Commandant Samuel L. Breese to Acting Lieutenant Gustavus V. Fox, April 25, 1861

Navy Yard New York

April 25 1861.

Sir,

You are hereby appointed an Acting Lieutenant in the Navy, temporarily, and will take command of the Steamer "Yankee" now fitting at this Yard for service. All persons on board are required to obey you accordingly.

Respectfully yours &c.

Sam^l L. Breese

Commd^t.

Mr. G. V. Fox,

New York

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. 36

The Gun Boats Shell the Batteries at Aquia Creek -- Great Amount of Rebel Arms Recovered -- Gen. McClellan’s Address to his Soldiers.

WASHINGTON, March 15. – The steamer Yankee arrived at the Navy Yard and took on board a quantity of shell, yesterday.

She then, with the Anacosta [sic], proceeded to shell the rebel batteries at Aquia Creek.  The enemy replied briskly with their guns, but failed to reach the Yankee, although they made several excellent shots.

One shell struck but a short distance from the Yankee, in direct range with her wheel house.  The heavy guns of the Yankee enable her to lay off out of range and drop her shells with precision into the batteries.

After firing some time the Yankee and Anacosta hauled off without being struck.  It is thought the rebels are removing their stores, ordnance, &c., from Aquia Creek.

The batteries at the Potomac Creek are still occupied by the rebels.  The Yankee has recovered a portion of the iron works of the burned rebel steamer Page.

A large number of splendid guns have been recovered which were left by the rebels in their upper batteries.  Yesterday the Leslie brought up from the Evansport battery a 7½ inch rifled gun, throwing a 128 pound shell.

Cannon of the very best description are daily being found in the river at the various batteries.

Many of these, together with a large amount of loaded shell, are being brought up to the Navy Yard.

GEN. M’CLELLAN’S ADDRESS TO HIS SOLDIERS.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

FAIRFAX C. H., March 14.

Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac:

For a long time I have kept you inactive, but not without a purpose.  You were to be disciplined, armed and instructed.  The formidable artillery you now have, had to be created.  Other armies were to move and accomplish certain results.  I have held you back that you might give the death blow to the rebellion which has distracted this once happy country.  The patience you have shown, and your confidence in your General, are worth a dozen victories.  These preliminary results are now accomplished.  I feel that the patient labors of many moths have produced their fruit.  The army of the Potomac is now a real army; magnificent in material, admirable in discipline and instruction, and excellently armed and equipped.  Your commanders are all that I could wish.

The moment for action has arrived and I know that I can trust in you to save our country.  As I ride through your ranks, I see in your faces the sure prestige of victory.  I feel that you will do whatever I ask of you.  The period of inaction is past.  I will bring you now face to face with the rebels and only say that “May God defend the right.”  In whatever direction I may move; however strange my actions may appear to you, ever bear in mind that my fate is linked with yours, and that all I do is to bring you where I know you wish to be, on the decisive battle-field.

It is my business to place you there.  I am to watch over you as a parent over his children, and you know that your General loves you from the depths of his soul.

It shall be my care, as it has ever been, to gain success with the least loss; but I know that if it is necessary you will willingly follow me to our graves for our righteous cause.  God smiles upon us; victory attends us.  Yet I would not have you think that our aim is to be obtained without a struggle.  I will not disguise it from you that you have brave foes to encounter – foemen well worthy of the steel which you will use so well.  I shall demand from you great and heroic exertions, rapid and long marches, desperate conflicts and privations.

We will share all these together, and when this sad war is over, we will all return to our homes and feel that we can ask no higher honor than the proud consciousness that we belonged to the Army of the Potomac.

(Signed)

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major General Commanding.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

From the Potomac

WASHINGTON, March 28.

The steamer Yankee arrived from below last night; and reports that on Monday evening two boats’ crews from her landed at Shipping Point, to remove the guns left by the rebels; but while so engaged, a squadron of rebel cavalry, said to be the Dumfries cavalry, numbering 1,500 men, made their appearance on the hill, and our men pulled off, after securing two guns, one a 9-inch Dahlgren, and the other a long 32-pounder, both smooth bore, which were brought up to the yard, and were found to be double shotted.

The Yankee fell out into the stream on the appearance of the enemy, and turned her guns upon them, but they retired and kept out of range.  The Yankee brought up in addition to the two rebel guns, one hundred and sixty-nine 9-inch shells, loaded, and four hundred 6-inch shells, unloaded, which were taken from the rebel batteries at Evansport.  The rebels have left the saw mill untouched, and there is sufficient timber at the mill to make quarters for several thousand men.

Two deserters came from Aquia Creek a short time since, who state that large numbers of rebel troops are congregating at the Rappahannock, where they will make a stand.

Contrabands are coming in daily to the vicinity of Dumfries, and were sent over to the Maryland shore.  Refugees also find their way to the flotilla from day to day.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 24.

The Senate in executive session to-day confirmed the nomination of Horatio King, ex-Postmaster General, as one of the commissioners under the act for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. – The Board will organize immediately.

Mr. Hutchins’ resolution censuring Mr. Vallandigham for alleged violation of the rules and decorum of the House, by making use of denunciatory language against Senator Wade, after quoting from the latter’s recent speech in the Senate, will com up to-morrow for final action.

The participants in the colloquy, Messrs. Vallandigham and Blake, exhibited intense earnestness. The scene for a while was exceedingly spirited, but abruptly terminated by adjournment.

The ratifications of the Seward-Lyons treaty for suppression of the African salve trade, will soon be exchanged. The main points are, mutual right of search without regard to the number of vessels to be emptied, and the summary trial and punishment of those engaged in illegal traffic.

The Yankee has arrived from the neighborhood of Fredericksburg, and reports that one day this week the [Anacostia] while passing Lowry’s point, on the Rappahannock, was fired into by a small body of rebel infantry. She threw a few shells at them which caused them to rapidly disperse. The flotilla is still actively engaged in seizing rebel crafts. It has captured 16 schooners.


WASHINGTON, April 24.

The Senate to-day by unanimous vote ratified the Seward Lyons treaty recently negotiated for the suppression of the slave trade.

The French Minister, after his return here, visited the State Department and had a long interview with Seward.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 26, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 22.

The Select Committee, to whom was referred the question of the loyalty of Senator Stark, of Oregon, reported to-day that he is disloyal to the Government of the United States, having found that for many months prior to this that he was an ardent advocate of the rebel cause, and after the formation of the rebel constitution openly declared his admirations for it, and warmly avowed his sympathy with the rebel cause.

A caucus of the Republicans in Congress is called for to-morrow night.

Gen. Wadsworth, the military Governor, has issued an order requiring all farm stock in Prince William, Loudon, Alexandria and Fairfax counties, Va., to be confined and carefully guarded, the destruction of the fences rendering this measure necessary for the cultivation of the land.

The oath of allegiance has been administered to Mansfield S. Walworth, Saratoga county, N. Y., a political prisoner at the old capital prison. He also gave his parole of honor that he would not aid the rebels in any manner.

The Secretary of the Treasury has directed all public treasurers and depositaries to receive no more temporary deposits at rates of interest exceeding four per cent.

Richmond papers of yesterday contain telegraph reports of the landing of our forces near Elizabeth City, N. C., and an engagement at that point. They admit that their forces retired to Dismal Swamp Canal, with the loss of thirty-eight killed and wounded, and say the Federal loss was heavy. They notice the occupation of Fredericksburg, and complain of the withdrawal of their troops, which were in force there, without a contest.

The general commanding at the Warrick Creek fight, whose reported condition on that occasion called forth representative Morrill’s resolution empowering the President to cashier drunken officers is said to be Wm. F. Smith. It is said that he fell from his horse twice, smearing his clothes and face with mud.

Mr. Morrill said that the two companies of Green Mountain Boys stood in the marsh fifty minutes without support or permission to retire.

Most of the friends of Mr. Bingham’s confiscation bill feel sanguine that the house will pass it, under the previous question to-morrow. It is believed the vote will be a rather close one.


Tribune’s Dispatch.

Several Vessels of the river flotilla have been up the Rappahannock, some of them as far as Fredericksburg. About nine miles above Tappahannock schooners had been sunk to obstruct the river, but Commander Wyman, in the Yankee, with his consorts pushed their way through. At one point the boats were fired upon by musketry. – No one on board was injured. Twelve or thirteen vessels, two of them steamers, were found in the creeks, and were seized and brought down stream. The river is now considered open for navigation, and timber for re-building the bridges burned by the rebels, will soon reach Falmouth.

Nothing is heard of the rebel force, but it is believed to be in force not far back of Fredericksburg.

The finance committee of the Senate has done with the machinery sections of the tax bill, having made such amendments as in its judgment were calculated to perfect the system adopted by the House. An effort was made to raise the tax on whisky and other distilled spirits to 25 cts. A gallon, but the committee retained it at 15 cts. The committee decides to impose some change on stock on hand on the 30th of June, when the act is to go into operation, but left it to a sub committee to decide how much it should be. The tax on beer and other fermented liquors will be $2 a barrel instead of $1. No other noteworthy changes have yet been made.

Chas. A. Dana, of N. Y., has been appointed, by Secretary Stanton, one of the commissioners to investigate the war accounts at Cairo.

Prof. Bache and Mr. Westervelt have declined to serve on the Board appointed to examine the Stevens battery.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 2

Special to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Dispatch)

WASHISNGTON, April 22. – The General Commanding at the Warwick Creek fight whose reported condition on that occasion called forth Representative Morrill’s resolution empowering the President to cashier drunken officers is said to be Gen. Wm. F. Smith. It is stated that he fell from his horse twice, spearing his clothes and face with mud. Mr. Morrill said that the two companies of Green Mountain boys stood in the marsh fifty minutes without support or orders to retreat.

Most of the friends of Mr. Bingham’s confiscation bill feel sanguine that the House will pass it under the previous question tomorrow. It is believe that the vote will be a rather close one.

Several vessels of the river flotilla have been up the Rappahannock, some of them as far as Fredericksburg. About nine miles above the Tappahannock a schooner had been sunk to obstruct the river, but Commander Wigman in the Yankee, with his consorts, pushed their way through. At one point the boats were fired upon by musketry. No one on board was injured. Twelve or thirteen vessels, two of them steamers, found in creeks were brought down. The river is now considered open for navigation, and timber for rebuilding bridges burned by the rebels, will soon reach Falmouth. Nothing has been heard of the rebel force but it is supposed to be in force not far back of Fredericksburg.

The finance Committee of the Senate has done with the machinery sections of the tax bill, having made such amendments as in its judgment was calculated to perfect the system adopted by the House. An effort was made to raise the tax on whiskey and other distilled spirits to twenty five cents a gallon, but the committee decided to impose some charge on stock in hand on the 30th of June, when the act is to go into operation, but left it to a sub committee to decide how much it should be. The tax on beer and other fermented liquors will be two dollars a barrel instead of one dollar. No other changes have yet been made.

Charles A. Dana, of New York, has been appointed by Secretary Stanton as one of the Commissioners to investigate the war accounts at Cairo.

Professor Bache and Mr. Westervelt have declined to serve on the Board appointed to examine the Steven’ Battery.


(Times’ Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, April 23. – An officer of artillery in town to night from near Warrenton Junction reports the rebels in strong force on the south bank of the Rappahannock in the direction of Gordonville. Gen. Ewell is said to be at the crossing of the river where the Railroad bridge was burned, with five hundred men. Gen. G. W. Smith is at Gordonville strongly entrenched, with thirty thousand men, and Gen. Jackson is crossing over from the Shenandoah Valley to unite 8,000 to the force, making it a total column of 46,000 men. If the figures are reliable we are in sufficient force in front of Manassas to manage this rebel army.

I am assured by a gentleman of this city whose position brings him in business contact with Mr. Mercier that his mission had reference only to a large amount of valuable tobacco belonging to the French Government. The property is known as the Belmont tobacco. While there it is said that M. Mercier examined somewhat into the condition of the bogus Confederacy, in order to report to the Emperor the true condition of things.


(Herald’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, April 23 – A change in the Navy Department has been positively determined upon. The President is waiting only to fix upon the individual who is to fill the place of Secretary of the Navy. Gen. Banks, Judge Davis, of Illinois, and Gov. Sprague, of Rhode Island are all strongly urged for this distinction, but the selection has not yet been made.


(Special to Post.)

The sensation story in the Philadelphia Inquirer of this morning, to the effect that Secretary Welles is to be removed is entirely untrue. This I learn on good authority. I learn that Mr. Welles sometime since tendered his resignation to the President, but it was not accepted. Probably this circumstance has given rise to the rumor of an immediate change in the Cabinet. All the current reports of the removal of Mr. Welles are destitute of foundation.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

WASHINGTON, April 15 [1862]

The Steamer Yankee, Capt. Eastman, arrived at the navy yard to-day, having left York River at 5 o’clock yesterday morning. The Yankee went about eight miles up the York river on Sunday night; and anchored off Gloucester Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marblehead and Wachusett were already laying. The rebel batteries at the Point are said to be very extensive, mounting mostly 100 pounders, rifled. They tried the range of their guns on the steamer yesterday one mile, the shot falling very little short of one. The vessels then descended the river, and about three miles below the Point discovered a party of rebels building a battery on the north bank, when the Yankee opened fire at a distance of three quarters of a mile. The rebels seemed [loath] to abandon their works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell in their midst they did not leave the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and behind some neighboring log huts. The Yankee, after firing some sixty or seventy shot and shell during an hour and a half, left. As the Yankee was leaving, the boats of the Marblehead were on the way to shore to burn the house behind which the rebels had taken refuge.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

From York River

WASHINGTON, April 15. – The steamer Yankee Capt. Eastman, arrived at the Navy yard to-day having left York river at 6 o’clock yesterday morning. The Yankee went about eight miles up the York river on Sunday night and anchored off [Gloucester] Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marble Heart [sic] and Watchful [sic] were already lying. The rebel batteries at the Point which are said to be very extensive, mounting mostly 100-pounders rifled. They tried the range of their guns on the steamers yesterday afternoon, the shot falling very little short of one of them. The vessels then dropped down the river and about three miles below the Point and discovered a party of rebels building a battery on the north bank, on whom the Yankee opened fire at a distance of three quarters of a mile. The rebels seemed [loath] to abandon their works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell in their midst they did not leave the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and behind [some] neighboring log houses. The Yankee [left] after firing some 60 or 70 shot and shell during an hour and a half. As the Yankee was leaving, the boats of the Marble Heart [sic] were on their way [ashore] to burn the house behind which the rebels had taken refuge.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862