I yield to no one as a champion of the Southern soldier wherever he may have fought and in whatever army, and I do not think I shall be charged more now than in war-time with “underestimating the enemy.” Honor to all! If I speak with some particularity of the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, it must be ascribed in part to the affection of a commander, and in part to my desire to relieve its brave officers and men in the ranks from unjust aspersions. After General Lee’s death, various writers on the Southern cause combined with one accord to hold the First Corps and its commander responsible for all adversity that befell the army. I being under the political ban, and the political passions and prejudices of the times running high, they had no difficulty in spreading their misrepresentations South and North until some people, through their mere reiteration, came to accept them as facts. I simply present the facts concerning the First Corps in all fulness and fairness, attested by indisputable authorities, that the public may judge between it and its detractors.
In the accounts of battles and movements, the official War Records supply in a measure the place of lost papers, and afford a great mass of most trustworthy statistics. I am under obligations to General E. P. Alexander, General G. M. Sorrel, Colonel Osman Latrobe, Colonel J. W. Fairfax, Colonel T. J. Goree, Colonel Erasmus Taylor, and Colonel J. C. Haskell for many interesting suggestions.
To Major George B. Davis and Mr. L. J. Perry, of the War Records office, I am under obligations for invaluable assistance; as also to Mr. Alfred Matthews, of Philadelphia, for material aid in revising the manuscript of these memoirs.
The Author.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| THE ANTE-BELLUM LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. | |
| Birth—Ancestry—School-Boy Days—Appointment as Cadet at the United States Military Academy—Graduates of Historic Classes—Assignmentas Brevet Lieutenant—Gay Life of Garrison at Jefferson Barracks—Lieutenant Grant’s Courtship—Annexationof Texas—Army of Observation—Army of Occupation—Camp Life in Texas—March to the Rio Grande—Mexican War | [13] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| FROM NEW MEXICO TO MANASSAS. | |
| The War-Cloud—The Journey Northward—Appointed Brigadier-General—Report to General Beauregard—Assigned to Commandat the Scene of the First Conflict—Personnel of the Confronting Forces—Description of the Field of Manassas, orBull Run—Beauregard and McDowell of the same West Point Class—Battle of Blackburn’s Ford—Early’s Mistake—Under Fire of Friend and Foe | [29] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| BATTLE OF MANASSAS, OR BULL RUN. | |
| Commanders on both Sides generally Veterans of the Mexican War—General Irvin McDowell’s Preconceived Plan—Johnstonreinforces Beauregard and approves his Plans—General Bernard E. Bee—Analysis of the Fight—Superb Work of the Federal Artillery—Christeningof “Stonewall Jackson”—McDowell’s Gallant Effort to recover Lost Power—Before he was shorn of his Artillery he was the Samson of theField—The Rout—Criticism of McDowell—Tyler’s Reconnoissance—Ability of the Commanding Generals tested | [42] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| THE CONFEDERATES HOVERING AROUND WASHINGTON. | |
| An Early War-Time Amenity—The Author invited to dine with the Enemy—“Stove-pipe Batteries”—J. E. B. Stuart, the FamousCavalryman—His Bold Dash on the Federals at Lewinsville—Major-General G. W. Smith associated with Johnstonand Beauregard in a Council—Longstreet promoted Major-General—Fierce Struggle at Ball’s Bluff—Dranesville a Successfor the Union Arms—McClellan given the Sobriquet of “The Young Napoleon” | [59] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| ROUND ABOUT RICHMOND. | |
| The Defences of the Confederate Capital—Army of Northern Virginia at Centreville—Aggressive Action—Council with thePresident and Secretary of War—Mr. Davis’s High Opinion of McClellan—Operations on the Peninsula—Engagements aboutYorktown and Williamsburg—Severe Toil added to the Soldiers’ Usual Labors by a Saturated Soil | [64] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. | |
| The Attack on Fort Magruder—Hancock occupies Two Redoubts—The Slaughter in Early’s Brigade—The Fifth North CarolinaRegiment and Twenty-Fourth Virginia mercilessly exposed—A Hard-Fought Engagement—A Confederate Victory—McClellannot on the Field the Greater Part of the Day—Hancock called “The Superb” by McClellan—Johnston pays High Tribute to Longstreet | [72] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| SEVEN PINES, OR FAIR OAKS. | |
| A New Line of Defence—Positions of the Confronting Armies—Fitz-John Porter—Terrific Storm on the Eve of Battle—GeneralJohnston’s Orders to Longstreet, Smith, and Huger—Lack of Co-operation on the Confederate Side, and Ensuing Confusion—Fatalitiesamong Confederate Officers—Kearny’s Action—Serious Wounding of General Johnston at the Close of the Battle—Summary and Analysis of Losses | [81] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| SEQUELÆ OF SEVEN PINES. | |
| The Forces under Command of G. W. Smith after Johnston was wounded—The Battle of the 1st—Longstreet requests Reinforcementsand a Diversion—Council held—McLaws alone sustains Longstreet’s Opposition to retiring—Severe Fighting—Pickett’sBrave Stand—General Lee assigned to Command—He orders the withdrawal of the Army—Criticism of General Smith—Confederatesshould not have lost the Battle—Keyes’s Corroboration | [103] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| ROBERT E. LEE IN COMMAND. | |
| The Great General’s Assignment not at first assuring to the Army—Ableas an Engineer but limited as to Field Service—He makes the Acquaintanceof his Lieutenants—Calls a Council—Gains Confidence by saying Nothing—“A Little Humor now andthen”—Lee Plans a Simultaneous Attack on McClellan’s Front and Rear—J. E. B. Stuart’s Daring Reconnoissance around the Union Army | [112] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| FIGHTING ALONG THE CHICKAHOMINY. | |
| Retreat—Lee’s Bold Initiative—Lee and his Lieutenants planning Battle—The Confederates’ Loss at Mechanicsville—Gaines’sMill—A. P. Hill’s Fight—Longstreet’s Reserve Division put in—McClellan’s Change of Base—Savage Station—Longstreetengages McClellan’s Main Force at Frayser’s Farm (or Glendale)—President Davis on the Field—Testimony of FederalGenerals—Fierce Bayonet Charges—“Greek meets Greek”—Capture of General McCall—McClellan’s Masterly Retreat | [120] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. | |
| Last Stand in the Great Retreat—Strength of McClellan’s Position—The Confederates make Poor Use of their Artillery—A Mistakeand Defeat for Lee’s Army—The Campaign as a Whole a Great Success, but it should have been far greater—McClellan’sRetreat showed him well equipped in the Science of War—Review of the Campaign—Jackson’s and Magruder’s Misunderstanding—MoralEffect of the Gunboats on the James River—“There should be a Gunboat in Every Family” | [141] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| HALLECK AND POPE IN FEDERAL COMMAND. | |
| Centres of Activity gravitate towards Orange and Culpeper Counties—Pope’s Unsoldierly Preliminary Orders—Jackson’s andPope’s Encounter at Cedar Mountain—Confidence in and Esteem for General Lee—The Confederate Commander’s Plans for cuttingoff Pope miscarry—Capture of Captain Fitzhugh with Important Orders—Longstreet puts General Toombs under Arrest—General Pope withdraws | [153] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| MAKING READY FOR MANASSAS AGAIN. | |
| General Lee modifies his Order of March—Continuous Skirmishing—Cavalry Commander Stuart gets into General Pope’sHead-quarters and captures his Personal Equipment—His Uniform Coat and Hat shown along the Confederate Lines—Jackson’sSuperb Flank Movement—Confederates capture Trains, Supplies, Munitions, and Prisoners—Hooker andEwell at Bristoe Station—Jackson first on the Old Field of BullRun—Longstreet’s Command joins passing Thoroughfare Gap—Pope practically throws Responsibility for Aggressive Actionon McDowell—Preliminary Fighting—General Pope surprised by Jackson—Pope’s Orders to Fitz-John Porter | [163] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS (BULL RUN). | |
| Battle opened by the Federals on Jackson’s Right, followed by Kearny—Longstreet’s Reconnoissance—Stuart, the CavalryLeader, sleeps on the Field of Battle—Pope thought at the Close of the 29th that the Confederates were retreating—SecondDay—Fitz-John Porter struck in Flank—Longstreet takes a Hand in the Fight late in the Day—Lee under Fire—TheFederal Retreat to Centreville—That Point turned—Pope again dislodged—“Stonewall” Jackson’s Appearance andPeculiarities—Killing of “Fighting Phil” Kearny—Losses—Review of the Campaign | [180] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. | |
| General Lee continues Aggressive Work—From Foraged Fields of Virginia into a Bounteous Land—Longstreet objected to the Movement onHarper’s Ferry—Lee thinks the Occasion Timely for Proposal of Peace and Independence—Confederates singing through the Streets ofFredericktown—McClellan’s Movements—Cautious Marches—Lee’s Lost Order handed to the Federal Chief at Frederick | [199] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| “THE LOST ORDER”—SOUTH MOUNTAIN. | |
| How the Federals found the Despatch—With every Advantage McClellan “made haste slowly”—Lee turns back to meethim at South Mountain—Longstreet preferred that the Stand should be made at Sharpsburg—The Battle at the Pass—Manykilled—General Garland of the Confederate and General Reno of the Union Side—A Future President among the Wounded—Estimate of Forces engaged | [212] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| PRELIMINARIES OF THE GREAT BATTLE. | |
| Confederates retreat from South Mountain—Federals follow and harass them—Franklin and Cobb at Crampton’s Pass—A SpiritedAction—Fighting around Harper’s Ferry—Its Capitulation—The Confederates take Eleven Thousand Prisoners—Jacksonrejoins Lee—Description of the Field of Antietam—McClellan postshis Corps—Lee’s Lines advantageously placed—Hooker’s Advance on the Eve of Battle should have been resisted | [227] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM. | |
| Bloodiest Single Day of the War—Comparison of Casualties—Hooker opens the Fight against Jackson’s Centre—Many Officersamong the Fallen early in the Day—McLaws and Walker in time to meet Sumner’s Advance under Sedgwick—Around DunkerChapel—Richardson’s Splendid Advance against the Confederate Centre the Signal of the Bursting of another Storm—Longstreet’sand D. H. Hill’s Troops stood before it—Fall of General G. B. Anderson—General Richardson mortally wounded—Aggressive Spiritof his Command broken—Wonderful Cannon-shot—General D. H. Hill’s Third Horse killed under him | [239] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM (CONTINUED). | |
| Closing Events of the Great Struggle—Burnside crosses the Bridge he made famous—Toombs made Gallant Defence, but was outnumberedand dislodged—The Confederate Brigades from Harper’s Ferry under A. P. Hill in Time for the Final Crisis—Burnside’sAdvance arrested by them—The Battle against Burnside “appeared to spring from the Earth”—“Lee’s oldWar Horse”—The Killing of a Kinsman at the Bridge seriously affects General D. R. Jones—The Sharp Fight at Shepherdstown—Confederatesretreat—Casualties of the Battle—Confederate Losses in the Campaign—Neither McClellan’s Plan nor Execution was strong | [256] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| REVIEW OF THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. | |
| Confederate Expectations—General Lee’s Salutatory to the People of Maryland—The “LostDespatch”—McClellan’s Movements—Turn in the Tide of War—A Miracle great as the throwingdown of the Walls of Jericho—In Contempt of the Enemy the Confederate Army was dispersed—Harper’s Ferry a “Man-Trap”—Itdiverted the Army from the Main Issue—Lee and McClellan compared and contrasted—Tribute to the Confederate Private Soldier | [279] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| REORGANIZATION AND REST FOR BOTH ARMIES. | |
| The Confederates appoint Seven Lieutenant-Generals—The Army of Northern Virginia organized in Corps—General McClellanrelieved, and General Burnside appointed Commander of theArmy of the Potomac—A Lift for the South—McClellan was growing—Burnside’s “Three Grand Divisions”—The Campaignof the Rappahannock—Getting Ready for Fredericksburg—Longstreet occupies Fredericksburg—The Town called to surrenderby General Sumner—Exodus of the Inhabitants under a Threat to shell the Town | [290] |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. | |
| Description of the Field—Marye’s Heights—Position of the Troops of Longstreet’s Command—General Jackson called down fromOrange Court-House, and Preparations made for a Determined Stand—Signal Guns at Three o’Clock in the Morning announcethe Long-Expected Battle—Burnside’s Bridge-Builders thrice driven back from their Work—The Crossing finally made byBoats—Federals under Hot Fire enter Fredericksburg—How they obtained their Foothold on the West Bank of the Rappahannock—GallantOfficers and Men—Ninety-seven killed or wounded in the Space of Fifty Yards—General Burnside’s Plan of Battle—Strength of the Contending Forces | [297] |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG (CONTINUED). | |
| The Battle-field veiled by a Heavy Fog—Terrific Fighting of the 13th of December—Forlorn Hope of the Federals—GeneralMeade’s Division of Franklin’s Command makes the First Advance—General French leads against the Confederate Left—Hancockfollows—General Cobb killed—The Sunken Road and Stone Wall below Marye’s Hill—Desperate Advances and DeterminedRepulses—Humphreys’s Heroic Assault—The Stone Wall “a Sheet of Flame”—General Jackson loses his Opportunityto advance—The Charge of Meade’s Divisions compared with that of Pickett, Pettigrew, and Trimble’s Columnsat Gettysburg—Forty Per Cent. killed in charging Lines here, and Sixty Per Cent. at Gettysburg—Total Losses—Peace to bedeclared because Gold had gone to 200—Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia | [306] |
| [CHAPTER XXIV.] | |
| PREPARING FOR THE SPRING OF ’63. | |
| Burnside’s Abortive Moves—The “Mud March”—General Hooker supersedes Burnside—The Confederates strengthentheir Position for the Winter—Longstreet ordered to Petersburg—Secretary of War Seddon and the Author talk of General Grant andthe Confederate Situation on the Mississippi and in the West—Longstreetmakes a Radical Proposition for Confederate Concentration in Tennessee, thus tocompel Grant to abandon Vicksburg—The Skilful Use of Interior Lines the Only Way of equalizing the Contest—Battle of Chancellorsville,Lee’s Brilliant Achievement—Criticism—Death of “Stonewall” Jackson—TheResolve to march Northward—The Army reorganized in Three Corps—Ewell and A. P. Hill appointed Lieutenant-Generals | [322] |
| [CHAPTER XXV.] | |
| INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA. | |
| Plan of the Confederate March North—General Lee hoped to draw Troops from the South and develop Important Results Northof the Potomac—He wanted Beauregard sent to support the Movement—The Authorities in Richmond failed to comprehend—TheValue of the “Interior Lines” not appreciated—Spirited Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station between Stuart’s andPleasonton’s Commands—Engagement of Ewell and Milroy at Winchester—The Question of Authority for the Cavalry Movements—Lieutenant-ColonelFremantle of the Coldstream Guards, British Army, as a Guest and Observer—The Confederate Advance reaches Pennsylvania Soil—General Lee issuesOrders for a March on Harrisburg—Municipal Authorities of York and Gettysburg surrender to General John B. Gordon | [334] |
| [CHAPTER XXVI.] | |
| GETTYSBURG—FIRST DAY. | |
| Information of Federal Force and Positions brought by the Scout Harrison—General Lee declines to credit it—General Longstreetsuggests a Change of Direction in Conformance with the Revelation—General Meade had succeeded Hooker in CommandFive Days before Battle—Positions on the Eve of the First Day—Confederate Cavalry “not in sight”—“The Eyes of theArmy” sadly needed—A Description of the Famous Battle-field—Generals Ewell and A. P. Hill engage the Federals—Deathof General John F. Reynolds—The Fight on Seminary Ridge—General Hancock in Federal Command on the Field—Concerningthe Absent Cavalry and Information given by the Scout—Conditions at the Close of the First Day’s Fight | [346] |
| [CHAPTER XXVII.] | |
| GETTYSBURG—SECOND DAY. | |
| The Confederate Commander reviews the Field and decides on Plan of Battle—Positions on the Morning of July 2—NightMarch of the Federal Sixth Corps—It was excelled by Law’s Brigade of Confederates—The Battle was opened after Mid-day—GeneralHood appeals for Permission to turn the Federal Left—Failure tomake the Flanking Movement by the Confederate Right was a Serious Mistake—Hood, in his usual Gallant Style, led his Troops forward among theRocks—Desperate Charges against an Earnest Adversary—Hood wounded—General Law succeeds him in command of the Division—“LittleRound Top” an Important Point—“The Citadel of the Field”—It was a Fight of Seventeen Thousand Confederates againsttwice their Number—Quiet along the Lines of other Confederate Commands—“A Man on the Left who didn’t care to makethe Battle win”—Evidence against the Alleged Order for “Battle at Sunrise”—The “Order” to Ewell wasDiscretionary—Lee had lost his Balance | [362] |
| [CHAPTER XXVIII.] | |
| GETTYSBURG—THIRD DAY. | |
| The Stroke of Arms that shook the Continent—Longstreet opposed the Attack as planned and made—The Confederate Column ofAssault—It was weak in Numbers but strong in Spirit—Tremendous Artillery Combat begins the Day’s Fighting—Chargeof Generals Pickett, Trimble, and Pettigrew—Armistead falls by the Side of the Federal Guns—The Federal Cavalry Chargeof General Farnsworth—The Commander falls with Five Mortal Wounds—Could the Assaulting Column have been safelyaugmented from Longstreet’s Right?—Testimony as to that Point—Where rested the Responsibility for Disaster?—Criticismof the Battle as a Whole—Cemetery Hill stronger than Marye’s Hill at Fredericksburg—Controverted Points—Casualtiesof the Three Days’ Fight—Organization of the Forces engaged | [385] |
| [CHAPTER XXIX.] | |
| THE WAVE ROLLS BACK. | |
| Confederates retreat from Gettysburg—The Federals pursue—Crossing the Potomac under Difficulties—Kilpatrick’s Cavalry Dashon Pettigrew’s Command—General Lee thought to rest his Army in the Valley of Virginia, but Meade followed too fast—Engagements that harassedthe Retreat—General Lee wished to be relieved of Command, but President Davis would not consent to the Appointment of Joseph E. Johnston or General Beauregard | [426] |
| [CHAPTER XXX.] | |
| LONGSTREET MOVES TO GEORGIA. | |
| The Author reverts to the Perils and Opportunities in the West—Proposes to the Secretary of War to reinforce against Rosecransfrom the Army of Northern Virginia—Makes Plan known to General Lee—The Move finally effected—Difficulties of Transportation—ARoundabout Route—General Longstreet narrowly escapes capture whenseeking Bragg’s Head-quarters—General Bragg assigns Longstreet to Command of the Left—Instructions for the Battle ofChickamauga—The Armies in Position—Federals in Command of Generals Rosecrans, Crittenden, McCook, and George H. Thomas | [433] |
| [CHAPTER XXXI.] | |
| BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. | |
| Tactical Features—The Battle opened by Direct Attack on the Federals in the Early Morning of September 20—Repeatedand Determined Front Assaults—Brigadiers Helm killed and Adams wounded—The Union Commands lay behind Defences—Hood’sBrigades surged through the Forest against the Covered Infantry and Artillery—Hood wounded—Longstreet suggests a Plan forProgressive Action—Halting Tactics at High Tide of Success—The Confederate Left fought a SeparateBattle—General Thomas retreats—First Confederate Victory in the West, and one of the Bloodiest Battles of the War—Forces engaged—Losses | [445] |
| [CHAPTER XXXII.] | |
| FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUCCESS. | |
| Longstreet differs with General Bragg as to Movements of Pursuit—The Confederates on Lookout Mountain—Federals gainComfortable Positions around it—Superior Officers of Bragg’s Command call for his Removal—Bragg seeks Scapegoats—PresidentDavis visits the Army—Tests the Temper of the Officers towards Bragg—He offers the Command to Longstreet—Hedeclines—His Reasons—General Bragg ignores Signal-Service Reports and is surprised—General Joe Hooker’s Advance—NightAttack on Lookout Mountain—Colonel Bratton’s Clever Work—Review of the Western Movement and Combination—Itshould have been effected in May instead of September—Inference as to Results had the First Proposition been promptly acted upon | [461] |
| [CHAPTER XXXIII.] | |
| THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN. | |
| General Bragg’s Infatuation—General Grant in Command of the Federal Forces—Longstreet ordered into East Tennessee—HisPlans for the Campaign—Poorly supported by his Superior—Foraging for Daily Rations—General Burnside’s Forces—Advanceupon Knoxville—Affairs at Lenoir’s and Campbell’s Stations—Engagement near Knoxville an Artillery Combat—ReprehensibleConduct of Officers—Allegement that One was actuated by Jealousy—Federals retire behind their Works—Laying the Confederate Lines about Knoxville | [480] |
| [CHAPTER XXXIV.] | |
| BESIEGING KNOXVILLE. | |
| Closing on the Enemy’s Lines—A Gallant Dash—The Federal Positions—Fort Loudon, later called Fort Sanders—Assault of theFort carefully planned—General McLaws advises Delay—The Order reiterated and emphasized—Gallant Effort by the Brigadesof Generals Wofford, Humphreys, and Bryan at the Appointed Time—A Recall ordered, because carrying the Works was reportedimpossible—General Longstreet is ordered by the President to General Bragg’s Relief—Losses during the Assault and the Campaign | [497] |
| [CHAPTER XXXV.] | |
| CUT OFF FROM EAST AND WEST. | |
| Impracticability of joining General Bragg—Wintering in East Tennessee—General Longstreet given Discretionary Authority overthe Department by President Davis—Short Rations—Minor Movements of Hide-and-Seek in the Mountains—Longstreet’sPosition was of Strategic Importance—That Fact fully appreciated by President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, and GeneralsHalleck and Grant—“Drive Longstreet out of East Tennessee and keep him out”—Generals Robertson and McLaws—TheCharges against them and Action taken—Honorable Mention for Courage and Endurance—The Army finally fares sumptuously on the Fat Lands of the French Broad | [509] |
| [CHAPTER XXXVI.] | |
| STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD. | |
| Longstreet again considers Relief from Service—General Grant at Knoxville—Shoeless Soldiers leave Bloody Trails on FrozenRoads—A Confederate Advance—Affair at Dandridge—Federals retreat—Succession of Small Engagements—GeneralGrant urges General Foster’s Army to the Offensive—General Foster relieved—General Schofield in Command of Federals—GeneralGrant’s Orders—General Halleck’s Estimate of East Tennessee as a Strategic Field—Affair of Cavalry—Advancetowards Knoxville—Longstreet’s Command called back to Defensive for Want of Cavalry | [524] |
| [CHAPTER XXXVII.] | |
| LAST DAYS IN TENNESSEE. | |
| Longstreet’s Army at Bull’s Gap—U. S. Grant made Lieutenant-General—Richmond Authorities awake to the Gravity of theSituation—Longstreet’s Proposition for Campaign—Approved by General Lee—Richmond Authorities fail to adopt it—GeneralBragg’s Plan—A Memorable and Unpleasant Council at the Capital—Ordersfrom President Davis—The Case of General Law—Longstreet ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia—Resolutions of Thanks from Confederate Congress | [542] |
| [CHAPTER XXXVIII.] | |
| BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. | |
| Campaign of 1864—General Grant in the Field—Strength of the Armies—Their Positions—Description of the Wilderness—TheBattle opened—A Brisk Day’s Fighting—Longstreet’s Command faces Hancock’s on the Morning of the Second Day—AnEffective Flank Movement—General Wadsworth mortally wounded—General Jenkins falls under Fire of Friends, andLongstreet is seriously wounded—Carried from the Field on a Litter—Tribute to General Jenkins—Criticism and Controversy | [551] |
| [CHAPTER XXXIX.] | |
| AGAIN IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. | |
| Longstreet absent on Leave, nursing his Wounds—Hears of the Death of Cavalry Leader J. E. B. Stuart—Returns to Virginia—Assignedto Command on the North Side of James River—Affair on the Williamsburg Road—Lee’s Apprehension of Grant’sMarch into Richmond—Closing Scenes of the Campaign of 1864 about the Confederate Capital—General Benjamin F. Butler’sMove against Fort Fisher—Remote Effects on the Situation in Virginia | [572] |
| [CHAPTER XL.] | |
| TALK OF PEACE. | |
| Second Federal Move against Fort Fisher and Wilmington Harbor—Confederate Disaffection—Act of Congress appointing a SupremeCommander of the Armies—Montgomery Blair’s Peace Conference—Longstreet has a Meeting with General Ord, Commanderof the Army of the James—Military Convention proposed—Correspondence between General Grant and GeneralLee—Longstreet’s Suggestions for Measures in the Critical Juncture near the Close of the War | [582] |
| [CHAPTER XLI.] | |
| BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS. | |
| Various Affairs of the Closing Campaign—The Massing of Grant’s Forces—Sortie against Fort Steadman—Captured but quicklyretaken—General Grant’s Move around the Confederate Right—General Lee anticipates with Aggressive Work—Sheridanmakes Battle with his Whole Force at Five Forks—DesperateSituation of the Confederates—Disparity of Numbers—Splendid Stand and Battle of Generals Pickett and Ransom—ColonelPegram mortally wounded—W. H. F. Lee, the “Noble Son of a Noble Sire”—Corse’s Division—Pickett’s Generalship—Casualties | [590] |
| [CHAPTER XLII.] | |
| PETERSBURG. | |
| The Fierce Concerted Assault by the Federals—Death of A. P. Hill—General Lee announces to Richmond Authorities that hemust retreat—Reception of the News by President Davis at Church Service—Federals take Forts Gregg and Whitworth—TheRetreat harassed by Continuous Fighting—Longstreet saves High Bridge, a Vital Point—Ewell and Others compelledto surrender—General Mahone’s Account of Interesting Scenes—Magnitude of the Disaster—“Is the Army dissolving?”—GeneralReed mortally wounded—Panic occurs, but Order is restored—General Gregg and Part of his Cavalry Command captured by Rosser and Mumford | [603] |
| [CHAPTER XLIII.] | |
| APPOMATTOX. | |
| Some of General Lee’s Officers say to him that “Further Resistance is Hopeless”—Longstreet does not approve—GeneralGrant calls for Surrender—“Not yet”—The Confederate Chieftain asks Terms—His Response to his Officers as representedby General Pendleton—Correspondence of Generals Lee and Grant—Morning of April 9—General Lee rides to meet theFederal Commander, while Longstreet forms the Last Line of Battle—Longstreet endeavors to recall his Chief, hearing of aBreak where the Confederate Troops could pass—Custer demands Surrender of Longstreet—Reminded of Irregularity,and that he was “in the Enemy’s Lines”—Meeting with General Grant—Capitulation—Last Scenes | [618] |
| [CHAPTER XLIV.] | |
| POST-BELLUM PENDANT. | |
| Old Friends and their Kindness—General Grant—His Characteristic Letter of Introduction to President Johnson—In Businessin New Orleans—Political Unfriendliness—Cause of Criticism of Military Career—Appointed Surveyor of Customs—The Old Nurse | [632] |
| [APPENDIX.] | |
| Letters of General Robert E. Lee and General Longstreet | [639] |