USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 2
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CHAPER XIX.
Texas brigade at the Phillips House. Visit to the camp of the brigade Impressions of a soldier's life. Chaperones a gay crowd of girls from: Richmond. General Grant crosses troops to the north side. Fighta: Phillips House. Hasty retreat from pleasant quarters. Fall of Fort Harrison. Fight on Daibytown and New Market roads. Genera: Gregg killed. Rescue of his body. Imposing funeral at Richmon i Tight on Williamsburg turnpike. Reverse of Confederates in the Val lev. Sheridan defeats Harly with heavy loss. Fearful devastation of the country, "leaving nothing a crow could subsist upon." Grant's and Lee's army go into winter quarters. Unsuccessful in the 6.1. Grant tries reduction of the Confederates by starvation. Life per camp again resamed . IST
CHAPTER XX.
I.Me in winter quarters. Resources for entertaining visitors. Religi as services. Kindness of soldiers. Generii Lee's appreciation of thy
CONTENTS.
Tener Forgood. G Meral Gary's stratagem to Jective the Foto's. Exchange b. prisinter- discussion. The position of the South all treatment of pri- 1005 North clamoring for peace. Commissione: visit Richmond. Trident Davis peace commissioners stopped a: Hampden Poals. General I er's efforts to secure peace . 202
CHAPTER XXI.
President Davis recommends to Congress the employment of slaves in the Southern army. General Lee declines being made commander- in-chief of the armies of the Confederacy. Wiangling in Congress over General Johnston's removal. Gloom hanging over the Confed- crat- capital. Death of President Davis' son. Administration criti- cised. Humorous remarks of General Lee. Dress of the period. Women's faner-work and amusements, Woman ever true. Colonel Powell's romantis marriage at Paltimore. Subsistence of the army. Love and confidence in General Lee. His peculiarities. Declines the offer of the city council of Richmond to purchase for him a home. 223
CHAPTER XXII.
Desertions in the ranks. General Hood still the Mol of Texans. Ex- tracts from private letters. Presentation of golden stars from a lady in Texas to braves: privates of the Texas briga le. Review of troops by President Davi, General Lee, Longstreet and others. Health of the soldiers. Juligy to private soldiers. Fight at Hatcher's Run. Disasters in the Valley. Sheridan's raid. General Lee confers with regard to evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg. Decides to st- tack Fort Stedman. Friends advise leaving Virginia. General Grant attack, General Lee. Leaving winter quarters. Confederates re- pulsed at Five Forks. Death of General A. P. Hill. General Lee's message to President Davis that Richmond must be evacuated. Texas brigade the i st to let . the lines north of the James river. Re- treat from Faterd'ung. Richmond at evacuation. Consternation of the people. lefa ture of government officials. Burning of Corfed- crate stores and private property. Fundering by the rabble. Fed- ecal troops entei Richmond. Proclamation to the people. Wild frenzy of fell, at at the North . .. 235
CHAPTER XXIII.
Prophesy of the Richmond Enquirer. General Lee on the retreat. General Granted Lec corr pn. 1. General Lee still hopeful. Grief Asks General Grant's terms. The two generais Meet Streets ofthe Army of Northern Virginia." The two cen- we Riot, Texas Brigade throwing up fortifications sare aler rowles them. General Lee's farewe".
arkiress to His tror Graf of his men. His sorrow at the loss of the catse Estos of Jefferson Davis. Eulogy of General Lee Close of the record of the ' Confederate Capital and Hood's Texas Brigade. 25;
APPENDIX
CHAPTER I.
Richmond in 1859 -- Consternation Caused by John Brown's Raid upon Har- per's Ferry- Departure of Troops for the Scene of Action-Governor Wise's Action in Bringing the Prisoner to Justice after the Insurrection was Quelled-Formation of Military Companies all over the State of Vir- ginia-Threatenings of an Irrepressible Conflict between North and South -Feeling of Insecurity Pervading all Classes-Return of Southern Stu- dents from the New York and Philadelphia Schools of Medicine- Presi- dent Lincoln's Nomination by the Republican Party Considered a Menace to Southern Institutions-Secession of South Carolina, the Cotton States and Texas -- Virginia's Convention to Consider the Question of Following their Example-Hesitation to Take the Decisive Step-President Lincoln's Requisition upon Virginia for her Quota of 75,000 Men to Coerce the States back into the Union-Virginia's Prompt Action in Passing the Act of Secession -- Fall of Fort Sumter-Illumination of Richmond and Torch- light Procession in Honor of the Two Events-Impressions of the Hour.
October 15th, 1859, dawned clear and cloudless in the city of Richmond, Virginia. Her streets were filled with well-dressed citizens and beautiful, refined ladies, wending their way to the various churches which adorn the "seven-hilled city," to wor- ship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and the little ones sported along on their way to Sabbath-school. Eveu tired man drew his breath easier, for the burden of the week was rolled away, and the hazy atmosphere of the Indian summer brooded deliciously over all surrounding objects, mak- ing the blood course evenly and joyously through the veins of every one.
Little did the people think that there was approaching danger hovering in the exquisite beauty diffused by nature, or that wicked men were meditating, even then, the overthrow of the country.
Our peculiar institution, slavery, had become a thorn in the side of many, but we only desired to be let alone, to preserve the property which had descended from father to son, until the slaves, whose interests were so interwoven with those they served. seemed related by the strongest ties of affection.
This day, long to be remembered in the annals of the South, John Brown spent perfecting his plans for a raid upon Harper's Ferry. At the hour of midnight he took possession of the ar- mory and government works with an armed force of picked com- rades, and struck terror to the hearts of the inhabitants of the quiet village, all uuconscious of the danger, until it burst upon
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them. Several men lost their lives, but John Brown and his men remained in possession of the arsenal and works.
Monday morning, as soon as the facts were ascertained, the news was telegraphed to Richmond, and a call was made by the Governor for volunteers to suppress the insurrection. The Rich- mond Grays and Blues, two militia companies, went prompt- ly to the scene of action.
The Blues traced their organization back to;the days of 1776, and had never disgraced their colors.
Before reaching Harper's Ferry, Col. Robert F. Lee had been sent down from Washington with government troops and had routed the invaders, capturing John Brown and such of bis men as were not killed, landing him safe in jail at Charlestown for trial for his life.
The people at Richmond were filled with consternation. That generation knew knothing of wars and rumors of wars, and this first sound of the tocsin of approaching strife was terrifying.
Wild tales were afloat,-that other agents of the abolition party of the North were amongst us; that the armory at Rich- mond was to be taken, and the slaves had agreed to flock to their assistance. Never will I forget that Sunday night, as I sat all alone, although but a girl, and awaited results.
The militia had gone, and no information could be obtained by telegraph. We pictured all the horrors of a negro-insurrec- tion; recalling the Southampton massacre of the whites ser- eral years before, when the negroes, led on by a vile wretch, Nat Turner, who pretended to be inspired by heaven to deliver his people from bondage as Moses had delivered the Egyptians, killed about sixty persons in their blind rage, before the tumult was quelled.
We had heard all those tales from older persons, and living in Richmond were many who had escaped from San Domingo, when the negroes rebelled and drove out the whites; and some had friends who had been brutally murdered by these fiends in human form. The negro, we all knew, was peaceable when con- trolled by superior minds, but easily led estray, and like some beast of prey when his passions became excited. All this filled the minds of the people with aların as they conjured up the ter- rors to which they might be exposed.
John Brown had been a notorious character in Kansas and had acted the role of border ruffian to perfection, as the unfortunate settlers of the new State could testify. He became enthusiastic on the question of slavery, and going north ingratiated himself . into the good graces of many otherwise good people, ani ob- tained the means by private contribution to effect his nefarious object.
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He laid his plans stealthily, and must have expected simul- taneous action in other places. A man answering his description had been prowling around the negro quarters of the plantations on the upper James river, and mysterious individuals had been seen in other localities during the spring and summer previous.
The negro is a natural coward, and the promptness of John Brown's defeat made it complete. No one else, even amid the horrors of the war that followed, ever made a like attempt.
When the military companies returned a few days afterward. they brought some of John Brown's pikes which he had manu- factured for placing in the hands of the blacks. These consisted of a staff of wood about ten feet in length, perfectly round, in- serted into the pikes, iron, sharp-pointed instruments about one foot long, making the most murderous-looking weapon that could be imagined. It seemed startling that a sane man should have originated such diabolical plans and be able to secure assistance from Christian people.
Hon. Henry A. Wise was Governor of Virginia, and promptly brought the prisoner to justice. He had a fair, impartial trial, was convicted and hung at Charlestown, in the presence of a multi- tude of witnesses, closely guarded by troops, as it was believed that an attempt might be made to rescue him by like fanatics as himself. There was, however, no disturbance, for the Governor and people were quietly determined he should meet his fate.
Probably the mind of man never conceived to perpetrate an outrage upon a more beautiful spot of earth, than when John Brown made his descent upon Harper's Ferry-even as the fair- est places but cover the crater of the volcano, which breaks through the crust of earth, casting forth the fiery lava, blighting and scorching all verdure from view. So here the wild passions of man burst forth, destroying forever the peace and harmony of the village, for Harper's Ferry has seemed a doomed place since that midnight work in the month of October, so long ago.
The little town is nestled in between mountains which rise per- cipitately all around. On one side is the town, arsenal and gov- ernment works, the location having been selected by General Washington; on the other, towers Maryland Heights, in all its grand, rugged beauty. Through the mountain side rushes the Shenandoah river, sparkling and bright, here uniting with the Potomac, on its course to Chesapeake bay. It seems a place specially dedicated to all that is peaceful, calm and refining in nature, inspiring sublimity of thought and feelings of thankful- ness to Him who has fashioned all this wondrous work, enabling us to drink in this loveliness at one glance. This was the selec- tion of all the Southern land to begin a fierce war of destruction, probably as being nearer the fanatic's base of supplies.
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"Bells were tolled in many New England towns on the day of his execution." Sympathy was openly avowed, many ministers not hesitating to pronounce John Brown a martyr, who had been "taken by wicked hands and slain." This then was the begin- ning of the end.
After this raid, as it was called, there was a general feeling of insecurity pervading all classes of society in Virginia. People began to see this cloud, "no bigger than a man's hand," ap- proaching nearer and nearer, overshadowing the sky that had gleamed fair and peaceful for so long.
Military companies were formed all over the State, to be ready, at a moment's warning, for any emergency that might arise. The homes of Virginia, the fair Southern homes, but another name for genial refinement, whole-souled enjoyment, and world- renowned hospitality, had been ruthlessly threatened with de- struction, and human life had been sacrificed to an ideal senti- mentality. The condition of the negro slave was a matter of sympathy, but no charity was bestowed upon the master who la- bored for his comfort and happiness, who was not responsible for his condition, and who often involved himself hopelessly in debt to provide for so many during infancy and old age, too help- less to be anything but a care upon their protector. Was it won- derful that public opinion on the situation all pointed toward self- preservation? Was it wonderful that the grandsons of the revo- lution should seek to protect those sacred rights guaranteed by the provisions of the surrender at Yorktown, set forth long be- fore that event by the Declaration of Independence?
This feeling of alienation began to be felt, and in nothing was it more forcibly manifested than the withdrawal of Southern students from Northern institutions of learning.
During the winter of 1860 we began to see notices of the meet- ing of Southern students attending lectures at the Philadelphia school of medicine. Southerners had considered a diploma from Philadelphia or New York a sufficient passport into the profes- sion everywhere. About one hundred and fifty students left Philadelphia in a body and came on to Richmond: a committee of citizens met them at the depot the afternoon of their arrival. They marched through the capitol square, a small park in the centre of the city, to the governor's mansion. Governor Wise came on the portico and gave them a hearty welcome, both to Virginia, and the South. The news of their expected arrival had been announced through the papers, and quite a crowd of ladies and gentlemen had gathered to witness their reception by the Governor. He made a telling speech, congratulating the young men on their determination to return to their native soil, inter-
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spersed with all his happy hits and fund of anecdote which never became exhausted.
He urged them to stand firm by their States in time of peril. His speech was delivered with such vim and fervor that he was loudly applauded. Never will the scene be forgotten. The grave determined faces of the students, their firm, proud step and dig- nified bearing as they seemed to realize the responsibility of the position they had assumed, and then the welcome home, hearty, and cheering-Southern in every respect.
Soon after this, Governor Wise's term of service expired, and Governor Letcher was inaugurated. The latter was wise, learned and great in all that makes up a statesman, and true as steel, yet he was slow to decide upon a State measure and had none of the impulsive promptness which was a characteristic of Governor Wise.
Events now began to crowd one another. President Lincoln had been nominated by what was known as the Republican party, an outgrowth of the free soil party which had been origi- nated as directly opposed to the introduction of slavery into new Territories and States. His election being considered as a menace to Southern institutions, and growing weary of the strife that had agitated the country so long, South Carolina considering his election an insult to the South and an infringement of States rights, called a convention and formally withdrew from the Union. Her example was followed by all the cotton States and Texas, but Virginia hesitated to throw herself in the breach.
Here she deserves to be called the "Mother of statesmen," for she acted in this crisis of her fate with all a mother's coolness and sagacity. She wished to do nothing hastily, nothing she might regret in after years.
She was situated geographically between the contending fac- tions, and was painfully conscious, in event of war, her plains would be the battlefields of the contest.
The legislature called a convention of the people. The ma- jority of that convention were cool, dispassionate men who had a high regard for the Union, and great veneration for the flag of their country, but who were prepared to defend to the uttermost, Virginia's proud emblem, Sic semper tyrannis." They mnet in what was known as the Mechanics Institute, afterwards the War Department. This building had been constructed for the pur- pose of holding Mechanics' fairs. The exhibition rooms occu- pied whole floors of this commodious edifice, and easily accom- modated the convention.
Large crowds of ladies and gentlemen met there daily, to listen to the discussions which occupied the attention of members on the floor. The former took a deep interest in the arguments pro
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THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL
and con, and were nearly all original secessionists. 'Tis said woman acts from the promptings of her heart rather than her intellect, and this was verified at this time. While the gentle- men were willing for the convention to deliberate, the women were impatient for them to act.
Many were the speeches made by the learned savants of the time, on both sides of the vexed question; members exhausting their eloquence and rhetoric, but hesitating to take the decisive step. Their cuts at one another were at times very amusing. Old line Whigs, and Democrats of the Jeffersonian school. were here thrown together, and although the subject under discussion had no reference to either, yet party animosities would creep out occasionally.
However much they differed upon other subjects. nobody favored coercion-forcing back the seceded States into the Union. The public mind was in a state of feverish unrest and impatiently awaited the result.
In the meantime these States had banded themselves together under the name, "Confederate States of America," electing as Provisional President Hon. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi.
Preparations for war rapidly went on at the South. General Beauregard had been placed in command at Charleston, but Fort Sumter was still held by United States troops.
President Lincoln was trifling with the peace commissioners sent to Washington, cracking his dismal jokes, and asserting that "nobody was hurt" by the secession of Southern States.
Fort Sumter was attacked. President Lincoln made his requi- sition upon Virginia for her quota of 75,000 inen to coerce the States back into the Union. The supreme hour had come. No more hesitancy about casting her all with the fortunes of the South. No more weighing the chances of success. Lincoln had decided his policy, and Virginia must decide hers.
Without one dissenting voice the ordinance of secession was passed, the convention pledging Virginia's assistance and Vir- ginia's blood to seal the compact with her Southern sisters. This occurred April 12th, 1861, the day the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received. After years have flown, it is pleasing to review the calmness and deliberation of that time; and with pride remember how nobly that pledge was redeemed amid the shock of battle and simoon of destruction which followed.
A memorable occasion, a few days later, was the illumination of the city in honor of two events :- Secession of Virginia and fall of Fort Sumter.
. That evening, with a brother, who had raised a company of volunteers amongst the sturdy miners, at the Clover Hill coal- pits in Chesterfield county, I went to witness the torch-light pro-
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AND HOOD'S TEXAS BRIGADE.
cession and illumination. Never before was such a fine display of the varied styles of illumination made.
Standing upon the sidewalk, watching the crowd surging and rolling as a mighty sea in commotion, with the torches flickering in the breeze, the faces of the men seemed to grow white and ghastly in the uncertain light. I looked until the sight grew sickening.
I can never explain the feelings of that night. War, with all its horrors, seemed to pass before my vision, and warp my facul- ties. The procession, with all its lights, appeared like ghastly denizens from some distant sphere, marching to a fearful death: blood seemed to stain each paving stone, and appeared as sprink- led upon the lintels of every doorway, -a premonition of im- pending disaster crowded upon my mind, and I shrauk back affrighted.
Why was this? I felt that Virginia had taken a mighty part in the impending struggle, and had need of every brave soul, man and woman, in her midst.
I am conscious that deep down in my soul, that night, was the crushing of youthful feelings forever, as my future was laid with my State upon the altar of a sacred cause. I determined to abro- gate self forever, and with a consecration that was complete, en- listed in the struggle upon which my people had entered amid this crowd, and the flashing of thousands of lamps lighted bere in triumph for the first and last time during all the weary years that followed.
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THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL
CHAPTER II.
Colonel Robert E. Lee's Record in United States Army-His Resignation to Throw His Fortunes with His Native State, Virginia, and the Southern Cause -- The Sacrifice of His Ancestral Home at Arlington Heights In- volved-Governor Letcher, with Consent of the Convention, Tendered Him the Command of the State Forces-His Work of Drilling Rav Re- cruits-Arrival of Kershaw's South Carolina Regiment-The Heroes of Fort Sumpter Received with Open Arms by the People of Richmond- Ladies Devoting their Time to Making of Soldiers' Uniforms - President Lincoln's Blockade of Southern Ports -- Advancement of Prices for Neces- saries of Life-Removal of Confederate Seat of Government from Mont- gomery, Alabama, to Richmond-General Lee's Resignation of Command of State Troops, other Officials in Confederate Government Outranking Him -- Providing for Munitions of War, and Supplies for the Army-Chil- dren Catching the Inspiration of the Times.
General Robert E. Lee had been educated at West Point. He was one of Virginia's truest sons, "descended from a family il- lustrious in the Colonial history of Virginia, also for their bravery during the Revolutionary War, and was endowed with a high sense of duty to his country, und unswerving devotion to her cause.
"He had come home from Mexico crowned with honors. covered with brevets, and was recognized as one of the ablest of his country's soldiers." He held the position as colonel of cav- alry in the United States Army.
It was a severe trial for him to leave the army and sever his connection with the officers with whom he had studied at West Point, served with in Mexico, and been associated intimately with on the Texas frontier for so long a time.
He loved the flag he had followed so often, amid so many shifting scenes of blood-shed, and for which he had endured pri- vation and suffering; and his soul was grieved at the thought that the position of affairs in his native State demanded the ser- vice of each one of her children. Duty was the watch-word of his life. He could not act the craven part and turn his hand against the mother who had nurtured him at her breast. When Virginia seceded, he resigined his position in the United States Army.
He knew he was sacrificing his all, when he thus threw his fate with the Southern cause. His ancestral home, "Arlington Heights," was so close to Washington City, just across the Po- tomac river, that with war's desolating influence his beautiful
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AND HOOD'S TEXAS BRIGADE.
grounds and fair fields would be laid waste, and his household goods scattered.
Governor Letcher, with the unanimous consent of the conven- tion, tendered him the command of the State forces. He ac- cepted the trust, and immediately proceeded with the work of organizing the available troops that had already volunteered to serve the State in her hour of extremity, soon bringing order out of chaos.
Drilling the raw recruits according to the tactics of military law, was a mighty undertaking. Most of them were ignorant of the first duty of a soldier, and did not even know which foot to put forward when the order was given to march. There is scarcely a more amusing sight than the drilling of an "awkward squad" upon their first initiation into a soldier's life.
The Agricultural Fair grounds, situated at the head of Main street, afforded a fine place for a "camp of instruction." Its name was changed, and it was known afterwards as Camp Lee,* and here the regiments were received, and instructed by officers who understood their duties thoroughly.
Whenever one body of men became sufficiently expert, they were sent off, and another took their place. Camp Lee became a place of resort during the afternoon. The attention of the peo- ple was absorbed in war, and anything was interesting connected therewith, and to witness dress-parade became quite the fashion.
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