\"WilliamPortersentencedtothreeyears\'imprisonmentforgivingsheltertogangofrobbers。Evidencewantingtoshowhetookanyactualpartintheircrimes。\"
ThesheriffhadbeeninandoutseveraltimesduringthefivehoursthatVincent\'ssearchhadtakenup。WhenhereturnedagainVincentpointedouttheentryhehadfound。
\"Ishouldnotbeatallsurprisedifthat\'sourman，\"thesheriffsaid。
\"IknowoldPorterwell，forheisstillaliveandbearsaprettybadreputationstill，thoughwehaveneverbeenabletobringhimtobook。Irememberallthecircumstancesofthataffair，forIservedupontheposse。WhilePorterwasinprisonhishousewaskeptforhimbyamarrieddaughterandherhusband。Therewasastrongsuspicionthatthemanwasoneofthegangtoo，butwecouldn\'tproveit。Theyhavelivedthereeversince。Theyhavegotfiveorsixfieldhands，andaresaidtobewelloff。Wehavenodoubttheyhavegotastillsomewhereintheswamps，butwehaveneverbeenabletofindit。Iwillsendamanoffto-morrowtomakeinquirieswhetheranystrangerhasarrivedtherelately。Ofcourse，Pearsonwillnothavekeptthatname，andhewillnothaveappearedasJohnPorter，forhewouldbearrestedonafreshwarrantatonceforhisshareinthatformerbusiness。Ithink，CaptainWingfield，youhadbetterregisteratthehotelhereundersomeothername。Idon\'tsupposethathehasanyfearofbeingtrackedhere；stillitisjustpossiblehisfathermayhavegotsomebodyhereandatFlorencetokeeptheireyesopenandlethimknowifthereareanyinquiriesbeingmadebystrangersaboutamissingnegress。Onecannotbetoocareful。Ifhegottheleasthint，hissonandthewomanwouldbehiddenawayintheswampsbeforewecouldgetthere，andtherewouldbenosayingwhenwecouldfindhim。\"
Vincenttookthesheriff\'sadvice，andenteredhisnameinthehotelbookasMr。Vincent。Lateintheeveningthesheriffcameroundtohim。
\"Ihavejustsentsummonsestosixmen。Iwouldratherhavehadtwoorthreemore，butyoungmenareveryscarcearoundherenow；andaswithyouandmyselfthatbringsituptoeightthatoughttobesufficient，asthesefollowswillhavenotimetosummonanyoftheirfriendstotheirassistance。Haveyouarifle，CaptainWingfield？\"
\"No；Ihaveabraceofrevolvers。\"
\"Theyareusefulenoughforclosework，\"thesheriffsaid，\"butiftheyseeuscoming，andbarricadetheirhouseandopenfireuponus，youwillwantsomethingthatcarriesfurtherthanarevolver。I
canlendyouarifleaswellasahorseifyouwillacceptthem。\"
Vincentacceptedtheofferwiththanks。Thenextmorningatdaylighthowentroundtothosheriff\'shouse，wheresixdetermined-lookingmen，belongingtothetownorneighboringfarms，wereassembled。Slingingtheriflethatthesheriffhandedhimacrosshisback，Vincentatoncemounted，andthepartysotoffatabrisktrot。
\"Mymancamebackhalfanhourago，\"thesheriffsaidtoVincentastheyrodealong。\"HefoundoutthatamanansweringtoyourdescriptionarrivedwithanotheratPorter\'saboutafortnightago，andisstayingtherestill。Whethertheybroughtanegresswiththemornotnooneseemstohavenoticed。However，thereisnotashadowofdoubtthatitisourman，andIshallbeheartilygladtolayholdofhim；forabrotherofminewasbadlywoundedinthatlastaffair，andthoughhelivedsomeyearsafterwardhewasneverthesamemanagain。SoIhaveapersonalinterestinit，yousee。\"
\"HowfarisittoPorter\'s？\"
\"Aboutthirty-fivemiles。Weshallgetthereabouttwoo\'clock，I
reckon。Weareallprettywellmountedandcankeepatthispace，withabreakortwo，tillwegetthere。Iproposethatwedismountwhenwegetwithinhalfamileoftheplace。Wewilltryandgetholdofsomeonewhoknowsthecountrywell，andgethimtoloadthreeofusroundthroughtheedgeoftheswamptothebackofthehouse。Itstandswithinfiftyyardsoftheswamp。Ihavenodoubttheyputittheresothattheymightescapeifpressed，andalsotopreventtheirbeingobservedgoingbackwardandforwardtothatstilloftheirs。\"
Thisplanwasfollowedout。Anegroladwasfoundwho，onthepromiseofacoupleofdollars，agreedtoactasguideThreeofthepartywerethentoldofftofollowhim，andtherest，afterwaitingforhalfanhourtoallowthemtomakethedetour，mountedtheirhorsesandrodedownatagalloptothehouse。Whentheywerewithinashortdistanceofittheyheardashout，andamanwhowasloungingnearthedoorraninside。Almostinstantlytheysawtheshuttersswingbackacrossthewindows，andwhentheydrewupfiftyyardsfromthedoorthebarrelsoffourrifleswerepushedoutthroughslitsintheshutters。
Thesheriffhelduphishand。\"WilliamPorter，Iwantawordwithyou。\"
Ashutterinanupperroomopened，andanelderlymanappearedwitharifleinhishand。
\"WilliamPorter，\"thesheriffsaid，\"Ihaveawarrantforthearrestoftwomennowinyourhouseonthechargeofkidnapingafemaleslave，thepropertyofCaptainWingfieldhere。Ihavenoproofthatyouhadanyshareinthematter，orthatyouareawarethattheslavewasnothonestlyobtained。Inthesecondplace，IhaveawarrantforthearrestofyoursonJohnPorter，nowinyourhouseandpassingrecentlyunderthenameofJonasPearson，onthechargeofresistingandkillingtheofficersofthelawonthe5thofDecember，1851。Icounselyoutohandoverthesementomewithoutresistance。Youknowwhathappenedwhenyoursonsdefiedthelawbefore，andwhatwillhappennowifyourefusecompliance。\"
\"Yah!\"theoldmanshouted。\"Doyousupposewearegoingtogiveintofivemon？Notifweknowit。Now，Iwarnyou，moveyourselfoffwhileIletyou，elseyouwillgetabulletinyoubeforeIcountthree。\"
\"Verywell，then。Youmusttaketheconsequences，\"thesheriffreplied，andatoncecalledthepartytofallback。
\"Wemustdismount，\"hosaidinanswertoVincent\'slookofsurprise；\"theywouldriddleushereonhorsebackintheopen。
Besideswemustdismounttobreakinthedoor。\"
Theyrodebackaquarterofamile，andthendismounted。Thesherifftooktwoheavyaxesthathungfromhissaddle，andhandedthemtotwoofthemen。
\"Ireckonedweshouldhavetrouble，\"hosaid。\"However，Ihopewesha\'n\'thavetousethese。Myideaistocrawlupthroughthecorn-fielduntilwearewithinshootingdistance，andthentoopenfireattheloopholes。Theyhavenevertakenthetroubletogrubupthestumps，andeachmanmustlookoutforshelter。Iwanttomakeitsohotforthemthattheywilltrytobolttotheswamp，andinthatcasetheywillhocoveredbythementhere。Itoldthemnottofireuntiltheygotquiteclose；sotheyoughttodisposeofthreeofthem，andastheyhavegotpistolstheywillbeabletomastertheothers；besides，directlywehearfiringbehind，weshalljumpupandmakearushround。Doyou，sir，andJamesWilkinshere，stopinfront。Twoofthemmightmakearushoutbehind，andtheothers，whentheyhavedrawnusoff，boltinfront。\"
Severalshotswerefiredatthepartyastheymadetheirwayacrosstotheendofthefield，wherethetallstalksofmaizewerestillstanding，thoughthecornhadbeengatheredweeksbefore。Assoonastheyreachedthesheltertheyseparated，eachcrawlingthroughthemaizeuntiltheyarrivedwithinfiftyyardsofthehouse。
Therewere，asthesheriffhadsaid，manystumpsstillstanding，andeachensconcedhimselfbehindoneofthose，andbegantoreplytothefirethatthedefendershadkeptupwhenevertheysawamovementamongthecornstalks。
Atsuchadistancetheshutterswerebutofslightadvantagetothedefendersofthehouse；fortheassailantswereallgoodshots，andtheloopholesaffordedexcellenttargetsatsuchadistance。Afterafewshotshadbeenfiredfromthehousethefireofthedefendersceased，themenwithinnotdaringtoprotrudetheriflesthroughtheloopholes，aseverysuchappearancewasinstantlyfollowedbyacoupleofshotsfromthecornpatch。
\"Givemeoneofthoseaxes，\"thesheriffsaid。\"Now，Withers，doyoumakearushwithmetothedoor。Getyourrifleloadedbeforeyoustart，andhaveyourrevolverhandyinyourbelt。Now，CaptainWingfield，doyouandtheothertwokeepasharplookoutattheloopholes，andseethattheydon\'tgetashotatusaswerun。Now，Withers，\"andthesheriffranforward。Tworifleswereprotrudedthroughtheloopholes。Vincentandhiscompanionsfiredatonce。
Oneoftheriflesgaveasharpjerkanddisappeared，theotherwasfired，andWithersdroppedhisaxe，butstillranforward。Thosheriffbegananonslaughtatthedoor，hiscompanion\'srightarmbeinguseless。Aminutelaterthesharpcrackofrifleswasheardintherear，andthesheriffandtwomenrushedinthatdirection，whileVincentandtheotherlaywatchingthedoor。Scarcelyhadthesheriff\'spartydisappearedroundthehousethanthedoorwasthrownopen，andPearsonranoutatfullspeed。Vincentleapedtohisfeet。
\"Surrender，\"hesaid，\"oryouareadeadman。\"
Jonaspausedforamomentwithaloudimprecation，andthenlevelingarevolver，fired。Vincentfeltamoment\'spaininthecheek，butbeforehecouldlevelhisriflehiscompanionfired，andPearsonfellforwarddead。Aminutelaterthesheriffandhispartyranround。
\"Haveyougothim？\"hoasked。
\"Hewillgivenomoretrouble，sheriff，\"theyoungmanwhofiredsaid。\"IfancyIhadhimplumbetweentheeyes。Howabouttheothers？\"
\"DickMathesoniskilled；hegottwobulletsinhisbody。Theothermanisbadlywounded。TherearenosignsofoldPorter。\"
Theynowadvancedtothedoor，whichstoodopen。Asthesheriffenteredtherewasasharpreport，andhefellbackshotthroughtheheart。Therestmadearushforward。Anothershotwasfired，butthismissedthem，andbeforeitcouldberepeatedtheyhadwrestedthepistolfromthehandofMatheson\'swife。Shewasfirmlysecured，andtheythenenteredthekitchen，where，croucheduponthefloor，laysomesevenoreightnegromenandwomeninanagonyofterror。Vincent\'squestion，\"Dinah，whereareyou？\"wasansweredbyascreamofdelight；andDinah，whohadbeencoveringherchildwithherbody，leapedtoherfeet。
\"It\'sallright，Dinah，\"Vincentsaid；\"butstayhere，wehaven\'tfinishedthisbusinessyet。\"
\"Ifancytheoldman\'supstairs，\"oneofthemensaid。\"Itwashisrifle，Ireckon，thatdisappearedwhenwefired。\"
Itwasasheexpected。Porterwasfounddeadbehindtheloophole，abullethavingpassedthroughhisbrain。Thedeputy-sheriff，whowaswiththeparty，nowtookthecommand。Acartandhorsewerefoundinanout-building；inthesethewoundedman，whowasoneofthosewhohadtakenpartintheabductionofDinah，wasplaced，togetherwiththefemaleprisonerandthedeadbodyofthesheriff。
Thenegroesweretoldtofollow；andthehorseshavingbeenfetchedthepartymountedandrodeofftothenextvillage，fivemilesontheirwayback。Heretheyhaltedforthenight，andthenextdaywentontoMarionCourthouse，VincenthiringacartfortheconveyanceofDinahandtheotherwomen。ItwassettledthatVincent\'sattendanceatthetrialofthetwoprisonerswouldnotbenecessary，asthemanwouldbetriedforarmedresistancetothelaw，andthewomanformurderingthesheriff。Thefactscouldbeprovedbyotherwitnesses，andastherecouldbenodoubtaboutobtainingconvictions，itwouldbeunnecessarytotrythechargeagainstthemanforkidnaping。Nextday，accordingly，VincentstartedwithDinahandDanforRichmond。TwomonthsafterwardhesawinthepaperthatJaneMathesonhadbeensentencedtoimprisonmentforlife，themantofourteenyears。
CHAPTERXVII。CHANCELLORSVILLE。
THENEWSofthefightbetweenthesheriff\'sposseandthebandatLynch\'sCreekwastelegraphedtotheRichmondpapersbytheirlocalagentuponthedayafteritoccurred。ThereportsaidthatCaptainWingfield，ayoungofficerwhohadfrequentlydistinguishedhimself，hadfollowedthetracesofagang，oneofwhomwasanotoriouscriminalwhohadevadedthepursuitofthelawandescapedfromthatsectionfifteenyearsago，andhad，underanassumedname，beenactingasoverseeratMrs。
Wingfleld\'sestateoftheOrangery。ThesemenhadcarriedoffanegressbelongingtoMrs。Wingfleld，andhadtakenherdownSouth。CaptainWingfleld，havingobtainedtheasistanceofthesheriffwithaposseofdeterminedmen，rodetotheplacewhichservedasheadquartersforthegang。Uponbeingsummonedtosurrenderthemenopenedafireuponthesheriffandhisposse。A
sharpfightensued，inwhichthesheriffwaskilledandoneofhismenwounded；whilethefourmembersofthegangwereeitherkilledortakenprisoners。ItwasreportedthatapersonoccupyingapositionasaplanterintheneighborhoodofRichmondisconnectedwiththisgang。
ThereporterhadobtainedhisnewsfromVincent，whohadpurposelyrefrainedfrommentioningthenamesofthosewhohadfallen。Hehadalreadyhadaconversationwiththewoundedprisoner。ThelatterhaddeclaredthathehadsimplyactedintheaffairashehadbeenpaidtodobythemanhoknewinRichmondasPearson，whotoldhimthathewantedhimtoaidincarryingoffaslavewoman，whowasreallyhisproperty，buthadbeenfraudulentlytakenfromhim。Hehadheardhimsaythattherewasanotherinterestedintheaffair，whohadhisownreasonsforgettingthewomanoutoftheway，andhadpaidhandsomelyforthejob。WhothatotherwasPearsonhadnevermentioned。
VincentsawthathehadnoabsoluteevidenceagainstJackson，andthereforepurposelysuppressedthefactthatPearsonwasamongthekilledinhopesthattheparagraphwouldsoalarmJacksonthathewouldatoncedecamp。Hisanticipationswereentirelyjustified；
foruponthedayofhisreturntoRichmondhesawanoticeinthepaperthattheCedars，withitsfieldhands，houses，andallbelongingtoit，wasforsale。Heproceededatoncetotheestateagent，andlearnedfromhimthatJacksonhadcomeintwodaysbeforeandhadinformedhimthatsuddenandimportantbusinesshadcalledhimaway，andthathewasstartingatonceforNewYork，wherehispresencewasurgentlyrequired，andthatheshouldattempttogetthroughthelinesimmediately。Hehadaskedhimwhathethoughtthepropertyandslaveswouldfetch。Beingacquaintedwiththeestate，hehadgivenhimaroughestimate，andhad，uponJackson\'sgivinghimfullpowertosell，advancedhimtwo。thirdsofthesum。Jacksonhadapparentlystartedatonce；
indeed，hehadtoldhimthatheshouldtakethenexttrainasfarNorthashecouldget。
Vincentreceivedthenewswithgreatsatisfaction。HehadlittledoubtthatJacksonhadreallymadedowntotheSouth，andthathewouldtrytocrossthelinesthere，hisstatementthatheintendedtogodirectNorthbeingmerelyintendedtothrowhispursuersoffhistrackshouldawarrantbeissuedagainsthim。However，itmatteredlittlewhichwayJacksonhadgone，sothathehadlefttheState。
Therewaslittlechanceofhiseverreturning；forevenwhenhelearnedthathisconfederateinthebusinesshadbeenkilledinthefight，hecouldnotbecertainthattheprisonerwhohadbeentakenwasnotawareofthesharehehadinthebusiness。
AfortnightlaterVincentwentdownintoGeorgiaandbroughtbackLucyKingstonforavisittohismother。Shehadalreadyreceivedaletterfromherfatherinreplytooneshehadwrittenafterreachingheraunt\'sprotection，sayinghowdelightedhewastohearthatshehadcrossedthelines，forthathehadsufferedthegreatestanxietyconcerningher，andhadcontinuallyreproachedhimselffornotsendingherawaysooner。HesaidthathewasmuchpleasedwithherengagementtoCaptainWingfield，whomhedidnotknowpersonally，butofwhomheheardthemostfavorablereportsfromvariousVirginiangentlementowhomhehadspokensincethereceiptofherletter。
LucyremainedatRichmonduntilthebeginningofMarch，whenVincenttookherhometoGeorgiaagain，andaweekafterhisreturnrejoinedthearmyontheRappahaunock。EveryefforthadbeenmadebytheConfederateauthoritiestoraisethearmyofGeneralLeetoapointthatwouldenablehimtocopewiththetremendousforcetheenemywerecollectingfortheensuingcampaign。Thedrainofmenwasnowtellingterribly，andLeehadattheutmost40，000toopposethe160，000collectedunderGeneralHooker。
ThefirstfightofthecampaignhadalreadytakenplacewhenVincentrejoinedthearmy。Abodyof3，000Federalcavalryhadcrossedtheriveronthe17thofMarchatKelley\'sFord，buthadbeenmetbyGeneralFitzLeewithabout800cavalry，andafteralongandstubbornconflicthadbeendrivenbackwithheavylossacrosstheriver。ItwasnotuntilthemiddleofAprilthattheenemybegantomoveinearnest。EveryfordwaswatchedbyStuart\'scavalry，andthefrequentattemptsmadebytheFederalhorsetopushacrosstoobtaininformationwerealwaysdefeated。
Onthe27thofAprilGeneralHooker\'spreparationswerecomplete。
Hisplanofactionwasthat20，000menshouldcrosstheriverneartheoldbattlefieldofFredericksburg，andthusleadtheConfederatestobelievethatthiswasthepointofattack。Themainbodywere，however，tocrossatKelley\'sFord，manymileshigheruptheriver，andtomarchdowntowardFredericksburg。Theotherforcewasthentorecross，marchuptheriver，crossatKelley\'sFord，andfollowandjointhemainarmy。AtthesametimetheFederalcavalry，whichwasverynumerousandwell-organized，was，underGeneralStoneman，tostrikedownthroughthecountrytowardRichmond，andthuscuttheConfederatecommunicationwiththeircapital，andsopreventLongstreet\'sdivision，whichwaslyingnearRichmond，fromrejoiningLee。
Thepassageoftheriverwaseffectedatthetwofordswithoutresistanceonthe29thofApril，anduponthesamedaythecavalrycolumnmarchedsouth。GeneralLeedirectedaportionofhiscavalryunderGeneralFitzLeetoharassanddelaythiscolumnasmuchaspossible。Althoughhehadwithhimbutafewhundredmen，hesucceededindoinggoodserviceincuttingoffdetachedbodiesoftheenemy，capturingmanyofficersandmen，andsodemoralizingtheinvadersthat，afterpushingonasfarastheJamesRiver，StonemanhadtoretreatingreathasteacrosstheRapidanRiver。
Hookerhavingcrossedtheriver，marchedontoChancellorsville，wherehesettotoentrenchhimself，havingsentwordtoGeneralSedgwick，whocommandedtheforcethathadcrossednearFredericksburg，torecross，pushround，andjoinassoonaspossible。Chancellorsvillewasalargebrickmansionstandinginthemidstoffieldssurroundedbyextensiveforests。ThecountrywasknownastheWilderness。Withinarangeofmanymilestherewereonlyafewscatteredhouses，anddensethicketsandpine-woodscoveredthewholecountry。Twonarrowroadspassedthroughthewoods，crossingeachotheratChancellorsville；twootherroadsledtothefordsknownasEly\'sFordandtheUnitedStatesFord。AssoonashereachedChancellorsvilleHookersethistroopstoworkcuttingdowntreesandthrowingupearthworksforinfantryandredoubtsforartillery，erectingadoublelineofdefenses。Onthesehemountedupwardofahundredpiecesofartillery，commandingthenarrowroadsbywhichanenemymustapproach，forthethicketswereinmanyplacesso-denseastorenderitimpossiblefortroopstoforcetheirwaythroughthem。
WhenSedgwickcrossedtheriver，Leedrewuphisarmytoopposehim；butfindingthatnomoretroopscrossed，andthatSedgwickdidnotadvance，hesooncametotheconclusionthatthiswasnotthepointatwhichtheenemyintendedtoattack，andintwenty-fourhoursoneofStuart\'shorsemenbroughtthenewsthatHookerhadcrossedtheRappahannockatKelley\'sFordandtheRapiIanatEly\'sFord。LeeatonceleftonedivisiontofaceGeneralSedgwick，andorderedthethreeotherstojoinGeneralAnderson，whowith8，000menhadfallenbackbeforeHooker\'sadvance，andtakenhispostatTabernacleChurch，abouthalfwaybetweenFredericksburgandTabernacle。LeehimselfrodeforwardatonceandjoinedAnderson。
JacksonledtheforcefromFredericksburg，andpressedtheenemybacktowardChancellorsvilleuntilheapproachedthetremendouslinesoffortifications，andthenfellbacktocommunicatewithLee。
Thatnightacouncilofwarwasheld，anditwasagreedthatanattackuponthefrontoftheenemy\'spositionwasabsolutelyimpossible。Hookerhimselfwassopositivethathispositionwasimpregnablethatheissuedageneralorderofcongratulationtohistroops，sayingthat\"theenemymustnowingloriouslyflyorgiveusbattleonourownground，wherecertaindestructionawaitshim。\"
JacksonthensuggestedthatheshouldworkrightroundtheWildernessinfrontoftheenemy\'sposition，marchdownuntilwellonitsflank，andattackitthere，wheretheywouldbeunpreparedforanassault。Themovementwasoneofextraordinaryperil。Leewouldbeleftwithbutonedivisioninfaceofanimmenselysuperiorforce；Jacksonwouldhavetoperformanarduousmarchexposedtoanattackbythewholeforceoftheenemy；andbothmightbedestroyedseparatelywithoutbeingabletorendertheslightestassistancetoeachother。Atdaybreakonthe2dofMayJacksonmusteredhistroopsfortheadvanceHehadinthecourseofthenightcaughtaseverecold。Inthehastymarchhehadlefthisblanketsbehindhim。Oneofhisstaffthrewaheavycapeoverhimashelayonthewetground。DuringthenightJacksonwoke，andthinkingthattheyoungofficermighthimselfbesufferingfromthewantofhiscape，rosequietly，spreadthecapeoverhim，andlaydownwithoutit。Theconsequencewasaseverecold，whichterminatedinanattackofpneumoniathat，occurringatatimewhenhewasenfeebledbyhiswounds，resultedinhisdeath。Ifhehadnotthrownthatcapeovertheofficeritisprobablethathewouldhavesurvivedhiswounds。
Atdaybreakthecolumncommenceditsmarch。Ithadtotraverseanarrowandunfrequentedroadthroughdensethickets，occasionallycrossinggroundinsightoftheenemy，andattheendtoattackatremendouspositionheldbyimmenselysuperiorforces。Stuartwithhiscavalrymovedontheflankofthecolumnwheneverthegroundwasopen，soastoconcealthemarchoftheinfantryfromtheenemy。AstherearofthecolumnpassedaspotcalledtheFurnace，theenemysuddenlyadvancedandcutoffthe23dGeorgia，whowereintherearofthecolumn，andcapturedthewholeregimentwiththeexceptionofascoreofmen。AtthispointtheroadturnedalmostdirectlyawayfromChancellorsville，andtheenemybelievedthatthecolumnwasinfullretreat，andhadnottheleastideaofitsrealobject。
SohourafterhourthetroopspressedonuntiltheyreachedtheturnpikeroadpassingeastandwestthroughChancellorsville，whichnowlayexactlybetweenthemandthepointthattheyhadleftinthemorning。Jackson\'sdesignwastoadvanceuponthislineofroad，toextendhistroopstotheleftandthentoswinground，cuttheenemy\'sretreattothefords，andcapturethemall。HookerhadalreadybeenjoinedbytwoofSedgwick\'sarmycorps，andhadnowsixarmycorpsatChancelloraville，whileJackson\'sforceconsistedof22，000men。Leeremainedwith13，000atTabernacle。Thelattergeneralhadnotbeenattacked，buthadcontinuedtomakedemonstrationsagainsttheFederalleft，occupyingtheirattentionandpreventingthemfromdiscoveringhowlargeaportionofhisforcehadlefthim。
Itwasatfiveo\'clockintheeveningthatJackson\'stroops，havinggainedtheirposition，advancedtotheattack。InfrontofthemlayHoward\'sdivisionoftheFederals，intrenchedinstrongearthworkscoveredbyfelldtrees；buttheenemywerealtogetherunsuspiciousofdanger，anditwasnotuntilwithtumultuouscheerstheConfederatesdashedthroughthetreesandattackedtheentrenchmentthattheyhadanysuspicionoftheirpresence。Theyrantotheirarms，butitwastoolate。TheConfederatesrushedthroughtheobstacles，climbedtheearthworks，andcarriedthoseinfrontofthem，capturing700prisonersandfiveguns。TherestoftheFederaltroopshere，throwingawaymusketsandguns，fledinwildconfusion。SteadilytheConfederatespressedon，drivingtheenemybeforethem，andcapturingpositionafterposition，untilthewholerightwingoftheFederalarmywasroutedanddisorganized。
ForthreehourstheConfederatescontinuedtheirmarchwithoutacheck；butowingtothedensenessofthewood，andthenecessityofkeepingthetroopsinline，theadvancewasslow，andnightfellbeforethemovementcouldbecompleted。OnemorehourofdaylightandthewholeFederalarmywouldhavebeencutoffandcaptured，butbyeighto\'clockthedarknessintheforestwassocompletethatallmovementhadtobestopped。
Halfanhourlateroneofthesaddestincidentsofthewartookplace。GeneralJacksonwithafewofhisstaffwontforwardtoreconnoiter。Ashereturnedtowardhislines，histroopsinthedarkmistookthemforareconnoiteringpartyoftheenemyandfired，killingorwoundingthewholeofthem，GeneralJacksonreceivingthreeballs。Theenemy，whowerebutahundredyardsdistant，atonceopenedatremendousfirewithgrapetowardthespot，anditwassometimebeforeJacksoncouldbecarriedoffthefield。Thenewsthattheirbelovedgeneralwaswoundedwasforsometimekeptfromthetroops；butawhispergraduallyspread，andthegriefofhissoldierswasunbounded，forratherwouldtheyhavesufferedadisastrousdefeatthanthatStonewallJacksonshouldhavefallen。
GeneralStuartassumedthecommand，GeneralHill，whowassecondincommand，having，withmanyotherofficers，beenwoundedbythetremendousstormofgrapeandcanisterthattheFederalspouredthroughthewoodwhentheyanticipatedanattack。Atdaybreakthetroopsagainmovedforwardinthreelines，Stuartplacinghisthirtygunsonaslightridge，wheretheycouldsweepthelinesoftheFederaldefenses。Threetimesthepositionwaswonandlost；buttheConfederatesfoughtwithsuchfuryandresolution，shoutingeachtimetheychargedtheFederalranks\"RememberJackson，\"thattheenemygraduallygaveway，andbyteno\'clockChancelloravilleitselfwastaken，theFederalsbeingdrivenbackintotheforestbetweenthehousesandtheriver。
Leehadearlyinthemorningbeguntoadvancefromhissidetotheattack，butjustashewasmovingforwardthenewscamethatSedgwickhadrecrossedatFredericksburg，capturedaportionoftheConfederateforcethere，andwasadvancingtojoinHooker。
HeatoncesenttwoofhisthreelittledivisionstojointheConfederateswhowereopposingSedgwick\'sadvance，whilewiththethreeorfourthousandmenremainingtohim，healldaymadefeignedattacksupontheenemy\'sposition，occupyingtheirattentionthere，andpreventingthemfromsendingreinforcementstothetroopsengagedwithStuart。Atnighthehimselfhurriedaway，tookthecommandofthetroopsopposedtoSedgwick，attackedhimvigorouslyatdaybreak，anddrovehimwithheavylossbackacrosstheriver。ThenextdayhemarchedbackwithhisforcetojoininthefinalattackupontheFederals；butwhenthetroopsofStuartandLeemovedforwardtheyencounterednoopposition。HookerhadbeguntocarryhistroopsacrosstheriveronthenighthewashurledbackoutofChancellorsville，andtherestofhistroopshadcrossedonthetwofollowingnights。
GeneralHookerissuedapompousordertohistroop。aftergettingacrosstheriver，totheeffectthatthemovementhadmetwiththecompletesuccesshehadanticipatedfromit；butthetruthsoonleakedout。GeneralSedgwick\'sforcehadlost6，000men，Hooker\'sowncommandfully20，000more；butsplendidasthesuccesswas，itwasdearlypurchasedbytheConfederatesatthepriceofthelifeofStonewallJackson。Hisarmwasamputatedthedayafterthebattle；helivedforaweek，anddiednotsomuchfromtheeffectofhiswoundsasfromthepneumonia，theresultofhisexposuretotheheavydewonthenightprecedinghismarchthroughtheWilderness。
Duringthetwodays\'fightingVincentWingfieldhaddischargedhisdutiesuponGeneralStuart\'sstaff。Onthefirstdaytheworkhadbeenslight，forGeneralStuart，withthecannon，remainedintherear，whileJackson\'sinfantryattackedandcarriedtheFederalretrenchments。Uponthesecondday，however，whenStuartassumedthecommand，Vincent\'sdutieshadbeenonerousanddangerousintheextreme。Hewasconstantlycarryingordersfromonepartofthefieldtotheother，amidsuchashowerofshotandshellthatitseemedmarvelousthatanyonecouldexistwithinit。
TohisgreatgriefWildfirewaskilledunderhim，buthehimselfescapedwithoutascratch。Whenhecameafterwardtotrytodescribethebattletothoseathomehecouldgivenoaccountofit。
\"Tome，\"hesaid，\"itwassimplyachaosofnoiseandconfusion。
OfwhatwasgoingonIknewnothing。Thedinwasappalling。
Theroaroftheshells，thehumofgrapeandcanister，thewhistleofbullets，theshoutsofthemen，formedamightyroarthatseemedtorenderthinkingimpossible。Showersofleavesfellincessantly，greatboughsoftreeswereshornaway，andtreesthemselvessometimescamecrashingdownasatrunkwasstruckfullbyashell。Theundergrowthhadcaughtfire，andthethicksmoke，mingledwiththatofthebattle，rendereditdifficulttoseeortobreathe。Ihadbutonethought，thatofmakingmywaythroughthetrees，offindingthecorpstowhichIwassent，ofdeliveringmymessage，andfindingthegeneralagain。No，Idon\'tthinkIhadmuchthoughtofdanger，thewholethingwassomehowsotremendousthatonehadnothoughtwhateverforone\'sself。Itwasasortofterribledream，inwhichonewaspossessedofthesingleideatogettoacertainplace。Itwasnottillatlastwesweptacrosstheopengrounddowntothehouse，thatIseemedtotakeanydistinctnoticeofwhatwasgoingonaroundme。Then，forthefirsttime，theexultingshoutsofthemen，andthelonglinesadvancingatthedouble，wokemeuptothefactthatwehadgainedoneofthemostwonderfulvictoriesinhistory，andhaddrivenanarmyoffourorfivetimesourownstrengthfromapositionthattheybelievedtheyhadmadeimpregnable。\"
ThedefeatofHookerforatimeputastoptoanyfurtheradvanceagainstRichmondfromtheNorth。TheFederaltroops，whosetermofservicewasup，returnedhome，anditwasmonthsbeforealltheeffortsoftheauthoritiesofWashingtoncouldplacethearmyinaconditiontomakearenewedadvance。ButtheConfederateshadalsosufferedheavily。AthirdoftheforcewithwhichJacksonhadattackedhadfallen，andtheirlosscouldnotbereplaced，astheConfederateswereforcedtosendeveryonetheycouldraisetotheassistanceofthearmiesintheWest，whereGeneralsBanksandGrantwerecarryingonoperationswithgreatsuccessagainstthem。TheimportanttownofVicksburg，whichcommandedthenavigationoftheMississippi，wasbesieged，andafteraresistancelastingforsomemonths，surrendered，withitsgarrisonof25，000men，onthe3dofJuly，andtheFederalgunboatswerethusabletopenetratebytheMississippianditsconfluentsintotheheartoftheConfederacy。
ShortlyafterthebattleofChancellorsville，VincentwasappointedtothecommandofasquadronofcavalrythatwasdetachedfromStuart\'sforceandsentdowntoRichmondtoguardthecapitalfromanyraidsbybodiesofFederalcavalry。Ithadbeentwoorthreetimesmenacedbyflyingbodiesofhorsemen，andduringthecavalryadvancebeforethebattleofChancellorsvillesmallpartieshadpenetratedtowithinthreemilesofthecity，cuttingallthetelegraphwires，pullinguprails，andcausingthegreatestterror。
Vincentwasnotsorryforthechange。Ittookhimawayfromthegreattheaterofthewar，butafterChancellorsvillehefeltnoeagerdesiretotakepartinfuturebattles。Hisdutieswouldkeephimnearhishome，andwouldgiveamplescopeforthedisplayofwatchfulness，dash，andenergy。ConsequentlyhetooknopartinthecampaignthatcommencedinthefirstweekinJune。
Tiredofstandingalwaysonthedefensive，theConfederateauthoritiesdeterminedtocarryoutthestopthathadbeensowarmlyadvocatedbyJacksonearlierinthewar，andwhichmightatthattimehavebroughtittoasuccessfultermination。Theydecidedtocarrythewarintotheenemy\'scountry。BythemoststrenuouseffortsLee\'sarmywasraisedto75，000men，dividedintothreegreatarmycorps，commandedbyLongstreet，Ewell，andHill。StrikingfirstintoWesternVirginia，theydrovetheFederalsfromWinchester，andchasedthemfromtheStatewiththelossofnearly4，000prisonersand30guns。ThentheyenteredMarylandandPennsylvania，andconcentratingatGettysburgtheymettheNorthernarmyunderMeade，whohadsucceededHooker。
AlthoughgreatnumbersoftheConfederateshadseentheirhomeswastedandtheirpropertywantonlydestroyed，theypreservedthemostperfectorderintheirmarchthroughtheNorth，andtheFederalsthemselvestestifytotheadmirablebehaviorofthetroops，andtothemannerinwhichtheyabstainedfromplunderingorinflictingannoyanceupontheinhabitants。
AtGettysburgtherewasthreedays\'fighting。Inthefirstaportiononlyoftheforceswereengaged，theFederalsbeingdefeatedand5，000oftheirmentakenprisoners。UponthesecondtheConfederatesattackedtheNortherners，whowerepostedinanextremelystrongposition，butwererepulsedwithheavyloss。Thefollowingdaytheyrenewedtheattack，butaftertremendousfightingagainfailedtocarrytheheight。Bothpartieswereutterlyexhausted。Leedrewuphistroopsthenextday，andinvitedanattackfromtheFederals；butcontentedwiththesuccesstheyhadgainedtheymaintainedtheirposition，andtheConfederatesthenfellback，Stuart\'scavalryprotectingtheimmensetrainsofwagonsloadedwiththestoresandammunitioncapturedinPennsylvania。
ButlittleattemptwasmadebytheNorthernerstointerferewiththeirretreat。OnreachingthePotomactheyfoundthatasuddenrisehadrenderedthefordsimpassable。Intrenchmentsandbatterieswerethrownup，andforaweektheConfederatearmyheldthelines，expectinganattackfromtheenemy，whohadapproachedwithintwomiles；buttheFederalgeneralsweretoowellsatisfiedwithhavinggainedasuccesswhenactingonthedefensiveinastrongpositiontoriskadefeatinattackingthepositionoftheConfederates，andtheirforcesremainedimpassiveuntilpontoonbridgeswerethrownacrosstheriver，andtheConfederatearmy，withtheirvastbaggagetrain，badagaincrossedintoVirginia。ThecampaignhadcosttheNorthernarmy23，000
meninkilled，wounded，andprisoners，besidesaconsiderablenumberofguns。TheConfederateslostonlytwoguns，leftbehindinthemud，and1，500prisoners，buttheirlossinkilledandwoundedatGettysburgexceeded10，000men。EventhemostSanguineamongtheranksoftheConfederacywerenowcon-scionsthatthepositionwasadesperateone。TheFederalarmiesseemedtospringfromtheground。Strictdisciplinebadtakentheplace。ofthedisorderandinsubordinationthathadfirstprevailedintheirranks。Thearmiesweresplendidlyequipped。
Theywereabletoobtainanyamountofthefinestguns，rifles，andammunitionofwarfromtheworkshopsofEurope；whiletheConfederates，cutofffromtheworld，hadtorelysolelyuponthemakeshiftfactoriestheyhadsetup，anduponthegunsandstorestheycapturedfromtheenemy。
TheNorthernershadnow，asablowtothepoweroftheSouth，abolishedslavery，andwereraisingregimentsofnegroesfromamongthefreeblacksoftheNorth，andfromtheslavestheytookfromtheirownerswherevertheirarmiespenetratedtheSouthernStates。MostoftheConfederateportshadbeeneithercapturedorweresostrictlyblockadedthatitwasnexttoimpossiblefortheblockade-runnertogetinorout，whilethecaptureofthefortsontheMississippienabledthemtousetheFederalflotillasofgunboatstothegreatestadvantage，andtocarrytheirarmiesintothecenteroftheConfederacy。
Still，therewasnotalkwhateverofsurrenderonthepartoftheSouth，and，indeed，thedecreeabolishingslavery，andstillmoretheactionoftheNorthinraisingblackregiments，excitedthebitterestfeelingofanimosityandhatred。Thedeterminationtofighttothelast，whatevercameofit，animatedeverywhitemanintheSouthernStates，and，althoughdeeplydisappointedwiththefailureofLee\'sinvasionoftheNorth，theonlyresultwastoincitethemtogreaterexertionsandsacrifices。IntheNorthanactauthorizingconscriptionwaspassedin1863，buttheattempttocarryitintoforcecausedaseriousriotinNewYork，whichwasonlysuppressedaftermanyliveshadbeenlostandthecityplacedundermartiallaw。
WhilethegunsofGettysburgwerestillthundering，aFederalarmyof18，000menunderGeneralGillmore，assistedbythefleet，hadlaidsiegetoCharleston。Itwasobstinatelyattackedanddefended。
Thesiegecontinueduntilthe5thofSeptember，whenFortWagnerwascaptured；butallattemptstotakeFortSumterandthetownofCharlestonitselffailed，althoughthecitysufferedgreatlyfromthebombardment。InTennesseetherewasseverefightingintheautumn，andtwodesperatebattleswerefoughtatChickamaugaonthe19thand20thofSeptember，GeneralBragg，whocommandedtheConfederatearmythere，beingreinforcedbyLongstreet\'sveteransfromthearmyofVirginia。AfterdesperatefightingtheFederalsweredefeated，andthirty-sixgunsandvastquantitiesofarmscapturedbytheConfederates。Thefruitsofthevictory，however，wereveryslight，asGeneralBraggrefusedtoallowLongstreettopursue，andsotoconverttheFederalretreatintoarout，andtheconsequencewasthatthisvictorywasmorethanbalancedbyaheavydefeatinflictedupontheminNovemberatChattanoogabyShermanandGrant。AtthisbattleGeneralLongstreet\'sdivisionwasnotpresent。
ThearmyofVirginiahadalongrestaftertheirreturnfromGettysburg，anditwasnotuntilNovemberthatthecampaignwasrenewed。Meadeadvanced，afewminorskirmishestookplace，andthen，whenhereachedtheWilderness，thesceneofHooker\'sdefeat，whereLeewaspreparedtogivebattle，hefellbackagainacrosstheRappahannock。
TheyearhadbeenanunfortunateonefortheConfederates。TheyhadlostVicksburg，\'andthedefeatatChattanoogahadledtothewholeStateofTennesseefallingintothehandsoftheFederals，whileagainsttheselossestherewasnocounterbalancingsuccesstobereckoned。
Inthespringof1864bothpartiespreparedtotheutmostforthestruggle。GeneralGrant，anofficerwhohadshowninthecampaignintheWestthathepossessedconsiderablemilitaryability，unitedwithimmensefirmnessanddeterminationofpurpose，waschosenasthenewcommander-in-chiefofthewholemilitaryforceoftheNorth。Itwasamightyarmy，vastinnumbers，lavishlyprovidedwithallmaterialsofwar。Theofficialdocumentsshowthatonthe1stofMaythetotalmilitaryforcesoftheNorthamountedto662，000men。OfthesetheforceavailablefortheadvanceagainstRichmondnumbered284，630men。ThisincludedthearmyofthePotomac，thatoftheJamesRiver，andthearmyintheShenandoahValley-thewholeofwhomwereinreadinesstomoveforwardagainstRichmondattheordersofGrant。
ToopposetheseGeneralLeehadlessthan53，000men，includingthegarrisonofRichmondandthetroopsinNorthCarolina。Thosestationedintheseaporttownsnumberedinallanother20，000，sothatifeveryavailablesoldierhadbeenbroughtupLeecouldhaveopposedatotalofbut83，000menagainstthe284，000invaders。
IntheWestthenumbersweremoreequallybalanced。GeneralSherman，whocommandedthearmyofinvasionthere，hadunderhisorders230，000men，butasmorethanhalfthisforcewasrequiredtoprotectthelonglinesofcommunicationandtokeepdowntheconqueredStates，hewasabletobringintothefieldforoffensiveoperations99，000men，whowerefacedbytheConfederatearmyunderJohnstonof58，000men。Grant\'sschemewas，thatwhilethearmiesoftheNorthwere，underhisowncommand，tomarchagainstRichmond，thearmyoftheWestwastoinvadeGeorgiaandmarchuponAtlanta。
Hisplanofactionwassimple，andwasafterwardstatedbyhimselftobeasfollows:\"Ideterminedfirsttousethegreatestnumberoftroopspracticableagainstthemainforceoftheenemy，preventinghimfromusingthesameforceatdifferentseasonsagainstfirstoneandthenanotherofourarmies，andthepossibilityofreposeforrefittingandproducingnecessarysuppliesforcarryingonresistance。Second，tohammercontinuouslyagainstthearmedforceoftheenemyandhisresourcesuntil，bymereattritionifinnootherway，thereshouldbenothinglefttohimbutsubmission。\"
Thiswasaterribleprogramme，andinvolvedanexpenditureoflifefarbeyondanythingthathadtakenplace。Grant\'splan，infact，wastofightandtokeeponfighting，regardlessofhisownlosses，untilatlasttheConfederatearmy，whoselossescouldnotbereplaced，meltedaway。Itwasastrategythatfewgeneralshavedaredtopractice，fewerstilltoacknowledge。
Onthe4thofMaythegreatarmyofthePotomaccrossedtheRapidanandadvancedtowardChancellorsville。Leemovedtwodivisionsofhisarmytoopposethem。NextmorningthebattlebeganatdaybreakontheoldgroundwhereLeehaddefeatedHookertheyearbefore。AlldaylongthodivisionofEwellsupportedtheattackofthearmycorpsofSedgwickandHancock。
Alongafrontofsixmiles，inthemidstofthethickforest，thebattleragedthewholeoftheday。TheConfederates，inspiteoftheutmosteffortsoftheNortherners，althoughreinforcedintheafternoonbythearmycorpsofGeneralBurnside，heldtheirposition，andwhennightputanendtotheconflicttheinvadershadnotgainedafootofground。
Assoonasthefirstgleamoflightappearedinthemorningthebattlerecommenced。TheFederalgenerals，Sedgwick，Warren，andHancock，withBurnsideinreserve，felluponHillandEwell。
Bothsideshadthrownupearthworksandfelledtreesasaprotectionduringthenight。AtfirsttheConfederatesgainedtheadvantage；butaportionofBurnside\'scorpswasbroughtupandrestoredthebattle，whileontheleftflankoftheFederalsHancockhadattackedwithsuchvigorthattheConfederatesopposedtohimweredrivenback。
Atthecrisisofthebattle，Longstreet，whohadmarchedallnight，appearedupontheground，drovebackHancock\'smen，andwasonthepointofaidingtheConfederatesinadecisiveattackupontheenemy，when，ridingrapidlyforwardintothewoodtoreconnoiter，hewas，likeJackson，struckdownbythefireofhisownmen。Hewascarriedtothereardesperately，anditwasfearedforatimemorallywounded，andhislossparalyzedthemovementwhichliehadprepared。Neverthelessduringthewholedaythefightwentonwithvaryingsuccess，sometimesonesideobtainingaslightadvantage，theotherthenregainingthegroundtheyhadlost。
JustaseveningwasclosinginaGeorgiabrigade，withtwootherregiments，madeadetour，andfellfuriouslyupontwobrigadesoftheenemy，anddrovethembackinheadlongroutforamileandahalf，capturingtheirtwogeneralsandmanyprisoners。Theartillery，asonthepreviousday，hadbeenlittleusedoneitherside，theworkbeingdoneatshortrangewiththerifle，thelossbeingmuchheavieramongthethickmassesoftheNorthernersthaninthethinnerlinesoftheConfederates。GranthadfailedinhiseffortstoturnLee\'srightandtoaccomplishhisdirectadvance；hethereforechangedhisbaseandmovedhisarmyroundtowardSpotsylvania。
Leesoonperceivedhisobject，andsucceededincarryinghisarmytoSpotsylvaniabeforetheFederalsreachedit。
OntheafternoonofMonday，the9th，therewasheavyfightingandonthe10thanotherpitchedbattletookplace。Thistimethegroundwasmoreopen，andtheartillerywasemployedwithterribleeffectonbothsides。Itended，however，asthepreviousbattleshaddone，bytheConfederatesholdingtheirground。
Uponthenextdaytherewasbutlittlefighting。InthenighttheFederalsmovedquietlythoughthewood，andatdaybreakfourdivisionsfelluponJohnston\'sdivisionofEwell\'scorps，tookthemcompletelybysurprise，andcapturedthegreaterpartofthem。
