Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 10.djvu/262

 VAN DORN

VAX DYKE

fighting near 'Washita ViUage. I.T., where lie re- ceived four severe arrow woinnls. He was pro- moted major, 2d cavalry, June 28, 18G0, and on Jan. 31. ISGl, resigned his commission. "When Mississippi seceded, Jefferson Davis was ap- pointed major-general of the militia and Van Doru, with three other officers, was appointed brigadier-general. "When Davis resigned. Van Dorn was promoted major-general, but later re- signed his commission to become colonel iu the Confederate army. He was soon jiromoted briga- dier-general; was in command of Texas at the time of the surrender of David E. Twiggs (q.v.), on Feb. 18. 1861, and acting under orders, prevented the movement of the U.S. troops from Texas, capturing 815 officer and men. Van Dorn was transferred to Virginia in September, 1861; was promoted major-general, and on October 4, was given command of a division in Beauregard's corps in the Army of Virginia, under Joseph E. Johnston. On Jan. 10, 1862. he was assigned to the command of the Trans-Mississippi district; made iiis lieadquarters at once in Missouri, and planned an aggressive campaign against St. Louis, with Springfield as a base, calling on Texas. Arkansas and Louisiana for aid. But on Feb. 12, Price was driven out of Springfield by Curtis, and was pursued into the mountains of Arkansas, where he was joined by Van Dorn, 3Iarch 1. In command of all the forces, 16,000 men, Van Dorn moved against Curtis, who was near Bentonville, March 4, and on March 6, dividing his army, left McCulloch to attack an almost impregnable front, while he, with Price, attacked the rear of the camp. Van Dorn was unsuccessful, and McCulloch was killed, his troops were demoralized, and Van Dorn's army was divided. On the morning of March 8, the Union tr<x)ps were found in an altered position, prevent- ing the cooperation of the Confederate columns. Van Dorn withdrew to Van Buren. Ark., leaving Missouri uncontested; Halleck massed the Union forces on the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, and so endangered Beauregard's army that on JIarch 17. Van Dorn moved to support Beaure- gard. He marclied boldly for St. Louis, intend- ing to divert the enemy, but on March 23, was ordered to move upon ^lempliis. He joined Beauregard at Corinth. Miss., participating in the defense and evacuation of that place. Van Dorn urged that troops again be sent west of the Mis- sissippi and that Sterling Price, being a greater favorite with the people, be allowed to supersede him. On tiie api)roacli of Farragnt's fleet. Van Dorn was sent to Vicksburg to relieve Lovell. and his defense of Vicksburg convinced Farragut of the necessity of having the cooperation of laml forces. When, on July 27. Farragut started Icick to New Orleans. Van Dorn sent J. C. Breckin-

ridge to Baton Rouge with 5000 picked men. Breckinridge met with disaster; Van Dorn ap- plied to Price for aid, but that officer had none to give, and on Aug. 24, Breckinridge returned. On Sept. 11, 1862, Van Dorn was ordered by President Davis to join Price and assume com- mand of both armies. He marched to Corinth, where Price was opposing Rosecrans, assumed command and at dawn on October 3, attacked the Union line. At 1:30 he had driven the forces into their inner lines, but on the 4th he was re- pulsed and retreated to Hatchie Bridge, where he met Ord, who gave him battle. He retreated toward Vicksburg, Miss.; was superseded on Oct. 14, 1862, by Lieut.-Gen. J. C. Pemberton. and was transferred to the command of the cav- alry. Grant followed in pursuit until Dec. 20. when Van Dorn. at the head of his cavalry, at- tacked Murphy at Holly Springs, and destroyed Grant's stores. Joseph E. Johnston .says this at- tempt was surpassed bj' no enterprise of its char- acter during the war, and the loss of the stores obliged Grant to fall back, thus gaining for the Confederacy a little much needed time. In the fol- lowing spring he fought at Thompson's Station, where he captured about 1000 men from Gen. Gordon Granger. In May he was shot by Dr. Peters, because of a private grievance. He died at Spring Hill, Tenn.. May 8, 1863.

VAN DYKE, Henry, clergyman and autiior, was born in Germantown, Pa.. Nov. 10, 1852; son of Henry Jackson (q.v.) and Henrietta (Ashmead) Van Dyke. He was giaduated from the Poly- technic institute, Brooklyn, N.Y'., in 1869; from the College of New Jersey, A.B., 1873, A.M., 1876, and from the Princeton Theo- logical seminary in 1877. He was or- dained to the Presby- terian ministry in 1876; took a post graduate course at Berlin university, 1877-78; was pastor at Newport, R.I., 1879- 82, and of the Brick

Presbyterian church, y/ \ y

New York city, 1882- rrUi<fy ^^zi^^ /^y/u-~ 1900, and was elected

professor of English literature at Princeton uni- versity in 1900. He was corresponding editor of the Philadelphia Preahyteri an in 1876, and edited the " Princeton Book." He was married. Dec. 13. 1881, to Ellen, dangiiter of Andrew and Fanny (Brooke) Rei<l of Baltimore, Md. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferreil on him by the Col- lege of New Jersey in 1884; by Harvard college