Diary of Gideon Welles: Monday, June 8, 1863

Wrote Secretary of State on the subject of the complaints of the Danish Government against Wilkes, who is charged with abusing hospitality at St. Thomas. Made the best statement I could without censuring Wilkes, who is coming home, partly from these causes.

Have a letter from Foote, who is not ready to relieve Du Pont. Speaks of bad health and disability. It must be real, for whatever his regard for, or tenderness to D., Foote promptly obeys orders.

Spoke to the President regarding weekly performances of the Marine Band. It has been customary for them to play in the public grounds south of the Mansion once a week in summer, for many years. Last year it was intermitted, because Mrs. Lincoln objected in consequence of the death of her son. There was grumbling and discontent, and there will be more this year if the public are denied the privilege for private reasons. The public will not sympathize in sorrows which are obtrusive and assigned as a reason for depriving them of enjoyments to which they have been accustomed, and it is a mistake to persist in it. When I introduced the subject to-day, the President said Mrs. L. would not consent, certainly not until after the 4th of July. I stated the case pretty frankly, although the subject is delicate, and suggested that the band could play in Lafayette Square. Seward and Usher, who were present, advised that course. The President told me to do what I thought best.

Count Adam Gurowski, who is splenetic and querulous, a strange mixture of good and evil, always growling and discontented, who loves to say harsh things and speak good of but few, seldom makes right estimates and correct discrimination of character, but means to be truthful if not just, tells me my selection for the Cabinet was acquiesced in by the radical circle to which he belongs because they felt confident my influence with the President would be good, and that I would be a safeguard against the scheming and plotting of Weed and Seward, whose intrigues they understood and watched. When I came here, just preceding the inauguration in 1861, I first met this Polish exile, and was amused and interested in him, though I could not be intimate with one of his rough, coarse, ardent, and violent partisan temperament. His associates were then Greeley, D. D. Field, Opdyke, and men of that phase of party. I have no doubt that what he says is true of his associates, colored to some extent by his intense prejudices. He was for a year or two in the State Department as a clerk under Seward, and does not conceal that he was really a spy upon him, or, as he says, watched him. He says that when Seward became aware that the radicals relied upon me as a friend to check the loose notions and ultraism of the State Department, he (S.) went to work with the President to destroy my influence; that by persisting he so far succeeded as to induce the President to go against me on some important measures, where his opinion leaned to mine; that in this way, Seward had intrenched himself. There is doubtless some truth — probably some error — in the Count's story. I give the outlines. Eames, with whom he is intimate, has told me these things before. The Count makes him his confidant.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 325-6

Franklin Pierce to Abraham Lincoln, March 4, 1862

Concord N. H.

March 4, 1862

My dear Sir,

The impulse to write you, the moment I heard of your great domestic affliction was very strong, but it brought back the crushing sorrow which befel me just before I went to Washington in 1853, with such power that I felt your grief, to be too sacred for intrusion.

Even in this hour, so full of danger to our Country, and of trial and anxiety to all good men, your thoughts, will be, of your cherished boy, who will nestle at your heart, until you meet him in that new life, when tears and toils and conflict will be unknown.

I realize fully how vain it would be, to suggest sources of consolation.

There can be but one refuge in such an hour, – but one remedy for smitten hearts, which, is to trust in Him “who doeth all things well”, and leave the rest to –

"Time comforter & only healer

When the heart hath broke"

With Mrs Pierce's and my own best wishes – and truest sympathy for Mrs Lincoln and yourself

I am, very truly,

Yr. friend

Franklin Pierce

His Excy –

A. Lincoln

President

SOURCE: The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress

Lines On The Death Of Colonel Edward Baker

There was no patriot like Baker,

So noble and so true;

He fell as a soldier on the field,

His face to the sky of blue.

His voice is silent in the hall

Which oft his presence graced;

No more he'll hear the loud acclaim

Which rang from place to place.

No squeamish notions filled his breast,

The Union was his theme;

“No surrender and no compromise,”

His day-thought and night's dream.

His Country has her part to pay

To'rds those he has left behind;

His widow and his children all,

She must always keep in mind.

            – William Wallace “Willie” Lincoln

SOURCES: Elizabeth Keckley, Behind the Scenes; or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House, p. 99; The poem was published in The National Republican, Washington, D. C., Monday, November 4, 1861, p. 1.

Mary Todd Lincoln to Mrs. John C. Sprigg, May 29, 1862

May 29^th

Executive Mansion.

My Dear Mrs Sprigg:

Your very welcome letter was received two weeks since, and my sadness & ill health have alone prevented my replying to it. We have met with so overwhelming an affliction in the death of our beloved Willie a being too precious for earth, that I am so completely unnerved, that I can scarcely command myself to write – What would give to see you & talk to you in our crushing bereavement, if any one's presence could afford comfort – it would be yours. You were always a good friend & dearly have I loved you. All that human skill could do was done for our sainted boy, I fully believe the severe illness, he passed through, now, almost two years since, was but a warning to us that one so pure, was not to remain long here and at the same time, he was lent us a little longer – to try us & wean us from our world, whose chains were fastening around us & when the blow came it found us unprepared to meet it. Our home is very beautiful, the grounds around us are enchanting the world still smiles & pays homage, yet the charm is dispelled – everything appears a mockery, the idolized one is not with us, he has fulfilled his mission and we are left desolate. When I think over his short but happy childhood, how much comfort he always was to me, and how fearfully I always found my hopes concentrating on so good a boy as he was – when I can bring myself to realize that he has indeed passed away my question to myself is 'can life be endured?' Dear little Taddie who was so devoted to his darling Brother, although is deeply afflicted as ourselves, bears up and teaches us a lesson, in enduring the stroke, to which we must submit. Robert will be home from Cambridge in about six weeks and will spend his vacation with us. He has grown & improved more than any one you ever saw. Well we ever meet & talk together as we have done. Time how many sad changes it brings. The 1st of July we go out to the 'Soldier's Home', a very charming place 2 ½ miles from the city, several hundred feet above our present situation, to pass the summer. I dread that it will be a greater resort than here if possible, when we are in sorrow quiet is very necessary to us. Mr. Dubois, I suppose has reached home, ere this. I see by the papers that Mr. Burch is married - We have some pieces of furniture still remaining at his house, may I ask a favor of you. It is this. If Mr. Black can have room for them, can they be moved to any place above his store, where he may have room for them. The sofa, at Mr. Burch's, was new. A few months before we left. May I also ask you to speak to Mr. Black, and see if the 8 boxes we left with him are all there. I fear we have been troublesome friends. I send you a list of the articles sent me by Mr. B. If you feel the least delicacy about this - I will not wish you to do it. Whenever you have leisure, I hope you will write me. With love to you all, I remain ever your attached friend

Mary Lincoln.

SOURCES: Published in The New York Times, January 16, 1882, p. 2; The letter was offered for sale at Heritage Auctions, accessed January 3, 2014; Library of Congress, Voices of the Civil War: Our Crushing Berievement, accessed January 3, 2014; Library of Congress Blog: A Grief Like No Other, accessed January 3, 2014;

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Thursday, February 20, 1862

This has been a bright pleasant day, quite a rarity for a month past. There is no particular news in the papers. I have been down onto the Av^e this evening. Called upon Mr Daws M.C. who is sick at his rooms co[rne]^r of 8^th & Av^e, bought some maps and two Flags in view of the Celebration of the 22^nd. I must make arrangements tomorrow to illuminate on Saturday night. We hear tonight with much sorrow that our little friend Willie Lincoln died at 5 p.m. He had been sick for near three weeks with Typhoid fever. “Bud” has been to see him or to enquire about him almost every day. He and his Mother were there yesterday about noon. Willie was then thought to be better. He was an amiable good hearted boy, was here with our boys almost every day or our boys were there. We all got much attached to him & “Tad” his Brother. He had more judgment and foresight than any boy of his age that I have ever known, poor Willie we all lament.

Source: Horatio Nelson Taft, The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, February 23, 1862

CAMP PIERPONT, VA., February 23, 1862.

I did not go into town yesterday; there was an order requiring at least two generals to remain with each division. So that Reynolds and myself remained. I have not heard how the ceremonies came off, but the weather was unfavorable and the death at the White House had cast a gloom over the city.¹ For my part I consider the propriety of rejoicing somewhat questionable. In the first place, because we are not yet out of the woods, and, secondly, the character of the war is such, that though I undoubtedly desire success, yet I do not feel we can or should triumph and boast as we would over a foreign foe. If we ever expect to be reunited, we should remember this fact and deport ourselves more like the afflicted parent who is compelled to chastise his erring child, and who performs the duty with a sad heart. Some such feeling must have prevailed in Congress yesterday, for I see Mr. Crittenden's motion prevailed at the last moment, dispensing with the presentation of the flags captured.

I do not know what to make of our new Secretary. I do not like his letter to the "Tribune" and many of the speeches attributed to him. He appears to me by his cry of "Fight, fight — be whipped if you must, but fight on," as very much of the bull-in-a-china-shop order, and not creditable to his judgment. To fight is the duty and object of armies, undoubtedly, but a good general fights at the right time and place, and if he does not, he is pretty sure to be whipped and stay whipped. It is very easy to talk of fighting on after you are whipped; but I should like to know, if this is all, how wars are ever terminated? I fear the victories in the Southwest are going to be injurious to McClellan, by enabling his enemies to say, Why cannot you do in Virginia what has been done in Tennessee? They do not reflect that the operations in Tennessee are part of the operations in Virginia, and that all will come in good time; but in their insane impatience to come to an end, they think, because we have been victorious once or twice, we are never to be defeated.

We sent out an expedition yesterday to reconnoitre and see if anything could be discovered of the enemy. They went some eight or ten miles and returned. The officer in command tells me to-day his men are entirely used up, and an ambulance, which is designed to carry three men with one horse, could hardly get along empty with three horses attached. You can imagine from this the character of the roads, and the practicability of a forward movement, and this has been the case ever since the 7th of last month, when the thaw commenced. I hear there is great opposition in the Senate to the confirmation of our friend "Baldy." I don't think they will succeed in rejecting him, but they have fought so hard that his friends on two occasions have thought it advisable to postpone taking a vote. I cannot ascertain whether I have passed or not, and am so indifferent that I have not taken the trouble to inquire of any one who might be able to inform me.² My name was published in a list of those said to have been confirmed, but it is now said that list was wrong. I don't know of any probable opposition, unless my friend Zach Chandler³ should think proper to enlighten the Senate on his Detroit experience of my unreliability.⁴ I think Howard, though, would be an antidote to his bane.

__________

¹ Death of President Lincoln's son.

² Nominated for brigadier-general U. S. Vols.

³ Zachariah Chandler, senator from Michigan, and afterward a member of the congressional committee on the conduct of war.

⁴ General Meade's refusal to attend a mass meeting of the citizens of Detroit to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. See page 214.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 247-8

Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Boyd Tobey, March 19, 1862

Executive Mansion,

Washington, March 19, 1862.

Dr. Samuel Boyd Tobey:

My dear Sir:

A domestic affliction, of which doubtless you are informed, has delayed me so long in making acknowledgment for the very kind and appropriate letter, signed, on behalf, and by direction of a Meeting of the Representatives of the Society of Friends for New-England, held at Providence, Rhode Island the 8th of second month 1862, by Samuel Boyce, clerk, and presented to me by yourself and associates.

Engaged, as I am, in a great war, I fear it will be difficult for the world to understand how fully I appreciate the principles of peace, inculcated in this letter, and everywhere, by the Society of Friends. Grateful to the good people you represent for their prayers in behalf of our common country, I look forward hopefully to an early end of war, and return of peace.

Your obliged friend

A. LINCOLN

SOURCES: Roy P. Basler, editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 5, p. 165; The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress

Washington News

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. – Numerous applications continue to be made for permission to trade at the several captured points on the Southern coast.  None of them have been granted.

Information has been received here that the iron-clad gunboat on the Erickson plan is thus far satisfactory to the official inspectors.  A trial trip to Fortress Monroe is contemplated.

The President’s son, William, aged 11 years, is so ill as to preclude the possibility of recovery.

A very large number of Army and Volunteer appointments were confirmed, including Captains, Lieutenants, Adjutants, Surgeons, Assistant Surgeons, &c.

The promotion of General Grant to the Major Generalship, gives him a superior command to Brigadier Gen. Buell, in the same department.

The Secretary of State, says he sees indications of a satisfactory reaction in favor of the United States in Great Britain, as well as on the continent.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Washington News

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. – The Nomination of Gen. Grant to be Major General was sent into the Senate to-day.  He will be confirmed.

President Lincoln’s boy is still in a critical condition.

The bill which the territorial committee of both Houses are maturing, will organized the rebel country into free territories, on the principle that by the rebellion these States committed suicide and that with them their local laws and peculiar institutions have died.

Mr. Faulkner said in a speech last week at Martinsburg, that rebellion was a failure and advised his hearers to make the best possible terms with the government of the United Sates.

Congress has passed a joint resolution instructing Commissioner French to illuminate the public buildings in honor of the recent victories.

On Saturday evening an illumination of private buildings will probably be requested as a means of distinguishing loyal from disloyal citizens.

In a speech in Stark’s case, Carlisle of Va., to-day foreshadowed a pro-slavery policy in the treatment of the rebel States, saying the Senate must receive persons duly accredited hereafter by the Legislature of Mississippi, even if they have been in arms against the Government.  It is coming to be generally hoped that Carlisle will thus be obliged to give his seat back to Mason.

Secretary Stanton has recently said that the victory at Fort Donelson is due to Gen. Halleck who planned, to the President who recognized, and to Gen. Grant who executed the campaign.

Noah L. Wilson, President of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad is here and says the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is expected to be open within thirty days.

Very few private flags have been displayed in Washington for our late victories.

An order was issued to-day at the request of the entire Indiana delegation to terminate the furlough under which Capt. Hazzard of the army was allowed to serve as Colonel of the 37^th Indiana Volunteers.  He is charged with tyranny to his troops.

Schuyler Colfax has sent $100 to Quartermaster Pierce at Paducah to be expended for the relief os soldiers wounded at Ft. Donelson.

Capt. Carven in command of the Tuscarora is not like other captains who have pursued rebel privateers.  If he catches the Nashville he will blow her out of the water, avoiding a capture if possible.

A subscription is on foot at Alexandria among the women for the purchase of a flag to be presented to Farnsworth’s Illinois Cavalry regiment.

The bill reported from the Naval Committee of the House, framed after consultation with Assistant Secretary Fox, provides for ten grades of naval officers.  Five Flag Officers, eighteen Commodores, one hundred and forty-four Lieutenants.  Commodores, Lieutenants and Masters’ boards to recommend for promotion or retirement.  Flag Officers to be appointed only if they shall have received the thanks of Congress upon the President’s recommendation for services in battle; after receiving some honor the temporary appointment is to be made permanent and men and officers advanced; appointments to the naval academy will be two by each Congressman from the five best scholars in his district, and ten at large each year by the President from orphans of soldiers or sailors who have died in battle; senators are to appoint for any rebel districts, each in proportion to the quota of troops from his State, from orphans of soldiers or sailors killed in battle.

Senator Harris introduced a bill to-day making rebels outlaws so far as civil rights are concerned.  The fact of the plaintiffs treason to be a complete defense in bar of any action.

Mr. Trumbull’s confiscation bill is the special order in the Senate tomorrow.

Gen. Grant will not be confirmed as Maj. Gen. until his official report of the battle has been received.

The Senate District of Columbia committee to-day summoned no witnesses to investigate the truth of the allegations in deputy jailor Duvall’s letter relative to barbarities practiced within the jail on an alleged fugitive slave.

Col. McConnell of the inchoate and considerably mythical 3d Maryland regiment of volunteers has at least been mustered out of the service.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

The Family of Abraham Lincoln

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, son of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, was born on February 12, 1809 on Sinking Spring Farm, near Hodgenville, Hardin (now Larue) County, Kentucky. He died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865 in the William Peterson House,10th St., Washington, D.C. He married MARY ANN TODD on November 4, 1842 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Robert Smith Todd and Eliza Parker and was born on December 13, 1818 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. She died on July 16, 1882 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

Abraham Lincoln and Mary Ann Todd had the following children:

2. ROBERT TODD LINCOLN was born on August 1, 1843 in Globe Tavern, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

3. EDWARD BAKER LINCOLN was born on March 10, 1846 in the Lincoln home, 8th & Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died in the morning of February 1, 1850 in the Lincoln home at 8th & Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

4. WILLIAM WALLACE LINCOLN was born on December 21, 1850 in the Lincoln home at 8th Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died at 5 p.m., Thursday, February 20, 1862 in The White House, Washington, D.C.

5. THOMAS "TAD" LINCOLN was born on April 4, 1853 in the Lincoln home at 8th Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died at 7:30 a.m., Saturday morning, July 15, 1871 in Clifton House, Chicago, Illinois.

2. ROBERT TODD LINCOLN, son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Ann Todd, was born on August 1, 1843 in Globe Tavern, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died at about 3 a.m. on July 26, 1926 in the downstairs bedroom of his Hildene Estate, Manchester, Bennington County, Vermont. He married MARY EUNICE HARLAN, "shortly after eight" p.m. on September 24, 1868 in the home of Senator James Harlan, 304 H St., Washington, D.C.  She was the daughter of United States Senator from Iowa, James Harlan and Ann Eliza Peck and was born on September 25, 1846 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. She died on March 31, 1937.

Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Eunice Harlan had the following children:

6. MARY LINCOLN was born on October 15, 1869 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

7. ABRAHAM LINCOLN JR. was born on August 14, 1873. He died on March 5, 1890 in of blood poisoning in London, England.

8. JESSIE LINCOLN was born on November 6, 1875.

6. MARY LINCOLN, daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Eunice Harlan, was born on October 15, 1869 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. She died on November 21, 1938. She married CHARLES ISHAM on September 2, 1891, son of William Bradley Isham and Julia Burhans. He was born on July 20, 1853. He died on June 8 1919.

Charles Isham and Mary Lincoln had the following child:

9. LINCOLN ISHAM was born on June 8, 1892. He died in Sep 1971. He married TELHOMA CORREA on August 20, 1919.

8. JESSIE LINCOLN, daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Eunice Harlan, was born on November 6, 1875. She died on January 4, 1948 in Rutland, Vermont. She married first to WARREN BECKWITH on November 10, 1897, secondly to FRANK EDWARD JOHNSON on June 22 1915, and lastly to ROBERT J. RANDOLF on December 30, 1926.

Warren Beckwith and Jessie Lincoln had the following children:

10. MARY LINCOLN BECKWITH was born on August 22 1898 in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa and died July 10, 1975 in Rutland Hospital, Rutland, Vermont.]

11. ROBERT TODD LINCOLN BECKWITH was born on July 19, 1904 and died on December 24, 1985. He married first to MRS. HAZEL HOLLAND WILSON, secondly to ANNAMARIE HOFFMAN and lastly to MARGARET FRISTOE.

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.

A very large number of army and volunteer appointments were confirmed, including captains, lieutenants, adjutants, surgeons, assistant surgeons, etc.

The promotion of Gen. Grant to the Major-Generalship gives him a superior command to Brig.-Gen. Buell in the same department.

The Secretary of State says he sees indications of satisfactory reaction in favor of the United States in Great Britain as well as on the continent.

World’s Correspondence.

The recent news from Europe, touching the determination of the allied powers to put Hapsburg as ruler over Mexico, and thus create a monarchy on our borders, is exciting profound emotion here.  The fact that some such [scheme] was on the tapis [sic], has been in possession of the department for some time past, and it will be found that dispatches have already been sent to our ministers at London, Paris, and Madrid, protesting energetically against any such project.

Tribune’s Correspondence.

The Navy Department will issue proposals to-morrow, for the building of a number of steam men-of-war of various kinds.  The department will withhold, for the present, the proposals for iron clad steamers.  The construction of gunboats will be urgently pressed.

(World’s Dispatch.)

Among other things presented to the House yesterday was the memorial of the American Geographical and Statistical Society, asking the intercession of Congress in reference to the ship canal connecting the river St. Lawrence and all the great lakes on the northern boundary with the Atlantic Ocean in the bay of New York, in any future adjustment of the commercial relations between the U. S. and Great Britain.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

In well informed circles here it is positively asserted that Gen. Fremont has completely vindicated himself of all charges brought against his conduct of the war in Missouri, by the vote of the joint committee of investigation.  A highly important command is indicated for him in the far west.

Herald’s Dispatch.

A disposition has been manifested in the Senate to pass over most of the nominations for Brigadier Generals for the present, and let the nominees win their stars by gallantry and efficiency on the field before they are confirmed.  A broad line of distinction has been drawn in the Senate between officers who lounge about the hotels or dawdle in drawing rooms, and those who devote their attention to the improvement of the efficiency of their commands or in active duties in the field.  Whenever their comes up the nomination of any one against whom or in whose favor there is nothing particular to be said, by common consent it is passed over to await the future conduct of the candidate, and let him prove his merits by his deeds.

WASHINTON, Feb. 19.

Col. Garfield, now in Eastern Ky., has been nominated a Brigadier General.

Secretary Stanton has prepared from official reports full lists of all privates who have distinguished themselves, that they may be promoted.

It is rumored that Stephens has resigned the rebel Vice Presidency.

Gen. Bishop Polk is said to have recently written letters advising emancipation as the last resort of the South.

On Trumbull’s motion, Gen. Grant has just been unanimously confirmed as Major General.

This morning’s Republican says that the private soldier who told of Gen. Stone’s communicating with the rebels on one occasion, was a few nights since furiously attacked by a midnight assassin, who had burglariously entered his room.  The assassin was obliged to yield to a superior force.

The Capitol will be illuminated on Saturday from basement to dome.

A bill will to-morrow be introduced into the Senate, repealing the black code of the district, whether embraced in the Maryland laws, or city ordinances, and putting the blacks on the same footing with whites as regards trial, punishment, and giving of testimony.  It will be accompanied by a thorough analysis of the infamous code.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.

Numerous applications continue to be made for permission to trade at the several captured points on the Southern coast. – None of them have been granted.

Information has been received here that the iron clad gunboat, on the Ericson plan, is thus far satisfactory to the official inspector.  A trial trip to Fort Monroe is contemplated.

The President’s son, William, aged eleven years, is so sunk as to preclude the possibility of recovery.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.

A dispatch boat from Gen. Burnside has just arrived at Baltimore.  The official report of Gen. Burnside is now in its way to Washington.  The Federal losses at the battle of Roanoke Island were 50 killed and 222 wounded.  The rebel loss was 13 killed and 39 wounded.  The enemy were protected by entrenchments, and poured a destructive fire upon or advance column, so that our loss is the heaviest.

NEW YORK, February 20.

Specials state that Senators Wade and Andrew Johnson had an interview with Gen. McClellan yesterday, and urged the necessity of action with the army of the Potomac, as well as in the West.

The Senate will take up the Mexican treaty in executive session.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.

The nomination of Gen. Grant as Major General was sent into the Senate to-day.  He will be confirmed.

President Lincoln’s boy, William, is still in a critical condition.

The bill which the territorial committees of both houses are maturing, will organize the rebel country into free territories, on the principle that by rebellion these States committed suicide, and that with them their local laws and peculiar institutions have died.

Congress has passed a joint resolution directing Commissioner French to illuminate the public buildings in honor of the recent victories.

Saturday evening an illumination of private dwellings will probably be requested as a means of distinguishing loyal from disloyal citizens.

In a speech in Stark’s case, Mr. Carlisle of Va., to-day foreshadowed a pro-slavery policy in the treatment of the rebel states saying that the Senate must receive persons duly accredited hereafter, by the Legislature of Missouri, even if they have been in arms against the government.  It is coming to be generally hoped that Carlisle will be obliged this to give his seat back to Mason.

Secretary Stanton has recently said that the victory of Fort Donelson is due to Gen. Halleck, who planned, to the President, who recognized, and to Gen. Grant, who executed the campaign.

N. L. Wilson, President of the Marietta and Cincinnati R. R., is here, and says that the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. will be open within thirty days.

Very few private flags have been displayed in Washington for our late victories.

An order was issued to-day, at the request of the entire Indiana delegation, terminating the furlough under which Capt. Hazzard, of the army, was allowed to serve as Col. Of the 37th Ind. Vols.  He is charged with tyranny to his troops.

Schuyler Colfax has sent $100 to Quartermaster Pierce, at Paducah, to be expended in the relief of soldiers wounded at the attack on Donelson.

Capt. Craven, in command of the Tuscarora, is not like the other captains who have pursued rebel privateers.  If he catches the Nashville, he will blow her out of water, avoiding capture if possible.

A subscription is on foot at Alexandria, among the women, for the purchase of a flag to be presented to Farnsworth’s Illinois Cavalry Regiment.

The bill reported from the naval committee of the House, framed after consultation with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox, provides for the grades of naval officers, viz: Five flag officers, eighteen commodores, thirty-six captains, seventy-two commanders, one hundred and forty-four lieutenants and masters.  Boards to recommend for promotion or retirement.  Flag officers to be appointed only if they shall have received the thanks of Congress, and upon the President’s recommendation for services in battle.

Senator Harris introduced a bill to-day, making rebels outlaws, so far as civil rights are concerned: the fact of plaintiff’s treason to be a complete defense in bar of any action.

Mr. Trumbull’s confiscation bill is the special order of the Senate to-morrow.

Gen. Grant will not be confirmed as Maj. Gen. until his official report of the battle has been received.

The Senate District of Columbia committee, to-day summoned a number of witnesses to investigate the truth of the allegations in deputy jailor Dupall’s letter, relative to barbarities practiced within the jail, on an alleged fugitive slave.

Col. McConnel, of the inchoate and considerably mythical Third Maryland regiment of Vols., has at last been mustered out of service.  Upon evidence that recruiting was going on in Philadelphia to fill up the ranks of the loyal Virginia brigade being raised by John C. Underwood, and order was issued to-day breaking up the organization.

Tribune’s Correspondence.

Gen. Lander’s resignation has not been received here, and people who know his impatience for a fight pray it may not come.

Little has been said of the prize money earned by the crews of our blockading squadron, but the amount cannot be small.  The share due to Commander Alden, of the North Carolina, which made so many captures in the gulf, is over $100,000.  Nineteen times that sum is to be divided among his officers and men.

Gen. Grant was nominated as Major General to-day.  The Senate, which has since had no executive session, will not confirm until the official reports are received.

The House committee on territories will soon report a bill organizing Arizona as a free territory.  The Wilmot Proviso will probably be part of the bill.

Mr. S. A. Allen has been appointed as an agent to accompany our forces into Tennessee to take charge of the cotton crop in behalf of the Government.

Times Dispatch.

Andy Johnson will probably proceed to Nashville, as soon as Gen. Buell’s army take possession of that city, and assist in organizing a provisional government for Tennessee.  The people there are panting for freedom and resumption of their connection with the Union.  They will probably send a full delegation of loyal men to Congress by the last of March.

The President to-day nominated Colonel Garfield, of Ohio, Brigadier General, in compliment for his thrashing Humphrey Marshall.

The war Department has proofs, which are considered conclusive, that young Walworth is a spy.

WASHINGTON, February 19.

Gen. U. S. Grant, the hero of Fort Donelson, has just been unanimously confirmed by the Senate as Major General, an honor conferred in testimony of his gallant conduct in battle.

The reading the Tax Bill will be commenced in the Ways and Means committee to-morrow.  The Bill will not be printed till ordered by the House of Representatives.

In the House of Representatives this afternoon Representative Wickliffe, of Ky., announced the capture of Gen. Price and his army.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.

In the Senate Mr. Wilson gave notice that he would introduce a bill, authorizing the President to distribute prizes among the soldiers of the United States, who shall distinguish themselves in battle.

It is said that Russell, of the London Times, was surprised at the reply to his cards, “that Secretary Stanton was too much engaged to see him.”

The announcements of the capture of Fort Donelson, and the impending capture of Savannah, were received by both houses with the wildest enthusiasm.

The reference of Senator Harris’ provisional government bill to the territorial instead of the judiciary committee, against Garrett Davis’ opposition, indicates the temper of the Senate to adopt a radical bill for the government of rebel territory as fast as conquered.

The bills which the territorial committees of both houses have nearly matured, differ from Harris’ bill substantially, a copy of which they have already rejected, in being more thorough and meaning subjugation more decidedly.  Their bill will be reported in a few days.

There are said to be frauds connected with the fitting out of the Butler expedition at Boston, which Washburn’s committee are about to go there and investigate.

Tribune Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.

The committee of ways and means, in a protracted session this a. m., debated and voted upon the several amendments made by the Senate to the first two sections of the legal tender bill.

Messrs. Corning, Morrill, Horton, and Stratton, voted throughout to concur in all the changes of  principle.

Messrs. Stevens, Spaulding, Hooper and Maynard, adhered to all the distinctive features of the bill, as passed by the House; the vote thus standing 4 to 4.

These amendments of the Senate were not concurred in, which make the issue of new notes one hundred million instead of one hundred and fifty million, which included the fifty million authorized July 17th, requiring that the interest on the bonds and notes be paid in coin, make the twenty year bonds redeemable after five years, authorized the conversion of notes in sums not less than one hundred dollars into 7 3-10 bonds, make the funded six per cents redeemable after five years and payable in twenty years instead of redeemable after twenty years, as the house directed, and authorize the throwing of the bonds on the market for what they will fetch.  Numerous letters were read to the committee by Mr. Stevens advising the passage of the legal tender bill without the specie interest clause, and resolutions to that effect were received from the Chambers of Commerce in Louisville, St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.  Mr. Washburne, who has just arrived from Illinois, represented the demand for the bill as universal and impatient.

It is reported to-night, upon the authority of a telegram from Gen. Banks, that Mr. Faulkner has, within a day or two, made a speech at Martinsburg, in which he expressed the opinion that the rebellion was a failure, and advised his hearers to make the best terms possible for themselves with the United States.

The House military committee are considering a bill to enlarge the Michigan and Chicago canal to the capacity for ships.  It heard to-day a delegation from Illinois who named their plans for the improvement, including the deepening of the Illinois river to the Mississippi through which the canal and river pass.  They have agreed to surrender their property and jurisdiction to the Government for a while, and to receive the tolls in payment for the interest on the investment.  Mr. Blair, chairman, has been authorized to report a bill for the work.

660 sailors, volunteers from the Massachusetts and Maine regiments, have started for Cairo to-day to man the eight iron clad gun-boats which have been waiting for them more than two weeks.  Every seafaring man in the regiments from whom these were detailed was anxious to be one of them.

WASHINGTON, February 18.

Committee of ways and means recommend that the House agree to about two-thirds of the Senate’s amendments to the treasury note bill, and that they disagree to those reducing the number of U. S. notes authorized to be issued from $150,000,000 to $100,000,000; and striking out of the original provision, the $50,000,000 of the notes shall be in lieu of demand treasury notes, authorized by the act of July last.

The committee also recommends to disagree to the Senate’s amendment, that the July notes shall be receivable in payment of taxes, duties, imposts, excise depts., and demands of every kind due to the U. S., and all claims and demands of very kind except for interest upon bonds and notes, which shall be paid in coin.

The committee also disagree to amendment fixing the redemption of bonds at the pleasure of the U. S. after five years, and payable twenty years from date.

The committee recommends the retention of the proviso for the exchange of bonds of the United State, bearing interest at 7 per cent., and the disagreement to the Senate’s amendment authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to dispose of the bonds at the market value.

The committee recommends a disagreement to the Senate’s new resolution, which pledges duties from proceeds of sales of public lands, of property of rebels as special fund, for payment in coin of interest on the bonds and notes, and for the purchase or payment of one per cent. of the entire debt, to be set apart as a sinking fund, the interest of which in like manner is to be applied to the purchase or payment of the public debt, the residue thereof to be paid into the Treasury.

The committee recommends an agreement to another new section of the Senate bill with an amendment they propose – namely, authorizing the deposit of notes or coin in exchange for certificates, and instead of 5 per cent. interest on such certificate to substitute such rates of interest which the Secretary of the Treasury from time to time proscribes, not excepting six per cent.; and any amount of notes and coin so deposited may be withdrawn from deposit at any time after ten days’ notice, by the return of the certificate.

The Tuesday reception did not take place to-night at the executive mansion, owing to the continued sickness of the President’s children, one of whom is extremely ill.

The navy department has received the flag which most prominently waved over Fort Donelson.

The Navy Department has no other dispatches from Savannah than those received through the associated press agent.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 1