Sangamon County, Illinois - City of Springfield 563, 1881 (part 14 of 25)

Leaving Memphis on the 30th, General Mc- Clernand arrived at Millikin's Bend next day, a few miles north of Vicksburg. Here General Sherman came on board the Tigress to turn over his instructions to the proper commander of the expedition and to consult him regarding further operations of the army. Here, for the iirst time. General McClernand was made aware of the real condition of the army which had been assigned to his command by the President and Secretary of War. General Sherman had left Memphis on the 20th of December, had attacked the enemy in his strongly fortified position along Chickasaw bayou on the 2Sth, and had been badly handled and repulsed with heavy loss.

Various opinions respecting this expedition have been entertained. The prevailing one is thftt it was gotten up without proper care, and was at once sent South to escape General Mc- Clernand and capture Vicksburg before the latter could arrive and take the command.

The order of the Secretary of War, bearing date October 21st, 1862, an order endorsed by the President, authorizes the Mississij^pi expedition, and assigns General McClernand to the command of it. On the 16th of December, General McClernand, hearing that he was superseded in the command, addressed a dispatch to the Secretary of War, inquiring, "Is this so? and shall it be so?" On the 21st of December General McClernand received the telegram from General Halleck, dated the 18th, by which he was informed that he (Halleck) had " transmitted a dispatch to General Grant assigning the latter to the general command of the expedition, and General McClernand to the immediate command of the land forces composing the same."

It is notorious that prior t<5 the 16th of December, a portion of the forces sent on by General McClernand for his expedition were detached from General Grant's army and marched under General Sherman to Memphis, preparatory to embarkation for Vicksburg. It appears, therefore, conclusively that both Generals Grant and Sherman had received their orders in the premises before the date of General McClernand's dispatch to the Secretary of War, requesting to be informed whether or not he had been superseded in the command of the expedition. This injustice to General McClernand is still further demonstrated by the dispatches which passed between General Grant and Halleck. First conies Grant's dispatch to Halleck, dated Oxford, Miss., December 8th, 1862:

" General Sherman will command the expedition down the Mississippi. He will have a force of forty thousand men; will land above Vicksburg, at the Yazoo, if possible, and cut the Mississippi central wall, etc. I will cooperate with him, etc., etc.

Now hear a portion of General Halleck's dispatch, dated at Washington, December Yth, to which the above dispatch of Grant is an answer: "Gexekal Grant: - The capture of Grenada may change our plans in regard to Vicksburg." Yes, the whole affair of the capture of Vicksburg had been planned and arranged between these two Generals, who determined that a citizen General should have nothing to do with it if possible, but they did not disdain to seize upon the ideas and plans of another and appropriate them to their own use, with a view of claiming all the honors and all the rewards.

We have still another link of evidence, in the instructions given Sherman by General Grant, and dated also at Oxford, Mississippi, December 8, 1862:

"General: - You will proceed with as little delay as possible to Memphis, Tennessee. On your arrival, you will assume command of all the troops there. As soon as possible, move with them down the river to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and, with the co-operation of the gunboat fleet, under Flag Officer Porter, proceed to the reduction of that place, in such a manner as circumstances and your own judgment may dictate," etc.

on the lih and 8th, the ^9/aw of attack upon Yicksburg had been matured between Generals Halleck and Grant, and the instructions for carrj-ing it out issued to General Sherman by General Grant.

Tlie original plan of General Grant having entirely failed in the execution, and his instructions not providing for any contingencies, the question arose, what was to be done with the army composing the Mississippi river expedition? General McOlernand, in a letter to General Grant, proposed the following programme for the reduction of Yicksburg:

"Make Memphis the base of operations, put the railroad from Memphis to Grenada in running order, push forward the columns to the latter place, and to Jackson, marching upon the rear of Yicksburg, while the forces here and those below Port Hudson co-operate by such demonstrations as may be found practicable."

But General Grant, being hundreds of miles to the northward, and his communications Avith the JMississippi river being interrupted by guerillas, was not expected to be able to respond to these propositions for several weeks. Hence, General McClernand was left to act according to his own judgment, and he decided not to lie idle at Milliken's Bend, waiting orders, but to improve the moral condition of his army, and stimulate its martial spirit, by striking a decisive blow at the enemy near the mouth of the Arkansas river, who were endangering our line of communication between Memphis and Yicksburg.

This movement, as well as the batlle of Arkansas -Post, which resulted from it, are minutely and eloquently described in the official report of General McClernand. Want of space prevents us from giving anything more than a mere synopsis.

General McClernand and his army safely arrived at the mouth of White river on the 8th of January, 1863. Ascending the Arkansas river, and landing at Notuh's farm, on the left bank, on the 9th, the work of disembarking was busily continued till noon of the next day.

In the meantime. General McClernand, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Schwartz, of his staff, had reconnoitered the river road and a portion of the levee, within a mile and a half of Fort Hindman (better known as Arkansas Post). There they discovered that the enemy was abandoning a line of rifle pits about half a mile above I the levee, under stress of the tire of one of our gunboats. Passing a cold night without fires or tents, in a position near enough to attack the fort, our chilled but faithful men were greeted by a bright and genial sunshine on the morning of the nth.

By ten and a half o'clock a. m., the two corps were ready to commence the attack. General Steele's division formed the extreme right of the line of battle, reaching near the bayou. General Stuart and General A. J. Smith's divisions were formed on its left. One brigade of General Osterhaus's division formed the extreme left of the line, resting upon the river, in full view of the fort. Another brigade of the same division was held in reserve, while the remaining brigade was disposed on the opposite side of the river.

On the previous day General McClernand had requested Rear Admiral Porter, commanding the Mississippi squadron, to advance the gunboats and ojDcn fire on the enemy's works, for the purpose of diverting his attention, while the land forces should gain the positions assigned to them. Promptly complying, the Admiral advanced his boats and opened a terrible cannonade upon the fort, which continued an hour and more, and until after nightfall of the 10th. The different batteries of artillery were judiciously arranged in suitable positions, and the cavalry were disposed in the rear, with orders to force all stragglers to return to their ranks. Such was the disposition of the forces of General McClernand on the eve of the battle of Arkansas Post. On the other hand, the position of the enemy, naturally sti'ong, was one of his own choosing.

Post Arkansas, a small village, the county seat of Arkansas county, is situated on elevated ground, above the reach of floods, and defining for some miles the left bank of the river. It was settled by the French in 168.5, is fifty miles above the mouth of the river, one hundred and seventeen below Little Rock, and is surrounded by a fruitful country, abounding in cattle, corn and cotton.

Fort Hindman, a square, full bastioned fort, was erected within the village, upon the banks of the river, at the head of a bend resembling a horseshoe. The exterior sides of the fort, between the salient angles, were each three hundred feet in length, the face of the bastion two feet seven inches of an exterior side, and the perpendicular one-eighth. The parapet was eighteen feet wide on top, the ditch twenty feet wide on the ground level and eight feet deep, with a slope of four feet base.

A "banquette" for infantry was constructed around the interior slope of the parapet; also three platforms for artillery in each bastion and one in the curtain facing north. On the southern face of the northeastern bastion was a casemate containing a nine-inch columbiad. A similar casemate containing an eight-inch columbiad was constructed on the curtain facing the river, and another nine-inch columbiad was mounted on the salient angle of the southeast bastion, on a "centre pivot" barbette carriage. All these guns command the river below the fort.

Besides these there were four three-inch Parrott guns, and four six-pounder iron smooth-bore guns, mounted on field carriages on the platforms in the fort, which also contained a wellstored magazine, several frame buildings and a well.

General McCIernand, having completed his arrangements, notified the Admiral to open fire on the fort, and that he (McCIernand) would advance to the attack of the enemy's ranks.

At 1 o'clock p. m. accordingly, the gunboats opened fire, immediately followed b}- the fire of artillery along the right wing of the land forces, and soon after by the fire of artillery along the left wing. By 1:30 o'clock p. m. Morrey and Thayer's brigades and the two Smiths' brigades, of Sherman's corps, had gained position in a belt of woods, extending quite to the enemy's rifle pits. Checked here for a time by a severe fire of musketry from the enemy's works, they boldly resumed and continued the advance, supported by a reserve brigade, until they had approached within short musket range of the enemy's lines.

The artillery kept up a brisk fire on the fort for some time. Webster's twenty-pound Parrott guns on the river bank completely enfilated the two faces of the northeastern bastion, some of their shots penetrated the embrasures of the casemates, and with others from the gunboats contributing to silence the gun inside of it, also the lighter guns in the northern curtain and the gun en harbette in the southeastern bastion, which appeared to be above the elevation of the gunboats' fire.

About 3:30 o'clock p. m., when the enemy's guns were silenced by the continued fire of the artillery and the gunboats. General McCIernand ordered an assault, which after a severe but ineffectual struggle of the enemy, terminated in a formal surrender of the post, its armament, garrison and all its stores.

Thus, at 4:30 o'clock p. m., after three hours and a half of hard fighting, tlie Union forces entered and took possession of all the enemy's defences.

Seven stands of colors were captured, includ , ing the garrison flag. Besides, we captured five thousand prisoners, seventeen pieces of cannon, large and small, ten gun carriages and eleven limbers, three thousand stand of small arms, exclusive of many lost or destroyed, one hundred and thirty swords, fifty Colts' pistols, forty cans of powder, sixteen hundred and fifty rounds of shot, shell and canister for ten and twenty-pounder Parrott guns, three hundred and seventy-five shells, grape stands and canister, forty-six thousand rounds of ammunition for small arms, five hundred and sixty-three animals, together with a considerable quantity of quartermaster's and commissary stores fell into our hands. One hundred and seventy wagons and a large portion of the stores were destroyed for want of means to bring them away.

Although this victory of Arkansas Post was a most brilliant and decisive one, and second only to that of Fort Donelson, it w^as by no means approved of by General Grant, the commander of the department, who could not (or would not,) see the benefits derived therefrom. He peremptorily ordered General McCIernand, who had intended to attack Little Rock next, to return with his army to Young's Point to dig canals. Thus this fine army, which byitsbrilliant success at Post Arkansas, been partially recovered from the consequences of its disastrous defeat under General Sherman, at Vicksburg, was again forced to forego all hope of actual service for the present.

Under these depressing circumstances, however, it was some consolation to General Mc- CIernand and his noble army, to know that their success were acknowledged and appreciated by the President, by the Governor of Illinois, and by the loyal masses over the whole Union, and this reflection caused them to be of good cheer. Mr. Lincoln had expressed his thanks to General McCIernand and his brave troops "for this great victory gained at a time when disaster after disaster was befalling our armies," closing his letter of gratitude with these remarkable words: "Your success on the Arkansas was both brilliant and valuable, and is fully appreciated by the country and the Government."

How consolatiug also was the kind and encouraging letter of Governor Yates, of Illinois, to our brave soldiers and their beloved General. He says:

"I regard the victory of Arkansas Post, gained under the energetic generalship of a distinguished othcer and citizen of Illinois, as second in importance and consequences to that of Fort Donelson, in which that officer also prominently participated. Fort Donelson and Arkansas Post, my dear General, I regard as the two great positive Victories of the war in the West."

General McClernand and his troops were now employed, neither gloriously nor even usefully in digging a canal which, after all the labor expended on it, turned out to be totally insufficient for the purpose intended. In this fruitless labor they spent their precious time up to the 2'9th,of March, 1863.

After many fruitless attempts to penetrate the State of Mississippi above Yicksburg, and to turn the rear of that city, it became a question of the highest importance, whether a point below, on the Mississippi river, might not be reached, and a way thus opened to the attainment of the same end.

General McClernand's corps was fortunately in a favorable condition to test the question, and only await an oppoi'tunity to do so. The General himself, sharing in the feeling of his troops, was rejoiced when he obtained permission to cross the peninsular from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage.

Accordingly, on the 29th of March 1863, a detachment of infantry, artillery and cavalry was ordered to march on to Richmond, Louisiana. These soon dislodged the garrison and occupied the place, capturing a few of the enemy in their retreat. This victory cut off all supplies to Vicksburg from that fertile region of country traversed by the Texas river, and the Bayou Macon.

On the night of the 3d of April, abridge two hundred feet in length, Avas thrown across Roundaway bayou, at Richmond, and a way opened by which the troops were rapidly moved forward and so disposed, as to hold the only practicable land route between Milliken's Bend and Smith's Plantation, two miles north of New Carthage. Meantime, old roads were repaired, new ones constructed, boats were built for the transportation of men and su^jplies, twenty miles of levee sleeplessly guarded day and night, and every precaution taken to prevent the rising flood from breaking through the lines and engulfing the whole army.

Having taken posecssion of New Carthage, and driven the enemy in several skirmishes from positions which they had occupied to oppose the. advance of our troops, on the 29th of April, General McClernand embarked the greater portion of his forces in steamers and barges, for Grand Gulf, which place he had previously reconnoitered, and found it to be a place of great strength. The gunboats were steamed toward the Gulf, and closely approaching the enemy's batteries opened fire upon them, while our troops held themselves in readiness in the transports to push forward and disembark, the moment the enemy's water batteries should be silenced. But the gunboats had to be withdrawn after a bombardment of five hours and a half, the princij^al batteries not having been silenced, and several of the gunboats being badly crippled.

But though foiled here, a footing must be gained* at some other point, and Bruinsburg was decided upon. Hence General McClernand embarking his corps once more on the 30th, proceeded to that place and disembarked before noon. He then pushed on by a forced march as far as possible, in order to surprise the enemy next day in his position near Port Gibson, to prevent him destroying the bridge over Bayou Pierce, on the roads leading to Grand Gulf and to Jackson.

Battle Of Port Gibson

About one o'clock, on the morning of the 1st of May, 1863, the advance of General McClernai^d's column was attacked near Magnolia Church, thirteen miles beyond Bruinsburg, and lour from Port Gibson, by a light tire of the enemy's infantry and soon after by his artillery.

This attack was repulsed, and the General, coming up about dawn, learned of a negro that the enemy was in force in his front and intended to accept battle. By personal observation this was found to be correct, so preparations were made accordingly.

It would be impossible in our brief space to give a detailed account of this great battle and brilliant victory of our armies; suffice it to say that after many hours of hard and obstinate fighting on both sides, the enemy was finally driven from his first position with the loss of four hundred prisoners, two stand of colors, two twelve pound howitzers, three caissons and a considerable quantity of ammunition. About this time Major General Grant arrived on the field of action, from Bruinsburg.

covered with trees and underbrush, the approach to which was through open fields and rugged and exposed hill slopes. Here General Hovey and Carr's divisions again encountered the enemy. A hot engagement ensued, the result of Avhich was to force the enemy back with considerable loss upon his center. Here, with a large concentration of forces, he renewed the attack, but after an obstinate struggle he was again beaten back upon the high ri'ige on the opisosite side of the bottom and within a mile of Port Gibson.

At dawn on the morning of the 2d, General McClernand's whole corps triumphantly entered Port Gibson, through which place the enemy had fled the night before, burning the bridge across the Bayou Pierre in his rear.

The battle of Port Gibson was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant achievments of the war, and it was highly important as determining the splended series of successes which followed. It continued twelve hours, and cost us eight hundred and three men in killed, wounded and missing.

The loss of the enemy was three stand of colors, SIX pieces of cannon, three caissons, a quantity of ammunition, a number of small arms, and five hundred and eighty prisoners. Their loss in killed and wounded must have been considerable.

One of the immediate results of this battle was the evacuation of Grand Gulf, only seven miles distant from Port Gibson. A naval force took possession of the Gulf without resistance.

Battle Of Champion Hill

On the 3d, General McClernand's corps, in obedience to orders, left Port Gibson and marched on the Raymond road to Willow Springs; on the 6th, to Rocky Springs; on the 8th, to Little Sand, and on the 9th, to Big Sand; on the 11th, it marched to Five-mile Creek, and on the 12th, to Fourteen-raile Creek, subsisting during the last thirteen days on six day's rations and what scanty supply the country afforded; was wholly without tents and almost without cooking utensils; yet was cheerful and prompt in the discharge of every duty.

Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, had been the objective point, but hearing that the enemy were advancing from Vicksburg and had crossed the Big Black, General Grant had changed the objective point to Edwards Station, a point on the Vicksburg & Jackson Railroad, nearly midway between these two places, and towards this point accordingly the several divisions were ordered to march.

In executing that order the enemy's pickets were encountered on the fifteenth, about four miles from Edward's station, at a place named Midway, or Champion Hill, from the fact of its being half way between Jackson and Vicksburg, and the reputed proi)erty of a citizen named Champion.

Here the two hostile armies encountered each other, and at 11 o'clock, a. m., the engagement became general all along the lines, and C( ntinued to rage with increasing fury, till noon, when the enemy were driven back with great slaughter, leaving in our hands about three hundred prisoners and eleven pieces of cannon. But, being reinforced, and rallying, he renewed the conflict with great fury and bore heavily on our men in turn, particularily on General Hovey's division of McClernand's corps. That officer being hard pressed, called for the support of a division of McPherson's corps, which, however, was too long delayed. When it finally came it also was borne back slowly, however, and disputing every inch of ground, till our men reached the brow of the hill.

Here they rallied and checked the advance of the enemy, and a heavy blow was struck by General Hovey, which seemed to retrieve the fortunes of the day on this part of the field.

By similar exertions in other parts of the field, the enemy was at length beaten at all points, and fled in confusion, the main body along the road to Vicksburg, a fragment to the left of this road, the former hotly pursued by General Carr's division, the latter by Lindsay's and Burbridge's brigades, until night closed in; each taking many prisoners.

The loss sustained by General McClernand's corps in this memorable battle was one thousand three hundred and thirty-three in the aggregate, exclusive of General Blair's loss, of which no report had been received.

The loss of the enemy must have been very great in killed and wounded. A large number of small arms were also taken, in addition to the captures already mentioned.

Battle Of Big Black

At 3:30 o'clock, on the morning of the l7th of May, 1863, General McClernand's corps again resumed the advance on the road to Black river bridge, six miles distant.

On the way. General Carr's division leading, captured a number of prisoners, and upon Hearing a spot of wood marking the enemy's position, encountered and drove back his pickets.

trenched, General Carr's division having entered the wood, was immediately formed in obedience to General McClernand's order, General Lawler's brigade on the right, resting its Hank near Big Black, and General Benton's brigade on the left, and the right of the railroad. The different batteries of artillery were placed in commanding positions, and the action soon became general.

After some further arrangements had been made, the right, center and left of General Mc- Clernand's corps engaged the enemy with increased effect. General Lawlor, aided by another division, dashed forward, under a heavy tire, across a ravine and narrow field, and with fixed bayonets, carried the enemy's works, routing them and capturing many prisoners. This brilliant achievement determined the success of the day. Fleeing towards a steamer which formed a bridge across Big Black, most of the enemy escaped to the commanding bluff on the other side, while others, hotly pursued by Benton's brigade, and the right of Lindsay's, were cut off from that escaj^e, and were made prisoners.

No victory could have been more complete. The enemy burnt the bridge on which he had passed, also two other steamers, and the railroad bridge. About one thousand, five hundred prisoners, with their arms, fell into our hands, eighteen pieces of cannon, and a considerable quantity of ammunition and cotton. A number of the enemy were found dead uj^on the field, but his loss in killed and wounded could not be ascertained.

The loss on the part of the Union array was limited to General McClernand's corps, which alone were engaged in this battle. The loss was in all, three hundred and seventy-three killed, wounded, and missing.

A bridge having been hastily thrown across the Big Black on the night of the l7th. General McClernand crossed next day, and took up his line of march for Vicksburg, only twelve miles distant.

Early on the moi-ning of the 19th, General McClernand, accompanied by his staff, made a personal I'econnoisance of the approaches to Vicksburg.

The enemy's defenses consisted of an extended line of rifle-pits, occupied by infantry, and covered with a number of strong earthworks, occupied by artillery so arranged as to command, not only the approaches by the ravines and ridges in front, but also each other.

The Siege Of Vicksburg

In obedience to orders. General McClernand's corps moved forward, and in conjunction with the other corps of the army, commenced the siege of Vicksburg, about 6:30 o'clock a. m. Skirmishers were thrown forward, who engaged the enemy's skirmishers, and artillery was opened from the most commanding positions u])on the enemy's works, and a body of infantry observed between them and Burbridge's brigade, on the right.

About 10:30 o'clock an order came from Major General Grant to all the corps commanders to gain as close a position as possible to the enemy's works, until 2 o'clock p. m., and at that hour to fire three volleys fi'om all their pieces in position, when a general charge of all the corps along the wdiole line should be made. Another advance Avas accordingly made by all the corps, and the ground gained was firmly held, but the enemy's works were not carried. A number of brave officers and men fell in this advance.

Lively skirmishing continued during the two following days (20th and 21st), and a nearer approach to the enemy's works was made. On the evening of the 21st, General McClernand received an order from Major General Grant, to the following effect:

"A simultaneous attack will be made to-morrow, at 10 o'clock a. m., by ail the army corps of this army. During the day, army corps commanders will have examined all practical routes over which troops can possibly pass. They will get in position all the artillery possible, and gain all the ground they can with the infantry and skirmishers. At an early hour in the morning a vigorous attack will be commenced by artillery and skirmishers. The infantry, with the exception of reserves and skirmishers, Avill be placed in columns of platoons, or by a flank if the ground will not admit of a greater front, ready to move forward at the hour designated, when all will start at quick time, with bayonets fixed, and march upon the enemy without tiring a gun, until the outer works are carried. Skirmishers will advance as soon as possible after the heads of columns pass them, and scale the walls of such works as may confront them."

General McClernand communicated General Grant's order to his division commanders the same evening, and used every possible exertion in order to secure success.

had curried the dilch, slope and bastion of a fort. Some of the men rushed into the fort, wliere they found a piece of artillery, and saw the men who had served it escaping behind another defence. All these daring men were shot down, except Sergeant Joseph Grifhth, of the Twenty-second Iowa, who, recovering from the stunning effects of a shot, seized his loaded musket, and captured and brought away thirteen rebels, who had returned and discharged their pieces. We are happy to say that this heroic soldier has been since promoted. The colors of the One hundredth and thirtieth Illinois were planted upon the counterscarp of the ditch, while those of the Forty-eighth Ohio and Seventy-seventh Illinois waved over the bastion.

The above particulars we have gleaned from General McClernand's valuable report to General Grant. We shall give the remainder of what we have to say on this subject in his own words. He continues:

"Within fifteen minutes after Landrum's success, Benton's and Burbridge's brigades, fired by the example, rushed forward and carried the ditch and slope of a heavy earthwork and planted their colors on the latter. Crowning this brilliant feat with a parallel to Sergeant Joseph Griffith's daring, Captain White, of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, carried forward one of his pieces by hand, quite to the ditch, and double-shotting it, fired into an embrasure; disabling a gun in it nearly ready to be discharged, and scattering death and dismay among the rebel cannoneers.

" Men never fought more gallantly, nay, more desperately. For more than eight long hours they maintained their ground with death-like tenacity. Neither the blazing sun nor the deadly fire of the enemy shook them. Their constancy and valor filled me with admiration. The spectacle was one never to be forgotten. * *

" Alarmed for his safety, the enemy hastened to mass large numbers from his right and left on my front. * * All my forces were now engaged. Failure and loss of my hard won advantages became imminent.

"Advising General McArthur (who was on his way from Warrenton) of the state of affairs, I requested reinforcements, and notified General Grant of the fact. At 11 o'clock a.m., I also informed him that I was hotly pressed. * * * Again, at 12 o'clock, that I was in partial possession of two forts, and suggested whether a vigorous push ought not to be made all along our lines.

"Kesponsively to these dispatches. General Grant directed me to communicate with General McArthur, to use his forces to the best advantage, and informed me that General Sherman was getting on well. This dispatch was dated 2:30 o'clock p. m. About the same time, I received information that General Quimby was coming to my support. * * * *

" But McArthur's division being several miles distant, did not arrive till next day; two brigades of General Quimby's division coming up late in the evening, and much exhausted, their services were not available, and night set in and terminated the struggle before either of these brigades could be fully applied; indeed, before one of them was entirely formed. My loss during this memorable day comprised three-fourths of my whole loss before Vicksburg. My whole loss was one thousand four hundred and eightyseven, in killed, wounded and missing."

On the 30th of May, General McClernand issued a congratulatory order to his troops, which was highly creditable to him and to them, but which seemed not to have been so well received by the General-in-Chief, on the ground that General McClernand's Adjutant had neglected to furnish General Grant with a copy. This omission was made the pretext for the dismissal of General McClernand from his command, and for his banishment from the department.

This congratulatory address is one of the most soul-stirring and powerful war papers we have ever perused, but it must be read entire in order to be appreciated, and it will not bear to be cut up into fragments.

"General: - Inclosedl send you what purports to be your congratulatory address to the Thirteenth Army Corps. I would respectfully ask if it is a true copy. If it is not a correct copy, furnish me one by bearer, as required by the regulations, &c."

"Ma.jor General Grant: - I have just returned. The newspaper slip is a correct copy of my congratulatory order. No. 721. I am prepared to maintain its statements. I regret that my Adjutant did not send you a copy promptly, and I thought he had."

Titstoiiy Of Sangamon Covnty

teenth Army Corps. He may proceed to any point he may select in the State of Illinois, and report by letter to the headquarters of the army for orders. Major General E. O. C. Ord is hereby appointed to the command of the Thirteenth Army Corps, subject to the approval of the President, and will immediately assume charge of tlie same."

To this General McClernand replied that, having been appointed by the President to the command under a definite act of Congress, he might justly challenge General Grant's authority in the premises, but forbore to do so for the present. He also wished that any statement of fact in his congratulatory order, to which exceptions might be taken, should be made the subject of investigation, not doubting the result.

On the 23d of June, General McClernand addressed a letter to the President of the United States, which sets forth the facts of his removal, and enters at some length into its pretended cause. He is at a total loss to account for the fact that he has been dismissed, and says he is in doubt as to what the real cause of his dismissal was: "If my Adjutant delayed sending a copy of a harmless order, I was ignorant of it, and avowed my right at it. * * * It was impossible for me pei'sonally to superintend the routine of the Adjutant's office. The contents of the order (issued to m}^ soldiers) were true, and reflected on no one, and were couched in no hurtful language. General Grant could only have arrested and tried me if I had offended.

* * * I ask for redress and that justice which it is the right of the humblest citizen to demand, and which it is the bounden duty of those having the power to afford.

" I challenge an investigation both of General Grant's conduct and my own," commencing with Belmont and terminating wath Vicksburg, and he asks, indignantly, " If I was worthy to be trusted in leading the advance to Belmont, to Fort Henry, to Donelson, to Port Gibson, to Champion Hill and to Big Black; if I planned the successful battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hill and Big Black, and gained the largest, perhaps, the only measure of success at Vicksbuig on the 22d; if, in all these battles, I either bore the brunt or a material part; if only two days before my dismissal and banishment General Grant deemed himself justified in adding one division certainly and two other divisions contingently to my command, making it larger than the two others in my corps combined, why should I have been prescribed at the moment when it was supposed Vickburg must fall, and the Mississippi river expedition, which I had early advocated, if not originated, w^ould soon be crowned with success? Whatever may be said to the contrary, I am in no wise responsible for the failure at Vicksburg. General Grant planned that assault, and is alone responsible. * * Many of his ablest officers deemed it unwise and fatuitous. They could not see that an assault by an attenuated line of attack on the most elaborate works ever seen on this continent could eventuate in success."

In answer to various letters from General Mc- Clernand, he received from the Secretary of War a communication dated Washington City, August 29, 1863. The following is an extract:

"The President instructs me to say that no charges against you have come to bis knowledge requiring an investigation by a court of inquiry, nor have any been made against General Grant which in his judgment require such an investigation. An investigation, therefore, will not be ordered."

General McClernand then requested an investigation of his own conduct as a United States officer in the present war, or if that may not be, of his conduct in connection with the jNIississippi river expedition, or that from Millikin's Bend around to Vicksburg, and resulting in the fall of that place.

"The President directs me to say that a court of inquiry, in hearing any one of the subjects specified in that letter, would withdraw from the field many officers whose presence is indispensable to the service. For these reasons, he declines, at present, your application."

A personal appeal was made to the President, to which he replied that he was very "grateful for his services and the early interest which he took in the life-and-death struggle of the Union; that no charges requiring the interference of a court of inquiry had been brought against him; that General Grant's statements of his reasons for dismissing General McClernand he (Mr. Lincoln) had never seen nor sought to see; that his interference between them could not but be of evil effect, and that it was better to leave it where the law of the case had placed it; that the permanent estimate of what a General does in the field is fixed by the 'cloud of Avitnesses' who have been with him in the field, and that, relying on these, he who has the right needs not to fear!"

In his report ol' tlie operations of the General Grant intimated that the position which he occupied at the time gave him a better opportunity of observing the movements of the Thirteenth Army Corps than the commander of it enjoyed. He says: "I could not see McClernand's possession of forts, nor necessity for reinforcements, as he had represented, up to the time I left, which was between twelve m. and one p. m., and I expressed doubts of their correctness, - which doubts the facts subsequently, but too late, confirmed."

" General Grant was about a mile and a-half to the right of my position, which was a commanding one - only five or six hundred yards in the rear of the center of my advance and of the enemy's works. I did see Hags of my corps planted on the enemy's works, and did see officers and men of my command enter them, and rebel captives brought out by them."

General McCIernand proves these statements by testimony, in addition to General Lawler's dispatch, stating that "we ought to have reinforcements," and to that of Colonel J. Landrum, commanding the Second Brigade, both of whose commands formed one of General McClernand's columns of attack - who (Landrum) says "our men are holding the flanks of the fort in our front," we will here submit a few extracts from the letters of respectable gentlemen who were eye witnesses to what they attest.

W. M. Stone, Colonel of the Twenty-second Iowa, says: "I was in command of the Twenty-second Iowa, which regiment was in the Second brigade, Fourteenth division of the Thirteenth army corps. On the evening of the 21st of May, I was served with a notice, (or copy) of an order directing the assault to be made next day, at 10 a. m. I was informed by my brigade commander. General Lawler, that I would have the advance, and that I could approach any point of the enemy's works I considered the most salient, and in any form I thought proper. Between sundown and dark I went up to within fifty yards of the enemy's lines. My observation satisfied me that the fort next the railroad could be carried more easily and with less sacrifice than any other point in our front, and I determined to direct my regiment against it. I took my regiment over the hill in front of Maloney's siege battery that night, and had it in readiness for the morning's work.

I did so immediately and directly against the fort, * * and within ten minutes from the time we started, my men entered it and held it to my knowledge for over an hour. The fort was small and the open space inside very limited, and but few men could find room in it.

"When the enemy wei'e driven from the fort, they also retired from the rifle-pits, on our right between that and the railroad. The Eleventh Wisconsin had also advanced against the second fort, some three hundred yards from the first one, and I saw the enemy leave that one. They also retired from the pits between the two forts, and went down the hill into the ravine beyond, toward the city. I stood with Lieutenant Colonel Dunlap, of the Twenty-first Iowa, on the highest and most exposed point, near the fort. We saw them leave, and conversed about it. I sent word back to General Carr to send me a brigade and I would hold the works; I regarded the thing as easily done. I do not know that my message reached the General. I then regarded the door to Vicksburg as opened, and so said to Colonel Dunlap. * * * *

"I ordered the color-bearer of the Seventyseventh Illinois to bring uj) his colors, as mine were down in the hollow on the left, and my own men planted them on the top of the fort. Soon after this my own colors were brought up and placed beside them. They remained there, to my knowledge, till six o'clock in the evening.

" Had we been reinforced at any time before noon by a fresh brigade, I have no doubt that the whole army could have gone into Vicksburg. I stated this opinion to several after I went back. There were no interior works at that time in the rear of the works we held, as I could see far beyond'. Maloney's battery of siege guns was about five hundred yards directly in the rear of our position, and commanded a fine view of all our movements. I do not know where General Mc- Pherson's headquarters were, but I should think there was no point from which our operations could have been so correctly observed as from this battery. General Grant was at or near Mc- Pherson's headquarters according to his report.

" It is my firm conviction and belief that had the Thirteenth Army corps been re-inforced by a few brigades, thus enabling you to send support to the front, the success of your command would have been complete. Victory was in your hands, but was wrested from you by superior numbers."

In fact, Colonel Graham confirms the testimony of Colonel Stone in every particular, so that it would be but repeating the same thing to give bis letter iu full. So does Major Atherton, of the Twenty-second Iowa. Sargeant Rugg, Company A, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, certifies that he saw the flags of the Seventyseventh planted on the rebel forts, and that the National colors were afterwards carried in and captured, together with a number of men, after nigh I fall.

To all this, add the testimony of Lieutenant Colonel Wai'moth, Captain Mason, Captain Blount, of the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a whole "cloud of other witnesses" too numerous to mention, but which may be consulted in General McClernand's Protest.

"These documents not only prove all I have denied or approved, but they prove more. They prove the promptness of my assault; the planting of my colors on the enemy's works, and their occupation by my men ; that prisoners had been captured and brought out of the fort assaulted by Lawler and Landrum; that an officer brought word to me afterwards that the same fort was ours and that it should not be further fired upon. That Lieutenant Colonel Graham, of the Twentysecond Iowa, wrote a note inside the fort stating it was ours, and that the Twenty-second Iowa advanced against one fort and the Eleventh Wisconsin against another; that Colonel Stone saw this himself, and saw the enemy retire from both.

"They prove that I could have used more men in making my assault (which General Grant denies,) and with timely reinforcements would have crowned with success; that my position was much more favorable than General Grant's for seeing what was going on in front of my lines; that my position was near the center of my line and only five or six hundred yards from the enemy's works, while that of General Grant was about a mile and a half, to the right of my position; that my dispatches to General Grant were a qualification rather than an exaggeration of my success; and that the reinforcements, finally ordered by General Grant, did not arrive in time.

" General Grant says that the works entered by Sergeant Griffith, from their position, could give no practical advantage, unless others to the right and left of it were seized and held at the same time.

"Is not this assertion too broad V Is not this as much as to say; that no practical advantage could have been derived from taking any part less than the whole of the enemy's works at once * * that the only condition of our success was the impossible one of carrying the whole of the enemy's line, which was larger than oiir own, at once, and consequently, that our attack must have been by line instead of by column, as he directed; and yet, strange enough, he censures me for asking the co-operation of a simultaneous attack, according to the terms of his original plan, and without which, according to his own admission, no practical advantage could have resulted from Griffith's partial success. By his own showing, I only asked for what his original plan promised, and what, by his own admission, was neccessary to our success.

"This, of itself, is a sufficient refutation of the charge, that what I asked for makes me responsible for the increase of our mortality list by full fifty per cent. No! General Grant's order of the 21st of May makes him responsible, not only for my loss, but for our whole loss. He knew well our diminished numbers, then exhausted, and the roughness of the ground, and he had at least a partial knowledge of the enemy's strong position. This order for the assault of the 22d, was deemed by all judges as an unfortunate one, and more likely to bring disaster upon ourselves than upon the enemy."

General McClernand's removal struck the officers and men of his command with astonishment and surprise. When they heard of it they rushed in crowds to his tent, and many, with tears in their eyes, expressed their deep sympathy, and they presented a written address to their General, replete with confidence and regard.

But his friends and former constituents at home were no less surprised and grieved at this event than the brave soldiers and officers who were so long his comrades and the sharers of his toils and dangers. The people were anxious and impatient to learn the cause, and hundreds of his townsmen flocked to his mansion to ascertain it, but the General was careful not to utter a word, or even a hint, that might implicate his military superiors in blame, lie merely assuicd his friends, and they believed him, that he had faithfully discharged his duty to his country, and had done no act of which he or they could feel ashamed, and that he hoped a speedy investigation, Avhich he had petitioned for, would re-instate him in his i)roper position before the country and the world.

General McClernand was invited to speak at various public meetings, and wherever he went he was received with marks of approbation and enthusiastically cheered for the noble and patriotic course he had pursued.

So long as our noble language shall endure, his great speech at Indianapolis, on the 20th of August, 1863, will be read with admiration and delight by every lover of liberty and pure democratic government in the country or in the world. We cannot find space for this speech, and it must be read entire to do it justice. We must, however, give one brief extract:

" It is said, however, that we cannot conquer the rebellion. And indeed is that so? Is it not an insult to loyal men and to the North to say so? What! twenty millions of freemen not able to uphold the Constitution and the laws against the eiforts of eight millions of rebels? What! the right, backed by wealth and power and National renown, not able to put down the enemy? What! a people who have voluntarily poured out their blood and treasure, as the people of the North have done, not able to vindicate their superiority in this contest? He who says so, if not a traitor himself, is not in sympathy with the earnest, enthusiastic, determined masses of the North.

"When and where were North men finally subdued? Never! Their arras conquered the 'Roman World.' Their enterprise compassed the globe itself. Their genius is dispelling the superstition of ages, and everywhere illuminating the path of man to a higher and nobler civilization. As the great blazing orb of day itself, they have coursed the earth and left a radiance behind, tracing in light the track of their glorious transit."

The foilovv'ing extract from the Jacksonville Journal, will illustrate the popular feeling towards General McClernand at that time. This is a report of a mass meeting held in that town in the summer of 1863, for the purpose of giving the General a reception after his removal from his command before Vicksburg. The Journal says:

"His (McClernand's) exposition of the objects of the "Union, the causes ol the war, the end, objects and deep criminality of the conspirators, of the infamy and fital utter ruin of all who either co-optiate or gjmpathise with them, whether in the North or "South, was truthful and just in all points, statesmanlike and philosophical, and in many points peculiarly eloquent and fervid."

His letter to the President, taken in connection with the well known subsequent events in his military career, clearly show that the great Northwest owe, to say the least, as much to General McClernand, for the opening of the Mississippi river and the fall of Vicksburg, as to any other man.

Having long waited, in the hope that some inquiry should be made into the case, and that justice should be done to him, and having received no answer from Washington to his protest up to the J 5th of December, he frequently urged his friends to remind the President of his case. Governor Yates, being in Washington, called the attention of the President to General McClernand's protest, who replied that he had not yet read it, but that he would do so as soon as he got time.

Dear Sir: - I believe you are aware of the reason that has restrained me from resigning my military commission. It is because friends, both of the President and myself, have protested against it. I have been led to believe that both were averse to such a step. If I am mistaken in this, so far as the President's views are concerned, or if I am not to be made useful by being assigned to an active command, I wish to know it. In either case, I shall resign, and relieve both the President and myself from further trouble. I think, however, that the President should indemnify my public character by j)lacing it in as favorable a light as he found it. Let him say to the people I have done well, or show wherein I have done ill. If he has read the papers I have forwarded to him, he must be convinced that gross and cruel injustice has been done to me. If he would summon me before him, I doubt not that I would be able to turn the tables upon my enemies. Can you enlighten me upon this point? If the task is not an ungracious or troublesome one, oblige me by doing so. Your obedient servant,

To the above letter, General McClernand received the following answer, dated at Was'hington, December 20, 1863: General John A. McClernand:

The President is aware that you have been unjustly treated, and in reply to my suggestion that he ought to do something for you, stated that when he got another mattcir off his hands (alluding to the Missouri troubles), he would see what could be done for you. Hon J. Gillespie was present at the interview, and, should you meet him, he may be able to tell you more particularly what occurred, though T have given you the purport. I shall endeavor to see the President again at an early day.

Here we see the impression which the perusal of General McClernand's protest made on Mr. Lincoln - an impression which it cannot fail to make on every impartial reader. It convinced him that General McClernand had been "unjustly treated," and induced him to say that when he got another matter off his hands, he would see what could be done for him.

Believing himself without any hope of redress, and being unwilling to receive pay any longer for services which were merely nominal, he came to the conclusion to tender his resignation, and he did so accordingly on the fourteenth of January, 1864.

The resignation of General McClernand was not received, and he soon afterwards was ordered to report to General Banks, and returned to the command of his old Thirteenth Army Corps.

The campaign in the rear of Vicksburg calls for some general observations. As a military conception it was bold and far-reaching. It united the perceptions of the statesman with the skill of the practical military strategist. Its execution was marked with unfailing vigor and persistency aaiid trying difficulties and critical perils. It comprised a rapid succession of victories, adding to the glory of the Union armies. The battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and the surrender of Vicksburg fell within a shorter space of time than the battles of Lodi, Castiglione, Areola, and the surrender of Mantua, and when distance of time shall have clothed them with the colors of vivid imagination, they will be taken to denote a campaign as brilliant as that of the French in Italy, in 1796, led by General Bonaparte.

General McClernand was as much, if not more, identified with the authorship and execution of the movement in the rear of Vicksburg as, or than, was any other commander. Hence, it is not surprising that many persons should have murmured at his sudden and peremptory exclusion from participation in the final ;u't of the drama, realized in the downfall of Vicksburg. Nor is it surprising that many loyal and distinguished men should have desired and rejoiced at his restoration to active militarj^ duty. The public is often just when individuals, swayed by passion, prejudice or envy, are unjust.

It followed, by order of President Lincoln, communicated by Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, that General McClernand was, in fact, restored to active command. This order bore date of the 23d of January, 1864, and directed General McClernand to repoi't for duty to Major General Banks, commanding the Department of the Gulf. This order reached General McClernand at Springfield, Illinois, on the 31st. Tidings of the fact were eagerly welcomed by the press and the })eople. To give expression to the prevailing sentiment, an ovation was improvised, which was to take place at the hall of the House of Representatives. The hall, at an early hour, was filled with military and non-military attendants, including many ladies. Captain Isaac Keyes officiated at Chairman, and Presco Wright and L. M Snell as Secretaries. General John Williams and Colonel Dudley Wickersham, Hons. Charles S. Zane, H. G. Fitzhugh and Charles W. Matheny, and H. C. Myers and L. Coleman were appointed a committee to wait on General McClernand and escort him to the hall. While the committee was away on its errand, bands discoursed martial music, and the Union Glee Club sang patriotic songs for the entertainment of the audience. Upon the return of the committee with General McClernand, accompanied by Governor Yates, Colonel Matheny, Colonel Mudd, Major Schwartz, Hon. J. Grimshaw, Hon. O. H. Hatch, Hon. J. K. Dubois and other distinguished men, and, on the subsidence of the applause evoked by their appearance, Hon. Shelby M. Cullom, in pursuance of previous appointment, rose and said:

"General McClernand: - Your friends and fellow-citizens in this city have been informed to-day that you were about to leave for the scenes of war. They are here now in baste to testify to their appreciation of your merits and valuable services in this terrible crisis of our country.

" The loyal people of this city and State, aye, and Nation, have waited long and impatiently to hear the announcement that you were again permitted to take the field in defense of the old flag and the free institutions of our land. They have sometimes felt that the Government, with that great and good man, our President, at its head, was failing to recognize, in some instances, its truest patriots and defenders; but true to his nobler impulses and generous heart, Mr. Lincoln, though slow sometimes, as we think, always sees and protects the right; and to-night you are on the eve of leaving our city to report to General Banks.

"Sir: Your neighbors and friends here remember well your bravery and patriotism, as displayed in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Arkansas Post, and the rapid series of battles fought by you and the brave boys in your command prior to the memorable siege of Vicksburg. The people of Springfield and Illinois are proud to know that they have brave Generals as well as humble soldiers, who never turn their backs to traitors. * * *

"It is no flattery to you, sir, to say that we feel and know that you have done much towards maintaining the Government. In the halls of Congress, when the rebellion first began to threaten, your roice was loudly heard in behalf of the Government. From your official position as a legislator, you went to the battle-field impelled by the same patriotic desire. From the battle-field, with the smoke of battle still upon you, you returned home under orders, where your energy and ability have done much to kindle a burning patriotism in the hearts of the brave boys of the Prairie State. You go again to the field. The good will of the loyal people of this State will follow you; they will watch your movements with interest; and when you have finished your military career, and this war is over and the country saved, we shall be glad to welcome you home again with new and brighter laurels upon your head."

The General's reply was spontaneous and characteristic. He said, in substance: "You have been pleased, sir, to allude to my services in the field, and the regard in which I am supposed to be held by the Thirteenth Army Corps. I have only to say that I have tried to do my duty, in all circumstances, and that I am rejoiced - not so much on my own account as on that of our common country - that that corps has rendered valuable and victorious service in its behalf. None could have borne themselves moi'e bravely and nobly than the officers and men of that corps under my command. At the call of duty, the corps always advanced fearlessly and with alacrity, in the face of danger and death. It has passed the ordeal of many battles, and still survives, though with decimated numbers; to add, with opportunity, to its hard-won laurels. Composed of western men, for the most part, it will continue to be, I doubt not, a faithful exemplar of western spirit and character. All that I claimed for it in the bloody assault upon the defences of Vicksburg was performed by it, - and the statements seen to the contrary are enviously false.

" I hope, sir, the future will afford no cause of regret, either to you or anyone, for the honor conferred on me by this popular demonstration, for which I return my sincerest thanks.

" I assure you no effort or sacrifice of mine shall be spared to merit your continued regard and confidence, and to push on the great cause of our country to a successful termination - a cause for which each and all of us should be willing to devote our lives and fortunes, if necessary. Adieu, my friends."

When the prolonged and rapturous applause with which the General's remarks were received had subsided. Colonel Loomis reported from a committee, a series of resolutions which were offered as expressive of the sense of the meeting, upon the subject to which they relate. They are couched in the following terms:

"Whereas, Our distinguished townsman and friend. Major General John A. McClernand, is about to leave us to assume an important command assigned him by the President in the Department of the Gulf, be it

'-'-Resolved, That we remember his history as a Representative of Illinois in the councils of the Nation, as one who dignified the position with all the qualities of a just and able statesman; one who, when the dignity and honor of the Government were assailed and the perpetuity of the Nation endangered by traitors, was among the very first to raise his voice to sustain the legally constituted authorities and to demand the rigid enforcement of the laws, regardless of past political associations, personal prejudices or private interest, and in his bold and manly support of the Government before the people to prove that of all else, he loved his country best.

That after voluntarily surrendering his seat in Congress, and taking up the sword in defense of the position he there assumed, we have watched his course in rallying his friends, the people, to the battle standard of the Union, his command in the army of the West on those fields which have made the luster of our arms imperishable, with feelings of the profoundest scratitude.

"Hesolved,' That our most earnest sympathy, wishes and prayers accompany him from home and friends to the scenes of future conflict. His past services, his name and fair fame will be remembered as among the names whom a loyal people will delight to honor."

The final resolution expressed hearty commendation and approval of the President's order assigning General McClernand to a prominent position in General Bank's command, and anticipated their cordial co-operation to conserve the interests of Constitutional Government and human freedom.

Governor Yates, Colonel Matheny, Hon. Jackson Grimshaw and others, followed in glowing tributes to the services rendered by General McClernand, at and since the commencement of the war; and to the gallantry and unwavering constancy of the Thirteenth Corps. The resolutions were adopted in the same spirit they breathed, that is with unanimous acclaim.

We have dwelt upon these incidents as evidencing what was the co-temporaneous opinion of eminent and well informed men in respect to General McClernand's military merits, and the unexpected order that retired him for a time, from the command of the Thirteenth Corps and active service in the field, and so barred him from sharing the final fruits and glory of the memorable campaign against Vicksburg. We have dwelt upon them to vindicate the truth of history, and to dispel the vague and groundless rumors, which passing from mouth to mouth, have long clouded the path of an honest and desei'ving man, whose life and services are worthy of a place in the history of the Nation, as well as of Illinois.

"By the direction of the President, Major General John A. McClernand, United States Volunteers, will relieve General E. O. C. Ord, in command of the Thirteenth Army Corps."

"Headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps: - The undersigned hereby resumes command of the Thirteenth Army Corps. All officers on|staff duty at these headquarters, except Major General Ord's personal staff, will continue in discharge of their present duties until otherwise ordered.

gratification at so welcome an event. The memories of our common trials and successes in the service of our beloved country have endeared you to me. I never will cease to admire your heroism and applaud your virtues. Arkansas Post, Richmond, New Carthage, Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, Champion Hills and Big IJlack are so many testimonials to your gallantr,y and good conduct. These brilliant victories, rapidly achieved, together with the triumph of Major General Banks in reducing Port Hudson, reopened the Mississippi river to the pining commerce of the grateful millions who inhabit its valley. Your assaults of the 19th and 22(1 of May upon the defenses of Vicksburg, will ever justly rank among the prodigies of military daring and constancy. All that I claimed for you in that and other respects, in my congratulatory order of the 30th of last May, stands unshaken by time and ofllcial scrutiny. Indeed, its contents, as the plain and simple truth, have become a part of the authentic history of the war. That I was not permitted to share in the consummation of the Mississippi campaign, by leading you into Vicksburg, is my misfortune, rather than my fault. My non-participation in that memorable event was involuntary and constrained, and is deeply regretted by me.

" I am profoundly thankful to the President that he has interposed to restore us to each other, after a separation that has been, to me, so long and painful. Your services, meantime, in this department are unfamiliar to me, but I doubt not that they are worthy of your antecedents, of the character of the distinguished commander whom I succeed, and of the able and successful chief of this important department.

"Comrades! New fields of duty and peril are before us. Let us hasten to make them historic with the valor and success of American arras. Our cause is a just one; approved, as we trust, l)y God and the civilized Avorld. Our countrymen are spectators of our conduct; their hearts throb in unison Avith our ardor, our courage, and our devotion. Let us not disappoint their just expectations."

This stirring appeal was not miscalculated; a pre-existing military and popular sentiment in New Orleans was eager to welcome it. General McClernand's arrival at that city was hailed with congratulations, notably by a body of the Second Illinois Cavalry, which had re-enlisted, and was about to return on leave of absence to their homes.

The press echoed the feeling of the rank and file and the people; announcing the " expectation that he Avould resume command of the corps;" adding, " Nothing could be more eminently proper. No commander ever enjoyed the confidence and affection of his men to a greater extent. And the confidence was mutual. It was the Thirteenth Corps that won the General's laurels, and it was under his gallant leadership that the corps became immortal."

The General, however, found that the corps had been dismembered, and scattered in detachments all the way from the Mississippi to the Rio Grande. This was a painful vicissitude to veterans who had so long maintained an intact organization, and who were wedded to each other by the memories of their common sufferings and giory.

General Banks was now busied with preparations for the Red river expedition. General McClernand, meanwhile, was informing himself of the condition and particular geographical dispositions of the different detachments of the corps, and desired, if it might be, that these detachments should be re-combined for effective, independent, co-operative service. But contrary to his desire, it fell out that shortly before General Banks embarked for the Red river expedition, he ordered General McClernand to proceed to Matagorda Island and assume the control of military affairs on the coast and frontier of Texas, and after arriving there to visit the several principal points occupied by the United States forces, and to report frequently and fully to the department headquarters, making such suggestions as he may deem for the good of the service.

In order to a full apprehension of the latent as well as the express import of this order, it is necessary to indulge at least a partial survey of the cotemporaneous situation within and on the coast, and southern frontier of Texas. Within, loyal citizens were hunted down as wild beasts by marauding bands of rebels. Often they were murdered without regai'd to age or sex; often their dwellings were burned; often they were impressed into the rebel army; in short, ever exhibition of patriotism, either by act or word was visited with a swift and vengeful expiation. Hope was yielding to despair.

On the coast, and across the Rio Grande, a stealthy but extensive trade was carried on in the exchange of cotton for arms and munitions, which were used to sustain the rebellion. This

Civil war was distracting and desolating Mexico; a civil war, waged on the one side by the Emperor Maximillian, supported by the arms of the disaffected Mexicans and the French - the whole deriving its inspiration from Napoleon III.; on the other side bj'^ the Republic of Mexico, represented by President Juarez. The imperial forces of Maximillian, flushed with success, were sweeping down to the Rio Grande, driving before them the tottering and fleeing government of the republic, and must soon, if not arrested, confront the United States forces on the narrow line of that stream. The "Monroe doctrine," a traditional American protest against the extension of the monarchical systems of the Old World to the Western Continent, and dedicating that continent to the destiny of popular government was in these events already violated, and, as was believed, perhaps, by the great body of the American people, because our own domestic strife invited it by opportunity and a supposed immunity.

At the same time a horde of the most turbulent and dissolute characters of Texas, congregated at Metamoras, Mexico, in view of the United States forces, was conspiring by offensive bearing and the calumnies of a press in that city, inspired and owned by themselves, to embroil the United States with the Imperial Government of Maximillian and Napoleon. In these delicate and fortuitous circumstances, an act of portentious interferance, a random shot, nay any untoAvard accident might suffice for that purpose, or to entail some other unhappy complication.

Thus General Banks' order virtually charges General McClernand with the part and respousibiliiies of a publicist and diplomatist and a commander. He was to make suggestions on passing and possible events which might enter into the motives or action of his government in momentous affairs aff'ecting the peaceful or belligerant relations of nations.

Crossing the Gulf, he arrived at Matagorda Island on the 8th of March, established his headquarters there, saw the outpost at Indianola withdrawn in obedience to General Bank's order, reorganized the forces so withdrawn with those on the island into brigades, and a division, assigning to each a commander, drove back the reconnoitering parties of the enemy, and sent counter parties of reconnoisance into the interior, established relays of mounted couriers from his headquarters twenty miles to the foot of the island, to bring information of any hostile attempt to cross by a shallow reef from the mainland to the rear of his camp, offered the refuge of this camp to fugitive loyalists, augmented his supplies, and on the 30th embarked with his staff on the steamer Clinton, for other posts. On the same day the vessel was driven by a gale on the bar off Arkansas Post, and probabl^^ would have been lost in sight of other wrecks, but for the assistance lent by the General and his staff to the officers and crew of the vessel. After seven hours peril, the vessel escaped and anchored over night in a neighboring pass.

On the three succeeding days, the General visited the posts respectively on Mustang Island and at Brazos, Santiago, and Point Isabel, inspecting them and their garrisons, and reviewing the latter, and left such orders as their condition and service seemed to require.

The ruins of the works commemorative of General Taylor and the war with Mexico, were viewed by General McClernand hard by; but, on a survey of the situation and relations of the post at Point Isabel, he determined to abandon it, and build a railroad from Brazos to a point on the Rio Grande below^ Brownsville, for the transportation of troops and stores, and as answering a better purpose.

On the 2d of April, he arrived by stage at Clarksville, an American town nearly opposite Bagdad in Mexico. At Clarksville, he saw off the mouth of the Rio Grande a fleet of merchant vessels flying the flags of different nations, and waiting, presumably, for cargoes of contraband cotton, brought to Metamoras and Bagdad, from Texas. He also saw a French ship of war riding at anchor, and learned that another had the day before sent a small boat around with a cannon to sound the approach to the mouth of that river. These circumstances were viewed by him as carrying a sinister and ominous import, but, much to his satisfaction, he found a United States man-of-war on the look-out for what might happen.

After inspecting the garrison at Clarksville, and impressing the ofticer in charge of it with the importance of vigilance and flrmness in the discharge of his trust, he resumed his journey by stage, and arrived at Brownsville at 8 o'clock that night. Here he heard of mutual estrangement and suspicions between General Ilerron, who was in immediate command on the frontier, and Cortina, who w^as Governor and C/oramandant of the State of Tamaulipas.

On the 3d, General McClernand determined on rebuilding old Fort Brown upon a larger scale of area and defences, in order to meet the contingency of any attack which the Mexicans, French and Confederates might make colleistively or separately, and also appointed a review of the troops for the same day and invited Governor Cortina to visit it, who, accepting the invitation, did so, accompanied by his civil and military staffs. The review was of the second division of the Thirteenth Corps, consisting of infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineers, assembled near old Fort Brown, wearing new uni I orms and carrying bright arms. The appointmpnts of the corps were complete. It passed in review in splendid style, and executed several mand'uvers Avith practiced skill and promptitude. Governor Cortina was delighted, and, turning to General McClernand, exclaimed: "Oh! that our forces wei*e so perfectly equipped. Then we would be able to turn back the tide of victory against the Imperialists."

The military exercises finished, the Governor and his staff returned with General McClernand and a number of his officers to partake of a banquet, which had been ordered by the latter, and had been spread by a German comrade and admirer of General Houston, of Texan renown. Confidence now restored betAveen the military authorities on both banks of the Rio Grande, the GoA^ernor the next day sent an invitation to the General and his staff and other officers to partake of a State dinner at Metamoras, the capital of Tamaulipas, and they, accepting, were met by the Governor, attended by his staff and a cavalry guard, at the river and escorted to the city, amid the acclaim of church bells and salvos of artillery. The banquet was a sumptuous and elegant one, and, when it was over, the General unbelted his sword, and, advancing iu the presence of the assembly, presented it to the Governor, remarking that "it was offered as a token of his personal sympathy for the cause of the Mexican Republic, and in the belief that it would be as faithfully used in that cause as it liad been in the cause of the American Union." The effect Avas electrical, the spectators enthusiastically approved, and the Governor himself, falling upon the General's breast, passionately replied: "I will try to prove myself worthy of the gift and the honor it imparts. We are friends to the death. I offered my services to the Union cause in the beginning. I will offer them again, Avith those of my adherents who will not fall away, if the French should unhappily driA^e me out of my country. I am familiar with Texas, aud can be useful to yoii there." The banquet was supplemented with a magniticent ball at the })alace, attended by the Governor, wife and daughter, and all the elite of the city. At a late hour the dancing ceased, and the General and his party were escorted back to the river with the same state they had been escorted from it. On the way back the General, reverting to the strained state of the Mexican finances, urged the Governor to seize and sell the large stores of cotton at Metamoras, and turn the money received into the public treasury for public use, and to banish from the city the turbulent host of American rebels that infested it. The Governor replied, " He had the good will to do so, but whether of his own motion was a delicate question." Resuming the subject next day, through one of his officers, he offered to send an agent with any that the General might send, to urge it upon the favorable consideration of the Government, then at Monterey, and, as an evidence of his earnestness, without delay repressed rebel machinations and disorders at Metamoras. Governor Hamilton and Colonel Haynes, both of Texas, by appointment of General McClernand, and joined with an agent appointed by. Governor Cortina, proceeded to Monterey on this mission, of which, under date of the 27th, near Brownsville, Colonel Haynes made full report, from which we take the following extract:

"In an interview with the President (Juarez), at which was present the Secretary of the Treasury, I urged upon him the importance to their Government of availing themselves of your proposition, and represented to them the open violation of the laws of neutrality long continued on this frontier, in furnishing the rebels with arms, ammunition, and all supplies of war; and that the continuance of this trade through their territory was not calculated to increase the good-will which yourself, as well as the great body of the people felt, in this country, for the Mexican nation in its struggle for nationality.

'-The President replied that no trade in articles contraband of war should hereafter be carried on, and that such trade heretofore had been the work of Governor Vidanri, in contravention of orders from the Supreme Government; but as for the seizure of cotton in Mexico, for reasons already given, that could not be done.

"A few days after, I requested an audience with General Negrete, the Minister of War, to whom I stated that, as he was a soldier, I should speak more freely. * ^«^ ^ I represented to him the injury done us by the immense supplies of material of war which had been openly carried into the hands of the rebels, through Metamoras and Monterey, and that so far as we could see there had been no diminution of these supplies; that such trade could but be offensive; * * * that both cities were filled with rebel agents and spies, some of them m earing the rebel uniform; that they had been allowed to establish a newspaper at Monterey, to misrepresent and malign our government; that commissioners had been received and treated with about the cotton trade; * * that this cotton belonged to the rebel Government, notwithstanding any flimsy pretense of ownership on the part of private owners * . I represented * * the friendly feeling existing in our country towards his; * and asked him, if the cotton should be seized by force, * if his Government would consider the seizure an act of hostility? His reply was, 'We would have to make a great outcry about it, but not a musket should be fired.'"

Colonel Haynes adds that intelligence of the object of his mission having in some way transpired, it was jealously and actively opposed by interested agents waiting abuut the government. General McClernand left Brownsville on the 8th with the intention of early returning and resuming the work which he had commenced or projected at that place, and arrived at Matagorda on the 9th.

On the I'rth, an order came from General Banks to General McClernand, much to the surprise of the latter, that he should hasten with reinforcements and report to former, wherever he should be found on the Red river. Crossing the Gulf with the First Division of the Thirteenth Corps, to New Orleans, General McClernand learned there the details of the failure of the Red river expedition, and the fearful decimation of a detatchment of that corps as one of its calamitous incidents. Re-embarking at New Orleans on river transports, he arrived at Alexandria, Louisiana, wnth the First Division about nightfall of the 24th, and immediately reported the fact to General Banks, who welcomed him in terms of surprise and compliment. The same night he disembarked his forces and marched to the front. Fortunately, he arrived in time to assist in the work of averting further disaster.

On the 26th, he advanced his forces, and covered the retreat of a cavalry picket, of which he caused rejDort to be made to General Banks, as also of his purpose to accept or force an engagement with their pursuers. General Banks at first sent a message of approval, but followed it by another, ordering General McClernand to fall back with his forces to a defensive line quite near Alexandria. Had this engagement transpired, there is persuasive reason to believe that it would have issued in a victory, reversing the current of the campaign, and redeeming its character, for it was a fact, subsequently ascertained, that only a portion of the rebel forces lingered about Alexandria, while the rest had been sent in two detachments - one to cooperate with General Price in Arkansas, the other to cut our communication by water below Alexandria. Beating the force lingering about Alexandria, we could have turned upon the one descending by the right bank of the river, and beaten it also, and then have marched into Texas to meet General McGruder, or into Arkansas to co-operate with General Steele against Price at our discretion. In other words, opportunity served for a venture to cut off the enemy's forces in detail. This was in accordance with the spirit of the General's part in the great campaign upon the Cumberland, the Tennessee, the Arkansas, and Mississippi. Without daring, great opportunities are sometimes lost.

The evacuation of Alexandria was now, no doubt, in the contemplation of General Banks, but an obstacle presented itself, which deeply agitated the minds of all. The Red river was subsiding, and the Mississippi Flotilla, moored above the rapids near Alexandria, unless it was extricated before the evacuation took place, must be left to fall into the hands of the enemy. Such a catastrophe would have sent a shudder through the minds of all loyal men. It engaged General McClernand's anxieties, in common with those of the whole army; and, although he was now confined to his tent by severe sickness, he lent his co-operation, through the skill and energy of his pioneer corps and a regiment of Wisconsin infantry in the work of extrication, which was finally crowned with success, amid great joy.

About the 12th of May, the curtain dropped upon the painful scene of evacuation, and the gunboats and the army started on their doleful return to the Mississippi. At the same time General McClernand was carried on stretchers on board a transport, already crowded with the sick and wounded, and accompanying female nurses, started down the Red river for New Orleans. Intelligence of the boat and of the identity of the boat carrying him, had in some way as was subsequently learned, reached the rebels, who waylaid the boat for some distance and fired into it from the cover of trees and houses. The pilot was wounded and replaced by another, and men and women terrified by the danger, resorted to the General lying helpless on his cot, with an appeal to order the colors to be struck, and the boat to be landed and surrendered. Instead, he ordered that a wall of boxes, beds, and chairs should be raised on the guards and about the pilot house as a defense, and that the boat should continue her passage until she escaped or went to the bottom. This ended the question of surrender, and the boat kept on her way to Fort de Russe, where the General was transferred to a hospital boat and carried to New Orleans. For a while after his arrival there, his physicians despairing of his recovery, he beckoned them to him and whispered: "Take courage, I am not dead yet, but with help will recover." He lingered there, however, until the 12th of June, when he was borne on stretchers to a steamer and carried by it to Illinois.

When he had so far recovered as to be able to resume service, he asked to be re-assigned to duty in the field or permitted to raise and command a special corps to itinerate the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans on armed steamers, for the purpose of protecting the commerce of that river, and to relieve and remit to their several organizations in the field the multitude of garrisons disposed along that river. Waiting for a reply and receiving none, on the twentyeighth of July he tendered his resignation, but failing to be assigned to duty and the tender of his resignation not being accepted, he renewed the latter in November, 1865, putting it upon the ground, among others, that he was "unwilling to retain an office without opportunity to exercise its functions." His resignation was finally accepted.

Thus ceasing his connection with the military service, he addressed himself to the task of regulating his private affairs, and in 1870 resumed the practice of the law. In the same year he was invited by the Legal Bar of Springfield to become a candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court, and, accejjting the invitation, was elected to that station without opposition.

As -Judge he evinced the same qualities of diligence and readiness that had characterized him as a commander. His learning, abilities, and impartiality were admitted; and clearing the docket, encumbered with cases which had been accumulating for years, he ceased his judicial functions in June, 1873.

nincli admired and commended; and in 1878, as marshal of tbe day, he conducted the ceremonies which signalized the transfer of the colors and battle flags of the Illinois ^"olnnteers from the old Arsenal to the hall prepared for their reception in the new State House, and on the same occasion delivered an eloquent address.

On Monday morning, April 3, 1865, at eight o'clock, General Weitzel entered the city of Richmond, at the head of his troops, it having been evacuated by the rebels the day previous. The news was quickly flashed over the wires, and before night of that day it was known all over the land that Richmond was ours, and the flnal victory was near at hapd. Richmond, the seat of rebel power, the stronghold of rebel armies, after having been fortified by every appliance of skill and science, and having withstood all the assaults of the Union armies for four years - had at last fallen!

There was great rejoicing in every city, village and hamlet throughout the country, and nowhere more so than in the homes of the loyal citizens of Sangamon county. But this was only the beginning of the good news. Every succeeding day brought the cheering news that other rebel strongholds had fallen; thousands of prisoners had been captured, and the rebels had been disheartened. No one doubted the dark war cloud had been pierced by the sunlight of peace

On Sunday, April 9, General Lee surrendered hits entire army to General Grant, and on the morning of the 10th, the State Journal celebrated the victory in startling head lines, as follows:

"The loyal citizens of Springfield and vicinity who rejoice over the recent success of the Union armies in Virginia, and their triumph over the hosts of treason and rebellion, and who would do honor to the names of Grant, Sheridan, and their brave compeers, whether ofticers or soldiers, and to all others, both of the army and navy, who have contributed in any way to those glorious successes, are invited to assemble at the State House, this (Monday) evening, April 10, for the purpose of commemorating the capture of Richmond and the brilliant victories lately won. Let the thunder of the cannon, the ringing of the bells, the brilliant display of fireworks, processions, music, bon-fires and illuminations test the joy of the people.

"There will be speaking in the Representative Hall and the rotunda of the State House, by the following gentlemen: Governor Oglesby, General Isham N. Haynie, Hon. Shelby M. Cullom, Colonel James H. Matheny, Hon. James C. Conkling, Hon. William H. Herndon, John E. Rosette, Charles S. Zane and E. L. Gross.

"Let all turn out to do honor to our 'brave boys in blue,' and exchange congratulations in view of a speedy return of permanent peace, with the Union preserved, the Constitution vindicated, rebellion punished and freedom triumphant."

When the foregoing call was issued it was not known that General Lee had surrendered, although the call and the news of the surrender were published in the same paper. As soon a8 the fact was known, however, at a very early hour Monday morning, all business came to a standstill; flags leaped as if by magic from public buildings and private residences all over the city. One hour later, and the business houses about the square were principally closed, and almost the entire population sought the square and public thoroughfares to congratulate each other on the glorious news that came borne on the wires from Old Virginia. Another hour and the excitement became intense; the enthusiasm of the citizens knew no bounds, and their feelings found expression in hurrahs and songs, processions of various kinds, and to make the scene more joyous, the church and fire bells rang a merry peal, which was kept up for some hours, until the whole air was filled with the many sounds of a general jubilee. Flags were attached to houses, horses vehicles, hats, coats, and finally almost every place where a flag could be displayed. Flags were seen upon houses where they were never seen before. The enthusiasm was contacfious.

At about 2 o'clock tlie Pioneer Fire DeparLment, preceded by a band of music, the Pioneer Hose Company, the Journal Cart, with a fine escort with flags, and the Star of the West Hose Company, appeared in procession upon the streets and marched around the square and through several of the principal streets. This was an impromptu procession and attracted considerable attention.

During the afternoon a novel sight appeared upon the public square, which elicited shouts and the applause of the multitude. The show consisted of a large mule covered with a blanket, bearing the inscriptions, on one side, "Jefl: Davis' Last Ride," and on the other "Jeff Davis and Suit," while over the tail of the animal hung the inscription, "Lee's End." Upon the mule was mounted an individual personating Jeff Davis, and by his side walked an attendant in niask and wearing ragged regimentals, followed by a forlorn looking escort. Shouts arose from every quarter wheie Jeff and his attendant passed. There also appeared a company in black masks, headed by a "six foot" fellow in a blue mask, on horseback, who marched his brigade from point to point, much to the amusement of the crowd. Hacks, buggies, wagons and drays, filled with a joyous, jubilant set of fellows, waving flags, singing, and shouting, were driven around the square.

The square was profusely ornamented with flags and drapery of red, white, and blue. Among the most conspicuous houses decorated were those of Stuart & Lutz, Matheny & Co., C. M. Smith & Co., J. Thayer & Co., R. F. Ruth, E. B. Hawley & Co., Kimber & Ragsdale, C. A. Gehrman, John Williams & Co., and Hammerslough Bros. The headquarters of Adjutant General Haynie, Marshal Keys, and Captain Campbell were most beautifully decorated with flags. Governor Oglesby displayed from his mansion the gallant Eighth regiment flag, under which he and his regiment fought at Fort Donelson. From the former residence of President Lincoln, a splendid flag was displayed.

At about four o'clock the Twenty-fourth Michigan regiment arrived from Camp Butler, under command of Brigadier General Morrow, and marched around the square, preceded by the splendid post band of Camp Butler, and afterwards paraded the State House yard, where they were addressed by Governor Oglesby and Brigadier General Morrow.

fireworks, tlie Fire Department h id a yrand parade and torchlight procession, in wiiich all the companies of the Fire Department joined, also a large number of the Fenian Brotherhood, wearing their badges and carrying a banner which elicited the admiration of all. "Old Bob," a splendid old horse of dark bay color, with the eye of an eagle, swelling nostrils, and a proud and elastic step, formerly the property of President Lincoln, was led in the procession by a colored groom. He attracted a large share of attention, from the fact that he had carried President Lincoln many hundred miles during his political campaign. "Old Bob" sported a rich blanket of red, white, and blue, thickly studded with flags, and bearing the inscription, "Old Abe's Horse." The flags were nearly all secured by the people as mementoes.

About 8 o'clock a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Representatives' Hall, addressed by those mentioned in the call. Never was such enthusiasm and joy manifested as on this occasion. The day will long be remembered by the citizens of Springfield.

The general Government now issued orders to stop drafting and recruiting, believing the war to be almost at an end. General Johnston with his command was the only considerable force our army now had to contend. True, scattered detachments of rebel forces were throughout the South, but the number was small. After considerable negotiations, Johnston surrendered his forces on the 28th day of April, on the same terms granted to Lee.

Assassination Of President Lincoln

Amid all the rejoicing over the evacuation of Richmond, the capture of Lee, and other Union victories, the startling intelligence was flashed across the continent that President Lincoln was assassinated. Instantly every expression of joy vanished, and sorrow filled the hearts of all. Abraham Lincoln, the great, the noble and good, struck down by the hand of an assassin! The news was too dreadful to believe, and each hoped against hope there was some mistake in the intelligence. The news was received in Springfield at a very early hour on the morning of the loth of April, and spread rapidly through the city. Citizens began to gather upon the streets, listening to the dispatches, or discussing the horrible details. The minds of loyal men and women were overwhelmed with mingled horror and sorrow, in view of the event which had dedeprived them of a valuable friend and former townsman, and the Nation of an honored and patriotic President. Before 8 o'clock the news had spread generally through the city. The business houses which had been opened were, by common consent, closed almost immediately, and the stillness of the Sabbath prevailed, except as indicated in the anxious faces and hurried inquiries upoH the streets.