Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 9, 1862

CAMP PIERPONT, VA., March 9, 1862.

I am very much afraid there is a great deal of truth in what told you, and that the President is at length yielding to the immense pressure that has been brought to bear to influence him to remove McClellan. McClellan, I understand, continues firm and undaunted. He says they may supersede him whenever they please, but so long as he is responsible, he intends to do what he thinks right, and not what others dictate.

This morning's paper announces the evacuation of Leesburg and its occupation by a part of Banks' force. I never expected they would attempt to hold either Winchester or Leesburg after we were ready to move in force.

I hear we are to be divided into four corps d' armee, to be commanded respectively by Sumner, McDowell, Heintzelman and Keyes. Into which of these commands McCall's Division will be incorporated is not yet decided. I don't think there is much choice between them. The selection of these men, by virtue of the seniority of their commissions, was, I understand, opposed by McClellan, who, finding he could not designate his commanders, objected to corps d' armee, and said he only wanted divisions and their commanders. He has been overruled, and these officers selected in opposition to his openly expressed views. All this is confidential, though it is a matter of absolute fact. Public opinion in this country is so wayward and so whimsical that I should not be surprised to see the same people who the other day called McClellan a demi-god, to-morrow applauding his removal.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 250-1

Have We A General?

MR. EDITOR:  The present rebellion has now been persisted in for more than a year.  It has developed in an unexpected and almost marvelous degree, the before unknown resources of the country.  It has called a larger number of men into the field than any other single nation can muster, and all of them are volunteers.  It has created a navy able to compete with any in the world.  It has appropriated to active military use, novel, scientific and mechanical agencies, unknown to all previous wars.  It has developed financial resources, available and plenteous wealth, and rendered it easily applicable to the needs of the country, as much to our own surprise as it has been to the astonishment of other nations.  Above all, it has proven that the soldiers of the Union, are as gallant and courageous as the most ardent patriot could wish.

One thing, in my opinion, the war has not yet done.  It has found among us an abundance of the very best soldiers that ever fought and died upon the battlefield, but thus far it seems to have failed in giving prominence to any man competent to command a great army.  I cannot doubt that among the numerous officers in the national ranks, there must be some who would prove admirable leaders.  But they remain unknown, being over shadowed by those occupying higher positions – positions unworthily filled.

Our two great armies are commanded by McClellan and Halleck.  The former has been in command of his department for nearly a year, superseding McDowell, who had just fought and lost a great battle which he ought to have won.  He has under his command probably the best army, and the most completely appointed, ever yet led to the field.  His friends that he is a wonderful strategist, how justly events have plainly indicated.  He lay idle all winter before Manassas, with force and means enough to have captured all the rebels there at any time, by a single week’s use of but ordinary military skill.  Yet he allowed them to escape leaving behind them, scarcely enough of war materials to make trophies of.  He has been nearly, or quite, three months on the Yorktown [peninsula], and is now within sight of Richmond.  During the period, we have had the evacuation of Yorktown, without any material loss to the rebels, and several subsequent heavy [skirmishes].  In the most important of these, the rebels have made the attack, and in every instance, have found our forces unprepared and in a great measure uncommanded, and, consequently, in each instance have caused us heavy and intolerable loss of men.  It was so at Williamsburg, and so it was in the affair of last Saturday and Sunday.  In a word, this great strategist displays a remarkable capacity for placing portions of his army in positions which invite attack, without furnishing support, or with support so [distant] as to be able to give it only in time to just avoid absolute defeat and destruction.

At noon, Jun [1st], this strategist, Gen. McClellan, himself telegraphed these words, “We have had a desperate battle, in which the corps of Generals Sumner, Heintzelman and Keyes have been engaged against greatly superior numbers!”  What kind of strategy is that which allows a portion of any army to be assailed by “greatly superior numbers”?  Is it any consolation to tell us that, “Our loss is heavy,” but that of the enemy must have been enormous?”  If the fight was a necessary one, it would be endurable.  If he had captured the enemy, we might perceive that something had been gained.  But the fight was “desperate” he says, and the enemy was merely repulsed.  That repulse cost us 1000 killed and 2000 or more wounded.  This is Gen. McClellan’s strategy.  This is a specimen of the battles he fights, and the glory he gives to our army.  A thousand bereaved mothers and widows, nothing gained, and all to display his “strategy.”

Gen. McClellan has had the power to take Richmond any time during the past six weeks. – It is plain that he has not the capacity to move a large army, that he does not know how to plan it; and that he will not be able to fight with it so as to secure all the advantages of victory.  I do not doubt that he will take Richmond.  But I think it safe to predict that but a small portion of the rebel forces will fall into his hands.  The best part of the campaign will be wasted before that city, and a barren possession of it, will be the sum of our gain.  If this is strategy, I do not see it.  I consider McClellan an egregious failure; by the time a few more thousand lives are sacrificed, to satisfy his strategy, I presume it will be thought expedient to try another.

I will not ascribe the folly of the battle of Shiloh to General Halleck.  I think General Grant is responsible for that, and it is a responsibility no one will wish to share with him.  The evacuation of Corinth, by the rebels taking with them all their munitions of war evidences either a marvelous degree of successful strategy on their party, or an equally marvelous want of Generalship on the part of Halleck.  General Grant set down about Pittsburgh Landing with some 40,000 men, and felt so secure that he never tho’t  of the ordinary precaution of entrenching his camp.  Halleck, having the addition of Buell’s, Mitchell’s, Pope’s and Curtis’ Divisions, making his army three of four times as effective as Grant’s, builds entrenchments all the way from Shiloh to Corinth, and when he gets there, obtains the place for his pains!  There is no doubt that Grant ought to have entrenched himself. – It is equally evident that Halleck has been wasting his time.  He could have taken Corinth, and the larger part of the rebel army, had he but moved on it with rapidity and energy, instead of wasting his time in his entrenchments.  The battle of Shiloh appears to have given him a “big scare.”  To avoid Grant’s absurd negligence and recklessness, he adopted the other extreme, and instead of proving a competent General, he has proven merely to be a good ditcher.

These two Generals are the only ones who have had command of large armies.  The ditchers around Corinth and Yorktown are the best evidence they have given of their capacity.  I do not know how well they were dug.  But I submit, that, although ditch digging is good in its place, a General ought to have the ability to do “something else.”  I do not know who should supersede these so-called Generals.  But I am sure some one, possessed of higher qualifications, ought to be found, with ease, by those whose business it is to know the character, and ability of our numerous military officers.  We have had too many evacuations without results.  If this mode of warfare should be persisted in, you and I need not hope to live long enough to see the end of the rebellion.  I repeat it, then, let us have a GENERAL if it be possible to find one.  We have had enough of ditch-digging; let us next have men who will “go in for a fight.”

H.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Major General George B. McClellan to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, June 1, 1862

FIELD OF BATTLE, June 1, 1862 – 12 o'clock.

Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

We have had a desperate battle, in which the corps of Sumner, Heintzelman, and Keyes have been engaged against greatly superior numbers. Yesterday, at 1, the enemy, taking advantage of a terrible storm, which had flooded the valley of the Chickahominy, attacked our troops on the right bank of that river.  Casey's division, which was in first line, gave way unaccountably and disunitedly [discreditably*]. This caused a temporary confusion, during which some guns and baggage were lost, but Heintzelman and Kearny most gallantly brought up their troops, which checked the enemy; at the same time, however, [General Sumner*] succeeded by great exertion in bringing across Sedgwick's and Richardson's divisions, who drove back the enemy at the point of the bayonet, covering the ground with his dead.

This morning the enemy attempted to renew the conflict, but was everywhere repulsed. We have taken many prisoners, among whom is General Pettigrew and Colonel Long. Our loss is heavy, but that of the enemy must be enormous. With the exception of Casey's division [our*] men behaved splendidly.†  Several fine bayonet charges have been made. The Second Excelsior made two to-day.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-general, Commanding.

__________

*These words in revised copy.  See McClellan to Stanto, Jun 5, 10:30 a.m., p. 751.

†See also general report, pp. 38-43

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume XI, Part I (Serial No. 12), page 749

Special to New York Papers

NEW YORK, April 1. – Herald’s Special states that resolutions are soon to be introduced in the Senate, asking the Secretary of State for a report upon the reciprocity and fishery treaties with Great Britain, and also asking for statistical information respecting the imports and exports and details since the treaty went into operation, and the amount of trade between this country and the colonies, so that Congress may have the information necessary to take proper action upon the tax bill, as well as to determine upon the proposed action regarding the treaty.

Col. D. Ultasen, of the Garibaldi Guard, was put under arrest by order of Gen. Sumner last Saturday, charged with neglect of duty, in permitting his regiment to plunder the residents in the neighborhood of his camp.

(Times’ special.)

It is ascertained, on examination, that Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Fox, as soon as it was known that the Nashville had run in at Beaufort, N. C., telegraphed to every gunboat of the Navy that was employed to proceed forthwith to that port to prevent her escape. – All urgency was expressed in his dispatch, but by a run of ill luck not one reached her destination in time to do any good.

The prospect is excellent for the passage of the bill for the completion of the Stevens’ battery.  The amendment of The Senate referring the matter to the judgment of the Secretary of the Navy was merely meant as a respect to that Department; it not being contemplated that the Secretary would veto a bill deemed to important.  The Secretary prefers not to have the responsibility impliedly placed on him by the language of the bill, and it is probably that he will request the amendment referring the matter to him stricken out.  The department are anxious to have everything in the way of improvement of iron-clad ships fully tested.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

The Rebels Driven from Warrenton -- Snow

WASHINGTON, March 29. – Yesterday the enemy, in a large force, were driven from the Warrenton Railroad Junction by Gen. Sumner.

Snow is falling to-day.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, February, 1863

HEADQUARTERS, I5TH ARMY CORPS,

CAMP BEFORE VICKSBURG, Feb. , 1863.²

Dear Brother:

I now know the secret of this last tirade against me personally.

Of course newspaper correspondents regard me as the enemy of their class. I announced that all such accompanying the expedition were and should be treated as spies. They are spies because their publications reach the enemy, give them direct and minute information of the composition of our forces, and while invariably they puff up their patrons, they pull down all others. Thus this man Knox, dating his paper upon the Steamer Continental, the headquarters of Generals Steele and Blair, gives to these general officers and their division undue praise, and libels and abuses all others. This not only plays into the hands of our enemies by sowing dissensions among us, but it encourages discontent among the officers who find themselves abused by men seemingly under the influence of officers high in command. I caused Knox’s communication to be read to him, paragraph by paragraph, and then showed him my instructions, by my orders made at the time, and the official reports of others, and how wide he was of the truth. And now I have asked his arrest and trial by General Grant, on charges as a spy and informer. The 57th Article of war, which is a Law of Congress, is as follows: “Who shall be convicted of holding correspondence with, or giving intelligence to the enemy, either directly or indirectly, shall suffer death, &c.”  I will endeavor to bring in all the facts, by means of the evidence of officers who took part in all these events. My purpose is not to bring Knox to death or other severe punishment, but I do want to establish the principle that citizens shall not, against the orders of the competent military superior, attend a military expedition, report its proceedings, and comment on its officers. . . .

Affectionately your Brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

In the above letter to John Sherman, General Sherman enclosed the following copy of General Orders No. 67, in regard to the giving of intelligence to the enemy, together with his own comments upon them.

. . . Now, to every army and almost every general a newspaper reporter goes along, filling up our transports, swelling our trains, reporting our progress, guessing at places, picking up dropped expressions, inciting jealousy and discontent, and doing infinite mischief. We are commanded absolutely to proceed against them under the 57th article of war. Shall the laws of Congress be obeyed? Shall the orders of the War Department be respected? Or shall the press go on sweeping everything before it. ...

The press has now killed McClellan, Buell, Fitz-John Porter, Sumner, Franklin, and Burnside. Add my name and I am not ashamed of the association. If the press can govern the country, let them fight the battles.

__________

² Date uncertain.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 187-9

Specials to the New York Papers

(Special to Tribune.)

WASHINGTON, March 25. – The senate Committee on Foreign Relations reported a bill to-day requiring the allegiance of Americans in Europe who may select passports from our Consuls and Ministers.

The debate on Slavery both in the Senate and House was very bitter to-day. Republicans generally voted against taxing slaves.

Mr. Blenker was to-day restored to his position.  This is a victory over Schurz, who desired his place.

The Tax bill was only amended to-day by placing license on dentists of ten dollars per year.

The circulation of the National Republican and Tribune has been forbidden among the regular troops of the army of the Potomac on the ground that articles against McClellan are calculated to incite an insurrectionary spirit.

The commanding officers of various companies have issued official orders to-day that no boats will be allowed to visit Mount Vernon.

The Committee on Naval Affairs determined to-day to report a bill for the construction of iron-clad steamers.

The City Council made an earnest remonstrance against the abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia.

The victory at Winchester turns out to be one of the most brilliant of the war.

(Times’ Despatch.)

WASHINGTON, March 25. – It appears that Secretary Stanton, late on Monday night, concluded to forego his purpose to order the arrest of the editors of certain New York and Boston papers.

Advices received from Fortress Monroe are quite conclusive that the Merrimac is out of the dry dock and prepared to run out when she chooses.  The Monitor is on hand.

(World’s dispatch.)

The main body of the rebel army cannot be very far distant as it is known that scouting parties have been discovered within the past 24 hours but a short distance from Manassas Junction.

Appearances indicate that the enemy are strongly fortified behind the line of the Rappahannock.

(Herald’s dispatch.)

Gen. Sumner has issued an important order, prohibiting acts of marauding.  He assures the people of Virginia that their only safety is the General Government, and that it will be his constant endeavor to protect them in their lives and property to the extent of his power.

The General has also determined to accept no resignations in his corps during the campaign.

(Tribune Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 26. – Gen. Halleck’s commissioners appointed to visit the Ft. Donelson prisoners at Chicago had reported the names of one thousand rebels as adverse to taking the oath of allegiance, but Schuyler Colfax protested against their release on these or any other terms, and the President revoked the commission and prohibited the discharge of any more rebels.

(World Specials.)

A gentleman named Pollock reach here to-day having come from Culpepper, Va., near where the rebel army now lies.  He is known in Washington as a reliable and intelligent gentleman.  Mr. Pollock states that in the vicinity from which he came there is a loyal insurrection among the white people who are bitter in their opposition to the rule of Jeff Davis.  The people he says feel that the rebel cause is hopelessly lost since the retreat from their stronghold at Manassas.  The rebel defeat at Winchester has also depressed them.  Though every effort was made to conceal the news from the public and that portion of the army which were not engaged in the fight, he doubts whether the rebels will have pluck to make a stand if they are attacked at Gordonsville.

(Post Specials.)

A few days since the pickets along the lower Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay were driven by Gen. Hooker.  The rebel sympathizers in tory Maryland took this as an indication that the U. S. forces were about to leave and immediately commenced to send their slaves to Virginia for the rebel service.  This perfidy did not escape the vigilance of the General who immediately ordered the arrest of some six our eight of the ringleaders, who were among the most prominent citizens of that section of Maryland.  They will be handed over to the authorities at Washington with the evidence against them, which is said to be of the most conclusive character.

The following nominations by the President were referred to the Military Committee: Ward B. Burnett, of N. Y., Carl Schurz of Wis., M. S. Haskell of Ind. John W. Geary of Pa., Horace Warden of Ill., J. T. Bradford of Ky., James D. Hutchins of Ky., Alonzo J. Phelps of Ohio, and S. M. Hamilton of Ill.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER, No. 2

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

Washington, March 8, 1862.

Ordered, 1. That the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac proceed forthwith to organize that part of the said army destined to enter upon active operations (including the reserve, but excluding the troops to be left in the fortifications about Washington) into four army corps, to be commanded according to seniority of rank, as follows:

First Corps to consist of four divisions, and to be commanded by Maj. Gen. I. McDowell.

Second Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brig. Gen. E. V. Sumner.

Third Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brig. Gen. S. P. Heintzelman.

Fourth Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brig. Gen. E. D. Keyes.

2. That the divisions now commanded by the officers above assigned to the commands of army corps shall be embraced in and form part of their respective corps.

3. The forces left for the defense of Washington will be placed in command of Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth, who shall also be military governor of the District of Columbia.

4. That this order be executed with such promptness and dispatch as not to delay the commencement of the operations already directed to be undertaken by the Army of the Potomac.

5. A fifth army corps, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks, will be formed from his own and General Shields' (late General Lander's) divisions.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, vol. 5, p. 18

From Washington

Herald’s Special.

NEW YORK, April 1.

State resolutions are soon to be introduced in the Senate, asking the Secretary of State for a report upon the reciprocity and fishery treaties with Great Britain; and also asking for statistical information, respecting the imports and exports in detail, since the treaty went into operation; and the amount of trade between this country and the colonies, that Congress may have the information necessary to take proper action upon the tax bill as well as to determine upon the proposed action, regarding the treaty.

Col. D. Uttasey of the Garibaldi guards was put under arrest, by order of Gen. Sumner, last Saturday, charged with neglect of duty in permitting his regiment to plunder the residents in the neighborhood of his camp.

Special to N. Y. Times.

It is ascertained on examination, that Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Fox, as soon as it was known that the Nashville had run in a Beaufort, North Carolina, telegraphed to every gunboat of the Navy, that was available, to proceed forthwith to that port to prevent her escape.  All urgency was expressed in his dispatches, but by a run of ill luck not one reached its destination in time to do any good.

The prospect is excellent for the passage of the bill for the completion of Steven’s battery.  The amendment of the Senate referring the matter to the judgment of the Secretary of the Navy was merely meant as a token of respect to that department – it not being contemplated that the Secretary would veto a bill deemed so important.  The Secretary prefers not to have the responsibility implicitly placed on him by the language of the bill, and it is probable that he will request that the amendment referring the matter to him, be stricken out.  The department is anxious to have everything in the way of improvement of iron clad ships fully tested.

The following is an extract from a private letter from London to a gentleman in Washington, describing the debate in Parliament on the American question:  “Mr. Mason, who was on the Tory side of the House, did not at all like the way it went.  The members who were near him say he cheered when Mr. Lindsay, in the course of his speech, attacked Secretary Seward.  This puts him in an awkward fix.  When I remember his tyrannical, insolent bearing in the U. S. Senate, it was sweet revenge to see him solitary and alone.  During the debate only one or two men went near him.”

A gentleman just returned from the Rappahannock reports that Maj. Van Steinhousen and Capt. Camp, while out on service were surprised and taken prisoners by the Louisiana Tigers.

Lt. Col. Claynish and Capt. Kolnig, encountering a rebel scouting force, killed two of their officers, whose horses were brought into our camp.  Capt. Newstader was taken prisoner by the enemy.

Shots are frequently exchanged between pickets and scouting parties.  A reconnoisance was made yesterday, and 10 wagon loads of forage secured.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 2, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 25.

Times’ Correspondence.

It appears that Secretary Stanton, late on Monday night, concluded to forego his purpose to order the arrest of the editors of certain New York and Boston papers.

Advices from Fortress Monroe are quite conclusive that the Merrimac is out of the dry docks, and prepare[d] to run out when she chooses.  The Monitor is on hand.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The main body of the rebel army can not be very far distant, as it is known that scouting parties have been discovered within the past 24 hours but a short distance from Manassas Junction.  Appearances indicate that the enemy are strongly fortified behind the line of the Rappahannock.

Several State prisoners were released to-day on taking the oath of allegiance.

Gen. McDowell’s corps was reviewed to-day by McClellan.

Committee on foreign relations in the Senate reported a bill to-day.  The radicals generally voted against taxing slaves.

Gen. Blenker was to-day restored to his position.  This is a victory over Schurz who desired his place.

The tax bill was amended to-day by placing a license on dentists of ten dollars per year.

The circulation of the National Republican and the Tribune has been forbidden among the troops of the army of the Potomac, on the ground that the articles against McClellan are calculated to incite insurrectionary spirit.

Commanding officers of the various companies issued an official order to-day, that no boats will be allowed to visit Mount Vernon.

The Committees on Naval Affairs determined to-day to report a bill for the construction of iron clad steamers.

The City Council has made an earnest remonstrance against the abolition of slavery in the District.

The victory of Winchester turns out to be one of the most brilliant of the war.

A paper has been circulated and signed by nearly all the Democratic members of Congress, and by Senator Carlisle, having in view the rallying of the Democratic party, and a convention in this city at an early day to give direction to its future movements.

The commission appointed by Gen. Wool to inquire into the condition of vagrants or contrabands, say in their official report, that they started with the general proposition that the military power had not only the right, but it is among its highest duties to avail itself of any and all means within its control, to perfect its discipline, render its position secure, or make it effective for an advance against an enemy; and for these ends it has the right to compel service or use from anything, animate or inanimate, which a military necessity may demand.  At the same time they consider that necessity is the only proper measure by which this, however can be exercised, the Number of Contrabands is given as 1,508, thus distributed; at Fort Monroe 691; at Camp Hamilton 743; at Camp Butler and Newport News 74.  Little inclination is manifested by them to go North.  Comparatively few contrabands come to our camp.  The navy is decidedly popular with them; they are treated as boys, and receive $10 per month.

The commissioners point out various abuses, and suggest remedies.

It further appears from the report, that Gen. Wool has issued an order, that hereafter all wages earned by them will be paid the contrabands for their own use and support under such regulations as may be deemed proper.

Representative Steele, of New Jersey, one of the members of Government contract investigation committee, returned to-day from Cairo wither he was accompanied by a colleague of the committee, Mr. Washburn.  Their business was to look into the quartermaster and other departments. – The discoveries and suggestions of this committee have been the means of saving large amounts of money to the Government.

Petitions in favor of a general uniform bankrupt law are received.

Until further orders no boats or vessels will be allowed to visit Mount Vernon.

Herald’s Dispatch.

Gen. Sumner has issued an important order prohibiting acts of marauding.  He assures the people of Virginia that their only safety is in the general government, and that it will be his constant endeavor to protect them in their persons and property to the extent of his power.  The General has also determined to accept no resignations in his corps during the campaign.

The House having addressed an inquiry to the Secretary of War, regarding purchases of vessels for carrying water, be responded to-day be enclosing a letter from Assistant Secretary Tucker, explaining these purchases.

Frequent applications are made as to the disposal of public lands in the territory of Nevada, but as the land districts have not yet been organized, there is no species of claims that can now be located.  There seems to be no doubt that those who at present occupy land will be secured in their location by future legislation.

A Democratic conference was held last night, continuing till a late hour.  The call was signed by all, excepting four or five of the members of congress who were elected as Democrats.  Representative Corning presided, and Pendleton and Shiel acted as secretaries.

In injunction was placed on all present not to reveal the proceedings.  It is, however, ascertained from private conversation to-day that the conference was principally confined to the consideration of the resolutions reported from a committee of which Mr. Vallandigham was chairman, declaring in substance, that the restoration of the Union and the maintenance of the Constitution would require that the organization and principles of the Democratic party, of the U. S., should be fully and faithfully adhered to, and inviting citizens, without distinction of section or party, to co-operate with the Democrats in support of the constitution and restoring the old Union.  A committee, one from each State, represented by a Democrat either in the Senate or House, was appointed to report at a further conference.  The names of the members are not yet known.

It is understood that several members from the border slave States were present and participated in the proceedings.  The entire number present at the meeting was about forty.  The proceedings are represented as having been harmonious.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 27, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 11.

The following orders by the President were published by authority in the Intelligencer this morning.  Their importance and bearing are manifest.

WAR GAZETTE, PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHIGNTON, Jan. 27^th, 1862

THE PRESIDENT'S GENERAL ORDER NO. ONE.

It is ordered that on the 22d day of February, 1862, there be a general movement of the land and naval forces of the United States against the insurgent forces.  That especially the army at and about Fortress Monroe, the army of the Potomac, the army of Western Virginia, the army near Munfordsville, the army and flotilla at Cairo, and naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, be ready for a movement on that day.  That all the other forces both land and naval, with their respective commanders, obey the existing order for the time, and be ready to obey additional orders, when duly given.  That the heads of departments, and especially the Secretary of War and the Navy, with all their subordinates, and the General-in-Chief, with other commanders and subordinates of the land and naval forces, will severally be held to their strict and full responsibilities for the prompt execution of this order.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER NO. TWO

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON, March 8, 1862.

Ordered, first, that the Major General commanding the army of the Potomac proceed forthwith to organize that part of said army destined to enter upon active operations, including the reserve, but excluding the troops to be left in the fortifications about Washington, into four army corps, to be commanded according to seniority of rank, as follows:

First corps to consist of four divisions, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. McDowell.

Second corps to consist of three divisions, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Sumner.

Third corps to consist of three divisions, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Heintzelman.

Fourth corps to consist of three divisions, to be commanded, by Brig. Gen. Keyes.

Ordered, second, that the division now commanded by the officers above assigned the command of corps, shall be embraced in and form parts of their respective corps.

Third, the forces left for the defence of Washington will be placed under command of Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth, who shall also be military Governor of the District of Columbia.

Fourth, that this order be executed with such promptness and dispatch as not to delay the commencement of the operations, directed to be undertaken by the army of the Potomac.

Fifth.  A fifth army corps, to be commanded by Major General N. P. Banks, will be formed from his own and General Shield’s (lat Gen. Lander’s) divisions.

Signed,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE PRESIDENT'S WAR ORDER NO. THREE

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON, March 12, 1862.

Maj. Gen. McClellan, having personally taken the field at the head of the army of the Potomac, until otherwise ordered he is released from the command of the other military departments, he retaining the command of the department of the Potomac.

Ordered, further, that the two departments now under the respective command of Gens. Halleck and Hunter, together with so much of that of Gen. Buell which lies west of a north and south line indefinitely drawn through Knoxville, Tennessee, be consolidated, and designated the department of the Mississippi; and that until otherwise ordered, Maj. Gen. Halleck have command of the said department.

Ordered also that the country west of the department of the Potomac and east of the department of the Mississippi, be a military department, and the same be commanded by Major Gen. Fremont; that all commanders of departments after the receipt of this order respectively report severally and directly to the Secretary of war, and that prompt and frequent reports will be expected of all.

Signed,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

The newspaper accounts of . . .

. . . the battles, skirmishes, sieges and marches are most unjust and unfair in three cases out of five.  We have had it well illustrated in the West, in the accounts of the various battles given to the public through the medium of Chicago papers.  The real heroes were never heard of through these mendacious historians.  The praise was uniformly bestowed upon some favorite Regiment or Division and upon [officers] who had bought and paid for their favors.  At the recent battle of Williamsburgh the same thing occurred.  The public were led to believe that Gen. Hancock did all the fighting, which consisted simply in one gallant bayonet charge.  This is very unjust and unfair, and the correspondents who wrote these lying accounts ought to be kicked out of the army, – drummed out of camp.  The truth is Hancock had only between twenty and thirty killed and wounded, and only four regiments engaged.  His affair was but a skirmish.  On the left, Heintzelman was compelled to fight a great battle, of vastly more consequence than Bull Run, and he won it, too.  He had seventeen regiments engaged from first to last – twelve of Hooker’s and five of Kearney’s; and his loss in killed, wounded and missing, was two thousand and forty-six!  The facts are that the courage of our men enabled Heintzelman to fight for six hours against the odds of three to one, and against other and greater odds than disciplined troops ever before encountered. – And wider and wider spreads the opinion through the army every hour that it only needed that Sumner should have spared Heintzelman a third or half his force standing idle in the woods, only have a mile off, to have enabled him to crush the enemy right at Williamsburgh, and have taken or dispersed the great force which we may now have to fight again in the Chickahominy swamp.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 1

Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston

Gen. Johnston, the bogus report of whose capture at Fort Donelson gave him a biographical fame two months ago, is now certainly disposed of at last, as his dead body is in our hands. He was one of the five rebel Generals, the other four being Beauregard, Lee, Cooper and Joe Johnston. He was for half a year commander of the rebel department of Kentucky, with his headquarters at Bowling Green, which famous stronghold he evacuated six weeks ago. He is 60 years of age, a native of Kentucky, and graduated at West Point in 1826. He was engaged in the Black Hawk war, in the Texan war of independence, and the Mexican war, and in the war against the Mormons. He was a Brigadier-General in command of the Military District of Utah, and at the opening of this rebellion was in command of the department of the Pacific. Shortly after the rebellion got under way, his loyalty was suspected, and Gen. Sumner was sent out to supersede him. Before Gen. Sumner reached California, Johnston had left to join the rebels. For fear of being caught, he took the overland route, with three or four companies on mules, and passed through Arizona and Texas, and thence to Richmond. At first he was appointed to a command on the Potomac; but upon the great importance of the western department being seen by Jeff Davis, he was appointed to take chief command at Bowling Green. He did everything to strengthen that position, and bring as large a force as could be got for its defence. But on being outflanked by our advance up the Cumberland, he incontinently deserted his stronghold, fled to Nashville, from thence to Decatur, and from thence to Corinth, and now has fallen – a traitor to his native State and to his country. Johnston was a little over six feet high, of a large, bony, sinewy frame with a grave, gaunt and thoughtful face, of quiet, unassuming manners – forming in all a soldier of very imposing appearance. He was considered by military men to be the ablest General for command, in the rebel service, and his loss will be a severe blow to the tottering rebellion.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 21, 1862, p. 2