Review: The Grand Design

The Grand Design:Strategy and the U. S. Civil War

By Donald Stoker

Strategy is a topic often mentioned when discussing the Civil War, but it is rarely talked about in depth.  Strategy in the Civil War, however, is the sole topic of Donald Stoker’s hefty tome, “The Grand Design: Strategy and the U. S. Civil War.”

Before delving into the topic of strategy in the American Civil War, Mr. Stoker begins by giving an overview of military strategy prior to the Civil War by referencing works by military strategists Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz and Antoine-Henri de Jomini.  He also differentiates policy, strategy, operations and tactics.  “How a battle is fought is in the realm of tactics.  Why a battle was fought is the arena of strategy.”

One theme that runs through the author’s narrative is Lincoln’s desire for the Federal Army to simultaneously attack its Confederate counterpart at different places, thereby not allowing the Confederate Army the opportunity to weaken part of its defenses while strengthening that which is currently threatened.  Mr. Stoker rightly observes that it wasn’t until Grant’s elevation to General-in-Cheif and his embrace of this strategy that ultimately won the war.

When strategies failed, or generals failed to implement them Stoker points out that Lincoln was not afraid to step in, which resulted in mixed and often negative results.  Once Grant was elevated to the command of the Federal army, and employed the strategy of continued simultaneous pressure against the Confederate army, Mr. Stoker observes Lincoln took a largely (but not entirely) hands off approach.

On the opposite side of the coin, Stoker demonstrates Jefferson Davis’ micromanagement of the Confederate Army, and its strategy of an offensive defense, is largely responsible for the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy.

This is not a book for the beginning student of the Civil War, nor do I believe it was intended to be.  The intended audience for Mr. Stoker’s tome, rather, is the serious student of the Civil War, and thereby is a “must have” for the home library of every one with a serious interest in the Civil War.  It is very well researched and easily read.  Though Mr. Stoker may draw some conclusions that a few in his audience might argue with.

ISBN 978-0195373059, Oxford University Press, USA, © 2010, Hardcover, 498 pages, Maps, Endnotes & Index. $27.95

Review: The Siege of Washignton

The Siege of Washington: The Untold Story of the Twelve Days that Shook the Union

By John Lockwood & Charles Lockwood

In the months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and inauguration as President of the United States seven states seceded from the Union: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.  On April 17, 1861, two days after the surrender of Fort Sumter, Virginia was next to leave the Union, and in the weeks ahead she would be followed by Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Though Maryland had not seceded there were many radical elements within it that supported secession from the Union.  With Virginia bordering the nation’s capital to the southwest and Maryland on the remaining three sides, the city of Washington found itself surrounded by those hostile to it.

Upon the surrender of Fort Sumter Lincoln issued an emergency proclamation, calling for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to suppress the rebellion of the Southern States.  It took twelve days for regiments from Massachusetts, New York and Philadelphia to reach Washington, and as each day passed the city, more and more, became a city under siege.  Washington, more than any other time during the Civil War, was vulnerable to an attack by the newly formed Confederate States of America.

John and Charles Lockwood, in their book, “The Siege of Washington: the Untold Story of the Twelve Days that Shook the Union,” have written an account of those anxious days when the destiny of the capital city was “suspended by a hair.”

Beginning with the firing on Fort Sumter the authors give their readers a day by day guide to the events within, and to a lesser extent without, the borders of the nation’s capital city.

The most expedient route to move troops from the North to Washington was by railroad, and the railroads, and roads converged in Baltimore before heading south.  Within a few days of the President’s proclamation, the 1^st Pennsylvania Volunteers is the first body of troops arrive in the capital city; they are unarmed.  Secessionists in Baltimore were greatly angered by the passage of Northern troops through their city.  When the men of the 6^th Massachusetts became the next body of troops to move through the city, a riot broke out, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers and twelve civilians.

The authors cover in great detail the efforts of the citizens of Baltimore and Maryland to first negotiate with the Federal Government by demanding that Northern troops not be sent through Baltimore, and failing that, secondly to sabotage the railroad and telegraph lines and thereby cutting off Washington’s communication with, and the flow of troops from the Northern states.

Relying largely on diaries, (including those of John Nicolay & John Hay, the President’s private secretaries) the authors take you into the besieged city, and the anxieties of its citizens.  As each day passes, tensions and anxieties grow, leading President Lincoln to wonder out loud “Why don’t they come?  Why don’t they come?”

The Lockwood’s narrative also covers in great detail the efforts of General Benjamin F. Butler & Colonel Marshall Lefferts, of the 8^th Massachusetts and 7^th New York regiments, respectively, to circumnavigate around Baltimore, to open a route to Washington.

“The Siege of Washington” is very well researched, and easily read.  It contains great end notes, but book is lacks a bibliography.  Its authors have done an admirable job bringing this often overlooked period of Civil War out of the historical shadows and placing a spotlight on it.

ISBN 978-0199759897, Oxford University Press, USA, © 2011, Hardcover, 298 pages, Photographs, Maps, Endnotes & Index. $27.95

43rd Wisconsin Infantry & 180th Ohio Infantry Monument: Stones River National Battlefield

Erected By The

43^rd Reg’t Wis.

Vol. Inf. in memory

of deceased soldiers

in that Reg’t and

of the 180^th Ohio.

Tennessee

Union Soldiers.

Railroad

Employees, &c.

1865

Times’ Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28.

A conspiracy of rebel citizens has been discovered in Alexandria, the chief of whome are Col. Danginfield and the cashier of the Farmers’ Bank.  The organization was to afford relief to the friends of Southern rights.  Twenty Seven Arrests have been made.  The suppression of this society has no military significance whatever.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

CLOCKS. – Another Installment of clocks just received and for sale low for cash, at Billon’s, No. 10 Le Claire Row.

HOME TO LET. – Col. Eads advertises to-day a beautiful piece of property near Le Claire to let.  It contains a thriving orchard, &c., and is a delightful summer abode.

LUMBER. – A farmer from Clinton county, who came in a day or two ago, says he met sixty teams loaded with lumber going from this city.  Never was such a business done in this article here as during the past winter; and as the sleighing still continues good, we may expect considerable sales yet.

DRY GOODS. – Mr. A. Strauss, successor to Strauss & Billstein, is East at present, where he is buying a large stock of spring and summer goods, to be offered for sale at his new store, No. 26 Le Claire Row, were he would be glad to have the friends and patrons of the old firm call and see him.

FOR COLORADO TERRITORY.  Three teams passed through town yesterday on their way to Pike’s Peak.  They were from the North part of the State.  We should not be surprised to hear of a very extensive emigration to that land of promise in the coming summer. – We understand that Mr. Strong Burnell and family leave for the mountains next week.

ELECTION IN LE CLAIRE. – The election in the Republic at the head of the rapids occurs to-day.  A Union ticket is in nomination, headed by Dr. Gamble, for Mayor, Dr. White for recorder, and P. Gaffrey, for Treasurer.  The partisan Democrats urn John W. Arnold for Mayor and John F. Newman for Treasurer.

FIRE AT PRINCETON. – A destructive fire occurred at Princeton, in this county, on Thursday evening about 11 o’clock.  Three stores, in the same block with the Princeton House, were destroyed.  One was occupied by Pope and Chamberlain; the names of other suffers we have not heard.  The origin of the fire is unknown.

ATLANTIC MONTHLY. – The March number of this popular magazine has arrived, and we presume may be found at our bookstores.  It contains a continuation of Agassiz’ popular series, Birdofreedom Sawins, Esq., and a number of new papers, among which on “Concerning the Sorrows of Childhood,” which, without even glancing at, we are safe in pronouncing a capital article.

ICE. – The season, which has been extremely favorable for putting up ice, has been well improved by the dealers in that commodity Messrs. Kuehl, Altman, and Peck.  Between three and four thousand tons have been put away of beautiful ice, some of it two feet thick and clear as crystal.  This amount ought to keep us comfortable during the sweltering days of summer, being over 500 pounds per each inhabitant of the city.

GARDEN AND OTHER SEEDS. – Mr. Gifford has lately received from the Patent Office a small lot of seeds.  The packages are not very large, but sufficient to give some of our citizens a chance to try them, in order to ascertain their worth.  At the meeting of the Agricultural Society, to-day, it is proposed to hold them for distribution among those who will see to it that they are planted.  Cucumber, beet, onion, carrot, spinach, turnip, cabbage, squash, and other seeds comprise the lot for the garden.  A dozen packages of dwarf Chinese sugar cane seed will also be on hand.  Also, a few specimens of Georgian cotton seed.

WIFE ABUSING. – Third street is a very respectable street, and very respectable people live and do business in it, as every body knows. – But there is one sad exception.  A man who both lives and does business in it, has a knack of getting drunk every few days, and when in that condition indulges in the muscular exercise of beating his wife, so that she is hardly ever without some mark of his overpowering affection.  Yesterday he cut a gash in her face under the eye, in one of his drunken bouts.  His wife has released him from durance when he has been arrested for drunkenness and brutality, and this is the treatment the rum-friend prompts him to visit on his wife.  We need an inebriate asylum for such as he; where he could be benefitted, and by means of which those dependent on him could be saved from his ill treatment.

PREMIUM LIST. – At 10 o’clock this forenoon the directors of the Scott County Agricultural Society meet at the Court House, for the purpose of making out the premium list for the next Fair.  If all those directly interested in this matter will meet with them the building would scarcely contain the crowd, and we might add, there would be less fault finding afterwards.  The Directors wish particularly that those who have any suggestions to offer would make it convenient to call at the Court House at the hour indicated.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Died

At Fredonia, N. Y., on the 15^th inst., JOEL E. PARKER, Esq., aged [50] years.

Mr. Parker was brother to L. T. Parker, Esq., of this city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

James H. Flynt

JAMES H. FLYNT, a native of Franklin, New York, came to Superior City in 1856, where he engaged in surveying until 1861; then enlisted in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry and served four years. Since 1865, he has been engaged in the jewelry business; two years in Albany, New York; two years at Shelby, Ohio; and in South Bend, Indiana, until 1872, since which time he has conducted a jewelry store at this place [St. Louis County, Minnesota].

SOURCE: Newton Horace Winchell, Edward Duffield Neill & John Fletcher Williams History of the upper Mississippi Valley, p. 690

Mancil C. Goodrell

Mancil C. Goodrell. — Born in Ohio. Entered the Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer, January 29, 1862; served in the Army of the Tennessee, under General Grant, at the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862; siege of Corinth, Mississippi; battle of Iuka, September 19, 1862; battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862; campaign through Central Mississippi; siege and capture of Vicksburg; capture of Jackson, Mississippi; Meridian Expedition, under General Sherman; reenlisted as a veteran volunteer, January 30, 1864; served in the army of the Tennessee, under General Sherman, during the Atlanta campaign, and in the battles of July 21, 22, and 28, in front of Atlanta; capture of Atlanta and Jonesborough, Georgia; pursuit of Hood through Georgia and Alabama; from thence with General Sherman on the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas. Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, March 9, 1865; Marine Barracks, Washington, 1865-6; frigate "Franklin." European Squadron, 1866-8; Marine Barracks, Washington, 1869-72. Commissioned First Lieutenant, 1870; steamer "Frolic," S. A. Station, 1872-3 ; iron-clad "Roanoke," N. A. S., 1874; Marine Barracks, Washington, 1875-8; training-ship "Saratoga," 1878-81; Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C., 1881; "Swatara," 1882-5; Panama Expedition, April and May, 1885; Marine Barracks, Annapolis, 1885-6; Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, N. H., 1887. Promoted Captain, July 16, 1886; Marine Barracks, Norfolk, 1888-9; "Pensacola," 1889-90.

SOURCE: Lewis Randolph Hamersly, The Records Of Living Officers Of The U.S. Navy And Marine Corps, 4th Edition, 1890, p. 387

Sunday Battles

The Democrat, of yesterday morning, contains a very silly paragraph on Sunday battles, which it commends to the clergy of this city.  Thus it reads:

“The battle of Bull’s Run was fought on Sunday; we were unsuccessful.  The clergy and others of highly religious inclinations severely berated the act of fighting on Sunday, and traced the defeat of our arms to that circumstance.  Now, the rebel fortifications at Fort Donelson were surrendered on Sunday, and we have yet to learn that there was any special observance of that day, that would designate it from any other.  Why is it that those who denounced the action at Bull’s Run withhold their denunciations from the Fort Donelson affair?  If it was wicked on the one hand, and provocative of the especial frowns of the God of battles, surely it must have been on the other.”

Some have pretended to maintain that there is a God who watches over the destinies of nations as of individuals, and that in time of war the belligerent party, which has so far violated the sanctity of the day set apart and dedicated to His worship as to commence a battle on that day, is very apt to be defeated.  Whether it can be ascribed to the direct agency of God, or to the conscientious scruples of men religiously educated, and who, by the violation, lose that enthusiasm they would otherwise possess, we leave it to others to determine.  Certain it is, that, so far as the past is concerned, modern history measurably sustains it.  But what this has got to do with the rebels at Fort Donelson surrendering on a Sunday is past our comprehension.  Our neighbor’s ideas seem to have gotten slightly mixed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Soldiers's Relief Fund

It is particularly requested that several supervisors of our county bestir themselves in their respective townships, to raise as large an amount as possible for the Soldiers’ Relief Fund, as it is the intention of the committee to have the bodies of our brave boys brought home and interred at Oakdale Cemetery, and to erect a substantial monument over them.  For this purpose there is no doubt that the trustees of the cemetery will donate suitable lots for the purpose.  If the county does as well in raising funds as the city, the committee will be enabled, after attending to the immediate wants of the wounded, to erect a monument over the slain soldiers that will be creditable to the appearance of the grounds.  There are a number of our citizens who have not yet contributed to this fund, who, no doubt, will be happy of having the opportunity of doing so.  The list we believe, is in the hands of Mr. Eldridge, at the Post Office.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Arrival Of Lieut. Holmes

This gallant officer arrived last evening on the eastern train.  He is still suffering severely from his wound, and was conveyed to the residence of Mr. Jos. Shields.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

William P. Smith

WILLIAM P. SMITH, former assessor of Jackson township and an honored veteran of the Civil war, who died at his home in Jackson township in the spring of 1915, was born in that township1 on March 1, 1842, but at the age of four years was taken by his parents to Iowa, the family locating in the vicinity of Keokuk, where he grew to manhood. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Smith enlisted his services in behalf of the Union and went to the front as a member of E Company, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Upon the expiration of this term of enlistment he re-enlisted and returned to service as a member of H Company, One Hundred and Sixteenth Iowa [sic] Volunteer Infantry, with which command he remained until mustered out at the close of the war, his total service covering a period of more than four years. Among the notable engagements of the war in which Mr. Smith participated were the battles of Lookout Mountain and Shiloh. In the latter engagement he was severely wounded by being shot in the left leg. The ball was not extracted and he carried it with him to his grave. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Smith returned to the place of his birth and became permanently located in Rush county, becoming engaged in the sawmill business in Jackson township, a vocation which he continued during the remainder of his active life. Mr. Smith was a Republican and served two terms as assessor of Jackson township. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Though not a member of any church he was reared a Baptist and his support was given to the local church of that faith. He died on March 20, 1915. On February 20, 1870, not long after his return to Rush county, William P. Smith married Frances Elizabeth Porter, who was born in this county on January 2, 1848, daughter of John and Sarah (Hilkert) Porter, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Pennsylvania, who had been residents of this county since the days of their youth, their respective parents having been pioneers of the county. John Porter was but six years of age when he came to Rush county with his parents from Virginia and he spent the rest of his life here, a substantial member of the community in which he lived. To William P. and Frances Elizabeth (Porter) Smith were born seven children, Lulu P., Laura E., Mila A., Charles L., Anna (deceased), Hazel M. and Cassius Smith, the latter of whom served as a soldier during the period of America's participation in the World war, going overseas on June 10, 1918, as a member of A Company, Sixty-first Engineers, and returning on September 20, 1919.

SOURCE:  Abraham Lincoln Gary & Ernest B. Thomas, Editors, Centennial History Of Rush County, Indiana, Volume 2, p. 184-5

Mr. Eads, private in the . . .

. . . 16^th [sic] regiment, and brother to Jas. D. Eads, former School superintendent of Iowa, died in the hospital at Keokuk on Tuesday last.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

NOTE:  The Gazette is in error.  Archibald D. Eads was a member of Company I, 15th Iowa Infantry.  He died of measles Feb. 25, 1862.  See the Iowa Roster, Volume 2, p. 937

Lieut. Huntington

It is related of this gallant officer that while cheering on his men at Fort Donelson, a bullet struck his sword, knocking [it] out of his hand.  The rush was of course too great for him to stop and pick it up, so taking his hat in his hand, he waved it, and cheered on his men till he reached the entrenchments, where he was wounded.  Lieut. Flanagan then took charge and bravely led the men the rest of the fight.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Capt. Slaymaker's death . . .

. . . we are informed, was caused in a singular manner.  A bullet struck his pocket knife, in his left pocket, shivered it to pieces and drove the blade into his body, so that it and not the bullet severed the artery, the rupture of which caused his death.  Pieces of the knife were found in his wallet.

                                                                   

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Herman H. Adams

Adams, Herman H., a thrifty German, has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, all under cultivation, located a mile and a half southeast of Fairfield. Mr. Adams' father came to the United States in 1851, and began farming in Tennessee. The subject of our sketch was the eldest of three children, and was born in Germany in 1839. His early education was confined to the common school teaching in his native land up to the age of eleven, supplemented by another year after emigrating to this country. A helper on his father's farm, he accompanied him to Iowa, where he remained for ten years, then went to Oregon, where he took up a farm. Eight years of labor in that locality satisfied him that he could do better in Washington, to which State he removed in 1881, settling upon his present location. Six children are the result of his union with Miss Moore, of Indiana, whom he married in Iowa in 1866. Like many another of his nationality, Mr. Adams proved his devotion to the flag of his adopted country by enlisting in 1861 in Company K of the Fifteenth Iowa, serving till 1863, when he was honorably discharged. Though actively present at more than one battle of the Civil War, he escaped without a scratch. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Lutheran Church, with as fine a farm and prosperous surroundings as an old soldier could wish to gladden the evening of his days.

SOURCE: Julian Hawthorne, Editor, History Of Washington: The Evergreen State, From Early Dawn To Daylight, Volume 1, p. 484

For The Iowa 2d Regiment

Mr. Thomas Harvey, of Co. C, Iowa 2d regiment, will return on Monday morning next.  In the interim those having letters or packages they wish to send the boys, can leave them at his father’s residence on Sixth, between Main and Harrison streets, and he will see that they are safely delivered.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Released

Among the Union prisoners that arrived at Fortress Monroe from Richmond, Va., was our ex-local Charles H. Comley, Sergeant Major of the 20^th Indiana regiment.  He refused to avail himself of the thirty days furlough offered the prisoners to go home and see their families, but immediately rejoined his regiment.  Good for Charlie!

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Poisoned

The death of Ex-Governor Pennington of New Jersey, it is said was caused by giving him eight grains of morphine by mistake instead of quinine.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 2

State Library

In the State Library of Iowa there are now 6,433 volumes, 1,038 of which were added during the years 1860 and 1861

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 2