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By John Logan</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} + P { + text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 95% } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + + +</head> +<body> + +<h2>THE GREAT CONSPIRACY, Part 3</h2> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + + <a href="p2.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="7140-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Next Part</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + +<br><br><br><br><br><br> + + + + + +<center> +<h1> + + THE GREAT CONSPIRACY</h1> +<h2> + Its Origin and History<br> +<br> + Part 3.<br></h2> +<br><br> + <h2>By John Logan + +<br> +<br> + </h2> +<br><br> +<img alt="titlepage.jpg (65K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" height="1134" width="692"> +<br><br><br><br><br> +<img alt="frontspiece.jpg (101K)" src="images/frontspiece.jpg" height="934" width="665"> +<br><br><br><br><br> + +<br> +<br> +<br><br> +<h2>CONTENTS + +</h2></center> + +<br> +<br> + <h2><a href="#ch11">CHAPTER XI.</a><br> + THE CAUSES OF SECESSION.</h2> +<br> +ABOUNDING EVIDENCES OF CONSPIRACY—MACLAY'S UNPUBLISHED DIARY +1787-1791—PIERCE BUTLER'S FIERCE DENUNCIATION OF THE TARIFF—SOUTH CAROLINA +WILL "LIVE FREE OR DIE GLORIOUS"—JACKSON'S LETTER TO CRAWFORD, ON +TARIFF AND SLAVERY—BENTON'S TESTIMONY—HENRY CLAY'S EVIDENCE—NATHAN +APPLETON'S—A TREASONABLE CAUCUS OF SOUTHERN CONGRESSMEN—ALEXANDER H. +STEPHEN'S EVIDENCE ON THE CAUSES OF SECESSION—WIGFALL'S ADMISSIONS—THE +ONE "REGRETTED" CLAUSE IN THE CONSTITUTION PRECLUDING MONARCHIAL +STATES—ADMISSIONS OF REBEL COMMISSIONERS TO WASHINGTON—ADMISSIONS IN ADDRESS +OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE SLAVE-HOLDERS—JEFFERSON DAVIS'S STATEMENT IN +SPECIAL MESSAGE OF APRIL 29, 1861—DECLARATIONS OF REBEL COMMISSIONERS, +TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL—HIGH TARIFF AND "NOT SLAVERY" THE PRINCIPAL +CAUSE—PERSONAL LIBERTY BILLS—PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S DECLARATION OF THE +UNDERLYING CAUSE OF REBELLION—A WAR UPON LABOR AND THE RIGHTS OF THE +PEOPLE—ANDREW JOHNSON ON THE "DELIBERATE DESIGN" FOR A "CHANGE OF +GOVERNMENT"—"TIRED OF FREE GOVERNMENT"—DOUGLAS ON THE "ENORMOUS +CONSPIRACY"—THE REBEL PLOT TO SEIZE THE CAPITOL, AND +HOLD IT—MCDOUGALL'S GRAPHIC EXPOSURE OF THE TREASONABLE CONSPIRACY—YANCEY'S +FAMOUS "SLAUGHTER" LETTER—JEFFERSON DAVIS'S STANDARD OF REVOLT, RAISED +IN 1858—LAMAR'S LETTER TO JEFF. DAVIS (186O)—CAUCUS OF TREASON, AT +WASHINGTON—EVANS'S DISCLOSURES OF THE CAUCUS PROGRAMME OF +SECESSION—CORROBORATING TESTIMONY—YULEE'S CAPTURED LETTER—CAUCUS +RESOLUTIONS IN +FULL<br> +<br> +<br> + <h2><a href="#ch12">CHAPTER XII.</a><br> + COPPERHEADISM VS. UNION DEMOCRACY.</h2> +<br> +NORTHERN COMPLICITY WITH TREASON—MAYOR FERNANDO WOOD RECOMMENDS +SECESSION OF NEW YORK CITY—THE REBEL JUNTA AT WASHINGTON INSPIRES +HIM—HE OBEYS ORDERS, BUT SHAKES AT THE KNEES—KEITT BRAGS OF THE "MILLIONS +OF DEMOCRATS IN THE NORTH," FURNISHING A "WALL OF FIRE" AGAINST +COERCION—ATTEMPTED REBEL—SEDUCTION OF NEW JERSEY—THE PRICE-BURNETT +CORRESPONDENCE—SECESSION RESOLUTIONS OF THE PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRACY AT +NATIONAL HALL—LANE OF OREGON "SERVES NOTICE" OF "WAR ENOUGH AT HOME" +FOR REPUBLICANS—"NORTHERN DEMOCRATS NEED NOT CROSS THE BORDER TO FIND +AN ENEMY"—EX-PRESIDENT PIERCE'S CAPTURED TREASONABLE LETTER TO JEFF. +DAVIS—THE "FIGHTING" TO BE "WITHIN OUR OWN BORDERS, IN OUR OWN +STREETS"—ATTITUDE OF DOUGLAS, AND THE DOUGLAS DEMOCRACY, AFTER +SUMTER—DOUGLAS CALLS ON MR. LINCOLN AT THE WHITE HOUSE—HE PATRIOTICALLY +SUSTAINS THE UNION—HE RALLIES THE WHOLE NORTH TO STAND BY THE +FLAG—THERE CAN BE "NO NEUTRALS IN THIS WAR; ONLY PATRIOTS AND +TRAITORS"—LAMENTED DEATH OF "THE LITTLE GIANT"—TRIBUTES OF TRUMBULL AND MCDOUGALL +TO HIS MEMORY—LOGAN'S ATTITUDE AT THIS TIME, AND HIS RELATIONS TO +DOUGLAS—THEIR LAST PRIVATE INTERVIEW—DOUGLAS'S INTENTION TO "JOIN THE +ARMY AND FIGHT"—HIS LAST EFFORTS IN CONGRESS—"CONCILIATION," BEFORE +SUMTER—"NO HALF-WAY GROUND" AFTER IT<br> +<br> +<br> + <h2><a href="#ch13">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br> + THE STORM OF BATTLE.<br></h2> +<br> +THE MILITARY SITUATION—THE GREAT UPRISING—POSITIONS AND NUMBERS OF THE +UNION AND REBEL ARMIES—JOHNSTON EVACUATES HARPER'S FERRY, AND RETREATS +UPON WINCHESTER—PATTERSON'S EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT—HE DISOBEYS GENERAL +SCOTT'S ORDERS TO "ATTACK AND WHIP THE ENEMY"—JOHNSTON CONSEQUENTLY +FREE TO REINFORCE BEAUREGARD AT MANASSAS—FITZ JOHN PORTER'S +ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES—MCDOWELL'S ADVANCE UPON +BEAUREGARD—PRELIMINARY BATTLE AT BLACKBURN'S FORD—JUNCTION OF JOHNSTON +WITH BEAUREGARD—REBEL PLANS OF ADVANCE AND ATTACK—CHANGE IN MCDOWELL'S +PLANS—GREAT PITCHED-BATTLE OF BULL RUN, OR MANASSAS, INCLUDING THE +SECOND BATTLE AT BLACKBURN'S FORD—VICTORY, AT FIRST, WITH +MCDOWELL—THE CHECK—THE LEISURELY RETREAT—THE PANIC AT, AND NEAR, THE NATIONAL +CAPITAL—THE WAR FULLY INAUGURATED<br> +<br> +<br><br><br><br><br> + +<h3>IMAGES</h3> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<a href="#calhoun">JOHN C. CALHOUN,</a><br> +<a href="#virginia">SEAT OF WAR IN VIRGINIA.</a> (Map)<br> +<a href="#bull1">FIRST BULL RUN BATTLE-FIELD.</a> (Map)<br> +<a href="#bull2">FIRST BULL RUN BATTLE-FIELD,</a> (Map)<br> +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br><br><br><br> +<a name="calhoun"></a> +<center> +<img alt="p219-calhoun.jpg (74K)" src="images/p219-calhoun.jpg" height="799" width="589"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<a name="ch11"></a> +<br> + +<center> +<h2> +<br> + CHAPTER XI.<br> +<br> + THE CAUSES OF SECESSION.<br> +</h2></center> + +<p>In preceding Chapters of this work, it has been briefly shown, that from +the very hour in which the Republic of the United States was born, there +have not been wanting, among its own citizens, those who hated it, and +when they could not rule, were always ready to do what they could, by +Conspiracy, Sedition, Mutiny, Nullification, Secession, or otherwise, to +weaken and destroy it. This fact, and the processes by which the +Conspirators worked, is very well stated, in his documentary "History of +the Rebellion," by Edward McPherson, when he says: "In the Slaveholding +States, a considerable body of men have always been disaffected to the +Union. They resisted the adoption of the National Constitution, then +sought to refine away the rights and powers of the General Government, +and by artful expedients, in a series of years, using the excitements +growing out of passing questions, finally perverted the sentiments of +large masses of men, and prepared them for Revolution."</p> + +<p>Before giving further incontestable proofs establishing this fact, and +before endeavoring to sift out the true cause or causes of Secession, +let us first examine such evidences as are submitted by him in support +of his proposition.</p> + +<p>The first piece of testimony, is an extract from an unpublished journal +of U. S. Senator Maclay of Pennsylvania, from March 4, 1789, to March 3, +1791—the period of the First Congress under the Federal Constitution. +It runs thus:</p> + +<p>"1789, June 9.—In relation to the Tariff Bill, the affair of confining +the East India Trade to the citizens of America had been negatived, and +a committee had been appointed to report on this business. The report +came in with very high duties, amounting to a prohibition. But a new +phenomenon had made its appearance in the House (meaning the Senate) +since Friday.</p> + +<p>"Pierce Butler, from South Carolina, had taken his seat, and flamed like +a meteor. He arraigned the whole Impost law, and then charged +(indirectly) the whole Congress with a design of oppressing South +Carolina. He cried out for encouraging the Danes and Swedes, and +foreigners of every kind, to come and take away our produce. In fact he +was for a Navigation Act reversed.</p> + +<p>"June 11.—Attended at the hall as usual.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ralph Izard and Mr. Butler opposed the whole of the drawbacks in +every shape whatever.</p> + +<p>"Mr. (William) Grayson, of Virginia, warm on this subject, said we were +not ripe for such a thing. We were a new Nation, and had no business +for any such regulations—a Nation /sui generis/.</p> + +<p>"Mr. (Richard Henry) Lee (of Virginia) said drawbacks were right, but +would be so much abused, he could not think of admitting them.</p> + +<p>"Mr. (Oliver) Ellsworth (of Connecticut) said New England rum would be +exported, instead of West India, to obtain the drawback.</p> + +<p>"I thought it best to say a few words in reply to each. We were a new +Nation, it was true, but we were not a new People. We were composed of +individuals of like manners, habits, and customs with the European +Nations. What, therefore, had been found useful among them, came well +recommended by experience to us. Drawbacks stand as an example in this +point of view to us. If the thing was right in itself, there could be +no just argument drawn against the use of a thing from the abuse of it. +It would be the duty of Government to guard against abuses, by prudent +appointments and watchful attention to officers. That as to changing +the kind of rum, I thought the collection Bill would provide for this, +by limiting the exportation to the original casks and packages. I said +a great deal more, but really did not feel much interest either way. +But the debates were very lengthy.</p> + +<p>"Butler flamed away, and THREATENED A DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION, with +regard to his State, as sure as God was in the firmament. He scattered +his remarks over the whole Impost bill, calling it partial, oppressive, +etc., and solely calculated to oppress South Carolina, and yet ever and +anon declaring how clear of local views and how candid and dispassionate +he was. He degenerates into mere declamation. His State would live +free, or die glorious."</p> + +<p>The next piece of evidence is General Jackson's letter to Rev. A. J. +Crawford, as follows:</p> + +<p>["Private."]</p> + +<p>"WASHINGTON, May 1, 1833.</p> + +<p>"MY DEAR SIR: * * * I have had a laborious task here, but Nullification +is dead; and its actors and courtiers will only be remembered by the +People to be execrated for their wicked designs to sever and destroy the +only good Government on the globe, and that prosperity and happiness we +enjoy over every other portion of the World. Haman's gallows ought to +be the fate of all such ambitious men who would involve their Country in +Civil War, and all the evils in its train, that they might reign and +ride on its whirlwinds and direct the storm. The Free People of these +United States have spoken, and consigned these wicked demagogues to +their proper doom. Take care of your Nullifiers; you have them among +you; let them meet with the indignant frowns of every man who loves his +Country. The Tariff, it is now known, was a mere pretext—its burden +was on your coarse woolens. By the law of July, 1832, coarse woolen was +reduced to five per cent., for the benefit of the South. Mr. Clay's +Bill takes it up and classes it with woolens at fifty per cent., reduces +it gradually down to twenty per cent., and there it is to remain, and +Mr. Calhoun and all the Nullifiers agree to the principle. The cash +duties and home valuation will be equal to fifteen per cent. more, and +after the year 1842, you pay on coarse woolens thirty-five per cent. If +this is not Protection, I cannot understand; therefore the Tariff was +only the pretext, and Disunion and a Southern Confederacy the real +object. The next pretext will be the Negro or Slavery question.</p> + +<p>"My health is not good, but is improving a little. Present me kindly to +your lady and family, and believe me to be your friend. I will always +be happy to hear from you. + "ANDREW JACKSON."</p> + +<p> +Another evidence is given in the following extract from Benton's "Thirty +Years in the Senate," vol. ii., as follows:</p> + +<p>"The regular inauguration of this Slavery agitation dates from the year +1835; but it had commenced two years before, and in this way: +Nullification and Disunion had commenced in 1830, upon complaint against +Protective Tariff. That, being put down in 1833 under President +Jackson's proclamation and energetic measures, was immediately +substituted by the Slavery agitation. Mr. Calhoun, when he went home +from Congress in the spring of that year, told his friends that 'the +South could never be united against the North on the Tariff +question—that the sugar interest of Louisiana would keep her out—and that the +basis of Southern Union must be shifted to the Slave question.' Then +all the papers in his interest, and especially the one at Washington, +published by Mr. Duff Green, dropped Tariff agitation, and commenced +upon Slavery, and in two years had the agitation ripe for inauguration, +on the Slavery question. And in tracing this agitation to its present +stage, and to comprehend its rationale, it is not to be forgotten that +it is a mere continuation of old Tariff Disunion, and preferred because +more available."</p> + +<p>Again, from p. 490 of his private correspondence, Mr. Clay's words to an +Alabamian, in 1844, are thus given:</p> + +<p>"From the developments now being made in South Carolina, it is perfectly +manifest that a Party exists in that State seeking a Dissolution of the +Union, and for that purpose employ the pretext of the rejection of Mr. +Tyler's abominable treaty. South Carolina, being surrounded by Slave +States, would, in the event of a Dissolution of the Union, suffer only +comparative evils; but it is otherwise with Kentucky. She has the +boundary of the Ohio extending four hundred miles on three Free States. +What would our condition be in the event of the greatest calamity that +could befall this Nation?"</p> + +<p>Allusion is also made to a letter written by Representative Nathan +Appleton, of Boston, December 15, 1860, in which that gentleman said +that when he was in Congress—in 1832-33—he had "made up his mind that +Messrs. Calhoun, Hayne, McDuffie, etc., were desirous of a separation of +the Slave States into a separate Confederacy, as more favorable to the +security of Slave Property."</p> + +<p>After mentioning that "About 1835, some South Carolinians attempted a +Disunion demonstration," our authority says: It is thus described by +ex-Governor Francis Thomas of Maryland, in his speech in Baltimore, October +29, 1861:</p> + +<p>"Full twenty years ago, when occupying my seat in the House of +Representatives, I was surprised one morning, after the assembling of +the House, to observe that all the members from the Slaveholding States +were absent. Whilst reflecting on this strange occurrence, I was asked +why I was not in attendance on the Southern Caucus assembled in the room +of the Committee on Claims. I replied that I had received no +invitation.</p> + +<p>"I then proposed to go to the Committee-room to see what was being done. +When I entered, I found that little cock-sparrow, Governor Pickens, of +South Carolina, addressing the meeting, and strutting about like a +rooster around a barn-yard coop, discussing the following resolution:</p> + +<p>"' Resolved, That no member of Congress, representing a Southern +constituency, shall again take his seat until a resolution is passed +satisfactory to the South on the subject of Slavery.'</p> + +<p>"I listened to his language, and when he had finished, I obtained the +floor, asking to be permitted to take part in the discussion. I +determined at once to kill the Treasonable plot hatched by John C. +Calhoun, the Catiline of America, by asking questions. I said to Mr. +Pickens, 'What next do you propose we shall do? are we to tell the +People that Republicanism is a failure? If you are for that, I am not. +I came here to sustain and uphold American institutions; to defend the +rights of the North as well as the South; to secure harmony and good +fellowship between all Sections of our common Country.' They dared not +answer these questions. The Southern temper had not then been gotten +up. As my questions were not answered, I moved an adjournment of the +Caucus /sine die/. Mr. Craig, of Virginia, seconded the motion, and the +company was broken up. We returned to the House, and Mr. Ingersoll, of +Pennsylvania, a glorious patriot then as now, introduced a resolution +which temporarily calmed the excitement."</p> + +<p>The remarks upon this statement, made November 4, 1861, by the National +Intelligencer, were as follows:</p> + +<p>"However busy Mr. Pickens may have been in the Caucus after it met, the +most active man in getting it up and pressing the Southern members to go +into it, was Mr. R. B. Rhett, also a member from South Carolina. The +occasion, or alleged cause of this withdrawal from the House into secret +deliberation was an anti-Slavery speech of Mr. Slade, of Vermont, which +Mr. Rhett violently denounced, and proposed to the Southern members to +leave the House and go into Conclave in one of the Committee-rooms, +which they generally did, if not all of them. We are able to state, +however, what may not have been known to Governor Thomas, that at least +three besides himself, of those who did attend it, went there with a +purpose very different from an intention to consent to any Treasonable +measure. These three men were Henry A. Wise, Balie Peyton, and William +Cost Johnson. Neither of them opened his lips in the Caucus; they went +to observe; and we can assure Governor Thomas, that if Mr. Pickens or +Mr. Calhoun, (whom he names) or any one else had presented a distinct +proposition looking to Disunion, or Revolt, or Secession, he would have +witnessed a scene not soon to be forgotten. The three whom we have +mentioned were as brave as they were determined. Fortunately, perhaps, +the man whom they went particularly to watch, remained silent and +passive."</p> + +<p>Let us, however, pursue the inquiry a little further. On the 14th of +November, 1860, Alexander H. Stephens addressed the Legislature of +Georgia, and in a portion of that address—replying to a speech made +before the same Body the previous evening by Mr. Toombs, in which the +latter had "recounted the evils of this Government"—said:</p> + +<p>"The first [of these evils] was the Fishing Bounties, paid mostly to the +sailors of New England. Our friend stated that forty-eight years of our +Government was under the administration of Southern Presidents. Well, +these Fishing Bounties began under the rule of a Southern President, I +believe. No one of them, during the whole forty-eight years, ever set +his Administration against the principle or policy of them. * * *</p> + +<p>"The next evil which my friend complained of, was the Tariff. Well, let +us look at that for a moment. About the time I commenced noticing +public matters, this question was agitating the Country almost as +fearfully as the Slave question now is. In 1832, when I was in college, +South Carolina was ready to Nullify or Secede from the Union on this +account. And what have we seen? The Tariff no longer distracts the +public counsels. Reason has triumphed! The present Tariff was voted +for by Massachusetts and South Carolina. The lion and the lamb lay down +together—every man in the Senate and House from Massachusetts and South +Carolina, I think, voted for it, as did my honorable friend himself. +And if it be true, to use the figure of speech of my honorable friend, +that every man in the North that works in iron, and brass and wood, has +his muscle strengthened by the protection of the Government, that +stimulant was given by his vote and I believe (that of) every other +Southern man.</p> + +<p>"Mr. TOOMBS—The Tariff lessened the duties.</p> + +<p>"Mr. STEPHENS—Yes, and Massachusetts with unanimity voted with the +South to lessen them, and they were made just as low as Southern men +asked them to be, and that is the rate they are now at. If reason and +argument, with experience, produced such changes in the sentiments of +Massachusetts from 1832 to 1857, on the subject of the Tariff, may not +like changes be effected there by the same means—reason and argument, +and appeals to patriotism on the present vexed question? And who can +say that by 1875 or 1890, Massachusetts may not vote with South Carolina +and Georgia upon all those questions that now distract the Country and +threaten its peace and existence.</p> + +<p>"Another matter of grievance alluded to by my honorable friend was the +Navigation Laws. This policy was also commenced under the +Administration of one of these Southern Presidents who ruled so well, +and has been continued through all of them since. * * * One of the +objects (of these) was to build up a commercial American marine by +giving American bottoms the exclusive Carrying Trade between our own +ports. This is a great arm of national power. This object was +accomplished. We have now an amount of shipping, not only coastwise, +but to foreign countries, which puts us in the front rank of the Nations +of the World. England can no longer be styled the Mistress of the Seas. +What American is not proud of the result? Whether those laws should be +continued is another question. But one thing is certain; no President, +Northern or Southern, has ever yet recommended their repeal. * * *</p> + +<p>"These then were the true main grievances or grounds of complaint +against the general system of our Government and its workings—I mean +the administration of the Federal Government. As to the acts of the +federal States I shall speak presently: but these three were the main +ones used against the common head. Now, suppose it be admitted that all +of these are evils in the system; do they overbalance and outweigh the +advantages and great good which this same Government affords in a +thousand innumerable ways that cannot be estimated? Have we not at the +South, as well as the North, grown great, prosperous, and happy under +its operations? Has any part of the World ever shown such rapid +progress in the development of wealth, and all the material resources of +national power and greatness, as the Southern States have under the +General Government, notwithstanding all its defects?</p> + +<p>"Mr. TOOMBS—In spite of it.</p> + +<p>"Mr. STEPHENS—My honorable friend says we have, in spite of the General +Government; that without it, I suppose he thinks, we might have done as +well, or perhaps better, than we have done in spite of it. * * * +Whether we of the South would have been better off without the +Government, is, to say the least, problematical. On the one side we can +only put the fact, against speculation and conjecture on the other. * * +* The influence of the Government on us is like that of the atmosphere +around us. Its benefits are so silent and unseen that they are seldom +thought of or appreciated.</p> + +<p>"We seldom think of the single element of oxygen in the air we breathe, +and yet let this simple, unseen and unfelt agent be withdrawn, this +life-giving element be taken away from this all-pervading fluid around +us, and what instant and appalling changes would take place in all +organic creation.</p> + +<p>"It may be that we are all that we are 'in spite of the General +Government,' but it may be that without it we should have been far +different from what we are now. It is true that there is no equal part +of the Earth with natural resources superior perhaps to ours. That +portion of this Country known as the Southern States, stretching from +the Chesapeake to the Rio Grande, is fully equal to the picture drawn by +the honorable and eloquent Senator last night, in all natural +capacities. But how many ages and centuries passed before these +capacities were developed to reach this advanced age of civilization. +There these same hills, rich in ore, same rivers, same valleys and +plains, are as they have been since they came from the hand of the +Creator; uneducated and uncivilized man roamed over them for how long no +history informs us.</p> + +<p>"It was only under our institutions that they could be developed. Their +development is the result of the enterprise of our people, under +operations of the Government and institutions under which we have lived. +Even our people, without these, never would have done it. The +organization of society has much to do with the development of the +natural resources of any Country or any Land. The institutions of a +People, political and moral, are the matrix in which the germ of their +organic structure quickens into life—takes root, and develops in form, +nature, and character. Our institutions constitute the basis, the +matrix, from which spring all our characteristics of development and +greatness. Look at Greece. There is the same fertile soil, the same +blue sky, the same inlets and harbors, the same AEgean, the same +Olympus; there is the same land where Homer sung, where Pericles spoke; +it is in nature the same old Greece—but it is living Greece no more.</p> + +<p>"Descendants of the same people inhabit the country; yet what is the +reason of this vast difference? In the midst of present degradation we +see the glorious fragments of ancient works of art-temples, with +ornaments and inscriptions that excite wonder and admiration—the +remains of a once high order of civilization, which have outlived the +language they spoke—upon them all, Ichabod is written—their glory has +departed. Why is this so? I answer, their institutions have been +destroyed. These were but the fruits of their forms of government, the +matrix from which their great development sprang; and when once the +institutions of a People have been destroyed, there is no earthly power +that can bring back the Promethean spark to kindle them here again, any +more than in that ancient land of eloquence, poetry and song.</p> + +<p>"The same may be said of Italy. Where is Rome, once the mistress of the +World? There are the same seven hills now, the same soil, the same +natural resources; the nature is the same, but what a ruin of human +greatness meets the eye of the traveler throughout the length and +breadth of that most down-trodden land! why have not the People of that +Heaven-favored clime, the spirit that animated their fathers? Why this +sad difference?</p> + +<p>"It is the destruction of their institutions that has caused it; and, my +countrymen, if we shall in an evil hour rashly pull down and destroy +those institutions which the patriotic hand of our fathers labored so +long and so hard to build up, and which have done so much for us and the +World, who can venture the prediction that similar results will not +ensue? Let us avoid it if we can. I trust the spirit is among us that +will enable us to do it. Let us not rashly try the experiment, for, if +it fails, as it did in Greece and Italy, and in the South American +Republics, and in every other place wherever liberty is once destroyed, +it may never be restored to us again.</p> + +<p>"There are defects in our government, errors in administration, and +short-comings of many kinds; but in spite of these defects and errors, +Georgia has grown to be a great State. Let us pause here a moment.</p> + +<p>"When I look around and see our prosperity in everything, agriculture, +commerce, art, science, and every department of education, physical and +mental, as well as moral advancement—and our colleges—I think, in the +face of such an exhibition, if we can, without the loss of power, or any +essential right or interest, remain in the Union, it is our duty to +ourselves and to posterity—let us not too readily yield to this +temptation—to do so. Our first parents, the great progenitors of the +human race, were not without a like temptation, when in the Garden of +Eden. They were led to believe that their condition would be +bettered—that their eyes would be opened—and that they would become as gods. +They in an evil hour yielded—instead of becoming gods they only saw +their own nakedness.</p> + +<p>"I look upon this Country, with our institutions, as the Eden of the +World, the Paradise of the Universe. It may be that out of it we may +become greater and more prosperous, but I am candid and sincere in +telling you that I fear if we rashly evince passion, and without +sufficient cause shall take that step, that instead of becoming greater +or more peaceful, prosperous, and happy—instead of becoming gods, we +will become demons, and at no distant day commence cutting one another's +throats. This is my apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Let us, therefore, whatever we do, meet those difficulties, great as +they are, like wise and sensible men, and consider them in the light of +all the consequences which may attend our action. Let us see first +clearly where the path of duty leads, and then we may not fear to tread +therein."</p> + +<p> +Said Senator Wigfall, of Texas, March 4, 1861, in the United States +Senate, only a few hours before Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration:</p> + +<p>"I desire to pour oil on the waters, to produce harmony, peace and quiet +here. It is early in the morning, and I hope I shall not say anything +that may be construed as offensive. I rise merely that we may have an +understanding of this question.</p> + +<p>"It is not Slavery in the Territories, it is not expansion, which is the +difficulty. If the resolution which the Senator from Wisconsin +introduced here, denying the right of Secession, had been adopted by +two-thirds of each branch of this department of the Government, and had +been ratified by three-fourths of the States, I have no hesitation in +saying that, so far as the State in which I live and to which I owe my +allegiance is concerned, if she had no other cause for a disruption of +the Union taking place, she would undoubtedly have gone out.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [To insert as an additional article of amendment to the + Constitution, the following: "Under this Constitution, as + originally adopted, and as it now exists, no State has power to + withdraw from the jurisdiction of the United States: but this + Constitution, and all laws passed in pursuance of its delegated + powers, are the Supreme Law of the Land, anything contained in any + constitution, ordinance, or act of any State, to the contrary + notwithstanding."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>"The moment you deny the right of self-government to the free White men +of the South, they will leave the Government. They believe in the +Declaration of Independence. They believe that:</p> + +<p>"'Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from +the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government +becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to +alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its +foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as +to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.'</p> + +<p>"That principle of the Declaration of Independence is the one upon which +the free White men of the South predicated their devotion to the present +Constitution of the United States; and it was the denial of that, as +much as anything else, that has created the dissatisfaction in that +Section of the Country.</p> + +<p>"There is no instrument of writing that has ever been written that has +been more misapprehended and misunderstood and misrepresented than this +same unfortunate Declaration of Independence, and no set of gentlemen +have ever been so slandered as the fathers who drew and signed that +Declaration.</p> + +<p>"If there was a thing on earth that they did not intend to assert, it +was that a Negro was a White man. As I said here, a short time ago, one +of the greatest charges they made against the British Government was, +that old King George was attempting to establish the fact practically +that all men were created Free and Equal. They charged him in the +Declaration of Independence with inciting their Slaves to insurrection. +That is one of the grounds upon which they threw off their allegiance to +the British Parliament.</p> + +<p>"Another great misapprehension is, that the men who drafted that +Declaration of Independence had any peculiar fancy for one form of +government rather than another. They were not fighting to establish a +Democracy in this country; they were not fighting to establish a +Republican form of government in this Country. Nothing was further from +their intention.</p> + +<p>"Alexander Hamilton, after he had fought for seven years, declared that +the British form of government was the best that the ingenuity of man +had ever devised; and when John Adams said to him, 'without its +corruptions;' 'Why,' said he, 'its corruptions are its greatest +excellence; without the corruptions, it would be nothing.'</p> + +<p>"In the Declaration of Independence, they speak of George III., after +this fashion. They say:</p> + +<p>"'A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define +a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free People.'</p> + +<p>"Now, I ask any plain common-sense man what was the meaning of that? +Was it that they were opposed to a Monarchical form of government? Was +it that they believed a Monarchical form of government was incompatible +with civil liberty? No, sir; they entertained no such absurd idea. +None of them entertained it; but they say that George III, was a prince +whose character was 'marked by every act which may define a tyrant' and +that therefore he was 'unfit to be the ruler of a free People.' Had his +character not been so marked by every quality which would define a +tyrant, he might have been the fit ruler of a free People; ergo, a +monarchical form of Government was not incompatible with civil liberty.</p> + +<p>"That was clearly the opinion of those men. I do not advocate it now; +for I have said frequently that we are wiser than our fathers, and our +children will be wiser than we are. One hundred years hence, men will +understand their own affairs much better than we do. We understand our +affairs better than those who preceded us one hundred years. But what I +assert is, that the men of the Revolution did not believe that a +Monarchical form of Government was incompatible with civil liberty.</p> + +<p>"What I assert is, that when they spoke of 'all men being created +equal,' they were speaking of the White men who then had unsheathed +their swords—for what purpose? To establish the right of +self-government in themselves; and when they had achieved that, they +established, not Democracies, but Republican forms of Government in the +thirteen sovereign, separate and independent Colonies. Yet the +Declaration of Independence is constantly quoted to prove Negro +equality. It proves no such thing; it was intended to prove no such +thing.</p> + +<p>"The 'glittering generalities' which a distinguished former Senator from +Massachusetts (Mr. Choate) spoke of, as contained in the Declaration of +Independence, one of them at least, about all men being created +equal—was not original with Mr. Jefferson. I recollect seeing a pamphlet +called the Principles of the Whigs and Jacobites, published about the +year 1745, when the last of the Stuarts, called 'the Pretender,' was +striking a blow that was fatal to himself, but a blow for his crown, in +which pamphlet the very phraseology is used, word for word and letter +for letter. I have not got it here to-night. I sent the other day to +the Library to try and find it, but could not find it; it was burnt, I +believe, with the pamphlets that were burnt some time ago.</p> + +<p>"That Mr. Jefferson copied it or plagiarized it, is not true, I suppose, +any more than the charge that the distinguished Senator from New York +plagiarized from the Federalist in preparing his celebrated compromising +speech which was made here a short time ago. It was the cant phrase of +the day in 1745, which was only about thirty years previous to the +Declaration of Independence. This particular pamphlet, which I have +read, was published; others were published at the same time. That sort +of phraseology was used.</p> + +<p>"There was a war of classes in England; there were men who were +contending for legitimacy; who were contending for the right of the +Crown being inherent and depending on the will of God, 'the divine right +of Kings,' for maintaining an hereditary landed-aristocracy; there was +another Party who were contending against this doctrine of legitimacy, +and the right of primogeniture. These were called the Whigs; they +established this general phraseology in denouncing the divine right and +the doctrine of legitimacy, and it became the common phraseology of the +Country; so that in the obscure county of Mecklenburg, in North +Carolina, a declaration containing the same assertions was found as in +this celebrated Declaration of Independence, written by the immortal +Jefferson.</p> + +<p>"Which of us, I ask, is there upon this floor who has not read and +re-read whatever was written within the last twenty-five or thirty years by +the distinguished men of this country? But enough of that.</p> + +<p>"As I said before, there ought not have been, and there did not +necessarily result from our form of Government, any irrepressible +conflict between the Slaveholding and the non-Slaveholding States. +Nothing of the sort was necessary.</p> + +<p>"Strike out a single clause in the Constitution of the United States, +that which secures to each State a Republican form of Government, and +there is no reason why, under precisely such a Constitution as we have, +States that are Monarchical and States that are Republican, could not +live in peace and quiet. They confederate together for common defense +and general welfare, each State regulating its domestic concerns in its +own way; those which preferred a Republican form of Government +maintaining it, and those which preferred a Monarchical form of +Government maintaining it.</p> + +<p>"But how long could small States, with different forms of Government, +live together, confederated for common defense and general welfare, if +the people of one Section were to come to the conclusion that their +institutions were better than those of the other, and thereupon +straightway set about subverting the institutions of the other?"</p> + +<p> +In the reply of the Rebel "Commissioners of the Southern Confederacy" +to Mr. Seward, April 9, 1861, they speak of our Government as being +"persistently wedded to those fatal theories of construction of the +Federal Constitution always rejected by the statesmen of the South, and +adhered to by those of the Administration school, until they have +produced their natural and often-predicted result of the destruction of +the Union, under which we might have continued to live happily and +gloriously together, had the spirit of the ancestry who framed the +common Constitution animated the hearts of all their sons."</p> + +<p>In the "Address of the people of South Carolina, assembled in +Convention, to the people of the Slaveholding States of the United +States," by which the attempt was made to justify the passage of the +South Carolina Secession Ordinance of 1860, it is declared that:</p> + +<p>"Discontent and contention have moved in the bosom of the Confederacy, +for the last thirty-five years. During this time South Carolina has +twice called her people together in solemn Convention, to take into +consideration, the aggressions and unconstitutional wrongs, perpetrated +by the people of the North on the people of the South. These wrongs +were submitted to by the people of the South, under the hope and +expectation that they would be final. But such hope and expectation +have proved to be vain. Instead of producing forbearance, our +acquiescence has only instigated to new forms of aggressions and +outrage; and South Carolina, having again assembled her people in +Convention, has this day dissolved her connection with the States +constituting the United States.</p> + +<p>"The one great evil from which all other evils have flowed, is the +overthrow of the Constitution of the United States. The Government of +the United States, is no longer the Government of Confederated +Republics, but of a consolidated Democracy. It is no longer a free +Government, but a Despotism. It is, in fact, such a Government as Great +Britain attempted to set over our Fathers; and which was resisted and +defeated by a seven years struggle for Independence.</p> + +<p>"The Revolution of 1776, turned upon one great principle, +self-government,—and self-taxation, the criterion of self-government.</p> + +<p>"The Southern States now stand exactly in the same position towards the +Northern States, that the Colonies did towards Great Britain. The +Northern States, having the majority in Congress, claim the same power +of omnipotence in legislation as the British Parliament. 'The General +Welfare' is the only limit to the legislation of either; and the +majority in Congress, as in the British Parliament, are the sole judges +of the expediency of the legislation this 'General Welfare' requires. +Thus the Government of the United States has become a consolidated +Government; and the people of the Southern States are compelled to meet +the very despotism their fathers threw off in the Revolution of 1776.</p> + +<p>"The consolidation of the Government of Great Britain over the Colonies, +was attempted to be carried out by the taxes. The British Parliament +undertook to tax the Colonies to promote British interests. Our fathers +resisted this pretension. They claimed the right of self-taxation +through their Colonial Legislatures. They were not represented in the +British Parliament, and, therefore, could not rightly be taxed by its +legislation. The British Government, however, offered them a +representation in Parliament; but it was not sufficient to enable them +to protect themselves from the majority, and they refused the offer. +Between taxation without any representation, and taxation without a +representation adequate to protection, there was no difference. In +neither case would the Colonies tax themselves. Hence, they refused to +pay the taxes laid by the British Parliament.</p> + +<p>"And so with the Southern States, towards the Northern States, in the +vital matter of taxation. They are in a minority in Congress. Their +representation in Congress is useless to protect them against unjust +taxation; and they are taxed by the people of the North for their +benefit, exactly as the people of Great Britain taxed our ancestors in +the British Parliament for their benefit. For the last forty years, the +taxes laid by the Congress of the United States have been laid with a +view of subserving the interests of the North. The people of the South +have been taxed by duties on imports, not for revenue, but for an object +inconsistent with revenue—to promote, by prohibitions, Northern +interests in the productions of their mines and manufactures.</p> + +<p>"There is another evil, in the condition of the Southern towards the +Northern States, which our ancestors refused to bear towards Great +Britain. Our ancestors not only taxed themselves, but all the taxes +collected from them were expended amongst them. Had they submitted to +the pretensions of the British Government, the taxes collected from +them, would have been expended in other parts of the British Empire. +They were fully aware of the effect of such a policy in impoverishing +the people from whom taxes are collected, and in enriching those who +receive the benefit of their expenditure.</p> + +<p>"To prevent the evils of such a policy, was one of the motives which +drove them on to Revolution, yet this British policy has been fully +realized towards the Southern States, by the Northern States. The +people of the Southern States are not only taxed for the benefit of the +Northern States, but after the taxes are collected, three fourths of +them are expended at the North. This cause, with others, connected with +the operation of the General Government, has made the cities of the +South provincial. Their growth is paralyzed; they are mere suburbs of +Northern cities. The agricultural productions of the South are the +basis of the foreign commerce of the United States; yet Southern cities +do not carry it on. Our foreign trade is almost annihilated. * * *</p> + +<p>"No man can for a moment believe, that our ancestors intended to +establish over their posterity, exactly the same sort of Government they +had overthrown. * * * Yet by gradual and steady encroachments on the +part of the people of the North, and acquiescence on the part of the +South, the limitations in the Constitution have been swept away; and the +Government of the United States has become consolidated, with a claim of +limitless powers in its operations. * * *</p> + +<p>"A majority in Congress, according to their interested and perverted +views, is omnipotent. * * * Numbers with them, is the great element of +free Government. A majority is infallible and omnipotent. 'The right +divine to rule in Kings,' is only transferred to their majority. The +very object of all Constitutions, in free popular Government, is to +restrain the majority. Constitutions, therefore, according to their +theory, must be most unrighteous inventions, restricting liberty. None +ought to exist; but the body politic ought simply to have a political +organization, to bring out and enforce the will of the majority. This +theory is a remorseless despotism. In resisting it, as applicable to +ourselves, we are vindicating the great cause of free Government, more +important, perhaps, to the World, than the existence of all the United +States."</p> + +<p> +In his Special Message to the Confederate Congress at Montgomery, April +29, 1861, Mr. Jefferson Davis said:</p> + +<p>"From a period as early as 1798, there had existed in all the States a +Party, almost uninterruptedly in the majority, based upon the creed that +each State was, in the last resort, the sole judge, as well of its +wrongs as of the mode and measure of redress. * * * The Democratic +Party of the United States repeated, in its successful canvas of 1836, +the declaration, made in numerous previous political contests, that it +would faithfully abide by and uphold the principles laid down in the +Kentucky and Virginia Legislatures of [1798 and] 1799, and that it +adopts those principles as constituting one of the main foundations of +its political creed."</p> + +<p>In a letter addressed by the Rebel Commissioners in London (Yancey, Rost +and Mann), August 14, 1861, to Lord John Russell, Secretary of Foreign +Affairs, it appears that they said: "It was from no fear that the Slaves +would be liberated, that Secession took place. The very Party in power +has proposed to guarantee Slavery forever in the States, if the South +would but remain in the Union." On the 4th of May preceding, Lord John +had received these Commissioners at his house; and in a letter of May +11, 1861, wrote, from the Foreign Office, to Lord Lyons, the British +Minister at Washington, a letter, in which, alluding to his informal +communication with them, he said: "One of these gentlemen, speaking for +the others, dilated on the causes which had induced the Southern States +to Secede from the Northern. The principal of these causes, he said, +was not Slavery, but the very high price which, for the sake of +Protecting the Northern manufacturers, the South were obliged to pay for +the manufactured goods which they required. One of the first acts of +the Southern Congress was to reduce these duties, and to prove their +sincerity he gave as an instance that Louisiana had given up altogether +that Protection on her sugar which she enjoyed by the legislation of the +United States. As a proof of the riches of the South. He stated that +of $350,000,000 of exports of produce to foreign countries $270,000,000 +were furnished by the Southern States." * * * They pointed to the new +Tariff of the United States as a proof that British manufactures would +be nearly excluded from the North, and freely admitted in the South.</p> + +<p> +This may be as good a place as any other to say a few words touching +another alleged "cause" of Secession. During the exciting period just +prior to the breaking out of the great War of the Rebellion, the +Slave-holding and Secession-nursing States of the South, made a terrible +hubbub over the Personal Liberty Bills of the Northern States. And when +Secession came, many people of the North supposed these Bills to be the +prime, if not the only real cause of it. Not so. They constituted, as +we now know, only a part of the mere pretext. But, none the less, they +constituted a portion of the history of that eventful time, and cannot +be altogether ignored.</p> + +<p>In order then, that the reader may quickly grasp, not only the general +nature, but also the most important details of the Personal Liberty +Bills (in force, in 1860, in many of the Free States) so frequently +alluded to in the Debates of Congress, in speeches on the stump, and in +the fulminations of Seceding States and their authorized agents, +commissioners, and representatives, it may be well now, briefly to refer +to them, and to state that no such laws existed in California, Illinois, +Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Oregon.</p> + +<p>Those of Maine provided that no officer of the State should in any way +assist in the arrest or detention of a Fugitive Slave, and made it the +duty of county attorneys to defend the Fugitive Slave against the claim +of his master. A Bill to repeal these laws passed the Maine Senate, but +failed in the House.</p> + +<p>That of Massachusetts provided for commissioners in each county to +defend alleged Fugitives from Service or Labor; for payment by the +Commonwealth of all expenses of defense; prohibited the issue or service +of process by State officers for arrest of alleged Fugitives, or the use +of any prisons in the State for their detention, or that of any person +aiding their escape; prohibited the kidnapping or removal of alleged +Fugitive Slaves by any person; prohibited all officers within the State, +down to Town officers, from arresting, imprisoning, detaining or +returning to Service "any Person for the reason that he is claimed or +adjudged to be a Fugitive from Service or Labor"—all such prohibitions +being enforced by heavy fines and imprisonment. The Act of March 25, +1861, materially modified and softened the above provisions.</p> + +<p>New Hampshire's law, provided that all Slaves entering the State with +consent of the master shall be Free, and made the attempt to hold any +person as a Slave within the State a felony.</p> + +<p>Vermont's, prescribed that no process under the Fugitive Slave Law +should be recognized by any of her Courts, officers, or citizens; nor +any aid given in arresting or removing from the State any Person claimed +as a Fugitive Slave; provided counsel for alleged Fugitives; for the +issue of habeas corpus and trial by jury of issues of fact between the +parties; ordained Freedom to all within the State who may have been held +as Slaves before coming into it, and prescribed heavy penalties for any +attempt to return any such to Slavery. A bill to repeal these laws, +proposed November, 1860, in the Vermont House of Representatives, was +beaten by two to one.</p> + +<p>Connecticut's, provided that there must be two witnesses to prove that a +Person is a Slave; that depositions are not evidence; that false +testifying in Fugitive Slave cases shall be punishable by fine of $5,000 +and five years in State prison.</p> + +<p>In New Jersey, the only laws touching the subject, permitted persons +temporarily sojourning in the State to bring and hold their Slaves, and +made it the duty of all State officers to aid in the recovery of +Fugitives from Service.</p> + +<p>In Pennsylvania, barring an old dead-letter Statute, they simply +prohibited any interference by any of the Courts, Aldermen, or Justices +of the Peace, of the Commonwealth, with the functions of the +Commissioner appointed under the United States Statute in Fugitive Slave +cases.</p> + +<p>In Michigan, the law required States' attorneys to defend Fugitive +Slaves; prescribed the privileges of habeas corpus and jury trial for +all such arrested; prohibited the use of prisons of the State for their +detention; required evidence of two credible witnesses as to identity; +and provided heavy penalties of fine and imprisonment for the seizure of +any Free Person, with intent to have such Person held in Slavery. A +Bill to repeal the Michigan law was defeated in the House by about two +to one.</p> + +<p>Wisconsin's Personal Liberty law was similar to that of Michigan, but +with this addition, that no judgment recovered against any person in +that State for violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 should be +enforced by sale or execution of any real or personal property in that +State.</p> + +<p>That of Rhode Island, forbade the carrying away of any Person by force +out of the State; forbade the official aiding in the arrest or detention +of a Fugitive Slave; and denied her jails to the United States for any +such detention.</p> + +<p>Apropos of this subject, and before leaving it, it may be well to quote +remarks of Mr. Simons of Rhode Island, in the United States Senate. +Said he: "Complaint has been made of Personal Liberty Bills. Now, the +Massachusetts Personal Liberty Bill was passed by a Democratic House, a +Democratic Senate, and signed by a Democratic Governor, a man who was +afterwards nominated by Mr. Polk for the very best office in New +England, and was unanimously confirmed by a Democratic United States +Senate. Further than this, the very first time the attention of the +Massachusetts Legislature was called to the propriety of a repeal of +this law was by a Republican Governor. Now, on the other hand, South +Carolina had repealed a law imprisoning British colored sailors, but +retained the one imprisoning those coming from States inhabited by her +own brethren!"</p> + +<p>These Personal Liberty Bills were undoubtedly largely responsible for +some of the irritation on the Slavery question preceding open +hostilities between the Sections. But President Lincoln sounded the +real depths of the Rebellion when he declared it to be a War upon the +rights of the People. In his First Annual Message, December 3, 1861, he +said:</p> + +<p>"It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely, if not +exclusively, a War upon the first principle of popular government—the +rights of the People. Conclusive evidence of this is found in the most +grave and maturely considered public documents, as well as in the +general tone of the insurgents. In those documents we find the +abridgment of the existing right of suffrage, and the denial to the +People of all right to participate in the selection of public officers, +except the legislative, boldly advocated, with labored arguments to +prove that large control of the People in government is the source of +all political evil. Monarchy itself is sometimes hinted at as a +possible refuge from the power of the People.</p> + +<p>"In my present position, I could scarcely be justified were I to omit +raising a warning voice against this approach of returning despotism.</p> + +<p>"It is not needed, nor fitting here, that a general argument should be +made in favor of popular institutions; but there is one point, with its +connections, not so hackneyed as most others, to which I ask brief +attention. It is the effort to place Capital on an equal footing with, +if not above Labor, in the structure of the Government.</p> + +<p>"It is assumed that Labor is available only in connection with Capital; +that nobody labors unless somebody else, owning Capital, somehow by the +use of it induces him to labor. This assumed, it is next considered +whether it is best that Capital shall hire laborers, and thus induce +them to work by their own consent, or buy them, and drive them to it +without their consent. Having proceeded so far, it is naturally +concluded that all laborers are either hired laborers, or what we call +Slaves. And further, it is assumed that whoever is once a hired laborer +is fixed in that condition for life.</p> + +<p>"Now, there is no such relation between Capital and Labor as assumed; +nor is there any such thing as a free man being fixed for life, in the +condition of a hired laborer. Both these assumptions are false, and all +inferences from them are groundless.</p> + +<p>"Labor is prior to, and independent of Capital. Capital is only the +fruit of Labor, and could never have existed if Labor had not first +existed. Labor is the superior of Capital, and deserves much the higher +consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of +protection as any other rights. Nor is it denied that there is, and +probably always will be, a relation between Labor and Capital, producing +mutual benefits. The error is in assuming that the whole Labor of the +community exists within that relation.</p> + +<p>"A few men own Capital, and that few, avoid labor themselves, and with +their Capital hire or buy another few to labor for them. A large +majority belong to neither class—neither work for others, nor have +others working for them.</p> + +<p>"In most of the Southern States, a majority of the whole people of all +colors are neither Slaves nor masters; while in the Northern, a large +majority are neither hirers nor hired. Men with their families—wives, +sons, and daughters—work for themselves, on their farms, in their +houses, and in their shops, taking the whole product to themselves, and +asking no favors of Capital on the one hand, nor of hired laborers or +Slaves on the other.</p> + +<p>"It is not forgotten that a considerable number of persons mingle their +own Labor with Capital—that is they labor with their own hands, and +also buy or hire others to labor for them; but this is only a mixed, and +not a distinct class. No principle stated is disturbed by the existence +of this mixed class.</p> + +<p>"Again, as has already been said, there is not, of necessity, any such +thing as the free hired-laborer being fixed to that condition for life. +Many independent men everywhere in these States, a few years back in +their lives, were hired laborers.</p> + +<p>"The prudent, penniless beginner in the World, labors for wages awhile, +saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself, then labors +on his own account another while, and at length hires another new +beginner to help him. This is the just and generous and prosperous +system, which opens the way to all, gives hope to all, and consequent +energy and progress, and improvement of condition to all.</p> + +<p>"No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from +poverty—none less inclined to take or touch aught which they have not +honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering a political power +which they already possess, and which, if surrendered, will surely be +used to close the door of advancement against such as they, and to fix +new disabilities and burdens upon them, till all of Liberty shall be +lost. * * * The struggle of to-day is not altogether for to-day-it is +a vast future also. * * * "</p> + +<p> +So too, Andrew Johnson, in his speech before the Senate, January 31, +1862, spake well and truly when he said that "there has been a +deliberate design for years to change the nature and character and +genius of this Government." And he added: "Do we not know that these +schemers have been deliberately at work, and that there is a Party in +the South, with some associates in the North, and even in the West, that +have become tired of Free Government, in which they have lost +confidence."</p> + +<p>Said he: "They raise an outcry against 'Coercion,' that they may +paralyze the Government, cripple the exercise of the great powers with +which it was invested, finally to change its form and subject us to a +Southern despotism. Do we not know it to be so? Why disguise this +great truth? Do we not know that they have been anxious for a change of +Government for years? Since this Rebellion commenced it has manifested +itself in many quarters.</p> + +<p>"How long is it since the organ of the Government at Richmond, the +Richmond Whig, declared that rather than live under the Government of +the United States, they preferred to take the Constitutional Queen of +Great Britain as their protector; that they would make an alliance with +Great Britain for the purpose of preventing the enforcement of the Laws +of the United States. Do we not know this?"</p> + +<p> +Stephen A. Douglas also, in his great Union speech at Chicago, May 1, +1861—only a few days before his lamented death—said:</p> + +<p>"The election of Mr. Lincoln is a mere pretext. The present Secession +movement is the result of an enormous Conspiracy formed more than a year +since formed by leaders in the Southern Confederacy more than twelve +months ago. They use the Slavery question as a means to aid the +accomplishment of their ends. They desired the election of a Northern +candidate by a Sectional vote, in order to show that the two Sections +cannot live together.</p> + +<p>"When the history of the two years from the Lecompton question down to +the Presidential election shall be written, it will be shown that the +scheme was deliberately made to break up this Union.</p> + +<p>"They desired a Northern Republican to be elected by a purely Northern +vote, and then assign this fact as a reason why the Sections cannot live +together. If the Disunion candidate—(Breckinridge) in the late +Presidential contest had carried the united South, their scheme was, the +Northern candidate successful, to seize the Capital last Spring, and by +a united South and divided North, hold it.</p> + +<p>"Their scheme was defeated, in the defeat of the Disunion candidates in +several of the Southern States.</p> + +<p>"But this is no time for a detail of causes. The Conspiracy is now +known; Armies have been raised. War is levied to accomplish it. There +are only two sides to the question.</p> + +<p>"Every man must be for the United States, or against it. There can be +no Neutrals in this War; only Patriots or Traitors! [Cheer after +Cheer]."</p> + +<p> +In a speech made in the United States Senate, January 31, 1862, Senator +McDougall of California—conceded to be intellectually the peer of any +man in that Body—said:</p> + +<p>"We are at War. How long have we been at War? We have been engaged in +a war of opinion, according to my historical recollection, since 1838. +There has been a Systematic organized war against the Institutions +established by our fathers, since 1832. This is known of all men who +have read carefully the history of our Country. If I had the leisure, +or had consulted the authorities, I would give it year by year, and date +by date, from that time until the present, how men adversary to our +Republican Institutions have been organizing War against us, because +they did not approve of our Republican Institutions.</p> + +<p>"Before the Mexican War, it is well known that General Quitman, then +Governor of Mississippi, was organizing to produce the same condition of +things (and he hoped a better condition of things, for he hoped a +successful Secession), to produce this same revolution that is now +disturbing our whole Land. The War with Mexico, fighting for a Southern +proposition, for which I fought myself, made the Nation a unit until +1849; and then again they undertook an Organization to produce +Revolution. These things are history. This statement is true, and +cannot be denied among intelligent men anywhere, and cannot be denied in +this Senate.</p> + +<p>"The great men who sat in Council in this Hall, the great men of the +Nation, men whose equals are not, and I fear will not be for many years, +uniting their judgments, settled the controversy in 1850. They did not +settle it for the Conspirators of the South, for they were not parties +to the compact. Clay and Webster, and the great men who united with +them, had no relation with the extremes of either extreme faction. The +Compromise was made, and immediately after it had been effected, again +commenced the work of organization. I had the honor to come from my +State on the Pacific into the other branch of the Federal Congress, and +there I learned as early as 1853, that the work of Treason was as +industriously pursued as it is being pursued to-day. I saw it; I felt +it; I knew it. I went home to the shores of the Pacific instructed +somewhat on this subject.</p> + +<p>"Years passed by. I engaged in my duties as a simple professional man, +not connected with public affairs. The question of the last +Presidential election arose before the Country—one of those great +questions that are not appreciated, I regret from my heart, by the +American Nation, when we elect a President, a man who has more power for +his time than any enthroned Monarch in Europe. We organize a Government +and place him in front as the head and the Chief of the Government. +That question came before the American People.</p> + +<p>"At that time I was advised of this state of feeling—and I will state +it in as exact form of words as I can state it, that it may be +understood by Senators: Mr. Douglas is a man acceptable to the South. +Mr. Douglas is a man to whom no one has just cause of exception +throughout the South. Mr. Douglas is more acceptable to Mississippi and +Louisiana than Mr. Breckinridge. Mr. Breckinridge is not acceptable to +the South; or at least, if he is so, he is not in the same degree with +Mr. Douglas. Mr. Douglas is the accepted man of a great National Party, +and if he is brought into the field he will be triumphantly elected. +THAT MUST NOT BE DONE, because THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECESSION IS +MATURED. EVERYTHING IS PREPARED, and the election of Mr. Douglas would +only postpone it for four years; and Now when we are PREPARED to carry +out these things WE MUST INDULGE IN STRATAGEM, and the nomination of Mr. +Breckinridge is a mere strategic movement to divide the great +conservative Party of the Nation into two, so as to elect a Republican +candidate AND CONSOLIDATE THE SOUTH BY THE CRY OF 'ABOLITIONIST!'</p> + +<p>"That is a mere simple statement of the truth, and it cannot be +contradicted. Now, in that scheme all the men of counsel of that Party +were engaged. * * * I, on the far shores of the Pacific understood +those things as long ago as a year last September (1860). I was advised +about this policy and well informed of it. * * *</p> + +<p>"I was at war, in California, in January (1861) last; in the maintenance +of the opinions that I am now maintaining, I had to go armed to protect +myself from violence. The country, whenever there was controversy, was +agitated to its deepest foundations. That is known, perhaps, not to +gentlemen who live up in Maine or Massachusetts, or where you are +foreign to all this agitation; but known to all people where disturbance +might have been effective in consequences. I felt it, and had to carry +my life in my hand by the month, as did my friends surrounding me.</p> + +<p>"I say that all through last winter (that of 1860-61) War had been +inaugurated in all those parts of the Country where disturbed elements +could have efficient result. In January (1861), a year ago, I stood in +the hall of the House of Representatives of my State, and there was War +then, and angry faces and hostile men were gathered; and we knew then +well that the Southern States had determined to withdraw themselves from +the Federal Union.</p> + +<p>"I happened to be one of those men who said, 'they shall not do it;' and +it appears to me that the whole argument is between that class of men +and the class of men who said they would let them do it. * * * When +this doctrine was started here of disintegrating the Cotton States from +the rest of the Confederacy, I opposed it at once. I saw immediately +that War was to be invoked. * * *</p> + +<p>"I will not say these things were understood by gentlemen of the +Republican Party * * * but I, having been accepted and received as a +Democrat of the old school from the olden time, and HAVING FAST SOUTHERN +SYMPATHIES, I DID KNOW ALL ABOUT THEM. * * * I KNOW THAT SECESSION WAS A +THING DETERMINED UPON. * * * I was advised of and understood the whole +programme, KNEW HOW IT WAS TO BE DONE IN ITS DETAILS; and I being +advised, made war against it. * * *</p> + +<p>"War had been, in fact, inaugurated. What is War? Was it the firing on +our flag at Sumter? Was that the first adversary passage? To say so, +is trifling with men's judgments and information. No, sir; when they +organized a Government, and set us at defiance, they commenced War; and +the various steps they took afterwards, by organizing their troops, and +forming their armies, and advancing upon Sumter; all these were merely +acts of War; but War was inaugurated whenever they undertook to say they +would maintain themselves as a separate and independent government; and, +after that time, every man who gave his assistance to them was a +Traitor, according to the highest Law."</p> + +<p>The following letter, written by one of the most active of the Southern +conspirators in 1858, during the great Douglas and Lincoln Debate of +that year, to which extended reference has already been made, is of +interest in this connection, not only as corroborative evidence of the +fact that the Rebellion of the Cotton States had been determined on long +before Mr. Lincoln was elected President, but as showing also that the +machinery for "firing the Southern heart" and for making a "solid South" +was being perfected even then. The subsequent split in the Democratic +Party, and nomination of Breckinridge by the Southern wing of it, was +managed by this same Yancey, simply as parts of the deliberate programme +of Secession and Rebellion long before determined on by the Cotton Lords +of the Cotton States.</p> + +<p> + "MONTGOMERY, June 15, 1858.</p> + +<p>"DEAR SIR:—Your kind favor of the 13th is received.</p> + +<p>"I hardly agree with you that a general movement can be made that will +clean out the Augean Stable. If the Democracy were overthrown it would +result in giving place to a greedier and hungrier swarm of flies.</p> + +<p>"The remedy of the South is not in such a process. It is in a diligent +organization of her true men for prompt resistance to the next +aggression. It must come in the nature of things. No National Party +can save us. No Sectional Party can ever do it. But if we could do as +our fathers did—organize 'Committees of Safety' all over the Cotton +States (and it is only in them that we can hope for any effective +movement), we shall fire the Southern heart, instruct the Southern mind, +give courage to each other, and at the proper moment, by one organized, +concerted action, we can precipitate the Cotton States into a +revolution.</p> + +<p>"The idea has been shadowed forth in the South by Mr. Ruffin; has been +taken up and recommended in the Advertiser under the name of 'League of +United Southerners,' who, keeping up their old relations on all other +questions, will hold the Southern issues paramount, and influence +parties, legislatures and statesmen. I have no time to enlarge, but to +suggest merely.</p> + +<p>"In haste, yours, etc. + "W. L. YANCEY.</p> + +<p>"To JAMES S. SLAUGHTER."</p> + +<p> +At Jackson, Mississippi, in the fall of the same year (1858) just after +the great Debate between Douglas and Lincoln had closed, Jefferson Davis +had already raised the standard of Revolution, Secession and Disunion, +during the course of a speech, in which he said: "If an Abolitionist be +chosen President of the United States, you will have presented to you +the question of whether you will permit the Government to pass into the +hands of your avowed and implacable enemies? Without pausing for an +answer, I will state my own position to be, that such a result would be +a species of revolution by which the purposes of the Government would be +destroyed, and the observance of its mere forms entitled to no respect. +In that event, in such a manner as should be most expedient, I should +deem it your duty to provide for your safety, outside of the Union with +those who have already shown the will, and would have acquired the power +to deprive you of your birthright, and to reduce you to worse than the +Colonial dependence of your fathers."</p> + +<p>The "birthright" thus referred to was of course, the alleged right to +have Slaves; but what was this "worse than Colonial dependence" to +which, in addition to the peril supposed to threaten the Southern +"birthright," the Cotton States of Mississippi were reduced? +"Dependence" upon whom, and with regard to what? Plainly upon the +North; and with regard, not to Slavery alone—for Jefferson Davis held, +down to the very close of the War, that the South fought "not for +Slavery"—but as to Tariff Legislation also. There was the rub! These +Cotton Lords believed, or pretended to believe, that the High Tariff +Legislation, advocated and insisted upon both by the Whigs and +Republicans for the Protection of the American Manufacturer and working +man, built up and made prosperous the North, and elevated Northern +laborers; at the expense of the South, and especially themselves, the +Cotton Lords aforesaid.</p> + +<p>We have already seen from the utterances of leading men in the South +Carolina, Secession Convention, "that"—as Governor Hicks, himself a +Southern man, said in his address to the people of Maryland, after the +War broke out "neither the election of Mr. Lincoln, nor the +non-execution of the Fugitive Slave Law, nor both combined, constitute their +grievances. They declare that THE REAL CAUSE of their discontent DATES +AS FAR BACK AS 1833."</p> + +<p>And what was the chief cause or pretext for discontent at that time? +Nothing less than the Tariff. They wanted Free Trade, as well as +Slavery. The balance of the Union wanted Protection, as well as +Freedom.</p> + +<p>The subsequent War, then, was not a War waged for Slavery alone, but for +Independence with a view to Free Trade, as set forth in the "Confederate +Constitution," as soon as that Independence could be achieved. And the +War on our part, while for the integrity of the Union in all its +parts—for the life of the Nation itself, and for the freedom of man, should +also have brought the triumph of the American idea of a Protective +Tariff, whose chief object is the building up of American manufactures +and the Protection of the Free working-man, in the essential matters of +education, food, clothing, rents, wages, and work.</p> + +<p>It is mentioned in McPherson's History of the Rebellion, p. 392, that in +a letter making public his reasons for going to Washington and taking +his seat in Congress, Mr. James L. Pugh, a Representative from Alabama, +November 24, 1860, said: "The sole object of my visit is to promote the +cause of Secession."</p> + +<p>From the manner in which they acted after reaching Washington, it is not +unreasonable to suppose that most of those persons representing, in both +branches of Congress, the Southern States which afterwards seceded, came +to the National Capital with a similar object in view—taking their +salaries and mileages for services supposed to be performed for the +benefit of the very Government they were conspiring to injure, and +swearing anew the sacred oath to support and defend the very +Constitution which they were moving heaven and earth to undermine and +destroy!</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [As a part of the history of those times, the following letter is + not without interest:</p> + +<p> "OXFORD, December 24, 1860.</p> + +<p> "MY DEAR SIR:—I regretted having to leave Washington without + having with you a full conference as to the great events whose + shadows are upon us. The result of the election here is what the + most sanguine among us expected; that is, its general result is so. + It is as yet somewhat difficult to determine the distinctive + complexion of the convention to meet on the 7th of January. The + friends of Southern Independence, of firm and bona fide resistance, + won an overwhelming victory; but I doubt whether there is any + precise plan.</p> + +<p> "No doubt a large majority of the Convention will be for separate + Secession. But unless intervening events work important changes of + sentiment, not all of those elected as resistance men will be for + immediate and separate Secession. Our friends in Pontotoc, Tippah, + De Soto and Pauola took grounds which fell far short of that idea, + though their resolutions were very firm in regard to Disunion and + an ultimate result.</p> + +<p> "In the meantime the Disunion sentiment among the people is growing + every day more intense.</p> + +<p> "Upon the whole, you have great cause for gratification in the + action of your State.</p> + +<p> "The submissionists are routed, horse, foot, and dragoons, and any + concession by the North will fail to restore that sacred attachment + to the Union which was once so deeply radicated in the hearts of + our people. What they want now, is wise and sober leading. I + think that there might be more of dignity and prudent foresight in + the action of our State than have marked the proceedings of South + Carolina. I have often rejoiced that we have you to rest upon and + confide in. I do not know what we could do without you. That God + may preserve you to us, and that your mind may retain all its vigor + to carry us through these perilous times, is my most fervent + aspiration.</p> + +<p> "I am as ever, and forever, your supporter, ally and friend.</p> + +<p> "L. Q. C. LAMAR.</p> + +<p> "COL. JEFF. DAVIS, Washington, D. C."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p> +This was but a part of the deliberate, cold-blooded plan mapped out in +detail, early in the session succeeding the election of Mr. Lincoln, in +a secret Caucus of the Chief Plotters of the Treason. It was a secret +conference, but the programme resolved on, soon leaked out.</p> + +<p>The following, which appeared in the Washington National Intelligencer +on Friday, January 11, 1861, tells the story of this stage of the Great +Conspiracy pretty clearly:</p> + +<p>"The subjoined communication, disclosing the designs of those who have +undertaken to lead the movement now threatening a permanent dissolution +of the Union, comes to us from a distinguished citizen of the South +[understood to be Honorable Lemuel D. Evans, Representative from Texas +in the 34th Congress, from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1857] who formerly +represented his State with great distinction in the popular branch of +Congress.</p> + +<p>"Temporarily sojourning in this city he has become authentically +informed of the facts recited in the subjoined letter, which he +communicates to us under a sense of duty, and for the accuracy of which +he makes himself responsible.</p> + +<p>"Nothing but assurances coming from such an intelligent, reliable source +could induce us to accept the authenticity of these startling +statements, which so deeply concern not only the welfare but the honor +of the Southern people.</p> + +<p>"To them we submit, without present comment, the programme to which they +are expected to yield their implicit adhesion, without any scruples of +conscience as without any regard for their own safety.</p> + +<p> "'WASHINGTON, January 9, 1861.</p> + +<p>"'I charge that on last Saturday night (January 5th), a Caucus was held +in this city by the Southern Secession Senators from Florida, Georgia, +Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. It was then and +there resolved in effect to assume to themselves the political power of +the South, and, to control all political and military operations for the +present, they telegraphed to complete the plan of seizing forts, +arsenals, and custom-houses, and advised the Conventions now in session, +and soon to assemble, to pass Ordinances for immediate Secession; but, +in order to thwart any operations of the Government here, the +Conventions of the Seceding States are to retain their representations +in the Senate and the House.</p> + +<p>"'They also advised, ordered, or directed the assembling of a Convention +of delegates from the Seceding States at Montgomery on the 13th of +February. This can of course only be done by the revolutionary +Conventions usurping the powers of the people, and sending delegates +over whom they will lose all control in the establishment of a +Provisional Government, which is the plan of the dictators.</p> + +<p>"'This Caucus also resolved to take the most effectual means to dragoon +the Legislatures of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and +Virginia into following the Seceding States. Maryland is also to be +influenced by such appeals to popular passion as have led to the +revolutionary steps which promise a conflict with the State and Federal +Governments in Texas.</p> + +<p>"'They have possessed themselves of all the avenues of information in +the South—the telegraph, the press, and the general control of the +postmasters. They also confidently rely upon defections in the army and +navy.</p> + +<p>"'The spectacle here presented is startling to contemplate. Senators +entrusted with the representative sovereignty of the States, and sworn +to support the Constitution of the United States, while yet acting as +the privy councillors of the President, and anxiously looked to by their +constituents to effect some practical plan of adjustment, deliberately +conceive a Conspiracy for the overthrow of the Government through the +military organizations, the dangerous secret order, the 'Knights of the +Golden Circle,' 'Committees of Safety,' Southern leagues, and other +agencies at their command; they have instituted as thorough a military +and civil despotism as ever cursed a maddened Country.</p> + +<p>"'It is not difficult to foresee the form of government which a +Convention thus hurriedly thrown together at Montgomery will irrevocably +fasten upon a deluded and unsuspecting people. It must essentially be +'a Monarchy founded upon military principles,' or it cannot endure. +Those who usurp power never fail to forge strong chains.</p> + +<p>"'It may be too late to sound the alarm. Nothing may be able to arrest +the action of revolutionary tribunals whose decrees are principally in +'secret sessions.' But I call upon the people to pause and reflect +before they are forced to surrender every principle of liberty, or to +fight those who are becoming their masters rather than their servants. + "'EATON"</p> + +<p>"As confirming the intelligence furnished by our informant we may cite +the following extract from the Washington correspondence of yesterday's +Baltimore Sun:</p> + +<p>"'The leaders of the Southern movement are consulting as to the best +mode of consolidating their interests into a Confederacy under a +Provisional Government. The plan is to make Senator Hunter, of +Virginia, Provisional President, and Jefferson Davis Commander-in-Chief +of the army of defense. Mr. Hunter possesses in a more eminent degree +the philosophical characteristics of Jefferson than any other statesman +now living. Colonel Davis is a graduate of West Point, was +distinguished for gallantry at Buena Vista, and served as Secretary of +War under President Pierce, and is not second to General Scott in +military science or courage.'</p> + +<p>"As further confirmatory of the above, the following telegraphic +dispatch in the Charleston Mercury of January 7, 1861, is given:</p> + +<p>"'[From our Own Correspondent.]</p> + +<p>"'WASHINGTON, January 6.—The Senators from those of the Southern States +which have called Conventions of their people, met in caucus last night, +and adopted the following resolutions:</p> + +<p>"'Resolved, That we recommend to our respective States immediate +Secession.</p> + +<p>"'Resolved, That we recommend the holding of a General Convention of the +said States, to be holden in the city of Montgomery, Alabama, at some +period not later than the 15th day of February, 1861.'</p> + +<p>"These resolutions were telegraphed this evening to the Conventions of +Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. A third resolution is also known to +have been adopted, but it is of a confidential character, not to be +divulged at present. There was a good deal of discussion in the caucus +on the question of whether the Seceding States ought to continue their +delegations in Congress till the 4th of March, to prevent unfriendly +legislation, or whether the Representatives of the Seceding States +should all resign together, and leave a clear field for the opposition +to pass such bills, looking to Coercion, as they may see fit. It is +believed that the opinion that they should remain prevailed."</p> + +<p>Furthermore, upon the capture of Fernandina, Florida, in 1862, the +following letter was found and published. Senator Yulee, the writer, +was present and participated as one of the Florida Senators, in the +traitorous "Consultation" therein referred to—and hence its especial +value:</p> + +<p> +"WASHINGTON, January 7, 1861.</p> + +<p>"My DEAR SIR:—On the other side is a copy of resolutions adopted at a +consultation of the Senators from the Seceding States—in which Georgia, +Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida were +present.</p> + +<p>"The idea of the meeting was that the States should go out at once, and +provide for the early organization of a Confederate Government, not +later than 15th February. This time is allowed to enable Louisiana and +Texas to participate. It seemed to be the opinion that if we left here, +force, loan, and volunteer Bills might be passed, which would put Mr. +Lincoln in immediate condition for hostilities; whereas, by remaining in +our places until the 4th of March, it is thought we can keep the hands +of Mr. Buchanan tied, and disable the Republicans from effecting any +legislation which will strengthen the hands of the incoming +Administration.</p> + +<p>"The resolutions will be sent by the delegation to the President of the +Convention. I have not been able to find Mr. Mallory (his Senatorial +colleague) this morning. Hawkins (Representative from Florida) is in +Connecticut. I have therefore thought it best to send you this copy of +the resolutions.</p> + +<p> "In haste, yours truly + "D. L. YULEE.</p> + +<p>"JOSEPH FINEGAN, Esq., +"'Sovereignty Convention,' Tallahassee, Fla."</p> + +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>The resolutions "on the other side" of this letter, to which he refers, +are as follows:</p> + +<p>"Resolved, 1—That in our opinion each of the Southern States should, as +soon as may be, Secede from the Union.</p> + +<p>"Resolved, 2—That provision should be made for a Convention to organize +a Confederacy of the Seceding States, the Convention to meet not later +than the 15th of February, at the city of Montgomery, in the State of +Alabama.</p> + +<p>"Resolved, That in view of the hostile legislation that is threatened +against the Seceding States, and which may be consummated before the 4th +of March, we ask instructions whether the delegations are to remain in +Congress until that date for the purpose of defeating such legislation.</p> + +<p>"Resolved, That a committee be and are hereby appointed, consisting of +Messrs. Davis, Slidell, and Mallory, to carry out the objects of this +meeting."</p> + +<p> +In giving this letter to the World—from its correspondent accompanying +the expedition—the New York Times of March 15, 1862, made these +forcible and clear-headed comments:</p> + +<p>"The telegraphic columns of the Times of January 7, 1861, contained the +following Washington dispatch: 'The Southern Senators last night +(January 5th) held a conference, and telegraphed to the Conventions of +their respective States to advise immediate Secession.' Now, the +present letter is a report by Mr. Yulee, who was present at this +'consultation' as he calls it, of the resolutions adopted on this +occasion, transmitted to the said Finegan, who by the way, was a member +of the 'Sovereign Convention' of Florida, then sitting in the town of +Tallahassee.</p> + +<p>"It will thus be seen that this remarkable letter, which breathes +throughout the spirit of the Conspirator, in reality lets us into one of +the most important of the numerous Secret Conclaves which the Plotters +of Treason then held in the Capital. It was then, as it appears, that +they determined to strike the blow and precipitate their States into +Secession. But at the same time they resolved that it would be +imprudent for them openly to withdraw, as in that case Congress might +pass 'force, loan, and volunteer bills,' which would put Mr. Lincoln in +immediate condition for hostilities. No, no! that would not do. (So +much patriotic virtue they half suspected, half feared, was left in the +Country.) On the contrary, 'by remaining in our places until the 4th of +March it is thought we can keep the hands of Mr. Buchanan tied, and +disable the Republicans from effecting any legislation which will +strengthen the hands of the incoming Administration.' Ah what a tragic +back-ground, full of things unutterable, is there!</p> + +<p>"It appears, however, that events were faster than they, and instead of +being able to retain their seats up to the 4th of March, they were able +to remain but a very few weeks. Mr. Davis withdrew on the 21st of +January, just a fortnight after this 'consultation.' But for the rest, +mark how faithfully the programme here drawn up by this knot of Traitors +in secret session was realized. Each of the named States represented by +this Cabal did, 'as soon as may be, Secede from the Union'—the +Mississippi Convention passing its Ordinance on the heels of the receipt +of these resolutions, on the 9th of January; Florida and Alabama on the +11th; Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st of February; while the +'organization of the Confederate Government' took place at the very time +appointed, Davis being inaugurated on the 18th of February.</p> + +<p>"And here is another Plot of the Traitors brought to light. These very +men, on withdrawing from the Senate, urged that they were doing so in +obedience to the command of their respective States. As Mr. Davis put +it, in his parting speech, 'the Ordinance of Secession having passed the +Convention of his State, he felt obliged to obey the summons, and retire +from all official connection with the Federal Government.' This letter +of Mr. Yulee's clearly reveals that they had themselves pushed their +State Conventions to the adoption of the very measure which they had the +hardihood to put forward as an imperious 'summons' which they could not +disobey. It is thus that Treason did its Work."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="ch12"></a> +<br><br> + +<center> +<h2> + CHAPTER XII.<br><br> + + COPPERHEADISM VS. UNION DEMOCRACY.<br> +</h2> +</center> + +<p>When we remember that it was on the night of the 5th of January, 1861, +that the Rebel Conspirators in the United States Senate met and plotted +their confederated Treason, as shown in the Yulee letter, given in the +preceding Chapter of this work, and that on the very next day, January +6, 1861, Fernando Wood, then Mayor of the great city of New York, sent +in to the Common Council of that metropolis, his recommendation that New +York city should Secede from its own State, as well as the United +States, and become "a Free City," which, said he, "may shed the only +light and hope of a future reconstruction of our once blessed +Confederacy," it is impossible to resist the conviction that this +extraordinary movement of his, was inspired and prompted, if not +absolutely directed, by the secret Rebel Conclave at Washington. It +bears within itself internal evidences of such prompting.</p> + +<p>Thus, when Mayor Wood states the case in the following words, he seems +to be almost quoting word for word an instruction received by him from +these Rebel leaders—in connection with their plausible argument, +upholding it. Says he:</p> + +<p>"Much, no doubt, can be said in favor of the justice and policy of a +separation. It may be said that Secession or revolution in any of the +United States would be subversive of all Federal authority, and, so far +as the central Government is concerned, the resolving of the community +into its original elements—that, if part of the States form new +combinations and, Governments, other States may do the same. Then it +may be said, why should not New York city, instead of supporting by her +contributions in revenue two-thirds of the expenses of the United +States, become also equally independent? As a Free City, with but +nominal duty on imports, her local Government could be supported without +taxation upon her people. Thus we could live free from taxes, and have +cheap goods nearly duty free. In this she would have the whole and +united support of the Southern States, as well as all the other States +to whose interests and rights under the Constitution she has always been +true."</p> + +<p>That is the persuasive casuistry peculiar to the minds of the Southern +Secession leaders. It is naturally followed by a touch of that +self-confident bluster, also at that time peculiar to Southern lips—as +follows:</p> + +<p>"It is well for individuals or communities to look every danger square +in the face, and to meet it calmly and bravely. As dreadful as the +severing of the bonds that have hitherto united the States has been in +contemplation, it is now apparently a stern and inevitable fact. We +have now to meet it, with all the consequences, whatever they may be. +If the Confederacy is broken up the Government is dissolved, and it +behooves every distinct community, as well as every individual, to take +care of themselves.</p> + +<p>"When Disunion has become a fixed and certain fact, why may not New York +disrupt the bands which bind her to a venal and corrupt master—to a +people and a Party that have plundered her revenues, attempted to ruin +her commerce, taken away the power of self-government, and destroyed the +Confederacy of which she was the proud Empire City? * * *"</p> + +<p>After thus restating, as it were, the views and "arguments" of the Rebel +Junta, as we may presume them to have been pressed on him, he becomes +suddenly startled at the Conclave's idea of meeting "all the +consequences, whatever they may be," and, turning completely around, +with blanching pen, concludes:</p> + +<p>"But I am not prepared to recommend the violence implied in these views. +In stating this argument in favor of freedom, 'peaceably if we can, +forcibly if we must,' let me not be misunderstood. The redress can be +found only in appeals to the magnanimity of the people of the whole +State." * * *</p> + +<p>If "these views" were his own, and not those of the Rebel Conclave, he +would either have been "prepared to recommend the violence implied in +them," or else he would have suppressed them altogether. But his +utterance is that of one who has certain views for the first time placed +before him, and shrinks from the consequences of their advocacy—shrinks +from "the violence implied" in them—although for some reason he dares +not refuse to place those views before the people.</p> + +<p>And, in carrying out his promise to do so—"In stating this argument," +presumably of the Rebel Conclave, "in favor of freedom, 'peaceably if we +can, forcibly if we must'"—the language used is an admission that the +argument is not his own. Were it his own, would he not have said in +"making" it, instead of in "stating" it? Furthermore, had he been +"making" it of his own accord, he would hardly have involved himself in +such singular contradictions and explanations as are here apparent. He +was plainly "stating" the Rebel Conclave's argument, not making one +himself. He was obeying orders, under the protest of his fears. And +those fears forced his trembling pen to write the saving-clause which +"qualifies" the Conclave's second-hand bluster preceding it.</p> + +<p>That the Rebels hoped for Northern assistance in case of Secession, is +very clear from many speeches made prior to and soon after the election +of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency—and from other sources of information. +Thus we find in a speech made by Representative L. M. Keitt, of South +Carolina, in Charleston, November, 1860, the following language, +reported by the Mercury:</p> + +<p>"But we have been threatened. Mr. Amos Kendall wrote a letter, in which +he said to Colonel Orr, that if the State went out, three hundred +thousand volunteers were ready to march against her. I know little +about Kendall—and the less the better. He was under General Jackson; +but for him the Federal treasury seemed to have a magnetic attraction.</p> + +<p>"Jackson was a pure man, but he had too many around him who made +fortunes far transcending their salaries. [Applause.] And this Amos +Kendall had the same good fortune under Van Buren. He (Kendall) +threatened us on the one side, and John Hickman on the other. John +Hickman said, defiantly, that if we went out of the Union, eighteen +millions of Northern men would bring us back.</p> + +<p>"Let me tell you, there are a million of Democrats in the North who, +when the Black Republicans attempt to march upon the South, will be +found a wall of fire in the front. [Cries of 'that's so,' and +applause.]"</p> + +<p>Harper's Weekly of May 28, 1864, commenting on certain letters of M. F. +Maury and others, then just come to light, said:</p> + +<p>"How far Maury and his fellow-conspirators were justified in their hopes +of seducing New Jersey into the Rebellion, may be gathered from the +correspondence that took place, in the spring of 1861, between +Ex-Governor Price, of New Jersey, who was one of the representatives from +that State in the Peace Congress, and L. W. Burnet, Esq., of Newark.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Price, in answering the question what ought New Jersey to do, says: +'I believe the Southern confederation permanent. The proceeding has +been taken with forethought and deliberation—it is no hurried impulse, +but an irrevocable act, based upon the sacred, as was supposed, equality +of the States; and in my opinion every Slave State will in a short +period of time be found united in one Confederacy. * * * Before that +event happens, we cannot act, however much we may suffer in our material +interests. It is in that contingency, then, that I answer the second +part of your question:—What position for New Jersey will best accord +with her interests, honor, and the patriotic instincts of her people? I +say emphatically she would go with the South from every wise, +prudential, and patriotic reason.'</p> + +<p>"Ex-Governor Price proceeds to say that he is confident the States of +Pennsylvania and New York will 'choose also to cast their lot with the +South, and after them, the Western and Northwestern States.'"</p> + +<p>The following resolution,* was adopted with others, by a meeting of +Democrats held January 16, 1861, at National Hall, Philadelphia, and has +been supposed to disclose "a plan, of which ex-Governor Price was likely +aware:"</p> + +<p>"Twelfth—That in the deliberate judgment of the Democracy of +Philadelphia, and, so far as we know it, of Pennsylvania, the +dissolution of the Union by the separation of the whole South, a result +we shall most sincerely lament, may release this Commonwealth to a large +extent from the bonds which now connect her with the Confederacy, except +so far as for temporary convenience she chooses to submit to them, and +would authorize and require her citizens, through a Convention, to be +assembled for that purpose, to determine with whom her lot should be +cast, whether with the North and the East, whose fanaticism has +precipitated this misery upon us, or with our brethren of the South, +whose wrongs we feel as our own; or whether Pennsylvania should stand by +herself, as a distinct community, ready when occasion offers, to bind +together the broken Union, and resume her place of loyalty and +devotion."</p> + +<p>Senator Lane of Oregon, replying to Senator Johnson of Tennessee, +December 19, 1860, in the United States Senate, and speaking of and for +the Northern Democracy, said:</p> + +<p>"They will not march with him under his bloody banner, or Mr. Lincoln's, +to invade the soil of the gallant State of South Carolina, when she may +withdraw from a Confederacy that has refused her that equality to which +she is entitled, as a member of the Union, under the Constitution. On +the contrary, when he or any other gentleman raises that banner and +attempts to subjugate that gallant people, instead of marching with him, +we will meet him there, ready to repel him and his forces. He shall not +bring with him the Northern Democracy to strike down a people contending +for rights that have been refused them in a Union that ought to +recognize the equality of every member of the Confederacy. * * * I now +serve notice that, when War is made upon that gallant South for +withdrawing from a Union which refuses them their rights, the Northern +Democracy will not join in the crusade. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL HAVE +WAR ENOUGH AT HOME. THE DEMOCRACY OF THE NORTH NEED NOT CROSS THE +BORDER TO FIND AN ENEMY."</p> + +<p>The following letter from Ex-President Pierce is in the same misleading +strain:</p> + +<p>"CLARENDON HOTEL, January 6, 1860.—[This letter was captured, at Jeff. +Davis's house in Mississippi, by the Union troops.]</p> + +<p>"MY DEAR FRIEND:—I wrote you an unsatisfactory note a day or two since. +I have just had a pleasant interview with Mr. Shepley, whose courage and +fidelity are equal to his learning and talents. He says he would rather +fight the battle with you as the standard-bearer in 1860, than under the +auspices of any other leader. The feeling and judgment of Mr. S. in +this relation is, I am confident, rapidly gaining ground in New England. +Our people are looking for 'the coming man,' one who is raised by all +the elements of his character above the atmosphere ordinarily breathed +by politicians, a man really fitted for this exigency by his ability, +courage, broad statesmanship, and patriotism. Colonel Seymour (Thomas +H.) arrived here this morning, and expressed his views in this relation +in almost the identical language used by Mr. Shepley.</p> + +<p>"It is true that, in the present state of things at Washington and +throughout the country, no man can predict what changes two or three +months may bring forth. Let me suggest that, in the running debates in +Congress, full justice seems to me not to have been done to the +Democracy of the North. I do not believe that our friends at the South +have any just idea of the state of feeling, hurrying at this moment to +the pitch of intense exasperation, between those who respect their +political obligations and those who have apparently no impelling power +but that which fanatical passion on the subject of Domestic Slavery +imparts.</p> + +<p>"Without discussing the question of right, of abstract power to Secede, +I have never believed that actual disruption of the Union can occur +without blood; and if, through the madness of Northern Abolitionism, +that dire calamity must come, THE FIGHTING WILL NOT BE ALONG MASON'S AND +DIXON'S LINE MERELY. IT [WILL] BE WITHIN OUR OWN BORDERS, IN OUR OWN +STREETS, BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES OF CITIZENS TO WHOM I HAVE REFERRED. +Those who defy law and scout Constitutional obligations will, if we ever +reach the arbitrament of arms, FIND OCCUPATION ENOUGH AT HOME.</p> + +<p>"Nothing but the state of Mrs. Pierce's health would induce me to leave +the Country now, although it is quite likely that my presence at home +would be of little service.</p> + +<p>"I have tried to impress upon our people, especially in New Hampshire +and Connecticut, where the only elections are to take place during the +coming spring, that while our Union meetings are all in the right +direction, and well enough for the present, they will not be worth the +paper upon which their resolutions are written unless we can overthrow +political Abolitionism at the polls and repeal the Unconstitutional and +obnoxious laws which, in the cause of 'personal liberty,' have been +placed upon our statute-books. I shall look with deep interest, and not +without hope, for a decided change in this relation.</p> + +<p> "Ever and truly your friend, + "FRANKLIN PIERCE.</p> + +<p>"Hon. JEFF. DAVIS, +"Washington, D. C."</p> + +<p> +But let us turn from contemplating the encouragements to Southern +Treason and Rebellion, held out by Northern Democratic Copperheads, to +the more pleasing spectacle of Loyalty and Patriotism exhibited by the +Douglas wing of Democracy.</p> + +<p>Immediately after Sumter, and while the President was formulating his +Message, calling for 75,000 volunteers, Douglas called upon him at the +White House, regretted that Mr. Lincoln did not propose to call for +thrice as many; and on the 18th of April, having again visited the White +House, wrote, and gave the following dispatch to the Associated Press, +for circulation throughout the Country:</p> + +<p>"April 18, 1861, Senator Douglas called on the President, and had an +interesting conversation on the present condition of the Country. The +substance of it was, on the part of Mr. Douglas, that while he was +unalterably opposed to the administration in all its political issues, +he was prepared to fully sustain the President in the exercise of all +his Constitutional functions, to preserve the Union, maintain the +Government, and defend the Federal Capital. A firm policy and prompt +action was necessary. The Capital was in danger and must be defended at +all hazards, and at any expense of men and money. He spoke of the +present and future without any reference to the past."</p> + +<p>It is stated of this meeting and its immediate results: "The President +was deeply gratified by the interview. To the West, Douglas +telegraphed, 'I am for my Country and against all its assailants.' The +fire of his patriotism spread to the masses of the North, and Democrat +and Republican rallied to the support of the flag. In Illinois the +Democratic and Republican presses vied with each other in the utterance +of patriotic sentiments. * * * Large and numerously attended Mass +meetings met, as it were with one accord, irrespective of parties, and +the people of all shades of political opinions buried their party +hatchets. Glowing and eloquent orators exhorted the people to ignore +political differences in the present crisis, join in the common cause, +and rally to the flag of the Union and the Constitution. It was a noble +truce. From the many resolutions of that great outpouring of patriotic +sentiment, which ignored all previous party ties, we subjoin the +following:</p> + +<p>"'Resolved, that it is the duty of all patriotic citizens of Illinois, +without distinction of party or sect, to sustain the Government through +the peril which now threatens the existence of the Union; and of our +Legislature to grant such aid of men and money as the exigency of the +hour and the patriotism of our people shall demand.'</p> + +<p>"Governor Yates promptly issued his proclamation, dated the 15th of +April, convening the Legislature for the 23rd inst. in Extraordinary +Session.</p> + +<p> * * * * * * *</p> + +<p>"On the evening of the 25th of April, Mr. Douglas, who had arrived at +the Capital the day before, addressed the General Assembly and a densely +packed audience, in the Hall of Representatives, in that masterly +effort, which must live and be enshrined in the hearts of his countrymen +so long as our Government shall endure. Douglas had ever delighted in +the mental conflicts of Party strife; but now, when his Country was +assailed by the red hand of Treason, he was instantly divested of his +Party armor and stood forth panoplied only in the pure garb of a true +Patriot.</p> + +<p>"He taught his auditory—he taught his Country, for his speeches were +telegraphed all over it—the duty of patriotism at that perilous hour of +the Nation's Life. He implored both Democrats and Republicans to lay +aside their Party creeds and Platforms; to dispense with Party +Organizations and Party Appeals; to forget that they were ever divided +until they had first rescued the Government from its assailants. His +arguments were clear, convincing, and unanswerable; his appeals for the +Salvation of his Country, irresistible. It was the last speech, but +one, he ever made."</p> + +<p>Among other pithy and patriotic points made by him in that great speech +—[July 9, 1861.]—were these: "So long as there was a hope of a +peaceful solution, I prayed and implored for Compromise. I have spared +no effort for a peaceful solution of these troubles; I have failed, and +there is but one thing to do—to rally under the flag." "The South has +no cause of complaint." "Shall we obey the laws or adopt the Mexican +system of War, on every election." "Forget Party—all remember only +your Country." "The shortest road to Peace is the most tremendous +preparation for War." "It is with a sad heart and with a grief I have +never before experienced, that I have to contemplate this fearful +Struggle. * * * But it is our duty to protect the Government and the +flag from every assailant, be he who he may."</p> + +<p>In Chicago, Douglas repeated his patriotic appeal for the preservation +of the Union, and tersely declared that "There can be no Neutrals in +this War—only Patriots and Traitors." In that city he was taken with a +mortal illness, and expired at the Tremont House, June 3, 1861—just one +month prior to the meeting of the called Session of Congress.</p> + +<p>The wonderful influence wielded by Douglas throughout the North, was +well described afterward by his colleague, Judge Trumbull, in the +Senate, when he said: "His course had much to do in producing that +unanimity in support of the Government which is now seen throughout the +Loyal States. The sublime spectacle of twenty million people rising as +one man in vindication of Constitutional Liberty and Free Government, +when assailed by misguided Rebels and plotting Traitors, is, to a +considerable extent due to his efforts. His magnanimous and patriotic +course in this trying hour of his Country's destiny was the crowning act +of his life."</p> + +<p>And Senator McDougall of California—his life-long friend—in describing +the shock of the first intelligence that reached him, of his friend's +sudden death, with words of even greater power, continued: "But, as, +powerless for the moment to resist the tide of emotions, I bowed my head +in silent grief, it came to me that the Senator had lived to witness the +opening of the present unholy War upon our Government; that, witnessing +it, from the Capital of his State, as his highest and best position, he +had sent forth a War-cry worthy of that Douglass, who, as ancient +legends tell, with the welcome of the knightly Andalusian King, was +told,</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> '"Take thou the leading of the van, + And charge the Moors amain; + There is not such a lance as thine + In all the hosts of Spain.'</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>"Those trumpet notes, with a continuous swell, are sounding still +throughout all the borders of our Land. I heard them upon the mountains +and in the valleys of the far State whence I come. They have +communicated faith and strength to millions. * * * I ceased to grieve +for Douglas. The last voice of the dead Douglas I felt to be stronger +than the voice of multitudes of living men."</p> + +<p>And here it may not be considered out of place for a brief reference to +the writer's own position at this time; especially as it has been much +misapprehended and misstated. One of the fairest of these statements* +runs thus:</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [Lusk's History of the Politics of Illinois from 1856 to 1884, p. + 175.]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>"It is said that Logan did not approve the great speech made by Senator +Douglas, at Springfield, in April, 1861, wherein he took the bold ground +that in the contest which was then clearly imminent to him, between the +North and the South, that there could be but two parties, Patriots and +Traitors. But granting that there was a difference between Douglas and +Logan at that time, it did not relate to their adhesion to the Cause of +their Country Logan had fought for the Union upon the plains of Mexico, +and again stood ready to give his life, if need be, for his Country, +even amid the cowardly slanders that were then following his pathway.</p> + +<p>"The difference between Douglas and Logan was this: Mr. Douglas was +fresh from an extended campaign in the dissatisfied Sections of the +Southern States, and he was fully apprised of their intention to attempt +the overthrow of the Union, and was therefore in favor of the most +stupendous preparations for War.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Logan, on the other hand, believed in exhausting all peaceable +means before a resort to Arms, and in this he was like President +Lincoln; but when he saw there was no alternative but to fight, he was +ready and willing for armed resistance, and, resigning his seat in +Congress, entered the Army, as Colonel of the Thirty-first Illinois +Infantry, and remained in the field in active service until Peace was +declared."</p> + +<p>This statement is, in the main, both fair and correct.</p> + +<p>It is no more correct, however, in intimating that "Logan did not +approve the great speech made by Senator Douglas, at Springfield, in +April, 1861, wherein he took the bold ground that in the contest which +was then clearly imminent to him, between the North and the South, that +there could be but two parties, Patriots and Traitors," than others have +been in intimating that he was disloyal to the Union, prior to the +breaking out of hostilities—a charge which was laid out flat in the +Senate Chamber, April 19, 1881.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [In Dawson's Life of Logan, pp. 348-353, this matter is thus + alluded to:</p> + +<p> "In an early part of this work the base charge that Logan was not + loyal before the War has been briefly touched on. It may be well + here to touch on it more fully. As was then remarked, the only man + that ever dared insinuate to Logan's face that he was a Secession + sympathizer before the War, was Senator Ben Hill of Georgia, in the + United States Senate Chamber, March 30, 1881; and Logan instantly + retorted: 'Any man who insinuates that I sympathized with it at + that time insinuates what is false,' and Senator Hill at once + retracted the insinuation."</p> + +<p> "Subsequently, April 19, 1881, Senator Logan, in a speech, + fortified with indisputable record and documentary evidence, + forever set at rest the atrocious calumny. From that record it + appears that on the 17th December, 1860, while still a Douglas + Democrat, immediately after Lincoln's election, and long before his + inauguration, and before even the first gun of the war was fired, + Mr. Logan, then a Representative in the House, voted affirmatively + on a resolution, offered by Morris of Illinois, which declared an + 'immovable attachment' to 'our National Union,' and 'that it is our + patriotic duty to stand by it as our hope in peace and our defense + in war;' that on the 7th January, 1861, Mr. Adrian having offered + the following 'Resolved, That we fully approve of the bold and + patriotic act of Major Anderson in withdrawing from Fort Moultrie + to Fort Sumter, and of the determination of the President to + maintain that fearless officer in his present position; and that we + will support the President in all constitutional measures to + enforce the laws and preserve the Union'—Mr. Logan, in casting his + vote, said: 'As the resolution receives my unqualified approval, I + vote Aye;' and that further on the 5th of February, 1861, before + the inauguration of President Lincoln, in a speech made by Logan in + the House in favor of the Crittenden Compromise measures, he used + the following language touching Secession:</p> + +<p> "'Sir, I have always denied, and do yet deny, the right of + Secession. There is no warrant for it in the Constitution. It is + wrong, it is unlawful, unconstitutional, and should be called by + the right name—revolution. No good, sir, can result from it, but + much mischief may. It is no remedy for any grievances. I hold + that all grievances can be much easier redressed inside the Union + than out of it.'</p> + +<p> "In that same speech he also * * * said:</p> + +<p> "'I have been taught that the preservation of this glorious Union, + with its broad flag waving over us as the shield for our protection + on land and on sea, is paramount to all the parties and platforms + that ever have existed or ever can exist. I would, to day, if I + had the power, sink my own party and every other one, with all + their platforms, into the vortex of ruin, without heaving a sigh or + shedding a tear, to save the Union, or even stop the revolution + where it is.'</p> + +<p> "In this most complete speech of vindication—which Senator Logan + said he put upon record, 'First, that my children, after me, may + not have these slanders thrown in their faces without the power of + dispelling or refuting them; and second, that they may endure in + this Senate Chamber, so that it may be a notice to Senators of all + parties and all creeds that hereafter, while I am here in the + Senate, no insinuation of that kind will be submitted to by + me'—the proofs of the falsity of the charge were piled mountain-high, + and among them the following voluntary statements from two + Democratic Senators, who were with him before the War, in the House + of Representatives:</p> + +<p> "'United States Senate Chamber, + WASHINGTON, April 14, 1881.</p> + +<p> "'DEAR SIR: In a discussion in the Senate a few weeks since you + referred to the fact that a Southern Senator, who had served with + you in Congress before the War, could testify that during your term + of service there you gave no encouragement to the Secession of the + Southern States, adding, however, that you did not ask such + testimony. I was not sure at the time that your reference was to + me, as Senator Pugh of Alabama, was also a member of that Congress.</p> + +<p> "'Since then, having learned that your reference was to me, I + propose on the floor of the Senate, should suitable occasion offer, + to state what I know of your position and views at the time + referred to. But, as I may be absent from the Senate for some + time, I deem it best to give you this written statement, with full + authority to use it in any way that seems proper to you.</p> + +<p> "'When you first came to Congress in——, you were a very ardent + and impetuous Democrat. In the division which took place between + Mr. Douglas and his friends, on the one hand, and the Southern + Democrats, on the other, you were a warm and uncompromising + supporter of Mr. Douglas; and in the course of that convention you + became somewhat estranged from your party associates in the South. + In our frequent discussions upon the subjects of difference, I + never heard a word of sympathy from your lips with Secession in + either theory or practice. On the contrary, you were vehement in + your opposition to it.'</p> + +<p> "'I remember well a conversation I had with you just before leaving + Washington to become a candidate for the Secession convention. You + expressed the deep regret you felt at my proposed action, and + deplored the contemplated movement in terms as strong as any I + heard from any Republican.' + Yours truly, + "'L. Q. C. LAMAR</p> + +<p> "'Hon. JOHN A. LOGAN. + "United States Senate, Washington, D. C.'</p> + +<p> + "Senate Chamber, April 14, 1881.</p> + +<p> "'Having read the above statement of Senator Lamar, I fully concur + with him in my recollection of your expressions and action in + opposition to Secession. + Truly yours, J. L. PUGH.'</p> + +<p> "At the conclusion of Senator Logan's speech of refutation, Senator + Brown of Georgia (Democrat) said:</p> + +<p> "'Our newspapers may have misrepresented his position. I am now + satisfied they did. I have heard the Senator's statement with + great interest, and I take pleasure in saying—for I had some idea + before that there was some shadow of truth in this report—that I + think his vindication' is full, complete, and conclusive.'</p> + +<p> "'I recollect very well during the war, when I was Governor of my + State and the Federal army was invading it, to have had a large + force of militia aiding the Confederate army, and that Gen. Logan + was considered by us as one of the ablest, most gallant, and + skillful leaders of the Federal army. We had occasion to feel his + power, and we learned to respect him.'</p> + +<p> "Senator Beck, of Kentucky (Democrat), referring to the fact that + he was kept out of the House at one time, and a great many + suggestions had been made to him as to General Logan, continued:</p> + +<p> "'As I said the other day, I never proposed to go into such things, + and never have done so; but at that time General Frank Blair was + here, and I submitted many of the papers I received to him,—I + never thought of using any of them,—and I remember the remark that + he made to me: Beck, John Logan was one of the hardest fighters of + the war; and when many men who were seeking to whistle him down the + wind because of his politics when the war began, were snugly fixed + in safe places, he was taking his life in his hand wherever the + danger was greatest—and I tore up every paper I got, and burnt it + in the fire before his eyes.'</p> + +<p> "Senator Dawes of Massachusetts (Republican), also took occasion to + say:</p> + +<p> "Mr. President, I do not know that anything which can be said on + this side would be of any consequence to the Senator from Illinois + in this matter. But I came into the House of Representatives at + the same session that the Senator did.</p> + +<p> "'He was at that time one of the most intense of Democrats, and I + was there with him when the Rebellion first took root and + manifested itself in open and flagrant war; and I wish to say as a + Republican of that day, when the Senator from Illinois was a + Democrat, that at the earliest possible moment when the Republican + Party was in anxiety as to the position of the Northern Democracy + on the question of forcible assault on the Union, nothing did they + hail with more delight than the early stand which the Senator from + Illinois, from the Democratic side of the House, took upon the + question of resistance to the Government of the United States.</p> + +<p> "I feel that it is right that I should state that he was among the + first, if not the very first, of the Northern Democrats who came + out openly and declared, whatever may have been their opinion about + the doctrines of the Republican Party, that when it came to a + question of forcible resistance, they should be counted on the side + of the Government, and in co-operation with the Republican Party in + the attempt to maintain its authority.'</p> + +<p> "'I am very glad, whether it be of any service or not, to bear this + testimony to the early stand the Senator from Illinois took while + he was still a Democrat, and the large influence he exerted upon + the Northern Democracy, which kept it from being involved in the + condition and in the work of the Southern Democracy at that + time.'"]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>So far from this being the case, the fact is—and it is here mentioned +in part to bring out the interesting point that, had he lived, Douglas +would have been no idle spectator of the great War that was about to be +waged—that when Douglas visited Springfield, Illinois, to make that +great speech in the latter part of April, 1861, the writer went there +also, to see and talk over with him the grave situation of affairs, not +only in the Nation generally, but particularly in Illinois. And on that +occasion Mr. Douglas said to him, substantially: "The time has now +arrived when a man must be either for or against his Country. Indeed so +strongly do I feel this, and that further dalliance with this question +is useless, that I shall myself take steps to join the Array, and fight +for the maintenance of the Union."</p> + +<p>To this the writer replied that he was "equally well convinced that each +and every man must take his stand," and that he also "purposed at an +early day to raise a Regiment and draw the sword in that Union's +defense."</p> + +<p>This was after Sumter, and only seventy days before Congress was to meet +in Called Session. When that session met, Douglas had, weeks before, +gone down to the grave amid the tears of a distracted Nation, with the +solemn injunction upon his dying lips: "Obey the Laws and Defend the +Constitution"—and the writer had returned to Washington, to take his +seat in Congress, with that determination still alive in his heart.</p> + +<p>In fact there had been all along, substantial accord between Mr. Douglas +and the writer. There really was no "difference between Douglas and +Logan" as to "preparations for War," or in "exhausting all Peaceable +means before a resort to Arms," and both were in full accord with +President Lincoln on these points.</p> + +<p>Let us see if this is not of record: Take the writer's speech in the +House of Representatives, February 5, 1861, and it will be seen that he +said: "I will go as far as any man in the performance of a +Constitutional duty to put down Rebellion, to suppress Insurrection, and +to enforce the Laws." Again, he said, "If all the evils and calamities +that have ever happened since the World began, could be gathered in one +Great Catastrophe, its horrors could not eclipse, in their frightful +proportions, the Drama that impends over us."</p> + +<p>From these extracts it is plain enough that even at this very early day +the writer fully understood the "frightful proportions" of the impending +struggle, and would "go as far as"—not only Mr. Douglas, but—"any man, +to put down Rebellion"—which necessarily involved War, and +"preparations for War." But none the less, but rather the more, because +of the horrors which he foresaw must be inseparable from so terrible a +War, was he anxious by timely mutual Concessions—"by any sacrifice," as +he termed it—if possible, to avert it.</p> + +<p>He was ready to sink Party, self, and to accept any of the Propositions +to that end—Mr. Douglas's among them.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [See his speech of February 5, 1861, Congressional Globe]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>In this attitude also he was in accord with Mr. Douglas, who, as well as +the writer, was ready to make any sacrifice, of Party or self; to +"exhaust every effort at peaceful adjustment," before resorting to War. +The fact is they were much of the time in consultation, and always in +substantial accord.</p> + +<p>In a speech made in the Senate, March 15, 1861, Mr. Douglas had reduced +the situation to the following three alternative points:</p> + +<p>"1. THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE UNION by such Amendments to +the Constitution as will insure the domestic tranquillity, safety, and +equality of all the States, and thus restore peace, unity, and +fraternity, to the whole Country.</p> + +<p>"2. A PEACEFUL DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION by recognizing the Independence +of such States as refuse to remain in the Union without such +Constitutional Amendments, and the establishment of a liberal system of +commercial and social intercourse with them by treaties of commerce and +amity.</p> + +<p>"3. WAR, with a view to the subjugation and military occupation of those +States which have Seceded or may Secede from the Union."</p> + +<p>As a thorough Union man, he could never have agreed to a "Peaceful +Dissolution of the Union." On the other hand he was equally averse to +War, because he held that "War is Disunion. War is final, eternal +Separation." Hence, all his energies and talents were given to carrying +out his first-stated line of policy, and to persuading the Seceders to +accept what in that line was offered to them by the dominant party.</p> + +<p>His speech in the Senate, March 25, 1861, was a remarkable effort in +that respect. Mr. Breckinridge had previously spoken, and had declared +that: "Whatever settlement may be made of other questions, this must be +settled upon terms that will give them [the Southern States] either a +right, in common with others, to emigrate into all the territory, or +will secure to them their rights on a principle of equitable division."</p> + +<p>Mr. Douglas replied: "Now, under the laws as they stand, in every +Territory of the United States, without any exception, a Southern man +can go with his Slave-property on equal terms with all other property. +* * * Every man, either from the North or South, may go into the +Territories with his property on terms of exact equality, subject to the +local law; and Slave-property stands on an equal footing with all other +kinds of property in the Territories of the United States. It now +stands on an equal footing in all the Territories for the first time.</p> + +<p>"I have shown you that, up to 1859, little more than a year ago, it was +prohibited in part of the Territories. It is not prohibited anywhere +now. For the first time, under Republican rule, the Southern States +have secured that equality of rights in the Territories for their +Slave-property which they have been demanding so long."</p> + +<p>He held that the doctrine of Congressional prohibition in all the +Territories, as incorporated in the Wilmot proviso, had now been +repudiated by the Republicans of both Houses of Congress, who had "all +come over to Non-intervention and Popular Sovereignty;" that the "Wilmot +proviso is given up; that Congressional prohibition is given up; that +the aggressive policy is repudiated; and hereafter the Southern man and +the Northern man may move into the Territories with their Property on +terms of entire equality, without excepting Slaves or any other kind of +property."</p> + +<p>Continuing, he said: "What more do the Southern States want? What more +can any man demand? Non-intervention is all you asked. Will it be said +the South required in addition to this, laws of Congress to protect +Slavery in the Territories? That cannot be said; for only last May, the +Senate, by a nearly unanimous vote—a unanimous vote of the Southern +men, with one or two exceptions—declared that affirmative legislation +was not needed at this time. * * * What cause is there for further +alarm in the Southern States, so far as the Territories are concerned? +* * *</p> + +<p>"I repeat, the South has got all they ever claimed in all the +Territories. * * * Then, sir, according to law, the Slaveholding +States have got equality in the Territories. How is it in fact. * * * +Now, I propose to show that they have got the actual equitable +partition, giving them more than they were disposed to demand.</p> + +<p>"The Senator from Kentucky, * * * Mr. Crittenden, introduced a +proposition for an equitable partition. That proposition was, that +north of 36 30' Slavery should be prohibited, and South of it should be +protected, by Territorial law. * * * What is now the case? It is true +the Crittenden proposition has not yet become part of the Constitution; +but it is also true that an equitable partition has been made by the +vote of the people themselves, establishing, maintaining, and protecting +Slavery in every inch of territory South of the thirty-seventh parallel, +giving the South half a degree more than the Crittenden Proposition.</p> + +<p>"There stands your Slave-code in New Mexico protecting Slavery up to the +thirty-seventh degree as effectually as laws can be made to protect it. +There it stands the Law of the Land. Therefore the South has all below +the thirty-seventh parallel, while Congress has not prohibited Slavery +even North of it.</p> + +<p> * * * * * *</p> + +<p>"What more, then, is demanded? Simply that a Constitutional Amendment +shall be adopted, affirming—what? Precisely what every Republican in +both Houses of Congress has voted for within a month. Just do, by +Constitutional Amendment, what you have voted in the Senate and House of +Representatives, that is all. You are not even required to do that, but +merely to vote for a proposition submitting the question to the People +of the States whether they will make a Constitutional Amendment +affirming the equitable partition of the Territories which the People +have already made. * * *</p> + +<p>"You may ask, why does the South want us to do it by Constitutional +Amendment, when we have just done it voluntarily by Law? The President +of the United States, in his Inaugural, has told you the reason. He has +informed you that all of these troubles grow out of the absence of a +Constitutional provision defining the power of Congress over the subject +of Slavery. * * * He thinks that the trouble has arisen from the +absence of such a Constitutional Provision, and suggests a National +Convention to enable the People to supply the defect, leaving the People +to say what it is, instead of dictating to them what it shall be."</p> + +<p>It may here be remarked that while Mr. Douglas held that "So far as the +doctrine of Popular Sovereignty and Nonintervention is concerned, the +Colorado Bill, the Nevada Bill, and the Dakota Bill, are identically the +same with the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and in its precise language"—these +former Bills having been passed at the last Session of the 36th +Congress—the Republicans, on the contrary, held that neither in these +nor other measures had they abandoned any distinctive Republican +principle; while Breckinridge declared that they had passed those +Territorial Bills, without the Wilmot proviso, because they felt +perfectly secure in those Territories, with all the Federal patronage in +Republican hands.</p> + +<p>However that may be, we have here, brought out in strong contrast, the +conciliatory feeling which inspired such Union men as Douglas, and the +strong and persistent efforts they made in behalf of Concession and +Peace up to a period only a few weeks before the bombardment of Sumter; +and the almost total revulsion in their sentiments after that event, as +to the only proper means to preserve the Union. For it was only then +that the truth, as it fell from Douglas's lips at Springfield, was fully +recognized, to wit: that there was no half-way ground betwixt Patriotism +and Treason; that War was an existing fact; and that Patriots must arm +to defend and preserve the Union against the armed Traitors assailing +it.</p> + +<p>At last, July 4, 1861, the Congress met, and proceeded at once with +commendable alacrity and patriotism, to the consideration and enactment +of measures sufficient to meet the extraordinary exigency, whether as +regards the raising and equipment of the vast bodies of Union volunteers +needed to put down Rebellion, or in the raising of those enormous +amounts of money which the Government was now, or might thereafter be, +called upon to spend like water in preserving the Union.</p> + +<p>It was at this memorable Session, of little over one month, that the +chief of the great "War Measures" as they were termed, were enacted.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><br> +<a name="virginia"></a> +<center> +<img alt="p274-map.jpg (153K)" src="images/p274-map.jpg" height="797" width="637"> +</center> +<br><br><br> + +<a name="ch13"></a> +<br><br> + +<center> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII.<br><br> + + THE STORM OF BATTLE.<br> +</h2> +</center> + + +<p>We have seen how Fort Sumter fell; how the patriotic North responded to +President Lincoln's Call, for 75,000 three-months volunteers, with such +enthusiasm that, had there been a sufficiency of arms and accoutrements, +he might have had, within three months of that Call, an Army of 500,000 +men in the field; how he had called for 42,000 three-years volunteers +early in May, besides swelling what little there was of a regular Army +by ten full regiments; and how a strict blockade of the entire Southern +Coast-line had not only been declared, but was now enforced and +respected.</p> + +<p>General Butler, promoted Major-General for his Military successes at +Annapolis and Baltimore, was now in command of Fortress Monroe and +vicinity, with some 12,000 volunteers under him, confronted, on the +Peninsula, by a nearly equal number of Rebel troops, under Generals +Huger and Magruder—General Banks, with less than 10,000 Union troops, +occupying Baltimore, and its vicinage.</p> + +<p>General Patterson, with some 20,000 Union troops—mostly Pennsylvania +militia—was at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, with about an equal number +of the Enemy, under General Joseph E. Johnston, at Harper's Ferry, on +the Potomac, watching him.</p> + +<p>Some 50,000 Union troops were in camp, in and about Washington, on the +Virginia side, under the immediate command of Generals McDowell and +Mansfield—Lieutenant General Scott, at Washington, being in +Chief-command of the Union Armies—and, confronting these Union forces, in +Virginia, near the National Capital, were some 30,000 Rebel troops under +the command of General Beauregard, whose success in securing the +evacuation of Fort Sumter by its little garrison of half-starved Union +soldiers, had magnified him, in the eyes of the rebellious South, into +the proportions of a Military genius of the first order.</p> + +<p>There had been no fighting, nor movements, worthy of special note, until +June 7th, when General Patterson advanced from Chambersburg, +Pennsylvania, to Hagerstown, Maryland. General Johnston at once +evacuated Harper's Ferry, and retreated upon Winchester, Virginia.</p> + +<p>General McClellan, in command of the Department of the Ohio, had, +however, crossed the Ohio river, and by the 4th of July, being at +Grafton, West Virginia, with his small Army of Union troops, to which a +greatly inferior Rebel force was opposed, commenced that successful +advance against it, which led, after Bull Run, to his being placed at +the head of all the Armies of the United States.</p> + +<p>Subsequently Patterson crossed the Potomac, and after trifling away over +one month's time, at last, on the 15th of July, got within nine miles of +Winchester and Johnston's Army. Barring a spiritless reconnaissance, +Patterson—who was a fervent Breckinridge-Democrat in politics, and +whose Military judgment, as we shall see, was greatly influenced, if not +entirely controlled, by his Chief of staff, Fitz John Porter—never got +any nearer to the Enemy!</p> + +<p>Instead of attacking the Rebel force, under Johnston, or at least +keeping it "employed," as he was ordered to do by General Scott; instead +of getting nearer, and attempting to get between Winchester and the +Shenandoah River, as was suggested to him by his second in command, +General Sanford; and instead of permitting Sanford to go ahead, as that +General desired to, with his own 8,000 men, and do it himself; General +Patterson ordered him off to Charlestown—twelve miles to the Union left +and rear,—and then took the balance of his Army, with himself, to the +same place!</p> + +<p>In other words, while he had the most positive and definite orders, from +General Scott, if not to attack and whip Johnston, to at least keep him +busy and prevent that Rebel General from forming a junction, via the +Manassas Gap railroad or otherwise, with Beauregard, Patterson +deliberately moved his Army further away from Winchester and gave to the +Enemy the very chance of escaping and forming that junction which was +essential to Rebel success in the vicinity of Manassas.</p> + +<p>But for this disobedience of orders, Bull Run would doubtless have been +a great victory to the Union Arms, instead of a reverse, and the War, +which afterward lasted four years, might have been over in as many +months.</p> + +<p>It is foreign to the design of this work, to present in it detailed +descriptions of the battles waged during the great War of the Rebellion +—it being the present intention of the writer, at some later day, to +prepare and publish another work devoted to such stirring Military +scenes. Yet, as it might seem strange and unaccountable for him to pass +by, at this time, without any description or comment, the first pitched +battle of the Rebellion, he is constrained to pause and view that +memorable contest. And first, it may be well to say a word of the +general topography of the country about the battle-field.</p> + +<p>The Alleghany Mountains, or that part of them with which we have now to +do, stretch in three almost equidistant parallel ridges, from North-East +to South-West, through the heart of Old Virginia. An occasional pass, +or "Gap," through these ridges, affords communication, by good roads, +between the enclosed parallel valleys and the Eastern part of that +State.</p> + +<p>The Western of these Alleghany ridges bears the name of "Alleghany +Mountains" proper; the Eastern is called the "Blue Ridge;" while the +Middle Ridge, at its Northern end—which rests upon the Potomac, where +that river sweeps through three parallel ridges almost at right angles +to their own line of direction—is called the "Great North Mountain."</p> + +<p>The valley, between the Middle Ridge and the Blue Ridge, is known as the +Shenandoah Valley, taking its name from the Shenandoah River, which, for +more than one hundred miles, flows along the Western foot of the Blue +Ridge, toward the North-East, until it empties into the Potomac, at +Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>The Orange and Alexandria railroad runs from Alexandria,—on the +opposite bank of the Potomac from Washington, and a few miles below the +Capital,—in a general Southeasterly direction, to Culpepper +Court-House; thence Southerly to Gordonsville, where it joins the Virginia +Central—the Western branch of which runs thence through Charlotteville, +Staunton, and Covington, across the ridges and valleys of the +Alleghanies, while its Eastern branch, taking a general South-easterly +direction, crosses the Richmond and Fredricksburg railroad at Hanover +Junction, some twenty miles North of Richmond, and thence sweeps +Southerly to the Rebel capital.</p> + +<p>It is along this Easterly branch of the Virginia Central that Rebel +re-enforcements will be hurried to Beauregard, from Richmond to +Gordonsville, and thence, by the Orange and Alexandria railroad, to +Manassas Junction.</p> + +<p>Some twenty-five miles from Alexandria, a short railroad-feeder—which +runs from Strasburg, in the Shenandoah Valley, through the Blue Ridge, +at Manassas Gap, in an East-South-easterly direction—strikes the +Alexandria and Orange railroad. The point of contact is Manassas +Junction; and it is along this Manassas-Gap feeder that Johnston, with +his Army at Winchester—some twenty miles North-North-East of +Strasburg—expects, in case of attack by Patterson, to be re-enforced by +Beauregard; or, in case the latter is assailed, to go to his assistance, +after shaking off Patterson.</p> + +<p>This little link of railroad, known as the Manassas Gap railroad, is +therefore an important factor in the game of War, now commencing in +earnest; and it had, as we shall see, very much to do, not only with the +advance of McDowell's Union Army upon Bull Run, but also with the result +of the first pitched battle thereabout fought.</p> + +<p>From Alexandria, some twelve miles to the Westward, runs a fine turnpike +road to Fairfax Court-House; thence, continuing Westward, but gradually +and slightly dipping award the South, it passes through Germantown, +Centreville, and Groveton, to Warrenton.</p> + +<p>This "Warrenton Pike"—as it is termed—also plays a somewhat +conspicuous part, before, during, and after the Battle of Bull Run. For +most of its length, from Fairfax Court-House to Warrenton, the Warrenton +Pike pursues a course almost parallel with the Orange and Alexandria +railroad aforesaid, while the stream of Bull Run, pursuing a +South-easterly course, has a general direction almost parallel with that of +the Manassas Gap railroad.</p> + +<p>We shall find that it is the diamond-shaped parallelogram, formed by the +obtuse angle junction of the two railroads on the South, and the +similarly obtuse-angled crossing of the stream of Bull Run by the +Warrenton Pike on the North, that is destined to become the historic +battle-field of the first "Bull Run," or "Manassas;" and it is in the +Northern obtuse-angle of this parallelogram that the main fighting is +done, upon a spot not much more than one mile square, three sides of the +same being bounded respectively by the Bull Run stream, the Warrenton +Pike, which crosses it on a stone bridge, and the Sudley Springs road, +which crosses the Pike, at right-angles to it, near a stone house.</p> + +<p>On the 3rd of June, 1861, General McDowell, in command of the Department +of North-Eastern Virginia, with head-quarters at Arlington, near +Washington, receives from Colonel Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General +with Lieutenant-General Scott—who is in Chief command of all the Union +Forces, with Headquarters at Washington—a brief but pregnant +communication, the body of which runs thus: "General Scott desires you +to submit an estimate of the number and composition of a column to be +pushed toward Manassas Junction, and perhaps the Gap, say in four or +five days, to favor Patterson's attack on Harper's Ferry. The rumor is +that Arlington Heights will be attacked to-night."</p> + +<p>In response to this request, General McDowell submits, on the day +following, an estimate that "the actual entire force at the head of the +column should, for the purpose of carrying the position at Manassas and +of occupying both the road to Culpepper, and the one to the Gap, be as +much as 12,000 Infantry, two batteries of regular Artillery, and from +six to eight companies of Cavalry, with an available reserve, ready to +move forward from Alexandria by rail, of 5,000 Infantry and one heavy +field battery, rifled if possible; these numbers to be increased or +diminished as events may indicate." This force of raw troops he +proposes to organize into field brigades under the command of "active +and experienced colonels" of the regular Army. And while giving this +estimate as to the number of troops necessary, he suggestively adds that +"in proportion to the numbers used will be the lives saved; and as we +have such numbers pressing to be allowed to serve, might it not be well +to overwhelm and conquer as much by the show of force as by the use of +it?"</p> + +<p>Subsequently McDowell presents to General Scott, and Mr. Lincoln's +Cabinet, a project of advance and attack, which is duly approved and +ordered to be put in execution. In that project or plan of operations, +submitted by verbal request of General Scott, near the end of June,—the +success of which is made contingent upon Patterson's holding Johnston +engaged at Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley, and also upon Butler's +holding the Rebel force near Fortress Monroe from coming to Beauregard's +aid at Manassas Junction,—McDowell estimates Beauregard's strength at +25,000, with a possible increase, bringing it up to 35,000 men. The +objective point in McDowell's plan, is Manassas Junction, and he +proposes "to move against Manassas with a force of 30,000 of all arms, +organized into three columns, with a reserve of 10,000."</p> + +<p>McDowell is fully aware that the Enemy has "batteries in position at +several places in his front, and defensive works on Bull Run, and +Manassas Junction." These batteries he proposes to turn. He believes +Bull Run to be "fordable at almost anyplace,"—an error which ultimately +renders his plan abortive,—and his proposition is, after uniting his +columns on the Eastern side of Bull Run, "to attack the main position by +turning it, if possible, so as to cut off communications by rail with +the South, or threaten to do so sufficiently to force the Enemy to leave +his intrenchments to guard them."</p> + +<p>In other words, assuming the Enemy driven back, by minor flanking +movements, or otherwise, upon his intrenched position at Bull Run, or +Manassas, the plan is to turn his right, destroy the Orange and +Alexandria railroad leading South, and the bridge at Bristol, so as to +cut off his supplies. This done, the Enemy—if nothing worse ensues for +him—will be in a "bad box."</p> + +<p>McDowell, however, has no idea that the Enemy will stand still to let +this thing be done. On the contrary, he is well satisfied that +Beauregard will accept battle on some chosen ground between Manassas +Junction and Washington.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 16th of July, the advance of McDowell's +Army commences. That Army is organized into five divisions—four of +which accompany McDowell, while a fifth is left to protect the defensive +works of Washington, on the South bank of the Potomac. This latter, the +Fourth Division, commanded by Brigadier-General Theodore Runyon, +comprises eight unbrigaded New Jersey regiments of (three months, and +three years) volunteers—none of which take part in the ensuing +conflicts-at-arms.</p> + +<p>The moving column consists of the First Division, commanded by +Brigadier-General Daniel Tyler, comprising four brigades, respectively +under Brigadier-General R. C. Schenck, and Colonels E. D. Keyes, W. T. +Sherman, and I. B. Richardson; the Second Division, commanded by Colonel +David Hunter, comprising two brigades, under Colonels Andrew Porter and +A. E. Burnside respectively; the Third Division, commanded by Colonel S. +P. Heintzelman, comprising three brigades, under Colonels W. B. +Franklin, O. B. Wilcox, and O. O. Howard, respectively; and the Fifth +Division, commanded by Colonel Dixon S. Miles, comprising two brigades, +under Colonels Lewis Blenker, and Thomas A. Davies, respectively.</p> + +<p>Tyler's Division leads the advance, moving along the Leesburg road to +Vienna, on our right, with orders to cross sharply to its left, upon +Fairfax Court House, the following (Wednesday) morning. Miles's +Division follows the turnpike road to Annandale, and then moves, by the +Braddock road,—along which Braddock, a century before, had marched his +doomed army to disaster,—upon Fairfax Court House, then known to be +held by Bonham's Rebel Brigade of South Carolinians. Hunter follows +Miles, to Annandale, and thence advances direct upon Fairfax, by the +turnpike road—McDowell's idea being to bag Bonham's Brigade, if +possible, by a simultaneous attack on the front and both flanks. But +the advance is too slow, and the Enemy's outposts, both there and +elsewhere, have ample opportunity of falling safely back upon their main +position, behind the stream of Bull Run.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [McDowell in his testimony before the "Committee on the Conduct of + the War," said: "At Fairfax Court House was the South Carolina + Brigade. And I do not suppose anything would have had a greater + cheering effect upon the troops, and perhaps upon the Country, than + the capture of that brigade. And if General Tyler could have got + down there any time in the forenoon instead of in the afternoon, + the capture of that brigade was beyond question. It was about + 5,000 or 6,000 men, and Tyler had 12,000, at the same time that we + were pressing on in front. He did not get down there until in the + afternoon; none of us got forward in time."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>This slowness is due to various causes. There is a pretty general +dread, for example, among our troops, of threatened ambuscades, and +hence the advance is more cautious than it otherwise would be. It is +thought the part of wisdom, as it were, to "feel the way." The +marching, moreover, is new to our troops. General Scott had checked +McDowell when the latter undertook to handle eight regiments together, +near Washington, by intimating that he was "trying to make a show." +Thus the very essential knowledge of how to manoeuvre troops in large +bodies, has been withheld from our Union generals, while the volunteer +regiments have either rusted in camp from inaction, or have been denied +the opportunity of acquiring that endurance and hardiness and discipline +which frequent movement of troops confers. Hence, all unused to the +discipline of the march, every moment some one falls out of line to +"pick blackberries, or to get water." Says McDowell, in afterward +reporting this march: "They would not keep in the ranks, order as much +as you pleased. When they came where water was fresh, they would pour +the old water out of their canteens and fill them with fresh water; they +were not used to denying themselves much."</p> + +<p>Meantime, Heintzelman's Division is also advancing, by cross-roads, more +to the left and South of the railroad line,—in accordance with +McDowell's plan, which comprehends not only the bagging of Bonham, but +an immediate subsequent demonstration, by Tyler, upon Centreville and +beyond, while Heintzelman, supported by Hunter and Miles, shall swoop +across Bull Run, at Wolf Run Shoals, some distance below Union Mills, +turn the Enemy's right, and cut off his Southern line of railroad +communications. Thus, by the evening of Wednesday, the 17th, +Heintzelman is at Sangster's Station, while Tyler, Miles, and Hunter, +are at Fairfax.</p> + +<p>It is a rather rough experience that now befalls the Grand Army of the +Union. All unused, as we have seen, to the fatigues and other hardships +of the march, the raw levies, of which it almost wholly consists, which +started bright and fresh, strong and hopeful, full of the buoyant ardor +of enthusiastic patriotism, on that hot July afternoon, only some thirty +hours back, are now dust-begrimed, footsore, broken down, exhausted by +the scorching sun, hungry, and without food,—for they have wasted the +rations with which they started, and the supply-trains have not yet +arrived. Thus, hungry and physically prostrated, "utterly played out," +as many of them confess, and demoralized also by straggling and loss of +organization, they bivouac that night in the woods, and dream uneasy +dreams beneath the comfortless stars.</p> + +<p>A mile beyond Fairfax Court House, on the Warrenton Turnpike, is +Germantown. It is here that Tyler's Division has rested, on the night +of the 17th. At 7 o'clock on the morning of Thursday, the 18th, in +obedience to written orders from McDowell, it presses forward, on that +"Pike," to Centreville, five miles nearer to the Enemy's position behind +Bull Run—Richardson's Brigade in advance—and, at 9 o'clock, occupies +it. Here McDowell has intended Tyler to remain, in accordance with the +plan, which he has imparted to him in conversation, and in obedience to +the written instructions to: "Observe well the roads to Bull Run and to +Warrenton. Do not bring on an engagement, but keep up the impression +that we are moving on Manassas,"—this advance, by way of Centreville, +being intended solely as a "demonstration" to mask the real movement, +which, as we have seen, is to be made by the other divisions across Wolf +Run Shoals, a point on Bull Run, some five or six miles below Union +Mills, and some seven miles below Blackburn's Ford.</p> + +<p>Upon the arrival of Richardson's Brigade, Thursday morning, at +Centreville, it is found that, under cover of the darkness of the +previous night, the Enemy has retreated, in two bodies, upon Bull Run, +the one along the Warrenton Pike, the other (the largest) down the +ridge-road from Centreville to Blackburn's Ford. Richardson's Brigade +at once turns down the latter road and halts about a mile beyond +Centreville, at a point convenient to some springs of water. Tyler soon +afterward rides up, and, taking from that brigade two companies of light +Infantry and a squadron of Cavalry, proceeds, with Colonel Richardson, +to reconnoitre the Enemy, finding him in a strong position on the +opposite bank of Bull Run, at Blackburn's Ford.</p> + +<p>While this is going on, McDowell has ridden in a Southerly direction +down to Heintzelman's Division, at Sangster's Station, "to make +arrangements to turn the Enemy's right, and intercept his communications +with the South," but has found, owing to the narrowness and crookedness +of the roads, and the great distance that must be traversed in making +the necessary detour, that his contemplated movement is too risky to be +ventured. Hence he at once abandons his original plan of turning the +Enemy's right, and determines on "going around his left, where the +country is more open, and the roads broad and good."</p> + +<p>McDowell now orders a concentration, for that night, of the four +divisions, with two days cooked rations in their haversacks, upon and +about Centreville,—the movement to commence as soon as they shall +receive expected commissariat supplies. But, later on the +18th,—learning that his advance, under Tyler, has, against orders, become +engaged with the Enemy—he directs the concentration to be made at once.</p> + +<p>Let us examine, for a moment, how this premature engagement comes about. +We left Tyler, accompanied by Richardson, with a squadron of Cavalry and +a battalion of light Infantry making a reconnaissance, on Thursday +morning the 18th, toward Blackburn's Ford. They approach within a mile +of the ford, when they discover a Rebel battery on the farther bank of +Bull Run—so placed as to enfilade the road descending from their own +position of observation down to the ford,—strong Rebel infantry pickets +and skirmishing parties being in front.</p> + +<p>Tyler at once orders up his two rifled guns, Ayres' Battery, and +Richardson's entire Brigade—and later, Sherman's Brigade as a reserve. +As soon as they come up,—about noon—he orders the rifled guns into +battery on the crest of the hill, about one mile from, and looking down +upon, the Rebel battery aforesaid, and opens upon the Enemy; giving him +a dozen shells,—one of them making it lively for a body of Rebel +Cavalry which appears between the ford and Manassas.</p> + +<p>The Rebel battery responds with half a dozen shots, and then ceases. +Tyler now orders Richardson to advance his brigade and throw out +skirmishers to scour the thick woods which cover the Bull Run +bottom-land. Richardson at once rapidly deploys the battalion of light +Infantry as skirmishers in advance of his brigade, pushes them forward +to the edge of the woods, drives in the skirmishers of the Enemy in fine +style, and supports their further advance into the woods, with the 1st +Massachusetts Regiment.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Tyler, discovering a favorable opening in the woods, "low down +on the bottom of the stream," for a couple of howitzers in battery, +sends Captain Ayres of the 5th U. S. Artillery, and a detached section +(two 12-pound howitzers) of his battery, with orders to post it himself +on that spot, and sends Brackett's squadron of the 2d Cavalry to his +support.</p> + +<p>No sooner does Ayres open fire on the Enemy, than he awakens a Rebel +hornet's-nest. Volley after volley of musketry shows that the Bull Run +bottom fairly swarms with Rebel troops, while another Rebel battery, +more to the Rebel right, opens, with that already mentioned, a +concentrated cross-fire upon him.</p> + +<p>And now Richardson orders up the 12th New York, Colonel Walrath, to the +left of our battery. Forming it into line-of-battle, Richardson orders +it to charge through the woods upon the Enemy. Gallantly the regiment +moves forward, after the skirmishers, into the woods, but, being met by +a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery along the whole line of the +Enemy's position, is, for the most part, thrown back in confusion—a +mere fragment* remaining in line, and retreating,—while the howitzers, +and Cavalry also, are withdrawn.</p> + +<p>Meantime, however, Richardson has ordered up, and placed in +line-of-battle, on the right of our battery, the 1st Massachusetts, the 2d +Michigan (his own), and the 3d Michigan. The skirmishers in the woods +still bravely hold their ground, undercover, and these three regiments +are plucky, and anxious to assault the Enemy. Richardson proposes to +lead them in a charge upon the Enemy's position, and drive him out of +it; but Tyler declines to give permission, on the ground that this being +"merely a reconnaissance," the object of which—ascertaining the +strength and position of the Enemy—having been attained, a further +attack is unnecessary. He therefore orders Richardson to "fall back in +good order to our batteries on the hill,"—which he does.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching these batteries, Richardson forms his 2d Michigan, in +"close column by division," on their right, and the 1st Massachusetts +and 3d Michigan, in "line of battle," on their left—the 12th New York +re-forming, under cover of the woods at the rear, later on. Then, with +our skirmishers thrown into the woods in front, their scattering fire, +and the musketry responses of the Rebels, are drowned in the volume of +sound produced by the deafening contest which ensues between our +Artillery, and that of the Enemy from his batteries behind Bull Run.</p> + +<p>This artillery-duel continues about one hour; and then seems to cease by +mutual consent, about dusk—after 415 shots have been fired on the Union +side, and have been responded to by an equal number from the Rebel +batteries, "gun for gun"—the total loss in the engagement, on the Union +side, being 83, to a total loss among the Enemy, of Thursday night, +Richardson retires his brigade upon Centreville, in order to secure +rations and water for his hungry and thirsty troops,—as no water has +yet been found in the vicinity of the Union batteries aforesaid. On the +morrow, however, when his brigade re-occupies that position, water is +found in abundance, by digging for it.</p> + +<p>This premature attack, at Blackburn's Ford, by Tyler, against orders, +having failed, throws a wet blanket upon the martial spirit of +McDowell's Army. In like degree is the morale of the Rebel Army +increased.</p> + +<p>It is true that Longstreet, in command of the Rebel troops at +Blackburn's Ford, has not had things all his own way; that some of his +artillery had to be "withdrawn;" that, as he acknowledges in his report, +his brigade of three Virginia regiments (the 1st, 11th, and 17th) had +"with some difficulty repelled" the Union assault upon his position; +that he had to call upon General Early for re-enforcements; that Early +re-enforced him with two Infantry regiments (the 7th Louisiana and 7th +Virginia) at first; that one of these (the 7th Virginia) was "thrown +into confusion;" that Early then brought up his own regiment (the 24th +Virginia) under Lieutenant Colonel Hairston, and the entire seven guns +of the "Washington Artillery;" and that but for the active "personal +exertions" of Longstreet, in "encouraging the men under his command," +and the great numerical superiority of the Rebels, there might have been +no Union "repulse" at all. Yet still the attack has failed, and that +failure, while it dispirits the Patriot Army, inspires the Rebel Army +with renewed courage.</p> + +<p>Under these circumstances, Friday, the 19th of July, is devoted to +reconnaissances by the Engineer officers of the Union Army; to the +cooking of the supplies, which have at last arrived; and to resting the +weary and road-worn soldiers of the Union.</p> + +<p>Let us take advantage of this halt in the advance of McDowell's "Grand +Army of the United States"—as it was termed—to view the Rebel position +at, and about Manassas, and to note certain other matters having an +important and even determining bearing upon the issue of the impending +shock-at-arms.</p> + +<p>Beauregard has received early information of McDowell's advance from +Arlington, and of his plans.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [This he admits, in his report, when he says; "Opportunely informed + of the determination of the Enemy to advance on Manassas, my + advanced brigades, on the night of the 16th of July, were made + aware, from these headquarters, of the impending movement,"]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>On Tuesday the 16th, he notifies his advanced brigades. On Wednesday, +he sends a dispatch from Manassas, to Jefferson Davis, at Richmond, +announcing that the Union troops have assailed his outposts in heavy +force; that he has fallen back before them, on the line of Bull Run; and +that he intends to make a stand at Mitchell's Ford (close to Blackburn's +Ford) on that stream,—adding: if his (McDowell's) force is +overwhelming, "I shall retire to the Rappahannock railroad bridge, +saving my command for defense there, and future operations. Please +inform Johnston of this, via Staunton, and also Holmes. Send forward +any re-enforcements at the earliest possible instant, and by every +possible means."</p> + +<p>In the meantime, however, Beauregard loses no time in advantageously +posting his troops. On the morning of the 18th of July, when the Union +advance enters Centreville, he has withdrawn all his advanced brigades +within the Rebel lines of Bull Run, resting them on the South side of +that stream, from Union Mills Ford, near the Orange and Alexandria +railroad bridge, up to the stone bridge over which the Warrenton Pike +crosses the Run,—a distance of some six to eight miles.</p> + +<p>Between the Rebel left, at Stone Bridge, and the Rebel right, at Union +Mills Ford, are several fords across Bull Run—the general course of the +stream being from the North-West to South-East, to its confluence with +the Occoquan River, some twelve miles from the Potomac River.</p> + +<p>Mitchell's Ford, the Rebel center, is about three miles to the +South-West of, and about the same distance North-East from, Manassas Junction. +But it may be well, right here, to locate all these fordable crossings +of the rocky, precipitous, and well-wooded Bull Run stream, between the +Stone Bridge and Union Mills Ford. Thus, half a mile below the Stone +Bridge is Lewis's Ford; half a mile below that, Ball's Ford; half a mile +below that, Island Ford; one and one-half miles below that, Mitchell's +Ford—one mile below that.</p> + +<p>Blackburn's Ford; three-quarters of a mile farther down, McLean's Ford; +and nearly two miles lower down the stream, Union Mills Ford.</p> + +<p>By Thursday morning, the 18th of July, Beauregard has advantageously +posted the seven brigades into which he has organized his forces, at +these various positions along his extended front, as follows:</p> + +<p>At the Stone Bridge, Brigadier-General N. G. Evans's Seventh Brigade, of +one regiment and one battalion of Infantry, two companies of Cavalry, +and a battery of four six-pounders.</p> + +<p>At Lewis's, Balls, and Island Fords—Colonel P. St. George Cocke's +Fifth Brigade, of three regiments of Infantry, one battery of Artillery, +and one company of Cavalry.</p> + +<p>At Mitchell's Ford, Brigadier-General M. L. Bonham's First Brigade, of +four Infantry regiments, two batteries, and six companies of Cavalry.</p> + +<p>At Blackburn's Ford, Brigadier-General J. Longstreet's Fourth Brigade, +of four Infantry regiments, with two 6-pounders.</p> + +<p>At McLean's Ford, Brigadier-General D. R. Jones's Third Brigade of three +Infantry regiments, one Cavalry company, and two 6-pounders.</p> + +<p>At Union Mills Ford, Brigadier-General R. S. Ewell's Second Brigade, of +three Infantry regiments, three Cavalry companies, and four 12-powder +howitzers—Colonel Jubal A. Early's Sixth Brigade, of three Infantry +regiments and three rifled pieces of Walton's Battery, being posted in +the rear of, and as a support to, Ewell's Brigade.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [Johnston also found, on the 20th, the Reserve Brigade of Brig. + Gen. T. H. Holmes—comprising two regiments of Infantry, Walker's + Battery of Artillery, and Scott's Cavalry-with Early's Brigade, "in + reserve, in rear of the right."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>The disposition and strength of Beauregard's forces at these various +points along his line of defense on Bull Run stream, plainly shows his +expectation of an attack on his right; but he is evidently suspicious +that it may come upon his centre; for, as far back as July 8th, he had +issued special orders to the effect that:</p> + +<p>"Should the Enemy march to the attack of Mitchell's Ford, via +Centreville, the following movements will be made with celerity:</p> + +<p>"I. The Fourth Brigade will march from Blackburn's Ford to attack him on +the flank and centre.</p> + +<p>"II. The Third Brigade will be thrown to the attack of his centre and +rear toward Centreville.</p> + +<p>"III. The Second and Sixth Brigades united will also push forward and +attack him in the rear by way of Centreville, protecting their own right +flanks and rear from the direction of Fairfax Station and Court House.</p> + +<p>"IV. In the event of the defeat of the Enemy, the troops at Mitchell's +Ford and Stone Bridge, especially the Cavalry and Artillery, will join +in the pursuit, which will be conducted with vigor but unceasing +prudence, and continued until he shall have been driven beyond the +Potomac."</p> + +<p>And it is not without interest to note Beauregard's subsequent +indorsement on the back of these Special Orders, that: "The plan of +attack prescribed within would have been executed, with modifications +affecting First and Fifth Brigades, to meet the attack upon Blackburn's +Ford, but for the expected coming of General Johnston's command, which +was known to be en route to join me on [Thursday] the 18th of July."</p> + +<p>The knowledge thus possessed on Thursday, the 18th, by Beauregard, that +Johnston's Army is on its way to join him, is of infinite advantage to +the former. On the other hand, the complete ignorance, at this time, of +McDowell on this point,—and the further fact that he has been lulled +into a feeling of security on the subject, by General Scott's emphatic +assurance to him that "if Johnston joins Beauregard, he shall have +Patterson on his heels"—is a great disadvantage to the Union general.</p> + +<p>Were McDowell now aware of the real Military situation, he would +unquestionably make an immediate attack, with the object of crushing +Beauregard before Johnston can effect a junction with him. It would +then be a mere matter of detail for the armies of McDowell, McClellan, +and Patterson, to bag Johnston, and bring the armed Rebellion to an +inglorious and speedy end. But Providence—through the plottings of +individuals within our own lines—wills it otherwise.</p> + +<p>Long before this, Patterson has been informed by General Winfield Scott +of the proposed movement by McDowell upon Manassas,—and of its date.</p> + +<p>On Saturday, July 13th, General Scott telegraphed to Patterson: "I +telegraphed to you yesterday, if not strong enough to beat the Enemy +early next week, make demonstrations so as to detain him in the Valley +of Winchester; but if he retreats in force toward Manassas, and it be +too hazardous to follow him, then consider the route via Keys Ferry, +Leesburg, etc."</p> + +<p>On Wednesday, the 17th, Scott telegraphs to Patterson: "I have nothing +official from you since Sunday (14th), but am glad to learn, through +Philadelphia papers, that you have advanced. Do not let the Enemy amuse +and delay you with a small force in front whilst he re-enforces the +Junction with his main body. McDowell's first day's work has driven the +Enemy beyond Fairfax Court House. The Junction will probably be carried +by to-morrow."</p> + +<p>On Thursday, the 18th, Patterson replies that to attack "the greatly +superior force at Winchester when the three months volunteers' time was +about up, and they were threatening to leave him—would be most +hazardous" and then he asks: "Shall I attack?"</p> + +<p>Scott answers the same day: "I have certainly been expecting you to beat +the Enemy. If not, to hear that you had felt him strongly, or, at +least, had occupied him by threats and demonstrations. You have been at +least his equal, and, I suppose, superior in numbers. Has he not stolen +a march and sent re-enforcements toward Manassas Junction? A week is +enough to win victories," etc.</p> + +<p>Patterson retorts, on the same day: "The Enemy has stolen no march upon +me. I have kept him actively employed, and by threats, and +reconnaissances in force, caused him to be re-enforced. I have +accomplished in this respect more than the General-in-Chief asked, or +could well be expected, in face of an Enemy far superior in numbers, +with no line of communication to protect."</p> + +<p>In another dispatch, to Assistant Adjutant-General Townsend (with +General Scott), he says, that same afternoon of Thursday, the 18th: "I +have succeeded, in accordance with the wishes of the General-in-Chief, +in keeping General Johnston's Force at Winchester. A reconnaissance in +force, on Tuesday, caused him to be largely re-enforced from Strasburg."</p> + +<p>Again, on Friday, the 19th, he informs Colonel Townsend that: "The +Enemy, from last information, are still at Winchester, and being +re-enforced every night."</p> + +<p>It is not until Saturday, the 20th of July, that he telegraphs to +Townsend: "With a portion of his force, Johnston left Winchester, by the +road to Millwood, on the afternoon of the 18th." And he adds the +ridiculous statement: "His whole force was about 35,200."</p> + +<p>Thus, despite all the anxious care of General Scott, to have Johnston's +Army detained in the Shenandoah Valley, it has escaped Patterson so +successfully, and entirely, that the latter does not even suspect its +disappearance until the day before the pitched Battle of Bull Run is +fought! Its main body has actually reached Manassas twenty-four hours +before Patterson is aware that it has left Winchester!</p> + +<p>And how is it, that Johnston gets away from Patterson so neatly? And +when does he do it?</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [The extraordinary conduct of General Patterson at this critical + period, when everything seemed to depend upon his exertions, was + afterward the subject of inquiry by the Joint-Committee on the + Conduct of the War. The testimony taken by that Committee makes it + clear, to any unprejudiced mind, that while Patterson himself may + have been loyal to the Union, he was weak enough to be swayed from + the path of duty by some of the faithless and unpatriotic officers + with whom he had partly surrounded himself—and especially by Fitz + John Porter, his Chief-of-staff. Let us examine the sworn + testimony of two or three witnesses on this point.</p> + +<p> General CHARLES W. SANFORD, who was second in command under + Patterson, and in command of Patterson's Left Wing, testified [see + pages 54-66, Report on Conduct of the War, Vol. 3, Part 2,] that he + was at a Council of War held at the White House, June 29th, when + the propriety of an attack on the Rebel lines at Manassas was + discussed; that he objected to any such movement until Patterson + was in such a position as to prevent the junction between General + Johnston's Army and the troops at Manassas; that on the 6th of + July, he was sent by General Scott, with four picked New York + regiments, to Patterson, and (waiving his own seniority rank) + reported to that General, at Williamsport; that Patterson gave him + command of a division of 8,000 men (and two batteries) out of a + total in his Army of 22,000; that he "delivered orders from General + Scott to General Patterson, and urged a forward movement as soon as + possible;" that there was "Some delay at Martinsburg, + notwithstanding the urgency of our matter," but they "left there on + [Monday] the 15th of July, and went in the direction of + Winchester,"—down to Bunker Hill,—Patterson with two divisions + going down the turnpike, and Sanford taking his division a little + in advance and more easterly on the side roads so as to be in a + position to flank Johnston's right; that on that afternoon (Monday, + July 15) General Patterson rode up to where Sanford was locating + his camp.</p> + +<p> Continuing his testimony, General Sanford said: "I was then within + about nine miles of Johnston's fortified camp at Winchester. + Patterson was complimenting me upon the manner in which my + regiments were located, and inquiring about my pickets, which I had + informed him I had sent down about three miles to a stream below. + I had driven out the Enemy's skirmishers ahead of us. They had + some cavalry there. In answer to his compliments about the + comfortable location I had made, I said: 'Very comfortable, + General, when shall we move on?' * * * He hesitated a moment or + two, and then said: 'I don't know yet when we shall move. And if I + did I would not tell my own father.' I thought that was rather a + queer speech to make to me under the circumstances. But I smiled + and said: 'General, I am only anxious that we shall get forward, + that the Enemy shall not escape us.' He replied: 'There is no + danger of that. I will have a reconnaissance to-morrow, and we + will arrange about moving at a very early period.' He then took + his leave.</p> + +<p> "The next day [Tuesday, July 16th], there was a reconnaissance on + the Winchester turnpike, about four or five miles below the + General's camp. He sent forward a section of artillery and some + cavalry, and they found a post-and-log fence across the Winchester + turnpike, and some of the Enemy's cavalry on the other side of it. + They gave them a round of grape. The cavalry scattered off, and + the reconnaissance returned. That was the only reconnaissance I + heard of while we were there. My own pickets went further than + that. But it was understood, the next afternoon, that we were to + march forward at daylight. I sent down Col. Morell, with 40 men, + to open a road down to Opequan Creek, within five miles of the camp + at Winchester, on the side-roads I was upon, which would enable me, + in the course of three hours, to get between Johnston and the + Shenandoah River, and effectually bar his way to Manassas. I had + my ammunition all distributed, and ordered my men to have 24 hours' + rations in their haversacks, independent of their breakfast. We + were to march at 4 o'clock the next morning. I had this road to + the Opequan completed that night. I had then with me, in addition + to my eight regiments amounting to about 8,000 men and a few + cavalry, Doubleday's heavy United States battery of 20 and 30 + pounders, and a very good Rhode Island battery. And I was willing + to take the risk, whether Gen. Patterson followed me up or not, of + placing myself between Johnston and the Shenandoah River, rather + than let Johnston escape. And, at 4 o'clock [July 17th] I should + have moved over that road for that purpose, if I had had no further + orders. But, a little after 12 o'clock at night [July 16th-17th,] + I received a long order of three pages from Gen. Patterson, + instructing me to move on to Charlestown, which is nearly at right + angles to the road I was going to move on, and twenty-two miles + from Winchester. This was after I had given my orders for the + other movement."</p> + +<p> * * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> 'Question [by the Chairman].—And that left Johnston free? + "Answer—Yes, Sir; left him free to make his escape, which he did. + * * *"</p> + +<p> 'Question.—In what direction would Johnston have had to move to + get by you? + "Answer—Right out to the Shenandoah River, which he forded. He + found out from his cavalry, who were watching us, that we were + actually leaving, and he started at 1 o'clock that same day, with + 8,000 men, forded the Shenandoah where it was so deep that he + ordered his men to put their cartridge-boxes on their bayonets, got + out on the Leesburg road, and went down to Manassas."</p> + +<p> "Question [by the Chairman].—Did he [Patterson] assign any reason + for that movement? + "Answer.—I was, of course, very indignant about it, and so were + all my officers and men; so much so that when, subsequently, at + Harper's Ferry, Patterson came by my camp, there was a universal + groan—against all discipline, of course, and we suppressed it as + soon as possible. The excuse given by Gen. Patterson was this: + that he had received intelligence that he could rely upon, that + Gen. Johnston had been re-enforced by 20,000 men from Manassas, + and was going to make an attack upon him; and in the order which I + received that night—a long order of three pages—I was ordered to + occupy all the communicating roads, turning off a regiment here, + and two or three regiments there, and a battery at another place, + to occupy all the roads from Winchester to the neighborhood of + Charlestown, and all the cross-roads, and hold them all that day, + until Gen. Patterson's whole army went by me to Charlestown; and I + sat seven hours in the saddle near a place called Smithfield, while + Patterson, with his whole army, went by me on their way to + Charlestown, he being apprehensive, as he said, of an attack from + Johnston's forces."</p> + +<p> "Question [by Mr. Odell].—You covered his movement? + "Answer—Yes, Sir. Now the statement that he made, which came to + me through Colonel Abercrombie, who was Patterson's brother-in-law, + and commanded one division in that army, was, that Johnston had + been re-enforced; and Gen. Fitz-John Porter reported the same thing + to my officers. Gen. Porter was then the chief of Patterson's + staff, and was a very excellent officer, and an accomplished + soldier. They all had got this story, which was without the + slightest shadow of foundation; for there had not a single man + arrived at the camp since we had got full information that their + force consisted of 20,000 men, of whom 1,800 were sick with the + measles. The story was, however, that they had ascertained, by + reliable information, of this re-enforcement. Where they got their + information, I do not know. None such reached me; and I picked up + deserters and other persons to get all the information I could; and + we since have learned, as a matter of certainty, that Johnston's + forces never did exceed 20,000 men there. But the excuse Patterson + gave was, that Johnson had been re-enforced by 20,000 men from + Manassas, and was going to attack him. That was the reason he gave + then for this movement. But in this paper he has lately published, + he hints at another reason—another excuse—which was that it was + by order of Gen. Scott. Now, I know that the peremptory order of + Gen. Scott to Gen. Patterson, repeated over and over again, was + this—I was present on several occasions when telegraphic + communications went from Gen. Scott to Gen. Patterson: Gen. Scott's + orders to Gen. Patterson were that, if he were strong enough, he + was to attack and beat Johnston. But if not, then he was to place + himself in such a position as to keep Johnston employed, and + prevent him from making a junction with Beauregard at Manassas. + That was the repeated direction of Gen. Scott to Gen. Patterson; + and it was because of Patterson's hesitancy, and his hanging back, + and keeping so far beyond the reach of Johnston's camp, that I was + ordered to go up there and re-enforce him, and assist him in any + operations necessary to effect that object. The excuse of Gen. + Patterson now is, that he had orders from Gen. Scott to move to + Charlestown. Now, that is not so. But this state of things + existed: Before the movement was made from Martinsburg, General + Patterson suggested to General Scott that Charlestown would be a + better base of operations than Martinsburg and suggested that he + had better move on Charlestown, and thence make his approaches to + Winchester; that it would be better to do that than to move + directly to Winchester from Martinsburg; and General Scott wrote + back to say that, if he found that movement a better one, he was at + liberty to make it. But Gen. Patterson had already commenced his + movement on Winchester direct from Martinsburg, and had got as far + as Bunker Hill; so that the movement which he had formerly + suggested, to Charlestown, was suppressed by his own act. But that + is the pretence now given in his published speech for making the + movement from Bunker Hill to Charlestown, which was a retreat, + instead of the advance which the movement to Charlestown he first + proposed to Gen. Scott was intended to be."</p> + +<p> * * * * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> "Question [by the Chairman].—Was not that change of direction and + movement to Charlestown a total abandonment of the object which you + were pursuing? + "Answer.—Entirely an abandonment of the main principles of the + orders he was acting under."</p> + +<p> "Question.—And of course an abandonment of the purpose for which + you were there? + "Answer.—Yes, Sir.</p> + +<p> "Question [by Mr. Odell].—Was it not your understanding in leaving + here, and was it not the understanding also of Gen. Scott, that + your purpose in going there was to check Johnston with direct + reference to the movement here? + "Answer—Undoubtedly. It was in consequence of the suggestion made + by me at the Council at the President's house. * * * And upon the + suggestion of General Scott they wanted me to go up there and + assist Patterson in this movement against Johnston, so as to carry + out the point I had suggested of first checkmating Johnston before + the movement against Manassas was made here."</p> + +<p> * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> Question [by the Chairman].—Would there have been any difficulty + in preventing Johnston from going to Manassas? + "Answer.—None whatever."</p> + +<p> * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> "Question [by the Chairman.]—I have heard it suggested that he + (Patterson) undertook to excuse this movement on the ground that + the time of many of his troops had expired, and they refused to + accompany him. + "Answer.—That to my knowledge, is untrue. The time of none of + them had expired when this movement was made. All the troops that + were there were in the highest condition for the service. These + three-months' men, it may be well to state to you who are not + Military men, were superior to any other volunteer troops that we + had, in point of discipline. They were the disciplined troops of + the Country. The three-months' men were generally the organized + troops of the different States—New York, Pennsylvania, etc. We + had, for instance, from Patterson's own city, Philadelphia, one of + the finest regiments in the service, which was turned over to me, + at their own request; and the most of my regiments were disciplined + and organized troops. They were all in fine condition, anxious, + zealous, and earnest for a fight. They thought they were going to + attack Johnston's camp at Winchester. Although I had suggested to + Gen. Patterson that there was no necessity for that, the camp being + admirably fortified with many of their heavy guns from Norfolk, I + proposed to him to place ourselves between Johnston and the + Shenandoah, which would have compelled him to fight us there, or to + remain in his camp, either of which would have effected General + Scott's object. If I had got into a fight, it was very easy, over + this road I had just been opening, for Patterson to have + re-enforced me and to have come up to the fight in time. The + proposition was to place ourselves between Johnston's fortified + camp and the Shenandoah, where his fortified camp would have been + of no use to him."</p> + +<p> "Question.—Even if you had received a check there, it would have + prevented his junction with the forces at Manassas? + "Answer.—Yes, Sir; I would have risked a battle with my own + division rather than Johnston should have escaped. If he had + attacked me, I could have taken a position where I could have held + it, while Patterson could have fallen upon him and repulsed him."</p> + +<p> "Question [by Mr. Odell].—Had you any such understanding with + Patterson? + "Answer.—I told him I would move down on this side-road in + advance, leaving Gen. Patterson to sustain me if I got into a + fight. So, on the other hand, if he should attack Patterson, I was + near enough to fall upon Johnston's flank and to support Patterson. + By using this communication of mine to pass Opequan Creek—where, I + had informed Patterson, I had already pushed forward my pickets, + [200 men in the day and 400 more at night,] to prevent the Enemy + from burning the bridge—it would have enabled me to get between + Johnston and the Shenandoah River. On the morning [Wednesday, July + 17th] of our march to Charlestown, Stuart's cavalry, which figured + so vigorously at Bull Run, was upon my flank all day. They were + apparently about 800 strong. I saw them constantly on my flank for + a number of miles. I could distinguish them, with my glass, with + great ease. Finally, they came within about a mile of the line of + march I was pursuing and I sent a battery around to head them off, + and the 12th Regiment across the fields in double-quick time to + take them in the rear. I thought I had got them hemmed in. But + they broke down the fences, and went across the country to + Winchester, and I saw nothing more of them. They were then about + eight miles from Winchester, and must have got there in the course + of a couple of hours. That day [Wednesday, the 17th] at 10 + o'clock—as was ascertained from those who saw him crossing the + Shenandoah—Johnston started from Winchester with 8,000 men, forded + the Shenandoah, and got to Manassas on Friday night; and his second + in command started the next day with all the rest of the available + troops—something like 9,000 men; leaving only the sick, and a few + to guard them, in the camp at Winchester—and they arrived at the + battle-field in the midst of the fight, got out of the cars, rushed + on the battle-field, and turned the scale. I have no doubt that, + if we had intercepted Johnston, as we ought to have done, the + battle of Bull Run would have been a victory for us instead of a + defeat. Johnston was undoubtedly the ablest general they had in + their army."</p> + +<p> Colonel CRAIG BIDDLE, testified that he was General Patterson's + aide-de-camp at the time. In answer to a question by the Chairman, + he continued:</p> + +<p> "Answer.—I was present, of course, at all the discussions. The + discussion at Martinsburg was as to whether or not General + Patterson should go on to Winchester. General Patterson was very + full of that himself. He was determined to go to Winchester; but + the opinions of all the regular officers who were with him, were + against it. The opinions of all the men in whose judgment I had + any confidence, were against it. They seemed to have the notion + that General Patterson had got his Irish blood up by the fight we + had had at Falling Waters, and was bound to go ahead. He decided + upon going ahead, against the remonstrances of General [Fitz John] + Porter, who advised against it. He told me he considered he had + done his duty, and said no more. The movement was delayed in + consequence of General Stone's command not being able to move right + away. It was then evident that there was so much opposition to it + that the General was induced to call a council of the general + officers in his command, at which I was present. They were + unanimously opposed to the advance. That was at Martinsburg."</p> + +<p> * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> "Question.—While at Bunker Hill, the night before you left there, + were any orders issued to march in the evening? + "Answer.—I think there were such orders."</p> + +<p> "Question.—Did not General Patterson issue orders at Bunker Hill, + the night before you marched to Charlestown, for an attack on the + Enemy? + "Answer.—I think such orders were written. I do not think they + were issued. I think General Patterson was again persuaded not to + make an advance."</p> + +<p> Colonel R. BUTLER PRICE, Senior aide to Patterson, testified as + follows:</p> + +<p> * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p> "Question [by Mr. Gooch].—Was it not the intention to move from + Bunker Hill to Winchester? + "Answer.—Yes, Sir. At one time General Patterson had given an + order to move from Bunker Hill to Winchester. He was very + unwilling to leave Johnston even at Winchester without attacking + him; and on the afternoon before we left Bunker Hill he decided to + attack him, notwithstanding his strong force."</p> + +<p> "Question.—Behind his intrenchments? + "Answer.—Yes, Sir; it went so far that his order was written by + his adjutant, General [Fitz John] Porter. It was very much against + the wishes of General [Fitz John] Porter; and he asked General + Patterson if he would send for Colonel Abercrombie and Colonel + Thomas and consult them on the movement. General Patterson + replied: No, Sir; for I know they will attempt to dissuade me from + it, and I have made up my mind to fight Johnston under all + circumstances. That was the day before we left Bunker Hill. Then + Colonel [Fitz John] Porter asked to have Colonel Abercrombie and + Colonel Thomas sent for and consulted as to the best manner to + carry out his wishes. He consented, and they came, and after half + an hour they dissuaded him from it."</p> + +<p> "Question.—At that time General Patterson felt it was so important + to attack Johnston that he had determined to do it? + "Answer.—Yes, Sir; the order was not published, but it was + written."</p> + +<p> "Question.—You understood General Patterson to be influenced to + make that attempt because he felt there was a necessity for + detaining Johnston? + "Answer.—Yes, Sir; to detain him as long as he possibly could."</p> + +<p> "Question.—That order was not countermanded until late on Tuesday, + the 16th, was it? + "Answer.—That order never was published. It was written; but, at + the earnest solicitation of Colonel [Fitz John] Porter, it was + withheld until he could have a consultation with Colonel + Abercrombie and Colonel Thomas."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> + + +<br><br><br><br><br> +<center> +<a name="bull1"></a> +<img alt="p288-map.jpg (98K)" src="images/p288-map.jpg" height="772" width="626"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br><br> + + +<p>It is about 1 o'clock on the morning of Thursday, July 18th,—that same +day which witnesses the preliminary Battle of Blackburn's Ford—that +Johnston, being at Winchester, and knowing of Patterson's peculiarly +inoffensive and timid movement to his own left and rear, on Charlestown, +receives from the Rebel Government at Richmond, a telegraphic dispatch, +of July 17th, in these words: "General Beauregard is attacked. To +strike the Enemy a decisive blow, a junction of all your effective force +will be needed. If practicable, make the movement. * * * In all the +arrangements exercise your discretion."</p> + +<p>Johnston loses no time in deciding that it is his duty to prevent, if +possible, disaster to Beauregard's Army; that to do this he must effect +a junction with him; and that this necessitates either an immediate +fight with, and defeat of, Patterson,—which may occasion a fatal +delay—or else, that Union general must be eluded. Johnston determines +on the latter course.</p> + +<p>Leaving his sick, with some militia to make a pretense of defending the +town in case of attack, Johnston secretly and rapidly marches his Army, +of 9,000 effective men, Southeasterly from Winchester, at noon of +Thursday, the 18th; across by a short cut, wading the Shenandoah River, +and then on through Asby's Gap, in the Blue Ridge, that same night; +still on, in the same direction, to a station on the Manassas Gap +railroad, known as Piedmont, which is reached by the next (Friday) +morning,—the erratic movements of Stuart's Cavalry entirely concealing +the manoeuvre from the knowledge of Patterson.</p> + +<p>From Piedmont, the Artillery and Cavalry proceed to march the remaining +twenty-five miles, or so, to Manassas Junction, by the roads. The 7th +and 8th Georgia Regiments of Bartow's Brigade, with Jackson's +Brigade,—comprising the 2d, 4th, 5th, 27th and 33d Virginia Regiments—are +embarked on the cars, and hurriedly sent in advance, by rail, to +Manassas, reaching there on that same (Friday) afternoon and evening. +These are followed by General Johnston, with Bee's Brigade—comprising +the 4th Alabama, 2d Mississippi, and a battalion of the 11th +Mississippi—which arrive at Manassas about noon of Saturday, the 20th +of July, the balance of Johnston's Infantry being billed for arrival +that same day, or night.</p> + +<p>Upon Johnston's own arrival at Manassas, Saturday noon,—the very day +that Patterson ascertains that "the bird has flown,"—after assuming +command, by virtue of seniority, he proceeds to examine Beauregard's +position. This he finds "too extensive, and the ground too densely +wooded and intricate," to be learned quickly, and hence he is impelled +to rely largely upon Beauregard for information touching the strength +and positions of both the Rebel and Union Armies.</p> + +<p>Beauregard has now 21,833 men, and 29 pieces of artillery of his own +"Army of the Potomac." Johnston's and Holmes's junction with him has +raised the Rebel total to 32,000 effectives, and 55 guns. McDowell, on +the other hand, who started with 30,000 effectives, finds himself on the +19th—owing to the departure of one of his regiments and a battery of +Artillery, because of the expiration of their term of enlistment,—with +but "28,000 men at the utmost."—[Comte de Paris.]</p> + +<p>On the evening of Saturday, the 20th of July, Johnston and Beauregard +hold an important consultation. The former feels certain that +Patterson, with his more than 20,000 effectives, will now lose no time +in essaying a junction with McDowell's Army, and that such junction will +probably be effected by July 22nd. Hence he perceives the necessity of +attacking McDowell, and if possible, with the combined Rebel Forces, +whipping him before Patterson can come up to his assistance.</p> + +<p>At this consultation it is agreed by the two Rebel generals to assume +the offensive, at once. Beauregard proposes a plan of battle—which is +an immediate general advance of the Rebel centre and left, +concentrating, from all the fords of Bull Run, upon Centreville, while +the Rebel right advances toward Sangster's cross-roads, ready to fall +either on Centreville, or upon Fairfax Court House, in its rear, +according to circumstances.</p> + +<p>The plan proposed, is accepted at once by Johnston. The necessary order +is drawn up by Beauregard that night; and at half past four o'clock on +Sunday morning, July 21st, Johnston signs the written order. Nothing +now remains, apparently, but the delivery of the order to the Rebel +brigade commanders, a hurried preparation for the forward movement, and +then the grand attack upon McDowell, at Centreville.</p> + +<p>Already, no doubt, the fevered brain of Beauregard pictures, in his +vivid imagination, the invincible thunders of his Artillery, the +impetuous advance of his Infantry, the glorious onset of his Cavalry, +the flight and rout of the Union forces, his triumphal entry into +Washington—Lincoln and Scott and the Congress crouching at his +feet—and the victorious South and conquered North acclaiming him Dictator! +The plan is Beauregard's own, and Beauregard is to have command. Hence +all the glory of capturing the National Capital, must be Beauregard's. +Why not? But "man proposes, and God disposes." The advance and attack, +are, in that shape, never to be made.</p> + +<p>McDowell, in the meantime, all unconscious of what has transpired in the +Shenandoah Valley, and between there and Manassas; never dreaming for an +instant that Patterson has failed to keep Johnson there—even if he has +not attacked and defeated him; utterly unsuspicious that his own +lessened Union Army has now to deal with the Forces of Johnston and +Beauregard combined—with a superior instead of an inferior force; is +executing a plan of battle which he has decided upon, and announced to +his general officers, on that same Saturday evening, at his Headquarters +in Centreville.</p> + +<p>Instead of attempting to turn the Enemy's right, and cut off his +communications with Richmond and the South, McDowell has now determined +to attack the Enemy's left, cut his communication, via the Manassas Gap +railroad, with Johnston's Army,—still supposed by him to be in the +Valley of the Shenandoah—and, taking him in the left flank and rear, +roll him upon Manassas, in disorder and defeat—with whatever might +follow.</p> + +<p>That is the plan—in its general features. In executing it, Blenker's +Brigade of Miles's Division is to remain at Centreville as a reserve, +throwing up intrenchments about its Heights, upon which to fall back, in +case of necessity; Davies's Brigade of the same Division, with +Richardson's Brigade of Tyler's Division—as the Left Wing—are to +demonstrate at Blackburn's Ford, toward the Enemy's right; Tyler's other +three brigades, under Keyes, Schenck, and Sherman, are to feign an +attack on the Enemy's left, posted behind the strongly-defended Stone +Bridge over which the Warrenton turnpike, running Westward, on its way +from Centreville to Warrenton, crosses Bull Run stream; while the strong +divisions under Hunter and Heintzelman—forming McDowell's Right +Wing—are to follow Tyler's Division Westward down the turnpike to a point +within one mile and a half of the Stone Bridge, thence, by cross-road, +diverge several miles to the North, then sweep around gradually to the +West, and then Southwardly over Bull Run at Sudley Springs Ford, +swooping down the Sudley road upon the Enemy's left flank and rear, near +Stone Bridge, rolling it back toward his center, while Tyler's remaining +three brigades cross the bridge and join in the assault. That is the +whole plan in a nutshell.</p> + +<p>It has been McDowell's intention to push forward, from Centreville along +the Warrenton Pike a few miles, on the evening of this Military +conference; but he makes his first mistake, in allowing himself to be +dissuaded from that, by those, who, in his own words, "have the greatest +distance to go," and who prefer "starting early in the morning and +making but one move."</p> + +<p>The attacking divisions now have orders to march at 2:30 A. M., in order +"to avoid the heat," which is excessive. Tyler's three immediate +brigades—or some of them—are slow in starting Westward, along the +Warrenton Pike, to the Stone Bridge; and this leads to a two or three +hours delay of the divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman, before they can +follow that Pike beyond Centreville, and commence the secret detour to +their right, along the cross-road leading to Sudley Springs.</p> + +<p>At 6:30 A.M., Tyler's Artillery gets into position, to cannonade the +Enemy's batteries, on the West Bank of Bull Run, commanding the Stone +Bridge, and opens fire. Half an hour before this, (at 6 A.M.), the +Rebel artillerists, posted on a hill South of the Pike, and 600 yards +West of the bridge, have caught sight of Tyler's Union blue-jackets. +Those of the Rebel gunners whose eyes are directed to the North-East, +soon see, nearly a mile away, up the gradual slope, a puff of blue +smoke. Immediately the bang of a solitary rifle cannon is heard, and +the scream of a rifled shot as it passes over their heads. At +intervals, until past 9 A.M., that piece and others in the same +position, keep hammering away at the Rebel left, under Evans, at Stone +Bridge.</p> + +<p>The Rebel response to this cannonade, is very feeble. McDowell observes +this. He suspects there has been a weakening of the Enemy's force at +the bridge, in order to strengthen his right for some purpose. And what +can that purpose be, but to throw his augmented right upon our left, at +Blackburn's Ford, and so, along the ridge-road, upon Centreville? Thus +McDowell guesses, and guesses well. To be in readiness to protect his +own left and rear, by reenforcing Miles's Division, at Centreville and +along the ridge to Blackburn's Ford, he temporarily holds back Howard's +Brigade of Heintzelman's Division at the point where the cross-road to +Sudley Springs Ford—along which Hunter's Division, followed by the +Brigades of Franklin and Wilcox, of Heintzelman's Division, have already +gone—intersects the Warrenton Pike.</p> + +<p>It is 9 o'clock. Beauregard, as yet unaware of McDowell's new plan, +sends an order to Ewell, on his right, to hold himself ready "to take +the offensive, at a moment's notice,"—and directing that Ewell be +supported in his advance, toward Sangster's cross-roads and the rear of +Centreville, by Holmes's Brigade. In accordance with that order, Ewell, +who is "at Union Mills and its neighborhood," gets his brigade ready, +and Holmes moves up to his support. After waiting two hours, Ewell +receives another order, for both Ewell and Holmes "to resume their +places." Something must have occurred since 9 o'clock, to defeat +Beauregard's plan of attack on Centreville—with all its glorious +consequences! What can it be? We shall see.</p> + +<p>While Tyler's Artillery has been cannonading the Rebel left, under +Evans, at Stone Bridge,—fully impressed with the prevailing Union +belief that the bridge is not only protected by strong masked batteries, +heavy supports of Infantry, and by abatis as well as other defenses, but +is also mined and ready to be blown up at the approach of our troops, +when in reality the bridge is not mined, and the Rebel force in men and +guns at that point has been greatly weakened in anticipation of +Beauregard's projected advance upon Centreville,—the Union column, +under Hunter and Heintzelman, is advancing from Centreville, in the +scorching heat and suffocating dust of this tropical July morning, +slowly, but surely, along the Warrenton Pike and the cross-road to +Sudley Springs Ford—a distance of some eight miles of weary and +toilsome marching for raw troops in such a temperature—in this order: +Burnside's Brigade, followed by Andrew Porter's Brigade,—both of +Hunter's Division; then Franklin's Brigade, followed by Willcox's +Brigade,—both of Heintzelman's Division.</p> + +<p>It is half past 9 o'clock; before Burnside's Brigade has crossed the +Bull Run stream, at Sudley's Ford, and the head of Andrew Porter's +Brigade commences to ford it. The troops are somewhat slow in crossing. +They are warm, tired, thirsty, and as to dust,—their hair and eyes and +nostrils and mouths are full of it, while most of the uniforms, once +blue, have become a dirty gray. The sky is clear. The sun already is +fiercely hot. The men stop to drink and fill their canteens. It is +well they do.</p> + +<p>McDowell, who has been waiting two or three hours at the turn, impatient +at the delay, has ridden over to the front of the Flanking column, and +now reaches Sudley's Ford. He feels that much valuable time is already +lost. His plan has, in a measure, been frustrated by delay. He had +calculated on crossing Bull Run, at Sudley's Ford, and getting to the +rear of the Enemy's position, at Stone Bridge, before a sufficient Rebel +force could be assembled to contest the Union advance. He sends back an +aide with orders to the regimental commanders in the rear, to "break +from column, and hurry forward separately, as fast as possible." +Another aide he sends, with orders to Howard to bring his brigade +across-fields. To Tyler he also sends orders to "press forward his +attack, as large bodies of the Enemy are passing in front of him to +attack the division (Hunter's) which has passed over."</p> + +<p>It may here be explained, that the Sudley road, running about six miles +South-Southeasterly from Sudley Springs Ford to Manassas Junction, is +crossed at right angles, about two miles South of the Springs, by the +Warrenton Pike, at a point about one mile and a half West of the Stone +Bridge. For nearly a mile South of Sudley Ford, the Sudley road passes +through thick woods on the left, and alternate patches of wooded and +cleared lands on the right. The country farther South, opens into +rolling fields, occasionally cut by transverse gullies, and patched with +woods. This is what Burnside's Brigade beholds, as it marches +Southward, along the Sudley road, this eventful morning.</p> + +<p>Thus far, the cannonade of Tyler's batteries, and the weak return-fire +of the Rebel Artillery, at Stone Bridge, over two miles South-East of +Sudley Ford, is about the only music by which the Union march has kept +time.</p> + +<p>But now, as Burnside's foremost regiment emerges from the woods, at half +past 10 o'clock, the Artillery of the Enemy opens upon it.</p> + +<p>Let us see how this happens. Evans's Brigade, defending the Stone +Bridge, and constituting the Enemy's extreme left, comprises, as has +already been mentioned, Sloan's 4th South Carolina Regiment, Wheat's +Louisiana battalion, Terry's squadron of Virginia Cavalry, and +Davidson's section of Latham's Battery of six-pounders.</p> + +<p>Earlier in the morning Evans has supposed, from the cannonade of Tyler's +batteries among the pines on the hills obliquely opposite the Enemy's +left, as well as from the sound of the cannonade of the Union batteries +away down the stream on the Enemy's right, near Blackburn's Ford, that +McDowell is about to make an attack upon the whole front of the Rebel +line of defense along Bull Run—by way of the Stone Bridge, and the +various fords below it, which cross that stream. But by 10 o'clock, +that Rebel general begins to feel doubtful, suspicious, and uneasy. +Despite the booming of Tyler's guns, he has caught in the distance the +rumbling sounds of Hunter's Artillery wheels.</p> + +<p>Evans finds himself pondering the meaning of those long lines of dust, +away to his left; and then, like a flash, it bursts upon him, that all +this Military hubbub in his front, and far away to his right, is but a +feint; that the real danger is somehow connected with that mysterious +far-away rumble, and those lines of yellow dust; that the main attack is +to be on the unprepared left and rear of the Rebel position!</p> + +<p>No sooner has the Rebel brigade-commander thus divined the Union plan of +attack, than he prepares, with the limited force at his command, to +thwart it. Burnside and he are about equidistant, by this time, from +the intersection of the Sudley road, running South, with the Warrenton +Pike, running West. Much depends upon which of them shall be the first +to reach it,—and the instinctive, intuitive knowledge of this, spurs +Evans to his utmost energy. He leaves four of his fifteen companies, +and Rogers's section of the Loudoun Artillery,—which has come up from +Cocke's Brigade, at the ford below—to defend the approaches to the +Stone Bridge, from the East side of Bull Run,—and, with the other +eleven companies, and Latham's half-battery, he hurries Westward, along +the Warrenton Pike, toward the Sudley road-crossing, to resist the +impending Union attack.</p> + +<p>It is now 10:30 o'clock, and, as he hurries along, with anxious eyes, +scanning the woods at the North, he suddenly catches the glitter of +Burnside's bayonets coming down through them, East of the Sudley road, +in "column of regiments" toward Young's Branch—a small stream turning, +in a Northern and Southern loop, respectively above and below the +Warrenton Pike, much as the S of a prostrate dollar-mark twines above +and below its horizontal line, the vicinity of which is destined to be +hotly-contested ground ere night-fall.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [Says Captain D. P. Woodbury, U. S. corps of engineers, and + who, with Captain Wright, guided the divisions of Hunter and + Heintzelman in making the detour to the upper part of Bull Run: "At + Sudley's Mills we lingered about an hour to give the men and horses + water and a little rest before going into action, our advance guard + in the mean time going ahead about three quarters of a mile. + Resuming our march, we emerged from the woods about one mile South + of the ford, and came upon a beautiful open valley about one and a + quarter miles square, bounded on the right or West by a wooded + ridge, on the Fast by the rough spurs or bluffs of Bull Run, on the + North by an open plain and ridge, on which our troops began to + form, and on the South by another ridge, on which the Enemy was + strongly posted, with woods behind their backs. The Enemy was also + in possession of the bluffs of Bull Run on our left."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>Sending word to Headquarters, Evans pushes forward and gaining Buck +Ridge, to the North of the Northern loop of Young's Branch, forms his +line-of-battle upon that elevation—which somewhat compensates him for +the inferiority of his numbers—nearly at right angles to the Bull Run +line; rapidly puts his Artillery in position; the Rebel guns open on +Burnside's advance—their hoarse roar soon supplemented by the rattle of +Rebel musketry, and the answering roar and rattle of the Union onset; +and the Battle of Bull Run has commenced!</p> + +<p>It is after 10:30 A.M., and Beauregard and Johnston are upon an eminence +in the rear of the centre of the Enemy's Bull Run line. They have been +there since 8 o'clock. An hour ago, or more, their Signal Officer has +reported a large body of Union troops crossing the Bull Run Valley, some +two or three miles above the Stone Bridge; upon the strength of which, +Johnston has ordered Bee's Brigade from near Cocke's position, with +Hampton's Legion and Stonewall Jackson's Brigade from near Bonham's +left, to move to the Rebel left, at Stone Bridge; and these troops are +now hastening thither, guided by the sound of the guns.</p> + +<p>The artillery-firing is also heard by Johnston and Beauregard, but +intervening wooded slopes prevent them from determining precisely whence +it comes. Beauregard, with a badly-organized staff, is chaffing over +the delay that has occurred in carrying out his own plan of battle. He +is waiting to hear of the progress of the attack which he has ordered +upon the Union Army,—supposed by him to be at Centreville,—and +especially as to the advance of his right toward Sangster's Station. In +the meantime also,—from early morning,—the Rebel commanders have heard +heavy firing in the direction of Blackburn's Ford, toward their right, +where the Artillery attached to the brigades of Davies and Richardson, +constituting McDowell's Left Wing, is demonstrating in a lively manner, +in accordance with McDowell's plan.</p> + +<p>It is 11 o'clock. Beauregard has become satisfied that his orders for +the Rebel advance and attack on Centreville, have failed or miscarried. +His plan is abandoned, and the orders countermanded. At the same time +the growing volume of artillery-detonations upon the left of the Bull +Run line of defense—together with the clouds of dust which indicate the +route of march of Hunter's and Heintzelman's Divisions from near +Centreville to the point of conflict, satisfies both Johnston and +Beauregard, that a serious attack is imperilling the Rebel left.</p> + +<p>Beauregard at once proposes to Johnston "a modification of the abandoned +plan," viz.: "to attack with the" Rebel "right, while the left stands on +the defensive." But rapidly transpiring events conspire to make even +the modified plan impracticable.</p> + +<p>Johnston, convinced by the still growing volume of battle-sounds on the +Rebel left, that the main attack of McDowell is being made there, urges +Beauregard to strengthen the left, as much as possible; and, after that +general has sent orders to this end,—to Holmes and Early to come up +with their Brigades from Union Mills Ford, moving "with all speed to the +sound of the firing," and to Bonham to promptly send up, from Mitchell's +Ford, a battery and two of his regiments—both he and Beauregard put +spurs to their horses, and gallop at full speed toward the firing, four +miles away on their left,—stopping on the way only long enough for +Johnston to order his Chief-of-artillery, Colonel Pendleton, to "follow, +with his own, and Alburtis's Batteries."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile let us return and witness the progress of the battle, on the +Rebel left,—where we were looking on, at 10:30 o'clock. Evans had then +just posted his eleven companies of Infantry on Buck Ridge, with one of +his two guns on his left, near the Sudley road, and the other not far +from the Robinson House, upon the Northern spur of the elevated plateau +just South of Young's Branch, and nearly midway between the Sudley road +and Stone Bridge.</p> + +<p>The battle, as we have seen, has opened. As Burnside's Brigade appears +on the slope, to the North of Buck Ridge (or Hill), it is received by a +rapid, well-sustained, and uncomfortable, but not very destructive fire, +from Evans's Artillery, and, as the Union regiments press forward, in +column, full of impulsive ardor, the Enemy welcomes the head of the +column with a hot musketry-fire also, delivered from the crest of the +elevation behind which the Rebel Infantry lie flat upon the ground.</p> + +<p>This defense by Evan's demi-Brigade still continues, although half an +hour, or more, has elapsed. Burnside has not yet been able to dislodge +the Enemy from the position. Emboldened to temerity by this fact, Major +Wheat's Louisiana battalion advances through the woods in front, upon +Burnside, but is hurled back by a galling fire, which throws it into +disorder and flight.</p> + +<p>At this moment, however, the brigades of Bee and Bartow—comprising the +7th and 8th Georgia, 2nd Mississippi, 4th Alabama, 6th North Carolina, +and two companies of the 11th Mississippi, with Imboden's Battery of +four pieces—recently arrived with Johnston from Winchester, come up, +form on the right of Sloan's 4th South Carolina Regiment, while Wheat +rallies his remnant on Sloan's left, now resting on the Sudley road, and +the whole new Rebel line opens a hot fire upon Burnside's Brigade.</p> + +<p>Hunter, for the purpose of better directing the Union attack, is at this +moment rapidly riding to the left of the Union line,—which is advancing +Southwardly, at right angles to Bull Run stream and the old line of +Rebel defense thereon. He is struck by the fragment of a shell, and +carried to the rear.</p> + +<p>Colonel John S. Slocum's, 2nd Rhode Island, Regiment, with Reynold's +Rhode Island Battery (six 13-pounders), having been sent to the front of +Burnside's left, and being closely pressed by the Enemy, Burnside's own +regiment the 1st Rhode Island, is gallantly led by Major Balch to the +support of the 2nd, and together they handsomely repulse the Rebel +onset. Burnside now sends forward Martin's 71st New York, with its two +howitzers, and Marston's 2nd New Hampshire,—his whole Brigade, of four +regiments and a light artillery battery, being engaged with the heavy +masked battery (Imboden's and two other pieces), and nearly seven full +regiments of the Enemy.</p> + +<p>The regiments of Burnside's Brigade are getting considerably cut up. +Colonels Slocum and Marston, and Major Balch, are wounded. There is +some confusion in the ranks, and the Rhode Island Battery is in danger +of capture, when General Andrew Porter—whose own brigade has just +reached the field and is deploying to the right of Burnside's—succeeds +Hunter in command of the division, and rides over to his left. Burnside +asks him for Sykes's battalion of regulars, which is accordingly +detached from the extreme right of Andrew Porter's Division, rapidly +forms on the left, in support of the Rhode Island Battery, and opens a +hot and effective fire which, in connection with the renewed fire of +Burnside's rallied regiments, and the opening artillery practice of +Griffin's Battery—that has just come up at a gallop and gone into a +good position upon an eminence to the right of Porter's Division, and to +the right of the Sudley road looking South—fairly staggers the Enemy.</p> + +<p>And now the brigades of Sherman and Keyes, having been ordered across +Bull Run by General Tyler, are seen advancing from Poplar Ford, at the +rear of our left,—Sherman's Brigade, headed by Corcoran's 69th New York +Regiment, coming up on Burnside's left, while Keves's Brigade is +following, to the left again of, Sherman.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [Sherman, in his Official Report, after mentioning the receipt by + him of Tyler's order to "cross over with the whole brigade to the + assistance of Colonel Hunter"—which he did, so far as the Infantry + was concerned, but left his battery under Ayres behind, on account + of the impassability of the bluff on the Western bank of Bull + Run—says: "Early in the day, when reconnoitering the ground, I had seen + a horseman descend from a bluff in our front, cross the stream, and + show himself in the open field, and, inferring we could cross over + at the same point, I sent forward a company as skirmishers, and + followed with the whole brigade, the New York Sixty-ninth leading."</p> + +<p> This is evidently the ford at the elbow of Bull Run, to the right + of Sherman's front, which is laid down on the Army-maps as "Poplar + Ford," and which McDowell's engineers had previously discovered and + mapped; and to which Major Barnard of the U. S. Engineer Corps + alludes when, in his Official Report, he says: "Midway between the + Stone Bridge and Sudley Spring our maps indicated another ford, + which was said to be good."</p> + +<p> The Comte de Paris, at page 241, vol. I. of his admirable "History + of the Civil War in America," and perhaps other Military + historians, having assumed and stated—upon the strength of this + passage in Sherman's Report—that "the Military instinct" of that + successful soldier had "discovered" this ford; and the impression + being thus conveyed, however undesignedly, to their readers, that + McDowell's Engineer corps, after spending two or three days in + reconnaissances, had failed to find the ford which Sherman had in a + few minutes "discovered" by "Military instinct;" it is surely due + to the truth of Military history, that the Engineers be fairly + credited with the discovery and mapping of that ford, the existence + of which should also have been known to McDowell's brigade + commanders.</p> + +<p> If, on the other hand, the Report of the Rebel Captain Arthur L. + Rogers, of the Loudoun Artillery, to General Philip St. George + Cocke, be correct, it would seem that Sherman attempted to cross + Bull Run lower down than Poplar Ford, which is "about one mile + above the Stone Bridge," but was driven back by the fire of + Rogers's guns to cross at that particular ford; for Rogers, in that + Report, says that about 11 o'clock A. M., the first section of the + Loudoun Artillery, under his command, "proceeded to the crest of + the hill on the West Side of Bull Run, commanding Stone Bridge. * + * * Here." continues he, "I posted my section of Artillery, and + opened a brisk fire upon a column of the Enemy's Infantry, supposed + to be two regiments, advancing towards me, and supported by his + battery of rifled cannon on the hills opposite. These poured into + my section a steady fire of shot and shell. After giving them some + fifty rounds, I succeeded in heading his column, and turned it up + Bull Run to a ford about one mile above Stone Bridge, where, with + the regiments which followed, they crossed, and proceeded to join + the rest of the Enemy's forces in front of the main body of our + Army."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>Before this developing, expanding, and advancing attack of the Union +forces, the Rebel General Bee, who—since his coming up to support +Evans, with his own and Bartow's Brigades, to which had since been added +Hampton's Legion,—has been in command of this new Rebel line of defense +upon the left of the Bull Run line, concludes that that attack is +getting too strong for him, and orders his forces to retreat to the +Southward, and re-form on a second line, parallel to their present line, +and behind the rising ground at their rear. They do so, somewhat faster +than he desires. The whole line of the Rebel centre gives way, followed +by the wings, as far as the victorious Union troops can see.</p> + +<p>We must be blind if we cannot perceive that thus far, the outlook, from +the Union point of view,—despite numberless mistakes of detail, and +some, perhaps, more general in their character—is very good. The "Boys +in Blue" are irresistibly advancing, driving the "Rebel Gray" back and +back, without let or hindrance, over the Buck Hill ridge, over Young's +Branch, back to, and even over, the Warrenton Pike. Time, to be sure, +is flying—valuable time; but the Enemy also is retiring.—There is some +slight confusion in parts of our own ranks; but there is much more in +his. At present, we have decidedly the best of it. McDowell's plan has +been, thus far, successful. Will that success continue? We shall see.</p> + +<p>Heintzelman's Division is coming, up from the rear, to the Union +right—Franklin's Brigade, made up of the 5th and 11th Massachusetts, and 1st +Minnesota, with Ricketts's splendid battery of six 10-pounder Parrotts, +forming on the right of Andrew Porter's Brigade and Division; while +Willcox's demi-Brigade, with its 11th ("Fire Zouaves") and 38th New +York—having left Arnold's Battery of four pieces, with the 1st Michigan +as its support, posted on a hill commanding Sudley's Ford—comes in, on +the right of Franklin, thus forming the extreme right of the advancing +Union line of attack.</p> + +<p>As our re-enforcing brigades come up, on our right, and on our left, the +Enemy falls back, more and more discouraged and dismayed. It seems to +him, as it does to us, "as though nothing can stop us." Jackson, +however, is now hurrying up to the relief of the flying and disordered +remnants of Bee's, Bartow's, and Evans's Brigades; and these +subsequently rally, with Hampton's Legion, upon Jackson's strong brigade +of fresh troops, so that, on a third new line, to which they have been +driven back, they soon have—6,500 Infantry, 13 pieces of Artillery, and +Stuart's cavalry—posted in a belt of pines which fringes the Southern +skirt of the Henry House plateau—in a line-of-battle which, with its +left resting upon the Sudley road, three-quarters of a mile South of its +intersection with the Warrenton Pike, is the irregular hypothenuse of a +right-angled triangle, formed by itself and those two intersecting +roads, to the South-East of such intersection. It is within this +right-angled triangular space that the battle, now proceeding, bids fair to +rage most fiercely.</p> + +<p>Johnston and Beauregard, riding up from their rear, reach this new +(third) line to which the Rebel troops have been driven, about noon. +They find the brigades of Bee, Bartow, and Evans, falling back in great +disorder, and taking shelter in a wooded ravine, South of the Robinson +House and of the Warrenton Pike. Hampton's Legion, which has just been +driven backward over the Pike, with great loss, still holds the Robinson +House. Jackson, however, has reached the front of this line of defense, +with his brigade of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th, and 33rd Virginia Infantry, +and Pendleton's Battery—all of which have been well rested, since their +arrival, with other brigades of Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah, from +Winchester, a day or two back.</p> + +<p>As Jackson comes up, on the left of "the ravine and woods occupied by +the mingled remnants of Bee's, Bartow's and Evans's commands," he posts +Imboden's, Stanard's, and Pendleton's Batteries in line, "below the brim +of the Henry House plateau," perhaps one-eighth of a mile to the +East-Southeastward of the Henry House, at his centre; Preston's 4th Virginia, +and Echol's 27th Virginia, at the rear of the battery-line; Harper's 5th +Virginia, with Radford's Cavalry, at its right; and, on its left, +Allen's 2nd Virginia; with Cumming's 33rd Virginia to the left of that +again, and Stuart's Cavalry covering the Rebel left flank.</p> + +<p>It is about this time that the chief Rebel generals find their position +so desperate, as to necessitate extraordinary measures, and personal +exposure, on their part. Now it is, that Jackson earns the famous +sobriquet which sticks to him until he dies.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> + [Bee approaches Jackson—so goes the story, according to Swinton; + he points to the disordered remnants of his own brigade mingled + with those of the brigades of Bartow and Evans huddled together in + the woods, and exclaims: "General, they are beating us back!" + "Sir," responds Jackson, drawing himself up, severely, "We'll give + them the bayonet!" And Bee, rushing back among his confused troops, + rallies them with the cry: "There is Jackson, standing like a Stone + wall! Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>Now it is, that Johnston and Beauregard, accompanied by their staffs, +ride backward and forward among the Rebel ranks, rallying and +encouraging them. Now it is, that, Bee and Bartow and Hampton being +wounded, and the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Hampton Legion killed, +Beauregard leads a gallant charge of that legion in person. And now it +is, that Johnston himself, finding all the field-officers of the 4th +Alabama disabled, "impressively and gallantly charges to the front" with +the colors of that regiment at his side!</p> + +<p>These conspicuous examples of bravery, inspire the Rebel troops with +fresh courage, at this admittedly "critical" moment.</p> + +<p>Johnston now assigns to Beauregard the chief "command of the left" of +the Bull Run line,—that is to say, the chief command of the Enemy's new +line of defense, which, as we have seen, is on the left of, and at right +angles to, the old Bull Run line—while he himself, riding back to the +Lewis House, resumes "the command of the whole field."</p> + +<p>On his way to his rear, Johnston orders Cocke to send reenforcements to +Beauregard. He also dispatches orders to hurry up to that Rebel +general's support, the brigades of Holmes and Early from near the Union +Mills Ford, and that of Bonham from Mitchell's Ford,—Ewell with his +brigade, being also directed to "follow with all speed" from Union +Mills Ford-making a total of over 10,000 fresh troops.</p> + +<p>From the "commanding elevation" of the Lewis House, Johnston can observe +the position of the Union forces beyond Bull Run, at Blackburn's Ford +and Stone Bridge; the coming of his own re-enforcing brigades from far +down the valley, toward Manassas; and the manoeuvres of our advancing +columns under McDowell.</p> + +<p>As the battle proceeds, the Enemy's strength on the third new line of +defense increases, until he has 22 guns, 260 Cavalry, and 12 regiments +of Infantry, now engaged. It is interesting to observe also, that, of +these, 16 of the guns, 9 of the regiments, and all of the Cavalry +(Stuart's), belong to Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah, while only 6 +guns and 3 Infantry regiments thus engaged, belong to Beauregard's Army +of the Potomac. Thus the burden of the battle has been, and is being, +borne by Johnston's, and not Beauregard's troops—in the proportion of +about three of the former, to one of the latter,—which, for over two +hours, maintain their position despite many successive assaults we make +upon them.</p> + +<p>It is after 2 o'clock P.M., when Howard's Brigade, of Heintzelman's +Division, reaches the battle-field, almost broken down with exhaustion. +By order of Heintzelman it has moved at double-quick for a mile of the +way, until, under the broiling heat, it can do so no longer. The last +two miles of the weary tramp, while the head of the brigade has moved at +quick time, the rear, having lost distances, moves, much of the time, at +a double-quick. As a consequence, many of Howard's men drop out, and +absolutely faint from exhaustion.</p> + +<p>As Howard's Brigade approaches the field, besides the ambulances and +litters, conveying to the rear the wounded and dying, crowds of +retreating stragglers meet and tell it to hurry along; that the Enemy +has been driven back a mile; but, as it marches along, its regiments do +not feel particularly encouraged by the disorganization so prevalent; +and the fact that as they come into action, the thunders of the Rebel +Artillery do not seem to meet an adequately voluminous response—from +the Union side, seems to them, a portent of evil. Weary and fagged out, +they are permitted to rest, for a while, under cover.</p> + +<p>Up to this time, our line, increased, as it has been, by the brigades of +Sherman and Keyes, on the left of Burnside, and of Franklin and Wilcox, +on the right of Porter, has continued to advance victoriously. Our +troops are, to be sure, considerably scattered, having been "moved from +point to point" a good deal. On our left, the Enemy has been driven +back nearly a mile, and Keyes's Brigade is pushing down Bull Run, under +shelter of the bluffs, trying to turn the right of the Enemy's new line, +and give Schenck's Brigade a better chance for crossing the Stone +Bridge, still commanded by some of the Rebel guns.</p> + +<p>Having "nothing to do" there, "several of the Union regiments" are +coming over, from our left toward our right, with a view of overlapping, +and turning, the Enemy's left.</p> + +<p>It is about half past 2 o'clock. The batteries of Griffin and Ricketts +have already been advanced as far as the eminence, upon our right, upon +which stands the Dogan House. Supported by Lyons's gallant 14th New +York Chasseurs, Griffin's and Ricketts's Batteries are still pouring a +terribly destructive fire into the batteries and columns of the Enemy, +now behind the brow of the Henry House hill, wherever exposed, while +Palmer's seven companies of Union Cavalry are feeling the Enemy's left +flank, which McDowell proposes to turn. The flags of eight Union +regiments, though "borne somewhat wearily" now point toward the hilly +Henry House plateau, beyond which "disordered masses of Rebels" have +been seen "hastily retiring."</p> + +<p>There is a lull in the battle. The terrible heat is exhausting to the +combatants on both sides. Griffin and Ricketts have wrought such havoc +with their guns, that "nothing remains to be fired at." Victory seems +most surely to be ours.</p> + +<p>Away down at his headquarters at the Lewis House, the Rebel General +Johnston stands watching the progress of the battle, as it goes against +him. Nervously he glances, every now and then, over his left shoulder, +as if expecting something. An officer is galloping toward him, from +Manassas. He comes from the office of Beauregard's Adjutant-General, at +that point. He rides up and salutes. "General," says he, breathlessly, +"a United States Army has reached the line of the Manassas Gap railroad, +and is now but three or four miles from our left flank!"</p> + +<p>Johnston clenches his teeth nervously. Thick beads of perspiration +start from his forehead. He believes it is Patterson's Army that has +followed "upon his heels" from before Winchester, faster than has been +anticipated; and, as he thinks of Kirby Smith, who should long since +have arrived with Elzey's Brigade—all, of his own "Army of the +Shenandoah," that has not yet followed him to Manassas,—the exclamation +involuntarily bursts from his lips: "Oh, for four regiments!"</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [Says a correspondent and eye-witness of the battle, writing to the + Richmond Dispatch, from the battle-field, July 23d: "Between two + and three o'clock large numbers of men were leaving the field, some + of them wounded, others exhausted by the long struggle, who gave us + gloomy reports; but, as the firing on both sides continued + steadily, we felt sure that our brave Southerners had not been + conquered by the overwhelming hordes of the North. It is, however, + due to truth to say that the result at this hour hung trembling in + the balance. We had lost numbers of our most distinguished + officers. Gens. Barlow and Bee had been stricken down; Lieut; Col. + Johnson of the Hampton Legion had been killed; Col. Hampton had + been wounded. But there was at hand a fearless general whose + reputation was staked on this battle: Gen. Beauregard promptly + offered to lead the Hampton Legion into action, which he executed + in a style unsurpassed and unsurpassable. Gen. Beauregard rode up + and down our lines, between the Enemy and his own men, regardless + of the heavy fire, cheering and encouraging our troops. About this + time, a shell struck his horse, taking its head off, and killing + the horses of his aides, Messrs. Ferguson and Hayward. * * * Gen. + Johnston also threw himself into the thickest of the fight, seizing + the colors of a Georgia (Alabama) regiment, and rallying then to + the charge. * * * Your correspondent heard Gen. Johnston exclaim + to Gen. Cocke, just at the critical moment, 'Oh, for four + regiments!' His wish was answered; for in the distance our + re-enforcements appeared. The tide of battle was turned in our favor + by the arrival of Gen. Kirby Smith, from Winchester, with 4,000 men + of Gen. Johnston's Division. Gen. Smith heard, while on the + Manassas Railroad cars, the roar of battle. He stopped the train, + and hurried his troops across the fields to the point just where he + was most needed. They were at first supposed to be the Enemy, + their arrival at that point of the field being entirely unexpected. + The Enemy fell back, and a panic seized them. Cheer after cheer + from our men went up, and we knew the battle had been won."</p> + +<p> Another Rebel correspondent who, as an officer of the Kentucky + battalion of General Johnston's Division of the Rebel Army, + participated in the battle, wrote to the Louisville Courier from + Manassas, July 22, an account of it, in which, after mentioning + that the Rebel Army had been forced back for two miles, he + continues; "The fortunes of the day were evidently against us. + Some of our best officers had been slain, and the flower of our + Army lay strewn upon the field, ghastly in death or gaping with + wounds. At noon, the cannonading is described as terrific. It was + an incessant roar for more than two hours, the havoc and + devastation at this time being fear ful. McDowell * * * had nearly + outflanked us, and they were just in the act of possessing + themselves of the Railway to Richmond. Then all would have been + lost. But most opportunely—I may say Providentially—at this + juncture, Gen. Johnston, [Kirby Smith it should be] with the + remnant of Johnston's Division—our Army, as we fondly call it, for + we have been friends and brothers in camp and field for three + months—reappeared, and made one other desperate struggle to obtain + the vantage-ground. Elzey's Brigade of Marylanders and Virginians + led the charge; and right manfully did they execute the work,"]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>"The prayer of the wicked availeth not," 'tis said; yet never was the +prayer of the righteous more quickly answered than is that of the Rebel +General-in-chief! Johnston himself, alluding to this exigent moment, +afterward remarks, in his report: "The expected reenforcements appeared +soon after." Instead of Patterson's Union Army, it is Kirby Smith, +coming up, with Elzey's Brigade, from Winchester!</p> + +<p>Satisfied of the safe arrival of Kirby Smith, and ordering him up, with +Elzey's Brigade, Johnston directs Kershaw's 2nd and Cash's 8th South +Carolina Regiments, which have just come up, with Kemper's Battery, from +Bonham's Brigade, to strengthen the Rebel left, against the attempt +which we are still making to reach around it, about the Sudley road, to +take it in reverse. Fisher's 6th North Carolina Regiment arriving about +the same time, is also hurried along to help Beauregard.</p> + +<p>But during the victorious lull, heretofore alluded to, something is +happening on our side, that is of very serious moment. Let us see what +it is:</p> + +<p>The batteries of Griffin and Ricketts, at the Dogan House, having +nothing to fire at, as we have seen, are resting, pleased with the +consciousness of their brilliant and victorious service against the +Rebel batteries and Infantry columns, when they are ordered by McDowell +—who, with his staff, is upon elevated ground to the rear of our +right,—to advance 1,000 yards further to the front, "upon a hill near +the Henry House."</p> + +<p>Ricketts considers this a perilous job—but proceeds to execute the +order as to his own battery. A small ravine is in his front. With +Ricketts gallantly leading, the battery dashes across the ravine at full +gallop, breaking one wheel as it goes, which is at once replaced. A +fence lies across the way. The cannoniers demolish it. The battery +ascends the hill near the Henry House, which is full of the Enemy's +sharpshooters.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [For this, and what immediately follows, see the testimony of + Ricketts and others, before the Committee on the Conduct of the + War.]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>Soon as Ricketts gets his guns in battery, his men and horses begin to +fall, under the fire of these sharpshooters. He turns his guns upon the +Henry House,—and "literally riddles it." Amid the moans of the +wounded, the death scream of a woman is heard! The Enemy had permitted +her to remain in her doomed house!</p> + +<p>But the execution is not all on one side, by any means. Ricketts is in +a very hot place—the hottest, he afterward declares, that he has ever +seen in his life—and he has seen fighting before this.</p> + +<p>The Enemy is behind the woods, at the front and right of Ricketts's +Battery. This, with the added advantage of the natural slope of the +ground, enables him to deliver upon the brave Union artillerists a +concentrated fire, which is terribly destructive, and disables so many +of Rickett's horses that he cannot move, if he would. Rickett's own +guns, however, are so admirably served, that a smooth-bore battery of +the Enemy, which has been stubbornly opposing him, is driven back, +despite its heavy supports.</p> + +<p>And Griffin's Battery now comes rapidly up into position on the left of, +and in line with, Ricketts. For Griffin also has been ordered from the +Dogan House hill, to this new, and dangerously exposed, position.</p> + +<p>But when Major Barry, General McDowell's Chief of Artillery, brings him +the order, Griffin hesitates—for he has no Infantry support.</p> + +<p>"The Fire Zouaves—[The 11th New York]—will support you," says Barry, +"They are just ready to follow you at the double-quick!"</p> + +<p>"Then why not let them go and get in position on the hill," says +Griffin; "then, let Ricketts's and my batteries come into battery +behind; and then, let them (the Zouaves) fall back?"</p> + +<p>Griffin advises, also, as a better position for his own battery, a hill +500 yards in the rear of the Henry House hill. But advice is thrown +away. His artillery-chief is inflexible.</p> + +<p>"I tell you," says Griffin again, "the Fire Zouaves won't support us."</p> + +<p>"They will," replies Barry. "At any rate it is General McDowell's order +to go there!"</p> + +<p>That settles the business. "I will go," responds Griffin; "but mark my +words, they will not support us!"</p> + +<p>Griffin's Battery, indeed, starts first, but, owing to the mistake of +one of his officers, it has to be countermarched, so that Ricketts's is +thrown to the front, and, as we have seen, first reaches the crest of +the Henry House hill.</p> + +<p>Griffin, as he comes up with his guns, goes into battery on the left of +Ricketts, and at once opens briskly on the Enemy. One of Griffin's guns +has a ball lodged in the bore, which cannot be got in or out. His other +five guns, with the six guns of Ricketts, make eleven pieces, which are +now side by side-all of them driving away at the Enemy's (Stonewall +Jackson's) strong batteries, not more than 300 yards away.</p> + +<p>They have been at it half an hour perhaps, when Griffin moves two of his +pieces to the right of Ricketts, and commences firing with them. He has +hardly been there five minutes, when a Rebel regiment coming out of the +woods at Griffin's right front, gets over a rail fence, its Colonel +steps out between his regiment (now standing up to the knees in rank +grass) and the battery, and commences a speech to his men!</p> + +<p>Griffin orders one of his officers to load with canister, and let drive +at them. The guns are loaded, and ready to fire, when up gallops Barry, +exclaiming: "Captain, don't fire there; those are your +battery-supports!"</p> + +<p>At this supreme moment, Reynolds's gorgeous looking Marines are sitting +down in close column, on the ground, to the left of the Union batteries. +The showy 11th New York "Fire Zouaves" are a little to the rear of the +right of the guns. The gallant 14th New York Chasseurs, in their +dust-covered red uniforms, who had followed Griffin's Battery, at some +distance, have, only a little while since, pushed finely up, from the +ravine at the rear of our batteries, into the woods, to the right of +Griffin and Ricketts, at a double-quick. To the left of the batteries, +close to the battalion of Marines, Heintzelman bestrides his horse, near +some of his own Division.</p> + +<p>To Major Barry's startling declaration, Captain Griffin excitedly +shouts: "They are Confederates! Sure as the world, they are +Confederates!"</p> + +<p>But Barry thinks he knows better, and hastily responds: "I know they are +your battery-support."</p> + +<p>Griffin spurs toward his pieces, countermands his previous order, and +firing is resumed in the old direction.</p> + +<p>Andrew Porter, has just ridden up to Heintzelman's side, and now catches +sight of the Rebel regiment. "What troops are those?" he asks of +General Hientzelman, pointing in their direction.</p> + +<p>While Heintzelman is replying, and just as Averell drops his reins and +levels his field-glass at them, "down come their pieces-rifles and +muskets,—and probably," as Averell afterward said, "there never was +such a destructive fire for a few minutes. It seemed as though every +man and horse of that battery just laid right down, and died right off!"</p> + +<p>It is a dreadful mistake that has been made. And there seems to have +been no excuse for it either. The deliberateness of the Rebel colonel +has given Barry abundant time to have discovered his error. For Griffin +subsequently declared, under oath, that, "After the officer who had been +talking to the regiment had got through, he faced them to the left, +marched them about fifty yards to the woods, then faced them to the +right again, marched them about forty yards toward us, then opened fire +upon us—and that was the last of us!"</p> + +<p>It is a terrible blunder. For, up to this moment, the battle is +undeniably ours. And, while the Rebel colonel has been haranguing his +brave men, there has been plenty of time to have "passed the word" along +the line of our batteries, and poured canister into the Rebel regiment +from the whole line of eleven guns, at point-blank range, which must +inevitably have cut it all to pieces. The fate of the day hung balanced +right there and then—with all the chances in favor of McDowell. But +those chances are now reversed. Such are the fickle changes in the +fortunes of battle!</p> + +<p>Instead of our batteries cutting to pieces the Rebel Infantry regiment, +the Rebel Infantry regiment has mowed down the gallant artillerists of +our batteries. Hardly a man of them escapes. Death and destruction +reap a wondrous and instant harvest. Wounded, dying, or dead, lie the +brave cannoniers at their guns, officers and men alike hors du combat, +while wounded horses gallop wildly back, with bounding caissons, down +the gentle declivity, carrying disorder, and further danger, in their +mad flight.</p> + +<p>The supporting Fire Zouaves and Marines, on the right and left of our +line of guns, stand, with staring eyes and dumb open-mouths, at the +sudden turn of affairs. They are absolutely paralyzed with +astonishment. They do not run at first. They stand, quaking and +panic-stricken. They are urged to advance upon the Rebel regiment—"to give +them a volley, and then try the bayonet." In vain! They fire perhaps +100 scattering shots; and receive in return, as they break and run down +the hill to the rear, volley after volley, of deadly lead, from the +Rebel muskets.</p> + +<p>But, as this Rebel regiment (Cummings's 33rd Virginia) advances to seize +the crippled and defenceless guns, it is checked, and driven back, by +the 1st Michigan Regiment of Willcox's Brigade, which has pushed forward +in the woods at our extreme right.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, having been ordered by McDowell to support Ricketts's +Battery, Howard has formed his four tired regiments into two +lines—Berry's 4th Maine, and Whitney's 2nd Vermont, on the right and left of +the first; and Dunnell's 5th, and his own 3rd Maine, under Staples, in +the second line. Howard himself leads his first line up the elevated +plateau of the Henry House. Reaching the crest, the line delivers its +fire, volley after volley, despite the concentrated hail of the Enemy's +Artillery and muskets. As the second line advances, a Rebel +cannon-ball, and an unfortunate charge of our own Cavalry, scatters most of the +5th Maine. The 2nd Vermont, which has advanced 200 yards beyond the +crest, rapidly firing, while the Enemy retires, is now, in turn, forced +back by the Enemy's hot fire, and is replaced by the 3rd Maine, while +the remnant of the 5th moves up to the extreme right of Howard's now +single line. But the Rebel fire grows hotter and hotter, and owing to +this, and a misunderstood order, Howard's line begins to dissolve, and +then retires in confusion,—Howard and others vainly striving to rally +his own utterly exhausted men.</p> + +<p>Sherman's Brigade, too, has come over from our left, and now advances +upon the deadly plateau, where lie the disabled Union batteries—the +prizes, in full sight of both Armies, for which each seems now to be so +desperately striving.</p> + +<p>Quinby's 13th New York Rifles, in column of companies, leads the +brigade, followed by Lieutenant-Colonel Peck's 2d Wisconsin, Cameron's +79th New York (Highlanders), and Corcoran's 69th New York (Irish), "in +line of battle." Down the slope, across the ravine, and up, on the +other side, steadily presses Quinby, till he reaches the crest. He +opens fire. An advancing Rebel regiment retires, as he pushes up to +where the Union batteries and cannoniers lie wounded and dying—the +other three regiments following in line-of-battle until near the crest, +when the fire of the Enemy's rifles and musketry, added to his heavy +cannonading, grows so severe that the brigade is forced back to shelter +in a roadway leading up the plateau.</p> + +<p>Peck's 2nd Wisconsin, now emerges from this sheltered roadway, and +steadily mounts the elevation, in the face of the Enemy's severe +fire-returning it, with spirit, as it advances. But the Rebel fire becomes +too galling. The gray-clad Wisconsin boys return to the sheltered road +again, while the cry goes up from Sherman's ranks: "Our own men are +firing at them!" Rallying at the road, the 2nd Wisconsin again returns, +with desperate courage, to the crest of the hill, delivers its fire, and +then, unable to withstand the dreadful carnage, falls back once more, in +disorder.</p> + +<p>At this, the 79th (Highland) Regiment springs forward, to mount the brow +of the fatal hill, swept as it is, with this storm of shot and shell and +musket-balls. Up, through the lowering smoke, lit with the Enemy's +incessant discharges in the woods beyond, the brave Highlanders jauntily +march, and, with Cameron and their colors at their head, charge +impetuously across the bloody hill-crest, and still farther, to the +front. But it is not in human nature to continue that advance in the +teeth of the withering fire from Jackson's batteries, strengthened, as +they are, by Pelham's and Kemper's. The gallant fellows fall back, +rally again, advance once more, retire again, and at last,—the heroic +Cameron being mortally wounded,—fall back, in confusion, under the +cover of the hill.</p> + +<p>And now, while Quinby's Regiment, on another ridge, more to the left, is +also again engaging the Enemy, the 69th New York, led by the fearless +Corcoran, dashes forward, up the Henry House hill, over the forbidding +brow, and beyond. As the brave Irishmen reach the abandoned batteries, +the hoarse roar of cannon, the sharp rattle of musketry-volleys, the +scream of shot and shell, and the whistling of bullets, is at once +deafening and appalling, while the air seems filled with the iron and +leaden sleet which sweeps across the scorched and blasted plateau of the +Henry House. Nobly the Irish Regiment holds its ground for a time; but, +at last, it too falls back, before the hurtling tempest.</p> + +<p>The fortunes of the day are plainly turning against us. Time is also +against us—as it has been all along—while it is with the Enemy. It is +past 3 o'clock.</p> + +<p>Since we last looked at Beauregard's third new defensive line, there +have been material accessions to it. The remains of the brigades of +Bee, Evans, and Bartow, have been reformed on the right of Jackson's +Brigade—Bee on his immediate right, Evans to the right of Bee, and +Bartow to the right of Evans, with a battery which has been engaging +Schenck's Brigade on the other side of Bull Run near the Stone Bridge; +while Cocke's Brigade watches Bull Run to the rear of Bartow. On the +left of Jackson's. Brigade, is now to be seen a part of Bonham's +Brigade (Kershaw's 2nd South Carolina, and Cash's 8th South Carolina) +with Kemper's Battery on its left. Kirby Smith has reached the front, +from Manassas, and—in advancing from his position on the left of +Bonham's demi-Brigade, just West of the Sudley road, with Elzey's +Brigade, in a counter-attack upon our right-is wounded, and carried to +the rear, leaving his command to Elzey. Stuart's Cavalry are in the +woods, still farther to the Enemy's left, supporting Beckham's Battery. +Early's Brigade is also coming up, from Union Mills Ford, not far to the +rear of the Enemy's left, with the design of coming into line between +Elzey's Brigade and Beckham's Battery, and out-flanking and attacking +our right. But let us bring our eyes back to the bloody contest, still +going on, for the possession of the batteries of Griffin and Ricketts.</p> + +<p>Arnold's Battery has raced up on our right, and is delivering shot, +shell, spherical case, and canister, with effect, although exposed to a +severe and accurate fire from the Enemy. Wilcox, with what is left of +the 1st Michigan, after once retaking the batteries on the plateau, from +the 7th Georgia, has got around the Enemy's left flank and is actually +engaged with the Enemy's rear, while that Enemy's front is engaged with +Franklin and Sherman! But Hobart Ward's 38th New York, which Wilcox has +ordered up to support the 1st Michigan, on our extreme right, in this +flanking movement, has been misdirected, and is now attacking the +Enemy's centre, instead of his left; and Preston's 28th Virginia—which, +with Withers's 18th Virginia, has come up to the Rebel left, from +Cocke's Brigade, on the Enemy's right—finding the 1st Michigan broken, +in the woods, attacks it, and wounds and captures Wilcox. Withers's +Regiment has, with a yell—the old "Rebel yell," now rising everywhere +from Rebel throats, and so often heard afterward,—charged the 14th New +York Chasseurs, in the woods; and the Chasseurs, though retiring, have +fired upon it with such precision as to throw some of their assailants +into disorder.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [Says General Keyes, who had kept on down the Run, "on the extreme + left of our advance—having separated from Sherman on his right:—I + thought the day was won about 2 o'clock; but about half past 3 + o'clock a sudden change in the firing took place, which, to my ear, + was very ominous. I knew that the moment the shout went up from + the other side, there appeared to be an instantaneous change in the + whole sound of the battle. * * * That, as far as I can learn, was + the shout that went up from the Enemy's line when they found out + for certain that it was Johnston [Kirby Smith] and not Patterson, + that had come."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>Meanwhile McDowell is making one more effort to retrieve the misfortunes +of the day. Lawrence's 5th, and Clark's 11th Massachusetts, with +Gorman's 1st Minnesota,—all belonging to Franklin's Brigade—together +with Corcoran's 69th New York, of Sherman's Brigade, have been brought +into line-of-battle, by the united efforts of Franklin, Averell, and +other officers, at our centre, and with the remnants of two or three +other regiments, are moving against the Enemy's centre, to support the +attack of the Chasseurs—rallied and led forward again by Heintzelman +upon the Rebel left, and that of the 38th New York upon the Rebel left +centre,—in another effort to recapture the abandoned batteries.</p> + +<p>Charge after charge, is made by our gallant regiments, and +counter-charge after counter-charge, is made by the fresh troops of the Enemy. +For almost half an hour, has the contest over the batteries rolled +backward and forward. Three several times have the batteries been +taken, and re-taken,—much of the determined and desperate struggle +going on, over the prostrate and bleeding bodies of the brave Union +artillerists,—but without avail. Regiment after regiment, has been +thrown back, by the deadly fusillade of the Enemy's musketry from the +skirt of woods at his front and left, and the canister, case, and +bursting shells, of his rapidly-served Artillery.</p> + +<p>It is now near upon 4 o'clock. Our last effort to recapture the +batteries has failed. The Union line of advance has been seriously +checked. Some of our own guns in those batteries are turned on us. The +Enemy's Infantry make a rush over the blood-soaked brow of the fatal +plateau, pouring into our men a deadly fire, as they advance,—while +over to our right and rear, at the same moment, are seen the fresh +regiments of Early's Brigade coming out of the woods—deploying rapidly +in several lines—with Stuart's handful of Rebel Cavalry, while +Beckham's guns, in the same quarter, open an oblique enfilading reverse +fire upon us, in a lively manner.</p> + +<p>At once the minds of the fagged-out Union troops become filled with the +dispiriting idea that the exhausting fight which they have made all day +long, has been simply with Beauregard's Army of the Potomac, and that +these fresh Rebel troops, on the Union right and rear, are the vanguard +of Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah! After all the hard marching and +fighting they have done during the last thirteen hours,—with empty +stomachs, and parched lips, under a scorching sun that still, as it +descends in the West, glowers down upon them, through the murky air, +like a great, red, glaring eye,—the very thought is terrible!</p> + +<p>Without fear, yet equally without hope, the Union troops crumble to +groups, and then to individuals. The attempt of McDowell to turn the +left of the Enemy's Bull Run line, has failed.</p> + +<p>McDowell and his officers heroically but vainly strive, at great +personal risk to themselves, to stem the tide of confusion, and +disorder. Sykes's battalion of regulars, which has been at our left, +now steadily moves obliquely across the field of battle toward our +right, to a hill in the midground, which it occupies, and, with the aid +of Arnold's Battery and Palmer's Cavalry, holds, while the exhausted and +disorganized troops of the Union Army doggedly and slowly retire toward +Sudley Ford, their rear covered by an irregular square of Infantry, +which, mainly by the exertions of Colonel Corcoran, has been formed to +resist a threatened charge of Stuart's Cavalry.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [At the rate of "not more than two, or two and a half, miles an + hour," and not "helter-skelter," as some narrators state.]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>It is not fear, that has got the better of our Union troops. It is +physical exhaustion for one thing; it is thirst for another. Men must +drink,—even if they have foolishly thrown away their canteens,—and +many have retired to get water. It is the moral effect also—the +terrible disappointment—of seeing what they suppose are Johnston's +fresh troops from the Shenandoah Valley, without Patterson "on their +heels," suddenly appear on their flank and rear. It is not fear; though +some of them are panic-stricken, and, as they catch sight of Stuart's +mounted men,—no black horse or uniform among them,—raise the cry of +"The Black Horse Cavalry!—The Black Horse Cavalry!"</p> + +<p>The Union attack has been repulsed, it is true; but the Union soldiers, +though disorganized, discouraged, and disappointed, are not dismayed. +Their officers not yet having learned how to fight, and themselves +lacking the cohesion of discipline, the men have lost their regimental +organizations, and owing to the causes mentioned, slowly retire across +Sudley Ford of Bull Run, in a condition of disintegration, their retreat +being bravely covered by the 27th and 69th New York, (which have rallied +and formed there), Sykes's Infantry battalion, Arnold's Battery, and +Palmer's Cavalry.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> [In his report to Major Barnard, Capt. D. P. Woodbury, of the + corps of Engineers, says: "It is not for me to give a history of + the battle. The Enemy was driven on our left, from cover to cover, + a mile and a half. Our position for renewing the action the next + morning was excellent; whence, then, our failure? It will not be + out of place, I hope, for me to give my own opinion of the cause of + this failure. An old soldier feels safe in the ranks, unsafe out + of the ranks, and the greater the danger the more pertinaciously he + clings to his place. The volunteer of three months never attains + this instinct of discipline. Under danger, and even under mere + excitement, he flies away from his ranks, and looks for safety in + dispersion. At four o'clock in the afternoon of the 21st, there + were more than twelve thousand volunteers on the battle-field of + Bull Run, who had entirely lost their regimental organizations. + They could no longer be handled as troops, for the officers and men + were not together. Men and officers mingled together + promiscuously; and it is worthy of remark that this disorganization + did not result from defeat or fear, for up to four o'clock we had + been uniformly successful. The instinct of discipline, which keeps + every man in his place, had not been acquired. We cannot suppose + that the troops of the Enemy had attained a higher degree of + discipline than our own, but they acted on the defensive, and were + not equally exposed to disorganization."]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>While the divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman, which came down in the +morning across Sudley Ford, are now, with one brigade (Sherman's) of +Tyler's Division, retiring again, in this disordered condition, by that +ford; two other brigades of Tyler's Division, viz., that of +Schenck—which, at 4 o'clock, was just in the act of advancing upon, and across, +the Stone Bridge, to join in the Union attack, and of Keyes, which was, +at the same time, just succeeding in its effort to turn the right flank +of the Enemy's third new line,—are withdrawing from the field, across +Bull Run stream, by the Warrenton Pike, and other roads leading them +directly toward Centreville. The brigades of both Keyes and Schenck are +retiring in good order; that of Keyes, at "an ordinary pace," following +close after McDowell, who, with his staff, has ridden across the +battlefield and Bull Run; while part of that of Schenck, united with the +2nd Maine (of Keyes' Brigade) and Ayres's Battery, "promptly and +effectively" repulses a charge of the Enemy's Cavalry, and covers the +rear of Tyler's Division. Both of these brigades reach Centreville, +hungry and weary, but otherwise, for the most part, in good shape.</p> + +<p>But during this grand all-day attack, by two of McDowell's divisions, +directly aided by part of a third, upon the left of the Enemy's original +Bull Run line of defense—which attack, while it has failed in its +purpose, has also utterly upset and defeated the Enemy's purpose to +carry out Beauregard's plan of attacking Centreville that same +morning—what has the Left Wing of McDowell's Army been doing? Let us go back to +Sunday morning, and ascertain:</p> + +<p>All the Army of McDowell, save his Left Wing—which, comprising the two +brigades (Blenker's and Davies's) of Miles's Division, and Richardson's +Brigade of Tyler's Division that fought the preliminary battle of +Blackburn's Ford, is now under the command of Miles,—moved away from +Centreville, down the Warrenton Pike, as we have seen, very early in the +morning.</p> + +<p>Blenker remains with his brigade as a reserve, on the heights a little +East of Centreville, to throw up intrenchments; which, however, he does +not do, for lack of trenching implements. Richardson and Davies are to +make a feint, at Blackburn's Ford, so as to draw the Enemy's troops +there, while the heavy blow of McDowell's Right Wing and Centre falls +upon the left flank and rear of the Enemy's Bull Run line.</p> + +<p>Richardson's Brigade is already down the ridge, in his old position at +Blackburn's Ford, when Davies with his brigade reaches it, from +Centreville, and, by virtue of seniority, takes command of the two +brigades. Leaving Richardson's Brigade and Greene's Battery exactly on +the battle-ground of the 18th July, Davies posts two regiments (the 18th +and 32nd New York) of his own brigade, with Hunt's Battery, on the brow +of a hill, in an open wheat field, some eighty yards to the +South-Eastward of Richardson, distant some 1,500 yards from Longstreet's +batteries on the Western side of Bull Run,—and commences a rapid fire, +upon the Enemy's position at Blackburn's Ford, from both of the Union +batteries.</p> + +<p>At 10 o'clock, there is a lull in this Union fire. The Artillery +ammunition is running short. The demonstration, however, seems, thus +far, to be successful—judging by the movement of Rebel troops toward +Blackburn's Ford. The lull continues until 11 o'clock. At that time +Miles arrives at his front, in a towering rage.</p> + + +<br><br><br><br><br> +<a name="bull2"></a> +<center> +<img alt="p304-map.jpg (427K)" src="images/p304-map.jpg" height="524" width="650"> +</center> +<a href="images/p304-map.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Full Size" src="images/enlarge.jpg"></a> +<br><br><br><br><br> + + +<p>On his way down the ridge, that morning, early, Davies had made a +discovery. While passing a roadway, his guide had casually remarked: +"There is a road that leads around to the Enemy's camp, direct." "Ah!" +—said Davies—"and can they get through that road?" "Oh, yes," replied +the guide. Davies had at once halted, and, after posting his 16th and +31st New York Regiments, with two guns of Hunt's Battery, near this +road, at its junction with the ridge road running up to Centreville and +Black burn's Ford, had proceeded, with the rest of his regiments and +guns, to the position where Miles finds him.</p> + +<p>But Miles has discovered what Davies has done, in this matter of the +flanking roadway; and—without knowing, or apparently caring to know, +the reason underlying the posting of the two regiments and two guns in +its vicinity,—flies into "a terrible passion" because of it; in "no +very measured language," gives Davies "a severe dressing down;" and +orders him to bring both regiments and guns down to the front. Davies +complies, and says nothing. Miles also orders him to continue the +firing from his batteries, without regard to the quantity of ammunition. +This order, also, Davies obeys—and the firing proceeds, for two solid +hours, until another order comes, about 1 o'clock P.M., to stop firing.</p> + +<p>The fact is, that Miles is not at all himself—but is suffering under +such a strain of mental excitement, he afterward claims, that he is not +responsible.</p> + +<p>Miles, however, returns to Centreville about noon; and no sooner is he +gone, than Davies at once sends back pioneers to obstruct that road +which would bring the Enemy around his left flank and rear, to +Centreville. These, work so industriously, that they cut down a quarter +of a mile of trees, and block the road up completely. Davies also posts +a few pickets there, in case of accidents. It is well he does so. It +is not long before the Enemy makes an attempt to get around to his rear, +by that road; but, finding it both obstructed and picketed, retires +again. Davies does not see the Rebels making that attempt, but catches +sight of them on their return, and gives them a severe shelling for +their pains.</p> + +<p>Davies keeps up his firing, more or less—according to the condition of +the Enemy and of his own ammunition—until 4 o'clock, when the firing +occasioned by the Union flanking movement, six miles to his right, +ceases. Then there reaches him a note from Richardson, so badly +penciled that he can only make out the one word "beaten,"—but cannot, +for the life of him, make out, whether the beaten one is our Right Wing, +or the Enemy!</p> + +<p>Of what followed, he tells the story himself,—under oath, before the +Committee on the Conduct of the War—so graphically, that the temptation +to give it, in his own words, is irresistible. "I saw unmistakable +evidence," said he, "that we were going to be attacked on our Left Wing. +I got all ready for the attack, but did not change my front.</p> + +<p>"About 5 o'clock, I think, the Rebels made their appearance back upon +this very road up which they had gone before; but instead of keeping up +the road, they turned past a farm-house, went through the farm-yard, and +came down and formed right in front of me, in a hollow, out of my sight. +Well, I let them all come down there, keeping a watch upon their +movements. I told the Artillery not to fire any shot at them until they +saw the rear column go down, so as to get them all down in the little +hollow or basin, there. There was a little basin there, probably a +quarter of a mile every way. I should think that, maybe, 3,000 men +filed down, before I changed front.</p> + +<p>"We lay there, with two regiments back, and the Artillery in front, +facing Bull Run. As soon as about 3,000 of the Enemy got down in this +basin, I changed the front of the Artillery around to the left, in face +of the Enemy, and put a company of Infantry between each of the pieces +of Artillery, and then deployed the balance of the regiments right and +left, and made my line-of-battle.</p> + +<p>"I gave directions to the Infantry not to fire a shot, under any +circumstances, until they got the word of command from me. I +furthermore said I would shoot the first man that fired a shot before I +gave the command to do so.</p> + +<p>"I gave them orders all to lie down on their faces. They, (the Rebels) +were just over the brow of the hill, so that, if they came up in front +of us, they could not hit a man.</p> + +<p>"As soon as I saw the rear column, I told * * * Lieutenant Benjamin to +fire. * * * He fired the first shot when the rear column presented +itself. It just went over their heads, and hit a horse and rider in +their rear. As soon as the first shot was fired, I gave the order for +the whole six pieces of Artillery to open with grape and canister. The +effect was terrible. They were all there, right before us, about 450 +yards off, and had not suspected that we were going to fire at all, +though they did not know what the reason was. Hunt's Battery (belonging +to Richardson—who had by mistake got Greene's) performed so well, that, +in thirty minutes, we dispersed every one of them!</p> + +<p>"I do not know how many were killed, but we so crippled their entire +force that they never came after us an inch. A man, who saw the effect +of the firing, in the valley, said it was just like firing into a wheat +field; the column gave way at once, before the grape and canister; they +were just within available distance. I knew very well that if they but +got into that basin, the first fire would cut them all to pieces; and it +did. We continued to fire for thirty minutes, when there was nothing +more to fire at, and no more shots were returned."</p> + +<p>At a later hour—while remaining victorious at their well defended +position, with the Enemy at their front, dispersed and silenced,—these +two brigades of the Left Wing, receive orders to fall back on +Centreville, and encamp. With the brigade of Richardson, and Greene's +Battery in advance, Davies's own brigade and Hunt's Battery following, +they fall back on the heights of Centreville "without the least +confusion and in perfect order"—reaching them at 7 P.M.</p> + +<p>Meantime Miles has been relieved from command, and McDowell has ordered +Blenker's Brigade to take position a mile or more in advance of +Centreville, toward Bull Run, on both sides of the Warrenton Pike, to +protect the retreat, now being made, in "a few collected bodies," but +mainly in great disorder—owing partly to the baggage-wagons choking the +road, along which both venturesome civilians and fagged-out troops are +retreating upon Centreville. This confused retreat passes through +Blenker's lines until 9 o'clock P.M.—and then, all is secure.</p> + +<p>At midnight, McDowell has decided to make no stand at Centreville, but +to retire upon the defensive works at Washington. The order to retreat, +is given, and, with the rear well guarded by Richardson's and Blenker's +Brigades, is carried out, the van of the retreat, with no Enemy +pursuing, degenerating finally into a "mob," which carries more or less +panic into Washington itself, as well as terrible disappointment and +chagrin to all the Loyal States of the Union.</p> + +<p>Knowing what we now do, concerning the Battle of Bull Run, it is +somewhat surprising, at this day, to read the dispatches sent by +McDowell to General Scott's headquarters at Washington, immediately +after it. They are in these words:</p> + +<p> "CENTREVILLE, July 21, 1861—5:45 P.M.</p> + +<p>"We passed Bull Run, engaged the Enemy, who, it seems, had just been +re-enforced by General Johnston. We drove them for several hours, and +finally routed them."</p> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<p> ["No one who did not share in the sad experience will be able to + realize the consternation which the news of this + discomfiture—grossly exaggerated—diffused over the loyal portion of our + Country. Only the tidings which had reached Washington up to four + o'clock—all presaging certain and decisive victory—were permitted + to go North by telegraph that day and evening; so that, on Monday + morning, when the crowd of fugitives from our grand Army was + pouring into Washington, a heedless, harmless, worthless mob, the + Loyal States were exulting over accounts of a decisive triumph. + But a few hours brought different advices; and these were as much + worse than the truth as the former had been better: our Army had + been utterly destroyed-cut to pieces, with a loss of twenty-five to + thirty thousand men, besides all its artillery and munitions, and + Washington lay at the mercy of the Enemy, who were soon to advance + to the capture and sack of our great commercial cities. Never + before had so black a day as that black Monday lowered upon the + loyal hearts of the North; and the leaden, weeping skies reflected + and heightened, while they seemed to sympathize with, the general + gloom. It would have been easy, with ordinary effort and care, to + have gathered and remanded to their camps or forts around + Alexandria or Arlington, all the wretched stragglers to whom fear + had lent wings, and who, throwing away their arms and equipments, + and abandoning all semblance of Military order or discipline, had + rushed to the Capital to hide therein their shame, behind a cloud + of exaggerations and falsehoods. The still effective batteries, + the solid battalions, that were then wending their way slowly back + to their old encampments along the South bank of the Potomac, + depressed but unshaken, dauntless and utterly unassailed, were + unseen and unheard from; while the panic-stricken racers filled and + distended the general ear with their tales of impregnable + intrenchments and masked batteries, of regiments slaughtered, + brigades utterly cut to pieces, etc., making out their miserable + selves to be about all that was left of the Army. That these men + were allowed thus to straggle into Washington, instead of being + peremptorily stopped at the bridges and sent back to the + encampments of their several regiments, is only to be accounted for + on the hypothesis that the reason of our Military magnates had been + temporarily dethroned, so as to divest them of all moral + responsibility," Greeley's Am. Conflict, pp. 552-53., vol. I.]</p> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> +<p>"They rallied and repulsed us, but only to give us again the victory, +which seemed complete. But our men, exhausted with fatigue and thirst, +and confused by firing into each other, were attacked by the Enemy's +reserves, and driven from the position we had gained, overlooking +Manassas. After this, the men could not be rallied, but slowly left the +field. In the meantime the Enemy outflanked Richardson at Blackburn's +Ford, and we have now to hold Centreville till our men can get behind +it. Miles's Division is holding the town. It is reported that Colonel +Cameron is killed, Hunter and Heintzelman wounded, neither dangerously.<br> + "IRWIN MCDOWELL,<br> + "Brigadier-General, Commanding.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant-Colonel TOWNSEND."</p> +<br><br> +<p> + "FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, July 21, 1861.</p> + +<p>"The men having thrown away their haversacks in the battle, and left +them behind, they are without food; have eaten nothing since breakfast. +We are without artillery ammunition. The larger part of the men are a +confused mob, entirely demoralized. It was the opinion of all the +commanders that no stand could be made this side of the Potomac. We +will, however, make the attempt at Fairfax Court House. From a prisoner +we learn that 20,000 from Johnston joined last night, and they march on +us to-night.<br> + "IRWIN MCDOWELL.</p> + +<p>"Colonel TOWNSEND"</p> +<br><br> +<p> + "FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, [July] 22, 1861.</p> + +<p>"Many of the volunteers did not wait for authority to proceed to the +Potomac, but left on their own decision. They are now pouring through +this place in a state of utter disorganization. They could not be +prepared for action by to-morrow morning even were they willing. I +learn from prisoners that we are to be pressed here to-night and +tomorrow morning, as the Enemy's force is very large, and they are +elated. I think we heard cannon on our rear-guard. I think now, as all +of my commanders thought at Centreville, there is no alternative but to +fall back to the Potomac, and I shall proceed to do so with as much +regularity as possible.<br> + "IRWIN MCDOWELL.</p> + +<p>"Colonel TOWNSEND."</p> +<br><br> +<p> + "ARLINGTON, July 22, 1861.</p> + +<p>"I avail myself of the re-establishing of telegraph to report my +arrival. When I left the forks of the Little River turnpike and +Columbia turnpike, where I had been for a couple of hours turning +stragglers and parties of regiments upon this place and Alexandria, I +received intelligence that the rear-guard, under Colonel Richardson, had +left Fairfax Court House, and was getting along well. Had not been +attacked. I am now trying to get matters a little organized over here.<br> + "IRWIN MCDOWELL.<br> + "Brigadier-General.<br><br> +"E. D. TOWNSEND."</p> +<br><br> +<p> +McDowell had unquestionably been repulsed, in his main attack, with his +Right Wing, and much of his Army was badly demoralized; but, on the +other hand, it may be well to repeat that the Enemy's plan of attack +that same morning had been frustrated, and most of his forces so badly +shattered and demoralized that he dared not follow up the advantage +which, more by our own blunders than by his prowess, he had gained.</p> + +<p>If the Union forces—or at least the Right Wing of them—were whipped, +the Enemy also was whipped. Jackson himself confesses that while he +had, at the last moment, broken our centre, our forces had turned both +of his flanks. The Enemy was, in fact, so badly used up, that he not +only dared not pursue us to Washington—as he would have down had he +been able—but he was absolutely afraid McDowell would resume the +attack, on the right of the original Bull Run line, that very night! +For, in a letter to General Beauregard; dated Richmond, Virginia, August +4, 1861, Jefferson Davis,—who was on the ground at Bull Run, July +21st,—alluding to the Battle of Bull Run, and Beauregard's excuses for +not pursuing the Union troops, says:</p> + +<p>"I think you are unjust to yourself in putting your failure to pursue +the Enemy to Washington, to the account of short supplies of subsistence +and transportation. Under the circumstances of our Army, and in the +absence of the knowledge since acquired—if, indeed, the statements be +true—it would have been extremely hazardous to have done more than was +performed. You will not fail to remember that, so far from knowing that +the Enemy was routed, a large part of our forces was moved by you, in +the night of the 21st, to repel a supposed attack upon our right, and +the next day's operations did not fully reveal what has since been +reported of the Enemy's panic."</p> + +<p>And Jefferson Davis's statement is corroborated by the Report of Colonel +Withers, of the 18th Virginia, who, after starting with other regiments, +in an attempt to cut off the Union retreat, was recalled to the Stone +Bridge,—and who says: "Before reaching the point we designed to occupy +(near the Stone Bridge) we were met by another order to march +immediately to Manassas Junction, as an attack was apprehended that +night. Although it was now after sunset, and my men had had no food all +day, when the command to march to Manassas was given, they cheerfully +took the route to that place."</p> + +<p>Colonel Davies, who, as we have seen, commanded McDowell's stubborn Left +Wing, was after all, not far wrong, when, in his testimony before the +Committee on the Conduct of the War, he declared, touching the story of +the Bull Run Battle: "It ought to have read that we were victorious with +the 13,000 troops of the Left Wing, and defeated in the 18,000 of the +Right Wing. That is all that Bull Run amounts to."</p> + +<p>In point of fact, the Battle of Bull Run—the first pitched battle of +the War—was a drawn battle.</p> + +<p>War was now fully inaugurated—Civil War—a stupendous War between two +great Sections of one common Country; those of our People, on the one +side, fighting for the dissolution of the Union—and incidentally for +Free Trade, and for Slavery; those on the other side, fighting for the +preservation of the Union—and incidentally for Protection to our Free +Industries, and for the Freedom of the Slave.</p> + +<p>As soon as the Republican Party controlled both Houses of Congress it +provided Protection to our Free Industries, and to the Free Labor +engaged in them, by the Morill Tariff Act of 1860—the foundation Act of +all subsequent enactments on the subject. In subsequent pages of this +work we shall see how the Freedom of the Slave was also accomplished by +the same great Party.</p> + + + + + +<br> +<br> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + + <a href="p2.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="7140-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Next Part</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +</body> +</html> + |