第13章

"WilliamPortersentencedtothreeyears"imprisonmentforgivingsheltertogangofrobbers。Evidencewantingtoshowhetookanyactualpartintheircrimes。"

ThesheriffhadbeeninandoutseveraltimesduringthefivehoursthatVincent"ssearchhadtakenup。WhenhereturnedagainVincentpointedouttheentryhehadfound。

"Ishouldnotbeatallsurprisedifthat"sourman，"thesheriffsaid。

"IknowoldPorterwell，forheisstillaliveandbearsaprettybadreputationstill，thoughwehaveneverbeenabletobringhimtobook。Irememberallthecircumstancesofthataffair，forIservedupontheposse。WhilePorterwasinprisonhishousewaskeptforhimbyamarrieddaughterandherhusband。Therewasastrongsuspicionthatthemanwasoneofthegangtoo，butwecouldn"tproveit。Theyhavelivedthereeversince。Theyhavegotfiveorsixfieldhands，andaresaidtobewelloff。Wehavenodoubttheyhavegotastillsomewhereintheswamps，butwehaveneverbeenabletofindit。Iwillsendamanoffto-morrowtomakeinquirieswhetheranystrangerhasarrivedtherelately。Ofcourse，Pearsonwillnothavekeptthatname，andhewillnothaveappearedasJohnPorter，forhewouldbearrestedonafreshwarrantatonceforhisshareinthatformerbusiness。Ithink，CaptainWingfield，youhadbetterregisteratthehotelhereundersomeothername。Idon"tsupposethathehasanyfearofbeingtrackedhere；stillitisjustpossiblehisfathermayhavegotsomebodyhereandatFlorencetokeeptheireyesopenandlethimknowifthereareanyinquiriesbeingmadebystrangersaboutamissingnegress。Onecannotbetoocareful。Ifhegottheleasthint，hissonandthewomanwouldbehiddenawayintheswampsbeforewecouldgetthere，andtherewouldbenosayingwhenwecouldfindhim。"

Vincenttookthesheriff"sadvice，andenteredhisnameinthehotelbookasMr。Vincent。Lateintheeveningthesheriffcameroundtohim。

"Ihavejustsentsummonsestosixmen。Iwouldratherhavehadtwoorthreemore，butyoungmenareveryscarcearoundherenow；andaswithyouandmyselfthatbringsituptoeightthatoughttobesufficient，asthesefollowswillhavenotimetosummonanyoftheirfriendstotheirassistance。Haveyouarifle，CaptainWingfield？"

"No；Ihaveabraceofrevolvers。"

"Theyareusefulenoughforclosework，"thesheriffsaid，"butiftheyseeuscoming，andbarricadetheirhouseandopenfireuponus，youwillwantsomethingthatcarriesfurtherthanarevolver。I

canlendyouarifleaswellasahorseifyouwillacceptthem。"

Vincentacceptedtheofferwiththanks。Thenextmorningatdaylighthowentroundtothosheriff"shouse，wheresixdetermined-lookingmen，belongingtothetownorneighboringfarms，wereassembled。Slingingtheriflethatthesheriffhandedhimacrosshisback，Vincentatoncemounted，andthepartysotoffatabrisktrot。

"Mymancamebackhalfanhourago，"thesheriffsaidtoVincentastheyrodealong。"HefoundoutthatamanansweringtoyourdescriptionarrivedwithanotheratPorter"saboutafortnightago，andisstayingtherestill。Whethertheybroughtanegresswiththemornotnooneseemstohavenoticed。However，thereisnotashadowofdoubtthatitisourman，andIshallbeheartilygladtolayholdofhim；forabrotherofminewasbadlywoundedinthatlastaffair，andthoughhelivedsomeyearsafterwardhewasneverthesamemanagain。SoIhaveapersonalinterestinit，yousee。"

"HowfarisittoPorter"s？"

"Aboutthirty-fivemiles。Weshallgetthereabouttwoo"clock，I

reckon。Weareallprettywellmountedandcankeepatthispace，withabreakortwo，tillwegetthere。Iproposethatwedismountwhenwegetwithinhalfamileoftheplace。Wewilltryandgetholdofsomeonewhoknowsthecountrywell，andgethimtoloadthreeofusroundthroughtheedgeoftheswamptothebackofthehouse。Itstandswithinfiftyyardsoftheswamp。Ihavenodoubttheyputittheresothattheymightescapeifpressed，andalsotopreventtheirbeingobservedgoingbackwardandforwardtothatstilloftheirs。"

Thisplanwasfollowedout。Anegroladwasfoundwho，onthepromiseofacoupleofdollars，agreedtoactasguideThreeofthepartywerethentoldofftofollowhim，andtherest，afterwaitingforhalfanhourtoallowthemtomakethedetour，mountedtheirhorsesandrodedownatagalloptothehouse。Whentheywerewithinashortdistanceofittheyheardashout，andamanwhowasloungingnearthedoorraninside。Almostinstantlytheysawtheshuttersswingbackacrossthewindows，andwhentheydrewupfiftyyardsfromthedoorthebarrelsoffourrifleswerepushedoutthroughslitsintheshutters。

Thesheriffhelduphishand。"WilliamPorter，Iwantawordwithyou。"

Ashutterinanupperroomopened，andanelderlymanappearedwitharifleinhishand。

"WilliamPorter，"thesheriffsaid，"Ihaveawarrantforthearrestoftwomennowinyourhouseonthechargeofkidnapingafemaleslave，thepropertyofCaptainWingfieldhere。Ihavenoproofthatyouhadanyshareinthematter，orthatyouareawarethattheslavewasnothonestlyobtained。Inthesecondplace，IhaveawarrantforthearrestofyoursonJohnPorter，nowinyourhouseandpassingrecentlyunderthenameofJonasPearson，onthechargeofresistingandkillingtheofficersofthelawonthe5thofDecember，1851。Icounselyoutohandoverthesementomewithoutresistance。Youknowwhathappenedwhenyoursonsdefiedthelawbefore，andwhatwillhappennowifyourefusecompliance。"

"Yah!"theoldmanshouted。"Doyousupposewearegoingtogiveintofivemon？Notifweknowit。Now，Iwarnyou，moveyourselfoffwhileIletyou，elseyouwillgetabulletinyoubeforeIcountthree。"

"Verywell，then。Youmusttaketheconsequences，"thesheriffreplied，andatoncecalledthepartytofallback。

"Wemustdismount，"hosaidinanswertoVincent"slookofsurprise；"theywouldriddleushereonhorsebackintheopen。

Besideswemustdismounttobreakinthedoor。"

Theyrodebackaquarterofamile，andthendismounted。Thesherifftooktwoheavyaxesthathungfromhissaddle，andhandedthemtotwoofthemen。

"Ireckonedweshouldhavetrouble，"hosaid。"However，Ihopewesha"n"thavetousethese。Myideaistocrawlupthroughthecorn-fielduntilwearewithinshootingdistance，andthentoopenfireattheloopholes。Theyhavenevertakenthetroubletogrubupthestumps，andeachmanmustlookoutforshelter。Iwanttomakeitsohotforthemthattheywilltrytobolttotheswamp，andinthatcasetheywillhocoveredbythementhere。Itoldthemnottofireuntiltheygotquiteclose；sotheyoughttodisposeofthreeofthem，andastheyhavegotpistolstheywillbeabletomastertheothers；besides，directlywehearfiringbehind，weshalljumpupandmakearushround。Doyou，sir，andJamesWilkinshere，stopinfront。Twoofthemmightmakearushoutbehind，andtheothers，whentheyhavedrawnusoff，boltinfront。"

Severalshotswerefiredatthepartyastheymadetheirwayacrosstotheendofthefield，wherethetallstalksofmaizewerestillstanding，thoughthecornhadbeengatheredweeksbefore。Assoonastheyreachedthesheltertheyseparated，eachcrawlingthroughthemaizeuntiltheyarrivedwithinfiftyyardsofthehouse。

Therewere，asthesheriffhadsaid，manystumpsstillstanding，andeachensconcedhimselfbehindoneofthose，andbegantoreplytothefirethatthedefendershadkeptupwhenevertheysawamovementamongthecornstalks。

Atsuchadistancetheshutterswerebutofslightadvantagetothedefendersofthehouse；fortheassailantswereallgoodshots，andtheloopholesaffordedexcellenttargetsatsuchadistance。Afterafewshotshadbeenfiredfromthehousethefireofthedefendersceased，themenwithinnotdaringtoprotrudetheriflesthroughtheloopholes，aseverysuchappearancewasinstantlyfollowedbyacoupleofshotsfromthecornpatch。

"Givemeoneofthoseaxes，"thesheriffsaid。"Now，Withers，doyoumakearushwithmetothedoor。Getyourrifleloadedbeforeyoustart，andhaveyourrevolverhandyinyourbelt。Now，CaptainWingfield，doyouandtheothertwokeepasharplookoutattheloopholes，andseethattheydon"tgetashotatusaswerun。Now，Withers，"andthesheriffranforward。Tworifleswereprotrudedthroughtheloopholes。Vincentandhiscompanionsfiredatonce。

Oneoftheriflesgaveasharpjerkanddisappeared，theotherwasfired，andWithersdroppedhisaxe，butstillranforward。Thosheriffbegananonslaughtatthedoor，hiscompanion"srightarmbeinguseless。Aminutelaterthesharpcrackofrifleswasheardintherear，andthesheriffandtwomenrushedinthatdirection，whileVincentandtheotherlaywatchingthedoor。Scarcelyhadthesheriff"spartydisappearedroundthehousethanthedoorwasthrownopen，andPearsonranoutatfullspeed。Vincentleapedtohisfeet。

"Surrender，"hesaid，"oryouareadeadman。"

Jonaspausedforamomentwithaloudimprecation，andthenlevelingarevolver，fired。Vincentfeltamoment"spaininthecheek，butbeforehecouldlevelhisriflehiscompanionfired，andPearsonfellforwarddead。Aminutelaterthesheriffandhispartyranround。

"Haveyougothim？"hoasked。

"Hewillgivenomoretrouble，sheriff，"theyoungmanwhofiredsaid。"IfancyIhadhimplumbetweentheeyes。Howabouttheothers？"

"DickMathesoniskilled；hegottwobulletsinhisbody。Theothermanisbadlywounded。TherearenosignsofoldPorter。"

Theynowadvancedtothedoor，whichstoodopen。Asthesheriffenteredtherewasasharpreport，andhefellbackshotthroughtheheart。Therestmadearushforward。Anothershotwasfired，butthismissedthem，andbeforeitcouldberepeatedtheyhadwrestedthepistolfromthehandofMatheson"swife。Shewasfirmlysecured，andtheythenenteredthekitchen，where，croucheduponthefloor，laysomesevenoreightnegromenandwomeninanagonyofterror。Vincent"squestion，"Dinah，whereareyou？"wasansweredbyascreamofdelight；andDinah，whohadbeencoveringherchildwithherbody，leapedtoherfeet。

"It"sallright，Dinah，"Vincentsaid；"butstayhere，wehaven"tfinishedthisbusinessyet。"

"Ifancytheoldman"supstairs，"oneofthemensaid。"Itwashisrifle，Ireckon，thatdisappearedwhenwefired。"

Itwasasheexpected。Porterwasfounddeadbehindtheloophole，abullethavingpassedthroughhisbrain。Thedeputy-sheriff，whowaswiththeparty，nowtookthecommand。Acartandhorsewerefoundinanout-building；inthesethewoundedman，whowasoneofthosewhohadtakenpartintheabductionofDinah，wasplaced，togetherwiththefemaleprisonerandthedeadbodyofthesheriff。

Thenegroesweretoldtofollow；andthehorseshavingbeenfetchedthepartymountedandrodeofftothenextvillage，fivemilesontheirwayback。Heretheyhaltedforthenight，andthenextdaywentontoMarionCourthouse，VincenthiringacartfortheconveyanceofDinahandtheotherwomen。ItwassettledthatVincent"sattendanceatthetrialofthetwoprisonerswouldnotbenecessary，asthemanwouldbetriedforarmedresistancetothelaw，andthewomanformurderingthesheriff。Thefactscouldbeprovedbyotherwitnesses，andastherecouldbenodoubtaboutobtainingconvictions，itwouldbeunnecessarytotrythechargeagainstthemanforkidnaping。Nextday，accordingly，VincentstartedwithDinahandDanforRichmond。TwomonthsafterwardhesawinthepaperthatJaneMathesonhadbeensentencedtoimprisonmentforlife，themantofourteenyears。

CHAPTERXVII。CHANCELLORSVILLE。

THENEWSofthefightbetweenthesheriff"sposseandthebandatLynch"sCreekwastelegraphedtotheRichmondpapersbytheirlocalagentuponthedayafteritoccurred。ThereportsaidthatCaptainWingfield，ayoungofficerwhohadfrequentlydistinguishedhimself，hadfollowedthetracesofagang，oneofwhomwasanotoriouscriminalwhohadevadedthepursuitofthelawandescapedfromthatsectionfifteenyearsago，andhad，underanassumedname，beenactingasoverseeratMrs。

Wingfleld"sestateoftheOrangery。ThesemenhadcarriedoffanegressbelongingtoMrs。Wingfleld，andhadtakenherdownSouth。CaptainWingfleld，havingobtainedtheasistanceofthesheriffwithaposseofdeterminedmen，rodetotheplacewhichservedasheadquartersforthegang。Uponbeingsummonedtosurrenderthemenopenedafireuponthesheriffandhisposse。A

sharpfightensued，inwhichthesheriffwaskilledandoneofhismenwounded；whilethefourmembersofthegangwereeitherkilledortakenprisoners。ItwasreportedthatapersonoccupyingapositionasaplanterintheneighborhoodofRichmondisconnectedwiththisgang。

ThereporterhadobtainedhisnewsfromVincent，whohadpurposelyrefrainedfrommentioningthenamesofthosewhohadfallen。Hehadalreadyhadaconversationwiththewoundedprisoner。ThelatterhaddeclaredthathehadsimplyactedintheaffairashehadbeenpaidtodobythemanhoknewinRichmondasPearson，whotoldhimthathewantedhimtoaidincarryingoffaslavewoman，whowasreallyhisproperty，buthadbeenfraudulentlytakenfromhim。Hehadheardhimsaythattherewasanotherinterestedintheaffair，whohadhisownreasonsforgettingthewomanoutoftheway，andhadpaidhandsomelyforthejob。WhothatotherwasPearsonhadnevermentioned。

VincentsawthathehadnoabsoluteevidenceagainstJackson，andthereforepurposelysuppressedthefactthatPearsonwasamongthekilledinhopesthattheparagraphwouldsoalarmJacksonthathewouldatoncedecamp。Hisanticipationswereentirelyjustified；

foruponthedayofhisreturntoRichmondhesawanoticeinthepaperthattheCedars，withitsfieldhands，houses，andallbelongingtoit，wasforsale。Heproceededatoncetotheestateagent，andlearnedfromhimthatJacksonhadcomeintwodaysbeforeandhadinformedhimthatsuddenandimportantbusinesshadcalledhimaway，andthathewasstartingatonceforNewYork，wherehispresencewasurgentlyrequired，andthatheshouldattempttogetthroughthelinesimmediately。Hehadaskedhimwhathethoughtthepropertyandslaveswouldfetch。Beingacquaintedwiththeestate，hehadgivenhimaroughestimate，andhad，uponJackson"sgivinghimfullpowertosell，advancedhimtwo。thirdsofthesum。Jacksonhadapparentlystartedatonce；

indeed，hehadtoldhimthatheshouldtakethenexttrainasfarNorthashecouldget。

Vincentreceivedthenewswithgreatsatisfaction。HehadlittledoubtthatJacksonhadreallymadedowntotheSouth，andthathewouldtrytocrossthelinesthere，hisstatementthatheintendedtogodirectNorthbeingmerelyintendedtothrowhispursuersoffhistrackshouldawarrantbeissuedagainsthim。However，itmatteredlittlewhichwayJacksonhadgone，sothathehadlefttheState。

Therewaslittlechanceofhiseverreturning；forevenwhenhelearnedthathisconfederateinthebusinesshadbeenkilledinthefight，hecouldnotbecertainthattheprisonerwhohadbeentakenwasnotawareofthesharehehadinthebusiness。

AfortnightlaterVincentwentdownintoGeorgiaandbroughtbackLucyKingstonforavisittohismother。Shehadalreadyreceivedaletterfromherfatherinreplytooneshehadwrittenafterreachingheraunt"sprotection，sayinghowdelightedhewastohearthatshehadcrossedthelines，forthathehadsufferedthegreatestanxietyconcerningher，andhadcontinuallyreproachedhimselffornotsendingherawaysooner。HesaidthathewasmuchpleasedwithherengagementtoCaptainWingfield，whomhedidnotknowpersonally，butofwhomheheardthemostfavorablereportsfromvariousVirginiangentlementowhomhehadspokensincethereceiptofherletter。

LucyremainedatRichmonduntilthebeginningofMarch，whenVincenttookherhometoGeorgiaagain，andaweekafterhisreturnrejoinedthearmyontheRappahaunock。EveryefforthadbeenmadebytheConfederateauthoritiestoraisethearmyofGeneralLeetoapointthatwouldenablehimtocopewiththetremendousforcetheenemywerecollectingfortheensuingcampaign。Thedrainofmenwasnowtellingterribly，andLeehadattheutmost40，000toopposethe160，000collectedunderGeneralHooker。

ThefirstfightofthecampaignhadalreadytakenplacewhenVincentrejoinedthearmy。Abodyof3，000Federalcavalryhadcrossedtheriveronthe17thofMarchatKelley"sFord，buthadbeenmetbyGeneralFitzLeewithabout800cavalry，andafteralongandstubbornconflicthadbeendrivenbackwithheavylossacrosstheriver。ItwasnotuntilthemiddleofAprilthattheenemybegantomoveinearnest。EveryfordwaswatchedbyStuart"scavalry，andthefrequentattemptsmadebytheFederalhorsetopushacrosstoobtaininformationwerealwaysdefeated。

Onthe27thofAprilGeneralHooker"spreparationswerecomplete。

Hisplanofactionwasthat20，000menshouldcrosstheriverneartheoldbattlefieldofFredericksburg，andthusleadtheConfederatestobelievethatthiswasthepointofattack。Themainbodywere，however，tocrossatKelley"sFord，manymileshigheruptheriver，andtomarchdowntowardFredericksburg。Theotherforcewasthentorecross，marchuptheriver，crossatKelley"sFord，andfollowandjointhemainarmy。AtthesametimetheFederalcavalry，whichwasverynumerousandwell-organized，was，underGeneralStoneman，tostrikedownthroughthecountrytowardRichmond，andthuscuttheConfederatecommunicationwiththeircapital，andsopreventLongstreet"sdivision，whichwaslyingnearRichmond，fromrejoiningLee。

Thepassageoftheriverwaseffectedatthetwofordswithoutresistanceonthe29thofApril，anduponthesamedaythecavalrycolumnmarchedsouth。GeneralLeedirectedaportionofhiscavalryunderGeneralFitzLeetoharassanddelaythiscolumnasmuchaspossible。Althoughhehadwithhimbutafewhundredmen，hesucceededindoinggoodserviceincuttingoffdetachedbodiesoftheenemy，capturingmanyofficersandmen，andsodemoralizingtheinvadersthat，afterpushingonasfarastheJamesRiver，StonemanhadtoretreatingreathasteacrosstheRapidanRiver。

Hookerhavingcrossedtheriver，marchedontoChancellorsville，wherehesettotoentrenchhimself，havingsentwordtoGeneralSedgwick，whocommandedtheforcethathadcrossednearFredericksburg，torecross，pushround，andjoinassoonaspossible。Chancellorsvillewasalargebrickmansionstandinginthemidstoffieldssurroundedbyextensiveforests。ThecountrywasknownastheWilderness。Withinarangeofmanymilestherewereonlyafewscatteredhouses，anddensethicketsandpine-woodscoveredthewholecountry。Twonarrowroadspassedthroughthewoods，crossingeachotheratChancellorsville；twootherroadsledtothefordsknownasEly"sFordandtheUnitedStatesFord。AssoonashereachedChancellorsvilleHookersethistroopstoworkcuttingdowntreesandthrowingupearthworksforinfantryandredoubtsforartillery，erectingadoublelineofdefenses。Onthesehemountedupwardofahundredpiecesofartillery，commandingthenarrowroadsbywhichanenemymustapproach，forthethicketswereinmanyplacesso-denseastorenderitimpossiblefortroopstoforcetheirwaythroughthem。

WhenSedgwickcrossedtheriver，Leedrewuphisarmytoopposehim；butfindingthatnomoretroopscrossed，andthatSedgwickdidnotadvance，hesooncametotheconclusionthatthiswasnotthepointatwhichtheenemyintendedtoattack，andintwenty-fourhoursoneofStuart"shorsemenbroughtthenewsthatHookerhadcrossedtheRappahannockatKelley"sFordandtheRapiIanatEly"sFord。LeeatonceleftonedivisiontofaceGeneralSedgwick，andorderedthethreeotherstojoinGeneralAnderson，whowith8，000menhadfallenbackbeforeHooker"sadvance，andtakenhispostatTabernacleChurch，abouthalfwaybetweenFredericksburgandTabernacle。LeehimselfrodeforwardatonceandjoinedAnderson。

JacksonledtheforcefromFredericksburg，andpressedtheenemybacktowardChancellorsvilleuntilheapproachedthetremendouslinesoffortifications，andthenfellbacktocommunicatewithLee。

Thatnightacouncilofwarwasheld，anditwasagreedthatanattackuponthefrontoftheenemy"spositionwasabsolutelyimpossible。Hookerhimselfwassopositivethathispositionwasimpregnablethatheissuedageneralorderofcongratulationtohistroops，sayingthat"theenemymustnowingloriouslyflyorgiveusbattleonourownground，wherecertaindestructionawaitshim。"

JacksonthensuggestedthatheshouldworkrightroundtheWildernessinfrontoftheenemy"sposition，marchdownuntilwellonitsflank，andattackitthere，wheretheywouldbeunpreparedforanassault。Themovementwasoneofextraordinaryperil。Leewouldbeleftwithbutonedivisioninfaceofanimmenselysuperiorforce；Jacksonwouldhavetoperformanarduousmarchexposedtoanattackbythewholeforceoftheenemy；andbothmightbedestroyedseparatelywithoutbeingabletorendertheslightestassistancetoeachother。Atdaybreakonthe2dofMayJacksonmusteredhistroopsfortheadvanceHehadinthecourseofthenightcaughtaseverecold。Inthehastymarchhehadlefthisblanketsbehindhim。Oneofhisstaffthrewaheavycapeoverhimashelayonthewetground。DuringthenightJacksonwoke，andthinkingthattheyoungofficermighthimselfbesufferingfromthewantofhiscape，rosequietly，spreadthecapeoverhim，andlaydownwithoutit。Theconsequencewasaseverecold，whichterminatedinanattackofpneumoniathat，occurringatatimewhenhewasenfeebledbyhiswounds，resultedinhisdeath。Ifhehadnotthrownthatcapeovertheofficeritisprobablethathewouldhavesurvivedhiswounds。

Atdaybreakthecolumncommenceditsmarch。Ithadtotraverseanarrowandunfrequentedroadthroughdensethickets，occasionallycrossinggroundinsightoftheenemy，andattheendtoattackatremendouspositionheldbyimmenselysuperiorforces。Stuartwithhiscavalrymovedontheflankofthecolumnwheneverthegroundwasopen，soastoconcealthemarchoftheinfantryfromtheenemy。AstherearofthecolumnpassedaspotcalledtheFurnace，theenemysuddenlyadvancedandcutoffthe23dGeorgia，whowereintherearofthecolumn，andcapturedthewholeregimentwiththeexceptionofascoreofmen。AtthispointtheroadturnedalmostdirectlyawayfromChancellorsville，andtheenemybelievedthatthecolumnwasinfullretreat，andhadnottheleastideaofitsrealobject。

SohourafterhourthetroopspressedonuntiltheyreachedtheturnpikeroadpassingeastandwestthroughChancellorsville，whichnowlayexactlybetweenthemandthepointthattheyhadleftinthemorning。Jackson"sdesignwastoadvanceuponthislineofroad，toextendhistroopstotheleftandthentoswinground，cuttheenemy"sretreattothefords，andcapturethemall。HookerhadalreadybeenjoinedbytwoofSedgwick"sarmycorps，andhadnowsixarmycorpsatChancelloraville，whileJackson"sforceconsistedof22，000men。Leeremainedwith13，000atTabernacle。Thelattergeneralhadnotbeenattacked，buthadcontinuedtomakedemonstrationsagainsttheFederalleft，occupyingtheirattentionandpreventingthemfromdiscoveringhowlargeaportionofhisforcehadlefthim。

Itwasatfiveo"clockintheeveningthatJackson"stroops，havinggainedtheirposition，advancedtotheattack。InfrontofthemlayHoward"sdivisionoftheFederals，intrenchedinstrongearthworkscoveredbyfelldtrees；buttheenemywerealtogetherunsuspiciousofdanger，anditwasnotuntilwithtumultuouscheerstheConfederatesdashedthroughthetreesandattackedtheentrenchmentthattheyhadanysuspicionoftheirpresence。Theyrantotheirarms，butitwastoolate。TheConfederatesrushedthroughtheobstacles，climbedtheearthworks，andcarriedthoseinfrontofthem，capturing700prisonersandfiveguns。TherestoftheFederaltroopshere，throwingawaymusketsandguns，fledinwildconfusion。SteadilytheConfederatespressedon，drivingtheenemybeforethem，andcapturingpositionafterposition，untilthewholerightwingoftheFederalarmywasroutedanddisorganized。

ForthreehourstheConfederatescontinuedtheirmarchwithoutacheck；butowingtothedensenessofthewood，andthenecessityofkeepingthetroopsinline，theadvancewasslow，andnightfellbeforethemovementcouldbecompleted。OnemorehourofdaylightandthewholeFederalarmywouldhavebeencutoffandcaptured，butbyeighto"clockthedarknessintheforestwassocompletethatallmovementhadtobestopped。

Halfanhourlateroneofthesaddestincidentsofthewartookplace。GeneralJacksonwithafewofhisstaffwontforwardtoreconnoiter。Ashereturnedtowardhislines，histroopsinthedarkmistookthemforareconnoiteringpartyoftheenemyandfired，killingorwoundingthewholeofthem，GeneralJacksonreceivingthreeballs。Theenemy，whowerebutahundredyardsdistant，atonceopenedatremendousfirewithgrapetowardthespot，anditwassometimebeforeJacksoncouldbecarriedoffthefield。Thenewsthattheirbelovedgeneralwaswoundedwasforsometimekeptfromthetroops；butawhispergraduallyspread，andthegriefofhissoldierswasunbounded，forratherwouldtheyhavesufferedadisastrousdefeatthanthatStonewallJacksonshouldhavefallen。

GeneralStuartassumedthecommand，GeneralHill，whowassecondincommand，having，withmanyotherofficers，beenwoundedbythetremendousstormofgrapeandcanisterthattheFederalspouredthroughthewoodwhentheyanticipatedanattack。Atdaybreakthetroopsagainmovedforwardinthreelines，Stuartplacinghisthirtygunsonaslightridge，wheretheycouldsweepthelinesoftheFederaldefenses。Threetimesthepositionwaswonandlost；buttheConfederatesfoughtwithsuchfuryandresolution，shoutingeachtimetheychargedtheFederalranks"RememberJackson，"thattheenemygraduallygaveway，andbyteno"clockChancelloravilleitselfwastaken，theFederalsbeingdrivenbackintotheforestbetweenthehousesandtheriver。

Leehadearlyinthemorningbeguntoadvancefromhissidetotheattack，butjustashewasmovingforwardthenewscamethatSedgwickhadrecrossedatFredericksburg，capturedaportionoftheConfederateforcethere，andwasadvancingtojoinHooker。

HeatoncesenttwoofhisthreelittledivisionstojointheConfederateswhowereopposingSedgwick"sadvance，whilewiththethreeorfourthousandmenremainingtohim，healldaymadefeignedattacksupontheenemy"sposition，occupyingtheirattentionthere，andpreventingthemfromsendingreinforcementstothetroopsengagedwithStuart。Atnighthehimselfhurriedaway，tookthecommandofthetroopsopposedtoSedgwick，attackedhimvigorouslyatdaybreak，anddrovehimwithheavylossbackacrosstheriver。ThenextdayhemarchedbackwithhisforcetojoininthefinalattackupontheFederals；butwhenthetroopsofStuartandLeemovedforwardtheyencounterednoopposition。HookerhadbeguntocarryhistroopsacrosstheriveronthenighthewashurledbackoutofChancellorsville，andtherestofhistroopshadcrossedonthetwofollowingnights。

GeneralHookerissuedapompousordertohistroop。aftergettingacrosstheriver，totheeffectthatthemovementhadmetwiththecompletesuccesshehadanticipatedfromit；butthetruthsoonleakedout。GeneralSedgwick"sforcehadlost6，000men，Hooker"sowncommandfully20，000more；butsplendidasthesuccesswas，itwasdearlypurchasedbytheConfederatesatthepriceofthelifeofStonewallJackson。Hisarmwasamputatedthedayafterthebattle；helivedforaweek，anddiednotsomuchfromtheeffectofhiswoundsasfromthepneumonia，theresultofhisexposuretotheheavydewonthenightprecedinghismarchthroughtheWilderness。

Duringthetwodays"fightingVincentWingfieldhaddischargedhisdutiesuponGeneralStuart"sstaff。Onthefirstdaytheworkhadbeenslight，forGeneralStuart，withthecannon，remainedintherear，whileJackson"sinfantryattackedandcarriedtheFederalretrenchments。Uponthesecondday，however，whenStuartassumedthecommand，Vincent"sdutieshadbeenonerousanddangerousintheextreme。Hewasconstantlycarryingordersfromonepartofthefieldtotheother，amidsuchashowerofshotandshellthatitseemedmarvelousthatanyonecouldexistwithinit。

TohisgreatgriefWildfirewaskilledunderhim，buthehimselfescapedwithoutascratch。Whenhecameafterwardtotrytodescribethebattletothoseathomehecouldgivenoaccountofit。

"Tome，"hesaid，"itwassimplyachaosofnoiseandconfusion。

OfwhatwasgoingonIknewnothing。Thedinwasappalling。

Theroaroftheshells，thehumofgrapeandcanister，thewhistleofbullets，theshoutsofthemen，formedamightyroarthatseemedtorenderthinkingimpossible。Showersofleavesfellincessantly，greatboughsoftreeswereshornaway，andtreesthemselvessometimescamecrashingdownasatrunkwasstruckfullbyashell。Theundergrowthhadcaughtfire，andthethicksmoke，mingledwiththatofthebattle，rendereditdifficulttoseeortobreathe。Ihadbutonethought，thatofmakingmywaythroughthetrees，offindingthecorpstowhichIwassent，ofdeliveringmymessage，andfindingthegeneralagain。No，Idon"tthinkIhadmuchthoughtofdanger，thewholethingwassomehowsotremendousthatonehadnothoughtwhateverforone"sself。Itwasasortofterribledream，inwhichonewaspossessedofthesingleideatogettoacertainplace。Itwasnottillatlastwesweptacrosstheopengrounddowntothehouse，thatIseemedtotakeanydistinctnoticeofwhatwasgoingonaroundme。Then，forthefirsttime，theexultingshoutsofthemen，andthelonglinesadvancingatthedouble，wokemeuptothefactthatwehadgainedoneofthemostwonderfulvictoriesinhistory，andhaddrivenanarmyoffourorfivetimesourownstrengthfromapositionthattheybelievedtheyhadmadeimpregnable。"

ThedefeatofHookerforatimeputastoptoanyfurtheradvanceagainstRichmondfromtheNorth。TheFederaltroops，whosetermofservicewasup，returnedhome，anditwasmonthsbeforealltheeffortsoftheauthoritiesofWashingtoncouldplacethearmyinaconditiontomakearenewedadvance。ButtheConfederateshadalsosufferedheavily。AthirdoftheforcewithwhichJacksonhadattackedhadfallen，andtheirlosscouldnotbereplaced，astheConfederateswereforcedtosendeveryonetheycouldraisetotheassistanceofthearmiesintheWest，whereGeneralsBanksandGrantwerecarryingonoperationswithgreatsuccessagainstthem。TheimportanttownofVicksburg，whichcommandedthenavigationoftheMississippi，wasbesieged，andafteraresistancelastingforsomemonths，surrendered，withitsgarrisonof25，000men，onthe3dofJuly，andtheFederalgunboatswerethusabletopenetratebytheMississippianditsconfluentsintotheheartoftheConfederacy。

ShortlyafterthebattleofChancellorsville，VincentwasappointedtothecommandofasquadronofcavalrythatwasdetachedfromStuart"sforceandsentdowntoRichmondtoguardthecapitalfromanyraidsbybodiesofFederalcavalry。Ithadbeentwoorthreetimesmenacedbyflyingbodiesofhorsemen，andduringthecavalryadvancebeforethebattleofChancellorsvillesmallpartieshadpenetratedtowithinthreemilesofthecity，cuttingallthetelegraphwires，pullinguprails，andcausingthegreatestterror。

Vincentwasnotsorryforthechange。Ittookhimawayfromthegreattheaterofthewar，butafterChancellorsvillehefeltnoeagerdesiretotakepartinfuturebattles。Hisdutieswouldkeephimnearhishome，andwouldgiveamplescopeforthedisplayofwatchfulness，dash，andenergy。ConsequentlyhetooknopartinthecampaignthatcommencedinthefirstweekinJune。

Tiredofstandingalwaysonthedefensive，theConfederateauthoritiesdeterminedtocarryoutthestopthathadbeensowarmlyadvocatedbyJacksonearlierinthewar，andwhichmightatthattimehavebroughtittoasuccessfultermination。Theydecidedtocarrythewarintotheenemy"scountry。BythemoststrenuouseffortsLee"sarmywasraisedto75，000men，dividedintothreegreatarmycorps，commandedbyLongstreet，Ewell，andHill。StrikingfirstintoWesternVirginia，theydrovetheFederalsfromWinchester，andchasedthemfromtheStatewiththelossofnearly4，000prisonersand30guns。ThentheyenteredMarylandandPennsylvania，andconcentratingatGettysburgtheymettheNorthernarmyunderMeade，whohadsucceededHooker。

AlthoughgreatnumbersoftheConfederateshadseentheirhomeswastedandtheirpropertywantonlydestroyed，theypreservedthemostperfectorderintheirmarchthroughtheNorth，andtheFederalsthemselvestestifytotheadmirablebehaviorofthetroops，andtothemannerinwhichtheyabstainedfromplunderingorinflictingannoyanceupontheinhabitants。

AtGettysburgtherewasthreedays"fighting。Inthefirstaportiononlyoftheforceswereengaged，theFederalsbeingdefeatedand5，000oftheirmentakenprisoners。UponthesecondtheConfederatesattackedtheNortherners，whowerepostedinanextremelystrongposition，butwererepulsedwithheavyloss。Thefollowingdaytheyrenewedtheattack，butaftertremendousfightingagainfailedtocarrytheheight。Bothpartieswereutterlyexhausted。Leedrewuphistroopsthenextday，andinvitedanattackfromtheFederals；butcontentedwiththesuccesstheyhadgainedtheymaintainedtheirposition，andtheConfederatesthenfellback，Stuart"scavalryprotectingtheimmensetrainsofwagonsloadedwiththestoresandammunitioncapturedinPennsylvania。

ButlittleattemptwasmadebytheNorthernerstointerferewiththeirretreat。OnreachingthePotomactheyfoundthatasuddenrisehadrenderedthefordsimpassable。Intrenchmentsandbatterieswerethrownup，andforaweektheConfederatearmyheldthelines，expectinganattackfromtheenemy，whohadapproachedwithintwomiles；buttheFederalgeneralsweretoowellsatisfiedwithhavinggainedasuccesswhenactingonthedefensiveinastrongpositiontoriskadefeatinattackingthepositionoftheConfederates，andtheirforcesremainedimpassiveuntilpontoonbridgeswerethrownacrosstheriver，andtheConfederatearmy，withtheirvastbaggagetrain，badagaincrossedintoVirginia。ThecampaignhadcosttheNorthernarmy23，000

meninkilled，wounded，andprisoners，besidesaconsiderablenumberofguns。TheConfederateslostonlytwoguns，leftbehindinthemud，and1，500prisoners，buttheirlossinkilledandwoundedatGettysburgexceeded10，000men。EventhemostSanguineamongtheranksoftheConfederacywerenowcon-scionsthatthepositionwasadesperateone。TheFederalarmiesseemedtospringfromtheground。Strictdisciplinebadtakentheplace。ofthedisorderandinsubordinationthathadfirstprevailedintheirranks。Thearmiesweresplendidlyequipped。

Theywereabletoobtainanyamountofthefinestguns，rifles，andammunitionofwarfromtheworkshopsofEurope；whiletheConfederates，cutofffromtheworld，hadtorelysolelyuponthemakeshiftfactoriestheyhadsetup，anduponthegunsandstorestheycapturedfromtheenemy。

TheNorthernershadnow，asablowtothepoweroftheSouth，abolishedslavery，andwereraisingregimentsofnegroesfromamongthefreeblacksoftheNorth，andfromtheslavestheytookfromtheirownerswherevertheirarmiespenetratedtheSouthernStates。MostoftheConfederateportshadbeeneithercapturedorweresostrictlyblockadedthatitwasnexttoimpossiblefortheblockade-runnertogetinorout，whilethecaptureofthefortsontheMississippienabledthemtousetheFederalflotillasofgunboatstothegreatestadvantage，andtocarrytheirarmiesintothecenteroftheConfederacy。

Still，therewasnotalkwhateverofsurrenderonthepartoftheSouth，and，indeed，thedecreeabolishingslavery，andstillmoretheactionoftheNorthinraisingblackregiments，excitedthebitterestfeelingofanimosityandhatred。Thedeterminationtofighttothelast，whatevercameofit，animatedeverywhitemanintheSouthernStates，and，althoughdeeplydisappointedwiththefailureofLee"sinvasionoftheNorth，theonlyresultwastoincitethemtogreaterexertionsandsacrifices。IntheNorthanactauthorizingconscriptionwaspassedin1863，buttheattempttocarryitintoforcecausedaseriousriotinNewYork，whichwasonlysuppressedaftermanyliveshadbeenlostandthecityplacedundermartiallaw。

WhilethegunsofGettysburgwerestillthundering，aFederalarmyof18，000menunderGeneralGillmore，assistedbythefleet，hadlaidsiegetoCharleston。Itwasobstinatelyattackedanddefended。

Thesiegecontinueduntilthe5thofSeptember，whenFortWagnerwascaptured；butallattemptstotakeFortSumterandthetownofCharlestonitselffailed，althoughthecitysufferedgreatlyfromthebombardment。InTennesseetherewasseverefightingintheautumn，andtwodesperatebattleswerefoughtatChickamaugaonthe19thand20thofSeptember，GeneralBragg，whocommandedtheConfederatearmythere，beingreinforcedbyLongstreet"sveteransfromthearmyofVirginia。AfterdesperatefightingtheFederalsweredefeated，andthirty-sixgunsandvastquantitiesofarmscapturedbytheConfederates。Thefruitsofthevictory，however，wereveryslight，asGeneralBraggrefusedtoallowLongstreettopursue，andsotoconverttheFederalretreatintoarout，andtheconsequencewasthatthisvictorywasmorethanbalancedbyaheavydefeatinflictedupontheminNovemberatChattanoogabyShermanandGrant。AtthisbattleGeneralLongstreet"sdivisionwasnotpresent。

ThearmyofVirginiahadalongrestaftertheirreturnfromGettysburg，anditwasnotuntilNovemberthatthecampaignwasrenewed。Meadeadvanced，afewminorskirmishestookplace，andthen，whenhereachedtheWilderness，thesceneofHooker"sdefeat，whereLeewaspreparedtogivebattle，hefellbackagainacrosstheRappahannock。

TheyearhadbeenanunfortunateonefortheConfederates。TheyhadlostVicksburg，"andthedefeatatChattanoogahadledtothewholeStateofTennesseefallingintothehandsoftheFederals，whileagainsttheselossestherewasnocounterbalancingsuccesstobereckoned。

Inthespringof1864bothpartiespreparedtotheutmostforthestruggle。GeneralGrant，anofficerwhohadshowninthecampaignintheWestthathepossessedconsiderablemilitaryability，unitedwithimmensefirmnessanddeterminationofpurpose，waschosenasthenewcommander-in-chiefofthewholemilitaryforceoftheNorth。Itwasamightyarmy，vastinnumbers，lavishlyprovidedwithallmaterialsofwar。Theofficialdocumentsshowthatonthe1stofMaythetotalmilitaryforcesoftheNorthamountedto662，000men。OfthesetheforceavailablefortheadvanceagainstRichmondnumbered284，630men。ThisincludedthearmyofthePotomac，thatoftheJamesRiver，andthearmyintheShenandoahValley-thewholeofwhomwereinreadinesstomoveforwardagainstRichmondattheordersofGrant。

ToopposetheseGeneralLeehadlessthan53，000men，includingthegarrisonofRichmondandthetroopsinNorthCarolina。Thosestationedintheseaporttownsnumberedinallanother20，000，sothatifeveryavailablesoldierhadbeenbroughtupLeecouldhaveopposedatotalofbut83，000menagainstthe284，000invaders。

IntheWestthenumbersweremoreequallybalanced。GeneralSherman，whocommandedthearmyofinvasionthere，hadunderhisorders230，000men，butasmorethanhalfthisforcewasrequiredtoprotectthelonglinesofcommunicationandtokeepdowntheconqueredStates，hewasabletobringintothefieldforoffensiveoperations99，000men，whowerefacedbytheConfederatearmyunderJohnstonof58，000men。Grant"sschemewas，thatwhilethearmiesoftheNorthwere，underhisowncommand，tomarchagainstRichmond，thearmyoftheWestwastoinvadeGeorgiaandmarchuponAtlanta。

Hisplanofactionwassimple，andwasafterwardstatedbyhimselftobeasfollows:"Ideterminedfirsttousethegreatestnumberoftroopspracticableagainstthemainforceoftheenemy，preventinghimfromusingthesameforceatdifferentseasonsagainstfirstoneandthenanotherofourarmies，andthepossibilityofreposeforrefittingandproducingnecessarysuppliesforcarryingonresistance。Second，tohammercontinuouslyagainstthearmedforceoftheenemyandhisresourcesuntil，bymereattritionifinnootherway，thereshouldbenothinglefttohimbutsubmission。"

Thiswasaterribleprogramme，andinvolvedanexpenditureoflifefarbeyondanythingthathadtakenplace。Grant"splan，infact，wastofightandtokeeponfighting，regardlessofhisownlosses，untilatlasttheConfederatearmy，whoselossescouldnotbereplaced，meltedaway。Itwasastrategythatfewgeneralshavedaredtopractice，fewerstilltoacknowledge。

Onthe4thofMaythegreatarmyofthePotomaccrossedtheRapidanandadvancedtowardChancellorsville。Leemovedtwodivisionsofhisarmytoopposethem。NextmorningthebattlebeganatdaybreakontheoldgroundwhereLeehaddefeatedHookertheyearbefore。AlldaylongthodivisionofEwellsupportedtheattackofthearmycorpsofSedgwickandHancock。

Alongafrontofsixmiles，inthemidstofthethickforest，thebattleragedthewholeoftheday。TheConfederates，inspiteoftheutmosteffortsoftheNortherners，althoughreinforcedintheafternoonbythearmycorpsofGeneralBurnside，heldtheirposition，andwhennightputanendtotheconflicttheinvadershadnotgainedafootofground。

Assoonasthefirstgleamoflightappearedinthemorningthebattlerecommenced。TheFederalgenerals，Sedgwick，Warren，andHancock，withBurnsideinreserve，felluponHillandEwell。

Bothsideshadthrownupearthworksandfelledtreesasaprotectionduringthenight。AtfirsttheConfederatesgainedtheadvantage；butaportionofBurnside"scorpswasbroughtupandrestoredthebattle，whileontheleftflankoftheFederalsHancockhadattackedwithsuchvigorthattheConfederatesopposedtohimweredrivenback。

Atthecrisisofthebattle，Longstreet，whohadmarchedallnight，appearedupontheground，drovebackHancock"smen，andwasonthepointofaidingtheConfederatesinadecisiveattackupontheenemy，when，ridingrapidlyforwardintothewoodtoreconnoiter，hewas，likeJackson，struckdownbythefireofhisownmen。Hewascarriedtothereardesperately，anditwasfearedforatimemorallywounded，andhislossparalyzedthemovementwhichliehadprepared。Neverthelessduringthewholedaythefightwentonwithvaryingsuccess，sometimesonesideobtainingaslightadvantage，theotherthenregainingthegroundtheyhadlost。

JustaseveningwasclosinginaGeorgiabrigade，withtwootherregiments，madeadetour，andfellfuriouslyupontwobrigadesoftheenemy，anddrovethembackinheadlongroutforamileandahalf，capturingtheirtwogeneralsandmanyprisoners。Theartillery，asonthepreviousday，hadbeenlittleusedoneitherside，theworkbeingdoneatshortrangewiththerifle，thelossbeingmuchheavieramongthethickmassesoftheNorthernersthaninthethinnerlinesoftheConfederates。GranthadfailedinhiseffortstoturnLee"srightandtoaccomplishhisdirectadvance；hethereforechangedhisbaseandmovedhisarmyroundtowardSpotsylvania。

Leesoonperceivedhisobject，andsucceededincarryinghisarmytoSpotsylvaniabeforetheFederalsreachedit。

OntheafternoonofMonday，the9th，therewasheavyfightingandonthe10thanotherpitchedbattletookplace。Thistimethegroundwasmoreopen，andtheartillerywasemployedwithterribleeffectonbothsides。Itended，however，asthepreviousbattleshaddone，bytheConfederatesholdingtheirground。

Uponthenextdaytherewasbutlittlefighting。InthenighttheFederalsmovedquietlythoughthewood，andatdaybreakfourdivisionsfelluponJohnston"sdivisionofEwell"scorps，tookthemcompletelybysurprise，andcapturedthegreaterpartofthem。