The Blue and the Gray; Or, The Civil War as Seen by a Boy
Page 24
````boy,
``And I was fighting gray.=
``The winding stream runs 'neath the
````bridge
```Where Burnside won his fame;
``The locust trees upon the ridge
```Beyond are there the same.=
``The birds were singing 'mid the
````trees--
``'Twas bullets on that day,
``When you were fighting blue, old
````boy,
``And I was fighting gray.=
``I saw again the Dunker Church
```That stood beside the wood,
``Where Hooker made the famous
````charge
``That Hill so well withstood.=
``'Tis scarred and marred by war and
````time,
```As we are, John, to-day;
``For you were fighting blue, old boy,
```As I was fighting gray.=
``I stood beneath the signal tree
```Where I that day was laid,
``And 'twas your arms, old boy, that
````brought
```Me'to this friendly shade.=
``Tho' leaves are gone and limbs are
````bare,
```Its heart is true to-day
``As your your's was then, tho' fighting blue,
```To me, tho fighting gray.=
``I marked the spot where Mansfield
````fell,
```Where Richardson was slain,
``With Stark and Douglas 'mid the
````corn,
```And Brant amid the grain.=
``The names are sacred to us, John;
```They led us in the fray, [blue
``When you were fighting Northern
```And I the Southern gray.=
``I {365}thought of Burnside, Hooker, '
````Meade,
```Of Sedgwick, old and grave;
``Of Stonewall Jackson, tried and true,
```That tried the day to save.=
``I bared my head--they rest in peace--
```Each one has passed away;
``Death musters those who wore the
````blue
```With those who wore the gray.=
``The old Pry mansion rears its walls
```Beside Antietam's stream,
``And far away along the South
```I saw the tombstones gleam.=
``They mark each place where "Little
````Mac"
```And Robert Lee that day
``Made proud the South, tho' wearing
````blue,
```The North, tho' wearing gray.=
``Yes; John, it gave me joy to stand
```Where we once fiercely fought.
``The nation now is one again--
```The lesson has been taught.=
``Sweet peace doth fair Antietam crown,
```And we can say to-day [blue
``We're friends, tho' one was fighting
```And one was fighting gray.=
THE SWORDS OF GRANT AND LEE.
"_Fame Hath Crowned with Laurel the Swords of Grant and Lee._"
9375]
ETHINKS to-night I catch a gleam of steel among the pines,
`And yonder by the lilied stream repose the foemen's lines;
`The ghostly guards who pace the ground a moment stop to see
`If all is safe and still around the tents of Grant and Lee.=
`'Tis but a dream; no armies camp where once their bay'nets
```shone;
`And Hesper's calm and lovely lamp shines on the dead alone;
`A cricket chirps on yonder rise beneath a cedar tree
`Where glinted 'neath the summer skies the swords of Grant and Lee.=
`Forever sheathed those famous blades that led the eager van!
`They shine no more among the glades that fringe the Rapidan;
`To-day their battle work is done, go draw them forth and see
`That not a stain appears upon the swords of Grant and Lee.=
`The gallant men who saw them flash in comradeship to-day
`Recall the wild, impetuous dash of val'rous blue and gray;
`And 'neath the flag that proudly waves above a Nation free,
`They oft recall the missing braves who fought with Grant and Lee.=
`They sleep among the tender grass, they slumber 'neath the pines,
`They're camping in the mountain pass where crouched the serried lines;
`They {366}rest where loud the tempests blow, destructive in theirglee--
`The men who followed long ago the swords of Grant and Lee.=
`Their graves are lying side by side where once they met as foes,
`And where they in the wildwood died springs up a blood-red rose;
`O'er them the bee on golden wing doth flit, and in yon tree
`A gentle robin seems to sing to them of Grant and Lee.=
`To-day no strifes of sections rise, to-day no shadows fall
`Upon our land, and 'neath the skies one flag waves over all;
`The Blue and Gray as comrades stand, as comrades bend the knee,
`And ask God's blessings on the land that gave us Grant and Lee.=
`So long as southward, wide and clear, Potomac's river runs,
`Their deeds will live because they were Columbia's hero sons;
`So long as bend the Northern pines, and blooms the orange tree,
`The swords will shine that led the lines of valiant Grant and Lee.=
`Methinks I hear a bugle blow, methinks I hear a drum;
`And there, with martial step and slow, two ghostly armies come;
`They are the men who met as foes, for 'tis the dead I see,
`And side by side in peace repose the swords of Grant and Lee.=
`Above them let Old Glory wave, and let each deathless star
`Forever shine upon the brave who lead the ranks of war;
`Their fame resounds from coast to coast, from mountain top to sea
`No other land than ours can boast the swords of Grant and Lee!=
0376]
WAR WITH SPAIN.
9377]
NLY {367}those who know the power of peace can realize the dread of war.For four centuries Spain has borne down upon her colonies, with a heavyhand. The brightest of them, Cuba, "the Pearl of the Antilles," hasbeen the victim of two cruel and merciless wars at her hands, wagedwith relentless barbarity. We could not, as a Christian nation, helpprotesting against her inhumanity to a people whose home was so near ourshores.
For thirty years the sounds of war had been silent in our domain,but justice demanded that we interfere in behalf of a people who arestruggling against oppression, and in the noble cause of humanity.Spain's cruelty and Spain's greed are matters of history.
THE MAINE DISASTER.
|On the 25th of January the Maine, an American battleship, entered theharbor of Havana, Cuba, and anchored in her waters at a spot indicatedby the harbor-master. The usual exchange of salutes and formal visitsexpected between two powers, took place, and there was no apparentunfriendliness shown. Just three weeks from that day, in the evening ofthe 15th of February, an explosion took place, which tore the boat toatoms, killing 266 of her crew and two officers. At once treacherywas suspected, {368}but the American people was asked to suspend itsjudgment until the long and searching investigation which was conductedby the naval board of inquiry was ended, when every evidence wasproduced proving that the awful calamity was due wholly to Spanishtreachery.
This led to a severing of all diplomatic relations, which was ended bythe Spanish minister's request for his passport. Spain declared warupon the United States on April 24, 1898, and it took the House ofRepresentatives one minute and forty-one seconds to pass a declarationof war in reply to Spain, and the Senate acted with equal promptness.
Events of such vast importance have rarely followed each other with suchrapidity as have those of our late war with Spain. In less than threem
onths a nation which deemed itself invincible, threw down the gauntletwhich was as speedily picked up, and engagements and battles trod almostupon each other's heels, until its boast was proved a vain one, andvictory was ours.
Our people were ready to accept the challenge. From North and South camethe glad response. Once more the blue and the gray fought side by side,as brothers.
THE FIRST GUN FIRED.
|Our history would be incomplete if I did not tell my young readers whofired the first shot in our war with Spain. The United States cruiser,Nashville, of the North Atlantic squadron at Key West, can lay proudclaim to that honor.
It was a clear and beautiful morning in April when the American fleetleft Key West, and proceeding southward across the straits of Florida,first saw the city of Havana and the battlements of the famous MorroCastle, on the afternoon of the same day. The fleet presented a gallantsight, and when at three in the morning Admiral Sampson's flagship, theNew York, flashed forth her signal lights, the answering signals weregiven from all the ships of the fleet, black smoke began to pour fromthe smokestacks, and the crews needed no further hint that they had workbefore them. {369}
0379]
{370}
0380]
{371}
0381]
These volunteers in company with the Sixteenth and Sixth Regiments wereordered to "charge the Block House'" and up the hill they charged withmilitary precision.
After {372}the Nashville returned to Key West, the rest of the squadronproceeded to the Cuban coast. Coming within fifteen miles of MorroCastle, the fleet scattered so as to form a complete blockade of theport. Every day brought new prizes to our squadron, and the blockade ofHavana proved effectual.
It is well to call the attention of the boys to a few of the changes inphraseology between the old sea terms and the new. Once in the Englishnavy (and ours was modeled after it) the term admiral was unknown--theword constable or justice was used. So with the title of captain, whichis in reality a military one. In the earlier times this personage wascalled a master. The term commodore we have borrowed from that verynation with whom we have just measured arms--the Spanish, and comes fromtheir word _comendador_. Cadets were not known by that name, but werecalled volunteers. Another item which furnishes food for reflection,is the origin of the United States navy. On October 13, 1775, thecontinental congress voted to fit out two vessels, one to carry tenguns, the other fourteen, for the purpose of taking English supplyvessels. The same month it added two more vessels to its extensiveequipment. On March 27, 1794, after our troubles with the Algerinepirates, six frigates were ordered, each to carry thirty-two guns.Congress appropriated $700,000 for the purpose of organizing a navy.Compare this feeble beginning with our splendid navy of to-day.
It is proper to explain here what the practice of nations is with regardto prize money. It is a strict rule of war that neutral powers must notinterfere nor give help to either party that is engaged in a war. Tofurnish ships, ammunition, or supplies is a grave offence, and all suchgoods are termed "contraband of war." {373}
0383]
Any boat at sea suspected of carrying "contraband" articles can besearched, but properly commissioned vessels only can perform this duty.Another thing which will subject a vessel to being seized or confiscatedis an attempt at blockade running, or trying to pass the lineestablished by the war vessels stationed in an entrance to a harbor oralong the coast. These are {374}rules of war common to all nations, andmust be rigidly observed.
All neutral governments are notified that such blockade exists,and exactly how far it extends. But "paper blockades," or the meredeclaration that a blockade is in force, are of no account. At thetreaty of Paris, in 1856, the powers declared that "blockades, in orderto be binding, must be effective," or in plainer words, a force mustactually be stationed on the blockaded ground strong enough to make itdangerous to attempt to pass it.
"Prize money" sounds very tempting, and its meaning will be given.When a war is in progress properly commissioned ships are empowered tocapture not only the armed vessels of the enemy, but its merchantmenas well. These vessels are taken to the country of their captors, thecourts pass judgment upon their value, and if it is proven to be alawful prize, it is sold, and the proceeds is called "prize money," andis awarded to the captors, the officers and crew, in proportion to theirrank.
The prize money adjudged to them is thus given out in the followingmanner:
"1. The commander of a fleet or squadron, one-twentieth part prize moneyawarded to any vessel or vessels under his immediate command.
"2. To the commander of a division of a fleet or squadron, a sum equalto one-fiftieth of any prize money awarded to a vessel of the divisionunder his command, to be paid from the moiety due the United States, ifthere be such moiety; if not, from the amount awarded the captors.
"3. To the fleet captain, one-hundredth part of all prize money awardedto any vessel of the fleet in which he is serving, in which case heshall share in proportion to his pay, with the other officers and men onboard such vessel.
"4. To the commander of a single vessel, one-tenth of all the prizemoney awarded to the vessel. {375}
0385]
"5. After the foregoing deductions, the residue is distributed among theothers doing duty on board, and borne upon the {376}books of the ship,in proportion to their respective rates of pay.
"All vessels of the navy within signal distance of the vessel making thecapture, and in such condition as to be able to render, effective aid ifrequired, will share, in the prize. Any person temporarily absent fromhis vessel may share in the captures made during his absence. The prizecourt determines what vessel shall share in a prize, and also whethera prize was superior or inferior to the vessel or vessels making thecapture.
"The share of prize money awarded to the United States is set apartforever as a fund for the payment of pensions to naval officers, seamenand marines entitled to pensions."
On April 27 our forces bombarded the important city of Matanzas, a richand flourishing point, the outlet of the agricultural districts. April29 the city of Cienfuegos yielded to our shells, and on the 30th ofApril the frowning batteries of Cabanas were attacked.
DEWEY'S VICTORY AT MANILA.
|The first great naval battle of the war took place on the 1st of May.Those whose opinion was considered valuable, declared that on thisbattle depended the result of the war--some even prophesying that avictory here would practically end it.
Another matter which engrossed the attention of the governments abroad,was the fact that this encounter would serve as a test of the merits ofthe modern fighting machine. Should it prove all that was claimed forit, then in truth, a new departure in naval warfare had come.
The eyes of the world were upon the fleet, which, under the command ofCommodore George Dewey, was hastening toward Manila, the capital of thePhilippines. Just after daylight, Sunday morning of May 1, Manila time,6 p.m. Saturday, Chicago time, the Olympia opened fire, when two milesaway from the enemy. As she drew nearer, she trained every batteryupon the Spanish fleet, with deadly effect. When the battle was almostdecided, the Reina Christina came out to engage our flagship. {377}
0387]
She {378}advanced with great bravery, but to no purpose. The big gunson the Olympia struck her fore and aft, totally wrecking her and settingfire to her magazine. The Spanish Admiral, Montejo, was standing on thebridge of his boat, when it was shot from under him. The Spanish sailorsescaped into their boats, fleeing from the burning ship. Montejo carriedhis pennant to the Castilla, but five minutes after that ship was set onfire by the shells.
After two hours' hard fighting, a rest was taken, when the attack wasrenewed, and at the expiration of a half hour the long-dreaded andmuch-boasted of Spanish fleet was a name only--nothing was left to tellthe tale of her greatness save the transport Manila.
This battle was fought off Cavite, ten miles to the southwest of Manila.The Spanish fleet, of which so much was predicted by Spain, and whichmet with such
a crushing defeat, consisted of the following vessels:Reina Mercedes, cruiser; Reina Christina, cruiser; Isla de Cuba,cruiser; Isla de Luzon, cruiser; Castilla, cruiser; Don Antonio DeUlloa, cruiser; Don Juan de Austria, cruiser; Velasco, cruiser; Elcano,gunboat; General Lezo, gunboat; Marquis del Duero, gunboat; Quiros,gunboat; Villalobos, torpedo gunboat; General Alava, transport; Cebu,transport; Manila, transport; Isla de Mindanao, converted cruiser.
The United States fleet was composed of the Olympia, (flagship),first-class cruiser, Captain C. N. Gridley; Baltimore, protectedcruiser, Captain N. M. Dyer; Boston, protected cruiser, Captain FrankWildes; Raleigh, protected cruiser, Captain J. B. Coghlan; Concord,gunboat, Commander Asa Walker; Petrel, gunboat, Commander E. P. Wood;McCulloch, dispatch boat; Nanshan, collier; Zafiro, collier. Themagnificent victory of the American Admiral has made his name famous.His achievement is unparalleled in naval annals, and entitles him to theproud rank of being the greatest of fleet commanders, a worthy pupil ofhis invincible teacher, David G. Farragut. {379}
0389]
The gratitude and admiration of the nation are his. President{380}McKinley, as a fitting acknowledgment of his splendid deed, at onceappointed him Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, with access ofpay.