Official Reports of the Reoccupation of Jacksonville, Florida, by Union Forces, March 10, 1863: No. 1. — Report of Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton, U. S. Army.

No. 1.

Report of Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton, U. S. Army.

BEAUFORT, S.C., March 14, 1863.

 SIR: I have the honor to report that the expedition which I sent up the Saint John's River, Florida, consisting of the First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Col. T. W. Higginson commanding, and a portion of the Second South Carolina Volunteers, under Colonel Montgomery, captured and took possession of the town of Jacksonville on Tuesday, the 10th instant. As I stated in my last report to you, the object of this expedition was to occupy Jacksonville and make it the base of operations for the arming of negroes and securing in this way possession of the entire State of Florida. It gives me pleasure to report that so far the objects of the expedition have been fully accomplished. The town is completely in our possession and many prisoners. There has been constant skirmishing going on for several days, and in every action the negro troops have behaved with the utmost bravery. Never in a single instance can I learn that they have flinched. It is my belief that scarcely an incident in this war has caused a greater panic throughout the whole Southern coat than this raid of the colored troops in Florida.

The negroes are collecting at Jacksonville from all quarters. There is a great scarcity of muskets in this department. I have endeavored to procure suitable ones for the troops under my command without success. If ample supplies of Springfield muskets, smooth bore, with buck-and-ball cartridges, could be obtained it would be of the greatest advantage for this peculiar service. I am convinced that the enemy will attempt to drive us from our position at Jacksonville. He can  only succeed by the failure of our ammunition. I was obliged to send the expedition with only 50 rounds of ammunition for its artillery, a limited supply, but I was unwilling to delay the expedition until supplies could be obtained from the North.

I beg leave respectfully to report that I have great difficulty in obtaining suitable arms from the ordnance depot in this department.

It would, in my humble opinion, be of great advantage to the service if an officer could be sent here to report for your information upon its condition.

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

R. SAXTON,        

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 14 (Serial No. 20), p. 226

Diary of Private Louis Leon: June 5, 1862

We were marched to town and received our arms—Springfield muskets. Next day went off very quietly.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 6

The Fall of Lexington – Why Mulligan was not Re-enforced – Fremont Vindicated

We make the following extract from the speech of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, in defense of Gen. Fremont, delivered on Friday last.  It is but an extract, but sufficient to justify to the General with the honest and patriotic people.  The speech was made in reply to the attack of F. P. Blair:

I come now to the fall of Lexington.  I happened to be in St. Louis on the 14th of September, and found the whole city excited with the news that had just reached there, that Price was marching upon the gallant defender of the town of Lexington, and when my friend speaks about the Home Guard it appears to me that Colonel Mulligan didn’t bear very high testimony to their gallantry then.  But I saw Lieutenant Governor Hall and he told me that Price was marching toward Lexington with fifteen thousand men, and that Fremont ought to send out a column to intercept him.  I asked him how many men Fremont had, and he said he thought he had twenty thousand.  I thought if he had that number he certainly could send out some, and I went to General Fremont, full of zeal for the re-enforcement of Mulligan, and told him what Lieutenant Governor Hall had said, and that if he had twenty thousand men some ought to be sent out. – He said: “I will tell you, confidentially, what I would not have known in the streets of St. Louis for my life.  They have got the opinion that I have twenty thousand men here.  I will show you what I really have got.”  He rang his bell, and his secretary came and brought the muster roll for that day, and by that muster roll he had in St. Louis and within seven miles round about, less than eight thousand men, and only two of them full regiments.  It was a beggarly array of an army, and it was all needed to defend that city at that time.  But I asked him if he could not spare some of these?  Sir, the tears stood in his eyes, as he handed me two telegraphic dispatches he had that day received from Washington.  I will read them, that you may see how little was at his command to re-enforce Mulligan.  Mr. Colfax then read the dispatches, ordering him to send five thousand armed infantry to Washington, and continued: I have shown you that he had the men, but no guns; and when he bought guns, the necessity for which was imperious, he was denounced from one end of this country to the other because they were not Springfield rifles of the best quality.  You must send five thousand well armed infantry to Washington at once, and this draft on him was to be replaced by troops from Kansas, or wherever he could best gather them.  I asked him, “What can you do (and my heart sank within me as I asked the question) here with an inferior force, and your best forces sent away to Washington?”  Said he, “Washington must have my troops, though Missouri fall, and I fall myself.”  After I heard that I would have been a traitor to my convictions if I did not stand up to defend this man, who was willing to sacrifice himself to defend the imperiled capital of the country.

He telegraphed to Washington that he was preparing to obey the order received, and I doubt not it made his heart bleed, knowing the strait Mulligan was in.  Then he telegraphed to Gov. Morton and Gov. Denison for more troops and the answer he received was that they had received orders to send all their troops East.  So there his reliance failed.  My friend says that it cannot be shown that he moved any of his men until after Lexington had fallen.  Lexington fell on Friday, the 22d of September.  I well remember the day.  Here are dispatches to Gen. Pope on the 16th of September, and dispatches from Gen. Sturgis to Col. Davis, hurrying the men.  The wires were hot with orders hurrying the men to re-enforce Mulligan.  Pope telegraphed on the 17th of September that his troops would be there day after to-morrow, which would have been two days before Lexington surrendered, and Sturgis thought he should be there on Thursday.  Col. Mulligan told me himself that if Sturgis had appeared on the opposite side of the river he though Price would have retired.  Thus from three sources Fremont sent on troops to re-enforce Mulligan, but he failed to do it because the elements seemed to be against him, and not because he did not seek to do so in every possible way that he could send succor to him.  At this very time there were all the different posts in Missouri to be held; his three months’ men were rapidly retiring, and his best men sent to Washington, Price, with fifteen thousand me, marching to Lexington; McCullough threatening Rolla, Hardee threatening Ironton, and Polk and Pillow at Columbus; and all over the State where organized bands of rebels – about eighty thousand men – threatening him, and he with an inadequate force to meet them.  And while thus struggling, from every side were launched against him the poisoned arrows of hate and partisan enmity; and while Fremont was out hunting the enemies of his country, somebody was in St. Louis hunting up witnesses against him, and giving ex parte testimony taken there; and while he was facing the foe, endeavoring to secure victory, a synopsis of the testimony was sent upon the wires all over the country, so that the public mind should be poisoned against, and his overthrow might be easier.  I think, in the name of humanity – if there is no such word as justice – they should at least have sent him this evidence after he came back to his post; but to this very hour the committee have not sent him this testimony at all.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

From the 16th Iowa Regiment

BENTON BARRACKS,

St. Louis, March 27, 1862.

EDITOR OF GAZETTE. – The 16^th regiment is now about ready for the war, excepting a little more drill.  The regiment is now completely equipped with the exception of the single article of canteens – and a very useful one it is, and one perhaps easily to be secured.  Yesterday morning our guns and accoutrements were distributed, and this morning our tents.  We have the Springfield rifled Musket, the best arms in the hands of any troops in the country, or in the world for that matter.  They are a beautiful gun, of long range, fine finish and perfect in every part.  Our boys are delighted with them.  The 16^th was the first regiment from Iowa armed with really good or superior guns.  The 15^th regiment, now in barracks here, have since received the same arms.  It is well they were tied on to our coat-tails in this matter, as but for the activity and success of our Colonel they would have no possible chance of getting anything but the common musket. – All the accoutrements belonging to their arms are of the first class.

The tents are the Sibley tent, a large conical institution, and the best tent in the service – the kind we wanted for which application was made.  Yesterday our mules were marched into quarters – one hundred and nine in number – and the wagons are ready.  The quadrupeds are quartered in the great ampitheatre of the old Fair Grounds, near which are our barracks.  They are a clean looking set of animals, but generally small.  Our wagoners and teamsters are now getting their hands in.  With the Wagons and mules is complete harness.

The weather has been perfectly delightful the last three days, and roads getting dusty.  It is both comfortable and healthy for camp life.  We have but comparatively few sick, and none dangerously so.  I think, but it is a mere surmise, that we shall be ordered to march to-morrow or the day after.  We have had an intimation of an early start, while the speed with which we of the 16^th are being fitted out shows “something is up,” so far as we are concerned.  The 15^th and 16^th will doubtless go together.  Where is another question – most likely to New Mexico, which is regarded as the choice service although it will comprise a march of two or three months. – But it has the prospect of hard fighting with the best fighters in the rebel army, as a close.  The officers and men of the 16^th are ready to cheerfully obey orders to go anywhere, but all are anxious to get into the fight and that as soon as possible.

ORDERLY.

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

From The Eighth Iowa Regiment

STEAMER WAR EAGLE,

Tennessee River, off Savannah,

March 17, 1862

To the Editor of the Gazette:– The 8^th Iowa left Sedalia last Thursday evening, March 11^th, and arrived at St. Louis the following evening.  We were to embark on the steamer War Eagle, which, beside our regiment and transportation, was loading on some 225 tons of Government stores.  All Thursday we lay in St. Louis.  While there, Col. Geddes obtained 600 Springfield rifled muskets, new, and of the very best kind.  Our flank companies were previously armed with Enflield Rifles, and the new Springfield will fully provide with first rate arms, those in our battalion companies which have been carrying the old “Tower Muskets”.”  We are now as well armed as we could wish.

About sundown our boat left the wharf at St. Louis.  The evening was calm and clear, and the air mild, our men in good health and fine spirits.  We floated down the Mississippi, with nothing to disturb the quiet of a river trip, except the merry songs and laughter of officers and men, and the roar of musketry for two or three hours Friday afternoon, when the boys were trying their new guns.  We stopped a short time at Cape Girardeau, then cam to  Bird’s Point where we touched a moment, and then over to Cairo.  We arrived at this latter place about dusk, and remained there till noon on Saturday unloading Government Stores.  From Cairo we proceeded up the Ohio to Paducah, thence up the Tennessee.

Sunday afternoon we passed what was Fort Henry.  Our boat stopped a few minutes here, and several officers and men went ashore to see the fort.  It was constructed of earth, thrown up in a circular form, and strengthened by “gunnies” filled with the same material.  The guns were so arranged as to command the river, and from appearances, were capable of making a strong resistance.  They were nearly all dismounted, some by shots from our gunboats, during the engagement, more by the troops left there after the capture.  Among the guns, I noticed the fragments of the rifled cannon which bursted; killing, it is said, a dozen or more of the rebels in the explosion; also the largest gun I have seen in the West, a 128 pounder.  This gun, I understand, opened on our gun boats but once.  It certainly looked as if it was capable of doing considerable damage if skillfully managed.

Since Friday morning the weather has been rainy and unpleasant until this morning, when it cleared off mild and bright. – We were sailing along as comfortably as was possible in so crowded a boat till about 2 P. M., when

THE WAR EAGLE WAS FIRED INTO.

Some rascally murderous rebels had secreted themselves in the rocks and timber along the shore, and as our crowded boat passed by their lurking place, fired into our bow.  The guards were filled with men, and some of the rebels’ shots unfortunately took effect.  Alex. Jenkins [sic], of Co. G, was instantly killed by a ball through the head; Martin Gentzer [sic], of Co. C, was shot through the left breast.  This wound is considered by the surgeons as mortal, though the young man is still living. – A third, Wm. Phillips, of Co. H, is severely wounded in the right thigh.  The ball went clear through, missing the bone, and inflicting a flesh wound.  Our boys returned the fire promptly, with what effect though is uncertain.  The rebels were well screened by rocks and trees, and showed themselves as little as possible. – One of the rebels was seen to spring in the air, drop his gun, throw up his hands, and fall upon his face, probably pierced by a ball from one of our Enfields.  For a few moments balls whizzed rather unpleasantly across the hurricane deck, but the three mentioned were the only casualties.  Poor fellows!  Though wounded and Killed by cowardly, skulking, murderous rebels, yet they suffered and died as truly for their country’s sake as though they had fallen at Henry or Donelson.

As we came up to this town, we saw before us a perfect forest of smokepipes.  A great number of boats loaded with troops have come up.  Some of the troops have gone ashore; many are still on the boats.  In the latter class are the 8^th Iowa.  Our Colonel has gone ashore for orders.  It is said some regiments have already been sent up the river towards Florence, Ala., and that fighting has been done to-day some 30 miles above here.  We begin to feel as if we were getting near the enemy in fact, and our boys are eager for an opportunity to try their guns.  If we can judge of men from such a surprise as we had to-day, and I assure you it is somewhat trying to one of weak nerves to hear bullets whizzing about his head, when there is no chance of getting away, or returning the compliment, our boys may be set down as of the right kind, for they stood up manfully, and whenever a “secesh” showed himself, a dozen bullets fell in unpleasant propinquity to the place he was last seen.  As we passed up the river we have frequently been greeted by those along the bank with shouts for the Union and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, mostly by women and boys.  The “Union sentiment” along the Tennessee seems somewhat mixed to us, and we rather doubt its strength and genuineness; while the women wave their handkerchiefs and hurrah for the stars and stripes, the men, perhaps their husband and brothers, fire into us!  We have been used to this kind of treatment in the State we have left.  The “great unwashed” in Southwestern Missouri are naturally “bushwhackers,” but we expected in this State a fairer and more honorable mode of warfare.  But “we shall see what we shall see,” and that before many days, I recon.

Our Colonel has just come on board with orders to proceed immediately eight miles further up the river; so there is no chance of mailing at the town of Savannah.

MARCH 18^TH. – During the night we came up eight miles above Savannah.  Here we found many boats.  Some have already unloaded their cargo of soldiers.  We are only waiting an opportunity to get near the land to debark.  I understand that Gen. Bragg is near this point reconnoitering.  A detachment under Gen. Sherman has been sent out by Gen. Grant.  I understand an honorable position in the advance is assigned out regiment.

The man of Co. C, mortally wounded yesterday, died during the night.

Yours, &c.

C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 2

Washington News

WASHINGTON, April 29. – The Commission on ordnance and supplies have, it is said, rejected all the foreign contracts, and considerable curtailed those for the manufacture of arms in the United States.

The Ordnance Officer has issued proposals for manufacturing, within one year, Springfield rifled muskets and Harper’s Ferry rifles, together with carbines, revolvers, sabres, swords, scabbards, &c., sufficient for the use of the army.

The Department reserves to itself the right to reject any bid and to consider none made thro’ any agent, broker or party, other than the regular manufactures.

Several days ago the House passed a resolution directing the Secretary of War to communicate all the facts and circumstances within his knowledge, relative to the late evacuation by our troops, of Jacksonville, Florida.

The Secretary replies that he conceives it to be the province of the President to furnish information concerning military operations, but that the President has directed him to say that the evacuation was for reasons not deemed compatible with the public interest to disclose.

Prof. Bache of the Coast Survey, reports that next to Port Royal, St. Helena Sound is the [best] harbor on the Southern Coast. Two channels of 15 feet each at mean low water enter, and from the Sound the Country may be penetrated by gunboats nearly to the railroad. The width of the sound renders all its shores healthy, as all are freely reached by the sea breezes, and the other sea island especially is will situated for settlement and commercial town. If ever other interests than planting ones rule in this region, he looks to see its commercial advantage made use of, and the lumber from the heads of the Ashpoo and Cambahee finds a market nearer these great rivers than either Savannah or Charleston.

Wm. Ryan Hall has been appointed acting volunteer lieutenant in Com. Foote’s flotilla.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4

How Muskets are Made

The Committee who are examining the contracts for ordnance, have had prepared for them, by Messrs. Jenks & Co., of Brideburg, near Philadelphia, a complete collection of the numerous pieces used in constructing a Springfield musket. The wooden stock passes through sixteen machines before it is completed. They have furnished each piece as the machine leaves it, thus at a glance, showing the whole process of making a gun. The nipple, which is the smallest piece, requires twenty-two distinct operations. The trigger fourteen. The [ramrod] five, and the bayonet eighteen. The whole detail of the manufactory would be very interesting, but for the present must be withheld. The factory of Jenks & Co. is said by the Committee to be the most perfect of any in the country. Their contract was endorsed by the Committee and ordered to be continued by the Secretary of War.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862