I did have a great desire to be ordered East when I was sent here, but the reasons for that desire do not now exist.'
"Gen. Anderson then, in confidence, related to Gen. Silent what had transpired at McGregor's headquarters the evening after the battle at Antler's Run, which astonished Gen. Silent. He sat for some time without making any remark. Finally he asked if the President and the Secretary of War had this information.
"Gen. Anderson replied that they had.
"Gen. Silent smiled, but said not a word. The conversation on this subject then dropped. Gen. Silent inquired if he believed in dreams.
"Gen. Anderson answered in the negative; at the same time he said he had heard on one or two occasions of very strange dreams, and one especially that he was watching closely to see if it would turn out in accordance with an interpretation given to it by a person whom he well knew.
"Gen. Silent then asked him if he had ever seen anything that he could not understand or account for.
"'No, sir,' replied Gen. Anderson.
"Gen. Silent said no more, and it then being quite late they separated.
Gen. Silent left early next morning for the East. As soon as he could reach Washington he appeared at the Executive Mansion and had an interview with the President, when he was informed that he had been ordered East with a view of putting him in command of all the armies of the United States. He did not exhibit the least surprise at this, but at once proceeded to lay his plans before the President and Secretary of War. The plans were the same as suggested by him to Gen. Anderson. After careful consideration they were approved.
"The President told Gen. Silent he now should have the full support of the Government, with supreme command, and that the President would hold him responsible for the suppression of the rebellion, and expect that the enemy would be dispersed at an early day.
"Gen. Silent replied that the rebellion would end within fourteen months.
"'Why fourteen months? Could you not say twelve?'
"'No, sir,' replied Silent; 'I put it fourteen. I hope to see it accomplished at an earlier date, but within this time it will be done.'
"'Gen. Silent, I have a strange reason for saying twelve months,' and the President laughed at the idea of having a superstition about dreams, 'but, General last night I had such a curious dream that I must tell it to you. I thought a strange man appeared in the presence of the Armies of the West, riding upon a large brown horse, and that where-ever and whenever he appeared the armies were successful; that this strange man would disappear without uttering a word. This same strange man had appeared at the East, and at his appearance the rebel armies laid down their arms and sued for peace. In my dream peace was restored, but it lasted for only a short time; the citizens of Maryland and Virginia conspired together and swept down upon Washington, captured the city, burned the Government records, and murdered many of our leading men, amongst whom was yourself. What do you say to this, General? Can you interpret it?'
"'No, Mr. President, I cannot. I do not allow myself to think but very little about dreams. They certainly can be nothing more than the wanderings of the mind during sleep. But, Mr. President, since you have taken me into your confidence I must confess that I am sometimes startled by what seems to be an unfolding of events in the future.'
"Saying this much he relapsed into his wonted silence. After some further conversation they separated. The next morning Gen. Silent left for the Army of the East. He was received on his arrival in a manner that showed their confidence in him as a great commander. He established his headquarters in the field near Meador, and at once commenced giving directions in his quiet way for reorganizing the troops and preparing in every way for an early advance. His army was soon organized into three corps,--Second, Fifth and Sixth,--commanded respectively by Gen.
Hanscom, Gen. Sedgewear and Gen. Warner; the Ninth (Independent) Corps, under Broomneld, with the cavalry under Sher-lin, who had been ordered to the East from the Army of the Center.
"My son Jackson, having been spoken of very highly to Gen. Silent by Gen. Anderson, had also been ordered to the East and placed in command of a brigade under Gen. Hanscom.
[Illustration: Gens. Silent and Meador in conversation. 347]
"The armies both in the East and the West being reorganized and in good condition, Gen. Silent began his arrangements for an immediate movement.
The Armies of the West and Center now being combined under the command of Sherwood were to move from Chatteraugus directly down the railroad against Biggs,--or rather Jones, the new commander of the rebel forces.
The movement of the combined armies, East and West, against the enemy, was to take place on the same day. The rebel army East was admirably posted for defensive operations, provided they were to be attacked in their position. Laws had his army divided into three corps, commanded respectively by Ewelling on the right, A. P. Hiller on the left, and Longpath (who had come from Biggs) as reserve in the rear; his cavalry by J. E. Seward. His army was on the south bank of the Rapidan, and in rear of Mine Run, and extending east to the spurs of the Blue Ridge, on the west and left flank, protected by heavy earthworks. His forces and his movements were covered by streams, forests, hills, and by a very heavy chaparral or copse for miles in extent.
"Silent would not attack in his front, as Laws expected, but concluded to plunge immediately into the chaparral and threaten Laws's right. This would compel the enemy to give battle at once or retreat. So orders were issued for the Army of the East to move at midnight, cross the Rapidan, and march into the dense woods by the roads nearest the rebel lines.
The troops moved, and by dawn the next morning had possession of the crossings and were passing over the river. By night of that day the army had crossed with most of their trains. The cavalry had pushed forward and camped near Sedgewear, who had gone into bivouac on the hill after crossing the Rapidan. During the day our signal corps had read the signals of the enemy, which were that Laws had discovered Silent's movements and was making preparations to meet them.
"Silent had ordered Broomfield to move at once and make night marches so as to be up in time. Sherlin was to move forward and attack the rebel cavalry at Chancellor's City. Three times this army had crossed the Rapidan before and as many times had been driven back. The question in the minds of all was, 'Will Silent go on, or will he be forced to recross the stream?' Laws was very confident that he would force him back.
"That night Silent received a telegram from Sherwood at Chatteraugus, saying that his army had moved out that day and was near the enemy; also, from Crooker and Boutler; all had moved. Thus Silent had all the armies of the Republic, wherever they might be, at the same hour moving against the enemy aggressively. No such movements had a parallel in history. The enemy were menaced in every front, so that no portion could give aid or re-enforcements to the other.
"Laws, when he saw the situation, determined to attack, believing that he could assault Warner and drive him back before Hanscom (who had crossed some miles from Warner) could come up to join on Warner's right.
That night Warner and Ewelling lay facing each other, nearly together.
They might easily have divided rations, though hidden from each other by the dense forest. Yet, like the knowledge we all have by instinct of our near approach to danger, they were each aware of the other's presence.
"Gen. Silent ordered a change, so as to move his head of column direct for the right flank of Laws's new position. Warner moved, with cavalry in advance, to Craig's Meeting House, his left resting at Chaparral Tavern. Sedge-wear was to join on his right, Hanscom to move from Chancellor City to his support, and Sherlin on the left and in rear of Hanscom.
"Early in the morning the enemy appeared in Warner's front. One regiment of cavalry had already been hurled back. Meador had made his disposition in accordance with Silent's instructions. Broomfleld was now crossing the river, and Silent waiting at the ford to see him; but learning of Laws's movement, he went forward at once to Chaparral Tavern. This tavern was in a low place, densely surrounded with trees and underbrush.
Here Silent placed his headquarters in the rear of Warner's Corps. The woods and chaparral were so dense in all directions that neither army could distinguish the line of the other.
"By 9 o'clock an occasional shot could be heard, and then the rattle of musketry, as though a company or so had discharged their pieces.
Presently a few skirmishers would come back to the main line, asserting that the enemy were in force in our front. Then orders would be given to advance the skirmish-line and feel for the enemy.
"About 10 o'clock a shot from the artillery of the enemy announced the fact that he was posting for resistance. Our line at once advanced as best it could in the direction of the enemy. The musketry opened and continued to increase until one whole division of our troops were engaged. The artillery opened on both sides and roared as the mighty thunders. Musketry rattled like hail on the housetops. The enemy in our front, Ewelling commanding, was driven in great disorder for some distance by Griffith's division, but the underbrush was so dense that no alignment could be made with the troops. Regiments and brigades could not find each other. It became impossible to have any unity of action.
This same cause prevented Sedgewear from joining on Warner's right or connecting with Griffith. This left Griffith's flank exposed, and the rebels at once taking advantage of this, forced him back again with the loss of some of his guns and quite a number of prisoners. The rebels made no attempt to follow up their advantage, but began at once erecting earthworks.
"Laws was attacked before he anticipated, although making a show of readiness; but he was resting on ground familiar to him and wholly unknown to our troops. Silent was notified of our repulse. It was apparent that Laws's whole army was on the field, and meditated an attack before our army could be brought into action. Sedgewear's troops were not all up; Broomfield had not arrived, and Hanscom was not yet on the ground. This was not quite what Gen. Silent had been accustomed to.
His commands heretofore were always at the spot on time when ordered, and generally before the time appointed.
"He at once mounted his horse and rode in person to the front, in order to get a view of the situation. He followed Warner on a narrow road, which was thronged with troops in great disorder. Slight works thrown up by both sides, in intervals of the fight, were very close together. He at once saw from the nature of the surrounding country the importance of maintaining Warner's position. On his return to his headquarters he dispatched officers to hasten Sedgewear's and Broomfield's troops with all possible speed. His wish now was to bring to bear as largo a force as possible against Laws's left, in order to prevent the discovery of the great space between Warner and Hanscom. Laws, however, had detected this gap, and was forming Hiller's Corps to move through it.
"Geddis was now ordered to move at once and hold this part of the line with his division of Warner's Corps against all force that might come against him. This was the breathless time during the day. Geddis took the position. Hiller moved against him, but Geddis held the point.
Hanscom came up, but his corps was far away to his rear. It was nearly two o'clock before his troops came in sight, certainly none too soon. He at once formed on Geddis's left. There was but one spot, on account of the density of the forest, where artillery could be put in battery or used to any advantage. Here Hanscom put all his artillery. At 2:30 he received orders to attack Hiller at once in conjunction with Geddis, which he did. This compelled Hanscom to move two of his divisions in support of Geddis, Burns and Motley. The two lines had both approached until they were exceedingly close together.
"The battle now commenced in great earnest on both sides, and was of a most destructive and deadly character. The musketry firing was continuous along the whole line. The remainder of Hanscom's Corps was ordered up and went into action, having no time for protecting themselves. Several desperate assaults were made by Hanscom and Geddis, but the enemy, having the cover of the chaparral, were able to inflict great damage on our forces.
"Silent, learning that our forces could not dislodge the enemy, sent a force from Warner's left to relieve the troops who were so hotly engaged. Accordingly one division under Gen. Walworth and one brigade under Roberts were sent through the woods to the sound of battle. But they could not see fifty yards before them on account of the underbrush.
The roar of the battle was like a continuous peal of thunder. Gen.
Walworth tried to penetrate the thick woods to relieve his comrades, but did not arrive until nightfall.
"Sedgewear had now taken position on the right of Warner, and both of their corps had been engaged during the afternoon. Sherlin had struck the rebel cavalry near Ford's House and driven them back. He now held the country to the left of Hanscom on the road to Spottsyl-vania. The night had closed in and the two armies rested facing each other. The killed, wounded and dying were strewn between the lines like leaves.
"Gen. Meador and others came to Silent's Headquarters that night. One corps in each army had not been engaged during the day, and so the battle had but fairly commenced. Silent gave orders to assault the enemy the next morning at five o'clock. Longpath on the side of the enemy, who had not been engaged during the day, was moving that night to the support of Hiller, evidently intending to crush our left. Geddis was ordered to remain with Hanscom; Walworth was to assault Hiller's left, while Hanscom made a front attack. Broomfield was to move to the gap between Walworth and Warner's left. But Laws was preparing also for an attack, and made his assault on our right a little before Hanscom made the attack contemplated by Silent.
"The battle commenced by Ewelling assailing Wight. The fighting became furious along Sedgewear's entire front and over and along Warner's line. Burns and Motley, of Hanscom's Corps, advanced upon the enemy and assaulted him with very great energy. Walworth now assaulted where he was directed. The contest was a desperate one. The smoke rose through the woods like a dense cloud. The artillery was brought to where it could be used, and from both sides it belched forth its iron hail and sounded as if the earth was breaking into a thousand fragments. The musketry rattled and showered the leaden missiles of death in every direction. The yells and shrieks of the wounded were enough to strike terror to the souls of the strongest, during the whole time of this great battle of blood and death.
"The enemy were driven at every point, and retreated in great confusion.
Our troops undertook to pursue them through the thick woods and became broken up and confused. Sherlin was now engaged with Seward's cavalry, near the Todd House, in a terrible contest, The firing and shouting could be heard by Hanscom's troops. Sherlin was victorious and Seward retreated.
"Up to this time Longpath had not taken the position assigned him, but now moved rapidly against Hanscom's left. The contest was renewed.
Silent and Meador rode out to the front and looked over the ground.
Silent never lost confidence in the result for a moment.
"Longpath now assaulted with great vehemence; our advance brigade was swept like chaff before the wind. The density of the brush was such that H an scorn could not make his proper formation, and therefore had to fall back to his position held early in the day. Walworth was driven back, and in trying to rally his men was shot through the head and instantly killed. Sedgewear's right was assailed and turned, losing many prisoners. He rallied, however, and drove the enemy back again. Longpath being now severely wounded, Laws led his corps in person.
"A simultaneous attack was now made by our forces. Broomfield assaulted for the first time during the day, and the enemy were forced back. In this assault my son Jackson, leading his brigade, was wounded and taken to the rear. This was late in the afternoon. The woods had been on fire several times during the day, but at this time the breastworks of some of our men having been constructed of wood were fired by the musketry and blazed up, catching the timber and leaves with which the ground was covered. The fire became general and drove men in every direction, both Union and rebel. The shrieks and screams of the poor wounded men who could not escape the flames were heartrending.
"Darkness came on and the contest ceased. During the night Laws withdrew the rebel army to his old line of works and gave up the idea of driving Silent back across the Rapidan. Gen. Silent repaired to his headquarters, where he received the reports of the commanding officers.
Some were sure that Laws would attack again the next morning. Some thought that we had better retire across the Rapidan. At this Silent said not a word, but smiled. He finally gave orders to be ready to meet the enemy the next morning, and to attack him if he had not withdrawn.
When he spoke of the enemy withdrawing a look of surprise was on the faces of many.
"After they had all repaired to their respective quarters he went out to look around, and while listening under a tree in order to hear any movements that might be making in the enemy's lines, he was again startled by the same spectral form that had appeared to him twice before. It pointed in the direction of Richmond and spoke these words, 'Move on to-morrow,' and disappeared. He was strangely affected by this, and became quite nervous for a man of his stoicism.
[Illustration: A scene in the trenches 354]