Showing posts with label Fort Pulaski. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Pulaski. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, December 24, 1864

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,     
In the Field, Savannah, Ga., December 24, 1864.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Chief of Staff, Washington City, D.C.:

GENERAL: I had the pleasure to receive your two letters of the 16th and 18th instant to-day, and I feel more than usually flattered by the high encomiums you have passed on our recent campaign, which is now complete by the occupation of Savannah. I am also very glad that General Grant has changed his mind about embarking my troops for James River, leaving me free to make the broad swath you describe through South and North Carolina, and still more gratified at the news from Thomas in Tennessee, because it fulfills my plan, which contemplated his being fully able to dispose of Hood in case he ventured north of the Tennessee River; so I think, on the whole, I can chuckle over Jeff. Davis' disappointment in not turning my Atlanta campaign into a Moscow disaster. I have just finished a long letter to General Grant, and have explained to him that we are engaged in shifting our base from the Ogeechee over to the Savannah River, dismantling all the forts made by the enemy to bear upon the salt-water channels, and transferring the heavy ordnance, &c., to Fort Pulaski and Hilton Head, and in remodelling the enemy's interior lines to suit our future plans and purposes. I have also laid down the programme of a campaign which I can make this winter, and put me in the spring on the Roanoke, in direct communication with him on the James River. In general terms, my plan is to turn over to General Foster the city of Savannah, and to sally forth, with my army resupplied, cross the Savannah, feign on Charleston and Augusta, but strike between, breaking en route the Charleston and Augusta Railroad, also a large part of that front Branchville and Camden toward North Carolina, and then rapidly moving to some point of the railroad from Charleston to Wilmington, between the Santee and Cape Fear Rivers; then, communicating with the fleet in the neighborhood of Georgetown, I would turn upon Wilmington or Charleston according to the importance of either. I rather prefer Wilmington, as a live place, over Charleston, which is dead and unimportant when its railroad communications are broken. I take it for granted the present movement on Wilmington will fail, because I know that gun-boats cannot take a fort, and Butler has not the force or the ability to take it. If I should determine to take Charleston I would turn across the country, which I have hunted over many a time, from Santee to Mount Pleasant, throwing one wing on the peninsula between Ashley and Cooper. After accomplishing one or other of these ends I would make a bee-line for Raleigh, or Weldon, when Lee would be forced to come out of Richmond or acknowledge himself beaten. He would, I think, by the use of the Danville railroad, throw himself rapidly between me and Grant, leaving Richmond in the hands of the latter. This would not alarm me, for I have an army which I think can maneuver, and I would force him to attack me at a disadvantage, always under the supposition that Grant would be on his heels; and if the worst came to the worst I could fight my way down to Albemarle Sound or New Berne.

I think the time has come now when we should attempt the boldest moves, and my experience is that they are easier of execution than more timid ones, because the enemy is disconcerted by them—as for instance, my recent campaign. I also doubt the wisdom of concentration beyond a certain point, as the roads of this country limit the amount of men that can be brought to bear in any one battle; and I don't believe any one general can handle more than 60,000 men in battle. I think my campaign of the last month, as well as every step I take from this point northward, is as much a direct attack upon Lee's army as though I were operating within the mound of his artillery. I am very anxious that Thomas should follow up his successes to the very uttermost point. My orders to him before I left Kingston were, after beating Hood, to follow him as far as Columbus, Miss., or Selma, Ala., both of which lie in districts of country which I know to be rich in corn and meat. I attach more importance to these deep incisions into the enemy's country, because this war differs from European wars in this particular. We are not only fighting hostile armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war, as well as their organized armies. I know that this recent movement of mine through Georgia has had a wonderful effect in this respect. Thousands who had been deceived by their lying papers into the belief that we were being whipped all the time, realized the truth, and have no appetite for a repetition of the same experience. To be sure, Jeff. Davis has his people under a pretty good state of discipline, but I think faith in him is much shaken in Georgia; and I think before we are done, South Carolina will not be quite so tempestuous. I will bear in mind your hint as to Charleston, and don't think salt will be necessary. When I move the Fifteenth Corps will be on the right of the Right Wing, and their position will bring them, naturally, into Charleston first; and if you have watched the history of that corps you will have remarked that they generally do their work up pretty well. The truth is the whole army is burning with an insatiable desire to wreak vengeance upon South Carolina. I almost tremble at her fate, but feel that she deserves all that seems in store for her. Many and many a person in Georgia asked me why we did not go to South Carolina, and when I answered that I was en route for that State the invariable reply was, “Well, if you will make those people feel the severities of war, we will pardon you for your desolation of Georgia.” I look upon Columbia as quite as bad as Charleston, and I doubt if we shall spare the public buildings there, as we did at Milledgeville. I have been so busy lately that I have not yet made my official report, and think I had better wait until I get my subordinate reports before attempting it, as I am anxious to explain clearly, not only the reasons for every step, but the amount of execution done, and this I cannot do until I get the subordinate reports; for we marched the whole distance in tour or more columns, and, of course, I could only be present with one, and generally that one engaged in destroying railroads. This work of destruction was performed better than usual, because I had an engineer regiment provided with claws to twist the bars after being heated. Such bars can never be used again, and the only way in which a railroad line can be reconstructed across Georgia will be to make a new road from Fairburn Station, twenty-four miles southwest of Atlanta, to Madison, a distance of 100 miles; and before that can be done I propose to be on the road from Augusta to Charleston, which is a continuation of the same. I felt somewhat disappointed at Hardee's escape from me, but really am not to blame. I moved as quick as possible to close up the “Union Causeway,” but intervening obstacles were such that before I could get my troops on the road Hardee had slipped out. Still, I know that the men that were in Savannah will be lost, in a measure, to Jeff. Davis; for the Georgia troops, under G. W. Smith, declared they would not fight in South Carolina, and have gone north en route for Augusta, and I have reason to believe the North Carolina troops have gone to Wilmington—in other words, they are scattered. I have reason to believe that Beauregard was present in Savannah at the time of its evacuation, and I think he and Hardee are now in Charleston, doubtless making preparations for what they know will be my next step.

Please say to the President that I received his kind message through Colonel Markland, and feel thankful for his high favor. If I disappoint him in the future, it shall not be from want of zeal or love to the cause. Of you I expect a full and frank criticism of my plans for the future, which may enable me to correct errors before it is too late. I do not wish to be rash, but want to give my rebel friends no chance to accuse us of want of enterprise or courage.

Assuring you of my high personal respect, I remain, as ever, your friend,

W. T. SHERMAN,    
Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Chief of Staff of the Army:

GENERAL: This letter was brought by Lieutenant Dunn, of my staff, with the request that I would open and read it, as it contained one or two points which his letter addressed to me does not contain.

Respectfully,
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 44 (Serial No. 92), p. 798-800

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Gustavus V. Fox to Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont, February 28, 1862


Navy Department
March 6” 1862.
My dear Commodore:

I had a long talk with McClellan to-day to see if he had any objections to giving Sherman orders to go ahead with the first programme. I was rather surprised to find that he did not know why it had not been carried out, and upon comparing notes more freely, we both found that we were entirely ignorant of what was going on or intended. Meigs was with us, and he had a letter from Sherman one month old, which seemed to intimate that the other expedition was about to move. Under these circumstances, an order will be given by both Departments, suggesting that the matter go forward at once, unless incompatible with some operation now on hand. I do not think, as I have several times written you, that the Government place much importance upon the acquisition of Savannah, beyond the possession of Pulaski, but the recovery of a whole state is a moral victory that cannot be too highly estimated. The people expected Sherman to march at once upon Savannah or Charleston, which was ridiculous, and impossible, though I think he could have cut the railroad. He and his compeers, expected the gun boats to go directly into the Savannah river, and dash up to the city, which was impossible, so that a month ago he seemed to be waiting for the Navy to go South. In the meantime there is an immense force and the sickly season almost upon us. I look forward to it with dire apprehension. The Nashville has got into Wilmington, Southern accounts say by hoisting the American flag and going through our ships. A regular trade seems to be carried on from Nassau and Havana to some parts of our Southern coasts in small vessels. I suppose it cannot be entirely prevented, of course, but I do not believe they use Charleston and Fernandina as they pretend. There are eight steamers fitting out in England for the Southern coast, and the blockade would give us very serious trouble were it not for the desperate condition of the rebels, owing to their sudden reverses in the west. I think Europe will now withdraw their material aid. The Vermont, having met with serious losses, the extent of which are yet unknown, the Relief is now loading for Port Royal. I hope Lenthall and Harwood keep you well up in ammunition and coal. The resolution for you went through unanimously and I trust we shall obtain for you higher honors yet. The Maratanza “double Ender” is nearly ready at Boston and we will send her down for Rodgers. The Miami steered badly but it was the fault of the constructor at Philadelphia. The Octorara is a gem. We shall get off the Vermont again at the earliest possible moment, but she is not yet saved, and I hear has lost her masts. Any little trophies from your district would be most gratefully received by the members of Congress, and as they constantly ask me for such, I have ventured to ask you to make up a box of the most trifling things. One word more, and good night. Don't write confidential letters upon a former flag officer to your short friend.

Yours most truly,
G. V. FOX.
Flag Officer S. F. DuPont, G. V. FOX.
Comd’g So Atlantic Blockd’g Squadron
Port Royal

SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 109-11

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont to Gustavus V. Fox, January 4, 1862 — 8 p.m.

4th Jany. 8 PM.
Dear Sir

A whale boat is up from Tybee where the Andrew had to put in having broken her rudder a second time. I send off for her. We are fortunate in having a most efficient man in this ship the Chief Engineer, who puts these matters quickly to rights.

The contraband mentioned within is 24 h. later from Savannah than the previous one, who had stated that Como Tattnall was considered too old and this one brings the news of his resignation. A General Harrison reviewed 15,000 men near Savannah — troops are arriving every week from Virginia — guns are still going up on Pulaski and 4 rifle cannon came from Richmond yesterday. They look to losing Savannah and this man also says they are to fire it, while they intend to hold Pulaski. Gillis thinks this man may have been sent as a spy. Except in precision of details and numbers I have great reliance in them — though we know also that a few are faithful. This we know by the signals that are occasionally made from the plantations on the approach of the Gunboats or armed launches.

Yrs truly
S. F. Dupont
Mr. Fox

SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 98

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Commander John Rodgers to Captain Charles Henry Davis, January 4, 1862

Wassaw Sound
Flag. Jan 4th 1861
Dear Davis —

I had a conversation with a contraband on board Gillis vessel who goes up in the Harry Andrew. He has white blood in his veins and is intelligent —name, Thos Franklin I think.

He says he heard that Com. Tattnall has resigned, alleging the infirmities of age. That three of the steamers are sunk in the channel — if so I presume the hulls were worthless, and the engines were wanted. This looks doubtful or rather very improbable. He says Fort Pulaski in which he recently worked as brick layer, (his trade) is well provisioned having five months supply. He says that the walls are badly cracked — that about 3 months ago the flag staff was struck by lightning and the fort was very much damaged by the stroke.

These are the main particulars. He is worth examination.

I write to you this because I do not think Gillis attaches as much importance as I do to this source of information. In war correct news is of so much value that sources of it should be examined. By digging, the clear water of truth will be reached.

It would be well to constitute an inquisitor with full power to torture with questions any unlucky white man or negro whom the misfortunes of war shall bring into his hands. Thus may our faith in the stars and stripes be vindicated.

Yours very truly
JoHN rodgers

SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 97

Monday, June 3, 2019

Commander John Rodgers to Captain Charles Henry Davis, January 2, 1862

[Copy]
Confidential
Flag, Wassaw Sound
Jany 2, 186[2]
Dear Davis

I learn from Isaac Tatnall Gillis, Contraband, who escaped from the Str St. Mary at Savannah to Tybee, 3 weeks ago, that there are 5 Batteries on St. Simon's Island and two on Jekyl Isld. All these batteries are made of railroad iron and palmetto logs, the guns in bomb proofs.

These Batteries may be avoided however in going to Brunswick by entering St. Andrews Sound and passing through the Jekyl Creek with about fathoms at Spring tide. This passage debouches about 2½ miles from the Batteries on Jekyl Isld. The passage through St. Andrews leads to Fernandina. There is but one Battery on Amelia Island, none on Cumberland Isld, the guns having been removed.

The guns on Amelia Isld, old ones brought from St. Augustine, are pointed across the channel towards Cumberland Isld and cannot be brought to bear upon a vessel coming upon them from the inside.

No work has been done on Ft Clinch and no use made of it.

Through Ossabaw Sound, there is a passage to Montgomery, about ten miles from Savannah, with a good road leading to that city.

There is a sand Battery on Green Island, which must be passed in going to Montgomery.

There are no batteries at St. Catherine's Sound nor at Sapelo, Doboy, Altamah nor St. Andrews. There is a battery of 5 guns at St. John's, and one with 4 at Nassau.

Genl Yulee (Query The famous Senator?) commands at Fernandina. In the scramble for the Virginia guns, poor Florida was pushed aside, and left without any. Therefore, and because she cannot get back her troops from Virginia, Isaac thinks the Floridians will not fight with any very good will. About 2000 troops at Fernandina. These people were formerly fed by Steamboat from Savannah through the Romilly marshes which we now block, so that at present they must be fed from Brunswick, by Railroad from Savannah.

Freeborn cut has plenty of water, Isaacs thinks 4 fath. to the Savannah River which it enters about 3 miles below Ft Jackson, and one below the entrance to St. Augustine Creek (See Savannah Chart). About 200 yards from the River, Freeborn's cut has a short double bend. Isaac was in a Steamer with double engines disconnected; by giving away on one paddle and backing with the other, she could scarcely get through; men with lines could have a vessel round. Isaac heard about 2 months ago that a section of the dry dock was sunk in Freeborn Cut. He does not know whether this is so.

Isaac says that Fort Pulaski is badly provisioned, that it depends upon daily supplies from Savannah, and that in a weeks blockade it must fall from starvation.

He can take vessels into the Savannah River at night if desired thro' Freeborn cut or thro' St. Augustine or Wilmington River. These two last names belong to different parts of the same stream, or by ascending through Freeborn cut and coming down St. Augustine Creek, the forts may be approached in a direction they were not intended to resist.

If a force to resist the Georgia Navy can be got into the Savannah River above Fl Pulaski then the fort will be starved sooner or later, and fall without a blow. This will open Savannah River and Savannah to our Guns. Fort Jackson is on our way, but its guns are all en barbette.

By sounding here, we have found only 9 ft water at low tide into Freeborn cut.

After emerging from Freeborn Cut into the Savannah, Isaac thinks 2 fathoms can be carried down and across the river to Venus Point. See Savannah Chart.

The Flag is now between G. Wassaw & Little Tybee Islds blocking Freeborn Cut. The H. Andrew disabled nr Gt Wassaw Battery. The Seminole and Alabama at the entrance of the Romilly marshes.

Isaac has been pilot for years in these waters, he thinks he is worth $1500 — his master got $35 per month for his services. Gillis, I think, scarcely sees his way clear in putting him upon his Books for pay. I do not think he ought to be made to risk his neck for nothing. Gillis said he would enter him, upon my urging it, but I do not think he has done so.

I send the Commodore his chart of Port Royal colored by Mr McCauley and backed. It is, I think neatly done.

All the information I have gleaned from Isaac is interesting to me, and you will I presume find it valuable as confirming or raising doubts, and getting better knowledge thereby, from other sources.

Yours most truly
John Rodgers
Capt. Davis

SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 94-6

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Commandant Samuel F. DuPont to Gustavus V. Fox, December 6, 1861

Confidential.
‘Wabash’ Dec. 6, 61.
Port Royal, SC
My Dear Sir

Raymond Rodgers returned this morning from a splendid reconnaissance of the Wassaw Inlet strangely overlooked heretofore by the Coast Survey. He had Stevens, Ammen and Bankhead's vessels, found 21 f. on the bar, went up ten miles from it and saw the steeples of Savannah.

Boldly advancing on the fort, to his astonishment he found it abandoned like those in St. Helena Sound. Eight heavy guns had been removed — the magazine blown up, the beds and circles broken. The Fort now building is on Wilmington Creek near a Coast Survey triangulation station and ten miles from Savannah.

Now my Dear friend I want to make a point as the Japanese express it. We are you will see going more and more into the flanks of the rebels, driving them from these coast defences and keeping up our prestige I think, — but alas my vessels are so spread and absorbed, that we have to come out of these places again. Drayton is holding all the St. Helena waters and the Dale is to be the depot ship — at Otter island and keeping up this demonstration off Savannah by the ships in Tybee roads is right also, — and now comes Wassaw, and I believe (I don't know) that Ossabaw and the rest of the Coast of Georgia will be ready to fall into our hands. This you will remember was the regular plan of the Department, but I never thought I could carry it out so fast — then again we were to begin at the lower end and work up, but having made this great breach in the centre, by the occupation of Port Royal, we are working towards both ends at the same time.

Mr. Welles and Yrself have been so kind that I dislike to be troubling you for more vessels — but besides the above disposition of them, the constant and necessary repairs to every steam vessel are more frequent and consume more time than you have any idea of. I don't want to say anything of a most remarkable ignorance which seems to prevail among some of my fine fellows here in handling vessels in a tide way, so that our collisions are more frequent than they should be, hence more tinkering.

Your stone fleet has arrived, and so far as Savannah is concerned anticipated — besides Tattnall is doing the work for us and I sent to Missroon to get him word if he could, that we would supply him with a half dozen vessels to help his obstructions off Pulaski. I have written to Lardner about the Charleston bar and have ordered the fleet in here in the meantime. They doubt less caused an awful fright in Savannah yesterday and certainly captured Wassaw. It is wonderful how safely they came. One encountered a water spout, which took his sails out of him. One or two got into Tybee just in time to go down. One in a sinking condition was towed to the beach for a breakwater and wharf.

I thought the inside of the Light House had been burnt, by an incendiary, but it was more likely the result of spontaneous combustion. The new frame barracks most comfortable structures were spared. These barracks seem to be holding out imploring looks, to be occupied by our troops! What I write is about our business, but I yearn to see Savannah and Charleston taken — then the neck of the foul thing will be broken.

Davis and Rodgers send their warm regards to you. We are all three excessively busy but very happy.

Yours most truly
S. F. DuPONT
G. V. Fox Esq.
Washington

P.S.

Could you not take a holiday and run down and see us here? You always bring us good luck.

S. F. DP.

I have been told a brigade goes to Beaufort! Glad to hear of any movement, but Beaufort is not Savannah, nor the way to get to it.

SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 76-8

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Major-General David Hunter to Edwin M. Stanton, April 3, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, Port Royal; S.C., April 3, 1862.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival here on the 30th ultimo. I address you by the first opportunity since my arrival.

I find about 17,000 troops scattered along the coast from Saint Augustine, Fla., to North Edisto Inlet, South Carolina, distributed as follows:

At Saint Augustine, Fla.
200
At Jacksonville, Fla.
1,400
At mouth of Saint John's River, Fla.
70
At Fernandina, Fla.
900
At Tybee Island, Ga.
2,200
At Daufuskie Island, S. C.
1,600
At Bird Island, S. C.
300
At Jones Island, S. C.
300
At Hilton Head, S. C.
4,500
At Bay Point, S. C.
80
At Beaufort, S. C.
3,600
At Otter Island, S. C.
450
At North Edisto River, S. C.
1,400

17,000

It is my opinion that this force is entirely too much scattered and is subject to be cut off in detail.
I shall order an abandonment of Jacksonville, Fla., and the re-enforcement of Forts Marion and Clinch. From later accounts I may add the Union feeling in Florida is not so strong as we were first induced to believe.

The batteries for opening on Fort Pulaski have been retarded by the non-arrival of the necessary guns, ammunition, &c. But Captain Gillmore, who deserves great credit for his untiring and scientific exertions, is now nearly ready, and by the next steamer I hope to be able to announce to you the fall of Pulaski. We then shall be able to hold the Savannah River with a small force and to concentrate on Charleston.

General Sherman made a requisition in December for five steamers drawing not more than 6 feet each. He informs me that they were purchased for him and sent from New York, but put into Hatteras in a storm, and are there detained by General Burnside. We are still very much in want of these light-draught boats, and, as we have but three wagons to a regiment, they are absolutely essential.

On my leaving Washington you had the kindness to promise me whatever force I might ask. We shall do all that men can do with the small force we have; but it distresses me to be in such a beautiful situation for striking strong blows without the arms to strike. I beg that you will send us at once as many men as you think we can use to advantage, as all the officers in command report the re-enforcement of the enemy on their respective fronts.

I most earnestly request that 50,000 muskets, with all the necessary accouterments, and 200 rounds for each piece, may be sent to me at once, with authority to arm such loyal men as I can find in the country, whenever, in my opinion, they can be used advantageously against the enemy.

It is important that I should be able to know and distinguish these men at once, and for this purpose I respectfully request that 50,000 pairs of scarlet pantaloons may be sent me; and this is all the clothing I shall require for these people.

I believe the rebel regiments as they retreat from the Army of the Potomac come directly to their respective States and that in this way the force opposed to us here is becoming considerably augmented.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 D. HUNTER,
 Major-General, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 2 (Serial No. 123), p. 27-8

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, April 15, 1862

Beaufort, S. C. April 15th, 1862.
My dear Mother:

Not wishing you to be exposed to disappointment, I must write a few brief lines by the mail that I have just learned will leave here in a short time. I have hardly anything to write beside the delight at the news received by latest advices. The fall of No. 10, the battle at Corinth, and the surrender of Pulaski are a rare combination of good things to come at one time. I can give you no particulars regarding the bombardment at Pulaski, as it was expected to continue several days, and the General consequently postponed visiting the scene of action until it was too late. The newspapers, however, will be full of the matter, I suppose, and will be loud in their praises of General Hunter, though he had really nothing whatever to do with it. The whole affair was prepared under the Sherman regime, and to it belongs the credit. The one immediately deserving of credit is General Gilmore who has had the direct superintendence of the matter.

We are hoping for reinforcements soon from the North, feeling, as we do, unwilling to enter into summer without having contributed something to the glory and success of our cause. But we are half relinquishing the hope that the Government considers our little post in other light than a good field for emancipation experiments. I am sorry to say I do not feel great sympathy in the efforts made at present in that line — not that I do not feel the necessity of the question's being settled, or do not feel the same interest that others do in the question itself. I am delighted to think that the time has come when slavery has lost its power, and something is to be done for the regeneration of the negro, but believe the question to be one of such delicacy, and requiring in its solution such rare wisdom, that I can not but be filled with extreme disgust at the character of the agents employed. I do believe that there is hardly one of them who would have the slightest chance of success in anything but professional philanthropy. A more narrow-minded pack of fools I rarely ever met. Instead of showing the necessary qualities for the position, they seem to care for nothing but their miserable selves. There is undoubtedly some good leaven in the mass, but, could you see them, the men especially, I do not think they would command your sympathies much. I suppose such preliminary experiments have to be made though, before any systematic plan can be adopted for the general amelioration of the mass. I do wish though there were more unselfish ones among them, and a few more acquainted with worldly matters. The ladies are by far the best part, for they mostly came down under excitement, or determined to do good. Here's a pretty dish of scandal, truly, but I get exasperated sometimes.

I am much obliged to Hattie for her kind offer to make the flag for me. Any such evidence of kindly feeling is appreciated, I assure you, down here.

A steamer lies embedded in the sand a short distance from the shore. I think it has some mail matter aboard, so I watch it impatiently.

Good-bye, dear Mother, love to all and believe me,

Affectionately,
Your son,
Will.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 140-2

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Horace Barnard, April 12, 1862

Beaufort, S. C. April 12th, 1862.

I hardly know how, writing from peaceful Beaufort, I can find themes so exciting as to gratify the tastes of the public, used to tales of victories purchased at bloody rates; yet the importance of the work now quietly being wrought at Beaufort must not be underrated.

Here too, as well as on the splendid fields of the West, the spirit of John Brown is marching on. Toward the close of last autumn our troops entered Beaufort, then deserted by its inhabitants, and looking sad and desolate. Now the winter has passed away and the spring is far advanced. Nature has put on her most lovable hues. The dense dark foliage of the pine and the magnolia harmoniously mingle with the bright new leaves of the forest. The streets of the city are once more busy with life. Vessels float in the harbor. Plantations are being cultivated. Wharves are being built. Business is prosperous. And the quondam proud resort of the proudest of Aristocrats is being inundated with Yankees acquainted with low details regarding Dollars and Cents. There are all sorts of Yankee ventures in town, from the man with the patent armor recommended by McClellan, which no one buys, to the enterprising individual who manufactures pies in the old Connecticut style, and who has laid the foundation of an immense fortune. Even the "one only man of Beaufort," catching the spirit of trade, displays a few dingy wares in a shop-window. “But why,” the impatient public asks, “is our Army so far away from Savannah?” “Strategy, my dear public,” I answer. Can anything be more beautiful than the strategy of our Leaders, which strips war of its terrors and makes it so eminently safe? Tell me, if Mars chooses to beat his sword into a ploughshare, and devote himself to the cultivation of sea-island cotton, and invites live Yankees to assist him therein, ought not the satire of the thing to please the restless spirit of John Brown and excite it to renewed efforts in its great performance of marching on? Now there is no doubt that our Army ought long ago to have been in possession of both Charleston and Savannah. Common sense teaches us that much, although we know nothing whatever of military affairs forsooth, and still less of the peculiar circumstances which happen to govern the action of our Generals. Well, when we see matters in this condition, common sense teaches us that the proper remedy is to decapitate incompetency, and to put the "right man in the right place." The proper time for doing this is when, after long and earnest labor, a Commander is seen to be ready to strike a blow. Then is the moment to clamor loudly for his dismissal, and insist that another be put in his place, and when this one shall reap the harvest his predecessor sowed, we will all nod our heads approvingly at such evidence of our own ineffable wisdom. This is decidedly the most pleasant mode of proceeding for a public unacquainted with military matters but governed by common sense, and it is so satisfactory to all parties concerned, excepting perhaps the poor devil that gets decapitated. This, however, is a digression, intended possibly as a sort of “hÓ•c fabula docet” derived from the recent capture of Pulaski. So, to return —

Oh, darn it all, my dear Horace, I'll send the subscription price of the Evening Post without further delay. Here I've been floundering around, using up whole reams of paper trying to work up a newspaper style, but I have only succeeded in getting together a vast amount of material to kindle fires with. I thought I was doing beautifully when I commenced this, but, becoming disgusted with myself, I have concluded to give you the benefit of the production and spare the public. Thanks many times for your long, kind letter. You don't know how enjoyable it was. It has got to be late at night and soldiers must rise early you know. I have just been reading over this epistle and see that I have been making a feeble effort to be funny. Prithee forgive me. I didn't mean to. Give my love to Cousin Lou, Miss Hattie, Anima Mia, Miss Alice (if it be proper), and friends upon Murray Hill.

Very afFec'y.,
Will Lusk.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 138-40

Monday, August 29, 2016

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, January 27, 1862

Jan. 27th.

We find all sorts of communication with home fairly cut off. Gen. Sherman has been long planning some expedition against Fort Pulaski. At length it has started from Hilton Head, and Gen. Sherman, with his characteristic caution has closed all communication, fearful that otherwise, through letter, or in some other manner his plans might be revealed. I trust when the embargo is raised, the same steamer that carries this to you, will bear accounts of some new success from our expedition.

I am sorry Uncle Phelps is disappointed that he did not have the pleasure of reading my name in print. Why, I read the other day (in the Herald), how I commanded an enterprise at which I was not even present. So much for newspaper glory! After Bull Run, numbers who never left New York, had themselves puffed for gallant conduct by a mercenary press. Pooh! Mother, your reputation outside the circle of those who can see, is not worth the words that picture it. I have to laugh when I think of Brig.-Gen. of the Irish Brigade, and the affrighted Captain beating a quick retreat from Bull Run, swearing that the South had fought well and deserved its independence — that it was useless to resist a free people, and the sooner we recognize the South the better.

Since then has become a great hero, by the mighty powers of quackery.

Well, dear Mother, Good-bye.

Yours affectionately,
W. T. Lusk.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 119-20

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Diary of William Howard Russell: May 1, 1861

May Day, — Not unworthy of the best effort of English fine weather before the change in the calendar robbed the poets of twelve days, but still a little warm for choice. The young American artist Moses, who was to have called our party to meet the officers who were going to Fort Pulaski, for some reason known to himself remained on board the Camilla, and when at last we got down to the river side I found Commodore Tatnall and Brigadier Lawton in full uniform waiting for me.

The river is about the width of the Thames below Gravesend, very muddy, with a strong current, and rather fetid. That effect might have been produced from the rice-swamps at the other side of it, where the land is quite low, and stretches away as far as the sea in one level green, smooth as a billiard-cloth. The bank at the city side is higher, so that the houses stand on a little eminence over the stream, affording convenient wharfage and slips for merchant vessels.

Of these there were few indeed visible—nearly all had cleared out for fear of the blockade; some coasting vessels were lying idle at the quay side, and in the middle of the stream near a floating dock the Camilla was moored, with her club ensign flying. These are the times for bold ventures, and if Uncle Sam is not very quick with his blockades, there will be plenty of privateers and the like under C. S. A. colors, looking out for his fat merchantmen all over the world.

I have been trying to persuade my friends here they will find very few Englishmen willing to take letters of marque and reprisal.

The steamer which was waiting to receive us had the Confederate flag flying, and Commodore Tatnall, pointing to a young officer in a naval uniform, told me he had just “come over from the other side,” and that he had pressed hard to be allowed to hoist a Commodore or flag-officer's ensign in honor of the visit and of the occasion. I was much interested in the fine white-headed, blue-eyed, ruddy-cheeked old man — who suddenly found himself blown into the air by a great political explosion, and in doubt and wonderment was floating to shore, under a strange flag in unknown waters. He was full of anecdote too, as to strange flags in distant waters and well-known names. The gentry of Savannah had a sort of Celtic feeling towards him in regard of his old name, and seemed determined to support him.

He has served the Stars and Stripes for three fourths of a long life — his friends are in the North, his wife's kindred are there, and so are all his best associations — but his State has gone out. How could he fight against the country that gave yhim birth! The United States is no country, in the sense we understand the words. It is a corporation or a body corporate for certain purposes, and a man might as well call himself a native of the common council of the city of London, or a native of the Swiss Diet, in the estimation of our Americans, as say he is a citizen of the United States; though it answers very well to say so when he is abroad, or for purposes of a legal character.

Of Fort Pulaski itself I wrote on my return a long account to the “Times.”

When I was venturing to point out to General Lawton the weakness of Fort Pulaski, placed as it is in low land, accessible to boats, and quite open enough for approaches from the city side, he said, “Oh, that is true enough. All our seacoast works are liable to that remark, but the Commodore will take care of the Yankees at sea, and we shall manage them on land.” These people all make a mistake in referring to the events of the old war. “We beat off the British fleet at Charleston by the militia — ergo, we'll sink the Yankees now.” They do not understand the nature of the new shell and heavy vertical fire, or the effect of projectiles from great distances falling into works. The Commodore afterwards, smiling, remarked, “I have no fleet. Long before the Southern Confederacy has a fleet that can cope with the Stars and Stripes, my bones will be white in the grave.”

We got back by eight o'clock, P. M., after a pleasant day. What I saw did not satisfy me that Pulaski was strong, or Savannah very safe. At Bonaventure, yesterday, I saw a poor fort, called “Thunderbolt,” on an inlet from which the city was quite accessible. It could be easily menaced from that point, while attempts at landing were made elsewhere, as soon as Pulaski is reduced. At dinner met a very strong and very well-informed Southerner — there are some who are neither — or either — whose name was spelled Gourdin, and pronounced Go-dine — just as Huger is called Hugee—and Tagliaferro, Telfer, in these parts.

SOURCE: William Howard Russell, My Diary North and South, p. 155-7

Monday, March 23, 2015

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: April 11, 1862

The "Virginia" went out again to-day. The Federal Monitor would not meet her, but ran to Fortress Monroe, either for protection, or to tempt her under the heavy guns of the fortress; but she contented herself by taking three brigs and one schooner, and carrying them to Norfolk, with their cargoes. Soldiers are constantly passing through town. Every thing seems to be in preparation for the great battle which is anticipated on the Peninsula.

Fort Pulaski has surrendered to the enemy's gun-boats. The garrison fought until several breaches were made. They then surrendered, and are now prisoners. Lord, have them in thy holy keeping!

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 106

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Diary of Josephine Shaw Lowell: April 15, 1862

A year since Lincoln's Proclamation, in which he says that the object of the 75,000 men was to repossess the forts of the United States, and today we hear of the unconditional surrender of Pulaski, one of the strongest, and the defense of Savannah. Yorktown is still untaken and we hear nothing of the Merrimac, except reported bursting of shells, running ashores, etc., etc., none of which are probably true. I heard today of Wendell's promotion to a captaincy. He told me in Boston that he only wanted to be captain for the sake of leading the men in battle, and now he will soon have his wish. Poor Mother is very low spirited and of course must be, for Rob is in continual danger, as his Regiment is acting as skirmishers, scouts, etc. She was speaking yesterday of not being able to do anything “until she had heard.” I suppose it is to hear that Rob is shot.

SOURCE: William Rhinelander Stewart, The Philanthropic Work of Josephine Shaw Lowell, p. 24-5

Saturday, December 7, 2013

New York, May 17 [1862].

The steamer Atlantic, from Port Royal 14th, has arrived.  Among the passengers is Gen. Gilmore, who commanded at the reduction of Fort Pulaski.

The Steamer Planter had arrived at Charleston, run away with a contraband pilot and crew.

The Great Eastern is below.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

Friday, November 15, 2013

General Robert E. Lee to Col. G. W. Custis Lee, February 23, 1862

SAVANNAH, 23d February, 1862.

My Dear Son:

I have received your letter of the 12th and am glad you have returned safely from the Rappahannock. I hope your visit was satisfactory. I am sorry your arrangement for sending on Richmond failed, and especially for the trouble he occasioned everybody. He is a troublesome fellow and dislikes to associate with strange horses. He expresses it more in words than acts, and if firmly treated becomes quiet at last. I know his propensity to squeal on such occasions and can imagine how unacceptable he made himself to strangers. I carried him in the car with all our horses to and from western Virginia without accident or harm. He might as well wait now, and I hope you can make him useful to you. The expense of hiring a man and car to get him to me would not be indemnified by the use to me. I have two horses. Col. W. has been here, as you may have learned, and I should judge from his manner everything was agreeable to him. He took his departure two days since, and I sent by him an afghan or robe, knit for me by Miss "Tattie" Clinch, which is too pretty to have in camp. I desired him to give it to you and I wish you would send it to your mother or put it away somewhere, and ask her to keep it for me. I have heard of Mary's return from Norfolk, and I hope she is now with her mother. In these times of trouble I am always anxious about those away from me. The victories of the enemy increase and consequently the necessity of increased energy and activity on our part. Our men do not seem to realize this, and the same supineness and carelessness of their duty continue. If it will have the effect of arousing them and imparting an earnestness and boldness to their work, it will be beneficial to us. If not we shall be overrun for a time, and must make up our minds to great suffering. Here the enemy seems to be slowly making his way to the Savannah River through the creeks and marshes, and his shells now interrupt its navigation. We have nothing that floats that can contend with him, and it is grating to see his progress unopposed by any resistance we can make. The communication with Fort Pulaski is cut. That may in time be reduced, but I am constructing batteries at Fort Jackson which, if our men will fight, will give him trouble to get to the city. His batteries are so numerous and strong that I know they are hard to resist, but if we have the time and guns they ought if vulnerable to be beaten off. Their barges and reconnoitering boats are even clad with iron, so that our musket and rifle balls are harmless. The work progresses slowly and it is with the utmost difficulty that it is pushed ahead. I had until lately supposed Charleston would have been first attacked, but now it seems they are concentrating here. We are stronger in C. than here. The creeks that intersect the marshes through with the waters of Port Royal Harbor to the north and Warsaw Sound on the south are a great element of weakness, and indeed the facilities the arms or branches of these waters afford for approach and investment in all directions make it one of the hardest places to defend I ever saw, against light draft boats. The tide rises seven and eight feet, so it is easy to propel their boats over the mud. This will be plain to you who know the topography of the place. Your friends here are all well and frequently inquire after you. Mrs. Wm. H. Stiles has come down, since Mrs. Lord's return to her children. I now hear that Mr. Lord is released on parole in Baltimore. I do not know if it is true. Remember me to all friends, my dear son, and give much love to your mother, Fitzhugh, and all the girls. I hope you will be able to attend to the business matters without distress to yourself or neglect of your duty. All must be sacrificed to the country. May God protect you and shield you from all harm.

Your devoted father,
R. E. LEE.
COL. G. W. CUSTIS LEE.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 161-2

Monday, November 11, 2013

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, February 8, 1862

Savannah, Georgia, February 8, 1862.

I wrote you the day I left Coosawhatchie. I have been here ever since endeavoring to push forward the works for the defense of the city. Guns are scarce as well as ammunition. I shall have to bring up batteries from the coast, I fear, to provide for this city. Our enemies are trying to work their way through the creeks and soft marshes along the interior of the coast, which communicate with the sounds and sea, through which the Savannah flows, and thus avoid the entrance to the river, commanded by Fort Pulaski. Their boats require only seven feet of water to float them, and the tide rises seven feet, so that at high water they can work their way and rest on the mud at low tide. I hope, however, we shall be able to stop them, and my daily prayer to the Giver of all victory is to enable us to do so. We must make up our minds to meet with reverses and overcome them. But the contest must be long, and the whole country has to go through much suffering. It is necessary we should be humble and taught to be less boastful, less selfish, and more devoted to right and justice to all the world.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 158-9

Thursday, May 9, 2013

From Washington

NEW YORK, Feb. 3.

The Tribune’s special stated that letters continue to be received from eminent bankers, favoring the “legal tender bill.”  There is no reason to believe that Gen. Butler was assured before he left Washington that he should have a Major General’s commission as well as the title.  He will land several brigades at a point on the Southern coast not now occupied by Union soldiers.  The capture will be more important than any yet made.

Secretary Stanton insisted that Butler should have what he wanted, although McClellan disapproved of it.

Fort Pulaski is now thoroughly invested.  Gen. Sherman has daily repots of all that is done there, and will take the place when he chooses to attack.


Time’s Dispatch

A movement is making here by members of Congress from the West and Northwest, headed by Frank Blair and Mr. Arnold to have Gen. Sigel made a Major General, and it will probably be successful.


Herald’s Dispatch

The select committee on the defence and fortifications of the great lakes and rivers are prepared to make a report.  They will recommend the erection of such fortifications at Mackinaw as will make it the Gibraltar, as it is nearly the key of our Northwestern frontier.  Their report will provide also for the establishment of a naval depot and National armory upon Lake Michigan, probably at or near Chicago, and that preparations to be immediately made for the accumulation of the necessary arms and munitions to arm the whole of the American vessels engaged in the commerce of the northern lakes.

It is estimated that there are in this trade 1,200 American vessels to 300 British and 15,000 American sailors to 3,000 British.  It is represented by the committee that the majority of the population of the loyal States is west of the Alleghany mountains; that the line of lake coast exceeds the whole length of our Atlantic coast, and that our commerce on the lakes is greater than our whole foreign trade.  To complete the defences and render communications with all parts of the Northwest secure form interruption by a foreign foe, it will also be recommended that a military railroad shall be immediately constructed from the mouth of the Menomonie River or Badenouquet, on Lake Michigan, to Marquette, on Lake Superior, and that a ship canal shall be built from Chicago to the Mississippi River.  It is said that these recommendations have the approval of Gen. McClellan.  The report will probably be made on Tuesday.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2

It is known that a number of Southern secessionists are in Canada, whose business is to collect money from sympathizing friends, and to forward and received dispatches from Europe, and place them in such secret channels that they may reach their ultimate destination.  It is not likely that such proceedings will be much longer continued.

Lieut. Col. Sir P. Windham, late commanding 2d brigade of the Italian army, has been appointed Colonel of the Michigan regiment of Lancers.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 3

So vast an army has been martialed in this District, that no proper arrangements have been made for even a decent interment of those who die in our hospitals. – This matter is under consideration, and will receive the immediate attention of Congress.

The result of the examination recently instituted by telegraph interests shows that the number of messages transmitted over the lines during the past year was 2,800,000, yielding a total revenue of $15,220,000.  Should Congress in the next tax bill impose 3 cents on each message, a little over $84,000 would be realized from that source, or 5½ per cent. on the aggregate amount of business.

The following communication has been received at the Navy Department from Capt. John Marston, dated U. S. steamer Roanoke, Hampton Roads, Feb. 1st:

“I have the honor to report to you the arrival, during the past night of the bark Gemsbock, from Beaufort, N. C.  Capt. Coventry informs me that on Tuesday, 28th, he heard heavy firing in the rear of Beaufort, but he has no conjecture from when it proceeded.

“Capt. Coventry also reports that on Thursday, 30th Jan., at 9 o’clock in the morning, while off Roanoke Inlet, he heard heavy firing in the direction of Roanoke Island, which leaves no doubt in my mind that flag officer Goldsborough is at work.”

Representatives of the telegraphic interests now here, have suggested to the committee of ways and means their readiness to pay a tax on their messages and thus contribute to the support of the government.

The chairman of the ways and means committee, Mr. Stevens, will endeavor to bring the House to a vote on the Treasury bill on Thursday.

Representative Hooper’s speech to-day, was listened to with marked attention, it being considered a clear exposition of the views of the Treasury Department on the financial question.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The New York papers publish statements . . .

. . . that a new channel entering the Savannah river has been discovered by which Fort Pulaski can be avoided and the city captured without much difficulty.  It would have been better to have taken the town than to have told us how it might have been done.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Special to New York Papers

(Times Special.)

WASHINGTON, April 8. – Gen. T. W. Sherman just relieved by Gen. Hunter, arrived here to-day from Port Royal and reported himself at the War Department.  He expresses the opinion that before this Fort Pulaski has been attacked and has no doubts of its final capture.

A General who arrived here from Port Royal yesterday says several contrabands who came within our lines a few days since and reported that they were direct from Charleston, and that the people of that city were fearing an attack from our forces, and complained bitterly that nearly all their troops were in Virginia, and in the west.

Maj. S. W. Crawford was nominated by the President to-day, to the Senate as Brigadier General of Volunteers.

The Times correspondent writes from Liverpool Point, April 8th, that several Virginians belonging to Falworth, Fredericksburg, and Stafford, have come over to Liverpool Point.  They say that the reconnoissance created the most intense excitement at Fredericksburg.  Every vehicle capable of transporting goods was bro’t into requisition; while whole families left for Richmond, leaving everything behind them.  Orders were given by Gen. Walker, commandant at Fredericksburg, for all his available force to leave immediately for Brookstown, along the line of the railroad, and repel the advance of the invaders.  They also report a battle having been fought between 500 Texas cavalry and Sickles’ entire forces, just before entering Stafford; they put down Sickles’ loss at 350 and their own as only 13.  The effective force of the rebels between Fredericksburg and Acquia Creek is less than four thousand; beyond Fredericksburg to Richmond, probably ten thousand including a few batteries of artillery.

There was no scarcity of provisions.

Confederate bonds can be bought for 5 cents on the dollar.  Shin plasters issued by banks and private parties are of more value, commanding a hundred dollars in specie for every thousand dollars.

It is said to be the intention of the Confederate Government to abandon Virginia unless the people of the State render more aid of men and money.

Gen Wigfall commands a brigade five miles from Fredericksburg.  He has had a serious misunderstanding with the General commanding Holla, and has accordingly forwarded to Richmond his resignation.

All men supposed to be for the Union are relieved of their property with impunity, and no redress can be had.  In consequence of this most Union men are very quiet.

During the embarking of our troops from Liverpool Point a large number of Maryland slave holders lined the shore on horseback, said to be looking for lost slaves.

No slaves from Maryland or Virginia were allowed to go on board our transports.  Some few negroes were taken as servants.  There were about 800 female slaves left at Liverpool Point and Mulatto Woman Creek without any protection.  Some of the slave owners threaten to make trouble.


(Special to World.)

WASHINGTON, April 9. – The World’s correspondence at Warrenton brings the following to-day:

The advance forces are now resting on the Rappahannock, our pickets extending to that stream.  The railroad is now in running order to Cedar Run, within two miles of Warrenton Junction and thirteen miles from the Rappahannock River.  It will take several days to complete the bridge over Cedar Run, as the recent storm has swollen all the streams very much. – Neither Bull nor Cedar Run can be forded at present, and no troops can move except by rail.

The cavalry pickets extend some distance south-east of Brentsville, and skirmishes with the rebel scouts are of daily occurrence.

As the army proceeds south the country begins to present fewer of the ravages of the enemy, though in no vicinity has there yet been discovered sufficient supplies to support either the men or horses for more than one day.

The reports of the enemy’s position are indefinite and uncertain.  Contrabands and refugees from Fauquier and Culpepper say that the rebel army have dwindled greatly in its proportions, and that it is retreating upon Richmond as fast as possible, leaving nothing but scouts and guerrillas in its rear to watch our movements.  It would seem from this that the rebels are not reinforcing Magruder, and intend to make a stand this side of Richmond.


(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

It is understood that the Department of the South, of which Gen. Hunter has been put in command, will be thoroughly re-organized.  Gen. Sherman will be followed North by his Brigadier Generals Wright and Viele; but it is unknown who will fill the place they vacate.

It is also believed that Gen. Hunter will rightfully treat South Carolina and Georgia as rebels, and not as sovereign States.

The Senate to-day ratified two treaties, the commercial treaty with the Ottoman Porte, and the Mexican extradition treaty, negotiated by Minister Corwin.

The former, which is extremely liberal in its provisions, provides for its continuance for 50 years.  One stipulation of the latter is to the effect that the frontier States, the respective parties shall deliver up persons for whose surrender application is made without delay and expense of an appeal to Washington or the City of Mexico, elicited much discussion, and finally passed by barely one more than the constitutional majority, 27 to 13.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3