US Civil War

From Manassas to Appomattox: Memoirs of the Civil War in America

Birth--Ancestry--School-Boy Days--Appointment as Cadet at the United States Military Academy--Graduates of Historic Classes-- Assignment as Brevet Lieutenant--Gay Life of Garrison at Jefferson Barracks--Lieutenant Grant's Courtship--Annexation of Texas--Army of Observation--Ar...

Chapters

88. CHAPTER XLIV.

Some weeks after the surrender the newspapers announced that I was to visit Washington City. My old company commander, Bradford P. Alden, who had resigned from the army some yea...

72. CHAPTER XXVIII.

The Stroke of Arms that shook the Continent--Longstreet opposed the Attack as planned and made--The Confederate Column of Assault--It was weak in Numbers but strong in Spirit--T...

63. CHAPTER XIX.

Closing Events of the Great Struggle--Burnside crosses the Bridge he made famous--Toombs made Gallant Defence, but was outnumbered and dislodged--The Confederate Brigades from H...

51. CHAPTER VII.

A New Line of Defence--Positions of the Confronting Armies--Fitz-John Porter--Terrific Storm on the Eve of Battle--General Johnston's Orders to Longstreet, Smith, and Huger--Lac...

82. CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Campaign of 1864--General Grant in the Field--Strength of the Armies--Their Positions--Description of the Wilderness--The Battle opened--A Brisk Day's Fighting--Longstreet's Com...

54. CHAPTER X.

Retreat--Lee's Bold Initiative--Lee and his Lieutenants planning Battle--The Confederates' Loss at Mechanicsville--Gaines's Mill--A. P. Hill's Fight--Longstreet's Reserve Divisi...

71. CHAPTER XXVII.

The Confederate Commander reviews the Field and decides on Plan of Battle--Positions on the Morning of July 2--Night March of the Federal Sixth Corps--It was excelled by Law's B...

58. CHAPTER XIV.

Battle opened by the Federals on Jackson's Right, followed by Kearny--Longstreet's Reconnoissance--Stuart, the Cavalry Leader, sleeps on the Field of Battle--Pope thought at the...

80. CHAPTER XXXVI.

Longstreet again considers Relief from Service--General Grant at Knoxville--Shoeless Soldiers leave Bloody Trails on Frozen Roads--A Confederate Advance--Affair at Dandridge--Fe...

77. CHAPTER XXXIII.

General Bragg's Infatuation--General Grant in Command of the Federal Forces--Longstreet ordered into East Tennessee--His Plans for the Campaign--Poorly supported by his Superior...

76. CHAPTER XXXII.

Longstreet differs with General Bragg as to Movements of Pursuit--The Confederates on Lookout Mountain--Federals gain Comfortable Positions around it--Superior Officers of Bragg...

47. CHAPTER III.

Commanders on both Sides generally Veterans of the Mexican War--General Irvin McDowell's Preconceived Plan--Johnston reinforces Beauregard and approves his Plans--General Bernar...

67. CHAPTER XXIII.

The Battle-field veiled by a Heavy Fog--Terrific Fighting of the 13th of December--Forlorn Hope of the Federals--General Meade's Division of Franklin's Command makes the First A...

57. CHAPTER XIII.

General Lee modifies his Order of March--Continuous Skirmishing--Cavalry Commander Stuart gets into General Pope's Head-quarters and captures his Personal Equipment--His Uniform...

45. CHAPTER I.

Birth--Ancestry--School-Boy Days--Appointment as Cadet at the United States Military Academy--Graduates of Historic Classes--Assignment as Brevet Lieutenant--Gay Life of Garriso...

62. CHAPTER XVIII.

Bloodiest Single Day of the War--Comparison of Casualties--Hooker opens the Fight against Jackson's Centre--Many Officers among the Fallen early in the Day--McLaws and Walker in...

70. CHAPTER XXVI.

Information of Federal Force and Positions brought by the Scout Harrison--General Lee declines to credit it--General Longstreet suggests a Change of Direction in Conformance wit...

86. CHAPTER XLII.

The Fierce Concerted Assault by the Federals--Death of A. P. Hill--General Lee announces to Richmond Authorities that he must retreat--Reception of the News by President Davis a...

75. CHAPTER XXXI.

Tactical Features--The Battle opened by Direct Attack on the Federals in the Early Morning of September 20--Repeated and Determined Front Assaults--Brigadiers Helm killed and Ad...

60. CHAPTER XVI.

How the Federals found the Despatch--With every Advantage McClellan "made haste slowly"--Lee turns back to meet him at South Mountain--Longstreet preferred that the Stand should...

79. CHAPTER XXXV.

Impracticability of joining General Bragg--Wintering in East Tennessee--General Longstreet given Discretionary Authority over the Department by President Davis--Short Rations--M...

87. CHAPTER XLIII.

Some of General Lee's Officers say to him that "Further Resistance is Hopeless"--Longstreet does not approve--General Grant calls for Surrender--"Not yet"--The Confederate Chief...

46. CHAPTER II.

The War-Cloud--The Journey Northward--Appointed Brigadier-General--Report to General Beauregard--Assigned to Command at the Scene of the First Conflict--Personnel of the Confron...

85. CHAPTER XLI.

Various Affairs of the Closing Campaign--The Massing of Grant's Forces--Sortie against Fort Steadman--Captured but quickly retaken--General Grant's Move around the Confederate R...

55. CHAPTER XI.

Last Stand in the Great Retreat--Strength of McClellan's Position--The Confederates make Poor Use of their Artillery--A Mistake and Defeat for Lee's Army--The Campaign as a Whol...

78. CHAPTER XXXIV.

Closing on the Enemy's Lines--A Gallant Dash--The Federal Positions--Fort Loudon, later called Fort Sanders--Assault of the Fort carefully planned--General McLaws advises Delay-...

68. CHAPTER XXIV.

Burnside's Abortive Moves--The "Mud March"--General Hooker supersedes Burnside--The Confederates strengthen their Position for the Winter--Longstreet ordered to Petersburg--Secr...

74. CHAPTER XXX.

The Author reverts to the Perils and Opportunities in the West--Proposes to the Secretary of War to reinforce against Rosecrans from the Army of Northern Virginia--Makes Plan kn...

69. CHAPTER XXV.

Plan of the Confederate March North--General Lee hoped to draw Troops from the South and develop Important Results North of the Potomac--He wanted Beauregard sent to support the...

59. CHAPTER XV.

General Lee continues Aggressive Work--From Foraged Fields of Virginia into a Bounteous Land--Longstreet objected to the Movement on Harper's Ferry--Lee thinks the Occasion Time...

61. CHAPTER XVII.

Confederates retreat from South Mountain--Federals follow and harass them--Franklin and Cobb at Crampton's Pass--A spirited Action--Fighting around Harper's Ferry--Its Capitulat...

64. CHAPTER XX.

Confederate Expectations--General Lee's Salutatory to the People of Maryland--The "Lost Despatch"--McClellan's Movements--Turn in the Tide of War--A Miracle great as the throwin...

83. CHAPTER XXXIX.

Longstreet absent on Leave, nursing his Wounds--Hears of the Death of Cavalry Leader J. E. B. Stuart--Returns to Virginia--Assigned to Command on the North Side of James River--...

56. CHAPTER XII.

Centres of Activity gravitate towards Orange and Culpeper Counties--Pope's Unsoldierly Preliminary Orders--Jackson's and Pope's Encounter at Cedar Mountain--Confidence in and Es...

66. CHAPTER XXII.

Description of the Field--Marye's Heights--Position of the Troops of Longstreet's Command--General Jackson called down from Orange Court-House, and Preparations made for a Deter...

50. CHAPTER VI.

The Attack on Fort Magruder--Hancock occupies two Redoubts--The Slaughter in Early's Brigade--The Fifth North Carolina Regiment and Twenty-Fourth Virginia mercilessly exposed--A...

52. CHAPTER VIII.

The Forces under Command of G. W. Smith after Johnston was wounded--The Battle of the 1st--Longstreet requests Reinforcements and a Diversion--Council held--McLaws alone sustain...

81. CHAPTER XXXVII.

Longstreet's Army at Bull's Gap--U. S. Grant made Lieutenant-General--Richmond Authorities awake to the Gravity of the Situation--Longstreet's Proposition for Campaign--Approved...

84. CHAPTER XL.

Second Federal Move against Fort Fisher and Wilmington Harbor--Confederate Disaffection--Act of Congress appointing a Supreme Commander of the Armies--Montgomery Blair's Peace C...

49. CHAPTER V.

The Defences of the Confederate Capital--Army of Northern Virginia at Centreville--Aggressive Action--Council with the President and Secretary of War--Mr. Davis's High Opinion o...

73. CHAPTER XXIX.

Confederates retreat from Gettysburg--The Federals pursue--Crossing the Potomac under Difficulties--Kilpatrick's Cavalry Dash on Pettigrew's Command--General Lee thought to rest...

65. CHAPTER XXI.

The Confederates appoint Seven Lieutenant-Generals--The Army of Northern Virginia organized in Corps--General McClellan relieved, and General Burnside appointed Commander of the...

53. CHAPTER IX.

The Great General's Assignment not at first assuring to the Army--Able as an Engineer but limited as to Field Service--He makes the Acquaintance of his Lieutenants--Calls a Coun...

48. CHAPTER IV.

An Early War-Time Amenity--The Author invited to dine with the Enemy--"Stove-pipe Batteries"--J. E. B. Stuart, the Famous Cavalryman--His Bold Dash on the Federals at Lewinsvill...

44. CHAPTER XLIV.

Old Friends and their Kindness--General Grant--His Characteristic Letter of Introduction to President Johnson--In Business in New Orleans--Political Unfriendliness--Cause of Cri...

27. CHAPTER XXVII.

The Confederate Commander reviews the Field and decides on Plan of Battle--Positions on the Morning of July 2--Night March of the Federal Sixth Corps--It was excelled by Law's B...

23. CHAPTER XXIII.

The Battle-field veiled by a Heavy Fog--Terrific Fighting of the 13th of December--Forlorn Hope of the Federals--General Meade's Division of Franklin's Command makes the First A...

28. CHAPTER XXVIII.

The Stroke of Arms that shook the Continent--Longstreet opposed the Attack as planned and made--The Confederate Column of Assault--It was weak in Numbers but strong in Spirit--...

25. CHAPTER XXV.

Plan of the Confederate March North--General Lee hoped to draw Troops from the South and develop Important Results North of the Potomac--He wanted Beauregard sent to support the...

26. CHAPTER XXVI.

Information of Federal Force and Positions brought by the Scout Harrison--General Lee declines to credit it--General Longstreet suggests a Change of Direction in Conformance wit...

24. CHAPTER XXIV.

Burnside's Abortive Moves--The "Mud March"--General Hooker supersedes Burnside--The Confederates strengthen their Position for the Winter--Longstreet ordered to Petersburg--Secr...

43. CHAPTER XLIII.

Some of General Lee's Officers say to him that "Further Resistance is Hopeless"--Longstreet does not approve--General Grant calls for Surrender--"Not yet"--The Confederate Chief...

32. CHAPTER XXXII.

Longstreet differs with General Bragg as to Movements of Pursuit--The Confederates on Lookout Mountain--Federals gain Comfortable Positions around it--Superior Officers of Bragg...

19. CHAPTER XIX.

Closing Events of the Great Struggle--Burnside crosses the Bridge he made famous--Toombs made Gallant Defence, but was outnumbered and dislodged--The Confederate Brigades from H...

22. CHAPTER XXII.

Description of the Field--Marye's Heights--Position of the Troops of Longstreet's Command--General Jackson called down from Orange Court-House, and Preparations made for a Deter...

35. CHAPTER XXXV.

Impracticability of joining General Bragg--Wintering in East Tennessee--General Longstreet given Discretionary Authority over the Department by President Davis--Short Rations--M...

42. CHAPTER XLII.

The Fierce Concerted Assault by the Federals--Death of A. P. Hill--General Lee announces to Richmond Authorities that he must retreat--Reception of the News by President Davis a...

18. CHAPTER XVIII.

Bloodiest Single Day of the War--Comparison of Casualties-- Hooker opens the Fight against Jackson's Centre--Many Officers among the Fallen early in the Day--McLaws and Walker i...

31. CHAPTER XXXI.

Tactical Features--The Battle opened by Direct Attack on the Federals in the Early Morning of September 20--Repeated and Determined Front Assaults--Brigadiers Helm killed and Ad...

13. CHAPTER XIII.

General Lee modifies his Order of March--Continuous Skirmishing--Cavalry Commander Stuart gets into General Pope's Head-quarters and captures his Personal Equipment--His Uniform...

14. CHAPTER XIV.

Battle opened by the Federals on Jackson's Right, followed by Kearny--Longstreet's Reconnoissance--Stuart, the Cavalry Leader, sleeps on the Field of Battle--Pope thought at the...

30. CHAPTER XXX.

The Author reverts to the Perils and Opportunities in the West--Proposes to the Secretary of War to reinforce against Rosecrans from the Army of Northern Virginia--Makes Plan kn...

11. CHAPTER XI.

Last Stand in the Great Retreat--Strength of McClellan's Position--The Confederates make Poor Use of their Artillery--A Mistake and Defeat for Lee's Army--The Campaign as a Whol...

41. CHAPTER XLI.

Various Affairs of the Closing Campaign--The Massing of Grant's Forces--Sortie against Fort Steadman--Captured but quickly retaken--General Grant's Move around the Confederate R...

3. CHAPTER III.

Commanders on both Sides generally Veterans of the Mexican War--General Irvin McDowell's Preconceived Plan--Johnston reinforces Beauregard and approves his Plans--General Bernar...

21. CHAPTER XXI.

The Confederates appoint Seven Lieutenant-Generals--The Army of Northern Virginia organized in Corps--General McClellan relieved, and General Burnside appointed Commander of the...

36. CHAPTER XXXVI.

Longstreet again considers Relief from Service--General Grant at Knoxville--Shoeless Soldiers leave Bloody Trails on Frozen Roads--A Confederate Advance--Affair at Dandridge--Fe...

34. CHAPTER XXXIV.

Closing on the Enemy's Lines--A Gallant Dash--The Federal Positions--Fort Loudon, later called Fort Sanders--Assault of the Fort carefully planned--General McLaws advises Delay-...

39. CHAPTER XXXIX.

Longstreet absent on Leave, nursing his Wounds--Hears of the Death of Cavalry Leader J. E. B. Stuart--Returns to Virginia-- Assigned to Command on the North Side of James River-...

4. CHAPTER IV.

An Early War-Time Amenity--The Author invited to dine with the Enemy--"Stove-pipe Batteries"--J. E. B. Stuart, the Famous Cavalryman--His Bold Dash on the Federals at Lewinsvill...

20. CHAPTER XX.

Confederate Expectations--General Lee's Salutatory to the People of Maryland--The "Lost Despatch"--McClellan's Movements--Turn in the Tide of War--A Miracle great as the throwin...

29. CHAPTER XXIX.

Confederates retreat from Gettysburg--The Federals pursue-- Crossing the Potomac under Difficulties--Kilpatrick's Cavalry Dash on Pettigrew's Command--General Lee thought to res...

9. CHAPTER IX.

The Great General's Assignment not at first assuring to the Army--Able as an Engineer but limited as to Field Service--He makes the Acquaintance of his Lieutenants--Calls a Coun...

33. CHAPTER XXXIII.

General Bragg's Infatuation--General Grant in Command of the Federal Forces--Longstreet ordered into East Tennessee--His Plans for the Campaign--Poorly supported by his Superior...

37. CHAPTER XXXVII.

Longstreet's Army at Bull's Gap--U. S. Grant made Lieutenant-General--Richmond Authorities awake to the Gravity of the Situation--Longstreet's Proposition for Campaign-- Approve...

38. CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Campaign of 1864--General Grant in the Field--Strength of the Armies--Their Positions--Description of the Wilderness--The Battle opened--A Brisk Day's Fighting--Longstreet's Com...

40. CHAPTER XL.

Second Federal Move against Fort Fisher and Wilmington Harbor-- Confederate Disaffection--Act of Congress appointing a Supreme Commander of the Armies--Montgomery Blair's Peace...

16. CHAPTER XVI.

How the Federals found the Despatch--With every Advantage McClellan "made haste slowly"--Lee turns back to meet him at South Mountain--Longstreet preferred that the Stand should...

7. CHAPTER VII.

A New Line of Defence--Positions of the Confronting Armies-- Fitz-John Porter--Terrific Storm on the Eve of Battle--General Johnston's Orders to Longstreet, Smith, and Huger--La...

10. CHAPTER X.

Retreat--Lee's Bold Initiative--Lee and his Lieutenants planning Battle--The Confederates' Loss at Mechanicsville-- Gaines's Mill--A. P. Hill's Fight--Longstreet's Reserve Divis...

8. CHAPTER VIII.

The Forces under Command of G. W. Smith after Johnston was wounded--The Battle of the 1st--Longstreet requests Reinforcements and a Diversion--Council held--McLaws alone sustain...

17. CHAPTER XVII.

Confederates retreat from South Mountain--Federals follow and harass them--Franklin and Cobb at Crampton's Pass--A Spirited Action--Fighting around Harper's Ferry--Its Capitulat...

2. CHAPTER II.

The War-Cloud--The Journey Northward--Appointed Brigadier-General--Report to General Beauregard--Assigned to Command at the Scene of the First Conflict--Personnel of the Confron...

12. CHAPTER XII.

Centres of Activity gravitate towards Orange and Culpeper Counties--Pope's Unsoldierly Preliminary Orders--Jackson's and Pope's Encounter at Cedar Mountain--Confidence in and Es...

15. CHAPTER XV.

General Lee continues Aggressive Work--From Foraged Fields of Virginia into a Bounteous Land--Longstreet objected to the Movement on Harper's Ferry--Lee thinks the Occasion Time...

6. CHAPTER VI.

The Attack on Fort Magruder--Hancock occupies Two Redoubts--The Slaughter in Early's Brigade--The Fifth North Carolina Regiment and Twenty-Fourth Virginia mercilessly exposed--A...

1. CHAPTER I.

Birth--Ancestry--School-Boy Days--Appointment as Cadet at the United States Military Academy--Graduates of Historic Classes-- Assignment as Brevet Lieutenant--Gay Life of Garris...

5. CHAPTER V.

The Defences of the Confederate Capital--Army of Northern Virginia at Centreville--Aggressive Action--Council with the President and Secretary of War--Mr. Davis's High Opinion o...