by John McElroy
CHAPTER III.
BATTLE OF TWO RIVERS.--COL. TOM ANDERSON MEETS HIS BROTHER- IN-LAW.--UNCLE DANIEL BECOMES AN ABOLITIONIST.--A WINTER CAMPAIGN AGAINST A REBEL STRONGHOLD.
"Cease to consult; the time for action calls, War, horrid war approaches."--Homer
For a season battles of minor importance were fought with varyingsuccess. In the meantime Col. Anderson had been ordered with his commandto join the forces of Gen. Silent, at Two Rivers.
Here there was quiet for a time.
"At length, however, orders came for them to move to the front. For aday or so all was motion and bustle. Finally the army moved out, andafter two days' hard marching our forces struck the enemy's skirmishers.Our lines moved forward and the battle opened. Col. Anderson addressedhis men in a few eloquent words, urging them to stand, never acknowledgedefeat or think of surrender. The firing increased and the engagementbecame general. Gen. Silent sat on his horse near by, his staff withhim, watching the action. Col. Anderson was pressing the enemy in hisfront closely, and as they gave way he ordered a charge, which wasmagnificently executed.
"As the enemy gave back, evidently becoming badly demoralized, he lookedand beheld before him Jos. Whitthorne.
"The recognition was mutual, and each seemed determined to outdo theother. Anderson made one charge after another, until the enemy in hisfront under command of his wife's brother retreated in great confusion.Col. Anderson, in his eagerness to capture Whitthorne, advanced toofar to the front of the main line, and was in great danger of beingsurrounded. He perceived the situation in time, and at once changedfront, at the same time ordering his men to fix bayonets. Drawing hissword and rising in his stirrups, he said:
"'Now, my men, let us show them that a Northern man is equal to anyother man.'
"He then ordered them forward at a charge bayonets, riding in the centreof his regiment. Steadily on they went, his men falling at every step,but not a shot did they fire, though they were moving almost up to theenemy's lines. The rebel commander shouted to his men:
"'What are these? Are they men or machines?'
"The rebel line wavered a moment, and then gave way. At that instant ashot struck Col. Anderson's horse and killed it, but the Colonel neverhalted. He disengaged himself, and pushing forward on foot, regained hisline, and left the enemy in utter rout and confusion. Whitthornewas not seen again that day by Anderson. The battle was still ragingon all the other parts of the line. First one side gained an advantage,then the other, and so continued until night closed in on thecombatants. A truce was agreed to, and hostilities ceased for the timebeing.
"The Colonel worked most of the night, collecting his wounded andburying his dead. His loss was quite severe, in fact, the loss was veryheavy throughout both armies. Late in the night, while searching betweenthe lines for one of his officers, he met Whitthorne. They recognizedeach other. Col. Anderson said to him:
"'Jo, I am glad to see you, but very sorry that we meet under suchcircumstances.'
"Whitthorne answered:
"'I cannot say that I am glad to see you, and had it not been for makingmy sister a widow, you would have been among the killed to-day.'
"The Colonel turned and walked away without making any reply, but saidto himself:
"'Can that man be my wife's brother? I will not, however, condemn him;his blood is hot now; he may have a better heart than his speech wouldindicate."
"Thus meditating, he returned to his bivouac. In the morning the buryingparties were all that was to be seen of the enemy. He had retreatedduring the night, and very glad were our forces, as the battle waswell and hard fought on both sides. The forces were nearly equal as tonumbers.
"Col. Anderson did not see the General commanding for several days; whenhe did the latter said to him:
"Colonel, you handle your men well; were you educated at a militaryschool?'
"The Colonel answered:
"'No; I am a lawyer.'
"General Silent remarked:
"'I am very sorry for that,' and walked on.
"Tom wrote his wife a full report of this battle. He called it thebattle of Bell Mountain. It is, however, called Two Rivers. He said thatGen. Silent was a curious little man, rather careless in his dress;no military bearing whatever, quite unostentatious and as gentle as awoman; that he did not give any orders during the battle, but merelysat and looked on, the presumption being that while everything was goingwell it was well enough to let it alone. In his report he spoke highlyof Col. Anderson as an officer and brave man.
"This letter of the Colonel's filled his wife's heart with all theenthusiasm a woman could possess. She was proud of her husband. Sheread and re-read the letter to my wife and Jennie, and called her littledaughter and told her about her father fighting so bravely. We were alldelighted. He spoke so well of Peter also. Said 'he was as cool as anicebox during the whole engagement.' He never mentioned to his wifeabout meeting her brother Jo on the field until long afterwards.
"The troops of this army were put in camp and shortly recruited to theirmaximum limit. Volunteering by this time was very active. No longer didour country have to wait to drum up recruits. The patriotic fires werelighted up and burning brightly: drums and the shrill notes of the fifewere heard in almost every direction. Sympathizers with rebellion hadhushed in silence for the present--but for the present only."
The Charge of Col. Anderson's Regiment 045]
"Uncle Daniel," said Major Isaac Clymer, who had been silent up to thistime, "I was in that engagement, in command of a troop of cavalry, andsaw Col. Anderson make his bayonet charge. He showed the most cool anddaring courage that I have ever witnessed during the whole war, and Iwas through it all. Gen. Pokehorne was in command of the rebels, andshowed himself frequently that day, urging his men forward. He wasafterwards killed at Kensington Mountain, in Georgia. We got theinformation very soon after he fell, from our Signal Corps. They hadlearned to interpret the rebel signals, and read the news from theirflags."
"Yes, I have heard it said by many that our Signal Corps could do that,and I suppose the same was true of the other side."
"O, yes," said Col. Bush, "that was understood to be so, and towards theend of the war we had to frequently change our signal signs to preventinformation being imparted in that way to our enemy."
"There was a Colonel," said Major Clymer, "from Arkansas, in commandof a rebel brigade, in that battle, who acted with great brutality. Hefound some of our Surgeons on the field dressing the wounds of soldiersand drove them away from their work and held them as prisoners while thebattle lasted, at the same time saying, with an oath, that the lives ofAbolitionists were not worth saving."
"Yes. The Colonel mentioned that in his letter and spoke of it whenI saw him. He said it was only one of the acts of a man instinctivelybarbarous. His name was Gumber--Col. Gumber. He has been a prominentpolitician since the war, holding important positions. You know, thesematters are like Rip Van Winkle's drinks--they don't count, especiallyagainst them."
"'But among Christian people they should,' said Dr. Adams.
"'That is true, but it does not. There are two distinct civilizations inthis country, and the sooner our people recognize this fact the soonerthey will understand what is coming in the future. But, returning to mystory, the winter was now coming on, and I had to make provision for thefamilies that were in my charge, so I called the women together and hada council as to what we would do for the best; the first thing was toarrange about sending the little girls to school. After discussing it,we concluded to start them the next day to the common school. Our publicschools were said to be very good. So the next morning my wife, Mary andJennie all started with the children to school. They saw the teacher andtalked with her, telling her that their fathers were in the army, andshe entered them in school. They came and went, back and forth, andseemed greatly pleased during the first week, but on Wednesday of thesecond week, they came running home crying and all dirty, saying thatsome of the school children had
pelted them with clods and pebbles,calling them Abolitionists. Little Jennie said to me:
"'Grandpa, what is an Abolitionist?'
"I replied: 'One who desires the colored people to be free, and not soldaway to strangers like cattle.'
"'Grandpa, do white people sell colored people like they sell cows?'
"'Yes, my child.'
"'Well, grandpa, is that right?'
"'I think not, my child. Would it be right for me to sell you away fromyour mother and send you where you would never see her again?'
"'Oh! no, grandpa; you would not be so wicked as that. I would crymyself to death; and mamma--what would she do without me, she loves meso?'
"'Yes, said little Sarah, 'I love sister, too. I would cry, too, if yousent her away where I could not see her. Why, grandpa, people don't dothat, do they? Your are only fooling sister.'
"'No, no, child; in the South, where the war is, there are a greatmany colored people living. They are called slaves. They work for theirmasters and only get what they eat and wear, and their masters veryoften sell them and send the men away from their wives and children, andtheir babies away from their mothers and fathers.'
"'Grandpa, do they ever sell white people?' asked Jennie.
"'No, my child.'
"'Well, why don't they sell white people, too?'
"'Oh, my child, the law only allows colored people to be sold.'
"'Well, grandpa, I don't think any good people ever sell the littlechildren away from their mothers, any way.'
"'No, my child, nor any grown people either.'
"'Well, grandpa, you wouldn't sell anybody, would you?'
"'No, my child, I would not.'
"'Well, then, grandpa, you are an Abolitionist.'
"'Yes, in that sense I am.'
"'Well, grandpa, I am one, too, and I will just say so at school,and will tell the boys and girls who threw clods at us and called usAbolitionists that they sell people like cows, and that they are notgood people.'
Pupils attacking the little Abolitionist 048]
"'Yes,'said little Mary Anderson, 'I know what colored people are.They've plenty of them down where we came from. They call them"niggers". They are mighty good to me, grandpa, and my papa doesn't sell'em. He is a good man. He don't do bad like those rebels, does he, ma?'
"'No, my child, your papa does not sell anybody. He is against it. Henever owned anyone. He does not think it right to own people.'
"'No; my papa don't, does he, ma? He is going to fight the people thatsell other people, ain't he, ma?'
"'Yes, my darling; but don't say any more. Let us go in and get our tea,and you will feel better.'
"This interference of little Mary and her mother let me out of a scrape,for I say to you, friends, that I was getting into deep water and wouldhave very soon lost my soundings if Jennie and little Sarah had keptafter me much longer. You see, the truth is that I had never been anAbolitionist, but a Freesoil Democrat; but soon I became a full-fledgedAbolitionist after our flag was fired upon by the Secessionists.
"However, we all entered the house, and after tea, the children beingput to bed, we held another council and decided that inasmuch as therewas such great excitement in the country, and Allentown being sucha hot-hole of rebel sympathizers, it was not safe even to allow ourchildren to attend the schools. Jennie, however, being a good scholarand having prior to her marriage taught school, we unanimously electedher our family teacher, and setting apart a room, duly installed her onthe next Monday morning over our Abolition school, as we found on theevening of our discussion with the children that they had converted thehousehold by their innocent questions.
"The next day I rode out to my son David's farm and saw Joseph Dent, theman whom I had left in charge. I inquired of him if everything was allright about the place, and he told me that he had moved his family intoDavid's house, as he feared some damage might be done to it, having seenseveral persons prowling about at different times. He did not know whothey were, but was sure they meant mischief, as they were very abusiveof the Colonel, calling him a 'Lincoln dog,' after the manner of DanBowen in his speech.
"Joseph said he was now prepared for them; that he had another manstaying with him, and if I would go with him he would show me whatthey had done. I did as he asked me, he led the way into the house andupstairs, where he showed me a couple of holes cut through the wallin each room, just beneath the eaves, and standing in the corner was aregular arsenal of war materials. I said to him that he seemed to be infor war. The tears started in his eyes, and he said:
"'Uncle Daniel, I am an old soldier; was in Capt. David's companywhen he was in the Regular Army. I came to him three years ago when myenlistment was out. I will defend everything on these premises with mylife. I would be in the army now with the Colonel (I am used to callinghim Captain) if he had not asked me to stay here and take care of hisfarm. These "secesh" will not get away with me and my partner veryeasily, and should you hear of this fort being stormed, you bring somemen with you to pick up the legs and pieces of the fellows who shallundertake it. Do not be afraid; we will take care of all here.'
"'Yes, Joseph, I see that. I will tell Jennie, and also write theColonel how splendidly you are doing.'
"'Thanks,' said Joseph, giving me the regular soldier's salute. 'Isthere anything wanted at your house, sir? Tell the Colonel's wife thatI will bring down anything that she may be wanting at any time. I willcertainly bring a load of wood in to-morrow.'
"We were in the habit of getting many things from the farm--butter,eggs, chickens, potatoes, etc. All our wood came from there. Joseph wasvery useful in many ways. I returned home satisfied that all was goingwell at the farm.
"The weather was now getting cold and disagreeable; too much so, it wasthought, for any very serious army movements on our Western lines. Therebels had collected a very heavy force at Dolinsburg, situated on ahigh ridge, with hills sloping down to Combination River, one of thetributaries of the Ohio. Here they had built an immense fortress, withwings running out from either side for a great distance; on the outerwalls were placed large guns, sweeping and commanding the river to thenorth. The rebels were well prepared with all kinds of war materials, aswell as in the numbers of their effective force, to defend their worksagainst great odds.
"Gen. Silent, who, it seems, always did everything differently from whatthe enemy expected him to do, conceived the idea that he would tryto dislodge them. When the enemy heard that he was preparing to moveagainst them, they but laughed at such an attempt.
"The General, however, made ready, gave his orders, and his army wassoon in motion. The direction in which our army was to march was verysoon known, as it was impossible to keep any of our movements a secret,on account of the great desire of newspapers to please everybody andkeep every one posted on both sides, the rebels as well as friends;which prompted them to publish every movement made. This was called'enterprise,' and it has been considered patriotic devotion by many,especially the gold gamblers and money kings. This was not permittedby our enemies; the publication of any secret expedition or movement oftheir forces, by any one inside of their lines, would cost him his life;and so in any army save our Union army. Why was this? It does seem tome that this ought not to have been so. I have often thought of it, andconcluded it must have been fear. 'The pen is mightier than the sword'has been truthfully said.
"Our Congress was afraid of the press, and were not willing to make lawsstringent enough for the army on this subject. The President was nervousin this respect, and commanding Generals were afraid of criticisms; soit was the only class that had the privilege of doing and saying whatit wished to, and, my friends, that is one of our troubles even now. Ourstatesmen are afraid to speak out and give their opinions, without firstlooking around to see if any one has a pencil and notebook in his hand.This is getting to be almost unbearable, to find some person in nearlyevery small assemblage of people, on the street, in the hotel, in thestore, even in your own private house, reporting what you have for
dinner, what this one said about some other one, what this one did orsaid, or expects to do or say in the future. But I am wandering from mystory."
"Well, Uncle Daniel, your discussions on all subjects are interesting,"replied the Doctor.
"I have been thinking of what you said about the press during the war,"said Col. Bush; "and taking what you said upon the subject of our greatambition here in the North to get money, and let all else take care ofitself, I can see that the same sordid spirit pervaded the press duringour war; fortunes were made by many newspapers in that way; everybodybought papers then; we sold the news to our own people for money andfurnished it to the rebels gratis. Get money, get money; that is ourworst feature, and most dangerous one it is, for the country's welfare."
"I agree with you, Colonel," spoke up Maj. Clymer, "but I would ratherhear Uncle Daniel talk. On any other occasion I would be delighted tohear you."
"I beg pardon, Uncle Daniel," replied the Colonel. "I will hereafter bea patient and delighted auditor."
"Well, when the army was under way there was great excitement and alarmthroughout the North among the Union people. Our armies in the East hadnot been successful, and the sympathizers with the rebellion all overthe country were again beginning to be rather saucy. They wouldenjoy getting together and reading of our defeats and discuss, to ourdisadvantage, the failures of our attempts to subdue the rebellion,and in this way made it very uncomfortable for any person who lovedhis country and desired its success. They would in every way try todiscourage our people by saying 'this movement now commencing willonly be a repetition of what we have already had so often lately in theEast.'
"But our army moved on, and during the march to the vicinity ofCombination River they were met by the enemy frequently, who weretrying to impede their march, and several severe skirmishes andminor engagements occurred. They were now within some twenty miles ofDolinsburg Fortress, when a sharp and very decisive engagement tookplace between one battalion of cavalry, two batteries of artillery, andthree regiments of infantry on our side, where Col. Anderson wasthe ranking officer, and therefore in command, and five regiments ofinfantry, two batteries and one troop of cavalry on the side of therebels. They were posted behind a small stream, known as SnakeCreek, having steep banks. The action commenced, as usual, with theskirmishers. After reconnoitering the position well, the Coloneldetermined to send his cavalry and one regiment around some distance, soas to cross the stream and strike the enemy's left flank. He couldnot expect re-enforcements, if they might be needed, very soon, as hemarched on the extreme southern road, so as to form the junction withthe other troops on their extreme right, touching Combination River tothe south of the enemy's works, so as to be the extreme right flankof our army. The enemy, finding his force was superior in numbers,attempted to cross the stream with his infantry. The two batteries wereopened and poured shrapnel into the advancing column, dealing havoc andslaughter on all sides. They tried to keep their line, but they soonstaggered, halted, and fell back. The Colonel then opened a destructivemusketry fire all along the line. Just at this moment he heard theattack of his regiment of infantry and troop of cavalry on their flank.He quickly advanced across the stream, and the enemy was in utter rout.
"He captured all his guns--six 12-pound Napoleons and fourhowitzers--and a large number of prisoners. He followed closely on therear of the enemy, gathering in stragglers and squads of men until nightclosed in and compelled him to desist and go into camp. When safetyfrom surprise was assured, he sent for one of the prisoners to get someinformation about the road and the fortifications, commands, etc. Afterascertaining many things that he considered important, he found, uponfurther inquiry, that his enemy upon that afternoon was commanded byCol. Jos. Whitthorne, his wife's brother. He turned and said to Peter,who was standing near:
"'This man seems to be my evil genius. I hope I will not meet him again.It seems hard that I am to continually meet my own kindred in combat.Is it possible that these people are willing to spill the blood of theirown friends and kindred, merely because they have failed to retain powerlonger, and for that reason will destroy the Government?'
"'Yes," said Peter; 'they will never be content except when they cancontrol other people as well as the Government. But see here, Colonel,do you see this?' showing him a great rent in the breast of his coat andvest; 'a pretty close call, wasn't it?'
"'By George! it was that!'
"'Well, never mind; but was not this about as nice a little fight as youwould wish to have for an appetiser?'
"'Yes, you are quite right; and that reminds me that I have not had abite to eat since four o'clock this morning. By the way, have you anycold coffee in your canteen?'
"'O, yes, I have learned to keep that on hand. Here, help yourself.'
"The Colonel took a good drink, and turned to Peter and said:
"'What is the matter with that coffee?
"'Nothing; it is only laced a little.'
"'Laced? What is that?'
"'Why, I put a little brandy in it, that's all.'
"'That's all, is it? Well! that is something I have learned. Let metaste it again.'
"Which he did, as Peter afterwards said, until there was none left. Itell you these poor fellows were excusable for occasionally warming upafter a hard march or a battle. I have learned to look very leniently onthe shortcomings in that direction of the poor old unfortunate fellowswho are going through this hard world without a penny, after havingserved their country faithfully. I see them nearly every day, forgotten,neglected, no home, no friends to care for them; and to see them whenthey pass by the American flag always salute it. I hope their fate willbe a better one in the next world.
"I well remember that during the war every one who cared for his countrywould say, 'God bless the Union soldier and his family.' We all prayedfor them then; the good women in church, at home, in the hospital, atthe side of the sick, wounded or dying soldier, prayed fervently fortheir safety here and hereafter. We loved him then, and say we do yet;but we find the same men who reviled him then, complaining about thepension list, and some saying: 'The Confederates fought for what theybelieved to be right. We are all American citizens. Why not put allon the same footing? Let us be brothers.' I tell you, my friends, thepeople of this country are hard to understand. I heard the President ofthe Southern Confederacy applauded this year. I was saddened by this,and was glad that my time here could not be regarded as of greatduration. Can such things be? Am I dreaming? Where am I? Is it possiblethat I am in Indiana and not in South Carolina? Am I under the Unionflag, and not the Confederate?"
Uncle Daniel here bowed his head, and in a whisper to himself, said:
"Is it so? Is it so?"