Chapter XXVI: After the War (3)

Early in March, 1676, appeared in all the newspapers of the day the sensational report from Washington that Secretary of War Belknap had been detected in selling sutlerships in the army; that he had confessed it to Representative Blackburn, of Kentucky; that he had tendered his resignation, which had been accepted by the President; and that he was still subject to impeachment,--would be impeached and tried by the Senate. I was surprised to learn that General Belknap was dishonest in money matters, for I believed him a brave soldier, and I sorely thought him honest; but the truth was soon revealed from Washington, and very soon after I received from Judge Alphonso Taft, of Cincinnati, a letter informing me that he had been appointed Secretary of War, and should insist on my immediate return to Washington. I answered that I was ready to go to Washington, or anywhere, if assured of decent treatment.

I proceeded to Washington, when, on the 6th of April, were published these orders:

General Orders No. 28.

The following orders of the President of the United States are hereby promulgated for the information and guidance of all concerned:

The headquarters of the army are hereby reestablished at Washington City, and all orders and instructions relative to military operations or affecting the military control and discipline of the army issued by the President through the Secretary of War, shall be promulgated through the General of the Army, and the departments of the Adjutant-General and the Inspector-General shall report to him, and be under his control in all matters relating thereto.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutant-General.

This was all I had ever asked; accordingly my personal staff were brought back to Washington, where we resumed our old places; only I did not, for some time, bring back the family, and then only to a rented house on Fifteenth Street, which we occupied till we left Washington for good. During the period from 1876 to 1884 we had as Secretaries of War in succession, the Hon's. Alphonso Taft, J. D. Cameron, George W. McCrary, Alexander Ramsey, and R. T. Lincoln, with each and all of whom I was on terms of the most intimate and friendly relations.

And here I will record of Washington that I saw it, under the magic hand of Alexander R. Shepherd, grow from a straggling, ill-paved city, to one of the cleanest, most beautiful, and attractive cities of the whole world. Its climate is salubrious, with as much sunshine as any city of America. The country immediately about it is naturally beautiful and romantic, especially up the Potomac, in the region of the Great Falls; and, though the soil be poor as compared with that of my present home, it is susceptible of easy improvement and embellishment. The social advantages cannot be surpassed even in London, Paris, or Vienna; and among the resident population, the members of the Supreme Court, Senate, House of Representatives, army, navy, and the several executive departments, may be found an intellectual class one cannot encounter in our commercial and manufacturing cities. The student may, without tax and without price, have access, in the libraries of Congress and of the several departments, to books of every nature and kind; and the museums of natural history are rapidly approaching a standard of comparison with the best of the world. Yet it is the usual and proper center of political intrigue, from which the army especially should keep aloof, because the army must be true and faithful to the powers that be, and not be subjected to a temptation to favor one or other of the great parties into which our people have divided, and will continue to divide, it may be, with advantage to the whole.

It would be a labor of love for me, in this connection, to pay a tribute of respect, by name, to the many able and most patriotic officers with whom I was so long associated as the commanding generals of military divisions and departments, as well as staff-officers; but I must forego the temptation, because of the magnitude of the subject, certain that each and all of them will find biographers better posted and more capable than myself; and I would also like to make recognition of the hundreds of acts of most graceful hospitality on the part of the officers and families at our remote military posts in the days, of the "adobe," the "jacal," and "dug-out," when a board floor and a shingle roof were luxuries expected by none except the commanding officer. I can see, in memory, a beautiful young city-bred lady, who had married a poor second-lieutenant, and followed him to his post on the plains, whose quarters were in a "dug-out" ten feet by about fifteen, seven feet high, with a dirt roof; four feet of the walls were the natural earth, the other three of sod, with holes for windows and corn-sacks for curtains. This little lady had her Saratoga trunk, which was the chief article of furniture; yet, by means of a rug on the ground-floor, a few candle-boxes covered with red cotton calico for seats, a table improvised out of a barrel-head, and a fireplace and chimney excavated in the back wall or bank, she had transformed her "hole in the ground" into a most attractive home for her young warrior husband; and she entertained me with a supper consisting of the best of coffee, fried ham, cakes, and jellies from the commissary, which made on my mind an impression more lasting than have any one of the hundreds of magnificent banquets I have since attended in the palaces and mansions of our own and foreign lands.

Still more would I like to go over again the many magnificent trips made across the interior plains, mountains, and deserts before the days of the completed Pacific Railroad, with regular "Doughertys" drawn by four smart mules, one soldier with carbine or loaded musket in hand seated alongside the driver; two in the back seat with loaded rifles swung in the loops made for them; the lightest kind of baggage, and generally a bag of oats to supplement the grass, and to attach the mules to their camp. With an outfit of two, three, or four of such, I have made journeys of as much as eighteen hundred miles in a single season, usually from post to post, averaging in distance about two hundred miles a week, with as much regularity as is done today by the steam-car its five hundred miles a day; but those days are gone, and, though I recognize the great national advantages of the more rapid locomotion, I cannot help occasionally regretting the change. One instance in 1866 rises in my memory, which I must record: Returning eastward from Fort Garland, we ascended the Rocky Mountains to the Sangre-de-Cristo Pass. The road descending the mountain was very rough and sidling. I got out with my rifle, and walked ahead about four miles, where I awaited my "Dougherty." After an hour or so I saw, coming down the road, a wagon; and did not recognize it as my own till quite near. It had been upset, the top all mashed in, and no means at hand for repairs. I consequently turned aside from the main road to a camp of cavalry near the Spanish Peaks, where we were most hospitably received by Major Aand his accomplished wife. They occupied a large hospital-tent, which about a dozen beautiful greyhounds were free to enter at will. The ambulance was repaired, and the next morning we renewed our journey, escorted by the major and his wife on their fine saddle-horses.

They accompanied us about ten miles of the way; and, though age has since begun to tell on them, I shall ever remember them in their pride and strength as they galloped alongside our wagons down the long slopes of the Spanish Peaks in a driving snow-storm.

And yet again would it be a pleasant task to recall the many banquets and feasts of the various associations of officers and soldiers, who had fought the good battles of the civil war, in which I shared as a guest or host, when we could indulge in a reasonable amount of glorification at deeds done and recorded, with wit, humor, and song; these when memory was fresh, and when the old soldiers were made welcome to the best of cheer and applause in every city and town of the land. But no! I must hurry to my conclusion, for this journey has already been sufficiently prolonged.

I had always intended to divide time with my natural successor, General P. H. Sheridan, and early, notified him that I should about the year 1884 retire from the command of the army, leaving him about an equal period of time for the highest office in the army. It so happened that Congress had meantime by successive "enactments" cut down the army to twenty-five thousand men, the usual strength of a corps d'armee, the legitimate command of a lieutenant-general. Up to 1882 officers not disabled by wounds or sickness could only avail themselves of the privileges of retirement on application, after thirty years of service, at sixty-two years of age; but on the 30th of June, 1882, a bill was passed which, by operation of the law itself, compulsorily retired all army officers, regardless of rank, at the age of sixty-four years. At the time this law was debated in Congress, I was consulted by Senators and others in the most friendly manner, representing that, if I wanted it, an exception could justly and easily be made in favor of the general and lieutenant-general, whose commissions expired with their lives; but I invariably replied that I did not ask or expect an exception in my case, because no one could know or realize when his own mental and physical powers began to decline. I remembered well the experience of Gil Blas with the Bishop of Granada, and favored the passage of the law fixing a positive period for retirement, to obviate in the future special cases of injustice such as I had seen in the recent past. The law was passed, and every officer then knew the very day on which he must retire, and could make his preparations accordingly. In my own case the law was liberal in the extreme, being "without reduction in his current pay and allowances."

I would be sixty-four years old on the 8th of February, 1884, a date inconvenient to move, and not suited to other incidents; so I resolved to retire on the 1st day of November, 1883, to resume my former home at St. Louis, and give my successor ample time to meet the incoming Congress, But, preliminary thereto, I concluded to make one more tour of the continent, going out to the Pacific by the Northern route, and returning by that of the thirty-fifth parallel. This we accomplished, beginning at Buffalo, June 21st, and ending at St. Louis, Missouri, September 30, 1883, a full and most excellent account of which can be found in Colonel Tidball's "Diary," which forms part of the report of the General of the Army for the year 1883.

Before retiring also, as was my duty, I desired that my aides-de-camp who had been so faithful and true to me should not suffer by my act. All were to retain the rank of colonels of cavalry till the last day, February 8, 1884; but meantime each secured places, as follows:

Colonel O. M. Poe was lieutenant-colonel of the Engineer Corps United States Army, and was by his own choice assigned to Detroit in charge of the engineering works on the Upper Lakes, which duty was most congenial to him.

Colonel J. C. Tidball was assigned to command the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, by virtue of his commission as lieutenant-colonel, Third Artillery, a station for which he was specially qualified.

Colonel John E. Tourtelotte was then entitled to promotion to major of the Seventh Cavalry, a rank in which he could be certain of an honorable command.

The only remaining aide-de-camp was Colonel John M. Bacon, who utterly ignored self in his personal attachment to me. He was then a captain of the Ninth Cavalry, but with almost a certainty of promotion to be major of the Seventh before the date of my official retirement, which actually resulted. The last two accompanied me to St. Louis, and remained with me to the end. Having previously accomplished the removal of my family to St. Louis, and having completed my last journey to the Pacific, I wrote the following letter:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 8, 1883.

Hon. R. T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.

SIR: By the act of Congress, approved June 30, 1882, all army-officers are retired on reaching the age of sixty-four years. If living, I will attain that age on the 8th day of February, 1884; but as that period of the year is not suited for the changes necessary on my retirement, I have contemplated anticipating the event by several months, to enable the President to meet these changes at a more convenient season of the year, and also to enable my successor to be in office before the assembling of the next Congress.

I therefore request authority to turn over the command of the army to Lieutenant-General Sheridan on the 1st day of November, 1883, and that I be ordered to my home at St. Louis, Missouri, there to await the date of my legal retirement; and inasmuch as for a long time I must have much correspondence about war and official matters, I also ask the favor to have with me for a time my two present aides-de-camp, Colonels J. E. Tourtelotte and J. M. Bacon.

The others of my personal staff, viz., Colonels O. M. Poe and J. C. Tidball, have already been assigned to appropriate duties in their own branches of the military service, the engineers and artillery. All should retain the rank and pay as aides-de-camp until February 8,1884. By or before the 1st day of November I can complete all official reports, and believe I can surrender the army to my successor in good shape and condition, well provided in all respects, and distributed for the best interests of the country.

I am grateful that my physical and mental-strength remain unimpaired by years, and am thankful for the liberal provision made by Congress for my remaining years, which will enable me to respond promptly to any call the President may make for my military service or judgment as long as I live. I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN, General.

The answer was:

WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CITY, October 10, 1888.

General W. T. SHERMAN, Washington, D. C.

GENERAL: I have submitted to the President your letter of the 8th instant, requesting that you be relieved of the command of the army on the 1st of November next, as a more convenient time for making the changes in military commands which must follow your retirement from active service, than would be the date of your retirement under the law.

In signifying his approval of your request, the President directs me to express to you his earnest hope that there may be given you many years of health and happiness in which to enjoy the gratitude of your fellow-citizens, well earned by your most distinguished public services.

It will give me pleasure to comply with your wishes respecting your aides-de-camp, and the necessary orders will be duly issued.

I have the honor to be, General, your obedient servant,

ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.

On the 27th day of October I submitted to the Secretary of War, the Hon. R. T. Lincoln, my last annual report, embracing among other valuable matters the most interesting and condensed report of Colonel O. M. Poe, A. D. C., of the "original conception, progress, and completion" of the four great transcontinental railways, which have in my judgment done more for the subjugation and civilization of the Indians than all other causes combined, and have made possible the utilization of the vast area of pasture lands and mineral regions which before were almost inaccessible, for my agency in which I feel as much pride as for my share in any of the battles in which I took part.

Promptly on the 1st of November were made the following general orders, and the command of the Army of the United States passed from me to Lieutenant-General P. H. Sheridan, with as little ceremony as would attend the succession of the lieutenant-colonel of a regiment to his colonel about to take a leave of absence:

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, November 1, 1885.

General Orders No. 77:

By and with the consent of the President, as contained in General Orders No. 71, of October 13, 1883, the undersigned relinquishes command of the Army of the United States.

In thus severing relations which have hitherto existed between us, he thanks all officers and men for their fidelity to the high trust imposed on them during his official life, and will, in his retirement, watch with parental solicitude their progress upward in the noble profession to which they have devoted their lives.

W. T. SHERMAN, General.

Official: R. C. DRUM, Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, November 1, 1885.

General Orders No. 78:

In obedience to orders of the President, promulgated in General Orders No. 71, October 13, 1883, from these headquarters, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Army of the United States....

P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant-General.

Official: R. C. DRUM, adjutant-General.

After a few days in which to complete my social visits, and after a short visit to my daughter, Mrs. A. M. Thackara, at Philadelphia, I quietly departed for St. Louis; and, as I hope, for "good and all," the family was again reunited in the same place from which we were driven by a cruel, unnecessary civil war initiated in Charleston Harbor in April, 1861.

On the 8th day of February, 1884; I was sixty-four years of age, and therefore retired by the operation of the act of Congress, approved June 30, 1882; but the fact was gracefully noticed by President Arthur in the following general orders:

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, February 8, 1984.

The following order of the President is published to the army:

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 8, 1884.

General William T. Sherman, General of the Army, having this day reached the age of sixty-four years, is, in accordance with the law, placed upon the retired list of the army, without reduction in his current pay and allowances.

The announcement of the severance from the command of the army of one who has been for so many years its distinguished chief, can but awaken in the minds, not only of the army, but of the people of the United States, mingled emotions of regret and gratitude--regret at the withdrawal from active military service of an officer whose lofty sense of duty has been a model for all soldiers since he first entered the army in July, 1840; and gratitude, freshly awakened, for the services of incalculable value rendered by him in the war for the Union, which his great military genius and daring did so much to end.

The President deems this a fitting occasion to give expression, in this manner, to the gratitude felt toward General Sherman by his fellow-citizens, and to the hope that Providence may grant him many years of health and happiness in the relief from the active duties of his profession.

By order of the Secretary of War:

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

R. C. DRUM, Adjutant-General.

To which I replied:

St. Louis, February 9, 1884.

His Excellency CHESTER A. ARTHUR, President of the United States.

DEAR SIR: Permit me with a soldier's frankness to thank you personally for the handsome compliment bestowed in general orders of yesterday, which are reported in the journals of the day. To me it was a surprise and a most agreeable one. I had supposed the actual date of my retirement would form a short paragraph in the common series of special orders of the War Department; but as the honored Executive of our country has made it the occasion for his own hand to pen a tribute of respect and affection to an officer passing from the active stage of life to one of ease and rest, I can only say I feel highly honored, and congratulate myself in thus rounding out my record of service in a manner most gratifying to my family and friends. Not only this, but I feel sure, when the orders of yesterday are read on parade to the regiments and garrisons of the United States, many a young hero will tighten his belt, and resolve anew to be brave and true to the starry flag, which we of our day have carried safely through one epoch of danger, but which may yet be subjected to other trials, which may demand similar sacrifices, equal fidelity and courage, and a larger measure of intelligence. Again thanking you for so marked a compliment, and reciprocating the kind wishes for the future,

I am, with profound respect, your friend and servant,

W. T. SHERMAN, General.

This I construe as the end of my military career. In looking back upon the past I can only say, with millions of others, that I have done many things I should not have done, and have left undone still more which ought to have been done; that I can see where hundreds of opportunities have been neglected, but on the whole am content; and feel sure that I can travel this broad country of ours, and be each night the welcome guest in palace or cabin; and, as

"all the world's stage,

And all the men and women merely players,"

I claim the privilege to ring down the curtain.

W. T. SHERMAN, General.

PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF P. H. SHERIDAN

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. AncestryBirthEarly EducationA Clerk in a Grocery StoreAppointmentMonroe ShoesJourney to West PointHazingA Fisticuff Battle Suspended Returns to ClerkshipGraduation

CHAPTER II. Ordered to Fort Duncan, Texas"Northers"Scouting DutyHuntingNearly Caught by the Indians A Primitive HabitationA Brave Drummer Boy's Death A Mexican Ball

CHAPTER III. Ordered to Fort Reading, Cal.A Dangerous Undertaking A Rescued SoldierDiscovering Indians Primitive FishingA Deserted Village Camping Opposite Fort Vancouver

CHAPTER IV. "Old Red"Skillful ShootingThe Yalima War A Ludicrous MistakeCut-mouth John's Encounter Father Pandoza's MissionA Snow-Storm Failure of the Expedition

CHAPTER V. An Indian ConfederationMassacre at the Cascades of the ColumbiaPlan to Relieve the Block-House A Hazardous Movement A New Method of Establishing GuiltExecution of the Indian Murderers

CHAPTER VI. Misdirected Vengeance Honorable Mention A Change of CommandEducated OxenFeeding the IndiansPurchasing a Burying-Ground Knowing Rats

CHAPTER VII. Learning the Chinook LanguageStrange Indian Customs Their DoctorsSam PatchThe Murder of a Woman In a Tight PlaceSurprising the Indians Conflicting Reports of the Battle of Bull Run Secession Question in CaliforniaAppointed a CaptainTransferred to the East

CHAPTER VIII. Auditing AccountsChief Quartermaster and Commissary of the Army of Southwest MissouriPreparing for the Pea Ridge CampaignA Difference with General CurtisOrdered to the FrontAppointed a Colonel

CHAPTER IX. Expedition to BoonevilleDestroying Supplies Confederate StragglersSuccess of the Expedition A ReconnoissanceThe Importance of Bodily SustenanceThe Battle of BoonevilleRecommended for Appointment as a Brigadier-General

CHAPTER X. In Camp near RienziGeneral GrangerA Valuable Capture at RipleyRaiding a CornFieldRepulsing an AttackPresented with the Black Horse "Rienzi" Meeting General GrantAppointed a Brigadier-General

CHAPTER XI. Good Advice from General NelsonHis Tragic Death Putting Louisville in a State of Defense Assigned to the Command of the Eleventh Division Capture of Chaplin HeightsBattle of Perryville Reported Among the KilledA Thrilling Incident General Buell Relieved by General Rosecrans

CHAPTER XII. Moving to Bowling GreenJames Card, the Scout and GuideGeneral SillColonel SchaeferColonel G. W. RobertsMovement on Murfreesboro' Opening of the Battle of Stone River

CHAPTER XIII. Assault on our Right FlankOccupying a New Position The Enemy Checked Terrible Loss of Officers Ammunition Gives OutReconstructing the Line Collecting the Wounded and Burying the Dead Dealing with CowardsResults of the Victory

CHAPTER XIV. Appointed a Major-GeneralThe Secret Expedition under Card the ScoutHis Capture by Guerrillas EscapeA Revenge PartyWomen Soldiers A Fight with SabresTullahoma Campaign A Foolish Adventure

CHAPTER XV. Ordered to Occupy BridgeportA SpyThe Battle of ChickamaugaGeneral ThomasTreated to Coffee Results of the Battle

CHAPTER XVI At ChattanoogaThe Enemy Fortifies Lookout Mountain and Missionary RidgeReorganizing the Army Removal of General RosecransPunishment of DesertersGrant at ChattanoogaThe Fight on Lookout MountainA Brave Color-Bearer Battle of Missionary Ridge

CHAPTER XVII. Ordered to Return to ChattanoogaMarch to Knoxville Collecting Subsistence StoresA Clever Stratagem A Bridge of WagonsLooking Out for the Personal Comfort of the SoldiersA Leave of Absence Ordered to WashingtonParting with Sheridan's Division

CHAPTER XVIII. At WashingtonMeeting Secretary StantonInterview with President LincolnMade Commander of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac Its OfficersGeneral 'Meade's Method of Using CavalryOpening of the CampaignSpottsylvania Court HouseA Difference with General Meade Preparing to Fight Stuart's Cavalry

CHAPTER XIX. The Expedition StartsDestroying SuppliesOpening of the Fight at Yellow TavernGeneral Custer's Brilliant ChargeDeath of General StuartRemoving TorpedoesExcitement in RichmondA Night March Enterprising NewsboysThe Effects of Stuart's Defeat and DeathEnd of the First Expedition Its Great Success and Beneficial Results

CHAPTER XX. General Wilson's Advance Toward Hanover Court HouseCrossing the PamunkeyEngagement of Hawe's ShopFight at Matadequin CreekCapture of Cold HarborThe Fight to Retain the PlaceMovements of General Wilson

CHAPTER XXI. The Movement to the JamesThe Second Expedition Battle of Trevillian StationDefeat of General Wade HamptonMallory's CrossroadsSuffering of the WoundedSecuring the TrainsGeneral Gregg's Stubborn Fight

CHAPTER XXII. General Wilson's RaidDestroying Railroads His DiscomfitureResults of his RaidRemounts Movement to the North Side of the James Deceiving LeeMy Isolated PositionEstimate of HancockSuccess of the CavalryTheir Constant Duties

CHAPTER XXIII. General Hunter's Successful March and Subsequent RetreatGeneral Jubal A. Early Threatens Washington Chambersburg, Pa., BurnedSelected to Operate Against General EarlyThe Shenandoah Valley The Confederate Army

CHAPTER XXIV. Moving on General EarlyGeneral Grant's Letter of InstructionsDestroying the Resources of the Valley Reason for the DestructionWithdrawal to Halltown Alarm in the North over the Retrograde Movement Renewing the Advance up the ValleyGeneral Anderson's Attempt to Return to Petersburg Strength of the Armies

VOLUME II.

CHAPTER I. Organizing ScoutsMiss Rebecca WrightImportant InformationDecides to Move on NewtownMeeting General GrantOrganization of the Union Army Opening of the Battle of the Opequon Death of General RussellA Turning Movement A Successful Cavalry ChargeVictoryThree Loyal GirlsAppointed a BrigadierGeneral in the Regular ArmyRemarks on the Battle

CHAPTER II. Pursuing EarlyA Secret MarchFisher's Hill A Great SuccessRemoval of AverellThe Retreat Capturing an Old ComradeThe Murder of Lieutenant Meigs

CHAPTER III. Reasons for Not Pursuing Early Through the Blue Ridge General Torbert Detailed to Give General Rosser a "Drubbing"General Rosser Routed Telegraphed to Meet StantonLongstreet's Message Return to WinchesterThe Ride to Cedar Creek The Retreating ArmyRallying the Troops Reforming the LineCommencing the AttackDefeat of the ConfederatesAppointed a Major-General in the Regular ArmyResults of the Battle

CHAPTER IV. General Early Reorganizes His ForcesMosby the GuerrillaGeneral Merritt sent to Operate Against MosbyRosser Again ActiveGeneral Custer SurprisedColonel Young Sent to Capture Gilmore the GuerrillaColonel Young's Success Capture of General Kelly and General Crook SpiesWas Wilkes Booth a SpyDriving the Confederates Out of the ValleyThe Battle of Waynesboro'Marching to join the Army of the Potomac

CHAPTER V. Transferred to PetersburgGeneral Raw'ins's Cordial WelcomeGeneral Grant's Orders and PlansA Trip with Mr. Lincoln and General GrantMeeting General ShermanOpposed to Joining the Army of the Tennessee Opening of the Appomattox CampaignGeneral Grant and General Rawlins

CHAPTER VI. Battle of Dinwiddie Court HousePickett Repulsed Reinforced by the Fifth CorpsBattle of Five ForksTurning the Confederate LeftAn Unqualified SuccessRelieving General WarrenThe Warren Court of InquiryGeneral Sherman's Opinion

CHAPTER VII. Result of the Battle of Five ForksRetreat of Lee An Intercepted DespatchAt Amelia Court House Battle of Sailor's CreekThe Confederates' Stubborn ResistanceA Complete Victory Importance of the Battle

CHAPTER VIII. Lincoln's Laconic DespatchCapturing Lee's Supplies Delighted EngineersThe Confederates' Last EffortA Flag of TruceGeneral Geary's "Last Ditch" AbsurdityMeeting of Grant and Lee The SurrenderEstimate of General Grant

CHAPTER IX. Ordered to Greensboro', N. C.March to the Dan RiverAssigned to the Command West of the MississippiLeaving WashingtonFlight of General EarlyMaximilianMaking Demonstrations on the Upper Rio GrandeConfederates Join MaximilianThe French Invasion of Mexico, and its Relations to the RebellionAssisting the LiberalsRestoration of the Republic

CHAPTER X. A. J. Hamilton Appointed Provisional Governor of TexasAssembles a Constitutional Convention The Texans DissatisfiedLawlessnessOppressive LegislationEx-ConfederatesControlling LouisianaA Constitutional ConventionThe Meeting SuppressedA Bloody RiotMy Reports of the MassacrePortions Suppressed by President JohnsonSustained by a Congressional Committee The Reconstruction Laws

CHAPTER XI. Passage of the Reconstruction Act Over the President's VetoPlaced in Command of the Fifth Military DistrictRemoving OfficersMy Reasons for Such ActionAffairs in Louisiana and Texas Removal of Governor WellsRevision of the jury ListsRelieved from the Command of the Fifth Military District CHAPTER XII. At Fort LeavenworthThe Treaty of Medicine Lodge Going to Fort DodgeDiscontented Indians Indian OutragesA Delegation of ChiefsTerrible Indian RaidDeath of ComstockVast Herds of BuffaloPreparing for a Winter CampaignMeeting "Buffalo Bill"He Undertakes a Dangerous Task Forsyth's Gallant FightRescued

CHAPTER XIII. Fitting Out the Winter ExpeditionAccompanying the Main ForceThe Other ColumnsStruck by a Blizzard Custer's Fight on the WashitaDefeat and Death of Black KettleMassacre of Elliott's PartyRelief of Colonel Crawford

CHAPTER XIV. A Winter ExpeditionHerds of BuffaloWolves BlizzardsA Terrible NightFinding the Bodies of Elliott's PartyThe Abandoned Indian Camps Pushing Down the WashitaThe Captured Chiefs Evans's Successful FightEstablishing Fort Sill "California Joe"Duplicity of the Cheyennes Ordered to Repair to Washington

CHAPTER XV. Inspecting Military Posts in Utah and Montana Desire to Witness the FrancoGerman War On a Sand-Bar in the MissouriA Bear Hunt An Indian ScareMyriads of MosquitoesPermission Given to Visit Europe Calling on President Grant Sailing for LiverpoolArrival in Berlin

CHAPTER XVI. Leaving for the Seat of WarMeeting with Prince BismarckHis Interest in Public Opinion in America His Inclinations in Early LifePresented to the King The Battle of GravelotteThe German PlanIts Final SuccessSending News of the VictoryMistaken for a Frenchman

CHAPTER XVII. Searching for QuartersHunting up Provisions A Slender BreakfastGoing over the Battle-Field The German ArtilleryA Group of Wounded Dining With the KingOn the MarchThe Bavarians KirschwasserUrging on the Troops

CHAPTER XVIII. After McMahonThe Battle of BeaumontThe French SurprisedThe Marching of the German Soldiers The Battle of SedanGallant Cavalry Charges Defeat of the FrenchThe Surrender of Napoleon Bismarck and the KingDecorating the Soldiers

CHAPTER XIX. Riding Over the BattleFieldDestruction of BazeillesMistakes of the FrenchMarshal Bazaine On to ParisA Week in MeauxRheimsOn the Picket-LineUnder FireA SurrenderAt Versailles General Burnside and Mr. Forbes in Paris BrusselsDeciding to Visit Eastern EuropeAustria Down the DanubeIn ConstantinopleThe Ladies of the HaremThe SultanTurkish Soldiers A BanquetA Visit in AthensKing George of GreeceVictorEmmanuelBedeviled with Cares of StateDeer ShootingA Military DinnerReturn to VersaillesGermans Entering ParisCriticism on the Franco-Prussian WarConclusion