PHILANTHROPY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

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The governor evidently looked to the restoration of the negroes to a state of slavery, and indeed occupied himself in authorizing various owners to reclaim this species of human property. Mr. Colyer, fully appreciating the powers of a military governor, and wishing to do nothing in conflict with the laws, without waiting for an order to suppress the schools, voluntarily closed them, and taking a pathetic farewell of his pupils left for the north. The course of Governor Stanley excited much comment, and his conduct was severely commented upon in those journals which saw in slavery the main source and vitality of the rebellion, and were eagerly waiting the slow, reluctant hand of the government in dealing it a deadly wound. When a simple, religious act of kindness to the slave was interrupted by an officer of the government they rigidly held that government to account. Mr. Colyer was call

Washington at an early period of the war, as an unpaid, voluntary agent to the army, by the Young Men's Christian Association. There he had ministered in camps and in hospitals to the physical and moral wants of the soldiers; and thence, after the battle of Roanoke island, he was sent to North Carolina, amply provided, by the bounty of the Northern cities, to relieve the necessities of the sick and wounded in that region. General Burnside was not the man to suffer a Christian philanthropist, the representative of the benevolence of thousands, to perform his work of mercy in his army unnoticed. He appreciated those services most bountifully exhibited on the battle field of Newbern, and when the city was occupied, and a superintendent of the poor was needed to attend to the absolute necessities of a population suddenly deprived of their usual means of subsistence, General Burnside appointed Mr. Colyer to the office. In this capa-ed upon to address various public meetcity, beside the care of the "contrabands," he supplied rations to the indigent white population, numbers of whom belonged to families whose fathers and sons were in the rebel army. Some four hundred white families, numbering 1,800 persons, were thus provided for. 7,500 colored people were in one way or another under Mr. Colyer's supervision. They furnished 1,500 able-bodied laborers, who were employed on the fortifications, in service about the transports, and other useful occupations.*

In addition, with the aid of several well-disposed officers of the army, he opened elementary schools. for both white and black, where reading and writing were taught, and sound religious instruction was given. Governor Stanley, on his arrival, witnessed these proceedings, and expressed to Mr. Colyer a doubt of the propriety of teaching negroes to read and write, when it was forbidden by the laws of North Carolina.

* Report of the Christian Mission to the United States army, by Vincent Colyer.

ings on the subject in New York and elsewhere, and was admitted to an interview at Washington with President Lincoln, who listened with interest to his recital, remarking that, as he had no power to interfere with the instruction of negroes in North Carolina, it could hardly be derived from him by a delegated governor. Mr. Colyer, in fact, fortified by a vigorous expression of public opinion, was left at liberty to reopen his schools. Much feeling, however, had been excited on the subject; Governor Stanley had been roughly handled by the press, and there was some soreness in consequence; the mischief had been done at Newbern, and it was thought the part of courtesy to yield for a time, and not endanger the peaceful interests of religion and learning by exposing them unnecessarily to strife and contention. If the step had been in the right direction, it would not be permanently arrested; and, indeed, in less than a year, when the government, in the progress of the war, had been compelled to exert its authority in behalf of

In

A permanent foothold having been to the arms of General Burnside and his gained at various important points in divisions, here was an old friend who North Carolina, and numerous represen- would receive the oath of allegiance, and tations having from time to time been smooth the way in the most agreeable made, as we have recorded in the demon- manner possible, to the return of the strations on Hatteras island, of the Union people to the beneficent government of feeling of at least a portion of the inhab- the United States. Unfortunately, the itants, the administration at Washington, minds of the people were so perverted; with a view of conciliation, determined they were so much under the influence to supplement the authority of General or control of the rebel authorities at Burnside, by the appointment of a so- Richmond; or they were so uncertain of called military governor, with powers the events of the war, that little or nosimilar to those conferred on Andrew thing was to be done. outside of the limJohnson in Tennessee. The Honorable ited area occupied by the United States Edward Stanley, who was selected for forces. The commander-in-chief, in fact, this appointment, belonged to an old and was the inevitable and only genuine milhonored family in North Carolina, and itary governor of North Carolina. Govhad gained considerable distinction as a ernor Stanley could add nothing to the Whig representative from the State in territory subjected to the Union. Congress, during the administration of vain, in an address on the 17th of June, President Van Buren. He had, for at Washington, when the citizens of the some years past, pursued his profession neighboring counties were freely admitof the law in California, where he re- ted within the Union lines to the assemceived the commission calling him once bly, he called upon the people of the more to his native State. On his arrival State to return to their allegiance, and at Washington in May, 1862, he received warned them of the danger of persisting his instructions from the War Department in the rebellion. They either could not, and at the close of the month made his or would not, contend against the usurappearance in his new character at New-pation of Jefferson Davis. A conference bern. "It is obvious to you," wrote Secretary Stanton in a letter of instructions, "that the great purpose of your appointment is to reestablish the authority of the national government in the State of North Carolina, and to provide the means of maintaining peace and security to the loyal inhabitants of that State, until they shall be able to establish a civil government. Upon your wisdom and energetic action much will depend in accomplishing that result. It is not deemed necessary to give any specific instructions, but rather to confide in your sound discretion to adopt such measures as circumstances may demand."

The mission, in fact, was a conciliatory expedient, and depended for its force altogether upon the loyal disposition of the inhabitants. If there were any whose pride would be wounded by submission

proposed by Governor Stanley to Governor Vance, who was thought not to be on the best of terms with the Confederate government, met with as little success, the rebel governor declining the interview.

There was some excitement at Newbern immediately upon Governor Stanley's arrival, in reference to the treatment of the negro population.. Entertaining the hope of freedom, they had welcomed the Union army and rendered it many important services. Placed in a dependent position, they were necessarily cared for by the military authorities. It happened opportunely that there was present with the army a gentleman peculiarly suited to attend to their welfare. This was Mr. Vincent Colyer, an estimable artist of New York, who had been induced by his philanthropy to proceed to

PHILANTHROPY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

405

Washington at an early period of the The governor evidently looked to the war, as an unpaid, voluntary agent to restoration of the negroes to a state of the army, by the Young Men's Christian slavery, and indeed occupied himself in Association. There he had ministered in authorizing various owners to reclaim camps and in hospitals to the physical this species of human property. Mr. and moral wants of the soldiers; and Colyer, fully appreciating the powers of thence, after the battle of Roanoke island, a military governor, and wishing to do he was sent to North Carolina, amply nothing in conflict with the laws, without provided, by the bounty of the Northern waiting for an order to suppress the cities, to relieve the necessities of the schools, voluntarily closed them, and sick and wounded in that region. Gen- taking a pathetic farewell of his pupils eral Burnside was not the man to suffer left for the north. The course of Gova Christian philanthropist, the represent- ernor Stanley excited much comment, and ative of the benevolence of thousands, his conduct was severely commented upto perform his work of mercy in his army on in those journals which saw in slavery unnoticed. He appreciated those ser- the main source and vitality of the revices most bountifully exhibited on the bellion, and were eagerly waiting the battle field of Newbern, and when the slow, reluctant hand of the government city was occupied, and a superintendent in dealing it a deadly wound. When a of the poor was needed to attend to the simple, religious act of kindness to the absolute necessities of a population sud-slave was interrupted by an officer of the denly deprived of their usual means of government they rigidly held that govsubsistence, General Burnside appointed ernment to account. Mr. Colyer was callMr. Colyer to the office. In this capa-ed upon to address various public meetcity, beside the care of the "contra-ings on the subject in New York and elsebands," he supplied rations to the indi- where, and was admitted to an interview gent white population, numbers of whom at Washington with President Lincoln, belonged to families whose fathers and who listened with interest to his recital, sons were in the rebel army. Some four remarking that, as he had no power to hundred white families, numbering 1,800 interfere with the instruction of negroes persons, were thus provided for. 7,500 in North Carolina, it could hardly be decolored people were in one way or rived from him by a delegated governor. another under Mr. Colyer's supervision. Mr. Colyer, in fact, fortified by a vigorThey furnished 1,500 able-bodied labor-ous expression of public opinion, was left ers, who were employed on the fortifica- at liberty to reopen his schools. Much tions, in service about the transports, and other useful occupations.*

In addition, with the aid of several well-disposed officers of the army, he opened elementary schools for both white and black, where reading and writing were taught, and sound religious instruction was given. Governor Stanley, on his arrival, witnessed these proceedings, and expressed to Mr. Colyer a doubt of the propriety of teaching negroes to read and write, when it was forbidden by the laws of North Carolina.

* Report of the Christian Mission to the United States army, by Vincent Colyer.

feeling, however, had been excited on the subject; Governor Stanley had been roughly handled by the press, and there was some soreness in consequence; the mischief had been done at Newbern, and it was thought the part of courtesy to yield for a time, and not endanger the peaceful interests of religion and learning by exposing then unnecessarily to strife and contention. If the step had been in the right direction, it would not be permanently arrested; and, indeed, in less than a year, when the government, in the progress of the war, had been compelled to exert its authority in behalf of

the emancipation of the slave, the people of Newbern themselves, learning to appreciate the situation, became engaged in teaching the negroes, that they might be better members of society, and on better terms with the whites in the change of law and society already apparent.

There was no occasion to judge harshly of Governor Stanley. He left California with patriotic intentions, and was, doubtless, disappointed at finding his native State so entirely out of reach of his friendly authority. In his efforts at conciliation he was naturally govern

ed by old friendships and traditions. He could not be expected to introduce the new revolutionary policy which the rebellion had made a necessity in the State. This was more especially felt by him when the President's emancipation proclamation of the 1st of January, 1862, came into effect, and new military operations cast his limited powers into the shade. He then resigned his position, nor did the Government think it necessary to appoint a successor in his place.

CHAPTER LXV.

THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG, AND CAPTURE OF NORFOLK APRIL-MAY, 1862.

THE resolution having been fully de- command. The Prince de Joinville, in termined upon to transport the main por- his pamphlet reviewing the campaign, tion of the army of the Potomac to the estimates the force, consisting of eleven lower Chesapeake for active operations divisions of infantry, 8,000 to 10,000 against Richmond, the pursuit of the strong, one division of regulars, infantry enemy beyond Manassas was discon- and cavalry, 6,000, with 350 pieces of tinued, and the necessary measures were artillery-at, probably, 120,000 men. taken for the embarkation from Alexan- It was calculated from official returns by dria, the abandonment by the enemy of the secretary of war, on the 6th of April, their works on the Potomac giving that that General McClellan had then with route, of course, the preference to An- him over 100,000. The latter himself napolis, which had been selected while says that the whole number before the the passage up the river was interrupted arrival of Franklin's division, which arby the rebel batteries. There was some rived in transports before Yorktown on delay for the want of an adequate num- the 14th, was 85,800. General Barry, ber of transport vessels, so that a fort-chief of artillery, reports the embarkation night was consumed in forwarding the troops to Fortress Monroe. The corps of General Heintzelman leading the way, arrived at Fortress Monroe, and was landed on the peninsula on the 23d of March. It was followed by successive detachments till the arrival of General McClellan on the 2d of April. There is a curious question as to the entire number of troops thus gathered under his

for the peninsula between March 15th and April 1st, of 52 batteries of field artillery. of 299 guns. Franklin's and McCall's divisions of McDowell's corps, subsequently sent, added eight batteries of 44 guns, making a grand total* of field artillery at any time with the army of the Potomac on the peninsula, of 60 bat

* General Barry to A. A. G. General Williams. Wash

ington, Sept. 1. 1862.

SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.

teries of 343 guns. The largest number of men General McClellan had at any time fit for duty on the peninsula he has estimated at 107,000 men.* It was his desire at the outset that the number should be increased by the whole number of McDowell's corps, but this was reversed by the President, in accordance with his original instructions for the protection of the capital. General McDowell, in consequence, instead of carrying his force to the peninsula as he expected, presently advanced and occupied the line of the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg.

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more let me tell you that is indispensable to you that you strike a blow. I am powerless to help this. You will do me the justice to remember I always wished not going down the bay in search of a field, instead of fighting at or near Manassas, as only shifting, and not surmounting a difficulty; that we should find the same enemy, and the same, or equal intrenchments at either place. The country will not fail to note-is noting nowthat the present hesitation to move upon an intrenched position is but the story of Manassas repeated."

Yorktown, indeed, was made by the Prompt action was expected from the energy and concentration of the rebel army of the Potomac in its new position; resources, in a short time, a little Manbut the public was again destined to be assas. When the Union army, traversdisappointed. When General Heintzel- ing the twenty-four miles which lay beman first landed he obtained information tween it and their landing place, apthat the enemy had not more than 10,000 proached the spot, further progress troops at Yorktown and on the peninsula. appeared everywhere blocked by deGeneral McClellan states that he esti- fences. The naval entrance to York mated the rebel General Magruder's command in that quarter at from 15,000 to 20,000. It became afterwards that officer's title to distinction that, at this important crisis, he baffled the great Union army with so comparatively an inferior force. On the 5th of April, when General McClellan's force was getting in motion toward Yorktown, General Wool, in command at Fortress Monroe, telegraphed to the secretary of war: "All goes on very smoothly. I do not believe the army of the Potomac will find many troops to contend with." The impatience of the country for action, and the danger of delay was well expressed by President Lincoln in a letter to General McClellan, on the 9th, "I suppose the whole force which has gone forward to you is with you by this time, and if so, I think it is the precise time for you to strike a blow. By delay the enemy will steadily gain on you-that is, he will gain faster by fortifications and reinforcements than you can by reinforcements alone. And once Testimony before the Congressional Committee, Feb,

28, 1863.

river was successfully opposed by formidable batteries at the town, and at the opposite Gloucester Point, a line of works immediately defended the town. itself on the land side, connected with a chain of defences which, following Warwick creek across the peninsula, rested on James river, which, in turn, was effectively guarded by the power or terror of the redoubtable Merrimac. The first advance of the Union troops was without any formidable opposition. A reconnoisance, previous to General McClellan's arrival, beyond Big Bethel, found the earthworks at that place, the scene of one of the early conflicts of the war, deserted. It was not till the army, moving in two columns, General Keyes with three divisions to the left, toward Warwick, General McClellan, with the rest of the forces on the direct road to Yorktown, came upon the chain of rebel fortifications, that the serious work before them became apparent. It will, probably, long remain a subject of discussion whether a bold push at the outset, charging the enemy's line in force,