The War News

Important War Orders by the President.

Gen. McClellan ceased to be Commander-in-Chief.

HE TAKES THE FIELD AT THE HEAD OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Gen. Fremont to Command a new Department.

PENSACOLA EVACUATED.

The Republicans again carry New Hampshire.

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

Pensacola Evacuated

NEW YORK, March 12.

An Elizabeth City, N. C., letter dated March 4^th, to the Tribune, says, Gen. Bragg with his forces, numbering 7000, arrived at Norfolk yesterday from Pensacola, which place he evacuated after destroying the fortifications, guns, &c.  It is also said that the rebels are calling all their spare forces to Norfolk, that they may be ready for any emergency.

The forces at Newberne and other points in this State, numbering 20 or 30,000 drilled soldiers, together with the rebel force at Richmond and at other points between Richmond and Norfolk will, it is thought, be thrown in the rear of the Union forces attacking Norfolk from this direction; therefore the last grand battle of this campaign may be fought in this struggle to save Norfolk, should that city be attacked.

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

From Fort Pickens

NEW YORK, March 11.

The Steamer Philadelphia arrived to-night from Fort Pickens 1^st, Tortugas 4^th and Key West 6^th.  Gen. Arnold was in command at Ft. Pickens, Col. Brown having sailed for New York.  Troops at Fort Pickens all well.  Contrabands from Pensacola report that a rebel regiment had left, and two unarmed regiments had arrived.

Anderson was to be court-martialed for commencing the bombardment of January 1^st.

Com. Porter’s Mortar fleet was awaiting favorable wind to sail from Key West for Ship Island.

The steamer Magnolia arrived at Key West, a prize to the steamer South Carolina.  She had 1,000 bales of cotton.  The steamers Mississippi and Mantauzas were at Port Royal with Gen. Butler and his troops.

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

Evacuation of Pensacola --- The Navy Yard Burned

BEFORE CORINTH, MISS., May 18. – The Mobile Advertiser and Register contains the following special:

PENSACOLA, May 10. – At 12 o’clock last night Pensacola Navy Yard and the forts were set on fire and destroyed.  When the enemy discovered what was going on, Fort Pickens opened a furious bombardment and kept it up during the conflagration and without doing damage to anybody at Pensacola.  All the public property except the custom house, which is incapable of being burned, was moved, but all the moveable Confederate property has been saved.  The railroad track leading out of the city was torn up this morning.  A Federal vessel with a flag of truce came up to the city, demanding a surrender – Mayor Ballbe refused to comply with the demand, but as all the military forces had left he had no power to oppose.  The Federal officer replied that they would occupy the city to-morrow, but that the inhabitants need not be alarmed.

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

From Gen. Halleck's Army

CAIRO, May 17. – The steamer Shingess has just arrived from below with thirty refugees from Memphis.  It is the same old story of impressment, outrage and flight.  The Union citizens are waiting, hoping and praying for the advent of the Federal army.

A large number of refugees also just arrived here to-day by the steamer Diligent.  They also report three or four hundred more on the way.  A number of them are men of families who have always been strong Union Men, and have left their families behind rather than bear arms against the Federal Government.

Some of them are men of means, and well known in this community.  Thus they almost became intoxicated with joy when they landed here, saying they once more breathed the pure atmosphere of liberty.  One of them brings Memphis papers of the 13th, which contain the evacuation of Pensacola, also the surrender of Norfolk and the burning of Memphis, which they say is a military necessity.

The Memphis Appeal has moved its office to Grenada, Miss., and for the present works its edition off on a small hand press, ready to leave whenever our fleet arrives at Memphis, which is momentarily expected.

No further news from Pittsburg Landing of importance.

Governor Blair and Adjutant General Robertson, of Michigan, are in town, on their way to Pittsburg.

The steamer Meteor has just arrived from Pittsburg Landing.

There are no movements of importance up the Tennessee.  The army is slowly and steadily advancing.

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

From the Gulf

WASHINGTON, May 21. – Voluminous dispatches are received from the Gulf go-day.  They relate principally to the details of the recent movements connected with the capture of New Orleans.  The vessels of the fleet have been judiciously distributed under Com. Lee, going up as far as Vicksburgh for purposes which it would be improper to state.

It appears from documents that Com. Farragut carried out his instructions to the letter and was cheerfully sustained by all under his command.

On our forces occupying Pensacola, the Mayor promised that the citizens would behave themselves peacefully.  The rebels had evacuated the place on hearing that our steamers the day before were going to run into Mobile bay and that the squadron and mortar boats would soon follow.

Com. Porter left Ship Island on the 7th with a steamer belonging to the mortar fleet and the Sachem for Mobile bar, for the purpose of fixing a place for the mortar vessels to lie and plant buoys for the ships to run in by when they should arrive.  Great excitement seemed to exist within the forts at the progress of the fleet.

There was reason to believe that Fort Gains was evacuated and that the troops there were leaving to reinforce fort Morgan.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 18.

Tribune’s Special.

It is said on the authority of intercepted letters from Richmond, that several editors of rebel newspapers have been hung for publishing intelligence which was contraband of war.

A general order from the Adj. General’s office directs paymasters to recognize agents which may be appointed by States under certain circumstances to receive soldier’s pay.

A rumor, which the War Department has not had an opportunity to disprove or rectify, asserts that Gen. Blenker has been seriously injured by a fall from his horse. It is not true that his command has been assigned to Gen. Rosencrans [sic].

The condition of the Treasury now enables the Secretary to direct the payment in cash of all claims, of dates prior to Nov. 1st 1861, including claims settled by the St. Louis commission, and it is expected that those of November will also be paid in full within a few days. All other claims, without regard to date, will be paid on presentation, if desired as heretofore, 80 percent in cash.

The prospect of the passage of the Pacific RR. Bill during the present session is not promising.

The Herald’s Fort Monroe correspondent under the date of the 17th state: From our army before Yorktown, I hear the most cheering news. By information just received from soldiers, I learn that last evening a Colonel and Lieut. Colonel from the rebel army came over to our lines, and surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. These two officers also report that an entire Irish brigade mutinied, and by order of Jeff. Davis, were deprived of their arms and sent to the rear.

The act authorizing the Postmaster General to establish branch postoffices in the cities prescribes the charge of one cent in addition to the regular postage, for ever letter deposited in any branch postoffice to be forwarded by mail from the principal office, and which shall be prepaid by stamp; and once cent for every letter delivered as such branch office, to be paid on delivery.

The naval appropriation bill contains an item of nearly $800,000 to pay for and finish Steven’s battery, the money Not to be expended unless the Secretary of the Navy is of the opinion that the same will secure an efficient steam battery. The section appropriated $13,000,000 merely says to enable the secretary to contract for iron-clad steam vessels of war.

The select committee of the Senate through Mr. Hale, made their report under the resolution adopted in July last, instructing them to inquire into the circumstances attending the surrender of the navy yard at Pensacola, and the destruction of the property of the United States at the Norfolk navy yard and the armory at Harper’s Ferry, and the abandonment of the same by the Federal forces; and also whether there was default on the part of our officers. The committee relate at length the facts of the case. The amount of property at the Norfolk navy hard was valued at $9,760,000. The vessels were worth nearly $2,000,000. There were in the yard at least 2,000 heavy guns, of which 300 were of the Dahlgren pattern. The committee making this report was composed of senators Hale, Johnson, of Tenn., and Grimes.


WASHINGTON, April 19.

Col. Morrow, late of the 2d Ohio regiment, now attached to Gen. Hunter’s staff, has arrived, bringing dispatches to the War Department, but which up to 10 o’clock had not been delivered. He states that among the prisoners taken is Capt. Simms, editor of the Savannah Republican. The sword belonging to the latter he has presented to Representative Gurney, of Ohio.

Ex-Mayor Britt has declined the appointment tendered him by the President as one of the commissioners under the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.

The post-office appropriation bill provides $1,000,000 for the service of the California Central route, and repeals the acts requiring the Postmaster General in causing the transportation of the mails by steamship between our own and foreign ports, and between any of our own ports touching at foreign ports, to give preference to American over foreign steamships when departing from the same port for the same port within three days of each other. The Postmaster General is authorized to establish a coast mail, not less than semi-monthly, between San Francisco and Crescent City, Cal., including service at intermediate points; provided the sum to be paid for such service does not exceed $20,000 per annum. The President has approved and signed the above named bills.

The act reorganizing and increasing the efficiency of the medical department of the army, adds to the present corps ten surgeons and ten assistant surgeons, twenty military cadets and as many hospital stewards as the Surgeon General may consider necessary. The Surgeon General to be appointed under this act is to have the rank and pay and emoluments of a Brigadier General. There is to be one Assistant Surgeon General, one Inspector General, and ten of hospitals. The latter is to have the supervision of all that relates to the sanitary condition of the army. There are to be beside eight medical inspectors, charged with the duty of inspecting the sanitary condition of the transports, quarters and camps of the field hospitals. The appointments are to be made by the President, either from the regular or volunteer surgeons, with sole regard to qualifications.


WASHINGTON, April 19.

The following was received at the Navy Department to-day:

FLAG SHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C.,
April 13, 1862.

SIR: The dispatches from the commanding General of this department to the Hon. Secretary of War will convey the gratifying intelligence of the fall of Ft. Pulaski. It was a purely military operation – the result of laborious and scientific preparations and of consummate skill and bravery in execution. It would not have pertained to me to address you in reference to this brilliant and successful achievement, had not Maj. Gen. Hunter, with a generous spirit long to be remembered, permitted the navy to be represented on this interesting occasion, by allowing a detachment of seamen and officers from this ship to serve one of the breaching batteries. I have thanked General personally, and desire to express my acknowledgments to Brig. Gen. Benham, and acting Brig. Gen. Gilmore, for acts of consideration shown to my officers and men. Respectfully,

S. F. DUPONT,
Flagg Officer Commanding.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 21, 1862, p. 1

Report of the Senate Committee

WASHINGTON, April 18 – The Select Committee of the Senate, through Mr. Hale, made their report under the resolution adopted in July last, instructing them to inquire into the circumstances attending the surrender of the Navy Yard at Pensacola and the destruction of the property of the United States at the Norfolk Navy Yard and the amount at Harper’s Ferry and the abandonment of the same by the Federal forces, and also whether there was default on the part of our officers. The Committee relate at length the facts of the case. The amount of property at the Norfolk Navy Yard was valued at $9,760,000; the vessels were worth nearly $2,000,000. There were in the Yard at least 2,000 heavy guns, of which 300 were of the dahlgreen pattern. The committee making the report was composed of Senators Hale, Johnson of Tenn., and Grimes of Iowa.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4

From Fort Pickens

NEW YORK, 20. – The Steamer Philadelphia has arrived from Fort Pickens.

Deserters were constantly arriving from Pensacola. The rebels had not evacuated but were moving guns away. The town was under martial law. Large [fires] are seen nightly, indicating that the rebels are destroying their property.

Minard Wood is the sutler who has escaped from the rebels, taking $10,000 in gold. He came passenger in the Philadelphia.

The rebel commander, Col. Jones, issued a proclamation that he would hang all idle people after the [3d] of April.

The steamer Troy, from Newbern, April 17, via Hatteras, April 18, has arrived here. Four companies of the Connecticut 8th had a skirmish on the 12th with 150 rebels who sortied from Fort Macon and drove in our pickets. After a sharp engagement the rebels were driven back to the Fort. During the engagement the Fort fired seventy shots at the forces engaged. Two of our men were wounded. We shall open on Fort Macon on the 21st with mortars and siege guns. Health of troops good.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4