USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 4
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The military display was upon a grand scale that day, long to be remembered; and although sectional strife was already ram- pant through the land, the hope was expressed that the good feeling engendered by this union of sentiment would cement New York and Virginia together forever in the bonds of friend- ship.
After the duties of the day were over, the guests were enter- tained at a banquet in one of the large buildings of the place. High hopes and kind feelings were expressed, as toasts were offered and responded to, pledging themselves to be friendly to Virginia and Richmond under any and all circumstances.
When hostilities commenced between the North and South, the 7th Regiment steadily refused to fight against those who had so cordially extended their hospitality, and to whom they bad pledged fraternal fidelity. They did not enter the army till forced to do so by popular sentiment being turned against them. New York may always look with pride upon the honorable ac- tion of these men, bravely resisting the clamor of the multitude so long, being unwilling to go back upon their past record of friendship.
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CHAPLER IV.
Confederate Money-Care of Sick Soldiers-How the Emergency was Met by the Women of Richmond-First Battle of Manassas -- Provision for the Wounded Prisoners-The Libby-Civilians Captured at Manassas- Action of Union Females of the City- Burial of a Civil Prisoner at St. John's Churchyard -- Release of those Captured Merely as Spectators of a Farce.
The money for carrying on the government was manufactured on the faith of the Confederacy and was supposed to have suffi- cient stamina, as the South had large quantities of tobacco and cotton on hand. Mr. Davis advised the purchase and shipment to Europe of all the cotton, which might easily have been ef- fected. All writers agree, that had that advice been heeded, the South, having such a permanent capital, might have been recog- nized and assisted by foreign powers. Mr. Memminger, Secre- tary of the Treasury, took time to differ with the President, the blockade was established and the opportunity lost.
These notes of Confederate currency were engraved at Colum- bia, South Carolina, and bore on the face the promise of pay- ment two years after a treaty of peace between the contending parties. They were neatly gotten up and printed upon good paper,-in every way as good a circulating medium as the green- backs of the United States.
They were printed on large pink-tinted sheets, and brought to Richmond to be prepared for distribution. Each note had to be cut apart, numbered, and signed by two parties, and persons of intelligence were required for the work.
There were numbers of ladies who had fled from their luxuri- ous homes as refugees, living in Richmond, as itbecame danger- ous for them to remain in proximity to the armies. They had, in many instances, lost everything and become dependent upon their own resources for making a living. They were refined, cul- tivated and intelligent, -their male relatives in the army.
This work in the treasury department was light and more lucrative than anything else. Writing their applications, with the endorsement of some prominent member of Congress, they received appointments for these positions.
One room was used for cutting, another for signing, and an- other for numbering these notes. From nine until three were the office hours, and they worked steadily at their tasks, which were light but compelled to be very accurate, and became monot-
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onous, still they were eager to obtain these clerkships and glad to retain their places. About fifty occupied each room. They were known as "treasury girls," and that was a sufficient passport in- to society, as they could not obtain these positions unless some gentleman of unsullied reputation had recommended them as ladies in every repect and worthy to fill the appointments.
Besides these notes there was a fractional currency, called shin - plasters, and also postage stamps became a medium of exchange from sheer necessity in making small change. The latter became quite a nuisance, as they were small, easily lost, and inconvenient to handle. They were five cents each, and bore upon the face the likeuess of President Davis, and had to be cut or torn when used, as the instrument which pierces the holes to divide the United States stamps is a patented article and could not be in- fringed upon.
During this summer was inaugurated that grand system of benevolent kindness, the care for the sick, which has rendered the name of the women of Richmond so dear to the hearts of Southern soldiers, and sent their fame sounding down through future ages.
The troops were gathered from their sunny, peaceful homes, from mountain and valley, hamlet and city, where they had quietly lived. Going suddenly into camp, changing their mode of life and style of living, many fell sick, and lay battling with disease within their tents, which proved a feeble protection from the scorching sun. Measles became a fearful scourge, many more dying from sickness during this first year than were killed in battle.
Poor, brave hearts! Coming so far from home and friends, so full of vigor and determination to do their whole duty, it was in- deed discouraging.
It is said woman is equal to any emergency, and it was beauti- fully exemplified by the manner in which they bestirred them- selves to provide suitable places for these weary ones, taking them under their care and protection, and treating them as brothers in a common cause.
The basements of the churches were appropriated for their re- ception, and the cushions from the pews in the audience room overhead were made into temporary beds. Each church had elderly gentlemen members who were exempt from military duty, and they willingly assumed the supervision of these impromptu hospitals. The ladies divided into committees, relieving one another alternate days. Thus was the first provision made for the sick.
As soon as possible, buildings were provided, servants pro-
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cured, cots made, and more comfortable beds fixed. It is won- derful, the resources of a crowd of women.
From their homes came the sheeting, pillow-slips, towels and bed clothing,-the free-will offering of the generous hearts touched with pity and sympathy for the pale invalids brought from camp so dependent upon their care and nursing. Mothers and sisters, know ye that your loved ones were as tenderly cared for as they would have been had you been by their sides? Pa- tient watching, day and night, was cheerfully rendered, and if one died, his last moments were cheered by attention from lov- ing hearts. The pale hands were crossed over the pulseless bosom, the body dressed for the long, dreamless sleep, in fresh clothing, and flowers strewn over the coffin lid, while some of the ladies always contrived to pay the last tribute of respect to the dead.
During this year, all the nursing was done by the married and elderly ladies. Those who were younger, did the sewing for the soldiers, but the matrons applied themselves devotedly to the sick. When they became convalescent, homes were provided with some kind family until they became entirely well, and able to return to camp. In this work the people of the adjacent country joined. One could go into scarcely any house, town or country, but there convalescents were found, not pensioners upon the bounty of its inmates, but entertained as honored guests. This was the spontaneous outgushing of the hospitality for which Virginia has so long been renowned.
General McDowell had made vast preparations for his "on to Richmond" move by way of Manassas, and assured the authori- ties at Washington that in ten days at furthest he would plant the "Stars and Stripes" upon the rebel capitol. General Beaure- gard and his troops were confronting him. both armies at that time styled "Armies of the Potomac."
The Federals advanced to Bull Run, and opened fire, on the 18th of July. The attack was received in gallant style by our men. The fight that day resulted in merely an artillery duel, and in comparison to the grand battle of the aist. was but a brill- iant skirmish.
Longstreet's brigade figured conspicuously in the early part of the day, before the infantry ceased firing and the artillery was called into play. The Washington Artillery, of New Orleans, par- ticularly distinguished themselves for their dauntless courage. The enemy was routed, threw away knapsacks and camp equi- page, and gave up the attempt to cross Bull Rua.
The news of this brilliant action was telegraphed to Richmond, and around the bulletin boards were congregated crowds of eager people, anxious to get the latest reliable information from the
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seat of war. Every one was excited, but waited calmly the battle that was inevitably to follow.
General Scott ordered General McDowell to advance without delay. In Washington, everything wore a bright, promising look for the Federals. The army. the largest ever before col- lected upon American soil, was splendidly supplied and drilled. and in such superior numbers to the Confederates it wis con- sidered mere child's play to defeat them. and return in a few days, victorious. This feeling was so universal that curiosity got the better of the people, and parties of private citizens. con- gressmen, fashionable women, editors-a vast crowd in all kinds of vehicles, went down from the city to witness the disconi- fiture of the rebels.
On the 20th, General Johnston joined General Beauregard at Manassas, bringing the larger portion of his troops from Harper's Ferry. He, being the ranking officer, of course assumed com- mand.
The attack commenced early in the morning, and the battle was fought without any definite plan on the part of the leaders, or, at least, entirely different from any previous ideas they might have entertained. Fierce was the conflict, and on that hot. July day, our men were sometimes, seemingly, victorious, and again repulsed with heavy loss. When General Jackson came up. late in the day, with his brigade, General Bee's command had just before seemed overwhelmed by superior numbers. He said to Jackson: "General, they are beating us back." General Jack- son replied: "Sir, we will give them the bayonet."
General Bee rallied his dispirited and broken down men with these cheering words: "Youder stands Jackson like a stone wall, let us die here and we will conquer."
The reserves were brought up, the Confederates massed to re- ceive the grand finale, and the enemy became utterly demoral- ized and were driven from the field. They had no forces to cover their retreat, and back to Washington they fled. a panic- stricken multitude of soldiers, sight-seers, artillery, ambulances. supply wagons, all rushing in pell mell confusion with General Stuart's cavalry in hot pursuit.
There could scarcely be imagined a scene where "confusion was worse confounded," the dead, dying and wounded strewing the road of their flight, they who had so lately passed jesting of their certain triumph, now terror-stricken, eager to get away from the conflict and the spectacle of a horrible battle-field. Our cavalry were not in sufficient numbers to continue the pursuit: ยท had they been, Washington could easily have been captured, the administration caught unawares in the surprise. The troops were
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wearied out with the severe day's fighting, and the officers felt they must recuperate.
While it was a certain victory for our people and a certain de- feat for the North, the news was received at Richmond without public demonstration; not a bell was rung, not a cannon was fired at this wonderful victory. Why was this? The feeling was too deep for such expressions, and the advantage won at the cost of our true and brave who had fallen in the clash of arms, the flower of our Southland, all too precious to lose.
The loss of officers killed was very great. General Bee, of South Carolina, fell clasping the sword his native State had pre- sented him for gallantry during the Mexican war, at the storm- ing of Chapultepec. Colonel Barton, of Georgia, was also killed. He said just before he became engaged, "I will go into this fight with a determination to gain a victory or die." When he fell, pierced by a mortal wound, he rallied his men by exclaiming. "They have killed me, but never give up the field." Could nobler words have been uttered in the supreme moment of life when the world was receding from his vision and he beheld his men struggling in the thickest of the fight! They caught the spirit of their fallen leader, and beat back the invaders from that portion of the line in obedience to him who was "faithful unto death."
Generals Johnston and Beauregard have been severely censured for their failure to follow up the victory by an advance. The whole country waited impatiently, the soldiers were restive, but they did not take advantage of their success and remained at Manassas, strictly on the defensive. Here the first grave mis- take was made. The Southern character is quick, impulsive, mercurial and impatient of delay. Obstacles then were easily surmounted by the fresh courage of the men eager for the fray. Had they been allowed to force permanent victory while flushed with success, the North might have allowed her unruly sister to "go in peace and sin no more." The people were disappointed and freely expressed their sentiments.
Women who had buckled on their husband's swords, bidding them go forth and fight, realized what a fearful thing is patriot- ism when their loved ones returned wounded and maimed for life, lingering through months of agonizing suffering or bearing upon their brows the pale signet of death; mothers wept the fate of sons, sisters of brothers, and the wail of the fatherless went up from many a home. Grief for the fallen was everywhere visible. "Rachel weeping for her children because they were not."
The Confederates had suddenly thrown on their care hundreds of wounded prisoners by this battle. Dr. Higgenbottom, assisted by Federal surgeons who had been captured, proceeded to pre-
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pare a place for their reception. The new city alms house was chosen. This building had been under way for two years. and was completed just as the war broke out. It was the most de- sirable of all the available houses for a hospital, built of brick. three stories, large airy rooms, wide halls, and long porticos. cool and pleasant during the hot weather and away from the noise of the city. This was known ever afterwards as "Hospital No. I."
To this place was taken the Federal prisoners, and their own surgeons had the principal charge of them. The "Sisters of Charity" did the nursing, keeping everything neat and orderly about the premises and surrounding their patients with all the tender care for which that noble band are famous.
Among those here wounded was Captain Ricketts, of the Rick- etts battery, from what State, I am not informed. He was severely wounded in several places, and left upon the battle-field of Manassas. His wife was in Washington, and, hearing of his misfortune, went down to look for her husband. After the en- gagement was over, the rain poured in torrents, which is usual when so much gun-powder is exploded. She braved the elements. the rebel sentinels, and walked over the field in her search. until her dress was stained with blood and water over a foot in depth. When found, he was suffering with thirst and his severe wounds. She took her place with him in the ambulance to the cars, came on with him to Richmond, and remained at the hospital, nursing and caring for him, until she succeeded in obtaining his exchange. The corduct of this wife excited much admiration, and several ladies called to express their sympathy in her trying situa- tion.
"The Libby" has become famous in history as the principal prison in Richmond. This was a large tobacco ware-house, sev- eral stories high, in the lower part of the city, near the river, used for the storing of tobacco, and occupying nearly a whole block. It was unusual for a lady to defy public opinion, and visit Federal prisons. Some few, however, did supply them with many dainties, but most persons had so much to do, attending to the wants of Southern soldiers, with their limited resources, as to render it impossible to include the prisoners.
Two civilians, who went from Washington to the battle-field of Manassas, were captured and became inmates of the Libby. One was Alfred Ely, member of Congress from New York; the other, Calvin Huson, a nephew of Hon. Wm. H. Seward, both from Rochester, New York, rivals in the congressional race, but fast friends afterwards. Mr. Ely was prompted by curiosity, but . it is said Mr. Huson went down with the noble object of caring for the wounded. Their capture naturally excited a great deal of amusement in the South, as it seemed ridiculous to those
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whose every idea and feeling were enlisted in some work for the troops, that these men should have arrayed themselves daintily and gone to Manassas in a carriage. It is scarcely to be won- dered that press and people held them as objects of sarcastic mirth.
Mr. Ely was an inhabitant of Libby after his arrival in Rich- mond, and was visited by many of the public men who knew him while together in political life. They extended every attention admissible, offering to lend him money, and do all in their power for him. . He steadily refused to accept these loans until his ne- cessities forced him to do something to render his prison life more tolerable. There has been a great deal said and written about the treatment of prisoners, but really they fared better than our
men in the field. They were brought suddenly to the care of the Confederates, when every nerve was strained to provide for the requirements of the army, and the only wonder is they fared as well as they did. This inability was deplored by the people, but they were utterly powerless to do better, being shut in by the blockade, with both armies occupying the country and subsisting upon the citizens. The authorities did all in their power to effect an exchange, but the government at Washington saw fit to meet these overtures with indifference and neglect.
Captain Warner, commissary of the prisons at Richmond, de- serves a great deal of credit for his kindness to the prisoners. He purchased for them articles of food and clothing when they had money, loaned them money when they had none, looked after the sick, and in many ways strove to mitigate the evils by which they were surrounded.
This old man was for years after the war night watchman of the State Treasury at Austin, Texas; but has never had credit for his benevolence while commissary of Federal prisons at Ricli- mond. He performed his whole duty to the best of his ability. The writer has watched him often hobbling along on his stick, eking ont a miserable support in his old age, and wondered if, "after awhile," he would not receive some reward for the kind- ness to those thrown upon his care, and "be judged according to the deeds done in the body." Mr. Ely, in his journal, published after his release, mentions him with many expressions of grati- tude.
Mr. Huson took sick with typhoid fever. In looking around for a more desirable place for a sick man, and a civilian, distin- guished at the North, it was arranged by the captain of the post, to remove him to the residence of Mrs. John Van Lew, on Church Hill. This lady was quite wealthy. Her husband, a hardware merchant in the city for many years, had accumulated a large fortune and left his family in comfortable circumstances.
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They were Union in sentiment, as it was called, openly ex- pressed their feelings and openly defied public opinion in visit- ing the prisoners, and literally doing all in their power for those with whom they sympathized. This excited the indignation of their old friends, but they firmly withstood all attacks and acted entirely independent.
Their sick guest received every attention that the most refined and delicate could render, attended by his own physician, and nurses paroled from the prison to wait upon him. All this availed nothing. After days of suffering he died, and Mrs. Van Lew decided to bury him in her lot at Church Hill Cemetery. This is the oldest in the city, and for years few new interments had been made, as only those whose friends were there buried had access within the inclosure. It is called St. Johns Church- yard, after the old English style. St. Johns Episcopal church stands in the centre, upon one of the most elevated hills of the place, and the proudest, most aristocratic of old Virginia's sacred dust there moulders into decay. In this building Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech-"Give me liberty or give me death!"
Mr. Ely and others, personal friends from the prison, gathered around the new made grave, accompanied by the ladies of the household. The service for the dead was read by the prison chaplain.
Mr. Ely received many marks of attention from this family, all of which he seemed to appreciate, from the remarks in his journal. He considered himself very badly treated in not being exchanged, and became quite sad and dejected after his friend's death. President Davis sent him a pair of blankets when the weather became cold, and it was currently reported that Mrs. Davis exerted herself to effect his exchange.
It was finally arranged to exchange him for Hon. Chas. Faulk- ner, Minister of the United States to France. This gentleman, on his arrival in this country, went to Washington to terminate his connection with the government, was arrested and thrown into prison. .
He was paroled from Fort Warren and directed to proceed to the rebel capital and effect the release of the Hon. Alfred Ely, or return to prison if unsuccessful.
He was welcomed by Governor Letcher and a crowd at the depot upon his arrival. Mr. Faulkner was a Virginian, a lawyer of distinction, who had served his State in many positions of trust. He was Minister to France during President Buchanan's administration.
He called upon Mr. Ely the next day, with the pleasant intel- ligence that in an interview with President Davis his release had
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been agreed upon. He was soon interviewed by Gen. Winder, Military Commandant of the city, who showed him the docu- ments authorizing his exchange, and gave him a passport.
(To those unfamiliar with military rule we explain, that after a city is placed under martial law, the military usurps civil au- thority, -- no person can pass the sentinels stationed at every road, steamboat, cars or other avenue of exit from a place, with- out a passport, signed by the commanding officer.)
Red tape, probably, never appeared so beautiful before to this Congressman. That afternoon, Mr. Faulkner called in the Gov- ernor's carriage and they proceeded to the Executive Mansion, where together they enjoyed an excellent dinner.
The next day was Christmas, and that morning Mr. Ely took an early train from the city, no doubt glad to "shake the rebel dust from his feet." He proceeded to Acquia Creek and thence by flag of truce boat to Fortress Monroe. Everybody was really glad when he was exchanged-the people never rejoicing in the misfortunes of the captured. For more than five months he had been a prisoner, and went home with his curiosity thoroughly satisfied-gaining the dear-bought experience that a battle-field is no place for idle spectators. He advised, in the work published immediately after his return, all civilians "who wished to become acquainted with the mysteries of war, to pursue that knowledge somewhere north of the Potomac, and out of the reach of the rebels." His experience proved a salutary lesson, for it is not recorded that any other member of Congress ever ran the same risk of being captured.
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CHAPTER V.
Effect of the War upon the Aged-Volunteering of the Youth-Plans for Furnishing the Troops with Arms and Munitions of War-Trials of Presi- dent Davis-General Mcclellan Placed in Command of the Federal Troops -The Enlistment of Texas Soldiers for the Army of Virginia-Their Ar- rival at Richmond and Welcome by the President-Selection of Colonel Hood to Command the Fourth Texas Regiment-Sketch of Other Officer's -Major Warwick, of Richmond-Colonel Robertson, of Texas-Organ- ization Complete.
Many of the older citizens passed away during this summer. It was often remarked that the war was breaking the hearts of all the aged, -whether the constant strain of intense excitement was too much for those who had passed their days in calm peace- fulness, distress for the grief of those who mourned their dead, -whatever might be the cause, they bent as reeds before the blast. Their sympathies were generally with their State, but long association had taught them a reverence for the "Stars and Stripes" under which their fathers had fought. They craved rest, after a toilsome business life, and did not accommodate themselves to new ideas, new surroundings, soon grew weary of confusion and excitement, and quietly faded away, out of the torments of a daily existence overshadowed by so much that was repugnant to their feelings.
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