The church bells sounded the alarm. Guards were sent into the streets to impress every able-bodied man. Members of the Government were sent into the trenches, and all between the ages of fifteen and fifty-five were ordered under arms. Laws stubbornly held his position. He could plainly see that Silent was determined to fight it out and settle the contest in and about Richmond, without being driven or drawn away, unless some alarm at Washington should cause a change of his campaign.
"After many movements, counter-movements, and much fighting, of all which I cannot speak in this narrative, Laws concluded to set Ewelling at the work of threatening our Capital. He crossed the Potomac and turned and threatened Washington, expecting Silent's army to be at once ordered to its defense; but this made no impression on Silent. He sent Wight's Corps to meet Ewelling and to follow him, which was done, and the danger to our Capital passed. Ewelling struck for the Valley of the Shannon, passed into Maryland and the border of Pennsylvania, levying contributions as he marched through towns and country, returning with much booty to the valley mentioned, joining Dawn. In the meantime Wight was following him. Sherlin was sent to take command of these forces.
He fell upon Ewelling and Dawn, and almost annihilated their commands, driving what was left of them entirely out of that part of the country, and making such a desolation that another movement in that direction by the rebels would be wholly impracticable. Leaving a sufficient force to prevent any further movement, he returned to the army near Richmond, destroying railroads, canals, and in fact nearly all the enemy's lines of communication of any advantage to him.
"In the meantime an attempt was made by our forces in front of Petersville to mine and blow up some of the enemy's main forts. The main sap was run some 500 feet, until it was under a fort on Cemetery Hill.
Wings were constructed to the right and left of the sap or tunnel, so that about four tons of powder were placed under the fort, tamped with sand bags and wood. The intention was to explode the mine, and at the moment of the explosion to open with all the artillery in this front on the enemy's lines, and to rapidly move a storming column through the crater and carry the high ground in rear, which, if in our possession, would command the city and the enemy's works. At about 3:30 on the morning of the 30th of July the fuse was lighted, but no explosion followed. Many attempts were made before the powder ignited. The suspense was great. Silent was quietly waiting to see the result.
"Finally the smoke was seen and the dead, heavy sound was heard, like unto the mutterings of distant thunder or the rumblings of an earthquake. Following this the whole surroundings were darkened, and up far in the air were sent guns, gun-carriages, caissons, picks, shovels, timbers and human beings. They went up in a confused mass and came down as though falling from the clouds in fragments. Many poor fellows were blown to atoms. Our artillery opened, and the cannonading that followed perhaps was never equaled during the war. A column of infantry charged into the crater and there hesitated and halted after capturing those who were left alive. This hesitation gave the enemy time to recover from their astonishment and alarm. They rallied and opened a terribly galling fire into the crater. Support was sent in, which only made the confusion among our men the greater. A cross-fire was now poured into them in the breach, and it was turned into a great slaughter-pen. Both sides were slaughtered in great numbers. Rebel and Union troops, white and colored men, were mixed together, crying to one another for help. The scene, as described by those who witnessed it, was one upon which no one could wish to dwell. Our people felt this disaster as much as any during the war. It was used by our enemies everywhere to prove our commander to be a heartless butcher.
"About this time an ordnance boat loaded with supplies of ammunition was exploded at or near Silent's headquarters at Sentinel Point. The report alarmed every one for miles around. The earth shook and trembled as if this globe was dissolving. Fragments of shell, wood and human beings fell about the locality like hail coming down. Men shrieked and ran wildly about, thinking that the final end of all things was at hand.
Silent was near by, but uttered not a word. He entered his tent, quietly sat down, and wrote a dispatch describing the disaster.
"Time wore on without any very great results either way, until the armies were all ready for the final movement in the Spring following.
Silent was still steadily gaining ground to his left, and holding Laws close to his lines, at the same time keeping his cavalry in motion, to the great annoyance of the enemy. In February, 1865, when I was at the Capital, where I met the President, Secretary of War and Gen. Silent, the campaign of Sherwood north to the rear of Richmond was about commencing; but I was not then aware of it. Gen. Silent was also getting ready for his final move against Laws, though he was waiting for Sherwood and Scoven to make a junction at or near Goldsburg, in North Carolina.
"In the meantime Charleston had been evacuated; Columbia, S. C, surrendered, and many of our starving prisoners were there released from their deadly and poisonous prison-pens, not fit for pigs, even, to live in. Cotton had been piled in the streets of Columbia by the retreating rebels and set on fire. When our troops entered the city they put the fire out, as they thought. In the evening, however, the smoldering fire was fanned into flames by a strong wind, and the burning flakes of cotton lighting on and against houses, set them on fire. One division of our forces worked hard to subdue the conflagration, but in vain.
The flames leaped from housetop to housetop, as if some unseen hand was aiding in the terrible work of devastation. Men, women and children left their houses in their night-dresses, screaming and crying for help.
Nothing could be done to allay the destruction. A great portion of the city was laid in ashes, and many people were in the streets houseless and homeless. The troops of Sherwood did all in their power to alleviate the suffering, by dividing blankets and food, and also by taking as many families as could be placed in the wagons to a point from whence they could take shipping North, where, on their arrival, they were amply provided for.
"Again moving forward rapidly, Sherwood's left wing struck Harding's rebel corps at Averyville, and drove it in rout from its position. Our left wing then moved by rapid marches on the Burton and Goldsburg road, the right wing moving on a shorter and more direct route in the same direction, many miles to the south. At Burton's Cross-roads the head of column of the left wing struck the rebel army under command of Gen.
Jones, who had again been placed at the head of the forces collected together since Head's defeat at Nashua. His forces were now commanded by Harding, Biggs, Chatham and Hamden, the latter commanding his cavalry.
The Union forces, under Gen. Somers, discovering that a large force was in their front, deployed two divisions and attacked, but could not drive the enemy from his position. Somers hastily constructed earthworks and held the enemy in his position until the right wing, or a portion of it, could come to his relief. The word was soon sent to the General commanding the right wing, and the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps were dispatched at once to Burton's Cross-roads.
"They arrived early on the next morning, having received the order late at night. The General commanding the Fifteenth Corps, which was in the advance, at once formed his leading division (Gen. Charles Ward's) and charged the enemy's works. His men went on the run over the works and right into his trenches, the General commanding the corps leading and leaping his horse over the parapet in the midst of a shower of deadly missiles. Our men captured the rebels who were in their front, and a general stampede of the enemy followed, and in a short time Jones and his whole command were hastily making their escape across Mill Run.
The march was not any farther impeded, and Sherwood's army marched to Goldsburg, where, as before stated, they joined Scoven, and thus ended the hard fighting of Sherwood's army.
"The President and Vice-President had been inaugurated, and the message of the President was so mild and conciliatory, breathing forgiveness and charity in such an honest and earnest spirit, that many thought it might have some influence on the feelings of the enemy in respect to the Union in which they had lived and controlled so long to their own advantage.
But no; the more he expressed sentiments of respect for their opinions the more bitter they became, denouncing every expression of kindness as an insult to their people; so that it was determined there should be no let-up in any way whatever--no armistice nor rest, but when the movement commenced, to let that end the rebellion before ceasing. The country was now up to this point, and all were ready and fully prepared for the result.
"Gen. Silent had now directed Papson, as well as Sherwood, to keep their cavalry at work in destroying lines of communication, bridges, and supplies of the enemy. Willston in the West was operating south of Tennessee, cutting off all chance of re-enforcements from that direction, and Sherwood's cavalry in the direction of Augusta and northward, performing the same character of service, while Sherlin was again marching with 10,000 cavalry around Laws, making the whole country untenable for want of facilities in gathering supplies, of which at this time the enemy was in great need. The whole coast from Savannah to Newbern, with forts, gunboats and munitions of war, was now in our hands, with 100,000 as good soldiers as ever marched or fought a battle almost entirely untrammeled, well supplied, and ready to drive Jones or any opposing force north back to Laws, where the whole could be crushed at one blow. Sherwood was to so conduct his movements as to detain Jones in his front until the 10th of April, and then he was to move directly against him and drive and follow him; but if possible, to get to the Roanoke River, so as to hold Laws in his position.
"While Silent was preparing for his final movement against the enemy, which was to commence on the 29th of March, Laws, suspecting the movement, on the morning of the 25th, selecting the weakest point in our lines, as he thought, assaulted the right of Meador's position in front of the Ninth Corps. The point assaulted was a small fort known as Fort Sleman, where the two opposing forces were not more than 200 yards separated from each other. At dawn of day the rebels moved against this point with Gadden's Corps, re-enforced by Bush Jones's division.
Parker's pickets were overwhelmed and the trenches taken by the enemy, so that the main line of the Union forces was broken. The rebels now seeing their advantage wheeled to the right and left, sweeping our lines before them, and capturing our batteries, which they at once turned upon Fort Sleman. The fort made all resistance possible, but, being assaulted in front, flank and rear, was compelled to surrender. The guns of the fort were now turned upon our own lines on either side with great effect, driving our men and taking complete possession of this part of our intrenchments.
"General Parker at this juncture came upon the scene, brought up artillery on the hills commanding the point attacked, and ordered his forces to occupy the fort. General Hartley also moved up and massed his division and assaulted the enemy as they were moving along our line.
He checked their advance, and, being re-enforced, drove Gad-den's Corps back, recaptured the fort and all our abandoned lines, with 2,000 prisoners. Meador arrived on the field and at once ordered Wight and Hume to advance on Parker's left, which was promptly done, and that part of the enemy's picket-line was taken, with many prisoners; so that the temporary success of the enemy proved very expensive to him in the end. This was the only unprovoked assault that Laws had made since the campaign of the Summer before.
"On the night after this assault Gen. Meador, General Orden and several other Generals were at Gen. Silent's headquarters, discussing the contemplated movement to be commenced on the 29th. The President had also been down to see Silent, and agreed in every particular to his programme. Gen. Tom Anderson was also present, having been ordered to Sentinel Point for assignment to duty. He was introduced by Gen. Silent as an able and brave officer. Gen. Orden said to Gen. Silent that he would be pleased to have him assigned to his command; to which Silent answered that he would speak to Anderson.
"When the movement was understood, preliminary thereto Gen. Orden was directed to move the next day to the extreme left, in connection with and in support of the cavalry under Sherlin, designed to prevent Laws from finally retreating in that direction, as was thought he might attempt, in order to make a junction with Jones and fight Sherwood's forces instead of Silent. This was not desired, as the General commanding wished the army that had always confronted Laws to have the honor of the capture of him and his army.
"When all had left for their respective headquarters, Gen. Silent spoke to Gen. Anderson of Gen. Orden's request.
"Anderson replied: 'General, assign me anywhere; I will try to do my duty wherever I may be placed.'
"Gen. Silent then wrote the order and handed it to him, saying: 'You will proceed to join Gen. Orden in the morning; he will move to the left during the day.' Silent said that he would give him a larger command in a few days, but could not do so then, as they were on the eve of the movement in contemplation.
"Gen. Anderson expressed entire satisfaction, and directed Lieut.
Whitcomb, who was with him, to have preparations made for starting at daylight the next morning.
"During the evening, they being entirely alone, General Silent said: 'Gen. Anderson, do you remember a conversation we had at my rooms the night before I left Nashua for the East?'
"'Very distinctly, General; I was much impressed by what you then said as to your views in reference to crushing this rebellion within a certain time, and the mode to be adopted for the accomplishment of this end.'
"'Well, we will do it within the time mentioned. But do you remember my asking you if you believed in dreams, and if you had ever seen anything that you could not explain or understand?'
"'Yes, General, I well remember that also.'
"'Well, sir, I desire to make a confidant of you in this particular. I do not wish what I say known at this time.'
"'You can do so; I will not betray your confidence.'
"'I intended telling the President to-day,' continued Gen. Silent, 'but was so taken up with other matters that I forgot it; and I feel a strange kind of superstition that I may not see him again. He and I are both in great danger, but I feel that I can protect myself better than he can himself. I do not desire to tell this story to any of my family, as I do not want them, or either of them, to become superstitious. It is so easy for any of us to become so. I find even the President, as strong a man as he is, somewhat so inclined.'
"Gen. Anderson said: 'I am surprised at this. I did not suppose he was so; but many strong people are, and many claim to have cause for being so.'
"Gen. Anderson then related my wife's dream to Gen. Silent, and told him Peters interpretation of it, and said six of her sons were now dead--one only (Henry) remaining alive.
"At this Gen. Silent became melancholy, and quietly responded, "Tis strange, indeed!' He then related to Gen. Anderson the fact of his having seen a strange form in the night-time while under a tree at Chatteraugus; also, the night that he met him at Nashua, as well as in the night near his quarters while fighting the battle of the Chaparral, its indications at Chatteraugus, and its indications to him at Nashua and in the Chaparral. He said:
"'I have also seen the same spectral form to-night, saying to me: "Move to the left rapidly; the enemy are all in your hands, and in half a moon all will be prisoners." Gen. Anderson, what is this? Am I dreaming, or am I laboring under some disease of the mind? I hope you will speak freely to me as to what you think. I could not keep it longer. I must tell some one. I feared I was becoming broken down in my brain power,--I have studied over the military situation so much.'
"'No, General, you need not have any fears of that. You are as vigorous in that respect as any man living. I cannot, however, explain this; nor can I understand it. I will ask you, however, if you had this character of campaign in your mind before you saw this strange apparition?'
'"Yes, I had a thought of it; but somehow this seemed to influence me not to deviate in the least, and to give me faith and confidence in our final success; and yet I cannot but believe this to be only an optical illusion. It must be; it cannot, it seems to me, be otherwise.'
"'There is one thing, General: it appears to be leading you, or, at least, helping your faith, in the right direction.'
"'Yes; but, Gen. Anderson, it harasses me by day and by night. I cannot keep it from my mind. I try to throw it off, but cannot. But we will speak of this no more at present. I feel that my mind is greatly relieved since I have given you my secret. What a strange feeling this is; but I believe it is so with every person.'
"'Yes, General, that is true. Things pent up in the mind and heart become oppressive, and wear the mind until relieved. This seems to be our safety-valve.'
"The conversation here ceased on this subject, and both retired to rest.
The next morning Gen. Anderson and his companion, Lieut. Whitcomb, left very early for Gen. Or-den's headquarters. As they were leaving Gen.
Silent came out and spoke many kind words to Gen. Anderson. He said:
"'I feel much better this morning. I will be at the front to-day, and will see you, perhaps.9
"With a good-by they separated. When Gen. Anderson arrived at Gen.
Orden's headquarters he was ready to move his command to the left. He had been telegraphed by Silent of Anderson's assignment, so the orders were ready, and Gen. Anderson at once took command of a splendid division, getting acquainted as best he could on the march that day. His command was in the lead. Late in the afternoon he met Gen. Sherlin, who was overjoyed to see him, saying:
"'Anderson, you have no time to learn the situation, but I want you to be close to me. I will speak to Orden.'
"Their lines were formed that evening and all was in readiness for action. On the afternoon of the 29th the Union line was continuous from Appomattox, and still moving to the left. Silent said:
"'I feel now like ending the matter, if it is possible, before going back.'
"The army of Silent was located about as hereinafter stated. Parker and Wight held our line in front of Peters-ville, and Orden's line reached to the crossing of Hatcher's Run. Hume had moved to the left of Orden, by change of orders, and Warner was on the left of the moving column.
Sherlin was now at Dinwiddie, on our left flank, some five miles separated from the left of our infantry. This movement was made late in the afternoon. Our lines now covered the ground from Appomattox to Dinwiddie Courthouse. Silent said: