Down in Dixie

DOWN IN DIXIE. 175

I do not remember attending divine service in the army, except once in the Wilderness campaign. It was at night, and the congregation stood around a blazing camp-fire. The good old chaplain exhorted the boys to prepare the way, and buckle on the whole armor. It was a striking scene. Some of the boys wept as the minister alluded to the loved ones at home, who were looking to the Army of the Potomac for a victory that would crush out the rebellion. There were few dry eyes when the benediction was pronounced, after the chaplain had urged his hearers to " be prepared to stand an inspection before the King of kings."

DOWN IN DIXIE. 187

I first saw Gen. Grant while the battle of the Wilderness was going on. In changing position during the fight, our regiment was marched around by Meade's headquarters. There were a dozen or more officers grouped about Gen. Grant and Gen. Meade. The latter wore the full uniform of a major-general, includ- ing sword and sash. He was somewhat fussy in giving directions, and a stickler for red tape. But Meade was a soldier " from heels up." Grant was plainly dressed, and wore no sword. His coat was unbuttoned, and not until he was pointed out as the commander-in-chief was he recognized by the troopers who were riding across the field.

DOWN IN DIXIE. 215

We bivouacked on the road not far from Chancel- lorsville the night before the Battle of the Wilderness. The bo3^s were in excellent spirits. Pickets were posted well out in front. Everybody was on duty. The Army of the Potomac slept that night with more than one eye open. There was something in the air that seemed to betoken a crisis. It was felt that the situation was ex- tremely hazardous — for Lee, if not for us. But the boys would have their fun.

DOWN IN DIXIE.

place. If our wishes had been consulted the Battle of the Wilderness would have been postponed until we had reached the open country further toward the rebel capi- tal. I have no doubt that surviving Confederates recall much that is unpleasant in connection with that terrible struggle. But the gray coats were responsible for it — they pitched into us before breakfast.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Over the Battle Field of Spottsylvania — Ghastly Sights in the Trenches — A Confederate Widow and her Yankee Patient — Sheridan's Bivouac — Caring for the Wounded — The Negro Exodous — Out of the Land of Bondage — Bound for the Land of Canaan — " Old Virginny Nebber Tire " 366

DOWN IN DIXIE. 189

That Grant had no suspicion of being in a tight box, as the rebel sympathizers at the North declared he was, is shown by the fact that at the very moment when his defamers asserted he was so badly crippled that had Lee attacked the Union army Grant's forces would have been destroyed, the lieutenant-general was so much on the aggressive that he was marching to renew the battle at Spottsylvania, and felt able to spare Sheridan and his splendid cavalry corps for a raid on Lee's communi- cations.

DOWN IN DIXIE. 241

But B Company did not escape so luckily in the battle of Spottsylvania, following close on the heels of the Wilderness. Several were killed outright and a number wounded. The company lost twenty-four men, killed and died, during its service — a number far above the average of companies throughout the army. The One hundred and twenty-fifth made a splendid record. I was always glad to run across the regiment at the front, and to compare notes with the Berlin boys in Company B.

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There is no question that the raid was precipitated by an interview between Little Phil and Gen. Meade in respect of the latter's changing Sheridan's orders for the movements of the cavalry to hold Spottsylvania. Grant and Sheridan agree that if the plan of the commander of the cavalry corps had been adhered to, and Sheridan had been permitted to handle his three divisions, bringing Gregg and Merritt to Wilson's sup- port at Spottsylvania, holding the bridge over the Po River, the battle of Spottsylvania would have been fou^rht, if fought at all, under circumstances entirely different — the odds would have been heavy against Lee, as Grant would have been first on the ground and in time to throw up breastworks.