Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, March 15, 1862

It rained all day. It seems so dark and gloomy. We lay on the boats all day, but we are expecting to receive orders to go on up the river. Boats loaded with troops are passing us and going on up to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 37

The Expected Blow

Very much of the new we reprint from the rebel journals we interpret by the rule of contraries, so that their averment that Beauregard has gone to New Orleans, of instance, persuades us that he will soon turn up a good way from that city.  Still, we are inclined to believe their late story that Jeff. Davis has set out for the South West, because, many reasons concur in designating that as his most desirable locality.  We believe the Rebels will not meet our great Potomac Army in open battle, but will [wait] for opportunities to attack portions of it in superior force, as lately as Winchester; but should no such be afforded them, they will gradually retire as our main body advances, hoping only to detain it in Virginia until the season is too far advanced and the heat too fervid for offensive operations in the Cotton States.  Such seems to be the general purpose of the present Rebel strategy in Virginia.

On the other hand, we see much that indicates a determination on the part of Secession chiefs to strike a sudden and heavy blow in the South-West.  They are evidently concentrating their forces at Corinth or some other point near the south line of Tennessee, with intent to hurl the great mass of them suddenly on an exposed detachment of ours, thus repeating the lesson of Bull Run, Wilson’s Creek, and Lexington.  We Trust they are to be baffled in this game by the cautious energy of Gen. Halleck; and, if they should not be able to fight at the advantage they meditate, we believe they will make a virtue of necessity, and fight a desperate battle any how, hoping by success to recover Tennessee, or at any rate protect “the South proper” form invasion and restoration to the Union.  The vigor and skill of our generals are quite likely to interfere with these calculations; but we are satisfied that, if left to their own devices, the Rebel chiefs will not soon fight a great battle in Virginia, but will fight one in the South-West.

The “Anaconda” plan of surrounding and crushing a rebellion exposes those who adopt it to great and obvious hazards.  Since Napoleon’s early campaign, every tyro in the art of war understands that the first canon is, “Be strongest at the point of actual and decisive conflict, no matter how weak everywhere else.”  The rebels profited by their fidelity to this rule at Bull Run, and in most of their triumphs, as we have since done at Fort Donelson, Roanoke Island, &c.  To comprehend the value and importance of this rule is easy enough; to obey and profit by it requires a mastery of the military art.  But the rebels, holding the inferior position and operating upon much the shorter lines of communication, can conform to it more easily than the Unionists who confront them.  And only a most resolute offensive on all points can prevent an army engaged in active operations, as has been recently witnessed.  And their advantage of position is so fairly counterbalanced by our command of the seas and our superiority in both gunboats and transports on the Western rivers, that it should not, and probably will not, be allowed to prove of much avail.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, May 29, 1863

WALNUT HILLS, VICKSBURG, May 29, 1863.

My Dear Brother:

I received a few days since your most acceptable letter of May 7th, which met me here. You will now have a fine understanding of the whole move thus far. The move by way of Grand Gulf to secure a foothold on the hills wherefrom to assail Vicksburg, appeared to me too risky at the time, and General Grant is entitled to all the merit of its conception and execution.

In our route we consumed the fruits of the country, broke up the important railroad communications, whipped the enemy wherever encountered, and secured the Yazoo as a base, the object for which we have contended so long and so patiently. . . .

We have Vicksburg closely invested, and its fate is sealed unless the enemy raises a large force from Carolina and Tennessee and assails us from without. In that event we must catch them at the crossing of Black, and fight them desperately.

The place is very well fortified, and is defended by twenty thousand brave troops. We have assaulted at five distinct points at two distinct times, and failed to cross the parapet. Our loss was heavy and we are now approaching with pick and shovel. If we did not apprehend an attempt on our rear, we could wait patiently the slow process of besiegers; but as this danger is great, we may try and assault again. In the mean time we are daily pouring into the city a perfect storm of shot and shells, and our sharp-shooters are close up and fire at any head that is rash enough to show itself above ground.

[Not signed.]

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 205-6

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: Richmond, Virginia, Monday Night, February 11, 1862

Still greater uneasiness about Roanoke Island. It is so important to us — is said to be the key to Norfolk; indeed, to all Eastern North Carolina, and Southeastern Virginia. We dread to-morrow's papers.

The lady on Street has disappointed me. She met me with a radiant smile when I went to see her this evening, saying, “She agrees; she must, however, remove the wardrobe and bureau, as she wants them herself; but there’s a closet in the room, which will answer for a wardrobe, and I reckon that a table with a glass on it will do for a bureau.” “Oh, yes; only give me a good bed, some chairs and a washstand, and I can get along very well. Can I see the room?” “Yes; it is a back-room in the third story, but I reckon you won’t mind that.”  My heart did sink a little at that communication, when I remembered Mr. _____’s long walks from Bank Street; but there was no alternative, and I followed her up the steps. Great was my relief to find a large airy room, neatly carpeted, and pleasant in all respects. “This will do,” said I; “take the wardrobe and bureau out, and put a table in, and I shall be very well satisfied.” “I have a small table,” she replied, “but no glass; you will have to buy that.” “Very well, I will do that. But you have not yet told me your terms.” “Will you keep a fire?  “Oh, certainly, in my room.” “Then my charge is _____.”  I stood aghast!  “My dear madam,” said I, “that is twenty dollars more than the usual price, and three dollars less than our whole salary per month.” “Well, I can't take a cent less; other people take less because they want to fill their rooms, but I was only going to take yon for accommodation; and I can fill my rooms at any time.” Now the lines of her face were not undecided. I turned, and as I walked up the already lighted streets of my native city, feeling forlorn and houseless,

"In happy homes I saw the light

Of household fires gleam warm and bright;”

and hope that I was not envious. My friends were very sympathetic when I returned, not, however, without a certain twinkle of the eye denoting merriment, as it exactly coincided with a most provoking prophecy made by Mr. C. as I set out; and I joined in a hearty laugh at my own expense, which was a real relief to my feelings.

No good news from Roanoke Island. Fort Henry has fallen; that loss is treated lightly, but the enemy have turned their attention to Fort Donelson, on Cumberland River, which, if taken, would give them free access into the heart of Tennessee.

SOURCE: McGuire, Judith W., Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 90-1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, March 14, 1862

We left Fort Henry at dark last night, going on up the river, and arrived at Savannah, Tennessee, this afternoon. The river seems to be lined with transports loaded with troops going up-stream. There are two gunboats in our fleet, also two tugboats and several barges.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 37

In The Review Queue: The Louisiana Scalawags:

The Louisiana Scalawags:

Politics, Race, and Terrorism
During the Civil War and Reconstruction

By Frank J. Wetta

During the Civil War and Reconstruction, the pejorative term ''scalawag'' referred to white southerners loyal to the Republican Party. With the onset of the federal occupation of New Orleans in 1862, scalawags challenged the restoration of the antebellum political and social orders. Derided as spoilsmen, uneducated ''poor white trash,'' Union sympathizers, and race traitors, scalawags remain largely misunderstood even today. In The Louisiana Scalawags, Frank J. Wetta offers the first in-depth analysis of these men and their struggle over the future of Louisiana. A fascinating look into the interplay of politics, race, and terrorism during Reconstruction, this volume answers an array of questions about the origin and demise of the scalawags, and debunks much of the negative mythology surrounding them.

Contrary to popular thought, the white Republicans counted among their ranks men of genuine accomplishment and talent. They worked in fields as varied as law, business, medicine, journalism, and planting, and many held government positions as city officials, judges, parish officeholders, and state legislators in the antebellum years. Wetta demonstrates that a strong sense of nationalism often motivated the men, no matter their origins.

Louisiana's scalawags were most active and influential during the early stages of Reconstruction, when they led in founding the state's Republican Party. The vast majority of white Louisianans, however, rejected the scalawags' appeal to form an alliance with the freedmen in a biracial political party. Eventually, the influence of the scalawags succumbed to persistent white terrorism, corruption, and competition from the carpetbaggers and their black Republican allies. By then, the state's Republican Party consisted of white political leaders without any significant white constituency. According to Wetta, these weaknesses, as well as ineffective federal intervention in response to a Democratic Party insurgency, caused the Republican Party to collapse and Reconstruction to fail in Louisiana.

About the Author

Frank J. Wetta is Senior Fellow at the Center for History, Politics, and Policy in the department of history at Kean University. He is a former Leverhulme British Commonwealth, United States Visiting Fellow in American Studies at the University of Keele in the United Kingdom.

ISBN 978-0807147467, Louisiana State University Press, © 2012, Hardcover, 256 pages, End Notes, Bibliography & Index. $42.50.  To purchase a copy of this book click HERE.

Baltimore And Ohio Railroad – A Bad Omen

The refusal of the Directors of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to require the employees to take the oath of allegiance, was talked about by the merchants to-day, and as the matter now stands, few seem willing to ship by that route.  The proposal of the Company to guarantee shippers against loss does not help the matter much.  People see disloyalty sticking out at the head of affairs, and this impression must be satisfactorily removed, or the business of the road will suffer.  This is the “situation.”  One would suppose that men who had the management of this road would have been cured of their secession sympathies long ago; but disloyalty is deeply rooted among the wealthy classes of Baltimore, and they seem determined to play the game a while longer.  But we hope the Baltimore and Ohio road will not be kept in jeopardy by them. – {Cin. Gaz.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Marvelous Instance of Sympathy

A very strong example of the influence of sympathy is reported to have occurred during the battle at Pea Ridge.  Hiram P. Lord, of the 25th Missouri, Col. Phelps, while charging up a ravine, fell as if dead, and his companions ran to him and asked if he was hurt.  He did not answer, and it was soon discovered that he had swooned.  On reviving he said he must have been struck by a ball, for he felt a pain in his left side, and had distinctly experienced the stunning and numbing sensation that results from a gun shot wound.  His person was examined, and no mark or indication of injury was perceptible.  He could not comprehend the mystery, but soon after resumed the fight, and forgot the sensation until he had returned to his camp, when he learned to his surprise and sorrow that his twin brother, George was among the dead.  George had been shot in another part of the field, and had been shot in the body, and at the same time that Hiram had believed himself mortally wounded.  The sympathy between the two brothers had ever been complete, and the illness of one was usually accompanied by the sickness of the other.  Strange, if true, say many but the strang[er, the truer, says the student of nature.]

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3.  The bracketed section was cut off during the microfilming of the newspaper.  The same article was published under the headline “Strange,” in The Smokey Hill and Republican Union, Junction, Kansas, Thursday April 24, 1862, p. 1, and I have used it to insert the missing text.

Diary of Judith W. McGuire: Richmond, Virginia, Sunday Night, February 10, 1862

Painful rumours have been afloat all day. Fort Henry, on Tennessee River, has been attacked.

We went to St. James’s this morning, and St. Paul’s tonight. When we returned we found Mr. N. and Brother [J.] awaiting us. They are very anxious and apprehensive about Roanoke Island.

SOURCE: McGuire, Judith W., Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 90

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, May 7, 1863

MANSFIELD, OHIO, May 7, 1863.

My Dear Brother:

We have been eagerly watching the course of military events. Here nothing occurs worth noting. If there is any change, it is for the better. The tone of popular opinion is more patriotic. There are fewer noisy Butternuts, and most of these think their bad talk is only fair opposition to the administration. The only danger is that this will become downright opposition, resistance to the war and the laws where mobs and civil war will be the inevitable result. A good many scary people are afraid of this, but I am too well accustomed to violent political quarrels to look for danger from them. There may be occasional mobs, as there were the other day at Fort Wayne, where I made a speech, but both parties pledged themselves to the war and only differed about the “nigger” and administration measures. The difference may widen, and unless we have decided military success, will widen until we have open and hostile war and peace parties. Then God knows what will be the result. One tendency I noticed. Nearly every man in debt is paying off his debts. The inflation of the currency and the rise of property make this easy. Unluckily for me, most of my means is or was “in bills receivable.” These are paid, or will be, and so I find myself with plenty of money, but can't buy anything at reasonable prices. This is the general rule of creditors, and perhaps it is better so for the community, as the creditor class can more easily bear the loss of inflation. There is nothing in the condition at all discouraging except our military condition. This I confess looks discouraging. The defeat of Hooker, of which as yet we have not full particulars, is a terrible event. Experience should have taught us not to hope much from his army, and yet the impression was so strong after his confident assertions and his promising commencement that we all feel the disappointment. It is gloomy. Still what can we do, but fight on. . . .

I regret to notice from your letter that Grant's recent movements do not meet your approval. It was regarded as a bold and successful plan to turn the flank of the enemy, but if he is weaker from the south side of Vicksburg than from above, I do not see what we have gained. We have a telegraphic account of your recent attack on Haines Bluff, but do not understand its purpose.

As for the consolidation of regiments, it is idle for me to interpose. Halleck regulates all these matters. He is king in all questions regulating the detail affecting the army. Stanton has far less power than Halleck, and, indeed, holds office by a frail tenure and with limited influence. It is no use for a civilian to talk to Halleck. He would regard your opinion, but certainly not mine, though we are good friends. You have been sagacious in your anticipation of military events. Charleston is not taken, the war is prolonged, and but little chance of its ending until we have a new deal.

If only the people will be patient so long, all will be well. The best of it is, they can't help themselves. The rebels won't let us have peace even if we wanted it. It may be better that the Democrats be allowed to take the helm, as they could not make peace, and then war would be more vigorous and united. . . .

This war has always seemed to me a tragic necessity. I have watched its progress, and hope to see its termination. It may, like the French Revolution, travel in a large circle, destroying all that have taken part in it; still there is no way but to go ahead. We may slowly learn wisdom in its prosecution, for we certainly have not shown it thus far. . . .

Affectionately your brother,

JOHN SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 203-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, March 13, 1862

We stopped at Paducah, Kentucky, a short time and then early this morning came up the river to Fort Henry, arriving in the afternoon. There are about twenty transports at this place, loaded with troops. Fort Henry is a dilapidated place. The Tennessee river is very high, the water being out over the banks, and the lowlands are flooded for miles on both sides of the river.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 37

From Island No. 10

The Pike arrived to-night from the fleet.  She reports the gunboats and mortars uninjured.  Two transports were somewhat damaged.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3.  The last two words were cut off on when the paper was microfilmed.  I have used “From Island No. 10” from The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 1 to fill in the missing words.

Cairo News

CAIRO, April 2. – Accounts from Island No. 10, represent matters there unchanged.  The bombardment continues at slow intervals. – Shells have been thrown into the new fortifications on the Kentucky side of the river, and a few shots have been received in return, with no great damage on either side.

The rebels are continually busy at building fortifications.  They are improving every moment of time, and when the attack is made, it will be found that the delay has greatly enhanced the difficulty of capture.

Firing is continually heard in the direction of New Madrid, and it is supposed that the enemy are making desperate efforts to prevent General Pope from crossing the river.  They have erected batteries on the point opposite New Madrid, which commands a stretch of about five miles of the river, and places his transports in danger of annihilation.  He must silence the batteries before he can cross to the relief of the fleet.

The rebels have also built batteries on the river below New Madrid, and have their gunboats in readiness for action.  There are one or two of these boats guarding the point where our troops are expected to cross.

Advices direct from New Madrid report that Gen. Pope is in active preparation, and will soon be in a condition to enter the field, with an overwhelming force.  We are not permitted to give the details of his plans, but they will be such as will accomplish any desired result, which may be within the range of possibilities.

There is nothing from the Tennessee river of direct importance.

We here that Gen. Grant is nearly prepared for the grand battle that is expected.  The members of his staff who are here, have been ordered to report at Headquarters immediately.

Gen. Buell is on the line of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, making very slow progress.

The terrific storm that visited this locality last night, extended over a wide tract of country, and did an immense amount of damage, 10 or 12 lives were lost here by the breaking of the levee and sinking of boats.

At Paducah and Mound City, large numbers of houses were unroofed, and several lives lost.

We have heard nothing of its effect on the bombarding fleet.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Rebel News via Norfolk

BALTIMORE, April 2. – The following intelligence is from the special correspondent at Fort Monroe, of the Baltimore American:

The number of rebels in Fort Pulaski, as reported by deserters is five hundred.

Two German regiments at Fort Pulaski, had revolted and were in custody.

Gen. Sherman’s mortars and siege guns were so stationed that the guns of the Fort cold not reach them.

The rebels have withdrawn all their troops from the coast and abandoned their earth works, previously removing their cannon to Savannah.

The city of Savannah, however, is understood to be very strongly fortified, and all the approaches to it.  The force there is variously estimated, by refugees, at from twenty to fifty thousand men, probably 20,000, is more nearly correct.

A great despondency existed among the people and troops at Charleston.  The fall of Newbern created the greatest consternation.  The fire-eaters ridiculed the North Carolina troops, charging them with cowardice.

The shop keepers and bankers in Charleston had refused to receive North Carolina money, and there being two North Carolina regiments there at the time, a revolt was the consequence, and the shops were broken open, and the troops helped themselves.  These regiments refused to serve any longer, and were allowed to return home.

No information of the abandonment of Pensacola by the rebels has yet been received, but it was generally believed that our troops had crossed over from Santa Rosa Island and occupied the place.

The latest advices received from Norfolk by the underground railroad leaves no room to doubt that the Merrimac was thoroughly repaired and in commission and ready for another expedition against the wooden walls of the federal navy and river transports lying in the Roads. – The delay of the Merrimac in towing out is believed to be that she is waiting for ammunition for the heavy guns that have been placed on board her, and also for some infernal machines being constructed by bombasto Mallory.

The rebel steamers Jamestown and Yorktown were also getting strengthened and more thoroughly clad with iron to accompany the Merrimac.  There is also a rumor that two other steamers are being clad with iron at Richmond to join in the expedition.

As to the loss of life on the Merrimac in her conflict with the Monitor, we have now what is claimed to be positive information.  One of the recently arrived contrabands states that he was a nurse in the general hospital in Norfolk, and that before his departure he helped to shroud 32 of the crew of the Merrimac, and that both commander Buchanan and Lieut. Meyer are dead.  There are still a number of the wounded surviving.

The contraband also states that the last two shots of the Monitor were represented to be the only ones that seriously injured the Merrimac; those were thrown under her hold at the moment she attempted to run the Monitor down.

The military stationed at Norfolk from the Gulf States have been very severe on the Virginians.  Since their defeat at Roanoke Island even the Richmond Blues, the very pink of chivalry, have fallen in public estimation too.  All award bravery to Jennings Wise, but his father has so fallen in public estimation that he is proclaimed in Norfolk as a coward and poltroon.  In his escape from Nags Head he rode thirty miles on horse back, notwithstanding he had previously reported himself too ill to remain at Roanoke Island, at the head of his command.  Wise and Floyd now rank as the fleet footed.  My informant says that Wise would be hooted if he were to appear in the streets of Norfolk or Richmond.  He has retired to his farm in Princess Ann county.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, March 12, 1862

We started again on our voyage at daylight. A high cold wind was blowing all day. We landed at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, remaining there for a short time, and then proceeded on our journey, arriving at Cairo, Illinois, at 2 p. m., where we waited for further orders. Late in the afternoon we received orders to go up the Tennessee river and left Cairo about sundown. At Cairo there are gunboats and a large number of transports loaded with troops, and provisions for the army up along the Tennessee river.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 36-7

From Fortress Monroe

FORTRESS MONROE, April 3. – The weather to-day is clear and pleasant.  Everything is progressing in the most satisfactory manner.

The rebels fired several shots from Sewall’s Point last night at the transports in the harbor, some of the shells falling within fifty feet of a vessel loaded with horses.

A reconnoissance was made from Newport News to Watt’s creek, a distance of 9 miles.  The enemy appeared 3,000 strong, and opened with cannon on our forces, but their balls passed entirely over them.  Our batteries were immediately got in position, and we opened fire on the rebels, when their entire force broke and fled, fording the creek in great confusion, but keeping out of range.  The object of the reconnoissance being accomplished, the troops returned.

The whole country through which our troops passed was formerly the garden spot of Virginia.  It is perfectly devastated and but one house was left standing.  The house, fences and trees have been burned by retreating rebels.

There are no signs of the Merrimac yet, and from her long delay, the opinion is gaining ground that she will not come out.  She has now a fine field to operate in, if she should triumph over the Monitor, and if she should fail to come now it is thought she is afraid to run any further risks.

An officer of the Seminole says he read a Savannah paper of the 23d inst., which acknowledges a terrible rebel defeat at Pea Ridge.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, 2. P. M. April 2. – Brig. Gen. John A. Logan has so far recovered from his wound received at Fort Donelson as to be able to rejoin his brigade, and to-day started for the seat of war on the Tennessee.  His wound is still very painful.

Lieut. Col. Ranford has been appointed Colonel of the 11th regiment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Col. Wallace to Brigadiership.

Lieut. Col. Dunlap of the 29th regiment has resigned and arrived [at] Cairo, as have also several other officers of a lesser grade.

Brig. Gen. John Cook, of the 7th regiment is here, in route, for the theater of operations in Tennessee.

It is a very singular fact that those who have resigned, are invariably those who have hitherto escaped unharmed, while the wounded ones are as invariably returning to their duties.  Comment is unnecessary.

Gen. Strong is absent to-day, at Island 10.

The Hospital boat, Louisiana, started for the Tennessee river with a full compliment of doctors and nurses on board.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Special to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Despatch.)

NEW YORK, April 2. – It is said the Senate Military Committee dissents from the rule that the Volunteer officers must rank for promotion in their own branch of service – only they think vacancies in the regular army should be filled by experienced men from the Volunteer regiments.

Mr. Arms, of the Chickopee manufactory, has present Flagg Officer Foote with a sword, and Lieut. Worden a cutlass.

(Times Correspondence.)

Prisoners taken in the recent reconnoissance to the Rappahannock state that the rebel force in that vicinity consists of eight regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and six pieces of artillery.  Gen. Ewell of Drainsville notoriety, was in command.

On the return of our forces to Warrenton Junction, the rebels hover around the outskirts of our army and frequently succeed in packing off small parties of our men who, contrary to commands, go out on foolhardy foraging expeditions.

Information has just been received from the Times correspondent on the lower Potomac that contrabands from Fredericksburg report that town now occupied by thirty regiments of the enemy, the main part of which have arrived there within the last three days.  They report the steamer St. Nicholas and one other, which formerly plied to different points on the Rappahannock, as being held in readiness to transport rebel troops down the Rappahannock to some point.  Other rebel troops are reported as having gone down York river to reinforce the enemy’s position at the mouth, where the rebels have batteries.

A small detachment of rebel cavalry still occupy Acquia Creek and as far up as Dumfrees.

Another magazine has been found at Shipping Point containing a large quantity of shells.

(Herald’s Despatch.)

About one and a half millions of six per cent certificates were issued to-day chiefly of the denomination of one hundred dollars.  The checks and warrants now in all amount to about ten millions.

Yesterday the Jacob Ball and Stone visited Evansport.  A boat crew from each vessel was sent on shore; they visited mostly all the batteries in that vicinity, including one on a hill about half a mile back of Evansport, where was found the gun that Capt. Roland had attempted unsuccessfully to burst it, it is a 32-pounder.  This battery aided by field pieces was intended to cover the retreat of the rebels through the woods in the rear in the event of their being driven from the lower batteries.  It was well defend[ed] by rifle pits.  Several men went a considerable distance into the country, but there were no signs of rebel troops nor inhabitants.  Both parties of seamen subsequently returned on shore in command of Lieutenant Commanding McGraw of the Jacob Ball, proceeding inland where they found five rebel store houses containing hay, cutting machines, platform scales and other useful implements. – They set fire to the buildings which were entirely consumed.

A citizen of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who went to Bull Run to recover the remains of his brother, who belonged to a Boston company, gives a melancholy account of the sacrilege committed upon the graves of our soldiers by the rebels.  About twenty of the Boston company and Chelsea company had been buried near each other, but every skull had been taken away, and nearly all the principal bones of the bodies were gone, some of the bodies had been dug out and others pressed out of the graves with levers, and in some cases the sleeves of uniforms were slit to obtain the bones of the arms.

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, April 2. – A reporter sent to the other side of the Potomac informed us this morning that Secretary Stanton had issued an order forbidding newspaper correspondents, as well as all others not directly connected in some way or other with the service, from accompanying any of the corps de armie.

Many correspondents are now within the army, and it is understood that an order was dispatched yesterday that the whole of them be cleared out and sent back under the penalty of immediate arrest and confinement if they attempt to stay.

Blenker’s brigade has been assigned to Fremont’s command.

Carl Schurz is to have command of a division under Fremont.

Col. Van Allan resigned his command of the New York Cavalry yesterday.  Lieut. Col. Mix will succeed him.

(Times Correspondence.)

It is not yet positively determined who will succeed Carl Schurz as Minister to Spain, and no nomination will be made to the Senate by the President until Schurz is confirmed as Brigadier General.  Hon. Geo. Ashman of Mass., is talked of for the place.

Major Donaldson, chief of the Quartermasters Department in New Mexico arrived at Washington to-day.  He brings much important information in regard to the rebel raid into that territory.  He says the rebels hold every position of value except Forts Craig and Vrain, the latter which is the most important fort in the far west, contains millions of dollars worth of Government stores, is now safe beyond peradventure, and garrisoned by fifteen hundred soldiers, has water within the fortifications and provisions for a long siege.  It will be the rallying point for the ample Union forces now marching to expel the invaders.  Maj. Donaldson relates many incidents of the late battle near Fort Craig, he says that Major Lockridge of the Nicaragua filibusters fell dead at the head of the Texas Rangers in the terrible charge upon McRea’s battery.

Secretary Stanton will proceed to Fortress Monroe to-morrow to give matters there his personal attention.

(Herald’s Dispatch.)

NEW YORK, April 3. – It is rumored here to-day that the Rebel Cabinet has decided to burn the city of Richmond on the approach of the Union army.

Business was never so brisk on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad as it now is.

Since the affair in the Sickles Brigade, where a master shot at his servant, Gen. Hooker has positively refused passes to go into the camps of his division to hunt contrabands.

Lieuts. J. H. Hall and W. McGungle have been ordered to report to Flag Officer Foote.

The number of sick soldiers in the Government Hospitals in the District, at the last weekly report was 2,314.  Of those 536 are from N. Y. regiments.

Slight skirmishing continues to be the order of the day along our front, each army lying in sight of each other, enlivening each other with occasional artillery practice and cavalry charges.

Yesterday Col. Geary captured a number of rebels after a spirited skirmish, in which several of the enemy were killed.

The completion of the railroad to within the immediate neighborhood of the advance, places many of our forces in a much more advantageous position and will be doubtless greatly accelerate the movements of our advancing army.

The rebel cavalry continues to make incursions through the country beyond Manassas Junction.

Woodstock, 2. p. m. – The rebels, when retreating yesterday, attempted to burn a bridge over the creek near its narrow passage, but it was extinguished.  The Magentic Railroad bridge, one hundred feet high, over the same stream, was burned by Jackson, when retreating from Gen. Shields.

The gray stallion said to be Col. Ashley’s was shot yesterday near this town.  The ball must have wounded the rider in the left thigh.  The current report, however, that Ashley was wounded is not credited at head quarters.

Some of Ashley’s scouts made their appearance this morning early, on the high wooden ridge, on the opposite side of Stoney Creek, beyond Edenburg.  They were fired upon by some of the 29th  Penn’a, when Ashley unmasked four guns and threw several shells into the camp – He subsequently retreated under the fire of our guns.  During the day they frequently interfered with our bridge builders, by shelling them at long range.  The foot of the bridge, however has been completed, and our skirmishers and some of the shop shooters are now on the other side, beyond the town.

Lieut. Doll and two privates of Ashley’s cavalry were captured yesterday while carrying dispatches, but refused to divulge the contents or tell who they were from.

A late intercepted letter from a rebel line officer, speaks of the anticipated negro rebellion in Maryland, but this is regarded as one of the means resorted to by secession leaders to dupe their followers.

Ashley’s artillery was reinforced to-day by two guns with which he practiced on us along our line.  Gen. Banks is here and General Shields at Strasburg.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Tornado at Cairo

(Special to Chicago Evening Journal.)

CAIRO, April 2. – The most terrific tornado that has visited this locality for several years, came upon us at 3 o’clock, this morning.  The storm came up from the south, wind, rain, hail, thunder and lightning.

Nearly all the transports, barges, steam tugs and floating property were torn from their moorings on the Ohio levee, and blown across the river.  The slate roof on the St. Charlet [sic] Hotel was scattered over the town.

Several rods of barracks were leveled with the ground, but happily they were not tenanted, or the loss of life would have been terrible.

The Cairo and Columbus wharf boat lays high and dry on the Kentucky shore opposite here.

The steamer Illinois had both her chimneys and upper cabins torn away in the falling of which four or five lives were lost.

Capt. Carroll of the steamer Sallie had his leg broken, and several others were badly injured.  Several barges which had been carried over and were being used for store houses broke loose and floated down the river.

The large piles of Government lumber on the Ohio levee were blown into the river.

The wooden barracks at Bird’s Point caught the gale about midship and caved in largely, also Ft. Holt.  No loss of life at either of the last two points.

Much anxiety is felt for our fleet down at Island No. 10.

We have no news to-day from below, except that the gun-boats and mortars are firing semi-occasionally and the rebels reply just when they please.

Buford’s capture at Union City amounted to seven prisoners and about forty horses, and mules instead of 100 prisoners and 500 horses as before telegraphed.

The water soaking through the levee in Cairo raised five inches last night and is still rising. – Both the steam pumps are working, however – The stench increases and is becoming intolerable, and much sickness must follow this flood.

Many gentlemen tell me that over 200 distinct different odors were ascertained to exist yesterday, several wards yet to hear from and classify.

The coal oil and turpentine trade on the Cumberland river has nearly ceased, of course owing to high water.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, March 11, 1862

We lay at the wharf all night, loading the quartermaster’s supplies. At 8 a. m. we left St. Louis for Cairo, Illinois. Our entire regiment is on the one boat, a side-wheeler. Company E is quartered on the hurricane deck, and a cold wind blowing makes it rather disagreeable for us. We lay up for the night one hundred miles below St. Louis. We have big times getting our rations cooked, for there is but one place to get boiling water to make coffee, and only one place at the fire where we can broil our bacon. Each man slices his bacon, puts it on the ramrod, and holds it close to the fire under the boilers. We all have to take our turn, and since there are eight hundred men, there is some one at the fire all day and part of the night. The captain of the boat declared that we were “the d-----st set of men to eat” that he had ever seen in his life.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 36

Angelina E. Grimké to William Lloyd Garrison, August 30, 1835

PHILADELPHIA, 8th month, 30th, 1835.

Respected Friend:

It seems as if I was compelled at this time to address thee, notwithstanding all my reasonings against intruding on thy valuable time, and the uselessness of so insignificant a person as myself offering thee the sentiments of sympathy at this alarming crisis.

I can hardly express to thee the deep and solemn interest with which I have viewed the violent proceedings of the last few weeks. Although I expected opposition, yet I was not prepared for it so soon – it took me by surprise, and I greatly feared Abolitionists would be driven back in the first onset, and thrown into confusion. So fearful was I, that though I clung with unflinching firmness to our principles, yet I was afraid of even opening one of thy papers, lest I should see some indications of compromise, some surrender, some palliation. Under these feelings, I was urged to read thy Appeal to the citizens of Boston. Judge, then, what were my feelings, on finding that my fears were utterly groundless, and that thou stoodest firm in the midst of the storm, determined to suffer and to die, rather than yield one inch. My heart was filled with thanksgiving and praise to the Preserver of men; I thanked God, and took courage, earnestly desiring that thousands may adopt thy language, and be prepared to meet the Martyr's doom, rather than give up the principles you (i. e. Abolitionists) have adopted. The ground upon which you stand is holy ground: never – never surrender it. If you surrender it, the hope of the slave is extinguished, and the chains of his servitude will be strengthened a hundred fold. But let no man take your crown, and success is as certain as the rising of to-morrow’s sun. But remember you must be willing to suffer the loss of all things – willing to be the scorn and reproach of professor and profane. You must obey our great Master’s injunction: “Fear not them that kill the body, and after that, have nothing more that they can do.” You must, like Apostles, “count not your lives dear unto yourselves, so that you may finish your course with joy.”

Religious persecution always begins with mobs: it is always unprecedented in the age or country in which it commences, and therefore there are no laws, by which Reformers can be punished; consequently, a lawless band of unprincipled men determine to take the matter into their hands, and act out in mobs, what they know are the principles of a large majority of those who are too high in Church and State to condescend to mingle with them, though they secretly approve and rejoice over their violent measures. The first martyr who ever died, was stoned by a lawless mob; and if we look at the rise of various sects – Methodists, Friends, &c. – we shall find that mobs began the persecution against them, and that it was not until after the people had thus spoken out their wishes, that laws were framed to fine, imprison, or destroy them. Let us, then, be prepared for the enactment of laws even in our Free States, against Abolitionists. And how ardently has the prayer been breathed, that God would prepare us for all he is preparing for us; that he would strengthen us in the hour of conflict, and cover our heads (if consistent with his holy will) in the day of battle! But O! how earnestly have I desired, not that we may escape suffering, but that we may be willing to endure unto the end. If we call upon the slave-holder to suffer the loss of what he calls property, then let us show him we make this demand from a deep sense of duty, by being ourselves willing to suffer the loss of character, property – yea, and life itself, in what we believe to be the cause of bleeding humanity.

My mind has been especially turned towards those, who are standing in the fore front of the battle; and the prayer has gone up for their preservation – not the preservation of their lives, but the preservation of their minds in humility and patience, faith, hope, and charity – that charity which is the bond of perfectness. If persecution is the means which God has ordained for the accomplishment of this great end, EMANCIPATION; then, in dependence upon Him for strength to bear it, I feel as if I could say, LET IT COME; for it is my deep, solemn, deliberate conviction, that this is a cause worth dying for. I say so, from what I have seen, and heard, and known, in a land of slavery, where rests the darkness of Egypt, and where is found the sin of Sodom. Yes! LET IT COME – let us suffer, rather than insurrections should arise.

At one time, I thought this system would be overthrown in blood, with the confused noise of the warrior; but a hope gleams across my mind, that our blood will be spilt, instead of the slave-holders’; our lives will be taken, and theirs spared – I say a hope, for all things I desire to be spared the anguish of seeing our beloved country desolated with the horrors of a servile war. If persecution can abolish slavery, it will also purify the Church; and who that stands between the porch and altar, weeping over the sins of the people, will not be willing to suffer, if such immense good will be accomplished. Let us endeavor, then, to put on the whole armor of God, and, having done all, to stand ready for whatever is before us.

I have just heard of Dresser’s being flogged: it is no surprise it all; but the language of our Lord has been sweetly revived – “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” O! for a willingness and strength to suffer! But we shall have false brethren now, just as the Apostles had, and this will be one of our greatest griefs.

A. E. GRIMKÉ.

– Published in The Liberator, Boston, Massachusetts, Saturday, September 19, 1835

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, April 26, 1863

CAMP BEFORE VICKSBURG, April 26, 1863.

My Dear Brother:

To-morrow I start with my corps to bring up the rear of the movement against Grand Gulf, and, maybe, Jackson, Miss. I feel in its success less confidence than in any similar undertaking of the war, but it is my duty to co-operate with zeal, and I shall endeavor to do it. ...

Grant came down by river, and his entire army, about seventy thousand, is now near here, but the whole country is under water, save little ribands of alluvial ground along the main Mississippi and all parallel bayous. One month ago my proposition was to fall back upon our original plan, modified by the fact that Yazoo River could be entered by its head and could be used as far down as Greenwood, which is the mouth of Yolobusha. If our gunboats could have passed that point, a real substantial advantage would have been gained, for it would have enabled the army to pass the Yolobusha, whereas now it is a serious obstacle like the Rappahannock, and will have to be fought for. . . .

McClernand’s corps marched from Milliken's Bend along a narrow road to Carthage. McPherson has followed, and I start to-morrow. Sixty thousand men will thus be on a single road, narrow, crooked, and liable to become a quagmire on the occurrence of a single rain. We hope to carry ten days’ rations with us. Seven iron-clad gunboats and seven transports have run the Vicksburg batteries; with these we can reach Grand Gulf below the mouth of Black River, whence there is a road to Raymond sixty-five miles, and Jackson. The destruction of this road isolates Vicksburg. Now if we can sustain the army it may do, but I know the materials or food, forage or ammunition, cannot be conveyed on that single precarious road. Grant has been opening a canal from the Mississippi to Willow Bayou, three miles, and Willow Bayou roundaway and Bayou Vidal form a connected channel for forty-seven miles, terminating at Carthage, but it is crooked, narrow, and full of trees. Large working parties are employed in removing trees, but at best it is only calculated that it can be used by scows drawn by small steam tugs. It is not even contemplated that the smallest transports can navigate it. The canal itself is far from being done. I went through it yesterday in a small boat, and estimate it will take one month to give it eight feet of water with the present stage, but the water in the river is now falling rapidly. We count on another rise in June from the Missouri, but these rises are accidental and may or not come. The great difficulty will be to support an army operating from Grand Gulf. ...

Between the two choices open to him I far prefer Grenada. One is sure and natural, the other is difficult and hazardous in the extreme. There is no national or political reason why this army should be forced to undertake unnecessary hazard. It is far in advance of Hooker, Rosecrans, or Curtis. We have done far more than either of these armies, but have encountered more calumny and abuse than all. . . .

Banks is afraid even to attempt Port Hudson, and from all I can hear is more likely to be caged up in New Orleans than to assist us against Vicksburg. . . .

Affectionately your brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 201-3

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

We arrived at Jefferson City about daylight. Our regiment came together here this morning after being separated since the 22d of last December. We left for St. Louis about 8 a. m., our train being made up of almost every kind of car known, and arrived about 3 p. m. We went aboard the “Great Western.”

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 36

A Great Telescope

Mr. Alvan Clark, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has constructed an achromatic telescope, said to be the largest in the world.  The glass has a focal distance of 23 feet, and a diameter of 18 inches.  The glass revolves the sextuple star Theta, on Orionis, which is regarded as a severe test.  Mr. Tuttle of the Boston Society of Natural History, tells that further has been disclosed by it.

“The telescope was then directed to the bright star Sirius, the most brilliant star in the whole heavens, and popularly known as the ‘Dog Star.’  All eyes eagerly sought for the minute companion star which Mr. Clark had discovered of his first directing the telescope to that star.  It required but little time for those accustomed to look at minute telescopic objects to discern the little stranger hovering close within the dazzling rays of the brilliant Sirius, and almost exactly following it in right ascension.  Its minute, tremulous light, when once caught by the eye, was easily kept in view, and as the star ascended in altitude, became still better seen.  In piont of brilliancy, it does not differ greatly from the well known ‘sixth star in the trapezium’ of Orion.”

This telescope has removed both difficulties of spherical and chromatic aberration, and shows the images of the stars as round uniform disks, without any wings or wisps of light distorting their aspect.

Since the discovery of the companion of Sirius by Mr. Clark, Prof. Bond of the Harvard Observatory has seen it with his refractory telescope.  He says:

“The low altitude of Sirius in this latitude, even when on the Meridian, makes it very difficult to catch sight of the companion, on account of atmospheric disturbances; when the images are tranquil, however, it is readily seen.  It must be regarded as the best possible evidence  of the superior quality of the object glass, that it has served to discover this minute star so close to the overpowering brilliancy of Sirius.  A defect in the material of workmanship would be very sure to cause a dispersion of light, which would be fatal to its visibility.

It remains to be seen whether this will prove to be the hitherto invisible body long disturbing the motions of Sirius, the existence of which has long been surmised from the investigations of Bessel and Peters upon the irregularities of its proper motion in right ascension.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Cotton And Its Worshippers

The Richmond Congress is puzzled what to do about cotton.  Mr. Brown, of Mississippi, proposes to make it a criminal offence for a planter to grow more than three bales for his family and one bale for each of his field hands.  He though that without some strict prohibitions “a large class of grasping Shylocks” (Southern planters and gentlemen called Shylocks) would certainly go on planting cotton in the hope to make a great profit.

It is a curious comment on the loud professions in favor of free trade and State-rights, that Mr. Brown’s resolution, levying a tax of forty dollars per ball on all cotton grown beyond a certain amount – a flagrant interference with the course of trade, and, as Mr. Hunter remarked, an unconstitutional interference with the States – received in the Confederate Senate nine votes out of twenty, counting the mover, who did not vote.

Mr. Semmes, of Louisiana, said, in the course of the debate, that he “had long since abandoned the idea that cotton is king.  We have tested the powers of King Cotton and found him wanting.”  Mr. Barnwell, of South Carolina, seemed of a similar opinion.  He said:  “We must have a monopoly of the market.  We begin to find out we have not a monopoly, that cotton can be produced elsewhere.”  The planters are evidently awakening to the fact that they are not yet masters of the civilized world. – {National Intelligencer.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Jefferson's Prophesy

President Jefferson’s instincts were known to be against human slavery.  From Edmond Bacon’s new work on Jefferson appears the following prophesy:

“No servants ever had a kinder master than Jefferson’s.  He did not like slavery.  I have heard him talk a great deal about it.  He always though it a bad system.  I have heard him prophesy that we should have just such trouble with it as we are having now.”

Similar prediction[s] have been made by nearly all the founds of the republic.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

To The Public

In the month of August, I issued proposals for publishing ‘THE LIBERATOR’ in Washington city; but the enterprise, though hailed in different sections of the country, was palsied by public indifference.  Since that time, the removal of the Genius of Universal Emancipation to the Seat of Government has rendered less imperious the establishment of a similar periodical in that quarter.

During my recent tour for the purpose of exciting the minds of the people by a series of discourses on the subject of slavery, every place that I visited gave fresh evidence of the fact, that a greater revolution in public sentiment was to be effected in the free states – and particularly in New England – than at the south.  I found contempt more bitter, opposition more active, detraction more relentless, prejudice more stubborn, and apathy more frozen, than among slave owners themselves.  Of course, there were individual exceptions to the contrary.  This state of things afflicted, but did not dishearten me.  I determined, at every hazard, to lift up the standard of emancipation in the eyes of the nation, within sight of Bunker Hill and in the birth place of liberty.  That standard is now unfurled; and long may it float, unhurt by the spoliations of time or the missiles of a desperate foe – yea, till every chain be broken, and every bondman set free!  Let southern oppressors tremble – let their secret abettors tremble – let their northern apologist tremble – let all the enemies of the persecuted blacks tremble.

I deem the publication of my original Prospectus* unnecessary, as it has obtained a wide circulation.  The principles therein inculcated will be steadily pursued in this paper, excepting that I shall not array myself as the political partisan of any man.  In defending the great cause of human rights, I wish to derive the assistance of all religions and of all parties.

Assenting to the ‘self-evident truth’ maintained in the American Declaration of Independence, ‘that all men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights – among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’ I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population.  In Park-street Church, on the Fourth of July, 1829, in an address on slavery, I unreflectingly assented to the popular but pernicious doctrine of gradual abolition.  I seize this opportunity to make a full and unequivocal recantation, and thus publicly to ask pardon of my God, of my country, and of my brethren the poor slaves for having uttered a sentiment so full of timidity, injustice and absurdity.  A similar recantation, from my pen, was published in the Genius of Universal Emancipation at Baltimore, in September 1829.  My conscience is now satisfied.

I am aware, that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity?  I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice.  On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation.  No! no!  Tell a man whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; – but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present.  I am in earnest – I will not equivocate – I will not excuse – I will not retreat a single inch – AND I WILL BE HEARD.  The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal, and to hasten the resurrection of the dead.

It is pretended, that I am retarding the cause of emancipation by the coarseness of my invective, and the precipitancy of my measures.  The charge is not true.  On this question my influence, --- humble as it is, --- is felt at this moment to a considerable extent, and shall be felt in the coming years --- not perniciously, but beneficially – not as a curse, but as a blessing; and posterity will bear testimony that I was right.  I desire to thank God, that he enables me to disregard ‘the fear of man which bringeth a snare,’ and to speak this truth in its simplicity and power.  And here I close with this fresh dedication:

‘Oppression!  I have seen thee, face to face,

And met thy cruel eye and cloudy brow;

But thy soul-withering glance I fear not now–

For dread to prouder feelings doth give place

Of deep abhorrence!  Scorning the disgrace

Of slavish knees that at thy footstool bow,

I also kneel – but with far other vow

Do hail thee and thy herd of hirelings base:–

I swear, while life-blood warms my throbbing veins,

Still to oppose and thwart, with heart and hand,

Thy brutalising sway – till Afric's chains

Are burst, and Freedom rules the rescued land,–

Trampling Oppression and his iron rod:

Such is the vow I take – SO HELP ME GOD!’

WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON

BOSTON, January 1, 1831.

__________

* I would here offer my grateful acknowledgments to those editors who so promptly and generously inserted my Proposals.  They must give me an available opportunity to repay their liberality.

– Published in The Liberator, Boston Massachusetts, Saturday, January 1, 1831, p. 1

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, April 23, 1863

CAMP BEFORE VICKSBURG, April 23, 1863.

Dear Brother:

I have noticed in the Conscript Act the clauses which empowered the President to consolidate the ten companies of a regiment into five, when the aggregate was below one-half the maximum standard, and to reduce the officers accordingly. Had I dreamed that this was going to be made universal, I should have written you and begged you for the love of our ruined country to implore Lincoln to spare us this last and fatal blow. Two years of costly war have enabled the North to realize the fact that by organized and disciplined armies alone can she hope to restore the old and found a new empire. We had succeeded in making the skeletons of armies, eliminating out of the crude materials that first came forth the worthless material, and had just begun to have some good young colonels, captains, sergeants and corporals. And Congress had passed the Conscript Bill, which would have enabled the President to fill up these skeleton regiments full of privates who soon, from their fellows, and with experienced officers, would make an army capable of marching and being handled and directed. But to my amazement comes this order. . . . This is a far worse defeat than Manassas. Mr. Wade, in his report to condemn McClellan, gave a positive assurance to the army that henceforth, instead of fighting with diminishing ranks, we should feel assured that the gaps made by the bullet, by disease, desertion, &c., would be promptly filled, whereas only such parts of the Conscript Law as tend to weaken us are enforced, viz.: 5 per cent for furlough and 50 per cent of officers and non-commissioned officers discharged to consolidate regiments. Even Blair is amazed at this. He protests the order cannot be executed, and we should appeal to Mr. Lincoln, whom he still insists has no desire to destroy the army. But the order is positive and I don't see how we can hesitate. Grant started to-day down to Carthage, and I have written to him, which may stave it off for a few days, but I tremble at the loss of so many young and good officers, who have been hard at work for two years, and now that they begin to see how to take care of soldiers, must be turned out. . . .

If not too late, do, for mercy’s sake, exhaust your influence to stop this consolidation of regiments. Fill all the regiments with conscripts, and if the army is then too large disband the regiments that prefer to serve north of the Potomac and the Ohio. Keep the war South at all hazards. If this Consolidation Law is literally enforced, and no new draft is made, this campaign is over. And the outside world will have a perfect right to say our Government is afraid of its own people. . . .

Affectionately yours,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 199-200

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

Had a cold rain all day. There was no church for us today. The quartermaster with a detail of men loaded some of the supplies on open cars, the wagons being taken apart and loaded. The mules and horses were put in the stock cars. The cars came for us about 9 p. m. and we finished loading about midnight and left for Jefferson City, some of the men in box cars and others in open cars with the baggage.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 36

A Decided Mistake

The fire-eating seceders believed without doubt that the General Government was powerless to put down the rebellion.  Through Cobb, Floyd, Thompson, and Toncey, they had done all they could to make it impotent, and they fancied they had succeeded.  It was under this mistake that the confederates undertook more than they had power to achieve – the Federal Government was powerless.

Had Mr. Lincoln been less resolute than he was, their chances would have been better. – Had their revolutionary plot succeeded in the assassination of Mr. Lincoln on his way to the capital, and the seizure of the treasury and archives of the Government, their cherished enterprise would have been half achieved on the 4th of March 1861.  If those in the North who had pledged their aid, had been able as they were willing, to redeem those pledges, the rebellion might have attained at least a temporary triumph.

How they regarded the ability of the Federal Government may be seen in the following passage for the Charleston Mercury, a little more than a year ago:

“The coercive power of the Federal Government, so long vaunted as adequate to suppress the secession of a State, is rapidly proving itself to be – what  it has long been supposed and said to be – a wretched humbug – a scarecrow – a dirty bundle of red rags and old clothes!” – {St. Louis Democrat.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Horace Maynard Makes A Prophecy And Keeps A Promise

Mr. Maynard spoke but a few minutes and made a reference to a prophecy made by him in the dark days when he and Johnson worked together at Washington for the redemption of the State.  He said that once he attempted to cheer the Governor in an hour of despondency, by promising to be with him in the spring at Nashville – to walk with him to the capitol – to sit by his side, and listen to him tell the people of Tennessee there assembled, that right and justice should be maintained and traitors punished. – He said he had sat there – had listened to that speech, and had applauded it as a well considered effort.  The promise had been kept, the prophecy fulfilled, and he, (Mr. Maynard) returned to duties at Washington, from which had had been called away. – {Nashville Cor. Cincinnati Gazette.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3