FOOTNOTES:

GOVRNT. BLACKSMITHS' SHOP

Grant throughout the winter had been preparing for the spring campaign. The Phalanx regiments heretofore in the 9th, 10th and 18th Corps had been consolidated, and formed the 25th Corps, under the command of Major-General Godfrey Weitzel, who at New Orleans refused to command negro troops. The Corps was divided into three divisions, with Brigadier-Generals Wilde, Birney and Paine as commanders. Major-General Ord had succeeded to the command of the Army of the James, then numbering about 28,000 effective men, and was to take part with three divisions of his command in the onward movement to commence on the 29th of March, while Weitzel was to command the remainder of the troops north of the James and at Bermuda Hundreds.

Lee, as though he had knowledge of Grant's intention and meant to frustrate his plans by taking the initiative, attacked the 9th Corps at Fort Steadman on the 25th, with signal success. He was finally repulsed, however, and Grant began moving the Union troops. On the morning of the 29th, General Birney with the 2nd Division of the 25th Corps was near Hatcher's Run, with General Ord's command. The division consisted of three brigades of Phalanx Infantry, commanded by Colonels James Shaw, Jr., Ulysses Doubleday and William W. Woodward. A brigade of artillery commanded by Captain Louis L. Langdon was attached to the Corps; but, owing to the country being wooded, it was of little use, and most of it was left on the north side with General Weitzel.

On the same day Sheridan reached Dinwiddie, and the next morning he encountered the confederates near the Court House. Here were W. H. F. Lee's Cavalry, Picket's and Bushrod Johnson's divisions of Infantry, and Wise's brigade. Sheridan made the attack. His men, on account of the marshy ground, had to dismount. The confederates fought desperately, but Sheridan's men contested every inch of ground, and at night fell back to Dinwiddie Court House and bivouacked. The 5th Corps came up during the night to attack the confederates in the rear; but at daylight it was found that they had fallen back to Five Forks. Here was found the cavalry of W. H. F. Lee and Fitzhugh Lee, with Ross', Picket's, Wise's and Johnson's divisions of infantry. On the morning of the 1st of April, Sheridan advanced the 5th Corps toward Five Forks. That afternoon it fell upon Picket's rear, and now began the decisive battle. The roar was deafening. Night was coming on, and Sheridan was anxious to carry out Grant's order and "end the matter if possible to do so." He gave the order, "Charge bayonets!" In five minutes Picket's outer line was in possession of the federals. Crawford's division struck them in the flank, and, with McKenzie's brigade, routed and sent the confederates flying. The 5th Corps rallied and captured the enemy's entire force in their front. General Sheridan says in report:

"YOU MUST THROW AWAY THAT CIGAR, SIR!" A Phalanx guard refusing to allow General U. S. Grant to pass by the commissary store-house till he had thrown away his cigar."YOU MUST THROW AWAY THAT CIGAR, SIR!"A Phalanx guard refusing to allow General U. S. Grant to pass by the commissary store-house till he had thrown away his cigar.

"The enemy were driven from their strong line of works, completely routed, the Fifth Corps doubling up their left flank in confusion, and the cavalry of General Merritt dashing on to the White Oak Road, capturing their artillery, turning it upon them, and riding into their broken ranks, so demoralized them that they made no serious stand after their line was carried, but took flight in disorder."

"The enemy were driven from their strong line of works, completely routed, the Fifth Corps doubling up their left flank in confusion, and the cavalry of General Merritt dashing on to the White Oak Road, capturing their artillery, turning it upon them, and riding into their broken ranks, so demoralized them that they made no serious stand after their line was carried, but took flight in disorder."

The writer well remembers the eagerness of the Phalanx brigade of Colonel Shaw, composed of the 109th, 116th and 7th Regiments, as they waited orders near Hatcher's Run. The sound of distant guns fell upon their ears; Colonel Shaw was impatient; all seemed to feel the end was near, and wanted to lend a hand in the consummation. Oh, what suspense! The brigade lay upon their arms in a state of great agitation, all that night, waiting for orders to advance upon the foe. Who can tell the thoughts of those brave black soldiers as thus they lay upon the rumbling earth. Fathers, mothers, sisters, wives and children, yet slaves, behind the enemy's guns: precious property they are, and guarded like dearest treasure and even life itself, by an army of slave-holders—Lee's men, who, with the desperation of demons, vainly attempted to check the advance of the men of the North, who, with their lives, defended the Union. The black brigade wanted to strike one more blow for freedom—for the freedom of their wives and children—to make one more charge, and the confederate banner should go down; one more charge, and the light of Liberty's stars should blazon over the ramparts of the confederate forts. At length, with the dawning of day, came the order; then the blackbrigade went forward, but to find the enemy gone and their works deserted.

The confederate lines were broken, and Sheridan's troopers, McKenzie and Merritt, with their cavalry, although it was night, had followed up the fleeing foe, capturing them by thousands. The brigade pushed on along the captured works. The federal batteries, from every mound and hill, were showering shot and shell into the enemy's inner works; while the gleaming bayonets of the thousands of infantry could be seen as far as the eye could reach, their proud banners kissing the stifling air, and the bugles sounding the "forward march," leaving in their rear smoking camps and blazing dwellings. What a Sunday morning was that, with its thunders of terrific war, instead of the mellow chimes of church bells and the repose of peace.

It was late in the afternoon, and huge, black clouds of smoke rolled up out of the city of Petersburg, and then a loud report, told that the confederates had evacuated it. Away to the left, the huzzas of Colonel Doubleday's Phalanx brigade (2nd) were heard. Now came a race to reach the city, between the 7th and 8th Phalanx regiments. No matter which was first, they were among the troops which took possession of the city, and gladdened the hearts of the negro population, as they marched through the streets singing their battle song:

"We will hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple-tree as we go marching on."

"We will hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple-tree as we go marching on."

It was a glorious victory, bringing freedom to thousands of slaves, though it cost as many lives and millions of treasure. It was the beginning of the end. The confederates deserted their army by thousands. The South Side Railroad was in the hands of the federals, and starvation threatened the enemy. Lee, says a historian, was no longer himself: he rode wildly through his camps hither, and thither, trying to save his shattered and routed soldiers from annihilation.

The defeat at Five Forks settled the fate of the Army of North Virginia. Grant had almost the entire federalarmy actively engaged; he stopped the exchange of prisoners, invited President Lincoln, then at City Point, to come out and see the army advance, which he did. He met Grant in the city of Petersburg, amid the exultations of the troops and the joyous demonstrations of the negro population. General Lee made no stop at Richmond; he had informed Jefferson Davis that he must give up the city. The latter, with his aids and all the money he could collect,—not the confederate paper, but the gold of the United States,—stampeded.

General Weitzel, with Kautz's division of the 24th Corps and Thomas' and Ashborne's division of the 25th Corps, on the north side of the James river, lay quietly upon their arms during the fight on the south side. Grant kept Weitzel informed as to the results of the attack, and warned him to be on the alert and take every advantage offered, to press the confederates. General Longstreet's forces had been in Weitzel's front, but were partly withdrawn to defend Petersburg; therefore the latter kept unceasing vigil upon the fortifications before him.

Sunday evening the bands were ordered out to play, and it was late into the night when their melodious strains ceased to float through the air. It was a night long to be remembered, the hearts of the black soldiers of the 25th Corps, gladdened by the reports of the victories of the troops before Petersburg, were jubilant, and with vigilant watch each looked for morning. They were impatient for the light, and ere it dawned they were ready for the onset which they believed must come with it. The enemy whom they supposed were preparing to give them battle, was silently stealing away to the enchanting strains of the Federal musicians. It was near the morning hours when a sudden report startled the sleeping soldiers; an explosion, another, and yet another followed in rapid succession.

General Weitzel soon became satisfied that the enemy was moving, the continuous sound of distant cannonading away to the south, told that the combat still raged.From the signal tower bright lights were discernable at Richmond. The city appeared to be on fire; a confederate picket was captured, but he knew nothing; he had got astray from his comrades and command. A deserter came in with intelligence that the city was being evacuated, and half an hour later a negro drove into camp and gave information that the enemy was flying.

The ground in front was thickly set with torpedoes, and the troops dared not move. Day came and Colonel Draper's black brigade of the 25th Corps went forward. The road was lumbered with all manner and sort of military gear and munitions of war. Keeping clear of the red flags which marked the torpedoes, the troops pushed on; they soon reached the defences of the city to find them untenanted; the negro had told the truth and the Phalanx brigade entered the city welcomed by thousands of happy kinsfolks. Badeau says:

"The sun was an hour up, when suddenly there rose in the streets the cry of 'Yankees! Yankees!' and the mass of plunderers and rioters, cursing, screaming, trampling on each other, alarmed by an enemy not yet in sight, madly strove to extricate themselves and make an opening for the troops. Soon about forty men of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry rode into the crowd, and, trotting straight to the public square, planted their guidons on the Capitol. Lieutenant De Peyster, of Weitzel's staff, a New Yorker eighteen years of age, was the first to raise the national colors, and then, in the morning light of the 3d of April, the flag of the United States once more floated over Richmond."The command of Weitzel followed—a long blue line—with gun-barrels gleaming, and bands playing 'Hail Columbia' and 'John Brown's Soul Goes Marching On.' One regiment was black.[33]The magistrates formally surrendered the city to Weitzel at the Capitol, which stands on a hill in the centre of the town, and overlooks the whole country for miles. The national commander at once set about restoring order and extinguishing the flames. Guards were established, plundering was stopped, the negroes were organized into a fire corps, and by night the force of the conflagration was subdued, the rioting was at an end, and the conquered city was rescued by the efforts of its captors from the evils which its own authorities had allowed, and its own population had perpetrated."

"The sun was an hour up, when suddenly there rose in the streets the cry of 'Yankees! Yankees!' and the mass of plunderers and rioters, cursing, screaming, trampling on each other, alarmed by an enemy not yet in sight, madly strove to extricate themselves and make an opening for the troops. Soon about forty men of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry rode into the crowd, and, trotting straight to the public square, planted their guidons on the Capitol. Lieutenant De Peyster, of Weitzel's staff, a New Yorker eighteen years of age, was the first to raise the national colors, and then, in the morning light of the 3d of April, the flag of the United States once more floated over Richmond.

"The command of Weitzel followed—a long blue line—with gun-barrels gleaming, and bands playing 'Hail Columbia' and 'John Brown's Soul Goes Marching On.' One regiment was black.[33]The magistrates formally surrendered the city to Weitzel at the Capitol, which stands on a hill in the centre of the town, and overlooks the whole country for miles. The national commander at once set about restoring order and extinguishing the flames. Guards were established, plundering was stopped, the negroes were organized into a fire corps, and by night the force of the conflagration was subdued, the rioting was at an end, and the conquered city was rescued by the efforts of its captors from the evils which its own authorities had allowed, and its own population had perpetrated."

RECEIVING THE PRESIDENT. Abraham Lincoln riding through Richmond, April 4th, 1865, after the evacuation of the city by the Confederates.RECEIVING THE PRESIDENT.Abraham Lincoln riding through Richmond, April 4th, 1865, after the evacuation of the city by the Confederates.

Lee and his famishing host were fleeing towards Danville, hotly pursued by the Federal Army. Resting there until the 5th they resumed the march, fighting and running, until, at Appomattox they gave up and surrendered. Major Alexandria S. Johnson of the 116th Phalanx Regiment thus relates the story in part which the Phalanx brigade took in the memorable movement of the two armies to Appomattox. He says:

"As a participant in these events I will speak merely of what came under my own observation. The One Hundred and Sixteenth (colored) Infantry, in which I commanded a company, belonged to the Third Brigade, Second Division of the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, and during the winter of 1864-65 held the lines on Chapin's farm, the left resting on Fort Burnham. The division was commanded by Major-General Birney. The winter was passed in endeavoring to get the troops in as high a state of discipline as possible by constant drill and watchful training. When the spring opened we had the satisfaction of feeling that they were the equal, as soldiers, of most of the white troops. They were a contented body, being well fed and clothed, and they took delight in their various duties. The news of the capture of Savannah by Sherman and the defeat of Hood at Nashville had a cheering effect upon the whole command, and we looked forward with confidence that the end was drawing near."On the night of the 26th of March our division silently left the lines on Chapin's farm, and marching to the rear some three miles went into bivouac. On the night of the 27th we crossed the James on muffled pontoons, and after a weary march arrived at Hatcher's Run at daybreak of the 28th. Crossing the original lines of breastworks we built new breastworks some two hundred yards in advance and bivouacked in the pine woods awaiting events. Sheridan at this time was operating on the Confederate right flank. The news of his decisive victory at Five Forks and of the complete turning of the enemy's flank was the immediate cause of a verbal order, given to company commanders by our colonel on the afternoon of April 1st, to advance on the lines in our front at dawn on the following day. That night the Union artillery opened along the whole line. Hissing and bursting shells from Appomattox river to Hatcher's Run filled in a scene never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. It was as if demons incarnate were holding a jubilee. As far as the eye could reach there was one blaze of fiery shot. The world has seldom seen its like. Where our brigade was to operate was a dense wilderness of pines with matted underbrush, but in the morning it looked as though a sirocco had kissed it."With the dawn of day the brigade was in line of battle. Not a breath of air was stirring. A misty vapor shed its gloom and hung like a pall among the tree-tops. The silk covers were taken from our flags, but their folds hung lazily along the staff when the command, 'Forward! guide centre! march!' was given. At first slashed timber and brushobstructed our way, but as the obstruction began to cease an obstacle in the shape of a long line of abattis met our gaze. The dusky line broke through the abattis, however, as if the stakes had been so many reeds, and charged over the breastworks and into the Confederate camp. The rush must have been a surprise, as the enemy offered little resistance. In front of one of the tents a Federal sergeant (white) lay dead, his right arm extended to the full length, and firmly clenched in his hand was a piece of fancy soap. A bullet had entered his forehead, the blood from the wound was trickling down his face, but the hue of health was still on his cheek. How he came to be there is to me a mystery, as that part of the line was forced by colored troops. Swinging by the right flank we kept our way along the Boydton road. A Confederate light battery in position alongside of a cottage, which stood in a hollow, shelled the column as it advanced, and so accurate had the gunners got the range that almost every shell did damage. A couple of shells burst together above my company. The flash blinded me for a few seconds. I heard a scream of pain and just then was ordered to lie down. Not twenty yards from me was a wounded soldier. His leg was shattered badly. He prayed and sang hymns alternately, but his voice gradually grew weaker until it ended in death. One of our batteries was brought into position, and engaging the Confederate battery, the latter was silenced, when the column again resumed the march, arriving in front of Petersburg about noon."It was the intention of General Birney to carry by assault the main fort which commanded the city, and he deployed the division in line of battle for that purpose, but General Ord, coming up in time, ordered him to retire his division out of range and await further orders. We went into bivouac for the night, and at early dawn of the 3d we entered the city, the Confederates having evacuated the forts during the night. The field music played "John Brown's Body," and a tiny Union flag in the hands of a girl of ten years waved us a welcome. Resting an hour in the city the division started in pursuit of the Confederates. For a mile or two outside of the city the road was strewn with plug tobacco. Blood could be seen also at intervals in patches along the road. We bivouacked some fifteen miles from the city. A few of our officers took supper in a house close to our camping ground. Our fare was "corn pone," scraps of bacon, sorghum molasses, and a solution of something called coffee, for which we each gave our host, a middle-aged Virginian, one dollar. The colored troops being encamped on his farm his indignation was stirred and he exclaimed, while the tears trickled down his cheeks, 'Poor old Virginia! poor old Virginia! that I should have lived to see this day!'"At dawn of the 4th the column resumed the pursuit. It is needless for me to tell in detail how our cavalry destroyed and burned over five hundred Confederate wagons on the 5th and 6th, and how Ewell's command was defeated and captured at Sailor's creek on the 6th. Our brigade having arrived at Farmville on the afternoon of the 6th andencamped for the night, some of the citizens poured forth pitiful tales to our officers. They told how our cavalry had entered their houses and ripped open their feather beds, how the rude troopers had broken open bureaus and chests in search of valuables, and how they had carried away with them what they could find. Nothing of interest took place until the 8th, which was noted for the forced march made by the brigade, starting at daybreak and going into bivouac at twelve midnight. The morning of the 9th broke calm and serene. It was a lovely morning, the sun had not yet gotten above the horizon when the brigade was on the march again, but it went only a short distance when it was halted. To the right of the road, in a clearing, was a portion of the Twenty-fourth Corps, with arms stacked and the men cooking breakfast. Sides of bacon at intervals hung from their bayonets. Although the woods were full of our cavalry and three divisions of our infantry were in close proximity, all was as quiet as a Sabbath morning. One of our batteries, some six hundred yards to the right, broke the stillness by fitfully throwing a shell once in a while, but to a looker-on all seemed inaction. Such was the situation at Appomattox at sunrise on the morning of the 9th."Our brigade, after resting some thirty minutes, resumed the march. It soon filed to the right. In a few minutes the command was given—'Right shoulder, shift arms! double quick, march!' Onward we went, the objective point being the Lynchburg pike. Dismounted cavalry retreating from the front broke through the column, saying as they passed us, 'Give it to them, boys! they are too many for us!' In a few minutes the head of the column reached the pike, when it halted and faced to the front. The command—'Unsling knapsacks!'—was given, and then we knew we were stripping for a fight. Skirmishers were deployed on our front, and as we advanced the Confederate skirmishers retired before us. After advancing some eight hundred yards the brigade was ordered to halt and form in line of battle. It formed into column of companies. Some eight hundred yards away was the Army of Northern Virginia, with its three lines of battle awaiting us."We had not been at a halt more than twenty minutes when the news of Lee's surrender reached us. Our brigade celebrated the event by firing volleys of musketry in the air. Officers hugged each other with joy. About four hundred yards to the rear was a portion of the Twenty-fourth Corps, which had been marching to our support. The men in that long line threw their caps upwards until they looked like a flock of crows. From wood and dale came the sound of cheers from thousands of throats. Appomattox will never hear the like again. The brigade moved forward a short distance and went into camp some three hundred yards from the Confederate camp. In the afternoon I strolled over the ground we had traversed in the morning. I came across the body of a dead Confederate soldier, covered with a blanket. Some one had taken the shoes from his feet. Uncovering him I found that a shot had pierced his right breast. His white cotton shirt was matted with blood. Asmall bag was attached to the button-hole of his jacket. Undoing the bag I found it contained sixty ounces of corn meal. He was not over twenty-six years of age, and was of fair complexion. Who knows but he was the last soldier who fell belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia?"

"As a participant in these events I will speak merely of what came under my own observation. The One Hundred and Sixteenth (colored) Infantry, in which I commanded a company, belonged to the Third Brigade, Second Division of the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, and during the winter of 1864-65 held the lines on Chapin's farm, the left resting on Fort Burnham. The division was commanded by Major-General Birney. The winter was passed in endeavoring to get the troops in as high a state of discipline as possible by constant drill and watchful training. When the spring opened we had the satisfaction of feeling that they were the equal, as soldiers, of most of the white troops. They were a contented body, being well fed and clothed, and they took delight in their various duties. The news of the capture of Savannah by Sherman and the defeat of Hood at Nashville had a cheering effect upon the whole command, and we looked forward with confidence that the end was drawing near.

"On the night of the 26th of March our division silently left the lines on Chapin's farm, and marching to the rear some three miles went into bivouac. On the night of the 27th we crossed the James on muffled pontoons, and after a weary march arrived at Hatcher's Run at daybreak of the 28th. Crossing the original lines of breastworks we built new breastworks some two hundred yards in advance and bivouacked in the pine woods awaiting events. Sheridan at this time was operating on the Confederate right flank. The news of his decisive victory at Five Forks and of the complete turning of the enemy's flank was the immediate cause of a verbal order, given to company commanders by our colonel on the afternoon of April 1st, to advance on the lines in our front at dawn on the following day. That night the Union artillery opened along the whole line. Hissing and bursting shells from Appomattox river to Hatcher's Run filled in a scene never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. It was as if demons incarnate were holding a jubilee. As far as the eye could reach there was one blaze of fiery shot. The world has seldom seen its like. Where our brigade was to operate was a dense wilderness of pines with matted underbrush, but in the morning it looked as though a sirocco had kissed it.

"With the dawn of day the brigade was in line of battle. Not a breath of air was stirring. A misty vapor shed its gloom and hung like a pall among the tree-tops. The silk covers were taken from our flags, but their folds hung lazily along the staff when the command, 'Forward! guide centre! march!' was given. At first slashed timber and brushobstructed our way, but as the obstruction began to cease an obstacle in the shape of a long line of abattis met our gaze. The dusky line broke through the abattis, however, as if the stakes had been so many reeds, and charged over the breastworks and into the Confederate camp. The rush must have been a surprise, as the enemy offered little resistance. In front of one of the tents a Federal sergeant (white) lay dead, his right arm extended to the full length, and firmly clenched in his hand was a piece of fancy soap. A bullet had entered his forehead, the blood from the wound was trickling down his face, but the hue of health was still on his cheek. How he came to be there is to me a mystery, as that part of the line was forced by colored troops. Swinging by the right flank we kept our way along the Boydton road. A Confederate light battery in position alongside of a cottage, which stood in a hollow, shelled the column as it advanced, and so accurate had the gunners got the range that almost every shell did damage. A couple of shells burst together above my company. The flash blinded me for a few seconds. I heard a scream of pain and just then was ordered to lie down. Not twenty yards from me was a wounded soldier. His leg was shattered badly. He prayed and sang hymns alternately, but his voice gradually grew weaker until it ended in death. One of our batteries was brought into position, and engaging the Confederate battery, the latter was silenced, when the column again resumed the march, arriving in front of Petersburg about noon.

"It was the intention of General Birney to carry by assault the main fort which commanded the city, and he deployed the division in line of battle for that purpose, but General Ord, coming up in time, ordered him to retire his division out of range and await further orders. We went into bivouac for the night, and at early dawn of the 3d we entered the city, the Confederates having evacuated the forts during the night. The field music played "John Brown's Body," and a tiny Union flag in the hands of a girl of ten years waved us a welcome. Resting an hour in the city the division started in pursuit of the Confederates. For a mile or two outside of the city the road was strewn with plug tobacco. Blood could be seen also at intervals in patches along the road. We bivouacked some fifteen miles from the city. A few of our officers took supper in a house close to our camping ground. Our fare was "corn pone," scraps of bacon, sorghum molasses, and a solution of something called coffee, for which we each gave our host, a middle-aged Virginian, one dollar. The colored troops being encamped on his farm his indignation was stirred and he exclaimed, while the tears trickled down his cheeks, 'Poor old Virginia! poor old Virginia! that I should have lived to see this day!'

"At dawn of the 4th the column resumed the pursuit. It is needless for me to tell in detail how our cavalry destroyed and burned over five hundred Confederate wagons on the 5th and 6th, and how Ewell's command was defeated and captured at Sailor's creek on the 6th. Our brigade having arrived at Farmville on the afternoon of the 6th andencamped for the night, some of the citizens poured forth pitiful tales to our officers. They told how our cavalry had entered their houses and ripped open their feather beds, how the rude troopers had broken open bureaus and chests in search of valuables, and how they had carried away with them what they could find. Nothing of interest took place until the 8th, which was noted for the forced march made by the brigade, starting at daybreak and going into bivouac at twelve midnight. The morning of the 9th broke calm and serene. It was a lovely morning, the sun had not yet gotten above the horizon when the brigade was on the march again, but it went only a short distance when it was halted. To the right of the road, in a clearing, was a portion of the Twenty-fourth Corps, with arms stacked and the men cooking breakfast. Sides of bacon at intervals hung from their bayonets. Although the woods were full of our cavalry and three divisions of our infantry were in close proximity, all was as quiet as a Sabbath morning. One of our batteries, some six hundred yards to the right, broke the stillness by fitfully throwing a shell once in a while, but to a looker-on all seemed inaction. Such was the situation at Appomattox at sunrise on the morning of the 9th.

"Our brigade, after resting some thirty minutes, resumed the march. It soon filed to the right. In a few minutes the command was given—'Right shoulder, shift arms! double quick, march!' Onward we went, the objective point being the Lynchburg pike. Dismounted cavalry retreating from the front broke through the column, saying as they passed us, 'Give it to them, boys! they are too many for us!' In a few minutes the head of the column reached the pike, when it halted and faced to the front. The command—'Unsling knapsacks!'—was given, and then we knew we were stripping for a fight. Skirmishers were deployed on our front, and as we advanced the Confederate skirmishers retired before us. After advancing some eight hundred yards the brigade was ordered to halt and form in line of battle. It formed into column of companies. Some eight hundred yards away was the Army of Northern Virginia, with its three lines of battle awaiting us.

"We had not been at a halt more than twenty minutes when the news of Lee's surrender reached us. Our brigade celebrated the event by firing volleys of musketry in the air. Officers hugged each other with joy. About four hundred yards to the rear was a portion of the Twenty-fourth Corps, which had been marching to our support. The men in that long line threw their caps upwards until they looked like a flock of crows. From wood and dale came the sound of cheers from thousands of throats. Appomattox will never hear the like again. The brigade moved forward a short distance and went into camp some three hundred yards from the Confederate camp. In the afternoon I strolled over the ground we had traversed in the morning. I came across the body of a dead Confederate soldier, covered with a blanket. Some one had taken the shoes from his feet. Uncovering him I found that a shot had pierced his right breast. His white cotton shirt was matted with blood. Asmall bag was attached to the button-hole of his jacket. Undoing the bag I found it contained sixty ounces of corn meal. He was not over twenty-six years of age, and was of fair complexion. Who knows but he was the last soldier who fell belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia?"

It was Palm Sunday, celebrated by many of the followers of Christ as the day of his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, a day of great rejoicing among Christians, known in our annual calendar as the 9th day of April, 1865. The morning broke clear and bright in the neighborhood of Appomattox Court House, and there was every evidence of spring. The birds chirped in the trees half clad with the early foliage, which trembled in the soft breeze. Along the roadside yet untrod by the hostile feet of man or steed, the tiny floweret buds had begun to open to the warmth of genial nature, and the larger roses, red and white, cast their fragrance to the lingering winds. Here the half clad, sore footed soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia, were trembling with dread impatience for the onset,—the inevitable—which would decide their fate and their prospect of reaching the mountains just beyond. In front of them the federal cavalry awaited their coming.

It was yet grey in the morning when General Lee sent word to his Lieutenant Gordon to cut his "way through at all hazards." With the impetuosity of a cyclone, his shattered corps rushed upon the dismounted cavalry in their front, the Federal line quivered, and bent to the gale. On and on they came, pressing closer and closer upon the cavalry. The struggle was becoming desperate, it was the last hope of the confederates they must go through the lines, or perish in the attempt. Again the confederate yell rose above the din of the battle's roar, and soon the cavalry fell back. Where was their leader Sheridan? He came, galloping at break-neck speed, his men cheering him as he rode to the front. He had been to the rear some five miles away. He saw at a glance the daring object of the foe, and ordered his men to fall back slowly. The confederates followed up the wavering line with brightenedhopes, but hopes that were to be dissipated; soon the bristling bayonets, and glistening musket barrels of the Army of the James gleamed in their front; then the pressure ceased, and Sheridan's bugle sounded the order to mount, and his troopers dashed themselves against the enemy's left flank. Then, one bearing a white flag—a flag of truce, rode to the front of the confederate lines. Capt. J. D. Cook of General Mile's staff went forward to meet him. It was Colonel Taylor of General Lee's staff; he bore a note from Lee, asking a suspension of hostilities, and an interview with General Grant. Now let us go back to the night of the 6th, and trace the flying columns to this point. Badeau says:

"That night once more the rebels evacuated their works, this time in front of Meade, and when morning dawned were far on their way, as they fondly thought, to Lynchburg, and Lee defiantly informed his pursuer that the emergency for the surrender had not yet arrived. But he reckoned without his host. He was stretching, with the terrific haste that precedes despair, to Appomattox for supplies. He need hardly have hastened to that spot, destined to be so fatal to himself and his cause. Grant's legions were making more haste than he. The marvelous marching, not only of Sheridan, but of the men of the Fifth and Twenty-Fourth Corps, was doing as much as a battle to bring the rebellion to a close. Twenty-eight, thirty-two, thirty-five miles a day in succession these infantry soldiers marched, all day and all night. From daylight until daylight again, after more than a week of labor and fatigue almost unexampled, they pushed on to intercept their ancient adversary, while the remainder of the Army of the Potomac was at his heels."Finally Lee, still defiant, and refusing to treat with any view of surrender, came up to his goal, but found the national cavalry had reached the point before him, and that the supplies were gone. Still he determined to push his way through, and with no suspicion that men on foot could have marched from Rice's Station to his front in thirty hours, he made his last charge, and discovered a force of infantry greater than his own before him, besides cavalry, while two corps of the Army of the Potomac were close in his rear. He had run straight into the national lines. He was enclosed, walled in, on every side, with imminent instant destruction impending over him. He instantly offered to submit to Grant, and in the agony of alarm, lest the blow should fall, he applied to Meade and Sheridan also for a cessation of hostilities. Thus in three directions at once he was appealing to be allowed to yield. At the same moment he had messengers out to Sheridan, Meade, and Grant. The emergency, whose existence he had denied, had arrived.He was out-marched, out-fought, out-witted, out-generaled—defeated in every possible way. He and his army, every man, numbering 27,516, surrendered. He and his army, every man, was fed by the conqueror."

"That night once more the rebels evacuated their works, this time in front of Meade, and when morning dawned were far on their way, as they fondly thought, to Lynchburg, and Lee defiantly informed his pursuer that the emergency for the surrender had not yet arrived. But he reckoned without his host. He was stretching, with the terrific haste that precedes despair, to Appomattox for supplies. He need hardly have hastened to that spot, destined to be so fatal to himself and his cause. Grant's legions were making more haste than he. The marvelous marching, not only of Sheridan, but of the men of the Fifth and Twenty-Fourth Corps, was doing as much as a battle to bring the rebellion to a close. Twenty-eight, thirty-two, thirty-five miles a day in succession these infantry soldiers marched, all day and all night. From daylight until daylight again, after more than a week of labor and fatigue almost unexampled, they pushed on to intercept their ancient adversary, while the remainder of the Army of the Potomac was at his heels.

"Finally Lee, still defiant, and refusing to treat with any view of surrender, came up to his goal, but found the national cavalry had reached the point before him, and that the supplies were gone. Still he determined to push his way through, and with no suspicion that men on foot could have marched from Rice's Station to his front in thirty hours, he made his last charge, and discovered a force of infantry greater than his own before him, besides cavalry, while two corps of the Army of the Potomac were close in his rear. He had run straight into the national lines. He was enclosed, walled in, on every side, with imminent instant destruction impending over him. He instantly offered to submit to Grant, and in the agony of alarm, lest the blow should fall, he applied to Meade and Sheridan also for a cessation of hostilities. Thus in three directions at once he was appealing to be allowed to yield. At the same moment he had messengers out to Sheridan, Meade, and Grant. The emergency, whose existence he had denied, had arrived.He was out-marched, out-fought, out-witted, out-generaled—defeated in every possible way. He and his army, every man, numbering 27,516, surrendered. He and his army, every man, was fed by the conqueror."

From the date of Lee's surrender, the confederates, from Virginia to the Mississippi, began to lay down their arms. Howell Cobb surrendered at Macon, Ga., on the 21st; Johnston surrendered to General Sherman on the 26th, in North Carolina; Dick Taylor, east of the Mississippi, on the 4th of May, and on the 26th Kirby Smith surrendered his forces west of the Mississippi. Jeff. Davis had been captured, disguised as a woman, and thus the cause, which originated in treason, based on the enslavement of a race, and which derived its only chance of success from men who were false to their oaths, collapsed. The mightiest blow given the confederacy was struck by the immortal Proclamation of Emancipation, giving freedom to four millions of slaves; more than two hundred thousand of whom, with dash and gallantry excelled by no other race, tore down the traitor's banner from their deemed impregnable breastworks and planted in its stead the national flag. That emblem, whose crimson folds, re-baptised in the blood of liberty's martyrs, invited all men, of all races, who would be free, to gather beneath the effulgent glare of its heaven-lighted stars, regardless of color, creed or condition. The Phalanx nobly bore their part all through the long night of war, and at last they occupied Charleston,—the traitors' nest,—Petersburg,—their eastern Gibraltar,—and Richmond—their Capitol. They marched proudly through the streets of these once impregnable fortresses, in all of which many of the soldiers of the Phalanx had been slaves. Oh! what a realization of the power of right over might. What a picture for the historian's immortal pen to paint of the freemen of America, whose sufferings were long, whose struggle was gigantic, and whose achievement was a glorious personal and political freedom!

At the close of the war, the government, anticipating trouble in Texas, ordered General Steele to the command of the Rio Grande, under these instructions:

"Washington, May 21st, 1865."Maj. Gen. F. Steele, Commanding Rio Grande Expedition.

"Washington, May 21st, 1865.

"Maj. Gen. F. Steele, Commanding Rio Grande Expedition.

"By assignment of the President, Gen. Sheridan takes general command west of the Arkansas. It is the intention to prosecute a vigorous campaign in that country, until the whole of Texas is re-occupied by people acknowledging allegiance to the Government of the United States. Sheridan will probably act offensively from the Red river. But it is highly important that we should have a strong foothold upon the Rio Grande. You have been selected to take that part of the command. In addition to the force you take from Mobile Bay, you will have the 25th Corps and the few troops already in Southern Texas."Any directions you may receive from Gen. Sheridan, you will obey. But in the absence of instructions from him you will proceed without delay to the mouth of the Rio Grande and occupy as high up that river as your force and means of supplying will admit of."Your landing will probably have to be made at Brazos, but you will learn more fully upon that matter on your arrival. We will have to observe a strict neutrality towards Mexico, in the French and English sense of the word. Your own good sense and knowledge of international law, and experience of policy pursued towards us in this war teaches you what will be proper.

"By assignment of the President, Gen. Sheridan takes general command west of the Arkansas. It is the intention to prosecute a vigorous campaign in that country, until the whole of Texas is re-occupied by people acknowledging allegiance to the Government of the United States. Sheridan will probably act offensively from the Red river. But it is highly important that we should have a strong foothold upon the Rio Grande. You have been selected to take that part of the command. In addition to the force you take from Mobile Bay, you will have the 25th Corps and the few troops already in Southern Texas.

"Any directions you may receive from Gen. Sheridan, you will obey. But in the absence of instructions from him you will proceed without delay to the mouth of the Rio Grande and occupy as high up that river as your force and means of supplying will admit of.

"Your landing will probably have to be made at Brazos, but you will learn more fully upon that matter on your arrival. We will have to observe a strict neutrality towards Mexico, in the French and English sense of the word. Your own good sense and knowledge of international law, and experience of policy pursued towards us in this war teaches you what will be proper.

"Signed, U. S. GRANT,Lieutenant-General."Official: Signed,Geo. K. Leet, A. A. G."

"Signed, U. S. GRANT,Lieutenant-General.

"Official: Signed,Geo. K. Leet, A. A. G."

In the meantime General Grant sent the following dispatches to Generals Halleck and Weitzel:

"Washington, May 18th, 1865, 12.40p. m.,"Major-General H. W. Halleck, Richmond Va.

"Washington, May 18th, 1865, 12.40p. m.,

"Major-General H. W. Halleck, Richmond Va.

"Please direct Major-General Weitzel commanding 25th Army Corps to get his corps in readiness for embarkation at City Point immediately upon the arrival of ocean transportation. He will take with him forty (40) days rations for twenty thousand men, one-half of his land transportation and one-fourth of his mules with the requisite amount of forage for his animals. All surplus transportation and other public property he may have he will turn over to the depots at City Point."By command of Lieutenant-General Grant.

"Please direct Major-General Weitzel commanding 25th Army Corps to get his corps in readiness for embarkation at City Point immediately upon the arrival of ocean transportation. He will take with him forty (40) days rations for twenty thousand men, one-half of his land transportation and one-fourth of his mules with the requisite amount of forage for his animals. All surplus transportation and other public property he may have he will turn over to the depots at City Point.

"By command of Lieutenant-General Grant.

"Signed, JOHN A. RAWLINS,"Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff."Official. Signed,George K. Leet, A. A. G."

"Signed, JOHN A. RAWLINS,

"Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

"Official. Signed,George K. Leet, A. A. G."

*      *      *      *

"Washington, May 21st, 1865."Major-General G. Weitzel, Commanding 25th A. C.

"Washington, May 21st, 1865.

"Major-General G. Weitzel, Commanding 25th A. C.

"As soon as your corps is embarked you will proceed with it to Mobile Bay, Ala., and report to Major-General Steele for further orders."In addition to rations, ammunition, and other articles which you have received directions to take with you, you should take a fair quantity of intrenching tools.

"As soon as your corps is embarked you will proceed with it to Mobile Bay, Ala., and report to Major-General Steele for further orders.

"In addition to rations, ammunition, and other articles which you have received directions to take with you, you should take a fair quantity of intrenching tools.

"Signed, U. S. GRANT,Lieutenant-General."Official, Signed,George K. Leet, A. A. G."

"Signed, U. S. GRANT,Lieutenant-General.

"Official, Signed,George K. Leet, A. A. G."

On the 24th of May the 25th Corps began embarking for Texas by way of Mobile Bay. The troops, however, occupied Texas but a short time, the confederate forces there surrendering upon the same terms as those of General Lee. All fears having been dissipated, the troops were slowly mustered out of the United States service. The men returned to their wonted fields of labor to provide for their long-neglected families, upon a new career of peace and happiness, rising, Phœnix like, from the ashes of slavery to join the Phalanx of industry in upbuilding the greatness of their country, which they had aided in saving from desolation and ruin.

Such is the history of the negro in the wars of the United States. Coming to its shores in the condition of slavery, it required more than two centuries for the entire race to reach the estate of freedom. But the imperishable records of their deeds show that however humble and despised they have been in all political and social relations they have never been wanting in patriotism at periods of public peril. Their devotion has been not only unappreciated, but it has failed to receive a fitting commemoration in pages of national history. It has been the purpose of the writer of this volume to relate herein the patriotic career of the negro race in this country in an authentic and connected form. In the time to come the race will take care of itself. Slavery is ended, and now they are striking off link by link the chains of ignorance which the servitude of some and the humility of all imposed upon them. If the past is the story of an oppressed race, the future will reveal that of one uprisen to great opportunities, which they will improve from generation to generation, and guard with the same vigilance that they will the liberties and boundaries of the land.

FOOTNOTES:[31]The reader will bear in mind that there were several changes in the command of these troops during the campaign, on account of promotions, but the troops remained in the Department and Army of the James. See Roster, for changes.[32]THE PHALANX AT NEW MARKET HEIGHTS.[A]"On the 29th of September, 1864, Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Butler to cross the James River, at Two Points, and attack the enemy's line of work, in the centre of which was Fort Harrison; on the left, at New Market Heights, was a very strong work, the key of the enemy's flank on the north side of the river. It was a redoubt built on the top of a hill of some considerable elevation, then running down into a marsh. In that marsh was a brook—then rising again to a plain, which gently rolled toward the river. On that plain, when the flash of dawn was breaking, Butler placed a column of the black Phalanx," [which consisted of the 5th, 36th, 38th and 2nd Cavalry Regts.], "numbering three thousand, in close column, by division, right in front with guns at 'right shoulder shift.' The center of the line was given to the eighteenth corps composed of white troops, under Gen. Ord, and they drove the enemy from a very strong work, capturing several pieces of cannon."Gen. Butler had been severely criticised by officers of the regular army for organizing twenty-five regiments of negroes. 'Why.' said they, 'they will not fight' In contradiction of this assertion Butler made up his mind to prove the worth and value of the black Phalanx. Notwithstanding their gallantry at Petersburg and on the Fredericksburg road, the metal of the 25th corps of the Army of the James was to be tried; so Butler took command of the Phalanx himself with a determination to set at rest forever the question of the fighting capacity of a portion of his command. Addressing the Phalanx, he said, pointing to the works on the enemy's flank, 'those works must be taken by the weight of your column; not a shot must be fired. In order to prevent them from firing he had the caps taken from the nipples of their guns. 'When you charge.' he said, 'your cry will be 'Remember Fort Pillow.'"'Twas in the early grey of the morning, ere the sun had risen. The order 'forward' set the column in motion, and it went forward as if on parade—down the hill, across the marsh, and as the column got into the brook they came within range of the enemy's fire, which was vigorously opened upon them. The column broke a little, as it forded the brook, it wavered! What a moment of intense anxiety? But they formed again, as they reached the firm ground, marching on steadily with close ranks under the enemy's fire until the head of the column reached the first line of abatis, some one hundred and fifty yards from the enemy's work. Then the axemen ran to the front to cut away the heavy obstacles of defense while one thousand men of the enemy with their artillery concentrated poured from the redoubt a heavy fire upon the head of the column of fours. The axemen went down under that murderous fire; other strong black hands grasped the axes in their stead and the abatis was cut away. Again, at double-quick, the column went forward to within fifty yards of the fort, to meet there another line of abatis. The column halted and there a very fire of hell was poured upon them. The abatis resisted and held the head of the column which literally melted away under the rain of shot and shell; the flags of the leading regiments went down, but a brave black hand seized the colors. They were soon up again and waved their starry light over the storm of battle. Again the axemen fell, but strong hands and willing hearts seized the heavy sharpened trees and dragged them away, and the column rushed forward and with a shout that rang out above the roar of artillery went over the redoubt like a flash, and the enemy did not stop running within four miles, leaving the Phalanx in possession of their deemed impregnable work, cannons and small arms. The autocrats of the regular army could croak no longer about the negro soldiers not fighting."This gallantry of the Phalanx won for them and the negro race the admiration of the man who supported Jeff Davis and the slave power in the Charleston convention in 1860. Ten years after this splendid victory of the Phalanx, in support of their civil rights, General Butler then a member of congress, made an eloquent appeal in behalf of the equal civil rights of the negro race. In it he referred to the gallant charge of the Phalanx. He said: "It became my painful duty to follow in the track of that charging column, and there, in a space not wider than the clerk's desk and three hundred yards long, lay the dead bodies of five hundred and forty-three of my colored comrades, fallen in defense of their country, who had offered up their lives to uphold its flag and its honor, as a willing sacrifice: and as I rode along among them, guiding my horse this way and that way, lest he should profane with his hoofs what seemed to me the sacred dead, and as I looked on their bronzed faces upturned in the shining sun, as if in mute appeal against the wrongs of the country for which they had given their lives, whose flag had only been to them a flag of stripes, on which no star of glory had ever shone for them—feeling I had wronged them in the past and believing what was the future of my country to them—among my dead comrades there, I swore to myself a solemn oath—'May my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof my mouth, if I ever fail to defend the rights of those men who have given their blood for me and my country that day and for their race forever, and God helping me, I will keep that oath."*      *      *      *"NEW MARKET HEIGHTS.[B]"'Freedom their battle cry, freedom or leave to die.'—Boker.At New Market Heights, there Afric's lineage stood,And poured out copiously its best blood;Of them I would sing, my lyre's restrung,And allures not diffidently to the song,Paternal muse with thy patriot valor reignSupreme, and the brightness of ages regain,In the deep recess of the pastLower me, to where the battle's blastHas been given to oblivion, the sighOf dying patriots let greet me nigh.And my thoughts waft on memory's wing,To where their charging shouts yet ring.If mine the task indulgent muse vouchsafed,Whilst I commune 'mongst bones that paved,And flesh that bridged the chasm o'er,Where Butler numbered five hundred and moreof Afric's sons, who for liberty fell.In the corridors of a stockaded hell.I'll essay their deeds of valor done,By which the nation its victory won.'Twas early in the grey September morn,Ere the suns fulgent light had shown,Whilst departed patriots looked out from above,Emitting their twinkling silvery light of love,Upon the silent bivouac of freedom's sons,Weary and resting upon their bayonetless guns;Quite near the bank of the James,Just above where their own fathers' names,Were first enrolled as ignoble slaves.The Second Brigade, valiant men and braves,Saw a meteor like rocket burst high,High up in the dewey morning sky.Then came the summons prepare to away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.Beat the long roll, sound the alarm,Break the monotone and the dead calm,And the bugle's clarion notes aroused, awoke,The host that waited ere day broke;Infantry, cavalry prepared to make away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.From rank to rank the summons ran,Bayonets rattle and clank of sabres began.With whetted steel the sturdy axe-men,Capless riflemen, horseless cavalry men.Formed on that plain in battle array,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.When the flash of dawn was breaking,Their leader rode in front, and speaking,Gave the charging shout 'Remember Fort Pillow,'And their banners brightened in the mellowLight of heaven; 'Forward,' they marched away,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Went down the hill across the marsh,—Into the brook—there halted—ah! how harshThe rebels' fire opened upon them, artilleryHail swept the run, and the infantryBroke, the column wavered tho' not in dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Again the shattered columns form and again advanceTo firmer ground, tho' the redoubt hurl'd like an avalancheIn quick succession, bursting bombs and canister shot,But with closed ranks the column, fearing notUnheedful of the iron hail bent its way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Now the head of the column of fours go downUnder the murderous fire and the hissing songOf the enemy's shells, now the axe men springTo theabatishigh and long, now their axes ringOut on the morning air, they were swept away.Following Butler to New Market heights that day.The flags are where, do they kiss the morning light,Do they wave in the battle's gale, are their stars bright,Illumining the path of the brave? riddled and torn,With the dead they lay. Soon again they shone,In the first gleam of the rising-sun's ray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Upon the brigade each felt that all was placed,Their race and country's future honored or disgraced,Hence with Spartan courage they the charge renewed,And in hot haste the Nation's enemy pursued,And sweat and blood from pore and wound inveigh,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.'Forward, forward!' rung the command, the flags are up again,The axe-men grin, and with a shout go over the slain,To a second line ofabatis. The welkin's aglow.The advancing brigade shouts, 'Remember Fort Pillow!'And with a will and spirit they clear the way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Down the dismounted cavalrymen fall by ranks,The Infantry an adamantine wall on the flanks,Close up briskly on right and left receiveThe enflading fire from the brazen crest, breatheThey not a word in complaint, freedom's impulse obey,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Mow the black axe-men tear from the sod the huge logsWhich science and treason placed deep in the bogs,Skill gave way to freedom's might in the dastardly fight,And the black brigade, with capless rifles and starry light,Go through the gap to the Rebel's hell in gallant array,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Volley after volley poured, cannon after cannon roared,Like reapers in a field a thousand artillerists mowedIn the gap, the brigade's advancing files of four,Yet on through the flood of death still the brigade pour.Their battle cry,Remember Fort Pillow, the enemy dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Hark! above the raging carnage swells the shout,'No quarter to Niggers,' with hope of a rout,But the brigade was not deterred, they retaliateThe defiant yells,Remember Fort Pillow, the fateOf its garrison how it fell, on through the fray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.On for theredoubtover the rampart they go,Not a rifle was fired, not a shot at the foe,By the weight of the column theredoubtis theirs,And the enemy routed, the chivalry scattered everywhereVictorious shouts the empyrean ring in repay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.In the track of the brigade lay the loyal dead,Afric's hecatomb, her lineage's pyre to liberty wed,Their upturned countenances to the burning sun,Were appeals to Mars for their race's freedom won,Five hundred lives on the patriotic alter lay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.No marble shaft or granate pile mark the spotWhere they fell—their bones lay harvested from sun-rot,In the Nation's cities of the dead. Hannibal ledNo braver than they through Alpine snow, nor wedTo freedom were Greece's phalanx more, who o'er gory clayFollowed Butler to New Market heights that day.[33]See report of 29th Regiment Connecticut Colored Volunteers in appendix.[A](Author in the N. Y.Globe.)][B](Author in "Voice of a New Race.")

[31]The reader will bear in mind that there were several changes in the command of these troops during the campaign, on account of promotions, but the troops remained in the Department and Army of the James. See Roster, for changes.

[31]The reader will bear in mind that there were several changes in the command of these troops during the campaign, on account of promotions, but the troops remained in the Department and Army of the James. See Roster, for changes.

[32]THE PHALANX AT NEW MARKET HEIGHTS.[A]"On the 29th of September, 1864, Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Butler to cross the James River, at Two Points, and attack the enemy's line of work, in the centre of which was Fort Harrison; on the left, at New Market Heights, was a very strong work, the key of the enemy's flank on the north side of the river. It was a redoubt built on the top of a hill of some considerable elevation, then running down into a marsh. In that marsh was a brook—then rising again to a plain, which gently rolled toward the river. On that plain, when the flash of dawn was breaking, Butler placed a column of the black Phalanx," [which consisted of the 5th, 36th, 38th and 2nd Cavalry Regts.], "numbering three thousand, in close column, by division, right in front with guns at 'right shoulder shift.' The center of the line was given to the eighteenth corps composed of white troops, under Gen. Ord, and they drove the enemy from a very strong work, capturing several pieces of cannon."Gen. Butler had been severely criticised by officers of the regular army for organizing twenty-five regiments of negroes. 'Why.' said they, 'they will not fight' In contradiction of this assertion Butler made up his mind to prove the worth and value of the black Phalanx. Notwithstanding their gallantry at Petersburg and on the Fredericksburg road, the metal of the 25th corps of the Army of the James was to be tried; so Butler took command of the Phalanx himself with a determination to set at rest forever the question of the fighting capacity of a portion of his command. Addressing the Phalanx, he said, pointing to the works on the enemy's flank, 'those works must be taken by the weight of your column; not a shot must be fired. In order to prevent them from firing he had the caps taken from the nipples of their guns. 'When you charge.' he said, 'your cry will be 'Remember Fort Pillow.'"'Twas in the early grey of the morning, ere the sun had risen. The order 'forward' set the column in motion, and it went forward as if on parade—down the hill, across the marsh, and as the column got into the brook they came within range of the enemy's fire, which was vigorously opened upon them. The column broke a little, as it forded the brook, it wavered! What a moment of intense anxiety? But they formed again, as they reached the firm ground, marching on steadily with close ranks under the enemy's fire until the head of the column reached the first line of abatis, some one hundred and fifty yards from the enemy's work. Then the axemen ran to the front to cut away the heavy obstacles of defense while one thousand men of the enemy with their artillery concentrated poured from the redoubt a heavy fire upon the head of the column of fours. The axemen went down under that murderous fire; other strong black hands grasped the axes in their stead and the abatis was cut away. Again, at double-quick, the column went forward to within fifty yards of the fort, to meet there another line of abatis. The column halted and there a very fire of hell was poured upon them. The abatis resisted and held the head of the column which literally melted away under the rain of shot and shell; the flags of the leading regiments went down, but a brave black hand seized the colors. They were soon up again and waved their starry light over the storm of battle. Again the axemen fell, but strong hands and willing hearts seized the heavy sharpened trees and dragged them away, and the column rushed forward and with a shout that rang out above the roar of artillery went over the redoubt like a flash, and the enemy did not stop running within four miles, leaving the Phalanx in possession of their deemed impregnable work, cannons and small arms. The autocrats of the regular army could croak no longer about the negro soldiers not fighting."This gallantry of the Phalanx won for them and the negro race the admiration of the man who supported Jeff Davis and the slave power in the Charleston convention in 1860. Ten years after this splendid victory of the Phalanx, in support of their civil rights, General Butler then a member of congress, made an eloquent appeal in behalf of the equal civil rights of the negro race. In it he referred to the gallant charge of the Phalanx. He said: "It became my painful duty to follow in the track of that charging column, and there, in a space not wider than the clerk's desk and three hundred yards long, lay the dead bodies of five hundred and forty-three of my colored comrades, fallen in defense of their country, who had offered up their lives to uphold its flag and its honor, as a willing sacrifice: and as I rode along among them, guiding my horse this way and that way, lest he should profane with his hoofs what seemed to me the sacred dead, and as I looked on their bronzed faces upturned in the shining sun, as if in mute appeal against the wrongs of the country for which they had given their lives, whose flag had only been to them a flag of stripes, on which no star of glory had ever shone for them—feeling I had wronged them in the past and believing what was the future of my country to them—among my dead comrades there, I swore to myself a solemn oath—'May my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof my mouth, if I ever fail to defend the rights of those men who have given their blood for me and my country that day and for their race forever, and God helping me, I will keep that oath."*      *      *      *"NEW MARKET HEIGHTS.[B]"'Freedom their battle cry, freedom or leave to die.'—Boker.At New Market Heights, there Afric's lineage stood,And poured out copiously its best blood;Of them I would sing, my lyre's restrung,And allures not diffidently to the song,Paternal muse with thy patriot valor reignSupreme, and the brightness of ages regain,In the deep recess of the pastLower me, to where the battle's blastHas been given to oblivion, the sighOf dying patriots let greet me nigh.And my thoughts waft on memory's wing,To where their charging shouts yet ring.If mine the task indulgent muse vouchsafed,Whilst I commune 'mongst bones that paved,And flesh that bridged the chasm o'er,Where Butler numbered five hundred and moreof Afric's sons, who for liberty fell.In the corridors of a stockaded hell.I'll essay their deeds of valor done,By which the nation its victory won.'Twas early in the grey September morn,Ere the suns fulgent light had shown,Whilst departed patriots looked out from above,Emitting their twinkling silvery light of love,Upon the silent bivouac of freedom's sons,Weary and resting upon their bayonetless guns;Quite near the bank of the James,Just above where their own fathers' names,Were first enrolled as ignoble slaves.The Second Brigade, valiant men and braves,Saw a meteor like rocket burst high,High up in the dewey morning sky.Then came the summons prepare to away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.Beat the long roll, sound the alarm,Break the monotone and the dead calm,And the bugle's clarion notes aroused, awoke,The host that waited ere day broke;Infantry, cavalry prepared to make away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.From rank to rank the summons ran,Bayonets rattle and clank of sabres began.With whetted steel the sturdy axe-men,Capless riflemen, horseless cavalry men.Formed on that plain in battle array,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.When the flash of dawn was breaking,Their leader rode in front, and speaking,Gave the charging shout 'Remember Fort Pillow,'And their banners brightened in the mellowLight of heaven; 'Forward,' they marched away,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Went down the hill across the marsh,—Into the brook—there halted—ah! how harshThe rebels' fire opened upon them, artilleryHail swept the run, and the infantryBroke, the column wavered tho' not in dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Again the shattered columns form and again advanceTo firmer ground, tho' the redoubt hurl'd like an avalancheIn quick succession, bursting bombs and canister shot,But with closed ranks the column, fearing notUnheedful of the iron hail bent its way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Now the head of the column of fours go downUnder the murderous fire and the hissing songOf the enemy's shells, now the axe men springTo theabatishigh and long, now their axes ringOut on the morning air, they were swept away.Following Butler to New Market heights that day.The flags are where, do they kiss the morning light,Do they wave in the battle's gale, are their stars bright,Illumining the path of the brave? riddled and torn,With the dead they lay. Soon again they shone,In the first gleam of the rising-sun's ray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Upon the brigade each felt that all was placed,Their race and country's future honored or disgraced,Hence with Spartan courage they the charge renewed,And in hot haste the Nation's enemy pursued,And sweat and blood from pore and wound inveigh,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.'Forward, forward!' rung the command, the flags are up again,The axe-men grin, and with a shout go over the slain,To a second line ofabatis. The welkin's aglow.The advancing brigade shouts, 'Remember Fort Pillow!'And with a will and spirit they clear the way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Down the dismounted cavalrymen fall by ranks,The Infantry an adamantine wall on the flanks,Close up briskly on right and left receiveThe enflading fire from the brazen crest, breatheThey not a word in complaint, freedom's impulse obey,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Mow the black axe-men tear from the sod the huge logsWhich science and treason placed deep in the bogs,Skill gave way to freedom's might in the dastardly fight,And the black brigade, with capless rifles and starry light,Go through the gap to the Rebel's hell in gallant array,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Volley after volley poured, cannon after cannon roared,Like reapers in a field a thousand artillerists mowedIn the gap, the brigade's advancing files of four,Yet on through the flood of death still the brigade pour.Their battle cry,Remember Fort Pillow, the enemy dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Hark! above the raging carnage swells the shout,'No quarter to Niggers,' with hope of a rout,But the brigade was not deterred, they retaliateThe defiant yells,Remember Fort Pillow, the fateOf its garrison how it fell, on through the fray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.On for theredoubtover the rampart they go,Not a rifle was fired, not a shot at the foe,By the weight of the column theredoubtis theirs,And the enemy routed, the chivalry scattered everywhereVictorious shouts the empyrean ring in repay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.In the track of the brigade lay the loyal dead,Afric's hecatomb, her lineage's pyre to liberty wed,Their upturned countenances to the burning sun,Were appeals to Mars for their race's freedom won,Five hundred lives on the patriotic alter lay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.No marble shaft or granate pile mark the spotWhere they fell—their bones lay harvested from sun-rot,In the Nation's cities of the dead. Hannibal ledNo braver than they through Alpine snow, nor wedTo freedom were Greece's phalanx more, who o'er gory clayFollowed Butler to New Market heights that day.[33]See report of 29th Regiment Connecticut Colored Volunteers in appendix.[A](Author in the N. Y.Globe.)][B](Author in "Voice of a New Race.")

[32]THE PHALANX AT NEW MARKET HEIGHTS.[A]

"On the 29th of September, 1864, Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Butler to cross the James River, at Two Points, and attack the enemy's line of work, in the centre of which was Fort Harrison; on the left, at New Market Heights, was a very strong work, the key of the enemy's flank on the north side of the river. It was a redoubt built on the top of a hill of some considerable elevation, then running down into a marsh. In that marsh was a brook—then rising again to a plain, which gently rolled toward the river. On that plain, when the flash of dawn was breaking, Butler placed a column of the black Phalanx," [which consisted of the 5th, 36th, 38th and 2nd Cavalry Regts.], "numbering three thousand, in close column, by division, right in front with guns at 'right shoulder shift.' The center of the line was given to the eighteenth corps composed of white troops, under Gen. Ord, and they drove the enemy from a very strong work, capturing several pieces of cannon.

"Gen. Butler had been severely criticised by officers of the regular army for organizing twenty-five regiments of negroes. 'Why.' said they, 'they will not fight' In contradiction of this assertion Butler made up his mind to prove the worth and value of the black Phalanx. Notwithstanding their gallantry at Petersburg and on the Fredericksburg road, the metal of the 25th corps of the Army of the James was to be tried; so Butler took command of the Phalanx himself with a determination to set at rest forever the question of the fighting capacity of a portion of his command. Addressing the Phalanx, he said, pointing to the works on the enemy's flank, 'those works must be taken by the weight of your column; not a shot must be fired. In order to prevent them from firing he had the caps taken from the nipples of their guns. 'When you charge.' he said, 'your cry will be 'Remember Fort Pillow.'

"'Twas in the early grey of the morning, ere the sun had risen. The order 'forward' set the column in motion, and it went forward as if on parade—down the hill, across the marsh, and as the column got into the brook they came within range of the enemy's fire, which was vigorously opened upon them. The column broke a little, as it forded the brook, it wavered! What a moment of intense anxiety? But they formed again, as they reached the firm ground, marching on steadily with close ranks under the enemy's fire until the head of the column reached the first line of abatis, some one hundred and fifty yards from the enemy's work. Then the axemen ran to the front to cut away the heavy obstacles of defense while one thousand men of the enemy with their artillery concentrated poured from the redoubt a heavy fire upon the head of the column of fours. The axemen went down under that murderous fire; other strong black hands grasped the axes in their stead and the abatis was cut away. Again, at double-quick, the column went forward to within fifty yards of the fort, to meet there another line of abatis. The column halted and there a very fire of hell was poured upon them. The abatis resisted and held the head of the column which literally melted away under the rain of shot and shell; the flags of the leading regiments went down, but a brave black hand seized the colors. They were soon up again and waved their starry light over the storm of battle. Again the axemen fell, but strong hands and willing hearts seized the heavy sharpened trees and dragged them away, and the column rushed forward and with a shout that rang out above the roar of artillery went over the redoubt like a flash, and the enemy did not stop running within four miles, leaving the Phalanx in possession of their deemed impregnable work, cannons and small arms. The autocrats of the regular army could croak no longer about the negro soldiers not fighting.

"This gallantry of the Phalanx won for them and the negro race the admiration of the man who supported Jeff Davis and the slave power in the Charleston convention in 1860. Ten years after this splendid victory of the Phalanx, in support of their civil rights, General Butler then a member of congress, made an eloquent appeal in behalf of the equal civil rights of the negro race. In it he referred to the gallant charge of the Phalanx. He said: "It became my painful duty to follow in the track of that charging column, and there, in a space not wider than the clerk's desk and three hundred yards long, lay the dead bodies of five hundred and forty-three of my colored comrades, fallen in defense of their country, who had offered up their lives to uphold its flag and its honor, as a willing sacrifice: and as I rode along among them, guiding my horse this way and that way, lest he should profane with his hoofs what seemed to me the sacred dead, and as I looked on their bronzed faces upturned in the shining sun, as if in mute appeal against the wrongs of the country for which they had given their lives, whose flag had only been to them a flag of stripes, on which no star of glory had ever shone for them—feeling I had wronged them in the past and believing what was the future of my country to them—among my dead comrades there, I swore to myself a solemn oath—'May my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof my mouth, if I ever fail to defend the rights of those men who have given their blood for me and my country that day and for their race forever, and God helping me, I will keep that oath."

*      *      *      *

"NEW MARKET HEIGHTS.[B]

"'Freedom their battle cry, freedom or leave to die.'—Boker.

"'Freedom their battle cry, freedom or leave to die.'—Boker.

At New Market Heights, there Afric's lineage stood,And poured out copiously its best blood;Of them I would sing, my lyre's restrung,And allures not diffidently to the song,Paternal muse with thy patriot valor reignSupreme, and the brightness of ages regain,In the deep recess of the pastLower me, to where the battle's blastHas been given to oblivion, the sighOf dying patriots let greet me nigh.And my thoughts waft on memory's wing,To where their charging shouts yet ring.If mine the task indulgent muse vouchsafed,Whilst I commune 'mongst bones that paved,And flesh that bridged the chasm o'er,Where Butler numbered five hundred and moreof Afric's sons, who for liberty fell.In the corridors of a stockaded hell.I'll essay their deeds of valor done,By which the nation its victory won.'Twas early in the grey September morn,Ere the suns fulgent light had shown,Whilst departed patriots looked out from above,Emitting their twinkling silvery light of love,Upon the silent bivouac of freedom's sons,Weary and resting upon their bayonetless guns;Quite near the bank of the James,Just above where their own fathers' names,Were first enrolled as ignoble slaves.The Second Brigade, valiant men and braves,Saw a meteor like rocket burst high,High up in the dewey morning sky.Then came the summons prepare to away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.Beat the long roll, sound the alarm,Break the monotone and the dead calm,And the bugle's clarion notes aroused, awoke,The host that waited ere day broke;Infantry, cavalry prepared to make away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.From rank to rank the summons ran,Bayonets rattle and clank of sabres began.With whetted steel the sturdy axe-men,Capless riflemen, horseless cavalry men.Formed on that plain in battle array,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.When the flash of dawn was breaking,Their leader rode in front, and speaking,Gave the charging shout 'Remember Fort Pillow,'And their banners brightened in the mellowLight of heaven; 'Forward,' they marched away,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Went down the hill across the marsh,—Into the brook—there halted—ah! how harshThe rebels' fire opened upon them, artilleryHail swept the run, and the infantryBroke, the column wavered tho' not in dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Again the shattered columns form and again advanceTo firmer ground, tho' the redoubt hurl'd like an avalancheIn quick succession, bursting bombs and canister shot,But with closed ranks the column, fearing notUnheedful of the iron hail bent its way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Now the head of the column of fours go downUnder the murderous fire and the hissing songOf the enemy's shells, now the axe men springTo theabatishigh and long, now their axes ringOut on the morning air, they were swept away.Following Butler to New Market heights that day.The flags are where, do they kiss the morning light,Do they wave in the battle's gale, are their stars bright,Illumining the path of the brave? riddled and torn,With the dead they lay. Soon again they shone,In the first gleam of the rising-sun's ray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Upon the brigade each felt that all was placed,Their race and country's future honored or disgraced,Hence with Spartan courage they the charge renewed,And in hot haste the Nation's enemy pursued,And sweat and blood from pore and wound inveigh,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.'Forward, forward!' rung the command, the flags are up again,The axe-men grin, and with a shout go over the slain,To a second line ofabatis. The welkin's aglow.The advancing brigade shouts, 'Remember Fort Pillow!'And with a will and spirit they clear the way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Down the dismounted cavalrymen fall by ranks,The Infantry an adamantine wall on the flanks,Close up briskly on right and left receiveThe enflading fire from the brazen crest, breatheThey not a word in complaint, freedom's impulse obey,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Mow the black axe-men tear from the sod the huge logsWhich science and treason placed deep in the bogs,Skill gave way to freedom's might in the dastardly fight,And the black brigade, with capless rifles and starry light,Go through the gap to the Rebel's hell in gallant array,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Volley after volley poured, cannon after cannon roared,Like reapers in a field a thousand artillerists mowedIn the gap, the brigade's advancing files of four,Yet on through the flood of death still the brigade pour.Their battle cry,Remember Fort Pillow, the enemy dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Hark! above the raging carnage swells the shout,'No quarter to Niggers,' with hope of a rout,But the brigade was not deterred, they retaliateThe defiant yells,Remember Fort Pillow, the fateOf its garrison how it fell, on through the fray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.On for theredoubtover the rampart they go,Not a rifle was fired, not a shot at the foe,By the weight of the column theredoubtis theirs,And the enemy routed, the chivalry scattered everywhereVictorious shouts the empyrean ring in repay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.In the track of the brigade lay the loyal dead,Afric's hecatomb, her lineage's pyre to liberty wed,Their upturned countenances to the burning sun,Were appeals to Mars for their race's freedom won,Five hundred lives on the patriotic alter lay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.No marble shaft or granate pile mark the spotWhere they fell—their bones lay harvested from sun-rot,In the Nation's cities of the dead. Hannibal ledNo braver than they through Alpine snow, nor wedTo freedom were Greece's phalanx more, who o'er gory clayFollowed Butler to New Market heights that day.

At New Market Heights, there Afric's lineage stood,And poured out copiously its best blood;Of them I would sing, my lyre's restrung,And allures not diffidently to the song,Paternal muse with thy patriot valor reignSupreme, and the brightness of ages regain,In the deep recess of the pastLower me, to where the battle's blastHas been given to oblivion, the sighOf dying patriots let greet me nigh.And my thoughts waft on memory's wing,To where their charging shouts yet ring.

If mine the task indulgent muse vouchsafed,Whilst I commune 'mongst bones that paved,And flesh that bridged the chasm o'er,Where Butler numbered five hundred and moreof Afric's sons, who for liberty fell.In the corridors of a stockaded hell.I'll essay their deeds of valor done,By which the nation its victory won.

'Twas early in the grey September morn,Ere the suns fulgent light had shown,Whilst departed patriots looked out from above,Emitting their twinkling silvery light of love,Upon the silent bivouac of freedom's sons,Weary and resting upon their bayonetless guns;Quite near the bank of the James,Just above where their own fathers' names,Were first enrolled as ignoble slaves.The Second Brigade, valiant men and braves,Saw a meteor like rocket burst high,High up in the dewey morning sky.Then came the summons prepare to away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.Beat the long roll, sound the alarm,Break the monotone and the dead calm,And the bugle's clarion notes aroused, awoke,The host that waited ere day broke;Infantry, cavalry prepared to make away,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.

From rank to rank the summons ran,Bayonets rattle and clank of sabres began.With whetted steel the sturdy axe-men,Capless riflemen, horseless cavalry men.Formed on that plain in battle array,Butler leads to New Market heights at day.

When the flash of dawn was breaking,Their leader rode in front, and speaking,Gave the charging shout 'Remember Fort Pillow,'And their banners brightened in the mellowLight of heaven; 'Forward,' they marched away,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.Went down the hill across the marsh,—Into the brook—there halted—ah! how harshThe rebels' fire opened upon them, artilleryHail swept the run, and the infantryBroke, the column wavered tho' not in dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Again the shattered columns form and again advanceTo firmer ground, tho' the redoubt hurl'd like an avalancheIn quick succession, bursting bombs and canister shot,But with closed ranks the column, fearing notUnheedful of the iron hail bent its way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Now the head of the column of fours go downUnder the murderous fire and the hissing songOf the enemy's shells, now the axe men springTo theabatishigh and long, now their axes ringOut on the morning air, they were swept away.Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

The flags are where, do they kiss the morning light,Do they wave in the battle's gale, are their stars bright,Illumining the path of the brave? riddled and torn,With the dead they lay. Soon again they shone,In the first gleam of the rising-sun's ray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Upon the brigade each felt that all was placed,Their race and country's future honored or disgraced,Hence with Spartan courage they the charge renewed,And in hot haste the Nation's enemy pursued,And sweat and blood from pore and wound inveigh,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

'Forward, forward!' rung the command, the flags are up again,The axe-men grin, and with a shout go over the slain,To a second line ofabatis. The welkin's aglow.The advancing brigade shouts, 'Remember Fort Pillow!'And with a will and spirit they clear the way,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Down the dismounted cavalrymen fall by ranks,The Infantry an adamantine wall on the flanks,Close up briskly on right and left receiveThe enflading fire from the brazen crest, breatheThey not a word in complaint, freedom's impulse obey,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Mow the black axe-men tear from the sod the huge logsWhich science and treason placed deep in the bogs,Skill gave way to freedom's might in the dastardly fight,And the black brigade, with capless rifles and starry light,Go through the gap to the Rebel's hell in gallant array,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Volley after volley poured, cannon after cannon roared,Like reapers in a field a thousand artillerists mowedIn the gap, the brigade's advancing files of four,Yet on through the flood of death still the brigade pour.Their battle cry,Remember Fort Pillow, the enemy dismay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

Hark! above the raging carnage swells the shout,'No quarter to Niggers,' with hope of a rout,But the brigade was not deterred, they retaliateThe defiant yells,Remember Fort Pillow, the fateOf its garrison how it fell, on through the fray,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

On for theredoubtover the rampart they go,Not a rifle was fired, not a shot at the foe,By the weight of the column theredoubtis theirs,And the enemy routed, the chivalry scattered everywhereVictorious shouts the empyrean ring in repay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

In the track of the brigade lay the loyal dead,Afric's hecatomb, her lineage's pyre to liberty wed,Their upturned countenances to the burning sun,Were appeals to Mars for their race's freedom won,Five hundred lives on the patriotic alter lay,Following Butler to New Market heights that day.

No marble shaft or granate pile mark the spotWhere they fell—their bones lay harvested from sun-rot,In the Nation's cities of the dead. Hannibal ledNo braver than they through Alpine snow, nor wedTo freedom were Greece's phalanx more, who o'er gory clayFollowed Butler to New Market heights that day.

[33]See report of 29th Regiment Connecticut Colored Volunteers in appendix.

[33]See report of 29th Regiment Connecticut Colored Volunteers in appendix.

[A](Author in the N. Y.Globe.)]

[A](Author in the N. Y.Globe.)]

[B](Author in "Voice of a New Race.")

[B](Author in "Voice of a New Race.")

The following enlisted men of the Black Phalanx received medals of honor from the United States Government for heroic conduct on the field of battle:

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