by John McElroy
CHAPTER XVIII.
OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY OF THE CENTER.--GEN. SHERWOOD'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST GATE CITY.--HEAD'S ARMY DESTROYED.--GEN. PAPSON'S GREAT VICTORIES AT FRANKTOWN AND NASHUA.
"We die that our country may survive."--Lyon.
"General Silent was now in command of all the armies of the UnitedStates, having his Headquarters with the Army of the East, so that hemight have the immediate supervision of it. Sherwood, having beenplaced in command of the Armies of the West, commenced organizing andconcentrating his forces for the Spring campaign, under the general plansuggested by Silent and approved by the President and Secretary ofWar. The condition of things in the North was as heretofore described.Sherwood was kept continually on the alert, in order to meet the manyraids that were being made in his Department.
"About the 1st of April, Gen. Forrester, with a large cavalry force,again moved north, marched between Big and Little Combination Rivers,and made his way unmolested to Paduah, and there assaulted the Uniongarrison held by Col. Heck, by whom he was badly beaten. He made hisretreat, swinging around to Conception River, and following that downto Fort Pillston, which was held by a very small garrison of coloredtroops. After capturing the post the unfortunate troops were mostbarbarously and inhumanly butchered, no quarter being given. The poorcolored soldiers and citizens were shot down like so many wild beasts.Some were killed while imploring their captors for mercy; others weretied to trees, fires built around them made of fagots, and in that wayburned to death.
"The sick and wounded fared no better. Such brutality is seldom resortedto by the most barbarous of the savage Indian tribes. What do yousuppose would have been the fate of any Union officer who would havepermitted such conduct on the part of his command?"
"Why," said Col. Bush, "the officer would have been dismissed theservice in utter disgrace, and would not afterwards have been recognizedas a gentleman anywhere in the Northern States."
"No, sir," said Dr. Adams; "such officers would have been compelled tochange their names and to find homes in the mountains, where they wouldhave been unobserved."
"Yes," said Uncle Daniel, "that would have been so with any of ourtroops; yet you never hear this fact alluded to. It is lost sight of,and if you should mention it publicly, you would only be criticised forso doing. Our tradesmen and merchants want their Southern customers, andtherefore, no matter what their crimes may have been, they are hushed upand condoned. But to return to my story.
"Sherwood had made his disposition for an advance, and on the same daythat the Army of the East commenced its movement to cross the Rapidan,his army moved out against Gen. Jones, who had displaced Biggs and wasin command of the rebel Army of the Center. Sherwood's army moved inthree columns from and about Chatteraugus--Scovens on the left, Papsonin the center, and McFadden on the right. Papson moved directly againstTurner's Hill, and McFadden, by way of Gadden's Mill, to and throughSnake Gap, against Sarco. Papson had encountered the enemy at RockyHead, and failing to dislodge him, was ordered to the right in supportof McFadden. Jones fell back to Sarco and made a stand. Hord's Corpsassaulted him in front, Scovens on his right, Papson and McFadden on hisleft, McFadden gaining the high ridges overlooking the fort and opened adestructive artillery fire against it.
"Late in the evening, as night was closing in, Gen. Anderson ordered apart of his command to assault and charge their works near the river,south of the town. This was executed in gallant style, Gen. Ward leadingthe charge. The firing all along both lines was picturesque. As volleyafter volley was discharged, it reminded one of a line of Roman candlesshooting forth. Soon our troops succeeded in dislodging the enemy andcapturing his works, with many prisoners. This closed the contest; andthat night Jones, with his army, retreated, destroying bridges and allelse behind him.
"He was vigorously pushed by our army. Two days later Papson's head ofcolumn struck the rear of the enemy between Caseyville and King's City.Skirmishing commenced, and was kept up during the night. At this pointJones had collected his whole army--three large corps, commanded byHarding, Polkhorn and Head, numbering nearly as many men as Sherwood'sforces. During the night, however, the enemy retreated, and did itso handsomely that the next morning there was nothing to be seen asevidence of an enemy, save fresh earthworks.
"After remaining there several days waiting for supplies, etc., ourforces resumed their advance and moved rapidly in the direction of atown on the Powder Springs road called Dalls; McFadden on the extremeright, Papson in the center, and Scovens on the left. Hord, of Papson'sarmy, in moving to the crossing of Pumpkin Run, met the enemy, and wassoon engaged in what turned out to be a severe battle, lasting untilquite in the night. This checked the movement of the army underPapson, and changed the point to be gained to Hopeful Church. There wascontinuous skirmishing and fighting at this point at close rangebehind works for about five days. The losses, however, were not veryconsiderable on either side, both being under cover of earthworks. Thetroops here were so situated in their lines and works that both sideskept well down behind their cover. Finally our boys gave it the name of'Hell Hole.'
"McFadden having moved to Dalls, as ordered, was some miles away tothe right of the remainder of the forces. The enemy seeing this,concentrated two whole corps and hurled them against the FifteenthCorps, and one small division on its left. The assault was made byHarding and Polkhorn on the morning of the 28th of May, and lasted untillate in the afternoon. This was a fierce and very bloody battle, withquite a loss on both sides. The enemy broke the line of our forceson the right and poured through the gap like bees swarming, but thecommander of the corps of 'Forty Bounds' was equal to the occasion,charging them with reserve troops and driving them back with greatslaughter. From that time on, the day was in our favor. The General whocommanded the corps came down the line where bullets were thickest, withhat in hand, cheering his men on to action and to victory; with a shoutthat could only be given by that old, well-drilled corps, which hadnever known defeat, they rushed forward against the enemy and routedtwice their number. Men who were in this battle say that the soldiersand officers were more like enraged tigers than men. No power could staythem when it came to their turn during the day to make an assault, theenemy having made the first one.
"Two days after this brilliant victory they were ordered by Sherwood totheir left to join the right of Hord's command. The army now being incompact form confronting the enemy, he withdrew to Bush and KensingtonMountains, in front of Henrietta, covering the railroad to Gate City.Gen. Sherwood moved his army on a parallel line to Shan tee, coveringthe railroad to the rear, being our line of communication, directlyconfronting the enemy on the Mountain ridge. The position of the enemywas a good one; much better than our troops occupied. Thus, our forceswere 100 miles south of Chatteraugus. During the whole march it had beenone succession of skirmishes and battles, from Rocky Head to KensingtonMountain. The skirmishes and battles were generally fought in densewoods, and doubtless, in the rapid movements, many of our poor men,and also of the enemy, were wounded and left to die in the forest.The enemy's lines were several miles in length, covering thosespurs--Kensington, Bush and Pine Mountains. Our troops were pushing upas close as possible under a continuous and heavy fire. While advancingour lines our forces could see the signals of the enemy on themountains, and very soon learned to read them.
"In one of the forward movements on our extreme right a very sharpartillery duel took place between Davies' artillery and Polkhorn's, whoformed the enemy's left. During this engagement Polkhorn was killedby one of our round shots. Our signal officers interpreted the enemy'ssignals stating his death. Our boys sent up a great shout.
"The enemy thereby discovered that our men could read their signals andat once changed them, much to the chagrin of our Signal Corps.
"The railroad bridges that had been destroyed in our rear by the enemyon their retreat having been repaired, the trains began running andbringing up supplies. One day a train came in drawn by a very powerfulengine. The engineer conclu
ded that he would tempt or alarm the enemy,so he put on a full head of steam and started down the track asthough he was going directly into their lines. As soon as he came insight--which was unavoidable, as the road ran through an open fielddirectly in front of Kensington Mountain, and then curved to the leftthrough a gap--they opened a battery directed at the engine. Peal afterpeal was heard from their guns, but the engineer ran the engine downto our skirmish line and there held it for some moments, keeping upmeanwhile the most hideous whistling and bell ringing. The number ofguns that opened fire and their rapidity in firing was such thatall along both lines they believed a battle was raging. The engineerreturned his engine to the train amid the shouts of thousands of ourtroops.
"Our skirmishers were now close, approaching nearer and nearer every dayand night, the advance being made by regular stages. Several attemptswere made to double the skirmish-lines and move up the slope of theridge, but this could not be accomplished. Finally Gen. Anderson askedpermission to make a reconnaissance to our left and to the right andrear of the enemy, or at least to find where his right rested. This waspermitted, and Gen. Anderson struck the enemy's cavalry some five milesto our extreme left, driving them around the point of the mountain andcapturing very nearly two regiments. This at once disclosed the fact asto the exposed flank of the enemy. He then moved back to his position inline and waited further orders.
"Just about this date Gen. Sherwood received information that theexpedition up Blood River had failed, and that Forrester had defeatedSturgeon and was now preparing to raid the railroads in our rear. Thiswas not very encouraging to our forces, but caused great joy in therebel camp in our front, as our forces learned. The next day the enemymade a feeble attack on our right, but was handsomely repulsed byGen. Hord's Corps. Sherwood seemed determined to try to dislodge theenemy,--a flank movement seemed to others to be the way to force theenemy from his lines of works on the crest of the mountain.
"On the 27th of June, he ordered an assault on Little KensingtonMountain. Our troops at the same time were to make demonstrations on allparts of the line. McFadden assaulted, by order of the commander, theface of the mountain, where there was no possibility of success. Hewas hurled back, losing many officers and men. Papson assaulted on hisright, where the mountain sloped down to a low foothill with norugged heights. Here the enemy had strong earthworks, with an almostimpenetrable abatis. One division after another and one corps afteranother were hurled against this breastwork, where fell many brave andgallant men and officers on that fatal day. Papson did not believe ourtroops could take those strong works, posted as the rebels were, butobeyed orders from his superior officer.
"Towards noon our losses were heavy, and it seemed like leading men intothe very jaws of death to attempt another assault. Some of the officers,as well as men, openly said it was most cruel and cold-blooded murderto force men up against works where one man behind them would equal atleast four of the assaulting party. Yet another attack was ordered, andabout the middle of the afternoon all were ready. Sherwood was on a highhill a good distance in the rear, where he could see all that was goingon.
"The order was given to move forward. Gen. Anderson was put to thefront, my son Peter in command of his advance brigade. On, on they went,well knowing that many a brave boy would fall to rise no more. Not aword was spoken save the one of command. The line moved right on, theenemy pouring shot and shell into our ranks. Our brave boys fell likegrass before the scythe. As our ranks thinned and gaps were made by shotand shell the solemn command could be heard, 'Close up, my brave boys!'
"Gen. Anderson rode in full dress, with a long black plume in his hat.On and on, to the very jaws of hell they went. When close up to theenemy General Anderson raised his sword, the gleam of which could beseen afar in the sunlight. He ordered a charge, and well was it made.Up, up, and into the jaws of death they moved. But to take the workswas impossible. The whole line was now engaged. Finally our forces fellback. Gen. Anderson held his men in their line. They were not dismayed.He was finally ordered to fall back, and did so. Peter, my son, wasshot through the lungs. Sullenly and coolly did our men fall back, withcurses many and loud against the blunder.
"This was the first repulse to our army, and forced the commander a fewdays later to do what should have been done without the loss of so manymen. He moved around against Jones's flank, which caused him to abandonhis line and fall back to Chatham River, into his heavy intrenchmentsprepared some time before.
"My son Peter, during the evening after the battle, had been conveyed tothe hospital. As soon as Gen. Anderson could do so, he started to findhim. He found young Whit-comb with my son, whom the General had sentearlier to look after him; also, old Ham, who was in the rear during theengagement, not far from the hospital. When the General entered, Peterrecognized and greeted him, but added:
"'General, my time has come. When I go, that will be the last finger butone. My mother's dream; O! how true! how true! This is not unexpected tome, my dear General.
"I have been waiting for it. This morning, when I found what our orderswere, I committed my soul to God, and felt this to be my time.'
"The General said to him that he thought there was a chance for him toget well.
"'No, no,' replied Peter; 'I may linger some time. The doctor thinksthere is a chance for me; but, no; I am sure this is only the fulfillingof my mother's dream.'"
At this recital the old man wept and walked out of the room. Very soon,however, he returned, and continued:
"Why should I grieve? I will soon see them all. I am very sure that Iwill meet my good and brave family again in a better world."
"Amen!" said Dr. Adams.
Uncle Daniel said: "Peter always believed there was something in hismother's dream; and while Gen. Anderson was trying to encourage him, oldHam spoke up:
"'Marsa Gen'l, dey's no use. I tell you dat dream am a fac'. It is,sho', an' Marsa Peter he know it. I 'terpret dat for him; 'deed I did. Inot fool on dat. But, den, we mus' take keer ob him. I 'spec' he go homean' see he mudder and fader. I 'spec' me better go wid him and tend tohim. Don't you fought so too, Marsa Gen'l?'
"The General told Ham he would see about it. Peter began to improve, andit really seemed as if he would recover. I was informed by Gen. Andersonof Peter's misfortune, but kept it from my family, except Henry, whowas at home, as I before stated, in order to aid me in protecting thefamily, the country being in such an alarming condition. The growingbelief in the final success of Silent against Laws was quieting thepeople somewhat.
"I made an excuse to the family, so that Henry was sent South to seePeter and bring him home if he should be able to stand the journey. Iobtained a pass for Henry from the President by letter, and he startedto find his brother. He told Seraine, however, before he started, whathis mission was. She was discreet, and did not speak of it to any one.
"During this time Sherwood moved out, McFadden on the extreme right,Scovens in the center, and Papson on the left. About six miles on theroad leading to the crossing of the Chatham River Papson encountered theenemy and passed the compliments of the Fourth of July with them, firinghis artillery loaded with shell into their lines. The celebration waskept up in this way by both sides during the day, but the loss was notgreat on either side.
"Just at this time Gen. Russell, under orders, left De Kalb, Ala.,with 2,000 cavalry, passing through the country and meeting but littleobstruction on his way. He finally struck the railroad west of Opelimaand destroyed it for many miles, making a successful raid. He reportedto Sherwood at Henrietta, with hundreds of horses and mules, supposed tohave followed him, on his return.
"Stoner was also to the west of our forces hunting for railroads,bridges, etc., which might be useful to the enemy. McCabe was with hiscavalry on Soap Run, and one other division under Garner at Ross Mills,to the left of our main army.
"McFadden with his army now moved to the left, by Ross Mills, acrossChatham River and down to De Kalb by way of Stonington's Mountain.Scovens crossed the Chatham River
near the mouth of Soap Run, andthereby occupied the center. Papson crossed at or above the railroadbridge. The whole army was now safely across the river and moving in thedirection of Gate City. McFadden had reached De Kalb and there connectedwith Scovens, who had extended near to the Howland House. Papson was notso far advanced, leaving quite a distance between him and Scovens.
"As Papson lay at Crab Apple Run, the men carelessly taking their restin fancied security, they were furiously attacked by Head's Corps. Atfirst our men were scattered in confusion, but were soon in lineagain, and the battle raged with great fury. After some two hours' hardfighting the enemy fell back and again occupied their breast-works.The losses on both sides were heavy for the length of time they wereengaged.
"On the same afternoon Gen. Legg's division had a very sharp contest fora high hill in an open field to the left and south of the railroad fromthe east to Gate City. Legg secured this hill, which overlooked the cityand was the key to the situation on the east side.
"On the 22d a great battle was fought over this ground by McFadden'sarmy, which was severe and bloody, lasting well into the night.Thousands were slain on both sides. The field almost ran with blood.Gen. McFadden fell early in the day, and the command then devolved uponanother. The battle was a success to the Union troops. It was a greatvictory. Many prisoners and a great quantity of munitions of war fellinto the hands of our troops. Gen. Sherwood for some reason remained atthe Howland House during this battle, with Scovens, whose forces werenot engaged. This battle cannot be properly described in this narrative,nor will I attempt it.
"On the 28th another great battle was fought by the same gallant army ason the 22d, without assistance, at a place called Ezra's House, on theextreme right of our lines. Having been ordered to move round to therear of Scovens and Papson, after the 22d, they struck the enemy. Duringthis engagement the enemy made as many as seven different assaults uponour line, but were repulsed with great loss each time. Night closed inand ended the contest. The next morning the dead of the enemy lay infront of our lines in rows and in piles. The enemy having retreatedduring the night, our troops buried their dead, which numbered hundreds.One of their Color-Sergeants, of a Louisiana regiment, was killed, andhis flag taken by a boy of an Ohio regiment within twenty feet of ourlines.
"Skirmishing and fighting continued around and about Gate City fornearly a month, during which time the losses on both sides were veryserious. The latter part of August a general movement to the flank andrear of the enemy was made by the whole of the united forces. McFadden'sarmy, now commanded by Hord, moved on the right in the direction ofJonesville, and a terrific battle ensued, lasting for some four hours.They fought against two corps of rebels, which were driven back andthrough Jonesville to the southward.
"Late in the night a great noise of bursting shell was heard to thenorth and east of Jonesville. The heavens seemed to be in a blaze. Thered glare, as it reflected in beauty against the sky, was beyond brushor word painting. The noise was so terrific that all the troops on theright felt sure that a night attack had been made on Pap-son and thata terrible battle was being fought. Couriers were sent hurriedly to theleft to ascertain the cause, and about daylight information was receivedthat Head--who was in command of the rebel forces, having succeededJones--had blown up all his magazines, burned his storehouses ofsupplies, evacuated Gate City, and was marching with his army rapidly inthe direction of Loveland Station.
"Thus the great rebel stronghold, Gate City, had fallen and was ours.The joy in our army was indescribable. Sherwood moved on LovelandStation and skirmished with the enemy during one afternoon, but nobattle ensued; why, has often been asked by our best-informed men. Ourtroops moved back on the same road by which they had advanced to andaround Gate City, and then went into camp, remaining during the month ofSeptember with but little activity.
"One day, at Gen. Sherwood's headquarters, Gen. Anderson was asked bySherwood if he was ever in the Regular Army. Gen. Anderson replied inthe negative.
"Sherwood said: 'I am sorry for that, as I would like to give you alarger command. You are certainly a good soldier.'
"'Well,' said Gen. Anderson, 'is it not good soldiers that you want?'
"'That is true,' said Sherwood; 'but we are compelled to make thisdistinction, where we have those who are or have been in the old army,or have been educated at the Military Academy.'
"'But, General, suppose a man is or has been in the Regular Army oreducated at the Military Academy, and is not a successful General, howwill you then decide?'
"'Well, Gen. Anderson, we have studied war and know all about it; youhave not. We must rely upon those who make it a profession. Papson,Scovens and myself have considered the matter, and we cannot trustvolunteers to command large forces. We are responsible, you know.'
"'But, General, you seem to trust volunteers where there is hardfighting to do, or where there is any desperate assault to be made.'
"'Yes, that is true; but we cannot afford to allow volunteers to be putover Regular officers; Regulars do not like it, and we cannot do it.'
"'I have seen some of your volunteer officers and soldiers succeed whereyour Regulars have failed. Should not such men be as much entitled tothe credit as if they were professional or Regular Army soldiers?'
"'There may be cases of that kind; but we will not discuss this further.I can only say that while we have Regulars to command our armies, wewill see to it that they are given the places.'
"Gen. Anderson was very angry, but said no more except 'good-by.'
"By this time Peter had so far recovered that the Surgeon felt it to besafe to remove him. Henry, who had remained with him all this time, nowbrought him home, with old Ham's assistance. Henry had kept me posted byletter, and it was very hard at times to explain his absence. But whenhe reached home, and the truth was revealed to my good wife, she wasalmost frantic, and was unable to sit up. She talked continually ofher dear son, and was haunted day and night by her dream. Peter gainedstrength very rapidly. The members of the household were at his serviceat all times. The children could not understand so many coming home shotas they termed it, and little Mary Anderson was continually inquiring ofher mamma about her dear papa, and if he was shot again! Our family hadall become so nervous that I was continually on the alert for fear ofsickness being produced by the constant strain.
"Old Ham and Aunt Martha had many things to say to each other. Ham'sexperiences in battle very greatly amused Aunt Martha. They were bothvery kind to Peter, but wore very serious countenances in our presence.Ham would only talk to me about Peter, and would always say: 'I hopesdat Marsa Peter git well, but I fears. Marsa Lyon, I tell's you datdream of de Madam, dat am bery bad. I fears de time am mighty nighcome.'
"Aunt Martha did not express any opinion, but would shake her head.Peter kept the two little girls by him nearly all the time, pettingthem, but conversed very seldom. He would talk to his motheroccasionally, to keep her mind away from her horrible dream.
"About the 1st of October we learned of the movements of large bodies ofthe enemy's cavalry in Tennessee, raiding the railroads to the rear ofSherwood's army. Head had thrown his army across Chatham River, belowGate City, to the north, and moved parallel to the railroad, so that hecould strike and destroy our lines of communication at various points.Sherwood was compelled to follow him. Our forces were stationed on therailroad at many places. Gen. G. B. Ream, with one division, held CarterStation, Etwau Bridge, Alletooning, Ainsworth, King's City, Adamsville,Sarco, and north to Dallytown. Chatteraugus was held by Gen. Sleman withhis division, and Romulus by Cortez. All had orders to support any pointthat should be attacked. Gen. Ream was of the opinion that Head wouldstrike the railroad at Alletooning, where a great quantity of supplieswere stored.
"Sherwood left Somers with his corps at Gate City and started north. Hearrived at Henrietta Just as Gen. Ream had got Cortez with his commandat Alletooning. Head was advancing on Alletooning by rapid marches. Heassaulted the garrison at once on his command's arrival The ass
ault wasmade with great determination, but it was not successful. His loss wasvery great. He drew off and at once moved in the direction of Romulus.
"Gen. Sherwood reached Carter Station, and was directing his movementin order to protect the railroad and no more. Gen. Ream insisted to Gen.Sherwood that Head's next move would be against Sarco. Sherwood did notthink Head would cross the Cussac River, and so commenced his march onRomulus by way of King's City, and left the matter of protecting Sarcoto Gen. Ream, who procured trains and started all the troops he couldget together for that place. That night on the way they found the tracktorn up. This was soon repaired, and the troops proceeded. At fiveo'clock Gen. Head arrived in front of Sarco and demanded its surrender.Gen. Ream, learning this, took the troops from the cars and marched fromCahoon, sending the trains back for more re-enforcements. By daylightour troops were in the fort and on the skirmish-line at Sarco.
"Ream at once sent word to Gen. Sherwood that Head was present withhis army in front of Sarco, and would like to pay his respects. Aboutdaylight Head opened his artillery upon the forts, and sent forward hisskirmish-line. In the garrison every effort was made to impress Headwith the idea that Sherwood's main force was present. Every flag wasdisplayed on the forts and along the skirmish-line. Head kept up acontinuous fire on the forts during the day. Late in the afternoonre-enforcements arrived. There were but 500; this was enough, however,to show that re-enforcements were coming. The firing was kept up themost of the night; the next morning the enemy was gone.
"He passed around Sarco and struck the railroad north of this place anddismantled it for many miles, capturing every garrison north from Sarcoto Turner's Hill. Turning west from there he passed through Snake Gap,moving in the direction of Alabama. Gen. Sherwood arrived at Sarcovery soon and was gratified that the place, with its great quantity ofsupplies, was safe. He at once pushed out through Snake Gap in pursuitof Head.
"The next place that Head presented himself with his army was in frontof our garrison at De Kalb, Ala. He withdrew, however, and crossed intoTennessee, where he rested for near a month, collecting supplies andrecruiting his army.
"Sherwood halted his army, and while resting made such dispositions aswere in accordance with the plan to be followed out in the near future.
"In the meantime the excitement in the North was very great. JacobThomlinson had returned from Europe and was again in Canada with alarge sum of money, which was freely used in all the States Northin attempting to elect the Democratic candidate, 'Little Mack,' forPresident--the man that Thomlinson had suggested in the meeting of theleaders of the 'Sons of Liberty' at St. Catharines, Canada, of whichI have heretofore spoken. Mobs were now frequent, and bad blood wasstirred up all over the country.
"Finding the condition of things very unsatisfactory, I suggested toHenry that he make a short visit to Canada. He did so, and returnedto Allentown four days before the Presidential election. He had metWintergreen, who had returned from England with Thomlinson. He disclosedto Henry the fact that the rebels were greatly depressed, and were usingall the money they could to defeat the war candidate, Mr. Lincoln;and that the night before the election a raid would be made on all theNorthern prisons, so that released prisoners might burn and destroy,and thereby cause such alarm on the day of the election as to prevent asmany as possible from going to the polls. At the same time their friendswere to be in possession of the polls wherever they could. In this waythey had hopes of carrying the election.
"I sent this report to the President by letter, which he received intime to have all the prison guards re-enforced. The attempt was made,however, but defeated in every instance. In Chicago they were verynear accomplishing their designs. They had cut the water pipes and weremaking preparations for the burning of the city. But the attack on thecamp was thwarted, and the leaders arrested and put in prison. JohnWall, of whom I have heretofore spoken, was one of the leaders, and wascaptured and imprisoned.
"Mr. Lincoln was triumphantly elected. Mr. Jacob Thomlinson's friend,'Little Mack,' as he called him, was ingloriously defeated. Thisindorsement by the people of the war measures and the manner of theirexecution was cheering to our loyal people, as well as to the armies andtheir commanders.
"Soon after the election Sherwood abandoned pursuing Head, leaving theStates of Tennessee and Kentucky, with Head's army scattered alongthe main thoroughfares, to be looked after by Papson, with his forces,preferring himself to take the Armies of the Tennessee and Georgia andcut loose and march unobstructed to the Sea. On the march, food for thetroops and animals was found in abundance, making this march really apicnic the most of the way.
"While Sherwood was making this march, matters of great interest weregoing on in Tennessee. On the last day of November the enemy, maddenedby disappointment in their failure in the North to carry the electionand have their Confederacy recognized, concluded to risk their all ina great battle for the recapture of the State of Tennessee. Head, thenin command of an army increased to nearly 50,-000, moved across GooseRun and against our forces at Franktown, where he at once assaultedScovens, who had been sent to oppose his advance. Our troops were behindintrenchments. He attacked with fearful desperation. At no time duringthe war did any commander on either side make a more furious anddesperate assault than was made by Head. After forming his lines indouble column, he moved right up to our works, where his men were moweddown by the hundreds. Gen. Pat Cleber charged time and again with hisdivision, and hurled them against our works only to be as often drivenback with great slaughter. At last, in a fit of desperation, he led hismen up to the very mouths of our cannon and the muzzles of our muskets.He drove his spurs into his horse until his forefeet rested on ourparapet. In this position he and his horse were riddled with bulletsand fell into the trench, which was literally running with blood. Thedesperation of the enemy was such that they continued their murderousbut ineffectual assaults until their men were exhausted as well asdismayed at their great loss. Thirteen of his commanding officers fellkilled and wounded. Night forced him to desist.
"The next morning his men could not be brought to the slaughter again.The bloody battle ended and Scoven's men withdrew to Nashua, three milesto the South of which place Papson's army was intrenched. Wellston, incommand of about 8,000 cavalry, covered both flanks of our forces.It was now getting along in December. The enemy moved forward andintrenched in the front and within two miles of Papson. The weatherbecame very bad for any kind of movement. It rained, hailed, and sleeteduntil the country around and about them became very muddy and swampy,and at times covered with a sheet of sleet and ice. Papson hesitated toattack and Head could not retreat; so there the two armies lay shiveringin the cold, suffering very greatly, both fearing to take any decisivesteps.
"Gen. Silent became quite impatient, believing it to be the time tostrike, as the enemy could not get away. Finally he concluded to relievePapson, but notified him of his order. Papson now made ready for anassault. His command was posted as follows: Gen. A. J. Smithers on theright, who was to assault the enemy's left, supported by Wellston'scavalry; Ward was to support Smithers on his left, acting againstMonterey Hill, on the Hillston road; Scovens was to hold the interiorline, being the defense of Nashua. When the time arrived, all being inreadiness, the order was given. The enemy seemed to be totally unawareof the movement. Smithers and Wellston moved out along the pike.Wheeling to the left they at once advanced against the enemy. Thecavalry first struck the enemy at the Harden House, near Rich EarthCreek, and drove him back, capturing many prisoners. One of Smithers'sdivisions moving with the cavalry, captured two of the enemy's strongadvance positions, with about 400 prisoners.
"At this time Scovens's Corps was put in on Smithers's right, and theadvance was then made by the whole line. Ward's Corps now found theenemy to Smithers's left, and Gen. Anderson led his command againstMonterey Hill and carried it, capturing a number of prisoners. Ward'sCorps at once advanced against the main line of the enemy, and after abloody contest carried it, capturing a great many prisoners,
a number ofpieces of artillery, and many stands of colors. The enemy was now drivenout of his entire line of works and fell back to a second line at thebase of Harpan Hills, holding his line of retreat by way of Franktown.Night closed in and stopped again the play of death. Our forces werenow in possession of sixteen pieces of artillery, with many officers and1,200 prisoners, not including wounded. Our troops bivouacked on theirline of battle in order to be ready for any movement in the morning.
"Ward's Corps at six in the morning moved south from Nashua, strikingthe enemy and driving him some five miles, to Overton's Hill, wherehe had thrown up works and was making a stand. Gen. Sleman now movedrapidly to Gen. Ward's left. Scovens remained in his position of thelast night. Wellston moved to the enemy's rear and drew up his lineacross one of the Franktown roads.
"About two o'clock one brigade of Ward's Corps, supported by Sleman'sdivision, assaulted Overton's Hill, which was the enemy's center. One ofSleman's brigades was composed of colored troops. The ground over whichthey had to assault was open. The enemy re-enforced his center. Theassault was made, but received by the enemy with a terrible shower ofgrape, canister and musketry. Our forces moved steadily on, not waveringin the least, until they had nearly reached the crest of the hill, whenthe reserves of the enemy arose from behind their works and opened oneof the most destructive fires ever witnessed, causing our troops tofirst halt and then fall back, leaving many dead and wounded, both blackand white indiscriminately, in the abatis and on the field.
"Gen. Ward immediately re-formed his command, and all the forces ofthe army moved simultaneously against the enemy's works, carrying everyposition, breaking the lines in many places, and driving him in utterrout from his position, capturing all his artillery and thousands ofprisoners, among whom were many officers, including four Generals. Wardand Wellston pursued the fleeing enemy until by capture and other meansHead's army was entirely destroyed and wiped out of existence as anorganization. It appeared no more in the history of the great rebellion.Thus were destroyed all the formidable forces of the enemy in the West.The army of Papson now went into Winter quarters at different pointswhich were thought necessary to be garrisoned.
"Peter, by this time, was growing very weak, having had a relapse,resulting in a very serious hemorrhage. At his request I had telegraphedGen. Papson, stating his great desire to see Gen. Anderson. Upon thereceipt of which, leave was immediately granted the General and he camehome, bringing Lieut. Whitcomb with him. On the way home people greetedhim everywhere with shouts of joy. They could now see that the end wasnear, and they were overflowing with gratitude and good feeling.
"On their arrival you can imagine the joy of our household. The meetingbetween him and Peter was most touching. Both wept like children. Allwere much affected; even the two little children wept and sobbed aloudat the bedside of their Uncle Peter. My wife was quite feeble. Shegreeted the General as one of her own sons, and said:
"'Our dear Peter is not going to live. I see it all, and I pray God thathe may take me also.'
"The General encouraged Peter all he could. Ham and Aunt Martha were asdelighted to see the General as were any of his family. We all tried tobe cheerful and in good spirits, but it was very hard to do this underthe circumstances.
"The next day after the General reached home he inquired of Ham why hedid not return to the army. Ham said:
"'I fuss done thought I would, and den I knowed I be no use, kase you sofar off, and I feared I not jes' safe gwine trough dem Sesh lines downdar; and den I knowed, too, dat you kin git as many niggers as you wantsdat am jes' as good as Ham is, 'ceptin when you done wants good tingsto eat, sech like as chickens. Ham can allers get dem when dey is 'roundand skeered of the Sesh. I all de time noticed dey is powerful feared obde Sesh', Marsa Lyon. De General know dat am so.'
"'Well, Ham, you must be ready to go back with me when I return.'
"'Oh, yes, Marsa; oh, yes! I go all right; I will, sho' as you is bawn.But I tells you dat Marsa Peter am powerful bad, he am, sho'. I dream itall out las' night. Missus, she be right in dat. He be agoin' dis time,and no mistake. Dat dream ob de Missus be all come 'round.'
"'That will do, Ham; you go and talk to Aunt Martha about your dreams.'
"'All right, Marsa, all right, sah; but you mine what I tole you.'
"The next day Joseph Dent came in, and we had a long conversation on thesubject of the war, the Golden Circle and the Sons of Liberty. He saidthat they were alarmed, and quite a number had refused to meet recently,but that the Grand Commander had issued a call for a meeting to be heldin Canada some time soon, where many of the leading men were againto assemble and take into consideration some new plan for aiding therebellion. After he left for home the General, Henry and I consultedas to the best plan to get at what those men in Canada were working up.They had tried mobs and riots in New York and other places, had triedreleasing prisoners, burning and destroying cities, scattering diseasein our hospitals, and army raids, guerrilla warfare, etc., and hadfailed in all. Now what next? We thought that it would be best for Henryand Seraine to return to Detroit; that Henry again should visit Canada,and, by him the information could be communicated to me. This beingunderstood, they left the next day. James Whitcomb, having goneimmediately home on his arrival at Allentown, would be with his parentsand Seraine, while Henry should visit in Canada.
"Peter was now apparently improving and we felt he might possiblyrecover. The news of Sherwood's safe arrival at the Sea having beenreceived, the people were greatly rejoiced. They felt that the Springcampaign would probably end the rebellion. The country was full of hopeand the drooping spirits of anxious people were much revived. Thingswent on in this way and our family enjoyed themselves as best theycould. Mary Anderson and Jennie Lyon, David's widow, and the two littlegirls, made our home as pleasant as possible But my poor wife grewweaker all the time, which gave us much concern.
"Henry had arrived in Canada, and again found his friend Wintergreen.They were now visiting different places. Henry had written Seraine andshe came down to Allentown, spending two days with us, and at thesame time posting the General and myself as to the movements of theconspirators. Thomlinson had called the leaders of the Northern Sonsof Liberty to again assemble at St. Catharines the last Thursday inJanuary. Henry had concluded to remain and learn fully their intentionsand schemes. I told Seraine to say to him that his proposition toremain was approved. I sent to the President the information and Henry'sintention, in answer to which I received a very kind and touching letterfrom one of his Secretaries, exhibiting great sympathy for my family anddeploring our misfortunes.
"Time moved on, and the General was preparing to leave for his command,when Peter became very much worse; and, also, my wife was growing weakerand losing her mind. Peter was coughing very often and having slighthemorrhages. The physician pronounced him to be in a very criticalcondition. One morning Aunt Martha came running into the parlor wherethe family were sitting, and with much anxiety cried out:
"'Marsa Lyon and Marsa Gen'l, come to Marsa Peter, quick; 'cause hebleed to deff if you not hurry.'
"We ran to him quickly. He was bleeding profusely, holding his head overthe edge of the bed. He could only speak in a gurgling whisper. He tookme by the hand and said:
"'Father, it is all over with me; soon there will be but one fingerleft.'
"We laid him back on the pillow, and without another word or struggle hepassed away. Good bless my poor son!"
"Amen!" said Dr. Adams.
Uncle Daniel soon proceeded, saying: "But, my good friends, this was notmy only grief. We tried to keep his death from his mother. She, in herdelirium, was constantly speaking of her dear son Peter, and crying. Sheseemed to have no thought except of Peter and the constant shadow of herdream. The day of Peter's funeral her reason seemed to return and herstrength revived. She asked for all of us to come into her room, andwe did so. When she saw that Peter was not with us, she inquired why.I answered that he could not come. I then broke down and left her roomweeping.
She saw it, and, with strength that she had not shown for manyweeks, arose, and leaping to the floor rushed past all into the parlor,and there saw Peter lying a corpse. She shrieked and fell on hisremains. We lifted her and carried her back to her bed. She was dead!"
Mrs. Lyon dies at Peter's Coffin 382]
Uncle Daniel sank back into his chair overcome with his sorrows. Thesevere trials through which he had passed, re-called again, opened theflood of sorrow, which well nigh swept him away. We withdrew for thepresent, with intense sympathy for the old hero and a feeling that theGovernment had sadly neglected him.