50

SIGEL IN MISSOURI.

troops advanced, but when nearly across the bridge, a chasm was seen, and the mule of the guide fell through, while he clung to the timbers. Our troops, infuriated by the cheers of the rebels, held fast to the ties and rafters, and, though disordered, reached the other side, when, without orders, they rushed desperately on the lines of the enemy. The rebels fired one volley and fled, and the victorious soldiers marched in triumph through the town. Cox overtaking Wise at Gauley bridge, the latter retreated without fighting, and so, in a brief space, no more armed rebels remained in all Western Virginia.

The fame of McClellan became such at this time as to attract universal attention. The eyes of the nation were upon him as the man that might yet restore the Republic and end the rebellion; and he was destined to rise to a lofty eminence attained by few.

Meanwhile, the Army of the Potomac, which he was one day to lead, was increasing in strength and preparing for a grand contest.

We turn to Missouri, where great distractions prevailed. Colonel Sigel, who commanded a German regiment, about the 23d of June, arrived at Springfield. Price, at this time, was encamped at Neosho, and Sigel resolved on attacking him ere Governor Jackson, who was coming to join him, could arrive. Hearing that Price, Rains, and Jackson had united their forces near Carthage, Sigel informed General Sweeney, then at Springfield, to that effect, and was ordered to advance and attack the enemy, whom he found in great force in an open plain, and mostly mounted. Advancing within cight hundred yards, he halted, placed the artillery in position, and the rebels opening fire, a brisk artillery fight took place on the open plain. The enemy's guns were badly manned, and several of them dismounted, when their cavalry attempted to outflank the Federals, and cut off the wagon train in the rear. To prevent this, Sigel changed front, sent two six pounders to the rear, and fell back steadily, fighting at every step. The men moved on silently, the enemy's cavalry keeping out of range of the guns. On reaching the baggage trains, the troops were formed in a solid square, and with the trains well protected, moved to Dry Fork creek, where, the road passing between the bluffs, the enemy's cava ry now resolved to cut

SUCCESSFUL RETREAT OF COLONEL SIGEL.

51

rent

off their retreat. Sigel sent two cannon to the right, and as many to the left, and led on a body of men as if with the intention of cutting his way through, and the enemy at once left the road and moved on each side to prevent the movement. Advancing, Sigel enfiladed them with a terrific fire, while the main body of his troops came up at a doublequick, cheering loudly. The enemy's cavalry was asunder, and fled in wild disay; the riderless steeds, in full career, dashing over the plain. Sigel moved rapidly on Carthage, and was amazed to find it in the enemy's posses sion, a secession flag waving from the court house. He now determined to join the rest of the Army of the Southwest at Mount Vernon or Springfield, and to effect this he must gain the road which, extending through a thick wood, would be favorable to his protection from the cavalry. The enemy possessed it, and a fierce and bloody action took place, in which the enemy, after fighting two hours with great loss, retreated. Sigel marched on during the night, and continued his retreat until Mount Vernon was reached. He lost in killed and wounded forty-four. The enemy lost over three hundred.

While these things were transpiring, East Tennessee was maintaining her devotion to the Union in a hard struggle; and in Kentucky the people, many of whom were loyal, made vigorous efforts to remain in the Union. The issue was doubtful, on account of the great popularity of John C. Breckinridge, who strongly espoused the rebel cause.

CHAPTER V.

JULY, 1861.

MEETING OF CONGRESS-PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE-REQUISITION FOR MEN AND MONEY-THADDEUS STEVENS JEFFERSON DAVIS'S REQUISITION FOR TROOPS-PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS ON BOTH SIDES-THE" ON TO RICHMOND" CRY-THE REBELS STRONGLY FORTIFY MANASSAS-GENERAL R. PATTERSON-ONWARD MOVEMENT DECIDED ON-MCDOWELL COMMANDS THE ARMY-COMMANDERS-FORCES IN FIVE DIVISIONS-SPLENDID SIGHT ON THE MARCH-ARTILLERY FIGHT AT BLACKBURN'S FORD-PLAN OF THE BATTLE-DIVISIONS OF HUNTER AND HEINTZELMAN-BATTLE AND DEFEAT OF BULL RUN-SALUTARY EFFECTS.

THE extraordinary session of Congress at Washington, July 4th, 1861, was of great importance, and will be so remembered. Speeches of popularity were dispensed with for once, and both houses, with commendable alacrity, proceeded to a consideration of the great business before them.

The Presidential Message, distinguished by brevity, distinctness, and good sense, was listened to with attention. It was not, indeed, an elegant production, but was full of earnest and sincere patriotism, and found a faithful response in every loyal heart.

The President made a requisition on Congress for four hundred thousand men and four hundred millions of dollars, so that rebellion, by the most stringent measures, might be put down. The speaker of the House proceeded to appoint a chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and judiciously selected Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania, a man highly gifted by nature, and of great experience in the management of deliberative bodies. His tact and skill in the arts of an eloquent and earnest orator, his logical acumen and scathing sarcasm, the quickness of his replies and comprehensive grasp of a subject, and even his significant silence, counteracted the pernicious and treasonable intents of such men as Vallandigham, of Ohio, and Burnett and Breckinridge, of Kentucky, who gained an unenviable notoriety by their persistent opposition to all loyal measures. A bill was passed by Congress on the 10th of July, by whose provisions the Secretary of the Treasury was author

PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS ON BOTH SIDES.

53

ized to borrow a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty millions of dollars, on the credit of the United States, for which certificates of coupon or registered stock and treasury notes were to be issued. This stock was to bear interest not exceeding seven per cent. per annum, paid semi-annually in gold, and to be redeemed in twenty years. The treasury notes were to be payable three years after date, and the interest on them was to be seven and three tenths per cent. per aunum. The payment of the interest, and redemption of the principal loan, were guaranteed on the faith of the United States.

Though this appropriation was found insufficient, the Act gave the President ample means in other respects to carry on the war, and other important bills were founded on this one, providing for an efficient prolongation of military operations. Never was a Congress of the United States so unanimous in voting appropriations, and two separate bills were passed, in which, with the appearance of accident, but doubtless not undesignedly, the President was invested with authority to call out a million of men, should the public safety render it necessary.

General Scott was commander-in-chief of the army. General Butler commanded at Fortress Monroe; General Banks at Annapolis; General Irwin McDowell in front of Washington; General Patterson at Harper's Ferry; while McClellan had charge of the Department of Western Virginia, and Anderson and Harney, Kentucky and Missouri, respectively.

Jefferson Davis called out man for man to contend with the Union forces, and it was anticipated that the first encounter of the great armies would prove decisive. The rebels endeavored to stir up the Indians of the Kansas border and the regions of New Mexico against the Union, and threatened Fort Pickens, the only remaining Federal fort on the gulf.

General P. T. G. Beauregard commanded the rebel army at Manassas, while J. E. Johnston opposed General Patterson on the Potomac. Bishop Leonidas Polk, of Louisiana, commanded in Mississippi; Albert Sidney Johnson in the Southwest, and Price in Missouri.

The press of the country, which, for some time past, had lent the Government gratuitous advice, now headed their columns with "Or to Richmond ;" and grieved to see a large

54

THE "ON TO RICHMOND" CRY.

army, at such expense, idle, in no measured terms con demned the inactivity and Fabian policy of the veteran hero General Scott.

His sagacity and caution did not suit; according to them the North was invincible, and Southerners cowards. The delay was useless. It was but to put it to the test, and bring on a battle which must be successful, Politicians in Congress became inflamed by these oft repeated and urgent demands The clamor became still greater, and the Army of the Potomac must be put in motion. Military experience availed nothing; neither did the fact that a few weeks were not suf ficient to enable the raw recruit to discharge efficiently the duty of a soldier. The more sagacious now saw that the nation must be saved from this state of agitation either by moderate counsels or the costly lessons gained by experience. Some ultra-republicans thought this a favorable crisis to advocate the doctrine of the abolition of slavery, and the loyal members from the border States became alarmed.

The blockade proclaimed by the President, and the collection of the revenue in Southern States, were sanctioned by an act of Congress, and a bill was passed, authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to increase the naval force, by purchase or contract, in such a manner as to render the blockade efficient. For this, an appropriation of three millions of dollars was made. The privateer Sumter was at this time burning Federal ships on the ocean, and commencing a career of destruction and cruelty seldom paralleled.

General Scott was now at a loss how to proceed. He knew that in the present state of affairs the army was unprepared. Regiments, equipped and uniformed, could be transported with difficulty, however easily they might reach Washington. Provisions, and the many requisites of an army, could not be obtained without time and patience. A battle that should not be decisive would but disappoint the nation. To fight unprepared-to attack a powerful enemy in strong intrenchments with raw troops - seemed highly imprudent. But the troops before Washington were mostly enlisted for three months, and to disband them without giving them a chance of striking a blow for their country, would disappoint the public expectations, and impede future enlistments. Politicians, in the meantime, pressed Congress; Congress the President and Cabinet, and