Neglect Of Com. Goldsborough’s Orders

In justice to Flag Officer Goldsborough, it should be stated that he ordered the senior officer left in command of the fleet at Hampton Roads to keep tugs constantly alongside of the Cumberland and the Congress, that they might be prepared for such contingencies as the coming out of the Merrimac.  Other precautions which he ordered were also neglected.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Commodore Goldsboro’s Report

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. – The Navy Department has received dispatches from Commodore Goldsboro, dated the 20^th inst.  He had received the official accounts of the visits of our vessels to Edenton and to the Carrituck canal.

The light house at Cape Hatteras may now be lighted with perfect safety.

The name of the men of war destroyed by our vessels since the fleet reached Hatteras Island are as follows.  The Sea Bird, flag steamer; the Curlew, and the Fanny, steamers; the Black Warrior, a schooner, the steamer Ellis, captured; a new gun-boat on the stocks at Elizabeth City was also destroyed, making seven vessels in all.  Each of the first six were remarkably well armed as gun-boats.  All of them, excepting the Curlew, were destroyed or captured in the attack on Elizabeth City.

As our forces took undisturbed possession of Edenton, part of a flying artillery regiment, variously estimated at from one hundred and fifty to three hundred, fled precipitately without firing a shot.  Many of the inhabitants also left in consequence.  There are no fortifications at or in the water approaches to Edenton.

Among the results of the expedition are the destruction of cannon and one schooner on the stocks at Edenton.  Two schooners were captured in the Sound – one having four thousand bushels of corn.  Six bales of cotton were taken from the custom house wharf.  There were no public stores in the town.  The custom house was empty.

Commodore Goldsboro says he remained two hours abreast the town and was visited by the authorities and others, many of whom professed sentiments of loyalty to the old Union.

A proclamation dated the 18^th inst. and signed jointly by Commodore Goldsboro and General Burnside, to the people of North Carolina says, the mission of the joint expedition is not to invade any rights, but to assert the authority of the United States and to close with them the desolating war brought upon the State by comparatively few men in their midst.

The Proclamation concludes as follows:  We invite you in the name of the Constitution, and in that of virtuous loyalty and civilization to separate yourselves at once from their malign influence and return at once to your allegiance and not to compel us to resort further to the force under our control.  The Government asks only that its authority may be recognized, and we repeat that in no manner or way does it desire to interfere with your laws, constitutionally established, your institutions of any kind whatever, your property of any sort, or your usages in any respect.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

The Capture of Roanoke Island

Particulars of the Battle

(Special Correspondence of the Baltimore American:)

FORTRESS MONROE, Feb. 13.

The steamer Stars and Stripes came in at noon to-day with a flag at her mainmast and stern, bearing all the evidence of bringing glorious tidings direct from the Burnside expedition, and as the boat reached the wharf those who landed were soon surrounded with eager inquiries of the result of the expedition, and the following questions were propounded and quickly answered.

Q. – What’s the result of the expedition?

A. – We have cleaned the rebels out of the island and captured and burnt most of their fleet – taking three thousand prisoners.

Q. – How many were killed on the Federal side?

A. – About forty.

Q. – How many wound?

A. – The number of wounded was not definitely ascertained when we left but one hundred and fifty was considered a large estimate.

Q. –  How about Gen. Wise?

A. – He is reported to have been carried off from Nag’s Head towards Norfolk, but Commodore Goldsborough had started up Currituck Sound towards Norfolk with a gunboat and several armed cutters in the endeavor to overtake him.  The anxiety to capture him was very great.

Q. – What became of his son Capt. O. Jennings Wise, of the Richmond Blues?

A. – He was slightly wounded on the field at the head of his battalion, and was endeavoring to escape in a boat with some others, when he was hailed to surrender, but refusing to do so was fired upon and mortally wounded.  They then surrendered, and he was taken prisoner and died next morning from the effect of three bullet wounds.

Q. – How many of the rebels were killed and wounded in the engagement?

A. – Their killed and wounded are not very heavy, for the reason that they broke and ran as soon as our men captured their main battery at the point of the bayonet.  This was done by Hawkins’ Zouaves and the Twenty-first Massachusetts, who made a brilliant charge directly in the face of their guns, driving the whole garrison out of the intrenchments [sic] in the centre of the island.  The number of rebels killed was estimated at about sixty, and the wounded at two hundred.

Q. – How many prisoners were taken?

A. – We have taken nearly three thousand prisoners, who will probably arrive at New York on Friday or Saturday, on the steamers Spaulding and George Peabody.

Q. – When did the fight commence?

A. – We commenced with a reconnaissance by the gunboats on Friday afternoon, shelling the lower end of the island, partly silencing the guns at that point.  Night closing in, we ceased firing until Saturday morning, when the bombardment was recommenced, and about ten thousand troops landed on the southern end of the island.

Q. – After the landing was effected, what became of the gunboats?

A. – They steamed up the channel alongside of the island, and drove the rebels from them into their intrenched camp at the upper end of the island.  The army having landed, about seven thousand of them marched in three divisions towards the centre of the island to attack the main body.  As they approached the earthworks of the enemy, they were found to have several guns in position to cover the approaches.  When within a mile of their batteries the rebels opened fire and the Federal troops fell on their faces, allowing the balls to pass over them.  They continued thus to approach the batteries for a mile with but slight loss, and finally, when close enough, charged the earthworks at a double-quick, first firing a volley and then rushing with charged bayonets over the intrenchments.  As the Federal troops entered they abandoned their guns and ran out at the other side, towards the upper end of the island.  They had put a poor fight, and ran at Bull Run speed as soon as they were brought to close quarters.

Q. – Did any portion of these troops exhibit bravery?

A. – A battalion in charge of their principal guns, the Richmond Blues, showed some bravery; but the balance fled without scarcely firing a gun, so soon as the intrenchments were stormed.

Q. – What became of the gunboats?

A. – As soon as the landing was safely effected Com. Goldsborough steamed up the channel firing at all the rebel troops that were in sight, and driving them out of the earthworks commanding the channel.

Q. – Did the rebel gunboats make any fight?

A. – Very little.  When Com. Goldsborough’s fleet appeared at the upper end of the island they turned and fled, and were hotly pursued towards Elizabeth City.  So soon as overtaken armed cutters were sent to board them, and some severe fighting is said to have taken place on the rebel decks.  They were nearly all of them captured, and most of them burned, the victors continuing on their pursuit to prevent any of them escaping.  Three or four were captured and retained, and the balance burned.  The crews of most of them made their escape to the shore by swimming, without even an attempt at resistance.

Q. – Was Elizabeth City burned?

A. – There was an earthwork defending the approach to Elizabeth City, which was feebly worked from some time, doing little or no damage.  So soon as the gunboats got the range of it and commenced dropping their shells in and around it, the military abandoned it, and soon after the flames burs out in the lower part of the city.  A flag of truce from the citizens was then sent out to Commodore Goldsborough, asking him to send a force on shore to extinguish the fire, which they stated had been kindled by the retreating soldiers.  Their request was respectfully declined; as they had come neither to burn or destroy, nor to commit any outrage on private rights, and must hold those responsible who committed the outrage.  Not more than one-third of the city was burned.

Q. – How many troops were on the island?

A. – When we first commenced the attack on Friday night the whole number did not exceed three thousand, but during Friday night and Saturday morning two thousand from Norfolk were landed, making the whole force about 4,500.

Q. – How many of them escaped?

A. – It is supposed that nearly twelve hundred escaped to the mainland in schooners. – They effected their escape by means of an obstruction in the channel, which prevented our gunboats from approaching the upper end of the island within range of them.  All their energies seemed to be devoted to the effecting of an escape.  If the gunboats could have passed the obstruction and have got within range of the point from which they were embarking, not a man would have escaped.

Q. – Of the three thousand prisoners captured, are there many Carolinians and Virginians?

A. – Yes, nearly all from these two States. – There were several battalions from Richmond, and parts of regiments from North Carolina, but the majority of the troops were picked men from the Virginia regiments.  The McCullough Rangers are From Louisiana, under the command of Lieutenant Hazelett, supposed to be Robert Hazlett, of Baltimore.  A regiment of six hundred men from North Carolina reached the island on Saturday morning, and had scarcely got landed before they were run down by the stampede, and the boats seized by the fleeing rebels from the entrenched camp, who left them as prisoners in our hands.  They arrived just in time to be captured.

Q. – What kind of arms had the rebels?

A. – The whole island was strewn with arms of every description; flint-lock muskets, double barrel shot-guns, and all descriptions of rifles, and good, bad and indifferent bowie-knives, rusty swords, flint-lock horse pistols, and Sharp’s and Colt rifles.  At least a cart load of powder horns had been gathered up with shout pouches to match.

Q. – Did any of the Federal gunboats receive any injury or where any of them lost?

A. – The only shot that took effect on any of the gunboats was a round shot that entered the bow of the gunboat Seymour, doing no damage that cannot be repaired in an hour.  Another boat had a portion of her rigging cut away. – The Hetzel had six men killed by the explosion of a riffle gun, and two or three wounded.

Q. – Was there any hand-to-hand fighting among the gunboats?

A. – Only in the case of the Federal gunboat Ceres, Capt. McDermaid, who ran up along side the rebel flag-ship Sea Bird, of Commodore Lynch, and drove the enemy before them on his own deck.  Com. Lynch succeeded in making his escape by jumping overboard and wading to the shore with most of his officers.

Q. – Did any of the rebel gunboats escape?

A. – Yes, two of them ran into the canal, on learning which Com. Goldsborough landed a force and destroyed the gate of the canal, letting the water out.  They were reported to be aground in consequence.

Q. – How many gunboats went up to Elizabeth City?

A. – There were fifteen of our gunboats in the fleet that started for Elizabeth City on Sunday.  Most of the enemy’s gunboats were now ashore and abandoned, and we fired several of them.  Three were captured, and one is now in the Federal service.

Q. – Were any of our officers killed?

A. – Yes, Colonel Russell, of the Tenth Connecticut Regiment, was killed, and Lieut. Col. Viguer de Monteil of the D’Epineuil Zouaves, who was a volunteer, were killed, no other officer was killed above the rank of Lieutenant.

Q. – How many officers are among the prisoners?

A. – We have about fifteen Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and Majors, and fifty or sixty Captains and Lieutenants.

Q. – Were all the military in the fight?

A. – No.  The Eighty-ninth New York, the Eighth and Ninth Connecticut, the Sixth New Hampshire, and the forty-eighth Pennsylvania were left at Hatteras.

Q. – How many guns were captured?

A. – Forty-two large guns, and about a dozen field pieces.  There were also captured about 4,000 stands of arms of all descriptions.

Q. – How many field pieces were landed by Gen. Burnside?

A. – Five or six, principally field howitzers.  They were landed on the edge of a marsh, and the men were compelled to drag them for about one hundred yards through the water up to their breasts.  They were finally served, and did good execution in covering the approach of the storming parties.

Q. – How was the weather during the fight?

A. – It was dull and cloudy on Friday evening, when the works were first shelled by the gunboats, and on Saturday the rain fell steadily all day without any intermission.  The men landed at daylight on Saturday morning, and it was about 11 o’clock when the action commenced.  At first it assumed somewhat the character of a brush fight, until the rebels were driven to the centre of the island and the artillery was brought into requisition.  The island is about twelve miles long, and the landing was effected on the mainland said, about four miles from the lower end.  At their earthworks in the centre there were some fine barracks and storehouses, the latter of which with all their contents were burnt by shells from the gunboats.  The main camp was at the upper end of the island, where there were fine barracks and an abundance of the necessaries and comforts of camp life.  Owing to the destruction of the storehouses, food was very scarce on the island, and, had it not been for the abundance of pigs running about, there would have been much suffering on Sunday and Monday.

Q. – What was done with the prisoners?

A. – They were allowed to continue in possession of their camp and barracks, whilst the Federal soldiers, both officers and men, roughed it as best they could on the damp earth. – The prisoners were, however, when the Stars and Stripes left, being conducted to the lower end of the island to be embarked for New York.

Q. – Had the navy or army the most credit in the capture of the army?

A. – Both acted admirably throughout, though both evinced too much headlong impetuosity.  The island was undoubtedly taken by the land forces, and the rebel batteries in the centre of the island, behind which they made a stand, could not be reached by the shells from the gunboats.  In making the advance to these earthworks the Federal troops had to pass through the deep marshes, sometimes up to their armpits.  All seemed inspired with a determination to take the island, despite all contingencies.

Q. – There was no faltering among our men?

A. – Not in the least.  The whole work could have been done with less loss of life had it not been for the impetuosity of the men, who could not be controlled by their officers.  The navy did all that was required of it in covering the landing and silencing of the shore batteries, and ultimately disposing of the rebel fleet.  It may, therefore, be regarded as a joint victory of the army and navy.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 2

Why Henry A. Wise Was Not Captured

By a singular and strange transaction on the part of an officer on board of a Government vessel, Henry A. Wise, and undoubtedly a large number of men who were with him at Nag’s Head, escaped.  This vessel left Fortress Monroe about the 8^th or 9^th instant, with orders to look after the enemy at Nag’s Head, at the same time that Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough were engaging them on Roanoke.  When the Stars and Stripes reached Hatteras Inlet, ion her return with Government dispatches, informing the government of the Federal Victory, we learned that this craft and her able commander had just left the inlet on her voyage to Nag’s Head, having as is stated, rundown the coast from Cape Henry to Hatteras without having been able to find the place to which he was sent.  After reporting to Gen. Williams, he received such instructions as it was thought would enable him to find the place, when he retraced his course up the coast.  At this time the battle had been fought three days, and old Wise, with his followers vanquished, so it mattered little whether he found it or not.

Had the man in command of that vessel landed above Nag’s Head, when he was in is vicinity, we should have caught the miserable Wise and all his party.  I could not learn either the name of the vessel or her commander, but it is evident that we lost a rich prize through ignorance or disloyalty, either of which, in this instance, are inexcusable. –{Correspondence Philadelphia Enquirer.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The President’s message excited deep interest in the House to-day.  Evidently it was not generally anticipated.  A message of a similar character, transmitted to the Senate, was not read.

The President has Nominated Brig. Gen. Thomas as Major General.

Newspapers are especially excluded from the list of manufactures taxed in the tax bill.  It repeals so much of the last session’s bill as relates to incomes, but leaves the land tax unchanged.

Mr. Blair, from the military committee, has reported a bill authorizing the Secretary of War to allow loyal citizens their claims for damage to property heretofore and hereafter destroyed by order of army or navy officers of the United States, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy.

A reconnoitering party of the 63d Penn., Gen. Heintzelman’s division, was ambushed yesterday morning beyond the Occoquan, two or three miles in advance of our pickets, and received the fire, as was reckoned, of 40 concealed rebels.  They instantly fled through the woods.  Capt. Chapman and Lieut. Lyle were killed, and two privates wounded, one mortally.

Commander J. T. Armstrong, of the Steamer State of Georgia, reports how the Nashville ran into Beaufort, N. C.  He saw her at daylight and gave chase, but she ran under the guns of Fort Macon and escaped.

The Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 40^th Pennsylvania regiment, who was ambushed yesterday, will probably be cashiered.  The enemy are supposed to be Texan Rangers.

Gen. Lander’s funeral was very imposing.  It was attended by infantry, cavalry, artillery, lancers, and civilians, and the procession was two miles long.

Lieut. Conway, of the bark Peerless, blockading at Bull’s Bay near Charleston, S. C., sunk three vessels loaded with rice, and burned one inside of the Shoals, the last under the nose of a rebel battery of three guns.  They were all bound to Charleston, and manned by foreigners and negroes, who were put ashore, the boats being unable to take them off.

One hundred and fifty rebel soldiers recently deserted from Savannah to General Sherman.  Their reason was they said that they were tired of fighting in this inhuman war.

Clark, of the Boston Courier, nominated as commissary of subsistence, was rejected by the Senate to-day.  A large number of minor civil and military nominations were confirmed.

It is estimated by the committee of ways and means, that the internal taxes, with the taxes on imports, will probably produce a revenue of $150,000,000, and the tax may be increased if necessary.  The propriety of levying a tax on cotton is under discussion.

The Kentucky and pro-slavery Congressmen regard the President’s message with suspicion.

The question of branch mints in Denver City and New York, has been referred, by the ways and means committee, to the Secretary of the Treasury for his opinion.

The proof sheets of the tax bill are ready, and will be in circulation to-morrow.

A sub-committee of ways and means will immediately take up the tariff bill.

It is thought that Gen. Fremont has damaged rather than helped his case by the publication of his defense.

Gen. Fremont was at the Capitol yesterday receiving the congratulations of his friends.

Montgomery Blair was there to-day, very nervous about his private letter among the Fremont documents criticizing Chase and Lincoln.

Senator Collamer, from the committee on Post office Post Roads has reported adversely to the House a bill establishing a postal money order system and authorizing the carriage of additional mail matter.

Alex. Cummings is out with a defense, in a letter to Congressman Wm. Kelly.  He denies that he had anything to do with the chartering of the Cataline, and avers that her freight, including all linen trousers and straw hats, was bona fide for the soldiers.  He claims that the hundred and forty thousand dollars spoken of in Washburne’s report, were retained under orders from the Navy Department, to meet requisitions of the War Department, and pleads illness as his excuse or delay in making his reply.

C B. Matteson is said to be a silent partner in the Pennyslvania Avenue scheme, driven through the House, but encountering a serious obstacle in the Senate, in the person of Mr. Grimes, chairman of the district committee, whom the speculators call impracticable.  Ten thousand dollars worth of stocks are said to have been promised one valuable lobby assistant, in case of success.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The following statement of the disposition and strength of rebel forces opposed to the Union army of the Potomac was perfectly accurate, for days ago.  Changes have probably occurred since, but the main facts must still correspond with the figures.  At Centreville, which is now the strong point of the rebels, there are 50,000 infantry, 11,000 cavalry and 120 pieces of cannon, light and heavy.  Behind the batteries along the Potomac there are from 12,000 to 15,000 men.  At Gum Spring, between Leesburg and Centerville, there are three regiments of infantry, with a squadron of cavalry.  At Leesburg there are three regiments of infantry, one battery and 460 cavalry.  At a point five miles south of Brentsville, that is to say some ten miles south of Manassas, there is one brigade of infantry of 35,000 men.  These reports do not include any part of Jackson’s army, forming the rebel left wing, against which Gen. Banks is operating.

At Manassas there is not a single full regiment, whole companies and regiments having gone home on furlough for ten, twenty and thirty days.  All of the troops from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana have gone home within the past two or three weeks.  Very few of the men whose term of service has expired are re-enlisting.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The gunboats Satellite and Island Belle discovered on Wednesday a number of rebel cavalry near Aquia Creek, and fired a [bow] shot, when the rebels ran away and the steamers returned.

A brisk fire was opened this morning by the lower flotilla, causing great alarm among the rebels.  The long roll was beaten, commencing at Aquia Creek and extending along the river as far as Evansport.  The call of the roll extended throughout a greater number of camps than at any time before.

The camp fires, within a few days past, have materially increased, showing a considerable augmentation of the rebel forces in this vicinity.

The rebels opened fire upon the Hubbs Ferry battery this morning.  About 20 or 30 shots were fired, without doing any damage.

The steamer Yankee to-day went within a half mile of the Virginia shore, and shelled a new battery, in process of erection in the rear of the position of their old battery at Freestone Point.  The rebels were forced to evacuate.

Special to the World.

Mrs. Wm. Norris and Mrs. Rogers, occupying a high social position, ladies of Baltimore, were brought here to-day and placed in prison, on a charge of supplying the enemy with aid, and giving them important information.  Both have sons in the rebel army, and were prominently connected with an association in Baltimore for the manufacture of clothing for the rebel soldiers.

The city has been excited recently with rumors respecting the movements of the troops at Manassas.  It is said they have concentrated a much larger army at that point than has generally been supposed. – As it is impossible to save anything at the West, what troops were there have been hurried into Va.  It is even said Beauregard is back again at his old post.

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The President has nominated Col. Harvey Brown, of Fort Pickens, as Brig. Gen. by brevet.

Capts. Bell, McKean, Dupont, Goldsboro and Farragut, were today Confirmed by the Senate as flag officers of the Navy.

The following were confirmed surveyors of customs:

W. Thornburry, Paducah, Ky.; J. R. Meeker, Nesqually, Washington Territory.

The following were also confirmed:

C. W. Chatterton, Indian Agent, Cherokee agency; C. H. Hale, superintendent of Indian affairs, Washington Territory; Thos. Nelson recorder of land titles in Missouri; S. K. Janeson, receiver of public monies for Nebraska; H. Stout, attorney and G. L. Gibbs, Marshal of Utah; E. D. Shatterch, attorney for Oregon; W. Wasson, Marshal for Nevada.

In addition to the above, a large number of army nominations were confirmed, but none of field officers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 6.

SENATE. – Mr. Harris presented a petition in favor of conferring the rank of Major General on Gen. John E. Wool.  He also presented a petition in favor of the emancipation of slaves.

Messrs. Harlan and Collamer also presented petitions in favor of emancipating slaves.

Mr. Fessenden, from the committee of finance, reported back the P. O. appropriation bill without amendment.

Mr. Collamer, from the P. O. committee reported back the postal money order bill.

Mr. Hale, from the naval committee, reported on a joint resolution, tendering the thanks of Congress to Com. Goldsboro, his officers and seamen, for their gallant conduct at Roanoke Island.  Adopted.

On motion of Mr. Sherman the bill in relation to the pay of members of congress was taken up.  The amendment was adopted, making the mileage of member of 20 cents per mile.  The bill, as reported, allowed 10 cents per mile.  After some discussion, at 1 o’clock the Senate went into executive session.

HOUSE. – Mr. Buffinton introduced a bill authorizing the appointment of two Inspector Generals.  Referred to committee on military affairs.

Mr. Aldrich repoted a bill to increase the medical efficiency of the army.

The House concurred in the report of the conference committee on the disagreeing amendments to the joint resolution providing for the payment of the claims growing out of the military operations in the Western department.

The House then took up the Senate bill providing for the organization of the staffs attached to the divisions of the U. S. regular and volunteer service.

Mr. Blair, of Mo., explained that the bill proposed no increase of the army, but allowed certain officers to be detailed for staff duty.  The passage of the measure was deemed essential by military officers.

Mr. McPherson opposing the bill said it would increase the staff of every division, and proportionately the expense.  Under present circumstances the President can increase the staff of any division, when an emergency requires it.

After further debate the bill, as amended, was passed.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from President Lincoln, suggesting the passage of a joint resolution providing for the co-operation with any State for the abolition of slavery with pecuniary compensation.  The president proposes this as an initiative step, predicting important practical results therefrom.

On motion of Mr. Stevens the bill was referred to the committee of the whole.

The house went into committee of the whole on the bill regulating the franking privilege.

Mr. Perry spoke in opposition to extreme anti-slavery measures.  This was a time for the exhibition of patriotism, and defense of the Union.  He was at a loss to see how it was necessary to set the slaves free as an ally in the suppression of the rebellion.  This was not a war for the destruction of the South, but for the restoration of the respect everywhere to the authority of the government.  Behind the dark clouds of the rebellion the sky of the Union was clear and bright, and the stars were sparkling in all beauty.  Soon it would be that the dark cloud would pass away, and one by one the stars would reappear in all their glory, and the people would thank God they were all there.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 1.

There is nothing in the official telegrams last received, to show that the rebels are evacuating Columbus, nor has any information been received from Gen. Buell since the announcement of the taking of Nashville, when he was four miles from that city.  Hence the newspaper reports of rebels being surrounded at Murfreesboro are not reliable.

Dispatches were received at the Navy Department to-day from Commodore Foote, inclosing a report from Lieut. Gwin, in which he says he returned to Cairo on the 23d inst., after having gone up the Tennessee river in the gunboat Tyler as high as Eastport, Miss.  He is happy to state that he has met with an increased Union sentiment in Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama.  He saw few Mississippians.  In Hardin, McNary, Wayne, Decatur and a portion of Hardeman counties, all of which boarder upon the river, the Union sentiment is strong, and those who do not express themselves openly loyal, are only prevented by their fears of the military tyranny and coercion which is practiced by the marauding bands of guerilla companies of cavalry.

Learning that a large quantity of wheat and flour was stored in Clifton, Tenn., intended, of course, to be shipped South, a large portion of it having been bought for a firm in Memphis, on his down trip he landed there and took on board about 1,000 sacks and 100 brls. Of flour and some 6,000 bushels of wheat.  He considered it his duty to take possession of the above to prevent its being seized by the rebels or disposed of in the rebel country.

The glorious success of our armies at Forts Henry and Donelson, he says, has been most beneficial to the Union caused throughout South Tennessee and Alabama.  The Union men can now again dare to express their loyal sentiments without fear of being mobbed, especially along the banks of the river.

He brought down under arrest a man named Wm. H. Pool, who has been active in oppressing [sic] Union men in his community.  He has warned the inhabitants of the different towns along the banks of the river that he would hold the secessionist and their property responsible for any outrages in their community on Unionists, and had enlisted seventeen men and brought down a portion of the refugees.

A dispatch form Com. Goldsborough to Secretary Welles, dated U. S. steamer Philadelphia, off  Roanoke Island, Feb. 23, says the reconnoitering party sent up the Chowan river has returned.  It did not go up beyond Winton.  There the enemy in considerable force opened a heavy fire upon the vessel (the Delaware) in advance, with a battery of artillery and musketry, which induced our force to attack it in return, both by landing the New York 9^th Zuaves and with the guns of the vessels that could be brought to bear upon  the enemy.  The enemy soon took flight, and the houses they occupied as quarters were burned.  Not a man was injured on our side.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1

The War News

Com. Goldsborough’s Report.

Burnside and Goldsborough Issue a Proclamation.

Rebel Preparations at Memphis.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862

Report of Com. Goldsborough

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.

The Navy Department has received dispatches from Com. Goldsboro [sic], dated 20th inst.  He had received the official accounts of the visit of our vessels to Edenton and to the Currituck canal.  The light house at Cape Hatteras may now be lighted with perfect safety.

The names of the men-of-war destroyed by our vessels since the fleet reached Hatteras Island, are as follows: The Seabird, flag steamer, the Curlew and the Wanny, all steamers, and the Black Warrior, a schooner.  The steamer Edisto was captured.  A new gunboat on the stocks at Elizabeth City was also destroyed, making seven vessels in all.  The first six were remarkably well armed as gunboats.  All of them, excepting the Curlew, were destroyed or captured in the attack on Elizabeth City.  As our forces took undisturbed possession of Edenton, part of a flying artillery regiment, variously estimated from 150 to 300, fled precipitately without firing a shot.

Many of the in habitants also left in consequence.

There are no fortifications at or in the water approaches to Edenton.

Among the results of the expedition ware the destruction of 8 cannon, and one schooner on the stocks at Edenton.  Two schooners were captured in the sound; one having 4,000 bu. of corn.  Six bales of cotton were taken from the custom house wharf.  There were no public stores in the town. – The custom house was empty.

Com. Goldsborough says he remained two hours abreast of the town, and was visited by the authorities and others, many of whom professed sentiments of loyalty to the old Union.

A proclamation, dated the 18th inst., and signed jointly by Com. Goldsborough and Gen. Burnside, to the people of North Carolina, says the mission of the joint expedition is not to invade any rights, but to assert the authority of the United States, and to close with them the desolating war brought upon the State by comparatively a few men in their midst.  The proclamation concludes as follows: “We invite you, in the name of the Constitution, in that of virtuous loyalty and civilization, to separate yourselves at once from their malignant influence to return to your allegiance, and not compel us to resort further to the force under our command.  The government asks only that its authority may be recognized and we repeat that in no manner or way does it desire to interfere with your laws constitutionally established, your institutions of any kind, or your property of any kind whatever, or usages in any respect.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

The Fleet in James River

WASHINGTON, May 19. – No official dispatch has been received from Com. Goldsboro about the expedition up James River, comprised of the steam frigate Susquehanna, three gun-boats and the tug Servitor, the latter mounting one gun.  They found the first rebel battery at Dolf’s Point deserted.  The rebel flag was flying over the battery at Parly’s Point, 15 miles above Newport News, but on landing was found deserted, also the rebel batteries between there and Jamestown, with their guns mostly dismounted.  Near Jamestown they met the squadron under Commander Rogers, which had previously gone up the river and learned from them particulars of the fight at Fort Darling and the disaster to the Naugatuck.

Goldsboro’s expedition was last heard from on Friday and were still going up the river securing most of the ordnance left by the rebels.

The general evacuation below Ft. Darling has doubtless given Goldsboro a chance to bring up mortar boats, &c., to act effectively against the Fort.

James River and the banks are now clear of rebel soldiers.

The Monitor and Galena were the only vessels that run by Day’s Point and Hardy’s Bluff Batteries.  The remainder of the fleet stopped below.

Of 28 shots which struck the Galena, 18 penetrated.  None did the Monitor any damage, all glancing off.  Both returned down the river on Friday last.  The Galena is not materially injured.  They doubtless followed Goldsboro on Saturday up the river.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

Washington Correspondence

WASHINGOTN, May 15, 1862.

The appearance of the President in the field as commander, so far as he acted in that capacity at Norfolk, has delighted the soldiers hereabout exceedingly.  They think if he had had actual oversight and command during the weary months that have passed, that there would have been more business done, and they have faith in his practical good sense and ready judgment.  They attribute to him solely the movement upon Norfolk.  And in all this they are probably correct.  In the Norfolk matter they unquestionably are.  It was against the advice and decided judgment of Com. Goldsborough that the movement upon Sewell’s point and Craney Island, with a view to cleaning out the Merrimac and an approach upon Norfolk was made.  The story, apparently authentic, is that the Commodore declared that no scientific man would, under existing circumstances, venture an attack upon Sewell’s Point, and he was greatly exercised about the result of a collision with the Merrimac.  The president, however, allowing that science might all be with the Commodore, still insisted on shooting at the enemy’s works. And with what results the world knows.  I suppose there is no reasonable doubt but that a similar order, issued five or six months ago, would have been attended with the same results.  Still, the lesson and the stimulus imparted to our Navy by the Merrimac may have been worth to us more than all the consequences of an earlier capture of Norfolk, notwithstanding the mortification it caused us.

An effort is making to get Gen. Dix removed from command at Baltimore.  If all the reports from Union men there are true, he ought to be.  The spirit of his “shoot him on the spot” dispatch to New Orleans doubtless pointed him out as the man of proper firmness and energy to deal with the chafing and venomous rebels at Baltimore.  But they seem to have the power of “honey-fugling” him completely  The Union men there complain that he employs all his blandness and social arts to win the secessionists over to his side, feeling that the Union men are all right any how, and do not need consideration or particular favor at his hands.  They complain that rebels are treated with more kindness and consideration than loyal Union men, and that they have to bear the taunts without the means of retaliation and witness the treatment of rebels and the frequent discriminations in their favor with mortification.  I think there is at least more truth in this representation of the matter than there ought to be.  People from here visiting Baltimore, often confirm it, and express indignation at the way things are managed there.

But affairs are, unfortunately, conducted in a similar manner in most other places where our commanders have taken possession of rebel strongholds.  A native Southerner, now at Nashville, a man of unusual sagacity and correctness of observation who is assisting in the work of restoring Tennessee to the Union, in an official capacity, in a private letter that I lately received from him, makes a complaint of a similar nature there.  He says:

“Andrew Johnson has a carte blanche of power.  His will is law.  And yet Jefferson Davis has more authority to-day in the city of Nashville than Johnson.  You are incredulous.  I repeat it, with all the emphasis of which I am capable.  And in my judgment there is ample reason why this should be so.  Wherein lies the remedy?  The hand of the government must be laid heavily on the rebels. Rebel newspapers must be crushed.  Rebels must not be permitted to talk about the return of “our army.” – Expressions of disloyalty must be vigilantly watched and promptly punished.  But men are deterred from being loyal by the hissing threats that fill the atmosphere, that they will be punished when the rebel army returns.  Men continue to be disloyal, because it is safe to be so, let the war terminate as it may, and because it is unsafe to be loyal in certain contingencies.”

This last clause doubtless contains the true philosophy of the case.  It is understood here, however, that Gov. Johnson, who did relax for a time the vigorous treatment inaugurated at the outset in Tennessee, which resulted as my friend describes, has now returned to, and will hereafter pursue, without any let-up, the more vigorous and common sense policy at first proposed.

The council of old grannies and Jeremy Didler politicians, under the lead of Vallandigham, Crittenden, and Kellogg of Illinois having, as its first effect, failed to do anything except to enlarge the dimensions of the Lovejoy bill and insure a more vigorous effort to pass it – an effort which resulted in triumphant success, and while a shade of doubt hung over it in the position that it occupied previous to the “conservative” meeting to defeat it – has pretty much concluded that its mission is not so very clear and promising as was first believed, and the eminent, overshadowing, self sacrificing, enlarged love of country that prompted it will hardly be sufficient, under the circumstances, to carry on the enterprise longer than may be necessary to bury it with becoming decency.

IOWA.

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

Latest from Roanoke Island

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.

A special messenger arrived this morning bring the following dispatch:

U. S. FLAG STEAMER PHILADELPHIA,

off Roanoke Island, Feb. 9.

Roanoke Island is ours.  The military authorities struck to us yesterday.  Their means of defence were truly formidable, and they were used with a determination worthy of a better cause.  They consisted of two elaborately constructed works, together mouthing 22 heavy guns, 3 of them being 100-pounders rifled; four other batteries, mounting together 20 guns, and some of them rifled; 8 steamers, mounting 2 guns each and each having a rifled gun with a diameter of a 32-pounder; a prolonged obstruction of sunken vessels and piles to thwart our advance, and altogether a body of men numbering scarcely less than 5,000, of whom 3,000 are now our prisoners.

The fighting commenced on the morning of the 7^th about 11 a. m., and was continued till dark.  It was resumed at an early hour and lasted until late in the afternoon, when by a bold charge by our army the rebel flag was made to succumb and our own was hoisted everywhere on the island in its place.  No attack could have been more completely executed, and it was carried out precisely in accordance with the arrangements made before the expedition left Cape Hatteras Inlet.

(Signed,)

J. [sic] M. GOLDSBOROUGH,

Flag Officer.

SECOND DISPATCH.

Just as I closed my dispatch of yesterday I received reliable information that the rebel steamers which escaped had gone to Elizabeth City, and thereupon I immediately ordered Com. Rowan to take thirteen of our steamers under his command and go in pursuit of them, and also, if practicable, to execute another service, namely: the destruction of the North river – a link of the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal.  The way he has already accomplished the first part of it his own preliminary report – a copy of which I herewith inclose [sic] – will inform you.

I am, &c.,

J. M. GOLDSBOROUGH.

U. S. STEAMER DELAWARE,

Off Elizabeth City, Feb. 10.

Sir:  I have the honor to report that I met the enemy off this place this A. M. at 9 o’clock, and after a very sharp engagement, have succeeded in destroying or capturing his entire naval force, and silencing or destroying his battery on Cobb’s Point.  The only vessel saved from destruction is the Ellis, Capt. J. M. Cook, who was wounded, and is at present on board the ship.  I have other prisoners.  I am happy to say that our casualties are few, considering the warmth of the enemy’s fire – say two or three killed and some wounded.  The conduct of the gallant men I have the honor to command is worthy of all praise.  None of our vessels are severely injured.  I shall leave here a small force, and visit the canals, and have a look into other places before I return.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

J. [sic] C. ROWAN, U. S. N.

No official report, but merely a private letter, up to 1 o’clock to-day, has been received from Gen. Burnside.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p. 1

Official Report of the taking of Roanoke Island

FT. MONROE, February 13.

The gun-boat Stars and Stripes arrived this noon from Burnside’s expedition with a bearer of dispatches for the Government.  They report the rout of the rebels as complete.  Three thousand prisoners were captured, and all their gun-boats burned or captured except two, which escaped in the canal.  The Federal loss in killed is 42, wounded about 140.  Rebels killed about 30 and their wounded less than 100.

The advance from Hatteras took place on Wednesday morning, consisting of about 60 vessels.  The fleet anchored off Stumpy Point that night and the next day proceeded to the entrance of Cotton Sound.  After a reconnoisance the attack commenced.  On Friday morning the Underwriter led on the column.  The rebel fleet was attacked and dispersed in half an hour by the navy, while the remainder attacked the lad batteries.  The fight continued till dark.

During the night ten thousand men were landed, and on Sunday morning 7,000 more.  A masked battery of three guns was soon discovered by skirmishers, and was attacked in front and both flanks.

The 21^st, 25^th and 27^th Mass., the 9^th and 51^st N. Y. and the 10^th Conn. Were particularly engaged.  The 25^th Mass. And the 10^th Conn. suffered most severely.

The fight lasted only two or three hours, when the battery was abandoned.  Our troops pursued, surrounded the rebel camp and took nearly the whole command prisoners.

O. Jennings Wise was shot twice while endeavoring to escape in a bot.  Col. Russell, of the 10^th Conn., was killed at the head of his regiment.  Col. D. Montelle, of the Depennel Zouaves, whose Zouaves were voluntary, was killed.  No other officers were killed above the rank of Lieutenant.  Our total loss in killed and wounded is less than 200, and the number of killed less than 50.

On Sunday P. M. a fleet of fifteen gun-boats started for Elizabeth City.  The place was shelled, and having been evacuated and partially burned by the rebel troops, was occupied.

The Sea Bird, which was the flag ship of Com. Lynch, was run down and boarded, and the gallant Commodore escaped by swimming to shore.

The news from Elizabeth City was received at Roanoke Island on Monday eve.

Gen. Wise was at Nag’s Head and succeeded in escaping to Norfolk.

The rebels made no fight after being driven from their entrenchments, which was done by the Hawkins’ Zouaves and the 21^st Mass.  Young Wise resisted the storming parties till he was wounded and carried off, when his command retreated with the others to the upper part of the island, where they laid down their arms.

Elizabeth City was about half burnt by the rebel soldiers.  The people sent a delegation to Com. Golsborough, asking him to send a force to assist in extinguishing the flames.

Edenton was taken possession of on Wednesday, by Com. Goldsborough, no opposition being offered.

Norfolk and Richmond papers attribute the loss of Roanoke Island to the blundering inefficiency of the navy.  They still persist in asserting that 1000 Federals were killed; they also charged some Roanoke Island farmer with directing and piloting the Yankees to the only point they could effect a landing, the landing being flanked on all sides by an extensive march.

A dispatch from Memphis to Norfolk, admits the Federal flag was cheered on Tennessee River, by people, and assert that the Federals neither seized nor destroyed any private property, not even cotton.

Gov. Letcher issued an order for the formation of home guards, for the defense of Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond.

Bishop Ames and Hon. H. Fish returned to Baltimore, the rebels refusing to receive them.

The Richmond Dispatch says, our Tennessee exchanges give us gloomy prospects for the future in that part of the Confederacy.  Several leading journals intimate plainly that there is really a threatening state of affairs in East Tennessee, growing out of the idolatrous love of many of those people to the old Union.  The correspondent of the Memphis Avalanche writes that the condition of the interior counties is not improved by the lapse of time.  The people apprehend an immediate advance of the Northern men, and traitors to the south evince their joy.  In every village and neighborhood, the Unionists are making demonstrations.  In many of the Northern counties and even at Memphis there were exhibitions of joy on the arrival of the news at Beach Grove.  Armed bands of Johnson’s and Maynard’s followers are prowling about all directions through the mountains.  In the remote counties in the State men have been shot at night in their own houses, who adhered to the fortunes of the South.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

(Tribune’s Correspondence.)

NEW YORK, Feb. 12.

Mr. Arnold, from the committee on lake and river defences, will report to-morrow. The committee recommends extensive repairs of the fortifications at Mackinaw, St. Clair river, Buffalo and Oswego; the establishment of a national foundry at Chicago, for the casting of heavy ordnance; depots for naval stores on Lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario; and the enlargement of the Ill. And Mich. Canal. The report embraces statistics relative to the commerce of the lakes.

It says, there is no present danger of a rupture with Great Britain, but that power has an advantage over us in the St. Lawrence and Welland Canal, capable of admitting gun boats from the Atlantic, which we ought to counterbalance, in order to be prepared for all possible emergencies.

The Naval committee of the House, will recommend an appropriation of $15,000,000, to build gun boats.

Advices from Hatteras state that the loyal blacks from N.C. help to man the fleet of flag officer Goldsboro, and to serve the guns which have sunk the rebel gun boats and compelled the surrender of Roanoke Island.

Gen. C. P. Smith [sic], lately at Paducah has not been rejected by the Senate. Objections to him being made by the Kentucky Senators, the nomination was laid over for the present.

The Secretary of War calls from proposals from shippers, ship owners and express lines by telegraph, mail or personal application, for establishing a regular daily communication between Fort Monroe and Port Royal, Hatteras and Roanoke Island. No proposition of a speculative nature will be entertained, nor will the contract be given to any person not in the line of business proposed.

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