About this book
My library
Books on Google Play
fortunate for the Confederacy.-Anecdote of a dinner-party in Richmond.—
Gen. Johnston's mission to the west.—True nature of his appointment and
powers. Rather a Local Secretary of War than a Commanding-General.-
Interesting conference between Gen. Johnston and Secretary Randolph.-
He proposes to make one military department of the whole Mississippi Valley.
-Gen. Johnston's visit to Bragg's Army.-The defence of Vicksburg.-
Antecedents of Gen. Pemberton.-Detailed account of the correspondence
and relations between Gens. Johnston and Penberton.-Gen. Johnston's
orders twice disobeyed.-His last order, "Hold out," as involving the fate
of the Confederacy.— Surrender of Vicksburg, and its train of consequences
to the close of the war,
CHAPTER XXXIV.
372
Important supplement to the story of Vicksburg.-President Davis' part in the
disaster. Radical difference of military views of the President and of Gen.
Johnston. The disaster of Missionary Ridge.-Gen. Johnston takes com-
mand of the Army of Tennessee.-His successful reorganization of it.—Com-
parison of forces with the enemy.-Gen. Johnston's reasons for withdrawing
from Dalton.-Sherman's plan of campaign.—The retreat towards Atlanta
and its incidents.-Gen. Johnston removed from command.-" All hell fol-
lowed."-A sharp dispatch to Richmond.—Injustice of the government to
Gen. Johnston, 390
CHAPTER XXXV.
The fall of Atlanta and what it involved.-Gen. Johnston foretells Sherman's
"march to the sea."-The Vae Victis.-Gen. Johnston restored to command.
-The North Carolina campaign.—Sherman's stipulations for a surrender.—
Interference from Washington.-Qualities of Gen. Johnston as a great com-
mander. His military peculiarities.-Compared to George Washington.-
His patriotic and noble silence under censure. His person and deportment.
-Literary accomplishments.-His advice to the Southern people on their
duties after the surrender, 402
CHAPTER XXXVI.
LIEUT.-GEN. JAMES LONGSTREET.
His early military services.-Affair of Blackburn's Ford.-Battle of Williams-
burg. Gallantry at Gaines' Mills.-Incident of march to Second Manassas,
-Separate command in South Virginia.-Desperate fighting at Gettys-
burg. Sobriquet of "The Bull-dog."-Decisive part in the battle of Chicka-
mauga. Quarrel with Gen. Bragg.-Campaign in East Tennessee.-Its
errours. A sharp correspondence with the Federal General Foster.-Gen.
Longstreet rebuked by President Davis.-He is wounded in the Wilder-
ness.-Military character and aptitude of the man.-Fraternal relations
with Gen. Lee.-His personal appearance, 411
CHAPTER XXXVII.
LIEUT.-GEN. J. E. B. STUART.
Unique figure of Stuart in the war.-His first cavalry command in the valley
of Virginia.-Adventure with Capt. Perkins.-Complimented by Gen.
Johnston. The action of Dranesville.-" The Ride around McClellan."-
Adventure at Verdiersville.-Capture of Gen. Pope's coat and papers.—Ex-
pedition into Pennsylvania.-At Fredericksburg.-At Chancellorsville.-
His characteristic intercourse with Stonewall Jackson.--Splendid review at
Brandy Station.-The scene changed into bloodiest battle.-Gen. Stuart's
serious omission in the Gettysburg campaign.-Adventure in the flanking
movement in North Carolina.-Hair-breadth escapes of the commander.-
He is shot down at Yellow Tavern.-His last moments.-Criticism of his
military character,
421
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
LIEUT.-GEN. AMBROSE P. HILL.
His record in the United States Army.-His part in the battles around Rich-
mond, 1862.-Conspicuous gallantry at Frazier's Farm.-He repulses six
assaults in the second battle of Manassas.--Critical service at Sharpsburg.
-Episode of Boteler's Ford. Bristoe Station.-Failure of General Hill's
health. He resumes command in front of Petersburg.-Reams' Station.-
Tragic death of the Commander.-His virtues and gallantry, 440
--
CHAPTER XXXIX.
LIEUT.-GEN. DANIEL H. HILL.
"Bethel" Hill a curiosity as well as celebrity of the war.-His Revolutionary
ancestry. Services in Mexico.-His adventures as a Professor and litera-
teur.-Curiosities of "Hill's Algebra."-The affair of Bethel and its exag-
geration.-Gen. Hill's account of McClellan's retreat from Richmond.-His
most memorable and heroic service at South Mountain Pass.-Gen. Hill's
criticism of the battle of Sharpsburg.-Heroic record of a North Carolina
regiment.-Gen. Hill at Chickamauga.-Removed from command.-His
literary exploits and eccentricities,
CHAPTER XL,
LIEUT.-GEN. RICHARD S. EWELL.
448
Gen. Ewell as the companion and friend of Stonewall Jackson.-His military
life anteriour to 1861.-Curious apparition at Fairfax Court-House.-His
share in Jackson's Valley campaign.-Cross Keys.-Port Republic.-Com-
pliment to "the Maryland line."-Gen. Ewell wounded at Groveton.-He
succeeds to Stonewall Jackson's command.-Enacts part of the old drama
at Winchester.-Services in 1864.-He commands the Department of Hen-
rico.-Burning of the city of Richmond, 457
CHAPTER XLI.
LIEUT.-GEN. JUBAL A. EARLY.
His early life as a soldier and politician.-His "Union" sentiments in the
Virginia Convention.-Why he became an actor in the war.-Reflections
upon the Unionists and Secessionists.-Gen. Early's services in 1862.-The
disaster of Rappahannock Station.-His different commands in the last
year of the war.-His independent campaign into the Valley and Mary-
land.--Outrages of the enemy in the Valley.-Gen. Early's advance upon
Washington City.-Why he did not attack it.-His return to the Valley.—
Battle of Winchester.-The dramatic story of Cedar Creek--Failure of the
Valley campaign.-The affair of Waynesboro.-Narrow escape of Gen.
Early.-Gen. Lee's letter relieving him from command.-Review of the
operations in the Valley.-Remarkable character of Gen. Early.-The "bad
old man."-His jokes and peculiarities.-Anecdotes of the camp.-Escape
of Gen. Early across the Mississippi River.-His choice of exile, 463
CHAPTER XLII.
MAJ.-GEN. GUSTAVUS W. SMITH.
His family in Kentucky.-He serves in the Mexican war.-Complimentary
notices from Gen. Scott.-Appointed Street Commissioner of New York.-
Resigns, visits Kentucky, and accepts a Major-Generalship in the Confede-
rate service. His slight record in the war.-His resignation.-Injustice of
President Davis.-Volunteer services of Gen. Smith in the latter period of
the war, 482
CHAPTER XLIII.
MAJ.-GEN. LAFAYETTE M'LAWS.
Services in the United States Army.-Appointed a Brigadier-General in the
Confederate States Army, September, 1861.-Promoted in front of Richmond.
-His part in the capture of Harper's Ferry.-His glorious and bloody work
at Fredericksburg. The East Tennessee campaign, 1863.-Gen. McLaws
opposes the assault on Knoxville.-Extraordinary reply of Gen. Longstreet.
-Defective reconnoissances of the enemy's works.-Why the assault failed-
Gen. McLaws court-martialed and triumphantly acquitted.—A remarkable
peculiarity of his military career, 487
CHAPTER XLIV.
MAJ.-GEN. CADMUS M. WILCOX.
Military services in Mexico.-His gallantry at Chapultepec.-Subsequent ser-
vices in the United States Army. His first command in the Confederate
States Army.-Heroic conduct of his brigade in the battles around Richmond,
1862. At Gaines' Mills.-At Frazier's Farm.-An incident on the second
field of Manassas.-Battle of Salem Church.-Important action of Wilcox's
Brigade on the second day of Gettysburg.-A narrow chance of victory.—
Why the supports failed.-Amusing anecdote of Gen. Wilcox and a chicken-
thief.-Promoted Major-General.-Record of services in the campaign of
1864-5.-Heroic story of Fort Gregg.-Last scenes of the surrender,
CHAPTER XLV.
MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE E. PICKETT.
496
His gallantry in the Mexican War.-Spirited Action of Capt. Pickett in the "San
Juan Difficulty."-Position of the State of Virginia in the Sectional Contro-
versies.-Pickett's Early Appointments in the Confederate States Service.-
"The Game-Cock Brigade," in Longstreet's Division.—Memorable and
Heroic Action of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg.-Account of it in the
Richmond Enquirer. Gen. Pickett's Expedition on the North Carolina
Coast.-His Return to Petersburg.-How "The Cockade City" was narrowly
Saved. Operations around Petersburg.—Gen. Lee's Compliment to Pickett's
Men.-The Battle of Five Forks.-The suppressed Official Report of Gen.
Pickett. His Last Tribute to his Troops.-Historical Glory of "The Vir-
ginia Division,
509
CHAPTER XLVI.
MAJ. GEN. CHARLES W. FIELD.
Services in the United States Army and at West Point.-Commands a Brig-
ade in the "Seven Days Battles" around Richmond.-Promoted Major-
General in 1864.-Field's Division restores the Battle in the Wilderness.-
An Unheralded Victory on the Richmond Lines.-Apocrypha of the News-
papers.—Remarkable and Brilliant Appearance of Field's Division at the
Surrender.-What the Federal General Meade said of "the Rebels,"
CHAPTER XLVII.
MAJ.-GEN. ROBERT E. RODES.
520
Graduates at the Virginia Military Institute.-A civil engineer in Alabama.-
Elected to a Professor's chair in the Virginia Military Institute.-Com-
mands a Brigade at Seven Pines.-Gallantry at Chancellorsville.-Ap-
plauded on the field by Stonewall Jackson.-Killed at Winchester.-A
touching tribute to his memory,
CHAPTER XLVIII.
MAJ.-GEN. ARNOLD ELZEY.
524
A captain in the United States Army. His surrender of the Augusta Arsenal
to the State of Georgia.-"The Blucher of Manassas."-Services in the
Shenandoah Valley.-Wounded at Gaines' Mills.-His successful command
of the Department of Richmond,
527
CHAPTER XLIX.
MAJ.-GEN. SAM JONES.
Early military services in the field, at West Point and at Washington.-
Appointed on Gen. Beauregard's staff.-Commands Bartow's Brigade.-
Ordered to Pensacola.-Various services on the Western theatre of the
War.-Commands the Trans-Alleghany Department.-Relieves Gen. Beau-
regard at Charleston.-Defence of Tallahassee.-Breadth and variety of
his military experience, 530,
CHAPTER L.
MAJ.-GEN. JOHN B. GORDON.
Appearance of a new hero in the last year of the war.-Ancestral stock of
John B. Gordon.-"The Racoon Roughs."-The 6th Alabama at Seven
Pines.-Personal heroism of Col. Gordon.-At South Mountain.-His
bloody and picturesque figure on the field of Sharpsburg.-Gen. Gordon as
an orator. A soldier's commentary on his eloquence.-His part in the
Pennsylvania campaign.-A telling speech to Yankee women. His coun-
sels at Gettysburg. His splendid action in the Wilderness.-A night attack
upon the enemy.-Gen. Gordon rides through the enemy's lines.-His
glorious counter-charge at Spottsylvania Court-House. His part in the
Valley campaign of 1864.-A novel and interesting version of the battle
of Cedar Creek.-Gen. Gordon's plan of attack rejected or not executed
by Gen. Early. His position and figure in the last scene at Appomattox
Court-House.-Review of his military services.-A representative of the
"Young South."-His admirable sentiment and advice since the sur-
render,
535
CHAPTER LI.
MAJ.-GEN. FITZHUGH LEE.
A grandson of "Light Horse Harry."-A "wild" youth.-Tricks at West
Point.-Desperate fights with Indians.-His early services in the Confed-
eracy.-Chivalrous incident at the Second Manassas.-Services in the
Maryland campaign.-Action of Kelly's Ford.-With Jackson at Chancel-
lorsville.-Reorganization of the cavalry commands in Virginia.-A com-
plimentary letter from Gen. Robert E. Lee.-Fitzhugh Lee's division in the
campaign of 1864-5.-Spottsylvania Court-House.-Yellow Tavern.-
Reams' Station.-Five Forks.-Conduct of the cavalry on the retreat.-
Personal recollections of Fitzhugh Lee, 549
CHAPTER LII.
BRIG.-GEN. HENRY A. WISE.
An extraordinary excitement in Richmond.-The days of the Secession Con-
vention.-Wise's idea of "fighting in the Union."-His style of eloquence
in the Convention.-A remarkable conversation in his hotel.-His rhetori-
cal bravura.-Short-sighted vanity of the South-Gen. Wise's campaign in
Western Virginia.-The disaster of Roanoke Island.-Gen. Wise relieved
from censure.--Death of his son.-An affecting scene.-Interview between
Gen. Wise and Secretary Randolph.-His command in South Carolina.-
At Petersburg. -Gen. Wise's fame as a soldier. His mental gifts.-Marks
of an afflicted intellect.—His tribute to the private soldiers of the Con-
federacy, 559
CHAPTER LIII.
BRIG.-GEN. TURNER ASHBY.
Definition of Chivalry. Its peculiarities and virtues.-A notable picture of
chivalric courage.-Turner Ashby's family.-His early life. He raises a
regiment of cavalry.-His famous white steed.-Death of his brother.-The
devotion of Ashby.--Habits and appearance of the cavalier.-Purity of his
life. Adventure with the enemy at Winchester.-Ashby on the retreat
from Kernstown.-Chased by the enemy.-His horse killed.-Promoted
a Brigadier. His limited military education.-A scene around the camp-
fires.-Dramatic death of Ashby.-Gen. Jackson's tribute to his memory.—
Honours to the deceased cavalier. His place in history, 573
CHAPTER LIV.
LIEUT.-GEN. LEONIDAS POLK.
Exchange of the Bishopric of Louisiana for a military command.-Reasons
why Bishop Polk resigned his holy calling for arms.-Reflections on the
ethics of war.-Bishop Polk a graduate of West Point.-Adventures as a
Missionary Bishop in Western wilds.-Flatboat-men and gamblers.-Gen.
Polk wins the victory of Belmont.-A serious accident.-Battle of Shiloh.
-The battle of Perrysville fought under Gen. Polk's direction.—His adven-
ture with an Indiana Colonel.-Interesting incident in the battle of Mur-
freesboro.-Gen. Polk's conduct at Chickamauga.-Censured by Gen.
Bragg.-Transferred to command in the Southwest.-He frustrates Sher-
man's expedition.-Returned to the Army of Tennessee. His death at
Marietta.-Anecdotes illustrative of his character, 587
CHAPTER LV.
MAJ.-GEN. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE.
His life anteriour to the War.-His career in Congress.-Elected Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States.-Democratic candidate for the Presidency,
1860.-The electoral and popular vote of that canvass.-Address to the
people of Kentucky.-Last service in the United States Senate.-Bold
speech there against the Administration.-Remarks upon Andrew John.