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Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 3: Congress and Cabinet. (search)
of affairs at Montgomery, when on the 10th of April, Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, telegraphed that the Government at Washington had notified him of its intention to supply Fort Sumter-Peaceably if we can; forcibly if we must. Bulletins were posted before the Exchange, the newspaper office and the Government House; and for two days there was intense suspense as to what course the South would pursue. Then the news flashed over the wires that, on the morning of the 12th of April, Beauregard had opened the ball in earnest, by commencing the bombardment of Fort Sumter. This caused the excitement to go up to fever heat; and the echo of that first gun made every heart in the breadth of the land bound with quickened throb. Business was suspended, all the stores in the town were closed, while crowds at the hotels and in the streets became larger and more anxious as the day wore on. Various and strange were the speculations as to the issue of the fight and its consequences; but th
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 9: a change of base. (search)
and Louisiana troops collected — to the number of about nine thousand-had already become soldiers, in all the details of camp life; and went through it in as cheerful a spirit as if they had been born there. In popular view, both Bragg and Beauregard were on probation as yet; and it was thought that upon the management of their respective operations depended their status in the regular army. All was activity, drill and practice in this camp; and if the army of Pensacola was not a perfectlyr! The seat of war's to be removed to Virginia and the capital to Richmond! I stopped and looked at the colonel. Was it the punch? That's what the council this evening meant? Just so. Bragg remains, but part of his garrison goes to Beauregard, in Virginia. Trains to Montgomery will be jammed now, so we'd better be off. And, egad, sir! I'm to get ready for the field. Yes, sir, for the field! Next morning the information that had filtered to me through the colonel's punch was an
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 10: en route for the border. (search)
es had already been forwarded to Virginia from all parts of the South, and all indications were that, before the summer was over, an active campaign on the soil of the Old Dominion would be in progress. About this time, a telegram from Montgomery appeared in the New York Tribune, which created as much comment at the South as at the North. It stated, in so many words, that the whole South was in motion; that a few days would see Mr. Davis in Virginia at the head of thirty thousand men, Beauregard second in command. With the two sections in a state of open hostility, and with armies already in the field and manoeuvering for position, it was somewhat singular that the avowed correspondent of a northern journal should be allowed in the southern Capital; but, when his dispatches bore on their face some signs of authoritative sanction, it became stranger still. The correspondent of the Tribune was a well-known lobby member of years standing, but avowedly a southern man. His interco
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 12: settling to the real work. (search)
lood was shed in her cause, many and bitter were the vows made around the bivouac to avenge his untimely end. The men who made the grim vow were of the stuff to keep it; the name of Jackson, the Martyr, became a war-cry, and the bloody tracks of Manassas How that oath was kept can tell! On the 23d of May, Joseph E. Johnston received his commission as General in the Regular Army, and went to Harper's Ferry in command of all troops in that region-known as the Army of the Shenandoah. Beauregard, with the same grade, was recalled on his way to the West, and sent to command at Manassas. From the great ease of putting troops across the fords of the Potomac into Virginia, it was considered necessary to concentrate, at points from which they could be easily shifted, a sufficient reliable force to meet any such movement; and the two officers in whom the government had greatest confidence as tacticians, were sent to watch for and checkmate it. Meanwhile, Missouri had risen, the
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 13: the leaders and the led. (search)
mer jaunt we're to have, old man, Wyatt said when he bade me good-bye. I've been to that country hunting and found it devilish fine; but 'tisn't so fine by half when you're hunting a Yank, who has a long-range rifle and is likewise hunting for you. Then I've an idea of perpetual snow-glaciers-and all that sort of thing. I feel like the new John Franklin. But I'll write a book--Trapping the Yank in the ice-fields of the South. Taking title, eh? But seriously, I know we can't all go to Beauregard; and there'll be fighting enough all round before it holds up. God bless you! We'll meet somewhere; if not before, when I come down in the fall to show you the new stars on my collar! Thus Co. F went into the campaign. Its record there is history. So is that of many another like it. As I have tried to show, this spirit pervaded the whole South to an almost universal extent. Companies like these, scattered among the grosser material of the army, must have been the alloy that gav
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 14: the baptism of blood. (search)
ward and have their turn, before the whole crop of early laurels was gathered. An aide on General Beauregard's staff came down from Manassas a few days after Bethel, in charge of prisoners; and he toan took in such part, that he at once prepared to dispatch his whole force to Manassas to join Beauregard. Well did General Scott say, Beware of Johnston's retreats; for-whatever the country may have at Winchester and, after oceans of blood, had driven him from the field in utter rout! Again Beauregard had cut McDowell to pieces and planted the stars-and-bars over Alexandria and Arlington Heighttoo old a soldier to risk a fight on the Potomac line-too far from his base, sir! He'll amuse Beauregard and Johnston while they sweep down on Magruder. I want my orders for Yorktown. Mark my wordsnt. The heavy pattering of the first drops had come, and the strained hush was broken. Beauregard telegraphed that the success of Bull Run was complete; that his men had borne their baptism of
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 16: the Spawn of lethargy. (search)
opular wish for aggressive war sentiment settles to fact Mr. Davis' attitude to Johnston and Beauregard after-battle confusion strategic reasons inaction breeds grave discontent effect on the arn from abroad. Another again declared that there was a jealousy between Generals Johnston and Beauregard, and between each of them and the President, that prevented concert of action. The people m to be, declared that the credit of the plan and choice of the field of battle was due to General Beauregard; and Mr. Davis' proclamation on the success was couched in language that breathed only theut the tone of the army went down gradually, but steadily. During the summer more than one of Beauregard's companies-though of the best material and with a brilliant record-had to be mustered out as ues of slanderers could afterward remove him. They believed, too, in the pluck and dash of Beauregard; and, combining this with the outside activity, evident in every direction, felt there must b
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 20: from Shiloh to New Orleans. (search)
tch. After Nashville, Island No.10--a small marsh-surrounded knob in the Mississippi river-had been selected by General Beauregard, and fortified with all the appliances of his great engineering skill, until deemed well-nigh impregnable. It was y of impartial history to give unbiased judgment on these mooted points; but the popular verdict, at the time, was that Beauregard had wasted the precious moment for giving the coup-de-grace. The pursuit of the Federals stopped at six o'clock; and ifim, nothing could possibly have followed but the annihilation, or capitulation, of Grant's army. On the other hand, Beauregard's defenders replied that the army was so reduced by the terrible struggle of twelve hours-and more by straggling after n and opportunity, and the heavy loss in brilliant effort and valuable lives, caused equal dissatisfaction and gloom. Beauregard's new strategic point commanded a valuable sweep of producing territory, protected the communications, and covered Memp
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 21: the conscription and its consequences. (search)
f volunteers as the necessities of the service demanded. There had been little hesitancy in the selection of the generals-all of them men who had served with distinction in the army of the United States; and who had promptly left it to cast their lot with the new Government. So little difference could be found in their claims for precedence, that the dates of their old commissions decided it. They were Samuel Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston and Pierre G. T. Beauregard. These nominations had been received with unanimity by the Senate, and with profound satisfaction by the people. Had fitness and right been consulted equally in other appointments, much priceless blood might have been saved to the South. Still, at the time, it was believed that the commissions of brigadier of volunteers were conferred upon the most meritorious of the resigned officers; or, where there was reason to hope good results to the service-upon the best of those men
Thomas C. DeLeon, Four years in Rebel capitals: an inside view of life in the southern confederacy, from birth to death., Chapter 24: echo of Seven days, North and South. (search)
le believed that General Bragg was a pet-if not a creature of Mr, Davis; and that he was thrust into a position that others deserved far more, when he succeeded Beauregard in command of the army of the West. The latter officer had, after the evacuation of Corinth, been compelled to retire by ill health; and Bragg was soon sentple that Kentucky was to be the theater of active operations, and that a programme of aggression-rather than of defense — was to be carried out, as suggested by Beauregard. General Bragg entered upon his command with a show of great vigor-falling into General Beauregard's views that a diversion toward Ohio, threatening CincinnGeneral Beauregard's views that a diversion toward Ohio, threatening Cincinnati, would leave the main army free to march upon Louisville before re-enforcements could reach Buell. With this view General Kirby Smith, with all the troops that could be spared-ill clad, badly equipped, and with no commissariat-was pushed forward toward the Ohio. On the 29th of August-while our victorious cannon were still ec
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