A Soldier's Recollections [Illustrated Edition]: leaves from the diary of a young Confederate, with an oration on the motives and aims of the soldiers of the South

 This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – contact@picklepartnerspublishing.com

Text originally published in 1911 under the same title.

© Pickle Partners Publishing 2013, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

A SOLDIER'S

RECOLLECTIONS

LEAVES FROM THE DIARY

OF A YOUNG CONFEDERATE

WITH AN ORATION ON THE MOTIVES AND AIMS

OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE SOUTH

BY

RANDOLPH H. MCKIM

LATE 1ST LIEUTENANT AND A. D. C., 3D BRIGADE, JOHNSTON'S

DIVISION, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

QUAEQUE IPSE...VIDI

TO

THE PRIVATE SOLDIERS OF THE

CONFEDERATE ARMIES

FOREWORD

I HAVE set down in the pages that follow some of my experiences and observations during my service with the Army of Northern Virginia, first as a private soldier, then as a staff officer, and finally as a chaplain in the field. I served in the ranks under Gen. Jos. E. Johnston and Gen. Thos. J. Jackson; as a staff officer under Brigadier-Gen. Geo. H. Steuart in the army of Gen. R. E. Lee; and as a chaplain in the Second Virginia Cavalry under Col. Thos. T. Munford, in the brigade of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.

It has not been my purpose to write a history of the campaigns in which I took so humble a part, but simply to present a few pen and ink sketches of the life and experience of a Confederate soldier, in the hope that I may thereby contribute in some small degree to a better understanding of the spirit of the epoch—both of the soldiers who fought the battles, and of the people on whose behalf they dared and suffered what they did.

In telling this plain and unvarnished story I have been aided by the diary, or rather the diaries, which I kept during the war, and from which I have freely quoted, just as they were written, without recasting the sentences, or improving the style, or toning down the sentiments they contain. The thoughts and the opinions expressed, and the often crude form in which they are cast, are just those of a young soldier, jotted down on the march, or by the camp-fire, or in the quiescent intervals of battle, without any thought that they would ever be put into print. This I have done believing that I would thus best attain my object,—to show the mind and the life of the Confederate soldier as they were while the struggle was going on. But there was a hiatus in my material. My diary for the larger part of one of the four years of the war was lost, and therefore I have omitted those months from my narrative.

I have also tried to give the point of view of the young men of the South in espousing the cause of the Confederacy, and to remove some misapprehensions still entertained in regard to the motives which animated the men who followed the banner of the Southern Cross.

In connection with the Gettysburg campaign, I have undertaken to discuss the much mooted question of the action of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, with the cavalry under his command. This I have felt constrained to do because of the view (erroneous, as I believe) presented by Col. John S. Mosby in his recent book on the subject.

I have also reproduced an article written many years ago by request, and published in the Southern Historical Society Magazine, telling the story of the part taken at Gettysburg by the Third Brigade of Johnson's Division, Ewell's Corps. And in the Appendix I have placed an Oration upon the Motives and Aims of the Soldiers of the South, delivered in 1904 before the United Confederate Veterans.

Fully sensible how much I stand in need of the reader's indulgent good-will as he follows me in this simple story of an obscure soldier's life in the Army of Northern Virginia, I still hope that what I have recorded may, here and there, throw a side-light on the conditions under which the Confederate soldier lived and fought those four stern, fateful years, and give fresh emphasis to his purity of motive and his heroic constancy in danger and adversity.

One closing word as to the spirit in which I have undertaken this modest contribution to the literature of the Civil War. I am not, in these pages, brooding over the ashes of the past. The soldiers of the Southern Cross have long ago bowed to the decree of Almighty God in the issue of the great conflict. His will is wiser and better than ours. We thank God that to-day the sun shines on a truly reunited country. We love our Southland; we are Southern men; but we are glad that sectionalism is dead and buried, and we claim our full part in working out the great destiny that lies before the American people. We may not forget—we veterans of the Civil War—that the best of our life and work lies behind us: morituri salutamus. But whatever of life remains to us we have long ago dedicated to the service of our common country. We joyfully accept our share in the responsibilities, the opportunities, the strenuous conflicts, of the future, against foes within and without, for the moral and material glory of our country. We are Americans in every fibre; and nothing that pertains to the honor, to the welfare, to the glory, of America is foreign to us.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

BELVIDERE, BALTIMORE, MD

LIEUT.-GEN. THOS. J. (STONEWALL) JACKSON

LIEUT. RANDOLPH H. McKIM, 1862

GEN. ROBERT EDWARD LEE

GEN. THOMAS T. MUNFORD

REV. DR. R. H. McKIM, 1904

Contents

FOREWORD 5

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 7

CHAPTER I—ON THE BRINK OF THE MAELSTROM 18

University of Virginia, April, 1861—Secession flag on the rotunda—Excitement among the students—Division of sentiment among the professors—Removal of the flag—How Virginia was transformed from a Union State to a Secession State—Bronze memorial tablets in the rotunda—Great number of alumni in the Confederate Army—University student military companies ordered to Harper's Ferry—Visit to Baltimore—Return to University—Examination 18

CHAPTER II—THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL WAR 23

The question of slavery. 23

CHAPTER III—FIRST EXPERIENCES OF A RAW RECRUIT 28

Departure from the University—En route for Baltimore—News of martial law in that city—A letter—Arrival at Winchester—Decision to enter the army—Expectation of battle at Darksville—My first dinner in camp—First Maryland Infantry—Col. George Steuart—The forced march from Winchester to Manassas Experiences on the march—Letter to my mother—A letter from home. 28

CHAPTER IV—OUR FIRST BATTLE 33

Six miles at double-quick to the battle field—Charge of the First Maryland—Victory—General Elzey the Blücher of the day—Gen. Kirby Smith—The New York Zouaves—The rout of the Union Army—Letter to my mother. 33

CHAPTER V—CAMP LIFE 36

Picket duty—Strict discipline of Colonel Steuart—Characteristics of the men of the First Maryland—Colonel Steuart seized by a sentry—Experiences as cook and wood chopper—A famous apple pie—A loaf of bread three feet long—Hard drilling—Rash enthusiasm and its consequence—A letter to my mother—Service at General Johnston's headquarters—A letter. 36

CHAPTER VI—WINTER QUARTERS, 1861-62 40

Centreville Camp—Approach of winter—Building huts for winter quarters at Fairfax Station—High character of the men of our mess—Letter describing life in our hut—Books read—Subjects discussed—Intelligence and education among the rank and file of the confederate Army—Evelina—two ladies visit camp—Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson—Religious services in camp. 40

CHAPTER VII—A WINTER FURLOUGH 46

Confederate armies melting away—Offer of thirty days furlough for reënlistment—Return to civilization—Warm welcome everywhere—The Southern people like one family—Every house the soldier's home—My numerous relatives—Millwood—Bollingbrooke—The mischievous boy at the Shenandoah ford—Delights of the Clarke neighborhood—Saratoga—Carter Hall—New Market—Michelet—Richmond—Inauguration of President Davis—Fall of Fort Donelson—Rev. Peyton Harrison—Visit to Brandon—Jamestown Island—Fredericksburg—Letter to my mother—Charlottesville—Return to camp—State of the country—Religious feeling among the people. 46

CHAPTER VIII—THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1862 51

McClellan's strategy—Evacuation of Manassas—On the banks of the Rappahannock—Engagement with the enemy—Severity of the weather—Hard marching—A bed of three fence rails—No tents for several weeks—Severe exposure—Starvation rations—Letter to my mother—March to Culpeper—To Rapidan and Orange—Hospitality of the people—Patient fortitude of the soldiers—Swimming in the Rapidan—Beauty of the country—Few reënlistments and the reason—Swift Run gap—Stonewall Jackson—Milroy—Columbia bridge—Swift marching—Almost drowned in the Shenandoah—The acme of the Confederate soldier's trials. 51

CHAPTER IX—STONEWALL JACKSON'S VALLEY CAMPAIGN 58

Stonewall Jackson—His rise in the face of official prejudice—Characteristics of the man—His rigid discipline—Contrast between him and Robert E. Lee—Relations between the two men—Opinion of General Miles—Jackson a devout Christian—Jackson unites his two divisions—Attack of Luray—Maryland whip Maryland—Gallantry of the Federal Marylanders—Our marching songs—Maryland, my Maryland—March on Winchester—Gen. Dick Taylor—First battle of Winchester—Enthusiastic reception by the inhabitants—Death of Robert Breckinridge McKim—General Banks—Effect of the victory—Alarm in Washington—Transformation of the military situation in Virginia—Failure of our cavalry—Bolivar Heights—Four armies move against Jackson—His masterly retreat—Peril of General Winder's force—Saved by Jackson's astuteness—Fine service of the First Maryland—Engagement near Harrisonburg—Death of Ashby—My promotion—Battle of Cross Keys—Defeat of Frémont—General Steuart wounded—My horse shot under me—Sketch of General Ewell—Two panic-stricken men—Battle of Port Republic—Defeat of Shields—Results of campaign. 58

CHAPTER X—BETWEEN CAMPAIGNS 71

In attendance on my wounded general—Letter to my mother—On duty in Richmond—Maryland Line—Staunton, Virginia—Organization of Second Maryland Regiment—September, 1862, General Steuart at Winchester—Organization of Maryland Line—Post duty—Hiatus in my diary—Letter to my mother—General Steuart takes furlough—Winter in Staunton—A Christmas feast—Decision to enter Episcopal Church—Reasons for so doing—Application for appointment on General Trimble's staff. 71

CHAPTER XI—THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE 75

I report for duty to Fredericksburg—Some account of the battle of Chancellorsville—Hooker's movement—His over-confidence—The audacious strategy of Lee—Jackson's flank movement—Mr. Lincoln's advice to Hooker—Stonewall Jackson falls—Battle continued next day—The genius and daring of Lee—Death of Major William Duncan McKim—His interment at Staunton. 75

CHAPTER XII—THE OPENING OF THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 78

The Confederate Army was thus separated into three parts: Early ten or twelve miles away, southward, with 12,000 men facing Sedgwick with 23,000; Lee, with about 13,000, facing Hooker's entrenched force of 70,000; and Jackson with 30,000, marching twelve miles away to turn Hooker's right flank. Then there was Reynolds, with 16,000 Federal troops as a reserve corps. To all this host must be added the numerous Federal cavalry. 78

CHAPTER XIII—THE BATTLE OF STEPHENSON'S DEPOT 85

Night march—Battle begins before daylight—Milroy's attempt to escape—A severe battle—Out-numbered by the enemy, at first—Dement's battery—The struggle for the bridge—Conspicuous gallantry of the cannoneers—Arrival of reinforcements—Surrender of the enemy—Spoils of victory—Gallantry of Steuart's brigade. 85

CHAPTER XIV—THE MARCH TO GETTYSBURG 88

Crossing the Potomac—Joy of the Maryland men—The justification of Marylanders joining the Confederate Army—Number of Marylanders in the service—Their peculiar trials—Second Maryland Battalion—Warm reception in Shepherdstown—Battle ground of Sharpsburg—Present of a battle flag.—Religious susceptibility of the men—Character of the invasion—Lee's conception of war—General Lee's order respecting private property—Fine conduct of the Confederate—soldiers—Expedition to McConnellsburg—Composition of the force—A lonely ride—Major Harry Gilmore—Behavior of the Confederate in contrast with that of the Federal soldiers—General Sherman's definition of war—General Sheridan to Bismarck—Purchase of copies of New Testament—Surprise of storekeeper—Long and fatiguing marches—We rejoin Johnson's division—Orders to countermarch June 29th—Battle of Gettysburg begins. 88

CHAPTER XV—THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG: OBSERVATIONS AND  PERSONAL INCIDENTS 94

Object of the campaign—Lee's intentions—Advance upon Harrisburg—Change of plan and reason—Colonel Mosby's error—Purpose to concentrate at Cashtown—Battle precipitated by Lieutenant-General Hill—First day's fight—Lee absent—Charge of Gordon's brigade—Justification of General Lee's decision to attack—General Ewell's fatal error July 1st—General Longstreet's failure and disobedience, July 2d—Its disastrous result—Captain Battine's criticism—Charge of Pickett's division—The omens of victory with the Confederates—Failure due to Lee's lieutenants—Failure also to co-ordinate the attacks—Gettysburg a drawn battle—Lee's army unshaken—He offers battle July 4th—Again for three days near Hagerstown—Spirit of Lee's army unbroken—Sufferings of the men on the retreat—Personal experiences—Iglehart—The artillery duel July 2d—Prayer on the battle field—Going to sleep in the midst of the battle, July 3d—Narrow escapes—Fortitude of the Third Brigade—1.30 A.M., July 4th—Major Benj. Watkins Leigh—Incident at Williamsport—Another incident—Chaplain Patterson reads the burial service over a living man. 94

CHAPTER XVI—STEUART'S BRIGADE AT GETTYSBURG -A NARRATIVE 104

INTRODUCTORY NOTE 104

CHAPTER XVII—PREPARATION FOR THE CHAPLAINCY: FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD 111

Resignation—Letter to my mother—Studies at Staunton, Virginia—Dr. Sparrow—Hospital work—Unwearied labor of the Southern women—Unity of feeling—Licensed to deliver addresses—Books used—Character of preparation—Anecdote of Dr. Sparrow—Ordained deacon—Start for the army—My horse Charlie—Report for duty in Chew's battalion artillery—Commission not issued—Compelled to leave—Appointed Chaplain Second Virginia Cavalry—Active work in the interim—Rev. Richard H. Phillips taken prisoner—Confined at Camp Chase. 111

FIRST EXPERIENCE AS CHAPLAIN IN THE FIELD 116

I joined Second Virginia Cavalry—Ordered out to meet the enemy—Composition of the Second Virginia—Religious service twice a day—Coöperation of the officers—Mass meeting of communicants—Regimental choir—Resolutions adopted—Open mindedness of the men. 116

CHAPTER XVIII—EARLY'S VALLEY CAMPAIGN OF 1864 119

Early's advance on Washington—General Sheridan—The Spencer rifle and the Sharp's rifle—Eleven engagements in less than a month—Third battle of Winchester—Early's defeat—Good service of the cavalry—Front Royal—Feelings of a chaplain on the firing line—General Early and the chaplain—Early's defeat at Fisher's Hill—Death of Captain George Williamson—Tribute to him—Fighting again—Preaching and marching—Baptism by immersion—Thrilling experiences on a blind horse—Sheridan's burnings—Wounding of Captain Basil L. Gildersleeve—Death of Prof. Lewis Minor Coleman—Cavalry fight near Waynesboro—Battle of Cedar Creek—Answer to prayer—Service in the breastworks—Conferences on personal religion—Victory at Cedar Creek turned into defeat—Rebukes administered—Organization of Y. M. C. A.—Offer myself as substitute for Rev. R. H. Phillips—Frequent engagements—Early winter—Supply of New Testaments—Successful engagement—Work in hospital—Cutting down trees—My horse fed with stolen corn. 119

CHAPTER XIX—THE WINTER CAMPAIGN OF 1864-65 127

Expedition to West Virginia—Suffering of the men—Sleeping under a blanket of snow—A mountain march—Hardships of a chaplain—On sick leave—Death of my father—Visit to Edge Hill—Col. Thos. Jefferson Randolph—Virginia Legislature and Emancipation—Revulsion of feeling—Abandonment of the project—Responsibility of Abolitionists—Virginia's record on slavery—Mr. B. Johnson Barbour—Cleaning out a church—St. Paul's Church, Richmond—Solemnity of services—Building a chapel—My horse breaks down—Sermon in St. Paul's, Richmond. 127

CHAPTER XX—THE CLOSE OF THE DRAMA 132

Hampton Roads conference—Preamble and resolutions—Lee made commander-in-chief—Confederacy collapsing—Resources exhausted—Opinion of Lord Wolseley and Charles Francis Adams—Journey to Staunton—Condition of returned Confederate prisoners—Treatment of Northern prisoners in the South—Scarcity of provisions—Grant's refusal to exchange—Comparative mortality in Northern and Southern prisons—Arrival at Staunton—Return to the army—Surrender of General Lee—Desertions from his army—Why Lee could not extricate his army—His plans revealed to Grant—Did Grant outgeneral Lee in the retreat?—Error of James Ford Rhodes—Scene at surrender—Lee's heroic conduct—Tributes to the soldiers of Lee's army—My ride to Staunton—News of the surrender—discredited—Second Virginia Cavalry after the surrender—Maryland Cavalry makes the last march for the cause. 132

CONCLUSION 142

APPENDIX 145

A.—The Soldiers of the South—An Oration 145

THE MOTIVES AND AIMS  OF  THE SOLDIERS OF THE SOUTH IN THE CIVIL WAR  AN ORATION  DELIVERED BEFORE THE UNITED CONFEDERATE VETERANS AT THEIR FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION AT NASHVILLE, TENN. JUNE 14, 1904 145

GENERAL J. E. B. STUART IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN—A REPLY TO COLONEL JOHN S. MOSBY 170

By—RANDOLPH HARRISON McKIM, late First Lieutenant and  A. D. C. Third Brigade, General Edward Johnson's  Division, Army of Northern Virginia 170

MAPS 182

I – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1861 182

Charleston Harbor, Bombardment of Fort Sumter – 12th & 13th April 1861 182

1st Bull Run Campaign – Theatre Overview July 1861 183

Bull Run – 21st July 1861 184

1st Bull Run Campaign – Situation 18th July 1861 185

1st Bull Run Campaign – Situation 21st July 1861 (Morning) 186

1st Bull Run Campaign - 21st July 1861 Actions 1-3 p.m. 187

1st Bull Run Campaign - 21st July 1861 Union Retreat 4 P.M. to Dusk 188

II – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1862 189

Battle of Mill Springs – 19th January 1862 (6-8.30 A.M.) Confederate Attacks 189

Battle of Mill Springs – 19th January 1862 (9 A.M.) Union Attacks 190

Forts Henry and Donelson – 6th to 16th February 1862 191

Battle of Fort Donelson – 14th February 1862 192

Battle of Fort Donelson – 15th February 1862 Morning 193

Battle of Fort Donelson – 15th February 1862 Morning 194

New Madrid and Island No. 10 – March 1862 195

Pea Ridge – 5th to 8th March 1862 196

First Battle of Kernstown – 23rd March 1862, 11 – 16:45 197

Shiloh (or Pittsburg Landing) - 6th & 7th April 1862 198

Battle of Shiloh – 6th April 1862 - Morning 199

Battle of Shiloh – 6th April 1862 – P.M. 200

Battle of Yorktown – 5th to 16th April 1862 201

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 24th to 25th May 1862 - Actions 202

Williamsburg – 5th May 1862 203

Fair Oaks – 31st May to 1st June 1862 204

Battle of Seven Pines – 31st May 1862 205

Seven Days – 26th June to 2nd July 1862 206

Seven Days Battles – 25th June to 1st July 1862 - Overview 207

Seven Days Battles – 26th & 27th June 1862 208

Seven Days Battles – 30th June 1862 209

Seven Days Battles – 1st July 1862 210

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 2.30 P.M. Hill’s Attacks 211

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 3.30 P.M. Ewell’s Attacks 212

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 7 P.M. General Confederate Attacks 213

Pope’s Campaign - 24th August 1862 214

Pope’s Campaign - 28th August 1862 A.M. 215

Pope’s Campaign - 28th August 1862 6 P.M. 216

Second Battle of Bull Run – 28th August 1862 217

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 10 A.M. 218

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 12 P.M. 219

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 5 P.M. 220

Pope’s Campaign – 29th August 1862 Noon. 221

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 3 P.M. 222

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 4.30 P.M. 223

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 5 P.M. 224

Battle of Harpers Ferry – 15th September 1862 225

Antietam – 16th & 17th September 1862 226

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 Overview 227

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 6 A.M. 228

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 7.30 A.M. 229

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 9 A.M. 230

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 10 A.M. 231

Iuka – 19th September 1862 232

Battle of Iuka – 19th September 1862 233

Corinth – 3rd & 4th October 1862 234

Second Battle of Corinth – 3rd October 1862 235

Second Battle of Corinth – 4th October 1862 236

Perryville – 8th October 1862 237

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 2 P.M. 238

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 3 P.M. 239

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 3.45 P.M. 240

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 4 P.M. 241

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 4.15 P.M. 242

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 5.45 P.M. 243

Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 244

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Overview 245

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Sumner’s Assault 246

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Hooker’s Assault 247

Battle of Chickasaw Bayou – 26th to 29th December 1862 248

Stone’s River – 31st December 1862 249

Battle of Stones River – 30th December 1862 250

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 8.00 A.M. 251

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 9.45 A.M. 252

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 11.00 A.M. 253

III – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1863 254

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4 P.M. 254

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4 P.M. 255

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4.45 P.M. 256

Chancellorsville Campaign (Hooker’s Plan) – April 1863 257

Battle of Chancellorsville – 1st May 1863 Actions 258

Battle of Chancellorsville – 2nd May 1863 Actions 259

Chancellorsville – 2nd May 1863 260

Chancellorsville – 3rd to 5th May 1863 261

Battle of Chancellorsville – 3rd May 1863 Actions 6 A.M. 262

Battle of Chancellorsville – 3rd May 1863 Actions 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. 263

Battle of Chancellorsville – 4th to 6th May 1863. 264

Battle of Brandy Station – 8th June 1863 265

Siege of Vicksburg – 25th May to 4th July 1863 266

Siege of Vicksburg – 19th May 1863 - Assaults 267

Siege of Vicksburg – 22nd May 1863 - Assaults 268

Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 269

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 Overview 270

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 7 A.M. 271

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10 A.M. 272

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10.45 A.M. 273

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 11 A.M. 274

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 12.30 P.M. 275

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 2 P.M. 276

Gettysburg – 2nd to 4th July 1863 277

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Lee’s Plan 278

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Overview 279

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetary Ridge A.M. 280

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Initial Defence 281

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Evening attacks 282

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Hood’s Assaults 283

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard Initial Assaults 284

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard and Cemetary Ridge 285

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Initial Assaults 286

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Second Phase 287

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetery Hill Evening 288

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (1) 289

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (2) 290

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Overview 291

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge 292

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge Detail 293

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Johnson’s Third Attack 294

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Opening Positions 295

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – First Phase 296

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Second Phase 297

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 South Cavalry Field 298

Battle of Gettysburg – Battlefield Overview 299

Fight at Monterey Pass – 4th to 5th July 1863 300

Chickamauga – 19th & 20th September 1863 301

Chickamauga Campaign – Davis’s Crossroads – 11th September 1863 302

Chickamauga Campaign – 18th September 1863 After Dark 303

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Morning 304

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 305

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 306

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. 307

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 11 A.M. to Mid-Afternoon 308

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Mid-Afternoon to Dark 309

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Brigade Details 310

Chattanooga – 23rd to 25th November 1863 311

Chattanooga Campaign – 24th & 25th November 1863 312

Chattanooga Campaign – Federal Supply Lines and Wheeler’s Raid 313

Battle of Missionary Ridge – 25th November 1863 314

Mine Run – 26th to 30th November 1863 315

IV – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1864 316

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 29th to 31st March 1864 316

Wilderness – 5th & 6th May 1864 317

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 – Positions 7 A.M. 318

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 - Actions 319

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 5 A.M. 320

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 6 A.M. 321

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 11 A.M. 322

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 2 P.M. 323

Spotsylvania – 8th to 21st May 1864 324

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 7th & 8th May 1864 - Movements 325

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 8th May 1864 - Actions 326

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 9th May 1864 - Actions 327

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 10th May 1864 - Actions 328

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 12th May 1864 - Actions 329

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 13th May 1864 - Actions 330

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 17th May 1864 - Actions 331

North Anna – 23rd to 26th May 1864 332

Battle of North Anna – 23rd May 1864 333

Battle of North Anna – 24th May 1864 334

Battle of North Anna – 25th May 1864 335

Battle of Haw’s Shop – 28th May 1864 336

Battle of Bethseda Church (1) – 30th May 1864 337

Battle of Bethseda Church (2) – 30th May 1864 338

Cold Harbor – 31st May to 12th June 1864 339

Battle of Cold Harbor – 1st June 1864 340

Battle of Cold Harbor – 3rd June 1864 341

Pickett’s Mills and New Hope Church – 25th to 27th May 1864 342

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain – 27th June 1864 343

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 15th to 18th June 1864 344

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 21st to 22nd June 1864 345

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 30th July 1864 346

Wilson-Kautz Raid – 22nd June to 1st July 1864 347

First Battle of Deep Bottom – 27th to 29th July 1864 348

Second Battle of Deep Bottom – 14th to 20th August 1864 349

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 18th to 19th August 1864 350

Opequon, or Winchester, Va. – 19th September 1864 351

Fisher’s Hill – 22nd September 1864 352

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 27th October 1864 353

Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 354

Battle of Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 5-9 A.M. Confederate Attacks 355

Battle of Spring Hill – 29th November 1864 – Afternoon 356

Battle of Spring Hill – 29th November 1864 – Evening 357

Battle of Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 4-5 P.M. Union Counterattack 358

Franklin – 30th November 1864 359

Battle of Franklin – Hood’s Approach 30th November 1864 360

Battle of Franklin – 30th November 1864 Actions after 4.30 P.M. 361

Nashville – 15th & 16th December 1864 362

V – OVERVIEWS 363

1 – Map of the States that Succeeded – 1860-1861 363

Fort Henry Campaign – February 1862 364

Forts Henry and Donelson – February 1862 365

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 23rd March to 8th May 1862 366

Peninsula Campaign – 17th March to 31st May 1862 367

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 21st May to 9th June 1862 368

Northern Virginia Campaign – 7th to 28th August 1862 369

Maryland Campaign – September 1862 370

Iuka-Corinth Campaign – First Phase – 10th to 19th September 1862 371

Iuka-Corinth Campaign – Second Phase – 20th September – 3rd October 1862 372

Fredericksburg Campaign – Movements mid-November to 10th December 1862 373

Memphis to Vicksburg – 1862-1863 374

Operations Against Vicksburg and Grant’s Bayou Operations – November 1862 to April 1863 375

Campaign Against Vicksburg – 1863 376

Grant’s Operations Against Vicksburg – April to July 1863 377

Knoxville Campaign - 1863 378

Tullahoma Campaign – 24th June – 3rd July 1863 379

Rosecrans’ Manoeuvre – 20th August to 17th September 1963 381

Bristoe Campaign – 9th October to 9th November 1863 382

Mine Run Campaign – 27th November 1863 – 2nd December 1863 383

Grant’s Overland Campaign – Wilderness to North Anna - 1864 384

Grant’s Overland Campaign – May to June 1864 385

Overland Campaign – 4th  May 1864 386

Overland Campaign – 27th to 29th May 1864 387

Overland Campaign –29th to 30th May 1864 388

Overland Campaign – 1st June 1864 – Afternoon 389

Sheridan’s Richmond Raid – 9th to 14th May 1864 390

Sheridan’s Trevilian Station Raid – 7th to 10th June 1864 391

Sheridan’s Trevilian Station Raid – 7th to 10th June 1864 392

Battle of Trevilian Station Raid – 11th June 1864 393

Battle of Trevilian Station Raid – 12th June 1864 394

Shenandoah Valley Campaign – May to July 1864 395

Operations about Marietta – 14th to 28th June 1864 396

Atlanta Campaign – 7th May to 2nd July 1864 397

Operations about Atlanta – 17th July to 2nd September 1864 398

Richmond-Petersburg Campaign – Position Fall 1864 399

Shenandoah Valley Campaign – 20th August – October 1864 400

Sherman’s March to the Sea 401

Franklin-Nashville Campaign – 21st to 28th November 1864 402

Operations about Petersburg – June 1864 to April 1865 403

Carolinas Campaign – February to April 1865 404

Appomattox Campaign - 1865 405

A SOLDIER'S RECOLLECTIONS

CHAPTER I—ON THE BRINK OF THE MAELSTROM

University of Virginia, April, 1861—Secession flag on the rotunda—Excitement among the students—Division of sentiment among the professors—Removal of the flag—How Virginia was transformed from a Union State to a Secession State—Bronze memorial tablets in the rotunda—Great number of alumni in the Confederate Army—University student military companies ordered to Harper's Ferry—Visit to Baltimore—Return to University—Examination

ON a bright morning in the month of April, 1861, there is a sudden explosion of excitement at the University of Virginia. Shouts and cheers are heard from the various precincts where the students lodge. Evidently something unusual has occurred. The explanation is soon found as one observes all eyes turned to the dome of the rotunda from whose summit the Secession flag is seen waving. It has been placed there during the night by persons then unknown. Of course it has no right there, for the University is a State institution and the State has not seceded; on the contrary the Constitutional Convention has given only a few days before a strong vote or the Union.

But it is evident the foreign flag is a welcome intruder in the precincts of Jefferson's University, for a great throng of students is presently assembled on the lawn in front of the lofty flight of steps leading up to the rotunda, and one after another of the leaders of the young men mounts the steps and harangues the crowd in favor of the Southern Confederacy and the Southern flag waving proudly up there. Among the speakers I recall Wm. Randolph Berkeley, the recently elected orator of the Jefferson Society.

So general was the sympathy with the Southern cause that not a voice was raised in condemnation of the rebellious and burglarious act of the students who must have been guilty of raising the Southern flag. Not so general was the approval of the professors; some of these were strong Union men, among them one who was deservedly revered by the whole student body, Prof. John B. Minor, the head of the Law Department. Walking up under the arcades to his lecture room, he was shocked at the sight that met his eyes, and (so a wag afterwards reported) broke forth into rhyme as follows:

"Flag of my country, can it be

That that rages up there instead of thee!"

Meantime the excitement waxed greater and greater, so much so that the students forsook their lecture rooms to attend the mass-meeting on the lawn. In vain did Prof. Schele de Vere endeavor to fix the attention of his class by the swelling periods of his famous lecture on Joan of Arc. The proceedings outside on the lawn interested them much more than the tragic fate of the Maid of Orleans, and one after another they rose and stalked out of the lecture room to join in the overture to another and more tremendous tragedy then unfolding itself to the world, until the baffled professor of modern languages gave up the attempt and abruptly closed his lecture.

At this juncture the burly form of Dr. Albert Taylor Bledsoe, professor of mathematics, was seen mounting the steps of the rotunda, his great head as usual far in advance of the rest of his body. At once there was silence in the throng. To him the students gave a respectful attention, such as, I fear, in their then mood, they would not have given to Professor Minor. For Dr. Bledsoe was an enthusiastic advocate of Secession, to such an extent that he would not infrequently interlard his demonstration of some difficult problem in differential or integral calculus—for example, the lemniscata of Bernouilli—with some vigorous remarks in the doctrine of States' rights.

At this juncture, however, the big-brained professor spoke to the young men in a somewhat different strain. He began by saying he had no doubt the students who had put up that flag were the very nicest fellows in the University, but, inasmuch as the State of Virginia had not yet seceded, the Secession flag did not really belong on that rotunda, and he hoped the students themselves would take it down,—but, he said, young gentlemen, do it very tenderly.

The facts of the case were these. A group of seven students (of whom I was one) bought the bunting and had the flag made, seven stars and three bars, by some young lady friends who were bound to secrecy, and then, having supplied themselves with augers and small saws, they went to work after midnight and sawed their way through five doors to gain access to the roof of the rotunda, where, in their stocking feet, they at length succeeded, not without risk of a fatal fall, in giving the Stars and Bars to the breeze, just as the first faint streaks of dawn appeared on the eastern hills. They then scattered and betook themselves to bed, and were the last men in the University to hear the news that the Secession flag was floating over the rotunda!

It was not many days after this occurrence that Mr. Lincoln issued his proclamation calling upon Virginia to furnish her quota of troops to coerce the seceded States back into the Union, and thereby instantly transformed the old Commonwealth from a Union State into a seceded State. All differences now disappeared among her statesmen and her people, and Virginia with entire unanimity threw in her lot with her Southern sisters for better, for worse, for weal or for woe.

It was the threat of invasion that revolutionized the position of the State of Virginia. In illustration of this I refer to the case of a talented young man from Richmond who had been an extreme and uncompromising Union man-the most extreme among all the students at the University. He was also bold and aggressive in the advocacy of his opinions, so much so that he became very unpopular, and his friends feared serious trouble and even bloody collision. The morning President Lincoln's proclamation appeared he had gone down town on personal business before breakfast, and while there happened to glance at a paper. He returned at once to the University, but not to breakfast; spoke not a word to any human being; packed his trunk with his belongings; left a note for the chairman of the faculty explaining his conduct; boarded the first train for Richmond, and joined a military company before going to his father's house or taking so much as a morsel of food. What was the overwhelming force which thus in a moment transformed this splendid youth? Was it not the God-implanted instinct which impels a man to defend his own hearthstone?¹{1}

The visitor to the University to-day will see on the rotunda porch two large bronze tablets on the right and left of the central door, on which are graven the names of the alumni who laid down their lives in