Prairie D’Ane, Arkansas through Pyrotechny

PRAIRIE D'ANE, ARKANSAS, April 9-12, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, ILLINOIS, April 6, 1864. Detachment 3d Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain Henry B. Milks with 18 men, sent out from Farmington, Missouri, to capture or drive out a band of guerrillas, captured 5 before reaching Prairie Du Rocher. The place was charged and the guerrillas stationed there were driven to the bluffs for shelter. After a short but spirited fight the enemy was compelled to abandon his position on the bluffs and take to the woods, leaving 3 dead on the field. Another of the guerrillas was shot while attempting to escape from his captors. Milks had 1 man wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 715.

PRAIRIE GROVE, ARKANSAS, December 7, 1862. Army of the Frontier. After the battle of Cane Hill on November 28, the Confederate forces under General T. C. Hindman united with the command of Brigadier-General J. S. Marmaduke at Lee's creek, where the latter had retreated. On December 2, Brigadier-General J. G. Blunt, commanding the Army of the Frontier, sent for Brigadier-General F. J. Herron to bring up his command, consisting of the 2nd and 3d divisions, to reinforce the Union army at Cane Hill. Herron at once started from Elkhorn and his advance reached Blunt about 10 p. m. on the 6th. This advance consisted of detachments of the 2nd Wisconsin, 1st la., 10th Illinois, and 8th Missouri cavalry regiments, about 1,600 men in all. During the night, owing to the negligence of an officer sent to watch the Cove Creek road, Hindman was able to move part of his troops north, passing to the east of Blunt's position on the Fayetteville road. His object was to get between Blunt and Herron and prevent them from forming a junction. Blunt immediately came to Herron's aid over a road leading to Cane Hill mills, east of the Fayetteville road. Herron, with but six regiments of infantry, three batteries and about 500 cavalry, had been attacked by the entire Confederate force at 7 a. m., but managed to drive it back across Illinois creek to Prairie Grove, where he planted his batteries and opened fire. Between 1 and 2 p. m. Blunt came in on Herron's right and stationed his artillery so as to sweep the woods from which the Confederate infantry was firing. From 3 p. m. until dark the musketry firing was uninterrupted. Twice the Union infantry charged the enemy's battery and captured it, but both times the guns were recaptured by the superiority of numbers. When darkness fell, the firing ceased on both sides. The Union troops slept on their arms, expecting a renewal of the engagement in the morning, but during the night the Confederates stealthily retreated southwest across the Boston mountains, leaving Blunt and Herron in possession of the field. The Union casualties were 175 killed, 813 wounded and 263 captured or missing. The Confederate loss was 164 killed, 817 wounded and 336 captured or missing. Blunt's forces in the battle numbered 7,000; those of the enemy 28,000. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 715.


PRAIRIE GROVE, ARKANSAS, April 7, 1864. Detachment of 1st Arkansas Cavalry. Colonel M. La Rue Harrison, reporting from Fayetteville on April 8, stated that a gang of Confederates, 22 strong, charged upon the Federal corral keepers, 9 in number, near Prairie Grove and killed all of them. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 716.


PRAIRIE STATION, MISSISSIPPI, February 21, 1864. 1st Cavalry Brigade, 16th Army Corps. During Smith's withdrawal from before West Point during the Meridian expedition a portion of Waring's brigade made a demonstration on the right of the retiring column, thereby checking an attempted flank movement of the Confederates on the railroad. No casualties reported. Prentiss, Mississippi, September 19, 1862. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 716.


PRATT, Calvin Edward, soldier, born in Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 23 January, 1828. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1852, and practised for several years in Worcester. He was a member of the Cincinnati Convention which nominated James Buchanan for president. In 1859 he moved to New York City and practised till 1861, when he raised the 31st Regiment of New York Volunteers, and commanded it at the first battle of Bull Bun. With his regiment he afterward took part in the battles on the Peninsula, the second battle of Bull Run, and the battle of Antietam. On 10 September, 1862, he was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and he resigned, 25 April, 1863. After the war he held the post of collector of internal revenue in the Brooklyn District, which he resigned to resume his law-practice. In the autumn of 1869 he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court of the state of New York, and he was re-elected in 1877 for fourteen years. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 101.


PRATT, Thomas George, governor of Maryland, born in Georgetown, D. C., 18 February, 1804; died in Baltimore, Maryland, 9 November, 1869. He was educated in his native place, studied law, and in 1823 moved to Upper Marlborough, Maryland, where he engaged in practice. He was in the legislature in 1832-5, and in 1837 was chosen president of the last executive council that was held under the state constitution of 1776. In 1838-'42 he was in the state senate, and in 1844 he was the Whig candidate for governor on a platform that opposed the repudiation of the state debt. He was successful after one of the fiercest political contests that was ever waged in Maryland, and during his term the finances of the state were placed on a solid basis. On the expiration of his service he practised his profession in Annapolis till 1849, when he was elected to the U. S. Senate in place of Reverdy Johnson, who had resigned on being appointed Attorney-General. He was re-elected, and field his seat from 14 January, 1850, till 3 March, 1857. During his term he became an intimate friend of Daniel Webster, and he often entertained Webster and Henry Clay at his home in Annapolis. Subsequently he moved to Baltimore. At the beginning of the Civil War Governor Pratt was a strong advocate of secession, and was confined for a few weeks in Fort Monroe. Virginia. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1864, and to the Philadelphia Union Convention of 1866. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 103.


PRATT, George Watson, soldier, born in Prattsville, New York, 18 April, 1830; died near Manassas, Virginia, 21 July, 1861, was educated in Poughkeepsie, New York, and in Europe, receiving the degree of Ph.D. at the University of Erlangen, Bavaria. He engaged in banking, took an active interest in politics, and served in the state senate. At the beginning of the Civil War he became colonel of the 20th New York Regiment, and at the time of his death, at the battle of Bull Run, he was acting brigadier-general. Colonel Pratt was the author of an elaborate review of General George B. McClellan's report on the Crimean War. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 104.


PREEBLE, George Henry, naval officer, born in Portland, Maine. 25 February, 1816; died in Boston, Massachusetts, 1 March, 1885, entered the U.S. Navy as midshipman, 10 October, 1835, cruised in the Mediterranean in the frigate "United States" in 1836-'8, became passed midshipman 22 June, 1841. served in the Florida War in 1841-"2, and circumnavigated the world in the " St. Louis " in 18435, when he took ashore the first American force that landed in China. In the Mexican War, in 1846-'7, he participated in the capture of Alvarado, Vera Cruz, and Tuxpan. He became a master. 15 July. 1847, and lieutenant. 5 February. 1848, served in the frigate "St. Lawrence " in 1853-'6, took goods to the London exhibition, joined Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to China, and fought Chinese pirates, for which the English authorities gave him their thanks. He surveyed the harbors of Keelung. Formosa, Jeddo, and Hakodadi, Japan, and prepared sailing directions for Singapore, which were published extensively. In 1856-7 he was light-house inspector, in 1857-'9 he served at the U.S. Navy-yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and in 1859-61 he was executive of the steamer "Narragansett" in the Pacific. In January, 1862, he took command of the steamer "Katahdin," in which he participated under Farragut in the capture of New Orleans, and subsequent operations in the Mississippi and Grand Gulf. He was commissioned commander. 16 July, 1862. For failure to capture the Confederate cruiser " Florida" on the blockade he was summarily dismissed the navy, but the captain of the "Florida" testified that his superior speed alone saved him, and the dismissal was revoked, he was restored to his rank, and given command of the "St. Louis," which he joined at Lisbon, cruising after Confederate rovers. The " Florida" again escaped him at Madeira while he was becalmed. He next commanded the fleet brigade from 24 November, 1864, till April, 1865, and co-operated with General William T. Sherman. With the steamer " State of Georgia," in 1865, he rescued six hundred passengers from the wrecked steamer "Golden Rule," near Aspinwall. He became captain on 16 March, 1867, was at the Boston U.S. Navy-yard in 1865-'8, and served as chief of staff and in command of the flag-ship " Pensacola " in 1868-'70 in the Pacific. After being commissioned commodore, 2 November, 1871, he was commandant of the U.S. Navy-yard at Philadelphia in 1873-'5, was promoted to rear-admiral, 30 September, 1876, and on 25 February, 1878, was retired by law, being sixty-two years old. Admiral Preble constantly contributed to the professional periodical press, and was a member of various historical societies. A collection of navy registers, naval tracts, and other works from his library constitute the rarest sets of U. S. naval publications in existence. They are now in the Navy Department, serving in many cases to supply information for the biographies of naval officers that is not otherwise obtainable. His writings, many of which were printed privately and in small editions, include "Chase of the Rebel Steamer of War 'Oreto' (Cambridge, 1862): "The Preble Family in America " (Boston, 1868); "First Cruise of the U. S. Frigate Essex'" (Salem, 1870): " History of the American Flag" (Albany, 1872); and "History of Steam Navigation" (Philadelphia, 1883). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 105.


PRENTISS, Benjamin Mayberry, soldier, born in Belleville, Wood County, Virginia, 23 November, 1819. He moved with his parents to Missouri in 1835, and in 1841 settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he learned rope-making, and subsequently engaged in the commission business. In 1844–5 he was 1st lieutenant of a company that was sent against the Mormons in Hancock, Illinois. He served in the Mexican War as captain of volunteers, and on his return was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress in 1860. At the beginning of the Civil War he reorganized his old company, was appointed colonel of the 7th Illinois Regiment, and became brigadier-general of volunteers, 17 May, 1861. He was placed in command of Cairo, afterward served in southern Missouri, routed a large body of Confederates at Mount Zion on 28 December, 1861, and joined General Grant three days before the battle of Shiloh, on the first day of which he was taken prisoner with most of his command. He was released in October, 1862, and appointed major-general of volunteers on 29 November. He was a member of the court-martial that tried General Fitz John Porter (q.v.). He commanded at the post of Helena, Arkansas, and on 3 July, 1863, defeated General Theophilus H. Holmes and General Sterling Price, who attacked him there. General Prentiss resigned his commission on 28 October, 1863. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 106.


PRESIDENT. The President of the United States is commander-in-chief of the army, navy, and militia, called into service. His functions as such are assigned by Congress, but embrace of course whatever authority may be assigned to any military commander, on the principle that the authority of the greater includes that of the less. For the command, government, and regulation of the army, however, (Congress has created a military hierarchy or range of subordination in the army with rights and duties regulated by Congress, and the commander-in-chief cannot make use of any other agents in exercising his command; and all orders issued by him must be according to the rules and articles made by Congress for the government of the army. In his capacity of chief-magistrate of the Union, Congress has also invested the President with many administrative functions relating to military affairs; and for the performance of the latter duties the Secretary of the Department of War has been made his minister, upon matters connected with materiel, accounts, returns, the support of troops, and the raising of troops. (See ARMY REGULATIONS; CONGRESS; DEPARTMENT OF WAR; ORDERS; REGULATIONS; SECRETARY OF WAR.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 467-468).


PRESIDENT, (COURT-MARTIAL.) The President of a court-martial is the senior member. He preserves order in court; administers the oath taken by the judge-advocate, and the proceedings of the court are authenticated by his signature and that of the judge-advocate. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 468).


PRESIDIO DEL NORTE, NEW MEXICO, April 15, 1864. (See Spencer's Ranch, same date)


PRESIDIO DEL NORTE, NEW MEXICO, January 21, 1865. The only report of this affair is that of Captain H. Kennedy, a Confederate recruiting officer, whose command was attacked by 130 Federals on the Cibolo river. Kennedy made a desperate dash and cut his way through the surrounding lines, losing 4 killed, 7 wounded and 8 missing, besides all his transportation. The Union loss was not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 716.


PRESTO, DESTRUCTION OF, February 1-6, 1864. Batteries about Charleston Harbor. The Presto was a Confederate blockade-runner that succeeded in passing the fleet in front of Charleston Harbor on the night of the 1st and ran aground on a bar on the shore of Sullivan's island. She was discovered at dawn on the 2nd, when the three 30-pounder Parrotts in Fort Putnam opened on her at a range of 2,600 yards. The first three shells burst directly over her, driving away the Confederates who were trying to unload the cargo. At 8 o'clock the 300-pounder Parrott in Battery Chatfield opened up with accurate aim at a range of 2,700 yards, one shell going through the furnaces of the stranded vessel. Fort Strong opened soon after at a range of 3,600 yards, firing a shell from a 200-pounder Parrott every 15 minutes until dark. A 100-pounder Parrott was fired at intervals from this fort during the night, and on the morning of the 2nd the 200-pounder sent in 15 shells, 5 of which struck the hull. The vessel was set on fire by the shells on the 2nd but for some cause the fire went out. On the afternoon she was again set on fire and burned until dark, when the fire again went out of its own accord. During the 2nd, 3d and 4th two monitors joined in the bombardment but most of their shots went wild and they finally withdrew. Altogether about 1,000 shells were thrown at the unfortunate vessel and on the morning of the 6th she was a complete wreck. The Confederate batteries on Sullivan's and James islands replied with about 400 shells, but the only casualties reported as a result of their fire were the wounding of 2 men of the 3d Rhode Island artillery at Fort Putnam. The effect of the bombardment was to keep the enemy from getting possession of the cargo of supplies, which would no doubt have been gladly received. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 716.


PRESTON, John Smith, soldier, born at the Salt Works, near Abingdon, Virginia, 20 April. 1809; died in Columbia, S. C., 1 May, 1881, was graduated at Hampden Sidney College in 1824, attended lectures at the University of Virginia in 1825-'6, and read law at Harvard. He married Caroline, daughter of General Wade Hampton, in 1830, and settled first in Abingdon. Virginia, and subsequently in Columbia, South Carolina. He engaged for several years in sugar-planting in Louisiana, but also devoted much time to literary pursuits and to the collection of paintings and sculptures. He aided struggling artists liberally, notably Hiram Powers, whose genius had been recognized by his brother William. Mr. Powers, as a token of his appreciation, gave him the first replica of the "Greek Slave." He also became widely known as an orator, delivering, among other addresses, the speech of welcome to the Palmetto Regiment on its return from the Mexican War in 1848, which gained him a national reputation. This was increased by his orations before the "Seventy-sixth Association of Charleston" and the literary societies of South Carolina College, and those at the 75th anniversary of the battle of King's Mountain and at the laying of the corner-stone of the University of the south at Sewanee, Tennessee. He was an ardent secessionist, and in May, 1860, was chairman of the South Carolina delegation to the Democratic Convention that met at Charleston, South Carolina. After the election of President Lincoln he was chosen a commissioner to Virginia, and in February, 1861, made an elaborate plea in favor of the withdrawal of that state from the Union, which was regarded as his greatest effort. He was on the staff of General Beauregard in 1861-'2, participated in the first battle of Bull Run, and was subsequently transferred to the conscript department with the rank of brigadier-general. He went to England shortly after the close of the war, and remained abroad several years. After his return he delivered an address at a commencement of the University of Virginia, which, as a fervent assertion of the right of secession, incurred the criticism of the conservative press throughout the country. His last public appearance was at the unveiling of the Confederate monument at Columbia, South Carolina when he was the orator of the occasion. General Preston was more than six feet in height, and of a powerful and symmetrical frame. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 115.


PRESTON, Thomas Lewis, planter, born in Botetourt County, Virginia, 28 November, 1812, was educated at the University of Virginia, studied law, but never practised, and for many years engaged in Washington and Smith Counties, Virginia, in the manufacture of salt, in which he made material improvements. He was twice a member of the legislature, for many years a visitor of the University of Virginia, and twice its rector. He was on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston during the first year of the Civil War, and his aide-de-camp at the first battle of Bull Run. He has published " Life of Elizabeth Russell, Wife of General William Campbell of King's Mountain " (University of Virginia. 1880). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 115.


PRESTON, William Ballard, Secretary of War, born in Smithfield, Montgomery County, Virginia, 25 'November, 1805; died there, 16 November, 1862, was educated at the University of Virginia, adopted law as a profession, and achieved signal success in its practice. He served several times in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, and was never throughout his career defeated in any popular election. He was chosen to Congress as a Whig in 1846, and on the accession of General Zachary Taylor to the presidency he held the portfolio of the navy until General Taylor's death, when he retired to private life, but was several times presidential elector on the Whig ticket. He was sent by the government on a mission to France in 1858-'9, the object of which was to establish a line of steamers between that country and Virginia, and a more extended commercial relation between the two countries. The scheme failed on account of the approaching Civil War. He was a member of the Virginia Secession Convention in 1861, and resisted all efforts toward the dissolution of the Union till he was satisfied that war was inevitable. In 1861-2 he was a member of the Confederate Senate, in which he served until his death. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 115.


PRESTON, William, lawyer, born near Louisville, Kentucky, 16 October, 1806; died in Lexington, Kentucky, 21 September, 1887. His education was under the direction of the Jesuits at Bardstown, Kentucky. He afterward studied at Yale, and then attended the law-school at Harvard, where he was graduated in 1838. He then began the practice of law, also taking an active part in politics. He served in the Mexican War as lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Kentucky Volunteers. In 1851 he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives as a Whig, and in the following year he was chosen to Congress to fill the vacancy caused by General Humphrey Marshall's resignation, serving from 6 December, 1852, till 3 March, 1855. He was again a candidate in 1854, but was defeated by his predecessor, General Marshall, the Know-Nothing candidate, after a violent campaign. He then became a Democrat, and was a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention of 1856, which nominated Buchanan and Breckinridge. He was appointed U. S. minister to Spain under the Buchanan administration, at the close of which he returned to Kentucky and warmly espoused the cause of the south. He joined General Simon B. Buckner at Bowling Green in 1861, and was made colonel on the staff of his brother-in-law, General Albert Sidney Johnston, when that officer assumed command. He served through the Kentucky Campaign, was at the fall of Fort Donelson, the battle of Shiloh, where General Johnston died in his arms, and the siege of Corinth. He was also in many hard-fought battles, especially at Murfreesboro. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1867 he was elected to the legislature, and in 1880 he was a delegate to the convention that nominated General Hancock for the presidency. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 115-116.


PRESTON, MISSOURI, June 16, 1864. (See Big North fork, same date.)


PRESTONBURG, KENTUCKY, January 10, 1862. (See Middle Creek, same date.)


PRESTONBURG, KENTUCKY, December 4, 1862. Detachment of the 39th Kentucky Infantry. The detachment, numbering about 200 men, while guarding some push boats loaded with supplies, on the way up the west fork of the Big Sandy river to Piketon, was attacked by 800 mounted Confederates under Captain Clarkson about 4 miles below Prestonburg. The Kentuckians put up a spirited resistance, but were finally overpowered and the boats fell into the hands of the enemy, who thus captured about 100 stands of arms, 300 uniforms, 7,000 rounds of ammunition and some commissary stores. The Union report says that the Federal loss was 2 men killed, and placed the enemy's loss at 14 or 15 killed, but Clarkson stated his casualties as 2 killed and 7 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 716.


PREVOST, Charles Mallet, soldier, born in Baltimore, Maryland, 19 September, 1818; died in Philadelphia, 5 November, 1887. His father, General Andrew M. Prevost, who commanded the first Regiment of Pennsylvania Artillery in the war of 1812, was born in Geneva, Switzerland, of Huguenot ancestry, and his grandfather, Paul Henry Mallet Prevost, a Geneva banker, came to the United States in 1794 and '' an estate at Alexandria (since called Frenchtown), Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Charles M. Prevost studied law and was admitted to the bar, and shortly afterward was appointed U.S. Marshal for the territory of Wisconsin, and he was subsequently deputy collector of the Port of Philadelphia. He was an active member of the militia, and at the beginning of the Civil War had command of a company. Soon afterward he was appointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff of General Frank Patterson. He was engaged in the Peninsular Campaign, later was appointed colonel of the 118th (Corn exchange) Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and commanded it at Antietam. The severity of the attack compelled his regiment to fall back, and Colonel Prevost seized the colors and ran to the front to rally his men. While encouraging them, he was struck in the shoulder by a Minié ball, and also by a fragment of shell, and so severely wounded that he never recovered. The brevet of brigadier-general of volunteer was conferred on him on 13 March, 1865, for his bravery in this action. After his partial recovery he returned to the command of his regiment, and took part in the battle of Chancellorsville with his arm strapped to his body. After this engagement he was ordered to take charge of a camp at Harrisburg for the organization of the Veteran reserve Corps, and, finding that his health would not permit him to engage in active service, he entered that corps, as colonel of the 16th Regiment, and served in it through the war. On his return home he was appointed major-general of the 1st Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 116


PRICE, Hiram, 1814-1901.  Republican Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa.  Congressman 1863-1869, 1876-1881.  Voted for Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery (Appletons’, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 117-118; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 8, Pt. 1, p. 212; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 17, p. 860; Congressional Globe)

PRICE, Hiram, Congressman, born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 10 January, 1814. He received a common-school education, was for a few years a farmer, and then a merchant. He moved to Davenport, Iowa, in 1844, was school-fund commissioner of Scott County for eight years, and as such had the school lands allotted and appraised. He was collector, treasurer, and recorder of the county during seven years of the time when he was school-fund commissioner, and was president of the State Bank of Iowa during its existence, except for the first year. When the Civil War began, the state of Iowa had no available funds, and he furnished from his individual means quarters and subsistence for several months for about 5,000 men, infantry and cavalry. With Ezekiel Clark he advanced about $25,000 to pay to the 1st, 2d, and 3d Iowa Regiments their “state pay,” and carried the same to them, at much personal risk from the “bushwhackers” in northern Missouri. Mr. Price was elected to Congress as a Republican, serving in 1863-'9. He declined to be a candidate again, and spent some time abroad. He was again elected in 1876 and 1878, and then again declined re-election. He was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1881, and served in that office until shortly after the inauguration of President Cleveland.   Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 117-118.


PRICE, Reese E., Hamilton County, Ohio, Ohio Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1835-39


PRICE, Rodman McCamley, governor of New Jersey, born in Sussex County, New Jersey, 5 May, 1816. At an early age he became a student at Princeton, but before completing the course was obliged to leave on account of his health. He afterward pursued for some time the study of the law, and finally, in 1840, was appointed purser in the U.S. Navy. For ten years he was connected with this branch of the service, and in 1848 he was made navy agent for the Pacific Coast. When the American flag was raised in this region, he was the first to exercise judicial functions under it as alcalde. On returning to his home in 1850, he was elected a member of Congress, and served from 1851 till 1853. On 8 November of the latter year he was elected governor of New Jersey, which office he filled for three years. Through his instrumentality mainly the normal school of that state was established, and the militia system greatly improved. In 1861 he was delegate to the Peace Congress. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 118.


PRICE, Samuel, senator, born in Fauquier, County, Virginia, 18 August, 1805; died in Leesburg, West Virginia, 25 February, 1884. He moved to Preston County, Virginia (now West Virginia), at twelve years of age, received a common school education, and settled in the practice of law in Nicholas County. After serving two terms in the legislature he moved to Wheeling, and subsequently to Lewisburg, and represented Greenbrier County for many years in the legislature. He was a leader in all schemes for internal improvement west of the Blue Ridge, and an originator of the proposition to establish a railroad from Tidewater, Virginia, to Ohio River. He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1851, and of the Secession Convention in 1861, and earnestly opposed disunion in the latter body, but, on the passage of the ordinance of secession, supported the measures that followed. He was elected lieutenant-governor in 1863, and served as president of the state senate till the close of the war. He was appointed a circuit judge in 1865, but declined to take the test oath and did not serve. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the U. S. Senate in 1876, was president of the West Virginia Constitution Convention in 1872, and in 1876 was appointed by the governor to fill out the unexpired term of Allen T. Caperton, deceased, in the U.S. Senate, serving four months. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 118.


PRICE, Sterling, soldier, born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, 11 September, 1809; died in St. Louis, Missouri, 29 September, 1867. He was a student at Hampden Sidney College, read law, moved to Chariton County, Missouri, in 1831, and was speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives in 1840–4. He was elected to Congress in the latter year as a Democrat, but resigned in 1846, and raised the 2d Missouri Cavalry Regiment for the Mexican War, becoming its colonel. He moved his regiment with that of Colonel Doniphan, both under command of General Stephen W. Kearny, from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fé, more than 1,000 miles, the march occupying more than fifty days, and the  army subsisting mainly on the country. Colonel Price, with about 2,000 men, was left in charge of New Mexico, General Kearny moving with the remainder of the command to California. An insurrection occurred in Santa Fé, to which Governor Brent and several of his officers fell victims during their absence from the town. Colonel Price now attacked the Mexicans, completed the conquest of the province in several  actions, and after promotion to brigadier-general of volunteers, 20 July, 1847, marched to Chihuahua, of which he was made military governor. He defeated the Mexicans at Santa Cruz de Rosales, 16 March, 1848. General Price was governor of Missouri from 1853 till 1857, bank commissioner of the state from 1857 till 1861, and president of the State Convention on 4 March, 1861. He was appointed major-general of the Missouri State Guard on 18 May, and joined by General Ben McCulloch and General Pearce with Confederate troops and Arkansas Militia, they defeated Nathaniel Lyon at Wilson's creek, in south August, 1861. Price then advanced north Lexington, on Missouri River, 12 September,  the place, with 3,500 men, on 21 September, but  before General John C. Frémont, and went driven by General Samuel R. Curtis, 12 February, 1862, and retreated toward Fort Smith, Arkansas. General Earl Van Dorn assumed command  of Price’s and  McCulloch’s armies, attacked Curtis at Pea Ridge, 7 March, 1862, and was defeated. Van Dorn was now ordered to around Corinth, retreated under Beauregard to Tupelo, was assigned to the command of the Army of Tennessee. met and fought with General William S. Rosecrans, in but was ordered to report to Van Dorn, and by his direction abandoned Iuka and joined him near Baldwyn. He participate in Van Dorn’s disastrous attack upon Corinth in October, 1862, and in the operations under General John C. Pemberton 1862-’3. He was then ordered to the Trans-Mississippi department, took part in the unsuccessful signed to the command of the District of Arkansas. He was driven from Little Rock by General Frederic toward Red River in March, 1864, and forced him to retreat. He made a raid into Missouri in September, 1864 had made many engagements with the National forces, and reached Missouri River, but was driven out of the state and into southwestern Arkansas. After the surrender of the Confederate Armies he went to Mexico, but he returned to Missouri in 1866.

Fix this error, insert above…

He captured fell back southward into winter-quarters near Springfield, whence he was Dorn assumed command of Price's and McCulloch's Tennessee. Price participated in the engagements of the West in March, 1862, and then to the district command of Grant's right, at Iuka, 19 September, 1862, Baldwyn. He participated in Van Dorn's disin northern Mississippi during the winter of attack upon Helena, 21 July, 1863, and was as Steele, but successfully resisted Steele's advance September, 1864, had many engagements with the ern Arkansas. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 118-119.


PRICE, Theophilus Townsend, physician, born in Cape May 21 May, 1828. He received  an academic education, taught school for a time, then studied medicine, was graduated in 1853 at Pennsylvania Medical College, and settled in practice at Tuckerton, New Jersey. In 1863 he served as a volunteer surgeon in the army. Since 1879 he has been acting assistant surgeon in the U.S. Marine Hospital service, the first and only appointment of the kind in New Jersey, the government medical service on the entire New Jersey Coast being under his charge. He is one of the projectors of the Tuckerton Railroad, and since 1871 has been the secretary. He has served in the New Jersey legislature, is one of the trustees of the New Jersey reform school for boys, and of the South Jersey Institute, and a member of the State medical and historical societies. He has contributed to medical journals, and both in prose and poetry to various periodicals. Many of his war songs have become widely known. He is the author of the entire historical and descriptive part of the “Historical and Biographical Atlas of the New Jersey Coast” (Philadelphia, 1877). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 119.


PRICE, Thomas Lawson, contractor, born near Danville, Virginia, 19 January, 1809; died in Jefferson City, Missouri, 16 July, 1870. His father was a wealthy tobacco-planter. In 1831 the son settled in Jefferson City, Missouri He first engaged in mercantile pursuits, and afterward bought and sold real estate. In 1838 he obtained the contract for carrying the mail between St. Louis and Jefferson City, and established the first stage-line connecting those places. Ultimately he gained control of all the stage-routes in the state, and became lessee of the State penitentiary. He was chosen the first mayor of Jefferson City in 1838, and was re-elected. In 1847 he was appointed brevet major-general of the 6th Division of Missouri Militia, and in 1849 he was elected lieutenant-governor on the Democratic ticket. In 1856 General Price headed a Benton delegation to the Democratic National Convention that nominated James Buchanan, but was not admitted. In 1860 he was elected to the state legislature, and on 21 September, 1861, was appointed by General John C. Frémont brigadier-general of volunteers. The appointment expired by limitation, 17 July, 1862. He was elected to Congress in place of John W. Reid, expelled, and served from 21 January, 1862, till 3 March, 1863. In 1864 he was nominated by the Union men for governor, although there was no hope of his election. About this time his health began to fail, and his only subsequent appearance in public life was as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1868, where he acted as vice-president when Horatio Seymour was nominated. During the greater part of his career General Price was connected with railroads, both as contractor and officer. When a member of the legislature he was largely instrumental in inducing the state to lend its aid to the construction of the Iron Mountain and Hannibal and St. Joseph roads. He was also identified with the construction of the Missouri Pacific and the Kansas Pacific. Of the former he was one of the first and largest contractors. Besides building the greater part of the Kansas Pacific, he was also a fund commissioner and director of that road, and united with other capitalists in extending the line from Denver to Cheyenne. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 119.


Price's Landing, Missouri, November 18, 1861. Steamer Platte Valley. About 200 Confederates, under the leadership of Brigadier-General M. Jeff. Thompson, captured the steamboat Platte Valley at Price's landing about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Two officers of the 2nd U. S. cavalry were also captured and paroled, one of whom carried news of the event to General Grant at Cairo, Illinois, who immediately ordered out all the available cavalry and sent some 700 or 800 infantry by rail to Charleston, Missouri, in an effort to cut off and capture Thompson, but that wily officer succeeded in making his escape. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 716-717.


PRIM'S SHOP, TENNESSEE, December 25, 1862. Harker's Brigade of Wood's Division. While this brigade was foraging on the Edmondson pike it was attacked on front and flank near Prim's blacksmith shop by about 600 Confederates. The enemy was driven off, but not until he had succeeded in killing 1 and wounding 2 of the foraging party. The Confederates had 3 men wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRIME, Frederick E., soldier, born in Florence, Italy, 24 September, 1829, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1850, and employed on fortifications in New York, California, Alabama, and Mississippi. In 1861 he was taken prisoner at Pensacola, Florida, while he was on his way to Fort Pickens. Having been commissioned captain of engineers, he served during the Manassas Campaign, and the following six months he was successively chief engineer of the departments of Kentucky, the Cumberland, and the Ohio. After being wounded and taken prisoner while on a reconnaissance, he occupied the same post during General Grant's Mississippi Campaign in 1862-'3. He was brevetted major for gallantry at the battle of Corinth, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg. He was also promoted major, 1 June, 1863, brevetted lieutenant-colonel the following month for meritorious services before Vicksburg, and colonel and brigadier-general, 13 March. 1865, for gallant conduct throughout the war. The commission of brevet brigadier-general was declined. On 5 September, 1871, Major Prime was retired through disability from wounds that he received " in line of duty." Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 123.


PRINCE, Henry, soldier, born in Eastport, Maine, 19 June, 1811. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1835, assigned to the 4th Infantry, and served in the Seminole War in 1836-'7. He became 1st lieutenant, 7 July, 1838, assisted in removing the Creek Indians to the west, and then served on frontier duty, in the Florida War of 1841-'2, and in the war with Mexico, in which he received the brevet of captain for services at Contreras and Churubusco, and that of major for Molino del Rey, where he was severely wounded. On 26 September, 1847, he was made captain, and on 23 May, 1855, he was appointed major and served on the pay department in the west, participating in the Utah Campaign in 1858-'9. In the Civil War he took part in the northern Virginia Campaign, was made brigadier-general of volunteers on 28 April, 1862, and received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel for services at Cedar Mountain, 9 August, 1862, where he was captured. After his release in December he participated in the North Carolina operations from 11 January till 24 June, 1863, commanded the District of Pamlico from 1 May till 24 June, 1863, pursued the Confederate Army in its retreat from Maryland, served in the Rapidan Campaign from October till December, 1863, pursued General Nathan B. Forrest's raiders in Tennessee and Alabama in 1864, and commanded on the coast of South Carolina from January till May, 1865. He was brevetted colonel and brigadier-general, U.S. Army, on 13 March, 1865. He served on courts-martial in Washington, D. C., in 1865-'6, and was mustered out of volunteer service on 30 April, 1866. He then served as paymaster in Boston till 1869, as chief paymaster of the Department of the East till 1871, and as paymaster in New York City until 1875. He was assigned to the Division of the Pacific on 28 June, 1875, became lieutenant-colonel on 3 March, 1877, and retired on 31 December, 1879. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 123-124.


PRINCE EDWARD COURT HOUSE, VIRGINIA, April 7, 1865. Cavalry Division, Army of the James. In the pursuit of General Lee's army from Richmond and Petersburg, the division, commanded by Brigadier-General Ranald S. Mackenzie, was sent to Prince Edward Court House (now Hampden-Sidney) to cut off the Confederate line of retreat to Danville. At the Court House was a small force of the enemy, which was charged by Mackenzie's advance, 38 captured and the remainder driven precipitately from the town. The Union loss was slight. Here Mackenzie was joined by the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, under General Merritt, and the entire force moved to Appomattox Court House. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRINCE GEORGE COURT HOUSE, VIRGINIA, November 24, 1864. Pickets of 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. Thirty dismounted Confederates attacked the Union picket line near Prince George Court House about 1 a. m., killed 2 of the pickets, wounded 4 and captured another, besides 18 horses with equipments. The enemy had 1 man killed and 1 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRINCE'S SHOALS, MISSOURI, October 6, 1864. Detachments of the 1st and 7th Missouri Cavalry. When General Sterling Price, in his Missouri expedition, reached Prince's shoals on the Osage river he found there a small guard, which was at once attacked arid driven away from the crossing. Portions of the 1st and 7th Missouri cavalry were hurried to the assistance of the guard and the lost position was regained. A request was sent for more troops, but before they could be brought up the main body of Price's army arrived and the Federals were compelled to abandon the crossing. In this affair the Confederates lost 2 killed and 7 wounded. The Union loss was not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRINCETON, ARKANSAS, December 8, 1863. Detachments of 1st, 2nd and 7th Missouri and 1st and 3d Iowa Cavalry and Hadley's Battery. As an incident of a reconnaissance from Little Rock the detachment, under Colonel Lewis Merrill, surprised a Confederate camp 2 miles from Princeton. The enemy, 600 strong, was completely routed, losing 8 killed, 18 wounded and 28 captured. No loss was reported on the Union side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRINCETON, ARKANSAS, April 28, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


PRINCETON, ARKANSAS, October 21, 1864. 9th Kansas and 1st Missouri Cavalry. The advance of an expedition encountered the Confederate pickets 12 miles from Princeton, drove them back and entered the town to find some 75 Confederates drawn up in line of battle. Upon seeing the size of the Federal force the enemy broke and fled. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRINCETON, KENTUCKY, June 10, 1864. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717.


PRINCETON, WEST VIRGINIA, May 16-17, 1862. Troops of the District of the Kanawha. While Brigadier-General J. D. Cox was concentrating his forces or1 the Pearisburg road on the 16th, Humphrey Marshall, with some 2,000 Confederates and 3 pieces of artillery, attacked and drove out the detachment at Princeton. That night Cox, with the 2nd provisional brigade under Colonel Augustus Moor, moved back and at daylight attacked Marshall, who retired to a wooded hill west of town and there took up a strong position. Cox again attacked and forced the Confederates back to the junction of the Wytheville and Wyoming roads, where Marshall was joined by Williams and Heth, bringing the enemy's strength up to12,000 or 15,000 men. Some fighting occurred during the afternoon, though no serious assaults were made by either side. Late in the day Cox was joined by the 1st brigade under Colonel Scammon, and at 3 a. m. on the 18th fell back about 10 miles to prevent the enemy from getting in his rear. The Union loss at Princeton was 23 killed, 69 wounded and 21 missing. Cox estimated the Confederate loss at from two to three times that number, but Marshall says he had 2 killed and 12 or 14 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 717-718.

PRINCETON, WEST VIRGINIA, May 6, 1864. 2nd Division, Department of West Virginia. This affair was an incident of Crook's expedition against the Virginia & Tennessee railroad. As his advance approached Princeton it encountered a small body of Confederate cavalry, which after skirmishing for a few minutes fled hastily in the direction of Rocky gap. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 718.


PRINGLE, Benjamin, jurist, born in Richfield, New York, 9 November, 1807. He received a good education and studied law, but gave up practice to become president of a bank at Batavia, New York He was judge of Genesee County courts for one year, served two terms in Congress in 1853-'7, having been elected as a Whig, and in 1863 was in the legislature. Subsequently he was appointed by President Lincoln a judge of the court of arbitration at Cape Town under the treaty of 1862 with Great Britain for the suppression of the slave-trade. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 125.


PRINTING. The following explanation of the marks which are in general use by printers for correcting proofs, with the annexed specimen, will enable an officer, who has to superintend a work through the press, to correct the proof sheets in a way that will be clearly understood by the printer, and thus promote its accuracy.

If it is desired to change any word to capitals, small capitals, Roman text, (the ordinary letter,) or italics, draw a line beneath it, and write in the margin, Caps., S. caps., Rom., or Ital., as the case may be. See corrections 1, 2, 14, and 8, on the proof-sheet.

When it is necessary to expunge a letter or word, draw a line through it, and place in the margin a character resembling a d of current hand, which stands for the Latin word dele (erase); as in No. 3.

When a wrong letter or word occurs in the proof-sheet, draw a line through it, and place what must be substituted for it in the margin, with a vertical line at the right; as in the corrections marked 4.

Attention is drawn to an inverted letter by underscoring it, and writing opposite the character used in No. 5.

An omitted word, letter, comma, semicolon, colon, exclamation-point, or interrogation-point, as well as brackets and parentheses, are written in the margin with a vertical line at the right; as in the various corrections marked 6: a caret shows where to introduce what is thus marked in. When there is so much omitted that there is not room for it in the margin, it is written at the top or bottom of the page, and a line is used to show where it is to be introduced; as at the bottom of the proof-sheet.

A period is marked in by placing it in the margin inside of a circle, as in No. 9.

Apostrophes and quotation-points are introduced in a character resembling a V, and a caret is placed in the text to show where they are to be inserted. This is illustrated in No. 11.

No. 22 shows how the dash and hyphen are introduced.

When a letter or word should be transposed, a line is drawn around it and carried to the place where it should stand, and the letters tr. are placed opposite, as in No. 7.

No. 10 shows how to mark out a quadrat or space which improperly appears.

If a broken or imperfect letter is used, draw a line through or beneath it, and make an inclined cross in the margin, as in No. 12.

Sometimes a letter of the wrong size will be used by mistake; in such a case, underline it and place the letters w. f. (throng font) in the margin as in 13.

If the letters of a word stand apart from each other, draw a curved line beneath the space which separates them, and two curves in the margin, as in 15. If the proper space is wanting between two contiguous words, place a caret where the space should be, and opposite to them make a character like a music sharp, as shown in No. 16.

Two parallel horizontal lines, as in No. 17, are used when the letters of a word are not all in the same level, and a horizontal line is also drawn under such as are out of place.

When a new paragraph has been improperly begun, a line is drawn from its commencement to the end of the previous paragraph, and the words no break are written in the margin; see No. 18. When it is desired to commence a new paragraph, the paragraph mark is introduced at the place, and also in the margin.

When letters at the commencement of a line are out of the proper level, a horizontal line should be drawn beneath them, and a similar one placed in the margin; as in No. 21. When any portion of a paragraph projects laterally beyond the rest, a vertical line should be drawn beside it, and a similar one must stand opposite to it in the margin; see No. 23.

When a lead has been improperly omitted, the word Lead is written at the side of the page, and a horizontal line shows where it is to be introduced, as in No. 25. If a lead too many has been introduced, the error is corrected, as in 24.

When uneven spaces are left between. words, a line is drawn beneath, and space better is written opposite; see 26.

If it is desired to retain a word which has been marked out, dots are placed beneath it, and the word stet (let it stand) is written in the margin; as in 27. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 468-469).


PRISONER OF WAR. Agreements are made between governments at war; or, when governments do not make such agreements, opposite commanding generals, during a campaign, regulate mutual exchanges of prisoners, and also determine the allowances to be made to prisoners while they are held in captivity. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 470).


PRISONERS. Whenever any officer shall be charged with a crime, he shall be arrested and deprived of his sword by the commanding officer; (ART. 77.) Non-commissioned officers and soldiers charged with crimes shall be confined until tried by a court-martial, or released by proper authority; (ART. 78.) (See PROVOST-MARSHAL; REFUSAL.) When brought into court, a prisoner should be without irons or any manner of shackles or bands; unless there is danger of an escape, and then he may be secured with irons; (BLACKSTONE.) (See ARREST; COUNSEL; JUDGE-ADVOCATE.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 470).


Pritchard's Mill, Virginia, September 15, 1861. Detachment of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry. In order to learn something of the strength and intentions of the enemy operating along the Potomac river, Colonel John W. Geary, commanding the post at Point of Rocks, Maryland, sent Lieut . Brown, with 7 men of the 13th Massachusetts, to reconnoiter along the river as far as Antietam ford. As the party was returning it was fired upon by about 50 Confederates concealed in the bushes about Pritchard's mill on the Virginia side of the river, and 1 man was instantly killed. Brown placed his men in a sheltered position, from which he was unable to withdraw until dark, on account of the continuous fire from the mill. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 718.


PRITCHETT, E. C., New York, abolitionist leader (Sorin, 1971)


PRIVATE. The term applied to the rank of a common soldier. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 470).


PRIZE MONEY. (See BOOTY.)


PROCEEDINGS. The proceedings of courts-martial of the previous day are usually read over each day by the judge-advocate. Much time is lost by adopting this measure, and there is no rule directing the court to read them; (HOUGH'S Military Law Authorities.) (See PRESIDENT.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 470).


PROCTOR'S CREEK, VIRGINIA, May 12-16, 1864. (See Drewry's Bluff.)


PROJECTILES. The projectiles for unrifled ordnance are solid shot and shells. (See CANISTER; CARCASSES; GRAPE; GRENADES; LIGHT and FIRE BALLS; SHELLS; SPHERICAL CASE; STONES.) PROJECTILES, (CYLINDRO-CONOIDAL.) Sir Isaac Newton has given, in the “ Principia,” (lib. ii., school. to prop. 34,) an indication of the form of a solid body which, in passing through a fluid, would experience less resistance than a body of equal magnitude and of any other form. He imagined that this might be of use in ship-building, and it is evident that the principle is equally applicable in the theory of projectiles. Investigations of the differential equations of the curve may be seen in the writings of mathematicians. The body is a solid of revolution, and the differential equation is Fig. 172. dy, dx in which C is a constant. The form of a section through the axis of the solid is given in the annexed diagram, (Fig. 172.) A B is the axis, and in the direction of that line the solid is to move; y is any ordinate, as D C; and dx, dy, dz, are elementary portions, E F, E D, D F, respectively. The end B, as well as A, of the solid is a plane surface; for the numerator of the fraction in the above equation will evidently be always greater than the denominator, and therefore, the ordinate to the curve, can never be zero. It is plain, however, that the minimum of resistance would not be obtained with a shot of an elongated form, when discharged from a musket or piece of ordnance, unless the axis A B can be kept in the direction of the trajectory. This may be accomplished if the shot be caused to have a rotatory motion on that axis by being discharged from a rifled bore; and without such rotation, not only will the axis perpetually deviate from the direction of the path, but the projectile will even turn over. The advantages of this form of shot are, that when rotating on their longitudinal axes, and moving with their smaller extremities in front, they experience less resistance from the air than spherical projectiles of the same diameter. To this form alone are to be referred the long range with the great momentum and penetrating power of the projectiles for rifle-muskets and other rifled ordnance now used; (Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS.) The elongated bullet was first experimented upon by M. Tamisier. It had a groove around the bottom or cylindrical part designed to attach the cartridge. A change having been made in the manner of attaching the cartridge to the projectile this groove was omitted as useless. The accuracy of the fire was there upon diminished. The groove being replaced, it was found that the slightest change in its shape or position had much influence on the accuracy of fire. M. Tamisier made experiments with a ball, the point of which, instead of being curved, was a cone and the rest a cylinder; he varied the length of each part, and determined that these variations always produced variations in the accuracy of fire. These researches brought him to results of the greatest importance, and led, with the idea of M. Minie of causing the ball to expand by the explosion of the charge, to the adoption of the Minie projectiles now used, which however are not identical in different countries. (See RIFLED ORDNANCE.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 470-471).


PROLONGE is a stout hempen rope, sometimes used to connect the lunette of a field-carriage with the limber when the piece is fired; it has a hook at one end and a toggle at the other, with two intermediate rings, into which the hook and toggle are fastened to shorten the distance between the limber and carriage. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 471).


PROMOTION. “ Congress may fix the rules for promotions and  appointments; and, in the reduction of the army and navy, determine from whom such promotions and appointments shall be made. Every promotion is a new appointment, to be confirmed by the Senate;” (Report of Committee of Senate, April 25, 1822.) (See CONSTITUTIONAL.)

“Promotions may be made through the whole army in its several lines of light artillery, light dragoons, artillery, infantry, and riflemen, respectively; “ (Act March 30, 1814)

“ Promotions by brevet may be conferred for gallant actions or meritorious conduct; “ (Act July 6, 1812.) “ All promotions in the staff departments or corps shall be made as in other corps of the army; “ (Act March 3, 1851.)

The French army has the most democratic organization of any army in the world. The following rules regulate promotions in that army; (Law of April 14, 1832; and Law of March 16, 1838.)

ART. 1. No person can be corporal, until he has served at least six months as a private soldier in some one of the corps of the army.

2. No one can be sergeant until he has served at least six months as corporal. All vacancies of corporal or sergeant on campaign, in any battalion, belong exclusively to those present in the field where the vacancies occur.

3. No one can be sous-lieutenant, unless he is at least 18 years of age, and has either served at least two years as a non-commissioned officer in one of the corps of the army; or has been two years a pupil of a military school, arid has passed a satisfactory examination upon leaving the school. The first vacancy occurring on campaign, is given to some sergeant present. The 2d and 3d from those eligible, according to a fixed rule adopted at the beginning of the year. But when a non-commissioned officer has merited, for distinguished conduct mentioned in the orders of the army, a nomination for the grade of sows-lieutenant, and no vacancy exists in his regiment for the promotion of a non-commissioned officer, he is named for promotion, either in his own corps or in other regiments of his arm, to a vacancy belonging to the 2d and 3d classes.

4. All soldiers of the army, until the age of 25, may be received to undergo an examination for the polytechnique school.

5. No one can be lieutenant, unless he has served two years as sous-lieutenant.

6. No one can be captain, unless he has served two years in the grade of lieutenant.

7. No one can be chief of battalion, chief of squadron, or major until he has served four years as captain.

8.No one can be lieutenant-colonel, until he has served three years the grades of chief of battalion, chief of squadron, or major.

9. No one can be colonel, until he has served two years in the grade of lieut.-colonel.

10. No one can be promoted to a grade superior to that of colonel, until he has served three years in the grade immediately inferior.

11. One-third of the vacancies in the grade of sows-lieutenant of the different corps of troops of the army, shall be given to the non-com-missioned officers of the respective corps in which the vacancies occur. (See ART. 3.)

12. Two-thirds of the grades of lieutenant and captain shall be given by seniority, to wit: in the infantry and cavalry, to the officers of the respective regiments; in the staff corps, to the officers of the corps; in the artillery and engineers, to the officers among themselves who stand in competition. Promotions to the grades of lieutenant and captain are made as follows: Half of the vacancies in the battalions, squadrons, or detachments which form an active army, and two-thirds of those occurring elsewhere, are given to sows-lieutenants, and lieutenants by seniority in their respective corps. All officers, whether with that portion of their corps in campaign or not, may be selected to fill vacancies in their corps belonging to the class of selections. But when, from distinguished conduct duly mentioned in army orders, a sous-lieutenant or lieutenant merits promotion to the next superior grade, and there is no vacancy among the class of selections in his own regiment, he may be promoted to a vacancy in some other regiment of his arm. When so many vacancies in the grades of lieutenant and captain of a regiment occur in war, that there is not a sufficient number of the inferior grade with the exacted qualifications to fill them, they will be filled from other regiments of the same arm.

13. Half of the grades of chef-de-bataillon and chief of squadron will be given by seniority of grade, as follows: In the infantry and cavalry and staff corps, to the captains of each arm; in the artillery and engineers to the captains among themselves, who stand in competition. The employment of major (a regimental administrative officer) will be given by selection from those eligible.

14. All the grades superior to that of chief of battalion, chief of squadron, or major, will be by selection from those eligible.

15. Seniority of grade will be determined by date of commission, or in cases of similar date by the date of the commission of the inferior grade.

16. When an officer is no longer borne on the list of some one of the active corps of the army, the time that he thus passes out of service shall be deducted from his seniority, except in cases of mission, disbandment, or suppression of employment. There shall also be deducted from his seniority the time passed in a foreign service; but not the time passed upon detached service in the national guard, in the navy, or upon a diplomatic mission. Officers who cease to be borne on the list of corps of the army, in consequence of suppression of employment or disbandment of regiments, will nevertheless be entitled to promotion in the regiments of the same arm to which they belong, and which may be retained or subsequently created.

17. Officers, prisoners of war, will retain their rights of seniority for promotion; but they can only be promoted to the grade immediately superior to that which they had when made prisoners.

18. The term of service exacted for passing from one grade to another, may be reduced one half by service in war or in colonies.

19. The conditions exacted by the preceding articles for passing from one grade to another, can be departed from only in the following cases: 1st. For distinguished conduct duly set forth and published in the general orders of the day to the army; and 2d, when it is not: otherwise possible to fill the vacancies of corps in the presence of the enemy.

20. In time of war, and in corps in presence of the enemy, there shall be given by seniority half the grades of lieutenant and captain. All the grades of chief of battalion and chief of squadron shall be made by selection from those eligible.

21. In no case shall any one be appointed to a grade without command, nor be granted an honorary grade, nor shall a rank be given superior to that of actual command.

22. All promotions of officers shall be immediately made public, with an indication of the vacancy filled, and the cause of promotion, whether by seniority, by selection, or distinguished action.

23. No officer admitted to the retired list can resume his position upon the active list.

24. Command is distinct from grade. No officer can be deprived of his grade, except in the cases and under the forms determined by law.

25. All the provisions of the present law are applicable to marines.

26. All provisions repugnant to the present law are abrogated. Selections by the law of March 16, 1838, are made as follows: Recommendations for appointment of non-commissioned officers are to be made to the colonel of the regiment by captains, accompanied by remarks of the chiefs of battalions, squadrons, and lieutenant-colonel. The  colonel appoints from this list those who are to fill vacancies. He may also, besides this list, select from those distinguished by an action of eclat. For promotion to the grades of sows-lieutenant, lieutenant and captain, the chief of the corps recommends, after taking the advice, of the chiefs of battalions or squadrons, and also of the lieutenant-colonel, when he is present. For promotion to the grade of chief of battalion or squadron, the general of brigade recommends, after taking the advice of the chiefs of corps of his brigade. For promotion to the grade of lieutenant-colonel, the general of division recommends, after taking the advice of the chiefs of corps and that of the generals of brigade. For promotion to the grades of colonel or general of brigade, the general in chief recommends, after taking the advice of the generals of brigade and division for the promotion of a colonel, and that of generals of division for the promotion of a general of brigade. These propositions for the different grades of officers are addressed through the regular channels of communication, and transmitted with his opinion to the Minister of War. The chiefs of corps and the general officers to whom this right of nomination is given, designate for each vacancy three candidates taken from among the non-commissioned or commissioned officers under their orders, who have been presented for promotion in the form indicated. The number of candidates for the grades of lieut.-colonel, colonel, and general of brigade may be reduced. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 472-475).


PROMULGATION. (See COURT-MARTIAL.) PROOFS. (See PRINTING.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 475).


PROPHET BRIDGE, MISSISSIPPI, December 3, 1862. (See Water Valley.)


PROSECUTOR. The judge-advocate is the prosecutor, usually; but if an officer prefers a charge, he sometimes appears to sustain the prosecution. No person can appear as prosecutor not subject to the Articles of War, except the judge-advocate; (Houan.)


Prosperity Church, Tennessee, April 3, 1863. 1st Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Cumberland. As an incident of an expedition from Murfreesboro to Auburn, the Federal advance encountered a small force of the enemy at Prosperity Church but soon routed and drove it back to Liberty. The Confederates lost 1 man killed and 2 or 3 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 718.


PROUDFIT, David Law, author, born in Newburg, New York, 27 October, 1842. He was educated in the common schools, and at fifteen years of age went to New York City to engage in business. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the 1st New York Mounted Rifles. In the following year he was appointed a 2d lieutenant in the 22d U.S. Colored Troops. His regiment accompanied General Butler in his advance up James River, and took part in various engagements, and at the close of the war he had attained the rank of major. Later he engaged in business, and a few years ago he became interested in pneumatic tubes, and he is now (1888) resident of the Meteor Despatch Company of New York. His poems have been extensively used in public recitations. He has published in book-form “Love among the Gamins,” poems (New York, 1877) and “Mask and Domino” (1888). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 128.


PROVIDENCE CHURCH, VIRGINIA, November 12, 1862. Detachment of New York Mounted Rifles. This affair was a skirmish between 300 Confederates and the Federal picket stationed at Providence Church. The enemy was repulsed, retiring to the Blackwater river. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 718.


PROVIDENCE CHURCH, VIRGINIA, December 28, 1862. Pickets of forces under Brigadier-General Orris S. Ferry. General Ferry reports that an attack was made on the Federal vedettes at 4 p. m. and that they were driven in. The reserve, however, checked the Confederate advance, then routed and pursued it until the main body, 300 strong, was encountered. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 718.


PROVIDENCE CHURCH, VIRGINIA, January 9, 1863. New York Mounted Rifles. Major-General John J. Peck reporting to Major-General John A. Dix, commanding at Fort Monroe, says: "The enemy crossed the Blackwater in considerable force and attempted yesterday to drive in our right at Providence Church. Infantry, cavalry and artillery were employed by the rebels, but they were repulsed by Major Wheelan's New York mounted rifles. At dusk the enemy's advance was charged and driven back upon his support. At intervals through the night shells were thrown from rebel batteries." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 718.


PROVIDENCE CHURCH, Virginia, May 17, 1863. Troops of the Department of Virginia. While a reconnoitering party under Brigadier-General Charles C. Dodge was returning from Scott's mill his rear, under Major Alexander C. Patton, was attacked by Confederates, 1 man captured and 3 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 718-719.


PROVIDENCE CHURCH ROAD, Virginia, April 12-13, 1863. The skirmishing on this road was an incident of the beginning of the siege of Suffolk by the Confederates under General Longstreet. (See Suffolk.) The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PROVOST-MARSHAL. An officer appointed in every army in the field to secure prisoners confined on charges of a general nature. In the British army he is intrusted with authority to inflict summary punishment on any soldier, follower, or retainer of the camp, whom he sees commit the act for which summary punishment may be inflicted. (See CONFINEMENT; PRISONER; REFUSAL TO RECEIVE PRISONER.) PULLEY. FIXED (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 475).


PRUD'HOMME, John Francis Eugene, engraver, born on the island of St. Thomas, W. I., 4 October, 1800. His parents were French. The son came to this country in 1807 with his family, who settled in New York in the Spring of 1809. When about fourteen years old he turned his attention to engraving, and was a pupil of Thomas Gimbrede, his brother-in-law, but the latter shortly afterward became teacher of drawing at the U. S. Military Academy, which left Mr. Prud’homme to pursue his own course. At the age of seventeen he essayed engraving portraits, and produced several fine plates for Longacre and Herring's “National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans.” He also engraved some plates for the annuals that were fashionable at that time, notably “Friar Puck,” after John G. Chapman; “The Velvet Hat,” after Joseph Inskeep; and “Oberon,” after a miniature by Miss Anne E. Hall. In 1852 Mr. Prud’homme entered a bank-note engraving establishment in New York, and from 1869 till 1885 he was employed as an ornamental designer and engraver at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington. He was early elected member of the National Academy of Design, became academician in 1846, and in 1834–53 was its curator. Mr. Prud'homme is a tasteful designer, a good draughtsman, and excellent engraver, in the very fine stipple manner introduced by Caroline Watson toward the end of the 18th century. He resides in Georgetown, D.C., and still (1888) pursues his profession. He is the oldest living American engraver. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 130.


PRUYN, John Van Schaick Lansing, lawyer, born in Albany, New York, 22 June, 1811; died in Clifton Springs, New York, 21 November, 1877. He was graduated at Albany Academy in 1826, became a student in the office of James King, and was admitted to the bar in 1832. At once he took high rank in his profession as one of the attorneys in the once-celebrated James Will case. In 1835 he became a director of the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad and its counsel, and in 1853, when the railroads between Albany and Buffalo were united, forming the present New York Central, he conducted the proceedings and drew up the consolidation agreement, in some respects the most important business instrument that was ever executed in the state of New York. He was associated in the Hudson River Bridge case, finally arguing it alone, was sole trustee of the estate of Harmanus Bleecker, and was the financial officer of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, which he carried through many difficulties. In 1861 he was elected state senator as a Democrat, having accepted the nomination on condition that no money should be used in the election. At the close of his term he gave the year's salary to the poor of Albany. He was a new capitol commissioner from 1865 till 1870, and in 1869 laid the first. stone of the new building. He was a member of Congress in 1863– '5 and 1867–'9, serving upon several important committees, and as a regent of the Smithsonian Institution. At the first election of General Grant to the presidency he was one of the tellers of the house of representatives  suggested such legislation as would have remedied the existing difficulties in counting the presidential vote. He was a regent of the University of the state of New York for thirty-three years, during the last fifteen of which he was chancellor. The establishment of the university convocation and the regents' examinations were largely if not almost wholly due to his efforts. The regents are trustees of the State Museum of Natural History and the State library, and the present value of these collections is largely owing to Mr. Pruyn's personal interest and supervision. Mr. Pruyn was also president of the board of trustees of St. Stephen's College, Annandale, of the State board of charities, of the State survey, and of the Albany Institute. He was also a member of various historical and other societies, and of the Association for the codification of the law of nations. Mr. Pruyn received the degree of M.A. from Rutgers in 1835, and from Union College in 1845, and that of LL.D. in 1852, from the University of Rochester. —His cousin, Robert Hewson, diplomatist, born in Albany, New York, 14 February, 1815; died in Albany, New York, 26 February, 1882, was graduated at Rutgers in 1833, studied law with Abraham Van Vechten, and in 1836 was admitted to the bar. He was corporation counsel of Albany, a member of the city government, and in 1855 became adjutant-general of the state. He was a Whig in politics, and served in the assembly in 1848–50, and again in 1854, when he was elected speaker. It is said that no appeal was made from any of his rulings in the chair. In 1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln U. S. minister to Japan as successor to Townsend Harris. As there were then no telegraphic facilities, months often elapsed before the minister could receive his instructions, and when they did arrive they were frequently inapplicable, circumstances having changed. Our vessels of war then in Japanese waters were placed at the disposal of the minister with instructions prescribed by the U. S. government. In 1863 Mr. Pruyn took the ground that he should regard the tycoon to be the real ruler of Japan, as otherwise foreign intercourse could never be guaranteed unless treaties were ratified by the Mikado. Two naval expeditions were undertaken against the transgressing daimio of Chosu, whose vessels had fired on the American merchant steamer "Pembroke." In the first the U. S. man-of-war " Wyoming," Commodore McDougall, sank the brig " Laurick" and blew up the steamer " Lancefield, at the same time running the gauntlet of shore batteries of eighty guns in the Straits of Simonisaki. In the second expedition the forces of Great Britain, France, and Holland (the daimio having previously fired upon the French and English vessels) took part, the United States being represented by the chartered steamer " Takiang," having on board a part of the crew and guns of the " Jamestown," which had been left at Yokohama for the defence of that place. The allies demolished the fortifications of Chosu and captured the guns. Although it was questioned, this proceeding postponed the dethronement of the tycoon for several years, and enabled him to observe his treaty stipulations which he had not been able to do, owing to the hostility of the Daimio of Chosu. An indemnity was paid by Japan and intercourse was guaranteed. Mr. Pruyn played an important part in securing American rights in the East. Mr. Pruyn's last public post was that of presiding officer of the state constitutional convention of 1872. For the last years of his life he was not greatly identified with public affairs, but was deeply interested in various enterprises, and at the time of his death was president of the National Commercial Bank of Albany. He was a trustee of Rutgers College, to which he gave $10,000. and was president of the board of directors of the Dudley Observatory. He received the degree of M. A. from Rutgers in 1836, and in 1865 that of LL. D. from Williams. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 130-131.


PRYOR, Roger Atkinson, lawyer, born near Petersburg, Virginia, 19 July, 1828. He was graduated at Hampden Sidney College in 1845, and at the University of Virginia, three years later, studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but entered journalism. He joined the staff of the Washington "Union," and was afterward editor of the Richmond " Enquirer." He was sent at twenty-seven on a special mission to Greece by President Pierce. In 1856 he opposed William L. Yancey's proposition to reopen the slave-trade. He was an ardent advocate of state-rights, and established a daily paper, the "South." at Richmond, in which he represented the extreme views of the Virginia Democracy. His aggressive course and the intense utterance of his convictions led to several duels. He was elected to Congress in 1859 to fill a vacancy, and was re-elected in 1860, but did not take his seat. While in that body he made various fiery speeches, and in the excited condition of the public mind preceding the Civil War was often involved in passionate discussions with his northern opponents. One of these, John P. Potter (q. v.), replied to him with similar acrimony, and was challenged. Mr. Potter named bowie-knives as the weapons, and the Virginian's seconds refused to allow their principal to fight with arms which they pronounced barbarous. This challenge created an uproar throughout the country, and was accompanied with severe and characteristic comments on the principals from the northern and southern press. Mr. Pryor was eager for war, and visited Charleston to witness the firing on Sumter, and its surrender. He was sent to the Provisional Confederate Congress at Richmond, and elected to the first regular Congress. Soon afterward he entered the Confederate Army as a colonel, and was made a brigadier-general after the battle of Williamsburg. He resigned, 26 August, 1863, was taken prisoner in 1864, and confined for some time in Fort Lafayette. After the surrender of the Confederate armies, he urged on the south the adoption of a policy of acquiescence and loyalty to the government. He went to New York in 1865, settled there as a lawyer, and is still practising. He has taken no part in politics since the war, confining himself exclusively to his profession. He is the author of many speeches and literary addresses, and has been given the degree of LL. D. by Hampden Sidney College. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 131.


PUCKETT, Clarkson, Winchester, Indiana, abolitionist.  American Anti-Slavery Society, Manager, 1846-1852, Vice-President, 1852-1854.


PUEBLO COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, August 18, 1863. Three companies of the 1st New Mexico Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PUGH, George Ellis, senator, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 28 November, 1822; died there, 19 July, 1876. After his graduation at Miami University in 1840 he practised law until the beginning of the Mexican War, in which he took part as captain in the 4th Ohio Regiment, and also as aide to General Joseph Lane. In 1848-’9 he served in the legislature, and he was city solicitor of Cincinnati in 1850, and attorney-general of Ohio in 1851. He was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, serving from 3 December, 1855, till 3 March, 1861, and was a member of the committees on public lands, and the judiciary. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1860, and made a speech in reply to William L. Yancey. One of his ablest efforts was his appeal in on behalf of Clement L. Vallandigham (q.v.) in 1863, in the habeas corpus proceeding involving the question as to the power and duty of the judge to relieve Mr. Vallandigham from military confinement. He was defeated as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 1863, and for Congress in 1864. In 1873 he was elected to the state constitutional convention, but declined to serve. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 132-133.


PUGH, James Lawrence, senator, born in Burke County, Georgia, 12 December, 1820. In early years he moved with his family to Alabama, where he received a collegiate education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He began to practise in Eufaula, Ala., was a Presidential elector in 1848 and 1856, and was then elected to Congress as a Democrat, serving from 5 December, 1859, till 21 January, 1861, when he retired, on the secession of his state. He was a delegate from Alabama to the House of Representatives in the 1st and 2d Confederate Congresses, serving from 22 February, 1862, till the surrender in 1865. He also served as a private in the Confederate Army, and after the war again practised law. Mr. Pugh was president of the Democratic State Convention of 1874, a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1875, and a presidential elector again in 1876. He was elected a U.S. Senator from Alabama for the term ending in 1885, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George S. Houston, and was re-elected for the term ending 3 March, 1891. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 133.


PUGH, Sarah, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, abolitionist.  Became active in the abolition movement in 1835.  Supported William Lloyd Garrison and immediate, uncompensated abolition.  Served as a Manager, 1843-1844, and Member of the Executive Committee, 1844-1853, of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS).  President, Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society.  Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, Eastern Branch, Philadelphia.  Pugh attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840, and protested that women were not allowed to be seated.  She worked for African American and women’s rights after the Civil War. (Dumond, 1961, p. 286; Yellin, 1994, pp. 11, 74-76, 78, 80, 82, 84-85, 163, 163n, 175, 301-302, 307, 326)


PULASKI, TENNESSEE, May 1, 1862. Detachment 18th Ohio Infantry, Recruits and Convalescents. Captain John Jumper, with 110 men forming a guard for a lot of Confederate prisoners, was proceeding from Huntsville to Nashville when he learned that 15 or 20 Confederates had attacked a Union telegraph party. Jumper immediately took a portion of his command and proceeded in pursuit. When about 4 or 5 miles from Pulaski the enemy was met and driven back until the remainder of Morgan's force came into the fight. After two hours of desultory fighting the Confederates charged and Jumper and his men were compelled to surrender, having lost 1 man killed and 1 wounded. Jumper reports 6 of the Confederates killed and 3 wounded, but Morgan makes no mention of any casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PULASKI, TENNESSEE, December 1, 1863. 7th and 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry. Colonel Rowett, with the 7th Illinois, while on a trip to Eastport, encountered the 4th Alabama cavalry, belonging to Roddey's command, and routed it, taking 25 prisoners. On the same day Lieutenant-Colonel Phillips, with the oth Illinois, attacked some Confederate cavalry on the Florence road and drove them across the river, capturing 40 prisoners, 5 of whom were commissioned officers, one being General Bragg's inspector-general of cavalry. No Union casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PULASKI, TENNESSEE, December 15, 1863. Portion of the Army of the Cumberland. Major-General George H. Thomas, commanding the army of the Cumberland in the Chattanooga-Ringgold campaign, reports: "December 15, a , small party of rebels, under Major Joe Fontaine, Roddey's adjutant, was captured by General Dodge near Pulaski. They had been on a reconnaissance along the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad and the Nashville & Decatur railroad." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PULASKI, TENNESSEE, September 26-27, 1864. Troops of the District of Tennessee. As an incident of Forrest's raid into Alabama and Tennessee his cavalry approached Richland creek near Pulaski on the 26th. The troops defending the bridge were driven back into the block-house and after being surrounded surrendered. The following day the Confederates advanced on the town. Six miles out they encountered some Union cavalry and continually drove it until the Federals took position in the block-houses and fortif1cations of Pulaski. There skirmishing was kept up all day, and toward evening the enemy advanced a heavy skirmish line to within a short distance of the Federal line. During the night the Confederates withdrew. The Union loss was 80 killed and wounded; Forrest did not report his casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PULASKI, TENNESSEE, December 25, 1864. (See King's Hill, same date.)


PULASKI, TENNESSEE (Note.) During the war Pulaski lay directly in the path of armies moving between Tennessee on the north and Alabama or Mississippi on the south. Consequently there were frequent collisions in the vicinity between the contending forces. In addition to the engagements above described, the official records of the war mention skirmishes on May 4 and 11, and August 27, 1862; July 15 and October 27, 1863; and May 13, 1864. No circumstantial reports of these affairs were made, however, and nothing can be gleaned concerning them, except that the Union troops engaged on July 15, 1863, were the 3d Ohio and 5th Tennessee cavalry, and those on May 13, 1864, were the 11th U. S. colored infantry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719.


PULITZER, Joseph (pul'-it-zer), journalist, born in Buda-Pesth, Hungary, 10 April, 1847. He was educated in his native city and came to this country in early youth. Soon after arriving in New York he went to St. Louis, where he quickly acquired a knowledge of English, became interested in politics, and was elected to the Missouri legislature in 1869, and to the state constitutional convention in 1874. He entered journalism at twenty as a reporter on the St. Louis "Westliche Post," a German Republican newspaper, then under the editorial control of Carl Schurz. He subsequently became its managing editor, and obtained a proprietary interest. In 1878 he founded the " Post-Dispatch " in that city by buying the " Dispatch" and uniting it with the " Evening Post," and he still retains control of the journal. In 1872 he was a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention which nominated Horace Greeley for the presidency, and in 1880 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and a member of its platform committee from Missouri. In 1883 he purchased the New York “World," which, after twenty-three years of existence under various managers, had achieved no permanent success, and he has greatly increased its circulation He is at present its editor and sole proprietor. He was elected to Congress in 1884, but resigned a few months after taking his seat, on account of the pressure of journalistic duties. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 134.


PULLEY. The power is equal to the weight. The pressure Q on the axis is to the power or weight as the chord c of the arc enveloped by the rope is to the radius r of the pulley. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 475).

MOVABLE PULLEY. The power is to the weight, as the radius of the pulley is to the chord of the arc enveloped by the rope. The pressure on the fixed end of the rope is equal to the power: P= Q= . In a system of n movable pulleys, the power is to the weight, as the product of the radii of the pulleys is to the product of the chords i * of the arcs enveloped by the rope: P w c c' c' If the ropes are parallel, c = 2 r, and P = (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 475-476).


PULLIAM'S, MISSOURI, December 25, 1863. Detachment of 3d Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Upon learning of the capture of a company oi the 3d Missouri militia cavalry at Centerville, Major James Wilson started in pursuit. At 3 p. m., Christmas day, he overtook and attacked Reves (who had made the Centerville attack) in his camp. The Confederates, with the exception of 30 or 35, turned and fled into the brush. Those who stayed and fought were either riddled with bullets or killed by the saber and all the Federals taken at Centerville were recaptured. Wilson had 1 man killed and 8 wounded; the Confederate casualties, by the Union report, were 30 killed, 3 mortally and 2 slightly wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 719-720.


PULLMAN, George Mortimer, inventor, born in Chautauqua County, New York, 3 March, 1831. At fourteen he entered the employment of a country merchant, and at seventeen joined an elder brother in the cabinet-making business in Albion, New York. At twenty-two he successfully undertook a contract for moving warehouses and other buildings, along the line of the Erie Canal, then being widened by the state. In 1859 he moved to Chicago and engaged extensively in the then novel task of raising entire blocks of brick and stone buildings. In 1858 his attention was first directed to the discomfort of long-distance railway travelling, and he determined, if possible, to offer the public something better. In 1859 he remodeled two old day-couches of the Chicago and Alton road into sleeping-cars, which at once found favor and established a demand for improved travelling accommodation. In 1863 he began the construction at Chicago of a sleeping-car upon the now well-known model, which was destined to associate his name inseparably with progress in railway equipment. It was named the "Pioneer," and cost about $18,000. From this small beginning he continued to develop his ideas for comfort and safety in railway travel, till Pullman cars are now known all over the world. The Pullman Palace-Car Company, of which he is president, was organized in 1867, and it now operates over 1,400 cars on more than 100,000 miles of railway. In 1887 he designed and established the system of "vestibuled trains." which virtually makes of an entire train a single car. They were first put in service upon the Pennsylvania trunk lines, and are now to be found on many other railroads. In 1880, in obedience to the imperative demand of the Pullman Company for increased shop-facilities, and to give effect to an idea he had long cherished of improving the social surroundings of the workmen, he founded near Chicago the industrial town of Pullman, which now contains over 11,000 inhabitants, 5,000 of whom are employed in the company's shops. Architecturally the town is picturesque, with broad streets, handsome public buildings, and attractive houses, supplied with every modern convenience, for the employes. According to mortality statistics, it is one of the most healthful places in the world. Mr. Pullman has been identified with various public enterprises, among them the Metropolitan Elevated Railway System of New York, which was constructed and opened to the public by a corporation of which he was president. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 134.


PUMPKIN VINE CREEK, GEORGIA, May 25 to June 5, 1864. (See Dallas.)


PUNGO LANDING, NORTH CAROLINA, October 16, 1863. Steamer Fawn. While the steamer Fawn was proceeding to Corn jack, Currituck Court House, it was fired into from the shore at Pungo landing. The volley, which was from 30 muskets, severely wounded the captain of the vessel. On board the steamer was Lieutenant-Colonel William Lewis of the 5th Pennsylvania cavalry. On the return trip the 1st battalion of this regiment was taken on board at Cornjack and disembarked at the landing to search for the enemy, but he had made his escape. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 720.


PUNISHMENT. It is often necessary to punish to maintain discipline, and the Rules and Articles of War provide ample means of punishment, but not sufficient rewards and guards against errors of judgment. In the French army degrading punishments are illegal, but soldiers may be confined to quarters or deprived of the liberty of leaving the garrison; confined in the guard-room, in prison, or in dungeon; required to walk or to perform hard labor; and officers may be subjected to simple or rigorous arrests. Every officer who inflicts a punishment, must account for it to his superior, who approves or disapproves, confirms, augments, or diminishes it. If an inferior is confined to the guard-room, he cannot be liberated except upon application to a superior. An officer who has been subjected to punishment, must, when relieved, make a visit to him who ordered it. The French code has, in a word, been careful to provide for both the security of its citizens, and the strength of authority. The punishments established by law or custom for U. S. soldiers by sentence of court-martial, according to the offence, and the jurisdiction of the court, are: death; stripes for desertion only; confinement; hard labor; ball and chain; forfeiture of pay and allowances; and dishonorable discharge from service, with or without marking. It is regarded as inhuman to punish by solitary confinement, or confinement on bread and water exceeding 14 days at a time, or for more than 84 days in a year at intervals of 14 days. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 476).


PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA, July 16, 1864 . 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. The brigade, commanded by Colonel W. B. Tibbitts, attacked the enemy's wagon train at the junction of the Purcellville road with the Leesburg pike, and captured 150 prisoners and 200 wagons. A large Confederate force came up before he could get away with his captures and he was compelled to relinquish all but 54 of his prisoners and 80 wagons. Of these he burned 43 and succeeded in bringing off the remainder. He also captured and brought off 100 horses and 50 mules. No report of casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 720.


PURCHASING from any soldier his arms, uniform, clothing, or any part thereof, may be punished by any civil court having cognizance of the same by fine in any sum not exceeding three hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year; (Act March 16, 1802.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 476).


PURGITSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, April 7, 1863. Detachment of 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps. Upon learning that a small foraging party had become separated from its guard and had been attacked and captured, Colonel Jacob M. Campbell, commanding the brigade, despatched all his available cavalry under Captain Work in pursuit. Near Purgitsville, Work came up with the guard of the captured foraging party, being slowly driven by a superior force of Confederates. A charge threw the enemy into confusion, killing 3, capturing 3 and wounding 14. Three of the Federals were wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 720.


PURDY ROAD, TENNESSEE, March 31, 1862. (See Adamsville.) Quaker Road, Virginia, March 29, 1865. 1st Division, 5th Army Corps. When General Grant began, on the morning of March 29, to extend his lines to the left, to envelop the right of the Confederate works in front of Petersburg, the 5th corps, Major General G. K. Warren commanding, moved out at 3 a. m. to the junction of the Vaughan and Quaker roads, where a junction was to be effected with the left of the 2nd corps. About 5 o'clock the enemy's skirmishers were driven away from the crossing of Rowanty creek, and at 8 o'clock the head of Warren's column reached the cross-roads. About noon he received an order from headquarters to move up the Quaker road to the little creek called Gravelly run. Griffin's division (1st) was at once started, but upon arriving at the creek found the bridge gone and a small force on the opposite bank to resist the crossing of the stream. Although difficult to ford, a skirmish line succeeded in getting over, when the Confederates retired after firing a few shots, thus giving the pioneers an opportunity to rebuild the bridge. A pontoon bridge was also thrown across the creek, Griffin's division crossed over, followed by Crawford's, the latter taking position on Griffin's left. The line then advanced, the resistance of the enemy gradually increasing until between 3 and 4 p. m., when a heavy force was found drawn up in line of battle near Arnold's old sawmill. The fight was opened by Chamberlain's brigade, which moved forward under a heavy fire, driving the enemy from a piece of woods and advancing his line to the edge of the timber. A few minutes later the Confederates returned to the attack, the greater part of Anderson's and Johnson's divisions being hurled against Chamberlain. The brigade was being slowly forced back, when Griffin brought up Battery B, 4th U. S. artillery, which opened an effective fire on the enemy, and at the same time parts of Gregory's and Bartlett's brigades were sent to Chamberlain's assistance. The timely arrival of these reinforcements, and the continuous firing of the battery, soon forced the Confederates to beat a hasty retreat, leaving about 200 prisoners in the hands of the Federals. Warren reported the loss of Griffin's division as 370 killed and wounded. Among the latter were General Chamberlain and General Sickel. The enemy's losses were not definitely learned, but Griffin states in his report that 130 of their dead were buried by his pioneers. After the Confederates were driven back the line was advanced to the Boydton plank road and intrenched. (See Five Forks for further information of this flank movement.) The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 720-721.


PURMAN, William J., jurist, born in Centre County, Pennsylvania, 11 April, 1840. He received a liberal education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but entered the National Army as a private, serving on special duty in the War Department and in Florida. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Florida in 1868, and also of the state senate, judge of Jackson County Court in 1868–'9, and U. S. Assessor of Internal Revenue for Florida in 1870. In 1872 he was chairman of the Republican state executive committee, and was elected to Congress as a Republican, serving from 1 December, 1873, till his resignation on 10 February, 1875. He was again elected, serving from 6 December, 1875, till 3 March, 1877, and re-elected, but his seat was successfully contested by Robert H. M. Davidson. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 136-137.


PURPLE, Norman Higgins, jurist, born in Exeter, New York, 29 March, 1808; died in Chicago, Illinois, 9 August, 1863. After attending the district schools, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in 1830, and in 1837 moved to Peoria, Illinois. In 1840-'2 he was state's attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, and from 1845 till 1848 he was associate judge of the supreme court. He was once a candidate for U. S. Senator, and in 1860 was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina. He published "Statutes of Illinois relating to Real Estate " (Quincy, 1849) and " A Compilation of the Statutes of Illinois of a General Nature in Force, January1, 1856 " (2 vols., Chicago. 1850). These works were adopted by the general assembly. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 137


PURVEYOR. A person employed to make purchases, or to provide food, medicines, and necessaries for the sick. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 476).


PURVIANCE, Hugh Young, naval officer, born in Baltimore, Maryland, 22 March, 1799: died there. 21 October, 1883. He was educated at St. Mary's College in his native city, and in 1818 was appointed a midshipman in the U. S. Navy. He served for two years on the East India Station, in 1821-'4 on the Pacific, and in 1824-'7 in the Mediterranean. In the last year he was commissioned a lieutenant, and he served on the West India Squadron in 1828-'30, and the Brazil Squadron in 1837-'8, commanding the brig " Dolphin." He relieved an American schooner from the French blockade of the river Plate, and received a complimentary recognition from the U. S. government for his services on the occasion. In 1846 he commanded the frigate "Constitution," of the Blockading Squadron in the Mexican War. On 7 March, 1849, he was commissioned commander, and assigned to the sloop-of-war " Marion," on the coast of Africa, where he remained in 1852-'5. He received his commission as captain, 28 January, 1856, commanded the frigate "St. Lawrence," of the Charleston Blockading Squadron, in 1861, and captured the privateer " Petrel" off that port, the first prize of the Civil War. He took part in the fight with the " Merrimac" and in the attack on Sewall's point, Hampton Roads. He was retired, 21 December, 1861, commissioned commodore, 16 July, 1862, and in 1863-'5 was light-house inspector. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 137.


PURVIS, Harriet Davy Forten, 1810-1884, African American, abolitionist leader, social reformer, active in Philadelphia area.  Daughter of James Forten. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 279)


PURVIS, Joseph, abolitionist, brother of Robert Purvis. Founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS), December 1833.  Served as a Manager of the AASS, 1840-1841. (Abolitionist, Vol. I, No. XII, December, 1833; Winch, 2002)


PURVIS, Robert, 1810-1898, Philadelphia, African American, benefactor, abolitionist leader, reformer, women’s rights activist, temperance activist.  Vice president and founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS), December 1833.  Served as a Manager, 1833-1840, 1840-1842, and as a Vice President, 1842-1864, of the AASS.  President, Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, 1845-1850.  Chairman of the General Vigilance Committee, 1852-1857.  Associated with William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips.  Active in the Underground Railroad, 1831-1861.  Aided thousands of escaped slaves.  His home was a station on the Underground Railroad.  Friend and supporter of Lucretia Mott and the women’s rights movement.  Author, wrote Appeal of Forty Thousand Citizens with Disenfranchisement to the People of Pennsylvania.  Brother of Joseph Purvis.  Husband of Harriet Davy Forten.  

(Dumond, 1961, p. 333; Mabee, 1970, pp. 21, 57, 58, 99, 106, 109, 111, 121, 181, 191, 265, 276, 294, 305, 321, 338, 414n11, 422n27; Rodriguez, 2007, pp. 45, 161, 162, 464; Winch, 2002; Abolitionist, Vol. I, No. XII, December, 1833; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 137; The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. I. New York: James T. White, 1892, p. 413; Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 281)

PURVIS, Robert, benefactor, born in Charleston, South Carolina, 4 August, 1810. His father, William Purvis, was a native of Northumberland, England, and his mother was a free-born woman of Charleston, of Moorish descent. Robert was brought to the north in 1819. His father, though residing in a slave state, was never a slave-holder, but was an Abolitionist in principle. Before Robert attained the age of manhood he formed the acquaintance of Benjamin Lundy, and in conjunction with him was an early laborer in the anti-slavery cause. Mr. Purvis was a member of the Philadelphia Convention of 1833 which formed the American Anti-Slavery Society, was its vice-president for many years, and signed its declaration of sentiments. He was also an active member of the Pennsylvania Society, and its president for many years. His house was a well-known station on the “Underground Railroad,” and his horses, carriages, and his personal attendance were always at the service of fugitive slaves. His son, CHARLES BURLEIGH, is surgeon-in-chief of the Freedmen's Hospital at Washington, D. C., and a professor in the medical department of Howard University. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 137.


PURVIS, Sarah Louisa Forten, 1814-1883, African American, poet, abolitionist leader. (Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., & Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, eds. African American National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2013, Vol. 9, p. 283)


PUTNAM, Caroline, anti-slavery lecturer, worked with co-lecturer Sally Holley (Chadwick 1899; Dumond, 1961, pp. 281, 402n40, 41)


PUTNAM, George, Boston, Massachusetts, abolitionist, American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, Executive Committee, 1840-1841.


PUTNAM, Hiram, New York, abolitionist leader (Sorin, 1971)


PUTNAM, Jane, African American, abolitionist (Yellin, 1994, p. 58n40)


PUTNAM, Jesse, Danvers, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Abolition Society, Vice President, 1839-, Manager, 1842-


PUTNAM, Haldimand Sumner, soldier, born in Cornish. N. H., 15 October, 1835; died near Fort Wagner, South Carolina 18 July, 1863. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1857, and entered the army in July as brevet 2d lieutenant of Topographical Engineers. From that time till a few months previous to the Civil War he was engaged in explorations and surveys in the west. When the war began he was summoned to Washington and intrusted with important despatches for Fort Pickens. He accomplished his mission, but, while returning to the north, was seized by the Confederates at Montgomery, Alabama, and imprisoned for several days. On his release he was placed on General Irvin McDowell's staff, participated in the battle of Bull Run, and gained the brevet of major for gallantry. In October he went to his native state and organized the 7th New Hampshire Regiment, of which he became colonel in December, 1861. It was stationed during the first year of its service at Fort Jefferson, on Tortugas Island, and afterward at St. Augustine, Florida, and in South Carolina. In 1863 Colonel Putnam commanded a brigade in the Stono inlet Expedition, and in the capture of Morris Island. In the assault on Fort Wagner, 18 July, 1863, where he led the second storming column, he was killed on the parapet of the work while rallying his men. He was made brevet colonel, U. S. Army, 18 July, 1863. For about four months preceding his death he was acting brigadier-general. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 139.


PUTNAM, George Palmer, publisher, born in Brunswick, Maine, 7 February, 1814; died in New York City, 20 December, 1872, entered the book-store of Daniel and Jonathan Leavitt, New York, in 1828, in 1840 became a partner in the house of Wiley and Putnam, and in 1841 went to London and established a branch. In 1848 he returned to New York, dissolved the partnership with Mr. Wiley and was in business alone. He early interested himself in the production of fine illustrated books, and in 1852, with the assistance of George William Curtis and others, established “Putnam's Magazine.” In 1861 Mr. Putnam planned and organized the Loyal Publication Society. In 1863 he retired from active business to become U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue, which post he held till 1866, when, in conjunction with his sons, he founded the publishing house of G. P. Putnam and Sons (now G. P. Putnam's Sons). Mr. Putnam was for many years secretary of the Publishers Association. As early as 1837 he issued “A Plea for International Copyright,” the first argument in behalf of that reform that had been printed in this country. He was a founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, of which in 1872 he was honorary superintendent. He had been appointed chairman of the committee on art in connection with the Vienna Universal Exposition. He wrote “Chronology; or, An Introduction and Index to Universal History, Biography, and Useful Knowledge” (New York, 1833); "The Tourist in Europe: A Concise Guide, with Memoranda of a Tour in 1836” (1838); “American Book Circular, with Notes and Statistics” (1843); “American Facts: Notes and Statistics relative to the Government of the United States” (1845); “A Pocket Memorandum-Book in France, Italy, and Germany in 1847” (1848); and “Ten Years of the World's Progress: Supplement. 1850–61, with Corrections and Additions” (1861). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 142.


PUTNAM, George Haven, publisher, born in London, England, 2 April, 1844, studied at Columbia in 1860 and at Göttingen in 1861–2, but was not graduated, as he left College to enter the United States military service during the Civil War, in which he rose to the rank of brevet major. He was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue in 1866, and in this year engaged in the publishing business in New York, in which he has continued ever since, being now (1888) head of the firm of G. P. Putnam's Sons. He has served on the executive committees of the Free-trade League, the Reform Club, the Civil-service Reform Association, and enterprise that resulted in placing the great organ other political organizations, and in 1887-'8 as secretary of the American Publishers' Copyright League. He has written articles on literary property for journals and cyclopaedias: a pamphlet on “International Copyright” (New York, 1879); and, conjointly with his brother, John Bishop Putnam. “Authors and Publishers” (1882). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 142-143.


PUTNAM, James Osborne, lawyer, born in Attica, New York, 4 July, 1818. His father, Harvey (1793–1855), was a representative in Congress in 1838-’9 and 1847–’51, having been chosen as a Whig. The son studied at Hamilton College and then at Yale, where he was graduated in 1839. He read law in his father's office, was admitted as a practitioner in 1842, and the same year began practice in Buffalo. In 1851–’3 he was postmaster there. In 1853 he was elected to the state senate, where he was the author of the bill, that became a law in 1855, requiring the title of church real property to be vested in trustees. In 1857 he was the unsuccessful nominee of the American Party for Secretary of State. He was chosen a presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1860, and appointed U. S. consul at Havre, France, in 1861. In 1880 he became U. S. minister to Belgium, and while he was filling this mission he was appointed by the U.S. government a delegate to the International Industrial Property Congress in Paris in 1881. He has published “Orations, Speeches, and Miscellanies” (Buffalo, 1880). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 143


PUTNAM, William Lowell, soldier, born in Boston, 9 July, 1840; died near Ball's Bluff, Virginia, 21 October, 1861, was educated in France and at Harvard, where he studied mental science and law. He entered the 20th Massachusetts Regiment in 1861, was ordered to the field in September, and was killed while leading his battalion to the rescue of a wounded officer. When he was borne to the hospital-tent he declined the surgeon's assistance, bidding him go to those whom his services could benefit, since his own life could not be saved. He was a youth of much promise, possessing remarkable natural endowments and many accomplishments. See the memoir by his mother mentioned above. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 143.


PYRAMID. A pyramid is a solid whose base is any right-lined plane figure, and its sides are triangles having all their vertices or tops meeting together in one point, called the vertex of the pyramid. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 476).


PYROTECHNY. Artificial fire-works and fire-arms, including not only those used in war, such as cannon, shells, grenades, gunpowder,  wildfire, &c.; but also those intended for amusement, as rockets, St. Catherine's wheels, &c. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 477).