stood upon Orchard Knob. The hero of of rifle pits, as calmly as a chess player. Vicksburg was there, calm, clear, persist- An aid rode up with an order. "Avery, ent, far-seeing; Thomas, Meigs, Hunter, that flask," said the General. Quietly Granger, Reynolds. Generals Grant, filling the pewter cup, Sheridan looked up Thomas, and Granger conferred, an order at the battery that frowned above him, by was given, and in an instant the Knob was Bragg's headquarters, shook his cap amid cleared like a ship's deck for action. At that storm of everything that killed, when twenty minutes of four, Granger stood one could hardly hold their hand without upon the parapet; six guns at intervals catching a bullet in it, and with a "How of two seconds, the signal to advance. are you?" tosses off the cup. The blue Strong and steady his voice rang out: battle-flag of the rebels fluttered a response "Number one, fire! Number two, fire! to the cool salute, and the next instant

Maj. Gen. George II. Thomas. cartridge, the General remarked to one near him, in his usual quiet way, "I thought it ungenerous!"

Rallying around the flag. Number three, fire!"-like the toll of the clock of destiny; and when at "Number six, fire!" the roar throbbed out with the flash, the line that had been lying behind Wheeling towards the men, he cheered the works all day, all night, and all day them to the charge, and made at the hill like again, leaped like a blade from its scabbard, a bold-riding hunter. Amid sheets of flame, and swept with a two-mile stroke towards plunging shot, and mangled comrades, the ridge. From divisions to brigades, they wrestled for the Ridge, clambering from brigades to regiments, the order ran. The tempest that now broke upon their heads was terrible to the rebels. General Granger's aids radiated over the field, to left, right, and front.

"Take the Ridge if you can "-" Take the Ridge if you can!"-and so it went along the line.

Sheridan, one of the most gallant of leaders, rode to and fro along the first line

steadily on-up-upward still! The race of the Union flags grew every moment more terrible. Just as the sun, weary of the scene, was sinking out of sight, with magnificent bursts of exultation all along the line-exactly as the crested seas leap up at the breakwater, the advance surged over the crest, and in a minute those Union flags fluttered along the fringe where fifty rebel guns were kenneled.

Not a single General on the Battlefield.

"I am a son of Quartermaster-General Meigs," replied the youth.

the entire day, Mathewson felt some curiThe regiments constituting the reserve, osity to learn who this young Lieutenant at the battle of Bull Run, under acting was, and whence these orders came; he Major-General Miles, had an experience therefore turned sharply on the youth, which, in one respect, was without a par- who, he now perceived, could not be more allel in that or any other battle of equal than twenty-two or twenty-three, and said: importance. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, "Young man, I would like to know the New York Sixteenth and Thirty-first, your name.” being well in advance toward Blackburn's Ford, were called upon to stem the tide of the Virginia cavalry, who were swooping at our retreating forces. An order from Miles, consequently, sent the First California regiment, under Colonel Math- The young man smiled and remarkedewson, of the New York Thirty-second, "Well, Sir, the truth is, that for the last forward to their support; but though the few hours I have been giving all the orders cavalry was thus turned to the right about, for this division, and acting as General it was found to be impossible to stem the too, for there is not a single General on mad career of the extraordinary mass that the field." came pouring back from Centreville.

"By whose authority then do you deliver me these orders?" was the Californian's next inquiry.

This incident is surely worthy of notice among the lessons of that eventful day.

His Knapsack Told the Tale.

The day before General Grant attacked Fort Donelson, the troops had had a march of twenty miles, part of it during a bitter cold night. Grant called a council of war

The best that could be done, therefore, was for the California regiment to stay just where it was, and in absence of further orders, lend what aid it could to the protection of Green's battery, which was busily plying its fire upon the harrassing approaches of the Virginia horse. While the Thirty-second was in this position, the Sixteenth and Thirty-first having passed to consider whether they should attack the within its range, a youthful Orderly rode up to Colonel Mathewson to inform him that the Black Cavalry, sheltered from his observation by a piece of woods, were coming upon the right, and if he would take a cut with his regiment across the fields, they would be turned back upon their errand.

fort at once, or should give the troops a day or two of rest. The officers were in favor of resting. Grant said nothing until they had all given their opinion; then he said: "There is a deserter who came in this morning, let us see him and hear what he has to say." When he came in, Grant looked into his knapsack. "Where The evolution was performed, gave the are you from?" "Fort Donelson." "Six protection that was desired, and the Black days' rations in your knapsack, have you Horse gave up its purpose in that quarter. not, my man?" "Yes, Sir." "When While the regiment, however, was ad- were they served out?" "Yesterday hering to this position, the same youth morning." "Were the same rations who had imparted the previous suggestion served out to all the troops?" "Yes, rode up to that regiment again, and told Sir." Mathewson he had better fall back on Centreville, as his duty at that spot had been thoroughly performed. As this was about the first sign of orders (with one single exception) he had received during

"Gentlemen," said Grant, "troops do not have six days' rations served out to them in a fort if they mean to stay there. These men mean to retreat, not to fight: we will attack at once."

His action was as good as his word, and the eagles of victory soon perched upon his glorious banners.

66

and the scales seemed all the time nearly equally balanced. It was almost inconceivably fierce, and the Union cause lost one of its bravest and most beloved defenders-General Lyon, who was carried from the field a corpse. While he was standing where bullets flew thickest, just after his favorite horse was shot from under him, some of his officers interposed and begged that he would retire from the spot and seek one less exposed. Scarcely raising his eyes from the enemy, he said: "It is well enough that I stand here. I am satisfied."

Explaining the Initials "O. V. M." An incident worth narrating occurred soon after the first occupation by the Union forces of the country around Falls Church and Vienna, the brigade of General Tyler being on picket in that vicinity. The Ohio boys under General Schenck had been fired upon from a masked battery at the last named place, and some of the brave fellows were murdered. The remainder were anxious for a sight of the Lyon had been wounded in the early gray backs;" and when Lieutenant Up- part of the engagement. He had been struck ton, a brave officer on General Tyler's by three shots; one in the heel, a second staff, called for a party for a scout, they in the fleshy part of his thigh, and a third were ready. Lieutenant U. went some in the back of his head, which had cut it distance into the country, and obtained much valuable information. At one place he visited the house of a well-known secessionist, and succeeded in making the inmates believe the party were all "secesh." He found out the whereabouts and strength of the enemy, and feasted on the best the gardens and cellars afforded. All went well till a cap-pouch, that had been very carefully placed over the letters O. V. M. (Ohio Volunteer Militia) on the waist-belt plates of the men, became misplaced, and one of the young ladies, who had been very forward in giving the desired information, became alarmed, and asked the meaning of the letters. The Lieutenant was as ready with a reply as he would have been if it had been an order to surrender.

open to the skull. His surgeon begged him to retire to the rear and have his wounds dressed. "No-these are nothing," was the General's reply, and, though wounded and streaming with blood, he mounted his horse and led the Kansas and Iowa regiments to the fatal charge, saying:

"I fear that the day is lost; if Colonel Sigel had been successful, he would have joined us before this. I think I will lead this charge; Forward, men! I will lead you!"

His horse had hardly sprung forward, when a miniè ball struck Lyon in the breast, and passing out at the back severed in its course the aorta, the principal bloodvessel of the heart. He fell into the arms of his body-servant, saying, "Leh"They mean," said he, "Old Virginia man, I am killed; take care of my body,"Militia." and instantly expired.

on the peninsular :-Meantime an episode grave to be dug to receive the remains of in the fight occured, in the shape of a duel the brave German trooper. We buried between one of the enemy's dragoons and him in his regimentals, with his trusty one of our Texans on a small field close sword on his breast and his pistol by his by. The dragoon evidently scorned to side. This sad act having been performed, join in the fight of his comrades, and dis- I sent for the Texan, and after reprimandplayed such skill in the management of ing him severely for his cowardly conduct, his horse and the use of his sword that it I ordered him to seek service in some was quite a pleasure to watch him. other corps, telling him that I could not think of allowing a fellow of his stamp to remain in my regiment. The Texan The dragoon scowled at me with his wild cat-like eyes, and muttering a curse, mounted his horse and rode away.

In vain did the Texan make lunge after lunge, and try all sorts of expedients to overcome his antagonist.

sat as firm as a rock in his saddle, wielding his sword like a brand of lightning. By the manner in which he handled his horse and weapon I judged at a glance Stray Leaf in the Vicksburg Campaign. that he was a German trooper, and I could On the first of April, 1863, Generals not help watching the exciting contest with Grant, Sherman, Oglesby, Secretary of great interest. The Texan still continued State Hatch and Auditor Jesse R. Dubois, to wheel round his opponent on his fleet of Illinois, with some others, were on barb, eagerly seeking to deal a home board the flag-ship of Commodore Porter's thrust, whilst the dragoon, with a cool squadron, the party having been up the steady eye, followed all the movements of Yazoo River to Haines's Bluff, on a rehis impetuous antagonist. At last they connoissance of the fortifications. While close in earnest. A blow-a parry-a thrust-follow close on each other!

the other gentlemen were in the cabin, discussing public questions, General Grant and Mr. Dubois withdrew, and being in company on the deck, the following conversation ensued between the two:

wit's

General Grant.-Uncle Jesse, to tell you the truth, I have come to my end as regards the capture of Vicksburg. I really do not know what next move to make. I have tried everything I could think of, and here we are yet. I have been advised that we go back to Memphis, and commence an overland march from that point.

The Texan had slashed the dragoon's shoulder, so that the blood began to flow, which aroused a cheer from the Texans looking on, but at the same moment the former received a back stroke, which cut through the sleeve and flesh of his left arm. The Texan now backed his horse like lightning, and his fellow troopers rushed forward to look at his wound; but without paying any heed to his hurt, he again dashed at his opponent, and made a lunge at his breast. The dragoon parried it with great dexterity, and at the same time let fly a "quarte," which caused a slashing wound in the Texan's back. The latter spurred on his horse to a little distance, and before I could take means to prevent the cowardly act, he deliberately took out a pistol and shot the brave dragoon, who fell dead from his saddle. The bullet had entered just below the region of the heart. Much grieved at his fate, I ordered a you strengthen the hands of the traitors

Mr. Dubois.-General Grant, you cannot do that. If you take this army back to Memphis, with all this array of gunboats and transports and all your material of war, the effect will be disastrous on the country. This infernal constitution in our State was only defeated by superhuman exertions. Another election is almost upon us, and the whole Northwest is on the verge of revolution. If you go back,

and K. G. C.'s at home. They will call cut him short by saying that he had diyour movement a retreat, and more loudly gested and arranged the entire details for than ever assert that the South cannot be the movement, and only required him— conquered. If you can do no better, you General McC.,-to execute his orders. must storm Vicksburg. If it costs the McClernand said he would do that to the lives of forty thousand men it must be best of his ability, and departed on his taken. It is a terrible thing to think of, expedition.

but it must be done.

General Grant.-Uncle Jesse, you are going home to-day; tell Governor Yates and the people of Illinois for me, that I will take Vicksburg in sixty days.

There are those who know that, at this General Grant replied that he would very time, strenuous efforts were being reflect upon the matter during the night, made at Washington for the removal of and let Mr. Dubois know of his determin- General Grant. Not only West Point ation in the morning. When the morning was arranged against him, but Republican came, General Grant met Mr. Dubois with members of Congress, some of them from a cheerful countenance, and the following Illinois, went to Mr. Lincoln and urged conversation took place :his removal, taking back their former indorsements of him. Leading Republican papers also loudly denounced him, and clamored for his supersedure. At this time, a prominent Republican and retired officeholder from Illinois, who had been down the river buying cotton, wrote a letter to Mr. Lincoln, denouncing General Grant, predicting his failure, and urging the appointment of General Pope to his command. He brought the letter to Hon. C. M. Hatch, then Illinois Secretary of State, and one of Mr. Lincoln's most intimate friends, and asked him to direct it, but did not show him its contents. He

Mr. Dubois.-General Grant, I am glad to hear you say this; but all I ask you to allow me to tell them is, that you will take Vicksburg, I don't care whether in sixty days or in six months.

General Grant.-I am bound to take it. I have decided on my plans. I will not tell you what they are. Even with the best intentions, you might disclose them to the detriment of the movement. They then parted, and General Grant represented to Mr. Hatch that Mr. Nicodetailed his plan to General Sherman, who protested in writing, but placed himself under the General's orders.

Auditor Dubois went home and told Governor Yates that Grant would take Vicksburg; that he had no doubt of it; that General Grant told him to tell him so, and that he must tell it to the people as coming from General Grant. It will be remembered that the promise of General Grant was published in the papers at the time, and that Governor Yates repeated it from the stump.

lay, who had been Mr. Hatch's deputyclerk, seeing the handwriting, would hand it to Mr. Lincoln. Hearing of the occurrence, and suspecting a trick, Mr. Dubois made Mr. Hatch write a letter to the President, which both signed, and which urged him to do nothing against Grant; that they had been down the river, and, so far as they had anything to say in the matter, they were perfectly satisfied with him.

Not the least interesting incidents connected with this "inside view" of matters, General Grant's next move was to send are, the written protest by General Sherfor General John A. McClernand, and man against General Grant's circuitous ordered him to march his corps from Mil- march around Vicksburg, and by which he liken's Bend to the Grand Gulf. General cut himself off from his base of supplies; McClernand proposed some changes in the General Sherman's direction that the prodetails of the plan; but General Grant test be forwarded to Washington, and