File through Foote

FILE generally means two soldiers, a front and rear rank man. Each man occupies in line about 21 inches; 10 files require a space of 7 paces; 100 files, 70 paces. The French designate men ranged in four ranks, as follows: the front rank men as chefs defile; the second rank, serres demi files; the third chefs demi file; and the rear rank serres files. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 299).


FILLEBROWN, Thomas Scott, naval officer, born in the District of Columbia, 13 August, 1834; died in New York City, 26 September, 1884. He was appointed to the U.S. Navy from Maine as a midshipman, 19 October, 1841, was promoted to passed midshipman, 10 August, 1847; became lieutenant, 15 September, 1855: lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862; commander, 25 July, 1866 ; captain, 6 January, 1874; and commodore, 7 May, 1883. He was present in all the operations on the Gulf Coast during the Mexican War, and took part in the North Pacific and Paraguay Expeditions. In 1863 he was placed in command of the steamboat "Chenango," and while proceeding down New York Harbor lost four officers and thirty men through the explosion of a boiler. He also commanded the iron-clad " Passaic," operating against Fort Sumter in May, 1864, the iron-clad "Montauk," in the attack on Battery Pringle, Stono River, South Carolina, in July of the same year, and the steamer "Sonoma," of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, in 1864-'5. He was also present at the engagement with Confederate batteries in Tagoda River, South Carolina, in February, 1865. At the close of the war he was assigned to special duty at the Navy Department in Washington, where he remained until just before his last illness.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 452


FILLMORE, Millard, thirteenth president of the United States, born in the township of Locke (now Summerhill). Cayuga County, New York, 7 February. 1800: died in Buffalo. New York, 7 March, 1874. The name of Fillmore is of English origin, and at different periods has been variously written. Including the son of the ex-president, the family can be traced through six generations, and. as has been said of that of Washington, its history gives proof of the lineal and enduring worth of race." The first of the family to appear in the New World was a certain John Fillmore, who, in a conveyance of two acres of land dated 24 November, 1704, is described as a "mariner of Ipswich." Massachusetts. His eldest son, of the same name, born two years before the purchase of the real estate in Beverly, also became a sea-faring man, and while on a voyage in the sloop " Dolphin," of Cape Ann, was captured with all on board by the pirate Captain John Phillips. For nearly nine months Fillmore and his three companions in captivity were compelled to serve on the pirate ship and to submit, during that long period, to many hardships and much cruel treatment. After watching and waiting for an opportunity to obtain their freedom, their hour at length came. While Fillmore sent an axe crashing through the skull of Burrall, the boatswain, the captain and other officers were despatched by his companions, and the ship was Won. They sailed her into Boston Harbor, and the same court which condemned the brigands of the sea presented John Fillmore with the captain's silver-hilted sword and other articles, which are preserved to this day by his descendants. The sword was inherited by his son, Nathaniel, and was made good use of in Doth the French and Revolutionary wars. Lieutenant Fillmore's second son, who also bore the name Nathaniel, and who was the father of the president, went with his voting wife. Phebe Millard, to what at the close of the past, century was the “far west” where he and a younger brother built a log cabin in the wilderness, and there his second son, Millard, was born. Nathaniel Fillmore was one of "God Almighty's gentlemen," whose creed was contained in two words, "do right," and who lived to see his son elevated to a position than which there is none  loftier on earth. Of the president's mother, who died in 1831, little is known beyond the fact that, she was a sensible and, in her later years, a sickly  woman; with a sunny nature that enabled her to endure uncomplainingly the many hardships of a frontier life, and that her closing days were gladdened by the frequent visits of her second son, who was then in public life, with every prospect of a successful professional and political career.

From a brief manuscript autobiography prepared by "worthy Mr. Fillmore," as Washington Irving described him, we learn that, owing to a defective title, his father lost his property on what was called the "military tract," and moved to another part of the same county, now known as Niles, where he took a perpetual lease of 130 acres, wholly unimproved and covered with heavy timber. It was here that the future president first knew anything of life. Working for nine months on the farm, and attending such primitive schools as then existed in that neighborhood for the other three months of the year, he had an opportunity of forgetting during the summer what he acquired in the winter, for in those days there were no newspapers and magazines to be found in pioneers' cabins, and his father's library consisted of but two books — the Bible and a collection of hymns. He never saw a copy of "Shakespeare" or "Robinson Crusoe," a history of the United States, or even a map of his own country, till he was nineteen years of age! Nathaniel Fillmore's misfortunes in losing his land through a defective title, and again in taking another tract of exceedingly poor soil, gave him a distaste for farming, and made him desirous that his sons should follow other occupations. As his means did not justify him or them in aspiring to any profession, he wished them to learn trades, and accordingly Millard, then a sturdy youth of fourteen, was apprenticed for a few months on trial to the business of carding wool and dressing cloth. During his apprenticeship he was, as the youngest, treated with great injustice, and on one occasion his employer, for some expression of righteous resentment, threatened to chastise him. when the young woodsman, burning with indignation, raised the axe with which he was at work and told him the attempt would cost him his life. Most fortunately for both, the attempt was not made, and at the close of his term he shouldered his knapsack, containing a few clothes and a supply of bread and dried venison, and set out on foot and alone for his father's house, a distance of something more than a hundred miles through the primeval forests. Mr. Fillmore in his autobiography remarks: "I think that this injustice—which was no more than other apprentices have suffered and will suffer—had a marked effect on my character. It made me feel for the weak and unprotected, and to hate the insolent tyrant in ever)station of life."

In 1815 the youth again began the business of carding and cloth-dressing, which was carried on from June to December of each year. The first book that he purchased or owned was a small English dictionary, which he diligently studied while attending the carding machine. In 1819 he conceived the design of becoming a lawyer. Fillmore, who had yet two years of his apprenticeship to serve, agreed with his employer to relinquish his wages for the last year's services, and promised to pay thirty dollars for his time. Making an arrangement with a retired country lawyer, by which he was to receive his board in payment for his services in the office, he began the study of the law, a part of the time teaching school, and so struggling on, overcoming almost insurmountable difficulties, till at length, in the spring of 1823, he was, at the intercession of several leading members of the Buffalo bar, whose confidence he had won, admitted as an attorney by the court of common pleas of Erie County, although he had not completed the course of study usually required. The writer has recently seen the dilapidated one-story building in Buffalo where Mr. Fillmore closed his career as a school-master, and has also conversed with one of his pupils of sixty-five years ago. The wisdom of his youth and early manhood gave presage of all that was witnessed and admired in the maturity of his character. Nature laid on him, in the kindly- phrase of Wordsworth, "the strong hand of her purity," and even then he was remarked for that sweet courtesy of manner which accompanied him through life. Millard Fillmore began practice at Aurora, where his father then resided, and fortunately won his first case and a fee of four dollars. In 1827 he was admitted as an attorney, and two years later as counsellor of the supreme court of the state. In 1830 he moved to Buffalo, and after a brief period formed a partnership with Nathan K. Hall, to which Solomon G. Haven was soon afterward admitted.

By hard study and the closest application, combined with honesty and fidelity, Mr. Fillmore soon became a sound and successful lawyer, attaining a highly honorable position in the profession. The law-firm of Fillmore, Hall & Haven, which continued till 1847, was perhaps the most prominent in western New York, and was usually engaged in every important suit occurring in that portion of the state. In 1853, while still in Washington. Mr. Fillmore made an arrangement with Henry E. Davies to renew, on retiring from the presidency, the practice of his profession in New York in partnership with that gentleman, who, after occupying a judge's seat in the court of appeals, returned to the bar. Family afflictions, however, combined with other causes, induced the ex-president to abandon his purpose. There were doubtless at that time men of more genius and greater eloquence at the bar of the great city: but we cannot doubt that Mr. Fillmore's solid legal learning, and the weight of his personal character, would have won for him the highest professional honors in the new field of action.
Mr. Fillmore's political career began and ended with the birth and extinction of the great Whig Party. In 1828 he was elected by Erie County to the state legislature of New York, serving for three terms, and retiring with a reputation for ability, integrity, and a conscientious performance of his public duties. He distinguished himself by his advocacy of the act to abolish imprisonment for debt, which was passed in 1831. The bill was drafted by Fillmore, excepting the portions relative to proceedings in courts of record, which were drawn by John C. Spenser. In 1832 he was elected to Congress, and, after serving for one term, retired till 1836, when he was re-elected, and again returned in 1838 and 1840, declining a renomination in 1842. In the 27th Congress Mr. Fillmore, as chairman of the committee on ways and means —a committee performing at that period not only the duties now devolving upon it, but those also which belong to the committee on appropriations —had herculean labors to perform. Day after day, for weeks arid months. Fillmore had to encounter many of the ablest debaters of the house, but on all occasions he proved himself equal to the emergency. It should not be forgotten that, in the opinion of John Quincy Adams, there were more men of talent and a larger aggregate of ability in that Congress than he had ever known. Although Mr. Fillmore did not claim to have discovered any original system of revenue, still the tariff of 1842 was a new creation, and he is most justly entitled to the distinction of being its author. It operated successfully, giving immediate life to our languishing industries and national credit. At the same time Mr. Fillmore, with great labor, prepared a digest of the laws authorizing all appropriations reported by him to the house as chairman of the committee on ways and means, so that on the instant he could produce the legal authority for every expenditure which he recommended. Sensible that this was a great safeguard against improper expenditures, he procured the passage of a resolution requiring the departments, when they submitted estimates of expenses, to accompany them with a reference to the laws authorizing them in each and every instance. This has ever since been the practice of the government.

Mr. Fillmore retired from Congress in 1843, and was a candidate for the office of vice-president, supported by his own and several of the western states, in the Whig convention that met at Baltimore in May, 1844. In the following September he was nominated by acclamation for governor, but was defeated by Silas Wright, his illustrious contemporary, Henry Clay, being vanquished at the same time in the presidential contest by James K. Polk. In 1847 Fillmore was elected comptroller of the state of New York, an office which then included many duties now distributed among other departments. In his report of 1 January, 1849, he suggested that a national bank, with the stocks of the United States as the sole basis upon which to issue its currency, might be established and carried on, so as to prove a great convenience to the government, with perfect safety to the people. This idea involves the essential principle of our present system of national banks.

In June, 1848, Millard Fillmore was nominated by the Whig National Convention for vice-president, with General Taylor, who had recently- won military renown in Mexico, as president, and was in the full owing November elected, making, with the late occupant of the office, seven vice-presidents of the United States from New York, a greater number than has been yet furnished by any other state. In February, 1849, Fillmore resigned the comptroller-ship, and on 5 March he was inaugurated as vice-president. In 1826 Calhoun, of South Carolina, then vice-president, established the rule that that officer had no authority to call senators to order. During the heated controversies in the sessions of 1849-'50, occasioned by the application of California for admission into the Union, the vexed question of slavery in the new territories, and that of the rendition of fugitive slaves, in which the most acrimonious language was used, Mr. Fillmore, in a forcible speech to the Senate, announced his determination to maintain order, and that, should occasion require, he should resume the usage of his predecessors upon that point. This announcement met with the unanimous approval of the Senate, which directed the vice-president's remarks to be entered in full on its journal. He presided during the exciting controversy on Clay's "Omnibus Bill" with his usual impartiality, and so perfectly even did he hold the scales that no one knew which policy he approved excepting the president, to whom he privately stated that, should he be required to deposit a casting vote, it would be in favor of Henry Clay's bill. More than seven months of the session had been exhausted in angry controversy, when, on 9 July, 1850, the country was startled by the news of President Taylor's death. He passed away in the second year of his presidency, suddenly and most unexpectedly, of a violent fever, which was brought on by long exposure to the excessive heat of a fourth of July sun, while he was attending the public ceremonies of the day.

It was a critical moment in the history of our country when Millard Fillmore was on Wednesday, 10 July, 1850, made President of the United States. With great propriety he reduced the ceremony of his inauguration to an official act to be marked by solemnity without joy; and so with an absence of the usual heralding of trumpet and shawm, he was unostentatiously sworn into his great office in the hall of representatives, in the presence of both houses. The chief justice of the Circuit court of the District of Columbia—the venerable William Cranch, appointed fifty years before by President John Adams—administered the oath, which being done, the new president bowed and retired, and the ceremony was at an end. Mr. Fillmore was then in the prime of life, possessing that which to the heathen philosopher seemed the greatest of all blessings—a sound mind in a sound body. The accompanying vignette portrait was taken at this time, while the large steel engraving is from a picture made some twenty years later. Of Fillmore's keen appreciation of the responsibility devolving on him we have the evidence of letters written at that time, in which he says he should despair but for his humble reliance on God to help him in the honest, fearless, and faithful discharge of his great duties. President Taylor's cabinet immediately resigned, and a new and exceedingly able one was selected by Mr. Fillmore, with Daniel Webster as Secretary of State; Thomas Corwin, Secretary of the Treasury; William A. Graham, Secretary of the Navy; Charles M. Conrad, Secretary of War; Alexander II. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior; John J. Crittenden, Attorney-General: and Nathan K. Hall, Postmaster-General. Of these, Mr. Webster died, and Messrs. Graham and Hall retired in 1852, and were respectively replaced by Edward Everett, John P. Kennedy, and Samuel D. Hubbard. Stuart, of Virginia, is now the sole survivor of the illustrious men who aided Mr. Fillmore in guiding the ship of state during the most appalling political tempest, save one, which ever visited this fair land. It is not the writer's wish to reawaken party feelings or party prejudice or to recall those great questions of pith and moment which so seriously disturbed Congress and the country in the first days of Fillmore’s administration, but yet, even in so cursory a glance as we are now taking of his career, some comment would seem to be called for in respect to those public acts connected with slavery which appear to have most unreasonably and unjustly lost him the support of a large proportion of his party in the northern states. Whatever the wisdom of Mr. Fillmore's course may have been, it is impossible to doubt his patriotism or his honest belief that he was acting in accordance with his oath to obey the constitution of his country. The president's dream was peace—to preserve without hatred and without war tranquillity throughout the length and breadth of our broad land, and if in indulging this delusive dream he erred, it was surely an error that leaned to virtue's side. There is a legend "that he serves his party best who serves his country best." In Mr. Fillmore's action it is confidently believed that he thought not of party or of personal interests, but only of his bounden duty to his country and her sacred constitution.

One of the president's earliest official acts was to send a military force to New Mexico to protect that territory from invasion by Texas on account of its disputed boundary. Then followed the passage by a large majority of the celebrated compromise measures, including the fugitive-slave law. The president referred to the attorney-general the question of its constitutionality, and that officer in a written opinion decided that it was constitutional. Fillmore and the strong cabinet that he had called around him concurred unanimously in this opinion, and the act was signed, together with the other compromise measures. The Fugitive-Slave Law was exceedingly obnoxious to a large portion of the Whig Party of the north, as well as to the anti-slavery men, and its execution was resisted. Slaves in several instances were rescued from the custody of the United States marshals, and a few citizens of Christiana, in Pennsylvania, were killed. Although it was admitted that Fillmore's administration as a whole was able, useful, and patriotic, although his purity as a public man was above suspicion, and no other act of his administration could be called unpopular, still, by the signing and attempted enforcement of the fugitive-slave law and some of its unfortunate provisions, of which even Mr. Webster did not approve, the president, as has been already stated, lost the friendship and support of a large portion of his party in the north.

Mr. Fillmore’s administration being in a political minority in both houses of Congress, many wise and admirable measures recommended by him failed of adoption; nevertheless we are indebted to him for cheap postage; for the extension of the national capital, the corner-stone of which he laid 4 July, 1851; for the Perry Treaty, opening the ports of Japan, and for various valuable exploring expeditions. When South Carolina in one of her indignant utterances took Mr. Fillmore to task for sending a fleet to Charleston Harbor, and he was officially questioned as to his object and authority, the answer came promptly and to the purpose, " By authority of the constitution of the United States, which has made the president commander-in-chief of the army and navy, and who recognizes no responsibility for his official action to the governor of South Carolina." With stern measures he repressed filibustering, and with equal firmness exacted from other countries respect for our flag. Mr. Fillmore carried out strictly the doctrine of non-intervention in the affairs of foreign nations, and frankly stated his policy to the highly-gifted Kossuth, who won all hearts by his surpassing eloquence. At the same time, however, it was clearly shown how little the administration sympathized with Austria by the celebrated letter addressed to her ambassador, Hulsemann. by Daniel Webster, who died soon after. His successor as Secretary of State was Edward Everett, whose brief term of office was distinguished by his letter declining the proposition for a treaty by which England, France, and the United States were to disclaim then and for the future all intention to obtain possession of Cuba. In his last message, however, the president expressed an opinion against the incorporation of the island with this Union.

Nothing in Mr. Fillmore's presidential career was, during the closing years of his life, regarded by himself with greater satisfaction than the suppressed portion of his last message of 6 December, 1852. It was suppressed by the advice of the cabinet, all of whom concurred in the belief that, if sent in, it would precipitate an armed collision, and he readily acquiesced in their views. It related to the great political problem of the period—the balance of power between the free and the slave states. He fully and clearly appreciated the magnitude of the then approaching crisis, and in the document now under consideration proposed a judicious scheme of rescuing the country from the horrors of a Civil War, which soon after desolated so large a portion of the land. His perfectly practicable plan was one of African colonization, somewhat similar to one seriously entertained by his successor, Mr. Lincoln. Had President Fillmore's scheme been adopted, it is quite possible that it would have been successful, and that our country might have been blessed with peace and prosperity, in lieu of the late war with its loss of half a million of precious lives and a debt of more than double the amount of the estimated cost of his plan of colonization. Mr. Fillmore retired from the presidency, 4 March, 1853, leaving the country at peace with other lands and within her own borders, and in the enjoyment of a high degree of prosperity in all the various departments of industry. In his cabinet there had never been a dissenting voice in regard to any important measure of his administration, and, upon his retiring from office, a letter was addressed to him by all its members, expressing their united appreciation of his ability, his integrity, and his single-hearted and sincere devotion to the public service.

The surviving member of Fillmore's cabinet, who also sat in the 27th Congress with him, in a communication, with which he has favored the writer, says: "Mr. Fillmore was a man of decided opinions, but he was always open to conviction. His aim was truth, and whenever he was convinced by reasoning that his first impressions were wrong, he had the moral courage to surrender them. But, when he had carefully examined a question and had satisfied himself that he was right, no power on earth could induce him to swerve from what he believed to be the line of duty. . . . There were many things about Mr. Fillmore, aside from his public character, which often filled me with surprise. While he enjoyed none of the advantages of early association with cultivated society, he possessed a grace and polish of manner which fitted him for the most refined circles of the metropolis. You saw, too, at a glance, that there was nothing in it which was assumed, but that it was the natural outward expression of inward refinement and dignity of character. I have witnessed, on several occasions, the display by him of attributes apparently of the most opposite character. When assailed in Congress he exhibited a manly self-reliance and a lofty courage which commanded the admiration of every spectator, and yet no one ever manifested deeper sensibility, or more tender sympathy, with a friend in affliction. ... he seemed to have the peculiar faculty of adapting himself to every position in which he was called to serve his country. When he was chairman of the committee of ways and means, members of Congress expressed their sense of his fitness by declaring that he was born to fill it. When he was elected vice president, it was predicted that he would fail as the presiding officer of the Senate, yet he acquitted himself in this new and untried position in such a  manner as to command the applause of senators. And when advanced to the highest office of our country, he so fulfilled his duties as to draw forth the commendation of the ablest men of the opposite party. . . . For the last, two years of my official association with Mr. Fillmore," adds Mr. Stuart, "our relations, both personal and political, were of an intimate and confidential character. He knew that I was his steadfast friend, and he reciprocated the feeling. He talked with me freely and without reserve about men and measures, and I take pleasure in saying that in all my intercourse with him I never knew him to utter a sentiment or do an act which, in my judgment, would have been unworthy of Washington.

His gifted "contemporary, Henry Clay, thought highly of Fillmore's moderation and wisdom, said his administration was an able and honorable one, and on his death-bed recommended his nomination for the presidency (by the Baltimore convention of 1852), as being a "statesman of large civil experience, and one in whose career there was nothing inconsistent with the highest purity and patriotism. After leaving Washington for the last time, Webster said to a friend that Fillmore's administration—leaving out of the question his share of its work—was the ablest the country had possessed for many years. The same great statesman, in his speech at the laying of the corner-stone of the capitol extension, said : " President Fillmore, it is your singularly good fortune to perform an act such as that which the earliest of your predecessors performed fifty-eight years ago. You stand where he stood; you lay your hand on the cornerstone he laid. Changed, changed is everything around. The same sun, indeed, shone upon his head which shines upon yours. The same broad river rolled at his feet, and now bathes his last resting-place, which now rolls at yours. But the site of this city was then mainly an open field. Streets and avenues have since been laid out and completed, squares and public grounds enclosed and ornamented, until the city, which bears his name, although comparatively inconsiderable in numbers and wealth, has become quite fit to be the seat of government of a great and united people. Sir, may the consequences of the duty which you perform so auspiciously to-day equal those which flowed from his act. Nor this only: may the principles of your administration and the wisdom of your political conduct be such that the world of the present day and all history hereafter may be at no loss to perceive what example you made your study."

It should be stated as a part of Mr. Fillmore's public record that he was a candidate for nomination as president at the Whig convention of 1852; but although his policy, the Fugitive-Slave Law included, was approved by a vote of 227 against 60, he could not command 20 votes from the free states. Four years later, while at Rome, he received the news of his nomination for the presidency by the American Party. He accepted the nomination, but before the close of the campaign it became evident that the real struggle was between the Republicans and Democrats. Many, with whom Fillmore was the first choice for president, cast their votes for General Fremont or James Buchanan, believing that there was no hope of his election, and, although he received the support of large numbers in all the states, Maryland alone gave him her electoral vote. In the summer of 1864 Colonel Ogle Tayloe, of Washington, wrote to Mr. Fillmore on the subject of the presidential nomination, and his response was: " I can assure you in all sincerity that I have no desire ever to occupy that exalted station again, and more especially at a time like this." Apropos of letters, the writer has had the privilege of perusing a collection of confidential correspondence written by President Fillmore during a score of years while in public life; and, after a most careful examination, has failed to find a single passage that would not stand the light of day, not a word of ignoble office-seeking, no paltry tricks to gain notoriety, no base designs of fattening upon public plunder.

Having thus glanced at the professional and political career of Mr. Fillmore, it now only remains to allude very briefly to his private life from 1853 onward. "The circles of our felicities make short arches." Who shall question the wise axiom of Sir Thomas Browne, the brave old knight of Norwich, a favorite author with the president? Three weeks after the close of his administration he sustained a severe affliction in the loss of his wife, Abigail Powers, the daughter of a clergyman, whom he married 5 February, 1826, and who was emphatically her husband's "right-hand." She had long been a sufferer from ill health and was looking forward most eagerly to a return to her old home, when she was taken away to those temples not made with hands. Irving says that she received her death-warrant while standing by his side on the cold marble terrace of the capitol, listening to the inaugural address of Mr. Fillmore's successor. To this Christian lady the White House is indebted for the books which to-day make the library one of the most attractive rooms in the presidential mansion. In the following year their only daughter, who had grown to womanhood, also passed away, leaving a memory precious to all who had the privilege of her acquaintance. His home now lonely from the loss of those who spread around it sunshine and happiness, induced Mr. Fillmore to carry out a long-cherished project of visiting the Old World, and in May. 1855, he sailed in the steamer “Atlantic." During his visit to England he received numerous and gratifying attentions from the queen and her cabinet ministers, and was proffered the degree of D. C. L. by the University of Oxford, through its chancellor, the late Earl of Derby. This honor he however declined, as did Charles Francis Adams a few years later.

We cannot dwell us we could wish on Mr. Fillmore's patriotic attitude during the early years of the late war; of his warm interest in all the charitable Christian work of the city in which he passed nearly half a century; of his establishing the Buffalo Historical Society; how, as the first citizen of Buffalo, he was called upon to welcome distinguished visitors, including Mr. Lincoln, when on his way to Washington in 1861. and frequently to preside over conventions and other public gatherings, for the control of which he was so admirably qualified by his thorough parliamentary abilities, his widely extended knowledge, his broad views, and a personal urbanity which nothing could disturb; of the method and exactness, the precision and punctuality, with which he conducted his private affairs, as in earlier years he had performed his professional and public duties; of another visit to Europe in 1866, accompanied by his second wife, Caroline C. Mcintosh, who survived him for seven years; of his manner of life in dignified retirement, surrounded by all the comfort and luxuries of a beautiful and well-appointed mansion, including a large library, and with an attached wife to share his happy home (see accompanying illustration). In a letter written to his friend Mr. Corcoran, of Washington, but a few weeks before the inevitable hour came, he remarks: "I am happy to say that my health is perfect. I eat, drink, and sleep as well as ever, and take a deep but silent interest in public affairs, and if Mrs. Fillmore's health can be restored, I should feel that I was in the enjoyment of an earthly paradise." The ex-president accepted an invitation to meet the surviving members of his cabinet and a few other valued friends at the residence of Mr. Corcoran. The month of January, 1874, was designated as the date of the meeting, but was afterward changed to April, by Mr. Fillmore's request. Before that time he was no longer among the living. After a short illness, at ten minutes past eleven o'clock, on Sunday evening, 8 March, Millard Fillmore

"Gave his honors to the world again,

His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace." He was gathered to his fathers at the ripe age of seventy-four years, and passed away without the knowledge that his former partner, Judge Hall, with whom he had been so long and so closely united in the bonds of friendship, as well as in professional and political life, had also, a few days, previous, rested from his labors, and was then lying in the Forest Hill cemetery, where the ex-president now sleeps by his side.

Among the chief magistrates of our country there appear more brilliant names than Fillmore's, yet none who more wisely led on the nation to progress and prosperity, making her name great and preserving peace in most perilous times, without invoking the power of the sword, or one who could more truthfully say, " Those hands are clean." Without being a genius like Webster or Hamilton, he was a safe and sagacious statesman. He possessed a mind so nicely adjusted and well balanced that he was fitted for" the fulfilment of any duty which he was called to perform. He was always ready to give up everything but conviction when once convinced. A single public act honestly and unflinchingly performed cost him his popularity. Posterity, looking from a distance, will perhaps be more just. All his acts, whether daily and common or deliberate and well-considered, were marked with modesty, justice, and sincerity. What Speaker Onslow said of Sir Robert Walpole was equally true of President Fillmore. "He was the best man from the goodness of his heart, to live with and under, of any great man I ever knew." His was an eminently kindly nature, and the last time the writer saw him, in 1873, he was relieving, with a liberal hand, the necessities of an old and unfortunate friend. He was a sound, practical Christian " without knowing it," as Pope remarked of a contemporary. His temper was perfect, and it is doubtful if he left an enemy on earth. Frederick the Great announced with energy that" Peter the First of Russia, to govern his nation, worked upon it like aquafortis upon iron." Fillmore, to win his way, like Lincoln and Garfield, from almost hopeless poverty to one of the most eminent positions of the world, showed equal determination, oftentimes working for weeks and months together, till long past midnight, which happily his powers of physical endurance permitted him to do with impunity, and affording a fine illustration of the proud boast of our country, that its loftiest honors are the legitimate objects of ambition to the humblest in the land, as well as to those favored by the gifts of fortune and high birth. See Chamberlain's "Biography of Millard Fillmore " (Buffalo, 1856); Benton's "Abridgment of the Debates of Congress from 1789 to 1856," vol. xvi. (New York, 1861); Thompson's "The Presidents and their Administrations " (Indianapolis, 1873); Von Hoist's "Constitutional and Political Hist6ry of the United States," vol. iv. (Chicago, 1885).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 452-457.


FINDING. Before a court-martial deliberates upon the judgment, the judge-advocate reads over the whole proceedings of the court; he then collects the votes of each member, beginning with the youngest. The best mode of doing so is by slips of paper. The Articles of War require a majority in all cases, and in case of sentence of death, two-thirds^. It is not necessary to find a general verdict of guilt or acquittal upon the whole of every charge. The court may find a prisoner guilty of part of a charge, and acquit him of the remainder, and render sentence according to their finding. This is a special verdict; (HOUGH'S Military Law Authorities.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 300).


FINLEY, Jesse Johnson, senator, born in Wilson County, Tennessee, 18 November, 1812. He was educated at Lebanon, Tennessee, and in 1836-'7 was captain of a company of mounted volunteers from Tennessee that served in the Seminole War in Florida. On his return he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1838, and in 1840 moved to Mississippi County, Arkansas, where he was elected to the state senate in 1841. The following year he resigned and went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he practised law. He was elected mayor in 1845, and after the expiration of his term of office in 1846 moved to Marianna, Jackson County, Florida. In 1850 he was elected to the state senate, and in 1852 was presidential elector on the Whig ticket. In 1853 he was appointed judge of the Western Circuit of Florida to fill a vacancy, and was subsequently elected to the same office for two terms without opposition. He was appointed judge of the Confederate Court for the District of Florida in 1861, but resigned in March, 1862, and volunteered as a private in the army. He was promoted successively to captain, colonel, and brigadier-general. At the close of the war Judge Finley went to Lake City, Florida, and in 1871 moved to Jacksonville in the same state. He was then elected to Congress as a Conservative Democrat, and served in 1875-'9. In 1880 he was nominated against his wishes and took his seat, but was subsequently unseated by the rival candidate. In March, 1887, he was selected by the governor to supply the vacancy in the United States Senate that had been occasioned by the expiration of the term of Charles W. Jones, until a choice could be made by the legislature.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 460.


FINLEY, Robert Smith, 1804-1860, Cincinnati, Ohio.  Member and Secretary of the Cincinnati auxiliary of the American Colonization Society (ACS).  Son of ACS founder Robert S. Finley.  Traveling agent for the Society.  Organized numerous societies in Ohio.  (Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 460; Staudenraus, P. J. The African Colonization Movement, 1816-1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 140, 144-145, 147, 210, 227, 231-232, 234)


FINNEY, Charles Grandison, Reverend, 1792-1875, Lorain, Ohio, clergyman, advocate of social reforms, author, publisher, president of Oberlin College, Ohio, 1851-1866, abolitionist.  Manager, American Anti-Slavery Society, 1840-1841.  Vice President, 1840, Ohio State Anti-Slavery Society.  American Presbyterian Minister and leader in the “Second Great Awakening” in the United States.  Also considered one of the “fathers of modern revivalism,” 1825-1835, in upstate New York and Manhattan.  (Dumond, 1961, pp. 154, 158-159, 163; Goodell, 1852, p. 492; Mabee, 1970, pp. 130, 151, 153, 218, 253, 291, 339, 403n25; Rodriguez, 2007, pp. 511, 518; Sorin, 1971, pp. 12, 55, 67, 69, 97, 111-112; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 461; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 3, Pt. 2, p. 394; American Reformers: An H.W. Wilson Biographical Dictionary, New York, 1985, pp. 290-292; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 7, p. 935; Proceedings of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Convention, 1835)

FINNEY, Charles Grandison, clergyman, born in Warren, Litchfield County, Connecticut, 29 August, 1792; died in Oberlin, Ohio, 16 August, 1875. He moved with his father to Oneida County, New York, in 1794, and when about twenty years old engaged in teaching in New Jersey. He began to study law in Jefferson County, New York, in 1818, but, having been converted in 1821, studied theology, was licensed to preach in the Presbyterian Church in 1824, and began to labor as an evangelist. He met with great success in Utica, Troy, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. On his second visit to the last city, in 1832, the Chatham street theatre was bought and made into a church for him, and the New York "Evangelist" established as an advocate of the revival. His labors here resulted in the establishment of seven "free Presbyterian" churches, and in 1834 he became pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, which had been built especially for him. Mr. Finney accepted, in 1835, the professorship of theology at Oberlin, which had just been founded by his friends, and retained it until his death. Here he assisted in establishing the "Oberlin Evangelist," and afterward the "Oberlin Quarterly." He also became pastor of the Congregational Church in Oberlin in 1837, but continued at intervals to preach in New York and elsewhere. He spent three years in England as a revivalist, in 1849-'51 and 1858-'60, adding to his reputation for eloquence, and in 1851-'66 was president of Oberlin. Professor Finney relied greatly on doctrinal preaching in his revivals, as opposed to animal excitement, and his sermons were plain, logical, and direct. He was an Abolitionist, an anti-mason, and an advocate of total abstinence. His chief works are "Lectures on Revivals," which have been translated into several foreign languages (Boston, 1835; 13th ed., 1840; enlarged ed., Oberlin, 1868); "Lectures to Professing Christians" (Oberlin, 1830); "Sermons on Important Subjects" (New York, 1839); and "Lectures on Systematic Theology" (2 vols., Oberlin, 1847; London, 1851). After his death were published his "Memoirs," written by himself (New York, 1870).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 461.


FIRE, (VARIETIES OF.) Direct fire is when the battery of guns is ranged parallel to the face of the work, or the line of troops to be fired at, so that the shot strike it perpendicularly. FIG. 129. A B represents a line of parapet, or of troops. C is the position of a battery, or line of infantry for direct fire on A B. D for enfilade. E for slant F  for reverse.

ENFILADE. Enfilade fire is when the battery is ranged perpendicularly to the prolongation of the crest of a parapet, or to a line of troops, so that the shot flies in the same direction, or parallel to the line or parapet, sweeping along from one end to the other.

OBLIQUE. Oblique fire is when the battery of guns is ranged so as to form an angle with the front of the object to be struck.

PLUNGING. Plunging fire is when the shot is fired from a position considerably higher than the object fired at.

RICHOCHET. Ricochet fire is firing with a slight elevation, and with small charges, in a direction enfilading the face of the work, so that the shot are pitched over the parapet, and bound along the rampart from end to end, with destructive effect on the guns and gunners. REVERSE. Reverse fire is when the shot strikes the interior slope of the parapet at an angle greater than 30.

SLANT. Slant fire is when the shot strikes the interior slope of the parapet, forming with it a horizontal angle, not greater than 30.

VERTICAL. Vertical fire is that in which the shot or shell describes a lofty curve through the air before it falls; such is the fire from mortars. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 300-301).


FIRE BALL. Made like a light-ball, except that, being intended to light the works of an enemy, it is also loaded with a shell. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 301).


FIRING. In the discharge of fire-arms, it is necessary to know the position and relations existing between the three following lines (Fig. 130): 1st, the line of sight, which is the prolongation of the visual FIG. 130. ray passing through the highest points of the breech and the muzzle; 2d, the line of fire, which is the prolonged axis of the piece; and 3d, the trajectory described by the projectile.

The point-blank range is the second intersection of the trajectory with the line of sight.

The causes of deviation in firms are:

(1.) From the construction of the arm. (2.) From the powder. charge Causes which can be corrected. “Which cannot corrected. be “Wrong position of the sight. Calibre not exact. Barrel imperfect. Too hard on the trigger.  Windage. The recoil. Vibrations of the barrel, (spring of barrel.) Not exact measure. Form of grain and variable quality of powder. Its deterioration from dampness in transportation, &c. More or less ramming. Sticking along the bore, from becoming foul and damp.  Getting foul or dirty. Not being of the exact weight and calibre,  More or less deformed in loading, or on leaving the (3.) From the ball. I barrel. Not having the centre of gravity in the centre of the figure, (spherical ball.) The effect of wind. The temperature; moisture in, and density of the air. (4.) From the atmosphere the position of the sun. Difference of level between the target and gun.

For the same kind of arm, the dimensions, charges, weights, projectile, &c., being constant, the point-blank may be considered as constant, and serves as a point of reference in firing at different distances.

With a piece having a point-blank, that is, any piece having an angle in front, made by the line of sight and the line of fire, it is necessary, in firing at a point-blank object, to aim directly at the object. If the object be situated within the point-blank range, it will be necessary to aim below. If the object be situated beyond the point-blank, we must aim above the object.

As the end of the gun obstructs the view of the object, in aiming above the point to be reached, and, moreover, as it is difficult to determine at a certain distance the elevation that ought to be given to the line of sight, a hausse or tangent scale is placed upon the breech of the cannon, which, by enlarging its diameter, increases the angle of sight and consequently the point-blank range. The tangent scale is now generally used with guns and howitzers, and the hausse, or rear sight, has also been attached to small arms of 1855. In addition to the tangent or hausse some simple instrument may be used for determining distances. (See STADIA.)

Fired under angles of 4 15', 4 30', and 4 50', the new rifle musket, altered rifle, and altered musket have, respectively, a range of 1,000 yards. (See HAUSSE.) The elongated musket balls do not cease to ricochet on level ground at a distance of 1,000 yards. A strong wind, blowing perpendicularly to the direction of the rifle-musket ball, will deflect it from its course 12 feet in 1,000 yards; about 3 feet in 500 yards, and 1 1/2 feet in 200 yards. The effect of wind on the pistol-carbine balls is somewhat greater for the same distance.

When two oblong balls are fired from the new rifle musket or altered rifle, with the ordinary service charge of 60 grains, they separate from each other and from the plane of fire about 4 feet in a distance of 200 yards. If the piece be held firmly against the shoulder, no serious inconvenience will be felt; but for the two balls it is necessary, in aiming, to give the barrel greater elevation in the proportion of 6 feet for 200 yards. In cases of emergency, two balls might be employed against masses of infantry or cavalry, at distances not exceeding 300 yards. The angle of maximum range for the mortar is nearly 42. The angle of fall is the angle made by the last element of the trajectory with the ground, and when this angle is small, the projectile rebounds upon the earth and performs a series of ricochets, increasing in number as the angle of incidence diminishes, or as the ground is firm and elastic.

The point-blank ranges of siege and garrison guns, with ordinary charges, are respectively eight hundred yards for the 24-pounder, seven hundred and seventy-five yards for the 18-pounder, and seven hundred yards for the 12-pounder. For field-artillery, the point-blank ranges are seven hundred and fifty yards for the 12-pounder, and six hundred and seventy-five yards for the 6-pounder.

The point-blank is increased or diminished by the hausse or tangent scale, and is then called the artificial point-blank. The practical rule in aiming field-guns by means of the tangent is: give one-twelfth of an inch on the instrument for each twenty-five yards beyond point-blank.

The direct fire is employed in breaching parapets or walls, against troops in column, and in most cases where the object of attack is possessed of considerable depth or thickness.

The enfilade fire, with heavy ordnance, full charges and solid shot, is especially effective in those circumstances which admit of its adoption; a single shot having been known to disable several guns, or to strike down a whole rank of men.

Enfilade fire a ricochet is generally employed to dismount guns on parapets, protected by traverses, at ranges varying from 400 to 600 yards.

The ricochet and vertical fires, being intended to act upon a surface, and not an isolated point, may be executed during the night, as well as by daylight. (See TARGET. Consult THIROUX; KINGSBURY'S Artillery and Infantry; Reports of Experiments by Ordnance Department, U. S. A., 1856; HYDE'S Fortification.') (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. ).


FISH, Hamilton, statesman, born in New York City, 3 August, 1808, was graduated at Columbia in 1827, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He was for several years a commissioner of deeds. In politics he was a Whig, and was the defeated candidate of that party for the state assembly in 1834. In 1842 he was elected a representative in Congress from the Sixth District of New York over John McKeon, the Democratic candidate, and served one term. In 1846 he was a candidate for lieutenant-governor. The Whig candidate for governor, John Young, was elected, but Mr. Fish, who had incurred the hostility of the anti-renters by his warm denunciation of their principles, was defeated. His successful competitor, Addison Gardiner, a Democrat who had received the support of the anti-renters, resigned the office in 1847 on becoming a judge of the court of appeals, and Mr. Fish was elected in his place. In 1848 he was chosen governor by about 30,000 majority, the opposing candidates being John A. Dix and Reuben H. Walworth. In 1851 he was elected U. S. Senator in place of Daniel S. Dickinson. In the Senate he opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and acted with the Republican Party from its formation to the end of his term, though he was not especially prominent in the party. When his senatorial term expired in 1857 he went to Europe with his family, and remained till shortly before the beginning of the Civil War. On his return he took an active part in the campaign that resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln. In January, 1862, in conjunction with Bishop Ames, he was appointed by Secretary of War Stanton a commissioner to visit the U. S. soldiers imprisoned at Richmond and elsewhere," to relieve their necessities and provide for their comfort." The Confederate government declined to admit the commissioners within their lines, but intimated a readiness to negotiate for a general exchange of prisoners. The result was an agreement for an equal exchange, which was carried out substantially to the end of the war. In 1868 he aided in the election of General Grant, was appointed Secretary of State by him in March, 1869, and was reappointed at the beginning of his second term in March, 1873, serving from 11 March, 1869, to 12 March, 1877. He introduced a system of examinations of applicants for consulates, to test their knowledge of subjects connected with their duties. On 9 February, 1871, the president appointed him one of the commissioners on the part of the United States to negotiate the Treaty of Washington, which was signed by him on 8 May of that year.  He effected a settlement of the long-standing northwestern boundary dispute, giving the Island of San Juan to the United States, and successfully resisted an effort by Great Britain to change the terms of the extradition treaty by municipal legislation. In the settlement of the Alabama question he procured the acceptance of a doctrine by the Geneva tribunal, securing the United States against claims for indirect damages arising out of Fenian raids, or Cuban filibustering expeditions. In November, 1873, he negotiated with Admiral Polo, Spanish minister at Washington, the settlement of the "Virginius" question. He was for some years president of the New York Historical Society, and was president-general of the New York Society of the Cincinnati.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 463-464.


FISH BAYOU, ARKANSAS, June 6, 1864. (See Old River Lake.)


FISHBURN'S PLANTATION, SOUTH CAROLINA, February 6, 1865. (See Lane's Bridge.)


FISHER'S HILL, VIRGINIA, April 22, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps. Brigadier-General W. L. Elliott, commanding the division, with the 116th and 123d Ohio infantry, the 12th and 13th Pennsylvania cavalry, and a section of Battery D, 1st West Virginia artillery, made a reconnaissance up the Shenandoah Valley. At Fisher's hill the 7th Virginia (Confederate) cavalry was found stationed as a picket, and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which the enemy was completely routed with a loss of 1 killed, 2 wounded and 13 captured. Elliott then proceeded to Strasburg, where the infantry halted, and the cavalry pushed on to Woodstock. Elliott returned to camp the next day with his prisoners and a considerable amount of captured property, his command having met with no casualties.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, pp. 396-397.


Fisher's Hill, Virginia, April 28, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps. Brigadier-General Elliott returned to Winchester on the 29th, from a reconnaissance up the Shenandoah Valley, and reported a skirmish with the enemy at Fisher's hill, in which the Union loss was 8 killed and 6 wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was not ascertained, but Elliott brought in 20 prisoners.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 397.


FISHER'S HILL, VIRGINIA, September 22, 1864. 6th, 8th and 19th Corps and Cavalry; Army of the Shenandoah. After the battle of Winchester on the 19th the Confederate forces under General Jubal A. Early retreated to Fisher's hill, a precipitous bluff on the south bank of a little stream called Tumbling run, a short distance south of Strasburg. Here Early took a position that was almost impregnable to direct assault, and which he considered himself able to hold against the superior force under General P. H. Sheridan. So confident was he that he at once commenced intrenching across the Shenandoah Valley, which at this point is only a little over 3 miles in width, and removed the ammunition boxes from the caissons, placing them for convenience immediately behind the breastworks. Sheridan's army closely pursued the retreating enemy from Winchester and the heights of Strasburg, with the cavalry to the right and rear. The 8th corps, commanded by Major-General George Crook, was on the north bank of Cedar creek and during the night was moved, unperceived by the enemy, to a position in the woods on Little North mountain on Early's left. On the morning of the 21st Captain E. D. Taft, chief of artillery, directed the batteries placed to the rear and left of Strasburg to open fire on the enemy's works and under cover of this fire the 6th corps, Major-General H. G. Wright commanding, and the 19th corps, under Major-General W. H. Emory, were moved into position opposite the right center of the Confederate line. The 128th New York, supported by the 22nd la., charged and carried a line of rifle-pits and then threw forward a strong skirmish line about 200 yards farther in advance, which position was held until the general attack on the 22nd. On the night of the 21st Crook was sent farther toward the enemy's rear and Ricketts' division of the 6th corps was placed opposite Early's left center. Averell's cavalry division was pushed forward on the morning of the 22nd to drive in the Confederate pickets in front of Ricketts' position. Averell dismounted a portion of his command, and in connection with the 6th Maryland, which was thrown forward by Ricketts, gradually pressed back the enemy's skirmishers until noon. Then Ricketts moved his position rapidly to the right, Keifer's brigade in the first line, closely supported by Emerson's, and drove the enemy from two hills which he held in considerable force. Of this movement Ricketts says in his report: "So rapid was their flight that they abandoned shelter tents, blankets, and a considerable amount of infantry ammunition." The division continued the pursuit until within long rifle range of the main works on Fisher's hill, where it was formed in line behind a ridge out of range of the artillery. The Confederate signal station on Three-top mountain mistook the movement of Ricketts for the main turning column and so notified Early, who took steps to meet it. About 4 p. m. Crook engaged the enemy's skirmishers and thus his presence in the rear evening of the 20th found encamped on the was discovered. The part taken by his command from this moment is best told by his report: "The intervening ground between us and the open country was covered with rocks, underbrush, and almost impenetrable cedar thickets, and intersected and broken by numerous ravines, so that by the time we arrived at the foot of the mountain and emerged from the woods our lines were completely broken, but, without halting to reform, with cheer upon cheer the charge was continued for a distance of four miles, up hill and down hill, across fields and through woods, after the disordered and rapidly retreating foe." In this charge and pursuit Ricketts' division joined, capturing 4 pieces of artillery and over 200 prisoners. Several guns were captured by Crook, though in his report he says: "'I did not permit any of my men to remain with the artillery, from which we had driven the enemy in our advance, so as to get credit for its capture, as I needed every man at the front to make the rout of the enemy as total and complete as possible, and not at the rear to guard captured guns." While Crook and Ricketts were getting into position for their grand charge, a heavy cannonade was kept up on the left, and as soon as the Confederate line broke the remainder of the 6th and all of the 19th' corps dashed across Tumbling run, scaled the bluff that Early thought was unassailable, driving everything before them. An attempt was made to make a stand about a mile from the original position, but the Confederates were so badly panic-stricken that only a few could be rallied and they were soon forced to abandon their position. The Union loss at Fisher's hill was 52 killed, 457 wounded and 19 missing. Early reported his infantry loss as 30 killed, 210 wounded and 995 missing. As Crook's first charge fell on Lomax's cavalry, and as Sheridan reported 1,100 prisoners, the total Confederate loss was probably not far from 1,400.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, pp. 397-398.


FISHER'S HILL, VIRGINIA, October 6, 1864. This engagement occurred at Brock's gap, and an account of it is given under that head.


FISHER'S HILL, VIRGINIA, October 20, 1864. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Shenandoah. Pursuant to orders, General Devin at daylight sent the pth New York and part of the 1st New York dragoons to Fisher s hill, with instructions to find out if any of the Confederate force remained in that vicinity. Soon afterward the entire division was ordered to march to Fisher's hill, where the rear guard of the enemy was encountered and pursued to Tom's brook. No report of casualties.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 398.


FISHER'S HILL, VIRGINIA, March 21, 1865. 4th New York Cavalry. As the regiment, commanded by Captain W. H. Oliver, was returning to Winchester from a scout toward Edenburg, the advance was fired upon by a small detachment of Confederate cavalry near Fisher's hill. The enemy was quickly routed. The lieutenant commanding the advance guard had his horse shot from under him, which was the only casualty reported.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 398.


FISHING CREEK, KENTUCKY, January 19, 1862. (See Mill Springs.)


FISHING CREEK, KENTUCKY, May 25, 1863. Organizations not given.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 398.


FISH LAKE, MISSOURI, August 20, 1861. Detachment of 1st Illinois Cavalry. Captain R. D. Noleman with 50 men surrounded and surprised the camp of 33 Confederates at Fish Lake just at daybreak. After some 40 shots had been fired the Confederates surrendered. Neither side sustained any loss in killed or wounded.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 398.


FISH LAKE BRIDGE, MISSISSIPPI, February 23, 1863. (See Deer Creek, same date.)


FISH SPRINGS, TENNESSEE, January 23, 1863.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 398.


FISK, Samuel, soldier, born in Shelburne, Massachusetts, 23 July, 1828; died in Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22 May, 1864. He was graduated at Amherst in 1848, was in Andover Theological Seminary from 1850 till 1852, was tutor at Amherst from 1852 till 1855, then travelled a year in Europe and the east, and was pastor of the Congregational Church at Madison, Connecticut, in 1857. He entered the National Army as a private in the 14th Connecticut Regiment in 1862, became captain, was for some time a prisoner in Richmond, distinguished himself in several battles, and fell at the head of his company on the second day of the battle of the Wilderness, 6 May, dying in the hospital. His letters from Europe and the east, first published in the Springfield "Republican” under the pen-name of  “Dunn Browne," appeared in a volume in 1857. His Experiences in the Army," under the same assumed name, were published in 1866. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 468.


FITCH, Eleazer Thompson, 1791-1871, New Haven, Connecticut, educator, theologian.  Vice president, 1833-1835, and founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society, December 1833. (Bruns, 1977, p. 514; Locke, 1901, p. 92; Abolitionist, Vol. I, No. XII, December, 1833; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 470)

FITCH, Eleazar Thompson, educator, born in New Haven, Connecticut, 1 Jan., 1791; died there, 31 Jan., 1871. He was graduated at Yale in 1810, and afterward was a teacher at East Windsor Hill, and subsequently in the New Haven Hopkins grammar-school. In 1812 he entered Andover theological seminary, where, after completing the regular course, he remained, pursuing advanced studies, giving assistance in instruction, and preaching, until his election, in 1817, to succeed President Dwight in the office of professor of divinity at Yale. One branch of his work was to teach theology to graduates, and in this his classes increased so that he was led to urge upon the corporation the founding of a theological department, which was organized in 1822. In this department he filled the chair of homiletics, at the same time being college preacher and pastor, and giving instruction in the academical department in natural theology and the evidences of Christianity. He delivered to successive classes a series of sermons in systematic theology, and some of his doctrinal views thus presented becoming publicly controverted, he was compelled to defend them as publicly. Impaired health compelled him to resign his office as professor, yet he retained his connection with the theological seminary as lecturer until 1861, and with the theological faculty as professor emeritus until his death. At his resignation he became a member of the “Circle of Retired Clergymen and Laymen,” in whose meetings he took an active part. He wrote theological reviews and other articles for periodicals, and a volume of his sermons was published in 1871. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 470.


FITCH, Graham Newell, senator, born in Le Roy, New York, 5 December, 1809. He received a classical education, studied at the Medical College in Fairfield, New York, and settled at Logansport. Indiana, in 1834, where he still (1887) resides. From 1844 till 1847 he was a professor in Rush Medical College, Chicago, and from 1878 till 1883 taught the art and science of surgery in the Indiana Medical College. He was an Indiana presidential elector in 1844, 1848, and 1856, and a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, New York, in 1868. From 1836 till 1839 he was a member of the legislature of Indiana, and held a seat in Congress from 3 December, 1849, till 3 March, 1853. He was subsequently elected United States Senator from Indiana, and served as such from 9 February, 1857, till 3 March, 1861. In the autumn of that year Dr. Fitch raised the 46th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, with other troops, and was commissioned colonel. He remained in the field until November, 1862, when he was compelled to resign on account of injuries received. He commanded the land forces at the capture of Fort Pillow, at Memphis. Tennessee, and also at St. Charles, Arkansas.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 470-471.


FITCH, Leroy, naval officer, born in Indiana in October, 1835; died in Logansport, Indiana, 13 April, 1875. He was graduated at the Naval Academy in 1856, promoted to be master, 5 September, 1859, lieutenant, 21 September, 1862, and commander, 28 August, 1870. He served in the Mississippi Squadron during the Civil War, taking part in the capture of Forts Donelson and Pillow, the reduction of Island No. 10, and the victory over the Confederate fleet at Memphis, Tennessee. On the morning of 19 July, 1863, being then in command of the steamer "Moose," he succeeded in intercepting Morgan, and frustrated his attempts to cross the Ohio at Buffington Island, having followed him for more than live hundred miles up the river. He seized Morgan's train and a portion of his guns, crippling his strength, leading to his capture. For these signal services he received complimentary letters from Generals Burnside, Cox, and Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. He also defended Johnsonville, Tennessee, from the attack of General Forrest, was present at the engagement before Nashville during the operations of Hood, and participated in many minor skirmishes with guerillas on the Mississippi, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers. He also accompanied several land expeditions in the same section. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 472


FITZHUGH, Carroll Ann, 1805-1875, abolitionist, women’s rights activist.  Active in aiding fugitive slaves in her home, along with her abolitionist husband, Gerrit Smith.  Prominent supporter of the abolitionist movement.


FITZHUGH. Edward Henry, judge, born in Caroline County, Virginia, 21 September, 1810. He studied law, practised for many years at Wheeling, West Virginia, moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1861, and served in an important capacity in the quartermaster's department of the Confederate Army, from 1861 till 1865. He was judge of the chancery court of the City of Richmond from 1870 till 1883, when he returned to the practice of his profession. Judge Fitzhugh has been active in the councils of the Presbyterian Church, and in 1867 was elected a member of the executive committees of "publication and education" of the general assembly. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 474.


FITZHUGH CROSSING, VIRGINIA, April 29-May 2, 1863. 1st Army Corps. While Hooker and Lee were maneuvering for position just prior to the battle of Chancellorsville the 1st corps under Major-General John F. Reynolds moved from camp at Belle Plain to Fitzhugh's crossing of the Rappahannock near the mouth of White Oak run, or Pollock's Mill creek, arriving at the river about dark. It was Reynolds' intention to throw a pontoon bridge across the stream under cover of darkness, but owing to the condition of the roads the boats did not get up in time and at daylight the Confederate pickets in the rifle-pits on the south bank drove the working party away. General Wadsworth with the 6th Wisconsin'-and 24th Michigan then took a number of the boats below the enemy's intrenchments, crossed over, charged up the bank and drove off the Confederates, capturing about 90 of them. The remaining regiments of the 4th brigade were then crossed in boats and by 10:30 a. m. a pontoon bridge had been completed. The whole of Wadsworth's division was then thrown across to guard the bridge head, while the other two divisions were placed along the north bank. For the next two days the positions remained unchanged, constant artillery and musketry firing being kept up. About noon of May 2 Reynolds ordered the ist division to recross to the north bank and when it had done so the whole corps moved by way of United States ford to participate in the Chancellorsville fight. The Federal casualties in this affair were 19 killed. 144 wounded and 9 captured or missing. The Confederate losses are included in the battle of Chancellorsville.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, pp. 398-399.


FITZHUGH'S WOODS, ARKANSAS, April 1, 1864. Andrews' Expedition. At 7 p. m. Wednesday, March 30, Colonel C. C. Andrews with 186 men of the 3d Minnesota infantry left Little Rock and proceeded to Devall's Bluff by rail. Here he was joined by a detachment of 45 men of the 8th Missouri cavalry, and proceeded up the White river by transport. After one or two fruitless excursions into the surrounding country, the command arrived at Augusta early on Friday morning. Upon learning that Brigadier-General McRae was concentrating his forces within 7 miles of the village, Andrews immediately started after him and came up with a small detachment about 2 miles out of town. The enemy did not wait to fight, but after firing one volley turned and fled. The same thing occurred twice more, and Andrews, thinking that he was being drawn into an ambuscade, reversed his march after having gone 12 miles. While resting at Fitzhugh's woods about 1 p. m. Andrews was suddenly charged by a considerable body of Confederates under McRae. The attack was repulsed, but desultory firing was continued for nearly 3 hours. Seeing that it was useless to attempt to dislodge the Union troops from the position they had taken after the first attack, the enemy withdrew and Andrews led his men back to Augusta, with a loss of 8 killed, 16 wounded and 5 missing. The Confederate loss in killed and wounded was not reported, but was considerably larger than the Union; 13 were captured.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 399.


FIVE FORKS, VIRGINIA, April 1, 1865. 5th Army Corps and Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. Five Forks was about 12 miles in a south-westerly direction from Petersburg, some 4 miles north of west from Dinwiddie Court House, and was so called because roads ran in five different directions; the Ford road, running north and south, crossed the White Oak road, running east and west, the fifth road running southeast to Dinwiddie Court House. Toward the close of March General Grant grew apprehensive that Lee might any night abandon his intrenchments about Richmond and Petersburg, gain the Danville or Lynchburg railroad, and endeavor to form a junction with General J. E. Johnston, whose forces were then opposing General Sherman's army in North Carolina. To prevent any maneuver of this character Grant resolved upon a movement against Lee's right, the objective points being the South Side and Danville railroads, the destruction of which would hold Lee's army at Richmond and ultimately force it to surrender. Orders were issued on the 24th, the movement to begin on the 29th. Major-General Ord, commanding the Army of the James, left the north side of the James river on the night of the 27th, taking with him General Gibbon, with Foster's and Turner's divisions of the 24th corps, Birney's colored division of the 25th, and Mackenzie's cavalry and moved to the left of the Army of the Potomac, relieving the 2nd corps on the evening of the 28th. This movement was made with such secrecy that the enemy did not discover it until April 2. As soon as Ord was in position on the left Grant ordered Sheridan to move out with his cavalry early on the following morning, cross Hatcher's run at Monk's Neck bridge, pass through Dinwiddie Court House and gain Lee's right flank. In support of this movement the 2nd and 5th corps, respectively commanded by Major-General A. A. Humphreys and Major-General G. K. Warren, were to take position on the Vaughan road, extending the line to Dinwiddie. If the Confederates refused to come out and attack, Sheridan was to move against the railroads without delay. The movement began at 3 a. m. on the 29th and that evening the Union army held an unbroken line from the Appomattox river east of Petersburg to Dinwiddie Court House. A heavy rain during the night of the 29th precluded active operations the next day, though Sheridan pushed out Devin's division, which encountered a small force of the enemy and forced it back toward Five Forks. Major Morris, with 150 men of the 5th and 6th U. S. cavalry, pursued this force to within less than a mile from Five Forks, when he was suddenly surrounded by overwhelming numbers and forced to cut his way out. Reinforcements were ordered to him and a second attempt made to occupy the junction of the roads, but the enemy's force was too large. During the day Warren advanced his left across the Boydton road toward Five Forks and also found the Confederates in force in his front, though he was directed to fortify and hold his new position. Humphreys drove the enemy behind his main line on Hatcher's run near Burgess' mill and also along the White Oak road, and extended his line of battle as close to these works as he could without bringing on an engagement. Lee discovered the movement to his right almost as soon as it was commenced, and hurried General Anderson with Bushrod Johnson's division to the right of the Confederate works on the White Oak road. It was this force that Warren met on the afternoon of the 29th. Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry division was moved to Five Forks early on the morning of the 30th and advanced from there toward Dinwiddie Court House. About dark that evening he was joined by the cavalry under Rosser and W. H. F. Lee. Pickett's division of Longstreet's corps was also sent to the right and late on the afternoon of the 30th took position at Five Forks, where it was joined by Ransom's and Wallace's brigades of Johnson's division. Altogether the Confederate general had massed about 18,000 troops on his right against Sheridan. His plan was to sweep the Union cavalry out of the way, get on Warren's left flank, and roll up the Federal line, the troops inside the intrenchments to join the attack in order as the flanking force came in front of their positions. On the morning of the 31st Warren reported that it was possible for him to get possession of the White Oak road, and he was directed to do so. At 9 a. m. Devin was reinforced by Davies' brigade of General Crook's cavalry division, General Merritt assumed command, and the cavalry advanced against Five Forks, while Warren moved against the enemy on the White Oak road. Merritt's advance gained possession of Five Forks, but Warren, instead of advancing with his entire command, sent forward Ayres' division only, which met a heavy resistance and was forced back on Crawford's division. This division also fell back until Griffin's line was reached, when the whole corps was rallied and the enemy repulsed. The Confederates now turned their attention to the cavalry at Five Forks. Merritt's advance was driven back and the enemy advanced by the roads west of Chamberlain's creek against Sheridan at Dinwiddie Court House. In the meantime Crook, with Gregg's and Smith's brigades, had moved to the left. Smith was stationed at one of the fords on Chamberlain's creek and Gregg was sent to a position on the right. Smith dismounted two regiments and sent a battalion of the 1st Maine across the creek to reconnoiter. This battalion was quickly driven back by an overwhelming force, the enemy pursuing in hot haste and forcing a passage of the stream. The two dismounted regiments retired in some confusion, but they were soon rallied, when the whole brigade charged and drove the Confederates back across the creek. They then crossed higher up, struck Davies' brigade, which was forced back on Devin's division. Sheridan sent orders to Merritt to cross over to the Boydton road, come down that road and take place in the line of battle at Dinwiddie Court House. As the enemy followed Merritt his rear was presented to Sheridan, and when the lines were nearly parallel Gibbs' and Gregg's brigades made a gallant attack, forcing the Confederates to abandon their movement, leaving a number of wounded in the hands of the Union troops. In changing front to meet this attack the enemy gave Merritt his opportunity to join Sheridan, and then followed an obstinate and fiercely contested battle for the possession of Dinwiddie Court House. Two divisions of Confederate infantry and practically all their cavalry were unable to force five brigades of Federal cavalry from their position behind some slight breastworks on the open plain in front of Dinwiddie Court House, and shortly after dark the firing ceased, the enemy lying on his arms that night not more than 100 yards in front of Sheridan's position. On the afternoon of the 31st Warren advanced with Griffin's division, supported by portions of Ayres' and Crawford's, with Miles' division of the 2nd corps on the right, and regained the ground lost by Ayres in the morning, after which Griffin attacked with Chamberlain's brigade and drove the enemy from the White Oak road. About 5 p. m. the sound of Sheridan's engagement reached Warren, who immediately ordered Bartlett's brigade to Sheridan's support, with instructions to attack the enemy on the flank. When the position of the Confederate force in front of Sheridan was learned at headquarters, Grant determined to make an effort to cut it off from the main body, and at 9 o'clock that evening Warren was ordered to report to Sheridan and to send Griffin's division at once down the Boydton road to Dinwiddie. Mackenzie's cavalry was also ordered to Sheridan's support. At the time Warren was ordered to report to Sheridan it was expected that his troops would reach Dinwiddie by midnight or a little later. Several messages passed between him and headquarters, in which he was urged to be prompt and move at once, but for some inexplicable reason Griffin did not receive his orders to move until 5 o'clock on the morning of April 1. Sheridan was advised at 10 p. m., on the 31st, of the dispositions of troops to aid him and at 3 a. m. sent the following despatch to Warren: "I am holding in front of Dinwiddie Court House, on the road leading to Five Forks, for three-quarters of a mile, with General Custer's division. The enemy are in his immediate front, lying so as to cover the road just this side of A. Adams' house, which leads out across Chamberlain's bed or run. I understand you have a division at J. Boisseau's; if so, you are in rear of the enemy's line and almost on his flanks. I will hold on here. Possibly they may attack Custer at daylight; if so, attack instantly and in full force. Attack at daylight anyhow, and I will make an effort to get the road this side of Adams' house, and if I do you can capture the whole of them. Any force moving down the road I am holding, or on the White Oak road, will be in the enemy's rear, and in all probability get any force that may escape you by a flank attack. Do not fear my leaving here. If the enemy remains I shall fight at daylight." Had Warren reached his assigned position in time to attack simultaneously with Sheridan, there would have been but little chance of escape for the Confederate force at Dinwiddie. Sheridan made his attack at daylight, according to his despatch, thinking that the 5th corps was near enough to strike the enemy in the rear. The Confederate officers had learned that Warren was coming up, and, as soon as Sheridan began his attack, fell back across Chamberlain's creek, not halting until they were behind their works along the White Oak road at Five Forks, where Pickett formed his forces with Corse's brigade on the right, three-fourths of a mile west of Five Forks, then the brigades of Terry, Steuart, Ransom and Wallace in the order named, Wallace's left being refused for about 100 yards to meet any attack coming from the east along the White Oak road. On Corse's right were 3 guns of Pegram's artillery battalion; 3 more were placed at Five Forks between Terry and Steuart, and McGregor's battery of 4 guns was placed on the left. W. H. F. Lee's cavalry division covered the right flank and Munford's, dismounted, was posted on Wallace's left. Sheridan decided to attack the enemy in his intrenchments. His plan was to make a feint of turning Pickett's right flank with Custer's and Devin's cavalry, while Warren was to move up with his entire corps and attack the left flank, the cavalry feint to be made a real attack as soon as Warren became engaged. The divisions of Griffin and Ayres were ordered to halt near the Boisseau house until Crawford could come up, when the corps was to be formed with two divisions in front and one in reserve, and be ready to advance when required to do so. Sheridan's object was either to crush Pickett or cut him off and drive him westward, thus isolating him from the Confederate army at Petersburg. It was a repetition of the maneuver that he had so successfully employed at Fisher's hill, when Early's army was almost completely destroyed. Custer was pushed well out on the western road, Devin advanced on the road running from Dinwiddie to Five Forks, and by noon the enemy's skirmish line had been driven into the trenches. About 1 p. m. Sheridan sent orders to Warren to bring up his infantry, but it was 4 o'clock before his corps was in position to begin the attack. While Warren was getting ready to open the battle Sheridan learned that the left of the 2nd corps had been swung back parallel to and fronting the Boydton road, thus opening a way for the enemy to march down the White Oak road and attack his right and rear. Mackenzie, who had been held near Dinwiddie Court House, was therefore ordered to move up the Crump road, gain the White Oak road, drive back any force he might find there, and then join Sheridan in front of Five Forks. Mackenzie encountered a force on the White Oak road and drove it back toward Petersburg, then countermarched and came up on Warren's right just as that officer was beginning his advance. He then moved to the right of the infantry and gained a position on the Ford road near Hatcher's run, from which he attacked the Confederate flank and rear, capturing a number of prisoners. A little after 4 o'clock Ayres' division of Warren's corps advanced obliquely toward the White Oak road, receiving only a light fire in front, but soon after crossing the road a heavy fire was poured on the left from the short line of intrenchments where Wallace's left was refused. In moving forward the corps had not kept far enough to the left, throwing Ayres in front of the return, where it was intended for Crawford to strike the enemy's line. It was therefore necessary for Ayres to change front to the left. While executing this movement, which was done under fire and in a piece of woods, Crawford lost the connection and Ayres' right flank was thrown in the air. As a result Gwyn's brigade, which occupied the right, became somewhat unsteady. Part of the line gave way and one or two regiments began to retire in disorder, when Sheridan, with some of his staff, rode up to reassure the men and the line was soon reestablished. Concerning the battle at this juncture, Badeau, in his Military History of U. S. Grant, says: "Meantime the fire of Ayres' division was heard by Merritt, and the cavalry promptly responded to the signal for their assault. They had the brunt of the battle to bear, for their attack was directly in front, on the main Five Forks road, and the angle where Ayres joined the cavalry right was the key of the entire position. If this could be gained, Ayres would completely enfilade the enemy's line on the White Oak road, and render the direct assault comparatively easy; while if the rebels held the 5th corps in check, they could probably repulse the cavalry with heavy loss, for their works were strong and difficult to approach in front, and, sheltered by these, they could pour out a deadly fire. It was therefore vital that the rebel flank should be promptly attacked and broken. The burden of this now fell upon Ayres, for Crawford, on the right, had deflected so far from the line pointed out by Sheridan that he was of no use at all at this juncture. After crossing the White Oak road, he failed to wheel to the left, as ordered, and pushed straight for Hatcher's run, leaving, as we have seen, a gap between himself and Ayres. This deflection was occasioned by Crawford's obliquing his line to avoid the fire of the enemy, instead of pushing directly upon the rebel work. Griffin, who was in reserve on the right, naturally followed Crawford for awhile, so that Ayres was left to contend alone with the enemy." Warren was on the right with Crawford, and Sheridan remained with Ayres during the greater part of the battle. Winthrop's brigade was double-quicked to the left of Ayres' line to connect with Devin, and Coulter's brigade—the reserve of Crawford's division— was hurried into the gap on the right. Every one of Warren's staff officers and several of Sheridan's were sent to bring Griffin and Crawford against Pickett's rear. The direction of the two divisions was finally changed to the left, but they did not come up in time to join in the assault until after Ayres had carried the angle. Griffin attacked Ransom's brigade and part of Wallace's, that had formed a new line, behind slight breastworks and at right angles to the old one. After a half an hour of stubborn fighting Gwyn's and Coulter's brigades were sent to Griffin's assistance, the line was carried and the Confederate left was doubled up in confusion. When the battle began Pickett was on the north side of Hatcher's run. He reached the field about the time his left gave way and threw Terry's brigade, commanded by Colonel Mayo, back to the Ford road to check the attack from the rear. Finding that Mayo was unable to maintain his position, Pickett next ordered Corse to form a new line at right angles to the main line of intrenchments to cover the retreat. Mayo began to fall back to this line, but about the time he passed the battery at the junction of the roads some of Merritt's cavalry charged the works there, captured the 3 guns and turned them on the panic-stricken Confederates. Then dashing down the White Oak road the Federal cavalry completely demoralized the enemy and drove him from the field. Pickett himself was almost surrounded while vainly striving to stem the tide. As he galloped away the remnant of what had once been the flower of the Army of Northern Virginia fled in disorder, hotly pursued for 6 miles by Merritt and Mackenzie, a number of the enemy being captured during the chase. The official records of the war give no detailed statement of the casualties at Five Forks. Sheridan's loss was estimated at 700, and Warren reported a total loss of 634 in the 5th corps. The Confederate loss, according to Lee's adjutant-general, was 7,000, most of whom were captured.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, pp. 399-404.


FLAG. The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white. The Union shall be a number of white stars in a blue field, corresponding with the number of States in the Union. Upon the admission of a State to the Union, another star is added to the flag on the 4th of July next succeeding her admission; (Act April 4, 1818.)

All flags captured from an enemy to be displayed in such public place as the President may deem proper; (Act April 8, 1814.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 301-303).


FLAGS OF TRUCE are frequently sent by an enemy with the design of gaining information. To prevent this, it is usual for outposts to halt the flag of truce, and if he is merely the bearer of a letter, receipt for it, and order the party to depart, preventing all conversation with sentries. It may sometimes, however, be necessary to send the bearer of the flag to head-quarters, in this case, his eyes are bandaged, and he is forwarded with an escort.

Flags of truce are used when an enemy is in position, on a march or in action. The flag ought always to be preceded by a trumpeter 25 paces in advance, and when within range of the guns of the sentinels or videttes, he halts, returns his sword to its scabbard, and at the same moment raises and flourishes a white flag or handkerchief. If he is not signaled to retire, he continues to advance step by step until ordered to halt. If he remarks that it is sought to draw him into a snare, he retires at a gallop with his trumpet as soon as he is certain of the bad intention. When consent is given to receive him, he submits to all measures that may be exacted of him for the fulfilment of his mission.

If it is during an action that a flag proceeds from the ranks of the enemy, the ranks that he leaves halt and cease their fire. He proceeds towards the chief of the adverse force, and at a suitable distance returns his sabre to its scabbard, and raises his flag. If he is not signaled to retire, and if the fire ceases in his front, he continues to advance and executes his orders. Some serious motive is indispensable for sending a flag during an action, for the enemy is apt to believe that it is a stratagem, and therefore fires upon the flag, and follows up his aim more vigorously, while the opposite party have lost time. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 304).


FLANAGHAN, James Winright, lawyer, born in Gordonsville, Virginia, 5 September, 1805. In 1814 his parents moved to Kentucky, where he received a limited education, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was a justice of the peace for twelve years. He was a member of the Circuit court of Breckinridge County from 1833 till 1843, when he moved to Harrison County, Kentucky, and after spending one year settled in Henderson, Husk County, Texas, where he was the first to sell merchandise. He also became interested in cotton-planting. He was a member of the state house of representatives in 1851-'2, and of the state senate in 1855-'6. In 1857 he was a presidential elector, and a delegate to the Peace Congress of 1861. He was a member of the state constitutional conventions of 1866 and 1868. In 1869 he was elected to Congress for the state at large, and in that year he also held the office of lieutenant-governor. He was elected to the U. S. Senate as a Republican, serving from 1870 till 1875, and was a member of the committees on mines and mining, and post-offices, and chairman of the committee on education and labor.  —His son, Webster, politician, born in Cloverport, Breckenridge County, Kentucky, 9 January, 1832, was admitted to the bar in 1851, and became interested in politics, holding important local offices. At the beginning of the Civil War he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers in the Confederate service. In 1865 he was appointed judge of the 5th Judicial District of Texas. He was elected to the state constitutional convention in 1860, and two years afterward became lieutenant-governor of the state. He was chairman of the delegation to the Republican Convention which met in Philadelphia in 1872, and served as member of the Texas Senate till 1875, when he represented his district in another constitutional convention, thus assisting in the formation and adoption of two state constitutions.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 478.


FLANDERS, Benjamin Franklin, statesman, born in Bristol, New Hampshire, 26 January, 1816. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1842, moved to New Orleans in 1843, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and began practice, at the same time devoting much of his time to teaching in the public schools of the city, of which he was for several years the principal, being finally chosen superintendent in the 3d municipality, an office which he declined. He was part proprietor and one of the editors of the New Orleans "Tropic," a short-lived newspaper. In 1862 he was compelled to leave New Orleans for the north because of his devotion to the Union, but on the capture of that city he returned, and in the same year the Federal military authorities made him treasurer of New Orleans. This office he resigned in a few months, having been elected a representative to Congress, as a Unionist. taking his seat within a fortnight of its final adjournment, in March. 1863. In that year Secretary Chase appointed him supervising special agent of the Treasury Department for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, which place he resigned in 1866. In June, 1867, General Philip H. Sheridan created him military governor of Louisiana, superseding J. Madison Wells, an office which he assumed without inauguration ceremonies, and resigned in six months. By the choice of Governor Warmoth, he was made mayor in May, 1870, and in November following was elected for two years. In 1873 General Grant-appointed him U.S. Assistant Treasurer in New Orleans, and this office he held until 1885. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 478.


FLANK. The right or left side of a body of men, or place. Flank presupposes a formation more or less deep. A flank march is upon the prolongation of the line to which a body faces. Thus, when we say the enemy, by a flank march, outflanked our right wing, it is understood that the enemy, by marching parallel to our line of battle, put himself in position upon our extreme right.

To disturb the flanks of a column or army is to throw an opposing force upon either side of the route that it follows. By this manoeuvre the march of the column is retarded, or it is forced to halt; its baggage is sometimes seized, and terror and disorder fall upon the masses.


Flank (To) is to cover and defend the flanks. We flank a camp by posts placed on the right and left; a corps d'armee is flanked by detachments which take roads parallel to the routes followed by the larger body; smaller columns are flanked by flankers on the right and left, who keep in view the columns, warn them of the approach of an enemy, discover ambuscades, skirmish with them, and fall back when needed upon the mass of the troops. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 304-305).


FLANK OF A BASTION is that side which connects the face and curtain. It is one of the principal defences of the place, as it protects the curtain, the face, and flank of the opposite bastion, and the passage of the ditch. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 305).


FLACHE is a simple species of field-work. It consists of two faces forming a salient angle. One simple rule for their construction is to select a spot for the salient and throw up a breastwork on either side, forming an angle of not less than 60, and allowing one yard for each file. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 305).


FLAT CREEK, GEORGIA, October 11-14, 1864. Foraging Party from 20th Army Corps. This party, commanded by Brigadier-General John W. Geary, and consisting of portions of the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 2nd and 3d brigades, 2nd division, a battery of four 4-inch rifled guns and 700 cavalry, left Atlanta early on the morning of the 11th and arrived at Flat creek about dark. After disposition had been made next day to protect the wagons detachments were sent out in different directions to gather forage and provisions. About noon the Confederates attacked one of the outposts guarding the train, and were repulsed after a sharp fight in which the outpost (part of the cavalry) had 2 men wounded. At dusk another attack was made on the outposts but it was again repulsed, and the enemy pursued a mile and a half to the main body. In this last action the Confederates had 2 killed. At daylight on the 14th the command moved back toward Atlanta, reaching there about dark without anything of note having occurred except the dispersion of a small Confederate scouting party.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 404.


FLAT CREEK, TENNESSEE, November 17, 1864. (See Strawberry Plains, same date.)


FLAT CREEK ROAD, TENNESSEE, January 26, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Ohio. This division, Colonel Frank Wolford commanding, was attacked on the afternoon of the 26th by Armstrong's Confederate cavalry while posted on the Flat Creek road and was forced to fall back before evening some 3 miles. The losses were not reported.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 404.


FLAT LICK FORDS, KENTUCKY, February 14, 1862. 49th Indiana Volunteers, and 6th Kentucky Cavalry. Flat Rock, Georgia, October 2, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry of 23d Army Corps. At 1 p. m. a cavalry detachment reported to Brigadier-General Joseph A. Cooper, commanding the 2nd division of the 23d army corps at Decatur, and was sent out a mile in advance of the pickets below Flat rock. While feeding at a church 7 miles from Decatur, where the McDonough road crosses the Flat rock, they were attacked by 200 Confederate cavalry and lost 10 horses and men. How many of the Union cavalry were killed or wounded was not known as the rest of the force immediately retired behind the infantry supports. Flatrock Bridge, Georgia, July 28, 1864. (See Stoneman's Raid to Macon.)  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 404.


FLEETWOOD, VIRGINIA, June 9, 1863. (See Brandy Station, same date.)


FLEETWOOD, VIRGINIA, October 12, 1863. The only official mention of this action is in the report of Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart, whose cavalry had been defeated by General Buford at Brandy Station on the day previous. During the night Stuart had concentrated his forces, and in his report he says: "The two columns having joined, pushed down upon the enemy at Fleetwood Heights. Lomax's brigade extended well round through the woods to the right, so as to bring a cross-fire of terrible effect on the enemy this side of Fleetwood. Thus caught between two fires, the enemy in my front fought desperately for self-preservation. The woods near Brandy Station were speedily occupied by the sharpshooters of Lomax and Chambliss to resist the force moving from Fleetwood to the relief of the other column and an engagement ensued of the most obstinate and determined character. * *" * The enemy, having been driven from the woods around Brandy, took position with artillery and infantry supports along Fleetwood ridge, where it was deemed impracticable to attack them."  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLETCHER, Calvin, 1798-1866, Indianapolis, Indiana, banker, farm owner, state legislator.  Member of the Whig, Free Soil and, later, Republican parties.  Supported colonization movement in Indiana.  During Civil War, he promoted the organization of U.S. Colored Troops in Indiana.  (Diary of Calvin Fletcher)


FLETCHER, Ryland, governor of Vermont, born in Cavendish. Vermont, 18 February, 1799; died in Proctorsville, Vermont, 19 December, 1885, studied in the Norwich Military Academy, and became a farmer. He was active as an anti-slavery agitator, was chosen to the state senate, and lieutenant-governor of Vermont from 1854 till 1856. when he was elected governor of the state by the Free-Soil Party, serving until 1858. From 1861 till 1864 he was a representative in the legislature. In 1864 he was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 480.


FLETCHER. Thomas Clement, governor of Missouri, born in Jefferson County. Missouri, 21 January, 1827. He received a common-school education, was clerk of the circuit and county courts from 1849 till 1850, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He was colonel of the 31st Missouri Regiment in the National Army from 1862 till 1864, when he became colonel of the 47th Missouri, and in that year was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers. In 1863 he was captured and taken to Libby Prison. In 1865-'9 he was governor of Missouri, and issued the proclamation abolishing slavery in that state. Governor Fletcher was a delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1860 and 1864. He was the first speaker in the first Republican Convention held in a slave-state, and although his parents were slave-owners, he had been an ardent abolitionist since his boyhood. He has made many political speeches, most of which were published, but they have never been collected in book-form.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 481-482.


FLETCHER, William Baldwin, physician, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, 18 August, 1837. He was educated in the Lancaster Academy in Massachusetts, and, after graduating at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, began to practice in Indianapolis. During the war he served in various capacities as scout and volunteer engineer, and had charge of one department of secret service. In July, 1861, he was captured by the Confederates, and imprisoned for nine months. Subsequently he served on the medical staff in various departments. He was a delegate to the session of the American Medical Association held in Boston in 1865. He represented Marion County in the state senate in 1882-'3, and since 1882 he has been devoted to the investigation of cerebral circulation. In 1883 he was appointed superintendent of Indiana Hospital for the insane, and since that time has published several pamphlets on the management of the insane. Among his contributions to medical journals are: "The Discovery of Various Entozoa found in Pork"; "Human Entozoa"; "Report of Five Cases of Trichiniasis "; and he has published a monograph on the "History of Asiatic Cholera" (Cincinnati, 1863).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 482.


FLINT CREEK, ARKANSAS, March 6, 1864. 14th Kansas Cavalry.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLINT HILL, VIRGINIA, March 7, 1865. Patrol of the 16th New York Cavalry. A party of 20 privates and a sergeant, under the command of Lieutenant O. K. Gault, was engaged in patrolling the road from Vienna to Flint Hill. When near the latter place they were attacked by about 50 Confederate cavalry and in the skirmish 1 man was killed and 2 wounded. Gault's party then broke in confusion and returned to camp, where 4 men were reported as missing. The enemy's loss was not learned.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLINT RIVER BRIDGE, GEORGIA, August 19, 1864. (See Kilpatrick's Raid.)


FLORENCE, ALABAMA, April 23, 1863. (See Courtland, Expedition to.)


FLORENCE, ALABAMA, May 27, 1863. Cornyn's Expedition. Colonel Florence M. Cornyn left Corinth, on May 26 with a brigade consisting of the 10th Missouri, 7th Kas. and 15th Illinois cavalry regiments and the 9th Illinois mounted infantry, for an attack on Florence. After leaving Hamburg the following morning the force was divided, a portion under Captain Carmichael being sent toward Waynesboro. When 2 miles from Florence the main body came upon the enemy's pickets and drove them in. The Kas. regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and when within 800 yards of the town discovered a battery of the enemy, which was soon silenced and forced to retire, Cornyn pursuing through the town. Every house was searched for contraband goods, 7 cotton mills in the vicinity were burned, and 200,000 bushels of corn destroyed. The Federals took 69 prisoners and 200 head of horses and mules. Their total casualties were 8 wounded and 10 missing.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLORENCE, ALABAMA, January 26, 1864. Troops commanded by Colonel A. O. Miller, 72nd Indiana Volunteers.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLORENCE, ALABAMA, April 13, 1864. Detachment of 9th Ohio Cavalry. During the night of April 12-13 detachments of the 27th and 35th Alabama infantry regiments crossed the Tennessee river and attacked Company G, 9th Ohio cavalry, at its camp near Florence. The Confederates killed 3 men and carried off 41 as prisoners, sustaining no loss themselves. A goodly number of horses and mules were also captured.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLORENCE, ALABAMA, October 6, 1864. 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps. On the morning of this date the cavalry of the division started for Florence from Shoal creek, where they had camped over night. On reaching Mrs. Huff's house they were driven back. The 60th Illinois infantry was deployed as skirmishers, and with the support of the 1st and 3d brigades drove the enemy back through Florence. No casualties were reported on either side.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLORENCE, KENTUCKY, September 17, 1862. Detachment of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 405.


FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA, March 5, 1865. Williams' Expedition. For the purpose of destroying the railroad and station at Florence, Colonel Reuben Williams with 546 men, consisting of detachments of the 7th and 9th Illinois and 29th Missouri mounted infantry, and the 15th army corps foragers, left the main column on the 4th and proceeded to within 7 miles of Darlington, where he went into camp. On the following morning the depot and trestle work in and around Darlington were destroyed and Williams proceeded on toward Florence. When within 2 miles of the latter town skirmishing was begun with the enemy, and the Union troops charged. The depot was taken in the assault, but before it could be fired the Confederates brought up reinforcements and recaptured it. A train with 400 artillerymen pulled into Florence about an hour later, and Williams was forced to retire to Darlington, the enemy pursuing, and while preparing to go into .camp he was informed that two Confederate brigades were moving to cut him off from the main column. He immediately got his command under way and regained the camp. The Union casualties were 7 wounded and 8 missing. Thirty-one Confederate prisoners were taken.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, pp. 405-406.


FLORIDA, MISSOURI, May 22, 1862. Detachment of the 3d Iowa Cavalry.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 406.


FLORIDA, MISSOURI, July 22, 1862. Detachment of the 3d Iowa Cavalry. At daylight some 300 Confederates under Porter attacked Florida, where 50 men of the 3d la. were stationed. After a fight of about an hour the Union troops retired to Paris, fighting as they went. Major Caldwell, in command at Paris, started at once for Florida with 100 men. but the enemy had abandoned the town before he arrived. He reported the loss in the Iowa detachment as 26 in killed, wounded and missing, and estimated that of the enemy as considerably heavier.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 406.


FLOURNOY, Thomas Stanhope, lawyer, born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, 15 December 1811; died in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, 13 March, 1883. He was educated at Hampden-Sidney College, studied law, and was admitted to practice at Halifax Court House. Virginia. He was distinguished throughout the circuit, which was noted for its brilliant bar, as a speaker of much eloquence, and for his great success as a criminal lawyer. Though a Whig, through his personal popularity he was elected to Congress in 1846 in a largely Democratic District. In 1856 he was nominated by the Whig and Know-Nothing Parties as candidate for governor of Virginia against Henry A. Wise, who was elected. Mr. Flournoy was a member of the convention of Virginia in 1860-'l, and used all his influence to prevent the secession of the state. When it finally declared for the Confederacy, he joined the Army of Northern Virginia as a private, but was appointed colonel, and was in active service throughout the war. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 486.


FLOWERS, Samuel Bryce, physician, born in Wayne County. North Carolina, 31 October, 1835. He was educated at Wake Forest College, North Carolina, and was graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1859. In that year he settled in Camden, Arkansas, but returned to North Carolina in 1862, and served as surgeon in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He is a member of the Board of Health of Wayne County, of the Wayne County Medical Society, of the North Carolina Medical Society, of which he was elected vice-president in 1875, and of the Eastern Medical Association, of which he was vice-president in 1877. He has contributed to the "Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Reports," and to the " Virginia Medical Monthly."  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 487.


FLOWING SPRING, WEST VIRGINIA, August 21, 1864. (See Welch's Spring.)


FLOY, James, clergyman, born in New York City, 20 August, 1800; died there, 14 October, 1863. He was educated at Columbia, and then spent three years in Europe studying, especially botany, at the royal gardens at Kew. In 1835 he was received into the New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for eighteen years was pastor of churches in Middletown, New Haven, Brooklyn, and New York. In 1848 he was placed on the committee to revise the Methodist hymn-book, in 1854 was appointed presiding elder of the New York District of New York East Conference, and in 1850 became editor of the " National Magazine," and corresponding secretary of the American Tract Society. He also edited a denominational paper called " Good News." In 1860 he published his "Guide to the Orchard and Fruit-Garden," and edited the posthumous works of the Reverend Stephen Olin, D. D. In 1861 he returned to his pastorate in New York City, in which he continued till his death. Dr. Floy was one of the ablest and earliest of the anti-slavery clergymen, suffering the unpopularity, and afterward enjoying the success, of the cause.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 487.


FLOYD, John Buchanan, statesman, born in Blacksburg, Virginia, 1 June, 1807; died near Abingdon, Virginia, 20 August, 1803. He was graduated at the College of South Carolina in 1820, moved to Arkansas in 1830, and resided there three years, when he returned to Virginia and practised law in Washington County. He served in the state legislature in 1847-'9 and 1853, and was governor of Virginia in 1850-'3. He was a member of the electoral college in 1856. and a supporter of James Buchanan for the presidency, who appointed him Secretary of War. He held this office from 1857 till the autumn of 1860, when, having declared for secession, he resigned, and returned to his home in Abingdon, Virginia. In the whiter of 1861 he was indicted in Washington, on the charge of having secretly, during the latter portion of his administration of the War Department, prepared the means to aid secession leaders, dispersed the army into remote parts of the country, where the troops could not readily be conveyed to the Atlantic Coast, and transferred from northern to southern arsenals 113,000 muskets; and that he was privy to the abstraction of $870,000 in bonds from the Department of the Interior during the latter part of 1860. Immediately on learning of these charges, Mr. Floyd went to Washington, appeared before the court, gave bail, and demanded trial. In January, 1861, a committee of the House of Representatives made an investigation, and completely exonerated Mr. Floyd from each charge or the indictment. In 1861 he was appointed brigadier-general in the Confederate Army, and was engaged at the battle of Carnifex Ferry, 10 September, 1861. At the battle of Fort Donelson, 16 February, 1862, he reached the field when the engagement had begun, and found the position untenable and the Confederate Army in a cul de sac from which nothing but the hardest fighting could extricate it. He gave orders to that effect, and, after two days' heavy fighting, succeeded in opening a way for the extrication of his troops by a movement to his left. Afterward General Pillow ordered back the main body of the Confederate Army which was under his command to its original position, leaving General Floyd's troops without support on the ground they had gained, whereupon he retreated, with little comparative loss to his own command. Two weeks afterward General Floyd was censured by Mr. Davis for this act, and relieved from command. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 487-488.


FLOYD'S FORD, KENTUCKY, October 1, 1862. 4th Indiana Cavalry, 34th Illinois, and 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers, of the Army of the Ohio.  The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 5, p. 406.


FLUSSER, Charles W., naval officer, born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1833; died near Plymouth, North Carolina, 18 April, 1864. He moved to Kentucky when a child, and was appointed a midshipman in the U.S. Navy, 19 July, 1847. His first cruise was made in the " Cumberland." He was promoted to lieutenant, 16 September, 1855, and in 1857 became assistant professor at the U. S. Naval Academy. He was in the brig "Dolphin " in 1859-'60, and during his succeeding leave of absence the Civil War began. He refused the offer of a high command in the Confederate service, applied for active duty, and was assigned to the command of the gun-boat "Commodore Perry," with which vessel no took part in the attack by Commodore Goldsborough that preceded the capture of Roanoke Island on 7 February, 1862. In October he took part in the shelling of Franklin, Virginia, and afterward commanded the "Perry" in the North Carolina waters. He was killed while in command of the gun-boat " Miami" in battle with the iron-clad "Albemarle " in Roanoke River.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 489.


FOLK'S BRIDGE, NORTH CAROLINA, April 11. 1865. (See Beulah.)


FOLLEN, Charles Theodore, 1796-1840, Cambridge, Massachusetts, educator, professor, writer, clergyman, Unitarian minister, abolitionist.  Fired from Harvard University for his anti-slavery oratory.  Wrote Lectures on Moral Philosophy, which strongly opposed slavery.  Influenced by abolitionist poet John Greenleaf Whittier and abolitionist leader William Lloyd Garrison, he was a founding member of the New England Anti-Slavery Society.  American Anti-Slavery Society, Vice President, 1834-1835, 1836-1837, Member Executive Committee, 1837-1838, 1860-1863.  Counsellor of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, 1859-1960.  Wrote anti-slavery Address to the People of the United States, which he delivered to the Society’s first convention in Boston.  Supported political and legal equality for women.  (Goodell, 1852, pp. 418, 469; Pease, 1965, pp. lxi, 224-233; Rodriguez, 2007, p. 288; Sinha, 2016; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 491-492; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 3, Pt. 2, p. 492; American Reformers: An H.W. Wilson Biographical Dictionary, New York, 1985, pp. 301-302; First Annual Report of the New England Anti-Slavery Society, 1832)

FOLLEN, Charles Theodore Christian, educator, born in Romrod, Germany, 4 September, 1796; died in Long Island sound, 13 January, 1840. He was the second son of Christopher Follen, an eminent jurist. He was educated at the preparatory school at Giessen, where he distinguished himself for proficiency in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, and Italian. At the age of seventeen he entered the University of Giessen, and began the study of jurisprudence, but presently, on hearing the news of Napoleon's defeat at Leipsic, he enlisted in a corps of riflemen. A few weeks after enlisting, his military career was cut short by an acute attack of typhus fever, which seemed for a time to have completely destroyed his memory. After his recovery he returned to the university, where he took the degree of doctor of civil law in 1817. In the following year he lectured on the pandects in the University of Jena. Here he was arrested on suspicion of complicity with the fanatical assassin, Sand, in the murder of Kotzebue. The suspicion was entirely groundless. After his acquittal he returned to Giessen, but soon incurred the dislike of the government through his liberal ideas in politics. His brother had already been thrown into jail for heading a petition begging for the introduction of a representative government. Dr. Follen, perceiving that he was himself in danger, left Germany and went to Paris, where he made the acquaintance of Lafayette. In 1820 the French government ordered all foreigners to quit France, and Dr. Follen repaired to Zurich, where he became professor of Latin in the cantonal school of the Grisons. He was soon afterward transferred to the University of Basel, as professor of civil law, and here, in association with the celebrated De Wette, he edited the literary journal of the university, and published an essay on the “Destiny of Man,” and another on “Spinoza's Doctrine of Law and Morals.” In 1824 the governments of Russia, Austria, and Prussia demanded of the Swiss government that Dr. Follen should be surrendered to “justice” for the crime of disseminating revolutionary doctrines, and, finding the Swiss government unable to protect him, he made his escape to America, and, after devoting a year to the study of the English language, was appointed instructor in German at Harvard. He studied divinity with Dr. W. E. Channing, began preaching in 1828, and also served as instructor in ecclesiastical history in the Harvard divinity-school. In 1830 he was appointed professor of German literature at Harvard.  There was no regular foundation for such a professorship; it was merely continued from time to time by a special vote of the corporation. About this time Dr. Follen became prominently connected with the anti-slavery movement, which was then extremely unpopular at Harvard, and in 1834 the corporation refused to continue his professorship. Thrown thus upon his own resources, after nearly ten years of faithful and valuable service at the university, Dr. Follen supported himself for a time by teaching and writing, living at Watertown, Milton, and Stockbridge. In 1836 he was formally ordained as a Unitarian minister, and preached occasionally in New York, Washington, and Boston. He continued conspicuous among the zealous advocates of the abolition of slavery. In 1840 he was settled over a parish in East Lexington, Massachusetts, but while on his way from New York to Boston he lost his life in the burning of the steamer “Lexington.” He published a “German Reader” (Boston, 1831; new ed., with additions by G. A. Schmitt, 1858); and “Practical Grammar of the German Language” (Boston, 1831). His complete works, containing lectures on moral philosophy, miscellaneous essays and sermons, and a fragment of a treatise on psychology, and a memoir by his widow, were published after his death (5 vols., Boston, 1842). — His wife, below… Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 491-492.


FOLLEN, Eliza Lee Cabot, 1787-1860, co-founder, leader, Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society (BFASS) in 1833, writer, church organizer. American Anti-Slavery Society, Executive Committee member, 1846-1860.  Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Counsellor, 1846-1860.  Wrote “Anti-Slavery Hymns and Songs” and “A Letter to Mothers in the States.”  (Hansen, 1993; Rodriguez, 2007, pp. 42, 288; Sterling, 1991; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 491-492; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 3, Pt. 2, p. 492)

FOLLEN, Eliza Lee Cabot, author, born in Boston, 15 August, 1787; died in Brookline, Massachusetts, 26 January, 1860, was the daughter of Samuel Cabot, of Boston, and married Dr. Follen in 1828. After her husband's death she educated their only son, whom, with other pupils, she fitted for Harvard. She edited the “Child's Friend” in 1843-'50. Mrs. Follen was an intimate friend of William Ellery Channing, and was a zealous opponent of slavery. Besides the memoir of her husband, mentioned above, she published “The Well-Spent Hour” (Boston, 1827); “The Skeptic” (1835); “Poems” (1839); “To Mothers in the Free States” (1855); “Anti-Slavery Hymns and Songs” (1855); “Twilight Stories” (1858); and “Home Dramas” (1859). Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 491-492.


FOLSOM, Abby, reformer, born in England about 1792; died in Rochester, New York, in 1867. She came to the United States about 1837, became noted as an advocate of anti-slavery reform, and was well known for her addresses at the meetings of the American Anti-Slavery Society, about 1842-'5. She married a Mr. Folsom, a resident of Massachusetts, and afterward rarely appeared in public. She published a "Letter from a Member of the Boston Bar to an Avaricious Landlord " (Boston, 1851).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 492.


FOLTZ, Jonathan Messersmith, surgeon, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 25 April, 1810; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 12 April, 1877. He entered the U. S. Navy as assistant surgeon, 4 April, 1831, and landed with the storming party at Qualah Battoo, Sumatra, being specially commended in Captain Shubrick's official dispatch. He was made surgeon, 8 December, 1838, and was attached to the frigate "Raritan," of the Brazil Squadron, in 1844-'7, and to the "Jamestown," of the same squadron, in 1851-'4. He was fleet-surgeon of the Western Gulf Squadron in 1862-'3, and was with Farragut on the "Hartford" in all his battles during those years. He occupied the same place on the " Franklin" during Farragut's voyage to Europe in 1867-'8, and in 1870-'l was president of the naval medical board. He became medical director on 3 March, 1871, and chief of the bureau of medicine and surgery, with the rank of commodore, on 25 October of that year. He was placed on the retired list, 25 April, 1872. Dr. Foltz published "Endemic Influence of an Evil Government" (New York, 1843).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 493.


FOOT in a military sense, implies infantry soldiers. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 305).


FOOT, Samuel Alfred, jurist, born in Watertown, New York, 17 December, 1790; died in Geneva, New York, 11 May, 1878. He was graduated at Union in 1811, studied law in Milton, New York, and with his brother, Ebenezer Foot, of Albany, and was admitted to the bar in 1813. He was district attorney for Albany County in 1819—'21, moved to New York City in 1825, and in 1844 to Geneva, New York He was judge of the court of appeals in 1851, and in I856-'7 served two terms in the legislature, where he introduced resolutions condemning the Dred Scott Decision. Judge Foot became a member of the African Colonization Society in 1851, and was president of the American Bible Society in 1843-'7. He warmly espoused the National cause in 1861, and had five sons in the army, three of whom lost their lives. At the time of his death he was probably the oldest practising lawyer in the state. He received the degree of LL. D., from Hobart in 1834, and from Union in 1853. His autobiography was printed privately (2 vols., New York, 1873). Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 495.


FOOT, Solomon, 1802-1866, lawyer, U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator.  Opposed war with Mexico.  Opposed slavery and its extension into new territories.  Founding member of the Republican Party.  Voted for Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery. (Congressional Globe; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 495; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 3, Pt. 2, p. 498)

FOOT, Solomon, senator, born in Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont., 19 November, 1802; died in Washington. D. C, 28 March, 1866. He was graduated at Middlebury in 1820, was principal of Castleton, Vermont, seminary in 1826-'8, tutor in Vermont University in 1827,'and in 1828-31 held the chair of natural philosophy in the Vermont Academy of Medicine, Castleton. He was admitted to the bar in the latter year, and began practice in Rutland, where he lived until his death. He was a member of the legislature in 1833, 1830-'8, and 1847, speaker of the house in 1837-'8 and 1847, delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1830, and state attorney for Rutland in 1830-42. He was then elected to Congress as a Whig, and served from 1843 till 1847. He was an unsuccessful candidate for clerk of the house in 1849.  He was then chosen U. S. Senator from Vermont, and served from 1851 till his death, becoming a Republican in 1854. He was chairman of important committees, and was president pro tempore of the Senate during a part of the 30th Congress and the whole of the 37th. Senator Foot was prominent in debate, and took an active part in the discussions on the admission of Kansas to the Union in 1858. He was chosen president of the Brunswick and Florida Railroad Company about 1854, and visited England to negotiate the bonds of the company.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 495.


FOOTE, George Anderson, physician, born in Warren County, North Carolina 16 December. 1835. He was graduated at Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, in 1850, and was a surgeon in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was publicly thanked by  the general commanding the troops at Plymouth, North Carolina, for his gallantry. He was on the ram "Albemarle" when she was blown up by Lieutenant Cushing, and assisted in capturing Cushing's party. He has been president of the North Carolina Medical Society, and has contributed to periodical literature under the pen-name of "Civis." His publications include a pamphlet on "Higher Education," and an article on " Hypodermic Medication."  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 495-496.


FOOTE, Henry Stuart, senator, born in Fauquier County, Virginia, 20 September, 1800; died in Nashville, Tennessee, 20 May, 1880. He was graduated at Washington College, Lexington, Virginia, in 1819, admitted to the bar in 1822, and in 1824 went to Tuscumbia, Alabama, where he edited a Democratic newspaper. He moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1820, and acquired an extensive practice, but was also active in politics, and in 1844 was a presidential elector. He was chosen to the U. S. Senate as a Unionist in 1847, took part in favor of the compromise measures of 1850, and served as chairman of the committee on foreign relations. He resigned his seat in the Senate in the autumn of 1852 to canvass his state as a Union candidate for the governorship, his opponent being Jefferson Davis, who had been persuaded to take, the place of General John A. Quitman on the secession ticket, when it became evident that the latter must be defeated. Foote was elected and served one term, till 1854, when he moved to California, but returned to Mississippi in 1858, and practised law at Vicksburg. He strongly opposed secession in the Southern Convention at Knoxville in May, 1859, and when the question was seriously agitated in Mississippi he moved to Tennessee. But he subsequently was elected to the Confederate Congress, where he was noticeable for his hostility to Jefferson Davis, and finally for his opposition to the continuance of the war. He was in favor of accepting the terms offered by President Lincoln in 1863 and 1864. After the war he resided for a time in Washington, D. C., and supported the administration of General Grant, who made him superintendent of the U. S. Mint at New Orleans. He held this office till shortly before his death, when failing health compelled him to return to his home near Nashville. Governor Foote was an able criminal lawyer, an astute politician, and a popular orator. He had a violent temper, and during his political career fought several duels, two of which were with Sargent S. Prentiss, one with John A. Winston, and one with John F. H. Claiborne. He also had a personal encounter with Thomas H. Benton on the floor of the U. S. Senate. He published "Texas and the Texans" (2 vols., Philadelphia, 1841); "The War of the Rebellion, or Scylla and Charybdis" (New York, 1806); "Bench and Bar of the South and Southwest" (St. Louis, 1876); and " Personal Reminiscences."  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, p. 496.


FOOTE, Andrew Hull, naval officer, born in New Haven, Connecticut, 12 September, 1806; died in New York City, 26 June, 1863, was entered as midshipman, 4 December, 1822, on the elder Commodore David Porter's squadron that was sent out in 1823 to break up the piratical nests among the West India Islands. He was promoted lieutenant in 1830. and in 1849 was appointed captain of the brig " Perry," in which he cruised off the African Coast for two years, doing effective service in the suppression of the slave-trade. He was put in command of the sloop-of-war " Plymouth " in 1856, and arrived at Canton, China, on the eve of the hostilities between the Chinese and English. He exerted himself to protect American property, and was fired on by the Barrier forts while thus engaged. He obtained permission from Commodore Armstrong to demand an apology, and when it was refused he attacked the forts, four in number, with the " Portsmouth " and the "Levant." breached the largest, and tarried them by storm. His loss was 40, while that of the enemy was 400. At the beginning of the Civil War he was chosen by the government to command the Western Flotilla. The equipment and organization of this flotilla taxed the energies of Flag-officer Foote to the utmost, and he always spoke of it as his greatest work. In the beginning of February, 1862, in connection with the land forces under Grant, he moved upon Fort Henry on the Tennessee, and upon the 6th, after a hotly contested engagement before the army came up, he carried the fort with his gunboats. His bravery and conduct were conspicuous; and this proved to be his most important achievement in the war. The same impetuosity marked the succeeding action on the 14th, in the combined assault upon Fort Donelson, where for an hour and a half  he engaged the fort and contributed greatly to the demoralization of its garrison, but several of the boats having been disabled, the fleet was compelled to withdraw, and Foote himself was wounded. He then aided  General Pope on the Mississippi, and, after a series of ineffectual attempts, Island No. 10 was surrendered to him on 7 April. His wound became so serious that he was obliged to give up his western command. On 16 June, 1862, he received a vote of thanks from Congress, and was made a rear-admiral, and on 22 June he was appointed chief of the bureau of equipment and recruiting. On 4 June, 1863, he was chosen to succeed Rear-Admiral Dupont in command of the fleet off Charleston, and while on his way to assume this command he died in New York. He was a man of a high type of Christian character, with most genial and lovable traits, but uncompromisingly firm in his principles, especially in regard to temperance reform in the U.S. Navy, where he was the means of abolishing the spirit-ration. Admiral Smith said of him: "Rear-Admiral Foote's character is well known in the navy. One of the strongest traits was great persistence in anything he undertook. He was a man who could neither be shaken off nor choked off from what he attempted to carry out, He was truly a pious man, severely an honest man, and a philanthropist of the first order. He was one of our foremost navy officers—none before him." The work he did for his country was mainly in being the first to break the Confederate line of defence, and in an hour of great depression, by a well-timed and brilliant— even if minor—action, to raise the hope and prestige of success. In a word, he was a courageous and successful officer, thoroughly devoted to his profession, and uniting the best characteristics of the old and new schools of the U. S. Navy. During a period of four years after 1852. when he remained at home, he wrote "Africa and the American Flag" (1854). His biography has been written by Professor James M. Hoppin (New York, 1874).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. II, pp. 496-497.