The Proposed National Currency

In concert with the Secretary of the Treasury the Congressional committee of Ways and Means have prepared three measures for the regulation of the finances of the Government and country, that are already winning approval at home and admiration abroad, as wisely adapted to the emergencies of our condition.  The first of these measures is that already adopted by Congress to authorize one hundred and fifty millions of Treasury notes and five hundred millions of Government bonds to meet the extraordinary expenses of the war.  The second is the tax bill, now under discussion, to raise, with our tariff, one hundred and fifty millions a year, which will meet our ordinary expenses, pay the interest on the dept created by the first measure, and provide a sinking fund for its early repayment.  The third is a measure to provide a national currency, and this will be brought forward as soon as Congress has finished the tax and tariff system.  The best explanation and defense of this third measure we find in the speech of Mr. Hooper, the eminent merchant and financier, who represents Boston in Congress, and has become a prominent member of the Committee of Ways and Means.  His speech elucidates the whole financial scheme of the Government, and has been commended in the English journals for its comprehensive ability and large familiarity with the subjects discussed.  We extract from the part relating to the currency system, with the simple remark that we believe it foreshadows a most grateful and useful revolution in the currency of the country. –

“For nearly thirty years the country has been without a uniform paper currency.  As nearly all the business of the country is done by means of paper, specie being seldom used except in the payment of balances, the inconveniences resulting from this want have been very great.  The traveling public, remitters of small sums by mail, and the laboring classes, who often receive their pay in uncurrent funds, chiefly experience these inconveniences.  In order to relieve this want it is necessary to give to the paper currency three equal qualifications:

“First.  It must be well secured, so that the people may feel that they are sure of obtaining its value when needed.

“Secondly.  It must have a governmental endorsement or guarantee, so that the people everywhere may be able to distinguish it, and the government prove its confidence in it by taking it in payment of taxes, assessments, and other dues.

“Thirdly.  It must be guarded as far as possible, against arbitrary increase.

These requisites have all been provided for in the proposed bill.  The paper currency is to be secured by a deposit, with the government, of the United States stock, the market value which shall be equal to the amount of currency issued.  There can be no higher security known to the government, and its permanent value has heretofore been known.  The government, upon the receipt of such security, is to certify on the face of the notes for currency, that the same are ‘secured by pledge of the United States stocks,’ and is to take them in payment of all taxes, excises, and other dues excepting only for duties upon imports.  Lastly, the government cannot increase the amount of the currency, except upon the application of a bank, and the bank cannot increase it except upon the application to, and depositing security with the government.

“It has been suggested that, as far as the government alone was interested, the objects which it had to gain could be attained in an easier and less expensive manner; that the paper circulation of the country being in reality a loan from the people without interest, it would be equitable and just for the government to take this loan directly into its own hands, and furnish all the paper circulation, instead of allowing the benefit of it to private associations and individuals.  But the committee deemed it more wise to attain their proposed ends, if possible, without disturbing existing institutions, or habits, or doing anything that might injuriously affect private interests.  The currency is therefore left to the banks, they are only required to deposit security for it, and to submit to certain established rules and regulations prescribed in the bill, in order to insure conformity of management for the common benefit of the banks themselves and the public.

To many of the banks these requirements will not be difficult of performance, as they already hold stocks of the United States, which they will be at liberty to pledge.  In exchange for the restrictions imposed upon them, the banks will enjoy the benefit of a fixed and permanent interest upon they hypothecated stocks.  ‘An order of nationality,’ as Mr. Webster called it, is also imparted to their bills, enabling them to circulate wider and further than before; and what would become a constant drain upon their specie is checked by the consent of the government to receive their notes in satisfaction of its dues.

“Thus are secured all the benefits of the old United States bank without many of those objectionable features which arouse opposition.  It was affirmed that, by its favors, the government enabled that bank to monopolize the business of the country.  Here no such system of favoritism exists.  It was affirmed that, while a large portion of the property in the several states, owned by foreign stockholders, was invested in that bank and its branches, yet it was unjustly exempted from taxation.  Here every State is left at perfect liberty, so far as this law is concerned, to tax banks within its limits in whatever manner and to whatever extent it may please.  It was affirmed that frequently great inconvenience and sometimes terrible disaster resulted to the trade and commerce of different localities by the mother bank of the United States arbitrarily interfering with the management of the branches, by reducing suddenly their loans, and sometimes withdrawing large amounts of their specie, for political effect.  Here each bank transacts its own business upon its own capital, and is subject to no demands except those of its own customers and its own business.  It will be as if the Bank of the United States had been divided into many parts, and each part endowed with the life, motion, and similitude of the whole, revolving in its own orbit, managed by its own board of directors, attending to the business interests of its own locality; and yet to the bills of each will be given as wide a circulation and as fixed a value as were ever given to those of the bank of the United States in its palmist days.  It is not to be supposed that variation in the rates of exchange will entirely disappear; specie itself yields to the law of demand and supply, and fluctuates in value with the continual changes of the balance of trade.  But this currency will approach as near uniformity in its value as possible.  These institutions all originate among the people in their own localities, and are not created by the government.  The government simply authorizes the investment of capital in the load, and the use of the bonds representing the loans as a basis of a sound circulation.

“This measure, will, therefore, give to the people that which they most desire, a currency which shall not only purport to be money, but shall actually be money in a broader and more positive sense than are the notes of the Bank of England, high as they are in the estimation of the commercial world, for the reason that the depositors of the Bank of England, equally with the holders of its notes, look to the government stocks, in which its entire capital is invested as their security; while this plan of the committee proposes that stocks of a government, with fewer liabilities and paying a larger rate of interest, shall be specially pledged for the security of the notes alone.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1

Woodson McIntire . . .

. . . Deputy Sheriff of Mercer county, Kentucky, was murdered on the 20th inst., while going to sell some property under an execution, by a man named William Burns.  So says a Harrodsburg correspondent of the Louisville Democrat.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, February 10, 1862

Nothing of importance. A squad of men went out into the country for supplies and brought in some corn meal, molasses and honey.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

There can be no doubt that . . .

. . . the best and safest currency the people of Iowa can have is that furnished by the State Bank.  The New England banks must sink or swim with the people of New England.  That section has suffered severely by the rebellion, much more so than the west.  The same remark applies to those of New York.  There is no propriety in our people keeping in circulation and thus lending to these distant banks, of the soundness of which we know nothing, the large amount now afloat, especially while Eastern Brokers are skinning our banks, which alone pay specie.  Iowa Banks should fortify themselves with Treasury notes with which to take up their paper in the hands of these carpet sack men, send them home the foreign currency which floods our State and supply its place with their own notes.  This is what should be done and what the people of Iowa will sustain them in doing.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1

The Confederate Congress . . .

. . . elated with its naval success in Hampton Roads, had made a special appropriation of four millions and a quarter for certain naval purposes, and two millions for floating defences in the Mississippi – all in Confederate paper, which is worth 25 to 50 cents on the dollar.

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

First Session – 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, March 21. – SENATE. – After discussion, the bills were referred to a special committee.

The bill for the Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia, was taken up, and as the senat chamber was full of smoke from the bakeries under the Capitol –

Mr. GRIMES moved to adjourn.  They could not sit there in the smoke.

Mr. FESSENDEN asked what had become of the bill to remove the bakeries from the capitol.

Mr. FOOTE said the bill was passed by the Senate, but voted down by the House.

Mr. ANTHONY suggested that the House be informed that the Senate was obliged to adjourn on account to the smoke.

Mr. FESSENDEDN thought it would be better to request the House to have the bakeries moved to their side of the capitol.

The motion [to] adjourn was lost, 18 to 19.

A message was received from the President recommending a vote of thanks to Com. Dupont.

On motion of Mr. WILSON, the Senate went into Executive session.

WASHINGTON, March 24. – HOUSE. – Mr. BLAIR of Virginia presented the certificate of the election of James S. Segur as representative from the 1st District of that State.

Mr. BINGHAM said that no election in the exact form of law could have been held on the day stated, namely the fifteenth isn’t., the election was extemporary.  He moved to refer the paper to the Committee on Elections.  The papers were referred.

Mr. DUNN offered a resolution, which was adopted, instructing the Ways and Means Committee to inquire into the expedience of organizing a large force of miners with the necessary machinery to proceed to the Gold Mines of the West, and work the same for the benefit of the Government, as a means of defraying the expenses of the war.

Mr. HOLMAN offered a resolution, which was adopted, requesting the Secretary of war to inform the House why he has not responded to the resolution of December last, calling for a list of the paymasters, and that he now be directed to furnish the same, and to what extent they can be dispensed with.

Mr. RICE of Massachusetts submitted a resolution, which was referred, authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to expend a sum not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, for the purpose of testing the plans of rendering ships and floating the batteries invulnerable.

Mr. _____ introduced a resolution requesting the Secretary of War to inform the House of the cause, if any, of the protracted delay in the release of Col. Corcoran, a prisoner of war since July, and that the Secretary be directed and requested to stop all exchange of prisoners until Col. Corcoran is released.  The resolution lies over.

Mr. WICKLIFFE introduced a bill to provide funds in part to pay the interest and principle on the public debt.

WASHINGTON, March 24. – HOUSE. – Mr. ASHLEY, from the Committee on Territories, reported a bill to organize the Territory of Arizona, with the Wilmot Proviso applicable to all Territories.

Mr. CRAVEN moved to lay it on the table.

The motion was lost, ayes 49, nays 70.

The consideration of the bill was postponed until next Monday.

The Tax bill was then taken up in Committee of the whole.

Mr. ASHLEY, from the Committee on Territories, reported a bill to provide a temporary Government for Arizona.  One of the sections prohibits Slavery therein as well as in all the Territories now organized.  Mr. Ashley said if any gentleman desired to discuss the measure he would be satisfied with its postponement to-day.  If this was not agreed to, he desired to put the bill on its passage now.

Mr. WICKLIFFE remarked if he understood the facts the Texan rebels were forcing the people there to flee elsewhere for safety.  How could the government, under these circumstances, be organized?  Why attempt it when civil officers could not proceed thither?

Mr. ASHLEY replied, as far as the Committee was advised there are no enemies in Arizona except Indians; no organized white men.

Mr. COX said he would vote for postponing the consideration of the bill indefinitely.  It contained the famous Wilmot Proviso which had occasioned so much trouble in the country.

SENATE. – Mr. TEN EYCK presented a joint resolution from the Legislature from New Jersey asking Congress to take immediate action for the defense of the coast of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, resolving that the several States loan the Government funds for this purpose.

Mr. POWELL presented resolutions from the Legislature of Kentucky relating to the tax on tobacco, asking that it be reduced.  Referred.

Mr. SHERMAN of Ohio presented resolutions from the Legislature of Ohio against any proposition for a settlement of the rebellion except an unconditional surrender and punishment of traitors.  Referred.

Mr. MORRILL presented resolutions from the Legislature of Maine endorsing the administration in favor of the confiscation of the property of rebels.  Referred.

Mr. POMEROY introduced a bill for the removal and consolidation of the Indian tribes. – Referred.

On motion of Mr. TRUMBULL the joint resolution in regard to affording aid to the States in favor of emancipation was taken up.

Mr. SAULSBURY said this was a most extraordinary resolution in its purpose and in the source from whence it came.  It was mischievous in its tendency and he was not sure that it was at all patriotic in design.  It was ignoring all the principles of the party in power – it was an interference with the subject of slavery in the States.

Mr. SAULSBURY said it was an attempt to raise a controversy in the slave States.  None of the slave holding states asked aid.  He believed that the President had had this thing in contemplation for some time.

The Legislature of his State (Delaware,) had been in session lately.  The bill had found its way there, and the offering of $800,000 for the emancipation of her slaves, and the Legislature rejected it.  The object of the bill is simply to renew the agitation of the slavery question in the border States, and to raise an abolition party there.  He (Saulsbury) called on the Judiciary Committee to show him any authority in the Constitution for us applying money to the States.  This bill also presents the Government in the light of going into the wholesale negro trading business.  The State of Delaware will never accept of this bill, but the true Union people of the State will go before the people upon ti, and there will not a vestige be left of the Republican party there.

Mr. DAWES offered an amendment as a substituted for the resolution:

Resolved, That although the subject of Slavery in the States is exclusively in the jurisdiction and cognizance of the Government and the people of the States and cannot be interfered with directly or indirectly by the government of the United States.  Yet when any of those States or people may decree the emancipation of their slaves, the U. S. to pay a reasonable price for the slaves so emancipated, and the cost of colonizing them in some other country.

Pending the consideration of the resolution, the morning hour expired, and the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia was taken up.  The question was upon the amendment offered by Mr. Doolittle, to the amendment of Mr. Davis, for colonization, that only such persons shall be colonized as desires to go to some other country, at a cost not exceeding $1,000 per man.

Mr. Morrill and others explained that they should vote against the amendment because they preferred the bill as it was.

The question was then taken on Mr. Davis’ amendment with the following result:

Ayes – Messrs. Anthony, Browning, Collamar, Cowan, Davis, Doolittle, Harlan, Harris, Henderson, Howe, Lane of Indiana, Lane of Kansas, Latham, Powell, Sherman, Ten Eyck, Wilson of Missouri, and Wright – 19.

Nays – Messrs. Carlisle, Chandler, Clark, Dixon, Fessenden, Foote, Grimes, Hale, Howard, Dewey, King, Kennedy, Morrill, Starke, Skinner, Wade, Wilkinson, Wilmot, and Wilson of Massachusetts – 19.

This being a tie vote the Vice President voted in the negative.  Adjourned.

WASHINGTON, March 25. – HOUSE. – On motion of Mr. Campbell in view of the pending of the tax bill, the consideration of the Pacific Railroad bill was postponed, and made the special order for Tuesday next.  The House then in Committee on the Whole, resumed the consideration of the tax bill.

SENATE. – On the motion of Mr. FOOTE the resolution to refer the superintendency of the capitol extension and on the dome from the War Department to the Department of the Interior was taken up.

The bill for the abolition of slavery was taken up.  Mr. Wilson of Mass., spoke in favor of the bill.  Mr. King spoke against it.

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

The Vermont Found

BOSTON, March 22. – The steamer Saxon, from search of the Vermont, put into Holmes’ Port.  She found the Vermont on the 15th inst. in lat. 36, log. 65 deg. 30 min. and left her on the 18th in a better condition than before reported.

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

Iowa Legislature

(Special to the Hawk-Eye.)

The House has passed, to-day the general appropriation bill.  It appropriates two hundred thousand dollars – seventy-two thousand for the payment of interest, the balance for State Government expenses.

The Assembly have passed a law exempting the personal property of our soldiers from levy and sale till the close of the war.

T. H. S.

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

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, February 9, 1862

Company inspection this morning. We had preaching by the chaplain in the forenoon, and the boys had prayer meeting in the evening.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

Battle At Winchester!

Combined Armies of Jackson, Smith and Longstreet Totally Routed!

A REBELL BULL RUN.

WASHINGTON, March 23. – Propositions for building gunboats for western waters thus far received by the War Department are all found to draw too much water.

Telegraph dispatches received here from Winchester, dated last night nine and a half, says a slight skirmish occurred this P. M. a mile and a half from Winchester, on the Strasburg road between a portion of Gen. Shields’ troops and Rebel cavalry, and four pieces of artillery. – The enemy retreated with some loss as soon as our guns opened fire.

One of our men was killed.  Gen. Shields is slightly injured in the left arm, also in the elbow from a fragment of shell.

SECOND DISPATCH.

WINCHESTER, March 23, P. M. – We have achieved a complete victory over Jackson.  Taken two guns and caissons, killed about one hundred rebels and wounded twice as many more.  Our loss probably is not over one hundred and fifty killed and wounded.

The enemy is in full retreat.

THIRD DISPATCH.

We have achieved a glorious victory over the combined forces of Jackson, Smith and Longstreet.  The battle was fought within four miles of Winchester and lasted from 10½ this A. M. until dark.

The enemy numbered about fifteen thousand.  Our force was not over eight thousand.

The enemy’s loss is double that of ours.  We captured large numbers of prisoners.  The ground is strewn with their muskets thrown away in flight.  Our cavalry is still in pursuit of the flying rebels.  Particulars cannot be ascertained till to-morrow morning.

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

Beaufort Occupied – Macon blown up – The Nashville Burned

FORTRESS MONROE, March 23, via BALTIMORE, 24. – The steamer Chancellor Livingston arrived from Hatteras last night.  Immediately after the occupation of Newberne our expedition to Beaufort was started by General Burnside.  The place was however evacuated before our troops approached, but Macon was blown up by the rebels, and the Steamer Nashville burned.  On the day General Burnside occupied Newberne 1,600 rebel troops were on the road between Goldsboro and Newberne.

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

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, January 6, 1863

STEAMER FOREST QUEEN, Jan. 6, 1863.

Dear Brother:

You will have heard of our attack on Vicksburg and failure to succeed. The place is too strong, and without the co-operation of a large army coming from the interior it is impracticable. Innumerable batteries prevent the approach of gun boats to the city or to the first bluff up the Yazoo, and the only lauding between is on an insular space of low boggy ground, with innumerable bayous or deep sloughs. I did all that was possible to reach the main land, but was met at every point by batteries and rifle pits that we could not pass, and in the absence of Gen. Grant's co-operating force I was compelled to re-embark my command. My report to Gen. Grant, a copy of which I sent to Gen. Halleck, who will let you see it, is very full, and more than I could write to you with propriety. Whatever you or the absent may think, not a soldier or officer who was present but will admit I pushed the attack as far as prudence would justify, and that I re-embarked my command in the nick of time, for a heavy rain set in which would have swamped us and made it impossible to withdraw artillery and stores. Up to that time I was acting as the right wing of Gen. Grant's army; but Gen. McClernand has arrived, and we now have a new organization, — McClernand commanding the whole, and our present force divided into two commands, or corps d'armee, one of which is commanded by me and one by Morgan of Cumberland Gap. We are now en route for the Arkansas. Up that river about 50 miles the enemy is entrenched and has sent down to the Mississippi and captured two steamboats, conveying to the fleets supplies. Now it is unwise to leave such a force on our rear and flank, and inasmuch as General Grant is not prepared to march down to Vicks burg by land, we can attack this post of Arkansas and maybe reach Little Rock. Success in this quarter will have a good effect on the main river. But in the end Vicksburg must be reduced, and it is going to be a hard nut to crack. It is the strongest place I ever saw, both by nature and art; and so far as we could observe it is defended by a competent force of artillery, infantry and cavalry. Besides its railroad connections with the interior give them great advantages. . . .

My orders from Grant were to leave Memphis by the 18th, and I got off the 20th and I was exactly on time to co-operate with Grant. I did not know that he was delayed by the breaking of his railroad communications to his rear. Indeed, I supposed him to be advancing south towards the Yazoo River. My entire force was 30,000 and was every man I could raise at Memphis and Helena, and Grant and Halleck were fully advised of my strength and plans. I suppose you are now fully convinced of the stupendous energy of the South and their ability to prolong this war indefinitely, but I am further satisfied that if it lasts 30 years we must fight it out, for the moment the North relaxes its energies the South will assume the offensive and it is wonderful how well disciplined and provided they have their men. We found everywhere abundant supplies, even on the Yazoo, and all along the river we found cattle, and fat ones, feeding quietly. The country everywhere abounds with corn, and the soldiers, though coarsely, are well clad. We hear of the manufacture of all sorts of cloth and munitions of war. The river plantations are mostly abandoned, and all families, negroes, stock and cotton removed 25 miles back. . . .

Affectionately,

W. T. SHERMAN

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 179-80

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, February 8, 1862

It is the same old thing over. We cleaned up our accouterments for inspection tomorrow.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

Special to New York Papers

(Herald’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 24. – The party which left here on Tuesday to look for the remains of Colonel Slocum, Maj. [Ballou] and Capt. Tower of the 2d Rhode Island Regiment, killed at Bull Run, returned this morning bringing their remains.  The party was composed of Governor Sprague, Col. Arnold, Mr. Walter Coleman, his secretary, Lieut. Col. Sailges, Capt. Dennison and Surgeon Grady of the Rhode Island Cavalry, accompanied by two of the Rhode Island Volunteers who had been taken prisoners at Bull Run and had noted the place were officers were buried.  The party arrived Friday at Dudley’s Church.  Col. Slocum and Maj. [Ballou] were buried in the yard of [a] building nearby which was used as a hospital on the day of battle.  This building had been destroyed by the rebels, but the graves were found.  After they had commenced to dig a negro girl inquired if they were digging for the body of Col. Slocum and stated that about six weeks after the battle some soldiers of a Georgia regiment had dug it up, cut off the head and buried the body at the side of the run close by, and taken the coffin away to bury a dead negro.  Her story was corroborated by a white boy and man who lived in the same neighborhood.  On repairing to the spot indicated there was found a pile of ashes and which were pronounced by the Surgeon to be human corpses, which were buried in a box and Major [Ballou] in a coffin.  Upon opening the graves the box was recognized by Mr. Richardson who was present at the interment, and the remains in it were identified as Col. Slocum’s.  Upon opening the other grave it was found to be empty, showing that the body dug up and burned by the Georgia barbarians was that of Maj. [Ballou], as only the two have been interred in that yard.

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

It is rumored that Green Clay will be transferred from the Secretaryship of Legation at St. Petersburg to that at Turin, the present incumbent, Mr. Fry, having declined on account of ill health.

Dr. John Evans of Chicago has been nominated and confirmed as Governor of Colorado territory, vice Gov. Milliu.  Stephen S. Hardin, of Indiana was on Friday nominated Governor of Utah, vice Geo. Dawson, rejected.

Small squads of rebel horsemen are scouring the country within five miles of Manassas impressing all able bodied men left, robbing the farmers for the hundredth time and destroying what they can’t carry away.

The Saturday’s work of the Ways and Means Committee on demands of delegations for the modification of the tax bill was to put a 3 percent ad valorem charge upon paper of every description; to adopt the schedule on leather substantially as they were presented to the Committee by Mr. Alley, a tanner, and a member of the House; to fix the rate on hoop skirts, umbrellas and parasols at f per cent ad valorem; ready made clothing at 3 per cent ad valorem; to leave salt is in the bill; and later long discussion to let the tax as first reported on tobacco and all its manufactures stand unaltered.  The tax on billiard dabbles was reduced half – to ten dollars a year.  On rock oil petroleum and coal oils the only change was of phraseology so that the refining and produce from distillation shall not be charged for brokers.  The committee took off the tenth of one per cent on their stock sales. Thinking that through their use of powers of attorney, transfer stamps and other assessable incidents of their business they would get taxed enough.  Flour was not disposed of.  The desire to tax of course exists.  The only difficulty in fixing the rate has been presented by the Canadian reciprocity treaty.  The belief has at least obtained in the Committee that flour can be taxed by branding the barrels and taxing the sales without violating the stipulations of that treaty.  The charge on the gross receipts of horse railroads was reduced one half.  It was decided not to tax coal at all, because it enters in the business of nearly the whole nation.  During the discussion on this bill the work on the tariff progressed.  Reference is continually had to it and when an article is taxed for income revenue at the same time an equivalent custom duty is placed on the tax list.  This principle will be adhered to throughout.

The Times’ Washington correspondence says the Commission of State Prisons will, to-morrow, take up the case of the celebrated Mrs. Grenshaw [sic], who will probably be transferred from a state prison to a Lunatic Asylum.

Gen. Montengrey [sic] has been transferred from his post as Military Governor of Alexandria, and placed in a like command at Annapolis.

Painful rumors have been afloat for two days, affecting a prominent officer in the civil department of the Government.  We are promised the denouement this week.

It is not true that the steamer Vanderbilt has been purchased by the Government to be altered to an iron clad vessel.  She is merely chartered for a short time as transport.

The commanding officer at Fort Craig writes to the Government that he has not a doubt of being able to hold the post.

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

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, January 2, 1863

WASHINGTON, January 2d, 1863.

My Dear Brother:

We are watching with the most eager interest the progress of your expedition. We all hope its success will brighten the gloom cast by operations here. If the Mississippi can only be opened and Texas and Arkansas detached it will be a gleam of hope by which I can see the end of the war. Without an outlet to the South and West and with such a blockade as we can easily keep up, the Southern Confederacy cannot exist. This will settle the cotton question, for Texas and Arkansas can with the free labor that can easily be thrown there grow enough cotton for the world — another ground of hope. Banks and yourself I regard as the best officers we have. . . .

I have always believed in you even when you were under a cloud: If you and Banks can act harmoniously and actively together you are able to do more than any two men in the continent.

By the way, Banks is a reserved man, not from pride or over self-confidence, but from the defects of a limited education and from a sensitiveness this unnecessarily gives him. The more you know him the better you will like him. He and I are warm friends. We became early attached in his famous contest for speaker when I first entered Congress. Although new in political life, I stuck to him when his prospects were dark, and ever since then there has been a sincere friendship between us, although we have not often met. This feeling I know will warm him towards you, and his abilities will excite your respect. I write this in anticipation of your meeting and having to co-operate with him. . . .

This Government has to be maintained and I now look to you and Banks as the “men of promise.”  I do not favor the Bankrupt Law as you suppose, and I can’t conceive how you got that idea unless because I presented petitions. I am occasionally asked for letters to you. I generally decline, except where refusal would wound a valued friend.

Affectionately yours,

JOHN SHERMAN

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 177-8

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, February 7, 1862

No news of importance. The boys had a dancing party at the depot, and some of the girls in the neighborhood who are somewhat lively were there — they seem to enjoy smoking when out in company.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

What four Deserters Say

BALTIMORE, March 24. – Four deserters arrived by the Old Point boat to-day, from the rebel army, all citizens of Eastern States who were made prisoners by the rebels last May, at Cedar Keys, Florida, where they had gone with the schooner Slug, to load with timber, which was confiscated.  The schooner was loaded with cotton, but she was subsequently burnt to escape a Federal cruiser.

The four men were obliged to enlist in the 2d Florida regiment, last January.  The regiment was ordered to Richmond, where they arrived the day after the battle of Bull Run.  They were finally sent to Yorktown.  They state that Mcgruder’s [sic] force around Yorktown is composed of about a dozen regiments, and that he has not over 4,000 effective fighting men.  But at Great Bethel and other points through the peninsula he has not less than fifteen thousand men. – There are some heavy guns near Yorktown.

During the last few weeks these forces have been engaged in building casemates, but not of a very formidable character.

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

Notice from the P. M. General

WASHINGTON, March 24. – The Senate to-day confirmed about four hundred army appointments, principally of minor grades.  Among them in the Adjutant General’s Office department were R. G. Wagner of Kentucky as Adjutant.

The only two Brigadier Generals of Volunteers confirmed, are F. M. R. Strong and Col. Mahon and D. Wilson of Indiana.

Post Master General Blair issued the following notice:

To the Post Masters of the United States:

The Secretary of War now regulates the transmission of information by telegraph affecting the conduct of the war, in order to prevent the communication of such information to the rebels; it is also thought necessary by the Secretary to put a restriction on the publication of facts of this character however obtained and the aid of this Department is requested for this purpose.  You will therefore, notify publishers not to publish any fact which has been excluded from the telegraph, and that a disregard of this order will subject the paper to be excluded from the mails.

(Signed)

M. BLAIR,

Postmaster General.

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

Arrival Of Treasure

NEW YORK, March 25. – Steamer Champion arrived this morning from Aspinwall with 480,000 dollars in treasure.

The latest news from South America says that part of the revolutionary party have been arrested in Bolivia, and that the others have fled the country.  The army has been reduced to a peace footing.

The attempted revolt at Arrequita, Peru has been suppressed.

The ill feeling at Lima against the Spaniards is said to be dying out.

Jamaica advices of the 10th are received, but they are unimportant.

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

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, December 20, 1862

MEMPHIS, Dec. 20th, 1862.

Dear Brother:

I embarked to-day on the Forest Queen and will have 20,000 men in boats by noon and be off for the real South. At Helena I will get about 12,000 more. Like most of our boasts of the “Myriads of the northwest sweeping away to the Gulf,” “breaking the back bone,” &c. &c., the great Mississippi expedition will be 32,000 men. Vicksburg is well fortified and is within telegraphic and railroad reach of Meridian, Mobile, Camp Moore and Grenada, where Pemberton has 30,000 to 35,000 men. Therefore don't expect me to achieve miracles. Vicksburg is not the only thing to be done. Grant is at Coffeeville! (?) with say 40,000 men. He expected me to have the same but they are not here. We can get the Yazoo, can front in any and every direction and can take Vicksburg, clean out the Yazoo, capture or destroy the fleet of enemy's gunboats and transports concealed up about Yazoo city — and do many other useful things. Blair is down at Helena and will doubtless form a part of the expedition. He will have a chance of catching the Elephant by the tail and get a good lift.

Of course the pressure of this force acting in concert with Grant must produce good results. Even if we don't open the Mississippi, by the way an event not so important as at first sight, until the great armies of the enemy are defeated — we are progressing. I wish Burnside and Rosecrans were getting along faster, but I suppose they encounter the same troubles we all do. . . .

The great evil is absenteeism, which is real desertion and should be punished with death. Of course I would have the wounded and sick well cared for, but the sick list real and feigned is fearful. More than one-half the paper army is not in the enemy's country and whilst the actual regiments present for duty are in arrears of pay and favor, sick and discharged men are carefully paid and provided for. Unite with others and discriminate in favor of the officers and soldiers who are with their companies. The “absent and sick” should receive half pay because of the advantages they receive of fine hospitals and quiet residence at home. The “absent without leave” should be treated as deserters and in no event receive a dollar’s pay — clothing or anything else. In course of time we may get an army. Finance is very important but no use of discussing that now; we must fight it out if it devastates the land and costs every cent of the North. . . .

I rise at 3 A.M. to finish up necessary business and as usual write in haste. . . .  I am very popular with the people here and officers and indeed with all my men. I don’t seek popularity with the “sneaks and absentees” or the “Dear People.” . . .

Affectionately,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 176-7

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, February 6, 1862

Very fine weather. There is one woman in this locality of whom the boys are afraid, for she has a large kettle of water hanging on the crane over the fireplace. This she keeps at the boiling point, and whenever any of the boys come around her premises, she is out with the hot water. They have to take lively steps to keep out of her way.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

Bank Statement

NEW YORK, March 24. – Decrease in loans, 3,007,470; increase in specie, $1,250,340; do in circulation, $355,413; decrease in deposits, $3,695,425.

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

Special to New York Papers

(Herald’s Special.)

The House considered the amendments to the Tax bill.  Among others agreed to are the following:

Tennessee to have till the 1st of December to assume payment of her portion of the tax.

Breweries manufacturing less than five hundred bbls. per annum, to pay twenty-five dollars.

Licensed brokers to pay fifty dollars, the same commercial brokers, and land warrant brokers twenty-five dollars.

The Committee rose and the House adjourned.

(Tribune Correspondence.)

WASHINGTON, March 24. – The President today nominated the flowing the following Brigadier Generals:

Col. G. M. Dodge, of Iowa, who commanded a brigade under Col. Carr at Pea Ridge; Col. R. S. Canby of the 19th U. S. Infantry., now commanding the Department of New Mexico; S. Wessul, of the 6th U. S. Infantry.

W. H. Havens, of Ohio, has been appointed Consol at Manahan, Brazil.

Secretary Welles has addressed the following letter to Lieut. Worden, of the Monitor:

NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 15.

SIR: The naval action which took place on the 10th inst., between the Monitor and the Merrimac at Hampton Roads, when your vessel with two guns engaged a powerful armed steamer of at least eight guns, and after a four hours’ conflict, repelled her formidable antagonist, has excited general admiration and received the applause of the whole country.  The President directs me, while earnestly and deeply sympathizing with the in the injuries which you have sustained, but which it is believed are but temporary, to thank you and your command for the heroism you have displayed and the great service you have rendered.  The action of the 10th, and the performance, power and capabilities of the Monitor must effect a radical change in naval warfare.

Flag Officer Goldsborough, in your absence, will be furnished by the Department with a copy of this letter of thanks and instructed to cause it to be read to the officers and crew of the Monitor.

I am respectfully your obedient servant.

(Signed.)

GIDEON WELLES.

(Herald’s Dispatch.)

A rumor is current here this evening that Gen. Shields will be obliged to have his left arm amputated on account of the wound received at the battle near Winchester.  It is well authenticated but is not credited.

(Times’ Dispatch.)

The Journal, of Boston, and the Sunday Mercury and the Journal of Commerce, are suspended by order of the Secretary of War, and their editors and proprietors arrested and ordered to Washington to be tried by court martial for violating the fifty seventh article of war.

The statement that Gen. Blenker had been suspended from his command is pronounced untrue.  Neither is it true that the Senate Military Committee have reported against his confirmation.  He is opposed by some of his countrymen, but the Senate committee decided to give him a fair hearing.

Fewer bids were put in for constructing gunboats to-day than was anticipated by the Department.  The awards will not be made for several days.  The plan of each boat is highly approved by scientific men.  They are invulnerable and draw only four feet of water.

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

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, February 5, 1862

Nothing of importance; the regular routine of camp life. Our company has this locality pretty well disciplined as to the people's duty toward the Government.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

Washington Items

LATER FROM ISLAND NO. 10.

WASHINGTON, March 24. – Col. Segur, representative from the Accomac district arrived here this morning confirming the intelligence about the privateer Nashville and Fort Macon being destroyed by the rebels.

Gen. Scott is here aiding the war Department by his advice.

Senator Lane of Indiana has received advices from Indiana of the formation of ten regiments of Indianians.

The Republican states that the President has removed Gen. Denver from the command of the Department of Kansas.

The entire national debt is now four hundred million dollars.

WASHINGTON, March 24. – Col. Van Amburg of the New York 22d Regiment, has been appointed Military Governor at Alexandria, Va.  Gen. Montgomery becoming Military Governor of Annapolis.

Letters from Port Royal declare the investment of Fort Pulaski complete.  Tatnal, with his flotilla carrying supplies of wood and water have been driven back.  It is believed the garrison will soon be forced to surrender.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was fully opened to-day for passengers and freight.

An immense quantity of bids, plans, specifications and models of iron-clad vessels have already been received at the Navy Department, for the sea-board and Western States.  One from Ericsoon for a vessel similar to the Monitor but 300 feet in length.

Secretary Welles has, in the name of the President, sent a letter of thanks to Lieut. Worden, in which he says the action of the Monitor with two guns, engaging a powerful armed steamer of at least eight guns, and repulsing her, has elicited general admiration and received the applause of the whole country.  He thanks him and commends him for the heroism displayed and the great service rendered, and adds, in the action on the 10th, the performance, power, and capacity of the Monitor must effect a radical changes in Naval warfare.

Representative Arnold introduced a bill to-day to make freedom national and slavery sectional.  It prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude in all territories now existing or hereafter to be formed or acquired in any way, in all places purchased or to be purchased by the U. S. for dock yards, arsenals, vessels on the high seas or national highways outside of State jurisdiction, and in all places where the National Government has exclusive jurisdiction and power.  Slaves in such places are declared to be free and may assert their freedom at any time thereafter, on the principle “once free always free.”

The House sent the Segur case to the Committee on Elections to-day.

Gen. Strong and Col. Munson, of the Tenth Indiana, were to-day confirmed Brigadier Generals.

The following nominations for Brigadier Generals were sent into the Senate to-day: Col. Dodge, 4th Iowa; Col. Canby, Commanding in New Mexico, and Major Weisel, Sixth U. S. Infantry, Kentucky.

Mr. Wickliffe introduced a bill to-day placing public lands and the proceeds of sales thereof, surveyed or unsurveyed, to the payment of the public debt.

Capt. Summers, of the Steamer Lake Erie No. 2, left Island No. 10 at 11 o’clock Sunday evening, and reports that about 10 o’clock a bright light was discovered in the direction of the Island.  It was thought by officers of the Erie that it proceeded from burning transports ignited by bursting shells from the mortars. – Nothing confirmatory of this report has been received at headquarters.  The river is rising rapidly.

On board Steamer D. F. Wilson,

Off Island No. 10,

March 24, 9 o’clock P.M.

Everything is quiet at Island No. 10.  The mortars continue firing all day and night at intervals of every half hour, mostly concentrated upon the upper battery which is now fairly silenced.  This battery has not replied for two days.  Only one gun can be seen in position and that is probably a [goll]*.  The batteries on the main shore and the Island are also mysteriously silent.  Their encampments grow smaller day by day and transports still continue flying about apparently carrying away troops.

The river is still rising rapidly and everything is overflowed.  The rebels are drowned out of some of their batteries, and are attempting to erect new ones, but the well directed fire of our mortars prevents them.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4.  *In the Indiana Messenger, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, March 26, 1862, p. 3, the Portland Daily Advertiser, Portland, Maine, Tuesday, March 25, 1862 and the New York Times, New York, New York, March 25, 1862 all give this word as “Quaker.”

The Great Tennessee River Expedition

Arrived at Savannah – Scenes at the Landing – Where the Expedition is – Furthest South of any of our Armies, excepting the Sea Coast Expeditions – Union Men Enlisting – Condition of the Troops – Rank of the Generals of Division – Smith Wallace – A Balaklava Hero.

(Special Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.)

SAVANNAH, Tenn., March 12.

THE FLEET ARRIVES AT ITS FINAL DESTINATION.

The greater part of the Tennessee river expedition arrived at Savannah, Hardin county, Tennessee, on the evening during the night of the 11th inst.  As the sun rose over the canebrakes that line the river banks, it is disclosed such a scene as neither that nor indeed any river on the continent ever witnessed before.  For nearly two miles up and down the stream lay the fleet.  More vessels were constantly arriving, the channel was filled with them, flying about in search of landings near their respective brigade headquarters, and the air was heavy with the murky smoke from hundreds of puffing chimneys.

The shores were covered with the disembarked soldiers, eagerly rushing everywhere and scrutinizing everything, with a genuine Yankee determination to see whatever might be worth seeing “away down here in Dixie.”  They early found the canebrakes, and the number of fishing poles carried aboard the boats to be sent up North and used in more peaceful times, was something astonishing.  Cotton fields were more distant, but long before noon plenty could be heard describing how the fields looked, and exhibiting scraps of cotton and handfuls of seed they had confiscated as specimens from the adjacent warehouses.  Officers were galloping over the bottoms, trying to get an idea of the country – not a few privates deemed it their duty to give the mules a little exercise by beating them into a jog trot through the country, too.

Half a dozen regiments were brought out on dress parade, and the delighted inhabitants of the pleasant little country town of Savannah crowded into the streets or peeped out behind the curtains of the second-story windows to see the unwonted sight, and convince their halting faith that, beyond peradventure, the Yankees were there at least to defend them in their ill concealed preference for the Union cause.  Conspicuous among the troops were the noted Eleventh Indiana and Eighth Missouri, of General Lew. Wallace’s division, whose steady tread and precision of movement was unexcelled by any equally numerous body of regulars our old army ever boasted; and amid all the shouldering and presenting of arms, the flashing swords, waving of banners, prancing of gaily caparisoned horses, and shouting of orders, there came wailing up thro’ this pomp and circumstance of glorious war the unutterable sorrow of the dead march in Saul, as with reversed muskets and measured tread of a squad of his companions bore a brave Buckeye boy to his lonely grave on the banks of the Tennessee.  Poor fellow, he had left Paducah, all life and hope; had sickened on the river and now – well, in a few minutes a regiment was deploying by companies almost over his grave.

A CONSULTATION.

Gen. Smith’s headquarters boat was landed at the Savannah wharf boat about 3 o’clock on the afternoon of the 13th, his yawl came across to Gen. Lew Wallace’s headquarters, on the opposite side of the stream, and the two Generals had a brief conference.

The group was one worth studying.  The two Generals – between whom certain newspapers have sought to foster rivalries and jealousies, though I happen to know that the most cordial feeling has existed between them all the time – presented a marked contrast.  Smith must be fifty, if not fifty-five years of age, has been twenty years in the regular army, and has allowed the regular army ways to become stereotyped with him – has grizzly hair and a noble white moustache, with a lion-like front, massive head, and imposing general physique.  Wallace does not look over thirty-five, is rather slight in figure, with black hair, full beard and moustache, a keen sparkling eye, and quick active movements.  A thorough tactician, and one of the very best drill officers in Indiana, he has not forgotten the arts of civil life, and though of few words and, when occasion demands, stern as the sternest, is a perfect pet among his men, who pride themselves especially on belonging to “Lew. Wallace’s fighting crowd.”  By their side sat a young aid of Smith’s you caught yourself fairly staring at.  His general appearance was that of a bedizened captain of a fancy city company in peaceful times; but you ceased to smile as you caught on the flashing decorations that crossed his breast, the word of glory forever – “Balaklava.”  He rode with the six hundred – what better title to immortality could any man show?

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

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, December 14, 1862

MEMPHIS, Dec. 14, 1862.

Dear Brother:

I am back in Memphis, having been charged by Gen. Grant to organize the forces here and such as may be assigned from Helena, and to proceed to Vicksburg and reduce that place and co-operate with Grant, whom I left at Oxford, Miss. He expected I would have 40,000 but I cannot count on more than 30,000, but expect if steamers arrive according to the design, by the 18th to embark for that destination. The move is one of vast importance and if successful will remove the obstacles to the navigation of the Mississippi, although it will as long as war lasts be a source of contention. I take it that now Vicksburg is fortified by land and water, and that it is a difficult task, but it must be undertaken. Things are not exactly right. Grant commands on this side, Curtis on the west and Admiral Porter on the River. All ought to be under one head, but thus far I meet the heartiest co-operation and I feel certain that we will all act in concert. Our move on the Tallahatchee was well planned and well executed. Though we had no battles yet the enemy had made every preparation for a determined resistance at the Tallahatchee, but were completely disconcerted by the move on their flank and rear from Helena, which was entirely unexpected. The country between the Yazoo and Mississippi is all alluvial and a few hours’ rain renders the roads impassable to artillery, but fortunately the weather was good and all our forces reached their appointed places on time and the result accomplished the object without battle. The retreat of the Confederate army was rapid and confused and the effect was equal to a victory. Grant now has a well appointed army at Oxford, Miss., with which he will move south as soon as I am in position at Vicksburg. It is very difficult to keep up communications, as his railroad reaches the Mississippi at Columbus, Ky., and the river is lower than it was ever known at this season, so that navigation is very difficult. The country is full of guerilla bands so that couriers cannot be relied on across the country 75 miles. I will try and reach Vicksburg by a certain date, and will have Grant advised so that though far apart our movements will be in concert. . . .

These surrenders of Harper's Ferry, Mumfordsville, and Hartsville illustrate the danger of detachments. It is idle to talk about blaming the officers. These were the very loudest in boasting of their prowess, and their destruction don't cure the facts. All the orders won't stop it. Our people are taught insubordination and independence, and when confused and disordered their commanders are helpless. . . .

I will only have one of my old Divisions, Morgan L. Smith’s, but will rely much on the enthusiasm attached to this peculiar expedition. . . .

W. T. S.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 174-6

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, February 4, 1862

A squad of the boys went out on a scouting expedition, but did not accomplish much in the way of getting supplies for the company.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

The Nashville Captured

NEW YORK, March 25. – Further intelligence seems to confirm the capture of the Nashville but slightly damaged, and says Fort Macon is but very little injured.

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

Run the Blockade

NEW YORK, March 24. – A Key West letter of the 11th says that while the captured steamer Magnolia was being chased by the Brooklyn the steamers Tennessee and Florida succeeded in making their escape out of the Mississippi and probably by this time in Havana.  The Tennessee had 1,000 and 800 bales of cotton on board.

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

Rebel Released

WASHINGTON, March 23. – Mrs. Morris, of Baltimore, who was arrested on the belief that she had been engaged in treasonable correspondence with the rebels, has been released on parole not to tender aid to the enemies of the United States.  Letters were found in her possession from Southerners in France.

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

New Orleans Probably Taken

WASHINGTON, March 22. – It is asserted as the prevailing opinion that by this time the national flag floats over New Orleans, and that our mortar fleet would attack the rebel fort at the [Rigolets] within two days of the departure from Ship Island of the last steamer, which brought the intelligence north.

The Secretary of War has addressed a complimentary letter to Lieut. Morse, officers and men of the Cumberland for their valor in the recent engagement with the Merrimac.

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

Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, December 6, 1862

COLLEGE HILL, MISS., NEAR OXFORD,

Dec. 6, 1862.

Dear Brother:

I left Memphis Wednesday, Nov. 26, with 26 regiments of Infantry, ten field batteries and one Cavalry regiment. In all about 18,000 men to cooperate with Grant in attacking the enemy, then lying on the south bank of the Tallahatchee, 18 miles south of Holly Springs and about 70 from Memphis. Their strength is estimated from about 40,000 to 50,000 men, under Pemberton, Price, Van Dorn and others. Grant allowed me 4 days to reach Tehullahoma. In 3 days I was near Tallahoosee, when I communicated with him, and next day reached Tehullahoma, he advancing to Waterford. Coincident with our movement, an expedition was planned to move from Helena under Gen. Harvey, to attack or threaten Grenada, about 60 miles to the rear of the position of the enemy. On approaching the Tallahatchee we found it abandoned, although its fords, ferries, and crossing places had been well fortified and obstructed. Grant moved on the main road south from Holly Springs, and I on his right about 10 miles, reaching the river at an old town called Wyatt. I had brought boats with me from Memphis, with which we soon crossed our infantry and cavalry regiments, swimming the horses, and found two long lines of intrenchments about 2 miles back from the river, where there is a kind of neck. These were, however, completely abandoned. Sending the Cavalry ahead to co-operate with Grant, then pressing the rear of the retreating forces, deliberately set to work, built a good bridge, and the day before yesterday I rode forward to Oxford, where I found Grant and received his further orders to cross and occupy College Hill, 4 miles to his right.

I have one division, Dunn's, here, and 2 on Hurricane Creek, to my rear. We have had two days’ hard rain and snow, making the roads very bad. Indeed, since the building of the railroad, the mud roads, leading north and south are disused and are washed very badly, the country resembling that about Somerset, Ohio. We find plenty of corn, fodder, cattle, hogs, sheep, &c., so that our enemies have not been starving. Salt is scarce, but they are manufacturing it largely on the coast, and at well about Mobile. By our movement, we have for the time being cleared North Mississippi. I doubt if we shall proceed much further on this line, as operations should now proceed against Vicksburg and Yazoo. I hear nothing from Virginia or Kentucky. We are far ahead of them, and they should push up. . . .

I suppose you hear little of me. I allow no reporters about. My official reports go to the proper office, and thus the enemy shall learn nothing of my forces, plans or purposes, through an egotistical and corrupt press. . . .

Yours affectionately,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 170-1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, February 3, 1862

The captain with eight men went out on a scouting trip to rout some “secesh” from an island in the Missouri river, where they were trying to recruit a company.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 32

From North Carolina

BALTIMORE, March 24. – On Thursday last an expedition left Newbern in steamers, went down the river, struck the railroad, and took up march for Beaufort, with hand cars from Newbern.  No opposition was made to the advance of our forces.

On the evening of the 20th the rebels learned of our approach, blew up Fort Macon, fired the Nashville, and retreated across the river to Morehead City and Carolina city, and in the direction of Washington.  Beaufort was almost entirely evacuated by the people.  Our troops occupied the place the next day.

On the same day, the 20th, Gen. Burnside sent a force with several gunboats to Washington.  No opposition to our landing.  Our troops occupied the town, and the Union flag is now flying on the Court House.

There was nothing new at Newbern.

Our Pickets extend about eight miles toward Goldsboro’.

On Wednesday three men strayed beyond our lines, and were made prisoners by a troop of rebel cavalry.

The inhabitants are gradually returning to the town, and taking the oath of allegiance.

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

The Vermont Safe

BOSTON, March 24. – Lieut. Shean, who went out as the representative of the Navy department on board the steamer Saxon in search of the Vermont, has returned.  He reports that the Vermont will undoubtedly make for Port Royal, and that not the slightest fears need be entertained for her ultimate safety, as she is as light as any vessel, and she has got provisions sufficient for more than a year, with water filters undrawed.  He further reports that all on board are in good spirits.

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