USA > Virginia > Virginia before and during the war > Part 8
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
The Major saw the necessity for this and curbed his impa- tience, while his men and his horses were taking some rest and refreshment. After resting more than an hour, he sent out two scouts on the swiftest horses he had, who were to reconnoiter and be very careful not to be seen by the enemy. His force consisted of about one hundred and fifty men.
On the morning after the events related above, Preston with his company, arrived at the Buford homestead, much to the sur- prise of its occupants. The white persons were James Campbell and wife and mother, and his two sisters, Lizzie and Mrs. Taylor, the husband of the latter being absent as chaplain in the army. Mr. Campbell was put under guard, and the soldiers proceeded to plunder the house. They found but little money, but quite a quantity of silver plate, which they proceeded to appropriate to their own use. They also took everything valuable that could
-------
·
£
-- 88-
be carried away, and exchanged their wearied horses for the best they could find on the place. They found in the cellar a supply of brandy and wine, and many soon became intoxicated. Some became insulting to the ladies, and Preston still resenting the cool treatment he had received from Lizzie years before, asked her where her hero and protector, Major Buford, was. He said he had no doubt been killed or taken prisoner, and she had better go with him for consolation. Sam, under the influence of drink and emboldened by the language of his commander, was very impudent, and told the ladies he was now as good as Mars Willie, as he still called him from habit. He went so far as to put his hand on Lizzie without rebuke from the Captain, when a tall Kentuckian, a sergeant, grasped him by the throat and threw him back. Sam, on this. made at him with his fists, when he drew a long keen knife, and would have soon made an end of him if others had not interfered.
Preston now ordered the arrest of the Kentuckian, when the Lieutenant, a Pennsylvanian, a cool, quiet and daring man, came forward and said, "Come, Cap, this has gone far enough ; our men are a pretty hard set, but won't stand to see ladies insulted by negroes."
He remarked to Sam, "you are now free, but if you don't behave we will hang you to a limb."
After a while they became quiet and assembled in the yard to depart with their booty, but a sudden tramping of horses was heard, and they found themselves surrounded by a body of cav- alry. Buford, from his knowledge of the place, had been able to approach very near to the house, without his presence being de- tested. A single shot was fired, by whom none seemed to know, and Jolin Preston fell dead, shot through the brain. It was after- wards ascertained that the shot was fired by the young man whom we have before met, as one of his father's employees, and whom he had maltreated and insulted on more than one occa- sion. Sam, on trying to sneak away, was recognized and brought back by Tom Jones. All were rejoiced to see Major Buford and
- 89 -
his men. Lizzie, though a woman of courage, and firmness. was almost prostrated by the trials she had undergone, and fell faint- ing into Buford's arms. He now came to the resolution of unit_ ing his destiny with hers. if she was willing, thinking that he could thus better protect her from the dangers that were thickening around them. . On his mentioning it to her, she agreed to be en- tirely guided by his judgment. When inquiry was made about the doings of the prisoners, and Sam's conduct was known, a de- tail of men was sent to hang him immediately. As he was led off, with the indifference to life characteristic of the negro, he said, "Go on with your hanging, boys. it ain't worth while to say anything to the Captain ; when he makes up his mind to do any- thing he is sure to do it. I has been free two days anyhow."
The next day the body of John Preston was deposited in the old graveyard of his maternal ancestors. The neighbors, for miles around, assembled on the occasion, and were addressed in a feeling manner by old Mr. Creath, now bent by age and sorrow. having recently lost a fine promising grandson in the army. He remained all night, and early in the morning united Willie and Lizzie in marriage. It was determined to parole all the prisoners but the lieutenants and the orderly sergeant, the Confederate prisons containing more prisoners than could be fed. When ad- dressing the prisoners, he told them if justice was done they would all be hanged, and he would do it, were it not from fear of retaliation on Southern prisoners. "And now," he went on. "i! I parole you, you will soon be back fighting us again."
The Kentuckian we have mention, replied, "You need have no fear of me, I am tired of this war. I have a good mother and nice sisters at home, and have no use for men that hurt or insul: women. My mother told me to go and fight for the Union and the Constitution, and she is no doubt proud of her soldier boy. not knowing what I have come to. " At first I fought for what I thought was right, but that was long ago. Ever since I joined that man there lying dead, we have been after nothing but plun. der, and I have seen so much that if I thought you would have
- 90 -
any chance for success, I would join your troop, if you would take me. As it is, if I am parbled I will go home and stay there." All the rest promised faithfully to keep the parole.
The command, under Captain Johnson, was sent north to join Early in what proved to be the last campaign in defense of the valley. The prisoners, with the exception of the three offi- cers mentioned, were to be conducted to the nearest railroad de- pot, and sent to the point in the route nearest the enemy's lines. It was determined by-Buford to place Lizzie in Richmond, under the care of a widowed cousin of his mother. Tom Jones and an- other soldier were selected as a guard for the prisoners to the prison in Richmond. The old family carriage was brought out, and they started to Danville, from theuce to take the cars to Richmond. Nothing since the commencement of the war had so tended to depress the feelings of the Campbell family as the events of the last few days. The favorite of thein all had left them, and it was uncertain when they would see her again. Buford was loved by them all, and they realized that his life was in continual danger. The wedding was a very different affair from that pictured to herself years ago by Mrs. James Campbell, when she hoped to see her beloved Lizzie led to the altar by a talented young lawyer, surrounded by all the elegancies that wealth could supply. They now began to anticipate all the horrors that could befall a conquered people, and with sadness and tears they re- turned to the daily routine of their duties.
Lizzie was very kindly received by Mrs. Morton, who, in her isolation, her daughters being married and her only son in the army, was much cheered by the presence of a young companion. Although much depressed by recent events, the people of Rich- mond still made efforts to keep up a cheerful society. Although Lizzie had spent several years at school in Richmond, she had no acquaintances there, and was much pleased at receiving an occa- sional call from Miss Nelson who was continuing with unabated zeal her attentions to hospitals, and was much respected, being eceived into the highest circles of society, when her duties would
-91-
permit her to visit. Mrs. Davis, who had heard of the brilliant reputation of young Buford, now raised to the rank of Colonel, but without the men to constitute a regiment, called on his wife and gave her a pressing invitation to visit the executive mansion. Lizzie, not realizing the hopelessness of the cause in which her husband was engaged, enjoyed herself in the charming society of Richmond. Being well educated and well read she rapidly ac- quired the polish of refined society, and became one of the most admired of the ladies of the city. Her husband paid her occa- sional visits, and although his good sense told him that there was little hope for his cause, would not sadden her by telling her so. She was proud of hearing him spoken of in terms of the highest praise by every one.
Buford accompanied Early in his last campaign for the de. fense of the valley. This campaign was characterized by brilliant success in the beginning, to end in irretrievable disaster. This was inevitable, from the vast concentration of fresh forces to op- pose his small force, which, although elated by victory, could not withstand the vastly superior forces led by an able, daring and wary general. In this campaign Buford and his small com- mand rode in sight of Washington, on the left bank of the Poto- mac. His little command was one of the last to leave the valley, after Early's terrible defeat 19th of October, and witnessed much of the devastation of that unfortunate section, a devastation and willful destruction of property seldom equalled in modern times, for which impartial history will show that Lincoln and Grant, as well as Sheridan, were responsible, and from the opprobrium of which posterity will not clear them, until it justifies the destruc- tion of the Palitinate by Louis XIV, for which his memory is still execrated by the German people.
CHAPTER XXI.
Towards the close of October, Dr. Jones and the prisoner, Captain Edwards, who had become fast friends, were conversing in the yard of the Libby prison.
-- 92 --
"Well Doctor," said the Captain, "I learn that some of the prisoners, myself among them, are to be moved to another prison. Can you tell me the reason ?"
"To be plain with you, Captain," said the Doctor, "we can- not feed you all here. You know you have little enough here now, and your friends have so cut off communication from the few places from which we obtain supplies that we cannot give you that little any longer. Your General is the least chivalrous of men, as he knows that a word from him would release you all. He would rather you would all starve and die of disease in prison than return an equal number of our men, who might be organ- ized into an army to fight him. He goes on the principle of the unskillful player of checkers, who has the larger number of men given him by his more skillful opponent ; he knows that he gains by an uneven swap. This may be wise policy, but is against the usage of modern war. It is a tacit acknowledgment of our su- periority."
The Captain replied : "Such treatment is hard to bear, but I will not be a censurer of my government, at least not until I get out of prison. But Doctor, it may be that I may never see you again : tell me what you really think of the state of affairs now."
The Doctor answered, "I think overtures for surrender should be made immedi itely after the Presidential election, what- ever be the result of that election. It matters not for what we are contending, when it becomes manifest we cannot obtain it, it is folly to contend farther. We are now just in that situation. If McClellan is elected, and I have no idea he will be, the difficulty will be settled on conservative principles, and the South will not be utterly ruined. In no event can its independence be estab- lished or the institution of slavery continued. If Mcclellan is elected, abolition will take place gradually and without shock to society, but if Lincoln is re-elected, as I believe he will be such is the obstinacy of Mr. Davis and the Congress that there will be no surrender until our armies are annihilated and our fields are still farther devasted and many of our cities burned, and the ne-
. .
------
-- 93-
groes turned loose in mass. Had the amiable Mr. Lincoln, be- fore going into office, been told that such things would happen during his administration, his reply would have been similar to that of the amiable Lord Hazael to the prophet. You see I take a gloomy view of the near future. But such is the energy of our people that, I believe Phoenix like, they will arise and probably enter upon a new era of prosperity and finally outstrip the North in material development, as we excel that section in variety of resources, great as they are. When the war ceases, the despot- ism established in the North will end, and free government be restored. But we will all be standing on dangerous ground. You have destroyed the old constitution, and conservatism has re- ceived a great shock. The Northern people are restless and vis- ionary, and when slavery is out of the way, the strife between capital and labor will commence and no man can foresee where it will end. In the ruin of the slave-holding planter the laborer has lost his only wealthy friend, the planter, though a capitalist, being identified in interest with the laborer. The present sys- tem of holding property will not be attacked by the poor and illiterate alone, but by writers of the greatest ability. I have read a remarkable article, by Prof. Joseph R. Buchanan, in Her- ald of Youth published in Cincinnati, in 1847, on the nationaliza- tion of land. The writer advocates the abolishing of private ownership of land by a gradually increased taxation, so that this tax would finally become so high the owner could no longer hold it. This writer also advocated the gradual emancipation of the slaves. His reasons for advocating the abolition of the private ownership of land, in some respects, were the same as for abol- ishing the ownership of slaves. All must admit that all titles to slaves are defective, inasmuch as if we trace them back, we will finally come to some one who had no right to the ancestor of the slave conveyed ; so if we trace back land titles to their origin we find they were given by those who had no just title to them themselves. Well, we will see what will be the result if we live. But I am much mistaken if conservatism does not receive such a
-- 94-
shock in the abolition of slavery that a radical change, in the tenure of all property, will be brought about, probably not with- out another bloody revolution." Here the conversation ended. The Captain, in a few days, was conveyed to Andersonville, where he remained until released by the events of the war.
Such were the views of Doctor Jones, and we, after the lapse of more than a quarter of a century must come to the conclusion that the government of the United States was wrong in waging war against the seceded States. These States, free and independent and so acknowledged by Great Britain, had entered into a union for mutual benefit; and when, in their judgment, the union had become detrimental to their interests, it was their right to devise means to secure their interests, and the fact that they were not wise in the means they used did not justify the other States in waging a cruel and relentless war against them. We must not do evil that good may come of it. We can never be so sure that any end we may contemplate will be so beneficial, if attained, as to justify wrong means to attain it. The end aimed at by the United States was the continued union of the States and the abo- lition of slavery. Who knew then, who knows now, that these things were not purchased at too high a price, when to attain them it was necessary to conquer a good and noble people, to sac- rifice more than a million of lives, and to bring untold suffering upon millions more? In addition to these things, a precedent was set for the uncompensated confiscation of property. It is now the fashion to glorify the prominent actors in the war, in both civil and military capacities, showing less gocd taste than the old Romans exhibited who never allowed a triumph for any success gained in civil strife. The just and candid man whether or not he believes it was right to hold the African in slavery, if he understands the condition of the slave before the war and the sentiments of the Southern people, will come to the conclusion that sudden abolition forced by outsiders was a great evil. The Southern people were Christian and humane.
The condition of the slave was all the time improving, and
------
-95 --
would have been ameliorated more rapidly, if it had not been for outside interference. Without this interference, whether the Southern States had remained in the union or not, emancipation would have taken place, and the relations of the races would have been more satisfactorily adjusted than can be now done. Why write these views now? . Simply to record what the writer believes to be true, and to cause some young man, who, from · reading the popular histories, is filled with admiration for some prominent actor in the great drama, to pause and reflect, whether or not this man has been actuated by right principles.
CHAPTER XXII.
The spring of 1865 had come and the sun of the Confederacy was setting in clouds and darkness. It is wonderful with what tenacity the people of Virginia hung on to the lost cause. Al- though at this time half of her territory was held by hostile forces, and the inhabitants of the other were suffering for the necessaries of life, and entirely isolated from trade with the rest of the world, they would not give up hope. Men are so blinded by their wishes and their passions that many of the most intelli- gent thought the South.s ill had some prospect of success, among them was President Davis. As an illustration, a Confederate Congressman from Arkansas, a very intelligent man, informed the writer that he was hopeful of success until Lee evacuated Richmond, when the hopelessness of the situation was first re- vealed to his view.
Lee had evacuated Richmond and Petersburg and was mak- ing a forlorn effort to join Johnston. Whilst he was at Farm- ville, his small cavalry force on the north of the Apomatox, with their accustomed gallantry, had repelled the enemy. Here, on the 6th of April, Buford was riding at the head of his troop re- duced to about one hundred and fifty men. In spite of toil and privation he was in perfect health, and as he rode along his line, it could be seen that his magnificent physique was unimpaired.
-96 ---
His uniform, though faded, was in tolerable good repair, and his horse, though lean, in good condition.
On the march he beckoned to Tom Jones to join him. When Tom joined the army, he was small and boyish looking, now in spite of his rags and bare feet, he looked every inch the soldier. His form had broadened, and although below the medium height, he was a man of great muscular power, and so good was his con- stitution that hunger, cold and toil had not impaired it. His light, sandy colored hair and beard were long, and his naturally fair complexion had been changed by sun and wind to an almost solid red. His clear, blue eye was undimmed, and in spite of de- feat, he bore himself as a man. On his approach, Buford re- marked, "Tom, it is all over with us, and I want to talk to you some. I almost blame myself, who was so much better informed than you, for influencing you to join the army, where you have suffered so much and spent so much of your young manhood in a hopeless struggle."
Tom replied, "Do not blame yourself, Willie, I should have joined without your solicitation, and I have never for a moment regretted my course. I believe now I am fighting in a just cause, and I am not one of those that believes that right is always suc- cessful in this world, but I had rather be right and fail thani be wrong and succeed. But a good many of the men of late are he- ginning to say the Yankees must be right else they could not beat us. It is a pleasure to me that I have been permitted to serve under you almost all the time."
After musing a few moments, Buford replied, "Do you know, Tom, that I think this is the last conversation I shall ever have with you, and that is why I called you out. I feel the shadow of death on me."
Tom replied, although he could not help from feeling a shud- der at Buford's manner of speaking, "Do not give way to such feelings. It is strange to hear you talk so, who have led us so · long and so bravely and have always been ready to cheer us in all our difficulties ; O ! you will live and fare no worse than the rest
--
-97-
of us. I have always loved you, and will stick to you to the last. You always took up for me at school when bigger and richer boys wanted to impose upon me."
"Yes, Tom," he replied, "but you always we' e plucky. You remember the threshing you gave Jim Slocum, who was older. and a great deal larger than you, and I did nothing but see you have fair play. Mr. Nelson heard of it, but would not let it be known that he knew anything about it. for he was glad that Slo cum was threshed. But Slocum's father was angry and would have an investigation that ended in his son's expulsion from school and you receiving a light flogging, for Mr. Nelson would not strike hard. Now, my friend, as you have always been faith . ful and true, and I can say that, in all the armies engaged in this war, there has not been a better soldier, I am going to make some requests of you. Here is a letter, deliver it to my father, and here is a ring for Lizzie. Tell her that hers was the last name I called. Now I must be going, fall into line, Tom."
In about half an hour a column of the enemy's cavalry was seen approaching. Buford rode along his line with all his accus- tomed fire. He gave command in a firm tone, close up ranks, charge. There was a discharge of firearms and a shock of oppos- ing forces, hand to hand, and the enemy were repulsed, and re- treated. Tom who had kept his eyes on Buford, saw him waver in his saddle and fall. He rushed to him and dismounted. But he was dead, shot through the heart. He bore on his shoulder the heavy body to a cottage near by, and did not leave it until he had seen it decently buried, and had marked the place of the grave. The cavalry had now become disorganized, and every man was shifting tor himself. Tom hovered around until it was ascertained that Lee had surrendered, when he bent his course towards home. His ride was solitary, and he saw universal deso- lation, fences all burned, and the site of many houses represented by heaps of ashes and falling chimneys. The few people he met were terror stricken. They gave him, when asked, a piece of corn bread and some potatoes; his horse had to depend upon the
1
-98 -
grass found near the streams. He slept at night in out-houses and sheds. On the fifth day, near noon, he passed the old Camp- bell homestead and saw old Hannibal plowing in the field alone, his sons having joined a crowd of negroes going in search of freedom. He soon met James Campbell and communicated to him the sad news. On approaching his home, he saw his sister plowing with a miserably thin horse, and his father, who was · much crippled with rheumatism, hobbling along and doing what he could with a hoe. In spite of his beard and his rags, Tom was soon recognized by his family and received with joy into their arms. When the story of Buford's death was told, there went up a wail of sorrow from that humble home, for the sad fate of the beautiful, the brave and the good. Tom, with the in- domitable energy that characterized him and so many of the Con- federate soldiers, lost not a day, but went to work, and was soon seen following his war-horse hitched to a plow.
The unconquerable spirit of these men is worthy of being recorded by the historian. In all the occupations of life, in poli- tics, in the professions, in the ministry, in merchandising and in farming, in their own States and in other States in the South and in the North, they continue to occupy a foremost place among their fellow citizens. .
CHAPTER XXIII.
In .December, 1865, just ten years from the opening of this story, a mournful procession proceeded out of the town of Dan- ville. It consisted of Judge Buford and his two daughters and Harlow Heath, to whom the gentle Amanda had given her hand, and numerous friends who were conveying the remains of Mrs. Buford and her son to their last resting place, in the old family burying ground. They were buried the next day amid a large concourse of sorrowing and sympathizing friends and neighbors. When Judge Buford and Mr. Creath met, the two old men silent- ly grasped each other's hands and wept, as the memory of all the
-
--- -- ----- --
*
-99-
past came to their minds. They thought of their pleasant church meetings so constantly attended by the Judge and his amiable and pious wife, and of the family circle, in which Mr. Creath had so often been an honored guest and of the bright, handsome boy, the pride of his parents and beloved of his sisters, and they called to mind the old minister's two noble grandsons, whom the re- lentless war had taken from him, the props and comforts of his old age.
Lizzie was absent. She told the Judge it was more than she could bear to be present at the old home, and that her mother and brother and sisters must come to Richmond to see her. The Judge had returned to Richmond after the war, and had accepted a government appointment in hope of being of some service to his native State. He was now rich. and he determined to spend the rest of his life in Virginia. He soon sought for and found Lizzie and her infant, the little Willie, born after the death of his father. He took her to his house as one of his daughters.
While he was in Chicago, his older daughter had been much admired, and her hand sought by some of the wealthiest and most distinguished of the land, but she was true to Lamont, and constantly averred that she would never marry any man who had ever worn the blue. Poor Lamont was one of the last prisoners exchanged, and had gone back to the army in time to lose an arnı, get a disfiguring wound in the face in one of the last battles of the war. He wrote a letter to Letitia telling of all his misfor. tunes, and in view of them, releasing her from her engagement. But she would not release him, and he had visited her in Rich- mond. Their marriage was postponed on account of the death of her mother. They were married the next autumn and went to South Carolina, Judge Buford furnishing the money to build a handsome dwelling in place of the one burned by Sherman's 111e11.
Lamont became one of the leading men of his State, co-op- erating with Wade Hampton, in all his efforts to restore prosper- ity. The discovery of phosphate beds on his estate has made
.
------
- 100 -
him a very rich man, and Letitia is considered one of the most beautiful and accomplished, women in the society of Charleston. Heath settled in Richmond where he became one of the leading lawyers.
As the years passed, the affections of Judge Buford became centered on his grandson. Lizzie made her home with him. She was much admired, and had brilliant offers of marriage, all of which she rejected, saying she had lost her first and only love, and no other man should ever occupy his place. The boy grew up strong, handsome and intelligent. On the Judge saying be- foie some friends, that his greatest hope was that he would in all things resemble his father, some one remarked, except in his rebel proclivities. The Judge replied, "in all things, my son fol- lowed the dictates of his conscience, and I can wish no one to do otherwise."
Mr. Campbell received a handsome remuneration for hiscare of the Buford estate during the difficult and trying times of the war, and was continued in its management. He made money rapidly, and became one of the leading men of the community, his only mortification being his defeat, for the Legislature by old Hannibal in the days of reconstruction. He, after faithful service during the war, turned Republican in his old age and opposed and defeated his young master. Before the election he said to him. "Mars Jeems, I hates to run agin you, I raised you and think more of you than any other white man, but I is gwine to beat you if I kin. The colored folks is free and wants somebody of der own color to speak for them in de Legislature." Hanni- bal, like politicians of another color, based his claims to office on his philanthropy, not letting it be known that he was at all in- fluenced by ambition, and above all by the prospect of receiving five dollars a day for his valuable services.
Mrs. Campbell is much beloved and respected in the community. She is happy in her home and family, but she fre- quently heaves a sigh of regret when she thinks of the noble boy, er first friend among strangers after she left her relatives in a
..
1
distant land. She sometimes visits her relatives in the North, and receives their visits in return with old-fashioned hospitality.
Tom Jones delivered Willie's last letter to his father, and was ever after treated by him in the kindest and most liberal manner. He was given good and profitable employment, in which he greatly prospered, and soon led to the altar Mr. Nelson's youngest daughter, a bright, rosy, amiable girl.
Dr. Stoval remains at his old home, reasonably prosperous and honored by all. His son, John, had the good fortune to es- cape unhurt from the war, and is filling his father's place as phy- sician of his neighborhood. The old Doctor feels keenly the death and absence of many old friends, especially Judge Buford and Mr. Nelson, the latter going West a few years after the war.
Poor Mrs. Preston did not long survive her son's ignominious end, and Col. Preston soon followed her. His large estate was divided and sold, and after paying mortgages, gave only a scanty support for his daughters.
Soon after the close of the war, Captain Edwards and Miss Nelson were married and settled in a pleasant village in Indiana, where he soon became a prosperous merchant. Mr. Nelson made his home with his oldest and favorite daughter, Mrs. Nelson hav- ing died during the war. After Cleveland's election, he was per- suaded to apply for the village postoffice, but he refused to inter- fere with Mr. Norton, the incumbent, to whom he was much attached, notwithstanding the latter was a Republican. Mr. Norton was a bachelor, from Connecticut, and for a long time a teacher, but as new modes of teaching came in vogue and age advanced, he would no longer obtain good situations, and the postoffice was a good resource for his declining years. He and . Mr. Nelson held endless arguments on States rights and the jus- tifiableness of slavery, and neither could convince the other. When the argument waxed too warm, Mr. Norton would propose a game of chess, of which both were very fond, and all else would soon be forgotten in its mysteries. Mr. Nelson could never be persuaded to vote until Cleveland was a candidate for the second
- 102 -
time. Losing this vote, he will probably never be induced to vote again, believing that constitutional government in this country is lost beyond redemption. He often speaks, with great feeling, of the sad death of Willie Buford, who, he says, was the best and brightest pupil he ever had, and if he had lived, would have be- come one of the nation's greatest men, And Mrs. Edwards, though blessed with a kind husband and interesting children has never forgotten the young hero who won her earliest affections.
.
-
4348
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.