Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson Part 37

"He returned to his tent and inquired for his Adjutant-General. When he reported, he asked if any further reports had come in, and was told that a messenger had just arrived with dispatches announcing that Boutler had moved on City Point, capturing it; that Sherwood expected to attack Jones at Rocky Head on that day. Silent then went to bed and slept soundly.

"The next morning there was no enemy in sight. Gen. Silent advanced his troops well to the front until satisfied that Laws had withdrawn. He gave orders for taking care of the wounded and burying the dead. The wounded of both armies were thickly strewn all over the battlefield.

Many had perished from the smoke and fire in the woods. It was a sight I do not wish to describe if I could.

"That day Silent issued his orders for the army to make a night march by the left flank in the direction of Spottsyl-vania. He and Meador started, with the cavalry in advance, late in the afternoon, and as they pa.s.sed along the line going in that direction the boys understood it and cried out, 'Good! good! No going back this time; we are going to Richmond,' and they made the woods resound with shouts of joy.

"The next day about noon Sherlin was directed to move with his cavalry to the rear of the enemy, cut the railroads, and destroy all the enemy's supplies he could find. He moved at once. Silent notified Broomfield of the resistance being made to our further advance, and ordered him to move up as rapidly as possible. Skirmishing and sharp fighting between isolated divisions and brigades occurred. Many officers and men were killed. Gen. Sedgewear was among the killed on this morning, and Gen. H.

G. Wight was a.s.signed to the command of his corps. This was the 9th day of the month, and the armies had been marching and fighting five days.

"Silent's lines were now formed and ready to attack or resist. Thus they lay during the fifth night. On the next morning orders were issued to a.s.sault the enemy's center at 10 o'clock. Some movement of the enemy delayed the a.s.sault, and about 1 o'clock the enemy pressed forward to attack, which they did with great vigor. They were repulsed with great loss and fell back in confusion. They reformed and came forward again.

The contest now became fierce and even terrific. They made their way close up to Hanscom's front and delivered their fire in the very faces of our men. Our line did not waver, but now opened such a terrible fire of musketry on them that they broke in great disorder.

"In the very heat of the contest the woods had taken fire again, and the flames were leaping along with frightful rapidity, destroying nearly everything in their pathway. Our troops on this part of the line were compelled to fall' back, leaving many poor fellows of both sides to perish. Soon, however, the skirmishers were re-enforced and drove the enemy for a mile into their entrenchments.

"It was now determined to make the a.s.sault contemplated in the morning.

So about 4 p.m. Silent ordered the a.s.sault. Warner and Wight were to move simultaneously with Warner's and Gibbs's divisions, Motley to advance on the left of Wight's Corps. Our troops had to advance up a densely-wooded hill. Silent and Meador took position on an elevated point, but could see little of the field, it was so overgrown with bushes.

"The battle had again commenced, our troops a.s.saulting. A cloud of smoke hung heavily over the field, lighted up occasionally by flashes from artillery. The shouts of the commanders giving their orders, the yells of the soldiers on both sides, as well as the groans of the wounded and dying, could be distinctly heard in every direction. Across an open field, then through heavy woods, across a soft mora.s.s in front of one division of the enemy near the stream, went our lines, struggling forward under a most galling fire until lost to view in a copse of wood and the smoke of battle. Only our wounded now came staggering and crawling out from under the cloud of smoke to the rear. These few moments of suspense were terrible. Looking, listening and waiting, our troops at this moment ascended the hill and stormed the enemy's works, but could not hold them against the destructive fire. They fell back to their original line.

"On our left, at that moment, a great victory was being accomplished.

Col. Upson and Gen. Motley formed a storming party of some twelve regiments, and drove right against the flank of the enemy. They rushed with such impetuosity against the rebels that they could not withstand the a.s.sault. Our forces captured an entire brigade and one battery of the enemy. Hanscom now a.s.saulted and broke the enemy's line, capturing many prisoners. At six p.m. Broomfield attacked. Night closed with our columns within one mile of Spottsylvania Court-house. The fighting of this day was desperate, and the loss on both sides terrible. The suffering was great; many were burned who had fallen wounded on the field.

"This was the sixth day of blood and death. Our forces held some 4,000 prisoners, while the enemy had taken none from us save a few stragglers.

That night Boutler reported great success. Sherlin had got in the rear of the enemy, destroyed ten miles of his railroad and nearly all of his supplies of food and medical stores. Silent now ordered rest and reconnoitering for the next day.

"So, on the following day, our lines were adjusted and reconnoissances made, with full preparations for the ending of the great contest.

Hanscom was to move in the night so as to join Broomfield, and they were to attack at 4 A. M. of the 12th. They moved into line not more than two-thirds of a mile from the enemy. The ground was heavily wooded and ascended sharply towards the enemy. In the morning a heavy fog lay close to the ground, but at 4:35 the order to move forward was given. Burns and Barrow moved in advance. The soldiers seemed to be urged forward by some kind of inspiration, and finally broke into a double-quick, and with irresistible force over the earthworks of the enemy they went. Both divisions entered about the same time, and a most desperate battle here ensued. Muskets were clubbed and bayonets and swords pierced many bodies on both sides. The struggle was short, however, and resulted in our forces capturing some 5,000 prisoners, twenty pieces of artillery, and thirty colors, with two General officers. The rebels broke to the rear in great disorder, our men pursuing them through the woods. Shouts of victory rent the air.

"Silent was now by a small fire, which was sputtering and spitting, the rain coming down in uncomfortable quant.i.ties. Hanscom had taken and was now holding the center of their line. He reported: 'Have just finished up Jones and am going into Ewelling; many prisoners and guns.'

"The enemy made six a.s.saults on Hanscom, which were repulsed. Broomfield now reported that he had lost connection with Hanscom. Silent wrote him: 'Push the enemy; that is the best way to make connection.'

"Desultory fighting continued until midnight, when the enemy gave up the task of re-taking their lost line and retreated. Thus ended the eighth day of marching and most desperate fighting ever known.

"The next morning an a.s.sault was made in order to take possession of high ground near the court-house, which was a success, without any considerable resistance. The rain was now falling in torrents. The roads became so muddy that they were impa.s.sable, which prevented any further movement for the present. The collecting of the wounded and burying the dead was a sight to behold. The whole country back for miles was one continuous hospital. Our losses were over 20,000, and no one could ever ascertain the loss of the enemy; but it could not have been less than 30,000--including prisoners.

"The howl that was set up by the Sons of Liberty and Copperheads excelled anything that had ever been heard. Silent was a 'murderer,' a 'butcher,' a 'brute,' an 'inhuman monster.' The enemy, however, were all right. They were 'humane friends,' 'good Christians,' etc. The hypocrisy of this world is perfectly amazing.

"At this time take a glance at the rebel capital. Boutler was within ten miles; Sherlin's troopers were, many of them, inside the works on the north side of Richmond. Sherwood was forcing the rebel Army of the Center. Gen. Crookerhad cut all railroads between Tennessee and Richmond. All lines of communication with Richmond were severed, and confusion and terror reigned in the rebel capital. Jeff Davis contemplated flight, but was prevented by those surrounding him. With all these evidences of our final success and failure on their part, the anti-war party in the North could find no words of contumely too severe for our successful commanders.

"Henry and I left for Washington, and in the confusion of everything I finally found a surgeon by the name of Bliss, who informed me where I could find my son Jackson. He had been brought to Washington and placed in the Stone Mansion Hospital, on Meridian Hill. We lost no time in visiting that place, and by permission of the surgeon in charge visited Jackson. We found him with a high fever and some evidence of erysipelas.

His wound was in the right groin--a very dangerous wound. He talked quite freely, and gave all kinds of messages for his mother, the family, and Gen. Anderson, but said to us that he could live but a few days.

"'The fates are against our family,' said he. 'We will all go down sooner or later. Mother is right.'

"We remained in Washington and gave Jackson all the attention we could.

We merely paid our respects to the President. He was so busy we could not interrupt him. Joy was in the hearts of all loyal people, while curses were upon the lips of every disloyal and anti-war Democrat in the whole country.

"Jackson died from erysipelas on the sixth day after our arrival. This shock almost broke me down. Henry was nearly frantic. Jackson was his favorite brother. They had both been wanderers alike from home. We took his remains to our home, had his funeral services in the church to which his mother and I belonged, and buried him by the side of my son David, in the Allentown Cemetery.

"You must imagine this blow to our family; I will not undertake to describe our distress. His mother almost lost her mind, and for several days she talked incessantly about Peter. She seemed to lose sight of all else. Seraine was deeply affected. She thought very much of Jackson, he being the one who brought about her union with Henry much sooner than, perhaps, it would have occurred."

Just then Mrs. Wilson came in. We could see that she kept a close watch over Uncle Daniel. He took her in his arms and said:

"My darling, I was just speaking of the death of your Uncle Jackson."

"Yes, Grandpa; I well remember when you and Uncle Henry came home from Washington with his remains; how we were all distressed; how Grandma's mind was affected; and how poor old Aunt Martha cried and spoke of him.

I remember also that he was buried by the side of my poor father."

She ceased speaking and wept and sobbed, and finally she took her grandpa by the hand and led him to his room.

CHAPTER XVIII.

OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY OF THE CENTER.--GEN. SHERWOOD'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST GATE CITY.--HEAD'S ARMY DESTROYED.--GEN.

PAPSON'S GREAT VICTORIES AT FRANKTOWN AND NASHUA.

"We die that our country may survive."--Lyon.

"General Silent was now in command of all the armies of the United States, having his Headquarters with the Army of the East, so that he might have the immediate supervision of it. Sherwood, having been placed in command of the Armies of the West, commenced organizing and concentrating his forces for the Spring campaign, under the general plan suggested by Silent and approved by the President and Secretary of War. The condition of things in the North was as heretofore described.

Sherwood was kept continually on the alert, in order to meet the many raids that were being made in his Department.

"About the 1st of April, Gen. Forrester, with a large cavalry force, again moved north, marched between Big and Little Combination Rivers, and made his way unmolested to Paduah, and there a.s.saulted the Union garrison held by Col. Heck, by whom he was badly beaten. He made his retreat, swinging around to Conception River, and following that down to Fort Pillston, which was held by a very small garrison of colored troops. After capturing the post the unfortunate troops were most barbarously and inhumanly butchered, no quarter being given. The poor colored soldiers and citizens were shot down like so many wild beasts.

Some were killed while imploring their captors for mercy; others were tied to trees, fires built around them made of f.a.gots, and in that way burned to death.

"The sick and wounded fared no better. Such brutality is seldom resorted to by the most barbarous of the savage Indian tribes. What do you suppose would have been the fate of any Union officer who would have permitted such conduct on the part of his command?"

"Why," said Col. Bush, "the officer would have been dismissed the service in utter disgrace, and would not afterwards have been recognized as a gentleman anywhere in the Northern States."

"No, sir," said Dr. Adams; "such officers would have been compelled to change their names and to find homes in the mountains, where they would have been un.o.bserved."

"Yes," said Uncle Daniel, "that would have been so with any of our troops; yet you never hear this fact alluded to. It is lost sight of, and if you should mention it publicly, you would only be criticised for so doing. Our tradesmen and merchants want their Southern customers, and therefore, no matter what their crimes may have been, they are hushed up and condoned. But to return to my story.

"Sherwood had made his disposition for an advance, and on the same day that the Army of the East commenced its movement to cross the Rapidan, his army moved out against Gen. Jones, who had displaced Biggs and was in command of the rebel Army of the Center. Sherwood's army moved in three columns from and about Chatteraugus--Scovens on the left, Papson in the center, and McFadden on the right. Papson moved directly against Turner's Hill, and McFadden, by way of Gadden's Mill, to and through Snake Gap, against Sarco. Papson had encountered the enemy at Rocky Head, and failing to dislodge him, was ordered to the right in support of McFadden. Jones fell back to Sarco and made a stand. Hord's Corps a.s.saulted him in front, Scovens on his right, Papson and McFadden on his left, McFadden gaining the high ridges overlooking the fort and opened a destructive artillery fire against it.

"Late in the evening, as night was closing in, Gen. Anderson ordered a part of his command to a.s.sault and charge their works near the river, south of the town. This was executed in gallant style, Gen. Ward leading the charge. The firing all along both lines was picturesque. As volley after volley was discharged, it reminded one of a line of Roman candles shooting forth. Soon our troops succeeded in dislodging the enemy and capturing his works, with many prisoners. This closed the contest; and that night Jones, with his army, retreated, destroying bridges and all else behind him.

"He was vigorously pushed by our army. Two days later Papson's head of column struck the rear of the enemy between Caseyville and King's City.

Skirmishing commenced, and was kept up during the night. At this point Jones had collected his whole army--three large corps, commanded by Harding, Polkhorn and Head, numbering nearly as many men as Sherwood's forces. During the night, however, the enemy retreated, and did it so handsomely that the next morning there was nothing to be seen as evidence of an enemy, save fresh earthworks.

"After remaining there several days waiting for supplies, etc., our forces resumed their advance and moved rapidly in the direction of a town on the Powder Springs road called Dalls; McFadden on the extreme right, Papson in the center, and Scovens on the left. Hord, of Papson's army, in moving to the crossing of Pumpkin Run, met the enemy, and was soon engaged in what turned out to be a severe battle, lasting until quite in the night. This checked the movement of the army under Papson, and changed the point to be gained to Hopeful Church. There was continuous skirmishing and fighting at this point at close range behind works for about five days. The losses, however, were not very considerable on either side, both being under cover of earthworks. The troops here were so situated in their lines and works that both sides kept well down behind their cover. Finally our boys gave it the name of 'h.e.l.l Hole.'

"McFadden having moved to Dalls, as ordered, was some miles away to the right of the remainder of the forces. The enemy seeing this, concentrated two whole corps and hurled them against the Fifteenth Corps, and one small division on its left. The a.s.sault was made by Harding and Polkhorn on the morning of the 28th of May, and lasted until late in the afternoon. This was a fierce and very b.l.o.o.d.y battle, with quite a loss on both sides. The enemy broke the line of our forces on the right and poured through the gap like bees swarming, but the commander of the corps of 'Forty Bounds' was equal to the occasion, charging them with reserve troops and driving them back with great slaughter. From that time on, the day was in our favor. The General who commanded the corps came down the line where bullets were thickest, with hat in hand, cheering his men on to action and to victory; with a shout that could only be given by that old, well-drilled corps, which had never known defeat, they rushed forward against the enemy and routed twice their number. Men who were in this battle say that the soldiers and officers were more like enraged tigers than men. No power could stay them when it came to their turn during the day to make an a.s.sault, the enemy having made the first one.

"Two days after this brilliant victory they were ordered by Sherwood to their left to join the right of Hord's command. The army now being in compact form confronting the enemy, he withdrew to Bush and Kensington Mountains, in front of Henrietta, covering the railroad to Gate City.

Gen. Sherwood moved his army on a parallel line to Shan tee, covering the railroad to the rear, being our line of communication, directly confronting the enemy on the Mountain ridge. The position of the enemy was a good one; much better than our troops occupied. Thus, our forces were 100 miles south of Chatteraugus. During the whole march it had been one succession of skirmishes and battles, from Rocky Head to Kensington Mountain. The skirmishes and battles were generally fought in dense woods, and doubtless, in the rapid movements, many of our poor men, and also of the enemy, were wounded and left to die in the forest.