From Fortress Monroe

Further particulars of the Naval Engagement.

FT. MONROE, March 10. – The Minnesota yesterday returned to her usual station at the entrance to the roads; she is again ready for action.  The Monitor came down early this morning, and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the various vessels in the harbor.  Gen. Wool and staff, and assistant Secretary Fox of the Navy went on board this morning.  She was found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is as well prepared as ever she could be for another action.  Her performance was perfectly satisfactorily [sic] to her officers and men, and they all speak of her in the highest terms of praise.

The gunboat White Hall took fire at 2 o’clock this morning and was totally destroyed.

The French sloop of war Rinaldo arrived here this morning from off Charleston.  No news.

The latest estimate of the number of killed on the Congress is fifty including three officers – Lieut. James Smith, commanding, Acting Master Thos. Moore, and coast pilot Wm. Rounds.  Twenty-seven are reported wounded and forty were taken prisoners – none of them officers.

On board the Cumberland Rev. Sothard, the Chaplain, was drowned, and Master’s Mate Harrington was killed.  But few of the wounded escaped to shore.  The number of killed and wounded is about one hundred and fifty.

On the White Hall Third Assistant Engineer Andrew Nesbit and Robt. Wough and Charles O’Connor, seamen, were killed, and two or three wounded.

The Wm. Wheldon received a shot in her boiler, and the rescue was damaged in her machinery.  The former was towed to Baltimore by the Adelaide.  Six men were killed and seventeen wounded, not including any officer.  So far as known she is said to have received quite a number of shots.

The Roanoke received but two shots and little damage was occasioned by them.  No casualty occurred on board except the falling of a man from aloft.

It is generally believed now that the Minnesota must have received serious damage.  It is the testimony of some that she was considerably stove in the side as she went behind Sewall’s Point.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

The Naval Engagement

FORTRESS MONROE, March 9. – The long expected Confederate steamer Merrimac made her appearance here yesterday p. m., with the assistance of two gunboats, which came out with her from Norfolk, made an attack upon Newport News, and the naval vessels stationed at that place.  The Merrimac was first seen from the ramparts of Fortress Monroe on her way to Newport News, at about a quarter before one o’clock.  Two rebel gunboats followed her.  They all carried a rebel flag at the stern, and had a French flag at the masthead.  The Merrimac had a flag at her bows, which was discernible by some as the Commodore’s blue flag, and by others as a black flag.  The sides, bows, and stern of the Merrimac were covered with sloping iron plates, extending about two feet below the water line, and meeting above like a roofed house.  On her bows on the water are two sharp iron points resembling plows, about six or seven feet apart.  The number of guns is stated at twelve, but she might not have had so many. – At her bows were seen two guns, projecting from long elliptical ports.  The design of the enemy did not become apparent till between 1 and 2 o’clock, and by that time the Minnesota had got under way to the scene of action.  The Roanoke, the flag ship, being disabled by the breaking of her shaft some time since, was taken in tow by two gunboats, about the same time the alarm gun was fired at Fortress Monroe, and the whole garrison turned out.

The Rebel boats slowly pursued their way to Newport News, and the Merrimac soon turned the point and was lost to view from the Fortress.  The first shot was fired from the frigate Cumberland at a little past 2 o’clock.  The Sewall’s Point battery then opened on the Minnesota, which was passing, and the Sawyer gun from the Rip Raps replied with a few shots at Sewall’s Point.  A thick smoke was now seen to rise above Newport News point, indicating that the battery there as well as the Cumberland and Congress were engaged.

The action could not be seen from the Fort, but a telegraph dispatch was received in the morning that the Cumberland and Merrimac were in close quarters.  After firing two guns at the Cumberland the Merrimac closed, her sharp bows making a whole in her at the waterline some seven feet in extent.  The Merrimac backing a short distance ran into her a second time, making another terrible hole in her, causing the water to run in at a furious rate.  The Cumberland continued firing until the water entered her portholes, when she careened over slowly and finally sunk about three o’clock.  The Newport News battery and the Cumberland fired continuously upon the Merrimac, but no apparent effect was produced upon her.

The Minnesota got aground upon her way up and could afford but little assistance.

Shortly before 8 o’clock the Yorktown and Jamestown arrived from up the James River. – The former was disabled early in the p. m. and put in shore for repairs.  After sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac turned her attention to the Congress and in less than an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted on the Congress.  A rebel gunboat immediately went alongside and took the officers and marines prisoners.  The seamen where allowed to escape to shore.  The frigate St. Lawrence arrived in the p. m., and without delay at once proceeded up the river and followed the example of the Minnesota and Roanoke in firing on the battery at Sewall’s Point, but, like the rest, her shot fell short.  The gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the p. m., but soon the Roanoke, St. Lawrence and Mystic all returned.  The Merrimac continued to throw shells into the camp ant Newport News, while the Jamestown and other rebel gunboats commenced firing on the Minnesota.  The latter replied as vigorously as possible and the conflict was continued without any apparent effect until dark.  During the evening the Congress was set on fire.  At midnight she was blown up, making a terrible explosion.  During the evening the Monitor arrived and at once proceeded to take part in the action.  During the night only an occasional gun was fired.  Reinforcements and men and ammunition were sent to Newport News early in the p. m.  Little serious damage was done and no one was killed.

This morning the Confederate was near until the presence of the Monitor was known to the Merrimac.  The latter was engaged with the Minnesota, and but for the fortunate arrival of the Monitor the Minnesota might have been lost.  The Monitor and Merrimac engaged each other for two or three hours at long and short range without perceptible effect upon either.  They went alongside of each other once or twice and seemed almost to run each other down, but they soon appeared again to renew the action.  The battery finally succeeded in forcing a long hole in the port side of the Merrimac, and she retired with the whole revel fleet to Norfolk.

At about 1 o’clock the United States gunboat Oregon was struck by the Merrimac in her boiler and was blown up.  This morning the U. S. gun boat Scioto was also seriously damaged and was obliged to return.

The principle loss of life was on board the Cumberland, where it is thought as many as one hundred and fifty must have been killed or drowned.  But few lives were lost on board the Minnesota according to account of her officers.

A rebel gun boat was cut in two yesterday by the Cumberland.

The Merrimac is understood to have been under Commodore [Buchanan], last of the Navy Yard.

Further Particulars.

WASHIGNTON, March 10. – Lieut. Wise, commander of the Potomac flotilla, in his official report to the navy Department, confirms the Rumor of the abandonment of the rebel batteries at Cock Pit, Shipping and other points along the Potomac, and also the burning of the steamer Page, and other rebel craft.

Lieut. Wise arrived this p. m., bringing dispatches from Fortress Monroe.  But few particulars have yet transpired, as his interview is not closed.  The following items are reliable:

Capt. Radford was engaged on a court martial and not on board the Cumberland.

Lieut. J. B. Smith, son of Com. Smith, was on board the Congress, and is killed.

The loss in killed, drowned, wounded and missing, is supposed to be over one hundred.

Lieut. Worden, who handled the Monitor so skillfully, is here in the hands of a Surgeon. – He was in the pilot-house of the Monitor when the Merrimac directed a whole broad-side at her, and received his injuries from the minute fragments of shell and the powder, which were driven through the look out holes.

Lieut. Worden was stunned by the concussion and was carried away.  On recovering, he asked, “Have I saved the Minnesota?” the cry was “yes, and whipped the Merrimac!” to which he replied: “Then I don’t care what becomes of me.”  His injuries are not supposed to be dangerous.

The Minnesota was eventually got off and towed under the guns of Fort Monroe.

The loss of 100 killed, given you in a former dispatch, was on board the Cumberland.  And the crew of the Congress is scattered and there are no means of ascertaining her loss at present.

The Naval authorities expect to hear soon that the Merrimac is disabled and that the Monitor is adequate to her in every respect.

There is no longer any doubt that the rebels have evacuated Centreville, Winchester and other important points, indicating a general falling back of their forces.

The telegraph to Fortress Monroe has been fully occupied on Government business all day, which has prevented the associated Press despatches.  There has been no change in the state of affairs at that point.

Every effort will be made to give the names of the killed and wounded at the earliest moment.

FT. MONROE, March 10. – With the assistance of the steamer Spalding, the Minnesota has been got off, and she is now on her way here.  She has received several shots but no serious damage.

The Congress is supposed to have lost over 100, men, including but one officer.  The released crews of the Congress and Cumberland have arrived here.

The Monitor has come up to the expectations that were formed of her, and has proved herself impregnable to heavy shot at close quarters. – She behaved remarkably well on her passage from New York.  She did not seem to be at all disabled.  To her presence may be attributed the safety of the Minnesota and other vessels in port, and final disabling of the Merrimac, which had previously been proof against ever thing.

Capt. Worden of the Monitor, was wounded in the head.  No other accident of any kind occurred to the battery or crew, who have an accurate list of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

The Rebel Steamers Lately Engaged Near Fortress Monroe

(From the New York Tribune)

THE MERRIMAC.

The Merrimac was originally one of the five war steamers authorized to be constructed by congress during the session of 1844-5.  They were to be first steam sloops of war, and were built as follows.  The Merrimac at Charlestown; Wasbash, Com. Dupont’s flag ship, which did such good service at Port Royal, at Philadelphia; the Minnesota at Washington; the Roanoke at Norfolk, and the Niagara at Brooklyn. – The Minnesota and the Roanoke were lying in Hampton Roads.  These five vessels were equal to any steam war vessels in the world, except iron clad vessels.  The spar deck of the Merrimac was 281 feet long and 52 feet broad in her original condition and she drew 23 feet of water.  She rated about 4,000 tons burden.  Her frame was of [live] oak, filled in solid, and caulked 14 feet out from the kelson.  Forward the ship had 10 live oak breast hooks, fastened through and through with copper under the water and iron above; aft she had seven breast hooks.

The engine was of 800 horse power, with a 2 bladed propeller 14 feet in diameter, so fitted as to be raised to the deck and lowered to its beaming at pleasure, enabling the vessel to be used with our without steam power.  She rated as a 40 gun frigate, but could carry as much as a 90 gun ship of the old style. – She carried 24 9 inch shell guns, with 2 pivot guns of 8 tons, each throwing 100 pound shells, mounted fore and aft.

The Merrimac was the first of the five to be completed, being launched in 1856.  She was soon after put in commission, and continued in the service until April 1861, when she was lying at the Norfolk Navy Yard, in need of some slight repairs.  But for the imbecility of those in charge, she might have been removed before the rebellion actually broke out in Norfolk.  Under the management of Com. Macauley, however, she and the ship of the line Pennsylvania where scuttled and sunk, while at the same time the Navy Yard and its 2,500 cannon were abandoned to the rebels.

Since then the Merrimac has been raised, placed upon the dry dock, and covered with an entire slanting roof or railroad iron.  This additional weight nearly broke her down upon the dry dock, and they found almost as much difficulty in launching her as was found in launching the Great Eastern.  Owing to a mistake in calculation, on being launched she was found to sink four feet deeper than before, so as to take in water.  So she was again taken out, being hogged in the operation and otherwise so strained that the Southern newspapers pronounced her a failure, and it is more than probably that with no opposition she would never dare to go to sea.  She is probably a very good moveable floating battery.  Above the water’s edge she is said to present nothing but her roof of railroad iron, with a smoke stack rising a few feet above it.  From the accounts which we have of the fight, her rate of speed is very moderate.  She mounted 10 100-pound Armstrong guns, which are reported to have mashed through iron mail as thick as that of the Warrior and Black Prince, but which do not appear to have made any impression on the Monitor.

THE YORKTOWN, OR THE PATRICK HENRY

The Yorktown, called by the rebels the Patrick Henry, is a steamer of 1,400 tons, which was built by Wm H. Webb for the line between New York and Richmond, in 1859.  She has two decks and is built of oak, with copper and iron fastenings.  She has two marine beam engines, of 350 horse power, and four water-tight compartments.  Her dimensions are, length 251 feet, breadth 34 feet, depth 18 feet.  She is described by a reporter who went up on the Express, under a flag of truce, on Thursday last, as mounting six rifled guns, one of which is an Armstrong gun, and is being much more formidable than her consort, the Jamestown.

THE JAMESTOWN

The Jamestown was formerly the consort of the Yorktown in the Richmond line.  She was built in 1852 by J. A. Westervelt, and her dimensions are slightly smaller than those of the Yorktown.  She draws but eight feet of water three feet less than the Yorktown.  She has a vertical beam engine, of 260 horse power.  The same reporter saw her also last Thursday, and says that she was worked with double engines, and had a sharp iron prow at her bow projecting some three feet at the water line, intended to run down wooden vessels, and that she carries 2 23 pound rifled cannon, Parrot style, fore and aft, the guns being furnished with telescopic sights.  The vessel looked trim, and the officers wore a profusion of gold lace, while the marines and sailors were smart and active in appearance.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

From Norfolk

(American’s Fort Monroe Correspondence.)

BALTIMORE, May 24 – It is estimated that there are now in Norfolk and Portsmouth not less than 1,000 deserters from the force with which Gen. Huger left Norfolk.  These who have come in and are still arriving in squads of tens and twenties did not succeed in escaping till after they reached Petersburg.  They are in a most deplorable condition.  A party who came in to-day say there must be nearly 1,000 scattered.  They all willingly take the oath of allegiance and appear most happy to have escaped from the rebel army.

The Minnesota will proceed to Norfolk to-morrow morning and the whole fleet will have abandoned Old Point and taken up a new position at the old naval station.  The walls of the Navy Yard building are in a solid condition and can soon be put in order again.  The machinery was taken out of the buildings before they were fired and packed up with the intention of being removed but the rapid action of General Wool prevented the removal.

Numerous wrecks, sunk in the harbor and river by the rebels are to be removed forthwith, including the wrecked Merrimac.  A large number of fuses and shells were obtained from the latter yesterday.

Deserters from Petersburg say fully one half of the army would desert if they had the opportunity but the rebels intend making a desperate resistance.

As soon as a disposition is shown by the people of Norfolk to return to their allegiance the port will be opened.  No such disposition is yet manifested.

Should Richmond be captured hundreds in Norfolk would openly declare for the union.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4

Special to Post.

The naval committee of the Senate this morning agreed to report a bill at once for the appropriation of $15,000,000 for iron-clad vessels of war.

Senator Grimes has just received a dispatch from Assistant War Secretary Fox, at Ft. Monroe, declaring his confident belief that the Monitor, in her next engagement, will sink the Merrimac.  Mr. Fox confirms the reports that the Merrimac was injured in the fight.  He expresses the opinion that another contest between the two vessels is certain, and that the conflict will be terrible.

The official report of Lieut. Pendergrast, of the Congress, addressed to Com. Marston, has been forwarded to the Navy Department.  Lieut. Pendergrast states that owing to the death of the late commanding officer, Jas. B. Smith, it becomes his painful duty to make a report of the part which the U. S. frigate Congress took in the efforts of our vessels at Newport News to repel the attack of the rebel flotilla, on the 8^th inst.  The report says:  “When the Merrimac, with three gunboats, were seen steaming down from Norfolk, and had approached near enough to discover her character, the ship was cleared for action.  At 10 minutes past two the Merrimac opened with her bow gun, with grape passing us on the starboard side.  At a distance of about 300 yards, receiving our broadside, and giving one in return.  After passing the Congress she ran into and sank the Cumberland.  The smaller vessels then attacked us, killing and wounding many of our crew.  Seeing the fate of the Cumberland, we set the jib and top sail, and with the assistance of the gunboat Zouave, ran the vessel ashore.

“At half past two, the Merrimac took a position astern of us at a distance of about 150 yards, and raked us fore and aft with shells, while one of the smaller steamers kept up a fire on our starboard quarter.  In the meantime, the Patrick Henry and Thos. Jefferson, rebel steamers, approached from up the James river, firing with precision and doing us great damage.  Our two stern guns were our only means of defence.  These were soon disabled, one being dismounted and the other having its muzzle knocked away. – The men were knocked away from them with great rapidity, slaughtered by the terrible fire of the enemy.  Lieut. Pendergrast first learned of the death of Lieut. Smith at half past four; the death happened ten minutes previous.

“Seeing that our men were being killed without the prospect of any relief from the Minnesota, which vessel had run ashore in attempting to get up to us from Hampton Roads; not being able to get a single man to bear upon the enemy, and the ship being on fire in several places, on consultation it was deemed proper to haul down colors without further loss of life on our part. – We were soon boarded by an officer of the Merrimac, who said he would take charge of the ship.”

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

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 10.

The Minnesota yesterday returned to her usual station, at the entrance to the Roads.  She is again ready for action.  The Monitor came down early this a. m., and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the various vessels in the harbor.  Gen. Wool and staff, and assistant Secretary of the navy Fox, went on board this a. m.  She was found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is as well prepared as ever for another conflict.  Her performance was perfectly satisfactory to hear officers and men.  They all speak of her in the highest terms of praise.

The gunboat White Hall took fire at two  o’clock this a. m., and was totally destroyed.

The British sloop of war Rinaldina arrived here this a. m.  She is from off Charleston.  No news.

The latest estimate of the number killed on the Congress is 50, including 3 officers – Lieut. Joe Smith commanding, acting master Thomas Moore, and coast pilot William Rhodes.  Capt. Wm. Smith commanded the Congress until recently transferred.  27 are reported wounded, and 40 were taken prisoners, none of them officers.

On board the Cumberland the Rev. Mr. Laerhardt, the Chaplain, was drowned and the master’s mate, Harrington, was killed; but few of the wounded escaped to the shore.  The number of killed and wounded is about 150.

In the White Hall, third assistant engineer Andrew Nesbit, Robert Waugh and Chas. P. O’Connor, seamen were killed and two or three wounded.  On the Dragon, which received a shot in her bow, two men were wounded – no officers.  The William Wheldon received a shot in her boiler, and the Rescue was damaged in her machinery.  The former was towed to Baltimore by the Adelaide.  The Minnesota lost six men killed and seventeen wounded, not including any officers, so far as known.  She is said to have received quite a number of shots.

The Roanoke received but two shots, and little damage was occasioned by them.  No casualty occurred on board except the falling of a man from aloft.

It is generally believed now that the Merrimac must have received serious damage.  The testimony of some that she was considerably tilted on one side as she went behind Sewall’s Point.

The Secretary of the Treasury has awarded the contract for the twenty million legal tender treasury notes equally to the American and the National Bank Note Companies of New York.

The following is copied from an official report of Gen. Wool dated to-day:

“Nothing of importance has occurred to-day.  The chief engineer of the Monitor says that three balls from that vessel passed through the Merrimac.  The monitor suffered very little although she was struck [twenty-three times.]

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHIGNTON, March 9.

The telegraph lines to Fortress Monroe were built by order of the Secretary of War, under the direction of the general manager of military telegraph lines.  The extension of the government line from Harrington, Del., to Cape Charles, was constructed in three days.  Thirty miles of the submerged cable was manufactured from the channel crossing in twenty days from the date of the order, by S. C. Bishop, of New York City.  The sixteen miles laid before the recent gale was recovered in good condition.

The cable to replace the portion lost off Cape Henry was furnished by Mr. Bishop in five days.  The shore end was landed at Cape Charles at 4 o’clock this (Sunday) p.m., by Mr. W. Harris, assistant manager of government telegraphs, who has had the immediate charge of the work.  Its completion at this opportune moment bringing as the news of the splendid victory of the Moniteur, and the drubbing of the Merrimac has saved the country from great anxiety and expense.  The delay in completing the cable connection has been owning entirely to the continuous boisterous weather.

WASHINGTON, March 10.

Lieut. Wise, commanding the Potomac flotilla, in his official report to the Navy Department, confirms the rumor of the abandonment of the rebel batteries at Cockpit, Shipping and other points along the Potomac, and also the burning of the steamer Page and other rebel craft.

Lieut. Wise arrived this afternoon, bringing dispatches from Fortress Monroe.  But few particulars have yet transpired, as his interview is not yet closed.

The following items are reliable: Capt. Radford was engaged in a court martial, and not on the Cumberland.  Lieut. Smith, son of Com. Smith, was on board the congress, and is killed.

The loss in killed, drowned, wounded and missing, is supposed to be 100.

Lieut. Warder, who handled the Monitor so skillfully, is here in the hands of a surgeon.  He was in the pilot house of the Monitor, when the Merrimac directed a whole broadside at it, and received his injuries from the minute fragments of shells and powder, which were driven through the lookout holes.  He was stunned by the concussion and was carried away.  On recovering he asked, “Have I saved the Minnesota?”  The reply was, “Yes, and whipping the Merrimac.”  To which he answered, “Then I don’t care what becomes of me.”  His injuries are not supposed to be dangerous.  The Minnesota was eventually got off and towed under the guns of Fort Monroe.

The loss of 100 killed given was on board the Cumberland.  The crew of the Congress is scattered, at there are no means of ascertaining her loss at present.

The naval authorities and experts here are confident that the Merrimac is disabled, and that the Monitor is adequate to her in every respect.

There is no longer any doubt that the rebels have evacuated Centerville, Winchester and other important points, indicating a general falling back of their forces.

The telegraph to Fortress Monroe has been fully occupied on government business all day, which has prevented the Associated Press dispatch from coming.  There has been no change in the state of affairs at that point.

Every effort will be made [to] give the names of the killed and wounded at the earliest moment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

Naval Engagement

FORT MONROE, March 9.

The Merrimac was signaled this morning, moving down the channel from Norfolk in front of Sewall’s point battery.  All was excitement about Fort Monroe at this news, and the Cumberland, Congress, Minnesota, St. Lawrence and Roanoke exchanged signals of danger.

The Merrimac had nothing above water but her flag staff, flying the rebel flag, and smoke stack.  She moved slowly, steaming directly for the Cumberland and Congress, lying at the mouth of James river.  The Cumberland opened on her with heavy guns, but the balls glanced off having no effect.  At the same time the rebel iron-clad boats, Yorktown and Jamestown, came down James river, and engaged our frigates on the other side.

Our batteries at Newport News opened on the gunboats to assist the Cumberland and Congress, which, being sailing vessels, were at the mercy of the steamers.  They both rained heavy broadsides on the Merrimac, which was slowly approaching, but all the effect visible was to slightly check her progress.  She then ran against the Cumberland, striking her about midships, literally laying open her side.  She then drew off and fired into the disabled ship and again dashed against her with her iron clad prow, knocked in her side, left her to sink, and started for the Congress, lying a quarter of a mile distant, which was engaging the Yorktown and Jamestown.  She, having no regular crew aboard, and being only partly manned by three companies of the naval brigade, seeing the helplessness of continuing the fight, struck her colors.

The Jamestown then took from her all her officers as prisoners.  Her crew escaped in boats.  The vessel was fired by the rebels.  After this the Merrimac and two gun-boats opened with shot and shell on Newpoart News batteries.  Some accounts say the garrison have been compelled to retreat to the woods, others say the gunboats were obliged to retreat.  The Minnesota did not yet have steam up in time to aid the two frigates.  She was followed by the St. Lawrence, and from necessity engaged the rebel vessel at distance of a mile.  It was the impression at the point that both were considerably damaged, but these statements are based on what could be seen with a glass at a distance of 8 miles.

The Merrimac was also believed to be aground when the boat left.  She lay a mile distant from the Minnesota, making no attempt to molest her.  After the last gun was fired from the Minnesota, persons declare they saw dense volumes of vapor rise from the Merrimac, indicating an explosion of some sort.  It is not known if this is so but it is believed she was aground.  It was the intention of the Minnesota to run to close quarters and avoid the iron prow of the Merrimac, and carry her by boarding.  To this, the Merrimac did not seem inclined to give opportunity.

As the Baltimore boat left Old Point at 8 o’clock, she met the Ericsson steamer, Monitor, going in.

LATER.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.

The Monitor arrived at 10 o’clock last night, and immediately went to the protection of the Minnesota, aground below Newport News.  At 7 o’clock to-day the Merrimac, Jamestown, Yorktown and several tugs went towards the Minnesota and opened fire.  The Monitor met them and opened fire, when the enemy’s vessels retired, excepting the Merrimac.  These two iron-clad vessels then fought from 8 o’clock till noon, part of the time touching each other, when the Merrimac retreated.

The Monitor was commanded by Lieut. Worden, and was handled with great skill, assisted by chief engineer Steiners.  The Minnesota was somewhat injured, but kept up a continuous fire.  The Monitor is uninjured, and ready for another attack.

WASHINGTON, March 9.

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch from Gen. Wool, dated this evening, confirming the above, also stating that the Minnesota had got off, and the Merrimac was driven off in a sinking condition, towed by the Jamestown, Yorktown, and other boats towards Norfolk, probably to get her in dry dock.

A dispatch was also received by the Secretary of the Navy, from Assistant Secretary Fox saying, in addition to the above, that the Merrimac retreated, but it is impossible to say whether she was injured or not.

Lieut. Worden, commander of the Monitor, was injured by cement from the pilot house being driven into his eye, but probably not seriously.

WASHINGTON, March 9 – 7 P. M.

By Telegraph from Fort Monroe. – The Ericsson arrived last night or early this morning.  She was attacked by the Merrimac, Jamestown and Yorktown.

After an hour’s contest they were beaten off – the Merrimac in a sinking condition.

FORT MONROE, March 9.

The long expected Confederate steamer Merrimac made her appearance, and yesterday afternoon, with the assistance of two gunboats which came out with her from Norfolk, made an attack upon Newport News and the naval vessels stationed at that place.

The Merrimac was first seen from the ramparts of Fortress Monroe, on her way to Newport News at about a quarter before one o’clock.  Two rebel gunboats followed her.  They all carried a rebel flag at the stern, and had a French flag at the mast head.

The Merrimac had a flag at her bows, which was described by some as a commodore’s blue flag and by others as a black flag.  The side bows and stern of the Merrimac were covered with sloping iron plates extending about two feet below the water line and meeting above like the roof of a house.  On her bows on the water line are two sharp iron points, resembling plows, about six or seven feet apart.  The number of guns is stated at twelve, but she might not have had so many.  At her bows were seen two guns projecting from long elliptical portholes.

The design of the enemy did not become apparent till between one and two, and by that time the Minnesota had got under way to the scene of action.

The Roanoke – the flag ship – being disabled by the breaking of her shaft sometime since, was taken in tow by two gunboats.  About the same time the alarm gun was fired at Fort Monroe and the whole garrison promptly turned out.  The rebel boats steadily pursued their way to Newport News and the Merrimac soon turned the point and was to view from the Fortress.

The first shot was fired from the frigate Cumberland at a little past 2 o’clock.

The Sewall’s Point battery then opened on the Minnesota, which was passing, and the Sawyer gun from the Rip Raps replied with a few shots.  At Sewall’s Point a thick smoke was seen to rise above Newport News Point, indicating that the battery there, as well as the Cumberland and Congress, were engaged.  The details of the action could not be seen from the fort, but a telegraph dispatch was received, announcing that the Cumberland and Merrimac were in close quarters.  After firing two guns at the Cumberland, the Merrimac struck her, her sharp bows making a hole in her at the waterline seven feet in extent.  The Cumberland commenced sinking, when the Merrimac, backing a short distance, ran into her a second time, making another terrible hole in her, causing the water to run in at furious rate.

The Cumberland continued firing till the water entered her port holes, when she careened over slowly, and finally sunk about 3 o’clock.  The Newport News Battery and the guns of the Cumberland fired continuously upon the Merrimac, but no apparent effect was produced upon her.  The Minnesota got aground on the way up, and could afford but little assistance.

Shortly before three o’clock the Yorktown and Jamestown arrived from up the James river.  The former was disabled early in the afternoon, and put in shore for repairs.

After sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac turned her attention to the Congress, and in less than an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted on the Congress.  A rebel gunboat immediately went alongside, and took officers and marines prisoners.  The seamen were allowed to escape to shore.

The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here during the evening, and without dropping her anchor proceeded up the river and followed the example of the Minnesota and Roanoke, in firing on the battery at Sewall’s Point; but like the rest, her shot fell short.  The gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the afternoon, but at sundown the Roanoke, St. Lawrence and Mystic all returned.

After 4 o’clock the Merrimac continued to throw shells into the camp ant Newport News, while the Jamestown and other rebel gunboats commenced firing on the Minnesota.  The latter replied as vigorously as possible, and the conflict was continued without any apparent effect until dark.

During the evening Congress was set on fire.  At midnight she was blown up, making a terrible explosion.

During the evening the Monitor arrived and at once proceeded to take part in the action.  During the night only occasional shots were fired.  Reinforcements of men and ammunition were sent to Newport News early in the afternoon.  But little serious damage was done and no one was killed.

This morning the conflict was renewed.  Until the presence of the Monitor was known to the Merrimac, the latter was engaged with the Minnesota, and but for the fortunate arrival of the Monitor, the Minnesota might have been lost.  The Monitor and Merrimac engaged each other for two or three hours, at long and short range, without any apparent effect on either.  They went along side each other, and seemed almost to run each other down, but they soon appeared again to renew the conflict.  The Ericsson battery finally succeeded in forcing a long hole in the port ise of the Merrimac, and she retired with the whole rebel fleet to Norfolk.

About 1 o’clock the U. S. gunboat Oregon was struck by the Merrimac in the boiler, and was blown up this morning.

The U. S. gunboat Zouave was also seriously damaged, and was obliged to return.

The principal loss was on board the Cumberland, where it is thought as many as 150 men have been killed or drowned.  But 6 lives were lost on board the Minnesota, according to the statement of one of her officers.  A rebel gunboat was cut in two by the Cumberland yesterday.

The Merrimac is understood to have been under the command of Com. Buchanan, late of the Navy yard.

FORT MONROE, March 10.

With the assistance of the steamer Spaulding, the Minnesota has been got off, and she is now on her way here.  She has received numerous shots, but no serious damage.

The Congress is supposed to have lost over 100 men, including but one officer. – The escaped crews of the Cumberland and the Congress have arrived here.

The Monitor has come up to the expectations that were formed of her, and has proved herself impregnable to heavy shot at close quarters.  She behaved remarkably well on her passage from N. Y., and although the sea covered her decks completely, at times, her speed did not seem to be at all diminished.  To her presence here may be attributed the safety of the Minnesota and other vessels in port, and the final disabling of the Merrimac, which had previously been proof against everything.

Capt. Worden, of the Monitor, was wounded in the head while he was looking out of the wheel house.  No other accident of any kind occurred to the battery ro crew.

We have no accurate list of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

Surrender of Slaves by the Army

SPEECH OF SENATOR GRIMES.

On motion of Mr. Wilson of Massachusetts, the senate proceeded to consider the following resolution, submitted by him on the 3d of April:

“Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia be directed to consider and report whether any further legislation is necessary to prevent persons employed in the military service of the United States from aiding in the return or control over persons claimed as fugitive slaves, and to punish them therefore.”

Mr. GRIMES. I Propose to amend the resolution by adding to it:

“And to report what reorganization of the army in its Personnel or otherwise, may be necessary to promote the public welfare, and bring the rebellion to a speedy and triumphant end.”

It is, of course, to be expected that there will be great differences of opinion among the friends of the Government as to the manner in which the present war should be conducted. – Such differences are the natural results of our various domestic institutions, systems of education, modes of thought, degrees of civilization, and of individual opinions of necessities of our situation. But there are certain great fundamental principles upon which one would think, all ought to agree. We certainly ought to do nothing and suffer nothing to be done calculated in any degree to repel or paralyze the efforts of our friends at home, who are doing everything in their power to encourage and sustain the soldiers in the field. While inculcating the necessity of the strictest obedience to military duty, it should be constantly bourne in mind that ours are a citizen soldiery, soon to return to the bosom of civil society, and that the performance of no unsoldierly duty should be required of them that would be calculated to impair their [self-respect], diminish their regard for their officers, incite them to rebel against discipline, or taint their reputations at home. It must not be expected that the natural instincts of humanity will be stifled by military orders, and surely our soldiers should not be required to assist in the perpetration of acts against which ever enlightened sentiment of their hearts revolts. One would think that all men would agree in pronouncing that a cruel and despotic order which repels the Divine precept: “inasmuch as ye did it not to one of least of these ye did it not to me,” and arbitrarily forbids the soldier to bestow a crust of bread or a cup of water upon a wretched, famishing fugitive escaping from our own as well as his enemy. Yet, Mr. President, I grieve to say that there are those high in rank in the service of the United States who have sought to break down the spirit of manhood, which is the crowning glory of true soldiers, by requiring them to do acts outside of their profession which they abhor, and to smother all impulses to those deeds of charity which they have been taught to believe are the characteristics of Christian gentlemen.

It was known to the country at an early day after the commencement of the war, that some military commanders were abusing the great power intrusted to them, and were employing the Army to assist in the capture and rendition of fugitive slaves, not in aid of any judicial process, but in obedience to their own unbridled will. The effect of this assumption of unauthorized power was to incite the soldiery to disobedience, and to arouse the people in the necessity of proper legislative restraints. It was in compliance with the popular sentiment on this subject that Congress enacted the additional article of war, which was approved on the 13th of March last, and which declared that

“All officers or persons in the military or naval service of the United States are prohibited from employing any of the forces under their respective command for the purpose of returning fugitives from service or labor, who may have escaped from any persons to whom such service or labor is claimed to be due, and any officer who shall be found guilty by a court martial of violating this article shall be dismissed from the service.”

It was intended by this article to prevent the military service from becoming odious to the people who support the war, and degrading to those who have volunteered to fight under our banners. It simply declares that the Army of the United States shall not be perverted from the legitimate use for which it was raised, while it interferes in no degree with the claim of any man to a person alleged to be a slave; it leaves questions of that character to be settled, and rights of that description to be enforced by others than the military authority. The intention of those who voted for that article was, not to abridge any man’s rights, but to leave every one to his legal remedies as though no war existed.

How is this new article of war enforced? It has been promulgated to the army it is true. It may not be openly and avowedly violated. Soldiers may not hereafter be required to actually perform the humiliating office of fastening manacles upon the limbs of persons said to be slaves, nor to escort them to the residence of their masters; but the experience of the last few days has taught us that, notwithstanding the new article of war, our military officers suffer their camps to be invaded by armed detachments of slave-hunters, without the support of any process of law, who there attempt to shoot, ruin and kill with impunity those whom they claim to be slaves, while our soldiers are required to stand indifferently by and witness the inhuman work. There seems to be a purpose in some quarters to do by indirection what cannot be done directly. The object being to serve the slave-holders, whether loyal or rebel, (and they are generally rebels,) there seems to be a disposition on the part of some officers to travel around a law which they dare not break through. Unable any longer to compel the soldiers to engage in the search, capture, and rendition of slaves, they now authorize slave-hunters, armed with pistols and military orders, to traverse their camps in search of their prey, and, by threat of military punishment, attempt to compel the soldiers to remain quiescent witnesses of the atrocities that may be committed. There is no controversy about the fact, that the evidence is overwhelming and is to be found on every hand. – Only last week, General Joseph Hooker, a native of Massachusetts, in command of a division of our army, issued an order, of which the following is a copy.


HEADQUARTERS, HOOKER’S DIVISION,
CAMP BAKER, LOWER POTOMAC,
March 26, 1862.

To Brigade and Regimental Commanders of this Division:

Messrs. Nally, Gray, Dummington, Speake, Dent, Adams, Price, Posey and Cobey, citizens of Maryland, have negroes supposed to be with some of the regiments of this division; the Brigadier General Commanding directs that they be permitted to visit all camps of his command, in search of their property, and if found, that they be allowed to take possession of the same, without any interference whatever. Should any obstacle be thrown in their way by any officer or soldier in the division, they will be at once reported by the regimental commanders to these headquarters.

By command of Brigadier General Hooker.
JOSEPH DICKINSON, A. A. General.


It will be observed that this order authorizes nine persons, citizens of Maryland, to visit the camps of Hooker’s division, without any judicial or other process than this military order, and there search for slaves “without any interference whatever,” and “should any obstacle be thrown in their way, by any officer or soldier in the division,” they are threatened with instant report to headquarters and a consequent court-martial punishment. The appearance and conduct of this band of marauders produced precisely the result that might have been anticipated. In describing it, I use the language of the officer in command of one of the regimental camps which they visited and attempted to search:


HEADQUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT,
EXCELSIOR BRIGADE, CAMP HALL, March 27,

Lieutenant: In compliance with verbal directions from Brigadier General D. E. Sickles, to report as to the occurrence at this camp on the afternoon of the 26th instant, I beg leave to submit the following:

At about 3 30 o’clock, P. M., March 26, 1862, admission within our lines was demanded by a party of horsemen, (civilians,) numbering perhaps, fifteen. They presented the lieutenant commanding the guard with an order of entrance from Brigadier General Joseph Hooker, commanding division, (copy appended,) the order stating that nine men should be admitted. I ordered that the balance should remain without the lines; which was done. Upon the appearance of the others, there was visible dissatisfaction and considerable murmuring among the soldiers, to so great an extent that I almost feared for the safety of the slaveowners. At this time General Sickles opportunely arrived, and instructed me to order them outside the camp, which I did, amidst the loud cheers of our soldiers. It is proper to add, that before entering our lines, and within about seventy-five or one hundred yards of our camp, one of their number discharged two pistol shots at a negro, who was running past them, with an evident intention of taking his life. This justly enraged our men.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

JOHN TOLEN,
Major Commanding, Second Regiment, E. B.

Lieut. J. L. Palmer, Jr., A. D. C. and A. A. A. G.


Mr. President, are such scenes as were witnessed in this camp calculated to promote discipline and to inspire respect for the officers in command, or affection for the Government that tolerates them? Doubtless, such officers will find methods to gratify their tastes in this direction, but I trust that they will not long be permitted to torment better men than themselves, who happen to be their inferiors in rank. Is it unreasonable to ask the Government to see to it that the spirit of the law of Congress shall not be evaded by indirection; and that examples of passion and violence and murder shall not be exhibited in our camps with the connivance or under the authority of our military officers?

The Senator from Ohio made to us, a few days ago, a most extraordinary statement of the condition of affairs at the capital of his own State. In one of the military camps in the city of Columbus, are several hundred rebel prisoners of war. Some of them are attended by colored servants, claimed as slaves. These servants have been transported at Government expense, fed, clothed, and doctored by the Government; and while the rebel officers are allowed the freedom of the city upon parole, the servants are strictly guarded and confined in camp by our own soldiers. The free State of Ohio is virtually converted by the order or by the assent of a military commander, and against the wishes of the people, into a slave State; and that order is enforced by men in our employment and under our pay. And this state of things does not exist in Columbus alone. Much indignation was felt and expressed in the state of Illinois, where the same practice was allowed to prevail among the prisoners captured at Fort Donelson. The greater part, if not all, of these prisoners, who had slaves attending them at the camp near Chicago, were transferred soon after arriving there, the Government paying the cost of transporting both whites and blacks. Whether this transfer was prompted by a knowledge of the popular indignation that had been excited, and a fear lest the tenure by which the prisoners held them as slaves was hourly becoming more and more insecure, I will not undertake to say.

How long, think you, will this method of dealing with the rebels be endured by the freemen of this country? Are our brothers and sons to be confined within the walls of the tobacco warehouses and jails of Richmond and Charleston, obliged to perform the most menial offices, subsisted upon the most stinted diet, their lives endangered if they attempt to obtain a breath of fresh air, or a beam of God’s sunlight at a window, while the rebels captured by those very men are permitted to go at large upon parole, to be pampered with luxuries, to be attended by slaves, and the slaves guarded from escape by our own soldiers? Well might the General Assembly of the State of Ohio ask, in the language of a Committee of their Senate:

“Why were these slaves taken at all? They were not, and had not been in arms against the Government – their presence at Fort Donelson was not even voluntary. Why are they retained in prison? They have done no wrong – they deserve no punishment. Is it to punish rebel officers with servants? And was it for this they were transported at the expense of the Government and are now subsisted at her cost? Is our constitutional provision thus to be made a nulity, and slavery practically established in Ohio? And this under the protection and at the expense of the Federal Government.”

Mr. McDougall. Will the Senator allow me to ask a question of the Senator from Ohio?

M. Grimes. Yes, Sir.

Mr. McDougall. Was it stated that the slaves of Tennessee were kept as prisoners of war in Ohio? I did not understand you so to state it.

Mr. Sherman. Slaves were captured at Fort Donelson, brought to Ohio, and put in the same prison with their masters, and kept there.

Mr. McDougall. And held as prisoners?

Mr. Sherman. Held there and rendered menial service to those officers.

Mr. McDougall. I understood you to state that they waited on their masters; but I did not understand you to state that they were held by the Government of the United States.

Mr. Sherman. They were held by the Government of the United States, and draw rations now, and are supported by the Government of the United States. I will state for the benefit of my friend that I have here a letter from the chairman of the committee of the Senate who made the report.

Mr. Grimes. The Senator will permit me to go on, and it can be read afterwards.

Mr. Sherman. Certainly.

Mr. Grimes. In the month of February last, an officer of the third regiment of Iowa infantry, stationed at a small town in Missouri, succeeded in capturing several rebel bridge-burners, and some recruiting officers belonging to Price’s army. The information that led to their capture was furnished by two or three remarkably shrewd and intelligent slaves, claimed by a Lieut. Col. in the rebel army. Shortly afterward the master dispatched an agent, with instructions to seize the slaves and convey them within the rebel lines, whereupon the Iowa officer himself seized them and reported the circumstances to headquarters. The slaves soon understanding the full import of Gen. Halleck’s celebrated order No. 3, two of them attempted an escape. This was regarded as an unpardonable sin. The Iowa officer was immediately placed under arrest, and a detachment of the Missouri State militia – men in the pay of this Government and under the Command of Gen. Halleck – were sent in pursuit of the fugitives. The hunt was successful. The slaves were captured and returned to their traitor master, but not until one of then had been shot by order of the soldier in command of the pursuing party.

Mr. President, how long shall we permit such conduct as this to go unrebuked? Does any one suppose that the people will quietly submit to the imposition of taxes to support a State militia in the field that is to be employed in the capture of slaves for the benefit of officers of the rebel army? Is it supposed that the Senators from Iowa will silently, patiently permit the gallant officers from that State to be outraged in the manner I have described?

It is quite time, Mr. President, that some definite policy should be established for the treatment of escaped slaves; and I am of the opinion that congress has been grossly derelict in permitting the evil to go so long unregulated and unchecked. We have almost as many diverse systems of dealing with this class of persons as we have military departments. In one military district fugitive slaves have been pursued, flogged, and returned to their masters by our army; in another they have been simply pursued and returned without flogging; in another they have been pursued and shot in the attempt to return them; in another they have been termed “contraband,” and received within our lines in the mixed character of persons and property. In the absence of any authoritative declaration of Congress, none of these modes may be held to be in conflict with law other than the law of common sense and common decency.

It is obvious that the article of war which I have quoted does not meet the case presented by Major General Halleck in his order No. 3 – That celebrated manifesto declares in substance that all persons from the enemy’s country shall be excluded from our lines. That plain purpose of the order is to prohibit fugitive slaves from escaping from the rebellious districts, and thereby securing their freedom. It was doubtless competent for Gen. Halleck to issue such an order, and it is equally competent for Congress, which has made and continues to make articles of war for the government of the Army and Navy, to countermand it. And, sir, it ought to be countermanded. I will not pause to discuss the humanitarian features of the question. – Public policy, no less than popular feeling, demands that order No. 3 be forever erased. – There never was a war waged in the history of the world where the means of acquiring information of the enemy’s position and numbers from people in his own midst was more ample than here, and there never was one where the commanding officers have suffered more from lack of such information. Order No. 3 proposes to incorporate the fatuity and blindness which remained unwritten in other military departments into a historical record and a public advertisement. It proposes to warn all persons against bringing information of the enemy’s movements to our camps under penalty of being turned back to receive such punishment as the enemy may choose to inflict for betraying them, or for running away and betraying combined. No organization of secret service can meet all the requirements of an army operation in an enemy’s country, unless aided by some portion of the inhabitants of the country. – What folly, then, to wall out and repel the very inhabitants who might bring us the information we most need, and who have everywhere shown an eagerness to do so!

It is the undoubted right and duty of every nation, when engaged in a righteous war – and no other than a righteous war is justifiable at all – to avail itself of every legitimate means known to civilized warfare to overcome its enemies. What will be thought by posterity of this nation, if, in the present emergency, we not only fail to employ the evidence which Providence seems to have placed at our disposal, but actually seek every opportunity to exasperate and drive from our support those who are anxious to serve us? Were the Russian nobles now engaged in a rebellion against their Government, would we not regard their emperor as guilty of the greatest folly if he not only declined to enlist the serfs of his empire to aid in suppressing the insurrection, but repelled them from his service and allowed his generals to return them to his rebellions nobles, to be used by them in overthrowing his authority? And can any one tell me the difference between the case I have put and our own?

The whole history of the world does not exhibit a nation guilty of such extreme fatuity as has marked the conduct of our Government in its treatment of the colored population since the present war began. It seems to be impossible to convince ourselves that war, with all of its attendant responsibilities and calamities, really exists, and that future generations will not hold those guiltless who refuse to use any of the means which God has placed in their hands to bring it to a speedy and successful termination. History will pronounce those men criminals who, in this crisis of the nation’s fate, consult the prejudices of caste or color, and regard the interests of property of paramount importance to the unity of the nation.

It is useless to attempt to blink out of sight the great issues before us; issues that must be settled, and settled by us. It were wiser and more manly to meet them squarely and at once. We are in the midst of the greatest revolution that ever occurred in ancient or modern times. Such armies as are now marshaled in hostile array on this continent, in point of numbers, equipment, and expense, have been hitherto unknown in the annals of mankind. We are imposing burdens in the form of taxes that will be felt by unborn generations. We are suffering much now; we expect and are willing to suffer more. And Why: Because we desire to preserve the integrity of our nation; because we believe that Heaven designed us to be one people with one destiny; the freest and happiest on earth. It was to preserve that unity of our national existence that our sons and brothers have gone forth to do battle. For this it was that the gallant men of Iowa have freely, triumphantly, laid down their lives at Wilson’s Creek, Blue Mills, Belmont, Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, and Pittsburg. And shall we, after these great sacrifices of life and treasure, hesitate about employing any of the instrumentalities in aid of the country that are known to civilized warfare? Shall we not be recreant to our high trust if we doubt or delay in this particular?

This war will go on until rebellion is subdued. Upon this point there need be no controversy. Rely upon it the north-western States will submit to no temporizing or compromising policy. They are too much in earnest; they have suffered to much already; they know too well what they would be compelled to suffer in the future to allow treason to go unpunished. It is because they desire to prevent the recurrence of the rebellion that they demand that it shall now be thoroughly crushed out. Among things necessary to be done to fully accomplish this purpose, we must conquer and hold all of the forts and strong positions on the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts. How shall they be garrisoned when captured? This is a question we shall soon be compelled to answer; and I am prepared for its solution. I answer it unhesitatingly that we should garrison them, in whole or in part, by soldiers of African descent; that instead of returning slaves to their rebel masters to fight against us, we should employ them in our own military service.

I know very well that this proposition encounters at once all the prejudices that have been engendered by differences of race, education and social position; but let us look at it a moment soberly and practically. It is assumed as admitted by all that the southern forts must be captured and strongly garrisoned for some years to come. They are situated in a warm and enervating [climate], and the particular location of nearly all of them renders them more than unusually unhealthy, even for that section of the country. In addition to the forts already established, we shall be compelled to build new ones. The rebels rely upon the diseases of their climate to decimate our northern army in the summer and autumnal months; and their confidence is well placed. Our troops will wither before the fevers of the Gulf coast as vegetation does before the blast of the [sirocco]. Now, we have in our midst thousands of hardy, athletic, colored men, fitted by nature to endure the heat and miasma of the tropics, and some of them accustomed to it, who are panting to be employed in the capacity of soldiers. Many of them having been in a state of bondage, have been abandoned by their masters, and are now thrown upon us for support. Some of them were forced by our enemies into their military service, and have deserted from it. They implore our protection, and we must give it if we would not become a “scorn and derision” among the nations of the earth. They have shown on divers occasions, both on sea and land, that they belong to a warlike race. They are obedient and teachable. They can be subsisted much cheaper than white soldiers, can perform more labor and are subject to fewer diseases in a warm climate.

Now, with these facts before us, shall we refuse to employ them? What substantial reason can be given for not doing so? Is it because they have not the proper capacity for command? Then give them white officers, as is done by the British Government to the same race, by the French Government to the Arabs, and by the Russian Government to the Tartars and other semi-barbarous soldiers within that empire. Is it because they do not possess the average courage of soldiers? In addition to the testimony in disproof of this, furnished a few days ago by the Senator from Massachusetts, (Mr. Wilson,) I refer you to your vessels of war, where you have hundreds of these men employed, and none more valiant. Is it because they are not obedient to command? The whole history of the race shows the contrary, for if there is any one thing for which they are remarkable more than another, it is their confiding submission to the will of their superiors. Is it said that we have white soldiers enough for all of our purposes? True we have a large army, composed of men of unsurpassed valor and patriotism, who if we require it, will sacrifice their lives for their country, whether by the sword or by disease; but I would, if I could, recall a portion of them to their homes and to the industrial pursuits of life. Am I told that the enrollment of colored soldiers will be regarded by the army as humiliating to them? Mr. President, those public men fail to comprehend the character of American soldiers who suppose that they are fighting for mere military glory, or that in this critical hour they are controlled by ignoble prejudice against color or race. They are citizens as well as soldiers. They want the rebellion speedily crushed and the supreme authority of the law established leaving social and political questions to be settled afterwards. They feel that the desertion of every colored soldier, artificer or laborer from the rebellious States withdraws aid and support from the rebellion, and bring it so much nearer to an end. They cannot understand, nor can I, that refined casuistry that justifies us in converting the enemy’s horse or ox to our use, and in turning their inanimate engines of destruction against themselves, but denies us the right to turn their slaves, their animate hostile engines in human form, to the same purpose. – They cannot imagine why it is that some gentleman are so willing that men of the African race should labor for them, and so unwilling that they should fight for them.

What a wonderful difference of action and sentiment there is on this subject between the officers of the Army and Navy. While officers of the Army have disgraced themselves, annoyed and incensed their subordinates, dishonored the country, and injured the public service by the promulgation of their ridiculous orders about slaves, no officer in the Navy, thank God has ever descended to follow their example. – Their noble, manly, generous hearts would revolt at the idea of having imposed upon them the humiliating duty of capturing and returning fugitive slaves. They serve their country not slaveowners. They think that duty to the country requires them to avail themselves of the service of these people instead of driving them back to their masters, or suffering them to starve; and they act upon this conviction. – At the taking of Hatteras, one of the large guns of the Minnesota was wholly manned and worked by persons called “contrabands,” and no gun on the ship was better served. These people are, it is well known, remarkable for the proficiency they soon acquire as cannoneers – On the same ship as a boat’s crew, every one of whom, including the coxswain, is a colored man and there are none more skillful, or render more satisfactory service to the officers of the vessel. The whole country knows the service rendered by them to Commodore Dupont and to the vessels under his command. They have acted as pilots, and in the most important positions, and I have the authority of the two superior officers of that fleet for saying that they have never been deceived or mislead by any one of them. I am convinced that our expedition to the south Atlantic coast would not have [been] so successful as it has been but for the slaves found there, and who were employed by our naval officers. There are more or less of them on all our vessels of war. – They are efficient men, and their presence produces no discord among the crews.

Mr. President, I whish to be distinctly understood. I advocate no indiscriminate arming of the colored race, although I frankly confess that I would do so were it necessary to put down the rebellion. I do not favor this proposition merely because of its anti-slavery tendency. I approve it because it will result in a saving of human life and in bringing the rebellion to a speedier termination. It is my business to aid in bringing this war to a close by conquering an unconditional peace in the least expensive and speediest manner possible. Acting upon this idea of my duty, and believing that humanity and the best interests of the country require the enrollment of a few colored regiments for garrisoning the southern forts I shall vote, whenever an opportunity shall be afforded me, for converting a portion of the colored refugees into soldiers, instead of forcing them back into servitude to their rebel masters and their rebel government. We may hesitate to do this. Our hesitation will cost us the valuable lives of many of our own race who are near and dear to us. Our hesitation to use the means which Providence seems to have placed in our hands for crushing the rebellion may carry desolation to many a loyal hearthstone. But we must adopt this policy sooner or later, and in my opinion, the sooner the better. The rebels have this day thousands of slaves throwing up intrenchments and redoubts at Yorktown, and thousands of them performing military duty elsewhere; and yet we hesitate and doubt the propriety of employing the same race of people to defend ourselves and our institutions against them. Mr. President how long shall we hesitate?

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