The Words of War

by Donagh Bracken

  This splendid stroke, comparable only to MOREAU’S passage of the Rhine and flank march on Ulm, stands to-day an accomplished fact; the Army of the Potomac, taken up, as in the arms of a giant, is transported from the Chickahominy and planted south of the James River and south of Richmond. Now begins a new act in the grand war drama. We shall operate on new and unattempted lines, looking to new and hitherto unattainable results. I think there are a few military men who do not now feel that the present position of the Army of the Potomac gives us reason to indulge in brighter hopes of ultimate success than has been possible any time since the war began.

  The south side is the true line of operation against Richmond looking to great ulterior results. Of the three cardinal maxims of strategy, the most important of all prescribes “to operate on the enemy’s communications without endangering your own.” Now, the operations of the Virginia campaign have been conducted under circumstances that made it impossible to apply this principle. Gen. GRANT has aimed assiduously to bring on a great decisive field fight with the hope of crushing the rebel army. But from the nature of the country, its prodigious facilities for defence, and the kill of the opposing General, this has been impossible. We gained victories, steadily pushed the enemy back, and in an unparalleled campaign of twenty-nine days, forced LEE from the Rapidan to the front of Richmond. But no decisive results were accomplished. LEE’S army is an army of veterans; it is an instrument sharpen to a perfect edge. You turn its flanks; well, its flanks are made to be turned; that effects little or nothing. All that we can reckon as gained, therefore, is the loss of life inflicted on the enemy, and of having reached a point thus near the objective; but brilliant military results. In loss of life we were undoubtedly suffering more severe than the rebels; I think we may fairly say in the proportion of five to their three. Now it is obvious that we could not have long stood thus. Whatever preponderance of numbers we might have would soon disappear – would soon become an equality, and presently an inferiority. The rebel army might have been wore away by attrition; but we should ourselves have been exhausted in the process. The hammer would have been broken on the anvil.

  By the present move a new order of operation begins. We not only threaten the communications of the enemy, we plant ourselves across his communications. The communications of the rebel army are the great lines of railroad by Petersburgh and Danville and their connections.

  Richmond, as a city, Richmond, as a military center, is strictly dependent on these lines for its supplies. Cut it off from these and you have a tourniquet around its throat. It may have a month’s supplies, or three months’, or six months’; but these exhausted, and it must succumb. If LEE allows himself to be shut up within Richmond, therefore, the problem reduces itself to a repetition of Vicksburgh over again. Will he do so? That is a question.

  But this is the pitiless alternative to which LEE is now reduced: to stay in Richmond and suffer the fatal lines of circumvallation to be drawn around him, or to come out of his works and give battle. Now a fair field-fight is precisely what the Army of the Potomac invites and welcomes; it will gladly give the rebel man for man, and engage to defeat them withal. If LEE is unwilling to run this risk, he retires within the defences of Richmond, and we then hold precisely the relations held by the Allies to Napoleon defending Paris in 1814. It was in vain then that the consummate master put forth a generalship that recalled the splendors of the first great Italian campaign; in vain he threw his masses on different points of the investing line. If LEE is not a better General than NAPOLEON, he can hardly hope for a much better fate.

  With the army of the Potomac planted at the north of Petersburgh, we there tap the great railroad line connecting Richmond with the Atlantic seaboard and Gulf States. When there, Grant may be able to throw his left across the Danville Road, and in this case Richmond is isolated. If his plan does not contemplate so great a development of front, he will at least provide for the effectual destruction of the latter road; and this, as well as the destruction of the Western (Lynchburgh) Road and the James River Canal, will be an easy prey to our cavalry, which, under the hands of SHERIDAN, has almost put the rebel cavalry out of existence. The reduction of Fort Darling is an incidental piece of work, which will be gladly contended for by some of the able engineering heads of the Army of the Potomac. In the meantime, we have a perfectly secure and convenient base – the James River – to which all the transportation lately at White House has been forwarded.

  There is another aspect of the move to the south side of the James, which from the point of view of its relation to the whole theatre of war, is not less important than its bearing on the problem immediately before us. It is a division of the two great rebel armies, and gives us an interior position relative to the army of Lee in Virginia, and the army of Johnston in Georgia. It has been reported that large detachments of JOHNSTON’S army are already en route to reinforce LEE, and, if not actually under way, we may depend upon it that the able military heads that rule the war councils at Richmond, thoroughly imbued with the conception of concentration, and willing to risk everything to save Richmond, would willingly have sacrificed Southwestern territory to secure the great point in Virginia. But how does it stand now? JOHNSTON coming to reinforce LEE would find his progress to Richmond barred by the same opponent who stopped his junction with Pemberton in Vicksburgh! We secure this, therefore: that the enemy shall receive no addition to his strength, while our position effects a concentration of both the forces of BUTLER and HUNTER with the main operating force.

  While, however, we have reason to look forward to great and important results as coming from the new position of the army, I am very far from looking on our success as a foregone conclusion. We have opposed to us an enemy of the highest skill, handling an army of sufficient strength still to attempt great things, and animated by a spirit of desperation. I fully expect some bold, audacious initiative on the part of LEE, and the greater the straits in which he finds himself, the more energetically he will attempt to retrieve himself, and the fortunes of the Confederacy bound up with him.

  WILLIAM SWINTON

  What the Historians Say

  The battle at Petersburg, known also as the Assault on Petersburg, took place in the city of Petersburg, Virginia, on June 15-18, 1864. It was the second major battle in the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign of June 1864-March 1865.

  The principal commanders were Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade leading 62,000 Union forces and Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard commanding 42,000 Confederates. The estimated casualties were 8,150 and 3,236 respectively.

  Marching from Cold Harbor, Meade’s Army crossed the James River on transports and a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Windmill Point. Butler’s leading elements (XVIII Corps and August Kautz’s cavalry) crossed the Appomattox River at Windmill Point and attacked the Petersburg defenses on June 15. The 5,400 defenders of Petersburg, under command of Gen. PG.T Beauregard, were driven from their first line of entrenchments back to Harrison Creek. After dark, the XVIII Corps was relieved by the II Corps. On June 16, the II Corps captured another section of the Confederate line; on the 17th, the IX Corps gained more ground. Beauregard stripped the Howlett Line (Bermuda Hundred) to defend the city, and Lee rushed reinforcements to Petersburg from the Army of Northern Virginia. The II, XI, and V Corps from right to left attacked on June 18 but were repulsed with heavy casualties. By now the Confederate works were heavily manned and the greatest opportunity to capture Petersburg without a siege was lost. Now the siege of Petersburg began. Union Gen. James St. Clair Morton, chief engineer of the IX Corps, was killed on June 17.

  It was an important Confederate victory that allowed Lee to reinforce the railroad center that supplied Richmond.

  15

  Atlanta

  The Union Victory That Saved Lincoln’s Presidency

  AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY

  For a variety of reasons, many general officers disliked the press, but none more so than General Wil
liam T. Sherman. An antagonist to those who sent dispatches to their newspapers revealing Union troop movements, Sherman held them in contempt. Many newspapers reacted by questioning his state of mind. Franc Wilkie of The New York Times wrote that Sherman demonstrated his “madness” for selecting landing sites at Chickasaw Bluffs in December 1862 that resulted in a Union defeat. The Times’ editorial referred to the approach as “the insane attack.” And the Times was not alone in that sentiment. Other newspaper editors were equally hostile to Sherman. Thomas Knox of the New York Herald admonished the General, “. . . you are regarded as the enemy of our set, and we must in self-defense write you down.”

  It was disconcerting then when Sherman’s troops took Atlanta and the Union press started writing his praises. In a letter to his brother, John, on August 12th, he penned, “I was hoping to remain unpopular, but I see even the newspapers begin to point out the good points in my character. This is the certain presage of a downfall.”

  July 22, 1864: From the Charleston Mercury

  Telegraphic

  Important from Atlanta – Heavy Skirmishing along the Lines

  Atlanta, July 20 – General REYNOLDS’ brigade attacked the enemyline of skirmishers last evening at Peach Tree Creek, and took possession of their breastworks. He then charged their reserve picket support by VILWORTH’S corps and captured one hundred and fifty prisoners. The Eighty-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers lost in killed and wounded alone, one hundred, while the loss in the Fifth Ohio was severe.

  ATLANTA, July 20. The enemy made a strong demonstration yesterday and this morning on our right, near Decatur.

  Gen. HOOD attacked their right at 4 o this afternoon, at Peach Tree Creek, near the Chattahoochee. In a few minutes the enemy were driven into their works. The colors of the 33d New Jersey and about 300 prisoners were captured from HOOKER’S corps. Our loss not heavy, mostly slightly wounded. Brig. Gen. CLEMANT H. STEVENS, of South Carolina, was wounded, it is feared, mortally. Maj. PRESTON, formerly of Gen. JOHNSTON’S staff, was killed.

  There was some skirmishing on our right, where the enemy attacked our entrenchments, but were repulsed with heavy loss. Our cavalry, under Gen. WHEELER, followed up the retreating Yankees, driving them with repeated charges towards Decatur.

  Yesterday evening REYNOLDS’ North Carolina and Virginia Brigade, which had already crossed Peach Tree Creek, drove them back, taking two stand of colors and 130 prisoners. Our troops are in fine spirits.

  The Charleston Mercury

  July 25, 1864

  IMPORTANT FROM GEORGIA – SHERMAN’S RAIDERS AT WORK ON THE RAILROADS – While the main armies of SHERMAN and HOOD are confronting each other around Atlanta, the Yankee raiding parties are very active in their depredations upon the railroads. The Augusta Constitutionalist of Saturday, in noticing the raid on the Georgia Road, says:

  By passengers that arrived on the train this morning we learn that the Federals captured two trains, yesterday morning, at Conyers. One of the engineers escaped, and procuring a mule, made his way towards Covington. When he arrived there he saw a force of the enemy approaching the place, and continued on down to Rutledge. All the stock of the company, we learn, was moved from Rutledge to Union Point last night. Rumor also says the enemy have burned Yellow River and Alcova Bridges, and the depot at Covington. We give place to these reports in order to satisfy the anxiety of our people for intelligence of operations from Atlanta and vicinity, not that we give them full credit, but in order that they may not be deceived and unnecessarily excited by wild and unfounded rumors.

  ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: ARMY OPERATIONS SHOWING BATTLES OF PEACH TREE CREEK, ATLANTA, AND EZRA CHURCH (WESTERN AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD COMPANY). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  The same paper, in its issue of Sunday, tells us that a despatch from General Hood states that the Yankee raiding force now making havoc along the Georgia Railroad numbers three brigades of cavalry. A Confederate cavalry force had left Atlanta in pursuit. Ample preparations have been made to give the raiders a warm reception in case they progress much farther in this direction. A gentleman who came from Athens yesterday evening states that the enemy had not been seen this side of Alcova bridge. The rumor that the Yankees were in force at High Shoals nine miles from Athens, on Friday, needs confirmation.

  The Columbus Ga. Sun Extra, of Thursday, says, that the citizens of that place were all agog and under arms to repel a raid expected from the direction of the Montgomery and West Point Railroad. The negro men had all been ordered to work on the fortifications. The Sun gives the following account of the doings of the raiders:

  From the best information that our reporter could obtain, who returned last evening from the front, the raiders most thoroughly did their work of destruction of the superstructure of the Montgomery and West Point Railroad, from a point near Chehaw to another some two or three miles east of Opelika, and also of one and a half miles of the Columbus branch road. The stringers and ties were piled first, the iron rails on top, fire applied underneath, and as the rails became sufficiently heated other means were applied to aid in distorting them. The number of miles of road thus destroyed is probably between thirty and thirty-five. The raiders destroyed no private property, so far as now known, and committed no robberies excepting, perhaps, those of live stock and provisions. They destroyed Government property wherever found. They said that they came solely for the purposes of damaging the road and destroying Government property. They also said that they came with the expectation of being captured. This accounts for their having destroyed so much within the short space of two days. The raiders left the railroad Tuesday evening, and the last news from there is that they had passed through Lafayette, Chambers county, Alabama, that night. It is reported that Col. Lary, with a detachment of General Clanton’s Alabama brigade, was in pursuit of them; and also that a detachment of General [????] brigade, from West Point, is trying to intercept the raiders.

  The Charleston Mercury

  July 27, 1864

  Telegraphic

  The Latest News from Atlanta

  ATLANTA, July 25 – The enemy made an attempt last night to break our lines, but were repulsed by CHEATHAM, after a conflict of one hour duration. During the day quiet prevailed around the city, the only demonstration being occasional picket firing. On Monday the Yankees opened with shell again upon the city, shelling for an hour with some vigor. No notice of their intention to shell the city was given, to enable the women and children to be removed to a place of safety. The result of the enemy’s barbarous conduct was the murder of a few noncombatants. Most of the shells were thrown from a 20 pounder Parrot gun on the line of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, with an occasional missile from another gun east of the city. The gallant operations of Wednesday and Friday seem to have impressed the Yankees with a wholesome desire to strengthen their flanks, which they are now doing. Their display of rockets and signals this evening is brilliant. The following address to the troops was read this morning:

  In the Field, July 25

  Soldiers! Experience has proved to you that safety in time of battle consists in getting into close quarters with the enemy. Guns and colors are the only unerring indications of victory. The valor of troops is easily estimated, too, by the number of those secured. If your enemy be allowed to continue the operations of flanking you out of position, your case is in peril. Your recent brilliant success proves the ability to prevent it. You have but to will, and God will grant us the victory your commander and country confidently expect.

  (Signed)

  J. B. HOOD, General

  The Charleston Mercury

  July 29, 1864

  THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS AROUND ATLANTA – WHAT THE GEORGIA PAPERS SAY

  We gather some interesting paragraphs from our latest Georgia exchanges in regard to the situation of affairs along the front:

  The Late Fight – Hardee’s Dash

  The general impression is that our entire loss in the recent battles will not amount to more than five thousand. The
loss of the enemy in killed and wounded has also been overrated, as they fought for the most part behind entrenchments. Our army is unbroken in strength and spirit, and ready to move forward whenever their gallant chief shall give the word. Our wounded are well cared for, and bear their misfortunes like heroes. Seldom is a complaint heard in the hospitals.

  The movement of Hardee against the enemy left wing was one of the most dashing of the war, and a complete surprise. His men dashed upon the enemy as a storm from the clouds, and so panic stricken were the vandals that the first line threw down their arms and ran towards our lines, shouting at the top of their voices: ‘Donshoot, we surrender!’ The prisoners sent to the rear, Hardee attacked the second line and carried it, but with considerable loss to his corps. He held their works for more than a day, no serious effort being made to molest him, and then moved to a more fruitful portion of the field.

  The Enemy Suffering for Food

  A gentleman from Atlanta says he was informed by a good many of our soldiers, and the testimony was so concurrent that he could not doubt it, that the Yankee prisoners reported themselves in a famishing condition. They stated that had received no rations for three days. They also reported that no trains had come down for four or five days. As these prisoners were captured on the extreme left of Shermanline, it may well be that their case was exceptional, and as to the arrival of railroad trains to Sherman, they may well have been entirely ignorant of what was taking place across the river.

  The Last Repulse of the Yankees

  On Sunday night the enemy made a heavy demonstration on our centre, with the apparent object of forcing our lines, and to gain a certain advantage of position which would make their operations much more effective. They were repulsed by Gen. Cheathamcorps. The enemy suffered disastrously during the hour that they fought against the impenetrable lines held by that veteran General and his invincible soldiers. After discovering the futility of their operations, Sherman resumed his former position and strengthened his works, especially the wings. We presume he will patiently try the effect of parallels and siege approaches – those offensive operations that have been so eminently characteristic – a peculiarity of his plans and very successful hitherto. But we suspect that he will be foiled completely and his strategy overwhelmed by the rapid movements of an active rival whose enterprise is not inferior to his own.