1st Lieutenant Charles Fessenden Morse, March 15, 1862

Camp Near Winchester, March 15, 1862.

I never thought to head a letter as this is headed until after a hard fight, but so it is. I will give you a short journal of things as they happened to us since I wrote mother last Sunday.

Monday morning about two thirty, we were again awakened by C. Wheaton, Jr., with the orders, “Wake your cooks; cook three days' rations; reveille at five; breakfast immediately after; march at seven.”

Reveille and breakfast took place per order, but marching orders did not arrive until past eleven, when they came post haste, ordering us to leave tents and baggage and march at once, as General Gorman, who had gone on with his brigade, was threatened with an attack. Start we did and marched eleven miles to Berryville, but saw no enemy. Our brigade was marched into a wood to bivouac; we stacked arms in line of battle and then allowed the men to get straw from a neighboring stack to make themselves comfortable with. With the help of rails borrowed from fences, various styles of shelter were rigged up. We made one to accommodate four of us, that was quite comfortable, although the night was cold and windy, with occasional rain squalls. Hogan and Tom (Captain Williams' servant), built us a fire, and then went foraging for a supper; they succeeded in getting two or three slices of raw bacon, some hard boiled eggs and a canteen of milk. With these, we made a good supper, toasting the bacon to a delicate brown and making some good tea in my faithful tea pot. I have got to be a pretty good campaigner, now, and never start on any kind of a march without my rubber blanket, my thick woollen one and a haversack containing a little bag of tea, coffee and sugar, some hard bread, a piece of salt pork and my aforementioned tea and coffee pot. With these articles, I can make myself and several others happy, no matter where we bring up.

Rolled up in our blankets, with a fire at our feet, we enjoyed a good night's sleep. The next morning was very pleasant, although cool; breakfast was a repetition of supper; in fact, almost every meal up to date has been, varying bacon with pork and tea with coffee. We passed the day lazity; four or five regiments and as many batteries came up in the morning and camped near us. Wednesday was a beautiful, warm day with us; our company was detailed for “Grand Guard.”

About five o'clock that afternoon, we received orders to draw in our vedettes and report with the company at the camp as soon as possible, as the brigade had received marching orders. We joined the regiment on the Winchester road. It was a fine, clear moonlight night and we had a very good road. We marched until nearly half past twelve, to within a mile of Winchester, and bivouacked in a very thick pine wood. The trees were so thick that we officers all lost each other, each one, on finding a comfortable place, settling himself for the rest of the night. I was lucky enough to stumble across Hogan and got my blanket; after a good cup of coffee, I rolled up under a pine tree and slept soundly until morning. Looking around me at daylight, I saw Captain Williams not twenty yards from me, alongside of Charley Horton, Captain Savage and several other officers. George Bangs and Captain Goodwin presented a lamentable appearance, not having brought any blankets. Our wagons came up in good season for the men to get their breakfasts, and at ten, or thereabouts, we pitched our camp in a neighboring field. Yesterday, Bob Shaw and I walked into Winchester to see the sights. It is a rather decayed-looking town, larger than Frederick; some fine houses, not many. We saw Mason's house, now used by the field officers of the Fifth Connecticut; the shops and stores are almost empty, but will probably revive rapidly. We took dinner at Taylor's Hotel, a pretty large house; a great many officers there. While we were in town, a skirmish took place on the Strasburg road four or five miles from town, resulting in our capturing between twenty and thirty prisoners; we saw them marched into town, some in uniform, some not.

SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 41-3

Official Reports of the Seven-Days’ Battles, June 25-July 1, 1862: No. 24 - Report of Brig. Gen. John Sedgwick, U.S. Army, commanding Second Division, of engagement at Peach Orchard, or Allen's Farm, and battles of Savage Station, Glendale, or Nelson's Farm (Frazier's Farm), and Malvern Hill.

No. 24

Report of Brig. Gen. John Sedgwick, U.S. Army, commanding Second Division, of engagement at Peach Orchard, or Allen's Farm, and battles of Savage Station, Glendale, or Nelson's Farm (Frazier's Farm), and Malvern Hill.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, SUMNER'S CORPS,

Harrison's Landing, Va., July 5, 1862.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part sustained by this division in the march made and the actions fought by this army during June 29 and 30 and July 1 and 2:

The division left its camp at Fair Oaks immediately after daybreak June 29, and formed in line of battle faced to the rear on the left of Richardson's division, on Allen's farm, between Orchard and Savage Stations, on the Richmond and York River Railroad. The enemy appeared and attacked about 9 a.m., but was successfully held in check. At about noon, all firing having been suspended, the command crossed the railroad and fell back to the high ground south of Savage Station and near the Williamsburg Road. About 5 p.m. the enemy attacked again in stronger force and with more impetuosity, but was gallantly resisted and driven back, the engagement continuing until quite dark.

About 11 p.m. the march was resumed across White Oak Swamp, the crossing being successfully accomplished by about daybreak. After a brief rest the march was continued to the point known as Nelson's Farm, or Glendale. About 11 a.m. June 30, the enemy having made a strong attack with artillery upon Franklin's command, which had remained to defend the bridge across White Oak Swamp, Dana's and Gorman's brigades (the latter under command of Colonel Sully, First Minnesota) were sent, under Brigadier-General Dana, to Franklin's support, moving a part of the way at double-quick.

About 3 p.m. a very fierce and strong attack was made upon McCall's division in the first line, which after a short resistance retired, thus bringing in direct contact with the enemy that portion of my command remaining with me. Burns went immediately to meet the enemy, and Dana's and Sully's brigades were recalled, again marching a part of the way at double-quick. The Nineteenth Massachusetts, Colonel Hinks, was the first to arrive, and scarcely pausing to draw breath, gallantly dashed at the enemy. The others followed and went to the front as they came up as rapidly as their wearied condition rendered possible. Some temporary confusion arose among the regiments of Dana's brigade owing to their failure to advance equally with each other, and all these regiments suffered severely. The entire division was now hotly engaged, the greater part of it until night, and not only did these troops meet and repulse the assaults of the enemy, but were forced to withstand the demoralizing influence of the panic among those of the first line, who in many instances broke through our ranks in their haste to move out of reach of the enemy's fire.

About 10 p.m. the regiments, which were lying upon- their arms in the positions occupied at the close of the fight, which lasted, as at Savage Station, until some time after dark, were called in, and preparations made to continue the march to Malverton, which we reached about daybreak.

At 9 a.m. July 1 the enemy again attacked. My division took up a position under the orders of General Sumner, which was changed once or twice during the day, and was held in readiness to meet the enemy should he appear in our immediate front, or to give any assistance required on other parts of the line. It was exposed during a portion of the morning to a heavy fire of artillery, from which, however, surprisingly few casualties resulted, among them, unhappily, the death of Major Brown, Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers.

Between 12 and 2 a.m. of the 2d instant my command was withdrawn from the hill, and took up the march down the River road to this point, arriving about 10 a.m.

We have to deplore the loss of several valuable officers. Colonel Hinks, Nineteenth Massachusetts, fell, dangerously wounded, during the action at Glendale while gallantly leading his regiment. Major How, of the same regiment, fell at the same time. Colonel Charles, Forty-second New York, also fell, mortally wounded, at the head of his regiment.

I cannot refrain from speaking with pride and satisfaction of the great resolution, cheerfulness, and good conduct of the men during the entire march. All were ready at all times, in spite of the severe and almost unparalleled fatigues they were compelled to undergo, to meet the enemy at a moment's notice. I would especially call the attention of the general commanding the corps to the gallantry of Brigadier-General Burns in the severe engagements both of Savage Station and of Glendale, in the former of which he was severely wounded, and in both of which he exhibited great daring and excellent judgment in the disposition of his troops.

The conduct of Brigadier-General Dana and of Colonel Sully, though they were less conspicuously engaged, was in every way what was to be expected from their well-established reputation. I would also especially commend the firm and steady behavior of the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, which covered the movement from Fair Oaks to Allen's farm, repelling several attacks made by superior numbers most handsomely. Kirby's battery was of great service in the engagement at Glendale, and it is needless to say that officers and men fully sustained their well-earned reputation. Captain Tompkins' Rhode Island battery was also engaged upon the same occasion, and was worked with great spirit.

I refrain from multiplying mention of good conduct, but refer for additional details to the reports of brigade and regimental commanders which I herewith submit. My personal staff, Capt. William D. Sedgwick, assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. Church Howe, aide-de-camp, as well as Col. C. H. Tompkins, chief of artillery, were untiring in their exertions, and rendered me, as usual, constant and most valuable assistance. Maj. R. F. Halsted, volunteer aide, also behaved most handsomely, and rendered me important services. To Capt. R. N. Batchelder, assistant quartermaster, for his skill and indefatigable energy in the difficult undertaking of moving our transportation, the service is under great obligations.

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

JOHN SEDGWICK,

Brigadier-General, Volunteers, Commanding Division.

Lieut. L. KIP,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Sumner's Army Corps.

SOURCES: George William Curtis, Correspondence of John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 63; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 11, Part 2 (Serial No. 13), p. 80-2

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Abraham Lincoln, February 2, 1863

St. Louis, Feb. 2, 1863.

His Excellency the President:

Sir — Appreciating as I do the responsibilities and cares of your position, I have avoided obtruding upon you my opinions, except in cases wherein I would, in my judgment, have been wanting in my duty to my country had I forborne to do so. A case of this kind, in my judgment, now presents itself, illustrating a grave question of policy.

On the 8th of January Col. William T. Shaw received from Major-Gen. Curtis, commanding the Department of the Missouri, written orders to repair to Helena, Ark., and report to the officer commanding the Eastern District of Arkansas, for duty in organizing and mustering in troops to be raised from persons emancipated from servitude for garrison and other duties as contemplated in the proclamation of his Excellency the President of the United States of the 1st of January. In obedience to this order, Col. Shaw repaired to Helena, reaching that point about the 16th of January, and reported to Brigadier-General Gorman, commanding, delivering the order of General Curtis. General Gorman positively refused to recognize Col. Shaw as an officer under his command; positively refused to issue any orders or to afford Col. Shaw any facilities to execute the orders of Gen. Curtis; used grossly insulting language to Col. Shaw for being willing to act under such an order; stated that if he (Gen. Gorman) had any officer under his command that would help to execute such orders he would have him mustered out of service, and that if any man should attempt to raise negro soldiers there his men would shoot them. Throughout the entire interview his demeanor and language to Col. Shaw was grossly insulting and abusive. Shortly after this interview, a member of the Second Arkansas Cavalry handed to Col. Shaw a letter directed on the outside of the envelope, "Col. Shaw, in charge of negro camp." The letter was as follows:

Executive Office, Helena, Ark., Jan. 23, 1865.

General Orders No. 2.

No person, or persons, in the State of Arkansas shall be enlisted, or recruited, to serve as soldiers except by an officer duly appointed by the Military Governor of this State.

amos F. Eno,

Secretary of State, pro tem.

Col. Shaw finding he could not execute the order of Gen. Curtis, reported in person to him.

Mr. President, I do not desire to intermeddle in matters with which I have not legitimate concern, nor do I think I am so doing in bringing this matter to your notice. Col. Shaw is a gallant officer from the State of Iowa, commanding the Fourteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He led his regiment bravely at Donelson and Shiloh; was taken prisoner at the latter place, and after a long and severe imprisonment, was paroled and exchanged in October last. Except in military position, he is at least Gen. Gorman's equal. He has been grossly insulted while endeavoring, as a good soldier should, to execute the orders of his superior officer.

But the precise point to which I desire to direct your attention is this: The proclamation issued by you on the 1st of January last was an act the most important you have ever performed and more important than, in all human probability, you will ever again perform. I shall not here argue whether its results will be good or evil.

Had you not believed the good of the country imperatively demanded its issuance, you would not have issued it. I most cordially and heartily endorse it But, Mr. President, that proclamation cannot be productive of good results unless it is observed and put in force. You know its promulgation has afforded many men a pretext for arraying themselves against the country, and if, having been promulgated, it is allowed to be inoperative, its effects must be all evil and none good. Then how may it be executed? Can it be, will it be, by such men as General Gorman?

Permit me to say, in all frankness, but with proper respect and deference, the history of the world cannot show an instance where a policy of a nation to array men strongly for or against it was ever successfully carried into effect by its opponents. It is not in the nature of things it should be so, and with the facts herein presented within my knowledge, I can not feel that I have discharged my duty without saying that, in my judgment, it cannot produce the good effects its friends believe it is capable of producing, and must produce only evil, unless you depend for carrying it into effect upon those who believe it to be a wise and good measure.

Many men holding high commands in the armies of the Union openly denounce the proclamation as an “abolition” document, and say it has changed the war from a war for the Union into a war for freeing the negroes. This is caught up and goes through the ranks and produces a demoralizing effect on the men whose affiliation has been with the Democratic party, and they say “they did not enlist to fight for niggers;” while the men whose affiliation has been with the Republican party are disheartened and discouraged at discovering that the policy of the President, which they heartily endorse and approve, is ridiculed and thwarted by the men who should carry it into effect. If that proclamation is not to be respected and enforced, it had better never have been issued. I am unwilling to be misinterpreted or misunderstood. I am not influenced by party political considerations. There are few men in the country with whom I have differed more widely politically than with Gen. Butler, yet it is to me a source of great pleasure that he is to supersede, at New Orleans, a distinguished and able officer of my own political faith. Gen. Butler is prompt, ready and anxious to do the work assigned him, and such are the men we must have to obtain success. I care not what their political opinions have been, if they are unconditionally for the Union to-day.

Permit me further to call to your notice the document copied herein issued by “Amos F. Eno, Secretary of State, pro tem.” As the Governor of the loyal State of Iowa, duly elected by the people of that State, I would not feel at liberty to order that no person should be enlisted or recruited as soldiers in Iowa, except by an officer duly appointed by myself; and it certainly seems to me that the subordinate of a military governor, appointed by you, for a State in rebellion against the government, should not have that power. This act of this man is evidence of the determination of men holding their authority from you to disregard and bring into disrepute the policy you have felt bound to adopt. There is a further act of this Mr. Eno that I feel obliged to bring to your notice. He claims to act as the Adjutant-General of the Military Governor of Arkansas, and I am informed by authority, upon which I confidently rely, he turned from 100 to 150 sick and wounded soldiers out of a comfortable house, wherein they had been placed, in order to use the house as his headquarters; that these poor fellows were removed while it was raining, and that some of them actually died while being removed. There are many sick and wounded Iowa soldiers at the place, and some of them may have been among those thus treated. I would not, in my judgment, be discharging my duty to them, if I did not bring this matter to your notice and demand an investigation of the facts alleged.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 267-9

Scouting near Winchester.

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 12. – The town of Berryville, Va., was occupied by our troops yesterday, General Gorman directing the advance.  The enemy had 5,000 cavalry here on our arrival but the signal ordered a charge of the New York 3d cavalry upon them, supporting the onset with a sufficient force of artillery and infantry.  The enemy did not wait to fight, but ran helter skelter towards Winchester.  Twice last night were the pickets of Gen. Gorman’s brigade compelled to fall back by charges of Aspoy’s Cossacks.

This morning Gen. Gorman made a reconnoissance in force to within two miles of Winchester and drawing the rebels into a trap, they were again charged upon by our cavalry, losing four men.  Several prisoners have been taken from the enemy, while our total loss up to this time is one man and one horse.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

From Virginia

CHARLESTON, Va., March 12.

The town of Berryville, Va. Was occupied by our troops yesterday, by Gen. Gorman, directing the advance.  The enemy had 500 cavalry there, on our arrival, but the signal ordered a charge of the New York cavalry upon them, supporting the onset with a sufficient force of artillery and infantry.  The enemy did now wait to fight, but ran helter skelter towards Winchester.

Twice last night were the pickets of Gen. Gorman’s brigade compelled to fall back by the charge of Ashby’s Cossacks.  This morning Gen. Gorman mad a reconnaissance in force to within two miles of Winchester, drawing the rebels into a trap.  They were again charged upon by our cavalry loosing four men.  Several prisoners have been taken from the enemy, while our total loss up to this time is one man and one horse.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2