Sunday, April 20, 2025

Diary of Edward Bates, Monday, February 24, 1862

Late last night, Mr. Newton4 came in to tell me that the Prest had just reed, a telegram to the effect that Columbus was evacuated.5 This morning the story is contradicted by another telegram. And now Gen McDowell6 tells me that Com[modor]e. Foote7 has made a reconnoisance [sic] in one of his boats, and finds a very strong fort there. Still, McDowell says that our affairs look bright and well — No certain news today from Nashville8 or Savanna[h] .9

I am anxious about Norfolk. The rumor is that we are about to attack Craney Island10 — may be so, but I think if the attack is made at all, it will be a feint, to draw attention while we assail Suffolk.11 Possibly it may be good policy to risk something in assailing Norfolk before the Merrimack is ready to make a desperate effort to escape.

This afternoon, tho' very unwell, attended the funeral of Willie Lincoln — Note. The Depts. closed today on a/c of the funeral.

The morning was gusty, with several rain storms — cleared off in the afternoon, with very high wind. Note. Stepping out of my own door to speak to Klopfer,12 with my loose gown on, I was laterally, blown away! Seised by the gust, I had to run before it, for fear of falling, till I caught hold of the boxing of a tree — then came my servant Tom13 and helped me in.
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4 See supra, Jan. 5, 1862, note 12.

5 Columbus, Kentucky, was a Confederate stronghold and railroad terminus on the Mississippi, twelve miles below Cairo. The capture of Fort Henry on February 6 and of Fort Donelson on February 16 forced the evacuation of Columbus.

6 Supra, Nov. 16, 1861, note 53.

7 Supra, Feb. 17, 1862, note 77.

8 Nashville fell February 26, 1862.

9 Supra, Feb. 17, 1862, note 83.

10 Near the mouth of the James River.

11 A town «about eighteen miles southwest of Norfolk on the Nansemond River. It controlled Norfolk's rail connections with the Confederacy.

12 Henry A. Klopfer, head messenger in the Attorney-General's Office.

13 Tom Hare who had come from Missouri with Mr. Bates.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, Annual Report of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930, Vol. 4, The Diary Of Edward Bates, p. 236

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