The River Batteries: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

C. S. A.

THE RIVER BATERIES

CAPTAIN JOSEPH DIXON (KILLED)

CAPTAIN CACOB CULBERTSON

COMMANDER

The Lower Water Battery established at this point mounted eight 32-pounder guns and one 10-inch Columbiad.  Company A, 50th Tennessee, under Captain T. W. Beaumont, manned the four guns on the right, and Company A, 30th Tennessee, under Captain. B. G. Bidwell, manned the four guns on the left.  A detachment of Captain Reuben R. Ross’ Battery of Maury Artillery under Lieutenant H. S. Bedford operated the Columbiad, which was emplaced on the extreme left.

On February 13, 1862, this battery engaged in a duel with the U.S.S. Carondelet.  Near the close of the bombardment, which lasted nearly an hour, a projectile struck and disabled the third gun from the left and killed Captain Joseph Dixon, Commander of the river batteries.  It also disabled for a short time Captain J. B. Shuster, and killed and wounded two or three privates.

Soldiers' Aid Society

The members of this Society are requested to bear in mind that this being the first Tuesday in the month, when according to a resolution lately passed, each member whose name is registered is expected to pay into the treasury a certain sum, all are desired to be present at the meeting of the Society this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Odd Fellows’ Hall.  Those patriotic ladies whose names are not on the book, and are not able to give their time, and feel interested in the welfare of the sick soldiers of Iowa are earnestly invited to contribute their monthly mite, that we may have the means of continuing our labors for the solders’ benefit.

BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Meteorological Observations

(Under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution)

Made at Griswold College, Davenport

BY WM. P. DUNWOODY.

Latitude 41.30. North – Longitude 13.30. west – Height above the sea, 737 feet.

Date	Barometer			Thermometer			Snow
	7 A.M.	2 P.M.	9 P.M.	7 A.M.	2 P.M.	9 P.M.
Jan. 27	23.34	29.22	29.19	24	30	30
Jan. 28	29.14	29.19	29.22	32	31	15
Jan. 29	29.40	29.42	29.45	0	5	-7
Jan. 30	29.46	29.45	29.45	-13	4	3
Jan. 31	29.24	29.19	[29.18]	12	13	19
Feb. 1	29.48	29.50	29.55	-10	2	-7
Feb. 2	29.57	29.56	29.41	-14	5	11

Mean height of Barometer, 29.30 inches; mean Temperature, [22] degrees; mean amount of clouds 5; general direction of winds, N. W.  On the 27th light snow fell during the morning & evening vary damp, with frequent flashes of lightning.  Drizzling rain during the 28th.  Light snow during the afternoon of the 30th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, July 21, 1862

It is very warm and dusty today. There are some fine orchards around Corinth and the apples and peaches are beginning to ripen now. Fresh fruit will help out our rations and add freshness and variety.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 58

Review: The Civil War, The Second Year Told By Those Who Lived It

The Civil War:

The Second Year Told By Those Who Lived It

Edited by Stephen Sears

“The Civil War: The Second Year Told By Thos Who Lived It,” is the second volume in The Library of America’s four volume series of first person accounts from America’s bloodiest war.  Covering the second year of the war, this volume spans from January 1862 to January 1863, and much like its preceding first volume it covers the war from nearly every conceivable vantage: Union and Confederate; North and South; the Eastern and the Western Theaters; men and women; civilians, soldiers and politicians; slaves, free blacks, abolitionists and slaveholders.

Culled from thousands of newspaper articles, diaries and journals, letters, memoirs and official documents, editor Stephen Sears, has collected the richest historical documents and presented them chronologically.  Separately, each document is a historical artifact; together they are a sometimes poignant, often dramatic, portrait of the war’s second year.

Nearly panoramic in its scope, “The Civil War: The Second Year Told By Thos Who Lived It,” covers such notable events as the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, the Battle of Pea Ridge, the battle of Hampton Roads (USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia), The Battle of Shiloh, the fall of New Orleans, the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles, the Battle of Antietam, and the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Perryville, Chickasaw Bayou, and Stones River.

Abraham Lincoln’s evolving views on the subject are clearly shown through these original documents:  from Lincoln’s March 6th, 1862 Message to Congress about compensated emancipation to his Message to Congress on April 16th on the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia; from Lincoln’s revoking of General David Hunter’s emancipation order on May 19th to his appeal to the border state representatives on July 12th for compensated emancipation of the slaves; from the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation on July 22, to his August 14th address on colonization; from his reply to Horace Greeley’s “The Prayer of Twenty Millions” on August 22nd to the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22nd; and finally his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863.  The fact that this second volume of the series begins with Frederick Douglass’s essay “What Shall Be Done with the Slaves if Emancipated?” and ends with the Emancipation Proclamation is a theme that should not be missed.

Among other notable inclusions is Robert E. Lee’s “Special Orders No. 191,” the “lost order” of the Maryland Campaign.  Though, one curious omission is the Horace Greeley’s open letter to Abraham Lincoln, “The Prayer of Twenty Millions.”

Among those whose documents are included in this volume are of course Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, United States Generals George B. McClellan, Lew Wallace, Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, David Hunter, John Pope, Henry W. Halleck, Alpheus S. Williams, George G. Meade, and Ambrose Burnside; Confederate Generals Braxton Bragg, Richard Taylor, Robert E. Lee and Edward Porter Alexander; Diarists John B. Jones, Kate Stone, Charles B. Hayden, Judith W. McGuire, George Templeton Strong, James Richmond Boulware, Charles B. Labruzan, Orville H. Browning and Cyrus F. Boyd; political figures Gideon Welles, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, John Hay, Charles Sumner, Charles Francis Adams and Francis Preston Blair; literary figures Julia Ward Howe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Dickinson , Herman Melville, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman and Louisa May Alcott; Frederick Douglass, Clara Barton and Sam Watkins, author of “Co. Aytch”

Mr. Sears has included a brief introductory paragraph, placing the document that follows in its proper historical context, and giving additional information wherever warranted.  The documents themselves are a view into the historical past, given to us by those who witnessed the events they themselves wrote about.  Most often only briefly referenced in history books, the ability to read the whole document gives its reader a sense of immediacy that cannot be gotten any other way.

ISBN 978-1598531442, Library of America, © 2012, Hardcover, 936 pages, Maps, Chronology, Biographical Notes, Note on the Texts, Notes & Index. $40.00.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Review: The American President, A Complete History

The American President: A Complete History

By Kathryn Moore

Since 1789 forty-three men have held the office of President of the United States.  Their personalities, backgrounds, and biographies vary widely between them.  Each defined the role of President for himself.  Some were successful while others were not.  A few have ascended to greatness while others are largely forgotten by the modern American public.  Four have been assassinated and four died while in office.  Some have ridden through the calm waters of peace while others have steered through the turbulent seas of war.  All have in some way shaped and influenced the destiny of The United States.  Their stories are American stories.  Their biographies are American history.  To get a firm grasp on American history it is essential that you have an understanding of the lives of the men who became President.

Kathryn Moore’s “The American President: A Complete History” is nothing less than the ultimate guide to the Presidents.  Her 688 page tome contains complete biographies of the 43 men who have held the office of President of the United States.

Presented in chronological order from George Washington to Barack Obama; each biography is accompanied by a full page portrait on the left, while its opposing page lists the biographical facts of each President: birth and death dates and places, religion, higher education, profession, military service, family (mother, father, wife and children), political life (all political offices held), and presidency (number of terms, party, reason for leaving office & Vice President).  On the following pages is a narrative biography of each President.  In the margins of each president’s biographical sketch are: a list of his cabinet members, presidential trivia, Supreme Court Appointments, State of the Union (population, national debt, states admitted to the Union, number of states in the Union).  Colored boxes appear frequently throughout the book highlighting significant laws which were passed and events that happened during each presidency.  At the bottom of each page runs a time line of American and world events which place each presidency within the context of its time.  End notes are located at the end of each biographical sketch.

“The American President: A Complete History” is exhaustively researched, well written and easily read.  By itself, Ms. Moore’s book is a treasury of presidential information and is a must have for scholars of American history.  It is a perfect companion book to the History Channel documentaries, “The Presidents,” and “Ultimate Guide to the Presidents.” 

ISBN 978-1435146020, Fall River, Revised and Updated Edition, © 2013, Paperback, 688 pages, 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.7 inches, Photographs, Illustrations, End Notes & Index. $19.95.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Des Moines Correspondence

DES MOINES, Jan. 31.

This has been a day for the introduction of business and for instructing the committees.  Once in a while a good portion of the daily session will be taken up in passing resolutions of instructions.

In the House, Mr. Wetherall offered a resolution instructing the committee on constitutional amendments to inquire into the expediency of so amending the Constitution as to prevent the ingress of negroes and mulatoes [sic] into the State.  It is a continuation of the subject introduced yesterday, only it comes in a different form.  The resolution was quickly tabled.

Mr. Kellogg offered a resolution instructing the committee on charitable institutions to inquire into the expediency of removing the Deaf and Dumb Asylum from Iowa City to this place.  The lease of the building now occupied is nearly expired, and hence before any building is erected or another one leased, is the time to change, if at all.  The expense attending the removal would we trifling, since it is not intended, as one bright member supposed, to move the building up here.  If then, this is the place for the institution to be located, now is the time to provide for its removal.  There is a set of men who favor the location of these State institutions in different parts of the State.  They argue that the State at large is benefited by this distribution.  I cannot see how Davenport or any of the river towns is benefited by the location of this Asylum at Iowa City.  In reality, it is only the town in which such institution is located that is benefited, and in many instances the benefit conferred even upon a one-horse town is but trifling.  And, since each city cannot have a State institution located within its limits, all that are without the pale of their influence are losing by their being located away from the Capital.  Were they here, their condition and wants could be investigated at each session of the Legislature without heavy expenses to the State.  At present the appointment of an investigating committee is synonymous with a heavy knock at the door of the treasury.  During the last regular session two of these committees were appointed, one to visit the Insane Asylum, and the other the Penitentiary.  The amount paid out of the treasury to these committees for expenses, etc., was not far from $1,500.  And when these committees return and make a report, the members frequently know no better than before what course to pursue.  It is now proposed to send committees again to these institutions.  If such institutions are under the fostering care of the Sate, especially charitable institutions, were all located at the Capital, the members could at their leisure examine into their condition, wants, etc., and be prepared to legislate intelligently on the subject.  The state at large would be a great gainer by this plan.

The House has passed a few bills to-day. – Among them is one repealing the law creating the office of Commissioner of Emigration in the City of New York.  A second one related to Life Insurance Companies.  It make it unlawful for any such company, incorporated by another State, to do business within this State unless possessed of an actual capital of $100,000.

In the Senate Mr. Smith introduced a bill making liquor venders responsible for damages or losses incurred by any party through the intoxication of any person or persons. – This is capital.  I hope it will become a law.  It taxes the right parties for the support of drunkards and their families.  Intemperance is a costly vice, and let those who reap the profits pay the expenses.  This is but fair.

A usury bill has been introduced into that body.  It makes 6 per cent. the highest legal rate of interest.  The policy of this is questionable.  Money will sell for what it is worth.  If I wish money to invest when I see a clear return of 25 per cent., I will pay 15 per cent. for the money without any hesitation.  It is worth that to me, and more too.  The law can’t prevent me from paying it, neither can it prevent any creditor from collecting it.  If I say – one year after date I promise to pay Mr. So-and-so $115, for value received – when I only received of him $100, I evade the law and do not make a misstatement, providing the last named sum is worth to me to-day what the former one would be at the end of the year.  I know there are objections to letting money take the course of merchandise to be sold or loaned according to present value.  These objections will doubtless be presented by favorers of this bill.

To-day the stamp act went into effect.  This morning the members of the House were crowding around the clerk’s desk, like children around their presents on Christmas morning.  On examining the matter I found that the postage stamps were being distributed according to the provisions of the recent act on that subject.  Never before have I seen a sober set of men inaugurate a custom so ill suited to their wants, so inconvenient in every respect, so poorly calculated to accomplish the object aimed at as this same stamp act, which was hatched in the Senate and nursed in the house.  It has created no little amusement to-day and will be a constant annoyance so long as it lasts.

J. R. C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, July 20, 1862

No news of importance. The weather is very hot. We had company inspection this morning, after which, because of the intense heat, the men remained in their tents. None were out during the day except those detailed on duty.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 58

XXXVIIth Congress – First Session

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.

SENATE. – Mr. Wade presented a joint resolution from the Legislature of Ohio, instructing members of Congress to use their efforts to secure such amendment of the naturalization laws as well grant naturalization to those of foreign birth who serve during the war.

Mr. Wade also introduced a resolution for a national armory in Ohio.  Passed.

Mr. Chandler presented resolutions from the Legislature of Michigan, re-affirming loyalty to the government and hatred of traitors, and asking the government to speedily put down the insurrection; favoring the confiscation of the property of rebels, and asking that as slavery is the cause of the war it be swept from the land.

Mr. Harris presented a petition from citizens of New York, asking that Congress take speedy measures to repeal the present reciprocity treaty between Canada and the United States.

Mr. Harris also presented resolutions from the Legislature of New York, asking a modification of the law for raising revenue so that any amount may be raised by any State, by any mode of taxation except duties on imports; that each State be allowed to assume the amount of tax and assess for the payment and the collection of the same, according to its own laws and by its own officers.  Referred.

Mr. Pomeroy offered a resolution asking the Secretary of War for all orders relative to the force in the military command of Kansas, and whether the same be commanded by Gen. Lane, and whether any change has been made in the military orders since Gen. Lane left the Senate and took charge of the force, and whether Gen. Hunter’s order already published is in accordance with the orders of the War Dept.  Laid over.

Mr. Chandler offered a resolution that the committee on commerce inquire in the expediency of immediately notifying Great Britain that the reciprocity treaty is not reciprocal, and that it be terminated at the earliest possible moment.  Laid over.

Mr. Simmons, from the committee on patents, reported back the joint resolution appropriating $3,000 for the purchase of cotton seed for general distribution, with an amendment appropriating $1,000 for the purchase of tobacco seed.  Amendment adopted, and the resolution passed.

Mr. Anthony offered a resolution that the [committee] on patents inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation to aid in the experiment of manufacturing flax as a substitute for cotton.  Adopted.

Mr. Johnson moved to take up the bill providing for the construction of a military RR through the States of Kentucky and Tennessee.  Disagreed to.

Mr. Cowan offered a joint resolution relative to the lake and river defences of Pa.  Referred.

After executive session adjourned.

HOUSE. – Mr. Lovejoy offered the following:

Whereas, It has been learned by this House that five Illinois regiments did, on learning the contents of the report of Sec. Cameron, lay down their arms in token of their refusal to fight for the same; therefore

Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war inquire into the alleged fact, and report the same to Congress.

Mr. Fouke desiring to discuss the subject, it went over under the rules.

On motion of Mr. Baker, it was resolved that the committee on Post Offices and post roads be requested to inquire into the propriety of establishing, by law, a system for the free receipt and delivery, by postmen, of all mail matter in cities containing upwards of 10,000 inhabitants, in conformity with the admirable and economical Post Office system of the principal cities of Europe.

The House then proceeded to act on the Senate’s amendment to the House bill making appropriation for completing the defences of Washington, which amendment provides that no volunteers or militia in any State shall be mustered into service on any ground or condition and confined within the limits of any State or vicinity; and if any volunteers or militia have thus been mustered into service, they shall be discharged.

Running discussions followed, in which it was maintained on one side that Home Guards were necessary in Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland, official provision having already been made to that end; and on the other, that no troops had a right to ask for special privileges, but all should be placed on the same footing.  The House finally disagreed to the above Senate amendment by a vote of 55 against 86.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the Treasury note bill.

Mr. Vallandigham made a speech on the subject.

Adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

TOLEDO, Feb. 3, [1862]

Lieut. Waterman, U. S. A., stopping at the Oliver House in this city, shot himself on Feb. 1st and is supposed to be mortally wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, July 19, 1862

Everything is very quiet. With the exception of a few cases, the health of the men in camp is generally good. But the men are becoming restless. All would rather be in active service, for this camp service will never bring the war to a close.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 58

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, April 6 1864

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

NASHVILLE, TENN., April 6, 1864.

Dear Brother:

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Grant is as good a leader as we can find. He has honesty, simplicity of character, singleness of purpose, and no hope or claim to usurp civil power. His character, more than his genius, will reconcile armies and attach the people. Let him alone. Don't disgust him by flattery or importunity. Let him alone. . . . If bothered, hampered, or embarrassed, he would drop you all in disgust, and let you slide into anarchy. . . . Let us manage the whites and "niggers" and all the physical resources of the country, and apply them where most needed. Let us accomplish great results, leaving small ones to conform in due season. . . .

I have in hand three armies here, and one in Arkansas. All are in harmony, and all are willing to go and come at my bidding. I am also in perfect harmony with the civil authorities. I know their province and my own. I believe also our enemies have more respect for me than they have for Congress, so that I shall be ready with the spring. But I see with regret causes still at work North which should not be. States quarrelling about quotas, when we see their regiments here dwindling to mere squads. Absentees by the hundreds of thousands; and all efforts to get men, who have drawn large bounties and are drawing large pay still lingering at a safe distance, are vain, yet I hope that by the voluntary consent of the men themselves we shall have enough.

As our enemy fills his ranks by conscription, ours dwindle by sickness and furloughs. I am laboring hard to put all on the rolls into position, and still harder to put forward the stores on which they must feed as we advance. The country through which we have marched is cleared of all subsistence and forage, and everything must be sent forward by cars and wagons. It is estimated that there are now the carcasses of thirty thousand animals in the valley of the Tennessee. Not one cavalry soldier in ten has a horse, and on a recent visit to Schofield, out of forty-one thousand men who should have, I find but seven thousand in line of battle, but the furloughed men are returning, and I will see that by May 1st I have on the Tennessee one of the best armies in the world. You may look for the causes of these apparent incongruities not in the army, but among our people.

I shall be here about two weeks, and then to the front. Let me hear from you. I care no more for the squabbles about the Presidency than I do for the causes of the Schleswig-Holstein difficulty, and Grant cares still less. . . .

Your brother,

W. T. SHERMAN

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 225-7

From Missouri

TIPTON, MO., Jan 23.

The division under Gen. Davis has been much retarded by bad roads and swollen streams.  Wagons and artillery have sunk axel deep.  The Big Gravois, a stream ordinarily unimportant, was swollen beyond its banks, and occupied two days in crossing.  A sharp frost having set in on Thursday night the roads will now support teams, and if unimpeded by further obstacles the column will advance rapidly.

Gen. Prentiss with his command is advancing on Labanon, to combine with the forces under Gen. Davis.  Price though formidably menaced shows no signs of falling back, and from present appearances seems determined to give battle.  Should  he maintain his position, within two weeks Springfield will be the theatre of another bloody contest, such as has made that devoted place famous in the history of the war in Missouri.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3.

Advices received last night by train on the Pacific road state that the brigade of Gen. Davis was at Versailles, [Morgan] Co., Wednesday, proceeding, it is conjectured, to join Gen. Curtis at Labanon.

Gen. Palmer’s brigade at Laramie is reported under marching orders of Kentucky.

Gen. Sigel left Rolla yesterday for Lebanon.  The balance of his division will follow.

SEDALIA, Feb. 3.

A commission appointed for that purpose by Gen. Pope, have been sifting regiments at this point and discharging all unfit for service.

A column moved off to-day under Col. J. W. Fuller, of the 27th Ohio.

The telegram announcing the promotion of Col. Frank Steele to the rank of Brigadier General was received with great satisfaction by all troops here.  They believe him prompt, safe, appreciative and brave, and will follow him on the march on in the field with confidence and alacrity.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, July 18, 1862

The weather is very hot. Colonel Hare took the regiment out on the drill ground for battalion drill, but we remained out only a half hour, since four or five men were overcome with the heat and had to be taken back to their tents.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 58

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, Feb. 2.

A flag of truce was sent to Craney Island to-day, but it brought back no passengers or papers.

The crew of the rebel boat reported that heavy firing had been heard and Norfolk during the past two days.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

NEW YORK, Feb. 3.

The Tribune’s special stated that letters continue to be received from eminent bankers, favoring the “legal tender bill.”  There is no reason to believe that Gen. Butler was assured before he left Washington that he should have a Major General’s commission as well as the title.  He will land several brigades at a point on the Southern coast not now occupied by Union soldiers.  The capture will be more important than any yet made.

Secretary Stanton insisted that Butler should have what he wanted, although McClellan disapproved of it.

Fort Pulaski is now thoroughly invested.  Gen. Sherman has daily repots of all that is done there, and will take the place when he chooses to attack.

Time’s Dispatch

A movement is making here by members of Congress from the West and Northwest, headed by Frank Blair and Mr. Arnold to have Gen. Sigel made a Major General, and it will probably be successful.

Herald’s Dispatch

The select committee on the defence and fortifications of the great lakes and rivers are prepared to make a report.  They will recommend the erection of such fortifications at Mackinaw as will make it the Gibraltar, as it is nearly the key of our Northwestern frontier.  Their report will provide also for the establishment of a naval depot and National armory upon Lake Michigan, probably at or near Chicago, and that preparations to be immediately made for the accumulation of the necessary arms and munitions to arm the whole of the American vessels engaged in the commerce of the northern lakes.

It is estimated that there are in this trade 1,200 American vessels to 300 British and 15,000 American sailors to 3,000 British.  It is represented by the committee that the majority of the population of the loyal States is west of the Alleghany mountains; that the line of lake coast exceeds the whole length of our Atlantic coast, and that our commerce on the lakes is greater than our whole foreign trade.  To complete the defences and render communications with all parts of the Northwest secure form interruption by a foreign foe, it will also be recommended that a military railroad shall be immediately constructed from the mouth of the Menomonie River or Badenouquet, on Lake Michigan, to Marquette, on Lake Superior, and that a ship canal shall be built from Chicago to the Mississippi River.  It is said that these recommendations have the approval of Gen. McClellan.  The report will probably be made on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2

It is known that a number of Southern secessionists are in Canada, whose business is to collect money from sympathizing friends, and to forward and received dispatches from Europe, and place them in such secret channels that they may reach their ultimate destination.  It is not likely that such proceedings will be much longer continued.

Lieut. Col. Sir P. Windham, late commanding 2d brigade of the Italian army, has been appointed Colonel of the Michigan regiment of Lancers.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3

So vast an army has been martialed in this District, that no proper arrangements have been made for even a decent interment of those who die in our hospitals. – This matter is under consideration, and will receive the immediate attention of Congress.

The result of the examination recently instituted by telegraph interests shows that the number of messages transmitted over the lines during the past year was 2,800,000, yielding a total revenue of $15,220,000.  Should Congress in the next tax bill impose 3 cents on each message, a little over $84,000 would be realized from that source, or 5½ per cent. on the aggregate amount of business.

The following communication has been received at the Navy Department from Capt. John Marston, dated U. S. steamer Roanoke, Hampton Roads, Feb. 1st:

“I have the honor to report to you the arrival, during the past night of the bark Gemsbock, from Beaufort, N. C.  Capt. Coventry informs me that on Tuesday, 28th, he heard heavy firing in the rear of Beaufort, but he has no conjecture from when it proceeded.

“Capt. Coventry also reports that on Thursday, 30th Jan., at 9 o’clock in the morning, while off Roanoke Inlet, he heard heavy firing in the direction of Roanoke Island, which leaves no doubt in my mind that flag officer Goldsborough is at work.”

Representatives of the telegraphic interests now here, have suggested to the committee of ways and means their readiness to pay a tax on their messages and thus contribute to the support of the government.

The chairman of the ways and means committee, Mr. Stevens, will endeavor to bring the House to a vote on the Treasury bill on Thursday.

Representative Hooper’s speech to-day, was listened to with marked attention, it being considered a clear exposition of the views of the Treasury Department on the financial question.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, July 17, 1862

It rained all last night and everybody is thankful, as it has become so dry and dusty. There are a few cases of sickness in our regiment, due to the extremely hot weather — a few cases of typhoid fever and some are suffering from chronic diarrhea.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 57-8

Gun Positions: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

The four mounds in this section of the water batteries are some of the first structures built to defend the river.  The Confederates mounted three 32-pounder cannon here but moved them before the gunboat attack.  From this position they could not be effective against ironclads.

SOURCE: Interpretive Marker at Tour Stop 4, Fort Donelson National Battlefield (pictured at right).

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, March 26, 1864

Washington, D. C., March 26, 1864.

My Dear Brother:

Your movements have been so rapid of late that I scarcely knew where to address you. I have recently met with several officers who have been with you, among others General Grant and General Butterfield. General Grant is all the rage; he is subjected to the disgusting but dangerous process of being lionized. He is followed by crowds and is cheered everywhere. While he must despise the fickle fools who run after him, he, like most others, may be spoiled by this excess of flattery. He may be so elated as to forget the uncertain tenure upon which he holds and stakes his really well-earned laurels. I conversed with him but little, as I did not wish either to occupy his time or to be considered his flatterer. The opinion I form of him from his appearance is this, —  his will and common-sense are the strongest features of his character. He is plain and modest, and so far bears himself well. All here give him hearty co-operation, but an officer who does not like Halleck tells me that Halleck will ruin Grant with the President in sixty days, or on failure to do so will resign. . . .

We all here are disposed to take a hopeful view of the status in quo. The enormous Government bounties have been effective, but they are terribly severe on our finances. We can't forever endure such expenditures. Warning and caution to this danger are unheeded. Our people are so hopeful and energetic that they will bear more than any other. . . .

You are now in a position where any act of yours will command public attention. You will be unduly lauded and sharply abused. I hope you have seen enough of the base motives that dictate praise and blame to disregard both, but preserve the best of your judgment in utter disregard of flattery or clamor.

When any of your friends come to Washington, give them notes to me. I may be of service to them. At all events I like to see them.

Affectionately yours,

JOHN SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 224-5

From New York

NEW YORK, Feb. 1.

It is said that the first battalion of Massachusetts cavalry have left Annapolis for Port Royal.

The steamer Bavarian brought 2,000 cases arms, containing 4,000 sabres and over 45,000 stand of arms, equipments, &c.

Specials state that the Senate is in executive session on army appointments.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

LOUISVILLE, Feb. 3, [1862]

Capt. H. M. Fogg, of Nashville, a member of Zollicoffer’s staff, who was wounded near Somerset, is dead.  Maj. Cliff, surgeon of Somerset, is here and will be sent to Bowling Green on Tuesday, to be exchanged. – It is thought that Gen. Buell will arrange for the exemption of all surgeons from arrest hereafter.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, July 16, 1862

Our regiment went out on picket. I went on camp guard.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 57