318

party, with a lorn of about 650 killed, and

firobably not lens than 1,300 wounded. Sherman ust less'than 000 In killed, wounded and missing.

Battle Near Winchester, Va.—General Crook, with a small Union force, was* defeated on the 24th of July, 1864, by the Confederates under General Early.

ITnlon Raids In Oeorala—In the lAtter part of July, 1864. General Sherman organized two cavalry expedition!* to destroy the 31 aeon railroad, which was* a source of Confederate supplies. They constated of General Stoneman, with 6.000 Union cavalry, and General McCook with 4.000 cavalry. Another object was to release the Union prisoner* at Anderson ville. In making a premature descent upon Andersonville. Stoneman encountered a superior force of Confederates, who defeated him and took him and "00 of his men prisoners. McCook proceeded to the Macon railroad, but Stoneman fallinir to meet him there, he withdrew to Newman, Ga.. where he fell in with a considerable force of Confederate infantry. Surrounding McCook's command they forced him into a battle, compelling him to right his way out, which he did with the loss of 500 of his men. He then returned to the main army at Marietta. Substantially the raid was a serious failure.

Chamheriburg. Pa.. Plundered and nnrned—July 30. 1H64. a cavalry force under the Confederate General McCausland. entered Chambersburg. plundered the citizens, and burned about 250 buildings, at an estimated loss of •1,000,000.

Battle of Moorefleld, W. Va.- Fought August 7, 1864. between Union cavalry' under Averilland a body of Confederate cavalry, the latter being defeated with the loss of all their artillery, 50 prisoners, many wagons and small arms. The remainder were driven to the mountains,

Farratrut'i Fleet at Mobile, Ala.— August 6, 1804. the Union fleet commanded by Rear-Admiral Farragut, commenced the attack in Mobile bay by blowing up and causing the evacuation of the Confederate Fort Powell, permitting the passage of 17 Union vessels Into the bay. One had been sunk by the fort batteries; the Confederate war-vessel Tennessee surrendered after a sharp engagement, and her commander, Buchanan, was killed: another Confederate vessel waa captured and another was beached. On August 7, Farragut opened tire on the Confederate Fort Gaines, which contained 600 men. On the 8th this ♦ort was surrendered by its officer. A co-oj>erating federal force, under General Granger, assisted In tne reduction of another Confederate fort on Aagust 23, leaving Farragut iu control of the ci trance of the bay.

Sheridan In the Shenandoah Valley, Vti..— From August 9 to the 15th, 1864. General She -tdau's Union cavalry had several encounters of more or less severity with the Confederates umkr Karl v. Skirmishes occurred within ten mile; of Winchester; Sulphur Springs bridge, whui' Custer's Union cavalry were repulsed; near Whil- Post, the Confederate* retiring after a 3 hours' contest; at Newtown, which Early succeeded In holding; nearStrasburg. Early retiring, and the Unionists occupying the town; at Berryville. where Mosby's force captured Sheridan's supply train, destroying a large number of wagons and driving off several hundred horses, mules and beef cattle. Sheridan's force, August 15, 1864. retired to Charlestown.

Battle at Deep Bottom, Va.—Fought August It. 18*4. between the Federal forces and a •Ulterior number of Confederate*, the former being obliged to retire, though without heavy losses.

FI*hU on the IVcldnn Railroad, Va.,

—August IK. 1864. the Unionists made an advance upon this road, in order to cut oft* the enemy's supplies, but were driven hack by the Confederates. A sharp fight followed, and the lost ground retaken and fortified. Next day the right was renewed and the Union lines were broken. This battle cost the Unionist* about 3.000 men. a great proportion being taken prisoners. On the 2lst the Confederate* made another vigorous attempt to dislodge the Unionists from the road, but were repulsed with a severe loss; the Unionists suffered out slightly in comparison.

Battle of Ream's Station, Va.—Fought August 25. 1864. between the Union corp* under Hancock and a heavy force of Early's Confederate army, the latter being the Attacking party. Both sides fought desperately, and Hanooek withdrew from Ream's station, having lost V cannon and 3.000 men killed, wounded and taken prisoners. The Confederates lost 1.500 killed and wounded. This battle gave the Confederates repossession of the Weldon railroad southward, although the track had previously been destroyed by the Unionists.

Kllpatrlek'a Raid In Georsrl a—General KIIPatrick, of Sherman's Union army, with 5.000 cavalrv. August 18, 1864. broke the track of the

West Point railroad, near Fairbum, and then struck the Macon road, near Jonesboro. Here he encountered a heavy force of Confederates, under Ross, but maintained possession of the road for several hours. Finding himself likely to be overwhelmed by numbers, he retreated, made a circuit and again struck the road at Lovejoy's station. Here he was once more menaced by the Confederates. Making a charge upon them, capturing 4 cannon and a number of prisoners, he retired to Decatur, without having very seriously broken up the Macon railroad.

Buttle of Jonesboro, Ga.- Fought August 31. 1864, between a force under Howard, of Sherman's Union army, and a heavy force of Confederates from Hood's army, under Hardee, and Lee's command. The conflict in front of Jonesboro lasted two hours, when the Confederates withdrew to their fortifications. Their loss, as officially reported by Hood, was 1.400 killed and wounded. Union losses were comparatively light. On the first of September General Davis, with a body of Union cavalry, attacked the Confederate lines at Jonesboro, carrying their fortifications, and the Confederates effected their escape southward. In the meantime the Unionists were busily engaged in destroying the Macon railroad.

Rulders In Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky — The Confederate cavalry under Wheeler, after breaking the Union railroad and destroying property at Adairsvtlle and Calhoun, Ga.. August 14, 1864, demanded the surrender of Dalton, then occupied by less than 500 Unionists under Colonel Lai bold. This was refused, and Wheeler sharply attacked Laibold's position, but the latter having been reinforced next morning, Wheeler was driven off. Wheeler then passed Into Tennessee, and formed a Union with Forrest and other raiders; but the whole were driven from the State by the Union forces under Generals Rousseau, Stead man and Granger. September 4, 1864, the famous Confederate guerrilla, John Morgan, was sur

Crised and killed near Greenville, Tenn.. by a nion force under General Oil I em, his band being dispersed or captured. September 8, 1864, the Confederate raider, Jessie, and 100 of bis men were captured at Ghent, in Kentucky.

Surrender or Atlanta, Ga.-The grand object of Sherman's Union expedition to Atlanta was achieved on the night of September 1. 1864, by the Confederate General Hood and his forces evacuating the city and its fort ideations. Before leaving, lie blew up seven trains of cars and destroyed other property. General Slocum, of the 20th Union Army corps, occupied the city September 2, anil It then became the headquarters of the Federal army in Georgia, Hood withdrew to Macon.

Battle of Winchester, Va. — Fought September 19, 1864. between a heavy force of Confederates under Early, in position nearWinche*ter, and Union troops under Averill and Sheridan. The right lasted from noon until Ave o'clock in the evening, when the Confederates retreated, pursued by Sheridan's troops. Union loss 653 killed, 3,719 wounded, and 618 captured. Confederate loss, about 6.000—2.000 wounded were found in the hospitals at Winchester, and about 3,000 were taken prisoners.

Battle of Fisher's Hill, Va. - Fought September 22. 1864. between Sheridan's Union army and Early's Confederate troops, who were intrenched at that point. A flanking movement and a general charge along the Confederate lines compelled the latter to evacuate their fortifications, the Unionists pursuing them through the night. Early's loss was about 300 killed and wounded, and also 1.100 prisoners, 16 cannon, with his camp equipage, wagons, horses, small arms, and ammunition. Sheridan's loss was about 300 men. By the 29th of September, the Confederates had been driven from the Shenandoah valley.

Battle of Pilot Knob, Mo. - The Confederate Geneml Price, with a force estimated at 10.000 men invaded Missouri, from Arkansas, September S3, 1864. raiding the country with apparently but little opposition. On the 26th Price attacked the little town of Pilot Knob, then occupied by a Union brigade under General Ewing, but was repulsed in all his attempts with severe losses. Price then occupying Shepherd's mountain, in that vicinity, Ewing blew up his magazine and retired to Harrison's station, where he intrenched. Price closely pursued him. breaking up the railroad, but Ewing finally escaped to Holla, with little loss, from the dangers that surrounded him.

Price Defeated — During the month of October. 1864, the Confederate General Price committed various depredations in Missouri, although harassed and watched by Union forces under several commanders. October 25. when on the Fort Scott <Kas. t railroad. Price was beaten with serious loss. On the 26th. at Mine Creek, his Generals Marmaduke and Cabell, with a large number of their men, were captured; and be was

defeated also at Des Cygnes. Kas., on the STth. and on the 28th at Newtonia. This ended tb* invasion of Missouri. Price lost 10 cannon, a large number of small arras. 1.966 prisoner* (besides his killed, wounded and desertersi, mad nearly all his trains and plunder. His defeat «u caused by the exertions of 7,000 Union cavalry, whose total losses In killed, wounded and miaciag. were less than 350.

Battle of Allatoona, Ga.—On the 5th October, 1864. a strong force of Conferral** under General French, unsuccessfully attacked the small Union garrison under General Cor**. with a loss of 2,000 men, killed and captured. Union loss 700 men, over one-third of the entirv command. General Corse was wounded In the face.

Battle of Thorns* Brook, Va,-Fought October 8, 1864, between Union cavalry, under Generals Merrltt and Custer, and the Confederal* cavalry divisions of Generals Kosser and Loma i_ The latter were defeated and driven twenty miles. with the loss of about 330 prisoners and several cannon. The Union loss was less than 100.

Battle of Cedar Creek. Vs. — Fought October 19, 1864, between Sheridan's Union arm* (he being temporarily absent, but returning before the right was over), and Early's Confederate forces in the valley of the Shenandoah. The latter were the attacking party, but their assault was steadily met. after the first panic, by the Unionists, who subsequently repulsed and routed their foes. During the first part of the battle It i» estimated that the Unionists lost 1.300 prisoners, » cannon, considerable camp equipage, am balances, wagons and medical supplies. Before tb* close of the contest the Unionists, it is estimated, captured and recaptured the following 1.964 prisoners, 48 cannon, 398 horses and mules, 65 ambulances, 60 wagons, 15,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 1,580 small arms. 10 battle-flag*, harness, medical stores, etc The Confederate* lost about 3,000 men In killed, wounded and pri» oners. The Unionists lost 5.990, including 1.0*0 temporarily missing, and a large number of oflcers. But the victory, (hough gained at heavy loss, was considered decisive for the L'nionut*.

Bombardment and Capture of Plymouth, K. C—Commodore Macomb, with 7 Lnioa gunboats, began bombarding the Confederate stronghold of Plymouth, N. C, October 2». 16*4. The attack lasted until the 31.«t, when a Union shell exploded the Confederate magazine, and soon afterwards the Union commander took p*asession of the place without further resistance.

Sherman's March from Atlnnta to Savannah, Ga.—On the 1st of November. 1*64 the Confederate force under Mood in Georgia was estimated at 35.000 infantry and 10.000 cavalry. About this time Sherman arranged the details for his expedition from Atlanta to the sea-coast through the Confederate State of Georgia. The Union army for this enterprise comprised 60 090 infantry, 6.500 cavalry, and between 60 and 70 pieces of artillery. On the 14th of November the storehouses, depot buildings and macblae shops, covering 200 acres In the city of Atlanta, were burned by the Unionists, and but little more than the dwellings and churches of the plaee rar vived the flames. On the 15th of Novemt«er tb* advance guard of the expedition left Atlanta, followed on the next day by the main army.

Battle Xriir Morrlstown, Ten. —

Fought November 13-14. 1864. between General Breckenridge. with a Confederate force estimated at 3.000 strong, and General Gillem. with 1.50* Unionists and 6 cannon. The latter were routed losing several hundred prisoners and artillery. Gillem then escaped, with the remainder of hb force, to Knoxville.

Battle of Hollow-Tree Gap, Tean.Four miles from Franklin. Thomas' Union cavalry overtook Hood's retreating Confederate amy. November 17. 1864. and attacked it In front and rear, capturing 413 prisoners and three Uattleflags.

Another Battle at Franklin, Tcn*.Hood's Confederate army then fell back to Franklin, but Johnson's division of Thomas* Union army repulsed them on the Harpcin river bank, and Union cavalry took possession of the town, capturing the Confederate hospitals, containinir nwrt than 2.000 wounded men. 200 of whom were Union Ists. Hood was still pursued after leaving Franklin, but escaped into the Interior of Georgia, with but little additional loss.

Battle of Grlawoldvllle. ©a-— Fought November 22. 1864. between a detachment of kJl Patrick's Union cavalry i from Sherman'* arret ■ with a brigade of Union Infantry, and about »,*•» Confederates, mo«tly militia, with sosne of Hardee's corps. The latter were the attacking party. The right was brief but sanguinary, aad tv«uited in the retreat of the Confederate*, vis left more thar »no of their dead on the field and lost more than t.OCO in wounded and prtsuaera The Union loss was abvut M killed and wounded.

Occupation of Mllledgevlllo, the Capital or Oeorirlu — Sh firman** Union army occupied Mllledgeville, November 23, 1861. The Confederate legislature, in session there, hastily adjourned, and the citizens were panic-stricken. The I'm.mists burned the magazines, arsenals, depot-buildings, various factories, store-houses, containing large amounts of Confederate public property, and about 1,700 bales of cotton. Private property was everywhere respected. Railroads were generally torn up and destroyed.

Capture of Fort McAllister, near Siiviiiinah, Oa. — The fort was manned by about 200 men. Confederate Infantry and artillery, and lay in Sherman's way to the objective point of his expedition, the city of Savannah. December 13, 1864. the fort was carried, in n single assault, by nine regiments of Unionists. On the same day Sherman was enabled to communicate with the Union naval squadron at the mouth of the Ogeechee river, under Admiral Dahlgren and General Foster.

Capture of Savannah, Oa.—A demand from the Union General Sherman upon the Confederate General Hardee, who then occupied Savannah, for the surrender of the city, November 17, 1864. was refused. Sherman, therefore, prepared to carry the place by a military and naval assault. Hardee, recognizing the exigencies of the times, evacuated the city on the night of November20, first destroying the Confederate war vessels In the harbor; and thus Sherman's expedition successfully terminated. Hardee's command moved toward Charleston, S. C.

Result* of Sherman** Expedition from Atlanta to Nil VJiniuih —Sherman's Union army brought with them to Savannah 15.000 slaves, more than 1,000 prisoners, 150 cannon, 13 locomotives In good order, 190 railroad cars, a very large supply of ammunition and other war material, three steamers and 32,000 bales of cotton, besides achieving national benefits growing out of the success of his expedition.

Hood In Tennessee and Alabama-The Confederate General Hood, who had retired before Sherman's Union army to GaylesvfUe, In Northeastern Alabama, visited Jacksonville, and thence proceeded northwesterly toward the Tennessee river, watched by the Union forces under General Thomas. The Confederate troops began their northward march about November 20. 1864. approaching Pulaski, Tenn. At this point. General 8c ho tie Id and General A. J. Smith concentrated their Union forces, on learning of Hood's approach. The latter moved directly upon Gaynes

boro, thus flanking Schofleld, who fell back to Columbia, and being pursued by Hood, retreated to Franklin.

Battle or Spring Hill, Tenn.-Hood, with his Confederate army, attacked Schofleld's Union cavalry November 29, 1864. A tight ensued, in which Schofleld lost less than 300 men, and then he retreated to Franklin, 18 miles from Nashville. Here he formed his lines In a strong position and prepared for a battle with Hood.

Buttle of Franklin, Tenn. — Fought November 30, 1864, between Schofleld's Union force, consisting of two army divisions, commanded by Generals Stanley and Cox, and two corps of Hood's Confederate army, under Generals Lee and Cheatham. The tight was extremely hot. the Confederates making repeated charges upon the Union batteries; but the Confederates were Anally repulsed, and Schofleld was reinforced by General Smith's corps. The Union loss was 189 killed, 1,033 wounded, and 1.104 missing. Hood's loss was 1,750 killed, 3,800 wounded, and 702 taken prisoners.

Skirmish at Overall's Creek, Tenn.—

Fought December 4, 1864, at the blockhouse, occupied by a Union force and Bates division of Cheatham's Confederate corps, the latter attacking the former, and using artillery. The Union General Milroy coming up with infantry, cavalry and artillery, attacked the Confederates and drove them off.

Battle Near Murfreesboro, Tenn. — Fought December 5, 8. and 7, 1884. General Rousseau and about 8.000 Unionists were occupying Fortress Kosecrans, and were approached by two divisions of Lee and Cheatham's Confederate corps, with 2.500 of Forrest's Confederate cnvalry. The Confederates hesitating to attack the fort General Milroy, with seven regiments of Union infantry, was sent out to engage them. He found them a short distance off, posted behind rail breastworks. A tight ensued, in which the Confederates were routed, with the loss of 30 killed, 175 wounded. 207 prisoners, and two cannon. On the same day Buford's Confederate cavalry entered Murfreesboro and shelled It, but were speedily driven out by a regiment of Union Infantry and a section of artillery.

A Union Raid In Virginia —By orders from General Grant, December 6, 1864. a Union force of 20,000 men, with 22 cannon, proceedec down the line of the Weldon railroad, with instructions to destroy the road and penetrate the enemy's country, capturing such points and sup

plies as should come in their way. The weathei was bad, but the expedition, which was absent a week, was mainly successful. Some opposition was encountered, but the entire loss of the Union ists did not exceed 100 men. They destroyed S railroad bridges, 15 miles of track, burned Sussex Court-house, and brought In a few prisoners.

Battle or Nashville, Tenn.—Fought December 15 and 16, 1864, between General Thomns, with four corps of Union Infantry and Wi|*cn'3 cavalry, dismounted, aided by a division of RearAdmiral Lee's Mississippi naval squadron, unu Hood's concentrated army of Confederates. The first day's flght resulted In driving the Confederates from their intrenchments with a loss of abjut 600 killed and wounded, 1,000 prisoners and 16 great guns. The Union loss that day was about 500 killed and wounded. The attack was rene >od by the Unionists next morning on Hood's aew position, and resulted, soon after noon In *ne complete rout of the Confederates, suffering severe losses. All their dead and wounded were left on the field of battle. The Confederate losses In the two days' contests footed up about 2,000 killed and wounded, 4,462 prisoners captured. Including 287 officers, 53 cannon and thousands of small amis. The Confederates were pursued.

Stonemun*s Bald In Virginia—December

15. 1864, Generals Stoneman and Burbridge of the Union jinny in Tennessee, sallied out to Glade's Spring, W. Va., destroyinga railroad track east of Abingdon, and mining the principal salt works in that region. This movement severed the Confederate communication between Richmond and East Tennessee, and deprived the Confederates of Important public property.

The Flush at Fort Fisher, N. C—In

December, 1864, an expedition was fitted out under the Union Generals Butler and Weitsel and the North Atlantic naval squadron, under Admiral Porter, to break up the Confederate bbicknderunner's depot at Wilmington, N. C A preliminary explosion, December 23, 1864, havlnj failed to reduce the fort to splinters, the fleet attacked It next day. Five hours' cannonading, resisted by the Confederate garrison, resulted In blowing up two magazines within the lnclosure and setting It on fire in several places. Deeembe- 25 the assault was renewed on sea and shore by the Union forces, but General Weitzel reporting, utter a reconnoissance, that it would be inexpedient to carry the fort by assault, the attempt was abandoned, leaving the fort substantially uninj'ired, and the expedition retired.

Battle at Beverly, W. Va.— Fought January 11. 1865, between a Union force occupying the town and Confederate troops under General Rosser. The former were defeated, the latter capturing the town and a large portion of the force defending it.

Capture of Fort Fisher, X. C—The Union assault upon Fort Fisher, the formidable Confederate stronghold at Wilmington, N. C., mounting 72 great guns, was resumed January 13, 1865, by about 8.000 Union troops under General Terry, with Admiral Porter's fleet and 1,000 or more marines—a Confederate force of 2,300 men occupying the fort. The fleet began the bombardment of the fort on that day, and in the afternoon of the 15th the Union soldiers, with the sailors and marines, attacked the fort by land and sea. At 4 o'clock one-half of the fort had been captured. That evening reinforcements of Union soldiers arrived, and the Confederate defense surrendered. The lighting had been very severe. Of the garrison, 217 were killed or wounded, besides the force surrendered. The Union loss was about 1,000. besides which were 200 men killed or wounded on the next day by the accidental blowing up of a magazine.

Fight at Fort Anderson, 7i. C. — Fort Anderson, one of the defenses of the mouth of Cape Fear river, near Wilmington, defended by about 6,000 Confederates, under General Hoke, strongly Intrenched, was attacked, January 18, 1865, by 8.000 Union soldiers of Cox's division. under General Schofleld, and Admiral Porter, with 14 gunboats and a monitor. A heavy flre from the fleet and the operations of the land force continued during the day, and before daylight on the 19th the Confederates evacuated the fort. The Confederate loss was 12 cannon, a quantity of ammunition, and about 50 prisoners. The Unionists lost 3 killed and 5 wounded In the fleet, and less than 50 killed and wounded in the skirmishes of the land forces.

Skirmishes on Town Creek, \". C — Fought January 20. 1865. between a Confederate force in rifle-pits and Union troops under Terrr. The latter lost 10 killed and 47 wounded, but drove the Confederates inside their works. A

similar Union force soon afterwards charged upon some Confederates in the same vicinity. They were met with grnpe and canister. Another charge was then made by the Union soldiers, and the Confederates were routed, with the loss of 2 cannon and 373 prisoners, the reBt escaping. The Union loss was about 30.

Evacuation of Wilmington, TS. C. —

January 21. 1865, finding themselves beleaguered with a neavy Union force, the Confederates pre

Eared to evacuate Wilmington. That night they urned their war material and stores, about 1,000 bales of cotton, 15.000 barrels of resin, extensive cotton-sheds and presses, an unfinished Iron-clad, three steam-mills, three large turpentine factories, with wharves, railroad bridges and other property, and moved out. At daylight on the 23d, the Union troops under Generals Terry and Cox occupied the city, taking about 700 prisoners, and capturing a large amount of Confederate property.

Sherman** March to Wilmington, Is". C, from Suvnnnah, Go. —January 13, 1865, Sherman's Union advance corps left Beaufort. N. C. On the 15th a skirmish occurred with a Confederate force on the Charleston railroad for the possession of a Confederate pontoon and trestle bridge. The Unionists succeeded In saving the bridge from being burned and drove off the Confederates. The Union loss was about 50 killed and wounded. January 19, the march of the main Union army from Savannah, under Sherman, began. By a system of feints the Unionists misled the Confederates as to their intentions. At the Sal ken a ton ie river. Mower and Smith's divisions captured a bridge from the Confederate force which held It, losing 18 killed and 70 wounded in the struggle. February 16. the Confederates surrendered the city of Columbia. S. C.. to Colonel Stone, of the 25th Iowa infantry. The Confederate soldiers set flres in the city, and that night the city was burned, and within two or three days afterwards the arsenal, railroad depots, and tracks, machine shops, foundries, etc., were destroyed by the Unionists. March 9, Wade Hampton's Confederate troops surprised Kilpa trick's and

Spencer's Union forces, resetting their jecp-i.dlzed camp equipage, artillery and horses, and driving off the Unionists. March 12-14 the Unionists spent in destroying all the buildings and much valuable military and public property. March 8, the Confederates under Hoke captured two Union regiments, commanded by Colonel Tlpham. securing over 1,000 prisoners. March 13, Hoke's Confederate force fought Cox's Union brigade, but the latter were the victors, driving off Hoke, who left his killed and wounded on the field, besides losing about 200 prisoners.

Battles at Fort Stead mi*-n and Hatcher** Bun, Va. — Fought February * and 7, 1865. between the 2d, 6th and 9th corps and Griffin's division of the 5th corps of Grant's army in Virginia and Lee's Confederate army. Stead man's fort, occupied by the 14th New York Union heavy artillery, was carried by the Confederates at the outset, and its guns were turned against the Unionists. The Confederates also captured two Union batteries between Fort Steadman and Fort Haskell, and with them lought the Union troops. They failed, however, to carry the Union Fort Haskell. A tremendous cannonade followed, the Union batteries being massed against Fort Stead man with so much vigor that some of the Confederates retreated, flrst Into the fortress and then out of it. leaving al! the guns that they had captured. A large portion of the escaping Confederates, 1,758 In all, were captured. The Confederate loss at this point was estimated at 2,500. The Union forces on the left then moved out against the Confederate intrenched lines of

ftickets, which were swept right and left, resulting n the capture of about 300 prisoners. Another attack by the Unionists, reconnoltering across Hatcher's Run. resulted in driving in another Confederate picket line, with the capture of 70 more prisoners. Subsequently the Confederates rallied their forces and attacked the 6th and 2d corps of Grant's army. The flght was severe and continued until dark and even Into the night, but the Unionists were the victors. The Confederate total losses in both battles were set down at 5,000 men—1.883 prisoners. The Unionists lost 171 killed, 1,236 wounded, and 983 missing.

320

Evacuation of Charleston, 8. C— February 18. 1865, the city of Charleston was evacuated by the Confederates, and occupied by the Union General Gilmore. A large amount of valuable property was destroyed, Including 6,000 bales of cotton. Ammunition stored in the railroad depot exploded, and many Uvea were lost. General Gilmore displayed the American flag over the ruin}* of Fort Sumter.

Sheridan's March Through the Shenandouh Valley, Va.— General Sheridan, with

a strong Union force, left Winchester, Va., February 24, 1865. Thin expedition was principally distinguished by

Sheridan'* Capture or Early** Army.

—March 2, 1865, near Waynesboro. Va., Sheridan's Union force encountered the Confederated under Early. The latter fired one volley, when General Custer's division advanced upon them. The Confederate line suddenly broke, and Ouster's force surrounded them, capturing 87 Confederate officers, 1.1<J5 enlisted men. 13 Hags, 5 cannon, more than 100 horses and mules and about 100 wagons and ambulances. Custer's brigades immediately pursued the fleeing Confederates, destroying the depot at Greenwood station, with their artillery and other captured war material. Next day the prisoners were sent to Winchester. An attempt to rescue them by the Confederate General Rosser only succeeded in his being beaten off, with the loss of 27 more prisoners. March 28. 1864, Sheridan arrived at City Point. Va., having made a most successful raid. His total losses were 2 officers and about 50 men In killed, wounded and prisoners.

Battle of Averysboro, X. C—Fought March 16. 1855, between four divisions of Sherman's Union army, under General Slocum, and about 20,000 Confederates under Hardee. After a severe action the latter retreated, leaving 108 of his doad on the field. The Union loss wan 77 killed, 477 wounded and no prisoners.

Buttle* neur Benton v llle, X. C— Fought March x18-21, 1865, between General Sherman's Union army and Johnston's Confederate army.

The latter were defeated, with heavy losses, including 267 killed and 1,625 prisoners. The Union loss in killed, wounded and missing, was 1,643. Sherman now had possession of Goldsboro, K. C, and concentrated his army there.

Skirmish on the Quaker Road, Va.— Fought March 29, 1865, between one division of Meade's Union 5th corps, with 3 batteries, and a detachment of Lee's Confederate army. After a short and Bharp conflict, the Confederates withdrew to their original position, they having made the attack. The Union loss was 459 killed, wounded and missing. That night, under a heavy Confederate cannonade, the Union 9th corps lost 51 men.

Skirmish on the Boydton Road, Va.—

Fought March 30, 1865, between Merritt's corps of Meade's Union army and Confederate infantry and cavalry. Another smart skirmish occurred between detachments of the same armies on the same day, and the total Union losses were something less than 200 men.

A Federal Repulse—Proceeding along the Boydton (Va.) road toward Five Forks. March 31. 1865, Meade's Union advance and Sheridan's Union cavalry encountered a strong force of Confederates, who stubbornly resisted the Federal advance and brought on a conflict, which l-esulted in the repulse of the Unionists, with a loss of from 2.5O0 to 3.000 men. Between 300 and 400 Confederate prisoners were captured. Subsequently, under the fire of the Union batteries, the Confederates withdrew.

Battle of Five Forks, Va.—Fought April 1, 1865, between a part of Lee's Confederate army and three divisions of Union Infantry and four of Union cavalry, commanded bv Sheridan, while Meade's army threatened the Confederate line from Dinwiddle to Petersburg. After a preliminary contest, Sheridan broke through the Confederate lines, inclosing the Five Forks fortification and it** Confederate garrison and capturing it. The battle for two hours was one of the most terrific of the war, and resulted in the utter defeat of the Confederates. They lost nearly 3,000 killed and wounded and 5,000

prisoners. The Union loit was about l.ooo men. Including General Winthrop, who was kulled

Evacuation of Petersburg, Vaw—Saturday night and Sunday morning. April 1 and 2. 1865, Grant's Union army, under Mead** and Sheridan, invested Petersburg with such ri*gor that on the afternoon of the second day Lee evacuated the place, his communication* with Richmond being severed. The losses ware rscy heavy on both sides.

Evacuation of Richmond, Va-— Petersburg having been lost. President I>avts, of the Southern Confederacy, retired from it* c*p4t*J. on Sunday, April 2, 1865, and on the following morning General Weitzei with his force entered Richmond, capturing about 5o0 cannon, & Ms) stand of arms, and 6.000 prisoners. Thirty locomotives and 300 cars were abandoned by the Confederates. The Confederate fleet was destroyed, and as the rear-guard of Lee's armv moved out of the city they tired It, burning considerable property and stores.

Surrender or General I*ee— Lee's army was followed by Grant's Union force* after the evacuation of Richmond, and on the 9th of April. 18(15. Lee surrendered to General Grant, at Appomatox Court House, Virginia, and his*, officers and men were paroled as prisoners of war. They numbered over 2/.000. Lee's lowe* in killed and wounded, from March 25 to April S, IMS. were something more than 10.000. There were r*lea.<*e>d 350 wagons, 10.000 small anus, and 30 great gun*.

Capture or Southern Cities—April 12,

1865, Mobile was captured by the Union army under General Can by. who captured 1.000 Confederate prisoners, LW cannon, and 3,000 balm of cotton. On the same dav the Unionists captured Salisbury, N. C, and Columbus. Ga- on the following day they captured Raleigh, N. C , taking Governor Vance prisoner.

The End or the War—General Johnston, of the Confederate army, surrendered to the Unionists. April 26, 1865, at Durham's station, near Greensboro, N". C. This closed the war of the Rebellion.

UIE RECORD of North American discovery and settlement may be thus briefly told: Greenland, by Icelanders, in A. D. OHO; Bahama islands, by Christopher Columbus, in 1492; Isthmus of Darien, by Columbus, in 1494; Florida, by Sebastian Cabot, in 1497; Newfoundland and Canada, by John and Sebastian Cabot, in 1497; North and South Carolina, by Sebastian Cabot, in 1498; Hudson bay, by Sebastian Cabot, in 1512; the Mississippi river, by Dc Soto, about 1541; Davis'strait, by John Davis, in 1585; the Hudson river, by Henry Hudson, in 1608; and Baffin bay. by William Baffin, in 1616. In 1500, Amerigo Vespucci explored Brazil, S. A., and gave his name to both of the American continents.

The Spaniards early settled the West India Islands and New Mexico. The French occupied Canada in 1534, with the valley of the Mississippi, and other regions south and west. The English made their first permanent settlement at Jamestown, Va., in 1607. and a few years later several districts (including the present city of New York) were populated by Hollanders and Swedes. In 1620, the Puritan Pilgrims landed on the bleak coast of Massachusetts. By 1770, England, after a series of conflicts, had captured the country, occupied by the French. Dutch, and Swedish settlers, and was in possession of nearly the whole of North America, except Mexico, which was held by Spain. Soon afterwards, Russia acquired territory on the northwestern coast. Such was the ownership of the continent when the war of the Revolution began, in 1775.

At that time there were thirteen American colonies. These afterwards became the thirteen original States.

The colonists, who were subjects of Great Britain, became restive under various restrictions placed upon them by the mother country. Among these were a species of search warrant, which permitted government officials to enter stores and private houses to search for goods upon which prescribed taxeB had not been paid.

Another was a stamp tax, which required every document used in the trade or legal business of the colonies to bear a stamp costing not less than an English shilling each, and a larger sum in proportion to the value of the document used.

This tax was afterwards repealed, but in 1767 another act of parliament provided for taxing paper, glass, tea and other goods imported into the colonies.

This enactment being resisted upon the part of the people, the EiiL'li-h government sent tn»ops to Boston to enforce the law, when a collision ensued between the troops and the citizens, in which several of the latter were killed and wounded.

Owing to the bitter opposition these taxes were soon repealed, excepting that of threepence on each pound of tea imported. But even this tax the colonists refused to pay, and when the first shipload of tea arrived in Boston harbor, the citizens went upon the vessel and threw the tea overboard.

In order to subdue and punish her American subjects, the English government thereupon devised other oppressive measures and annoyances, which, in the spring of 1775, resulted in the conflicts between the British soldiers and citizens at Concord and Lexington, and commenced the seven years war, known as the War of the Revolution for American Independence. The war had been in progress for about a year, when the Continental Congress in session at Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, July 2, 1776. adopted a resolution, introduced by Richard Henry Lee, declaring:

That these united colonies are. and of npht ought to be. free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Groat Britain is, and ought to be. totally dissolved.

Two days later the Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, was brought into Congress, and, amid intense excitement on the part of the citizens, was adopted. The announcement that it had been signed was made by the ringing of a bell in the cupola of the building. Such was the birth of American freedom.

322

DECLARATION by the representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled. Passed, Thursday, July 4, 1776.

When, in the course of human ©rents, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political band* which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature, and of nature's God. entitle thrm. a decent respect to the opinions of mankind required that they should declare the causes which impel them to the reparation.

We hold these truth* to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain Inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these lights, governments are instituted among men. deriving their Just powers from the content of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes dentructirr of these eiids.il is the right of the people to alter or to abolish It, and to institute a new government, laying ltd foundation on *uch principles, and organizing Its powers In such form, as to them -hill seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, Indeed, will dictate that governments, long established, should not be changed for light and transient on—Si and accordingly, all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils ar«> sufferable, than to right themselves, by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism. It is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new

guards for their Tuture security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such Is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of govern men t. The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of related Injuries and usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of UN absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to law* the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation In the legislature, a right Inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses, repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his Invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused, for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining. In the meantime, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states: for that purpose, obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to

pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new approtsrtatk<a# of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of Jvsttc*. by refusing his assent to laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent am hU will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new < sent hither swarms of officers to people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in time of | tng armies, without the consent of latum

He has affected to render the military tomependent of, and superior to, the civil powerHe has combined with others, to suhjert a* to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unae knowledged by our laws; riving his anssnt to their acts of pretended legislation:

Fpr quartering large bodies of armed troops among as:

For protecting them, by a mock-trial, tram punishment for any murders which they sbonM commit on the inhabitants of these stale*

For cutting off our trade with nil parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us, without our consent

For depriving us. In many cases, of taw bmefls* of trial by jury:

For transporting as beyond sens, to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free system of tngtt** »■* In a neighboring province, establishing ** an arbitrary government, and enlarging boundaries, so as to render it. at once, an vana and a fit Instrument for introducing the m absolute rule into three colonies: