HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT
OF VIRGINIA,
Fort Monroe, May 24,
1861.
Lieutenant-General WINFIELD SCOTT:
I have the honor to report my arrival at this post Wednesday
morning at 8 o'clock. I found that no troops had arrived except some recruits
for the Third and Fourth Massachusetts Regiments of three-months' men and two
detached companies of three-years' men which have been temporarily annexed to
those regiments. This morning the Second New York Volunteers have reported
themselves in good condition, numbering 782 men. These I have encamped on the
farm of Mr. Segar, which is at the end of Mill Creek Bridge toward Hampton, and
have also ordered into camp in connection with them the First Vermont Regiment
(militia), Colonel Phelps. The force at this post may be stated thus: Colonel
Dimick, commanding U.S. Regulars, 415 men; Third Regiment Massachusetts Militia
and one company three-years' men, 727 men; Fourth Massachusetts Militia and one
company three-years' men, 783 men; First Vermont Militia, 779 men; Second New
York Volunteers, three years, 782 men. As there is very little sickness, the
effective force kill be probably 3,375 men. Of these, the New York and Vermont
regiments only are furnished with camp equipage.
Upon my arrival I put myself in communication with Colonel
De Russy, of the Engineers, and consulted him upon two subjects:
First, as to the supply of water. I found that on that day
the Minnesota was supplying herself from a well or spring on land of Mr. Clark,
near the end of Mill Creek Bridge, about a mile from the fort, and that after
pumping 800 gallons the well was exhausted, but refilled itself during the
night, and from personal examinations of its surroundings I think it may be
trusted to supply 700 to 1,000 gallons daily with a little enlargement of the
reservoir. The water is of the best quality, and as it is immediately under the
guns of the heaviest battery of the fort on the land side, I have thought it
proper, with the advice of Colonel De Russy, of the Engineer Corps, to direct
that a pipe be put in to bring it into the fort along the bridge and causeway,
first having a cistern excavated at the fountain which will contain the whole
supply of the spring. I have also advised with Colonel De Russy of the
propriety of finishing the artesian well which had been begun here, and he is
now in communication with a contractor for that purpose. There is an
appropriation, as I understand, of $14,000 made by Congress for that purpose.
On Thursday I directed Colonel Phelps, of the Vermont
regiment, to make a reconnaissance in force in Hampton and its neighborhood
within two miles of the fort, in order to examine its capabilities for
en-camping the troops about to arrive, and at the same time I made personal
examination of the ground, Colonel De Russy being of opinion that the wood
suggested by the Lieutenant-General might be a little unhealthy, and I was
further determined upon encamping in this direction by considerations of
probable advances in this direction, to which I will take leave to call your
attention soon. The rebels upon our approach attempted to burn the bridge over
Hampton Creek, but the fire was promptly extinguished by the Vermonters,
assisted by the citizens. Colonel Phelps passed into the village of Hampton,
and found only a few citizens, who professed to be watching their negroes, in
which occupation I have not as yet disturbed them. I therefore encamped Colonel
Phelps' Vermont regiment and Colonel Carr's New York regiment on the point of
land just above the spring, about half way between Fort Monroe and Hampton.
Saturday, May 25. — I had written thus far when I was
called away to meet Major Cary, of the active Virginia volunteers, upon
questions which have arisen of very considerable importance both in a military
and political aspect, and which I beg leave to submit herewith.
On Thursday night, three negroes, field hands, belonging to
Col. Charles Mallory, now in command of the secession forces in this district,
delivered themselves up to my picket guard, and, as I learned from the report
of the officer of the guard in the morning, had been detained by him. I
immediately gave personal attention to the matter, and found satisfactory
evidence that these men were about to be taken to Carolina for the purpose of
aiding the secession forces there; that two of them left wives and children
(one a free woman) here; that the other had left his master from fear that he
would be called upon to take part in the rebel armies. Satisfied of these facts
from cautious examination of each of the negroes apart from the others, I
determined for the present, and until better advised, as these men were very serviceable,
and I had great need of labor in my quartermaster's department, to avail myself
of their services, and that I would send a receipt to Colonel Mallory that I
had so taken them, as I would for any other property of a private citizen which
the exigencies of the service seemed to require to be taken by me, and
especially property that was designed, adapted, and about to be used against
the United States.
As this is but an individual instance in a course of policy
which may be required to be pursued with regard to this species of property, I
have detailed to the Lieutenant-General this case, and ask his direction. I am
credibly informed that the negroes in this neighborhood are now being employed
in the erection of batteries and other works by the rebels, which it would be
nearly or quite impossible to construct without their labor. Shall they be
allowed the use of this property against the United States, and we not be
allowed its use in aid of the United States?
Major Cary, upon my interview with him, which took place
between this fort and Hampton, desired information upon several questions:
First: Whether I would permit the removal through the blockade of the families
of all persons who desired to pass southward or northward. In reply to this, I
informed him that I could not permit such removal, for the reasons, first, that
presence of the families of belligerents in a country was always the best
hostage for the good behavior of the citizens; and, secondly, that one object
of our blockade being to prevent the passage of supplies of provisions into
Virginia so long as she remained in a hostile attitude, the reduction of the
number of consumers would in so far tend to neutralize that effect.
He also desired to know if the transit of persons and
families northward from Virginia would be permitted. I answered him that with
the exception of an interruption at Baltimore there was no interruption of the
travel of peaceable persons north of the Potomac, and that all the internal
lines of travel through Virginia were at present in the hands of his friends,
and that it depended upon them whether that line of travel was interrupted, and
that the authorities at Washington could better judge of this question than
myself, as necessary travel could go by way of Washington; that the passage
through our blockading squadron would require an amount of labor and
surveillance to prevent abuse which I did not conceive I ought to be called
upon to perform.
Major Cary demanded to know with regard to the negroes what
course I intended to pursue. I answered him substantially as I have written
above, when he desired to know if I did not feel myself bound by my
constitutional obligations to deliver up fugitives under the fugitive-slave
act. To this I replied that the fugitive-slave act did not affect a foreign
country, which Virginia claimed to be, and that she must reckon it one of the
infelicities of her position that in so far at least she was taken at her word;
that in Maryland, a loyal State, fugitives from service had been returned, and
that even now, although so much pressed by my necessities for the use of these
men of Colonel Mallory's, yet if their master would come to the fort and take
the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States I would deliver
the men up to him and endeavor to hire their services of him if he desired to
part with them. To this Major Cary responded that Colonel Mallory was absent.
This morning the steamer Alabama arrived, having on board
Colonel Duryea's regiment of New York, 850 strong, fully equipped. I have
caused them to be landed and encamped with the First Vermont. The steamer
Pembroke, from Massachusetts, has arrived, having two unattached companies — one
of rifles and the other of infantry, 101 men each, and without equipage — so
that now the actual number of men ready for service may be set down at 4,400,
but not very efficient, some being quite new recruits and others not fully
equipped, two regiments being wholly without tents.
The rebels have built a very strong battery on Sewell's
Point, at the entrance of Elizabeth River, about four miles from this post, and
about two and one-half miles from the Ripraps, or Fort Calhoun, and supported
in the rear, at the distance of about a mile across Tanner's Creek, by the rebel
forces gathered about there, amounting, as nearly as I can ascertain, to some
3,000 or 4,000 men, it being understood from the attack of the Monticello on
Sunday last that I intended to menace Norfolk in that direction. Of course I
had not at my disposal any force sufficient to make such an attack and carry
this battery with any hope of holding possession of it should it be taken. I
had determined, however, upon consultation with Commodore Stringham, to engage
the battery with the naval force, and to endeavor, under the cover of their
fire, to land and at least destroy the guns and works, and such plan was
arranged for this morning; but yesterday Commodore Stringham received orders
from the Navy Department to sail at once for Charleston, so that our expedition
was disorganized. As we had no sufficient force to make such an attack — in the
absence of the flag-ship Minnesota and her guns at long range — as would give
the movement that assurance of success which I understand you desire should
seem to attend our operations, it has been abandoned. I have, however, directed
Colonel De Russy to prepare to put some guns of long range upon the Ripraps, so
as to prevent any further approach towards us from Sewell's Point or
Willoughby's Spit.
In this connection I beg leave to suggest to the
Lieutenant-General the necessity in coast operations for say fifty surf-beats,
of such construction as he caused to be prepared for the landing at Vera Cruz,
the adaptation and efficiency of which have passed into history. May I respectfully
request and urge that such a flotilla be furnished for coast operations.
I have learned that the enemy are about to fortify a point
at Newport News, about eleven miles from this place, at the mouth of the James
River, and on the northerly side of it. They have already a battery at Pig
Point, on the southerly and opposite side of the river, which commands the
Nansemond River. I think it of the last importance that we should occupy
Newport News, and I am now organizing an expedition consisting of two regiments
for that purpose, unless I find unexpected obstacles. I purpose this afternoon,
in the steamer Yankee, to make a personal reconnaissance of that point, and at
once to occupy the same with that amount of force, intending to intrench there
for the purpose of being in possession and command of the entrance to the James
River myself, and from that position, by the aid of the naval force, to be in
condition to threaten Craney Island and the approaches of Norfolk, and also to
hold one of the approaches to Richmond. By a march of nine miles, at farthest,
I can support the post at Newport News; by the sea, in two hours, I can afford
it relief. There is water enough to permit the approach of the largest sized
vessels--indeed the Lieutenant-General will recollect that Newport News Point
was once counted upon as a naval depot instead of Norfolk.
Trusting that these dispositions and movements will meet the
approval of the Lieutenant-General, and begging pardon for the detailed length
of this dispatch, I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient
servant,
BENJ. F. BUTLER,
Major-General,
Commanding.
[Indorsements.]
MAY 29, 1861
There is much to praise in this report, and nothing to
condemn. It is highly interesting in several aspects, particularly in its
relation to the slave question.
Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
I agree with the Lieutenant-General in his entire approval
of the within report.
SIMON CAMERON.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
2 (Serial No. 2), p. 648-52
