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RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER
RECOLLECTIONS
OF A
CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER.
BY
GEN. G. MOXLEY SORREL^
Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff, Longstreet's 1st Army Corps; Brigadier-General commanding Sorrel's Brigade, A. P. Hill's 3rd Army Corps, Army of Nor- thern Virginia
SECOND EDITION
WITH INTRODUCTION BY
SENATOR JOHN W. DANIEL
THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY
440 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK 1917
Copyright, 1905, by THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY
TO MY WIFE
This Volume is affectionately DEDICATED
In illness and tedious convalescence it was she who sug- gested these reminiscences of the past, as a solace, giving me cheerful encouragement and material assistance in their preparation, for which my grateful thanks are ever hers.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction 13
CHAPTER
I Battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861 23
II After Manassas at Centerville 35
III Reminiscences and Horses 45
IV Sketches 53
V Our National Hymn 61
VI The Peninsula and Battle of Williamsburg, May 5,
1862 65
VII Battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862 .... 71
VIII Battles of the Chickahominy, June 26 to July 2, 1862 76
IX Rivalry and More Reminiscences 87
X Second Battle of Manassas, August 29 and 30, 1862 94
XI Battles of South Mountain (Boonsboro Gap) and Sharpsburg (Antietam), September 14 and 17,
1862 103
XII Battle of Sharpsburg, Continued no
XIII Battle of Sharpsburg, Concluded 115
XIV Our Personnel — Visitors 120
XV The Staff 124
XVI Events Preceding Fredericksburg 129
XVII Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862 . . 136
XVIII After Fredericksburg — Reminiscences .... 143
XIX To South Virginia for Supplies . . . 1 . . 150
XX Preparing for Gettysburg 156
XXI Battle of Gettysburg, July I, 2, 3, 1863 . . . .163
XXII Gettysburg Aftermath 173
XXIII In Virginia Again 179
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
XXIV Longstreet to Reinforce Bragg 184
XXV Battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863 . . . 188 XXVI Chattanooga — Incidents 195
XXVII The East Tennessee Campaign, November, 1863, to
April, 1864 204
XXVIII The East Tennessee Campaign, Continued . . . 212
XXIX At Home in Savannah — Sketches 220
XXX Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864 .... 228
XXXI Coincidences — Longstreet's Successor . . . .240
XXXII Battle of Spottsylvania C. H., May 10 and 12, and
Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864 244
XXXIII The siege of Petersburg June, 1864, to March, 1865 254
XXXIV Longstreet's Return — Farewell to Lee .... 265 Appendix 283
RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER
INTRODUCTION
BY
JOHN W. DANIEL
Formerly Major and Assistant Adjutant-General Early's Division, Second Corps, A. N. V.
A few months ago I entered a room where a group of five or six gentlemen were seated around a table in conversation. As I took my seat to join them, one of the number, a distinguished Northern Sena- tor, of high cultivation and who is a great reader of history, made this remark to his companions: " The Army of Northern Virginia was in my opin- ion the strongest body of men of equal numbers that ever stood together upon the earth." As an ex-Confederate soldier I could not feel otherwise than pleased to hear such an observation from a gentle- man of the North who was a student of military his- tory. As the conversation continued there seemed to be a general concurrence in the opinion he stated, and I doubt if any man of intelligence who would give sedate consideration to the subject, would express a different sentiment.
The Army of the Potomac, the valiant and power- ful antagonist of the Army of Northern Virginia, was indeed of much larger numbers, and better equipped and fed ; but it would have nevertheless failed but for its high quality of soldiership which are by none more respected than by its former foes. Both armies were worthy of any steel that was ever forged
13
I4 INTRODUCTION
for the business of war, and when General Grant in his " Memoirs " describes the meeting after the sur- render of the officers of both sides around the McLean House, he says that they seemed to " enjoy the meet- ing as much as though they had been friends separated for a long time while fighting battles under the same flag." He prophesied in his last illness that " we are on the eve of a new era when there is to be great harmony between the Federal and Confederate."
That era came to meridian when the Federal Gov- ernment magnanimously returned to the States of the South the captured battle-flags of their regiments. Tihe story of the war will be told no longer at sol- diers' camp-fires with the feelings of bygone years, or with even stifled reproach, but solely with a design to cultivate friendship and to unfold the truth as to one of the most stupendous conflicts of arms that ever evoked the heroism of the human race.
" Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer," by Brigadier-General G. Moxley Sorrel, of the Army of Northern Virginia, is a valuable contribution to this great history. Its author received his "baptism of fire" in the First Battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861, while serving on the staff of Brigadier-General James Longstreet as a volunteer aid, with the complimentary rank of captain.
The forces under General Beauregard at Bull Run were known at that time as " The Army of the Poto- mac." The name of the antagonist of the Federal " Army of the Potomac " was soon changed to the " Army of Northern Virginia " ; and Longstreet, the senior brigadier, became major-general and then lieu- tenant-general.
Sorrel followed the fortunes of his chief, serving
INTRODUCTION 15
as adjutant-general of his brigade, division, and corps, with rank successively as captain, major, and lieutenant- colonel, and distinguished himself many times by his gallantry and efficiency. During the siege of Peters- burg the tardy promotion which he had long deserved and for which he had been time and again recom- mended, came to him and he succeeded Brigadier-Gen- eral Girardey, a gallant soldier, who had been killed in battle, as commander of a brigade in Mahone's di- vision, A. P. Hill's Third Corps.
When promoted he showed the right spirit by mak- ing a faithful and brave courier his aide-de-camp. As a general, as well as while on the staff, Sorrel often had his " place near the flashing of the guns." At Sharpsburg he leaped from his horse, with Fairfax, Goree, Manning, and Walton, of Longstreet's staff, to serve as cannoneers at the guns of the Washington Artillery, whose soldiers had been struck down. While he was carrying a message to a brigade commander his horse was shot under him, and still later on the same field a fragment of a shell struck him senseless and he was for a while disabled. He passed through the maelstrom of Gettysburg, here and there upon that field of blood; the hind legs of his horse were swept away by a cannon ball, and at the same time he and Latrobe, of Longstreet's staff, were carrying in their arms saddles taken from horses slain under them.
At the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, he was at the side of his chief when that officer was badly wounded, and when General Jenkins, of South Carolina, and Captain Dobie of the staff were killed. He won his general's wreath that day, although it was some time before it reached him. At the crisis when Longstreet's corps was going to the rescue he was entrusted with mar-
16 INTRODUCTION
shalling three brigades to flank the advancing forces of General Hancock. Moving forward with the line of the Twelfth Virginia Infantry, of Mahone's brigade, he endeavored to take its colors as it advanced to the onset, but Ben May, the stout-hearted standard-bearer, refused him that honor and himself carried them to victory. When this battle was over General Lee sa- luted him as " General Sorrel."
He was wounded in the leg while commanding his brigade on the right of the Confederate line near Petersburg; and again he was shot in the lungs at Hatcher's Run in January, 1865, the same action in which fell the brave General John Pegram, then com- manding Early's old division.
During the illness resulting from this wound, Gen- eral Sorrel was cared for by relatives in Roanoke County, Virginia, and having recovered sufficiently returned to the field. He was in Lynchburg, Virginia, on his way back to his command when the surrender at Appomattox ended the career of the Army of North- ern Virginia.
Scarcely any figure in that army was more famil- iar to its soldiers than that of General Sorrel, and cer- tainly none more so to the soldiers of the First Corps. Tall, slender, and graceful, with a keen dark eye, a trim military figure, and an engaging countenance, he was a dashing and fearless rider, and he attracted at- tention in march and battle by his constant devotion to his duties as adjutant-general, and became as well known as any of the commanders.
General Sorrel has not attempted a military history. He has simply related the things he saw and of which he was a part. He says of his writings, " that they are rough jottings from memory without access to
INTRODUCTION 17
any data or books of reference and with little attempt at sequence." What his book will therefore lack in the precision and detail as to military strategy or move- ment, will be compensated for by the naturalness and freshness which are found in the free, picturesque, and salient character of his work.
General Sorrel was of French descent on his father's side. His grandfather, Antoine Sorrel Des Riviere, had been a colonel of engineers in the French Army, and afterwards held estates in San Domingo, from which he was driven by the insurrection of the negroes in the early part of the nineteenth century. He then moved to Louisiana.
His father, Francis Sorrel, became a successful busi- ness man in Savannah, Georgia, and his mother was a lady of Virginia. If he inherited from one those dis- tinctively American qualities which were so attractive in his character, we can but fancy that he inherited in some degree at least from his sire the delicate touch with the pen which is so characteristic of the French. They have written more entertaining memoirs than any other people, and this memoir of General Sorrel is full of sketches, incidents, anecdotes, and of vivid portraitures and scenes which remind the reader no little of the military literature of the French.
No military writer has yet undertaken to produce a complete history of either the Army of the Poto- mac or the Army of Northern Virginia. Indeed, it has scarce been practicable to write such a history. The rolls of the two armies have not yet been pub- lished, and while the War Records have furnished a great body of most valuable matter and there are many volumes of biography and autobiography which shed light on campaigns and battles, the deposit of his-
18 INTRODUCTION
torical material will not be finished before the whole generation who fought the war has passed from earth. This volume will be useful to the historian in giving him an insight to the very image and body of the times. It will carry him to the general's headquar- ters and from there to the picket-line ; from the kitchen camp-fire and baking-oven to the hospital and ordnance wagon ; from the devices of the commissary and quar- ter-master to the trenches in the battlefield; from the long march to the marshalled battle line; from the anxieties of the rear-guard of the retreat to the stern array of the charging columns. He will find some graphic accounts of leading characters, such as Long- street, Ewell, D. H. Hill, A. P. Hill, Jeb Stuart, Early, Anderson, Mahone, Van Dorn, Polk, Bragg, and many others who shone in the lists of the great tourney. The private soldier is justly recognized, and appears in his true light all along the line, of which he was the enduring figure. Lee, great and incomparable, shines as he always does, in the endearing majesty of his matchless character and genius.
General Sorrel's book is written in the temper and spirit which we might expect of the accomplished and gallant soldier that he was. It is without rancor, as he himself declares, and it is without disposition unduly to exalt one personage or belittle another. It bespeaks the catholic mind of an honest man. It tells things as he saw them, and he was one who did his deed from the highest and purest motives.
The staff of the Army of Northern Virginia (of which G. M. Sorrel, assistant adjutant-general, was a bright, particular star) was for the most part an improvised affair, as for the most part was the whole Confederate Army, and indeed the Federal Army was
INTRODUCTION 19
almost as much so. It showed, as did the line of civilians turned quickly into soldiers, the aptitude of our American people for military service and accom- plishment. Even the younger officers of military train- ing were needed in armies of raw and inexperienced recruits for many commands. The staff had to be made up for the most part of alert young men, some of them yet in their teens, and it is remarkable that they were so readily found and so well performed their duties.
At twenty-two years of age Sorrel was a clerk in a Savannah bank, and a private in a volunteer com- pany of Savannah. He slipped away from his busi- ness to see the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April, 1 86 1, and a little later wre then find him at his father's country estate some ten miles from Manassas Junc- tion, looking forward to a second lieutenancy as the fulfilment of his then ambition.
An introduction from Col. Thomas Jordan, the adjutant-general of Beauregard, to General Longstreet fixed his career with that officer, and he was by his side transacting his business and carrying his orders from the start to well-nigh the finish. On the Pen- insula, and in the trenches at Yorktown, at Williams- burg and Seven Pines, in the Seven Days Battle around Richmond, at Second Manassas and Sharpsburg, at Suffolk in southeast Virginia, at Gettysburg, Chick- amauga, at Knoxville, at the Wilderness, and in many combats along the Richmond and Petersburg lines, General Sorrel shared in many adventures and was a part of many matters of great pith and moment. Like Sandy Pendleton, the adjutant of Jackson, of Ewell, and of Early as commanders of the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, and like
20 INTRODUCTION
W. H. Palmer, of Richmond, the adjutant of A. P. Hill, he had no special preparation for his military career; and all three of these valuable officers, like many others who might be mentioned, are simply il- lustrations of the fine inherent qualities that pertain to the scions of a free people.
I have not written this introduction in the hope that I could add anything to the attractiveness of General Sorrel's recollections, nor have I undertaken to edit them or to pass upon the opinions which he expressed concerning men or things or battles. My part is simply that of a friend who belonged also to the staff of the Army of Northern Virginia, and of one who, from opportunities to observe General Sorrel on many occasions and to know him personally, learned to honor and admire him. I deem it fitting, however, to say that in some respects I differ from General Sor- rel's opinions and would vary some of his observations respecting Ewell, Stuart, Early, and a few other con- spicuous leaders.
" Fortunate indeed is the man who like General Sorrel is entitled to remind those around his death- bed that he did his best to do his duty and to serve his country with heart and soul. The records of his life tell us how well, how faithfully he did serve her, and if anything can console you and others for his loss it must be that fact."
These are the words of Field Marshal Wolseley, written to Mrs. Sorrel, the widow of the General upon his death at " The Barrens " near Roanoke, Va., the home of his brother, Dr. Francis Sorrel.
They are worthy of repetition in connection with General Sorrel's name by reason of their just esti- mate of his worth as a patriot and a soldier, and of
INTRODUCTION 21
the high spirit which they breathe; and that they are uttered by a soldier and a man of such character and ability as Field Marshal Wolseley impresses all the more their inherent merit.
They better introduce the volume of General Sor- rel's composition than anything I can say, for they reveal in short compass the nature of the man, the principle that actuated his life, and the estimate formed of him by an eminent soldier who had no partial re- lation to him or his deeds.
JOHN W. DANIEL. WASHINGTON, D. C, May i, 1905.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONFEDER- ATE STAFF OFFICER
CHAPTER I BATTLE OF MANASSAS, JULY 21, 1861
Forbears and Home at Savannah — Fort Sumter attacked — Hostilities begin — Leave for Virginia — Visit to my father
— Beauregard's camp at Manassas — Colonel Jordan — In- troduced to General Longstreet — Sketch — General Stuart
— General Johnston — The battle — Enemy defeated — Pur- suit stopped — March to Centerville — Stonewall Jackson — Prince Napoleon — the review — Colonel Skinner — His Ex- ploits.
My forbears were French on my father's side. His father, Antoine Sorrel des Riviere, Colonel du Genie (Engineer Corps) in the French Army, was on his estates in the island of San Domingo when the bloody insurrection of the blacks broke out at the opening of the century. He had the tragic horror of witnessing the massacre of many relatives and friends. His prop- erty was destroyed, and his life barely saved by con- cealment and flight to Cuba, thence to Louisiana, where a refuge was found among friendly kindred. There he died at a great age.
His son Francis, my father, was saved from the rage of bloodthirsty blacks by the faithful devotion of the household slaves, and some years later succeeded in reaching Maryland, where he was educated. He
23
24 RECOLLECTIONS OF A
married in Virginia, engaging in business in the early part of the century at Savannah, Georgia.
My maternal great-grandfather, Alvin Moxley, was from Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was one of the signers of what is known as the Richard Henry Lee Bill of Rights, 1765, the first recorded protest in America against taxation without representation, and which twelve years later led directly to the Revolu- tionary War. The original document is now pre- served and framed in the Virginia Historical Society at Richmond.
Death bereft my father of his wife in time's flight. An eminent merchant, successful and prominent, we find him in the Civil War in health and ease, happy in the love of many children and the esteem of hosts of friends. As a child he had seen some horrors of the insurrection, but never could he be persuaded to speak of them, so deep and painful were even their dis- tant memories. At the culmination of the political troubles in 1861 I was a young chap just twenty-two, at home in my native city, Savannah, peacefully em- ployed with the juniors of the banking force of the Central Railroad.
When Sumter was bombarded at Charleston in April, I slipped away for a day or two and witnessed the scenes of wild excitement that attended its fall. It spread everywhere, and like all the youth of the coun- try I was quickly drawn in. For a year or two before, like many of my associates in Savannah, I was a mem- ber, a private, of the Georgia Hussars, a fine volunteer cavalry company, with a creditable history of almost a century.
On the secession of Georgia, now soon following, Fort Pulaski was seized and the various military com-
CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 25
mands did their tour of duty there, the Hussars among them. .
This was my first service. The company also imme- diately offered itself to the Confederate Government just organized at Montgomery, Alabama, and was eager to get into the field; but delay ensued, although it was mustered in for thirty days' service on the coast of Skidaway Island, near Savannah. There I served again as private until mustered out. A Confederate army was being collected in Virginia under Beaure- gard, the capital having been settled in Richmond. Be- coming impatient of inaction at Savannah, our com- pany apparently not being wanted, I decided to go to Virginia and seek employment there.
Richmond looked like a camp when I arrived, in July. It was full of officers in their smart uniforms, all busy with their duties, and the greatest efforts were made for equipping and arming the men now pouring in from the South. They were posted first in camps of instruction, where, by means of younger officers, they attained some drill before being sent to the army. How happy should I be could I get a commission as second lieutenant and plunge into work with the men.
My brother, Dr. Francis Sorrel, had just arrived from California and was gazetted to a high position in the Surgeon-General's Department. He aided me all possible, but I got nothing, and so about July 15, my cash running down, betook myself to my father's pretty country place at Greenwich, about ten miles north of Warrenton, Fauquier County. It was also about ten miles from Manassas Junction, the head- quarters of General Beauregard, now in command of the army that was to fight McDowell and defend Rich- mond. My father said it was unfortunate I had not
26 RECOLLECTIONS OF A
come a day or two earlier, because he had driven his daughters across the country for a visit to the camps, where they met many friends. Among these was Col. Thomas Jordon, the all-powerful adjutant-general of Beauregard's army, then termed the Army of the Po- tomac. Many years before, Jordon, when a lieutenant, had been stationed in Savannah, and enjoyed my father's generous hospitality. This was my oppor- tunity.
I asked for just a few lines of introduction to Jordon, and a horse out of the stables. I knew them well and could get a good mount for the field. My dear father willingly acceded, and parted from me cheerfully but with moist eyes. On the way to the camp I came up with Meredith, a relation (not long ago United States Congressman from Virginia), and soon I found Colonel Jordon. He had been doing an enormous amount of work and was almost exhausted.
Jordon was considered a brilliant staff officer, and justly so; but there appeared something lacking in his make-up as a whole that disappointed his friends. At all events, his subsequent military career failed and he sank out of prominent notice. He was kind to me, read my note, said nothing could be done then ; but — " Come again to-morrow."
This turned me loose in the camp. The soldiers from the Valley under J. E. Johnston and J. E. B. Stuart began to make an appearance in small numbers, principally cavalry. We slept that night at Meredith's, about three miles from camp. Jordon, the next day, was still unable to do anything for me, and I began to be doubtful of success, but could at least go as a private with a good horse under me.
Again at Meredith's and awakened very early by
CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 27
cannon, we were up in a moment and galloping to Beauregard's.
There I was made happy on the 2ist day of July. The adjutant-general handed me three lines of intro- duction to Longstreet, commanding a brigade at Black- burn's Ford several miles distant. With a good-by to Meredith I was swiftly off. Approaching the ford, shot and shell were flying close overhead ; and feeling a bit nervous, my first time under fire, I began to inquire what folly had brought me into such disturbing scenes.
The feeling passed, however, and Longstreet, who had called on Beauregard for staff officers, received me cordially.
His acting adjutant-general, Lieutenant Frank Armi- stead, a West Point graduate and of some service in the United States Army, was ordered to announce me to the brigade as captain and volunteer aide-de-camp. Brig.-Gen. James Longstreet was then a most striking figure, about forty years of age, a soldier every inch, and very handsome, tall and well proportioned, strong and active, a superb horseman and with an unsurpassed soldierly bearing, his features and expression fairly matched ; eyes, glint steel blue, deep and piercing ; a full brown beard, head well shaped and poised. The worst feature was the mouth, rather coarse ; it was partly hid- den, however, by his ample beard. His career had not been without mark. Graduating from West Point in 1842, he was assigned to the Fourth Infantry, the regi- ment which Grant joined one year later. The Mexican War coming on, Longstreet had opportunity of service and distinction which he did not fail to make the most of; wounds awaited him, and brevets to console such hurts. After peace with Mexico he was in the Indian troubles, had a long tour of duty in Texas, and eventu-
28 RECOLLECTIONS OF A
ally received the appointment of major and paymaster. It was from that rank and duty that he went at the call of his State to arm and battle for the Confederacy. History will tell how well he did it. He brought to our army a high reputation as an energetic, capable, and experienced soldier. At West Point he was fast friends with Grant, and was his best man at the latter's marriage. Grant, true as steel to his friends, never in all his subsequent marvelous career failed Longstreet when there was need.
Such was the brigadier-general commanding four regiments of Virginia infantry, the First, Eleventh, Seventeenth, and Twenty-fourth, and a section of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans. The Eight- eenth Virginia Infantry was afterwards added.
Three days previously, Longstreet, just joined his command, had opportunity of showing his mettle. His position at the ford was fiercely assailed by the Federals, and his coolness, good disposition, and contagious cour- age brought about their defeat, and was the beginning of that devotion which his men gave him up to Ap- pomattox. His staff officers at the time were Lieu- tenant Armistead, Lieutenant Manning of Mississippi, ordnance officer; Captain Walton of Mississippi, aid; Captain Goree of Texas, aid ; and some quartermasters and commissaries detailed from the regiments.
The army had scarcely made an attempt yet at good organization.
At Manassas Junction, while waiting on Jordon, I first saw Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and J. E. B. Stuart. The first was full bearded, dusty, and worn from long marching; a high-bred, stern-looking soldier of fault- less seat and bearing in the saddle. I had the good fortune to know him well and most happily in the com-
CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 29
ing years. Once long after the close of the war I was chatting with him in his best humor. We were speaking of his varied military life and the several wounds he had received in Mexico, with Indians, and in the recent Confederate War. He had many, and as he sat in face of me the General's splendid, dome-like head was something to admire. Quite bald, it was scarred in several places, and looking at the mark of an ugly gash I inquired, " And, General, where did you get that one? " The smile that irradiated that strong, expressive face was brilliant and contagious as he an- swered, " I got that, sir, out of a cherry tree ! " and then followed a laughing account of what a fall he had, and how he had been chased by the farmer.
Stuart, red bearded, ruddy faced, alert and ever active, was dirtier even than Johnston; but there stood the tireless cavalryman, the future right arm of the great Lee, the eyes and ears to his army. Alas ! that his pure soldier's life, crowned with such splendid fame, should have ended so needlessly, late in the war, by a stray shot.
I should say here there is to be no attempt at describ- ing battles — the military works are full of them. I shall content myself with bare outlines, and some ob- servations of men and things, adding such incidents and personal happenings as may, I hope, prove of inter- est.
Longstreet's brigade had practically no part in the battle of Manassas. It sustained some desultory artil- lery fire, and there was a demonstration against it, but it amounted to nothing. Blackburn's Ford was on the right, where the attack was expected, but McDowell found his way to Beauregard's left and nearly smashed him until Johnston and Jackson " ventre a terre " and
30 RECOLLECTIONS OF A
turned the doubtful tide of battle into a ruinous rout of the enemy.
It was late in the afternoon, but we soon heard of it at our ford, and Longstreet, waiting for no man, was immediately in pursuit. He was halted first by Bon- ham, who ranked him, to permit his brigade to take the lead. Then resuming the march hot-footed, after the flying foe, we were again stopped, this time by Major Whiting, of Johnston's staff, with orders from Beaure- gard to attempt no pursuit. Painful was this order. We knew the Federals were in full flight, and we had only to show ourselves to bag the whole outfit.
We dismounted among some young pines to await further orders, and I saw Longstreet in a fine rage. He dashed his hat furiously on the ground, stamped, and bitter words escaped him. However, the night was on us, some food was picked up by hook or crook, and we slept well under the stars. The soundness of the order stopping pursuit has been viewed in many differ- ent ways, and I shall not add my own opinion, except to suggest that while in the condition of our army it was practically impossible to seize Washington, it was yet the proper thing to keep on the heels of those frightened soldiers until they reached the Potomac. Many thousand prisoners, and much loot and stores, ammunition, guns, colors, and other material would have fallen into our hands.
Next day the field and highways showed the terri- ble battle that had raged, and the ground was covered with the debris of the panic-stricken army. Our bri- gade moved leisurely on, and halted for some time at Centerville. The army was concentrated in the neigh- borhood, and about Fairfax Court House and Fairfax Station, our headquarters being for some time at the
former place. About this time Longstreet was joined by two noted scouts and rangers whom he had known in Texas — the celebrated Frank Terry and Tom Lub- bock, powerful men, both of them, in the prime of life. Scouting and fighting had been their part from boy- hood. They were of much use to Longstreet. From Fairfax Court House and vicinity we sent regular de- tails, called the advanced forces, to occupy Mason's and Munson's hills, only a few miles from Washington. At night the dome of the Capitol could be seen from those positions, lighted up with great splendor. There was sharp sniping in front of the hills, and Terry and Lubbock generally bagged their man apiece, each day, besides bringing in valuable information. Both men soon returned to Texas and organized a regiment of cavalry in the Confederate service under Terry. It was said to be the finest body of horsemen and fighters imaginable, and subsequently did great service in the West. Terry fell among them at their head.
It was while we lay in the neighborhood that I saw Prince Jerome Napoleon, " Plon Plon." It seems he was making a short visit of curiosity (he was no friend of the South), and was at Beauregard's head- quarters some distance off.
The General sent notice to Longstreet that he was coming with his staff and guest to call on him, and suggested that he try to get up something in the way of a small review of our best-clad soldiers. Long- street started me off at once to borrow a regiment from Stonewall Jackson and one from D. R. Jones (South Carolina), both commands being near by. The First Virginia Infantry, the Richmond regiment, was the contingent from our own brigade. I soon found myself saluting General T. J. Jackson, the first time I
32 RECOLLECTIONS OF A
had seen the soldier. He was seated in a low, com- fortable chair in front of his quarters, quite shabbily dressed, but neat and clean — little military ornament about him. It was the eye full of fire and the firm, set face that drew attention. His hand was held upright ; a ball at the recent battle had cut off a piece of his finger, and that position eased it. He was all courtesy to the young subaltern awaiting his answer.
" Say to General Longstreet, with my compliments, that he shall have my best-looking regiment, and that immediately. The colonel will report at the point you may designate." This done, Jones gave up his best, some good->looking Carolinians, with palmetto badges, and then spurring back to meet Beauregard and party to guide them to the reviewing ground, he presented me to His Highness the Prince, who, well mounted, was riding by his side. I could not keep my eyes off the Frenchman's face. It was almost a replica of the great Napoleon, his uncle, but unpleasantly so; skin pasty and flabby, bags under the eyes, and beefy all over. A large man, tall, but without dignity of movement or at- titude. The review was soon over. The three picked regiments, with a good band, looked well, although the Richmond boys were a bit out at the seat ; but, as old Skinner, the Colonel, said to the Frenchman as they marched by, " The enemy won't see that part of them."
The spot was on a nice piece of turf near an old wooden church, and we had gathered a few refresh- ments for the occasion, but the Prince would have nothing. Coldly and impassively he raised his hat in parting salute, entered the carriage that was awaiting him, and, escorted by a lieutenant of cavalry and a half dozen men under a flag of truce, we willingly sent him
CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 33
back to his friends, the enemy. On returning to France he published what ill he could find to say of us. " Plon Plon's " abuse was not to hurt or disturb honest men with brave hearts.
A word about Old Skinner, Colonel of the First Virginia. He was an old Maryland fox hunter, hand- some and distinguished looking, and had lived long in France, almost domiciled there. He was connected with many of the best people of Maryland and Vir- ginia, and had hosts of friends. Fond of good liquor, it was almost every night that he was a bit full, and then there were wild scenes with his well-known hunter, who could do anything or go anywhere with the Col- onel on him. Skinner was a fine swordsman, and had brought from France a long, straight, well-balanced double-edged cuirassier's saber. In his cups the fine old Colonel would swear he should die happy could he have one chance to use that steel on the enemy.
The chance came and Skinner was ready for it. At the second battle of Manassas a battery of six guns was mauling some of our infantry horribly. His regi- ment, the gallant First Virginia, was thrown at it, " Old Fred," as the men affectionately called him, lead- ing well in advance. Out flashed the French saber, and he was among the gunners in a trice. His execu- tion was wonderful ; sabering right and left he seemed invulnerable, but down he came at last, just as his men swept over the guns in a fine charge. It was the end of the Colonel's soldiering, but although frightfully wounded in the chest and body he survived for many years. So lively was the old beau sabreur, that only a few years ago he came to New York to fight John Wise because of some fancied slight to a member of his
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family — Wise, too, his lifelong friend! As there could be no fighting, Wise had to do some nice diplo- matic work to soothe the irate Colonel and smooth over the affair.
CHAPTER II
AFTER MANASSAS AT CENTERVILLE
Commissioned as captain and acting adjutant-general — Pay of officers — Assigned to Longstreet's brigade — The Ogle- thorpe Infantry, of Savannah — Enemy preparing for win- ter quarters — Beauregard takes command in West — Con- federate flag — Presentation of battle-flags — Starting a the- atre — Georgia Hussars — A sleigh ride.
Something must now be said as to what happened to me several weeks after the Manassas battle. It will be remembered I was a volunteer aid with the rank by courtesy, but no pay. When I saw my mess- mates taking theirs in very comfortably, it occurred to me I should make another effort for a commission, so I wrote my application to the Secretary of War asking to be appointed a second lieutenant, C. S. A., and assigned as might be thought proper. Blushing like a girl, I asked General Longstreet if he could endorse it favor- ably. Glancing hastily at the paper, he said, " Cer- tainly," and then added carelessly, " but it isn't neces- sary." The words made no impression at the time, but they came to mind later.
After the battle we had not been idle; at least I was set to work. There was no commissary to the brigade, and for a week or two I did the duty after a fashion un- til an officer of that department was assigned — Major Chichester. His papers, correspondence, and duties seemed to fall on me, naturally, by his consent, and the brigadier-general soon began to look to me for assist- ance.
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This had been going on for some time until the of- ficial mail one fine morning brought me a commission as captain in the Adjutant-General's Department, with orders to report to Longstreet. Then his words leaped to my memory. He had a right to nominate his own adjutant-general and had applied for me while I was fishing around for a second lieutenancy. I had no mili- tary training except some drill and tactics at school, but it seemed he thought I took to the work handily. He instructed me to relieve Armistead and take over all the duties of the office. I rose with Longstreet to be major and lieutenant-colonel in that department, and brigadier- general commanding in Hill's corps, and my affection for him is unfailing. Such efficiency on the field as I may have displayed came from association with him and the example of that undismayed warrior. He was like a rock in steadiness when sometimes in battle the world seemed flying to pieces.
Armistead left us, carrying our good wishes for his future.
I think the pay of a captain (mounted) was $140 per month and forage for two horses; a major, $162 a month; a lieutenant-colonel, $187. All general officers got $301 per month. A soldier said the $i was for what they did, the $300 just thrown in to please them. Johnny Reb must have his little joke.
The first company to leave Savannah for Virginia was the Oglethorpe Infantry, a fine body of eager young men commanded by Captain Bartow. He was well known all through the State as an ardent Confeder- ate, a distinguished lawyer and orator. He took his young men to Joe Johnston in the Valley, wildly en- thusiastic ; but Bartow could not long remain their cap- tain. His wide reputation quickly placed him colonel
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of the Eighth Georgia Infantry, and with that historic regiment the company fought at Manassas, and the entire war thereafter in Longstreet's command. Bar- tow was commissioned a brigadier and served as such at Manassas. On July 3ist many, anxious eyes were fixed on it in Savannah. Then was its baptism of fire, and notTly did the young men stand it. Many were the mourners at home for the killed and wounded of these devoted youth. Their officers — West, Cooper, Butler — led them handsomely ; their colonel was lost to them and to the country. Bartow was shot down at the head of the Eighth. " They have killed me, boys, but never give up the fight," was his last gasp, and his soul, with the gallant Bee's, sought its upward flight. The com- pany became famous. It left its dead and wounded on every battlefield from Manassas to Appomattox, wherever Longstreet's corps was engaged. Revived now and honored it is at its old home, one of the lead- ing military organizations of Georgia. Never do the men forget the memories of that day of battle on its re- curring anniversaries, or fail in pride of their glorious predecessors.
As the winter approached, the enemy drew in their front and lined the fortifications and defenses on the Potomac. McClellan evidently determined not to at- tack and that the winter must pass idly on their part. The gaudium certaminis was no part of him. On ours Johnston drew in his scattered forces, concentrating about Centerville, which he fortified, and there they were, the two armies making faces at each other, and the Northern papers telling wonders about us, all be- lieved by McClellan, whose imagination always doubled, trebled, quadrupled the fighting strength of those des- perate Rebels.
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While at Centerville the army underwent its first reorganization. Beauregard was sent West to impor- tant duty and J. E. Johnston assumed command of the Eastern army, to be forever known and glorious as the Army of Northern Virginia. It was then in four divisions, the second of the three brigades under Major- General Longstreet (Second Virginia and First South Carolina Brigade). First Division, also of three bri- gades, under Major-General Holmes (down on lower Potomac), and the district of the Valley, under Major- General T. J. Jackson (Stonewall), made up this army, besides artillery and cavalry; the latter under Stuart. *" The first flag of the Confederacy was the stars and bars, i but it was found on the battlefield dangerously similar to the Northern stars and stripes. The battle-flag un- der which we fought to the finish was then substituted, and it was while we were at Centerville that the military function of presenting the new colors to the battalions was arranged.
The day for our division went off admirably. It was brilliant weather, and all were in their best outfits, and on their best mounts. The troops looked well as the colonels successively received their colors to de- fend.
Arrangements had been made for a generous hos- pitality at our division headquarters. We were occu- pying a dismantled old wooden farm-house well situ- ated in the shade of fine trees. There a sumptuous repast was spread, and the principal officers of the di- visions became our guests after the flag ceremonies. These arrangements were made by Major John W. Fairfax, whom Longstreet had had appointed a major and inspector on his staff. Fairfax was a rich man, owning the beautiful broad estate of President Monroe,
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Oak Hill, on the upper Potomac, in Loudoun County, near Aldie, also a fine property on the lower Potomac.
Major Fairfax was then of middle age, tall, courtly and rather impressive. He had attached himself at once to Longstreet, and took charge of his mess and small wants, presented him with a superb mount, and did the best he could with his new military duties. He lacked nothing in courage; was brave and would go anywhere. But Fairfax had two distinctions — he was the most pious of churchmen and was a born bon vivant, knowing and liking good things. Whiskey later was hard to get, yet he managed to have always a good sup- ply on hand.
He is now a hale and hearty man, wonderfully well preserved.
It was Fairfax, as I said, that provided the feast, drawing the richest materials from his beautiful broad pastures in Loudoun. Everything was plentiful in that stage of the war and much liquor and wine were con- sumed. Johnston, G. W. Smith, Van Dorn, Beaure- gard, and others of high rank were present, and we had great merriment and singing.
Suddenly came a clash of steel in the crowded room. Longstreet, with great quickness, had thrown a pair of swords out of the window. Dr. Cullen and Captain Walton, both of his staff (too much wine taken), had suddenly quarreled, and Walton had given the doctor a blow in the face. Longstreet's quick movement dis- posed of the matter for the time, but it could not so end. After the entertainment, and when done with some hard racing and leaping by the wilder young mounted officers, Colonel Ransome Calhoun of South Carolina called on Major Walton. It was to demand a meeting in expiation of the blow. Walton referred
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Calhoun to me, and our pourparler opened most cour- teously. He was an admirable gentleman, and but for his good sense and forbearance there must have been an ugly meeting. My difficulties were increased by Long- street, who, suspecting something, ordered me to put a stop to the whole affair, adding that I was chief of the staff and would be held responsible were not a hostile meeting avoided. We managed to close the thing by explanations from Cullen and regrets from Walton. Both men seemed well satisfied. Colonel Calhoun, of
j whom I then formed a high opinion, returned to duty at Charleston, and there incurred the enmity of Colonel
-• Rhett. After some time, and many efforts of friends to bring about a better feeling, they met with pistols, jand Calhoun was killed. A high-minded, honorable gentleman ! Walton was quite a friend of mine.
Walton was quite a friend of mine and fond of me. Gifted with uncommon intellectual attainments, the favorite scholar of L. Q. C. Lamar at the Uni- versity of Mississippi, he was of the most uncertain, unexpected temper and exactions; he could be dan- gerous at times, and only the greatest firmness held him in check until the humor passed off and then he was all lovely. When the war ended he returned to Mississippi, quarreled with a man, and killed him. Moving to Alabama he found himself in the thick of the yellow fever epidemic of 1878. Dropping all per- sonal interests he devoted himself wholly to the sick and dying, until himself struck down by death. His memory is sweet in that part of the State.
One day, as the winter came on, Longstreet sent for me. " The men will want amusement and entertain- ment the long winter days," he said. " We must get them up a theater and a good company. See to it at
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once and lose no time. Issue such orders as may be necessary." That was all, and quite easy for the Gen- eral. Draw a theater and company, properties and all out of one's pocket like a ripe apple! But it could be done with the resources of a division of infantry at one's hand, and I set about it at once. The colonels each received a note asking help and details from the ranks of actors with some experience. They were sure to be found there. But more than all, I wanted a manager, and he soon came out of the First Virginia Infantry to take charge of the play. It was Theodore Hamilton, an actor of some experience. I have met him in several places acting since the peace, and he al- ways comes to me as an old friend, although he was not to tread the boards at the " Centerville Theater."
" Now, Captain," he said, " for scenery and prop- erties. You have the building, I have the company; what about the rest?" It was easy; painters were found in the ranks for scenery, and many of the officers chipping in, we got together enough money to send Hamilton to Richmond to get the costumes and prop- erties. I don't think he made the most of his time there, but he got something, and after many delays we began to think we should see some acting after all. But alas! just then, Johnston, discovering McClellan's movements to the Peninsula, broke up his camp, his officers destroying needlessly an immense amount of valuable supplies, and off we marched merrily to face our old friend, the young Napoleon. Such was the beginning and the end of our first and only attempt at theatricals.
It was while we were about Centerville that a great change came over Longstreet. He was rather gay in disposition with his chums, fond of a glass, and very
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skilful at poker. He, Van Dorn, and G. W. Smith were accustomed to play almost every night with T. J. Rhett, General Johnston's adjutant-general, and we sometimes heard of rather wild scenes amid these old army chums — all from West Point, all having served in Mexico and against the Indians. Longstreet's wife and children were at Richmond. He was devoted to them. Suddenly scarlet fever broke out and three of the children died within one week. He was with them, and some weeks after resumed his command a changed man. He had become very serious and reserved and a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. His grief was very deep and he had all our sympathies; later years lightened the memory of his sorrow and he be- came rather more like his old cheerful self, but with no dissipation of any kind.
Before parting with Centerville it should be said that my old troop, the Georgia Hussars, had at last got their services accepted and were brought to Richmond under my friend, Captain F. Waring, and mustered in for the war. They were thrown into a regiment known as the Jeff Davis Legion, commanded by Colonel Will T. Martin, which was to prove itself a fine body of horse.
While in quarters this winter there were several light falls of snow, a novelty to most of our Southern fel- lows. Not many of them were familiar with such descents from the clouds. There came, however, a storm anything but interesting. Snow was lying deep and camps were almost hidden.
My staff comrade, Peyton Manning, and myself de- cided it was the time for a sleigh ride of our own. No cutters were to be had, but we improvised one.
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Securing a stout, well-made box of good size, a plank seat in it for two made it the body of the fabric. Then the forests yielded a couple of slim saplings, which, bent at the ends over the fire, were not bad for runners. On these, braced and crossed, with shafts attached, our box, well elevated, was securely fastened, and there was our cutter. We settled that the team should be stylish and made it " tandem," in good extemporized harness. My charger was put in the shafts and Manning's in the lead, both high-spirited animals. Each horse was mounted by a small negro, postilion- fashion, good rid- ers both, and supposed to add some safety as well as novelty to the equipage.
Manning undertook to handle the long reins from the bits, and we started, the observed of many curious, and amid the worst lot of evil prophecies of what would befall us that it was ever my fate to hear. The outfit took the road handsomely, cheered by the soldiers, our black postilions grinning with delight.
All went well for a time and then the devil himself broke loose ! The spirit of the horses rising, especially that fiery brute of Manning's, they were off entirely beyond control. Over the deep-snowed roads and fields, across ditches and broken fences the gallant pair in mad race took everything on a full run, their pos- tilions now ashy hue with terror and clinging like burs to the bounding animals. The finish came quickly. There seemed to be a sudden great fall of stars from the midday skies and Manning and I were hurled right and left into deep snow drifts, everything in pieces, horses and little niggers quite out of sight. Digging ourselves out we took a good look at each other and some ugly words were said ; but although scratched and
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bruised no bones were broken, and we slowly trod our way back to camp, wiser if not better men from our first and last sleigh ride in old Virginia. The horses were brought back to quarters but never again were their black postilions seen in those parts.
CHAPTER III REMINISCENCES AND HORSES
Visit to Mr. Francis Sorrel's country-seat — Interment of Cap- tain Tillinghast, U. S. A. — Sir William Howard Russell, Times correspondent — McDowell and July 2ist — Seward and the French princes — Army begins to march to Penin- sula.
Not long after the battle I set out on a visit to my father's country place, Ireland, fifteen miles from our camp. Hitching up two good mules to a light army ambulance, what we needed was put in, our intention being to bring back some delicacies for the messes. Captain Thompson, of Mississippi, one of the aids, ac- companied me. He was an extraordinary looking per- son. Nature had been unkind. The son of Jacob Thompson, Buchanan's Secretary of the Interior, he had much to hope for, but for his affliction. His teeth and jaws were firmly set and locked, and no surgical ingenuity had yet succeeded in opening them. Liquids could be conveniently taken, but mechanical arrange- ments had to be made for solid food by the removal of some teeth.
This young officer showing a great desire to go along with me, was taken, although I could not help picturing some surprise on the part of my father and young sis- ters. We were made very welcome, as fresh from the glorious battlefield, and the day was a happy one. The girls had made a captain's coat for me out of homespun cloth ; but such a fit ! big enough for two captains of my
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thickness, it hung at all angles and flapped furiously in high winds. But love had prompted its making and I would never suffer any ugly remarks about it.
Something better soon came. My brother, Doctor Sorrel, in Richmond, was always mindful of his juniors in the field, and getting possession of a blockade bolt of fine gray cloth, he soon had enough snipped off to make me two good Confederate suits, suitably laced and in regulation trim, besides a long gray cape, or cloak, well lined, which was to do me good service for years.
At " Ireland " they loaded our ambulance with good things and there were shouts of joy when we reached the camp with the delicacies.
Captain Thompson was not subject to military duty .and soon returned to his home.
It should be said here that these jottings are without Vthe aid of a scrap of notes or other memoranda. The memory alone is called on, and as the events go back forty years it is something of a test; but I hope I am rather strong on that point and do not fear falling into inventions or imaginations. There were some dry notes of dates and marches, but they cannot be found, and they would be of no use with these jottings, as no attempt at dates is made. It is a lasting regret to me that as a staff officer with opportunities of seeing and knowing much, I did not keep up a careful diary or journal throughout the war. It should be made one of the duties of the staff.
This is odd. The day after the battle I came across the body of Captain Tillinghast at the Federal field in- firmary near the stone bridge. The year previous I had been much in Baltimore at the Maryland Club and had there played billiards with Tillinghast, then a cap- tain of Artillery, U. S. A., and an agreeable acquaint-
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ance; consequently there could be no mistake when I recognized his dead body. The Federal surgeon also identifying him, I set about giving him decent burial, and managed it finally by the help of some men of Bartow's Savannah company who knew me. The ground was baked hard and we could not make the grave deep, but it was enough ; and with my own hands I carved his name on the bark of a tree, under which the soldier found his last bivouac — " Otis H. Tilling- hast."
Some time after, a blockade-runner, passing the lines took a letter from me to my cousin, Robert Fisher, in Baltimore, a friend also of Tillinghast. It was on other matters, but I let him know that Tillinghast's body had been recognized on the field, had received decent burial, and the spot marked. I described the location and then the matter passed out of my mind.
After peace came I was with Fisher in Baltimore and learned from him that my letter had been received and the information as to Captain Tillinghast considerately conveyed to his family. Fisher was answered soon after with thanks, " but there was some mistake," Cap- tain Tillinghast was buried by his old classmate Sam- uel Jones, a Confederate brigadier-general, in a dif- ferent part of the field and his body later removed to the family vault. Astonishing! If they got a body from a spot not where I had laid him they got the wrong husband. Sam Jones quite likely saw Tilling- hast, but he had no hand in our burial of him. Stranger things, however, have happened.
Here are some trifles of talk remembered as coming from the famous war correspondent, Sir William Howard Russell, whose letters from the Crimea broke
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the Aberdeen Ministry and made him one of the lead- ing men of the Kingdom. He was not long ago knighted at great age for his service all over the world in that field of letters. I met him several years ago in New York, in the train of the notorious Colonel North, the Chilean nitrate king. Russell had always some good stories on hand, and laughed at his chase from Bull Run battlefield, whither he had gone with the Federal army to write up their victory pictures. It gave him the name of " Bull Run Russell," which stuck to him. He admitted being very far to the rear, but said there were some generals and colonels who out- stripped him to Washington! Some years after the war he met in Europe General McDowell, who said, " Russell, do you know what day this is ? " " No, I don't recall any special occurrence." " It is," said Mc- Dowell, " the 2 ist of July, and had I succeeded on that day in '61 I should have been the greatest man in America and you the most popular."
Russell also had something about the French princes come to join McClellan's army. The two young men, Comte de Paris and Due de Chartres, were under the care and tutelage of their uncle, the Prince de Joinville, who did not follow them to the army. On landing they received their commissions as captains, and quickly equipped themselves with handsome regulation uni- forms and military appointments.
They proceeded to Washington to make formal calls of ceremony before reporting to McClellan. Among their first visits was that to Seward, the Secretary of State. On that evening he was holding a large recep- tion. Seward himself leaving the ceremony to his son Frederick, was upstairs with some cronies drinking whiskey. " Seward was screwed, you know," said
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Russell, " undoubtedly screwed." When the two princes entered the hall, trim in their new uniforms, erect and soldierly, they were met by Frederick Seward, who at once went to announce them. " Tell them to come right up," said the old politician ; " bring them right up and they shall have some good whiskey." " That will never do," said his son. " You must come down to them; it is etiquette and strictly in rule." And down the Secretary went. " Screwed " a little, for as soon as he spied the Frenchmen, out he broke : " Captain Chatters, glad to see you ; welcome to Wash- ington. And you too, Captain Paris. I am pleased to have you in my house. Both of you come up with me. You won't dislike the whiskey you shall taste." But the watchful Frederick came to the rescue and car- ried off the astonished princes with all propriety.
Russell declared this to be literally true; but if not, it at least as the Italians say, " ben trovato." Sir Wil- liam was then a picturesque figure in dark blue dress coat, brass buttons, and ruffled shirt. Always interest- ing, he had exhaustless stores of information and ad- venture. A pretty young Italian wife accompanied him.
Something as to horses. I had left a good one in Savannah, in care of a member of the troop. Hearing that the horse was with him in Virginia I sent over for my property and got for answer that he was not mine ; that he belonged to the man in Savannah, who not be- ing able to enlist had contributed this fine animal to the outfit of the troop. A nice business indeed. It was easy to be patriotic with my horse, but it was soon settled. Captain Waring heard the statement, and recognizing the animal as mine had him sent to me; but the horse had been so neglected and diseased that
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he was no good and I was obliged to leave him by the roadside. I had, during the war, many horses, some good, some very poor. Among the best was the tough- looking clay-bank I took from my father when joining the army. He was capable of anything in speed and endurance, but with a walk so slow and a trot so bone- breaking that I had to swap him for one not so good. Many of my animals broke down from hard staff serv- ice in campaign, and a magnificent mare was killed under me in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. A shell burst directly under her and the poor beast was in- stantly done for. I was not touched. In Tennessee, in 1864, I picked up a delightful little white mare, sound, fleet and enduring. I could not always get to my other horses at the outbreak of firing, and the mare's color was against us both. It was always among the soldiers, " Fire at the fellow on the white horse." She was at my brigade quarters at Appomat- tox and my brother rode her to Savannah. When the two appeared in front of our residence, my sisters rushed out, but could not believe that the poor, tired little mare was their brother's war horse. Their imag- ination had been at work.
My brother Claxton, my junior, was a fine, well set up young fellow and eager for the fray. He was also a private in the Hussars, and like myself had not waited for the company, but came on to Richmond. Here he fell in with some young Georgians from Athens, the Troop Artillery, a six-gun battery under command of Captain Carl ton. Claxton joined and became a good artillerist and was a corporal when transferred. The First Georgia Regulars was organized by the State among the first, its officers being appointed by the Gov- ernor and the men enlisted anywhere. Its drill and
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discipline were supposed to be severer than that of other troops. This regiment was brought to Virginia and assigned to G. T. Anderson's (Tige Anderson) Georgia Brigade. With some influence and much hard work, my brother, Doctor Sorrel, succeeded in getting a commission as second lieutenant in this regiment for Claxton. Its officers were not elected; they were ap- pointed by the Executive. Claxton's service was thenceforward with this regiment, its officers showing some of the best names in Georgia, and its reputation correspondingly high. Later I gave Captain Sorrel a temporary detail on the staff of Brigadier-General Garnett, and still later he was appointed captain in the Assistant Adjutant-General's Department and served with General John Bratton.
When we moved from Centerville my father had long since returned to Savannah with his family, and his " Ireland " place was unoccupied (it was later burned by the Union soldiers). But my cousin, Mrs. Lucy Green, and children, were at their place, " The Lawn," which would be in the enemy's territory after our withdrawal. Our first halt was near Gainesville and after getting the troops comfortably into camp I rode over to see her, about three miles. The situation was clearly described and he decided to pack her car- riages and wagons and move to Richmond. I gave her a safe escort in a man from Lynchburg, Mr. Pax- ton, a member of Blackford's cavalry company. With farewells I rode back through the night, the better by a pair of English boots my cousin gave me. She and the children, with servants, under good Paxton's charge, made next morning a start for Richmond, where they arrived safely.
Referring again to horses, the hussar horse had been
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my mount at the short service on Skidaway. Henry Taylor was my messmate and rode next me on a good bay precisely the same color as mine, with considerable resemblance between them. Taylor was rich, lazy, despised discipline, and was a trial to the captain. He gave his horse no attention and the beast would have starved but for others. The captain could stand it no longer. Sending for Taylor he read him a severe lec- ture and promised punishment if the horse was not kept clean and tended.
Taylor was persuaded he must do something, and the next morning he was up at stable-call at the picket ropes, brush and curry comb in hand. It was very early and misty. My horse was picketed next to Tay- lor's and I had the satisfaction of seeing my lazy friend give him the best morning's rub he had received for many days. When Taylor woke up to what he had done and that his own horse was still to be tended he could not immediately see the joke, but soon took it in good part and had something ready for me not long after, which he thought squared us.
CHAPTER IV SKETCHES
Brigadier-Generals Elzey and Early — Leaping horses — Confed- erate uniforms — Ladies at Fairfax Station — Colonel Stu- art's Maryland line — Longstreet made Major-General — Sketches of Brigadier-Generals Ewell and Pickett — Gen- eral Anderson — Major-General Van Dorn — Major-Gen- eral G. W. Smith — Brigadier Early — Brigadier-General D. R. Jones.
One fine day not long after the Manassas battle, and while we were at Fairfax Court House, Longstreet called on me to ride over to the station on a visit. It was to General Elzey, who was found with General Early in a dilapidated old church. Refreshments were ordered and a good deal of whiskey consumed by the three brigadiers, some colonels and staff officers. Early had been a strong Union man until Virginia se- ceded, and he then took arms, devotedly and ever bravely, for his State and the Confederacy. He was, however, of a snarling, rasping disposition, and seemed to irritate Elzey, who, not a Union man, had come South without the secession of his State, Maryland. There were some hot words all around, but peace was made, however, and we all quit the drinks and ad- journed to the horses and fine weather outside. Leap- ing fences and ditches at once began, my mount doing well and coming some daring trials. Longstreet was mounted on a fine bay not quite up to such work, with his weight, and the General turned him over to me.
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The bay did splendidly, surpassing all others present, and the generals were much pleased.
Colonel Duncan McRae, Fifth North Carolina, had just received from Richmond a handsome new Con- federate uniform and outfit. Alas! it soon came to grief. The Colonel, in taking a high fence, lost his seat and came down very hard, splitting his fine coat in the back, from collar to waist.
A word here as to uniforms and insignia. So fast does the memory of things pass that perhaps it may be well to make a note of what was the Confederate uni- form. It was designed and settled on by a board of officers of the War Department.
For all officers, a close-fitting double-breasted gray tunic*
For generals, staff and all field officers, dark blue trousers.
The arm of service was shown by collar and cuff — Generals and staff officers, buff; Cavalry, yellow; Ar- tillery, red; Infantry, blue; Medical Department, black.
Dark blue trousers had broad gold stripes on outer seams, except generals, who wore two narrower and slightly apart.
Trousers for all line officers under rank of major were light blue with broad cloth stripe, color of service arm.
Rank was shown on collar and sleeve.
Generals wore on collar a gold wreath enclosing three stars in line, the middle one slightly larger. On their sleeves was the ornamental Hungarian knot of four braids width. They usually wore their buttons in groups of twos or threes. There was no difference in the uniform or rank mark among the several grades of general officers.
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Colonels wore three stars in line, same size ; lieuten- ant-colonels, two, and majors, one. The knot on the sleeve was three braids width for the three grades of field officers — colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major.
For captains, rank was shown by three short bars lateral on front of collar ; first lieutenant, two bars, and second lieutenant, one bar. Captains wore on sleeve Hungarian knot of two braids width, and first and sec- ond lieutenants, one braid.
For headgear the French " Kepi," color of arm of service, richly embroidered, was first provided ; but the felt hat, black or any color that could be had, speedily pushed it aside almost before it had an existence.
The intention of the board of officers was to adopt the tunic like the short, close-fitting, handsome Aus- trian garment, but it went completely by default. The officers would none of it. They took to the familiar cut of frock coat with good length of tail.
Longstreet and two or three of us tried the tunic, but it was not popular.
Confederate uniforms were in great number at the flag presentations a little later, of which I have already spoken. We were then bravely dressed in the bright and handsome Confederate gray.
But now " place aux dames." A plendid Maryland regiment of Elzey's brigade was at Fairfax Station near by, and two lovely women, descendants of a dis- tinguished Virginia family, were then visiting their numerous friends serving with it. They were the beautiful Carys, Hetty and her cousin Constance. The three generals, gallantly inclined, decided they must call on the ladies, and this they did, shutting out their staffs for the time. Then evening coming on dress parade was in order and Colonel George Stewart soon
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had his fine Marylanders in line. He insisted on the two ladies taking position by him, and when time for the manual came, handed his sword to Hetty, and step- ping aside prompted her with the orders, and thus the regiment, amid much enthusiasm, was put through its manual by the prettiest woman in Virginia. They soon returned to Richmond and occupied themselves in the good work of the Southern women. Hetty, a really glorious beauty, married Brig.-Gen. John Pe- gram in January, 1865. Three weeks after he fell at Hatcher's Run, at the same time that I received what was thought a fatal wound. The New York Herald a few days later published both our obituaries. (See Appendix. )
Constance married, after the peace, my friend Bur- ton N. Harrison, President Davis's accomplished pri- vate secretary. He began his law practice in New York, succeeding well, and his wife soon became estab- lished and admired as a woman of taste and uncommon social and literary attainments. Her books have gained deserved popularity and wide circulation.
Longstreet being now a major-general, with three brigades, the new brigadiers are to be introduced. R. S. Ewell took our old brigade. He was a distant rela- tive of mine and one of the strangest oT warriors ; had ""seTvecT with distinction in Mexico, and all his life against Indians. He was without a superior as a cav- alry captain and of the most extraordinary appearance. Bald as an eagle, he looked like one ; had a piercing eye and a lisping speech. A perfect horseman and lover of horses (racers), he never tired of talking of his horse " Tangent," in Texas, who appears to have never won a race and always to have lost his owner's money.
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But the latter' s confidence never weakened and he al- ways believed in " Tangent." General Ewell became a very distinguished soldier, and justly so. To uncom- mon courage and activity he added a fine military in- stinct, which could make him a good second in com- mand in any army. He was not long with us. His fortunes were with Stonewall Jackson in the Valley operations, and he rose to be major-general and lieu- tenant-general. In the latter rank he commanded the Second Corps at Gettysburg, having previously lost a leg in the second Manassas campaign. His command suffered great loss in the slaughter of Malvern Hill. The morning after, I found him doubled up on the floor of a little shanty, his head covered up; the ground was covered with our slain. Raising himself he in- stantly recognized me, and lisped out, " Mather Thor- rel, can you tell me why we had five hundred men killed dead on this field yesterday ? " That was all ; the soul of the brave General was fit to burst for the awful and useless sacrifice. It was a fearful blunder somewhere and has not yet been boldly and clearly lighted up. Kemper, a fine Virginian colonel, succeeded Ewell in the command of the Fourth Brigade, and served well until he was left for dead in front of his men in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg.
Our Second Brigade was also Virginian. One eve- ning at dark I was in my narrow office when an officer was announced. I turned and had quite a start at my visitor's appearance. It was George Pickett, just made brigadier-general, and reporting for command. A sin- gular figure indeed ! A medium-sized, well-built man, straight, erect, and in well-fitting uniform, an elegant riding-whip in hand, his appearance was distinguished and striking. But the head, the hair were extraordi-
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nary. Long ringlets flowed loosely over his shoulders, trimmed and highly perfumed; his beard likewise was curling and giving out the scents of Araby. He was soon made at home, and having already received Long- street's instructions, was assigned to his brigade.
Pickett became very friendly, was a good fellow, a good brigadier. He had been in Longstreet's old Army regiment, and the latter was exceedingly fond of him. Taking Longstreet's orders in emergencies, I could always see how he looked after Pickett, and made us give him things very fully; indeed, sometimes stay with hinr to make sure he did not get astray.
Such was the man whose name calls up the most famous and heroic charge, possibly, in the annals of war. Pickett's charge at Gettysburg stirs every heart that beats for great deeds, and will forever live in song and story.
Afterwards his division was relieved to rest and re- cruit, and grew strong and fit. It was, however, badly mauled at Five Forks by Sheridan, although its com- mander is said to have made excellent disposition of his troops and fought them gallantly.
The Third Brigade was of South Carolina regiments under command of Brig.-Gen. Richard H. Anderson, a West Point graduate and an experienced officer of the old Army. Of him and also the artillery attached to the division there is more to be said later.
At the Centerville camp Major-General Earl Van Dorn commanded a division. A small, handsome man, the very picture of a thorough light cavalryman, he enjoyed a high reputation from service in Mexico and against the Indians. Soon after he was transferred to a command in Mississippi, and there falling into a pri- vate quarrel was killed.
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Maj.-Gen. G. W. Smith also had a division near Cen- terville. From this officer much was expected. He had left the Academy with high honors, and served many years with distinction. He resigned from the Army to become Street Commissioner in New York, a lucrative office, and thence he came South for service. There was no opportunity to show his abilities in the field until the battle of Seven Pines in May— June, 1862, and then General Lee taking command of the army, Smith withdrew, and was, I think, not again heard of in active field work. After the war he wrote a book, his " Apologies," in which he threw all the blame on his once bosom friend, James Longstreet, and upon General Johnston for field work, up to the time of his retirement.
Jubal Early, brigadier-general, was one of the ablest soldiers in the army. Intellectually he was perhaps the peer of the best for strategic combinations, but he lacked ability to handle troops effectively in the field ; that is, he was deficient in tactical skill. His irritable disposi- tion and biting tongue made him anything but popular, but he was a very brave and able commander. His appearance was quite striking, having a dark, hand- some face, regular features, and deep piercing eyes. He was the victim of rheumatism, and although not old was bent almost double, like an aged man. Of high scholarly and fine political attainments, he never mar- ried, but led the life of a recluse in Virginia, entirely apart from social and public affairs.
D. R. Jones, brigadier-general, was also near us. A very agreeable, lovable man, tall and stately, he made a brave appearance, and well merited the sobriquet of " Neighbor Jones," as they pleasantly called him at West Point. His wife, a relative of President Davis,
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was much with him in camp, and a very decided char- acter by the side of her indulgent husband. He could not figure with much success, his health being poor, and after Sharpsburg was transferred to some easier serv- ice elsewhere, and soon after died.
CHAPTER V OUR NATIONAL HYMN
Singing among the troops — Van Dorn — Longstreet — Smith and " I Puritani " for National hymn — Surgeon Francis Sorrel, C. S. A. — Life in Richmond — Troops passing through — Toombs and his brigade — General D. H. Hill.
Among the troops at Centerville there was much singing, some of it very sweet and touching. " Lorena," set to a tender, sentimental air, was heard everywhere. " My Maryland " was a great favorite, and of course " Dixie " was always in evidence. There were, however, other sweet Southern melodies that the soldiers took up, seemingly mellowing stern hearts and bringing tender memories of home. There was con- stant talk of a National air, " Dixie " being thought by some as of not sufficient dignity. " My Maryland " had many advocates, but there were some that thought the noble strain of the great Liberty duet from " I Puritani " was the thing for the Confederacy. Gen- eral Van Dorn was enthusiastic about it. • At the ban- quet at Longstreet' s, after the flag presentation, the talk turned on this air, and Van Dorn began to sing it. "Up on the table and, show yourself; we can't see you ! " said Longstreet. " Not unless you stand by me ! " shouted Van Dorn ; and no sooner said than Longstreet, G. W. Smith, and Van Dorn, the ranking major-generals, were clinging to each other on a narrow table and roaring out the noble bars of " I Puritani." Johnston and Beauregard stood near with twinkling
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eyes of amusement and enjoyment. So much for wine and " entoosy moosy," as Byron calls it; but for all this good start, the soldiers declined the impressive air and stuck to their Dixie.
It was always gratifying to me to note the good equipment in which the troops from my State were sent to the front for the Confederacy. Governor Brown was thorough in doing the best for them that the blockade of the coast and his factories permitted. They came forward with good clothing, shoes and un- derwear, which, although of home make, were warm, comfortable and serviceable.
My brother, Dr. Francis Sorrel, was many years my senior. He had served in the United States Army as assistant surgeon, but had resigned and was in Cali- fornia when the war began. He immediately came to share the fortunes of his State. Dr. Moore, the Con- federate Surgeon-General, without delay had him ap- pointed to full rank and assigned for service as his close confidential assistant (the pair were forever roll- ing cigarettes). There his influence and powers were considerable and the Doctor was always helpful to his friends. He was instrumental in assigning Dr. James B. Read, of Savannah, to the officers' hospital in Rich- mond, and in Read's hands it became celebrated. He kept a good lookout for his two junior brothers in the field and we had many evidences of his thought fulness.
With a wide acquaintance in Richmond, he knew the principal members of Congress and was liked by all the Cabinet. His previous service in the United States Army put him in good touch with many high officers, and his position in all respects was enviable. Occa- sionally I managed to make a short visit to Richmond, and then my brother gave me introductions to pleasant
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men and charming women. There may be more to say of him later.
Life at Richmond at this time — January, February, March, April, 1862 — seemed gay and happy, with but little outward sign of apprehension or anxieties for the future. Food supplies were abundant and the pinch for clothing and shoes was being eased by the remark- able achievement of the several States in equipping their contingents for the field.
Most of the troops passed through Richmond en route to the Peninsula, and there was much excitement and cheering. Main Street was thronged with people shouting wildly as the regiments marched down to Rocketts, where they were to take boat for part of the route.
General Toombs was quite conspicuous. Every one knows that that luminous intellect embraced no sol- dier's talent. It might have been so with study, but the Georgian was for once and all a politician, and in the wrong shop with a sword and uniform on.
He marched his troops down Main Street, past the crowds at Spottswood Hotel, with childlike delight. He put himself at the head of one regiment and moved it out of sight amid hurrahs, then galloping back he brought on another, ready himself for cheers, until the brigade was down the street and near the embarkation. It was somewhat amusing, but a harmless entertainment for the brilliant orator and statesman.
Being quite without notes I had almost omitted a jotting about one of Longstreet's brigadiers at Center- ville — a marked and peculiar character. This was General D. H. Hill, not long with us. He was soon made major-general and sent elsewhere to command. Hill was a small, delicate man, rather bent, and cursed
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*
with dyspepsia, which seemed to give color to his whole being. He was out of West Point with a good class number, was a capable, well-read soldier, and posi- tively about the bravest man ever seen. He seemed not to know peril and was utterly indifferent to bullets and shell, but with all these qualities was not successful. His backbone seemed a trifle weak. He would take his men into battle, fight furiously for some time and then something weakened about him. Unless there was some strong character near by, like Longstreet, for instance, on whom he leaned, his attack would be apt to fail and his first efforts go unrewarded. His speech was bitter, although a most devout Presbyterian elder. He had resigned long before from the United States Army, and had a large school in North Carolina. He was accustomed to sneer at cavalry, and once went so far as to say he had " yet to see a dead man with spurs on." It may be imagined what Stuart's gallant troop- ers thought of him. But Hill had brains, and rose. He was later on sent West to command in Bragg' s army, was promoted to lieutenant-general, and is said to have failed grievously at Chickamatiga, for which Bragg suspended him from command; and he was not, I think, restored to any service in the field. He was really a good man, but of sharp prejudice and intem- perate language. If there was one department of the army well administered amid almost impossibilities, re- quiring most ingenious and inventive resources, it was the Ordnance, under Colonel Gorgas. Hill took a hatred to it because a gun burst in action, and his im- putations on the faith of the department and its abilities were quite unworthy of him or of any good soldier.
CHAPTER VI
THE PENINSULA AND BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG, MAY 5, 1862
Arrival at Yorktown — Major-General Magruder — His skilful defense — Lines at Warwick River — Major-General Mc- Clellan — Retreat from Yorktown — Battle of Williamsburg, May 5 — Death of Colonel Mott, Nineteenth Mississippi — Destruction of armored ram Virginia — Charge by Georgia Hussars — Explosives behind rearguard rebuked — Promo- ted major.
But I must hasten to the Peninsula, where at York- town and along the lines of the little Warwick River, McClellan and Johnston are frowning at each other; the former, as usual, tripling the Confederate force and bawling for more men. Persons and things I have left behind will probably come into these jottings in the loose way they fall from the pen.
Longstreet with his staff and some of his regiments were among the first arrivals to face McClellan and gave great relief to Magruder. This officer, a major- general, commanding some 10,000 to 12,000 men, had offered a most extraordinary and successful defense. It was a wonderful piece of bluff and could have won only against McClellan. Yorktown was strongly armed and well defended. Thence stretching across the Peninsula was a sluggish little stream known as the Warwick River. It was fordable in almost all places, in some nearly dry-shod.
Magruder's engineers had strengthened the defenses by some dams that gathered a good spread of water to
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be passed in an attack. The Warwick, of many miles extent, was necessarily thinly defended. Magruder put his whole force behind it, an attenuated line, up and down which he constantly rode in full sight of the enemy. He was known in the old Army as " Prince John," from the splendor of his appearance and his dress. Of commanding form and loving display, he had assembled a numerous staff, all, like himself, in the most showy uniforms. To these he added a fine troop of cavalry, and when the cavalcade at full gallop in- spected the thin lines of the Warwick, it was a sight for men and gods. I am persuaded he so impressed " Little Mac " that he sang out for more men and thus lost his opportunity. In very truth he was so strong and Magruder so weak that the Union ramrods should have sufficed to break the defense and gobble up the magnificent " Prince John."
Longstreet's arrival was therefore a great relief, and soon Johnston had his army in full position, making McClellan almost frantic ; he more than doubled John- ston's actual strength. A strong attack should have prevailed to drive us away; and if briskly followed, eventually into the York River. But Johnston knew his man, as did indeed every Confederate leader later on. Lee, Longstreet, Jackson, the Hills all knowing his points, while serving in the U. S. Army, could now rightly measure him. McClellan was a lovable man, an admirable organizer, but with little taste for battle un- less largely outnumbering his opponent. Here in the trenches occurred remarkable scenes. Many of the Southern regiments had enlisted for only twelve months and the time expired in April. Re-enlistments and elections of the officers took place under fire of the enemy ! Our men were splendid, and with rare excep-
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tions they refused home and re-enlisted, this time for the war.
Inactivity continued for some time, Longstreet com- manding the center with his own and other troops, un- til it was soon apparent to Johnston that Richmond was too much exposed to attacks on the north side of the James River. The capital must be covered; be- sides, both our flanks were endangered by the enemy's immense superiority on the water. Preparations there- fore began for a move, and on the night of May 3 the army was successfully drawn from its trenches and started on its deliberate, well-ordered retreat. On May 5 our rearguard was overtaken and attacked in force at Williamsburg, Longstreet in command, with a consid- erable part of the army. It was a stubborn, all-day fight, with serious losses on both sides, but the enemy was beaten off and we resumed the march that night, the Federals having enough of it. We were not again molested. This was our first severe fight, and the steadiness and order of officers and men appeared to be very satisfactory. I was promoted to be major soon afterwards, the commission dating May 5, the day of the action. There was a gruesome but affecting sight during the battle. Colonel Mott, of high reputation, had brought from his State the Nineteenth Mississippi Infantry. It was hotly engaged in a long, fierce fight, and Mott fell. His black servant in the rear immedi- ately took a horse and went to the firing line for his master's body. I met the two coming out of the fire and smoke. The devoted negro had straddled the stif- fened limbs of his master on the saddle before him, covered his face with a handkerchief, and thus rescued his beloved master's body for interment with his fathers on the old Mississippi estate.
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The celebrated L. Q. C. Lamar was lieutenant- colonel of the regiment, and succeeded to the command, until forced by physical disability, he retired to Rich- mond for other service. The army moving on soon neared the capital and took up the several positions as- signed its divisions. McClellan's huge force follow- ing, threw itself across the Chickahominy, and the siege of Richmond may be said to have begun.
On the withdrawal of the army from the Peninsula, Norfolk and Gloucester Point became indefensible and the destruction of immense quantities of material both for field use and for construction had to be submitted to. The blow was not made lighter by the loss of the famous Virginia, formerly the Merrimac, that did such havoc at Newport News. She could not be permitted to fall into the enemy's hands and was of too deep draft for service on the James River. Her commander, Ad- miral Josiah Tatnall, was therefore reluctantly forced to her destruction. She was blown up and disap- peared. Other vessels, cruisers and gun-boats, boilers, engines, and great quantities of material for construc- tion had to be destroyed for similar reasons. The loss was bitter to us, as so much could have been done with it all for a little fighting navy.
It was during the action at Williamsburg that I was ready to shout for joy at seeing my old troop, the Georgia Hussars, in a gallant charge. Their regiment, the Jeff Davis Legion, had been prematurely thrown at the enemy in a position he was thought about leaving. The cavalry colonel was wrong. Our Georgians went forward in fine style, expecting to carry everything, but quickly found themselves in a very hot place. The enemy was not retiring, but on the contrary gave the Legion so warm a reception as to empty many saddles.
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They all came back pell-mell, " the devil take the hind- most," my Hussar comrades wondering what their colonel had got them " into that galley for ! " It was a severe lesson but a salutary one, and the regiment was not again caught that way. Longstreet saw them close by as they dashed forward, and said, " They must soon come back ; the colonel is ahead of the right moment."
General Johnston was present on the field all day, but seeing Longstreet, the rearguard commander, carry- ing things very handsomely, generously forbore any interference and left the battle to his handling. He sent the latter such additional troops as he had to call for from time to time. When night came it was hor- rible. There were many dead and wounded and the weather nasty ; the roads ankle deep in mud and slush. But the march had to be again taken up.
On the retreat from Yorktown, Brigadier-General Rains was commanding the rearguard. He was a brother of the other Rains who at Augusta, Georgia, achieved the apparently impossible task of supplying ammunition. Both brothers were given to experi- ments in explosives and fond of that study. When Gabriel began moving out on our march he amused himself planting shells and other explosives in the road- way after us to tickle the pursuers. Hearing this I reported the matter to Longstreet, who instantly stopped it. He caused me to write Rains a rather severe note, reminding him that such practises were • not considered in the limits of legitimate warfare, and that if he would put them aside and pay some attention to his brigade his march would be better and his strag- glers not so numerous. This officer did not remain long on duty in the field. His talents, like those of his more celebrated brother, lay elsewhere.
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After getting into position before Richmond, less than a month intervened between the reorganization and strengthening of the army and change of its com- mander. I shall therefore defer any observations that I may recall as to its composition and personnel until it took its more permanent form under Lee, contenting myself with some stray reflections on the battle of Seven Pines, which by the deplorable wounding of Johnston gave us for leader Robert E. Lee.
CHAPTER VII BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES, MAY 31, 1862
Position taken in front of Richmond — Reception at President Davis's — Sketch — Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State — Storm-bound — Richmond — General Johnston wounded — — Von Borcke, the German volunteer — His armament.
Our positions were so near Richmond as to permit frequent visits there during the pleasant month of May.
McClellan was hugging himself in security and rein- forcements beyond the Chickahominy, and the earth- work defenses of Richmond which we were guarding seemed to us then all-sufficing. Later, we could real- ize how little they were worth without men and guns and rifles and a leader in the field. These defenses had been scientifically constructed by the engineers headed by General Lee and Maj.-Gen. J. F. Gilmer. The latter was a distinguished officer not long since re- signed from the United States Army, had married in Savannah in the family of dear friends of ours, and when the war broke out at once placed his unques- tioned engineering abilities at the service of the gov- ernment.
On one of my visits to the city I was persuaded by my brother, Dr. Sorrel, to stay the night and attend, a reception at the President's. It was interesting and striking. The highest and most brilliant of the South- land were there; bright, witty, confident, carrying everything with a high hand. The men generally in
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full uniform and the women in finery, that seems some- how always to turn up for them under all circum- stances. After presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Davis I had a good look at that remarkable man. A most in- teresting study, calm and self-contained, gracious with some sternness; his figure was straight, slim and ele- gant. A well-poised, ample head was faced with high- bred features and an expression that could be very winning and agreeable. His wife, Varina, was a rather large woman, handsome and brilliant, a bit in- clined to be caustic of speech, but withal a good and gracious help to her husband.
Her devotion when he was a prisoner was later beau- tifully manifested. Senators and Congressmen were there in abundance. Our own representative, Julien Hartridge, characteristically indifferent to such assem- blages, was taking his pleasure elsewhere.
Mr. Benjamin was a most interesting character — a short, squatty Jewish figure. His silvery speech charmed all hearers with its wit, persiflage and wis- dom. His wonderful legal abilities made him facile princeps in equity law. His after career was extraor- dinary. When the collapse of the Confederate Army came he was still in Mr. Davis's Cabinet and joined his chief in flight. Separating, however, Benjamin es- caped to one of the West India Islands and thence to London. It seems his nativity had actually been in a British Colony, and this fact and his great legal ac- quirements, with some routine attendance at the courts, quickly permitted his admittance to the bar and he was Q. C. in almost no time. He immediately took up an immense special practise and made much money.
I had the pleasure of meeting him in 1872 in Paris, at a breakfast given by Mr. Francis Corbin in his splen-
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did hotel on the Faubourg St. Germain. Needless to say, Mr. Benjamin was delightful.
It was on one of these visits to my brother that I nearly came to trouble. I intended to ride back to camp quite early, but he had visits for me to make with him and pressed me so affectionately that I was late in starting back. Then a furious storm of rain and wind nearly drowned my good horse and myself and I was concerned for the late hour at which I finally reported to my chief. I found him provoked at my absence, because much had happened. In the afternoon a coun- cil of war had agreed with the commander-in-chief to attack McClellan the next morning. The opportunity was a good one because McClellan had posted his forces so that the Chickahominy cut them in two and they might be destroyed in detail. I was not too late, how- ever, for the duties, and both Longstreet and myself were soon in good humor again. Orders for the dis- positions of the troops were quickly gotten out and the time and line of march given. We had six strong bri- gades and D. H. Hill's four were to join us under Longstreet, besides a strong force of artillery and a body of cavalry on the right. When the day came (May 31) the movement began, and never was the opening for battle more unsatisfactory.
The same storm that put McClellan's army in de- cided peril by destroying his bridges and cutting com- munication between his two wings, impeded our march at every step. Little rivulets were now raging torrents.
Bridges had to be improvised and causeways made by which the column could be moved. Everything seemingly lost us time, and our attack, instead of being early in the day, was delayed until 4 p. m. There shall be no attempt to describe or discuss this battle.
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G. W. Smith with a large command was on our left. General Johnston with him and Major-General Huger with a strong division was expected to support our right, but for some reason we did not get it. D. H. Hill with his four brigades and our six, attacked with great fury. Smith's attack on the left was retarded and unsuccessful. We made quick progress, but with heavy losses in our ten fine brigades. The enemy could not stand before them and Casey's division, posted at Seven Points, gave way after heavy losses and was crushed. Cannon and colors fell into our hands. Darkness was then coming on and no supports, much to Longstreet's chagrin. Further attack on our part was deferred until the morning. Meantime, while Smith was making on the left his abortive attack, our gallant General Joseph E. Johnston had been struck down by a severe wound and borne from the field. The second in command was G. W. Smith, but as opera- tions for the day had ceased there was no occasion for him to make any change in existing dispositions of the troops, and Gen. Robert E. Lee was the next day placed in command of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Seven Pines should under all circumstances have been a magnificent victory for us. It was really far from that, and while encouraging the soldiers in fight- ing and the belief in their ability to beat the enemy, it was waste of life and a great disappointment.
Walton, of Longstreet's staff, was wounded in the head, the bullet making a long furrow in his bald scalp. Here we saw for the first time the German Von Borcke, who, attached later to Stuart's cavalry, made some reputation. He had just arrived and could not speak a word of English ; was splendidly mounted on a power- ful sorrel and rode well. He was an ambulating ar-
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senal. A double-barreled rifle was strapped across his back, a Winchester carbine hung by his hip, heavy re- volvers were in his belt, right and left side; an enor- mous straight double-edged sharp-pointed cuirasseur's saber hung together with sabertasche to his left thigh, and a short " couteau de chasse " finished up his right. Besides, his English army saddle bore two large hol- sters, one for his field-glasses, the other for still an- other revolver, bigger and deadlier than all the others. Von Borcke was a powerful creature — a tall, blonde, active giant. When I next saw him he had discarded — taught by experience — all his arsenal except his good saber and a couple of handy revolvers. He stayed with us to the end and received an ugly wound in the throat.
CHAPTER VIII
BATTLES OF THE CHICKAHOMINY, JUNE 26 TO JULY 2, 1862
General Lee in command — Sketch — Reinforced — Preparing for campaign — General Lee's staff — Longstreet second in com- mand — His division — Artillery reorganized — Washington Artillery of New Orleans — Colonel E. P. Alexander com- manding artillery — General W. W. Mackall reports — Sketch — Civilian prisoners at Fort Warren — General Miles and President Davis — The battles around Richmond — McClellan's defeat — Stonewall Jackson not on time — Ochiltree and Eastern fighting — Lord Edward St. Maur a visitor — • McClellan on James River in position — Later we take again positions by Richmond.
When General Lee took command it was my first sight of him. He had been employed in the northwest Virginia mountains, on the South Atlantic Coast, and at Richmond, generally as adviser to the President. His appearance had, it seems, changed. Up to a short time before Seven Pines he had worn for beard only a well-kept moustache, soon turned from black to grizzled. When he took us in hand his full gray beard was growing, cropped close, and always well tended. An unusually handsome man, he has been painted with brush and pen a hundred times, but yet there is always something to say of that noble, unostentatious figure, the perfect poise of head and shoulders and limbs, the strength that lay hidden and the activity that his fifty- five years could not repress. Withal graceful and easy, he was approachable by all ; gave attention to all in the simplest manner. His eyes — sad eyes! the
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saddest it seems to me of all men's — beaming the highest intelligence and with unvarying kindliness, yet with command so firmly set that all knew him for the unquestioned chief. He loved horses and had good ones, and rode carefully and safely, but I never liked his seat. The General was always well dressed in gray sack-coat of Confederate cloth, matching trousers tucked into well-fitting riding-boots — the simplest em- blems of his rank appearing, and a good, large black felt army hat completed the attire of our commander. He rarely wore his sword, but his binoculars were al- ways at hand. Fond of the company of ladies, he had a good memory for pretty girls. His white teeth and winning smile were irresistible. While in Savannah and calling on my father, one of my sisters sang for him. Afterwards, in Virginia, almost as soon as he saw me he asked after his " little singing-bird."
The touch of the leader's hand was soon apparent in the reorganization of the army and its increased strength. The Administration reposing a perfect con- fidence in Lee, gave him all he asked for in men and material that could be furnished. It is proper to add that so moderate was the man and so fully understand- ing the situation and difficulties of supply, that he rarely asked for what could not be given him. His staff was small and efficient. I suppose that at this date there are some hundreds of men in the South who call them- selves members of Lee's staff, and so they were if team- sters, sentry men, detailed quartermasters (commis- sary men), couriers and orderlies, and all the rest of the following of general headquarters of a great army are to be so considered. But by staff we usually con- fine ourselves to those responsible officers immediately about a general, and Lee had selected carefully. Four
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majors (afterwards lieutenant-colonels and colonels) did his principal work. Walter Taylor, from the Vir- ginia Military Institute, was adjutant-general, and bet- ter could not be found for this important post.
Charles Venable, a scholar and mathematician, and with some study of strategy, together with Charles Marshall, a distinguished lawyer by inheritance from his ancestor, the Chief Justice, and his own attainments, did much of the correspondence under dictation. Tal- cot was the engineer officer, and Long, of the old Army, a close friend of the General, was ranked as military secretary and did various duties. At a later date Brig.- Gen. R. H. Chilton, A. A. G., was assigned to confiden- tial duties with the General, and was sometimes called chief of staff. But Lee really had no such chief about him. The officer practically nearest its duties was his extremely efficient adjutant-general, W. H. Taylor.
Maj. H. E. Young was also attached later — an ex- cellent officer. There were possible one or two young lieutenants for personal aids, but this was Lee's staff, although perhaps I have made some omissions. Of course it does not include the important administrative officers like Cole, chief commissary ; Corley, chief quar- termaster; Doctor Guild, medical director, and his chiefs of ordnance and other organizations.
Longstreet was second in command and it soon be- came apparent that he was to be quite close to Lee. His camps and bivouacs were near by the General's, and thus my acquaintance with him and his staff be- came quite free and I was often honored by the kind interest of the Commander-in-Chief.
In the new organization Longstreet had a powerful division of six brigades, and A. P. Hill (major-gen- eral) one of six, also a fine body which Hill happily
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christened as the Light Division. The artillery was much improved, and loose batteries were gathered and organized into well-found battalions, generally of four batteries of six guns each, and a battalion assigned to each division. The celebrated Washington Artillery of New Orleans was given to us, and glad we were to have such gunners. E. P. Alexander commanded in reserve a fine battalion of six batteries and was to do much good service with it.
A word about this splendid fellow. He was from Georgia and a dear friend of mine. Leaving West Point with very high honors, he was immediately com- missioned into the Engineers, and sent to the Pacific, whence he came South to fight. His was the happiest and most hopeful nature. He was sure of winning in everything he took up, and never did he open his guns on the enemy but that he knew he should maul him into smithereens. An accomplished engineer, he was often called on both by Lee and Longstreet for technical work and special reconnoitering. His future in peace, after Appomattox, was varied and distinguished, and he still is with us, eager, enthusiastic, most interesting, and of undiminished abilities.
The Washington Artillery was an ancient and wealthy organization of New Orleans, numbering five well-equipped, well-manned batteries. There were many men of wealth and family serving as gunners. Four batteries under Colonel Walton came to Virginia, the fifth was sent West. Walton was large and impos- ing in appearance, looking, as indeed did the whole battalion, rather French. This arose from their uni- form, which from " kepi " to gaiters was handsomely French, and made them very fine beside our homespun infantry fellows. It was a most efficient organization,
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serving with Longstreet throughout the war ; it always did good service and constantly distinguished itself most conspicuously.
Our own staff will not be touched on just yet, pre- ferring to wait for the creation of the two army corps in October, when we were put in more permanent shape for the remainder of the war. At present there had been but few additions to it, since Longstreet's com- mand was limited to a single brigade, and the staff work consequently was sometimes hard on us.
I think it was in this month, September, that I rode to one of the lower landings of the James to meet Gen- eral Mackall, my brother-in-law. He had been a pris- oner of war at Fort Warren near Boston, and was to land, exchanged with some others from the Federal steamer. He was quite well and I sent him on to Richmond, where Doctor Sorrel saw to his comfort. Mackall married my father's eldest daughter. He was an army man out of West Point, and an able, accom- plished soldier. He should have achieved much in the Confederate war, but circumstances were against him. When it broke out he was lieutenant-colonel in the Adjutant-General's Department, considered a very en- viable billet. Stationed on the Pacific, his intimates were J. E. Johnston, J. F. Gilmer, Halleck, and others of that type.
The Marylander had a tedious time in Richmond waiting for active service suitable to his abilities. At last he was sent to report to A. S. Johnston at Bowling Green, Kentucky. After Shiloh, at Beauregard's earnest request, he was made brigadier-general and ordered to hold Island No. 10, a fortified position in the Mississippi, immediately to fall by reason of other combinations. In less than a week after assuming
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command the inevitable happened. The island was surrendered and the garrison made prisoners of war. Mackall was sent to Fort Warren, from which he was exchanged in 1863. He then took duty with Bragg' s army as chief of staff; and after Bragg with J. E. Johnston, one of his dearest friends, until the General was supplanted by Hood. Mackall was afterwards given a command at Mobile, from which, however, he soon had to withdraw his force by reason of the suc- cesses of the Federal fleet. And there, I think, his ac- tive service ended. He was of a high order of mind and of the finest and nicest elevation of character; there was something supercritical, however, that would stand in his way without reason.
When General Mackall was exchanged out of Fort Warren he told me of two other prisoners, civilians, Andrew Low and Charles Green. The latter had married my cousin, and both were Englishmen of the regular holdfast, energetic type. They constituted the most important business house in Savannah, were mak- ing quantities of money, but had quarrelled and were about separating on the worst terms, when Seward's detectives, suspicious of their movements (they had both married in Savannah and were truly Southern and Confederate), clapped them in Fort Warren. There by the irony of fate they were the sole occupants of the same casemate, these quondam friends, now bitter, non-speaking enemies. The situation was difficult and rather enjoyed by some gentlemen outside who knew of the partners' troubles.
Treatment of prisoners of war at Fort Warren (Boston Harbor) appears to have been proper and un- objectionable. The governor, Colonel Dimmock, was a gentleman and knew what was due to his own repu-
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tation, as well as what his prisoners had a right to expect. There were marked contrasts elsewhere, as at Fort Johnston, but in all the four years there was yet to be found a prison commandant surpassing the bru- talities of Miles. His chief distinction then appears to have been in manacling the helpless President of the Confederate States, who was advanced in years, feeble in health, with no friends near, and that in the strong- est fortress in the United States, with a large garrison and a guard literally standing over the prisoner night and day, and not a Confederate organized force in existence.
Lee was an aggressive general, a fighter. To suc- ceed, he knew battles were to be won, and battles cost blood, and blood he did not mind in his general's work. Although always considerate and sparing of his sol- diers, he would pour out their blood when necessary or when strategically advisable. His army had become much strengthened, troops filled its ranks from Geor- gia, South and North Carolina, being drawn from the coast, where they were doing nothing. His divisions had among them Longstreet's, A. P. Hill's, Magruder's, D. H. Hill's, McLane's, D. R. Jones's, Huger's, and Whiting's — a splendid force, nearly eighty thousand men, including Jackson's. The latter was in the Val- ley, soon to be with us. Lawton had just taken his immense brigade of six thousand men from Savannah to reinforce him, and the Georgians were having some lively marching and fighting in " Stonewall " Jackson's way. It was evident that the General was soon to make his great attack to crush McClellan, whose dis- positions were so faulty as to offer a tempting mark. His army greatly outnumbered ours. He had thrown it across the Chickahominy and its two wings were
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again exposed. There were quiet but intense prepara- tions for the important movement.
It was of great extent and covered nearly seven days. Jackson was to move secretly and swiftly from the Valley and join Lee in the attack on the Federal right. He was late, and when Lee crossed at Mechanicsville, June 26, A. P. Hill was thrown at the defenses on Beaver Dam, and was nearly sacrificed. His losses were pitiable, as were D. H. Hill's in the same attack. Had Jackson been in position the enemy would have melted before us. He had promised to be there on the morning of the 26th. On the 2/th, Longstreet, A. P. Hill, Whiting, and others stormed the heights at Gaines's Mill, suffering heavy loss, but defeating the enemy badly, taking many prisoners, guns and colors, and driving him in panic after the retreating McClel- lan. There was great maneuvering on the 26th, and a severe combat at Savage's Station. On- the 3Oth the enemy showed front at Fraser's Farm, and Longstreet, supported by A. P. Hill, instantly attacked with great fury. The enemy was stubborn and contested every foot. Jackson was to be with us, and had he been, our success was undoubted, but for some reason he could not get through White Oak Swamp, and denied us. Of Huger on the right we also heard nothing. The combination had failed. The enemy was thus suffered to escape, but with heavy loss. Our own was far from light.
Malvern Hill followed with its bloody fields and crest. The reckoning there was awful and apparently for no good. McClellan abandoned the hill at night and soon found himself safe at Harrison's Landing un- der cover of his cruisers and gun-boats. His army was beaten and dispirited and the siege of Richmond broken
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up ; but " Little Mac " raised a faint cry of partial vic- tory and did not fail to torment poor Mr. Lincoln for more men; " heavy reinforcements could alone save the army," etc.
Jackson's firmest friends have been obliged to admit some faults in their hero. As to these movements — either from miscalculation or something else, he was fatally late on the 26th. That he was not on hand at Eraser's Farm was also a serious disaster. Some of Munford's cavalry had got through White Oak Swamp, bad as it was with a heavy rain falling, and it would seem that a soldier so great and energetic as Jackson would have found means to push through to the help of fighting, hard-pressed comrades. It is possible that he was overdone with work and fatigue, but his men should have been there as planned.
I saw him on the 28th, and he seemed brisk enough. Longstreet had sent me after Gaines's Mill to find him and establish connections and communications. He was cheerful and pleasant. " Explain, Major, to Gen- eral Longstreet where I am and how my troops are ly- ing, and say, with my compliments, I am ready to obey any orders he may send me." When I set out to find him, Tom Ochiltree, fresh and breezy from Texas, was with us for a week as a volunteer by Longstreet' s con- sent. Ochiltree said, that familiar with fighting in Texas, he wanted to see how we did it in the East. He had also a great desire to see the celebrated " Stonewall " before returning home. He asked per- mission to ride with me. We trotted off together, our route taking us by an extensive field-infirmary, where the surgeons were at their bloody work on the wounded. We halted for a few minutes. The scene was sicken- ing and cured Ochiltree of battle sights. " Sorrel,"
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he said very seriously, " this gives me enough ; I don't want any more. It seems now I have seen everything — too much, nothing for me to do here. Better for me to ride back to Richmond and take train for Texas. Sorry not to see * Stonewall,' but I travel the other way. Good-by and good luck to you." And off he went after just about four days' service with the Con- federates in the East.
During these movements there was a young English- man with us, our guest. He had brought letters to authorities in Richmond. It was Lord Edward St. Maur, a scion of the ducal house of Somerset. He was about twenty-one, just from the University, where he had taken high honors, and was around now with an Englishman's curiosity. A singularly handsome young man he was, with pure olive skin and beautiful fea- tures. He was always courteous, always reserved. He came as a neutral for observation, and in all the freedom of our fighting week and rough bivouacs noth- ing stirred him from that attitude. In truth, I don't think he approved of us. I afterwards heard he was something of a prig but destined for high political life. The battle of Fraser's Farm broke out in the afternoon with great suddenness and severity. I had given St. Maur a mount and we happened to be on the line among the men when firing began, but notwithstanding the cannonading and heavy musketry he was quite cool. " This is not my place," he said, " and with your per- mission I shall retire," doing so with entire delibera- tion ; he so placed himself as to see something and we talked it over when we met at night. When McClellan took cover at Harrison's Landing, St. Maur was given an officer and flag of truce and soon landed in the home of his fathers. A very careful, neutral chap. I was
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sorry for his end — hunting big game in India soon after, he was mauled and eaten by a tiger.
When McClellan was safely at Harrison's Landing under cover of heavy guns (some fifteen-inch spherical shell), there was nothing to keep our army there. Be- sides, it left Richmond somewhat exposed from the direction of Fredericksburg. General Lee, therefore, gave the word and we were soon again in, or near, our old positions. Everything was made ship-shape, the wounded mending and returning to duty, damages re- paired, and the waste of that extraordinary movement and series of battles made good as best could be. Mc- Clellan could not now see the spires of Richmond from his headquarters. Additional reinforcements were brought from the South in preparation for Lee's next move, for he was not the man to stay idly behind de- fenses when there was an enemy about that he might hopefully strike. Longstreet's division of six brigades was in fine condition, with filling ranks, and so was A. P. Hill's Light Division, which lay near us, and thereby hangs a tale which must be recited, I fear, at some little length.
CHAPTER IX RIVALRY AND MORE REMINISCENSES
Longstreet's and A. P. Hill's divisions — Rivalry between the two
— Publications in Richmond Examiner and Whig — General Hill resentful — Refuses recognition of Longstreet's adju- tant-general — Hill in arrest — Personal difficulty between the two major-generals adjusted by General Lee's influence
— General Hill cherishes no rancor — Later gave me a brig- ade— Army busy drilling — Quartermaster Potts and Major Fairfax — Books among the troops — Gambling.
There was some rivalry between the two splendid divisions. Each had done its full share of fighting in the recent battles and each had won glory and renown. Hill had handled his men well and fought them gal- lantly. Needless to say how Longstreet had held his men, as it were, in the hollow of his hand (his abilities for handling large bodies under fire being remarkable), and how his never-failing valor and tenacity had sup- ported them. The papers came out of Richmond daily, with fetching headlines and columns of descrip- tion giving the events of the previous day. One of the widest read of these was The Examiner, very bril- liantly edited. It seemed to have taken Hill's division under its special favor. Every movement was chron- icled, every clash of arms, no matter how trifling, was written up, and the grand movements and actions of the division given such prominence as to dwarf all other commands. There was some feeling growing up about it, especially since it was known that a newspaper man from The Examiner office was serving temporarily on
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Hill's staff. Nothing was then done about the matter, but Longstreet's young staff officers were quite at the fighting point, as our division had come in for some animadversions in The Examiner.
After the short campaign, while we were occupying some of our old positions about Richmond, Hill lying near by, under command of Longstreet, the latter came one day to me with a rough draft of a short communi- cation to The Whig, a Richmond paper. It flatly con- tradicted The Examiner, so far as Longstreet's divi- sion was concerned, and criticized the major-general who could suffer such reports to emanate from his own staff; it was short but positive. Longstreet asked if I objected to send such a communication to The Whig, signed by myself officially, as adjutant-general. He would answer for it, because I should not be expected alone to attack or criticize my superior officer. I was only too willing to carry out these wishes. The little note was prepared for the press and published in The Whig. It was stiff, but with military civility, and made some comment on the taste of having such corre- spondents along with military operations. It was not regarded as offensive, but was certainly pointed in some contradiction. To my regret I have no copy.
Such was the bomb-shell that was to burst over us in a few days. Having occasion for some routine report or information from General A. P. Hill, a note was sent him for it in the usual form. It was returned en- dorsed that " General Hill declined to hold further communication with Major Sorrel." Of course I was surprised, but it was apparent that trouble was brewing and that Longstreet must show his hand. The note was handed him and he was at once on fire at such dis- obedience. " Write him again," said he, " and say
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that note was written by my command, and must be answered satisfactorily."
To this Hill insisted on holding to his refusal. The correspondence was then taken up by Longstreet per- sonally with Hill. I did not see the letters, but several passed, until finally, a day or two later, General Long- street came to me with, " Major, you will be good enough to put on your sword and sash, mount, and place Major-General Hill in arrest, with orders to con- fine himself to limits of his camp and vicinity." It was my first duty of that kind with such rank, but I was soon on my way, followed by an orderly. The General was in his tent seated in a low chair, and rose as I entered, returning stiffly my salute. Bowing, when I had communicated the orders, he resumed his chair without speech, and saluting again, I was quickly on the road to my own friendly camp. I know only by hearsay what took place afterwards. It was kept quite out of reach of the staff and confined to the two prin- cipals. Certain it is, however, that some angry letters passed and intimate friends (D. H. Hill and Toombs for Longstreet) were called in and a hostile meeting between the two generals was almost certain. Gen- eral Lee, however, heard of it, and acted quickly and effectively, using his unvarying tact and great influence. He brought matters, through other friends, to an ad- justment honorable to both. A few days later General Hill's division was shifted out of reach of Longstreet's command and nothing more was known of the affair. Later on Longstreet and Hill became fairly good friends, but I naturally supposed I had incurred his hatred. For a year or two we did not meet — his division being in Jackson's corps — except occasionally on the march, and then the General's manner seemed to
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me stiff and menacing. If so, it was only the manner, not the feeling, because in 1864 I received from Gen- eral Hill the very highest evidence of his appreciation and friendliness. On several occasions previously, Longstreet recommended me for promotion to com- mand, and it must necessarily be to a brigade of Geor- gians. But where a brigadier was wanted for them, there were always good colonels of long service in the brigade that properly gained the preference. This was so general that I despaired of leaving the staff for higher promotion, until one day in September, 1864, a cbmmission of brigadier-general came to me with orders to report to Lieut-Gen. A. P. Hill.
My preparations began at once for the change and it was necessary for me to go to the War Department, Richmond. There I found in the Adjutant-General's Office Capt. John W. Reilly, A. A. G., a fine young Vir- ginia officer, who had once served under me.
" Did you ever see, General, the paper that brought about your promotion ? " It was entirely new to me. He drew from a file a letter from Gen. A. P. Hill, com- menting on the bad condition of his fine Georgia Bri- gade, which, left without a brigadier by the wounds of Wright and the death of Girardy, was then in the hands of a brave but incompetent colonel. He concluded by asking with great earnestness that Lieutenant-Colonel Sorrel, of Longstreet's corps, should be promoted and sent to him. The letter was referred to General Lee for his opinion and then passed between the Adjutant- General, the Secretary of War, and the President, who finally scrawled, " Make the appointment, J. D."
I tried to get the paper from Reilly as an autographic souvenir, but it was against orders and I was obliged to content myself with a certified copy. " It never
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rains but it pours ; " some days after, Major-General Kershaw wrote me that he (Kershaw) had asked for my promotion to command one of his Georgia brigades.
Hill was a West Point man of medium height, a light, good figure, and most pleasing soldierly appear- ance. He surely handled his division on all occasions with great ability and courage and justly earned high reputation. When Lee created the Third Army Corps he placed him in command of it, and it was thought Hill did not realize in that high position all that was hoped of him.
His health was impaired toward the close of the war, and his noble life ended by a stray bullet at Petersburg after withdrawal of the lines. It was unnecessary and he should have had years before him. It is not neces- sary to say how much I appreciated his action toward myself. It proved him magnanimous and free of petty spite in that affair, and such was his nature. When I reported to him no one could have been more warmly welcomed, and thenceforward I had nothing but kindness and the most valuable support and help while with his corps.
A. P. Hill was very close to both Generals Lee and Stonewall Jackson at different times. Perhaps only a coincidence, but certainly significant it is, that, the last dying words of the two military chiefs were said to be of Hill. " Send word to A. P. Hill," whispered the expiring Jackson. " Tell Hill he must come up," were the last words on Lee's lips.
July and early August, 1862, were busy months. In front of Richmond General Lee kept the army well exercised in drill and the new men had to get into shape. Our staff work had been severe and our horses had suffered. I was obliged to keep two good mounts
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at least, sometimes more. It was here I fell in love with a perfect little stallion named Voltaire, and paid a round price for him; he soon proved too delicate for army work and I gave him to my brother in Richmond. There he should have thriven, but I think soon went to pieces. I succeeded in finding a handsome, powerful chestnut mare, f rom which I got good service until she was killed at Gettysburg. Longstreet was admirably mounted on two bays ; one he had brought to the army with him, the other, a finer beast, was a present from Major Fairfax, whose horse judgment was excellent. For himself, he rode a superb gray stallion, " Saltron," widely known, which he had raised at his Loudoun es- tate. Fairfax lost him at Sharpsburg. A round shot struck him under the tail, fairly in the fundament, and it was at once all over with the stallion. Fairfax was excitable, and rushing to Longstreet, sitting grimly on his horse directing the battle, he broke out, " General, General, my horse is killed ; Saltron is shot ; shot right in the back ! " Longstreet gave the Major a queer look and consoled him with, " Never mind, Major, you ought to be glad you are not shot in your own back! " Frank Potts, a quartermaster in the corps, tells a story of these two. Fairfax messed General Long- street, took good care of all his wants, and kept him in whiskey and in all else that was needful. Potts says that in one of the campaigns he had parked his animals and wagons in a nice spot by the roadside at a good hour and everything was made snug for the night's bivouac until the early march next morning. Sud- denly he saw a figure galloping wildly across the fields to him, taking fences and ditches as he came. " Now," grumbled Potts, " it's a move ; here are the orders com- ing." It was Major Fairfax in full uniform. He
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pulled up sharply before the quartermaster, saluted, and then, " Captain Potts, can you tell me where a washer- woman is to be found for General Longstreet?" re- lieved the Irishman and tickled his humor.
During the war the men were without many books and eagerly clung to a novel when one came their way. Many old volumes were sent from home, but they did not go far among such numbers. Victor Hugo's " Les Miserables," and Muhlbach's novels, translated from the German, and reprinted at Mobile, had begun to ap- pear and were devoured by readers. Later on, after Gettysburg, Freemantle's " Three Months in the South- ern States " was reprinted at Mobile and widely read. These old volumes are now a curiosity and not to be had except at great price. The dirty old type, blurred and worn, the rough paper with florid designs, all at- tested the stress of the Confederacy in everything en- tering into life. Among the soldiers in camp there was the usual gambling going on; they played some odd sorts of games, but the greasiest packs of cards were their stand-by.
One day Longstreet received a note from General Lee, after a ride through our camps. This informed the corps commander that he regretted to see so much gambling among the men; they nearly all seemed ab- sorbed in a game called " Chuck-a-luck." " Could anything be done to better the matter ? " Longstreet had served much with soldiers, and knew they would, many of them, gamble in camp in spite of all orders and watching ; never yet had he found anything that would completely cure the evil. He would, however, see what could be done — but nothing came of it.
CHAPTER X
SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS, AUGUST 29 AND 30, 1862
Major-General Pope in command of Union troops in Northern Virginia — Religious observances in our army — Homesick- ness — Furloughs — Rations — March against Pope — Artil- lery duel at Rappahannock — Spy captured and hung — Jack- son's marches — Thoroughfare Gap — Longstreet's attack — Enemy routed — General Wilcox and Union general — Wil- cox's and Couch's baptismals — Brig.-Gen. A. G. Evans — General Toombs and the picket — His arrest — Released and joins brigade in the fight.
McClellan still lay at Westover, recruiting and reor- ganizing. It was apparent that his army would not be long in that position. Confidence in him had been lost, and there was a new paladin in the field, the doughty John Pope, major-general, with " Headquarters in the saddle." He was a man of some ability, but did not have a reputation for high character in the old Army ; and now with elevated rank and command thrust upon him, he turned into abuse of his enemy, explained how he meant to whip him, and filled the air with bombast and threatening. He was in command in northern Virginia, and Lee had marked him for his own.
We were rather a devout army. The men came from their homes deeply tinged with religion. Metho- dists were in large numbers and next to them Baptists and Presbyterians. There were many meetings and addresses conducted by worthy chaplains. These de- voted ministers could always be counted on to follow
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beside their men, in camp or on the firing line. The men were fond of hearing in camp any kind of address, and were an easy prey to sharpers. I recall that some years later, on the Petersburg line, a crank came along with what he called an artis-avis (a bird of art) with him, and some fifty thousand like it; he was to drop a shell into Grant's army and fleet and destroy them! He wanted permission to address my men and solicit cash for building his wonderful birds. He was sent out of camp. The soldiers were fond of chanting hymns and quaint old plantation airs, and at times they were touching with the recollections of home. Homesickness was often very prevalent, and the awful nostalgia came near crippling us. There is a general order from Longstreet on that matter somewhere and I may be able to find it to attach to these leaves.
At this date, July and August, 1862, food was plen- tiful and good. No variety, but fresh beef or bacon, flour, coffee and sugar were issued in full rations. There was an abundance of whiskey, but comparatively little drunkenness. Encouragement and incentives to good conduct came from the General-in-Chief down through the officers. Previous to the Chickahominy Campaign a balloon had been constructed for recon- noitering. The enemy had several and we also wanted one, so the women — Heaven bless them ! — came to the front with, it may be, tearful eyes but willing hearts and chipped in all their pretty silk frocks and gowns. It was a wonderfully picturesque balloon and at first did some little service, captive to a locomotive pushed far to the front. Then it was packed on a little steam- boat in an adventurous cruise down the James. She ran aground, was gobbled up, with the bright ball-dress balloon, by the delighted Yankees, and that was the last
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of the pretty things of our sisters, sweethearts, and wives.
But the march against Pope is now beginning and must have a little space. The movement was masked as much as possible, a few troops only being at first concentrated at Gordonsville by rail. Lee collected then his outlying commands with great skill and started in earnest against his braggart opponent. Pope seems to have quite underestimated or disbelieved what was awaiting him, and his dispositions were all in favor of Lee. His first rude awakening was the shock Jackson gave him at Cedar Mountain, very costly to him; but we lost Charles Winder, one of the finest and most promising of the brigadiers. The march of the army was in tactical language " left in front," Jackson's posi- tion throwing him on the left; and this formation was necessarily observed by all the commands of the army. In these operations Stuart and his cavalry were exceed- ingly active and performed most valuable service. Our command, the full division, and two smaller ones under D. R. Jones and N. G. Evans, came to a halt hunting a ford on the Rappahannock and found a strong force of the enemy, with good artillery, at the railroad bridge. The gunners (ours the Washington Artillery) on both sides took up an artillery duel for nearly all day, but nothing decisive was achieved. We forded the river in another place without opposition.
It was in these operations that a spy was taken. He had murdered one of our cavalry couriers, and was caught almost red-handed, and with papers on him com- promising enough to hang a dozen spies. Neverthe- less, we gave him a trial. I convened a drum-head court martial of three brigadiers and they sentenced him to be hanged immediately. The wretch was
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mounted, arms tied, on a horse, with the noose and limb of a tree connected. He finally admitted he was a spy from Loudoun County, Virginia, but to the last stuck out he had not shot the cavalry courier. A smart blow with the flat of a saber started the horse on the jump and left the spy breathless, and there he hung until the army, continuing its march, passed almost under the tree and perhaps took the lesson to heart.
Jackson's marches, in swiftness, daring, and orig- inality of execution, were almost extraordinary. At one time there was great fear for his safety, widely separated as he was from the right wing under Long- street. General Lee's route was near Longstreet's and night and day he was always close to us. Longstreet was delayed by the enemy at Thoroughfare Gap. This is a mountain gorge, not long, but narrow, rocky, and precipitous. It was capable of stubborn defense. Its echoes were wonderful — a gun fired in its depths gave forth roars fit to bring down the skies. Here Longstreet had to stop impatiently until he could work his way through. He knew Jackson was hard pressed on the other side and praying for a sight of him. It took a little time, but we sent a flanking force over the mountains by a rocky path and the enemy gave way speedily and left the gap early. Pushing through we saw the dust of Jackson's masses miles away and heard his guns. Forward we pressed almost at a run, and in time. The attack on Stonewall ceased as soon as Longstreet came on the scene.
This was early enough in the day to permit us in turn to make a combined attack. The enemy was disheart- ened, and Jackson's column, although fatigued and los- ing heavily, was triumphant and still capable of great efforts. Our own force was large, comparatively
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fresh, and eager to crush John Pope, but for some rea- son the attack was not made, although I think General Lee preferred it to waiting.
The great battle that followed, and all these opera- tions covering several days, were called the Second Manassas. Some of the ground was identical with the first. Most of it lay beautifully for good tactical oper- ations, and as the country was quite open much could be observed at considerable distances. When the enemy's masses began again pressing Stonewall on the 3Oth of August, Longstreet moved quickly up to sup- port. Their dense columns had been left exposed to artillery fire from our position and Longstreet instantly saw it. Planting a battery in the road, the first shots, together with Jackson's incessant fire, began to tell.
We were near enough to see some wavering in the blue masses, then halt, and then a flight back to cover. But it was all up with John Pope. No rest was given his army. Longstreet started every man of us to his division to push them into attack, and soon everything was hotly engaged. The easy, rounded ridges ran at right angles to the turnpike, and over these infantry and artillery poured in pursuit. The artillery would gallop furiously to the nearest ridge, limber to the front, deliver a few rounds until the enemy were out of range, and then a gallop again to the next ridge. And thus it went on until black darkness stopped operations — the enemy defeated at all points and hastening back to the Potomac. Many prisoners, guns, colors, small arms, and large quantities of stores and equipments fell into our hands.
J. E. B. Stuart was highly tickled at his capture of Pope's wagon and personal effects, including a very fine uniform.
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Losses on both sides were heavy. Alas! the butcher's bill is always to be paid after these grand operations, and at Manassas especially there were some splendid young lives laid down for our cause and our homes.
Longstreet was seen at his best during the battle. His consummate ability in managing troops was well displayed that day and his large bodies of men were moved with great skill and without the least confusion.
As General C. M. Wilcox was moving forward at the head of his brigade in the open field, he was at- tracted by the waving of a handkerchief at some little distance. He found time to go to the spot and there mortally wounded was a Federal general, Wilcox's old army friend, who had recognized the Confederate as he passed and wanted to say farewell. His soul soon took flight and his body was cared for by his old-time com- rade — the name is forgotten.
Wilcox told me that he once officiated at a christ- ening with D. N. Couch, afterwards a Federal major- general. Wilcox's baptismals were Cadmus Marcellus, and Couch's Darius Narcissus. It is said that when these sonorous designations reached the parson's ear he almost dropped the baby in round-eyed astonishment!
N. G. Evans ("Shank" Evans) had two brigades with Longstreet and was a rather marked character. A regular soldier, he had served well in Mexico, and at Manassas, on July 21, had done exceedingly well with a small command, a good eye, and quick decision. It was he, too, that commanded at Ball's Bluff on the upper Potomac when Baker attempted to take it with a fine regiment and lost some 800 men. Baker was Sen- ator from Oregon and only a few days before had ad- dressed the United States Senate in full uniform in
loo RECOLLECTIONS OF A
farewell. It was forever, for he died with hundreds of his men in the waters of the Potomac. Evans was difficult to manage and we found him so. He had a Prussian orderly, with a wooden vessel holding a gallon of whiskey always strapped on his back, and there was the trouble. At the little artillery fight he had on the Rappahannock, G. T. Anderson (Tige), commanding one of the Georgia brigades, was ordered by Evans to attack a powerful battery and silence it. In vain did Anderson explain that it was on the far side of a deep river and that without a bridge his infantry could not get to it. Evans would not listen to reason and An- derson came to me. Of course he was told to make no such attempt, and I proceeded to hunt up Evans, find- ing him under a tree, too near his " Barrelita," as he called his whiskey holder. But he had to listen and comply. In the progress of the campaign after the Manassas battle he became so unruly as to arrest with- out reason Hood, one of his brigadiers, and Longstreet had to get him out of the way in some manner. He j disappeared afterwards from field work and I don't / know his end. He had been a very brave, experienced cavalry officer. Anderson's indignation at the impossi- bility of the order to take the battery was highly amus- ing.
In the early part of the march against Pope we made a bivouac near where some Federal cavalry were re- ported to have been prowling. The enemy had no troops near by to disturb us except this body of horse. It was therefore thought prudent to post a regiment at the cross-road which would warn our camps. General Toombs was ordered to detail one and I saw that it was posted.
During the night a cavalry picket reported that the
CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 101
regiment had been withdrawn. I awoke Longstreet to ascertain if by his orders. " No, but place immedi- ately in arrest the officer who has done so." It proved to be Toombs. He was a great lawyer and a good politician, but in the wrong place when posing as a sol- dier. He had taken a notion that his regiment was not really needed at the cross-road and the men would be more comfortable with the others in bivouac.
Toombs was therefore put in arrest and the march continued. The next evening on halting it was re- ported to me that he had followed, as was proper, in rear of his brigade, but had worn his sword, and upon his men going into camp had made them a violent speech. I felt called on to make this known to Gen- eral Longstreet, whereupon he directed me to order General Toombs back to Gordonsville and confine him- self there; also to prefer charges against him on two grounds — withdrawing the regiment from picket duty and breaking his arrest. This was done and Toombs went back to Gordonsville, not many miles away, whence he wrote a short note asking to be released of the charge of breaking arrest, saying he had worn his sword only for convenience and there was nothing im- proper in his speech to the men. Longstreet always had a decided liking for Toombs, and upon seeing this note he not only withdrew that charge, but the other also and sent him back to duty. Knowing that we should soon be engaged he advised me to be quick about it if I wanted the Georgian to see something of hot work.
An intelligent courier was sent to Toombs with the latest orders, and meantime we were marching forward. He returned ; General Toombs was not at Gordonsville. I might well have left the matter there, but it seemed
102 CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER
to me that one of our foremost Georgians should have a chance with the army and I sent a second man after him; this time he was found. The situation was ex- plained to him and he was advised to lose no time in joining his men if he desired to be with them in the smoke of battle. And so Toombs came; late, but just in time to be with his brigade in its last victorious charge when everything, as already described, was turned loose.
Toombs stuck to the army through Sharpsburg, where he did good service, and then returned to more congenial fields — politics and oratory. In after years he always showed me much kindness and appreciation for the trouble I had taken to get him back to his bri- gade for fighting at the Second Manassas.
CHAPTER XI
BATTLES OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN (BOONSBORO GAP) AND SHARPSBURG (ANTIETAM), SEPT.
I4TH AND I7TH, l862
Accident to General Lee — To Longstreet also — Fight at Chan- tilly — General Kearny killed — Cross the Potomac — Lee's confidential order found by McClellan — Straggling.
When we got back to Virginia and Toombs's resig- nation had gone in, Longstreet sent for me to say he had, some time before, about August, 1862, recom- mended me for promotion to brigadier-general. That Toombs's retirement now left a Georgia brigade open and he wanted me to have it and that I must put out for Richmond forthwith and try to work it through by help of my Congressman and other strong friends. I lost no time about this and was soon on the ground. Hartridge, our M. C, did all he could in my behalf; but there was no possible chance while the brigade had four colonels, well known representative Georgia men, ready each for the command. It was given to Colonel, formerly Judge, Benning, and his record in command of it was excellent.
The day after great Manassas, General Lee suffered a painful accident. It had rained and he was wear- ing a rubber poncho and over-alls, his body and legs being thus well protected. With a number of his of- ficers he was dismounted in a thick piece of woods, making some disposition for following the enemy. His horse, a gentle, intelligent animal, was at the Gen-
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eral's shoulder, reins on neck; he made some slight movement as if to start away, and Lee taking a step ahead for the bridle tripped in his over-alls and fell forward, not prone, but catching on his hands.
He was instantly on his feet, erect, but his hands were bady damaged ; one had a small bone broken and the other was nearly as bad with the twist and strain. Both were put into splints, but were painful and most uncomfortable. For some time the saddle had to be given up and the ambulance called into use. General Lee made the campaign on wheels. At SharpsT^urg he was far enough cured to allow him to ride a little. This accident caused widespread report of the General having been wounded, and of course the enemy's papers gave facts in detail of the serious character of the wound and how it was received.
Some little time afterwards Longstreet also got him- self damaged. A boot chafed his heel, which took on an ugly look and refused to heal. " Peter " (this was his West Point sobriquet, much used for him by his army friends and to this day not forgotten) therefore was obliged to don a slipper, and at Sharpsburg he was in no good humor at such footwear and the need of occasionally walking in it. In fact, a wobbly carpet slipper was not a good-looking thing for a commander on the field.
General Lee took his army forward to the Potomac. Only a detachment of the enemy was encountered by Jackson, and this was at Chantilly, where toward dark, and in a furious storm, there was a short combat in which Major-General Kearny was killed and left in our hands. '
Kearny had been a conspicuous young officer in the Mexican War, where he lost an arm, and coming of a
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wealthy New Jersey family had resigned from the army and retired to private life. I saw his body next morn- ing. It was given up to the enemy at their request, and his horse also, I think. He was a small, dashing- looking man, possessed, it was thought, of considerable military ability.
After such successes there was a fair prospect of driving the enemy out of Washington or bringing him to terms. General Lee moved his army into Mary- land, passing most of the troops across the river at White Ford. The soldiers crossed with joyful excite- ment, singing " My Maryland," and the whole round of their musical stock, with bands playing and all cheer- ing as well-known officers came in sight. Indeed there was some reason for elation and hope. The enemy had suffered a serious defeat and was driven into his capi- tal, his numbers again very great, but of demoralized and raw-recruited men. On the other hand, Lee also had a strong army ( for Confederate numbers — we had been accustomed to be outnumbered). The men were triumphantly rejoicing and confident, and as they believed were moving into the friendly fields of a sister State, whose men would surely rise and join us; and more than all, they were commanded by the first Gen- eral of the day.
It was early September and delightful marching over Maryland's good roads and through her fields of plenty. We had not yet been pushed for food, the transport so far having kept us supplied. General Lee made a short halt at Frederick City, where we took a rest and got loose ends of the army together ; and from here began the movement that after two bloody battles was to send us disappointed back to the Virginia side of the Poto- mac.
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General Lee there issued his famous confidential gen- eral order on which the army moved. It provided in detail for the march of his troops and his objective points. It was so full that when a copy came in my possession I wondered what could be done with it in event of my falling into the enemy's hands.
By it Jackson was to move to Harper's Ferry and capture its large garrison — it was a menace to Lee's rear. McLaws was to occupy Maryland Heights, and J. G. Walker, Loudoun Heights, in co-operation with Jackson. Troops were also sent to Crampton's Gap.
D. H. Hill was to occupy South Mountain, or Boons- boro Gap, as it was variously called. Longstreet's strong column was to be in the vicinity of Hagerstown, twelve miles from D. H. Hill's position. Proper direc- tions were provided for Stuart's large cavalry force.
The army moved from Frederick under the confiden- tial order. All should have gone well. The pro- gramme would have been carried out, the severed army reunited, with Harper's Ferry captured at it was, and once in front of the already half-beaten McClellan (who had succeeded Pope in command of the Army of the Potomac), what great victory would surely have awaited us! But fate or an unlucky chance decided otherwise. A copy of General Lee's confidential order was handed to McClellan when he reached Frederick. He says in his official report that it was picked up by one of his men on our late camping ground.
Had Lee whispered into the Federal General's ear his inmost plans the latter could have asked for nothing more than the information brought him on that fatal paper.
The effect on McClellan was immediate. His march,
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up to then, had been cautious and timid, not more than eight or nine miles a day. When the order came to him he knew all about us. He knew that D. H. Hill's five brigades at Boonsboro would be nearly all that lay in his path to cross the mountain, and he began footing it with great speed. His march was rapid, and for McClellan confident. He actually struck D. H. Hill on September 14, on the mountain, with an overwhelming force. Hill defended himself valiantly, Dray ton's and Anderson's brigades reinforcing him.
Hearing his guns near Hagerstown, Longstreet's quick military instinct told him what was happening. We instantly broke camp and raced out for Hill's re- lief. The distance was covered in extraordinary time and we happily got to Hill just as he was being driven from the crest of the mountain, and in time to save him. Darkness coming on, he was able to assemble his shattered battalions below, where with our force a front was shown that McClellan hesitated on immedi- ately attacking. At sun up we prepared to move and were soon on the march to Antietam Creek, behind which part of the army took position on the I5th and i6th.
But I must go back to Frederick City, asking how a document so vitally important as General Lee's order could have suffered loss. It has often been discussed in special papers, in magazine articles, and in letters. McClellan says it was addressed to Major-General D. H. Hill. There is no disputing this because the docu- ment is on file for evidence. General Hill and his adjutant-general, Col. Archer Anderson, both declare it impossible to have been Hill's copy. They are to be implicitly believed. In addition, Colonel Anderson is
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able to produce a copy addressed to his chief.1 Thus we find ourselves in a dilemma.
The explanation suggested is that perhaps two copies were sent Hill. Although now an independent divi- sion, Jackson considered Hill under his command and sent him a copy of the order. One copy certainly reached him direct from General Lee. Jackson and Hill, although connected by marriage, had it is said no great personal liking for each other, and I can imagine the cross and dyspeptic Hill, with the order from Lee in his pocket, receiving another copy from Jackson with careless irritation. If this theory does not work out, we seem to be quite baffled in finding a solution.
We had a bad night on the mountain, extracting D. H. Hill. He had made a magnificent defense, but was terribly mauled and broken up.
Drayton's brigade had been dispersed. There was great straggling to the rear by some of the men and our staff had to make sharp play with the flats of our swords on the backs of these fellows. It tired and dis- gusted me. The mountain roads were filled with broken regiments and companies and it was very late before they got to the foot of the mountain and in some sort of order. The material of our army was such that it did not take long for the men to shape up after disaster. It was near daylight before I got to Long- street's bivouac, made a brief report of things, and threw myself on some fence rails in the bad weather for a chance to sleep. Not for long, however. All hands were soon afoot preparing for the march. Dur- ing the day I came up with my old friend and school- mate " Sandy " Duncan, of the Hussars. He was a comical object, but doing good service mounted on a 1 Colonel Anderson was not there, being at home wounded.
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little beast, almost skin and bones, with scarcely any hair. The animal looked badly scalded. He bore Duncan and his arms however, the trooper bearded and with as odd an appearance as his mount. He was gath- ering stragglers and pushing them forward with hard words and sometimes blows. We had never a cam- paign when there was so much straggling. Duncan was an excellent cavalry soldier and devoted to his troop. In full health to-day at Savannah, he is con- sidered justly good authority on all things Confederate.
CHAPTER XII BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, CONTINUED
Marching through Frederick — Barbara Fritchie and Stonewall Jackson — Commissariat broken down — Green corn for ra- tions — Stampede of horses of a cavalry regiment — D. H. Hill's horse shot — Longstreet's staff served guns of Wash- ington Artillery — Cannoneers killed — Colonel John R. Cooke's gallant fight — Am wounded and carried off the field.
When the army marched through Frederick City it was fine weather, and the poet Whittier has told of Barbara Frietchie and Stonewall Jackson — a stirring poem in winning lines, but quite without fact at bottom. But that matters not in the least. The lines are good and we can well afford to throw in with all the hard words and abuse of those days, the poet's ideas about our Stonewall.
The country through which we marched was beauti- ful, rich, and fertile, but we were constantly hungry. There were two lines of Whittier's unquestionably true :
" Fair as a garden of the Lord, To the eyes of the famished rebel horde."
In all parts of the army straggling was principally caused by want of food. The commissariat had about broken down and the troops had recourse to anything.
The fields were full of ripened corn, of which too much was eaten. Parched and salted it would help a little, but eaten as it was, bad attacks of diarrhoea fol- lowed and such sickness became serious.
no
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On the night before the battle we were getting some sleep under thick trees when a stampede of horses nearly trampled us. It was a very surprising thing that happened to the Jeff Davis Legion. The regiment was well lined and picketed in front, part of the officers and men asleep, guards and pickets on good watch, and everything deadly quiet and still, the night went on.
Suddenly something seemed to pass through the ani- mals like a quiver of motion, a faint sound as of a sign, and then the wildest scene ensued. The horses for no reason that could be found had become stampeded, in the greatest panic and excitement. They broke away from their picket ropes, and droves of different sizes, some few, some many, were thundering along over the country and about the army in wild confusion. For- tunately, they drew to our rear, and the troopers were all night and part of the next day recovering them. Duncan has well described to me this extraordinary stampede, the like of which did not occur during the four years' war.
The morning of September 17 opened with battle be- fore us, presaged by the booming of cannon already beginning their noisy work.
Longstreet held the right center, the other wing be- ing trusted to Jackson, Hood, Richard H. Anderson, McLaws, and other divisions. The fall of Harper's Ferry had released the attacking forces and enabled Jackson and part of his command to join Lee, but only after great exhaustion and fatal straggling. The enemy called this battle Antietam, from the little stream that traverses the field. We gave it the name of Sharpsburg, the village that nestled in the hills by the turnpike some little distance back of Antietam. It was a dreadful day of fighting. Beginning early, we
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were at it until nightfall. Outnumbered three to one, it seemed that at almost any time a strong effort by McClellan would drive us back, but that effort was not made. A third of his fine army did not fire a rifle.
In the early afternoon Lee, Longstreet, and D. H. Hill ascended a little acclivity near the turnpike to make some observations. All others — staff and orderlies — were kept back under the brow of the hill to avoid drawing fire on the three generals. In truth, they did look conspicuous on the crest, silhouetted against the bright skies, and the shot of course came, a little wide, but the second was from a good gunner. This shot struck the front legs of Hill's horse, cutting them sharp off at the knees. The poor beast did not fall immedi- ately, and made no sound, but put his nose into the grass, nibbling at it seemingly.
The small general in a high-cantled saddle could not get his leg over in the position of the horse until Long- street helped him down. There is occasional talk of groans and shrieks of horses when wounded. I have seen many badly hurt, but cannot recall an instance in which the animal made any noise. This " gunning " has recently been associated with another incident on the field, with which it has really no connection. It was rather later in the day that we came on two of Miller's Washington Artillery guns that had been do- ing splendid work, but were now silent.
The gunners had fallen by their places, which were temporarily without cannoneers. Longstreet was with us. Fairfax, Goree, Manning, Walton, myself, and perhaps some others took our horses' bridles as we leaped from them to the guns. The position was most important and it would never do for those " barkers " to be dumb, even for a minute; so at it we went, the
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improvised gunners, and were afterwards cheered by being told we did it well and could always get a gun- ner's berth when we might want it. I had the rammer, No. i, I think it is in the drill. Our fire was really strong and effective, until some reliefs from the Wash- ington Artillery came up " ventre a terre," and with hearty shouts took their guns in hand. The enemy opened a severe fire on us, but fortunately none of our party was hurt. We mounted again with cheerful grins at our sudden adventure, and Longstreet, much pleased, turned his attention to other imperiled points.
Now, some fellow writing recently says it was Mc- Clellan's own hands that fired at Hill's horse in the morning; and that, in revenge, Longstreet seeing his position in the afternoon, guessed it must be McClellan and his staff and dispersed them with his own hands on the guns. An awful lot of lies circulate nowadays about the Civil War, and it is so long ago there is hardly anybody to contradict them.
Longstreet, whose eyes were everywhere, had noticed a regiment well advanced that had been fighting steadily for hours. It had gathered a few rails and stones for a chance protection to its brave fellows, all the time keeping up a good steady fire on the force in front of them, whose ranks looked so thick as to make one won- der they did not walk over our poor little regiment. Longstreet never failed to encourage good work; he praised freely and liberally where he thought it due, constantly recommending meritorious young officers for promotion. There was no illiberality about him, and the officers knew it and tried for his notice. " Major Sorrel," he said, " go down to that regiment with my compliments to the colonel. Say he has fought splen- didly and must keep it up. We are hard pressed and if
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he loses his position there is nothing left behind him; his men have made noble sacrifices, but are to do still more."
It was Col. John R. Cooke, commanding a North Carolina regiment, that received this message. There were many dead along his lines and some severely wounded who could not be got away. My horse was wounded on the way to him, and the enemy's rifle fir- ing was incessant, while from the saddle Longstreet's praises and encouragement were given this brave of- ficer.
Profanity is justly considered objectionable. I do not approve of it, but there are times when it may be overlooked, and never did such words sound so sweet as when I looked into Cooke's eyes and heard him: " Major, thank General Longstreet for his good words,
but say, by almighty, he needn't doubt me ! We
will stay here, by J. C., if we must all go to hell to- gether! That thick line of the enemy has been
fighting all day, but my regiment is still ready to lick
this whole outfit. Start away, Major, quick, or
you'll be getting hurt too, exposed as you are on that horse!" This is only a faint reproduction of the Colonel's gift of language, but it left me with no doubt that the position would stand until that gallant heart gave the word to leave it. He stuck there until or- dered off at night. It was some time before I was able to send a report to Longstreet, the hour being about 5 p. m., but he had Cooke promoted immediately. I had scarcely drawn my hand from Cooke's when a shell burst over us and a fragment struck me senseless from my horse.
CHAPTER XIII BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, CONCLUDED
Toombs's Georgia Brigade — Longstreet on the field — Lee's war horse — McClellan superseded by Burnside — A horse trade — Richard H. Anderson's division — A lost opportunity — Walton and myself find quarters at Shepherdstown among wounded — Driven away by enemy's shells.
Toombs's brigade of Georgians had fought well at the bridge on the right. It was contested all day and was the scene of some bloody encounters. Some fresher men under A. P. Hill at last came up late, al- most dark, and a general advance on the enemy's lines persuaded the timorous McClellan that we were not done fighting, and he ceased his operations. Lee was left, after the long day's work, with thin ranks holding the ground he stood on in the morning, and nothing lost by us in guns, colors, or prisoners. The casualties, however, were very heavy, our list of wounded and killed being awful. Here fell my dear personal friends of school days, Mclntosh and Parkman. I had lost several in the battles preceding and my heart was heavy.
Longstreet' s conduct on this great day of battle was magnificent. He seemed everywhere along his ex- tended lines, and his tenacity and deep-set resolution, his inmost courage, which appeared to swell with the growing peril to the army, undoubtedly stimulated the troops to greater action, and held them in place despite all weakness. My staff comrades described to me later his appearance and reception by Lee when they met at
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night after firing ceased. Longstreet, big, heavy, and red, grimly stern after this long day's work, that called for all we could stomach, rolled in on his clumsy carpet slippers. Lee immediately welcomed him with uncon- cealed joy. " Here comes my war horse just from the field he has done so much to save ! " his arm affection- ately around " Peter's " shoulder. The latter should surely have been proud and well satisfied. Lee held his ground that night and all the next day (the i8th), caring for his wounded and burying his dead. On the night of the i8th he quietly moved out and successfully passed the Potomac to Virginia ground without loss. That McClellan with his great army, a third of which had taken no part in the two battles, permitted this es- cape is unaccountable. In olden times generals lost their heads for such stupidities. " Little Mac " lost his place instead, being soon superseded by Burnside.
I was never good at a horse trade, and here is a story of one. I had a nice little mare of good paces, but she was undersized for my long legs. Walton, my staff comrade, had a big, fine bay, well gaited and apparently all that I could wish. Walton, being a small man, liked the mare, and was ready to trade; but just before get- ting to Boonsboro, the big bay, " Mott " (he had been brought from Mississippi by that Colonel Mott who was killed at Williamsburg, and we named him " Mott "), had broken loose and was astray somewhere, Walton being unable to find him. Having some mounted men I could use and knowing the cavalry of- ficers near by, I believed he could be found, so taking the chances I made the trade by paying Walton $275 to boot, and this too in '62, when Confederate money was not so very bad. That much cash could then buy con- siderable stuff. Longstreet was an excellent judge of
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horseflesh and to him I gave the details of my trade. In answer I got a little stare and smile as he said, " Why, Major, I would not give $275 for the horse tied to a corn crib; no quartermaster in this army can fur- nish forage enough for that beast ! " This was sooth- ing and encouraging to be sure, and in the mean time bay " Mott " refused to be found. Boonsboro and Sharpsburg were fought, the army back in Virginia, and I on my way back, when at last came my cavalry- men, bay ••" Mott " in hand, and in a fortnight or so I was on him, a powerful, well-paced animal ; but Long- street was right, he could never get enough to eat, and after some time his ribs and bones were disagreeably in evidence, and the beast was turned over to a quarter- master to do with as he would. He had pickings in the corral and was probably hitched to a hay wagon.
When struck down by that bursting shell, Colonel Cooke had me immediately carried off on a stretcher to a less exposed place, and on regaining consciousness good old Fairfax was pouring whiskey down my throat. We had been severed by one of those unnecessary camp differences and were not on good terms. Needless to say all that was now forgotten and we were comrades once more. He managed to get an ambulance and sent me off to the army field-infirmary. There was another officer stretched by me in the ambulance, very bloody and very terribly wounded. I did not think I was hurt badly, but seemed to have no motion or feeling about the legs. We were soon at the surgeon's camp, Dr. Guild medical director in charge. I knew him well, a cheerful soul. " What, you too ! " he cried. " Now, turn over." And he began pinching my legs unmer- cifully. I kicked and cried out loudly, and he laughed and said : " O, you are quite right, I feared for your
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back. Now away to the rear across the river; you will be on duty again in a fortnight." The hurt was a vio- lent contusion below the right shoulder and made the whole side of the body black and blue with extravasated blood. Off we started and came up with my staff com- rade, Walton, slowly trotting to the rear with a bullet in his shoulder. He took charge of things energetic- ally, managed by threats and bullying to get a boat, and had us ferried across the river at Shepherdstown. There Walton got some men to carry me, hunting a resting place ; he tried everywhere, his wound paining him all the time. The little town was full of wounded and it looked as if we should have to He out in the street, but some gentle hearts were melted. At the house of the Hamtrammocks, already crowded with wounded, the ladies gave up their last room and put us in it, fed and cheered us, providing that sweet sympathy and goodness that was ever present among the noble women of battle-torn Virginia.
The Hamtrammock family was unknown to me, but stood very well in the village and all through the Val- ley. It was said that their father, long dead, had com- manded a Virginia regiment in the Mexican War. The only members of the family we saw were the two pleasant girls, Elsie and Florence, and an aunt, Miss Sheperd. That evening the doctor relieved Walton of acute suffering by cutting out the bullet, which had buried itself in the muscles of the shoulder, and dressed my battered back. So we awoke next morning re- freshed and easier, charmed with our luck in such good quarters. We were soon quite ready to be entertained by the young ladies, and they were nothing loth after the nurses had made us presentable. There was a Georgian in the house, Captain D'Antignac, badly
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wounded in the head, and in charge of Miss Sheperd. She would sometimes rush into our room, laughing im- moderately; the poor fellow was out of his head and talking all sorts of nonsense. Our hostesses were very gracious, gay, happy, well educated girls; they played and sang prettily, and were such Confederates! We had much curiosity to know how they had fared during the night, since they had been robbed of their rooms; it finally came out that they had shared the bathroom be- tween them. But this elysium could not last long, for next day the enemy planted some guns on the river bank and began shelling everything. The wounded were in great peril and the surgeons hurried them to the rear. An ambulance was sent at once for us, and with grateful farewells to our friends, we were taken away to a little old farmhouse fifteen miles distant, behind Lee's army.
CHAPTER XIV OUR PERSONNEL — VISITORS
On duty again, recovered — Army refreshed and in good condi- tion — Reorganization — First and Second Army Corps, Longstreet and Stonewall commanding — Divisions compos- ing them — Cavalry under Stuart — Visitors to our camp in Valley — Three Englishmen, Wolseley, Lawley, and Vizitelly.
Within the fortnight I was returned to duty, rather stiff but quite fit, and pleased with the hearty welcome of my brother officers. Walton's wound proved severe and he was sent to a hospital at Richmond. The army had picked up wonderfully, stragglers were back in ranks, the lightly wounded were again ready with their rifles, rations were abundant ; some clothing and shoes had come, for a small part of it, and we were just eager for Burnside or any other fellow. Our General, like his army, was high in spirit and controlling absolutely its destiny. Its devotion for Lee and unfaltering con- fidence in him had never been surpassed. It was now that he found it necessary to reorganize its various commands. They were all comfortably camped in the Valley, except a small detachment sent to the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and covered a good deal of ground. The enemy was silent and showed no sign of move- ment, but we could guess where he was likely to strike next. Somewhere about Spottsylvania or Fredericks- burg, Lee divided his army into two great infantry corps — the First Army Corps under Lieut-Gen. James Longstreet; the Second Army Corps under
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Lieut-Gen. T. J. Jackson. The First had five divisions under Pickett, McLaws, Hood, Richard Anderson, and J. G. Walker ; all had from four to five brigades ; except Walker's, only two, but it was known that his command was to be but temporarily with the Virginia army. Jackson's Second Army Corps had also four divisions under A. P. Hill, R. S. Ewell, D. H. Hill, and Jackson's old division under Taliaferro.
The strength of the two great bodies was thus about equal. To each division there was a battalion of artil- lery of four batteries, and to each corps a reserve bat- talion of six batteries. Longstreet had two of them, the Washingtons, ,and Alexander's battalion.
There was also a strong body of reserve artillery to the army under command (and indeed he claimed some authority over the rest) of Brig.-Gen. W. N. Pendle- ton. This •officer had graduated from West Point, had changed his uniform to the cassock and was rector of an Episcopal church in Western Virginia. He was an especial friend of General Lee, and leaving his pulpit brought a good battery to Jackson's command. A well-meaning man, without qualities for the high post he claimed — Chief of Artillery of the Army.
The cavalry under Stuart completed the good organ- ization of that wonderful army. An excellent body of horse it was, in fit hands, and its commander, true body and soul to Lee, was already a great cavalry leader. It was not, however, until next year that he rose with it to its high-water mark of strength, efficiency, and renown.
While camped there in the Valley we had all at once three interesting visitors, Col. Garnet Wolseley, of the British Army; Hon. Francis Lawley, correspondent at the South for The London Times, and Frank Vizitelly,
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Southern correspondent and artist for The London Illustrated News. Wolseley was on duty in Canada and had just slipped across the border and the army lines to have a look at the Confederate forces. He was a small, spare man, modest and soldierly. It was from Lawley that we learned more about him, and that he had distinguished himself while a subaltern in the Crimea and was considered a rising officer. It fell to me to make better acquaintance with Wolseley and we have kept up some communication since. It has, there- fore, been good to follow his " steps " and note the more than fulfillment of the favorable expectations of him. Commander of the Red River Expedition ; gen- eral in charge of the Ashantee War; severe, successful service in India; command in Egypt and defeat of Arabi at Tel-el-Kebir ; operations in the Soudan — these have been some of his various services up to five years ago, when he was made commander-in-chief of the forces, his tour of duty having just ended. We had a review of one of our divisions, gave him a good mount, and he rode well with Longstreet, admiring with an experienced eye the hardy material of our sol- diers. In a day or two he returned to Canada. He has attained the rank of Field Marshal, and is Vis- count Wolseley in the Peerage of England, with many high orders of merit.
This distinguished officer has written well and often of his Confederate observations. He places Lee in the first rank of generals of the English-speaking race, with Marlborough and Wellington; and his admira- tion for our leader is constant — of the very highest. A letter pointing to his interest in Confederate auto- graphs will be found in the Appendix.
Frank Lawley, tall, handsome, and of distinguished
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appearance, had started in English political life with everything in his favor. A fine University education, natural aptitude, and a polished pen aided him in be- coming secretary to Mr. Gladstone when Chancellor of the Exchequer. Soon, however, a shadow fell on Lawley. He gave up his post and political life, taking to writing, for which he was well fitted. The Times had sent him South, and he was about Lee's army nearly two years, making many friends. He is now one of the principal editors of the London Telegram, with a great salary, which, as of old, does not go far with him.
Frank Vizitelly (Italian family, for centuries settled in England) was a burly-looking, reckless " Bohe- mian," of many accomplishments. He could write, could sing, could draw and paint, could dance and ride, could tell good stories (good only in the telling, not in the matter) by the hour, and, finally, could drink like a fish, and did so. He made spirited drawings of bat- tles, persons, and all sorts of scenes during the two years he was with us in the South, and managed to get them through the blockade to his paper.
When Vizitelly left us he served his paper all over the world, whenever there was war; and finally joining Hicks Pasha's Expedition for subduing the Soudan, perished in the complete massacre of that ill-fated column.
His name, with six other war correspondents who fell at their several posts elsewhere, is carved in a tablet set in the walls of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. I never thought Vizitelly could possibly come to such re- spectable distinction.
CHAPTER XV THE STAFF
Staff of First Corps — Kirkwood Rangers escort — A camp din- ner party in state — Lee's aggressiveness — Ropes's descrip- tion of Lee — Duties of the staff.
The organization of the army having been described, it is time to show the staff of the First Army Corps ; thus, October, 1862:
Major G. M. Sorrel, A. A. G. and Chief of Staff.
Major John W. Fairfax, A. A. G. and In- spector.
Major Osmun Latrobe, A. A. G. and Inspector.
Lieut-Col. P. T. Manning, Chief of Ordnance.
Captain F. W. Dawson, Assistant to Chief of Ordnance.
Major Thomas Walton, A. D. C.
Captain Thomas Goree, A. D. C.
Lieutenant Blackwell, A. D. C.
Major R. J. Moses, Chief Commissary of Sub- sistence.
Major Mitchell, Chief Quartermaster.
Captain J. H. Manning, Signal Officer.
Surgeon J. S. D. Cullen, Medical Director.
Surgeon R. Barksdale, Medical Inspector.
Surgeon Kellum, Medical Inspector. 124
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Assistant Surgeon Thomas Maury, Assistant to
Medical Director.
Major Chichester, Commissary of Subsistence. Major I. G. Clarke, Engineer Corps.
Of the names of those starting out with Longstreet at the beginning only a few have already been given. The others were added as the command grew in strength and wants. Some of those here named may not have joined until a little later than this time, which I fix at about November 15, 1862. Latrobe, a Mary- lander, had been serving with D. R. Jones's small divi- sion. Upon its being broken up he came to us and proved most acceptable to the Lieutenant-General, and a valuable staff officer. He was eventually to succeed me when I was in 1864 promoted to command in an- other corps. Moses, the chief commissary, had been a leading lawyer in Georgia, and was now a most intelli- gent, efficient officer. He was much older than most of us, but " bon comrade," and had an exhaustless fund of incident and anecdote, which he told inimitably.
Latrobe, whom I often see, is my dear friend as I write; in fine health and good condition; big in body and frame as he is in heart. To corps headquarters at this time was attached a good troop of cavalry for courier and escort service. It was the Kirkwood Ran- gers, from South Carolina, first commanded by Cap- tain Shannon, then by Captain Tobey. Captain Shan- non was that excellent man, somewhat advanced in years, and retired, who was forced into a duel in South Carolina, and killed. The staff well understood their' General and he knew them ; they worked together with good results and never did one of them fail him.
An officer who might also be numbered on the staff
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was Colonel E. P. Alexander, although he commanded the reserve artillery ; but Longstreet thought so well of his engineering and reconnoitering abilities that he kept him very near headquarters.
While the three Englishmen were visiting us it was decided to give them a dinner. Two hospital tents were thrown together and made a fine mess hall, embel- lished with trophies of arms and flags.. Flowers and ferns did the rest for decoration. For the table there were planks on trestles, and the same for seats. The countryside was generous in lending, as well as giving provisions, and our fete did not lack a good white cover- ing over its bare boards. Provisions were plentiful outside the army rations, and I aver that on this occa- sion they were paid for honestly. Young pig, well fat- tened, turkeys, fowls, fresh beef, and vegetables topped off the commissary's pork and hardtack. There were good cooks at our call, and the negro servants of the officers fairly grinned with delight at such a feast. We had many officers of note to meet our guests, and the function went off most agreeably. The absence of wine was conspicuous, but no one lacked for good whiskey, and perhaps before parting it had been tasted too often by some. After dinner came cards — poker. The Englishmen, except Wolseley, knew the game and enjoyed it. I know that I was a considerable loser, then a turn of chance brought me even, and soon we quit for bed, my last real game of poker to this dc
The army had now been long enough under Lee to satisfy all that he meant fighting, always fighting. That was the business of the army, and only by fight- ing could Virginia be cleared of the enemy and Rich- mond made secure. When he first took command there were a few unthinking speeches made. He had
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fortified Richmond, and like a skilful general knew the value of field-works and temporary entrenchments. Some in the army were given to speak of him as the " King of Spades " who would never allow us to show fighting. The past fourteen months had indeed opened the eyes of these sneerers.
Ropes, the distinguished Northern military historian, writing always, even in the most heated controversy, fairly and dispassionately, has this to say for our hero, en passant, in one of his books, having already once declared him " The most accomplished soldier of the day":
At the time of his appointment to the command of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Lee was 55 years of age, in per- fect health, vigorous, robust, of a commanding presence. His character, public and private, was of the highest. In intellect it may be doubted whether he was superior to the able soldier whom he succeeded ; indeed, Joseph E. Johnston possessed as good a military mind as any general on either side; but in that fortunate combination of qualities, physical, mental, and moral, which go to make up a great commander, General Lee was un- questionably more favored than any of the leaders of the Civil War. He possessed at once the entire confidence of his Gov- ernment and the unquestioning and enthusiastic devotion of the army. He had no rival, either in the councils of the Richmond War Department or in the colloquies around camp-fires. Lee's position was unique. No army commander on either side was so universally believed in, .so absolutely trusted. Nor was there ever a commander who better deserved the support of his Gov- ernment and the affection and confidence of his soldiers.
With the growth of Longstreet's command my duties had become doubly important, and with weighty re- sponsibilities. The General left much to me, both in camp and on the field. As chief of his staff it was my part to respond to calls for instruction and to an- ticipate them. The General was kept fully advised after the event, if he was not near by at the time; but action had to be swift and sure, without waiting to hunt him up on a different part of the field.
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The change of movement of a brigade or division in battle certainly carried a grave responsibility, but it has often to be faced by the chief staff officer if the general happened to be out of reach. Nearly two years of war on a grand scale had given me experience and confidence, and Longstreet was always generous with good support when things were done apparently for the best. This gave me good prestige in our large corps, and I found hosts of friends among officers and men.
The reorganization had made the First Corps 40,000 strong, effective, by the time it got to Fredericksburg in December. Jackson's Second Corps was fully 38,- ooo strong.
CHAPTER XVI EVENTS PRECEDING FREDERICKSBURG
Burnside in command of Army of the Potomac — Sketch — Lee's plans — At Fredericksburg — General Patrick, U. S. A. — Flag- of truce — Arrival of army in position — Poor defensive works — Bad-weater march — Some expedients by Long- street — The stone wall — Major-General McLaws, Major- General Hood, Major-General Anderson, Major-General Walker — Sketches.
The new commander of the Army of the Potomac was one of the most highly respected officers of the United States Army, but he was not equal to the com- mand, and so stated to the officers who brought him Mr. Lincoln's commission and orders.
McClellan was of decided ability in many respects; timorous, but safe ; and there was no better organizer. He seemed to hate battle, and it is surprising that with such a record he should have secured and retained the devotion and confidence of his men to the very end. There was no lack of physical courage ; it was a mental doubt with him.
Burnside had no prominent reputation, but made a success of an unimportant expedition into North Caro- lina. He conspicuously failed at Sharpsburg, where all day the bridge on the right was the scene of combat, without his movement to seize it. His great corps, held idly in hand, was equal to it ten times over. But he may have been waiting on McClellan, with whom he was in the closest intimacy of friendship.
At all events, Burnside could and would fight, even
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if he did not know how, and after " Little Mac " this was what Mr. Lincoln was trying for. He was,, a handsome man, from Rhode Island, of fine, courteous bearing.
Franklin should have been, I think, the man for Lin- coln; but who knows? There was a powerful clique always about McClellan, most unwisely at difference, sometimes, with the Administration.
A pause in the operations ensued while we lay about Bunker Hill and Winchester. But Lee had, in the first half of November, decided where he should make Burnside fight. It was Fredericksburg. Longstreet had previously sent McLaws's division east of the mountains to the vicinity of Culpeper, and about No- vember 1 6 started him for the old town on the Rappa- hannock, following a day or two later from his Valley camps with the remainder of the corps.
The gaps of the Blue Ridge were well occupied and defended by Jackson and Stuart's cavalry during Lee's transfer of his army in this delicate strategical opera- tion.
I parted from Longstreet for a day or two, and ar- rived near Fredericksburg with some of the leading troops, before him.
My ride was in the worst weather, roads deep in mud, with rain in torrents. Fredericksburg is one of the oldest and most aristocratic of the Virginia towns. A dwindling trade had thinned the population and quieted its ambitions. At this time the place was the home of families of historical importance and pres- ent interest, with a thorough knowledge of good liv- ing, and still respectable cellars of old Madeira that had been imported by them many years before.
The enemy had a small garrison there and a pro-
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vost marshal, an elderly United States officer, kind and gentle in his authority, and much liked by the citizens.
From this officer I received a request to meet him under flag of truce, and we made acquaintance in a little block-house just outside the town. The good old General Patrick was quite in ignorance apparently of the great operation that was then culminating. Ex- pecting to hold the city with his little garrison he wished to avert any shelling of the town by our guns.
His friends had not yet made their appearance on the Falmouth Hills, commanding the town on the left bank of the river. We had outstripped their march.
General Patrick was informed that he must at once withdraw from Fredericksburg, that we should occupy it in force. He smiled, thinking it a bluff, and wanted to know where the soldiers were. On this point he got no information, of course, and we parted. How- ever, he was soon to see our men pouring forward, and McLaws's division seizing the city and posting his gallant Mississippians on the river front, under the intrepid Barksdale.
Patrick's little gang had, of course, immediately slipped away when they saw what was coming.
This I think was about November 21. The entire army soon after arrived and took position behind the Rappahannock, a wide, undulating plain for the most part stretching between our lines and the river it- self. Longstreet took the left and Jackson the right; the former's most important point being the stone wall and sunken road at the foot of Marye's Hill.
Looking back at the situation, it seems surprising that we did so little in the way of defensive field- works. The enemy in great masses were crowding the
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Falmouth Hills, and we knew intended to cross and strike us. But yet we contented ourselves with the little stone wall (which proved helpful), and two or three tiers of light trenchwork extended on the slope of the hill behind and on our left.
The like observation applies to Jackson, whose lines were above the same as ours in strength, except the stone wall.
Later in the war such a fault could not have been found. Experience had taught us that to win, we must fight ; and that fighting under cover was the thing to keep up the army and beat the enemy. He knew it, too, and practised it, so later on veterans no sooner got to facing each other than they began to dig, if ever so little; a little trench, a tiny hillock is often a very helpful defense and protection.
The march to Fredericksburg in bad weather and over almost bottomless roads had caused great suf- fering to the men and some losses among the animals. It was then that Longstreet told his men of an ex- pedient that as an old soldier he had often resorted to. " Rake," he sent word to the men, " the coals and ashes from your cooking fires and sleep on that ground ; it will be dry and warm." And so it proved. Also, there being many barefooted men, " Take the rawhides of the beef cattle, killed for food ; cut roughly for a moccasin-like covering for the feet, and there you are with something to walk in." But this did not go. The foot-wear had nothing like soles of stiffen- ing, and in the mud and icy slush of the Virginian roads the moist, fresh skins slipped about as if on ice. The wearers, constantly up or down, finally kicked them aside and took the road as best they could, barefooted or wrapped with rags or straw. Richmond did its
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best to supply, but there was always trouble for want of shoes. Great quantities were run in from England by blockade, but they were worthless, shoddy things that might be done for in a day's use. I once wore a pair of them, and in a single day of wet and mud the cheats came to pieces and developed bits of paper and odds of leather things, where should be good, strong, well tanned cow skin.
It is said that our friends, the enemy, across the lines fared badly as well in shoddy, and that too from their own neighbors and countrymen.
It was awfully nasty work getting down to that stone wall for giving orders or receiving information, the way swept by the enemy's volume of fire over every foot. Once at the wall it was fairly snug, but the com- ing back was still worse, and one drew a long breath on emerging safely from the deadly fusilade.
We could only manage it on foot by making short rushes from point to point, affording perhaps some little cover. It was on such a duty that my friend Lord King was killed. He was A. D. C. to McLaws, of the family of Kings of southern Georgia.
The ranking major-general of our corps was L. McLaws, his division made up of Georgians, Missis- sippians, and South Carolinians. He was an officer of much experience and most careful. Fond of de- tail, his command was in excellent condition, and his ground and position well examined and reconnoitered ; not brilliant in the field or quick in movement there or elsewhere, he could always be counted on and had se- cured the entire confidence of his officers and men.
Maj.-Gen. John B. Hood's appearance was very striking; in age only 34, he had a personality that would attract attention anywhere. Very tall and some-
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what loose- jointed ; a long, oval face shaded by yellow- ish beard, plentiful hair of same color, and voice of great power and compass.
With very winning manners, he is said to have used these advantages actively for his own advancement. But apart from that, his services in the field were of the best. Resigning from the United States Army he was made colonel of one of the three Texas regiments that were sent to Virginia. There he quickly showed his soldierly qualities and was made brigadier-general over the brigade formed of the three Texas regiments and the Third Arkansas. It was conspicuous in all of the many combats in which it was engaged, and Hood soon came on for promotion to one of the di- visions of Longstreet's corps. As major-general he continued to display high qualities and he might be considered an ideal officer of that rank and command. At Gettysburg he received a wound in the arm. It isj said that at Richmond, while convalescing, he suf- fered himself to criticize very freely our operations in Pennsylvania. As soon as recovered he resumed his division, which he took to Chickamauga, where his conduct was magnificent. There he lost a leg. Long- street immediately recommended him to promotion to lieutenant-general, which was done, and on recovery Hood was assigned to the Western army under. J. E. Johnston. There I must leave him. His biographers will relate his promotion to the rank of full general; his superseding Johnston; his march to the enemy's rear; the sanguinary battles of Franklin and Nash- ville, and the crushing defeat of his expedition by Thomas, making possible the great decisive strategic operation of Sherman's " March to the sea."
Maj.-Gen. G. E. Pickett we already know. He had
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a very fine division of five Virginia brigades, all well commanded by brigadiers who greatly helped the Ma- jor-General to the high reputation gained by this gal- lant body of men.
Ma j. -Gen. Richard H. Anderson, of South Caro- lina, had been a captain of cavalry in the United States Army, and was rather an interesting character. His courage was of the highest order, but he was indolent. His capacity and intelligence excellent, but it was hard to get him to use them. Withal, of a nature so true and lovable that it goes against me to criticize him. He had served well as a brigadier-general, and now with Longstreet, commanding a division, had more to do. Longstreet knew him well and could get a good deal out of him, more than any one else. His di- vision was of Georgians, South Carolinians, Alabam- ians and Mississippians.
Maj.-Gen. J. B. Walker was commanding two bri- gades of North Carolinians. I had no intimate knowl- edge of this officer, who it was known would be with the Virginia army but for a short time. He bore a high reputation among those of his acquaintance.
CHAPTER XVII BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG, DECEMBER 13, 1862
Enemy massed on Stafford Heights — Heavy artillery fire — The pontoon bridge — Splendid defense of Mississippians — Enemy crosses — Preparing for his assault — Sumner's at- tack on Marye's Hill — The deadly stone wall — General Cobb killed — General Lee's position — Jackson in uniform
— His answer to Longstreet — Franklin's attack on Jackson
— Enemy escapes across the river — Strength and losses — Bursting of a gun — Old Madeiras in Fredericksburg — An incident, " one touch of nature " — Enemy not pursued.
But now it is time to sketch something of the re- markable battle that the quiet waters of the Rappahan- nock were to see fiercely fought in torrents of blood across the plain that bordered the stream. I attempt no description, limiting myself to some stray obser- vations.
The enemy had finally massed his great force (122,- 500 men) on Stafford Heights and was to force the passage of the river. Franklin had wisely advised Burnside to do the work with half the army against our right, and Burnside, at first assenting, then re- sumed his original intention to attack our center with Sumner's grand division. Well for us that he did so !
On December n his movements began by attempt- ing to set his pontoon bridge opposite the city for the crossing.
It was opposed by General Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade of McLaws's division, and stands as one of the finest acts of heroism and stubborn resistance in our military annals.
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Burnside first poured an artillery fire in the de- voted town and defending brigade — that was liter- ally an " enfer."
There had been nothing like it before in this war. Every shot, all kinds of missiles, were thrown at the Mississippians to dislodge them. The brave fellows were there, however, to stay. They hid themselves in cellars, wells, holes of any kind where they could get a little cover, while their rifles picked off the pontooners pluckily trying to throw their boats across the stream. The latter fell in great numbers and this went on nearly all day. The Confederates would not budge, although so stubborn a defense had been no part of our expectation. We knew the town would be seized.
Quite late the bridge effort was abandoned by the Federal engineers. Calling for volunteers to fill the boats and cross in mass, it was gallantly answered. A number of them were quickly crowded, and not- withstanding our fire their landing was soon made and the town occupied, but not before Barksdale had safely withdrawn his hard-fighting fellows.
They had the cheers of the army for their day's brave work.
Then began that night and all next day and night the movement of Burnside's great army across the river. More brigades were added and there were sev- eral in Franklin's possession. He had no trouble in laying what he wanted in his front.
Thus stood Burnside, his army facing us with noth- ing between, on December 13, and bitter cold, Franklin operating on his left against Jackson. Sumner in the center and center-right against Longstreet, who also guarded the lines extended considerably to our left.
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Hooker's grand division was held on Stafford Heights during the night of the I2th.
But Marye's Hill was our strong point. Burnside wanted it and there he threw his men in blind and im- potent fury. It was held by T. R. R. Cobb's brigade of Georgians behind a stone wall at first and another brigade in support. The front here was quite narrow. Ransom's and Cook's North Carolina brigades were in light trenches higher up the hill, but in position to deliver deadly fire, and did so. The defense at the stone wall was also kept carefully reinforced as needed. There was some artillery in pits near the crest of the hill that did effective service.
General Lee's position with his staff during the day was on a small hill with a good plateau, from which he had a fair view of Sumner's attack on Longstreet, as well as Franklin's on Jackson. Longstreet was much of the time with him. Before the hot work be- gan, " Stonewall " rode up to have a word with Lee. As he dismounted we broke into astonished smiles. He was in a spick and span new overcoat, new uniform with rank marks, fine black felt hat, and a handsome sword. We had never seen the like before, and gave him our congratulations on his really fine appearance. He said he " believed it was some of his friend Stuart's doings."
Franklin was in great masses before Jackson, and before mounting, Longstreet called out, " Jackson, what are you going to do with all those people over there?" "Sir," said Stonewall, with great fire and spirit, " we will give them the bayonet."
There is really now but little more to be said in de- tail of the battle. In front of us it was hammer and tongs all day from 1 1 a. m. until finally Burnside had
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to desist in sheer weariness of slaughter. His troops advanced to their assaults with the finest intrepidity, but it was impossible for them to stand before our fire. I afterwards saw that perhaps not more than half a dozen of their men had got within sixty yards of our wall and dropped there. Not once was there any sign of faltering or weakness among our troops ; the solid bodies of troops attacking might easily have made it otherwise with unseasoned soldiers.
On our right Franklin had been more successful. He managed to pierce a salient that should have been corrected and worsted a considerable number of Jack- son's men. The line was retaken and restored, but with some loss, among whom was Captain Edward Lawton, a young brother of General Lawton, of Georgia. We also lost at Marye's Hill General Cobb (T. R. R.), of Georgia, deeply mourned as one of the most promising officers and whole-souled patriots of the South.
When darkness fell on this great tragedy, hostile movements ceased and the two armies were caring for the " butcher's bill." Ours was small compara- tively, but the enemy had lost very heavily.
A thick fog or mist also arose and enveloped the enemy's movements in strangeness and uncertainty. They were actually started on hastily recrossing the river, but we don't appear to have known it. Most of the day of the I4th it was thick and misty, veiling successfully the enemy's movements, but all the time he was preparing for his retreat.
He was not attacked while in this exposed position. Why not ? It is generally thought it would have been fatal to the Federals and it is indisputable that they were in hourly dread of it. Some say Jackson pro-
140 RECOLLECTIONS OF A
posed a night attack, but I doubt it, and am glad it was not made.
It is impossible to describe the confusion of such an attempt or to anticipate what might happen. I was in one later on with three picked brigades of the high- est order and efficiency.
The roar of battle between Lookout Mountain and Brown's Ferry on the Tennessee River words cannot express, and in the black darkness the three brigades achieved worse than nothing.
But why did we not attack on the I4th in daylight? Not my part to attempt this explanation, but it looks much as if we were " building a bridge of gold for the flying enemy."
On the night of the I7th Burnside withdrew his army to his old camp in the Falmouth Hills.
We lost in killed and wounded — Longstreet, 1,519 ; Jackson, 2,682; total, 4,201. Jackson was also