or the clever work of a few designing ones. The underlying cause, in my opinion, was not primarily the slavery question, but may be traced to the fiscal policy established by the Tariff Act of 1828, whose author, Silas Wright, was the Representative in Congress from Northern New York. The war established the principle that, from the adoption of the Constitution, the nation has been made up of "indestructible states of an unbroken union." Fortunately the contest continued until the last cartridge had been expended and the last ration had been eaten by those men who had striven for State sovereignty. Then came the splendid opportunity for the Federal forces to signalize their triumph by magnanimity and generous treatment, and for the Confederates to respond by a renewal of loyalty to the old flag, which now after forty years nothing can impair. The right of the Southern States to withdraw is not discussed in this volume. My opinion is indicated by the fact that I volunteered "to preserve the Union" on the day that President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for seventyfive thousand troops "to recover the property of the United States, forcibly seized, and to enforce the laws," and that I remained on active duty in the army until hostilities had ceased throughout the entire borders of the Republic. The first sentiment on the title page, "Our Federal Union; it must be preserved" (President Jackson's toast at the Jefferson dinner), expresses the universal feeling of the people of Northern New York, and the sole purpose of all who went forth to war. The second sentiment, "Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit" (It may perhaps in after years delight you to remember these hardships), is from the concluding words of Æneas, spoken at the first "Camp Fire" of which we have any record in history or romance. As Virgil put these words of consolation into the mouth of his hero, who passed through many perils and much hardship to found the Roman Empire, so we Americans, who passed through the Civil War and carried it to the final conclusion which laid the enduring foundation of our nation, may well delight ourselves in remembering the hardships through which this splendid achievement was won. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My grateful acknowledgments are due to Mrs. Joseph Howland and Mrs. Joel J. Seaver for placing at my disposal the Regimental Records of the Sixteenth Volunteers, and the correspondence which passed between Colonels Davies, Howland and Seaver and their superior officers; to Mrs. George B. Winslow for the letters of her brother, General Albert M. Barney, and to Miss Ellen I. Parker for those of her father, Captain George Parker; to BrigadierGeneral John C. Gilmore; Colonels Franklin Palmer, and William H. Walling; Captains William L. Best, Isaac T. Merry, W. R. Helm; Corporal Alonzo R. Fuller; Private Riley E. Wilkins, all of the Sixteenth; to Colonel Richard C. Shannon, Fifth Maine, of General Slocum's staff; Colonel E. W. Guindon, of General Slocum's staff; the Second Auditor of the Treasury; the Commissioner of Pensions; General Phisterer, Assistant Adjutant-General of the State of New York: to The Century Company, and Charles Scribner's Sons, for permission to copy from their publications; and to Colonel William F. Fox, for the use of his publications. If there were space, I would be glad to insert the names of more than twenty-five hundred soldiers, their relatives and friends, who have aided me in collecting information relating to the services of the members of the Sixteenth, the dates of the death of those who have died since the War, and the residences of the survivors. OGDENSBURG, N.Y., March, 1906. N. M. C. CONTENTS The number of the volume of the War of the Rebellion Records con- Confederate government.-Firing on the Flag.-President Lin- coln calls for troops.-War meetings in Ogdensburg.— Advice of political leaders rejected.-Major Delafield's record mendations adopted.-Irritation caused thereby.-Members of officers' caucus pledged to secrecy.-Pledge violated.—Ex- clusion. Election of Field Officers.-Appointment an- nounced in General Orders.-Roman Catholic Priest in- vited to company quarters.-The Priest's later prominence. - PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTION IN THE ART OF WAR Ludicrous manoeuvres.-An old-time requisition.-Going into Washington.-Marching through Baltimore.-Music in Car- tridge boxes.-Camp Woolsey.-Reviewed by President Lincoln.-Target practice.-By steamer to Alexandria.— Making camp in the dark.-Mishaps.-Reconnaissance to Encamp at Annandale.-Skirmish with the Fifth Alabama.- Camp at Centreville.-Battle of Blackburn's Ford.-Ex- ploits of a bee hunter from the Adirondacks.-Battle of Bull Run.-Skirmishing with the Sixth Alabama.-Jones's Bri- gade repulsed by the Artillery.-Recalled to Centreville.- Main fighting done by the right wing.-Meritorious conduct of officers who later fought at Fort Fisher.-Miss Mason visits our outposts and reports to General Ewell.-Gen- eral Gordon's account of it.-Private Rodden returns to Colonel W. B. Franklin.-Passes to Washington limited.-Why a refusal was reconsidered.-Women forbidden camp under penalty of death.-Colonel's wife admitted notwithstanding. -Disobedient officer invited to dine instead of being shot.- Reorganization of the Brigade.-Military Execution.-Reviewed |