USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 22
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Pollard says: "Thus failed, almost shamefully, Grant's ambi- tious movement of October. It had been easily repulsed at all points. There is no doubt that Grant had designed, at this season an 'On to Richmond' which was to electrify the North, and carry for Lincoln the approaching presidential elec- tion-only a few days distant. In the series of engagements, on the Richmond lines, Field's division had borne a con- spicuous part and deserves a distinct mention. For thirty days this division has stood at the gates of the capital against overwhelming odds; and almost unaided, has beaten back with sad havoc five of Grant's 'Ons to Richmond.' It has lost in killed, wounded and missing, about twelve hundred men; and yet, is stronger to day than it was a month ago. It has killed more then one thousand of the enemy, wounded five times that number, captured 1200 prisoners, several hundred stands of arms, five guidons, and fifteen battle.flags."
In other quarters the Confederate armies were not so success- ful. General Sheridan had been placed in charge of General Hunter's command, which had become considerably demoralized and discouraged by many adverse influences.
General Grant sent Sheridan to Washington in August to have him appointe ! comm order of the Middle Department. He then had the command pliced upon a proper footing, made personally a visit to General Sheridan's forces, and said in his report: "I saw but two words of instruction were needed, 'Go in.' "
The New York Woli says: "Those two words were uttered, and Sheridan went in so fiercely that Early was defeated with terrible loss. Early had naturally a strong and well fortified posi- tion on Ocegaan creek, covering Winchester, and to attack him
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Sheridan's army had to advance through a narrow ravine, shut in by steep, thickly wooded hills, and even when the boys in blue had bravely forced their way through the ravine, they were still at a disadvantage, as the Confederates were sheltered by woods and rocks, protected by which they poured a deadly fire of shot and shell into Sheridan's army. So desperate was the fight that one New York regiment had barely forty men grouped around its colors after the first assault, and an Iowa regiment re- treated with twelve men, led by a sergeant. The men were under thorough discipline and rallied. The battle was won, although Sheridan lost 3,000 men. He, however, captured an equal num- ber of prisoners, and following Early up again, defeated him, two days later, even more decisively than in the first engagement, although only 1, 100 prisoners were captured, owing to darkness intervening."
Pollard says: "It was a shameful rout. Having exhausted their ammunition, the Confederates were compelled to retire. Our loss was fully 3,000 killed, wounded and prisoners, and the route of retreat was strewn with abandoned wagons, ambulances and small arms thrown away by the panic-stricken fugitives. Early had lost nearly all his artillery, and had, in fact, received a stunning defeat, from which his army never recovered.
"The most of his force was withdrawn to the Richmond lines, and the valley campaign ceased to engage much of public atten- tion.
"Returning down the Shenandoah valley, Sheridan obeyed Grant's orders, 'that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return.' Everything in the way of grain or forage that could be found was either confiscated or destroyed."
President Davis says: "A committee consisting of thirty-six citizens and the same number of magistrates, appointed by the County Court of Rockingham county, for the purpose of making an estimate of the losses that county alone sustained by the exe- cution of General Sheridan's orders, made an investigation and reported, as follows:
"'Dwelling houses burned, 30; barns burned, 450; mills burned 31; fences destroyed, 1, 100 miles; bushels of wheat de- stroyed, 100,000; bushels of corn destroyed, 50,000; tons of hav destroyed, 6,233; cattle carried off. 1,750; horses carried off, 1,750; sheep carried off, 4,200; hogs carried off, 3,350; factories burned 3; furnaces burned, I. In addition, there was an im- mense amount of farming implements of every description de- stroyed, many of them of great value, such as reapers and thresh- ing machines; also household and kitchen furniture, and money, bonds, plate, etc., pillaged.'"
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The western army, uinder command of General Hood, who had succeeded Johnston, had been compelled to retire from At- lanta into Tennessee, to the disappointment of the people of Richmond, who saw in this, together with Early's disastrous campaign in the Virginia valley, a fatality crowding out former success, and entailing much care and anxiety. Among the troops, however, standing as a wall of defense between General Grant and Richmond, these reverses gave no damper to their ardor, and their spirits remained unbroken.
General Grant, well satisfied with General Sheridan's cam- paign in laying waste the beautiful valley of Virginia, "leaving nothing a crow flying over could subsist upon," and General Sherman's advance into Georgia, dealing destruction at every step, although himself unsuccessful in breaking through Gen- eral Lee's lines, either at Petersburg or Richmond, now sat down to that resource for which he had planned so accurately, if un- successful in the field, -the reduction of the Confederate army to submission by starvation.
All chance being over for subsistence from the valley, the rail- roads to the South being open, although suffering privation, yet the soldiers cheerfully looked at the military situation unmoved, and as there seemed no possibility of any more advances to Rich- mond, set about making themselves as comfortable as possible in winter quarters.
"November 9th .-- All quiet on the line. Have been delayed about sending for you by inspection this morning. Have pro- cured a pleasant place to board and hope the ambulance may find you in readiness, as I shall be awaiting your arrival."
This was the summons that again brought me in the vicinity of the Texas brigade, where it was my pleasure to remain dur- ing the winter.
General Field's forces occupied a line of works some mile and a half beyond the Richmond fortifications, which were three miles from the city.
Between the two lines was the residence of John N. Davis, Esq., a lawyer, doing business in the city. The dwelling was large, and the only one left unharmed by MeClellan's army dur- ing his occupation of this portion of the country, in 1862, and would have been sacrificed but for the severe illness of a child, coupled with Mrs. Davis' earnest pleading to have her home spared from the torch.
The house stood in the midst of a fine grove of native oaks and was the picture of comfort. Miss Courtney Davis, the daughter, was quite an accomplished young lady, and when the Texans camped near by, soon found means of forming her
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acquaintance and visited her socially, a pleasure of rare occur- rence hitherto.
Here I found a very pleasant room and very scanty fare. Every evening the parlor was filled with soldier friends, and with music and conversation time passed pleasantly. Provisions, how- ever, became very scarce after a few weeks' stay, and the proba- bility of the brigade remaining in its present location, and the desire to secure a permanent place, all prompted Mrs. Davis to offer to rent us some comfortable rooms in a house in the grove, with privilege of the parlor. We agreed to the proposition very readily, moved our servant Pat up from camp to take charge of our meagre housekeeping, brought from Richmond some neces- sary articles of furniture, and was soon feeling much more inde- pendent. Fortunately, we had plenty of Confederate money. Pat drew his master's rations, carried the purse, bought what- ever he could find in the surrounding country, and we got along quite nicely.
Just as we had all complete and working very well, there was a fall of snow, early in December, and a general rejoicing, as there would probably be no more fighting for the winter.
Alas! for human expectations. Next day the troops were or- dered to be ready to move at daylight, with three day's rations in their haversacks. This was disappointing. I decided, however, to remain in my present quarters until General Longstreet's "re- connoissance out in front of the enemy," as the orders were worded, was developed.
Twenty-four hours elapsed, when the good tidings came that it was only a still hunt, -no attack was made on the enemy's position, -and the brigade was ordered back to its former posi- tion.
Many surmises were made as to the probability of a new brig- adier-general, and some little anxiety expressed, resulting in petitions of each regiment to have their colonel commanding ap- pointed, but none was ever made. Colonel Winkler continued in command, after General Gregg's death, until Colonel F. T. Bass, of the ist regiment, recovered from his wound, and when Colonel Powell, of the 5th regiment, returned from prison, he, as rank- ing officer of the brigade, assumed command, which he retained to the end. The only generals who commanded the Texas Brigade were Wigfall, Hood, Robertson, and Gregg.
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CHAPTER XX.
Life in Winter Quarters -- Resources for Entertaining Visitors-Religious Services-Kindness of Soldier --- President Davis' Appreciation of Texas Brigade -- General Gary's Stratagem to Deceive the Federals-Exchange of Prisoners Discussion -The Position of the South ou Treatment . : Pris- oners-North Clamoring for Peace-Commissioners' Visit to Richmond -- President Davis' Peace Commissioners are Stopped at Hampton Roa Is -- General Lee's Efforts to Secure Peace.
Miss Davis and myself frequently attended dress parade on the line, often riding down on horseback, just one mile and a half distant.
Everything was quite pleasant, the novelty of life near camp anything but a disagreeable experience, except that edibles were very scarce.
Sometimes the ever-faithful Pat would scour the country for miles, hunting potatoes or onions, and frequently came back with empty hands, but he was generally successful in procuring some- thing besides dried peas and corn bread, which were always standing dishes for dinner, and when people are hungry. satisfy the appetite.
We accepted the scarcity of food as a feature of the times, and spent few hours grieving over the matter. Everybody was un- dergoing the same hardship, and to dream of luxuries was alto- gether out of the fashion. Many discussions were had relative to the best substitute for coffee, whether parched meal, roasted sweet potatoes, et parched rye, was the best, but no patent was ever procured tor these wonderful concoctions, so posterity is none the wiser for all these Confederate discoveries.
Just over the hill from Mr. Davis' place, was brigade head- quarters, where the quartermaster and commissary, and their as- sistants, attended to the business of providing for the wants of the men.
Building winter quarters being the order of the day, Major Littlefield, quartermaster, was busily engaged in December get- ting readly a comfortable cabin, as his large tent was pitched against a chimney where a house had been burned.
He took great pains to build inside the garden, the entrance to the porch in the reir. When completed, he invited Colonel Winkler and myself to come over and inspect his quarters. We expressed our admiration of the arrangements, which seemed perfect for soldiers. There was one very large room, one sinal:
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room, and a camp kitchen made of logs half way, wit's a tent stretched above. The house was well daubed with mud. with a fly-tent stretched overhead. A carpet of bagging, a gliss win- dow, some chairs, a settee and tables. all of camp manufacture, with a cheerful fire in the chimney, built half of brick, the rest of sticks and mud, gave an air of comfort to the place. A row of shelves behind the door, in one room, suggested a thought of necessity being the mother of invention.
After showing it off, and expressing the pleasure he had taken in the arrangements, he kindly and unexpectedly offered it to us as possibly preferable to paying rent for poor accommodations.
Of course, we had no hesitation about accepting, and moved into our new quarters next day. We added a servant gist from Richmond to our little household, and Major Littlefield hunted up a rockaway he had procured in Pennsylvania, to bring away some wounded soldiers, and placed it at our disposal, so I could go to Richmond when I pleased. Every day we received milk and eggs from headquarters, while the old rooster waked us each day to a realization of the duties of the hour.
During the morning, unless lady visitors from Richmond or the Davises came in, I had no company except the girl Lizzie a devoted slave, but after the day was ended, and Colonel Winkler "off duty," our cabin was the resort of friends in the brigade who liked to meet thus socially, discuss the news, and engage in chess playing.
Frequently the different bands would come up and give us a serenade, while a feeling of perfect security was ever present-a Texas sentinel being always on duty near our quarters.
Victor Hugo's works, "Les Miserables," were for sale in the Richmond book stores, "Macaria," by Augusta Evans, consid- ered a fine argument of Southern rights, cheap editions of Dick- ens, the two weekly illustrated literary papers of the capital. born of the genius of Southern writers, the daily papers, all afforded some intellectual food, as they were passed from one to another and eagerly read. Religious literature was freely dietributed among the troops, each denomination having a publishing house at Richmond where tracts, pocket editions of separate books of New Testament, Bibles, etc., were printed. Although the paper was often of inferior quality, yet it served as a medium for break- ing the "Bread of Life" to many a hungry soul. No class was ever more devoted to the holy purpose of turning men from the error of their ways than the ministers who co-labored with the army chaplains, among the sick, wounded and dying.
President Davis' fast days were always observed, and in many of the city churches a weekly fast day service was beld, always largely attended by the ladies.
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Through all these exertions a great revival of religion spread throughout the "Army of Northern Virginia," and many date their eternal salvation from the meetings often attended by Gen- eral Lee, who daily offered up his incense of prayer and praise.
A large chapel of logs was built on the line ft: the Texas bri- gade, and services were held there every Sabbath, prominent divines from Richmond and other places coming down to preach for the soldiers. The surroundings gave these occasions a weird interest, impossible to describe. The primitive building, rough seats, rude pulpit, the orderly crowd, attempted beatness of the faded grey jackets, the peculiar, careless grace of the manly forms, only acquired from daily contact with the world and its stirring events, and the deep silence where beart-beat answered to heart-beat, with a magnetic sympathy all their own-left an impression that the whispers of the eternal found here a response in every soul. Every head was bowed in prayer, every eye fastened upon the speaker, and every ear drank in eagerly the word of life uttered with an earnestness only possible from a man who knew his hearers carried their lives daily in their hands, and might be called any moment to meet the "Judge of all the earth."
The hymns sang were re-echoed through the vast apartment, the notes rising and swelling from the deep tones of rich voices, with a feeling rarely excelled. It seemed as though the singers were back again, amidst scenes of the past, in peaceful company with those they loved, and to whom they drew nearer by this act of worship, while many an eye was dim with tears. They seemed to realize the solemnity of the services, and to re-consecrate their talents afresh to the cause they had espoused, humbly pleading the blessing of the great, universal Father.
The Texas delegation in Congress, Postmaster-General John H. Reagan, Colonel F. R. Lubbock, on President Davis' staff, ex-Governor of Texas, and other distinguished friends, often came out, spent the evening, and sometimes spent the night, contributing their quota to the social life of camp. The most frequent of these visitors was General John R. Baylor, who had distinguished himself on the Texas frontier in fights with the Indians, and was afterwards made military governor of Arizona. His fund of anecdote was inexhaustible, and as he discussed congressional and military matters with the freedom of one fa- miliar with all phases of life, was at all times a valuable acquisi- tion to any company.
He not only made it pleasant at headquarters, but mingled ยท with the troops on the line, and if any prospect for a ight pre- sented itself (and there were many orders to be in readiness for
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an attack), he always shouldered his musket and went to the front prepared to meet the foe. His amusing caricatures of as- sumed importance with cowardly people, was truly ludicrous in the extreme.
When visitors were on hand, Major L. and myself combined our resources to entertain them. The camp tableware was all put together, and the meal spread in our dining-room, while he provided for their sleeping at his tents, about fifty yards distant. Thus we managed to extend to friends all the hospitality possi- ble .: Ladies never remained long, as they were generally afraid to be too near the dreaded army of General Grant, and therefore only drove out for a short while.
At one time Dr. Jas. A. Duncan, for years a warm personal friend, signified his desire to preach for the Texans. We held a grave council of war, about the dinner, as two congressmen were also expected to be present. A few days before, the troops had received some canned beef, which had run the gauntlet of the blockade. We had one can of that, our cook had drawn with his master's rations, and saved for a special occasion, but racked our brains what else we could provide or invent. Major Littlefield came to the rescue, and offered to donate his rooster. Well, as that was the only chance for a respectable dinner, and Methodist preachers must have chicken, he was sacrificed, and Pat, famous for his culinary skill, concocted a most appetizing chicken pie, which the reverend gentleman and dignified legislators declared to be the very best they ever tasted, and to which they did ample justice.
Chickens at that time were selling at thirty and forty dollars apiece, and turkeys at fifty dollars, so even in the city boarding houses they were seldom seen.
We missed old Chanticleer's brave salute every morning, but consoled ourselves with the reflection that his sad end was a military necessity. After that, whenever any doubt existed as to the chance for an extra dish for company, one by one the six hens shared the same fate.
Later, many of the furloughed soldiers returned from trips to North and South Carolina, bringing dressed towls, salt fish, hams, sausage, cakes and preserves made of sorghum molasses, and they contrived to have their friends remember their colonel and his wife; thus many little articles found their way to our table impossible for us to purchase anywhere.
The man-servant, Pat, so often mentioned in these pages, was a character whose type has faded from everything save the recol- lection of the times of slavery. He had been raised by my mother, was a copper-colored darkey of about thirty years, with bushy hair, which he kept tightly plaited during the week, but
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brushed out in all its glory on Sunday. He was very neat about his person, honorable in his actions, and scorned what he called a low-down or free negro; an aristocrat, very proud of bragging that his parents and grandparents belonged to my mother and grandinother, and his owners never had believed in selling flesh and blood. He was devoted to my mother, respected my father as the grandest of men, and looked after the children of the fam- ily as jealously as if we belonged to him individually. While very young, his many excellencies were appreciated by my par- ents, who gave him many privileges, and trusted him with every- thing about the place. My mother had taught him to spell and read, he loved his Bible, and was very religious.
During my father's sickness and death, he had patiently watched over him; when my brother was wounded at Seven Pines, for seven weeks he was his faithful, constant nurse, and after my mother's death, and my marriage, he went with his new master to the camp of the Texas brigade, there was never any uneasiness about any emergency that might arise. After a fight he was always on hand with something to eat, then bearing me a message from the battle-field, would ride into Richmond after dark and return in time for breakfast. Everything he did, he did well, and after years of experience I have never seen a more faithful or conscientious servant. With the members of the brigade, he was quite popular, especially the 4th Texas, who loved to poke fun at him for dodging the bullets when he tried to follow the colonel's example and walk along the line of breast- works. He was with them, watchful and devoted, until the bit- ter end at Appomattox.
Two subjects now engrossed the attention of the brigade; one was the possibility discussed of getting a furlough of the whole command to visit their homes in Texas and return for the spring campaign; the other was the fear that in the general reorgani- zation of the army, the brigade would be consolidated with troops from other States, the regiments having become so decimated as to make it seemingly necessary, and they would thereby lose their identity, there being no other Texans in the Army of Northern Virginia.
The following official correspondence, with regard to the fur- lough, is interesting.
Endorsement on application of non-commissioned officers and men of the Texas brigade for furlough:
"Referred to General R. E. Lee, for his advice as to whether the wishes of this gallant brigade can be granted without detri- ment to the public service.
"January 2, 1865.
"J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War."
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"HEADQUARTERS, Jan. 15, 1865.
"Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. At this time, and especially at the opening of the campaign now near at hand, we shall require every man in the Confederacy. It will be im- possible for these brave men to return in time. No brigade has done nobler service, or gained more credit for its State, than this. Though I should be much gratified at every indulgence shown to this brigade, I cannot recommend this.
"R. E. LEE, General."
"In view of General Lee's endorsement, the application is re- luctantly declined. The services of the gallant brigade are most highly appreciated, and I regret that the exigency is such as to forbid a compliance with their wishes.
"J. A. SEDDON, "Secretary of War."
The brigade very cheerfully acquiesced in the inevitable, espe- cially as General Lee was very generous in allowing them fur- loughs to other States nearer camp, and they enjoyed the pleas- ure of visiting other localities, if impossible to go so far as Texas.
Extracts from Major Littlefield's letters to his wife in Texas:
"CAMP NEAR RICHMOND, Dec. 18, 1864.
"Our boys have ample time to canvass the subject of going home, but we have official information that the boys will not go home this winter. We all fear consolidation; do not know what effect that will have. I am not despondent at the prospect. I have heard General Robertson wants me on his staff in Texas. I think it impracticable. I should like to go very much, but will do nothing unworthy of past life, my wife, and my boys, to get home. Au honored grave would be a richer legacy to them than a few years in disgrace and remorse. Have no fears; all will be well to those who put their trust in Him. Think of our own comparative situation to the poor houseless and homeless wan- derers in Georgia. This is a dark hour. All is gloom away from the 'lines around Richmond;' all is confidence here. W'e have plenty to eat, such as it is. To-morrow. molasses and su- gar will be issued in lieu of meat. Feed us, and this army can never be conquered. I am fearful that consolidation will make many attempt to escape the army. It is a great military and financial necessity; to us it will be, seemingly, hard, but other States pride themselves on their brigades as much as we do the 'Texas Brigade.' We have much company, bait hope nobody goes away hungry, as I feel it is 'more blessed to give thin to receive.' We have extended our church, making it 60x25 feet. and will have it finished in a few days. I have built a very nice
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