Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

It is related of General Scott, the old veteran and hero of the last war with England (which, we fear, will not long be the last), that, in conversation with a gentlenran in office at Washington, about the victories, he expressed his surprise at General Grant's success. He remarked:

"General Grant has shown more military skill than any other general on our side. And I am the more surprised, as I can only remember him in the Mexican war as a young lieutenant of undoubted courage, but giving no promise whatever of anything beyond ordinary abilities."

Among the heroes who fell at Chattanooga, was Colonel O'Meara, of the Irish Legion. When General Grant heard that the body was coffined for its homeward journey, he hastened to the spot where it lay. Standing beside it, he said:

"Lift the coffin lid, that I may take a last look at the gallant colonel of the Irish Legion."

Writes Larkee:

"He was touched at the sight of one whom he had honored and publicly thanked before he had been two months in the Army of the Tennessee. O'Meara's defence of the trestlework, a few miles north of Holly Springs, Miss., when Van Dorn made a raid there in December, 1862, and which saved Grant's army from starvation, was never forgotten by the General. The spectators were moved at the sad and touching farewell of the Commander of the Department of the Mississippi from

the corpse of a young Irish soldier, who had forfeited his life to the belief that 'the highest and best duty of all, native or foreign born, was to stand by the flag which is the hope of the exile, the emblem of philanthropy, and the ensign of the American people.'"

CHAPTER XX.

General Sherman at Knoxville-The President and the Victories-MajorGeneral Grant's Congratulations-Colonel Ely, the Indian Sachem's Tribute-Excitement in Washington-A Medal-Other Honors-Hon. Mr. Washburn's Speech-Grant's untiring Activity-Visits a sick Child -He is invited to a Banquet-Accepts the Honor-The brilliant Festival.

ENERAL LONGSTREET has learned the rea-
RAL
son why he was allowed to besiege Knoxville.
The news of Hooker's mountain climbing, and
of Yankee flags on Missionary Ridge, dispelled

his dream of success. The proud rebel is exasperated, and determined to save his name from sharing the disgrace of Chattanooga. So, November 29th, he dashed against Fort Saunders, but only got sorely bruised himself. Then, pursuing columns in the track of the defeated foe beyond Ringgold, Ga., wheeled, and marched on Longstreet. Finding himself hard pressed, like Joe Jonnston at Jackson, he deemed "prudence the better part of valor," and made his escape in the night of Decem ber 4th.

This completed the great work of Gene al Grant in his new Department; and President Lincoln, upon receiving the glad tidings, issued two brief messages. One of them was addressed to the people; the other, a day later, to General Grant:

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 7, 1863. Reliable information being received that the insurgent force is retreating from East Tennessee, under circumstances rendering it probable that the Union forces cannot hereafter be dislodged from that important position; and esteeming this to be of high national consequence, I recommend that all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their places of worship, and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty God for this great advancement of the National cause.

Major-General GRANT:

A. LINCOLN.

WASHINGTON, December 8.

Understanding that your lodgment at Chattanooga and Knoxville is now secure, I wish to tender you, and all under your command, my more than thanks-my profoundest gratitude for the skill, courage, and perseverance with which you and they, over so great diffi culties, have effected that important object. God bless you all!

A. LINCOLN.

Major-General Grant's congratulations to his magnifi cent army, two days after, is a noble tribute from an un assuming, magnanimous heart. His acknowledgment of God's help is evidently earnest and sincere:

'HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

}

IN THE FIELD, ChattanoogA, TENN., Dec. 10, 1863. The General Commanding takes this opportunity of returning his sincere thanks and congratulations to the brave armies of the Cumberland, the Ohio, the Tennessee, and their comrades from the Potomac, for the recent splendid and decisive successes achieved over the enemy. In a short time you have recovered from him the control of the Tennessee River from Bridgeport to Knoxville. You dislodged him from his great stronghold upon Lookout Mountain, drove him from Chattanooga Valley, wrested from his determined grasp the possession of Missionary Ridge, repelled with heavy loss to him his repeated assaults upon Knoxville, forcing him to raise the siege there, driving him at all points, utterly routed and discomfited, beyond the limits of the State. By your noble heroism and determined courage, you have most effectually defeated the plans of the enemy for regaining possession of the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. You have secured positions from which no rebellious power can drive or dislodge you. For all this the General Commanding thanks you collectively and individually. The loyal people of the United States thank and bless you. Their hopes and prayers for your success against this unholy rebellion are with you daily. Their faith in you will not be in vain. Their hopes will not be blasted. Their prayers to Almighty God will be answered. You will yet go to other fields of strife; and, with the invincible bravery and unflinching loyalty to justice and right which have characterized you in the past, you will prove that no enemy can withstand you, and that no defences, however formidable, can check your onward march.

By order of

Major-General U. S. Grant.

General Bragg lost his command, in losing Chattanooga. General Hardee took his place; of whom Gen

« ZurückWeiter »