of +action comes, the very air is full of excitement, and the "secret +service" is apt to be a machine for self-delusion. Precedent +knowledge supplemented by actual contact with the enemy is the best +reliance for a capable general. His own reasoning from trustworthy +data at the earlier point of departure, is, with such aids, his best +guide. He knows where his enemy must be and what his force ought to +be, better than his spies, or the enemy's deserters who, by a common +stratagem, may be really hostile spies stuffed with the disturbing +information they are sent to reveal. + +In the Confederate Army changes had also been occurring under the +stress of Bragg's great defeat which culminated in the loss of +Missionary Ridge on the 25th of November. Dissatisfaction with the +conduct of the campaign was prevalent in both military and civil +circles. Lee pointed out the embarrassment which must result to +Longstreet from Bragg's misfortune, especially as the retreat of the +latter had been promptly followed by Grant's occupation of +Cleveland. Communication between Longstreet and Bragg was thus +interrupted, and unless short work was made of Burnside, Longstreet +would have to retreat into Virginia or North Carolina. [Footnote: +_Id_., vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 779.] In the letter to President Davis +which contained these suggestions, Lee added a strong hint that +Beauregard was the most available officer of proper rank to succeed +to the command of which Bragg asked to be relieved on the 29th. +[Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. 682.] The unfortunate Bragg coupled +with this request another; namely, that the causes of the defeat +should be investigated. In his official report [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxi. pt. ii. p. 665] he attributed it to a panic +amongst the troops holding the apparently impregnable heights of +Missionary Ridge, and he characterized the conduct as shameful. "The +position was one," he said, "which ought to have been held by a line +of skirmishers against any assaulting column." He declared that our +troops reached the crest so exhausted by climbing as to be +powerless, and that "the slightest effort would have destroyed +them." One who stands on that ridge and looks down into the valley +can easily agree with this opinion, and believe that no commander +would order his troops to attack the position in front. The impulse +of Wood's and Sheridan's divisions to attack, and the feebleness of +the resistance of the astonished Confederates, are both phenomenal, +and in a superstitious age would certainly have been attributed to +supernatural influences. + +The truth, however, seems to be that the confidence of the +Confederate Army in its leader had declined so far that it lost hope +when opposed to the prestige of the conqueror of Vicksburg, and was +morally prepared for disaster. Mr. Davis's prompt acceptance of +Bragg's retirement can only be understood in this way, for the +general was with good reason reckoned a favorite with the +Confederate President. Except for this loss of prestige he would +have been answered as Lee was when he made a similar suggestion +after Gettysburg,-that confidence was undiminished, and that neither +the army nor the people wished for a change. + +Bragg was directed to turn over the command to Lieutenant-General +William J. Hardee, next in rank, and the evidence indicates that +Hardee could have retained it, had he been willing. But, surpassed +by none in ability and soldierly quality in command of a corps, he +shrunk from the burden of chief responsibility for a campaign, and +declined the permanent appointment. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 764.] Mr. Davis seems to have taken no notice +of Lee's suggestion of Beauregard, but asked whether Lee himself +could not, even temporarily, go to the West and by a vigorous +campaign restore the prestige of the Army of Tennessee. Lee calmly +presented the objections to this, from the point of view of the army +of northern Virginia as well as that of the western army; though he +submitted fully to the decision the President might reach after +further consideration. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 785, 792.] Mr. Davis +was convinced that it would be unwise to transfer Lee, but he did +not take kindly to the idea of appointing Beauregard. The +estrangement between them which began in the first campaign in +Virginia had not been removed, but had rather been intensified by +the fact that Beauregard had, as he thought, failed in the command +of the army after A. S. Johnston fell at Shiloh, and now seemed to +have a party of friends and supporters in the Confederate Congress +who were looked upon as an organized opposition to his +administration. [Footnote: For some indications of this, see +Beauregard's letters to Pierre Soulé and to W. Porcher Miles, +Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. pp. 812, 843. Davis's Rise and +Fall of the Southern Confederacy, vol. ii. p. 69.] + +Whilst the subject was under consideration, General Polk, who was a +warm friend both of President Davis and of General Johnston, wrote +to Mr. Davis a strong letter urging Johnston's appointment. He +advocated it on the double ground of the wish of the army and of the +country. He did not ignore the fact that the personal friendship +once existing between Davis and Johnston had been broken, but +appealed to the sense of public duty to yield to a general desire, +and to motives of magnanimity to overlook personal differences. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 796.] + +Beauregard and Johnston were in fact the only ones, out of the five +officers of the full rank of general, who were available to take +Bragg's place; for the Confederate grades were much less flexible +than ours, where any major-general by assignment of the President +acquired the legal right to command an army, and a superiority over +him who had just laid down the power. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 835.] Mr. Davis felt the embarrassment +keenly, but finally decided to appoint Johnston. On the 16th of +December the latter was ordered to turn over the command of the Army +of the Mississippi to Lieutenant-General Polk, and proceed to Dalton +to assume command of the Army of Tennessee. [Footnote: General W. W. +Mackall, who had been chief of staff to Johnston and Bragg in turn, +wrote to Johnston on December 9th: "I never did believe that Mr. D. +would give you your place as long as he can help it; but he can't." +The letter has other piquant passages. _Id_., p. 801.] + +The result of conferences with Lee, and correspondence with +Longstreet and others, had been the conviction on the part of the +Confederate President that the only promising military policy in the +West was for the Army of Tennessee to take early aggressive action, +turning Chattanooga by the east, getting between Thomas and +Schofield by the occupation of Cleveland, and, if both the National +commanders kept within their fortifications, move boldly over the +Cumberland Mountains by way of the gaps near Kingston. As part of +this plan Longstreet should advance close to Knoxville, and join +Johnston either by turning Knoxville on the east before Johnston +passed far beyond Cleveland, or by the west if Johnston had got to +Kingston. + +This indication of the wishes of the Richmond Government was +gradually developed. The earliest suggestions were of the necessity +for a prompt renewal of the aggressive. Mr. Seddon, Secretary of +War, in the letter informing Johnston of his transfer (December +18th), had said it was hoped that he would assume the offensive as +soon as the condition of the army would allow it. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxi. pt. iii. p. 843.] A few days later +(December 23d) Mr. Davis himself wrote, quoting General Bragg as to +the good effect a prompt resumption of the initiative would have on +the _morale_ of the army, and General Hardee as to the fit condition +of the troops for action. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 856.] To this he +added that an "imperative demand for prompt and vigorous action +arises, not only from the importance of restoring the prestige of +the army, and averting the dispiriting and injurious results that +must attend a season of inactivity, but from the necessity of +reoccupying the country upon the supplies of which the proper +subsistence of our armies materially depends." + +Johnston's reply (January 2d) was a presentation of the difficulties +in the way of action. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxii. pt ii. p. 510.] +He said that Bragg and Hardee had made the considerable +reinforcement of the army a precedent condition of resuming the +offensive. His conclusion was that without large reinforcements +there was "no other mode of taking the offensive here than to beat +the enemy when he advances and then move forward." A fortnight later +he said: "My recent telegrams to you have shown, not only that we +cannot hope soon to assume the offensive from this position, but +that we are in danger of being forced back from it by the want of +food and forage, especially the latter." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 559.] +The shortness of forage he attributed to bad management of the +Georgia Railroad, owned by the State. Supposing this were remedied +(as a little later he said it was), he compared the advantages of +two routes of advance into Middle Tennessee,--one by Rome, +Gunterville, and Huntsville, the other by East Tennessee through the +Cumberland Mountains. He pronounced in favor of the former, which +would turn the mountains by the south and save the task of +surmounting them. If, whilst this was going on, the National army +should push for Atlanta, two or three thousand cavalry could, he +thought, prevent it from reaching that place in less than a month. +Large reinforcements were, however, essential for any aggressive +movement. He was willing to try the East Tennessee route and unite +with Longstreet, if he were satisfied that the country could furnish +the provisions and forage for the march. To both of these routes, he +preferred one which should make a base still farther west, in +northern Mississippi. + +At the beginning of February he reviewed the situation as he then +believed it to be, and concluded that it was impracticable to assume +the offensive from northern Georgia. He advised the collection of as +large an army as possible in northern Mississippi, with a bridge +equipage for the passage of the Tennessee. This army, he thought, +should be larger than his and Folk's united. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 644.] + +Sherman's Meridian expedition now interrupted the discussion of +plans for a month, except that Mr. Davis suggested a movement of +Johnston's army to strike Sherman's column in co-operation with +General Polk. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 729.] Assuming that Sherman was +aiming at Mobile, Johnston declared it impossible to strike him +before he should establish a new base. Hardee's corps was, however, +put in motion to reinforce Polk. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 769.] +Beauregard was ordered to send ten thousand men from his department +on the southern seacoast to Johnston, if possible, but he reported +that it was not practicable. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 772.] + +It must be said that making the correspondence a personal one on the +part of Mr. Davis, instead of carrying it on through the War +Department, was a waiving of etiquette, and thus it was also a step +toward a cordial and frank understanding. It must equally be noted +that General Johnston's tone remained that of cold formality, and +his letters do not show the hearty readiness to bend his views to +meet those of the President which is always apparent (for instance) +in the letters of General Lee. The situation was not one in which a +general may say, "I need certain supplies, equipment, transportation +or pontoon bridges, and must have them before I can move." The +Confederate cause was unquestionably in great straits, and calling +for men and means was a good deal like Glendower's call, "Will they +come?" Every commanding officer was expected to act with what he had +or could get, were it much or little. Very warm friends of Johnston +saw that his attitude was one likely to increase estrangement. +General Polk, the mutual friend who had probably thrown the casting +influence which gave Johnston the command, wrote to him through a +confidential intimate of both (Colonel Harvie, Johnston's +inspector-general), suggesting that he take private steps toward a +reconciliation with Mr. Davis. He urged the general, as he had urged +the President, that private feeling and personal pride should be +sacrificed to the cause in which both were engaged. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. ii. p. 593.] The appeal seems to +have failed, and cold formality continued to be the tone of +Johnston's communications with the government. About the first of +March Mr. Davis dropped the correspondence, turning it over to +General Bragg, now his chief of staff. + +Johnston had written to Bragg (February 27th) that the President's +letters had given him the impression that a forward movement was +intended _in the spring_; but if this were so, much preparation +would be necessary, and large reinforcements and equipment. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 808.] He assumed that Longstreet was to unite +with him, if the President's plan had not changed. This treatment of +the matter as problematic and intended only as a plan for the +spring, must be admitted to be somewhat exasperating to Mr. Davis, +as the pressure from Richmond since the 18th of December had been +for immediate aggressive action, and had been so emphatically put +that to speak of it as creating only "an impression" sounded very +like a sneer, and was unfortunate if not so intended. + +Bragg answered in good temper, and after disposing of the matters of +business, he added: "The enemy is not prepared for us, and if we can +strike him a blow before he recovers, success is almost certain. The +plan which is proposed has long been my favorite, and I trust our +efforts may give you the means to accomplish what I have ardently +desired but never had the ability to undertake. Communicate your +wants to me freely and I will do all I can to give you strength and +efficiency. We must necessarily encounter privations and hardships, +and run some risk; but the end will justify the means." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 592.] + +This, of course, implied prompt action whilst Grant's forces +remained scattered and were still suffering from the dearth of +supplies which had so nearly approached starvation and nakedness. +Schofield's forces were at Knoxville, over a hundred miles northeast +of Chattanooga. Part of Sherman's were on the Meridian expedition or +now returning to Vicksburg on the Mississippi. Another part, under +Logan, were about Huntsville, as far to the southwest as Schofield +was to the northeast. In this condition of things a quick blow at +Thomas would find him isolated. He could be turned by the north +before Schofield could join him if he stayed in his fortifications, +and he could be fought on equal terms in the field if he came out of +his lines. This made the southern opportunity. To wait for spring +was to wait for Grant and Sherman to concentrate the now scattered +armies, to have them clothed and fed, and to have the horses and +mules ready for a campaign. It is no wonder the government at +Richmond thought it worth while to "encounter privations and +hardships and to run some risk." + +Lee had been in Richmond and was in accord with this plan. He wrote +to Longstreet on the day after the date of Bragg's letter just +quoted, urging him to drop all other schemes and to unite in +influencing Johnston to adopt it. "If you and Johnston could unite +and move into Middle Tennessee," he said, "it would cut the armies +of Chattanooga and Knoxville in two and draw them from those points, +where either portion could be struck at as opportunity offered.... +By covering your fronts well with your cavalry, Johnston could move +quietly and rapidly through Benton, cross the Hiwassee, and then +push forward in the direction of Kingston, while you, taking such a +route as to be safe from a flank attack, would join him at or after +his crossing the Tennessee River. The two commands, upon reaching +Sparta, would be in position to select their future course; would +necessitate the evacuation of Chattanooga and Knoxville, and by +rapidity and skill unite on either army." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 594.] + +There were no doubt difficulties in the way--when are there not? But +we who were in Grant's command are glad that we were not called upon +to meet the enemy under this plan of campaign vigorously executed. +We did not lack faith that we could defeat it, but we were much +better pleased to have the enemy await the completion of our own +preparation and allow us to take the initiative. It cannot be denied +that it was based on sound strategy. With his usual considerateness, +Lee said that Johnston and Longstreet on the ground should be better +able to judge the plan and to decide; but he urged it with much more +earnestness than was common in his letters. That Johnston rejected +it must be admitted to be very strong evidence that he lacked +enterprise. His abilities are undoubted, and when once committed to +an offensive campaign, he conducted it with vigor and skill. The +bent of his mind, however, was plainly in favor of the course which +he steadily urged,--to await his adversary's advance, and watch for +errors which would give him a manifest opportunity to ruin him. + +Longstreet had written to Johnston on the 5th of March that Mr. +Davis had directed a conference between them on the practicability +of uniting their armies between Knoxville and Chattanooga, with a +view to the movement into Middle Tennessee. Longstreet thinks he can +make his part of the movement, but must leave the question of +supplies to Johnston after they unite. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxiii. pt. ii. p. 587.] Lieutenant-General John B. Hood, who +had been assigned to a corps in Johnston's army, wrote to Mr. Davis +on the 7th that the army was well clothed, well fed, with abundant +transportation, in high spirits, anxious for battle, and needing +only a few artillery horses. A junction with Longstreet's army he +thought would make it strong enough to take the initiative, and he +strongly supported the plan of moving before Grant could +concentrate. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 606.] + +Johnston wrote to Bragg on the 12th that no particular plan of +campaign had been communicated to him. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 613.] He +does not appear to have telegraphed a brief inquiry on this subject, +but wrote at some length in regard to his requirements before he +could be in condition to take the field. He referred to his first +opinion in favor of a defensive campaign as unchanged. The ordinary +course of mail seems to have required about a week for a letter to +reach Richmond. It happened that on the same day Bragg at Richmond +was writing to Johnston outlining the plan of campaign mentioned +above, adding that it was intended to throw a heavy column of +cavalry into West Tennessee as a diversion, and that if by rapid +movement Johnston could capture Nashville, Grant would be in a +precarious position. The President, on assurance of the immediate +execution of the plan, would order to him 5000 men from General +Polk, 10,000 from Beauregard, and Longstreet's command estimated at +16,000, but which was really nearer 20,000. Putting these +reinforcements and Johnston's own army at lowest figures, his column +would amount to 75,000 men. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. +pt. iii. p. 614.] + +After posting his letter of the 12th, Johnston went on an inspection +tour to Atlanta, and there on the 13th he received and answered +Longstreet's letter of the 5th. He pronounced impracticable the plan +submitted to them, and reiterated his fixed opinion that it was best +to wait for Grant's advance. In any event, he thought a forward +movement should "wait for the grass of May." [Footnote: _Id_., p. +618.] He argued that it was better to let the enemy's forces +advance, and fight them far from their base and near his own. Bragg, +on the other hand, had urged the recovery of the populous region of +Middle Tennessee as necessary both for obtaining army subsistence +and forage, and for the recruitment of the ranks. Both these +resources he estimated very highly, and as Tennessee was still +claimed as a seceding State, the Confederate conscription laws would +be enforced there. On the other hand, every movement in retreat cut +off a part of their area for supplies and men, was discouraging to +the army, and was followed by numerous desertions of soldiers whose +families were within our lines. + +In answering Longstreet, Johnston had said that he would execute +zealously any plan the President would order; but he evidently +insisted on definite and formal commands if he were to depart from +his preconceived views to which he held tenaciously. On the 16th of +March he wrote again, this time in answer to Bragg's of the 7th. +After telling of the impossibility of collecting artillery horses in +northern Georgia, he mentions Longstreet's letter to him, to say +that he thinks the point of junction suggested is too near the +enemy, and that his army should have an accumulation of eighteen or +twenty days' supplies before entering upon such a movement. They +must also have ordnance stores for a campaign, and wagon trains to +carry it all. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. +636.] Two days later he received Bragg's full letter of the 12th +sent by the hand of Colonel Sale as special messenger, and he now +answers by telegraph. He says that Grant is back at Nashville, and +is not likely to stand on the defensive. To meet at Dalton his +expected advance, the reinforcements that had been spoken of must be +sent at once. "Give us those troops," he says; "and if we beat him +we follow. Should he not advance, we will thus be ready for the +offensive. The troops can be fed as easily here as where they now +are." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 649.] Next day he elaborated the same +ideas in a letter, adding the suggestion before made by him that the +line of advance by way of North Alabama was a preferable one to the +route through East Tennessee. + +The telegram was answered from Richmond whilst the longer letter was +on its way. The answer conveyed the information that Grant would not +personally lead the western army, but would turn over its command to +Sherman. It also briefly noted the fact that Johnston had not +accepted the aggressive policy on which the large reinforcements +were made conditional. [Footnote: I do not find this dispatch in the +Official Records. It is given in Johnston's "Narrative of Military +Operations," p. 298.] He replied that his dispatch expressly +accepted taking the offensive, and the only difference was as to +details. He therefore repeats the urgent request that the troops be +sent at once. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. +666.] + +It is not easy to accept his interpretation of his former dispatch. +Waiting indefinitely to see whether the National army would advance, +and declaring the administration plan impracticable, hardly looks +like assuming the initiative. It was not a difference as to details. +The very gist of the subject under discussion was a prompt advance +against the parts of our army before they could be united for any +purpose. The question would naturally arise, What might happen in +the places from which troops were drawn, if they were not used by +Johnston immediately? The latter had already said to Longstreet that +his requisitions on the commissaries and quartermaster's departments +for supplies and wagon-trains were so large as to make filling them +"a greater undertaking than anything yet accomplished by those +departments, and if they succeed, it will not be very soon." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. p. 618.] Yet these +were only part of the conditions which he considered essential to +any advance. + +There seems to have been no rejoinder to Johnston's last telegram, +and the subject was dropped. Longstreet was persuaded by his +correspondence with Johnston that the combined movement could not be +made, and turned to the scheme (already mentioned), of mounting his +troops and making an expedition from southwestern Virginia into +Kentucky. This was decisively rejected by the Richmond government. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 748.] Grant was now known to be in Virginia, +inspecting the commands there and preparing for an active campaign. +Concentration on both sides, and not further morselling of armies +was to be the wholesome order of the day, and Longstreet was soon +ordered to report to Lee. Between Bragg and Johnston correspondence +was limited to the current business of the army, and general plans +of campaign were not again mentioned. In April, Johnston became +uneasy at the silence which indicated that the President regarded it +unprofitable to discuss plans with him, and sent Colonel B. S. Ewell +of his staff to Richmond to make explanations in person. He was +politely received, and his visit no doubt tended to relax a little +the strain in the relations between Mr. Davis and Ewell's chief; but +it was too late to accomplish what had been hoped for in January. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt. iii. pp. 839, 842.] +Spring had come, and Sherman's concentration was in progress; indeed +it was almost completed. Ewell reported to Johnston again on the +29th of April. On the 1st of May Schofield was at the Hiwassee River +in touch with the left wing of Thomas's army, whilst McPherson was +closing in on the right. + +The certainty that Grant was in Virginia had brought the Confederate +government to the conclusion that Lee must be reinforced by +Longstreet and by whatever troops Beauregard could spare. The +Atlantic coast States were thus to supply Lee with men and means. +About four thousand men were to be immediately added to Johnston's +army, mostly drawn from Mobile. Polk's infantry would be sent to him +also, if, as was nearly certain, Sherman's advance on Atlanta should +prove to be our great effort in the West. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 841.] +The doubt whether one of our columns might not move through Alabama +made it necessary to continue to the last moment ready for either +event. The Gulf States would then become the feeders of Johnston's +army in the campaign. + +The very unsatisfactory relations between Mr. Davis and General +Johnston cannot be overlooked if we would judge intelligently the +events of the Atlanta campaign. It may be that the general was right +in thinking a winter advance impracticable, though Lee's concurrence +in the President's plan is no small argument in its favor. It is, +nevertheless, the indisputable province of a government to +determine, in view of the whole situation, political and military, +whether continued operations are necessary. The army is organized +for the sole purpose of reaching the ends at which its government +aims in the war. The expenditure of life and treasure should be +stopped and the government should sue for peace, unless its armies +can be relied upon to act in hearty subordination to its view of the +existing exigencies. The general should meet it with absolute +ingenuousness and the promptest and clearest decision. He should act +at once or ask to be relieved in time to let another carry out the +plan. Mr. Davis, like Mr. Lincoln on several occasions, had reason +to feel that a prolonged discussion had in fact thwarted him, and +that he had not the cordial service he might fairly expect. + +One of the results of the financial embarrassments of the +Confederacy was the great and growing depreciation of its paper +currency. Its officers in the field found their pay a merely nominal +pittance, and those who had no independent fortune were reduced to +the greatest straits. Interesting evidence of this has been +preserved in petitions forwarded to the War Department in February, +asking that rations might be issued to them as to the private +soldiers. The scale of prices attached to their petition was that at +which the government sold the enumerated articles to its officers, +and was supposed to show the average cost and not a market price +fixed by the retail trade. They paid for bacon $2.20 per pound, for +beef 75 cents, for lard $2.20, for molasses $6 per gallon, for sugar +$1.50 per pound, for a coat $350, for a pair of boots $250, for a +pair of pantaloons $125, for a hat from $80 to $125, for a shirt +$50, for a pair of socks $10. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxii. pt. ii. p. 658.] Their statements were verified and approved +by their superiors, and General Johnston, in forwarding the +petitions, said that at existing prices the pay of company officers +was worth less than that of the private soldiers. [Footnote: _Id._, +p. 661.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: DALTON AND RESACA + + +The opposing forces--North Georgia +triangle--Topography--Dalton--Army of the Ohio enters +Georgia--Positions of the other armies--Turning Tunnel Hill--First +meeting with Sherman--Thomas--Sherman's plan as to +Dalton--McPherson's orders and movement--Those of Thomas and +Schofield--Hopes of a decisive engagement--Thomas attacks north end +of Rocky Face--Opdycke on the ridge--Developing Johnston's +lines--Schofield's advance on 9th May--The flanking march through +Snake Creek Gap--Retiring movement of my division--Passing +lines--Johnston's view of the situation--Use of temporary +intrenchments and barricades--Passing the Snake Creek defile--Camp +Creek line--A wheel in line--Rough march of left flank--Battle of +Resaca--Crossing Camp Creek--Storming Confederate line--My division +relieved by Newton's--Incidents--Further advance of left +flank--Progress of right flank--Johnston retreats. + + +The history of the campaigns of 1864-1865 under Sherman have been +given in another form, and I need not repeat the narrative of the +connected movements of his forces. [Footnote: See "Atlanta," and +"The March to the Sea, Franklin and Nashville."] I shall confine +myself to the more personal view of events as they came under my own +eye, and to such additional knowledge as the publication of the +Records has brought within our reach. + +Nashville and Chattanooga, being large depots of supply, were +fortified and furnished with garrisons. A few other points had also +to be garrisoned in some force, besides the numerous small posts and +blockhouses. But after all deductions, Sherman still expected to +take the field with an army of a hundred thousand men of all arms, +and this was what he did. His returns for the 30th of April show his +strength to have been 93,131 infantry, 12,455 cavalry, and 4537 +artillery. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. i. p. +115.] His cavalry were not all at the front, and fell short of the +nominal strength. [Footnote: Memoirs, vol. ii. pp. 23, 24; Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 26.] + +General Johnston's similar returns for the end of April show his +army actually present at Dalton to have consisted of 54,500 +infantry, cavalry, and artillery, not including part of a brigade at +Resaca and some detachments _en route_. [Footnote: _Id._, vol. +xxxii. pt. iii. p. 866.] General Polk was on his way to join with +14,000 men, [Footnote: _Id._, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 670, 737, +740.] and these with about 5000 increase of Hardee's and Hood's +corps reached Johnston before he was seriously engaged with Sherman, +giving him an army of 75,000 men. [Footnote: For a careful analysis +of these forces, see "Century War Book," vol. iv. p. 281, a +statistical paper by Major E. C. Dawes; also "Atlanta," Appendix A. +For the meaning of "effective total" in Confederate returns, see +_ante_, p. 482.] The Richmond government only delayed ordering Polk +to join Johnston until it was certain that Sherman intended to +operate with a single army upon the Atlanta line, and Polk went even +beyond what they seemed to expect of him in carrying the troops of +his department to the army at Dalton. + +Although he was not aware of the urgency of the Confederate +government with Johnston to induce him to take the initiative and +operate by turning our left flank, Sherman had considered the +possibility of this. The Fourth Corps had been concentrated at +Cleveland on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railway about a dozen +miles north of the Georgia state line and thirty-five miles from +Dalton. The line of this railway was the easy road out of northern +Georgia into Tennessee, and pretty closely followed the old Federal +road. Had Johnston marched northward, he must have taken this route, +and would have found his way barred by the Fourth Corps, which was +strong enough to retard his advance till Sherman could have +concentrated to meet him. The railways made a nearly equilateral +triangle of the country between Cleveland, Chattanooga, and Dalton. +It was thirty-eight miles from Chattanooga to Dalton, and +twenty-seven to Cleveland. The east side of the triangle was near +the Cooyehuttee Creek, a stream heading quite close to Cleveland and +uniting, below Dalton, with the Connasauga. This valley is narrow +west of the river, and is, much of the way, separated by a high and +sharp ridge from the very broken country, which makes up the greater +part of the triangle, where the branches of the Chickamauga run +northward in parallel valleys till they unite near Chattanooga, and +empty into the Tennessee. For nearly forty miles, therefore, the +waters on the east side of the dividing ridge run southward to the +Gulf of Mexico, whilst on the west side they run northward to the +Ohio. + +Going south from Chattanooga, the railroad and the wagon roads have +to thread their way from one valley to another, the latter climbing +painfully the high ridges intervening, the former taking shorter +cuts by deep excavations and tunnels. Within sight of Chattanooga +the north end of Missionary Ridge is pierced for the railway where +Grant's left wing fought in the battle which closed General Bragg's +career as a commander in the field. Some twenty miles further on, +another ridge is tunnelled where the railroad passes from the +Chickamauga valley into that of Mill Creek, a small tributary of the +Cooyehuttee, flowing eastward into that river in front of Dalton. +Here, at Tunnel Hill, had been Johnston's advanced post during the +winter, and Thomas's had been above Ringgold on the top of Taylor's +ridge facing it on the west. But as Tunnel Hill did not extend many +miles northward, and could be turned in that direction, the +Confederates had made Dalton their intrenched camp, and were +prepared to retire from Tunnel Hill whenever Sherman should advance +in force. + +[Illustration: Map] + +The position at Dalton was an impregnable one to an attack in front +on the Chattanooga road. Mill Creek breaks through the Chattanooga +Mountains (here known by the local name of Rocky Face), by a crooked +gorge flanked by precipitous cliffs called the Buzzards Roost. The +west side of Rocky Face is a nearly perpendicular wall, and in the +Mill Creek gorge, spurs from the sides so project as to enfilade the +entrance like bastions. A little north of the gorge a larger spur +from the ridge runs down to the east, connecting with a subordinate +parallel ridge, and from the lower slope a line of heavy earthworks +continued the defences toward the Cooyehuttee. Mill Creek had been +dammed so as to make an inundation in the gorge, and the +Confederates held the ridge and cliffs on both sides as well as the +fortified line in the lower ground. Some three miles north of Mill +Creek Gap, Rocky Face and Tunnel Hill break down into smaller +disconnected hills, and here about Catoosa Springs a bit of more +open country made a practicable connection between the centre of the +Union Army at Ringgold and its left wing advancing from Cleveland. +Johnston hoped that Sherman would dash himself against the walls of +Rocky Face and suffer severe loss in doing so; and if the ridge was +turned on the north by part of the Union Army, this wing would find +itself in presence of the strong earthworks skirting Mill Creek, and +would be so separated from the centre that he could reasonably hope +to crush it. Sherman, of course, could know little of the +Confederate position till he was near enough to reconnoitre it, and +must find out by experiment how the nut was to be cracked. + +On Thursday, the 5th of May, the Army of the Ohio under General +Schofield was at Red Clay, a hamlet just south of the Georgia state +line. My own division (the third) was encamped a mile in advance, at +some springs which furnished a good supply of water. General Judah's +division (the second) was at Red Clay. General Hovey's division (the +first) was still at Blue Springs, Tennessee, covering the army +trains and the repairs of the railway. The cavalry covered the left +flank and reconnoitred forward toward Varnell's Station, skirmishing +with the enemy's horse. The valley was a narrow one, tributary to +the principal valley of the Connasauga, and, near my camp, was +filled with a dense thicket of loblolly pine, a second growth which +came up in the exhausted light soil of abandoned fields, and which +we were to become very familiar with as we advanced into Georgia. As +we could not see out in any direction except that of the road, I +covered my front with a slashing of the trees by way of a rough +abatis to prevent a surprise. We were now the left flank of the +grand army. + +When we passed Cleveland, the Fourth Corps took up its line of +march, bearing away to the westward of ours and went into position +at Catoosa Springs, about eight miles southwest of Red Clay, with a +ridge intervening. Here General Howard became the left of the Army +of the Cumberland, having Palmer's Corps (the Fourteenth), next +beyond him facing Tunnel Hill, and Hooker's (the Twentieth) still +farther to the southwest, marching by way of Woods Station over +Taylor's Ridge upon Trickum in the upper valley of the East +Chickamauga. Thomas's army was the heavy centre of the grand army, +and his infantry was about two-thirds of the whole. This great +preponderance of one organization was faulty in a purely military +point of view, but Grant and Sherman both felt that it would not be +wise to disturb the _esprit de corps_ of the Cumberland Army by +subdividing it, or to offend Thomas by diminishing it, and, anyhow, +no such change could have been made without the concurrence of the +President. + +General McPherson's Army of the Tennessee was to constitute +Sherman's right, but was a little delayed in its concentration. At +this time it contained only Logan's Corps (the Fifteenth) and the +left wing of the Sixteenth (Brigadier-General G. M. Dodge in +command). It was moving behind the Army of the Cumberland, to Lee +and Gordon's Mills, and thence upon Villanow. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 39.] General Kenner Garrard's +strong division of cavalry accompanied McPherson's movement. + +Sherman was anxious to allow the enemy as little time for +preparation as might be, yet, as he had to give McPherson a day or +two to come into line, he set Saturday the 7th of May as the time +for the more complete concentration, and an attack upon Tunnel Hill +if Johnston should continue to hold it. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 38.] +Accordingly, on Saturday morning all the columns were in motion. +Palmer advanced against the ridge of Tunnel Hill in front, and +Howard coming from the north turned the flank of the ridge. The hill +was held by the Confederate cavalry under Wheeler, supported by +Stewart's division of infantry, who were ordered to resist our +advance with stubbornness enough to force the display of Thomas's +forces. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 672.] A lively skirmishing fight was +kept up till Howard's men advanced toward the flank and rear of the +position, when the enemy retreated within Mill Creek Gap. Wheeler +was ordered to let a brigade of cavalry retire up the valley of Mill +Creek, outside of Rocky Face, and to cover Dug Gap, through which +runs the road from Villanow to Dalton. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] + +My division marched from its camp in front of Red Clay over the +ridge by Ellidge's Mill to Dr. Lee's on the main road from Varnell's +Station to Ringgold, and near the northern end of Tunnel Hill ridge. +Here we came into close connection with the Fourth Corps. The rest +of the Army of the Ohio followed, the rear-guard holding a gap +looking eastward above Ellidge's Mill, and the cavalry covering the +front and flank to Varnell's Station. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 48, 54.] +Our supply station was moved over to Ringgold on the Chattanooga +line, and the railroad at Red Clay was soon abandoned. In the +movement all the division commanders were ordered to report to me in +the absence of General Schofield. + +At Dr. Lee's I met Sherman and Thomas for the first time. They had +come over from Ringgold to reconnoitre for themselves and observe +the effect of Howard's movement turning Tunnel Hill. The house stood +upon a knoll looking southward over farm fields and rolling country +to the sharp end of Rocky Face, and when my column halted near by, I +rode forward with General Schofield to meet the army commander. It +was a bright May morning, and a picturesque group was gathered on +the sloping lawn in front of the house. The principal officers were +dismounted, their horses and escort in the background. An occasional +puff of white smoke on the slope of Tunnel Hill in the distance +marked the attack going on there, but it was too far away for the +cannonade to be more than a muffled sound, not interrupting the +conversation. Sherman was tall, lithe, and active, with light brown +hair, close-cropped sandy beard and moustache, and every motion and +expression indicated eagerness and energy. His head was apt to be +bent a little forward as if in earnest outlook or aggressive +advance, and his rapid incisive utterance hit off the topics of +discussion in a sharp and telling way. His opinions usually took a +strong and very pronounced form, full of the feeling that was for +the moment uppermost, not hesitating at even a little humorous +extravagance if it added point to his statement; but in such cases +the keen eye took a merry twinkle accentuated by the crow-foot lines +in the corner, so that the real geniality and kindliness that +underlay the brusque exterior were sufficiently apparent. The +general effect was of a nature of intense, restless activity, both +physical and mental. In conversation he poured out a wealth of +original and striking ideas, from a full experience, observation, +and reading; his assertions would be strong and confident, highly +colored by the glow of momentary feeling, unsoftened by the +modifications and exceptions which have to tame down broad +generalizations before they are put in practice. One did not know +him long before discovering that in responsible action he did not +lack the prudence which took all probable contingencies into +account. His practical work in the field was never reckless, but his +boldest outlines of plan were worked out with thoughtful caution in +detail and full provision for possible disappointment. When +discussing a situation with his familiars, after strongly stating +his own view he would add, "Now what is Joe Johnston's game?" and he +would analyze his adversary's possible moves with a candor and +insight that left no doubt of his full comprehension of the problem +before him. In carrying out a plan he was free from the common +weakness of giving increased weight to doubts when the conflict is +joined, and making a timid execution of a strong purpose; he knew +when it was time for debate to stop (even with his own thoughts), +and to bend every energy to decisive action. All this was, of +course, not visible in the first meeting at Dr. Lee's, but no one +could doubt that here was a most original and interesting character, +and I soon acquired an undoubting conviction that of all the men I +had met, he was the one to whose leadership in war I would commit my +own life and the lives of my men with most complete confidence. In +him the combination of intellectual insight with fertility of +invention and with force of will in execution was of the highest +order. I felt that if the end we aimed at was a noble and worthy +one, the price he asked us to pay was reasonable, and the object was +worth the sacrifices he called for: we were therefore enthusiastic +in our obedience. + +General Thomas was in person and manner a strong contrast to +Sherman. Equally tall, he was large and solidly stout, with an air +of dignified quiet and deliberation. His full beard was not of so +stubbly a cut as Sherman's, his countenance was almost impassive, +and the lines of his brow gave an air of sternness. His part in the +conversation was less, his words much fewer and less expressive, but +always clear and intelligent. His manner was kindly, but rather +reserved, and one felt that his acquaintance must be gradually +cultivated. His reputation for cool intrepidity and stubborn +tenacity could not be excelled, and no soldier could approach him +without a deep interest and respect that was not diminished by his +natural modesty of demeanor. Better acquaintance with him made one +learn that his intellect was strong and broad, and his mind had been +expanded by general reading, with some special scientific tastes +beyond his military profession. He was a noble model of patriotic +devotion to country, and of the private virtues that make a great +citizen. His military career had been an important one from the +beginning of the war. Second in rank in the armies of Buell and +Rosecrans in 1862 and 1863, at the great battles of Stone's River +and Chickamauga he had held his wing of the army defiant and +invincible when other parts were swept back by the Confederate +impetuosity. No sobriquet conferred by an admiring soldiery was more +characteristic than the "Rock of Chickamauga." Between him and +Sherman the old affection of schoolmates at the Military Academy was +still warm. Sherman still called him "Tom," the nickname of cadet +days, and Thomas evidently enjoyed, in his quiet way, the vivacious +talk and brilliant ideas of his old friend, now his commander. His +army so much outnumbered the organizations of McPherson and +Schofield that, as a massive centre, it was necessarily the chief +reliance of Sherman for the results of the campaign, and was +personified in its leader's weight and deliberation; while the +lighter organizations of the Tennessee and the Ohio were thrown from +flank to flank in zigzag movements from one strategic position to +another as we penetrated into Georgia. + +Grant's plan of having the armies of the East and West begin +simultaneous movements on the first days of May had been responded +to by Sherman with the information that on the first of the month +his three armies were in mutual support, and that he would "draw the +enemy's fire within twenty-four hours of May 5th." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 1.] The delay in +McPherson's reaching his position, slight as it was, had to be +considered in ordering other movements in view of the promise to +Grant to get into immediate contact with the enemy, and helped in +the decision to let Thomas's army advance strongly in the centre and +engage the enemy if the chance seemed at all favorable, while +McPherson made the flanking movement by way of Snake Creek Gap. On +the 4th Sherman had telegraphed Grant that he would "first secure +the Tunnel Hill, then throw McPherson rapidly on his (the enemy's) +communications, attacking at the same time cautiously and in force." +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 25.] + +McPherson's orders went to him on the evening of the 5th, directing +that whilst the movements of Thomas and Schofield already described +were in progress, on Saturday the 7th he should "secure Snake Creek +Gap, and from it make a bold attack on the enemy's flank or his +railroad at any point between Tilton and Resaca." [Footnote: _Id_., +p. 39.] Sherman expressed the hope that Johnston would fight at +Dalton, but should he fall back along the railroad McPherson was to +hit him in flank. "Do not fail, in that event," he continued, "to +make the most of the opportunity by the most vigorous attack +possible, as it may save us what we have most reason to apprehend, a +slow pursuit, in which he gains strength as we lose it." McPherson +was assured that Thomas and Schofield would prevent Johnston from +turning on him alone, and the sound of battle at the north would +show the greater necessity for rapid movement on the railroad. "If +once broken to an extent that would take them days to repair, you +can withdraw to Snake Creek Gap, and come to us or await the +development according to your judgment or information you may +receive." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 39.] + +Sherman's orders to Thomas were to take Tunnel Hill, and threaten +Dalton in front, but not to attack its defences "unless the enemy +assume the offensive against either of our wings, when all must +attack directly in front toward the enemy's main army, and not +without orders detach to the relief of the threatened wing." +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 40.] With similar orders to Schofield, Sherman +added: "As soon as Tunnel Hill is secured to us, I shall pause to +give McPherson time for his long march; but we must occupy the +attention of all the enemy, lest he turn his whole force on +McPherson, which must be prevented. Therefore, on the sound of heavy +battle always close up on Howard and act according to circumstances. +We will not be able to detach to McPherson's assistance, but can +press so closely from this direction that he (Johnston) cannot +detach but a part of his command against him." [Footnote: _Id_., p. +38.] + +These lucid orders show that Sherman was not contemplating merely a +flanking movement to make Johnston retreat and yield territory; on +the other hand he strongly expressed the desirability of forcing +conclusions as near his own base as possible, and showed his +apprehension of the disadvantages which must come from stretching +still further his long line of communications. The same desire and +the same apprehension were constant with him throughout the +campaign, and it was with an unwillingness growing at times into +impatience that he found himself compelled to follow Johnston's slow +and skilful retreat. It was not till the change of the Confederate +commanders that aggressive tactics on the part of the enemy gave the +opportunity for severe punishment and led to the speedy destruction +of the hostile army. Herein lies the key of the whole campaign. + +The possession of Tunnel Hill enabled Sherman to look into Mill +Creek Gap, the break in Rocky Face, and the first look was enough to +show how desperate would be an attack either upon the precipitous +cliffs or into the fortified gorge. His orders for the 8th of May +were for Thomas to threaten the Buzzard Roost pass and try to get a +small force on Rocky Face ridge. Schofield from Dr. Lee's was to +feel along the same ridge southward toward the gap and the signal +station which the enemy had established above it on Buzzard Roost. +It was to be a skirmishing advance, but no battle, attracting the +enemy's attention whilst McPherson was seizing on Snake Creek Gap in +Johnston's rear. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +p. 56.] + +On our part, Schofield ordered Judah's division to ascend the north +point of Rocky Face and press along the sharp ridge southward. My +own division was to occupy the passes looking toward Varnell's +Station, sending a regiment to support the cavalry there. [Footnote: +_Id_., pp. 55, 66, 85.] General Thomas, seeing no chance of getting +to the top of Rocky Face from the west, had ordered the Fourth Corps +to attempt it from the north, and Howard had sent in Newton's +division to do this before Schofield received his orders for the +day. The latter therefore put Judah's division in support of +Newton's, extending the line along the east base of the ridge, and +called up Hovey's division into close support. With my own division +I advanced southeastwardly to hills in that direction, keeping +abreast of the movement on Rocky Face. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 82, 83; +pt. ii. p. 675.] + +Sherman had conjectured that the hill-tops would be found to be +plateaus on which troops might manoeuvre to some extent, but they +proved to be sharp and steep to the very summits, and composed of +loose rock of every size, but all as angular as if from fresh +cleavage. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. p. 675; +pt. iv. p. 84.] Harker's brigade of Newton's division had the +advance, but even a brigade was too large a body for combined +action, and Colonel Opdycke with his regiment (One Hundred and +Twenty-fifth Ohio) took the lead. He made a demonstration as if to +turn the north point and go up the eastern side; then leaving the +brigade skirmish line to continue to push there, he rapidly moved +again to the west side and climbed swiftly to the ridge. Here was +only room for four men to march abreast, but charging from rock to +rock he succeeded in advancing about a third of a mile southward +along the ridge to a breastwork of stone where the enemy, who had +fought bravely for every "coign of vantage," were finally enabled to +check him. He also threw together a heap of stones to cover and +enable him to hold the ground he had gained. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. +i. p. 367.] + +Schofield in person had followed the advance of Judah's division, +and reconnoitred along the ridge parallel to Rocky Face on the east. +It was plain that there was little chance of getting near Buzzard +Roost by following Harker's path along the knife-like summit, and he +was disposed to let Judah try the effect of a night attack upon the +fortified outpost at the enemy's signal station in front of Harker. +[Footnote: _Id_., pt. iv. p. 83.] Sherman realized that he could not +hope to carry the Dalton lines from the west and north, and that +Johnston was too well satisfied with his defensive position to leave +it unless some part of our army was compromised by making a false +move. McPherson, however, was entering Snake Creek Gap with so +little opposition as to show that the importance of that pass was +not understood by Johnston, if indeed he knew of its existence. +Sherman therefore determined to keep up active demonstrations with +watchful observation of the enemy for another day, whilst the +decisive part of McPherson's movement should go on, and was already +planning to transfer Hooker's Corps to McPherson's column as soon as +the latter should hold the outlet of his gap. He wrote to Schofield, +"We must not let Johnston amuse us here by a small force whilst he +turns on McPherson." He sometimes suspected this was being done, and +had been uneasy during the day at the absence of cannonade from +Johnston's lines. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +pp. 83, 84.] The orders for the 9th were that Thomas should continue +to push along the crest of Rocky Face from the north and make +demonstrations on other parts of his line, whilst Schofield +cautiously swung his left flank out toward the east at right angles +to the principal ridge and made a strong reconnoissance of the +enemy's lines in the immediate front of the town. At midnight +Sherman learned that Hooker had made an effort to carry Rocky Face +at Dug Gap, two or three miles south of Buzzard Roost, and had +failed with considerable loss to Geary's division, which was +engaged. + +At daybreak on the 9th, my own camp was astir. The division advanced +beyond the left flank of the position of Hovey's, then swung the +left forward and moved southward astride of the ridge parallel to +Rocky Face on the east. Judah's division connected our movement with +the left flank of the Fourth Corps across the intervening valley. +Hovey's division marched in rear of my left flank as a reserve. +McCook's division of cavalry covered the extreme flank at Varnell's +Station, under orders to demonstrate on the direct road to Dalton as +our infantry advanced. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 98-100.] The enemy +resisted with strong outposts and skirmish lines posted in several +strong barricades of timber and stones. We drove him from these and +continued the movement till we confronted the main line of +intrenchments. Schofield intended to attack these as soon as +Newton's division of the Fourth Corps (which was our pivot) should +be able to force the position in its immediate front on the crest of +Rocky Face, but Newton was obliged to report that Harker's brigade +had failed in its effort, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. iv. p. 102.] and Schofield ordered us to stand fast where we +were. + +McCook had found a superior force of Confederate cavalry under +Wheeler on the Dalton road; his advanced brigade under Colonel La +Grange had been roughly handled, and that officer was captured. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 96.] General Stoneman was, however, advancing +from Charleston with the cavalry of the Army of the Ohio, and the +affair was of no great significance, though the Confederates claimed +a considerable victory for their horse. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 683.] + +Our movement had been an interesting one. As we went forward on the +ridge, we could see Judah's line keeping pace with us in the valley +and on the lower slopes of Rocky Face, whilst Newton's men continued +the line to the summit, where Harker was having a sharp combat in +which both artillery and small arms were brought into play. Off +beyond our left was a separate rounded height, Potato Hill, on which +the enemy had artillery which annoyed us, and to which our own guns +answered. The space between was filled with skirmishers, horse and +foot, and a rattling fusillade accompanied our march. It was evident +that the lines before us were very formidable and held in force, and +that the reconnoissance had been pushed as far as possible; to go +further would commit us to a desperate attack upon intrenchments. +[Footnote: When Johnston's retreat gave us possession of Dalton, we +found the works of a very strong character, putting that front quite +beyond a _coup-de-main_. I examined them myself later in the +campaign.] But Sherman did not desire to do this. He wished to keep +the enemy employed so that he could not send a great force against +McPherson, and thus to give the latter a chance to make a success of +the movement against Resaca. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 98.] Toward evening he directed Schofield to +fall back to a strong defensive position again, as from the news he +got from McPherson he was sure Johnston must either attack us or +retreat on the next day, and he wished to be ready for a prompt +transfer of his army to Snake Creek Gap. But Schofield thought a +night movement too uncertain in that broken and tangled country, +especially as he had not been pleased with the handling of Hovey's +division during the day, and obtained permission to bivouac for the +night where we were, sending a couple of infantry regiments to +support McCook's cavalry and cover our flank. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. +99, 119.] + +During the night Sherman learned that McPherson had not succeeded in +taking Resaca or breaking the railroad, and had retired to the mouth +of Snake Creek Gap. Johnston was, of course, now aware of the +turning movement, and before morning we had evidence that he was +changing the positions of his army to meet the new situation. +Sherman immediately turned his whole energy to transferring his army +to McPherson's position. Hooker's Corps leading off was followed by +Palmer's, and this by ours. Howard's was ordered to remain in +position covering the Chattanooga railway, and to follow Johnston +directly through Dalton when he left his intrenchments. The movement +could not be begun till the 11th, as Stoneman with the cavalry of +the Army of the Ohio was marching from Cleveland, and another day +was needed to enable him to get upon our left flank, the place +assigned him in the combined advance. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 112, +113, 126.] Three days' rations in haversacks and seven more in +wagons gave provisions for a short separation from our base, and +orders to send back all baggage to Ringgold were strictly enforced. + +At daybreak of the 10th I advanced my skirmishers to reconnoitre the +enemy's lines, which were found to be still held in force, and his +troops on the alert. We then proceeded to wheel the whole of the +corps backward in line of battle, ready to halt at any moment, and +engage the enemy if he should come out and attack us. My division +being on the flank, it was to regulate the movement, Judah's +conforming to mine on the right, and Hovey's in reserve immediately +in rear of mine. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +pp. 123, 131.] We were under a warm skirmish fire of infantry in +front, and the enemy's cavalry on our left flank also followed up +the movement sharply. Reinforcing the skirmish line till the enemy +was driven back, a good position in rear was selected for my second +line and it was made to lie down. My first line was then marched +slowly to the rear over the other, to another position, where it +halted and lay down in turn, whilst the other rose and marched to +the rear in a similar manner. Making the troops lie down avoided the +danger, incident to such a manoeuvre under fire, that the men in +second line would be confused by the passing of the first line +through their ranks and break their organization. [Footnote: +Officers experienced in war know that manoeuvres which are easy and +of fine effect on parade are difficult and even dangerous under +fire, and that it is wise to simplify the tactics as much as +possible. Marshal Saint-Cyr, whose reputation for tactical skill was +second to none in the wars of the French Republic and Empire, thus +speaks of the matter in his comments on the battle of Novi, apropos +to the break of the French division Watrin, which was in two brigade +lines: "La première, attaquée avec vigueur par le général Lusignan +appuyé par Laudon, ne soutint qu'un moment le choc, et se rabattit +sur la seconde; elle espérait se reformer en arrière de celle-ci, en +faisant ce qu'on appelle une passage de ligne; mais il fut démontré +une fois de plus, que cette manoeuvre, qui fait un assez bel effet à +la parade, ne peut réussir à la guerre lorsqu'on est suivi par un +ennemi actif. La premiere entraîna la seconde dans un mouvement +rétrograde; de plus elle y apporta assez de confusion pour que ces +deux lignes réunies crussent n'avoir d'autre parti à prendre que +celui de la fuite," etc. Mémoires, vol. i. p. 257. There can be no +question as to the general soundness of this criticism, and we +should not have continued the movement described if we had been +attacked in force. We should then have fought where we stood, +bringing the reserves to support the front line. It justifies, +however, the precaution of selecting carefully the alternate +positions and making the rear line lie down.] When we came opposite +the positions assigned us in the extension of the Fourth Corps line, +the division changed front to rear on right battalion and so swung +into its place. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. +p. 675.] Sherman had sent Captain Poe, his chief engineer, to +observe our movement from the crest of Rocky Face held by Newton's +troops, and congratulated Schofield upon it, saying it "was +described to me by Captain Poe, as seen from the mountain, as very +handsome." [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iv. p. 121.] In his full report +made at the close of the campaign, General Schofield referred to it +as "a delicate and difficult one, owing to the character of the +ground, the position and strength of the enemy, and our comparative +isolation from the main army." He adds: "I regarded it as a complete +test of the quality of my troops, which I had not before had +opportunity of seeing manoeuvre in presence of the enemy." +[Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. 510.] + +Schofield had been so dissatisfied with General Hovey that on the +same day he asked to have him removed from the command of the +division, notwithstanding his high personal esteem for him and his +confidence in his personal gallantry. The trouble seemed to be in +the comprehension of orders and in the grasp of the surrounding +circumstances. Sherman did not feel at liberty to act on the +request, as Hovey had been assigned to the new division, before it +took the field, in fulfilment of a promise of General Grant under +whom Hovey had served in the Vicksburg campaign, and had been +recommended for promotion as a recognition of good conduct at the +affair of Champion Hill. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iv. p. 122. +Brigadier-General Alvin P. Hovey had been a Judge of the Supreme +Court of Indiana, and a "War Democrat" in politics. His subsequent +withdrawal from the army and his connection with Sherman's famous +protest against promotions given under stress of personal and +political influences at Washington would not be entirely clear +without mention of the incident here told.] + +Johnston seems to have heard rumors of Sherman's original plan to +send McPherson's column against Rome, much further in rear, and he +remained under the impression that this was the meaning of the +movements he now heard of, until McPherson was in possession of +Snake Creek Gap. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +pp. 674, 675.] On the 7th he had urged Polk to hasten his +concentration at Rome, and ordered Martin's division of cavalry to +Calhoun to cover the communications with Polk, and protect the +railroad south of the Oostanaula. Brigadier-General Cantey was at +Resaca with at least four thousand men, his own and Reynolds's +brigades with fourteen pieces of artillery. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. +679, 682.] Movements toward his rear were reported to Johnston, and +all his subordinates were on the alert to find out what it meant; +the cavalry was ordered to watch all gaps south of Dug Gap, but no +mention is made of Snake Creek Gap till McPherson had passed through +it. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 681, 683, 686, 687.] Then Cantey was told +to hold Resaca firmly, and call on Martin for assistance if he +needed it. Cars were sent to bring a brigade from Rome, +intrenchments were made to cover the south end of the Resaca bridge; +Major Presstman, chief engineer, was sent to mark out more extensive +works about Resaca, and Hood was ordered there with considerable +reinforcements. As soon, however, as it was known that McPherson had +retired to Sugar Valley, Hood was called back to Dalton, and +Johnston requested Polk to hasten in person to Resaca and take +command, hurrying forward his corps as fast as possible. [Footnote: +_Id_., pp. 687, 689.] This was the situation on the evening of the +10th of May. + +When we took our position on the ridge of Rocky Face as the left of +the line, the division was somewhat exposed to a flank attack, and I +ordered the fallen timber on the hillside to be thrown together to +make obstruction to any hostile advance, besides the usual tactical +precautions of outposts and reserves. This, like the slashing made +at Red Clay a few days before, was suggested by the difficulty of +knowing what was going on around us in a country covered by dense +forests with only small cultivated openings here and there. In this +instance it was only the gathering of logs and tree-tops already +lying on the ground, and utilizing them as a means of delaying an +enemy till our lines could be formed. From such beginnings grew up +our more and more elaborate system of intrenched camps; a natural +evolution of campaigning in a country only partially cleared, with +no roads worthy of the name. + +To pass such a defile as Snake Creek Gap with an army was no small +undertaking. Hooker was ordered to clear a second track, so that two +lines could march by the flank at once, but this could only be +imperfectly done in the time at command. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 126, 135, 145.] Careful orders in +detail were made, fixing the time for each corps and division to +move, keeping the roads filled night and day. Wagons were sent by +the rear to Villanow, and the regular subsistence trains were +stopped at Ringgold and Tunnel Hill till the Confederate army should +be dislodged. For night marching men were stationed with torches at +the forking of paths, and boards were nailed to trees as +finger-posts. + +Early on the morning of the 12th May, my division left its position +on Rocky Face and marched through Tunnel Hill station. General +Schofield, finding the shorter road to Snake Creek Gap blocked by +wagons of the Cumberland Army, ordered a detour to the west, and we +marched over to the Trickum and Villanow road, some two miles, and +then pushing southward got within three miles of Villanow. It was +evident that our movement and that of the whole army were visible +from the high ridge of Rocky Face. Johnston was aware of them, and +telegraphed to Richmond that Sherman was moving to Calhoun or to +some point on the Oostanaula. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 698.] He put everything in motion upon his +interior line to Resaca, and the last of his infantry left Dalton +that night, covered by a cavalry rear-guard. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +160.] Howard entered the place next morning. + +[Illustration: Map] + +Taking only a short rest, my division marched again at one o'clock +through Villanow and Snake Creek Gap into Sugar Valley, followed by +Judah's division of our corps, the other (Hovey's) being left to +guard the gap and the trains. McPherson's army covered the direct +road to Resaca, having Kilpatrick's cavalry on its right flank +toward the Oostanaula; Thomas's army was in the centre, consisting +of two corps (Hooker's and Palmer's) in Howard's absence; and +Schofield was ordered to continue the curve to the left, my own +division being the flank and directed to rest the left upon the +ridge or near it, facing northward. + +The different corps advanced from McPherson's intrenchments to the +new line which was near Camp Creek on the Resaca road, facing east, +thence curving north and west through a quarter circle to my +position on the left close to the dominant ridge, and about four +miles north of Sugar Valley P. O. on the main Dalton road. I sent +Hanson's brigade forward to reconnoitre toward Tilton (where Howard +was), and it reached Martin's store, at the forks of the Dalton and +Tilton roads and the crossing of Swamp Creek. A Confederate division +had left that position only an hour before, marching toward Resaca. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. p. 675. In the +official Atlas (compiled after the war), plate lvii. map 2, Martin's +Store is given as Roberts' Store, and the position of the enemy +there is marked.] + +Later in the afternoon the centre and left of the whole army swung +forward toward the east into the line along Camp Creek, quite away +from the Dalton road. Reilly's brigade of my division was therefore +left as a detachment covering that road until we should know that +Howard had advanced beyond Tilton. A regiment of Hanson's brigade +was left as an outpost at Martin's store, and the rest of the +brigade marched across country by the right of companies to the +front, keeping touch with Judah's division and this with the left of +the Army of the Cumberland. It was a rough march over ridges and +streams through the forest, on the long outer curve, of which the +pivot was several miles to the southeast. + +Sherman had hoped to be in time to interpose between Resaca and +Johnston's army, as he had said in his orders of the 12th, +[Footnote: _Id_., pt. iv. p. 158.] but the Confederates had the +short interior line, and Johnston had been able to concentrate about +Resaca in the course of the 13th, his rear-guard resisting Howard's +advance at Tilton, and his left under Polk holding some high hills +west of Camp Creek in front of Resaca which commanded the railroad +bridge over the Oostanaula. With the latter exception his chosen +line of defence was on the broken ridge between the Connasauga River +and Camp Creek, which were nearly parallel to each other for some +miles. + +On the morning of the 14th the advance was renewed, guided as before +by the progress of the Army of the Tennessee on the right and +continuing the wheeling movement toward the east. My right brigade +(Manson) continued its connection with the rest of the army, but +Reilly's had a very difficult and laborious march. I ordered it to +advance a mile upon the road it had covered during the night, and +then by the right flank to position in line with the rest of the +command. After leaving the road Reilly had to break his way through +the woods, crossing sharp and deep ravines and watercourses, with no +path or landmark to guide him. It was especially difficult for the +artillery, and that they got through at all proved that the officers +and men were experts in woodcraft. The regiment at Martin's store +remained there as an outpost during the day. + +Reilly came into line about ten o'clock, and we rested an hour till +our flankers reported Howard's corps within supporting distance +coming from Tilton. We were on the west bank of the main stream of +Camp Creek, where its upper course makes an angle with the lower, +some small branches coming into it from the northeast. The valley +itself was open, and the change in its direction allowed it to be +enfiladed by the enemy's batteries at the angle. Generals Thomas and +Schofield were together upon a hill having a commanding view, and at +the word from them, "The line will advance," we moved forward into +the valley from the slope before them. Each brigade was in two +lines, and the artillery was left on the hither side of the valley +to cover the movement and reply to the enemy's cannonade. The +skirmish line had been advanced to the edge of the woods on the far +side, and kept the lead until we approached the Confederate +trenches. We passed over two or three ridges and ravines, driving +back the skirmishers of the enemy, and charged the line of +earthworks on the crest of a higher ridge. Our men dropped fast as +we went forward, but the line was carried and the Confederates broke +from the next ridge in rear, some two hundred yards away. The +direction of these ridges was such that our left was constantly +thrown forward as we passed from one to another. + +Judah's division on our right had not succeeded in crossing Camp +Creek, and our flank was exposed to a galling artillery fire, as the +ridge on which we were had its shoulder bare when it came out into +the valley, whose curve gave the enemy an enfilading fire upon us. +His infantry sought also to drive us out of the position we had +captured, and the fighting was heavy for an hour or two. But +Howard's corps came up on our left, and we made firm our hold on the +hills we had gained, forcing the Confederates to adopt a new line +curving to the eastward. + +The division had lost 562 men, and our ammunition was nearly +exhausted. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. pp. +676-679.] Wagons could not follow us, and toward evening Generals +Thomas and Schofield arranged to relieve us with Newton's division +of Howard's corps, let us replenish the cartridge boxes, and then +pass to the left. This brought again the Army of the Cumberland +together, and gave us our usual position on the flank. Newton's men +came over part of the ground we had traversed, and as they crossed +the open we saw them under the enemy's cannonade, the balls here and +there bowling them over like tenpins. Harker's brigade came up to +relieve Manson's, which was the most exposed, and Manson and I were +standing together arranging the details, our horses being under +cover in the edge of the wood. Harker rode up to confer with us and +learn the situation, and as we talked, a shell exploded among us, +the concussion stunning Manson and a fragment slightly wounding +Harker. Manson's experience was a curious illustration of the effect +of such an accident. He was unaware of his hurt, and only thought, +in the moment of failing consciousness as he fell, that the motion +was that of his companions flying upward instead of his own falling; +and on coming to himself in the hospital began to speak his sorrow +for what he supposed was the death of his friends. He himself never +fully recovered from the effects of the concussion. Colonel +Opdycke's regiment was one of the first in the winning column, and +his men were hardly placed in the line before he was led back, +wounded; but as soon as his wound was dressed and he had recovered a +little from the shock, he was back at his post. The place was so hot +a one that Harker's brigade also exhausted its ammunition and had to +be relieved before the left of my own line was moved. + +The captured position was firmly held by Howard's corps, whilst +Hooker's, which had been relieved by the Army of the Tennessee, was +marched to the left of Howard's, extending the line across the ridge +toward the Connasauga and turning the enemy's flank. The whole +Twenty-third Corps was also united during the night and moved to +Hooker's support, where next day Hood made strong efforts to drive +our line back. My own and Judah's division were held in reserve, but +Hovey's was put in on Hooker's left, extending the line practically +to the river, and the division took a gallant part in repulsing +Hood. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. p. 511.] + +On the extreme right McPherson had bridged the Oostanaula at Lay's +Ferry and made demonstrations on Calhoun. The whole Army of the +Tennessee had pressed forward to Camp Creek, and toward evening of +the 14th forced a crossing and carried some hills near its mouth +which commanded the railway bridge. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. iii. pp. 92, 377.] Polk's Confederate corps made +strong efforts to dislodge McPherson's men, but failed, and the +latter intrenched the position. As Johnston had not succeeded in +dislodging Sherman at either flank of the position, and the course +of the Oostanaula made it possible for Sherman to put himself upon +the railway near Calhoun, the Confederate general evacuated the +Resaca position in the night of the 15th, retreating southward +toward Kingston and Cassville. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: ADVANCE TO THE ETOWAH + + +Tactics modified by character of the country--Use of the +spade--Johnston's cautious defensive--Methods of Grant and +Sherman--Open country between Oostanaula and Etowah--Movement in +several columns--Sherman's eagerness--Route of left wing--Of +McPherson on the right--Necessity of exact system in such +marches--Route of Twenty-third Corps--Hooker gets in the way--Delays +occasioned--Closing in on Cassville--Our commanding +position--Johnston's march to Cassville--His order to fight +there--Protest of Hood and Polk--Retreat over the Etowah--Sherman +crosses near Kingston--My reconnoissance to the Allatoona +crossing--Destruction of iron works and mills--Marching without +baggage--Barbarism of war--Desolation it causes--Changes in our +corps organization--Hascall takes Judah's division--Our place of +crossing the Etowah--Interference again--Kingston the new +base--Rations--Camp coffee. + + +The opening period of the campaign had developed the conditions of +warfare in so broken and difficult a country, and they were only +emphasized by the later experiences of both armies. Positions for +defence could be intrenched with field-works whilst the hostile army +was feeling its way forward through dense forests and over mountain +ridges. To carry such positions by direct assault was so costly that +the lesson of prudence was soon learned and such attacks were more +and more rarely resorted to. Sherman had moved upon the enemy at +Resaca as promptly as the deployment and advance could be made after +the turning movement and the passage of the Snake Creek defile; but +we found Johnston strongly placed, on ground naturally difficult of +approach, with works which gave his men such cover as to overcome +any advantage we had in numbers. Still, the enemy found in turn that +we could make counter-intrenchments and quickly extend them till we +turned his flanks and threatened his communications, when he must +either retreat or assault our works, and that, if he assaulted, the +balance of losses would turn so heavily against him as to fatally +deplete his army. Johnston carefully and systematically maintained +this defensive, and in Virginia, after Lee had tried the policy of +attack in the Wilderness, he became as cautiously defensive as +Johnston. Grant was slower than Sherman in learning the +unprofitableness of attacking field-works, and his campaign was by +far the more costly one. The difference in such cases goes much +farther than the casualty list; it was shown in October, when +Sherman's army was strong and well-seasoned, but Grant's was so full +of raw recruits as almost to have lost its veteran quality. There +were special reasons which led Grant to adhere so long to the more +aggressive tactics, which would need to be weighed in any full +treatment of the subject; but I am now only pointing out the fact +that in both the East and the West the lesson was practically the +same. Aggressive strategy had the advantage it always has, but +defensive tactics proved generally the better in so peculiar a field +of operations. + +Between the Oostanaula and the Etowah was the most open portion of +northern Georgia, and it was possible for Sherman to move his army +southward in several columns of pursuit on parallel roads (such as +they were) without extending his front over a width of more than +eight or ten miles. He was eager to bring the Confederates to battle +in this region, and urged his subordinates to make haste. The +assignment of routes to the different columns gave the centre to +General Thomas, following the railroad in general, but putting his +three corps upon as many country roads, when they could be found. +General Schofield with the Twenty-third Corps was ordered to get +over to the old Federal road which runs through Spring Place (east +of Dalton) to Cassville. General McPherson with his two corps was +sent by the Rome road and such parallel road as might be available, +keeping communication with the centre. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 216.] Beyond him, on the extreme right, +Davis's division of the Cumberland Army supported Garrard's cavalry +division in a movement upon Rome by the west side of the Oostanaula. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 198, 202-204.] The object of the +last-mentioned movement was the destruction of the Confederate +machine-shops and factories at Rome, as well as to cover the flank +against movements along the main route of travel from Alabama. The +extreme left flank was to be covered by the cavalry of the Ohio Army +under General Stoneman. + +In making such an advance, success as well as comfort depends upon +the care with which the several columns are led, so that each shall +keep its place, progressing equally with the others, and avoid above +all things cutting into and interrupting those moving on its right +or left. Each must keep the common purpose in view, and avoid +obstructing the rest, for nothing is more wearisome to the troops +and ruinous to the plans of the commander than to have the lines of +advance cross each other. In our march of the 17th our own corps was +fated to feel the full annoyance and delay of such an interference. + +General Thomas ordered Howard's corps to cross by the bridges at +Resaca, followed by Palmer's, which was diminished by the absence of +Davis's division. He also ordered Hooker's corps to march by the +long neck between the Oostanaula and Connasauga rivers to Newtown, +and cross the Oostanaula there. Hooker would then follow such roads +as he could find within two or three miles of Howard's line of march +toward Adairsville. Sherman and Thomas both were with Howard. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 202, 209, 210, 216, 217.] + +Schofield ordered the divisions of the Twenty-third Corps to cross +the Connasauga at different places, and make their way by different +roads eastward to the Federal road crossing of the Coosawattee, +turning south after crossing that river and marching till abreast of +Adairsville and some four or five miles distant from it. As we had +to gain several miles of easting and to cross two rivers before +marching southward, ours was, of course, much the longer route; and +as the pontoons were all in use at Resaca and Lay's Ferry, we had to +find fords or build trestle-bridges. + +I marched my own division to Hogan's Ford on the Connasauga, two +miles below Tilton, and there crossed in water so deep that the men +had to strip and carry their clothes and arms on their heads. Once +over we pushed for the Federal road and the crossing of the +Coosawattee at Field's Ferry. The other two divisions of the corps +crossed the Connasauga at or near Fite's Ferry, where were +trestle-bridges. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +p. 210.] + +General Hooker started upon the Newtown road, which runs southward +some miles upon a long, narrow ridge which here separates the +Oostanaula from its tributary; but before he had gone far he learned +that the crossing at Newtown (the mouth of the Connasauga) was +unfordable, and other means of getting over doubtful. He now turned +abruptly to the east, crossed the Connasauga at Fite's, and marched +toward McClure's Ford on the Coosawattee. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 205, +206.] In moving out from Hogan's (or Hobart's) Ford, I had learned +that the road from the north which crosses the Coosawattee at +McClure's was probably the principal and shortest route to Cassville +and had reported this to General Schofield, who ordered Judah's and +Hovey's division to take the most direct roads to McClure's. These +columns, however, ran into Hooker's, which were making for the same +point and had headed Schofield's off, having the inner of the +concentric routes on which we were marching. Neither at McClure's +nor the more distant ferry at Field's Mill was there any bridge or +tolerable ford, and Hooker was no better off than he would have been +at Newtown. This movement had wholly disjointed Sherman's plan of +keeping the three armies upon separate lines of march. Finding no +means for rapid crossing at McClure's, he pushed one of his +divisions to Field's, and so occupied and blocked both of the +Coosawattee crossings, which by the orders should have been wholly +at Schofield's disposal. We found ourselves obliged therefore to +camp on the north side of the Coosawattee on the night of the 16th, +instead of being well over that river and ready for a prompt advance +on the 17th. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. +210, 211, 220, 221, 225, 226.] Hooker himself might much better have +obeyed his original orders. He reported to Thomas at ten o'clock on +the morning of the 17th that he was not yet over, and had not the +means of constructing a bridge that would stand; in short, that he +had been "bothered beyond parallel." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 221.] When +Schofield requested that he would allow our troops to take +precedence of the Twentieth Corps wagons at either the ferry or the +bridge, so that Sherman's expectation might not be disappointed, +Hooker suggested that we should march back to Resaca and follow +Thomas across the bridges there, thus getting into the place he +himself should have taken if the Newtown crossing had been really +impossible! [Footnote: _Id_., p. 227.] + +Modern systems lay great stress upon the most scrupulous care on the +part of corps commanders to follow the roads assigned them, and to +avoid trespassing upon those assigned to others. Moltke has even +condensed the whole strategic art of moving troops into "marching +divided in order to fight united," and to avoid interference and +confusion of columns _en route_ is quite as essential as to keep +tactical manoeuvres on the battle-field from crossing each other. +[Footnote: See Prince Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen's Letters on Strategy +(Wolseley Series), vol. ii. pp. 160, 161, 185, 237, etc.] No better +proof of the necessity of the rule could be given than this. Sherman +was most anxious to bring Johnston to battle in the open country +between the two rivers, and ordered his subordinates to press the +pursuit and to engage the enemy wherever he might be overtaken, +trusting to the quick advance of the several columns to their +support. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 201, +202, 211, 220, 232, 242.] Anything which delayed the columns or put +them on different roads from those indicated by the commanding +general, directly tended to thwart his plans. All of Sherman's +dispatches during the 17th, 18th, and 19th of May show his +disappointment at not getting forward more rapidly. + +Johnston seemed disposed, in the afternoon of the 17th, to meet +Sherman's wish for a decisive battle, and had selected a position a +mile or two north of Adairsville, where the valley of the Oothcaloga +Creek seemed narrow enough to give strong positions for his flanks +on the hills bordering it. Preliminary orders were given and the +cavalry was strongly supported by infantry to hold back Sherman's +advance-guard till the deployment should be completed. The +skirmishing was so brisk that, at a distance, it sounded like a +battle; but upon testing the position by a partial deployment, +Johnston concluded that his army would not fill it, and he resumed +his retreat on Cassville and Kingston, hoping that Sherman's columns +would be so separated that he could concentrate upon one of them, +and so fight his adversary in detail. [Footnote: Narrative, pp. 319, +320.] + +Schofield had pressed the march of his troops after getting over the +Coosawattee, but the interruptions had been such that the distance +made was not great, though the time was long and the troops were +more tired than if they had made double the number of miles on an +unobstructed road. My division was on the extreme left flank and in +advance. After crossing the river at Field's Mill, the infantry by +Hooker's foot-bridge and the artillery by the flat-boat ferry, I +marched at ten o'clock in the evening and reached Big Spring Creek +at two o'clock in the morning of the 18th. Resting only till five +o'clock, we marched again, going southward on the Cassville road +three miles, thence westward on the Adairsville road five miles to +Marsteller's Mill. The other divisions of our corps took roads +westward of that which I followed, and the cavalry under Stoneman +passed beyond our left flank, scouting up the valley of Salequa +Creek as far as Fairmount and Pine Log Post-Office. Hooker moved two +of his divisions toward Calhoun after getting over the Coosawattee, +and these regained the position relative to the rest of Thomas's +army which the corps had been ordered to take. The other division +(Butterfield's), which had crossed in advance of my own at Field's +Mill, was necessarily on roads assigned to Schofield's command, and +a good deal of interference was inevitable. Hooker was personally +with this division, and in the afternoon of the 18th met General +Schofield at Marsteller's Mill, and then went forward about six +miles to the foot of the Gravelly Plateau, Butterfield's division +going still further forward on its top. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 238-242. The Atlas of the Official Records +does not give the routes of all the columns of either Hooker's or +Schofield's corps, nor does it give the line of march of the cavalry +on our left. The march of my own division is fixed by the memoranda +of my personal diary of the campaign. The official "Atlas" (Plate +lviii.) gives two mills as Marsteller's. It is difficult to identify +the several roads, but my own line of march was the principal +Cassville road leading from Field's Mills and ferry through Sonora +until we reached the road running directly to Adairsville. On this +last we marched to Marsteller's Mills. Our route on the 19th is also +incorrectly marked on the map. See Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. iv. p. 256.] + +General Schofield assembled the corps at the mills and rested for +the night. Early on the 19th my division took the advance and +marched southward on by-roads till we overtook Hooker's corps and +found it in line of battle, its movement being disputed by the +enemy's cavalry. Schofield deployed his corps on Hooker's left, my +division taking the extreme flank and advancing in line to the south +fork of Two Run Creek. Crossing this, we went forward to a position +a mile northeast of Cassville, briskly skirmishing with part of +Hood's corps. We found that we were opposite the extreme right of +the Confederate position, which was a strong one on the hills behind +Cassville; but an exchange of artillery shots satisfied us that we +to some extent enfiladed their intrenchments. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. p. 680.] The concentration of +Thomas's army with Schofield's made a continuous line facing the +enemy on the north and west. Night was falling as we took position. + +Johnston had followed the railroad to Kingston, where he was joined +by French's division coming to Polk's corps from Rome, and still +stuck to the general line of the railway to Cassville, though this +led him by a considerable detour to the east. His manifest policy +was to make the largest use of the railroad to move his baggage and +supply his troops, for wagon trains were not over-abundant with the +Confederates. He naturally reckoned also that Sherman could not go +far from the same line, and as the road crossed the Etowah near the +gorges of the Allatoona hills, he wished to lead the national +commander into that difficult country from the north, instead of +taking the more direct wagon-roads from Kingston toward Marietta. +Could Sherman have been sure of the route his adversary would take, +no doubt he would have concentrated his columns by shortest roads on +Cassville, gaining possibly a day thereby. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. iv. +pp. 242, 266.] + +The position on the hills behind the village of Cassville was so +strong a one, and Johnston so much desired to offer battle at an +early day, that he resolved to retreat no further and to try +conclusions with Sherman here. He signified this in an unusually +formal manner by issuing a brief and stirring address to his troops, +in which he said that as their communications were now secure, they +would turn and meet our advancing columns. "Fully confiding in the +conduct of the officers and the courage of the soldiers," he said, +"I lead you to battle" [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. iv. p. 728.] But when our left flank crossed Two Run Creek and +partly turned the right of his position, his corps commanders, Hood +and Polk, became so uneasy that they protested against giving battle +there, and induced Johnston to continue the retreat through +Cartersville across the Etowah River. He saw the mistake he had made +as soon as it was done, and never ceased to regret it. [Footnote: +Narrative, p. 323, etc.] The Richmond government had been +disappointed at his retreat from Dalton and Resaca and its +continuation through Adairsville. His strained relations with Mr. +Davis were rapidly tending toward his deprivation of command. But +more strictly military reasons made his change of purpose very +undesirable. Hardly anything is more destructive of the confidence +of an army than vacillation. The order to fight had been published, +and even a defeat might be less mischievous than the sudden retreat +in the night without joining the battle which had been so formally +announced. Either the order had been an error or the retreat was +one. Every soldier in the army knew this, and the _morale_ of the +whole was necessarily affected by it. + +Sherman had no mind to follow the enemy into the defiles of +Allatoona from Cartersville. His position at Kingston offered a far +more easy way to turn that fastness by the south, if he could +replenish his stores, rebuild the bridges behind him, and make +Kingston the base for a march upon Dallas and thence on Marietta. On +the 20th of May his orders were issued for the new movement, to +begin on the 23d with preparation for a twenty days' separation from +the railroad. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. +271.] My own duty on the 20th was to follow the enemy's rear-guard +to the river and learn the condition of the bridges and crossings. +The division marched early, most of the distance to Cartersville +being made in line of battle, the opposition being at times +stubborn. The purpose of this was probably to prepare for the +destruction of the bridges, which were burned as soon as the +rear-guard crossed. We sent detachments to destroy the Etowah Mills +and Iron Works a few miles above; [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 286, 298.] +meanwhile General Schofield concentrated the Army of the Ohio at +Cartersville, General Thomas occupied Kingston as the centre, and +McPherson came into position on the right near the same place. +General J. C. Davis's division had occupied Rome, finding there +important iron-works and machine-shops as well as considerable +depots of supplies. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 264.] General Blair was +advancing from Decatur, Ala., with the Seventeenth Corps, under +orders to relieve Davis at Rome, when the latter would rejoin +Palmer's corps at the front. + +The ten days which had passed since the movement to turn the enemy's +position at Dalton was begun, had been in literal obedience to the +order to march without baggage. At my headquarters we were, in fact, +worse off than the men in the ranks, for, although the private +soldier finds his knapsack, haversack, canteen, and coffee-kettle a +burden and a clattering annoyance, he soon learns to bear them +patiently, for they are the necessary condition of the comparative +comfort of his bivouac when the day's march is over. The veteran, +indeed, clings to them with eager tenacity, when he has fully +learned that they are his salvation from utter misery. But the +officer, whose hours of halting are crowded with important business, +and whose movements must be light and quick whenever occasion +arises, cannot carry on his person or on his horse the outfit +necessary for his cooking and his shelter. We had been full of the +most earnest zeal to respond thoroughly to the general's wishes, and +had not tried to smuggle into wagons or ambulances any extra +comforts. We had left mess chests behind, and had used our fingers +for forks and our pocket-knives for carving, turning sardine boxes +into dishes, and other tins in which preserved meats are put up into +coffee-cups. Such roughing can be kept up for a week or two, but it +is not a real economy of means to make it permanent. A compromise +must be found in which the wholesome cooking of food and the shelter +in a rainstorm, without which no dispatches can be written or +records kept, may be made to consist with the lightness of +transportation which active campaigning requires. The simple, +closely packed kitchen kit of a Rob-Roy canoe voyager was more or +less completely anticipated by the devices and inventions born of +necessity in our campaign in Georgia. The remainder of the season +bore witness that we could organize our camp life so as to secure +cleanliness of person and healthful living without transgressing the +reasonable rules as to weight and bulk of baggage which Sherman +insisted on. Every day proved the reasonableness of his system, +without which the campaign could not have been made. + +The tendency of war to make men relapse into barbarism becomes most +evident when an army is living in any degree upon the enemy's +country. Desolation follows in its track, and the utmost that +discipline can do is to mitigate the evil. The habit of disregarding +rights of property grows apace. The legitimate exercise of the rules +of war is not easily distinguished from their abuse. The crops are +trampled down, the fences disappear, the timber is felled for +breastworks and for camp-fires, the green forage is used for the +army horses and mules, barns and houses may be dismantled to build +or to floor a bridge,--all this is necessary and lawful. But the +pigs and the poultry also disappear, though the subsistence officers +are issuing full and abundant rations to the troops; the bacon is +gone from the smoke-house, the flour from the bin, the delicacies +from the pantry. These things, though forbidden, are half excused by +sympathy with the soldier's craving for variety of food. Yet, as the +habit of measuring right by might goes on, pillage becomes wanton +and arson is committed to cover the pillage. The best efforts of a +provost-marshal with his guard will be useless when superior +officers, and especially colonels of regiments, encourage or wink at +license. The character of different commands becomes as notoriously +different as that of the different men of a town. Our armies were +usually free from the vagabond class of professional camp-followers +that scour a European battlefield and strip the dead and the +wounded. We almost never heard of criminal personal assaults upon +the unarmed and defenceless; but we cannot deny that a region which +had been the theatre of active war became desolate sooner or later. +A vacant house was pretty sure to be burned, either by malice or by +accident, until, with fences gone, the roads an impassable mire, the +fields bare and cut up with innumerable wagon-tracks, no living +thing to be seen but carrion birds picking the bones of dead horses +and mules, Dante's "Inferno" could not furnish a more horrible and +depressing picture than a countryside when war has swept over it. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 273, 297, +298.] + +The orders issued from our army headquarters in Georgia forbade +soldiers from entering houses or stripping families of the +necessaries of life. Most of the officers honestly tried to enforce +this rule; but in an army of a hundred thousand men, a small +fraction of the whole would be enough to spoil the best efforts of +the rest. The people found, too, that it was not only the enemy they +had to fear. The worse disciplined of their own troops and the horde +of stragglers were often as severe a scourge as the enemy. +[Footnote: See Hood's orders, Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. +pp. 960, 963.] Yet I believe that nowhere in the world is respect +for person and property more sincere than among our own people. The +evils described are those which may be said to be necessarily +incident to the waging of war, and are not indications of ferocity +of nature or uncommon lack of discipline. + +In the organization of the Army of the Ohio, General Schofield made +an important change by assigning Brigadier-General Hascall to +command the second division in place of General Judah. In the battle +of Resaca the division suffered severe loss without accomplishing +anything, and General Schofield found, on investigation, that it was +due to the incompetency of the officer commanding it. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 243.] The brigade +commanders, in their reports, complained severely of the way in +which the division had been handled, and the army commander felt +obliged to examine and to act promptly. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. +pp. 581, 610, 611.] Judah was a regular officer, major of the Fourth +Infantry, a graduate of West Point in the class of 1843, but lacked +the judgment and coolness in action necessary in grave +responsibilities. General Schofield kindly softened the treatment of +the matter in his report of the campaign, but in his personal +memoirs he repeats the judgment he originally acted upon. [Footnote: +Schofield's Report, _Id_., pt. ii. p. 511; Forty-two Years in the +Army, p. 182. In the passage of his memoirs last referred to, +General Schofield had been using the case of General Wagner at +Franklin to give point to "the necessity of the higher military +education, and the folly of intrusting high commands to men without +such education" (p. 181); but he also distinctly recognizes the fact +that such education is gained by experience, and the fault of those +he uses as illustrations was that they had not learned either by +experience or theoretically. I have discussed the subject in vol. i. +chapter ix., _ante_. There must be knowledge; but even this will be +of no use unless there are the personal qualities which fit for high +commands.] The crossing of the Etowah River on May 23d was again the +occasion of an interference of columns, because Sherman's orders +were not faithfully followed. To McPherson was assigned a country +bridge near the mouth of Connasene Creek, to Thomas one four miles +southeast of Kingston, known as Gillem's Bridge, and to Schofield +two pontoon bridges to be laid at the site of Milam's Bridge, which +had been burned. There were fords near all these crossings which +were also to be utilized as far as practicable. [Footnote: Sherman's +general plan was given to his subordinates in person, but he +repeated it to Halleck, Official Records vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. +274. Thomas's order is given, _Id._, p. 289, and accompanying +sketch, p. 290. Gillem's Bridge in the Atlas is called Free Bridge, +plate lviii. Schofield's place for pontoon bridges is fixed by his +dispatch to Sherman, _Id._, p. 284, my own dispatch, _Id._, p. 298, +and my official report, _Id._, pt. ii. p. 680. The line of march and +place of crossing as given in the Atlas are incorrect.] We marched +from Cartersville on the Euharlee road by the way of the hamlet of +Etowah Cliffs, till we reached the direct road from Cassville to +Milam's Bridge, when we found the way blocked by Hooker's corps, +which had possession of the pontoons which Schofield's engineer had +placed. Hooker, however, was not responsible for this, as he had +been ordered to change his line of march by a dispatch from Thomas's +headquarters written without stopping to inquire how such a change +might conflict with Schofield's right of way and with Sherman's +plans. Halted thus about noon, we were not able to resume the march +till next day, as Hooker had ordered his supply trains to follow his +column. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iv. pp. 283, 291. Schofield to Sherman +and reply, _Id._, pp. 296, 297. When I wrote "Atlanta," I supposed +Hooker acted without orders.] The incident only emphasizes the way +in which we learned by experience the importance of strict system in +such movements, and the mischiefs almost sure to follow when there +is any departure from a plan of march once arranged. There was, of +course, no intention to make an interference, and the difficulty +rarely, if ever, occurred in the subsequent parts of the campaign. + +In preparation for the movement to turn Johnston's new position at +Allatoona we were ordered to provide for twenty days' absence from +direct railway communication. Within that time Sherman expected to +regain the railway again and establish supply depots near the camps. +Meanwhile Kingston was made the base, and was garrisoned with a +brigade. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 272, +274, 278.] The returning veterans were coming back by regiments and +were fully supplying the losses of the campaign with men of the very +best quality and full of enthusiasm. Nine regiments joined the +Twenty-third Corps or were _en route_ during the brief halt at the +Etowah. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 291.] The ration was the full supply of +fresh beef from the herds driven with the army, varied by bacon two +days in the week, a pound of bread, flour, or corn-meal per man each +day, and the small rations of coffee, sugar and salt. [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 272.] Vegetables and forage were to some extent gathered +from the country. The coffee was always issued roasted, but in the +whole berry, and was uniformly first-rate in quality. The soldiers +carried at the belt a tin quart-pail, in which the coffee was +crushed as well as boiled. The pail was set upon a flat stone like a +cobbler's lapstone, and the coffee berries were broken by using the +butt of the bayonet as a pestle. At break of day every camp was +musical with the clangor of these primitive coffee-mills. The coffee +was fed to the mill a few berries at a time, and the veterans had +the skill of gourmands in getting just the degree of fineness in +crushing which would give the best strength and flavor. The cheering +beverage was the comfort and luxury of camp life, and we habitually +spoke of halting to make coffee, as in the French army they speak of +their _soupe_. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: NEW HOPE CHURCH AND THE KENNESAW LINES + + +Sherman's plan for June--Movements of 24th May--Johnston's position +at Dallas and New Hope Church--We concentrate to attack--Pickett's +Mill--Dallas--Flanking movements--Method developed by the character +of the country--Closer personal relations to Sherman--Turning +Johnston's right--Cross-roads at Burnt Church--A tangled +forest--Fighting in a thunderstorm--Sudden freshet--Bivouac in a +thicket--Johnston retires to a new line--Formidable character of the +old one--Sherman extends to the railroad on our left--Blair's corps +joins the army--General Hovey's retirement--The principles +involved--Politics and promotions. + + +Sherman's general plan of campaign for the month of June was to move +his army in several columns upon Dallas, and then along the ridge +between the Etowah and Chattahooche rivers on Marietta. As Johnston +was at Allatoona and his cavalry was active all along the south bank +of the Etowah, our left flank was not only covered by Stoneman's +cavalry, but Schofield was purposely held back a day's march so as +to cover the rear as well as the flank, which was exposed to a +possible attack from Johnston as we marched south and opened a space +between us and the river, uncovering the supply trains which filled +the roads over which the troops had passed. + +After crossing the river at Milam's bridge on May 24th, we turned +eastward through Stilesborough, to and across Richland Creek, +reaching the road on the upland which runs from Cassville to +Marietta by way of Rowland's Ferry. Stoneman, who had crossed the +Etowah with his division of horse at Shellman's Ford on the 22d, and +covered the laying of the pontoon bridges at Milam's, went back to +look after a raid by the Confederate cavalry at Cass Station, and +was not able to return to his position south of the river until the +evening of the 24th, when he scouted the road toward Allatoona. +Having the advance, my division marched southward on the Marietta +road to Sligh's Mill, where the road forks, the right-hand branch +turning southwest, along the ridge, to Huntsville, better known in +the neighborhood as Burnt Hickory. This place was about half-way on +the direct road from Kingston to Dallas, and was the rendezvous for +the Cumberland Army for the night. We camped at Sligh's Mill, being +joined by Hascall's division of our corps. Hovey's division and the +corps trains took the road from Stilesborough up Raccoon Creek, some +miles west of us and covered by our march. The Army of the Tennessee +reached VanWert, some miles west of Burnt Hickory, on the Rome and +Dallas road. + +We lay at Sligh's Mill during the 25th, till five P.M., [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 311.] giving time for +McPherson to approach Dallas, and for Thomas to continue his +movement of the centre upon the same place. We were then to march to +Burnt Hickory and follow Thomas to Dallas. But the enemy was also +active and modified our program. His cavalry had reported our +concentration in front of Kingston, and the laying of our pontoons +at Milam's bridge on the 23d. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 737.] They had +also made a reconnoissance to Cass Station, and found nothing there +but the wagons of the Twenty-third Corps, of which a number were +captured and destroyed. Satisfied that Sherman was marching +southward in force, Johnston immediately put his army in motion. +Hardee's Corps, being his left, marched to Dallas and took position +south of the town, covering the main road to Atlanta and extending +its line northeast toward New Hope Church. Hood was assigned to the +right at the church, and Polk had the interval in the centre, upon +the main road they had travelled from Allatoona. The line was along +the ridge dividing the headwaters of Pumpkin Vine Creek, which flows +northward into the Etowah, from the sources of the Sweetwater and +Powder-spring creeks which empty into the Chattahoochee at the +south. + +The movement was begun on the 24th, and in the forenoon of the 25th +the Confederate troops were taking the positions assigned them, +covered by their cavalry. A captured dispatch gave Sherman useful +information, and he directed that instead of marching straight to +Dallas, Hooker should test the appearance of hostile force toward +New Hope Church, turning off on the Marietta road at Owen's Mill. +This brought on the fierce combat at New Hope Church, where Hood's +Corps held its line against Hooker's very vigorous attack. The +fighting began about four o'clock in the afternoon and lasted till +darkness put an end to it. All the other troops of the grand army +were hurried forward. McPherson continued his march to Dallas, +Thomas hastened the Fourth Corps to Hooker's support, holding part +of the Fourteenth as a general reserve, and Schofield was directed +to hasten the march of the Twenty-third Corps by way of Burnt +Hickory. + +My division marched from Sligh's Mill at five o'clock, and on +reaching Burnt Hickory took the road Hooker had travelled to Owen's +Mill, accompanied by Hascall's division, Hovey's being left near +Burnt Hickory to protect the trains. A thunderstorm with pouring +rain came on soon after we started and lasted through the night. On +reaching the road behind Hooker, we found it filled with his wagons, +and the storm, the darkness, and the obstructed road produced a +combination of miseries which made the march slow and fatiguing to +the last degree. We plodded on till midnight, but had not yet +reached Pumpkin Vine Creek, when we halted for a little rest, and to +get further orders from Schofield, who had before nightfall gone on +to communicate with Sherman. Word came that he was disabled by an +accident when on his way back to us, and I was directed to lead the +two divisions forward and report to Sherman. After a halt of an hour +the men fell into ranks again, and pressing the toilsome march, +reached the field at daybreak. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 303, 311, 320. The official Atlas is again +inaccurate in making our line of advance from Sligh's Mill follow +the Marietta road instead of that to Burnt Hickory (Huntsville).] + +By Sherman's orders we joined the Fourth Corps (Howard's), extending +its line to the left, and the whole swung forward through a terribly +tangled forest till we passed Brown's saw-mill and reached the open +valley which was the continuation of that in front of Hooker, and +took our extreme left over the Dallas and Allatoona road. We had met +with a strong skirmishing resistance, for Johnston was manifestly +unwilling to give up the control of the road we had crossed. Having +thus partly turned the Confederate position on our left, Sherman +hoped that McPherson might complete their dislodgment by a similar +flanking movement through Dallas on our right. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +321, 322.] The distances, however, were greater than we estimated, +and though McPherson kept with him Davis's division of Palmer's +Corps (greatly to Palmer's disgust), [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 316, +324.] he was still unable to connect his line with Hooker's, and +occupied an isolated, salient position in front of Dallas which +would be perilous if Johnston were able to concentrate upon him. + +The enemy's line was along one of the smaller branches of Pumpkin +Vine Creek, and Sherman ordered for the 27th that McPherson should +press toward the left down the little valley, whilst Howard, with +one division of his own corps withdrawn from the line and one +division of Palmer's which had been in reserve, should push out +beyond our left and turn the enemy's right near Pickett's Mill. A +brigade of the Twenty-third Corps moved in the interval to cover +Howard's flank and keep connection with the intrenched line. The +almost impenetrable character of the forest made the movement slow, +and it was late in the afternoon when Howard reached the enemy's +position. He found they too had been busy in extending their lines, +though pretty sharply recurved, to the eastward. The fierce combat +did not succeed in carrying the Confederate position, but it gained +good ground near the mill, better covering all the roads toward the +railway. The left wing of the Twenty-third Corps swung forward to +Howard's position, and all intrenched strongly upon it. + +On May 28th McPherson was ordered to prepare for moving to the +extreme left, continuing the extension of our line toward the +railroad. Suspecting this, the Confederates made a fierce attack +upon the position in front of Dallas, but were repulsed with heavy +loss. At McPherson's request his movement was delayed a little, lest +it should seem to be forced by Johnston's attack. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 339, 340.] + +Sherman had been very unwilling to give up the hope of putting +Johnston's army to rout in a decisive engagement, and to accept, +instead, the patient flanking movements by which he should force +upon his adversary the dilemma of abandoning more and more of +Georgia, or of himself making attacks upon intrenched lines. In +writing to Halleck after the battle of Resaca, he had said that +although the campaign was progressing favorably, he knew that his +army "must have one or more bloody battles such as have +characterized Grant's terrific struggles." [Footnote: _Id._, p. +219.] But the affairs at New Hope Church and Pickett's Mill show +that the country was so impracticable that it was not possible to +deliver an attack by his whole army at once, and so to give real +unity to a great battle. He was therefore brought, perforce, to +accept the systematic advance by flanking movements, and to avoid +assaults upon intrenched positions on the forest-covered hills. He +knew that this policy would bring a time when the enemy could no +longer afford to retreat and must resort to aggressive tactics, even +at the risk of destruction to his army. It was a curious repetition +of the ancient colloquy,--"If thou art a great general, come down +and fight me.--If thou art a great general, make me come down and +fight thee." It may be readily admitted that in such a country as +Central Europe other methods would have been feasible and +preferable; but in the tangled wildernesses of Virginia and Georgia +the matter was brought to the test by leaders who had courage and +will equal to any, and the result was a system which may be +confidently said to be the natural evolution of warfare in such +environment. Johnston knew that his retreat, though slow, was giving +dissatisfaction to President Davis at Richmond, but he saw also that +to assault Sherman's lines meant final and irretrievable disaster, +and he continued his patient and steady defence. Our progress around +his right warned him that the New Hope Church position must soon be +abandoned, and a new one was already selected, closer to Marietta, +with Kennesaw, Pine and Lost mountains, for its strongholds. + +The two or three days during which General Schofield had been +disabled had brought me into closer personal relations with Sherman +than I had enjoyed before, and was the beginning of an intimate +friendship which lasted as long as he lived. I had the opportunity +of learning more of his characteristics and his methods, and saw how +sound his judgment was, and how cool a prudence there was behind his +apparent impulsiveness. The untiring activity of his mind turned +every problem over and over until he had viewed it from every point +and considered the probable consequences of each mode of solving it. +At bottom of all lay the indomitable courage and will which were +only stimulated by obstacles, and which stuck to the inexorable +purpose of keeping the initiative and making each day bring him +nearer to a successful end of the campaign. + +By the 1st of June McPherson had brought the Army of the Tennessee +into close connection with the centre, where Palmer's Corps of the +Cumberland Army had its three divisions reunited (except one +brigade), relieving us and enabling Thomas to draw out Hooker's +Corps as a reserve. The orders for the 2d were that we were to pass +to the left beyond Howard's Corps, and push out upon the Burnt +Hickory and Marietta road, turning the enemy's flank and reaching, +if possible, the cross-roads where it intersected a second road +leading from New Hope Church to Ackworth, a little in rear of the +enemy's lines. The object was to cover more completely the +connections with the railroad south of the Etowah, and to gain +positions which would take in reverse portions of the Confederate +lines. Hooker's Corps was ordered to support this movement on our +extreme left. The cavalry were ordered to make a combined effort to +reach Allatoona Pass on the railroad, and to hold it till Blair's +(Seventeenth) Corps, coming from Alabama by way of Rome, could +arrive and occupy it in force. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 348, 349, 362, 366, 367.] + +Stoneman with the cavalry of the Army of the Ohio entered Allatoona +on June 1st, and reported the gorge a place he could hold against a +superior force. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 379.] General Johnston was so +well persuaded that his position was no longer tenable that he +issued the same day a confidential order directing a withdrawal, but +recalled it late in the day in view of the changes evidently going +on at our extreme right, and so remained a few days longer. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 753.] On the morning of the 2d, the preliminary +changes in the line being completed, Schofield marched with the +Twenty-third Corps to the left until he reached the Burnt Hickory +and Marietta road, near the Cross Roads Church, or Burnt Church, +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 396.] then turning to the east and guiding his +left on the road he pushed forward through an almost impenetrable +forest where it was impossible to see two rods. There was great +difficulty in keeping the movement of the invisible skirmish line in +accord with the line of battle, which we directed by compass, like a +ship at sea. In the advance, my adjutant-general, Captain Saunders, +was mortally wounded by my side, as we were riding, unconscious of +our danger, through an opening out of our skirmishers in a momentary +loss of direction. There were extensive thickets of the loblolly +pine occasionally met, where these scrub trees were so thick and +their branches so interlaced that neither man nor horse could force +a way through them, and the movement would be delayed till these +densest places were turned by marching around them. The connection +would then be made again, the direction of the skirmishers +rectified, and the advance resumed. The regiments advanced by the +right of companies in columns of fours at deploying distance, but +not even the men of a company could see those on right or left, so +dense was the tangle. + +We passed over the divide separating Pumpkin Vine Creek, and its +branches from Allatoona Creek, and the sharp skirmishing began as we +approached the latter. The afternoon was well advanced when we +reached the creek, and a heavy thunderstorm broke as our line forded +the stream and pushed up the hill on the other side. We now drew the +artillery fire from an intrenched line on the crest which we could +not see, and for a time the mingled roar of the thunder and of the +enemy's cannon was such that it was hard to tell the one from the +other. My advanced line closed in as near the intrenchments as +possible, whilst the second remained on the hither side of the +creek. At my request Hascall's division swung still farther out to +the left to develop the line of the enemy's works, and Schofield +asked Butterfield's division of Hooker's Corps to advance on the +extreme flank. He found that Hascall developed the full extent of +the Confederate line, and thought it a good opportunity to take the +position in reverse. Butterfield, however, declined to do more than +move up to Hascall's support in rear, and night fell before +Schofield could accomplish anything decisive. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 386. In this instance the question +of relative rank by date of commission was slightly involved. +Butterfield claimed to rank Schofield and declined to do more than +is stated. Schofield's Report, _Id_., pt. ii. p. 512; Schofield's +Forty-six Years in the Army, p. 130.] + +The downpour of rain had been such that the creek, which was +insignificant when we first came to it, became unfordable before +sunset, and gave me no little concern for the first line of my +division, which was over it. It was ordered to cover itself with +such abatis as could be speedily made and to intrench, whilst we +improvised footbridges for crossing to its support if it should be +attacked. I announced that my headquarters for the night would be +immediately in rear of the centre of my second line; but when the +pressure of duty was off and I was at liberty to go to the position +I had named, I found that it was one of the densest parts of a pine +thicket, and I could not even get back of the troops in line till a +path was cut for me by a detachment of men with axes. They cleared a +narrow way for a few rods, and then widened it out into a circular +space at the foot of the trunk of a great tree so that there was +room for a camp-fire, and for two or three of us to bivouac, but +most of the staff remained at a more approachable place a little in +rear. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 396.] We +regarded it so important that the notice given to subordinates of +our whereabouts at night should not be misleading, that we stuck to +the place that had been named, in spite of the inconvenience and +discomfort. The fall of rain is amusingly illustrated by the fact +that in the height of the storm my knee-boots filled with the water +running off me, and I emptied them as I sat in the saddle by lifting +first one leg and then the other up in front of me till the water +ran out of the boot-top in a stream. I had been a little ailing for +a day or two, and my sleep was not as sound as it usually was even +in close contact with the hostile lines. In the wakeful hours the +loss of my friend and able staff officer, Captain Saunders, filled +me with mournful thoughts; for though the daily work under fire had +exposed all the little circle at headquarters to casualties, our +good fortune hitherto had bred a sort of confidence in immunity, and +the sudden fall of him who had been the centre of the staff group +and a personal favorite with all was a heavy blow to us when we had +time to think of it. + +Next morning Schofield arranged with General Thomas to relieve +Hovey's division of our corps which had been on our right, and +marching this division beyond Hascall's on our extreme left, the +whole line went forward. The Confederate intrenchment in my +immediate front was completely outflanked, and was found to be a +detached position which the enemy abandoned when threatened by +Hascall's advance, and my men at once occupied it. The movement was +continued until Hovey's division was upon the interior Dallas and +Ackworth road near Allatoona church, whilst my division and +Hascall's held the cross roads which had been covered by the +fortifications we had captured. Hooker's Corps passed beyond Hovey, +covering the flank to the eastward. Sherman now hastened the +extension of the line toward the railroad by passing the whole army +behind us, till by the 6th we became the extreme right flank of the +army. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. ii. p. 681; +_Id._, pt. iv. p. 407.] Johnston had abandoned his position on the +night of the 4th, falling back on the new line he had selected with +his left resting on Lost Mountain and his right upon Brush Mountain, +the next eminence north of Kennesaw. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iv. pp. +408, 758.] + +The abandonment of the New Hope line gave us the opportunity to +examine it, which, of course, we did with great interest. It was +about six miles long, of the most formidable character of field +fortifications. The entry in my diary says of them that we found +them "very strong, both for artillery and infantry, with abatis +carefully sharpened and staked down. They have never before shown so +much industry and finished their defensive works with so much care." +When it is remembered that these lines could only be approached +through forests which hid everything till we were right upon them, +it will easily be believed that we congratulated ourselves that the +enemy was manoeuvred out of them and was being crowded back till he +must soon assume the aggressive and assault our works. + +Sherman's new positions placed McPherson's army on Proctor's Creek, +a branch of the Allatoona in front of Ackworth on the railroad, +Thomas's army between Mt. Olivet Church and Golgotha, covering the +principal roads from Cassville and Kingston to Marietta and Lost +Mountain, whilst Schofield was placed in echelon on the right flank, +covering the hospitals and trains until the base could be +transferred to the railway. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 423, 428, 430.] My own division was left for +some days in the position we had carried on the 3d, about a mile +separated from the rest of the line. A pontoon bridge was laid at +the Etowah railway crossing till the great bridge could be +constructed, and General Blair, who was on the 6th at Kingston, with +two divisions of the Seventeenth Corps, was ordered to march to +Ackworth by this direct road. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 424.] Blair's +command was the only important reinforcement received by Sherman +during the campaign, and just about made up for the losses by battle +and by sickness up to the time of its arrival. A more open belt of +country lay along the western side of the line from Kennesaw to Lost +Mountain, and Sherman hurried the readjustment of his forces in the +hope of a decisive engagement with Johnston by the 9th of June or +soon afterward. + +A change now occurred in the organization of our corps which +afterward became a matter of so much historical notoriety that it +may be worth while to give the particulars with accuracy. General +Hovey tendered his resignation as a division commander, and asked a +leave of absence to await the action of the President upon it. The +reasons assigned by him were his dissatisfaction and unwillingness +to serve longer with his division, which he claimed should be +increased by five regiments of Indiana cavalry, recruited at the +same time and in connection with his infantry regiments, and, as he +asserted, with some assurance that they should be one organization +under him. He also intimated that he had reason to expect promotion +which had not been given him. + +I have already mentioned some dissatisfaction on General Schofield's +part with him at the beginning of the campaign, [Footnote: _Ante_, +p. 214.] but the middle of the campaign seemed so inconvenient a +time to make a change that Schofield sought earnestly to smooth the +matter over, and tried to obtain for Hovey other troops to increase +the size of his division. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. iv. p. 439.] Sherman had no infantry which was not a regular +part of other divisions, and could not increase Hovey's command in +that way. He said that he could not tolerate the anomaly of +combining five cavalry regiments with infantry in a division of +foot, and that, in fact, the regiments were along the railroad, +protecting our communications and could not be spared. He invited +Hovey to a personal conference, and urged him to withdraw his +resignation, to take time at least for reflection, and not insist +upon changes in the midst of a campaign and in the presence of the +enemy. The appeal was unsuccessful, and Sherman telegraphed to the +War Department that Hovey was discontented because he was not made a +major-general, and that, though he esteemed him as a man, he should +recommend the acceptance of the resignation. On the paper itself he +endorsed a full statement of the circumstances and his +recommendation that General Hovey be allowed to resign. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 433, 439, 443, 448.] + +The official censure of General Sherman having been thus spread upon +the records of the War Department, and that department having made a +tender of resignation in the presence of the enemy a cause for +summary dismissal of inferior officers, the surprise of the army may +be imagined when, on July 25th, Sherman was notified from Washington +that Hovey and Osterhaus had been promoted to be +major-generals,--the first by brevet, the other to the full grade. +To Sherman himself the thing was exceedingly galling, for not only +was his action in Hovey's case reversed, and that which he condemned +made the occasion for reward, but he had, only the day before, in +asking to have Howard transferred to the command of the Army of the +Tennessee, made vacant by McPherson's death, added a special request +on the general subject of promotions. "After we have taken Atlanta," +he had said, "I will name officers who merit promotion. In the mean +time I request that the President will not give increased rank to +any officer who has gone on leave from sickness, or cause other than +wounds in battle." [Footnote: _Id_., pt. v. p. 241.] This language +had manifest reference to the cases in hand, and was, no doubt, +based on rumors of what was about to happen: but it was too late, +for a dispatch from Colonel Hardie, Inspector-General, was already +on the way to him, announcing the promotions by order of the War +Department. + +Sherman's indignation boiled over in his reply, which said: "I wish +to put on record this, my emphatic opinion, that it is an act of +injustice to officers who stand by their posts in the day of danger +to neglect them and advance such as Hovey and Osterhaus, who left us +in the midst of bullets to go to the rear in search of personal +advancement. If the rear be the post of honor, then we had better +all change front on Washington." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. v. p. 247.] The vigor of this protest carried it to Mr. +Lincoln's personal attention, and he answered it, admitting that it +was well taken, but urging reasons for his action which show only +too well that they were more political than military. A Presidential +campaign had just begun, and with all his great qualities, Mr. +Lincoln was susceptible to reasons of political policy in the use of +appointments to office. He referred to the recommendations for +promotion that Grant and Sherman had given these officers in a +former campaign, and to "committals" which had been drawn from him +which he "could neither honorably nor safely disregard." [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 259.] In the case of Osterhaus the President added that +his promise had been given "on what he thought was high merit and +somewhat on his nationality." In short, Indiana and Missouri were +doubtful States, and the German vote was important. But what idea of +military promotions was that which, in such a war and in the midst +of such a campaign, advanced officers to the highest grade upon +personal importunity, not only without consultation with their +commanding general in the field but in spite of his protest; which +does not seem even to have asked the question what was going on in +Georgia and what would be the effect of such action upon the army +there! If there had been unlimited power of promotion, the case +might have been less mischievous; but Congress had limited the +number of officers, so that vacancies were now filled, and, for the +Atlanta campaign and Sherman's army in Georgia, these two were the +only promotions that could be given, and of those whom Sherman +recommended for the grade of major-general for service in that +campaign when Atlanta was taken, not one then received it. When +these things are remembered, Sherman's indignation will be seen to +be righteous, and his protest a memorable effort in favor of good +military administration. In replying to the President he apologized +for the freedom of his language and assured Mr. Lincoln of his +confidence in the conscientiousness of his general course, but he +did not soften or blink the facts. "You can see," said he, "how +ambitious aspirants for military fame regard these things. They come +to me and point them out as evidence that I am wrong in encouraging +them to a silent, patient discharge of duty. I assure you that every +general of my army has spoken of it, and referred to it as evidence +that promotion results from importunity and not from actual service. +I have refrained from recommending any thus far in the campaign, as +I think we should reach some stage in the game before stopping to +balance accounts or to write history." [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 271.] + +Some promotions to the rank of brigadier were made in the Potomac +Army at this time, and Grant was notified that there were three or +four other vacancies in that grade. This led him to say he would +like to have them given to such men as Sherman might recommend. He +added: "No one can tell so well as one immediately in command the +disposition that should be made of the material on hand. Osterhaus +has proved himself a good soldier, but if he is not in the field I +regret his promotion." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 260.] As it had been +Grant's former recommendation which had been the strongest +ostensible ground of the promotion, this remark of his is important +as pointing out the true principle in such matters. Recommendations +of such a sort are always on the implied condition that the claim +shall not be forfeited by subsequent conduct, and Grant said in +substance that the circumstances had altered the cases and relieved +him (and the administration too) of any obligation. + +To complete the discussion, it must be noted that there were three +brigadiers from Indiana in the Twenty-third Corps at this time, and +Hovey was not only the junior of the three but had been the least +actively employed in the campaign. Manson had been stricken down in +the battle of Resaca whilst heroically leading his men to the +capture of the rebel position, and never fully recovered from the +injury. [Footnote: _Ante_, p. 221.] Hascall distinguished himself at +every step of the campaign. Both left the service at last without +any further recognition. It was common fame in the army that they +were not favored by Governor O. P. Morton, the dominant political +influence in their State. Hovey's further service was not in the +field, but as commandant of the District of Indiana. Osterhaus +returned to the Fifteenth Corps and served creditably in Sherman's +remaining campaigns. Hovey's division was broken up, one brigade +being added to Hascall's division and the other to mine. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 448.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: MARIETTA LINES--CROSSING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE + + +Continuous rains in June--Allatoona made a field depot on the +railway and fortified--Johnston in the Marietta lines--That from +Pine Mountain to Lost Mountain abandoned--Swinging our right +flank--Affair at Kolb's farm--Preparing for a general attack--Battle +of Kennesaw--The tactical problem--Work of my division--Topography +about Cheney's--Our advance on the 27th--Nickajack valley +reached--The army moves behind us--Johnston retreats to the +Chattahoochee--Twenty-third Corps at Smyrna Camp-ground--Crossing +the Chattahoochee at Soap Creek--At Roswell--Johnston again +retreats--Correspondence with Davis--Mission of B. H. Hill--Visit of +Bragg to Johnston--Johnston's unfortunate reticence--He is relieved +and Hood placed in command--Significance of the change to the +Confederacy and to us. + + +In the month of June we had more than three weeks of pouring rains, +making a quagmire of the whole country. The "dirt roads," which were +the only ones, were soon destroyed by the heavy army wagons, and +even the place where they had been could not be distinguished in the +waste of mud and ruts which spread far and wide. Sherman found the +intrenchments Johnston had left "an immense line of works," and +congratulated himself that they had been turned with less loss to +himself than he had inflicted on the enemy. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 408.] The first reconnoissances +found that Johnston had retreated so far that, from the commander +downward, we all harbored the hope that he had retreated beyond the +Chattahoochee. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 427.] To prepare for our next +step, the railway crossing of the Etowah must be completed and our +depot of supplies advanced to Allatoona. The gorge there was almost +as defensible on the south as on the north, and Sherman set Captain +Poe, his engineer, to work laying out fortifications to cover its +southern mouth and thus prepare for holding it by a small garrison +as a secondary base if we should have to leave it again to make a +wide turning movement. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. iv. p. 428.] + +[Illustration: Vicinity of Marietta, June 20,--July 4, 1864.] + +We were not long in learning that Johnston was not over the +Chattahoochee, but had only fallen back to a shorter and more +formidable line about Marietta, covering the railway where it passed +through the defiles of Kennesaw Mountain, extending his left centre +to the isolated knob of Pine Mountain, and thence recurving his +flank by way of Gilgal (Hard-Shell Church in local nomenclature) +toward Lost Mountain, which was held by his cavalry. + +At the first appearance of a retreat by the Confederates beyond the +Chattahoochee, Sherman's mind naturally turned to the plans of +campaign which should follow his approach to Atlanta as they had +been indicated by General Grant at the beginning of operations in +the spring, and he inquired of Halleck whether the intended movement +of the fleet under Farragut and part of the southwestern army under +Canby against Mobile had been ordered. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 418.] Halleck answered that it had been +suggested to Canby, but that Grant had, just then, all he could +attend to on the Chickahominy. The fierce battles in Virginia had +culminated on June 3d, in the terrible struggle at Cold Harbor, +where the assault had been so costly as almost to produce dismay +throughout the country, and in all our armies to enforce the lesson +of caution in attacking such works as the enemy was now habitually +constructing. The feeling was hinted at by Sherman in his dispatch +to Washington on the 5th, when he said that although he should +probably have to fight Johnston at Kennesaw, he would not "run head +on to his fortifications." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 408.] + +Amid the discouragements incident to the incessant rains the army +gained positions closely enveloping Johnston's lines, and we who +constituted the right flank, pushing out from hill to hill and from +brook to brook, gradually outflanked the enemy and forced him to +swing back his left. On the 14th he let go of Pine Mountain, where +General Polk was killed and General Johnston himself had a narrow +escape from our artillery fire while they were reconnoitring our +positions from its summit. On the 16th we were close upon the Gilgal +and Lost Mountain line, and the enemy again withdrew that flank +beyond Mud Creek, which with Noyes's Creek [Footnote: Noyes's Creek +was pronounced Noses Creek by the negroes and the people of the +neighborhood, and the name took that form in our reports at the +time. It was afterward corrected in the Official Records.] and +Olley's are the tributaries of the Sweetwater (before mentioned) +which flows southward into the Chattahoochee. Sherman was on the +lookout for weak places in his adversary's line where he might break +through and change into a rout the war of positions which was too +much like siege operations to suit him. He said to Halleck that +Johnston had declined the assault which must have followed our so +close contact, "and abandoned Lost Mountain and some six miles of as +good field-works as I ever saw." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 498.] Still keeping the right shoulder forward, +we crowded in upon the new line, and in the night of the 18th the +enemy retreated from the intrenchments behind Mud Creek to those of +Noyes's Creek, whilst at the same time he drew back his extreme +right behind Noonday Creek, compacting his lines with the purpose of +transferring a corps to his left, where we now began to threaten his +communications. + +Again there was a momentary belief that Marietta was abandoned, but +again it was premature, for the apex of the angle was stoutly held +at the rocky crest of Kennesaw. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 519.] There was +nothing for it but to continue the swing of the right flank. In his +instructions to Thomas, Sherman said, "Until Schofield develops the +flank we should move with due caution; but the moment it is found or +we are satisfied the enemy has lengthened his line beyond his +ability to defend, we must strike quick and with great energy." +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 509.] + +The waters were up in all the streams, and Noyes's was wholly +unfordable. Following the Sandtown road southward, my division was +stopped by the creek, and the enemy's artillery and dismounted +cavalry held a good position on the other side, having removed the +flooring of the bridge. In a brilliant little affair by a part of +Cameron's brigade, the bridge was carried, and the whole division +was soon across and intrenched at the crest on the south side, +covering the intersection of the Sandtown road with that from +Marietta to Powder Springs Church. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviiii. pt. iv. pp. 534, 540.] On the morning of June 22d, the +rest of Schofield's corps crossed the creek and took the Marietta +road, whilst Hooker's corps swung forward from the right of the +Cumberland Army to keep pace with Schofield. My own division at the +same time marched southward on the Sandtown road to Cheney's farm, +near the crossing of Olley's Creek, the next in the series of +parallel valleys trending to the southwest. Cheney's was also at the +crossing of the lower road from Marietta to Powder Springs village, +which forked near Kolb's farm, the northern branch being that on +which Schofield was advancing with Hascall's division. But Hood's +corps was also upon this road, having marched in the night from the +extreme right of Johnston's army to extend the left and meet our +aggressive movement. This brought on the bloody affair of Kolb's (or +Culp's) farm, Hood making a fierce attack on Schofield's left and +Hooker's right, which was repulsed. [Footnote: Atlanta, p. 108, +etc.] The enemy had to content himself with extending southward the +line confronting ours, till it passed over the ridge behind Noyes's +creek and covered the valley of Olley's. Schofield had called me +with three brigades to Hascall's support, leaving one (Reilly's) at +the Cheney farm. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +pp. 558, 559, 566-569.] + +Hood's attack had checked the flanking movement from which Sherman +had hoped good results. Johnston had also been able to stretch out +his right so that the works in front of McPherson seemed to be held +in force enough to make an assault unpromising. On the reports of +subordinates as to their uneasiness at the stretching of their +lines, Thomas suggested to Sherman that the lines be contracted and +strengthened. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 581.] At the same time reports +were received that Confederate cavalry had crossed the Etowah in our +rear, and had begun to make use of torpedoes to derail and destroy +trains on the railway. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. iv. p. 579.] Yet Garrard's cavalry on our left reported the +enemy's horse superior in numbers, and were unable to make such +progress there as Sherman had expected. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 542, +555.] It began to look like a dead-lock, and that, of all things, +was what Sherman could not endure. With grim humor he wrote to +Thomas, "I suppose the enemy with his smaller force intends to +surround us!" [Footnote: _Id_., p. 582.] The only alternative seemed +to be to find the places where that smaller force was most +attenuated and break through by main strength. He notified his +subordinates that this must be done on the 27th. [Footnote: _Ibid_. +and p. 588.] As a preliminary, he ordered demonstrations to be kept +up on both flanks to draw the enemy away from the centre. His formal +order, issued on the 24th, directed General Thomas to select a point +of attack near his centre. McPherson was directed to make a feint +with his cavalry and one division of infantry on the left, but to +make his real attack at a point south and west of Kennesaw. +Schofield was likewise to make a demonstration on the extreme right, +in front of my division, but to attack a point as near as +practicable to the Powder Springs road, which was the scene of the +affair of the 22d. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] The tactical details were all +left to the subordinate army commanders. + +On the 25th Sherman visited our positions in person, and accompanied +the active reconnoissances which we were making. The result he +stated in an evening dispatch to Thomas, saying, "I found that the +enemy had strengthened his works across the Powder Springs road very +much, having made embrasures for three complete batteries, all +bearing on that road. Line extends as far as can be seen to the +right, mostly in timber and partly in open ground. The enemy is also +on his [Schofield's] right flank on the other side of Olley's +Creek." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 589.] +The outcome of this was a modification of Schofield's orders, so +that instead of attacking seriously in force, he should make strong +demonstrations to attract the enemy to our wing of the army as much +as possible, and thus assist Thomas and McPherson in their attacks +near the centre. + +It was with reluctance that Sherman was brought to the determination +to make a front assault. His preference and his earlier purpose had +been to make an equal force to Johnston's keep the Confederates in +their works whilst the remainder of his own army should move from +our right and attack beyond Johnston's left flank. He had thought +the opportunity was come when we had secured the crossing of Noyes's +Creek, and he indicated the morning of the 22d for an advance on the +Powder Springs and Marietta road which we then commanded. In his +dispatch to Thomas on the 21st, he said, "I feel much disposed to +push your right, supported by Schofield and Stoneman's cavalry, +whilst McPherson engages attention to his front, but keeps ready to +march by his right to reinforce you." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 546.] + +The founderous condition of the whole region had made every movement +slow, and in the same note to Thomas, Sherman had summed it up in +the two words: "Roads terrific." Yet on the morning of the 22d the +way to Marietta by the Powder Springs road was only contested by +cavalry, though Johnston's ever-watchful eye had seen the danger and +by his order Hood was marching his corps from the other flank of the +army to meet Sherman's extension by our right. In going to examine +McPherson's lines himself, Sherman had added to his dispatch, "If +anything happens, act promptly with your own troops and advise me +and your neighbor, Schofield, who has standing orders to conform to +you." [Footnote: _Ibid_.] The situation was, in fact, exactly what +he had been hoping for. The flank of the enemy was exposed, and we +had the opportunity to use the broad road leading to Marietta to +turn it. Could Hooker, supported by Hascall's division of our corps, +have reached Zion's Church before Hood, or at the same time with +him, it seems almost certain that the position gained would have +compelled Johnston to abandon Kennesaw and Marietta at once, and +fall back to the line of the Nickajack if not beyond the +Chattahoochee. In that case the battle of Kennesaw would not have +been fought. + +In the evening of the 22d, when Sherman received Hooker's answer to +a question sent him during the progress of the combat in the +afternoon, and found the latter laboring under the conviction that +the whole of Johnston's army was in his immediate front, he was +naturally annoyed at so exaggerated a view of the situation. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 558.] Thomas +received similar reports from Hooker and a call for reinforcements, +and though he said he "thought at the time he was stampeded," +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 559.] he sent to him a division from Howard's +corps. The truth was that one brigade of Hooker's corps and one of +Schofield's were the only ones that had suffered at all severely, +the total list of less than 300 casualties being about equally +divided between them. Hood had been repulsed with a loss of more +than 1000. [Footnote: Atlanta, p. 113.] When to these circumstances +are added those which have before been mentioned, [Footnote: _Ante_, +pp. 258, 259.] we can understand how Sherman began to fear that, in +the systematic flanking operations he had been carrying on, his army +was losing the energetic aggressive character without which he could +not profit decisively by the opportunities which might offer. +[Footnote: See Sherman's personal letters to Halleck of July 9th, +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 91; to Grant of June 18th, +_Id_., pt. iv. p. 507; and of July 12th, _Id_., pt. v. p. 123.] +Adding still further the difficulty, amounting almost to an +impossibility, of supplying the wing of the army most distant from +the railroad, and the probability that Johnston's army was stretched +into a line even thinner than his own, it will not seem strange that +he concluded it was time to try whether a bold stroke would not +break through the Confederate defences and rout his adversary. I am +saying this from the standpoint of our own experience in the wooded +and sparsely settled region we were operating in. From a European +point of view, an aggressive policy of attack would be taken as a +matter of course, and the only questions open for debate would be +the tactical ones as to the method of making the assault and the +points at which to deliver it. [Footnote: For a recent summary of +the discussion of "Attack or Defence," see Letters and Essays of +Captain F. N. Maude, R. E. (International Series), p. 70; also his +"Cavalry and Infantry" (same series), p. 127, etc.] + +The attack was made on the 27th, and failed to carry the enemy's +works, though our troops were able to hold positions close to the +ditch and to intrench themselves on a new line there. The casualties +in the action were 2164. [Footnote: In Logan's Corps, 629 (Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iii. p. 85); in Howard's, 756 (_Id_., pt. +i. p. 205), and in Palmer's, 779 (_Id_., p. 509).] Some of the best +officers who took part in the assault were of the opinion that had +the supports been well in hand, so as to have charged quickly over +the first line when it was checked and lost its impetus, the works +in front of Davis's division would have been carried. [Footnote: +McCook's Brigade at Kennesaw Mountain, by Major F. B. James of the +Fifty-Second Ohio; Ohio Loyal Legion Papers, vol. iv. pp. 269, 270.] +It is hardly necessary to say that at the present day an entirely +different deployment and organization of the attacking forces would +be considered essential, and the preparation by concentrated +artillery fire would be much more thorough than was practicable +then. The dense forest made the cannonade almost harmless at the +points chosen for assault, and the attack was one of infantry +against unshaken earthworks. [Footnote: For description of the +battle, see "Atlanta," chap. x.] + +In Sherman's visit to our position on the 25th, he had arranged with +Schofield the general plan for our demonstrations on the 26th and +27th. Hascall's division was to make a feint of attack near the +Powder Springs road, whilst mine should force the crossing of +Olley's Creek near Cheney's, on the Sandtown road, build a temporary +bridge over the creek a mile or two above, and make a strong show of +a purpose to attack beyond Hascall's right flank by crossing with a +brigade there. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +pp. 589, 592.] + +The valley of Olley's Creek was broad and open, and the country +beyond my right was more practicable than the tangled wilderness on +the northern slope of the watershed. We had got beyond the denser +thickets of the loblolly pine, and could better see what we were +about. The old Sandtown road south of Cheney's crossed the creek on +a wooden bridge which was commanded by a fortified hill a little +beyond where a battery of artillery swept the bridge and its +approaches. The stream widened out after passing the bridge and ran +between low and marshy banks with bluffs further back. I had placed +Reilly's brigade astride the road at Cheney's with Myer's Indiana +battery of light twelves, smooth-bore bronze guns. A gap of more +than a mile lay between Reilly and the other three brigades of the +division after I had marched to Hascall's support on the 22d. The +lower branch of the Powder Springs road was parallel to the creek +and not far from it, and my artillery near the right of the three +brigades was on an advancing knoll where the guns not only commanded +the valley before them, but Cockerill's Ohio battery of three-inch +rifles swept nearly the whole space to Reilly's position. [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 568.] + +To give more effect to our demonstration, Sherman directed that it +begin on the 26th, and preparations were made to build a bridge in +front of Byrd's brigade, which was ordered to cross the stream when +Reilly's effort against the lower bridge should begin. Our first +information was that the fortified hill in front of Reilly was held +by infantry, and as the work was in form a redoubt, its garrison of +course on foot, we assumed that it was a detached outwork of the +Confederate line. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. +p. 597.] Reilly kept up a cannonade of the hill in front of him +during the 26th, and made some attempts to get over the stream at +the bridge, but did not seriously try to force the passage. A +temporary bridge was laid at Byrd's position, and soon after noon he +crossed the creek with little opposition, our artillery thoroughly +commanding the further bank. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 599] I personally +accompanied Byrd's movement. The artillery of Hascall's division as +well as my own was turned on the enemy's works when they came out +into the open. The hills along this part of Olley's Creek were not a +continuous ridge, but knobby and somewhat detached; the higher land +marking the edge of the plateau about Marietta was further back, and +the Confederate line of works followed it. Byrd's direction of march +was nearly parallel to the Sandtown road, and by advancing about a +mile and a half he reached the summit of a rough wooded hill about +six hundred yards from the main ridge, with open ground intervening. +He was here from half a mile to a mile east of the Sandtown road, +and from the fortified hill in front of Reilly, which was on the +continuation of the same ridge, though with ravines interrupting it. +The position was a very threatening one, and if any demonstration +could draw the enemy in that direction, this seemed likely to do it. +I directed Byrd to intrench on the crest, drawing back the flanks of +the brigade so as to be ready for attack from any direction. Our +movement had been sharply resisted by the enemy, but so far as we +could see, only by dismounted cavalry. Sherman had said that he did +not care to have Reilly force the passage of the creek that +afternoon, for a strong threatening of the fortified hill would be +more likely to draw the enemy that way than actually capturing it. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 597.] On my +reporting to General Schofield in the evening the position of Byrd's +brigade with the favorable look of the country beyond, it was +arranged that Byrd's bridge should be made stronger for permanent +use, and that Cameron's brigade should follow him at daylight in the +morning. With my whole division except Barter's brigade, which was +left to cover Hascall's right flank, I was to test what further +progress could be made on the Sandtown road. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +598-600.] + +At peep of day on the 27th we were astir, anxious to get our part of +the day's work well advanced before the more serious engagement at +the centre should begin. Another battery had been sent to Reilly, +and he was directed to silence the enemy's guns and find a way +across the creek under cover of his own if he could, but if this +failed, to storm the bridge. + +Cameron was over Byrd's bridge at four o'clock, and was ordered upon +reaching the ridge in rear of Byrd to push boldly along it toward +the fortified hill the other side of the Sandtown road in front of +Reilly. Byrd's orders were to hold his position with the main body +of his brigade, but to throw out detachments and skirmishers in all +directions to watch the enemy and to get information of the country. +Leaving Cameron as soon as he was well on his way, I rode to Reilly +in front of the Cheney farm, and found that at five his dispositions +for forcing the passage of the stream were well under way. He had +determined to try it some distance below the bridge, at a place +where, though the banks were swampy, the creek was fordable, and the +hills behind gave good opportunity to use the artillery and put the +men across under shelter. My chief of artillery, Major Wells, was +with him, selecting places for the batteries and getting them in +position. Soon after six I was with Cameron again, and before eight +was back at Reilly's position, urging each to all the speed which +the strong skirmishing opposition would permit. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 619.] As it was necessary to pass +from one position to the other by way of the roads at the rear, it +made hard riding for one who wished to be as much as possible with +the active heads of columns. + +Soon after eight o'clock part of Reilly's brigade got over the swamp +and creek under cover of the artillery, uncovering the bridge at the +road where the rest crossed; Cameron's was now coming into close +co-operation from the east, and a dashing charge by both carried the +hill. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. ii. pp. 683, 703, 720.] It was now +half-past eight, and the cannonade which preceded the attacks at the +centre was opening heavily behind us. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. pp. +199, 632.] The captured position was a commanding one, and the view +from it covered the whole region from Kennesaw to Lost Mountain. +Cameron was left there whilst Reilly followed the retreating enemy +with orders to advance as far as he could toward the Marietta and +Sandtown road, which was supposed to come into the old Cassville and +Sandtown road a mile or two ahead. We now knew from prisoners that +the force opposed to us was the division of Confederate cavalry +under Jackson, and that they were not closely supported by infantry. + +The hill had been held by Ross's brigade, which retreated to another +eminence half a mile further down the road. Reilly again advanced, +supported by Cameron. Ross was again dislodged and retreated upon +the rest of the division at the junction of the roads above +mentioned. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iv. pp. 799-801.] As we advanced it +became evident that the principal ridge on which Johnston's army was +broke down into separate hills as it came forward toward the forks +of the main roads, and it seemed feasible to hold some of these in +such a way as to make mutually supporting positions from Byrd to +Reilly, covering a front of two miles and commanding the lower part +of the Nickajack valley, in which the Marietta road ran. Reilly was +put in one of these positions with his right across the road on +which we had come, two miles south of Cheney's; Cameron was ordered +forward upon high ground near Reilly's left, and Byrd was directed +to straighten out his line on his right and reach as far as he could +toward Cameron. All were ordered to intrench as rapidly and +thoroughly as possible, for it was plain that we now commanded a +short road to the railway in Johnston's rear, and that he must drive +us out or abandon the Kennesaw line he had clung to so stubbornly. + +I had sent my aide, Mr. Coughlan, with the orders to Byrd, and when +the line was extended and skirmishers partly covered the front, he +came back to me by a direct course from Byrd to Cameron and Reilly, +with the daring and intelligence which made him a model staff +officer, and reported that a continuous ridge connected the brigades +so that pickets could be well placed in the interval to give warning +of any hostile attempt to pass between. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. pp. 620, 621. Lieutenant Coughlan was +afterward killed in the heroic performance of duty at the battle of +Franklin. See "Franklin," p. 114.] A small hill a few hundred yards +in front of the main line better commanded the Marietta road, and +upon this I directed Reilly to build a lunette for an advanced guard +of a regiment and a battery. + +The whole affair was one of the minor class in war, but it had a +special interest, in our ignorance of the topography of the country, +because it revealed a way to Johnston's line of communications, +which could not be seen and was not suspected when Sherman made the +reconnoissance with us on the 25th, and saw the Confederate lines +crossing the Powder Springs road and stretching away far beyond our +right. In my field dispatch to General Schofield I said: "The +possession of the end of the ridge, if we can hold it, I am now sure +will prevent the enemy from extending his line along it, since it +would be necessarily flanked and enfiladed by our positions. The +only objection is the extension relatively to the strength of my +command and the distance from supports. Upon carefully re-examining +the ground my conviction is strengthened that it is exceedingly +desirable to hold all we have gained, and if Hascall's place could +possibly be filled by troops drawn from other parts of the line, it +would give all the force needed to make a _point-d'appui_ which +would be safe and exceedingly available for future movements in this +direction if they become necessary. I only suggest this by way of +indicating the impression made on my own mind by the position." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 621.] + +Reilly was three miles distant from Barter's brigade, which covered +the right of the continuous line of the army intrenchments, and it +was certainly risking something to extend the brigades of a single +division so far, but it would have been a great disappointment to us +to have been called back. General Schofield instantly saw the +advantage, and in answering my dispatch, said, "I do not think the +importance of the position you have gained can be over-estimated, +especially in view of the failure elsewhere and probable future +movements." [Footnote: _Ibid_. See map, p. 255.] He ordered +Stoneman's cavalry to aid me in holding the ground and in picketing +the intervals, and reported to General Sherman the details of the +operation. The latter determined to make use of the advantage +gained, and said, "If we had our supplies well up, I would move at +once by the right flank, but I suppose we must cover our railroad a +few days." [Footnote: Dispatch to McPherson, _Id._, p. 622.] We were +left, therefore, for a little while in our exposed position, whilst +the whole army made strenuous efforts to get forward supplies enough +for a few days' separation from the railway. The weather had begun +to favor us. The day of the affair at the Kolb farm (22d) had been +the first fair day of the month, and the continuous clear skies and +hot suns rapidly dried the roads. Sherman sent Captain Poe to make +an engineer's examination of our position and reconnoissance in +front. The report confirmed his purpose of making us the pivot in a +swinging movement of the whole army. On the 29th Generals Thomas and +Howard accompanied General Schofield and myself in a similar +inspection, to help fix the details of the movement for the Army of +the Cumberland. Crittenden's brigade of dismounted cavalry reported +to me for temporary duty as infantry with my division. On the 1st of +July Hascall's division was relieved by the extension of Hooker's +corps, and Schofield with his whole corps in hand advanced a mile +upon the Marietta road toward Ruff's Mill. Johnston's failure to +attack was proof that he was preparing for retreat, and Sherman +pressed the movement of his own army. + +On the 2d Johnston knew that McPherson's army was marching to +interpose between him and the Chattahoochee, and issued his orders +for the evacuation of the Marietta lines in the night, and the +occupation of the position beyond the Nickajack. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 860.] But Thomas and McPherson both +followed so vigorously that the Confederate general saw that he +could not cover the crossings of the river which Stoneman's cavalry +was already reaching on our right, and in the night of the 4th he +again retired, this time to intrenchments with both flanks resting +on the river and covering the railway bridge with two or three of +the principal ferries. With his usual prudence, Johnston had +prepared both these lines with the aid of the Georgia militia under +General Gustavus W. Smith, who, being himself an engineer, was +admirably fitted to co-operate with the plans of the staff. + +Again a few days had to be given to repairs of the railroad and a +readjustment of the depots and means of supply, whilst careful +reconnoissances of the river were made both above and below the +Confederate position. Schofield's corps was placed in reserve near +the railway, at Smyrna Camp ground, and on the 8th my division was +assigned the duty of making a crossing of the Chattahoochee, and +laying pontoon bridges at Isham's ford and ferry at the mouth of +Soap Creek, [Footnote: In the official Atlas, pl. lx., two creeks +are named Rottenwood. The upper one of these with paper-mills upon +it is Soap Creek. The ford was sometimes called Cavalry Ford in the +Confederate dispatches. For particulars of the movements at this +period of the campaign, see "Atlanta," chap. xi.] about nine miles +above the railway crossing of the river. Johnston does not seem to +have been well served by his cavalry on this occasion, for the +crossing was gained and two bridges laid with only trifling +opposition, and my division was over and strongly intrenched before +any concentration of the enemy was made in my front. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. pp. 85, 89, 93.] This, of +course, decided Johnston to abandon the northern bank of the river, +and he selected a strong position behind Peach-tree Creek as the +next line of defence for Atlanta, burning the railway bridge and +other bridges behind him. + +Several days were occupied by Sherman in moving McPherson's command +to Roswell, twenty miles above the railway, and building a +trestle-bridge there, in accumulating supplies and organizing +transportation for another considerable absence from the railroad. +By the 17th the army was over the Chattahoochee, McPherson on the +left, Schoneld next, and Thomas from the centre to the right. A +general wheel of the whole toward the right was ordered, to find and +drive back the enemy upon Atlanta. + +Meanwhile the relations between General Johnston and the Confederate +government had reached a crisis. He had regularly reported the +actual movements of his army, but had carefully avoided any +indication of his intentions or of his hopes or fears. When, on the +5th of July, he retreated to the position at the Chattahoochee +crossing, his dispatch briefly announced that "In consequence of the +enemy's advance toward the river below our left, we this morning +took this position, which is slightly intrenched." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 865.] Mr. Davis replied on +the 7th, expressing grave apprehensions at the situation, pointing +out the dangers of the position, and saying that other places had +been stripped to reinforce him, that further increase was +impossible, and that they now depended on his success. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 867.] By an unfortunate blunder of a subordinate, the +dispatch was not sent in cipher as was intended, and Johnston knew +that the contents with its implied criticism was known to the +telegraphers along the line and was practically public property. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 871] this was not soothing to the general's +feelings, even when explained. His answer said that he had been +forced back by siege operations, and had no opportunity for battle +except by attacking intrenchments. He suggested that the enemy's +purpose to capture Atlanta might be foiled by sending part of the +16,000 cavalry believed to be in Alabama and Mississippi to break up +the railroads behind Sherman and force him to retreat. Davis replied +with the intimation that Johnston must know that no such force was +available in the West, and that it would be much more to the purpose +to use the cavalry he had for that task of pressing importance. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 875] He sent also by letter fuller details of +the stress under which General S.D. Lee was in the Department of +Mississippi, showing that the hands of that officer were more than +full. [Footnote: The letter, however, did not reach Johnston till +after he had been relieved of command.] On the 10th Johnston had +forwarded a laconic dispatch, saying, "On the night of the 8th the +enemy crossed at Isham's Cavalry Ford; intrenched. In consequence we +crossed at and below the railroad, and are now about two miles from +the river, guarding the crossings." [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 873.] On the 11th he telegraphed, +recommending the immediate distribution elsewhere of the prisoners +at Andersonville. [Footnote: _Id_., p.876] + +It cannot be denied that there was a certain justification for Mr. +Davis's conclusion that the circumstances foreboded the yielding of +Atlanta without the desperate struggle which the importance of the +position demanded. Had Johnston expressed any hopefulness, or said, +what was the fact, that he was himself coming to the determnation to +try the effect of a bold attack whilst Sherman's army was in motion, +he would probably have been left in command. But the personal +estrangement had gone so far that he confined himself rigidly to the +briefest report of events, leaving the Richmond government to guess +what was next to happen. His attitude was in effect a challenge to +the Confederate President to trust the Confederate cause in Georgia +to him absolutely, or to take the responsibility of removing him. +The Hon. B. H. Hill, who was in Richmond, at Johnston's request, to +learn if it was possible to reinforce him, telegraphed him on the +14th, "You must do the work with your present force. For God's sake, +do it." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 879.] Governor Brown offered to furnish +5000 "old men and boys" for the local defence of Atlanta in the +emergency, in addition to the similar number of the militia reserves +already in the field. These were 'promptly accepted by Mr. Davis and +the order was issued to arm them. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 878, and vol. +lii. pt. ii. pp. 691-695, 704. The correspondence between Mr. Hill +and Mr. Seddon, Secretary of War, is especially instructive as to +the issue between Johnston and Davis.] + +Before acting further the Confederate President sent out General +Bragg to Atlanta to examine on the spot and report upon the +condition of affairs. Bragg arrived on the 13th and reported that an +entire evacuation of Atlanta seemed to be indicated by what he saw. +The army was sadly depleted, he said, and reported 10,000 less than +the return of June 10th. He could find but little encouraging. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 878.] On the +following two days he visited Johnston twice and was "received +courteously and kindly." "He has not sought my advice," Bragg added, +"and it was not volunteered. I cannot learn that he has any more +plan for the future than he has had in the past. It is expected that +he will await the enemy on a line some three miles from here, and +the impression prevails that he is now more inclined to fight. The +enemy is very cautious, and intrenches immediately on taking a new +position. His force, like our own, is greatly reduced by the hard +campaign. His infantry now very little over 60,000. The morale of +our army is still reported good." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 881.] + +The receipt of this dispatch with Johnston's of the 16th seems to +have decided President Davis to make a change in the command of the +army, and on the 17th Hood was appointed to the temporary rank of +general in the Provisional Army and ordered to relieve Johnston. +[Footnote: _Id._, pp. 885, 887, 889.] Hood shrank from the +responsibility in the crisis which then existed, and suggested delay +till the fate of Atlanta should be decided; but Mr. Davis replied, +"A change of commanders, under existing circumstances, was regarded +as so objectionable that I only accepted it as the alternative of +continuing in a policy which had proved so disastrous. Reluctance to +make the change induced me to send a telegram of inquiry to the +commanding general on the 16th instant. His reply but confirmed +previous apprehensions. There can be but one question which you and +I can entertain: that is, what will best promote the public good; +and to each of you I confidently look for the sacrifice of every +personal consideration in conflict with that object." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 888.] + +Johnston magnanimously assisted Hood in completing the movements of +the army during the 18th to the Peachtree Creek position and +explained to him his plans. These were, first, to attack Sherman's +army when divided in crossing that difficult stream, and, if +successful, to press the advantage to decisive results. If +unsuccessful, to hold the Peachtree lines till Governor Brown's +militia were assembled;[Footnote: Johnston says ten thousand of +these were promised him instead of five. Narrative, p. 348.] then, +holding Atlanta with these, to draw the army back through the town +and march out with the three corps against one of Sherman's flanks, +with the confidence that even if his attack did not succeed, with +Atlanta so strongly fortified he could hold it forever. [Footnote: +Narrative, p. 350.] + +In reading his more elaborate statement of the plans of which the +above is an outline, one cannot help thinking how unfortunate for +him it was that he did not give them to Mr. Davis as fully as he +gave them to Hood! In answer to the pressing inquiry of the 16th for +"your plan of operations so specifically as will enable me to +anticipate events," he had replied, "As the enemy has double our +number, we must be on the defensive. My plan of operations must +therefore depend upon that of the enemy. It is mainly to watch for +an opportunity to fight to advantage. We are trying to put Atlanta +in condition to be held for a day or two by the Georgia militia, +that army movements may be freer and wider." [Footnote: _Id_., p. +883.] A good understanding with his government was so essential, +just then, that the most reticent of commanders would have been wise +in sending in cipher the whole page in which he tells the specific +details of his purposes and their alternates as he gave them to +Hood. Had he done so, it is quite safe to say that he would not have +been removed; but reading, in the light of the whole season's +correspondence, the dispatch he actually sent, we cannot say that +Mr. Davis was unreasonable in finding it confirm his previous +apprehension. Had the general fully and frankly opened to Bragg the +same purposes, the latter could not have sent the hopeless message +which clinched the President's decision. + +Johnston said in his final message to Davis that the enemy had +advanced more rapidly and penetrated deeper into Virginia than into +Georgia; and that confident language by a military commander is not +usually regarded as evidence of competency. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 888.] There was much force in both +points, but they do not touch the heart of the matter. Between Lee +and his government there was always a frank and cordial comparison +of views and perfect understanding; so that even in disaster it was +seen that he had done the best he could and was actively planning to +repair a mischief. On the other hand, they got from Johnston little +but a diarist's briefest chronicle of events with no word of hopeful +purpose or plan. It was not necessary that he should use "confident +language," but words were certainly called for which expressed +intelligent comprehension of the situation and fertility in purposed +action according to probable contingencies. His advice to Hood +showed that he only needed to be equally frank with the Richmond +authorities. [Footnote: Mr. Davis has discussed his relations to +Johnston in chapter xlviii. of his "Rise and Fall of the Confederate +Government," vol. ii. pp. 547, etc.; but the most succinct statement +of his views is found in a paper prepared for the Confederate +Congress, but withheld. See his letter to Colonel Phelan, Meridian, +Miss., O. R, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1303-1311.] + +The assignment of Hood to the command was, of course, in the belief +that he would take a more energetic and aggressive course. He seems +to have been free in his criticisms of his commander, and upon +Bragg's arrival had addressed to him a letter which it is hard to +view as anything else than a bid for the command. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 880.] It said Johnston had +failed to use several opportunities to strike Sherman decisive +blows; that yet the losses of the army were 20,000; that under no +circumstances should the enemy be allowed to occupy Atlanta; that if +Sherman should establish his line at the Chattahoochee, he must be +attacked by crossing that river; that he had so often urged +aggressive action that he was regarded as reckless by "the officers +high in rank in this army, who are declared to hold directly +opposite views." He concluded by saying that he regarded it a great +misfortune that battle was not given to the enemy many miles north +of the present position. + +When Johnston learned from Hood's report [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. +p. 628.](dated February 15, 1865) the nature of the latter's +statements and criticisms, he notified the Richmond government as +well as Hood that he should demand that the latter be brought before +a court-martial; [Footnote: Id., p. 637.] but it was then April, on +the very eve of the collapse of the Confederacy, and the discussion +was left for continuance in the private writings of the parties and +their friends. Johnston affirmed that in the only instances in the +campaign in which it could be said that a favorable opportunity for +battle had not been seized, Hood himself had been prominent in +protesting against an engagement or had himself failed to carry out +the orders given. In his service as commander of the army, Hood +became involved in disputes as to fact with Hardee and Cheatham as +well as with Johnston, and the result was damaging to his reputation +for accuracy and candor. [Footnote: Johnston's case is stated in his +"Narrative," chapters x. and xi.; Hood's in his "Advance and +Retreat," chapters v. to ix. In connection with these, Hardee's +Report of April 5, 1865, is of interest (Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iii. p. 697), and his letter to General Mackall (_Id._, +pt. v. p. 987).] + +The change of commanders undoubtedly precipitated the ruin of the +Confederate cause; yet we must in candor admit that the situation +was becoming so portentous that human wisdom might be overtaxed in +trying to determine what course to take. Of one thing there is no +shadow of doubt. We of the National Army in Georgia regarded the +removal of Johnston as equivalent to a victory for us. Three months +of sharp work had convinced us that a change from Johnston's methods +to those which Hood was likely to employ, was, in homely phrase, to +have our enemy grasp the hot end of the poker. We knew that we +should be kept on the alert and must be watchful; but we were +confident that a system of aggression and a succession of attacks +would soon destroy the Confederate army. Of course Hood did not mean +to assault solidly built intrenchments; but we knew that we could +make good enough cover whilst he was advancing against a flank, to +insure him a bloody repulse. The dense forests made the artillery of +little effect in demolishing the works or weakening the _morale_ of +the defenders, and it was essentially an infantry attack upon +intrenched infantry and artillery at close range. + +The action of the Confederate government was a confession that +Sherman's methods had brought about the very result he aimed at. The +enemy had been manoeuvred from position to position until he must +either give up Atlanta with its important nucleus of railway +communications and abandon all northern Georgia and Alabama, or he +must assume a desperate aggressive with a probability that this +would fatally reduce his army and make the result only the more +completely ruinous. This was the meaning of the substitution of Hood +for Johnston. + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +HOOD'S DEFENCE OF ATLANTA--RESULTS OF ITS CAPTURE + + +Lines of supply by field trains--Canvas pontoons--Why replaced by +bridges--Wheeling toward Atlanta--Battle of Peachtree Creek--Battle +of Atlanta--Battle of Ezra Church--Aggressive spirit of Confederates +exhausted--Sherman turns Atlanta by the south--Pivot position of +Twenty-third Corps--Hood's illusions--Rapidity of our troops in +intrenching--Movements of 31st August--Affair at Jonesboro--Atlanta +won--_Morale_ of Hood's army--Exaggerating difference in +numbers--Examination of returns--Efforts to bring back +absentees--The sweeping conscription--Sherman's candid +estimates--Unwise use of cavalry--Forrest's work--Confederate +estimate of Sherman's campaign. + + +In advancing from the Chattahoochee, the arrangements Sherman made +for the supply of his army provided separate lines for the trains of +the three columns. McPherson' s wagons would reach him from Marietta +by way of Roswell and the bridge which General Dodge built there. +Schofield's had their depot at Smyrna and came by the wooden bridge +which we built at the mouth of Soap Creek to replace the pontoons. +The latter were of canvas, and whilst unequalled for field use, were +unfit for a bridge of any permanence, because the canvas would be +destroyed by long continuance in the water. As soon as they could be +replaced by a pier or trestle-bridge of timber, they were taken up, +cleaned and dried, and then packed on their special wagons for +transport. This train was in charge of a permanent detachment of +troops who became experts in the handling and care of the material +and in laying the bridge. The brigade of dismounted cavalry in my +division was left at the river as a guard for the wooden bridge +which was kept up till the railway bridge was built and opened for +use. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 163.] +Thomas's troops, who were more than half the army, drew their +supplies from Vining's Station byway of bridges at Power's Ferry +(mouth of Rottenwood Creek) and Pace's Ferry, a mile below. + +Grant sent warning of rumors afloat that reinforcements would be +sent Johnston from the east, and in advancing from the Chattahoochee +by a great wheel to the right, Sherman extended his left so that +McPherson should move to the east of Decatur and break the Georgia +Railroad there, whilst Garrard with his division of cavalry should +continue the destruction toward Stone Mountain and make the gap as +wide as possible. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 158.] + +This movement made the distance travelled by McPherson and Schofield +a long one, and extended their front largely, whilst Thomas was much +more compact. But when once the railway should be so broken that +Johnston's direct communication with the east would be interrupted, +McPherson and Schofield would both move toward their right, and in +closing in upon Atlanta, come into close touch with Thomas. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 167.] + +It was whilst this movement was progressing, on the 20th of July, +and was near its completion, that Hood made the attack already +planned by Johnston, upon Thomas's columns, crossing Peachtree Creek +by several roads converging at Atlanta. It involved the right of +Howard's corps, the whole of Hooker's, and the left of Palmer's. It +was a fierce and bloody combat, in which the Confederates lost about +6000 men in killed and wounded, whilst the casualty lists of +Thomas's divisions amounted to 2000. Again, on the 22d, the second +part of Johnston's plan was tried, and Hardee's corps, moving by +night through Atlanta and far out to the southward of Decatur, +advanced upon the flank of McPherson's army, whilst Cheatham at the +head of Hood's own corps advanced from the Atlanta lines and +continued the attack upon the centre and left of McPherson and upon +the right of Schofield. A great battle raged along five miles of +front and rear, but at evening the worsted Confederates retired +within the fortifications of the city, a terrible list of 10,000 +casualties showing the cost of the aggressive tactics. The losses on +the National side were 3500, heavy enough, in truth, but with very +different results on the relative strength of the armies and their +_morale_. But the end was not yet. On the 28th McPherson's army, now +under the command of Howard, was marching from the left wing to the +right, to extend our lines southward on the west side of Atlanta, +when once more Hood struck fiercely at the moving flank at Ezra +Church, but again found that breastworks grew as if by magic as soon +as Howard's men were deployed in position, and again the gray +columns were beaten back with a list of 5000 added to the killed and +disabled. Howard had less than 600 casualties in the action. It was +only a week since Johnston had been relieved, and matters had come +to such a pass in his army that the men stolidly refused to continue +the assaults. From our skirmish line their officers were seen to +advance to the front with waving swords calling upon the troops to +follow them, but the men remained motionless and silent, refusing to +budge. [Footnote: For details of these engagements, see "Atlanta," +chaps, xii.-xiv.] + +During the first half of August Sherman extended his lines +southward, until my own division, which was the right flank of the +infantry lines, was advanced nearly a mile southeast of the crossing +of the Campbelltown and East Point roads on high ground covering the +headwaters of the Utoy and Camp creeks. We were here somewhat +detached and encamped accordingly in a boldly curved line ready for +action on the flanks as well as front. It was now the 18th of August +and Sherman devoted the next week to the accumulation of supplies, +the removal of sick and wounded to the rear, getting rid of +impedimenta, and general preparation for a fortnight's separation +from his base. My position had been selected with reference to this +plan, as a pivot upon which the whole of the army except the +Twentieth Corps should swing across the railways south of Atlanta. + +[Illustration: Map of the Atlanta, GA area, showing the Federal and +Confederate lines.] + +The movement began on the 25th, and we stood fast till the 28th, +when we began our flank movement on the inner curve of the march of +the army, taking very short steps, however, as we must keep between +the army trains and the enemy. On the 30th Schofield moved our corps +from Red Oak Station, on the West Point Railroad, a mile and a half +directly toward East Point, so as to cover roads going eastward +toward Rough-and-Ready Station on the Macon road. We were hardly in +position before our skirmishers were briskly engaged with an +advancing force of the enemy's cavalry, and we felt sure that it was +the precursor of an attack by Hood in force. It proved to be nothing +but a reconnoissance, and showed that Hood was strangely +misconceiving the situation. Its chief interest to me at the moment +was in the experiment it enabled me to make of the speed with which +my men could cover themselves in open ground in an emergency. The +division was astride the East Point road, the centre in open fields +where no timber could be got for revetment, and only fence rails to +give some support to the loose earth. Giving the order to make the +light trench of the rifle-pit class, where the earth is thrown +outward and the men stand in the ditch they dig, in fifteen minutes +by the watch the work was such that I reckoned it sufficient cover +to repel an infantry attack, if it came. It would be an +extraordinary occasion when we did not have more warning of an +impending attack; and the incident will illustrate the confidence we +had that in forcing the enemy to assume aggressive tactics, the +campaign was practically decided. + +On the 31st, as Sherman's left wing, we held the Macon Railway at +Rough-and-Ready Station, Howard, as right wing, was across Flint +River, closing in on Jonesboro, whilst the centre under Thomas +filled the interval. Hood had sent Hardee with his own and Lee's +(late Hood's) corps to defeat what was supposed to be a detachment +of two corps of Sherman's army, and a sharp affair had occurred at +the Flint River crossing, where Howard succeeded in maintaining his +position on the east side. On hearing of our occupation of +Rough-and-Ready, Hood jumped to the conclusion that it was +preliminary to an attack on Atlanta from the south, and ordered +Lee's corps to march in the night and rejoin him at once. Getting a +better idea of the situation before morning, he stopped Lee and +prepared to evacuate Atlanta. On September 1st Sherman closed in on +Jonesboro, his latest information indicating that two corps of the +enemy were assembled there. Late in the day he learned of the +disappearance of Lee's corps, but assumed that Hood was assembling +somewhere near. He tried hard to concentrate his forces to prevent +Hardee's escape, but his scattered army could not be united till +nightfall. + +In the night Hood blew up the ordnance stores at Atlanta, and +hastening to join Lee by roads east of Sherman's positions, he +marched on Lovejoy Station. Hardee evacuated Jonesboro also, and +before morning the Confederate army was assembled again upon the +railroad, five miles nearer to Macon. Atlanta was occupied by the +Twentieth Corps on the 2d, and Sherman ordered his army to return to +the vicinity of that city for a period of rest. Hood's conduct for +the past three days had been the result of complete misapprehension +of the facts; but its very eccentricity had been so incomprehensible +that no rule of military probabilities could be applied to it, and +before Sherman could learn what he was doing, the time had passed +when full advantage could be taken of his errors. + +The condition of Hood's army at the close of the campaign was +anything but satisfactory to him. His theory was that his offensive +tactics would keep up the spirit and energy of his men and +constantly improve their _morale_. When he found that they were, on +the contrary, discouraged and despondent, and could not be induced +to repeat the assaults upon our positions which had followed each +other so rapidly in the last days of July, he querulously laid the +blame at the door of his subordinates. He called the attack upon +Howard's advance at Flint River "a disgraceful effort" because only +1485 were wounded, and asked to have Hardee relieved and sent +elsewhere. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. pp. +1021, 1023, 1030. Hardee had before asked to be relieved. (_Id_., +pp. 987, 988.) For Hood's final, urgent request and the result, see +vol. xxxix. pt. ii. pp. 832, 880, 881.] True, he had telegraphed +Hardee that the necessity was imperative that the National troops +should be driven into and across the river, and that the men must go +at them with bayonets fixed; but it was his own old corps, now under +Lieutenant-General S. D. Lee, that made the principal attack and was +repulsed. Lee was not one of the officers who might be presumed to +be discontented with Johnston's removal, but had been brought from +the Department of Mississippi, at Hood's suggestion, to take the +corps when the latter was promoted, and had won Davis's admiration +by his zeal. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 892, and vol. lii. pt. ii. p. +713.] It would be hard to find better proof that the trouble lay in +the consciousness of the men in the line that they were asked to lay +down their lives without a reasonable hope of benefit to their +cause. The discouragement pervaded the whole army, and is seen in +Hood's own dispatches hardly less than in others. [Footnote: Hood to +Davis, September 3, two dispatches, _Id_., vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. +1016. In another, p. 1017, he repeated an earlier suggestion to +remove the prisoners from Andersonville. When Johnston had done +this, it was made one of the charges against him. See Davis to Lee, +_Id_., vol. lii. pt. ii. p. 692. For Hardee's opinion of the +situation, see _Id_., vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 1018.] In a labored +letter to Bragg on September 4th, he unconsciously shows how his own +total misunderstanding of Sherman's movements was the prime cause of +his disaster, whilst the shame at the result leads him to charge it +upon others. As to the spirit of the army, nobody has given more +telling testimony, for he says, "I am officially informed that there +is a tacit if not expressed determination among the men of this +army, extending to officers as high in some instances as colonel, +that they will not attack breastworks." [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. lii. pt. ii. p. 730. This letter seems to have come to light +since the first publication of the records of the campaign, and is +found in the supplemental volume.] + +In the correspondence between Johnston and the Confederate +government regarding the numerical force of his army, he naturally +emphasized his inferiority to Sherman in numbers as an explanation +of his cautious defensive tactics and his retreating movements. The +introduction into the Southern returns of a column of "effectives" +as distinguished from the number of officers and men "present for +duty," [Footnote: _Ante_, vol. i. p. 482.] led to a habitual +underestimate by their commanding officers. On several occasions +Johnston defended his conduct of the campaign by asserting that his +army was less than half the size of Sherman's, [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 795.] and this necessarily led to +an examination of his returns. These regular numerical reports are +of course the ultimate authority in all disputes, and we find the +Richmond government doing just what the historian has to +do,--comparing the estimates of the general with his official +returns. Officers of all grades and of the highest character fall +into the error of memory which modifies facts according to one's +wish and feeling. Thus at the beginning of this campaign we find +General Bragg, speaking for the President, saying that General +Polk's "estimates and his official returns vary materially." +[Footnote: _Id._, vol. lii. pt. ii. p. 659.] Nobody could be freer +from intentional misstatement than the good bishop-general. We find +the same discrepancies at the East as well as the West. Lee, +Jackson, Longstreet, and their subordinates fall into the same +error. It is therefore the canon of all criticism on this subject, +that nothing but the statistical returns in the adjutant-general's +office shall be received as proofs of numbers, though, of course, +the returns must be read intelligently. + +Conscious of straining every nerve to reinforce the great armies in +the field, Mr. Davis naturally asked what it meant when the army in +Georgia was said to be so weak. General Bragg assisted him with an +analysis of Johnston's last returns. Writing on June 29th, he refers +to the last regular return, that of June 10th, which is the same now +published in the Official Records. In using it, therefore, we agree +with the Confederate government at the time in making it conclusive. +It shows that Johnston's army had present for duty 6538 officers and +63,408 enlisted men, or, in round numbers, was 70,000 strong. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iv. p. 805; _Id_., +pt. iii. p. 677.] The "effectives" are given as 60,564; but this, as +we know, is the result of subtracting the number of the officers and +non-commissioned staff from the aggregate present for duty. But in +addition to the troops named, Bragg very properly adds that Johnston +"has at Atlanta a supporting force of reserves and militia, +estimated at from 7000 to 10,000 effective men, half of whom were +actually with Johnston near Marietta." We thus have from Confederate +authorities the proof that the army was nearly 80,000 strong on June +10th, after the first month of the campaign had closed, including +the engagements at Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas, and +Pickett's Mill. + +To complete the examination of the same return, it is necessary to +notice that the "aggregate present" is given at 82,413, or 12,500 +more than the "present for duty." This includes "extra-duty men," +such as clerks at headquarters of the organizations from Johnston's +own down to brigades and regiments, men permanently detailed for any +special service, men in arrest, etc. [Footnote: Hood's dispatch of +September 5, _Id_., pt. v. p. 1021; and his Order No. 19, vol. +xxxix. pt. ii. p. 835.] It is here that good administration in an +army seeks to reduce the number of those who are withdrawn from the +fighting ranks, and to make the "aggregate present" agree as closely +as possible with the "present for duty." I shall presently note the +result of such an effort. + +Sherman's return of "present for duty" on May 31st, just after Blair +had joined him with the Seventeenth Corps, was the largest of the +campaign, being 112,819. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxviii. +pt. i. p. 117.] By the end of June it was reduced to 106,070, when +Johnston's was 59,196 without the reserves and militia. [Footnote: +_Id._, pt. iii. p. 679.] + +When Hood assumed the command, Bragg visited the army a second time, +and gave new impulse to the effort to increase its effective force. +On July 27th, in a very full report to Mr. Davis, he says, "the +increase by the arrival of extra-duty men and convalescents, etc., +is about 5000, and more are coming in daily. The return of the 1st +of August will show a gratifying state of affairs." [Footnote: +_Id._, vol. lii. pt. ii. p. 714.] This promise was fulfilled when +that return showed a diminution in the "present for duty," since the +10th of the month, of only 7403, [Footnote: _Id._, vol. xxxviii. pt. +iii. p. 680.] although the period included the bloody engagements of +Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, and Ezra Church. + +The Confederate conscription included the whole able-bodied +population, and details as for extra duty were the means by which +physicians, clergymen, civilian office-holders, etc., were exempted +from service in the army. These lists were rigidly scrutinized, and +the laxity which had grown was corrected as far as possible. The +aggregate of Hood's army, "present and absent," on August 1st, was +135,000, though his "aggregate present" was only 65,000. [Footnote: +_Ibid._] It included, of course, prisoners of war, deserters, and +men otherwise missing, besides the class last mentioned. The extent +to which the efforts to bring back absentees succeeded, is shown by +the return for September 20th, when the aggregate of the "present +and absent" falls to 123,000, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. iii. p. 637.] though the "present for duty" are almost +as numerous as at the end of July. The difference of 12,000 shows +how many were added to the army in this way, and these are in +addition to the thousands which Bragg spoke of as gained by +transferring non-combatants present with the army to the list of +those present for duty. + +It is only by examining Hood's returns in this way that they become +intelligible, for his rolls of those present for duty hardly +diminish at all during the whole month of August, being 51,793 on +the 1st, 51,946 on the 10th, and 51,141 on the 31st. [Footnote: +_Id_., pp. 680-683.] On September 10th he reports 46,149, and on the +20th 47,431, the first of these returns including his losses in the +final combats of the campaign and the fall of Atlanta, and the +latter indicating a gain by the exchange of prisoners with General +Sherman. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxix. pt. ii. pp. 828, 850.] By +ignoring all the additions to his fighting force from the sources +which I have enumerated, Hood was able to claim that his total +losses while in command of the army were 5247. [Footnote: _Id_., +vol. xxxviii. pt. iii. p. 636.] The absurdity was indicated by +Hardee, who replied in his official report that the losses in his +own corps, which was only one third of the army, "considerably +exceeded 7000" during the same period. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 702.] + +Sherman's returns show a steady diminution of his available numbers +during July and August, though, as he himself has said, it was not +altogether from casualties on the battlefield and the diseases of +the camp. [Footnote: Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 134.] The term of service +of all the troops enlisted in the spring and summer of 1861 for +three years was now ended, and an interval occurred in which the new +levies under the law to enforce the draft had not yet reached the +field, and the army was depleted by the return home of the regiments +which had not "veteranized" in the last winter. He had present for +duty, on July 31st, 91,675 officers and men; on August 31st, 81,758. +Sherman's statement of his losses in battle and his comparison of +them with his opponents is a model of candor and fairness. With the +light we now have, he might properly have increased considerably his +estimate of Johnston's casualties. [Footnote: Memoirs, vol. ii. pp. +131-136.] + +General Hood was quite right in arguing, in his memoirs, that the +wounded in a campaign are not all a permanent loss to an army, +"since almost all the slightly wounded, proud of their scars, soon +return to the ranks." [Footnote: Advance and Retreat, p. 217.] But +what I have said above shows that he was entirely astray when he +concluded that the difference in the returns of his effective force +at the beginning and end of the campaign would show the number of +killed and permanently disabled. The absence of data as to the +additions to his field force through the means which I have +analyzed, shows how absurd a result was drawn from his premises. The +reports of casualties are not unfrequently faulty, but with all +their faults they would be much more valuable if a complete series +existed which could be compared and tested. It would require a +minute examination of all returns, from companies to divisions, to +determine accurately how many men returned to duty after being +wounded or captured. The imperfect state of the Confederate archives +would prevent this, if it were otherwise practicable. The +statistical returns are conclusive for what they actually give, but +inferences from them must be drawn with care. As an illustration (in +addition to those already given) it may be noted that the +Confederate cavalry made no returns of casualties or losses, and +they do not appear at all in the Medical Director's report which +General Hood makes the basis of his own assertions. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. iii. p. 687.] How grave an +omission this is will be partly seen from the fact that Wheeler's +corps, which reported 8000 men present for duty on August 1st (the +last return made), was in such condition when he reached Tuscumbia +after the raid in the rear of Sherman's army, that its +adjutant-general doubted if more than 1000 men could be got +together. [Footnote: Letter of General Forrest to General Taylor, +Sept. 20, 1864, Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. ii. p. 859.] + +The use of the cavalry in "raids," which were the fashion, was an +amusement that was very costly to both sides. Since Stuart's ride +round McClellan's army in 1862, every cavalry commander, National +and Confederate, burned to distinguish himself by some such +excursion deep into the enemy's country, and chafed at the +comparatively obscured but useful work of learning the detailed +positions and movements of the opposing army by incessant outpost +and patrol work in the more restricted theatre of operations of the +campaign. + +From Chattanooga to the Chattahoochee, good work was done by +Stoneman and McCook in scouting upon the front and flanks of the +army, and by Colonel Lowe in vigilant guard of the railway close in +rear of Sherman's movements; but the use of mounted troops in mass +was not satisfactory, and as to the raids on both sides, the game +was never worth the candle. Men and horses were used up, wholesale, +without doing any permanent damage to the enemy, and never reached +that training of horse and man which might have been secured by +steady and systematic attention to their proper duties. Forrest, of +the Confederates, was the only cavalry officer whom Sherman thought +at all formidable, and he showed his high estimate of him by +offering, in his sweeping way, to secure the promotion of the +officer who should defeat and kill him. In another form he expressed +the same idea, by saying he would swap all the cavalry officers he +had for Forrest. [Footnote: The matter took an odd turn, when on the +report that General Mower had defeated Forrest in West Tennessee and +that the brilliant cavalry leader had fallen in the action, Mower +got his promotion, but it turned out that it was Forrest's brother, +a colonel, who was killed--"a horse of another color." Mower, +however, was worthy of promotion "on general principles." See +Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 471; vol. xxxix. pt. i. p. +228; _Id_., pt. ii. pp. 130, 142, 219, 233.] + +High as was the National estimate of the importance of Sherman's +campaign, Southern men rated it and its consequences quite as high +as we did. In the conferences at Richmond, at which Mr. Hill had +represented the strong desire of Governor Brown and General Johnston +for reinforcements, Mr. Davis had made his apprehension of the +disastrous results which would follow the loss of Atlanta the reason +of his urgency for a more aggressive campaign. In closing the +interviews, Mr. Seddon, the Secretary of War, and Mr. Hill showed +their sense of the importance of the crisis by exchanging letters +which were diplomatic memoranda of the conversations. Mr. Hill +repeated his conviction that the fate of the Confederacy hung upon +the campaign. He said that the failure of Johnston's army involved +that of Lee; that not only Atlanta but Richmond must fall; not only +Georgia but all the States would be overrun; that all hopes of +possible foreign recognition would be destroyed; in short, that "all +is lost by Sherman's success, and all is gained by Sherman's +defeat." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. lii. pt. ii. p. 706.] +Governor Brown had accompanied Mr. Hill's effort by a dispatch in +which he declared that Atlanta was to the Confederacy "almost as +important as the heart is to the human body." [Footnote: _Id_., p. +680.] So far from taking exception to these strong expressions, Mr. +Davis based his action in regard to General Johnston upon the +absolute necessity of a military policy in Georgia, which would hold +Atlanta at all hazards. When the city fell, the whole South as well +as the North knew that a decisive step had been taken toward the +defeat of the rebellion. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +THE REST AT ATLANTA-STAFF ORGANIZATION AND CHANGES + + +Position of the Army of the Ohio at Decatur--Refitting for a new +campaign--Depression of Hood's army--Sherman's reasons for a +temporary halt--Fortifying Atlanta as a new base--Officers detailed +for the political campaign--Schofield makes inspection tour of his +department--My temporary command of the Army of the Ohio--Furloughs +and leaves of absence--Promotions of several colonels--General +Hascall resigns--Staff changes--My military family--Anecdote of +Lieutenant Tracy--Discipline of the army--Sensitiveness to approval +or blame--Illustration--Example of skirmishing advance--Sufferings +of non-combatants within our lines--A case in point--Pillaging and +its results--Citizens passing through the lines--"The rigors of the +climate"--Visit of Messrs. Hill and Foster--McPherson's death--The +loss to Sherman and to the army--His personal traits--Appointment of +his successor. + + +At the close of the first week in September the Army of the Ohio +encamped at Decatur, and prepared for a month's rest. My division +took position on the east of the little town, Hascall's on the +south, and our division of cavalry under Colonel Israel Garrard was +east of us, with outposts and patrols watching the roads in that +direction as far as Stone Mountain. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 828.] The Army of the Cumberland was +encamped about Atlanta itself, and the Army of the Tennessee was at +East Point. As Sherman cheerily announced in general orders, we +might expect "to organize, receive pay, replenish clothing, and +prepare for a fine winter's campaign." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 801.] + +It was of course probable that Hood would use the interval, which +was even more welcome to him than to us, in similar preparation for +resuming the struggle, though the resources of the Confederacy were +so strained that the Treasury was in debt to the soldiers for ten +months' pay. He told the government that "it would be of vast +benefit to have this army paid," [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. v. p. 1027.] but this expressed his desire rather than +a hope. Depression reigned in his camps about Lovejoy's Station, of +which the name was a mockery. Dissent was rife among his general +officers, and with the whole army he had lost prestige by the costly +failure of his campaign. A period of rest might relieve the +discouragement somewhat, and stringent means were to be used to +bring absentees and conscripts to the ranks. Hardee was transferred +to Savannah; Mackall, Johnston's devoted friend, was removed from +the head of the staff, and other changes of organization were made +with a view to give Hood the men of his own choice in important +positions. [Footnote: These were mostly in accordance with Hood's +recommendations to General Bragg when the latter visited him at the +end of July. See Bragg to Davis, _Id._, vol. lii. pt. ii. p. 713.] + +Sherman was fully aware that he would have many advantages in +pushing after Hood at once, but besides his army's real need of +rest, he was clear in his judgment that he must, at this stage of +affairs, prepare for a campaign on a great scale to be continued +through the winter till great results should be achieved. If the +line of operations was to be extended toward Mobile, as was +contemplated by General Grant at the opening of the campaign, or if +Hood should retreat toward the east, in either case he must make +Atlanta a fortified base. Experience had proven that his long line +of communications was liable to interruption, and would be still +more so as he penetrated further into Georgia. He must have a +well-supplied and well-protected depot in the same relations to the +next forward movement that Chattanooga had been to the campaign just +finished. He wanted to get his share of the drafted men under the +conscription law now in operation, to fill up the places of +regiments whose terms had expired, and to be assured that Canby from +New Orleans would co-operate in a settled plan. He was already +revolving in his mind other problems which Hood might possibly open +for solution; but the probability seemed strong that the Confederate +army would bar the way to his advance, and must be beaten and driven +back again. His first task, therefore, was to prepare Atlanta for +his uses. "I want it," he said, "a pure Gibraltar, and will have it +so by October 1st." [Footnote: Dispatch to Halleck, September 9th. +See also that of September 4th, in which his ideas were fully +outlined. Official Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. pp. 794, 839.] This +use of the town made it necessary to remove the resident citizens, +sending north those who were loyal and ordering south those who +adhered to the Confederacy. As a fortified depot must be ready for a +siege, trade and free intercourse with the surrounding country could +not go on. The inhabitants, therefore, would be dependent on the +army for food, their industries must cease, and it was more merciful +to them, as well as a military necessity, to send them away. +[Footnote: Sherman to Hood, _Id_., p. 822.] + +The temporary interruption of active campaigning was eagerly seized +upon as an opportunity for leaves of absence by those whose private +and family affairs urgently called for attention. The presidential +campaign was on, and in consultation with Governor Morton of +Indiana, Secretary Stanton selected half a dozen officers from that +State, which was politically a doubtful one, to vary their labors in +the field by "stumping the State" for a month. The form of the +request indicates the feeling as to the character of the civil +contest. "In view," said the Secretary, "of the armed organizations +against the Government of the United States that have been made +throughout the State of Indiana and are now in active operation in +the campaign for Jefferson Davis, this department deems it expedient +that the officers named should have leave to go home, provided they +can be spared without injury to the service." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 802. Among these appears the name +of Colonel Benjamin Harrison, 70th Indiana, afterward President. +Sherman's characteristic reply was sent from camp near Jonesboro, on +6th September: "The officers named in your dispatch of the 5th will +be ordered to report to the Governor of Indiana for special duty, as +soon as I return to Atlanta, which will be in a day or two unless +the enemy shows fight, which I am willing to accept on his own terms +if he will come outside of his cursed rifle-trenches." _Id_., p. +809. I don't recall any other instance of a regular military detail +for a political campaign.] Generals Logan and Blair also went North +for similar work in Illinois and Missouri. + +In the middle of September General Schofield left the army for a +time, to visit Knoxville and Louisville, within his department, on +official business, and extended his absence for a brief reunion with +his family north of the Ohio. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxix. pt. ii. +p. 379; pt. iii. p. 10.] This left me in command of the Army of the +Ohio, and Hood's later movement upon our communications prevented +Schofield's return till the end of our active campaign in October. A +liberal issue of furloughs to enlisted men, especially convalescents +in hospital, was made, so that we might get them back in robust +health and good spirits when the fall campaign should open. General +Hascall resigned and left us, and the command of his division passed +to General Joseph A. Cooper, who had been promoted from the +colonelcy of the Sixth East Tennessee. My own division was +temporarily commanded by General James W. Reilly, who had been +promoted on my recommendation from the colonelcy of the One Hundred +and Fourth Ohio. Hascall had commanded his division with marked +ability throughout the campaign, but had become discouraged by the +evidences that he need expect no recognition from the Indiana +governor, [Footnote: See _ante_, vol. i. pp. 406, 485; vol. ii. p. +253.] whose influence was potent if not omnipotent in the promotion +of Indiana officers. The recently announced promotion of Hovey over +him seemed to him equivalent to an invitation to resign, and he +acted upon it. + +The resting-spell at Decatur was the natural time for such changes +in organization as had become necessary. The death of my +adjutant-general, Captain Saunders, in June, made it necessary to +fill that very important position, and my aide, Lieutenant Theodore +Cox, was promoted to it. His regiment (the Eleventh Ohio) was just +completing its term of enlistment, and he would be mustered out of +service with it, unless a new appointment were given him, fairly +won, as it had been, by two years of meritorious service. My request +was so cordially backed by Generals Schofield and Sherman that there +was no hesitation at Washington, and I secured for the rest of the +war an invaluable assistant, whose system, accuracy, and neat +methods made the business of my headquarters go on most +satisfactorily. + +My inspector-general, Lieutenant-Colonel Sterling, felt obliged to +resign for business reasons connected with events in his father's +family, and I had to part with another faithful friend and able +officer. As the adjutant-general is the centre of the formal +organization, keeping its records, carrying on its correspondence, +and formulating the orders of his chief, so the inspector-general is +the organ of discipline and of soldierly instruction as well as the +superintendent of the outpost and picket duty, which makes him the +guardian of the camp and the head of the intelligence service when +no special organization of the latter is made. He should be one of +the most intelligent officers of the command, and a model of +soldierly conduct. It was no easy thing to fill Colonel Sterling's +place, but I was fortunate in the selection of Major Dow of the One +Hundred and Twelfth Illinois, a quiet, modest man, a thorough +disciplinarian of clear and strong intellect, and of that perfect +self-possession which is proof against misjudgment in the most +sudden and terrifying occurrences. + +I had brought with me from East Tennessee, as my chief of artillery, +Major Wells, who had commanded an Illinois battery, and who directed +the artillery service of the division with great success. My medical +director was Surgeon-Major Frink, of Indiana, who, though he took +the position by virtue of his seniority in the division medical +staff, was as acceptable as if I had chosen him with fullest +knowledge of his qualifications. The topographer was Lieutenant +Scofield of the One Hundred and Third Ohio, educated in civil +engineering, and indefatigable in collecting the data by which to +correct the wretched maps which were our only help in understanding +the theatre of operations. He was a familiar figure at the outposts, +on his steadily ambling nag, armed with his prismatic compass, his +odometer, and his sketch-book. The division commissary of +subsistence was Captain Hentig, a faithful and competent officer who +worked in full accord with Captain Day, the energetic quartermaster +who had come with me over the mountains the preceding year. + +A general officer's aides-de-camp are usually his most intimate +associates in the military family, and were sometimes selected with +too much regard to their social qualities. Those of a major-general +were appointed on his nomination, but a brigadier-general must +detail the two allowed him, from the lieutenants in his command. +When commanding a division, custom allowed him to detail a third. +They were the only officers technically called the personal staff, +the others being officers of the several staff corps, or merely +detailed from regiments to do temporary duty. Thus, no +inspector-general was allowed to a brigadier, but when commanding a +division or other organization larger than a brigade, he was +permitted to detail an officer of the line for the very necessary +and responsible duty. The aides are authorized to carry oral orders +and to explain them, to call for and to bring oral reports, and as +the general's confidential and official representatives they should +be of the most intelligent and soldierly men of their grade. All the +other staff officers may be called upon to act as aides when it is +necessary, but these are _ex officio_ the ordinary go-betweens, and, +if fit for their work, are as cordially welcomed and almost as much +at home with the brigade commanders as with their own chief. + +My senior aide, after my brother's promotion, was Lieutenant +Coughlan of the Twenty-fourth Kentucky, a handsome young Irishman of +very humble origin, to whom the military service had been the +revelation of his own powers and a noble inspiration. He was lithe +and well set up, though by no means a dandy; would spring at call +for any duty, by night or by day, and delighted the more in his +work, the more perilous or arduous it was. He was captured in the +last days of our operations about Atlanta; [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 623.] but the exchange of prisoners +negotiated by Sherman gave me the opportunity to secure his return +after a month's captivity and imprisonment at Charleston. Two months +later he died heroically in the battle of Franklin. [Footnote: +_Id_., vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 356.] + +Lieutenant Bradley of the Sixty-fifth Illinois was second on the +list, an excellent officer who was competent and ready to assist the +adjutant-general in his department when work there was pressing. + +The third was Lieutenant Tracy of the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio, a +man of original character. Tall and angular, there was a little +stoop in his shoulders and a little carelessness in his dress. His +gait was a long stride, and he was not a graceful horseman. His +exterior had a good deal of the typical Yankee, and our Connecticut +Reserve in Ohio, from which he came, has as pure a strain of Yankee +blood as any in New England. But whoever looked into his sallow and +bony face was struck with the effect of his large, serious eye, +luminous with intelligence and will. Devotion to duty and perfect +trustworthiness, with zeal in acquiring military knowledge, were the +qualities which led to his selection for staff duty. When we were +preparing for the great swing of the army to the south of Atlanta, +my division had been advanced close to the enemy's position near +East Point, where, from a strong salient in their works, their line +curved back toward the east. Our position was to be the pivot of the +movement, and we intrenched the top of a forest-covered knoll +separated from the Confederate lines by a little hollow in which ran +a small affluent of Camp Creek. Our pickets were directed to advance +as close to the enemy as practicable, so that any attempt to make a +sally would be detected promptly. Tracy had been directed to +accompany the officer of the day and see that the outposts were in +proper position. Early next morning General Schofield visited me, +and desired to see in person the point most advanced. I called Tracy +for our guide, and from the trenches we went down the slope, through +the woods, on foot. A spur of the hill went forward, and as we +neared the edge of the forest Tracy signalled to go quietly. +Stooping carefully in the undergrowth, we noiselessly advanced to a +fence corner where a sentinel stood behind a tree. Halting a few +paces away, Tracy motioned to us to avoid moving the bushes, but to +approach the fence and look between the rails. Doing so, we found +the fence at the border of a little strip of hollow pasture in which +the brooklet ran, and across it on the other slope, frowning upon +us, was a formidable earthwork, an embrasure and the muzzle of a +great Columbiad looking directly at us. The enemy's sentinels had +been driven in, so that, where we looked, one was pacing his beat at +the counterscarp of the ditch. As we drew back to a distance at +which conversation was prudent, Tracy asked with a grim little smile +whether the picket line was sufficiently advanced. The whole was +characteristic of his thoroughness in the performance of duty and +his silent way of letting it speak for itself. He was struck in the +breast and knocked down by a spent ball in the assault by Reilly's +brigade at Utoy Creek on August 6th, but in a week was on duty +again, though he never wholly recovered from the injury to his +lungs. [Footnote: Being in delicate health after the war, he was +made Governor of the National Home for disabled soldiers at Dayton, +Ohio, and died in 1868 from an abscess of the lung caused by the old +injury.] + +Officers were detailed from the line for other staff duty, such as +ordnance officer, commissary of musters, etc., and there was no lack +of good material. The general officer who sought for sober, zealous, +and bright young soldiers for his staff could always find them. They +were his eyes and his hands in the responsible work of a campaign, +yet their service was necessarily hidden a good deal from view, and +their opportunities for personal distinction and rapid promotion +were few compared with those of their comrades in actual command of +troops. + +It was interesting to observe the rapid progress in all the +essentials of good discipline made in commands which were permanent +enough to give time for development of order and system. We were +fortunate in Sherman's army in having in himself and in the three +commanders next in rank examples of courteous treatment of +subordinates coupled with steady insistence upon the prompt and +right performance of duty. Under such a _régime_ intelligent men +grow sensitive to the slightest indication of dissatisfaction, and a +superior officer has to weigh his words lest he give more pain than +he intended. An amusing instance of this occurred during the +campaign just ended. Late one evening my division was directed to +make a movement at sunrise next day, and the camp was quiet in sleep +before my orders were sent out to the brigade commanders. He who was +assigned to lead the column was an excellent officer, but irascible, +and a little apt to make his staff officers feel the edge of any +annoyance he himself felt. Some strain of relations among his +assistants at his headquarters happened to be existing when my order +came. He had turned in for the night and was asleep when his +adjutant-general came to his tent to report the order. Not fully +aroused, he made a rough and bluff reply to the call, really meaning +that the staff officer should issue the proper orders to the +brigade, but in form it was a petulant refusal to be bothered with +the business. The adjutant took him literally at his word and left +him. Next morning I was in the saddle at the time set, and with my +staff rode to the brigade to accompany the head of the column, when, +lo, his command was not yet astir, though in the rest of the camp +breakfast was over, the tents struck, and officers and men were +awaiting the signal to fall in. I rapped with my sword-hilt on the +tent-pole, and when the dishevelled head of the colonel appeared, +his speechless astonishment told the story of some great blunder. I +did not stop for particulars, but only said, "Your brigade, colonel, +was to have had the place of honor in an important day's work; as it +is, you will fall in at the rear of the column. Good-morning, sir." +He stood, without a word, till we rode off, and then turning to an +aide who had come to him, exclaimed, "I wish to God he had cursed +me!" + +In the movement upon Atlanta, after crossing the Chattahoochee, we +were not met in force till we came to Peachtree Creek and the +extension of that line southward. The country was similar in +character to that near Marietta, with openings of farming lands +along the principal roads, but probably three fourths of the country +was covered with forest. In answer to questions from home as to what +our continuous skirmishing in such advances was like, I took as a +sample the 20th of July, when we were pushing in to connect with +General Thomas's right, and he was making his way to and across +Peachtree Creek, where the battle was to rage in the latter part of +the day. + +"My camp last night," I said, "was formed of three brigades in two +lines across the principal road, another brigade in reserve, and the +artillery in the intervals, all in position of battle. A strong line +of pickets and skirmishers covered the front and flanks some three +hundred yards in advance. In the morning we drew in the flanks of +the skirmish line, reducing it to about the length of one brigade +across the road, and it was ordered to advance. The men go forward, +keeping the line at right angles to the road, stopping for neither +creek nor thicket; down ravines, over the hills, the skirmishers +trotting from a big tree to a larger stone, taking advantage of +everything which will cover them, and keeping the general form of +the line and their distance from each other tolerably correct. The +main body of the troops file into the road marching four abreast, +with a battery near the leading brigade. Presently a shot is heard, +off on the right, then two or three more in quick succession, and a +bullet or two comes singing over the head of the column. 'They've +started the Johnnies,' say the boys in the ranks, and we move on, +the skirmish line still pushing right along. It proves to be only a +rebel picket which has fired and run to apprise their comrades that +the 'Yanks' are coming. Forward a few hundred yards, when, bang, +bang, and a rattle of rifles too fast to count. The column is +halted, and we ride to the skirmish line to see what is up. A pretty +strong body of 'rebs' is about some old log houses with a good +skirmish line on either side where our men must approach over two or +three hundred yards of open fields. A regiment is moved up to the +nearest cover on each side of the road, a section of artillery +rattles up to the front, the guns are smartly unlimbered and pointed +and a couple of shells go screaming into the improvised fort, +exploding and scattering logs and shingles right and left. Out run +the rebs in confusion, and forward with a rush and a hurrah go our +men over the open, getting a volley from the other side. Into the +woods they go. The rebs run; two or three are caught, perhaps, as +prisoners, two or three of ours are carried to the rear on +stretchers, and on we go again for a little way. This is light +skirmishing. Sometimes we find extemporized breastworks of rails or +fallen trees, requiring more force to dislodge the enemy, and then, +finally, we push up to well-constructed lines of defence where we +halt for slower and heavier operations." + +The inhabitants within our lines about Atlanta had a hard time of +it, in spite of all efforts to mitigate their suffering. Their +unwillingness to abandon their homes was very great, and it was very +natural, for all they had was there, and to leave it was to be +beggared. They sometimes, when within range of the artillery, built +bomb-proofs near their houses, and took refuge in them, much as the +people of the Western plains seek similar protection from tornadoes. +In closing in on the west side of the town, near the head of Utoy +Creek, we took in a humble homestead where the family tried to stay, +and I find that I preserved, in another of my home letters, a +description of the place and their life there. + +"Just within my lines" (this was written on August 11th), "and not +ten paces from the breastworks, stands a log house owned by an old +man named Wilson. A little before the army advanced to its present +position, several relatives of his, with their families, came to him +from homes regarded as in more imminent danger, and they united +their forces to build, or dig, rather, a place of safety. They +excavated a sort of cellar just in rear of the house, on the +hillside, digging it deep enough to make a room some fifteen feet +square by six feet high. This they covered over with a roof of +timbers, and over that they piled earth several feet thick, covering +the whole with pine boughs, to keep the earth from washing. In this +bomb-proof four families are now living, and I never felt more pity +than when, day before yesterday, I looked down into the pit, and saw +there, in the gloom made visible by a candle burning while it was +broad day above, women sitting on the floor of loose boards, resting +against each other, haggard and wan, trying to sleep away the days +of terror, while innocent-looking children, four or five years old, +clustered around the air-hole, looking up with pale faces and great +staring eyes as they heard the singing of the bullets that were +flying thick above their sheltering place. One of the women had been +bed-ridden for several years before she was carried down there. One +of the men was a cripple, the others old and gray. The men ventured +up and took a little fresh air behind the breast-works; but for the +women there is no change unless they come out at night. Still, they +cling to home because they have nowhere else to go, and they hope we +may soon pass on and leave them in comparative peace again." + +In an earlier chapter I have spoken of the easy descent from careful +respect for the rights of property to reckless appropriation of what +belongs to another, to robbery and pillage. [Footnote: _Ante_, pp. +233-235.] I find an instance of it given in one of the letters I +have been quoting, which is the contemporary record of the thing +itself which we had to deal with. It occurred on July 5th, when the +whole army was in motion, hurrying past our position southeast of +Marietta and following up Johnston's retreating army. "Some soldiers +went to a house occupied only by a woman and her children, and after +robbing it of everything which they wanted, they drove away the only +milch cow the woman had. She pleaded that she had an infant which +she was obliged to bring up on the bottle, and that it could not +live unless it could have the milk. They had no ears for the appeal +and the cow was driven off. In two days the child died, of +starvation chiefly, though the end was hastened by disease induced +by the mother's trying to keep it alive on food it could not digest. +I heard of the case when the child was dead and two or three of the +neighbors were getting together stealthily to dig its grave." One of +them came to me to beg permission to assist, and to explain that the +little gathering meant nothing hostile to us. I got the facts only +by cross-questioning, for the old man was abject in his solicitude +not to seem to be complaining, and did not give the worst of the +story till my hot indignation at what I heard assured him of +sympathy and of a desire to punish the crime. + +"A woman came to me the same morning, and said the cavalry had taken +the last mouthful from her, telling her they were marching and +hadn't time to draw their rations, but that she would be fed by +applying to us of the infantry column. The robbers well knew that we +were forbidden to issue rations to citizens. They sacked the house +of an old man with seven daughters by a second wife, all young +things. He came to me in utter distress--not a mouthful in that +house for twenty-four hours, their kitchen garden and farm utterly +ruined, the country behind in the same condition, and he without +means of travelling or carrying anything if he tried to move away." +I added, "Of course in such extreme cases I try to find some way of +keeping people from death, and usually send them to the rear in our +empty wagon trains going back for supplies, but their helpless +condition is very little bettered by going." + +Such things were done chiefly by the professional stragglers and +skulkers, and the stringent orders which were issued in both +Sherman's and Hood's armies did not easily reach men who would not +report for duty if they could help it. The country people could not +tell who had done them the mischief, and the rascals would be gone +before the case came before any superior officer who would interest +himself in it. I must not, however, suppress the comment I made in +the letter quoted. "The evil is the legitimate outgrowth of the hue +and cry raised by our Christian people of the North against +protecting rebel property, etc. Officers were deterred from +enforcing discipline in this respect by public opinion at home, and +now the evil is past remedy. The war has been prolonged, the army +disintegrated and weakened, and the cause itself jeoparded, because +discipline was construed as friendliness to rebels." Straggling and +its accompanying evils may be said to be the gauge of discipline in +an army. There were brigades and divisions in which it hardly +occurred; there were others in which the stragglers were a +considerable fraction of the whole. + +During the evacuation of Atlanta by the citizens, there was a good +deal of migration beyond our lines among those who were not +compelled to go. In Decatur applications were made to me daily, and +we kept a record of the passes we issued, trying to know the purpose +and motives of those going away, for, of course, a good deal of it +was with the intent to carry intelligence to the enemy. The reasons +given were often amusing. Two ladies applied, one day, for leave to +go to Florida, which they claimed as their home. They said they had +been visiting kinsmen in Decatur when the advance of our army +brought them within our lines before they were aware of it. When +asked why not stay with their friends till the armies should move +away, they answered that they were sure they could not endure the +rigors of the climate! The phrase became a byword at our +headquarters, where we were longing for the invigorating breezes of +the North. + +We had a visit, about the middle of September, from two gentlemen of +some prominence in the public affairs of Georgia,--Mr. Hill and Mr. +Foster. They came ostensibly to seek to obtain and remove the body +of Mr. Hill's son, who had fallen in the campaign, but I suspected +that they represented Governor Brown, who was known to be in a state +of exasperation at the results to Georgia of a war begun to assert +an ultra doctrine of State rights, but which had destroyed every +semblance of State independence and created a centralized government +at Richmond which ruled with a rod of iron. Mr. Hill was the same +who had represented Governor Brown and General Johnston at Richmond +in the mission in July, [Footnote: _Ante_, p. 272.] and whilst he +did not formally present any subject except that of getting his +son's body, our conversation gave me sufficient knowledge of his +views on the subjects of controversy to make me deeply interested in +the outcome of the visit to General Sherman which I arranged for +him. [Footnote: See Sherman's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 137.] Nothing of +present practical importance came of the interviews, but the +voluminous and bitterly controversial correspondence between the +Georgia Governor and the War Department of the Confederacy is a +curious revelation of the antagonistic influences which had sprung +up in the progress of the war. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +lii. pt. ii. pp. 736, 754, 778, 796, 803.] + +The death of General McPherson in the battle of Atlanta had been a +great loss to the army, but to Sherman it was the loss of an +intimate friend as well as an able subordinate. They had been +closely associated under Grant in all the campaigns of the Army of +the Tennessee, and their mutual attachment and confidence was as +strong as their devoted loyalty to their great chief. My own +acquaintance with McPherson had been slight, but yet enough to +enable me to understand the warm personal regard he inspired in +those who came to know him well. I met him first on the day we +passed through Snake Creek Gap into Sugar Valley, before the battle +of Resaca. We had to learn from him the positions of the troops +already advancing toward the town, and I rode with General Schofield +to his tent for this purpose. Schofield and he had been classmates +and room-mates at West Point, and McPherson revealed himself to his +old friend as he would not be likely to do to others. His affability +and cordial good-will struck one at once. His graceful bearing and +refined, intelligent face heightened the impression, and one could +not be with him many minutes without seeing that he was a lovable +person. An evenly balanced mind and character had given him a high +grade as a cadet, and at the beginning of the war he was serving as +a captain of engineers. Being appointed to General Grant's staff, he +won completely the general's confidence, and his promotion was +rapid, following closely behind that of Sherman. + +His death was sincerely mourned, and his place as a soldier was not +easy to fill. Sherman would have given the command of the Army of +the Tennessee to General Logan, who was next in rank in it, but the +strong opposition of General Thomas made him conclude that this +would be unwise. [Footnote: See Sherman, in The Great Commanders +Series, pp. 229, 332.] If he made a selection outside of the Army of +the Tennessee, Hooker had first claim by seniority of rank, but both +Sherman and Thomas lacked confidence in him. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xxxviii. pt. v. p. 272.] When Howard was selected on +Thomas's suggestion, Hooker was doubly offended, for Howard had been +his subordinate at the beginning of the year, and there had been no +love lost between them. Hooker now asked to be relieved from further +service in Sherman's army, and he retired from active field +service,--Slocum, another of his former subordinates, with whom he +had a violent quarrel, being appointed to the command of his corps +on Thomas's nomination. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 272, 273.] Halleck, in +a letter to Sherman of September 16th, gave pointed testimony to +facts which showed why Hooker was personally an unacceptable +subordinate. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 857.] Sherman insisted, with good +reason, that Hooker had no real grievance, as he was left in command +of his corps, and Howard's promotion was in another and independent +organization, the Army of the Tennessee. He also declared that no +indignity was intended or offered, and that he simply performed his +own duty of selection in accordance with what he believed to be +sound reasons. As to Logan, he took pains to praise his handling of +the Army of the Tennessee after McPherson's death, and to emphasize +his own high opinion of him as an officer and the respect in which +he was held by the whole army. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. v. p. 522.] + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +CAMPAIGN OF OCTOBER--HOOD MOVES UPON OUR COMMUNICATIONS + + +Hood's plan to transfer the campaign to northern Georgia--Made +partly subordinate to Beauregard--Forrest on a raid--Sherman makes +large detachments--Sends Thomas to Tennessee--Hood across the +Chattahoochee--Sherman follows--Affair at Allatoona--Planning the +March to the Sea--Sherman at Rome--Reconnoissance down the +Coosa--Hood at Resaca--Sherman in pursuit--Hood retreats down the +Chattooga valley--We follow in two columns--Concentrate at +Gaylesville--Beauregard and Hood at Gadsden--Studying the +situation--Thomas's advice--Schofield rejoins--Conference regarding +the Twenty-third Corps--Hood marches on Decatur--His explanation of +change of plan--Sherman marches back to Rome--We are ordered to join +Thomas--Hood repulsed at Decatur marches to Tuscumbia--Our own march +begun--Parting with Sherman--Dalton--Chattanooga--Presidential +election--Voting by steam--Retrospect of October camp-life--Camp +sports--Soldiers' pets--Story of a lizard. + + +General Hood had been pretty well informed of what was going on in +Sherman's army, and was disposed to take advantage of the reduction +of our forces by furloughs and the absence of numerous officers on +leave. The Confederate President had visited him, and changes in his +army had been ordered which made the organization more to his mind. +Hardee being sent to Savannah to command a department on the coast, +General Cheatham succeeded to the command of the corps. Hood +proposed to cross the Chattahoochee some twenty miles west of +Atlanta, and move on Powder Springs, where he could reach the +railroad and force Sherman to attack him or to move south. In the +latter case he proposed to follow, and had urged that the forces in +central Georgia be increased so as to resist Sherman's progress if +it should be toward Augusta or Macon. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xxxix. pt. ii. pp. 847, 862.] + +Mr. Davis had been convinced by the campaign just ended that Hood's +fiery energy needed the guidance of a better military intellect, and +the plan of placing a common head over Hood's and Taylor's +departments had occurred to him. Beauregard was the officer whose +rank, next to Johnston, indicated him for the command, but he was +disaffected toward Davis, and his friends in Congress were active in +opposition to the government. [Footnote: _Ante_, p. 183.] General +Lee had suggested Beauregard to take Hood's place, and had sounded +him as to his willingness to do so after discussing with him the +whole situation in Georgia. Lee felt able, thereupon, to assure the +President that Beauregard would accept the assignment; saying, "I +think you may feel assured that he understands the general condition +of affairs, the difficulties with which they are surrounded, and the +importance of exerting all his energies for their improvement." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. ii. p. 846.] But having +learned Hood's plan of operating upon Sherman's communications, and +being impressed anew by his visit with the energy of Hood's nature, +which quickly reacted from the discouragement following the fall of +Atlanta, he partly accepted Lee's suggestion, modifying it by giving +Beauregard the supreme direction of affairs in Georgia, Alabama, and +Mississippi, whilst leaving Hood free to carry out the plan of +campaign which he proposed, and to retain the command of his army +except when Beauregard might be actually present with it. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 880.] + +General Forrest with his cavalry corps had already been ordered to +make a raid upon the railways in Tennessee in pursuance of a +suggestion of his own, and on September 16th he started northward. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 818, 835.] This plan very well accorded with +Hood's, and when the latter determined, later in the campaign, +himself to invade Tennessee, Forrest's orders were extended so as to +direct a junction with him. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. +pt. iii. p. 843.] + +On September 24th Sherman learned that Forrest was at Athens and +Pulaski on the railway from Decatur to Nashville. He had sent a +detachment to burn bridges on the Memphis road also, and the whole +of middle and western Tennessee was afire with the excitement of the +new raid by the doughty Confederate leader. He received the +surrender of the garrison at Athens without serious resistance, but +by the time he approached Pulaski, burning bridges as he went, +General Rousseau, who was in command of the district, had +concentrated force enough to repulse him. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. +pp. 450, 455, 456, 870, 876, 879.] After that Forrest attacked no +considerable post, and did not reach Sherman's principal line of +communications, but making circuitous routes in the region about +Columbia, finally retreated across the Tennessee River at Florence +on the 5th and 6th of October. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. 547.] + +On getting the news of Forrest's raid, Sherman sent back two +divisions of the Army of the Cumberland to Chattanooga, and one from +the Army of the Tennessee to Rome. He also sent General Thomas to +Chattanooga to bring into co-operation all the troops posted in +Tennessee and northern Georgia. This scattering of his forces to +protect his railways proves how low an estimate he put upon the +efficiency of Hood's army, and his willingness to receive an attack +from it. When he moved northward after Hood, a week later, he left +the Twentieth Corps to hold Atlanta, and had with him little more +than half of the forces with which he had made the Atlanta campaign; +but they proved enough. + +My own command had been quietly resting at Decatur with nothing more +exciting to do than to send out foraging parties and +reconnoissances, when on Friday, September 30th, I got a dispatch +from General Sherman which put us on the alert. He told me that Hood +had part of his infantry over the Chattahoochee, and was evidently +combining desperate measures to destroy our railways. After +referring to his arrangements to checkmate Forrest, he gave the +"nub" of his own ideas as follows: "I may have to make some quick +countermoves east and southeast. Keep your folks ready to send +baggage into Atlanta and to start on short notice.... There are fine +corn and potato fields about Covington and the Ocmulgee bottoms. We +are well supplied with bread, meat, etc., but forage is scarce, and +may force us to strike out. If we make a countermove, I will go out +myself with a large force and take such a route as will supply us +and at the same time make Hood recall the whole or part of his +army." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. ii. p. 540.] I +answered that we would be "minute men," and also informed General +Schofield by telegraph that we might resume active work any moment. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 541.] + +Next day Sherman had evidence that Hood was crossing the +Chattahoochee with his whole army, and wrote to General Howard and +to me that if Hood should swing over to the Alabama railroad and try +to get into Tennessee, he would, if Grant consented, draw to him the +troops south of the Etowah, leave Thomas with the rest, and make for +Savannah or Charleston by way of Milledgeville and Millen. By the +destruction of the east and west roads, Georgia would thus become a +break in the Confederacy. But should Hood move upon our +communications between the Chattahoochee and the Etowah, he would +turn upon him. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 6.] The +latter was the movement Hood actually made, and the March to the Sea +was postponed for a few weeks. + +I need not repeat here the details of the October campaign, which I +have given elsewhere. [Footnote: See "Atlanta," chap. xvii.; and for +the growth and completion of the plan of the March to the Sea, +reference is made to the Life of General Sherman (Great Commanders +Series), chap. x.] On the 2d Sherman was aware that the enemy was +advancing on Marietta; but far from hurrying to anticipate him +there, we were held back yet another day that Hood might be lured +far enough to let us strike him in rear. General Corse at Rome was +ordered to reinforce Allatoona pass and hold stubbornly there, +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 8.] and then, +on the 3d and 4th, Sherman was in motion, trying to catch the enemy +in that rough country on the border of the Etowah. On the 2d I had +sent a division to make a strong reconnoissance eastward to Flat +Rock, and a brigade to Stone Mountain to make sure that no enemy was +near us in that direction, [Footnote: _Id_., p. 33.] and on its +return we followed the rest of the army northward, Slocum's corps +remaining in garrison at Atlanta, as before mentioned. + +There had been continuous heavy rains, and all the rivers were +swollen, which retarded Hood's movements as well as ours; but he +showed commendable prudence, did not advance with his main body +beyond Dallas, and operated by detachments on the railway, which he +broke near Ackworth, but did no serious damage. On the 5th Corse and +Tourtelotte made their fine defence of the position at Allatoona +against French's division, and on the 6th my reconnoissance proved +that Hood had concentrated again in the neighborhood of Dallas. The +two most important bridges on the railroad were now safe, those +crossing the Chattahoochee and the Etowah; and as Forrest had failed +to reach the line from Chattanooga to Nashville, Hood's plan of +campaign had failed and Sherman's communications were unbroken. +Unwilling to confess defeat, Hood now determined to make a +considerable circuit westward, cross the Coosa below Rome and march +by the Chattooga valley upon Resaca, where the bridge over the +Oostanaula was next in importance to that at Allatoona. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 804.] As the enemy's first +movement from Dallas was westward, Sherman had to look for +information as to his further course. Strengthening the garrison at +Rome, he waited at Allatoona for news, discussing with General Grant +by telegraph his own plan of marching upon Savannah if Hood moved +far westward. The latter repeated to his government his purpose to +follow Sherman if he did so. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] The storms and +floods had done much more damage than Hood, several of the large +bridges being injured and smaller ones carried away. + +At Allatoona Sherman's headquarters were close to my own, and he +opened to me his views of the situation. He did not propose to leave +the railway line to follow Hood far; but if the opportunity offered +to fight him near the line, he would seize it. If Hood entered +Tennessee near the Georgia line, he would follow and destroy him; +but he was already confident that his enemy would not dare do this, +and pointed to Muscle Shoals as the nearest point at which he was +likely to cross the Tennessee River. He hoped that General Grant +would consent, in this case, to his own march on Savannah, and +promised to lead Hood a lively chase if the latter turned back to +follow him. Once a new base on the sea was reached, he would turn +upon and crush his opponent. + +His plan had a personal interest for myself, for as we were out of +communication with General Schofield and might march southward any +day, he thought it probable that he should separate the Twenty-third +Corps from the Department of the Ohio and take it with him, making +my command of it permanent. He assumed that Schofield would prefer +to remain in the higher position of department commander, rather +than leave it for the field command of the corps, which was a good +deal weakened by the hard service of the summer. + +From the 10th to the 13th of October the army moved in echelon by +short marches to Rome, and on the date last named I was ordered to +push a reconnoissance with the corps and General Kenner Garrard's +division of cavalry down the Coosa far enough to settle the question +where Hood had gone. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. +iii. p. 230.] We started early and made thirteen miles in the +forenoon, routing the enemy's cavalry holding that road and +capturing two cannon. It was definitely learned that Hood had taken +up the pontoon bridge and gone north. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 250.] +Meantime the enemy had appeared at Resaca, and as soon as it was +certain that they were in force Sherman put everything in rapid +motion in that direction. He had warned Thomas on the 11th, and +directed him to reinforce Chattanooga and Bridgeport. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 251.] There was again a chance that Hood might be caught +between the forces. He had approached Resaca from the west, by the +north bank of the Oostanaula, on the 12th, but his summons of the +place being defied, he did not assault, but after some threatening +demonstrations marched north to Dalton. He plainly felt that he had +no time to spare, but it was just as plain that in his haste he was +accomplishing nothing. + +My march down the Coosa had put me in the rear on the movement north +from Rome. I reached Resaca on the 15th, in the early afternoon, +having received authority from Sherman to pass the trains and push +forward. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 294.] The Army of the Cumberland had +followed Hood to Dalton and Buzzard Roost, the Army of the Tennessee +had driven his cavalry out of Snake Creek Gap and occupied it, and +we were halted at Resaca to support either. General Schofield had +reached Chattanooga on the 13th, and was given command of all troops +in that vicinity by General Thomas, who was at Nashville. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 253.] Schofield had in +hand the two divisions which had been sent back from Atlanta a +fortnight before, besides the garrison; and other troops were on the +way to him from Nashville. But communication with Sherman was +interrupted, and Hood had better knowledge of the full situation. +Learning that Chattanooga was held strongly, Hood marched from +Buzzard Roost by way of Villanow over Taylor's Ridge into the +Chattooga valley, up which he had just come. Prisoners told us that +his army was out of provisions, as they had failed in the hope of +capturing depots of stores. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. p. 791.] He +must get back within reach of his own depots. Gadsden had been made +a temporary base, and he made haste to reach the valley of the +Coosa, in which it lay. + +Sherman had wished that the rumor would turn out to be true which +gave the neighborhood of Bridgeport as the place at which Hood would +enter Tennessee; [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. pp. 296, 312.] but if he +did so anywhere from Guntersville to Chattanooga, it would be +possible to head him off by General Thomas's forces whilst our +principal army closed in upon him from the rear. During the 16th +Snake Creek Gap was cleared of the timber blockade which Hood had +made to delay our chase, and my corps reached Villanow. The Army of +the Tennessee was at Ships Gap, and that of the Cumberland in close +support. We here learned definitely that Stewart's corps of Hood's +army had marched southward from Villanow to Subligna on the east +side of Taylor's Ridge, and the main body from Lafayette to +Summerville on the west side. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 310, 311.] + +After a day spent in reconnoissances and renewal of communications +with Chattanooga and Nashville, we marched again on the 18th, +Sherman leading the main army from Lafayette southward, whilst he +ordered me to march from Villanow by way of Subligna to Gover's (or +Mattox's) Gap, and thence to Summerville, following the enemy's +corps which had gone that way. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxix. pt. iii. p. 325.] We reached Subligna at noon, driving +vedettes and patrols of the enemy's cavalry as we advanced. From +Subligna I sent Major Wells of my staff with a regiment over the +mountain by a bridle path, to inform General Sherman of our +progress. He had an unexpectedly long and rough march, but reported +as ordered. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 351.] We continued the march to +Gover's Gap, drove away a cavalry rear-guard, and repaired the road +which ran along a bench cut in the precipitous hillside. An easy way +of communication with Sherman in the Chattooga valley was thus +opened, after a day's march of twenty-two miles. General Kenner +Garrard with his cavalry had followed a parallel valley further +east, toward Dirt-town, and joined me at Gover's Gap soon after my +arrival there. We now marched through Melville to Gaylesville, where +the army was concentrated on the 20th. The Twenty-third Corps was +placed in advance, near Blue Pond, where a bridge over the Chattooga +was to be rebuilt, and one division was sent to Cedar Bluff, a +pretty village on the Coosa, where it covered the main road down the +valley from Rome to Gadsden. I made a reconnoissance to Center, over +the Gadsden road, and learned definitely that the whole army of Hood +was at Gadsden. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 346, 357, 359, 361, 364, 369. +376, 399, 423.] + +Sherman's wish that Hood would cross the Tennessee near Stevenson +was very sincere. He approved the movement by Schofield to occupy +Trenton with the two divisions still under his command, but he +disapproved the directions given by Thomas to place troops at +Caperton's Ferry, which was on the direct road to Stevenson. He +wanted that door left open till Hood should have part, at least, of +his army over the Tennessee River. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 335.] He +felt so sure, however, that Hood would not fall into such a trap, +that his dispatches reiterate the opinion that if the enemy crossed +the river at all, it would be west of Huntsville or at Muscle +Shoals. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. 333, +357, 395.] He was turning his whole mind to the March to the Sea, +and studying the contingencies which it involved. In a long dispatch +to Halleck on the 19th [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 357-358.] he had mapped +out his general scheme, and gave his reasons why he must have +alternates in his choice of objectives, though his real aim would be +Savannah. He therefore named, as the points where the Navy should +watch for him, Charleston, Savannah, Pensacola, and Mobile, saying, +"I will turn up somewhere." On the 22d, writing to General Grant, he +reviewed the ground and the effect which it would have on the +Confederacy when the Georgia railroads were destroyed and he should +"bring up with 60,000 men on the seashore about Savannah or +Charleston," concluding, "I think this far better than defending a +long line of railroad." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 395.] At the outset +Thomas had advised Sherman, in view of the fact that General Grant +had not yet been able to carry out his plan to take southern +seaports as a preliminary to an advance beyond Atlanta, to "adopt +Grant's idea of turning Wilson loose rather than undertake the plan +of a march with the whole force through Georgia to the sea." +[Footnote: Id., p. 334.] General James H. Wilson had been sent from +Grant's army to be chief of cavalry with Sherman, and Thomas's +suggestion was that until Grant's part of the general plan should be +accomplished, activity should be limited to the defence of the +territory already occupied, except as cavalry raids might harry the +Confederate country. But Sherman answered, "To pursue Hood is folly, +for he can twist and turn like a fox and wear out any army in +pursuit. To continue to occupy long lines of railroad simply exposes +our small detachments to be picked up in detail and forces me to +make countermarches to protect lines of communication. I know I am +right in this, and shall proceed to its maturity." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 378.] He set to work to +organize the two armies in such force that Thomas should feel +content with his means of meeting Hood if the latter should not turn +back after the Georgia column. + +General Schofield had been feeling his way southward with Wagner's +and Morgan's divisions, and on the 19th Sherman ordered him to move +by the most direct route to Alpine, overtaking the column which was +marching on the west side of the Chattooga valley, as I was doing on +the east. Sherman added the direction to keep the command as it was +till they should meet in person. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 366.] This had +reference to his purposes in regard to myself and the Twenty-third +Corps, which have been mentioned. + +On the 21st Schofield's column reached Alpine, and he rode forward +to Sherman's headquarters at Gaylesville. I had gone up from my own +headquarters to make some report to Sherman, and was with him when +Schofield arrived. Our greeting was a warm one. The present +situation and what had occurred since the parting at Atlanta was of +course the first topic of conversation, and I had the keen pleasure +of hearing Sherman praise the handling of the corps during the past +months in much stronger terms than he had used to me alone. Then +followed the forecast of the future. Sherman put strongly his belief +that Hood would not cross the Tennessee above the Shoals, and his +purpose to march to Savannah as soon as the enemy should be +definitely committed to a movement across Alabama. He then touched +upon the details of organization, and referring to the fact that the +corps was weak in numbers and that it would be perhaps unpleasant +for Schofield to leave the command of his department for an +indefinite period, suggested that he should consent to the temporary +absence of the corps. Schofield very promptly replied that he should +prefer almost any alternative to the mere administrative work of the +department and its garrisons in East Tennessee and Kentucky. He said +that if Hood should not follow the southern movement, but should +turn his whole force upon Thomas with desperate purpose to drive him +out of Tennessee, another veteran corps, though a small one, might +make all the difference between defeat and victory. Sherman replied +that he would consider the whole matter carefully and adjourned the +discussion, requesting that Schofield should confer fully with me. + +We continued the conference at the corps headquarters, and I agreed +with General Schofield that no military duty was so little +attractive as the perplexing semi-political administration at the +rear, adding that till the war ended I desired to be with the +biggest and most active column in the west. I frankly said that it +was this consideration that made with me the great attraction of the +arrangement Sherman had suggested. Schofield expressed the strong +conviction that Hood would not follow Sherman, and that in middle +Tennessee the real fighting must be done. He had no idea of putting +the corps in garrison anywhere, but felt sure that Thomas must +concentrate everything he might have for most active field work, and +that in strictest military sense our task, if we were there, would +be not less important or less honorable than that of our comrades +who marched eastward. It would, besides, give us the opportunity to +fill up the corps with the new regiments that were coming forward, +when otherwise, with the expiration of the term of some we had and +the casualties of a new campaign, we should probably find it reduced +to a single division. Schofield's clearly expressed purpose to seek +the most active field work with Thomas in a campaign against Hood's +army if we went back to middle Tennessee brought me to agreement +with his views, and I promised to support them in my next interview +with General Sherman, as I did. I still look back with pleasure to +this incident as proof of the hearty comradeship between Sherman and +his subordinates, which continued to be shown toward me by both him +and Schofield to the end. [Footnote: My memory is supported, in this +matter, by home letters written at the time.] + +Sherman postponed his decision till he was quite sure what course +Hood would take, for the latter was concentrating his army at +Gadsden and having a conference with Beauregard on the day of the +interviews on our side which I have narrated. After agreeing with +his immediate superior upon the plan of entering Tennessee at or +near Guntersville, Hood started on the morning of the 22d, but in +accordance with confidential directions he gave his corps +commanders, his column changed direction at Benettsville, taking the +Decatur road, which there branched to the left and forced the +marching westward. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. +pp. 831, 835, 81, 843.] The gloss which he afterward put on the +matter was that he changed his plan in consequence of information +that Forrest could not join him as he expected. [Footnote: Advance +and Retreat, p. 20.] This does not bear examination. Forrest was, +under the orders of General Taylor, preparing a raid into western +Tennessee to bring out all the supplies that country contained and +to break up the railway to Memphis, sending the iron to repair the +road in the vicinity of Tuscumbia, where the base for the new +operations in middle Tennessee would be. On the 20th Hood had +himself informed Taylor of his purpose to cross at Guntersville, +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 835.] and +Wheeler's cavalry was relied upon to cover the movement till middle +Tennessee should be reached. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 845.] On the 22d +Taylor was directed to have Forrest open communication with Hood "by +letter or otherwise," and act for the time under his orders, +[Footnote: _Ibid._] but no immediate interference with what Forrest +was doing in western Tennessee was indicated. The only reasonable +interpretation of Hood's conduct is that when he faced the +consequences of a movement to Guntersville with Sherman at +Gaylesville ready to close the _cul de sac_ behind him, even his +audacity shrunk from the plan, and he proved the truth of Sherman's +prediction that he would not dare to do it. Beauregard explicitly +says that the change in Hood's plan was made after leaving Gadsden, +where it had been definitely arranged. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 662.] + +On our side several days were spent in watchful observation. I +returned to my division, Schofield resumed the command of the Army +of the Ohio, and the divisions he had led from Chattanooga joined +the Fourth and Fourteenth Corps, to which they belonged. [Footnote: +_Id._, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. 401, 402.] Thomas was informed that +the Fourth Corps would be sent back to him with about 5000 men from +other commands who were not quite in condition for the March to the +Sea, but who would be fit for post garrison. [Footnote: _Id._, p. +408.] Sherman's recommendations for promotions earned in the past +campaigns were made on the 24th, in urgent and explicit terms, +endorsing the approval expressed by the separate army commanders, +and saying that if the law did not allow the addition to the number +of general officers, he believed that "the exigencies of the country +would warrant the muster out of the same number of generals now on +the list that have not done service in the past year." We who were +thus recommended thought we had the right to feel that the terms of +approval used by such a commander gave a military standing hardly +less than the actual gift of a grade from the government. [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 413. See Appendix C for the language used by Sherman, and +for the recommendation of General Schofield.] + +On the 25th reports came from the light-draft gunboats patrolling +the Tennessee River that the enemy was making demonstrations at +several points below Guntersville, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxix. pt. iii. p. 436.] and next day Sherman ordered the Fourth +Corps to march to Chattanooga and report to General Thomas. He also +issued his order that "in the event of military movements or the +accidents of war separating him from his military division," Thomas +should "exercise command over all troops and garrisons not +absolutely in the presence of the general-in-chief." [Footnote: Id., +p. 442.] He pointed out to Thomas that Chattanooga and Decatur were +the points to be held "to the death;" that it would not be wise to +move into West Tennessee unless he knew that the enemy had followed +south, as he thought they would do when they found him starting from +Atlanta; and that when Thomas was ready for aggressive movements, +his line of operations should be against Selma. [Footnote: Id., pp. +448, 449.] + +On the 27th of October Schofield wrote to Sherman, giving details of +the reduction in numbers of the divisions of the corps now in the +field, and renewing his urgency for some arrangement to increase its +force. [Footnote: Id., p. 468.] The news from the west now made it +certain that Hood was before Decatur, and Sherman issued orders on +the 28th for the army to march to Rome. His purpose in this was +double. He would try the effect on the enemy of the apparent start +toward the east, whilst he concentrated his army on the railroad +which was now repaired and which gave him the means of rapidly +reinforcing General Thomas to any extent that might become +necessary. He informed Halleck that he had sent the Fourth Corps +back and that he might send ours also, though he still thought it +probable that his movement on Macon would make Hood "let go." He +urged the hastening of reinforcements to Thomas. Rosecrans promised +to send General A. J. Smith with his two divisions back from +Missouri, and Sherman only waited to get his sick and wounded to the +rear, and to accumulate at Atlanta the supplies he reckoned it +necessary to take with him. His determination to send us back to +join the Fourth Corps was shown by his confidential dispatch to +Colonel Beckwith, his chief commissary, that he might reduce his +estimates for rations to enough for 50,000 men to go south. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. 476, 477.] + +Our orders to march came at noon, and we started at once, with the +information that from Rome we should go back to Tennessee. +[Footnote: Id., pt. i. p. 793.] In the evening of the same day +Sherman definitely advised Thomas of his decision to send Schofield +to him, and the outline of the arrangements for the new campaign was +completed. [Footnote: Id., pt. iii. p. 484.] General R. S. Granger +went with reinforcements to the aid of Colonel Doolittle, who +commanded the post at Decatur, and that place was held against Hood, +who was too short of supplies to delay long. He hastened on to +Tuscumbia, where his new base was established, and where he halted +to collect the means for the invasion of Tennessee, near the great +bend of the river. He first gave orders to lay his pontoons at +Bainbridge, at the foot of Muscle Shoals, the place named by Sherman +as his probable crossing; but the lack of supplies and the desire +for better preparation prevented, and he moved on, reaching +Tuscumbia on the 30th. [Footnote: Id., p. 866.] + +Our march to Rome was lengthened by our taking the right, leaving +the more direct roads for other parts of the army. We crossed the +Coosa, following the road to Jacksonville for five miles, and then +turned east on the so-called river road. This, however, proved +impassable, and, next morning, we were obliged to retrace our steps +to the Jacksonville road, and going an hour's march on it reach the +road from Centre to Cave Spring, which we followed to the latter +place, which takes its name from a remarkable spring breaking out +beneath a mountain, a considerable brook at once. Some sixty feet up +the hill-side is the mouth of a cave at the bottom of which is the +underground stream, which finds its way out by another fissure. The +village was the rendezvous where Beauregard overtook Hood on the +evening of the 9th of October, and held their first consultation in +regard to the campaign. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. +i. p. 796.] It was a pretty place which had not suffered the ravages +of war; the situation was a lovely one, and there were there a +public Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and some other public buildings. +Our countermarch had lengthened the day's journey to twenty-two +miles. + +On the 30th my division marched to Rome and encamped on the Calhoun +road, two or three miles northeast of the town. At Rome I made my +farewell visit to General Sherman at his headquarters. He talked +freely of his plans to the group of officers who were present, and +in the final hand-shaking with me said that Hood had now put so +large a space between them that the March to the Sea could not be +interfered with, and that whatever hard fighting was to come in the +campaign would fall to the lot of us who were going back to middle +Tennessee. [Footnote: The fullest resume of Sherman's views when on +the point of starting is found in his letter to Grant of November +eth. Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. 658-661.] Our +movement northward was through Calhoun and Resaca to Tilton, where +we were to take railway trains for Nashville; but the rolling stock +was overtasked in the rush of work to complete Sherman's +preparations, and we marched on to Dalton. An autumnal rainstorm had +come on, and though we had good camping ground, our impatience at +the delay made our stay of three or four days at the ruined village +anything but pleasant. On the 3d of November I noted in my +pocket-diary that it was one of those rainy, gusty days "when the +smoke from the camp-fire fills your eyes whichever side of the fire +you get." As we had gone northward we met large numbers of officers +and men who had been on leave, and who were now hurrying to join +their commands. Two of my own staff rejoined us in this way, and a +brand-new brass band that had been recruited for Casement's brigade +came also, making that command proud as peacocks for a while. + +Our stay at Dalton gave me the opportunity in the intervals of the +storm to ride out and carefully examine the positions the enemy had +held at the beginning of May. In the progress of an active campaign +the soldier rarely has an opportunity to make such an examination of +fortified positions out of which the enemy has been manoeuvred, and +I had eagerly seized every chance to do this interesting and +instructive work as we had come back through our lines about +Marietta and Allatoona. Here at Dalton Johnston's positions had been +plainly impregnable, and I congratulated myself that my division had +not been ordered to assault them when we made our reconnoissance in +force, before Sherman began the turning movement through Snake Creek +Gap. + +Whilst waiting for our railway trains we heard of Hood's +demonstration at Decatur, and of his repulse and his march toward +Florence. We knew that he had not yet crossed the Tennessee, and +that our delay was not causing embarrassment to General Thomas at +Nashville. I got one of my brigades away on November 6th, and the +others on the 7th, going with Casement's, which was the last. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. 655, 673.] As +we ran into Chattanooga, we were all alert to see the place which +had become of such historical importance, for we had advanced into +Georgia in the spring by roads far to the east, and I had never +visited it. We reached the town just as the sun was setting and the +long storm was breaking. My headquarters were in a freight car, and +with the side doors slid wide open, we sat on our camp-stools in the +doorway watching our progress. Fort Phelps on its isolated hill +stood up black and sharp against the western sky, which was +gray-clouded, with a long rift, blood red where the sun was breaking +through, whilst still further to the left the huge shoulder of +Lookout Mountain threw its deep shadows over the landscape. From the +other side a fine reach of the Tennessee River opened before us, +backed by the mountainous ridges on the north, gleaming in the level +sunlight. + +We did not leave our train, but after a short delay started again +for Nashville. The crowded state of the road made frequent halts +necessary, and when day broke we had made only eight miles. As we +ran between the high hills, they were in their most gorgeous autumn +dress; and, free from care, we enjoyed it all as a holiday outing, +calling each other's attention to every new combination of mountain +and river, and of changing schemes of brilliant color. It was the +Presidential election-day, and in accordance with the provisions of +the statutes, we opened the polls in my box car, and the officers +and men voted at the halts of the train when they could get to the +voting place. Colonel Doolittle of the Eighteenth Michigan, +commandant of the post at Decatur, joined us at Stevenson, coming +into my car to vote. From him we learned the details of Hood's +attempt upon the Decatur post, and got interesting news, throwing +light upon the situation before us. At my invitation he remained +with us till we reached Nashville, and the acquaintance thus formed +led to an arrangement for his temporary service with me after the +battle of Franklin. As I wrote home, we voted by steam for "A. +Linkum," seeing the end of the war manifestly approaching. The +election for Ohio State officers had occurred in October when we +were on the march after Hood, and at a noon halt we turned an +ambulance into a polling booth in a grove on the banks of the Etowah +River, where I voted with one of the Ohio regiments. + +Our little October campaign had been a good example of what soldiers +regard as pleasant work. There had been constant activity, with no +severe fighting, and the weather had been, for the most part, +magnificent. The rains had ceased at the end of the first week of +the month, and from that time till we halted from our chase on the +banks of the Coosa in the edge of Alabama we had a succession of +bright, cool days, and comfortable nights. It had been like a hunt +for big game on a grand scale, with excitement enough to keep +everybody keyed up to a high pitch of physical enjoyment, ready for +every call to bodily exertion. The foliage was ripening and changing +in the equable autumnal airs without frost, and the results were +often very surprising and very beautiful. The gum-tree [Footnote: +Liquidambar Styraciflua.] is very common in the open fields of that +part of Georgia, and each fine rounded mass had its own special +tint, bright crimson, green-bronze, maroon, or pure green; and when +a camp-fire was lighted in a grove of such trees the evening effect +was a thing to remember for a lifetime. The regimental camps were +all alive with diversions of different sorts from the time of the +halt at the end of a march till tattoo sounded. Each had its trained +pet animals, and the soldiers exhausted their skill and patience in +teaching these varied tricks. One regiment had a pair of +bull-terrier dogs that played a game which never failed to amuse. At +a signal one of the dogs would seize a firebrand by the unburnt end +and start off on a run through the camp; the other would follow at +speed, trying to trip up the first, to collar him or push him over, +and so force him to drop the brand. The second would then grasp it +and the chase would be renewed, doubling in and out, over logs, or +through a group of lounging men, scattering them right and left, the +yelp of the chasing dog accompanying the blazing meteor as it cut +odd figures in the darkness, and the shouting laughter of the men +encouraging the dogs to new efforts to outdo each other. The +intelligence of the dogs in playing the game with apparent +recklessness, yet without getting burnt, was something wonderful. + +I had myself an interesting experience with a beautiful little +creature. Coming one day suddenly into my tent, I surprised a little +gold and green lizard on my camp desk. The desk was a small portable +one, with lid falling to make the writing-table, set on a trestle, +and my appearance scared the little animal into a pigeon-hole, which +it took for a way of escape. I sat down on my camp stool in front of +the desk, and resumed my writing, watching, also, to see what my +prisoner would do. Its little jewel eyes shone in the recess of its +prison cell, and soon it cautiously came to the front; but the first +move of my hand toward it made it dodge back into the darkness. Two +or three times this was done, and I got no nearer to it; so I +changed my tactics. I placed my hand against the next pigeon-hole, +extending one finger over the occupied one, and waiting in perfect +quiet for a few moments, my beauty came slowly forward over the +paper files to the mouth of the pigeon-hole near my finger. With +great caution and gentleness I stroked its head and it remained +quiet. A few more strokes and it seemed pleased and rapidly grew +tame. It ceased to be afraid of my motions, and did not try to get +away. At intervals, as I sat, the acquaintance was renewed, and the +little thing seemed to become fond of me, running about on my +papers, climbing my arm to my shoulder, and running back to its home +if any one entered the tent. In short, I had followed the example of +the private soldiers and had a pet. When we marched I put it on my +hat rim as I mounted my horse, thinking it would soon leave me; but +it did not. It sat on my hat-crown like a most gorgeous aigrette, or +took a little tour around the hat-band or down on my shoulders. I +forgot it when busy, but it stayed by, and at the end of a march, +when my tent was pitched again and my desk in the usual place, it +resumed its home there and thrived on the flies it caught. It was +with me for some weeks and became known at headquarters as an +attache of the staff. The day we followed Hood westward from Resaca +through Snake Creek Gap, I had dismounted, and was talking with +General Whitaker, commanding a brigade in the Fourth Corps, whose +men with mine were cutting out the timber blockade in the Gap. I had +no thought of my lizard, but one of his orderlies caught sight of it +on my shoulder. With the common prejudice among the soldiers that +the harmless thing was a deadly poisonous reptile, he stood a moment +staring and half transfixed, thinking me in deadly peril. Then, with +a jump, he struck it off my shoulder with his open hand, and stamped +it dead with his heavy boot heel, sure he had saved my life. But +when one of my attendants exclaimed reproachfully, "There, you've +killed the general's pet," the poor fellow slunk away, the picture +of shame and remorse. Pets were sacred by the law of the camp, and +he felt and looked as if he were a murderer. No doubt he was also +stupefied at the idea that such a thing could be a pet, but in the +matter of pets, as in some other things, he bowed to the law, "His +not to reason why!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +NASHVILLE CAMPAIGN--HOOD'S ADVANCE FROM THE TENNESSEE + + +Schofield to command the army assembled at Pulaski--Forrest's +Tennessee River raid--Schofield at Johnsonville--My division at +Thompson's--Hastening reinforcements to Thomas--Columbia--The +barrens--Pulaski--Hood delays--Suggests Purdy as a base--He advances +from Florence--Our march to Columbia-Thomas's distribution of the +forces--Decatur evacuated--Pontoon bridge there--Withdrawing from +Columbia--Posts between Nashville and Chattanooga--The cavalry on +29th November--Their loss of touch with the army. + + +Our railway train reached Nashville in the forenoon of Wednesday the +9th of November, and I at once visited General Schofield to report +my arrival and get further orders. He had himself reported to +General Thomas by telegraph when we reached Calhoun on the last day +of October, and Pulaski, eighty miles south of Nashville, had been +given as the rendezvous for our corps with the Fourth. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 538.] Thomas was taking a +cheerful view of the situation now that the Twenty-third Corps had +been ordered to him, and on the 3d of November, in giving Sherman an +outline of the progress of events, said that if Beauregard "does not +move before Sunday (6th), I will have Schofield and Stanley together +at Pulaski, and he can then move whenever he pleases." [Footnote: +Id., p. 618.] Schofield got part of Cooper's division off on +Thursday, with arrangements for the rest to follow, and took the +railway train himself next day. Thomas's plans then were to send the +troops through Nashville without stopping, but he asked Schofield to +stop for a short consultation. [Footnote: Id., p. 624.] Without +waiting for this, however, he issued his order on Friday, assigning +Schofield to command the troops assembling at Pulaski to operate in +front of that place. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxiv. pt. +iii. p. 638.] This was a graceful act toward an officer of his own +grade as a department commander, when as yet it was an open question +whether the assignment by the President to command a department and +army in the field gave precedence over officers in other +organizations, senior in date of commission, but not so assigned. +[Footnote: The matter has been decided in the affirmation by the War +department and the decision had been transmitted in Halleck's letter +to Sherman dated October 4th, but the interruption of communications +had prevented its reaching Sherman for some time, and Thomas had not +received it when he made the order. For the whole discussion and +correspondence, see _Id_., vol. xxxviii. pt. v. pp. 734, 753, 797; +vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. 64, 638, 666, 684, 685, 691, 692, 703, 704; +vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 959.] + +When Schofield reached Nashville on the 5th, he found Thomas busy +with a new problem. Forrest had set for him by his raid down the +Tennessee valley on the west side. A gunboat had been captured, and +demonstrations opposite Johnsonville by the raiders had been +followed by the unnecessary destruction of a fleet of transports, +three gunboats at the landing, and vast quantities of stores. +[Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxix. pt. i. p. 861, 864, 866.] The place +was the terminus of a railway from Nashville to the Tennessee River, +and was an intermediate depot of supplies in a low stage of water in +the rivers. At other times steamboats could ascend the Cumberland +all the way to Nashville. The exaggerated reports of the enemy's +force and apparent purpose to cross the river there made Thomas +think it wise to modify his plans for the moment, and he ordered +Schofield to proceed at once to Johnsonville with the two brigades +of the Twenty-third Corps then in hand, Moore's and Gallup's, +intending to concentrate the whole corps there as fast as they +should come from Georgia. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. +647.] + +As soon as Sherman could decipher Thomas's dispatches, he warned the +latter of the danger of a false move, as only Forrest's cavalry was +down the river, and Hood's army was known to be at Florence. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 647.] When +Schofield got to Johnsonville, he soon saw the real state of +affairs, and advised Thomas that the two brigades were enough. He +instructed General Cooper as to improving the defences of the town, +and returned to Nashville on the 7th. Next day he made a hurried +visit to Pulaski to examine the situation there, [Footnote: _Id_., +p. 708.] where was now the railway terminus of the line to Decatur, +the bridges and trestles about Athens having been destroyed by +Forrest in his September raid. He got back to Nashville before day +on the 9th, and was ready to meet me on my arrival there. From him I +got full information of the situation, and orders to take my +division to Columbia, where he expected to join me in two or three +days. + +Leaving Nashville in the afternoon, we learned on reaching Franklin +that a wreck on the railway near Spring Hill obstructed the track, +and our trains were halted till the way should be cleared. We had +made only twenty miles; the weather had changed again to a cold, +drenching rain. Thursday, the 10th, was clear and cold, and whilst +waiting for the railway to be open again, I made my first +acquaintance with the pretty village on the banks of the Harpeth in +which I was to feel a much more lively interest three weeks later. +As soon as the railway officials could put the trains in motion we +resumed our journey. Reilly's brigade gets to Spring Hill, half-way +to Columbia, but the insufficiency of siding at that place makes it +impracticable to handle all the trains there, and the rest of us are +stopped at Thompson's Station, three miles short. We leave the cars +and go into camp so as to release the trains for other work, whilst +we organize again for field operations, though our wagons had not +reached us. Strickland's brigade of Cooper's division has +accompanied us and is attached to my command temporarily. Some five +miles north of Columbia there is a break in the railway, and we are +delayed till it can be repaired and communication with Columbia +fully opened. The two or three days intervening are spent in getting +forward horses for the artillery, rations, and advance stores, so as +to become again a self-dependent unit of the army. We found the +country in this part of Tennessee richer and finer than any we had +campaigned in, much more open, with well-tilled farms. + +The news we got indicated that Forrest had joined Hood at Florence, +and that the enemy was preparing there for a forward movement. I +opened communication with the Fourth Corps at Pulaski, and was under +orders, to join them whenever an advance of Hood should make it +necessary. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. +748, 749.] On the 11th Sherman still inclined to the opinion that +Beauregard would order Hood to follow him, as soon as his southward +march should really begin. "I rather think you will find commotion +in his camp in a day or two," he said to Thomas; for his own +preparations were now complete, and his communications with the +North were to be cut next day. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 746.] The +humorous side of things struck him forcibly, and in giving to +Captain Poe, his engineer, directions to destroy the foundries, +workshops, and railway buildings at Atlanta, he had added, +"Beauregard still lingers about Florence, afraid to invade +Tennessee, and I think slightly disgusted because Sherman did not +follow him on his fool's errand." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 680.] The +irony fitted Hood better than Beauregard, for the latter had not +taken personal direction of the active army; but the relations +between the two Confederate generals were very imperfectly known to +us, and we naturally assumed that Beauregard was himself responsible +for the immediate conduct of the whole. + +The progress of the work of reinforcing Thomas was not quite as +rapid as it seemed. Grant had sent General Rawlins, his chief of +staff, from Petersburg to St. Louis to see that A. J. Smith's corps +went promptly forward from Rosecrans's department. Besides the 9000 +in Smith's immediate command, 5200 men were collected from posts on +the Mississippi and Ohio, and were put in motion toward Nashville. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 684.] Rawlins's +report on the 7th, that these were starting, was understood by +Thomas to apply to the whole of Smith's force, and he therefore +reckoned on their reaching him in a few days. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +685.] Rawlins in fact expected Smith's own divisions to leave St. +Louis on the 10th, but even this was much sooner than they reached +the river. The same news was sent to Sherman, and he expressed his +joy that these veteran reinforcements were on the way, and his +confidence that the enemy was now checkmated. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +686.] The result was a little over-confidence in all quarters, which +probably had its influence in making Thomas less energetic in +concentrating the troops available in Tennessee than he would have +been had he known that Smith's 9000 would not reach Nashville till +the last day of the month. [Footnote: See "Franklin and Nashville," +pp. 132 _et seq_.; "Battle of Franklin," pp. 40, 41.] + +On the 13th I marched to Columbia, and Schofield went in person to +Pulaski, where he assumed command. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxix. pt iii. pp. 764, 768.] Wooden pontoons were sent the same day +to Columbia for the crossing of the Duck River there, and the bridge +was completed at ten o'clock in the evening. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. +i. p. 795.] As the river was too high to ford, we had encamped on +the north side, in the tongue made by the horse-shoe bend to the +southward. We occupied the fine open wood on rolling ground, and +made ourselves as well acquainted with the village and surrounding +country as time would allow. Columbia, on the south bank of the +river, had been a centre of education and refinement, and several +college buildings were there, surrounded by ample groves. The +neighborhood was the home of the Polks and the Pillows and other +people of national reputation, whose ample estates lay on the roads +diverging from the town. Between the village and the railway bridge +below the place was an isolated hill on which was an enclosed +redoubt, commanding the crossing. It was a strong position when +connected with sufficient forces near by, but too small and too +detached to have much independent value. + +Leaving Strickland's brigade as a garrison for the town, the rest of +my command marched next morning toward Pulaski, reaching Lynnville, +eighteen miles south of the river, where a road from Lawrenceburg +comes into the turnpike. I was pretty strong in artillery, having +five batteries, two of which properly belonged to the second +division. Ten miles south of Columbia we left the open country and +entered a hilly, forest-covered region, with cultivation only in the +narrow valleys of small streams. This high water-shed between the +Duck River and the Elk extends nearly all the way from the plateau +of the Cumberland westward to the Tennessee River, where it has made +its great bend to the north. It is known as the "barns" (barrens), +and is desolate enough. In many places one may travel for miles +without seeing a house. Wood-chopping and charcoal-burning for +smelting furnaces seemed to be the principal industry. + +On the 15th we continued our march in a heavy, cold rain to Pigeon +Creek, two miles north of Pulaski, making sixteen miles. General +Schofield met me there, and we examined the country westward some +three miles, our reconnoissance determining him to keep the division +at the turnpike crossing of the creek, where we accordingly +encamped. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 357.] It +had been confidently expected that Hood would march northward by the +time we could reach Pulaski, but he delayed, and it was a week later +before he really opened his new campaign. Various things combined to +give plausible reasons for his delay. He could not get the supply of +stores which he needed. The gap in his railroad from Cherokee to +Tuscumbia was not rebuilt. The weather was continuously cold with +heavy rains, and the roads going from bad to worse. The truth, no +doubt, was that Sherman's march southward had a most perplexing +effect, raising portentous problems as to its result upon the +Confederacy, and reducing Hood's own campaign to a secondary place +in the general progress of the war. Torn by doubts, he seemed +willing to find excuses for postponing action, hoping to see clearer +light on the future before committing himself to a decisive +movement. An interesting item in the discussion between the +Confederate generals was that Hood suggested Purdy as a better base +than Tuscumbia, and proposed to abandon the work of rebuilding the +railroad near that place. Purdy was some twenty-five miles north of +Corinth on the Mobile and Ohio Railway, and not far from the old +battlefield of Shiloh. Its landing-place on the Tennessee River was +nearly opposite Savannah, and it was there that Grant had stopped +his steamboat for a conference with General Lew Wallace on his way +to Pittsburg Landing the morning of the great battle. It is probable +that Hood thought it advantageous to take a line by which he might +avoid the risk of expeditions from Decatur, and could more safely +turn Schofield's position at Pulaski, by operating further from our +line of railroad and making it necessary for us either to retire +rapidly toward Nashville, or meet him so far from our supply line as +to be dependent, like himself, on wagon transportation. Beauregard +approved the change of base if made after the first stage of the +campaign should be complete, and planned a scheme of floating booms +armed with torpedoes to protect the pontoon bridge when it should be +laid there. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. pp. +900, 905; vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 1210.] The road from Savannah through +Waynesborough to Columbia was a turnpike, and would be safer for +wagon trains than that from Florence, because so much further from +posts on our railway. It would also be a better line of retreat in +case of disaster. The plan was not tried, because the withdrawal of +our forces from Decatur and Pulaski removed the dangers which Hood +apprehended, and made his communications secure. The rains raised +the river so much that the bridge laid at Florence was no longer +protected by its situation between Muscle Shoals above and Colbert +Shoals below, and the Confederates had reason to fear that it would +be destroyed by gunboats coming up the river. The navy had been +unfortunate in the destruction of gunboats at Johnsonville, but +Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee had been sent to take command of the river +fleets co-operating with Thomas, and was planning active work with +heavier vessels. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p. 734.] + +On the 14th the river had risen eighteen feet at Florence, and +Hood's bridge was with great difficulty kept in its place. +[Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 887.] The same day General +Wheeler informed him of Sherman's concentration at Atlanta, the +destruction of the railroad above, and the strong rumors of the +march on Augusta and Savannah. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1206.] Forrest +had not yet joined Hood, but did so in two days. Beauregard heard, +through Taylor, of the movement of reinforcements to Thomas from +Memphis and below, as well as of A. J. Smith's from St. Louis. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1208-1209.] On the 17th he got authentic news +of Sherman's start from Atlanta, and ordered Hood to "take the +offensive at the earliest practicable moment, and deal the enemy +rapid and vigorous blows, striking him while thus dispersed, and by +this means to distract Sherman's advance into Georgia." Hood replied +that he had only one third of the quantity of rations accumulated +which he needed for beginning the campaign. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 1215.] Beauregard himself left +Tuscumbia for Montgomery and Macon, giving Hood the choice either to +send part of his troops to Georgia or to take the offensive +immediately. Under this spur Hood gave orders for an advance on the +19th, but there was still some cause of delay, and Beauregard +reiterated, on the 20th, the peremptory order to "push an active +offensive immediately." Next day all were in motion, and Hood issued +a brief address to his troops, saying, "You march to-day to redeem +by your valor and your arms one of the fairest portions of our +Confederacy." [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1220, 1225,1226,1236.] + +During the week we were at Pulaski the rain had made our camp +anything but a pleasant one, yet, as we were daily in expectation of +Hood's advance, we could do nothing to improve our shelter or the +means of warming our tents. The forests were near enough to furnish +us the fuel for rousing camp-fires, and we made the most of them. At +night I fastened back the flaps of my tent, and a blazing pile of +logs threw in heat enough to temper the cold, and one slept sweetly +in the fresh air as long as the wind was in the right direction. The +day Hood advanced the rain changed to snow, driving in flurries and +squalls all day. Marching orders for the 22d came in the evening, +and we prepared for an early start to Lynnville, for the enemy was +making for Columbia through Lawrenceburg, and we must anticipate +him. The night was a freezing one, the mud was frozen stiff on the +surface in the morning, making the worst possible marching for the +infantry, while the artillery and horses broke through the crust at +every step. Our only consolation was in the reflection that it was +as bad for Hood as for us. By getting off at break of day my +division reached Lynnville by noon, and took position on the north +and west of the village. Wagner's division of the Fourth Corps +followed and reported to me. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. +pt. i. pp. 974, 985.] I gave them positions on the south and west. +Schofield remained another day at Pulaski with two divisions of the +Fourth Corps, but joined me at noon of the 23d, and under his orders +I marched my division ten miles further north to the crossing of the +road from Mount Pleasant to Shelbyville. Starting at three, we +forced the pace a little, and went into position at six in the +twilight. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 357, 998.] The rest was a short one, +for we were off again at four in the morning, hastening the march +for Columbia in the cold and thick darkness. Schofield had learned +in the night that the cavalry on the Lawrenceburg road had been +driven back to Mount Pleasant, and that the advance of Hood's +infantry was at the former place. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 989.] There +was no time to lose if we were to reach Columbia in time to cover a +concentration there. At the two-mile post south of the town a +cross-road turns westward, leading into the Mount Pleasant turnpike +where it crosses Bigby Creek, three miles out from Duck River. I +turned the head of column upon this road, and reached the turnpike +just in time to interpose between Capron's brigade of cavalry +retreating into Columbia and the Confederates under Forrest who were +sharply following. The rest of our horse were covering the flank of +the Fourth Corps, which was on the march from Lynnville. It was +close work, all round. My men deployed at double-quick along the +bank of the creek, and after a brisk skirmish Forrest withdrew out +of range. The head of the Fourth Corps column came up about eleven +o'clock, having left Lynnville at three. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1017, +1018, 1020, 1021.] We naturally supposed Hood's infantry to be in +close support of the cavalry, but they were still at Lawrenceburg, +and learning that Forrest had been foiled in the effort to take +Columbia, did not advance beyond Mount Pleasant till the 26th, +though the cavalry made a vigorous reconnoissance on the 25th, +giving us another lively skirmish in which my division had some +fifteen casualties. My headquarters' tents were pitched in the +grounds of Mrs. Martin, a member of the Polk family. + +At Columbia we found General Ruger in command when we arrived. He +had been transferred from the Twentieth Corps, and ordered to ours +at the time we left Georgia, and Schofield had assigned him to the +second division. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxix. pt. iii. +pp. 661, 682, 700, 748.] He joined the two brigades at Johnsonville, +but at Schofield's request Thomas ordered him on the 20th to bring +one brigade (Moore's) to Columbia, where Strickland's of the same +division already was. The railroad from Johnsonville was broken by +some raiders on the 21st, so that Ruger was delayed, and only +reached Columbia himself in the afternoon of the 23d. Moore's +brigade did not arrive till half-past two o'clock of the morning of +the 24th. Under Thomas's orders he at once, upon his arrival, sent +two regiments of Strickland's brigade down Duck River to +Williamsport and Centreville to hold crossings there. It thus +happened that Strickland was left with only his own regiment +(Fiftieth Ohio), till, some new reinforcements coming forward, other +regiments were temporarily assigned to him. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. +xlv. pt. i. pp. 378, 955, 985, 999.] Until he reached Columbia, +therefore, Schofield did not know that Strickland had been +reinforced, and we all supposed that our safety depended on my +getting there before the enemy. + +Thomas also ordered General Cooper to march from Johnsonville on the +24th, with his own brigade, direct to Centerville and Beard's Ferry, +some fifty miles. There he would be in communication with the two +regiments sent down from Columbia to Williamsport, and he was put in +command of the whole. He was thirty miles from our principal column, +and posted his troops to observe the crossings through some fifteen +miles of the river's course. He arrived at Beard's Ferry on the +evening of the 28th, and was there only a day and a half, when our +retreat to Franklin made it necessary for him also to fall back. He +was beset by guerilla parties, so that he was almost without +communication with his commanders, and being thrown on his own +resources, made his way back to Nashville with a series of +adventures. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 370.] +Ruger's division was thus deprived of half its veteran troops at the +battle of Franklin. + +It must be noted also that it was not till the 24th that the troops +at Decatur and Huntsville were ordered back, the withdrawal being +made on the 25th. General R. S. Granger's old troops were then +placed at Stevenson, and those recently recruited were sent to +Murfreesborough. + +Granger reported that the public property, except some forage, had +been removed; but by what seems to have been a misunderstanding with +the naval officers about convoying transports, the pontoon bridge +was only detached at its southern end, and was neither taken up +stream nor destroyed. It swung with the current against the northern +shore, and proved of great use to Hood in his retreat a month later. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1003, 1027, 1046. See also "Franklin and +Nashville," p. 125.] The continued hope that A. J. Smith's corps +would arrive in time to reach Pulaski or Columbia before we should +have to retreat counted for much, no doubt, in Thomas's postponement +of decisive action; but it can hardly be disputed that the true +military course would have been to strip his garrisons to the bone +immediately after Sherman marched southward, concentrate at Pulaski +a force superior to Hood's, and give him battle if he dared to +advance north from Florence. [Footnote: For the forces on both sides +in Tennessee, see Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. pp. 52-54, +678-679; "Franklin and Nashville," pp. 132-136; "The Battle of +Franklin," pp. 9, 208. I discussed the same subject in "The Nation" +for Nov. 9, 1893, p. 352.] + +As it was too late for concentration at Duck River or south of it, +Schofield was limited to a careful defensive, though he was willing +to receive Hood's attack upon our lines. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 1017.] The latter, however, did no more +than keep up a combat of skirmish lines, whilst he looked for ways +to turn the position. Schofield, on his part, prepared a short +interior line to be held by part of his troops when it was time to +cross the river with the rest. In the night of the 25th this +movement was made, and for a couple of days more our forces were +divided, part holding the short line on the south side, and the +greater portion encamped in the bend on the north bank, closely +watching the development of the enemy's evident purpose to cross +some miles above us. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1039, 1086-1091.] + +The crossing of the river had been arranged for the early evening, +the Fourth Corps moving first into the short line on the south of +the river; and when this was done, I was to march two brigades of my +division through the lines and across the river to the north bank by +the pontoon bridge. There were delays in the change of position by +the Fourth Corps, and it was past midnight when I was notified that +they were in place and commenced my own movement. At that time a +rain-storm had set in which made our whole operation uncomfortable +in the wet and darkness, but especially the seeking a bivouac for +the troops after we got over the river. We halted the men and parked +the trains about a mile from the bridge at three o'clock. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 358.] I had a tent roughly pitched, and got a little +sleep, but was roused at daybreak by musket firing, which sounded as +if it were right among us. I sprang up with the feeling that I had +been caught napping in a double sense; but a little examination +showed that the enemy's pickets and our own were skirmishing on the +other side of the river. The Confederates had pushed in a +reconnoissance to find out what we had been at, and in the damp air +the sound of the firing on the opposite bank where the flank of our +new line rested was so loud and seemed so close that it had deceived +me. + +The remainder of our little army was brought over in the night of +the 27th, and on the 28th Forrest's cavalry was over the upper fords +of the river, pushing back our mounted troops and covering the +laying of a pontoon bridge at Davis's ford, five or six miles above +Columbia, where Hood's principal column of infantry crossed next +day. + +In the night of the 27th it occurred to General Thomas that Hood's +advance left the bridge at Florence open to an attack, and on the +next day he sent an officer to General Steedman, commanding at +Chattanooga, with the suggestion that the latter should throw his +force of 5000 men against Tuscumbia and destroy Hood's crossing of +the Tennessee. Steedman was to use the railroad to Decatur, taking +along the pontoons which Thomas supposed had been carried to +Chattanooga from Decatur two days before, and relaying that crossing +for the purposes of the expedition. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlv. pt. i. pp. 1100, 1125, 1126.] There seems to have been +hesitation in letting Thomas know that the Decatur pontoons had not +been brought away, and Steedman said he would take his infantry by +rail, send his cavalry by steamboat transports, and use these boats +to cross the troops instead of pontoons. On further reflection, +however, Thomas found that Hood's movement on the 28th to turn +Schofield's left made the plan too adventurous, and on the 29th he +revoked the order, directing Steedman to take his men to Cowan. +Strong posts were thus established at Murfreesborough, Stevenson, +and Cowan on the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga, under +the impression which Thomas retained till after the battle of +Franklin, that Hood would not advance on Nashville, but would march +toward one of the three places named. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlv. pt. i. pp. 1159, 1160.] + +A concentration in force at Decatur two weeks earlier, and an +advance toward Tuscumbia, would have had much to recommend it, and +it would perhaps have been the surest way to defend the line of the +Tennessee; but it was now too late for that, as it was also too late +to affect Hood's determination to seek an early battle with +Schofield. Despite his hesitation to leave Florence and Tuscumbia, +and his plea that his supplies were insufficient, Hood had found on +reaching Mount Pleasant that he could live on the country, and +telegraphed Beauregard that he found food enough and anticipated no +further trouble on that score,--a confession that he might have +advanced at the beginning of the month. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1245, +1254.] If Steedman had made the expedition, therefore, it would not +have brought Hood back, and would only have wasted a strong division +in a useless collateral operation. The scattering of 20,000 men +along the Chattanooga route, "in small packages" (to use Napoleon's +phrase), cannot be regarded as sound, though Steedman was more +available at Cowan than at Chattanooga, and he got to Nashville "by +the skin of his teeth" when the battle of Franklin proved that the +enemy was aiming at that place, and made Thomas see the desirability +of greater concentration. [Footnote: Thomas's order to Steedman to +bring his troops from Cowan to Nashville was dated at 5.35 P. M. of +the 30th, and his forces arrived, part on the 1st and part on the 2d +of December, the last of the trains being attacked by the enemy five +miles out of Nashville. _Id_., pp. 503, 1190.] He then ordered +Steedman to bring his division to Nashville; but Rousseau, with +Milroy's and Granger's commands, were still left at Murfreesborough +and beyond. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1153.] + +I have already told the story of the march to Franklin, and the +fierce battle at that place, in the Scribner Series, "March to the +Sea; Franklin and Nashville," and in "The Battle of Franklin," and +will not repeat it here. The effect of the belief that Hood would +march eastward toward Murfreesborough had, however, so strong an +influence upon General Wilson, the cavalry commander, that it is +instructive to trace it in his dispatches. It seems to have been the +cause of the loss of touch with our infantry during that important +movement. + +In the middle of the night of the 28th Wilson had reason to think +that two divisions (Buford's and Jackson's) of Forrest's cavalry +were north of Duck River upon the Lewisburg and Franklin turnpike, +about Rally Hill, the rest of Hood's army on the Columbia and +Shelbyville road in rear. They had driven our own horse away from +the river, and the best Wilson had been able to do was to +concentrate his troops about Hurt's Cross-roads, some miles further +north on the same road. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. +i. p. 1143.] His communication with Schofield was through Spring +Hill by a cross-road, and by that route he sent a report at three +o'clock in the morning of the 29th. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] He then had +information that the enemy were laying pontoon bridges for the +infantry, though the place was not accurately fixed. He thought it +very clear that they were aiming for Franklin by the turnpike he was +on, and said he would stay on that road and hold them back as much +as he could. He indicated Spring Hill or Thompson's Station as the +points on the Columbia turnpike where cross-roads would bring +Schofield's couriers to him, and said he would try to get no further +back than the Ridge meeting-house, due east from Thompson's Station. +There he would leave the turnpike and take a still more eastern +course toward Nolensville. He closed the dispatch with, "Get back to +Franklin without delay, leaving a small force to detain the enemy. +The rebels will move by this road toward that point." [Footnote: +_Ibid_.] + +These positions will be understood if we note that the Lewisburg and +Franklin turnpike is some twelve miles in a direct line east of that +from Columbia to Franklin where they cross the river, and that these +roads converge toward the last-named place twenty-three miles north. +Nolensville is about twelve miles northeast of Franklin and +considerably nearer Nashville. As one goes north on the Lewisburg +turnpike, after passing Rally Hill and Hurt's Cross-roads, the next +important crossing is at Mount Carmel, where the road from Spring +Hill to Murfreesboro intersects the turnpike. Three miles still +further on, a road from Thompson's Station is crossed at the +so-called Ridge meeting-house. All these cross-roads gave the means +of regaining touch with Schofield's main column; but the cavalry +commander was so dominated by the belief that Forrest was making +directly for Nashville by roads still further east, that he proposed +neither to join the infantry by the cross-roads, nor to adhere to +the converging one leading to Franklin, but would go to Nolensville. +The imperative form of his suggestion to his commanding officer to +"get back" shows not only the force of this mental preoccupation, +but a forgetfulness that Schofield might have other information and +be under a necessity of forming other plans for the day's operations +to which the cavalry must be subordinate. + +The whole of Hood's force had not crossed the river, but two thirds +of Lee's corps and nearly all the artillery were still in Columbia, +and made their presence known by a vigorous cannonade in the early +morning of the 29th. The enemy's infantry was not marching to the +Lewisburg turnpike, but was seen making for Spring Hill by roads +five miles east of Columbia, and Forrest was in touch with their +right flank. Schofield, under orders from Thomas, was obstructing +the lower fords of the river, and trying to get orders through to +General Cooper, directing him to concentrate his forces and retire +from Centerville. The concentration of our cavalry had been so +complete that when it took an independent line of retreat it ceased, +for the time, to be any efficient part of Schofield's forces, and +left him without cover for his flank or means of rapid +reconnoissance. For conclusive reasons he held during the day of the +29th the line from Spring Hill to the Duck River; but after ten +o'clock in the morning Wilson was wholly out of the game, looking +off to the east for Forrest, who had gone west from Hurt's +Cross-roads and Mount Carmel to attack our infantry at Spring Hill. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. pp. 1144, 753, 769.] + +At noon, north of the Ridge church and the road to Thompson's +Station, Wilson was still of the opinion that the whole of the +enemy's cavalry had gone to Nashville by eastern roads through +Peytonsville, Triune, and Nolensville. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1144.] +At two in the afternoon he repeated the same opinion in a dispatch +to Thomas, although he had heard heavy artillery firing in the +direction of Spring Hill since eleven o'clock. He warned Thomas to +look out for Forrest at Nashville by next day noon, but promised to +be there himself before or very soon after he should make his +appearance. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1146.] At four o'clock he was four +miles east of Franklin, still looking toward Nolensville for the +enemy, who had "disappeared," and still of the opinion that Forrest +had turned his left flank before he left Hurt's Cross-roads in the +morning. The heavy firing he had heard all day had, however, +awakened solicitude for Schofield. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1145.] After +nightfall he sent a scout back on the road he had travelled, nearly +to the Ridge meeting-house, where was found a cavalry picket of the +enemy, and a large camp was said to be discovered near by,--probably +the light of the camp-fires at Thompson's Station, where they were +still burning when Schofield placed Ruger's division there in the +evening. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 342.] At ten o'clock Wilson had +concluded that it was "probable that a part of the enemy's cavalry +this afternoon aimed to strike your rear or flank at Thompson's +Station," as he wrote to Schofield, and had marched a mile and a +half toward Franklin, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. +p. 342.] where at the Matthews house his headquarters remained next +day, when connection with the army had again been made. Nothing more +than scouting parties and patrols from Forrest's column had gone +north of Mount Carmel during the day. The adventures of the march +had emphasized the danger that a preconceived opinion of +probabilities may make an officer misinterpret such real facts as he +may learn, or let very slight evidence take the place of thorough +knowledge got by bold contact with the enemy. The experience also +teaches how sure mischiefs are to follow the forgetfulness of the +principle that, in such operations, it is the primary duty of the +cavalry to keep in touch with the main body of the army, and where +orders from the commanding general may be promptly received and +acted on. Schofield, in fact, had no communication with his cavalry +during the whole day, and none of Wilson's messages had reached him +after the retreat from Hurt's Cross-roads began. [Footnote: _Id_., +p. 343.] + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +NASHVILLE--HOOD'S ARMY ROUTED + + +Defensive works of Nashville--Hood's lines--The ice +blockade--Halleck on remounts for cavalry--Pressing horses and its +abuse--The cavalry problem--Changes in organization--Assignment of +General Couch--Confederate cavalry at Nashville--Counter-movements +of our own--Detailed movements of our right--Difference of +recollection between Schofield and Wilson--The field +dispatches--Carrying Hood's works--Confederate rout. + + +At Nashville, when we reached there on the 1st of December, after +the battle of Franklin, we were left for a couple of days in +bivouac. The city had been covered by a line of interior earthworks, +suitable for a moderate garrison, with strong forts on commanding +hills. The Cumberland River, in its general course from east to +west, partially encloses the town on north and west by one of its +bends, and the Chattanooga Railroad runs out of the place not far +from the river, passing under St. Cloud Hill, on which was Fort +Negley, one of the strongest of the defensive works. Southwest of +this, about eight hundred yards, was the Casino block-house on a +still higher eminence, and some five hundred yards northwest of the +Casino was Fort Morton, on a summit connected with the other. My +division was assigned to the line including these forts, which +formed the strong southern salient of the original city defences. +Other troops of our corps continued the line on my left to the +river, and Steedman's division was placed in advance of the left, +along Brown's Creek, which was crossed by the Murfreesborough +turnpike. From Fort Morton the original works continued +northwestwardly, skirting the city to the Hyde's Ferry turnpike. +[Footnote: Official Atlas, pl. lxxiii.] But the army now collected +needed more room, and instead of turning back at the Casino the line +was continued southwest till it reached a prominent hill near the +Hillsborough turnpike. There it turned to the northwest, following a +succession of hilltops to the river, enclosing the whole of the bend +in which the city was. The Fourth Corps occupied the part of the +line next to us on the right, and General A. J. Smith's detachment +of the Army of the Tennessee was on the right of all. Until the eve +of the battle of Nashville the cavalry were concentrated at +Edgefield, on the north side of the Cumberland. + +Hood had followed us up promptly from Franklin, and established his +lines nearly parallel to ours on our centre and left, though they +were shorter in extent, and a wide space near the river on our right +was only occupied by his cavalry. In my own immediate front, looking +down from the Casino block-house, were the Nolensville and Franklin +turnpikes with the Alabama Railroad, along which we had retreated. +Near my right was the Middle Franklin turnpike, which goes +southward, a mile or two distant from the main road, into which it +comes again below Brentwood. It is known locally as the Granny White +pike. My headquarters were in rear of Fort Morton, at the dwelling +of Mrs. Bilbo, a large house with a pillared portico the full height +of the front. We had two rooms in the house for our clerical work, +and pitched our tents in the dooryard. A short walk along the ridge +led to the Casino, from which was a fine outlook southward and +eastward. + +During the time of the ice blockade from the 9th of December to the +13th, the slopes in front of the lines were a continuous glare of +ice, so that movements away from the roads and broken paths could be +made only with the greatest difficulty and at a snail's pace. Men +and horses were seen falling whenever they attempted to move across +country. A man slipping on the hillside had no choice but to sit +down and slide to the bottom, and groups of men in the forts and +lines found constant entertainment in watching these mishaps. There +had been a mingling of snow and sleet with the rain which began on +the 8th, and this compacted into a solid ice sheet. On a level +country it would have caused much less trouble, but on the hills and +rolling country about Nashville manoeuvres were out of the question +for nearly a week. + +The dissatisfaction of General Grant with the delay in taking the +aggressive had begun with the withdrawal from Franklin on the 1st. +Objections to waiting for new supplies of cavalry horses were not +peculiar to this campaign. The waste of animals had been a constant +source of complaint through the whole war. On the 5th Halleck made a +report to Grant that 22,000 new cavalry horses had been issued at +the posts where Thomas's forces were equipping, since September +20th. This was exclusive of those used in Kentucky or sent to +Sherman. "If this number," he said, "without any campaign is already +reduced to 10,000 mounted men, as reported by General Wilson, it may +be safely assumed that the cavalry of that army will never be +mounted, for the destruction of horses in the last two months has +there alone been equal to the remounts obtained from the entire +west." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 55.] It was +on this report that Stanton's famous dispatch was based, "If he +waits for Wilson to get ready, Gabriel will be blowing his last +horn." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 84.] Halleck repeated the same in +substance to Thomas, adding, "Moreover, you will soon be in the same +condition that Rosecrans was last year,--with so many animals that +you cannot feed them. Reports already come in of a scarcity of +forage." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 114.] Yet, to remove as far as +possible the causes of delay, Grant directed mounted men from +Missouri to be sent to Nashville, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlv. pt. ii. p. 130.] and even the "pressing" of horses in Kentucky +was permitted, sure as it was to be abused in practice. This soon +brought protests from the leading loyal men of Louisville. Mr. Speed +(U. S. Attorney-General) and Mr. Ballard (afterward Judge of the U. +S. Courts) telegraphed Mr. Stanton, "Loaded country wagons with +produce for market are left in the road; milk-carts, drays, and +butchers' wagons are left in the street--their horses seized." +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 139.] Indeed, from the very beginning of the +war, the cavalry problem had been an insoluble one. Raw recruits +could not be made to take proper care of horses, to groom them, to +ride them with judgment, or to save their strength. We campaigned in +regions where forage was scarce and where it could not be brought up +from the rear. A big cavalry force would starve when not moving, yet +exaggerated reports of the enemy's mounted troops made a constant +clamor for more. [Footnote: An interesting contribution to the +practical discussion of the subject is found in Sherman's letter to +General Meigs, Quartermaster-General from Savannah, December 25th, +ending with, "If my cavalry cannot remount itself in the country, it +may go afoot." (Official Records, vol. xliv. p. 807.) For the +discussion of it in Rosecrans's campaign of '63, see _ante_, chap, +xxiii. See also Official Records, vol. xxiii. pt. ii. pp. 300, 320.] +The attempts to use them in large bodies were rarely successful, and +the more modest duties of outpost and patrol in connection with the +infantry columns were distasteful. All this knowledge, combined with +the special causes of impatience now existing, gave to Grant's +dispatches a more and more urgent tone, leading up to the "Delay no +longer" of the 11th. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 70, 97, +143.] To judge fairly the attitude of both Grant and Thomas, this +must not be overlooked, whilst we must also remember that the new +element of the icy covering of the earth in the immediate vicinity +of Nashville was so exceptional that it was not appreciated or fully +understood at the East. + +The halt at Nashville was the occasion for some temporary changes in +the organization of my division. Colonel Henderson had not fully +recovered from the ill-health which had interrupted the command of +his brigade, and having obtained a leave of absence to go home for a +few weeks, the command of this brigade remained with Colonel Stiles. +General Reilly also found the need of recuperation and was granted a +short leave. It happened that Colonel Doolittle, who had +distinguished himself in command of the post at Decatur, had got +back from a short absence, and reached Nashville after +communications with Murfreesborough were interrupted. Not being able +to join his proper command, I was glad to make arrangements to give +him temporary service with me and to renew the pleasant acquaintance +made on our journey from Georgia. He acted as chief of staff for a +few days till Reilly left, and I then assigned him to command +Reilly's brigade, where there was no officer of sufficient +experience. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 86, +187.] + +Another change which occurred was among the general officers, and +strongly illustrated the chafing likely to arise under such +circumstances. In pursuance of a policy before mentioned, the War +Department was bringing pressure to bear upon officers to make them +accept any active service suitable to their rank, or resign and +leave room for promotions for others, since Congress refused to +enlarge the number of general officers. Major-General Darius N. +Couch had been, during the war, hitherto connected with the Army of +the Potomac, but had drifted out of active service and was "waiting +orders." Grant had suggested that he be sent to command the district +of Kentucky, relieving Burbridge, whose administration was not +satisfactory to the General-in-Chief. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 16,28.] +But political influences at Washington did not favor this change, +and Couch was ordered to report to General Thomas for duty, and by +him was sent to the Fourth Corps to report to General Stanley. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 58.] The latter +was just going on "sick leave" on account of his wound received at +Franklin, and without being assigned to any division, Couch, by +rank, assumed temporary command of the corps in the absence of the +regularly assigned commandant. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 72.] The +immediate result of this was to supersede Brigadier-General Wood, +who had been second in rank in the corps through the year, and was +one of the oldest officers in the Army of the Cumberland. In the +rearrangement of divisions when the temporary command would cease, +it would displace General Kimball, who was also one of the most +experienced brigadiers, and would reduce him to a brigade. The +dissatisfaction thus caused in Thomas's own department made him +transfer the problem to Schofield and the Army of the Ohio. Thomas +proposed to Couch to take a division, therefore, in the Twenty-third +Corps. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] Schofield was induced to consent to this, +as it was accompanied by an arrangement for the speedy organization +of a division of new troops, to which General Ruger could be +assigned whilst Couch should take that which Ruger now commanded. +When the new scheme was laid before Couch, he replied with dignity +that he would readily serve where he was ordered, but could not, of +his own election, take a position that would throw him into a lesser +command. The formal orders making the changes were then issued. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 86, 103, 104.] We had two good brigadiers in +our corps, who had recently proved their capacity to take the new +division,--Reilly, who had been distinguished in the battle of +Franklin, and Cooper, who had conducted his brigade by a most +perilous and circuitous retreat from Centerville to Nashville; +[Footnote: "Battle of Franklin," chap. vii. and p. 206.] but the +commissions of these dated only from the taking of Atlanta, and +being juniors on the list of general officers, their claims to the +larger command were not considered very strong. + +My own position was the one most affected by the advent of a senior +in rank into the corps. I had been senior of the division commanders +in East Tennessee as well as in the Atlanta campaign, and actually +in command of the corps in the absence of its regular chief or his +assumption of still wider duties. As second in rank, one is +necessarily in confidential possession of much knowledge which he +would not otherwise have, for the possibility that accidents of the +campaign may throw the larger command upon him requires that he +should have the means of judgment and action in such an event. He is +therefore in much closer relations to his superiors than he would be +as division commander merely. Again in marches and in any scattering +of forces, as senior, his command will be extended over other +portions of the corps in the absence of the commander, and I had not +infrequently found myself in command of another division beside my +own, either by definite orders or by operation of the articles of +war. [Footnote: "Battle of Franklin," pp. 277, 278.] When to this is +added such command as fell to me in the October campaign in Georgia, +and in the battle of Franklin, which could not have been mine if I +had not stood next to Schofield in the corps, it will be seen that +for me it was the practical loss of a grade, as it would have been +for General Wood in the Fourth Corps if General Couch had remained +there. My only purpose in noting these things is to make +intelligible the feeling in the army that such transfers are not +good administration, except where they are in the nature of +promotion for brilliant service. The feeling was also strong that +the loss of one's footing in one large army, unless caused by +exceptional reasons, fully understood, is a reason against a +transfer to another, where, in generous rivalry, all have been +striving to merit advanced instead of diminished grades. In justice +to General Schofield, however, I must not omit to say that he fully +appreciated my situation, and with an earnestness which outran +anything I could claim, exerted himself to secure my promotion and +to make me eligible to the permanent assignment to the corps' +command when his own authority was afterward enlarged. General +Couch's position was by no means a desirable one for him; for he +could not be ignorant of the sentiment of the army, and he would +probably have preferred a division in the Potomac Army to one in +ours, for there in spite of a temporary eclipse, he had a fixed and +honorable reputation which would justify a reasonable expectation of +regaining prominence in it. [Footnote: In the spring of 1863 General +Couch was the senior corps commander in the Army of the Potomac, and +as such was nominally in command on the field in the battle of +Chancellorsville during the temporary disability of General Hooker. +Shortly after that battle he asked to be transferred to some other +command, and was assigned to the Department of the Susquehanna in +Pennsylvania, where the duty was merely administrative. In reducing +these organizations in the fall of 1864, he became a supernumerary. +See Walker's Second Army Corps, pp. 234, 235.] + +Without going into a narration of the battle of Nashville, it may be +worth while to remark that the publication of the official records +increases the importance of the absence of Forrest's cavalry, which +gave the opportunity for an almost unopposed advance of Thomas's +right in the manoeuvres of the 15th December to turn Hood's flank. +We had known that Chalmers, one of Forrest's division commanders, +had been sent to cover the four miles of space intervening between +the left of the Confederate line and the river. [Footnote: "March to +the Sea, Nashville," etc., pp. 107, 114.] Chalmers' report now tells +us that he had only Colonel Rucker's brigade with him, the rest of +the division having been sent to the other flank. He asserts that, +after leaving one regiment on the Granny White turnpike in immediate +touch with the infantry line, he had only 900 men left. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 765.] With so small a force +he, of course, could hardly do more than observe and report the +advance of our three cavalry divisions. Coleman's brigade of +infantry which had held the Hillsborough and Hardin turnpikes was +recalled to the main line early in the day, [Footnote: Walthall's +Report, Official Records, vol. xiv. pt. i p. 722] and as it moved +away without his knowledge, Chalmers, on learning it, supposed it +was driven back. It left uncovered the cavalry baggage train on the +Hardin turnpike, which was captured by part of Colonel Coon's +brigade of our horse. [Footnote: Chalmers' Report. _Id_., p. 765; +Coon's Report, _Id_., p. 589.] Chalmers then took Rucker's brigade +to the Hillsborough turnpike so as to cover more closely the +infantry flank, and left only one regiment to delay the advance of +our cavalry on the roads nearer the river. + +[Illustration: Map: Battle of Nashville.] + +During the night of the 15th and the morning of the 16th the +movement of Cheatham's corps to Hood's left had been observed by +both our infantry and our cavalry. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlv. pt. ii. pp. 217, 224.] As part of these troops had been seen +marching northward on the Granny White turnpike, Schofield very +naturally took into consideration the probability of their being new +reinforcements coming to Hood from the rear. [Footnote: _Id_., p. +214.] The extension of the enemy's fortified line to our right had +made it necessary to extend my division in single line without +reserves, and even then they were stretched almost to the +breaking-point. [Footnote: Cox's Report, _Id_., pt. i. p. 407.] +Thomas began his inspection of the line at Wood's position on the +left in the forenoon, and came westward visiting the commands in +turn. [Footnote: Wood's Report, _Id_., p. 131; A. J. Smith's Report, +_Id_., p. 435; "Franklin and Nashville," p. 118; Schofield's +"Forty-six Years in the Army," p. 246.] + +At ten o'clock in the morning Wilson had most of his cavalry +"refused, on the right of Schofield, the line extending across and +perpendicular to the Hillsborough turnpike." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 220. In the dispatch quoted, the name +is given "Murfreesborough" by a manifest clerical error. Schofield's +right was near the Hillsborough turnpike, the Murfreesborough +turnpike being beyond the other flank of the whole army.] A regiment +had been sent to try to reach the Granny White turnpike, but had +been driven off and reported Cheatham's infantry moving to the left +upon it. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 224.] Wilson reported this to +Schofield, adding, "The country on the left of the Hillsborough +pike, toward the enemy's left, is too difficult for cavalry +operations. It seems to me if I was on the other flank of the army I +might do more to annoy the enemy, unless it is intended that I shall +push out as directed last night." [Footnote; _Id_., p. 216. See also +Schofield's "Forty-six Years," p. 244.] Schofield acknowledged the +receipt of this information at 11.15, and forwarded it to General +Thomas. In view of the apparent concentration of the enemy's forces +in his front, he advised Wilson, until he should receive other +orders from Thomas (who was then on the left with General Wood), to +hold his forces "in readiness to support the troops here, in case +the enemy makes a heavy attack." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlv. pt. ii. p. 216. See also Schofield's "Forty-six Years," p. +244.] At half-past one his dispatch to Thomas, from his position on +the field close to my own, fixes with clearness the situation at +that hour. "Wilson is trying to push in toward the Granny White +pike, about a mile south of my right. My skirmishers on the right +are supporting him. The skirmishing is pretty heavy. I have not +attempted to advance my main line to-day, and do not think I am +strong enough to do so. Will you be on this part of the line soon?" +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 215; see also +Stiles's Report, _Id_., pt. i. p. 431.] + +In a letter written in 1882, to assist me when preparing to write my +account of the battle of Nashville, [Footnote: "Franklin and +Nashville," etc., chap. vi.] General Schofield gave me his +recollection of the situation on our right during the morning of the +16th of December. [Footnote: Letter of June 1, 1882.] "I had gone +back to Nashville in the night preceding," he said, "to persuade +Thomas to order Wilson to remain on my right and take part in the +battle the next morning, and A. J. Smith to close up on our left. +Thomas had only partially adopted my views, and had not given Wilson +any orders to attack. I had waited impatiently all the morning, and +until some time after noon for Wilson to get orders from Thomas, or +to comply with my request to put his troops in without waiting for +orders. Finally, some time after noon, Wilson had consented to go in +with his cavalry (I relieving him of all responsibility), and I had +directed you, with your reserve brigade, which was not then in +contact with the enemy, to support Wilson or join with him in +attacking the enemy's flank." When Schofield received the proposal +from McArthur through Couch, that an assault should be made on Shy's +hill, in the angle of the enemy's line, by one of McArthur's +brigades, supported by Couch, he "became impatient," he says, "for +Wilson and Stiles [my flank brigade] to get possession of the +commanding ground to the enemy's left-rear, so as to prepare the way +for your [my] assault upon his intrenched line." [Footnote: See also +General Schofield's discussion of the events of the 16th, in his +"Forty-six Years," pp. 263-275.] The field dispatch of General Couch +in regard to supporting McArthur was dated at 2.30 P.M. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 217.] + +General Schofield sought an opportunity to compare recollections +with General Wilson, and wrote me again on the 29th of June, 1882, +saying that he was greatly surprised to find that Wilson did not +recollect the proposal and request stated above, but thought that +General Thomas had come in person to his position on the +Hillsborough turnpike, and about 10 or 10:30 o'clock A.M. had given +him the orders under which he then undertook to advance against +Hood's left-rear. Wilson also associated with it the capture of a +dispatch from Hood to Chalmers, urging the latter to drive the +Yankee cavalry from his left and rear, as otherwise he could not +hold the position. This dispatch, Wilson said, he promptly sent to +Thomas. As the conference between Schofield and Wilson was for the +purpose of assisting me in getting undisputed facts for the history +of the campaign, I was permitted to know the result and to have the +contents of a letter from Wilson to Schofield of date of June 28, +1882, restating his recollection. In pursuance of my rule to avoid +as far as possible the debate of subsidiary controverted points in +my connected history, I omitted any reference to them in this +instance. General Schofield's memory is, however, so strongly +supported by the field dispatches, that it does not seem difficult +now to reach a sound historical judgment. + +It is plain that during the earlier part of the day General Wilson +was reporting through General Schofield, who forwarded to General +Thomas the information received. At some time before noon the latter +had completed his examination of the position of the Fourth Corps on +the left of the army, so that General Wood was at liberty to ride to +General Steedman's headquarters on the Nolensville turnpike. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol xlv. pt. i. p. 131.] Thomas passed +westward to General Smith's headquarters at the centre, where he +seems still to have been at three o'clock, [Footnote: _Id_., p. +435.] or at the time of the arrangement between McArthur and Couch, +which the latter places at half-past two. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. +p. 217.] Thomas then visited General Schofield's position, where he +was when the final assault was made and the enemy routed. General +Wilson's reports make no mention of a visit from General Thomas on +the 16th, and the contents of his dispatches show that there had +been none up to eleven o'clock, when Thomas was with Wood on the +other flank of the whole army. It can hardly be necessary to mention +the extreme improbability of the commander's omission to visit +Schofield's quarters near the Hillsborough turnpike, if he were +going by that road to Wilson, who was also on it. We must conclude +that General Wilson is mistaken in his recollection. That he saw +General Thomas at Schofield's position late in the day, is conceded +by all. [Footnote: The account in "Franklin and Nashville," etc., p. +119, must be modified in accord with the facts above stated.] + +We find no mention in the records of any capture of an important +dispatch from Hood to Chalmers, except that found on the person of +Colonel Rucker, when he was wounded and captured at 6.30 P.M., +trying to hold the pass of the Brentwood hills on the Granny White +turnpike, in the darkness, two hours after the collapse of Hood's +line. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 218.] This +dispatch seems to have strongly resembled the language used by +Wilson in his letter to Schofield in 1882. It is said to have stated +that Chalmers' cavalry must take care of this flank. In sending the +information to General Johnson, Wilson added, "Go for him with all +possible celerity, as Hood says the safety of their army depends +upon Chalmers." [Footnote: Wilson to Johnson, Id., p. 222.] As we +have already noted, Rucker's brigade, just routed, was all there was +of Chalmers' division on that flank except a regiment covering +trains making for Franklin. + +The Confederate records support this view. Chalmers' report relates +the skirmishing during the morning in which Rucker was holding the +Hillsborough turnpike against Wilson, and the attempt on our side to +move to the Granny White turnpike, from which Hammond's detachment +was driven back. He says that with one regiment and his own escort +he "held the enemy in check for more than three hours." [Footnote: +_Id._, pt. i. p. 765.] This agrees very well with the situation as +indicated in General Schofield's dispatch of 1.30 P.M., when a +serious effort was making on our side to reach that road. Chalmers +reported the fact that the regiment was hotly beset, and Hood's +adjutant-general, in acknowledging it at 3.15 P.M., said, "Your +dispatch, saying you were fighting the enemy with one regiment on +the Granny White pike, received. General Hood says you must hold +that pike; put in your escort and every available man you can find." +[Footnote: _Id._, pt. ii. p. 697.] Chalmers reports that he received +this about 4.30, when the regiment had been driven back; that he +then moved up Rucker's brigade, which had reached the same turnpike +nearer Brentwood, and after a sharp struggle it was routed. "By this +time," he adds, "it was so dark that it was impossible to re-form +the men, or, indeed, to distinguish friend from foe, so closely were +they mingled together." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. +i. p. 766.] It was in this _mêlée_ that Rucker was wounded and +captured. + +In preparation for the attack in concert with A. J. Smith's command, +my flank brigade (Stiles's), which had been in echelon on our right, +was ordered to swing forward in touch with our cavalry advance. +[Footnote: My Report, _Id_., p. 407.] My own main attack was to be +upon the bastion which made the flank of the enemy's works before +us. I ordered Doolittle's brigade to charge straight at it. +Casement's brigade, on Doolittle's left, was to march by the right +flank at double-quick in rear of Doolittle, so as to become a second +line to him and support the advance as might be necessary. The +skirmishers of Stiles's brigade had accompanied the cavalry advance +since half-past one, and in the final effort his troops in line were +to take part as already stated. [Footnote: See Schofield to Thomas, +1.30 P. M., _Id_., pt. ii. p. 215; Stiles's Report, _Id_., pt. i. p. +431; my own Report, _Id_., p. 407, and sketch map accompanying the +latter, _Id_., p. 408; also "Franklin and Nashville," etc., pp. +119-122.] After personal conference with my brigade commanders to +insure complete mutual understanding, I rode to the hill in rear of +my lines where Thomas and Schofield were together, [Footnote: Marked +2 in map, p. 359.] watching for the concerted attack upon Shy's hill +in the salient angle of Hood's lines. + +When Smith's men were seen to reach the summit of Shy's Hill, I +received the signal from Schofield, and galloped down the hill +toward Doolittle; but he also had caught sight of the movement, and +his brigade was already charging on the run when I reached him. The +excited firing of the enemy was too high, and Doolittle's men +entered the works with very little loss. The collapse was general. +As soon as we were over the works, I was ordered to stand fast with +my command and give General Smith's command the right of way down +the Granny White turnpike. Doolittle's brigade had carried the +bastion in front of our right and the curtain adjoining it, and his +line halted immediately in rear of these, partly facing the +turnpike. He had captured a four-gun battery of light twelves in the +bastion and another of the same number in the curtain, with the +artillerists and part of the supports. [Footnote: See the official +reports cited above, and special reports as to the guns, Official +Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 234, 235; also regimental reports, +Twelfth Kentucky, _Id_., pt. i. p. 417, One Hundredth Ohio, _Id_., +p. 420, and Eighth Tennessee, _Id_., p. 423.] Stiles, advancing with +the cavalry, was halted a short distance in front of Doolittle, +facing southward on the right of the turnpike. Casement was halted +in the trenches from which Doolittle had started. [Footnote: +Casement's Report, _Id_., pt. i. p. 425. All the reports on the +National side except that of the cavalry refer to the concerted +attack on Shy's hill as the signal for the general advance. The +Confederate reports also speak of the carrying of that salient as +the cause of the rout. In his second report, dated Feb. 1, 1865, and +in his letter to General Schofield in 1882, cited above, General +Wilson says that it was on his personal report of what his men were +doing on the enemy's left rear that Thomas ordered the final +assault.] + + + + +CHAPTER XLV + +PURSUIT OF HOOD--END OF THE CAMPAIGN + + +Night after the battle--Unusual exposure--Hardships of company +officers--Bad roads--Halt at Franklin--Visiting the +battlefield--Continued pursuit--Decatur reoccupied--Hood at Tupelo, +Miss.--Summary of captures--Thomas suggests winter-quarters--Grant +orders continued activity--Schofield's proposal to move the corps to +the East--Grant's correspondence with Sherman--Schofield's +suggestion adopted--Illness--I ask for "sick-leave"--Do not use +it--Promotion--Reinforcements--March from Columbia to +Clifton--Columns on different roads--Western part of the +barrens--Fording Buffalo River--An illumined camp--Dismay of the +farmer--Clifton on the Tennessee--Admiral Lee--Methods of +transport--Weary waiting--Private grumbling--Ordered East--Revulsion +of spirits--On the transport fleet--Thomas's frame of mind at close +of the campaign. + + +The night after the battle of Nashville was one we were not likely +to forget. Twilight was falling when we halted, after the crushing +of the Confederate lines, and as we were likely to join in the +pursuit before morning, I had announced that I would be found with +Doolittle's brigade. Owing to the darkness and a gathering storm, +the troops having the advance did not get far, but the risks of +missing dispatches that might be sent in haste made me adhere to my +rule of staying where I had said I might be found. This kept the +staff and headquarters in the space a little in rear of the captured +line of works, a spot unclean and malodorous. We built a camp-fire, +and tried to clean off spots on which we could sit on the ground; +but a heavy rain soon came on, and as we were in the woods, the +light soil soon made a mire, and we were forced to stand upright and +take the weather as it came. The extreme weariness of standing +about, with nothing to vary the monotony, physically tired and +sleepy, in the reaction from the excitement of the afternoon, was +something which cannot be understood unless one has had a similar +experience. We had hoped our servants might find us during the +evening and bring us something to eat; but the advance over hills +and intrenchments had made it hard to follow our course even in +daylight; but in the darkness and storm they entirely failed to find +us. We felt a good deal like "belly-pinched wolves," but we had no +den in which we could "keep the fur dry." Indeed, the suffering of a +dog that was with us was a thing we often referred to as +illustrating our utter discomfort. A fine pointer, astray in +northern Georgia, had attached himself to me in October, and had +been constantly with us, leaping and barking with joy whenever I +mounted my horse. He was with us now, and when the rain came on he +stood in the mud like the rest of us, finding no spot to lie down +in. He grew tired and sleepy, and looked wistfully about for a place +he could consent to lie in, but gave it up, and spreading all four +legs well apart he tried to stand it out. Occasionally his eyes +would close and his head droop, his body would slowly sway back and +forth till he made a greater nod, his nose would go into the mud, +and gathering himself up he would lift his head with a most piteous +whine, protesting against such headquarters. + +The longest night must have an end, and early in the morning one of +our black boys found us, bringing with him on horseback a haversack +full of hard-tack, and in his hand a kettle of coffee which we soon +made piping hot at the camp-fire, and found the world looking much +more cheerful. The storm continued, however, and made the pursuit +slower and more difficult than it would have been in better weather. +The cavalry had the advance, supported by A. J. Smith's troops on +the Granny White turnpike, and by Wood's Fourth Corps on the +Franklin turnpike. We were ordered to follow Smith. Our camp on the +evening of the 17th was not far from Brentwood between the two roads +which come together a little further on after crossing the Little +Harpeth, some seven miles from Franklin and the larger stream of the +same name. + +Our headquarters the second night after the battle were an +improvement on those of the night before. We found a knoll which was +fairly drained, we borrowed a tarpaulin from a battery, and with +fence-rails made of it a lean-to with back to the storm. A pile of +evergreen boughs made a couch on which we lay, and a camp-fire +blazing high in front made a heat which mitigated even the driving +December storm. Our faithful black boys had coffee-pots and +haversacks, so that we did not go supperless. I wrote home that my +overcoat with large cape weighed about fifty pounds with the water +in it, but it kept my body dry, and I found it better to wear it +than to put on a rubber waterproof, for perspiration did not +evaporate under the latter. + +Our private soldiers wore the rubber poncho-blankets above their +overcoats in wet weather, and two "pardners" would make a shelter +tent of the pair of waterproofs which had metal eyelets to adapt +them to this use. Veterans carefully selected the place for the +tent, pitched it in good form, trenched it so that the water would +flow off and not run into the tent; then with their bed of cedar +boughs, their haversacks and coffee-kettles, they were not worse off +than the officers,--better off indeed than their company officers +who trudged afoot like themselves. + +Transportation was so difficult to get that, in pressing forward, +baggage was reduced to smallest possible allowance. In bad roads +such wagons as we had were far behind the troops, and the company +officers were exposed to severe hardships by the delay. I laid their +condition before General Schofield, in a letter which better tells +the tale than I could now give it from memory alone. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 312.] "From the time we left +Nashville," I wrote, "until last night [21st December], these +gentlemen had no shelter, and only such food as they could obtain +from the private soldiers, being far worse off than the men, since +the latter had their shelter-tents and their rations in haversacks. +The officers' rations and their cooking utensils are in the +regimental wagons, which are necessarily left behind in movements +such as we have lately made, and they must either furnish themselves +with knapsacks and haversacks, and carry their cooking utensils upon +their own persons or those of their servants, or be utterly +destitute. Even if they do this, the wagons of the commissary of +subsistence are also at the rear, except upon ordinary days of +issue, and it would be necessary to issue to them precisely as is +done to the soldiers in the ranks, and so break down the last +vestige in distinction in mode of life between them and their +commands. As it is, I state what I know from personal observation +when I say that no individuals in any way connected with the army +are enduring so much personal suffering and privation upon the +present campaign as the officers of the line. As I know the +commanding general will be most desirous to make any arrangement +which is feasible to reduce the amount of discomfort, I take the +liberty of suggesting that during the winter campaign the +transportation for each regiment be one wagon for regimental +headquarters and for company books and papers, desks, etc., as now, +and in addition one pack-mule for each company. The pack-mules make +little or no obstruction in the road, are easily moved to flank or +rear in case of manoeuvre of troops, and will be up with the command +when the regiment goes into camp. Unless some such arrangement is +made, I fear many of our officers will break down in health, and +many more, becoming disgusted with the hardships of the service, and +especially with the difference between themselves and their more +fortunate brethren of the staff and staff-corps, will seek to leave +the army. In many commands some similar arrangements to the one I +have suggested have been surreptitiously made; but as I have rigidly +enforced the rule turning over to the quartermaster all unauthorized +animals, I am the more desirous of obtaining for the gentlemen of +the line whom I have the honor to command such authority to regulate +their transportation as will save them from the apparently +unnecessary hardships they have of late endured, without detracting +from the mobility of the division." The plan suggested was one we +had used in exigencies in the Atlanta campaign, and General +Schofield immediately authorized it for winter use. + +The cold rainstorm, in which the battle of Nashville had ended, +lasted for a week, turning to sleet and snow on the 20th and +clearing off with sharp cold on the 24th. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. pp. 360, 361.] Worse weather for field +operations it would be hard to imagine. The ordinary country roads +were impassable, and even the turnpikes became nearly so. They had +never been very solidly made, and had not been repaired for three +years. In places the metalling broke through, making holes similar +to holes in thick ice, with well-defined margin. These were filled +to the brim with water, and churned into deep pits by the wheels of +loaded wagons. It required watchfulness to see them, as the whole +surface of the road was flowing with slush and mud. When a wheel +went into one, the wagon dropped to the axle, and even where there +was no upset it was a most difficult task to pry the wagon out and +start it on the way again. The wagon-master was lucky if it did not +stop his whole train, and it was no uncommon thing for a mule to be +drowned by getting down in one of these pits. Hood's rear-guard +under Forrest and Walthall destroyed bridges behind them, of course, +and that our cavalry with the head of our infantry column were able +to keep close on the enemy's rear till they passed Pulaski is good +proof of the energy with which the pursuit was conducted. Yet it was +necessarily slow, for it was confined to one road, the rest being +impassable, and flanking operations could only be made on a small +scale when in contact with the enemy. + +When we reached Franklin on our southward march, we were halted for +a day, so that we might not crowd too much upon the rest of the +column, and I took advantage of the opportunity to study the +condition of the battlefield there. My division camped between the +Columbia and the Lewisburg turnpikes, on the ground over which the +Confederates had advanced to attack it in the battle. Portions of +the second line of works close to the Carter house and the +retrenchment across the Columbia road had been levelled, but the +principal defences were as we had left them. The osage orange-trees +which we had used for abatis had been evenly cut away by the +bullets, and the tough fibres hung in a fringe of white strings, the +upper line quite even, and just a little lower than the top of the +parapet. The effect was a curiously impressive one as we looked down +the line we had held and thought what a level storm of lead was +indicated by this long white fringe, and what desperate charges of +Hood's divisions they were that came through it, close up to the +line of this abatis. Every twig was weeping with the cold pouring +rain of the dark midwinter storm, and this did not lessen the gloomy +effect of the scene. At the Carter house we learned from the family +many incidents of their own experience during the battle and of the +scenes of the next day. [Footnote: See "Franklin," chap. xv.] + +Our position in the rear of the marching columns put upon us the +duty of building bridges, repairing roads, and improving the means +of supplying the troops in front. We consequently made halts, one of +two or three days at Spring Hill, and another in our old camps north +of Duck River, where we had held the line of the river on the 28th +and 29th of November. The day after Christmas we moved over the +river and encamped in front of Columbia, on the Pulaski turnpike. We +remained here for several days, whilst the Fourth Corps and the +cavalry, making Pulaski their depot for supplies, followed Hood +until he crossed the Tennessee on the 28th and 29th of December. The +line of the Confederate retreat was stripped bare of supplies and +forage, and every energy was devoted to rebuilding railroad bridges +and getting the road opened to Pulaski so that wagon transportation +might be limited to the region beyond the head of the rails. Thomas +had ordered Steedman's and R. S. Granger's divisions to Decatur by +rail, going by way of Stevenson. Once there, they were to operate in +the direction of Tuscumbia and Florence, seeking to destroy Hood's +pontoon bridges crossing the Tennessee. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 260.] The light steamboats in the upper river +were reckoned on to take supplies from Chattanooga, where an +abundance was in depot. Steedman reached Decatur on the 27th of +December, and Granger joined him from Huntsville, but Hood had +reached Bainbridge, at the foot of Muscle Shoals on the 25th; +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 731.] and next day had a bridge there, built in +part of our pontoons which had been floated down from Decatur. +[Footnote: _Ante_, p. 343.] He assembled the remnants of his army at +Tupelo, Miss., fifty miles south of Corinth. The inspection report +of January 20th showed 18,708, infantry and artillery, present for +duty; Forrest's cavalry not reported. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 664.] Thomas's prizes in the two days' fighting +at Nashville were reported by him as amounting to 4462 prisoners and +fifty-three pieces of artillery. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 40.] The +pursuit after the battle doubled the number of the prisoners, +gathered large numbers of deserters, and considerably increased the +number of guns captured. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 46, 48, 51.] + +On the 29th of December Thomas indicated to General Halleck his +opinion that all had been done which was now practicable, and his +purpose to put his forces into winter quarters,--A. J. Smith's corps +with most of the cavalry at Eastport, where the Mississippi and +Alabama line reaches the Tennessee River; the Fourth Corps at +Huntsville, Ala., and the Twenty-third at Dalton, Ga. Steedman's and +Granger's divisions were already at Decatur, and would hold that +important position, with which direct railway communication from +Nashville would be opened as quickly as the road could be repaired +from Pulaski southward. Thomas also outlined for the spring a +concerted advance of the columns into southern Alabama. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 402.] The same day he issued +his order to Schofield to prepare at once for the march of a hundred +and fifty miles to northern Georgia. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 409.] A +march of the same distance southward along the Mobile and Ohio +Railway would have carried us to Hood's camps at Tupelo, with a +prospect of immediate results, and we were not exhilarated by the +order, which, however, was countermanded on the 30th in consequence +of dispatches received by Thomas from Halleck. + +General Grant had, on the 16th, authorized Sherman to make his own +plan for a new campaign, and the latter had indicated the march from +Savannah to Columbia and thence to Raleigh as that which he would +make if left to himself. [Footnote: _Id._, vol. xliv. pp. 727-729.] +The necessity of reducing the war expenses as soon as possible, as +well as more purely military reasons, seemed to the General-in-Chief +to make a continuous winter campaign imperative, and by his orders +Halleck had directed Thomas not to go into winter quarters, but to +assemble his army at Eastport and prepare for further active work. +[Footnote: _Id._, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 441.] Grant rightly concluded +that Hood's army would be sent to the Carolinas as soon as Sherman +marched northward. He was therefore considering combinations of +Thomas's with Canby's forces for the capture of Mobile and a +movement on Selma, Ala., which was the only great armory and +manufacturing centre now remaining to the Confederates in the Gulf +States. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 419, +420.] Our army was a good deal worn with the hardships of the +campaign, our wagon trains had not been brought up to the +requirements for full field service, and we were receiving new +troops which were not yet fully assimilated to the old; but the +advantages of following up our successes by unflagging efforts in +the West as well as in the East, and of making the "long pull and a +pull all together" which would end the war, were so plain that all +responded cheerily to the call. + +But in the Twenty-third Corps a new element entered into the debate, +which resulted, a fortnight later, in orders for us to move in a +widely different direction. On the 27th, the day that we received at +Columbia the news that Sherman had taken Savannah, Schofield wrote +an unofficial letter to Grant, suggesting that the corps would no +longer be needed for the spring campaign which Thomas was then +planning, and that with its increase of strength it might be of more +use in Grant's own operations in Virginia if it was not practicable +for us to rejoin Sherman. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 377.] Circumstances +were making Schofield's situation in Tennessee uncomfortable, for, +as he said in the same letter, he was in an anomalous position, +nominally commanding a department and an army, but practically doing +neither. Such considerations reinforced the military reasons, but +the latter were strong enough to establish the wisdom of his +suggestion to Grant. He wrote at the same time to General Sherman, +indicating that his strongest wish would be to join the army at +Savannah if it should be feasible, for he recognized the great +military importance of now concentrating against Lee. [Footnote: +"Forty-six Years," p. 254.] It happened that on the same day that +Schofield was writing these letters, Grant was writing to Sherman, +expressing his pleasure in the latter's confidence of his ability to +march through the Carolinas, and his own belief that it could be +done. "The effect of such a campaign," he said, "will be to +disorganize the South, and prevent the organization of new armies +from their broken fragments." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xliv. p. 820.] Giving a sketch of the situation in the West, he +thought Sherman's advance would force the Confederacy to use Hood's +broken army without allowing it time to collect its deserters and +reorganize. As it would thus be "wiped out for present harm," he was +considering the plan of ordering A. J. Smith away from his temporary +connection with Thomas's main army, and bringing him with ten or +fifteen thousand men to Virginia to make his own army strong enough +to deal effectually with Lee, whether the Confederate general +continued to defend Richmond or should abandon that city. [Footnote: +_Ibid_.] Schofield's suggestion fitted so well the plan Grant was +revolving in his mind, that he decided to bring the Twenty-third +Corps East, instead of Smith's. On the 7th of January he directed +Thomas to send Schofield and the corps to him with as little delay +as possible, if he were sure that Hood had gone further south than +Corinth. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 529.] When Thomas +received the order on the 11th, he was at Paducah on the Ohio River, +and about to start up the Tennessee by steamboat. We were at Clifton +on the Tennessee, after a hard march of some seventy miles southwest +from Columbia, and were awaiting steamboats to take us up to +Eastport, wholly ignorant of the surprise that was in store for us. +[Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. 363.] Even Schofield had received no +word from Grant as to his action. + +In making this outline of the changing plans of our superiors, I +have outrun the current of my personal experience in which some +things may be worth noting. On the day after the battle of +Nashville, I was conscious of malarial poisoning from the specially +unwholesome conditions of our bivouac on the night of the 16th, but +was so confident in the vigor of my constitution in throwing off +such ailments that I paid no attention to my health, and kept about +my duties with my ordinary activity. I found, however, that my +strength was not equal to the demands upon it, and by the time we +reached the Duck River on the 23d of December, I was glad to find +quarters at the house of Mrs. Porter, in the bend of the river, +where we had been during the two days before the battle of Franklin, +and where we were again received with a kindness and hospitality +which was wonderful when one considers how the passing and repassing +of armies had ruined the country and overstrained the sympathies of +the people. + +Fortunately for me, our movements were suspended for a week and we +made but one change of camp, crossing to the south side of the +river, and taking the position in front of Columbia which I have +already mentioned. [Footnote: _Ante_, p. 373.] My medical director, +Surgeon Frink, gave me heroic treatment, and by the time we marched +again on the 2d of January, I was able to do my ordinary duties, +though I did not become quite well again till I reached the +sea-coast and got a complete change of climate. At this time we were +expecting to go into winter quarters, and when, on 29th December, I +learned that orders were issued for the corps to winter at Dalton, I +requested and received a leave of absence for thirty days, to go +home and recover my health. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. +pt. i. p. 361.] My order had been issued, turning over the command +to Colonel Doolittle, the senior brigade commander present, +[Footnote: _Id._, pt. ii. p. 476.] when I learned from General +Schofield that the active campaign was to be resumed and that he had +abandoned the purpose he had formed of going north himself as far as +Louisville. I immediately rescinded my own order, and marched with +the command. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 426, 474, 475, 486.] + +During the pursuit of Hood from Nashville, Thomas had followed in +person the Fourth Corps, which was in advance of ours, and Schofield +had no opportunity of personal conference with him, so that our only +knowledge of his purposes was got from the formal correspondence +with his headquarters. When Colonel Doolittle sent forward his +communication reasserting the capture of the battery in the curtain +of the Confederate works on the 16th of December, [Footnote: _Ante_, +p. 366.] it was accompanied by my own and indorsed by General +Schofield. It reached Thomas at Duck River, and he made it the +occasion of indorsing upon it a recommendation for my promotion to +the grade of Major-General. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. +pt. ii. pp. 234, 235.] On the 19th, from Franklin, General Schofield +made his own recommendation in terms which I may be pardoned for +feeling more pride in than in the promotion itself. [Footnote: See +Appendix C.] This was earnestly supported by General Thomas and +forwarded on the 20th. The only vacancy in the grade was one made by +the resignation of General McClernand, and to this I was assigned, +as of the 7th of December, the date of General Schofield's report of +the battle of Franklin, though the official notice of the promotion +did not reach me till the 15th of January, at Clifton, as we were +about to take steamboats for our movement to the East. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 273, 274; _Id_., pt. i. p. +364. Army Register for 1865, pp. 54, 95. Another vacancy occurred on +the 13th December, by the resignation of General Crittenden, and to +this General W. B. Hazen was appointed for his assault of Fort +McAllister near Savannah. (_Ibid_.) On December 22d Mr. Stanton +asked Thomas to make a list of promotions he desired to recommend, +but informed him that there was then no vacancy in the grade of +Major-General, and only two in that of Brigadier. (Official Records, +vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 307.) General Schofield thinks that Stanton, in +the dispatch last mentioned, referred only to vacancies in the +regular army. (Forty-six Years, p. 279.) The circumstances and the +whole correspondence seem to me inconsistent with this view. Thomas +made out his list on the 25th, and it was for promotions in the +volunteer service only. (Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. +343.) Thomas's own promotion as Major-General in the regular army +was made on the 24th. (_Id_., pp. 318, 329.)] + +Before leaving Columbia, General Schofield had, on the 28th of +December, a consultation with his three division commanders in +regard to the assignment of the new regiments, to the number of +twelve or thirteen, which had been added to the corps. [Footnote: +These included two or three which had been temporarily attached at +Franklin, but were now made permanent parts of the organization.] It +was agreed that it was best to preserve the older organizations of +divisions and brigades, and to strengthen these by some new +regiments, while the rest of the new regiments were organized into a +division under General Ruger. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. +pt. ii. p. 409.] Schofield had the promise of several other +regiments whenever they should come forward; and by correspondence +with Halleck and with the Governor of Illinois, as well as with +Thomas, he was actively striving to bring the corps to the proper +strength of three full divisions. At the end of the month we had +15,000 men, with at least two other regiments ordered to join us, +one of them convalescing from the measles, which was very apt to run +through a new organization taking the field. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +426, 436, 445, 461, 473, 475.] The new troops were nearly all +officered by men of experience, and contained many veterans who had +re-enlisted. We thus welcomed back valuable men who had served in +the corps, and came to us with increased rank and a renewed zeal +which made our reinforcements at once nearly equal to seasoned +troops. + +Our orders to march from Columbia on the 1st of January were in +pursuance of the orders Thomas had received to concentrate his army +at Eastport and Tuscumbia for the continuance of the campaign. The +Fourth Corps was _en route_ to Huntsville, and Thomas did not change +its destination, as he thought it could take part in new movements +as well from that position as from Tuscumbia. A. J. Smith's corps +had already been ordered to Eastport for winter quarters, and had +marched from Pulaski by way of Lawrenceburg and Waynesborough, +reaching Clifton on the 2d of January, where it awaited steamboat +transportation. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. +396, 410, 420, 427, 486. Clifton is called Carrollville in official +Atlas, pl. cxlix. The former name is that used in the dispatches and +which we found in use by everybody. The roads and topography in the +map are very incorrect.] Thomas himself was at Pulaski, and went +back by rail to his headquarters at Nashville, whence he took a +steamer to convey his field headquarters and staff by way of the +Cumberland and Tennessee rivers to Eastport. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 470, 530, 567.] + +We marched from Columbia on the morning of the 2d of January, 1865, +following the turnpike to Mt. Pleasant, ten miles, through some of +the finest farms in the State. The afternoon was spent in organizing +the corps to move in separate columns by division, each with its own +supply train; for the information we got as to the condition of the +roads made it wise to try any country roads which had not been used +by the armies. It was arranged that Couch's division should march by +the turnpike to Waynesborough, wind by a ridge road through the +"barrens" north of the turnpike, and Ruger should follow me some +distance, and then take an intermediate road through Laurel-Hill +Factory, leaving an interval of a day's march between our columns. +Couch's division was preceded by the engineer battalion of the +corps, as pioneers to repair the turnpike. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. +475, 486.] Promptly at six o'clock on the 3d, my division marched +from Mt. Pleasant, continuing for five miles on the Waynesborough +turnpike, then turning to the right upon the Gordon road, we climbed +by a steep and long hill to the barren ridge which is the watershed +between the Duck River and Buffalo River. Five miles from the +turnpike our way ran into the Beaverdam road, which we kept for five +miles further to the fork of the Ashland road, turning to the left. +Here we camped and waited for our trains, which had slow work in +climbing the ridge, for it had rained all the morning, and the roads +were slippery. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. 362; pt. ii. p. 498.] + +It was noon of the 4th before the trains overtook us, and I then +ordered an issue of rations to lighten them, and we started again, +with a citizen for a guide. We followed the Perryville road seven +miles to the headwaters of Grinder's Creek, a tributary of Buffalo +River, and down the creek three miles, the road being a mere track +in its bed. We now turned to the right over a ridge and came down +into Rockhouse Creek, the course of which we followed to the river. +I had learned that we must ford the Buffalo, and from the wet +weather it would be whole leg deep. It was getting late in the day, +and Rockhouse Creek had to be crossed many times; so I passed the +order along the line not to try to bridge, but to march straight +through the creek and make the more important crossing of the river +before going into camp. This seemed hard, in the month of January, +when, as it had cleared and was cold, ice was forming in the still +places of the stream; but I heard that open farm lands bordered the +river on the other side, and if our wading was done all at once, we +could make the men dry their clothes and shoes with less danger to +health than if we began another day with a soaking. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 362.] + +It grew dark several hours before we reached Buffalo River, the +column plodding along in the wooded ravine. I had turned out from +the road to wait for the brigades to pass, and have a word with the +commanders in turn, and was picking my way to the head of column +again, when I overheard one of those little colloquies between +soldiers which give real pleasure to an officer. A fresh recruit was +grumbling at marching in the darkness and in the water, and +wondering what generals could mean by putting such hardships upon +the soldiers, when a veteran by his side answered cheerily, "When +you've been in this division as long as I have, you'll know there's +some good reason for pushing us this way; so take it easy, and don't +growl. The General knows what he's about." I turned further out into +the darkness, with a feeling that it would cheapen the brave man's +words to let him learn who had heard him, but the evidence of the +trust which is the foundation of soldierly devotion gave a deep +satisfaction. When the column reached the river, which was about +seventy-five yards wide, fires were lit on both sides as guides to +the ford, and though it was near nine o'clock, the men were not +permitted to rest till they had thoroughly dried themselves around +the great fires of fence-rails. They did not need orders to boil +their coffee and cook a hot supper in their bivouac. The broad +fields between the hills and the river were illuminated far and +wide, and the stillness of the dark valley was transformed into the +noisy activity of the armed host. All in the camp were "merry as +grigs," and did not need to be told why the march had been prolonged +into the night. But the fun of the soldier was the grief and dismay +of the farmer. + +The place belonged to an elderly man named Churchill. We had to make +use of his house for headquarters, and while our boys were cooking +our supper, a busy group of officers was seated about the crackling +fire in an open fireplace, writing dispatches and orders, receiving +reports, and sending messages, while in the shadows of the +background the farmer and his wife were moving uneasily about, +looking out of door or window, and wringing their hands at the +vision of destruction which had suddenly descended upon them. The +old man protested at the burning of his fences, naturally enough, +and all we could say was that, in the end, if he could prove his +loyalty, he would be indemnified for his loss; but this was small +consolation, and we pitied him whilst we applied the pitiless code +of military necessity to save the troops from worse mischiefs. + +The ridge road we had followed had been so completely a wilderness +that we saw but one inhabited house for fifteen miles. The hillsides +were covered with a young forest, the original woods having been cut +off and made into charcoal for the iron furnaces of the region. In +good weather it would have been easy marching through the region, +for the top of the ridge was fairly level, winding along in a +general westerly direction; but as the road had never been "worked," +and was a mere wagon track, it soon became muddy, and our wagons cut +it so deeply as to spoil it for the use of any who were to follow +us, and to make about fifteen miles a day the most we could +ourselves accomplish. + +Starting again on the 5th, we marched through Ashland, [Footnote: In +the Atlas, pl. cxlix., Ashland is erroneously placed north of +Buffalo river.] up the valley of Forty-eight-mile Creek and thence +along a ridge to Waynesborough, encamping just beyond the town. Our +road ran into the turnpike two miles east of the village, and we met +Couch's division at the junction of the roads. We took the advance, +which we kept during the next day's march to the Tennessee, reaching +Clifton toward evening of the 6th, after a very hard day's work, the +weather beginning with rain in the morning and turning to sleet and +snow after noon. We pitched our tents in the snowstorm, locating the +camp more than a mile from the landing-place, as the eligible ground +nearer was occupied by Smith's corps, which was waiting for +transports to take them up the river. + +It was a desolate outlook. A few chimneys and two or three houses +marked the site of what had once been a flourishing village, but +which had been burned in the guerilla warfare of the last year. The +landscape was bare, the trees having disappeared in the demand for +camp-fires, as different bodies of troops had camped there from time +to time. The bluff above the river was level and monotonous, and the +great turbid stream rolling northward reflected only the heavy +stormy skies. The only consolation we could gather was that +Eastport, for which we supposed we were bound, was more desolate, +more muddy, and a worse camping-ground. + +The other divisions of the corps halted at Waynesborough for two or +three days, till transports should take Smith's corps away and give +us our turn at the landing. General Schofield joined me on the +afternoon of the 7th, and on Sunday, the 8th, a fleet of transports +came down the river, convoyed by three gunboats under Rear-Admiral +Lee. They had taken part of Smith's troops to Eastport and had +returned for the rest. A pleasant recollection of the time is the +acquaintance then begun with the Admiral, which was afterwards +renewed at Washington when I met him in the attractive circle of the +Blair families, both the elder Francis P. Blair, and Montgomery, +with whom Admiral Lee was connected by marriage. When the fleet was +gone again, the rest of our corps gathered at Clifton, but we seemed +shut off from all communication with the outer world. We had broken +our connection with the country we had left, in the expectation of +having our base on the lower Tennessee, and our supplies were +getting short. An occasional steamboat would go by us, steaming up +the river without stopping. Feeling the necessity of getting news +from General Thomas below, General Schofield ordered me, on the 9th, +to send a piece of artillery to the river bank and force up-bound +boats to stop and report. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. +ii. p. 557.] On the same day Schofield issued his order for the +movement by transports up the river, giving the method of shipping +the troops by divisions, each with its own artillery, baggage, and +ordnance trains. Open barges were provided for the artillery and +ordnance, and these were to be lashed alongside the steamboats on +which the troops and the regimental baggage would be loaded. The +method was arranged in consultation with Admiral Lee, to whom the +division commander was ordered to report during the transit. +[Footnote: _Ibid._] The intent was to keep each division together as +a military unit, with its baggage, guns, and trains, so that it +could take care of itself when landed. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 557.] + +Nearly a week passed, the only variation in the monotony being the +changes of the weather, which went through the cycle of raining, +snowing, clearing, thawing, and freezing which had been regularly +marked during the season. The delays in reaching the up-river +rendezvous, the complete absence of all news, the wearying effect of +waiting, all told upon the troops in a depressing way. General +Schofield evidently had little faith that much would be done before +spring, and the fact that he had heard nothing from his letters to +Grant and Sherman left him without the means of relieving the +general tendency to apathy and discontent under which we were +suffering. In my own case I had the further discomfort of physical +ailing, for though the worst symptoms of my illness had been +mitigated, I was far from my usual vigor. The undeniable result of +this appeared in my home letters, and it would not be altogether +honest to suppress the hearty bit of private grumbling which I +indulged in. + +Writing on the 13th, after noting the utter lack of stability in the +weather and its effect on our operations, I broke out on the +personal results of the winter campaigning. "I am getting ragged and +barefoot," I said. "My boots are worn out, my coat is worn out, my +waistcoats are worn out, my hat is worn out, and I am only whole and +respectable when I am in my shirt and drawers. If I ever get near +civilization again, I shall be obliged to lie abed somewhere till I +can get some clothes made. I don't wonder the Washington people want +to have the campaign go on, and if they would apply a little of the +'go ahead' to the army on the James, would appreciate it still +better. Here we know to an absolute certainty that the army is stuck +in the mud; but the administration would not believe General Thomas +when he told them so, and force him to pretend to move, with the +fear of being superseded hanging over him, whilst he knows that any +effective movement is impossible. We can ruin our horses and mules, +and put half our men in hospitals without getting twenty-five miles +from the Tennessee unless the weather changes, and this is all we +can do. Hood can laugh at us unless the Mobile and Ohio Railroad can +be repaired as we go and be made to furnish us supplies. If this +could be done, or if the season would permit us to chase the rebels +right into the gulf, I would be perfectly content to stay, and in +fact couldn't be coaxed to go home; but knowing what I know, I feel +perfectly sure that I might as well be making a biennial visit to my +family as not." + +On the day after this letter was written General Thomas came up the +river with a fleet of transports which we were ordered to take for a +movement down instead of up the river. The word spread that we were +going to join Sherman, and though this meant journeys by boat, by +rail, and by ocean ships, two thousand miles or more, our camps +leaped from apathy to enthusiasm, such creatures of circumstance we +are! Looking back at the situation, I have to admit that Grant's +plan of keeping everything moving was the right one, and that if +hopeful energy and enterprise could have combined Canby's movements +with ours, and we had all been told that this active co-operation +was afoot and would soon take us southward where we would meet the +coming spring while Tennessee was still shivering in the winter +storms, we should all have caught the spirit of the opportunity and +cheered our leaders on. But this impulse in an army must come from +the head downward. The trudging columns perfectly know the fatigue, +the cold, the mud. They very imperfectly catch the larger view which +stimulates to great effort by the hope of great results. In a +council of war the division commanders would probably advise delay +in sympathy with the hardships of the troops, when the same officers +would have sprung with ardor to the work under a brief and strong +appeal from a confident leader, presenting the broader reasons for +energetic persistent activity. It was this quality of leadership in +Sherman which made Grant say to Stanton in December, "It is +refreshing to see a commander, after a campaign of more than seven +months' duration, ready for still further operations without wanting +any outfit or rest." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. +p. 264.] + +Thomas did not stop at Clifton except to send us his orders, and +went on to Eastport, arriving there on the morning of the 15th. From +that place he reported that Hood's infantry, much disorganized, was +at Tupelo, West Point, and Columbus, Miss. Forrest's cavalry, in +similar condition, was about Okolona. Roads were almost +impracticable, but the high water in the river made it easy to get +supplies to Eastport by the largest steamers. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. +586, 593. General Schofield does not remember seeing General Thomas +in Tennessee after December 25th ("Forty-six Years," p. 276), and +this accords with my impression that Thomas did not stop at Clifton +long enough for us to visit him.] As to our new movement, Mr. +Charles A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, had been intrusted with +the supervision of the transfer, and sent west Colonel L. B. Parsons +of the Quartermaster's Department to collect a fleet of steam-boats +at Louisville for the purpose. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 560, 568, 586.] +But meanwhile, under Thomas's orders, the fleet of transports had +been collected and had come for us, and the troops were joined by +Colonel Parsons when they reached the Ohio. He then took charge of +the transportation by boat and by rail. [Footnote: Dana's +Recollections, pp. 253, 254.] As the transfer would take ten days or +more, Schofield arranged to go on in advance to close up business at +Louisville and for consultations with Grant and Halleck by +telegraph. I went with him to Cairo, where we took railway trains, +and I was authorized to go to my home in Ohio to recuperate until he +should telegraph me from Washington. The command of the corps _en +route_ was given to General Couch. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlv. pt. ii. p. 588.] As we were leaving the Military Division of +the Mississippi, Colonel Doolittle was obliged to give up the +command of Reilly's brigade and return to his own regiment. Reilly +rejoined the corps after we reached North Carolina. The +convalescents of Sherman's army and his recruits were collected in a +provisional division under General Thomas Francis Meagher, took +steamboats at Nashville, and made part of the same general transfer +to the East. There was an amusing coincidence when the brilliant +Irish "patriot" telegraphed that his fleet had started, "the Saint +Patrick leading the way." [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 564, 600, 613.] +Colonel Wright, Sherman's efficient chief of railway construction, +had been ordered, a little earlier, to proceed eastward with one +division of the construction corps with the object of joining +Sherman at Savannah. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 393.] Changing +circumstances, however, brought him as well as Meagher's division +into our column a little later, as will soon appear. In a similar +way General S. P. Carter joined us by transfer from duties at +Knoxville, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 620.] and General George S. Greene, +of the Twentieth Corps, who had been serving on a court-martial at +Washington, was also temporarily attached to our command till he was +able to join his own organization, which was with Sherman. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 623.] + +The reduction of Thomas's forces could not have been altogether +agreeable to him, though he no doubt preferred it to the continuance +of a winter campaign under imperative orders from Washington. He had +not ceased to believe that it was better to rest and refit his army +till spring;[Footnote: _Id._, p. 621.] but Grant insisted that he +"must make a campaign or spare his surplus troops," and though +Thomas was a model of obedience to orders, his continued opposition +of opinion, frankly expressed, naturally led to the detachment of +our corps. The discussion of the subject between Grant and Halleck +clearly stated the reasons which were conclusive. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 609, 610, 614; also vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 101, 859.] Thomas suffered mentally under the +pressure and the criticisms of the whole campaign, and we may +personally share his pain in sympathy with the noble man, whilst we +admit that Grant's views were such as the situation demanded. Those +who knew Thomas intimately knew that he was a man of quick feeling +if of slow action; and his nature was truthfully described by his +quartermaster, Colonel Donaldson (who was an old and intimate +friend), in a letter to General Meigs, after a parting interview on +the steamboat as Thomas left Nashville for Eastport. "He opened his +heart to me," says Donaldson. "He feels very sore at the rumored +intentions to relieve him, and the major-generalcy does not +cicatrize the wound. You know Thomas is morbidly sensitive, and it +cut him to the heart to think that it was contemplated to remove +him. He does not blame the Secretary, for he said Mr. Stanton was a +fair and just man." [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 561.] + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +CAMPAIGN IN NORTH CAROLINA--CAPTURE OF WILMINGTON + + +Rendezvous at Washington--Capture of Fort Fisher--Schofield ordered +to North Carolina--Grant and Schofield visit Terry--Department of +North Carolina--Army of the Ohio in the field--Correspondence of +Grant and Sherman--Sherman conscious of his risks but hopeful of +great results--His plan of march from Savannah--Relation of +Wilmington to New Berne--Our arrival at Washington--The Potomac +frozen--Peace conference at Fort Monroe--Interview with Mr. +Stanton--The thirteenth amendment of the Constitution--Political +excitement at the capital--A little dinner-party--Garfield, H. W. +Davis, and Schenck--Davis on Lincoln--Destination of our +army--Embarkation--Steamship "Atlantic"--Visit to Fort Monroe--The +sea-voyage--Cape Fear Inlet--General Terry's lines--Bragg the +Confederate commander--Reconnoitring his lines--The colored +troops--"Monitor" engaged with Fort Anderson--Alternate +plans--Marching on Wilmington by the west bank of the river--My +column opposite the town--Orders not applicable to the +situation--Difficulty of communication--Use of +discretion--Wilmington evacuated--A happy result. + + +On Thursday the 26th of January, 1865, I received a telegram from +General Schofield directing me to join my command without delay, and +I started from my home in northern Ohio the same evening. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 131.] I had spent a week in +a delightful visit with my family after two years of absence from +them, and had been rapidly improving in health. The growing faith +that the campaign of the winter and spring would end in complete +victory for the national arms created an ardent zeal to be about it +and to have an active hand in the final scenes. Our orders had +indicated Annapolis as our port of rendezvous, and our destination +the Army of the Potomac in front of Petersburg. [Footnote: _Id._, +vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 529, 586.] On reaching Annapolis Junction in +the night of the 28th, I learned that my division was in Washington, +and followed it, arriving there in the morning of the 29th. +[Footnote: To get an adequate idea of the task of transporting an +army corps so great a distance, one should look at Colonel Parsons's +report, including 250 dispatches. Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +ii. pp. 215-284.] + +The change from Annapolis to Washington and Alexandria had been made +by Grant upon a suggestion of General Halleck that there was no +shelter at Annapolis for such a body of troops, whilst there was +enough at the capital. As the winter weather was then severe, this +thoughtfulness saved the command much suffering. [Footnote: _Id_., +vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 596.] The military situation had also changed +materially by the capture of Fort Fisher on the North Carolina +coast, on the very day we embarked on the transports at Clifton +(January 15th). This capture by the forces under General A. H. Terry +was one step in the preparation of a new base for Sherman in his +march northward through the Carolinas, and Grant was most anxious +that it should be followed by the occupation of Wilmington. His +desire to strengthen his own army was made secondary to his +determination to make Sherman's movement an assured success. He +wrote to Sherman on the 21st that he would send Schofield to +Wilmington, if, as was rumored, the fall of that place had followed +the capture of Fort Fisher. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. +102.] On the 24th he had made up his mind to send Schofield there +anyhow, and was going himself to inspect the fort and the situation +at the mouth of Cape Fear River. He telegraphed for Schofield to +join him on this visit to Terry, and the outline of the new campaign +was then arranged. A new department of North Carolina was decided +upon, Schofield was to command it, his army in the field to consist +of two provisional corps besides the Twenty-third, of which Terry +was to command one, and the other for a time fell to me. This field +force was to retain our old title of the Army of the Ohio. On +Schofield's recommendation the brevet rank of major-general was +given to General Ruger, and that of brigadier to Colonel Henderson +of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois, for services at Franklin. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 121, 179, 190, +201.] Sherman had heard of the fall of Fort Fisher before he broke +his communications with Savannah, and was assured of a new base +there, even if the line from New Berne to Goldsborough should not be +opened. + +The correspondence between Sherman and Grant at this time is very +characteristic of both men, and throws a bright light on their +unselfish friendship and their earnest purpose to bring the war to a +successful end without rest or delay. In his letter of the 21st of +January, after giving the latest details of his situation, Sherman +adds: "I am told that Congress meditates a bill to make another +lieutenant-general for me. I have written to John Sherman to stop it +if it is designed for me. [Footnote: See Sherman Letters, p. 245.] +It would be mischievous, for there are enough rascals who would try +to sow differences between us, whereas you and I now are in perfect +understanding. I would rather have you in command than anybody else, +for you are fair, honest, and have at heart the same purpose that +should animate all. I should emphatically decline any commission +calculated to bring us into rivalry, and I ask you to advise all +your friends in Congress to this effect, especially Mr. Washburne. I +doubt if men in Congress fully realize that you and I are honest in +our professions of want of ambition. I know that I feel none, and +to-day will gladly surrender my position and influence to any other +who is better able to wield the power. The flurry attending my +recent success will soon blow over and give place to new +developments." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. +103. In the same letter Sherman referred to the farewell order +General Butler had addressed to his troops on being relieved of +command. "I am rejoiced that Terry took Fisher," Sherman said, +"because it silences Butler, who was to you a dangerous man. His +address to his troops on being relieved was a direct, mean, and +malicious attack on you, and I admired the patience and skill by +which you relieved yourself and the country of him." In the address +referred to, Butler had said: "I have been chary of the precious +charge confided to me. I have refused to order the useless sacrifice +of the lives of such soldiers, and I am relieved from your command. +The wasted blood of my men does not stain my garments." (O. R, vol. +xlvi. pt. ii. p. 71.) Such a publication made its author liable to +court-martial, but Grant took no public notice of it, except to +oppose his further assignment to duty. _Id_., vol. xlvii. pt. ii. +pp. 537, 562. See also Sherman to Admiral Porter, _Id_., p. 104, and +Grant to Sherman, _Id_., p. 859.] + +Replying on the 1st of February, Grant said: "I have received your +very kind letter, in which you say you would decline, or are opposed +to, promotion. No one would be more pleased at your advancement than +I, and if you should be placed in my position and I put subordinate, +it would not change our relations in the least. I would make the +same exertions to support you that you have ever done to support me, +and I would do all in my power to make our cause win." [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 193.] + +That Sherman knew his campaign in the Carolinas would involve great +risks, and had no blind confidence in his fortune, was shown by his +reply to the well-known letter of congratulation which President +Lincoln sent him upon the surrender of Savannah: [Footnote: _Id_., +vol. xliv. p. 809, and Sherman's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 166.] "The +motto 'Nothing venture, nothing win,' which you refer to, is most +appropriate, and should I venture too much and happen to lose, I +shall bespeak your charitable inference." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 18.] + +In writing to Grant also, on the 29th of January, in a very full and +interesting letter, he said: "I expect Davis will move Heaven and +earth to catch me, for success to my column is fatal to his dream of +empire. Richmond is not more vital to his cause than Columbia and +the heart of South Carolina." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 155.] + +[Illustration: Map: Northeast Georgia / South Carolina border area] + + +The general plan which he adopted was to threaten both Charleston +and Augusta with the wings of his army, keeping the enemy in doubt +as to his purpose as long as possible, whilst he pushed his centre +rapidly toward Columbia. He had no mind to waste time in serious +operations against Charleston, for he knew that it must fall when +his advance threatened to cut it off from communication with +Richmond. From Columbia he planned to march on Raleigh by way of +Goldsborough, the last-named place being connected by railroad with +both Wilmington and New Berne, and being therefore the objective of +General Schofield's movements from both seaports. Beaufort, the +harbor of New Berne, was deeper than the mouth of Cape Fear River, +and was therefore to be made the principal base of supply for +Sherman when he should enter North Carolina; but Wilmington was so +much further south that prudence required it to be first occupied +and provisioned to give Sherman temporary supply, if any contingency +should make it necessary to him before the railroad from New Berne +to Goldsborough could be rebuilt. These subsidiary operations in +North Carolina were to be our special task. [Footnote: For connected +historical treatment of Sherman's march northward, and of the +capture of Fort Fisher, see "March to the Sea," etc., chaps, +viii.-xi.: Life of Sherman (Great Commanders' Series), chap. xii.] + +On reaching Washington, I found that my troops were just arriving on +trains from the West. They were temporarily placed in barracks in +the city, till the fleet of transports should be ready. The unusual +severity of the winter had frozen the Potomac, and Annapolis was +also blocked with ice, so that the quartermaster's department had to +wait two or three days for a change of weather, before fixing the +point of departure. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. +p. 154.] The time passed pleasantly for me, since it gave me the +opportunity of renewing old acquaintance with public men, and of +observing for myself the spirit which animated political circles at +the capital. Mr. Lincoln with Mr. Seward had gone to Fort Monroe to +meet Mr. Stephens and others, commissioned by the Richmond +government to confer informally as to the possibilities of peace. +The Confederate officials were at Grant's headquarters on the 1st of +February, "very desirous of going to Washington to see Mr. Lincoln," +as the General-in-Chief wrote Sherman incidentally. From his +interview with them, Grant was convinced that "the peace feeling +within the rebel lines is gaining ground rapidly," but he added, +"This, however, should not relax our energies in the least, but +should stimulate us to greater activity." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 194.] + +Going to pay my respects to Secretary Stanton at the War Department, +I was met by him in an exceedingly cordial way, and in parting, +after an interesting visit, he congratulated me on my promotion, +saying I owed nobody any thanks for it, as it had been fully and +fairly won. I owe it to him to mention this, for so much was current +about the brusqueness of his intercourse with army officers, that he +is entitled to the testimony that, on this as on all other occasions +when I met him personally, nothing could be kinder or more +considerate than his manner to me. + +My visit to Washington happened to include the day on which the +constitutional amendment abolishing slavery passed the House. +Breakfasting with Chief-Justice Chase, I met also Henry Ward +Beecher, and the great historical event was, of course, the central +subject of conversation. The forecast by such men of the effect upon +the country and upon the world made a blending of solid wisdom with +brilliant eloquence not to be forgotten. My friend Governor Dennison +was Postmaster-General, and in his house I had full opportunity to +judge of the keen, almost feverish interest with which public men +and leading citizens were following the rapid march of both military +and civil affairs. Coming, as I was, out of the rough winter +campaign of the West for a brief halt in the centre of political +activity, before sailing to the swamp-lined shores of Carolina, +there was something almost unreal, though fascinating, in the +contrast of the excitement of the field with the totally different +but scarcely less absorbing excitement which I saw in every face. + +Garfield arranged a little dinner at which, besides himself, I met +General Schenck and Henry Winter Davis, all of them playing leading +roles in the House of Representatives. We four were alone, and it +was a rare opportunity for me to hear unrestrained discussion of +everything in public affairs. Nearly every phase of current +political and military events was treated in brilliant and trenchant +criticism, and the conversation turned at last upon the peace +conference going on at Fort Monroe. Mr. Davis was a Marylander, who +was second to none in uncompromising loyalty to the Union, and had +an acknowledged pre-eminence in eloquent advocacy of the National +cause. He, however, did not understand or appreciate Mr. Lincoln, +and in the celebrated "Wade and Davis manifesto" of the previous +year, had opposed the re-election of the President. He now let loose +in a witty and scathing denunciation of Lincoln and all his works. +The current epithets among the President's opponents, of which +"baboon" was one of the mildest, were flung at him with a venom +that, to me, was half shocking and half comical. The soldier habit +of making the Hurrah for Lincoln our answering war-cry to the Hurrah +for Davis of our enemies in the field, made a bewildering puzzle of +such an outburst. The meeting with the Southern commissioners was +denounced as a weak compromising of our cause. He saw no force in +the argument that weak hearts among us would be strengthened when +they saw that now as upon former overtures the Confederate +authorities insisted upon independence as the necessary condition of +peace, whilst Mr. Lincoln stood firmly for restoration of the Union +and abolition of slavery as the essentials. The curious fact was +that such a man, ably busied for four years in political +co-operation with the President, living in the same city, in +frequent personal contact with him, had utterly failed to measure +his character and his intellect, or to get even a glimmering idea of +what lay beneath that ungraceful exterior and that quaint and +humorous speech. The elegant orator and polished man of the world +felt no magnetism but that of repulsion; and his senses were so +dulled by it that he never guessed the wisdom and the breadth, the +subtle policy and the deep statesmanship, the luminous insight and +the unfaltering purpose which now seem writ so plain in Lincoln's +words and deeds. + +General Schenck did not appear to differ greatly from Davis, but +what he said was in short, trenchant sentences, interjected from +time to time. Garfield treated the outburst as a sort of +extravaganza, and in his position as host did not seriously debate, +but rallied his friend with good-humored persiflage, met his +outbursts with jovial laughter and prodded him to fresh explosions +by shafts of wit. It was a strange and not altogether exhilarating +experience for me; but I had afterward to learn that the belittling +view of Lincoln was the common one among public men in Washington. +The people at a distance got a juster perspective, and knowing him +by his written papers and his public acts, divined him better and +gave him a loyal support hardly to be distinguished from their +devotion to the cause of the country itself. We may fairly conclude +that the failure of so many men near the President to understand him +is not creditable to their sagacity; but we must also admit that a +first impression and a superficial view would in his case be almost +surely misleading, and that to correct it would take better +opportunities for an intimate study of the man than most public men +would have, and most would not care to seek them. The belittling +view of men in power fits best our self-esteem. + +As soon as General Schofield got back from his trip to Fort Fisher +with Grant, he had issued his orders for our movement which was to +take place as soon as the ice would permit our transports to enter +or leave the harbors on Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac. My own +division was to take the lead and sail to Cape Fear River. Couch's +would come next and land at Beaufort for operations on the New Berne +line. Ruger's (the new troops) would sail last, and find orders at +Fort Monroe in going down the bay, deciding whether its destination +should be Wilmington or Beaufort. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. p. 135.] Meagher's provisional division of +detachments belonging to Sherman's army was temporarily attached to +us, for it was too late to join Sherman by way of Savannah. Meagher +had ordered it to rendezvous at New York, but Grant changed its +destination to Washington with the purpose just stated. Its +commander had gone on to New York in advance without any +understanding with army headquarters, and the convivial and +unsystematic Irishman thereby fell into trouble. [Footnote: _Id._, +pp. 116, 119, 126, 204, 293.] + +On Thursday the 2d of February, General Schofield was able to issue +his final orders for embarkation. Only vessels enough for two +brigades of my division had been able to reach Alexandria, and +Casement's brigade was sent by rail to Annapolis to take ship there +and to be followed immediately by Meagher's provisional command. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 213.] Friday was spent in getting troops on +board the ships at Annapolis and systematizing their accommodation +for the voyage. One of our transports was the "Atlantic," Captain +Gray, which, as the crack ship of the Collins Line of New York and +Liverpool packets, had led the van of the ocean greyhounds in the +days of wooden hulls and side-wheels. General Schofield and myself +made our headquarters on this ship. On each of the other vessels the +senior officer was made responsible for all the troops on board, and +was confidentially authorized, after it should enter Chesapeake Bay, +to instruct the master of the ship to make the best of his way to +Cape Fear Inlet as the rendezvous for the division. [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 293.] General Grant had asked the War Department to +arrange for a patrol of the coast by the navy during the transit of +Schofield's little army. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 284.] + +On Saturday the 4th we had expected to start at daybreak, but a +heavy fog delayed us. When it lifted, we made our way slowly down +the Potomac, the drifting ice obstructing the passage so that we +could only go at a snail's pace, backing and filling to keep in the +ice openings and to save injury to the vessel. Starting at ten +o'clock, we only reached the head of Kettlebottom Shoals by +nightfall of the short winter day, making less than twenty miles. +The passage of the shoals was too dangerous for so large a vessel in +the dark, and we dropped anchor for the night. I had made it my +first task on Friday evening to have a complete understanding with +Captain Gray, and to get his suggestions as to the orders I desired +to issue for the conduct and discipline of the troops while on board +ship for which I was responsible. He was a gentleman of ability and +large experience in his profession, and co-operated with me so +cordially that our week on board the "Atlantic" was a most +comfortable one, full of interest and enjoyment, though we met rough +weather outside the capes. My order was issued on Saturday and +rigidly enforced during the voyage. By Captain Gray's invitation I +made my office in his chart-room on the upper deck, enforcing +regular tours of duty for officers and men of the division, of whom +nearly 2000 were on board. In the intervals, when the captain was +not himself on the bridge, we exchanged stories of our very +different experiences, and I found his conversation both interesting +and instructive. We had besides, of course, the large circle of +comrades and old friends in the cabin, and for those who escaped +sea-sickness the hours never hung heavy. [Footnote: As the Records +do not seem to contain many orders for the conduct of troops on +transport ships, I insert that which I made for this voyage. It was, +of course, supplemental to the Army Regulations of 1863, chap, +xxxvii. + +"Special Orders + +No. 9. + + +HEADQUARTERS, THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS, +Steamship Atlantic, February 4, 1865. + + +The following regulations will be strictly observed by the officers +and men of this command during the present voyage: + +1. No open lights will be allowed in any part of the ship occupied +by troops. The ship's lanterns will be arranged by the officers of +the vessel in such a way as to light the decks during the night, and +will not be opened or interfered with by the men. + +2. No smoking will be allowed in any part of the vessel used for +sleeping except the open decks. The men may smoke in the open air +upon the upper decks, and the brigade commander will provide for +giving proper airing, and opportunity to smoke, to the men quartered +below. Officers will smoke, either upon deck or in the smoking-room +near the water-closets. + +3. The division and brigade commissaries will make arrangements with +the steward of the ship for cooking the men's coffee and doing other +necessary cooking for the command, and for serving the same out at +regular hours. + +4. The canteens of the men may be filled with drinking water once +each day, the men being marched by companies under their proper +officers to the pump in the fore part of the ship for that purpose. + +5. The brigade commander, in consultation with the commander of the +ship, will arrange for the perfect policing of the quarters, sinks, +etc. + +6. The starboard side of the upper and main decks abaft of the +engine, will be kept clear of men and reserved for the use of +officers, both of the command and of the ship, during the day; and +such portion of this space as may necessarily be occupied by the men +for sleeping at night, will have a passage kept entirely clear for +the use of the officers and crew of the vessel in working her at +night. No men will at any time be allowed to go upon the roofs of +the houses on the upper deck. + +7. Proper roll-calls will be established, and the line officers will +be strictly required to attend them, and to make close personal +inspections daily of the condition of their men, and to be +personally in command of them when marched out for water, or coffee, +or when on duty. + +8. An officer of the day will be daily appointed by the brigade +commander, and shall have full charge of the execution of this +order, and supervision of all the police arrangements of the +command. Proper line officers will be detailed on guard duty, and +sentries will be regularly posted at the bulkhead of the ship +storeroom on the forward lower deck, at the sinks, over the lights +at night, and on the middle line of the decks reserved under +paragraph six. + +9. The officer of the day, after reporting at brigade headquarters +each day, will report to the captain of the ship, in order that the +ship's officers may know to whom to apply for any enforcement of +these regulations. + +By command of Major-General Cox. + + +(Signed) THEO. Cox, +Capt. and Ass't Adj't-General." + + +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 303.] + +Weighing anchor at daybreak on Sunday morning, we passed Kettle +Bottom Shoals safely, and found much more open water in the lower +river. The day was mild and calm, and we made good progress to Fort +Monroe, where we stopped in the evening to take on board a supply of +ammunition. While this work was going on, I took advantage of the +opportunity to land in a small boat and pass through the place by +moonlight. As one of the largest and most important of the +fortresses of the old style, with heavy walls of masonry, casemated, +and with regular moat, it was an interesting study to a soldier, and +all the more so as we were then in the full heat of the discussion +of the relative value of such formal works compared with mere +earthworks, of which Fort Fisher, to which we were bound, was a very +striking example. It was admitted that modern ordnance could soon +knock the walls into a rubbish-heap, but Fort Sumter had raised the +supplementary debate, whether the rubbish-heap did not begin a new +chapter in the defence, longer and more important than the first +period of attack. + +As soon as the ammunition was on board and properly stowed, our +voyage was resumed, and at daybreak we had passed out of Chesapeake +Bay, joining our consorts of the transport fleet near Cape Henry, +and were running down the coast along the even line of keys which +lie as a breastwork against the Atlantic Ocean outside of the much +indented coast proper of North Carolina. The wind was moderate and +off shore, so that Captain Gray laid his course straight for Cape +Hatteras, with only offing enough to keep in a good depth of +water,--say fifteen or twenty miles. At intervals during the day we +could see isolated clumps of pine-trees rising out of the water, +like low-lying, blue clouds, so that we could hardly say that we +were wholly out of sight of land. We passed Cape Hatteras late in +the afternoon, about sunset, and as the coast now trends much more +to the westward, with concave lines from Hatteras to Cape Lookout +(near Beaufort), and from Lookout to Cape Fear, our course took us +farther out to sea. I woke on Tuesday morning to find the ship +pitching heavily and heavy rain sounding loud on the deck over my +head, driven by gusts of wind. Doubts as to the reliability of my +"sea legs" made me prudently keep my berth till about ten o'clock, +when I went on deck to find a [Illustration: [map of south-central +North Carolina at the South Carolina border]] dense fog and a high +running sea. The rain had ceased, but the succeeding fog was a worse +obstacle to navigation. We were nearly at our destination, and were +feeling our way slowly along. My "doubts" vanished in the fresh air, +and the bit of real seafaring was exhilarating. Most of the cabin +passengers, however, failed to show themselves on deck, and the +soldiers and officers whom duty kept there did not all enjoy it +greatly. The recruiting regulations, just then, allowed transfers to +the gunboat service of soldiers who had any experience even in +inland navigation, and the impulse to change had made the subject a +"burning question," even while we were in the West The inveterate +practical jokers now had their opportunity, and a man leaning +uneasily over the lee rail was sure to be offered the chance to +enlist in the navy, with glowing eulogies of its superior comfort +compared with marching in the mud. In the middle of the afternoon we +dropped anchor in nine fathoms, but toward evening the fog lifted, +and we ran further in, anchoring in seven fathoms, about a mile off +the shore. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 927.] +Fort Fisher was abreast of us, on Federal Point, its big parapet +looking like a long, low hill, with knobs upon it, rising from the +beach of glittering white sand against a background of the pine +forest. Admiral Porter's fleet lay at their moorings all around us, +a few of the lighter vessels having crossed the bar and run into the +mouth of Cape Fear River behind the fort, where the river channel +was nearly parallel to the sea beach and less than a mile from it. +We were at New Inlet, between Federal Point and Smith Island, or +rather the long, narrow key which runs northward from the island. +Cape Fear is the sharp southern point of Smith Island, some seven +miles south of where we lay, and the old entrance was south and west +of the cape, between the island and the mainland. [Footnote: See +official Atlas, pl. cxxxix.] + +The landing of the troops was a difficult task, for the roughness of +the sea made it impossible for another vessel to lie alongside the +transports, and we had to resort to the slow and somewhat dangerous +method of transferring the men from the ships to a light-draft +steamer in the ship's small boats. A little wharf was on the inner +side of Federal Point, but there the water was so shallow that even +the light-draft propeller could not get to the wharf, and another +transfer had to be made. Crossing the bar could only be done at high +water or near it, and the time for work was consequently so much +shortened that the whole of the 8th and 9th was used in landing the +division. At sunset of the 9th the sea went down enough for the +propeller to come alongside; the headquarters tents and baggage were +transferred to her, and we took leave of the good ship "Atlantic." +By the time this transfer was made, the tide was too low to let us +pass in over the bar, and we had to pass the night on the dirty +propeller, lying outside till eight o'clock of Friday the 10th, when +we ran in at high tide, and after the second transfer resumed our +character of land forces on the sandy shore of North Carolina. All +the saddle horses of the command were, however, upon a freight ship +that did not arrive for several days, and mounted officers who had +lived in the saddle for years found it slow and tiresome work to +wade on foot through the soft sands in the performance of military +duty. + +General Terry with his forces was holding a line across Federal +Point about two miles above Fort Fisher, [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 910.] and I directed my own troops to +encamp a little in rear of Terry's line. My own quartermaster +arranged with the chief of that department on the ground to send our +headquarters tents and baggage with the division. Meanwhile, taking +the little river steamboat which had made our final transfer to the +shore, I visited General Schofield, who had his headquarters +temporarily on the steamer "Spaulding," assigned to the medical +department for hospital use, but which at the time had no sick or +wounded on board. Like myself, he was for the nonce dismounted, and +as he was contemplating movements up both sides of Cape Fear River, +some means of ready communication with both banks was a necessity. +With him I visited Admiral Porter on the flag-ship "Malvern," and a +movement for next day, the 11th, was arranged. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 927.] + +[Illustration: Map] + +General Bragg was in command of the Confederate Department of North +Carolina, to which he was assigned when General Lee, being made by +law general-in-chief of the army, superseded him in the similar +duties he had been performing by appointment of President Davis. +Bragg's headquarters were at Wilmington. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1088, 1099.] Hoke's division was +mostly in intrenchments across Federal Point about four miles above +Fort Fisher, his right resting at Sugar-loaf Hill on the left bank +of the river, and his left near the lower end of Myrtle Sound. +Opposite Sugar-loaf, at Old Brunswick, was Fort Anderson, a strong +earthwork with ten pieces of heavy ordnance, garrisoned by General +Hagood with his brigade of two thousand men. [Footnote: Official +Atlas, pl. cxxxii.; Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. pp. 911, +1077.] The channel of the river was obstructed by torpedoes and +other defensive devices. The enemy's fortifications on Smith Island +and near Smithville had been abandoned when Fort Fisher fell, +opening the way into the river above them. + +On board the "Malvern" it was arranged that a monitor and other +vessels of the fleet which could cross the bar should ascend the +river and engage Fort Anderson, whilst Terry's troops, supported by +my division, should make a strong reconnoissance of Hoke's lines +and, if they were found to be strongly held, establish counter lines +near them, so that most of the forces could then be used for +flanking operations. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 958.] Returning to my +command, I found it encamped as had been ordered, and our +headquarters tents in comfortable shape by the zealous labors of our +servants aided by the headquarters guard. General Terry kindly sent +over four horses as a mount for myself and my most necessary staff +officers in the movement to begin in the morning. One of the first +questions a soldier asks in regard to his camping-place is, Where is +water to be got? One's first impression would be that on this flat +tongue of sand covered only with a sparse growth of pines and scrub +live-oak, with the ocean on one side and a tidal river on the other, +fresh water would be scarce and brackish. But we were agreeably +disappointed to find that near us, in the middle of the sands, was a +juniper swamp and pond of which the water was sweet and wholesome, +though from the juniper roots it had the bright brown color of +coffee. + +On the 11th the movement was made as planned. Hoke's outposts and +pickets were driven from their rifle-pits, and his main line at +Sugar-loaf well reconnoitred. Terry's new line was established +within small-arm range of the enemy and intrenched so that Hoke +might be obliged to hold his own position in force. In the advance I +was much interested in observing the conduct of the colored troops +in General Paine's division, for I had never before seen them in +action. They were well disciplined and well led, and went forward +with alacrity in capital form, showing that they were good soldiers. +I rode well forward purposely to watch their skirmishers, and was +greatly pleased to see the pace they took and the lively way in +which they followed up the Confederate outposts when once these were +started. + +When the new position was taken up, I went to the river bank, and +there, from a sand breastwork so white that it looked like a +snow-drift, I watched with my field-glass a duel between the monitor +"Montauk" and Fort Anderson. The monitor, which lay about a mile +from the fort, was of the original single-turret form, armed with +the large-calibre smooth-bores, which were fired with great +deliberation and with surprising accuracy. I could not see how any +rifled guns could have improved on their practice. The conical shot +would, of course, have excelled in penetrating power and in range, +but the big round shells seemed to be put just where the gunners +wished. A group of men stood on the deck of the monitor behind the +turret, and they frequently came out from its cover to watch the +effect of the firing, having time to step back again, between the +flash of the enemy's gun and the passing of the shot. The deck of +the monitor, being almost awash, was no mark at all for the +artillerists in the fort, and it would be the merest chance if a +ricochet shot struck it. If it did, the very low angle of impact +made it fly off without doing any harm. The turret was dented with +some centre shots, as I saw when I visited the vessel later, but it +was practically impregnable to the ordnance the Confederates used. +On the other hand, the direct fire from the ship was limited in its +effect to the displacement of earth on the parapet or the knocking +away of the cheeks of the embrasures. The body of the garrison was +kept out of range, and the artillerists were so close to the rampart +that when shells exploded over them, the fragments flew beyond and +there were few casualties. + +General Terry was left to hold the new line established in face of +Hoke with Paine's division and Abbott's brigade, whilst my division +and Ames's (of Terry's command) were marched back to camp near Fort +Fisher. Schofield's own idea had been to send me with my own and +Ames's divisions across the river to operate against Fort Anderson +by the west bank and, by taking it, force the enemy to evacuate the +Sugar-loaf position opposite. By thus concentrating on the bank most +weakly held, we would by a sort of see-saw work them back till they +must give up Wilmington or fight for it in the open. I was directed +to be ready to cross the river on the 12th, but the order was +countermanded, and it was determined to try a plan which would avoid +the necessity of dividing the forces on the two sides of a large +river. Colonel Comstock of Grant's staff, who had accompanied Terry +as engineer in the taking of Fort Fisher [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvi. pt. ii. p. 30.] and who was still with us, had +made a reconnoissance up the coast on the 11th, and found at Big +Hill, three miles south of Masonboro Inlet, a position from which it +seemed practicable to cover the collection and launching of enough +pontoon boats to ferry a column of troops across Myrtle Sound. If +this could be done with secrecy and speed till enough were over to +make head against the enemy while the rest were crossing, Hoke's +position would be turned and he would have to fall back upon more +open country, where our whole force could be manoeuvred against him. + +On Comstock's suggestion Schofield determined to try the plan, which +was a promising one if winds and waves would permit. The navy was to +tow the boats to the place of rendezvous with a body of engineer +troops under Comstock's orders, whilst Schofield led Ames's and my +divisions by the shore. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +ii. pp. 403,404.] The movement was made after dark on the evening of +the 12th, but the bad weather had hardened down into a regular +northeaster, and it proved impossible to tow the pontoon boats +through the heavy sea. After a night of severe exposure we returned +to camp to find many of our tents flattened by the gale. After a +day's rest the effort was renewed on the 14th, but as the admiral +reported that the sea was too rough for even the smaller steamers to +go outside, the plan was modified so as to try drawing the boats on +their trucks, though the number of our draft animals was as yet very +small. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 426, 427.] What with the heavy surf on +the beach and the deep, soft sand beyond it, the weak teams could +not pull the trucks far, and gave out before we reached the chosen +position. As we turned back after midnight the moon was just rising, +and the scene was a wild one, with the flying clouds and the foaming +waves silvered by the moonlight; but the rarest sight was, just as +half the moon's great disk was above the horizon, a ship of war +stood against it, exactly framed in the semicircle of light as if +drawn in black on the silver surface. The plan was an interesting +one and would probably have succeeded in favorable weather, but the +winter storm forbade. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +ii. p. 437.] + +Then came the resumption of the original purpose, and I was assigned +to command the column advancing from Smithville up the other bank of +the river. One brigade of Couch's division (Moore's) had arrived, +and it was ordered to report to me. Ames's division was also in the +column till Fort Anderson was evacuated in the night of the 18th, +when it rejoined Terry and I moved on against the Confederate +position at Town Creek. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. p. 960; pt. ii. pp. +492, 493.] Ferrying the unfordable stream, Hagood's brigade was +attacked and routed on the 20th, capturing two cannon and nearly 400 +prisoners, including Colonel Simonton the commandant, Hagood himself +having gone to Wilmington. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 495, 509.] On the +21st we pressed on to Brunswick Ferry, and saved part of the pontoon +bridge there which the enemy had not been able to destroy +completely. An advance-guard was got over on Eagle Island, the large +swampy island lying in front of Wilmington, where the remnant of +Hagood's brigade held the narrow causeway. Bragg had been to +Richmond on an official visit, but was back at Wilmington and saw +that the time to evacuate had come. The naval stores were set on +fare, and the dense black pillars of smoke from the warehouses of +resin and turpentine told us the story. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +1241-1245.] + +My route from Town Creek around Mcllhenny's mill-pond to Brunswick +Ferry had taken me some three miles back from the river, and the +broad swamps and rice-fields intervening made communication with +General Schofield on the "Spaulding," very slow and difficult. +[Footnote: Official Atlas, pl. cxxxii.] The sequel well illustrates +the importance of complete confidence on the part of a subordinate +that his chief will sanction and heartily approve the use of full +discretion in circumstances where quick and full intercourse is +impossible. By long service with General Schofield, I knew that he +was no martinet, snubbing any independence of action, but an officer +of sound and calm judgment, fairly considering the reasons we might +have for any departure from the letter of an order. General Terry's +troops were facing the greater part of Hoke's division in a position +nearly opposite the mouth of Town Creek, and were meeting with +stubborn resistance. It was known that Hardee's command, having +evacuated Charleston, was moving northward to unite with the +Confederates in North Carolina, and it was supposed to aim at +reaching Wilmington. There were rumors that he had already joined +Bragg. + +In these circumstances General Schofield had said to me, by a +dispatch in the morning, "If you can destroy the bridge over +Brunswick River or break the railroad to-day, do so, but be ready to +cross the river early this evening near the mouth of Town Creek." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 520] Early in +the afternoon I reported progress, saying: "My head of column +reached this place [Brunswick Ferry] about one o'clock. The rebels +had partially destroyed their pontoon bridge, but from the creek I +got several boats, and have put a regiment over on the island. They +got most of the way across, when the enemy opened with one gun, +commanding the straight road. As the rest of the island seems +impracticably swampy, this checked our reconnoissance; but there can +be little doubt the rebels are evacuating. They have made immense +fires, the smoke of which you must have seen, indicating that they +are destroying turpentine, etc. A few skirmishers were on the +opposite side of Brunswick River when we reached it, but they ran at +once. The enemy has destroyed all flatboats within reach, but I may +hunt some up. I am pushing a reconnoissance further up the river, by +way of threatening to cross above the island, and so hasten their +movements. I shall put my command in position covering the crossing +and the Georgetown road, and watch the movements, in the town. The +railroad bridge across Brunswick River is partially destroyed, and +we hear the cars on the other side of the town from here. I cannot +doubt that General Terry will have an open road in the morning, and +think from the general indications that I am entirely secure here. I +will face in all directions and get all the intelligence I can, +while awaiting orders. There is no railroad or other bridge over +Cape Fear River." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. +p. 521.] + +Whilst this report was on the road to Schofield, a messenger who +left the general about noon was slowly working his way to me, +bearing this message: "My last report from General Terry indicates +that he will not be able to force the enemy back from the position +held by him last evening. General Terry thinks Hoke has his whole +force in his front. It will therefore be necessary to transfer your +troops to the east bank of the river to-night. The men will be put +across in small boats near the mouth of Town Creek, unless Terry +succeeds in effecting a lodgment higher up. In the latter event I +will signal you. Otherwise move your troops to the mouth of Town +Creek without further orders. Let your artillery and animals go down +to Fort Anderson. I will have them sent from that place by steamers +to Federal Point this evening. If you can destroy the bridges over +Brunswick River to-day, do so; but in any event be ready to commence +crossing the river by dusk or earlier, if practicable. You might +perhaps send back a brigade or two while the others are doing the +work." [Footnote: _Ibid._] + +At six o'clock, in the dusk of the evening, this letter reached me, +and I instantly replied: "Your dispatch directing movement is only +just received, the messenger having lost his way. As I am eight +miles from the mouth of Town Creek, and it is already dark, your +directions cannot be literally followed, and the circumstances +impress me so strongly with the belief that the enemy are about to +evacuate Wilmington to-night that I venture to send one brigade now +and wait further orders before withdrawing all. It will take all +night to get the whole command to Town Creek, and it seems +impossible to cross them all, beginning at an hour so much later +than you anticipated when sending the dispatch. Some engineers on +the railroad who have come into my lines, several other citizens, +and a number of slaves, all agree in reporting the intention of +evacuating immediately. The destruction of immense quantities of +property since I came up this evening looks the same way. I have +collected and repaired nearly all of the pontoons and materials of +the bridge, and had begun relaying them when your dispatch came. I +cannot retire my own force now without it appearing a retreat. I +would be entirely willing to stay here with one brigade, and should +feel quite confident that I could at any time bring it off safely, +if we remained here several days even. Thinking you would not desire +more troops at Town Creek than you can cross to-night, I ... think +it right to send the one brigade, and if more can cross, I can still +send them, so as to be not much behind the others if the messenger +makes reasonable haste. I believe I mentioned in a former dispatch +that the rebels themselves destroyed the Brunswick River railroad +bridge." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 522.] + +The orderly who reached me had been landed from a small boat and +made his way to me on foot, and as he had eight or nine miles to +walk by a wretched road, it was not strange that he was late in +reaching me. Giving him his supper whilst I wrote my dispatch, I +then mounted him on a horse, and sent with him another mounted man +to bring the return message. My first messenger had tried to reach +the river through the swamps at several points, but had not +succeeded in getting within hailing distance of any vessels in the +stream. He happened, however, to fall in with the second messengers +in his wanderings, and was now taken to the place where a small boat +was to be sent, and so it happened that both my dispatches reached +Schofield together, but not till about half-past ten. Meanwhile, the +general having heard nothing whatever from me, and getting +unfavorable reports from Terry, wrote me again at a quarter-past +seven. + +He said: "My orderlies and your signal officer seem to have got +lost, and I have heard nothing from you since 10.30 A. M. I sent an +order to you by an orderly on foot about noon, but do not feel at +all certain that it has reached you. I want you to move back abreast +of the fleet, just above the mouth of Town Creek, to-night, and be +ready to cross the river at dawn of day in the morning. Send all +your wagons and horses to Fort Anderson. The men will cross in small +boats. Better send a regiment with your wagons, horses, and +artillery. Should the enemy be in force in your front, it might be +necessary to cross Town Creek before crossing the river. About this, +act according to your judgment. I intended you to cross the river +to-night, but it is now too late." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. p. 522.] + +But whilst this last orderly was on his dark and weary way to me, my +two dispatches finally got through, and at 10.20 Schofield wrote me +from the cabin of the "Spaulding" as follows: "Your dispatch of 6 +P.M. is just received, and is highly satisfactory. The one of an +earlier date, but the hour not given, came at the same time. About +seven o'clock I sent another to you directing you to come back. I +hope this will reach you in time to take its place. My orders were +based on General Terry's report of an increase of the force in his +front, and that of prisoners that Hardee's forces had arrived from +Charleston. I think you would certainly have learned it if the +latter were true That you have sent one brigade back is well. You +may send another as soon as you get this dispatch. Keep the other +two where you are until daylight in the morning. Then, if the rebels +have gone, you can enter the town, taking care to hold the river +crossings. If the enemy has not gone, or you are not positive that +he is going, then move back and cross the river as before directed." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvit. pt. ii. p. 522.] + +Immediately after this, Schofield wrote me another dispatch, +briefer, but of the same general purport. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 523.] +It was probably sent by way of precaution, in case any accident +happened to the bearer of the other. Arrangements had been made to +get over some horsemen so as to speed these dispatches, and they +came through to me by midnight. But meanwhile my perplexity as to my +duty was intensified. I had put over the Sixteenth Kentucky upon +Eagle Island, and made them throw up a breastwork across the +cause-way facing that of the enemy, which was near the main channel +of Cape Fear River. They were exploring the swamps, seeking +information and preparing to force the position in the morning. My +confidence in my forecast was such that I did not cease work on the +repair of the pontoons, and had the crossing ready for use late in +the evening, but awaited further orders with great anxiety. At +11.45, however, came the order dated at 7.15, reiterating the +direction to withdraw. Moore's brigade had gone under the first +order, Henderson's was waiting ready to march, and I started it for +Town Creek. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 524.] Reilly's (Colonel Sterl in +command) began to follow. The march in a dark night made it proper +to leave reasonable intervals between the brigades, and I was still +waiting with Casement's brigade, and had not destroyed the pontoon +bridge, when, at midnight, I got Schofield's dispatch of 10.20, +which had come through in less than half the time other messages had +taken, under his eager orders to force the horses through at speed. +I at once recalled Sterl, and with great satisfaction wrote to the +General, "Your dispatch of 10.20 received in time to stop two +brigades. Henderson's and Moore's have gone forward and will report +at the river above Town Creek. I will inform you of any changes in +the morning. The railroad employes who came in to me informed me +positively that Hardee's troops had not come here." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 523.] My outpost on the +island was replaced, and before day dawned we knew that the last of +the enemy had disappeared from our immediate front and that +Wilmington was evacuated. Bragg had carefully removed all boats from +our side of the channel, but citizens anxious to prevent us from +firing on the town came over in skiffs, and we learned that the +Confederate forces had marched away toward Goldsborough, leaving the +way open for Terry's march into the city, which took place in the +early morning of the 22d, which we were happy to recall was +Washington's Birthday. + +It has seemed worth while to give the correspondence at such length, +because it well illustrates the difficulties under which officers +must labor in war, and the necessity for a good deal of freedom of +action and of discretion in deciding upon his course, when the +commander of a detached column finds his communication with +headquarters obstructed and retarded by accidental circumstances. +Had General Schofield's methods been rigid in requiring literal +obedience, my command would have abandoned the advantages we had +gained, and the campaign might have taken quite another turn. My +complete confidence in the liberality of his judgment when the facts +should be all known, encouraged me to a course which would otherwise +have been impossible. [Footnote: In 1870 Moltke had adopted the wise +rule of leaving to subordinates of the higher grades very large +discretion, and to avoid trammelling them by detailed orders or by +prematurely communicated plans. "The very lack of instructions gave +them liberty and imposed on them the duty of acting on their own +responsibility, in case unforeseen events should require such prompt +action that orders from the Supreme Commander could not be waited +for." (Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen, Strategy, vol. i. p. 324.) It was even +looked upon as "an unwarranted censure" on the subordinate "if +anything was enjoined unnecessarily," or which was within the proper +knowledge and discretion of the officer. _Id_., vol. ii. p. 39.] +There was with me a very efficient squad of the Signal Corps, under +Lieutenant Ketchum, which had kept up flag communication with the +"Spaulding" and across the river in our advance from Smithville to +Town Creek, but when we advanced to Brunswick Ferry, Mr. Ketchum +found it impossible, on account of the course of Brunswick River and +the dense woods upon the banks, to establish any station from which +he could communicate with any of the vessels in the river below, or +with General Terry on the east bank of the Cape Fear. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. pp. 915, 916.] This threw us +unexpectedly upon messengers as the only go-betweens, and led to the +embarrassments which have been described. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII + +THE CONFEDERACY IN STRAITS--JOHNSTON COMMANDS IN THE CAROLINAS--OUR +OPERATIONS FROM NEW BERNE--BATTLE OF KINSTON + + +The Confederates lose Charleston and Columbia--Facing a +crisis--Hopeless apathy of Southern people--Mr. Davis's +perplexity--Beauregard startles him--Lee calls Johnston to +command--Personal relations of leading officers--Dwindling +armies--The cavalry--Assignments of generals--The Beaufort and New +Berne line--Am ordered to New Berne--Provisional corps--Advance to +cover railway building--Dover and Gum swamps--Bragg concentrates to +oppose us--Position near Kinston--Bragg's plan of attack--Our own +movements--Condition of railroad and river--Our advance to Wise's +Forks and Southwest Creek--Precautions--Conference with +Schofield--Battle of Kinston--Enemy attack our left front--Rout of +Upham's brigade--Main line firm--Ruger's division reaches the +field--Enemy repulsed--End of first day's fight--Extending our +trenches on the left--Sharp skirmishing of the 9th--Bragg's +reinforcements--His attack of the both--Final repulse and retreat of +the enemy. + + +Upon our occupation of Wilmington, Bragg retreated northward along +the line of the railroad toward Goldsborough, which was the crossing +of the Wilmington and Weldon Railway with that from New Berne to +Raleigh. Sherman had captured the capital of South Carolina, and in +his movement northward his left wing had followed the railroad from +Columbia toward Charlotte, N. C, as far as Winnsborough, forty +miles, for the purpose of making a permanent break in that line of +communication before turning his columns eastward toward Cheraw and +Fayetteville on his way to Goldsborough, the rendezvous he had fixed +for his junction with Schofield's army. Beauregard, whose command +now included South Carolina, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1202, 1204.] had moved with the forces under his +immediate command from Augusta, through Columbia to Charlotte, and +was calling to him all the Confederate troops operating against +Sherman. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1193, +1202, 1217, 1238.] On the 14th of February he had ordered Hardee to +evacuate Charleston, and the unwelcome proof that South Carolina was +lost so alarmed Mr. Davis that he urged Hardee to hold on as long as +possible. But both Lee and Beauregard became uneasy lest Hardee +should be caught before he could join the rest, and despite Mr. +Davis's bitter disappointment, the evacuation was made in the night +of the 17th, Hardee being sick abed for a few days, and turning over +the command to General McLaws. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1177, 1181, +1195, 1201-1202, 1204, 1223, 1258.] + +The loss of Charleston, the original cradle of secession, seemed a +portent to the people of the South, and well-nigh destroyed all +hope. Governor Magrath of South Carolina had written Mr. Davis, a +month before, that the fate of the Confederacy was involved in the +early movements of Sherman's march from Savannah, and that he was in +earnest correspondence with the Governors of North Carolina and +Georgia, urging extraordinary efforts. "Richmond will surely fall +when Charleston is lost," he said, adding emphatically, "To retain +Richmond until Charleston is lost is to sacrifice both." [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 1035.] Davis was not blind to the consequences, or to the +nature of the crisis. A week before Magrath's letter was written, +the Confederate President had sent a dispatch to Governor Brown of +Georgia, declaring the absolute necessity of making Hardee strong +enough to stop Sherman on the line of the Combahee, which he rightly +said was stronger than any position that could be occupied further +north. He ended with the appeal, "We must look forward, and leave +discussions of the past to a more convenient season." [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 1016.] Governor Vance of North Carolina issued a +proclamation powerfully appealing to his people for a final rally, +using the failure of the recent peace conference at Fort Monroe as +proof that there was only subjugation offered us, the mere details +of which they [Lincoln and Seward] proposed to settle. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 1189.] But the whole South +was already in apathetic despair under the conviction of their +helplessness to check the triumphant march of Sherman's 60,000 +veterans or prevent his junction with Schofield's 30,000. Instead of +growing by an enthusiastic rally of the old men and the boys, the +Southern army was dwindling by steady small streams of deserters, no +longer able to repress the impulse to go to their helpless families +within the Union lines. [Footnote: Lee to Vance, Id., p. 1270.] The +appeals of the governors produced no result, or only called out +responses in the press, never ventured before, saying the desperate +efforts had already been made, the physical power of the States was +exhausted, it was vain to talk of independence, it was time to make +real overtures for peace. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. +pt. ii. pp. 1250-1255.] + +The military outlook for the South was certainly gloomy enough. +Distrusting Beauregard's ability to deal with his perplexing +problem, Mr. Davis had asked Lee (on the 19th) whether it was +possible for him to get away from Petersburg long enough to go to +Beauregard and advise him after a personal conference. [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 1222.] But Lee could not leave his post for a moment with +any confidence that Grant's iron grip would not crush the defences +of Petersburg and bring the final struggle. Davis became still more +troubled when, on the 21st, Beauregard sent him a dispatch +indicating his belief that Lee must join him at Salisbury with part +of his forces, say 20,000 men, give Sherman battle there," crush +him, then to concentrate all forces against Grant, and then to march +on Washington to dictate a peace." Beauregard's evident opinion that +he was wholly unable to cope with Sherman was much more depressing +than his light-hearted suggestion of marching on Washington to +dictate a peace was inspiring. Davis sent it to Lee, saying it was +"of a startling character," and urged that the General-in-Chief +should direct the concentration of the forces in the Carolinas. He +sent also General Gilmer, his chief of engineers, to Beauregard to +examine the situation, to advise with him and report. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1229, 1237, 1238.] + +In this condition of affairs, Beauregard's retreat into North +Carolina, where Bragg commanded and was senior in rank, made a new +complication; whilst the fall of Wilmington and the danger of +Hardee's being cut off before he could unite with the Confederate +forces trying to resist Sherman, made a climax of embarrassments +which imperatively required the appointment of some one to command +in chief in the Carolinas. The same current of opinion in the +Confederate Congress which had resulted in Lee's assignment by law +(February 9th) [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. 1.] to command all the +Confederate armies, indicated General Johnston for the post second +in importance. Indeed, the knowledge of Mr. Davis's determination +not to intrust Johnston with another army in the field entered into +the motives for taking the military command out of the President's +hands, for it was understood that Lee believed Johnston to be the +man best fitted for the second place. Action could be no longer +delayed, and the very day of our occupation of Wilmington, Lee +telegraphed to Johnston to assume command, concentrate all available +forces, and drive back Sherman. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. 1247.] +For the moment Bragg was not directed to report to Johnston, but +consideration for the unpleasant personal relations between them +since the Atlanta campaign could not stand long in the way. +Beauregard accepted loyally his subordination to Johnston, and, his +health not being very strong, was assigned at his own request to +administrative duties at Raleigh, including the collection and +forwarding of troops, their supply in the field and the management +of the relations to the civil authorities of North Carolina, with +nominal position of second in command. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1248, 1399.] + +Johnston had been at Lincolnton, N. C., when notified of his +appointment, and in accepting the call to duty, gave his opinion +that it was too late to concentrate troops enough to drive back +Sherman. He promised, however, to learn from Beauregard the actual +situation, and to do all in his power to collect the army and resist +Sherman's advance. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1047.] He met Beauregard at +Charlotte, and on the 25th of February assumed command. As to his +means of resistance, the returns show a significant dwindling in +each of his corps. Hardee had reported, on January 20th, 25,290 +present for duty in his department. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1032.] +Hood's army at Tupelo, at the same date, returned 18,708 infantry +and artillery, which were soon nearly all in motion for the +Carolinas. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlv. pt. i. p. 664. General Taylor +volunteered to send the whole to Beauregard except French's +division, which he said was very weak. Some Mississippi troops were +given a short furlough, others took "French leave" (_Id_., vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 1059, 1174, 1194), and delays in transportation +occurred, so that it is very hard to say how many of the Army of +Tennessee were actually in the final combats in North Carolina. They +all seem to have gathered there before the final surrender at +Greensborough.] Bragg's return for his command in North Carolina on +February 10th was 11,206. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1154.] Besides these, +there were some militia from Georgia and South Carolina estimated at +1450, [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1084.] and Butler's division of cavalry, +more than 3000 strong, had been sent from Lee's army in Virginia. +[Footnote: _Ibid_.] Here were, then, between 55,000 and 60,000 men +apparently available to oppose Sherman, and making a larger army +than the Confederate generals attributed to him when he started from +Savannah. [Footnote: When Beauregard took command of the forces in +South Carolina, etc., on February 16th, he reckoned them at "about +20,000 effective infantry and artillery, more or less demoralized," +and said of Sherman's army that it numbered "nearly double our +force." (Dispatch to Lee, Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. +1202.) This would make Sherman about 40,000 strong. Beauregard's +underestimate of his own force is in accordance with the common +habit of officers who are somewhat discouraged and wish to be +reinforced.] It was not strange, therefore, that when, at a +conference of Beauregard with Hardee and others in Augusta on +February 3d, the troops relied on for the campaign were estimated at +33,450, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 1084.] Mr. Davis noted by his +indorsement on the paper that the previous returns showed a larger +force present for duty. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 1086.] He however added +that the language "relied on as effectives" might account for the +difference. But when on the 21st Beauregard, in the dispatch +proposing that Lee should send part of his army to Salisbury, N. C., +said, "Hardee and myself can collect about 15,000 exclusive of +Cheatham and Stewart, not likely to reach in time," [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 1238.] the startling effect on the Confederate President +was the most natural thing in the world. Armies seemed to vanish in +thin air. + +On taking command, Johnston had accepted his predecessor's estimates +of both his own forces and those of Sherman. From Charlotte, N. C., +he wrote Lee that his opponent now seemed to be moving eastward, +aiming at Fayetteville. This place he thought he might make the +point of concentration for Hardee's troops, coming from Charleston +to Cheraw by railroad, and those with Beauregard, which were in the +main the divisions of Hood's army, coming forward piecemeal, and now +amounting to something over 9000 men. He suggested that Bragg should +join him at Fayetteville also. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 1271. At the end +of February, the portions of S. D. Lee's corps which had joined +Beauregard had 2502 present for duty, Cheatham's 4697, Stewart's +1694, Engineers 185; total, 9078. (_Id._, pp. 1285, 1326.) The rest +of the Army of Tennessee were still in Georgia on their way to the +front.] The Confederate cavalry was now led by Wade Hampton, who was +made lieutenant-general to outrank Wheeler, who was not regarded +equal to the responsibility. The latter retained two divisions, and +the rank of corps commander under Hampton. [Footnote: The complaints +of marauding by Wheeler's cavalry had been loud and bitter, and +inefficiency was charged. D. H. Hill to Hardee, Official Records, +vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 1046; Do. to Iverson, pp. 1047, 1068; +Beauregard to Lee, p. 1165; Davis to Hampton, 1207. For Wheeler's +earnest defence, see _Id_., pp. 987, 1004.] As soon as it was +evident that Sherman was likely to reach the North Carolina border, +Johnston was authorized to control Bragg's operations also. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 1320.] This was, of course, a personal grief to +the latter, who asked to be relieved; but in the critical condition +of affairs personal feelings had to give way, and Bragg's request +went unanswered. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1328.] He did not insist upon +it and gave loyal support to Johnston. General D. H. Hill had been +sent from Virginia to report to Beauregard, and was commanding at +Augusta, Ga., when Sherman's march eastward from Columbia relieved +Augusta from danger, and Hill at his own request was ordered to join +Beauregard. S. D. Lee was absent from his corps by reason of a wound +he had received at Nashville, and Hill was assigned to its temporary +command. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 1002, 1003, 1272, 1317.] The growing +decay of discipline and organization was shown by the irregularity +of reports, and for the few weeks the war still went on, Johnston +had to content himself with abbreviated returns, which contained +only the numbers of effectives and aggregates present. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 1382.] Even these were not regularly sent up, and could +not be made to agree with the lists of paroles when the surrender +finally occurred. [Footnote: See chap. li. _post_.] + +Upon our occupation of Wilmington, Schofield turned his attention at +once to the opening, of the line from Beaufort and New Berne to +Kinston and Goldsborough. Terry's troops were sent to follow Bragg +northward. Couch's division of the Twenty-third Corps joined mine at +Wilmington. Meagher's provisional command of detachments of +Sherman's army had reached New Berne; but its commander had given +such dissatisfaction by his failure to remain with it and conduct +its shipment from Annapolis, that Grant directed that he should be +relieved and sent home. Such had been the result of a spicy +correspondence between Grant and Halleck which called up poor +Meagher's notorious failings. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 305-306, 316-318, 501, 509, 561.] Schofield had +asked for the assignment of Terry to a corps to comprise the troops +in the department not belonging to the Twenty-third Corps, and of +myself to the permanent command of the latter corps;[Footnote: +_Id._, p. 559.] but, pending action on this, he determined to send +me to New Berne to take command of the so-called District of +Beaufort and the troops assembling there, which would constitute +three divisions. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 579, 580.] General Palmer, +who had been there for a long time, coming in the small steamer +"Escort" to visit Schofield and consult concerning the advance from +that base, I went back with him, and was accompanied by General +Carter, whose coming from Tennessee has already been mentioned and +who was to supersede Meagher. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. pp. 930, +931.] As my assignment to this duty was intended to be temporary, I +took only part of my staff with me, and assigned General Reilly, who +had now joined us, to the temporary command of the division. General +Couch was assigned to command the two divisions of our corps which +were at Wilmington. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. ii. pp. 581, 607, 620.] A +storm delayed the departure of the "Escort" from Cape Fear Inlet, +but we reached New Berne in the evening of the last day of February. +Next day I formally assumed command and organized the forces, +distributing the garrison troops and Meagher's men between the two +divisions to be commanded by Palmer and Carter, but keeping Ruger's +division of the Twenty-third Corps intact. This last had been sent +direct to Beaufort and arrived there about the same time with +myself. It had not been with us on the Cape Fear River. An immediate +advance was ordered for the 2d of March, to cover the work of +railroad building. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. +pp. 607, 620, 637, 638.] + +Colonel Wright, chief of railway construction, had joined Sherman at +Savannah, and from thence had been sent to Schofield to rebuild the +New Berne-Goldsborough road under his directions. [Footnote: _Id_., +pp. 157, 356, 384.] Palmer's forces occupied a position at +Batchelder's Creek, nine miles above New Berne on the road to +Kinston, and the railroad building began there. Had we been well +provided with wagon-trains, it would have been easy to march at once +to Kinston, on the left bank of the Neuse, a little over thirty +miles from Newberne, and hold that place whilst the railroad was +built, obstructions removed from the river, and easy communications +opened both by rail and by water. But we were almost destitute of +wagons, having only ten to a division. This tied us close to the end +of the rails, for after carrying our necessary baggage to the +camping-place, it was the utmost the few wagons could do to bring +rations and ammunition a very few miles from the nearest temporary +station on the railroad. Dover and Gum swamps were practically +continuous to within three miles of Kinston, and steady rains had +put most of the road under water. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 654, 683.] +This necessarily slow progress gave the enemy time to arrange for +concentrating upon us. + +The importance of trying to check our columns advancing from the +sea-coast was seen by General Johnston as soon as he learned the +situation in North Carolina. On the 3d of March, when he supposed +Schofield to be continuing his movements up Cape Fear River, he had +inquired of Bragg whether it were not feasible to interpose between +Schofield and Hardee. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +ii. p. 1318, 1329.] As soon as it was known that Schofield was not +marching against Hardee, Bragg sent Hoke with his division to +Kinston, and on the 6th telegraphed to Johnston that my forces were +advancing and were within nine miles of the town. He believed that +the union with him of the troops near Goldsborough would "insure a +victory." [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 1334.] Johnston immediately ordered +all the forces he was moving towards Hardee to report to Bragg at +Goldsborough for use in a quick effort to defeat us, with the +purpose of uniting them with Hardee immediately afterward to strike +at Sherman's advancing columns. [Footnote: _Ibid._.] It was boldly +conceived, and was manifestly the best plan the circumstances +admitted. All the detachments of the Army of Tennessee were hurried +without change of cars toward Kinston. D. H. Hill had command of +them as ranking officer present. It was not pleasant for him to +report to Bragg, for a bitter quarrel begun in the Chickamauga +campaign had never been appeased, and in giving him the order, +Johnston added, "I beg you to forget the past for this emergency." +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 1338.] From Davis downward, personal griefs had +to be smothered in the crisis, and it is due to them all to remember +that they did work together earnestly for their dying cause. + +On the 7th of March, Hill reached Kinston with Lee's corps. Hoke's +division had preceded him and advanced to Southwest Creek and +occupied the lines of intrenchments earlier made along its left +bank. This stream was a tributary of the Neuse River and was then +unfordable. It described roughly a curve with a radius of about +three miles around Kinston, and had for a long time been regarded as +the principal defensive line against National troops advancing from +New Berne. Several roads radiated from Kinston, crossing Southwest +Creek. The Neuse road kept near the bank of the river, going east. +Then came the railroad following a nearly straight line to New +Berne. The Dover road forked from the Neuse road not far from the +town, and took a devious way through the swamps in the same general +direction. The upper Trent road ran more nearly south toward +Trenton, and followed the course of the Trent River. The Wilmington +road went southwesterly toward the city of that name. The several +bridges over the creek were from a mile to two miles apart, but had +been destroyed or dismantled, and earthworks for artillery had been +prepared commanding them. The whole constituted a formidable line of +fieldworks when held by an adequate force. Whitford's brigade and a +detachment of cavalry had been the only Confederate force at Kinston +at the beginning of our campaign, but Bragg had now assembled there +Hagood's brigade, which had numbered 2000 in front of Wilmington, +and a similar force of North Carolina militia under General Baker, +besides Hill and Hoke. [Footnote: Hill's Report, Official Records, +vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 1086.] Johnston had also informed Bragg that +Cheatham's corps and more than half of Stewart's were on the way by +rail, under the same orders as Hill's. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. +1339.] These constituted in fact all of Johnston's army except +Hardee's column, which was still in South Carolina. + +The necessity for haste was such, however, that upon Hill's arrival +in the night of the 7th, Bragg determined to attack me at once, in +the belief that he was strong enough to do so successfully. Hill's +corps was accordingly marched to Southwest Creek before day, and +relieved Hoke's division in the works extending from the Dover road +crossing to the railroad, whilst Hoke, with Clayton's division of +Lee's corps besides his own, marched to the upper Trent and +Wilmington bridges with orders to sweep down and attack my lines in +flank and rear. The plank had been relaid on the bridges which had +been held by outposts, and a new bridge had been built of felled +trees between the Dover road bridge and the railroad. At the sound +of Hoke's attack, Hill was to cross by the last-mentioned bridges, +and fall upon our front with all the rest of the Confederate forces. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 1087.] + +On our side, Colonel Wright had found that some miles of the +railroad had only been partially destroyed, and as iron for six +miles had been received when I reached New Berne, he was able to put +seven miles of track in passable condition by the evening of the +4th. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. pp. 654, 683.] On that day I had +concentrated at Core Creek, twenty miles from New Berne by the wagon +roads, and the head of the rails was only one or two miles behind. +On the 6th Palmer's and Carter's divisions were advanced to Gum +Swamp, seven miles further, taking four days' rations, and Ruger's +was to follow on the 7th. On this march I found that for five miles +beyond Core Creek the railway had only been capsized, ties and rails +together, and was lying in the ditch by the roadside. [Footnote: +_Id_., pp. 706-708.] Relying on the more rapid construction this +would enable Colonel Wright to make, I ordered a still further +advance for the 7th, hoping to reach Southwest Creek. There we must +expect to halt for several days, for the total destruction of the +railroad for the last ten or twelve miles from Kinston made it +probable that a mile a day was the utmost the construction corps +could rebuild, to say nothing of the bridging which would also be +necessary. + +For our own sake, as well as to provide for getting forward large +quantities of supplies for Sherman's army when we should join him, +it would be necessary to organize a line of river transportation to +supplement the railroad. Heavy obstructions to navigation had been +placed in the Neuse River, a little above New Berne, as a defence +against an iron-clad ram the Confederates had built at Kinston. As, +however, she could only come down the river on a freshet, owing to +her great draft, I had, upon leaving New Berne, ordered that the +obstructions be removed, and light-draft steamboats and flats +procured to bring supplies to some point near our camp, or to ferry +troops across if I found it advisable to shift my line of operations +to the north bank of the river. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. p. 707.] + +On Tuesday, the 7th, the command was in motion, Palmer's division +following the railroad, except Claassen's brigade, which had been +sent the previous afternoon by the Dover road to Wise's Forks, where +it crosses the lower Trent road, which ran diagonally across our +front toward the Neuse River. In the skirmish at Wise's Forks, and +from a deserter, it was learned that Hoke had joined the Kinston +forces with his division, and there were rumors of other +reinforcements arriving. Advancing along the railroad, Palmer +reached the drier ground near Southwest Creek and came under +artillery fire from guns intrenched on the other side of the creek. +The country here was wooded, and was traversed by an old road, +called the British road, running parallel to the creek from half a +mile to a mile from it. The lower Trent road also crossed the +railroad not far from the British road crossing. Palmer halted his +line in front of the British road covering all the crossings, and +advanced outposts and pickets to the creek. Boughton's brigade was +on the left of the railroad, and Harland's on the right. The latter +detached a regiment to the Neuse road to guard against any attempt +by the enemy to cross the creek beyond our right. Major Dow of my +staff was also sent with a troop of cavalry to reconnoitre the banks +of the river, seeking for a place where steamboats might land +supplies and communicate with us. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 723-725.] Ruger's division moved forward from +Core Creek to Gum Swamp. + +On my left, the Twelfth New York Cavalry, Colonel Savage, +reconnoitred both Trent roads, under orders to reach out as far to +the south as they could, covering Claassen's position at Wise's +Forks and giving early notice of any hostile movement in the +vicinity. Carter's division delayed its march till it could load up +with rations and then followed the Dover road to Claassen's +position. On reaching Wise's Forks we found that Claassen had most +of his brigade at the crossing of the British road in front, with a +detachment of 300 men at Jackson's Mills, where the Dover road +crossed the creek. He had smaller detachments also upon the British +road on both flanks. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. pp. 976, 981, 989.] I +directed General Carter to relieve Claassen's brigade with one of +his, that Claassen might rejoin Palmer and make the latter strong +enough to spare a detachment to test the condition of the Neuse road +crossing of the creek and the presence of the enemy there. Carter +sent Upham's brigade to the British road crossing to relieve +Claassen, and put the other two in line across the Dover road in +front of Wise's Forks, Malloy's on the right of the road and +Splaine's on the left with a recurved flank. Upham seems to have +marched the whole of his brigade to Jackson's Mills and to have left +only a picket post at the British road. He established a skirmish +line in rifle-pits close to the creek, and placed a section of +artillery which was with him where it would command the bridge site +on the Dover road. His picket line connected with Palmer's division +on the right, and with the outpost at the British road on the left. +[Footnote: _Id._, pp. 993, 997.] Toward evening the cavalry reported +that they had found a picket post of the enemy at the bridge on the +upper Trent road, had driven it off, taken up the plank of the +bridge and piled them on the hither side of the creek, and had +established there a picket of their own. Their scouting parties +reported no enemy at the Wilmington road crossing. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 976.] The division +commanders were directed to have Southwest Creek in front carefully +reconnoitred, to find narrow places where an infantry crossing might +be made by an improvised bridge of felled trees. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] + +[Illustration: Map] + +My habit was to keep my own headquarters well at the front, and I +had purposed moving them from Gum Swamp to Wise's Forks on the 7th, +but during the day I received word that General Schofield had +arrived at Beaufort from Wilmington, coming by sea. We arranged that +he should come up for a consultation with me next morning, and to +facilitate this, I left my headquarters with Ruger's division, and +after a personal visit to Palmer and Carter, I rode back to Gum +Swamp in the evening. General Schofield was to come up to the end of +the track on the railroad in the morning, and I sent led horses to +meet him. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. +722-724.] The telegraph was made to keep pace with the progress of +the railway, and from its upper station we had the aid of flag +signals along the railroad bed to Palmer's headquarters. [Footnote: +_Id_., pt i. p. 918.] The information we had received of Hoke's +presence made it all the more important that we should get out of +the swamps, where we could only operate by head of column, to the +drier region along Southwest Creek, where the lower Trent road and +the British road would give us communication between our flanks and +some chance to manoeuvre. These reasons had made me push forward on +the 7th, though the movement put us ten miles above the head of the +rails and made it sure that we should be short of supplies. As soon +as the troops were in position the few wagons with them were +unloaded and hurried back, first for ammunition and then for +rations. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. 734.] We then had no knowledge +of the arrival of any part of Hood's army in North Carolina, and +although my provisional corps was far short of being solidly +organized, and the troops were either new or unused to field +service, I felt no concern lest Hoke should take the offensive +alone. + +General Schofield had joined me at Gum Swamp about nine o'clock on +the morning of the 8th, and after our conference we had mounted to +ride to General Palmer's headquarters to see what prospect there +might be for securing a crossing near the railroad which would +permit preparation for rebuilding the railroad bridge. A note now +came from General Carter at Wise's Forks telling of information +received from a negro that a large body of the enemy had crossed +Southwest Creek at the Wilmington road early in the morning. As the +cavalry had a picket at the upper Trent bridge and were supposed to +be patrolling beyond the Wilmington road, the information did not +seem threatening, but I sent back directions to have the cavalry +ordered to do their work thoroughly by instantly testing the truth +of the information. Carter was also ordered to support the cavalry +with a regiment of infantry. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. p. 734.] The message from the front was followed +almost instantly by another, saying that a heavy force of the enemy +had penetrated between Upham's brigade and the rest of the division, +almost simultaneously with a report from the cavalry that their +picket had been driven from the bridge at the Trent road. As that +picket was two miles in front of Upham's left on the British road, +it was too evident that the duty of the horsemen had not been well +done. Ruger was ordered to march his division at speed to the front, +and we galloped to Wise's Forks. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. pp. 977, +994.] + +The account I have before given of the enemy's dispositions for the +day's work [Footnote: _Ante_, pp. 429, 430.] makes it easy to +understand the situation as we found it. Hoke, with his own and +Clayton's divisions, had turned northward on the British road after +getting over Southwest Creek, and as he approached the Dover road, +had deployed and advanced upon Upham's flank. The latter, upon the +first intimation of an enemy's approach, had hurried the +Twenty-seventh Massachusetts to the British road and placed it in +line about a quarter of a mile south of the Dover road, which was, +of course, his connection with the rest of the division. He also +ordered to the same point the section of artillery, and directed the +left battalion of his other regiment (Fifteenth Connecticut) to +change front also to the south. These orders were judicious, but the +odds were too great to make them successful. Far outflanked on +either hand, the Massachusetts regiment was put to rout, all the +horses of one of the guns were killed, and though the men cut the +traces and tried to save the gun by hand, they had to abandon it, +while the other retreated on the run toward the main position. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. pp. 997-999.] +General Hill had crossed the creek at the improvised bridge on +hearing the sound of Hoke's engagement, but finding a swamp between +him and Upham's right, had to make a circuit of it, driving back our +pickets in the interval between Carter's and Palmer's divisions. +Turning toward the noise of Hoke's firing, he intercepted the right +battalion of Upham's Connecticut regiment, and took many of them +prisoners. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1087.] Most of the rest of the +regiment finding Hoke's division partly surrounding them, and all +other retreat cut off by Hill, surrendered to Hoke. Colonel Upham +and most of the Massachusetts regiment succeeded in reaching our +main lines, though in confusion. All this was not done, however, +without fighting, which took time, and as the whole engagement was +in forest or swamp, the enemy was a good deal delayed in his +movements and in rectification of lines. + +When we reached the field Carter had gone in person toward Upham's +position, having first sent a regiment forward on the Dover road to +try to reopen communication with him. Palmer was ordered to send his +reserve brigade rapidly to extend his left and assist Carter. But as +there was still an interval between them, the regiment of cavalry +which had come in on the left was transferred to the centre and +ordered to make a strong skirmishing fight till Ruger's division +could arrive on the ground. Palmer at the same time was ordered to +demonstrate strongly toward the creek. Riding forward on the Dover +road, I found Carter with the regiment from his division, still +energetically striving to reach Upham. As the sound of the battle +showed that the enemy was also in front of our centre, it was +evident that we must make a concentration of our forces till the +divisions were in touch with each other. I therefore directed Carter +to make his main line in front of Wise's Forks as solid as possible, +concentrating his artillery near the Dover road, and to limit the +activity of the advanced regiment to bold skirmishing, drawing it +back to the main line as the enemy advanced in force. + +Hoke had evidently supposed that Upham's detachment on the British +road was the flank of our principal position, and was surprised at +finding strong demonstrations from the direction of Wise's Forks, +now partly in his own rear. This checked his progress and made him +turn upon Carter. The advanced regiment retired as ordered, and when +it was within the lines the enemy was saluted with such a fire of +artillery and musketry as instantly checked him. Although he +repeated his efforts to force the position at the Forks several +times, they all were futile, and Carter had at no time the least +difficulty in holding his main line firmly. + +In Palmer's division, when Hill's advance across the creek drove +back the pickets and threatened to pass the left flank of Boughton's +brigade, this officer drew back his left to the British road and +threw up a hasty barricade there. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. i. p. 992.] Claassen's brigade was sent to prolong +Boughton's line to the left, and Ruger's division having come up, +the connection between Palmer and Carter was secured, the latter +advancing his brigades so as to make a better continuous line. The +attacks of Hoke and Hill extended across Ruger's front, but nothing +heavier than brisk skirmishing occurred on Boughton's line. +Claassen's brigade was sent forward toward Jackson's Mill, +accompanied by my aide, Captain Tracy, in order to locate the left +of the enemy's line, and determine the extent of his forces in front +of our left and centre. No strong opposition was met till the Dover +road came in sight, where the enemy were seen moving toward Hoke's +position in front of Carter. Claassen was followed back in his +orderly retirement to his position on Ruger's right, and was +attacked there, but easily repulsed his assailants. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. pp. 982, 990.] + +Palmer had reported sharp skirmishing across his front all the way +to the Neuse road on his right, and had drawn his lines back a +little, so as to keep them in front of the British road, contracting +his right and extending his left, as the sound of the fighting +showed that the heaviest attacks were falling upon Carter. By the +middle of the afternoon a continuous line of breastworks had been +made along the whole of Palmer's division in front of the British +road. Ruger had extended it diagonally till it joined Carter's +right, the latter continuing it across the Dover road in front of +Wise's Forks to a difficult swamp on the extreme left. For our left, +the lower Trent road served for our communication along the front, +and for our right the British road was used in like manner. + +Late in the day there were indications of an attempt to turn +Palmer's right on the Neuse road, and this, which added to the +complexity of the situation, seems to have grown out of an excentric +movement of the Confederate left under Hill. In crossing Southwest +Creek to make his attack, he tells us the plan had been that when +Hoke should strike our flank on the Dover road, he should cut off +any retreat on the British and Neuse roads. This would be best +accomplished by pushing straight from his bridges for the British +road. But having made a circuit about a swamp to the rear of Upham's +right, he received a note from Bragg's headquarters saying that Hoke +wished he would enter the British road from the Neuse road, which +implied a long circuit to their left. As Hoke had himself made the +bridge by which Hill had crossed, and knew the field better than the +rest by his skirmishes of the previous day, it is evident that there +was an error in interpreting his wish. But as Hill was on ground +unknown to him, and Bragg's dispatch directed Hoke's suggestion to +be carried out, Hill obeyed, and turned his troops down the right +bank of Southwest Creek, feeling the way to the Neuse road through +swamps and woods. Reaching the outlet of the British road at +half-past four without seeing signs of our retreat that way, and the +distant firing showing that Hoke was not advancing, Hill thought it +too late to venture further, and marched back by the way he had come +five miles to his bridge. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. +pt. i. p. 1087.] His presence had been observed by our pickets and +skirmishers, and was naturally interpreted by Palmer as the advance +of a new column which had crossed the creek by the Neuse road. It, +of course, gave an exaggerated impression of the enemy's strength, +and as prisoners had been taken belonging to Lee's corps, who +reported part of Hood's old army present with Bragg in command of +the whole, we had to take into account the contingency of our having +on our hands the formidable force thus indicated. Hill was met at +his bridge by orders to cross to the left bank and join Hoke by +recrossing at Jackson's Mills and following the Dover road. He +effected the junction about midnight. [Footnote: _Ibid_.] Hoke had +been keeping up a skirmishing fight in the latter part of the day, +and at night intrenched himself across the Dover road just in front +of the British road. Hill, after joining him, continued the line +northward, parallel to ours, and therefore crossing the British road +again, recurving toward the creek. Our breastworks were made +stronger, and we kept our teams hard at work bringing up ammunition +and supplies. General Schofield went back to New Berne to get into +communication with the rest of his department, and try to hurry +forward the two old divisions of the Twenty-third Corps, who were +marching to join us. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +ii. pp. 743-751.] My own orders were to remain on the watchful +defensive whilst the construction of the railroad toward us went on +energetically. On Thursday, the 9th, we husbanded our resources, for +our ammunition was running short and the roads through the swamp +were nearly impassable. We extended our works on Carter's left, +recurving them so as to cross the lower Trent road, and, though we +had no troops at the moment except one regiment of Ruger's to put +into these intrenchments, they were ready for prompt occupation by +any we might send there if another effort were made to turn that +flank. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. pp. 978, 995.] With this in view, +General Ruger was directed to put one of his brigades in reserve, +extending the rest of his troops to fill the vacancy so made, and +covering the front with abatis and slashed timber. Pickets were +advanced and every effort made to obtain information and keep close +watch of the enemy's movements. About ten o'clock General Palmer +reported a force moving toward the Neuse road which, after +demonstrating there for some time, marched back again. [Footnote: +_Id_., pt. ii. pp. 747, 749-750.] This seems to have been an effort +to repeat the movement of Hill on the previous afternoon, but this +time by Hoke's division. Finding Palmer's line in good earthworks, +Hoke made no attack, and returned to his position, though Bragg's +order declared that "success must be achieved." [Footnote: _Id_., p. +1359.] While this was going on, Hill advanced his line and drove in +Carter's skirmishers; but these being reinforced, quickly retook +their rifle-pits, and Hill retired to his own works. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 1087.] Bragg's delay in +testing conclusions with us was due, in part no doubt, to the fact +that Stewart's corps of the Army of Tennessee was _en route_ to him, +and the railway was being worked energetically to bring up these +reinforcements. They arrived during the day, and the final attack +upon us was arranged for Friday, the 10th. Stewart's men were under +the command of General Walthall, the senior division commander +present. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 1088.] + +In the night of Thursday and the early morning of Friday, the active +skirmishing of the enemy was so continuous as to remind us of the +days in the Georgia campaign when the intrenched lines of the +opposing armies faced each other in the narrow valley near New Hope +Church. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. ii. p. 769.] Bragg ordered Hoke's +troops to be relieved by Walthall's, and to make a considerable +circuit to their right, seeking to reach the lower Trent road in our +rear, and, advancing upon it, attack Carter's division in reverse. +The sharp skirmishing had covered these changes of position. Upon +hearing the sounds of Hoke's attack, Walthall and Hill were to +assist him by strong demonstrations, but, as the latter says, in +deference to his report that the men were very unwilling to attack +earthworks, "their experience in the late campaign [in the west] not +being favorable to such an undertaking," no actual assault was +ordered, but doubled skirmish lines were to advance as far as +possible. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. 1088.] + +On our side we were watchful and expectant, my orders to the +divisions being that whenever one part of the line should be +engaged, the rest should push forward strong skirmish lines to test +the extent of the enemy's deployment, and gain the information on +which I could act in reinforcing either wing from the other. General +Greene, who was on his way to rejoin Sherman, volunteered for duty +as a staff officer, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. +p. 979.] as did General Stiles of my own division of the +Twenty-third Corps, who was likewise returning to his proper +command. [Footnote: General George S. Greene, division commander in +the Twentieth Corps, had commanded a division in the Twelfth Corps, +before its consolidation into the other. He was the same who was +distinguished at Antietam (_ante_, vol. i. pp. 321-331). He +graduated at West Point in 1823, and was a descendant of General +Greene of the Revolutionary War, a military stock well continued in +F. V. Greene of the Engineers, a general officer in the late Spanish +War.] The absence of most of my own staff made their help most +acceptable. + +General Schofield was on his way up from New Berne, and horses were +awaiting him at the end of the railway when, about half-past eleven, +Hoke's attack came with much more energy and resolution than the +Confederates had shown before. Ruger's reserve brigade (McQuiston's) +was ordered over to the left at once, a brigade he had loaned to +Palmer (Thomas's) was ordered back, and Palmer was ordered to send +another brigade if the enemy was quiet in his front. Hoke's attack +lapped so far over the lower Trent road as to threaten the Dover +road also, and lest General Schofield should be in danger of +capture, I directed Palmer to signal down the railroad track for him +to await further news from us before leaving the train. [Footnote: +_Id._, pt. ii. p. 772.] + +The artillery of both Carter's and Ruger's divisions were +concentrated upon Hoke, who was surprised to find our line so well +prepared to meet him. For nearly an hour, however, the fighting was +fierce; but it then began to flag a little, and I at once ordered +McQuiston's brigade to charge, throwing the left forward upon Hoke's +flank. This was decisive, and the enemy broke and fled. Walthall and +Hill were now advancing against Carter's right and against Ruger, +and as the line of the latter was very thin, I had to recall +McQuiston in the full tide of pursuit and send him back to the +centre double quick. He brought in nearly 300 prisoners, and our +left was relieved of all danger. For a while my headquarters group +was in a hot place. General Greene had his horse shot under him, one +orderly had an arm taken off by a shell, two others were wounded, +and several had horses killed. + +The men of Stewart's and Lee's corps were to have co-operated with +Hoke, but the difficulty of movement over such blind and wooded +country caused delay which gave time for me to reinforce the centre. +The artillery was hurried to the same position, and the Confederates +were defeated easily, their unwillingness to assault breastworks +being increased by the sight of Hoke's men in disordered flight. At +half-past twelve I was able to send word to General Schofield that +the road was no longer threatened by the enemy, and he joined us +before the fighting at the centre was over. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 978; pt. ii. p. 772.] Bragg withdrew +to the intrenchments he had occupied on the 9th. The certainty that +two corps of the Army of Tennessee were represented in the attack +besides the troops of Bragg's own department, added to the lack of +supplies and munitions, made us quite willing to remain on the +defensive and await the arrival of Couch, who was within a day's +march of us with the two veteran divisions of the Twenty-third +Corps. The construction of the railroad and the hurrying forward of +ammunition were ordered with strenuous urgency, and messages to +Couch made him force the marching to join us. [Footnote: The officer +who was sent by Schofield to hasten Couch's march found my old +division at the head of the column slowly filing over a rickety +foot-bridge in the darkness, grumbling at the continued plodding in +the mud. He shouted to them the news of our fighting and my possible +need of help. The cry went up from the men, "If General Cox wants +us, he can have us," and they dashed into the stream in solid +column, forcing the pace till they reached the field.] Bragg +retreated in the night of the 10th and was speeding back to +Goldsborough by rail, for Johnston was now hastening to join Hardee, +who was retreating before Sherman out of South Carolina. + +The numbers which Hill and Walthall brought to Bragg were smaller +than we inferred from our knowledge of the organizations present. We +took prisoners belonging to four divisions of Hood's old army. +Hoke's division and the brigades of Whitford, Hagood, and Baker had +all been stronger in numbers than similar organizations of our own. +We were necessarily wholly ignorant of the causes which had reduced +the divisions coming from the West, and indeed learned of their +presence in North Carolina only through the prisoners we took in the +engagement and the deserters who came into our lines. As we have +seen, [Footnote: _Ante_, p. 424.] the number of Hood's men in the +State at the beginning of the month was over 9000, with other +detachments on the way. Bragg's other forces were an equal number. +After all the casualties of the campaign, the Army of Tennessee +reported 11,442 present on April 7th, of which 8953 were +"effectives." When they were paroled at Greenesborough on April +26th, 17,934 appeared and signed the papers. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. pp. 1059, 1066. In the table of the +paroled, Cheatham's two divisions (his own and Brown's) are listed +in Hardee's corps, and with those of Stewart's and Lee's corps, less +Anderson's (late Talliaferro's) division, make the total given.] It +is impossible to tell exactly what part of these were at Kinston. +Hill's claim that he had but little over 1300 effectives in five +brigades of Lee's corps is not credible. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 1088. +For my criticism of his amusingly erroneous statements in regard to +Antietam, see "The Nation," No. 1538, p. 462, and No. 1543, p. 71.] +It is certain that Bragg knew I had three divisions and that he +believed his force was the stronger. Our losses had been 1337, of +which 900 were the "missing" in Upton's brigade and the cavalry. +Bragg made no formal report of the campaign or of his losses in this +part of it. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII + +JUNCTION WITH SHERMAN AT GOLDSBOROUGH--THE MARCH ON +RALEIGH--CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES + + +Occupation of Kinston--Opening of Neuse River--Rebel ram +destroyed--Listening to the distant battle at Bentonville--Entering +Goldsborough--Meeting Sherman--Grant's congratulations--His own +plans--Sketch of Sherman's march--Lee and Johnston's +correspondence--Their gloomy outlook--Am made commandant of +Twenty-third Corps--Terry assigned to Tenth--Schofield promoted in +the Regular Army--Stanton's proviso--Ill effects of living on the +country--Stopping it in North Carolina--Camp jubilee over the fall +of Richmond--Changes in Sherman's plans--Our march on +Smithfield--House-burning--News of Lee's surrender--Overtures from +Governor Vance--Entering Raleigh--A mocking-bird's greeting--Further +negotiations as to North Carolina--Johnston proposes an +armistice--Broader scope of negotiations--The Southern people desire +peace--Terrors of non-combatants assuaged--News of Lincoln's +assassination--Precautions to preserve order--The dawn of peace. + + +Reconnoitring parties sent toward Kinston on the 11th showed that +only a rear-guard occupied that town and that we could occupy it +when we pleased. General Couch joined us on the 12th, and Hoke +having sent in a flag of truce offering to exchange prisoners, of +whom we had nearly 400, I sent Major Dow of my staff with General +Schofield's answer declining to do so. The major found no enemy on +our side of the Neuse. The railroad bridge was burned and the middle +part of the wagon bridge destroyed. The roads were so nearly +impassable that we could hardly feed the troops where we were, and +whilst the railroad building went on, we hastened also the opening +of a supply line by water. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. +pt. i. pp. 933, 934; pt. ii. pp. 801, 802, 814.] Commander Rhind of +the navy efficiently co-operated in this, and we marched to Kinston +bridge on the 14th, laid pontoon bridges on the next day, and +occupied the town. The Confederate ram had been burnt and her wreck +lay a little below the bridge. The transports and their convoying +war vessel did not get up till the 18th, but as they then brought a +hundred thousand rations, we were able to begin accumulating stores +at Kinston as an advanced depot. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 836-839, 880, 883.] Small additions to our +wagon-trains also arrived, and orders were issued to march toward +Goldsborough on the 20th. Meanwhile 2000 men had been set at work +getting out railroad ties and timber for bridges. [Footnote: _Id._, +pp. 836, 851.] + +During the halt at Kinston we partly reorganized the troops in view +of the approaching union with Sherman. The officers and men who +belonged to the divisions in Sherman's army were separately +organized into a division under General Greene, so that they could +easily be transferred to their proper commands. The rest of Palmer's +and Carter's divisions were united in one under Carter, and Palmer +was assigned to the District of Beaufort, from which I was relieved. +Ruger's division remained in my provisional corps with the other +two. General Stiles was assigned to a brigade in Ruger's division. +[Footnote: _Id._, pp. 839, 895.] + +On Monday, the 20th, we were in march for Goldsborough, leaving a +brigade to garrison the post at Kinston and protect the growing +depot there. On Sunday we had heard all day the very distant +artillery firing, which we knew indicated a battle between Sherman +and Johnston. It was a scarcely distinguishable sound, like a dull +thumping, becoming somewhat more distinct when one applied his ear +to the ground. We judged that this final battle in the Carolinas was +near Smithfield, and we were not far out of the way, for Bentonville +was only a little south, and either place about fifty miles from us. +Two days' march took us into Goldsborough with no opposition but +skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry. We found the railroad +uninjured, except that the bridges were burned; but they were small +and would not delay Colonel Wright long when the large one at +Kinston should be completed. Captain Twining, General Schofield's +engineer and aide, had carried dispatches to Sherman on the 20th, +and the latter was now in full possession of the story of our +movements since the fall of Fort Fisher. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 942.] On the 22d Sherman was able to +announce in field orders the retreat of Johnston toward Raleigh and +our occupation of Goldsborough, whilst Terry had laid his pontoons +across the Neuse completing the connection with Wilmington also. His +declaration for the whole army that the "campaign has resulted in a +glorious success" was more than justified. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. +p. 44.] + +On Thursday, the 23d, Sherman joined us in person, and we paraded +the Twenty-third Corps to honor the march-past of Slocum's Army of +Georgia, the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps, as they came in from +Bentonville. Sherman took his place with us by the roadside, and the +formal reunion with the comrades who had fought with us in the +Atlanta campaign was an event to stir deep emotions in our hearts. +The general did not hesitate to speak out his readiness, now that +his army was reunited, to meet the forces of Lee and Johnston +combined, if they also should effect a junction and try to open a +way southward. The men who had traversed the Carolinas were ragged +and dirty, their faces were begrimed by the soot of their camp-fires +of pine-knots in the forests, but their arms were in order, and they +stepped out with the sturdy swing that marked all our Western +troops. Our men were in new uniforms we had lately drawn from the +quartermaster, and the tatterdemalions who had made the march to the +sea were disposed to chaff us as if we were new recruits or pampered +garrison troops. "Well, sonnies!" a regimental wag cried out, "do +they issue butter to you regularly now?" "Oh, yes! to be sure!" was +the instant retort; "but _we_ trade it off for soap!" The ironical +emphasis on the "we" was well understood and greeted with roars of +laughter, and learning that our men were really those who had been +with them in Georgia and had fought at Franklin and Nashville before +making the tour of the North to come by sea and rejoin them in North +Carolina, they made the welkin ring again with their greeting +cheers. + +Keeping close watch of Sherman's movements, as hinted at in the +Southern newspapers, [Footnote: Till the capture of Columbia, the +Southern newspapers gave Sherman's movements with satisfactory +accuracy, and Grant's information on the subject was chiefly drawn +from them. Afterward a more rigid censorship was enforced. Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 385, 405, 428, 441, 455, 472, 499, +etc.] Grant concluded on the 22d that he must have reached +Goldsborough, and wrote him congratulations on the same day that +Sherman announced to his army the good result. "I congratulate you +and the army," said Grant, "in what may be regarded as the +successful termination of the third campaign since leaving the +Tennessee River less than one year ago." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 948.] +He briefly but clearly outlined his own plans. Sheridan was to start +with his cavalry on the 25th, and, passing beyond the left of the +lines before Petersburg, to strike the Southside railroad as near +the town as might be, and destroy enough of it to interrupt its use +by the enemy for three or four days. This done, he was to push for +the Danville Railroad, do the like, and again cut the Southside road +near Burkesville. After that Grant would leave Sheridan at liberty +to join Sherman or to return to his own army. At the same time he +would himself diminish the forces in his investing lines to the +smallest that could hold them, and with all the rest crowd to the +westward to prevent Lee from following Sheridan. He would attack if +Lee should detach part of his army to follow Sheridan or to join +Johnston, or would fight a decisive battle if the Confederates came +out in force. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. +948. See also p. 859.] The general principles which resulted in Five +Forks and the abandonment of Richmond are here clearly evident, and +Sherman could plan his own work accordingly. + +The latter was also writing on that day to the Lieutenant-General, +taking up the thread of his own story from the time he reached +Fayetteville and learned that Johnston had been put in command of +all the forces opposing him. He sketched the sharp combat between +Slocum and Hardee at Averasborough on March 16th, where the latter +had taken a strong position across the narrow swampy neck between +Cape Fear River and North River at the forks of the Raleigh and +Goldsborough roads. Hardee was working for time, as Johnston was +collecting his forces at Smithfield after Bragg's unsuccessful blow +at us near Kinston. A day's delay was gained at heavy cost for the +Confederates. At Bentonville, on the 19th, Johnston had concentrated +his army and struck fiercely at Slocum again, for the almost +impassable mud had made it necessary for Howard's wing to seek roads +some miles to the right. Slocum had to give some ground and draw +back his advanced division to a better position, on which he formed +the rest of his troops, Kilpatrick's cavalry covering his left. Here +he repulsed all further efforts of Johnston and held his ground till +Sherman could bring forward the right wing, when the enemy was +forced to intrench and was put on the defensive. On the 21st +Howard's extreme right broke through or turned the line, and nearly +reached Johnston's headquarters. The blindly tangled swampy ground +prevented full advantage being reaped from this success, and +Johnston managed to hold on till night, when he abandoned his lines +and retreated on Raleigh. Sherman's casualties of all sorts in the +two engagements of Averasborough and Bentonville were 2209. He had +buried on the abandoned fields 375 of the Confederate dead, and held +2000 prisoners. Johnston's wounded were 1694 at Bentonville, besides +several hundred at Averasborough. [Footnote: Sherman to Grant, +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 949; his report, Id., pt. +i. pp. 27, 66, 76; Johnston's do., Id., pp. 1057, 1060.] The last +battle in the Carolinas had been fought, Johnston had added to his +reputation as a soldier by quick and strong blows skilfully +delivered, first at Schofield, then at Sherman; but his numbers were +not enough to make either blow successful, and the junction of our +armies at Goldsborough made further fighting a mere waste of life, +unless he and Lee could unite for a final effort. This Grant would +not permit, and Johnston's message to Lee on the 23d was in +substance the old one from Pavia, "All is lost but honor." +"Sherman's course cannot be hindered by the small force I have. I +can do no more than annoy him. I respectfully suggest that it is no +longer a question whether you leave your present position; you have +only to decide where to meet Sherman. I will be near him." +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 1055.] + +General Lee, from his own point of view, saw with equal clearness +the net that was closing round him. He had telegraphed to Johnston +on the 11th, "I fear I cannot hold my position if road to Raleigh is +interrupted. Should you be forced back in this direction both armies +would certainly starve." [Footnote: _Id._, pt. ii. p. 1372.] On the +15th he repeated, "If you are forced back from Raleigh and we +deprived of the supplies from east North Carolina, I do not know how +this army can be supported." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 1395.] But while +he pointed out the vital importance of repulsing Sherman, he did not +urge rashness in giving battle without prospect of success. Supplies +in Virginia, he said, were exhausted. The western communication by +Danville was now his only reliance. Since sending Hoke, Conner, and +Hampton south, his forces were too weak to extend his lines, and he +apprehended the very break in the Danville road which Grant was +planning to make by Sheridan. "You will therefore perceive," he +added, "that if I contract my lines as you propose, with the view of +holding Richmond, our only resource for obtaining subsistence will +be cut off and the city must be abandoned; whereas, if I take a +position to maintain the road, Richmond will be lost." If Sherman +could not be checked, "I cannot remain here, but must start out and +seek a favorable opportunity for battle. I shall maintain my +position as long as it appears advisable, both from the moral and +material advantages of holding Richmond and Virginia." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 1395.] Danville, he saw, +was his necessary aim if he broke away, and he pointed out the +advantages they would have for manoeuvre if Sherman could be kept +well to the east, giving them more room and a wider region to live +upon after uniting. But Grant saw all this too, and the inexorable +tenacity and vigor with which, a few days later, he pushed Lee north +of the Danville line and cornered him at Appomattox, showed that his +measure of the situation was as accurate as Lee's, and that he knew +the quick ending of the war depended on his preventing at all +hazards the junction of the Confederate armies. Nothing in military +history is more interesting than the comparison of the letters and +dispatches of the leaders on both sides in this crisis. Grant was +not content with being upon Lee's heels when he abandoned Richmond, +as he had promised Sherman he would be. He would do better. Well +served by Sheridan's fiery energy, he would out-foot his adversary +in the race for Danville, and even block his path on the road to +Lynchburg when the junction with Johnston had to be given up. + +For us at Goldsborough a day or two was delightfully spent in free +conferences with Sherman and in getting from his own lips the story +of his wonderful campaigns since we parted from him in Georgia. All +the empty wagons of his enormous trains were now sent back to +Kinston under escort to bring up clothing and supplies, and he +thought a delay of a fortnight might be necessary to get ready for +further active movements. He fixed April both as the date for +opening a new campaign, and suggested to General Grant that when he +had his troops properly placed and the supplies working well, he +might "run up and see you for a day or two before diving again into +the bowels of the country." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. +pt. ii. p. 969.] On the 25th the railroad was running to +Goldsborough, and Colonel Wright was anxious to have the general go +over the road with him and see for himself its condition and what +had been acomplished as well as what was still needed to make its +equipment ready for the heavy work of another campaign. Accordingly +Sherman put Schofield temporarily in chief command, and after an +inspection trip on a locomotive with Colonel Wright, he continued +his journey to City Point in a steamer belonging to the +quartermaster's department. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. pp. 19, 20.] +His memorable visit to Grant and Lincoln, there, will be considered +in connection with the negotiations with Johnston a little later. +Having spent the 27th and 28th of March there, he was sent back by +Admiral Porter in a fast vessel of the navy, reached New Berne on +the 30th, and rejoined us at Goldsborough the same evening. + +His return was a matter of some personal interest to me, for it +brought my permanent assignment to the command of the Twenty-third +Corps by Presidential order. The other troops under Schofield were +organized into a new corps with Terry for commandant, and as changes +had vacated the original Tenth Corps organization, that number was +given to Terry's. Schofield had asked for these appointments +immediately after our occupation of Wilmington, but the letters had +not reached General Grant, and action had not been taken. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 559.] At Goldsborough he +had renewed the request which Sherman cordially indorsed, and the +latter carried the papers with him to City Point, where the matter +was acted upon at once by the President and General Grant. +[Footnote: _Id._, pp. 960, 961; pt. iii. pp. 18, 34. See also +Appendix C.] + +Schofield's promotion to the rank of brigadier-general in the +regular army had been recommended by Grant as a reward for the +capture of Wilmington, with the remark that he ought to have had it +from the battle of Franklin. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. ii. pp. 545, +558.] Mr. Stanton replied that the nomination would be made as +requested, "subject, however, to his obedience to orders. I am not +satisfied with his conduct in seizing the hospital boat 'Spaulding' +to make it his own quarters," he said; adding, "I have directed him +to give it up. If he obeys the order promptly, I will send in his +nomination; otherwise I will not." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 562.] By an +odd coincidence, the order to Schofield with the Secretary's +reprimand was written on the same day Grant was making his +recommendation for promotion, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 545.] and it well +illustrates Stanton's characteristic impulsiveness and hasty temper +which made him act on first reports, when a quiet investigation of +facts would have changed his view and saved the feelings of his +subordinates. An order forbidding the use of hospital boats for +other military purposes, diverting them from hospital use, had been +issued on February 8th, the day we reached Cape Fear Inlet after our +sea voyage, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 342.] and by another coincidence +Schofield had made the "Spaulding" his temporary headquarters on the +same day. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. p. 927.] Not being a clairvoyant, +Schofield knew nothing of the order which was then being written in +the adjutant-general's office at Washington, and which did not reach +him till his temporary use of the vessel had ended. Moreover, as he +was as yet without his tents or horses, and as he intended his +troops to operate on both sides of Cape Fear River, his prompt +progress with the campaign depended on his ready communication with +both banks, [Footnote: _Ante_, p. 405.] and the boat had been named +as available for the purpose by the quartermaster responsible for +the army transports and vessels. As it was a question of successful +handling of his forces, the discretion would have belonged to the +general commanding the department to make an exception to a rule, if +the order had been in his hands instead of being wholly unknown to +him. Still again, the use he made of the boat helped instead of +hindering its availability as a hospital, for he kept it close to +the advancing lines on the river banks so that the wounded were +brought to it with greatest ease, and it had in fact no sick or +disabled men on board till they were brought there under these +circumstances. Lastly, the superior medical officer of the +department was a member of Schofield's staff, wholly in accord with +his views, and the complaint had been sent by the subordinate +surgeon on the boat directly to the surgeon-general at Washington +without the knowledge of the department medical director. To have +referred it back to the general for his comments, calling his +attention to the order, would have been regular and would have +resulted in commendation of his action instead of disapproval. When +Grant received the Secretary's dispatch, Colonel Comstock had +returned from Wilmington, and from him the general got the +information which enabled him to remove Stanton's misapprehension, +so that the appointment was made before Schofield knew of the +complaint. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 562, +582.] Nearly a month later he made a full statement of the +circumstances to put himself personally right with the Secretary. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 832.] The latter had borne no ill-will to +Schofield, but even at the closing period of the war had not learned +to temper his zeal with considerate patience. + +The work which occupied us the ten days of April which we spent at +Goldsborough was chiefly that of organizing our trains and +collecting supplies in our depots, so that the foraging on the +country which had been necessary in Georgia and South Carolina might +cease, now that we had railway communication with a safe base on the +Atlantic. Sherman had informed his principal subordinates that when +he reached North Carolina he would resume the regular issue of +supplies as far as possible, and put an end to the indiscriminate +seizing of whatever the army needed. It had answered its purpose in +the long marches from Atlanta to Savannah and from Savannah to +Goldsborough, where the condition of success was cutting loose from +the base; but the tendency to demoralization and loss of discipline +in troops which practise it too long, made a return to regular +methods very desirable. + +As the army had approached the North Carolina line, General Blair, +commanding the Seventeenth Corps, had written to Howard, his +immediate superior: "Every house that we pass is pillaged, and as we +are about to enter the State of North Carolina, I think the people +should be treated more considerately. The only way to prevent this +state of affairs is to put a stop to foraging. I have enough in my +wagons to last to Goldsborough, and I suppose that the rest of the +army has also. . . . The system is vicious and its results utterly +deplorable. As there is no longer a necessity for it, I beg that an +order may be issued to prohibit it. General Sherman said that when +we reached North Carolina he would pay for everything brought to us +and forbid foraging. I believe it would have an excellent effect +upon the country to change our policy in this respect." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 717; pt. iii. pp. 46, 47.] +Stringent orders were at once issued to modify the system and +prevent the abuses of it, but it was not practicable to stop +foraging entirely till the junction of the forces was made at +Goldsborough. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. +718, 728, 760, 783.] The regular issue of rations furnished by the +government was then resumed, except that long forage for horses and +mules could not be obtained in this way and was collected from the +country;[Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. pp. 7-9.] but even then the +correction of bad habits in the soldiery was only gradually +accomplished. + +The evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg on the morning of the 3d +of April was not known to Sherman till the 6th, when Grant's letter +reached him containing the joyful news. On Saturday, the 8th, it was +confirmed, with particulars of Lee's disastrous retreat. [Footnote: +_Id._, pp. 89, 99, 100, 109.] That night there was a noisy jubilee +in our camps. Regular artillery salutes were fired, but the soldiers +also extemporized all sorts of demonstrations of their joyfulness. +The air resounded with cheers, with patriotic songs, with the +beating of drums, with the music of the brass bands, with musket +firing; whilst beautiful signal rockets rushed high into the air, +dropping their brilliant stars of red, white, and blue from the very +clouds. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. p. 936.] + +So long as Lee held fast at Petersburg, Sherman's plan had been to +feint on Raleigh, but make his real movement northward, crossing the +Roanoke above Gaston and marching between Johnston and Lee. +[Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. p. 102.] Now, however, as he wrote +Halleck, he would move in force upon Raleigh, repairing the railroad +behind him and following the Confederate army close in whatever +direction it should move. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 118.] Grant's letter +of the 5th, giving his opinion that Lee was making for Danville with +an army reduced to about 20,000 men, [Footnote: _Id._, P. 99.] +reached Sherman on the 8th, and he immediately answered it, saying: +"On Monday [10th] all my army will move straight on Joe Johnston, +supposed to be between me and Raleigh, and I will follow him +wherever he may go. If he retreats on Danville to make junction with +Lee, I will do the same, though I may take a course round him, +bending toward Greensborough for the purpose of turning him +north.... I wish you could have waited a few days or that I could +have been here a week sooner; but it is not too late yet, and you +may rely with absolute certainty that I will be after Johnston with +about 80,000 men, provided for twenty full days which will last me +forty. I will have a small force here at Goldsborough and will +repair the road to Raleigh." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 129.] + +On Monday we marched,--Slocum with the Army of Georgia straight for +Smithfield, Howard with the Army of the Tennessee going north to +Pikeville and then turning toward Raleigh, keeping to the right of +Slocum and abreast of him on parallel roads. Schofield with our Army +of the Ohio moved a little to the left of Slocum in echelon, my +corps taking the river road on the left (north) bank of the Neuse to +Turner's Bridge, a little below Smithfield, and Terry's going +through Bentonville somewhat further to left and rear. Kilpatrick +with the cavalry covered the march of this flank. [Footnote: _Id_., +p. 123.] It will be seen that this order of movement assumed that +Johnston was at or near Smithfield, where our latest information put +him. My corps had been somewhat scattered to cover our +communications with Kinston and Newberne, and I was ordered to +concentrate at Goldsborough on the 10th, advancing-from there on the +11th. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 134.] My old division, which had been +commanded by General Reilly since he joined us at Wilmington, was +for the rest of the campaign led by General Carter, Reilly's +uncertain health making him anticipate the quickly approaching end +of the war by resigning. Ruger and Couch continued in command of the +first and second divisions respectively. [Footnote: _Id_., pt. i. p. +936.] + +My own march was impeded by the slow progress of the pontoon-train +which had been sent ahead of my column, where a part of Slocum's +supply-train also moved. For this reason we found numbers of +stragglers on our way and evidences of pillaging by which I was +exasperated. We halted at noon of the 11th near a large house +belonging to a Mr. Atkinson, a man of prominence in the region. The +mansion had a Grecian portico with large columns the whole height of +the building. Part of the furniture and the carpets had been +removed, but evidences of refinement and intelligence were seen in +the piano and the library with its books. With my staff I rested and +ate my lunch in the spacious portico, and moving on when the halt +was over, I had hardly ridden half a mile when a pillar of white +smoke showed that the house was on fire. I sent back a staff officer +in haste to order an instant investigation and the arrest of any +authors of this vandalism. The most that could be learned was that +some stragglers of another corps had been seen lurking in the house +when we moved on, and soon after fire broke out in the second story, +having been set, apparently, in a closet connected with one of the +chambers. Efforts were made to extinguish it, but it had found its +way into the garret and had such headway that the house was doomed. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 936.] This was +the first instance in my experience where a dwelling had been burned +when my troops were passing, and I was greatly disturbed by their +apparent responsibility for it. My anger was increased by +repetitions of similar outrages during the afternoon. From our camp +at Turner's Bridge I issued an order directing summary trial by +drum-head court-martial and execution of marauders guilty of such +outrages, whether belonging to my own corps or stragglers hanging on +at its skirts. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. p. 189.] The evidence +seemed conclusive that the crimes were committed by "bummers" who +had separated themselves from the army when marching up from +Savannah, and were following it for purposes of pillage. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 281.] It was reported that +Atkinson was a "conscription agent" of the Confederate government, +and this perhaps was the incentive in his case for the outrage. As a +precaution, I ordered sentinels to be left at dwellings on our +march, to be relieved from the divisions in succession, the last to +remain till our trains had passed and then join the rear-guard. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 189.] + +In the march of the 12th Howard remained on the east side of the +Neuse with a pretty widely extended front, aiming for the crossing +of the river due east of Raleigh, at the Neuse Mills and Hinton's +Bridge. Slocum crossed at Smithfield and took the roads up the right +bank of the Neuse. Schofield crossed at Turner's Bridge, and sought +roads further west, intending to reach the main road leading from +Elevation to Raleigh. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 163, 164, 187-189.] At +Smithfield we learned that Johnston was at Raleigh, but we did not +know that he had heard of Lee's surrender and had no longer a motive +to hold tenaciously to the central part of the State. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 777.] It was on our march of Tuesday, the 12th, that the +news of the surrender reached us, and was greeted with extravagant +demonstrations of joy by both officers and men. [Footnote: For a +vivid description of the scene, see "Ohio Loyal Legion Papers," vol. +ii. p. 234, by A. J. Ricks, then a lieutenant on my staff, since +Judge of U. S. District Court, N. Ohio.] Sherman had got the news in +a dispatch sent by Grant on the 9th, as soon as the capitulation was +complete, and which contained the terms he had offered Lee, with +their acceptance. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +p. 140.] Replying at once, Sherman said, "I hardly know how to +express my feelings, but you can imagine them. The terms you have +given Lee are magnanimous and liberal. Should Johnston follow Lee's +example, I shall of course grant the same. He is retreating before +me on Raleigh, but I shall be there to-morrow." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 177.] He indicated his hope that +Johnston would surrender at Raleigh, but should he not do so, his +own plan would be to push to the south and west to prevent the +enemy's retreat into the Gulf States. "With a little more cavalry," +he said, "I would be sure to capture the whole army." He issued also +a Special Field Order, announcing to the army the momentous news. +"Glory to God and to our country, and all honor to our comrades in +arms toward whom we are marching. A little more labor, a little more +toil on our part, the great race is won, and our government stands +regenerated after four years of bloody war." [Footnote: _Id._, p. +180.] Such were the words which created a tumult of emotion in the +heart of every soldier, when they were read that day, a beautiful +spring day, at the head of each command. The order reached me near +mid-day at a resting halt of the corps, and with bared heads my +staff listened to the reading. We then greeted it with three cheers, +I myself acting as fugleman, and the tidings sped down the column on +the wings of the wind. + +Late in the same day a delegation met Slocum's advance-guard coming +from Raleigh in a car upon the railroad with a letter from Governor +Vance making overtures to end the war, so far as North Carolina was +concerned. The little party was headed by ex-Governor Graham and Mr. +Swain, men who had led the opposition to secession till swept away +by the popular whirlwind of war feeling, and who now came to +acknowledge the victory of the National Government. Mr. Graham had +been the candidate for Vice-President in 1852, nominated by the Whig +party on the ticket with General Scott. Sherman received them +kindly, and gave a safeguard for Governor Vance and any members of +the State government who might await him in Raleigh, though, after a +conference with Graham and his party in regard to their present +relations to the Confederate government, he wrote to Vance, "I doubt +if hostilities can be suspended as between the Army of the +Confederate Government and the one I command, but I will aid you all +in my power to contribute to the end you aim to reach, the +termination of the existing war." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 178.] + +The Twenty-third Corps marched eighteen miles on the 12th, and, as +General Schofield reported, found that "Slocum's bummers had been +all over the country," foraging it bare. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 187.] +On the 13th we marched within two miles of Raleigh, making nineteen +miles, the Army of Georgia entering the city just ahead of us. +Sherman was with the head of Slocum's column, expecting to meet +Governor Vance, but such delays had occurred to the train taking his +messengers that Vance lost confidence, and had left the city ahead +of Hampton's cavalry, the rear-guard of Johnston's army. Hampton was +bitterly opposed to all negotiation by Vance, holding it to be +treasonable, and had put such obstacles in the way of Graham's party +as to make Vance think that they had been arrested and that the +mission had failed. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 178, 196.] Graham and +Swain, however, were still there, and at once waited upon Sherman, +who established his headquarters in the governor's mansion. The +news, as it came to us in the marching column, was that Vance had +met Sherman in person and surrendered the capital of the State; but +the facts turned out to be as I have stated them. [Footnote: _Id._, +pt. i. p. 937.] + +A trifling incident gave us pleasure as we were approaching our camp +near Raleigh, and, with the soldiers' disposition to interpret +fortuitous things in earth and air, was greeted as a good omen. A +great tree stood at the roadside, and, perched upon a dead limb high +above the foliage and overhanging the way, a mocking-bird poured +forth the most wonderful melodies ever heard even from that prince +of songsters. Excited but not frightened away by the moving host +beneath, the bird outdid its kind in its imitations of other birds, +and in its calls and notes of endless variety, whistling and singing +with a full resonant power that rose above all other sounds. The +marching soldiers ceased their talk, listening intently and craning +their necks to get a sight of the peerless musician. It was a +celebration of the coming peace, unique in beauty and full of sweet +suggestions. + +On the 14th the greater part of the army moved westward a few miles +in front of Raleigh, the Twenty-third Corps closing up to the +eastern suburbs of the town. Sherman issued his marching orders for +the 15th, beginning, "The next movement will be on Ashborough, to +turn the position of the enemy at Company's shops in rear of Haw +River Bridge and at Greensborough, and to cut off his only available +line of retreat by Salisbury and Charlotte." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 208, 217.] This march had hardly +begun, however, when it was temporarily suspended and was never +resumed. Our last hostile march against the Confederate armies had +been made. Mr. Badger, the last senator from the State in the +National Congress, and other leading men, including Mr. Holden, the +leader of the Union element in the State, had joined Mr. Graham's +party, and Sherman had been busy with them, negotiating informally +to obtain the withdrawal of North Carolina from the Confederacy. The +general was willing that the executive and legislature of the State +should come to Raleigh for this purpose, but refused to suspend +hostilities against Johnston's army except upon direct overtures for +surrender on the part of the latter. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 221.] +Whilst these conferences were in progress, others had been going on +at Greensborough, and as a result General Johnston had sent a letter +requesting an armistice. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 206.] Sherman +immediately replied in terms which brought about the halt and +temporary truce between the two armies and a personal conference +three days later. Thus opened the famous negotiations, the story of +which will be told in the next chapter. + +Whilst the Southern people had shown wonderful fortitude and +patience as long as a hope of success remained, they were most +anxious to be spared the horrors of war when there was no +compensating advantage to be looked for. The dread of our armies had +been increased by the exaggerations which the Confederate +authorities had used to excite the people to desperate resistance, +and the terror now reacted in a general popular demand for +surrender. The story of the burning of Columbia had been given to +them as a wanton and deliberate barbarity on Sherman's part, and the +delegation which met him could hardly believe their own senses when +they heard his earnest expressions of desire to end the war at once +and save the people from suffering and the country from devastation. + +An experience of my own as we entered Raleigh gave me a startling +view of the abject terror which had seized upon helpless families +when they found themselves defenceless in our hands. In the night of +Wednesday, the 12th, Hampton had made it known that the rear-guard +which he commanded must retire before daylight, and the frightened +people had at once begun to close their windows and sit in gloomy +expectation of what the morning would bring. Early on Thursday +Kilpatrick's cavalry clattered through the town, and on the further +side some skirmishing occurred and an occasional cannon shot was +thought to be the opening of battle. Slocum's infantry marched +through after the cavalry advance-guard, and the heavy rattling of +cannon and caissons with the shouting of the drivers of the trains +seemed a pandemonium to unaccustomed ears. Sherman had issued +stringent orders that no mischief should be done and no looting +permitted in the city, and all the superior officers were earnest in +enforcing the orders, so that I believe no town was ever more +quietly occupied by an army in actual war. On Friday morning I was +placing my own troops in the suburb and arranging to assume the +guard of the city, left to us by the camping of the main body of the +army beyond its western limits. An officer of the general staff came +to me, saying he had been appealed to in a most piteous way for +protection by a lady who with her household of women and children +could endure the terror and suspense no longer. Knowing that I was +to be in immediate charge of the place, he had given assurances that +I would remove all cause for fear, but had still been begged to ask +me to come in person and relieve their great distress. I went with +him to one of the most comfortable homes of the town. The family had +been collected in the parlors since midnight of Wednesday. They had +not dared to retire to sleep, but clung about the mother and +mistress. The windows were close shut, the rooms lit by candles, and +pale, jaded with the long nervous strain, momentarily fearing the +breaking in of those they had been taught to look upon as little +better than fiends, their hollow eyes showed they were perilously +near the limit of human endurance. I earnestly vouched for the good +intentions of our generals, and promised the most ample protection. +I assured them of sympathy and a purpose to give them the same +safety as I should wish for my own wife and children if they were in +a like situation. A guard was ordered for the house and the +neighborhood. They were urged to open the windows to the cheerful +light and to resume their ordinary way of life. The passing of the +panic and the revival of confidence was a sort of return from the +shadow of death and was most touching to behold. It added a new +element of thankfulness that such terrors for the helpless were not +to be renewed, since peace was really coming to heal the terrible +wounds of war. + +There was a moment when we once more feared we might not be able to +save the city from vengeance. It was when, on the 17th of April, the +news of Lincoln's assassination reached us. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 221.] Sherman had received the +dispatch in cipher just as he was starting for his conference with +Johnston at Durham Station, and had enjoined absolute secrecy upon +the telegraph operator till his return in the evening. General +Stiles, one of my most trusted subordinates, had been made +commandant of the post of Raleigh with a garrison of three +battalions of infantry, a brigade of reserve artillery, and the +convalescents of the Army of the Ohio. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 217.] As +soon as Sherman returned from his visit to Johnston, he sent for me +and told me the terrible news of Lincoln's murder. He expressed the +great fear he had lest, on its becoming known, it should be the +occasion of outbreaks among the soldiers. He charged me to +strengthen Stiles's garrison to any extent I might think necessary, +to put strong guards at the edge of the city on the roads leading to +the several camps, to send all soldiers off duty to their proper +commands, and in short, till the first excitement should be over, to +allow no one to visit the city or wander about it, and to keep all +under strict military surveillance. Schofield and the other army +commanders were with him, and all were seriously impressed with the +danger of mischief resulting and with the need of thorough +precautions. Sherman's general order announcing the assassination +was then read, but its distribution and publication to the army was +delayed till I should have time to prepare for safeguarding the +city. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 238.] Fortunately the announcement of the +first convention for the disbanding of all the remaining armies of +the Confederacy accompanied the exciting news, and as it was +regarded as the return of general peace, the effect on our army was +that of deep mourning for the loss of a great leader in the hour of +victory rather than an excitement to vengeance in a continuing +strife. There was no noteworthy difficulty in preserving order, and, +though the inhabitants of Raleigh had a day or two of great +uneasiness, the beautiful town did not suffer in the least. Its +broad streets, lined with forest trees, and the ample dooryards in +the lush beauty of lawns and flowers were no more trespassed upon +than the avenues and gardens of Washington, and nobody suffered from +violence. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX + +THE SHERMAN-JOHNSTON CONVENTION + + +Sherman's earlier views of the slavery question--Opinions in +1864--War rights vs. statesmanship--Correspondence with +Halleck--Conference with Stanton at Savannah--Letter to General +Robert Anderson--Conference with Lincoln at City Point--First effect +of the assassination of the President--Situation on the Confederate +side--Davis at Danville--Cut off from Lee--Goes to +Greensborough--Calls Johnston to conference--Lee's surrender--The +Greensborough meeting--Approach of Stoneman's cavalry raid--Vance's +deputation to Sherman--Davis orders their arrest--Vance asserts his +loyalty--Attempts to concentrate Confederate forces on the +Greensborough-Charlotte line--Cabinet meeting--Overthrow of the +Confederacy acknowledged--Davis still hopeful--Yields to the +cabinet--Dictates Johnston's letter to Sherman--Sherman's +reply--Meeting arranged--Sherman sends preliminary correspondence to +Washington--The Durham meeting--The negotiations--Two points of +difficulty--Second day's session--Johnston's power to promise the +disbanding of the civil government--The terms agreed +upon--Transmittal letters--Assembling the Virginia +legislature--Sherman's wish to make explicit declaration of the end +of slavery--The assassination affecting public sentiment--Sherman's +personal faith in Johnston--He sees the need of modifying the +terms--Grant's arrival. + + +To understand Sherman's negotiations with Johnston, we must recall +the general's attitude toward the rebellious States and his views on +the subject of slavery. Originally a conservative Whig in politics, +deprecating the anti-slavery agitation, as early as 1856 he had +written to his brother, "Unless people both North and South learn +more moderation, we'll 'see sights' in the way of civil war. Of +course the North have the strength and must prevail, though the +people of the South could and would be desperate enough." [Footnote: +Sherman Letters, p. 63.] In 1859 he was still urging concessions +instead of insisting on the absolute right, saying, "Each State has +a perfect right to have its own local policy, and a majority in +Congress has an absolute right to govern the whole country; but the +North, being so strong in every sense of the term, can well afford +to be generous, even to making reasonable concessions to the +weakness and prejudices of the South." [Footnote: Sherman Letters, +p. 77.] He returned to the same thought in 1860, saying, "So certain +and inevitable is it that the physical and political power of this +nation must pass into the hands of the free States, that I think you +all can well afford to take things easy, bear the buffets of a +sinking dynasty, and even smile at their impotent threats." +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 83.] + +The world is familiar with the ringing words with which he threw +away his livelihood and turned from every attractive outlook in +life, when, Secession having actually come, he said to the governor +of Louisiana, "On no earthly account will I do any act or think any +thought hostile to or in defiance of the United States." [Footnote: +_Id._, p. 106.] But he was also one of the clearest-sighted in +seeing that when slavery had appealed to the sword it would perish +by the sword. In January, 1864, he expressed it tersely: "The South +has made the interests of slavery the issue of the war. If they lose +the war, they lose slavery." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 222.] At the end +of the same month he said, "Three years ago, by a little reflection +and patience, they could have had a hundred years of peace and +prosperity; but they preferred war. Last year they could have saved +their slaves, but now it is too late,--all the powers of earth +cannot restore to them their slaves any more than their dead +grandfathers." [Footnote: Official Records, vol, xxxii. pt. ii. p. +280.] And in the same letter, written to a subordinate with express +authority to make it known to the Southern people within our lines, +he said of certain administrative regulations: "These are +well-established principles of war, and the people of the South, +having appealed to war, are barred from appealing for protection to +our Constitution, which they have practically and publicly defied. +They have appealed to war, and must abide _its_ rules and laws." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xxxii. pt ii. p. 279.] + +Two years later Thaddeus Stevens, as radical leader in Congress, +enounced the same doctrine in no more trenchant terms. Sherman was +explicit in regard to its scope, but he differed from Stevens in the +extent to which he would go, as a matter of sound policy and +statesmanship, in applying the possible penalties of war when +submission was made. It is clear that he insisted there could be no +resurrection for slavery, and that the freedmen must be protected in +life, liberty, and property, with a true equality before the law in +this protection; but he held that they were as yet unfit for +political participation in the government, much less for the +assumption of political rule in the Southern States. + +In a friendly letter which General Halleck wrote to Sherman +immediately after the capture of Savannah, he said with a freedom +that long intimacy permitted: "Whilst almost every one is praising +your great march through Georgia and the capture of Savannah, there +is a certain class, having now great influence with the President +and very probably anticipating still more on a change of cabinet, +who are decidedly disposed to make a point against you--I mean in +regard to 'Inevitable Sambo.' They say that you have manifested an +almost _criminal_ dislike to the negro, and that you are not willing +to carry out the wishes of the government in regard to him, but +repulse him with contempt." [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xliv. p. 836.] In +short, it was said that his march through Georgia might have been +made the means of a general exodus of the slaves, and ought to have +been. + +Sherman made a humorous reply, saying he allowed thousands of +negroes to accompany his march, and set no limit but the necessities +of his military operations. "If it be insisted," he said, "that I +shall so conduct my operations that the negro alone is consulted, of +course I will be defeated, and then where will be Sambo? Don't +military success imply the safety of Sambo, and _vice versa_?... +They gather round me in crowds, and I can't find out whether I am +Moses or Aaron or which of the prophets. . . . The South deserves +all she has got for her injustice to the negro, but that is no +reason why we should go to the other extreme. I do and will do the +best I can for negroes, and feel sure that the problem is solving +itself slowly and naturally. It needs nothing more than our +fostering care." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. +36.] + +The Secretary of War was broadly hinted at in Halleck's letter, but +when Mr. Stanton visited Sherman at Savannah, the latter understood +that his mind was disabused of any unfavorable impressions he may +have had. Mr. Stanton had assembled a score of the leading colored +preachers as the most intelligent representatives of their race, and +examined them by written questions respecting their hopes and +desires, their attitude in regard to military service, and in regard +to living among the whites or separately. He learned that they +generally preferred to try life in a separate community of their +own, and that they were strongly opposed to the methods by which +State agents were trying to enlist them as substitutes for men +drafted in the Northern States. He even went so far as to ask these +men whether they found Sherman friendly to the colored people's +rights and interests or otherwise! The answer was that they had +confidence in the general, and thought their concerns could not be +in better hands. Some of them had called upon him on his arrival, +and now said that they did not think he could have received Mr. +Stanton with more courtesy than he showed to them. [Footnote: _Id._, +p. 41.] Sherman's order relating to the allotment of sea-island +lands to the freedmen for cultivation, and to the methods of +procuring their enlistment as soldiers [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 60.] was drafted while Mr. Stanton was with +him, and he affirms that every paragraph had the Secretary's +approval. [Footnote: Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 250.] + +In his feelings toward the men chiefly responsible for secession and +the war, Sherman had never measured his words when expressing his +condemnation and wrath. In a letter to General Robert Anderson, +written only a few days before meeting Johnston in negotiation, he +had spoken with deepest feeling of his satisfaction that Anderson +was to raise again the flag at Fort Sumter on April 14th (the fatal +day on which also Lincoln died), saying he was "glad that it falls +to the lot of one so pure and noble to represent our country in a +drama so solemn, so majestic, and so just." To him it looked like "a +retribution decreed by Heaven itself." Reminded by this thought of +those who had caused this horrid war, he exclaimed: "But the end is +not yet. The brain that first conceived the thought must burst in +anguish, the heart that pulsated with hellish joy must cease to +beat, the hand that pulled the first laniard must be palsied, before +the wicked act begun in Charleston on the 13th of April, 1861, is +avenged. But 'mine, not thine, is vengeance,' saith the Lord, and we +poor sinners must let him work out the drama to its close." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 107.] Such was +the man who went to meet General Johnston on the 17th of April; and +in considering what he then did, we must take into the account the +principles, the convictions, and the feelings which were part of his +very nature. + +Still further, we must remember that he had, less than three weeks +before, a personal conference with the President at City Point, and +had obtained from him personally the views he held with regard to +the terms he was prepared to grant to the several rebel States as +well as to the armies which might surrender, and the method by which +he expected to obtain an acknowledgment of submission from some +legally constituted authority, without dealing in any way with the +Confederate civil government. General Sherman is conclusive +authority as to what occurred at a conference which was in the +nature of instructions to him from the Commander-in-Chief; and the +more carefully we examine contemporaneous records, the stronger +becomes the conviction that he has accurately reported what occurred +at that meeting. + +"Mr. Lincoln was full and frank in his conversation," says Sherman, +"assuring me that in his mind he was all ready for the civil +reorganization of affairs at the South as soon as the war was over; +and he distinctly authorized me to assure Governor Vance and the +people of North Carolina that as soon as the rebel armies laid down +their arms and resumed their civil pursuits, they would at once be +guaranteed all their rights as citizens of a common country; and +that to avoid anarchy, the State governments then in existence, with +their civil functionaries, would be recognized by him as the +government _de facto_ till Congress could provide others." +[Footnote: Sherman's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 327.] + +When the general met Mr. Graham and others, he was aware that +General Weitzel at Richmond had authorized the Virginia State +government to assemble, Mr. Lincoln being on the ground. The views +expressed in the famous interview at City Point had taken practical +shape. In correspondence with Johnston while they were awaiting +action on the first convention, Sherman referred to Weitzel's action +as a reason for confidence that there would be "no trouble on the +score of recognizing existing State governments." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 266.] + +With the burden of the terrible news of Lincoln's assassination, +Sherman went up to Durham Station to meet the Confederate general on +the 17th of April. His grief was mingled with gloomy thoughts of the +future, for it was natural that he as well as the authorities at +Washington should at first think of the great crime as part of a +system of desperate men to destroy both the civil and the military +leaders of the country, and to disperse the armies into bands of +merciless guerillas who would try the effect of anarchy now that +civilized military operations had failed. We did injustice to the +South in thinking so, but it was inevitable that such should be the +first impression. As soon as we mingled a little with the leading +soldiers and statesmen of the South we learned better, and the +period of such apprehensions was a brief one, though terrible while +it lasted. + +But we must here consider what were the motives and purposes which, +on his part, Johnston represented, when he came from Greensborough +to meet his great opponent. To understand these we must trace +rapidly the course of events within his military lines. When +Petersburg was taken and Richmond evacuated, Mr. Davis with the +members of his cabinet went to Danville, where he remained for a few +days, protected by a small force under General H. H. Walker. +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 741, 750.] +Beauregard was at Greensborough, collecting detachments to resist an +expedition which General Stoneman was leading through the mountains +from Tennessee. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 751.] Johnston was at +Smithfield with the main body of his forces, watching our army at +Goldsborough and preparing to retreat toward Lee as soon as the +latter might escape from Grant and give a rendezvous at Danville or +Greensborough. The retreat from Petersburg made a union east of +Danville probably impracticable. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 682, 737.] + +Grant's persistent and vigorous pursuit soon turned Lee away from +the Danville road at Burkesville, pushed him toward Lynchburg, and +destroyed all hope of union with Johnston. Davis had no direct +communication with Lee after reaching Danville, and his position +there being unsafe, after Grant had occupied Burkesville, he went to +Greensborough. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. +750, 787.] From Danville, on the 10th, he telegraphed Johnston that +he had a report of the surrender of Lee, which there was little room +to doubt. He also asked Johnston to meet him at Greensborough to +confer as to future action. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 777.] The dispatch +was, by some accident, prevented from reaching Johnston on the 10th, +and Davis repeated it on the 11th, so that the news reached the +Confederate headquarters only a day before we got it, on our march +from Smithfield. On the same day (11th) Davis informed Governor +Vance of the disaster, and suggested a meeting with him also. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 787.] He also forwarded to Johnston the +suggestion of Beauregard (which he approved), that all the +Confederate forces north of Augusta should concentrate at Salisbury. + +The best evidence that Vance regarded the cause of the Confederacy +as lost is found in his resolve to send a deputation to meet Sherman +without waiting to confer with Davis. Johnston issued on the 11th +his orders for the continued march of his army westward from Raleigh +along the railroad, [Footnote: _Id_., p. 789.] and himself proceeded +to Greensborough by train, to have the appointed conference. Whilst +Davis and he were together on the 12th, Stoneman's cavalry, which +had been in the vicinity the day before and had made a break in the +Danville road, was heard of at Shallow Ford, on the Yadkin, about +thirty miles west. Part of the troops at Greensborough were at once +sent to Salisbury, which was about the same distance from the Yadkin +ford. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 791.] At the same time came a cipher +dispatch from Colonel Anderson of Johnston's staff, whom the latter +had left at Raleigh, saying that Governor Vance was sending Messrs. +Graham and Swain to meet Sherman, presumably by permission of +Hardee, who was senior officer in Johnston's absence. Colonel +Anderson had taken the responsibility of asking Hampton not to let +them pass his cavalry outposts. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 791.] By Davis's direction, Johnston at once +telegraphed Hardee to arrest the delegation and to permit no +intercourse with us except under proper military flag of truce. +[Footnote: _Ibid._] Vance was of course informed by Hardee, and +replied that he intended nothing subversive of Davis's prerogative +or without consulting him. He also said that Johnston was aware of +his purpose. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 792.] In saying further, however, +that the initiative had been on Sherman's part, he was dissembling. +[Footnote: See the letters, _Id._, p. 178.] The difficulty put in +the way of his representatives in getting beyond the Confederate +lines is thus accounted for, as well as his failure to remain in +Raleigh on our arrival. Davis found it politic to accept the +explanation, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 792.] but we may safely assume +that the matter was discussed between him and Johnston, and that it +led to its discussion with his cabinet also; for Johnston remained +with him till the 14th, leaving to Hardee the direction of the army +on the march, which was ordered to be pressed towards Greensborough. +[Footnote: _Id._, pp. 796, 797.] The troops at Danville were called +to the same rendezvous, and General Echols, with those in West +Virginia, was ordered to make his way through the mountains to the +northwestern part of South Carolina. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 795, +796.] + +In a formal conference with his advisers on the 13th (Thursday), all +of the cabinet officers except Benjamin declared themselves of +Johnston's and Beauregard's opinion, that a further prosecution of +the war was hopeless; that the Southern Confederacy was in fact +overthrown, and that the wise thing to do was to make at once the +best terms possible. [Footnote: Johnston's Narrative, pp. 397-400.] +Davis argued that the crisis might rouse the Southern people to new +and desperate efforts, and that overtures for peace on the basis of +submission were premature. The general opinion, however, was so +strong against him that he reluctantly yielded, and, to make sure +that he should not be committed further than he meant, he himself +dictated, and Mr. Mallory, the Secretary of the Navy, wrote, the +letter to Sherman, signed by Johnston, asking for an armistice +between all the armies, if General Grant would consent, "the object +being to permit the civil authorities to enter into the needful +arrangements to terminate the existing war." [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 206.] The form of each sentence of +the letter is significant, in view of its authorship, but most so is +the plain meaning of that just quoted, to make a complete surrender +upon such terms as the National government should dictate. In like +manner the opening sentence, "The results of the recent campaign in +Virginia have changed the relative military condition of the +belligerents," was a confession in diplomatic form of final defeat. +Before sending the letter to Sherman, Johnston copied it with his +own hand, in order, no doubt, to have a duplicate for his own +protection, as well as to preserve secrecy. [Footnote: The only +difference is that in his copy he put the date of the 13th at its +head (the true date), whilst the original which he says he sent to +Sherman (Narr., p. 400) was dated the 14th, when it would be sent +from his outposts; a bit of forethought on Mr. Davis's part, which +guarded against Sherman's suspicion that it had been prepared at a +distance and had travelled more than a day's journey. Both of the +duplicates are in the war archives, that written by Mr. Mallory +having the indorsement in Sherman's own hand of its receipt on the +14th. (Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 206, note.) In the +Records Sherman's indorsement of the receipt of Johnston's dispatch +is "12 night." This seems to be a clerical error, and should be +"noon." (See _Id_., pp. 209, 215, 216, and Sherman's Memoirs, vol. +ii. p. 346.) Mr. Davis's account is not inconsistent with +Johnston's, which he had seen. (Rise and Fall, vol. ii. pp. 681, +684.)] + +Sherman lost not a moment in answering, 1st, that he had power and +was willing to arrange a suspension of hostilities between the +armies under their respective commands, indicating a halt on both +sides on the 15th; 2d, that he offered as a basis the terms given +Lee at Appomattox: 3d, interpreting Johnston's reference to "other +armies" which he desired the truce to include as referring to +Stoneman (whom we had heard of in Raleigh as burning railway bridges +on both sides of Greensborough [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 197.]), he said that Stoneman was under his +command, and that he would obtain from Grant a suspension of other +movements from Virginia. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 207.] All this was +strictly within the limits of Sherman's military authority and +discretion. + +The 15th of April (Saturday) was a day of pouring rain, making the +roads almost impassable for wagons, as they were already cut up by +the retreating army and by our advance. Sherman expected a reply +from Johnston early, for he had directed Kilpatrick on Friday +afternoon to send his answer at once to the Confederate lines. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 215.] He was annoyed at the delay, and sent up +Major McCoy of his staff to Morrisville on the railway, where +Kilpatrick's headquarters were, taking with him a telegraph operator +to open an office there. But Kilpatrick had gone to his own outposts +toward Hillsborough, and his staff seem to have been in no hurry to +forward Sherman's letter, so that it was delivered to Hampton at +sundown of the 15th instead of the 14th. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 222, +233, 234.] A locomotive engine was sent to McCoy on Sunday (16th), +and with it he went on to Durham, taking his telegrapher along. Some +torpedoes had been found on the road below, and McCoy diminished the +risk from any others, by putting some empty cars ahead of the +locomotive to explode them if there should be any. He got through +safely, however, found Kilpatrick at Durham, opened telegraphic +communication with headquarters at Raleigh, was authorized to read +and transmit by the wire Johnston's reply, and so was able before +night to give his impatiently waiting chief the Confederate +general's proposal to meet in conference between the lines next +morning, and to return Sherman's consent. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 229-231.] + +Meanwhile Kilpatrick had been sending dispatches saying he did not +believe Johnston could be trusted, that his whole army was marching +on, that the delay was a ruse to gain time, and that no confidence +could be placed "in the word of a rebel, no matter what may be his +position. He is but a traitor at best." [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 224, +233.] Sherman answered: "I have faith in General Johnston's personal +sincerity, and do not believe he would use a subterfuge to cover his +movements. He could not stop the movement of his troops till he got +my letter, which I hear was delayed all day yesterday by your +adjutants' not sending it forward." His faith in Johnston's +honorable dealing was justified, but the delay had brought the +Confederate infantry to the neighborhood of Greensborough. +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 234. Also Johnston's Narrative, p. 401.] + +On the 15th Sherman had sent both to Grant and to the Secretary of +War copies of Johnston's overture and his own answer. He added that +he should "be careful not to complicate any points of civil policy;" +that he had invited Governor Vance to return to Raleigh with the +civil officers of the State, and that ex-Governor Graham, Messrs. +Badger, Moore, Holden, and others all agreed "that the war is over +and that the States of the South must resume their allegiance, +subject to the Constitution and laws of Congress, and that the +military power of the South must submit to the National arms. This +great fact once admitted," he said, "all the details are easy of +arrangement." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. +221.] He directed this to be sent by a swift steamer to Fort Monroe +and from there by telegraph to Washington. As this dispatch was sent +part of the way by telegraph, it should have reached Washington more +than three days ahead of the convention signed on the 18th and +carried to the capital by Major Hitchcock, who left Raleigh in the +night of that day:[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +p. 246.] but no answer seems to have been made to it, unless it be +in a dispatch of Grant on the 20th in which he directed the movement +of Howard's and Slocum's armies to City Point in case Johnston +surrendered. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 257.] + +On Monday (April 17th), with the burden of the knowledge of +Lincoln's assassination on his mind, Sherman went up to Durham by +rail, accompanied by a few officers. There he met General +Kilpatrick, who furnished a cavalry company as an escort, and +led-horses to mount the party. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 234, 235.] The +bearer of the flag of truce and a trumpeter were in advance, +followed by part of the escort, the general and his officers came +next, the little cavalcade closing with the rest of the escort in +due order. They rode about five miles on the Hillsborough road, when +they met General Wade Hampton advancing with a flag from the other +side. The house of a Mr. Bennett, near by, was made the place of +conference. When Sherman and Johnston were alone, the dispatch +announcing Mr. Lincoln's murder was shown the Confederate, and as he +read it, Sherman tells us, beads of perspiration stood out on his +forehead, his face showed the horror and distress he felt, and he +denounced the act as a disgrace to the age. [Footnote: Memoirs, vol. +ii. p. 349,] Both realized the danger that terrible results would +follow if hostilities should be resumed, and both were impelled to +yield whatever seemed possible to bring the war to an immediate end. +In this praiseworthy spirit their discussion was carried on, +Johnston saying that "the greatest possible calamity to the South +had happened." [Footnote: Johnston's Narrative, p. 402.] + +Johnston's first point was that his proposal of the 14th had been +that the civil authorities should negotiate as to the terms of +peace, while the armistice should continue. Sherman could not deal +with the Confederate civil government or recognize it. It could only +dissolve and vanish when the separate states should make their +submission, and these were the only governments _de facto_ with whom +dealings could be had. Postponing this matter, they proceeded to the +practical one,--the terms that could be assured to the armies of the +South and to the States. + +Here they found themselves not far apart. As to the troops, nothing +more liberal could be asked than the terms already given to Lee. +Sherman knew of Mr. Lincoln's willingness that the State governments +should continue to act, if they began by declaring the Confederacy +dissolved by defeat, and the authority of the United States +recognized and acknowledged. He had no knowledge of any change in +the policy of the government in this respect, and what he had said +to Governor Vance's delegation was satisfactory to both negotiators. + +But how as to amnesty? Here Sherman was also able to give Lincoln's +own words, declaring his desire that the people in general should be +assured of all their rights of life, liberty, and property, and the +political rights of citizens of a common country on their complete +submission. Lincoln wanted no more lives sacrificed, and would use +his power to make amnesty complete. He could not control the +legislative or the judicial department of the government, but he +spoke for himself as executive. An agreement was easy here also. + +What, then, as to slavery? Sherman regarded it utterly dead in the +regions occupied by the Confederates at the time of the Emancipation +Proclamation (Jan. 1, 1863), and Johnston frankly admitted that +surrender in view of the whole situation acknowledged the end of the +system which had been the great stake in the war. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 243.] The Thirteenth +Amendment of the Constitution, abolishing slavery, had then been +accepted by twenty States, Arkansas did so three days later, and the +six Northern States which had been delayed in action upon it were as +certain to ratify as that a little time should roll round. +[Footnote: Rickey's Constitution, p. 43.] It was therefore no figure +of speech to say that slavery was dead: Sherman, Johnston, and +Breckinridge knew it to be true. But Johnston urged that to secure +the prompt and peaceful acquiescence of the whole South, it was +undesirable to force upon them irritating acknowledgments even of +what they tacitly admitted to themselves was true; further, that the +subject was not included in the scope of a military convention. If +slavery was in fact abolished by Mr. Lincoln's proclamation, it was +for Congress and the courts so to declare it, and two soldiers +arranging the surrender had no call to assert all the legal +consequences which would flow from the act. Sherman yielded to this +argument, not from any doubt as to the fact of freedom, but from a +certainty of it so complete that he would not prolong dispute to +obtain a formal assent to it. He was the more ready to do so as he +insisted that he acted simply as the representative of the Executive +as Commander-in-Chief, and neither could nor would promise immunity +from prosecutions under indictments or confiscation-laws. He said +also that whilst he agreed with Mr. Lincoln in hoping no executions +or long imprisonments would occur, he advised the leading men in the +Confederate Government to get out of the country. + +As to the disposal of the arms in the hands of the Confederate +soldiers from North Carolina to Texas, both knew that little of +practical moment depended on the form of the agreement. So many arms +were thrown away, so many were concealed by soldiers who loved the +weapons they had carried, that even in our own ranks no satisfactory +collection of them could be made. But a real and present +apprehension with both officers was the scattering of armed men in +guerilla bands. If the law-abiding were disarmed and those who +scattered and refused to give up their weapons were at large, how +could the States preserve the peace? To this point Sherman said he +attached most importance. This was not an afterthought when +defending his action; he wrote it to Grant in the letter +transmitting the terms when they were made. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 243.] The same thought was forced +home on the Confederates by their experience at the time. Before the +negotiations were finally concluded, bands of paroled men from Lee's +army, and stragglers were able to stop trains on the railroad on +which Johnston's army was dependent for supplies, and it would have +been intolerable to leave the country at the mercy of that class. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 818, 819.] To keep the troops of each State +under discipline till they deposited the arms at State capitals, +where United States garrisons would be, and where the final disposal +of them would be "subject to the future action of Congress," seemed +prudent and safe; and this was agreed to. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 243, +244.] + +In the first day's conference it seemed clear that the generals +could easily agree upon all they thought essential, except the +exclusion of Mr. Davis and his chief civil officers from any part in +the negotiations and making the terms of amnesty general. An +adjournment to Tuesday was had to give Johnston time to consult with +General Breckinridge, the Secretary of War, and for Sherman to +reflect further on the amnesty question. [Footnote: Sherman's +Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 350; Johnston's Narrative, p. 404.] As soon as +the latter reached Raleigh, he dispatched to Grant, through a staff +officer at New Berne, a brief report of the "full and frank +interchange of opinions" with Johnston. "He evidently seeks to make +terms for Jeff. Davis and his cabinet," he said. The adjournment was +mentioned with its reason; and to negative any thought that he might +neglect military advantages by the delay, he said, "We lose nothing +in time, as by agreement both armies stand still, and the roads are +drying up, so that if I am forced to pursue, we will be able to make +better speed. There is great danger that the Confederate armies will +dissolve and fill the whole land with robbers and assassins, and I +think this is one of the difficulties that Johnston labors under. +The assassination of Mr. Lincoln shows one of the elements in the +rebel army which will be almost as difficult to deal with as the +main armies." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. +237.] + +When the two generals met again on Tuesday, General Breckinridge was +with Johnston's party, and the latter requested that he might take +part in the conference; but Sherman adhered to his position that he +would deal only with the military officers and objected to +Breckinridge as Secretary of War. Johnston suggested that he might +be present simply as a general officer, but adding that his personal +relations to Mr. Davis would greatly aid in securing final approval +of anything to which he assented. With this understanding he was +allowed to be present. Mr. Reagan, Postmaster-General, had also come +with Breckinridge to General Hampton's headquarters, but did not +proceed further. He was busy there, Johnston tells us, in throwing +into form the terms which the general thought were fairly included +in the conversational comparison of views on the previous day, with +the exception of the amnesty, which was made general without +exceptions. [Footnote: Johnston's Narrative, p. 404.] This must, of +course, have been from notes written at Johnston's dictation. + +Sherman was now informed that the Confederate general had authority +to negotiate a military convention for the surrender of all the +Confederate armies, and that if the terms could be agreed upon, the +Davis government would disband, like the armies, and use the +influence of its members to secure the submission of all the several +States. Johnston, on his part, would be content with the conclusions +informally reached on Monday, except that he wanted the principle +inserted of amnesty without exceptions. Mr. Reagan's draft was +produced and read. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +p. 806.] It contained a preamble stating motives for the action +proposed, and professed to be no more than a basis for further +negotiation. A note appended to it referred to several things +necessary to a conclusion of the business which might be +subsequently added. The preamble, as well as this note, was no +proper part of the terms, and Sherman entirely objected to any +preamble of the kind, wishing to include only the things necessary +to an agreement. He therefore took his pen, and then and there wrote +off rapidly his own expression of the points he had intended to +agree to, but explicitly as a "memorandum or basis" for submission +to their principals. + +They were, _First_, the continuance of the armistice, terminable on +short notice; _Second_, the disbanding of all the Confederate armies +under parol and deposit of their arms subject to the control of the +National government; _Third_, recognition by the Executive of +existing State governments; _Fourth_, re-establishment of Federal +Courts; _Fifth_, guaranty for the future of general rights of +person, property, and political rights "so far as the Executive +can;" _Sixth_, freedom for the people from disturbance on account of +the past, by "the Executive authority of the government;" the +_seventh_ item was a general résumé of results aimed at. [Footnote: +_Id_., p 243.] The most striking difference between this statement +and that which Mr. Reagan had drawn, besides the omission of the +preamble, was the express limitation of the proposed action by the +powers of the National executive, with neither promise nor +suggestion as to what the courts or Congress might or might not do. + +In transmitting the memorandum through General Grant, Sherman wrote +that the point to which he attached most importance was "that the +dispersion and disbandment of those armies is done in such a manner +as to prevent their breaking up into guerilla bands," whilst there +was no restriction on our right to military occupation. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 243.] As to slavery, he +said, "Both generals Johnston and Breckinridge admitted that slavery +was dead, and I could not insist on embracing it in such a paper, +because it can be made with the States in detail." [Footnote: +_Ibid._] He also referred to the financial question, and the +necessity of stopping war expenditures and getting the officers and +men of the army home to work. Writing to Halleck as chief of staff +at the same time, he referred to the same topics, expressed his +belief, from all he saw and heard, that "even Mr. Davis was not +privy to the diabolical plot" of assassination, but that it was "the +emanation of a set of young men of the South who are very devils." +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 245.] He told Halleck that Johnston informed +him that Stoneman's cavalry had been at Salisbury, but was then near +Statesville, which was on the road back to Tennessee, about forty +miles west of Salisbury and double that distance west of +Greensborough. + +A week now intervened, in which the important papers were journeying +to Washington and the orders of the government coming back. On the +20th Sherman had occasion to inform Johnston of steps he had taken +to enforce the details of the truce, and as evidence that he had not +mistaken Mr. Lincoln's views in regard to the State governments, he +enclosed a late paper showing that "in Virginia the State +authorities are acknowledged and invited to resume their lawful +functions." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 257.] The convention seemed +therefore in harmony with the course actually pursued by the +administration at Washington, and the negotiators were justified in +feeling reassured. + +Another day passed, and as other incidents in the relations of the +armies needed to be communicated to Johnston, Sherman recurred again +to the encouraging feature of the leave to assemble the Virginia +legislature, but added some reflections on points which he thought +might require more explicit treatment than they had given, and he +suggested Johnston's conference with the best Southern men, so that +he might be ready to act without delay if modifications should be +required in the final convention. "It may be," he said, "that the +lawyers will want us to define more minutely what is meant by the +guaranty of rights of person and property. It may be construed into +a compact for us to undo the past as to the rights of slaves, and +'leases of plantations' on the Mississippi, of 'vacant and +abandoned' plantations. I wish you would talk to the best men you +have on these points, and if possible, let us, in the final +convention, make these points so clear as to leave no room for angry +controversy. I believe if the South would simply and publicly +declare what we all feel, that slavery is dead, that you would +inaugurate an era of peace and prosperity that would soon efface the +ravages of the past four years of war. Negroes would remain in the +South and afford you abundance of cheap labor, which otherwise will +be driven away, and it will save the country the senseless +discussions which have kept us all in hot water for fifty years. +Although, strictly speaking, this is no subject of a military +convention, yet I am honestly convinced that our simple declaration +of a result will be accepted as good law everywhere. Of course I +have not a single word from Washington on this or any other point of +our agreement, but I know the effect of such a step by us will be +universally accepted." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +iii. p. 266.] + +On the same day (21st), he was replying to a letter from an +acquaintance of former days residing at Wilmington. In this reply he +spoke out more vigorously his own sentiments: "The idea of war to +perpetuate slavery in the year 1861 was an insult to the +intelligence of the age." War being begun by the South, "it was +absurd to suppose we were bound to respect that kind of property or +any kind of property. . . . The result is nearly accomplished, and +is what you might have foreseen." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 271.] + +On the 23d he sent a bundle of newspapers to Johnston and Hardee, +giving the developments of the assassination plot and the hopes that +the Sewards would recover. In the unofficial note accompanying them, +he said: "The feeling North on this subject is more intense than +anything that ever occurred before. General Ord at Richmond has +recalled the permission given for the Virginia legislature, and I +fear much the assassination of the President will give a bias to the +popular mind which, in connection with the desire of our +politicians, may thwart our purpose of recognizing 'existing local +governments.' But it does seem to me there must be good sense enough +left on this continent to give order and shape to the now disjointed +elements of government. I believe this assassination of Mr. Lincoln +will do the cause of the South more harm than any event of the war, +both at home and abroad, and I doubt if the Confederate military +authorities had any more complicity with it than I had. I am thus +frank with you, and have asserted as much to the War Department. But +I dare not say as much for Mr. Davis or some of the civil +functionaries, for it seems the plot was fixed for March 4, but +delayed awaiting some instructions from Richmond." [Footnote: _Id._, +p. 287.] + +The whole tenor of this letter speaks most clearly the faith which +personal intercourse with Johnston had given Sherman in his honor +and his sincerity of desire that the war should end. The same had +been expressed in an official note of the same date in which Sherman +had said in regard to his directions to General Wilson in Georgia: +"I have almost exceeded the bounds of prudence in checking him +without the means of direct communication, and only did so on my +absolute faith in your personal character." [Footnote: _Id._, p. +286.] The faith was not misplaced and was not disappointed. + +The correspondence thus quoted reveals to us Sherman's thoughts from +day to day, the real opinions and sentiments which he intended to +embody in the convention, and his recognition of the probability +that its provisions would need more explicit definition before the +final acts of negotiation. It shows, too, how frank he was in +warning Johnston that the terrible crime at Washington had changed +the situation. It seems indisputable that this open-hearted dealing +between the generals made it much easier for them to come together +on the final terms, by having revealed to Johnston the motives and +convictions which animated his opponent in seeking the blessing of +peace as well as in applying the scourge of war. + +As further evidence of what Sherman told us, his subordinates, of +the terms agreed upon, I quote the entry in my diary of what I +understood them to be, on the 19th, the day following the signing of +the convention, after personal conversation with the general: +"Johnston's army is to separate, the troops going to their several +States; at the State capitals they are to surrender their arms and +all public property. Part of the arms are to be left to the State +governments and the rest turned over to the United States. The +officers and soldiers are not to be punished by the United States +Government for their part in the war, but all are left liable to +private prosecutions and indictments in the courts." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. i. p. 938.] + +In the evening of the 23d Sherman heard of the arrival at Morehead +City of Major Hitchcock, his messenger to Washington, and he at once +notified Johnston that the dispatches would reach him in the +morning. He asked the latter to be ready "to resume negotiations +when the contents of the dispatches are known." [Footnote: _Id_., +pt. ii. p. 287.] When Major Hitchcock came up on a night train +reaching Raleigh at six in the morning, to Sherman's great surprise +General Grant came also, unheralded and unannounced. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 286.] + + + + +CHAPTER L + +THE SECOND SHERMAN--JOHNSTON CONVENTION--SURRENDER + + +Davis's last cabinet meeting--Formal opinions approving the +"Basis"--"The Confederacy is conquered"--Grant brings disapproval +from the Johnston administration--Sherman gives notice of the +termination of the truce--No military disadvantage from +it--Sherman's vindication of himself--Grant's admirable +conduct--Johnston advises Davis to yield--Capitulation assented to, +but a volunteer cavalry force to accompany Davis's flight--A new +conference at Durham--Davis's imaginary treasure--Grant's return to +Washington--Terms of the parole given by Johnston's army--The +capitulation complete--Schofield and his army to carry out the +details--The rest of Sherman's army marches north--His farewell to +Johnston--Order announcing the end of the war--Johnston's fine +reply--Stanton's strange dispatch to the newspapers--Its tissue of +errors--Its baseless objections--Sherman's +exasperation--Interference with his military authority over his +subordinates--Garbling Grant's dispatch--Sherman strikes +back--Breach between Sherman and Halleck--It also grew out of the +published matter--Analysis of the facts--My opinion as recorded at +the time. + + +When Grant reached Sherman's headquarters on the morning of the 24th +of April, Johnston had not yet been notified of the action of the +Confederate government as to the agreed "Basis" of surrender. Having +got Sherman's dispatch of the evening before, he telegraphed to +General Breckinridge, the Secretary of War at Greensborough, that +there must be immediate readiness to act. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 834.] Breckinridge, however, had +gone to Charlotte, about eighty miles down the road, near the South +Carolina line, where Mr. Davis held the last meeting of his cabinet, +and procured from each of them his formal, written opinion and +advice. Davis himself now telegraphed the result to Johnston, +saying: "Your action is approved. You will so inform General +Sherman, and if the like authority be given by the Government of the +United States to complete the arrangement, you will proceed on the +'Basis' adopted." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +p. 834.] He added that further instructions would be given as to the +subordinate details which, by common consent, must be added to the +"Basis" to perfect it. + +The cabinet opinions were unanimous in favor of approving the +"Basis." Benjamin's, Reagan's, and Attorney-General Davis's were +dated the 22d, Breckinridge's the 23d, and Mallory's the 24th. +[Footnote: _Id_., pp. 821, 823, 827, 830, 832.] + +In varying words they all admitted what Mallory put most tersely, in +saying "The Confederacy is conquered." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 833.] +Several of them discussed the possibility of carrying on a guerilla +warfare, but could see in it no useful result. They agreed that if +Johnston retreated to the Gulf States, the troops would disperse +spontaneously. Virginia and North Carolina would separately withdraw +from the Confederacy, and the other States would follow. Benjamin +expressed the common opinion that the terms of the convention "exact +only what the victor always requires,--the relinquishment by his foe +of the object for which the struggle was commenced." [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 822.] He also well formulated their judgment that, as +political head, Davis could not make peace by dissolving the +Confederacy; but as commander-in-chief he could ratify the military +convention disbanding the armies. "He can end hostilities. The +States alone can act in dissolving the Confederacy and returning to +the Union according to the terms of the convention." [Footnote: +_Ibid._] Reagan alone spoke of hopes that by submission the States +might procure advantages not mentioned in the "Basis," and found +comfort in the fact that it contained "no direct reference to the +question of slavery." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +iii. p. 824.] Taken together, these important documents contain the +strongest possible admission of the utter ruin of the Confederacy +and of the simple truth that there was nothing left for them but to +surrender at discretion, with such dignity as they might. Of +themselves the cabinet opinions changed the situation, and made it +impossible to resume plans of further resistance after the +convention was rejected at Washington. With them the Confederate +Government vanished. + +For it was a disapproval that Grant had brought. On receiving the +"Memorandum, or Basis," from Sherman, on the 21st, he had at once +seen that the latter had acted in ignorance of the facts: first, +that Mr. Lincoln had himself, two days before his death, withdrawn +the permission for the Virginia legislature to assemble; and second, +that he had, a month before Lee's surrender, directed that military +negotiations should not treat of any subject of civil policy. In +view, therefore, of the tendency to severity which followed the +assassination, it was evident that the convention would not be +approved, and, as soon as action had been taken by the President in +cabinet meeting, Grant wrote a calm and friendly letter to Sherman, +in explanation of the rejection of the "Basis," inclosing Stanton's +formal notice and order to resume hostilities. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +263, 264.] These were intrusted to Major Hitchcock, but, as we have +seen, Grant accompanied the messenger in person. + +Sherman having, only the day before, learned of the change of policy +with regard to Virginia, and notified Johnston of its probable +effect, was prepared in part for the disapproval, and was personally +glad to be rid of political negotiation. He made no objection or +remonstrance, but even before discussing the subject with Grant, +wrote his notice to Johnston of the termination of the truce within +forty-eight hours, as agreed. With this he sent a note stating his +orders "not to attempt civil negotiations," and demanding surrender +of Johnston's own army "on the same terms as were given General Lee +at Appomattox." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +pp. 293, 294.] These dispatches were dated at six in the morning of +the 24th, a few minutes after Grant's arrival. [Footnote: Grant to +Stanton, _Id_., p. 293.] + +Sherman then explained to the General-in-Chief the military +situation, the position of his several corps, his readiness to make +the race with Johnston for Charlotte, the completed repair of the +railroad through Raleigh to Durham, the accumulation of supplies, +and the improved condition of the country roads. The truce had +worked him no disadvantage from a military standpoint, but the +contrary. The only thing which annoyed him in the dispatches from +Washington was the last sentence in Mr. Stanton's communication to +Grant, saying, "The President desires that you proceed immediately +to the headquarters of General Sherman and direct operations against +the enemy." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 263.] The implication in this was a +distrust of him which was wholly unjust, and he replied to it, "I +had flattered myself that by four years' patient, unremitting, and +successful labor I deserved no such reminder." [Footnote: _Id_., p. +302.] In a letter to Grant of the same date he put upon record the +fact that he had reason to suppose that his "Memorandum" accurately +reflected Mr. Lincoln's ideas and purposes, and that he was wholly +uninformed of the instructions in regard to negotiating upon civil +questions. He stood by his opinions on the propriety of using the +_de facto_ governments in the separate States as agents of +submission for their people. He pointed out that the military +convention did not meddle with the right of the courts to punish +past crimes, and stated that he admitted the need of clearer +definition as to the guaranty of rights of person and property. +[Footnote: _Ibid._] The points he thus discussed were those he got +from Grant orally, for he had, as yet, no other knowledge of the +criticisms made by President Johnson or his cabinet. + +Grant's sincere friendship and his freedom from the least desire to +exhibit his own power had made him act as a visitor rather than a +commander. He appreciated Sherman's perfect readiness to accept the +methods dictated by the civil authorities, and saw that his zeal was +as ardent as it was at Atlanta or Savannah. The results of the +honest frankness of the dealings between Sherman and Johnston were +speedily seen. The Confederate general perfectly understood the +meaning of the notice to end the truce, and that his great opponent +would do his military duty to the uttermost. Whilst ordering his +army to be ready to move at the expiration of the truce, he also +declared to Mr. Davis, in asking for instructions, that it were +better to yield than to have Sherman's army again traverse the +country. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 835.] +Davis suggested, through Breckinridge, that the infantry and +artillery might be disbanded, but the cavalry and horse-batteries +brought off to accompany the high civil officers who would try to +reach the Southwest. [Footnote: _Ibid._] Johnston replied that this +would only provide for saving these functionaries from captivity. +This might be done by Mr. Davis moving with a smaller cavalry +escort, without losing a moment. To save the people, the country, +and the army, an honorable military capitulation ought to be made +before the expiration of the armistice. He said that his subordinate +commanders did not believe their troops would fight again, and that +news was received of the fall of Mobile, with 3,000 prisoners, and +the capture of Macon, with a number of prominent generals. +[Footnote: _Id._, P. 836.] Early on the 25th Breckinridge assented +to the capitulation, but directed that General Wade Hampton, with +the mounted men who chose to follow him, might join the President. +[Footnote: _Id._, p. 837.] Upon this, Johnston wrote Sherman, asking +that instead of a surrender and disbanding in the field, his army +might have the arrangement for going home in organizations which had +been made by the Memorandum of the 18th, giving as a reason that +Lee's paroled men were already afflicting the country, collecting in +bands which had no means of subsistence but robbery. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 304.] Sherman then +appointed a new conference at Durham, for the 26th, at noon. +[Footnote: _Ibid_.] He had learned from Grant that it was believed +at Washington that Davis had with him a large treasure in specie, +making for Cuba by way of Florida, and sent at once a dispatch to +Admiral Dahlgren, naval commander at Charleston, asking that officer +to try to intercept him. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 310.] + +General Grant's complete satisfaction with Sherman's personal +attitude and readiness to accept the action of the President was +shown in his wish to return at once to Washington. He prepared to +start from Raleigh on the morning of the 26th, taking a steamer from +New Berne on arriving there. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 309.] He expected, +of course that the surrender would be completed and the result +telegraphed him by the time his vessel was ready to start, but he +was also moved by delicacy toward Sherman and the desire to relieve +him from every appearance of supervision which his stay at Raleigh +might give. Sherman, however, was also chivalrous, and requested +Grant not to leave till he should see the capitulation finally +signed. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 312.] All this, it must be remembered, +was in entire ignorance of the follies perpetrated at the War +Department during those days. + +The hour fixed for the new conference at Durham was the same at +which the armistice would expire; but Sherman, having the troops in +readiness to start at a moment's notice, ordered that no movement +should be made till his return. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 314.] An +accident to his railroad delayed Johnston two or three hours, but on +his arrival a brief conference satisfied him that the only course to +pursue was to surrender on the terms given to Lee, and to trust to +Sherman's assurance that such arrangements would be made in +executing the capitulation as would guard against the evils of the +dispersion of his army without means of subsistence, which both +officers justly feared. As in Lee's case the language used avoided +terms which implied being prisoners of war even momentarily, but +provided that after delivering the arms to an ordnance officer at +Greensborough (excepting side-arms of officers) and giving an +"individual obligation not to take up arms against the Government of +the United States, . . . all the officers and men will be permitted +to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by the United States +authorities so long as they observe their obligation and the laws in +force where they may reside." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 313.] + +At half-past seven in the evening Grant was able to write his +dispatch to Stanton, Secretary of War, that the surrender was +complete, and by using the telegraph to New Berne and Morehead City, +and from Fort Monroe to Washington, the news reached Washington at +ten in the morning of the 28th. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 311.] The same +evening, and by same means of transmittal, he also informed Halleck +at Richmond of the surrender, and recalled all his troops out of +Sherman's theatre of operations. [Footnote: On April 16th Halleck +had been assigned to command the Department of Virginia, thus +relieving him of duty as chief of staff of the army in which General +Rawlins succeeded him. On April 19th his command was made the +Military Division of the James, including besides Virginia such +parts of North Carolina as Sherman should not occupy. (Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt, iii. pp. 230, 250.) In reading the Official +Records of this period, it must be borne constantly in mind that +from two to four days was required to convey dispatches from Sherman +to the War Department and _vice versa_,--the longer time in case +they were sent by mail, and the shorter when use was made in part of +the telegraph lines.] After hearing the details of Sherman's +conversations with Johnston, and approving the suggestions of +liberal arrangements looking to getting the Confederate troops +quickly and quietly back to peaceful industry at their homes, Grant +parted with us at Raleigh on the 27th, and returned as rapidly as +possible to Washington, where the influence of his calm judgment and +executive ability was sorely needed. + +The orders for National forces in North Carolina except Schofield's +troops to march homeward were issued on the 27th. Kilpatrick's +division of cavalry was attached to Schofield's command, and the +Army of the Ohio thus reinforced was left to garrison the Department +of North Carolina. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +p. 323.] To General Schofield was also intrusted the preparation of +the printed paroles for all the troops included in the capitulation, +so that there might be uniformity. To him also was committed the +conclusion of the supplementary terms needed for the liberal +execution of the convention, as had been discussed at the personal +meeting of the commanders, at which he had been present. [Footnote: +_Id_., pp. 320, 322.] Johnston sent in a draft of what he had +understood to be thus informally arranged, the most important items +of which were the "loan" to the Confederates of their army animals +and wagons for farming purposes, the retention of a portion of their +arms to enforce order and discipline till the separate organizations +should reach their homes, and the extension of the privileges of the +convention to naval officers of the Confederacy. [Footnote: _Id_., +p. 321.] With slight modifications these were accepted by General +Schofield and carried out. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 350, 355, 482.] A +large issue of rations to Johnston's troops had been voluntarily +added without any request or stipulation. [Footnote: Schofield's +Forty-six Years in the Army, p. 352, etc.; Sherman's Memoirs, vol. +ii. pp. 362, 363; Johnston's Narrative, pp. 412-420. General +Schofield's recollection is that he wrote the convention of the +26th, Johnston and Sherman being unable to agree: but as it was in +substance a transcript of the Grant-Lee terms of April 9th, +according to Sherman's note to Johnston of the 24th demanding their +acceptance "purely and simply" (Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +iii. p. 294), the account I have given seems to me best supported by +all the evidence.] Both parties understood that Johnston's command +included all Confederate troops east of the Chattahoochee, though +this is not stated in the terms. [Footnote: Grant to Halleck, +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 312; Johnston to York, +_Id._, p. 854; Do. to Governor Brown, _Id._, p. 855. Sherman's Field +Order No. 65, _Id._, p. 322.] At the earnest request of the +Confederate general, none of our troops were sent up to +Greensborough, where his headquarters and principal camp were, until +the printing of the paroles was completed and staff officers sent to +issue them on April 30th. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 349, 350, 35l. 483.] +Sherman wrote a farewell letter to Johnston on the 27th, telling of +his instructions to General Schofield to give him ten days' rations +for 25,000 men, "to facilitate what you and I and all good men +desire, the return to their homes of the officers and men composing +your army." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 320.] He spoke also of his +directions to "loan" to them enough animals fit for farming purposes +to insure a crop. Concluding, he said: "Now that war is over, I am +as willing to risk my person and reputation as heretofore, to heal +the wounds made by the past war, and I think my feeling is shared by +the whole army. I also think a similar feeling actuates the mass of +your army, but there are some unthinking young men who have no sense +or experience, that unless controlled may embroil their neighbors. +If we are forced to deal with them, it must be with severity, but I +hope they will be managed by the people of the South." [Footnote: +_Ibid._] His Field Order No. 65, announcing the end of war east of +the Chattahoochee, referred to the same purpose "to relieve present +wants and to encourage the inhabitants to renew their peaceful +pursuits and to restore the relations of friendship among our +fellow-citizens and countrymen." He directed that "great care must +be taken that all the terms and stipulations on our part be +fulfilled with the most scrupulous fidelity, whilst those imposed on +our hitherto enemies be received in a spirit becoming a brave and +generous army." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 322] + +A copy of this order was enclosed in Sherman's letter to Johnston, +and the latter replied in a similar noble tone. "The enlarged +patriotism manifested in these papers," he said, "reconciles me to +what I had previously regarded as the misfortune of my life--that of +having had you to encounter in the field. The enlightened and humane +policy you have adopted will certainly be successful. It is +fortunate for the people of North Carolina that your views are to be +carried out by one so capable of appreciating them. I hope you are +as well represented in the other departments of your command; if so, +an early and complete pacification in it may be expected.... The +disposition you express to heal the wounds made by the past war has +been evident to me in all our interviews. You are right in supposing +that similar feelings are entertained by the mass of this army. I am +sure that all the leading men in it will exert their influence for +that object." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. +336.] + +Down to this moment the progress of events had been full of +satisfaction to Sherman, and of gratification to his noble ambition. +If the implication contained in the order sending Grant in person to +his headquarters had pained him, Grant's perfect handling of the +situation had prevented the wound being deep, and Sherman was +pleased, on the whole, to be relieved of negotiations on all civil +questions. But the day after Grant had left him,--when he had issued +his admirable Order No. 65, and exchanged chivalrous sentiments with +Johnston,--when he had completed his work in his great campaign and, +leaving to Schofield the finishing of the administrative task in +North Carolina, was turning his face homeward full of anticipation +of rejoining family and friends, with his great career in a +retrospect which was altogether gratifying--at this culmination of +his glory as a soldier and his pride as a patriot, he received the +sorest blow and the deepest wound he ever knew. + +The mail, on the 28th, brought a copy of the "New York Times," +containing Mr. Stanton's now famous dispatch to General Dix dated +the 22d, sent for the purpose of general publication, in which he +made known the fact that Sherman had entered into a convention with +Johnston, that it was disapproved by the President, and that Sherman +was ordered to resume hostilities. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 285.] Had the newspaper publication stopped here, +it would still have been a grave indiscretion, for the news of what +was done in Washington usually reached the enemy more promptly than +it came to our officers at the front, and the enterprising spies at +the capital would have thought their fortunes made by getting on the +22d orders which did not reach Sherman, in fact, till the 24th, with +official comments of which the general was ignorant till the 28th. + +But this was the least of the faults of this curious document. It +said that Sherman had entered into "what is called a basis of +peace." No such name was given the paper, and the manner of +attributing it misled the public as to its character. It suppressed +the fact that the "Memorandum" was by its terms wholly without +binding effect if not approved by the President. Without saying so, +it persuasively led the reader to believe that Sherman had violated +instructions issued by Mr. Lincoln on March 3d, which in fact were +never published till it was done in this dispatch, and were wholly +unknown to the general, who believed he was acting in accordance +with President Lincoln's wishes given him orally at the end of +March. It spoke of orders sent by Sherman to Stoneman "to withdraw +from Salisbury and join him" as opening "the way for Davis to escape +to Mexico or Europe with his plunder, which is reported to be very +large." Only complete ignorance of the actual military situation +could account for so erroneous a statement. Davis was in the midst +of Johnston's whole army, most of which was halted by the truce at +Greensborough. Stoneman, on a brilliant cavalry raid, passed rapidly +from the North near Greensborough a week before, had struck +Salisbury on the 13th, and immediately marched northwest, on his +return to East Tennessee, whence he had started. He was at +Statesville, forty miles on his way, when Sherman and Johnston made +the armistice on the 18th, of which he did not hear a word till he +was over the mountains on the 23d. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. i. pp. 334, 335.] Sherman first heard of Davis's +"plunder" from Grant on the 24th, and immediately asked the navy to +frustrate any efforts to take it out of the country. [Footnote: +_Ante_, p. 494.] Davis did not leave the protection of Johnston's +army till he knew that Stoneman was far away and his road was clear. +In fact, it was only when, after the rejection of the first +convention, Johnston had begun negotiations for the separate +surrender of his own forces, and further delay would have made him a +prisoner. As to the "plunder of the banks" thus published by the +Secretary, it turned out that officers of Carolina banks who had +taken their assets to Richmond for protection against the perils of +war, had taken advantage of the protection of Mr. Davis's escort to +carry them home when Richmond fell. As to the specie treasure, +rumored to be many millions, about forty thousand dollars was at +Greensborough paid to Johnston's soldiers at the rate of $1.17 to +each, and the remainder, except a small sum, seems to have been +distributed to the cavalry escort, about 3000 strong, which +protected Mr. Davis to the Savannah River and then dispersed; the +sum was thirty-five dollars per man, given as part of their arrears +of pay. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 801, +803, 820, 850; _Id._, vol. xlix. pt. i. pp. 548, 551, 552, 555; +Davis's Rise and Fall, vol. ii. pp. 691, 695; Johnston's Narrative, +p. 408; Sherman's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 373.] The statement in Mr. +Stanton's dispatch regarding this "plunder," copied from one +received from Halleck, which in turn was based on anonymous rumor, +was so couched as to give credit to the imputation that Sherman was +to be duped or bribed to allow Davis with his effects, "including +this gold plunder," to escape. Not only did the form of the +publication give this impression, but that it was in fact so +understood and treated is simple matter of history. + +Even this was not all. There were appended to this nine enumerated +criticisms, most of which were baseless. The first declared that +both Sherman and Johnston knew the former had no power to do what +was done in the Memorandum. What was done in fact was to transmit to +the government, for its acceptance or rejection, Johnston's offer to +disband all the remaining armies of the Confederacy, wherever +situated, on the terms which were stated. The "Memorandum" itself +said that the generals lacked power "to fulfil these terms;" but +that they had power to make a truce till the government of the +United States considered the proposal, is too plain for serious +dispute. Yet Mr. Stanton's criticism implied that the arrangement +had not been merely proposed, but had been actually concluded, for +the strictures otherwise had no meaning. + +The second said that "it was a practical acknowledgment of the rebel +government." On the other hand, Sherman had utterly refused to deal +with or acknowledge that government in any way. The effect of +ratification of the terms would have been its silent disappearance +without being named. If the argument were worth anything, it would +have been much more potent against the exchanges of prisoners which +had been carried on through commissioners of both governments. But +the next clause had the added bugbear that the arms when deposited +at the State capitals might be "used to conquer and subdue the loyal +States." This suppressed the fact that by the "Memorandum" the arms +were "to be reported to the chief of ordnance at Washington City +subject to the future action of the Congress of the United States." +The allowance of arms to local authorities to preserve order was a +necessity so self-evident that, in the face of this objection by Mr. +Stanton, General Schofield, in supplementary terms of the final +surrender, allowed Johnston's troops to retain part of the arms in +this way, and no whisper of further objection was made. [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 482.] + +The third objection was that "it undertook to re-establish the rebel +State governments that had been overthrown." This was untrue in +fact. It proposed that the executive should recognize actually +existing governments _de facto_ in the States, for the purpose of +renouncing the Confederacy and acknowledging under oath their +allegiance to the United States. For the purpose of such submission, +it would seem clear that it would be an advantage to have it made by +Vance, and Magrath, and Brown, and the rest who had been the real +rebels, rather than by new men whose essential representative +character might be denied. The subsequent history of reconstruction +gives small support to the opinion that anything was gained which +might not have been got more effectively by dictating the civil +changes and terms of peace to these old State governments rather +than to such provisional makeshifts as were afterward used. But the +objection was, after all, not against Sherman, but against the dead +Lincoln under whose oral authority Sherman was acting, and who had +put the same in clearest written terms in his correspondence with +General Weitzel and Judge Campbell after Richmond was in our +possession. [Footnote: Dana to Stanton, April 5th: "Judge Campbell +and Mr. Meyer had an interview with the President here this morning +to consider how Virginia can be brought back to the Union. All they +ask is an amnesty and a military convention to cover appearances. +Slavery they admit to be defunct," etc. (_Id_., vol. xlvi. pt. iii. +p. 575.) Lincoln to Grant, April 6th, says he had put into Judge +Campbell's hands "an informal paper" repeating former propositions +and adding "that confiscations shall be remitted to the people of +any State which will now promptly and in good faith withdraw its +troops and other support from resistance to the government. Judge +Campbell thought it not impossible that the rebel legislature of +Virginia would do the latter if permitted, and accordingly I +addressed a private letter to General Weitzel with permission for +Judge Campbell to see it, telling him that if they attempt this, to +permit and protect them, unless they attempt something hostile to +the United States," etc. (_Id._, p. 593.) Lincoln to Weitzel, April +6th. (_Id._, p. 612.) Dana to Stanton, April 7th. (_Id._, p. 619.) +Dana to Stanton, April 8th, with enclosures of papers by Judge +Campbell giving the contents of Mr. Lincoln's written memorandum to +him. (_Id._, pp. 655-657.) When Mr. Lincoln got back to Washington, +Lee having surrendered with the Virginia troops and the rebel +legislature of Virginia not having assembled or acted, the President +withdrew his permission for them to meet, saying he had dealt with +them as men "having power de facto" to do what he wished but which +was already done. Lincoln to Weitzel, April 12th. (_Id._, p. 725.)] + +The fourth criticism was that by the terms proposed the State +governments "would be enabled to re-establish slavery." Apart from +the admissions of leading men of the South, and the facts already +collated, [Footnote: _Ante_, pp. 481, 485.] Mr. Stanton, in saying +this, ignored the Proclamation of Emancipation, on which, in his +conversation with Judge Campbell, Mr. Lincoln had been entirely +willing to rest. The Southern jurist had recognized the solidity of +the legal ground "that if the proclamation of the President be valid +as law, it has already operated and vested rights." This the judge +had stated to his fellow-citizens as a fact in the situation not to +be ignored, and had repeated it in his letter of April 7th to +General Weitzel in a stronger form, if possible, saying, "The +acceptance of the Union involves acceptance of his proclamation, if +it be valid in law." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvi. pt. +iii. pp. 656, 657.] The condition of its legal validity was not an +insertion by Campbell--it was the expression of Mr. Lincoln himself, +conceding the authority of the courts to pass upon the question as +he had done in his amnesty proclamation. [Footnote: Gorham's +Stanton, vol. ii. p. 235.] Mr. Stanton had these things before him, +hardly a fortnight old, when he made his singular publication. They +add no little to the difficulty of determining the true motives of +his appeal to the public. + +The fifth objection was the possibility of resulting liability for +the rebel debts, which could hardly have been seriously meant. + +The sixth was that it put in dispute the loyal State governments and +the new State of West Virginia. As to the latter, the "Memorandum" +was based on Mr. Lincoln's action in Virginia, and assumed that +question to have been determined, so far as the executive was +concerned. The criticism, like some of the rest, was aimed at what +Mr. Lincoln had done, which was thus flogged over Sherman's +shoulders; for the latter was, as we have to reiterate, ignorant +that on Mr. Lincoln's return to Washington he had been induced to +cancel what he had done. From any point of view but that of a +momentary party advantage, it is hard to see the evil of submitting +contesting State governments to the decision of the Supreme Court. +Those of Louisiana and Arkansas were swept away very soon by +Congressional action, and they were the only ones intended to be +reached by the Sherman-Johnston "Memorandum." + +The seventh declared that it "practically abolished the confiscation +laws and relieved the rebels of every degree, who had slaughtered +our people, from all pains and penalties for their crimes." Those +who had "slaughtered" were primarily the officers and soldiers of +the armies, and no fault was found with Grant's extension of amnesty +to them by the Appomattox terms. It was true, besides, that the +whole male population of the South, of military age, was part of the +army, and that even State officers were "furloughed" to enable them +to perform public duties of a civil nature. We have seen that +Sherman carefully limited immunity to the action of the executive, +that he meddled with no laws, and said that all the people were +still liable to what the judicial department of the government might +do. But he had also acknowledged, upon reflection, that clearer +definition would be desirable in this respect, and had asked +Johnston to be ready to act upon this. [Footnote: Official Records, +vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 266.] It is our privilege, moreover, judging +after the fact, to note how little Stanton's objection practically +meant, and how much better Sherman represented the deeper purpose of +the American people, since neither Mr. Davis nor any of his chief +counsellors suffered "the pains and penalties for their crimes." + +The eighth criticism was that the "Memorandum" offered terms "that +had been deliberately, repeatedly, and solemnly rejected by +President Lincoln, and better terms than the rebels had ever asked +in their most prosperous condition." Mr. Stanton could hardly have +forgotten, when writing this, that they were in fact not only based +on what Sherman had learned of his policy from Mr. Lincoln himself, +as we have seen, but they were what President Lincoln had repeatedly +offered and the Confederates had repeatedly rejected, the last +rejection being after the Hampton Roads conference in the first days +of February. [Footnote: Nicolay and Hay's "Lincoln," vol. x. pp. +122, 123, 128] + +Exactly what was meant by the ninth criticism it is hard to say. It +is said that the "Memorandum," if adopted, would "relieve the rebels +from the pressure of our victories" and leave them "in condition to +renew their efforts to overthrow the United States government and +subdue the loyal States whenever their strength was recruited and +any opportunity was offered." As it provided for the disarming and +disbanding of every Confederate company, left our victorious troops +free to garrison every State, and gave protection to individuals +only so long as they were obedient to the National government, we +must regard the apprehension of new efforts to subdue the loyal +States as fantastic and not serious. + +It was inevitable that such a manifesto to the public should be +greatly exasperating to Sherman. Seeing also the manner in which it +was interpreted by the newspapers, he believed that it was purposely +so worded as to imply what it did not explicitly assert, and to hold +him up to the nation as one little better than a traitor. He was +very emphatic in saying that being overruled did not trouble him; it +was the public perversion of what he had done, attributing to his +"Memorandum" what the publication of its text would have +contradicted, which outraged his feelings. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 335, 345.] Grant frankly adhered +to his opinion that in the actual condition of affairs he could not +himself advise the ratification of the terms proposed; yet he saw +the injustice done Sherman, and condemned it. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. +410, 531.] Their relations continued as cordial as ever, and his +influence was potent in preventing further ill results from +following the quarrel. + +The publication was followed by other acts of Mr. Stanton which +increased the irritation. On the 27th of April he informed Halleck, +Canby, and Thomas that "Sherman's proceedings" were disapproved, and +ordered them to direct their subordinates "to pay no attention to +any orders but your own or from General Grant." [Footnote: _Id_., +vol. xlix. pt. ii. p. 484; vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 321.] This was a +day after Johnston had made his final surrender under the second +convention, and when Grant had been two days with Sherman. It led to +Halleck's ordering Meade to pay no attention to the truce, even +after the surrender of Johnston was signed, and might have caused +serious results if Grant had not been very prompt in giving +counter-orders to Halleck. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 312.] All the +department commanders naturally understood Stanton's language in +sending Grant to North Carolina, as superseding Sherman in command, +though in fact this was not done. They concluded that if any new +terms were made with Johnston the action would be in Grant's name, +and his signature would verify the truce. But as Grant did not do +this, and everything remained in Sherman's hands as before, the +actual surrender was ignored and credit refused, by order of the +Secretary of War, to the armistice declared while the paroles were +being issued. Stanton took no steps to correct this, and for two +weeks the strange muddle continued in the Southwest. This came to +such a pass that on May 8th Sherman inquired of Grant whether "the +Secretary of War's newspaper order" had taken Georgia out of his +command. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 434.] +Grant replied, "I know of no order which changes your command in any +particular," and, in his patient rôle of peacemaker, suggested that +the necessity of prompt communication when Sherman was not in +telegraphic communication with Washington had caused some +irregularities. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 445.] + +One of the minor incidents in Stanton's course of action throws so +strong light on his methods and was so irritating an example of the +_suppressio veri_ that it must be mentioned. Immediately after his +interview with Sherman in the early morning of the 24th, Grant had +sent a dispatch to Stanton, which the latter sent to General Dix for +publication in the following form: "A dispatch has just been +received by this department from General Grant, dated Raleigh, 9 A. +M., April 24th. He says: 'I reached here this morning, and delivered +to General Sherman the reply to his negotiations with Johnston. Word +was immediately sent to Johnston, terminating the truce, and +information that civil matters could not be entertained in any +convention between army commanders.'" [Footnote: _Id_., p. 311.] +Taken in connection with the previous publication, this was +naturally interpreted to mean that Grant had sent the "word" to +Johnston, and it strengthened the current against Sherman. The +dispatch as sent by Grant was this: "I reached here this morning and +delivered to General Sherman the reply to his negotiations with +Johnston. _He was not surprised, but rather expected their +rejection_. Word was immediately sent to Johnston terminating the +truce, and information that civil matters could not be entertained +in any convention between army commanders. _General Sherman has been +guided in his negotiations with Johnston entirely by what he thought +was precedent authorized by the President. He had before him the +terms given by me to Lee's army and the call of the rebel +legislature of Virginia authorized by General Weitzel, as he +supposed with the sanction of the President and myself. At the time +of the agreement General Sherman did not know of the withdrawal of +authority for the meeting of that legislature. The moment he learned +through the papers that authority for the meeting had been +withdrawn, he communicated the fact to Johnston as having bearing on +the negotiations had_." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. +iii. p. 293.] I have italicized the omitted parts to show how +absolutely essential they were to a true statement of Sherman's +attitude, and how grave was the offence against fair dealing to +suppress them after the appeal to the public had been made by the +first publication. The dispatch is also historically important as +proof of the ideal character of Grant's disinterestedness and frank +friendship for Sherman in this juncture. + +Mr. Stanton's habit of impetuous action without reflection, upon +first impressions and imperfect knowledge, was notorious, as was his +constitutional inability to admit that he had been in the wrong. +Once aroused, he was a fierce combatant, using any weapon that came +to hand, inquiring only whether it would hurt his opponent. When +obliged to see that he had judged wrongly, his silence was the only +confession: he was seldom equal to a candid apology. If a tacit +retreat was accepted by the other party, he might endeavor to +compensate for the wrong in some other manner. [Footnote: On this +subject General E. D. Townsend, as adjutant-general, is a most +competent and conclusive witness. (Townsend's Anecdotes of the Civil +War, p. 137.) Two little matters occurring at nearly the same time +with the Sherman quarrel perfectly illustrate this characteristic in +Stanton. General Townsend was in charge of the funeral escort of +Lincoln's body, and in New York a photograph was taken of the +coffin, in state, in the City Hall, with the drapery of the alcove +formed of national flags and crape, with Admiral Davis and General +Townsend as guard of honor at head and foot. Stanton read of it in a +newspaper, and without further knowledge sent a violent and +undignified reprimand to Townsend, ordering him to relieve and send +back to Washington the officers on duty, and to seize and destroy +the plates. A telegraphic correspondence followed, bringing in the +photographers, Henry Ward Beecher, H. J. Raymond, and the military +officers, with the proof that there was nothing to find fault with, +but rather the desirable preservation of a memento of a memorable +scene. There was a retreat, but no apology by the Secretary. +(Official Records, vol. xlvi. pt. iii. pp. 952, 965, 966). The other +was the permission given the Episcopal clergy in Richmond to +continue Divine service in the churches if they omitted the prayer +for the Confederate President in their liturgy, that being treated +as a demonstration in favor of the insurgent government. General +Weitzel was in command, and Mr. Lincoln was in the city when the +question first arose whether, in addition to the above prohibition, +the clergy should be required to insert, affirmatively, a prayer for +the President of the United States. Weitzel supposed he was acting +in accordance with Mr. Lincoln's direction not to be sticklish in +little things, stopped at the prohibition, as was generally done by +commanders in the field, on the ground that to order a form to be +inserted in any liturgy where it did not exist, would be ridiculous +for a government based on total separation of church and state. +Stanton, hearing of it through Mr. C. A. Dana, informed Weitzel that +his action was "strongly condemned," and that he was "unwilling to +believe that a general officer of the United States, commanding in +Richmond, would consent to such an omission of respect to the +President." Weitzel asked whether the direction would apply to Roman +Catholics, Hebrews, and other churches having a prescribed liturgy, +and Stanton replied _ex cathedra_, in the affirmative, repeating his +reprimand. Weitzel now appealed to the President, and the absurd +controversy was stopped. Stanton seems to have acted at first in +ignorance that individual ministers had no power to insert a prayer +into the formal liturgy; but he could not yield when better +informed, and a temperate memorial of the local clergy stating the +canonical difficulty and their earnest intention to have the change +made with all speed possible, is in the Records, "disapproved by +order of the Secretary of War"! (_Id_., pp. 619, 677, 678, 684, 696, +711, 737). Perhaps the nearest historical parallel is Napoleon's +order to the Russian clergy to pray for him instead of the Czar in +1812. (Fezensac, Souvenirs Militaires, 4th ed., liv. 2, chap. i. p. +233.)] + +Sherman was not the man to submit to what he considered and called +an outrage, and when made aware of it, he struck back with all his +force. He exposed and denounced the perversions of fact and +misstatements of what he had done, and demanded the publication of +the original "Memorandum" with his statement of its relations to Mr. +Lincoln's policy and wishes as stated by the dead President himself. +Grant advised him to omit some of the expressions of his official +report, but he refused and courted an official investigation, whilst +he clearly stated his duty and his purpose to obey without question +such orders as were given by competent authority. He was quite too +large a man to be made the victim of a manifest wrong, and when once +the case was fairly presented, the purity of his motives and the +reasonableness of his belief that he was acting under highest +authority were generally acknowledged, even by those who supported a +severer policy toward the Southern States. The President and nearly +all the members of the Cabinet assured him that the published +bulletins had been without their knowledge, and cordially strove to +soothe his wounded feelings. [Footnote: For the correspondence, see +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 302, 334, 345, 371, 410, +476, 515, 547, 576, 581, 582, 586, 662; _Id_., pt. i. p. 40. See +also Sherman's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 375; Conduct of the War, vol. +vi. p. 3.] The genuineness of character, patriotism, and +subordination tempered by proper self-respect, which he exhibited, +did not diminish the public regard, but rather heightened it. As to +the debatable questions of policy involved in his first convention, +he proudly left them to the judgment of time. + +The breach of friendship between Sherman and Halleck, which was also +caused by Mr. Stanton's bulletins, was especially to be regretted. +Their early close relations as young officers going "around the +Horn" to California have already been mentioned, as well as the warm +personal correspondence between them during the Atlanta campaign. +[Footnote: _Ante_, pp. 174-176.] He had been grateful also for +Halleck's friendly conduct toward him in his period of depression in +1861, and expressed it strongly in a long letter when Atlanta had +fallen and he had won his commission as major-general in the regular +army. "I confess I owe you all I now enjoy of fame," he said, "for I +had allowed myself in 1861 to sink into a perfect 'slough of +despond.'" Halleck's friendship and encouragement had put him in the +way of recovering from this. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xxxviii. pt. v. p. 791.] But now his faith in human nature was +rudely shocked by finding, apparently, this friendly hand joining in +the hardest blows at his fame and honor. + +In the first of Stanton's bulletins concerning him, Sherman found +copied the dispatch from Halleck giving the rumor of Davis's great +"plunder," and the hope of the Confederate leaders to "make terms +with Sherman or some other commander," by which they would be +permitted to escape out of the country with this treasure. +[Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 286.] The sting of this +was in the apparent insinuation that Sherman might be bought. It +naturally roused him to explosive wrath. Had Mr. Stanton quoted the +final sentence of Halleck's dispatch, it would have shown that the +latter intended no such thing. It concluded, "Would it not be well +to put Sherman and all other commanding generals on their guard in +this respect?" [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvi. pt. iii. p. 887.] The +apparent insinuation was in the Secretary's bulletin by the omission +of this sentence from the quoted dispatch. Had Sherman seen the +dispatch as Halleck wrote it, he would not have been angered by it. + +But on the 28th there appeared in the New York papers another +dispatch of Halleck to Stanton, dated the 26th, and saying that his +subordinates were ordered "to pay no regard to any truce, or orders +of General Sherman suspending hostilities, on the ground that +Sherman's agreements could bind his own command and no other." +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 953.] This was upon receipt of a dispatch from +Beauregard stating "that a new arrangement had been made with +Sherman." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvi. pt. iii. p. 953.] +In the same dispatch Halleck suggested that orders be telegraphed +through General Thomas to General Wilson, at the head of a strong +cavalry column in Georgia, to mind no orders of Sherman, but, with +other commanders in the Gulf States, to "take measures to intercept +the rebel chiefs and their plunder," now estimated, rather +indefinitely, at "from six to thirteen millions." + +The folly of such publications was egregious, and justified +Sherman's sarcasm that if anybody was conniving at Davis's escape, +it was the officer who gave them to the public. It was, however, the +direction to disregard his new truce, embracing Johnston's troops +alone and based on their actual surrender, that stirred anew his +indignation. He had made a short inspection tour down the coast +after starting his columns northward, and saw the dispatch in +newspapers he received at Morehead, May 4th, on his return there by +steamer from Savannah. In writing General Grant, he characterized +Halleck's action as an insult. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvii. pt. +iii. p. 388.] Fortunately, he had met at Savannah an officer of +General Wilson's staff, Captain L. M. Hosea, who had made an +adventurous journey across half Georgia to open communications, +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 371.] and in sending a steamboat up to Augusta +with supplies for Wilson, he had hurried Captain Hosea back with +such full information as enabled Wilson to observe scrupulously the +final convention with Johnston whilst vigorously pushing his efforts +to capture Davis. These efforts were successful on the 10th. +[Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlix. pt. i. pp. 515, 526.] + +Sherman's sense of military honor was violated and shocked by the +orders disregarding his truce, which were "cordially approved" by +the Secretary of War. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvi. pt. iii. p. 967.] +Grant suggested that Halleck's action was so connected with Mr. +Stanton's orders that it might not seem so bad on fuller +information, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. +410.] but Sherman's sense of injury was such that in passing +Richmond on the 8th he refused Halleck's offered hospitality, saying +that after the dispatch of the 26th of April friendly intercourse +was impossible. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 435.] Halleck's was the "soft +answer which turneth away wrath," and it is due to him to remember +it. "You have not had during this war, nor have you now, a warmer +friend and admirer than myself. If, in carrying out what I knew to +be the wishes of the War Department in regard to your armistice, I +used language which has given you offence, it was unintentional and +I deeply regret it. If fully aware of the circumstances under which +I acted, I am certain you would not attribute to me any improper +motive. It is my wish to continue to regard and receive you as a +personal friend. With this statement I leave the matter in your +hands." [Footnote: _Id_., p. 454.] + +But what had occurred seemed to Sherman to be so ingeniously fitted +together as parts of a malignant plan, that he replied, "I cannot +consent to the renewal of a friendship I had prized so highly till I +can see deeper into the diabolical plot than I now do." [Footnote: +_Ibid_.] His words were all the bitter expression of a heart wounded +beyond endurance by wrongs which seemed too palpable and plain for +discussion or explanation. In the distribution of commands on the +peace establishment made soon afterward, Halleck went to the Pacific +coast and did not live long. It is to be feared that no opportunity +for a full understanding between him and Sherman occurred, though +the latter was as placable as he was impetuous; and when he found, +as he soon did, that his fame and reputation had not suffered +permanent injury, he ignored the past so far, at least, as to show +that he harbored no lasting enmity. + +Yet Halleck was probably right in saying that he had done nothing +but what he deemed his duty, and with no unfriendly purpose toward +Sherman. His dispatch of the 26th of April was only one of a series, +and it was made to have a different effect, taken by itself, from +what it would have had if read in its connection with the others. +There is no reasonable doubt that Stanton's angry purpose had been +to humiliate Sherman by practically superseding him in command. +Halleck knew this and went to Richmond, where he assumed command on +the 22d, with full knowledge of the sentiment which then ruled the +War Department. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvi. pt. iii. p. +891.] In the afternoon of the same day, Grant, on his way to North +Carolina, telegraphed him that the truce would be ended as soon as +he could reach Raleigh, and ordered him to send Sheridan with the +cavalry toward Greensborough, sending also a corps of infantry along +as far as Danville. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 888.] This assumed that by +the time these troops could enter Sherman's theatre of operations +the truce would have been terminated; for Sheridan was then at +Petersburg, and the Sixth Corps at Burke's Station. [Footnote: +_Id_., p. 895.] The cavalry could not be ready to march before the +24th (at the earliest) and did not start in fact till the 25th or +26th. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 931, 947.] Neither it nor the infantry +got beyond Danville or entered North Carolina before they were +halted by Grant's order to Halleck of the 26th, received in the +morning of the 28th. [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 954, 997.] No +interference with Sherman's truce, either the first or the second, +actually occurred. Halleck knew that the first truce would be ended +as soon as the two days' notice could expire after Grant reached +Raleigh, and long before his troops could come into contact with +Johnston's. But he was also moving them by Grant's order, and must +not only obey, but must assume that the first truce was no longer in +question. It was not necessary or proper for him to explain fully to +his subordinates all he knew of Grant's journey and purpose. For +their direction it was enough to say they were not to regard the +truce which had been made on the 18th and was currently spoken of as +"Sherman's truce." Had Sherman known of Grant's order to Halleck and +the assumed situation on which it was based, he would not have +regarded Halleck's language an insult. Without such knowledge it +looked very much like it. + +Halleck, however, had to face the question how his subordinates must +act if, on coming near the enemy, Johnston should claim a new +armistice. He shared the War Department opinion that the negotiation +was not sincere on the part of the Confederates, but was a ruse to +gain time for Davis's escape with the imaginary "plunder." A +pretended armistice is an old and familiar stratagem in warfare. It +would seem that Halleck fully believed that Grant would assume +actual command, on reaching Sherman (as he had commanded when with +Meade during the past campaign), and concluded that any real +armistice again made would be in Grant's name. Any other would be a +sham or would have been made before Grant was present. Under such +circumstances he could not be blamed for telling his subordinates +that only Grant's authority or his own must bind them. He was +mistaken, in fact, for Grant's arrival was not even known to +Johnston, and Sherman concluded the final convention as if Grant had +still been in Washington. The curtness of telegrams often creates +ambiguities, and when Sherman saw in print Halleck's dispatch of the +26th separated from the rest of the series, he naturally gave to it +the meaning which hurt him so. Had he known the rest of the story, +he would have seen no treachery to old friendships. The sin was in +the unprecedented publications which embroiled everything. In truth, +Halleck's order to Meade was more guarded in form than the language +of his dispatch to Stanton, for Meade was only told to ignore "any +agreements made by General Sherman before the arrival of +Lieutenant-General Grant." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvi. +pt. iii. p. 941.] + +A curious theoretic question was raised by Halleck's incidental +statement that an armistice by Sherman could only bind his own army. +Sherman said he must defend his truce at all hazards till it was +duly terminated. Each was right in a sense, but fortunately the laws +of war and military regulations would prevent practical difficulty +arising. If Sheridan had advanced to Greensborough, Sherman would +have met him there, and by virtue of his superior rank would have +assumed command and responsibility for the united forces. Besides +the orders and instructions from the President he already had, he +would have to act in view of any authentic instructions or +information which Sheridan might bring. On the other hand, if +Halleck had accompanied his own forces, his seniority would have +made Sherman his subordinate in the common field of operations; but +as commander, he would have to respect, at his own peril, all the +rights which Johnston had acquired under the principles of +international law. The situation had perplexities only so long as +the generals were playing at cross-purposes by reason of imperfect +knowledge. Their intelligence and character were such that duty +would have been plain to both as soon as they came together. + +Stanton made no public explanation of his conduct, but in a +conversation with General Howard, he asserted that Sherman's order +to his troops announcing the armistice, by saying that when ratified +it would "make peace from the Potomac to the Rio Grande," had put +the government on the defensive, and made it seem proper to publish +reasons for disapproving the terms. [Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvii. +pt. iii. p. 476.] This does not touch the question of the wisdom or +folly of the matter published, or of its form. Sherman's reason for +mentioning the prospect of a general and speedy peace was that the +condition of his army under the news of Lincoln's assassination was +such that he felt it necessary to soothe his excited soldiery with +the hope of soon marching home in triumph, thus turning their +thoughts from the vengeance which would have been inevitable if +fighting were to be resumed. Instead of appreciating this, Mr. +Stanton seems to have jumped to the conclusion that it was an act of +vanity or of political ambition which was to be squelched _per fas +aut nefas_, and in his passionate and hasty action he compromised +the whole administration. + +We who were Sherman's subordinates in the field knew so well his +integrity and patriotism that we sympathized strongly with his +indignation at the appeal to popular sentiment against him. Yet the +sense of duty to the country and to the government prevented +thoughtful men from being blind partisans of our chief. Without full +means of judging of the possible effect of the first convention, if +carried out, some of us were disposed to believe that there must +have been a mistake on his part, since we were not able to believe +that the Secretary of War would publish his "nine reasons" if they +had no solid support and were not approved by the President and +Cabinet. My personal opinion I wrote in my diary at the time, and I +reproduce it to show the contemporaneous sentiment of one who was +both a warm supporter of the government and a warm friend of the +general. What I have written above will also show how far further +investigation and fuller knowledge have modified my judgment. +"Friday, April 28th.... Some of the Northern papers are very bitter +on Sherman for the terms first offered by him, and it is manifest +from the dispatches sent by the Secretary of War to New York to be +published there, that the new administration is willing to give +Sherman a hard hit. He made a great mistake in offering to Johnston +the terms he did, but he has done the country such service that the +administration owed it to him to keep the thing from the public and +to come kindly to an understanding with him, instead of seeming to +seek the opportunity to pitch upon him as if it desired to humble +him. In conversation this morning he showed that he felt their +conduct very sorely, but I hope he will keep out of controversy with +them in regard to it. He complains with justice that they have +refused to give any instructions to guide military officers as to +the policy to be adopted, and then, when these are forced to act, +seem to take pleasure in repudiating what the officers have done, +and in humbling them or exposing them to popular odium." + + + + +CHAPTER LI + +PAROLING AND DISBANDING JOHNSTON'S ARMY--CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR +IN NORTH CAROLINA + + +General Schofield's policy when left in command--Lincoln's +Emancipation Proclamation in force--Davis's line of flight from +Charlotte, N.C.--Wade Hampton's course of conduct--Fate of the +cabinet officers--Bragg, Wheeler, and Cooper--Issuing paroles to +Johnston and his army--Greensborough in my district--Going there +with Schofield--Hardee meets and accompanies us--Comparing +memories--We reach Johnston's headquarters--Condition of his +army--Our personal interview with him--The numbers of his +troops--His opinion of Sherman's army--Of the murder of +Lincoln--Governor Morehead's home--The men in gray march +homeward--Incident of a flag--The Salisbury prison site--Treatment +of prisoners of war--Local government in the interim--Union +men--Elements of new strife--The negroes--Household service--Wise +dealing with the labor question--No money--Death of +manufactures--Necessity the mother of invention--Uses of +adversity--Peace welcomed--Visit to Greene's battlefield at +Guilford-Old-Court-House. + + +On Thursday, the 27th of April, the same day on which Sherman issued +his order announcing the final agreement for the surrender of +Johnston's army and the homeward march of most of his own forces, +General Schofield issued his own order declaring "the duty of all to +cultivate friendly relations with the same zeal which has +characterized our conduct of the war, that the blessings of union, +peace and material prosperity may be speedily restored to the entire +country." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. 330.] He +invited all peaceably disposed persons to return to their homes and +resume their industrial pursuits. He promised also the loan of +captured horses, mules, and wagons to those who had been deprived of +their own by the armies, and food for the needy during the period +when all must be busy planting if the season were to be made of any +avail for agriculture. His order concluded with these words: "It +will be left to the judicial department of the government to punish +those political leaders who are responsible for secession, +rebellion, and civil war with all its horrors. Between the +Government of the United States and the people of North Carolina +there is peace." [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. +p. 330.] + +In a separate order of the same date, to remove all doubt as to the +end of slavery, he declared that "by virtue of the proclamation of +the President of the United States, dated January 1, 1863, all +persons in this State heretofore held as slaves are now free, and it +is the duty of the army to maintain the freedom of such persons." +[Footnote: _Id_., p. 331.] He recommended immediate fair contracts +of hiring and the resumption of profitable industry, so that +disorganization of labor might be avoided. He told the freedmen that +it was not well for them to congregate about towns or military +camps, and that they could not be supported in idleness. All classes +of people were thus put upon the footing Sherman had intended in his +first convention with Johnston, and Schofield's orders issued whilst +Sherman was still with us at Raleigh may be received as an +authoritative interpretation of the latter's views. + +The Confederate troops were mostly concentrated about Greensborough +upon the railroad from Richmond through Danville and Charlotte to +Columbia in South Carolina, and the line of railroad we had followed +from Goldsborough to Raleigh continued westward to Greensborough. +Outposts, Confederate as well as National, remained at stations +between the two armies, but no collision had occurred since the +truce established on the 19th. [Footnote: _Id_., p. 250.] Mr. Davis +had remained at Charlotte in the interval between the two +conventions, but when the separate surrender of Johnston's army was +determined, he started southward with a vague purpose of joining +some of the smaller organized armies released from the armistice by +our administration's rejection of the terms of Sherman's first +convention. He tells us that he still hoped that he might cross the +Mississippi with such forces as could be concentrated, joining Kirby +Smith, who commanded there, and in the last resort carrying a body +of irreconcilables out of the country into Mexico. [Footnote: Davis, +Rise and Fall, vol. ii. pp. 694, 696.] A line of retreat southward +had been agreed upon in case Johnston should not surrender, and some +accumulations of supplies had been made at Chester, S. C., and other +points upon it. General Bragg had been placed in command there, +reporting directly to Davis or the Confederate War Department, +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 836.] and some +cavalry in West Virginia under General Echols had been ordered to +pass by mountain routes to the same region. [Footnote: _Id._, p. +795.] As soon as the truce was ended by the notice of the 24th, +Davis started southward by the route indicated, which kept well to +the westward of Columbia by way of Abbeville, aiming to cross the +Savannah River above Augusta at the pontoon bridge near the junction +of Broad River with the Savannah. [Footnote: _Id._, vol. xlix. pt. +i. p. 548.] His party disintegrated before he entered Georgia, and +he was nearly alone with his family when he was captured thirty or +forty miles southeast of Macon. + +General Wade Hampton was one of those who preferred any alternative +rather than surrender, and had opposed even the terms of the first +convention to which Davis had assented. [Footnote: _Id._, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 813.] He promised that he would bring to Davis's +support "many strong arms and brave hearts,--men who will fight to +Texas, and who, if forced from that State, will seek refuge in +Mexico rather than in the Union." [Footnote: _Id._, p. 814.] On the +25th, when Johnston's surrender was already resolved upon, +Breckinridge sought to arrange that Hampton, with his cavalry, might +join Davis, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. +837.] but Sherman insisted on the capitulation of the army as a +unit, and Hampton was included. The latter had visited Davis during +the first armistice and obtained his permission to bring out the +cavalry before the surrender, but on his return to his command, on +April 26th, he found that the surrender had been made. Setting up +the claim that the arrangement made with Davis had detached his +troops from Johnston's army, although they were actually serving in +it, he notified Johnston that they and he would not regard +themselves as embraced in the capitulation, unless Breckinridge, the +Secretary of War, should say they were within it. [Footnote: _Id._, +p. 841.] He had given orders to Wheeler to move the command toward +South Carolina, and Butler's division was moving in the same +direction. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 841,847.] Johnston, feeling that +his honor as a commander was involved, sent peremptory orders to +Hampton to march back to the position near Hillsborough which he had +abandoned. He gave Wheeler similar orders. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +844, 846. See also Johnston to Sherman, _Id._, p. 336.] Breckinridge +gave Hampton the opinion that the troops were bound by the +capitulation, though Hampton himself might not be. [Footnote: _Id._, +p. 851.] The latter thereupon informed Butler and Wheeler that he +could give them no orders, and asked leave of Johnston to withdraw +his former letter, substituting one which only claimed personal +exemption from the surrender. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 845, 847.] In +transmitting this, he sent a long letter of apology, explaining his +embarrassment. He asserted that in his consultation with Mr. Davis a +plan was agreed upon to enable the latter to leave the country. He +must now either leave him to his fate or go with him under the ban +of outlawry. He thought his personal duty was to go, but would leave +his command to abide the terms of the convention, or if any joined +him, he said, "they will be stragglers like myself." [Footnote: +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 846.] Enough "straggled" +to make up Davis's escort to about 3000 men, comprising six brigade +organizations; but Hampton seems to have thought better of the +determination to be an outlaw, and though he did not give his parole +with the rest of Johnston's command, he did not join Davis. +[Footnote: Davis, Rise and Fall, vol. ii. pp. 689, 690.] His +explicit statement of the aim of Davis's flight warrants us in +concluding that the dream of further military operations beyond the +Mississippi was never a serious purpose. After the disbanding of the +escort at the Savannah River, Breckinridge and Benjamin reached the +coast of Florida and escaped to Cuba. Mallory and Attorney-General +Davis seem to have reached their own homes; Reagan remained with his +chief, and was captured; [Footnote: _Id_., pp. 694, 695.] Bragg and +Wheeler were captured near Athens, in Georgia, using questionable +ruses to escape. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlix. pt. i. pp. +550, 551.] General Cooper, the adjutant and inspector-general of the +Confederate army, remained at Charlotte, and received the benefit of +Johnston's capitulation, while he did all in his power to preserve +the Confederate archives, which were there in railway cars. +[Footnote: _Id_., vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 842, 848.] This +digression to follow the fate of Mr. Davis and the group of civil +and military notables who were with him in his southward flight, +will help us understand some of the peculiar incidents attending the +paroling of Johnston's army at Greensborough. I will now return to +events of which I was a witness. + +On Sunday, the 30th April, the printed blanks for the paroles were +ready, and Brevet Brigadier-General Hartsuff, inspector-general on +Schofield's staff, was put in charge of the details of their issue. +He went up to Greensborough from Raleigh, accompanied by about a +dozen officers detailed from the department and corps staff. It had +been intended that he should take with him a guard of a regiment I +had selected for the purpose, but at Johnston's request the troops +were held back a few days. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. +pt. iii. pp. 349, 351, 483.] Schofield had arranged the general +scheme of subdividing the State into military districts, of which I +was to command the western, whilst Major-General Terry took the +central, and Brigadier-Generals Palmer and Hawley retained the coast +districts which they already had. In anticipation of the formal +order, [Footnote: _Id._, p. 396.] the detachment to guard the arms +and stores which should be received came from my command, and I +detailed the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio, a regiment which had won +high praise in the review at Raleigh for its splendid form and +discipline, and which was an orderly, reliable body of men in battle +as on parade. It was ordered to take along also its excellent brass +band and drum corps, for I meant to have the duties of a garrison +performed in the presence of the Confederates with all the honors. + +Sherman had left Raleigh in the evening of Friday (28th), to make a +brief tour to Charleston and Savannah, by sea, nominally to inspect +that part of his command, but really to pass the time whilst the +body of his army was marching to Washington, and to avoid visiting +that city in the irritation he felt at his treatment by the +Secretary of War. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. 337, 338.] Johnston had +arranged, on the 1st of May, to send General Hardee down to Raleigh +for personal consultation with Schofield in regard to details of the +homeward march of his troops, but the satisfactory arrangement of +the supplementary terms made this unnecessary. [Footnote: _Id._, pp. +366, 857.] Schofield determined to go to Greensborough himself, +starting early on Tuesday morning (2d), and I was asked to accompany +him. [Footnote: _Id._, p. 376.] We left Raleigh by train at seven +o'clock, with the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio as a guard, and at +Durham were met by a dispatch from General Hartsuff, saying that the +whole Confederate army was "dissolving and raising the devil." I +telegraphed for another regiment to follow us, and we went on to +Hillsborough. There we met General Hardee, who joined our party, and +we went on to Greensborough. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. iii. p. 376.] + +As the train left Hillsborough, we passed through a body of +Confederate cavalry, and were within the enemy's lines. I confess it +was with a curious, half-uneasy sensation that I thus for the first +time found myself on the wrong side of the Confederate outposts +without having driven them in by a hostile advance. It was not easy +to orient one's self at once with the new condition of things, and +it would hardly have been a surprise to find that we had been +entrapped by a ruse. + +This soon wore off, however, and Hardee made the journey a very +agreeable one to us. He had been commandant of cadets at West Point +just before the war, and had from the first an "inside" view of the +rebellion. His "Tactics," adapted to our army use from the French, +had been the authoritative guide of our army drill, and by that +means his name had been made very familiar to every officer and man +among us. His military career had been among the most distinguished, +and he had commanded a corps in front of us during the whole Atlanta +campaign. There was therefore no lack of subjects for conversation, +and the time ran rapidly away. Hardee was in person and bearing a +good type of the brilliant soldier and gentleman. Tall and well +formed, his uniform well fitting and almost dandyish, his manner +genial and easy, his conversation at once gay and intelligent, it +would be hard to find a more attractive companion, or one with whom +you would be put more quickly at ease. + +Our mission naturally led us into a review of the war, and we asked +him what had been his own expectation as to the result, and when he +had himself recognized the hopelessness of the contest. "I confess," +said he, laughing, "that I was one of the hot Southerners who shared +the notion that one man of the South could whip three Yankees; but +the first year of the war pretty effectually knocked that nonsense +out of us, and, to tell the truth, ever since that time we military +men have generally seen that it was only a question how long it +would take to wear our army out and destroy it. We have seen that +there was no real hope of success, except by some extraordinary +accident of fortune, and we have also seen that the politicians +would never give up till the army was gone. So we have fought with +the knowledge that we were to be sacrificed with the result we see +to-day, and none of us could tell who would live to see it. We have +continued to do our best, however, and have meant to fight as if we +were sure of success." + +Amongst many other things, our talk turned upon the Atlanta +campaign, and he told some interesting facts in regard to Hood's +obstinate holding on at Atlanta when Sherman was executing the +movement around the place on the south. It happened that my own +division held the pivot point close to the works of the city on the +southeast, and Hardee's corps occupied the lines in front of us. He +said an old woman had been brought to him who said she had gone to +General Cox's headquarters to beg some provisions, and the general +had told her she could have none, as the soldiers had not enough for +themselves. I had no remembrance of such an incident, and such +applications were hardly likely to reach a general officer unless he +wished to catechise the person for information's sake; but a laugh +was raised at my expense as Hardee in telling the story repeated +some profane camp expletives as having added emphasis to the +refusal, according to the old woman's account of it. Schofield +merrily rallied me on a change of habits of speech when not with my +usual associates, and refused to credit my protestation that the +story only proved that she had seen some wicked commissary of +subsistence. Hardee helped the fun by pretending to think of other +proof that the woman was right; but he went on to give the matter +real historical interest by telling how he had taken the woman to +Hood that he might learn what she said she had seen and heard. On +her repeating the expression about our not having rations enough for +ourselves, Hood exclaimed, "There, Hardee! It proves that it is just +as I told you. Wheeler [his cavalry commander who was on a raid] has +broken Sherman's communications; he is short of provisions and is +retreating north by the Sandtown road. The troops that have moved +from the north of the city have gone that way." + +The Sandtown road was a well-known road going northward from the +Chattahoochee River at the place named, which was some miles west of +the Chattanooga Railroad. It was a plausible explanation of +Sherman's movements as far as they then knew them, but had no better +foundation than Hood's own hopes and wishes. Yet, Hardee said, Hood +stuck to this view till in our swinging movement to the south, we +broke his railway communication with Jonesboro. Then came his hasty +evacuation of Atlanta, the destruction of his stores, the explosion +of his ammunition, and the night march to reassemble his army at +Lovejoy's station. He confidently believed that the siege was raised +till Sherman's army was astride of his principal line of retreat, +and it was only by the most desperate exertion that he escaped from +utter ruin. + +On reaching Greensborough we were at once escorted to General +Johnston's headquarters, the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio being +ordered to remain near the station till more complete arrangements +were made. Our object had been to have force enough to guard the +arms and stores against petty pillage or destruction, but not enough +to provoke a collision with the larger organizations of the +Confederates. Johnston had declined the hospitality of citizens of +Greensborough, partly from a motive of delicacy, as I suspect, +fearing he might compromise those who would thus be indicated as his +friends, though his usual custom was to live under canvas rather +than in a house. His tents were pitched in a grove in the outskirts +of the town, and he awaited us there. It seemed to us, as we +approached, that the little encampment was not quite so regular and +trim as our own custom required. The wall tents did not sit quite so +squarely upon the ground, and the camp was not laid out with +regularity. The general indirectly apologized for some of these +things by saying that we could not expect the discipline in his army +to be fully maintained when all knew that it was on the eve of being +disbanded. Indeed our presence there with a detachment of our own +troops was partly the consequence of the tendency to disintegration +and the consequent breaking down of discipline which was rapidly +going on, of which the dispatch which met us on the way was a +warning. We learned that the officers of the staff had for several +nights stood guard over their own horses, efforts to steal them +having been successful in one or two instances. The general himself +was the only one who had been exempt from guard-duty. The soldiers +knew that the war was over and that there was in fact no superior +power to enforce military subordination. They were anxious to make +their way homeward, and fearful that they might be treated as +prisoners of war if they remained. A horse or a mule was too +valuable a prize not to be a great temptation; they naturally +thought that as there was no longer a Confederate States government, +the men to whom arrears of pay were due had a right to whatever they +could seize, and they were not disposed to distinguish between +public and private property. The guards set to protect the +commissary stores would wink at the pillage of them or assist in it, +and the men were inclined to defy any authority exercised in the +name of the Confederacy. They remembered the relentless character of +the conscription which put them in the ranks, and were kept together +chiefly by the assurance that they should all be promptly paroled +and helped on their homeward way. The strongest consideration was +perhaps the announcement that the parole would be a necessary +protection to them against subsequent arrest. It was a curious fact +that the moment the blue-coated sentinels began to pace the "beats" +around the warehouses, parks of artillery, etc., the submission of +these men to the United States authority was most complete. They +were scrupulously respectful in their bearing and language, and the +groups of them who gathered about with an earnest sort of interest, +would obey the slightest direction of the sentry with a cordiality +and alacrity which was in singular contrast with the sort of +ostentation of defiance they showed toward their own officers. + +I have anticipated a little in order to give some idea of the +condition of things in Johnston's army, and will return to our +interview with the general himself. He welcomed us with dignity, +though there was a little reserve in his courtesy that was naturally +due to the gravity of the responsibility and the duty imposed upon +him. Hardee, as a subordinate, free from this burden, could afford +to give way to a natural _bonhommie_, and the difference of +situation emphasized the distinctive traits of the men. Johnston was +a smaller man than Hardee, his uniform showed less care for +appearances, his manner was quieter, but no one would for a moment +fail to see that he was the commander. His quiet tones were clear, +his gravity was full of conscious power, and the deference shown him +by his subordinates was earnest and respectful. + +The preliminary details of our task were soon settled. General +Schofield had already promised rations to the Confederate troops +whilst awaiting the issue of the certificates of parole, and on +their way home; to give them railway transportation as far as +railroads were running, and to carry out Sherman's offer to let the +Confederate horses and mules be distributed as far as they would go, +to assist the men on their way, and in putting in a crop for their +families' support as soon as possible. When the necessary business +was disposed of, the conversation became more general. + +General Schofield inquired what was the number of officers and men +to be paroled. Johnston replied that he could hardly be definite as +he would like to be: his morning report of "effectives" gave only +the men answering to their names with arms in their hands in the +line of battle. It would not include stragglers or men detached or +on special duty. His last return of effectives showed, as he said, +about 16,000 men. Wade Hampton, with much of his cavalry, had +refused to come in to Greensborough to be paroled with the rest, and +were supposed to be either disbanded or to be making their way +southward. Johnston thought the place of these might be made up by +the classes not enumerated in the return of effectives, and that +there might therefore still be about 16,000 in camp who would +present themselves to be paroled. He then added that in this +campaign their reports and returns had not been kept up promptly, +and that he had relied for practical use upon a summary of the +morning reports of "effectives." [Footnote: See pp. 424, 425, +_ante_.] There could be no question as to his complete frankness and +sincerity in this. The inquiry was put to make sure that we had +enough printed blanks for the paroles, and it was a matter of mutual +interest to get their issue completed with as little delay as +possible. The Official Records, moreover, confirm his statement as +to the abbreviated returns and the numbers they gave, while making +clear their loose inaccuracy. [Footnote: Official Records, vol. +xlvii. pt. ii. p. 1382; pt. i. p. 1059; pt. iii. p. 839.] The most +important fallacy in the Confederate return of "effectives" was that +by giving only the arms-bearing men answering to the roll-call, it +omitted the growing large class of stragglers hanging about the +camps many of whom might be in line when an engagement occurred. + +The number of officers and men actually paroled by us in the +Carolinas turned out to be 39,012, which included men in hospitals, +some naval officers and sailors, the quartermaster's and other +special duty, detachments, etc. [Footnote: _Id._, pt. i. p. 1066.] +Johnston's inspector-general reported on 3d May the number of "final +papers" issued to the army proper at 27,749, and the number of men +who received their share of the silver distributed on April 28th was +32,174, [Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. pp. 850, 867.] the difference +being in the cavalry, where 5000 men disbanded or went off with +Hampton before the paroles were issued. The report of the paroles +shows also that the Carolina troops had nearly all vanished during +the campaign, the Western troops of Hood's old army making the great +bulk of those who stayed with the colors. + +Johnston was very warm in his recognition of the soldierly qualities +and the wonderful energy and persistence of our army, and the +ability of Sherman. Referring to his own plans, he said he had hoped +to have time enough to collect a larger force to oppose Sherman, and +to give it a more complete and efficient organization. The +Confederate government had reckoned upon the almost impassable +character of the rivers and swamps to give a respite till +spring,--at least they hoped for this. "Indeed," said he, with a +smile, "Hardee here" (giving a friendly nod of his head toward his +subordinate) "reported the Salkehatchie swamps as absolutely +impassable; but when I heard that Sherman had not only started, but +was marching through those very swamps at the rate of thirteen miles +a day, making corduroy road every foot of the way, I made up my mind +there had been no such army since the days of Julius Caesar." Hardee +laughingly admitted his mistaken report from Charleston, but +justified it by saying that all precedent was against such a march, +and that he would still have believed it impossible if he had not +seen it done. + +All the Confederate officers from Johnston downward were very +earnest in impressing upon us their confidence that the army gave up +the struggle without bitterness, and that we could rely not only +upon their keeping their parole in good faith, but in their anxiety +to become again good citizens of the United States in every sense of +the word. The assassination of Mr. Lincoln was spoken of, as both an +odious crime and an extremely great misfortune to the South, tending +to involve the future in gloomy doubt by reason of the probable +effect upon Northern public sentiment and upon the policy of +Congress and the new administration. Hardee said that for himself he +thought he should go abroad for a time, till the heated and +exasperated feeling at the North should subside, and then return to +his home and his private affairs. I do not remember that Johnston +opened his mind on this point, and think he was gravely reticent, +scarcely choosing to share with strangers, in our relation to +affairs, the deep anxiety he must have felt. Hardee's means were +understood to be more ample than most of the Southern officers +possessed, and a course that was feasible for him was not so for +most of them. The task of winning a mere livelihood was by no means +a promising one for men left without a profession and without +property, in a country that seemed to be irretrievably ruined. + +When we closed the interview, I am very sure that we of the National +side had already formed a very high opinion of the personal +character of the distinguished officers we had met, and had begun to +feel a sincere sympathy with them in their manifest purpose to meet +honorably and manfully the demands of the new situation. I recorded +at the time my own feeling that I had rarely met a man who was +personally more attractive to me than General Johnston. His mode of +viewing things was a high one, his thoughts and his expression of +them were refined, his conscientious anxiety to do exactly what was +right in the circumstances appeared in every word and act, his +ability and his natural gift of leadership showed without effort in +his whole bearing and conduct. + +An incident which occurred at the time General Johnston left +Greensborough is striking proof of the scrupulous exactness he was +determined to exercise in carrying out the terms of the surrender. +He had gone southward as far as Charlotte to superintend the last +movement of his forces as a body and the final disbanding, and +before parting with the members of his staff learned that one of +them had preserved as a relic a little cavalry guidon of silk in the +form of a national flag scarce larger than a handkerchief. The +general immediately reclaimed it, and afterward sent it back under +the provision of the surrender which agreed that all captured flags +in the hands of the Confederates should be restored. He apologized +for the staff officer, saying that he knew no wrong had been meant +and the little flag had been regarded as a trifling but interesting +relic; yet he felt that there should be no limitation on their part +in carrying out strictly the terms agreed upon. The manner in which +all this was done, quite as much as the thing itself, showed the +earnestness and sincerity of his purpose to do everything in his +power to enforce the spirit as well as the letter of every promise +he had made for himself and his army. He had returned to his home at +Danville, Va., before he had been able to send to us this flag with +another that had been omitted, and his solicitude in regard to it, +even in the midst of anxiety in regard to his family, was shown by a +note which accompanied the parcel. It ran as follows:-- + +"DANVILLE, June 5th, 1865. + +GENERAL,--I have requested Major Shackford, Provost Marshal of this +post, to forward to you a small box containing the color, standard, +and guidon which I mentioned to you in Greensborough. + +I beg you to explain to Major-General Schofield that they were not +in my possession when we were in Greensborough, nor until I reached +Charlotte, and that they were not sent to him from that place +because I expected to visit Raleigh and there deliver them to him. +This visit was prevented by the condition of my family. You may +remember that the same cause, as I explained to you orally, +prevented my delivering them to you in person. + +Most respectfully, + +Your ob't serv't, + +J. E. JOHNSTON. + + +MAJOR-GENERAL Cox, +U. S. Army." + + +General Schofield and myself passed the night at the house of +ex-Governor Morehead, who had urged us to do so. Our host had been +one of the leading Whigs of North Carolina in the _ante-bellum_ +days, and with his friends and neighbors Gilmer and Graham had +opposed secession at the beginning; but with the instinct of +politicians, they had striven to lead the current they could not +stop when once it had carried them away. The house was a comfortable +villa in the Italian style, with a tower overlooking the rolling +country for a long distance. The architecture was simple but +effective, and the house had evidently been a home of comfort and +ease in better times. We were frankly and cordially welcomed, and +allowed to see the mixed feelings with which the reassembled family +accepted the collapse of the Confederacy. Among the young people was +a son of the governor who had been desperately wounded but had +recovered. The rebellion had had their devoted support, but they +said, "That is all past now," and seemed eagerly desirous to get +into accord with the new order of things. The young man told of his +army adventures, and compared notes with us as to camp life in the +different armies. We were struck with the strong comparison he made +in speaking of his wound. A bullet had entered his mouth and passed +out at the back of his neck, and he said it felt, for all the world, +as if a city lamppost with its cross-bar had been dragged through +his head. I have no doubt this gave as good an idea of the sensation +as possible, for I have often heard wounded men speak of the feeling +of having received a terrible blow from some big and heavy thing, +when hit with a musket-ball. The ladies entertained us with +half-gay, half-pathetic stories of the way home-life had run on +during the long campaigns, and of the ingenuity they were obliged to +use to supply the place of tasteful articles of dress or adornment +when the blockade had become stringent, and when each little +community was thrown almost wholly upon its own resources. The head +of the house discoursed more gravely of the situation of the country +at large, and tried to forecast the future. Now that the surrender +was made, he was anxious that the army should be disbanded and sent +home as soon as possible, for the disposition of the Confederate +soldiers to pay their arrears by pillage made him fear that his own +farm would be stripped bare before they got away. There is no doubt +that there was a good deal of cause for such anxiety, especially for +leading men whom the private soldiers were disposed to hold largely +responsible for all their woes. It was no slight test of character +and good breeding, under such anxieties, for the family to pay +delicate and courteous attention to the comfort of their guests, and +to keep as far as possible in the background everything that might +betray their own troubled feelings. + +On Wednesday (3d May) General Schofield returned to Raleigh, leaving +me in responsible command of the district. [Footnote: Official +Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. 394, 407.] By administering the +parole to the troops by companies and regiments, keeping a number of +officers at work and using abundant clerical assistance in verifying +the copies of rolls, the task had been completed in a couple of +days, and General Johnston began to move his men southward. General +Cheatham with the Tennessee troops marched across the Great Smoky +Mountains, but the others were ordered to rendezvous at West Point +in Georgia, which was a central place for all who lived in the Gulf +States, from which they could most readily reach their homes. While +they remained together they were fed by us, and we furnished rations +sufficient to sustain them on the journey. Our ration, too, was +quite a different thing from theirs, and the men seemed more +affected by this bestowal of unwonted and abundant supplies than by +any other incident in the surrender. They said it seemed hardly +possible that men who were but yesterday arrayed in deadly hostility +to them, could now be supplying their wants so liberally. + +Whilst they stayed they seemed never to tire of watching our men on +duty and on the various parades. Our guard-mounting was particularly +a show affair. From the moment the music struck up on the parade +ground, and the detachments for the guard from the different +companies began to file out and march into place, there was always a +large concourse of the men in gray making a most interested body of +spectators. The smart appearance of the men, the rapid inspection of +arms, of haversacks and knapsacks, the march in review, the +assignment to posts, the final marching off the field, all seemed to +give them great enjoyment. They said they had not paid much +attention to the formalities which so greatly relieve the drag and +labor of military life even in the field, and they were ready with +cordial and appreciative praise of the discipline and finish in +drill which they saw. + +As the Confederate troops left Greensborough, I concentrated my own +corps there, [Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. pp. +376, 384, 396, 502.] sending one of the infantry divisions to +Salisbury, and Kilpatrick's cavalry division to posts still farther +toward the southwest. A visit of inspection which I made to +Salisbury gave me the opportunity of examining the site of the +recent prison camp there. The treatment of our prisoners by the +Confederate authorities is a repellent subject, and I would gladly +pass it by and say nothing discordant with the tone of high honor +and respectful good-will which marked the conduct of the leading +officers of the Confederate forces in the field. We may fairly admit +that the resources of the Confederacy had been so taxed that food +and clothing were hard to procure, and that their armies in the +field were ill-fed and in rags. There is, however, a limit beyond +which a government calling itself civilized may not go, and as the +public opinion of the world, crystallized into what we call +international law, will not permit the wholesale decapitation of +prisoners, as might be done by a king of Ashantee or Dahomey, so it +forbids the herding of captive men in a mere corral, leaving them +utterly without shelter of any sort through the sleet and rain of +winter, near the North Carolina mountains. It forbids starving them +to death or leaving them to rot with scurvy because they are not +supplied with wholesome food and medicines. It is the plain duty of +a civilized government to parole and send home military prisoners +who cannot be fed or sheltered. If controversies as to exchange +existed, such conduct would have been the surest way to shame us out +of any position that was wrong, and the public opinion of the world +would have been powerful in making it the more profitable way, as it +was the only one not utterly barbarous. I speak with a solemn sense +of the obligation to avoid every railing accusation when I say that +it would have been humane and civilized in the comparison, if the +prisoners at Andersonville and Salisbury had been shot down by +fusillades or quickly poisoned by wholesale (as Napoleon was accused +of doing at Jaffa) instead of subjecting them to death by starvation +and exposure which swept them away at a rate no plague ever rivalled +or approached. I have seen too much of the Southern people, in arms +in the field and in their homes, to believe for one moment that they +would knowingly approve the treatment our prisoners received. But +their own reputation before the world makes it their duty to fix the +responsibility for a great crime upon those whose commands or whose +criminal negligence caused horrors which are among the most odious +things in the world's history. + +I had seen at Wilmington and Goldsborough the condition of +train-loads of these released captives. Their situation has been +surgically and medically recorded in the surgeon-general's official +reports. There is no room for dispute. They were men reduced to +idiocy and to the verge of the grave by the direct effects of hunger +and exposure and the diseases necessarily connected with such +suffering. They were not of the dregs of humanity, who might be said +to fall into animality when the restraints of society and of +discipline were removed. They were many of them men who had +respected positions and refined surroundings at home. These were the +victims who looked vacantly with glazed eyes and could mumble no +intelligent response when asked their names, where was their home, +what was the name of the mother that bore them. + +At Salisbury the pen in which part of the prisoners had been kept +was still to be seen. There were, as I remember it, two levels or +"benches" in it, and in the little bluff or slope from one to the +other were still to be seen the holes the poor prisoners had dug to +make a little cave in the earth that would drain itself and give +some shelter from the winter weather. I talked to women of the place +who with tears upon their faces told of the efforts some of them had +made to have the worst of the treatment corrected, or to procure +some mitigation of the want and hardship. The evidence seemed +conclusive that any marks of common sympathy or Christian pity were +repelled by the officials in charge of the prisoners and treated as +indications of disloyalty to the Confederate government. + +The Confederacy was full of places where the almost limitless forest +afforded timber without end, and the labor of the prisoners +themselves under the same guards that garrisoned the prison would +have comfortably housed and warmed them, and then the scant and +wretched rations would not so soon have been the cause of emaciation +and disease. The risk of escape would not have been great, and I +doubt if as many would have got away as in fact managed to do so in +the actual circumstances. The almost certainty of sickness and death +nerved many a man to incredible exertions to be free, who would have +waited more patiently for an exchange if his condition had been less +intolerable or less sure of a fatal result. But even if there had +been some more escapes, it would be no argument in favor of the +horrible system which was adopted. There is no resemblance between +the situation of prisoners in a pen, and that of soldiers in +bivouac. The latter build shelters of rails or of brushwood, if they +have no shelter-tents, and they are very rarely stinted in firewood. +Their active life helps to preserve their vigor. To liken these to +men without shelter of any kind and without fire enough to cook by, +herded inside a ring-fence in winter weather, is an abuse of words. +Enough of the shocking subject! + +As soon as headquarters baggage could be brought up I established my +own camp in the northern edge of Greensborough, in a grove which was +part of the grounds attached to the mansion of Mr. Dick, since that +time judge of the United States District Court. The first impression +of the people was that all government was now in the hands of the +army, and we had no little difficulty in correcting it. The policy +of the government was to recognize the ordinary courts and local +magistrates, and to support their authority in preserving the peace, +punishing crimes, and determining ordinary civil rights. The +political organization of the State was left subject to such changes +or conditions of reconstruction as might be prescribed by national +statute. The army, however, was the present palpable fact. The +muskets and the cannon were physical engines of power that everybody +could see, and everybody knew that the commandants of department and +district could use them if need be. There was, therefore, a national +tendency, both in civil magistrates and in the people, to refer all +sorts of questions to the military authorities. I tried in good +faith to make it understood within my own district that we were +averse to meddling with local affairs, and wished the ordinary +current of civil administration to run on in its accustomed channels +till it should be replaced by that which should have the new +authority of a reconstructed state under Acts of Congress. I not +only promulgated this through the military channels, but I accepted +several invitations to address the people at different points and +explain our attitude and purpose during the interregnum, and to give +them serious advice as to their conduct in the very trying +circumstances in which they were. It need hardly be said that the +gist of this advice was to recognize the absolute death of the +system of slavery, to deal with the freedmen with perfect sincerity +as free laborers who were at liberty to make the best bargain they +could for their labor, and to confine for the present their +political activity to the duty of keeping alive such local +magistracies as would prevent the community from falling into +anarchy. There was a wistful solicitude noticeable in people of all +classes to know what was to become of them. Their leaders had +educated them to believe that the success of the National arms would +mean the loss of every liberty and subjection to every form of +hateful tyranny. Yet they almost universally showed a spirit of +complete resignation to what might come, and a wish to conform +obediently to everything enjoined by the officers of the occupying +army. It was the rarest thing in the world to meet with anything +like sullen resistance or hostile or unfriendly utterances. +[Footnote: The same disposition in the people was noticed elsewhere +in the South. Halleck said, in a dispatch of April 22d, "From all I +can learn, Richmond is to-day more loyal than Washington or +Baltimore." (Official Records, vol. xlvi. pt. iii. p. 888.) Sherman +sent similar reports from Savannah. (_Id_., vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. +371.)] My own stay in North Carolina did not extend into the period +of the provisional governments authorized by Acts of Congress, and I +was not personally witness to the varying phases of sentiment among +the people at that time. + +The political character of North Carolina during the war had been +different from that of the Gulf States. We found very few indeed who +were known as "original Secessionists." The "old Whigs" had given +the tone to public sentiment, and the community as a whole had +sincerely desired that the Union might be preserved. Yet a society +based upon slavery had such community of interest with the States +further south that it was soon dragged into the secession vortex. +When once war had begun, the growth of hostility against what was +regarded as their public enemy was rapid, and in every State a war +party in time of war has a great advantage over the opposition. The +charge of "giving aid and comfort to the enemy" is too powerful a +weapon against the minority, and the outward appearance was soon +that of almost complete unanimity in the desperate struggle to make +secession a success. Party leaders were borne along upon the +current, and vied with each other in extravagant professions of +devotion to the Confederacy. + +In such circumstances the men who were at heart opposed to the war +thought they were doing all that was wise or prudent in making what +they called a constitutional opposition to the Davis government, +professing to acquiesce in the Confederate organization, but urging +the negotiation of peace on the best attainable terms. In the fever +of actual conflict the following of such men was small, although it +seemed plain to me that a majority of the people of the State +sympathized with them at heart. + +The outspoken Union men were, almost as a matter of course, treated +as traitors, and lived under a reign of terror. In the mountains, +where their numbers were considerable, they were the victims of a +relentless guerilla warfare, as the same class was upon the other +slope of the Great Smokies in East Tennessee. + +Out of these classes came the elements of new struggles for +political power. The minority naturally felt that their time had now +come, and were not altogether patient with the principles of our +democratic Constitution, which require that a majority shall not be +disfranchised, and which therefore make it practically impossible +that a minority shall rule. At the time I am speaking of, these +elements were quiet in the first stunning effect of the collapse of +the Confederacy; but we could see the tendencies to antagonisms that +were to agitate the State during the next decade. + +The negroes were, of course, of none of these parties. Very few of +the whites were in favor of emancipation on principle, though all +accepted it as the inevitable result of the war. Tacitly or +avowedly, they all admitted that the fate of the "system" had been +the real issue at stake, and that the surrender meant universal +freedom. But the colored people were ignorant, and had cherished +strange illusions as to the change which was to come to them. It was +a common belief among them that the whites were to be stripped of +all property, and the land to be given to them. We had heard curious +discussions among them around the camp-fires, in which they had +apportioned the real and personal property among themselves. The +faith that they were each to have "forty acres and a mule" was of a +little later growth. The first noticeable thing among them after the +surrender was the almost universal disposition to quit work. It +would have been very natural that they should wish for a great +holiday, and try to realize their freedom by extending it at their +own will, and thus prove to themselves that no man was their master. +But in addition to this, they seemed to fear that any continuance of +the relation of laborers for their former masters would cover some +waiver of their right to freedom. Yet, as they had hopes that the +real estate would be given to them by the National government, they +were disinclined to leave the old home. The outcome was that for a +time they occupied their old quarters and asserted a kind of +proprietorship in them, whilst they "struck" from labor. + +When it is remembered that the kitchen of Southern houses is a +detached building of which the servants have exclusive occupation, +it will easily be understood that the situation was anything but +comfortable for housekeepers. Oftentimes they could neither hire +cooks nor get access to the open kitchen fire and the rude utensils +which the colored people appropriated as their own. According to my +observation, the Southern white women were very systematic and +thorough in the supervision of household work, but were necessarily +ignorant of the actual manipulation. They knew what flour and other +ingredients to weigh out for a batch of bread, but they had never +done the baking. Some of them tried their first experiments over the +open fire with "Dutch ovens" and other primitive implements, whilst +a group of colored women sat around commenting drolly but most +exasperatingly upon the results. As a temporary compromise, we were +obliged to "clear the kitchen" by military authority, making it +known that that was part of the "house," and that if the mistresses +of the mansion had to do their own work, it was not necessary that +it should be done before such an "audience." Such a social crisis is +always short, but it is very severe. No doubt those who have gone +through it look back upon it as one does upon the day after a fire, +when the wretchedness of dirt and destruction seems hopeless, but, +like other mundane things, soon passes away and is spoken of as all +"part of a lifetime." + +A delicate and amiable lady, whose fortune at her marriage had been +of that ample sort which was measured in Southern parlance as "a +hundred negroes," herself told me, with a mixture of tearful pathos +and recognition of the comic side of it, of her own first efforts to +make a batch of soda biscuit for her husband and children after she +got possession of her kitchen. She knew all about the rule, but in +new practice the rule didn't work. The ingredients got wrongly +mixed; the fire was too hot or not hot enough; some biscuits were +burnt to a crisp, some were not cooked, and none were eatable, and +her heart was ready to break at the prospect of her family's +condition till something could be done to remedy the trouble. In +more than one household our officers' messes helped tide over the +painful interval by giving camp hospitality and friendly assistance +to their new neighbors. We frequently heard housekeepers say that if +they only had the snug ranges of Northern kitchens within the house +they would have made light of the labor; but their outdoor kitchens +and primitive methods, which produced appetizing results in the +hands of colored cooks who had been brought up to them, were killing +upon those who had been delicately reared. + +We saw more of the domestic form of this social anarchy than of farm +labor, for the outdoor work could wait, whereas the indoor work +could not. The same difficulty was everywhere, however, and the +intelligence of the community soon hit upon temporary expedients. +Such men as Mr. Gilmer and Judge Dick took the lead in advising the +colored people to avoid their apprehended risk of compromising their +freedom, by hiring out temporarily to work for others than their old +masters. By thus changing about, the consciousness of working under +a voluntary contract was stronger, and the uneducated brain was less +puzzled to tell whether any change of situation had really come. We +did our best to dispel the notion that wealth and idleness were to +follow emancipation, and to encourage the freedmen to resume +industrious labor as the foundation of real freedom and +independence. [Footnote: See General Schofield's Order No. 46; +Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 503.] The peaceful +character of the colored people was shown even in what they supposed +was a great revolution in their favor. There was no rioting or angry +disturbance,--no effort to accomplish anything by force. They +abandoned for the time their usual employments, and congregated in +their quarters or in groups about the streets, waiting for some +great thing to happen. There was, of course, plenty of talk and some +excitement, but even this gradually diminished; and as they began to +realize that without work there would be no food, they made such +bargains as suited them, and the affairs of the plantation and of +the house began to move on. The owners of property did not hope for +profits; they expressed themselves earnestly as anxious only that +such crops might be raised as would save the community, white and +black alike, from absolute destitution. I know of prominent examples +of well-known men offering the farm hands all that they could raise +for that season if they would only go to work and plant something +which could still ripen into food. The season was advancing, and a +little delay was very dangerous. The last chance for a crop in that +year would soon be gone. The influence and advice of sagacious and +prudent men was never more useful, for society seemed to be resolved +into its original elements when all authority but the military went +for nothing. As soldiers, we refrained from meddling in civil +affairs, but it was understood that we should preserve the peace and +allow no force to be used by others. It was a time when everybody +felt the need of being patient and conciliatory, and the natural +authority of known character and wisdom asserted itself. Everybody +soon went to work to make a living, and the burning problems of +political and social importance were postponed. + +A serious inconvenience was immediately felt in the lack of a +circulating medium. The Confederate currency was at once made +worthless by the failure of the rebellion, and there was nothing to +take its place. The extent to which its depreciation had gone was +amusingly shown by a printed notice and list of prices I found +posted in a country tavern, already some months old. In it the price +of a dinner was put at ten dollars, and other meals and +accommodation in proportion. Still this currency had served for +business purposes, and it being gone, the community had to go back +for the time to primitive barter. + +We had opportunity to notice to what great straits the people had +been reduced for two years in the matter of manufactured goods of +all kinds. Factories of every sort were scarce in the South when the +war began, and resources of every kind were so absorbed in the war +that there was no chance for new ones to spring up. Carriages, +wagons, and farm implements went to decay, or could only be rudely +patched up by the rough mechanics of the plantation. The stringent +blockade shut out foreign goods, and the people were generally +clothed in homespun. In many houses the floors were bare because the +carpets had been cut up to make blankets for the soldiers. Ladies +made their own shoes of such materials as they could find. They +braided their own hats. They showed a wonderful ingenuity in +supplying from native products the place of all the articles of use +which had formerly been imported from foreign lands or from the +North. Taste asserted itself, perhaps all the more in such +discouraging circumstances, and feminine refinement and love of +adornment worked marvels out of the slenderest materials. A +home-made straw hat ornamented with feathers of barnyard fowls and +domestic birds was often as jaunty and as pretty as any Parisian +bonnet. Simple dyes were made to give to coarse cotton stuffs a +lively contrast or harmony of pure colors as effective as the varied +and elaborate fabrics from the European looms. In some respects this +self-dependence heightened the personal advantages of those who +excelled in ingenuity, in taste, and in skill; for the clothes +indicated better the character of the wearer than those which are +made on one pattern in the shop of a fashionable mantua-maker. + +Adversity has such uses and such compensations that I should hardly +reckon the poverty of the Southern States during 1864-65 as a burden +greatly felt in private life. All such things are comparative, and +where all the people undergo the same privations, the odious +comparisons and jealousies between richer and poorer disappear in a +measure. A simple life full of great enthusiasms is one a +philosopher may find much satisfaction in, and has, many a time, +been pictured as an ideal calculated to bring out the best qualities +of men and women and therefore to make life more truly enjoyable. I +greatly doubt if Southern people, in looking back on the war time, +find anything to regret in the simple fare and plain dress of the +enforced economy of that period. The real griefs and burdens, if I +am not mistaken, came from other sources. Among thoughtful people +there must have been from the summer of 1863 serious doubts of the +possibility of a successful outcome of their struggle, and a growing +and unhappy conviction that the fearful waste of life and treasure +would be in vain. They must have had grave misgivings also as to the +righteousness of a cause which championed an institution condemned +by the whole world and in conflict with the general progress of +Christendom. To see their best and bravest consumed in the fire of +successive battles, and to be waiting only till the slaughter should +make it impossible to keep armies in the field, must have been a +grief and a suffering which made all physical deprivations seem +small indeed. + +I think I cannot be mistaken in the judgment I formed at the time, +that to the great body of the Southern people it was a relief that +the struggle was really over; that they breathed more freely and +felt that a new lease of life came with peace. They had been half +conscious for a good while that it must end so, and they were in the +mood to be at least resigned, if not readily to profess the pious +conviction that "it was all for the best." With the reactions and +political exasperations that came later, I have here nothing to do. +My purpose has been to reproduce, as far as my memory serves, the +scenes and the surroundings of that last military duty of the great +war. Why it was that the mellowness of spirit which seemed then so +prevalent could not have ripened without interruption or check into +a quicker and more complete fraternization, belongs to another field +of inquiry. The military chronicler stops where he was mustered out. + +A summer ride which a party of us took to the battlefield of +"Guilford-Old-Court-House" may be worth noting as an encouragement +to believe that our descriptions of the scenes of our own +engagements need not become unintelligible even in the distant +future. Among the combats of our Revolutionary War, Guilford Court +House ranks high in importance; for the check there given to the +invading British army under Lord Cornwallis by the Continental +forces under General Greene was the turning-point in a campaign. +Greensborough is the present county-seat of Guilford County, and the +"Old Court House," a few miles distant, has disappeared as a +village, a few buildings almost unused being the only mark of the +old town. Natural topography, however, does not change its material +features easily, and in this case a cleared field or two where the +forest had formerly extended seemed to be the only change that had +occurred in the past century. With General Greene's official report +of the battle in our hands, we could trace with complete accuracy +every movement of the advancing enemy and his own dispositions to +receive the attack. We could see the reasons for the movements on +both sides, and how the undulations of surface and the cover of +woods and fences were taken advantage of by either commander. +Military principles being the same in all times, we found ourselves +criticising the movements as if they had occurred on one of our own +recent battlefields. It brought the older and the later war into +almost startling nearness, and made us realize, as perhaps nothing +else could have done, how the future visitor will trace the +movements in which we have had a part; and when we have been dust +for centuries, will follow the path of our battalions from hill to +hill, from stream to stream, from the border of a wood to the open +ground where the bloody conflict was hand to hand, and will comment +upon the history we have made. It pointed the lesson that what is +accurate in our reports and narratives will be recognized by the +intelligent critic, and that the face of the country itself will be +an unalterable record which will go far to expose the true reasons +of things,--to show what statements are consistent with the physical +conditions under which a battle was fought, and what, if any, are +warped to hide a repulse or to claim a false success. Nature herself +will thus prove the strongest ally of truth. + +NOTE.--General Cox was the spontaneous choice of the "Union Party" +of Ohio for Governor, and was nominated at its Convention held in +Columbus, June 21,1865, while he was still engaged in his military +duties in North Carolina. At a ratification meeting, held in the +evening after the Convention, Senator Sherman said, speaking of the +ticket: "It is headed by a gentleman who is not only a soldier, but +a statesman and scholar,--a man of the highest and purest +character,--a man who, in all the walks of life, will be a model for +us all. I thank you for that nomination,--although I believe the +people made it before the Convention met." At a reception in honor +of General Sherman given in Columbus, July 13, 1865, the general +himself was called on to speak. After mentioning Grant, whose fame +was secure, and McPherson, his beloved companion in arms, he said: +"And here is General Cox, who is your candidate for Governor,--a man +who did his whole duty from first to last and did it well and will +do it to the end." + +General Cox was elected by a handsome majority, served one term, +returned to the practice of the law, and in 1869 was appointed +Secretary of the Interior, by General Grant. Retiring to private +life at the end of twenty months, he occupied many positions of +trust and honor: President of the Toledo and Wabash Railroad, Member +of Congress from the Toledo District, President of the Cincinnati +University, Dean of the Cincinnati Law School, etc. His reading was +extensive; his scholarship profound. In microscopic research he +attained world-wide distinction and he received the Gold Medal of +Honor at the Antwerp Exposition of 1891, for excellence in +micro-photography. + +He was thrice honored with the degree of LL.D., the last time by +Yale College, in June, 1877. As an indication of the esteem in which +he was held by those among whom he went as an armed invader, it +should be mentioned that one of the degrees was conferred by the +University of North Carolina, in June, 1870. + +He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, the +Massachusetts Historical Society, the Royal Microscopical Society, +the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the +Military Historical Society of Massachusetts, the Cobden Club, and a +number of others. + +His contributions to the magazines, historical, literary, and +scientific, were numerous, and his series of critical and +biographical reviews in "The Nation," from the beginning of its +publication to the summer of 1900, constitutes a most valuable and +interesting commentary on public men and affairs and military +operations at home and abroad. + +His public addresses, many of which were published in pamphlet form, +were marked for their literary finish, their wealth of learning and +suggestion, their deep philosophical insight, and their lofty +patriotism. + +He had little leisure for writing books, but has contributed to the +literature of the war several articles in "Battles and Leaders of +the Civil War"; the volumes on "Atlanta," and "The March to the Sea, +Franklin and Nashville," in the Scribner War Series; "The Second +Battle of Bull Run," in which he took issue with the findings of the +Second Court of Inquiry in the Fitz-John Porter case; "Franklin," a +detailed account of that battle, together with the events leading up +to it and the controversies following it; the last half of Force's +"Sherman" in the Great Commander Series; and the above "Military +Reminiscences." However much men may differ with his conclusions, +none who knew him personally ever questioned his candor and +sincerity, and his disposition to be absolutely fair in his +treatment of others. + +W. C. C. + + + + +APPENDIX C + + +TESTIMONIALS OF COMMANDERS + + +_Rosecrans, in his Report of the Campaign of_ 1861, _Nov._ 25, 1861. +_Official Records, vol. v.p._ 259. + +"It is a great pleasure to say to the commanding general that I have +found General Cox prudent, brave, and soldierly, and I specially +commend his prudence and firmness in occupying Cotton Hill, details +of which are given in his report in the appendix." + + + +_Rosecrans, in Correspondence with McClellan_, _Nov._ 19, 1861, +_asking for Changes in Officers, etc._ _Official Records, vol. v.p._ +657. + +"General Cox is the only reliable man here;" _i. e._, of the +brigadiers with him at Gauley, Schenck having gone home sick. + + + +_McClellan, to Army Headquarters, after South Mountain and +Antietam_, _Oct._ 5, 1862. _Official Records, vol. xix. pt. ii. p._ +383. + +"MAJOR-GEN. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. + +In compliance with your instructions, General Cox has been ordered +to report to you for duty on the Kanawha. General Cox's gallant +services in the battle of South Mountain and at Antietam, during +which, after Reno's fall, he commanded an army corps, contributed +greatly toward our success in those hard-fought engagements. He has +been recommended by General Burnside, his immediate commander, for +promotion. Although I am now to lose the services of this valuable +officer with this army, it is no more than an act of justice to him +that I should concur in the recommendation of General Burnside, +which I do most cordially and earnestly, and request that the +promotion be made at once. (Signed) GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Maj.-Gen." + + + +_Schofield to Sherman, after the Atlanta Campaign. Official Records, +vol. xxxix. pt. ii. p_. 366. + +"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE OHIO, +DECATUR, GA., Sept. 12th, 1864. + + +MAJOR-GEN. W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the +Mississippi. + +GENERAL,--I have the honor to recommend for promotion the following +named officers of my command for gallant and meritorious services +during the campaign just ended: + +Brigadier-General J. D. Cox is now the senior Brigadier-General of +Volunteers in active service. He has held various important commands +during the war and was appointed Major-General in 1862, but his name +was withdrawn from the list sent to the Senate for confirmation, +because of the limitation by law of the number of Major-Generals +authorized to be appointed. General Cox commanded the 23d Army Corps +for some time previous to the assignment of Major-General Stoneman +to that command. During the summer's campaign he has commanded the +third division of that corps under my immediate personal +observation. I have no hesitation in saying that I have never seen a +more able and efficient division commander. General Cox is possessed +of a very high order of talent and superior education. As a +commander he is discreet, energetic, and brave. As a just reward for +long, faithful, and efficient service, and as an act of justice to +the army and the country, I earnestly recommend that +Brigadier-General J. D. Cox be appointed Major-General of +Volunteers. + +I earnestly hope all the appointments above recommended may be made. +Should the number of vacancies in the grades of Major-General and +Brigadier-General not justify the appointment of so large a number +from this army, I respectfully request that the officers who may not +be appointed may receive the Brevet of the rank for which they are +recommended. Very respectfully, +Your obedient servant, +(Signed) J. M. SCHOFIELD, +Major-General Commanding." + + + + +_Sherman to Halleck, after the Atlanta Campaign. Official Records, +vol. xxxix. pt. iii. p._ 413. + +"HEADQUARTERS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISS. +IN THE FIELD, GAYLESVILLE, ALA., Oct. 24,1864. + + +GENERAL H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff, etc. + +GENERAL,--I always designed to canvass the claims to promotion of +all aspirants in the army, so as to save the President the invidious +task of judging among so many worthy men, all of whom can only be +known to him by the record. But events and movements have followed +each other so rapidly that my army commanders have not been able to +attend to the matter, but have sent into my office the detached +papers of each. These I herewith inclose, indorsed with my own +individual opinion. I have not General Thomas' list, but will +instruct him to send it direct from Nashville, where he now is. If +necessary [_sic_] to promote to divisions and brigades the officers +now exercising the rank of major-general and brigadier-general, it +be necessary to create vacancies, I do think the exigencies of the +country would warrant the muster out of the same number of generals +now on the list that have not done service in the past year. + +The following persons should be promoted to the rank of +major-general: . . . + +Army of the Ohio: Brig.-Gen. J. D. Cox to be major-general.... + +All these are actual division commanders, men of marked courage, +capacity, and merit, who are qualified to separate commands.... + +I am, with respect, your obedient servant, +(Signed) W. T. SHERMAN, +Major-General." + + + +_Schofield to Thomas, after the Battles of Franklin and Nashville. +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii._ p. 273. + + +"HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE OHIO, +FRANKLIN, TENN., Dec. 19, 1864. + + +MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding Dep't of the Cumberland. + +GENERAL,--I have the honor to enclose herewith a letter to Maj.-Gen. +Halleck, Chief of Staff, urging the promotion of Brig.-Gen. Cox, and +to urge that it may be forwarded with your indorsement. Unless +General Cox can obtain the promotion which he has so often earned, +he will soon quit the service, which would be an irreparable loss to +my command. +I am, general, Very Respectfully, +Your obed't serv't, +(Signed) J. M. SCHOFIELD, Maj.-Gen." + + + +_Schofield to Halleck, after the Battles of Franklin and Nashville. +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 273._ + +"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE OHIO, +FRANKLIN, TENN., Dec. 19, 1864. + + +MAJOR-GENERAL H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff, U. S. Army, D. C. +GENERAL,--I desire earnestly to ask your attention, and, through +you, that of the President and Secretary of War, to the claims of +Brigadier-General J. D. Cox to promotion. It is unnecessary to +recite, in detail, the services of so distinguished an officer. He +has merited promotion scores of times by skilful and heroic conduct +in as many battles. He is one of the very best division commanders I +have ever seen, and has often shown himself qualified for a higher +command. + +Permit me to say that in overlooking the merits of such an officer +as General Cox, the Government has, unintentionally of course, +committed an act of great injustice, and one which must soon deprive +the country of his services. An officer cannot exercise for three +years a command which he is universally admitted to be eminently +qualified for, and yet be denied the corresponding rank, while his +juniors, notoriously less deserving, are promoted, without feeling +such mortification and chagrin as must drive him from the army. + +Excuse, General, the earnestness with which I refer to this matter. +I do not exaggerate the merits of the case; on the contrary, I do +not half state it. +I am, General, very respectfully, +Your obedient servant, +J. M. SCHOFIELD, +Major-General." + + + +_Thomas to Halleck, after the Battles of Franklin and Nashville. +Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. 274._ + +[Indorsement] "HEAD Q'RS, DEP'T OF THE CUMBERLAND. +IN THE FIELD, TENNESSEE, Dec. 20, 1864. + + +Respectfully forwarded, earnestly recommending the promotion of +Brig.-Gen. J. D. Cox to the grade of Major-General. His services on +the Atlanta campaign entitle him to the promotion asked for, and at +the battle of Franklin he was eminently distinguished for personal +courage as well as for the skilful management of his command. + +(Signed) GEORGE H. THOMAS, +Maj.-Gen. Com'g." + + + +_Thomas to Halleck, Dec. 23, 1864, again recommending General Cox +for Promotion. Official Records, vol. xlv. pt. ii. pp. 234, 235._ + +"HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, 23D ARMY CORPS. +ON GRANNY WHITE PIKE, December 17, 1864. + + +MAJ. J. A. CAMPBELL, Ass't Adj't-Gen., Army of the Ohio. + +MAJOR,--I have the honor to claim for my command the capture of +eight pieces of the enemy's artillery, in the charge made by the +first brigade last evening. The four pieces captured by the Eighth +Tennessee Infantry, as stated by Colonel Doolittle in the +accompanying dispatch, were not put under guard at the moment, and a +guard was subsequently put over them and the pieces claimed by +McArthur's division, Sixteenth Corps. + +J. D. Cox, +Brigadier-General Commanding." + + + + [Inclosure] "H'DQ'RS, 1ST BRIGADE, 30 Div., 23d ARMY CORPS. IN THE +FIELD, December 17, 1864. + +CAPT. THEODORE Cox, Ass't Adj't-General. + +SIR,--I have the honor to report that in the charge on the enemy's +works yesterday, my brigade captured eight pieces of artillery, +light twelves, instead of four as reported verbally. The four pieces +claimed by McArthur's division, Sixteenth Corps, were taken by the +8th Tennessee, who drove the enemy from them. The 12th Kentucky took +the other four pieces. CHAS. C. DOOLITTLE, Col. 18th Michigan +Inft'y, Commanding." + + +[First Indorsement] "HEAD Q'RS, ARMY OF THE OHIO, FRANKLIN, TENN., +Dec. 19th, 1864. + +Respectfully forwarded to Head Quarters Department of the +Cumberland. + +(Signed) J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General." + + +[Second Indorsement] "H'DQ'RS DEP'T OF THE CUMBERLAND, DUCK RIVER, +TENN., Dec. 23, 1864. + +Respectfully forwarded to Maj.-Gen. H. W. Halleck, Chief of Staff, +recommending that Brig.-Gen. J. D. Cox be promoted to the grade of +Major-General. + +(Signed) GEO. H. THOMAS, +Maj.-Gen. U. S. Vols., Commanding." + + + + +RECOMMENDATION FOR CORPS COMMAND + +"HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, WILMINGTON, N. C., +February 24, 1865. + +LIEUT.-GEN. U. S. GRANT, Commanding Armies of the United States. +City Point, Va. + +GENERAL,--I respectfully request that the troops in this department +which do not belong to the Twenty-third Army Corps may be organized +into an army corps, and that Maj.-Gen. Alfred H. Terry be assigned +to its command. Also that Maj.-Gen. J. D. Cox may be assigned to the +command of the Twenty-third Army Corps. + +I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, +J. M. SCHOFIELD, +Major-General." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 559.] + + + +[_Letter of same date_.] + +"... I have asked for the assignment of General Cox and General +Terry to corps commands, both because the strength of my command +renders it desirable, and because it will enable me to leave either +the one or the other in command of the column which I may not be +with at any time." [Footnote: _Ibid_.] + + + +"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE OHIO, +GOLDSBOROUGH, N. C., March 22, 1865. +LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point, Va. + + +Near a month ago I wrote you a letter requesting that Maj.-Gen. J. +D. Cox be assigned to the command of the Twenty-third Army Corps, +and that the remaining troops in this department be organized into a +corps in command of Maj.-Gen. A. H. Terry. Having received no reply, +I presume that my letter did not reach you; therefore I beg leave to +renew the request. But if it be not deemed advisable to organize a +corps for General Terry, I nevertheless respectfully request that +Major-General Cox may be assigned to the command of the Twenty-third +Corps. +J. M. SCHOFIELD, +Major-General." + + + +[Indorsement] "GOLDSBOROUGH, N. C., March 23, 1865. + +I approve this. I know that General Cox is a good officer, and +General Terry has the best possible reputation. General Schofield +will want two corps organizations as soon as possible. +W. T. SHERMAN, +Major-General, Commanding." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. ii. pp. 960, 961.] + + + +"CITY POINT, VA., March 25, 1865. + +HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington. + +General Schofield recommends and I approve the appointment of +General Cox to the command of the Twenty-third Corps. He also asks +the organization of the balance of the troops in his department into +a corps under General Terry. This will be of great advantage to his +command. I would suggest that Terry's corps be called the Tenth. + +U. S. GRANT, +Lieutenant-General." +[Footnote: _Id._, pt. iii. p 18.] + + + +"GENERAL ORDERS No. 49. + +WAR DEP'T, ADJ'T-GENERAL'S OFFICE, +WASHINGTON, March 27, 1865. + + +By direction of the President, the following assignments are hereby +made: + +I. Maj.-Gen. A. A. Humphreys, to the command of the Second Army +Corps. + +II. Maj.-Gen. J. G. Parke to the command of the Ninth Army Corps. + +III. Maj.-Gen. J. D. Cox to the command of the Twenty-third Army +Corps. + +IV. All other troops in North Carolina not belonging to corps in +General Sherman's army will constitute the Tenth Army Corps, of +which Maj.-Gen. A. H. Terry is assigned to the command. + +By command of the Secretary of War, +E. D. TOWNSEND, +Assistant Adjutant-General." +[Footnote: Official Records, vol. xlvii. pt. iii. p. 34.] + + + + +INDEX + + +NOTE. For economy of space the usual abbreviations for proper and +geographical +names are employed. Other abbreviations are: + +A., army; +a. a. g., assistant adjutant-general; +a. d. c., aide-de-camp; +adm., admiral; +adm'n, administration; +A. C., army corps; +art., artillery; +bat., battery; +br., brevet; +brig., brigade, brigadier; +capt., captain; +cav., cavalry; +ch., church; +ch'f, chief; +C. H., courthouse; +co., company; +col., colonel; +com., commodore; +com'd'g, commanding; +com'r, commander; +conf., confederate; +cr., creek; +C. S. A., Confederate States Army; +dep't, department; +dist., district; +div., division; +gen., general; +Gov., Governor; +h'dqu'r's, headquarters; +inf., infantry; +insp., inspector; +l't, lieutenant; +maj., major; +mt., mountain; +pos., position; +reg., regular; +reg't, regiment; +R., river; +R. R., railroad; +Sec'y, secretary; +sta., station; +U. S. A., United States Army; +U. S. V., United States Volunteers. + +The rank of officers is given as of the date when the events +described in the text occurred. + + +ABBOTT, Jos. C., colonel 7th New Hampshire, commanding brigade, at +Federal Point, North Carolina. + +Aides-de-camp, + intimate association with commanding officer; + how appointed; + duties of, + +Ames, Adelbert, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding division at Federal Point and Ft. Fisher, North +Carolina; + with General Cox's column on Cape Fear River. + +Amnesty, + approved by Lincoln; + discussed by Sherman and Johnston; + extended to all in arms at Lee's surrender; + sustained by popular feeling. + +Anderson, Adna, operates Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. + +Anderson, Chas., colonel 93rd Ohio; + wounded at Stone's River; + elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. + +Anderson, Edw. L., captain 52nd Ohio, + wounded at Jonesboro. + +Anderson, Fred. Pope, lieutenant 181st Ohio. + +Anderson, Geo. B., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain. + +Anderson, Geo. T., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + assaults Ft. Sanders. + +Anderson, Henry R., captain 6th U. S. Infantry + +Anderson, Larz, brother of General Robt. + Anderson, had five sons in Union army. + +Anderson, Larz, Jr., aide-de-camp on staff of + General North Carolina McLean. + +Anderson, Latham, colonel 8th Cal. + +Anderson, Nicholas L., colonel 6th Ohio, + wounded at Stone's River and Chickamauga. + +Anderson, Richard H., major general Confederate States Army, + at Maryland Heights; + at Antietam. + +Anderson, Robt., lieutenant colonel 9th Pennsylvania, commanding + brig, at Antietam. + +Anderson, Thos. McA., captain 14th U. S. + Infantry, later colonel same. + +Anderson, Wm. M., brother of General Robt. + Anderson, had two sons in Union army. + +Anderson, Wm. P., captain and assistant adjutant-general at + Cincinnati. + +Andersonville, confederate treatment of prisoners at. + +Ankele, Chas., major 37th Ohio, at Princeton, + West Virginia + +Andrews, Lorin, President Kenyon College, + colonel 4th Ohio. + +Anthony, Sister, hospital work at Camp + Dennison. + +Antietam, battlefield described; + map of; + fords of; + battle on the right; + battle on the left; + conduct of, criticised; losses at. + +Appointments, general officers U. S. A., + laws regulating; + practice concerning. + +Army of the Potomac, shares in McClellan's + errors as to enemy's strength and supports his views; + its failures contrasted with success of western armies. + +Army Corps, + 1st, + at South Mountain and Antietam; + losses at Antietam; + 2nd, + at South Mountain and Antietam; + 4th, + marches to relief of Knoxville; + at Blain's Cross-roads; + privations in E. Tennessee; + withdrawn to Knoxville; + winter quarters between Kingston and Loudon; + Wood's div in pursuit of Longstreet; + returns to Army of the Cumberland; + concentrates at Cleveland; + connects Army of Cumberland with Army of the Ohio; + at Tunnel Hill; + Newton's division at Rocky Face; + during Hood's Tennessee campaign; + General Couch assigned to; + dissatisfaction in corps; + at battle of Nashville; + in pursuit of Hood. + 5th, + at Antietam. + 6th, + at Alexandria; + in reserve at Crampton's Gap; + not at Antietam when fight began. + 9th, + Kanawha division attached to; + at Fox's Gap, South Mountain; + extreme left at Antietam; + waiting for orders to advance; + difficulties in carrying bridge and fords over the Antietam; + overcomes them all and drives enemy into Sharpsburg; + attacked in left and rear by A. P. Hill's division; + maintains its position; + losses at Antietam; + moved by sea from North Carolina to Ft. Monroe; + sent to Falmouth, Virginia, and Warrenton to join Pope; + Kanawha division detached and sent to West Virginia; + sent to Kentucky much weakened by malarial disease; + recuperates in Kentucky; + moves into E. Tennessee; + movements in E. Tenn; + at siege of Knoxville; + at Blain's Cross-roads; + Strawberry Plains; + in winter quarters; + ordered East again with Burnside in command. + 12th, + covers trains of Pope's army; + at Antietam; + losses at Antietam; + in support of Sedgwick. + 14th, + at Tunnel Hill; + at Resaca; + deprived of Davis' division; + reunited at New Hope Church; + at Peachtree Creek; + at Averasborough and Bentonville. + 15th, + at Villanow; + at Dallas; + at Roswell; + at Atlanta; + at Ezra Church; + at Bentonville; + on march to Raleigh. + 16th, same as last. + 17th + moves from Decatur, Alabama, via Rome to Allatoona; + and Ackworth; + in North Carolina + 20th, + at Bridgeport and Wauhatchie, Tennessee; + at Dug Gap; + through Snake Creek Gap; + at Resaca; + off its beat; + again, at crossing of the Etowah; + assaults confederate lines at New Hope Church and is repulsed; + in reserve; + flanking movement near Ackworth; + at Kolb's farm; + at Peachtree Creek; + holds Atlanta; + at Averasborough and Bentonville; + on march to Raleigh; + marches through Raleigh. + 23d, + organized; + pursuit and capture of Morgan raiders; + scattered and fatigued by the chase; + ordered back to Kentucky; + advance into E. Tennessee; + service in E. Tennessee; + at Loudon; + in battle of Campbell's Station; + at siege of Knoxville; + at Blain's Cross-roads; + privations; + unanimous re-enlistment; + at Strawberry Plains; + sufferings from intense cold; + marches to Dandridge; + back to Strawberry Plains; + winter quarters at Knoxville; + march to Morristown; + good soldiers; + at Rocky Face; + at Resaca; + reinforced by nine new regiments at the Etowah; + at Burnt Hickory; + swings to the left; + forces crossing of Noyes's Creek; + advances to Cheney's; + at battle of Kolb's farm; + forces crossing of Olley's Creek and gains threatening position +beyond enemy's left flank; + holds position while Sherman's army passes to rear and right; + forces crossing of Chattahoochee at Soap Creek; + extreme right flank of army southwest of Atlanta; + Cox's division covers itself by field intrenchments in fifteen +minutes; + October campaign, 1864, General Cox in command; + ordered to report to Thomas; + march to Dalton; + cars to Nashville; + at Columbia, Tennessee; + at Pulaski; + race back to Columbia; + at Columbia; + at battle of Franklin; + at battle of Nashville; + follows Smith's corps in pursuit of Hood; + recruited to 15,000; + hard winter march from Columbia to Clifton, Tennessee; + transported from Clifton to Washington: shipped to North +Carolina; + ascends right bank of Cape Fear River, captures Ft. Anderson, +Town Creek, and compels evacuation of Wilmington; + at battle of Kinston; + losses at Kinston; + dress parade at Goldsborough in honor of Sherman's arrival; + march to Raleigh; + at Raleigh; + at Greensborough. + +Army Headquarters, business centre for a large military population. + +Army Pets. + +Army Regulations, necessity for careful study of. + +Atlanta Campaign; + decisive importance of, recognized by Southern leaders. + +Atlanta, Battle of. + +"Atlantic," + Collins line steamship used in transporting part of 23d army corps +to North Carolina. + +Audenreid, Jos. C., captain, + and aide-de-camp on Sherman's staff, rides around enemy's lines +into Knoxville. + +Augur, Christopher C., appointed major general + +Averasborough, North Carolina, battle of. + +Badger, George E., + ex-senator from North Carolina, joins Graham's peace delegation; + mentioned. + +Baker, Lawrence S., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + in command of North Carolina militia at Kinston. + +Ball, Hon. Flamen, + attorny for Burnside in Vallandigham _habeas corpus_ case. + +Ballot, + extension of, to soldiers in the field. + +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, + importance of; + Union forces collected on line of. + +Banks, N. P., major general United States Volunteers, + commanding forces in Shenandoah Valley; + defeated by "Stonewall" Jackson; + in charge of defences of Washington. + +Barbarism, + tendency of war to make men relapse into; + efforts of officers to curb tendency; + of Union armies exaggerated to keep up war spirit of Southern +people. + +Barker, C. W., major 12th Ill. cavalry, + in West Virginia + +Barlow, Francis C., colonel 61st New York, + desperately wounded at Antietam. + +Barnett, James, colonel 1st Ohio Artillery, + in West Virginia + +Barriger, John W., + captain and commissary on General Cox's staff; + good qualities. + +Barter, Richard F., colonel commanding brigadier, + in 23d army corps, at Olley's Creek + +Bascom, Gustavus M., + aide-de-camp on General Cox's staff; + promoted to major; + accompanies General Cox to E. Tennessee; + transferred to Stoneman's staff. + +Bates, Joshua H., brigadier-general Ohio Vol. Infantry, + at Camp Dennison. + +Batteaux, + used for transportation of supplies from head of navigation to +Kanawha Falls; + more economical than wagon transportation. + +Baxter, John, loyalist, + lawyer at Knoxville, afterwards U. S. Circuit Judge for 6th +Circuit. + +Beauregard, P. G. T., lieutenant general Confederate States Army, + suggested by Lee to succeed Bragg; + Davis takes no notice of suggestion; + ordered to reinforce Polk with 10,000 men; + replies, impracticable; + in command Western Department; + confers with Hood; + says latter departed from plans agreed on; + criticised by Sherman; + hears of Thomas' expected reinforcements and orders Hood to take +aggressive immediately; + commands forces in the Carolinas; + orders Hardee to evacuate Charleston; + confesses inability to resist Sherman's march; + startles Davis; + retreats into North Carolina; + superseded by Johnston; + estimates of forces contradicted by official returns; + at Greensborough; + declares further prosecution of war hopeless. + +Becker, Gottfried, lieutenant colonel 28th Ohio, + at South Mountain. + +Beecher, Henry Ward, + meeting with General Cox; + correspondence with Stanton about photographs of Lincoln cortege. + +Bell, T. S., Pt colonel 51st Pennsylvania, + killed at Burnside bridge. + +Benham, H. W., + captain of engineers; + consults about fortifying Gauley Bridge; + appointed brigadier general; + at Carnifex Ferry; + Cross Lanes; + near Gauley Bridge; + ordered to move to rear of Floyd's position on Cotton Hill and +intercept retreat; + fails to do so; + Rosecrans orders court-martial, but McClellan suppresses it; + transferred to another department. + +Benjamin, Judah P., attorny-general Confederate States Army, + at Davis' last cabinet meeting; + decides States alone can dissolve confederacy and return to their +allegiance; + escapes to Cuba. + +Benjamin, Samuel N., lieutenant 2nd U. S. Artillery, + at Antietam; + at Ft. Sanders; + reports cowardice of commanding officer. + +Bennett, residence of, near Durham, North Carolina, + where Sherman and Johnston discussed terms of surrender. + +Bentonville, North Carolina, + battle of; + sound of battle heard fifty miles away. + +Beverly, West Virginia, + concentration of confederate troops at; + importance of situation; + abandoned after battle of Rich Mountain + +Big Creek Gap, fine view through. + +Big Sandy River, + as transportation route to E. Tennessee + +Big Sewell Mountain, + reached by Cox's advance; + occupied by General Cox; + difficulty of hauling supplies to; + compels retirement. + +Birkhimer's "Military Government and Martial Law" cited. + +Blair, Frank P., major general United States Volunteers, + prefers command in Sherman's Army to seat in Congress; + commands 17th army corps; + marches from Decatur, Alabama, to Rome, Kingston, and Ackworth; + his corps makes good Sherman's losses in Atlanta campaign; + sent to Missouri to stump; + wants to stop foraging in North Carolina + +Blenker, Louis, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + ordered to join Fremont; + does not arrive in time to participate in advance. + +Blizzard, + fearful in E. Tennessee, Jan. 1864. + +Blockhouses, + construction and use in railroad defence. + +Bloodgood, Edw., lieutenant colonel 22nd Wisc., + captured with his command by Forrest. + +Bloody Lane, + at Antietam. + +Bluestone River, West Virginia, + operations on. + +Bondurant, J. W., captain Alabama artillery, + at South Mountain + +Bonticou, Jos. C., lieutenant 2nd Kentucky, scout, + mistakes McCook's tents for enemy's camp. + +Boone courthouse, West Virginia, + confederate militia routed at. + +Boone, Thos. C., lieutenant colonel 115th Ohio, + commanding Kemper Barracks, Cincinnati. + +Border States, + slavery question most troublesome in; + military administration in; + distasteful. + +Boughton, Horace, colonel 143rd New York, + commanding brig, at battle of Kinston. + +Bounty Jumping, + evils and extent of; + arrest of deserters and efforts to prevent frauds. + +Boyle, Jere. T., brigadier-general United States Volunteers, + in Morgan raid; + commanding 1st division 23d army corps + +Bradley, D. C., lieutenant 65th Ill., + aide-de-camp on General Cox's staff. + +Bragg, Braxton, general Confederate States Army, + invades Kentucky; + sends large forces to Johnston's assistance in Mississippi; + reinforced by Longstreet's corps before Chickamauga; + forces of, opposing Rosecrans; + weakened by absence of Morgan; + losses at Chickamauga; + unable to break line of supplies for Chattanooga; + orders Longstreet to E. Tennessee; + intends crushing Burnside and quick return; + defeated at Chattanooga; + Longstreet's return cut off; + evil consequences; + asks for investigation; + want of confidence in; + directed to turn command over to Hardee; + quoted by Davis; + correspondence with Johnston; + with Hood; + goes to Atlanta to examine condition of affairs and reports; + exposes habitual underestimate of their forces by confederate +generals; + commanding department of North Carolina; + headquarters at Wilmington; + forced to evacuate by General Cox; + forces of, Feb. 10th; + serves under Johnston; + concentrates all forces and attacks General Cox at Kinston; + mistaken order; + waits for reinforcements; + final attack at Kinston; + repulsed; + forces of, at Kinston; + at Chester, South Carolina; + captured near Athens, Georgia + +Brannan, John M., brigadier-general United States Volunteers; + at Chickamauga. + +Breckinridge, John C., Secretary of War Confederate States Army, + admits slavery to be dead; + takes part in Sherman-Johnston conference; + at Davis' last cabinet meeting; + decides Hampton's troops bound by capitulation but H. himself free +to ignore; + escapes to Cuba. + +British Army, + weak points revealed; + not so apt in learning new lessons as our own. + +Brough, John, Union Democrat, + defeats Vallandigham. + +Brown, Rev. Fred. T., chaplain 7th Ohio, + trip from Sutton to Gauley through enemy's lines to bring Cox +information. + +Brown, Jos. E., Governor of Georgia, + tenders 5000 militia for defence of Atlanta; + urges reinforcements to prevent fall of Atlanta; + exasperation with confederate government; + bitter correspondence with confederate war department; + mentioned. + +Brownlow, James P., colonel 1st E. Tennessee Cav. + +Brownlow, Wm. E., "Parson," + leading loyalist at Knoxville. + +Buckner, Simon B., major general Confederate States Army, + commanding in E. Tennessee; + joins Longstreet in siege of Knoxville. + +Buell, Don Carlos, major general United States Volunteers, + General Cox ordered to join; + order countermanded on Rosecrans' protest; + objects to invasion of E. Tennessee; + sends Garfield to Big Sandy, and Morgan to Cumberland Gap; + retreats before Bragg; + ordered before military commission; + why Rosecrans chosen to succeed. + +Buford, Abram, brigadier-general Confederate States Army, + commanding division Forrest's cavalry + +Buford, N. B., + appointed major-general United States Volunteers; + not confirmed. + +Bull Run, + second battle of, guns heard at Washington; + news of Pope's defeat reaches Washington. + +Bull Run bridge, + stout defence by Scammon. + +Burbank, Sidney, major, mustering officer at Camp Jackson. + +Burdsall, Henry W., commanding ind. Co. Ohio Cavalry. + +Burnside, Ambrose E., + twice declines command of Army of Potomac and urges McClellan's +retention; + commanding right wing; + first impressions of; + at South Mountain; + sharp reply to Hooker's report; + relations with McClellan; + command divided at Antietam; + leaves Cox in command of 9th army corps; + understanding of McClellan's plans; + practically without command; + order to attack, when received; + efforts to hurry advance; + McClellan's true friend; + heartily advocates emancipation and advises McC. on subject; + forwards Porter's dispatches about Pope to Washington; + held responsible by Porter for his court-martial; + grieved by division of his command, and McC.'s withdrawal of +confidence; + and unjust reprimand; + explains delay; + fine appearance on field; + cordial manners, popularity with his troops; + sincerity and unselfishness; + appointed to succeed McC. in spite of his protests; + dispiriting effect of his defeat at Fredericksburg; + ordered to Department of the Ohio; + plans for occupying E. Tennessee; + headquarters at Cincinnati; + character and habits of; + General Order No. 38; + warns Cincinatti papers against publishing military information; + causes arrest and trial of Vallandigham; + suppresses "Chicago Times"; + overruled by the President; + plans campaign into E. Tennessee; + efforts to agree with Rosecrans on plan of advance; + directed to send 9th army corps to Vicksburg; + departure with staff for E. Tennessee; + recall; + organizes raids into West Virginia, E. Tennessee, and S. W. +Kentucky; + efforts to catch Morgan; + declares martial law in southern Ohio, during Morgan raid; + imprisons Morgan and his officers in Ohio penitentiary; + dramatic announcement of fall of Vicksburg; + rejoices in return of 9th army corps; + Halleck's unjust treatment of; + concentrates forces and advances into E. Tennessee; + captures General Frazer and 2500 men at Cumberland Gap; + impossibility of co-operating with Rosecrans; + congratulated by President and Halleck; + asks to be relieved; + organizes and arms E. Tennessee volunteers; + directed to move toward Chattanooga and support Rosecrans; + inability to reach River before battle of Chickamauga; + explains to War Department; + concentrates near Loudon; + attacks confederate General Jones and drives him into Virginia; + relations with Rosecrans; + informs Grant of his situation and necessities of troops; + opposes Longstreet; + well-conducted retreat to Knoxville; + relieved of command; + habitual unfriendliness of Halleck; + Congress passes resolutions of thanks; + at his best in such commands; + lack of system and other faults; + offers General Cox corps command in E. Tennessee; + recommends him for such appointment to General Foster; + plans another expedition to North Carolina; + not allowed to carry it out. + +Burnside's Bridge, + across the Antietam; + least promising point of attack; + carried by Cox's command; + losses at. + +Butler, Benj. F., major general United States Volunteers, + relieved of command; + criticises Grant in farewell order; + further assignment to command opposed by Grant. + +Butler, M. C., major general Confederate States Army, + sent to assist Johnston in driving back Sherman; + included in Johnston's capitulation. + +Butterfield, Daniel, major general United States Volunteers, + interferes with Schofield's advance; + declines to act on his request; + claims to outrank S. and disputes his authority. + +Buzzard Roost, + strong defensive position at Dalton, Georgia; + attacks on, by Newton, and Geary. + +Byrd, Robt. K., colonel E. Tennessee volunteers; + commanding cavalry in E. Tennessee; + at crossing of Olley's Creek + + +Cameron, Daniel, commanding brig, in Cox's division 23d army corps, + carries bridge over Noyes' Creek; + supports Byrd beyond Olley's Creek; + intrenches between Byrd and Reilly. + +Camp Dennison, Ohio + camp of instruction; + laid out by General Cox; + huts built; + floors laid; + drilling of militia; + water works; + routine at; + measles at; + re-enlisting of three months men at. + +Camp Jackson, near Columbus, Ohio, + first depot of recruits. + +Camp Lookout, West Virginia; + amusing incident. + +Campbell, John A., ex-justice U. S. Supreme Court, + confederate peace commander. + +Campbell, John A., major and assistant adjutant-general on +Schofield's staff. + +Canby, Edw. R., major general United States Volunteers, + Grant plans movement by. + +Cantey, James, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Resaca. + +Carnifex Ferry, West Virginia, + map of; + battle of. + +Carrington, Henry B., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + superseded by Hascall at Indianapolis; + restored at Morton's request; + active in prosecuting Knights of Golden Circle. + +Carter, John C., + captain U. S. steamer "Michigan"; + aids in defeating plot to release rebel prisoners. + +Carter, Samuel P., + assists in re-occupation of Kanawha valley; + commanding division of mounted troops; + advance into E. Tennessee; + joins 23d army corps; + succeeds Meagher in command of division at Beaufort, North +Carolina; + in advance on Kinston; + good conduct in first day's battle; + again, on final assault; + commanding division composed of Palmer's and his own; + transferred to third (Cox's) division of 23d army corps, when +latter assumes corps command. + +Casement, John S., major 7th Ohio, + brings 400 to Charleston after surprise at Cross Lanes; + colonel of 103rd Ohio; + recruits new brass band for his brigade; + at battle of Nashville; + on expedition to North Carolina; + on advance up right bank Cape Fear River + +Cavalry, + activity of confederate; + raids usually costly affairs; + difficulties of mounting; + enormous waste of horses; + outpost and patrol duties more important than showy raids. + +Cave Spring, Georgia, + description of; + rendezvous for Hood and Beauregard. + +Chalmers, James R., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + commanding division in Forrest's cavalry, at battle of Nashville. + +Chantilly, battle of. + +Chaplains, army. + +Charleston, South Carolina, + fall of, has depressing effect on Confederacy. + +Charleston, West Virginia, + strategic position; + taken by General Cox; + inundated; + headquarters of General Cox winter of 1861-2; + remissness of city officials; + reoccupied by General Cox. + +Chase, Salmon P., + Secretary of Treasury; + differences with President Lincoln: + corresponds with Garfield; + chief justice, entertains General Cox. + +Chattanooga, Tennessee, + siege by Bragg; + line of supplies opened; + lines of communication with Nashville and North; + fortified and garrisoned. + +Cheatham, Benj. F., major general Confederate States Army, + controversy with Hood; + at battle of Atlanta; + succeeds to command of Hardee's corps; + at battle of Nashville; + joins Bragg's army in North Carolina; + after capitulation, moves across Great Smoky Mountains with +Tennessee troops. + +Chickamauga, battle of. + +Chief Command, strain of, as compared with subordinate position. + +Chief of Staff, importance of position + +Christ, B. C., colonel 50th Pennsylvania, + commanding brigade at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Christian, Wm. A., colonel 26th New York, + commanding brig, at Antietam. + +Christie, S. L., + captain and aide-de-camp on General Cox's staff; + resigns on account of ill health. + +Cincinnati, + headquarters Department of the Ohio; + in 1863 a centre for rebel sympathizers; + refuge for Southern women; + defended against Morgan raiders; + enthusiasm over surrender of Vicksburg. + +Claassen, Peter J., colonel 132nd New York, + commanding brig at battle of Kinston. + +Clarke, Melvin, lieutenant colonel 36th Ohio, + at South Mountain + +Clay, Cassius M., major general United States Volunteers, + not assigned to duty; + resigns and is appointed min. to Russia. + +Clayton, H. D., major general Confederate States Army, + at Kinston; + falls on Upham's flank. + +Cluseret, Gustave, + colonel and aide-de-camp on Frémont's staff; + amusing controversy with General Milroy; + military chief of Paris commune in 1870. + +Cobb, Howell, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain + +Coburn, John, colonel 33rd Indiana commanding brigade, + captured by Van Dorn. + +Cochrane, John, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + war Democrat, consults McClellan about Emancipation Proclamation; + publishes recollections of interview; + attempts to bring McClellan and Chase into harmony. + +Cockerill, Giles J., commanding battery D 1st Ohio artillery, + at Kolb's farm. + +Coffee, + value of, in army rations; + improvised coffee-mills. + +Colburn, A. V., colonel and assistant adjutant-general on +McClellan's staff, + accompanies him on rides about Washington. + +Coleman, Aug. H., lieutenant colonel 11th Ohio, + leads charge up Cotton Mountain, West Virginia; + at South Mountain; + killed at Burnside bridge. + +Coleman, D., colonel Confederate States Army, + commanding brigade at battle of Nashville. + +Colored Troops, + excellent conduct in skirmish at Federal Point. + +Colquitt, Alfred H., + colonel Confederate States Army commanding brigade at Antietam. + +Comly, James M., + major 23d Ohio; + repulses attack at Pack's Ferry, West Virginia + +Comstock, C. B., + lieutenant colonel engineers on Grant's staff; + gets key to cipher dispatches; + reprimanded by Stanton; + accompanies Terry's expedition against Ft. Fisher; + suggests flanking Hoke's position at Federal Point; + plan adopted by Schofield, but fails on account of heavy gales and +deep sands; + explains Schofield's use of hospital steamer "Spaulding". + +Confederate Army, + dwindles as hopes of success vanish; + disorders threatened on capitulation; + complete submission to U. S. authority; + paroled and sent home; + manifest interest in drill and discipline of U. S. troops. + +Confederate Currency, + enormous depreciation of. 195. + +Conine, Jas. W., + lieutenant and aide-de-camp on General Cox's staff; + appointed colonel of 5th U. S. Colored troops. + +Connecticut Troops, + 8th Infantry at Antietam; + 11th Infantry at Antietam; + 15th Infantry at Kinston. + +"Contrabands," + slaves of confederate officers coming into Union lines; + term gradually applied to all escaped slaves; + difficulties in treatment of. + +Cook, Asa M., captain 8th Massachusetts Artillery, + at South Mountain + +Coon, Datus E., colonel United States Volunteers, + commanding 2nd brigade Wilson's cavalry at Nashville; + captures enemy's cavalry baggage train. + +Cooper, Jos. A., colonel 6th E. Tennessee, + promoted brigadier general and assigned to command 2nd division +23d army corps; + at Johnsonville, Tennessee; + ordered to Beard's Ferry; + masterly retreat from. + +Cooper, Samuel, adjutant and inspector general Confederate States +Army, + capitulates with Johnston's army; + tries to preserve confederate archives. + +Corps Commander, + takes precedence over ranking major generals not assigned to corps +command. + +Corse, John M., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + successfully defends Allatoona. + +Cotton Mountain, West Virginia, + overlooking Gauley, seized by Floyd; + annoying fire from; + Floyd's position on, carried by Cox and Schenck. + +Couch, Darius N., major general United States Volunteers, + at Yorktown; + ordered to observe A. P. Hill at Harper's Ferry; + should have come on field of Antietam not later than Hill; + but did not appear; + reports to General Thomas for duty, assigned to 4th army corps; + owing to dissatisfaction in that corps assigned to 23d army corps; + outranks General Cox and displaces him as second in command; + at battle of Nashville; + on march from Columbia to Clifton; + commands 23d army corps _en route_ from Clifton to Washington; + sails with his division to Beaufort, North Carolina; + commands two divisions 23d army corps left at Wilmington; + ordered to support of Cox at Kinston; + commands 2nd division 23d army corps under General Cox. + +Coughlan, James, + lieutenant 24th Kentucky and aide-de-camp on General Cox's staff; + daring ride at Olley's Creek; + captured near Atlanta, exchanged, and killed at Franklin. + +Councils of War, + why they never fight. + +Cox, Jacob D., + in Ohio Senate; + assists Governor Dennison in enrolling and organizing State +militia; + appointed brigadier general O. S. V. April 23d, 1861; + inspects State arsenal with McClellan; + in command of Camp Jackson; + inspects site with McClellan and lays out Camp Dennison; + first lessons in camping out and brigade drill; + extensive reading of military works; + all but one of his regiments ordered away; + ill effects of repeated change of command; + appointed brigadier general United States Volunteers; + confirmed; + ordered to Kanawha valley with raw regiments not yet equipped; + begins operations on a base 100 miles broad; + with 3400 men ordered to drive out Wise, who had 4000; + begins advance July 11th; + wild rumors; + affair at Scary Creek; + turns enemy's flank at Tyler Mountain; + captures Charleston; + presuming colonels; + quiet manner often led to similar difficulties; + experience with newspaper correspondents; + captures Gauley Bridge with 1500 stands of arms and munitions of +war; + congratulated by McClellan and Rosecrans; + establishes post at Gauley, scouts in all directions, sends out +detachments to deceive enemy; + left with only 1800 men to oppose Wise and Floyd with 8000; + suppresses mutinous excitement; + meets Rosecrans at Cross Lanes; + joined by McCook's brigade; + at Camp Lookout; + at Big Sewell Mountain; + skirmish with Wise's legion; + difficulty of obtaining supplies forces retirement to Camp +Lookout; + holds post at Gauley during occupation of Cotton Mountain by +Floyd; + carries Cotton Mountain by front attack up river face; + commands District of Kanawha, headquarters at Charleston; + ordered to report to Buell in Kentucky, countermanded on +Rosecrans' protest; + first military execution ordered; + weeding out incompetents and improving drill and discipline of +Kanawha division; + scrutiny of correspondence between confederates and residents +within the lines; + dealing with non-combatants; + disapproves of test oaths; + policy with regard to escaped slaves; + controversies with owners; + prefers seasoned volunteers to regulars; + rapid improvement of volunteer officers; + rebuilds bridge at Gauley; + uses batteaux for transportation on upper Kanawha; + reports to Frémont 8500 seasoned troops under his command; + pursuant to Frémont's plan of campaign moves to Princeton, West +Virginia; + affair at Princeton; + retires to Flat Top Mountain, on advices that Jackson's defeat of +Banks upsets campaign; + ordered to Washington with his command; + Kanawha division marches 90 miles in 3-1/2 days fully equipped, +over mountain roads; + impressions of Secretary Stanton; + in defences of Washington under McClellan; + meets Pope and McDowell retreating to Washington; + commends general scheme of Pope's campaign; + learns through his scouts of Lee's invasion of Maryland; + methods of collecting and sifting information; + condemns McClellan's spy system; + ordered to report to Burnside; + first impressions; + attached to 9th Corps and takes advance; + shocked at straggling in Army of Potomac; + meets General Reno; + good impression made by Kanawha division; + at the Monocacy; + at Frederick, Maryland; + supports Pleasanton; + commands in action at Fox's Gap, South Mountain; + Reno arrives late in day, is killed almost immediately, and Cox +succeeds to command of the corps; + expresses his pride in the conduct of the Kanawha division; + meets McClellan and principal officers of Army of Potomac at +headquarters; + retained in command of 9th Corps; + part it was to take in the battle; + carries Burnside bridge and fords in front and drives confederate +right wing back to Sharpsburg; + movement arrested by arrival of A. P. Hill's division from +Harper's Ferry and flank attack; + holds his position and sleeps on battlefield; + gets hints of a project to make McClellan dictator; + consulted by McC. as to how he should treat Emancipation +Proclamation; + warns him against putting himself in opposition to administration; + accompanies Lincoln in ride over battlefield of Antietam; + promoted to major general and command of 9th Corps; + ordered to return to Kanawha valley, overrun by confederate forces +in his absence; + commands District of West Virginia; + takes leave of 9th Corps; + Stanton; + and Chase; + reports to General H. G. Wright at Cincinnati; + impressions of; + inspects commands of Morgan and Lightburn; + contracts for wagons and transportation; + reoccupies Kanawha valley, driving out Loring, Echols, and +Jenkins; + administration of affairs in West Virginia; + headquarters at Marietta; + staff reorganized; + appointment as major general not confirmed; + severe disappointment; + evils of subjecting military appointments to political action; + reports to General Schenck at Baltimore; + ordered to Columbus to assist Governor in enrolling and organizing +conscripts; + commands Military District of Ohio, headquarters at Cincinnati; + relations to Burnside; + disinclined to arrest Vallandigham followers; + District of Mich, added to his command; + acting chief of staff for Burnside; + transacts business of the Department of the Ohio, in Burnside's +name; + firm dealing with extreme Democratic partisans; + nomination fails because it had support of neither regular army +officers nor politicians; + secures approval of immediate commanders; + urgent to obtain field command; + reads Kinglake's "Crimean War" and derives comfort from record of +experiments and blunders in English Army; + defeats plot to free prisoners on Johnson's Island; + offered corps command in E. Tennessee by Burnside; + investigates treatment of prisoners at Johnson's Island; + ordered to report to commanding general in E. Tennessee; + winter ride over Mountains; + meets Burnside and staff coming out; + assigned to command District of Kentucky; + distaste for such commands; + assigned to command 23d army corps; + at Strawberry Plains; + first meeting with Grant; + reports to Sheridan at Dandridge, in; + retreat to Strawberry Plains; + drives back rebel advance toward Knoxville; + threatened with pneumonia; + winter quarters at Knoxville; + yields command of 23d army corps to Major General Stoneman; + asks for command of Sheridan's division 4th army corps; + Major General Newton gets it; + meets Schofield; + acts as chief of staff for Schofield; + amusing occurrence on grand rounds; + at Newmarket, E. Tennessee; + at Morristown; + offers plan of campaign for Army of the Ohio; + approved by Schofield; + offered permanent position as chief of staff, or division in 23d +army corps; + takes latter; + second in command to Schofield; + ordered to join Sherman, drives enemy out of E. Tennessee and +destroys railroad back to Knoxville; + march to Dalton; + first meeting with Sherman and Thomas; + commands extreme left at Dalton; + retires left wing in presence of enemy; + movement praised by Sherman and Schofield; + protects exposed flank by fallen timber; + beginning of field intrenchments; + marches through Snake Creek Gap and takes position on left of +army; + carries intrenchments on confederate right at Resaca; + commands advance and extreme left on march from Resaca to +Cassville; + outflanks confederate army and forces abandonment of position +before Cassville; + follows confederate rearguard to crossing of Etowah River; + privations when marching without baggage; + on march to New Hope Church lines; + assumes command of 23d army corps on Schofield's becoming +disabled; + turns confederate position at New Hope Church; + closer relations with Sherman; + unseen perils, narrow escape; + heavy rains and discomfort; + gloomy thoughts; + occupies position on extreme right, separated a mile from rest of +army; + forces crossing of Noyes' Creek; + supports Hascall at Kolb's farm, against Hood's attack; + forces crossing of Olley's Creek, intrenches in commanding +position beyond enemy's left flank; +holds position gained, three miles from continuous lines of +Sherman's army, for several days; + effects crossing of Chattahoochee at Soap Creek; + extreme right flank southwest of Atlanta; + his division covers its front with intrenchments in fifteen +minutes; + at Decatur, Georgia; + in command of Army of the Ohio during October campaign; + mild reproof of brig, commander who prefers a cursing; + in pursuit of Hood; + Sherman plans to take 23d army corps on march to the sea with Cox +in command; + Schofield protests, Cox yields; + resumes command of his own division; + recommended for promotion by Schofield and Sherman, App. C; + farewell to Sherman; + march to Dalton; visits Chattanooga; + and Nashville; + votes for Lincoln, on train; + pet lizard; at Franklin, Tennessee; + at Columbia; + at Pulaski; + race back to Columbia; + writes book on "Battle of Franklin;" + at Nashville, after retreat from Franklin; + position as second in command, reduced by appointment of Major +General Couch to a division; + at battle of Nashville; + exposure on night after battle; + pursuit of Hood; + revisits Franklin and studies battlefield; + also Spring Hill and Columbia; + rebuilds bridges and improves roads; + suffers from malarial poisoning; + obtains sick leave; + does not use it, as active campaigning is proposed; + earnestly recommended for promotion by Schofield and Thomas, App. +C; + appointed major general as of Dec. 7, to fill vacancy caused by +McClernand's resignation; + hard march from Columbia to Clifton; + still suffering from malaria; + goes home while 23d Corps is transported from Clifton to +Washington; + rapid improvement in health, and new zeal; rejoins corps at +Washington; + interviews with Stanton, Chase, Garfield, Dennison, Schenck, Henry +Ward Beecher, Henry Winter Davis, and others; + sails with his division to Cape Fear River, North Carolina; at +Federal Point; + commands column ascending right bank of Cape Fear River, capturing +Ft. Anderson +and Town Creek, with two cannon and 400 prisoners, and compelling +evacuation +of Wilmington; + uses discretion in not strictly obeying Schofield's orders; + permanent assignment to command 23d army corps urged by Schofield, +App. C; + takes command of troops at New Berne, North Carolina, and advances +on Kinston; + two battles at Kinston; + losses at Kinston, chiefly in Upham's brigade, which was +surprised; + hears sound of battle of Bentonville, fifty miles away; + occupies Goldsborough; + permanently assigned to command 23d army corps, App. C; + march to Raleigh; + vigorous measures to stop pillage and arson; + precautions against soldiers wreaking vengeance for assassination +of Lincoln; + commands western district of North Carolina, with headquarters at +Greensborough; + interview with General Hardee; + with Johnston; + visit to Salisbury, confederate treatment of prisoners denounced; + recognizes local courts and magistrates; + notes complete submission on part of North Carolina people to +results of the war; + limits authority to preserving the peace; + visits Guilford-Old-Court-House, and battlefield; + sentiments inspired thereby. + +Cox, Theodore, brother of above, vol. + aide-de-camp, at South Mountain and Antietam; + lieutenant in 11th Ohio and aide-de-camp by appointmentt; + at skirmish before Knoxville; + at Knoxville; + adjutant general on General Cox's staff; + accuracy and business system of; + issues orders for good conduct of troops on shipboard. + +Crane, Orrin J., major 7th Ohio, at Antietam. + +Cranor, Jonathan, colonel 40th Ohio, in West Virginia + +Crawford, Samuel W., brigadier general United States Volunteers, at +Antietam. + +Creighton, Wm. R., lieutenant colonel 7th Ohio, + comes in with Tyler after surprise at Cross Lanes; + reproaches himself with cowardice; + record of gallantry, until killed at Ringgold, Georgia + +Crittenden, Eugene W., colonel commanding cavalry + brigade in 23d army corps, reports to General Cox at Olley's Creek + +Crittenden, Thos. L., major general United States Volunteers, in E. +Tennessee. + +Crome, G. L., lieutenant McMullin's battery; + killed at South Mountain + +Crook, Geo., captain 4th U. S. Infantry, colonel + 36th Ohio, at Cross Lanes; + Summersville; + personal description of; + captured at Cumberland; + first vote; at Lewisburg, West Virginia; + defeats Heth; + attached to Kanawha division; + reports to Pope at Warrenton, Virginia; + commanding brig, in Kanawha division; + supports Scammon; + at South Mt; + attached to Sturgis' division at Antietam; + carries ford of Antietam above Burnside bridge; + promoted brig, general; + ordered to Clarksburg, West Virginia; + commands Kanawha division; + marches from Clarksburg to Gauley Bridge; + at Gauley Bridge; + transferred to Rosecrans' command in Tennessee; + commends discipline of Kanawha division, + +Cross Lanes, West Virginia, + 7th Ohio surprised at and routed; + consultation of Rosecrans and Cox at. + +Cutler, Hon. Wm. P., + M. C. from Marietta, Ohio, expresses popular distrust of Lincoln's +ability. + +DALTON, Georgia, + geography of vicinity; + impregnable to attack from north or west; + operations about; + strong character of defensive works. + +Dana, Chas. A., + Assistant Secretary of War; + cipher dispatches to Stanton about Rosecrans and his officers; + visits Burnside at Knoxville; + reports to Grant; + judgment of army officers at Chattanooga; + advises Stanton concerning interview between Lincoln and +confederate peace commanders; + concerning prayers for the President in Episcopal churches at +Richmond. + +Dandridge, E. Tennessee, affair at; + a surprise all around; + both armies retreat. + +Davis, David, Justice of U. S. Supreme Court, + change in views regarding trial by military commissions in +Indiana; + +Davis, Henry Winter, M. C. from Maryland, + dines with General Cox in Washington; + opposes re-election of Lincoln; + witty and scathing denunciation of L. + +Davis, Jefferson, President Confederate States Army, advises + with Lee about successor to Bragg; + differences with Beauregard and Johnston; + finally appoints Johnston; + urges aggressive action; + correspondence with Johnston; + plans thwarted by long discussion; + begs Johnston to retreat no further; + receives no encouragement from him; + sends Bragg to Atlanta to examine and report on condition of +affairs; + relieves Johnston and appoints Hood; + convinced Hood needs intellectual guidance; + urges Hardee to hold Charleston, and stop Sherman on line of +Combahee River; + startled by Beauregard's confession of inability to stop Sherman; + notes difference between B.'s estimate of forces available and +official returns; + goes to Danville on fall of Richmond; + thence to Greensborough, North Carolina; + orders arrest of Governor Vance's peace commanders; + advised by all his generals and cabinet that further prosecution +of war was hopeless; + authorizes Johnston to negotiate with Sherman; + holds last cabinet meeting at Charlotte; + unanimous decision that confederacy is conquered; + assents to Johnston's surrender; + reputed "plunder" nearly all paid out to Johnston's troops and his +personal escort; + tries to escape beyond Mississippi; + captured S. E. of Macon. + +Davis, Jeff. C., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding division in Army of the Cumberland; + movement on Rome; + occupies Rome; + attached to McPherson's command temporarily; + assault on Kennesaw. + +Dawes, Ephraim C., major 53rd Ohio, + analysis of opposing forces in Atlanta campaign. + +Dawes, Rufus R., lieutenant colonel 6th Wisc., + at Antietam; + "Service with the Sixth Wisconsin," cited. + +Day, D. W. H., captain and assistant quartermaster, + accompanies General Cox on winter ride to E. Tennessee; + selects wagons and teams; + marks fords; + keeps teams moving; + secures tents and flies for army headquarters; + in charge of horses and mules sent from E. Tennessee to Kentucky +for pasture; + energy commended. + +Dayton, Ohio, + assaults on soldiers at, not punished by local courts; + how punished. + +DeCourcey, John F., colonel 16th Ohio, + in West Virginia campaign fall of '62; + moves on Cumberland Gap. + +Defensive Tactics, + generally better in rough country. + +Dennison, Wm., Governor of Ohio, + prepares State for war; + appoints McClellan major general; + sends two regiments to Washington; + incessant work; + urges McClellan to occupy West Virginia in force; + at Washington; + mediates between Lincoln and McClellan; + supported by Cox in Ohio senatorial contest; + postmaster general; + entertains General Cox. + +De Trobriand, P. R., colonel 55th New York, + says New York 7th furnished 300 officers for Union army. + +De Villiers, Chas. A., + brigadier major on General Cox's staff; + captured outside of lines at Scary Creek; + escapes and reports for duty at Gauley; + hazardous ride to report occupation of Cotton Mountain by Floyd; + crosses New River, scales cliffs and assaults enemy on Cotton +Mountain. + +Devin, Thos. C., colonel 6th New York Cavalry, + ordered to report to General Cox. + +Dick, Robt. P., resident of Greensborough, North Carolina, + in whose grove army headquarters were established, since appointed +U. S. District Judge; + advises colored people to hire out to others than their old +masters. + +Dickson, Wm. M., + cited as to Key's influence over McClellan. + +Discretion, + to be exercised by subordinate on detached service in obeying +orders issued without full knowledge of his position. + +Doddridge, cashier of a Charleston, West Virginia bank, + Union man; + paymaster in Union army. + +Dodge, Grenville M., major general United States Volunteers, + commands 16th Corps; + builds bridge over Chattahoochee at Roswell. + +Donaldson, James L., colonel United States Volunteers, chief +quartermaster at Nashville, + describes Thomas's feelings after Nashville campaign. + +Doolittle, Chas. C., colonel 18th Michigan, + commanding post at Decatur, repulses Hood; + joins General Cox at Stevenson; + chief of staff for General Cox; + takes command of Reilly's division 23d army corps; + carries enemy's intrenchments and captures eight guns at battle of +Nashville; + and returns to his own regiment when 23d Corps goes to Washington. + +Doubleday, Abner, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding division, at Antietam. + +Douglas, Stephen A., + speech at Columbus after fall of Ft. Sumter; + pledges support of Dem. party to Lincoln's administration. + +Dow, Tristram T., major 112th Ill., + appointed inspector general on Cox's staff; + reconnoitres fords before Kinston; + carries message from Schofield to Hoke. + +Draft, + preferred to system of raising new regiments and letting old ones +die out; + Sherman cited; + act providing for; + weakened by commutation clause; + insignificant numbers drafted in Ohio. + +Drayton, Thos. F., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain + +Duke, Basil W., brigadier general Confederate States Army, history + of Morgan raid cited. + +Dunham, Robert T., captain and assistant adjutant-general on + General Geo. W. Taylor's staff at Bull Run + bridge, + +Dunker Church, on battlefield of Antietam, + +Durell, Geo. W., captain battery D Pennsylvania Artillery, + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Duryea, Abram, brigadier general United States Volunteers, at + Antietam. + +Early, Jubal A., brigadier general Confederate States Army, at + Antietam. + +East Tennessee, + plans for Union advance into, Rosecrans'; + approved by McClellan; + Frémont's; + ignorance of topography: combination of the two adopted; + fails because separate columns defeated and driven back by Jackson +before concentration effected; + occupation of E. Tennessee urged by Lincoln on all general +officers in the West; + Burnside's plan; + proposes railroad from Danville to; + Chattanooga best base for supplies; + confederate forces in; + map of; + rejoicing of people at Burnside's coming; + terror and indignation when he was ordered to leave and join +Rosecrans; + military operations in; + Sherman's horror of; + importance of holding; + impossibility of supplying army in, by mountain roads; + terrible destruction of draft animals; + privations of army in, during winter of; + almost unanimous re-enlistment, in spite of hardships; + absence of forage; + fearful blizzard; + sufferings of troops; + bitterness of feeling between loyalists and secessionists. + +East Tennessee troops, + unwillingness to serve away from home; + discipline lax, courage and devotion unexcelled; + 1st Cavalry; + 1st Infantry; + 6th Infantry; + East Tennessee University, at Knoxville, fortified; + +Echols, John C., brigadier general Confederate States Army, pursues + Lightburn down the Kanawha; + supersedes Loring in command of West Virginia forces; + resumes positions abandoned by Loring; + retreats before General Cox; + ordered to make his way from West Virginia into N. W. part of +South Carolina, + +Effective Total, + meaning of, in confederate reports; + leads to habitual underestimate of their forces by confederate +commanders. + +Elliott, Washington L., colonel 47th Ohio, in + West Virginia; + in E. Tennessee; + at Mossy Creek + +Ellsworth Zouaves, equal in drill to West Point cadets, + +Emancipation Proclamation, how received in McClellan's army. + +Enyart, David A., lieutenant colonel 1st Kentucky, + routs confederate militia at Boone courthouse, West Virginia; + crosses Kanawha, scales cliffs and helps capture Cotton Mountain + +Episcopal Clergy, at Richmond, + ordered by Stanton to pray for the President of the U. S. + +Evans, N. G., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + in Maryland campaign; + at Antietam. + +Ewell, Benj. S., colonel Confederate States Army, + on Johnston's staff; + sent to Richmond to explain Johnston's position; + reports to Johnston. + +Ewell, R. S., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + division of, at Antietam, + +Ewing, Hugh, colonel 30th Ohio, + in Kanawha Division; + reports to Pope at Warrenton, Virginia; + at South Mountain + +Executive Power, + exercised in spite of adverse judicial decisions, + +Ezra Church, battle of, + +Fairchild, Harrison S., colonel 89th New York, + at South Mountain; at Antietam. + +Fayette courthouse, West Virginia, + advanced post; + Union troops. + +Ferrero, Edw., colonel 51st New York, + at South Mountain; + at Antietam; + in E. Tennessee; + at Ft. Sanders. + +Field Intrenchments, + development of; + facility in making; + costliness of assaulting; + at New Hope Church; + at Cold Harbor; at Ezra Church; + confederate troops refuse to assault breastworks; + at Kinston. + +Fitch, E. P., + quartermaster on General Cox's staff; + arrives at Alexandria with trains and baggage of Kanawha Division; + at Antietam; chief quartermaster District of West Virginia + +Flat-top Mountain, West Virginia, + barrier to approach from S. W. Virginia; + advance of Kanawha Division to; + key point for movement to S. West Virginia; + description of; + abandoned by U. S. troops. + +Floyd, John B., + unites with Wise to drive Union forces out of Kanawha valley; + surprises and routs 7th Ohio at Cross Lanes; + mysterious inaction thereafter; + defeated at Carnifex Ferry; + differences with Wise; + marches to Fayette courthouse; + and occupies Cotton Mountain, from which he shells Gauley Bridge; + driven off the Mountain by General Cox; + escapes capture by reason of Benham's inactivity; + indirectly commends General Cox's administration of Kanawha +District. + +Foraging, + easily degenerates into pillaging and arson; + Blair and Howard recommend its prohibition; + Sherman promises to stop it after reaching North Carolina; + vigorous measures of General Cox to repress; + country near Raleigh stripped bare by Slocum's "bummers". + +Force, Manning F., + lieutenant colonel 20th Ohio; + brig, general, married sister of General Pope's wife. + +Foreign Intervention, threatened. 485. + +Forrest, Nathan B., brigadier general cavalry Confederate States +Army, + captures Col. Bloodgood's command near Nashville; + compared with Morgan; + successful handling of mounted troops; + Mower promoted for reputed defeat of; + ordered to join Hood, captures Athens, repulsed at Pulaski; + ordered to raid Western Tennessee; + causes panic and destruction of three steamboats and stores at +Johnsonville; + joins Hood at Florence; + covers Hood's turning movement east of Columbia; + attacks at Spring Hill; + absence seriously felt by Hood at battle of Nashville; + commands rearguard on Hood's retreat; + at Okolona. + +Forts, + masonry and earthworks discussed. + +Ft. Anderson, Cape Fear River, + attacked by "Montauk" and gunboats; + captured by General Cox. + +Ft. Fisher, + captured by General Terry; + where described. + +Ft. Sanders, Knoxville, E. Tennessee, + named after General W. P. Sanders; + described; + assault on, by Longstreet's forces, repulsed. + +Ft. Sumter, + bombardment announced in Ohio Senate; + occasions popular uprising, without distinction of party; + flag raised again by Anderson. + +Foster, Abby Kelley, + shouts "Glory to God" when bombardment of Sumter announced. + +Foster, John G., + appointed major general United States Volunteers; + succeeds Burnside in E. Tennessee; + assigns General Cox to command 23d army corps; + Sturgis to cavalry corps; + demonstrates to Grant impossibility of winter campaign; + disabled by fall of horse; + gives veteran furlough to several regiments; + concentrates at Knoxville; + sends horses and mules to pasture in Kentucky; + permanent winter quarters; + retires from command on account of ill health; + again explains to Grant, at Nashville, impossibility of winter +campaign in E. Tennessee. + +Foster, John W. colonel United States Volunteers, + operations in E. Tennessee; + at Mossy Creek + +Fourth U. S. Artillery, battery B, + at Antietam. + +Fox's Gap, in South Mountain, + captured by Kanawha Division under General Cox. + +Franklin, battle of, + undeceives Thomas as to Hood's intentions; + where described. + +Franklin, F. E., major 37th Ohio, + at Princeton, West Virginia + +Franklin, Wm. B., major general United States Volunteers, + ordered to join Pope; + slow in moving; + assigned position near Alexandria; + relieved on charges preferred by Pope; + reinstated at McClellan's request; + with 6th army corps, held in reserve, at Antietam. + +Frazer, John W., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + captured with 2500 men by Burnside at Cumberland Gap. + +Frederick, Maryland, + confederate army concentrates near; + evacuated by; + a loyal city; + demonstration on arrival of Union troops; + grand army encamped near. + +Frémont, John C., major general United States Volunteers, + commands Mountain Department; + appointment on political grounds; + plan for advance on E. Tennessee; + modifies it on Rosecrans' suggestion; + separate columns defeated before concentration effected; + relieved of command; + not again assigned to duty. + +French, Samuel G., major general Confederate States Army, + joins Johnston's army at Kingston, Georgia + +French, W. H., + captain and commissary on Burnside's staff. + +French, Wm. H., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam. + +French's Mill, West Virginia, + operations near. + +Frietchie, Barbara, + a fictitious character. + +Frink, Chas. S., + surgeon major, General Cox's division; + treats General Cox for illness due to exposure after battle of +Nashville. + +Frizell, Jos. W., + lieutenant colonel 11th Ohio; + traps confederate cavalry near Hawk's Nest, West Virginia + +Fry, Jas. B., colonel and assistant adjutant-general U. S. A., + on Lincoln's reasons for certain military appointments; + provost-marshal-general at Washington; + ably administers draft laws. + +Furnace, + for tent, field construction. + +Gallup, Geo. W., lieutenant colonel 14th Kentucky commanding brigade +in 23d army corps, + at Johnsonville, Tennessee + +Garfield, Jas. A., + in Ohio Senate; + resolves to enter army; + defeated in election for colonel of 7th Ohio; + appointed colonel of 42nd Ohio; + in Big Sandy valley; + Rosecrans' chief of staff; + sums up answers of general officers and urges Rosecrans to +advance; + influence of his report; + sent to Washington with Rosecrans' report after battle of +Chickamauga; + questioned by Stanton; + tells General Cox the story of Chickamauga; + leaves army to enter Congress; + chairman of commission on military affairs; + regard for Rosecrans; + letter to Chase about R.'s inaction at Murfreesborough; + defended; + entertains General Cox in Washington; + draws out his guests. + +Garland, Samuel, Jr., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + killed at South Mountain + +Garnett, Robt. S., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Beverly, West Virginia; + retreats after battle of Rich Mountain; + killed near Carrick's Ford; + lacking in enterprise. + +Garrard, Israel, colonel cavalry United States Volunteers, + in East Tennessee; + at Decatur and Stone Mountain, Georgia + +Garrard, Kenner, brig, general, + commanding cavalry division in McPherson's army; + movement on Rome; + reports confederate cavalry at Kennesaw superior in numbers; + destroys Georgia RAILROAD east of Atlanta; + in pursuit of Hood. + +Garrett, John W., President B. and Official Records R. Co., + suggests dictatorship of McClellan. + +Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, + key point of Kanawha valley; + captured by General Cox with 1500 stand of arms and munitions of +war; + importance of position; + map of; + how fortified; + Rosecrans' headquarters; + cannonaded from Cotton Mountain by Floyd; + bridge reconstructed; + burned on Lightburn's retreat; + supplies forwarded to, by batteaux on upper Kanawha; + Lightburn's abandonment of, criticised; + reoccupied by General Cox. + +Geary, John W., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Wauhatchie; + assaults Rocky Face, at Dug Gap, repulsed with loss. + +Georgia, + map of northern. + +Gibbon, John, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + high opinion of volunteers; + deficient knowledge of military history; + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Gibbs, Ira B., + lieutenant and com's'y on General Cox's staff; + shoots Serg. Joyce of 2nd Kentucky for refusing to obey orders; + courtmartialed and acquitted; + excused from attending execution of a mutineer. + +Gibson, Horatio G., captain 2nd Ohio Artillery, + at South Mountain + +Giddings, Hon. Joshua R., consul general at Montreal, + makes light of plot to releases confederate prisoners. + +Gilbert, Samuel A., colonel 44th Ohio, + in second Kanawha campaign; + marches his brigade 60 miles in 52 hours, in E. Tennessee + +Gillmore, Quincy A., + brigadier general commanding District of Kentucky; + resists Pegram's raid and drives him out of Kentucky + +Gilmer, Jeremy F., major general Confederate States Army, Davis' +Chief of Engineers, + sent to advise with Beauregard. + +Gilmer, John A., + one of Governor Vance's peace commanders. + +Goldsborough, North Carolina, + place of meeting of Sherman's and Schofield's armies. + +Goodrich, E. R., + lieutenant colonel, and chief comm's'y on Burnside's staff. + +Goodrich, Wm. B., + colonel commanding brigade in Greene's division at battle of +Antietam; + killed at Antietam. + +Gordon, Geo. H., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam. + +Graham, Milton, + lieutenant colonel 11th Kentucky Cavalry + +Graham, Wm. A., ex-Governor of North Carolina, + heads Vance's peace delegation; + candidate for Vice President on ticket with Scott; + mentioned. + +Granger, Gordon, + captain and mustering officer at Camp Dennison; + states reasons why theoretical knowledge of regular army officers +so small; + appointed major general United States Volunteers; + at Chickamauga; + sent to relief of Knoxville; + dissatisfaction of Grant and Sherman; + in E. Tennessee; + at Dandridge. + +Granger, Robt. S., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + sent to reinforce Col. Doolittle at Decatur; + posted at Stevenson; + suffers pontoon bridge to fall into hands of Hood; + ordered to Decatur again. + +Grant, U. S., major general United States Volunteers, + high opinion of volunteers; + accepts emancipation policy as best; + policy of attrition; + captures Vicksburg; + "copious worker and fighter, but a very meagre writer"; + growing faith of administration in; + in command of Division of the Mississippi; + approves substitution of Thomas for Rosecrans; + reticent and averse to controversy; + hears in silence and decides; + good story about Washington; + at Chattanooga; + culmination of good fortune; + sends Granger and Sherman to relief of Knoxville; + characteristics; + visits army in E. Tennessee; + reticence; + riding-school story; + sees for himself condition of troops and mountain roads; + reports destitution and impracticability of supplying army by +mountain roads; + correspondence with General Foster; + asks promotion of Sherman, McPherson, and W. F. Smith; + embarrassments about cipher dispatches; + objects to Stoneman; + correspondence with Schofield; + appointed lieutenant general and goes to Washington; + scatters army at Chattanooga, to secure supplies and forage; + puts Sherman in charge of Western armies and assumes command in +Virginia; + plans simultaneous advance of eastern and western armies; + slow to learn unprofitableness of assaulting intrenched positions; + on appointments of brigadiers in Sherman's army; + confidence in McPherson; secures his rapid promotion; + dissatisfied with Thomas; + reasons for his feeling; + favors winter campaigns by Sherman and Thomas; + plans advance on Selma and Mobile; + orders Schofield and 23d corps sent to Washington; + praises Sherman's readiness for further operations; + sends Schofield to carry out new plan of campaign in North +Carolina; + unselfish attitude toward Sherman; + relieves Butler and opposes his further assignment to command; + receives confederate peace commanders at his headquarters; + congratulates Sherman; + outlines his own plans; + prevents Lee's union with Johnston; + recommends Schofield's appointment as brigadier in regular army +and permanent assignment of Cox and Terry to corps commands; + brings administration's disapproval of Sherman-Johnston convention +to Sherman; + considerate treatment of Sherman; + returns to Washington; + condemns injustice to Sherman; + smooths away causes of Sherman's irritation. + +"Grape Vine Telegraph," + +Great Smoky Mountains, + picturesque character of. + +Greene, Geo. S., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam; + in 20th Corps and on court-martial at Washington; + goes to North Carolina, with General Cox and volunteers as staff +officer at Kinston; + commands provisional division of returning officers and men +belonging to Sherman's army. + +Grigsby, A. J., colonel commanding Winder's brigade, Jackson's +division, + at Antietam. + +Guerillas, in West Virginia, + annoyance by and suppression of. + +Guilford-Old-Court-House, North Carolina, + and battlefield visited. + +Gunn, W. A., + locates line for railway from Danville to E. Tennessee + +Guthrie, J. V., colonel 1st Kentucky, + correspondence with General Cox, App. Army; + in West Virginia + +Guyandotte, West Virginia, + taken by 2nd Kentucky; + occupied. + +Habeas Corpus, writ of, + used to release minors enlisting without parents' consent; + U. S. officers directed not to recognize, unless issued by U. S. +Courts. + +Hagood, Johnson, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Ft. Anderson, N. C; + routed at Town Creek by General Cox, losing two cannon and 400 +prisoners; + repulsed at Kinston. + +Halleck, Henry W., + commands Western Department; + authorizes Pope to send for General Cox's Kanawha Division; + commits defence of Washington to McClellan; + sacrifices Pope; + owed his appointment as commander in chief largely to Pope; + expected to take command in the field; + but does not, and remains bureau officer until close of war; + responsible in part for McClellan's slow pursuit of Lee in +Maryland; + sends McClellan peremptory orders to advance after Antietam; + persistently favors regular army officers over volunteers; + directs Burnside to advance into E. Tennessee; + correspondence with Burnside shows forgetfulness and lack of +appreciation; + inconsistency between official and private letters to Rosecrans; + fails to understand distances and difficulties of transportation +in E. Tennessee; + indecision of character; + wrong interpretation of Burnside's reports and action; + thinks personal presence of Grant with Army of Potomac +indispensable; + criticises Meade; + friendly relations with Sherman; + correspondence with; + on enormous waste of cavalry horses; + tells Sherman he is accused of hostility to the blacks; + assigned to command Department of Virginia; + orders Meade to pay no attention to Sherman's truce; + forfeits Sherman's life-long friendship by his orders and +dispatches after Sherman-Johnston convention; + goes to Pacific coast at close of war and dies soon after; + disclaims personal hostility to Sherman; + explanation of his attitude; + notes complete submission to U. S. authority at Richmond. + +Hamilton, Schuyler, + appointed major general United States Volunteers; + resigns. + +Hammond, John W., + lieutenant colonel 65th Indiana at battle of Nashville. + +Hampton, Wade, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at the Monocacy; + at South Mountain; + appointed lieutenant general to outrank Wheeler; + opposed to Vance's peace negotiations; + retires from Raleigh; + arranges for interview bet. Johnston and Sherman; + refuses to be included in Johnston's capitulation. + +Hancock, Winfield S., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam; + sent from 6th Corps to command Richardson's division 2nd Corps; + classmate of McClellan. + +Hanson, Chas. S., lieutenant colonel 20th Kentucky, + captured at Lebanon, Kentucky + +Hardee, Wm. J., + lieutenant general Confederate States Army; + succeeds Bragg in temporary command Army of Georgia; + declines permanent command; + quoted by Davis; + sent to reinforce Polk; + forces increased; + at Dallas; + at battle of Atlanta; + controversy with Hood; + at Jonesboro; + impeaches Hood's statement of his losses; + transferred to Savannah; + evacuates Charleston; + rumored junction with Bragg; + fails to reach Wilmington; + forces of; + low estimate contradicted by official reports; + reports to Bragg at Goldsborough; + at Averasborough; + commands army in absence of Johnston; + arranges details of capitulation with Schofield; + reputation and character of; + end of war only a question of time after first year; + humorous report of General Cox's treatment of old woman asking for +provisions; + reported Salkehatchie swamps impassable when Sherman was marching +through them at rate of 13 miles a day; + determines to go abroad for a time. + +Hardie, Jas. A., + colonel United States Volunteers and inspector general + +Harker, Chas. G., commanding brig, in Newton's division 4th army +corps, + at Rocky Face; + relieves Hanson's brigade at Resaca; + wounded at Resaca. + +Harland, Edw., colonel 8th Conn., + at South Mountain; + at Antietam; + commanding brigade in Palmer's division at Kinston. + +Harper's Ferry, + attacked by Jackson; + and taken; + A. P. Hill left in charge of. + +Harrison, Benj., colonel 70th Indiana, + detailed to stump State of Indiana in 1864. + +Hartranft, John F., colonel 51st Pennsylvania, + at Antietam; + in E. Tennessee; + repulses McLaws at Campbell's Station + +Hartsuff, Geo. L., + captain and assistant adjutant-general on Rosecrans' staff; + appointed brigadier general, wounded at Antietam and appointed +major general; + assigned to command 23d army corps; + sent to arrange plans with Rosecrans for simultaneous advance; + commands District of Kentucky; + directed to capture Morgan raiders; + disabled by old wounds; + attends to office business at Knoxville; + decides to retire; + inspector general on Schofield's staff, in charge of paroling +Johnston's army; + telegraphs "Johnston's army dissolving and raising the devil". + +Harvie, Edwin J., + inspector general on General Johnston's staff. + +Hascall, Milo S., + commands District of Indiana; + removed on Governor Morton's application; + commands 3rd division 23d army corps; + in E. Tennessee; + transferred to 2nd division same; + near New Hope Church; + distinguished services throughout campaign, never recognized; + not favored by Governor Morton; + at Kolb's farm; + moves to Cox's position south of Olley's Creek; + at Decatur, Georgia; + resigns on account of Governor Morton's hostility and Hovey's +promotion over him. + +Hatch, John P., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + calls for three cheers from Pope's army on learning that McClellan +was in command again; + Pope's dissatisfaction with; + takes position on Cox's left in defences of Washington. + +Haupt, Herman, colonel and military superintendent of railways, + at Alexandria, Virginia, + +Hawley, Jos. R., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commands coast District of North Carolina + +Hayes, Rutherford B., lieutenant colonel 23d Ohio, + Judge Adv. at trial of Gibbs; + at Princeton, West Virginia; + criticised by General Reno; + charge of pillaging brought out in Presidential campaign; + wounded at South Mountain; + letter in regard to discipline of Kanawaha Division + +Hazen, Wm. B., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Chattanooga; + ordered in arrest by Sheridan at Dandridge; + good qualities and faults of; + released on mediation of General Cox. + +Heintzelman, Samuel P., major general United States Volunteers, + temporarily commanding Franklin's corps. + +Henderson, Thos. J., colonel 112th Ill., commanding brig, in Cox's +division 23d army corps, + absence on account of illness; + brevet brigadier general; + in advance up right bank Cape Fear River + +Heth, Henry, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + in West Virginia; + at Pearisburg; + at narrows of New River; + French's; + defeated by Crook at Lewisburg, West Virginia + +Hill, Ambrose P., major general Confederate States Army, + at Bull Run bridge; + at Harper's Ferry; + at Antietam. + +Hill, Benj. H., + goes to Richmond to ask that Johnston be reinforced; + correspondence with Seddon; + visits Union army to obtain body of son and confer with Sherman. + +Hill, Chas. W., brigadier general Ohio Valley Infantry, + in West Virginia + +Hill, Daniel H., major general Confederate States Army, + left to guard Richmond; + rearguard in Maryland; + at South Mountain; + at Antietam; + commanding at Augusta, Georgia, ordered to join Johnston in North +Carolina; + reports to Bragg at Kinston; + captures many prisoners from Upham's brigade; + attack on hastily intrenched line repulsed; + forces of, at Kinston. + +Hines, Jonathan D., major 12th Ohio, + in charge of scouts in W, Virginia; + on reconnoitring expeditions; + in charge of sentinels in rear on retreat from Big Sewell Mountain + +Hines, Thos. H., + captain cavalry in Morgan's raid. + +Hitchcock, Ethan A., major general United States Volunteers, + chairman committee to revise Articles of War, and army +regulations. + +Hitchcock, Henry, major and assistant adjutant-general on General +Sherman's staff, + carries "Memorandum" between Sherman and Johnston to Washington; + brings back disapproval--and Grant. + +Hobson, Edw. H., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + in Morgan raid. + +Hoffman, Wm., + colonel and comm's'y of prisoners at Washington. + +Hofmann, J. Wm., lieutenant colonel 56th Pennsylvania, + succeeds to command of brigade, at Antietam. + +Hoke, Robt. F., major general Confederate States Army, + at Federal Point, North Carolina; + retreats when General Cox threatens Wilmington; + opposes advance of General Cox at Kinston; + routs Upham's brigade of new troops; + repulsed by Carter; + repulsed again with heavy loss; + offer to exchange prisoners declined. + +Holden, Wm. W., leader of Union element in North Carolina, + joins Graham's peace delegation, + mentioned. + +Holmes, Wm. W., major, surgeon 12th Ohio, + brigadier surgeon on General Cox's staff; + dies of consumption. + +Holmes Co., Ohio, + armed resistance to draft. + +Hood, John B., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain; + at Antietam; + mentioned; + rosy picture of condition of Johnston's army; + corps increased; + at Resaca; + at New Hope Church; + repulses Hooker's assault; + attacks advanced brigades of Hooker's and Schofield's corps at +Kolb's farm; + succeeds Johnston, and assumes aggressive; + criticism of Johnston; + involved in disputes with Hardee and Cheatham as well as Johnston; + reputation for accuracy and candor damaged; + appointment gives satisfaction to Union army; + unsuccessful attacks on Union forces at Peachtree Creek; + Atlanta; + Ezra Church; + at Jonesboro; + evacuates Atlanta; + reports refusal of his army to attack intrenched positions; + forces of, Aug. 1st; + Sept. 20th; + absurd minimizing of his losses in battle; + depression in his army; + changes his subordinate officers; + plans to renew struggle; + recrosses Chattahoochee; + fails to injure Sherman's communications; + futile October campaign; + plans for invasion of Tennessee; + repulsed at Decatur, Alabama; + delays crossing the Tennessee River; + ordered by Beauregard to resume offensive at once; + adopts tactics of skirmishing advance while looking for ways to +turn Schofield's position; + terrible repulse at Franklin, where described; + takes position at Nashville; + at battle of Nashville; + escapes owing to cold rainstorms and impassable roads; + severe losses at Franklin, Nashville, and on retreat; + forces of Jan. 20, 1864; + part of his army present at battle of Kinston, North Carolina; + constitutes bulk of those who capitulated with Johnston. + +Hooker, Jos., major general United States Volunteers, + assigned to command Porter's corps; + afterwards, McDowell's; + in pursuit of Lee; + at South Mountain; + Burnside's stinging reply to untrue report of, note; + ordered to extreme right at Antietam; + his march; + at battle of Antietam; + wounded and retires; + sent with two corps to reinforce Rosecrans at Chattanooga; + at Tunnel Hill; + assault on Rocky Face, fails; + at Snake Creek Gap; + at Resaca; + ordered to cross Oostanaula at Newtown; + instead, takes route assigned to Schofield and delays latter; + does same at crossing of Etowah; + assaults confederate lines at New Hope Church repulsed; + movements near; + repulses attack by Hood's corps at Kolb's farm; + reports whole of Johnston's army in his immediate front; + reinforced; + at Peachtree Creek; + offended at Howard's promotion to command Army of Tennessee; + unacceptable to Halleck, retires from active service. + +Hopkins, Henry H., + notorious secessionist in Kanawha valley; + controversy with General Cox over escaped slave. + +Hosea, Lewis M., + captain on General Wilson's staff, adventurous ride through +Georgia and + back to carry dispatches to Sherman. + +Hovey, Alvin P., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Dalton; + at Rocky Face; + handling of division not satisfactory to Schofield; + who asks his removal; + Sherman declines to remove; + at Snake Creek Gap; + at Resaca; + hindered by Hooker on march to Cassville; + movements near New Hope Church; + tenders resignation as division commander; + its acceptance recommended by Sherman; + promoted to be major general by brevet, on political grounds; + Sherman's indignation; + honored above other brigadiers in same corps who outranked him and + were rendering distinguished service. + +Howard, Oliver O., major general United States Volunteers, + commands 4th army corps; + at Tunnel Hill; + at Rocky Face; + at Dalton; + at Resaca; + comes to support of Cox; + holds position captured by Cox; + crosses at Resaca; + turns confederate right at Pickett's Mill; + at Olley's Creek; + at Peachtree Creek; + commands Army of the Tennessee; + at battle of Ezra Church; + at Jonesboro; + accompanies Sherman's march to the sea; + turns Johnston's left at Bentonville; + on march to Raleigh. + +Howe, Albion P., captain 4th U. S. artillery, + in West Virginia + +Humes, Rev. Thos. W., S. T. D., + loyalty and learning; + President of E. Tennessee University; + author of "The Loyal Mountaineers of Tennessee". + +Humphreys, Benj. G., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + assaults Ft. Sanders. + +Hunter, David, major general United States Volunteers, + sent to inspect army at Chattanooga; + report concerning Grant. + +Hurlbut, Stephen A., + appointed major general + +Illinois Troops, + 19th Infantry; + 65th Infantry; + 112th Infantry; + 5th Cavalry; + Barker's Cavalry; + Schambeck's Indiana Cavalry + +Inactivity in field, evil results of. + +Indiana Troops, + 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, and 15th Infantry; + 33rd Infantry; + 51st Infantry; + 63rd Infantry; + 65th Infantry; + 70th Infantry; + 23d Cavalry + +Information of enemy's strength, how gained. + +Inspector General, important duties of. + +Intemperance in army officers, evils of. + +Interference with lines of march of other columns condemned; + illustrations. + +Irvine, James, colonel 16th Ohio, + fails to intercept remnant of Garnett's force. + +Irwin, Wm. H., colonel 49th Pennsylvania, + commanding brigade at Antietam. + +Jackson, Thos. J. ("Stonewall"), + defeated at Kernstown; + defeats Milroy at McDowell; + Banks in Shenandoah valley; + captures Manassas Junction, burns Bull Run bridge; + at Antietam. + +Jackson, Wm. H., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + commanding division in Forrest's cavalry + +Jenifer, W. H., + colonel at Princeton, West Virginia + +Jenkins, A. G., + colonel of cavalry under Floyd; + trapped by Frizell at Hawk's Nest; + cavalry raid in West Virginia; + opposed by Cranor; + covers Loring's retreat; + and Echols'; + abandons Tyler Mountain; + forces of. + +Jenkins, Micah, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Wauhatchie; + in E. Tennessee + +Johnson, Andrew, Mil. Governor of Tennessee, + asks to have E. Tennessee troops returned to their homes; + Governor of Tennessee + +Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, + military prison; + plot to release confederate prisoners at, defeated; + description of, and surroundings; + treatment of prisoners. + +Johnson, Richard W., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + in Tennessee; + at Battle of Nashville. + +Johnston, Jos. E., lieutenant general Confederate States Army, + resigns commission in U. S. army; + McClellan's principal opponent; + urged by Longstreet to unite with him near Knoxville; + ordered to assist Polk near Meridian; + prevented from doing either by demonstration of Thomas; + appointed as successor to Bragg; + expected to assume aggressive; + objects; + prolonged discussion; + lack of enterprise; + bent on defensive campaign; + demands reinforcements; + unsatisfactory relations with Davis; + forces opposed to Sherman; + skilful avoidance of battle in the open; + fails to anticipate McPherson's move; + fortifies Resaca, abandons Dalton; + evacuates Resaca; + careful defensive; + decides to give battle near Adairsville; + concludes not to; + retreats to Kingston and Cassville; + issues orders to join battle at Cassville; + revokes them on statements of Hood and Polk that Union left +(General Cox) enfiladed their position; + retreats across the Etowah; + abandons New Hope lines; + lets go Pine Mountain; + withdraws left flank behind Mud Creek; + abandons lines about Marietta; + retires behind Chattahoochee; + relations with confederate administration reach a crisis; + gives Davis no encouragement that he will hold Atlanta or attack +enemy; + had he revealed his plans would have been retained; + demands that Hood be courtmartialed; + removal equivalent to a Union victory; + attacks at Peachtree Creek and Atlanta made in accordance with his +plans; + underestimate of his forces; + assumes command in the Carolinas; + forces at his disposal; + foresees importance of checking Schofield's advance; + orders Bragg to strike at General Cox; + attacks Slocum at Bentonville; + repulsed; + losses at Averasborough and Bentonville; + at Raleigh; + requests armistice; + confers with Davis; + declares further prosecution of war hopeless; + sends dispatch to Sherman requesting conference; + distress when advised of Lincoln's assassination; + admits slavery is dead; + will surrender all armies east of Mississippi; + notified of termination of truce; + signs capitulation on terms granted to Lee; + form of parole; + asks for loan of confederate animals and enough arms to enforce +discipline; + capitulation includes all east of Chattahoochee River; + reply to Sherman's farewell letter; + orders to Hampton; + sends Hardee to confer with Schofield about details; + meets Schofield and Cox; + unable to approximate number of troops to be paroled; + praises Sherman and his army; + "no such army since days of Julius Cassar"; + gives up struggle without bitterness; + denounces assassination of Lincoln; + scrupulous integrity illustrated; + moves southward with his troops. + +Jomini, + importance of his books to theoretical training of an officer. + +Jones, David R., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Jones, John R., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Antietam. + +Jones, Samuel, major general Confederate States Army, + commanding in E. Tennessee; + forces of; + retreats and burns bridges; + resumes the aggressive; + driven out of E. Tennessee + +Judah, Henry M., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding division in 23d army corps; + on Morgan raid; + at Dalton; + at Rocky Face; + near Resaca; + on march to Cassville; + hindered by Hooker; + relieved. + +Kanawha Division, + training of; + marching powers; + hardiness and self-reliance; + composition of; + marches 90 miles over rough mountain roads in 3-1/2 days; + transferred to Washington; + train of, supplies 9th army corps with rations; + two regiments report to Pope at Warrenton; + two resist Jackson at Bull Run bridge; + rest occupy defences about Washington; + united again; + temporarily attached to 9th Corps; + takes advance from Washington to South Mountain; + reviewed and praised by General Reno; + wrongly accused of straggling and pillaging; + at the Monocacy; + captures Fox's Gap and turns confederate position at South +Mountain; + opposed to more than double its number; + fine conduct of; + losses at South Mountain; + captures 600 prisoners; + on march to Antietam; + divided just before battle of Antietam; + at Antietam; + ordered to Clarksburg, West Virginia; + leaves Army of the Potomac. + +Kanawha River, + course and character of; + advance of General Cox up; + impracticability of invading E. Virginia by this line; + unpublished letters and dispatches relating to campaign in; + abandoned by Lightburn; + annexed to Department of the Ohio; + recovered and occupied by General Cox. + +Kautz, August V., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + pursues Morgan raiders. + +Kearney, Philip, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + killed at Chantilly. + +Keith, F. M., major 117th Ohio, + defends Hamilton, Ohio, against Morgan raiders. + +Kelley, B. F., + colonel 1st West Virginia; + takes Philippi, West Virginia; + character and services of; + under McClellan; + commands upper Potomac; + guards B. & Official Records R. + +Kelley, Wm., jailer at Charleston, West Virginia, + denounced. + +Kennedy, Robt. P., + lieutenant and assistant adjutant-general on Scammon's staff. + +Kentucky Troops, + 1st Infantry; + 2nd Infantry; + threatened mutiny; + mentioned; + 14th Infantry; + 16th Infantry; + 20th Infantry; + 24th Infantry; + 5th Cavalry; + 9th Cavalry; + 11th Cavalry; + Simmonds' battery in West Virginia; + attached to Kanawha division; + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Ketchum, Edgar, lieutenant signal corps U. S. A., + at Cape Fear River + +Key, Thos. M., + Democratic leader in Ohio Senate; + thought people gone stark mad; + supports war measures; + aide-de-camp on McClellan's staff; + satisfied slavery ought to be abolished; + influence over McClellan. + +Kilpatrick, Judson, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding cavalry at Resaca; + covers Union left at Bentonville; + on march to Raleigh; + clatters through Raleigh; + thinks Johnston not to be trusted; + furnishes escort for Sherman on way to meet Johnston; + attached to Schofield's command. + +Kimball, Nathan, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding division in 4th army corps; + displaced by assignment of Couch to the corps. + +Kinglake's Crimean War, + published in 1863; + read with interest by General Cox; + inspires him with hope and confidence in Union army. + +Kingsbury, Henry W., colonel 11th Conn., + at Antietam; + killed at Burnside bridge. + +Kinston, North Carolina, + situation of; + field works before; + battles of; + confederate ironclad in Neuse River destroyed; + map of vicinity; + occupied by Union forces; + base of supplies. + +Knights of the Golden Circle. + +Knoxville, E. Tennessee, + situation and fortifications; + invested by Longstreet. + +Kolb's (Culp's) Farm, + battle of. + +Kountz, W. J., + captain in charge of water transportation on Kanawha. + +La Grange, Oscar H., colonel 1st Wisc. Cavalry, + at Sevierville, E. Tennessee; + captured by Wheeler at Dalton. + +Lane, P. P., captain in 11th Ohio, + bridges Elk River at Charleston, West Virginia; + manages ferries across Kanawha, improvises ferryboats, etc.; + later colonel of regiment. + +Laurel Mountain, + fortified and held by Garnett. + +Lawton, Alex. R., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Antietam; + wounded. + +Leavitt, Humphrey H., Judge U. S. District Court. Cincinnati, + hears Vallandigham _habeas corpus_ case and refuses writ; + good effects of his decision; + issues writs of _habeas corpus_ for release of minors enlisting +without parents' consent. + +Lee, FitzHugh, brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain + +Lee, Robt. E., + resigns commission in U. S. Army; + appointed major general and commander in chief of Virginia forces; + plans invasion of West Virginia; + arrives at Lewisburg, West Virginia, and takes command of army; + at Big Sewell Mountain; + retires to Meadow Bluff; + admits quieting effect of Cox's administration in Kanawha valley; + moves into Maryland; + accurate information as to Cox's transfer to Washington; + unites with Jackson; + concentrates near Frederick, Maryland; + copy of orders for Maryland campaign falls into McClellan's hands; + escapes disaster by McClellan's slowness; + withdraws to Sharpsburg; + plans with reference to McClellan's lack of aggressiveness; + force greatly inferior to McClellan's for two days before battle; + enabled to concentrate whole army except one division; + left wing almost destroyed at Antietam; + had no better success than western generals when opposed to Grant; + orders Loring to clear Kanawha valley; + learned that General Cox was ordered to return to Kanawha valley +within three days after order was issued; + defeated at Gettysburg; + suggests Beauregard as successor to Bragg; + declines to assume command of Bragg's army; + deference and cordiality in dealings with confederate +administration; + urges union of Johnston and Longstreet and aggressive campaign; + becomes as cautiously defensive as Johnston; + general in chief of Confederate States Army; + sees net closing around him; + too weak to extend lines at Petersburg; + unable to unite with Johnston; + surrender reported to Davis and Johnston. + +Lee, S. D., lieutenant general Confederate States Army, + in Department of the Mississippi; + at Jonesboro; + ordered to Atlanta; + commands Hood's old corps; + at Flint River; + at Columbia; + wounded at Nashville, turns command over to D. H. Hill. + +Lee, Samuel P., rear admiral U. S. N., + in command of river fleets co-operating with Thomas; + transports A. J. Smith's corps to Eastport. + +Letcher, John, Governor of Virginia, + proclaims secession of State, transfers Virginia troops to +Confederate States Army. + +Liberty of speech, + abused by Vallandigham and followers. + +Lightburn, Jos. A. J., colonel 4th West Virginia; + character of; + protects line of supplies, Kanawha division; + suppresses guerillas; + left in command of Kanawha district, when General Cox was +transferred to Washington; + Lee learns forces of; + destroys stores and bridges, and retreats down valley; + retreat panicky and unnecessary; +advances up valley under General Cox; +relieved of command of division. + +Lincoln, Abraham, President of U. S., + restores McClellan to command; + embarrassed by dissensions of officers; + grants all of McClellan's requests; + distrusted by his party; + Emancipation Proclamation; + visits battlefield of Antietam; + urges McClellan to follow up his success; + military sagacity; + exceeds authority in appointing major and brig, generals; + proclamation against treasonable practices; + commutes Vallandigham's sentence; + practically revokes his own proclamation and Burnside's order No. +38; + ardent wish to relieve loyal E. Tenneseeans; + quaint description of Grant; + congratulates Burnside; + authorizes him to hold E. Tennessee; + anxious about B.'s safety; + approves B.'s conduct in E. Tennessee; + makes promotions on political grounds; + congratulates Sherman; + popular estimate of, better than politicians'; + policy as to confederate States on submission announced to and +followed by Sherman; +authorizes Virginia legislature to assemble; + recalls permission; + policy opposed and criticised by Stanton; + funeral cortége photographed, in New York City Hall; + in Richmond, when Stanton orders prayers for the President of the +U. S. to be read in churches. + +Logan, John A., major general United States Volunteers, + at Huntsville, Alabama; + commands 15th army corps; + sent to Illinois to stump State; + why not promoted to command Army of the Tennessee; + praised by Sherman for his handling of that army at battle of +Atlanta. + +Long, Eli, colonel 4th Ohio Cavalry, + on relief expedition to Knoxville, + +Longstreet, James, major general Confederate States Army, + unites with Jackson against Pope; + at Boonsboro, Maryland; + at South Mountain; + withdraws to Sharpsburg; + at Antietam; + no more successful than western generals when transferred to the +West; + sent to reinforce Bragg; + at Chickamauga; + moves on Knoxville; + invests city; + assaults Ft. Sanders; + repulsed; + raises siege and retires toward Virginia; + at Rutledge, E. Tennessee; + at Morristown; + lack of clothing and supplies; + attacks Union forces at Dandridge; + admits defeat at Sevierville; + plans of campaign; + forces, opposed to Schofield; + ordered to rejoin Lee's army; + later to join Johnston; + again to report to Lee. + +Loomis, Cyrus O., colonel 1st Mich, Artillery in West Virginia + +Loring, Wm. W., + brigadier general Confederate States Army, in West Virginia; + reinforces Lee; + sent to Stanton; + commanding all West Virginia forces; + ordered to push things in West Virginia; + attacks Siber, and is repulsed; + drives Lightburn out of Kanawha valley; + retreats on arrival of General Cox; + relieved from command; + forces of. + +Love, John, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + defends Vernon, Indiana, against Morgan raiders. + +Lowe, John W., colonel 12th Ohio, + at Scary Creek, West Virginia; + killed at Carnifex Ferry. + +Lowe, Wm. W., colonel 5th Indiana commanding 3rd Cavalry Division, + protects railway in rear of Sherman's advance. + +Lyons, Lord, British Ambassador, + reports plot to release confederate prisoners; + +Lytle, Wm. H., colonel 10th Ohio; + wounded at Carnifex Ferry. + + +McArthur, John, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at battle of Nashville. + +McCallum, Dan'l C., superintendent of transportation, + inspects Nashville and Chattanooga railroad; + suggests needed improvements. + +McClellan, Geo. B., + consulted by Governor Dennison; + personal appearance; + appointed major general Ohio Valley Infantry; + inspects Ohio State arsenal; + selects site for Camp Dennison; + takes General Cox's regiments to West Virginia; + appointed major general in regular army; + victory at Philippi credited to; + moves against Garnett; + Pegram surrenders to; + appointed commander Army of the Potomac; + rhetorical dispatches contrasted with personal demeanor; + characteristic faults shown in first campaign; + relieved from command of all other forces except Army of Potomac; + at Alexandria, Virginia; + greets General Cox cordially, explains importance of his duties; + discusses Peninsular campaign; + dress and popular bearing; + in command again; + cheered by Pope's army; + habitual overestimate of Lee's army; + victim or accomplice of secret service; + false estimates fatal to success; + predicted Pope's defeat; + responsible for delay in Franklin's movement; + Porter and Franklin reassigned to their commands and McDowell + relieved at his request; + plenary powers; + slow advance in pursuit of Lee; + secures copy of Lee's orders; + loses his advantage by delay; + at South Mountain; + breaks up organization of his army on eve of battle; + examines battlefield under fire; + does not appreciate importance of time; + personally selects positions for different divisions; + plan of battle at Antietam; + dilatory habits and orders responsible for failure to crush Lee; + no co-ordination of corps movements; + orders Burnside to attack; + unjust criticism of 9th Corps advance; + fails to support 9th Corps when attacked by fresh troops from + Harper's Ferry; + talks with General Cox; + politics; + consults his officers about emancipation proclamation; + issues General Order No. 163; + tempted to assume dictatorship; + chafes at Lincoln's suggestion to follow up victory; + defeats Lincoln's plans without openly antagonizing; + compared to Marshal Daun; + weakened morale of army; + removed from command; + "Own Story" exposes his weakness; + confidential relations with Burnside; + favoritism toward Porter; + jealous of Burnside; + unjust reprimand of B. in unsigned dispatch; + effect of reprimand on their relations; + not assigned to duty again; + superior to any other commander of Army of Potomac until Grant +came. + +McCook, Alex. McD., + inspector and mustering officer at Camp Jackson; + colonel 1st Ohio Inf; + opinion on expediency of Rosecrans' advance. + +McCook, Daniel, major and paymaster U. S. A., + mortally wounded in fight with Morgan raiders. + +McCook, Edw. M., brigadier general U. S. Cavalry, + at Sevierville, E. Tennessee; + rejoins Thomas; + covers left flank at Varnell's; + defeated by Wheeler; + useful scouting in Atlanta campaign. + +McCook, Robt., colonel 9th Ohio; + at Carnifex Ferry; + Cross Lanes; + character of; + brigade attached to Cox's command; + "Battle of Bonticou"; + at Gauley Bridge; + advance on Fayette courthouse + +McCoy, James C., major and aide-de-camp on Sherman's staff, + opens communication with Johnston. + +McDowell, Irvin, major general United States Volunteers, + maps country about Washington; + disliked by McClellan; + under McC.'s orders at Washington; + absence from his command before second battle of Bull Run, + disarranges Pope's plans; + relieved at McClellan's request; + requests Court of Inquiry; + unscrupulously maligned; + ordered before a courtmartial. + +McElroy, Jas. N., + captain and assistant adjutant-general on General Cox's staff; + appointed major 20th Ohio; + lieutenant colonel, returns to duty on General Cox's staff as +inspector general. + +McLaws, Lafayette, + major general Confederate States Army; + at Antietam; + in E. Tennessee; + commands troops on evacuation of Charleston. + +McLean, N. H., + major and assistant adjutant-general at Cincinnati; + accused of disloyalty and sent to Pacific coast; + Burnside's protest. + +McMullin, Jas. R., captain 1st Ohio Battalion; + attached to Kanawha division; + at South Mountain + +McPherson, Jas. B., + appointed major general United States Volunteers; + assigned to command Army of the Tennessee; + Sherman's right before Dalton; + goes through Snake Creek Gap, without opposition; + fails to take Resaca, or break railroad; + captures position commanding railroad bridge at Resaca, and +compels its evacuation; + march to Kingston; + crosses the Etowah; + moves on Dallas; + repels fierce assault; + swings over to Ackworth; + seeks to interpose between Marietta and the Chattahoochee; + moves to Roswell and crosses Chattahoochee; + attacked on front and left flank at Atlanta; + death of, a great loss to army and personal loss to Sherman; + affability and high character. + +McQuiston, John C., colonel 50th Ohio, + commanding brig, in Ruger's div, 23d army corps at Kinston; + captures 300 prisoners. + +McRae, D. K., colonel 5th North Carolina, + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Mackall, W. W., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + chief of staff to Bragg and Johnston; + removed from that position by Hood. + +Magilton, Albert L., colonel 4th Pennsylvania res. + commanding brigade at Antietam. + +Magrath, A. G., Governor of South Carolina, + says fate of confederate involved in Sherman's march from +Savannah; + mentioned. + +Mahone, Wm., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain + +Mallory, S. R., Secretary of Navy in Davis' cabinet, + writes letter sent by Johnston to Sherman inviting conference; + at last cabinet meeting; + reaches his home after capitulation. + +Malloy, A. G., colonel 17th Wisc, + commanding brigade in Carter's division at Kinston. + +Mansfield, Jos. K. F., major general United States Volunteers, + assigned to command Banks' (12th) corps; + at Antietam; + mortally wounded; + movements and losses of his corps. + +Manson, Mahlon D., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + pursues Morgan raiders; + commands 2nd division 23d army corps; + relieved by White; + in temporary command of corps; + turns command over to General Cox; + at Resaca; + severely injured. + +Marcy, Randolph B., + father-in-law of General McClellan and chief of staff; + responsibility for Burnside's reprimand. + +Marietta, Georgia, + military operations near; + map of vicinity. + +Marshall, Humphrey, + brigadier general Confederate States Army + +Martial Law, + when proper, outside field of military operations; + declared in S. Ohio counties during Morgan raid. + +Martin, Wm. T., major general Confederate States Army, + in E. Tennessee; + defeated at Sevierville; + ordered to join Johnston with cavalry; + at Calhoun and Resaca. + +Mason, John S., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding camps at Columbus; + ordered to suppress draft riots; + precautions against plots to release confederate prisoners. + +Massachusetts Troops, + 21st; + 27th; + 8th Artillery, + +Matthews, Stanley, + lieutenant colonel 23d Ohio, + +Maury, Dabney H., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + in E. Tennessee; + at Mobile. + +Maynard, Horace, + M. C. from E. Tennessee; + asks to have E. Tennessee regiments returned to their homes; + influential representative, + +Meade, George G., brigadier general, + at Antietam; + succeeds to command of 1st Corps; + appointed major general; + inactivity after Gettysburg and consequences; + excessive caution. + +Meagher, Thos. F., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding provisional division of Sherman's convalescents and new +recruits; + leaves his command without authority; + relieved; + spicy correspondence concerning; + command turned over to General Carter. + +Measles, + a dangerous camp disease, + +Meigs, Montgomery C., quartermaster general, + nearly correct estimate of Lee's forces; + at Chattanooga; + never saw such roads; + reports strength of position and confidence of army; + approves seizure of railroads by Sherman. + +Merrill, W. E., + colonel and eng., in charge of railroad defences; + on construction and use of blockhouses. + +Michigan Troops, + 18th; + 25th; + 1st Artillery + +Military Executions, + +Militia, + contained more well-drilled regiments than regular army at +outbreak of war. + +Militia, Ohio, + lack of uniforms and equipment; + elect their own officers; + should have been officered by young regular army officers; + re-enlistment of; + high character of; + called out during Morgan raid; + and to resist attempt to release confederate prisoners. + +Miller, D. R., + house and barn at Antietam, + +Milligan, Lambdin P., + condemned to death for treasonable practices by military +commission; + discharged by U. S. Supreme Court. + +Milroy, Robt. H., + brigadier general in West Virginia; + defeated by Stonewall Jackson; + ordered to Kanawha valley; + character of; + promotion urged by Governor Morton; + lack of transportation; + at Beverly; + controversy with Col. Cluseret; + lacked judgment. + +Minors, + enlisting without parents' consent, how released, + +Missionary Ridge, + depressing effect of loss on confederacy; + natural strength of; + no commander would have ordered front attack. + +Monocacy River, + skirmish at. + +"Montauk," monitor, + excellent practice in bombardment of Ft. Anderson, North Carolina, + +Moor, August, colonel 28th Ohio, + in West Virginia; + at Raleigh courthouse; + at Princeton; + at Wolf Creek; + French's; + commanding 2nd brigade Kanawha division; + at the Monocacy, captured; + paroled; + valuable hint. + +Moore, Orlando H., colonel 25th Michigan, + repulses Morgan's attack on Green River bridge; + commanding brigade in 23d army corps; + at Columbia; + in movement up right bank, Cape Fear River + +Morehead, John M., ex-Governor of North Carolina, + entertains Schofield and Cox at Greensborough; + war experiences of family. + +Morell, Geo. W., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam, + +Morgan, Edwin D., major general United States Volunteers, + resigns. + +Morgan, Geo. W., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + Cumberland Gap expedition; + bad condition of command; + E. Tennessee and Kentucky troops discontented; + in Kanawha valley; + ordered to Cincinnati. + +Morgan, John H., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + raid into Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio; + captured and imprisoned in Ohio penitentiary; + escapes; + futility of raid from military standpoint; + wholly unauthorized. + +Morris, Thos. A., + brigadier general commanding Indiana brigade; + takes Philippi, West Virginia; + pursues Garnett; + captures cannon and wagons. + +Morton, Oliver P., war Governor of Indiana, + favors Milroy's promotion; + urges appointment of Rosecrans to succeed Buell; + dominant influence in Indiana appointments and promotions; + asks for detail of army officers to stump State. + +Mott, Samuel R., colonel 118th Ohio, + in E. Tennessee; + at Mossy Creek + +Mountain Department, + constituted, and Frémont placed in command; + abolished when Frémont relieved. + +Mountain Howitzers, + use of. + +Mower, Jos. A., brigadier general U. S. A., + recommended by Sherman to succeed Sooy Smith in cavalry command; + promoted major general on mistaken report that he had defeated and +killed Forrest. + +Mumma House, + at Antietam. + +Myers, Jas. H., captain 23d Indiana Bat., + at Cheney's. + +Nagle, James, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Nashville, + situation and lines of communication; + fortified and garrisoned; + conditions before battle of; + map of part of battlefield; + Schofield and Wilson's attack at. + +Neff, Geo. W., lieutenant colonel 2nd Kentucky, + captures Guyandotte, West Virginia; + taken prisoner at Scary Creek; + defends Camp Dennison against Morgan raiders. + +New Berne, North Carolina, + base of supply for Sherman's army. + +New Hope Church, + fighting at; + formidable character of works. +New Jersey, + Taylor's brigade, disorderly retreat from Bull Run bridge; + honorable exceptions; + 13th Infantry at Antietam. + +Newspaper Correspondents, + difficulties of officers in field with; + "write down" some; + and make fictitious reputations for others. + +Newton, John, major general United States Volunteers, + assigned to command Sheridan's division, 4th army corps; + at Rocky Face, Georgia + +New York Seventh Regiment, + equal in drill to West Point cadets; + furnished 300 officers for other volunteer regiments. + +New York Troops, + 51st; + 6th Cavalry, attached to Kanawha division temporarily; + 12th Cavalry, at Kinston; + 4th Heavy Artillery, reports to General Cox. + +Night retreats, + not to be commended, panicky conditions. + +Noble County, Ohio, + resists the draft. + +Non-Combatants, + usual treatment of; + losses and perils of, in field of operations; + straits of. + +Officers, + qualifications of good; + business training helpful to; + Union, usually serving in grades above their rank; + unfit, retained upon roster, deprived capable, of their just +reward; + best qualities not learned at school; + good subordinates not always fit for high command. + +Official Returns, + preferable to general estimates of commanding generals; + of confederate forces in North Carolina confessedly defective. + +Ohio Democrats, + at first opposed to putting down secession; + revulsion of feeling after bombardment of Sumter; + nominate Vallandigham for Governor. + +Ohio Senate, + when bombardment of Sumter announced; + members drill on State House terrace. + +Ohio State Election, fall of '63, + excitement attending; + soldiers vote in; + overwhelming defeat of Vallandigham; + good effect of, felt throughout North. + +Ohio Troops, + in general; + 1st; + 3rd; + 4th; + 5th; + 7th; + 8th; + 9th; + 10th; + 11th; + 12th; + 13th; + 14th and 15th; + 16th; + 17th; + 18th; + 19th; + 20th; + 21st; + 22nd; + 23d; + 26th; + 28th; + 30th; + 34th; + 37th; + 40th; + 42nd; + 44th and 47th; + 50th; + 52nd; + 61st; + 89th, 91st, and 92nd; + 93rd; + 100th; + 103rd; + 104th; + 115th; + 118th; + 125th; + Cavalry, see BURDSALL, LONG, and PFAU; + Artillery, see BARNETT, COCKERILL, and McMULLIN. + +Osterhaus, Peter J., brig, general, + promoted major general on political grounds; + returns to 15th army corps, and serves throughout war. + +Paine, Chas. J., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding div of colored troops at Federal Ft., N C.. + +Palmer, Innes N., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Beaufort, North Carolina; + Batchelder's Creek; + Gum Swamp; + in front of British Road; + ordered to support Carter; + and demonstrate toward Southwest Creek; + exaggerated impression of enemy's strength; + at second battle of Kinston; + division incorporated with Carter's under command of latter; + commands District of Beaufort. + +Palmer, John M., + major general United States Volunteers; + at Tunnel Hill; + in Snake Creek Gap; + at Resaca; + crosses river at Resaca, following Howard; + deprived of Davis' division; + complains; + corps reunited; + at Peachtree Creek + +Parke, John G., + Burnside's chief of staff; + character and services; + appointed major general; + assigned to command 9th army corps; + sent to Vicksburg with corps; + returns and goes on sick leave; + leads 9th army corps to Cumberland Gap; + chief of staff in E. Tennessee; + in command 9th army corps; + meeting with Grant; + at Dandridge; + resists Longstreet's advance toward Knoxville; + health impaired; + resumes staff position. + +Paroles, + for Johnston's army prepared by Schofield; + General Hartsuff takes charge of their issue; + difficulty of ascertaining number required; + number actually paroled; + speedy accomplishment of. + +Parsons, L. B., colonel quartermaster's department, + supervises transfer of 23d army corps from Clifton, Tennessee, to +Washington. + +Partisan Rangers, + organized under confederate auspices, little better than +guerillas, + methods of, condemned by Stuart; + Lee; + and Rosser + +Patrick, Marsena B., brig, general, + reports to General Cox in lines about Washington; + appointed provost marshal with extended powers to prevent +straggling + at Antietam + +Peachtree Creek, battle of; + planned by Johnston, fought by Hood + +Pearisburg, Virginia, operations near + +Pegram, John, lieutenant colonel, + held position at Rich Mountain; + attacked in rear by Rosecrans; + surrenders to McClellan. + +Peirpoint, F. H., Governor of West Virginia; + holds rebel sympathizers as hostages for safety of Union men; + courts established by, ignored; + calls for help in West Virginia + +Pemberton, John C., lieutenant general Confederate States Army, + surrenders Vicksburg. + +Peninsular Campaign, + discussed by McClellan. + +Pennsylvania Troops, + 10th res. infantry; + 51st; + 8th Cavalry; + Bat. D. + +Perry, Hon. Aaron F., + attorny for Burnside in Vallandigham _habeas corpus_ case. + +Pfan, Philip, captain 3rd Ohio ind. cavalry, + at Princeton, West Virginia + +Phelps, Walter, Jr., colonel 22nd New York, + at Antietam. + +Philippi, West Virginia, + captured by Morris. + +Pickett's Mill, Georgia, + operations at. + +Pine Mountain, E. Tennessee, + difficulties of ascent. + +Piper's house, + at Antietam. + +Pleasanton, Alfred, brigadier general + commanding cavalry division Army of Potomac; + at South Mountain; + classmate of McClellan. + +Poe, Orlando M., lieutenant of topographical engineers on coast +survey. + assists Governor Dennison in organizing regiments; + engineer on Burnside's staff, E. Tennessee; + removes heavy pontoon bridge from Loudon to Knoxville; + fortifies Knoxville; + describes privations during siege; + praises Cox's movement retiring left wing at Dalton; + fortifies Allatoona; + examines Cox's position south of Olley's Creek + +Poffenberger, J., + house and barn at Antietam. + +Political Appointments, + mostly lawyers; + political leaders naturally foremost in enlisting men; + President selected from these officers for 3 months service; + not bad, if method adopted to get rid of known incompetents; + evils in actual practice; + condemned by Governor Tod; + +Polk, Leonidas, lieutenant general C. S, A., + opposes Sherman in Mississippi; + urges Johnston's appointment as successor to Bragg; + commands Army of the Mississippi; + reinforced; + urges reconciliation of Johnston with Davis; + ordered to reinforce Johnston; + concentrates at Rome; + at Resaca; + position between Dallas and New Hope Church; + killed at Pine Mountain; + underestimate of his own forces. + +Pontoons, canvas, + unequalled for field use, but unfit for permanent bridges. + +Pope, John, captain, + consulted by Governor Dennison; + commands Army of Virginia; + orders ridiculed; + drafted under direction of Stanton; + admits bad taste of; + hostility of Army of the Potomac; + General Cox ordered to join, with Kanawha division; + disliked by McClellan; + retires within defences of Washington after second Battle of Bull +Run; + army affronts him by cheering McClellan; + character and mistakes of; + unfair treatment of; + general conduct of campaign skilful; + plans disarranged by McDowell's absence from his command and +Porter's inactivity; + slow movement of Peninsular Army to his relief; + prefers charges against Porter and Franklin; + permanently retired from active service; + orders on assuming command disapproved by Lincoln and McClellan; + sarcastically criticised by Fitz-John Porter; + +Porter, David D., rear admiral with fleet off Cape Fear; + visited by Schofield and Cox; + transports Sherman from City Point to New Berne. + +Porter, Fitz-John, major general United States Volunteers, + inaction before second battle of Bull Run; + relieved from duty and corps assigned to Hooker; + reinstated at McClellan's request; + on march, South Mountain to Antietam; + classmate and intimate friend of McClellan; + in reserve at Antietam; + with John W. Garret at McClellan's headquarters; + letters to Burnside forwarded to Washington; + sarcastic comments in, most damaging evidence against Porter; + becomes unfriendly to Burnside; + notoriously favored by McClellan; + extraordinary effort to make a record against Burnside; + erroneous report in regard to withdrawal of Burnside's corps at +Antietam; + ordered before a court-martial; + cashiered. + +Porterfield, G. A., + colonel commanding confederate forces at Philippi, West Virginia + +Potter, Robt. B., colonel 51st N.Y., + at Antietam; + president military commission to try Vallandigham; + commanding division in 9th army corps, returns from Vicksburg ill +and unfit for service; + commands 9th army corps temporarily. + +"Present for Duty," + only fair basis of comparison between Union and Confederate +armies; + See EFFECTIVE TOTAL. + +Presstman, Stephen W., major and church engineer on Johnston's +staff, + marks out defences at Resaca. + +Prices in Confederacy in 1864. + +Princeton, West Virginia, + battle of. + +Privations of officers, + when marching without baggage. + +Probate Court, Hamilton Co., Ohio, + tries to arrest U. S. officers for contempt of court. + +Promotions, + affected by politics; + should be based on merit alone; + evil tendency of opposite policy; + those recommended by Sherman for promotion on account of +distinguished services in Atlanta campaign could not be advanced +because vacancies had already been filled by appointments made on +political grounds. + +Pugh, Geo. E., + counsel for Vallandigham; + visits V. in Canada. + +Raglan, L'd, + dependence on what Wellington would have done. + +Railroads, + in Kentucky and Tennessee seized and administered by Sherman in +interests of his army; + system of defences for. + +Raleigh, North Carolina, + occupied by Union troops; + abject terror of inhabitants; + guarded by General Cox; + measures taken to prevent outbreak on news of Lincoln's +assassination. + +Raleigh courthouse, West Virginia + +Ransom, Robt., major general Confederate States Army, + in E. Tennessee; + transferred to cavalry command. + +Rawlins, John A., brigadier general United States Volunteers, chief +of staff for General Grant, + sent to St. Louis to hurry reinforcements to Thomas. + +Raymond, H. J., + correspondence with Stanton about photograph of Lincoln cortège in +City Hall, New York. + +Reagan, John H., p. m. general in Davis' cabinet, + excluded from conference between Sherman and Johnston; + draft of agreement presented by Johnston and rejected by Sherman; + at last cabinet meeting; + captured with Davis. + +Rear-guard, + place of honor on retreat. + +Regimental Histories, + value to the historian limited to actual experience of regiment, +camp gossip about other commands and generals usually worthless. + +Regular Army officers, + should have officered volunteer regiments at the start; + professionals usually more likely to succeed than amateurs; + lacked, however, experience in high command or large operations; + few above rank of captain fit for field service; + theoretical knowledge comparatively small; + contempt for books; + study of strategy and grand tactics, begun after war broke out; + familiar with post and garrison duty and army regulations; + slavish adherence to French precedents; + marked conservatism prevented adoption of new and improved +weapons; + indifference and lack of patriotism; + unwillingness to go beyond orders; + spontaneity drilled out of; + superiority to volunteer officers limited to knowledge of company +and battalion drill, army regulations and administration; + keeping up separate organization with its grades, belittled actual +command in military operations, and resulted in grading regular +officers who had done little or nothing, above volunteers who had +worthily commanded divisions and corps. + +Reilly, Jas. W., colonel 104th Ohio, + commanding brigade in 23d army corps, at siege of Knoxville; + at Resaca; + at Cheney's; + forces crossing of Olley's Creek at Cheney's; + intrenches three miles from continuous line of Union +intrenchments; + in temporary command 3rd division 23d army corps; + promoted on recommendation of General Cox; + at Spring Hill, Tennessee; + gets leave of absence, after Franklin; + rejoins corps in North Carolina; + commands Cox's division when latter assumes command of corps; + resigns on account of ill health. + +Reno, Jesse L., major general United States Volunteers, + commands 9th army corps; + praises marching of Kanawha division; + observes affair at the Monocacy; + approves Cox's advance on Fox's Gap; + comes to Cox's position just before sunset; + killed a few minutes afterward; + succeeded by General Cox in command of corps; + classmate of McClellan. + +Resaca, + fortified and occupied by Johnston; + map of; + natural strength of position; + battles around; + evacuated by Johnston. + +Reynolds, D. H., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Resaca. + +Reynolds, Jos. J., + in command of Cheat Mountain district; + repulses attack by Loring; + at Romney; + opinion as to expediency of Rosecrans' advance. + +Rhind, Alex. C., commander U. S. N., + at Kinston. + +Rice, Henry M., senator from Minnesota, + questions power of President to appointment additional major and +brig, generals. + +Rich Mountain, West Virginia, + fortified by Garnett; + held by Pegram; + battle of. + +Richardson, Israel B., major general United States Volunteers, + supports cavalry advance toward Antietam; + at Antietam; + mortally wounded. + +Richmond, Lewis, + lieutenant colonel and assistant adjutant-general on Burnside's +staff, leaves E. Tennessee. + +Ricketts, Jas. B., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam. + +Ricks, Augustus J., lieutenant on staff of General Cox, since Judge +of U. S. District Court N. District of Ohio, + vivid account of celebration of Lee's surrender in Sherman's army. + +Rifled Guns, + superiority over smooth-bores. + +"Rigors of Climate," + laughable excuse for going South in August. + +Ripley, Roswell S., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Antietam. + +Rockcastle River, Kentucky, + picturesque character of. + +Rocky Face, Georgia, + description of; + natural defence of Dalton; + northern extremity carried by Newton; + sharp and rugged character of ridge. + +Rodman, Isaac P., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + in Maryland campaign; + at South Mountain; + first position at Antietam; + ordered to cross at ford below Burnside's bridge; + killed at Antietam; + on left at Antietam. + +Rosecrans, Wm. S., + captain and engineer on McClellan's staff; + appointed brigadier general in regular army; + at Rich Mountain, West Virginia; + succeeds McClellan in Department of West Virginia; + comes to Gauley and assumes chief command; + defeats Floyd at Carnifex Ferry; + characteristics of; + at Big Sewell Mountain; + on the retreat; + in camp near Gauley; + mode of dealing with privates; + strong excitement when Floyd seized Cotton Mountain; + plan for capturing Floyd's army; + foiled by Benham's inactivity; + plans expedition into E. Tennessee; + physical obstacles; + winter quarters at Wheeling; + sends reinforcements to Buell; + attitude in regard to escaped slaves; + new plan for advance into E. Tennessee; + turns over command to Fremont; + sent to conduct Blenker's division to Fremont; + regards Porter as McClellan's confidential adviser; + appointed major general; + directed to move on Chattanooga; + inability to agree with Burnside; + unwillingness and inaction; + secures opinions of division commanders; + Garfield's summing up; + dissatisfaction of administration; + forces of, opposed to Bragg; + inactivity enables Bragg to send reinforcements to Johnston; + on promotion as a reward for merit; + again urged by Stanton and Halleck to advance; + querulous disposition; + drives Bragg out of Tennessee; + plans, after reaching Chattanooga; + demoralized by defeat at Chickamauga; + relations with Burnside; + relieved from command; + sends Garfield to Washington with his report; + conduct at Chickamauga; + described by Dana; + House resolution of thanks fails in Senate; + resents Garfield's letter to Chase; + plans for supplying army at Chattanooga; + sent to Missouri; + sends A. J. Smith with two divisions to Thomas. + +Ross, L. S., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Olley's Creek; + driven off by Reilly and Cameron. + +Rosser, Thos. L., + colonel 5th Virginia Confederate States Army; + condemns "Partisan Rangers" in Virginia + +Rousseau, Lovell H., + appointed major general; + repulses Forrest at Pulaski; + at Murfreesborough. + +Rucker, E. W., colonel Confederate States Army, + commanding brigade in Chalmers' cavalry division at battle of +Nashville; + wounded and captured. + +Rue, Geo. W., major 9th Kentucky Cavalry, + in Morgan raid. + +Ruffin, Thos. Jr., + colonel 13th North Carolina + +Ruffner, Lewis, + prominent Union man in West Virginia + +Ruger, Thos. H., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + transferred from 20th army corps to 2nd division 23d army corps; + joins at Johnsonville, Tennessee; + at Columbia; + Franklin; + assigned to command new division 23d army corps; + on march from Columbia to Clifton; + brevet major general; + reports to General Cox at Beaufort, North Carolina with new +division; + at Gum Swamp; + at battle of Kinston; + repulses Hoke's attack; + mentioned. + +Rullett and Clipp houses, + at Antietam. + +Sale, John B., military secretary of General Bragg, + takes special message to Johnston. + +Salisbury, North Carolina, + confederate treatment of prisoners at; + prison pen described. + +Sanders, Wm. P., colonel 5th Kentucky cavalry, + raid into E. Tennessee; + pursuit of Morgan raiders; + defeated at Richmond; + turns tables on Scott at Lancaster; + made brigadier general; + resists Wheeler in E. Tennessee; + splendid conduct before Knoxville; + mortally wounded. + +Sanitary Commission reaches E. Tennessee with needed supplies. + +Saunders, E. D., + assistant adjutant-general on Gen Cox's staff; + killed while riding at his side; + loss severely felt. + +Savage, Jas. W., colonel 12th New York Cavalry, + at Kinston. + +Scammon, E. P., colonel 23d Ohio, + at Canfex Ferry; + history and characteristics; + succeeds to command of Schenck's brigade; + at Fayette courthouse; + at Flat Top Mountain; + at Princeton; + at French's; + commands 1st brigade Kanawha division; + at Bull Run bridge; + at the Monocacy; + supports Pleasanton; + attached to Rodman's division; + at Antietam; + promoted; + commands division in Kanawha valley; + at Fayette courthouse; + heads off Morgan at Pomeroy, Ohio + +Scary Creek, West Virginia, + skirmish at. + +Schenck, Robt. C., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + in West Virginia; + movements near Gauley; + efforts to intercept Floyd; + leaves West Virginia on account of ill health; + under Fremont in Mountain Department; + appointed major general; + political acquaintance and influence secures confirmation; + commands District of Maryland with West Virginia annexed; + attitude toward Lincoln. + +Schleich, Newton, + brigadier general Ohio Valley Infantry. + +Schofield, John M., + appointed major general in 1862, not confirmed; + reappointed as of first date; + opposition to confirmation; + appointed to command Army of the Ohio; + arrives at Knoxville; + instructed to drive Longstreet out of E. Tennessee; + impossibility of making campaign explained; + remains on defensive; + reports to Sherman; + instructed to join him; + even temper; + permanently assigned to command 23d army corps; + unites with Sherman's army; + left wing of army before Dalton; + manoeuvres at Dalton; + dissatisfied with Hovey; + asks to have him removed; + praises Cox's movement, retiring left wing; + orders advance at Resaca; + advances on extreme left from Resaca to Cassville; + hindered by Hooker's getting on his line of march; + concentrates at Cartersville; + appoints Hascall commander 2nd division in place of Judah; + again hindered by Hooker; + movements south of the Etowah; + disabled by fall of horse; + turns command over to General Cox; + resumes command; + question of rank with Butterfield; + outflanks confederate army and compels abandonment of New Hope +lines; + at Kolb's farm; + demonstrates on extreme right; + says importance of position gained by General Cox, south of +Olley's Creek, cannot be overestimated; + at Smyrna; + across the Chattahoochee; + builds wooden bridge; + wide circuit east of Atlanta; + attacked by Cheatham at Atlanta; + at Rough and Ready; + at Decatur, Georgia; + turns command of corps over to General Cox during October; + classmate and roommate of McPherson; + commands all troops in Chattanooga and vicinity; + objects to being relegated to Department command; + resumes command of Army of the Ohio; + wants corps filled up to its quota; + reports to Thomas; + commands all forces assembling at Pulaski; + at Columbia; + limited to careful defensive; + holds on at Columbia under orders from Thomas; + deprived of benefit of cavalry; + earnestly demands General Cox's promotion; + at battle of Nashville; + in pursuit of Hood; + asks to have 23d corps transferred to eastern army; + corps filled up; + at Clifton, Tennessee; + transferred with corps to Washington; + appointed to command Department of North Carolina; + headquarters on steamer "Spaulding," controversy over; + efforts to flank Hoke out of position on Federal Point; + approves General Cox's discretion in not obeying orders; + asks permanent assignment of General Cox to 23d Corps command, and +General Terry to new corps + in advance on Kinston; + in temporary command of Sherman's army; + promoted to brigadier general in regular army; + on march to Raleigh; + commands District of North Carolina; + prepares paroles and arranges details of capitulation of +Johnston's army; + loans horses to the needy and issues rations to Johnston's troops; + proclaims an end of slavery; + confers with Hardee at Greensborough. + +Schurz, Carl, + appointed major general United States Volunteers + +Scofield, Levi T., lieutenant 103rd Ohio, + topographer on General Cox's staff. + +Scott, Thos. M., brig, gen, Confederate States Army, + raid into southern Kentucky; + defeated by Sanders at Lancaster. + +Scott, Winfield, General U. S. A., + mistake in discouraging service of regular army officers with +volunteer regiments. + +Seddon, Jas. A., Secretary of War, Confederate States Army, + correspondence with Johnston; + correspondence with B. H. Hill. + +Sedgwick, John, major general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam; + severely wounded. + +Separate Commands, + evils of, in same field of operations; + ridiculed by Napoleon. + +Sevierville, E. Tennessee, + cavalry combat at. + +Seward, Wm. H., Secretary of State, + goes with Lincoln to meet confederate peace commander's. + +Seymour, Truman, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam. + +Shackelford, Jas. M., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + in Morgan raid; + captures Morgan and most of his command; + operations in E. Tennessee + +Shelter Tent, + substituted for all other kinds; + advantages of. + +Sheridan, P. H., + first vote; + appointed major general United States Volunteers; + reasons for opposing Rosecrans' advance in Tennessee; + at Chickamauga; + at Missionary Ridge; + in E. Tennessee; + at Dandridge; + personal appearance; + slow development as a commander; + builds bridge which lands on an island; + retreats to Strawberry Plains; + transferred to eastern army; + part assigned in final round-up of Lee's army. + +Sheriff of Hamilton Co., Ohio, + directed to arrest U. S. officers for contempt of court; + comical perplexity. + +Sherman, Hon. John, + senator from Ohio; + correspondence with Wm. T. + +Sherman, Wm. T., + appointed colonel of regulars; + high opinion of volunteers + studies evolutions of the line after Bull Run; + acquiesces in Emancipation policy; + urges draft to fill up regiments in the field; + commands Department of the Tennessee; + hastens to Chattanooga; + marches to relief of Burnside; + horror of E. Tennessee; + dissatisfied with Granger; + good dinner at Burnside's headquarters, explanation of; + Meridian expedition; + promoted to command Mil. Division of the Mississippi; + visits Schofield at Knoxville; + urges confirmation of his appointment as major general; + correspondence with Halleck; + modest estimate of his own powers; + studies problem of supplying his army in the field; + takes possession of railroads from Louisville to Nashville and +Nashville to Chattanooga; + cuts down personal and headquarters baggage to bare necessities +and sets example himself; + accurate judgment of opposing forces; + concentrates for Atlanta campaign; + forces of; + personal appearance and characteristics; + cordial relations with Thomas; + orders for operations about Dalton; + satisfied Johnston's position could not be carried by assault; + orders demonstrations to cover McPherson's movement; + congratulates Schofield on Cox's movement retiring left wing; + declines to relieve Hovey; + presses after Johnston when he evacuates Resaca; + unwilling to give up hope of general engagement; + compelled by results to avoid assaults on intrenched positions; + losses on campaign compensated by arrival of Blair's (17th) corps; + recommends acceptance of Hovey's resignation; + indignation at promotion of Hovey and Osterhaus; + foresees probable necessity for attack at Kennesaw; + uneasy at stretching of lines; + hopes to break through enemy's lines; + orders demonstrations on both flanks and assaults by two columns +in middle + both assaults fail; + might have succeeded if followed up; + recognizes importance of position gained by General Cox on right +flank forces confederates to give up Atlanta or assume desperate +aggressive; + closes in on Jonesboro; + occupies Atlanta; + steady diminution in forces of; + offers promotion to any one who will capture or kill Forrest; + odd mistake, resulting in promotion of General Mower; + orders citizens to leave Atlanta; + leaves of absence and furloughs freely granted; + orders certain officers to report to governors of Indiana and Mo. +for duty--on the stump; + courteous treatment of subordinates; + would have given Logan command of Army of Tennessee but for +Thomas' opposition; + praises L.'s handling of that army at battle of Atlanta; + sends back troops to protect railroads against Hood's raid; + leaves 20th army corps to garrison Atlanta; + plans March to the Sea; + pursuit of Hood; + tires of countermarching to protect his communications; + praises Cox's management of 23d army corps; + recommends his promotion to be major general; + urges Halleck to send reinforcements to Thomas; + orders Schofield to report to Thomas with 23d Corps; + cuts communications and starts on March to the Sea; + plans campaign from Savannah, north; + inspiring quality of his leadership; + unselfish relations to Grant; + opposes bill providing for another lieutenant general; + knows Carolina campaign involves great risks; + where described; + general outline; + captures Columbia; + effects junction with Schofield and Terry, confident he can whip +Lee and Johnston combined; + battles of Averasborough and Bentonville; + losses at; + leaves Schofield in command, goes to City Point to consult Lincoln +and Grant; + endorses Schofield's request that Cox be assigned to permanent +command of 23d Corps and Terry, of new corps; + prohibits foraging after reaching Goldsborough; + moves upon Raleigh; + extravagant demonstrations of army, on learning of Lee's +surrender; + receives Governor Vance's peace delegation; + negotiates informally for withdrawal of North Carolina from +confederacy; + on Johnston's request agrees to an armistice; + stringent orders against pillage and arson; + fears outbreak of army on hearing news of Lincoln's assassination; + measures to prevent; + announces first step toward disbandment of confederate armies; + attitude before war on slavery question; + emphatic statements that if the South loses the war it loses +slavery; + freedom for the blacks to be secured, but they are unfit to assume +political rule; + set no limits on their following the army, except military +necessity; + representative colored men had confidence in him; + allots Sea-island lands to freedmen for cultivation with Stanton's +approval; + wrath against men chiefly responsible for secession and war; + conference with Lincoln only three weeks before he met Johnston; + understood his policy to involve guaranty of rights as citizens, +as soon as rebels laid down their arms, and recognition of existing +State governments as _de facto_ to prevent anarchy; + aware that Weitzel had authorized Virginia legislature to assemble +with Lincoln's consent; + not aware that permission was revoked; + meets Johnston with heavy burden of Lincoln's assassination on his +mind; + expresses full confidence in Johnston's sincerity; + sends full copies of Johnston's overture and his reply to Grant +and Stanton; + no notice taken of them; + witnesses Johnston's distress when advised of Lincoln's +assassination; + declines to deal with confederate government; + will recognize _de facto_ State governments only; + gives Johnston Lincoln's views; + regards slavery as utterly dead, but does not insist on irritating +acknowledgments; + reasons for depositing arms at State capitals; + loses nothing by delay, while negotiations in progress; + drafts memo or basis of agreement to be submitted to respective +principals; + sends it to Grant; + urges on Johnston a public declaration that slavery is dead and +predicts an era of good feeling to follow; + says war to perpetuate slavery was an insult to the intelligence +of the age; + warns Johnston of intense feeling at the North over Lincoln's +assassination; + changes the situation; + notifies Johnston of termination of truce and demands surrender of +his army on terms given to Lee; + resents Stanton's distrust as evidenced in orders to Grant to +direct operations against the enemy; + supposed the memo reflected Lincoln's ideas and purposes; + asks Grant to remain until capitulation finally signed; + farewell letter to Johnston; + field order No. 65; + deeply wounded by Stanton's press dispatches condemning his +conduct; + first heard of Davis' "plunder" through Grant; + takes immediate steps to prevent his escape with it; + imputation of Stanton that he could be bribed; + strikes back at Stanton in letter to Grant and in his report; + popular regard for, soon asserts itself; + life-long friendship for Halleck destroyed by latter's "plunder" +dispatch, and orders to disregard his truce; + refuses H.'s proffered hospitality, and denounces "diabolical +plot" to ruin him; + says he will defend his truce at all hazards; + theoretic discussion of his right and ability to do so; + sympathy of his subordinates; + leaves Raleigh, visits Charleston and Savannah; + notes complete submission to U. S. authority in Savannah. + +Siber, Edward, colonel 37th Ohio, + at Raleigh courthouse; + retreats before Loring; + operates on south bank of Kanawha. + +Sigel, Franz, major general United States Volunteers, + commands 11th Corps; + Pope's proposal to consolidate Kanawha division with, and put all +under Hooker. + +Sill, Joshua W., + ordnance officer at Camp Dennison; + character and heroic death at Stone's River + +Simmonds, Seth J., captain Kentucky battery, + attached to Kanawha division; + at South Mountain; + at Antietam. + +Simonton, Chas. H., colonel commanding brigade Confederate States +Army, + captured at Town Creek by General Cox. + +Sisters of Charity, + in hospitals at Camp Dennison. + +Skirmishing Advance, + described. + +Slack, John Jr., + deputy U. S. Marshal at Charleston, West Virginia + +Slavery, + question, most troublesome in all border States; + admitted to be dead as result of war; + Sherman urges upon Johnston frank acknowledgment of fact, as +likely to usher in era of good feeling; + end of, in North Carolina, proclaimed by Schofield. + +Slaves, + common belief among, that property of whites was to be taken away +and divided among them; + difficulties in getting them to work; + embarrassments of housekeepers. + +Slemmer, Adam J., major 16th U. S., + at Ft. Pickens; + inspector general on Rosecrans' staff; + good qualities. + +Slocum, Henry W., major general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam; + succeeds Hooker in command of 20th Corps; + left to garrison Atlanta; + commands Army of Georgia, composed of 14th and 20th Corps; + march past 23d Corps at Goldsborough; + chaffing between soldiers; + at battles of Averasborough and Bentonville; + on march to Raleigh; + "bummers" of, forage country bare near Raleigh; + marches through Raleigh. + +Smith, Andrew J., major general United States Volunteers, + ordered to reinforce Thomas at Nashville; + delayed in starting; + at Nashville; + at battle of Nashville; + supports cavalry in pursuit of Hood; + ordered to Eastport; + at Clifton awaiting transportation. + +Smith, Benj. F., leading lawyer and "new state man," + in West Virginia; + U. S. District Atty., father of Major Smith of Confederate States +Army; + demands return of son's escaped slave, refused by General Cox; + acts as advocate for return of others' slaves. + +Smith, E. Kirby, major general Confederate States Army, + threatens Cincinnati; + commanding in trans-Miss, department. + +Smith, Gustavus W., major general Confederate States Army, + commands Georgia militia and prepares line of defence on Nickajack +Creek, and Chattahoochee. + +Smith, Wm. F., major general United States Volunteers, + at Antietam; + consulted by McClellan as to what he should do about Emancipation +Proclamation; + chief engineer, Army of the Cumberland; + opens new line of supply for Chattanooga; + transferred to Eastern Army; + on the James. + +Smith, W. P., + master of transportation on Kanawha River + +Smith, Wm. Sooy, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + selected by Grant to command cavalry of Western army; + ordered to co-operate with Sherman's column; + fails to do so. + +Soldier Vote, + in Ohio State election, 1863; + in 1864. + +Southern People, + complete submission immediately after the war; + reaction and political exasperation. + +South Mountain, + passes of; + battle of. + +Spears, Jas. G., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + in Morgan's command; + at Blain's Cross-roads; + assigned to 23d army corps + +Spies, + army, false reports of Lee's strength; + worse than useless to McClellan; + conscious, or unconscious, purveyors of false news. + +Splaine, Henry, colonel 17th Massachusetts, + commanding brigade in Carter's division at battle of Kinston, +North Carolina. + +Sprague, Wm., Governor of R. I., + on McClellan's favoritism for Porter. + +Staff Officers, + services hidden from view, chances for promotion less than those +of line officers; + qualifications and appointment of. + +Stafford, Leroy A., colonel 9th La., + commanding brigade at Antietam. + +Stager, Anson, colonel, + suerintendent of military telegraphs at Washington. + +Stahel, Julius, + appointed major general United States Volunteers. + +Stanley, David S., + appointed major general United States Volunteers. + +Stanley, Timothy R., colonel 18th Ohio, + at Chattanooga; + in Ohio Senate at outbreak of war. + +Stanton, Edwin M., Secretary of War, + first meeting with; + disapproves of restoring McClellan to command; + pleasant leavetaking; + maintains right of President to appoint additional major and +brigadier generals; + reports six major generals at home with no assignments to duty; + informs himself about conditions of things in Rosecrans' army; + dismisses telegraph operator for revealing cipher to Grant's +engineer; + adopts new cipher known only to operators; + this system criticised; + asks Sherman to detail certain officers to stump northern States; + impatience with Thomas before battle of Nashville; + cordial manner with General Cox; + petulance about Schofield's use of hospital steamer for +headquarters; + inquires about Sherman's treatment of the negro; + approves his allotment of sea-island lands to the freedmen; + dispatch to Dix, reflecting on Sherman; + false implications of; + refutation; + nine criticisms of Sherman-Johnston Convention considered; + objections, really to Lincoln's policy; + position against amnesty not sustained by the people; + orders Sherman's subordinates not to obey his orders; + ignores capitulation, while paroles were being issued; + _suppressio veri_; + mutilates Grant's dispatch for publication; + constitutional inability to admit that he was in the wrong; + publishes Halleck's "plunder" dispatch in garbled form; + evident purpose to humiliate Sherman; + makes no public explanation; + tells Howard that Sherman had put administration on the defensive; + regarded Sherman's convention and dispatch as acts of vanity to be +put down. + +Starke, Wm. E., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Harper's Ferry; + killed at Antietam. + +Steedman, James B., brig, gen, United States Volunteers, + questioned by Stanton about Rosecrans and Thomas; + at Chickamauga; + ordered to Tuscumbia to destroy Hood's bridge of boats; + later ordered to Cowan and Nashville; + at Nashville; + at battle of Nashville; + ordered to Decatur, Alabama + +Sterl, Oscar W., colonel 104th Ohio, + commanding Reilly's old brigade in 23d army corps, in movement up +right bank of Cape Fear River. + +Sterling, Jas. T., lieutenant colonel 103rd Ohio, + accompanies General Cox on winter ride to E. Tennessee; + at Dandridge; + at skirmish before Knoxville; + inspector general on General Cox's staff, resigns for business +reasons. + +Stevens, Isaac J., major general United States Volunteers, + killed at Chantilly. + +Stevens, Thaddeus, + radical leader in Congress. + +Stevenson, Carter L., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + in E. Tennessee + +Stewart, Alex. P., major general Confederate States Army, + at Tunnel Hill; + on way to join Bragg at Kinston, North Carolina; + arrives in time for second battle. + +Stiles, Israel N., colonel 63rd Indiana, + succeeds Henderson in command of brigade in 23d army corps; + at battle of Nashville; + volunteers as staff officer at battle of Kinston; + commands brigade in Rugers division; + commands post at Raleigh; + garrison under, strengthened to prevent outbreak after news of +Lincoln's assassination. + +Stone's River, battle of, + resemblance to Antietam. + +Stoneman, Geo, major general United States Volunteers, + reports to Grant for duty; + assigned to command 23d army corps; + why relieved from command in Army of Potomac; + arrives at Knoxville; + personal appearance; + disliked by Grant; + in pursuit of Longstreet; + at Mossy Creek; + placed in command of cavalry; + on march, Resaca to Cassville; + movements near the Etowah; + enters Allatoona and reports ability to hold it; + aids General Cox in holding position south of Olley's Creek; + crosses Chattahoochee; + good work from Chattanooga to Chattahoochee; + raid from E. Tennessee into North Carolina + +Straggling, + in Army of Potomac; + in confederate army; + measures to prevent; + in Kanawha division + +Strategy, + principles of, easily learned; + same in all times. + +Strawberry Plains, E. Tennessee, + strategic importance of; + railroad bridge at, alternately destroyed and rebuilt; + hardships of troops at; + threatened by Longstreet. + +Streight, Abel D., colonel 51st Indiana commanding cavalry brigade, + captured with his brigade near Rome, Georgia + +Strickland, Silas A., colonel 50th Ohio, + commanding brigade in Cooper's division 23d A.C., at Columbia. + +Strong, Jas. H., lieutenant colonel on Foster's staff, + accompanies General Cox on winter ride to E. Tennessee; + advocates General Cox's appointment to field command. + +Stuart, J. E. B., major general Confederate States Army, + praises fighting of 11th and 12th Ohio, at Bull Run bridge; + learns of Cox's transfer from West Virginia to Washington on day +he left Parkersburg; + at the Monocacy; + covers movements of Lee's army in Maryland; + at South Mountain; + at Antietam; + ride around McClellan's army arouses false ambition in cavalry +commanders. + +Sturgis, Samuel D., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding division in 9th army corps; + at South Mountain; + first position at Antietam; + carries Burnside bridge; + on the left before Sharpsburg; + in pursuit of Morgan raiders; + commands cavalry, corps in E. Tennessee; + skirmish at Mossy Creek; + "takes a toddy"; + at Sevierville; + reports hopeless condition of roads; + sent to Memphis to operate against Forrest. + +Summers, Geo., + ex-M. C. and prominent citizen of West Virginia; + compelled by force and imprisonment to take oath of allegiance to +Confederacy; + offers to take oath of allegiance to U. S. + +Sumner, Edwin V., major general United States Volunteers, + commands left wing (2nd and 12th Corps) in Antietam campaign; + none of his command in 2nd battle of Bull Run; + placed in centre at Antietam; + his corps ordered to support Hooker; + left practically without command; + misconception of Hooker's position; + died March 21, 1863. + +Supplies for army in Chattanooga, + how forwarded; + for Sherman's army, arrangements for forwarding. + +Susini, famous basso, + helps celebrate fall of Vicksburg. + +Swain, David L., ex-Governor of North Carolina, + in Vance's peace delegation to Sherman; + mentioned. + +Swinton, Wm., newspaper correspondent, + threatens and proceeds to "write Cox down"; inconsistency exposed. + +Taylor, Geo. W., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + fatally wounded at Bull Run bridge. + +Taylor, Richard, lieutenant general Confederate States Army, + orders Forrest to raid Western Tennessee; + informs Beauregard of reinforcements moving to Thomas; + offers to send all of Hood's army, except French's division, to +Beauregard. + +Temple, O. P., Chancellor, Knoxville, Tennessee, + author of "East Tennessee and the Civil War". + +Tents, + preferable to houses for army officers. + +Terry, Alfred H., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + captures Ft. Fisher; + at Federal Point; + unable to force Hoke's position opposite Town Creek; + enters Wilmington after Cox's flanking movement compels +evacuation; + follows Bragg northward; + assigned to command new corps designated as the 10th; + on march to Raleigh; + commands central district of North Carolina + +Test Oaths, little value of; + illustrated by case of Summers. + +Thirteenth Amendment to U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery, + ratified by requisite number of States. + +Thomas, Geo. H., major general United States Volunteers, + reasons for opposing Rosecrans' advance in Tennessee; + saves day at Chickamauga; + succeeds Rosecrans in command of Army of the Cumberland; + House resolution of thanks; + at Chattanooga; + sends part of his own supplies to army in E. Tennessee; + commands centre of Sherman's army in Atlanta campaign; + personal appearance and characteristics; + cordial relations with Sherman; + at Tunnel Hill and Dalton; + at Resaca; + from Resaca to Kingston; + changes Hooker's line of march so as to interfere with Schofield; + supports Hooker at New Hope Church; + suggests necessity of contracting and strengthening lines about +Marietta; + visits Cox's position south of Olley's Creek; + follows up Johnston's retreat from Marietta vigorously; + at Peachtree Creek; + at Jonesboro; + warned to protect Chattanooga and Bridgeport; + advises Sherman to turn Wilson loose; + reinforced and put in command of all forces not taken by Sherman; + cheerful over prospects; + disturbed by Forrest's raid; + does not concentrate rapidly; reinforcements delayed; + wrong impression as to Hood's intentions; + at battle of Nashville; + prizes in battle and in pursuit of Hood; + proposes going into winter quarters; + ordered to send 23d army corps to Grant; + urges promotion of General Cox; + personal movements in Tennessee; + mental suffering under unjust criticism. + +Thomas, Minor T., colonel 8th Minn., + commanding brig, in Ruger's division at battle of Kinston. + +Thompson, M. Jeff., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + prisoner at Johnson's Island. + +Tillson, Davis, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding post at Covington, Kentucky; + commanding heavy artillery at Knoxville. + +Tod, David, + Governor of Ohio; + bewails system of military appointments; + warns persons resisting the draft to desist; + calls out militia to oppose Morgan; + advised of Hamilton Co. sheriff's attempt to arrest U. S. +officers; + calls out militia to defeat plots to release confederate +prisoners. + +Toland, J. P., lieutenant colonel 34th Ohio. + +Tompkins, C. Q., colonel Confederate States Army, + ex-U. S. officer; + home near Gauley; + courteous treatment of family; + residence of, used as headquarters by Rosecrans. + +Toombs, Robt., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Antietam. + +Tourtelotte, John E., colonel 4th Minn., + commanding brig, at Allatoona. + +Town Creek, North Carolina, + confederate position at, captured by General Cox with two guns and +400 prisoners. + +Townsend, E. D., adjutant general U. S. A., + anecdotes of Stanton; + in charge of funeral escort of Lincoln's body. + +Tracy, Edw. E., lieutenant 104th Ohio, + aide-de-camp on General Cox's staff; + wounded at Utoy Creek; + appointed Governor of Dayton Soldiers' Home; + personal appearance and characteristics; + anecdote; + reconnoissance with Claassen's brigade at Kinston. + +Transfers of officers from one army to another not generally good +administration. + +Treasonable practices, + President's proclamation against; + Burnside's order No. 38; + Burbridge's order No. 42; + practically annulled. + +Treat, Richard B., + brigadier quartermaster on General Cox's staff; + adjutant general; + transferred to Stoneman's staff. + +Trimble, Isaac R., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Antietam. + +Tunnel Hill, Georgia; + view of confederate position at Dalton, from. + +Turchin, John B., colonel 19th Ill., + court-martialed; + sentenced to be dismissed Aug. 6, 1862; + appointed brigadier general Aug. 5, 1862, and confirmed; + opinion as to expediency of Rosecrans' advance; + at Chattanooga. + +Twining, Wm. J., + captain eng. and aide-de-camp on Schofield's staff, takes message +to Sherman. + +Tyler, Erastus B., + colonel 7th Ohio; + surprised at Cross Lanes. + +Upham, Chas. L., colonel 15th Conn., + commanding brig, in Carter's division at battle of Kinston; + cut off from rest of division and routed by Hoke; + losses at Kinston. + +Upton's Hill, + fortified for defence of Washington; + occupied by General Cox. + +Upton's Manual, + an improvement on the book previously studied at West Point. + +Vallandigham, Clement L., + sensational case of; + character and views; + speech at Mountain Vernon, Ohio; + arrested by Burnside; + tried before military commission; + convicted and sentenced to confinement in Ft. Warren; + application for _habeas corpus_ refused; + sentence commuted by Lincoln to expulsion beyond our lines; + incites Holmes Co. to resist the draft; + application to U. S. Supreme Court to annul sentence denied; + nominated for Governor of Ohio and overwhelmingly defeated. + +Van Buren, James L., major and aide-de-camp on Burnside's staff, + leaves E. Tennessee + +Vance, John L., captain 4th West Virginia + +Vance, Zebulon, Governor of North Carolina, + issues proclamation calling for final rally to repel invaders; + makes overtures to Sherman to end war; + loses confidence and leaves Raleigh; + Davis orders arrest of his peace commanders; + invited by Sherman to return to Raleigh; + mentioned. + +Van Cleve, Horatio P., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + opinion against expediency of Rosecrans' advance; + at Chickamauga. + +Van Dorn, Earl, major general Confederate States Army, + captures Coburn's brigade near Franklin, Tennessee + +Vicksburg, news of surrender, + how received in Cincinnati. + +Virginia, + passes ordinance of secession; + admitted to confederacy; + topography of. + +Virginia Troops, + 22nd, largely composed of young men from Charleston West Virginia; + 44th, at Beverly, West Virginia; + 8th Cavalry + +Volunteers, + high character and spirit of; + superior to recruits for regular army; + many volunteer regiments not excelled in drill by regulars; + methods of discipline necessarily milder; + after a year's service, superior in everything that gives +assurance of victory in battle; + in 1862 as well fitted for their work as any army in the world; + so said Grant and Sherman; + many need not have shunned competitive examination with regulars +in studies pursued at West Point. + +Volunteer Officers, + at first elected by militia; + afterwards appointed by Governor; + necessity for sifting; + military aptitude often wanting in men brave and intelligent; + fitness in subordinate position not always proof of capacity for +high command; + ignorance of tactics and regulations seldom overcome by men of +advanced age; + business training helpful to; + rapid advance of many young volunteers; + peers of any officers of their grade in regular army or any other; + value of West Point training before the war exaggerated; + comparative merits and defects of regular army officers; + costly conservatism of regular officers and prejudice against +improved weapons; + distinction between volunteers and regulars should have been +abolished, and officers promoted on their merits. + +Von Blessingh, Louis, + lieutenant colonel 37th Ohio. + +Von Borke, Heros, major on staff of J. E. B. Stuart, + amusing report of. + +Von Moltke favors giving largest discretion to subordinates on +detached service. + +Wade, Hon. Benj. F., Sen. from Ohio, + opposes re-election of Lincoln; + "Wade-Davis Manifesto." + +Wagner, Geo. D., brigadier general commanding division in 4th army +corps, + reports to General Cox. + +Wagner, O. G., lieutenant of eng., + superintends fortifications at Gauley; + modest young man of great promise, killed at Yorktown. + +Walker, Henry H., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + protects Davis and cabinet at Danville, Virginia + +Walker, John G., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + at Harper's Ferry; + at Antietam. + +Walthall, E. C., major general Confederate States Army, + commands rear-guard on Hood's retreat from Nashville; + destroys bridges and obstructs roads; + commands Stewart's corps at battle of Kinston; + forces of, at Kinston. + +Washington, + at time of General Cox's arrival with Kanawha division; + defences of; + country about; + McClellan in charge of defence; + necessity for covering and defending prevented full adoption of +McClellan's plans. + +Watson, P. H., Assistant Secretary of War. + +Way, Wm. B., major 9th Michigan Cavalry, + in Morgan raid. + +Webb, Alex. S., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + estimate of Lee's forces in seven days' battles. + +Weitzel, Godfrey, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + mentioned; + major general at Richmond, Virginia + +Welker, Hon. Martin, M. C. from Wayne Co., Ohio, + urges arrest of Vallandigham followers; + appointed judge of U. S. District Court N. District of Ohio. + +Wells, Henry W., + major and chief of artillery on General Cox's staff; + rough march over mountain road to carry information to Sherman. + +Welsh, Thos., colonel 45th Pennsylvania, + commanding brigade at South Mountain; + at Antietam; + returns from Vicksburg with 9th army corps, and dies of malarial +fever. + +West Point Academy, + course limited before the war; + requirements for admission, common country school education; + graduates of, equal to sophomores in leading colleges; + no instruction in strategy or grand tactics; + little French; + mental furnishing for field work not superior to that of any +well-educated man; + physical training and drill, good; + but no opportunity for most to exercise command; + battalion evolutions the highest known; + graduates of, not fitted--by their course alone--for high command. + +West Virginia, + importance of occupying; + map of; + loyalty to Union; + mountain regions impracticable for military operations on large +scale; + sentiment of leading families divided; + bitter feeling between Union men and secessionists; + intensified by Loring's invasion; + attached to District of Maryland + See KANAWHA VALLEY. + +West Virginia Troops, + in general; + 1st and 2nd; + 4th; + 5th; + 8th; + 9th; + 13th; + and Cavalry; + Daum's battery + +Wharton, Gabriel C., colonel commanding brigadier Confederate States +Army, + in West Virginia; + repulsed at Pack's Ferry; + in pursuit of Lightburn. + +Wheeler, Jos., major general Confederate States Army, + authorizes Morgan's raid into Kentucky; + in E. Tennessee; + at Tunnel Hill and Dug Gap; + defeats McCook and captures Col. La Grange; + forces of, reduced from 8000 to 1000 after raid in rear of +Sherman's army; + relied on to cover Hood's movement into Tennessee; + informs Hood of Sherman's rumored march to the sea; + complaints of his inefficiency; + included in Johnston's capitulation; + captured when trying to escape. + +Wherry, Wm. M., + colonel and aide-de-camp on Schofield's staff; + brigadier general in war with Spain. + +White, Carr B., lieutenant colonel 12th Ohio, + in Kanawha valley; + in Kanawha division; + at South Mountain + +White, Julius, brig, general, + expedition into West Virginia; + pursues Morgan raiders; + succeeds Manson in command and division 23d army corps; + in E. Tennessee + +Whitford, John N., colonel commanding brigade Confederate States +Army, + at Kinston. + +Whiting, W. H. C., major general Confederate States Army, + at South Mountain + +Whittier, John G., + his poem "The River Path," recalled at Gauley. + +Whittlesey, Chas., + colonel and eng. on Cox's staff; + appointed colonel of 20th Ohio. + +Willcox, Orlando B., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + reports to General Cox at South Mountain; + first position at Antietam; + at Burnside bridge; + on heights near Sharpsburg; + commands District of Indiana, returns to 9th army corps, with new +division of Indiana troops; + goes to Cumberland Gap; + to Morristown; + posted at Greeneville; + at Cumberland Gap and vicinity. + +Williams, Alpheus S., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + succeeds to command of 12th army corps on death of Mansfield; + at Antietam. + +Williams, John S., colonel 5th Kentucky, commanding brigadier +Confederate States Army, + at Princeton, West Virginia; + pursues Lightburn down the Kanawha. + +Williams, Seth, brigadier general United States Volunteers, + assistant adjutant-general on McClellan's staff; + afterwards served on Burnside's staff. + +Willich, August, + adjutant 9th Ohio; + commands Wood's division on march to Dandridge; + commands rear-guard on retreat from D. + +Wilmington, North Carolina, + importance of, as base of supplies for Sherman's army; + General Cox compels evacuation of. + +Wilson, Hon. Henry, Sen. from Massachusetts, chairman committee on +Military Affairs, + offers resolution questioning power of President to appoint +additional major and brigadier generals. + +Wilson, Jas. H., colonel on Grant's staff, + sent to Knoxville to consult with Burnside; + reports to Grant; + sent to be chief of cavalry for Sherman; + deceived as to Hood's intentions; + at battle of Nashville; + operating in Georgia; + captures Jeff. Davis. + +Winter Quarters, + in E. Tennessee + +Wisconsin Troops, + 6th Infantry; + 22nd Infantry; + 1st Cavalry + +Wise, Henry A., ex-Governor of Virginia, + invades Kanawha valley; + forces of, opposing General Cox; + retreats beyond Gauley; + forces of, not well handled; + ludicrous contrast between promise and performance; + joined by General Floyd; + fails to co-operate with Floyd; + repulsed at Pig Creek; + retreats beyond Hawk's Nest; + and Big Sewell Mountain; + quarrels with Floyd, ordered to report to Richmond. + +Wofford, Wm. T., brigadier general Confederate States Army, + assaults Ft. Sanders. + +Wolf Creek, West Virginia, + affair at. + +Wolford, Frank, colonel 1st Kentucky Cavalry, + famous command "Huddle on the hill, boys"; + pursues Morgan raiders; + commands ind. cavalry brigade; + defeated near Loudon. + +Wood, Thos. J., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + advises against Rosecrans' advance in Tennessee; + at Chickamauga; + at Missionary Ridge; + in pursuit of Longstreet; + at Rutledge; + character of; + explanation of error at Chickamanga; + returns to Army of the Cumberland; + dissatisfied with Couch's assignment to 4th army corps; + at battle of Nashville; + supports cavalry in pursuit of Hood; + to winter at Huntsville, Alabama + +Woodruff, W. E., colonel 2nd Kentucky, + captured outside the lines at Scary Creek + +Woodward, E. W., + suerintendent Little Miami railroad + +Woodworth, Dr. M. C., + surgeon at Johnson's Island. + +Worthington, Thos., + publishes abridgment of Hardee's Tactics; + furnishes waterworks for Camp Dennison; + irascible temper. + +Wound, + sensation produced by bullet. + +Wright, Elias, lieutenant 4th N. J., + reports ten men to Scammon at Bull Run bridge. + +Wright, Horatio G., brigadier general United States Volunteers, + commanding Department of the Ohio; + description of; + plan of West Virginia campaign; + appointed major general, and fails of confirmation; + suppresses disloyal newspapers. + +Wright, W. W., + constructing engineer Nash. and Chatt. railroad; + ordered east with view to joining Sherman at Savannah; + sent to North Carolina, to rebuild New Berne and Goldsborough +railroad; + rapid work; + bridging Neuse River; + completes railroad to Goldsborough. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Military Reminiscences of the Civil +War V2, by Jacob Dolson Cox + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MILITARY REMINISCENCES--CIVIL WAR V2 *** + +***** This file should be named 6962-8.txt or 6962-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/9/6/6962/ + +Produced by Steve Schulze, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law 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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