by John McElroy
CHAPTER XVII.
MOBS IN THE NORTH.--LAWLESS VIOLENCE AND OUTRAGE BY REBEL SYMPATHIZERS.--THE CLASH OF ARMS.--BATTLE OF THE CHAPARRAL BETWEEN GEN. SILENT AND GEN. LAWS.
"One day thou wilt be blest, So still obey the guiding hand that fends Thee safely through these wonders for sweet ends." --Keats.
"After the battle of Middleton's Ridge some rest for Papson's troops wasindispensable. As soon, how-ever, as it could be done consistentlywith the condition of things, Gen. Silent issued orders from hisheadquarters, then at Nashua, to Papson and Sherwood for a dispositionof the troops to be made so as to protect the lines of communicationbetween Louis City, Nashua and Chatteraugus north, and from Chatteraugusto Bridgeton, Huntersville and De Kalb west. This distribution wasspeedily made. The enemy was in no condition for serious offensivemovements, and contented himself during the Winter with a continuousharassing of our troops whenever found in squads or small commands notsufficiently strong to make effective resistance.
"Near Huntersville a man by the name of John Cotton, with somewherebetween fifty and one hundred men, was constantly raiding small corralswhere only a few guards were left to watch them. His business seemed tobe to steal mules and wagons, being one of the parties operating under acontract to plunder for fifty per cent, of the property so taken. He hadthe same authority and character of commission from the authorities atRichmond as Blackman and Beall, of whom I have heretofore spoken. Duringthe Winter this man crossed the Little Combination River near Painter'sRock, and made a raid on Gen. Chas. Ward's corrals. Ward had beennotified of the intention of John Cotton by a Union man named Harris,who resided near Huntersville. Gen. Ward had a company of infantry undercover near the corral, and about midnight Cotton made his appearance.The men who were watching for him remained quiet until he was near thecorral, and then fired a volley into his raiders, killing three andwounding ten. They then rushed at Cotton, and he, with nine of his men,were taken prisoners. The wounded were cared for and the dead buried.The next day Gen. Ward organized a drumhead court-martial and triedthose captured who were not wounded. The nine men claimed to have beenforced into the service by Cotton, and were sent to Nashua and put towork, under sentence. John Cotton was treated differently. He was nottroublesome again during the time that our troops remained at Painter'sRock. The understanding South and North among the friends of therebellion was that raids were again to commence whenever they could bemade at all advantageous to our enemies.
"The Knights of the Golden Circle, or 'Sons of Liberty,' began to beopen and bold in their utterances and their villainous work. In New Yorkthey aroused their friends and got up mobs of such magnitude that theycould only be suppressed by withdrawing troops from the field to operateagainst them. The recruiting offices were mobbed, offices and papersburned, and the officers brutally beaten; houses were set on fire ingreat numbers and destroyed. Many large stores were broken open andplundered by the mob. All helped themselves to dry goods, clothing,jewelry, watches, and whatever they discovered. Innocent men werebrutally murdered in the streets. Women were driven from their housesand insulted in every possible way. Hospitals and asylums for orphanswere plundered and burned, and the poor, helpless inmates driven intothe streets. Children were clubbed and brained by brutes for no otherreason than that they were colored. Wounded and sick soldiers werethrown on the sidewalks and left without aid or assistance of any kind.Poor negro men were taken from hacks and wagons and hanged to lampposts.In one instance a poor man was cut into halves as if he were aslaughtered beast. Men were sent from Canada, employed by Thomlinsonand his co-conspirators, to come to New York and aid in this inhumanbutchery."
"My God! What brutality and inhuman cruelty! It does seem impossiblethat such things could have transpired in a civilized community!" saidDr. Adams.
"Yes," continued Uncle Daniel, "it would really seem so. Yet thesethings did not only take place, but were carried on here in the Northby the anti-war party, and were well known by all who were old enoughat the time to understand matters; but they are now forgotten. Why, sir,mob violence was resorted to in many places. Inflammatory speeches weremade in every community where they would be tolerated. Our people werealarmed everywhere in the North, and were preparing for great trouble athome in the absence of the army. Indiana was stirred up to white heat.Many outrages were perpetrated on the State soldiers who returned homeon a furlough, and in many instances they were murdered. One old man bythe name of Banty, who had two sons in an Illinois regiment--they beingresidents of that State at the outbreak of the rebellion--was tied toa tree in the woods some distance from home, and remained in thiscondition till rescued by his wife. It became so intolerable that troopswere held at Indianapolis for protection to the city and country. TheGovernor, as well as other citizens, were threatened:
"In Ohio the same condition of things existed. Camp Chase was about tobe attacked. Troops had, of necessity, to be sent for the safe keepingof the prisoners.
"At Coleston, Ill., the Knights of the Golden Circle attacked a squadof Union soldiers, who had just returned home from the army on furlough,and killed seven of them. In one county further south in Illinois, thename of which I have forgotten, there were quite a number of soldierskilled in secret. A man by the name of Geo. Akers, who had once beenSheriff of the County, but at the time of which I am speaking was theHead Center of the Golden Circle in that part of the country, was sostrongly suspected of having soldiers quietly 'put out of the way,' thata search of his premises was made by a Provost Marshal, and in hismill, which was on his place, were found many suits of Union soldiers'uniforms, evidently taken from dead bodies. He was put in prison, butwas aided to escape by his brother conspirators. In the same County asoldier by the name of Stacks, while home on a furlough, was calledto his own door in the night and shot by one Honeycliff. I give theseinstances merely to have you understand the feeling and determinationof the men in the North who sympathized with the rebellion, to aid it inall ways and by any means, no matter how foul or vile."
"Uncle Daniel," said Col. Bush, "I know about Akers and the cases youmention in Illinois, as I was sent there at that time with a battalionto look after those fellows, and you do not tell one-half the troublethere was in that part of the country."
"No, I presume not; I only remember these facts in regard to matters inthat State that fastened themselves irrevocably upon my mind."
Said Dr. Adams: "It seems incredible that such things could havehappened in the North, where the same men now claim to have been loyalthen."
"But, Doctor," said Col. Bush, "all these things did occur, though theyare now forgotten by many, and our young people, who know very littleabout the war, except such things as they may gather from imperfect anddistorted histories, doubt the truthfulness of these facts, being unableto understand why traitors should go unpunished. Why, Doctor, many ofthe men who were harassing and alarming the people then as Knights ofthe Golden Circle, are now the leading men in the communities wherethey were then the most offensive to Union people and disloyal to theirGovernment. They have so managed as to be at the front politically, andif affairs continue as they are now, and seem tending, very soon thesame men will claim that they put down the rebellion. They have alreadydeceived many by their self-assertion. You see, Doctor, the policy ofnot allowing ourselves to speak of the war nor any of its concomitants,leaves the young people in ignorance of what we suffered during itsexistence."
"That is true, I am sorry to say," replied Dr. Adams; "but we who doknow all about it should teach the present and coming generationsthese very important facts. The difficulty is, however, that when youundertake it many people insist that they wish to forget all aboutit, and that they do not want their children to know anything of itshorrors. But, Uncle Daniel, please continue what you were telling us."
"The Richmond authorities," said Uncle Daniel, "had detached a portionof Biggs's command under Gen. Brice, some 20,000 strong, and sentthem into Missouri, where they had made the homes of many Uni
on peopledesolate, and spread terror throughout that State and a portion ofKansas. Brice had organized bands of marauders and bushwhackers, as theywere termed, in the same way and under the same character of agreementsas made with Blackman and others. Quartel's and Stringfinder's bandswere the most destructive to life and property, murdering Union men asthey moved, and making the country a desolate waste through which theypassed. The smoke rising from houses, barns, etc., could be seen inevery direction. It could well have been termed 'a pillar of cloud byday and a pillar of fire by night.'
"At the same time the rebel cruisers were a terror on the high seas. TheAlabama, the Florida, and the Shenandoah were a dreaded scourge amongour merchantmen. Our commerce was being driven from the seas and passingunder the flags of other countries.
"'All these things were very discouraging to the loyal people of ourcountry, and at the same time greatly encouraged the rebels and theirallies and friends in the North. The demagogues of the anti-war partytraversed the whole country, haranguing the people, preaching peace andcrying high taxes, and insisting that the war had so far been a totalfailure, and that it would not be any better in the future. In fact,they were carrying out to the letter that which had been suggested byValamburg and his friends at St. Catharines, in Canada, at the meetingabout which I have heretofore spoken. Many of our best men had to returnhome from the army for a brief period and canvass as stump oratorsbefore the people, in order to quiet their apprehensions and fears as tothe chances of our ultimate success."
"Yes," said Capt. Inglesby, "I well remember the very great anxiety thenamongst our people. I returned home about the time mentioned, and thequestion was constantly asked me if I thought we could ever suppress therebellion. All our successes during the Summer and Fall before seemedto have had only a temporary effect upon our people. In fact, they wereeasily discouraged during the whole period through which the war wascontinued."
"Yes, Col. Bush, that is easily accounted for. We left behind us anelement nearly or quite a majority; certainly so in many parts of ourcountry North, which was constantly decrying the war and the means whichwere being used against the rebellion. Their constant talk in the samedirection could not help having a great influence, especially on theminds of weak men, aud in many instances on those whose nearest anddearest relatives were in the army taking the chances of their lives;and, as you all well know, these pretended friends to our faces were intheir hearts wishing and praying for the success of our enemies."
"Yes, that is true; and it was strange and hard to understand at thetime, as these same people could have gained nothing by the success ofthe rebellion. They lived North, and would have been equally despised bythe rebels (if they had succeeded) as a part of the Yankee Nation."
"Doubtless that would have been so, but it was not particularly the lovethat they had for the rebels or their cause, but their hatred for theparty in power. They had been in power so long, that being ousted bythe voice of the people made a number of the leaders who had lost in thepolitical contest feel a desire to see the people who had beaten themlose in the contest against the rebellion. They had said so many bitterthings against Mr. Lincoln and prophesied war and final separationbetween the slave and free States, that they were willing to see thecountry destroyed in order to be considered among the people as wiseoracles and political prophets; so that they made it their interestpolitically that the rebellion should succeed. Many people werefollowers of these men in all the States North. Out of this feeling grewand prospered the Knights of the Golden Circle, or Sons of Liberty."
"Well, gentlemen," said Dr. Adams, "I agree with all you have said; butI am growing somewhat impatient to again hear Uncle Daniel."
All were again listeners, and Uncle Daniel proceeded:
"I was speaking of the alarming condition of the country and the dangersthat were menacing peaceful citizens, as well as their property. Ibecame very much alarmed for the safety of the two families left in mycharge. I sent a letter to Henry to come with his wife and make my househis home for the present. He and Seraine came at once, and were willingas well as happy in remaining with us for a while, Seraine feelingsatisfied that, as her parents were two such quiet people, no harm couldcome to them. After the excitement and confusion created by the delightin the household over their arrival subsided, Henry took me aside andrelated his experience since leaving home.
"He said that he remained quietly in Detroit for some time at his wife'shome. Then he went to Windsor, and there learned that the people of theConfederacy were very much disheartened, but were making a desperateeffort to harass the armies of the Union, without fighting greatbattles, until their armies were recuperated and filled up with newrecruits; that the plan was for their friends to confuse and excite theNorthern people, just as they were doing. He stated Jacob Thomlinson'splans just as they were being literally carried out. After these planswere well on the way in the direction of being fully executed, C. C.Carey left for Richmond, and Jacob Thomlinson for London, accompanied byMr. Wintergreen, who was to act as his private secretary. On separatingfrom Carey the understanding was that they would remain away from Canadauntil the political canvass for President had well advanced and untilafter the nominations by both parties had been made. During theirabsence they were to ascertain what new plans were being executed andwhat new schemes could be put into operation during the Fall and Winterfollowing. Henry said the one mentioned was the only one matured, andthat was being carried out.
"Gen. Silent had now been promoted and ordered East, and Gen. Sherwoodput in command of the Center, with orders to make a campaign South,pushing and pressing the enemy at every point possible. This movementwas to and did commence at the earliest possible moment in the Springfollowing. Simultaneously with this a movement was made in the Eastagainst the capital of the Confederacy.
"One evening, a few days prior to Gen. Silent's departure for theEast in pursuance of his orders, while walking out on the bank of theCombination River a short distance from Nashua, as the shadows of nightwere quietly gathering about him, a form seemed to stand before him,which, from its appearance and the flowing white robes in which it wasarrayed, he at once recognized as the strange specter that had appearedto him while sitting on a stone beneath a tree at Chatteraugus. Gen.Silent was startled for a moment, but stood still with eyes fixed uponthe apparition. Finally a light, beautiful and dazzling, shone aroundthe figure. He did not move. It approached him, saying in a subdued,soft and melodious voice:
"'Gen. Silent, you have been selected to forever wipe out the crimeof slavery. This can only be done by suppressing the rebellion nowin progress against your Government, which must be completed withinfourteen months from this day or all will be lost. Start East atonce; take no rest with either of your great armies until this isaccomplished. All is with you. The matter is exclusively in your hands.'
"After speaking thus, the specter disappeared and all was still. Hestood for a moment, bewildered. When he had collected his thoughts heturned and walked rapidly to his quarters, which were at the NashuaHouse. He entered his room and sat for some time in deep meditation.While at Victor's Hill he had thought of moving his army across toMobile, and thence to Savannah and North to the rear of Richmond. He wasnot a superstitious man, but at the same time was forced by what hehad seen and heard that night to consider well that which seemed to bebefore him. The condition of the armies of the Union, and also that ofthe rebels, was taken in at one grasp of the mind. The East and Westwere carefully considered, and a plan seemed to be placed beforehim that would certainly be successful. The whole question of thesuppression of the rebellion seemed to be disclosed to his mind, andindelibly photographed thereon, as if in a vision from on high. He couldsee his Army of the West and Center combined under one commander, makingtheir way against obstinate resistance to the sea; and then coming northto the rear of Richmond, breaking the shell of the Confederacy as itmarched. At the same time he saw the great rebel army of the East,under Laws, in Virginia, melt away before him, driven, demoralized,
andfinally captured. This all seemed to be a dream, and yet it was the truemethod to pursue in order to put down the rebellion. These things wereat once firmly fixed in his mind, and thus he would undertake to bringsuccess, should he be selected as the commander of all the armies of theUnion, as had just been indicated to him.
"Just then a rap was head at his door. 'Come in,' was the response, andGen. Anderson entered. Gen. Silent met him with great cordiality andasked him to be seated. They conversed for some time on the subject ofthe war and the probabilities of success.
"Finally Gen. Anderson said: 'General, this war can be concluded in butone way, and that is by desperate fighting. The armies on both sidesare made up of Americans, each believing they are right, and numbers andendurance will finally determine the contest, provided our people donot become alarmed at the constant cry for peace by the Northern GoldenCircles and other sympathizers with the South.'
"'That is true,' said Gen. Silent; 'I feel more bitterness towards thoseNorthern croakers and sympathizers than I do toward the rebels in theSouth, who take their lives and put them in chance for what they believeto be right. Wrong as they are, they are better men than those who arebehind us trying to discourage us, and to encourage the rebels, withoutthe nerve to fight on either side.'
"'Yes,' said Anderson; 'I fully agree with you. Allow me to ask at aboutwhat time will our Spring campaign begin?'
"'At the very first moment that we can move on the roads in safety. I amnow sending Sherwood with what troops are within his call from Victor'sHill east to Meredith, breaking railroads, destroying bridges, etc., sothat when we commence our movements in the Spring, Biggs will have noline save the one due south or east. We will then force him into theextreme South or cause him to make a junction with the army in the East,under Laws, where our Army of the West and Center must pursue him. Thedestruction of the two great rebel armies must be our task. This done,the rebellion will be at an end. This must be accomplished within thenext fourteen months; sooner if we can, but within that time we mustsucceed, if at all, and I have no doubt whatever of a final triumph. TheAlmighty is only permitting the continuation of this struggle in orderthat the people shall become thoroughly satisfied with the destructionof slavery. Whenever that time comes He will give our enemies over intoour hands.'
"'Gen. Silent, your faith is certainly very strong.'
"'Yes; I am now thoroughly convinced in my own mind that within the timementioned our enemies will be at our feet. I am going East, where I amordered by the President for some purpose. I intend to lay my wholeplan before him and urge its adoption, believing that if followed therebellion will end as I have stated. Would you like to go East, Gen.Anderson, if I should wish you to do so?'
"'I would certainly not disobey your orders, Gen. Silent, but I havea good command, and one with which I am well acquainted, and perhaps Iwould be of more service by remaining with it than by taking a new one.I did have a great desire to be ordered East when I was sent here, butthe reasons for that desire do not now exist.'
"Gen. Anderson then, in confidence, related to Gen. Silent what hadtranspired at McGregor's headquarters the evening after the battle atAntler's Run, which astonished Gen. Silent. He sat for some time withoutmaking any remark. Finally he asked if the President and the Secretaryof War had this information.
"Gen. Anderson replied that they had.
"Gen. Silent smiled, but said not a word. The conversation on thissubject then dropped. Gen. Silent inquired if he believed in dreams.
"Gen. Anderson answered in the negative; at the same time he said he hadheard on one or two occasions of very strange dreams, and one especiallythat he was watching closely to see if it would turn out in accordancewith an interpretation given to it by a person whom he well knew.
"Gen. Silent then asked him if he had ever seen anything that he couldnot understand or account for.
"'No, sir,' replied Gen. Anderson.
"Gen. Silent said no more, and it then being quite late they separated.Gen. Silent left early next morning for the East. As soon as he couldreach Washington he appeared at the Executive Mansion and had aninterview with the President, when he was informed that he had beenordered East with a view of putting him in command of all the armies ofthe United States. He did not exhibit the least surprise at this, butat once proceeded to lay his plans before the President and Secretary ofWar. The plans were the same as suggested by him to Gen. Anderson. Aftercareful consideration they were approved.
"The President told Gen. Silent he now should have the full support ofthe Government, with supreme command, and that the President would holdhim responsible for the suppression of the rebellion, and expect thatthe enemy would be dispersed at an early day.
"Gen. Silent replied that the rebellion would end within fourteenmonths.
"'Why fourteen months? Could you not say twelve?'
"'No, sir,' replied Silent; 'I put it fourteen. I hope to see itaccomplished at an earlier date, but within this time it will be done.'
"'Gen. Silent, I have a strange reason for saying twelve months,' andthe President laughed at the idea of having a superstition about dreams,'but, General last night I had such a curious dream that I must tell itto you. I thought a strange man appeared in the presence of the Armiesof the West, riding upon a large brown horse, and that where-ever andwhenever he appeared the armies were successful; that this strangeman would disappear without uttering a word. This same strange man hadappeared at the East, and at his appearance the rebel armies laid downtheir arms and sued for peace. In my dream peace was restored, but itlasted for only a short time; the citizens of Maryland and Virginiaconspired together and swept down upon Washington, captured the city,burned the Government records, and murdered many of our leading men,amongst whom was yourself. What do you say to this, General? Can youinterpret it?'
"'No, Mr. President, I cannot. I do not allow myself to think butvery little about dreams. They certainly can be nothing more than thewanderings of the mind during sleep. But, Mr. President, since youhave taken me into your confidence I must confess that I am sometimesstartled by what seems to be an unfolding of events in the future.'
"Saying this much he relapsed into his wonted silence. After somefurther conversation they separated. The next morning Gen. Silent leftfor the Army of the East. He was received on his arrival in a mannerthat showed their confidence in him as a great commander. He establishedhis headquarters in the field near Meador, and at once commenced givingdirections in his quiet way for reorganizing the troops and preparing inevery way for an early advance. His army was soon organized intothree corps,--Second, Fifth and Sixth,--commanded respectively by Gen.Hanscom, Gen. Sedgewear and Gen. Warner; the Ninth (Independent) Corps,under Broomneld, with the cavalry under Sher-lin, who had been orderedto the East from the Army of the Center.
"My son Jackson, having been spoken of very highly to Gen. Silent byGen. Anderson, had also been ordered to the East and placed in commandof a brigade under Gen. Hanscom.
Gens. Silent and Meador in conversation. 347]
"The armies both in the East and the West being reorganized and in goodcondition, Gen. Silent began his arrangements for an immediate movement.The Armies of the West and Center now being combined under the commandof Sherwood were to move from Chatteraugus directly down the railroadagainst Biggs,--or rather Jones, the new commander of the rebel forces.The movement of the combined armies, East and West, against the enemy,was to take place on the same day. The rebel army East was admirablyposted for defensive operations, provided they were to be attacked intheir position. Laws had his army divided into three corps, commandedrespectively by Ewelling on the right, A. P. Hiller on the left, andLongpath (who had come from Biggs) as reserve in the rear; his cavalryby J. E. Seward. His army was on the south bank of the Rapidan, and inrear of Mine Run, and extending east to the spurs of the Blue Ridge, onthe west and left flank, protected by heavy earthworks. His forces andhis movements were covered by streams, forests, hills, and by a veryheavy chaparral or cops
e for miles in extent.
"Silent would not attack in his front, as Laws expected, but concludedto plunge immediately into the chaparral and threaten Laws's right. Thiswould compel the enemy to give battle at once or retreat. So orders wereissued for the Army of the East to move at midnight, cross the Rapidan,and march into the dense woods by the roads nearest the rebel lines.The troops moved, and by dawn the next morning had possession of thecrossings and were passing over the river. By night of that day the armyhad crossed with most of their trains. The cavalry had pushed forwardand camped near Sedgewear, who had gone into bivouac on the hill aftercrossing the Rapidan. During the day our signal corps had read thesignals of the enemy, which were that Laws had discovered Silent'smovements and was making preparations to meet them.
"Silent had ordered Broomfield to move at once and make night marchesso as to be up in time. Sherlin was to move forward and attack the rebelcavalry at Chancellor's City. Three times this army had crossed theRapidan before and as many times had been driven back. The questionin the minds of all was, 'Will Silent go on, or will he be forced torecross the stream?' Laws was very confident that he would force himback.
"That night Silent received a telegram from Sherwood at Chatteraugus,saying that his army had moved out that day and was near the enemy;also, from Crooker and Boutler; all had moved. Thus Silent had all thearmies of the Republic, wherever they might be, at the same hour movingagainst the enemy aggressively. No such movements had a parallel inhistory. The enemy were menaced in every front, so that no portion couldgive aid or re-enforcements to the other.
"Laws, when he saw the situation, determined to attack, believing thathe could assault Warner and drive him back before Hanscom (who hadcrossed some miles from Warner) could come up to join on Warner's right.That night Warner and Ewelling lay facing each other, nearly together.They might easily have divided rations, though hidden from each other bythe dense forest. Yet, like the knowledge we all have by instinct of ournear approach to danger, they were each aware of the other's presence.
"Gen. Silent ordered a change, so as to move his head of column directfor the right flank of Laws's new position. Warner moved, with cavalryin advance, to Craig's Meeting House, his left resting at ChaparralTavern. Sedge-wear was to join on his right, Hanscom to move fromChancellor City to his support, and Sherlin on the left and in rear ofHanscom.
"Early in the morning the enemy appeared in Warner's front. One regimentof cavalry had already been hurled back. Meador had made his dispositionin accordance with Silent's instructions. Broomfleld was now crossingthe river, and Silent waiting at the ford to see him; but learningof Laws's movement, he went forward at once to Chaparral Tavern. Thistavern was in a low place, densely surrounded with trees and underbrush.Here Silent placed his headquarters in the rear of Warner's Corps. Thewoods and chaparral were so dense in all directions that neither armycould distinguish the line of the other.
"By 9 o'clock an occasional shot could be heard, and then the rattleof musketry, as though a company or so had discharged their pieces.Presently a few skirmishers would come back to the main line, assertingthat the enemy were in force in our front. Then orders would be given toadvance the skirmish-line and feel for the enemy.
"About 10 o'clock a shot from the artillery of the enemy announced thefact that he was posting for resistance. Our line at once advanced asbest it could in the direction of the enemy. The musketry opened andcontinued to increase until one whole division of our troops wereengaged. The artillery opened on both sides and roared as the mightythunders. Musketry rattled like hail on the housetops. The enemy inour front, Ewelling commanding, was driven in great disorder for somedistance by Griffith's division, but the underbrush was so dense thatno alignment could be made with the troops. Regiments and brigades couldnot find each other. It became impossible to have any unity of action.This same cause prevented Sedgewear from joining on Warner's right orconnecting with Griffith. This left Griffith's flank exposed, and therebels at once taking advantage of this, forced him back again with theloss of some of his guns and quite a number of prisoners. The rebelsmade no attempt to follow up their advantage, but began at once erectingearthworks.
"Laws was attacked before he anticipated, although making a show ofreadiness; but he was resting on ground familiar to him and whollyunknown to our troops. Silent was notified of our repulse. It wasapparent that Laws's whole army was on the field, and meditated anattack before our army could be brought into action. Sedgewear's troopswere not all up; Broomfield had not arrived, and Hanscom was not yet onthe ground. This was not quite what Gen. Silent had been accustomed to.His commands heretofore were always at the spot on time when ordered,and generally before the time appointed.
"He at once mounted his horse and rode in person to the front, in orderto get a view of the situation. He followed Warner on a narrow road,which was thronged with troops in great disorder. Slight works thrown upby both sides, in intervals of the fight, were very close together. Heat once saw from the nature of the surrounding country the importanceof maintaining Warner's position. On his return to his headquarters hedispatched officers to hasten Sedgewear's and Broomfield's troops withall possible speed. His wish now was to bring to bear as largo a forceas possible against Laws's left, in order to prevent the discovery ofthe great space between Warner and Hanscom. Laws, however, had detectedthis gap, and was forming Hiller's Corps to move through it.
"Geddis was now ordered to move at once and hold this part of the linewith his division of Warner's Corps against all force that might comeagainst him. This was the breathless time during the day. Geddis tookthe position. Hiller moved against him, but Geddis held the point.Hanscom came up, but his corps was far away to his rear. It was nearlytwo o'clock before his troops came in sight, certainly none too soon. Heat once formed on Geddis's left. There was but one spot, on account ofthe density of the forest, where artillery could be put in battery orused to any advantage. Here Hanscom put all his artillery. At 2:30 hereceived orders to attack Hiller at once in conjunction with Geddis,which he did. This compelled Hanscom to move two of his divisions insupport of Geddis, Burns and Motley. The two lines had both approacheduntil they were exceedingly close together.
"The battle now commenced in great earnest on both sides, and was ofa most destructive and deadly character. The musketry firing wascontinuous along the whole line. The remainder of Hanscom's Corpswas ordered up and went into action, having no time for protectingthemselves. Several desperate assaults were made by Hanscom and Geddis,but the enemy, having the cover of the chaparral, were able to inflictgreat damage on our forces.
"Silent, learning that our forces could not dislodge the enemy, senta force from Warner's left to relieve the troops who were so hotlyengaged. Accordingly one division under Gen. Walworth and one brigadeunder Roberts were sent through the woods to the sound of battle. Butthey could not see fifty yards before them on account of the underbrush.The roar of the battle was like a continuous peal of thunder. Gen.Walworth tried to penetrate the thick woods to relieve his comrades, butdid not arrive until nightfall.
"Sedgewear had now taken position on the right of Warner, and both oftheir corps had been engaged during the afternoon. Sherlin had struckthe rebel cavalry near Ford's House and driven them back. He now heldthe country to the left of Hanscom on the road to Spottsyl-vania. Thenight had closed in and the two armies rested facing each other. Thekilled, wounded and dying were strewn between the lines like leaves.
"Gen. Meador and others came to Silent's Headquarters that night. Onecorps in each army had not been engaged during the day, and so thebattle had but fairly commenced. Silent gave orders to assault the enemythe next morning at five o'clock. Longpath on the side of the enemy,who had not been engaged during the day, was moving that night to thesupport of Hiller, evidently intending to crush our left. Geddis wasordered to remain with Hanscom; Walworth was to assault Hiller's left,while Hanscom made a front attack. Broomfield was to move to the gapbetween Walworth and Warner's left. But Laws was p
reparing also for anattack, and made his assault on our right a little before Hanscom madethe attack contemplated by Silent.
"The battle commenced by Ewelling assailing Wight. The fighting becamefurious along Sedgewear's entire front and over and along Warner'sline. Burns and Motley, of Hanscom's Corps, advanced upon the enemy andassaulted him with very great energy. Walworth now assaulted where hewas directed. The contest was a desperate one. The smoke rose throughthe woods like a dense cloud. The artillery was brought to where itcould be used, and from both sides it belched forth its iron hail andsounded as if the earth was breaking into a thousand fragments. Themusketry rattled and showered the leaden missiles of death in everydirection. The yells and shrieks of the wounded were enough to striketerror to the souls of the strongest, during the whole time of thisgreat battle of blood and death.
"The enemy were driven at every point, and retreated in great confusion.Our troops undertook to pursue them through the thick woods and becamebroken up and confused. Sherlin was now engaged with Seward's cavalry,near the Todd House, in a terrible contest, The firing and shoutingcould be heard by Hanscom's troops. Sherlin was victorious and Sewardretreated.
"Up to this time Longpath had not taken the position assigned him,but now moved rapidly against Hanscom's left. The contest was renewed.Silent and Meador rode out to the front and looked over the ground.Silent never lost confidence in the result for a moment.
"Longpath now assaulted with great vehemence; our advance brigade wasswept like chaff before the wind. The density of the brush was such thatH an scorn could not make his proper formation, and therefore had tofall back to his position held early in the day. Walworth was drivenback, and in trying to rally his men was shot through the head andinstantly killed. Sedgewear's right was assailed and turned, losing manyprisoners. He rallied, however, and drove the enemy back again. Longpathbeing now severely wounded, Laws led his corps in person.
"A simultaneous attack was now made by our forces. Broomfield assaultedfor the first time during the day, and the enemy were forced back. Inthis assault my son Jackson, leading his brigade, was wounded and takento the rear. This was late in the afternoon. The woods had been on fireseveral times during the day, but at this time the breastworks of someof our men having been constructed of wood were fired by the musketryand blazed up, catching the timber and leaves with which the ground wascovered. The fire became general and drove men in every direction, bothUnion and rebel. The shrieks and screams of the poor wounded men whocould not escape the flames were heartrending.
"Darkness came on and the contest ceased. During the night Laws withdrewthe rebel army to his old line of works and gave up the idea ofdriving Silent back across the Rapidan. Gen. Silent repaired to hisheadquarters, where he received the reports of the commanding officers.Some were sure that Laws would attack again the next morning. Somethought that we had better retire across the Rapidan. At this Silentsaid not a word, but smiled. He finally gave orders to be ready to meetthe enemy the next morning, and to attack him if he had not withdrawn.When he spoke of the enemy withdrawing a look of surprise was on thefaces of many.
"After they had all repaired to their respective quarters he went outto look around, and while listening under a tree in order to hearany movements that might be making in the enemy's lines, he was againstartled by the same spectral form that had appeared to him twicebefore. It pointed in the direction of Richmond and spoke these words,'Move on to-morrow,' and disappeared. He was strangely affected by this,and became quite nervous for a man of his stoicism.
A scene in the trenches 354]
"He returned to his tent and inquired for his Adjutant-General. When hereported, he asked if any further reports had come in, and was told thata messenger had just arrived with dispatches announcing that Boutlerhad moved on City Point, capturing it; that Sherwood expected to attackJones at Rocky Head on that day. Silent then went to bed and sleptsoundly.
"The next morning there was no enemy in sight. Gen. Silent advanced histroops well to the front until satisfied that Laws had withdrawn. Hegave orders for taking care of the wounded and burying the dead. Thewounded of both armies were thickly strewn all over the battlefield.Many had perished from the smoke and fire in the woods. It was a sight Ido not wish to describe if I could.
"That day Silent issued his orders for the army to make a night marchby the left flank in the direction of Spottsyl-vania. He and Meadorstarted, with the cavalry in advance, late in the afternoon, and as theypassed along the line going in that direction the boys understood itand cried out, 'Good! good! No going back this time; we are going toRichmond,' and they made the woods resound with shouts of joy.
"The next day about noon Sherlin was directed to move with his cavalryto the rear of the enemy, cut the railroads, and destroy all the enemy'ssupplies he could find. He moved at once. Silent notified Broomfieldof the resistance being made to our further advance, and ordered him tomove up as rapidly as possible. Skirmishing and sharp fighting betweenisolated divisions and brigades occurred. Many officers and men werekilled. Gen. Sedgewear was among the killed on this morning, and Gen. H.G. Wight was assigned to the command of his corps. This was the 9th dayof the month, and the armies had been marching and fighting five days.
"Silent's lines were now formed and ready to attack or resist. Thus theylay during the fifth night. On the next morning orders were issued toassault the enemy's center at 10 o'clock. Some movement of the enemydelayed the assault, and about 1 o'clock the enemy pressed forward toattack, which they did with great vigor. They were repulsed with greatloss and fell back in confusion. They reformed and came forward again.The contest now became fierce and even terrific. They made their wayclose up to Hanscom's front and delivered their fire in the very facesof our men. Our line did not waver, but now opened such a terrible fireof musketry on them that they broke in great disorder.
"In the very heat of the contest the woods had taken fire again, andthe flames were leaping along with frightful rapidity, destroying nearlyeverything in their pathway. Our troops on this part of the line werecompelled to fall' back, leaving many poor fellows of both sides toperish. Soon, however, the skirmishers were re-enforced and drove theenemy for a mile into their entrenchments.
"It was now determined to make the assault contemplated in the morning.So about 4 p.m. Silent ordered the assault. Warner and Wight were tomove simultaneously with Warner's and Gibbs's divisions, Motley toadvance on the left of Wight's Corps. Our troops had to advance up adensely-wooded hill. Silent and Meador took position on an elevatedpoint, but could see little of the field, it was so overgrown withbushes.
"The battle had again commenced, our troops assaulting. A cloud of smokehung heavily over the field, lighted up occasionally by flashes fromartillery. The shouts of the commanders giving their orders, the yellsof the soldiers on both sides, as well as the groans of the woundedand dying, could be distinctly heard in every direction. Across an openfield, then through heavy woods, across a soft morass in front ofone division of the enemy near the stream, went our lines, strugglingforward under a most galling fire until lost to view in a copse ofwood and the smoke of battle. Only our wounded now came staggeringand crawling out from under the cloud of smoke to the rear. These fewmoments of suspense were terrible. Looking, listening and waiting, ourtroops at this moment ascended the hill and stormed the enemy's works,but could not hold them against the destructive fire. They fell back totheir original line.
"On our left, at that moment, a great victory was being accomplished.Col. Upson and Gen. Motley formed a storming party of some twelveregiments, and drove right against the flank of the enemy. They rushedwith such impetuosity against the rebels that they could not withstandthe assault. Our forces captured an entire brigade and one battery ofthe enemy. Hanscom now assaulted and broke the enemy's line, capturingmany prisoners. At six p.m. Broomfield attacked. Night closed with ourcolumns within one mile of Spottsylvania Court-house. The fightingof this day was desperate, and the loss on both sides terrible. Thesufferin
g was great; many were burned who had fallen wounded on thefield.
"This was the sixth day of blood and death. Our forces held some 4,000prisoners, while the enemy had taken none from us save a few stragglers.That night Boutler reported great success. Sherlin had got in the rearof the enemy, destroyed ten miles of his railroad and nearly all ofhis supplies of food and medical stores. Silent now ordered rest andreconnoitering for the next day.
"So, on the following day, our lines were adjusted and reconnoissancesmade, with full preparations for the ending of the great contest.Hanscom was to move in the night so as to join Broomfield, and they wereto attack at 4 A. M. of the 12th. They moved into line not more thantwo-thirds of a mile from the enemy. The ground was heavily wooded andascended sharply towards the enemy. In the morning a heavy fog lay closeto the ground, but at 4:35 the order to move forward was given. Burnsand Barrow moved in advance. The soldiers seemed to be urged forwardby some kind of inspiration, and finally broke into a double-quick, andwith irresistible force over the earthworks of the enemy they went. Bothdivisions entered about the same time, and a most desperate battle hereensued. Muskets were clubbed and bayonets and swords pierced many bodieson both sides. The struggle was short, however, and resulted in ourforces capturing some 5,000 prisoners, twenty pieces of artillery, andthirty colors, with two General officers. The rebels broke to the rearin great disorder, our men pursuing them through the woods. Shouts ofvictory rent the air.
"Silent was now by a small fire, which was sputtering and spitting, therain coming down in uncomfortable quantities. Hanscom had taken and wasnow holding the center of their line. He reported: 'Have just finishedup Jones and am going into Ewelling; many prisoners and guns.'
"The enemy made six assaults on Hanscom, which were repulsed. Broomfieldnow reported that he had lost connection with Hanscom. Silent wrote him:'Push the enemy; that is the best way to make connection.'
"Desultory fighting continued until midnight, when the enemy gave up thetask of re-taking their lost line and retreated. Thus ended the eighthday of marching and most desperate fighting ever known.
"The next morning an assault was made in order to take possession ofhigh ground near the court-house, which was a success, without anyconsiderable resistance. The rain was now falling in torrents. The roadsbecame so muddy that they were impassable, which prevented any furthermovement for the present. The collecting of the wounded and burying thedead was a sight to behold. The whole country back for miles was onecontinuous hospital. Our losses were over 20,000, and no one could everascertain the loss of the enemy; but it could not have been less than30,000--including prisoners.
"The howl that was set up by the Sons of Liberty and Copperheadsexcelled anything that had ever been heard. Silent was a 'murderer,' a'butcher,' a 'brute,' an 'inhuman monster.' The enemy, however, were allright. They were 'humane friends,' 'good Christians,' etc. The hypocrisyof this world is perfectly amazing.
"At this time take a glance at the rebel capital. Boutler was within tenmiles; Sherlin's troopers were, many of them, inside the works on thenorth side of Richmond. Sherwood was forcing the rebel Army of theCenter. Gen. Crookerhad cut all railroads between Tennessee andRichmond. All lines of communication with Richmond were severed,and confusion and terror reigned in the rebel capital. Jeff Daviscontemplated flight, but was prevented by those surrounding him. Withall these evidences of our final success and failure on their part, theanti-war party in the North could find no words of contumely too severefor our successful commanders.
"Henry and I left for Washington, and in the confusion of everything Ifinally found a surgeon by the name of Bliss, who informed me where Icould find my son Jackson. He had been brought to Washington and placedin the Stone Mansion Hospital, on Meridian Hill. We lost no time invisiting that place, and by permission of the surgeon in charge visitedJackson. We found him with a high fever and some evidence of erysipelas.His wound was in the right groin--a very dangerous wound. He talkedquite freely, and gave all kinds of messages for his mother, the family,and Gen. Anderson, but said to us that he could live but a few days.
"'The fates are against our family,' said he. 'We will all go downsooner or later. Mother is right.'
"We remained in Washington and gave Jackson all the attention we could.We merely paid our respects to the President. He was so busy we couldnot interrupt him. Joy was in the hearts of all loyal people, whilecurses were upon the lips of every disloyal and anti-war Democrat in thewhole country.
"Jackson died from erysipelas on the sixth day after our arrival. Thisshock almost broke me down. Henry was nearly frantic. Jackson was hisfavorite brother. They had both been wanderers alike from home. We tookhis remains to our home, had his funeral services in the church to whichhis mother and I belonged, and buried him by the side of my son David,in the Allentown Cemetery.
"You must imagine this blow to our family; I will not undertake todescribe our distress. His mother almost lost her mind, and for severaldays she talked incessantly about Peter. She seemed to lose sight of allelse. Seraine was deeply affected. She thought very much of Jackson, hebeing the one who brought about her union with Henry much sooner than,perhaps, it would have occurred."
Just then Mrs. Wilson came in. We could see that she kept a close watchover Uncle Daniel. He took her in his arms and said:
"My darling, I was just speaking of the death of your Uncle Jackson."
"Yes, Grandpa; I well remember when you and Uncle Henry came home fromWashington with his remains; how we were all distressed; how Grandma'smind was affected; and how poor old Aunt Martha cried and spoke of him.I remember also that he was buried by the side of my poor father."
She ceased speaking and wept and sobbed, and finally she took hergrandpa by the hand and led him to his room.