USA > Virginia > Post-bellum campaigns of the blue and gray, 1881-1882 > Part 1
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1881
POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
1882
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02849 6591
Gc 973.7406 G76g Gosson, Louis C. Post-bellum campaigns of the blue and gray, 1881-1882 ..
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http://archive.org/details/postbellumcamp'ai00goss
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
LGHE SUARENDER
MAL CELEBRA
THE YORKTOWN TROPHY.
POST-BELLUM C AMPAIGNS
OF THE
BLUE AND GRAY
1881-1882.
" Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget."
BY
LOUIS C. GOSSON,
Aide-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Past Commander of Aaron Wilkes Post, No. 23, Department of New Jersey, G. A. R.
TRENTON, N. J. : NAAR, DAY & NAAR, PRINTERS. 1882.
1
TO THE VETERANS
OF THE
NORTH AND SOUTH,
The descendants of Revolutionary heroes, who, having received the baptism of war, knowing each to be the peer of the other in bravery and deeds of valor, like true soldiers, do not hesitate to join hands in peace, and with fraternal love pledge anew a stronger and more enduring loyalty to the flag of their common country, this book is respectfully dedicated by
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
The preparation of this work, whatever may be its reception by those to whom it is dedicated, has been a labor of love. It was undertaken at the solicitation of the members of both parties of veterans, and many of the citizens of Trenton, who desire to per- petuate the memory of the events herein described, in which they took so great an interest, and experienced both pride and gratifi- cation. The events recorded are proofs that between the brave men who, for four long years faced and fought each other with a heroism without parallel, there exists no animosity; and the past being beyond recall, peace reigning and plenty flowing in the land, hereafter the only struggle in which they will engage, will be that of vieing with each other in loyalty and devotion to the welfare and prosperity of a common country.
The work professes no faultlessness. In the brief space during which it was composed and compiled, there was little opportunity for elaboration. It professes to be no treatise upon political topics, nor yet a discussion of principles, but simply a record of scenes and incidents which make up a bright and pleasing chapter in the book of life of those who participated. The delay in issuing this memorial has arisen from the necessary occupation of time in the mechanical execution, from the difficulty of collecting the facts, and a desire that accuracy might be its leading feature.
The author would gratefully acknowledge the kindly assistance through communicated incidents, revisions of some of the addresses by those who delivered them, gleanings from the press, and man- ifestations of deep interest by those at whose request the task was undertaken.
This book is not an avant-courier. A limited edition, covering but few more copies than those already subscribed for, is all that will be issued. The public may, therefore, rest assured that it
6
PREFACE.
will then be out of print, and that the scriptural declaration " of making many books there is no end," in this case will prove incorrect.
If, in the perusal of these pages, those who participated in the " Post-Bellum Campaigns of the Blue and Gray," or those who were interested in them, shall experience any satisfaction; if, in the years to come, it shall delight anyone to remember the first reunion of organizations of Confederate and Federal veterans, as such, the better by these records ; if any impulse shall be given to a stronger union of the old soldiers of the North and South under the old flag, tlien will the author be rewarded for his labor, and it will not have been labor in vain.
TRENTON, N. J., July 4th, 1882.
BOOK FIRST.
POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGN OF THE BLUE.
CHAPTER I.
"Now sits expectation in the air, And hides a sword, from hilt unto the point, With crowns imperial, crowns and coronets, Promised to Harry and his followers."-Henry V.
. It was resolved to move again on Richmond. The resolvers were the members of Aaron Wilkes Post, No. 23, Grand Army of the Republic, Depart- ment of New Jersey, and the Auxiliary Corps of the Post, comprising in its ranks some of the best known and most reputable citizens of Trenton. It will be needless, for the purposes of this memo- rial, to state how it was resolved, or to record the many speeches made upon the consideration of the proposition, and, therefore, it will suffice to say that on Tuesday, May 10th, 1881, at a meeting of the Post, there was a committee appointed to con- sider the propriety of attending the Centennial Celebration of the Surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, Virginia, with full power to make the necessary arrangements as to programme, trans-
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POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
portation and other details. A roll was opened, and so popular was the project that the only diffi- culty which presented itself was that there would be too many volunteers.
The committee, after mature consideration, in order to avoid the inconveniences to which mem- bers might be subjected by reason of the crowded condition of Yorktown on the occasion of the Cen- tennial, decided to charter a steamboat. This was effected, and the "Gratitude," a trim river craft, capable of comfortably accommodating a hundred and fifty persons, was secured; and the number of tickets, of necessity, was limited to the capacity of the boat. This decision was a sad disappoint- ment to many Trentonians who had desired to accompany the Post, and tickets were at a pre- mium, and several instances are known where almost fabulous prices were offered and refused for them. The trip was decided upon and ar- rangements made for a visit to the " sacred soil." Those who were to go were anxious for the arrival of the day fixed upon, October 16th, to arrive.
The vicinity of Yorktown was known to many of the comrades of the Post, and it not being of the most inviting character for pleasure or the ob- taining of commissary stores, it was also deter- mined that there was time enough to just steam up the James river; steam fearlessly up past Drury's Bluff and capture Richmond. The ma- jority of the party had attempted that task on
9
OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
more than one occasion without any great degree of success. True, some of them had even gotten inside of the city, but then, although they were anxious to do so, it was not willingly, for, as the spiritualists say, "the conditions were not favor- able." Here was the opportunity. The "John- eys " were not in their fortifications, there were no obstructions in the river, and so there was a chance of taking the place by surprise. The season of the year, too, was favorable. The weather was moderate, and it was an easy task to those who had undertaken to do so when the weather was so hot that. Tom Ingoldsby might have appropriately described it (ice and cham- pagne excluded) as follows :
"The birds that perched on the anchored ships In melted pitch were drowned,
And fish, fresh taken from off the hook, Got fried as they lay on the ground. Champagne in ice-pails boiled and steamed, And pipes by themselves were lit, And flies of spontaneous combustion died, And mosquitoes fell down in a fit."
The old cry of a score of years past had been, " On to Richmond," and the reply was, invariably, " Come on Yank, we'll meet you." The comrades of the Post and Auxiliary Corps, on this occasion, received a similar invitation, but it was given in a different spirit. It happened in this wise: Un- der the regulations prescribed by the Yorktown Centennial Association, it was necessary to secure
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POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
wharfage, &c., and a letter was sent to the secretary of that body asking for the assignment of a wharf for the " Gratitude," on her return from Richmond. The letter also conveyed to the secretary the in- formation of the proposed trip to Richmond, and an intimation that the Post would like to meet any organization of Ex-Confederates that might be in Richmond on the occasion, if they desired to do so. This letter was forwarded to the Old First Virginia Regiment Association, and in a short time, almost immediately, the following let- ter was received by the Post :
OLD FIRST VIRGINIA INFANTRY. RICHMOND, September 17th, 1881. Adjutant, Aaron Wilkes Post, G. A. R., Trenton, N. J., DEAR SIR :
At a called meeting of our association, "The Old First Virginia Infantry," held last night, your letter of the tenth instant, to the Secretary of the Yorktown Centennial Association, was read, and it was unanimously resolved that "We extend a cordial greeting to your Command, on its expected visit to our city." We trust that you will find by our reception, that we are glad to meet the old soldiers from "the other side." I am instructed to request that you will inform us of the time of your arrival.
Very respectfully,
C. T. LOEHR, Secretary " Old First," formerly in Pickett's Division.
The receipt of this letter was all that was needed to make the survivors of the Boys in Blue happy. The war was over, and there was no reason why the men who had faced each other as foes during war time, should not, in time of peace,
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OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
clasp hands and be friends. The invitation was unanimously accepted, and the adjutant was di- rected to so inform the " Old First," and furnish the requested information. In obedience to in- structions, he sent the following reply :
HEADQUARTERS AARON WILKES POST, NO. 23, G. A. R. TRENTON, N. J., October 6th, 1881.
C. T. Loehr, Secretary, Association of "Old First Virginia" Infantry, DEAR SIR :
Yours, of the 17th ultimo, was duly received, and on the regu- lar meeting night of the Post (October 4th) was laid before it. The members of the Post were enthusiastic in their praises of the courtesy which your honorable body proposed in your note, and the invitation was accepted with great favor, and a full appreci- ation of the free and unexpected courtesy. The Post looks forward with more than ordinary pride to the occasion when we shall mingle our greetings. Permit me to assure you that your invitation inspired in the breast of every member the liveliest sen- timents of respect and gratitude.
I write officially, and by unanimous request, extending to you our high appreciation of your courteous invitation, and to say that the same is accepted in the same spirit in which it is offered.
The Post has decided to leave this city on Sunday, October 16, at ten o'clock A. M., proceeding direct to Richmond by steamer, reaching Richmond on Tuesday morning about ten o'clock. A telegram will be forwarded you on our arrival at Fortress Mon- roe. Should the weather prove stormy we will proceed to West Point ; thence by rail to your city.
In case it should be inconvenient for your Association to receive us on that day, please inform us by telegraph, or write us on receipt of this letter, stating your wishes as to time, &c.
Very respectfully yours,
WILLIAM HATTON,
Post Adjutant.
The news of the reception that awaited Wilkes
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POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
Post, was common property in a short time; and the fact was chronicled, in the Trenton press, that the Boys of the Blue and Gray would unite in Richmond, the schemings and blusterings of politicians and played-out political hacks to the contrary notwithstanding. While the reader has been led into the depths of a correspondence which might, perhaps, have been more in place in the appendix, he might as well finish his jour- ney through the maze of letter reading. The fol- lowing, however, is the last communication with which he will be troubled. It is a letter written in the right spirit, and it does credit to the men from whom it emanated :
OLD FIRST VIRGINIA INFANTRY.
RICHMOND, September 7th, 1881.
Wm. Hatton, Esq., Adjutant, Aaron Wilkes Post, No. 23, G. A. R. DEAR SIR :
Your favor, 6th instant, duly received. Same will receive the attention of our Association.
We will do our best, with our limited means, to make your stay pleasant, and if your expectations of a reception are not such as a regular organized society might extend, then we hope to sat- isfy you. You must recollect that we are the survivors of those who earned no fortunes by those times " which tried men's souls." Most of us have nothing left but name and honor, but we will ex- tend to you a soldier's hand of greeting and say to you "Welcome to old Virginia and fair Richmond on the James."
Very truly yours, C. T. LOEHR, Secretary, "Old First."
If " expectation sat in the air " before the receipt of the above, let it be here recorded, no matter
13
OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
how improbable it may seem, that it sat no longer. It soared higher and higher and could not sit at all. Preparations went on, the committee worked with a will, and the eve of departure was at hand. Saturday, October 15th arrived, and with the afternoon also arrived the steamer "Gratitude." It steamed into the basin of the Trenton Iron Company, and the baggage, bedding, provisions, et cætera, were put on board. Those who were to move on Richmond (as well as the reserve-the Home Guard,) were not quite as attentive to duty on that Saturday night, as they would otherwise have been, had not the steamer lain ready to carry them-the first Federal Veteran organization that ever went South, as such, to be the guest of an Ex-Confederate Veteran association. Who can blame them for their neglect ? No one does, and no one can. Under the same circumstances they would do it again, and that, too, upon the slightest provocation.
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POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
CHAPTER II.
"Once more upon the waters ! Yet once more ! And the waves bound beneath me as a steed That knows his rider."-Childe Harold.
In the stillness of a Sabbath morn the members of Aaron Wilkes Post and its Auxiliary Corps, with Winkler's Seventh Regiment N. G. N. J. Band, assembled at headquarters, in Temperance Hall, all ready for the campaign. The committee had announced that the preparations were com- pleted, and that the "Gratitude," with steam up, waited to receive her living freight. Post Com- mander General E. L. Campbell gave the order to fall in, and in a brief time the ranks were formed and the "Boys in Blue" descended to the street. The column, headed by the band, in respect for the Sabbath, marched without even the tap of the drum to the boat, accompanied by a large number of citizens. The Iron Company's wharf was filled with friends of the campaigners, and the scene was an exciting one. It was determined to take a limited number of ladies and gentlemen as far as Philadelphia, and tickets were provided for those who were to go thus far. The members of the Post were soon on board, and it was with difficulty that those who had not tickets were excluded. The command "Let go " was given, and the bell
15
OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
from the wheel house gave the signal to "go ahead." The screw began its recalcitration, and slowly the " Gratitude " moved out upon the bosom of the canal. Cheer upon cheer broke forth from the crowd, which was upon the wharf and which lined the banks; these were responded to by the passengers who crowded to the sides of the boat ; hats and handkerchiefs were waved in the air, parting messages and salutations were exchanged, and the campaigners were bidden "God speed." It was a touching sight, and recalled to many the partings of twenty years gone by. Yet how strong a contrast was there in the parting and the object of the campaign! The former one was "with deeds of blood intent," the latter to carry the olive branch of peace, to heal the wounds of war, and renew the bonds of friendship with our Southern brethren.
The day was a glorious one, the sun shone forth in all its glory and the voyagers were in the best of spirits. The band, as the good boat "Gratitude" steamed gracefully through the canal, played several selections, and the boys were pluming themselves upon the speed of the vessel when behold, suddenly there was a rub, thump, and the speed ended in a stop, and she was aground. She had struck on a sunken log, about three miles from Bordentown, and all the tempest of the screw only sufficed to beat the shallow waters into foam at the stern. The captain, and the pilot for the
16
POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
occasion-Captain John A. Wilson-however, were equal to the emergency, and in a short time the boat was extricated from its predicament, and once more ploughed the waters of the canal. Bor- dentown was reached, and the boat was locked out into the historic Delaware. Here the steam yacht " Emma Exton " saluted the flag, and attempted to keep up with the "Gratitude," but gradually dropped astern, and while she remained in view there was a waving of handkerchiefs, betokening that the good wishes of those on board were with the expedition that was bound for " Dixie."
The Delaware is noted for the beauty of its scenery ; not as grand as the Hudson, but of a different order. Green fields and finely wooded banks are everywhere visible, and past these the expedition is borne, at the speed of fifteen miles an hour, until the outskirts of Philadelphia are reached. With band playing and colors flying the "Gratitude" is moored at the Arch Street wharf, and the friends who had accompanied the " boys " on a portion of their journey are put on shore. Several of the members of the Post and Auxiliary Corps who had gone to Philadelphia by rail were taken on board, and the boat cast off her moorings and steamed away for Richmond. The sale of lager beer was prohibited on board, on account of the day being the Sabbath, and the more thirsty of the campaigners contented them- selves with "coffee," provided by the caterer,
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OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
which those who tasted voted to be equally as good as beer and twice as invigorating. Several of the timid who had fears of seasickness, hearing that coffee was recommended as a preventive of that distressing malady, despatched several cups of the beverage, and believed themselves exempt from the exactions usually made upon landsmen by Old Neptune.
As the " Gratitude " sped rapidly down the broad river, passing mighty ships coming in from the sea, saluting and being saluted, those on board declared, in the words of that proscribed opera, whose name is forbidden, and certain expressions from which are deemed worthy of condign pun- ishment, that "our saucy ship's a beauty." Ches- ter, Wilmington, New Castle, Fort Delaware and other places are passed ; and the increasing rough- ness of the water, causing the boat to roll and pitch, has the effect of sending anticipating contribu- tors of fishes' provender to the caterer for more " coffee."
The boys now decide that it is time to make themselves at home. A change of clothing is made. The whole command abandon themselves to killing time, and they seem to feel, as Byron's Corsairs did, that
"These are our realms, no limit to their sway-
Our flag the sceptre all who meet obey.
-
Ours the wild life in tumult still to range From toil to rest, and joy in every change.
2
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POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
Oh, who can tell ! not thou, luxurious slave ! Whose soul would sicken o'er the heaving wave : Not thou, vain lord of wantonness and ease ! Whom slumber soothes not, pleasure cannot please- Oh, who can tell, save he whose heart hath tried And danced in triumph o'er the waters wide."
Delaware City, the entrance to the Chesapeake canal, was reached at quarter past five o'clock, and a request having been telegraphed by Capt. Thomas Van Horn, of Trenton, supervisor of the Delaware and Raritan canal (notwithstanding that it was a violation of the rules) the "Gratitude " was locked through into the " short cut;" and by quarter to nine o'clock Chesapeake City was sight- ed. On arriving at the wharf, General Campbell and Adjutant Hatton went ashore to telegraph to Richmond, that the Post was coming, 150 strong. Here a pleasant incident occurred. A delegation of ladies met the officers and presented them with a box containing a button-hole bouquet for each of the party, as a present from the ladies of Ches- apeake City. In the box was a card containing the following inscription : "With the compliments of Mrs. T. B. Hopper and Mrs. H. H. Brady, at the suggestion of one of the lady friends of the Post · from Trenton." The General briefly thanked the donors, and, after sending the telegram, the boat was locked out into Back creek, and from thence to Elk river and Chesapeake bay. The bay was rough, and the boat rolled and heaved in a man- ner that was perplexing to some of the landsmen.
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OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
Night cast her mantle o'er the scene. Lamps were lighted aboard, and there was no quartermaster to order "lights out." Mattresses were spread upon the cabin deck, because of the absence of ham- mocks, and the weary lay down to rest. Some few did manage to woo the " drowsy god," but it was only a few indeed. As upon all such occa- sions, there was fun-fun fast and furious, and it was not until the " wee sma' hours " grew long that exhausted nature succumbed and then even the most boisterous became quiet. The time for rest was not of long duration, for at five o'clock all hands were called on deck and the mattresses were stowed away. The morning ablution was per- formed and another day was begun. A dense fog prevailed in the vicinity of Point Lookout, and continued until about ten oclock. Here the water was as placid and smooth as quiet nature could make it, save where the "Gratitude " and several other steamers, also en route to Yorktown, plough- ed through and disturbed its mirror-like surface. At noon Fortress Monroe is seen, fifteen miles ahead, on the starboard bow. In about an hour the "Gratitude" was moored to the dock, and many of the Command went ashore to mail letters to " sweethearts and wives," telegraph to Richmond, and procure provisions. The entire stock of cakes and pies of the colored venders at the dock was purchased, and shortly after one o'clock the lines were cast off and the voyage resumed.
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POST-BELLUM CAMPAIGNS
*
In Hampton Roads a propeller laden with a body of ex-confederate soldiers, was greeted, salu- tations were exchanged, and Winkler's band played "Dixie" in honor of the "Johnney's." Two French iron clads, which lay off the fort, were sa- luted, and the salute was returned by their crews being beaten to quarters. Fortress Monroe, dark and threatening, is passed and fades into the distance as the "Gratitude " enters the James river.
21
OF THE BLUE AND GRAY.
CHAPTER III.
"O, these were hours when thrilling joy repaid A long, long course of darkness, doubts and fears ! The heart-sick faintness of the hope delay'd, The waste, the woe, the bloodshed, and the tears That track'd with terror twenty rolling years."-Scott.
Twenty years had passed since many of the " Boys in Blue" had entered the mouth of that noble river, the James. Times have changed since then. Many who had sailed upon thy smooth waters, surrounded by all the dread paraphernalia of war, are now sleeping in the brake or bramble near thy banks, majestic stream! With all the changes that have taken place in that score of years, thou art alone unchanged. How familiar are the landmarks on thy shores! It seems as yesterday that we first beheld them. Our mission then was war, and now 'tis peace. A glorious change, indeed. But a truce to moralizing. It is not consonant with the spirit that pervades the "Gratitude" on the occasion which these pages are supposed to record. All was merriment, and if thoughts unbidden rose they were unexpressed, except in some story that always had a laugh in store.
On sped the boat, keeping up her speed of fif- teen miles an hour, the ceaseless screw forcing the
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bow through the rippling tide and leaving a whitened wake behind. Jamestown, the first Eng- lish settlement in Virginia, abandoned a century and a half ago, is passed. It is a heap of ruins ; its church tower still stands, a tombstone, as it were, of the hopes of those who built it. Har- rison's Landing, with its memories of Mcclellan and Grant, is passed, as are other places of lesser note. It was intended to lay up for the night at City Point, but finding that that place could not be reached before dark, it was determined to moor the "Gratitude" at Wilcox Landing. Here a new association was formed and given the euphonious title of the "Waddle Association." From Com- rade Mains' "On to Richmond," we take the liberty of copying the history of the formation of that organization. It is as follows :
"An amusing incident took place upon our arrival at Wilcox Landing. There is but one store at this place, and as Squire Prentiss, an old darkey, said, it was kept by 'Johnnie and Willie Waddle.' It appears that about four years ago, a party of men visited this place, in a boat, on a dark night, and bound the Waddles hand and foot, and carried off the entire contents of the store. As soon as we landed at the wharf, out went the lights in the store, the shutters were fastened, the doors bolted, and everything made as secure as a fort- ress. Of course our boys did not know what it meant, and as soon as we made fast to the dock
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