Slavery and Four Years of War

Volume I.

1861-1863

G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press 1900

Copyright, 1900

BY JOSEPH WARREN KEIFER

The Knickerbocker Press, New York

To the

memory of the dead and as a tribute of esteem to the living officers and soldiers who served immediately with and under the author in battles and campaigns of the great American rebellion

This Book is Dedicated

PREFACE

The writer of this book was a volunteer officer in the Union army throughout the war of the Great Rebellion, and his service was in the field.

The book, having been written while the author was engaged in a somewhat active professional life, lacks that literary finish which results from much pruning and painstaking. He, however, offers no excuse for writing it, nor for its completion; he has presumed to nothing but the privilege of telling his own story in his own way. He has been at no time forgetful of the fact that he was a subordinate in a great conflict, and that other soldiers discharged their duties as faithfully as himself; and while no special favors are asked, he nevertheless opes that what he has written may be accepted as the testimony of one who entertains a justifiable pride in having been connected with large armies and a participant in important campaigns and great battles.

He flatters himself that his summary of the political history of slavery in the United States, and of the important political events occurring upon the firing on Fort Sumter, and the account he has given of the several attempts to negotiate a peace before the final overthrow of the Confederate armies, will be of special interest to students of American history.

Slavery bred the doctrine of State-rights, which led, inevitably, to secession and rebellion. The story of slavery and its abolition in the United States is the most tragic one in the world's annals. The "Confederate States of America" is the only government ever attempted to be formed, avowedly to perpetuate human slavery. A history of the Rebellion without that of slavery is but a recital of brave deeds without reference to the motive which prompted their performance.

The chapter on slavery narrates its history in the United States from the earliest times; its status prior to the war; its effect on political parties and statesmen; its aggressions, and attempts at universal domination if not extension over the whole Republic; its inexorable demands on the friends of freedom, and its plan of perpetually establishing itself through secession and the formation of a slave nation. It includes a history of the secession of eleven Southern States, and the formation of "The Confederate States of America"; also what the North did to try to avert the Rebellion. It was written to show why and how the Civil War came, what the conquered lost, and what the victors won.

In other chapters the author has taken the liberty, for the sake of continuity, of going beyond the conventional limits of a personal memoir, but in doing this he has touched on no topic not connected with the war.

The war campaigns cover the first one in Western Virginia, 1861; others in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, 1862; in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, 1863; and in Virginia, 1864; ending with the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, the battles of Five Forks and Sailor's Creek, and the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox, 1865. A chapter on the New York riots of 1863, also one on the "Peace Negotiations," will be found, each in its proper place.

Personal mention and descriptions of many officers known to the writer are given; also war incidents deemed to be of interest to the reader.

But few generalizations are indulged in either as to events, principles, or the character of men; instead, facts are given from which generalizations may be formed.

The author is indebted to his friends, General George D. Ruggles (General Meade's Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac, late Adjutant-General, U.S.A.), for important data furnished from the War Department, and to his particular friends, both in peace and war, General John Beatty and Colonel Wm. S. Furay of Columbus, Ohio, for valuable suggestions.

J. W. K. December, 1899.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. Slavery: Its Political History in the United States,

Slavery: Its Political History in the United States, (I.) Introductory--(II.) Introduction of Slavery into the Colonies --(III.) Declaration of Independence--(IV.) Continental Congress: Articles of Confederation--(V.) Ordinance of 1787--(VI.) Constitution of the United States--(VII.) Causes of Growth of Slavery--(VIII.) Fugitive-Slave Law, 1793--(IX.) Slave Trade Abolished--(X.) Louisiana Purchase--(XI.) Florida--(XII.) Missouri Compromise--(XIII.) Nullification--(XIV.) Texas--(XV.) Mexican War, Acquisition of California and New Mexico--(XVI.) Compromise Measures, 1850--(XVII.) Nebraska Act--(XVIII.) Kansas Struggle for Freedom--(XIX.) Dred Scott Case--(XX.) John Brown Raid--(XXI.) Presidential Elections, 1856-1860--(XXII.) Dissolution of the Union--(XXIII.) Secession of States--(XXIV.) Action of Religious Denominations--(XXV.) Proposed Concessions to Slavery--(XXVI.) Peace Conference--(XXVII.) District of Columbia--(XXVIII.) Slavery Prohibited in Territories--(XXIX.) Benton's Summary--(XXX.) Prophecy as to Slavery and Disunion.

CHAPTER II. Sumter Fired on--Seizure by Confederates of Arms, Arsenals, and

Sumter Fired on--Seizure by Confederates of Arms, Arsenals, and Forts--Disloyalty of Army and Navy Officers--Proclamation of Lincoln for 75,000 Militia, and Preparation for War on Both Sides

CHAPTER III. Personal Mention--Occupancy of Western Virginia Under Mcclellan

Personal Mention--Occupancy of Western Virginia under McClellan (1861)--Campaign and Battle of Rich Mountain, and Incidents

CHAPTER IV Repulse of General Lee and Affairs of Cheat Mountain and in Tygart's Valley (September, 1861)--Killing of John A. Washington, and Incidents--and Formation of State of West Virginia

CHAPTER V. Union Occupancy of Kentucky--Affair At Green River--Defeat of

Union Occupancy of Kentucky--Affair at Green River--Defeat of Humphrey Marshall--Battles of Mill Springs, Forts Henry and Donelson --Capture of Bowling Green and Nashville, and Other Matters

CHAPTER VI. Battle of Shiloh--Capture of Island No. 10--Halleck's Advance on

Battle of Shiloh--Capture of Island No. 10--Halleck's Advance on Corinth, and Other Events

CHAPTER VII Mitchel's Campaign to Northern Alabama--Andrews' Raid into Georgia, and Capture of a Locomotive--Affair at Bridgeport--Sacking of Athens, Alabama, and Court-Martial of Colonel Turchin--Burning of Paint Rock by Colonel Beatty--Other Incidents and Personal Mention --Mitchel Relieved

CHAPTER VIII. Confederate Invasion of Kentucky (1862)--Cincinnati Threatened,

Confederate Invasion of Kentucky (1862)--Cincinnati Threatened, and "Squirrel Hunters" Called Out--Battles of Iuka, Corinth, and Hatchie Bridge--Movements of Confederate Armies of Bragg and Kirby Smith--Retirement of Buell's Army to Louisville--Battle of Perryville, with Personal and Other Incidents

CHAPTER IX. Commissioned Colonel of 110th Ohio Volunteers--Campaigns in West

Commissioned Colonel of 110th Ohio Volunteers--Campaigns in West Virginia under General Milroy, 1862-1863--Emancipation of Slaves in the Shenandoah Valley, and Incidents

ILLUSTRATIONS

J. Warren Keifer

Andrew H. Reeder, first governor of Kansas Territory, Flight in Disguise, 1855 [From a painting in Coates' House, Kansas City, Missouri.]

Abraham Lincoln

Map of the United States, 1860 [Showing free and slave States and Territories.]

General Ulysses S. Grant, U.S.A. [From a photograph taken 1865.]

Confederate Silver Half-Dollar

John Beatty, Brigadier-General of Volunteers [From a photograph taken 1863.]

Rich Mountain and Cheat Mountain Country, W. Va.

General William T. Sherman, U.S.A. [From a photograph taken 1881.]

Major-General O. M. Mitchel [From a photograph taken 1862.]

Brevet Brigadier-General Wm. H. Ball [From a photograph taken 1864.]

Rev. William T. Meloy, D. D., Lieutenant 122d Ohio Volunteers [From a photograph taken 1896.]

Major-General Robert H. Milroy [From a photograph taken 1863.]

Lieutenant James A. Fox, 110th Ohio Volunteers [From a photograph taken 1863.]

Map of Shenandoah valley [From Major W. F. Tiemann's History of the 159th New York.]

Rev. Milton J. Miller, Chaplain 110th Ohio Volunteers [From a photograph taken 1865.]

Rev. Charles C. McCabe, D. D., Bishop M. E. Church, Chaplain 122d Ohio Volunteers [From a photograph taken 1868.]

SLAVERY AND FOUR YEARS OF WAR

SLAVERY AND FOUR YEARS OF WAR

CHAPTER I. Slavery: Its Political History in the United States

SLAVERY: ITS POLITICAL HISTORY IN THE UNITED STATES (I.) Introductory--(II.) Introduction of Slavery into the Colonies --(III.) Declaration of Independence--(IV.) Continental Congress: Articles of Confederation--(V.) Ordinance of 1787--(VI.) Constitution of the United States--(VII.) Causes of Growth of Slavery--(VIII.) Fugitive-Slave Law, 1793--(IX.) Slave Trade Abolished--(X.) Louisiana Purchase--(XI.) Florida--(XII.) Missouri Compromise--(XIII.) Nullification--(XIV.) Texas--(XV.) Mexican War, Acquisition of California and New Mexico--(XVI.) Compromise Measures, 1850--(XVII.) Nebraska Act--(XVIII.) Kansas Struggle for Freedom--(XIX.) Dred Scott Case--(XX.) John Brown Raid--(XXI.) Presidential Elections, 1856-1860--(XXII.) Dissolution of the Union--(XXIII.) Secession of States--(XXIV.) Action of Religious Denominations--(XXV.) Proposed Concessions to Slavery--(XXVI.) Peace Conference--(XXVII.) District of Columbia--(XXVIII.) Slavery Prohibited in Territories--(XXIX.) Benton's Summary--(XXX.) Prophecy as to Slavery and Disunion.

I INTRODUCTORY

Slavery is older than tradition--older than authentic history, and doubtless antedates any organized form of human government. It had its origin in barbaric times. Uncivilized man never voluntarily performed labor even for his own comfort; he only struggled to gain a bare subsistence. He did not till the soil, but killed wild animals for food and to secure a scant covering for his body; and cannibalism was common. Tribes were formed for defence, and thus wars came, all, however, to maintain mere savage existence. Through primitive wars captives were taken, and such as were not slain were compelled to labor for their captors. In time these slaves were used to domesticate useful animals and, later, were forced to cultivate the soil and build rude structures for the comfort and protection of their masters. Thus it was that mankind was first forced to toil and ultimately came to enjoy labor and its incident fruits, and thus human slavery became a first step from barbarism towards the ultimate civilization of mankind.

White slavery existed in the English-American colonies antecedent to black or African slavery, though at first only intended to be conditional and not to extend to offspring. English, Scotch, and Irish alike, regardless of ancestry or religious faith, were, for political offenses, sold and transported to the dependent American colonies. They were such persons as had participated in insurrections against the Crown; many of them being prisoners taken on the battle- field, as were the Scots taken on the field of Dunbar, the royalist prisoners from the field of Worcester; likewise the great leaders of the Penruddoc rebellion, and many who were taken in the insurrection of Monmouth.

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