USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 20
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"The morning showed us Beauregard's advanced line. the one he occupied when he pressed Butler back at Bermuda Hundred, occupied by the enemy. . Sharp-shooting commenced, and con- tinted all day. This was the 17th. Late in the evening we charged their position, and found only a line of skirmishers in possession, who mostly fled at our rapid advance. Some were taken prisoners, and a small number put hors-de-combat. Here we were on the western edge of a plateau and looking eastward: at a distance of about a thousand yards, the enemy's defensive line was in full view. Here we were subjected to a furious shelling.
"In the affair, Adjutant Brown and one private were wounded. No other casualties in the 4th, and but few anywhere. I want to mention an incident of the battle-field of June irth. While the fire from the redoubt was at its hottest, subjecting us toone of the fiercest shellings it was ever my lot to endure, just in freut of our line, and within thirty feet of where I sat, stood an oll chestnut tree, and in a hole in the trunk of this tree, about thirty feet from the ground, was a nest of young blue birds, and. pot- withstanding the atmosphere was literally alive with the scream-
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ing, hissing missiles of destruction, many of them striking the tree, and stripping it of nearly every limb, during all the time the father and mother bird did not cease to bring in supplies of food for their young, seemingly all unconscious of the danger in which they were constantly exposed. I was gratified, after the shell-storm had passed, that nest and birds, both young and old, had endured the fiery ordeal unscathed.
"On the ISth, we passed through Petersburg, halting barely long enough to take a draught of coffee from large hogsheads, hauled on wagons to our line of march, and entered the fortifi- cations surrounding the city, our line being rapidly extended to the right by the arrival of troops. At this time, an engagement was hourly expected, and eagerly desired, by all the army, so far as I could see or lear.
"At night Field's division moved to the left, nearer the Appo- mattox, east of the city, and relieved other troops occupying the trenches near the point where the enemy gained his temporary advantage on Friday, the 17th. Here we have strictly burrowed in the ground ever since.
"Yesterday a brilliant little affair came off, to our right. Three brigades of Wilcox's division, being threatened with an attack, flanked the attacking party, and besides killing and wounding a great many, captured some twenty-five hundred or three thou- sand prisoners, eight stands of colors, and several pieces of can- non. This is a most monotonous kind of existence; the enemy strongly fortified some six hundred yards in our front, further to the right their works recede from ours, forming a semicircle, both ends resting on the Jamies, Grant's base being, at last ac- counts, at City Point.
"The two lines are so close together that sharp-shooters, on both sides, are so constantly popping away that it is not at all safe for one to raise his head above the works. This is occasion- ally varied by shelling which, in the main, is altogether harm- less. We lie in our works, and the missiles hiss and burst all over and around us, seldom inflicting any injury. In our pres- ent position, we have lost in our regiment four killed, three wounded. When a shot takes effect, it is generally fatal. It is not considered ungallant for a man to take care of his upper story when lying in the trenches.
"July 3. - Some changes have taken place in the regiment. Adjutant W. H. Brown, who was wounded on the 17th of June, was removed to St. Francis hospital in Richmond, where he lin- gered only a few days, when death came to his relief. This is the second of our mess-mates who were with us on the morning of May 6th, who will meet around our board no more. Colonel
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Bane, Captain Hunter and myself remain, but the kind of duty we have been on for two months has scattered us, and we eat what we can get hold of, and prepared as it may be, every fellow for himself. Our bread is mostly of corn meal, is baked by a cook- ing detail. who stay in the rear for that purpose, for two days at a time. Bacon, also issued two days at a time, we get raw, and this we are at liberty to eat without cooking, or broil or fry, as we please. Occasionally we have an issue of coffee and sugar, sometimes both at once. The coffee we parch in a frying pan, beat in a cloth, and boil in a tin cup, each one for himself, so we have a fine opportunity to suit our tastes as to whether it shall be strong or weak, as well as the time we drink it-having refer- ence to the firing of cannon and sharp-shooters, as to when we go after water, etc. Once in a while we have an issue of rice and cow peas.
"Our works are substantial. the embankments of earth are sufficiently high to allow a man to stand erect without being ex- posed, if he is careful, and of sufficient thickness to resist the effect of their artillery, having a place to stand upon to fire over the works if necessary. There are obstructions of different kinds beyond, calculated to tangle the enemy's legs and retard prog . ress, should he have the temerity to at tempt an assault. These works are filled with muskets and bayonets-the sameness re- lieved at proper intervals by menacing batteries. The Federals have as many chances in favor of getting to heaven as to Peters- burg. While this is our condition, Grant has his army so hemmed in by the James and Appomattox, by iron-clads and monitors, it is impossible to get at him, so, while we have no fear of his being able to accomplish the design of his expedition, I do not see how we are to destroy his army. It is safe in its present posi- tion, or rather we can not spare the men it would cost to attack it, protected as it is, while the James is open as a line of com- munication by which supplies and re- enforcements can reach it, or by which, aided by his transports, General Grant can retire whenever interest or inclination prompts him to do so. Consid- ering the character of the struggle, and that the two armies are within a few hundred yards of each other, everything is remark - ably quiet. The darkest feature of the situation is that, without notifying such an intention, and in utter disregard to the rights of non-combatants, helpless women and children, who could do them no harin, they are, every day, throwing shells into the city. Some damage must necessarily be done, though, so far as I can learn, little has been sustained by the citizens.
"It is unfortunate the enemy was allowed to fortify so near the city, but the fact is Longstreet's corps barely reached here in
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time to save the place from falling into his hands. One hour more, and Petersburg would have been occupied by the Federals. The army knows this, and the citizens have felt it. alas! too keenly for it ever to be effaced.
"I have never seen such intense feeling as that manifested the day of our arrival. Everybody was either on the streets of at the doors and windows. Ladies, old and young, were out in the sun and dust, bare-headed, in many instances, numbers of them drawing and carrying water to the troops, and distributing it as they walked along. At two places were found large hogsheads of coffee. Occasionally the ladies would attempt to express their gratitude at our arrival, but the sentence was cut short, as the eyes overflowed and the face was buried in the handkerchief. One venerable-looking old gentleman stood on the sidewalk, sur- rounded by a group of ladies. 'Oh!' said he, as the pearly drops chased each other down his cheeks, 'this is like sunshine after the storm!' The soldiers are contented mortals, and much pity is wasted upon us. We enjoy ourselves in our way, and have few long faces.
"July 7 .- The only change in the past few days is that the enemy has planted mortars at different points, where their works approach very near ours, from which they expect to throw sbells into our works. The operation of this gun is to use a small charge of powder, and by a great elevation allow the ball or shell to pass over and drop immediately in rear of our works. This is a beautiful theory, but judging from what I have seen of the practical working of the thing, can not regard it as dangerous. There is too much calculation for decided effect; if the charge of powder should be only a little too large or too small. the fuse too short or too long, or the elevation too high or too low, the shell can not explode where it is intended. I imagine by the time these experiments are made, the exposed points will have been rendered bomb-proof. As to their digging up to cur posi- tion, General Hoke, of the tar-heel State, has made the discov- ery, that in the event of their doing so, they will be no nearer to ns than we are to them.
"July 14 .- At a late hour last night the Texas brigade was relieved from a six days' tour of duty in the trenches. where. day and night, it has been under an almost incessant fre from the enemy's batteries and sharp-shooters; casualties in 4th Texas. one killed: 3rd Arkansas, one killed: 5th Texas, three wounded, thanks to good fortifications and covered passways leading in every direction the men have to go.
"This thing of duty in the trenches is anything but pleasant. During the day the heat is oppressive, and not unfrequently the
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Texan sighis for the refreshing breezes of his own prairie home. At night one-third of the officers and men are on the ale :. at a time, each usually taking one-third of the night, and at the first indication of the approach of morning, all hands are up ani in readiness to meet any attempt at a surprise-everybody literary living beneath the surface of the ground, and constantly ca the qui tive. Here we cat, drink and sleep as best we can, yet, sot- withstanding the arduous character of these duties, the Zenith and spirits of the men continue to be good, and they tautalize the enemy in every conceivable way.
"The monotony is frequently relieved by a group of a dozen or more engaged in singing religious songs, while others. in pairs, are quietly absorbed in an intricate game of chess, which, amongst us, is fast superseding cards, which I think a decsie : improvement. Gambling, so far as my observation extends, is, I am glad to say, becoming unfashionable.
"To be relieved for two days at a time, with an opportunity of changing clothing, writing letters, hearing the news, and Sving on the outside of the earth, is, indeed, like an oasis in the desert. The situation is unchanged. A scout from the 4th, who was captured several days since, taken to City Point, and escaped, says the enemy, especially the hundred days' men, is suffering from sickness, and Grant is sending off a portion of his command.
"He continues to shell Petersburg, without much damage. The inhabitants, as a general thing, have left the shelled district. Many families are living in tents furnished by the quartermasters, out of reach of the enemy's cannon.
"While everything here remains in statu quo, we have. through Federal sources, glorious news from beyond the Potomac. The latest is from Stanton, Scoretary of War, dated July rot. in which he says: 'Official report received from Major-General Wallace, states that a battle took place between his forces and the rebels, at Monocacy, to-day, in which our forces were at length overpowered by superior numbers of the enemy, and we were obliged to retire in disorder. His troops behaved well but sur- fered severe loss, and Wallace is retreating in the direction of Baltimore.' The Washington Chronicle says: The enemy is again in force on the soil of Maryland. They have venture i to turn the tide of war from the desolate fields of Virginia : the homes and fertile valleys of Maryland. The first serious collision has redounded to their advantage. They have driven var tops in disorder from the banks of the Monocacy. Heaven send the daring leadership that will, this time, enable us to do dir das.
"One report represents Early within nine miles of baltimore but there is room to doubt about that. There can be no mistake
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that we have a considerable force north of the Potomac, and they have nearly frightened the 'universal Yankee nation' out of their wits. The general impression is that the result will be the with- drawal of Grant's army, and removal of the theatre of operations to some point in Northern Virginia. An order was published yesterday promoting Bane to colonel and myself lieutenant-colo- nel, to rank as such from April 27th last.
"At the Wilderness my tent was taken to shelter the wounded, and since, my covering has been the 'cloud-capped canopy,' but that is of little consequence. If I had a tent could not have used it. We have been performing duty that does not require, or even admit of the ordinary comforts of camp life. The weather has been oppressively hot and dry, but recently we had rain, and since then, the rays of 'old Sol' have not pelted us so severely.
"July 30. -- We left our position in front of Petersburg on the night of the 28th, marched through the city at the quiet hour of midnight, crossed the Appomattox to the north side, just as the moon rose, and halted at the depot three miles from Petersburg, on the Richmond railroad, where we remained until daylight.
"One regiment of our brigade, 3d Arkansas, having taken the cars with Benning's Georgia brigade. yesterday morning we took the cars, and landed at Rice's turnout, opposite Drury's Bluff, and again took up the line of March, crossed to the north side of the James on pontoon bridge at same place we passed over going to the south side on June 17th. We marched through Chaffin's Farm north of the bluff of that name, in sight of the fortifications, there took down the river, passing Deep Bottom at sunset, and bivonacked for the night. This morning we were again on the move at daylight. We are now not far from Mal- vern Hill. I know but little of the situation; our column still heads down the river. Artillery is passing ahead; can learn lit- tle reliable about the enemy. It has been reported that Grant threw across to this side of the river some three corps about the night of the 27th, and since then the impression prevails that he will attempt a move on Richmond, this time between the James and Chickahominy. I feel certain there is, however, a general movement of some sort, but as to its nature, we must wait. Gen- eral Lee doubtless understands what is going on.
"When we left Petersburg, and as long as we were in hearing, everything was unusually quiet, not a cannon to be heard, and much less sharp-shooting than usual.
"A considerable portion of our forces are now north of the, James. Field's and Kershaw's, formerly McLaw's division, are here, and Wilcox's and Heth's divisions of Hill's corps, be-
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sides cavalry, artillery and perhaps other infantry. If Giant in- tends moving on Richmond, by this route, Lee is ready for him. You will notice by papers the loss by us of four Napoleon guns. These were out near the river, to be used against the enemy s gun-boats, and were lost front want of proper infantry support. "Last night, we had some little skirmishing, and some artil- lery firing between our camp and the river; no results reported. Also heard an occasional shell from the gun-boats. Have just seen a staff officer, who says he has been riding round every- where, and has succeeded in discovering nothing.
"We are generally rejoiced to get out of the trenches, and sol- dier-like, glad of a move of any kind. It may be that Grant may take after Early, and Lee after Grant; in that event, we will be in Northern Virginia again-this is mere speculation. All is mist before my eyes; cannot see an hour ahead."
"NEAR DEEP BOTTOM, August Ist.
"It has transpired that the moving of the Federal troops to the north side of the James, was a feint, intended to induce Gen- eral Lee to weaken his forces in front of Petersburg, and thus enable General Grant, by a bold dash, to reach the city. How well he succeeded the Richmond papers of to-day relate. For some time the whole North has been awaiting anxiously some brilliant movement on the part of their favorite commander, and we on our side patiently waiting the denouement. On Saturday the grand climax was reached, and another grand failure.
"True, the mine was sprung, our line was broken, and one opening made for the enemy to enter, and he did enter. only to be driven back, engulfed in the disaster he had planned for others, to die fearful, ghastly deaths. Field's division being on the north side did not participate. I suppose we barely escaped by the skin of our teeth, as the mine was sprung near the posi- tion we vacated the night before. Prisoners say we gave them so much trouble they hoped to extinguish the Texas brigade in the grand upheaval and collapse. This affair was but another proof of the cool daring and superior bravery of our men. An- derson's Alabama, Wright's Georgia, and Mahone's Virginia brigades did the principal fighting, and closed the breach. An- derson's brigade is said to have made a dashing charge ..
"The mine was exploded early in the morning. An opening one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and thirty feet deep, suddenly appeared in the earth-works, and the division of the enemy selected for the charge rushed forward to pierce "the opening."
A Southern writer thus describes what followed: "The whole
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division charged, reached the crater, stumbled over the Miris, were suddenly met by a merciless fire of artillery, enflading them right and left, and of infantry fusillading them in tront; faltered, hesitated, were badly led, lost heart, gave up the plan of seizing the crest in the rear, huddled into the crater, man on top of man, company mingled with company; and upon this disordered, unstrung, quivering mass of human beings, white and black -for the black troops had followed -- was poured a hurricane of shot, shell, cannister and musketry, which made the hideous crater a slaughter-pen, horrible and frightful beyond the power of words. All order was lost: all idea of charging the crest abandoned. Lee's infantry were seen concentrating for the carnival of death; his artillery was massing to destroy the remnants of the charging division; those who deserted the cra- ter, to scramble over the debris, and run back, were shot down; then all that was left of a shuddering mass of blacks and whites in the pit, was to shrink lower, to evade the horrible mitraille, and wait for a charge of their friends to rescue them, or surren- der."
Grant lost four thousand prisoners, while General Lee's cast- alties were small, and he soon re-established his line. The report of the Committee of Investigation by the United States Congress, contained these strange words: "The first and great cause of the disaster, was the employment of white, instead of black troops to make the charge.
"ON THE LINE, August 15, 1864.
"Military operations seem again to be changing to the north side of the James. Grant is said to have a considerable force on this side. Yesterday morning, as the sun was rising, skiverish- ing commenced on our front, and all hands were 'pressed on deck.'
"On the left of Field's division, now temporarily under com- mand of General Gregg, the enemy made a regular attack ou our line, and were handsomely repulsed by a portion of General Gary's South Carolina cavalry, and two regiments of Anderson's Georgia brigade. Some artillery firing, etc. This, I am satis- fied, is to cover some other movement on the part of General Grant. What that is remains to be seen. There are no indica- tions of any intention on part of that officer, to abandon the Petersburg line. Troops are moving, but we can only conjec- ture their destination. While in the trenches at Petersburg, some scamp stole my horse; now that I have procured another, I mention the fact."
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CHAPTER XIX.
Texas Brigade at Phillips House-Visit to Camp of Brigade-Impressions of a Soldier's Life-Chaperones a gay Company from Richmond -Gen- eral Grant Crosses Troops to North Side-Fight at Phillips Houts :- Histy Retreat from our Pleasant Quarters-Fall of Fort Harrison -- Fight on Darbytown and Newmarket Roads - General Gregg Killed- Re :: :. of His Body-Imposing Funeral at Richmond-Fight on Williams ery Turnpike- Reverse of Confidence in the Valley -- Sheridan Defas ET with Heavy Loss-Fearful Devastation of the Country-"Leaving Not- ing a Crow Could Subsist Upon" -- Grant's and Lee's Armies go Into Winter Quarters-Unsuccessful in the Field, Grant Tries Redu. tion of Confederates by Starvation -- Life Near Camp Again Resumed.
General Lee's line of breastworks on the north side of the James extended from Chaffin's, on the river, across to the New- market road, on both sides of Four Mile Run creek. The Texas brigade occupied the extreme left of the infantry, with General Gary's South Carolina cavalry supporting them to the left. The Texans were camped, early in September, at a point known as the Phillips House, a large, commodious, white painted residence, which stood directly on the line of fortifications. The family to whom it belonged still made their home within its walls but kindly placed two rooms on the lower floor at the service of the regimental officers, and here the business of receiving and send- ing off orders was regularly attended to every day.
Half a mile distant was the farm house residence of some rela- tives of my mother. As soon as they found my husband was camped near by, through an old family servant, Pat (who at- tended him on his rambles in the army after our marriage!, pro- vided his camp table with fresh vegetables, fruits. chicken -. ! ut- ter and milk, besides showing many acts of kindness to the brigade, all of which was very much appreciated. Finally, they insisted I should pay them a visit and remain near the brigate as their guest as long as they were camped in the vicinity. This was very fortunate. Ladies were in the habit of visiting their husbands and remaining near camp, but except at first, when one or two had gone from Texas to Richmond, it had been im- possible for the Texans to have the society of their female rela- tives, and nearly two years had passed without the presence of a woman connected in any way with the brigade. After our mar- riage had been consummated, nearly a year previous, the troops had been so constantly on the move as to render it impossible
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for me to leave Richmond and follow my inclination to share, in some degree, the trials of a soldier's life.
With this cordial invitation came a letter disclosing the exact position of affairs along the line, the liability of an attack and all the disagreeables to be contended with, but if I chose to ac- cept, must encumber myself with little baggage, and promise to "obey orders" unquestioned about leaving when the military situation demanded activity with the troops: I might find the variety quite pleasant. It is needless to relate, that being a woman, I decided to go at once.
The arrangements all being made, a brigade ambulance placed at our disposal, with a Confederate soldier as a driver, the eight miles of road which lay between Richmond and the camp at Phillips House was quickly passed. As we went out beyond the inner lines of fortifications surrounding the city I was instructed where I could find the road in case of a surprise on the line to- ward which we were traveling, and I was compelled, anex- pectedly, to return; the necessity of being always on the alert, and during my stay the very imperative duty of allowing brigade and regimental officers to do my thinking and planning for my safety.
As mile after mile was traversed, the woods fragrant with the breath of approaching autumn, shady and cool with evening's repose of nature, where eternal quiet seemed to reign supreme, it was hard to realize a great struggle was going on near by, and two hostile armies were lying so close together.
Our relatives, two spinster cousins, and their bachelor brother, too old for military duty, greeted us with a hearty welcome, placing the house at our disposal, and apologizing that so many articles had been stored away in a safe place, out of the reach of an invading army. Going into the garden, my eldest cousin said: "Do you see that cabbage patch? All my silver, glassware and china, money and other valuables were deposited in a pit underneath it last spring. We secreted the articles at night, after the pit was dug, covered it with plank, put on a layer of soil, and planted it as you see, so if Mr. Yankee comes we can, at least, save a little, as he will never think of disturbing a cab- bage row to hunt for rebel treasure, and I have no fear of being betrayed by any of our negroes."
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