Showing posts with label Shenandoah Valley 1862. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shenandoah Valley 1862. Show all posts

Friday, April 3, 2015

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: May 13, 1862

General Jackson is doing so gloriously in the Valley that we must not let the fate of the “Virginia” depress us too much. On the 9th of May he telegraphed to General Cooper: “God blessed our arms with victory at McDowell yesterday.” Nothing more has been given us officially, but private information is received that he is in hot pursuit down the Valley. The croakers roll their gloomy eyes, and say, “Ah, General Jackson is so rash!” and a lady even assured me that he was known to be crazy when under excitement, and that we had every thing to fear from the campaign he was now beginning in the Valley. I would that every officer and soldier in the Southern army was crazed in the same way; how soon we would be free from despotism and invasion!

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 112

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Adjutant-General Samuel Cooper, May 9, 1862

VALLEY DISTRICT, VA., May 9, 1862.
Via Staunton, Va., May 10, 1862.
General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

God blessed our arms with victory at McDowell yesterday.

 T. J. JACKSON,
Major-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 12 (Serial No. 15), p. 470

Friday, March 20, 2015

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: March 29, 1862

After much anxiety, more authentic information from the “Valley” received this morning. We gave them a good fight, but the field was left in the enemy's hand. Poor, noble Winchester, to what degradation is she brought! Our dear W. B. C.[1] was shot through the hip; the wound painful, but not mortal; he was carried to Staunton, and his mother has gone to him. The rest of our own peculiar “boys” are safe, but many lives were lost. It is thought that a great crisis is at hand. The Peninsula is the place appointed by rumour for a great battle. The croakers dread much from their numbers; my trust is in One who can save by many or by few.
______________

[1] William Brockenbrough Colston, son of Judith W. (Brockenbrough) McGuire’s sister, Sarah Jane Brockenbrough and her husband, Edward Colston.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 103-4

Monday, January 12, 2015

Diary of Salmon P. Chase: Saturday, August 2, 1862


At Department all day — went neither to the President's nor the War Department.

Genl. Shields called and talked over movement up the Shenandoah. He told me that when he received peremptory orders to return, he had held communication with Fremont and Jackson's capture was certain. I told him of my urgency that McDowell should be ordered forward with his entire command from Warrenton, per Front Royal, to Charlottesville and Lynchburg; that the President was not ready to act; that McDowell himself was apparently disinclined, preferring concentration at Manassas and then advance to Richmond. Plain enough now, he said, that this was the true movement. He had himself telegraphed McDowell that Jackson would be Pattersonized by recall of troops from pursuit. The troops were, nevertheless, recalled and by peremptory orders from the President himself, those of Shields were directed to return to Manassas and those of Fremont to resume position as a corps of observation.

It was a terrible mistake. It would have been easy to take Charlottesville and Lynchburg — very easy; the capture of Jackson, though not at the time seen at Washington to be practicable was, nevertheless, within easy possibility; his defeat and the dispersion of his force certain. Our troops were called off when they were just upon him. The course of the whole movement was changed, for no reason that I could see. Charlottesville and Lynchburg were saved to the enemy, with their stores and the Rail Roads on which they are situated, forming the great East and West communication of the rebels. A wide door for Jackson to Richmond was opened — the very door through which, a little later, he passed; fell in cooperation with the rebel army at Richmond, on McClellan's right, left unsupported as if to invite disaster; defeated it; and then, with the same army, pursued the Union main body to the James. Sad! sad! yet nobody seems to heed. Genl. Shields and I talked this all over, deploring the strange fatality which seemed to preside over the whole transaction. He dined with us; and after dinner, rode out with brother Edward and Nettie.

1. I. e., weakened as Patterson was by recall of troops to defend Washington the latter part of June 1861.

In the evening, several callers came in. Beebe, from Ravenna, a faithful friend — John R. French — Smith Homans — Chas. Selden — and some others. Selden says that at Cincinnati, old Mr. Molitor and Rev'd. Edw. Purcell spoke very kindly of me.

SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 52-3

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson’s General Orders No. 53, May 26, 1862

GENERAL ORDERS No. 53.

HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT,
May 26, 1862.

Within four weeks this army has made long and rapid marches, fought six combats and two battles, signally defeating the enemy in each one, captured several stand of colors and pieces of artillery, with numerous prisoners and vast medical, ordnance, and army stores, and finally driven the boastful host which was ravaging our beautiful country into utter rout. The general commanding would warmly express to the officers and men under his command his joy in their achievements and his thanks for their brilliant gallantry in action, and their patient obedience under the hardships of forced marches, often more painful to the brave soldier than the dangers of battle. The explanation of the severe exertions to which the commanding general called the army, which were endured by them with such cheerful confidence in him, is now given in the victory of yesterday. He receives this proof of their confidence in the past with pride and gratitude, and asks only a similar confidence in the future. But his chief duty today and that of the army is to recognize devoutly the hand of a protecting Providence in the brilliant successes of the last three days, which have given us the results of a great victory without great losses, and to make the oblation of our thanks to God for His mercies to us and our country in heartfelt acts of religious worship. For this purpose the troops will remain in camp to-day, suspending as [far as] practicable all military exercises, and the chaplains of regiments will hold divine service in their several charges at 4 p.m. today.

By order of Major-General Jackson:
R. L. DABNEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCES: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 263-4;  The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 51, Part 2 (Serial No. 108), p. 563-4

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Major General Thomas J. Jackson to the Soldiers of the Army of the Valley and Northwest, May 12, 1862

Soldiers of the Army of the Valley and Northwest:

I congratulate you on your recent victory at McDowell. I request you to unite with me this morning in thanksgiving to Almighty God for thus having crowned your arms with success, and in praying that He will continue to lead you on from victory to victory, until our independence shall be established, and make us that people whose God is the Lord. The chaplains will hold divine service at ten o'clock a.m. this day in their respective regiments.

SOURCES: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 258; Clement A. Evans, Confederate Military History, Volume 3: Virginia, Part 1, p. 234; Owen F. Morton, A History of Highland County, Virginia, p. 131; Sarah Nicholas Randolph, The Life of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, p. 140; Carl Hovey, Stonewall Jackson, p. 63; Thomas A. Ashby, Life of Turner Ashby, p. 162; Confederate Veteran, Volume 20 No. 5, May 1912, p. 219-20; Henry Alexander White, Stonewall Jackson, p. 141 and William Allen, History of the Campaign of Gen. T. J. (Stonewall) Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley: From November 4, 1861 to June 17, 1862, p. 82 both of which site Robert Lewis Dabney, Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-Gen. Thomas J. Jackson,, p. 353 as their source.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, May 12, 1862

Headquarters, Valley District, near Franklin.

My precious darling, I telegraphed you on the 9th that God had blest us with victory at McDowell. I have followed the enemy to this place, which is about three miles from Franklin. The enemy has been reinforced, and apparently designs making a stand beyond Franklin. I expect to reconnoitre to-day, but do not know as yet whether I will attack him thus reinforced. We have divine service at ten o'clock to-day (Monday) to render thanks to Almighty God for having crowned our arms with success, and to implore His continued favor.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 257

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, May 5, 1862

Staunton, May 5th.

Since I last wrote to my darling I have been very busy. On Wednesday last I left my position near Swift Run Gap, and moved up the south fork of the Shenandoah to Port Republic, which is about three miles from Weyer's Cave. I would like to see the cave, for I remembered that my little pet had been there, and that gave me a deeper interest in the great curiosity. The road up the river was so treacherous that I could only advance about six miles per day, and to leave the road was at the risk of sinking yet deeper in the quicksands, in which that locality abounds. The country is one of the loveliest I have ever seen. On Saturday the march was resumed, and we crossed the Blue Ridge at what is known as Brown's Gap, and thus entered into Eastern Virginia. I stopped with a very agreeable family named Pace. Here I expected to pass the Sabbath, but on Sunday morning I received a despatch stating that part of the enemy's force had arrived within one day's march of Brigadier-General Edward Johnson's camp. Under the circumstances I felt it incumbent upon me to press forward, and I arrived here last evening, where I am stopping at the Virginia House. The troops are still coming in. The corps of cadets of the Virginia Military Institute is here.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 254-5

Friday, June 13, 2014

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, April 16, 1862

Near New Market.

This morning is warm and spring-like, and this country is one of the most beautiful that I ever beheld. . . . On last Wednesday the enemy advanced on me at one o'clock A. M., and I fell back to this place, where I arrived on Friday. My route was through New Market and Harrisonburg. I am about midway between Harrisonburg and Stannardsville. The enemy did not advance as far as Harrisonburg on the Valley turnpike. The advance of the two armies is within a few miles of each other. ... I do want so much to see my darling, but fear such a privilege will not be enjoyed for some time to come.

Swift Run Gap.

. . . Dr. Dabney is here, and I am very thankful to God for it. He comes up to my highest expectations as a staff-officer.

SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 253-4

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Major-General Irvin McDowell to Abraham Lincoln, May 24, 1862

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
Opposite Fredericksburg, May 24, 1862.
(Received 9.30 p.m.)
His Excellency the PRESIDENT:

I obeyed your order immediately, for it was positive and urgent, and perhaps as a subordinate there I ought to stop; but I trust I may be allowed to say something in relation to the subject, especially in view of your remark that everything now depends upon the celerity and vigor of my movements. I beg to say that cooperation between General Frémont and myself to cut Jackson and Ewell there is not to be counted upon, even if it is not a practical impossibility. Next, that I am entirely beyond helping distance of General Banks; no celerity or vigor will avail so far as he is concerned. Next, that by a glance at the map it will be seen that the line of retreat of the enemy's forces up the valley is shorter than mine to go against him. It will take a week or ten days for the force to get to the valley by the route which will give it food and forage, and by that time the enemy will have retired. I shall gain nothing for you there, and shall lose much for you here. It is therefore not only on personal grounds that I have a heavy heart in the matter, but that I feel it throws us all back, and from Richmond north we shall have all our large masses paralyzed, and shall have to repeat what we have just accomplished. I have ordered General Shields to commence the movement by to-morrow morning. A second division will follow in the afternoon. Did I understand you aright, that you wished that I personally should accompany this expedition? I hope to see Governor Chase to-night and express myself more fully to him.

Very respectfully,
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Major-General.
(Copy to Secretary of War.)

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 12, Part 3 (Serial No. 18), p. 220-1

Abraham Lincoln to Major-General George B. McClellan, May 25, 1862 – 8:30 p.m.

(Send in Cypher).
War Department
Washington City, D.C.
May 25. 1862 8½ P.M.
Major Gen. McClellan

Your despatch received. Banks was at Strausburg with about six-thousand men, Shields having been taken from him to swell a column for McDowell to aid you at Richmond, and the rest of his force scattered at various places. On the 23rd. a rebel force of seven to ten thousand fell upon one regiment and two companies guarding the bridge at Front-Royal, destroying it entirely, crossed the Shenandoah, and on the 24th. (yesterday) pushed to get North of Banks on the Road to Winchester. Banks ran a race with them, beating them into Winchester yesterday evening. This morning a battle ensued between the two forces in which Banks was beaten back into full retreat towards Martinsburg, and probably is broken up into a total route. Geary, on the Manassas Gap R.R. just now reports that Jackson is now near Front-Royal with ten thousand following up & supporting as I understand, the force now pursuing Banks. Also that another force of ten thousand is near Orleans following on in the same direction. Stripped bare, as we are here, it will be all we can do to prevent them crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, or above. We have about twenty thousand of McDowell's force moving back to the vicinity of Front Royal; and Gen. Fremont, who was at Franklin, is moving to Harrisonburg, both these movements intended to get in the enemies rear. One more of McDowells Brigades is ordered through here to Harper's Ferry. The rest of his force remains, for the present, at Fredericksburg.  We are sending such regiments and dribs from here and Baltimore, as we can spare, to Harper's Ferry, supplying their places, in some sort, by calling in Militia from the adjacent States. We also have eighteen cannon on the road to Harper's Ferry of which arm, there is not a single one yet at that point. This is now our situation. If McDowell's force was now beyond our reach, we should be utterly helpless. Apprehension of something like this, and no unwillingness to sustain you, has always been my reason for withholding McDowells force from you. Please understand this, and do the best you can with the force you have.

A. LINCOLN

SOURCES: Roy P. Basler, editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 5, p. 236-7; a copy of this letter can be found in The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of CongressMary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 264

Monday, January 6, 2014

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 26 1862

CAMP NEAR NEW BRIDGE, VA., June 26, 1862.

Everything is quiet on our part of the line. Yesterday Heintzelman, on the left, made an advance, which of course was disputed, resulting in brisk skirmishing, with some loss in killed and wounded on both sides. Heintzelman gained his point, however, and maintained it. We were under arms all day, ready to take part in a general action, if one should result. In the meantime, the batteries opposite to us have been throwing their shot and shell at us, but without inflicting any injury. There is a report that the great "Stonewall" Jackson with his army has left Gordonsville and is coming to Richmond, to turn our right flank. His withdrawal from the Valley of Virginia would indicate weakness of the army here, for he would never leave so important a field, and where he had been doing good service, unless it was a matter of great importance to strengthen their Richmond army. This report, in connection with the fact that they keep up a great drumming and bugling in front of us, to make us believe they are in great force, leads me to doubt whether their army is as strong as represented, and whether they do actually outnumber us, as some believe.

I yesterday rode to the extreme right of our lines, where our cavalry are stationed, watching the whole country, to apprise us of any advance. At one of the outposts, Reynolds, whom I was accompanying on a tour of inspection, sent for the officer in command of the detachment to give him some instructions, when I found he was our old neighbor, Benoni Lockwood, who seemed really glad to see me. The adjutant of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, now serving with our division, is your relative, Will Biddle. The health of the army, at least of our division, is very fair — some little bilious attacks and diarrhoea, but nothing serious. We have an abundance of good food; no army in the world was ever better supplied and cared for than ours is, all reports to the contrary notwithstanding.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 278-9

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Jefferson Davis to Varina Howell Davis, June 11, 1862

June 11. 1862

MY DEAR WIFE

Col. Wheeler who you may recollect to have seen in Washington, after his return from Nicaragua, has offered to bear a letter to you, and I have but a few minutes in which to write it.

I am in usual health, though the weather has been very inclement.  The roads to the different positions of the army could not be worse and remain passable. The long boots presented by Capt. Keary protect me from mud but the poor horse suffers on every ride. The Green Brier horse which was to be so gentle as to serve your purposes is a fretful rearing animal which it is troublesome for me to ride in the presence of troops. Kentucky is quite gentle compared to Green Brier. The Enemy is entrenching and bringing up heavy guns on the York river Rail Road, which not being useful to our army nor paid for by our Treasury was of course not destroyed.

His policy is to advance by regular approaches covered by successive lines of earthworks, that reviled policy of West Pointism and spades, which is sure to succeed against those who do not employ like means to counteract it. Politicians, Newspapers, and uneducated officers have created such a prejudice in our army against labor that it will be difficult until taught by sad experience to induce our troops to work efficiently. The greatest Generals of ancient and modern times have won their renown by labor. Victories were the results. Cezar who revolutionized the military system of his age, never slept in a camp without entrenching it. France Spain and Great Britain retain to this day memorials of Roman invasion in the Massive works constructed by the Roman armies. But my dear Winnie I did not intend to give you a military lecture or to trouble you with my embarassments. From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh.

I will endeavor by movements which are not without great hazard to countervail the Enemys policy. If we succeed in rendering his works useless to him and compel him to meet us on the field I have much confidence in our ability to give him a complete defeat, and then it may be possible to teach him the pains of invasion and to feed our army on his territory. The issues of campaigns can never be safely foretold  it is for us to do all which can be done and trustingly to leave our fate to Him who rules the Universe.

We are reinforcing Genl. Jackson and hope to crown his successes with a complete victory over all the Enemy in the Valley of Va.

Kiss my dear Children, tell them how much their Father loves, how constantly he longs to see them and prays that they may be good and happy.

Brother Joe has been to the Hurricane & Brierfield, he took Joe Mitchell with him I was much distressed when I heard he was going, the exposure at this season in an open boat was very hazardous. It was from that cause my Father died, when though of many years, his constitution was sound as that of many men at the age of forty. This morning I received the following despatch — date Jackson June 10

“I have just returned from Hurricane brought twelve negroes, from Brierfield & fifteen from Hurricane, the measles at Brierfield prevented my bringing more.  All came without compulsion.”

(signed)  J. E. DAVIS

Give my love to Cousin Helen.  I have no intelligence of her Husband since that sent by telegram.  I have drawn heavily on the time allowed but hope yet to get this off as proposed.

God bless you my dear Winnie and in restore you soon to the arms of your Husband.

SOURCE: Lynda Lasswell Crist, Editor, The Papers of Jefferson Davis, Volume 8: 1862, p. 235-7

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 11, 1862

CAMP BELOW FREDERICKSBURG, June 11, 1862.

Day before yesterday, General McCall received orders for his division to join General McClellan, to go by water down the Rappahannock and up the York River to the White House. Soon after the arrival of the transports at a point on the river some six miles below Fredericksburg was announced to him, and he immediately sent Reynolds and myself, with our commands, down here to embark. Reynolds has gone with all his command, and nearly all of mine has gone. I should myself have been off, but just as I was preparing to leave, General McCall made his appearance with his staff, and took up all the room that was left, and compelled me to remain here with my staff, separated from my command, to await either additional transportation or the return of those that had gone. I cannot tell now when I shall get away. All the vessels that were sent at first are gone; if others are being sent, I shall be off on the first that comes. But if it is not intended to send any more, and I have to await the return of those gone, it will be several days, perhaps a week, before I can rejoin my command. In the meantime, McClellan's pressure for troops may require him to send my brigade to the front, under the command of the next in rank. It is impossible for me to tell you how much I have been worried by this. Perhaps a vessel may come up some time to-day, and matters turn out better than I expect.

I think now it will not be long before our division will be in the presence of the enemy; being fresh troops, we will of course be sent to the front to relieve those who have been so long exposed. I understand very large reinforcements have been ordered to McClellan at last, in response to his urgent and repeated calls for them. It is rumored that the whole of McDowell's corps, except Shields (who remains with Banks), has been ordered, and some of the captains of the steamers recently here said that our twenty thousand men had reached him before they left, showing the Administration have at last come to their senses, brought thereto, doubtless, by a fear that a large part of Beauregard's army is coming from Corinth to Richmond.

I suppose you have noted in the papers that Colonel Kane has been made a prisoner, also Captain Taylor, of the same regiment, who is a very clever gentleman. I expected Kane, who has been thirsting for fame, would get himself in some such scrape, and therefore am not greatly surprised at its occurrence.


P. S. — June 11, 5 P. M.

I am glad to say several fine transports have arrived, and I expect to be off early to-morrow morning. As this has relieved me greatly, I have opened my letter to announce it.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 272-3

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 6, 1862

CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, June 6, 1862.

You will see that Jackson has escaped up the Valley of the Shenandoah, in spite of the various arrangements made to cut off his retreat. From all I can learn, the force sent from here under McDowell was not as rapid in its movements as it might have been. It ought to have pushed on from Front Royal to Strasburg, and not waited, as it would seem it did, till it had news that Jackson was falling back from Strasburg. We have had a continuous rain storm, part of the time very violent; the consequence has been the same here as with you in Pennsylvania — a great freshet in the Rappahannock, which carried away all the bridges we had built over the river, including the railroad bridge. To rebuild this will take some two weeks, during which time we shall be tied down here. When they were first carried away (day before yesterday) all communication was cut off with the town, in which were some six hundred of our people; but as we had intelligence that day that the force in our front had fallen back to Richmond, we did not feel much concerned about our men. Now we have a little steam tug that ferries across, and we will throw over a pontoon bridge as soon as the river subsides. I have been for several days on a court martial which occupies me from ten in the morning to five in the afternoon.

I am truly sorry to hear that John Markoe has been again wounded. Do you remember General Palmer? He is reported killed, but I hope it is a mistake. General Howard you must also remember, at West Point.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 272

Friday, December 27, 2013

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 3, 1862

CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, June 3, 1862.

Everything is very quiet in this vicinity; all reports of the approach of the enemy seem to have subsided. The news of the attempt to break through McClellan's line is looked upon as favorable, inasmuch as the attacking party, having the selection of time and place, could and should have concentrated superior numbers; their failure to succeed proves either their weakness or our superior prowess.1 I have no doubt McClellan has been most urgently demanding reinforcements, and that he looked with the greatest anxiety for McDowell's support. Indeed, his movement on Hanover Court House plainly indicated his expectation and desire to hasten the opening of communication with McDowell. I must do the latter the justice to say that he has all along seen the false position he was in, and has been most anxious to join McClellan, and was as much annoyed as any one when he was ordered to return to Banks's aid. The evacuation of Corinth is unintelligible to me, unless the approach of the gunboats towards Memphis and the destruction of the bridge on the Mobile and Corinth Road by Colonel Ellicott, proved to Beauregard that his communications were in danger and starvation threatened him.

I see an order just published, placing all the troops east of the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, and those at Old Point, again under McClellan's command. This is a retrograde step in the right direction, and will enable him to control our movements and those of General Dix (who goes to Fortress Monroe), and make them harmonize with his own. If McDowell can only defeat and capture Jackson, and return here in time to advance on Richmond, Dix go up the James or Appomattox River and seize Petersburg, we will have them in a pretty tight place, and one victory in our favor would settle the campaign. As it is, scattered and divided, no one can tell what will happen or what combinations occur.
__________

1 Battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines, Va., May 31 to June 1, 1862.


SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 271

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, May 31, 1862

CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, May 31, 1862.

Yesterday General McDowell (who has gone after the enemy who drove Banks back) telegraphed to General McCall to draw all his troops over to this side, except such guards as were necessary to keep Fredericksburg quiet and to watch the roads leading into it, and be prepared to act on the defensive. To-day we had intelligence from contrabands that a force was collecting at Spottsylvania Court House, about twelve miles on the other side of the river; so McCall, to carry out his instructions and be prepared, ordered Reynolds's brigade back on this side of the river. This movement, somehow or other, was distorted and magnified, most probably by the telegraph operators, who keep up a chattering among themselves; for this evening McCall got a despatch from the President, inquiring by whose authority he was retreating from Fredericksburg; also one from Mr. Stanton, telling him the news of Shields's victory at Front Royal, and begging him not to let any discredit fall on his division. A person who was at Acquia Creek to-day said it was reported through the operators that the enemy had crossed above us, and that we were retreating in disorder. Of course this canard went up to Washington and was carried to the President. The truth is, we have been left here with too small a force (ten thousand men and thirty pieces of artillery); but McClellan at Richmond and McDowell in the Valley of the Shenandoah will keep all the troops they have busy, and they will hardly be able to bring a sufficiently large force to threaten us. We are, however, prepared for them; but at present all is quiet.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 269-70

Monday, December 16, 2013

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 25, 1862

CAMP AT CATLETT'S STATION, Friday, April 25, 1862.

Since I wrote, the whole of King’s division has gone down to Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, and to-day orders were given for Reynolds to move down there with his brigade. I suppose I shall follow in a day or two, and that McDowell has at last got them in Washington to consent to let him concentrate his column at Fredericksburg, and either threaten Richmond from that point, or what would be better, interpose between Richmond and Yorktown, cutting off the communications of the army at the latter place. What I have been fearing, was that Banks would allow himself to be decoyed so far up the valley of the Shenandoah, that when they threw a superior force on him, we would be rushed across to his assistance. I see by the papers received to-day, that he has got as far as Harrisonburg, about twelve miles from Staunton; the latter being the point that Fremont is aiming at. If Banks and Fremont unite, they will be strong enough.

The papers say the Merrimac is ready to come out again; which I think is the best thing that can happen, as until the question of her supremacy is settled, we will be hampered at Yorktown. Let her be captured or sunk; when our gunboats will be free to operate on the James and York Rivers, taking the enemy's works in flank and rear, which now we cannot do for fear of the Merrimac.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 262

Saturday, December 7, 2013

From Fremont’s Army

STRASBURG, May 16.

Yesterday morning a band of guerillas made a dash on the railroad beyond Front Royal, and killed one man and took fourteen prisoners – all belonging to the 28th Pennsylvania.

The railroad bridge, 50 feet high and 850 feet long, over the north fork of the Shenandoah was completed to-night.  The track will be laid and trains will pass tomorrow.  The work was constructed in 48 hours, under the superintendence of G. D. Nagle, Government bridge builder.

All is quiet in front to-night.  It is currently reported that Milroy and Schenck are in occupation of Staunton.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Southern News

NEW YORK, May 13.

The advance of the iron-clad gunboat Galena, up the James river, created the utmost consternation in Petersburg.  The fact that she had silenced the rebel batteries at Dog’s Point, and was approaching Petersburg, caused a complete panic there.

The Petersburg Express, of the 9th, says there is a rumor that the Yankees were landing forces at Burwell’s Bay, or Smithfield, and their intention will be doubtless to march across the country, a distance of some 18 or 20 miles, and take possession of Suffolk.  This rumor lacks confirmation.

The Lynchburg Virginian, May 8th, says Jackson was still at Staunton at last accounts.  A report was brought here by an officer of the 18th Miss. Regiment that a detachment constituting the advance corps of Buell’s army at Swift Run Gap had been driven in by the enemy, and that a battle was impending.  We received intelligence yesterday to the effect that our troops were falling back from Greenbrier to Bonsack’s Depot, in Roanoke Co.

The Allentown Confederacy, May 4th, says:  The indications point strongly to a battle coming off at Corinth at an early day, which for magnitude, will eclipse any that has transpired in America.  Our judgment is, that the Yankees have nearly 150,000 men.  Beauregard is well nigh flanked, on all sides.  He has an immense army, but not so large as the enemy’s.  It were idle to conceal the fact that we have some fears for the result.  There is such a thing as being utterly overwhelmed by numbers, against which we can provide no remedy.


CINCINNATI, May 13.

The Commercial has the following Southern news:

The Memphis Avalanche of the 6th says, “Telegraphic news from Richmond is painfully significant.  McClellan seems to have been preparing the same fate for Richmond that Butler and Porter got up for New Orleans.”  The Avalanche of same date says, of affairs in New Orleans, “Mayor Monroe and all the alderman have been arrested and on refusing to take the oath were sent to prison.

“Great distress prevails in the city.  Food of all kinds is extremely scarce; flour not to be had at any price.  There is more of the federal force yet to be landed and the river is full of federal gunboats, mortars and transports.”

“The Congressional stampede from Richmond had a very depressing effect, and it is believed it foreshadowed the early evacuation of Virginia.

“The Policy of evacuating is nearly played out.  We have but precious little more territory that we can spare.”

The Memphis Argus says the confederate loss at Shiloh, was seven thousand killed and wounded.

The same paper in an article on gunboats says: “Thus far it must be confessed our attempts with gunboats on the river have been a disgusting fizzle.  People know it! so does the government.”

The correspondent of the Memphis Avalanche says, thirty-three per cent of Bishop Polk’s army was killed and wounded at the Battle of Shiloh.

The same paper of the 7th, says: “We have advices from New Orleans up to Saturday, at 11 A. M.”

Gen. Butler has taken the St. Charles hotel for his headquarters.

The Evans House on Poydras street has been converted into a hospital.

The Jackson railroad depot was taken possession of on Saturday morning.

Federal pickets have been extended out as far as the crossing of the Jefferson and Jackson railroads.

Four gunboats and one transport started for Baton Rouge Saturday morning.

Seven federal regiments had been landed at New Orleans.

All the newspapers in New Orleans are still published there, though a federal censor is placed over every office to examine all matter and exclude whatever may prove inimical to the federal cause.

The proclamation of General Butler was handed in at all the offices and refused. – When the guard came to the True Delta office and were refuse, they took possession and sent for northern printers, who set it up and worked it off in the edition.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1862, p. 1