Steamed down the
Chesapeake Bay, and dropped anchor opposite Fortress Monroe.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 37
Steamed down the
Chesapeake Bay, and dropped anchor opposite Fortress Monroe.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 37
Have been paid off; $24.70 I got, and we all went ashore and washed up. The bunks on the Arago have been used so long by so many that they are lousy and most everyone has them. I, however, have found none as yet. We are kept on shore as much as possible, as a guard against disease, which would surely come when so many are crowded in so small a space. As there is no way to spend money here except for oysters, a great many gamble it away, then borrow again from those that win and pay any interest asked for. There is more and more sickness every day. Many are taken to a hospital at Fortress Monroe, which I am told is not far away.
SOURCE: Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 63-4
OFF FORTRESS MONROE. We left Newport News about six this morning, and came here where lie many other vessels loaded with soldiers. There's a big move going on, which I will know about when it comes off. Coal and hard-tack are coming aboard by the boat load. The colonel's horse died last night and went overboard. Poor things. They have more air than we, but have no chance to move. They do not lie down at all.
SOURCE: Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 64
Camp Hamilton, right in sight of Fortress Monroe. The last day of fall and as perfect a day as ever was. We are on the ground again and it feels cold after the heated quarters on the boat. God help us if it rains, for this bare ground would soon be like a mortar bed. But we are not to cross any bridges until we come to them. Still I think we had better pray for a dry spell.
SOURCE: Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 66
John Van has been
over again and says his regiment is going into winter quarters in the city
outskirts. I hear the 128th has sailed for Fortress Monroe. The papers are all
headed, "Removal of McClellan," and everyone is giving his opinion of
the change. I say nothing because I know too little about it to venture an
opinion. I went out and treated myself to a good square meal to-day and begin
to think I was more hungry than sick, for I feel fit and ready for anything.
Chaplain Parker has been here to see his boys, as he calls them. Says he left
the regiment off Fortress Monroe on board the Arago. He reports them well and
in fine spirits.
SOURCE:
Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 59
We are under
marching orders again—ready to move at a minute's notice. The Ninth Army Corps
is detached from the Army of the Potomac and is ordered to report to General
Dix, at Fortress Monroe. The supposition is we go on an expedition somewhere—rumor
says Vicksburg. The first detachment has gone, and we are awaiting the return
of the transports. The men are well pleased with the idea of going farther
south. For myself, I say any place but this. When we came here the country was
a wilderness, covered with a heavy growth of scrub pine. Now it is a desert
with scarcely a tree, and not a fence rail for miles in any direction.
It seems that
Richmond has lost its strategic importance, and the "decisive blow"
which was to have fallen there has been transferred to five other points, viz:
Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Rosa's and Foster's expeditions, and Charleston.
"If these prove successful," say the Washington papers, "the
rebellion will end in thirty days." God grant them all success. When I
survey the past history of the war I can see but little in the immediate future
to encourage hope. The conviction is forced upon me that if the North subdue
the South, the war has but just begun. It can and will be done, but time and
persevering effort only will accomplish it. The people are too impatient. They
demand important victories now, while fortified some place—Vicksburg, for
instance—can only be taken by siege, and siege means weeks and months of
waiting.
Government, urged on
by the people, acts as if the salvation of the country depends on all this
being accomplished before the fourth of March. But I see nothing but failure in
haste.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 28-9
We are now on the “heaving
sea and the bounding wave.” We were aroused yesterday morning at four o'clock,
ordered to prepare breakfast and be ready to march at a minute's notice. At
five-thirty the bugle sounded "fall in." We slung our accoutrements,
the first time since the battle of Fredericksburg, and in fifteen minutes were
en route to the depot, distance about two miles. After some delay we took cars
for Aquia Creek, where we arrived at 10 o'clock a. m., and were immediately
transferred to transports, bound for Fortress Monroe. The Seventy-ninth New
York and Seventeenth Michigan were crowded on the North America, an old Hudson
River propeller. There was hardly standing room, much less room to walk about.
The day is fine, and the bay, unruffled by a breeze, presents a lively and
picturesque appearance. Steamers are continually arriving and departing,
sailboats of all sorts and sizes spread their white wings and glide leisurely
through the still waters, while the active little tugs go whisking and snorting
here and there, assisting larger and more unwieldly vessels. We left Aquia
Creek at 10:30 o'clock a. m., expecting to reach the Fortress by nine o'clock
next morning. I love the sea in all its forms and phases, and it was with a
thrill of joy I took my seat on deck, prepared to enjoy whatever of interest
might present itself. The Potomac, at Aquia Creek, is truly a noble stream, if
stream it may be called, for there is no perceptible current, being, I judge,
one and one-half miles wide, gradually broadening out as it nears the bay,
until at its mouth it is nine miles wide. There is a striking contrast between
the Maryland and Virginia shores. The Virginia side, nearly the entire
distance, presents a rugged, mountainous aspect, with very few buildings in
view, while the Maryland shore is level, dotted with farm buildings, and, at
frequent intervals a village with its church spires glittering in the sun. In
contemplating these peaceful scenes of rural life, the quiet farm houses
surrounded by groves of trees, the well-tilled fields, outbuildings and fences
undisturbed by war's desolating hand, the genial air of quiet repose that
pervades the scene calls up emotions that have long lain dormant. For many long
months, which seems as many years, my eyes have become inured to scenes of
blood, of desolation and of ruin; to cities and villages laid waste and
pillaged; private residences destroyed; homes made desolate; in fact, the whole
country through which we have passed, except part of Maryland, has become
through war's desolating touch, a desert waste. As I gazed on these peaceful
scenes and my thirsty soul drank in their beauty, how hateful did war appear,
and I prayed the time might soon come when “Nations shall learn war no more.”
Gradually the wind
freshened, increasing in force as we neared the bay, until it became so rough
the captain thought it unsafe to venture out, and cast anchor about five miles
from the mouth of the river to await the coming of day. I spread my blanket on
the floor of one of the little cabins and slept soundly until morning. When I
awoke in the morning the first gray streaks of early dawn were illuminating the
eastern horizon.
The gale having
subsided, we were soon under way, and in about half an hour entered the broad
Chesapeake. And here a most grand and imposing scene met my enraptured gaze. Not
a breath of air disturbed its unruffled surface. Numerous vessels, floating
upon its bosom, were reflected as by a mirror. A delegation of porpoises met us
at the entrance to welcome us to their domain; they were twenty-two in number,
were from six to eight feet in length; in color, dark brown. It was truly
amusing to witness their sportive antics as they seemed to roll themselves
along. They would throw themselves head foremost from the water half their
length, turning as on a pivot, perform what seemed to be a somersault, and
disappear.
A flock of sea gulls
fell into our wake, sagely picking up any crumbs of bread that might be thrown
them. They are a strange bird, a little larger than a dove, closely resembling
them in color and gracefulness of motion. They followed us the whole distance,
and as I watched their continuous, ceaseless flight, the effect on the mind was
a sense of weariness at thought of the long-continued exertion.
Soon after we
entered the bay I observed what I thought to be a light fog arising in the
southeast. We had not proceeded far, however, before I discovered my mistake,
for that which seemed to be a fog was a shower of rain. I was taken wholly by
surprise, for I had been accustomed to see some preparation and ceremony on
similar occasions. But now no gathering clouds darkened the distant sky,
warning me of its approach, but the very storm itself seemed to float upon the
waves and become part of it, and before I was aware, enfolded us in its watery
embrace. The storm soon passed, but the wind continued through the day, and, as
we neared the old Atlantic and met his heavy swells, they produced a feeling of
buoyancy that was, to me, truly exhilerating.
Some of the boys
were seasick, and a number "cast up their accounts" in earnest. We
entered the harbor about sundown and cast anchor for the night under the
frowning guns of Fortress Monroe.
Vessels of war of
every class, monitors included, and sailing vessels of all sizes, crowded the
harbor. It was a magnificent scene, and one on which I had always longed to
gaze.
In the morning we
learned our destination was Newport News, distant about five miles. We arrived
about eight o'clock, marched two miles to Hampton Roads, our camping ground,
pitched tents and, at noon, were ready for our dinner of coffee and hardtack.
We have a pleasant
camping ground, lying on the beach, where we can watch the vessels as they pass
and can pick up oysters by the bushel when the tide is out.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 30-3
Everything quiet—no signs
of the enemy and I do not think they will make an attempt against Yorktown
unless with a much larger force than they have at Fortress Monroe. Several
small schooners have run the blockade and arrived at this port.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 102
Clear and cold. Our
commissioners are back again! It is said Lincoln and Seward met them at
Fortress Monroe, and they proceeded no further. No basis of negotiation but
reconstruction could be listened to by the Federal authorities. How could it be
otherwise, when their armies are marching without resistance from one triumph
to another—while the government "allows" as many emissaries as choose
to pass into the enemy's country, with the most solemn assurances that the
Union cause is spreading throughout the South with great rapidity—while the
President is incapacitated both mentally and physically by disease, disaster,
and an inflexible defiance of his opponents—and while Congress wastes its time
in discussions on the adoption of a flag for future generations!
This fruitless
mission, I apprehend, will be fraught with evil, unless the career of Sherman
be checked; and in that event the BATTLE for RICHMOND, and Virginia, and the Confederacy,
will occur within a few months—perhaps weeks. The sooner the better for us, as
delay will only serve to organize the UNION PARTY sure to spring up; for many
of the people are not only weary of the war, but they have no longer any faith
in the President, his cabinet, Congress, the commissaries, quartermasters,
enrolling officers, and most of the generals.
Judge Campbell was
closeted for hours last night with Mr. Secretary Seddon at the department. I
have not recently seen Mr. Hunter.
We have news from
the Eastern Shore of Virginia. My wife's aunt, Miss Sally Parsons, is dead—over
90 years of age. The slaves are free, but remain with their owners—on wages. The
people are prosperous, getting fine prices for abundant crops. Only a few
hundred Federal troops are in the two counties; but these, under the despotic
orders of Butler, levy heavy "war contributions" from the unoffending
farmers.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 409-10
BATTLE OF BETHEL CHURCH,
MONDAY, JUNE 10TH, 1861.
The above-named
place is a neat little country church situated some fifteen miles from
Yorktown, and twelve miles from Hampton. Since June 6th we have been throwing
up rude, but strong breastworks, and fortifying the place in the best manner we
knew how.
Our Parrot gun (No.
1) and a brass howitzer (my gun, No. 4) composed the main battery, just to the
left of the church. A howitzer of Captain Brown's Second Company was stationed
to our right, and about one hundred and fifty yards in our front. A rifled howitzer
of the Second Company was stationed about a hundred yards to the left of the
main battery. Two of Stanard's howitzers were stationed some miles in our rear,
to guard a flanking road, but came up in the heat of the fight and did good
service.
There was also a
howitzer a few yards to the left of the main battery, its position was changed
several times during the engagement.
There were in all
seven guns engaged in the battle, four belonging to the Third Company and three
to the Second Company.
All honor is due to
a noble hearted Virginia country woman, who undoubtedly saved our
camp from surprise, and kept the forces sent out early this morning from
running into the enemy unawares.
These troops were
under the immediate command of Colonel Magruder, and their mission was to
capture a post called New Market, occupied by six hundred Federal troops; they
having left Bethel Church about 3 A. M., with six hundred infantrymen, three
Howitzers and a small squad of cavalrymen, proceeding in the direction of New
Market, towards Hampton. After being on the road some two hours, this woman
came towards us in great haste, and gave Colonel Magruder the timely
information that the enemy a few moments since, some five hundred strong, had
been to her house, but a short distance in our front, had taken her husband
prisoner and were then marching to get in our rear.
Believing this party
to be an advance guard of the enemy, Colonel Magruder wheeled his column, and
we marched rapidly back to Bethel Church, to await further developments.
Our whole force only
numbered fifteen hundred, Virginians and North Carolinians, commanded by my old
Sabbath-school teacher in the Lexington days of long ago, Colonel D. H. Hill.
At 8 o'clock A. M.,
our videttes and advanced pickets commenced coming into camp and reported the
enemy advancing upon us, five thousand strong, under the command of Brigadier-General
Pierce, of Massachusetts.
Major George W.
Randolph, formerly Captain of the old Howitzer Company of Richmond, acted
during the day with conspicuous gallantry as Magruder's Chief of Artillery.
Then one by one and
in squads of five or six came the inhabitants, fleeing before the enemy. At
first they came in slowly, but anon their pale faces and the hurried manner of
their coming betokened the enemy to be not far distant.
Even the peril, so
near at hand, could hardly suppress the smile that flitted athwart our
countenances as a superannuated negro, driving lustily an aged mule attached to
a dilapidated cart filled with promiscuous plunder, appeared upon the scene
evidently making tracks for the rear.
Every man was at his
post, but not a cheek blanched, nor did an arm falter, for we felt as if the
entire South watched us that day, and we would pay their watching well.
Precisely at 9 A. M.
we saw the dazzling glitter of the enemy's muskets as they slowly appeared in
battle array marching down the Hampton road-then our trusty Parrot gun opened
its dark mouth and spoke in thunder tones the stern determination of our
devoted little band—then the howitzer on its left, and right, hurled shot and
shell into the bewildered ranks of the advancing foemen; and then came the
enemies shot, bursting and whizzing around our heads, and the sharp ring of the
rifle told of war in earnest.
Here on one side is
a band of beardless boys, who, heretofore, have scarcely been considered as
possessing a sufficiency of nerve to brain a cat, now handling their artillery
with a coolness and consummate skill that war-worn veterans would have gloried
in.
On the other side regulars and fanatics fought for PAY and for the upholding of a government whose
oppression had to millions of people now become unbearable.
And the death
missiles came hurtling and screaming through the calm, clear, summer's air, but
those brave boys quailed not before the storm of death—they thought of kindred,
of homes, of peaceful firesides and of loved ones, who, with weeping eyes and
anguished hearts were praying to the God of Battles to shield them from all harm,
when the hour that tried men's souls drew near.
Not one of our men
failed in the discharge of his duty, but silently and rapidly did we pour shot
and shell into the enemies ranks.
'Twould be a vain
endeavor to attempt to describe one's feelings in a battle, for I believe after
the first shock is over they become somewhat blunted, and yet we all thought
enough to fall flat whenever we saw a shell coming from the Yankee battery. But
the musket and rifle balls could not be dodged and they whistled around us in a
perfect storm. There seemed to be some unseen hand that warded them off from
the men, but the horses and mules were not so fortunate. There was a very
stubborn, thickheaded old mule belonging to the Second Company Howitzers, and
just before the fight one of the boys hitched him to a cart and endeavored to
make him work, but 'twas no use, Mr. Mule asserted the popular theory of
rebellion and declined to be pressed into service, whereupon the soldier gave
him a “cussing," and tied him to a tree, hoping at the same time that the
first shot from the enemy "would knock his 'dern'd' head off." Alas,
for the poor mule!—the second shot fired by the enemy struck a tree just to the
left of my gun, glanced and passed directly through the mule, who, in the
agonies of death, doubtless deplored his untimely fate and refusal to work.
For nearly two hours
the fight was confined to the artillerists almost exclusively, but so soon as
the enemy came in musket range our infantry gave them a reception worthy of
Southern hospitality.
About this time one
of Captain Brown's howitzers, the one in front and to the right of the main
battery, became spiked by the breaking of a priming wire in the vent, and was
rendered ineffectual during the rest of the engagement.
By reason of this,
three Virginia companies of infantry on the right front flank were in
a measure unprotected, and were withdrawn by Colonel Magruder to the rear of
the church.
The New York Zouaves
seeing the gun disabled charged upon the works in which this howitzer was
placed, and our men retired slowly, discharging their pistols as they fell back
upon the North Carolina infantry.
Colonel Magruder
immediately ordered Captain Bridges of the "Edgecombe Rifles" to
retake the lost position, which 'tis said he attempted to do by himself,
failing to order his company to follow him, in his eagerness to obey orders.
But his company did
follow him in gallant style and drove the Zouaves off at a double-quick. The
two howitzer guns of Stanard's Third Company now coming up from the rear, under
the command of Sergeant Powell and Lieutenant Edgar F. Moseley, were
immediately placed in position, and again the battle raged.
Major Winthrop, aid
to General B. F. Butler, in command at Fortress Monroe, having come up with
reënforcements wearing our badges, white band around the cap, made an
ineffectual attempt to carry our works, and lost his life in the endeavor.
After his fall the enemy fled in disorder, having also lost a valued artillery
officer, Lieutenant Greble, who commanded his battery with great bravery. Badly
crippled and much worse frightened, they now were in precipitate flight toward
Hampton, hotly pursued by a small squadron of Virginia cavalry, who
reached the field just as the fight ended. If Magruder had have had a thousand
cavalry we could have taken the whole force prisoners. Our loss has been
comparatively small-one killed and ten wounded, three of the wounded belonging
to the Second Howitzers-Lieutenant Hudnall and Privates John Worth and Henry
Shook. The only one killed on our side was Private Henry L. Wyatt, of the North
Carolina Infantry, who fell in endeavoring to burn a small wooden house in
which the enemy were harbored. The Yankee loss was heavy, though we could not
find out the exact number, as they carried off many of their dead and wounded
in carts, wagons, carriages and buggies, which they took from the neighboring
farmers. Their loss was between two and three hundred. They had boasted that
they would, with cornstalks, drive off the mob of Virginians and North
Carolinians hastily collected together to impede their would-be triumphal
march.
About 4 o'clock P.
M. we were reënforced by the Second Louisiana Regiment, and had they have
gotten to us sooner our victory would not have been fruitless. Thus ends the
first pitched battle between the United States troops and the Confederate
forces. Although in itself it was a battle of no magnitude or great importance,
yet it showed to the boasting North how terribly we were in earnest, and gave
comfort and encouragement to the faint and weak-hearted on our side.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 96-100
The enemy having
retired to Fortress Monroe, we left Bethel Church last evening and arrived at
Yorktown at 1 o'clock in the night.
Nothing of interest
to day, save the sending off of a howitzer belonging to my company, guarded by
a squadron of cavalry. They will return to Bethel Church.
SOURCE: William S.
White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 100
To the Governor of the State of Virginia:
DEAR SIR,
SHERWOOD FOREST,
January 31, 1861.
I received your communication notifying me of my appointment by the concurrent vote of the two houses of the General Assembly, as a commissioner to the President of the United States, with instructions respectfully to request the President to abstain, pending the proceedings contemplated by the action of the General Assembly, from any and all acts calculated to produce a collision of arms between the States which have seceded or shall secede, and the government of the United States, on the afternoon of Monday, the 21st instant, by the mail of that day, and in disregard of a severe state of indisposition under which I had labored for some time previous, I resolved at all hazards to myself personally to carry out, so far as I could, the patriotic wishes of the Legislature. By the earliest conveyance, I reached Richmond on the evening of the succeeding day (Tuesday, 22d), and having had an interview with your excellency and my co-commissioner, proceeded by the morning train of cars the next day (Wednesday, 23d) for the city of Washington, which I reached on the afternoon of the same day. I am thus particular in giving precise dates, so that the Legislature may perceive that with all possible promptitude and dispatch I obeyed their wishes; and also to show that I was duly sensible of the importance of time in the whole proceeding. Immediately after reaching Washington, I addressed a note (marked No. 1) to the President of the United States, informing him of my arrival and asking an early hour to be designated by him, to enable me to place him in possession of the wishes and feelings of the Legislature of Virginia, and the instructions which, in the form of her legislative resolves, all having direct reference to the disturbed and painful condition of public affairs, I was desirous of laying before him. He responded promptly by note, and left it optional with myself to select 8 o'clock of that evening, or an early hour the next morning, for the time of the proposed conference. My note (No. 2), for reasons therein set forth, informed him that I would wait upon him in the morning of the ensuing day. My note announcing my arrival, if the objects which had brought me to Washington had any consideration in the mind of the President would, I did not doubt, suspend any hostile movement against any seceding State in the interval of time between its date and the hour at which I should wait upon him the next morning, and supersede the necessity of a night visit.
On the next morning, at the hour of ten, I repaired to the President's mansion, and met from him a warm and cordial reception. I lost no time in handing to him your letter of appointment, attested by the seal of the State, and legislative resolutions. He said that they were the first full copies of the resolutions which he had seen, and after reading them he remarked, that he considered them very important, and was good enough to add, that being borne by myself, he should feel it his duty to make them the subject of a special message to Congress. Either I suggested or he voluntarily remarked, most probably the latter, that he should accompany them with a strong recommendation to Congress, with whom, he said, rested the entire power over the subject of war or peace, to abstain from all action of a hostile character, until Virginia should have had a fair opportunity to exert all her efforts to preserve the public peace and restore harmony to the Union. I said to him, that my mission was to him; that he was commander-in-chief of the army and navy—could regulate the movement of soldiers and ships in peace and war, and that everything that Virginia desired was that the statu quo should be observed. I represented to him that the people of Virginia were almost universally inclined to peace and reconciliation. That I need not inform him of the sacrifices the State had made for the Union in its initiation, or of her instrumentality in the creation of the Constitution. That her efforts to reconstruct or preserve depended for their success on her being permitted to conduct them undisturbed by outside collision. He replied, that he had in no measure changed his views as presented in his annual message; that he could give no pledges; that it was his duty to enforce the laws, and the whole power rested with Congress. He complained that the South had not treated him properly; that they had made unnecessary demonstration by seizing unprotected arsenals and forts, and thus perpetrating acts of useless bravado, which had quite as well been let alone. I suggested to him, that while these things were, I admitted, calculated to fret and irritate the northern mind, that he would see in them only the necessary results of popular excitement, which, after all, worked no mischief in the end, if harmony between the States was once more restored; that the States wherein the seizures had been made, would account for all the public property; and that in the mean time the agency for its preservation was only changed. He repeated his sense of the obligations which rested upon him; could give no pledges but those contained in his public acts, and recurred again to the proceedings of the Legislature and his intention to send them to Congress in a special message, accompanied with a strong recommendation to avoid the passage of any hostile legislation. I asked if I might be permitted to see the sketch of the message, to which he unhesitatingly replied that he would take pleasure in showing it to me next morning. Much more occurred in the course of our interview, which lasted for an hour and a half; all, however, relating exclusively to the above topics, and I left him entirely satisfied with the results of my interview. The President was frank and entirely confiding in his language and whole manner. A moment's reflection satisfied me that if the message contained the recommendation to Congress to abstain from hostile legislation, I was at liberty to infer a similar determination on his part of a state of quietude.
Friday, 25.—I waited on him again the following morning, and he lost no time in reading me so much of the sketch of the proposed message as related to the recommendation to Congress. I suggested no change or alteration, believing it to be amply sufficient, and I became only anxious for its presentation to Congress. He said he should have it all prepared to be submitted to his Cabinet on that day, and would send it in the next day. On the afternoon of the same day—Friday, 25—I was waited upon by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, who stated that they had called upon me at the request of the President, to express his regret that in consequence of the adjournment over to Monday, he would not be able to send in his message until Monday. While in conversation with those gentlemen, which chiefly turned on the condition of public affairs, I was startled by the receipt of a telegraphic despatch from Judge Robertson, my co-commissioner, dated at Charleston, South Carolina, enquiring into the foundation of a rumor which had reached that place, that the steamship Brooklyn, with troops, had sailed for the South from Norfolk. I immediately handed over the despatch to the gentlemen, with the suitable enquiries. The Attorney General said, in substance: "You know, sir, that I am attached to the law department, and not in the way of knowing anything about it." The Secretary of State said that he had heard and believed that the Brooklyn had sailed with some troops, but he did not know either when she sailed or to what point she was destined. I then said, "I hope that she has not received her orders since my arrival in Washington." On this point the gentlemen could give me no information, but expressed no doubt but that the President would give me the information if requested. I excused myself to them, and immediately withdrawing to the adjoining room, I addressed to the President note No. 3, which Mr. Staunton, the Attorney General, kindly volunteered to bear in person, and without loss of time, to the President. In a short time afterwards, Mr. Staunton returned, to inform me that he had carried the note to the President's house, but for a reason not necessary here to state, he could not see the President, but had placed it in the hands of his servant, to be delivered at the earliest opportunity. The reply of the President, No. 2, reached me at half after eleven o'clock that night. In the interim, I had despatched by telegraph, to Judge Robertson, the information I had collected, and upon the opening of the telegraph office the next morning (Saturday), the material parts of the President's reply relating to the sailing of the Brooklyn, viz: that she had gone on an errand "of mercy and relief," and that she was not destined to South Carolina. The orders for the sailing of the ship, as will be seen, were issued before I reached Washington. After receiving the letter, and willingly adopting the most favorable construction of its expressions, I resolved to remain in Washington until after Monday, when the message would go to the two houses. I listened to its reading in the Senate with pleasure, and can only refer to the newspapers for its contents, as no copies were printed and obtainable by me, before I left Washington, on Tuesday morning, the 29th instant. On Monday afternoon I bade my adieu to the President in the accompanying letters, marked No. 4, to which I received his reply, marked No. 3.
The morning newspapers contained the rumor that the proceeding had been adopted of mounting guns on the land side of Fortress Monroe, and in my letter I deemed it no way inappropriate to call the attention of the President to those rumors.
Thus has terminated my mission to the President under the legislative resolutions. I trust that the result of the Brooklyn's cruise may terminate peacably. No intimation was given me of her having sailed in either of my interviews with the President, and all connected with her destination remains to me a State secret. I had no right to require to be admitted into the inner vestibule of the Cabinet, however much I might complain should the results prove the errand of the ship from the first to have been belligerent and warlike.
I am, dear sir,BROWN'S HOTEL, January 28, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR: I leave the city to-morrow morning for the brief interval that elapses between this and the meeting of the commissioners on the 4th of February. In making my adieu, which I should do in person but for engagements which prevent, I desire to express my pleasure at hearing your message read to-day in the Senate, and to tender my acknowledgments for the facilities you afforded me of acquitting myself of the mission with which my State entrusted me. I feel but one regret in all that has occurred, and that is the sailing of the Brooklyn under orders issued before my arrival in this city. I hope, however, she sailed with such instructions as, if followed, will prevent any collision. There is nothing I more sincerely desire than that your administration may close amidst the rejoicings of a great people at the consummation of the work of a renewed and more harmonious confederacy.
Will you pardon me for calling your attention to the rumors current in the newspapers of the morning, which state that active proceedings are in course of execution at Fortress Monroe, in planting cannon on the land side of the fort, with their muzzles pointing landward and overlooking the country? If this be so, Mr. President, is such a proceeding either appropriate or well-timed? I shall do no more than call your attention to the circumstance, and leave it without comment, with this single remark, that when Virginia is making every possible effort to redeem and save the Union, it is seemingly ungenerous to have cannon levelled at her bosom.
With my most cordial wishes for your success in steering the ship of State amid the critical relations of the country, I am, my dear sir, truly and faithfully yours,
WASHINGTON, January 28, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR: I have received your note of this evening, and am happy to learn that you were pleased at hearing my message read to-day in the Senate. It expresses my sincere and cordial sentiments. My best wishes attend you on your journey home, and for your safe return to this city on the 4th February. I shall then hope to see more of you.
I shall make it a point to enquire to-morrow morning into the rumors in the newspapers to which you referred in relation to Fortress Monroe.
SOURCE: Lyon Gardiner Tyler, The Letters and Times of the Tylers, Volume 2, p. 592
The President sends notice that there will be no Cabinet-meeting to-day. He went to Fortress Monroe on Sunday in a light river boat, and returned on Monday morning ill. He is reported quite indisposed to-day. As he takes no exercise and confines himself to his duties, his health must break down. Going down the river is a temporary relief from care and a beneficial change of atmosphere, but it gives no exercise. I admonish him frequently, but it has little effect.
The tone of
sentiment and action of people of the South is injudicious and indiscreet in
many respects. I know not if there is any remedy, but if not, other and serious
disasters await them, — and us also perhaps, for if we are one people,
dissension and wrong affect the whole.
The recent election
in Richmond indicates a banding together of the Rebel element and a
proscription of friends of the Union. This would be the natural tendency of
things, perhaps, but there should be forbearance and kindness, in order to
reinstate old fraternal feeling. Instead of this, the Rebels appear to be
arrogant and offensively dictatorial. Perhaps there is exaggeration in this
respect.
The military, it
seems, have interfered and nullified the municipal election in Richmond, with
the exception of a single officer. Why he alone should be retained, I do not
understand. Nor am I informed, though I have little doubt, who directed and
prompted this military squelching of a popular election. It was not a subject
on which the Cabinet was informed. Such a step should not have been taken
without deliberation, under good advisement, and with good reasons. There may
have been such, for the Rebels have been foolish and insolent, and there was
wanting a smart and stern rebuke rightly administered. If not right, the wicked
may be benefited and their malpractices strengthened by the interference.
From various
quarters we learn that the Rebels are organizing through the Southern States
with a view to regaining political ascendency, and are pressing forward
prominent Rebels for candidates in the approaching election. Graham in North
Carolina, Etheridge in Tennessee, are types.
Seward and Speed are
absent at Cape May. Dennison tells me that Stanton on Friday stated we had a
military force of 42,000 on the Rio Grande. If so, this on the part of the
military means war, and we are in no condition for war. I have not been
entirely satisfied with Seward's management of the Mexican question. Our
remonstrance or protest against French influence and dictation has been feeble
and inefficient, but Stanton and Grant are, on the other hand, too belligerent.
Authorities are considering whether they will send to Harper's Ferry 252 soldiers from Fort Monroe, or but half that number, by morning train. The latter I have already arranged to go with mail train, but if they decide upon sending the whole number, it would probably be best to send special train ahead of mail.
What do you say? I am waiting Col. Lee's decision as to number.
Have seen President and made later appointments with him, but will manage to be in telegraph office at 8 o'clock.
O. HOBLITZEL L.
SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 60
Stanton informed me
this P.M. that Halleck had gone from Richmond to Fortress Monroe and he wished
certain persons, whom he named, should be sent in a naval vessel to Fort
Warren, certain others to Fort Delaware, others to Fort McHenry. He still urged
secrecy, but in less than an hour our regular dispatches by mail stated the
facts. Others also had them.
General Sherman is
here. I have not yet met him, but I understand he is a little irate towards
Stanton and very mad with Halleck. This is not surprising, and yet some allowance
is to be made for them. Sherman's motives cannot be questioned, although his
acts may be. Stanton was unduly harsh and severe, and his bulletin to General
Dix and specifications were Stantonian. Whether the President authorized, or
sanctioned, that publication I never knew, but I and most of the members of the
Cabinet were not consulted in regard to the publication, which was not in all
respects correct. General Grant, who as unequivocally disapproved of Sherman's
armistice as any member of the Administration, was nevertheless tender of
General Sherman, and did not give in to the severe remarks of Stanton at the
time.1
_______________
1 At a later period President Johnson assured
me that Stanton's publication was wholly unauthorized by him, that he knew
nothing of it until he saw it in the papers. We were all imposed upon by
Stanton, who had a purpose. He and the Radicals were opposed to the mild policy
of President Lincoln, on which Sherman had acted, and which Stanton opposed and
was determined to defeat. — G. W.
[W]e proceeded up
the Savannah River, and, on reaching the city, were provided with carriages to
examine it and the environs. Savannah has suffered less from war than
Charleston, and, though stricken, has the appearance of vitality if not of
vigor.
We drove out to
Bonaventura, the former possession of Tatnall, which has been converted into a
cemetery. The place has an indescribable beauty, I may say grandeur, impressing
me beyond any rural place I have visited. Long rows of venerable live oaks, the
splendid and valuable tree of the South, festooned with moss, opened up beautiful
vistas and drives. The place I can never forget.
I called on General
Grover, in company with Admiral Dahlgren, and had half an hour's interesting
conversation on the condition of affairs in Georgia and the South generally.
General Birge of Connecticut called on us at the boat, where we also met Samuel
Cooley of Hartford, an old and familiar acquaintance.
Mrs. Jefferson Davis
was at the Pulaski House. She had accompanied her husband to Fortress Monroe,
and been ordered South when he was committed to the Fortress. The vessel in
which she came had been in sight of ours a considerable portion of the day
before we reached Charleston, and was in that harbor when we arrived there, but
left and arrived here before us.
We took our
departure on the afternoon of Tuesday and passed down Thunderbolt Inlet to
Wassaw Sound, going over the ground where the Weehawken captured the Atlanta.
This Southern coast is a singular network of interior navigable waters
interlacing each other, of which we knew very little before this Civil War. The
naval men seemed to be better informed as regards the coast of Europe than
their own country.
The sun had set when
we reached Savannah River, and it was dark when we left. Most of the company
were importunate to visit Havana, but I thought it not best, and the steamer
therefore turned homeward.
We had calm and
delightful weather. Were amused as persons on shipboard usually are. Off the
entrance to Cape Fear we had some fishing. Saw and signalled a steamer on the
inside near Fort Caswell, which came out to us. Two or three Treasury agents
were on board, and Judge Casey of the Court of Claims, who is here, I surmise,
like many others, for speculation.
During the night we
were serenaded by a fine band, which had come off in a steamer. We ascertained
in the morning that it was General Hawley and staff in an army boat, they
having come down from Wilmington to meet us. By invitation we went on board
with them and proceeded up the Cape Fear to Wilmington. The Santiago was
directed to proceed around Smith's Island opposite to Fort Fisher and await us.
The beach for some distance was strewn with wrecks of blockade-runners, — or,
more modestly and correctly speaking, several were beached. Our jaunt to
Wilmington was pleasant, and our ride through various streets exceedingly warm.
We returned early in order to visit Fort Fisher by daylight. These formidable
defenses, which we finally captured, have given me exceeding annoyance for
several years. The War Department and military, so long as Halleck controlled,
had no comprehension of the importance of capturing this place, and by so doing
cutting off Rebel supplies.
We stopped a few
hours at Fortress Monroe and walked round on the ramparts. Jeff Davis was a
prisoner in one of the casemates, but I did not see him.