Military: Civil War: Part Three: Chapters XIII-XVII: ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 114th REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, COLLIS' ZOUAVES Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja jbanja@email.msn.com and Barb Griffin griffibf@email.uc.edu ___________________________________________________________ USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information are included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ MUSIC ON THE MARCH, 1862 - '65, WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 114th REGT. P.V., COLLIS' ZOUAVES. By FRANK RAUSCHER. PHILADELPHIA: PRESS OF WM. F. FELL & CO., 1220-24 SANSOM STREET. 1892 Copyright 1892, by FRANK RAUSCHER. CHAPTER XIII. 186 PETERSBURG - MILITARY EXECUTIONS - WELDON RAILROAD - SUFFERINGS OF THE ARMY - DEPARTURE OF THE 6TH CORPS - THE MINE EXPLOSION. Now began a campaign in besieging Petersburg, and which ultimately resulted in the close of hostilities by forcing General Lee to the surrender of his army, which had baffled us so often. It was stated that General Grant, in view of crossing the James River, when he crossed the Rapidan, for that purpose had an army under General Butler, who intrenched himself at Bermuda Hundred, where Beauregard held him in check. It was probably intended that he should, at an opportune moment, take possession of Petersburg ; for, if the latter could be captured, the rebel army would only have one railroad to depend on for supplies from the South. For the purpose of taking Petersburg, General Smith left his intrenchments at Cold Harbor, with the 18th Corps, after dark on the 12th of June, and marched to the White House, from which point we received all our supplies at that time. This corps then took transportation and arrived by evening at General Butler's line, which extended to the Appomattox River, and General Smith, who was very sanguine of capturing Petersburg, made a demonstration with his corps, strengthened by the addition of some troops and cavalry under General Kautz. The Petersburg intrench- TAKING THE INTRENCHMENTS. 187 ments extended over two miles outside the city, and General Smith was soon subjected to a heavy artillery fire, while in his front was a broad valley, cut up by ditches and ravines, all swept by their artillery. Our line was therefore withdrawn. General Smith concluded that where there were so many well-posted batteries there was a proportionate force of infantry; but it was afterward ascertained that only 2500 men, under General Wise, were there at that time along the line held by General Brooks. He determined to take the redans, if they were not too strongly held, so the artillery operated but drew no reply; they then advanced and captured several of them. The fihting was mainly done by Hinks's division of colored troops, which lost Soo men, killed and wounded. One mile of intrenchments were taken, which proved the force defending Petersburg was comparatively small. Toward evening our assaulting army received word from Grant that Hancock was on the march to its assistance. At the same time Beauregard was calling on Lee for help to defend Petersburg. Hancock was delayed in receiving rations for his men and took a longer route than was necessary; he could have reached Smith by 4 P. M., and the combined forces would have been strong enough to capture Petersburg before the enemy would have been reinforced to defend it. When Hancock did arrive he was informed that the rebels had been reinforced, and he took a defensive position until the rest of the army came up. On the morning of the 16th General Hancock made a reconnoissance in his front, but on General Meade coming up he ordered an advance by the 2d 188 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Corps and two brigades of the 9th Corps, when several redans were captured, besides driving the enemy back. The next morning General Potter, of the 9th Corps, captured the line in his front and took 500 prisoners. On the 18th General Meade ordered a general advance by the 2d, 5th, and 9th Corps. General Birney was now in command of the 2d Corps, by reason of Hancock's wound, which he received at Gettysburg, becoming greatly aggravated, and when the advance was made it was found that the line they had fought for so hard was vacated, but the rebels were still in possession of a new inner line. General Meade determined to push on, believing that the enemy was not in force. The 2d Corps was nearer the rebel works than the accompanying corps, the 9th Corps being on the left, and the 5th Corps on the left of the latter. Birney charged twice and was repulsed, with severe loss. The 9th Corps found the enemy on the Norfolk Railroad and in advance of their main line, and the 5th Corps experienced similar difficulty, besides having ravines to overcome. All fought with great gallantry, meeting with severe losses, and yet all were repulsed. The position thus firmly held by the enemy remained substantially down to the close of the war. After these unfavorable attempts our army began to intrench where they were. General Grant was satisfied with the hard work that had been done and therefore determined to give the army a needed rest. In these operations before Petersburg, according to the very reliable statistics of the Medical Bureau, the loss was 1298 killed and 7474 wounded; a total of 10,586. City Point, on the James River, was made the depot GRANT'S POLICY. 189 of supplies, and General Grant had his headquarters there, while General Meade made leis along the line of operations. A military railroad was built to bring the supplies up to the army. Along this line water was very scarce, but the ingenuity of the men soon overcame the difficulty by digging wells from twelve to fifteen feet deep, when they found an abundance of good water. The Beat of the sun, which was excessive, had some effect, however, upon it for drinking purposes. Canopies were afterward erected over these wells as a protection from the sun, and subsequently we had a cool and refreshing beverage. A city prepared for a siege by a strong engineering line of works can easily be defended against a vastly superior assaulting force. As an illustration, it is only necessary to refer to the Franco-Prussian war. The works defending Paris could have held out against the Prussian army for an indefinite time, but in. completely investing the city and stopping off all supplies entering the same, the bread-basket of Paris gave out, although they consumed all the horses, and even the dogs and cats, as articles of food. When they were gone the besieged city was compelled to surrender by the force of imperative physical needs alone. Strasburg, although only defended by invalids and citizen soldiers, held out a long time, until the women and children cried out and begged on their knees for the noble Ulrich not to leave them starve to death. Belfort never surrendered, and yet it had as a defense only a military family, who were provided with food for a long period, and no foe could take it by force. Now Grant adopted the counteracting policy of stopping the rebel supplies by capturing all the railroads 190 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. they depended on for the same. He erected works opposite their own, such as could be held by a small force, and then employed his otherwise available resources in capturing their communications by railroad. General Meade established his headquarters in the woods, between the military railroad and the Jerusalem Plank Road. Soon we discovered that our location was in range of a rebel battery of Whitworth guns from the left. Whenever a train passed with supplies the battery would fire at it with their long-range guns, but as a rule they aimed too high and the shells sailed over our camp. The engineers threw up a high breastwork on the opposite side of the railroad, which prevented them from seeing the approaching trains. About this time the rebel papers were full of indignation at our army, berating us as savages, and declaring that we were murdering their noble sons and insulting their women. The cause of this doubtless was in the case of a negro teamster, who perpetrated a felonious assault on the person of a white woman. He was promptly arrested, tried by court- martial, and the proof of his guilt being positive, he was convicted and sentenced to be hanged. General Patrick, Provost Marshal General of the Army, was required to carry out the sentence of the court, and he selected a fort opposite the Appomattox, erected a scaffold thereon in sight of the rebel army, to whom he gave notice of its purpose and the hour of execution. On the 20th day of June our band and regiment, with the condemned man in a wagon, marched out to the fort. At the time our gunners had a lively artillery duel with a rebel fort on the other side of the CREDULOUS CONTRABANDS. 191 Appomattox, and the shells were flying over the fort and around us. We kept on, however, toward the rear entrance to the fort, when an artilleryman, who had just come out with his discharge in his pocket and had started for home, for a moment halted to look at the preliminaries to the execution of the colored man, when a shell struck him and he fell dead on the spot. It was almost a miracle that the band and regiment escaped injury. General Patrick's orderly just then galloped inside the fort and put the Provost Marshal's flag on the scaffold. Soon after the firing ceased and the doomed man was dangling in mid-air. General Patrick selected this spot, which was clearly in view of the rebel line, to convince them, if possible, that such acts as they charged our men with were not only not encouraged, but were punished even unto death. It was afterward learned that the hanging of this negro was made good use of while his body remained on the gallows. A great many contrabands had been coming within our line, and to frighten others and prevent their coming over, the dangling corpse was pointed to as a sample of Yankee vengeance, and fugitives were told that we hanged every negro that came to us. This story spread like wildfire among the credulous colored people, and for some time after no contrabands were seen coming in. Several weeks after this execution, on speaking to a colored man he said that he had intended to come over the night after the man was hanged, but he was frightened by his boss, the captain, who told him he would surely be strung up when he arrived here. In spite of the example made on the gallows at the 192 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. fort, just one month thereafter two men were made to suffer the same penalty and for the same criminal offence. This time the culprits were white men, soldiers. They made a defense and it was thought they would be acquitted, but the Court found them guilty, and on the 20th day of July they paid the penalty imposed in their sentence of death. All the troops in the vicinity were called out and formed a square. Our band again took the head of the line, followed by an army wagon, in which the condemned men sat. The band had often played at military funerals, but there was something singularly sad in this proceeding-men listening to their own funeral march-to the roll of drums that had their death- knell in it. On arriving at the place of execution General Patrick read the sentence of death pronounced upon them by the Court, the Chaplain made a short prayer, and at the tap of a drum the platform on which they stood was suddenly pulled from their feet and in an instant all was over. The Provost Marshal General then made an address to the soldiers assembled, warning all against the commission of like deeds, asking them to remember their mothers, sisters, and daughters. He said that both Grant and Meade were determined that the sanctity of home should be respected. This closed a sad ceremony and an unwelcome duty, when the band struck up a sprightly air, as was always the custom, and the troops marched back to their camp. Preparations were now being made to capture the Weldon Railroad, and on the 21st the 9th Corps was extended to reach the 18th Corps, thus relieving the 2d and 6th Corps, which marched across the Jerusalem Plank Road with the intention of advancing THE ZOUAVES ACTIVE. 193 on the railroad. General Barlow's division was advanced and met a strong force of the enemy. The 6th Corps took position on the left Of the 2d, while the 5th joined at the right. The rebels possessed strong works by which to assist in defending the railroad, and as our line advanced it encountered A. P. Hill's corps, who charged between Birney and Wright, and Barlow's division of Birney's corps was forced to fall back, losing a great many prisoners besides a battery, which left Gibbon's division exposed. In the meantime the rebels turned the captured battery against our own line. The attack was so sudden that Gibbon was unprepared to successfully repel it, and his loss was very heavy. The corps lost 1700 in prisoners, besides a battery and several colors. This seemed to satisfy Hill for the time, for he returned to his intrenchments, keeping, however, possession of the railroad. On the following morning our line advanced to the very point from which they had been previously driven and strongly intrenched themselves. During these operations our regiment was repeatedly sent for to man the breastworks vacated by other troops and often remained several days from camp; and during this campaign it was also repeatedly ordered to fill a gap or strengthen a weak line. During all this time General Meade was away from camp, scarcely ever coming in before midnight, and at 4 o'clock in the morning would be off again. He was personally with the operating army, while General Grant remained at City Point and we seldom saw him. General Meade directed all the movements himself. General Sheridan was off with his cavalry, two divisions of which were preparing to destroy the Central 13 194 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Railroad. He started on the 7th of June, and did not reach the southern side of the James River until the 26th. During this expedition Sheridan destroyed many miles of railroad and an immense amount of property, besides doing a deal of very hard fighting, finally arriving at the White House, after which he reached our lines. In the meantime General Wilson had been sent to destroy the railroads south of Petersburg, which he succeeded in to some extent; but he met with strong opposition and got in many tight places on the return, and the 6th Corps was dispatched to his relief at Reams Station, but it arrived too late to do him much good. So, notwithstanding all our efforts to destroy the Confederate line of supply, they tenaciously managed to hold fast to enough for their purpose. The Weldon Railroad remained in their hands; they kept up communication with the Valley of Virginia byway of the Central Railroad; they could also draw supplies from Southwestern Virginia, and the damage done by our cavalry was repaired with remarkable rapidity. During these active movements our men suffered greatly from the intense heat and continued dry spell of weather, no rain having fallen from the 3d of June until the 19th of July, a period of forty-seven days; springs, creeks and ponds, and even streams of considerable size, were dried up. The dust on the roads was half way to the knees on the march, and the men suffered much from its almost suffocating effects. It was often difficult to distinguish the white from the colored troops; all were perspiring freely and coated with the dirt that ascended in clouds, and at the same time all were burning with thirst from the want of FEARFUL LOSSES. 195 water. From the best sources of information to be had it was ascertained that our losses from the 4th to the present time were as follows: Killed, 8800; wounded, 40,518; missing, 9544. Total, 58,862. Adding the losses of the cavalry under General Sheridan and General Wilson to the former, an aggregate of 61,400 is shown. In obedience to orders from headquarters of the army, Sunday was now strictly observed. All sutlers, and commissary stores were closed on that day, and when circumstances permitted religious services were held, a large tent being used for the purpose. The band again furnished both the instrumental and choir music; also, every Sunday morning, in accordance with the rule adopted, we played reveille at headquarters, which reminded them all of the day of rest and pleased the officers very much. On the 9th of June the 6th Corps unexpectedly left us and marched to City Point, where they embarked for Washington. The same day General Early, the ever active rebel, who had passed up the valley, defeated General Wallace and afterward turned his cavalry toward Washington, and on the 11th he approached the northern front of the Capital. About the same time the 6th Corps began to arrive in the southern part of 'the city and were promptly at the point threatened. So, just when Early was about ready to take the prize, he found the works manned by veterans of the Army of the Potomac. He then reluctantly gave up the idea and all hope of capturing the Capital and hastily fell back, on the night of the 12th, and crossed the Potomac at Leesburg. The 6th Corps, with the 19th, the latter having 196 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. arrived from New Orleans, followed in pursuit of the daring rebel General. Sheridan was also sent on his trail, and by a hard fight and a brilliant victory over him Early's active career in the valley was practically closed. Sheridan also destroyed everything that was likely to prolong the life of the Confederacy, coming within range of his cavalry, while on this tour in that fruitful valley. The withdrawal of the 6th Corps from our front compelled the reconstruction of our lines and strengthening of our works, which now on both sides assumed stupendous proportions. Large mortars at this time were introduced in the army, such as would reach points far beyond a cannonade, and of which we received a goodly number thirty 30-inch, ten 10-inch and twenty Cochran mortars. At first the enemy were taken by surprise when they were opened upon them, and they suffered considerably from the new explosives, as they were not provided with bomb-proofs. It was not long, however, before they were provided with the same weapons of destruction, which necessitated on our part, as well as their own, the construction of proofs against the shells from these mammoth mortars. After this, whenever a bomb was seen flying in the air toward us, all hands could be seen creeping in their bomb-proof holes. At night frequently both sides would put these big guns at work, and the missiles from them could be distinctly followed by the sight; occasionally they would come in contact with each other in mid-air, thus showing the unerring aim of the expert gunners and producing a pyrotechnic display indescribably grand. This mortar practice was kept up until the close of the siege. UNDER THE ENEMY'S FORT. 197 During all this time something new and novel was going on underground, as well as things visible in the air and on the field. A mine was being dug in front of Army Headquarters on a part of the line of Port Hill. It was constructed principally by the men of the 43rd Regiment, Penna. Vols., who were enlisted mostly from Schuylkill County and were familiar with mining operations. This mine, or cavern, was five hundred and eleven feet long, under the enemy's fort, with connecting galleries thirty-eight feet long. Having an engineer battalion at headquarters, we were kept well informed as to the nature and progress of the work in which the sappers were persistently engaged, and also looked forward with an absorbing interest to its consummation. General Burnside, on whose line the mine was located, had the greatest confidence in its success, but General Meade never had much faith in the project, and at first was positively opposed to the hazardous experiment: When the mine was completed and the arrangements made for the explosion, at the hour set General Grant made a strong move on the north side of the James River in order to weaken the rebel line in front. He sent the 2d Corps, with cavalry, which compelled Lee to push out two divisions of Longstreet's corps and two divisions of Hill's corps to the north side of the James River. The time fixed for the explosion-of the mine was the morning Of July 30th and the 2d Corps was brought back during the night previous. The front of Petersburg, as far as could be ascertained, was only held by three divisions of Lee's army. The order was that, as soon as the explosion occurred, the whole line was to advance, before the enemy could 198 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. recover from the shock. At 4.30 A. M. the fuse was touched and the mine went up, causing only a dull sound, yet, in a military sense, it was a success. The whole fort, men, guns, and even the earth for some distance around, rose about thirty feet in the air and fell in a jumbled mass, leaving visible only a deep mass of debris. At once the batteries thundered along the whole line, and such a cannonade had not been heard there before. The whole attempt, however, proved a failure; the advancing troops became huddled together in the debris in an inextricable mass, and, while they could neither advance nor retreat, the rebels soon recovered and had every part of the depression covered; to remain was death; to retreat was no better. The heat was intense and the men were without a drop of water, massed in the debris, and the sun burning into their very backs. Had a successful move been made to the right and left of them it would have relieved them, but from beginning to end the plot was a miscarriage. For an hour and a half after the explosion our men had received no reinforcements, and the rebel troops sent to the north side of the James River had not returned; facts which were learned from the prisoners taken. When General Meade discovered how things stood he urged Burnside to push his men forward; black and white, and it was 8 P.m. when the 9th Corps advanced, and when they came to the crater of the mine it broke their line; still, a portion of the men kept on and captured several hundred rebels. By this time Lee had collected his troops and nearly all our men fell back. General Meade being now convinced that further offensive operations were useless, he gave BURNSIDE'S BUNGLE. 199 orders to cease firing. He reported a loss of 4400 killed, wounded, and missing. General Meade was painfully displeased over this bungling affair, and, at his request, President Lincoln ordered a Court of Inquiry. That portion of the newspaper press which was prejudiced against Meade at once began a croaking outcry, and theoretically saddled the responsibility of the failure on his shoulders. The Court of Inquiry, however, and correctly, too, exonerated him from all blame, and Grant came to his rescue by affirming that Meade's orders were perfect, and, further, that had they been carried out Petersburg would have been captured. The Court censured Burnside for not preparing his front for a simultaneous attack ; he did not even remove the abattis or prepare the parapets, nor was he on the ground to know what was done. The Court also found that some of the division commanders did not accompany their troops, having remained in bomb-proofs for their own security. Thus ended this miserable abortion. CHAPTER XIV. 200 FIGHTING ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT - REAM'S STATION - MORE EXECUTIONS - SOUTHSIDE RAILROAD - PROMOTION OF GENERAL MEADE - DEPARTURE OF GENERAL HANCOCK. During the first week in August General Sheridan left us to take charge of the operations against General Early in the valley. On parting with headquarters he appeared to be as happy as a boy going to see a circus, instead of showing any concern as to the serious responsibility he was about to assume; but General Grant knew his man, and the confidence he had in Sheridan was not misplaced, as subsequent events during the campaign conclusively proved. General Grant, having learned that Lee had sent three divisions from Petersburg to General Early in the valley, at once began to flank the line of the enemy. He sent the 2d Corps, Hancock's, and Loth, under Birney, on the north side of the James River, and advanced on Richmond from that direction; but again they found the rebels in strong force and some sharp fighting followed. Hancock remained there several days, keeping up a threatening attitude, .his losses footing up about 2700 men. While this was going on, on the right, the 5th Corps and the 9th Corps were ordered to the extreme left, to seize the Weldon Railroad. On the 19th Griffin's division began to destroy the railroad, while Ayres moved on his left; but they were soon attacked and the latter BATTERIES LOST AND RECAPTURED. 201 had to fall back. It was not long, however, before our line was re- formed, when the enemy was driven from the ground. The rebels fought hard to force the 5th Corps from the railroad. In this effort our losses were 935 in killed and wounded, but the railroad was in our possession and General Warren began to intrench with the intention of remaining there. The next day the rebels Were reinforced and ferociously attacked different parts of our line with varied success. On the 21st General A. P. Hill opened with 30 guns on Warren's position and persistently attacked him, but the enemy was repulsed and our line now stretched from Petersburg to the Weldon Railroad. The 2d Corps moved from the extreme right to the extreme left, to strengthen Warren. When the 2d Corps arrived there the men were almost overcome by the extreme heat and were assigned a position in the rear of the 5th Corps. The Weldon Railroad was considered as a very important line of supplies to Lee's army, and it was expected that he would make the strongest efforts possible to regain it. The left of the position was at Ream's Station, where the 2d Corps was intrenched. Hill's corps attacked us with a heavy artillery fire, which continued for about fifteen minutes, when he advanced with five brigades and very hard fighting ensued. A part of our line, composed of new troops, gave way and endangered the whole line, the enemy taking from us three batteries which had been doing good service against them. Hancock then sent Gibbon's division to retake the position and recapture the guns, but the men feebly responded, and this gave the rebels an 202 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. opportunity for a reverse fire on the line. It was a most critical predicament for this corps to be in; but just at that moment a small force of the 1st division succeeded in forming a line at right angles of the breastworks, gallantly drove the enemy, regained a portion of the line and also one of the lost batteries. The rebel cavalry dismounted, charged us on the left, and drove Gibbon's division, but they were in turn charged by Gregg's dismounted cavalry and re-formed on a new line in the rear of the former one. General Hancock declared that if his corps had fought as it always did before, he would have defeated the enemy; but the corps had been receiving a great many new regiments, composed of substitutes, drafted men, and others attracted to the army by the large bounties offered; men, in fact, who had never been in action. In this contest at Ream's Station Hancock lost a total of 2372 in killed, wounded, and missing. During all these operations, which as a consequence weakened our lines in front, the Zouaves d'Afrique were repeatedly called on to strengthen and man the breastworks, thus for weeks being away from camp, while at other times they were subjected to fatiguing marches in taking new recruits and convalescents from City Point to the left of the line, and on the return in bringing rebel prisoners from the front to City Point. In the latter part of September General Patrick sent for the band to come down to the aforesaid place, the occasion being the presentation of a beautiful sword to the General by his old regiment, the 20th New York. A large and brilliant array of officers from different portions of the army were assembled there to HIGH BOUNTY MEN. 203 do honor to the event. In his remarks, on receiving the highly prized present, after eloquently thanking and paying a compliment to his former comrades of the New York regiment, he said that he felt as if that campaign would be his last; and many others thought so, for the past year had bleached his hair snow white and he looked ten years older than he did twelve months before. After the ceremony was over he invited all present to a fine collation, when a most pleasant evening was spent. Our band, of course, furnished the music, both instrumental and vocal, the comic songs being particularly enjoyed. All who had enlisted for three years in 1861, and who had not re- enlisted at this time, were now leaving the army, and the inducements held out by high bounties brought new men to take their places, who knew nothing whatever of military service. I met several musicians who were on their way to the 2d Corps; they had enlisted for one year, and each received a bounty of $650. Their pay as first-class musicians was $34 per month, including rations and clothing, a cash total of $1058; while we, who enlisted in 1862 for three years, received the small sum Of $25, with a promise Of $75 when our time was up. There were many men who were paid a bounty of $1200, and yet never saw the least of service. It was no wonder that the veterans of 1861-62, became dissatisfied. These excessive bounties, however, were a great evil, for they fostered a horde of unscrupulous jumpers, who, after obtaining the highest prices at command, took advantage of the first opportunity, and would slip over to the rebels, then work their way North, and enlist again for another premium under 204 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. another name. Some of these hirelings were known to have received three or four bounties, and had seen but little or no service; and yet without such transferable and marketable stock in trade the occupation of the substitute broker would have had no place among the incidentals of the war. Generals Grant and Meade, however, were made very tired and felt ashamed of the "jumping" part of the business and determined to check it, if not possible to break it up, by making an example of some of the bounty-snatchers in order to deter others from engaging in it. A Military Court was therefore organized at City Point, of which General Collis, on account of his high character and legal qualifications, was placed in charge. The first batch of this material brought before the Court consisted of seven deserters, some of whom it was proven jumped the bounties a number of times. All these men were found guilty and sentenced to be shot, and the death penalty was promptly executed. As many troops as could be spared from the intrenchments at Petersburg were gathered and marched to the spot where the condemned men were to meet their fate. Seven rude coffins had been hastily prepared and placed in open army wagons, each deserter sitting on his coffin, and in this manner, preceded by our band playing the "Dead March," the sad procession reached the place of execution, where the cons were arranged in a line on the ground, the deserters resuming their seats thereon and facing a platoon of soldiers with loaded muskets. The military formed a square, which hemmed in this repulsive scene, an army chaplain made a brief prayer, and at the tap of a drum the guns were discharged with unerring aim, SEVEN DESERTERS SHOT. 205 and the seven men fell dead upon and some of them into their coffins. The soldiers were marched from the ground to the music of the band, and soon again they were engaged in duties that obliterated for the time the thrilling scene from their minds. The apparent insensibility of the deserters to the certain end awaiting them conclusively exemplified the fact that the "less he fears who's near the thing he fears." Our line now extended to the Weldon Railroad, against which the rebels had fought so hard, and being strongly intrenched there, our communication was secured and supplies reached our troops by rail. Grant, knowing that Lee must of necessity have weakened his line north of the James River, decided to send a strong force toward Richmond, which consisted of the Loth and 18th Corps, with an addition of cavalry. The latter corps advanced on Fort Harrison, and albeit our men were exposed to a raking fire from the heavy ordnance of the fort, and also from the gunboats of the enemy, they carried the stronghold and captured 200 prisoners and 15 guns. The Loth Corps, under Birney, marched against New Market and took the works there, the enemy losing 500 in killed and wounded. Afterward the corps advanced on Fort Fisher, but it was found entirely too strong for a successful attack. Subsequently the 10th and 18th Corps formed a junction, and on the next day, September 30th, the rebels with great fury made an assault on our line, but they were splendidly repulsed. They made repeated and the most determined charges against us, but our men had the Spencer repeating rifles, the fire from which was too hot for them and they sustained heavy losses, finally 206 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. breaking away. Fort Fisher and other positions captured were permanently held by our troops. On the same morning General Meade made a movement toward our extreme left with Gregg's cavalry and four divisions of infantry, two of the 5th and two of the 9th Corps. With these he marched toward the Southside Railroad and met the enemy at Pieble's farm, about three miles from the railroad, where Fort McRae was carried by assault and the rebels fell back to a stronger line of works. Porter's division of the 9th Corps endeavored to carry it, but were repulsed, when the enemy, seizing the opportunity, charged between our two corps and made prisoners of about 900 of our men. Fort McRae, however, was firmly retained by us. We may now return to the other side of the James River, from which point, on the 1st of October, Generals Terry and Kautz advanced in the direction of Richmond with only two brigades and a force of cavalry. They penetrated the country to within about two miles of that city without encountering any serious opposition, Lee having sent his troops away to defend the Southside Railroad; but as soon as possible they were brought back to attack our line. On the morning of the 7th they came in force against our right by attacking the cavalry with such suddenness and vigor that they broke and lost ten cannon. They afterward tried Terry, but he had a good position, with abattis and slashings, and allowed them to come well up, when his four brigades poured a murderous fire into their ranks, which caused them to withdraw in great confusion, and they fell back toward Richmond. As the season was advancing, and with the prospect THE REBEL IN AMBUSH. 207 of inclement weather, General Grant was anxious to capture the Southside Railroad, as the Confederates received all their most needful supplies over this open line of transit. The strategic point was that if he could succeed in cutting this artery the enemy would be compelled to evacuate both Petersburg and Richmond, and on the 24th he directed General Meade to prepare for a move with that important end in view. The line of rebel intrenchments was so strong that a small force of men could hold it, thus allowing of a movable and formidable body on the flanks; but Grant knew that the more their line was drawn out the thinner it must of necessity become, while he was constantly being reinforced. This movement, as most others did, began by an advance from the north side of the James River with the Loth Corps and Kautz's cavalry, supported by the 18th Corps, which marched direct to the former battlefield of Seven Pines, and from thence up the Williamsburg Road. The Rebels were ambushed, hiding on both sides of the road, while in front only a small force was met and which was driven back until their works were approached, when a telling and slaying fire was received. This was endured as long as possible, and on falling back our troops again found the enemy on both sides of the road in strong force, with artillery and musketry enfilading their ranks from every direction. The rebels then emerged from their works and charged with desperation, capturing the larger portion of two brigades. Our whole line then fell back to their breastworks, the move on the right having culminated in a failure. On the left the movement was made with a force of 208 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. 35,000 men. General Hancock marched to Hatcher's, Run, while Warren pushed out the right of the 2d Corps. The country here was very difficult for the movement of troops. When Hancock reached Hatcher's Run he found the ford obstructed by fallen trees, but in spite of this the men waded the stream waist deep and carried the rifle pits on the opposite side. As our men emerged from the thicket they were met by a storming fire from the enemy's artillery, but our own guns soon silenced their deep diapasons. Grant and Meade were present at this time, and Hancock was informed by them that the 5th Corps would make a junction with him on his right. Warren, on this occasion, made the same complaint that Hancock did at Ream's Station, of having under him 3900 men who had never fired a shot in battle, and who were even ignorant of the manual of arms. In this wild and rough region Warren experienced great difficulty in moving his corps, some of his divisions actually losing their way. But Grant and Meade became convinced that this move was a decided failure in its main purpose, the Southside Railroad being yet some six miles distant and with no prospect in view of reaching it. Hancock was therefore given orders to hold his position until the following morning, and then fall back over the same route he marched in reaching it. Heavy firing was now heard on the right, which he attributed to the advance of Warren, and two regiments were sent to ascertain the cause, when they met a strong force, consisting of Mahone's division, charging between our lines. Although Warren was not far distant, yet, on account of the density of the woodland, he had heard of nothing to attract his attention. By A COMPULSORY NIGHT MARCH. 209 this sortie the rebels captured a battery, but Hancock so manoeuvred his corps and displayed such energy that the temporary mishap was soon corrected and Mahone was made to beat a retreat, and the batteries he had taken were recaptured. As Hancock was running short of ammunition and none could be sent to him, he concluded to withdraw that night; so the wearied men retraced their steps under a relentless rain, which continued all night. Not having sufficient ambulance accommodations, it was compulsory to leave about 250 of the wounded men on the field. As heretofore shown, the scheme to capture the Southside Railroad was a sacrificial failure. When it is considered that Lee had to hold and defend a line some thirty miles long, and yet could baffle us, as he did, on both flanks, it would simply be the suppression of a visible fact and simple truth not to admire the vigilance, tenacity, and fighting pluck of our foes on the field. General Hancock this time reported a loss of 123 killed, 700 wounded, and 325 missing, and General Warren lost 211 killed and wounded. The whole movement on both sides of the river, which was expected to accomplish so much of vital importance and, unfortunately, secured absolutely nothing, cost our army a combined loss of 3000 men. For three months after the abandonment of this movement the contending armies lay comparatively quiet, with the exception of an occasional and unimportant encounter along the line of the Petersburg intrenchments. In the language of Fitz-Green Halleck, the veterans on both sides had "fought like brave men, long and well," and the determination still burn- 210 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. ing in the hearts of their chagrined commanders may doubtless be expressed in this familiar couplet: "And tho' I hope not hence unscath'd to go, who conquers me, shall find a stubborn foe." On the first day of December, at an unusual hour, General Seth Williams sent for our band to come to headquarters. We thought there was something extra on the tapis ; perhaps some noted guests had arrived; but the reason was given in due time, when we were informed that the outburst was intended as a special compliment to General Meade on his promotion to a major generalship in the regular army, an honor which every soldier in the Army of the Potomac, in consideration of faithful service, acknowledged as well deserved. All the staff officers were in high glee over the cheering intelligence, and the occasion otherwise was such as will ever be remembered with supreme pleasure by all the participants. The duties of the band at this time absorbed pretty much all its time, even on Sunday, for on that day we continued our custom of playing reveille at headquarters at daybreak, guard-mount at seven o'clock, and performing in front of the chapel at ten o'clock. In the afternoon there was dress parade, and later on our officers took us to the 5th Corps headquarters, where ex-Governor Bradford, of Maryland, was a guest. Here, after performing a number of our best selections, the distinguished visitor personally thanked the band for its music. I reminded him that once before the band of the 114th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, had the pleasure of playing for him, at PROMISCUOUS MATTERS. 211 Annapolis. He well recollected all about it and again extended his courtesy, saying he was pleased to meet us this time under circumstances so unlike the former. On reaching camp our services for the day were continued by playing at Army Headquarters until late at night. While performing here we could hear the cars passing along with a very merry crowd aboard. They turned out to be a division of the 6th Corps, returning from the valley after having punished and finished the rebel Early. Having a number of relatives and friends in this division, on hearing us play several of them were soon with us, saying they knew where the Zouave Band was from the music that was being performed. Winter had now set in, with extremely cool weather, and not without some good results, for we had all along been bothered by innumerable flies about our camp, and the pests blowed Our beef, to the great disgust of the men. When the mercury ran down toward the bulb of the thermometer, however, the first cold snap over night put an end to them all. This relieved us of the nuisance, but at the same time it would be difficult to tell of the suffering entailed upon the men in the trenches during the continuance of the low temperature. Fortunately, these cold snaps never lasted for a long time, moderate weather soon alternating. The 5th Corps was sent on a raid, with cavalry, to destroy the Weldon Railroad, but the straggling of the men on this errand was disgraceful; the cavalry picked up thousands of them and brought them back to camp; they were mostly high bounty soldiers, who never anticipated any very severe service. The corps, 212 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. however, came back highly pleased with their trip, as they succeeded in destroying about thirty miles of railroad. They reported the farms well supplied with apple whisky, an abundance of cattle and poultry, and many of the men returned with chickens pinioned on their bayonets. After the last campaign on the left of the line, General Hancock was sent to Washington in order to organize a corps of veterans for the spring campaign. General Humphrey, who was chief of staff to General Meade, now took command of the 2d Corps. No better or more desirable soldier could have been selected to succeed the position vacated by General Hancock, and in the final operations during the spring he proved himself in every requisite worthy of the command of this splendid fighting corps. The siege of Petersburg continued, and the men of the contending armies on some portions of the lines were very close to each other, but by mutual consent they agreed not to fire at each other, and even made frequent exchanges of rations, tobacco, papers, and other articles. On other parts of the line, however, they were constantly peppering at each other. After a season of civilities across the line, General Meade thought the time had come to stop this rather too social intercourse, and therefore an order was issued forbidding the men anywhere along the line, on any pretext whatever, to continue the practice. This order caused the capture of General Pryor, of the rebel army, who, on being outside their lines endeavoring to procure the latest news from our newspapers, was taken prisoner. While happening to be at the railroad station awaiting transportation HUNGERED BUT COULD FIGHT. 213 North - he had no guard with him and was probably on parole - in conversation with him, he still expressed his faith in the ultimate success of the Confederacy; but he must have known that it was at that time on its last legs. "Even your capitalists," he said, "have no faith in your cause, or your greenbacks would stand dollar for dollar. But instead of that," he continued, "your dollar stands at $2.50 discount, and before spring gold will be up to $3." He had, forgotten, however, to compare the worthless rag money of the Confederacy with that which he was depreciatively speaking of. He lived, like many more misguided disciples of Jefferson Davis, to see the fallacy of his following, and has since been a successful lawyer in New York city. He appeared to be a man of marked intelligence and pleasing social traits. During the severe winter weather a great many deserters from the rebel army came over to us, and all told the same painful story as to the awful suffering and deprivations the men of their army were subjected to from the want of rations. They affirmed that their soldiers were in a starving condition, and yet, whenever our army encountered them on the field, they proved themselves to be in splendid fighting condition. Later in the season their commissary improved. They had reserve depots in Richmond, Lynchburg, Danville, and Greensboro; but their railroad facilities were limited, almost drawn down to a feather's edge. At this time, too, a great many contrabands came in, besides refugees; sometimes whole families - fathers, mothers, and many children, poorly clad and looking wretched. The picture was as sad as it was a dark one, in more than one respect, and to 214 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. those having children at the homes we left, and the aged to be cared for, there was a chord of pity and sympathy in our hearts to be touched. Theirs was a destiny against which it was but folly for them to strive; ours was the duty of redeeming them in some glorious way. The mails were now delayed by the severity and storms of the season, and "good news from home" came slowly to us. The boats on the bay were irregular, and the men on furloughs who took them on their homeward trips gave dreadful accounts of the suffering they endured aboard them. The details of our regiment, who took prisoners to Washington, corroborated these tales of woe. The boats were too uncomfortable for such a purpose; but we were moving along with the new year, 1865, and there were prospects of more desirable weather. CHAPTER XV. 215 FINAL MILITARY OPERATIONS - HATCHER's RUN - DINWIDDIE - FIVE FORKS - WARREN'S BRAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF COMMAND - CITY POINT. General Grant now began to make calculations and also preparations for the final stroke-the blow that was to crush the Rebellion-which was to be dealt as soon as the weather permitted. The intrenched line of the enemy, from extreme right to left, was thirty-four miles. Could Lee hold this extended length and still have enough men to do battle with our army beyond the line ? At the same time Grant was fearful that Lee would slip away from him as soon as the roads were in good condition; in fact, early in March Lee and Jefferson Davis had a conference as to the practicability of abandoning both Petersburg and Richmond, with the intention of making a junction with Johnson in the hope of crushing Sherman. It was no doubt with this object in view that such a formidable attempt was made to break our line on the right, to compel Grant to draw back his left in order to defend the right and City Point, our chief base of supplies. The place selected was Fort Stedman, on the left of the Appomattox, where the lines were only from fifty to a hundred yards apart, and the pickets of the respective armies even closer. The attack was well planned. The order allowing our men to permit rebel deserters to come over and bring 216 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. their arms with them, for which they would receive pay, greatly assisted the rebels in deceiving our men, At an early hour on the morning of March 25th, our pickets took it for granted that a large number of the rebel pickets were coming in, and, of course, they were not fired upon, but when they approached our men face to face it was at once discovered that they were enemies still. They were soon followed by the storming party of Gordon's division, who broke our line, invested Fort Stedman, and overpowered the garrison. After this successful venture they turned their guns along our lines and succeeded in capturing several batteries. It was too dark, before the dawn of day, to distinguish between friend and foe, and in the meantime they cut our telegraph lines, and General Meade, who was at City Point, had no immediate information of the attack, and some rebel forces were already marching in that direction. General Parke, who was in command on this part of the line, at once ordered General Wallace and General Hartranft to concentrate and recapture Fort Stedman. In moving his troops Hartranft encountered the enemy, who were already on our military railroad and rapidly approaching City Point in force, and he drove them back to their line. By this time they were advancing to attack the forts on the right and left of Fort Stedman, and at 8 A. M. General Hartranft attacked the captured fort and retook it, with comparatively small loss to his command. Our artillery kept tip an incessant fire on the fort, thus preventing the garrison from being reinforced; nor could they escape, and many were killed in making the attempt. Nearly 2000 prisoners were taken. Our MORE EXECUTIONS. 217 loss was 1017 in killed, wounded, and missing. During the unfolding of these events our whole army was on the march to repel what appeared to be a very daring movement on the part of the enemy. The 2d Corps advanced on the rebels to ascertain if their works were strongly held and captured their intrenched picket line. We managed to hold the line, but at a cost of 513 killed and wounded and 175 missing. Having our camp now at City Point, we pitched our tents on a hill which overlooked the Appomattox. General Grant had his cabin at the foot of the hill-the same cabin that has since been an object of interest to visitors in Fairmount Park. Here our band serenaded the Lieutenant General and his staff a number of times each week, while the regiment was chiefly engaged in bringing rebel prisoners for shipment to Washington. The Court, over which General Collis still presided, kept on with its duties, trying deserters and condemning the guilty, and frequently we had the unwelcome duty of providing doleful music for, and being spectators on, these unpleasant occasions. On Saturday, March 17th, two men were executed by order of the Court, who had been in the rebel army. They came over to us, took the oath of allegiance, and enlisted in our army, but were subsequently caught while endeavoring to reach the enemy's lines. They appeared to be the most penitent of the kind we had yet seen; both made short addresses and offered up fervent prayers, and were apparently deeply affected by their approaching doom. A moment later they were launched into eternity. On leaving the ground we were informed that during the coming week there would be several executions, but as we had become 218 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. used to these ignominious scenes, the part we played had to be accepted as readily as the more agreeable services we were required to render. The 27th day of March was eventful in the fact that General Sherman paid General Grant a visit, and every soldier in the army cognizant of the distinguished visitant's presence began to speculate as to the meaning of the consultation, for all had been looking to energetic work in the very near future, and such, too, as would finish the war. That night General Ord, who was commanding the Army of the James, took two divisions of the 24th Corps and a colored division of the 25th Corps, accompanied by a strong force of cavalry, with which he made a secret march to our extreme left, a distance of thirty-six miles, where he took position in the rear of the 2d Corps. This exploit was skillfully accomplished, and apparently unknown to the enemy. For the final campaign it may be here stated that our army, including the Army of the James and the cavalry, consisted of 125,000 men, while the army of the Confederates did not exceed 60,000. On the morning of the 29th General Sheridan moved out toward the extreme left, supported by the 2d and 5th Corps. It was not the intent to attack the enemy in his intrenched line, but to force him out, if possible; and, in case he remained therein, then, according to the plan, at that opportune moment the cavalry were to dash on and destroy the South-' side and Danville Railroads. The 5th Corps, under Warren, while pressing forward and when near Dinwiddie Court-house, encountered Anderson's division, which resulted in a sharp engagement, and the rebels HARD FIGHTING. 219 were promptly driven back to their intrenchments. In this stroke Warren lost about 375 men, killed and wounded. General Lee now was doubtless aware of Grant's design, and therefore dispatched his cavalry to meet Sheridan, the latter having been ordered not to give so much attention to the railroads as originally intended he should, but push on briskly for the rear of the enemy. Heavy rains had set in; the country was flat and slow of drainage, and, the soil being of a pasty nature, the marching was made very difficult. But in spite of all the drawbacks the infantry moved steadily on, the men keeping in good spirits, the whole army being impressed with the feeling that this would be the last campaign and the end of the hardships and sufferings they would be subjected to. The 2d Corps drove the enemy into his intrenchments at Hatcher's Run; Warren occupied the Boynton Road to Gravelly Run, while Sheridan sent his cavalry to take possession of Five Forks. Here they met Fitz-Hugh Lee's cavalry, with whom some very sharp skirmishing was exchanged. W. H. Lee came to the rescue of the rebels, and about dusk Pickett put in an appearance with about 7000 infantry. On the morning of the 31st the cavalry of the enemy attacked Davis' and Devin's brigades of cavalry and forced them back. General Pickett had command of the rebels, and he vigorously followed up his success, when General Custer, with two brigades attacked him in turn. Pickett was compelled to about-face and to meet Sheridan, who was hurriedly advancing. The fighting continued into the night, and was of the most obstinate character on both sides, 220 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. and the ground over which they fought was thickly wooded, which added a dismal picture to the work of death going on. Warren, hearing the noise of Sheridan's engagement, toward evening ordered General Bartlett's division to march at once to Sheridan's assistance and to strike the flank of the enemy; but immediately after he received another despatch, from Meade, to send his division down the White Oak Road, as the rebels were reported between Sheridan and Warren. Bartlett, however, had advanced too far to be recalled in time, and Warren directed General Pearson, he being more available, to move without let or hindrance toward Dinwiddie; but the bridge over Gravelly Run had been destroyed, and the stream was so much swollen by the heavy rains as to make that point unfordable. Pearson, therefore, was compelled to halt. On learning of the cause Warren forwarded engineers to repair the bridge, which required a span of forty feet. In the meantime he received an imperative order from General Meade to send the division to Sheridan and to start without delay. Warren subsequently informed Meade that every effort was being made to rebuild the structure and render the stream passable. The telegraph line must have been in bad condition, for neither Grant nor Mead; had known of the destruction of the Gravelly Run bridge until the morning of April 1st. At the same time Meade was informed that Sheridan could not hold his position unless he was promptly reinforced, so Warren was ordered to push his troops forward to Sheridan's relief by way of the Quaker Road. This would require a march of ten miles, and General Warren concluded that it would cause him to be too late in DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN GENERALS. 221 affording the assistance demanded; he so advised General Meade, and also assured him that he would forward reinforcements in some way. By 2 o'clock A. M. the bridge over the run was completed, and Ayres' division at once passed over and toward Dinwiddie, the latter place having been reached by a march of five hours the same morning. It may here be noted that the aforesaid order was one of the causes of the unfortunate disagreement between Warren, Meade, and Sheridan, and which not long afterward culminated in Warren being relieved of his command. It was contended that Warren should have obeyed Meade's orders, which he received at 10.50 P. M. the preceding day, by sending promptly his two other divisions by the Quaker Road; but Warren used his own judgment, and concluded that the marching of his troops ten miles to reach Sheridan, at night and through a rough country would have exhausted his men, who could not have reached Dinwiddie before Ayres' division, who could have crossed the stream and by a much shorter route. No general in the army was more popular than Warren with his men; he was a favorite with the soldiers, and his retirement produced a shock that was felt throughout the army, particularly among the veterans of his own corps, the 5th. After the Dinwiddie action, General Pickett was directed to take position at Five Forks to protect the Southside Railroad. He intrenched himself strongly, although closely pressed by our cavalry, in spite of the effort to defeat him and thus cut him off from Lee's forces. With this end in view the 5th Corps took position on the right, parallel with the White 222 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Oak Road, the cavalry on the left, and advanced on Five Forks about 4 P. M., Crawford's division on the right and Ayres' on the left, Griffin supporting the rear. They were soon engaged, receiving a hot skirmish fire when crossing White Oak Road, while Ayres, on the left, had to face a warm shower of musketry, besides being swept by their artillery, which developed their strongly intrenched position on the left. General Sheridan, who was with Ayres' division, sent for the other two divisions of the 5th Corps, desiring them to change their directions that they might be brought to the support of Ayres and form on his right. The staff officers, however, had a deal of trouble in finding these two divisions, on account of the wooded country, and it was a task to overtake them. General Warren found Griffin's division moving southward, in the rear of the enemy's intrenchments, when he ordered him to attack a new line that had been formed at right angles to our own. Griffin at once made an assault on this new line, although it was stubbornly defended, and he was finally victorious. Warren then rode to Ayres and found him reforming his troops at right angles to the enemy's line, and Crawford's division was driving the dismounted rebel cavalry before him. At the Ford Road he found the division in good order, and he led it along this road to the rear of the enemy's works. General Pickett, therefore, had lost his left, and began to make arrangements to protect his rear by sending a force against Crawford, but he could not bear the brunt of our forces and had to retire, after losing a battery of five guns. The enemy then fell back to Five Forks, a GENERAL WARREN'S BRAVERY. 223 position where they had another battery to rely upon. Devin's division now, on the left, charged over the intrenchments at the fort and captured three guns, two battle-flags, and many prisoners. General Warren, who was with Crawford, now made a charge, forming his division on the White Oak Road, with the left of the division extending to the south of the road. Warren noticed a hesitation on the part of the troops in promptly advancing on the enemy, as they kept up a very hot fire against our line, when he placed himself at the head of the column, with a corps flag in his hand, and waving it before the men bravely cried: "Come on, boys; I'll take you in!" Spontaneously, the whole advanced, and although the belching fire was terribly severe, the intrenchment was carried and the enemy gave up in a rapid retreat. General Warren then followed in hot pursuit of the fleeing rebels and drove them until darkness covered the scene. The success was complete. The gallantry of the fearless General and the indomitable courage of the men, who caught his inspiration, were richly rewarded in the 4500 prisoners taken. The total loss in the 5th Corps was 650 in killed, wounded, and missing. After this battle not a single life on either side should have been sacrificed, for General Lee must have known that the doom of his army was sealed, that the Confederacy was in its death throes, and that the time was near at hand for the surrender of his vanishing and famishing followers. It would have added greatly to his credit, if not to his fame, in spite of his native pride, had he at this time have made propositions for a total and unqualified deliverance of his army. 224 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Strange as it may appear in association with these facts, and in the face of this signal victory under Warren's personal daring, after the battle of Five Forks, and while the last of the prisoners were being taken, about 7 P. M., General Warren received an order from Sheridan relieving him from duty. This order fell like a thunderbolt among the brave veterans of the 5th Corps, who had been witnesses of his daring on many a field and of his sublime, soldierly conduct on that very day. Sheridan charged that Warren did not sufficiently exert himself to bring forward his corps at Gravelly Run, and at Five Forks he became dissatisfied with Warren, charging that during the. engagement portions of his line gave way when not exposed to a heavy fire, and he also affirmed that Warren did not exert himself in a manner to inspire confidence in him. To our men, it is but fair to say, that these appeared to be very strange accusations coming from Sheridan, in view of the facts and events related. General Warren, brave and loyal as he was, without the shadow of reproach or suspicion previously resting upon his good name, could not rest under these grave and suspicious charges, and finally he succeeded in having a Court of Inquiry appointed by the President. During its sitting the most eminent soldiers, for and against, were examined, and the result as to the first charge was: "The Court of Inquiry is of the opinion that there was no unnecessary delay in his march of the 5th Corps, and that General Warren took the usual methods of a corps commander to prevent delay." As to the other charge the Court concluded as follows: "General Warren's WARREN'S VINDICATION. 225 attention appears to have been drawn, almost immediately after Ayres received a flank fire from the return and his consequent change of front, to the probability of Crawford, with Griffin, diverging too much from and being separated from Ayres; and by continuous exertion of himself and staff substantially remedied matters; and the Court thinks this was for him the essential point to be attended to, which also exacted his whole efforts to accomplish." Such were the opinions of men of great military experience and the highest character, who, under oath to inquire into the facts, rendered an impartial verdict. Again we return to City Point, where important events are transpiring. As soon as the spring campaign was actively opened, in anticipation of good news from the army, President Lincoln came down here, and Andrew Curtin, the War Governor of Pennsylvania, was also present. Admiral Porter, with his flag-ship, the Malvern, was lying in the stream, opposite City Point. On the first day of April Admiral Porter requested General Collis to send the band to spend the evening aboard the Malvern, and after partaking of supper and putting ourselves in trim we took a boat and soon reached the flag-ship. The Malvern carried twelve guns and a complement of 300 men. Her decks were as cleanly as a waxed parlor and everything was in the most precise order. There were present a great many ladies, including the Admiral's wife, and the band did its best to entertain the select company with its choicest music, and from the Admiral down to the colored waiters all seemed delighted. There was an excellent collation, 15 226 MUSIC OBI THE MARCH. but nothing stronger than coffee came to the tables, all intoxicating beverages being prohibited aboard the Malvern. About midnight we returned to camp, when we were called from our beds to assist in celebrating the victory of our troops at the battle of Five Points. The news had just reached headquarters, so, after playing a few patriotic airs, the drums putting in their parts with unusual vigor, we retired again for what was left of sleeping hours. The next morning we had the pleasure of seeing President Abraham Lincoln for the first, and, unfortunately, it was the last time. While there he made, his temporary home on board the River Queen, alongside the flag-ship of Admiral Porter. On that morning I strolled out to one of the abandoned forts, having first received the morning's paper, and while resting myself on one of the parapets two men came in the fort- one was Admiral Porter, the other President Lincoln. They halted in front of the spot where I was sitting. The Admiral, from the high position of the fort, could overlook a broad expanse of. our line of works. He pointed out to the President the positions of the two lines and dilated upon the hardships and dangers encountered while erecting them in the face of the enemy's guns and during the rigors of the severe winter; he also recounted the suffering and deprivations incident to that long siege. President Lincoln was greatly moved, and his feelings were apparent in his rough-hewn features. As they joined arms and on retiring from the fort this remark the President made: "The country can never repay these men for what they have suffered and endured." CHAPTER XVI. 227 THE BAND'S NOVEL DUTY - THE CAPTURE OF PETERSBURG - THE ZOUAVES' HEAVY LOSS-FALL of RICHMOND - THE SECOND VISIT AT LIBBY PRISON - SURRENDER OF LEE'S ARMY. Our regiment, the 114th, on the second day of April, and the whole headquarters brigade, in command of General Collis, were called to the assistance of the troops for the capture of Petersburg, leaving City Point to care for itself, without any organized force of men and a multitude of prisoners constantly coming in from the front. This indicated that General Patrick felt sure the rebels must now see the hopelessness of their cause, and he gave an earnest of his convictions by offering all the prisoners an opportunity to take the oath of allegiance. After the men captured at Five Forks arrived he called all of them in line, about 4500, and requested those desiring to take the oath to step aside, and of the whole number only 100 availed themselves of the proffer, and they were hooted at and derided by the others for so doing, being called "cowards and traitors." Soon after this brief formality was over, the repentant were put on a steamer and sent North. Provost Marshal General Patrick had now a larger number of prisoners than he could take care of or knew what to do with, so as soon as they arrived they were sent aboard the steamers in the river. During the morning an orderly came to me and informed me that 228 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. the Provost Marshal General wanted to see me. On promptly reporting, he said he was in a bad fix; he had a boatload of prisoners and not a soldier at command for guard, and asked: "How many of your band will volunteer to take these rebels to Point Lookout?" The proposition was a surprise, but I told him that in the course of a few minutes I would report. I at once explained to the band the import of General Patrick's summons, and every man, without hesitation, volunteered to shoulder a musket and put on a cartridge-box. Promptly fourteen men were reported, the whole band, excepting one member who was in hospital. That morning, too, to make us feel the prouder of our new diversion in the way of active military service, the news came that our army was in Richmond. In a short time, however, we were on board the steamer, with muskets in our hands, and 800 rank rebels committed to our guard. They were as rank as rank could be, and when told that we had possession of Richmond they would not credit it and said: "Bobby Lee is between you and Richmond yet!" No assurances of the fact could induce them to think otherwise. They lead not lost their faith in the final success of the Confederacy, and were as determined as ever to fight the issue to the bitter end, some of them declaring that they would sooner die than give up the contest. It did not require any length of time for these veteran rebels to perceive that their guards could not handle their muskets as skilled soldiers were wont; but the Zouaves, although having left their most efficient instruments of defense in camp, gave them to understand that they knew well how to bring them to UNNECCESSARY SACRIFICES. 229 the shoulder and touch the trigger. Besides this very simple fact, we informed them that our gunboats guarded the river all the way down to Fortress Monroe. It was thought advisable to strengthen our position by a few stern items of general information, both as a preventive or mild reminder of our supreme authority in case they might have any serious intention to overpower us, which, by concerted action, could easily have been done. With the exception of some warm words, the arguments being held in reserve in our guns and cartridges, nothing transpired to make our new line of duty remarkably eventful. We passed Fortress Monroe, then steamed across the bay to Point Lookout, where our cargo of Confederate freight was safely delivered into other hands, the new guards to whom they were introduced being composed of a battalion of the invalid corps. The distance we accompanied the prisoners is about seventy-five miles. On the return there were a great many wild ducks on the bay, so we spent our ammunition on the canvasbacks instead of on the graybacks, for whom it was intended in case the game should be inviting. Finally, late at night we reached City Point, delivered our guns and cartridge-boxes to General Patrick, and received his compliments for the novel and extra duty thus performed by the regimental band. But little thought had we, however, of receiving the unwelcome intelligence that was in store for us on our return to City Point. While the fighting was going on at the extreme left, General Grant concluded that the line of intrenchments in front of Petersburg could not be strongly defended by the enemy, so he ordered a charge along the whole line, and the headquarters 230 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. brigade, under General Collis, was directed to charge the line in front of Fort Mahoney, which was considered as one of the strongest parts of the line and against which several unsuccessful attempts had before been made. Our brigade, however, made a brilliant charge and were the first troops to enter Petersburg; and our regiment, the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteers, had the honor of raising the Stars and Stripes on the public buildings in that captured city and rebel stronghold, but at a fearful loss, which was long lamented. Captain Eddy was mortally wounded and died soon after. He had been in the service since the breaking out of the war and was highly esteemed. Captain Cunningham and Lieutenant Marion were also killed, besides about forty other veteran Zouaves who had previously done gallant service in the ranks. These, with many others, were all unnecessary sacrifices, for but a few days after this event the war was practically ended by the surrender of General Lee. On Thursday, April 4th, the band was ordered to report on board the steamer Leary, lying off in the stream - a beautiful boat and splendidly furnished. General Collis and Major Bowen, of our regiment; were present, besides a very select company of ladies and gentlemen, and several English military officers. This party was preparing to go up to Richmond and our band was desired to accompany them. We were delighted with the prospect of going there this time with our instruments, not as prisoners, but with the pride of conquerers. For some reason, however, the; trip was postponed until the next day, but we entertained the company with a select programme until late in the night, the greater portion of the time being VISITING RICHMOND. 231 occupied by the fair ones and sterner sex in stepping with terpsichorean skill to the sprightly music. The next morning our band returned to the Leary and the party started for Richmond. The river was full of obstructions and torpedoes, but they had all been designated as to location by flags; still, our progress was very cautiously made, although President Lincoln had preceded us only a few days before. We passed a great many points of interest in the history of the war, including many rebel forts, yet mounted with guns; also the Dutch Gap Canal, and as we neared Richmond the inner line of fortifications could be distinctly seen. We reached the city, notwithstanding the gauntlet we had to run on the river, however, without any accident. On entering the city a scene of reckless desolation was presented in that section which was still smouldering in ashes; the fleeing rebels had attempted to destroy their Capital City by fire, and which our more considerate army actually saved, after struggling through blood to reach it. To the members of the band this Richmond visit was of peculiar interest; more so, indeed, than it possibly could have been to the distinguished party we accompanied. The remembrance of that bleak December day in 1862, when we were marched as prisoners, without our musical instruments, into that city, was still fresh to our memory; but this time we marched as conquerors through the main avenue, playing national airs with all the enthusiasm we could ,possibly summon to our help, in order to make the contrast the more emphatic. By the time we reached Capitol Hill an immense mass or procession of the residents were following us, the greater portion being 232 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. made up of colored people. An aged white man who had not heard the "Star Spangled Banner" for a long time begged us to play it, which in due time was responded to. This patriarchal lover of the old flag patiently waited and eagerly watched for leis turn to come, and when the popular melody was let loose from the cornets, and the contrabass rolled down deep into its enchanting harmony amidst the long trill of the drums, tears streamed over the old man's cheeks and settled on his chest, telling that even in that hot-bed of secession there were loyal hearts still beating. That old stopping-place, the Libby Prison, we again visited, but this time the tables were turned, and instead of being packed with "Yankees," the former pest-house was now overflowing with rebels, and so full was the place that even the roof was covered with them. They all appeared to be cheerful, feeling, perhaps, like ourselves, glad of the prospect of soon returning to their homes. In conversation with citizens, we found that there was a strong Union feeling existing in Richmond, and which was strengthened by the insane attempt to destroy the city, and thus still farther impoverish the residents, for which the rebel generals were denounced in unmeasured terms. As we had taken no rations with us, it was necessary to look around for something to appease our appetites. We had previously known of a Mr. Smith, who was the proprietor of a public house and also kept a musical headquarters, and it was not long ere he was found, but he was scantily prepared to receive so large a number of guests without anticipating the rush. He was very accommodating and soon provided us VINEGAR AND CONFEDERATE MONEY. 233 with a menu consisting of bread and butter, cheese and sausage As to anything stronger than Richmond water he was not at liberty to supply, the city being under martial law, and the sale of liquors was prohibited. To set off our bill of fare, however, and make things look inviting, he placed two decanters on the table which were labeled "vinegar." It is hardly worth the saying that these decanters were refilled with "vinegar" a number of times during our meal. Our host had a large family of children, and he assured us that although he kept a saloon and had quite an income from his music, it was as much as he could possibly do to keep his household together and his family from want. He showed us a pair of shoes for which he paid $150.00 in Confederate money the week before our army entered the city. He also pointed to a barrel of flour that cost him $1100,000. He seemed not to be discouraged, and we left him in a cheerful mood, well satisfied with our short experience with his hospitable house. We now formed in line and marched through the city toward the river, where a fleet of gunboats and. monitors were plying. On hearing our music the crews ran up into the rigging of the vessels and heartily cheered us as we approached. The boats were busily engaged in removing the obstructions from the river, and all along the shore we saw many torpedoes the men had fished out. We were soon on board the steamer again and making our way down the stream, arriving at City Point in the evening, and delighted with the trip. Being now at our camp-home once more, our attention is absorbed in the expectancy of news from the 234 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. extreme left. The first coming to us was that the defenses of Petersburg were stubbornly defended to the last, and that the losses to our troops taking part in the battles were very heavy. When the line was taken the enemy had orders to retreat to Amelia Court House, where they were to be joined by the remainder of their army. General Lee then notified Jefferson Davis of the fact, and the latter, as President of the Lost Cause, at once took measures to withdraw and secure the archives of the so-called Confederacy. On the morning of April 3d, when our army advanced, all the defenses of Petersburg and Richmond were vacated, the rebels were in full and rapid retreat; but General Grant had our army in a position so as to intercept Lee before he could get beyond his grasp. Sheridan, with his cavalry and the 5th Corps, was constantly feeling for them and striking them whenever an opportunity was afforded, while Meade, with the 2d and 6th Corps, was coming up and moving in the direction of Amelia Court House. The fleeing rebels, however, never failed to show fight whenever they found themselves in a tight place. At Deep Creek the brigade of Merritt's cavalry had a sharp engagement with Fitz-Hugh Lee, which lasted until evening, when the infantry came up. Sheridan learned that Lee was concentrating at Amelia Court House, so his cavalry and the 5th Corps, coming to hand, took up positions and intrenched until the troops with Meade could be available; but the 2d and 6th Corps did not report until the afternoon of the 5th. The army of Lee, however, was but slowly collecting; the men were suffering from hunger and the roads were in a condition to render them almost AN ALL-DAY RUNNING FIGHT. 235 impassable for wagon trains. On the afternoon of the 5th our cavalry captured a train, a part of which was General Lee's headquarters wagons containing valuable documents, but they were all destroyed by being burned. During the night Lee continued his retreat, and our army was as persistently on the march after him. The following day Meade learned through his signal officers that the fleeing army was now moving in a northwest direction. Our army then faced about, the 2d Corps having to cross Flat Creek, where the men were compelled to wade through the stream up to their armpits, but soon after bridges were erected for the balance of the troops and artillery to reach the other side. A running fight was kept up on the 6th all day, with our troops on the advance. General Humphrey, with the 2d Corps, came up with Ewell, who was in line of battle along the north side of Sailor's Creek. Feeling assured that Sheridan and the 6th Corps were coming up, Humphrey attacked the rebels and destroyed the greater part of their wagon train, besides capturing 1700 prisoners, 17 flags, and 4 guns. Our loss was about 300, and General Mott was wounded. This success was accomplished in a shifting or running contest from one position to another. Shortly after this, General Anderson having joined Ewell at Rice's Station, they made a stand, when our cavalry dismounted, formed for attack, and were soon joined by the 6th Corps, who opened with their artillery; but the rebels made no response, showing they had no batteries in position. The position of our cavalry was such as to prevent the enemy from retreating by way of the road. Ewell, therefore, prepared to strike 236 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. through the woodland and reach another avenue of escape to the west, but before he could accomplish his purpose the 6th Corps closed in on them and the position was handsomely carried. At one point on their line the Navy Battalion, a new arm of the service just incorporated with Lee's army, temporarily held the position, but they were in turn surrounded, and, a heavy artillery fire being opened against them, they surrendered. As the rebels did not appear to have artillery at their command, Sheridan concluded that they were minus that needful and important means of defense, and sent his dismounted cavalry forward, and which has been characterized as one of the most brilliant charges made during the war. By this splendid movement the enemy was cut off from any avenue of retreat and the whole force was captured. This finished completely General Ewell's tenacious fighting corps, and among the distinguished prisoners were Generals Ewell, Kershaw, Curtis, Lee, besides Generals Hunton and Corse, of Pickett's division. During this time General Longstreet was in advance, awaiting the remainder of the army at Rice's Station. Ewell, Anderson and Gordon had brought up the rebel rear in order to protect the wagon trains, but Ewell was caged, and half of Anderson's force was also captured. Longstreet then marched to Farmville and crossed the Appomattox, where the fragment of his army received some rations, which the hard-pressed men were sadly in need of. Our army, however, kept on pushing the fleeing enemy down to the last ditch. When we reached Farmville the men under Longstreet had crossed the river and burned the bridges NEARING THE LAST DITCH. 237 after them. The water here was too deep for our infantry to ford, but the 2d Corps coming up and observing the wagon road yet intact, it charged over the bridge and drove the rebel pickets off. Believing that Lee would retreat toward Lynchburg, General Humphrey sent two divisions over the stage road to that place, five miles north of Farmville, at the same time sending another division, General Barlow's, to follow Gordon, whom he found covering a large wagon train. He caught up and attacked him, cutting off a large portion of the train, which was burned. In this attack General Smyth, in command of one of our brigades, was mortally wounded. He was a very popular and brave soldier. The other divisions, coming over the Lynchburg Road, found the rebels in strong force, with sixteen guns in a good position, and also intrenched. General Meade received information that in all probability the whole rebel force was here concentrated. The 6th and the 24th Corps, in conjunction with the 2d Corps, were sent forward to make the attack. General Miles led in the assault, but he was repulsed. He heard firing in the direction of Farmville and thought the rebels were attacking us from that side, but it proved to be an engagement with Crook's brigade of cavalry, who had waded the river and met Fitz-Hugh Lee. In this affair General Gregg was captured with a portion of his brigade. The loss to the 2d Corps on this day was nearly 600 officers and men, killed, wounded, and missing. The next morning the rebels vacated their position. It was in the early part of this day, April 7th, that General Grant, at Farmville, made the first proposition 238 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. to General Lee for the surrender of his army. The communication to that end was as follows, it being addressed direct to General Lee: "GENERAL: The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States Army known as the Army of Northern Virginia. "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General." In the meantime our army did not relax its efforts in pursuing the remnant of the rebel army, and the march to Appomattox Court House proved to be their last ditch, and the last march of our own army after the enemy, who had so persistently and heroically baffled its most energetic efforts for so long a time. When our infantry reached them the cavalry was already there in position across the road, and General Humphrey, with the 2d Corps, was closely followed by the 6th Corps. At no time since the opening of hostilities did our army move with more alacrity than during these final marches. It was remarked by officers generally that the men did splendidly, all feeling the vital importance of the events transpiring and every man being in his place. About dark, on the 8th, General Humphrey rested his men for a few hours, after a march of 20 miles without rations, the supply train being unable to keep up with them. He then resumed the march with the object of coming up with the dispirited rebel army; but his men fell out from exhaustion, incident to the LEE YIELDS TO GRANT. 239 lack of food. Again he halted, at midnight, after a march of 26 miles, and this without sustenance for his men, but the supply train reached them on the morning of the 9th. The whole army was now manoeuvring for the purpose of surrounding the rebels. General Lee had correspondence repeatedly with Grant, and Humphrey, being at the front, received from the Lieutenant General his third letter, which he forwarded through the lines. On receiving this Lee sent one of his staff to General Gordon, who commanded the advance, to learn his views as to the chances of a successful attack. By this it was presumed that Lee still cherished a faint hope of not surrendering; but Gordon replied: "My old corps is reduced to a fizzle, and, unless I am heavily supported by Longstreet, I do not think we can do anything more." General Lee then deliberately and sadly said: "There is nothing left me but to go and see General Grant." After this he held a consultation with his general officers and soon came to the painful conclusion that he must submit to the inevitable. General Humphrey was instructed that the correspondence pending must not in any way change his operations in pressing on. The 2d and 6th Corps, close at hand; came up and overtook Longstreet, when he received by flag of truce a request to halt while negotiations were yet undecided as to a surrender. General Humphrey, however, having received no contrary orders from Grant or Meade, continued to move on. He sent word twice to Longstreet that he must vacate his position at once. Later he came upon Longstreet's command at Appomattox Court 240 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. House, where he formed his corps promptly for attack, with the 6th Corps on the right. Just then General Meade arrived and granted a truce for one hour pending the treaty for surrender. To prove that Lee was positively compelled to yield to Grant's proposition, on the 9th of April General Gordon, with a force of 2400 cavalry, attacked our line at sunrise, when our cavalry were driven in with a loss of two guns and some prisoners, but when our infantry came up they retired. This was the last action of the war between these armies, and General Lee was then convinced that there was no hope of escape for his army, and having accepted the terms offered by General Grant, the two commanders by agreement. met at Appomattox Court House at one o'clock. The terms were more liberal than the most sanguine of the rebel leaders had looked for, and yet the magnanimity of Grant served well its purpose in establishing a proper feeling between the contending armies and restoring the Union, for which the resort to arms on the part of our Government was made imperative. Frequently did prisoners declare that they would not hesitate to come back were they not subjected to odium and indignities that would prove even more galling than slavery itself. Many thought their property would be confiscated and distributed among our soldiers; others were impressed with the idea that hanging would follow their treason; but the leniency of the terms of the surrender assured them that the Government in its majesty and power was even greater than the sword which was placed in the hands of justice; for it sheathed the instrument of death and tempered its supreme authority with the fullest meas- TERMS OF THE SURRENDER. 241 ure of mercy. The following is a transcript of the terms of surrender: - "APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, April 9, 1865. "In accordance with the substance of my letter to "you, of the 8th inst., I propose to receive the sur- "render of the Army of Northern Virginia on the "following terms: Rolls of all the officers and men to "be made in duplicate; one copy to be given to an "officer designated by me; the other to be retained "by such officers as you may designate, the officers "to give their individual paroles not to take up arms "against the Government of the United States until "properly exchanged, and each company or regimental "commander to sign a like parole for the men of their "command. The arms, artillery, and public property "to be parked and stacked and turned over to the "officers appointed by me to receive them. This will "not embrace the side arms of the officers, nor the "private horses and baggage. This done, each officer "and man will be allowed to return to his home, not "to be disturbed by the United States authorities as "long as they observe their paroles and the laws in "force where they may reside. "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General." During all these operations and important events we, at City Point, were constantly kept in the highest state of excitement, as the news was daily telegraphed us of the successes of our army. Mrs. Grant was here, also Governor Curtin, and President Lincoln had just left. City Point was thronged with visitors from the North, in anticipation of receiving the great and good news. Our band was wanted everywhere, and the national airs were never before in such constant demand. Mrs. Grant was the first to receive the intelligence of the surrender, and the band was just 16 242 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. passing her cabin, on the way to take the steamer Leary, when it was halted to compliment her with some stirring music, after which we proceeded to the steamer. Governor Curtin was there and he was all smiles, as cheerful as a boy, and he made a characteristic speech to those on board. From that vessel we were taken to the Galena to serenade Admiral Porter. At this time the big guns of the fleet were sending forth a salute of triumph, which was responded to by all the forts in the vicinity. Had we not been aware of the collapse of the Confederacy, our impression would have been that a battle of tremendous proportions was in progress, for at no time during the war were so many and such heavy guns employed in concert. It seemed as if the artillery of the heavens had joined in the strongest possible accent with the incessant thunder of the fleet and forts. Although the end had been expected and prayed for so long, when it did come the intelligence was so good that most people, even at City Point, became so incredulous that they could not believe it; there was too much of reality in it to accept it all in one installment. At this time we had at City Point over five thousand men who were new recruits; all had received large bounties, and what was to be done with them ? General Patrick did not care to send them to the front, where there was no real use for them, nor did he wish to keep them where they were; in any case the men were of no use, although the high bounties they had obtained had been very easily earned. Although no other army had yet surrendered, we all looked upon the war as practically over, but our A SOLDIER'S HOMEWARD GLANCE. 243 hardships had not come to an end. We began to speculate as to our returning home before the three years were up; and one of our number who had never recovered from a spell of homesickness, and who usually wrote long letters and oftener than others, counted and anticipated every day and month in the calendar. On the 1st day of the year 1865 he procured an almanac, and at the 11th day of August, which indicated the termination of the three years' enlistment, there he drew a picture which was intended to represent his home, and around this he dotted his wife and children receiving him with open arms. Every morning this yearning soldier would mark one day off the calendar, which meant to him one day nearer home. After the surrender we told him, that, in all probability, he would have to remove his house in the almanac, and he was greatly tickled over the spice of humor thrown at him, and replied, "So much the better." But we were not long left in doubt, for orders were shortly issued to prepare for light marching and the sending of all extra baggage home, which sounded as if a long tramp or a campaign was before us. CHAPTER XVII. 244 MARCH TO BURKSVILLE - ALONG THE LINE OF LEE'S RETREAT - ATTACHED TO THE 5th CORPS - DEPARTURE OF THE 68TH P. V., SCOTT LEGION - THE HOMEWARD MARCH. As there was no further necessity for Army Headquarters or a Provost Marshal General, we were ordered to join the army at Burksville, which required a march of seventy miles. In command of General Collis we left City Point with about nine thousand convalescents, bounty men, and conscripts. Marching through Petersburg, we entered that portion of the city where our shells did the most damage on the houses; still, they sustained much less injury than we had supposed they did. We passed churches whose spires and domes we had only been permitted for a long time to gaze upon from a distance, the band playing at the head of a triumphant column in a rebel stronghold that was so persistently beleaguered by our army. The weather this clay was delightful, and after snaking our way through this almost deserted city, we encamped some miles beyond without pitching tents, the temperature being so mild. At daylight the following morning we took up the march again and soon after it commenced raining; as we proceeded the water came down in torrents, as if the flood-gates above had been opened, and every man was dripping wet. The roads became almost impassable, but the march was sluggishly kept up until noon, A PLEASING INCIDENT. 245 when we encamped in a sheltering piece of woodland, where roaring fires were kindled and our clothing dried. Here our tents were pitched. It was the intention of General Collis to proceed as soon as the rain had ceased, but unexpectedly it continued without intermission all day, and all hands remained under canvas for the night. Under a more promising sky, the next day at an early hour the march was resumed, and all along our way were scattered the evidences of Lee's retreat. Debris of every imaginable sort was presented to the sight, including dead horses, broken army wagons, castoff uniforms, etc. Our march for a considerable distance was along the Southside Railroad, where numerous locomotives and' cars had been thrown from the tracks and entirely demolished. Many rebels were met who had been paroled and were on their way home. In conversation with a citizen, whom we met at Southern Station, where he was waiting for his son, who had been in Lee's army, he spoke highly of the treatment he had received from our men. He was just in from Petersburg, where he had taken the oath. of allegiance, and declared that he was very glad the war was over. He had a pretty little girl with him, whom I presented a piece of silver coin. She seemed greatly confused over the trifling gift, never having seen anything of the kind before. When told that she could buy gingercakes with it, she brightened up and thanked me. These people had seen and experienced hard times, but they were now looking forward to something better in the return to peace and general recuperation from the ravages of war. This man informed us of a negro who burned his barn, and of 246 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. our soldiers doing all they could to save it from destruction, but without success. He said our officers assured him that if the rascal was caught they would take his head off. On the 15th of April, while on the march to Nottaway, we received the shocking intelligence of the death of President Lincoln. At first the news of his assassination was regarded as a canard and credited by no one ; but on reaching camp in the evening the, horrible crime was confirmed, and all the bands commenced playing dirges, minute guns were fired, and by order all unnecessary work was suspended. The whole army was cast in the deepest gloom, and evidences of sorrow were everywhere observed. Words could not even faintly tell of the keen anguish that possessed the hearts of the officers and men at this, the blackest and most unprovoked of modern crimes. Even the paroled men of Lee's vanquished army expressed emphatically their hatred of the act, and manifested the most earnest sympathy at the sad fate of Abraham Lincoln, for they were just beginning to appreciate the nobleness and magnanimity of his exalted character. The very atmosphere seemed surcharged with "The curses of hate and the hisses of scorn." Burksville, our destination, having been reached, here we were assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps. On the 25th of this month the 68th Regiment, P. V., Scott Legion, departed for Hart's Island, N. Y., to guard prisoners. 11s they took the cars our men turned out and vigorously cheered them an adieu, which they as heartily responded to. This gallant DIGNIFIED AND COURTLY WOMEN. 247 regiment and the 114th were as closely united as possible. They left Philadelphia on the same day, were in the same brigade and corps, remained side by side in every battle, and endured the same hardships oil every march. Their separation now was akin to the severance of the closest friends by enforced absence. With tears as well as with cheers they exchanged a soldier's parting. General Hays, who had become our division commander, lead now his headquarters at one Dr. Jones' mansion, and at whose request the band pitched their tents at the rear of the house, in the garden. As there was only one other band left in the whole division besides our own, and that being in a completely demoralized condition, our hands were full from the time of our arrival answering requests for music. The ladies who had affected to despise the "Yankee soldiers" so much were becoming courteous and frequently quite sociable; and, more than this, it looked as if some of our officers had been smitten by their charms, and that there was a possibility of some of these dignified and courtly women being reconstructed by forming Confederate alliances therewith, thus bringing the North and South together on the most amicable terms. Many of these high-toned damsels were the very ones who at one time, when "Bobby Lee" was in his military prime, made the most emphatic pretensions in their manners of disdain on hearing the band play the national airs - the melodies were insulting to them - but now a complete transformation had taken place; the dreams of things that were had proved even more evanescent than a schoolboy's tale. 248 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. The object of this long and tedious march was to join and accompany homeward our new corps, the 5th, so we resumed the tramp and reached Burksville Station, oil the railroad, and were sorely disappointed in the place, as it was represented as a point of great interest, but it proved simply a country village, with the customary blacksmith shop and an old-fashioned inn to mark its identity, the latter at this time being in ruins. On the 1st day of May we broke camp again, with orders to report at Petersburg and from there at Manchester, Richmond, and Fredericksburg, thence to Arlington Heights. As there seemed no special reason for this hurrying forward, we had anticipated an easy march, hoping that we were done with hard and trying marches; but in this the were sadly mistaken; for on no march during the war, not excepting that memorable one to Gettysburg, did the band do more service than on this homeward rush. We were all in good spirits; so were the troops; but before they were through with this terrible tramp there was universal complaint, growling, and curses. Petersburg was about 60 miles from our starting point, and we calculated to make it in four or five days' march, but the first day 25 miles were made, and on this clay the band was often called on to furnish music, but I positively declined the impossible, as the members carried their knapsacks, and they had enough to do to trudge along with the others; so arrangements were made to provide a wagon for the transportation of our baggage thereafter. This accommodation, however, chanced to put the band to a deal of inconvenience afterward. Sometimes the wagons A RACE WITH SHERMAN. 249 would not come up to time at night, and then we were compelled to do without tents and blankets, and as the nights were chilly it can be understood what discomfort we had to put up with during the rapid marches, besides providing music. Two days more brought us to Petersburg and we marched through the city with colors flying, this time in another part of the city, and we encamped just outside the municipal limits. The next day we were off again, and on the 4th of May our tents were pitched at Manchester, opposite Richmond. By the various points made it will be seen that there a was no time for playing poker on the road. The distance from Petersburg to Manchester is 22 miles, and from the 1st to the 4th days of May we marched at least 80 miles. We were informed that Sherman's army was moving toward Richmond simultaneously with our own, and the advance began to arrive the following day. Probably our officers were hurrying up the men to get in ahead of the Army of the West. Great preparations were being made to pass in review through the capital of the Confederacy, and Secretary of War Stanton and General Meade were to do us the honors. The 24th Corps, which was on duty in Richmond, was to receive and escort us to take the right of the line. Our men, who always "spruced up" and looked their double best when the occasion required it, took the whole day of May 5th to prepare for this grand display. Their leggings were whitened and the turbans washed, and on the morning of the 6th they looked as if they had just come into the army; in fact, on account of their neatness and personal care, they were often taken for new 250 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. recruits by those not knowing that they were battle-scarred and blood- christened veterans of the Army of the Potomac. On the morning of the 6th, taking the head of the division, led by our band, the Zouaves of the 114th Regiment gayly marched through Richmond and attracted universal attention, especially from the women folk, who doubtless envied the beautiful blue sashes and snow-white turbans worn by the men. On passing the reviewing stand one of the men stepped Out of the ranks and proposed three cheers for "Uncle George," which found a prompt response from the soldiers, who loved Meade and they were given with a will that was worthy the man. The General smiled, and in recognition appreciatively lifted his hat. It was a most impressive occasion, and will be remembered down to the latest day of the last survivor of the Army of the Potomac. Sherman's army was preparing to be reviewed on the following day, May 7th. The Secretary of War occupied the same stand for the purpose that he did the previous day, but Sherman played Stanton somewhat of a trick. The General had a disagreement with the Secretary respecting the terms of surrender he made with General Johnson, and Sherman felt very sore because of the treatment he received at Stanton's hands. Therefore, instead of taking his army of veterans past the reviewing stand, he marched them round the outside of the city, leaving Secretary Stanton on the stand greatly chagrined and disappointed. The army was entirely in feeling with General Sherman, and the general opinion was that the Secretary was simply paid back in his own coin. A PEEP AGAIN AT LIBBY. 251 It was expected that we would encamp a few miles outside the city, so my brother, who was a member of the band, thought he would return there in the hope of finding an old acquaintance, whom he knew before the war, thinking to catch up to us when we made camp. He entered the city, and having no pass, was picked up by the provost guard and taken to Libby Prison. The pest-house having been cleared of rebels, it was at that time used for the keeping of our stragglers. Fortunately, he was recognized by an officer of General Patrick's patrol, when he was released and given transportation to Washington, and, odd as it may appear, through his mishap he reached Arlington Heights several days before our regiment did. After passing through Richmond, we continued until making a small place called Peakestown, on the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, which was a very tiresome march. The men endeavored to brace up their endurance, and the appearance of many welcoming women along the route told that the army was no longer treading the sacred soil of an enemy. Colored people in groups sang, as a welcome to us, some of their peculiar plantation songs, which the band acknowledged by striking up some sprightly air to suit their fancy. At night we made camp during the long hours, but the wagon train being behind time and still later, without tents or blankets we lay upon the sod and looked at the stars until sleep from fatigue came to our relief. May 8th we broke camp at daylight. On this march we passed Hanover Court House and crossed the Pamunkey River a number of times. The people of this section appeared to have a very indistinct idea 252 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. of distances, both white and black. On making inquiry how far it was to a certain place, some of the, inhabitants said it six miles, and after marching half that distance, on inquiry we were informed that we had eight miles more to reach it. In fact, these happy creatures appeared to be reveling in the abode of blissful ignorance, and their cup of contentment seemed ever full. We reached Fredericksburg on May 10th, marching over the same ground on which our regiment received its baptismal fire; the same locality where the band slept during the memorable night of December 15th, 1862. Then we went to Richmond as prisoners; now we were coming from the centre of the Confederacy in triumph. We also crossed the Rappahannock and retraced the former camping ground on Stafford Heights, where the Army of the Potomac was posted until it started on the Gettysburg campaign. Some of the mud chimneys our men had built were still standing. They were objects of interest to all, and many of the "old soldiers" were reconnoitering for a last look at the old camping ground and some of the incidents that were indelibly stamped upon their minds. However, they could not tarry long, for the army pushed steadily on until Stafford Court House was reached, where it encamped for the night. May 11th brought to the army one of the hardest marches the men had yet experienced in a single day during the whole three years of service. Their endurance was taxed to the utmost, and yet at an early hour the coming morning the march was resumed. It was an up and down road the whole distance, adding greatly to the fatigue of the tired veterans. At noon WOLF RUN SHOALS. 253 the army halted for dinner, but soon again we were on the tramp under a chilling and steady rain. Subsequently the storm was transformed to a hurricane, the thunder seemed to roll directly over our heads, the lightning flashed with blinding vividness, and in zigzag forks it played with the bayonets of the muskets, and several of the men were killed. Some of the soldiers were so terrified that they sought shelter in a barn, which was soon afterward struck by lightning and a number of them lost their lives. The scene during the continuance of the storm presented one of the most startling panoramas that could possibly be brought to the sight - it was simply a scene of terror. Along this line of march the earth is what they call soapstone, and the heavy rainfall made the roadway a mass of soft and slippery paste. The men often slid in stepping as though they were on ice. When we reached the Occoquan that stream was crossed on pontoons, after which the army continued to struggle onward. On coming to Wolf Run Shoals, in order to get over we had to descend a distance of one hundred yards, gliding down on a sort of soapstone slide, and the top on the other side could only be reached by the men climbing to it on hands and knees. It was now pitch dark, and the only light to our feet came from the incessant flashes of lightning. There was no order for halting, and the - tramp of the army kept on, the men cursing and complaining because of the torture to which they were subjected, seemingly without purpose. Gum Springs was made by night. For severity the former terror bore no comparison to this; the men could see no necessity for the hardships imposed, and at last this almost fatal test of physical 254 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. endurance was disclosed to have been nothing more nor less than a race between two army corps generals as to who could or would reach Washington first. We continued to tenaciously struggle on until 11 P. M., when we turned oil a tract of level woodland, where the abundance of water from the rains could not drain off. No matter where we looked for a spot to lay our wearied bodies, there was Nothing but water, from one to three inches deep. It was useless to lie down for rest or comfort, as badly as sleep was needful after the exhausting march. The only thing to be done was to improvise a trifle of shelter by spreading the fly of a tent across two sticks and erecting this screen to shield us from the wind, in front of which we managed to build a fire, around which we sat all night, drawing a mite of consolation from the warmth to our feet. The officers, too, were as badly off as the men, and even General Collis availed himself of the band's meagre protection. By daylight, after having been grouped in a sleepless condition around the embers all night, we managed at least to dry our clothing. The following day, May 12th, was the last day's march we made with the Army of the Potomac, having reached Arlington Heights about three o'clock in the afternoon, and every mall appeared to be worn out. The evident fact was stamped upon the features of all that this, the final march, was the hardest of all; many of the strong men were little more than skin and bone. On no other march were the soldiers so poorly provided for, and those at fault were severely censured by the hard- used and neglected men. They openly and boldly declared that the Government, after getting from them all that could possibly be had, save LAST AND HARDEST TRAMP. 255 their lives, now became indifferent to their common comfort and necessities. No matter where or on whom the responsibility should have been saddled, it was enough to know, and more than enough to realize, that a victorious army of veterans, after having so thoroughly accomplished the work to which it was assigned, was so inconsiderately treated. CHAPTER XVIII. 256 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - LAST REVIEW OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC - PREPARATIONS FOR DISCHARGE. It is hardly necessary to say that the men were not in a very good humor on their arrival at Arlington Heights, and when they first had the glory and importance of a grand review pictured to their mind's eye, they almost unanimously declared that they had seen quite enough of such events, and were not panting for any more of that sort of renown. A few days of rest and better rations, however, produced a considerable change of feeling for the better among them, and complaints became toned down to a fine point while contemplating an early return to the comforts and solace of their homes. The country around Arlington had greatly changed since the days of '61 and '62; then the hills were covered with commanding trees and beautiful foliage; now a barren waste was there, not a single tree to be seen. We missed the refreshing shade of former days, as the sun poured down upon us an uncomfortable heat where we lay on an exposed slope, with nothing whatever to shelter us. On the second day here a delegation of firemen, led by David Lyle, of the Philadelphia Fire Department, waited on the Zouave Band for the purpose of engaging it to play in the parade of firemen that was to take place the following October, but they were informed that we could make no engagements DEMAND FOR THE BAND. 257 before being discharged from the service along with our regiment, the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteers. The next day another delegation called on the same errand, and some days after still another. Finally the band engaged with the Schuylkill Hose Company, of Philadelphia, for which it played in the great parade on October 1st, 1865. Fabulous prices were at that time paid for the services of a good cornet band, and as this was the last general parade of the old Volunteer Fire Department of Philadelphia, our band had the historic honor of being associated therewith and the credit of giving the fullest measure of satisfaction to its liberal patrons. On that occasion the band appeared in its full dress Zouave army uniforms, which attracted a deal of attention. On the third day at Arlington Heights our division commander, General Hays, took us over to Washington in ambulances, to serenade some of his particular friends, adjoining the residence of Secretary Stanton. As usual on such occasions, the best of our musical budget was set forth in the form of a menu for our distinguished auditors, who seemed delighted with the selections and also expressed themselves as being especially honored in the presence of a veteran band, one, too, which had seen an unbroken service of three years with the Army of the Potomac. The ladies were especially complimentary in their clever remarks, whom General Hays had doubtless given an outline of the band's record, which included an acknowledgment of its usefulness as coming under his own observation in the memorable march from Burksville to Washington. The men in camp were now becoming dissatisfied; 17 258 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. they appeared to be as uneasy as though they were on beds of nettles; the camp duties to which they were subjected had become repugnant, and the exactment was regarded as nothing but nonsense and red tape show. In 1862 such things were necessary and requisite to the ends of military discipline, but the machine work was of no use now, for there were no opportunities to apply its onerous details. "Home Again" was the one thought absorbing the heart, mind, and soul of every man in camp; they had seen enough of the glory of war on the field, and they no longer cared a fig for its glitter in camp. Notwithstanding the fact that we were preparing for and expecting soon to move homeward, our regiment was growing in number, receiving additions every day of detailed men from different localities and various departments of the service, where they no longer were wanted. Many of them came as strangers, some having had "soft-snap" positions, but now at the end of the war they came to consolidate with veteran regiments-with men who did the fighting and deserved all the credit for the great work that was done. During the sojourn at Arlington Heights our men occasionally had an opportunity to visit Washington on passes, and Sherman's Western army being there, the soldiers of the two great armies often met and joined in an interchange of opinions, which, though usually agreeable, often culminated in threatened difficulties. The Western men imagined that they had come to help the Army of the Potomac defeat the army of Lee, and not a few of them claimed that without their assistance the defeat of Lee could not have been accomplished. Our men, with a becoming GRAND AND FINAL REVIEW. 259 spirit of soldierly pride, retaliated by assuring the Western men that if it had not been for the Army of the Potomac General Lee would have joined Johnson and his tenacious rebel host in the West, and probably have exterminated Sherman's army. Such were many of the incidents coming of this frequent intercourse, and the prejudice sometimes was followed by blows in lieu of convincing argument. Had they profited by President Lincoln's generous sentiment, that "there was glory enough to go all around," for the West as well as the Last and North, all such unpleasantness would have been obviated. Both armies were now busy in making preparations for the grand and final review, previous to a general discharge of the men; that of the Army of the Potomac having been ordered for the 23d of May, and the Western army following on the 24th. The Zouaves of the 114th Regiment at once began to "shine up" for the important event, as in the past, being determined to make a most creditable appearance, which they never failed in doing with their flashy uniforms and proverbial personal neatness. Music was scarce in the army just now, but the 114th Regiment had its own band, whose strains were familiar to the men and to whose playing they could step with remarkable precision. Sherman's army had engaged a number of civilian bands to assist on review day, but the Army of the Potomac had none such and desired no music save that which had accompanied it in its eventful career. The veteran feature, as far as possible, was maintained down to its disbandment. The orders were to move at 4 o'clock A. M. on the 23d, the review to take place at 9 o'clock on Penn- 260 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. sylvania Avenue, where the reviewing grandstand was erected. The whole avenue was beautifully decorated with flags and bunting as far as the sight could reach, and the great and wide thoroughfare was packed with people from all parts of the country, making up a multitude the dimensions of which in numbers was beyond approximation. Precisely at the hour designated in the orders, the Army of the Potomac, with its depleted ranks, moved down Pennsylvania Avenue. Cheer after cheer of the most hearty and boisterous character greeted the troops as they moved along with steady step. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and in the dense crowd men and boys held up their hats and shouted. There was no end to the enthusiasm of the spectators, and the 114th Regiment, the Collis' Zouaves, received a full share of the vociferous applause by reason of their attractive uniforms and soldierly bearing. As the head of the 5th Corps approached the reviewing stand, some of the men observed the form of General Warren, their former commander, when cheers for the brave man were given, as long as they could behold him. It must have done the very soul of this wronged and gallant soldier good to receive in this manner and under the circumstances the deserved homage of veterans who had fought with him and under whom they had been led repeatedly into battle. Warren was a brave man, but he was spared to prove the fact that falsehood and personal envy are the weapons of moral cowards. Some distance below the reviewing stand our regiment wheeled off Pennsylvania Avenue, making a perfect turn as they executed the movement, or, as an old officer of the regular army said: "It looked as SHERMAN'S DEMONSTRATION. 261 compact as a big barn door moving on its hinges." After the review was over we marched to the Chain Bridge and crossed to our camp on the other side of the Potomac. On that day we made about fourteen miles, and were well satisfied with an opportunity for rest on reaching our tents. The grand review of the Army of the Potomac was over and an event of the past, but never to be forgotten by those who were participants in or witnesses of that greatest of modern spectacles. The next day we returned to Washington to witness the review of the Western army, as it was known to us, but there was no manifest difference between it and the men of our own; as a military display, it was simply a repetition of the previous day; but in Sherman's demonstration the men carried trophies of their march from Atlanta to the sea. Here and there was a pack mule laden with poultry, sheep, silverware, household articles, etc. I saw some of these soldiers using coffee-pots and tea-pots of pure silver, and black with sacrilegious use over camp-fires. Well could they sing, as they did, "How the turkeys gobbled with our commissary friend!" Every man, from general appearances, must have been a commissary on that march of Sherman. The Army of the Potomac had no such trophies to thus heartlessly display in the review; even had they, under the pressure of necessity, the impropriety of carrying the evidences of farm and household plunder in a grave military review would have prevented anything of the kind. These exceptionally great events, however, were soon over, and the one idea of "going home" again became the all-absorbing topic in camp; but before 262 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. doing so Our officers had imperative orders from the War Department to prepare the mustering-out rolls, which entailed a treat amount of labor. In these final papers the minutest details of the enlisted man were required, in order to avoid future trouble where bounties, pensions, and other matters might be involved. Every man who had deserted, and when, if possible, had to be reported; the clothing account to be accurately stated; the wounded and killed, and in what battle, must be designated. In fact, the military service of every enlisted man was required in these papers, including the final pay- roll. Besides all this, the report bad to be duplicated several times. This, of course, delayed our going home. At the time of discharging the army the Government advanced every commissioned officer one step, in appreciation of their services and in acknowledgment of duty faithfully performed-a lieutenant became a captain, a captain was made a colonel, and so on to the top of the ladder. Full privates and musicians, of course, returned home just as they came, knowing that "what fate imposes, men must needs abide." They went home, some of them to their long homes, with the consciousness, instead of official recognition, that the country had been tendered the best that could be given by them in its time of need. Even the Emperor Napoleon, who made his marshals from the ranks, forgot the services of an humble drummer-boy when he was distributing crosses of the Legion of Honor to a battalion of grenadiers who had distinguished themselves in capturing a battery. The whole battalion was honored with these special marks of merit save the drummer-boy, who was in the front HOME AGAIN. 263 rank and the first in the battery. There he stood, his heart almost breaking; but he was not too modest to make respectful claim to his right. Stepping up to the Emperor, he touched his cap and exclaimed, "Et moi!" The Emperor's heart was touched, and, taking the cross from his own breast, he put it on that of the drummer-boy, when the whole battalion enthusiastically accompanied their cheers with "Vive l'Empereur!" The musicians of the army might have gone to Uncle Sam and appealingly said, "And I!" when the cogs in the wheel of fortune were being turned forward, but who would have come to a single drummer-boy and satisfied his honest desire for some evidence of reward? In less than a week after the grand review, our regiment departed for home and was discharged on the 29th day of May, 1865, entering Philadelphia with sadly thinned ranks, at the head of which was our band, just as it was on leaving the city in 1862. The 114th was the only regiment enlisted in Philadelphia having a band that remained intact down to the end of the war. It was this close and constant association between the band and regiment, on the, march, in camp and hospital, that made them so firmly wedded to each other in the eventful operations of the Army of the Potomac. CONCLUSION. 264 Throughout the memoranda of the preceding chapters it will be observed that the band of the 114th Regiment plays a conspicuous part, but in no single instance to the detriment of any one, nor is it the desire of the author to elevate the services of the band to an undue importance. In time of war, however, as experience has conclusively shown, the music of a band, when judiciously selected and skillfully performed, is an important aid toward keeping up the discipline and soldierly bearing of the men. True, they do not go into battle and charge the enemy's strongholds with a flourish of trumpets and the clashing of cymbals; and yet the precision and accentuation of step, as a preliminary to decisive action and unison of movement, owes much to the inspiriting strains of music in camp and on the march. Nor does the value of regimental band music end here, for its moral and elevating influence is actually beyond estimation. The sick and wounded in hospital gather in the soothing harmony as a solace in their distress. The men in their tents at night, and on the drill by day, have their despondent spirits awakened to a new life. On the march their steps are lightened by the airs with which they become familiar, and the concord of pleasing sounds proves a feast to their hearts, if not to their souls. The officers, too, are as susceptible as VALUE OF REGIMENTAL BANDS. 265 the men to the kindly influence of music, thus uniting them in the same source of supreme pleasure, and binding them in closer ties of fellowship, that otherwise probably would not obtain. It brings to memory the sacred associations of home, in the melodies of the fireside, as a relief to the burdens and hardships of those whose lives are ever in peril. It needs only the almost unanimous attestation of men under arms to strengthen the claims here made as to the importance of inspiring music when associated with the circumstances narrated. A response from a comrade of the 114th Regiment, in anticipation of the publication of the within reminiscent notes, is here given as an earnest of the love of and desire for music in the army during the Rebel lion: "Don't forget to put in the book how we boys used to yell at the band for music to cheer us up when we were tramping along so tired that we could hardly drag one foot after the other. Since the war I have often thought how cruel we were to do so; for, if we were tired, wasn't the band members equally so ? and yet we wanted them to use up what little breath they had left to put spirit in us. But then, you know, that good old tune we called `Hell on the Rappahannock' had enough music in it to make a man who was just about dead brace up, throw his chest out, and take the step as if he had received a new lease of life. Those were hard days, but even after a long march, if we were only rested a little we could be as happy as the day was long, knowing that we were doing our duty to our country and the flag, and that was reward enough for tired limbs and blistered feet." 266 MUSIC ON THE MARCH. Happily, an era of profound peace and widespread prosperity has succeeded the fratricidal contest, the cause of the war is obliterated, and throughout the land the bonds of national brotherhood are snore strongly cemented than ever before. To overthrow the Rebellion and perpetuate the Union of the States the cost can never be counted. The records of the War Department show that 300,000 lives were sacrificed, and the Treasury Department exhibits a debt of nearly four billion! The amount of property destroyed, however, is beyond the reach of calculation. While thousands upon thousands, in whom the seeds of disease were sown as a result of the hardships endured during the service they rendered their country, have answered the final roll-call since the close of the war, nearly all the great commanders of the armies have yielded to the inevitable and passed from the stage on which they had been the most prominent players. Grant, Meade, McClellan, Hancock, Sheridan, Sherman, Warren, Birney, Thomas, Graham, Logan, Hartranft, and a host of others, all are gone, but leaving unfading records upon the pages of their country's history as an example to coming generations. III them resided that loyalty, courage and keen foresight, which "Seizes the prompt occasion, - makes the thoughts Start into instant action, and at once Plans and performs, resolves and executes." Great, indeed, were the achievements of the Army of the Potomac, and unsurpassed in the history of modern warfare was the devotion and heroism of its men. It was not a coercive physical force for the PEACE AND UNITY. 267 acquisition of territory, nor were its sacrifices made to subject the enemy to a condition of abject thraldom. But one principle actuated its offensive and glorious campaign, though frequently bewildered in the gloom of serious reverses, and that embraced the complete unity of the States, one flag, and one government for all the people. To this end there was no concession, and nothing short of a surrender of the rebellious element demanded, or to be hoped for. This was the objective point, and in all the important events leading to the final act in that long and bloody contest, when the swords of the victor and vanquished were sheathed in peace, as participants therein, no small share of the people's gratitude is due the gallant men of the 114th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Thus ends this recital of the "Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war." [blank page] 268 Survivors of the 114th Regiment, P. V. 269 C. H. T. Collis. J. Arnold. A. Ross. E. R. Bowen. G. Gower. J. Yocum. J. Hartley. W. W. Wear. D. Kelly. A. W. Givin. J. H. Rotenbury. J. Ashton. H. E Rulon. C. Little. I. Clegg. A. Fix. S. Maxwell. E. Bonner. A. H. G. Richardson. H. C. Kelly. J. Wells. R. D. Benson. W. T. Williams. H. Smallbrook. J. R. Waterhouse. G. Lewellan. C. Taylor. C. Robinson. C. Gentry. I. Fox. W. T. Brown. G. Wolf. W. Caskey. N. Magenny. D. Lennen. C. B. Sloan. F. Schaffer. W. Craven. G. Murray. R. C. Kretschmar. W. T. Vandever. R. Brown. W. E. Hoffman. J. Ayres. A. Dorsey. T. M. Hoyle. S. Edgar. B. Propert. J. Busby. D. Faunce. O. Hamilton. D. K. Hartley. J. Hall. A. Denning. J. Cooney. H. Gentry. W. H. K. Smith. W. Grew. W. Cowden. W. Egee. J. A. Tricker. J. V. Egee. N. Pennell. B. L. Myers. J. Perry. J. M. Cummings. W Bardsley. C. Randall. R. Johnson. T. W. Campbell. W. S. Robinson. S. West. J. McGlensey. G. Davidson. A. Helms. C. Lemark. E. Caldwell. R. Matherson. C. Sheppard. W. Magrady. R. McCouch. J M. West. A. Kammerline. E. Fisher. S. Naylor. J. Baugh. W. Blanford. W. Horrocks. J. Madely. G. Altemus. J. Haw. M. Sheridan. W. Vickers. C. Smith. W. Forrest. G. Wood. 270 SURVIVORS OF THE 114TH REGIMENT, P. V. E. Bryan. A. M. Lance. D. Schively. J. Hawkins. W. T. Abrams. J. Achuff. P. Roney. G. Brattan. T. Gilbert. J. McCafferty. W. Perry. F. Brous. S. Loeb. R. Chadwick. J. Stowman. G. Frease. J. Waugh. G. T. Martin. G. F. Trout. J. W. Dewees. J. Farraday. R. Riley. J. Butterworth. J. Hannason. W. Tyson. C. Dunseith. J. Maguire. P. Harrington. F. Coleman. J. Harrop. W. T. Clemens. M. Cannon. T. Conaghy. H. S. Strouse. T. Montgomery. S. Magill. D. Fox. J. Neece. S. Russell. J. Stanford. J. A. Smith. Rev. T. W. Davidson. J. Orr. J. Childs. E. Harkinson. H. Mackie. Wm. H. Platt. H. Taylor. G. Baker. R. Schoch. W. Kalbach. J. W. Hilt. J. Hipple. A. Brown. C. Borie. R. J. Martin. A. Mitchell. W. Moore. O. Helmuth. J. Hawk. H. Duhurst. W. Moffet. J. P. Kitchen. J. Gregory. J. Brown. R. Lubers. A. Toy. J. Emly. H. T. Baldwin. G. Kretchman. J. Mccool. C. H. Snyder. A. C. Brown. F. H. Roat. A. W. McCallum. T. Rice. F. Holden. A. Dalrymple. D. Drummond. W. H. Care. J. Murphy. H. Hall. E. Madison. J. B. Dannaker. J. Priest. J. T. Lee. T. Egbert. J. T. Shuster. M. Chadwick. H. Hartman. J. Walker. M. Bradley. B.R. DeYoung. H. H. Snyder. W. Hartzell. A. Mitchell. W. J. Miller. S. Nelson. J. Haslem. E. E. Williams. W. F. Rayner. C. Wilson. C. Stewart. J. G. Fritz. R. W. Ramsden. T. Estell. J. Bell. C. M. Watson. G. Bates. J. Broadhurst. H. W. Simon. H. H. Haigh. E. W. Campion. T. P. Wilkinson. F. Rauscher. ~~~~~ * ~~~~~