The National tribune. [volume], March 17, 1898, Page 3, Image 3

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THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON,, D.rC, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1898.
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CHAPTER XXI.
fhe Home of Salmon P. Chase and His
Daughter Ancient Tablets An Indian
Princess Georgetown Aristocrats The
Tudor Estate The Linthieum Mansion.
Philip Barton Key Gen. Forrest at Uos
dale. On the northwest corner of Oth and E
fctrccts is a square-built 'brick house that
was once the home of Salmon P. Chase,
who was successively Governor of his
State. Senator in Congress, Secretary of
the Treasury and Chief .Justice of the
Supreme Court. In the country's direst
need for level-headed men, he was the one
who carried its finances triumphantly
through the great civil war, and was lastly
Chief Justice of the highest Court in the
land.
It was in this house that the beautiful
Kate Chase graced the home of her great
father. It is said that her history would,
in part, be a history of the war; that no
one woman had more to do in influencing
the movements on the military and political
chessboard than she, and it was her in
fluence largely that Kept McClellan at
the head of the army. An unfortunate
marriage to a man of brilliant promise, for
the sake of the father she adored, which
failed by the smallest chance of making
him the Chief Magistrate of the Nation,
proved her donwfall. There was a tune
when Mrs. Sprague's position, her ex
quisite grace, her beauty of form and
feature gave her the ascendency in society.
Self-exiled was she for years. Edgewood,
on the outskirts of the city, the country
home of the family, had most of the time a
deserted look. The change that came
upon this once happy family laid its hand
also upon beautiful Edgewood.
An organization of members of the bar
from Ohio, in the Summer of l&SG. removed
the remains of Mr. Chase to Cincinnati,
where he was best known as a lawyer.
Mrs. Kate Chase Sprague returned from
Europe to attend the last sad rites in
honor of the father she adored.
The Nation will always reverence the
name of Salmon P. Chase, and not forget
the beautiful daughter who went down into
the valley of suffering through filial affec
tion and aspirations.
Not many year,s ago there were un
earthed in Georgetown some tablets of
great valje to the lover of antiquities.
The.-e slabs bear date so remote that most
of the inscriptions have been ejiten away
by the tooth of time, but there remains
sufficient to identify the Beale family,
whose estate composed what is known as
Georgetown Rights.
Far back in the shadowy fast the clear,
ringing tongue of the Celtic Bell made
melody in the ear of an Irdian Princess,
who soon after became his wife. The first
home of this .young pair was a wigwam
founded upon Dumbarton Rock; afterwards
a log cabin snuggled in these woody
hishts. Here Madam Bell, attended by
hor pale-faced consort, led the fashion
without rival, and with none to dispute her
sway.
To the east stretched. their vast posses
sions, which embraced all the land within
the scope of vision between the cottage
and the rising sun. Over the stormy seas
came the winged sailing vessels, bringing
rich brocades and laces for this dusky
queen. Her costumes were half civilized
andlialf Jjarbariq. tl
'Tliese aHicien't Georgetown aristocrats
have been slowly undergoing the bleaching
process, and the past hundred years have
almost obliterated the last trace of Indian
origin. But true to their instinct they
were the first to seize the deadly musket in
the Southern cause; and the late battle
fields of the South arc made richer by the
bines of the last of the aristocracy of
Georgetown.
fter the Bells came the Peters family,
whose slave call was answered by hun
dreds -of sa"ble men. Georgetown Rights,
in 'those days, wsls called the Tudor es
tate, in memory of the royal line in Eng
land. The Peters family was related to the
Washingtons and the Lees. Washington
Peters is the most prominent descendant
of this aristocratic family, but the last
fragment of the estate has passed away
from him, and he lives on a farm at Flli
oott's Mills, a man of nearly eighty years.
He alone retains the haughty bearing of
the proud family, the last of his race whose
hand has rested on the yoke of a slave.
The shifting panorama shows us Protes
tant Thuldkill, who through the influence
of Archbishop Carroll, of Baltimore, gave
the extensive grounds, now occunied bv
the Georgetown College and Convent, to
the Catholic Church, during the latter part
of the last century. But little has come
down to us of the social element of the
Tiiultjknis. They were a family of culture
and refinement, and institutions of learn
ing that have sprung up under their foster
ing care are their enduring monuments.
The following amusing incident was re
lated to us by a friend.
Mr. Thuldkill was a great stock breeder
on his estate, Georgetown Rights. When
.Merino sheep first attracted attention in
this country he had obtained a small flock
and had been negotiating for some time
Tor a ram. At length it reached Washing
Ion. He mounted his horse, and rode
anxiously to see and possess it. It was a
splendid animal, with a price correspond
ingly high. He bought il, engaged a cart
and negro driver, and hastily addressed a
note to Mrs. Thuldkill, saying that a
stranger and several gentlemen would dine
with them, and to have especially a leg of
mutton done up in superior style; adding
aKo: "The colored boy who delivers this
lakes over a splendid ram; please see to
t "
The ram was tied up, and the prelimi
naries of the feast arranged. In reference
lo the mutton, Mrs. Thuldkill consulted
her steward, and they concluded from the
tenor of the note that the animal sent by
the cart was to supply the leg of mutton
lor the festive board; so, accordingly, that
costly and fine ram was victimized, and
his plump quarter dressed, garnished and
bcrved smoking at the head of the table.
After some preliminary libations at the
sideboard, the guests were seated, and a
generous slice of mutton was placed upon
each plate. They unanimously decided
that it was very superior, and the host
heartily indorsed the sentiment, and turn
ing to his delighted spouse, inquired from
which particular flock il had been taken.
She, of course, responded. "It was the
large ram you sent for the occasion this
morning."
Tins was too much. The old gentle
man's cue stood on end. his face was
fairly purple, for at first he was dum
founded. Re arose from his chair, nearly
upsetting the table, and brought his fist
down with a tremendous thump, and, with
an emphasis pinned with oaths, said:
"Madam, you have slaughtered my mag
nificent ram, for which I paid $300 this
morning.' It was a scene so ridiculous, it
is said, one of the guests was obliged to
withdraw to have out his laugh.
Coming down to the last SO years, we
find the aristocracy of Georgetown strongly
flavored with merchants and trades-people.
The Linthieum mansion, which is one of
the finest, was built and owned by a hard
ware merchant. He, too, has passed .away,
like all the old residents who gave tone to
the elegant society .which ruled during the
Administrations of Polk and Buchanan.
At this time one of the social queens of
the Capital lived in Georgetown, the city of
her birth and education, the daughter of
an obseure but highly respected citizen.
Mr. Williams. At the early age of 1G she
was married to the Russian Minister,
Bodisco. At this wedding there were eight
bridesmaids. Miss .Jessie Benton, the
first, walked with .James Buchanan. The
bride wore a rich satin brocade and veil of
Jloniton lace, her ornaments simply a
pearl sprig and pin. Henry Clay gave her
fcway. m. do Bodisco wore his splendid
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Br MARY S. LOCK WOOD-
court dress of blue, decoraten with several
Orders and precious stones, and silver
lace of great depth. The foreign Ministers
of his train Avore their uniforms.
This marriage at once lifted Madame de
BodisxM) to the highest round in the social
ladder, while his vast wealth was used to
give his wifely jewel the most costly set
ting. From over the sea came the flash
ing gems that had adorned the persons of
a hundred generations of Bodisco Rus
sians; diamonds eclipsed only by those of
world-wide fame; the same that Mrs. Tyler
mentions in a letter written in 1842:
"I very seldom go to parties, but. of
course, I could not refuse Madame Bo
disco's invitation. Her ball was expected
to be the grandest affair of the season.
Madame Bodisco looked lovely and was
attired in pink satin with lace, flowers and
such splendid diamonds, stomacher, car
rings, breastpin, bracelets! I never saw
such beautiful ' diamonds. Most of the
furniture was of European make, and the
house was filled with a variety of curios,
bric-a-brac and works of art, the china
service unsurpassed, the plate magnifi
cent." Articles from this mansion arc yet to be
seen in some of the homes, and find a way
into loan collections from time to time.
The most superb fete ever given in the
District, it is said, was riven in this
house, in honor of the birthday of the Em
peror Nicholas, when 800 guests were in
vited. Music enlivened the brilliant
scene. All the foreign Ministers were in
attendance, with their attaches, in court
dress.
The supper was served at 1 o'clock. A
commodious apartment in the second
story was set apart to accommodate the
ladies. The table was covered with gold
and mirror plateaus, eandelabras. orna
mental dishes, gold forks, etc. Thegentle
men were not admitted to this room, the
ladies being waited upon by servants.
The gentleman's supper room was in the
third story.
The Czar of Russia was represented by
one of the most popular Ministers of the
Diplomatic Corps. None compared in
popularity with M. Bodisco. Courtesies
extended and entertainments given are
often found to be the golden chain that
binds nations together.
In those primitive days the working
people used to line the roadway to see
Madame Bodisco pass from her mansion to
the White Rouse, on occasions of recep
tions or levees. If the weather permitted
she was'visible to all in her open carriage,
far more beautiful than the famous Eu
genie, and with the same superior tact and
grace. Creamy while satin and costly old
lace was the favorite costume, and when
adorned with jewels worth more than half
a million, mounted policemen followed in
her train.
The people said. "Old Bodisco is afraid
someone will steal his wife,' but he was
simply protecting her after the Russian
fashion. But this American girl was
something more than a figure to be adorned
with stones. With that' superb tact which
only a .Josephine knew how to practice,
she united the contending social elements.
She thawed the frozen ocean of diplomatic
ceremony and bade the foreign fortress
open its doors to her countrywomen as well
as herself. It is true she had, standing
at her right hand, the incomparable
Harriet Lane of the White House. History
rarely records the fact that distinguished
ladies arc beautiful, but popular accla
mation gave both these women the fairest
crown.
Alike inj.stylej.and type,(both blondes,
almost perfect Yn form arid feature, with
Titian-tinted flesh and golden hair such
as the masters gave their beloved Madon
nas, they held their emblems of power
with a firmer grasp than did Marie An
toinette, a woman of the same mold.
There is no place where the sacred rites
r-.t li-vcitf.lW.' wrn mnrr. riifllv observed
man on ne iigins ui ocorciwi., " it
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no neriod of history was this more gener
ously carried out than immediately after
the Revolutionary war.
One of the Generals of that war was
Uriah Forrest, a member of an aristocratic
Maryland family. During the struggle for
independence he served in the "Maryland
Line, and lost a leg at the battle of Brandy
wine; he was again wounded at the battle
of Germantown, from the effects of which
he never recovered.
He was as distinguished in civil as he
was in military affairs. During the years
178fi-87 he was a Delegate from Maryland
to the Continental Congress, and a Repre
sentative in the Councils from 171)3 to 1704,
when lie resigned.
When the District of Columbia was ceded
to the United States by the Slates of Mary
land and Virginia. Gen. torrcst resided on
his estate, "Rosedale." near Georgetown,
then a portion of Montgomery County, but
being with'n the 10 miles st.uare. it 1 e
camc a part of the District, ar.d Gen.
Fonest thus became literally one of the
first families of the District of Columbia.
He married Rebecca Plater, of ' Rousby
Hall," Maryland, daurhter of George
Plater. Mrs. Forrest was remarkable for
her beauty; she was once toasted in Eng
land as "one of America's great beauties."
JTome or Fr..xcia
.. Gen. Forrest died at his residence, "nose
dale," in 1 fc03- One of his daughters mar
ried .John Green, of Maryland, who was for
many years an efficient clerk in the Navy
Department. They lived at "Itoscdale,"
the former residence of her father.
One of the daughters of Mr. Green mar
ried Don Angel de lturbide, whose father
was the ill-fated Don Augustine First, the
first and last Emperor of Mexico, who after
being banished from his country, bad the
courage to return, and soon after fell into
the hands of his enemies, and was shot in
the presence of his family, who were
banished and sought an asylum in the
United States, where they remained many
years.
But in the lapse of time, the friends of
the late Emperor came into power, and
young lturbide, who from a long residence
in this country, spoke English like a
native, was appointed Secretary of the
Mexican Legation in 1850; and it was while
holding that position that his marriage
wilh Miss Green took place. To them was
born a son, Don Augustin. He was about
seven or eight years old when Maximilian,
supported by the bayonets of Napoleon 111.,
attempted his- unsuccessful conquest of
Mexico.
Maximilian, deeming it a wise policy to
make himself popular with the people he
was ambitious to govern, resolved to adopt
young Augustin Iturbidc as his heir. .
In order to get control of the boy, lie held
out promises of power and wealth to the
parents of Augustin, who, as soon as such
promises were accepted and the child
given up, were banished from the country,
and once more sought the fostering care of
the United States. Upon their arrival here
they called upon William H. Seward, then
Secretary of State, to ask him to use his
influence as mediator between Maximilian
and themselves. M
But the United States being then at war,
I Mr. Seward was timid about making any
fresh complications with foreign countries,
so he declined to interfere, but advised
Madame Iturbidc to go to Paris, see iS'a
poleon and lay her case before him.
She followed Mr. Seward's instructions',
but failed to get a personal interview with
Napoleon; and was compelled to lay her
case before him in writing. Re declined to
interfere, and Madame lturbide was once
more forced to return to her mother's home,
"Rosedale."
Soon after the downfall and death of
Maximilian, Augustin and his parents
were once more united. Young lturbide,
after being educated in the best colleges in
this country and Europe, again returned to
the home of his fathers.
Mrs. Green, the daughter of Gen. Forrest,
and mother of Mrs. lturbide. during her
lifetime, gave a portion of "Rosedale" to
her son, George F. Green, whereon he
erected a stone house. The point upon
which the house was built presents a
magnificent view of Washington and the
surrounding country, and was called by
him "Pretty Prospect."
"Pretty Prospect" was afterwards pur
chased by President Cleveland, who
made many handsome improvements to
the property. Willi the change of owners
came a change of name, and it is now
known as "Oak View."
Gov. Plater's daughter, Ann, married
.Judge Philip Barton Key. Re was born
in Maryland in 17C.r. Re entered the Eng
lish service as Captain, and distinguished
himself bv refusing to bear arms against
the Colonies. Afterward he established a
high reputation as a lawyer, and lived at
that beautiful spot called "Woodley."
Francis Scott Key, who immortalized his
name by the writing of the "Star Spangled
Banner." was a nephew of .Judge Key.
An authentic account of the incidents
connected with the writing of this 'National
song has been given by the grand niece of
Dr. Beans, Mrs. Dorsey:
"Francis Key, in 1H10, lived in George
town. Dr. Beans, of Marlborough, a bur
geon in the Unitad States Army, was-attending
the disabled soldiers, when Com
modore Barney's flotilla was attacked on
the Patuxent. The British Army, on their
march to Washington, bivouacked on the
plantation of Dr. Beans, who, though de
testing them, treated the officers with true
Maryland hospitality.
"A few davs after their departure, while
he was at 'dinner with seme friends, a.
slave brought the news that the British
were marching back to their boats. Full of
glee, the party went to a spring on uie
estate, with lemons, whisky, etc., to drink
to the confusion of 'perfidious Albion.'
"Three tired English s-oldiers. coming for
water, were made prisoners by the patriotic
American gentlemen, and marched off to
the County iail. The men were missed
from the ranks, and a detachment sent in
search of them traced them to Marlborough,
where the terrified inhabitants betrayed
who were the captors. The men were re
covered. Dr. Beans was seized at mid
night, placed, in his night-dress, on the
bare back of a mule and taken,, closely
guarded, to the troops. Thence he was
sent to Admiral Cockburn's ship and into
rigorous confinement.
"The whole country was aroused, and as
soon as steps could be taken, Francis Key,
the intimate friend of Dr. Beans, was sent
by President Madison, with a flag of truce,
to get him exchanged. When Key reached
the British fleet at North Point, they were
about to attack Baltimore, and, though he
was courteously received and invited to
dine with Cockburn, he was informed that
he must remain on board till after the
bombardment of the city. Re shared hs
friend's uncomfortable quarters that mem
orable night, at sunset seeing me star
Spangled Banner waving proudly from the
ramparts of Fort McRenry. When the
mo
irning dawned after that night of battle,
at intervals by the lurid flashes of ex-
111
;- :.- -. . - , ,,, f(..irflli i.v the
thunders of cannon, the mist was too
IIIWUIHU UUIIIUOi . ..... - -- .
dense to discern whether the t!ag or tne
red cross of St. George waved from the fori,
in the direction in which the two watched
through the porthole, trcmblirg with .sus
pense. Presently there was a ripple in the
water, a soft soufh in the fog, and, hl:e
magic, it rolled away, revealing the Ameri
can flag still floating defiantly frcm, he
staff above the ramparts. rl he patriots
fell on each other's breasts, weeping for
iov. Mr. Key then drew a letter from his
pocket, and on its back nenciled the first
stanza of the celebrated National song.
After the bombardment, Dr. Beans and Mr.
Key were sent ashore in a skiff."
With the coming of civil war aoeic(y
mildew fell upon Georgetown. -Ncir-hP rs
and friends looked upon each other, vjtb
mutual distrust. As a general rule most of
the fightir-K element rolled southward'. Inf
a few instances a House was- dtvidetl
against itself.
Once a Georgetown mother appeared be-
fore Abraham Lincoln to hen for the l!ft of
her son. who had been caught ;s a pior
rilla with am s in his rosscssion. "My
eldest .con." said the mother, "is a trusty
officer in the Union Aimy; my younrest.
I my darling, was one of Mosby's ,uerriHas."
Scott Kr.v.
"Miserable mother," said the President;
"God help you, for 1 cannot. I know who
you are; this is the third time your hoy has
been caught. Mercy is beyond me." And
the man with streaming eyes supported
the faltering steps of the wretched woman
beyond the threshold.
At this period social life was dead, ap
parently beyond resurrection.
One of the most hc-mlifnl nml liJUnrJo
homes of Georgetown is the Tudcr Place.
It is the ancestral home of the Peters
family. The house is built of English
brick and contains eighteen or twenty
spacious apartments.
At the period when the courtly manners
of the old colonial times prevailed, all that
was best of the social circles of George
town and Washington used to assemble
there, among them the Washingtons, Lees,
Fairfaxes, Culverts and Spotsfords.
To be continued.
EDITORIAL NOTE.-In the next installment
of "Historic Homes" Mrs. Lockwood will
treat of Holland House, once famous for its
gatherings of distinguished men and women.
Reminiscences of prominent neople of a later
period will be told also.
,ii!MmiA kte
-1r
'LETTERS OF
CHAS.,4- DANA,
(Continued irom jtrst page.
r
rebels, and guarded only by a relatively
small force of cavalry. Gen. Bragg
thought he saw his chance, and toward
the 1st of October sejifc , Gen. AVheeler,
with all the rebeL cavalry he could
gather, to cut the road, End starve array
out. Dana telegraphs':
Chattanooga, Oct. 3; 12 m.
Yours of 30th arrived here at midnight last
night. AVheeler, with a force of cavalry,
lorded tlic Tennessee Wednesday night 30tlfj
at various places above and below Washing
ton. The highest statement concerning this
force is that it consisted of two divisions; the
lowest, two brigades. Crook, with two small
brigades, was lying along the river watching
the fords, but was unable to prevent the
rebels from crossing.
Immediately on receiving tbis news, Eo?e
crans ordered Gen. Edward M. McCook with a
division of cavalry about Bridgeport to
hasten to the Sequatchie Valley to protect
our wagon-trains. McCook inarched Thurs
day, but the violent storm that day prevented
his reaching Anderson, the distance being 39
miles, in season, and Wheeler fell upon n
train yesterday morning at the foot of the
mountain where the road rises out of the
Sequatchie Valley.
The 21st Ky., which was there to guard
the wagons, made a gallant fight, bnt was
driven back, and the wagons were destroyed.
How many were lost is unknown, but prob
ably from 250 to 300, all belonging to Four
teenth Coqis. One-third of them contained
ammunition. McCook being not far oil soon
attacked the rebels and drove them up the
valley, but we have no particulars.
When McCook was ordered up from
Bridgejwrt, Uurnside was also requested to
send his cavalry down the west bank of the
Teunessee to cut off Wheeler's retreat, and
if helms done so it is hardly possible Wheeler
should escape. Under liragg's agreement,
1,7-12 Union wounded have been brought 1
irom Crawfish Spring within oar lines, and
about 750 remain in his hands, of whom
one-third can be moved, leaving 500 severe
cases which must remain. In return for
those already delivered to us he demands
an equal number of well men from among
rctyel prisoners taken at Chickamauga. This
liosecraus has decisively refused.
Of pur Surgeons, 52 were left behind with
our wounded, and four rebel Surgeons came
into our hands. The latter Kosecrans re
leased, and Bragg thereupon released four
of ours, but refuses to release any more on
the ground that we have detained rebel
Surgeons at the East contrary to the cartel,
aud,Xr. Flewellen, Bragg's Medical Director,
litis notified our Surgeons that they will not
only be removed to Atlanta, but be con
fined in prison. .
Dr. Perin, Medical DinjptorDepartment of
the Cumberland, informs 'juq that he has,
ample medical supplies, jhnfc,is temporarily
prevented from moving tljeni here from Nash
ville by the monopoly of tbe road transporting
soldiers. Of medical ollicers'' he has already
received eight from SaintjJouis, but owing to
Bragg's sequestration will nee1 30 more.
Our cavalry started1 With' a rush after'
it iiuuici, man iiiLauivuu JiiJii ciiyugciy
wliQHe;er they could come up with him.
He captured and burned a large train
near Anderson's Crossroads, and cap
tured McMinnville, where' he destroyed
a great amount of stores. But he was
attacked eo incessantly and savagely
that he was turned aside iYom Murfrees
boro, and was forced vback across the
Tennessee Hiver in a flight' to save him
self, having lost 2,000 men and six
cannon. Dana telegraphs:
Oct. 4; 11 a. m. No direct advices from
McCook's cavalry since'Roseorans'sdispatch to
Ualleck yesterday, but Col. Palmer, of
Anderson Cavalry, on wc3tern slope Walden's.
Itidge-.reports last evening that enemy waai
hotlv,engaged by McCook, and was retreating, J
towanl', McMinnville. That place was atr.
tacKeu- yesterday morning iy anotner de
tachment of Wheeler's Avhieh had moved by
way of 1'ikeville. The telegraph to McMinn
ville being cut, no particulars have reached
us. Stores at McMiunwlle moderate in
amount. Hooker has been ordered to post
strong detachments of Twelfth Corps along
raflrpail till this raid is over. t
No news of Btnnside's cavalry, nor of
Crook's Cavalry Brigade belonging lo this
army, which was concentrated aftereneiny had
r forced the rassaxc of the Tennessee and
.started .in pnisuit. Affairs here unchanged;
onejny appai cut ly still in frce from Look
out Mountain on 'west to Missionary liidge
on cast.
Approximate returns from Chickamauga
battle make our total loss IJuUi killed, 8,747
wounded, 1,Q'.j8 missing. Of cannon wc lost
'Hi and capluied two. Of rchel prisoners wc
look 2,00."). Assistant .Surgeon Walton, SGth
llnd.. captured bv lebels and since released.
repoits that he was on battlefield during
Monday and Tuesday after contest, and
carefully endeavored to ascertain enenry's
comparative loss. He concludes it was
double ours, and many Confederate officers
thought so too.
liven on Wednesday they had not yet
finished burying thair dead or begun to bury
ours The Atlanta Appeal of Wednesday
last states that the rebel wounded had all
been moved there from the field, except
2,.")()0 cases which could not bear removal.
Same paper says Bragg has 200 guns, includ
ing some siege guns, bearing on Chattanooga.
I sLsk your attention to the ease of Gen.
Negley. Being ordered to post himself be
hind Baird's Division in the battle of Chicka
mauga, he seems to have sent ona of his
brigades somewhere to the left, but Gen.
Baiid tells me it did not come to him. With
the leinainder of his force Negley took up a
position out of lire in the rear, and a little to
the left of the place from which he had been
oidered to move, and theie remained doing
nothing till about noon, when the conflict
had grown hot, when ho marched iiis troops
to Kossville without liripg a shot, leaving the
rest of Thomas's Corps t) light the desperate
battle without help fioin him,
ThcBC facts were staled o me by Rose
crans, who, when I said, .Xegjey ought to he
shot, answered, "That ,is "my, opinion." He
added that he should hayuhjm punished, yet
now he has determine lo do nothing more
'than apply to have himlielictved and ordered
elsewhere.
Engineers are now engaged upon the pon
toon bridge to cross the Tennessee at mouth
of Lookout Creek. Nothing done yet on in
terior fortifications he;cf without which a
very large garrison is necessary.
Gen. Thomas desires me to say to yon that
he is deeply obliged to you for good opinion.
MOKK THREATENING AliOUT CHATTANOOGA.
Reliqved of fears as to Wheeler's
operations, the army began to think more
anxiously as to what the rebels in their
immediate front were doing. All the
advantages of position were with the
rebels, stationed on the overlooking
eminences, which not only afforded
positions for dangerous batteries, but
concealed their operations and manuvers.
Dana sends two more dispatches, Oct. 4.
1 p. m. Sheridan reports rebels very act
ive building works on Lookout Mountain,
and thinks they are massing cannon there.
9 a. m. All cptiet in front. Rebels sepm
to be intrenching themselves, bnt this cannot
be positively known, as their lines are covered
by woods. One of our trestle bridges over
the Tennessee here gave way last night,
J?rt3asf'fegSSrtffa5
sySsC
- -
p vaBgg Jjii-y
owing to a rise in the river, and the other
bridge threatens to fail. A new pontoon
bridge will take their place to-day. Two 30
poundcr Parrotts have arrived and aro placed
in Tort Wood, on our left. The largest rifle
guns in this army previously were 3-inch.
At McMinnville the rebels captured a Ten
nessee infantry regiment, about 250 strong,
also one locomotive and 11 cars, which they
burned. Notice of their approach and full
instructions had been sent there in season.
Burnside telegraphed last night inquiring
ifitwaslrue rebel cavalry had crossed Ten
nessee. As lie was not only notified of the
fact fonr days ago, bnt promised to send his
cavalry in pursuit, this inquiry is astonish
ing. Jt proves that he has done nothing.
Hud he taken the proper measures to protect
the left flank of this array this disaster could
not have happened, and unless he acts now he
will probably be responsible for worse ca
lamities. TROUBLE' ABOUT CIPHER.
The perennial trouble about cipher
dispatches crops out:
Oct. 5. T learn that part or all of my first
report of the second day of the great battle
was translated and shown about at Nashville
On the evening of that day. Horace May nard
even repeated at Cincinnati, a few days ago,
a whole sentence of it. Gen. ii. S. Granger
fs said to have had it. I have inquired of
him respecting the facts, and suggest to yon
that I ought to have a new cipher with many
more arbitrary words and combinations less
easy to discover. You ought also to deal
with your faithless subordinates who betrayed
me.
Chattanooga, Och 5.
Gen. Tl. 8. Granger, Nashville.
General: I am informed that on the even
ing of the 20th ultimo, or soon afterward, you
were in possession of part or all of a dispatch
of mine to the Secretary of War. Will you
kindly oblige me by telliug me if my infor
mation be correct, and, if so, by whom this
dispatch was communicated to you?
Yours, very respectfully, C. A. DANA.
To Mr. Stanton :
Chattanooga, Oct. 5; 4 p. m.
About 1 o'clock rebels opened from batteries
planted on eastern slope of LookoutMountain,
and also from two gnns on the west Lase of
Missionary liidge, and have been liring
steadily but not rapidly since. On Lookout
and low spur thereof, which stretches east
wfirdly toward Chattanooga Creek, they fire
seven guns in nil. They are apparently
shodting to get the range. No damage done.
Knoxville Jlegisicr, now issued at Atlanta,
says, in its impression of 3d instant, that
Polk and llindinan have come to Atlanta
under arrest: by order ofGen. Bragg, for dis
obedience in .second day's battle.
THe'Va'tAT, OliliER OF CHICKAMAUGA.
Oct 5 Mr. Dana opens up the bitter
est question in the history of the Army
of the Cumberland :
Oct. '6; 4 p. m. Result of rebel bombard
ment yesterday was that one private artil
leryman, Stanley's Brigade, Negley's Divis
ion, Fourteenth Corps, had foot shattered and
leg amputated. No other casualty. Firing
not yet resumed to-day. Chattanooga liebcL
4th instant, published at Atlanta, says rein
forcements are constantly going forward to
Bragg. Stevenson's Division went up last
Saturday. This is a Vicksbnrg division.
Tennessee here fell fonr inches last night,
and the remaining trestle bridge is safe for the
present.
New pontoon bridge nearly completed. A
boom of heavy logs is being stretched across
above the bridges to guard them against ob
jects that may be sent down the river by the
rebels. Baldy Smith, appointed Chief Engi
ngQr,oC.the Department, infuses much energy
andl judgment info that branch of the opera
tions. The news of consolidation of the two
corps Tcached here last night in a Nashville
newspaper; not having been previously pro
mulgated it caused sensation.
Crittenden was much excited; said as the
Government no longer required his services
he would resign to-day. At any rate, he
would not hibernate like others, drawing pay
and doing no work, lie has admirable quali
ties of character. McCook takes it easily,
t Reports of corps, division, and brigade com
,nunuier.s in recent battle now nearly all in.
Careful examination of them seems to prove
that the gap in the lines through which the
enemy ponred, Hanking and routing all of
three divisions and n part of a fourth, wjis
caused by an order of the commanding General.
Theyrprovc albo that there was much con
fusion and uncertainty in the general move
ments' of the day, though the probability still
remains very strong that but for this unfortu
nate order we should have gained a decisive
victory.
To'anake the case clear to you, let me slate
the position of the various divisions. On the
extreme lelt was Baird, supported by one
brigade of Negley, which had moved there,
leaving the remaindcrof division under Negley
h lting in rear of Brannan, though he had
been 'ordered to move his whole force to sup
port Baird. Next to Baird was Palmer; next
to Palmer, Johnson; next to Johnson, Rey
nolds! ,
At 'least such was the original order, but
after the line was formed, a gap appearing
between Johnson and Reynolds, and the lat
ter having no reserve, inasmuch as his third
brigade. Wildcr's, being mounted, was de
tatched and posted on the extreme right under
McCook, Branuan's reserve brigade was
matched into this gap and fought there.
Nextto Reynolds, on his right, stood Brannan,
and next to Brannan, in the original line,
Negley.
When that line was formed, Wood and Yau
Clove, of Crittenden's Corps, were both held in
reserve, while McCook with tho two divisions
remaining under his command, Davis's and
Sheridan's, Hanked on the right by .Wilder 's
mounted infantry, was to hold the right, and
also .to be ready to reinforce the left when
necessary.
On. taking Negley out to support Baiid,
Wood, of Crittenden's Corps, was ordered to
fill Negley's place and did so, having Davis
closed in upon his rij;ht, as McCook main
tains, though Davis tells me that there was
always a space between him and Wood.
However that may be, it is now certain that
the fatal gap was caused by an order of Rose
crans issued at 13 minutes before 11 a. in.
Rosecrans had been informed by a staff
ollicer of Thomas's that Brannan had been
ordered out of tho line to support the extreme
left, and supposing him to have lelt the line
accordingly, Kosecrans sent a written order to
Wood "to close up on Reynolds and support
him."
When Woo'd received this order he was, as
he says, in some doubt about obeying it, as
Brannan was between him and Reynolds,
ami thus be could not close up on Reynolds,
but supposing from the additional words,
"and suppoit him," that Reynolds must be
haul pressed and in danger, ho at once took
his command out of the line and marched
past the rear of Brannan to the rear of Rey
nolds's right, where he found that Reynolds
needed no support.
McCook endeavored to close the vacancy
thus left by Wood by moving Davis to the
left, but before this could be accomplished,
the enemy had broken through and all was
over in that part of the field.
Had Wood remained in the line, there is
little reason to doubt that the partial repulse
which tho enemy suffered from our dimin
ished forces later in the day would have been
changed into a complete and final victory
for us.
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&.eft ..fe,;--. iTvS,
Gen. Rosecrans says that in obeying this
order Wood was guilty of an error of judg
ment; that he should have seen in the fact
"that it required him to close up on Reynolds
evidence thafe-it was based on mistaken in
formation, and should, therefore have re
mained where he was.
To this Wood replies that he was partially
of that opinion, but that he consulted Gen.
McCook, who was with him at the moment,
and the latter advised him not to take the
responsibility of disobe3ing a written order,
especially as he could not know what was
passing on the part of the field where he was
ordered to go.
I judge from intimations that have reached
me, that in writing his own report Gen.
Rosecrans will elaborately show that the blame
of his failure in this great battle resU on the
Administration; that is, on the Secretary of
War and General-in-Chief, who did not fore
sec Bragg would be reinforced, and who com
pelled him to move forward withont cavalry
enough, and very inadequately prepared in
many other respects.
THE FATAL GAP IK THE 1ASE.
About 10 o'clock in the morning of
Sept. 20 an Aid informed Gen. Rose
crans that Gen. Reynolds's right was in
the air, and should be protected. It
appears that the Aid had not seen Geu.
Branuan's Division, which was "re
fused," on Reynolds's right. Gen. Rose
crans, supposing that Gen. Brannan had
gone to the left to the assistance of Gen.
Thomas, sent an order to the next Di
vision Commander on the right Gen.
J. T. Wood to close up on Gen. Rey
nolds's right and support it.
Here is the beginning of a dispute of
intense bitterness. It is claimed on the
one hand that Gen. Wood should have
known that the order was given under
a misapprehension, and delayed its exe
cution until he could communicate with
Gen. Rosecrans, not 600 yards away.
It is also claimed that Gen. Wood, who
had been censured by Gen. Rosecrans
some time previously about taking too
l much liberty m obevinc orders, bad
fully understood the momentous conse
quences of literal obedience, but had
determined upon it in a spirit of pique
against his commanding officer. At all
events, he obej-ed it, moved his division
out of line, around the rear of Brannan,
and to the right of Reynolds.
At that the rebels broke through the
gap left by his withdrawal, cut off the
divisions to the right, and sent them off
the field in confused flight. In his re
port of the battle Gen. Rosecrans says :
A message from Gen. Thomas soon followed,
that he was heavily pressed, Capt. Kellogsr,
Aid-de-Camp, the bearer, informing me at the
same time that Gen. Brannan was out of line,
and Gen. Reynolds's right was exposed. Orders
were dispatched to Gen. Wood to close up on
Reynolds, and word was sent to Gen. Thomas
that he should be supported, even if it took
away the whole corps of Crittenden and
McCook.
Gen. Davis was ordered to close on Gen.
Wood, and Gen. McCook was advised of the
state of affairs and ordered to close his whole
command to the left with all dispatch.
Geu. Wood, overlooking the direction to
"close up" on Gen. Reynolds, supposed he
was to support him, by withdrawing from the
line and passing to the rear of Gen. Brannan,
who, it appears, was not out of line, but was
en echelon, and slightly ;n, rear of, Reynolds's
right. By this unfortunate mistake a gap was
opened in the line-of-battle, of which- the
enemy took instant advantage, and striking
Davis in flank and rear, as well as in front,
threw his whole division in confusion.
The same attack shattered the right brigade
of Wood before it had cleared the space. The
right of Brannan was thrown back, and two
of his batteries, then in movement to a new
position, were taken in flank and thrown
back through two brigades of Van Cleve, then
on the inarch to the left, throwing his divis
ion into confusion, from which it never re
covered until it reached Rossville.
Wh.le the enemy poured iu through this
breach, a long line stretching beyond Sheri
dan's right was advancing. Laiboldt's Bri
gade shared in the rout of Davis. Sheridan's
other two brigades, in movement toward the
left, under orders to support Thomas, made
a gallant charge against the enemy's advanc
ing column, but were thrown into disorder by
the enemy's line advancing on their flank,
and were likewise compelled to fall back,
rallying on the Dry Valley road, and
repulsing the enemy, but they were again
compelled to yield to superior numbers and
retired westward, of the Dry Valley road,
and by a circuitous route reached Rossville,
from which they advanced by the La Fayette
road to snpport our left.
Thus Davis's two brigades, one of Van
Cleve "s, and Sheridan's entire division were
driven from the field, and the remainder,
consisting of the divisions of Baird, Johnson,
Palmer, Reynolds, Brannan, and Wood, two
of Negley's Brigades and one of Van Cleve's
were lelt to sustain the conflict against the
whole power of the rebel army, which, de
sisting from pursuit on the right, concentrated
their whole efforts to destroy them.
GEN. AVOOD'S STORY.
Gen. T. J.Wood, who always sustained
a high reputation as a gallant, capable
commander, did not attempt to discuss
the angrily mooted question in his report.
He stated his action as he did others
during the battle, as straightforward
obedience to orders, leaving the respon
sibility for results to rest upon the Com
manding General. He said :
The position my command theu occupied
closed the gap in our lines between Sheridan's
left and Branuan's right. Although I had
not been at all seriously engaged at any time
during the morning, I was well satisfied the
enemy was in considerable force iu my imme
diate front. Consequently I was extremely
vigilant. Such was the status of the battle
in my immediate vicinity when I received
the following order :
" Headquarters Department of the!
"Cumberland, Sept. 20; 10:45a. m. J
"Brig.-Gen. WOOD, commanding division,
etc.: The General commanding directs that
you close up on Reynolds as fast as poisibl e,
and support him.
"Respectfully, etc., Frank S. Boxd,
" Major and Aid-de-Camp."
I received the order about 11 o'clock. At
the moment of its receipt I was a short dis
tance in rear of the center of my command.
Gen. McCook was with me when I received
it. I informed him that I would imme
diately carry it into execution, and suggested
that he should close up his command rapidly
ou my right to prevent the occurrence A a
gap in our lines. He said he would do so,
and immediately rode away. I immediately
dispatched my staff officers to the brigade
commanders with the necessary orders, and
the movement was at once begun. Reynolds's
Division was posted on the left of Braunan's
Division, which, in turn, was on the left of
the position I was just quitting. I had con
sequently to pass my commaud in rear of
Braunan's Division to close up on aud go in
to the support of Reynolds.
So soon as I had got the command well in
motion, I rode forward to find Gen. Reynolds
and learn where and how it was desired to
bring my command into action. I did not
find Gen. Reynolds, but iu my search for him
I met Gen. Thomas, to whom I communicated
the order I had received from the Command
ing General, and desired to know where I
jfo-fifj
Farmers Break the Buggy Monopoly.
It is claimed that for years-buggy manufac
turers have secured exorbitant prices for their
goods, but recently, through the combined
assistance or the farmers of 'Iowa, Illinois and
other StatesSEAHS. Kokbuck & Co., or Chicago,
have got the price of ofwmi buggies down to'
S16.M); Top Iluggies. $23.73: Top Surries. $43.7.1
and upwards, and they are shipping them in
immense numbers direct to farmers in every
State. They fend an immense Huggy Cntnlojr uo
free, postpaid, to any one who asks lor it. Thte
certainly is a big victory for the farmer, but
severe blow to the carriage manufacturers and
dealers.
should move my command to support Gen.
Reynolds. Geu. Thomas replied that Gen.
Reynolds did not need support, but that I
had better move to the snpport of Gen. Baird,
posted ou our extreme left, who needed as
sistance. I exhibited my order to him-, and
asked whether he would take the responsi
bility, of changing it. Ife replied he would,
and T then informed him I would move my
command to the support of Gen. Baird. I re
quested Gen. Thomas to furnish mc a staff
officer who could conduct me to Gen. Baird,
which he did.
Taking this staff officer with me, I rode at
once to Barnes's Brigade and directed tho
staff officer to conduct it to and report it to I
Gen. Baird. I then rode to the other two
brigades for the pnrpose of following with
them in the rear of Barnes's Brigade to tho
assistance of Gen. Baird. When I rejoined
them I found the valley outh of them swarm
ing with the enemy.
it appears that when I moved my com
mand to go to the support of Gen. Reynolds,
the gap thus made in our Hues was not closed
by the troops on my right, and that the
enemy ponred through it very soon in great
force.
The head of his column struck the right of
Buell's Brigade, and cutting off a portion of
it, forced it over the adjacent ridge, whence
it retired, as I have subseonently learned,
with the vast mass of fugitives from the
troop3 on our extreme right toward Rossville.
To be continued )
EDITORIAL NOTE More about the siege
of Chattanooga will, be told in the next in
stallment of the Dana letters.
Death of Mrs. John M. Thurston.
News was received on March II of tho
death by apoplexy of Mrs. John M. Thurs
ton, wife of the Nebraska Senator, on
board a yacht at Sagua la Grande, Cuba.
The Senator and Mrs. Thurston were mem
bers of a party that went to Cuba as puesta
of a New York newspaper, to look over
the Cuban situation and especially in
spect the condition of the reconcentrados
The yacht encountered a very heavy gala
off Cape Hatteras, but weathered it, and
Mrs. Thurston was the only passenger not
taken ill during the storm. Mrs. Thurston,
according to the statement of Mrs. Gal
linjjer, who with Senator Gallinger left
the party at Charleston, had a presenti
ment. Mrs. Thurston told her that she
had written to her son at Harvard, giving
him instruction as to what to do with her
possessions in case something happened
to her during the trip. " In fact, I do not'
expect to return alive," were Mrs. Thurs
ton's parting words.
Mrs. Martha L. P. Thurston was the
daughter of Col. and Mrs. Luther Poland,
and a niece of Luke P. Poland, one of
Vermont's greatest Statesmen. She was
born in Vermont less than 50 years ago, and
removed to Omaha about 30 years' ago.
She was married to Senator Thurston, who
was then a struggling lawyer, oh Christmas
Day. 1872. A 17-yeaf-oId son, and two girls,
14 and 12 years old, are living, while three
children are dead.
During his campaign for the Senatorship
she was present at 74 of the 7G appoint
ments he made. She was his counselor
as a lawyer, appearing in court with him
as an assistant in important cases. Mrs.
Thurston was an active member of the
Society of the Daughters of the American .
Revolution, and at the recent Congress'in
this city was chosen one of the Vice-Presidents-General.
Tlifn nnrl imrmro Klni-il ia mniln ,is.l, oi
healthful by taking Hood's Sarsaparilla.
Took Part of His Ear.
Editob Natioxai. Tribute: I was much
interested in reading the story of Dr. J. P.
Cannon, particularly his description of tho
battle of Nashville and the retreat of Hood's
army. He speaks of a squad he was fall
ing back with on the evening of Dec. IU,
halting on a rise of ground and giving us a
few parting shots. ' I think it must have
been one of those shots which killed the
Adjutant of my regiment and took a small
portion of one of the writer's ears. It would
be a great pleasure for me to meet Dr. Can
non. W. B. Bkitto.v, Colonel, 8th Wis.,
Jancsville, Wis.
Deaths in the Leavenworth Home.
The following deaths are reported from
the National Military Home, Kan.: Patrick
Keliey, 0th N.Y.; John Ryan, L S. N.;
Wm. Jacobs. Co. C, 2Gth III.; Jas. Steece,
Co. G, 4th Ohio Cav.; John Sumers, Co. H,
flth 111.; J. B. Gray, Co, C. 193d Ohio;
Jerome H. Loveland, Co. A, 11th 111.; Jerry
Hogan. Co. I, 2d Ohio; Andrew J. Hull. Co.
II, 74th Ind.; Alonza Fowler, Co. I, USth
Pa.; John King, Co. B, 18th N. Y. Cav.; Jos.
Lvnch, Co. A, 13th .Jnd.; Benj. J. O'Con
nell, Co. A, 22d Inf., and Co. F, 47th Iowa.
Deaths In the Qnincy Soldiers Home.
Adj't Higgins reports the following deaths
in the Home during January: John Col
quist, Co. C, Oth 111. Cav.; Kugene Hall, Co.
I, 7th 111. Cav.; John Welch. Co. I. lOSth
III.; Thomas Deaven, Co. C, ."3d Ohio; John
Black, jr., Co. E. 1st 111 ; Andrew Mahan,
Co. A. 12th Ohio; Moses Callison, Co. I,
144th 111.; James Snowden. Co. I, 61st Pa.;
Jacob Poland, Co. K, 11th 111.
THEY RIDICULE IT.
MANY PEOPLE RIDICULE THE IDEA OF
AN ABSOLUTE CURE FOR DYSPEP
SIA AND STOMACH TROUBLES.
Ridicule, However, is Xot Argument, and
Facts are Stubborn Things.
Stomach troubles are so common and in
many cases so obstinate to cure that people
are apt to look with suspicion on any remedy
claiming to be a radical, permanent cure for
dyspepsia and indigestion. Many such pride
themselves on never being humbugged, especi
ally on medicines.
This fear of being humbngged may bo
carried too far; so far, in fact, that many
persons suffer for years with weak digestion,
rather than risk a little time and money in
faithfully testing the claims of a preparation
so reliable and universally used as Stuart'd
Dyspepsia Tablets. ,
Now Stuart's Dyspepsia Tablets are vastly
different in one important respect from ordi
nary proprietary medicines, lor the reason
that they are not a seer patent medicine,
no secret is made of titur ingredients, but
analysis shows them to contain the natural
digestive ferments, pure aseptic pepsin, the
digestive acids, Golden Seal, bismuth, hy
drastis and mix. They are not cathartic,
neither do they act powerfully ou any organ,
but they cure indigestion on the common
sense plan of digesting the food eaten
promptly, thoroughly before it has time to
ferment," sour and canse the-miscliief. This
is the only secret of their success.
Cathartic pills never have aud never can
cure indigestion and stomach troubles, be
cause they act entirely upon the bowels,
whereas the whole trouble is really in the
stomach.
Stuart's Dyspepsia Tablets, taken after
meals, digest the food. That is all there is
to it. Food not digested or half digested is
poison, as it creates gas, acidity, headaches,
palpitation of the heart, loss of flesh and ap
petite, and many other troubles which are
often called by some other name.
They are sold by druggists everywhere at
50 cents per package. Address Stuart Co.,
Marshall, Mich., for book on stomach dis
eases, or ask your druggist for it.