Modest and unassuming in his personality, he demonstrated from the first his skill as an organizer and his power in the conception and execution of far-reaching strategy.
From the moment he breathed his spirit into the army he made it a rapid, compact, accurate and terrible engine of war. The contemptible2 assault of the Richmond Examiner fell harmless from the armor of his genius. Davis was bitterly denounced for his favoritism in passing G. W. Smith and appointing Governor Letcher's pet. He was accused of playing a game of low politics to make "a spawn3 of West Point" the next Governor of Virginia. But events moved with a pace too swift to give the yellow journals or the demagogues time to get their breath.
Lee had sent Jackson into the Valley of the Shenandoah to make a diversion which might hold the armies moving on the Capital from the west and at the same time puzzle McDowell at Fredericksburg.
Lee, Jackson and Davis were three men who worked in perfect harmony from the moment they met in their first council of war at the White House of the Confederacy. So perfect was Lee's confidence in Jackson, he was sent into the Valley unhampered by instructions which would interfere4 with the execution of any movement his genius might suggest.
Left thus to his own initiative, Jackson conceived the most brilliant series of engagements in the history of modern war. He determined5 to use his infantry6 by forced marches to cover in a day the ground usually made by cavalry7 and fall on the armies of his opponents one by one before they could form a juncture8.
On May 23, by a swift, silent march of his little army of fifteen thousand men, he took Banks completely by surprise, crushed and captured his advance guard at Fort Royal, struck him in the flank and drove him back into Strassburg, through Winchester, and hurled9 his shattered army in confusion and panic across the Potomac on its Washington base.
Desperate alarm swept the Capital of the union. Stanton, the Secretary of War, issued a frantic10 appeal to the Governors of the Northern States for militia11 to defend Washington. Panic reigned12 in the cities of the North. Governors and mayors issued the most urgent appeals for enlistments.
Fremont was ordered to move with all possible haste and form a juncture with a division of McDowell's army and cut off Jackson's line of retreat.
The wily Confederate General wheeled suddenly and rushed on Fremont before Shields could reach him. On June 8, at Cross Keys, he crushed Fremont, turned with sudden eagle swoop13 and defeated Shields at Port Republic.
Washington believed that Jackson commanded an enormous army, and that the National Capital was in danger of his invading host. The defeated armies of Milroy, Banks, Fremont and Shields were all drawn14 in to defend the city.
In this campaign of a few weeks Jackson had marched his infantry six hundred miles, fought four pitched battles and seven minor15 engagements. He had defeated four armies, each greater than his own, captured seven pieces of artillery16, ten thousand stands of arms, four thousand prisoners and enormous stores of provisions and ammunition17. It required a train of wagons18 twelve miles long to transport his treasures—every pound of which he saved for his Government.
He was never surprised, never defeated, never lost a train or an organized piece of his army, put out of commission sixty thousand Northern soldiers under four distinguished19 generals and in obedience20 to Lee's command was now sweeping21 through the mountain passes to the relief of Richmond.
While Jackson was thus moving to join his forces with Lee, Washington was shivering in fear of his attack.
On the day Jackson was scheduled to fall on the flank of McClellan's besieging22 army Lee moved his men to the assault. The first battle which Johnston had joined at Seven Pines had only checked McClellan's advance.
The Grand Army of the Potomac still lay on its original lines, and McClellan had used every day in strengthening his entrenchments. Lee had built defensive23 works to enable a part of his army to defend the city while he should throw the flower of his gray soldiers on his enemy in a desperate flank assault in cooperation with Jackson.
On the arrival of his triumphant24 lieutenant25 from the Shenandoah Valley Lee suddenly sprang on McClellan with the leap of a lion. The Northern Commander fought with terrible courage, amazed and uneasy over the discovery that Jackson had suddenly appeared on his flank.
Within thirty-six hours McClellan's right wing was crushed and in retreat. Within seven days Lee drove his Grand Army of more than a hundred thousand men from the gates of Richmond thirty-five miles and hurled them on the banks of the James at Harrison's Landing under the shelter of the Federal gunboats.
Instead of marching in triumph through the streets of the Confederate Capital, McClellan congratulated himself and his Government on his good fortune in saving his army from annihilation. His broken columns had reached a place of safety after a series of defeats which had demoralized his command and resulted in the loss of ten thousand prisoners and ten thousand more in killed and wounded. He had been compelled to abandon or burn stores valued at millions. The South had captured thirty-five thousand stand of arms and fifty-two pieces of artillery.
Lee in his report modestly expressed his disappointment that greater results had not been achieved.
"Under ordinary circumstances," he wrote, "the Federal army should have been destroyed. Its escape was due to causes already stated. Prominent among them was the want of correct and timely information. The first, attributable chiefly to the character of the country, enabled General McClellan skillfully to conceal27 his retreat and to add much to the obstructions28 with which nature had beset29 the way of our pursuing column. But regret that more was not accomplished30 gives way to gratitude31 to the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe for the results achieved."
Jackson, the grim soldier, whose habit was to pray all night before battle, wrote with the fervor32 of the religious enthusiast33.
"Undying gratitude is due to God for this great victory—by which despondency increases in the North, hope brightens in the South and the Capital of Virginia and the Confederacy is saved."
A wave of exultation34 swept the South—while Death stalked through the streets of Richmond.
Instead of the tramp of victorious35 hosts, their bayonets glittering in the sunlight, which Socola had confidently expected, he watched from the windows of the Department of State the interminable lines of ambulances bearing the wounded from the fields of McClellan's seven-days' battle.
The darkened room on Church Hill was opened. Miss Van Lew had watched the glass rattle36 under the thunder of McClellan's guns, and then with sinking heart heard their roar fade in the distance until only the rumble37 of the ambulances through the streets told that he had been there. She burned the flag. It was too dangerous a piece of bunting to risk in her house now. It would be many weary months before she would need another.
Through every hour of the day and night since Lee sprang on McClellan, those never-ending lines of ambulances had wound their way through the streets. Every store and every home and every public building had been converted into a hospital. The counters of trade were moved aside and through the plate glass along the crowded streets could be seen the long rows of pallets on which the mangled38 bodies of the wounded lay. Every home set aside at least one room for the wounded boys of the South.
The heart-rending cries of the men from the wagons as they jolted39 over the cobble stones rose day and night—a sad, weird40 requiem41 of agony, half-groan, half-chant, to which the ear of pity could never grow indifferent.
Death was the one figure now with which every man, woman and child was familiar. The rattle of the dead-wagons could be heard at every turn. They piled them high, these uncoffined bodies of the brave, and hurried them under the burning sun to the trenches42 outside the city. They piled them in long heaps to await the slow work of the tired grave-diggers. The frail43 board coffins44 in which they were placed at last would often burst from the swelling45 corpse46. The air was filled with poisonous odors.
The hospitals were jammed with swollen47, disfigured bodies of the wounded and the dying. Gangrene and erysipelas did their work each hour in the weltering heat of mid-summer.
But the South received her dead and mangled boys with a majesty48 of grief that gave no cry to the ear of the world. Mothers lifted their eyes from the faces of their dead and firmly spoke49 the words of resignation:
"Thy will, O Lord, be done!"
Her houses were filled with the wounded, the dying and the dead, but Richmond lifted up her head. The fields about her were covered with imperishable glory.
The Confederacy had won immortality50.
The women of the South resolved to wear no mourning for their dead. Their boys had laid their lives a joyous51 offering on their country's altar. They would make no cry.
Johnston had lost six thousand and eighty-four men, dead, wounded and missing at Seven Pines, and Lee had lost seventeen thousand five hundred and eighty-three in seven days of continuous battle. But the South was thrilled with the joy of a great deliverance.
Jefferson Davis in his address to the army expressed the universal feeling of his people:
"Richmond, July 5, 1862.
"To the Army of Eastern Virginia:
"Soldiers:
"I congratulate you upon the series of brilliant victories which, under the favor of Divine Providence52, you have lately won; and as President of the Confederate States, hereby tender to you the thanks of the country, whose just cause you have so skillfuly and heroically saved.
"Ten days ago an invading army, vastly superior to yours in numbers and the material of war, closely beleaguered53 your Capital and vauntingly proclaimed our speedy conquest. You marched to attack the enemy in his entrenchments. With well-directed movements and death-defying valor54 you charged upon him in his strong positions, drove him from field to field over a distance of more than thirty-five miles, and, despite his re?nforcements, compelled him to seek safety under the cover of his gunboats, where he now lies cowering55 before the army so lately despised and threatened with utter subjugation56.
"The fortitude57 with which you have borne trial and privation, the gallantry with which you have entered into each successive battle, must have been witnessed to be fully26 appreciated. A grateful people will not fail to recognize you and to bear you in loved remembrance. Well may it be said of you that you have 'done enough for glory,' but duty to a suffering country and to the cause of Constitutional liberty claims for you yet further effort. Let it be your pride to relax in nothing which can promote your future efficiency; your one great object being to drive the invader58 from your soil, and, carrying your standards beyond the outer borders of the Confederacy, to wring59 from an unscrupulous foe60 the recognition of your birthright and independence."
Within the year from the fatal victory at Bull Run the South had through bitterness, tears and defeat at last found herself. Under the firm and wise leadership of Davis, her disasters had been repaired and her army brought to the highest standard of efficiency.
At the head of her armies now stood Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Their fame filled the world. In the west, Braxton Bragg, a brilliant and efficient commander, was marshaling his army to drive the union lines into Kentucky.
From the depths of despair the South rose to the heights of daring assurance. For the moment the junta61 of politicians led by Senator Barton were compelled to halt in their assaults on the President. The people of the South had forgotten the issue of the date on Joseph E. Johnston's commission as general.
With characteristic foolhardiness, however, Barton determined that they should not forget it. He opened a series of bitter attacks on Davis for the appalling62 lack of management which had permitted McClellan to save what was left of his army. He boldly proclaimed the amazing doctrine63 that the wounding of Johnston at Seven Pines was an irreparable disaster to the South.
"Had Johnston remained in command," he loudly contended, "there can be no doubt that he would have annihilated64 or captured McClellan's whole army and ended the war."
On this platform he gave a banquet to General Johnston on the occasion of his departure from Richmond for his new command in the west. The Senator determined to hold his faction65 together for future assaults. Lee's record was yet too recent to permit the politicians to surrender without a fight.
The banquet was to be a love feast at which all factions66 opposed to Davis should be united behind the banner of Johnston. Henry S. Foote had quarreled with William L. Yancey. These two fire-eaters were enthusiastic partisans67 of his General.
Major Barbour, Johnston's chief quartermaster, presided at the head of the banquet table in Old Tom Griffin's place on Main Street. Foote was seated on his right, Governor Milledge T. Bonham of South Carolina next. Then came Gustavus W. Smith, whose hatred68 of Davis was implacable for daring to advance Robert E. Lee over his head. Next sat John U. Daniel, the editor of Richmond's yellow journal, the Examiner. Daniel's arm was in a sling69. He had been by Johnston's side when wounded at Seven Pines.
At the other end of the table sat Major Moore, the assistant quartermaster, and by his side on the left, General Joseph E. Johnston, full of wounds in the flesh and grievances70 of soul. On his right was John B. Floyd of Fort Donelson fame whom Davis had relieved of his command. And next William L. Yancey, the matchless orator71 of secession, whose hatred of Davis was greater than this old hatred of Abolition72.
The feast was such as only Tom Griffin knew how to prepare.
Johnston as usual was grave and taciturn, still suffering from his unhealed wound. Yancey and Foote, the reconciled friends who had shaken hands in a common cause, were the life of the party.
Daniel, the editor of the organ of the Soreheads and Irreconcilables, was even more taciturn than his beloved Chief. General Bonham sang a love song. Yancey and Foote vied with each other in the brilliancy of their wit.
When the banquet had lasted for two hours, Yancey turned to Old Tom Griffin and said:
"Fresh glasses now and bumpers73 of champagne74!"
When the glasses were filled the Alabama orator lifted his glass.
"This toast is to be drunk standing75, gentlemen!"
Every man save Johnston sprang to his feet. Yancey looked straight into the eye of the General and shouted:
"Gentlemen! We drink to the health of the only man who can save the Southern Confederacy—General Joseph E. Johnston!"
The glasses were emptied and a shout of applause rang from every banqueter save one. The General had not yet touched his glass.
Without rising, Johnston lifted his eyes and said in grave tones:
"Mr. Yancey, the man you describe is now in the field—his name is Robert E. Lee. I drink to his health."
Yancey's quick wit answered in a flash:
"I can only reply to you, sir, as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses did to General Washington—'Your modesty76 is only equaled by your valor!'"
Johnston's tribute to Lee was genuine, and yet nursing his grudge77 against the President with malignant78 intensity79 he left for the west, encouraging his friends to fight the Chieftain of the Confederacy with tooth and nail and that to the last ditch.
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1
chaotic
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| adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的 | |
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contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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3
spawn
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| n.卵，产物，后代，结果；vt.产卵，种菌丝于，产生，造成；vi.产卵，大量生产 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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5
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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8
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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10
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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12
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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16
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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18
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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19
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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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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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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obstructions
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| n.障碍物( obstruction的名词复数 )；阻碍物；阻碍；阻挠 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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30
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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32
fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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34
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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35
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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36
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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37
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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38
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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requiem
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| n.安魂曲，安灵曲 | |
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trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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43
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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44
coffins
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| n.棺材( coffin的名词复数 )；使某人早亡[死，完蛋，垮台等]之物 | |
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45
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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49
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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51
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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52
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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53
beleaguered
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| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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56
subjugation
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| n.镇压，平息，征服 | |
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57
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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58
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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59
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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60
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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junta
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| n.团体；政务审议会 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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63
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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64
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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69
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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70
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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71
orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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72
abolition
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| n.废除，取消 | |
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bumpers
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| （汽车上的）保险杠，缓冲器( bumper的名词复数 ) | |
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74
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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75
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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76
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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77
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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78
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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79
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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