sent to him with orders was wounded and taken prisoner, and he is not the sort of man to find out the critical point in a fight of his own accord. "So now, they bringing up still more reserves, and a whole division of theirs coming on the field, we began to fall back. We had used them up so severely that they could not press us very close, except in the neighborhood of where the Second New York charged. There some of our men had as much as they could do to get out, and the battery had to leave three of its guns. We formed in the woods between a quarter and half a mile of the field; another moved back to cover the left of Buford, who was in retreat towards Beverly Ford. Hart and Wynkoop tried hard to cover the guns that were lost; but they had too few men, and so had to leave them. The rebels were terribly punished. By their own confession they lost three times as many as we did. In our regiment almost every soldier must have settled Sergeant Craig, of company K, I believe, killed three. Slate, of the above company, also went above the average. But we lost terribly. Sixty enlisted men of the First New Jersey were killed, wounded, or missing. Colonel Wyndham was wounded, but kept his saddle; Lieutenant-Colonel Broderick and Major Shelmire were killed; Lieutenant Brooks was wounded; Captain Sawyer and Lieutenant Crocker were taken prisoners; and I, as you see, have had to come in at last and refit." his man. for the honor of the town. This man, it seems, is a person of substance, having considerable means invested in Southern State stocks. He has a dog Shep,' as intelligent and obedient as his master is bigoted and dunder-headed. "Tis sometimes said the master is only tolerated on the dog's account, as the quadruped is much the more respected of the two. 6 "One day Mr. Secesh was holding forth on the right of speech, the freedom of the press, and all that kind of thing, averring that every man had a right to say what he pleased, where he pleased, and when he pleased, and no one had a right to molest him or make him afraid. Just then a big bull dog walked past the door. He was a tremendously savage dog, the terror of all the canines in town, and able to clean out and chaw up fourteen dozen such dogs as Shep.' A young fellow, who had listened to the man's stuff long enough, determined to give him a practical illustration of his own doctrine: so be sprang towards the door, and pointing towards the big dog, said, 'Lick him, Shep! Seize him, Shep! Pitch into him, and lick him. Seize him, Shep!' Obedient to the lightest command, the faithful dog started as he was bidden, and but for his master's interference would have been badly torn. Full of wrath, he turned to the young man who had incited his dog to fight the bull dog, and said, What did you do that for, you rascal? Set Shep on to a dog that would tear him to pieces? 666 “O, I was only exercising your freedom of speech. It's nobody's business what I say to any dog.' The way the thing was done created an immense laugh, and effectually dried up the rebel gentleman. He hadn't a word to say." 66 During the battle many incidents occurred, many acts of heroism were performed, that will be told only when the war shall have ended, and when the patriot has returned to his home to enjoy the fruits of the independence his valor has helped to win. Then, beside the hearth-stone, tales of chivalry and daring will be told, and handed down from father to son to the remotest generations. "Among the many acts of heroism told of those engaged, is that of a mere youth, a little boy who was attached to Tappan's Arkansas regiment, and carried two mimic flags, one in each hand. The regiment was driven to the water's edge, and the enemy poured in a terrific volley, killing many of them, who fell into the river, and such as were not instantly killed met a watery grave. Among those struck was the little boy who bore the flags. Giving one last hurrah, which was cut short by the ebbing flood of his young life, he waved the flags over his head, tottered into the river, and was seen no more. The incident was witnessed by a whole regiment that was crossing the river at the time, and not one member of it but shed a tear at the sight. "When General Pillow's brigade first discovered the enemy, Colonel Pickett's regiment was ordered to charge. They commenced it at double-quick, when they were met by a withering volley, which prostrated about forty of the men. Of those wounded was Lieutenant Jesse Tate, who was struck in the knee, and fell. Colonel Pickett's horse was shot in three different places, and killed under him. Major J. C. Cole's horse was shot dead. Lieutenant Hiram Tilman, although a prominent mark and in the thickest of the fight, encouraging on his men, escaped unhurt. Colonel Pickett acted like a veteran. Cool and undismayed, he saw his men fall beside him; but the carnage seemed to inspire him to greater deeds. In fact, the utmost gallantry was displayed by all the field and commissioned officers and men in the regiment. "Perhaps the most unflinching determination and courage upon the part of the men in Colonel Pickett's regiment was displayed by Captain J. D. Layton, of the Liberty Guards. In the first charge, while standing in front of his men, who were loading and firing as fast as possible, he received a severe wound just beneath his left arm, the ball lodging in his body. His sword fell from his grasp, but he quickly recovered it, and, notwithstanding the severity of his hurt, fought the battle through; nor did he leave his men until he saw that his wounded were properly cared for at night. Such acts entitle a man to the name of hero. "The gallant conduct of Captain Frazier, also of Pickett's regiment, is highly spoken of. We must not omit Captain Dashiell, whose praises are sounded by all. James B. Hatcher, a not very old nor remarkably large young gentleman, who was in the battle as an amateur fighter, succeeded in surrounding' a Lincolnite twice his size, and disarmed him of his gun and knife, besides one of the Roman sabres he had captured from one of our men in Watson's battery. The last-named weapon he carried home with him, but was not permitted to take away the rest. 66 Captain J. Welby Armstrong was struck full in the breast by two six-pounder canister shots, and of course death was instantaneous. "From Columbus the fight could be witnessed with ease. As our men retired to the river for ammunition, gallantly contesting every inch of ground, the Federals in pursuit could be seen bayoneting the wounded left upon the field. Not only this, they set fire to the tents used as hospitals, and many of the poor fellows confined in them were consumed by the flames. These acts of barbarity did not lessen the already awakened vengeance of our men, and we hear it stated that the most ample retaliation was made." A BELLIGERENT WOMAN. -At Branchville. S. C., in the days when the Confederate rule was strictest, a lady presented herself at the platform of a passenger car going to Charleston, where a guard with fixed bayonet was standing, and desired to enter. The guard told her it was contrary to orders, and raised his piece in a position that indicated clearly that he meant to obey instructions. She ordered him to lower his musket. He refused. She then drew a revolver, and pointing it at him, threatened to shoot if he did not let her pass. With some surprise he demanded: "Are you a man in woman's clothes?"" No," was the reply, "I am a woman." "Then come in," said the sentinel, "for hang me if I fight a woman, or be killed by one. You can't be classed with noncombatants, and they are the only persons I am ordered to keep out of this car." So she was classed as a "belligerent power," and allowed to pass. THE MARCH TO NASHVILLE. A soldierwriter, on the march to Nashville, in the autumn of 1862, narrates the following: "I engaged in a pleasant two hours' chat with General Rousseau, and found him an agreeable and entertaining conversationist. There is no compromise in him, except in the Union. He holds that a rebel has no rights under our Constitution. Eight or ten of the gentry called on him near Mitchellville, and commenced using treasonable language. The General peremptorily ordered them to cease, as he had heard all he wanted of such talk. "Well, but, General, I understand you are a Kentuckian; you don't go in for any abolition document like Lincoln has just issued, do you?' "No matter, sir, what I like; you have no right to complain.' 66.6 Why, you don't approve of their stealing our negroes, do you?' "I approve, sir, of anything my Government does to put down the rebellion; and anything you love I hate.' "Well, why don't you take our houses and lands?' "Well, sir, if we wanted them, I go in for that, too; take everything you have, and drive you to the dominions of Jeff Davis, whom you love so much; and, so far as lies in my power, I will drive every one of you beyond our lines, according to all rules of war, where you cannot do us injury as spies. Yes, sir, I would send you all to Jeff Davis, or hell.' "Soon after the above, a tattered specimen of gawky ignorance entered the General's tent. 66 6 'Well, sir,' said the General, what will you have?' "I kem over here for pertection.' "Are you a Union man? However,' contin ued he, 'you are all Union men now; it is scarcely worth asking the question.' "Well, General,' said the Tennesseean, I'm not an aberlitionist; I don't go in for "O, go to my Adjutant, Captain Pohrman. I'm tired of such evasions. If you deserve protection, you shall have it; if not, you must accept the consequences of the calamity you have aided in bringing upon your own head.' AN INCIDENT OF ANTIETAM. respondents who was with the division of General Sturgis at the battle of Antietam gives the following account of the part taken by that livision in the contest: "Our division, under General Sturgis, were on the extreme left, and were not placed in line until about five o'clock P. M., when a double-quick movement took place, and the whole division "I heard a good story told of a joke played started like Bengal tigers let loose for prey. off by a secession wag, a short time since, upon They ran through a galling fire of shot and shell General Negley. A whiskey-drinking, facetious until they were within reach of the enemy's joker, residing in the town of Gooletsville, a musketry, when a heavy fire opened on us, which strong secesh hole, in which there never was but General Nagle (commanding our brigade) saw at one Union man, and he died. Well, this wag once would decimate the brigade, and so the wagered a gallon of whiskey that he could go order came to charge bayonets. Promptly the into Nashville, and go all over the city, notwith-glistening steel was placed in position; and here standing the strictness of General Negley's or- one of the most brilliant bayonet charges took ders; further, that he would see Negley person- place that has been seen during the war. The ally, and talk with him. The bet was taken, and brigade had to charge up hill, over stone walls this fellow, whose name is Paul, well known and other obstructions, and met the enemy at in Nashville as a violent secessionist, the next great disadvantage. The Massachusetts Thirtyday took a flag of truce, rode into the city, saw fifth regiment was put in order of battle, and did crowds of his friends, rode up to the headquar- great execution at the first onset. In General ters of General Negley, and demanded the sur-Nagle's brigade and Sturgis' division was also render of the city, stating that he was Assistant the Ninth regiment New Hampshire volunteers, Adjutant Paul, and that there was an immense Colonel Fellows, one of the most experienced quantity of troops ready to enforce the demand. Colonels in the army. It was a handsome sight General Negley refused to entertain the thought to see him put his regiment into action. When of a surrender, and Paul returned to Gooletsville, having won his bet. the clear, sonorous order came from Colonel Fellows, Charge bayonets!' every eye gleamed in the 'Bloody Ninth,' as the brigade now call the "General Negley found it out when too late. It wouldn't do to try that game again in Nash-regiment. Every man threw away his knapsack, ville." A SOLDIER'S LAST LETTER. -John Moseley, a youth who fell at Gettysburg on the Southern side, wrote the following touching but manly letter, from his death-bed, to his parents in Alabama: "BATTLE-FIELD, GETTYSBURG, July 4, 1863. "DEAR MOTHER: I am here a prisoner of war, and mortally wounded. I can live but a few hours, at farthest. I was shot fifty yards from the enemy's line. They have been exceedingly kind to me. I have no doubt as to the final result of this battle, and I hope I may live long enough to hear the shouts of victory before I die. I am very weak. Do not mourn my loss. I had hoped to have been spared; but a righteous God has ordered it otherwise, and I feel prepared to trust my case in his hands. Farewell to you all! Pray that God may receive my soul. "Your unfortunate son, JOHN." 66 blanket, and haversack, and leaped over a stone wall six feet high with a yell that fairly sent terror through the rebel ranks opposite. With eyes bayonet fixed, they charged up the bill and gleaming with joy and determination, and every through the cornfield at double-quick with a yell of perfect triumph. Colonel Fellows and Lieutenant-Colonel Titus astonished the old veterans in the service by the manner in which they brought the Ninth New Hampshire volunteers into the action. It was a grand and magnificent sight, and one seldom seen in battle. The rebels fled before them, and every rebel regiment broke and ran. General Reno fell beside the Ninth New Hampshire volunteers and the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts about dark, just in the moment of victory." AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. - A most interesting and eloquent episode occurred at Trinity Church, Washington, in May, 1861. The rector, Rev. Dr. Butler, began his sermon with the remark that the discourse he was about to deliver was preached by himself here twelve years ago, and he shoold repeat it verbatim. It was a lucid and effective argument to prove that the popular idea of government among us is held in a too loose and secular estimation; while the fact is, that, however carelessly we may regard it, as merely a contract with ministerial agents, and however inadequate our respect for law and constituted authorities, it is a divine institution. The peroration was powerful. Said the rever end gentleman: "Twelve years ago, after I had before they could get the heart of the General finished this course, I met the lamented Daniel There, all alone, she stood guard during the whole Webster just outside the church. He said to me, night, with her arms in readiness to defend her Sir, you are right; it is the true doctrine.' In charge, regardless of her own life, thus fearthis view, my brethren, I see in the awakened lessly passing the dreary night amidst the associstrength of the Government the glittering sword ations of the dead, the wounded, and the bloodof almighty vengeance suspended over its ene-thirsty men who were awaiting an opportunity to mies. In this view alone do I descry the only obtain the coveted heart of the noble Lyon. hope for my glorious, my beloved country;" and, at these words, the tears streaming down the preacher's face, in a voice choked with inexpressible emotion, he raised his eyes towards Heaven, and, hesitating to receive utterance, he concluded, in faltering, though articulate, tones, "Esto per-garden or on her farm, with all the respect in petua." The effect was electrical; all eyes were suffused with tears, and the quiet of the sanctuary was broken only by sobs and weeping. INCIDENTS OF BEAUFORT. - A soldier, who was present at the capture of Beaufort, South Carolina, relates the following: After daylight, having made arrangements in reference to her precious charge, she repaired to her home, and sent a colored servant with a wagon and two horses to bring the remains of General Lyon to her residence, in order to burial in ter her power towards the commander of the loyal army. But as the wagon had not returned in due time, she drove again to Price's camp, found her wagon had been seized for the use of the rebel army, and her servant confined in it and gagged. As the horses had been unhitched from the wagon, with her own hands she again hitched them. When resistance was again offered to her "A black fellow was reported to our Colonel, death with her revolver to any one who molested course she fearlessly declared she would deal and taken to general headquarters. He was very her. About the time she had released the sercommunicative. Massa,' he inquired, 'is Abe Lincoln here?' He seemed at fault when in-vant, and got her precious treasure in the wagon, resistance was again threatened. She then pressed formed he had not come. It seems he was pres- her way to the presence of General Price, who, ent during the bombardment, and nearer than he liked to be. What did it look like?' asked Col- at her pressing instance, ordered her to have the onel L. It looked as if de fire and brimstone body of the slain General, without further interruption. was comin' down, and de yearth was agwine up.' The sand that flew as every discharge came down filled the description perfectly. Having thus obtained her cherished object, more dear to her than life, she accompanied it to her residence, and there interred it in the best manner she could. And all this was done in the absence of her loyal husband, who, in consequence of his duties as Colonel, could not be present to accompany his noble wife in performing this work of loyalty and humanity. "One of these negroes reports that when Major Lee, the Confederate commander, finished the fort, he said, profanely, 'The devil couldn't take it-God Almighty himself couldn't take it.' On the day of the battle, when his black body servant get out his horse for him, and saw him mounted, and they both ran together for their lives to get out of range of the merciless storm of shot and shell falling around them, the negro said, 'O mas-from a soldier at Newport News relates the folsa, God Almighty come, and de Yankees come wid him,'-seeming to imply that such a union of forces had not been contemplated when his master had concluded upon the impregnability of his fortifications." A CONTRABAND'S DESCRIPTION. — A letter lowing incident, giving a slave woman's account of the capture of the rebel batteries on General McCleilan's advance upon Yorktown: "The attack on the batteries cannot be better described than in the words of an old contraband whom I fell in with, while on a scout to Young's Mills, the day after its capture. She was secesh, and took us to belong to the same race. On asking her if there was much fighting at the battery, she replied: Why, lordy, you won't blebe me, massa, but de Yankee he fire jes one round, den commence hollering like de debbel, and frew rite ober de breastworks; but dey couldn't ketch our folks (secesh), dey run so fast.' The nigger explained in thirty-seven words what a 'special correspondent' would have found impossible, probably, in half a column." 6 A BRAVE WOMAN. Mrs. John F. Phelps is the wife of the Colonel of a loyal Missouri regiment, and resided at a point about one mile and a half from Springfield. On the afternoon after the battle of Wilson's Creek, it was noised that the rebels had determined to cut out the heart of General Lyon, and preserve it as a trophy over the United States army. Mrs. Phelps, learning of this outrage on the slain General, armed herself, as she was accustomed to do for some time, in order to preserve her life and the lives of her family from the murderous assaults of the secessionists. Thus armed, she drove to Price's SECESSION CATECHISED. - Colonel Tom Ford, camp by nightfall, and there, all alone, guarded of the Thirty-second Ohio regiment, while at New the body of General Lyon. When ordered by Creek, Virginia, in June, 1862, engaged in converthe rebels to give up the body, she positively re-sation with an old resident, who had taken a seat fused, and declared they must cut out her heart on the bench beside him. "Have you lived long about here?" inquired the Colonel. "Yes," said the old man, “I have lived in this (Hampshire) county all my life." "I suppose, then," said the Colonel, “you know all about how secession commenced here, who commenced it, and how it has been carried on." "Yes," again said the old man, " and I will tell you how I tried to expose it at the start to the people. My opinion did not pass for much at the time, as I owned no big farm nor any niggers, but I think it would pass for something now." "Well, how was it?" inquired the Colonel. And all for what? Why, because these niggerowners wanted to break up a government in which people like me, who owned no niggers, and had to work for a living, were on an equality with them. I tell you," continued the old man, "I owe them nothing but curses and war, and they are getting plenty of the first now, from hundreds of their miserable dupes around here, and plenty of the other from the Federal Government." Colonel Ford, getting up and taking the old man by the hand, said that he had to acknowledge that much as he had heard against secession, he had never heard it as completely and strongly expressed in so few words before. "Colonel Parsons was one of the main getters up of it. He advertised to make a speech over in Romney, after the ordinance passed, and I and PICKET CONVERSATION. — In the summer of several of my neighbors went over to hear him 1862, the national pickets at the Mechanicsville speak. Just as he was about to commence, I took Bridge, Virginia, had a conversation with the rebel the liberty, as I was an old acquaintance of the pickets, and under a newspaper flag of truce, exColonel's, to ask him a question. So I said: 'Col-changed the Baltimore Clipper for the Richmond onel Parsons, we have come over here to-night to Examiner. The colloquy was substantially as folhear you make your speech in favor of secession; lows: and before you begin, I want you to tell me and my friends here one thing.' What is it?' said the Colonel. Why, I want you to make a speech to-night, without ever mentioning the nigger once. Me and my friends, who own no niggers, want to know why we should be secessionists. Will you please tell us, Colonel, why men who own no niggers should be secessionists?' "Well, what did Colonel Parsons say?" asked Colonel Ford of the old man. "Why, he came the nearest to saying nothing that ever I saw," said the old man. "At last he said that he wouldn't speak on such terms; that he was going to speak on the whole subject." 66 Well, what did you say then?" asked Colonel Ford. "I said," continued the old man, "Now, Colonel Parsons, you know that aside from the nigger there is nothing in this secession; and you ought to know that all the slaves that now live in the country, live in the slave States, and that you will not increase their number a single one by secession, but on the contrary that you will bring about the escape of hundreds of them, before you get through with the job you are undertaking!'" "Well, how did Colonel Parsons take your talk?" asked Colonel Ford. "Why," said he, "he got mad, like all the secessionists did in those days, when Union men opposed them-told me I was an abolitionist, and that the South was going to have her rights. And now, hasn't it come out as I told Colonel Parsons?" asked the old man. 66 Hasn't the South lost more niggers since this war commenced than she ever lost in the whole time before? and isn't she in a fair way to lose them all? And here," said he, "we people who have always lived by our own work have had to bear the ruin that these pride-swelled nigger aristocrats have brought upon us. I have had to bear it, and my Union friends who were with me that night have had to bear it. Rebel. (Waving his hat.) Three cheers for General Jackson! Union Soldier. (Also waving his hat.) Three cheers for Burnside! [It had been ascertained that the rebels were North Carolinians.] Rebel. Have you any Baltimore Clippers? [Meanwhile both parties had dropped their guns, and with papers waving, passed down to the bridge.] Union. How do you like soldiering? Union. Then you don't expect to live long? Rebel. You whipped us at Hanover, but yer wouldn't if O'Brien Branch wasn't drunk. We give you just the best flogging yer ever had tha' at Fair Oaks. Tuk one hundred yer guns, all yer amnition, and everything, and two thousand prisoners. Union. And we drove you back to Richmond, and had to bury your dead. We whipped you awfully. Rebel. And General McClellan was wounded, and two of yer Generals killed. Yer all going back to Yorktown, ain't yer? We are coming over your side to-morrow. Union. How many troops you got over there? The Unionist was less communicative than inquisitive, but thinking it hardly proper to continue the conversation, bade the rebel good day, and retraced his steps. But the rebel still kept his place, notwithstanding he was requested to face back, until a bullet and a flash, and quick report, suddenly hastened his steps. |