Uncle Daniel's Story Of Tom Anderson, and Twenty Great Battles

by John McElroy

  CHAPTER II.

  BATTLE OF THE "GAPS."--YOUNG HARVEY LYON BRUTALLY MURDERED.-- UNCLE DANIEL'S RETURN.--RAISING TROOPS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA.

  "When sorrows come they come not single spies, but in battalion." ---Shakespeare.

  "Three days later Peter returned from Indianapolis, with full authorityfor Tom Anderson to recruit a regiment for the Union service. This wasvery gratifying to him, and he said to his wife, 'Mary, my time willcome.' She appeared happy over the news, but her quivering lip, as sheresponded, gave evidence of her fears that the trial to her was goingto be severe. My good wife then called us into tea, and when we were allseated, Mary said to her:

  "'Aunt Sarah, you have not yet told us your dream. Don't you remember,you promised to tell it to me? Now let us hear it, please."

  "'Yes, my child. It has troubled me very much; and yet I don't believethere is any cause for alarm at what one may dream.'

  "'Mother, let us hear it,' spoke up Peter; 'it might be something thatI could interpret. You know I try to do this sometimes; but I am not asgreat a success as Daniel of old.'

  "'Well, my son, it was this: I thought your father and I were in thegarden. He was pulling some weeds from the flower-bed, when he waspainfully stung on both hands by some insect. Soon his fingers begandropping off--all five from his right hand and his thumb and littlefinger from his left.'

  "Tom laughingly said, 'Uncle, hold up your hands;' which I did, saying,'You see my fingers are not gone.' Whereupon they all laughed exceptPeter.

  "My wife said to him:

  "'My son, what is your interpretation of my dream! It troubles me.'

  "'Well, mother, I will not try it now. Let the war interpret it; it willdo it correctly, doubtless. Let us talk about something else. You knowdreams amount to nothing now-a-days.'

  "During all this time, Peter wore a serious countenance. We discussedthe matter as to how Tom should go about raising his regiment. It wasunderstood that he should start out at once, and that Peter should takethe recruits, as fast as organized into companies, and place them inthe camp of instruction at Indianapolis. The next morning Tom opened arecruiting office in Allentown, placed Peter temporarily in charge, andstarted through the country making speeches to the people (he was quitean orator), and soon succeeded in arousing patriotic sentiments inand about Allentown. After raising two companies, he extended hisoperations, going down on the O. & M. R. R. to Saco, a town then ofabout 1,000 inhabitants. While addressing the people, a mob gathered andwere about to hang him. He stood them off until the Union people came tohis rescue and saved his life."

  "That is just as it was where I lived," said Col. Bush. "I know of justsuch a case, where a mob tried the same thing; some of them, however,repented before they went to heaven, I hope."

  Uncle Daniel continued:

  "He left the town, however, under a guard and returned home. Soon afterthis he made a second effort, by arming 20 resolute men of his recruitswith Colt's revolvers, which he procured from the Governor of the State,and returned to Saco. He at once gave notice that he would speak thenext day. When the time arrived, he told his men to take positions inthe crowd, scattering as well as they could in his front. This done hecommenced his speech. Soon mutterings of the crowd could be heard, andfinally the storm came and they rushed towards the stand. He shoutedat the top of his voice, "Hold!" at the same time drawing his revolver,declaring he would shoot the first man that advanced another step, andalso raising his left hand above his head. This was a signal for hismen to "fall in," and they all rushed into line in his front withdrawn weapons. The crowd instantly ran in all directions, much to theamusement and gratification of Tom.

  Tom and the Mob 030]

  "There were some loyal men in that community, and before leaving Saco,Tom had raised a full company. When the day came for them to leave,they marched with the flag presented to them by the ladies of the townproudly waving, and with drum and fife making all the noise possible.There was no more disturbance there, except in secret. The 'secesh'element murdered several soldiers afterwards, and continued secretlyhostile to the success of our army. In a few days after this Tom hadrecruited another company. There seemed then to be an immediate demandfor a regiment, with a brave and daring officer, at the Capital, forsome reason not then made known. Tom was ordered to have his fourcompanies mustered in, and, attached to six already in camp; he wascommissioned Colonel, and the regiment was numbered the ---- IndianaInfantry Volunteers. Tom Anderson looked the soldier in every respect.He was five feet eleven, straight as an arrow, well-built, large, broadshoulders, black eyes and hair, and martial in his bearing.

  "He placed his family in my charge. The next day after Tom had left(Peter Lyon, my son, having gone before him with the recruits), my wife,Mary, Jennie, the three children and myself, were all on the porch, whena tall man, fully six feet, rather fine looking, made his appearance atthe gate, and asked if that was where Daniel Lyon lived. As I answeredin the affirmative, he opened the gate and walking in, saluted us allwith:

  "'How do you do? Do you not recognize me? I am James Lyon.'

  "I sprang to him and grasped his hand, his mother threw her arms aroundhis neck and wept for joy, the other women greeted him heartily, and thelittle children rushed to him. Although they had never seen him before,they knew he was some one they were glad to see, as their fathers anduncles, whom they knew, were gone from them. We all sat down and theDoctor, as I must call him (being a physician by profession), gaveus some of his experiences of the last few weeks. When he received myletter and commenced getting ready to leave, the people of Winchestersuspected him of preparing to go North to aid the Union, and so theythrew his drugs into the street, destroyed his books, and made him leavetown a beggar. He walked several miles, and finally found an old friend,who loaned him money enough to get to my place."

  Mr. Reeves, who was of the party, said:

  "I have been through all that and more, too. I had to leave my wife andfamily, and was almost riddled with bullets besides; but it is all pastnow."

  "I have been greatly interested, Uncle Daniel," said Dr. Adams, "and amtaking down all you say in shorthand, and intend to write it up."

  "The next day," continued Uncle Daniel, "the newspapers had telegramsstating that the troops at Columbus and other places had been orderedto the East for active operations. I said to Dr. James that he muststay with the family while I went to Washington, as I wanted to see thePresident on matters of importance. The truth was, I wanted to see Davidand Harvey, as well as the President. I started the next morning, aftertelling the women and children to be of good cheer.

  "When I reached Washington I found the army had moved to the front, andwas daily expecting an engagement, but I could not understand where. Iat once visited the President, to whom I was well known, and told himmy desire, which was to see my sons. He promptly gave me a note to theProvost-Marshal, which procured me a pass through the lines. That nightI was in the camp of my son David, who, you remember, was a Colonel.After our greeting we sat down by his camp chest, upon which was spreadhis supper of cold meat, hard crackers and coffee, the whole lighted bya single candle inserted in the shank of a bayonet which was stuck inthe ground. While enjoying the luxury of a soldier's fare I told him allabout the family, his own in particular. Harvey enjoyed the things saidof him by the children which I repeated. The Colonel, however, seemedthoughtful, and did not incline to very much conversation. Looking upwith a grave face he said to me:

  "'Father, to-morrow may determine the fate of the Republic. I amsatisfied that a battle, and perhaps a terrible one, will be fought verynear here.'"

  'I asked him about the armies, and he replied that we had a verylarge army, but poorly drilled and disciplined; that the enemy had theadvantage in this respect. As to commanding officers, they were alikeon both sides, with but little experience in handling large armies.He suggested that we retire to rest, so that we could be up early, buturged me to stay at the rear, and not go where I would be expo
sed.To this I assented. Soon we retired to our couches, which were on theground, with but one blanket apiece and no tent over us. I did not sleepthat night. My mind was wandering over the field in anticipation of whatwas to occur.

  Early next morning I heard the orders given to march in the direction ofthe gaps. Wagons were rolling along the road, whips were cracking, andteamsters in strong language directing their mules; artillery wasnoisy in its motion; the tramp of infantry was steady and continuous;cavalrymen were rushing to and fro. I started to the rear, as my son haddirected, and ate my breakfast as I rode along. About 10 o'clock I heardmusket shots, and soon after artillery; then the musketry increased. Ilistened for awhile. Troops were rushing past me to the front. As I wasdressed in citizen's clothes, the boys would occasionally call out tome, 'Old chap, you had better get back;' but I could not. I was movedforward by some strong impulse, I knew not what, and finally foundmyself nearing the front with my horse on the run. Soon I could see thelines forming, and moving forward into the woods in the direction of thefiring, I watched closely for my son's command, and kept near it, butout of sight of the Colonel, as I feared he would be thinking of mybeing in danger, and might neglect his duty. The battle was now fullyopened--the artillery in batteries opening along the line, the infantryheavily engaged, the cavalry moving rapidly to our flanks. Steadily theline moved on, when volley after volley rolled from one end of the lineto the other. Now our left was driven back, then the line adjusted andadvanced again. The rebel left gave way; then the center. Our cavalrycharged, and our artillery was advanced. A shout was heard all along theline, and steadily on our line moved. The rebels stubbornly resisted,but were gradually giving way. The commanding General rode along theline, encouraging all by saying:

  "'The victory is surely ours, Press forward steadily and firmly; keepyour line closed up;' and to the officers, 'Keep your commands well inhand.'

  "He felt that he had won the day. For hours the battle went steadily onin this way. I rode up and down the line watching every movement. I tookposition finally where I could see the enemy. I never expected to seeofficers lead their men as the rebels did on that day. They would rallytheir shattered ranks and lead them back into the very jaws of death.Many fell from their horses, killed or wounded; the field was strewnwith the dead and dying; horses were running in different directionsriderless. I had never seen a battle, and this was so different fromwhat I had supposed from reading, I took it for granted that, both sidesbeing unacquainted with war, were doing many things not at all military.I learned more about it afterward, however. From an eminence, where Ihad posted myself, I could see a large column of fresh troops filinginto the plain from the hills some miles away. They were moving rapidlyand coming in the direction of the right flank of our army. I at oncerode as fast as I could to the left, where my son was inline, and forthe first time that day showed myself to him. He seemed somewhat excitedwhen he saw me, and asked: 'In Heaven's name what are you doing here?'

  "I said: 'Never mind me, I am in no danger.'

  "I then told him what I had seen, and he at once sent an orderly, witha note to the General commanding. In a short time, however, we heardthe assault made on our right. It was terrific. Our troops gave way andcommenced falling back. The alarm seemed to go all along the line, anda general retreat began without orders. Soon the whole army was leavingthe field, and without further resistance gave away the day. The rebelarmy was also exhausted, and seemed to halt, in either joy or amazement,at the action of our forces.

  "Just as our army retired I found a poor young officer wounded. I lethim take my horse, thinking that I could walk as fast as the army couldmarch. I came to the place formerly occupied by my son's regiment. ThereI found quite a number of wounded men, and my young son Harvey trying tohelp one of his comrades from the field.

  "Neither army was then in sight. I heard the sound of horses' hoofs;looked up, and saw a cavalry troop coming. I supposed it to be our own,and did not move. They dashed up where we were, and Col. Hunter, incommand, drew his sabre and cut my dear boy down. I caught him as hefell, his head being cleft open. I burst out loudly in grief, and wasseized as a prisoner. I presume my dress and gray hair saved my life.I was torn from my son and made to walk some three miles, to theheadquarters of Gen. Jones, who heard my story about my adventure andmy dead boy. He at once released me and sent an officer with me to thatpart of the field where my dead child lay.

  Death of Harvey Lyon 035]

  "I shall ever respect Gen. Jones. He is still living, and respectedhighly for his great soldierly qualities. I walked on the line of ourretreat until I came up with a man driving an ambulance. I took himback with me and brought my son away from the field to the camp of hisbrother, whom I found in great distress about Harvey, but he was notaware of what had befallen him. I pointed to the ambulance, he lookedand saw him lying there dead. He fell on my neck and accused himself forhaving brought the young boy away from home to encounter the perils ofwar. I was going to take his body back to his mother, but the Colonelsaid:

  "'No; bury him like a soldier on the battlefield.'

  "So I gave way, and we buried him that night in the best manner wecould. He now lies in the cemetery at Arlington. My sorrow was greatthen, but I am past it all now, and can grieve no more."

  Col Bush here interrupted, saying:

  "'Uncle Daniel, you made a narrow escape. My heavens! to think of afather carrying his young son dead from the battlefield, slain by anenemy in such a villainous and dastardly way."

  "What a blow to a father," said Dr. Adams. "Uncle Daniel, this Colonelwas a demon to strike down a youth while assisting a wounded comrade. Hedeserved to be killed."

  "Yes, it would seem so. I felt just as you do, and my son David utteredmany imprecations against him. But, you see, we forgave all these menand acquited them of all their unholy deeds. Col. Hunter has become avery prominent man since the war, and now holds a high position inone of the Southern States. You know, in the South, the road to highposition since the war has been through the rebel camps."

  "Yes, yes! Uncle Daniel, that is true. Not so, however, with us in theNorth. The road to high position here is not through the Union camps,but through wealth and the influence of what is called elegant society,where no questions are asked as to how or where you got your money, soyou have it."

  "It does seem so, Doctor, now; but it was not so in our earlier days. Iam sorry to confess that this change has taken place.

  "After going through the scenes of this battle, now called the battle ofthe 'Gaps,' and burying my son, I felt for the time as if I could haveno heart in anything the only thought on my mind was how to break thesad news to his mother. The Colonel said he would keep the name from thelist of the dead until I could return home to be with the mother, so asto console her in her grief. I bade my son, the Colonel, farewell. Therehe stood, quiet and erect, the great tears rolling down his cheeks.I commenced my sad journey alone. In going to Washington I overtookstraggling detachments, teams without drivers, and found on the roadgeneral waste of army materials, and equipage of all kinds in largequantities. Arriving in Washington, everything was in great confusion.The old General then in command of all the forces was dignified andmartial in his every look and movement, but evidently much excited.There was no danger, however, as both armies were willing to stand offwithout another trial of arms for the present. I saw the President andtold him what I had witnessed, as well as my misfortune. I advised thatno movement of our forces be again attempted without further drillingand better discipline, as I was sure good training would have preventedthe disaster of that day. On my way home I was oppressed with grief,causing many inquiries of me as to my distress, which only made itnecessary for me to repeat my sad story over and over again until Ireached Allentown. My friends, there was the great test of my strengthand manhood. How could I break this to my wife? They had all heard thenews of the battle, and were in sorrow over our country's misfortune. Onentering the gate all rushed out on the porch to welcome me back, eagerfo
r news; but my countenance told the sad story. The Doctor was thefirst to speak:

  "'We know about the battle, father,' said he; 'but your face tells mesomething has happened to the boys. What is it?'

  "Sarah and the women stood as pale as death, but could not speak. Then Ibroke down, but tried to be as calm as I could, and said:

  "'Our dear Harvey is killed.'

  "My wife fell upon my neck and sobbed and cried aloud in despair untilI thought her heart would break. The children ran out to their mother,crying:

  "'Oh! mother, what is the matter? Is papa hurt? Is he shot?'

  "They screamed, and the scene was one that would have melted thestrongest heart. James stood and gazed on the scene. When all 'becamesomewhat calm, my wife was tenderly placed in bed, and Jennie, afterhearing that the Colonel was safe, staid with her. To the others Irelated my experience on the battlefield, and the death of Harvey,his burial, my capture and release, my arrival at and departure fromWashington, and all up to the time I reached home. The saddest time Iever spent in my life was during the long, weary hours of that night;the attempt to reconcile my wife to our sad fate, the fears expressedby the wives of the Colonel and Tom, the questions of the children, andtheir grief and sobs for their Uncle Harvey--they all loved him dearly;he had petted them and played with them frequently, entertaining them ina way that children care so much for. Many days my wife was confined toher bed, the Doctor keeping close watch over her. Weeks of sadness andgloom in our household passed before we seemed to take the matter as apart of what many would have to experience in this dreadful and wickedattempt to destroy the peace and happiness of our people. In themeantime, Col. Tom Anderson (as he was now a Colonel), and my son Peter,who had been made a Captain in Col. Anderson's regiment, came home tosee us, and tried to make it as pleasant for us as could be done underthe circumstances. When Peter heard of Harvey's death, through Col.Anderson, he was very much affected and wept bitterly.

  "'That dream haunts me,' he said, 'by day and by night. I know my fateso well.'

  "This amazed the Colonel, and he asked Peter what he meant by thisnonsense.

  "'I know,' said Peter, 'but--'

  "'But what?' asked the Colonel.

  "'Nothing,' replied Peter, and the conversation on that subject droppedfor the time being.

  "The visit of Col. Tom and Capt. Peter, as we now out of courtesy calledthem, made the time pass much more pleasantly. Col. Tom and the Doctor,both being good conversationalists, kept the minds of the family as muchaway from the battle of the Gaps as possible. The Doctor having lived inVirginia and Col. Anderson in Mississippi, their conversation naturallyturned on the condition of the South. The Doctor said 'there are inVirginia many Union men, but they were driven into secession by theaggressiveness and ferocity of those desiring a separation from theGovernment.

  "'Those people are opposed to a Republican form of Government, and ifthey succeed in gaining a separation and independence, sooner or laterthey will take on the form of the English Government. They now regardthe English more favorably than they do the Northern people, and themost surprising thing to me is to see the sentiment in the North infavor of the success of this (the Southern) rebellion. True, it isconfined to one political party, but that is a strong party in the Northas well as the South.

  "'One of the dangers that will confront us is the tiring out of ourUnion people at some stage of the war, and following on that the successby the sympathizers with the rebellion in the elections North. If thiscan be brought about it will be done. This is part of the Southernprogramme, and they have their men selected in every Northern State.'"

  "'I have heard this discussed frequently, and their statements as to theassurances that they have from all over the North--in New York, Ohio,Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and so on. In Ohio, their chief adviserfrom the North, Mr. Valamburg, resides. Such men as "Dan" Bowen andThos. A. Stridor, both very influential and prominent men, are regardedas ready to act in concert with them at any moment. Should that partysucceed, with such men as I have mentioned as leaders, the independenceof the Confederacy would at once be acknowledged, on the ground that wehave failed to suppress the rebellion, and that a further continuanceof the war would only prove an absolute failure; and I fear that ourNorthern peacemakers would then cry "peace! peace!" and acquiesce inthis outrage upon our Republic and our Christian civilization," 'Yes,'replied Col. Tom; 'but, Doctor--there is a feature preceding that whichshould be carefully considered. I fear, since I have heard what isgoing on here, that these Northern secessionists and sympathizers willorganize in our rear and bring on war here at home. I was ordered to theCapital to watch this movement. They are organizing all around us. I wasabout to be mobbed near here for trying to raise troops for the Unionarmy. Thos. A. Strider, of whom you spoke, is doing everything he canto discourage enlistments. He speaks of the Republican President as "atyrant and this war as an unholy abolition war," and people listen tohim. He has been considered a kind of oracle in this State for manyyears, as you know.'

  "Just then Jennie returned from the post-office with two lettersfrom Col. David--one to her and one to the Doctor. This concluded theconversation between Col. Tom and the Doctor. Jennie's letter gave hera more complete description of the battle of the Gaps than any he hadheretofore sent. He spoke of my appearance on the ground and thetragic death of Harvey. The household assembled and listened with greatattention, except my wife, who went weeping to her room, as she couldnot hear of her boy without breaking down, wondering why it was herfate to be so saddened thus early in the contest. The Doctor opened hisletter and found that the Assistant Surgeon of Col. David's regiment haddied from a wound received at the battle of the Gaps, and the Governorof Ohio had commissioned Dr. James Lyon Assistant Surgeon at the requestof the Colonel. He was directed to report to his regiment at once. Thiswas very gratifying to the Doctor, as he felt inclined to enter theservice.

  When his mother heard this she again grew very melancholy, and seemedto think her whole family were, sooner or later, to enter the armyand encounter the perils and vicissitudes of war. The next morning theDoctor bade us all good-by, and left for the army of the East. The visitof Col. Anderson and Pefer helped to distract our attention from theaffliction which was upon us. Peter, however, was very quiet and seemedin a deep study most of the time. His mother finally asked him if he hadthought of her dream, saying it troubled her at times. He smiled, andanswered:

  "'Mother, I think this war will interpret it. You know there isnothing in dreams,' thus hoping to put her mind at rest by his seemingindifference; but he afterwards told Col. Anderson his interpretation."

  Dr. Adams here asked Uncle Daniel if he knew Peter's interpretation.

  "Yes; it was certainly correct, and so it will appear to you as weproceed in this narrative, should you wish to hear me through."

  "My dear sir, I have never been so interested in all my life, andhope you will continue until you tell us all. I am preserving everysentence."

  "The day passed off quietly, and next morning Col. Anderson and Peterleft for their command. Mary was brave; she gave encouragement to herhusband and all others who left for the Union army. She was very loyal,and seemed to be full of a desire to see the Union forces succeed inevery contest. In fact, the letter of her brother to her husband seemedto arouse her almost to desperation; she went about quietly, butshowed determination in every movement. She taught her little daughterpatriotism and devotion to the cause of our country, and religiouslybelieved that her husband would yet make his mark as a gallant and braveman. She gave encouragement to my good wife Sarah, and to Jennie, Col.David's wife. She told me afterwards, out of the hearing of the others,that she hoped every man on the Union side would enter the army and helpcrush out secession forever."