My “striker” had just left me with instructions to have my horse fed, groomed6, and saddled before daylight. As he turned to go he paused and put this question, “Do you think, Colonel, that we’ll get General Lee’s army to-morrow?”
“I don’t know,” was my reply; “but we will have some savage7 fighting if we don’t.”
As the sturdy young soldier said “Good-night, sir,” and walked away, I knew that if the enlisted8 men of our army could forecast the coming of the end so plainly, there was little hope of the escape of the Army of Northern Virginia.
I walked up the road a short distance, and looked carefully about me to take my bearings. It was a mild spring night, with a cloudy sky, and the soft, mellow10 smell of earthiness in the atmosphere that not infrequently portends330 rain. If rain came, then it might retard11 the arrival of our infantry12, which I knew General Sheridan was most anxious should reach us at the earliest possible moment. A short distance from where I stood was the encampment of our headquarters escort, with its orderlies, grooms13, officers’ servants, and horses. Just beyond it could be seen the dying camp-fires of a cavalry regiment14, lying close in to cavalry corps headquarters. This regiment was in charge of between six and eight hundred prisoners, who had fallen into our hands just at dark, as Generals Custer and Devin, at the head of their respective cavalry commands, had charged into the station and captured four railway trains of commissariat supplies, which had been sent here to await the arrival of the Confederate army, together with twenty-six pieces of artillery15. For a few moments the artillery had greatly surprised and astonished us, for its presence was entirely16 unexpected, and as it suddenly opened on the charging columns of cavalry it looked for a short time as though we might have all unwittingly fallen upon a division of infantry. However, it turned out otherwise. Our cavalry, after the first recoil17, boldly charged in among the batteries, and the gunners, being without adequate support, sensibly surrendered. The whole affair was for us a most gratifying termination of a long day’s ride, as it must have proved later on a bitter disappointment to the weary and hungry Confederates pressing forward from Petersburg and Richmond in the vain hope of escape from the Federal troops, who were straining every nerve to overtake them and compel a surrender. To-night the cavalry corps was in their front and squarely across the road to Lynchburg, and it was reasonably certain, should our infantry get up in time on the morrow, that the almost ceaseless marching and fighting of the last ten days were to attain18 their legitimate19 result in the capitulation of General Lee’s army.
As I stood there in the dark thinking over the work331 of the twelve preceding days, it was borne in upon me with startling emphasis that to-morrow’s sun would rise big with the fate of the Southern Confederacy.
MAP OF THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN
Just before daylight on the morning of the 9th of April, I sat down to a cup of coffee, but had hardly begun to drink it when I heard the ominous20 sound of a332 scattering21 skirmish fire, apparently22 in the direction of Appomattox Court-house. Hastily swallowing what remained of the coffee, I reported to General Sheridan, who directed me to go to the front at once. Springing into the saddle, I galloped23 up the road, my heart being greatly lightened by a glimpse of two or three infantrymen standing near a camp-fire close by the depot—convincing proof that our hoped-for reinforcements were within supporting distance.
It was barely daylight as I sped along, but before I reached the cavalry brigade of Colonel C. H. Smith, that held the main road between Appomattox Court-house and Lynchburg, a distance of about two miles northeast from Appomattox Depot, the enemy had advanced to the attack, and the battle had opened. When ordered into position late the preceding night, Colonel Smith had felt his way in the dark as closely as possible to Appomattox Court-house, and at or near midnight had halted on a ridge25, on which he had thrown up a breastwork of rails. This he occupied by dismounting his brigade, and also with a section of horse-artillery, at the same time protecting both his flanks by a small mounted force. As the enemy advanced to the attack in the dim light of early dawn he could not see the led horses of our cavalry, which had been sent well to the rear, and was evidently at a loss to determine what was in his front. The result was that after the first attack he fell back to get his artillery in position, and to form a strong assaulting column against what must have seemed to him a line of infantry. This was most fortunate for us, for by the time he again advanced in full force, and compelled the dismounted cavalry to slowly fall back by weight of numbers, our infantry was hurrying forward from Appomattox Depot (which place it had reached at four o’clock in the morning), and we had gained many precious minutes. At this time most of our cavalry was fighting dismounted, stubbornly retiring. But the Confederates at last realized333 that there was nothing but a brigade of dismounted cavalry and a few batteries of horse-artillery in their immediate front, and pushed forward grimly and determinedly26, driving the dismounted troopers slowly ahead of them.
I had gone to the left of the road, and was in a piece of woods with some of our cavalrymen (who by this time had been ordered to fall back to their horses and give place to our infantry, which was then coming up), when a couple of rounds of canister tore through the branches just over my head. Riding back to the edge of the woods in the direction from which the shots came, I found myself within long pistol range of a section of a battery of light artillery. It was in position near a country road that came out of another piece of woods about two hundred yards in its rear, and was pouring a rapid fire into the woods from which I had just emerged. As I sat on my horse quietly watching it from behind a rail fence, the lieutenant27 commanding the pieces saw me, and, riding out for a hundred yards or more toward where I was, proceeded to cover me with his revolver. We fired together—a miss on both sides. The second shot was uncomfortably close, so far as I was concerned, but as I took deliberate aim for the third shot I became aware that in some way his pistol was disabled; for using both hands and all his strength I saw that he could not cock it. I had him covered, and had he turned I think I should have fired. He did nothing of the sort. Apparently accepting his fate, he laid his revolver across the pommel of his saddle, fronted me quietly and coolly, and looked me steadily28 in the face. The whole thing had been something in the nature of a duel29, and I felt that to fire under the circumstances savored30 too much of murder. Besides, I knew that at a word from him the guns would have been trained on me where I sat. He, too, seemed to appreciate the fact that it was an individual fight, and manfully and gallantly31 forbore to call for aid; so, lowering334 and uncocking my pistol, I replaced it in my holster, and shook my fist at him, which action he cordially reciprocated32, and then, turning away, I rode back into the woods.
About this time the enemy’s artillery ceased firing, and I again rode rapidly to the edge of the woods, just in time to see the guns limber up and retire down the wood road from which they had come. The lieutenant in command saw me and stopped. We simultaneously33 uncovered, waved our hats to each other, and bowed. I have always thought he was one of the bravest men I ever faced.
I rode back again, passing through our infantry line, intending to go to the left and find the cavalry, which I knew would be on the flank somewhere. Suddenly I became conscious that firing had ceased along the whole line.
I had not ridden more than a hundred yards when I heard some one calling my name. Turning, I saw one of the headquarters aides, who came galloping34 up, stating that he had been hunting for me for the last fifteen minutes, and that General Sheridan wished me to report to him at once. I followed him rapidly to the right on the wood path in the direction from which he had come.
As soon as I could get abreast35 of him I asked if he knew what the general wanted me for.
Turning in his saddle, with his eyes fairly ablaze36, he said: “Why, don’t you know? A white flag.”
All I could say was, “Really?”
He answered by a nod; and then we leaned toward each other and shook hands; but nothing else was said.
A few moments more and we were out of the woods in the open fields. I saw the long line of battle of the Fifth Army Corps halted, the men standing at rest, the standards being held butt37 on earth, and the flags floating out languidly on the spring breeze. As we passed them I noticed that the officers had generally grouped themselves in front of the centre of their regiments38, sword in335 hand, and were conversing39 in low tones. The men were leaning wearily on their rifles, in the position of parade rest. All were anxiously looking to the front, in the direction toward which the enemy’s line had withdrawn40, for the Confederates had fallen back into a little swale or valley beyond Appomattox Court-house, and were not then visible from this part of our line.
We soon came up to General Sheridan and his staff. They were dismounted, sitting on the grass by the side of a broad country road that led to the Court-house. This was about one or two hundred yards distant, and, as we afterward41 found, consisted of the court-house, a small tavern42, and eight or ten houses, all situated43 on this same road or street.
Conversation was carried on in a low tone, and I was told of the blunder of one of the Confederate regiments in firing on the general and staff after the flag of truce44 had been accepted. I also heard that General Lee was then up at the little village awaiting the arrival of General Grant, to whom he had sent a note, through General Sheridan, requesting a meeting to arrange terms of surrender. Colonel Newhall, of our headquarters staff, had been despatched in search of General Grant, and might be expected up at almost any moment.
It was, perhaps, something more than an hour and a half later, to the best of my recollection, that General Grant, accompanied by Colonel Newhall, and followed by his staff, came rapidly riding up to where we were standing by the side of the road, for we had all risen at his approach. When within a few yards of us he drew rein24, and halted in front of General Sheridan, acknowledged our salute46, and then, leaning slightly forward in his saddle, said, in his usual quiet tone, “Good-morning, Sheridan; how are you?”
“First-rate, thank you, General,” was the reply. “How are you?”
General Grant nodded in return, and said, “Is General336 Lee up there?” indicating the court-house by a glance.
“Yes,” was the response, “he’s there.” And then followed something about the Confederate Army, but I did not clearly catch the import of the sentence.
“Very well, then,” said General Grant. “Let’s go up.”
General Sheridan, together with a few selected officers of his staff, mounted and joined General Grant and staff. Together they rode to Mr. McLean’s house, a plain two-story brick residence in the village, to which General Lee had already repaired, and where he was known to be awaiting General Grant’s arrival. Dismounting at the gate, the whole party crossed the yard, and the senior officers present went up onto the porch which protected the front of the house. It extended nearly across the entire house and was railed in, except where five or six steps led up the centre opposite the front door, which was flanked by two small wooden benches, placed close against the house on either side of the entrance. The door opened into a hall that ran the entire length of the house, and on either side of it was a single room with a window in each end of it, and two doors, one at the front and one at the rear of each of the rooms, opening on the hall. The room to the left, as you entered, was the parlor47, and it was in this room that General Lee was awaiting General Grant’s arrival.
As General Grant stepped onto the porch he was met by Colonel Babcock, of his staff, who had in the morning been sent forward with a message to General Lee. He had found him resting at the side of the road, and had accompanied him to Mr. McLean’s house.
General Grant went into the house, accompanied by General Rawlins, his chief of staff; General Seth Williams, his adjutant-general; General Rufus Ingalls, his quarter-master-general; and his two aides, General Horace Porter and Lieutenant-Colonel Babcock. After a little time General Sheridan; General M. R. Morgan, General Grant’s337 chief commissary; Lieutenant-Colonel Ely Parker, his military secretary; Lieutenant-Colonel T. S. Bowers48, one of his assistant adjutant-generals; and Captain Robert T. Lincoln and Adam Badeau, aides-de-camp, went into the house at General Grant’s express invitation, sent out, I believe, through Colonel Babcock, who came to the hall-door for the purpose, and they were, I was afterward told, formally presented to General Lee. After a lapse49 of a few more minutes quite a number of these officers, including General Sheridan, came out into the hall and onto the porch, leaving General Grant and General Lee, Generals Rawlins, Ingalls, Seth Williams, and Porter, and Lieutenant-Colonels Babcock, Ely Parker, and Bowers, together with Colonel Marshall, of General Lee’s staff, in the room, while the terms of the surrender were finally agreed upon and formally signed. These were the only officers, therefore, who were actually present at the official surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
After quite a length of time Colonel Babcock came to the door again, opened it, and glanced out. As he did so he placed his forage-cap on one finger, twirled it around, and nodded to us all, as much as to say, “It’s all settled,” and said something in a low tone to General Sheridan. Then they, accompanied by General E. O. C. Ord, the commanding-general of the Army of the James, who had just ridden up to the house, entered the house together, the hall-door partly closed again after them, leaving quite a number of us staff-officers upon the porch.
While the conference between Generals Grant and Lee was still in progress, Generals Merritt and Custer, of the Cavalry Corps, and several of the infantry generals, together with the rest of General Sheridan’s staff-officers, came into the yard, and some of them came up on the porch. Colonel Babcock came out once more, and General Merritt went back to the room with him at his request; but most, if not all, of the infantry generals left338 us and went back to their respective commands while the conference was still in progress and before it ended.
Just to the right of the house, as we faced it on entering, stood a soldierly looking orderly in a tattered50 gray uniform, holding three horses—one a fairly well-bred-looking gray, in good heart, though thin in flesh, which, from the accoutrements, I concluded belonged to General Lee; the others, a thoroughbred bay and a fairly good brown, were undoubtedly51 those of the staff-officer who had accompanied General Lee and of the orderly himself. He was evidently a sensible soldier, too, for as he held the bridles53 he baited the animals on the young grass, and they ate as though they needed all they had a chance to pick up.
I cannot say exactly how long the conference between Generals Grant and Lee lasted, but after quite a while, certainly more than two hours, I became aware from the movement of chairs within that it was about to break up. I had been sitting on the top step of the porch, writing in my field note-book, but I closed it at once, and, stepping back on the porch, leaned against the railing nearly opposite and to the left of the door, and expectantly waited. As I did so the inner door slowly opened, and General Lee stood before me. As he paused for a few seconds, framed in by the doorway54, ere he slowly and deliberately55 stepped out upon the porch, I took my first and last look at the great Confederate chieftain. This is what I saw: A finely formed man, apparently about sixty years of age, well above the average height, with a clear, ruddy complexion—just then suffused56 by a deep-crimson flush that, rising from his neck, overspread his face and even slightly tinged57 his broad forehead, which, bronzed where it had been exposed to the weather, was clear and beautifully white where it had been shielded by his hat—deep-brown eyes, a firm but well-shaped Roman nose, abundant gray hair, silky and fine in texture58, with a full gray beard and mustache,339 neatly59 trimmed and not over-long, but which, nevertheless, almost completely concealed60 his mouth. A splendid uniform of Confederate gray cloth, that had evidently seen but little service, was closely buttoned about him and fitted him to perfection. An exquisitely61 mounted sword, attached to a gold-embroidered Russia-leather belt, trailed loosely on the floor at his side, and in his right hand he carried a broad-brimmed, soft, gray felt hat, encircled by a golden cord, while in his left he held a pair of buckskin gauntlets. Booted and spurred, still vigorous and erect62, he stood bareheaded, looking out of the open doorway, sad-faced and weary—a soldier and a gentleman, bearing himself in defeat with an all-unconscious dignity that sat well upon him.
The moment the open door revealed the Confederate commander, each officer present sprang to his feet, and as General Lee stepped out onto the porch every hand was raised in military salute. Placing his hat on his head, he mechanically but courteously63 returned it, and slowly crossed the porch to the head of the steps leading down to the yard, meanwhile keeping his eyes intently fixed64 in the direction of the little valley over beyond the Court-house in which his army lay. Here he paused and slowly drew on his gauntlets, smiting65 his gloved hands into each other several times after doing so, evidently utterly66 oblivious67 of his surroundings. Then, apparently recalling his thoughts, he glanced deliberately right and left, and, not seeing his horse, he called, in a hoarse68, half-choked voice, “Orderly! Orderly!”
“Here, General, here!” was the quick response. The alert young soldier was holding the general’s horse near the side of the house. He had taken out the bit, slipped the bridle52 over the horse’s neck, and the wiry gray was eagerly grazing on the fresh young grass about him.
Descending69 the steps, the general passed to the left of the house and stood in front of his horse’s head while he was being bridled70. As the orderly was buckling71 the340 throat-latch, the general reached up and drew the fore-lock out from under the brow-band, parted and smoothed it, and then gently patted the gray charger’s forehead in an absent-minded way, as one who loves horses but whose thoughts are far away might all unwittingly do. Then, as the orderly stepped aside, he caught up the bridle-reins72 in his left hand, and, seizing the pommel of the saddle with the same hand, he caught up the slack of the reins in his right hand, and placing it on the cantle he put his foot in the stirrup and swung himself slowly and wearily, but nevertheless firmly, into the saddle (the old dragoon mount), letting his right hand rest for an instant or two on the pommel as he settled into his seat, and as he did so there broke unguardedly from his lips a long, low, deep sigh, almost a groan73 in its intensity74, while the flush on his neck and face seemed, if possible, to take on a little deeper hue75.
Shortly after General Lee passed down the steps he was followed by an erect, slightly built, soldierly looking officer, in a neat but somewhat worn gray uniform, a man with an anxious and thoughtful face, wearing spectacles, who glanced neither to the right nor left, keeping his eyes straight before him. Notwithstanding this, I doubt if he missed anything within the range of his vision. This officer, I was afterward told, was Colonel Marshall, one of the Confederate adjutants-general, the member of General Lee’s staff whom he had selected to accompany him.
As soon as the colonel had mounted, General Lee drew up his reins, and, with the colonel riding on his left and followed by the orderly, moved at a slow walk across the yard toward the gate.
DEPARTURE OF GENERAL LEE AFTER THE SURRENDER
Just as they started, General Grant came out of the house, crossed the porch, and passed down the steps into the yard. At this time he was nearly forty-two years of age, of middle height, not over-weighted with flesh, but, nevertheless, stockily and sturdily built, with light complexion,341 mild, gray-blue eyes, finely formed Grecian nose, an iron-willed mouth, brown hair, full brown beard with a tendency toward red rather than black, and in his manner and all his movements there was a strength of purpose, a personal poise76, and a cool, quiet air of dignity, decision, and soldierly confidence that were very good to see. On this occasion he wore a plain blue army blouse, with shoulder-straps set with three silver stars equidistant, designating his rank as lieutenant-general commanding the armies of the United States; it was unbuttoned, showing a blue military vest, over which and under his blouse was buckled77 a belt, but he was without a sword. His trousers were dark blue and tucked into top-boots, which were without spurs, but heavily splashed with mud, for, once he knew that General Lee was waiting for him at Appomattox Court-house, he had ridden rapidly across the country, over road and field and through woods, to meet him. He wore a peculiar78, stiff-brimmed, sugar-loaf-crowned, campaign hat of black felt, and his uniform was partly covered by a light-weight, dark-blue, waterproof79, semi-military cloak, with a full cape9, unbuttoned and thrown back, showing the front of his uniform, for while the day had developed into warm, bright, and beautifully sunny weather, the early morning had been damp, slightly foggy, and presaged80 rain.
As he reached the foot of the steps and started across the yard to the fence where, inside the gate, the orderlies were holding his horse and those of several of his staff-officers, General Lee, on his way to the gate, rode across his path. Stopping suddenly, General Grant looked up, and both generals simultaneously raised their hands in military salute. After General Lee had passed, General Grant crossed the yard and sprang lightly and quickly into his saddle. He was riding his splendid bay horse Cincinnati, and it would have been difficult to find a firmer seat, a lighter81 hand, or a better rider in either army.
As he was about to go out of the gate he halted, turned342 his horse, and rode at a walk toward the porch of the house, where, among others, stood General Sheridan and myself. Stopping in front of the general, he said, “Sheridan, where will you make your headquarters to-night?”
“Here, or near here; right here in this yard, probably,” was the reply.
“Very well, then; I’ll know where to find you in case I wish to communicate. Good-day.”
“Good-day, General,” was the response, and with a military salute General Grant turned and rode away.
As he rode forward and halted at the porch to make this inquiry82, I had my wished-for opportunity, but my eyes sought his face in vain for any indication of what was passing in his mind. Whatever may have been there, as Colonel Newhall has well written, “not a muscle of his face told tales on his thoughts”; and if he felt any elation83, neither his voice, features, nor his eyes betrayed it. Once out of the gate, General Grant, followed by his staff, turned to the left and moved off at a rapid trot84.
General Lee continued on his way toward his army at a walk, to be received by his devoted85 troops with cheers and tears, and to sit down and pen a farewell order that, to this day, no old soldier of the Army of Northern Virginia can read without moistening eyes and swelling86 throat.
General Grant, on his way to his field headquarters on this eventful Sunday evening, dismounted, sat quietly down by the roadside, and wrote a short and simple despatch45, which a galloping aide bore at full speed to the nearest telegraph station. On its reception in the nation’s capital this despatch was flashed over the wires to every hamlet in the country, causing every steeple in the North to rock to its foundation, and sending one tall, gaunt, sad-eyed, weary-hearted man in Washington to his knees, thanking God that he had lived to see the beginning of the end, and that he had at last been vouchsafed87 the assurance that he had led his people aright.
343
SYNOPSIS88 OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS, CHIEFLY
MILITARY, BETWEEN APPOMATTOX, 1865,
AND THE BATTLES OF MANILA BAY
AND SANTIAGO DE CUBA, 1898
1866. The Civil Rights Bill is passed over President Johnson’s veto. Adoption89 of the Fourteenth Amendment90 granting political rights to the negro. (This amendment was proclaimed part of the Constitution in 1868.) Successful establishment of ocean telegraphy between Europe and America. Fenian raid into Canada.
1867. Admission of Nebraska into the union. Passage of the Reconstruction91 Act. Purchase of Alaska from Russia. Dominion92 of Canada constituted. Maximilian, abandoned by the French in Mexico, is captured and shot.
1868. Impeachment93 and trial of President Johnson. The impeachment fails. Ulysses S. Grant elected President. Outbreak of Cuban insurrection.
1869. Adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment prohibiting the States from denying the right to vote to any citizen of the United States on account of race or color. (This amendment was proclaimed a part of the Constitution in 1870.) Completion of the Pacific Railway.
1870. Completion of reconstruction in the Southern States. Death of Lee and Farragut.
1871. Treaty of Washington for the settlement of the “Alabama” Claims. Great Fire in Chicago. Hall’s Arctic Expedition reaches lat. 82° 16′.
1872. The Geneva Tribunal makes an award to the United States on account of the “Alabama” Claims. The Emperor of Germany decides San Juan boundary question. Ulysses S. Grant re-elected President. Outbreak of the Modoc War.
1873. Surrender of the Modocs. Capture of the American344 steamer Virginius by a Spanish gunboat. Surrender of the Virginius. Financial Panic.
1874. President Grant vetoes Inflation Bill. Race riots in the Southern States.
1875. Supplementary94 Civil Rights Bill passed.
1876. The Custer Massacre95 by the Sioux Indians. Admission of Colorado into the union. Disputed Presidential Election (Hayes, Republican, and Tilden, Democrat). The Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Invention of the Telephone.
1877. The Electoral Commission awards the Presidency96 to Rutherford B. Hayes. Great Labor97 Strike throughout the United States. Campaign against the Nez Percé Indians.
1878. End of the Ten Years’ War in Cuba. China sends a minister to Washington for the first time.
1879. Resumption of Specie Payment in the United States.
1880. James A. Garfield elected President. Treaty with China relative to the restriction98 of Chinese Immigration.
1881. Assassination99 of James A. Garfield. Chester A. Arthur succeeds to the Presidency. Construction of the Panama Canal begun by the French.
1882. Verdict in the Star Route case.
1883. Passage of the Civil Service Bill. Northern Pacific Railroad opened.
1884. Grover Cleveland elected President.
1885. United States government guarantees transit100 across Isthmus101 of Panama threatened by insurgents102, and enforces this with troops.
1886. Extensive Labor Strikes in the United States. The “Haymarket” Anarchists104’ riot at Chicago. Earthquake at Charleston. Anti-Chinese riots in Seattle. Railroad riots in the West. United States troops ordered to St. Louis. Act passed to increase navy.
1887. Interstate Commerce Bill passed. Centennial Celebration345 of the Constitution. Execution of the Chicago “Haymarket” Anarchists. Blizzard105 throughout the northwestern section of the United States.
1888. Blizzard in the East. Benjamin Harrison elected President. Dakota divided into North and South Dakota.
1889. Wreck106 of the U. S. steamers Trenton, Vandalia, and Nipsic at the Samoan Islands. The territory of Oklahoma opened for settlement. Flood at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Centennial celebration of Washington’s inauguration107. Admission of North and South Dakota into the union; also of Montana and Washington. Department of Agriculture created.
1890. The McKinley Tariff108 Bill passed. Admission of Wyoming into the union. The Mormon Church formally abandons Polygamy.
1891. The Pine Ridge Indian outbreak. Seizure109 of the Chilian insurgent103 steamer Itata. Assault upon sailors of the U. S. Cruiser Baltimore at Valparaiso.
1892. An Ultimatum111 submitted to Chili110; the latter country makes an apology and pays an indemnity112. The Homestead Labor Riots in Pennsylvania. Railroad riots at Buffalo113. National Guard ordered out. Grover Cleveland elected President.
1893. Opening of the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago. Admission of Utah and Arizona into the union.
1894. Great Railway Strike at Chicago. President Cleveland recognizes the new Republic of Hawaii. Kearsarge lost on Roncador Reef.
1895. Steamship114 Alliance fired upon by a Spanish Cruiser. Spain apologizes. Spain declares martial115 law in Cuba. Cuban revolutionists proclaim independence, adopt a constitution, establish a republican government, and unfurl the flag of the revolution of 1868–78. Message of President Cleveland regarding the boundary dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela.
1896. William McKinley elected President. President346 Cleveland issues a proclamation against the Cuban Filibusters116. International Arbitration117 Congress meets at Washington.
1897. The United States recognizes the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents. Venezuela boundary treaty ratified118. Hawaii annexed119 to the United States.
1898. The U. S. battle-ship Maine is blown up in Havana Harbor, with great loss of life, on the night of February 15th. On April 20th Congress directs the President to intervene between Spain and Cuba. On April 23d the President issues a call for one hundred and twenty-five thousand volunteers, and on April 26th Congress authorizes120 an increase of the regular army to 61,919 officers and men. On April 25th Congress declares war between Spain and the United States as existing since April 21st.
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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8
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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15
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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16
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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17
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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18
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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19
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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20
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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21
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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22
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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23
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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24
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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25
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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26
determinedly
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| adv.决意地；坚决地，坚定地 | |
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27
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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28
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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29
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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30
savored
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| v.意味，带有…的性质( savor的过去式和过去分词 )；给…加调味品；使有风味；品尝 | |
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31
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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32
reciprocated
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| v.报答，酬答( reciprocate的过去式和过去分词 )；（机器的部件）直线往复运动 | |
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33
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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34
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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35
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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36
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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37
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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38
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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39
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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40
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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41
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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42
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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43
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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44
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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45
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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46
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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47
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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48
bowers
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| n.（女子的）卧室( bower的名词复数 )；船首锚；阴凉处；鞠躬的人 | |
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49
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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50
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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51
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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52
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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53
bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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54
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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55
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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56
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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60
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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61
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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62
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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63
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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64
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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65
smiting
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的现在分词 ) | |
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66
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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67
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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68
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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69
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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70
bridled
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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71
buckling
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| 扣住 | |
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72
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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73
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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74
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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75
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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76
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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77
buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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78
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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79
waterproof
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| n.防水材料；adj.防水的；v.使...能防水 | |
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80
presaged
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| v.预示，预兆( presage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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82
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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83
elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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84
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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85
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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86
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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87
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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88
synopsis
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| n.提要，梗概 | |
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89
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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90
amendment
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| n.改正，修正，改善，修正案 | |
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91
reconstruction
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| n.重建，再现，复原 | |
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92
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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93
impeachment
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| n.弹劾；控告；怀疑 | |
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94
supplementary
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| adj.补充的，附加的 | |
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95
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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96
presidency
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| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
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97
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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98
restriction
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| n.限制，约束 | |
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99
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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100
transit
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| n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过 | |
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101
isthmus
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| n.地峡 | |
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102
insurgents
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| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
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103
insurgent
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| adj.叛乱的，起事的；n.叛乱分子 | |
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104
anarchists
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| 无政府主义者( anarchist的名词复数 ) | |
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105
blizzard
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| n.暴风雪 | |
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106
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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107
inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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108
tariff
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| n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表 | |
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109
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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110
chili
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| n.辣椒 | |
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111
ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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112
indemnity
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| n.赔偿，赔款，补偿金 | |
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113
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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114
steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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115
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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116
filibusters
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| n.掠夺兵( filibuster的名词复数 )；暴兵；（用冗长的发言）阻挠议事的议员；会议妨碍行为v.阻碍或延宕国会或其他立法机构通过提案( filibuster的第三人称单数 )；掠夺 | |
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117
arbitration
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| n.调停，仲裁 | |
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118
ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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120
authorizes
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| 授权，批准，委托( authorize的名词复数 ) | |
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