Sweptbyaterriblemusketryfire,thesetroopscouldnolongerresist,andinspiteoftheeffortsoftheirgeneral,whorodeamongthemimploringthemtostandfirmuntilaidarrived,theybegantofallback。Neitherentreatiesnorcommandswereofavail;thetroopshaddoneallthattheycould,andbrokenanddisheartenedtheyretreatedingreatconfusion。Butatthismoment,whenallseemedlost,alineofglitteringbayonetswasseencomingoverthehillbehind,andthegeneral,ndingofinhastetowardthem,foundJacksonadvancingwiththefirstbrigade。
UnmovedbytherushofthefugitivesofthebrigadesofBeeandEvans,Jacksonmovedsteadilyforward,andsofirmandresolutewastheirdemeanor,thatBeerodeafterhismen,andpointingwithhisswordtothefirstbrigade,shouted,\"Look,thereisJacksonstandinglikeastonewall\"Thegeneral\'swordswererepeated,andhenceforththebrigadewasknownastheStonewallBrigade,andtheirgeneralbythenicknameofStonewallJackson,bywhichhewaseverafterwardknown。Thegreaterpartofthefugitivesrallied,andtookuptheirpositionontherightofJackson,andtheFederalforces,whowerehurryingforwardassuredofvictory,foundthemselvesconfrontedsuddenlyby2,000bayonets。Afteramoment\'spausetheypressedforwardagain,theartillerypreparingawayforthembyatremendousfire。
Jacksonorderedhismentoliedownuntiltheenemyarrivedwithinfiftyyards,andthentochargewiththebayonet。JustatthismomentGeneralsJohnstonandBeauregardarrivedonthespot,andatonceseeingthedesperatenatureofthesituation,andthewholeFederalarmypressingforwardagainstasinglebrigade,theydidtheirbesttopreparetomeetthestorm。FirsttheygallopedupanddownthedisorderedlinesofBee,exhortingthementostandfirm;andseizingthecolorsofthe4thAlabama,Johnstonledthemforwardandformedthemupunderfire。
BeauregardhurriedupsomereinforcementsandformedthemontheleftofJackson,andthus6,500infantryandartillery,andStuart\'stwotroopsofcavalry,stoodfacetofacewithmorethan20,000infantryandseventroopsofregularcavalry,behindwhomatthelowerfordswere35,000meninreserve。Whilehismenwerelyingdownawaitingtheattack,Jacksonrodebackwardandforwardinfrontofthemascalmandasunconcernedtoallappearanceasifontheparadeground,andhisquietbraverygreatlynervedandencouragedtheyoungtroops。
Allatoncethetremendousartilleryfireoftheenemyceased,andtheirinfantrycameoninmassivelines。ThefourConfederategunspouredintheirfireandthenwithdrewbehindtheinfantry。
Whenthelinecamewithinfiftyyardsofhim,Jacksongavetheword,hismensprangtotheirfeet,pouredinaheavyvolley,andthencharged。Awildyellrosefrombothranksastheyclosed,andthentheyweremingledinadesperateconflict。Foratimeallwasinwildconfusion,buttheardorandcourageofJackson\'smenprevailed,andtheyburstthroughthecenteroftheFederalline。
ImmediatelyJacksonhadcharged,Beauregardsentforwardtherestofthetroops,andforatimeatremendousstruggletookplacealongthewholeline。GeneralsBeeandBarlowfellmortallywoundedattheheadoftheirtroops。GeneralHamptonwaswounded,andmanyofthecolonelsfell。SonumerousweretheFederals,thatalthoughJacksonhadpiercedtheircenter,theirmassesdrovebackhisflanksandthreatenedtosurroundhim。Withvoiceandexamplehecheeredonhismentoholdtheirground,andtheofficerscloseduptheirranksastheywerethinnedbytheenemy\'sfire,andforanhourthestrugglecontinuedwithoutmarkedadvantageoneitherside。
Jackson\'scalmnesswasunshakenevenintheexcitementofthefight。Atonetimeanofficerrodeuptohimfromanotherportionofthefieldandexclaimed,\"General,Ithinkthedayisgoingagainstus!\"TowhichJacksonrepliedinhisusualcurtmanner,\"Ifyouthinkso,sir,youhadbetternotsayanythingaboutit。\"
TheresolutestandoftheConfederatesenabledGeneralBeauregardtobringupfreshtroops,andheatlastgavethewordtoadvance。
Jackson\'sbrigaderushedforwardonreceivingtheorder,burstthroughtheFederalswithwhomtheywereengaged,and,supportedbythereserves,drovetheenemyfromtheplateau。ButtheFederals,stillvastlysuperiorinforce,broughtupthereserves,andpreparedtorenewtheattack;but1,700freshmenofthearmyoftheShenandoahcamenponthefieldofbattle,SmithandEarlybroughtuptheirdivisionfromtheriver,andthewholeSouthernlineadvancedatthecharge,drovetheenemydowntheslopesandontowardthefords。
Apanicseizedthem,andtheirregimentsbrokeupandtooktoheadlongflight,whichsoonbecameanutterrout。Manyofthemcontinuedtheirflightforhours,andforatimetheFederalarmyceasedtoexist;andhadtheCenfederatesadvanced,asJacksondesiredthattheyshoulddo,Washingtonwouldhavefallenintotheirhandswithoutablowbeingstruckinitsdefense。
This,thefirstgreatbattleofthewar,issometimesknownasthebattleofManassas,butmoregenerallyasBullRun。
Withtheexceptionofoneortwocharges,thelittlebodyofConfederatehorsedidnottakeanypartinthebattleofBullRun。
HadtheybeenawareoftheutterstampedeoftheNortherntroops,theycouldsafelyhavepressedforwardinhotpursuitasfarasWashington,butbeingnumericallysoinferiortotheFederalcavalry,andinignorancethattheNortherninfantryhadbecomeamerepanic-strickenmob,itwouldhavebeenimprudentintheextremeforsuchahandfulofcavalrytoundertakethepursuitofanarmy。
ManyoftheConfederateswereofopinionthatthisdecisivevictorywouldbetheendofthewar,andthattheNorth,seeingthattheSouthwasableaswellaswillingtodefendthepositionithadtakenup,wouldabandontheideaofcoercingitintosubmission。Thishopewasspeedilydissipated。TheNorthwasindeedalikeastonishedanddisappointedatthedefeatoftheirarmybyagreatlyinferiorforce,butinsteadofabandoningthestruggle,theysettoworktoretrievethedisaster,andtoplaceinthefieldaforcewhichwould,theybelieved,proveirresistible。
VincentWingfieldsawbutlittleofthebattleatBullRun。AstheywereimpatientlywaitingtheordertochargewhilethedesperateconflictbetweenJackson\'sbrigadeandtheenemywasatitsfiercest,ashellfromoneoftheFederalbatteriesburstafewyardsinfrontofthetroop,andoneofthepiecesstrikingVincentonthesidehurledhiminsensiblefromhishorse。HewasatonceliftedandcarriedbyDanandsomeoftheothermen-servants,whohadbeentoldoffforthisduty,totherear,wherethesurgeonswerebusilyengagedindressingthewoundsofthemenwhostraggledbackfromthefront。Whiletheconflictlastedthoseunabletowalklaywheretheyfell,fornoprovisionhadatpresentbeenmadeforambulancecorps,andnotasinglemancapableoffiringamusketcouldbesparedfromtheranks。ThetearswereflowingcopiouslydownDan\'scheeksashestoodbywhilethesurgeonsexaminedVincent\'swound。
\"Ishedead,sah?\"hesobbedastheyliftedhimupfromhisstoopingposition。
\"Dead。\"thesurgeonrepeated。\"Can\'tyouseeheisbreathing,anddidyounothearhimgroanwhenIexaminedhisside?Heisalongwayfrombeingadeadmanyet。Someofhisribsarebroken,andhehashadaverynastyblow;butIdonotthinkthereisanycauseforanxietyabouthim。Pouralittlewinedownhisthroat,andsprinklehisfacewithwater。Raisehisheadandputacoatunderit,andwhenheopenshiseyesandbeginstorecover,don\'tlethimmove。Thenyoucancutupthesideofhisjacketanddownthesleeve,soastogetitoffthatsidealtogether。Cuthisshirtopen,andbathethewoundwithsomewaterandbitofragofanysort;itisnotlikelytobleedmuch。Whenithasstoppedbleedingputapadoflinenuponit,andkeepitwet。Whenwecansparetimewewillbandageitproperly。\"
ButitwasnotuntillateatnightthatthetimecouldbesparedforattendingtoVincent;forthesurgeonswereoverwhelmedwithwork,andthemostseriouscaseswere,asfaraspossible,firstattendedto。Hehadsoonrecoveredconsciousness。AtfirsthelookedwithafeelingofbewildermentatDan,whowascopiouslysprinklinghisfacewithwater,sobbingloudlywhilehedidso。Assoonasthenegroperceivedthathismasterhadopenedhiseyeshegaveacryofdelight。
\"TankdeLord,MarseVincent;dischildtoughtyoudeadandgoneforsure。\"
\"What\'sthematter,Dan?Whathashappened?\"Vincentsaid,tryingtomove,andthenstoppingsuddenlywithacryofpain。
\"Youknockedoffyourhorse,sah,widoneQfshellsQfdemcussedYanks。\"
\"AmIbadlyhurt,Dan?\"
\"Berrybad,sah;greatpieceoffleshprettynighasbigasmyhandcomeoutohyourside,anddoctorsayssomeofderibsbroken。
Butdedoctornotseemtomakemuchohit;hehardsortohmandat。Sayyougetallrightagain。Notimetotendtoyounow。
HurryawayjustasifyousomepoorwhitetrashinsteadofMassaWingfieldohdoOrangery。\"
Vincentsmiledfaintly。
\"Itdoesn\'tmakemuchdifferencewhatamanisinasurgeon\'seyes,Dan;thequestionishowbadlyheishurt,andwhatcanbedoneforhim?Well,thankGodit\'snoworse。Wildfirewasnothurt,I
hope?\"
\"No,sab;heisstandingtiedupbydattree。Now,sah,dodoctorsaymecutyourjacketoffandhavedewound。\"
\"Allright,Dan;butbealittlecarefulwiththewater,youseemtobeprettyneardrowningmeasitis。Justwipemyfaceandhair,andgetthehandkerchieffromthepocketofmyjacket,andopentheshirtcollarandputthehandkerchiefinsideroundmyneck。
Howisthebattlegoingon?Theroarseemslouderthanever。\"
Danwentforwardtothecrestaofslightriseofthegroundwhencehecouldlookdownuponthefieldofbattle,andmadehastetoreturn。
\"Can\'tseeberrywell,sah;toomuchsmoke。Butdeyindosameplacestill。\"
\"Lookround,Dan,andseeifthereareanyfreshtroopscomingup。\"
\"Yes,sah;lotofmencomingoberdehillbehind。\"
\"That\'sallright,Dan。Nowyoucanseeaboutthisbathingmyside。\"
AssoonasthebattlewasoverMajorAshleyrodeuptowhereVincentandfiveorsixofhiscomradesofthecavalrywerelyingwounded。
\"Howareyougettingon,lads?PrettywellIhope?\"heaskedthesurgeonashedismounted。
\"Firstrate,major,\"oneofthemenanswered。\"WeallofustookaturnassoonasweheardthattheYankswerewhipped。\"
\"Yes,wehavethrashedthemhandsomely,\"themajorsaid。\"Ah,Wingfield,Iamgladtoseeyouarealive。Ithoughtwhenyoufellitwasalloverwithyou。\"
\"Iamnotmuchhurt,sir,\"Vincentreplied。\"Afleshwoundandsomeribsarebroken,Ihear;buttheywon\'tbelongmendingI
hope。\"
\"It\'sanastywoundtolookat,\"themajorsaid,asDanliftedthepadofwetlinen。\"Butwithyouthandhealthyouwillsoongetroundit,neverfear。\"
\"Ah,mypoorlad,yoursisaworsecase,\"hesaidashebentoverayoungfellowwhowaslyingafewpacesfromVincent。
\"It\'sallupwithme,major,\"herepliedfaintly;\"thedoctorsaidhecoulddonothingforme。ButIdon\'tmind,nowwehavebeatenthem。Youwillsendalinetotheoldpeople,major,won\'tyou,andsayIdieddoingmyduty?I\'vegottwobrothers,andIexpecttheywillsendoneontotakemyplace。\"
\"Iwillwritetothem,mylad,\"themajorsaid,\"andtellthemallaboutyou。\"Hecouldgivetheladnofalsehopes,foralreadyagrayshadewasstealingoverthewhiteface,andtheendwascloseathand;inafewminutesheceasedtobreathe。
Lateintheeveningthesurgeons,havingattendedtomoreurgentcases,cameround。Vincent\'swoundwasnowmorecarefullyexaminedthanbefore,buttheresultwasthesame。Threeoftheribswerebadlyfractured,buttherewasnoseriousdanger。
\"Youwillwantquietandgoodnursingforsometime,mylad,\"theprincipalsurgeonsaid。\"TherewillbeatrainofwoundedgoingoffforRichmondthefirstthinginthemorning,andyoushallgobyit。Youhadbettergetadoor,lads,\"hesaidtosomeofthetrooperswhohadcomeacrossfromthespotwherethecavalrywerebivouackedtoseehowtheircomradesweregettingon,\"andcarryhimdownandputhiminthetrain。Onehasjustbeensentoff,andanotherwillbemadeupatonce,sothatthewoundedcanbeputinitastheyaretakendown。NowIwillbandagethewound,anditwillnotwantanymoreattentionuntilyougethome。\"
Awadoflintwasplaceduponthewoundandbandagedtightlyroundthebody。
Rememberyouhavegottoheperfectlyquiet,andnotattempttomovetilltheboneshaveknit。Iamafraidthattheyarebadlyfractured,andwillrequiresometimetohealupagain。\"
Adoorwasfetchedfromanout-housenear,andVincentandtwoofhiscomrades,whowerealsoorderedtobesenttotherear,wereonebyonecarrieddowntothenearestpointontherailway,whereatrainstoodreadytoreceivethem,andtheywerethenlaidontheseats。
Allnightthewoundedkeptarriving,andbymorningthetrainwaspackedasfullasitwouldhold,andwithtwoorthreesurgeonsinchargestartedforRichmond。Danwaspermittedtoaccompanythetrain,atVincent\'surgentrequest,inthecharacterofdoctor\'sassistant,andhewentaboutdistributingwatertothewounded,andassistingthesurgeonsinmovingsuchusrequiredit。
ItwasnightbeforethetrainreachedRichmond。Anumberofpeoplewereatthestationtoreceiveit;forassoonasthenewsofthebattlehadbeenreceived,preparationshadbeenmadeforthereceptionofthewounded,severalpublicbuildingshadbeenconvertedintohospitals,andnumbersofthecitizenshadcomeforwardwithofferstotakeoneormoreofthewoundedintotheirhouses。Thestreetswerecrowdedwithpeople,whowerewildwithjoyatthenewsofthevictorywhich,astheybelieved,hadsecuredtheStatefromanyfurtherfearofinvasion。Numbersofwillinghandswereinreadinesstocarrythewoundedonstretcherstothehospitals,whereallthesurgeonsofthetownwerealreadywaitingtoattenduponthemVincent,athisownrequest,wasonlylaiduponabed,ashesaidthathewouldgohometohenursedthefirstthinginthemorning。
Thisbeingthecaseitwasneedlesstoputhimtothepainandtroubleofbeingundressed。DanhadstartedassoonashesawhismastercarriedintothehospitaltotakethenewstotheOrangery,beingstrictlychargedbyVincenttomakelightofhisinjury,andonnoaccountwhatevertoalarmthem。Hewastoaskthatthecarriageshouldcometofetchhimthefirstthinginthemorning。
ItwasindeedbutjustdaybreakwhenMrs。Wingfielddroveuptothehospital。Danhadbeensoseverelycross-examinedthathehadbeenobligedtogiveanaccurateaccountofVincent\'sinjury。
Therewasbustleandmovementevenatthatearlyhour,foranothertrainofwoundedhadjustarrived。Assheenteredthehospitalshegaveanexclamationofpleasure,foratthedoorweretwogentlemeninconversation,oneofwhomwasthedoctorwhohadlongattendedthefamilyattheOrangery。
\"Iamgladyouarehere,Dr。Mapleston;forIwantyouropinionbeforeImoveVincent。Haveyouseenhim?\"
\"No,Mrs。Wingfield;Ididnotknowhewashere。Ihavechargeofoneofthewards,andhavenothadtimetoseewhoareintheothers。IsincerelyhopeVincentisnotseriouslyhurt。\"
\"That\'swantIwanttofindout,doctor。Hisboybroughtusnewslatelastnightthathewashere。Hesaidthedoctorsconsideredthathewasnotinanydanger;butasitseemsthathehadthreeribsbrokenandadeepfleshwoundfromtheexplosionofashell,itseemstomethatitmustbeserious。\"
\"Iwillgoupandseehimatonce,Mrs。Wingfield,andfindoutfromthesurgeoninchargeofhiswardexactlywhatisthematterwithhim。\"DanledthewaytothebeduponwhichVincentwaslying。Hewasonlydozing,andopenedhiseyesastheycameup。
\"Mypoorboy,\"Mrs。Wingfleldsaid,strugglingwithhertearsatthesightofhispaleface,\"thisissadindeed。\"
\"Itisnothingverybad,mother,\"Vincentrepliedcheerfully;
\"nothingatalltofretabout。Thewoundisnothingtotheinjuriesofmostofthosehere。Isuppose,doctor,Icanbemovedatonce?\"
DoctorMaplestonfelthispulse。
\"Yenarefeverish,mylad;butperhapsthebestthingforyouwouldbetogetyouhomewhileyoucanbemoved。Youwilldofarbettertherethanhere。ButImustspeaktothesurgeoninchargeofyoufirst,andhearwhathesays。\"
\"Yes,Ithinkyoucanmovehim,\"thesurgeonofthewardsaid。
\"Hehasgotanastywound,andtheticketwithhimsaidthatthreeribswerebadlyfractured;butImadenoexamination,ashesaidhewouldbefetchedthefirstthingthismorning。Ionlyputonafreshdressingandbandagedit。Thesooneryougethimoffthebetter,ifheistobemoved。Feverissettingin,andhewillprobablybewanderingbythisevening。Hewillhaveamuchbetterchanceathome,withcoolroomsandquietandcarefulnursing,thanhecanhavehere;thoughtherewouldbenolackofeithercomfortsornurses,forhalftheladiesinthetownhavevolunteeredforthework,andwehaveoffersofallthemedicalcomfortsthatcouldberequiredwerethelistofwoundedtentimesaslargeasitis。\"
Astretcherwasbroughtin,andVincentwasliftedasgentlyaspossibleuponit。Thenhewascarrieddown-stairsandthestretcherplacedinthecarriage,whichwasalargeopenone,andaffordedjustsufficientlengthforit。Mrs。Wingfieldtookherseatbesidehim。Danmountedtheboxbesidethecoachman。
\"Iwillbeoutinanhour,Mrs。Wingfield,\"Dr。Maplestonsaid。\"I
havetogoroundthewardagain,andwillthendriveoutatonce。
Givehimlemonadeandcoolingdrinks;don\'tlethimtalk。Cuthisclothesoffhim,andkeeptheroomsomewhatdark,butwithafreecurrentofair。Iwillbringoutsomemedicinewithme。\"
Thecarriagedroveslowlytoavoidshaking,andwhentheyapproachedthehouseMrs。WingfleldtoldDantojumpdownandcometothesideofhercarriage。Thenshetoldhimtorunonasfastashecouldahead,andtotellherdaughtersnottomeetthemupontheirarrival,andthatalltheservantsweretobekeptoutoftheway,exceptthreementocarryVincentupstairs。Theladwasconsequentlygotuptohisroomwithoutanyexcitement,andwassoonlyingonhisbedwithasheetthrownlightlyoverhim。
\"Thatiscomfortable,\"hesaid,ashismotherbathedhisfaceandhandsandsmoothedhishair。\"Wherearethegirls,mother?\"
\"Theywillcomeintoseeyounow,Vincent;butyouaretokeepquitequietyouknow,andnottotalk。\"Thegirlsstoleinandsaidafewwords,andlefthimaloneagainwithMrs。Wingfield。Hedidnotlooktothemsoillastheyhadexpected,fortherewasaflushoffeveronhischeeks。Dr。Maplestonarrivedinanotherhalf-hour,examinedandredressedthewound,andcomfortedMrs。Wingfieldwiththeassurancethattherewasnothinginitlikelytoprovedangeroustolife。
\"Ourtroublewillberatherwiththeeffectoftheshockthanwiththewounditself。Heisveryfeverishnow,andyoumustnotbealarmedifbythiseveningheisdelirious。Youwillgivehimthiscoolingdraughteverythreehours;hecanhaveanythinginthewayofcoolingdrinkshelikes。Ifhebeginstowander,putclothsdippedincoldwaterandwrungoutonhishead,andspongehishandswithwaterwithalittleeaudeCologneinit。Ifheseemsveryhotsetoneofthewomentofanhim,butdon\'tlethergoonifitseemstoworryhim。Iwillcomeroundagainathalfpastninethiseveningandwillmakearrangementstopassthenighthere。
WehavetelegramssayingthatsurgeonsarecomingfromCharlestonandmanyotherplaces,soIcanverywellbespared。\"
Whenthedoctorreturnedintheevening,hefound,ashehadanticipated,thatVincentwasinahighstateoffever。Thiscontinuedfourorfivedays,andthengraduallypassedoff;andhewokeuponemorningperfectlyconscious。Hismotherwassittingonachairatthebedside。
\"Whato\'clockisit,mother?\"heasked。\"HaveIbeenasleeplong?\"
\"Sometime,dear,\"sheansweredgently;\"butyoumustnottalk。
Youaretotakethisdraughtandtogoofftosleepagain;whenyouwakeyoumayaskanyquestionsyoulike。\"Sheliftedthelad\'shead,gavehimthedraughtandsomecoldtea,thendarkenedtheroom,andinafewminuteshewasasleepagain。
CHAPTERVII。THEMERRIMACANDTHEMONITOR。
ITWASsomeweeksbeforeVincentwasabletowalkunaided。
Hisconvalescencewassomewhatslow,fortheshocktothesystemhadbeenasevereone。Thelongrail-wayjourneyhadbeeninjurioustohim,forthebandagehadbecomesomewhatlooseandthebrokenpiecesofbonehadgrateduponeachother,andweremuchlongerinknittingtogetherthantheywouldhavebeenhadhebeentreatedonthespot。
Assoonashecouldwalkhebegantobeanxioustorejoinhistroop,butthedoctorsaidthatmanyweeksmustelapsebeforehewouldbereadytoundergothehardshipsofcampaign。Hewasreconciledtosomeextenttothedelaybylettersfromhisfriendswiththetroopandbytheperusalofthepapers。TherewasnothingwhateverdoinginVirginia。Thetwoarmiesstillfacedeachother,theNorthernersprotectedbythestrongfortificationstheyhadthrownuproundWashington-fortificationsmuchtooformidabletobeattackedbytheConfederates,heldastheywerebyaforceimmenselysuperiortotheirown,bothinnumbersandaims。
TheNorthernerswereindeedhardatwork,collectingandorganizinganarmywhichwastocrushouttherebellion。GeneralScotthadbeensucceededbyMcClellaninthesupremecommand,andthenewgeneralwasindefatigableinorganizingthevastmassesofmenraisedinthoNorth。SogreatweretheeffortsthatinafewmonthsafterthedefeatofBullRuntheNorthhad650,000
meninarms。
ButwhilenomovehadatpresentbeenmadeagainstVirginiatherewassharpfightinginsomeoftheborderstates,especiallyinMissouriandKentucky,inbothofwhichpublicopinionwasmuchdivided,andregimentswereraisedonbothsides。
VariousoperationswerenowundertakenbytheFederalfleetatpointsalongthecoast,andseveralimportantpositionsweretakenandoccupied,itbeingimpossiblefortheConfederatestodefendsolongalineofsea-coast。TheSouthhadlostratherthangainedgroundinconsequenceoftheirvictoryatBullBun。Foratimetheyhadbeenundulyelated,andweredisposedaltogethertounderratetheirenemiesandtobelievethatthestrugglewasasgoodasover。Thus,then,theymadenoeffortatailcorrespondingtothatoftheNorth;butastimewenton,andtheysawthevastnessofthepreparationsmadefortheirconquest,thepeopleoftheSouthernStatesagainbestirredthemselves。
OwingtotheNorthhavingthecommandofthesea,andshuttingupalltheprincipalports,theyhadtorelyuponthemselvesforeverything,whiletheNorthcoulddrawarmsandammunitionandalltherequisitesofwarfromthemarketsofEurope。Foundrieswereaccordinglyestablishedforthemanufactureofartillery,andfactoriesformuskets,ammunition,andpercussioncaps。TheSouthhad,infact,tomanufactureeverythingdowntotheclothforhersoldiersuniformsandtheleatherfortheirshoes;and,asinthepastshehadreliedwhollyupontheNorthforsuchgoods,itwasforatimeimpossibletosupplythetroopswitheventhemostnecessaryarticles。
ThewomenthroughouttheStatesweresettowork,spinningandweavingroughcloth,andmakinguniformsfromit。Leather,however,cannotbeproducedallatonce,andindeedwithalltheireffortstheConfederateauthoritieswereneverthroughoutthewarabletoprovideasufficientsupplyofbootsforthetroops,andmanyabattlewaswonbysoldierswhofoughtalmostbarefootedandwhoreshodthemselvesforthemostpartbystrippingthebootsfromtheirdeadfoes。ManyotherarticlescouldnotbeproducedintheSouthernStates,andtheConfederatessufferedmuchfromthewantofpropermedicinesandsurgicalappliances。
Fortheseandmanyothernecessariestheyhadtodependsolelyupontheshipswhichsucceededinmakingtheirwaythroughtheenemy\'scruisersandrunningtheblockadeoftheports。Wine,tea,coffee,andotherimportedarticlessoonbecameluxuriesbeyondthemeansofall,eventheverywealthy。Allsortsofsubstituteswereused;grainroastedandgroundbeingchieflyusedasasubstituteforcoffee。HithertotheSouthbadbeenprincipallyoccupiedinraisingcottonandtobacco,dependingchieflyupontheNorthforfood;anditwasnecessarynowtoabandonthecultivationofproductsforwhichtheyhadnosale,andtodevotethelandtothegrowthofmaizeandothercropsforfood。
Bythetimethatthelongperiodofinactioncametoaclose,Vincenthadcompletelyrecoveredhisstrength,andwasreadytorejointheranksassoonastheordercamefromColonelStuart,whohadpromisedtosendforhimdirectlytherewasaprospectofactiveservice。
OneofVincent\'sfirstquestionsassoonashebecameconvalescentwaswhetheraletterhadbeenreceivedfromTony。
Ithadcome,hewastold,amongthelastbatchoflettersthatcrossedthefrontierbeforetheoutbreakofhostilities,andMrs。
Wingfleld,had,asbehadrequested,openedit。Ashadbeenarranged,ithadmerelycontainedTony\'saddressatavillagenearMontreal;forVincenthadwarnedhimtosaynothingintheletter,fortherewasnosaying,inthetroubledtimeswhichwereapproachingwhenTonyleft,intowhosehandsitmightfall。
Vincenthadbeforestartingtoldhismotherofthesharehehadtakeningettingthenegrosafelyaway,andMrs。Wingfield,broughtupasshehadbeentoregardthosewhoassistedrunawayslavestoescapeinthesamelightasthosewhoassistedtostealanyotherkindofproperty,wasatfirstgreatlyshockedwhensheheardthathersonhadtakenpartinsuchanenterprise,howeverworthyofcompassiontheslavemightbe,andhoweverbrutalthemasterfromwhosehandshehadfled。However,asVincentwasonthepointofstartingforthewartomeetdanger,andpossiblydeath,inthedefenseofVirginia,shehadsaidlittle,andthatlittlewasinreferencerathertotheimprudenceofthecoursehehadtakenthantowhatsheregardedinherownmindasitsfolly,andindeeditscriminality。
Shehad,however,promisedthatassoonasTony\'sletterarrivedshewould,ifitwasstillpossible,forwardDinahandthechildtohim,supplyingherwithmoneyforthejourney,andgivingherthepapersfreeingherfromslaverywhichVincenthaddulysignedinthepresenceofajustice。Whenthelettercame,however,itwasalreadytoolate。Fightingwasonthepointofcommencing,allintercourseacrosstheborderwasstopped,thetrainswerealltakenupfortheconveyanceoftroops,andevenamanwouldhavehadgreatdifficultyinpassingnorthward,whileforanunprotectednegresswithababysuchajourneywouldhavebeenimpossible。
Mrs。Wingfieldhadthereforewrittenfourtimesatfort-nightlyintervalstoTony,sayingthatitwasimpossibletosendDinahoffatpresent,butthatsheshouldbedespatchedassoonasthetroubleswereover,uponreceiptofanotherletterfromhimsayingthathisaddresswasunchanged,orgivinganewone。Theselettersweredulyposted,anditwasprobablethatoneorotherofthemwouldintimereachTony,asmailsweresentofftoEuropewheneveranopportunityofferedforthemtobetakenbyasteamerrunningtheblockadefromaSouthernport。Dinah,therefore,stillremainedattheOrangery。Shewaswellandhappy,forherlifetherewasadelightfuloneindeedafterhertoilandhardshipattheJackson\'s;andalthoughshewasanxioustojoinherhusband,theknowledgethathewaswellandsafefromallpursuit,andthatsoonerorlatershewouldjoinhimwithherchild,wassufficienttomakeherperfectlycontented。
DuringVincent\'sillnessshehadbeenhismostconstantattendant;
forherchildnownolongerrequiredhercare,andpassedmuchofitstimedownatthenursery,wheretheyoungchildrenoftheslaveswerelookedafterbytwoorthreeagednegressespastactivework。ShehadthereforebeggedMrs。Wingfieldtobeallowedtotakeherplacebythebedsideofheryoungmaster,and,aftergivingheratrial,Mrs。Wingfleldfoundhersoquiet,gentle,andpatientthatsheinstalledherthere,andwasabletoobtaintherestsheneeded,withafeelingofconfidencethatVincentwouldbewellattendedtoinherabsence。
WhenVincentwaswellenoughtobeaboutagain,hissistersweresurprisedatthechangethathadtakenplaceinhimsincehehadstartedafewmonthsbeforeforthewar。Itwasnotsomuchthathehadgrown,thoughhehaddonesoconsiderably,butthathewasmucholderinmannerandappearance。Hehadbeendoingman\'swork:workrequiringvigilance,activity,andcourage,andtheycouldnolongertreathimasaboy。Ashebecamestrongerhetooktoridingabouttheplantation;butnotuponWildfire,forhishorsewasstillwiththetroop,ColonelStuarthavingpromisedtoseethattheanimalwaswellcaredfor,andthatnooneshouldrideuponitbuthimself。
\"IhopeyoulikeJonasPearsonbetterthanyouusedtodo,Vincent,\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidadayortwobeforehestartedtorejoinhistroop。
\"Ican\'tsayIdo,mother,\"herepliedshortly。\"Themanisveryciviltomenow-toocivil,infact;butIdon\'tlikehim,andIdon\'tbelieveheishonest。Idon\'tmeanthathewouldcheatyou,thoughhemaydosoforanythingIknow;buthepretendstobeaviolentSecessionist,whichashecomesfromVermontisnotnatural,andIimaginehewouldsingadifferenttuneifthebluecoatsevergettoRichmond。StillIhavenothingparticulartosayagainsthim,exceptthatIdon\'tlikehimandIdon\'ttrusthim。SolongaseverythinggoesonwellfortheConfederacyIdon\'tsupposeitmatters,butifweshouldevergettheworstofityouwillseethatfellowwillbemischievous。
\"however,Ihearthathehasobeyedyourorders,andthattherehasbeennofloggingontheestatesinceIwentaway。Infact,asfarasIcansee,hedoesnotkeepanythinglikesuchasharphandovertheslavesasheusedtodo;andinsomeofthefieldstheworkseemstobedoneinaveryslovenlyway。WhathisgameisIdon\'tknow;butIhavenodoubtwhateverthathehassomegameinhismind。\"
\"Youareamostprejudicedboy,\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid,laughing。
\"Firstofallthemanistoostrict,andyouwerefuriousaboutit;
nowyouthinkhe\'stoolenient,andyouatoncesuspecthehaswhatyoucallagameofsomesortorotheron。Youarehardtopleaseindeed。\"
Vincentsmiled。\"Well,asItoldyouoncebefore,weshallsee。I
hopeIamwrong,andthatPearsonisallthatyoubelievehimtobe。IownthatImaybeprejudicedagainsthim;butnothingwillpersuaderuethatitwasnotfromhimthatJacksonlearnedthatDinahwashere,anditwastothatweowethevisitofthosheriffandthesearchingtheplantationforTony。However,whateverthemanisatheart,hecan,asfarasIsee,doyounoinjuryaslongasthingsgoonastheyare,andIsincerelytrusthewillneverhaveanopportunityofdoingso。\"
DuringthewinterVincenthadmadetheacquaintanceefmanyoftheSouthernleaders。Thetownwasthecenterofthemovement,theheartoftheConfederacy。Itwasagainstit,asthecapitaloftheSouthernStates,thattheeffortsoftheNorthernswereprincipallydirected,andtoitflockedtheleadingmenfromallpartsofthecountry。AlthougheveryVirginianfamilyhadsomeofitsmembersatthefront,andafeelingofanxietyreignedeverywhere,asemblanceofgayetywaskeptup。Thetheaterwasopened,andpartiesandballsgiven,inordertokeepupthespiritsofthepeoplebytheexampleofthoseofhigherrank。
Theseballsdifferedwidelyinappearancefromthoseofeighteenmonthsbefore。Thegentlemenwerealmostallinuniform,andalreadycalicoesandothercheapfabricswerewornbymanyoftheladies,asforeigndressmaterialscouldnolongerbepurchased。
Mrs。Wingfieldmadeapointofalwaysattendingwithherdaughtersattheseentertainments,whichtotheyoungpeopleaffordedacheerfulbreakinthedullnessandmonotonyoftheirusuallife;for,owingtotheabsenceofalmostalltheyoungmenwiththearmy,therehadbeenalongcessationofthepleasantinterchangeofvisits,impromptuparties,andsocialgatheringsthathadformedafeatureinthelifeinVirginia。
TheballswouldhavebeenbutdullaffairshadonlytheresidentsofRichmondbeenpresent;butleavewasgrantedasmuchaspossibletoofficersstationedwithregimentswithinarailwayrunofthetown,andastheseeagerlyavailedthemselvesofthechangefromthemonotonyofcamplife,thegirlshadnoreasontocomplainofwantofpartners。HereandatthereceptionsgivenbyPresidentDavis,VincentmetalltheleadersoftheConfederacy,civilandmilitary。ManyofthemhadbeenpersonalfriendsoftheWingfieldsbeforetheSecessionmovementbegan,andamongthemwasGeneralMagruder,whocommandedthetroopsroundRichmond。
EarlyinthewinterthegeneralhadcalledattheOrangery。\"Wearegoingtomakeacalluponthepatriotismoftheplantersofthisneighborhood,Mrs。Wingfield,\"hesaidduringlunchtime。\"Yousee,ourarmiesarefacingthoseoftheFederalsoppositeWashington,andcanofferafirmfronttoanyfoemarchingdownfromtheNorth;but,unfortunatelytheyhavethecommandofthesea,andthereisnothingtopreventtheirembarkinganarmyonboardshipandlandingitineithertheJamesortheYorkRivers,andinthatcasetheymightmakearushuponRichmondbeforetherewouldbetimetobringdowntroopstoouraid。Iamthereforeproposingtoerectachainofworksbetweenthetworivers,soastobeabletokeepevenalargearmyatbayuntilreinforcementsarrive;buttodothisalargenumberofhandswillberequired,andwearegoingtoasktheproprietorsofplantationstoplaceasmanynegroesastheycanspareatourdisposal。\"
\"Therecanbenodoubtastotheresponseyourquestionwillmeetwith,general。Atpresentwehavescarceenoughworkforourslavestodo。Iintendtogrownotobacconextyear,foritwillonlyrotinthewarehouse,andacomparativelysmallnumberofhandsarerequiredtoraisecorncrops。IhaveaboutahundredandseventyworkinghandsontheOrangery,andshallbehappytoplaceahundredatyourdisposalforaslongatimeasyoumayrequirethem。Ifyouwantfiftymoreyoucanofcoursehavethem。
Everythingelsemustatpresentgivewaytothegoodofthecause。\"
\"Ithankyoumuch,Mrs。Wingfield,foryouroffers,andwillputyournamedownthefirstonthelistofcontributors。\"
\"Youseemquitetohaverecoverednow,\"hesaidtoVincentafewminutesafterward。
\"Yes;Iamquiteashamedofstayingheresolong,general。ButI
feelsomepainattimes;andasthereisnothingdoingatthefront,andmydoctorsaysthatitisogimportanceIshouldhaverestaslongaspossible,Ihavestayedon。MajorAshleyhaspromisedtorecallmeassoonasthereisaprospectofactivework。\"
\"Ithinkitisquitelikelythattherewillbeactiveworkhereassoonasanywhereelse,\"thegeneralsaid。\"WeknowprettywellwhatisdoingatWashington,andthoughnothinghasbeendecidedupon,thereisapartyinfavorofalandinginforcehere;andifso,weshallhavehotwork。Whatdoyousay?IfyoulikeIwillgetyouacommissionandappointyouoneofmyaides-de-camp。Yourknowledgeofthecountrywillmakeyouuseful,andasAshleyhasspeciallymentionedyournameinoneofhisdespatches,youcanhaveyourcommissionbyaskingforit。
\"Ifthereistobefightingroundhere,itwillbeofmoreinteresttoyoudefendingyourownhomethanintakingpartiiigeneralengagementsforthesafetyoftheState。Itwill,too,enableyoutobeagooddealathome;andalthoughsofartheslaveshavebehavedextremelywell,thereisnosayingexactlywhatmayhappeniftheNorthernerscomeamongus。Youcanrejoinyourowncorpsafterward,youknow,ifnothingcomesofthis。\"
Vincentwasatfirstinclinedtodeclinetheoffer,buthismotherandsistersweresopleasedathavinghimnearthemthathefinallyacceptedwiththanks,beingprincipallyinfluencedbythegeneral\'slastargument,thatpossiblytheremightbetroublewiththeslavesintheeventofalandingintheJamesPeninsulabytheNortherners。Afewdayslatertherecameanofficialintimationthathehadreceivedacommissioninthecavalry,andhadatGeneralMagruder\'srequestbeenappointedtohisstaff,andheatonceentereduponhisnewduties。
ThefortressofMonroe,attheentranceofHamptonRoads,wasstillinthehandsoftheFederals,andalargeFederalfleetwasassembledhere,andwasonlypreventedfromsailinguptheJamesRiverbytheMerrimac,asteamerwhichtheConfederateshadplatedwithrailwayiron。Theyhadalsoconstructedbatteriesuponsomehighbluffsoneachsideoftheriver。Inashorttime5,000
negroesweresettoworkerectingbatteriesupontheYorkRiveratYorktownandGloucesterPoint,anduponalineofworksextendingfromWarwickupontheJamesRivertoShipPointontheYork,throughalineofwoodedandswampycountryintersectedbystreamsemptyingthemselvesintooneorotheroftherivers。
Thislinewassomethirtymilesinlength,andwouldrequire25,000mentoguardit;butMagruderhopedthattherewouldbesufficientwarningofanattacktoenablereinforcementstoarriveintimetoraisehisowncommandofabout10,000mentothatstrength。Thenegroesworkedcheerfully,fortheyreceivedacertainamountofpayfromtheState;buttheworkwasheavyanddifficult,anddifferentaltogethertothatwhichtheywereaccustomedtoperform。Thebatteriesbythesidesoftheriversmadefairprogress,buttheadvanceofthelonglineofworksacrossthepeninsulawasbutslow。Vincenthad,uponreceivinghisappointment,writtenatoncetoMajorAshley,sendinghisletterbyDan,whowasorderedtobringbackWildfire。Vincentstatedthathadheconsultedhispersonalfeelingbeshouldhavepreferredremainingintheranksofhisoldcorps;butthatasthefightingmightbeclosetohishome,andtherewasnosayingwhatmightbethebehavioroftheslavepopulationintheeventofaNortherninvasion,hehad,forthesakeofhismotherandsisters,acceptedtheappointment,butassoonasthedangerwasoverhehopedtorejointhecorpsandserveunderhisformercommander。
Dan,onhisreturnwithWildfire,broughtaletterfromthemajorsayingthatalthoughheshouldhavebeengladtohavehadhimwithhim,hequiteagreedwiththedecisionatwhichhehad,underthecircumstances,arrived。Vincentnowtookuphisquartersatthecampformedashortdistancefromthecity,andmuchofhistimewasspentinridingtoandfromthepeninsula,seeingthattheworkswerebeingcarriedoutaccordingtotheplanofthegeneral,andreportinguponthemannerinwhichthecontractorsforthesupplyoffoodtothenegroesatworkthereperformedtheirduties。
Sometimeshewasawayfortwoorthreedaysuponthiswork;butbegenerallymanagedonceortwiceaweektogethomeforafewhours。
TheinhabitantsofRichmondanditsneighborhoodwerenaturallygreatlyinterestedintheprogressoftheworksfortheirdefense,andpartieswereoftenorganizedtorideordrivetoYorktown,ortothebatteriesontheJamesRiver,towatchtheprogressmade。
UpononeoccasionVincentaccompaniedhismotherandsisters,andapartyofladiesandgentlemenfromtheneighboringplantations,toDrury\'sBluff,whereanentrenchedpositionnamedFortDarlinghadbeenerected,andpreparationsmadetosinkvesselsacrosstheriver,andcloseitagainsttheadvanceoftheenemy\'sfleetshouldanymisfortunehappentotheMerrimac。
Severalotherpartieshadbeenmadeup,andeachbroughtprovisionswiththem。GeneralMagruderandsomeofhisofficersreceivedthemupontheirarrival,andconductedthemovertheworks。Afterthisthewholepartysatdowntoapicnicmealontheground,andnostrangercouldhaveguessedthatthemerrypartyformedpartofapopulationthreatenedwithinvasionbyapowerfulfoe。Therewerespeechesandtoasts,allofapatrioticcharacter,andGeneralMagruderraisedtheenthusiasmtothehighestpointbyinformingthemthatinafewdays-theexactdaywasasecret,butitwouldbeveryshortly-theMerrimac,or,asshehadbeenre-christened,theVirginia,wouldputoutfromNorfolkHarbor,andseewhatshecoulddotoclearHamptonRoadsofthefleetthatnowthreatenedthem。AstheywereridingbacktoRichmondthegeneralsaidtoVincent:
\"IwilltellyoualittlemorethanItoldtheothers,Wingfield。I
believetheMerrimacwillgooutthedayafterto-morrow。IwishI