USA > Virginia > Under the stars and bars ; a history of the Surry Light Artillery > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
مه
148
Under the Stars and Bars
of collards, lies in his way, and the stingy owner will not sell or give him "a little mess," is it a great mystery that somne of those "greens" should disappear, when once the evening shadows fall ? The boy has "located" the game, and he would have it, though a Federal gunboat were guarding the ground. There may be, there are conditions, where the eighth commandment does not apply. See, for instance, Prov. vi: 30. Do not fear, on this account, that the soldier boy will become a repro- bate. He will not. He eannot.
I have lately been to hear a great lecturer tell about the land of Palestine. As the subject was one that is always and profoundly interesting to me, I managed to buy a ticket, and attended the lecture. It was given at the Second Baptist church, by the Rev. John Ley- burn, who has visited the Orient, and describes scenes and events from personal observation and knowledge. I cannot give you even the briefest synoposis of the ad- dress, but it was both very interesting and instructive to me. I was amply repaid for the Confederate dollar that it had cost me. There is no place in the wide world that I would more love to visit that the Holy Land- the "Lord's land."
At last, after four months' waiting, pay-day has come around again, our command has been paid off, and the boys are happy-as happy as Confederate serip ean make them. But what will a month's pay-$12-buy
149
Under the Stars and Bars
now, when everything has advanced to fabulous prices ? The whole four months' pay would not buy a barrel of flour or a suit of clothes. But the Government owes each one of us a $100 bounty, for re-enlisting. When we get that, we will be quite flush.
May peace and health be with you all.
Your friend, B.
[My comrades, I am sure, will be able to appreciate fully, and enjoy, the allusion to "spring greens" and pot-liquor. They will bear testimony to its truthful- ness, for were they not among those same boys who presided at many a pot-boiling of "ye olden time ?" And some of them, I fear, not all, but some of them, will have to plead guilty to the charge of "raiding" a little, on certain hard and trying occasions. When all other resources failed them, there was one resort that generally won the prize, and the boys knew how to use it.
The paragraph in reference to the lecture on Pales- tine is admitted here to illustrate the fact, that, al- though the thunders of war were loudly reverberating from every nook and corner of the Confederacy, yet there were life and ambition enough remaining in the land for the people to turn aside awhile to intellectual things. The spirit for advancement and improvement was not dead. In the midst of their heroic struggle for personal liberty and State independence, they still found time to listen to the educator and the literatus.
150
Under the Stars and Bars
In the campaign of 1863 as a whole, the advantage was decidedly on the side of the Federal arms. With the defeat of Hooker and the fall of Jackson, victory seemed to have forsaken our banners. The severe re- verse at Gettysburg, and the fall of Vicksburg, were dis- asters from which the South never recovered. It is useless to speculate on what might have been, but, if the expedition into Pennsylvania had never been under- taken-and if a corps of General Lee's army had been sent in time to the aid of the garrison at Vicksburg -- perhaps-perhaps the march of Sherman through Geor- gia, and of Grant from the Wilderness to Appomattox, would never have been ; and the Confederacy would have gained the prize for which it contended. Fighting to resist invasion, from the moment the South itself be- came an invader, its fortunes began to wane, and suc- cess was impossible.]
-
151
Under the Stars and Bars
LETTER THIRTIETH.
Campaign of 1864 begun-Confederate victories-Dahlgren-Kil- patrick cavalry dash-Its nefarious purpose-And farcical failure-Stirring events expected-Note.
CAMP SCHERMERHORN, VA., March 6, 1864.
My Dear Friend :- The military drama of 1864 has already begun, and battles have been fought in Florida, in Mississippi, and in Texas. And I am glad to say the result has been Confederate victories in each case. On February 20th, our General Finegan gained a great victory at Olustee, Fla., capturing prisoners, cannon, and arms. On the 22d, General Forest achieved a vic- tory at Okolona, Miss. And the Federals are reported to be badly beaten, in their attempted advance into Texas from Louisiana. These successes have greatly revived the drooping spirits of our people and armies, and are, I sincerely trust, a happy omen of greater vic- tories everywhere.
And the ball has opened here in Virginia, also. Al- ready we have been called out to meet a proud and boastful foe. Bands of Federal cavalry, under Dahl- gren and Kilpatrick, have just made a sudden dash to capture Richmond, and, on March 1st, our Company was hastily sent to the outworks west of the city, where Kilpatrick was said to be advancing. At the same time
152
Under the Stars and Bars
(Kilpatrick and Dahlgren having divided their forces), Captain Thornton's Battery was moved to a point north of the city, and Captain Rives's Company to a position on the east. Thus it was the design of the enemy to attack the city at two or more points at the same time.
The plan was well conceived, and it showed great audacity and daring on the part of the foe. But they failed to press their advantage with vigor, after they had gained sight of the prize, and so they missed it and accomplished nothing.
The enemy's forces, under Kilpatrick, appeared near the outer works, on the western side of the city, on the afternoon of the 1st, and were met by infantry, aided by our Battery. After a short engagement, they were easily repulsed, and, without renewing the attack, the enemy drew off, going in a northerly direction. His design, evidently, was to unite with Dahlgren, who was coming up on the north of the city.
But Dahlgren did not arrive till late at night on the 1st, and in the darkness, having crossed beyond his intended point of attack, he became entangled with our forces, and his troops became confused. In his attempt to get out of the trap, Dahlgren himself was killed, and his body left in our lines. As soon as daylight occurred on the 2d, a feeble engagement took place. But having lost their leader, and also a number of prisoners, these forces also retired, going in the direction of the Pe- 'ninsula.
153
Under the Stars and Bars
Despite his daring attempt, the enemy showed very little vim in the execution of his plans. His effort was too feeble to alarm even a force of conscripts that were posted at the point where Dahlgren came up.
The night of March 1st was rainy and dark, and having met with no picket, Dahlgren's troops rode into our lines without knowing it. In the slight skirmish that ensued, their General was killed, and some pris- oners were taken on both sides.
Dahlgren's body was taken into Richmond, and papers were found upon it that revealed a most diaboli- cal and dastardly plot. The design of the sudden dash was shown to be, the capture of Richmond, with as many of the higher officials as possible, all of whom were to be executed, and then the Federal prisoners in the Libby, and on Belle Isle were to be released, to sack and burn the city, and overawe, maltreat, and murder the citizens !
But a gracious Providence ordered it otherwise. Such a fiendish outrage was not to be. The skillful dis- Irrition of the Confederate forces about the city caused the enemy to conclude that they stood a better chance of being slain, than did our beloved President and Cabinet.
It is hard to believe that military men of respectable training, like Kilpatrick and Dahlgren, would stoop to a plot so low and wicked as this attempt seems to have been. There is reason to believe that the plan originated elsewhere, and that these officers were mis-
154
Under the Stars and Bars
led. In view of recent events in which our Company has already figured to some extent, there, doubtless, were spies concealed in Richmond, who were keeping the foe informed of the condition of affairs among our people, and of what our Government was doing- and these leaders had looked for some material aid from within the city, to enable them to carry out their
nefarious purpose ! Did they suppose that there were no forces at all to defend the city, and that they could ride into the very heart of it without interruption, with a troop so small as was the one led by them ? The feeble effort that they made to carry out their plans shows clearly enough that, either they were incom- petents, wanting in skill and judgment to command an army, or that they were looking to other hands to do the hellish work of slaughter, rapine, and violence among the helpless people of a great city.
This sudden dash of a comparatively small body of Federal cavalry, at this time, and under the circum- stances that surrounded it, and preceded it, is invested with more than usual significance, although our papers have little to say about it. What if the enemy had suc- ceeded in breaking into the city and carrying out their designs, by liberating the large number of Federal pris- oners in the Libby and on Belle Isle ? What a pan- demonium of misrule, lawlessness, confusion, pillage, robbing, personal violence and murder would have quickly resulted! The picture is too horrible to con- template! The plot, wherever or by whom conceived,
155
Under the Stars and Bars
will doubtless be noted by the future fair and impartial historian, as one of the foulest blots on the character and spirit of the foe in this war. What Southern boy, with a heart even as big as a mustard seed, could refuse to fight, to aid in repelling such vandals from our soil ? It gives me pleasure to know that the Surry Artillery held a hand, and aided in driving off these would-be assassins and fiends.
The summer's campaign is starting early this year, and, doubtless we will have plenty of work to do before its close. We do not expect to remain in our present quarters much longer. The Company, and, in fact, the whole Command, is in good trim, the men ready and resolute, and the horses in fair condition. We all feel, too, that we are engaged in a righteous cause, and when the opportunity comes, we intend to strike hard "for home and native land."
Continue to pray for us, and for the success of the Southern armies everywhere.
Your friend, B.
[The Federal authorities, it is said, denied the fact that the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren expedition was set on foot for any such purpose, or clothed with any such authority, as that claimed for it by our people. They disputed the existence of any such papers as those pur- porting to have been found on the body of General Dahlgren.
How, then, did the charge originate ? Surely it was not manufactured from the whole cloth by our officials.
156
Under the Stars and Bars
The writer was a private in the ranks when the events here recorded were transpiring, and, of course, knew nothing of what was doing in official circles. But he did have eyes and a mind to see and contemplate. And sharing, as he did, in the affair of the 1st and 2d of March, 1864, in which the Federal cavalry was so easily turned aside from Richmond, without making so much as a schoolboy show of pluck-and joining this event with other matters, with which he was, at the time, cognizant, he believes now, and has always believed, that it was the purpose of this expedition, by the aid of a hand within the city, to unfasten the doors and turn the lion out of the cage, to sate itself on blood and plunder ! By drawing off their forces, and leaving the city to be sacked and burned by a wild and lawless horde, they would thus escape, so they thought, any responsibility for the act, and prevent foreign nations from expressing disapprobation thereof. It proved at the time a farcical failure. But, in view of what might have been, it ceased to be a farce, and revealed the pos- sibility of the existence of a terrible volcano beneath our feet. It was a narrow escape from what might have . proved a most serious disaster to the Southern cause. It was also a signal light in the social system that should have been more carefully heeded. I feel that the sur- vivors of the S. L. A. will understand these things. They shared in the events, and were cognizant of the undertow that was moving along beneath the tide. I am writing for them, not for the public eye, and need not express myself more clearly here.]
157
Under the Stars and Bars
LETTER THIRTY-FIRST.
The "Soldiers' Home"-Oakwood Cemetery-A chicken "raid"- Double duty-Songs-Note.
CAMP SCHERMERHORN, VA., April 10, 1864.
My Dear Friend :- I had heard frequent mention of the famous Soldiers' Home in Richmond, but have had no opportunity of testing the hospitalities thereof, until one day recently. Being in the city without a written "permit," I was halted by a guard, and taken to the aforesaid "hotel," to give cause and reason why a "high private" should be prowling about the town without the necessary papers. As my excuse did not quite satisfy the gentleman in command, I was told to remain over until the next morning.
As it was near the dinner hour, and being curious to test the capacity of their "bill of fare," I kept quiet till the drum sounded, and the meal was served. The guests, of whom there were some twenty or thirty, were arranged all in line, but without being seated, the roll of names was called, and then a tray of light bread, cut into half-loaves, each loaf already small enough, was passed down the line. Each man took a piece, and each man proceeded to put it away where it would do him the most good.
158
Under the Stars and Bars
This was the only course that was served, which, I think, you will grant was a very light dinner, even for these times. But I have long been used to this sort of board, and so I ate my half-loaf in silent thankfulness, and then went up to the top of the "Home" to take a survey of the surroundings, and select a good point of exit. There were a few guards stationed around, and a high wall enclosed the little yard. But the guards were tired and listless, and a low shed in the rear pre- sented an available "weak point" in their line of en- vironment. Awaiting a favorable chance, I easily scaled the wall and was down on the outside without any one knowing about it.
Being pretty well acquainted with the streets and alleys of the town, I managed to evade the guards, and soon made my way back to Camp, fully satisfied with my experience in the "Soldiers' Home," and just in time to fall in line and answer at roll call. When the list of boarders at the "Home" was called for supper that night, the official in charge expressed some surprise at the absence of "that tall fellow with the artillery cap on."
The "Home" serves as a sort of temporary prison for men who are found in the city without "permits," where they are held until they can be returned to their com- mands. It also supplies a stopping-place at night for a soldier on furlough, who is passing through the city to or from camp. In the latter respect, it fills an in- portant end, providing gratis a shelter for the night
159
Under the Stars and Bars
and something at least to eat, for one who has no money to pay for more expensive lodgings. It was a wise und charitable conception, in fact, a necessary pro- vision for the scores of Confederate soldiers who are constantly passing to and from the armies, or stopping here at night.
You have heard of Oakwood Cemetery, the soldiers' burying-ground ? It lies on the eastern, or rather, the northeastern, side of the city. It covers several acres of level ground, and is reserved for the burial of Con- federate soldiers who die in the hospitals here, or are killed in battle near the city. The native trees on the ground are mostly of some species of the oak genus, and the ground, properly cleared of debris and fenced, would be a beautiful last resting-place for a soldier. Already there are many hundred graves, and it is by no means the only place within sight of the city where the fallen patriots of our Southland sleep.
I have been over the grounds on more than one oc- casion, searching for the grave of some lost acquaint- ance, (for soldiers sometimes get lost from their com- panions in a strange sort of way), and as I noted the evidences of regard for some of the sleepers that marked the little wooden head-boards, I could not help but pane to think and moralize, how some one's friend and dear one rested there. The little rosebuds and other floral offerings planted there, indicated, despite all the wickedness and sin that is in the world, how Love and
160
Under the Stars and Bars
Friendship never die. Occasionally, a small marble shaft or slab, indicated more of opulence. But the graves are all well and neatly kept by some careful or pious hand, even those marked by the word "unknown" being as tenderly cared for as the rest. This feature, the "unknown" ones, is, perhaps, the saddest circum- stance connected with the burial of our dead. It is lamentable. But though unknown they rest on earth, their deeds and noble sacrifices will never be forgotten. A nation's heart will enshrine their dust,
"Till morning's latest sunlight fades On the blue tablet of the deep."
And armed ghosts shall rise to tell, They fought for home and freedomn well.
Unknown they lie on earth, but they are not, and can never be, forgotten. Their deeds and self-devotion to the cause they loved, will endear them to the hearts of their countrymen, and of posterity, so long as men love liberty, or have manhood enough to honor the brave.
Will you chide me very much, my friend, if I tell you what a wicked thing some of us did a few nights since ? You know that rations have got to be out- rageously light this winter. We have been fourteen days at a time with nothing at all but corn meal fur- nished us, and of that but one light pound per day to the man. And some of the boys declared they could
161
Under the Stars and Bars
stand it no longer. One of them had found out where a fine lot of chickens roosted at night, and as the owner would not sell a single one, the party was made up.
After roll call at night, six of us set forward, with a bag or two to hold the game, and one or two rusty fire- arms for defence. We soon found the place, and while two stood guard for the rest, we forced the door, and while one held the bag, a tall fellow among them gath- ered down the birds, and deposited them safely in the aforesaid bag. As the family nearby remained quiet, we did not stop until we had "stripped the roost," and secured all there were of them, eighteen, including the rooster. But we afterwards turned him loose, to crow for them in the morning.
We got back to camp without mishap, and proceeded to dress the fowls, and fit them for an early boil the next day. But during our absence roll call had been ordered and the whole party was caught and booked for double duty. But the officers-good, easy men they are -- "scented game," and did not even have the bar- racks searched.
Suffice it to say, we enjoyed our chicken hugely, and before the next night there was not a bone of it left. Even the captain got a nice piece for letting us off so easily. And we spoke of sending the Colonel a wing, but did not. Was it all wrong? We own it; we depre- eate it, and hate to have to resort to it at times. But when hunger gnaws so fiercely, who can resist the temptation to appease it when he can? Our double
162.
Under the Stars and Bars
duty, we thought, was light enough for the good times we had, and one comrade declared he wished that we had taken the rooster, too, since we got along so well. This incident will show you how pinched we are, quite often, for something to eat.
But camp life has its pleasant, as well as its repel- lent features, and, though the soldier, many a time, is both hungry and sorrily clad, he is ever ready for a song, and many a lively air, or national ode, is heard in or about our Camp at the "stilly hour of even," be- fore the final roll call and tattoo. Several of the boys sing well. All of them try to sing at times. But I think Lieutenant Foreman is listened to more than the rest. Did you ever hear Wallace Foreman sing ? When he strikes in on sweet "Annie Laurie" or the "Bonnie Blue Flag," all the rest stop to listen, But it is when he is threading his way with a loving heart through his own "My Maryland," that his soul seems to melt in tenderness, till his song vibrates and recedes, almost like harp notes borne away by the evening breeze. He is tenderest then, for his heart is touched. And then there are "Dixie," and "Sweet Evelena," and "Stone- wall Jackson's Way," and half a score more songs that are favorites with our boys.
But better and sweeter far than these, are the songs of praise that we often hear from some tent at night, where the professed followers of Christ have assembled
163
Under the Stars and Bars
for a little time of prayer and thanksgiving, ere they retire to their humble beds. Then it is that the low and measured cadence of "Nearer, my God, to thee," or "How firm a foundation," or "There is a fountain filled with blood," falls on the ear of the listener with soothing and hallowing effect. Or else the stirring notes of "All hail the power of Jesus' name" rings out through the Camp like a bugle call to battle. And while the singing goes on, the heart of the lonely senti- nel on his post is moved, or the soldier reposing quietly in his tent nearby, sends up a prayer to heaven in consonance with the song.
And then, when the last hymn has been sung, and the men all lie down to rest, some one somewhere in Camp, who has been listening to the songs of praise, and whose heart feels the holy inspiration of the hour, strikes up with "Home, sweet home," and as the ten- derly sweet and heart-stirring solo floats softly out over the Camp, many a rough soldier, who weeps not for wounds or blood, dashes a tear from the eye, while his bosom yearns for one sight more of the dear old home, so far away, and of the loved ones he has not seen in so many long months, and, perchance, may never see again.
I wonder do our friends at home sing any now ? Are the songs of Zion ever heard floating out on the matin or vesper breeze, down in old Tidewater land ? It is an ill day for any people, where the songs of praise and gladness are stilled-when men go about in silent and
164
Under the Stars and Bars
melancholy mood, as if they were afraid some foe would spring upon them from ambush, and maltreat them because of their joy ?
It is not often that sorrow finds expression in song, but when it does, the heart-chords vibrate to the sweet- est and tenderest tones. And this is why the songs that are sung in times of war, are invariably those that most stir the heart, and awaken the emotions of thanks- giving and of patriotism-gratitude to heaven for mer- cies bestowed, or love of country, home and family.
Did you ever think of this ? Is it not true? For an- swer, note the character of the songs you hear the next month or two.
Your friend, B.
[It has been one purpose of this record to present a good deal of the life of the soldier in camp, to show how the men lived and acted when off duty. Another object has been to give a passing picture of the times, and tell of things that the younger generations would never hear about elsewhere. This letter covers a little space in both of these. No one would ever hear of a chicken raid or double duty, or scarcely of the songs in camp, save in a work like this. Nor would the "Sol- diers' Home" or the Confederate Cemetery be se fully described on the staid and stilted page of history as it is here.
But, above all else, I have tried to give my comrades a truthful, and, as far as I can, an accurrate account
165
Under the Stars and Bars
of events and scenes, and persons and things, that fell along our pathway during those four eternal years. Everything in this letter, therefore, even the chicken- pulling, is a true picture of things that were, or of seenes and places.
As to the "songs in camp," they were an ever-re- curring attendant of the daily life of the men. There was no day so dark and gloomy as to silence all attempt at song on the part of some one; and the voice of melody in some form, comie or light, sentimental or merry, grave or gay, serions or pious, was almost constantly heard in some part of our Camp, through the day, and often in the "sma' wee hours" of early morn. There were a few men whose tongues seemed never still. Surely my comrades will recall to mind that chattering magpie of song, that incorrigible jay bird of jest and banter, that versatile clown of comic verse, Joseph Kea-will remember how his tongue was always run- ning through some merry or jesting stanza, or half stanza, or song, to the amusement of some and the dis- gust of others. Joe was the magpie of the Camp, the general tease of the touchy and the irritable, the uni- versal clown of the Company. He was, withal, a good soldier, too, and did his duty, rain or shine. Alas, that his own life should have passed under such a cloud during his last few years subsequent to the war! His light went out in gloom, with no comrade near to sing for him the songs of hope or trust.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.