0208]
As {200}they entered a cut in the road, Ralph saw the color sergeant ofone of the Illinois regiments, who could scarcely stand from fright. Theballs were whistling by their ears, the leaves of the trees were fallingin showers, scattered by the rifles' fire. The man was ashy pale, andhis knees trembled so he could not stand erect. Ralph thought of what hehad related to boys months ago, about the French soldier, but this, hesaw, was not a parallel case, for this man was clearly a coward, and ashe watched him, he expected to see him fall down, and trail the colorsafter him. The man saw that he was observed, and he made onedesperate effort to raise himself to his full height, but suddenlythe pleasant-faced man who had taken interest in Ralph sprang forward,wrested the flag from the cowardly fellow, and carried it valiantly tothe front.
Ralph looked for the sergeant. He had shrunk to the rear, and was busyhiding behind a huge tree which towered above the field.
"Thank heaven!" said Ralph, "our flag was saved." He felt sure that hisnew friend, who was corporal of the color guard, would be rewarded insome way, but the soldier who had rescued the flag, when summonedbefore the commanding officer, and offered promotion to color sergeant,promptly refused it, unless the one who had so belittled his trust werereduced to the ranks. This was not done, for some reason, but the manwho had rescued the colors was made a sergeant--a deserved promotion.
The rumor proved false, for General McClernand, so far from taking thetwo forts, had been repulsed, and the men who were sent to help him weremany of them killed; they were made the victims of a misstatement, toput it as mildly as possible. A short time after, General Grant relievedhim of further responsibility, and General Ord succeeded him.
This assault was a costly one, for two thousand five hundred men weresacrificed, and Grant determined to besiege the city. He went tothe rear, earth-works were thrown up, and mines were dug underthe fortifications. By day and by night the big guns were booming{201}across the space, which daily grew narrower, as the Union soldiersbrought the trenches nearer to the line of defense. Those were days thattried their courage and patience, but not a murmur was heard.
One day a great commotion took place among the soldiers. Three objectswere seen whirling through the air, and fell in the Union lines, withinfive feet of where Ralph was standing.
"What is it? Where did it come from?" was the query, as several hastenedto the spot, to find three men, two white ones lying on the ground dead,and one negro nearly so.
"Something struck some one that time," Corporal Calvin Strong said."See--the colored man's coming to."
And so he was, and as he raised up, he began to rub his head, and lookwildly about.
"Say, he's contraband of war, and we must confiscate him," theCorporal continued, laughingly.
"Whar--whar be I? Is dis yere de bottomless pit?" the black man asked.
"Yes, Sam, you've arrived at your proper destination, and now you've gotto be flogged every day, until your sins are all paid for."
"Oh, massa, spare a poor cullered boy who neber did nuffing wuss densteal a chicken, or grab a few eggs. Neber did no mo'." And falling onhis knees he began to jabber away in pure fright.
"Get up, you black rascal; you're in the Union lines now," SergeantHarmon said, as he pulled the shaking darkey to his feet.
"Bress de Lawd! In de Union? I'se whar I'll git sumfin to eat, now,sure."
"How far did you come, Sam?"
"Bout free miles. I'se come to stay, too. I'll neber go back dar anymo'."
And Black Sam did stay, and made one of the most faithful of servants.He often referred to his first appearance among the soldiers. When themine exploded at Fort Hill, it killed the {202}two white men, but bysome miracle Sam escaped, and when he recovered consciousness, and foundhimself surrounded by men black with powder and dust, he had reallyfancied that he had landed in a certain world where they tell us cold isunknown.
Day after day the noise of the great guns was heard. Shells were throwninto the beleaguered town, and much injury was inflicted. Vicksburgat this time might be called a city of caves, for they were dug in thebanks wherever a street was cut through a clayey hill, and these caveswere tenanted by entire families, who lived in comparative safety, whileshells and balls were whizzing over their heads. Nor did the darknessbring a cessation of hostilities, the night proving no barrier toGrant's vigorous attack. As the two lines came nearer together, a mutualunderstanding was had, after this fashion:
"Well, Yank, how are you getting along?"
"Oh, fine. We'll soon be over there to see you. Have the ice-cream andcake all ready, for it's a hot day."
"Oh, that'll be 'all right. We'll freeze you out sure. Say, you come upon top where we can get a look at you."
"If you'll put your old guns away, and not pop at us, we'll come up."
"That's a bargain. We promise. But you must do the same by us."
"Agreed--that's fair enough." And true to their word, they would showthemselves, and a running fire of jokes and ridicule would be launchedat each other.
"Say, Johnnie, how are the hotels over there? Engage us rooms at thebest one, for we want good accommodations when we get there."
"We have everything fine, and are waiting to receive you in first-classshape."
"Good eating?"
"The choicest cuts of mule-steaks, roasts, soups, any shape you orderit. Say, Yank, what's the news your way?"
"Oh, were having a jolly time. We've got everything we want, {203}saveyour town, and when we get that, the old mud stream will be open for asail way down to the Gulf."
"Well, you won't take your sail very soon, then, for you'll never getVicksburg. Say, have yer got any terbacker?"
"Lots of it. Want some?" Then the exchange would be made, and after thisfriendly pause, both sides would resume hostilities, as earnestly asever.
8212]
Work in the trenches brought the prospect of subduing the almostinvulnerable heights nearer and nearer. Famine threatened the besiegedcity, with its horrors. Forty-four days had been consumed in layingsiege. Soldiers lay down in the same clothes which they had worn throughall these weary weeks of bloodshed and resistance.
General Pemberton sent a flag of truce to General Grant, andnegotiations were carried on, but the Federal commander was now preparedfor a final grand assault. The Fourth of July was near, supplies hadgiven out within the walls, and the Confederate general, who had heldout bravely, surrendered without making any conditions.
General Grant took possession in a most magnanimous manner. By hisexpress command not a man of his army was permitted to cheer; not asingle salute was fired, and silently, with dignity and generosity,the half-starved Confederates were fed bountifully, the Union soldiersemptying their own knapsacks, and giving their contents to {204}them.All the prisoners taken at Vicksburg and those at Port Hudson wereparoled, under the supposition that they would return to their homes,and await a proper exchange.
8213]
War has its humor as well as peace. The help afforded by Porters fleetand Farragut's had been considerable during the siege. The Confederateshad sunk the Indianola, one of Porter's boats, and were trying to raiseit, when they saw a monitor coming down full upon them. Admiral Porterhad fitted up an old flatboat with pork barrels for smoke stacks, andfurnaces made from mud, in which a fire had been started. He sent itsailing down the river, with not a human being on board, to the evidentterror of the Confederates, who were watching her and who fired pointblank at her, without stopping the supposed monitor. Dreading lest theywould lose their prize, they promptly blew up the Indianola, before theydiscovered that they were sold.
CHAPTER XIX. THE PROCLAMATION.
9214]
LACKS {205}were constantly coming into the Union lines, and though itwas a hard problem to dispose of them, yet General Grant's care of themwas most humane. Few among them were aware of the immortal proclamationof Abraham Lincoln, but believed themselves still subject to their oldmasters.
8214]
&
nbsp; The colored folks all through the war had shown very friendly feelingstoward the Union army, as many an act of kindness at their hands hadtestified. Those who came into camp, as well as the white refugees, wereput to various labors. Surely no race, save the African, ever producedsuch a quantity of culinary artists, judging from the claims they setup. Whenever a darkey was queried as to his calling, whether he hadbeen a field hand or a house servant, he always answered that he was "afust-rate cook, massa; can gib yo' some fust-class dishes."
"Still more good news, boys; General Lee has been routed at Gettysburg,and several of his generals killed or wounded. Among the latter isGeneral Wade Hampton. Lee's brilliant sortie has been checked by threeof the hardest days' {206}fighting ever witnessed in this war. Botharmies fought like demons. But we have driven Lee and his followers offthe soil of Virginia. General Meade, the master spirit, has given them ataste of his fine generalship.
"He's never jealous of his officers under him--that is another trait ofhis," spoke up a man who had fought under him.
"Yes, and Pickett, with his magnificent column, was there, and wasnearly annihilated, for he lost nearly every officer he had."
9215]
"The fight was hottest, they say, at Round Top. The Confed sharpshootersheld Devil's Den, and a ghostly place it is. I know every inch of theground, for I was born three miles from there," said another man.
"How strange," said Ralph, "that two such glorious victories shouldfollow each other--Gettysburg in the East, and Vicksburg in theSouthwest. General Lee has been instructed that an invasion of the Northis impossible, and we have cut the Confederacy in two by opening theMississippi to navigation from Cairo to the Gulf. Surely, the God ofbattles is on our side," he reverently continued, for Ralph knew thatwithout His overruling care, we are but naught.
0216]
The {207}martyrs of Gettysburg, those who had laid down their lives foruniversal liberty, were not forgotten by A National cemetery, in whichthe soldiers' who fell in that campaign were to be buried, was laid out.The ground was dedicated on the 19th of November, 1861, and here, withthe wintry winds making music round their graves, the remains of 3,560brave men were laid to rest, according to the order of their respectiveStates. It was a fitting tribute to bravery, and the occasion was mostimpressive.
{208}
0217]
9218]
Edward {209}Everett was chosen as the orator of the day. PresidentLincoln was invited to honor the event by his presence, and he receiveda gentle hint that his voice would be a welcome tribute.
He came, with no speech prepared, save a few fugitive thoughts whichhe scratched down on an old envelope, on his way to Gettysburg, andintended solely as references.
8218]
When he was called on, he rose, and in his simple, unaffected way hegave to his hearers an immortal speech.
A long time after its delivery, Mr. Lincoln, at the urgent request offriends, rewrote it and affixed his signature.
The copy gives an exact facsimile of his handwriting, and thus ina double sense it becomes a most valuable addition to one's readingmatter. {210}
0219]
{211}
0220]
The {212}days of idleness had not come to them yet. Victory did notmean inaction. They were embarked on board a steamer, bound for Natchez,Mississippi, which town was taken with little resistance. They alsoseized several pieces of artillery, a large number of prisoners, and5,000 head of cattle designed for use in the Southern army. A quantityof Government stores fell into their hands, also. At Natchez they weredetailed to do provost duty.
0221]
This was to Ralph a pleasant change from the awful scenes of carnage hehad been a participant in. The morning of September 1st the regimentwas ordered out to attack a body of rebels who were harassing the Unionpeople at St. Catharine's Creek.
{213}
0222]
They found a small force stationed here who were levying contributionsfrom the country around, but they promptly drove them {214}back to theirhiding-places. At Cross Bayou, Louisiana, they were again called intoaction, and suppressed the guerrilla bands who preyed on all alike.
8223]
Guerrilla warfare is most exasperating. The West was full of thesevicious and irresponsible men, who, under a leader of courage andbrains, would unite to prey on and murder rich and poor alike. Theycould skulk in the depths of the woods, and dash out upon their victims,and after gratifying their murderous designs, they would flee to theirhomes and lie in concealment till some new exploit would reveal theirlurking place. Probably the best organized and most reckless of thesebands was led by Colonel John S. Mosby, whose daring deeds made his namea terror. His raids were remarkable for their boldness and success. Henever was captured, although his band was thinned often by the frequentefforts on the part of the Federals to bring him to justice.
"We are ordered back to Vicksburg, to do provost duty there," the captaininformed his men, who heard it with variable feelings.
Grumbling was heard from some of the younger ones, who were anxious tobe "at the front," and to them acting as provost guards smacked too muchof being kept in the background. The older ones heard the news with muchsatisfaction, however.
{215}
0224]
They returned to Vicksburg, with very different emotions to those theyfelt just after the surrender of General Pemberton, and even though theywere not welcomed, their coming insured peace and protection from thecontentions {216}without, and the rough element within. Doing post dutyis quite as necessary as constant warfare, but few were the occasionsfor interference on the part of the soldiers.
9225]
Skirmishes were frequent, but the days of the rebellion were drawingto a close. The Confederates realized that the hours of the Confederacywere numbered, but still they struggled on. How ardently Ralph wishedthat peace would dawn. He abhorred the bloodshed that the protractedconflict entailed.
Time passed heavily, and he began to fret at the duty assigned.Events so brilliant that everything paled before them were transpiringelsewhere, and the boys spirit burned to be in the fray.
Morgan, the Confederate guerrilla, had planned a bold raid acrossthe Ohio, and had captured Columbia and Lebanon, Kentucky, seizedtwo steamers, and, going into Indiana, had left a trail of ruin anddestruction behind him, as he hastened toward Cincinnati, burningbridges and stores, tearing up railroad tracks, and plundering everyone, irrespective of their views. How far his depredations would havebeen carried, cannot be judged, but at Buffington Ford he was pursued soclosely that he was driven make a stand and fight. Here he was defeated,and, fleeing up the stream, was again attacked at New Lisbon, where hesurrendered, and was sent to the Ohio penitentiary, but a few monthslater he dug under the walls and fled.
{217}
0226]
July 18 the regiment was again aroused by receiving orders to move on toGrand Gulf, Mississippi, where a large force of Confederates {218}wereposted. They found them waiting for them, and gave battle at once,taking a few prisoners, who were sent to the military post for futureexchange.
9227]
The awful Battle of the Wilderness had gone down into history, with itsrecord of unparalleled daring, and its list of 60,000 dead on the twosides, sending up a wail to Heaven. It was in this fatal battle thatGeneral Longstreet, of the Confederate army, received a severe woundon the same ground and under a similar mistake, as that which costStonewall Jackson his life, a year before The General was returningfrom the front, when he was seen by some of his own men, and fired upon,under the supposition that he belonged to the National cavalry.
The Atlanta campaign, which had added to General Sherman's everlastingrenown, had lost to the Union cause one of its bravest generals--thebrilliant McPherson, who lost his life by venturing into the woodsalmost alone, where he was shot by the Confederates, and his horsedashed into the Union lines bleeding, but riderless.
The Confederate vessel Alabama, commanded by Raphael
Semmes, was atCherbourg, France. She had been cruising round for two years, preyingupon American commerce. The United States man of war, Kearsarge, CaptainJohn A. Winslow, lay {219}off the port, expecting Semmes to come out.The latter sent a polite request to Winslow, asking him not to leavethose waters, as he intended to fight him. This was exactly CaptainWinslow's wish. On Sunday, June 19, the Alabama went out of the harborwith flying colors, only to be lured off eight miles from the coast, byCaptain Winslow, who then turned and attacked the enemy.
9228]
After the Kearsarge began the battle, the firing was terrific and hershots told heavily. Captain Winslow's shells cut the mizzenmast of theAlabama in two. The crew were half of them killed by a shell, and thegunners had been swept away. After an hour's battle, it was seen thatthe Alabama was sinking, her officers struck their colors, and threwthe swords, that would no longer avail against their adversary, into thesea.
Captain Winslow lowered boats from his vessel to save the remaining crewof the Alabama, when suddenly her stern went down, her bow was tossedinto the air and the Alabama went to the bottom, carrying nearly all themen. Semmes was picked up by a yacht, with forty sailors, the Kearsargerescued some, and all the rest were drowned.
The autumn had come. October had put on its gaudy dress, and theSeventy-second were still in Vicksburg. By their sedate and manlybearing and perfect discipline, they had won the friendly toleration ofthe very people who had dreaded their coming, but who now felt secure inthe protection of their property.
Business had been to a certain degree resumed, quiet had settled downover the city, and the great events of that year were had in {220}thepapers from the North, which came freely into the city.
The Blue and the Gray; Or, The Civil War as Seen by a Boy Page 13
