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
