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THE DAYS OF SHODDY
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Henry Morford
THE DAYS OF SHODDY. A NOVEL OF THE GREAT REBELLION IN 1861.
BYHENRY MORFORD.
AUTHOR OF "SHOULDER-STRAPS."
PHILADELPHIA:
T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS,
306 CHESTNUT STREET.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
TO
HON. CHARLES P. DALY, JOHN R. BRADY AND HENRY HILTON,
JUDGES OF THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF THE
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
DURING
THE THREE YEARS OF WAR FOR THE UNION,
WHO HAVE NOT ONLY
KEPT SPOTLESS THE
JUDICIAL ERMINE,
BUT
DISCOUNTENANCED ALL DISLOYAL PRACTICES
AND
HELD THE GOLDEN MEAN OF PATRIOTIC CONSERVATISM,
THE TRUE DEMOCRACY,—
THIS
STORY OF THE OPENING DAYS OF THE GREAT STRUGGLE
IS
RESPECTFULLY
DEDICATED
BY THEIR
FRIEND AND SERVANT IN THE SAME FAITH,
THE AUTHOR.
NEW YORK CITY, DEC. 1ST, 1863.PREFACE.
THE Days of Shoddy, as the reader will readily anticipate, are the opening months of the present war, at which time the opprobrious name first came into general use as a designation for swindling and humbug of every character; and nothing more need be said to indicate the scope of this novel. It would be easy for the writer, if he felt disposed to forestall criticism, or if he doubted that the work itself would be found its own apology,—to point out those features in its construction most likely to provoke unfavorable comment, and to prove (at least to his own satisfaction) that all such points, possibly to be considered blemishes by others, were really beauties of the first prominence. The fact is, meanwhile, that he does not feel that any prefatory apology is necessary, while he does recognize the propriety of a few words of explanation that may not be supplied by the body of the work. The considerable number of footnotes appended in certain portions, giving to the book at times more the appearance of a dry statistical volume or an erudite history than a mere work of current romance, may be regarded as an innovation, but the writer hopes cannot be considered objectionable in a novel having for its foundation the hard facts of contemporary history,—in spite of the denunciations of August William Schlegel, the distinguished German critic and essayist, against page: 24-25 (Table of Contents) [View Page 24-25 (Table of Contents) ] "notes to a poem," which he declares to be as much out of place as "anatomical lectures on a savory joint served up at table." The objection may lie quite as strongly against "notes to a novel"; but if so, Sir Walter, whose prefatory and appendiary remarks in many of his novels were merely notes set in another form, must be called as the quite sufficient antagonist of the German.—A second objection might lie against the discursive character of certain portions of the work, but it is hoped will not do so when we remember how we trifle with side-issues that seem pleasant, in every relation of life, from the child turning aside to pluck flowers or catch butterflies on his way to school, to the soldier loitering his night at the theatre when he knows that the interests of the country call him to hurry on to the field without an hour's delay.—And still a third might be urged against the large aggregate of denunciation of national vices, with so small a proportion of pointed personalities; while the explanation of that feature, if any is necessary, lies in the belief that the exposure of the vices and follies of the time will be found much more effectual for the common good, if it indicates, and provokes examination of official documents, than it could be if it closed inquiry as well as excited it, by merely gibbeting a few prominent wrong-doers, under their real names. The writer, in conclusion, takes the opportunity of thanking press and public for the very great kindness shown to a previous venture in the same direction, and of promising that if their favor continues, the mine of romance of the rebellion, thus opened, will not be allowed to lie unexplored.
CONTENTS.
- CHAPTER I. Coffee Joe, the Newsboy—The Thirteenth of April, 1861—News of the Bombardment and Capture of Sumter—Public feeling on that occasion—The Sumter Hoax—Drygoods and Patriotism—Charles Holt, Burtnett Haviland, and Tim the Errand-boy—Volunteering, Generosity, and what Tim thought of the arrangement. 31
- CHAPTER II. Aunt Bessy White and Kate Haviland—The profits of School-teaching in the Country—A last reminder of the Revolution, Amos Haviland—A hurrah, and flag-raising on a spire—The news of Sumter—The Apotheosis of the American Flag—A crash, and a search for it—Sharpening the Sword—The departure. 48
- CHAPTER III. The Fullerton house on East Twenty-third Street—Mrs. Fullerton and Miss Dora—A couple of people of decidedly Southern proclivities—Ned Minthorne, an Excellent Catch as a Husband—Two or three rows, as "Parlor Entertainments"—Mr. Charles Holt as a Son-in-Law. 64
- CHAPTER IV. The Merchant and his Fifth Avenue Residence—A glance at Up-town Luxury—A Mercantile Letter, a Dinner and a Summons—An Interview a la mode, between Husband and Wife—How Burtnett Haviland went home—The Romance of Half a House—A dear little Wife that waited at the door—A Supper, and the Shadow that fell over it. 81
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- CHAPTER V. A Short Chapter and a dull one—All History and no Romance—The Rising of the People—Statistics and incidents of Flag-raising—Rosettes, patriotic carts and "Union" public-houses—Movements and Events after Sumter—The President's Proclamation—Danger of the Capital and Baltimore—Military preparations in the Great City. 104
- CHAPTER VI. Sunday morning at the Havilands'—A Domestic Scene—The Husband's patriotic resolution—The picture of Valley Forge—The Wife's, noble but dangerous Resovle—Southern and Northern Women during the War—The story of Sarah Sanderson—Burtnett Haviland's unknown Temptation—Church-going and Satinets, after Sumter. 113
- CHAPTER VII. The Departure of the Seventh Regiment—A few words of Justice to that Organization—Theodore Winthrop and his career—How young Foster went away—How Burtnett Haviland met an Acquaintance—Captain Jack—Ellsworth and the First Fire Zouaves—One Soldier who did not wish to be an Officer. 131
- CHAPTER VIII. Kate Haviland at the Fullertons'—Her Arrival, Examination and Instructions—Myra and Mildred, the "Young Wretches"—A Story that was interrupted—Mrs. Fullerton's Law-papers and "property near Montgomery"—How Ned Minthorne lost his Letter—An interview between Millionaire and Teacher—How Ned Minthorne recovered his Letter. 146
- CHAPTER IX. Another Chapter that is not Romance, but History—The "Days of Shoddy," as they were—The human Reptiles that sprung up among the Demi-Gods—The great opportunity for Plundering, and how it was embraced—Shoddy Swindles in and about New York—Old Boats, old Satinets, old Reputations and new Villainies—National, State and City Movements—Is the Modern Sodom to be lost or saved? 172
- CHAPTER X. The departure of the Fire Zouaves—Public Confidence in them—The scene of the 29th of April—Speeches, parades and presentations—Retrospectory—How Burtnett Haviland kept his Resolution—The extraordinary Friendship of Charles Holt, merchant—The Parting of Husband and Wife—How an unlucky Box tumbled over, and how Tim wrote a Letter in consequence. 197
- CHAPTER XI. How Kate Haviland, the Teacher, was called to the Seat of Judgment, and how she conducted herself there—Humility and Arrogance—A Trap, and who fell into it—What Kate Haviland overheard Behind the Curtain—Mary Haviland's Picture—A whole Hash of Revelations—A Letter, and some anxiety about another. 222
- CHAPTER XII. How Charles Holt, the Merchant, displayed his Delicacy and became his own Errand-boy—Mary Haviland's Visitor, with closer peeps at his Character—What the Merchant found in an old Drawer—How the Visits multiplied and the Net drew closer—A little "bribery and corruption"—Kate Haviland's Researches, and how much she Discovered. 241
- CHAPTER XIII. Voyage of the Fire Zouaves to Annapolis—Their Condition, Character, and the Influences for and against them—Arrival at Washington—Camp Lincoln and Camp Decker—Burtnett Haviland's Letters, and the Effect they produced—The Regiment getting ready for work. 264
- CHAPTER XIV. The Fire Zouaves on Secret Service—Landing at Alexandria—The First Capture of the War—How the Zouaves became railroad laborers—Taking the Fairfax Cavalry—A "Fire in the Rear," of unpleasant character—A Startling Report—Death and Mad Imprudence of Col. Ellsworth. 284
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- CHAPTER XV. Charles Holt with a Call abroad—How he paid a Farewell Visit to Burnett Haviland's—Miss Sarah Sanderson's Little Amusement, and a Compact following—How the Merchant made a Confidante of Mary Haviland, and bade her good-bye—Five Minutes in the room of Olympia Holt. 303
- CHAPTER XVI. Kate Haviland's next and last Visit to Mary—City and Country Morals, and the general appreciation thereof—A Woman who had been crying, and who glanced too much out of the Window—How the Two "agreed to disagree"—No Letters, and the Story of the Guard-house—Miss Sarah Sanderson's supplementary information. 321
- CHAPTER XVII. More of Kate Haviland—Her biggest and most important Pupil—Ned Minthorne in a new character—Tobacco-smoke and Impudence in the School-room—A new theory in Natural History—How the Millionaire inspected the Common People, you know!—Kate Haviland making another Discovery and executing a War-dance. 338
- CHAPTER XVIII. The Fire Zouaves at Shooter's Hill—Col. Farnham—Camp Life and Equestrianism Extraordinary—The Major as John Gilpin—Captain Jack's Company at Alexandria—Whiskey, Darkey Sentinels, Pugilism and Dry Straw—Captain Bob's Pocket-full—A word more of Burtnett Haviland. 351
- CHAPTER XIX. The Merchant coming Home—Wine at the St. Nicholas—A little "Urgent Business"—How Sarah Sanderson saw a Ghost and found it Human—A Servant-girl "on leave"—Alone in the House—The Tempter and his Victim—How even a Man of the World may be puzzled—A sudden Change and a Disappearance. 369
- CHAPTER XX. The Battle of Bull Run—The "On to Richmond" cry, and how it was obeyed—McDowell's "grand army"—The Advance—The battle of the 18th July—Pause of the 19th and 20th—The opening of the 21st—Battle of Bull Run proper, with a sketch of the Field and of the Corps-movements—The Battle, the Panic, and the End. 392
- CHAPTER XXI. The Zouaves called to Battle—The Blow that struck Burtnett Haviland at the same moment—A True Heart in its Despair—The Zouaves in Battle—The three Charges and three Repulses—End of a "Favorite Regiment"—How Burtnett Haviland became a Rebel—How Charles Holt took the road to Richmond—And how the Clerk ceased to be a Soldier. 413
- CHAPTER XXII. The Grief and Shame that followed Bull Run—New York on the Twenty-second of July—How the City and the Country mourned for their Supposed Dead—Mary Haviland at Duffsboro—Aunt Bessy's reminiscences of Amos Haviland—Sad News from the Battle in Virginia—How the omens thickened and Mary Haviland temporarily became a Widow. 428
- CHAPTER XXIII. Hurrying to the End—An official Visit to Mrs. Fullerton, and some Strange Operations between the Millionaire and Kate—What the Teacher had found in the Drawer—A "Burst-up"—Burtnett Haviland looking for a Wife—Sarah Sanderson as a Cat in the Garret—Little Tim in play once more—A re-union. 444
- CHAPTER XXIV. The Tobacco-Warehouse at Richmond—Some last passages in the History of Mr. Charles Holt, Merchant—The Fullertons in Secessia—Last glimpses of the Zouave and his wife—How Kate Haviland and Aunt Bessy had a Visitor, and the sequel—A farewell, and yet no farewell, to the "Days of Shoddy." 463
