Chapter XL: Appendix: First and Last Blood of the War

While the battle of Bethel is recorded in the foregoing pages as the first decided fight of the war between the States, it may leave erroneous impression not to note the date of "first blood" really shed in action on southern soil. In the report of the Adjutant-general of the State of Virginia, for 1866, occurs this entry:

J. Q. Marr, graduated July 4, 1846. Lawyer, Member of the Virginia
Convention. Entered military service as Captain of Virginia
Volunteers, April 1, 1861. Killed at Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia,
May 13, 1861. First blood of the war.

Naturally, many conflicting statements as to the last effective shot of the long struggle were made and received as true. The most reliable would appear to be the following, reproduced from a paper printed by the boys of Mr. Denson's school, in the village of Pittsboro, N.C., in 1866:

The accomplished author of that series of interesting papers, "The
Last Ninety Days of the War in North Carolina," published in _The
Watchman_, New York, states that the last blood of the war was shed
near the Atkins plantation, a few miles from Chapel Hill, on the
14th April, 1865. In a later number of the same paper, a member of
the First Tennessee Cavalry says that it is a mistake; that
companies E and F, of the same regiment to which he belonged,
skirmished sharply with the Federals on the 15th, and claims that
this was the last blood shed. Both are in error; there was a
skirmish near Mt. Zion church, two miles south-east of Pittsboro,
North Carolina, between a body of Wheeler's cavalry and a party of
Federals, on the 17th of April; two Yankees were wounded, and three
others, with several horses, captured. There was other skirmishing
in the neighborhood about this time, and as late as the 29th (two
days after General Johnston surrendered), a squad of Federal
cavalry rode through Pittsboro, firing upon the citizens and
returned soldiers, and receiving their fire in return. These men
were pursued and overtaken near Haw river, where a skirmish
occurred, in which two of the Yankees were killed and two others
wounded, one mortally. This Haw river incident is a familiar and
well authenticated one and most probably it really showed the last
of the long bloodshed.

* * * *

_WHY NO PURSUIT AFTER MANASSAS._

Attention has frequently been drawn to the restiveness of the entire southern people, under alleged neglect to seize golden opportunities for pressing the enemy, after Confederate successes. Most frequently repeated of all these charges, is that which puts upon the shoulders of Jefferson Davis the onus of delay--and of all resulting evil--after the first victory on Manassas Plains. This charge receives semi-official sanction, from ex-Vice-President Stephens; for his history of the war plainly asserts that to the President was due "the failure of the Confederate troops to advance after the battle of Manassas." The following correspondence between the two men most interested in that mooted question may therefore be read with interest by all candid thinkers:

RICHMOND, VA., November 3, 1861.

_General J. E. Johnston, Commanding Department of the Potomac:_

SIR: Reports have been and are being widely circulated to the
effect that I prevented General Beauregard from pursuing the enemy
after the battle of Manassas, and had subsequently restrained him
from advancing upon Washington City. Though such statements may
have been made merely for my injury, and in that view their notice
might be postponed to a more convenient season, they have acquired
importance from the fact that they have served to create distrust,
to excite disappointment, and must embarrass the administration in
its further efforts to re-enforce the armies of the Potomac, and
generally to provide for the public defense.

For these public considerations, I call upon you as the commanding
general, and as a party to all the conferences held by me on the
21st and 22d of July, to say whether I obstructed the pursuit of
the enemy after the victory at Manassas, or have ever objected to
an advance or other active operation which it was feasible for the
army to undertake?

Very respectfully yours, etc.,

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

HEADQUARTERS, CENTREVILLE, November 10, 1861.

_To His Excellency, the President:_

SIR: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 3d instant,
in which you call upon me, as the "Commanding General, and as a
party to all the conferences held by you on the 21st and 22d of
July, to say:

"Whether I obstructed the pursuit after the battle of Manassas.

"Or have ever objected to an advance, or other active operations
which it was feasible for the army to undertake."

To the first question I reply: No. The pursuit was "obstructed" by
the enemy's troops at Centreville, as I have stated in my official
report. In that report I have also said why no advance was made
upon the enemy's capital (for reasons) as follows:

The apparent freshness of the United States troops at Centreville,
which checked our pursuit; the strong forces occupying the works
near Georgetown, Arlington and Alexandria; the certainty, too, that
General Patterson, if needed, would reach Washington with his army
of more than 30,000, sooner than we could; and the condition and
inadequate means of the army in ammunition, provision and
transportation, prevented any serious thoughts of advancing against
the Capital.

To the second question, I reply, that it has never been feasible
for the army to advance further than it has done--to the line of
Fairfax Courthouse, with its advanced posts at Upton's, Munson's
and Mason's Hills. After a conference at Fairfax Courthouse with
the three senior General officers, you announced it to be
impracticable to give this army the strength which those officers
considered necessary to enable it to assume the offensive. Upon
which, I drew it back to its present position.

Most respectfully your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON.

A true copy:

G. W. C. LEE, Col. and A.D.C.

* * * *

_THE FIRING UNDER THE WHITE FLAG, IN HAMPTON ROADS._

Reference has been made in these pages, to the peculiar circumstances of the wounding of Flag-Lieutenant Robert D. Minor, in the "Merrimac" fight on the 8th March, 1862. The official report of Fleet-Captain Franklin Buchanan distinctly states the facts and formulates the charge, accepted by the author. From that lengthy and detailed official document is reproduced verbatim this

EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF FLAG-OFFICER BUCHANAN.

NAVAL HOSPITAL,
NORFOLK, March 27, 1862.

_To Hon. S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy:_

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

While the Virginia was thus engaged in getting her position, for
attacking the Congress, the prisoners state it was believed on
board that ship that we had hauled off; the men left their guns and
gave three cheers. They were soon sadly undeceived, for a few
minutes after we opened upon her again, she having run on shore in
shoal water. The carnage, havoc and dismay, caused by our fire,
compelled them to haul down their colors, and to hoist a white flag
at their gaff half-mast, and another at the main. The crew
instantly took to their boats and landed. Our fire immediately
ceased, and a signal was made for the Beaufort to come within hail.
I then ordered Lieutenant-Commanding Parker to take possession of
the Congress, secure the officers as prisoners, allow the crew to
land, and burn the ship. He ran alongside, received her flag and
surrender, from Commander William Smith and Lieutenant Pendergrast,
with the side-arms of those officers. They delivered themselves as
prisoners of war on board the Beaufort, and afterward were
permitted, at their own request, to return to the Congress, to
assist in removing the wounded to the Beaufort. They never
returned, and I submit to the decision of the Department whether
they are not our prisoners. While the Beaufort and Raleigh were
alongside the Congress, and the surrender of that vessel had been
received from the commander, she having two white flags flying,
hoisted by her own people, a heavy fire was opened upon them from
the shore and from the Congress, killing some valuable officers and
men. Under this fire the steamers left the Congress; but as I was
not informed that any injury had been sustained by those vessels at
that time, Lieutenant-Commanding Parker having failed to report to
me, I took it for granted that my order to him to burn her had been
executed and waited some minutes to see the smoke ascending from
her hatches. During this delay we were still subjected to the heavy
fire from the batteries, which was always promptly returned.

The steam frigates Minnesota and Roanoke, and the sailing frigate
St. Lawrence, had previously been reported as coming from Old
Point; but as I was determined that the Congress should not again
fall into the hands of the enemy, I remarked to that gallant young
officer, Flag-Lieutenant Minor, "that ship must be burned." He
promptly volunteered to take a boat and burn her, and the Teazer,
Lieutenant-Commanding Webb, was ordered to cover the boat.
Lieutenant Minor had scarcely reached within fifty yards of the
Congress, when a deadly fire was opened upon him, wounding him
severely and several of his men. On witnessing this vile treachery,
I instantly recalled the boat and ordered the Congress destroyed by
hot shot and incendiary shell.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, _Flag Officer_.

* * * *

_DEPRECIATION OF CONFEDERATE CURRENCY._

In the chapters on Finance and Dollars and Cents, reference has been made to the rapid depreciation of C.S. Treasury notes. The condensed table appended--gathered from most reliable data--will explain this more clearly than could a volume:

RELATIVE VALUE OF GOLD FROM JANUARY 1, 1861, TO MAY 12, 1865.

1861.--January 1st to May 1st, 5 per cent.; to October 1st, 10 per
cent.; October 15th, 12 per cent.; November 15th, 15 per cent.;
December 1st, 20 per cent.

1862.--January 1st, 20 per cent.; February 1st, 25 per cent.;
February 15th, 40 per cent.; March 1st, 50 per cent.; March 15th,
65 percent.; April 1st, 75 percent.; April 15th, 80 per cent.; May
1st. 90 per cent.; May 15th, 95 per cent.; June 15th, 2 for 1;
August 1st, 2.20 for 1; September 1st, 2.50 for 1.

1863.--February 1st, 3 for 1; February 15th, 3.10 for 1; March 1st,
3.25 for 1; March 15th, 5 for 1; May 15th, 6 for 1; June 1st, 6.50
for 1; June 15th, 7.50 for 1; July 1st, 8 for 1; July 15th, 10 for
1; August 15th, 15 for 1; November 15th, 15.50 for 1; December
15th, 21 for 1.

1864.--March 1st, 26 for 1; April 1st, 19 for 1; May 1st, 20 for 1;
August 15th, 21 for 1; September 15th, 23 for 1; October 15th, 25
for 1; November 15th, 28 for 1; December 1st, 32 for 1; December
31st, 51 for 1.

1865.--January 1st, 60 for 1; February 1st, 50 for 1; April 1st, 70
for 1; April 15th, 80 for 1; April 20th, 100 for 1; April 26th, 200
for 1; April 28th, 500 for 1; April 29th, 800 for 1; April 30th,
1,000 for 1, May 1st (last actual sale of Confederate notes), 1,200
for 1.

* * * *

_GENERAL LEE'S FAREWELL ORDER TO THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA._

HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 10, 1865.

GENERAL ORDER, }
NO. 9. }

After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage
and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to
yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the
brave survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained
steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no
distrust of them; but, feeling that valor and devotion could
accomplish nothing that would compensate for the loss that must
have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid
the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared
them to their countrymen.

By the terms of agreement, officers and men can return to their
homes and there remain until exchanged. You will take with you the
satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty well
performed; and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to
you His blessing and protection. With unceasing admiration of your
constancy and devotion to your country and a grateful remembrance
of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an
affectionate farewell.

R. E. LEE, _General_.

* * * *

_GENERAL JOHNSTON'S FAREWELL ORDER TO THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE._

HEADQUARTERS ARMY TENNESSEE,
Near Greensboro, N.C., April 27, 1865.

GENERAL ORDER, }
NO. 18. }

By the terms of a military convention made on the 26th instant, by
Major-General W. T. Sherman, United States Army, and General J. E.
Johnston, Confederate States Army, the officers and men of this
army are to bind themselves not to take up arms against the United
States until properly relieved from that obligation, and shall
receive guarantees from the United States officers against
molestation by the United States authorities so long as they
observe that obligation and the laws in force where they reside.

For these objects, duplicate muster-rolls will be made out
immediately, and after the distribution of the necessary papers,
the troops will be marched under their officers to their respective
States, and there be disbanded, retaining all private property.

The object of this convention is pacification, to the extent of the
authority of the commanders who made it. Events in Virginia which
broke every hope of success by war, imposed on its general the duty
of sparing the blood of this gallant army and saving our country
from further devastation and our people from ruin.

J. E. JOHNSTON, _General_.

* * * *

_GENERAL SHERMAN'S ORDER ON HIS CONVENTION WITH GENERAL JOHNSTON._

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
In the Field, Raleigh, N.C., April 27, 1863.

SPECIAL FIELD ORDER, }
NO. 65. }

The General Commanding announces a further suspension of
hostilities and a final agreement with General Johnston, which
terminates the war as to the armies under his command and the
country east of the Chattahoochee.

Copies of the terms of convention will be furnished Major-Generals
Schofield, Gillmore and Wilson, who are specially charged with the
execution of its details in the Department of North Carolina,
Department of the South, and at Macon and Western Georgia.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

General Schofield will procure at once the necessary blanks, and
supply the Army Commanders, that uniformity may prevail; and great
care must be taken that the terms and stipulations on our part be
fulfilled with the most scrupulous fidelity, whilst those imposed
on our hitherto enemies be received in a spirit becoming a brave
and generous army.

Army Commanders may at once loan to the inhabitants such of the
captured mules, horses, wagons and vehicles as can be spared from
immediate use; and the Commanding Generals of Armies may issue
provisions, animals and any public supplies that can be spared, to
relieve present wants and to encourage the inhabitants to renew
their peaceful pursuits, and to restore the relations of friendship
among our fellow-citizens and countrymen.

Foraging will forthwith cease, and, when necessity or long marches
compel the taking of forage, provisions or any kind of private
property, compensation will be made on the spot; or, when the
disbursing officers are not provided with funds, vouchers will be
given in proper form, payable at the nearest Military Depot.

By order of

MAJOR-GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.

L. M. DAYTON, _Assistant Adjutant-General_.

RECENTLY ISSUED--BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

Juny: or Only One Girl's Story.

271 PAGES. PAPER COVERS. PRICE, 50 CENTS.

Sold by all Dealers; or Mailed (Prepaid), on receipt of Price, by THE GOSSIP PRINTING CO., Mobile, Ala.

CONDENSED PRESS COMMENT.

"Juny" is a lively story.--[_Cincinnati Enquirer._

A racily written, exciting tale of the South.--[_Portland Argus._

A dramatic story of southern life. It is full of incident.--[_Albany (N.Y.) Express._

Vividly told, with a beautiful Octoroon as the central figure.--_Harrisburg Telegram._

Entertaining romance of the "Society crust"--upper and under.--[_Kansas City Journal_.

More dramatic than "Creole and Puritan;" more genuine fun than "Rock or the Rye."--[_Augusta News._

Showing varied phases of the great city, in the _salon_, the clubs and the slums.--[_Syracuse Herald._

It is full of excitement and adventure and, on that score alone, will prove interesting--[_Evening Wisconsin._

The plot is good; and the author's name sufficient guarantee for literary excellence.--[_Columbus Despatch._

By a writer who has attained reputation, the romance will prove interesting reading.--[_San Francisco Call._

A bright, readable story, full of action; the dialects true to life and the climax artistically managed.--[_Toledo (O.) Bee._

There is much to be commended in "Juny," and the character of the heroine is certainly well drawn.--[_Town Topics._

The characters are strongly drawn; and the story, sensational and romantic, has dramatic force.--[_American Stationer._

From the author of "Creole and Puritan" and other stories; and is very bright and readable.--[_Rochester Post-Express._

Above any Mr. DeLeon has yet written; and can be placed above the best work of modern times.--[_New Orleans Picayune._

A book of merit. The author shows close acquaintance with Miss Murfree's dealing with the same class.--[_Minneapolis Journal._

Contains many good situations and some striking types of life, of which the "Leading Man" is the most comic.--[_The Bookseller._

Most ambitious of this author's works; containing a plot of thrilling interest and several new American types.--[_Baltimore American._

Cleverly constructed and containing more than one good character. The reader who begins it will be sure to read it to the close.--[_New York Sun._

Has been complimented very highly. It is very readable, the characters strong; and the plot contains many dramatic situations.--[_Savannah News._

An exceedingly bright and cleverly written story; charmingly told; most especially felicitous in all that treats of southern character and life. The old negro is a masterpiece of _genre_ sketching; and the Louisiana girl and her Octoroon mother are no less clean cut and graphic. Mr. DeLeon is the promising writer of the South. He knows his people and region thoroughly.--[_Chicago Times._

A very romantic story. The book is sensational; but the skill with which the story is told saves it from being ridiculous.--[_San Francisco Chronicle._

Most successful descriptive and character studies. Animated from the very first chapter; and once beginning, one can scarcely leave it.--[_New Orleans Bee._

The sketch of moonshining life in the North Carolina mountains is, to say the least, clever. The author has made a distinct success in this.--[_Hartford Post._

The devotion of the old negro for his "chile" and the affection springing up between her and Wilmot Browne are the features of the book.--[_North American._

A highly exciting story of life, in widely differing circles. All of the bad characters are disposed of rapidly, but with a proper eye to effect.--[_New York Herald._

Just the thing for the car or hammock; a lively novel, introducing many odd characters in many odd situations of high and low life.--[_Minneapolis Housekeeper._

Well written and full of "situations," many of them wrought up to a point of thrilling interest. The many characters are drawn in natural colors.--[_Brooklyn Citizen._

Mr. DeLeon has written several novels which had a run; but this one surpasses any in cleverness of plot, thrilling situations and general interest.--[_Salt Lake Herald._

Brightness of dialogue and richness of incident. The suicide of the gambler is a startling effect; worthy of the imagination and descriptive power of Zola!--[_Mobile Register._

The same authority pronounces "the leading man of the Grand Duke's Opera House" the most original type in comic fiction since we met _Sam Weller_.--[_Denver Republican._

Some situations, especially those in the slums of the "East Side," are intensely dramatic. _Juny_ and the characters that surround her are exceedingly well drawn.--[_Philadelphia Times._

"Juny" is bright and sensational. * * The Mobile novelist is especially happy in his southern scenes and characters; but his plots have wide range and embrace high and low life.--[_Atlanta Constitution._

T. C. DeLeon has recommended himself as a writer of talent and power. His latest work is perhaps his best, as his wit, his dramatic force and his striking ability for character drawing are all forcibly exhibited.--[_Columbus (O.) Journal._

We have not read a better story for many a day. Mr. DeLeon has advanced rapidly to foremost rank among American novelists of the present day. The plot is skillfully framed and many thrilling, as well as humorous, situations keep the reader's mind alert.--[_Chicago Herald._

T. C. DeLeon, whose "Rock or the Rye," a clever parody of Amelie Rives, was a decided success, has added "Juny" to the list of his novels; the scene changing from a moonshiner's camp to New York, with the heroine a beautiful Octoroon girl.--[_San Francisco Argonaut._

Southern authors are coming to the front. Among those named more and more frequently of late is T. C. DeLeon. The story is as full of plot as it can hold; and if action plays as large a part in fiction, as Demosthenes averred it did in oratory, "Juny" should be a popular book.--[_Boston Commonwealth._

Mr. DeLeon's "Creole and Puritan" proved most conclusively that he could write well; and his satire on the "Quick or the Dead" was laughed over by the whole country. The story of "Juny" shows the creative power of the author. It is strong and his descriptive powers have full sway.--[_New Orleans Picayune._

The old negro and the detective, Mr. Hunter Beagle, seem to have been taken from life and are carefully elaborated. * * The "Art Evolutionist" is a very clever portrayal of the creature who is made possible by, and subsists upon, the _fads_ for which the present century must ever remain responsible.--[_Courier-Journal._

End of Project Gutenberg's Four Years in Rebel Capitals, by T. C. DeLeon