From Manassas To Appomattox - free ebook by James Longstreet

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From Manassas To Appomattox

James Longstreet

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FROM Manassas to Appomattox

FROM Manassas to Appomattox

MEMOIRS OF THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA BY JAMES LONGSTREET, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL CONFEDERATE ARMY ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES, MAPS, PORTRAITS, AND ENGRAVINGS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THIS WORK PHILADELPHIA J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 1896 Copyright, 1895, by J. B. Lippincott Company. All Rights reserved. Electrotyped and Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, U.S.A. THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE FIRST CORPS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA TO THE LIVING

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

Immediately after the surrender of the Confederate armies engaged in the war between the States, General Lee undertook to write of the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia while under his command, and asked such assistance as I could give in supplying reports, despatches, and letters of his, the originals of which had been lost or destroyed. Under the impression that they could not be put to better use, such as were then in hand were packed and sent him. He gave up the work, and after a fe

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CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.

THE ANTE-BELLUM LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 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—Army of Occupation—Camp Life in Texas—March to the Rio Grande—Mexican War. I was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on the 8th of January, 1821. On the paternal side the family was from New J

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CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.

FROM NEW MEXICO TO MANASSAS. 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 Confronting Forces—Description of the Field of Manassas, or Bull Run—Beauregard and McDowell of the same West Point Class—Battle of Blackburn’s Ford—Early’s Mistake—Under Fire of Friend and Foe. I was stationed at Albuquerque, New Mexico, as paymaster in the United States army when the war-cloud appeared

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CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.

BATTLE OF MANASSAS, OR BULL RUN. Commanders on both Sides generally Veterans of the Mexican War—General Irvin McDowell’s Preconceived Plan—Johnston reinforces Beauregard and approves his Plans—General Bernard E. Bee—Analysis of the Fight—Superb Work of the Federal Artillery—Christening of “Stonewall Jackson”—McDowell’s Gallant Effort to recover Lost Power—Before he was shorn of his Artillery he was the Samson of the Field—The Rout—Criticism of McDowell—Tyler’s Reconnoissance—Ability of the Comma

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CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER IV.

THE CONFEDERATES HOVERING AROUND WASHINGTON. 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 Lewinsville—Major-General G. W. Smith associated with Johnston and Beauregard in a Council—Longstreet promoted Major-General—Fierce Struggle at Ball’s Bluff—Dranesville a Success for the Union Arms—McClellan given the Sobriquet of “The Young Napoleon.” After General McDowell reached Washingt

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CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER V.

ROUND ABOUT RICHMOND. 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 of McClellan—Operations on the Peninsula—Engagements about Yorktown and Williamsburg—Severe Toil added to the Soldiers’ Usual Labors by a Saturated Soil. Apropos of the attack upon Richmond, apprehended in the winter of 1861-62, it should be borne in mind that there were four routes supposed to be practic

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CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.

THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 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 Hard-Fought Engagement—A Confederate Victory—McClellan not on the Field the Greater Part of the Day—Hancock called “The Superb” by McClellan—Johnston pays High Tribute to Longstreet. Before quitting his trenches at Yorktown, Johnston anticipated a move of part of McClellan’s army by transports to

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CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.

SEVEN PINES, OR FAIR OAKS. 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—Lack of Co-operation on the Confederate Side, and Ensuing Confusion—Fatalities among Confederate Officers—Kearny’s Action—Serious Wounding of General Johnston at the Close of the Battle—Summary and Analysis of Losses. On the 9th of May the Confederate army was halted, its right near Long Bridge of the C

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CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.

SEQUELÆ OF SEVEN PINES. 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 sustains Longstreet’s Opposition to retiring—Severe Fighting—Pickett’s Brave Stand—General Lee assigned to Command—He orders the withdrawal of the Army—Criticism of General Smith—Confederates should not have lost the Battle—Keyes’s Corroboration. Major-General G. W. Smith was of the highest standing of the We

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CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER IX.

ROBERT E. LEE IN COMMAND. 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 Council—Gains Confidence by saying Nothing—“A Little Humor now and then”—Lee plans a Simultaneous Attack on McClellan’s Front and Rear—J. E. B. Stuart’s Daring Reconnoissance around the Union Army. The assignment of General Lee to command the army of Northern Virginia was far from reconciling the troops

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CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER X.

FIGHTING ALONG THE CHICKAHOMINY. 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 Division put in—McClellan’s Change of Base—Savage Station—Longstreet engages McClellan’s Main Force at Frayser’s Farm (or Glendale)—President Davis on the Field—Testimony of Federal Generals—Fierce Bayonet Charges—“Greek meets Greek”—Capture of General McCall—McClellan’s Masterly Retreat. The day afte

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CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XI.

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. 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 Whole a Great Success, but it should have been far greater—McClellan’s Retreat showed him well equipped in the Science of War—Review of the Campaign—Jackson’s and Magruder’s Misunderstanding—Moral Effect of the Gunboats on the James River—“There should be a Gunboat in Every Family.” At Malvern Hill, hardly

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CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.

HALLECK AND POPE IN FEDERAL COMMAND. 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 Esteem for General Lee—The Confederate Commander’s Plans for cutting off Pope miscarry—Capture of Captain Fitzhugh with Important Orders—Longstreet puts General Toombs under Arrest—General Pope withdraws. The Federals had by this time organized the “Army of Virginia” from the independent fo

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CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.

MAKING READY FOR MANASSAS AGAIN. 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 Coat and Hat shown along the Confederate Lines—Jackson’s Superb Flank Movement—Confederates capture Trains, Supplies, Munitions, and Prisoners—Hooker and Ewell at Bristoe Station—Jackson first on the Old Field of Bull Run—Longstreet’s Command joins passing Thoroughfare Gap—Pope practically t

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CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.

SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS (BULL RUN). 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 Close of the 29th that the Confederates were retreating—Second Day—Fitz-John Porter struck in Flank—Longstreet takes a Hand in the Fight late in the Day—Lee under Fire—The Federal Retreat to Centreville—That Point turned—Pope again dislodged—“Stonewall” Jackson’s Appearance and Peculiar

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CHAPTER XV.

CHAPTER XV.

THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 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 Timely for Proposal of Peace and Independence—Confederates singing through the Streets of Fredericktown—McClellan’s Movements—Cautious Marches—Lee’s Lost Order handed to the Federal Chief at Frederick. As our columns approached Leesburg, “Maryland, my Maryland” was in the air, and on the lips of every man

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CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.

“THE LOST ORDER”—SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 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 be made at Sharpsburg—The Battle at the Pass—Many killed—General Garland of the Confederate and General Reno of the Union side—A future President among the wounded—Estimate of Forces engaged. The strange losing and stranger finding of Lee’s “General Order No. 191,” commonly referred to as “t

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CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.

PRELIMINARIES OF THE GREAT BATTLE. 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 Capitulation—The Confederates take Eleven Thousand Prisoners—Jackson rejoins Lee—Description of the Field of Antietam—McClellan posts his Corps—Lee’s Lines advantageously placed—Hooker’s Advance on the Eve of Battle should have been resisted. At first sight of the situation, as I rode up the mountain-

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CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM. 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 time to meet Sumner’s Advance under Sedgwick—Around Dunker Chapel—Richardson’s splendid Advance against the Confederate Centre the Signal of the bursting of another Storm—Longstreet’s and D. H. Hill’s Troops stood before it—Fall of General G. B. Anderson—General Richardson mortally wounded—

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CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.

BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM (CONTINUED). 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 Harper’s Ferry under A. P. Hill in Time for the Final Crisis—Burnside’s Advance arrested by them—The Battle against Burnside “appeared to spring from the Earth”—“Lee’s old War Horse”—The Killing of a Kinsman at the Bridge seriously affects General D. R. Jones—The Sharp Fight at S

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CHAPTER XX.

CHAPTER XX.

REVIEW OF THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 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 throwing down of the Walls of Jericho—In Contempt of the Enemy the Confederate Army was dispersed—Harper’s Ferry a “Man-Trap”—It diverted the Army from the Main Issue—Lee and McClellan compared and contrasted—Tribute to the Confederate Private Soldier. For conveying to the reader a comprehensive view

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CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.

REORGANIZATION AND REST FOR BOTH ARMIES. The Confederates appoint Seven Lieutenant-Generals—The Army of Northern Virginia organized in Corps—General McClellan relieved, and General Burnside appointed Commander of the Army of the Potomac—A Lift for the South—McClellan was growing—Burnside’s “Three Grand Divisions”—The Campaign of the Rappahannock—Getting Ready for Fredericksburg—Longstreet occupies Fredericksburg—The Town called to surrender by General Sumner—Exodus of the Inhabitants under a Thr

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CHAPTER XXII.

CHAPTER XXII.

BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 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 Determined Stand—Signal Guns at Three o’clock in the Morning announce the Long-Expected Battle—Burnside’s Bridge-Builders thrice driven back from their Work—The Crossing finally made by Boats—Federals under Hot Fire enter Fredericksburg—How they obtained their Foothold on the West Bank of the Rappahannoc

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CHAPTER XXIII.

CHAPTER XXIII.

BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG (CONTINUED). 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 Advance—General French leads against the Confederate Left—Hancock follows—General Cobb killed—The Sunken Road and Stone Wall below Marye’s Hill—Desperate Advances and Determined Repulses—Humphreys’s Heroic Assault—The Stone Wall “a Sheet of Flame”—General Jackson loses his Opportunity to

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CHAPTER XXIV.

CHAPTER XXIV.

PREPARING FOR THE SPRING OF ’63. Burnside’s Abortive Moves—The “Mud March”—General Hooker supersedes Burnside—The Confederates strengthen their Position for the Winter—Longstreet ordered to Petersburg—Secretary of War Seddon and the Author talk of General Grant and the Confederate Situation on the Mississippi and in the West—Longstreet makes a Radical Proposition for Confederate Concentration in Tennessee, thus to compel Grant to abandon Vicksburg—The Skilful Use of Interior Lines the Only Way o

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CHAPTER XXV.

CHAPTER XXV.

INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA. 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 Movement—The Authorities in Richmond failed to comprehend—The Value of the “Interior Lines” not appreciated—Spirited Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station between Stuart’s and Pleasonton’s Commands—Engagement of Ewell and Milroy at Winchester—The Question of Authority for the Cavalry Movements—Lieutenan

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CHAPTER XXVI.

CHAPTER XXVI.

GETTYSBURG—FIRST DAY. 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 with the Revelation—General Meade had succeeded Hooker in Command Five Days before Battle—Positions on the Eve of the First Day—Confederate Cavalry “not in sight”—“The Eyes of the Army” sadly needed—A Description of the Famous Battle-field—Generals Ewell and A. P. Hill engage the Federals—Death of General

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CHAPTER XXVII.

CHAPTER XXVII.

GETTYSBURG—SECOND DAY. 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 Brigade of Confederates—The Battle was opened after Mid-day—General Hood appeals for Permission to turn the Federal Left—Failure to make the Flanking Movement by the Confederate Right was a Serious Mistake—Hood, in his usual Gallant Style, led his Troops forward among the Rocks—Desperate Charges against

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

GETTYSBURG—THIRD DAY. WILLIAM BLAKE. Volunteered in the Eighteenth Mississippi at the age of sixteen. Lost a leg at Gettysburg. The forces engaged at Gettysburg were: Confederate. —According to the latest official accounts, the Army of Northern Virginia, on the 31st of May, numbered 74,468. The detachments that joined numbered 6400, making 80,868. Deducting the detachments left in Virginia,—Jenkins’s brigade, Pickett’s division, 2300; Corse’s brigade, Pickett’s division, 1700; detachments from S

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CHAPTER XXIX.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE WAVE ROLLS BACK. 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 his Army in the Valley of Virginia, but Meade followed too fast—Engagements that harassed the Retreat—General Lee wished to be relieved of Command, but President Davis would not consent to the Appointment of Joseph E. Johnston or General Beauregard. The armies rested on the “Fourth,”—one under the bright

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CHAPTER XXX.

CHAPTER XXX.

LONGSTREET MOVES TO GEORGIA. 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 known to General Lee—The Move finally effected—Difficulties of Transportation—A Roundabout Route—General Longstreet narrowly escapes capture when seeking Bragg’s Head-quarters—General Bragg assigns Longstreet to Command of the Left—Instructions for the Battle of Chickamauga—The Armies in Position—

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CHAPTER XXXI.

CHAPTER XXXI.

BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 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 Adams wounded—The Union Commands lay behind Defences—Hood’s Brigades surged through the Forest against the Covered Infantry and Artillery—Hood wounded—Longstreet suggests a Plan for Progressive Action—Halting Tactics at High Tide of Success—The Confederate Left fought a Separate Battle—General Thomas ret

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CHAPTER XXXII.

CHAPTER XXXII.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUCCESS. 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’s Command call for his Removal—Bragg seeks Scapegoats—President Davis visits the Army—Tests the Temper of the Officers towards Bragg—He offers the Command to Longstreet—He declines—His Reasons—General Bragg ignores Signal-Service Reports and is surprised—General Joe Hooker’s Advance—Night Attack b

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CHAPTER XXXIII.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN. 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—Foraging for Daily Rations—General Burnside’s Forces—Advance upon Knoxville—Affairs at Lenoir’s and Campbell’s Stations—Engagement near Knoxville an Artillery Combat—Reprehensible Conduct of Officers—Allegement that One was actuated by Jealousy—Federals retire behind their Works—Laying the Confed

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CHAPTER XXXIV.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

BESIEGING KNOXVILLE. 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—The Order reiterated and emphasized—Gallant Effort by the Brigades of Generals Wofford, Humphreys, and Bryan at the Appointed Time—A Recall ordered, because carrying the Works was reported impossible—General Longstreet is ordered by the President to General Bragg’s Relief—Losses during the Assault and the

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CHAPTER XXXV.

CHAPTER XXXV.

CUT OFF FROM EAST AND WEST. Impracticability of joining General Bragg—Wintering in East Tennessee—General Longstreet given Discretionary Authority over the Department by President Davis—Short Rations—Minor Movements of Hide-and-Seek in the Mountains—Longstreet’s Position was of Strategic Importance—That Fact fully appreciated by President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, and Generals Halleck and Grant—“Drive Longstreet out of East Tennessee and keep him out”—Generals Robertson and McLaws—The Charges

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CHAPTER XXXVI.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD. Longstreet again considers Relief from Service—General Grant at Knoxville—Shoeless Soldiers leave Bloody Trails on Frozen Roads—A Confederate Advance—Affair at Dandridge—Federals retreat—Succession of Small Engagements—General Grant urges General Foster’s Army to the Offensive—General Foster relieved—General Schofield in Command of Federals—General Grant’s Orders—General Halleck’s Estimate of East Tennessee as a Strategic Field—Affair of Cavalry—Advance towards

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CHAPTER XXXVII.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

LAST DAYS IN TENNESSEE. 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 by General Lee—Richmond Authorities fail to adopt it—General Bragg’s Plan—A Memorable and Unpleasant Council at the Capital—Orders from President Davis—The Case of General Law—Longstreet ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia—Resolutions of Thanks from Confederate Congress. It would be difficult to

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CHAPTER XXXVIII.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 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 Command faces Hancock’s on the Morning of the Second Day—An Effective Flank Movement—General Wadsworth mortally wounded—General Jenkins falls under Fire of Friends, and Longstreet is seriously wounded—Carried from the Field on a Litter—Tribute to General Jenkins—Criticism and Controversy. After reporting t

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CHAPTER XXXIX.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

AGAIN IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. 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—Affair on the Williamsburg Road—Lee’s Apprehension of Grant’s March into Richmond—Closing Scenes of the Campaign of 1864 about the Confederate Capital—General Benjamin F. Butler’s Move against Fort Fisher—Remote Effects on the Situation in Virginia. From the Wilderness I was taken to the Meadow Far

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CHAPTER XL.

CHAPTER XL.

TALK OF PEACE. 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 Conference—Longstreet has a Meeting with General Ord, Commander of the Army of the James—Military Convention proposed—Correspondence between General Grant and General Lee—Longstreet’s Suggestions for Measures in the Critical Juncture near the Close of the War. The second expedition against Wilmington was sent i

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CHAPTER XLI.

CHAPTER XLI.

BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS. 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 Right—General Lee anticipates with Aggressive Work—Sheridan makes Battle with his Whole Force at Five Forks—Desperate Situation of the Confederates—Disparity of Numbers—Splendid Stand and Battle of Generals Pickett and Ransom—Colonel Pegram mortally wounded—W. H. F. Lee, the “Noble Son of a Noble Sire”—Co

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CHAPTER XLII.

CHAPTER XLII.

PETERSBURG. 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 at Church Service—Federals take Forts Gregg and Whitworth—The Retreat harassed by Continuous Fighting—Longstreet saves High Bridge, a Vital Point—Ewell and Others compelled to surrender—General Mahone’s Account of Interesting Scenes—Magnitude of the Disaster—“Is the Army dissolving?”—General Reed mortally wounded—

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CHAPTER XLIII.

CHAPTER XLIII.

APPOMATTOX. 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 Chieftain asks Terms—His Response to his Officers as represented by General Pendleton—Correspondence of Generals Lee and Grant—Morning of April 9—General Lee rides to meet the Federal Commander, while Longstreet forms the Last Line of Battle—Longstreet endeavors to recall his Chief, hearing of a Break where the Confede

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CHAPTER XLIV.

CHAPTER XLIV.

POST-BELLUM PENDANT. Old Friends and their Kindness—General Grant—His Characteristic Letter of Introduction to President Johnson—In Business in New Orleans—Political Unfriendliness—Cause of Criticism of Military Career—Appointed Surveyor of Customs—The Old Nurse. 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 years before the war, came down from New York to meet me. Not

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APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

LETTERS OF GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE AND GENERAL LONGSTREET. I. Lee to Anderson on Conduct of the First Corps. August 26, 1864. Lieutenant-General R. H. Anderson , Commanding Longstreet’s Corps : General ,—I take great pleasure in presenting to you my congratulations upon the conduct of the men of your corps. I believe that they will carry anything they are put against. We tried very hard to stop Pickett’s men from capturing the breastworks of the enemy, but could not do it. I hope his loss has been

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