The Fifth Commandment

An old school master said one day to a minister who had come to examine the school:

“I believe the children know the Catechism word for word.”

“But do they understand it?  That is the question,” said the minister.

The school master only bowed respectively and the examination began.

A little boy had repeated the fifth commandment, “Honor they father and they mother,” and he was desired to explain it.

Instead of trying to do so, the little boy, with his face covered with blushes, said almost in a whisper:

“Yesterday I showed some strange gentlemen over the hill.  The sharp stones cut my feet, and the gentlemen saw that they were bleeding and they gave me money to buy me shoes.  I gave the money to my mother, for she had no shoes either, and I thought I could go barefoot better than she could.”

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

Our Financial Policy

Thomas H. Benton at the commencement of the Mexican war, condensed the method of sound national financiering into a single phrase: “Taxes first, loans next, and treasury paper last.”  Congress began at the second step last summer, and is now urged to take the third with perfect recklessness.  It is so much easier to stamp paper with showy pictures and delusive promises and call it money, than it is to draw real money by direct taxation from the pockets of the people, that our legislators have strong temptations to pursue the former course.  Debtors, who wish to pay off their obligations in a depreciated currency, speculators, who have stocks or goods to sell, and seek to obtain high prices under an inflated currency, foreign bankers, who wished to raise the rate of exchange and cause a flow of gold to Europe, and government contractors who, in the general unsettling of values, can charge the most exorbitant rates for supplies – all these classes desire an excessive issue of irredeemable paper money.  But there are strong symptoms that Congress will shut down on “demand notes” after $50,000,000 are issued, and will leave no article untaxed which is capable of yielding a revenue.  The House committee of ways and means are diligently at work adjusting the details of new internal tax bills which will produce, it is thought, at least $200,000,000 per annum, with the tariff duties already levied on imports.  This is beginning at the right end.  The beneficial effects of such rumored action is seen in the decline of the premium on gold from 5 to 1½@2 per cent. during last week.  Loans can be easily obtained at fair rates of interest, if securely anchored on stiff taxes.  Treasury paper can be resorted to as a temporary expedient, while waiting for taxes or loans to come in.  But there should be no humbug about it, no leaning upon it exclusively.  Broken promises and worthless pledges should form no part of the currency of a rich and intelligent people.  Irredeemable paper money is “played out” as a financial resource.  It has ruined more people that war for the last 150 years and has disgraced governments more deeply that defeat.  Experiments with it have always ended in one way, and burned the fingers of both rulers and subjects.  Are we to learn nothing from history?  No matter if the “demand notes” should be ultimately redeemed, as we all believe the will be.  They have depreciated already, so that 5 per cent discount has been charged upon them at Washington, even for “drinks.”  Increase the quantity, expand the general circulation with these notes, and they depreciate still further by a law as inexorable as that which melts snow and ice in a warm day.  For they are not money, calling them money will not make them so, acts of Congress and official autographs will not hold them up.  Alchemy of lead and iron is an exploded old fogy idea, but alchemy of paper, though just as ridiculous and impossible has many advocates.  Gold and silver are the only recognized money of the world.  Paper currency, however well secured will not pass in our trade with other nations.  A huge volume of “demand notes” will assuredly drain us of gold to be sent abroad, for we cannot stop trading with the rest of mankind, and must pay them balances in gold, and see balances rapidly accumulate against us from the withdrawal of orders for produce, which an inflated currency will carry up to a pitch making it unprofitable to buy of us, in comparison with countries enjoying a stable currency.  It may be tiresome to repeat so many truisms, but the great importance of the subject, and the fanciful bubbles that are blown by serious journals and admired by dashing operators of the John Law and Jules Isaac Mires class will justify the continued discussion. – {Springfield Republican.

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

Review: Manassas, Book 1 of "The Civil War Battle Series"

Manassas: Book 1 of “The Civil War Battle Series”

By James Reasoner

“Manassas,” the first book of James Reasoner’s ten volume, “The Civil War Battle Series,” introduces the Brannon family of Culpepper County, Virginia.  The patriarch of the family, John Brannon, an Irish immigrant with a penchant for reading Shakespeare, died in 1851 leaving his wife Abigail to raise their family of six children: William Shakespeare, MacBeth Richard (“Mac”), Titus Andronicus, Coriolanus Troilus (“Cory”), Henry and Cordelia.

The novel begins in January, during the “Secession Winter” of 1861.  Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States the previous November. As the states of the South begin to secede from the Union and form a new country the Brannon family anxiously await Virginia’s decision to remain in the United States or to leave the Union and join her sister states in the Confederacy.

Will, the eldest child of the Brannon clan, and the central character in Mr. Reasoner’s novel, is the Sheriff of Culpepper County.  Will suspects the Fogarty brothers for a series of robberies and murders in the county, including the murder of his deputy Luther Strawn.  When Will corners Joe Fogarty in the general store and is forced to shot and kill him for resisting arrest, a feud erupts between the Brannons and the remaining Fogarty brothers.

When the Brannon’s barn is burned to the ground their neighbors gather on the Brannon farm for a barn raising during which Henry Brannon is shot through the shoulder by a hidden gunman.  Abigail, a Christian woman strong in her beliefs, blames Will for the violence that has been brought to bear on the family and disowns him, banishing him from the farm.

Abraham Lincoln’s call for 75,000 troops to be raised after the surrender of Fort Sumter results in Virginia’s secession from the Union, and in an attempt to focus the attention of the George and Ransom Fogarty away from the rest of the family Will enlists in the 33rd Virginia Infantry to fight with the Confederate Army.  The Fogarty’s also enlist, seeing their opportunity to kill Will during a battle and avoid the suspicion of murder.  Together they march to battle the Yankee army, and each other, on the fields of Bull Run, near Manassas, Virginia.

Reasoner’s novel is a simple tale told simply.  Its linear narrative is mainly a plot driven vehicle with little character development, but all in all, still an enjoyable read.  Anyone looking for an in depth treatment of the First Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run, as the Union Army would later refer to it) should look elsewhere, as the battle does not begin until page 316 of this 336 page book.

ISBN 978-1581820089, Cumberland House Publishing, © 1999, Hardcover, 336 pages, $22.95.  To purchase click HERE.

Matters at Bowling Green & Conflict near at hand – Floyd and McCulloch at Bowling Green

(From the Nashville Banner, Dec. 30)

The Nashville Banner has an interesting letter from Bowling Green, dated the 30th ult., from which we gather the following extraction:

Ten days since an engagement of no small magnitude was imminent in the quarter – Divisions and columns and batteries were driving forward, and our leaders urging on the advance.  The enemy at Green river was in heavy force, and expecting continually to be joined by their entire and immense army, which was moving down, while their advance were thrown, menacingly, across the stream.  The two armies were thus in close proximity and advancing.  This state of things certainly justified the general expectation of an immediate fight, and quickened the public pulse as regarded the result.  Since that time considerable change has taken place in the military status.  Hindman’s forces, which formed our advance, have fallen back this side of Cave City, while the Federals, frightened by the warm reception given them by the lamented Col. Terry, have for the most part retreated beyond Green river.  The brigade of General Breckinridge is encamped about twelve miles above here while the Kentucky cavalry still remains in possession of Glasgow.  The Federal force this side of Green river is variously reported, but it is fair to presume, from the best information at hand, that it numbers from three to five thousand.  They, for the present seem disinclined to retake a hasty advance.

Mentioning the return of the Texan Rangers the letter says:

They represent the Federals are being afraid of fight, and not anxious to attempt an advance.  They confirm the reported estimate of the army this side of Green river, via that it is from three to five thousand.  On the 29th, the Federals, in heavy force, estimated by some at seven thousand, appeared on the North bank of Green river opposite Brownsville, which is in Edmonson county, and distant from this place 24 miles.  Their actions and manners indicated a design to attempt the crossing of the river, if any such design, however, were entertained, it was abandoned, as none of them have been seen south of the river in that region.

THE CONFLICT NEAR AT HAND

Notwithstanding the falling back of troops on both sides, and the non occurrence of any exciting event during the past ten days, multiplied in numbers and more mighty on the rebound, the two armies are about rushing together for mastery in the conflict.  Our future, and perhaps yours, is to be decided, and soon, too, by the stern arbitrament of the sword.  Like Camilius of old, we throw our steel in the scales before the advancing and extorting Gauls, and tell them it is with that alone we purchase liberty.  The vast accessions referred to as being daily made to the Federal army, and the eagerness they exhibit to find out everything relating to our forces and movements, coupled with the fact that thirty thousand more of their mercenary hordes have been authorized for immediate service in Kentucky, show that they intend to move forward with every available means they can command.  On our side, every indication goes to show an early conflict impending.  Our generals, ever alert, exhibit increased vigilance and activity.  One day they are on the advance lines, the next, inspecting positions, the third reviewing their troops.  They are here, there and everywhere.  Vast reinforcements are pouring in at a rate more rapid than anything that has yet been witnessed.  On arrival, quarters are immediately assigned them, the localities being selected before they reach here.

The instructions are to be ready for any emergency.  A few days since, the Forty-first Tennessee, a full, brave and splendid looking regiment, reached here.  Just after them came three Mississippi regiments.  Yesterday, the entire force from Camp Beauregard arrived. – General Bowen’s entire division, 7,000 strong, are coming – two of the regiments reached here to-day.  They were the Twenty-second Mississippi, Col. Bonham, and the Twenty-second Tennessee.  The others will follow to-morrow.  General McCulloch, the world renowned Ben, is on his way here, with his redoubtable troopers, and General Floyd and his forces, it is stated this evening that he had arrived at Gallatin, whence he would take up his line of march for Scottsville, Kentucky. – If this be true, he is designed to co-operate with Zollicoffer.  Scottville, is twenty five miles east of this place, immediately on the main turnpike leading to the Central part of Kentucky.  Cavalry, artillery, and heavy batteries are also daily coming, in large quantities.  The great conflict, then, though it may not take place as soon as recent events may have led us to suppose, is near at hand, and cannot be deferred.

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

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 8, 1862

We received orders to clean up for inspection and a detail of men was put to work cleaning up the parade ground. We have a fine drill ground out in a large field. But the camp being out in the open, the sun beats down pretty hot upon the tents.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52-3

New Orleans and the War

We have just had the pleasure of enjoying a protracted conversation with a highly intelligent gentleman, long a resident of that city, who left New Orleans for the North about ten days ago.  Without further particulars as to our informant himself, it is enough to say that he is eminently reliable, a gentleman of mature judgment and excellent sense, and thus worth of the utmost confidence in his statements. – We shall do injustice to his lucid and graphic statements of the condition of affairs in the Metropolis of the Southwest, trusting only to memory to siege the details, but some points will interest our readers, even thus imperfectly presented.

Louisiana was a strong Union State, and the influence of New Orleans eminently so, long after the secession of other states.  The “Co-operationists” represented the intermediate state of public sentiment from loyalty to disloyalty, but leaned most strongly in favor of adherence to the Constitution and the Union. – They took their name and shaped their policy on the scheme of a co-operaiton of the Southern States in order to secure additional pledges from the General Government, and they carried the State to this measure, but the ground taken was not enough and secession came next, and became dominant, overpowering everything.

What of the Union element in New Orleans to-day?  The question might as well be asked in mid winter of a snow covered field, as to what is seeded down, and what it will bear.  Just now secession holds sway and Unionism is crushed out.  Only one sentiment is expressed because but one is safe, and martyrdom would be sure to follow the other.  Let this terrorism be removed, and there would come the time for judging as the share of this and other Southern communities who would welcome the restoration of the Federal power and unite with it in utterly sweeping away the reckless demagogues who have betrayed and outraged the South.  Our informant speaks hopefully with reference to the men who are thus “biding their time.”

In New Orleans, under the all overpowering influence of secession, there is but one opinion expressed in public.  The city is quiet and orderly, for its lower order of white society have gone to the wars.  There are no riots, nor disturbances.  The city is dull in commercial respects.  Whatever products belong to their market are plenty and without sale whatever they have been accustomed to seek form abroad are proportionately high.  Thus sugar is 1½ to 2 cents per lb., and mess pork is $50 per barrel.  All fabrics are high, and stocks are very light.  Owing to the scarcity of meats, the planters are feeding their slaves on mush and molasses, the latter staple being cheap.  The scarcity of ardent compounds being also great, large quantities of molasses are being manufactured into New England rum, which the whisky loving must need use in place of the coveted but scarcer article.

In monetary matters, the change is a striking one.  All specie has disappeared from circulation.  It has gone into private hoards, and bills of the sound banks of Louisiana (and there are not better in the United States) are also being stored away by holders, who see no advantage in presenting them for redemption in Confederate Notes.  Said a bank officer of the State Bank of Louisiana to our informant, “Out of $250,000 in currency received in making our Exchanges with other banks, only twenty five dollars of our own issues were received.”  For an institution with a circulation of one and a half million, this is a significant statement.

Another proof of the distrust of the people in the notes of the C. S. A. is seen in the fact of greatly stimulated prices of New Orleans real estate.  Secessionists who do not look beneath the surface wax vastly jubilant over the aspect. – “There, sir, look at it – see what the war, and this cutting loose from the North has done for us.  Real estate in New Orleans has gone up one half.  Glorious!! Sir, don’t you see it?  The cause of exultation diminishes rapidly when it is understood that all this is but the natural cause of holders of property who say to their possessions, in view of the everywhere present Confederate notes – “take any shape but that.”  No wonder they prefer real estate at exorbitant prices, and pass the shinplasters out of their fingers as fast as possible.  This is the sole secret of the flush times in New Orleans real estate.

The money in circulation from hand to hand is “everybody’s checks,” and omnibus tickets for small charge, and the most mongrel brood of wild cats and kittens that ever distressed a business community.  We saw in the hand of our informant, a bank note for five cents, issued by the Bank of Nashville!  Besides small issues of shinplasters, notes in circulation are divided, A desiring to pay B two dollars and a half, cuts a five dollar note in two, and the dissevered portion goes floating about distressedly looking up its better half, (or otherwise) according to which end bears the bank signatures.

As to the feeling of the community regarding the war, the outspoken sentiment is one of intense hatred to the North, or “the United States,” as they express it.  They affect to believe that spoliation, rapine and outrage of every dye would follow the invasion of Northern troops.  Their own troops are only indifferently provided with outfit, and camp comforts are scarce.  A very significant statement was recently made in the St. Charles Hotel, in the hearing of our informant, which we deem to give as nearly in his own words as possible.  A gentleman had gone up to the camps at Nashville, having in charge donations from the citizens of New Orleans.  On his return his unofficial statements were about as follows: “I tell you, you have no idea of the suffering there among our troops.  It would make your heart bleed to see them lying there sick and dying without nurses and medicine.  New Orleans has done a great deal, but she must do more.”

A Bystander – “But why don’t people up that way do something?”

“Well, I’ll tell you.  The fact is, about one half of them say they never wanted the troops to come there at all, and don’t care how soon they are removed.  The other half are doing all they can, but cannot do all.”

“Why don’t they set their niggers to tending the sick?”

“Well, that’s the squalliest point on the whole.  The niggers say that if they were Lincoln soldiers they would attend them.”

A Bystander (hotly) – “Why don’t they shoot the ______ treacherous sons of ______.”

“Well (meaningly) they don’t think it’s quite safe up there to begin that sort of thing.”

A pretty significant confession, one would think to be made publicly in the rotunda of the St. Charles.  And this brings us to speak of the position of the blacks.  What do they think of the War?  The gentleman we quote says “the blacks have been educated fast within the past six months.  They are a different race from what they were.  Their docility is a thing of the past, and their masters stand appalled at the transformation.”  In several of the parishes about New Orleans, what were believed to be the germs of dangerous insurrections have been several times discovered within the past few months.  In St. Mary’s thirteen slaves were shot at one time.  The South have thought it would aid their plans by telling the slaves that the enemy of the Union was the “army of freedom,” and the blacks believe it.  Certainly no Abolition sheet of the North is responsible for the circulation of such a statement.

An instance was told us of a man sent to the North from New Orleans, with the purpose of looking about him a little [bare] and gaining an idea of matters.  He accomplished his mission after diverse adventures, and came back to the Crescent City.  Wherever his formal report was made, it certainly was pretty much summed up in a statement he made openly in a secession coterie at the St. Charles.  Said he, “I went to New York, business is going on there about as ever – never saw things more busy there – should not judge any body had gone to the war didn’t actually hear much about the South.  Then I went to where they were turning out the things for war, and saw how they were doing it, and, and then was when I began to smell h-ll.”

We are exceeding the limits we had proposed for our statement, but let us add a few brief facts.  As to the defences of New Orleans.  There are two forts on the river below the city, which once passed, New Orleans would be in Federal hands in twenty four hours, for it has no defences in itself.  Earthworks were thrown up south of the city, but no guns have been mounted.  The secessionists feel the danger of their position, and are loud in censures of their Confederate government for its dilatoriness.  The foreign population of New Orleans are alarmed at the aspect of affairs.  A large meeting of French citizens has been held, and a delegation waited on the French Consul to ask him to present their petition to the French Emperor to send a national vessel to take them from the city.

It is upon a community thus constituted and filled with these real sources of alarm that the news of Zollicoffer’s defeat must fall.  It will be spread like wildfire all throughout the South.  If Confederate notes were a drug before, and only taken under protest and unwillingly, what will happen when notes “redeemable on the establishment of the Southern Confederacy” are made even more shaky as a currency by the imminent danger of the government.  The beginning of the end is at hand, and thus at no distant day. – {Chicago Tribune.

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

Hoyt Sherman's Mausoleum

Woodland Cemetery
Des Moines, Iowa

Hoyt Sherman

HOYT SHERMAN, son of Charles R. Sherman, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, was born in Lancaster County, November 1, 1827, and is the younger brother of John Sherman, the distinguished Ohio statesman, and of General William T. Sherman of Civil War fame. Until eighteen years of age, Hoyt’s time was divided between school and the printing office. In the spring of 1848 he came to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, then far out on the western frontier. In 1849 he was admitted to the bar and began to practice law, and also engaged in real estate business. In March of that year he was appointed by President Taylor postmaster of Des Moines, holding that position until the inauguration of President Pierce, when he resigned and was elected clerk of the District Court. In 1854 he was the senior member of the banking house of Hoyt Sherman & Co., and upon the establishment of the State Bank of Iowa he became cashier of the Des Moines branch and was one of the directors on part of the State to supervise the system and guard the public interests. When the Civil War began Mr. Sherman was appointed by President Lincoln paymaster in the Union army with the rank of major, holding the position for three years. He was one of the organizers of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa and for many years its general manager. That institution owes much of its stability and high standing to the fine executive ability and unquestioned integrity of Major Sherman. In 1866, Major Sherman was a member of the House of the Eleventh General Assembly where he was chairman of the committee on railroads and a member of the committee of ways and means. In 1886 he was one of the founders of the Pioneer Lawmakers’ Association and has always been one of its most influential members, serving as president and long a member of the executive committee. He has contributed valuable historical articles to the Annals of Iowa on “Early Banking in Iowa,” and on the “State Bank of Iowa.” For many years he was the executive officer of the Associated Charities of Des Moines.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Vol. 4: Iowa Biography, p. 243-4

Zollicoffer’s Defeat

Interesting Account by an Eye-Witness

We cut the following letter from a Cincinnati paper.  It is a spirited account of the battle.

ZOLLICOFFER’S (LATE) ENCAMPMENT,

January 20, 1862

Here I am in a cedar log cabin, inside the intrenchments of the wonderful position of old “Zolly,” to write you a letter, on contraband paper, with a contraband pen and contraband ink.  Where shall I begin – what shall I write first.  There are incidents enough, if all recounted, to fill a volume, things that took place in this, the most complete victory, and the most overwhelming, total overthrow the Secession army has yet met with in this rebellion.  To begin at the beginning, and tell the story straight.

Just at day break on Sunday morning, the 19th of January, sharp firing commenced with the pickets in the same spot where the firing was last Friday night, the long roll beat in Indiana 10th, and they formed instantly and marched to the support of their pickets.  The 10th and Kinney’s battery were close together, and a half a mile in advance of everything.  The battery got ready for action on the instant and awaited orders.  By the way, Stannard’s battery and Wetmore’s four gun battery were both in park, one on each side of Kinney’s battery.  The 1st Tennessee was about a quarter mile in the rear of these batteries, in the woods.  The 4th Kentucky, Col. Fry, was the next regiment on the road, half a mile in the rear of the batteries, it was forming as I ran past, getting to my own regiment, (for I slept in Kinney’s battery), the 2nd Tennessee another quarter of a mile in the rear of the 4th Kentucky.  By this time the cavalry were running their horses all over the country, in every direction – except towards the firing, which still continued at intervals.  The 2d was just getting breakfast, and supposing it to be only a Picket fight, kept on cooking and eating though very few had eaten anything when the column of our forces appeared coming on in our rear.  Lieutenant Colonel Trewhit promptly got us into line and double-quicked us into the road ahead of the advancing column, the 4th Kentucky had gone when we reached their encampment.  The firing still continued, and very briskly, we kept on at double-quick, all hoping and believing that we would have a chance to smell burnt powder.  But when opposite the encampment of the 10th Indiana, up rode the Colonel, and halted us for further orders, we all thought – if we didn’t say it – d---n further orders.

The 10th Indiana went into the woods about a quarter of a mile in advance of their tents to the support of their pickets and bravely did they support them, too, for over half an hour against the whole force led against them and never retreated a step, nor gave an inch of ground, until nearly surrounded by overwhelming number then, to save themselves from being entirely surrounded, they unwillingly gave way.  Here was a crisis and yell on yell went up from the lantern jawed Secessionists, they thought the day was all their own.  But happily, any disastrous consequence was prevented by the arrival of the 4th Kentucky and 9th Ohio to the support of the gallant 10th.  Again our men made a stand, now there was fighting in good earnest and the 2d Minnesota joined win with the 10th and the 4th and the 9th Ohio. – Volley after volley rattled in quick succession, and sometimes it seemed as though there was only one continuous volley, interrupted now and then by the growling of the “yellow pups,” which had been brought to bear on the enemy and when they once commenced, they distributed their favors freely in all directions, in the shape of shot and shell and, gentlemen excuse me from being the recipient of such favors. – There were only two or three shots from cannon fired by the enemy, and they were either badly armed or the pieces were out of range, for the shot did not disturb anybody.  Once they threw a shell into the air which burst when some four or five hundred feet high.  No damage was done by it, and their artillery seemed to be of no use to them whatever, while on the contrary ours seemed to be of immense use to us, and was most ably and effectively handled.  After a little more than two hours of hard fighting, a most tremendous volley of musketry followed by a ringing about from our side seemed to have decided the battle in our favor for from that time, although firing was kept up at intervals, the secessionists, whipped and cowed, began their retreat, which in about twenty minutes more became a total rout, and from the indications along the road which we afterwards passed over, the flight appeared to have been a regular race from that point back to their intrenchments to see who could get there first, and the devil take the hindmost.

All the credit and honor of this battle is due to the 10th Indiana, the 9th Ohio, the 4th Kentucky and 2d Minnesota.  For they did all the fighting, as it were, single handed, with the exception of what support they received from the artillery.  They all fought nobly, and judging from the sound of the musketry they never wavered from a fixed determination to gain the victory, and they did gain it.  The combatants where so near to each other at one time, that the powder burned their faces in the discharge of their pieces, but the underbrush was so thick that bayonets were of but little use, and a charge could hardly have been made.

The most important event of the day was the death of Zollicoffer.  Col. Fry, of the 4th Kentucky, charged up a hill by himself upon a group of mounted officers, and fired at one he conceived to be the chief among them, he fired two shots, both of them took effect, and Zollicoffer, one of the master spirits of the rebellion, fell off his horse dead.  Col. Fry was, luckily unhurt, but his horse was shot through the body, the bullet entering only a few inches behind the Colonel’s leg.  This must have been a deadener to all hopes of the secessionists had for victory, as from this moment began the retreat, and so closely did our forces push upon them that they were obliged to leave their illustrious leader where he fell, by the side of the road.

What were the East Tennesseans doing during all this engagement with their boasted bravery?  The 1st Regiment I know but little about, except that it marched towards the edge of the woods in which the firing was going on, and disappeared from sight.  As a regiment they did not fire a gun, but Lieutenant Colonel Spears who is a whole team and horse to let some way got in ahead of his men and where the fighting was, he shot a few times with his revolver, and turned round to see where his men where, when he perceived an officer in between him and where his regiment ought to be, evidently trying to cut him off.  But the officer – who turned out to be Lieutenant-Colonel Carter – waked up the wrong passenger when he got after Spears, and the tables were turned, for instead of cutting Col. Spears off, the Colonel took him prisoner and brought him back into the regiment.  The 2d Tennessee went through various sundry evolutions, they were marched and counter marched, right-obliqued and left-obliqued, right-faced and left-faced, and brought up all standing in a briar patch.

Well, finally we were formed in a line of battle, out of all harm’s way, and remained so until the firing was nearly all over, when we were double-quicked to the edge of the woods, and halted again, until the firing receded and died away entirely.

It is needless to comment upon the conduct of the Tennesseans, to say that they could have done or would have done under other circumstances.  Here is the fact what they did do, and that was simply nothing.  As to the rest, the future will decide.

Our course was now steadily forward to the main road that led to Zollicoffer’s encampment on the Cumberland.  I shall not attempt to describe the battlefield, the dead or the dying. – Of course, in all battles somebody must be killed, and somebody must be wounded, this was no exception to the general rule.  I shall mention only one of the dead – that one Zollicoffer.  He lay by the side of the road along which we all passed, and all had a fair view of what was once Zollicoffer.  I saw the lifeless body as it lay in a fence corner by the side of the road, but Zollicoffer himself is now in hell.  Hell is a fitting abode for such arch traitors!  May all the other chief conspirators in the rebellion soon share Zollicoffer’s fate – shot dead through the instrumentality of an avenging God – Their spirits sent straitway to hell, and their lifeless bodies lay in a fence corner, their faces spattered with mud, and their garments divided up, and even the hair of their head cut off and pulled out by an unsympathizing soldiery of a conquering army, battling for the right!

The March was now steadily but cautiously forward.  Two pieces of artillery were taken, one was crippled in the woods near the battle ground, and the other was stuck in the mud about a mile in the rear; also two wagons with ammunition.  No incident worth mentioning occurred on the march, which was deliberately but steadily forward, with the artillery well up, until a final halt was made, about half past four, within a mile of the breastworks of the famous fortifications on the Cumberland which have been reported impregnable.  Here the artillery was again planted, and set to work shelling the wonderful fortifications; and a continuous fire was kept up for nearly an hour.  Every shell that was thrown we could hear burst distinctly.  There was only one cannon that answered us from the breastworks, and that one sounded more like a potato pop-gun than anything else I can liken it to, and did us no damage, as the shot never reached us.  The one piece was only [fired four times. Night closed in and the firing] ceased. We all lay down on the wet ground, in perfect security, to rest our weary limbs, the distance we had come being over ten miles on the direct road, let alone the bushes and underbrush we went through, to say nothing about two or three dress-parades of the 2d for somebody's amusement, but not our own, I can assure you. And then the roads and fields were awfully cut up, and mud was plenty, as it had rained a good part of the forenoon. Our men lay down to rest without a mouthful to eat, many of whom had eaten no breakfast, but as Captain Cross said, “the man who could not fast two days over Zollicoffer's scalp, was no man at all;” and there was no grumbling, as there was necessity for it. However, the teams came up in the night with crackers and bacon.

Now here is the summary, so far as I know, up to Sunday night we were within a mile of Zollicoffer’s encampment, Zollicoffer is licked and his forces have been whipped – some two hundred of them being killed and a great many wounded, one of Crittenden’s Aids, a Lieutenant Colonel and three Surgeons are taken prisoners, but now many more I know not, two pieces of artillery and tree wagons were left, and the roads were strewed with guns, blankets, coats, haversacks and everything else that impeded flight, on our side from 20 to 30 are killed and from 80 to 100 wounded, having no prisoners taken that we know of.

On the morning of the 20th, soon after day light, several of the regiments were moved forward toward the breastworks, and a cannon ball or two fired over into them, but no answer was made, all was quiet.  The regiment moved steadily on and into their fortifications, it being ascertained that there was no one to oppose them.  The enemy having crossed the river during the night, or early in the morning, the rout was complete.  It seems as though there was a perfect panic among them, their tents having been left standing, and their blankets, clothes, cooking utensils, letters, papers, etc, all left behind.  The position is a pretty strong one, but not near so much so as we had been led to suppose. – Huts were built, nicely chinked with mud, many of them having windows in them for comfortable winter quarters.  How much work the devils have done here and how little it has profited them!  I have been wandering around all day, seeing and hearing what I could.  The Cumberland makes one side of the encampment safe, by an abrupt bank 250 feet high.  I went down to the river bottom, to which there is a road on our side.  Here were all or nearly all of their wagons, some twelve or fifteen hundred horses and mules, harness, saddles, sabres, guns, in fact, everything.  It was a complete stampede, and by far the most disastrous defeat the Southern Confederacy has yet met with.  Ten pieces of cannon, with caissons are also here.  To all appearances, they seem to have completely lost their senses, having only one object in view, and that was to run somewhere and hide themselves.

Now, to account for the battle taking place as it did.  There were 11 rebel regiments here, two being unarmed, and Zollicoffer, who was the presiding devil, although Crittenden and taken the command, thought the 10th Indiana and Kenney’s battery were just two regiments by themselves, and did not know that they were supported by the balance of the division, which was out of sight behind on account of the timber, and he conceived the happy idea of rushing upon and capturing these two regiments to get their arms to supply his own unarmed men.  So he took all the available force he had – some 8,000 or 9,000 men – and made the attack – with what result has already been shown.  Now this only goes to prove that, in order to put this rebellion down we must do something.  In this fight four of our regiments whipped and completely routed the great army that was under Zollicoffer, killed the devil himself, and maybe Crittenden too, for he has not been heard of since the battle.  The prisoners we have taken estimate our force at 20,000, bah!  We can take them any time and any place, and giving them the odds 3 to 1, whip them every time.  Their cause is a bad one, they know it, and the only way their men can be induced to fight at all, is by their leaders getting in the very front rank with them.

The 2d Minnesota, captured a banner from the Mississippi regiment, which had on it the “Mississippi Butchers.”  They may be good butchers at home, but they make a mighty awkward fist at butchering Yankees.  They and better go home and tend to their business.  Nearly every man has a trophy of this victory, there are plenty to get, certain, and I am writing this now with a Louisiana Zouave head dress and tassel on my head.

I give you a copy of two or three of the documents we found in the camp.  The following was found on a table in one of the cabins:

“COL. SPEARS – We fought bravely and desperately, but misguidedly.  We leave here under pressing circumstances, but do not feel that we are whipped.  We will yet succeed, and –”

Here the circumstances became so pressing that the writer did not want to finish the epistle.  Colonel Spears supposes the writer to be Major John W. Bridgman, of the Tennessee Cavalry.

The following was written on a piece of brown paper, with a pencil:

“JAN 19th, 1862.  FISHING CREEK.

The great battle at Fishing Creek took place.  Our loss was great.  Supposed to be eight hundred killed and wounded, and a great many taken prisoners.  We will try them again at our breastworks if they come to us.”

At the bottom of the paper, upside down is a name I cannot make out, and then Polasky.

Here as another paper which is evidently the result of a council of war, held before the force came across on the north side of the Cumberland.

“The result of your crossing the river now, will be that you will be repulsed and lose all the artillery taken over.

ESTILL.”

Dec. 14th, ’61.

“Another ‘Wild Cat’ disaster is all we can look forward to.

FULKERSON.”

“We will cross over and find that the enemy has retired to a place that we will not deem advisable to attack, and then we will return to this encampment.

LORING.”

Estill is a Colonel from Middle Tennessee. – Fulkerson is a Major, and one of the big heads of the Secession party in Tennessee.  It seems there was opposition in the camp to the move on to this side of the river, but old Zollicoffer, the head devil of the army, ruled the roost and did come over.  Some of these predictions proved to be strictly true, it did turn out to be a “Wild Cat” disaster, only worse, and they did lose all their artillery, and more than all, the old he devil Zollicoffer lost his life.  The route has been complete and total.  His whole force is entirely scattered, and if the victory is followed up across the river, they will never rally together again.

It is now nearly three o’clock in the morning while I write, and with a few reflections this already long letter – perhaps too long – shall be closed.

What a lucky thing that Zollicoffer was bold enough to attack our force, had he not done so, no battle would have been fought here for a long time.  And this victory cannot be credited to the skill of a Brigadier General.  The battle was entirely accidental, the position was entirely a chance position, and the men themselves, led by their Colonels fought the battle and won it.  The 10th Indiana got into the fight supporting their pickets, the 4th Kentucky and 9th Ohio rushed in, without orders, to support the 10th.  Whether the 2d Minnesota had orders to go in or not, I do not know. – And these four regiments did all the fighting that was done, and that was enough to whip the eight regiments Zollicoffer had in the engagement.  If these Brigadier Generals must be paid big wages by the Government, why just pay it to them and let them stay at home, for they are no earthly use among us.  Let the men go ahead and wind up this war, it can be done in two months.  Secret – do something.

Would that some abler pen could give you a full and complete account of this rout.  I considered it my duty to do my best in an attempt to describe it, but it has been hurriedly written – with a willing but weary hand, so excuse the confused parts of the letter.

FELIX.

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

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, June 7, 1862

I stood out on picket all day. We were relieved from picket this evening about dark. We were posted in a heavy timber about two miles out, on one of the main roads leading to town. Water is very scarce and poor at that. We have to go a mile from camp for our drinking water, and to a branch the same distance to do our washing.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52

Doctors say that . . .

. . . the children of German parents in New York are more liable to dropsy.

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

The War News of this Week

Occupies so much space in our paper that we have but little room for editorial remarks concerning the late victories over rebellion.  All of our readers will take a deep interest in the war news we present this week. – Next week our readers may look for something still more interesting in that line if Gen. McClellan has a battle at Yorktown.  It will be the biggest battle ever fought in America.  We wait with anxiety for the result.  It will be another Federal Victory!

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

Bad News

A telegraphic dispatch says that the Iowa 16th and the 16th Wisconsin fled from the field at the battle of Pittsburgh, Tenn.  As there are quite a number of young men from this place in the 16th Regiment, we hope the statement may prove to be untrue.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

The Merrimac Out Again

From the Dubuque papers of Sunday we learn that the Merrimac, accompanied by six other gunboats, made her appearance on the 11th inst., and captured two brigs and a schooner, loaded with Uncle Sam’s provisions.  Where was the Monitor?

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

Another Big Fight Expected

The news of Monday evening is to the effect that another big battle will be fought near Pittsburgh.  The two armies are encamped within sight of each other. – Beauregard is well entrenched, with communication open to both railroads.  Gen. Buell and Grant are being reinforced.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

The Iowa Troops in the Pittsburg Landing Battle

From the Dubuque Times.

A dispatch from Chicago to Col. H. A. Wiltse of this city, states that the following Regiments of Iowa troops were in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, viz.

The Second, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Infantry, and the First Iowa Cavalry, making eleven regiments in all.

We are all very anxious to hear farther from the scene of conflict.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

From the 16th Iowa Regiment

PACKET CRESCENT CITY,

PADUCAH, Ky., April 2d, 1862.

ED. COURIER: – Dear Sir:  The 16th Iowa Regiment, accompanied by the Iowa 15th, Missouri 23d, Michigan 15th and a Wisconsin Regiment, and also three Batteries, arrived here from St. Louis this A. M., bound for Pittsburg, on the Tennessee River.  We will join the 3d and 12th Iowa at or near that place.  In fact all Iowa troops, excepting four regiments, are stationed in that vicinity.

I would state that all Waterloo “boys” connected with the 16th are well and “spilling” for a fight.  The 16th is fully armed and equipped in best style, and is determined to make her mark.

The “boys” in our company are hard up.  Not any of us have money to buy stamps. – All letters for the North, written South of here, are holden [sic] at this point for fear that plans may be exposed.  They are making great preparations for a fight.  Not less than 160,000 troops are concentrated at the point above mentioned.  It is to be the fight of the season.

Those in Blackhawk County having friends in the 16th should address letters “In care of Company I, 16th Regiment, Iowa Infantry, St. Louis, Mo.”  They will be forwarded to the Regiment.  More anon.

HANK.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

The Yankees in Gen. Banks’ division . . .

. . . showed themselves dandy in various was during the advance into Virginia.  They helped about the pontoon bridge for crossing the Potomac, repaired bridges and telegraph lines on the route, and coming to a large field, containing several acres near Charleston, filled with corn in shocks and unhusked, the troops detailed to make it available for the Quartermaster’s department performed that service in double quick style rarely before exhibited in agricultural operations in slaveholding districts.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

A New Book

Parson Brownlow has arrived in the land of freedom.  He is about publishing a book giving his experience in Secessia.  It will undoubtly [sic] be very interesting, and those who would know how outrageously this stern old patriot has been treated by the rebels, and at the same time give a man that has lost his all in the cause of the Union a little “material aid,” can do so by sending to Geo. W. Childs, Philadelphia, for the book.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

Dubuque, Marion & Western Railroad

Mr. Farley informs us that arrangements have been perfected by which the trains on this road will be started again on Monday next.  This will open a large tract of country once more to our trade, and doubtless give a new impetus to business.  It is said farther arrangements have been made by which the road will be completed to Marion. – Dubuque Times.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, June 6, 1862

We struck our tents and at 7 a. m. started on our march. We marched through Corinth and went into camp again about a mile northwest of town, making camp number 9. The Eleventh Iowa went out on picket.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52

Application Of The Mad Stone

Two weeks ago yesterday the son of Mr. Temple of this city, was bitten on the thumb by a mad dog.  The same animal bit other dogs, and hydrophobia ensued.  This of course, alarmed his parents, and last week the young man was taken to the owner of the mad stone – the Rev. R. W. Blake of Lisbon, Linn county, in this state.  The stone was applied on Saturday night, and filled itself three times with a greenish matter.  The fourth time it was only partially filled, after which it would draw no more.  Mr. Temple now feels confident that the poison is entirely withdrawn, and that no evil effects will come of it. – Davenport Democrat.

– Published in The Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

William Tecumseh Sherman's Headstone

WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN

GENERAL, U. S. A.

Born At Lancaster, O.

Feb. 8, 1820

Died At New York City

Feb. 14, 1891

__________

FAITHFUL AND HONORABLE

Section 17

Cavalry Cemetery and Mausoleum,

St. Louis, Missouri

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, March 24, 1864

On March 24, 1864, General Sherman writes from his headquarters, then at Nashville, Tenn.

I went to Cincinnati with Grant to see Ellen. I stayed but two days, and am now here. I go to Decatur, Huntsville, and Chattanooga, to be gone a week, and then return here. I shall have plenty to do. I am bored for photographs, etc. I send you the only one I have, which you can have duplicated, and let the operator sell to the curious. Give Grant all the support you can. If he can escape the toils of the schemers, he may do some good. He will fight, and the Army of the Potomac will have all the fighting they want. He will expect your friendship — we are close friends. His simplicity and modesty are natural and not affected. Whatever part is assigned me I will attempt, cost what it may in life and treasure. . . .

And again he writes: —

Grant encourages his juniors and takes pleasure in supporting them. . . . Newspaper men are afraid of me, and I hope before the war is much older we shall be allowed to conscript every citizen of good physique found about our camps, on the ground that he has fled to escape the draft. Such an order would have an admirable effect.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 223-4

The following patents have been recently issued from the Unites States Patent Office:

Joseph Robmer, of Chicago, Ill, for improvement in grain winnower.

Noah Shaw, W. B. Easterbrooks and C. A. Piper, of Eau Claire, Wis., for Improved shingle machine.

J. J. Johnson, of Kalamazoo county, Mich., for improved tanning process.

Nathan Chapin, of East Saginaw, Mich., for improved apparatus in manufacturing salt.

H. M. Wyeth, of Pulaski, Iowa, for improvement in pumps.

G. W. Scollay, of St. Louis, Mo., for improvement in burial cases.

– Published in The Cedar Valley Times, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862, p. 1

The amount of bulk meat confiscated . . .

. . . and seized by the Government on the Cumberland river, mostly at Nashville, Tenn., was very large, amounting to 3,000,000 pounds, but a large portion of it is said to have soured.

– Published in The Cedar Valley Times, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, June 5, 1862

We received marching orders with one day's rations. It is reported that General Buell will move with the Army of the Ohio into central Tennessee. It is clear and hot today.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52

Abraham Lincoln to George Ashmun, May 23, 1860

Hon. George Ashmun,

President of the Republican National Convention.

Springfield, Ills., May 23, 1860.

Sir: I accept the nomination tendered me by the convention over which you presided, of which I am formally appraised in a letter of yourself and others acting as a committee of the convention for that purpose.

The declaration of principles and sentiments which accompanies your letter meets my approval, and it shall be my care not to violate it, or disregard it in any part. Imploring the assistance of Divine Providence, and with due regard to the views and feelings of all who were represented in the convention, to the rights of all the states and territories and people of the nation, to the inviolability of the constitution, and the perpetual union, harmony, and prosperity of all; I am most happy to co-operate for the practical success of the principles declared by the convention.

Your obliged friend and fellow-citizen,

A. LINCOLN.

SOURCES: Draft of this letter from The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress;  G. M. Van Buren, Abraham Lincoln's Pen And Voice, p. 14; Roy P. Basler, Editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4, p. 52

Jefferson Davis' Proclamation Appointing Alexander H. Stephens As Special Commissioner to Virginia, April 19, 1861

Jefferson Davis,

President Of The Confederate States Of America,

To All Whom These Presents Shall Concern, greeting.

Know ye, that for the purpose of establishing friendly relations between the Confederate States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence, and ability of Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States of America, appointed special commissioner of the Confederate States to the Commonwealth of Virginia, I have invested him with full and all manner of power and authority, for and in the name of the Confederate States, to meet and confer with any person or persons authorized by the Government of Virginia, being furnished with like power and authority, and with him or them to agree, treat, consult, and negotiate of and concerning all matters and subjects interesting to both Republics; and to conclude and sign a treaty or treaties, convention or conventions, touching the premises, transmitting the same to the President of the Confederate States for his final ratification, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress of the Confederate States.

In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the Confederate States to be hereunto affixed.

Given under my hand at the city of Montgomery this 19th day of April, A.D. 1861.

{SEAL}

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

By the President: Robert Toombs, Secretary of State.

SOURCES:  Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 2, Vol. 3, p. 98;  James D. Richardson, editor and publisher, A Compilation Of The Messages And Papers Of The Confederacy, Volume 1, p. 62;  Edward Mayes, Lucius Q.C. Lamar: His Life, Times, And Speeches, 1825-1893, p. 639

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, June 4, 1862

Nothing of importance. Some of the troops are returning to Pittsburg Landing, a part of them to go down the Tennessee river and then up the Cumberland to reinforce the army in eastern Tennessee, and the others are to join the forces going down the Mississippi.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, January 29, 1864

UNITED STATES SENATE, Jan. 29, 1864.

My Dear Brother:

I received your letter from Lancaster, and also one from Cairo. If I had known when I left Washington that you were to be at Lancaster, I would have met you there. But on leaving Washington I engaged to meet certain gentlemen at New York, on New Year's Day, and this left me no time. I have met several from Cincinnati who saw you there, and all concur in saying you bear the storms of life well, and appear in better health and spirits than before the war. Your official report is very interesting, and I wish to see it published. I inquired of Cullen if it has yet come by military channels to the adjutant-general, and he says not. When it does come, he will have it published. As to your proposition to increase the cadets at West Point, I find some difference of opinion among regular officers. Cullen says that to graduate the number would require new buildings, professors, etc.; that the utmost capacity of the school is four hundred and fifty. Both he and Hardie seem backward about drawing the bill without the assent of Stanton, but promised to send me a bill doubling the cadets if Stanton would consent. This delicacy seems to me absurd, for I will assume it, introduce it, and may be able to pass it. . . . We are all looking to the operation on the Mississippi and at Knoxville. The latter seems to me the point of danger. If Longstreet should be reinforced, why could he not pounce upon Foster, or his successor, and make another march necessary for his relief. The movement of recruiting is going on well enough. The draft will then be thoroughly enforced. So Stanton says, and I believe him. The general prosperity of the country is so marked that I am afraid of a reaction or a collapse. The currency is awfully inflated, and our ability to borrow and to pay interest has a limit. If the war continues two years longer, we shall be terribly embarrassed. Still we have the sure foundation of public credit, a great country, and a large and active population. Let me hear from you as often as possible.

Affectionately yours,

JOHN SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 222-3

Franklin Rockefeller, Private, Co. A, 7th Ohio Infantry: Pension Index Card

SOURCE:  Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, June 3, 1862

The weather is very hot. We have no picket duty now, but get plenty of exercise by regular drills, having company drill twice a day. We also get exercise in keeping the camp clean; have to sweep it every morning.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52

Mr. Lincoln's Verbal Reply To Committee Notifying Him Of His Nomination To The Presidency

At Springfield, Ill., May 18, 1860.

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Committee: — I tender to you, and through you to the Republican National Convention, and all the people represented in it, my profoundest thanks for the high honor done me, which you now formally announce.

Deeply, and even painfully sensible of the great responsibility which is inseparable from the high honor, a responsibility which I could almost wish had fallen upon some one of the far more eminent men and experienced statesmen whose distinguished names were before the convention, I shall, by your leave, consider more fully the resolutions of the convention, denominated the platform, and without any unnecessary or unreasonable delay, report to you, Mr. Chairman, in writing, not doubting that the platform will be found satisfactory, and the nomination gratefully accepted. And now I will no longer defer the pleasure of taking you, and each of you, by the hand.

SOURCES: G. M. Van Buren, Abraham Lincoln's Pen And Voice,  p. 13; Roy P. Basler, Editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4, p. 51



Proclamation of Jefferson Davis, April 12, 1861

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, an extraordinary occasion has occurred, rendering it necessary and proper that the Congress of the Confederate States shall convene to receive and act upon such communications as may be made to it on the part of the Executive;

Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, do issue this my proclamation, convoking the Congress of the Confederate States for the transaction of business at the capitol, in the city of Montgomery, on the 29th day of April, at twelve o’clock noon of that day, of which all who shall at that time be entitled to act as members of that body are hereby required to take notice.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at Montgomery, this 12th day of April, A.D. 1861.

[L. S.]

Jefferson Dav1s.

By the President: R. TOOMBS, Secretary of State.

SOURCE: James D. Richardson, editor and publisher, A Compilation Of The Messages And Papers Of The Confederacy, Volume 1, p. 60

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, January 28, 1864

ON BOARD JULIET,

Bound for Vicksburg in a fog,

Friday, Jan. 28,1864.

Dear Brother:

I have organized a cavalry force to sweep down from Memphis towards Mobile, and have gathered together out of my garrisons a very pretty force of twenty thousand men which I shall command in person, and move from Vicksburg down east in connection with the cavalry named, to reach Meridian and break up the railroad connections there. This will have the effect to disconnect Mississippi from the eastern Southern States, arid without this single remaining link they cannot keep any army of importance west of the Alabama River. Our armies are now at the lowest point, and so many are going home as re-enlisted veterans that I shall have a less force than should attempt it; but this is the time and I shall attempt it. It seems my luck to have to take the initiative and to come in at desperate times, but thus far having done a full share of the real achievements of this war, I need not fear accidents. . . .

You who attach more importance to popular fame would be delighted to see in what estimation I am held by the people of Memphis, Tenn., and all along this mighty river. I could not well decline an offer of a public dinner in Memphis, but I dreaded it more than I did the assault on Vicksburg. I had to speak, and sent you the report that best suited me, viz., that in the "Argus." The report of the bulletin which may reach the Northern press is disjointed and not so correct. Indeed, I cannot speak from notes or keep myself strictly to the point, but ’tis said that the effect of my crude speeches is good. . . .

I know that for us to assume that slavery is killed, not by a predetermined act of ours, but as the natural, logical, and legal consequence of the acts of its self-constituted admirers, we gain strength and the enemy loses it. I think it is the true doctoring for the time being. The South has made the interests of slavery the issue of the war. If they lose the war, they lose slavery. Instead of our being abolitionists, it is thereby proven that they are the abolitionists. . . .

The Mississippi is a substantial conquest; we should next get the Red River, then the Alabama, and last push into Georgia. . . .

Your affectionate brother,

W. T. SHERMAN

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 221-2