my cave life in vicksburg by mary ann lo ugh borough - pg35700

7/31/2019 My Cave Life in Vicksburg by Mary Ann Lo Ugh Borough - Pg35700

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Title:MyCaveLifeinVicksburgWithLettersofTrialandTravel

Author:MaryAnnLoughborough

ReleaseDate:March28,2011[EBook#35700]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKMYCAVELIFEINVICKSBURG***

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MYCAVELIFEINVICKSBURG.

WITH

_LETTERSOFTRIALANDTRAVEL_.

BYALADY.

NEWYORK:D.APPLETONANDCOMPANY,443&445BROADWAY.LONDON:16LITTLEBRITAIN.

1864.

Entered,accordingtoActofCongress,intheyear1864,by

D.APPLETONANDCOMPANY,

IntheClerk'sOfficeoftheDistrictCourtoftheUnitedStates



fortheSouthernDistrictofNewYork.

TOONEWHO,THOUGHABSENT,ISEVERPRESENT,THISLITTLEWAIFISTENDERLYANDAFFECTIONATELYDedicated.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTERPAGE

I.OurPartysetoutforVicksburg--TheRideandScenery--ScenesduringthefirstBombardment--ViewoftheCityandRiver--OpeningofaBattery--TheEnemy,9

II.AtNighttheSignalGunsounds--TheGunboatsarecoming

down--TheTownAwake--ShellMusic--TheBoatsnearus--RapidDescenttotheCave--Theyhavepassedsafely--WhytheConfederateGunsdonotfire--TheBurningTransport,15

III.MaskedBatteryontheOppositeShore--TakingtheCars--FrightoftheNegroPorters--MajorWatts'sParty--StampedeofLadies,20

IV.Jacksonthreatened--ColonelGrierson--GeneralPembertondeparts--MyMindismadeuptogoalso--RideontheCars--Vicksburgagain,25

V.ToVicksburgagain--Aspirations--Troopspassingto

BlackRiver--GeneralPembertonordersallNon-CombatantstoleavetheCity,29

VI.RumorsoftheFederalAdvanceonBlackRiver--GunboatsontheRiver--CannonadingandFireatWarrenton--GeneralPemberton'sForcesengagedatBlackRiver,35

VII.Sunday,the17th--AfterChurch--TheDemoralizedArmy--Soldiers'Stories,40

VIII.FreshTroopsfromWarrentonfortheIntrenchments--"We'llProtectYou"--Fears,46

IX.TheBallinMotion--ViewfromtheCourtHouse--FederalPrisonerssentacrosstheRiver--MovementsofGunboats,49

X.GroundlessFearofanAttackbyGunboats--Shellsfall--TheBombardmentbegins--CaveShelter--GarrisonForce--CaveandCaveLife,55

XI.BuriedAlive--HouseBreaking--AppearanceofShellatNight--UndertheRootofaFigTree,63



XII.FireatNight--ANarrowEscape--Moonlight--ShellsfromtheBattleField--EmploymentandTraffic,69

XIII.ShellsfromtheRearoftheCity--ProvidentialDeliverance--Pantomime--PeaMeal--HospitalAccident,73

XIV.Dogs--Horses--DescentofaShellthroughaCave--AMother'sCries--DesertedHomes--Silence,78

XV.AnExcitement--SinkingoftheCincinnati--SkyParlorHill--MovingProspects,84

XVI.FallofaShellattheCornerofmyCave--Music--CasualtiesoftheDay,89

XVII.RidetotheFortifications--NumberofCavesalongtheRoad--AppearanceoftheNewHome--ChangeofMissiles,94

XVIII.Morning--ChargeofGeneralBurbridge--HorrorsofWar--AnImportantDiscovery,99

XIX.AnAcceptablePresent--Hunger--HalfRations--IntheRiflePits,105

XX.ARainyMorning--AWaterspout--DismalExperience--BrighterProspects--AnUnfortunateSleeper,109

XXI.Weary--TheCouriersfromGeneralJohnston--DangerousPasturage--MuleMeat--LocalSongs--MissedbyaMiniéBall,114

XXII.AWoundedHorse--ShrapnellShells--ChargeontheIntrenchments--FearfulFiring,122

XXIII.AnUnhappyAccident--TheUnfortunateLadiesofVicksburg--ApproachofMortarShellsneartheIntrenchments,128

XXIV.DeathofaFaithfulServant--BlowingupofaFort--LossofProminentOfficers--SurrenderofVicksburg,135

XXV.AFright--GeorgemyProtector--APoliteSoldiergetstheTentFly,143

LETTERSOFTRIALANDTRAVEL,147



CHAPTERI.



OURPARTYSETOUTFORVICKSBURG--THERIDEANDSCENERY--SCENESDURINGTHEFIRSTBOMBARDMENT--VIEWOFTHECITYANDRIVER--OPENINGOFABATTERY--THEENEMY.

IthasbeensaidthatthepeasantsoftheCampagna,intheirsemi-annualvisitstothePontinemarshes,arrivepipinganddancing;butitisseldomtheyreturninthesamemerrymood,themalariafeverbeingsuretoaffectthemmoreorless.AlthoughIdidnotleaveJacksononthenightofthe15thpipinganddancing,yetitwaswithaveryhappyheartandverylittleforebodingofevilthatIsetoffwithapartyoffriendsforapleasantvisittoVicksburg.Likethepeasants,Ireturnedmoreseriousandwithadismalexperience.Howlittledoweknowwithwhatrapidityourfeelingsmaychange!WehadbeenplanningavisittoVicksburgforsomeweeks,andanticipatingpleasureinmeetingourfriends.Howgladly,inafewdays,weleftit,withtheexplosionsofbombsstillsoundinginourears!Howbeautifulwasthisevening:thesunglowedandwarmedintomellowtintsovertheroughforesttrees;overthelongmossthatswunginslowandstatelydignity,likeold-timedancers,scorningthequickandtrippingmovementsofthepresentday!Glowingandwarmingoverall,thiseveningsun,thismellow,pleasantlight,breakinginwarmtintsovertheruggedgroundoftheplantation,showedusthehomescenesaswepassed;thesoberandmotherlycowsgoinghomefortheevening'smilkingthrough

thelonglanesbetweenthefields,wherethefencesthrewshadowsacrosstheroad;makingstrange,weirdfiguresoftheyoungcolts'shadows,leanandlong-limbedanddistorted;themothers,tiredofeatingthegrassthatgrewsoprofusely,werestandinginquietcontentment,ordrankfromtheclearrunsofwater.Andsowepassedonbythehouses,wheretheplantersatonhisveranda,listeningtothevoiceofhisdaughterreadingthelatestpaper,whileroundherfairhead,likeahalo,thelingeringbeamsofthesunplayed.

AndontoBlackRiver,"BigBlack,"withitsslow,sluggishtide!Dark,liketheStygianstream,itflowedinthemistoftheevening,thetwilight.AndsoonweseeVicksburg,classicgroundforeverinAmerica.TheHudsonmustnowyieldthepalmtotheFatherofWaters.Ourinterest

willcentrearoundspotshallowedbythedeedsofourcountrymen.Ihadthought,duringthefirstbombardmentofVicksburg,thatthetownmusthavebeenaruin;yetverylittledamagehasbeendone,thoughveryfewhousesarewithoutevidenceofthefirsttrialofmetal.One,Isaw,withaholethroughthewindow;behindwasoneofcorrespondingsizethroughthepanelofthedoor,whichhappenedtobeopen.Thecornerofthepianohadbeentakenoff,andonthroughthewalltheshotpassed;one,also,passedthroughanotherhouse,makingahugegapthroughthechimney.Andyettheinhabitantsliveintheirhomes(thosewhohavenotlostsomelovedone)happyandcontented,notknowingwhatmomentthehousemayberentovertheirheadsbytheexplosionofashell.

"Ah!"saidItoafriend,"howisitpossibleyoulivehere?""Afterone

isaccustomedtothechange,"sheanswered,"wedonotmindit;butbecomingaccustomed,thatisthetrial."Iwasremindedofthepoormaninaninfecteddistrictwhowasmetbyatravellerandasked,"Howdoyoulivehere?""Sir,wedie,"wasthelaconicreply.Andthisisbecomingaccustomed.Ilookedoverthisbeautifullandscape,andinthedistanceplainlysawtheFederaltransportslyingquietlyattheiranchorage.Wasitadream?CouldIbelievethatoverthissmilingscene,inthebrightAprilmorning,theblightofcivilwarfarelaylikeapall?--layoverthefearfulhomesteads--some,evennow,jarredbytheshockofformerconflicts--laybythehearthstones,makingmoaninmanyabereavedheart



lookingforwardwithvaguefearstothecomingsummer.

Whatsoulinthelandbuthasfeltandwitnessedthisgrief--thisunavailingsorrowforthebraveanduntimelydead?IthoughtoftheletterfromthesorrowingoneinIowa,whoseson,aprisoner,Ihadnursed,receivingwiththelastbreathwordsforthedistant,unconsciousmother;ofhersorrowinwritingofhiminhisdistantgrave;ofherprideinhim,heronlyson.Howmanyinthelandcouldtakeherhandandweepoveramutualsorrow!Andinthehospitalwards,men,whostillholdthenameofAmericans,togetherweretalkingofbattles,prisoners,andcaptors,wheneachtoldtheotherofactsofbraveryperformedonhostilefields,andtookoutpicturesofinnocentbabes,littlechildren,andwives,toshoweachother,allfeelingasympathyandinterestintheunknownfaces.Verily,warisaspeciesofpassionateinsanity.Whilestandingandthinkingthus,theloudboomingofthegunsinthewaterbatteriesstartledme,thesmokeshowingthatitwasthebatteryjustbelowme,thatopened,Iwastold,onwhatwasthoughttobeamaskedbatteryontheoppositeshore.Noreplywaselicited,however;andonlookingthroughtheglass,wesawinthelineoflevee,betweentheriverandtheFederalcanal,aspotwherenewearthseemedtohavebeenthrownup,andbranchesoftreestohavebeenlaidquiteregularlyinoneplace.Thiswasall.GeneralLee,however,hadorderedthespottobefiredon,andthefiringcontinuedsomelittletime.Ourridethateveninghadbeendelightful.Wesatlongontheverandainthepleasantair,withthesoftmelodyandrich

swellofmusicfromthebandfloatingaroundus,whileeverandanonmyeyesoughtthebendoftheriver,twomilesbeyond,wheretheFederaltransports,broughtoutinboldreliefbythewaning,crimsonlightoftheevening,layinseemingquiet.Still,restinginVicksburgseemedlikerestingnearavolcano.

CHAPTERII.

ATNIGHTTHESIGNALGUNSOUNDS--THEGUNBOATSARECOMINGDOWN--THETOWNAWAKE--SHELLMUSIC--THEBOATSNEARUS--RAPIDDESCENTTOTHECAVE--THEY

HAVEPASSEDSAFELY--WHYTHECONFEDERATEGUNSDONOTFIRE--THEBURNINGTRANSPORT.

AtnightIwassleepingprofoundly,whenthedeepboomofthesignalcannonstartledandawokeme.Anotherfollowed,andIsprangfrommybed,drewonmyslippersandrobe,andwentoutontheveranda.Ourfriendswerealreadythere.Theriverwasilluminatedbylargefiresonthebank,andwecoulddiscernplainlythehuge,blackmassesfloatingdownwiththecurrent,nowandthenbelchingforthfirefromtheirsides,followedbytheloudreport,andwecouldheartheshellsexplodingintheupperpartoftown.Thenightwasoneofpitchydarkness;andastheynearedtheglarethrownupontheriverfromthelargefires,thegunboatscouldbe

plainlyseen.Eachone,onpassingthetrackofthebrilliantlightonthewater,becameatargetforthelandbatteries.Wecouldhearthegallop,inthedarkness,ofcouriersuponthepavedstreets;wecouldhearthevoicesofthesoldiersontheriverside.Therapidfiringfromtheboats,theroaroftheConfederatebatteries,and,aboveall,thescreaming,boomingsoundoftheshells,astheyexplodedintheairandaroundthecity,madeatonceanewandfearfulscenetome.Theboatswererapidlynearingthelowerbatteries,andtheshellswerebeginningtoflyunpleasantlynear.Myheartbeatquicklyastheflashesoflightfromtheportholesseemedfacingus.Someofthegentlemenurgedtheladiestogo



downintothecaveatthebackofthehouse,andinsistedonmygoing,ifalone.WhileIhesitated,fearingtoremain,yetwishingstilltowitnesstheterminationoftheengagement,ashellexplodednearthesideofthehouse.Fearinstantlydecidedme,andIran,guidedbyoneoftheladies,whopointeddownthesteepslopeofthehill,andleftmetorunbackforashawl.WhileIwasconsideringthebestwayofdescendingthehill,anothershellexplodednearthefoot,and,ceasingtohesitate,Iflewdown,halfslidingandrunning.BeforeIhadreachedthemouthofthecave,twomoreexplodedonthesideofthehillnearme.Breathlessandterrified,Ifoundtheentranceandranin,havingleftoneofmyslippersonthehillside.

Ifoundtwoorthreeofourfriendshadalreadysoughtrefugeundertheearth;andwehadnotbeentherelongbeforewewerejoinedbytheremainderoftheparty,whoreportedtheboatsoppositethehouse.AsIhadagainbecomeperfectlycalmandcollected,Iwassorrytofindmyselfslightlyflutteredandinastateofrapidheart-beatings,asshellaftershellfellinthevalleybelowus,explodingwithaloud,rumblingnoise,perfectlydeafening.Thecavewasanexcavationintheearththesizeofalargeroom,highenoughforthetallestpersontostandperfectlyerect,providedwithcomfortableseats,andaltogetherquitealargeandhabitableabode(comparedwithsomeofthecavesinthecity),wereitnotforthedampnessandtheconstantcontactwiththesoftearthywalls.Wehadremainedbutashorttime,whenoneofthegentlemencamedowntotell

usthatalldangerwasover,andthatwemightwitnessabeautifulsightbygoinguponthehill,asoneofthetransportshadbeenfiredbyashell,andwasslowlyfloatingdownasitburned.

Wereturnedtothehouse,andfromtheverandalookedontheburningboat,theonlyone,sofaraswecouldascertain,thathadbeeninjured,theotherboatshavingallpassedsuccessfullybythecity.Weremainedontheverandaanhourormore,thegentlemenspeculatingontheresultofthesuccessfulrunbythebatteries.Allwereastonishedandchagrined.ItwasfoundthatveryfewoftheConfederategunshadbeendischargedatall.Severalreasonshadbeenassigned;therealonewassupposedtohavebeenthequalityofthefusesthatwererecentlysentfromRichmond,andhadnotbeentriedsincetheirarrival.Thisnightofallotherstheywere

foundtobedefective.Theluridglarefromtheburningboatfellinredandamberlightuponthehouse,theveranda,andtheanimatedfacesturnedtowardtheriver--lightingthewhitemagnolias,palingthepinkcrapemyrtles,andbringingoutinbrightdistinctnesstherailingoftheterrace,wheredroopedinfragrantwreathstheclusteringpassionvine:fairandbeautiful,butfalse,thecrimson,waveringlight.

Isatandgazedupontheburningwreckofwhatanhouragohadthrongedwithhumanlife;withmenwhosemothershadthisverynightprayedforthem;withmenwhosewivestearfullyhoveredoverlittlebeds,kissingeachtender,sleepinglidfortheabsentone.Hadthisnightmadethemorphans?Didthissmooth,deceitfulcurrentoftheglowingwatersglideoverformslovedandlosttothefaithfulonesathome?Omotherandwife!

yewillprayandsmileon,untiltheterribletidingscome:"LostatVicksburg!"LostatVicksburg!Inhowmanyaheartthenameforyearswilllielikeabrand!--lieuntilthewarmheartandtriedsoulshallbeatpeaceforever.

CHAPTERIII.



MASKEDBATTERYONTHEOPPOSITESHORE--TAKINGTHECARS--FRIGHTOFTHENEGROPORTERS--MAJORWATTS'SPARTY--STAMPEDEOFLADIES.

Atbreakfast,onthemorningofthe17th,wehearddiscussedthequestion,Whethertherewasamaskedbatteryontheoppositeshoreornot?Aftersomewordsonthesubject,proandcon,werangedtheshorewiththeglass,seeingwhatthegentlemenbelievedtobeabattery.Theyhadbeentalkingsomemoments,whenItooktheglassandsawanumberofFederalsoldierswalkingontheleveetowardthespotwherethebatterywassupposedtobe.Severalothersseemedtobeengagedonthisveryplaceremovingthebranches.Icalledoneofthegentlementolook.Ihadgivenuptheglassbutafewmoments,whenavolumeofsmokeburstfromtheembankment,andtwoshellsweresent,oneaftertheother,explodingatthedepotjustbelowus.Itwasindeedabattery,withtwoguns,whichcommencedplayingonthecityvigorously.

Weweretoleavethatmorning,andhearingthatthecarswouldnotventureuptothedepot,wenttoapointbelow,wherewefoundmanyanxiouspersonsawaitingtheirarrival.Weenteredthecars,andweresittingquitesecurelyandcomfortably,whenitwaswhisperedaround,muchtotheconsternationofpassengers,thattheywereorderedtoapproachthedepotasnearaspossible,andtakeonfreight;andthuswewerecarriedup,undershelterofahighbluff,withmanymisgivingsonmypart,asshell

aftershellexplodedonthehillaboveus.Anervousgentlemanleanedforwardandtoldmethatwewereingreatdanger,and,speakinginthesamemannertomanyoftheladies,suggestedthat,ifwemadetherequest,theconductorwoulddoubtlessbackintoasafeplace.

Althoughsofrightened,hismodeofreliefwassoevidentlyselfishthatthegentlemenbeganjokinghimmostunmercifully.Inlookingoutofthewindow,althoughIfeltasympathyforthepoorfellow,Icouldnotbutbeamusedattheludicrousscenethatpresenteditself:theportersbringingthebaggageandsmallfreightfromthedepotactedasifwild--nowhaltingtoawaitthecourseofashell--thendashingforward,determinedtoreachthecarsbeforeanothercame.Twonegroeswerecomingwithasmalltrunkbetweenthem,andacarpetbagortwo,evidentlytryingtoshowothersof

theprofessionhowcarelessofdangertheywere,andhowfoolish"niggars"weretorun"datsorto'way."Ashellcamericochettingthroughtheairandfellafewyardsbeyondthebraves,when,lo!thetrunkwassenttumbling,andlandedbottomupward;thecarpetbagfollowed--onegrandsomerset;andamidthecloudofdustthatarose,Idiscoveredoneporterdoubledupbythesideofthetrunk,andtheothercrouchingclosebyapileofplank.Ashoutfromthenegroesonthecars,andmuchlaughter,broughtthemontheirfeet,brushingtheirkneesandgiggling,yetlookingquitefoolish,feelingtheirformerprestigegone.Yetgentlemenandservantsavoidedthedepotasmuchaspossible;andwheneveraportionofearthwasseentoariseinasmallvolume,accompaniedbysmoke,menofbothcolorsimmediatelyran(withoutcastingalookbehind)swiftlyintheoppositedirection,"gentlemenofcolor"generally,intheirhaste,

stumblingandturningoneortwosomersetsbeforereachingaplaceofsafety.Andsotheshellcontinuedcoming,explodingonallsides,yetnothappeningtoreachus.Soonthegladsoundofthewhistlewasheard,and,afterourlongsuspense,wefeltthemotionofthecarsagain,andweregladtoleaveVicksburg,withthesoundofthecannonandnoiseoftheshellstillringinginourears.Someyoungladyfriendsofminewerelaughingandtellingmeoftheirexperienceduringthedangerofthepreviousnight;ofthefrightandtroubletheywereinatthetimethegunboatspassed.MajorWatts,oftheConfederatearmy,hadgivenaverylargeparty,whichtheyattended;onedressedinacorn-coloredsilk



trimmedwithblacklace;anotherinbluesilktrimmedwithwhitepoint,andstillanotherinwhitelace.Intheconfusionandalarm,asthefirstshellfell,oneoftheyounggirls,whowasdancingwithabrigadier-general,claspedherhandsandexclaimed,"Whereshallwego?"Injesthesaid,"Tothecountryforsafety."Believinghimserious,intheconfusionthatensued,shetoldheryoungfriends.Theysetoutalonewithallspeed,frightenedandtrembling.Fortunatelyagentlemanfriend,discoveringtheirabsence,overtook,andproceededwiththem.Asashellwouldbeheardcoming,hewouldcry,"Fall!"anddowntheywoulddropinthedust,partydressesandall,lyinguntiltheexplosiontookplace;thenup,withwildeyesandfiercelybeatinghearts,flyingwithallspeedonward.Afterrunningaboutamileinthefewestmomentspossible,andfallingseveraltimes,theystoppedatthefirsthouse,andremaineduntiltheirfriendssentoutforthemincarriages.

"Ifyoucouldhaveseenourpartydresseswhenwereachedhome,andourhair,andtheflowers,fullofdust,youwouldneverhaveforgottenus,"criedone."Ah!"saidanother,"welaughgaylythismorning,forweareleavingthegunsbehindus;butlastnightitwasaseriousbusiness,andweabsolutelyranforourlives.HowdelightedIwaswiththequietrestofourhomeinJackson!ImentallyforsworeVicksburgduringthewar.Butmanproposes,andGoddisposes."

CHAPTERIV.

JACKSONTHREATENED--COLONELGRIERSON--GENERALPEMBERTONDEPARTS--MYMINDISMADEUPTOGOALSO--RIDEONTHECARS--VICKSBURGAGAIN.

Ourquietwasdestinedtobeofshortduration.WewerestartledonemorningbyhearingthatColonelGrierson,oftheFederalarmy,wasadvancingonJackson.ThecitizensappliedtoGeneralPembertontoprotectthem.Heansweredthattherewasnodanger.Suddenly,theladies'carriageandsaddlehorseswerepressed,andtheclerksandyoungmenofthetown

weremountedonthem,andstartedouttoprotectus(!).IwastoldthatthefirsttimetheymettheFederaltroopsmostofthemwerecaptured,andweheardofthemnomore.Weneednothavefeared,forColonelGriersonwasspokenofeverywhere(sosomeladiesfromthedistrictthroughwhichhepassed,afterwardtoldme)asagentlemanwhowouldnotallowhismentotreatanyonewiththeslightestdisrespect,ortaketheleastarticlefromacitizen'shouse;andtheyalltreatedladiescourteously.Therewasnotoneinstanceofunkindnesstoanyhumanbeing,sofarasIcouldlearn.HeshouldhavethethanksofeverybravemanandSouthernwoman.Thisman,thoughanavowedenemy,scornedtotortureorwagewaronGod'sweakercreation.

AgaintherumorcamethatfromCantonalargeFederalforcewasadvancing

onJackson.Jacksonwastobedefended!!whichIdoubted.SoonGeneralPembertonleftandwenttoVicksburg--Mrs.PembertontoMobile.Batterieswerebeingerectedindifferentpartsofthetown--onedirectlyoppositethehouseIwasin.Istoodconsideringonemorningwhereitwasbesttogo,andwhatitwasbesttodo,whenaquickgallopsoundedonthedrive,andafriendrodehastilyupandsaid,"Areyougoingtoleave?""Yes,"Ianswered,"butIhavenotyetdecidedwheretogo.""Well,Iassureyouthereisnotimefordeliberation;IshalltakemyfamilytoVicksburg,asthesafestplace,and,ifyouwillplaceyourselfundermycharge,Iwillseeyousafelytoyourhusband."Sothematterwasagreedupon,andwe



weretoleavethatevening.Still,Iwasindoubt;theFederalarmywasspreadingalloverthecountry,andIfearedtoremainwhereIwas.YetIthought,mayInotbeindangerinVicksburg?Supposethegunboatsshouldmakeanattack?Still,itwastrue,asmyfriendhadsaid,wewereinfarmoredangerherefromtherabblethatusuallyfollowedalargearmy,andwhomightplunder,insult,androbus.No;toVicksburgwemustgo!

Veryhurriedlywemadeourarrangements,packingwithscarcelyamomenttolose,notstoppingtodiscussoursuddenmoveandthealarmingnews.Ourfriends,also,wereinasgreatapanicanddismayasourselves.Mrs.A.hadsomechestsofheavysilver.Manyofthepiecesweresuchthatitwouldhavetakensometimetoburythem.Herhusbandwasabsent,andshefearedtotrustthenegromenwiththesecret.Anotherfriendfearedtoburyherdiamonds,thinkinginthatcaseshemightneverseethemmore;feared,also,toretainthem,lest,throughnegroes'tales,thecupidityofthesoldiersmightbecomeexcited,andshebeasuffererinconsequence.Everytumultinthetowncausedustoflytothedoorsandwindows,fearingasurpriseatanytime;andnotonlyladies,withpalefacesandanxiouseyes,metusateveryturn,butgentlemenofanti-militarydispositionswererunninghitherandthither,withcarpetbagsandlittlevalises,seekingconveyances,determinedtofindasafeplace,ifonecouldbefound,wherethesoundofagunorthesmellofpowdermightneverdisturbthemanymore;and,astheyran,eachhadanalarmingreporttocirculate;sothatwiththerushandroarofdray,

wagon,andcarriage,thedistractingreportsoftherapidadvanceoftheFederalarmy,andthestiflingcloudsofdustthatarose--withall,wewereinafairwaytobelieveourselvesanybeingorobjectbutourselves.

Thedepotwascrowdedwithcrushingandelbowinghumanbeings,swayingtoandfro--baggagebeingthrownhitherandthither--horseswildwithfright,andnegroeswithconfusion;andsowefoundourselvesinacar,amidthelivingstreamthatflowedandsurgedalong--seekingtheMobilecars--seekingtheVicksburgcars--seekinganythingtobearthemawayfromthethreatenedandfastdepopulatingtown.

CHAPTERV.

TOVICKSBURGAGAIN--ASPIRATIONS--TROOPSPASSINGTOBLACKRIVER--GENERALPEMBERTONORDERSALLNON-COMBATANTSTOLEAVETHECITY.

Leavingthethreatened,teemingtownbehindus,wemovedslowlyon--ourfriends,mylittleone,andmyself--towardVicksburg.Ah!Vicksburg,ourcityofrefuge,thelasttoyieldthouwiltbe;andwithinthyhomeswewillnotfearthefootstepofthevictoriousarmy,butrestinsafetyamidthyhills!andthosewhomwelovesodearlywillcomfortandsustainusinourfrightenedandpanic-strickencondition--willlaughawayourwoman's

fears,andlightenourheartsfromthedreadandsufferingwehaveexperienced.Yet,isthereanyplacewhereoneisperfectlysafeintheseterribletimes?Aswetravelledalong,thenightairblowingsorefreshinglyuponusthroughtheopenwindow--ourseatssoquiet--themotionofthecarssosoothing,myfriendssoongaveunmistakablesignsofthedeepsleepthathadfallenuponthem;--thequietofthenight--theairsofragrant--theheavensaboveussocalmandstarlit!

Ileanedmyheadagainstthewindowandlookedintothedarkness.Howcalmandearnestthethoughtsthatcametomeaftertheunquietand



restlessnessoftheday!Theblessedhopeoftheheavenlyhomeseemeddoublygracious.HowlonginglyIlookedupontheveilthatlaybetweenourworldandthebeyond!Ah!thebeyond,whereChristhasgone,thatourlifetheremaybeperfectedthroughhim;thebeyond,wheremanyanightlikethismyeyeshavelookeduponthestars;andmysoultrembledandpanted,wistfullylongingformoreknowledgeofthelifeabove--wistfullylongingforthechild,themartyrchild,thatsufferedanddieduponmybosom--thechildwhoselifeonearthwassomuchapartofmyown!--whoseheavenlylifeIwishsomuchtoinfluencemyown!AndIseek,Iknownotwhat,asIgazeuponthoseworldsabove.Idarenotaskforarevelation;but,ah!couldIpenetratebeyondthestarsandcatchonerayofthegloriouslife!Yet,theconsciousnessofarefinedandpurerexistenceisevernearme,asmymindseparatesfromtheearth--givesitselfuptointangibleandyearninginquiries,thatwillneverbesatisfieduntilI,too,standwithinthepresenceofmyCreator.Oh,thisnighttime,thisstarlit,clear,andmostpureheavenbeforeus!Doesnotoneseeoneselfmoreclearly,whenlookingupwardwiththeever-undefinedemotionthatwefeelwhengazingattheheavensatnight?--doesnotourownunworthiness,oursoul'sneedofaSaviour,cometousasourconscience,overcomingthecallousnessofthedayandtheworld,whisperstousofmanyderelictionsfromourduty?ofprayershastilysaidover?ofopportunitiesforgoodtoourfellowmenlost?Thesoftanswer,thekindwordandcheeringsmiletotheworldweary,allhavebeenpassedby;andweseewheregood,toone"oftheleastofthese,"mighthavemadealifehappier;and,astothe

pure,allthingsarepure,sowe,aswepantfortheheavenlylife,andtheennoblingexistencebelongingtoit,seemoreclearlytheimperfectionsinthis,andinourdailyduties,andourneedofaMediatorwithhimtowhosepureeyeswearewhollyunworthy;alas!sounworthy,thatwiththislifeourworthinesscanneverbegin.

AswepassedalongnearingVicksburg,wecouldseecampsandcampfires,withthedimfiguresofmenmovingaroundthem;wecouldseethesentinelguardingtheBlackRiverbridge,silentanderect,lookinginthedarknesslikeaduskystatueornamentingsomequaintandmassivebridgeoftheoldcountries;andfarther,massesofmenintheroadmarchingquietlyinthenighttime,followedbytheartillery;longlinesofwagons,too,passingthroughtheravines--nowthewhitecoversseenonthebrowofthehill;

losingsightofthemagain,weheartheshoutoftheteamsters,thecrackofthewhip--andagaincatchsightofawhitetopthroughtrees--andtheoccasionalsongofawagoner.Atthedepotsoldierswerecrowded,waitingtogoout;andonourarrivalatourfriend's,we,sowearywiththeexcitementandturmoiloftheday,weregladtorestourtiredheadsincalmnessandpeace,withnofearsforthemorrow,orrestlessforebodingsofevil.

Uponreadingthepapersthenextmorning,almostthefirstarticlethatcaughtmyeyewasanorderfromGeneralPemberton,insistingonallnon-combatantsleavingthecity."Heretofore,"hesaid,"Ihavemerelyrequestedthatitshouldbedone;nowIdemandit.""Ah!"criedI,"havewenorestforthesoleofourfoot?Mustweagaingothroughthefright

andanxietyofyesterday?""Wecannotleavehere,"repliedmyfriend."Wherecanwego?Hereweareamongourfriends--wearewelcome,andwefeelinsafety.Letusatleastsharethefateofthosewelovesomuch.Ifweleave,wecannottelltowhatwemaybeexposed--evennow,probably,theFederalarmyoccupyJackson;ifwegointothecountry,weareliableatanytimetobesurroundedbythem;andtowhomcanweapplyforprotectionfromthesoldiery?We_must_stayhere,evenifthegentlemensaygo,which,Ifear,theywill;wemusturgethemtoallowustoremain,foryouknowtheycanrefuseusnothing.Oh,wearesoquietandpeaceful,wemuststay,comewhatwill."Whenthegentlemencame,wetalkedofthe



"order"withthem.Atfirsttheysaidwemustleave;butweentreatedthemtoletusstay,representingourdeplorableconditioninacountryoverrunbysoldiers,thegreatdangeroftryingtogotoMobilebyrailway,thetrackhavingbeenpartlydestroyedbetweenMeridianandJackson.Wedeclaredthatwewouldalmoststarve--thatwewouldmeetanyevilcheerfullyinVicksburg,whereourfriendswere--wherewewerecarefullyhoused,quiet,andcontented.So,laughingly,theysaidtheywerecompletelyovercomebyourdistress,andwouldarrangeitsothatwecouldstayifwewished."But,remember,"theysaid,"iftroublecomes,youmustmeetitwithyoureyesopen.""Yes,"wesaid,"wecanmeettroublewhereyouare,cheerfully."AllseemedtothinkthatthematterwouldbedecidedsomedistancefromVicksburg,andthatGeneralPembertonwantedtocasttheresponsibilityfromhisshoulders,iftheworstcame,andladieswereendangeredinthecity.

CHAPTERVI.

RUMORSOFTHEFEDERALADVANCEONBLACKRIVER--GUNBOATSONTHERIVER--CANNONADINGANDFIREATWARRENTON--GENERALPEMBERTON'SFORCESENGAGEDATBLACKRIVER.

Wesettledourselvesdelightfully.Withoursewinginthemorning,andridesintheevening,ourhomewasverypleasant--veryhappyandquiet.RumorscametousoftheadvanceoftheFederaltroopsonBlackRiver;yet,souncertainwerethetidings,andsoslowwastheadvantagegained,webegantodoubtalmosteverything.M----wasstationedbelowatWarrenton,andcameonlyoccasionallytoseeus,asthegunboatswerethreateningthatpoint.Still,wewereinamanneralreadycutofffromtheouterworld,forthecarshadceasedrunningfartherthantheBlackRiverbridge,whereGeneralPembertonhadstationedhisforces,fortifyingandawaitinganattack;still,everymorningthepaperswouldtellusallwasright,andourlifepassedonthesame.AlmosteverydaywewalkeduptheSkyParlorHill,andlookedthroughtheglassattheFederal

encampmentneartheheadoftheabandonedcanal;wecouldseeplainly,also,below,atapointcalled"BrownandJohnson'sLanding,"thepassingoftrainsofwagonscarryingsuppliestothefleetbelow;wecould,also,discerntroopsandmountedmenontheoppositeshore,thoughsomemilesaway,--again,attheheadofthecanal,outinthestream,listlesslylaythedarkformsofthegunboats--nowtwolyingquiteneareachother--then,perhaps,agroupofthree,oroftenonealone,mannedbynegroes,aswiththeaidoftheglasswecouldseethempassingtoandfro;wecouldsee,also,thelittletugboatscarryingdespatchesfromonetotheother,wesupposed,asfrequentlyaftertheirvisitatransportorgunboatwouldputonsteamandfollowthemuptheriver;wecouldseecouriersgallopingfromgroupsoftentsalongtheshoreuptowhere,wepresumed,themassesofthesoldierswereencamped.Altogether,theFederalencampmentand

movementswerefarmorestirringandinterestingthanthequietfortifiedlifeofVicksburg,waitingwithcalmandbristlingfronttheresultoftheenergeticmovementsbeyond.WemetfrequentlyonSkyParlorHillanacquaintanceonGeneralPemberton'sstaff,whoseemedtowatchwithinterestoperationsontheshoreaboveandbelowus.WecouldseethatVicksburgwasasattentivelyobservedbytheFederaltroops.

Thegunboatsthatstoodoutinthestreamaboveseemedtobeactingassentinels,oronakindofpicketduty,Imightcallit,asamaninuniformconstantlypacedthedeckwithalargeglassunderhisarm,which



hefrequentlyraisedandtookasurveyofthecity.ButVicksburgmusthavebeenasealedbooktohimamongherhillsfromthatpointofview.

Onenightweheardheavycannonadinganhourortwo,ceasing,andthencommencingagainquiteearlyinthemorning,undoubtedlyfromthevicinityofWarrenton.Howlittlewethoughtthatwasthecommencementofmusicthatwouldringinourearsforweekstocome!--howlittlewethoughtitthebeginningoftrouble!Thatnighttheskyinthesouthwascrimsonedbythelightofalargefire--thecausewecouldnotlearn.ThenextdayweheardthatthelittlevillageofWarrentonhadbeenburnedbyshellsthrownfromtheboats.M----cameinthatevening,andtoldusthatthegunboatshadbeenamusingthemselvesbythrowingshotandshellatthefort--thatverylittledamagehadbeendone,exceptsettingfiretosomeofthecottoncomposingthefort,whichwasstillsmoulderingandburningslowlyundertheearth-works.Weweretoldsoonafterbysomeofourfriends,thatthefortatWarrentonhadbeenquietlyevacuated;atleast,allthegunshadbeentakenfromitandbroughtintoVicksburg,withammunition,stores,&c.;thetroopswereleftthereasablindforthetimebeing--allthisM----didnottellme.Itmusthavebeenatrialforthementolieperfectlyquiet,enduringasteadyfirethattheywereunabletoreturn.However,thetimecamewhenthesemencouldlookbacktotheshellingofWarrentonasaslightmatterincomparisonwiththestormofshotandshellthatraineduponthemintherearofVicksburg.Andnowbeganmyexcitement:M----wasbelow,andexposedtothefiringweheard

everymorningandevening;andIprayedforhimsofervently,feelinghowutterlypowerlessIwas,andhowmercifulandpowerfulourFatherwouldbe.

Saturdaycame,andwithitthenewsthatabattlewasgoingonbetweentheFederaltroopsandGeneralPemberton'sforcesatBlackRiver;andIsawtheblanchingofabrightcheek,andfelt,withaheavyheart,thatthehopesofhappiness,formanyayeartocome,ofadearfriend,hunguponalifethatwouldbebravelyventuredthereto-day.Oh!theterriblesuspenseofthatday,whenfeelingthat,lettheresultbewhatitwould(andwetrembledforit),thelivesofourfriendswereallinalltous.

CHAPTERVII.

SUNDAY,THE17TH--AFTERCHURCH--THEDEMORALIZEDARMY--SOLDIERS'STORIES.

Sunday,the17th--thememorableseventeenthofMay--asweweredressingforchurch,andhadnearlycompletedthearrangementofshawlsandgloves,weheardtheloudboomingofcannon.Frightened,foratthistimeweknewnot_what_"anhourwouldbringforth,"seeingnoonewhomightaccountforthesuddenalarm,wewalkeddownthestreet,hopingtofindsomefriendthatcouldtellusifitweredangeroustoremainawayfromhomeat

church.Ifearedleavingmylittleoneforanylengthoftime,iftherewereanyprospectofanengagement.Afterwalkingasquareortwo,wemetanofficer,whotoldusthereportweheardproceededfromourownguns,whichwerefiringuponapartyofsoldiers,whowereburningsomehousesonthepeninsulaontheLouisianashore;hetoldus,also,ithadbeenrumoredthatGeneralPembertonhadbeenrepulsed--thatmanycitizenshadgoneouttoattendtothewoundedofyesterday'sbattle--alltheministersandsurgeonsthatcouldleavehadalsogone.Still,asthebelloftheMethodistchurchrangoutclearandloud,myfriendandIdecidedtoenter,andweregladthatwedidso,forweheardwordsofcheerand



comfortinthistimeoftrouble.Thespeakerwasatraveller,whosuppliedthepulpitthisday,asthepastorwasabsentministeringtothewoundedanddyingonthebattlefield.Thiswasaplainman,ofsimple,ferventwords,butwithsomuchofheartinallhisexercises,thatwefelt,afterthelasthymnhadbeensung,thelastprayersaid,thatwehadbeeninapureratmosphere.Aftertheblessing,herequestedtheladiestomeetandmakearrangementsforlintandbandagesforthewounded.Aswereturnedhome,wepassedgroupsofanxiousmenatthecorners,withtroubledfaces;veryfewsoldierswereseen;somebatterymenandofficers,neededfortheriverdefences,werepassinghastilyupthestreet.Yet,inallthepleasantairandsunshineoftheday,ananxiousgloomseemedtohangoverthefacesofmen:asorrowfulwaitingfortidings,thatallknewnow,wouldtellofdisaster.Thereseemednolifeinthecity;sullenandexpectantseemedthemen--tearfulandhopefulthewomen--prayerfulandhopeful,Imightadd;for,manyamother,groaninginspiritovertheuncertaintyofthewelfareofthosemostdeartoher,kneltandlaidhersorrowsatthefootofthatThrone,wherenoearnestsuppliantiseverrejected;wherethesorrowofmanyabrokenhearthasbeenturnedinresignationtoHiswillwhoafflictsnotwillinglythechildrenofmen.Andso,inallthedejecteduncertainty,thestirofhorsemenandwheelsbegan,andwagonscamerattlingdownthestreet--goingrapidlyoneway,andthenreturning,seemingly,withoutaimorpurpose:nowandthenawornanddustysoldierwouldbeseenpassingwithhisblanketandcanteen;soon,stragglerafterstragglercameby,thengroupsofsoldierswornand

dustywiththelongmarch."Whatcanbethematter?"weallcried,asthestreetsandpavementsbecamefullofthesewornandtired-lookingmen.Wesentdowntoask,andthereplywas:"Wearewhipped;andtheFederalsareafterus."Wehastilyseizedveilsandbonnets,andwalkeddowntheavenuetotheironrailingthatseparatestheyardfromthestreet.

"Whereareyougoing?"weasked.

Nooneseemeddisposedtoanswerthequestion.Anembarrassed,painedlookcameoversomeofthefacesthatwereraisedtous;othersseemedonlytofeelthewearinessofthelongmarch;againweasked:

"Whereonearthareyougoing?"

Atlastonemanlookedupinahalf-surlymanner,andanswered:

"Wearerunning."

"Fromwhom?"exclaimedoneoftheyounggirlsofthehouse.

"TheFeds,tobesure,"saidanother,halflaughingandhalfshamefaced.

"Oh!shameonyou!"criedtheladies;"andyourunning!"

"It'sallPem'sfault,"saidanawkward,long-limbed,weary-lookingman.

"It'sallyourownfault.Whydon'tyoustandyourground?"wasthereply.

"Shameonyouall!"criedsomeoftheladiesacrossthestreet,becomingexcited.

Icouldnotbutfeelsorryforthepoorwornfellows,whodidseemindeedheartilyashamedofthemselves;somewithoutarms,havingprobablylosttheminthefirstbreakofthecompanies.

"Wearedisappointedinyou!"criedsomeoftheladies."Whoshallwe



looktonowforprotection?"

"Oh!"saidoneofthem,"it'sthefirsttimeIeverran.WeareGeorgians,andweneverranbefore;butwesawthemallbreakingandrunning,andwecouldnotbearupalone."

Weaskedthemiftheydidnotwantwater;andsomeofthemcameintheyardtogetit.Theladyofthehouseofferedthemsomesupper;andwhiletheywereeating,weweresomuchinterested,thatwestoodaroundquestioningthemabouttheresultoftheday."ItisallGeneralPemberton'sfault,"saidasergeant."I'maMissourian,andourboysstooditalmostalone,notknowingwhatwaswantedtobedone;yet,fightingaslongaspossible,everyoneleavingus,andwewereobligedtofallback.Youknow,madam,weMissouriansalwaysfightwell,evenifwehavetoretreatafterward."

"Oh!"spokeupanoldman,"wewouldha'fitwell;butGeneralPembertoncameupandsaid:'Standyourground,boys.YourGeneralPembertoniswithyou;'andthen,blessyou,lady!thenextwesee'dofhim,hewassittingonhishorsebehindahouse--close,too,atthat;andwhenwesee'dthat,wethought'tain'tnouse,ifhe'sgoingtositthere."

Wecouldnothelplaughingattheoldman'staleandhisanger.AfterwardweweretoldthatGeneralPembertonbehavedwithcourage--thatthefault

layinthearrangementoftroops.Andwherethesewearyandwornoutmenweregoing,wecouldnottell.Ithinktheydidnotknowthemselves.

CHAPTERVIII.

FRESHTROOPSFROMWARRENTONFORTHEINTRENCHMENTS--"WE'LLPROTECTYOU"--FEARS.

AtdarkthefreshtroopsfromWarrentonmarchedby,goingouttotheintrenchmentsintherearofthecityabouttwomiles;manyoftheofficerswerefearfulthatthefortifications,beingsoincomplete,wouldbetaken,iftheFederaltroopspushedimmediatelyon,followingtheiradvantage.

AsthetroopsfromWarrentonpassedby,theladieswavedtheirhandkerchiefs,cheeringthem,andcrying:

"Thesearethetroopsthathavenotrun.You'llstandbyus,andprotectus,won'tyou?Youwon't_retreat_andbringtheFederalsbehindyou."

Andthemen,whowerefreshandlively,swungtheirhats,andpromisedtodiefortheladies--nevertorun--nevertoretreat;whilethepoorfellowsonthepavement,sittingontheirblankets--lyingontheground--leaningagainsttrees,oranythingtoresttheirweariedbodies,lookedonsilentanddejected.Theywerenottoblame,thesepoor,wearyfellows.Iftheywereunsuccessful,itiswhatmanyamanhasbeenbeforethem;andthen,enduranceofthelongfastsintheriflepits,andcoolnessamidtheshowersofballandshellthrownatdevotedVicksburgafterward,showusthatmen,thoughunfortunate,canretrievetheircharacter.



"Therehasbeenmanyalifelostto-day,"saidasoldiertome--"manyanofficerandman."

"Ah!truly,yes,"Isaid;fortheambulanceshadbeenpassingwithwoundedanddead;andonecameslowlybywithofficersridingnearit,bearingthedeadbodyofGeneralTilghman,theblooddrippingslowlyfromit.Weweretold,also,ofafriendwhohadbeenmortallywounded.

Whatasadeveningwespent--continuallyhearingoffriendsandacquaintancesleftdeadonthefield,ormortallywounded,andbeingbroughtinambulancestothehospital!Wealmostfearedtoretirethatnight;nooneseemedtoknowwhethertheFederalarmywasadvancingornot;sometoldusthattheyweremanymilesaway,andothersthattheywerequitenear.Howdidweknowbutinthenightwemightbeawakenedbythetumultoftheirarrival!

Thestreetswerebecomingquiet;thenoiseandbustlehaddiedoutwiththeexcitementoftheday,and,savenowandthentherapidpassingofsomeofficer,orarmywagon,theywerealmostdeserted.Andwhatwillthemorrowbringforth?Ithought,asIleanedfromthebalconyofmyroom;willthesestreetsechotothetreadofthevictoriousarmy?Ishrankfromthethought.Withoutprotectors,whatmightbeourfate?--tobeturnedfromourhomes,perhaps,widowsandorphans.Buttheheavensabovesocalm--sosmoothandsoothing--thequietglideofthesilentriver--andthe

windswayingthetreeswithamonotonouswave--quelledandlaidthesethoughtsofevil;andtheblessedtrustandfaithinHimwhoisallpowerfulcamewithrenewedbalmtomyanxiousheart.

CHAPTERIX.

THEBALLINMOTION--VIEWFROMTHECOURTHOUSE--FEDERALPRISONERSSENTACROSSTHERIVER--MOVEMENTSOFGUNBOAT.

Thenextmorningallwasquiet;weheardnostartlingrumors;thesoldierswerebeinggatheredtogetherandtakenoutintotheriflepits;Vicksburgwasregularlybesieged,andweweretostayatourhomesandwatchtheprogressofthebattle.Theriflepitsandintrenchmentswerealmosttwomilesfromthecity.Wewouldbeoutofdanger,sowethought;butwedidnotknowwhatwasinpreparationforusaroundthebendoftheriver.Thedayworeon;stillallwasquiet.Atnightourhopesrevived:theFederaltroopshadnotyetcomeup--anothercalmnightandmorning.Atthreeo'clockthatevening,theartilleryboomedfromtheintrenchments,roarafterroar,followedbytherattleofmusketry:theFederalforcesweremakingtheirfirstattack.Lookingoutfromthebackveranda,wecouldplainlyseethesmokebeforethereportofthegunsreachedus.Ouranxietywasgreat,indeed,havingbeentoldbygentlementhenightbefore,

thattheworksintherearofVicksburgwereanythingbutofasuperiorkind.

Thedischargesofmusketrywereirregular.Yet,touswhowerethinkingofthedearonesexposedtothisfrequentfiring,therestlessforebodingsandunhappinesscausedbythedistantdinofbattlepainedusindeed.Afterlisteningforsometimetothereports,whichsoundedtous,inthedistance,likethequick,successivedroppingsofballsonsheetiron,againandagainsoundedthecannonlikethunderingsnearus.Ateveryreportourheartsbeatquicker.Theexcitementwasintenseinthecity.



Groupsofpeoplestoodoneveryavailablepositionwhereaviewcouldbeobtainedofthedistanthills,wherethejetsofwhitesmokeconstantlypassedoutfromamongthetrees.

Someofourfriendsproposedgoingforabetterviewuponthebalconyaroundthecupolaofthecourthouse.Theviewfromtherewasmostextensiveandbeautiful.Hillafterhillaroseinthedistance,enclosingthecityintheformofacrescent.Immediatelyinthecentreandeastoftheriver,thefiringseemedmorecontinuous,whiletotheleftandrunningnorthly,therattleandroarwouldbesudden,sharp,andvigorous,thenceasingforsometime.Thehillsaroundnearthecity,andindeedeveryplacethatseemedcommandingandsecure,wascoveredwithanxiousspectators--manyofthemladies--fearingtheresultoftheafternoon'sconflict.Totheextremeleftandnorth,neartheriver,thewarfarebecamegeneral,whiletowardthecentrethefiringbecamelessrapid.

Whatabeautifullandscapelayoutbeforeus!Farinthedistancelaythecultivatedhills--somealreadyyellowwithgrain,whileonotherhillsandinthevalleysthedeepgreenofthetreesformedtheshadowsinthefairlandscape.

Itwasamidtheclumpoftreesonthefardistanthillside,thattheFederalbatteriescouldbediscernedbythefrequentpuffingsofsmokefromtheguns.Turningtotheriver,wecouldseeagunboatthathadthe

temeritytocomedownasnearthetownaspossible,andlayjustoutofreachoftheConfederatebatteries,withsteamup.

Twomorelayabouthalfamileaboveandnearerthecanal;twoorthreetransportshadgottenupsteam,andlaynearthemouthofthecanal.Belowthecityagunboathadcomeupandlanded,outofreach,ontheLouisianaside,strivingtoengagethelowerbatteriesofthetown--firingabouteveryfifteenminutes.Whilewewerelookingattheriver,wesawtwolargeyawlsstartoutfromshore,withtwolargerboatstiedtothem,andfullofmen.

WelearnedthattheyweretheFederalprisonersthathadbeenheldinthetown,andto-dayparoledandsentovertotheFederalencampment,sothat

theresourcesofthegarrisonmightbehusbandedasmuchaspossible,andthenecessityofsustainingthemavoided.

Theideamademeserious.Wemightlookforwardtrulynowtoperhapsrealsuffering.

Yet,Ididnotregretmyresolutiontoremain,andwouldhaveleftthetownmorereluctantlyto-daythaneverbefore,forwefeltthatnow,indeed,thewholecountrywasunsafe,andthatouronlyhopeofsafetylayinVicksburg.

Thelittleboats,withtheirprisoners,hadgainedtheoppositeshore;andwecouldseetheliberatedmenwalkingalongtheriverbank;wecould

see,also,thelittlesteamtugcomingdown,andstoppingatthegunboatnearthecity;it,also,visitedthetransportsandthegunboatsnearthecanal,andthen,leaving,steamedwithmuchswiftnessuptherivertowardthemouthoftheYazoo.

Inlookingagainwithaglassintherearofthecity,wecouldseetheSouthernsoldiersworkingattheirguns,andwalkingintherearofafortonahillnearerby.TheFederaltroopsweretoodistanttodiscern.

Someambulanceswerecomingintothecity,probablybringingthewounded



fromthefield.

Wesawanofficercominginwithhisheadboundupandhisarminasling,hisservantwalkingbyhissideleadinghishorse.Asidefromtheearnestgroupofspectatorsmovingfromoneplacetoanother,thetownseemedperfectlyquiet.

Lookingagaintowardtheriver,thegunboatnearthelowerbatterieskeptitsoldposition,slowlyfiringatthelowerpartofthecity;andfaroverontheothershore,walkingrapidly,Iobservedthefiguresofthefreedprisonersnearthecanal,andfastbecomingindistinct,evenwiththeaidofaglass.

Sotwilightbeganfallingoverthescene--hushingtoanoccasionalreportthenoiseanduproarofthebattlefield--fallingsoftlyandsilentlyupontheriver--separatingusmoreandmorefromtheragingpassionssurgingaroundus--bringingonlytheheavenaboveus,andthesmallspaceoflifeweoccupy,distinctlytooureyes.

CHAPTERX.

GROUNDLESSFEAROFANATTACKBYGUNBOATS--SHELLSFALL--THEBOMBARDMENTBEGINS--CAVESHELTER--GARRISONFORCE--CAVESANDCAVELIFE.

Fromgentlemenwhocalledontheeveningoftheattackintherearofthetown,welearnedthatitwasquitelikely,judgingfromthemovementsontheriver,thatthegunboatswouldmakeanattackthatnight.Weremaineddressedduringthenight;onceortwicewesprangtoourfeet,startledbythereportofacannon;butafterwaitinginthedarknessoftheverandaforsometime,theperfectquietofthecityconvincedusthatouralarmwasneedless.

Nextday,twoorthreeshellswerethrownfromthebattlefield,exploding

nearthehouse.Thiswasourfirstshock,andasevereone.Wedidnotdaretogointhebackpartofthehouseallday.

Someoftheservantscameandgotdownbyusforprotection,whileotherskeptonwiththeirworkasiffeelingaperfectcontemptfortheshells.

Intheeveningwewereterrifiedandmuchexcitedbytheloudrushandscreamofmortarshells;werantothesmallcavenearthehouse,andwereinitduringthenight,bythistimeweariedandalmoststupefiedbythelossofsleep.

Thecaveswereplainlybecominganecessity,assomepersonshadbeenkilledonthestreetbyfragmentsofshells.TheroomthatIhadsolately

sleptinhadbeenstruckbyafragmentofashellduringthefirstnight,andalargeholemadeintheceiling.Ishallneverforgetmyextremefearduringthenight,andmyutterhopelessnessofeverseeingthemorninglight.Terrorstricken,weremainedcrouchedinthecave,whileshellaftershellfollowedeachotherinquicksuccession.IendeavoredbyconstantprayertopreparemyselfforthesuddendeathIwasalmostcertainawaitedme.Myheartstoodstillaswewouldhearthereportsfromtheguns,andtherushingandfearfulsoundoftheshellasitcametowardus.Asitneared,thenoisebecamemoredeafening;theairwasfulloftherushingsound;painsdartedthroughmytemples;myearswerefullofthe



confusingnoise;and,asitexploded,thereportflashedthroughmyheadlikeanelectricshock,leavingmeinaquietstateofterrorthemostpainfulthatIcanimagine--coweringinacorner,holdingmychildtomyheart--theonlyfeelingofmylifebeingthechokingthrobsofmyheart,thatrenderedmealmostbreathless.Assinglytheyfellshort,orbeyondthecave,Iwasarousedbyafeelingofthankfulnessthatwasofshortduration.Againandagaintheterriblefrightcameoverusinthatnight.

Isawonefallintheroadwithoutthemouthofthecave,likeaflameoffire,makingtheearthtremble,and,withalow,singingsound,thefragmentsspedonintheirworkofdeath.

Morningfoundusmoredeadthanalive,withblanchedfacesandtremblinglips.Wewerenotreassuredonhearing,fromamanwhotookrefugeinthecave,thatamortarshellinfallingwouldnotconsiderthethicknessofearthaboveusacircumstance.

Someoftheladies,morecourageousbydaylight,askedhimwhathewasintherefor,ifthatwasthecase.Hewassilencedforanhour,whenheleft.Asthedayworeon,andwewerestillpreserved,thoughtheshellscameasever,weweresomewhatencouraged.

ThenextmorningweheardthatVicksburgwouldnotinallprobabilityholdoutmorethanaweekortwo,asthegarrisonwaspoorlyprovisioned;and

oneofGeneralPemberton'sstaffofficerstoldusthattheeffectiveforceofthegarrison,uponbeingestimated,wasfoundtobefifteenthousandmen;GeneralLoringhavingbeencutoffafterthebattleofBlackRiver,withprobablytenthousand.

Theladiesallcried,"Oh,neversurrender!"butaftertheexperienceofthenight,IreallycouldnottellwhatIwanted,orwhatmyopinionswere.

HowoftenIthoughtofM----uponthebattlefield,andhisanxietyforusinthemidstofthisunanticipateddanger,whereinthesafetylayentirelyonthesideofthebelligerentgentlemen,whowereshellingussofuriously,atleasttwomilesfromthecity,inthebendoftherivernear

thecanal.

[Illustration]

Soconstantlydroppedtheshellsaroundthecity,thattheinhabitantsallmadepreparationstoliveunderthegroundduringthesiege.M----sentoverandhadacavemadeinahillnearby.Weseizedtheopportunityoneevening,whenthegunnerswereprobablyattheirsupper,forwehadafewmomentsofquiet,togooverandtakepossession.WewereunderthecareofafriendofM----,whowaspaymasteronthestaffofthesameGeneralwithwhomM----wasAdjutant.Wehadneighborsonbothsidesof

us;anditwouldhavebeenanamusingsighttoaspectatortowitnessthedomesticscenespresentedwithoutbythenumberofservantspreparingthemealsunderthehighbankcontainingthecaves.

Ourdining,breakfasting,andsupperhourswerequiteirregular.Whentheshellswerefallingfast,theservantscameinforsafety,andourmealswaitedforcompletionsomelittletime;againtheywouldfallslowly,withthelapseofmanyminutesbetween,andoutwouldstartthecookstotheirwork.



Somefamilieshadlightbreadmadeinlargequantities,andsubsistedonitwithmilk(providedtheircowswerenotkilledfromonemilkingtimetoanother),withoutanymorecooking,untilcalledontoreplenish.Thoughmostofuslivedoncornbreadandbacon,servedthreetimesaday,theonlyluxuryofthemealconsistinginitswarmth,Ihadsomeflour,andfrequentlyhadsomehard,toughbiscuitmadefromit,therebeingnosodaoryeasttobeprocured.Atthistimewecould,also,procurebeef.Agentlemanfriendwaskindenoughtooffermehiscampbed,anarrowspringmattress,whichfittedwithinthecontractedcaveverycomfortably;anotherhadhistentflystretchedoverthemouthofourresidencetoshieldusfromthesun;andthusIwastherecipientofmanyfavors,andunderobligationstomanygentlemenofthearmyfordelicateandkindattentions;and,inlookingbacktomytrialsatthattime,Ishalleverrememberwithgratitudethekindnesswithwhichtheystrovetowardoffeverydeprivation.AndsoIwentregularlytowork,keepinghouseunderground.Ournewhabitationwasanexcavationmadeintheearth,andbranchingsixfeetfromtheentrance,formingacaveintheshapeofaT.Inoneofthewingsmybedfitted;theotherIusedasakindofadressingroom;inthistheearthhadbeencutdownafootortwobelowthefloorofthemaincave;Icouldstanderecthere;andwhentiredofsittinginotherportionsofmyresidence,Ibowedmyselfintoit,andstoodimpassivelyrestingatfullheight--oneofthevariationsinthestillshell-expectantlife.M----'sservantcookedforusunderprotectionofthehill.Ourquarterswereclose,indeed;yetIwasmore

comfortablethanIexpectedIcouldhavebeenmadeundertheearthinthatfashion.

Weweresafeatleastfromfragmentsofshell--andtheywereflyinginalldirections;thoughnooneseemedtothinkourcaveanyprotection,shouldamortarshellhappentofalldirectlyontopofthegroundaboveus.Wehadourroofarchedandbraced,thesupportsofthebracingtakingupmuchroominourconfinedquarters.Theearthwasaboutfivefeetthickabove,andseemedhardandcompact;yet,poorM----,everytimehecamein,examinedit,fearing,amidsomeoftheshocksitsustained,thatitmightcrackandfalluponus.

CHAPTERXI.

BURIEDALIVE--HOUSEBREAKING--APPEARANCEOFSHELLATNIGHT--UNDERTHEROOTOFAFIGTREE.

Oneafternoon,amidtherushandexplosionoftheshells,criesandscreamsarose--thescreamsofwomenamidtheshrieksofthefallingshells.Theservantboy,George,afterstartingandcomingbackonceortwice,histimidityovercominghiscuriosity(Iwasnotatallsurprisedatit),atlastgatheredcouragetogototheravinenearus,fromwhence

thecriesproceeded,andfoundthatanegromanhadbeenburiedalivewithinacave,hebeingaloneatthattime.Workmenwereinstantlysettodeliverhim,ifpossible;butwhenfound,theunfortunatemanhadevidentlybeendeadsomelittletime.Hiswifeandrelationsweredistressedbeyondmeasure,andfilledtheairwiththeircriesandgroans.

Thisincidentmademedoublydoubtfulofmycave;IfearedthatImightbeburiedaliveatanytime.Anotherincidenthappenedthesameday:Agentleman,residentofVicksburg,hadalargecavemade,andrepeatedlyurgedhiswifetoleavethehouseandgointoit.Shesteadilyrefused,



and,beingquiteaninvalid,waslyingonthebed,whenhetookherbythehandandinsisteduponheraccompanyinghimsostrongly,thatsheyielded;andtheyhadscarcelyleftthehouse,whenamortarshellwentcrashingthrough,utterlydemolishingthebedthathadsolatelybeenvacated,tearingupthefloor,andalmostcompletelydestroyingtheroom.

Thatnight,aftermylittleonehadbeenlaidinbed,Isatatthemouthofthecave,withtheservantsdrawnaroundme,watchingthebrilliantdisplayoffireworksthemortarboatsweremaking--thepassageoftheshell,asittravelledthroughtheheavens,lookinglikeaswiftlymovingstar.Asitfell,itapproachedtheearthsorapidly,thatitseemedtoleavebehindatrackoffire.

Thisnightwekeptourseats,astheyallpassedrapidlyoverus,nonefallingnear.Theincendiaryshellswerestillmorebeautifulinappearance.Astheyexplodedintheair,theburningmatterandballsfelllikelarge,clearblue-and-amberstars,scatteringhitherandthither.

"MissM----,"saidoneofthemoretimidservants,"dotheywanttokillusalldead?Willtheykeepdoingthisuntilwealldie?"

Isaidmostheartily,"Ihopenot."

Theservantswehadwithusseemedtopossessmorecouragethanisusually

attributedtonegroes.Theyseldomhesitatedtocrossthestreetforwateratanytime.The"boy"sleptattheentranceofthecave,withapistolIhadgivenhim,tellingmeIneednotbe"afeared--datanyonedatcomedarwouldhavetogooverhisbodyfirst."

HeneverrefusedtocarryoutanylittlearticletoM----onthebattlefield.Ilaughedheartilyatadilemmahewasplacedinoneday:Themulethathehadmountedtorideouttothebattlefieldtookhimtoadangerouslocality,wheretheshellswereflyingthickly,andthen,suddenlystopping,throughfright,obstinatelyrefusedtostir.ItwasinvainthatGeorgekickedandbeathim--gohewouldnot;so,clenchinghishand,hehithimseverelyintheheadseveraltimes,jumpeddown,ranhome,andlefthim.Themulestoodafewminutesrigidly,then,looking

round,andseeingGeorgeatsomedistancefromhim,turnedandfollowed,quitedemurely.

Eachday,asthecourierscameintothecity,M----wouldwritemelittlenotes,askingafterourwelfare,andtellingmeoftheprogressofthesiege.I,inreturn,wouldwritetohimofoursafety,butwasalwayscarefulinspeakingofthedangertowhichwewereexposed.IthoughtpoorM----hadenoughtotryhim,withoutsufferinganxietyforus;soImadelightofmyfears,whichwereinrealitywearingoffrapidly.Everyweekhecameintomakeinquiriesinperson.Inhislettershechargedmeparticularlytobecarefuloftheprovisions--thatnoonecouldtellwhatournecessitiesmightbe.

Inoneofhisletters,hesays:"AlreadyIamlivingonpeameal,andcannotthinkofyourcomingtothis."OnethingIhadlearnedquitelatelyinmycavewastomakegoodbread:oneofmycaveneighborshadgivenmeyeastandinstructions.I,inturn,hadinstructedaservant,sothatwhenweusedtheflouritcouldbepresentedinamoreinvitingform.

Onemorning,afterbreakfast,theshellsbeganfallingsothicklyaroundus,thattheyseemedaimedattheparticularspotonwhichourcavewaslocated.Twoorthreefellimmediatelyintherearofit,explodingafewmomentsbeforereachingtheground,andthefragmentswentsingingover



thetopofourhabitation.I,atlength,becamesomuchalarmed--asthecavetrembledexcessively--foroursafety,thatIdetermined,ratherthanbeburiedalive,tostandoutfromundertheearth;so,takingmychildinmyarms,andcallingtheservants,werantoarefugeneartherootsofalargefigtree,thatbranchedoutoverthebank,andservedasaprotectionfromthefragmentsofshells.Aswestoodtremblingthere--fortheshellswerefallingallaroundus--someofmygentlemenfriendscameuptoreassureme,tellingmethatthetreewouldprotectus,andthattherangewouldprobablybechangedinashorttime.Whiletheyspoke,ashell,thatseemedtobeofenormoussize,fell,screamingandhissing,immediatelybeforethemouthofourcave,withinafewfeetoftheentrance,sendingupahugecolumnofsmokeandearth,andjarringthegroundmostsensiblywherewestood.Whatseemedverystrange,theearthclosedinaroundtheshell,andleftonlythenewlyupturnedsoiltoshowwhereithadfallen.

Longitwasbeforetherangewaschanged,andthefrightfulmissilesfellbeyondus--longbeforeIcouldresolvetoreturntooursadlythreatenedhome.

Ifoundonmyreturnthatthewallswereseamedhereandtherewithcracks,buttheearthhadremainedfirmaboveus.Itookpossessionagain,withresignation,yetinfearandtrembling.

CHAPTERXII.

FIREATNIGHT--ANARROWESCAPE--MOONLIGHT--SHELLSFROMTHEBATTLEFIELD--EMPLOYMENTANDTRAFFIC.

Mypastresolutionhavingforsakenme,againwerethemortarshellsheardwithextremeterror,andIwasmanydaysrecoveringtheequanimityIhadbeensolongattaining.Thisnight,asafewnightsbefore,alargefireragedinthetown.Iwastoldthatalargestorehouse,filledwith

commissarystores,wasburning,castingluridlightsoverthedevotedcity;andamidall,fell--withscreamsandviolentexplosions,flingingthefatalfragmentsinalldirections--ouroldandrelentlessenemies,themortarshells.

Thenightwassowarm,andthecavesoclose,thatItriedtositoutattheentrance,Georgesayinghewouldkeepwatchandtellwhentheywerefallingtowardus.Soonthereportofthegunwouldbeheard,andGeorge,standingonthehillockoflooseearth,nearthecave,lookedintentlyupward;whileI,withsuspendedbreath,wouldlistenanxiouslyashecried,"Hereshecomes!goingover!"thenagain,"Coming--falling--fallingrightdisway!"ThenIwouldspringtomyfeet,andforamomenthesitateabouttheprotectionofthecave.Suddenly,astherushingdescentwas

heard,Iwouldbeataprecipitateretreatintoit,followedbytheservants.

ThatnightIcouldscarcelysleep,theexplosionsweresoloudandfrequent.Beforeweretired,Georgehadbeenlyingwithoutthedoor.Ihadarisenabouttwelveo'clock,andstoodlookingoutatthedifferentcoursesoflightmarkingthepassageoftheshells,whenInoticedthatGeorgewasnotinhisusualplaceattheentrance.Onlookingout,Isawthathewassleepingsoundly,somelittledistanceoff,andmanyfragmentsofshellfallingnearhim.Iarousedhim,tellinghimtocometothe



entranceforsafety.Hehadscarcelystarted,whenahugepieceofshellcamewhizzingalong,whichfortunatelyGeorgedodgedintime,anditfellintheveryspotwherehehadsolatelyslept.

Fearingtoretire,Isatinthemoonlightattheentrance,thesquareoflightthatlayinthedoorwaycausingourlittlebed,withthesleepingchild,tobesetoutinreliefagainstthedarkwallofthecave--causingthelittlemirrorandapictureortwoIhadhungagainstthewalltoshowmis-shapenlengthsofshadows--tintingthecrimsonshawlthatdrapedtheentranceofmylittledressingroom,withlightontheouterfolds,anddarkeninginshadowtheinnercurves;--beautifyingall,thissilveryglowofmoonlight,withinthedarkenedearth--beautifyingmyheartwithlighterandmorehopefulthoughts.Whateverthesinsoftheworldmayhavebroughtusto--howeverdarkandfearfulthelifetowhichmanmaysubjectus,ourHeavenlyFathereverblessethusalikewiththesun'swarmthandthemoon'sbeauty--everblessethuswiththehopethat,whenourtoilandtravailhereareended,thepeaceandthebeautifullifeofheavenwillbeours.

Daysworeon,andthemortarshellshadpassedovercontinuallywithoutfallingnearus;sothatIbecamequiteatmyease,inviewofourdanger,whenoneoftheFederalbatteriesoppositetheintrenchmentsalteredtheirrange;sothat,ataboutsixo'clockeveryevening,Parrottshellscamewhirringintothecity,frighteningtheinhabitantsofcaveswofully.

Ourpolicyinbuildinghadbeentofacedirectlyawayfromtheriver,andallcaveswereprepared,asnearaspossible,inthismanner.Asthefragmentsofshellscontinuedwiththesameimpetusaftertheexplosion,inbutonedirection,onward,theywerenotlikelytoreachus,frontinginthismannerwiththeircourse.

Butthiswasunexpected--gunsthrowingshellsfromthebattlefielddirectlyattheentranceofourcaves.Really,wastheretobenomentalrestforthewomenofVicksburg?

Thecaveweinhabitedwasaboutfivesquaresfromthelevee.Agreatmanyhadbeenmadeinahillimmediatelybeyondus;andnearthishillwecould

seemostoftheshellsfall.Caveswerethefashion--therage--overbesiegedVicksburg.Negroes,whounderstoodtheirbusiness,hiredthemselvesouttodigthem,atfromthirtytofiftydollars,accordingtothesize.Manypersons,consideringdifferentlocalitiesunsafe,wouldsellthemtoothers,whohadbeenlessfortunate,orlessprovident;andsogreatwasthedemandforcaveworkmen,thatanewbranchofindustrysprangupandbecamepopular--particularlyasthepersonalsafetyoftheworkmenwassecured,andmoneywithal.

CHAPTERXIII.

SHELLSFROMTHEREAROFTHECITY--PROVIDENTIALDELIVERANCE--PANTOMIME--PEAMEAL--HOSPITALACCIDENT.

Itwasaboutfouro'clock,oneWednesdayevening--theshellingduringthedayhadgoneonaboutasusual--Iwasreadinginsafety,Iimagined,whentheunmistakablewhirringofParrottshellstoldusthatthebatterywesomuchfearedhadopenedfromtheintrenchments.Irantotheentrancetocalltheservantsin;andimmediatelyaftertheyentered,ashellstruck



theearthafewfeetfromtheentrance,buryingitselfwithoutexploding.Irantothelittledressingroom,andcouldhearthemstrikingaroundusonallsides.Icrouchedcloselyagainstthewall,forIdidnotknowatwhatmomentonemightstrikewithinthecave.Amancameinmuchfrightened,andaskedtoremainuntilthedangerwasover.Theservantsstoodinthelittlenichebythebed,andthemantookrefugeinthesmallellwhereIwasstationed.Hehadbeentherebutashorttime,standinginfrontofme,andnearthewall,whenaParrottshellcamewhirlinginattheentrance,andfellinthecentreofthecavebeforeusall,lyingtheresmoking.Oureyeswerefasteneduponit,whileweexpectedeverymomenttheterrificexplosionwouldensue.Ipressedmychildclosertomyheart,anddrewnearertothewall.Ourfateseemedalmostcertain.Thepoormanwhohadsoughtrefugewithinwasmostexposedofall.Withasuddenimpulse,Iseizedalargedoubleblanketthatlaynear,andgaveittohimforthepurposeofshieldinghimfromthefragments;andthusweremainedforamoment,withoureyesfixedinterroronthemissileofdeath,whenGeorge,theservantboy,rushedforward,seizedtheshell,andthrewitintothestreet,runningswiftlyintheoppositedirection.Fortunately,thefusehadbecomenearlyextinguished,andtheshellfellharmless--remainingnearthemouthofthecave,asatrophyofthefearlessnessoftheservantandourremarkableescape.VerythankfulwasIforourpreservation,whichwasthethemeofconversationforadayamongourcaveneighbors.Theincidentoftheblanketwasalsorelated;andalllaughedheartilyatmywisesuppositionthattheblanketcouldbeany

protectionfromtheheavyfragmentsofshells.Norwasthisall:IhadoccasiontogotothemouthofthecaveoneeveningtospeaktoGeorge;andthere,withanenlightenedaudienceofservantsfromthesurroundingcavescollectednearhim,Georgewasgoingthroughagravepantomimeofthewholeaffair.Itseemsthatheexpectedtherefugeetoactthepartofpreserverinourextremity,andthrowouttheshell;but,ashewasdisappointedinthematter,herepresentedhiminthemostridiculousmannerpossibletotheaudience.

Pressingupcloselytothewheelofawagonnearby,Georgeextendedhiseyes,holdingouthishandasifwithashield,andshrinkingwiththesemblanceofextremeterror,thatamusedhisspectatorsvastly:then,

changingthewholecharacter,heputonthebravestportimaginable,pushinghishat,withanindependentair,onthesideofhishead;and,assumingadon't-carishlook,hesaunteredforwardtoalargepieceofshellthatlayconvenientlynear,caughtitwithbothhands,gaveitacarelessswingandthrowfardifferentfromthereality,turnedonhisheels,walkedbacktothewagon,withthepeculiarswingingstepofaproudnegro;then,leaninghisarmonthewheel,carelesslysurveyedhisaudience,withalookthatplainlysaid,"Whatyouthinko'dat,niggars?"Thebenefitedgroupimmediatelybeganlaughingandapplauding,likeawell-trainedbevyof_claqueurs_,inwhichtheyweresoonjoinedbyGeorgehimself.

Soonafter,IreceivedanotefromM----,imploringmetobecarefuland

remainwithinthecaveconstantly.Icouldseethathewasrestlessandtroubledinregardtothenewperilfromthebattlefield.

Andsothewearydayswenton--thelong,wearydays--whenwecouldnottellinwhatterribleformdeathmightcometousbeforethesunwentdown.AnotherfearthattroubledM----was,thatourprovisionsmightnotlastusduringthesiege.HewouldfrequentlyurgemetohusbandallthatIhad,fortroublesometimeswereprobablyinstoreforus;toldmeofthesoldiersintheintrenchments,whowouldhavegladlyeatenthebreadthatwasleftfromourmeals,fortheyweresufferingeveryprivation,andthat



ourservantslivedfarbetterthanthesemenwhoweredefendingthecity.Soonthepeamealbecameanarticleoffoodforusalso,andaveryunpalatablearticleitproved.Tomakeitofproperconsistency,wewereobligedtomixsomecornmealwithit,whichcookedsomuchfasterthanthepeameal,thatitburnedbeforethebreadwashalfdone.Thetastewaspeculiaranddisagreeable.

However,itsoonprovedunwholesome,forthesoldierswereagainallowedtodrawrationsoftheremainingcornmeal,withthepeasinthekerneltobeboiledwithmeat.Wewere,indeed,experiencingtherigorsandhardshipsofasiege,forweatenothingnowbutmeatandbread.

Still,wehadnothingtocomplainofincomparisonwiththesoldiers:manyofthemweresickandwoundedinahospitalinthemostexposedpartsofthecity,withshellsfallingandexplodingallaroundthem.Oneshellwentcompletelythroughahospitalinthecentreofthecity,withoutexplodingorinjuringanyone,savebythesevereshocktotheinvalids:afragmentafterwardcamethroughthesideofthesamehouse,severelyfracturingthehipofasoldier,whowaslyingalreadywounded;oneortwowoundedmenwere,also,killedbyfragmentsofshellwhileinthehospital.

CHAPTERXIV.

DOGS--HORSES--DESCENTOFASHELLTHROUGHACAVE--AMOTHER'SCRIES--DESERTEDHOMES--SILENCE.

Eventheveryanimalsseemedtosharethegeneralfearofasuddenandfrightfuldeath.Thedogswouldbeseeninthemidstofthenoisetogallopupthestreet,andthentoreturn,asiffearhadmaddenedthem.Onhearingthedescentofashell,theywoulddartaside--then,asitexploded,sitdownandhowlinthemostpitifulmanner.Thereweremanywalkingthestreet,apparentlywithouthomes.Georgecarriedona

continualwarfarewiththem,astheycameaboutthefirewhereourmealswerecooking.

Inthemidstofothermiserablethoughts,itcameintomymindoneday,thatthesedogsthroughhungermightbecomeasmuchtobedreadedaswolves.Groundlesswasthisanxiety,forinthecourseofaweekortwotheyhadalmostdisappeared.

Thehorses,belongingtotheofficers,andfastenedtothetreesnearthetents,wouldfrequentlystrainthehaltertoitsfulllength,rearinghighintheair,withaloudsnortofterror,asashellwouldexplodenear.Icouldheartheminthenightcryoutinthemidstoftheuproar,endinginalow,plaintivewhinnyoffear.

Thepoorcreaturessubsistedentirelyoncanetopsandmulberryleaves.Manyofthemulesandhorseshadbeendrivenoutsideofthelines,byorderofGeneralPemberton,forsubsistence.Onlymulesenoughwereleft,belongingtotheConfederacy,toallowthreefullteamstoaregiment.Privatepropertywasnotinterferedwith.

Sittinginthecave,oneevening,Iheardthemostheartrendingscreamsandmoans.Iwastoldthatamotherhadtakenachildintoacaveaboutahundredyardsfromus;andhavinglaiditonitslittlebed,asthepoor



womanbelieved,insafety,shetookherseatneartheentranceofthecave.Amortarshellcamerushingthroughtheair,andfellwithmuchforce,enteringtheearthabovethesleepingchild--cuttingthroughintothecave--oh!mosthorriblesighttothemother--crushingintheupperpartofthelittlesleepinghead,andtakingawaytheyounginnocentlifewithoutalookorwordofpassinglovetobetreasuredinthemother'sheart.

Isatnearthesquareofmoonlight,silentandsorrowful,hearingthesobsandcries--hearingthemoansofamotherforherdeadchild--thechildthatafewmomentssincelivedtocaressandlove--speakingthetenderwordsthatendearsomuchthetieofmotherandchild.Oh,thelittlelonelygrave!sofardistant,yetsoeverpresentwithme;thesunny,auburnheadthatIlaidtheresixmonthsafterthisterriblewarbegan!

Icouldnothearthosesobsandcrieswithoutthinkingofthenight--thatlastnight--whenIheldmydarlingtomyheart,thinkingthat,thoughsosuddenlystrickenandsoscared,shewouldstilllivetoblessmylife.Andtheterribleawakening!--tofindthat,lyinginmyarmsallmyown,asIbelieved,shewasgoingswiftly--goingintothefarunknowneternity!Slidingfrommyembrace,thepreciouslifewascalledbyOnesomighty--soall-powerful--yetsomerciful,thatIbowedmyheadinsilence.

Stillthemoansfromthebereavedmothercameborneonthepleasantair,

floatingthroughthesilverymoonlitscene--saddeningheartsthathadneverknownsorrow,andawakeningchordsofsympathyinheartsthatbeforehadthrilledandsuffered.Yet,"itisbettertohavelovedandlostthannevertohavelovedatall."Yes,betterthetendermemoryofahiddenlifethatglowsinourheartsforever;better,allwillsaywhohaveknownthelightandconsolationgivenfromonhigh,whenwethrowourselvesbeforeHisThroneinutterwretchedness,andarisestrong--stronginthestrengththatneverfaileth--theLord'sstrength.Thedesertthathathnotknowntheoasesoflife,thoughblastedandwitheredbytheburningsiroccothatpassethover,cannotknowtherefreshingandgentledropsthatbringrenewedandmoretenderverdure.

HowverysadthislifeinVicksburg!--howlittlesecuritycanwefeel,

withsomanyaroundusseeingthemorninglightthatwillnevermoreseethenight!Icouldnotsitquietlywithinhearingofsomuchgrief;and,leavingmyseat,Ipacedbackwardandforwardbeforethelowentranceofmyhouse.Thecourt-housebelltolledtwelve;andthoughtheshellsfellslowlystillaroundthespotwheretheyounglifehadgoneout,yetfriendsweregoingtoandfromtheplace.

Howblightinglythehandofwarfarelayuponthetown!eveninthesofteninglightofthemoon--theclosedanddesolatehouses--thegardens,withgateshalfopen,andcattlestandingamidtheloveliestflowersandverdure!Thiscarelessnessofappearanceandevidenthasteofdeparturewasvisibleeverywhere--theinhabitants,inthisperiloustime,feelingonlyanxietyforpersonalsafetyandthestrengthoftheircavehomes.

Themoansofpaincameslowlyandmoreindistinct,untilallwassilent;andthebereavedmotherslept,Ihope--slepttofind,onwaking,adullpressureofpainatherheart,andinthefirstcollectionoffacultieswillwonderwhatitis.Thenhercareforthechildwillreturn,andthenewsorrowwillagaincometoher--gone,forevergone!

Itwilltakedaystofullyrealizeit,andthenshewillstruggleandgrowstrong.Godinhismercyhelpsthepoorhumanheartsthatsuffer,struggle,andgrowstronginthesesadyearsofwarfare!Noonecame



now--nowordtoshowthatlifestillthrobbedinthesilentcity.

Thefreshairtoldofthecomingmorning:thegunswerestill.Peaceforashorttimereignedinthetroubledcity;and,intheperfectquietthatprevailed,myeyesgrewheavy,andIoncemoresoughtmybed--thistimetorestpeacefullyuntilthecheerfulmorninglightdawneduponus.

CHAPTERXV.

ANEXCITEMENT--SINKINGOFTHECINCINNATI--SKYPARLORHILL--MOVINGPROSPECTS.

Withthedawncametheoldunrestanddistrust,fortheshellswereagainfallingquitethicklyaroundus;andIpassedanhourortwoincontinualshrinkingsandexclamations.Atlengthourtormentorspassedfartheron,andIagainfeltrelievedfromanxiety.

Attenortwelveo'clock,wesaw,inspiteofthecontinualfallingoftheshells,gentlemenhurryingtowardtheriver.SoonweheardtheConfederateriverbatteriesboomingloudly,andthenallwassilent.Whatcouldit

mean?Ididnotventuretolookwithout;andsoIsatwaitingforsomeonetocometome.Atlastafriendappeared,who,inthemosttriumphantmanner,toldusthattheConfederateshadroutedtheFederalfleet.Thegunboatshadformedinlineofbattle,sailingdownmajestically,withtheCincinnati--oneofthefinestboatsintherivernavy--leadingtheattack.

Shecamerapidlydownaroundthepointofthepeninsula--thesignalgunssilent--whenthebattery,containingtheBrooksgun,openedonher,asshecamewithinrange.Thefirstshotcutdowntheflag;thesecondstruckherside;andthethird,theBrooksball,withthesteelwedge,cutintotheironplatesnearthewater'sedge.Sheturnedimmediately,andsteamedbackuptheriverinasinkingcondition.Theremainingboats,also,

changedtheircourseandretired.TheCincinnatihadscarcelyturnedthepoint,whenshesankneartheshore.

"Ah!yes!"saidtheMajor,"haditnotbeenforthefortunatesinkingoftheCincinnati,youwouldhavebecomeconsciousofafearfulwarfareraginginthecity.Hadtheboatsgottenoppositeandengagedourbatteries,thefiringwouldhavebeenterrific."

TheMajoralsotoldusthatmanyladieshadbeensomuchinterestedintheexpectedengagement,thattheyhadgoneuponSkyParlorHillforabetterview.

IthasbeensaidthattheFederalgunshaveneverbeensufficiently

elevatedtothrowshellandshotsohighasSkyParlorHill;yet,Ishouldnotliketoriskmylifeformerecuriositysake,whenitwasnotpossibletobeofanyservice.

TheSkyParlorHillissocalledfromitsextremeheight,beingaportionofthebluffthatstoodwheretheprincipalcommercialstreetnowstands,thegradingofthecityhavingtakenmostoftheelevationdown.Thehillnowoccupiesaboutasquare--thedistanceoftwosquaresfromtheriver--andisaprominentfeaturefromallpartsofthecity.Aruggeddrivewindsononesideupthesteepascent,andalonganddizzyflight



ofwoodenstepsascendfromthestreetontheoppositeside.

Itissurmountedbyalittlehousethatonecouldimaginesurmounted"thebeanstalk,"inthecelebratedhistoryof"Jack,"quaintandold,yetonethattheearlierinhabitantswouldhavecalleda"finehouse."

Theview--andthatiswhattheplaceisvisitedfor--isgood,bothofthecityandriver,forsomemilesabove.Crowdsofpeoplecollecthereontheoccasionofanymovebeingmadeinthedirectionoftheriver.

AlargetrunkwaspickedupafterthesinkingoftheCincinnati,belongingtoasurgeononboard.ItcontainedvaluablesurgicalinstrumentsthatcouldnotbeprocuredintheConfederacy;aletter,also,writtentothegentleman'swifeprevioustothedepartureofthefleetfromabove,tellingherthattheletterwouldbemailedatVicksburg,astherewasnodoubtwhateverthattheplacewouldbetakenwhenanattackwasmadefromtheriver.

ItwasalsosaidthatCommodorePorterwasaboardtheCincinnati.Howthefactwasascertained,noonecouldtell.

ShortlyafterthesinkingoftheCincinnati,IreceivedanotefromM----,sayingthathewasverymuchtroubledinregardtooursafetyinthecity--fearingthatsometimeamortarshellmightfallonourcave,or

thattheconstantjarringoftheearthfromthenearexplosionmightcauseittoseamandfalluponus.Therefore,hehaddecidedtohaveahomemadeformenearthebattlefield,wherehewasstationed--onethatwouldbeentirelyoutofreachofthemortarshells.Iwaspositivelyshockedattheidea--goingtothebattlefield!whereballandshellfellwithoutintermission.WasM----inearnest?Icouldscarcelybelieveit.

Afriendcamesoonafter,andtoldmethatIwouldfindmyhomeonthebattlefieldfarmorepleasantandsafethantheoneintown--thatwewereprotectedfromthefragmentsonlyinourcave--thatonthebattlefieldthemissileswereoffarlessweight,andinfallingfarlessdangerous.

Weweretoexperienceourlastandnearestexplosionofthe

never-to-be-forgottenmortarshellsbeforeweleft.M----hadwrittentometobereadyonthefollowingnight.Asthemoonwasnotshining,thefiringfromtheFederalbatterieswouldceaseatdarkafterwardwecouldgooutwithoutinterruption.Iwasdelightedattheprospectofachangeinourmouldylives,andlookedforwardtoourride--afterdarkthoughitwas--withtheutmostpleasure.

CHAPTERXVI.

FALLOFASHELLATTHECORNEROFMYCAVE--MUSIC--CASUALTIESOFTHEDAY.

Iwassittingneartheentrance,aboutfiveo'clock,thinkingofthepleasantchange--oh,blessme!--thatto-morrowwouldbring,whenthebombardmentcommencedmorefuriouslythanusual,theshellsfallingthicklyaroundus,causingvastcolumnsofearthtoflyupward,mingledwithsmoke.Asusual,Iwasuncertainwhethertoremainwithinorrunout.Astherockingandtremblingoftheearthwasverydistinctlyfelt,andtheexplosionsalarminglynear,Istoodwithinthemouthofthecavereadytomakemyescape,shouldonechancetofallaboveourdomicile.Inmy



anxietyIwasstartledbytheshoutsoftheservantsandamostfearfuljarandrockingoftheearth,followedbyadeafeningexplosion,suchasIhadneverheardbefore.Thecavefilledinstantlywithpowdersmokeanddust.Istoodwithatingling,pricklingsensationinmyhead,hands,andfeet,andwithaconfusedbrain.Yetalive!--wasthefirstgladthoughtthatcametome;--child,servants,allhere,andsaved!--fromsomegreatdanger,Ifelt.Isteppedout,tofindagroupofpersonsbeforemycave,lookinganxiouslyforme;andlyingallaround,freshlytorn,rosebushes,arbor-vitætrees,largeclodsofearth,splinters,piecesofplank,wood,&c.Amortarshellhadstruckthecornerofthecave,fortunatelysonearthebrowofthehill,thatithadgoneobliquelyintotheearth,explodingasitwent,breakinglargemassesfromthesideofthehill--tearingawaythefence,theshrubberyandflowers--sweepingall,likeanavalanche,downneartheentranceofmygoodrefuge.

Istooddismayed,andsurveyedthehavocthathadbeenmadearoundme,whileourlittlefamilyunderitallhadbeenmercifullypreserved.Thoughmanyoftheneighboringservantshadbeenstandingnearatthetime,notonehadbeeninjuredintheslightestdegree;yet,piecesofplank,fragmentsofearth,andsplintershadfalleninalldirections.Aportionofearthfromtheroofofmycavehadbeendislodgedandfallen.Savingthis,itremainedintact.

Thateveningsomefriendssatwithme:onetookupmyguitarandplayed

someprettylittleairsforus;yet,thenoiseoftheshellsthrewadiscordamongtheharmonies.Tomeitseemedlikethecrushingandbitterspiritofhatenearthelightandgraceofhappiness.Howcouldwesingandlaughamidoursufferingfellowbeings--amidtheshriekofdeathitself?

This,onlybreakingthedailymonotonyofourlives!--thisthrillingknowledgeofsuddenandhorribledeathoccurringnearus,toldto-nightandforgotteninto-morrow'srenewal!--thissadnewsofaVicksburgday!Alittlenegrochild,playingintheyard,hadfoundashell;inrollingandturningit,hadinnocentlypoundedthefuse;theterribleexplosionfollowed,showing,asthewhitecloudofsmokefloatedaway,themangledremainsofalifethattothemother'shearthadpossessedallofbeauty

andjoy.

Ayounggirl,becomingwearyintheconfinementofthecave,hastilyrantothehouseintheintervalthatelapsedbetweentheslowlyfallingshells.Onreturning,anexplosionsoundednearher--onewildscream,andsheranintohermother'spresence,sinkinglikeawoundeddove,thelifebloodflowingoverthelightsummerdressincrimsonripplesfromadeath-woundinherside,causedbytheshellfragment.

Afragmenthadalsostruckandbrokenthearmofalittleboyplayingnearthemouthofhismother'scave.Thiswasoneday'saccount.

Itoldofmylittlegirl'sgreatdistresswhentheshellsfellthickly

nearus--howsherantomebreathless,hidingherheadinmydresswithoutaword;thencautiouslylookingout,withheranxiousfacequestioning,wouldsay:"Oh!mamma,wasitamortartell?"Poorchildren,thattheirlittleheartsshouldsufferandquailamidthesedailyhorrorsofwar!

Thenextevening,aboutfouro'clock,M----'sdearfaceappeared.Hetoldusthathehadheardofallthedangerthroughwhichwehadpassed,andwasextremelyanxioustohaveusoutofreachofthemortarshells,andnearhim;healsothoughtwewouldfindournewhomeonthebattlefieldfarsuperiortothis;hewishedustogooutassoonaspossible.Asat



thishourintheevening,forthelastweek,theFederalgunshadbeenquietuntilalmostsundown,heurgedmetobereadyintheshortesttimepossible;soIhastenedourarrangements,andwesoonwereintheambulance,drivingwithgreatspeedtowardtheriflepits.

Othebeautifulsunlightandthefresheveningair!Howglowinganddelightfulitallseemedaftermyincarcerationundertheearth!Iturnedtolookagainandagainatthesettingsunandthebrilliantcrimsonglowthatsuffusedtheatmosphere.Allseemedgladandradiant:thesky--theflowersandtreesalongourdrive--thecoolandfragrantbreeze--all,savenowandthenthesullenboomofthemortar,asitslowlycastitsdeath-dealingshelloverthelifewewereleavingbehindus.

Wereitnotforthepoorsoulsstillwithin,Icouldhaveclappedmyhandsinaglad,defiantjubileeasIheardthereports,forIthoughtIwasleavingmygreatestfearofouroldenemyinthedesolatecaveofwhichIhadtakenmylastcontemptuousglance;yet,thefearreturnedforciblytomeafterward.

CHAPTERXVII.

RIDETOTHEFORTIFICATIONS--NUMBEROFCAVESALONGTHEROAD--APPEARANCEOFTHENEWHOME--CHANGEOFMISSILES.

Theroadweweretravellingwasgradedoutthroughthehills;andoneverysidewecouldsee,thicklystrewnamongtheearthycliffs,thenever-to-be-lostsightofcaves--largecavesandlittlecaves--somecutoutsubstantially,roomy,andcomfortable,withbracesandpropsthroughout--manyonlylargeenoughforonemantotakerefugein,standing;--again,atalowplaceintheearthwasaseatforapasser-byincaseofdanger.

Drivingonrapidly,wereachedthesuburbsofthecity,wheretheroad

becameshadyandpleasant--stillwithcavesateverylargeroadexcavation,remindingoneverymuchofthenumberlessholesthatswallowsmakeinsummer;forboththemortarandParrottshellsdisputedthisdistrict;andacave,frontinwhateverdirectionitmight,wasnotsecurefromfragments.M----impatientlyurgedonthedriver,fearingthatwhenthefiringrecommencedwewouldstillbeontheroad.Suddenly,aturnofthedrivebroughtinsighttwolargefortsonthehillsaboveus;andpassingdownaravinenearoneofthese,theambulancestopped.Herewesawtwoorthreeofthelittleshellandbombproof-housesintheearth,coveredwithlogsandturf.Wewerehastilytakenoutandstartedforourhome,whenIheardacuttingoftheair--themostexpressivetermIcanuseforthatpeculiarsound--abovemyhead;andtheballsdroppedthicklyaroundme,bringingleavesandsmalltwigsfromthetreeswiththem.

Ifeltasuddenrushtomyheart;butthesoldierswerecampednear,andmanystoodcautiouslywatchingtheeffectofthesuddenfallofmetalaroundme.Iwouldnotfortheworldhaveshownfear;so,bracedbymypride,Iwalkedwithafirmandsteadypace,notwithstandingthetreacheroussuggestionsofmyheartthatbeataloud"Run,run."M----,fearingeverymomentthatImightfallbyhisside,hurriedmeanxiouslyalong.Withinashortdistancewastheadjutant'soffice,wherewetookrefugeuntilthefiringbecamelessheavy.Herewefoundfriends,andsatchattingsometime.



The"office"wasasquareexcavationmadeinthesideofthehill,coveredoverwithlogsandearth,seeminglyquitecoolandcomfortable.Ihadbeenconfinedforsolongatimeinanarrowspaceofearth,thatdaylight,greentrees,andampleroombecameanewpleasuretome.Atsundowntherewasacessationintherapidfallofballsandshells;andweagainstartedforourhome.Iwastakenupalittlefootpaththatledfromtheravineupunderacareless,gracefularchofwildgrapevines,whoseswingingbranchletsweredrawnaside;andalow,longroom,cutintothehillsideandshadedbythegrowthofforesttreesaround,waspresentedtomyviewasourfuturehome.Whatapleasantplace,afterthecloselittlecaveinthecity!--largeenoughfortworooms--thebackandsidessolidwallsofearth,theslopingofthehillbringingdownthewalltoaboutfourfeetattheentrance,leavingthespacesabove,betweenthewallandroof,forlight;theside,lookingoutontheroadthroughtheravine,wasentirelyopen,yetshadedfromviewbytheclusteringvinesoverthepathway.

Itookpossessiondelightedly.Ablanket,hungacrossthecentre,madeustwogood-sizedrooms:thefrontroom,withapieceofcarpetlaiddowntoprotectusfromthedampnessofthefloor,andtwoorthreechairs,formedourlittleparlor;andthebackroom,quietandretired,thebedroom.Overthetopoftheearth,orourhouse,heldupbyhugeforkedprops,werethetrunksofsmalltreeslaidcloselyacrosstogether;overthat,brush,

limbs,andleaves,andcoveringallthisthethicknessoftwoorthreefeetofearthbeatendowncompactly,andthoughtperfectlysafefromMiniéballsandParrottorshrapnellshells.

Wehadourtentflydrawnoverthefront,makingaverypleasantveranda;foranarrowterracehadbeenmadealongtheentrance,fromwhichthehillslopedabruptlydowntotheroadintheravineoppositethedwelling;intherearthehillrosesteeplyaboveus.Allwasquietto-night,asitusuallyis,Iwastold,whenthemoonisnotbrightlyshining.

TheFederalcommandersfearthattheConfederateswillstrivetoimprovetheirdefencesbythemoonlight,whichiscertainlydone,firingornot,forthefortificationsneedconstantstrengthening,beingfrequently

badlytornbytheParrottshells.

Thenextmorningatfouro'clock,Iwasawakenedbyaperfecttumultintheair:theexplosionofshrapnellandtherattlingofshrapnellballsaroundusremindedmethatmydangersandcareswerenotyetover.HowrapidlyandthicklytheshellsandMiniéballsfell--Parrottofvarioussizes--canisterandsolidshot,untilIwasalmostdeafenedbythenoiseandexplosions!Ilayandthoughtofthepoorsoldiersdownbelowintheravine,withonlytheirtentsovertheirheads;anditseemedinthisstormofmissilesthatallmustbekilled.Howstrangesofewcasualtiesoccurduringtheseprojectilestorms!

Ourlittlehomestoodthetestnobly.Wewereinthefirstlineofhills

backoftheheightsthatwerefortified;and,ofcourse,wefeltthefullforceoftheveryenergeticfiringthatwasconstantlykeptup;andbeingsonear,manythatpassedoverthefirstlineofhillswouldfalldirectlyaroundus.

CHAPTERXVIII.



MORNING--CHARGEOFGENERALBURBRIDGE--HORRORSOFWAR--ANIMPORTANTDISCOVERY.

Howdewyandpleasantthemorning!Istoodlookingoutfromthelittleterrace,breathingthefreshair,andlearningthenewsurroundings,sofarasmyeyewent,foritwasnotsafetoventureoutfromthecoveringofthecave--theravinefrontingme,shady,dark,andcool--thesunjustrisingoverthehilltopandlightingtheupperlimbsofthelargetrees.Uptheravine,theHeadquarters,horsesweretethered,lazilyrisingandshakingtheircoatsafterthenight'srestontheground--shakingofftheirdrowsinesstobeginthebreakfastofmulberryleaves.Amidsttheconstantfallingofrifleballs,thebirdssangassweetly,andflewasgaylyfromtreetotree,asiftherewerepeaceandplentyintheland.PlentytherecertainlywasnotinVicksburg,asanyonewouldhavesaidwhohadbeeninvitedtoourlittlebreakfastthatmorning:baconsideandbreadwereall;andIhadbecomesoaccustomedtothem,thatIobeyedthecallstobreakfastwithreluctance;eating,mostpractically,tosustainlife,withouttheslightestrelishforthefoodIwascompelledtomasticateandswallow.

Yet,allreceivedtheirtrialswithcheerfulness.Thegentlemen,whobreakfastedwithusthatmorning,laughedandmademerryovertherations,andtoldmeofthemulemeatthatwassoontobeserveduptous.

Theywerespeakingofachargethathadbeenmade,mostgallantly,byGeneralBurbridgeandtheFederaltroopsofhiscommand,ontheConfederateintrenchments:theyhadrushedoverthebreastworksandintotheriflepits,drivingouttheSouthernsoldiers.ThewholeConfederatecampnearthespotaroseinafuriousexcitement,officersandmenalikethrowinghandgrenadesdownupontheintruders,untiltheywereforcedtoretire,afterholdingtheplacesomelittletime.IwastoldthatGeneralBurbridgehad,laughingly,remarkedtoaConfederateofficer,duringthetruce,that,stayingintheintrenchmentsinthehotsun,andhavinghandgrenadesthrownathiminprofusion,wasaswarmaworkashewishedtoundertakeinoneday.

AftertheFederaltroopslefttheintrenchments,aholewasfoundinthelooseearthofthebreastworksthatcausedmuchamusementamongtheConfederatesoldiers--alargeholewhereoneoftheFederalshadliterallyburrowedhiswayoutfromthepits."Ireckonhe'ssomekintoamole,"sagelycommentedoneofthesoldiers.

AflagoftrucehadbeensentbytheFederalcommander,askingleavetoburythekilledandremovethewoundedthathadbeenleftonthefield,inoneofthechargesthathadbeenmadeontheConfederatelines.

TherequesthadbeenrefusedbyGeneralPemberton.Afterwardtheeffluviafromthedeadbodiesbecamesointolerable,thathewasobligedinhisturntoaskatruce,andrequesttheFederalofficerstoburytheirdead.

IwasdistressedtohearofayoungFederallieutenantwhohadbeenseverelywoundedandleftonthefieldbyhiscomrades.HehadlivedinthisconditionfromSaturdayuntilMonday,lyingintheburningsunwithoutwaterorfood;andthemenonbothsidescouldwitnesstheagonyofthelifethusprolonged,withoutthepowertoassisthiminanyway.Iwasglad,indeed,whenIheardthepoormanhadexpiredonMondaymorning.Anothersoldierleftonthefield,badlywoundedintheleg,hadbeggedmostpiteouslyforwater;andlyingneartheConfederateintrenchments,hiscrieswerealldirectedtotheConfederatesoldiers.Thefiringwasheaviestwherehelay;anditwouldhavebeenattheriskofalifeto



havegonetohim;yet,aConfederatesoldieraskedandobtainedleavetocarrywatertohim,andstoodandfannedhiminthemidstofthefiring,whileheeagerlydrankfromtheheroicsoldier'scanteen.

Theofficerwhorelatedthislittleincidenthadnotyetobtainedthenameofthenobleman.Truly,"thebravestarethetenderest;thelovingarethedaring."Howgenerous--howtrulybravethemanwhowouldthusdaredeath!whowould,attheriskoflife,performatrulyChristiandeed!Oh!wereallmenbuttruefollowersofthePrinceofPeace,howshortwouldbethiswarfare!DidonlyindividualChristiansstrivetodotheirdutyineveryrespect,thisgreatsufferingwouldnotbeuponus.ThereareenoughintheworldwhoworshipHimwhodiedthatallmightbehappy--enoughtostandbeforetheheadsoftheChristiannationandpleadinHisnamethattherebemercyforthesedyingandbleedingthousands--thatthesebrothers,sons,andhusbandsmaynotlietorn,swollen,andwrithinginthehotsun,withburningeyesandparchedtongues,far,farfromthosewhoarepowerlesstosuccortheminthisfearfultime;and,withthesepleadings,wouldascendprayerstoHimwhorewardsthepeace-makersasthechildrenofGod--prayersfrommanyanaching,tear-searedheart;andthefiercebitterness,strife,andhatredthatmovemenso,wouldpalebeforethisblessing.Shouldtheyfail,andthewronggoon,thentheyhavedonetheirduty;andtheywillfindmercy,notwheretheerrorofman'sjudgmentwithholdsit,butbeforeHimtowhomtheleastoftheseareofincalculablevalue.

OnemorningGeorgemadeanimportantdiscovery--anewlymadestumpofsassafras,verynearthecave,withlargerootsextendingineverydirection,affordingusaninexhaustibleveinofteaforfutureuse.Wehadbeendrinkingwaterwithourmealsprevioustothisdisclosure;coffeeandteahadlongsincebeenamongthethingsthatwere,inthearmy.We,however,weremorefortunatethanmanyoftheofficers,havingaccesstoanexcellentcisternnearus;whilemanyofourfriendsusedmuddywater,orriverwater,which,beingconveyedsogreatadistance,becameextremelywarmanddisagreeable.

CHAPTERXIX.

ANACCEPTABLEPRESENT--HUNGER--HALFRATIONS--INTHERIFLEPITS.

Aservantbroughtmeonedayapresentfromanofficer,thatwasacceptableindeed:twolarge,yellow,ripe,Juneapples,sealedinalargeenvelope.Theywereasmuchofavarietytomeaspineappleswouldhavebeen.

Onanotheroccasion,agentlemansentmefourlargeslicesofham,havingbeenfortunateenoughtoprocureasmallpiecehimself.Nowandthen

gentlemenincallingwouldbringtomylittlegirlandmyselfsomelittlearticlethatitwasimpossibletoprocure;andonlythosewhohaveundergonelikeprivationscanunderstandhowtrulygratefulwefeltfortheselittlekindnesses.Onedayafriendbroughtussomefruitthathadbeenpresentedtohim.Whilewewereconversing,mylittlehunger-besiegedtwo-year-olddaughterquietlysecuredit,and,sittingonthefloor,atewithavidity.Whenshehadfinishednearlyallofit,sheturnedaround,withabrightandwell-satisfiedface,tome,saying,"Mamma,it'ssodood!"--thefirstintimationthatIhadthatmyportionhaddisappeared.Dearchild;ItrembledforherinthegreatertrialsI



believedinstoreforus.Fruitsandvegetableswerenottobeprocuredatanyprice.Everyonefelttheforebodingofamoreserioustrouble,thegreatfearofstarvationthatstaredallinthefacecausingthosewhopossessedanyarticleintheshapeofediblestoretainitforthatperiodtowhichalllookedforwardwithanxiety--whenwewouldcometoactualwant.

Alreadythemenintheriflepitswereonhalfrations--flourormealenoughtofurnishbreadequivalentinquantitytotwobiscuitsintwodays:manyofthemateitallatonce,andthenextdayfasted,preferring,astheysaid,tohaveonegoodmeal.

Sotheysatcrampedupalldayinthepits--theirrationscookedinthevalleyandbroughttothem--scarcelydaringtochangetheirpositionsandstanderect,fortheFederalsharpshooterswerewatchingfortheheads;andtoriseabovethebreastworkswasalmostcertaindeath.Frequently,aParrottshellwouldpenetratetheintrenchments,and,exploding,causefrightfulwounds,anddeathmostfrequently."Ah!"saidM----,oneday,"itistothenoblemenintheriflepitsthatVicksburgwilloweaughtofhonorshemaygaininthissiege.Ireverethem,asIseethemundergoingeveryprivationwithcourageandpatience,anxiousonlyforthehighreputationofthecity."

Theyamusedthemselves,whilelyinginthepits,bycuttingoutlittle

trinketsfromthewoodoftheparapetandtheMiniéballsthatfellaroundthem.MajorFry,fromTexas,excelledinskillandreadyinvention,Ithink:hesentmeonedayanarmchairthathehadcutfromaMiniéball--themostminuteaffairofthekindIeversaw,yetperfectlysymmetrical.Atanothertime,hesentmeadiminutiveploughmadefromtheparapetwood,withtracesoflead,andaleadpointmadefromaMiniéball.

Ihadoftenremarkedhowcheerfullythesoldiersborethehardshipsofthesiege.Isawthemoftenpassingwiththeirlittlesackscontainingscantyrations,whistlingandchattingpleasantly,asaroundthemthicklyflewtheballsandshells.

Poormen,yetsobadlyused,andundergoingsomanyprivations!

CHAPTERXX.

ARAINYMORNING--AWATERSPOUT--DISMALEXPERIENCE--BRIGHTERPROSPECTS--ANUNFORTUNATESLEEPER.

Thecloudshadbeendarkeningaroundusallday,andatnightwehadtheprospectofastorm.M----sentGeorgeoutwithaspadetoslopetheearth

abouttheroofofourhome,andwidenthewaterditcharoundit;yet,itwasnotuntilthenextmorningthattherainbeganfalling.BydaylightIheardM----givingordersrapidlyaboutpackingtheearthfirmly,deepeningtheditch,andwatchingtherearofthecave.

Iopenedmyeyestoseewithoutthedarknessandgloomofarainyday--tofeelthedampnessofthemistuponmyface,andtobeholdM----standingattheentrance,withthemovablearticlesnearhimpiledoutofreachofthedrivingrain,givingorderstoGeorgeinregardtoourdoublybesiegedfortress.Ilayandlistenedtothedroppingandplashingwithadreamy



pleasureatfirst;buthearingM----startouttoseeifallwereright,Isprangup,thinkingImightassistinkeepingoutthewater.Itwasaveryfortunatemove;forIhadscarcelybegundressing,whentheearthgaveawayattheheadofmybed,andaperfectspoutofmuddywaterburstthroughtheembankmentandfellinthecentreoftherestingplaceIhadsolatelyleft.TorunandcallM----tostopthewaterinthebackpartofthecave,and,inthegreatesthaste,toassistCinthinremovingeveryarticlethatwasatalldry,andletthewaterhavefreecoursethrough,wastheworkofaninstant;yet,intheshorttimethatthewaterhadflowedthroughthecave,wepresentedamiserablydelugedappearance:trunkswerepiledontrunks--lineshangingfromlogtologintheroof,filledwiththedrippingcarpet,blankets,sheets,andmiscellaneousarticles,drippingwithadrearypatteronthefloor--chairsturneduptogether,andpackedoutoftheway--ourhome-likearrangementsallindisorder.Andnowthatthewaterhadbeenturnedthatflowedthroughthecave,Iandtheservantsat,disconsolately,withourskirtsdrawnaround,andourfeetonlittleblocksofwoodtokeepthemoutofthemud,withruefulfaces,regardingthesweepingofthewaterandplashingofrainwithout.

Thewater,havingoverflowedthesidesoftheditch,makinganewchannel,andpouringdownattheentrance,hadcompletelywashedawayourlittleterrace,leavingahugeandyawninggulfimmediatelyinfrontofus.Iwasthuscontemplating,sorrowfully,theruinsofourlittlehome,whenM----

camedown,bringingcheertousagainintheexpressionofhisbright,strong,andcalmface;thewaterwasflowinginlittlestreamsfromhishatdowntohiscoat,flowingoverhiscoat,makinglittlepoolsonthefloorashestood.Hedeclaredthatthestormwasnearlyover,andthatwewouldhavesomebreakfastinspiteofit.Takinghishatfromhisheadandshakingthewaterfromit,andfromhishair,hebadeGeorgetakehisspadeandcutafireplaceneartheentrance,bringuphiscampkettles,whichwerefullofwater,kindlealargefire,andhavethebreakfaston.Hecongratulatedmeupontheperfectsafetyofourresidence,thatthewaterwasrunningarounditinregularVenetianstyle,andthatforthepresentwewereperfectlywaterproof.

Indeed,ourhomewasinaprecarioussituationonarainyday,forwewere

plantedinthebedofthetorrentofwaterthatdrainedfromthehillabove;yet,M----assuredmethatnowwehadnothingtofear,forwithGeorgehehadpackedtheearthperfectlyfirmandsecure.Helaughedheartilyatmynarrowescape;forIdeclaredthatIshouldneverhavefeltinapleasanthumoragainifthatrushofmuddywaterhadfallenonme.

Soonthefireblazedcheerfullyup,andGeorgecommencedthepreparationofoursimplebreakfast--M----goingouttoattendtosomereports.Ihadalwayslookedforwardtotheprospectofrainwithpleasure,asprocuringussomerespitefromtheincessantnoiseofexplosions,andfromthewhistlingandfallingofballs.Thefuryofthestormhadscarcelyabated,whenthetumultanddinoftheFederalbatteriesandmusketryrecommenced;andfarfromtherainextinguishingthefuseoftheshell,thereseemedto

beanunusuallylargenumberfallingthismorning.IbegantofeelthoroughlythawedandrevivedwhenGeorgesetthebreakfastonthetableandM----camein;sowesatdownquitegayly,inspiteofthecontinuedfallingoftherain.

Thepleasantfirewasdoingitswork,andtheearthwasrapidlyhardeningaroundus.

M----toldmeofacolonelofoneoftheregimentsstationedatthefootofoneofthefortifiedhills,whounfortunatelyslepttoolong,andthe



turbulentrushofthewatersdownthehillbrokethroughallbarriers,envelopinghimcompletelyinmud,water,sand,andsediment.Hesprangfromthegroundinatoweringrage,andcouldscarcelybepersuadedthathewasnotthevictimofapracticaljoke.Sosoundlyhadheslept,thathewasentirelyobliviousofthestorm,andcouldscarcelybelievehisrudeawakeningtheworkoftheelements.M----toldmealso,withagraveface,ofthepoorsoldiershehadseenintheriflepitsthatmorning,standinginwater--somewithlittlepiecesofcarpetdrawnaroundthem;otherswithnothingbuttheirthinclothes,whichweresaturated;andtheretheywouldliethroughtheday,withonlythemealofyesterdaytosustainthem.

CHAPTERXXI.

WEARY--THECOURIERSFROMGENERALJOHNSTON--DANGEROUSPASTURAGE--MULEMEAT--LOCALSONGS--MISSEDBYAMINIÉBALL.

Iamtoldbymyfriends,whocall,thatIamlookingwornandpale,andfrequentlyaskedifIamnotwearyofthiscavelife.Iparrythequestionaswellaspossible,forIdonotliketoadmititforM----'ssake;yet,

I_am_tiredandweary--ah!soweary!Ineverwasmadetoexistunderground;andwhenIamobligedto,whatwonderthatIvegetate,likeotherunfortunateplants--growwan,spindling,andwhite!Yet,Imustreasonwithmyself:IhadchosenthislifeofsufferingwithoneIlove;andwhatsuffering,afterall,haveIexperienced?--privationsinthewayofgoodandwholesomefood,nothalfwhatthepoorpeoplearoundusareexperiencing.

Afearofthosethatcankillthebody,andafterthathavenomorethattheycando!Iwillnotbeunnerved--Ihavenorighttocomplain.WhereverHehathplacedme,therewillIbefoundinHisstrength;andhereafterIwillbebraveandsteadfast.

Toreasonwithmyselfinthistimeofdangerwasoneofthechiefemploymentsofmycavelife.Timepasseson,andallsaythesiegecannotlastmuchlonger;andstillwearehere--andstillthedeafeningnoiseofshells--andthevarietyofmissilesthatarethrownfall,scatteringdeathinalldirections.

Aboutthistime,thetownwasarousedbythearrivalofacourierfromGeneralJohnston,whobroughtprivatedespatchestoGeneralPemberton,thenatureofwhichdidnottranspire;yet,fromtheverysilenceofGeneralPemberton,theofficersauguredtheworst.

Thecourierbroughtmanyletterstotheinhabitantsfromfriendswithout.Hismannerofenteringthecitywassingular:TakingaskiffintheYazoo,

heproceededtoitsconfluencewiththeMississippi,wherehetiedthelittleboat,enteredthewoods,andawaitedthenight.Atdarkhetookoffhisclothing,placedhisdespatchessecurelywithinthem,boundthepackagefirmlytoaplank,and,goingintotheriver,hesustainedhisheadabovethewaterbyholdingtotheplank,and,inthismanner,floatedinthedarknessthroughthefleet,andontwomilesdowntherivertoVicksburg,wherehisarrivalwashailedasaneventofgreatimportance,inthestilllifeofthecity.

Thehilloppositeourcavemightbecalled"death'spoint"fromthenumber



ofanimalsthathadbeenkilledineatingthegrassonthesidesandsummit.InalldirectionsIcanseetheturfturnedup,fromtheshellsthathavegoneploughingintotheearth.Horsesormulesthataretemptedtomountthehillbythepromiseofgrassthatgrowsprofuselythere,invariablycomelimpingdownwounded,todieatthebase,orarebroughtdowndeadfromthesummit.

Acertainnumberofmulesarekilledeachdaybythecommissaries,andareissuedtothemen,allofwhompreferthefreshmeat,thoughitbeofmule,tothebaconandsaltrationsthattheyhaveeatenforsolongatimewithoutchange.Therehavealreadybeensomecasesofscurvy:thesoldiershaveahorrorofthedisease;therefore,Isuppose,themulemeatisallthemorewelcome.Indeed,IpetitionedM----tohavesomeservedonourtable.Hesaid:"No;waitalittlelonger."HedidnotliketoseemeeatingmuleuntilIwasobligedto;thathetrustedProvidencewouldsendussomechangeshortly.

ThatveryafternoonIwaslookingoutontheoppositehill,wheretheshellswerefallingfrequently.Inoticedaverylarge,finecowslowlygrazingontheside,andascendinghigherandhigherasshemoved.

Itwasamatterofwonderwithmewhereshecamefrom,forbeefcattleofallkindshaddisappearedfromVicksburg.Thecowwasinfinecondition;andIthought:Poorcreature,youarenotprudentineatingsuchdangerous

grass.Ashorttimebeforetea,M----cameuplaughing,andsaid:"Providencehasindeedsentyoufreshmeat,sothatyouwillnothavetodependuponmule.Afinecowhasbeenkilledbyashellontheoppositehill.TheGeneralhastakenthemeat,andalargesharehasbeensenttoyou."

IregrettedthefateoftheanimalthatIhadsolatelyseenvigorouswithlife;yetnow,"sincefatewassounkind,"Igladlyreceivedmyportion,thinkingoftheoldsaw,"it'sanillwind,"&c.Georgeandsomeoftheboysinthecampcutthemeatinstrips;andIwasabletosendsomesoupmeattothecourierthatrodecontinuallyamongtheshowerofballs,andtoapoorhumped-backsoldier,whosestrengthwasgivingwayfromtheprivationhehadundergone:theremainderwasrubbedwithsaltpetre,

strungoncaneslaidacrossframes,withaslowfireunderneath;andtheheatofthesunandthefirecombinedjerkeditnicelyforfutureuse.

Ilaughedheartilyattheappearanceofthecaveadayortwoaftertheprocess.Thelogsoftheroofwerehungwithfestoonsofjerkedmeat,thatswunggracefullyandconstantlyaboveus;andwalkingaroundunderit,Ifelt,quitelikeanIndian,Isuppose,afterasuccessfulchase,thatstarvationforawhilewasfarinthebackground.

Itwasastonishinghowtheyoungofficerskeptuptheirspirits,frequentlysingingquartetsandgleesamidthepatteringofMiniéballs;andIoftenheardgaypealsoflaughterfromheadquarters,astheofficersthathadspenttheday,andperhapsthenight,previousintheriflepits,

wouldcollecttomakeoutreports.Thiseveningagentlemanvisitedus,and,amongothersongs,sangwordstotheairofthe"MockingBird,"whichIwillwrite:

"'TwasatthesiegeofVicksburg,OfVicksburg,ofVicksburg--'TwasatthesiegeofVicksburg,WhentheParrottshellswerewhistlingthroughtheairListentotheParrottshells--ListentotheParrottshells:



TheParrottshellsarewhistlingthroughtheair.

"Oh!wellwillweremember--Remember--rememberToughmulemeat,June_sans_November,AndtheMiniéballsthatwhistledthroughtheair.ListentotheMiniéballs--ListentotheMiniéballs:TheMiniéballsaresingingintheair."

Songsofeverydescriptionarecomposedinhonorofnarrowescapes,unluckyincidents,bravedeeds,&c.;songs--humorous,pathetic,andtragic--aresungineverymannerofvoice.Sometimeshoarse,withsurprisingloudnessanddepth;again,withrichlymodulatedtonesandmuchsoftvolumeandmelody--allsing,accordingtodifferentlyaccustomedtastes.

Iheard,onenight,asoldierdowntheravinesingingoneoftheweird,melodioushymnsthatnegroesoftensing;and,amidthefiringandcrashingofprojectiles,itfloateduptomeinsoft,musicalundertonesthatwerefascinatingintheextreme:thewailingoftheearthlyunrest--thelongingfortheglorioushomethatthewarmimagerypicturestobegloriousingoldenlightsandsilveryradiance--ofsongandbrillianthappiness!Thevoicewasfullandtriumphant.Thentherapidchange,in

lowandmournfulcadence,totheearth,theclay,themire--todearth,tosuffering,tosin!"Iwonder,Lord,willIevergettoheaven--totheNewJerusalem?"camewiththeendingofeveryverse.Ibowedmyfaceinmyhands.Yes!heavenwassofaroff!Yet--"hethatcomethtome,Iwillinnowisecastout"--ourgraspisfirm,butoureyesareblind.Someday,aftertheearthlylongingsarestilled,wewillknowtheexceedingglory.

Thoughsingingsongsofeverydescription,yethowoftenwearemadetofeelthatanymomentthesummonsmaycome!

Iwassewing,oneday,nearonesideofthecave,wherethebankslopesandlightsuptheroomlikeawindow.NearthisopeningIwassitting,whenIsuddenlyrememberedsomelittlearticleIwishedinanotherpartof

theroom.Crossingtoprocureit,Iwasreturning,whenaMiniéballcamewhizzingthroughtheopening,passedmychair,andfellbeyondit.HadIbeenstillsitting,Ishouldhavestoppedit.ConceivehowspeedilyItookthechairintoanotherpartoftheroom,andsatinit!

CHAPTERXXII.

AWOUNDEDHORSE--SHRAPNELLSHELLS--CHARGEONTHEINTRENCHMENTS--FEARFULFIRING.

OneeveningInoticedoneofthehorsestiedintheravine,actingverystrangely--writhingandstrugglingasifinpain.OneofthesoldierswenttohimandfoundthathewasverybadlywoundedintheflankbyaMiniéball.Thepoorcreature'sagonywasdreadful:hewouldreachhisheadupasfaraspossibleintothetreetowhichhewastied,andclingwithhismouth,whilehisneckandbodyquiveredwiththepain.Everymotion,insteadofbeingviolent,asmosthorseswouldhavebeenwhenwounded,hadastatelygraceofeloquentsufferingthatisindescribable.HowIwantedtogotohimandpatandsoothehim!Thehalterwastakenoff,andhewas



turnedfree.Goingtoatree,heleanedhisbodyagainstit,andmoaned,withhalfclosedeyes,shiveringfrequentlythroughouthishugebody,asifthepainweretoogreattobear.

Then,turninghisheadentirelyaround,hewouldgazeatthegroupofsoldiersthatstoodpityinglynear,asifhewaslookingforhumansympathy.Themasterrefusedtohavehimshot,hopinghewouldrecover;butitmusthavebeenevidentthatthisdaywasthelastofhisstrong,proudlife:thenobleblackwasdoomed.Afterthegentlefaithfulnessofhisservice,itwascrueltoprolonghissuffering:afterthesimplemealsofmulberryleaves,withscarcelysustenanceenoughtomaintainlife,whyshouldthispainandagonybepermittedtorackhisalreadyweakenedbody?Thesetruthsweresetaside,andthemasterlookedwithpity;yet,itseemed,aselfishpity.

Becomingrestlesswiththepain,thepoorbrutestaggeredblindlyon.Andnowmyeyesfillwithtears;forhehasfallen,withawearymoan,betweenthebanksofthelittlerivuletintheravine,hisheadthrownonthesod,andthebright,intelligenteyeturnedstilluponthemenwhohavebeenhiscomradesinmanyabattle,standingstillnearhim.

Poorfellow!--thoselowandfrequentmoansandtremblinglimbstellthemthatdeathhasstrickenyoualready--thatyouarefarbeyondhumansympathy.Inthemidstofallthefallingshells,cannotonereachhim,

givinghimpeaceanddeath?Iseeanaxehandedtooneofthebystanders,andturnsuddenlyawayfromthescene.Thequick,softstroke!Iknowitmustbeover.AgainIlook,andtheglossy,blackbodyisbeingtakenoutfromoursight,tobereplacedbynewsufferings,andtobeforgotteninnewincidents.

Thereisonemissile,wereIasoldier,thatwouldtotallyputmetorout--andthatisashrapnellshell.Onlythosewhohaveheardseveralcomingatatime,explodingnear,andscatteringhundredsofsmallballsaroundthem,cantellhowfearfulthenoisetheymake--awildscream--aclatteringandwhizzingsoundthatneverfailsinstrikingterrortomyheart!Itseemedsometimesthatasmanyasfiftyballsfellimmediatelyaroundourdoor.Icouldhavesentoutatanytime,neartheentranceof

ourcave,andhadabucketfulofballsfromshrapnellandtheMiniérifle,pickedupintheshortestpossibletime.

Oneold,gray-headed,cheerful-heartedsoldier,whomIhadtalkedwithoften,waspassingthroughtheravineforwater,immediatelyoppositeourcave.AMiniéballstruckhiminthelowerpartoftheleg;hecoollystoopeddown,tiedhishandkerchiefaroundit,andpassedon.Soconstantlyfellprojectilesofalldescriptions,thatIbecamealmostindifferenttothem.Onlythehideousnoiseofnumerousshrapnellcouldstartlemenow.Generallyatfouro'clockinthemorningtheshrapnellwerethrownmorefuriouslythanatanyothertimethroughtheday.Ataboutseven,theMiniéballsbeganfalling,accompaniedbyParrott,canister,solidshot,andshrapnellshells;andthrougheveryminutein

thedaythisconstantplayofartilleryandmusketrywaskeptupfromtheFederallines.GeneralPembertonhadorderedtheConfederatebatteriestoremainsilent,unlessparticularordersweregiventofire,oranassaultwasmadeontheworks.

OneafternoonIremembersovividly!OneofthesurgeonsofthestaffwaschattingwithM----,whenIheardarushingandpeculiarsound,asifsomeonewererapidlycuttingthroughtheair,nearandaroundme,withasword.



BoththedoctorandM----sprangtotheirfeet,asthesoundgrewmoreconfused,seemingasifthesuddenrushofavolumeofwaterwaspouringdownthehill.IsawM----turntothedoctorandsay:"They'recoming!"Idarednotaskanyquestions;yet,Iatfirstsupposedtheintrenchmentsweretaken.M----,withoutaword,drewonanothercoatandthrewthelinenonehehadworntome,withalaugh.IsupposeImusthavelookedratherwild;forIcouldnottellorimaginethemeaningoftheconfusingandsingularnoisearoundus.Takinghissword,M----startedimmediately.Ifearedeverymomentthathewouldfall,fortheballsfelllikehail.Iturnedtothedoctor,questioning:"Aretheycomingoverthehill?"Helaughed,andsaid:

"Oh!no;theyareonlymakingachargeontheintrenchments;andtherushingintheairyouhearisthenumeroussmallballsflyingoverus."

Thestrange,bewilderingsoundlastedforsometime.Thedoctorsoontookhisleave,sayingthatthewoundedwouldbebroughtinforhimtoattend.Isatforhalfanhourhearingtheconstantrushingandsurgingaroundme,andthequickdroppingofballs;thegroundtrembledfromthefrequentdischargeoftheConfederatecannon.Whatwaslikelytobetheresult,Icouldnottell;fortheravinebelow,latelysofullofanimation,seemedtobetotallydeserted,savenowandthentherapidgallopofacourierthroughtheshowerofballsalongtheroad.Soontherecameagradualcessation,quietingmoreandmoredowntotheoldintervalofaminute

betweenthedischarges;soonM----camehome,reportingoneortwowoundedandonekilled.Itseemsmiraculoustomethat,amidsuchashowerofballs,sofewpersonsshouldbeinjured.

CHAPTERXXIII.

ANUNHAPPYACCIDENT--THEUNFORTUNATELADIESOFVICKSBURG--APPROACHOFMORTARSHELLSNEARTHEINTRENCHMENTS.

AfewdaysaftertheassaultontheConfederatefortifications,asadaccidentcastagloomoverallthelittlecommunityencampedintheravine--officers,soldiers,andservants:Asoldier,namedHenry,hadnoticedmylittlegirloften,bringingherflowersatonetime,anappleatanother,andagainayoungmockingbird,andhadattachedhertohimmuchbytheselittlekindnesses.Frequently,onseeinghimpass,shewouldcallhisname,andclapherhandsgleefully,asherodethegeneral'shandsomehorseforwater,causinghimtoprancepastthecaveforheramusement.Shecalledmyattentiontohimonemorning,saying:"Omamma,lookatHenny'shorsehowheplays!"Hewasridingasmallblackhorsethatwasexceedinglywild,andstrivingtoaccustomittotherapidevolutionsoftheTexastroops,turninginhissaddletograspsomethingfromtheground,ashemovedspeedilyon.Soonafter,herodethehorse

forwater;andIsawhimreturnandfastenittoatree.

AfterwardIsawhimcomedownthehillopposite,withanunexplodedshrapnelshellinhishand.InafewmomentsIheardaquickexplosionintheravine,followedbyacry--asudden,agonizedcry.Irantotheentrance,andsawacourier,whomIhadnoticedfrequentlypassingby,rollslowlyoverintotherivuletoftheravineandliemotionless,atalittledistance:Henry--oh,poorHenry!--holdingouthismangledarms--thehandstornandhangingfromthebleeding,ghastlywrists--afearfulwoundinhishead--thebloodpouringfromhiswounds.Shot,gasping,wild,he



staggeredaround,cryingpiteously,"Whereareyou,boys?Oboys,whereareyou?Oh,Iamhurt!Iamhurt!Boys,cometome!--cometome!Godhavemercy!AlmightyGod,havemercy!"

Mylittlegirlclungtomydress,saying,"Omamma,poorHenny'skilled!Nowhe'lldie,mamma.Oh,poorHenny!"Icarriedherawayfromthepainfulsight.

MyfirstimpulsewastorundowntothemwiththefewremediesIpossessed.ThenIthoughtofthecrowdofsoldiersaroundthemen;andifM----shouldcomeandseemethere--theonlylady--hemightthinkIdidwrong;soIsentmyservant,withcamphorandotherslightremediesIpossessed,andturnedintomycave,withasickenedheart.

Inafewmoments,thelitterspassby,goingtowardthehospital,thebloodstreamingfromthatofHenry,whostillmoanedandcried"fortheboystocometohim,"and"forGodtopityhim."

Buttheotherborethestill,motionlessbodyoftheyoungcourier,who,inthestrengthofhislife,hadbeensosuddenlystricken.Itseemsthatthetwomenhadbeentryingtotakeoutthescrewfromanunexplodedshellforthepurposeofsecuringthepowder;inturningit,thefusehadbecomeignited,communicatingthefiretothepowder,andthefatalexplosionensued.

Henryhadbeenstruckintheheadbyafragment--hishandstornfromhisarms;oneortwofragmentshadalsolodgedinhisbody.Thecourierhadbeenstruckintwoplacesinhishead,andanumberofballshadenteredhisbody.Poorsoldier!hismotherlivedinYazooCity;andhewasheronlyson.Sonearwasshe,yetunabletoholdhisheadandsetthesealofherloveonhislipserethebreathfledfromthemforever!Heliveduntilthesunwentdown,speakingnoword--makingnomoan;onlythequicklydrawnbreathtoldthatlifestillflickeredinthemangledbody.Henrydied,also,thatnight,stillunconsciousofthesorrowfulcomradesaroundhisbed--stillcallingonGodtopityhim.

Afterthebodiesofthewoundedmenhadbeencarriedaway,weheardloud

wailingsandcriesinthedirectionofthecity.Iwastoldanegrowoman,inwalkingthroughtheyard,hadbeenstruckbyafragmentofshell,andinstantlykilled.ThescreamsofthewomenofVicksburgwerethesaddestIhaveeverheard.Thewailingsoverthedeadseemedfullofaheart-sickagony.Icannotattempttodescribethethrillofpity,mingledwithfear,thatpiercedmysoul,assuddenlyvibratingthroughtheairwouldcomethesesorrowfulshrieks!--thesepitifulmoans!--sometimesalmostsimultaneouslywiththeexplosionofashell.Thisanguishoverthedeadandwoundedwasparticularlylowandmournful,perhapsfromthedepression.Manywomenwereutterlysickthroughconstantfearandapprehension.Itisstrangethattheladieswerealmostconstantlyincaves,andyet,didonegooutforashorttime,shewasalmostcertaintobewounded;whiletheofficersandsoldiersrodeandwalkedabout,with

verylittledestructionoflifeensuing.

Anofficerwastellingmeoftwosoldiersnearhiscamp,whohadbeenseverelywoundedbyMiniéballs--oneshotthroughthehandandlung;theotherthroughtheside.

Anewcauseforapprehensioncametomeaboutthistime:themortarboatswereendeavoringtothrowtheirbombsasfarastheintrenchments,andalmostsucceeded.Icouldseethematnightfallingneartheoppositehill;andIwasinaconstantstateoftrepidation,lesttheyshouldbe



caststillnearerus.Afterwitnessingthebrilliantstreamsoflightthattheycreatedintheheavens,onenight,andfeelingrepeatedlythankfulthattheyalwaysfellshortofthehillweinhabited,Igraduallygrewsleepyinutterloneliness,forM----seldomfinishedreceivingreportsuntileleven.Iwearilyturnedtothelittlemattressonthefloor,saidmyprayers,andretired.Ihadbeensleepingsometime,forthemoonwasshiningbrightly,whenIwasawakenedbyloudcriesandscreams:"Whereshallwego?Oh!whereshallwego?"Myimmediateconclusionwasthatsomewomanhadbeenkilledorwounded,aseverynowandthenIcouldseethemortarshellsdroppingonthehillopposite.IthereforethoughtthatIhadbeensparedinVicksburg,aslongasIreasonablycouldhope,fromthevarietyofchangesthroughwhichIhadpassed;andimmediatelyIwasseizedwithaseverepanic.Ifshellshadnotbeenfallingfromthebattlefieldalso,IfearIshouldhavestartedinthatdirection--sogreatwasmydreadofthemortars!--andrun,Icarednotwhere,outoftheirrange.

ButthecounteraweofParrottshellskeptmewhereIwas.Isatupinbedinafearfulstateofexcitement;calledM----againandagain,withouttheslightestresponse;atlast,asleepilyuttered"Whatisthematter?"gavemeanopportunityofinforminghimthatwewouldallbekilled,andtellinghim,whilethecoldmoistureoffearbrokeoutovermyforehead,thatthemortarshellswerenearerthanever,andthatthenextonewouldprobablyfalluponourcave.Awakenedatlasttomydistressedstateofmind,andhearingmesaythatIknewsomewomanhadbeenkilled,hegot

up,dressed,tookuphiscap,andwentouttoseewhathadhappened,tellingmehewouldreturnshortly--lookingback,laughingashewent,andsayingtomethatIwasfearfullydemoralizedforsogoodasoldier.Hesoonreturned,tellingmethatanegromanhadbeenkilledattheentranceofacavealittlebeyondus,towardthecity;thathismistress,wife,andtheyoungladiesofthefamilywereverybadlyfrightened,havingtakenrefugeintheadjutant'soffice.

CHAPTERXXIV.

DEATHOFAFAITHFULSERVANT--BLOWINGUPOFAFORT--LOSSOFPROMINENTOFFICERS--SURRENDEROFVICKSBURG.

Thenextday,thefamilywereinviteduptoourcave;andtheladytoldme,withtears,ofthedeathofthefaithfuloldman,whohadservedhermotherbeforeher.Themorningofthedayhedied,hecalledhertohim,andsaid:"Mistess,IfeellikeIain'tgwin'tolivemuchlonger.Tellyoungmaster,whenyouseehim,thatI'vebeenprayingforhimdisday;tellhimitsmitesmyheartmightilytothinkIwon'tseehisyoungfacedisdaywiththechildern.Pleasetelltheyoungfolks,mistess,tocome;andletmepraywiththem.""Oh!uncle!"themistressanswered,"don'ttalkthatway;youwilllivemanyyearsyet,Ihope."Theyoungladies

werecalled,andknelt,whileheprayedforthemandallheloved,shakinghandswiththem,andspeakingtoeachoneseparately,astheyleft.Hiscavewasnexthismistress's.Thatnighthesatsmokinghispipeneartheentrance,whenamortarshell,explodingnear,sentafragmentintotheoldman'sside,rendingitopen,andtearingawayhiship.Helivedafewmoments,andwascarriedintothecave.Turningtohismistress,whileheshookhishead,hesaid:"Don'tstayhere,mistess.IsaidtheLordwantedme."AndsothegoodoldChristiandied.Whenhehadbreathedhislast,asuddenpanicseizedthem,forshellaftershellfellnearthem;andtheyallran.Someofthegentlemen,hearingthemcry,



broughtthemtoheadquarters.

Thenextday,thenewscamethatoneofthefortstotheleftofushadbeenunderminedandblownup,killingsixtymen;thenofthedeathofthegallantColonelIrwin,ofMissouri;andagain,thenextday,ofthedeathofthebraveoldGeneralGreen,ofMissouri.

Wewerenowswiftlynearingtheendofoursiegelife:therationshadnearlyallbeengivenout.ForthelastfewdaysIhadbeensick;stillItriedtoovercomethelanguidfeelingofutterprostration.Mylittleonehadswunginherhammock,reducedinstrength,withalowfeverflushinginherface.M----wasallanxiety,Icouldplainlysee.Asoldierbroughtup,onemorning,alittlejaybird,asaplaythingforthechild.Afterplayingwithitforashorttime,sheturnedwearilyaway."MissMary,"saidtheservant,"she'shungry;letmemakehersomesoupfromthebird."AtfirstIrefused:thepoorlittleplaythingshouldnotdie;then,asIthoughtofthechild,Ihalfconsented.Withtheutmosthaste,Cinthdisappeared;andthenexttimesheappeared,itwaswithacupofsoup,andalittleplate,onwhichlaythewhitemeatofthepoorlittlebird.

OnSaturdayapainfulcalmprevailed:therehadbeenatruceproclaimed;andsolonghadtheconstantfiringbeenkeptup,thatthestillnessnowwasabsolutelyoppressive.

Atteno'clockGeneralBowenpassedby,dressedinfulluniform,accompaniedbyColonelMontgomery,andprecededbyacourierbearingawhiteflag.M----cameby,andaskedmeifIwouldliketowalkout;soIputonmybonnetandsulliedforthbeyondtheterrace,forthefirsttimesinceIentered.Onthehillaboveus,theearthwasliterallycoveredwithfragmentsofshell--Parrott,shrapnell,canister;besidesleadinallshapesandforms,andalongkindofsolidshot,shapedlikeasmallParrottshell.Miniéballslayineverydirection,flattened,dented,andbentfromthecontactwithtreesandpiecesofwoodintheirflight.Thegrassseemeddeadened--thegroundploughedintofurrowsinmanyplaces;whilescatteredoverall,likegiants'pepper,innumberlessquantity,weretheshrapnellballs.

Icouldnowseehowveryneartotheriflepitsmycavelay:onlyasmallravinebetweenthetwohillsseparatedus.Inabouttwohours,GeneralBowenreturned.Nooneknew,orseemedtoknow,whyatrucehadbeenmade;butallbelievedthatatreatyofsurrenderwaspending.Nothingwastalkedaboutamongtheofficersbuttheall-engrossingtheme.Manywishedtocuttheirwayoutandmaketherisktheirown;butIsecretlyhopedthatnosuchbloodyhazardwouldbeattempted.

Thenextmorning,M----cameup,withapaleface,saying:"It'sallover!Thewhiteflagfloatsfromourforts!Vicksburghassurrendered!"

Heputonhisuniformcoat,silentlybuckledonhissword,andpreparedto

takeoutthemen,todeliveruptheirarmsinfrontofthefortification.

Ifeltastrangeunrest,thequietofthedaywassounnatural.IwalkedupanddownthecaveuntilM----returned.Thedaywasextremelywarm;andhecamewithaviolentheadache.HetoldmethattheFederaltroopshadactedsplendidly;theywerestationedoppositetheplacewheretheConfederatetroopsmarchedupandstackedtheirarms;andtheyseemedtofeelsorryforthepoorfellowswhohaddefendedtheplaceforsolongatime.Fardifferentfromwhathehadexpected,notajeerortauntcamefromanyoneoftheFederalsoldiers.Occasionally,acheerwouldbe



heard;butthemajorityseemedtoregardthepoorunsuccessfulsoldierswithageneroussympathy.

Afterthesurrender,theoldgray-headedsoldier,inpassingonthehillnearthecave,stopped,and,touchinghishat,said:

"It'sasaddaythis,madam;Ilittlethoughtwe'dcometoit,whenwefirststoppedintheintrenchments.Ihopeyou'llyetbehappy,madam,afterallthetroubleyou'veseen."

TowhichImentallyresponded,"Amen."

Thepoor,hunchbacksoldier,whohadbeensick,andwho,athomeinSouthernMissouri,isworthamillionofdollars,Ihavebeentold,yetwithinVicksburghasbeennearlystarved,walkedoutto-dayinthepleasantair,forthefirsttimeformanydays.

IstoodinthedoorwayandcaughtmyfirstsightoftheFederaluniformsincethesurrender.Thatafternoontheroadwasfilledwiththem,walkingabout,lookingatthefortsandtheheadquarterhorses:wagonsalsofilledtheroad,drawnbythehandsomeUnitedStateshorses.PoorM----,afterkeepinghishorseuponmulberryleavesduringtheforty-eightdays,sawhimnomore!Afterthesurrenderintheevening,Georgerodeintothecityonhismule:thinkingto"shine,"asthenegroessay,herodeM----'s

handsome,silver-mounteddragoon-saddle.Icouldnothelplaughingwhenhereturned,withasorryface,reportinghimselfsafe,butthesaddlegone.M----questionedandrequestionedhim,aghastathisloss;forasaddlewasavaluablearticleinourlittlecommunity;andGeorge,whofeltasbadlyasanyone,said:"ImetaYankee,whotoldme:'Gitdownoffdatmule;I'mgwin'tohabdatsaddle.'Isaid:'No;Iain'tgwin'todonosuchthing.'Hetookouthispistol,andIjumpeddown."

SoMisterGeorgebroughtbacktoM----asaddlethatbetterbefittedhismulethantheoneherodeoffon--amuchworn,commonaffair,madeofwood.IfeltsorryforM----.ThateveningGeorgebroughtevilnewsagain:anotherhorsehadbeentaken.Hisremaininghorseandhisonlysaddlefinishedthenewsoftheday.

Thenextmorning,Monday,asIwaspassingthroughthecave,Isawsomethingstirringatthebaseofoneofthesupportsoftheroof:takingasecondlook,Ibeheldalargesnakecurledbetweentheearthandtheuprightpost.IwentoutquicklyandsentoneoftheservantsforM----,who,comingupimmediately,tookuphisswordandfastenedoneofthefoldsofthereptiletothepost.Itgaveonequickdarttowardhim,withopenjaws.Fortunately,thelengthoftheswordwasgreaterthantheupperlengthofbody;andthesnakefelltotheearthafewinchesfromM----,whosethisheelfirmlyonit,andseveredtheheadfromthebodywiththesword.Ihaveneverseensolargeasnake;itwasfullyaslargeroundthebodyasthebowlofagood-sizedglasstumbler,andovertwoyardslong.

CHAPTERXXV.

AFRIGHT--GEORGEMYPROTECTOR--APOLITESOLDIERGETSTHETENTFLY.

Intheafternoon,M----wentintothecity,withsomeoftheofficers,tomakearrangementsforme.Iwasmuchamused,thoughIdidnotletthemsee



it,astheysetoffontheirpoormulberry-fedhorses.M----hadbeenpresentedbysomeone,afterthelossofhishorse,withalittle,lame,subdued-lookinganimal,towhomfoodofanykindseemedararity;andthepoorhorseambledalongasifheconsideredhisweightagreataffliction.Ourwholelittlehouseholdhadbeendrawnouttowitnessthedepartureofthebrilliant(?)cavalcade.

Afterward,asIsatwithabookattheentrance,Iheardsteps,and,lookingup,Isawalarge,burlynegro,withamostdisagreeableface,dressedinFederaluniform,andarmed,comingupthelittlepaththatledtothecave.Asheadvancedtowardme,Isprangtomyfeet;butGeorge,whowasluckilynear,crossedoverfromthe"sassafrasbed,"carvingknifeinhand,withwhichhewasdiggingsomeoftheroot.Standingbetweenus,hesaid:"Whereareyougwin',oldman?""Noneyourbusiness,"hereturned,pausingamoment.Iwasjustonthepointofcallingforsomeofthegentlemenatheadquarters,whenheturnedandwentroundthecaveonthehill."I'llmakedisknifeshowyouwhat'syourbusiness,"growledGeorge.PoorGeorge!hehadbeenmyfaithfuldefenderthroughoutallmyvicissitudesinVicksburg.

Soonafter,Georgecametomeinagreatstateofexcitement,andsaid:"Oh!MissMary,aYankeesoldierwasjustgoingwithourtentflyfromthetopofthecave,andImadehimstopandleaveit."AFederalsoldiercamedownthesideofthehill,stopped,andtookmylittledaughter'shandand

saidsomepleasantwordstoher;turnedtome,touchinghishat,withasmile,andsaid,"Goodmorning."Ibowedinreturn,whilealuckythoughtcametome:Herewasakind-hearted,politesoldier;whynotlethimtakethetentfly,intheplaceofsomeundeservingman?SoIsaid:"Soldier,wouldyoulikeatentfly?"Heanswered:"Oh!yes,madam;Iwouldlikeoneverymuch."SoIsentGeorgetogetitforhim.Heexpressedhimselfverygrateful--dislikedtotakeit,fearfulofrobbingus;butIassuredhimhewaswelcome;soheagainbademegoodmorning,andcarriedoffhisacquisition.

TheConfederatetroopswerebeingmarchedintoVicksburgtotaketheparolethatthetermsofthetreatyofsurrenderdemanded.Inafewdaystheywouldleavethecitytheyhadheldsolong.

OnFridaytheybegantheirmarchtowardtheSouth;andonSaturdaypoorGeorgecametome,andsaidhehadputonapairofbluepants,and,thinkingtheywouldtakehimforaFederalsoldier,hadtriedtoslipthroughafterM----,buthewasturnedback;sohecame,beggingmetotryandgethimapass:theeffortwasmade;andtothisdayIdonotknowwhetherheeverreachedM----ornot.

Saturdayevening,Vicksburg,withherterracedhills--withherpleasanthomesandsadmemories,passedfrommyviewinthegatheringtwilight--passed,buttheriverflowedonthesame,andthestarsshoneoutwiththesamecalmlight!Butthemanyeyes--OVicksburg!--thathavegazedonthyterracedhills--onthygreenandsunnygardens--ontheflow

oftheriver--thecalmofthestars--thoseeyes!howmanythouhastclosedontheworldforever!

LETTERS_OFTRIALANDTRAVEL_.



LETTERS.

GAYOSOHOUSE,MEMPHIS,_April,1862_.

MYDEARJ----:

Iamjustinfromdinner;andyouwouldbeamusedtoseethedifferentfaces--Imightaswellsaythedifferentappetites;fortheArmyofMissouriandArkansashavebeenundergoingrigorousfastsoflate;andthelittleepisodeofthebattleofElkhornandtheconsequentprivationshavehelpednotalittlethegauntappearanceofthesemilitarycharacters.Alleat,eatrapidly;fromGeneralV----D----downtothesmallestlieutenant,whosemannerofplayingtheepicureoverthedifferentdishesordered,isastudy.Theconfidentialconsultationswiththewaiteroverthem,togetherwiththeknowingunconsciousnessofbestowinghissmallchange,almostconvincesmethatheisabrigadier-general,oracolonel,atleast.Youseestreaminginconstantlythistideofhumanbeings,toeat,stareattheladies,talk,andordermuchwineintheexcitementofmilitaryanecdotes;foryoumustunderstandthatacivilianisa"raraavis"amidthebrilliantuniformsofthediningroom.Yet,amidallthismassandhugecrowd,themajorityarepolishedgentlemen,whohaveevidentlyseenmuchoftheworld,andwhoaremenofpurposeand

character.GeneralV----D----andstaffsitnotfarfromme--lookedatratherjealouslybytheMissourians,asrankingandcommandingthemovertheirfavoritegeneral.Yet,healwaystreatstheoldgeneralwiththeutmostconsiderationandcourtesy.OntheothersidesitsGeneralP----,withhiskind,benevolentface.Thepooroldgentlemanfindsatthetablehislightestreservesbecomehisheaviestforces:nearlyallhisstaffareabouthim.

And,asIsithalfamusedattheexpressionofsomefaces,andthinkingdeeplyofthemute,yetdeterminedimpressofcharacteronothers,twogentlemencomein--oneinplaincitizen'sclothing,withheavyblack

beardandhighforehead--withstoopinggaitandhandsbehindhim.IamtoldheisGovernorJ----,ofMissouri.Hisfacepuzzlesme--itisthoughtfulandsingular.Byhisside,withtall,lithe,slenderfigure,fullyerect,walksGeneralJ----T----.Youwillscarcelythinkitpossiblethatthisistheso-frequentlytalkedofJ----T----.Ithoughthimanordinaryman,didnotyou?Yet,thisisanythingbutanordinaryman.Thekeendarkeyesweepstheroomasheenters,takingusallinataglance--aquick,daring,decisive,resoluteface.Icanmakenothingmoreoutofhim.Yet,thereismoreofthoughtandintellectthanyouseeatfirst.Heisdressedinfulluniform,withswordandsash,andhasquiteamilitaryair.

TherearemanySaintLouisianshere;youseethemscatteredaroundthe

tablesquiteplentifully.GeneralC----isamongthenumber.Hesitsatsomedistance,andlooksquitewornandsad.Youknow--doyounot?--thatheisthefatherofyoungChurchillClark,whowaskilledatElkhorn.HaveIevertoldyouhishistory?Itisthis:HegraduatedatWestPointinthecommencementofthewar;andknowingandhavingagreatadmirationforGeneralP----,hejoinedhimatonce:hewasputincommandofsomeartillery;andshowinghimselfayouthofcourageandability--forhewasonlytwentyyearsold--hiscommandwasincreased.Throughouttheconstanttrialsandsufferingsofthecampaign,heshowedhimselfequalincourage,daring,andjudgment,tomanyolderheads.Hewasparticularlybelovedby



GeneralP----.AtElkhorn,asever,hisbatterysustaineditselfwithcoolnessandbravery.Asthegeneralrodeby,hesaidsomecheeringwordstoyoungClark,whotookoffhiscapandwavedit,saying,"General,wewillholdourown,"orwordstothateffect,whenaballspedfromtheenemy,andcrashedintheyoung,ardentbrainashespoke.

Ihavebeentoldthatthegeneralwasaffectedtotears.Hekneltbyhisside,vainlyseekingforsometraceofthestrong,younglife,butthepulseswerestilledforever;andChurchillClarklayastiffenedcorpseinthelong,wetgrassatElkhorn.Andsohisfathersitssilentandalone,andallrespectthegriefthatnonecanassuage.

Inafewdaysweleave.ThegentlemenallgotoCorinth,whereabattle,inallprobability,willtakeplacebeforelong.FortPillowcanhardlyholdout,underthedailybombardmentthatwehearfromthegunboats;andifitfalls,Memphis,ontakingleaveoftheConfederateofficers,willusherintheFederaltoquartersintheGayoso.

Adieu.

MEMPHIS,_April_.

DEARJ----:

AgainIwriteyoufromtheGayosoHouse,whichstillteemswithMissourians,andmanyladies--somefewfromSt.Louis.GeneralP----'sparlorisfilledwithladiesfrommorninguntilnight.Ihavebeentoldthatononeoccasionsomeladies,whowerethereverseofbeautiful,werecomingintoseehim,whenheturnedtooneofhisstaffofficers,andtoldhimthatitwashisdutytoassisthim--thatherewasanopportunity:hemustkisstheseladiesforhim;buttheofficerwaspolitelydeafuntiltoolate.

Itisastonishingtoseehowladiesdoflocktoseetheoldgeneral;and

allkisshim,asamatterofcourse.IrodeouttothecampoftheMissourianswithM----,afewmorningssince.Itispleasantlysituatednearthebankoftheriver.Themenseemtobeingoodspirits;althoughmovingthemacrosstheMississippihasbeenanunpopularact.ThepoorfellowsarebeingtakenouttoCorinthasfastastransportationcanbefurnishedthem.Thecomplimentispaidthemofbeingplacedinthemostdangerousposition;forwedailyexpectanattackfromtheFederalforcesonCorinth.

Wouldyouliketoseethoseyoulovecomplimentedinthisway?YoucanformnoideaoftheloveanddevotionshownbytheMissouritroopsfortheirgeneral.Ihappenedtobestandingnearawindowattheendofthehall,lastevening,assomeregimentspassedbytheGayosoontheirway

outtothedepot,boundforCorinth.GeneralP----stoodoutontheverandaastheypassedby,andshoutsandcheersfortheoldgeneralandMissourirenttheair.

GeneralJ----T----calledonmethismorning,andamusedmemuchwithsomeofhisadventuresinMissourilastwinter;amongothers,hetoldusofhisdashintothelittletownofCommerceforfood.Hismenwereorderedtotakeacertainamount,laydownthemoney,andleave.Ashesatonasmallhorse,waitingforthem,outcamethe"heroineofCommerce,"ashecalledthelady.Ihaveforgottenhername;yet,Ithinkitwas



O'Sullivan.Shewalkeduptothegeneral,shookherclenchedhandinhisface,andtoldhimhewasarobberandascoundrel.Herhusbandpulledherbythearmandtriedtomakeherdesist;butshewasdeaftohisentreaties,standingpartofthetimeononesideofthelittlehorse,andpartofthetimeontheother;first,shakingherclenchedhandathim,andthenstanding,witharmsfolded,callinghimallmannerofnames.SomeoftheofficerswishedGeneralT----tohaveherconfinedtoherownhouseuntilhisdeparture;buthelaughed,andsaid:"No;letheralone."Shestillcontinuedhoveringaroundhim,threateningandtalking.

Hesaid:"Oh!Mrs.O'Sullivan,youareamodestwoman--averymodestwoman.Madam,don'tyouthinkyourhousestandsinneedofyou?"Powerlessfelltheirony:whereverhewent,hewasfollowedbythepersistentMrs.O'Sullivan;stopwherehewould,Mrs.O'Sullivanwasbyhisside,muchtotheamusementofhisfollowers;gowherehewould,uproseMrs.O'Sullivanunexpectedlyatcorners--red-facedandbitter--alwaysinthesamebelligerent,defiantstate.

Asteamboatwasseencomingdowntheriver.GeneralT----orderedhismentohidebehindawoodpileuntilitcameup,expectingtogetsuppliesfromit.Whentheythoughtthemselvesdisposedoutofsight,GeneralT----raisedhiseyes,andbehold!somelittledistanceuptheriver,stoodtheinevitableMrs.O'Sullivan,violentlygesticulatingtotheboat,andcrying,"Turn,turn!J----T----ishere;"atthesametimewavingher

apronandsunbonnet,inquiteafranticmanner.Theboatturnedindeed;andalthoughtheschemefailed,behindthewoodpilesatGeneralT----,chagrinedatthefailure,yetlaughingmostheartilyattheattitudeand _mal-à-propos_appearanceofMrs.O'Sullivan.

Thehoteliscrowdedwithmilitarymen:manywoundedatthelatebattleofShiloh,goingaroundwitharmsinslings;otherssupportedbycrutches.Theladiesareseeminglyhavingaverygaytime:thehallsarefilledwithpromenaders,andtheparlorswithgayyoungcouples,music,andlaughter.

Yet,asuddensurprisehascometoall:NewOrleanshasfallen--anunexpectedblowtomostoftheSouthernofficers.Icannotbutthink,asIseeallthelifeandbustlearoundme,ofthedifferentscenesaweekor

twohence,whenthefearfulbattleofCorinthwillhavetakenplace.Howmanythatarenowhappyandfulloflife,lookingforwardwithconfidencetothelaurelsthatmaybewon,beforethestruggleisoverwillbesilentforeverindeath!or,worse,perhapslamedandmaimedforlife!GeneralBeauregard'sworksaresaidtobefine;yet,theFederalapproachesaresaidtobegreatlysuperior.

Myhusbandgoesto-morrowtoCorinth;andIwillgotoO----,Miss.,toawaittheresultofwhatallseemtothinkwillbeamostbloodystruggle.IwillwriteonreachingO----;untilthen,farewell.

O----,_May1st_.

Theexpectedbattlehasnotyetcomeoff,andIamstillawaitingtheresult;busyingmyselfaboutmanythings,visitingandreturningvisitsfrommyoldfriends;dividingmytimebetweentheworldandthehospital,thelightsandshadesoflife.Ah,theshades!MydearJ----,youcanlittleimaginehowmuchsufferingIhavewitnessedinthelastfewweeks--howmuch,thatactsorkindwordshavenopowertomitigate.TherehavebeenmanywoundedbroughtinfromCorinth,manywhohavediedsince



theirarrival,manywhowilldie;but,saddestofall,ayoungboy,tooyoungtobeasoldier,yetpossessingallasoldier'sspirit.Iwalkedintoaward,onemorning,thatIhadvisitedtheeveningbefore--awardofverysickpatients--andsawanoldmansittingbyanewcot,fanningayoungboy,wholaywithflushedface,andburningeyesfixedontheceiling.AsIadvancedtowardthem,theweather-bronzedmanstoodstifflyerect,makingmeaquaint,half-awkward,militarysalute,saying,ashedidso,"Myboy,ma'am!""Ishewounded?"Iasked.Hethrewbackthesheetthatcoveredhim,pointedtothestumpofalimbamputatednearthethigh:"Hehasgainedthecross,"hesaid,whilehisheadgrewmoreerect,asheheldbackthesheetwiththefan,andhiseyeshotoutthegrimghostofasmile.

Aproud,ironsoldierthemanwas,Icouldsee.Theboywasdelirious;soIshalltellyouoftheman.Refusingtobeseatedaslongasaladyremainedstandingintheroom,hestoodstifflyuprightattheheadofthecot,keepingeachflyfromthefaceoftheboywiththetendernessofamother.Alimpbrownhatwasonthesideofhishead,shadinghiseyes,thatfollowedmeinallpartsoftheroom.Aredcordandtasselhungfromonesideofhishat,andgavehimajauntyairthatwasquiteoutofkeepingwiththequaintstiffnessofhismanner.Afterspeakingtothesickandwoundedsoldiersaround,askingaftertheirwoundsandwants,Ireturnedtotheyoungboy'scot,andheardtheoldman'sstory.Don'tbewearyifIgiveittoyou;hehadsomuchprideinhisboy,letthatbemy

extenuation."WebelongtotheTexasRangers,ma'am,theboyandme;hecouldrideaswellastherestofthem,ma'am,ayearago.Whenthewarbrokeout,andwepractisedregularlylike,hewasthebestriderinthecompany--couldpickanythinghewantedoffthegroundashewasgoing.He'sonlyfourteen,ma'am--afine-grownlad,indeed.HismotherwasthelikeliestwomanIeverseed,"withadeprecatingbowtome;"he'sgothereyes--thefinesteyesGodevermade,shehad,ma'am.Shediedwhenquiteyounglike,leavinghimtome,alittleshaver,andhe'sbeenbymeeversince.Theboysandmetriedtooverpersuadehimoutofthearmy;'pearedlikehewastooyoungforsuchbusiness;buthewouldn'theartoit,nothe,ma'am,andhereheis,"passinghissleeveacrosshiseyes.

"Well,ma'am,sohestaidwithus;andwhenwegottoCorinth,GeneralBeauregardofferedacrossofhonortotheonesthatshowedthemselvesthebestsoldiers.Soourboystalkedaheapaboutwho'dgetit;butthisboysaysnothing.Well,onedaywewereorderedouttoscout,andwecameupwiththeYankees,andwefit'emahalfhourorso,whenIseedthisyoungsterbymysidekindadroopingbyatree,butstandinghisground.Well,weroutedthematlast,whenIfoundtheboy'slegwasallshattered,andhe'dkeptuplikenothingwan'tthematter.SowhenwewentbacktoCorinth,itgotnoisedaboutlikefromthesoldierstotheofficers--howhe'dheldout.And,more'nall,thetimewhenhislegwasbeingcutoff,wecouldn'tgetanychloroform,morphine,orthelike:hejustsituplikeabravelad,andoffitwent,withoutawordoutofhim.

Sothedoctorstheytalkedofthat;andhe'sbeennotifiedthathe'llgetthefirstcross,andtheboys'llbemonstrousfondofhim,andfeelmostlikethey'dgotitthemselves.Ifhe'dgetridofhisfeverandpickuplike,I'dbeahappyman,"hesaidanxiously.

PardonmedoItireyou;butletmetakeyoutovisitthesickprisoners.Theoldmanthatwepassinthehall,withhisarmandleginaframe,willneverrecover;yethedoesnotknowit,andfrequentlyasksmeifIthinkhewillgetapensionwhenheiswell,ifheloseshislegandarm.Hepersistsinkeepinghisfacecoveredwithahandkerchief,raisingitup



andpeepingout,ifhehearsmyvoice,eachday,withhisusualsalutation:"You'vecome,haveye?"IfIbringanylittlearticleoffoodthatIthinkthepatientswillrelish,thisoldmanmustbefedbyme,andIamfrequentlyamusedatthedirectionshegivesme,forheisextremelypracticalandparticular:"Now,ifyouwillturnthespoonalittletooneside,Iwillturnmymouthinthisdirection,andthecustardwillpasssafelyin."Poorman,withoutafriend,botharmsbadlywounded,andlegshattered,dyingbydegrees,yettothelastthehandkerchiefwouldberaised,andthecheerywelcomegreetme,"Ye'recome,haveye?"

IthinkIcanseeyoulookingaroundinthiswardtolearnwhicharetheprisoners,forallseemcheerfulandtalkative.Inthiscotbythedoor,withawoundedlimbinaframe--likeahugelion--liesaman,largewhiskered,largebodied,andlonglimbed,yetwithapleasantsmileofgreetingasweenterandmakeourinquiriesafterhiswound.Heis"betterthismorning,thankyou,"or,"Iamobligedtoyou,notquitesowell."Alittlepictureonthetablebyhisside,ofachildthreeyearsofage,isneverclosed.Alittlechild,blueeyed,withbarewhiteneck,andplumproundarms,showingthemother'swishthatthepictureshouldbefairandlovelytothefather'seye.TheFederalflagisonthecover.Theman,acaptain,isofanIllinoiscompany.Thechildandmother,withtearfuleyesandwistfulhearts,lookoverthewideexpanseoflandandwaterthatseparates,overthecruelboundsthatmanhasset--stillfaithfulintheir

love.Stillwatching,andhoping,forthetimewhenlibertywillbehis,andhe,constantandtrue,willreturntothem.Hetellsmethenameofthelittleone,withasorrowfullookatmewithhisdarkeye.Ifheisfree,ifheeverseesthesewords,hewillrememberhowthelittleonewasgazedonbyaladyindeepmourning,towhoseheartachildofthreeyearsbroughtasadandtearfulmemory.

Cometothenextcotwithme;donotshrinkfromthisblackenedbrow.Yesterdaythiswasanoble-faced,gray-haired,oldConfederatesoldier,withtheplaintive,lovelysmileofperfectresignation.Hesuffersmuchfromawoundinhisbody;seldomtalks,yetalwayssmilesgratefullyfortheslightestattention.ThismorningIfindtheerysipelashasbrokenout,spreadingoverhisforeheadandapartofhisface.Hecautionsme,

withthesamepleasant,resignedsmile,aboutcomingnearhim,lestItakethedisease.Theblackenedskinisfromtheeffectofiodinetostayitsprogress.Hewillnotlive:dear,patientoldman,myheartachesforhim,yetIcangivehimnothingbutkindwords.

ThismorningIbroughtthemeninthiswardtoast.Theoldmanslept,andIgavetoeachhisportion.Engagedintalkingtoaprisonerinanotherpartoftheroom,IheardtheIllinoisiansay:"Letmedividethistoastwithyou;Idonotneeditall."Iturned,andheardtheoldmanreply:"Oh,no;youkeepit."Iprocuredhistoastandbroughtittohim,laughinglytellingtheprisonerIbelievedIsawthedawnofthemillennium.

Doyounotwish,dearJ----,thatthedawningwasindeedwithus;thatbraveandnoblemenshouldnomoresuffer,bleed,anddie,butlive;andintheirlivesgrowmorethankfulandworthyoftheDivinebloodthathasbeenshedfortheremovalofthefearfulsufferingandwarfarethatisallaroundus?

PardonmeforthelengthoftimeIhavedetainedyou,andremembermeasever,dearJ----,

Yours.



O----,_June,1862_.

Canyoucreditit,dearJ----,GeneralBeauregardhasevacuatedCorinth?Youhavelearneditbythistimethroughthepapers,andsharewithmethesurprise.OurfeelingshavefluctuatedwiththenewsfromCorinthforweeks.First,anengagementwouldprobablyensuethefollowingday.Then,someonehadheardheavyguns,andwassurethatthebattlehadtakenplace.Andthenextday,allquietatCorinth.Butthemostastonishingofall,forwewerepreparedforeverythingbesides,Corinthhasbeenleftquietly;absolutelyleft,andtheFederaltroopsprobablyoccupytheplace.Everyonehassomethingtosayonthesubject,andallaremorebrilliantintheirideasforthereasonthatallhavefullscopetoexercisethem.Noonepossessesreliableinformation,andweareaconjecturingcommunity--gentlemenaswellasladies.Somethingoutofthecommonorderofaffairs,youwillsay.

Butatrucetopolitics,ofwhichIamveryfond,and,likemostwomen,knowverylittleabout.Whyshouldawomanofsensecaretotalkaboutanythingbutdressandherservants?SoIattendedapleasantlittle _soirée_afeweveningssince,gracedbythefairandelegantdaughtersof

GeneralP----,ofTennessee,andtheyoungbrideofJacobJ----'sonlyson,asweetyounggirl.Allwereinfulleveningdress,thoughtheguestswerefew.

Butanovelty,listen:AyoungSpanishbride--abrilliantwoman--dazzledmyeyesfortheevening.Conversingonlyinherbeautifulnationallanguage,shewithanimatedgesturesfascinatesandenlightensonereadilyinrelationtoherthemes.Thenshewarblesmostbeautifully,andonecanscarcelycomplainthatherhighernoteslackinpower,assherisesfromtheinstrument,placingherhandonherheart,sayingbrokenlytheonlyEnglishwordssheismistressof:"Oh!pityme,pity!"withanarchreverencetoheraudience.

Iamtroubledaboutourpoorhospitalpatients,theonethirdofwhomyouhavenotmetwithme,eachhasaseparateindividualitythatinterestsmeexceedingly.ItisfearedthattheFederaltroopswilladvanceonO----,andthepatientswillberemovedtoasaferplacebelow.Iwillbesorrytoseethemleave,poorfellows.TheboythatgainedadoublecrossatCorinthhasclosedhiseyessoftlyandcalmly.Sufferingwillneverdisturbhimmore.Heisdead.Theoldmanhasgonebacktohiscompanywithspasmsofpaininhisheart,ofwhichtheworldwillneverknow.

Letmetellyouoftheman'sdevotion.Theboy'sfeverstillraged,withslighterandslighterintervals.Themedicinefailedtoprocurethedesiredeffect.Thephysicianslookedanxiousastheyapproachedhiscot.Iwantedtotaketheoldman'shandandtellhimoftheFriendinheaven,

fromwhomdeathitselfcanneverseparateus;butafoolishfearwithheldme.Onenightthephysiciansmetaroundthelittlecot,theoldman,asusualwhenotherswerenear,standingstifflyatthehead,yet,withalarmedandburningeyes,intentlyreadingeachface.Asadreading,hopeless--theeyestoldthat,whilethehandsoughtthefaintlybeatingpulse."Doctor,mayItrytosavemyboymyownway?"saidtheoldman,followingthephysicianintothehall."Yes,doasyouchoosewithhim,onlydonotgivehimunnecessarypain."

Inthemorningalargetubofcoldwaterwastakentothewardandplaced



bythesickboy'scot;and,tothedismayofthesoldiersinthebedsaround,theboywasliftedout,woundedashewas,bythestrongandgentlearmsofoneinwhoseeyeshewasmorepreciousthantherarestofdiamondsandgold.Aquickdouse,andhewasrubbedwell,coveredclosely,andsoonsleptsoundly,theperspirationbreakingoutprofuselyforthefirsttimeintwodays.Hewasdecidedlybetter,andtheproudsmileonthefather'sfacewasahappythingtosee.Graduallyhegrewmorefeeble,thefeverreturned,andonemorning,withanachingheart,Isawthecalmnessofdeathintheclosedeyesandmotionlessnostril.Standingattheheadofthebed,hishatdrawnoverhiseyes,hisarmsfoldedinasternandpatientagony,thefatherstoodwatchingyet,mostfaithfully.Icannotexpresstoyouthegriefthatmysympathybrought--thegrief,andconstantlythewords:"Alone!allalone!Myboy!oh,myboy!"

Theladieswishedtohavealargefuneraloverthebrave,youngsoldierbutthephysicianswouldnotconsenttohavinghimburiedintown,sayingthatthesoldierswereallworthyofattention,andthatnodistinctioncouldbeallowed.So,beforehewasburied,Iwentouttothehospitalandlookedmylastontheyoung,deadface,fromwhichalltraceofsufferinghadfled:onlypeaceandrestnowforever!

Painandanguishweremakingadeepimpressonthefaceofthemanbythehead:thedrawnlinesofwatchingandsufferingweremoreevident,aswithastrainedsmile,andalmostagaspofpain,hethankedmeforthe

interestIhadtaken."Everybodyissokind!"hesaid.Hehadgoneintotownthatmorningandpurchasedalittleblackcoat,placingitonthesmallform.Ablackvelvetvest,whitebosom,andthecravattiedoverthewhite,boyishthroat,toldofthetendernessthatshranknotfromthecoldnessofdeath.

"He'slikehismother,ma'am,morethanever,now,"hewhispered,softlydrawingthesheetovertheinanimateform;andturningsquarelyaround,withhisbacktome,Isawhimdrawagainandagainhissleeveacrosshiseyes.Weareborntothishumansorrow;andyetitisanappallingthingtome.Youhaveexpressedaninterestinthesevisitstothewoundedanddying;thereforeIspeak.

Onemorelifethathoversoverthegrave!--onemorewhohassuffered,oh,Icannotexpresstoyouhowmuch!AprisonerfromIowa,belongingtothesecondIowacavalry,wascapturedatFarmington,nearCorinth,shotthroughthebodysobadly,thatverylittlehopewasentertainedofhisrecovery:helingeredsomeweeks,anddwindledfromarobust,heartyman,downtoapooremaciatedbeing--seldomtalking--nevercomplaining,yetsufferingmuch,Icouldsee.

WhenIcame,onemorning,thewardmasterwhisperedasidetomethathehadbeendyingthroughthenight.Ienteredtheward;hiseyesoughtmine,withawistfullook,andbrightenedasIcamenearhisbed.Ismoothedthehairfromhisforehead,moistenedhislips,andthen,takingtheflybrush,resolvedtostaybyhimtothelast.Oh,dearJ----!thosewistful

eyesthatfollowedeverymotionofmine!--thoseanxious,dyingeyes!

Whatwasthepoormotherdoingnow,ofwhomhewhisperedtome?Howlittlesheknewthattheeyesthatweresodear,nowwerelookingtheirlastonthelight!Farawayfromhomeandfriends,amongstrangers,thesoulwasswiftlypassingoutintothegreatseaofeternity,thebrighthopesofwhichsosoftlyregulatethislife-tideofours!--passingout--passingout,withalingeringlookofunfathomablespeech,intomyface;formyfacetoldhimwhatmylipsfalteredindoing!



"IfIcanwritetoyourmotherbeforeyouarefree,whatshallIsay?"

"Youknow,"hewhispered.

"Youareverysick,andGodmaynotspareyourlife;willyousayonelittleprayerafterme?"Andsoafewwordsweresaid,that,withlongpauses,hewhisperedafterme,almostgaspingatthelastword.AndthusbesidehimIsat,thegazefromhiseyesintominegrowingmoreandmoreintense.Itseemedasifhiswholesoulwasdrawnoutinunutterablelanguage.Atlength,thequiveringeyelid,thesoftlyfleetingbreath,ebbingout--yes,ebbingoutsoswiftly!

OFather!givethistriedsoulthyrest,throughthydearSon.

Freeatlast,prisoner!Peacetothysoul!Godgranthispeace!

Myfriend,doyoudreaddeath?Ihaveseenitcomesooftenasarelieffrompainanddistress,thatIcouldnotbutblessit.Donotforgetthatyouaskedforthesedetails;andbelieve,asIwishyoualwaysto,inmyaffection,

Yours.

ItislongsinceIhaveheardfromyou,dearJ----;longsinceIhavewritten.YouwillnoticethatIamagainatO----.Soonafterwritingmylast,theFederaltroopstookpossessionofHollySpringsandthreatenedO----.Thehospitalpatientswereremoved;andIcrossedthecountrytomeetmyhusband,whowasatTupelo.AfterspendingsometimeinPontotoc,IcontinuedontoTupelo,andforsometimeremainedonaplantationsixmilesdistant.MeantimethebattleofIukaoccurred;andthelossofthebraveGeneralLittlewasdeeplyfeltbytheMissourians.Thetroopsreturnedindejection.Shortly,theyweremarchedacrosstoRipley,whereajunctionwasformedwiththetroopsunderGeneralV----D----;andanattackwasmadeonCorinth,inwhichthetroopsbehavedgallantly,butall

tonopurpose:acompleterepulseitproved;andthearmyunderthetwogeneralsnarrowlyescapedcapture.

Thewivesandfamiliesoftheofficerswere,ofcourse,distressedandanxious.Couriersdailycamegallopingintothetown,withthemostconflictingreports.

AtonetimeweheardthattheMissourianswerecompletelycuttopieces;again,thattheywereallcaptured.Oneofthecourierssaidhehadseenmyhusbandlyinginanambulanceashepassed.HowmuchdistressedIwas,youcanimagine.Yet,twodayspassedwearilyalong;andstillnotidings.Theeveningofthesecondday,asIsatinthemoonlightontheportico,Iheardavehiclecomingdowntheroadwithgreatspeed;asitnearedthe

house,Isawthatitwasanambulance.Myworstfearsnowtookshapeandform:M----wounded,perhapsmortallywounded,Ithought;andIranswiftlydownthewalk.Thedrivermetmeatthegate,tellingmethathehadbeensentwithallspeedafterme--thatTupelowouldbeevacuatedduringthenight,andmyhusbandhadwrittentothepostquartermaster,placingmeinhischarge.Ialsohadaletter.Thequartermasterwouldtakemeoverthecountrywiththewagontrainatdaylightinthemorning.Myhusbandwaswell,heansweredtomyfirst,earnestinquiry.

Itwasnownineo'clock;mylittledaughterwasinbedsleepingsoundly.



weretwo:perhapswewereonthewrongone.O----wasfortymilesfromPontotoc;wehadalreadygonenine,andcouldnotnowreturnexpectingtofindourfriends.

TheonlyalternativewastodrivethroughtoO----,whereM----designedmeetingus.So,inanswertothelittleman'squery,"Don'tyouthinkwe'dbetterwhipupandtrytomakeO----bynight?"Isaid,"Yes."Cloudsbegantooverspreadthesky;andIheardmutteringsofthunderinthedistance;stillthesunshoneoutfitfully;andIhopedtherainwouldnotfallnearus.Drivingonwithspeed,wehadproceededbutafewmiles,whentheunmistakableevidencesofastorm,thatwouldsoonburstuponus,convincedmethatasheltermustbesought;where,itwashardtell,fortheroadwetravelledwasalmostdestituteofhouses.Iwasindespair,asthewindwhistledaroundus,drivingineddiestheleavesanddriedgrassabouttheground,andswayinghighandlow,withamoaningsound,thelimbsofthehugeforesttrees.Inmyanxiety,Igraspedatastraw.Iremembered,intravellingthisroadbefore,thatM----hadpointedoutabyroadthroughthewoods,thatledtoLafayetteSprings.Theproprietorknewmyhusband;andIresolvedtotakeacountryroadthatIsawleadinginthedirectionIimaginedtheSpringstobe.Pictureme,J----,ifyoucan,sittingupinthecentreoftheambulance,myservantbymyside,littleJ----betweenus--thelittledriver,meekandresigned,turningwhenIsaidturn,stoppingwhenIsaidstop.Takingastrangeroad,Iknewnotwhere,wedrewnear,atlast,amostunpromising-lookingcabin,the

inhabitantsofwhichfilledthedooratthesoundofwheels--ineveryvarietyofsize--robedinyellowdresses,surmountedbytangledwhiteheads.Theoldlady"knewtharwassomespringssomewharabouts,andreckonedthisroadmightrunthar;"then,resumingherpipe,lookedforconfirmationofthestatementtohereldestdaughter,whosaid:"Yes,shereckoned,theroadwouldtakeusthar,ifwekept'straightahead.'"

"Whipthemules,"Icried,"anddriverapidly;"forthestormwasdarkeningaroundus;andtheambulancejingledachorusthroughthesilent"pinywoods."Largedropswerenowfalling;thewindmoanedandsurgedmournfullythroughthe"barren,"moanedandsweptoverthenarrowroad,whirlingthe"pinepoints"aswepassed;fasterandfasterfelltherain.Ourheavierclothing,shawls,cloaks,&c.,werewiththetrunks:one

lightshawl,inwhichIenvelopedmychild,wasallwepossessedinthisemergency.Theambulancecoverwasdottedwithbulletholes,throughwhichtheraindroppedincoldrelentlessness.Thelittledriverwassufferingmartyrdom:drawnupascloselyaspossible,withhisblanketaroundhim,thewinddrivingtheraininsheetsbetweenhimandthemules,helookedtomeinthemistlikeaninanimate,round,brownball.Soon,theflooroftheambulancefilledsorapidlywithwater,thathethrewhisblanketoverthetopoftheconveyancetokeeptherainfromfallingthrough;thensubsidingagain,theonlysignoflifeaboutthelittlebeingwasthemechanicalprocessofwhippingthemules.

Alittlesideroadpresenteditself,leadingintotheforest,freshlymarkedwithwagontracks.Hearingthebarkingofadognotfardistant,I

orderedthedrivertoturninsearchofahouse.Proceedingaquarterofamile,wecametoanotherlittlecabin.Throughtherain,theweakvoiceofthelittledriverbroughttothedoorawoman,whoinformedusthatLafayetteSpringswerethreemileson"ahead."Highlyelate,thelittlemanturnedtome,and,withagladface,saying,"Verygoodnews,"whippeduphismules;andIfirmlybelievethemanwasnearsighted;forintwominutesmorewewouldhavegoneoffaprecipicethatwasalmosthiddenbythetopsoftreesthatgrewfarbelowatthebase."Stop!"Icried,astheheadsofthemuleswerealmostoverthevergeofthecliff.Thelittlemanmeeklyaskedwhatheshoulddo."Backthemules!"Icried;and,aftera



troublesomedetention,weatlastturnedandfoundourselvesontheroadagain."Weliketohadarightsmarttimethar,"saidthelittlemantome."Wedid,indeed,"Ireturned,blandly;forIfearedIhadhurtthepoorman'sfeelingsinspeakingsoquicklyatthatcriticaltime.GladlywereachedtheSpringsthroughthedrivingrain,andwerepleasantlywelcomed.Thelandlorddidallthathecouldformycomfort.

Ihadthepleasureofmeetingafriendwhohadmetmyhusband,andwhotoldmemuchabouttherecentbattle.Thenextmorning,westartedearly.Idetermined,althoughitwasaraw,disagreeablemorning,tobedonewithmylonelywanderings.Wehadgoneaboutfourmiles,shiveringinthedismalmist,whenIheardaquickgallopingalongtheroad.Thecurtainoftheambulancewaslifted--ablithegoodmorninginavoiceIcouldnotmistake:M----wasridingbyourside,askinghowonearthwehadcontrivedtowandersofarofffromourfriends.Icouldanswernothingtothisbantering.Corinth,withallitsbloodyhorrorsthathavebeensovividlybeforemymind,theconstantanxietyIhadfelt,andnowmytribulationswereended--M----inpersonheretotakechargeofus!Icoveredmyfaceandcriedlikeasillychild.Donotblameme;youhaveneverbeenlostinthewoodsinastorm,andfeltthattheresponsibilityofeveryactionrestedwithyou.M----hadbeensentonbusinesstoPontotoc--hadheardofusthereandfollowed,fearingthatwemighthavemetwithsomeaccident.IwillaccompanyM----inafewdaystoHollySprings,whereGeneralsP----,V----D----,andL----areintrenching

withtheirforces.AsIwrite,thesunlightfadesaway;andonlythefadingcrimsonlightliesacrossmypaper.Inclosing,letmeentreatyoutorememberalways,asyouread,myaffectionforyou,

Asever.

HOLLYSPRINGS.

Youwishedmetokeepajournalforyou,dearJ----;butIansweredthatajournalwouldbeadullcompoundofdates,withthreelinessettingforth

thevapidityofmostdays;andIwouldratherwriteeventsastheypassed.Yourepliedthatmylettersmustbevoluminousiftheyweresatisfactory.Doyounotalreadyrepenttheremark?Irejoice,iflengthispleasing,mylettersaresatisfactory.

ThebattleofCorinthwasabloodyfailure.Ohthebloodthathasflowedinthiswonderfulandmostappallingwarfare!--thetearsandthesuffering!Cantherebenothingdonetoassuagethefiercepassionsofmen?Oh!J----,couldyousee,asIhave,thetornandmangledhumanbeingsbroughtfromthefieldofbattle,withloudcriestoGodfordeath!--formercyandfordeath!--you,likeme,wouldaskanxiously,"Cannothingdoawaywiththisdeath?--thisanguish?Cannoappealbemadebywhichpeacemaycometous?"Butwomanweeps,whilemanstrikes!

HollySprings,withitswhiteverandahedhouses,itspleasantgardens,widestreets,andhospitablehomes,isthemostpleasantofSoutherntowns;thoughcrowdedandteemingwithsoldiersandofficers.

Theinhabitantsseemunitingintheeffortstoentertain.GeneralsV----D----,P----,L----,andT----haveeachtheirrespectiveheadquartersinthetown.AweekagoIattendedareviewofthetroopsunderGeneralsL----andT----.Theypresentedafineappearance:mostofthemwerenewlyuniformedandrenovatedfromtheirprisonclothing.GeneralV----D----,



whoiscalledthefinesthorsemaninthearmy,gallopedupanddownthelineonafleet,beautifulblackhorse,followedbyGeneralP----onalargebaythatgallopedheavilyandwithlessspeed.

Thereweremanyladiespresentonhorseback,scatteredaroundthefield,withgenerallyagaygroupofofficerssurroundingthem.DaybeforeyesterdaywerodeouttoalargereviewoftheMissouritroopsunderGeneralP----.Therewerespectatorsfromthewholecountryaround:manycameuponthecarsfromadistance.SuchimperishablerenownhavetheMissouritroopsgainedinthelatebattleofCorinth,thatallareanxioustowitnesstheirreview,andcheerthebravefellowswhohavesufferedsomuch.Althoughdrivenbackandobligedtoretreat,theirgallantstruggleovertworowsofsuperiorfortificationsinthefaceofagallingfire,theSouthernpeoplewillneverforget.

GeneralP----isgreatlybelovedbythepeoplealso;thoughtheheadsoftheGovernmentarestronglyopposedtohim.Itisnatural,ofcourse,thatPresidentDavisshouldsupposearegularlyeducatedmilitarymanwouldbemorelikelytounderstandthescienceofwarthanamanwhohadnotmadeithisstudy.ButwhydoeshecripplesoefficientanofficerasGeneralP----certainlyis,soasalmosttorenderhiminefficient?

TheMissouriansonreviewlookedfreshandlively.GeneralP----,attendedbyhisstaff,stoodnearusinthepause,whilewewaitedthearrivalof

GeneralV----D----.OneofGeneralP----'sstaffofficersstartedacrossthefieldtocarryadespatch,whenhishorse,stumbling,fellonthegrass,rollingthebrilliantlyuniformedgentlemanoverandoveronthesod,muchtotheamusementofthespectators,whocheeredhimlustily.Ifeltsorryforhim;andalthoughsomeofhisfriendsweretalkingtomeatthetime,Icouldscarcelyconcealasmile.Butthemen,who,halfamiledistant,havebeendrawninline,nowwheel,form,andmarcharoundthelittlehillockinthedistance.See,thesunglancesonthebayonetsoftheguns,astheyascend,andincomingdownoverthebrowofthehill,theregularswingofthelineandglanceofthesteelshowthedisciplinetheyhavebeenunder.

Nowtheypassbythegeneral,whositsalittlebehindGeneralV----

D----,andnearGeneralQ----.Amongtheartillery,IsawtheLadyRichardson,capturedandbroughtawayfromCorinth.Astheycomeon,andpassbyGeneralV----D----,theysalute;whichisansweredbyhisraisinghiscaptothecolors,disclosingaproud,youthfulhead,surroundedbycurls.Heisimmediatelybeforeme,andIdonotseehisface,whichismarkedwithdeeplinesIhavenoticedbefore.Intheevening,afterthereview,Iattendedapartygiventothegeneralsherecollected.Thehousewascrowded;thegenerals,withtheirstaffandotherofficers,werethere,andsomeofthelovelyladiesofHollySprings.Thesupperwashandsome.ToastsweredrunktoGeneralsP----andV----D----,andallwentmerry,&c.Butinthemidstofaconversation,anofficertoldmethattheFederalforceswereadvancingonHollySprings,andthatprobablytheConfederateforceswouldevacuatethetowninadayortwo.So,dear

J----,thereisnotellingwhereIwillbewhenIwritenext.

JACKSON.

Iknowyouaresmiling,asyouseeJacksonwrittenattheheadofmyletter--smilingtothinkhowsystematicallyIhavebowedmyselfoutofonetownaftertheother,astheFederaltroopshavebowedthemselvesin;yet



youknowtheoldsaw,"Hethatfights,andrunsaway,"&c.;thoughIcantakenocomfortinthis,asfightinghasbeenmyabominationsincethewarbegan.Ihavealways,inpeacefultimes,hadanadmirationforheroesinbrilliantuniforms,andwouldnow,iftheherocouldpossiblyassuremethatthebrilliantuniformwouldalwaysbefilledwithlife.Buthowcanonefeelapleasureinthegilttrappingsofafriend,whentheyknowthattheymaypossiblyserveasananxiouslysoughttargetforsomesharpshooter.Youdonotwonderatmyquotationinfavorofaretrogrademovementinthisframeofmind,doyou?ForthelastweekortwoIhavepassedfromonestateofexcitementtoanother,sothatIamgladindeedtofindaquietrestingplace.

FromHollySpringsthearmyunderGeneralsV----D----andP----retreatedtoAbbeville,wheretheyremainedstationaryforatime.OnedaytheinhabitantsofO----werealarmedbythedistantboomingofcannon.Agreatexcitementprevailed,andvariousrumorswenttherounds.OnethattheFederaltroopshadreachedtheTallahatchee;anotherthattheyhadcrossed,andabattlewasprogressingbetweentheFederalandConfederateforces.

Thetowngrewwideawake.Wagonspassedandrepassed.Numerousfamilieswereseenwalkingrapidlytowardthedepot,carriagesfilledwithladiesandchildrendrivingswiftlyinthesamedirection.Myfriendswerepreparingtoleavealso.IhadreceivedatelegramfromM----,tellingme

tobeinreadinesstotakemydepartureduringtheafternoon.Mypreparationsweremade.Agentlemancameonthedowntraintoaccompanyme,when,toourgreatdisappointment,passengerswerenotallowedtogoonthetrain,forthehospitalpatientswerealltobetakenoffbeforepassengerscouldbeaccommodated.Myfriendwas,however,byparticularfavor,allowedtorideinabaggagecarwithmytrunks.Thenextday,Sunday,howlittleitseemedliketheSabbath!passengertrainsweretorunifthestorescouldallbetransported.Soanumberoffriends,withmyself,tookourseatsquiteearlyinthecarsatthedepot,andwaitedpatientlyhourafterhour,hearingmostdistractingrumors,untilmypatiencehadbecomenearlyexhausted.

Intheafternoon,greatwasmyjoyonseeingM----enterthecar.Thearmy

wasretreatingfromAbbeville.OurfriendsresolvedtotaketheircarriageandcrossthecountrytoColumbus.M----saidhecouldgetanambulanceforme,butIwouldbeobligedtokeepupwiththearmy,astheFederalforceswerefollowingclosely.Thecarswerevacatedquickly,andIsawthelastofmyfriends.Anambulancecameup,andIwassoonridingrapidlysouthward.Thatnightwestoppedataroadsidehouse.Duringthenextdaythegreaterportionofthearmypassedby,andencampedbelowthehousewewereinforthenight.

Thenextmorningwasgloomy,dark,anddisagreeable.WhileIwaitedforM----tocomewithanambulance,Gen.P----invitedmetoridewithhim.Theroadswereinthemostmiserablecondition,andforatimewedroveonacorduroyroad.

Justimagineme,dearJ----,onacorduroyroad,joltingthroughaswamp,withmychildinmyarms;thegeneraltalkinginthecalmestandmosturbanemanner.Yetthegloomofthedaywasoverme,andIfeltdismallymiserable.Soontherainbegantopourdown.Wewereatthistimeonthehighroad,whichbecameeverymomentworse,fromthetraveloftheartillery,thegreaterportionofwhichwasbeforeus.Immediatelybehindthegeneral'sambulancedrovethecarriageofalady,whohadbeencompelled,likemyself,toabandonthecars.



Howincessantlytherainpoureddown!Nowandthentheambulancewoulddriveonthesideoftheroad,stoppingtolettheinfantrypass.Poorfellows!wetandbegrimedwithmud,ploddingwithblanketsandknapsacksstrappedontheirbacks,andgunsontheirshoulders;troublesomeaccompanimentsatanytime--farmoresonowinthedrivingrain.Atthefootofthehillswewouldfrequentlybeobligedtohalt,sometimesforanhour,awaitingthepassageoftheartilleryoverthebrowoftheascent.TheFederaltroopswerecloseintherear.Thehorsesstrainedandpulled,butthemudwassodeepandheavythatthewheelsbecameclogged,andIlookedanxiouslyup,expectingtoseesomehugecannon,impelledbyitsweight,returntothebaseofthehill.Frequentlythesoldierswouldbeobligedtowadethroughthedeeprutsofmudonthehillside,andgiveanewimpulsetosomewaveringpiece,assistingthehorses,andpushingtheweightygun-carriagewithunitedstrength.

Intherainsatthestaffofficersontheirdrippinghorses;and,givingordersfromtheambulancewindow,theoldgeneralurgedonthemen.Iwonderedatthepatience,thekindnesswithwhichhespoketoall;rapidlyandcheerilytothestaffofficers:"Rideon,andseewhatobstructstheroad;"andinatoneofsympathy,throughtherain,tothestragglingsoldier:"Keepup,men,keepup.""Wecampnear,dowe?"hecalledoutincleartonestotheinspector.Andthemenraisedtheirdroopingheadsandpressedforwardattheencouragementinthewell-knownvoice.Iseethepowerofkindnesswiththesemen,dearJ----.Therearefewgeneral

officersintheConfederacysowell-belovedbytheirmenasGeneralP----,yetheisonlykindandperfectlyjust.

ThatnightwestoppedbeyondWaterValley,atahousewherethepoorhostesstriedtomakeuscomfortable,andgaveusmuchofhercompany,tellingusthatshewas"cousintoStonewallJackson'swifeandHill'swife;"butshe"reckonedtheydidnotknowit,andwouldn'tthinkmuchofit,iftheydid."Shebroughtinalargebaby,andsatdownbythegeneral'sside,tellinghimthatshewasgoingtonamethatbabyafterhim.Thegeneralwasasaffableasusual;butIfrequentlyturnedtothewindowtoconcealmyamusement.

SuddenlyIwasstartledbyherturningquicklytome,andaskingifI

"wouldeverthinkheranykintoStonewallJackson'swifeandHill'swife."Neverhavingseeneitheroftheabove-namedladies,IconscientiouslyansweredIdidnotknowasIshould.

Wakenedbythebuglecallthenextmorning,Ihastilyarose,andinafewmomentswasreadytodepart.Wehadproceededbutfivemileswhenanaid-de-camprodeup,andtoldGeneralP----thatGeneralPembertonwishedhimtoreturntoWaterValleyimmediately,astheFederalforceswerequitenear,andtheConfederatesoldiersmustmakeastand.Wealightedandsatafewmomentsinanegrocabin.ThenthegeneralmountedandrodetowardWaterValley,followedbyhisstaffofficers.TheladyandmyselfproceededonwiththewagonsbeyondCoffeeville,wherethetrainhaltedandpreparedtocampforthenight.AsyetIhadnotheardfromM----

sinceherodeoffwiththegeneral,andIscarcelyknewwhattodo.Thesoldierswerethrownoutonpicketdutyaroundthetrains,asaFederalforcewasalsototheleftofus,nearthelittletownofCharleston.HeavyskirmishingwasgoingonatWaterValley,weweretold.Asnohousewasnear,thegentlemanwhohadchargeoftheladyandmyselftoldusthathewouldputupapleasanttent,andmakeusquitecomfortable.Soatentwaspitchedonalittlehillocknear,andIrestedcomfortablyduringthenight.Earlyinthemorningwewereonourway,theremainderofthearmyhavingcomeup.AtlengthwereachedGrenadainsafety,yetsorelypressedbytheFederaltroops.



Thusyousee,dearJ----,thatIamunluckyenoughtobeidentifiedwithsomeretreatorthreatenedcity.FromMemphis,oroverthegreaterdistancethatseparatesus,wecanspanourlove;andthroughall,Iam

Yours.

THEEND.

D.APPLETON&CO.'SPUBLICATIONS.

THENEWAMERICANCYCLOPÆDIA.

EDITEDBYGEORGERIPLEYANDCHARLESA.DANA.

PUBLISHEDBYD.APPLETON&COMPANY,NewYork

In16Vols.8vo,DoubleColumns,750Pageseach.

_Price,Cloth,$3.50;Sheep,$4;HalfMor.,$4.50;HalfRussia,$5perVolume._

Everyonethatreads,everyonethatminglesinsociety,isconstantlymeetingwithallusionstosubjectsonwhichheneedsanddesiresfurtherinformation.Inconversation,intrade,inprofessionallife,onthefarm,inthefamily,practicalquestionsarecontinuallyarising,whichnoman,wellreadornot,canalwayssatisfactorilyanswer.Iffacilitiesforreferenceareathand,theyareconsulted,andnotonlyisthecuriositygratified,andthestockofknowledgeincreased,butperhapsinformationisgainedandideasaresuggestedthatwilldirectlycontributetothebusinesssuccessofthepartyconcerned.

WithaCyclopædia,embracingeveryconceivablesubject,andhavingitstopicsalphabeticallyarranged,notamomentislost.Thematterinquestionisfoundatonce,digested,condensed,strippedofallthatisirrelevantandunnecessary,andverifiedbyacomparisonofthebestauthorities.Moreover,whileonlymenoffortunecancollectalibrarycompleteinallthedepartmentsofknowledge,aCyclopædia,worthinitself,forpurposesofreference,atleastathousandvolumes,iswithinthereachofall--theclerk,themerchant,theprofessionalman,thefarmer,themechanic.Inacountrylikeours,wherethehumblestmaybecalledtoresponsiblepositionsrequiringintelligenceandgeneralinformation,thevalueofsuchaworkcannotbeover-estimated.

PLANOFTHECYCLOPÆDIA.

TheNewAmericanCyclopædiapresentsapanoramicviewofallhumanknowledge,asitexistsatthepresentmoment.Itembracesandpopularizeseverysubjectthatcanbethoughtof.InitssuccessivevolumesiscontainedaninexhaustiblefundofaccurateandpracticalinformationonArtandScienceinalltheirbranches,includingMechanics,Mathematics,Astronomy,Philosophy,Chemistry,andPhysiology;onAgriculture,Commerce,andManufactures;onLaw,Medicine,andTheology;onBiography



andHistory,GeographyandEthnology;onPoliticalEconomy,theTrades,Inventions,Politics,theThingsofCommonLife,andGeneralLiterature.

TheIndustrialArtsandthosebranchesofPracticalSciencewhichhaveadirectbearingonourevery-daylife,suchasDomesticEconomy,Ventilation,theHeatingofHouses,Diet,&c.,aretreatedwiththethoroughnesswhichtheirgreatimportancedemands.

ThedepartmentofBiographyisfullandcomplete,embracingthelivesofalleminentpersons,ancientandmodern.InAmericanbiography,particularly,greatpainshavebeentakentopresentthemostcomprehensiveandaccuraterecordthathasyetbeenattempted.

InHistory,theNewAmericanCyclopædiagivesnomerecatalogueofbarrendates,butacopiousandspiritednarrative,undertheirappropriateheads,oftheprincipaleventsintheannalsoftheworld.SoinGeography,itnotonlyservesasageneralGazetteer,butitgivesinterestingdescriptionsoftheprincipallocalitiesmentioned,derivedfrombooksoftravelandotherfreshandauthenticsources.

Asfarasisconsistentwiththoroughnessofresearchandexactnessofstatement,thepopularmethodhasbeenpursued.Thewantsofthepeopleinaworkofthiskindhavebeencarefullykeptinviewthroughout.

Itishardlynecessarytoaddthat,throughoutthewhole,perfectfairnesstoallsectionsofcountry,localinstitutions,publicmen,politicalcreeds,andreligiousdenominations,hasbeenasacredprincipleandleadingaim.Nothingthatcanbeconstruedintoaninvidiousoroffensiveallusionhasbeenadmitted.

DISTINGUISHINGEXCELLENCES.

Whilewepreferthattheworkshouldspeakforitself,andthatothersshouldheralditsexcellences,wecannotrefrainfromcallingattentiontothefollowingpoints,inwhichwetakeanhonestprideinbelievingthattheNewAmericanCyclopædiasurpassesallothers:--

I.INACCURACYANDFRESHNESSOFINFORMATION.--Thevalueofaworkofthiskindisexactlyproportionedtoitscorrectness.Itmustprecludethenecessityofhavingotherbooks.Itsdecisionmustbefinal.Itmustbeanultimatumofreference,oritisgoodfornothing.

II.INIMPARTIALITY.--OurworkhasundergonetheexaminationofArguseyes.Ithasstoodtheordeal.ItispronouncedbydistinguishedmenandleadingreviewsinallpartsoftheUnion,strictlyfairandnational.Eschewingallexpressionsofopiniononcontrovertedpointsofscience,philosophy,religion,andpolitics,itaimsatanaccuraterepresentationoffactsandinstitutions,oftheresultsofphysicalresearch,oftheprominenteventsinthehistoryoftheworld,ofthemostsignificant

productionsofliteratureandart,andofthecelebratedindividualswhosenameshavebecomeassociatedwiththeconspicuousphenomenaoftheirage--doingjusticetoallmen,allcreeds,allsections.

III.INCOMPLETENESS.--Ittreatsofeverysubject,inaterseandcondensedstyle,butfullyandexhaustively.Itisbelievedthatbutfewomissionswillbefound;butwhatevertopicsmay,throughanyoversight,bewanting,aresuppliedinanAppendix.

IV.INAMERICANCHARACTER.--TheNewCyclopædiaisintendedtomeetthe



intellectualwantsoftheAmericanpeople.Itisnot,therefore,modelledafterEuropeanworksofasimilardesign;but,whileitembracesalltheirexcellences,hasaddedtothemapeculiarandunmistakableAmericancharacter.ItistheproductionmainlyofAmericanmind.

V.INPRACTICALBEARING.--Thedayofphilosophicalabstractionandspeculationhaspassedaway.Thisisanageofaction._Cuibono_istheuniversaltouchstone.Feelingthis,wehavemadeourCyclopædiathoroughlypractical.Nomanofaction,behisspherehumbleorexalted,canaffordtodowithoutit.

VI.ININTERESTOFSTYLE.--Thecold,formal,andrepulsivestyleusualinworksofthiskind,hasbeenreplacedwithastylesparklingandemphaticallyreadable.Ithasbeentheaimtointerestandplease,aswellasinstruct.Manyofourwritersaremenwhoholdtheforemostrankingeneralliterature,andtheirarticleshavebeencharacterizedbyourbestcriticsasmodelsofelegance,force,andbeauty.

VII.INCONVENIENCEOFFORM.--Noponderousquartos,crowdedwithfinetypethatstrainstheeyesandweariesthebrain,areherepresented.Thevolumesarejusttherightsizetohandleconveniently;thepaperisthickandwhite,thetypelarge,thebindingelegantanddurable.

VIII.INCHEAPNESS.--OurCyclopædiahasbeenuniversallypronounceda

miracleofcheapness.Wedetermined,attheoutset,toenlargeitssphereofusefulness,andmakeitemphaticallyabookforthepeople,byputtingitatthelowestpossibleprice.

SuchbeingthecharacteroftheNewAmericanCyclopædia,anaccurate,fresh,impartial,complete,practical,interesting,convenient,cheapDictionaryofGeneralKnowledge,weask,whocanaffordtodowithoutit?Canthemerchant,thestatesman,thelawyer,thephysician,theclergyman,towhomitgivesthoroughandcompleteinformationoneverypointconnectedwiththeirseveralcallings?Cantheteacher,whoisenabled,bytheoutsideinformationitaffords,tomakehisinstructionsdoublyinterestingandprofitable?Canthefarmer,towhomitoffersthelatestresultsofagriculturalresearchandexperiment?Cantheyoungman,to

whomitaffordsthemeansofstoringhismindwithusefulknowledgebearingnoanyvocationhemayhaveselected?Cantheintelligentmechanic,whowishestounderstandwhathereadsinhisdailypaper?Canthemotherofafamily,whomitinitiatesintothemysteriesofdomesticeconomy,andteachesathousandthingswhichmorethansavesitscostinasingleyear?Inaword,cananyintelligentAmerican,whodesirestounderstandtheinstitutionsofhiscountry,itspasthistoryandpresentcondition,andhisowndutiesasacitizen,denyhimselfthisgreatAmericandigestofallhumanknowledge,universallypronouncedthebestCyclopædiaandthemostvaluableworkeverpublished?

CONTRIBUTORSTOTHECYCLOPÆDIA.

Thebesttalentinallpartsofthecountry,andmanydistinguishedforeignwriters,havebeenengagedintheNewAmericanCyclopædia.Wegivebelowthenamesofseveralofthemostprominentcontributors,fromwhichthepublicmayformsomeideaofthecharacterofthework.

Hon.GEORGEBANCROFT,LL.D.,NewYork.

Hon.J.R.BARTLETT,lateU.S.andMexicanBoundaryCommissioner,Providence,R.I.



Rev.HENRYW.BELLOWS,D.D.,NewYork.

Hon.JEREMIAHS.BLACK,U.S.AttorneyGeneral,Washington,D.C.

Capt.GEORGES.BLAKE,U.S.NavalAcademy,Annapolis,Md.

Hon.ERASTUSBROOKS,NewYork.

EDWARDBROWN-SÉQUARD,M.D.,London.

JOHNESTENCOOKE,Esq.,Richmond,Va.

Rev.J.W.CUMMINGS,D.D.,PastorofSt.Stephen'sChurch,NewYork.

Prof.JAMESD.DANA,LL.D.,YaleCollege,NewHaven,Conn.

Hon.CHARLESP.DALY,JudgeoftheCourtofCommonPleas,NewYork.

Hon.CHARLESS.DAVIES,LL.D.,Portland,Me.

RALPHWALDOEMERSON,Concord,Mass.

Hon.EDWARDEVERETT,Boston,Mass.

Pres.C.C.FELTON,LL.D.,HarvardUniversity,Cambridge,Mass.

D.W.FISKE,Esq.,SecretaryoftheGeographicalandStatisticalSociety,NewYork.

CHARLESL.FLINT,Esq.,SecretaryoftheMassachusettsBoardofAgriculture,Boston,Mass.

JOHNW.FRANCIS,M.D.,LL.D.

Prof.CHANDLERR.GILMAN,M.D.,CollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeons,NewYork.

Prof.HENRYGOADBY,M.D.,StateAgriculturalCollegeofMichigan,AnnArbor,Mich.

HORACEGREELEY,Esq.,NewYork.

GEORGEW.GREENE,Esq.,NewYork.

R.A.GUILD,Esq.,LibrarianofBrownUniversity,Providence,R.I.

Prof.CHARLESW.HACKLEY,D.D.,ColumbiaCollege,NewYork.

Hon.JAMESHALL,Cincinnati,Ohio.

GERARDHALLOCK,Esq.,editorofthe"JournalofCommerce,"NewYork.

Prof.A.W.HARKNESS,BrownUniversity,Providence,R.I.

JOHNR.G.HASSARD,Esq.,NewYork.

CHARLESC.HAZEWELL,Esq.,Boston,Mass.

M.HEILPRIN,Esq.,NewYork.



RICHARDHILDRETH,Esq.,authorof"HistoryoftheUnitedStates,"&c.,NewYork.

Rev.THOMASHILL,PresidentofAntiochCollege,Ohio.

Hon.GEORGES.HILLARD,Boston,Mass.

J.S.HITTELL,Esq.,SanFrancisco,Cal.

JAMEST.HODGE,Esq.,CooperInstitute,NewYork.

Prof.L.M.HUBBARD,D.D.,UniversityofN.C.,ChapelHill,N.C.

Rev.HENRYN.HUDSON,authorof"LecturesonShakespeare,"&c.,Litchfield,Conn.

Prof.S.W.JOHNSON,YaleCollege,NewHaven,Conn.

J.C.G.KENNEDY,Esq.,Washington,D.C.

Hon.JOHNB.KERR,lateU.S.MinistertoCentralAmerica,Baltimore,Md.

Rev.T.STARRKING,SanFrancisco,Cal.

CHARLESLANMAN,Esq.,Washington,D.C.

CHARLESG.LELAND,Esq.,Philadelphia,Pa.

Prof.JAMESR.LOWELL,HarvardUniversity,Cambridge,Mass.

R.SHELTONMACKENZIE,D.C.L.,Philadelphia,Pa.

Rev.H.N.MCTYEIRE,D.D.,editor"ChristianAdvocate,"Nashville,Tenn.

CHARLESNORDHOFF,Esq.,authorof"StoriesoftheIslandWorld,"&c.,NewYork.

Rev.SAMUELOSGOOD,D.D.,NewYork.

Prof.THEOPHILUSPARSONS,LL.D.,HarvardUniversity,Cambridge,Mass.

Prof.E.R.PEASLER,M.D.,NewYorkMedicalCollege,NewYork.

JOHNL.PEYTON,Esq.,Staunton,Va.

WILLIAMC.PRIME,authorof"BoatLifeandTentLife,"&c.,NewYork.

J.H.RAYMOND,LL.D.,PrincipalofthePolytechnicInstitute,Brooklyn,NewYork.

GEORGESCHEDEL,Esq.,lateBritishConsularAgentforCostaRica,StatenIsland,N.Y.

Prof.ALEXANDERG.SCHEM,DickinsonCollege,Carlisle,Penn.

Hon.FRANCISSCHROEDER,JR.,lateU.S.MinistertoSweden,Paris.

Hon.WILLIAMH.SEWARD,U.S.SenatorfromNewYork,Auburn,N.Y.



WILLIAMGILMORESIMMS,LL.D.,Charleston,S.C.

Prof.HENRYB.SMITH,D.D.,UnionTheologicalSeminary,NewYork.

Rev.J.A.SPENCER,D.D.,authorof"TheHistoryoftheUnitedStates,"&c.,NewYork.

Rev.WILLIAMB.SPRAGUE,D.D.,Albany,N.Y.

Hon.E.G.SQUIER,authorof"TheStatesofCentralAmerica,""Nicaragua,"&c.

ALEX.W.THAYER,Esq.,Berlin,Prussia.

JOHNR.THOMPSON,Esq.,editor"SouthernLiteraryMessenger,"Richmond,Va.

GEORGETICKNOR,LL.D.,Boston,Mass.

OSMONDTIFFANY,Esq.,Springfield,Mass.

R.T.TRALL,M.D.,authorof"HydropathicEncyclopædia,"NewYork.

BaronDETROBRIAND,NewYork.

W.P.TROWBRIDGE,Esq.,U.S.CoastSurvey,Washington,D.C.

HENRYT.TUCKERMAN,Esq.,NewYork.

ALEXANDERWALKER,Esq.,editorofthe"Delta,"NewOrleans.

CHARLESS.WEYMAN,Esq.,NewYork.

Rev.W.D.WILSON,D.D.,HobartFreeCollege,Geneva,N.Y.

E.L.YOUMANS,Esq.,authorof"TheHand-BookofHouseholdScience,"NewYork.

OPINIONSOFTHEPRESSANDDISTINGUISHEDMEN.

InsettingforthwhatthePressthinkoftheNewAmericanCyclopædia,wehardlyknowwheretobegin,sonumerousandflatteringarethenoticesithasreceived.WecanonlygivehereandthereabriefextractfromtheleadingReviewsandJournals,andlettersfromdistinguishedmen,bearingforthemostpartonspecialfeaturesofthework.

Theworkitselfnolongerneedscommendationatourhands,oratanyhands.Ithaslongsinceestablisheditsworth;and,iftherebeinitany

considerabledefect,muchsearchwillberequiredtofindit--_NorthAmerican,Philadelphia,Pa._

Thegreatartsofcondensation,ofclearperception,andstrikingexpositionoftheessentialpartsoftheirsubjecthavebeenfullyattained;andwillgivethereaderalibraryofuniversalknowledgeinaconvenientcompass,arrangedforreadyuse,andattractivelypresentedintheconciseandperspicuousstyleappropriatetosuchawork.--_LetterfromthelateHon._THOS.H.BENTON.



Thiswork,insteadofbeingameredictionary--astupidepitomeofdryfactsanddates--ismadeupofattractiveandreadablematter;scholarlyandsparklingessays;freshbiographiesoflivinganddeadcelebrities;recordsofimportantdiscoveriesandinventions;andinformationoneverysubjectthathasattractedtheattentionofmanuptothepresentperiod.--_Examiner,Poughkeepsie,N.Y._

Ifeelquitesurethatitwillbemarkedbydistinguishedability,andthat,whenconcluded,itwillbeavaststorehouseoflateandveryimportantinformation--suchaworkasalmosteveryintelligentpersonwillbegladtohavealwaysnearhimforreference.Icanonlyexpressthehopethatsolargeanundertakingmaybedulysustained,andcrownedwithultimatesuccess.--_LetterfromtheRt.Rev._HORATIOPOTTER,(_Prot.Epis._)_BishopofN.Y._

Theeditorshavedonetheirdutywithjustice,fairness,andliberality.Weseenoinstanceofpartisanshiporpartiality,and,asyet,noproofsofthathostilesectionalityofwhichwehavehithertohadreason,inallsuchpublications,tocomplain.--_Mercury,Charleston,S.C._

WeesteemitthebestandmostcomprehensiveCyclopædiathathasyetbeenissuedfromthepressofthisoranyothercountry.--_News,Savannah,Ga._

Whencompleted,thisCyclopædiawillbethemostcompletelibraryof

knowledgewhichhaseverbeengiventotheworldinthesamespacesincetheartofprintingwasdiscovered.--_Union,Rochester,N.Y._

ItsfreshnessandgeneralthoroughnessgiveitadecidedadvantageoveranyotherCyclopædiaofitsclasshithertoissuedoneithersideoftheAtlantic.--_DailyTimes,N.Y._

Itisaperfecttreasuryofknowledge.Inallbranchesoftheartsandsciences,inliterature,history,biography,andgeography.--_Pilot,Boston,Mass._

Thescientificarticlesareevidentlytheproductionsoflearnedandaccomplishedmen.Manyofthepapersdeserveespecialcommendation,as

presentingthelatestdevelopmentsintheirvariousdepartmentsofresearch.--_NationalIntelligencer,Washington,D.C._

OurowncountryhasneverbeforebeensofairlyorfullyrepresentedinanyCyclopædia.America,herresources,herliterature,herpolitics,andherrepresentativemenreceiveinthiswork,atleast,theirfullshareofattention.--_Post,Boston,Mass._

Toenumerateonehalfofitsexcellenceswouldrequirefarmorespacethannewspapercolumnsafford.Totheprofessionalmanandthelaborer,thecitizenandthefarmer,itisinvaluableasanepitomeofallusefulknowledge.--_Leader,Cleveland,O._

Thereisnoconceivabletopicwhichisnotherediscussedasfullyasmostpersonswouldcaretofindit.--_AmericanAgriculturist._

Itshouldbeineveryfamily,forinnoothershapecansomuchusefulinformationbeobtainedascheaply.Asabookofreference,itisinvaluable.--_IndianaSentinel._

Itis,withoutdoubt,themostcompleteworkofthekindeverpublished.Toprepareit,thepublishershavecalledintorequisitionthetalentofsomeofthebestmenourcountryaffords.--_Pennsylvanian,Philadelphia,



Pa._

Therecanbenodoubtthat,atleastfortheuseofAmericanreaders,andinsomerespectswherevertheEnglishlanguageisspoken,theCyclopædiawillGREATLYSURPASS,initsvalueasareferencebook,anysimilarcompilationthathasyetbeenissuedoneithersideoftheAtlantic.--_NorthAmericanReview._

Takeitallinall--forthestrictpurposesofanEncyclopædia;foraclearsurveyofallthedepartmentsofhumanknowledge;forembracingeveryimportanttopicinthisvastrange;forlucidandorderlytreatment;forstatementscondensedyetclear;foritsportablesize--notbeingtoolargeortoosmall;forconvenienceofreference,andforpracticalutility,especiallytoAmericanreaders;_itisincomparablythebestworkintheEnglishlanguage_.--_N.Y.Evangelist._

Itisamostextraordinaryeffortofgenialscholarshipandof_multuminparvo_erudition.Wecommenditasabookwhichtheworldhaslongwanted,andwhichwillexertanincalculableinfluenceinEuropeasregardscreatingrespectforsolidAmericanlearning.--_Telegraph,Harrisburgh,Pa._

Ithasbeentrulysaidthatalmosteverymanofnotewhoeverlivedanddied,ofwhomthereisrecord,hasinitaplace;everycountry,province,

race,andtribe;everysea,river,lakeandisland;everyscience,religion,and,inshort,almosteverynouninthelanguage,isdescriptivelyillustratedinthemostcompleteshapeinwhichtheinformationcouldbecondensed.--_Blade,Toledo,O._

Thevarioussubjectsarenottreatedaccordingtothemereroutineoftechnicaldetails,orinthesettledformulariesofprofessionalscience,but,whiletheinformationisfull,thorough,andaccurate,itisgiveninagenialandattractivestyle.--_Tribune,Mobile,Ala._

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my cave life in vicksburg by mary ann lo ugh borough - pg35700

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