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

Not a single General on the Battlefield 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.

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 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.

"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 to consider whether they should attack the 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 are you from?" "Fort Donelson." "Six days' rations in your knapsack, have you "When

The evolution was performed, gave the protection that was desired, and the Black Horse gave up its purpose in that quarter. not, my man?" "Yes, Sir." 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 Mathewson he had better fall back on 'Gentlemen," said Grant, "troops do Centreville, as his duty at that spot had not have six days' rations served out to been thoroughly performed. As this was them in a fort if they mean to stay there. about the first sign of orders (with one These men mean to retreat, not to fight: single exception) he had received during we will attack at once."

Sir."

66

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

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 open to the skull. His surgeon begged much valuable information. At one place him to retire to the rear and have his he visited the house of a well-known se- wounds dressed. "No-these are nothcessionist, 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 de- His horse had hardly sprung forward, sired information, became alarmed, and when a miniè ball struck Lyon in the asked the meaning of the letters. The breast, and passing out at the back severed Lieutenant was as ready with a reply as in its course the aorta, the principal bloodhe would have been if it had been an vessel of the heart. He fell into the order to surrender. 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.

The explanation was perfectly satisfactory, and the Lieutenant took his departure. But the household soon occupied apartments in Washington at the expense of the Government.

Lyon's Bravery and Sacrifice. The battle of Wilson's Creek raged with unabated fury for more than an hour,

ing," 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!"

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 thrust, whilst the dragoon, with a cool steady eye, followed all the movements of his impetuous antagonist. At last they connoissance of the fortifications. While close in earnest. A blow-a parry-a thrust-follow close on each other!

board the flag-ship of Commodore Porter's squadron, the party having been up the Yazoo River to Haines's Bluff, on a re

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:

General Grant.-Uncle Jesse, to tell you the truth, I have come to my wit's 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 Mr. Dubois.-General Grant, you cantime let fly a "quarte," which caused a not do that. If you take this army back slashing wound in the Texan's back. The to Memphis, with all this array of gunlatter spurred on his horse to a little dis- boats and transports and all your material tance, and before I could take means to of war, the effect will be disastrous on the prevent the cowardly act, he deliberately country. This infernal constitution in our 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

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.

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 inGeneral Grant.-Uncle Jesse, you are dorsements of him. Leading Republican going home to-day; tell Governor Yates papers also loudly denounced him, and and the people of Illinois for me, that I clamored for his supersedure. At this will take Vicksburg in sixty days. 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

Among the prisoners released from Captain Hunt had a musket with him— Richmond, in January, 1862, was Captain the ordinary smooth bore, which he imRalph Hunt, of the First Kentucky regimediately leveled at his adversary. The ment,-Captain H. belonging himself in combatants were about fifty yards apartClark county, Ohio. In September, 1861, each fired at the same instant; the Adjuhis regiment formed a part of the force tant's ball whistled close by the Captain's under General Cox, encamped near Gau- ear, but the Adjutant himself, with a curse ley's Bridge, in Western Virginia. The upon his lips, fell dead with a bullet enemy were desirous of dislodging the through his brain. So instantaneous was General, and about the 3d of September his death, that not a limb quivered after attempted a reconnoissance in some force. the body touched the earth. Our pickets were driven in, and Captain Not less than seven shots were instantly Hunt was ordered out with his company fired at Captain Hunt, none of them, howto make observations of the force and ever, taking effect. The enemy, enraged movements of the enemy and report there- at the loss of a favorite officer, were at first inclined to be revengeful; but the gallantry he had just displayed, and the coolness with which he bore himself when in their power, finally won their respect.

on.

The whole country thereabouts is thickly covered with scrubby pine and cedar, so that a man may escape notice at a few yards distance. Pushing his way through the bushes and scrubby trees The men of Captain Hunt's company supuntil he obtained a position commanding posed their leader to be killed, and made the road by which the rebels must advance, good their escape to camp. Hunt and the the Captain halted his men where they two men with him were so surrounded that were concealed from observation, and escape was impossible. Refusing to give ordered them to lie quiet and await orders; his parole, Captain Hunt was ironed, and, a few men had been sent in advance as after visiting several of the towns in Virscouts, but it seems that these were bewil-ginia, was confined in the tobacco factory dered amidst the dwarf pines and bushes, at Richmond.

and, in making their way back, unfortunately got into the Captain's rear.

"Young America" at Fort Donelson. The Captain, after posting his men, had In a little open field in the woods which gone forward a few yards, accompanied by had been the scene of the hottest portion two of his men, and, hearing an advance of the Fort Donelson conflict, there was upon the road, stepped forward a few afterward found one living mortal among paces, in expectation of seeing his return- the multitudinous dead. On approaching ing scouts, but the party advancing along this person, he was found to be a mere the road turned out to be the leading files of the advanced guard of the rebel forces. With these was a fine-looking officer named Loughborough, who had been sent out to

stripling with the garb of a Federal soldier, and at least, in his own estimation, just then, a pretty formidable one at that. "Do you see that old secesh?” said he,