We are sorry to see the effort making in several quarters . . .

. . . by the press in the interest of General McClellan, to charge his tardiness and the apparent want of vigor – his failure to fill the public expectation – upon other parties, and to causes other than the true one. Gen. McClellan’s plans have been interfered with and his strategy defeated – his army has been divided, troops have been withheld, &c., &c., by the Secretary of War and the President. So say the partisans of Gen. McClellan. As we understand it McClellan has one-third more troops than McDowell and Banks, combined – has chosen his own route to Richmond, and is progressing in his own way, aided by the federal iron clad gunboats, vessels of war and transports. That he has chosen the hardest and worst route is his fault – that he makes no progress can hardly be charged upon the Secretary of War or the President. Gen. Banks, with less than one-third his force is making his way to the Rebel Capital – overcoming all obstacles and driving the enemy before him. General McDowell’s small army, although but one-third as large as McClellan’s, has been reduced to reinforce the army at Yorktown – het McDowell is progressing. Our forces in every quarter and under every General in the field, save only General McClellan, are striking heavy and telling blows, which are fast destroying the rebellion. With the largest, best armed and best disciplined of all our armies, McClellan alone, of all our commanders, has not yet struck a blow. His friends, in charging his failure upon those who have kept him in command against the wish of Congress and the country, show base ingratitude and partisanship.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Edwin M. Stanton to Andrew Johnson, April 10, 1862

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 10, 1862.

Governor ANDREW JOHNSON, Nashville, Tenn.:

There has been unavoidable delay in fixing a proper place for your prisoners. You will send them to Detroit under guard with directions to turn them over to Captain Gibbs, in command there. They will be sent from there to Fort Mackinac, on Lake Huron. I rejoice at your energy and fair prospects.

EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 438

Lorenzo Thomas to Carlos A. Waite, April 10, 1862

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, April 10, 1862.

Col. C. A. WAITE, U.S. Army, Plattsburg, N. Y.:

The Secretary of War directs you to order one of the companies Third Cavalry now at Detroit to reoccupy Fort Mackinac. Instruct the commanding officer to receive and guard all prisoners of state sent to him from Tennessee.

L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 438

Lorenzo Thomas to Carlos A. Waite, April 14, 1862

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, April 14, 1862.

Col. C. A. WAITE, U. S. Army, Plattsburg, N. Y.:

The Secretary of War directs yon to proceed to Mackinac to arrange for the custody of state prisoners of war to be sent there from Tennessee. A company of volunteers goes there from Detroit.

L. THOMAS,
Adjutant- General.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 451

Grover S. Wormer to William Hoffman, May 15, 1862

Fort Mackinac, May 15, 1862.

Col. WILLIAM HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,
Commissary-General of Prisoners, Detroit.

DEAR SIR: I have been placed in command of this post with my company, Stanton Guards, for the purpose of guarding this post and state prisoners of war. I received per orders of Col. J. E. Smith, U. S. Army, Messrs. Barrow, Guild and Harding as prisoners of war. I would like some instructions in regard to the liberty, &c., that I am to extend to them. Col. C. A. Waite, U. S. Army, informs me that I am to receive my instructions from you.

Your obedient servant,

G. S. WORMER,
Captain, Commanding Stanton Guards.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 537

William Hoffman to Grover S. Wormer, May 24, 1862

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Detroit, Mich., May 24 1862.

Capt. G. S. WORMER, Commanding Fort Mackinac, Mich.

CAPTAIN: In reply to your letter of the 15th instant asking for instructions in relation to the prisoners of war in your charge I have to say that you may permit [them] to walk about the island as often during the week as the post surgeon may think necessary for their health, not oftener than every other day, provided they pledge themselves to hold no communication with any person whatever verbally or in writing nor to go beyond the limits you prescribe, and further that they will make no attempt directly or indirectly to escape.

You will limit the time during which they maybe absent from the fort to not over three hours per day. You may permit them to write and receive letters subject to your inspection to see that they contain nothing which it would be improper for a good loyal citizen to write, and you may allow them to receive books and newspapers. These privileges will be withheld for any improper conduct on the part of the prisoners. Any money sent to them by their friends must be held in your hands subject to their checks for such purchases as they may make. Give them receipts for any money you may retain and keep their accounts in a book subject to my inspection. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,
Lieut. Col. Eighth Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 591-2

William Hoffman to Grover S. Wormer, May 26, 1862

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Detroit, Mich., May 26, 1862.

Capt. G. S. WORMER, Commanding Fort Mackinac, Mich.

CAPTAIN: I think it advisable to add some further instructions to those given in my letter of the 24th instant. You should in the first place put your company in a perfect state of instruction and discipline by at least two — better three — drills a day, and by a close observance of all the garrison duties laid down in the Army Regulations. The duties prescribed for guards should be particularly observed and in every detail the Regulations should be as clearly adhered to as possible. From guard mounting until sunset the prisoners under your charge may have the limits of the interior of the fort, but during the remainder of the day (twenty-four hours) they must be confined to their quarters under surveillance of the guard, with such orders as to insure their safety. Until arrangements are perfected for their messing in their own quarters you will make such provisions for them as may be convenient consistent with their safety. When cooking utensils are furnished on the estimates already forwarded you may permit them to hire a man to cook for them who must give satisfactory evidence of his loyalty. Direct your quartermaster to purchase such cheap table furniture as may be absolutely necessary for their use. Permit them to purchase for themselves what articles for the table or furniture they please, but not liquors of any kind. While the prisoners are granted the freedom of the fort during the day they must be on their parole of honor not to attempt to escape nor to violate any rule you may prescribe for them. Withhold from them privileges of all kinds unless your orders are strictly complied with. Report to me by letter twice a month, on the 15th and the last day, the state of things at your post.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,
Lieut. Col. Eighth Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 598-9

Grover S. Wormer to William Hoffman, June 3, 1862

Fort Mackinac, [Mich.,] June 3,1862.

Col. W. HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,
Commissary-General of Prisoners, Detroit, Mich,

COLONEL: Yours of the 24th and 26th came duly to hand and contents noted. Your instructions shall be strictly adhered to and carried out. The prisoners which I have in my charge are Washington Barrow, William G. Harding and Joseph C. Guild, state prisoners of war sent from Tennessee. On my arrival here from Detroit I allowed them to go to the hotel to board and lodge, under guard of one sergeant and three men (and on parole), who guarded the house both day and night, and when they took a walk about the island they always went with them. About ten days ago their quarters were completed and since that time I have had them sleep and remain in the fort except to go to their meals, which I gave them one and a half hours to walk and take, which is equal to four and a half hours per day. They are always guarded by three armed men. I have received a cooking stove for the prisoners' quarters without furniture, not even a spider. I have this day bought what furniture will answer them, also some cheap table furniture, and will have the prisoners live in their quarters this week. They are very anxious to know whether they will be permitted to have their families here, which you will see by the inclosed note* addressed to me. I will write. I will do as you desired.

I remain, your obedient servant,

G. S. WORMER, Captain, Commanding Post.

* Not found.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 636

Carlos A. Waite to Lorenzo Thomas, June 3, 1862

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, Plattsburg, N.Y., June 3, 1862.

General L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General U.S. Army, Washington.

SIR: I have the honor to report that in compliance with the directions of the Secretary of War contained in a telegram (without date) received from you on the 15th of April last I have visited Fort Mackinac and made arrangements for the reception and safe-keeping of some fourteen or fifteen state prisoners of war. Two one-story buildings have been selected for their quarters. One was formerly used as a hospital and the other as quarters for officers. A hasty sketch† of the ground floor of these buildings herewith inclosed will show the space allowed for their accommodation. I also inclose a copy of my instructions to Captain Wormer, the officer in command of Fort Mackinac.

I am, general, with much respect, your obedient servant,

C. A. WAITE,
Colonel of First Infantry.

† Not found.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 634-5

Carlos A. Waite to Grover S. Wormer, May 25, 1862

FORT MACKINAC, May 25, 1862.

Capt. G. S. WORMER, Commanding Post of Fort Mackinac.

SIR: In addition to the ordinary duties of commanding officer of Fort Mackinac you are charged with the duty of guarding and safe-keeping Washington Barrow, William G. Harding and Joseph C Guild, citizens of Tennessee, state prisoners of war, now under your control, and it is enjoined upon you to adopt all such measures as may be necessary to retain these persons in your custody. For this purpose the company of volunteers under your command were mustered into the service of the United States. It is presumed that Colonel Hoffman, U.S. Army, commissary-general of prisoners, will give you all necessary instructions in relation to the manner the prisoners are to be treated, the restrictions to be placed on their intercourse with citizens, either personal or through the mail, and the liberty that may be allowed them to take exercise, &c.

I am, captain, with much respect, your obedient servant,

C. A. WAITE,
Colonel of First Infantry, Commanding District.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 635

1st Minnesota Battery Light Artillery Monument: The Hornet's Nest, Shiloh National Military Park

MINNESOTA


FIRST MINNESOTA BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY
CAPT. EMIL MUNCH
BRIG. GEN. B. M. PRENTISS’ DIVISION
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

ENGAGED FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING, WHEN CAPT. MUNCH WAS WOUNDED AND DISABLED, IN THE FIRST DAY’S BATTLE OF SHILOH, APRIL 6, 1862. THE RIGHT AND LEFT SECTIONS UNDER COMMAND OF 1ST LIEUT. WILLIAM PFAENDER PARTICIPATED IN THE STRUGGLE OF THE “HORNET’S NEST” WHERE THIS MONUMENT STANDS. THE TWO GUNS OF THE CENTER SECTION WERE DISABLED EARLY IN THE DAY, BUT ONE OF THEM TOOK PART IN THE EVENING IN REPELLING THE LAST CHARGE OF THE CONFEDERATES. CAPT. E. MUNCH AND 1ST LIEUT. F. E. PEEBLES WOUNDED; THREE MEN KILLED AND SIX MEN WOUNDED.

A Brave Regiment

The 44th Indiana Volunteers, Colonel H. B. Reed, of Fort Wayne, acted a conspicuous part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. They were in Gen. Lauman’s Brigade. They went into battle about 8 o’clock Sunday Morning, and after fighting all day rested on their arms during the night in a pelting rain without food or shelter. At 10 o’clock Sunday morning they were marched in support of Sherman’s Division and aided in driving the rebels from the field. During Sunday and Monday they fired over one hundred and sixty rounds of cartridges. At the close of his official report, addressed to Gen. Lauman, Col. Reed makes the following mention of the bravery of that officer, and of General Hurlbut commanding the Division:

“I cannot refrain from giving expression to my admiration of, and bearing testimony to the noble heroic manner in Which Gen. Hurlbut and yourself exposed your lives in your constant and unwearied efforts. Both of you were at all times to be seen at your posts directing the battle. No Generals, in my opinion, ever conducted a fight with greater ability or more bravery.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Review: War Like the Thunderbolt

War Like The Thunderbolt: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta
By Russell S. Bonds

In the introduction to his book, “Causes Won, Lost & Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know About the Civil War,” Gary Gallagher states that “More people have formed perceptions about the Civil War from watching ‘Gone With The Wind’ than from reading all the books written since Selznick’s blockbuster debuted in 1939.” While that is certainly true, it is even more so when talking about the fall and burning of Atlanta. So it seems only logical that author Russell S. Bonds, should choose to start the preface of his book, “War Like The Thunderbolt: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta”, with the filming of the burning of Atlanta for “Gone with the Wind.” Thus even before turning the first page of his magnificent tome, Mr. Bonds has succeeded resetting his readers expectations.

Though Mr. Bonds does an excellent job summarizing Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, “War Like The Thunderbolt,” is not a blow by blow account of that campaign, its battles or the military movements thereof, but instead, it is a sweeping narrative of the history of Atlanta, limited in its scope to the events in and around that embattled city from July to October of 1864.

The author also peppers the beginning of his narrative with brief biographical sketches of all the prominent players in the drama about to unfold, most notably William Tecumseh Sherman, Joseph E. Johnston and John Bell Hood. Once again Mr. Bonds has pushed his readers reset buttons, as he gives them a great analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each, and does not fall into the preconceptions of previous historians, but instead, he lets his readers come to their own conclusions.

The narrative of the battles around Atlanta is fair and balanced, and again Mr. Bonds declines to pass judgment on those events or their outcomes, but rather he gives the reader all the information they need to know to make their own judgments.

The heart of Mr. Bonds’ book is the city of Atlanta, so much so it is nearly a character itself. Even as Sherman’s army closes in around it, his narrative finger is always on the pulse of the city and what is happening within it. The author follows the city and its citizens closely during its siege and fall, its occupation, the expulsion of its citizens and its burning. Even after its near total destruction, and desertion by both armies, and in fact the end of the war itself, Mr. Bonds does not forget about Atlanta. Though its pulse was quieted in 1864 it was never completely gone. The city survived and in his final chapter Mr. Bonds tells of its recovery and rebirth.

Mr. Bonds, a lawyer in Atlanta, closes his book with a brief “Author’s Note: Atlanta’s Lost Battlefields” which ends with a bit of advice for his readers who may find themselves driving up and down Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro looking for the home of Scarlett O’Hara, “It’s not there, and never was.”

ISBN 978-1594161001, Westholme Publishing, © 2009, Hardcover, 544 pages, Photographs, Illustrations, Maps, Appendices, End Notes, Bibliography & Index, $29.95

Local Matters

RAIN. – Saturday evening we had the hardest rain of the week, which it was hoped would be the winding up shower of this spell of weather.

VETOED. – Subsequent to the adjournment of the Legislature, the Governor vetoed the bill providing for a reduction of salary, and the City Charter and University bills.

RAILROAD TIME TABLE. - The railroad superintendents were in session at New York last week to arrange the spring and summer time-table. The New tables will probably go into effect before the 1st of May.

DAVENPORT TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION. – A meeting of the Union will be held at the office of the Democrat & News, on Monday evening, April 14th, at 7 o’clock. All printers are requested to be present. By order of the President.

TWENTY little ladies met at the house of the editor Saturday, and scraped lint all the afternoon for our wounded soldiers. At these little sociable gatherings there is always great rivalry between the tongues and fingers of the young ladies.

PERSONALITIES. – We do like a good argument and a fair opponent, but for such personalities as ‘bully’ George of the Democrat treated the readers of that sheet on Saturday we have no stomach. We repeat all we said before, which is sufficient reply to his characteristic slang.

SHADE TREES. – Dr. Burtis set out, on Saturday, a number of shade trees, of elm, maple and mulberry. He has planted them in front of the lot, which he has recently purchased, in the rear of the Burtis House, on the corner of fourth and Iowa streets. Who will repeat the same experiment elsewhere?

WEATHER AND CROPS. – We have had a week of the most gloomy weather experienced her for many long months. Our farmers are disposed to complain at the poor prospects for good crops, but it is by no means too late yet to plow and sow wheat, and a few days of warm sunshine will put the ground in condition for cultivating. There have been seasons later than this, in which our farmers have raised good crops.

LAST WEEK was the dullest, gloomiest most anxious week our citizens have experienced for a long time. It was dull, because the rain and mud laid an embargo on farmers getting into town with their produce and citizens generally from doing their customary trading. Gloomy because cloudy or rainy all the time. The sun, we believe, didn’t show its face two consecutive hours during the whole week. Anxious because all were desirous to hear from our brave boys who had participated in the battle at Pittsburg.

FOR CALIFORNIA. – Mr. Chellison, of Ohio, has at the Pennsylvania House stable thirty-five horses, which he brought from Ohio with him recently. They are all fine, handsome animals, and are intended fro the California market Mr. C. takes a drove of horses over the plains every year, and will start soon with these horses and a lot of mules across this state and Nebraska for the same direction. He has usually crossed through Kansas, but last summer he narrowly escaped having his horses jayhawked, and he consequently comes this way now.

MARRIED. On the 9th inst., by Rev. I. N. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. SYLVESTER M. CLOSE and Miss EMMA M. BLACKMAN, all of this city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1

Home Traitors

A disposition was manifested by a few on the streets Saturday, to construe the victory at Pittsburg into a defeat. We have those among us, and it is a sad reflection on human nature, who in their hearts would have rejoiced had our troops been repulsed in that engagement. All over the North there are sympathizers with treason, and had the rebels been successful in establishing at the South a slave oligarchy, thousands would have left the North to enroll themselves under a government more suited to their depraved ideas. We have seen such in our city, though we cannot believe the number very large, but that there are such every word and action betrays it. It is a pity that these men could not have been singled out and placed in the Van of our regiments, and been forced for once to do duty to the country and the flag they so openly insult.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1

Telegraph Up The Tennessee

We learn that a telegraph line was completed on Friday last to Savannah, on the Tennessee river. This brings us about twenty-four hours nearer the scene of the great battle than before – an important reduction of space in this time of general anxiety and suspense.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1

Scott County . . .

. . . has six hundred men in the army ready to do and die for their country. – Des Moines Register.

Nearer one thousand, friend Palmer. She had almost six hundred in the battle at Pittsburg.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1

How Napoleon I Conciliated The Rebels

When, seventy years ago, the Roman people assisted by the French, threw off the yoke of their miserable government and proclaimed the Republic, a great many malcontents, mostly of the aristocratic classes, south refuge in the mountain passes of the Apennines – gathered around them bands of armed outlaws and bandits, and commenced a predatory warfare against the republicans and their French allies. They committed for a long time all kinds of outrages, arson, rapine and murder. The French troops sent against them were waylaid and shot down from behind bushes, or inaccessible mountain gorges; travelers were plundered and murdered, and the whole country devastated. At last the matter was laid before Napoleon, at that time commander-in-chief of the French troops in Italy, and he issued the following orders:

1. All outlaws, couth with arms in hand, assaulting our troops or peaceable citizens, are immediately to be shot, without trial.

2. All dwellings, from which our troops have been fired on, to be burnt down; of the inhabitants, if they cannot prove their innocence beyond a doubt, the males over twenty years of age be sent to the gallows, the females to our hospitals as nurses, washerwomen, etc., the children to the house of refuge.

3. For every civilian murdered, the district in which the crime is committed pays 5,000 francs: for every soldier, double the amount; besides reimbursements for all that is plundered. The money to be taken firstly from the avowed malcontents; if not sufficient, then from the so-called neutrals, and lastly from the loyal citizens, whose cowardice permits such outrages.

One short month after these orders were passed, and about a dozen instances promptly executed, order was restored, and the Roman Republic soon became known as a peaceable – and safe country.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

Governor Johnson Ships The Taitors North

Captain C. H. Wood, of the Fifty-first Ohio, with a squad of four men, arrived in the city this morning from Nashville, having in charge Gen. Washington Barrow and Gen. Wm. G. Harding, of Nashville, of Nashville, and Col. Joseph C. Guild, of Gallatin, three members of the Tennessee Military board, who were arrested by the command of Gov. Johnson, and ordered to be sent North for safe keeping. Gen. Barrow was Minister to Portugal during Fillmore’s administration, we believe. He is at present a member of the State Legislature of Tennessee, is a very prominent and influential citizen, and was particularly zealous as one of the vigilance committee at Nashville in arresting and sending North at the breaking out of the rebellion, all persons obnoxious to the Confederate Government! Under his auspices, Mr. Pearl, of this city, was summarily ejected from his home. The latter gentleman called upon the party at the Michigan Exchange, on learning of their arrival, expressed his pleasure at meeting them here, and assured them that a residence of six months with us had convinced him that Northerners were a very pleasant, hospitable race, and not nearly so bad as they had been represented to be.

Gen. Harding belongs to one of the most wealthy and aristocratic families of Tennessee. Possessing an ample fortune in his own right, it has received large accessions by marriage, and the General lives in a style that equals the blooded aristocracy of old England. With ample leisure to devote to the interests of the Southern Government, he has made himself one of the foremost of its leaders, and occupies one of the very first positions in point of influence in his State. Col. Guild is scarcely less distinguished and occupies a prominent place among the leaders in his state.

Gen. [sic] Johnson could not have arrested three men in the State of Tennessee, whose absence would cause such a vacancy in the ranks of the secessionists. They will be confined in Fort Wayne until further orders. During the forenoon large numbers of our citizens visited the Michigan Exchange, anxious to get a view of a live secession leader. The gentlemen, however were not on exhibition, and very few were favored with an audience. They will probably be immediately sent by Col. Smith, to whom their guard was ordered to report, to Fort Wayne. – {Detroit Free Press.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

The Senior Editor of the Cedar Falls Gazette . . .

. . . happened to be in Dubuque on the day of the Charter election in that place. The Gazette gives some of his experiences in that Godless village:

“Our Senior was in Dubuque on Monday (Election Day.) He says that while walking up Main street he met a party of “Democrats,” crazy with liquor. The party were passing a saloon when one of the members suggested that they go in and take a drink. “No,” said one of the number, “not here this is a d----d abolition hole – let’s go down to ____.” They started on, when it was proposed that they return and give three cheers for Jeff. Davis. – The suggestion was promptly accepted and the party retraced their steps to the front of the saloon, and there, in the city of Dubuque, on Main Street, raised their hellish, treasonable shouts for Jeff. Davis and the Southern Confederacy! We could not believe the reports of the doings in that city as brought us by the Times, until they were corroborated by our partner, who saw with his own eyes and heard with his own ears! Talk about regard for the Union and the Constitution! For such men as carried the municipal election of Dubuque on the 7th inst., it is simply blasphemous! We have lost all faith in those who lead the Democracy of Dubuque. The scenes enacted on Monday in that city are a burning disgrace not only to the city itself, but to the whole United States.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1