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vigor of the attack of the Union fleet on their works on the island, disheartened the Rebels who were posted there, and induced them to surrender their stronghold. This protracted drama came to a sudden close on the 7th of March. At nine o'clock in the evening, a messenger was sent by the Rebel commander to Commodore Foote, proposing to capitulate, and inquiring what terms might be expected. The commodore replied, that no terms whatever would be allowed, except an unconditional surrender. At one o'clock on the morning of the 8th, the surrender was formally made. Commodore Foote immediately sent Colonel Buford with two gunboats to take possession of the island. Had the enemy not yielded at that precise period, a simultaneous attack on the island would have been made at once, by the mortar boats, the gunboats, and the land forces under General Pope. The result of this combined movement could not have been doubtful, but the voluntary surrender of the Rebel commander opportunely averted the heavy sacrifice of human life which it would necessarily have involved.

The consequences of the capture of this island were very important. The number of batteries which passed into the possession of the Federalists was eleven, mounting seventy heavy guns. A floating battery of sixteen lighter cannon, which the Rebels had cut adrift, was afterward recovered. A vast quantity of munitions of war, four steamers, and several gunboats, were also taken. The number of prisoners captured was seventeen officers, three hundred and sixty-eight privates, beside several hundred sick and wounded. The defence of the island had been conducted by the Rebel General William D. Makall, who became a prisoner of war. As soon as the surrender of the works became known, the Confederate troops stationed on the Tennessee shore retreated with precipitation. This great victory, as might reasonably be expected, filled the nation with rejoicing; and they approved with sincerity the message which was immediately afterward sent to the victors by the Secretary of the Navy, expressive of the public gratitude for their services, and exultation at their

success.

Major-General John Pope, who divided with Commodore Foote the chief glory attendant upon this conquest, was born in Kentucky in 1823. He entered West Point Academy in 1838, and graduated in 1842, receiving the brevet rank of second lieutenant of topographical engineers. He distinguished himself by his gallantry during the Mexican war, especially at the battles of Monterey and Beuna Vista; receiving the brevet rank of first lieutenant and captain for meritorious services in those battles. He subsequently served in New Mexico and in Minnesota Territory as an engineer officer. In 1854, by appointment of Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War, he explored the route for a Pacific railroad from the Red river to the Rio Grande, examining in connection with it the Llang Estacado or Staked Plain in Texas. In 1856 he was promoted to a

captaincy. For the next three years he was engaged in engineering duties in the Western Military Department. In May, 1861, he was made a brigadier-general of volunteers. Though younger than many of his associate officers of similar rank in the army, General Pope was inferior to few of them in energy, ability, and professional skill. His achieve. ments at New Madrid and Island Number Ten, especially his bold and original conception of cutting a channel through the swampy bayou near that island, and the success which attended his persevering efforts, deserve to hold a prominent place, and to be invested with no secondary interest, among the many thrilling and noteworthy events which, in all coming time, will enliven and decorate the annals of the civil war in the United States.

After the conquest of Roanoke Island by General Burnside, that officer prepared to extend his operations; and on the 10th of March sailed southward through Pamlico Sound, for the purpose of assailing the Rebel fortifications which had been erected at Newbern. This place is situated at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers, about a hundred and fifty miles from Roanoke Island. It was a port of entry for North Carolina, and the capital of Craven county. Its capture was a necessary preliminary to the attack on Beaufort, in North Carolina, as well as to that on Fort Macon. The batteries of the Rebels had been erected two miles below Newbern. Their earthworks extended over a front of nearly two miles, mounted forty-six heavy guns, and were defended by a numerous force. The attack was made on the 14th of March, the troops having been landed on the previous evening at the mouth of Slocum Creek, on the west side of the Neuse river, about fifteen miles below Newbern. They were divided by General Burnside into three brigades, commanded by Generals Reno, Parks, and Foster. The Rebels had also erected a series of batteries along the banks of the Neuse. These were successively attacked and taken by the Federal troops, in their advance toward Newbern. In front of their intrenchments the enemy had felled a number of trees, and these were so arranged as to form an almost impenetrable abattis. The works were defended by about four thousand Rebels, while a reserve of four thousand was stationed at Newbern. The Federals, eight thousand in number, advanced with spirit to the attack on the works at which the Rebels had determined to make their final and most desperate stand. A conflict of three hours' duration ensued. The Federals fought at musket range until their ammunition was exhausted. General Burnside then ordered a general charge to be made with the bayonet. This movement, executed with the utmost gallantry, decided the issue of the day. The Rebels fled with precipitation, and left the most valuable trophies in possession of the victors. During the progress of the battle, an important advantage was gained by the Federalists, by a flank movement effected by the second brigade, commanded by General Reno,

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assisted by a portion of the third. The Rebels fought with desperation; and in one instance, when a portion of the twenty-first Massachusetts regiment had advanced with too much eagerness within the intrenchments of the enemy, they were overpowered by superior numbers and compelled to retreat. The advantage, however, was but temporary; for soon afterward the whole mass of Rebel troops were driven in the greatest confusion from their works. They left all their guns unspiked. These fell into the hands of the victors, together with three thousand small arms, three light batteries of field artillery, a vast amount of ammunition, and three hundred prisoners. The loss of the Federals was seventy killed, two hundred and fifty wounded.

After taking possession of the deserted intrenchments, General Burnside pressed forward to occupy Newbern. The army passed rapidly along the railroad and the stage road. In their retreat the Rebels set fire to the bridge across the Trent, and afterward attempted, with less success, to burn the city. This ruthless purpose was defeated by the exertions of a number of the inhabitants who remained. It became necessary for the Federal troops to delay on the banks of the river, until the transports had sailed up from below. The first brigade at length embarked and passed over. The second and third bivouacked during the night of the 14th on the other side, and did not cross until the next day. Newbern was nearly deserted by its white population, and the negroes were revelling in a drunken carnival of barbarous license. A provost guard was immediately established to restore order, and secure the safety of life and property. The possession of this important place was thus obtained by the Federal forces by a most brave and brilliant assault. The immediate result of this conquest was the cutting off of all railroad communication with Beaufort, and the embarrassment of that between Richmond, Charleston, and the Atlantic slave States; the control of a large part of eastern North Carolina; and an easy advance either toward Raleigh in the inte terior, or toward Fort Macon on the south.

CHAPTER XIX.

MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC-ITS SUBDIVISIONS-THE BATTLE OF WINCHESTER -INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE-ITS RESULTS-THE KILLED AND WOUNDED-SKETCH OF GENERAL SHIELDS-CONCENTRATION OF THE REBEL TROOPS NEAR CORINTH-APPROACH OF THE FEDERAL ARMY UNDER GENERAL GRANT-DISPOSITION OF THE REBEL ARMYCOMMENCEMENT OF THE BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING OR SHILOH-ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRENTISS'S TROOPS-EFFORTS OF GENERALS SHERMAN AND MCCLERNANDTHE ENGAGEMENT BECOMES GENERAL-DESPERATE FIGHTING ON BOTH SIDES-GRADUAL REPULSE AND RETREAT OF THE FEDERAL ARMY-TERRIFIC SCENES-INTERPOSITION OF THE FEDERAL GUNBOATS-END OF THE FIRST DAY'S BATTLE-ARRIVAL OF GENERAL BUELL -DISPOSITION OF TROOPS DURING THE ENSUING NIGHT THE SECOND DAY'S CONFLICTINCIDENTS OF THIS DAY-SKILL AND ENERGY OF GENERAL BUELL-THE TIDE OF VICTORY IS GRADUALLY REVERSED-ULTIMATE DEFEAT OF THE REBELS-THEIR RETREAT TO CORINTH-SKETCH OF GENERAL BUELL-RESULTS OF THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.

WHEN at length, in compliance with the positive order of President Lincoln, the great army of the Potomac, numbering nearly two hundred thousand men, moved to the conquest of Richmond, it was divided into several separate corps d'armée. The command of all but two of these was entrusted to General McClellan. After leaving Manassas it was conveyed by transports down the Potomac to Fortress Monroe, and having afterward disembarked below Yorktown, prepared to effect the reduction of that place, and then advance toward the Rebel capital. The second corps under General McDowell pursued a middle line of march, due south, toward the city of Fredericksburg. The third, under General Banks, passing through Harper's Ferry, proceeded to Winchester, and thence through the valley of the Shenandaoh, by Strasburg, Woodstock, New Market, and Harrisonburg, toward Staunton. It was a portion of this force which encountered a large body of Rebels near Winchester, and which, led on by General Shields, gained a decisive victory at that place.

The Rebel army which thus came into action near Winchester, was commanded by General T. J. Jackson. On Saturday, March 22d, 1862, some skirmishing took place between Ashby's famous cavalry and the Federal pickets, until four o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy appeared in larger numbers. They advanced as far as the Stone House Mill on the Strasburg turnpike. General Shields then ordered three batteries of artillery to be sent to the scene of action, and a brisk combat ensued between them and the Rebels. It was of short duration, however, for soon the latter broke and retreated. General Shields was on the field during the conflict, and was wounded in the arm. The enemy was fol lowed a short distance, when night put an end to the pursuit.

On Sunday morning, March 23d, the Rebels, having been reinforced