The Civil War Day By Day Sesquicentennial Thread

[farmersdaughter]

August 23 1861

—The Second Fire Zouaves, N. T. S. V., under the command of Colonel James Fairman, left New York for the seat of war. The regiment numbers over seven hundred men, most of whom are well-tried firemen.—N. Y. Herald, August 24.

—A band of secessionists, calling themselves “The Coast Guard,” and commanded by Captain Arnow, from St. Augustine, arrived at Key Biscayne, coast of Florida, at two o’clock this morning, in a boat from the mainland, and at once took possession of the light-house, the dwelling, and all the Government property, and imprisoned the keeper. They then went up into the tower, and destroyed the lens, (and a valuable second order Fresnel illuminating apparatus,) and injured the machinery so badly that it cannot be used again. They reported that Jupiter Light was put out by them on the 20th, and Cape Canaveral some days previous. The party left Key Biscayne after a short stay, proceeding toward Miami in their own boat, and taking a boat belonging to the light-house department.—Simon Frow, in the National Intelligencer, September 9.

—At West Chester, Pa., Deputy United States Marshal Jenkins S. Schuyler, by order of the United States Marshal, took possession of the Jeffersonian newspaper building, with its contents, this afternoon, to await further orders from Washington.—N. T. Times, August 24.

—The Seventeenth and Twenty-first regiments of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John J. Fellows and Colonel Augustus Morse, departed for the seat of war.—Idem.

—The State Department at Washington issued the following explanatory notice:

“The regulation of this department of the 19th inst., on the subject of passports, was principally intended to check the communication of disloyal persons with Europe. Consequently passports will not be required by ordinary travellers on the lines of railroads from the United States which enter the British possessions. If, however, in any special case, the transit of a person should be objected to by the agent of this Government on the border, the agent will cause such person to be detained until communication can be had with this department in regard to the case.”

—The Seventh regiment of Maine Volunteers, under the command of Colonel E. C. Mason, U. S. A., left Augusta, Me., for the seat of war. There are in the regiment about eight hundred men. They were hastily organized, and therefore have had but little drill. The organization was made at Augusta, where Company A first went into encampment five weeks ago; some of the other companies were in camp only four or five days. The men are nearly all lumbermen, raftsmen, and farmers, mostly from along the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers. The largest company (A) have ninety men, who, with the exception of a few blacksmiths, are all lumbermen. This company, and Company K, did not have a man rejected at the inspection, nor did one refuse to take the oath of enlistment. The other companies lost each from two to five men in going through these forms.

The regiment have camp equipage complete. Their uniform is light blue pantaloons, dark blue blouses, and the dark blue U. S. regulation infantry caps. They are armed with Windsor rifles and sabre bayonets.

Colonel Mason is yet a regular army officer, holding a captaincy in the Seventeenth U. S. Infantry.—N. Y. Express, August 24.

—The schooner Sarah Ann, Rome, recently purchased by John Douglas Mirridless, of Wilmington, N. C., and registered with the British consul as the William Arthur, of Liverpool, loaded with fish, beef, pork, etc., cleared from Portland, Me., for St. Thomas, and sailed today—but information having been received that her destination was Wilmington, N. C., she was seized down the harbor by the collector of the port and surrendered to the United States marshal under the authority of the act of August 6, confiscating property intended for insurrectionary purposes.—N. Y. World, August 24.

—Isham G. Harris, governor of Tennessee, issued an appeal to the mothers, wives, and daughters of that State, for contributions of clothing, blankets, and other articles “which will contribute to the relief, comfort, and health of the soldier in the field.”—(Doc. 3.)

—There was a great mass meeting in Camden, Me., in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war. Dr. J. H. Esterbrook presided. Speeches were made by Major Nickerson, of the Fourth regiment, Hon. E. K. Smart, A. P. Gould and D. A. Boody, democrats; and by N. A. Farewell, General Davis Tillson, T. R. Simonton and C. A. Miller, republicans. About three thousand people were in attendance. Great enthusiasm prevailed.—N. Y. Evening Post, August 24.

—The First regiment of Iowa Militia returned to Dubuque from the seat of war in Missouri. The troops were received by thousands, who “turned out to greet them and shout hozannas on their return.” This regiment was one of those who did the hardest fighting in the battle of Wilson’s Creek, Mo.; they were the troops whom General Lyon rallied to the charge with his latest breath.—
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[farmersdaughter]

August 24, 1861



—Depredations by soldiers on the property of citizens of Elizabeth City and County, in Virginia, occasioned an order from Gen. Wool, in which marauders were threatened with severe punishment—(Doc. 4.)

—The Cameron Rifles, N. Y. S. V., commanded by Col. Robert J. Betge, struck their tents at Hudson City, N. J., and departed for the seat of war.—N. Y. World, August 26.

—The Nashville American of this day says: We very much regret to observe that in some quarters, that are generally regarded as highly influential in moulding and controlling public opinion in the South, there is betrayed an evident willingness to create strife or dissension among the leaders of that grand revolution which is now exciting the respect and admiration of the civilized world, and is destined to eventuate in placing the South among the foremost nations of this or any other age. Whether this spirit arises from mistaken zeal of opinion, undue ambition, or envy of the prominent position of some in the revolution, we shall not stop to inquire. Whether it originates in all or either of these causes, it is alike calculated to lead to the most serious and disastrous consequences, unless checked by the patriotic unanimity of the people, in frowning down these incipient steps to party division. All the power, resources, malignity, and hostility of the enemy could not now do us a heavier injury than could be done by an angry, determined and acrimonious dissension, in which the people could be induced to enlist their feelings and array their strength on the different sides.

There is, indeed, no greater calamity that could befall the great Southern cause at this time than for a spirit of jealousy to get the ascendency in the councils of the Confederacy, or a deep-seated dissension to arise with regard to the conduct of the war, the policy of finance, or any other measure that may claim the attention of the Administration. Unity of action is so clearly necessary to the Southern cause, that we do not deem it necessary to illustrate or enforce its importance by argument. To the present time it has proven the chief strength of the Confederate States. That there will necessarily be differences of opinion, cannot be doubted. These are inevitable. They are useful. They promote sound views and healthy action. But these differences should be surrendered when decision has given place to discussion, and when the proper authorities determine on their policy.

The great mass of the people are prepared to follow those, whom they have chosen to lead in the war, in whatever direction they may designate. They are, moreover, prepared to make whatever sacrifices in fortune, in privation, or even in life, that may be necessary to maintain their rights, liberties and independence, and to secure for themselves and children the blessings of constitutional freedom. They have the highest confidence in the courage, prudence, judgment, and patriotism of those they have selected to lead them. No amount of criticism can shake their confidence, until the acts of the leaders of the revolution shall demonstrate that they are incapable of conducting our cause to success.

Their superior statesmanship thus far vindicates their wisdom. We will rally as one man, the people of the Confederate States, one and all, to sustain their policy, because it has proven to be the best, the wisest, and most successful. We will listen to no mere cavil. We will not forget that the leaders of the Revolution of ’76 had their rivals, even amid the storms of war. And we will remember that the patriotism of our ancestors sustained their chosen leaders, frowned down discord, and saved the cause.— Nashville American August 24.

—This morning James G. Berret, Esq., Mayor of the city of Washington, was arrested at his residence by a portion of the Provost-marshal’s Guard, and conveyed northward by the early railroad train. The causes of his arrest are unknown to the public. Several days ago he declined to take the oath prescribed by the act of Congress for members of the Board of Police Commissioners.—Capt. Robert Tansill and Lieut. Thos. S. Wilson of the Marine Corps, who had tendered their resignations, were also arrested and conveyed to Fort Lafayette. Mrs. Phillips, wife of Philip Phillips, Esq., ex-member of Congress from Alabama, and Mrs. Greenhow, widow of the late Robert Greenhow, were arrested on the charge of holding correspondence with the Confederates.—National Intelligencer, August 26.

—Last evening, while ex-Governor Thomas was addressing a crowd in front of a hotel at Cumberland, Va., some secessionists raised a disturbance which resulted in their being driven home and the destruction of the Alleghanian office, a secession newspaper. This morning the train bound West, which had ex-Governor Thomas aboard, when near Cumberland, came suddenly on several cross-ties thrown across the track, and at the same time a number of armed men were seen rapidly descending a neighboring hill. The engineer increased the speed of the locomotive, and succeeded in throwing the ties off the track with but little damage to the engine. Some Federal scouts then fired into the train, it is supposed by mistake, but without doing any damage. The design of the secessionists was to take ex-Governor Thomas prisoner.—(Doc. 5.)

—The True American, the Democratic organ of New Jersey, published at Trenton, suspended this morning, giving as a reason for the act that the National authorities had virtually interdicted the publication of every paper that did not support the Government and Administration.—N. Y. Times, August 26.

—Two attempts were made in Connecticut to raise peace flags—one of which failed, while the other was successful. The first was at Stepney, ten miles north of Bridgeport. According to previous announcement a meeting was to have been organized after the raising of the flag. No sooner was the flag hoisted, however, than the Union men made a rush for it, pulled it down, and tore it into shreds. A Union meeting was then organized, which passed a series of Union resolutions. Soon after the Farmer newspaper office, published in Bridgeport, was demolished, notwithstanding the efforts of prominent citizens to prevent it. The other flag-raising was at New Fairfield, where about four hundred persons were engaged in the enterprise. An attempt was made by about seventy Union men to pull the flag down, and a desperate fight ensued, in which two of the “peace” men were seriously injured.—(Doc. 6.)

—To-day a detachment of Col. Richardson’s Home Guards arrived at Jefferson City, Mo., from an expedition to Jamestown. This place is about twenty-three miles above Jefferson City. The soldiers left on Wednesday on board the steamer Iatan. They took no provisions with them, there being plenty of rebels in the vicinity they intended visiting, and were ordered to quarter themselves on the secessionists. At Sandy Hook they discovered eight mounted rebels on the bank, who, on seeing the steamer coming, fled. Ten men were immediately detached in pursuit of them, and, coming within sight of the rebels, fired. Two of them immediately dismounted and, leaving their horses, escaped into the woods— the horses and two fine double-barrel shot-guns were captured, and a lieutenant’s uniform fell also into the hands of the Nationals.

One of the horses had a sabre cut across the head, and the rider was known to have been engaged in the battle at Springfield. Meanwhile, the balance of the force were marched to Jamestown. About four miles from Sandy Hook they arrested two of the most noted secessionists in the whole State, George Jones and C. Hickox, besides seven other of lesser note. From the first-mentioned, who is a wealthy farmer, the troops took ten horses, and plenty of fodder and provisions from all the rebels in the vicinity. They returned with twenty horses and a considerable quantity of provisions and nine prisoners. One of the prisoners, put on a confession, divulged the names of all the men, eighteen in number, who fired the other day with such fatal effect upon the railroad trains. Jones was the President of the Knights of the Golden Circle. The property of the Union men was left untouched. —Dubuque Times, August 27.

—Hamilton E. Gamble, Governor of Missouri, at Jefferson City, issued a proclamation calling for forty-two thousand troops to aid the Federal Government in expelling the forces of Ben McCulloch from the State.—(Doc. 7.)

—The Memphis Argus of this day publishes the following proclamation from the Mayor of that city:

“To the Citizens of Memphis: Applications hare repeatedly been made to me, as executive officer of the city, for protection against indiscreet parties who are sent out to impress citizens into service against their will on steamboats. Many of these men have been dragged from their beds, wives, and children, but never has there been a man taken who had on a clean skirt. I hereby notify any citizen who may wish a pass within the city of Memphis to call on me, and I will furnish the same, and will see he will be protected. One poor man being shot yesterday by one of these outlaws, as they may be called, causes me to give the above notice.

“John Park, Mayor.
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[farmersdaughter]

August 25, 1861

—This evening, Mr. William S. Johnston, a nephew of the rebel general of that name, and grandson of Mrs. Henry Gilpin, of Philadelphia, was arrested in that city as he was about leaving for the South. Mr. Johnston made no resistance whatever, and was taken to the Central station, accompanied by some friends, among whom was Townsend Ward, of Philadelphia. A strict examination of his effects was made by the District Attorney. In his trunk was found a large number of papers addressed to prominent Southern citizens, and a map of the seat of war in Virginia. His commission, however, was not discovered. After his examination, Mr. Johnston bade farewell to his friends, and was conveyed to Moyamensing prison in charge of the officers.—N. Y. Commercial, August 26.

—All the large craft, schooners, and sloops, and small rowboats and skiffs on the Potomac River, were seized by the Government authorities.—N. Y. Herald, August 27.

—A Union man named Moore was killed, and another named Neill mortally wounded, this afternoon, by a gang of five secessionists, at Shotwell Toll-gate, Ky., seven miles from Covington. Both men were stabbed in the back. A party of Unionists gave pursuit to the murderers, who fled toward the Tennessee line.— N. Y. Times, August 27.

—”Wm. Halsey, hailing from Ithaca, N. Y., was waited upon by a party of citizens at his hotel, in Scranton, Pa., and requested to leave town in three hours, or accept the alternative of riding out on a rail. He had given provocation beyond endurance, by endeavoring to induce parties to take the New York Day Book, and by uttering the rankest treason. He left precipitately.—N. Y. Times, August 27.

—William B. Taylor, the Postmaster of New York, received orders from “Washington that no more copies of the Journal of Commerce, the News, the Freeman’s Journal, or the Brooklyn Eagle, should be sent through the mails.—N. Y. Times, August 26.

—Egbert L. Viele, late Captain of the Engineer corps of the Seventh regiment, received his commission as Brigadier-General in the regular army. General Viele is a graduate of West Point, and served through the Mexican war, but of late years has been engaged in civil life as an engineer.—N. Y. Commercial,
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[farmersdaughter]

August 26, 1861

—The Eighteenth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel James Barnes, of Springfield, left their camp at Readville, near Dedham, this afternoon for the seat of war. The regiment numbers eight hundred and seventy men, but will be recruited to one thousand and forty within a few weeks. They are uniformed in the conventional blue and gray of Massachusetts, armed with Springfield muskets of 1842, and fully equipped. They have camp equipage, company wagons and ambulances, and sixty horses, a band of twenty-five pieces enlisted for the war, twenty-five thousand rounds of ball cartridges, and twenty-five thousand rounds of buckshot, and, in fact, all the paraphernalia of war ready to fit them for immediate service in the field.

Of the officers, many are specially qualified for their positions. Col. Barnes is distinguished for having been in the same class with Jeff. Davis, at West Point, graduating A one, when Jeff, was No. twenty-seven, in a class of thirty one. Lieut.-Col. Ingraham was in the Massachusetts Fourth, stationed at Fortress Monroe. Major Haves is a graduate of Harvard College, and quite popular. Adjutant Hodge was an officer of the Massachusetts Fifth, and distinguished himself at Bull Run, saving the life of Col. Lawrence. Surgeon Smith was educated in Paris, and was connected with Major Cobb’s battery. Other officers of the regiment have seen active service. Most of the men are farmers and mechanics, of moderate means, excellent health, and unwavering devotion to the cause of the Union.—N. Y. Times, August 28.

—A Correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer gives an extended account of a visit of the privateer “Sumter ” to Puerto Cabello, together with a copy of a letter from Raphael Semmes, her commander, to the governor of that place.—(Doc. 9.)

—A Battle occurred at Summersville,[1] in Western Virginia, this morning. The Seventh Ohio regiment, Colonel Tyler, was surrounded whilst at breakfast, and attacked on both flanks and in the front simultaneously. The national forces immediately formed for battle and fought bravely, though they saw but little chance of success. The rebels proving too powerful, Col. Tyler sent forward to the baggage train, which was coming up three miles distant, and turned it back toward Gauley Bridge, which place it reached in safety.

Companies B, C, and I suffered most severely. They particularly were in the hottest of the fight, and finally fought their way, through fearful odds, making great havoc in the enemy’s forces. The rebel force consisted of three thousand infantry, four hundred cavalry, and ten guns. The Union forces scattered, after cutting their way through the enemy, but soon formed again and fired, but received no reply or pursuit from the enemy. Not over two hundred were missing, out of nine hundred engaged. The rebel loss was fearful. Lieut.-Col. Creighton captured the rebels’ colors and two prisoners. The following is a list of national officers known to be killed: Captain Dyer, Company D, of Painesville; Captain Shurtleff, Company C, of Oberlin; Captain Sterling, Company I; Adjutant Deforest, of Cleveland; Lieutenant Charles Warrent; Sergeant-Major King, of Warren. The field-officers are all safe.

—The Twenty-fifth regiment of Indiana Volunteers left Evansville for St. Louis, Mo.— Louisville Journal, August 28.

—Henry Wilson, Senator from Massachusetts, was commissioned to organize a regiment of infantry, with a battery of artillery and a company of sharpshooters attached. In his call he asks the loyal young men of Massachusetts, who fully comprehend the magnitude of the contest for the unity and existence of the Republic, and the preservation of Democratic institutions in America, to inscribe their names upon the rolls of his regiment, and to leave their homes and their loved ones, and follow our flag to the field.

—The War Department issued an important order, prohibiting all communication, verbally or by printing or telegraph, respecting the operations of military movements, either by land or sea, or relating to the troops, camps, arsenals, intrenchments, or military affairs, within any of the military districts, by which information shall be given to the enemy, under the penalty prescribed by the Fifty-seventh Article of War, which is death, or such other punishment as a court-martial shall impose.—(Doc. 11.)

—The Postmaster-General of the United States, acting under the proclamation of the President interdicting commercial intercourse with the seceded States, directed the postal agents of the Government to put an end to transmission of letters to the seceded States, by the arrest of any express agent or other persons who shall hereafter receive letters to be carried to or from these States.—(Doc. 12.)

—Captain Foote was ordered to the command of the United States naval forces on the Western waters—namely, the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio rivers.—N. Y. Herald, August 27.

—A naval and military expedition sailed from Fortress Monroe, under the joint command of Commodore Stringham and Major-General Butler. It consisted of the frigates Minnesota and Wabash, the sloop-of-war Pawnee, gunboats Monticello, Harriet Lane, and Quaker City, with numerous transports.—See Aug. 29.

—A Camp of instruction at Scarsdale, Westchester County, N. Y., was opened under command of Brigadier-General E. L. Viele. The camp is about seventy acres in extent, situated on an upland which gradually slopes toward the Bronx River, where there is excellent bathing. All regiments and companies recruited, and not imperatively needed at Washington, as fast as they are sworn in, will be sent to this camp, and there subjected to the most thorough drill and discipline. General Viele has adopted stringent and wholesome regulations for the government of his camp. All officers are required to stay in camp, and put up with soldier’s fare, instead of dissipating their time in the city. No officer will be allowed to wear the insignia of rank until he is sworn in. All the other rules in use among the regular service, for the government of camps, will be enforced at Scarsdale. The name of the new encampment is “Camp Howe.”—N. Y. Commercial, August 27.

—Colonel Jones, of the Fourth Alabama regiment, died at Orange Court House, Va., from wounds received in the battle of Bull Bun.

[1] Summersville is the county-seat of Nicholas County, the next eastt of Kanawha County, and is about fifty miles from Charleston, the central position of the Kanawha Valley. It is about twenty-five miles from Gauley Bridge, and up the Gauley River
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[farmersdaughter]

Battle of Kesslers Cross Lanes
August 26, 1861

The Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes, also known as the Battle of Cross Lanes, took place on August 26, 1861 in Nicholas County, Virginia (now West Virginia) as part of the Operations in Western Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.

On August 26, Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd, commanding Confederate forces in the Kanawha Valley, crossed the Gauley River to attack Col. Erastus Tyler's 7th Ohio Regiment encamped at Kessler's Cross Lanes. The Union forces were surprised and routed. Floyd then withdrew to the river and took up a defensive position at Carnifex Ferry. During the month, Gen. Robert E. Lee arrived in western Virginia and attempted to coordinate the forces of Brig. Gens. Floyd, Henry A. Wise, and William W. Loring. About 40 casualties in this battle.
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[farmersdaughter]

August 27, 1861

—Colonel Hoffman, of the Twenty-third New York (Elmira) regiment, with Captain Dinglee’s company and one other, started this afternoon to the vicinity of Ball’s Cross Roads, for the protection of the Federal pickets in that locality. Near Ball’s Cross Roads they encountered about six hundred secessionists, when a volley was exchanged. The two Federal companies retired, in presence of the superior force, in excellent order. About thirty rounds were exchanged, and _____ Carrol, of Elmira, was killed by a shot from the rebels. He was a young man, and was very popular with his regiment. Another of the national troops was wounded in the neck, and had a finger shot off. Whether the Confederates suffered any loss is not known. The nationals and the pickets fell back to the camp, about half a mile beyond Arlington.—National Intelligencer, August 29.

—As important arrest was made in New York at the instance of Superintendent Kennedy—the person arrested being Samuel J. Anderson. He has carried on a very extensive correspondence with Vice-President Stephens of the Southern Confederacy, and has been in constant communication with the secession sympathizers in New York. For the last six weeks, according to his own confession, he has been contributing editorial articles for The Daily News, Day Book, and Journal of Commerce. An intercepted letter from Washington advised him to go south via Kentucky, as a passport could not be obtained from the Government. Anderson’s correspondence gives a great deal of important political information, besides implicating parties well known in New York.—-N. Y. Tribune, August 28.

—The First regiment U. S. Chasseurs, under the command of Colonel John Cochrane, left New York for the seat of war. This regiment numbers eight hundred and fifty men, and will be armed with the Enfield rifle.

—Joseph Holt made a Union speech at Boston, Mass., to-day, in the course of which he said he nowhere heard the word compromise, which was now only uttered by traitors. So long as rebels had arms in their hands there was nothing to compromise. He concluded by saying that it was in vain to toil at the pumps while men were kept on board boring holes in the bottom of the ship.—Boston Post, Aug. 28.

—A Correspondence between the President of the United States and Beriah Magoffin, governor of Kentucky, respecting the neutrality of that State during the present crisis, was made public,—
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[farmersdaughter]

August 28, 1861

—A party of National troops under the command of Capt. Smith, detailed on the 24th ult. to break up a force of secessionists at Wayne Court House, Va., returned to Camp Pierpont, at Ceredo, having been successful in their expedition.—(Doc. 14.)

—President Lincoln to-day appointed as aides-de-camp to Gen. Wool, Alexander Hamilton, Jr., and Legrand B. Cannon of Now York, each with the rank of Major, and William Jay, of Bedford, N. Y., with the rank of Captain. These appointments were made at Gen. Wool’s request, and the official notification from the War Department instructs the aids to immediately report to him in person.—N. y. Tribune, August 29.

—The funeral ceremonies and military display in honor of Gen. Lyon took place at St. Louis, Mo., to-day. The procession which escorted the remains to the railroad depot consisted of Gen. Fremont’s body-guard, under Gen. Zagoni, Capt. Tillman’s company of cavalry; a section of Capt. Carlin’s battery; the First regiment of Missouri Volunteers, Col. Blair; Gen. Fremont and staff; a number of army and .volunteer officers; city officials; prominent citizens; and the Third regiment of United States Reserve Corps, Col. McNeil, all under command of Brigadier-General Siegel. The streets through which the procession passed were thronged with spectators, and the flags throughout the city were draped in mourning. —Louisville Journal, August 29.

—The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle and Sentinel gives the following reasons to the Confederate States for organizing a coast defence:

“1. Because there are many places where the enemy might commit raids and do us damage before we could organize and drive them off. Beaufort District, opposite to Savannah, has several fine ports and inlets, navigable for large vessels, wholly unprotected. (See United States Coast Survey.) This district has five black to one white inhabitant. Several inlets on our coast, which our enemies know like a book, from surveys in their possession, are equally unprotected.

“2. In two months more they will not fear our climate. By that time they might be ready to make a sudden descent and find us unprepared.

“3. A small force might eject them if ready to go at once; when, if we have to wait, a much larger one will become necessary.

“4. By organizing and drilling infantry and guerillas at home, there will be no need to call upon the President for troops, and a feint from the enemy would not injure our Virginia operations.

“There are many who are so situated that they cannot enlist for the war who would willingly organize to go for a few months, if necessary, to defend the coast. We earnestly hope that the Governor will soon have companies organized for this purpose all over the State. Captain Cain has a company drilling for this purpose in this county, and we understand that Gov. Brown has accepted them as State troops to defend the coast, and is much pleased with the plan. Captain Harris has also a company of mounted rangers, with double-barrel shotguns, for home defence. If every county will imitate the example of Old Hancock we would lave 15,000 drilled troops in the field at the command of the Governor, ready to operate at any point on a brief warning. Will not the editors throughout the State urge this thing on the people?”

—The Nineteenth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Col. Edward W. Hincks, of Lynn, left Beston for New York, on the way to the seat of war. The regiment has been in quarters for four weeks at Camp Schouler, Lynnfield. They are fully equipped and are armed with Enfield rifles. They have with them seventeen baggage wagons, seven ambulances and hospital wagons, and one hundred horses. Col. Hincks was formerly Lieut.-Col. of the Eighth Massachusetts Militia regiment, that held the Annapolis Railroad with the New York Seventh; and Lieut.-Col. Deveraux was Captain of the Salem Zouaves, who, with the Massachusetts sappers and miners, brought out the Constitution from the Annapolis navy yard. The Tiger Zouaves are a part of this regiment.

—Governor Dennison, of Ohio, issued a proclamation to the citizens of that State, calling upon them to rally to the defence of the Union, in accordance with the late call of the Executive at Washington.—(Doc. 15.)

—The National Intelligencer of this day gives the following on the mode in which the minor affairs of the South are managed: The lamentations which journals sympathizing with the secession cause express over the loss of “public and private liberty,” would perhaps carry some weight if their sincerity were believed to be equal to their unction, or if any recognition was made of the relation which such losses bear as the natural effects of the causes set in motion by the revolutionists. The vehement denouncers of “Federal usurpations,” which, in whatever degree they may exist, are but the inevitable incidents of a state of things precipitated by the secession movement, these journals, with a hypocrisy only equalled by their effrontery, continue to reserve all their virtuous indignation for the secondary, rather than the primary movers in these great transactions—for these who are acting on the defensive in the preservation of the National authority, rather than these who were the first to invoke the precedents of tyranny for its overthrow. As a sample of the maxims which pass current in the seceded States, without incurring a breath of censure from these sturdy defenders of the Constitution and of public liberty, we make the following selection from a Southern journal:—

The Charleston Mercury announces the passage of the following resolutions by a vigilance committee of that city:

Resolved, That this committee considers it highly inexpedient and impolitic for persons resident at the South to visit the free States of the Federal Government and return to our midst, and especially do we condemn visits of the same person.

Resolved, therefore, That in future any resident of Charleston and its vicinity who shall go to any of the Northern States, unless with previous knowledge and consent of the committee, shall not be permitted to return to our community under pain of such disabilities or punishment as the law may decree.

Such are the institutes of public opinion as now enforced in “the last home of constitutional liberty,” and it is from men who have no word of reproof for the authors of such usurpations that we are doomed to hear daily homilies on the rigorous proceedings of the National Government. These proceedings would indeed be most abnormal in a time of public peace, and it is quite possible that innocent parties may in some cases suffer from the unjust suspicions engendered in a day of great civil defection and official treachery. But it does not become the apologists of the men who have directly superinduced the public and private calamities which afflict the whole nation, to assume the championship of these who are the victims of a wrong which they seek to palliate and protect
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[farmersdaughter]

August 29, 1861
—The joint expedition, commanded by General B. F. Butler and Commodore S. H. Stringham, after two days’ cannonading, succeeded in capturing Forts Clark and Hatteras, at Hatteras Inlet, N. C., with the garrison of the latter fort. Thirty pieces of cannon, one thousand stand of arms, and a quantity of provisions, fell into possession of the National forces. Also three prize vessels —one a brig, laden with coffee and provisions, another laden with cotton, and two United States life-boats, together with large quantities of ammunition and munitions of war.

There is an inlet across the sand bar at Hatteras, made by the sea within a few years, near which there have been erected two forts of earth and sand and other materials, and mounting a considerable number of guns. These forts were shelled by the National rifled cannon at a range of two-and-a-half miles. Into one of them there were thrown twenty-eight shells in eight minutes. One of the works surrendered, which was taken possession of and its guns directed against the other, which also soon surrendered. Their whole force was captured, and eight hundred of the Federal troops were left to garrison the forts and keep possession of them. At first Capt. Barren proposed to surrender if permitted to do so with the honors of war. This Gen. Butler refused, and demanded a surrender, at discretion, which was yielded, and the enemy marched out prisoners of war.—(Doc. 8.)

—The New Jersey Fifth regiment of Volunteers, fully equipped and numbering nearly a full complement of men, with wagons and horses, left Trenton this afternoon at three o’clock, and arrived safely in Philadelphia, en route for the seat of war.—N. Y. Herald, August 30.

—A monster meeting of the friends of the Sixty-ninth regiment, took place in New York in aid of a fund for the widows and orphans of these who have died in the ranks. Upward of fifty thousand people were present, and Mr. Thomas Francis Meagher delivered a stirring address.

—A skirmish took place at Lexington, Mo., between four thousand five hundred secessionists and four hundred and thirty Home Guards and United States troops, in the intrenchments around Lexington. The attack was made by the secessionists, who were repulsed with a loss of sixty killed in the battle, and three of their pickets. None of the Federal force was killed. During the engagement, Arcana Hall, occupied by the Masons, and a private residence opposite to the court house, owned by R. Anil, Esq., of St. Louis, and occupied by T. Crittenden, Esq., (temporarily absent in Kentucky,) were shelled and burned. The impression was that the former contained powder designed for the use of the Confederates. Another attack was threatened.—(Doc. 16.)

—This evening a ” peace meeting ” which was to have been held at Newtown, L. I., was “indefinitely postponed,” and in its place a spirited Union demonstration came off. Delegations from Jamaica, Flushing, Williamsburg, and the surrounding districts came in, until there was a very large concourse assembled, when a meeting was organized, the Hon. John D. Townsend in the chair. The proceedings were opened by a patriotic address by Richard Busteed, followed by Daniel Northup, of Brooklyn, and resolutions indorsing the Administration in the prosecution of the war, were passed. An effigy of Jeff. Davis was produced and hung on a tree; afterward it was cut down and placed in a large coffin, bearing the inscription, “Newtown Secession, died August 29th, 1861.” The “remains” were taken possession of by the Williamsburg delegation, who brought it home with them, and threw it in the river at the foot of Grand street. The proceedings, though not very orderly, were extremely enthusiastic and patriotic.

—Intelligence was received at Washington, from Independence, Mo., that the United States troops, seven hundred and fifty in number, who surrendered to three hundred Texan Rangers, eighteen miles from Fort Fillmore, had been released on parole, the Texans retaining their arms and the horses belonging to the Mounted Rifles.

Gen. Wm. Pelham, formerly Surveyor-General of New Mexico, and Col. Clements, were arrested at Santa Fe, and confined in the guardhouse, by order of Col. Canby, of the Department of New Mexico. They were suspected of giving improper information to the Texas troops of Fort Bliss, below El Paso. Col. Clements took the oath of allegiance, and was discharged. Gen. Pelham refused to take the oath, and is still confined in the guard-house. Col. Canby, by proclamation, bad suspended the writ of habeas corpus in New Mexico. Fort Stanton had been abandoned by the United States forces, and the fort afterward fired by order of Col. Canby.—National Intelligencer, September 2.

—At Middletown, New Jersey, a party of peace men attempted to hold a meeting, but were prevented by the presence of a large body of Unionists
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[farmersdaughter]

August 30, 1861

—General Fremont, at St. Louis, issued a proclamation declaring martial law throughout the State of Missouri; the disorganized condition of the State Government rendering it both proper and necessary that he should assume the administrative powers of the State. The lines of the army of occupation were declared to extend from Leavenworth, by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla, and Ironton, to Cape Girardeau on the Mississippi River; and all persons who might be taken, with arms in their hands, within these lines should be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty of disloyalty to the Government, should be shot. General Fremont, in accordance with the law passed by Congress, declared that the property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri, who should take up arms against the United States, or be directly proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, should be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any they have, shall be declared free men. This proclamation included in its provisions all persons proven to have destroyed railroad-tracks, bridges, etc., and all persons engaged in treasonable correspondence, or in any way giving “aid and comfort” to the enemy. It also promised immunity to all who would immediately return to their allegiance to the Government. The object of the proclamation was to place in the hands of the military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to existing laws, and not to suspend the ordinary tribunals of the country, where the law could be administered by the civil officers in the usual manner.

Following the declaration of martial law in Missouri by General Fremont, Provost-marshal McKinstry issued an order forbidding any person passing beyond the limits of St. Louis without a special permit from his office; and railroad, steambeat, ferry, and other agents were prohibited from selling tickets to any one not holding a proper pass.—(Doc. 18.)

—This afternoon, at Baltimore, Md., the dwelling of Edward Phillips, in Sterling street near Mott, formerly a pelican police officer under Colonel Kane, was searched, and the following articles, contraband of war, were discovered secreted between the floor and ceiling of the second story of his house, viz.: Two carbines, one Minié musket, three Colt’s revolvers, engraved on the butts ” City Police,” thirty rounds of cartridges, and several espantoons. The above-named articles were stored away snugly, with a bed made of chairs over them so as to escape detection. The pelican was taken charge of by officers Scott, Hooper, and Owens, and conveyed to Fort McHenry. The arms were taken charge of, and placed in the keeping of the proper authorities.—Baltimore Clipper, August 31.

—Massachusetts has again maintained her reputation for patriotic promptness. A week ago to-day Mr. Cameron’s call appeared, asking for more men straightway ; and now six regiments, which were in Massachusetts last Monday, and nearly, if not quite, all of them unprepared to march, are either on the line of the Potomac, or are on their way there
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[farmersdaughter]

August 31, 1861


—At Manch Chunk, Pa., some persons entered the Carbon Democrat office, and destroyed the type, upset the stands, &c. The press was not disturbed.—N. Y. World, September 2.

—At Indianapolis (Ind.) a convention of sympathizers with the “Peace party” assembled at the Court House. Hon. Robert L. Walpole was made chairman, and while addressing the audience, denouncing the Administration and the war, was interrupted several times, and finally withdrew from the stand amidst great confusion. A man named McLean then attempted to harangue the crowd, at the same time drawing a pistol, whereupon the crowd rushed in, and he was rather roughly handled in the melee. A number of fights occurred, but with no serious results. Considerable excitement was manifested all the afternoon, and in the evening the crowd visited the residence of Mr. Walpole, and several other political men, whose loyalty was questioned, and forced them to take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. This was done without farther disturbance. Among these who took the oath was the editor of the Sentinel.—N. Y. Times, September 3.

—William Buckingham, Governor of Connecticut, issued a proclamation calling upon the citizens of the State to uphold the authority and dignity of the Government, and to abstain from any act which can tend to encourage and strengthen conspiracy. He also calls upon the officers of the law to be active in arresting and instituting legal proceedings for the punishment of these guilty of sedition and treason, and these engaged in combinations to obstruct the execution of the laws.—(Doc. 19.)

—The Sixth regiment of Michigan Volunteers, under the command of Colonel F. W. Curtenius, passed through Cleveland, Ohio, on their way to the seat of war, in Virginia.— Ohio Statesman, September 3.

—This afternoon, while two companies of National troops—one from Massachusetts and the other from Pennsylvania—were scouting in the direction of Bailey’s Cross Roads, Va., they came within sight of a battalion of the enemy of about the same number, accompanied by a very distinguished-looking mounted officer. One of our men, armed with a Springfield rifle, asked and obtained leave to fire at him, though the distance was thought to be too great for an effective shot. Contrary to the general expectation, he tumbled him off his horse at the first shot. Beth bodies of troops then retired, the enemy bearing their fallen officer away in their arms. In an hour afterward their flags on Munson’s Hill and at Fall’s Church were at half-mast.—Philadelphia Inquirer, September 4.

—The Fifty-fifth regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of colonel R. de Trobriand, consisting of five hundred and fifty men, took leave of their encampment at New Dorp, and embarked shortly after three P. M., direct for Ambey, thence to Washington.—N. Y. Times, September 1.

—A Mass Meeting of the citizens of Ohio and Switzerland counties, Indiana, was held at Enterprise, for the purpose of having a fair and candid expression of the people in regard to the difficulties of the nation. Patriotic speeches were made, and resolutions sustaining the National Government and the legally constituted authorities were unanimously adopted.— (Doc. 20.)

—A brisk skirmish took place this morning between Companies I and K, of the Third regiment, and the rebel pickets near Munson’s Hill, Va., in which Corporal Hand, Company I, and private Rannes, of Company K, were killed. Privates Cole and Lawson, Company I, were badly wounded, the first in the leg, and the last in the head. First Lieutenant A. S. Taylor had his cap dislodged from his head by a ball. The rebels were in greater numbers than was supposed.—N. Y. Tribune, September 4.

—The Holly Springs (Miss.) Cotton States, of to-day, has the following: “Since our last issue upward of two thousand soldiers have passed our depot, bound for Virginia and other points. Most of them were from Louisiana, and, like all the troops sent to the field from that gallant State, they were noble specimens of soldiers— true Southern soldiers. Well and nobly has Louisiana done her part in this war, and still her brave sons are flocking to the standard of their country, to aid in driving back the Northern foe. She can boast of some of the best soldiers in the field, and she has furnished a Beauregard to lead them on to victory. Well done, Louisiana!
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[farmersdaughter]

September 1, 1861

.—Information, given by negroes, induced a search south of Poolesville, Md., for arms supposed to be intended for Maryland volunteers in the rebel cause. The search was successful. Some twelve or fifteen complete cavalry equipments were discovered and retained by the National scouts. Residents of the neighborhood assert, however, that the equipments belonged to a company of Home Guard cavalry, which was raised last winter to guard against a rising of the negroes; that the company was outfitted by the State, but that, owing to the distance from the place of assembling which many of the members lived, the company was disbanded before General Patterson took command of the department.

The captain and some of the other officers are in Virginia. The company was named the Poolesville Light Dragoons. Two men, supposed to be active secessionists, were captured at the same time by scouts from the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania regiment, Colonel Murphy. Two complete cavalry equipments and the same number of magnificent horses were taken by the same party.—N. Y. Evening Post, Sept. 6.

—A skirmish took place this morning at Bennet’s Mill, Mo., between the Dent County Home Guard, stationed at that place, and a party of three hundred and fifty rebels belonging to Schnable’s regiment.—(Doc. 22.)

—This afternoon, Lieutenant Bailey, of the Fifth Cavalry, scouting in advance of his men toward Falls Church, in Virginia, discovered earthworks beyond Vanderwerken’s House. On reaching the top of a hill on which the batteries were planted, he was approached by a number of mounted rebels, who, regarding him as their prisoner already, took few precautions to secure him. Lieutenant Bailey shot the foremost with his pistol, and wheeling about, rejoined his men in a few minutes. The bullets of the enemy whistled by him harmless, as he rode away, save wounding a horse belonging to one of the privates.—Philadelphia Inquirer, September 5.

—The following is the text of a circular or proclamation of the Captain-General of Cuba relative to the rebel flag:

Havana, August 31, 1861.

To the Collectors of Ports in the Island:

First—Vessels with the flag of the Confederation of the South will be admitted into the ports of this island for the purpose of legitimate trade, provided the documents which they present do not inspire the least suspicion of piracy, fraud, or other crimes, which are punished by all national laws.

Second—Once in our ports, said vessels will be under the safeguard of the neutrality proclaimed by the Governor in the royal decree of 17th June, and cannot be molested in their loading, discharging, &c.

Third—All the authorities will consider the above vessels as proceeding from a nation having no consuls accredited in this territory.

—This day a fight occurred at Boone Court House, Virginia, between the rebels and the Federals, resulting in the total rout of the former, with a loss of thirty killed and a large number wounded, and forty prisoners taken. None were killed on the National side, but six were wounded. The National troops burned the town.[1]

—Mr. Andrews, surveyor of the port of New York, seized twenty-five vessels owned wholly or in part by rebels, including eight ships and seven barques. The value of the vessels is over two million dollars.—National Intelligencer, September 8.

—Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, issued an appeal to the people in behalf of the popular loan, showing that it is the interest as well as the duty of every one who has money to invest, to place it, at this crisis, in the hands of the Government. He points to the fact that the real and personal values of the loyal States amount to eleven thousand millions of dollars; that the surplus earnings of the people of these States amount to four hundred millions, whereas the cost of the war, on the calculation of high military authorities, if judiciously conducted, will not be more than two hundred and fifty millions. The interest on loans at the rate authorized by Congress—namely, seven three-tenth per cent.—will be on loans of fifty dollars, one cent per day; on one hundred dollars, two cents; on five hundred dollars, ten cents; on one thousand dollars, twenty cents; and on five thousand dollars, one dollar.—(Doc. 23.)

—To-day Major Minturn of the New York Thirty-seventh regiment, while scouting, saw a rebel officer, surrounded by a large staff, reconnoitering from Munson’s Hill. Driven by in unamiable firing of bullets from the road into a field of corn, Major Minturn retaliated by a rifle shot, aimed at the wearer of the cocked hat, who instantly fell out of his saddle. He was immediately picked up and carried into a school-house. Fifteen minutes afterward some of the party struck the secession flag, as a token of grief.—Boston Transcript, September 4.

[1] Boone Court House is a small village, and is the capital of Boone County, Virginia. It is situated on the Little Coal River, two hundred and forty-five miles, in a direct line, west from Richmond. The surrounding country is very sparsely settled. The county of Boone is a new one, or at least formed within a few years past, and is in the southwest part of Virginia. It is bounded on the northeast by Coal River, an affluent of the Kanawha, and also drained by Little Coal River and Laurel Creek. It was formed out of Logan and Kanawha counties, and named in honor of Daniel Boone, the renowned pioneer of the West.
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[farmersdaughter]

September 2 1861

—A procession of several hundred stout negro men, members of the “domestic institution,” marched through the streets of Memphis, Tenn., in military order, under the command of Confederate officers. They were armed and equipped with shovels, axes, blankets, etc. A merrier set never were seen. They were brimful of patriotism, shouting for Jeff. Davis and singing war-songs, and each looked as if he only wanted the privilege of shooting an abolitionist. The arms of these colored warriors were rather mysterious. Could it be that those gleaming axes were intended to drive into the thick skulls of abolitionists the truth, to which they are wilfully blind, that their interference in behalf of Southern slaves is neither appreciated nor desired; or that these shovels were intended to dig trenches for the interment of their carcasses? It may be that the shovels are to be used in digging ditches, throwing up breastworks, or the construction of masked batteries, these abominations to every abolition Paul Pry who is so unlucky as to stumble upon them.—Memphis Avalanche, September 3.

—To-day six hundred rebels under Gen. Rains approached Fort Scott and seized eighty mules belonging to the United States, killing the teamster. A messenger was despatched to Montgomery, who had five hundred men. He pursued Rains eleven miles, killing several of his men, when, coming on the main body of the enemy, a battle commenced, the rebels having cannon, and Montgomery one howitzer only. The fight lasted two hours, when Montgomery slowly retreated, keeping up a running fight until nightfall.—N. Y. World, September 17.

— Jeff. Thompson at Camp Hunter, Mo., issued a proclamation, in which, as a retaliative measure for Fremont’s proclamation, he threatened, for every Southern soldier and citizen executed, to hang, draw, and quarter a minion of Abraham Lincoln.—(Doc. 24.)

—The Louisville (Ky.) Journal of this morning, strongly condemns the proclamation of Gen. Fremont, and urges the State Legislature by its action to avoid the contingency of any such action here. It says the Legislature must now decide whether it will organize a body of local soldiery for State purposes, strong enough to enforce the obligations of loyal neutrality, or whether it will suffer things to go on as they have been doing, with a prospect of lapsing at no distant day into the condition which, in so brief a time, has brought on the sway of martial law in Missouri.

— The Massachusetts Thirteenth regiment surrounded the Charleston “Home Guards” Cavalry about two o’clock this afternoon at Beher’s Mill, two and a half miles above Harper’s Ferry, Va., and took twenty prisoners, having first killed three and wounded five of the secessionists. The Massachusetts boys brought them in, singing “Gay and Happy.”— National Intelligencer, September 3.

—Senator Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, at Newport, Ky., delivered an able and patriotic speech, at a full and enthusiastic Union meeting.—Cincinnati Commercial, September 2.

—The secessionists encamped at Worthington, in Marion County, Va., four hundred in number, were attacked by Col. Crosman, of General Kelley’s staff, with two companies of United States troops, a little after daylight this morning; but the secessionists were too strong for him, and he was obliged to fall back with a loss of two men.—Philadelphia Inquirer, September 3.

—The United States frigate Minnesota, having on beard the rebel prisoners taken at Forts Hatteras and Clark, North Carolina, arrived at New York.

—The barks Sumter and Moneynick, principally owned in Charleston, S. C., were seized by the surveyor of Boston to-day, under the confiscation act.
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[farmersdaughter]

Battle of Dry Wood Creek
September 2, 1861


The Battle of Dry Wood Creek (also known as the Battle of Big Dry Wood Creek or the Battle of the Mules) was fought on September 2, 1861 in Vernon County, Missouri during the American Civil War. The Missouri State Guard troops were successful in their campaign to force the Union Army to abandon southwestern Missouri and to concentrate on holding the Missouri Valley.

Background

Following his victory at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Major General Sterling "Pap" Price and his Missouri State Guard occupied Springfield, Missouri. Price then headed northwest with 6,000 poorly trained and under-equipped guardsmen to capture Fort Scott, Kansas. Kansas "Jayhawker" and senator Col. James H. Lane led a 600-man battalion of Union cavalry from Fort Scott to learn the whereabouts of the rumored Missouri State Guard force.

The battle

Lane's battalion soon encountered Price's men near Big Dry Wood Creek, roughly 12 miles from the fort. Lane surprised the Confederates, but the Southerners' numerical superiority soon determined the encounter’s outcome. After a sharp skirmish lasting two hours, they forced the Union cavalry to retire to Fort Scott and captured their mules. Lane secured the fort, then proceeded towards Kansas City. The Missouri State Guard continued on towards Lexington, while Price recruited more guardsmen.

Casualties

Federal losses were 14 men. Missouri State Guard losses were 4 killed and 16 wounded, all in Brigadier General James S. Rains' Eighth Division, Missouri State Guard.

Location

The battle site is just south of Deerfield, Missouri, on Highway 54 between Nevada and Fort Scott
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[farmersdaughter]

September 3, 1861

—The Pensacola (Fla.) Observer gives the particulars of the burning of the dry-dock there as follows:

The dry-dock, originally intended to have been sunk in the channel to obstruct the passage of war steamers into our harbor, but which, from necessity, not choice, was sunk in the bay, about midway between Pickens and the yard, was burned to the water’s edge last night. Who the perpetrators of this act were, is solely a question of speculation, as we go to press, though the Yankees have the general credit of it. Upon this point, however, we soon will be fully enlightened, but upon the point that we have lost over half a million of dollars by the operation our mind is perfectly clear and settled.

—Charles Henry Foster, Union member of Congress from North Carolina, arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., to-day, en route for Washington, to confer with the administration upon affairs connected with his State. Rebel scouts lay in wait for him in Virginia, whose vigilance he successfully eluded.—N. Y. Times, Sept. 4.

—The President of the United States made the following appointments of Brigadier-Generals : Captain George C. Meade, of the Topographical Engineers; Major Lawrence P. Graham, of the Dragoons, a Virginian by birth, and breveted for gallantry in Mexico; Colonel Abercrombie; Colonel Biddle; Colonel Duryea; Colonel Casey, who is lieutenant-colonel by brevet in the regular army; Hon. William A. Richardson, of Illinois; Eleazer A. Paine, of Illinois; Justus McKinstry, assistant quartermaster of the Army; O. O. Howard, of Maine; Charles D. Jameson, of Maine; A. McD. McCook, of Ohio; Ebenezer Dumont, of Indiana; Robert H. Milroy, of Indiana; Lewis Wallace, of Indiana.—Phila. Inquirer, September 4.

—This morning, Captain Julius L. Ellis, of the Seventy-first regiment, N. Y. S. M., and son of Dr. Samuel C. Ellis, died at his father’s residence, in Second Avenue, New York City, of a wound received when leading his company at the battle of Stone Bridge. It is a significant fact that five of Dr. Ellis’s sons fought under the Stare and Stripes at Stone Bridge.

—At New York, Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, addressed on immense and enthusiastic audience on the crisis in the affairs of the republic. He was followed by William Curtis Noyes and the Rev. Dr. Roswell C. Hitchcock, in eloquent and inspiring addresses.

—The Third regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Fellows, left Concord for the seat of war.
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[farmersdaughter]

September 3, 1861

Platte Bridge Railroad Tragedy

The Platte Bridge Railroad Tragedy was a bushwhacker attack on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad during the American Civil War on September 3, 1861, in which the train derailed on a bridge over the Platte River east of St. Joseph, Missouri, killing between 17 and 20 and injuring 100. The bridge crosses the river in Buchanan County, between Marion Township on the east, and Washington Township on the west.

Confederate partisans planned to burn the lower timbers of the 160-foot bridge across the river, leaving the top looking intact. At 11:15 p.m. on a moonless night, the westbound passenger train from Hannibal, Missouri, to St. Joseph started to cross the bridge. The supports cracked and gave way. The locomotive flipped, falling 30 feet into the shallow river and bringing with it the freight cars, baggage car, mail car and two passenger cars with 100 men, women and children. Bodies and the injured were taken to the Patee House near the St. Joseph depot. Union soldiers were ordered to track down and execute bushwhackers for their part in the incident.

?



Confederate Major General Sterling Price, who had been invading northern Missouri at the time, wrote Union commanding general Henry Wager Halleck to protest, stating the sabotage was "lawful and proper" according to the rules of warfare and that the captured men should be treated as prisoners of war. Halleck replied that the bushwhackers were "spies, marauders, robbers, incendiaries, guerrilla bands...in the garb of peaceful citizens" The bushwhackers were to also say that it was a military target because there were soldiers on it bound for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. One of the soldiers killed was Barclay Coppock, a member of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. The bushwackers were also to claim that it was an attempt to assassinate former Missouri Governor Robert Marcellus Stewart.

The most prominent of the bushwhackers sought by the Federal troops was Silas M. Gordon. Union troops were to burn Platte City, Missouri twice (in December 1861 and July 1864) in unsuccessful attempts to force the townspeople to surrender him (see the Burning of Platte City).

The railroad at the time was the first to cross the state of Missouri and it was used to deliver mail to and from the Pony Express terminus in St. Joseph, Missouri. Col. Ulysses S. Grant's first commission in the Civil War had been guarding the trains. In August he was promoted to brigadier general on a new assignment.
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[NEVolFan]

The attached is a speech by the then Gov of Tn, Isham Harris on Jan 7, 1861. This was in consideration of secession from the Union.

This speech is quite interesting in several ways. Harris proposes several amendments to the constitution to provide for clear boundaries separating North and South slavery lines, stretching to the west coast. As well, he proposed interesting quidelines for the recovery of run away slaves. I would guess these proposals were likely in line with most of the southern political speeches at that time.

Long speech but a good read.

So...for those knowledgeable, I have a question that I am fuzzy on, that is, how did the constitution "clearly" provide the states rights to slavery....as this is the cornerstone of Harris's speech that day.


Speech of Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris for Secession

 

[farmersdaughter]

September 4, 1861

Leslie Coombs, of Kentucky, in a letter to the chairman of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Conventions, held this language: “These peace meetings, with us, and, I presume, everywhere, arc mere soft words for treason, and we shall so treat them. I am gratified to find you still at your post, and have not caught the Bull Run panic, which has done some mischief in Kentucky. I am on guard all the time, and ready for action. If the rebels dare make a war upon us, we will sweep them clear, and that rapidly. We are wide awake, and defy their malice as much as we scorn their blustering. ‘The Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws,’ must be kept aloft everywhere, and all mere party platforms trampled under foot.”

—Leonidas Polk, general in the Confederate Army, issued the following proclamation at Columbus, Ky., this day: “The Federal Government having, in defiance of the wishes of the people of Kentucky, disregarded their neutrality by establishing camp depots of armies, and by organizing military companies within her territory, and by constructing military works on the Missouri shore, immediately opposite and commanding Columbus, evidently intended to cover the landing of troops for the seizure of that town, it has become a military necessity, for the defence of the territory of the Confederate States, that the Confederates occupy Columbus in advance. The major-general commanding has, therefore, not felt himself at liberty to risk the loss of so important a position, but has decided to occupy it in pursuance of this decision. He has thrown sufficient force into the town, and ordered to fortify it. It is gratifying to know that the presence of his troops is acceptable to the people of Columbus, and on this occasion he assures them that every precaution shall be taken to insure their quiet, protection to their property, with personal and corporate rights.”

—Colonel John Fitzroy De Courcy, an English officer of much distinction, tendered his services to the National Government, and the offer was accepted. Colonel De Courcy commanded a Turkish regiment during the Crimean Var.—Louisville Journal, September 11.

—At Portland, Me., Cyrus F. Sargent and Octavius F. Hill, of Yarmouth, wore arrested to-day by the United States Marshal, by order of the Secretary of War.—James Chapin, of Vicksburg, reported to be “a captain in the rebel army, was arrested at the residence of his father-in-law, in Saratoga, N. Y., to-day, by U. S. Marshal Burt, of Albany, by virtue of a warrant of the Secretary of State.—At Boston, Mass., .James Leguire, hailing from Halifax, N. C., was arrested on charges of conspiring against the Government. He was committed for trial it the U. S. District Court. Bail was refused. Leguire was bound for Memphis. A uniform was found in his trunk, and other suspicious circumstances led to the arrest.—N. Y. World, September 5.

—The schooner H. Middleton arrived at New York, a prize to the United States, having been captured on the 21st of August off Charleston, by the sloop-of-war Vandalia. She was from Charleston, bound to Liverpool, with a cargo of naval stores, and had attempted to run the blockade. During the chase she threw overboard the entire deck load. The captain and crew were transferred to the United States frigate Roanoke. The following note was found on beard, showing that she had previously been intended for a privateer:

“In case of being boarded, sink this package, as the letters were too late to take out privateer’s papers for your schooner, and would criminate you.

F. J. Porcher.

“To Captain Barklay.” —(Doc. 27.)

—A Despatch from Hannibal, Mo., of this date, says: Corporal Dix, of the Third Ohio regiment, while out scouting with five men at Kirksville, last week, was surrounded in a farmhouse while at dinner, by a party of twenty-five secessionists, who demanded a surrender. He refused, and the secessionists made an attack, when a severe fight ensued, but the Federalists maintained their position in the house, driving their assailants from the ground with a loss of seven killed and four wounded. Corporal Dix was killed, but none of the other of the Federalists were hurt.—Baltimore American, Sept. 6.

—A Mass Meeting, composed of men of all parties, was held at Owego, N. Y., to-day. Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson was the principal speaker, and was loudly and enthusiastically applauded. The sympathizers with and abettors of secession fared very hard at his hands. —N. Y. Evening Post, Sept. 4.

—The national gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an engagement off Hickman, Kentucky, this afternoon with the rebel gunboat Yankee, and the batteries on the Missouri shore, supported by about fifteen hundred rebels, who also fired upon the boats. None of the rebels’ shot took effect. The Tyler and Lexington fired about twenty shots, with what effect is not known, and returned to Cairo, Ill., this evening. On their way up they were fired at with small arms from Columbus and Chalk Bluffs, Kentucky.— (Doc. 29.)

—This afternoon, Colonel N. G. Williams, of the Third Iowa regiment, with eleven hundred Federal troops, Kansas and Iowa Third, was attacked at Shelbina, Mo., by Martin Green, with fifteen hundred to two thousand men. Green commenced firing on them with two pieces of artillery, and kept up fire about one and a half hours. One man (Federal) had his foot taken off by a cannon ball. Colonel Williams retreated on two trains west to Hudson, Mo., leaving a number of horses and part of his camp utensils in the hands of the rebels. Col. Williams had no artillery. Gen. Hurlbut got as far as Hudson, Mo., from Brookfield, with two hundred and fifty men, to reinforce Williams. When he arrived there, Williams was at Clarence, on his retreat.—N. Y. Commercial, Sept. 10.

—This day the confederates fired from an eminence at Great Falls, on the Potomac, sixteen miles from Washington, upon a body of national troops on the Maryland side. Their rifled cannon, although perhaps a hundred times discharged, wounded only one of the men. The rebels then attempted to ford the river, by constructing a temporary bridge with planks, when they were repulsed by the sharp-shooters of the Pennsylvania Seventh, and a number of them killed. They then retired from view, carrying with them their battery.—N. Y. World, Sept. 9.

—Private William Scott, of company K, Third regiment of Vermont Volunteers, was sentenced to be shot for sleeping on his post.
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[farmersdaughter]

September 5, 1861

—The Charleston Mercury of this day says: Under the Fabian policy, our army has remained stationary for the last six weeks, a prey to ennui and discomfort, discontent and disease, while the capitol at Washington could almost be seen from the generals’ tents. How long this policy of “masterly inactivity ” would have continued, God only knows. It was gravely announced in a Richmond paper, that they were intrepidly waiting for the enemy to come on again. The enemy, however, very wisely determined that, as they were left the range of the whole continent to attack, Bull Run was not the choicest place for their future operations. They accordingly make a descent on the coast of North Carolina. Perhaps our Government was astonished that they did not return to Bull Run; but seeing that such expectations were not in accordance with Yankee policy, they see the necessity of advancing on Washington. It is clear that our Yankee enemies, always pushing us into our best position, intend to force us into the alternative of a campaign in Maryland, or the devastation of our sea-coast. The Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, are to be defended in Maryland. It is there, by a firm and aggressive war, that the United States must, on our part, be forced to defend themselves.

—Two companies of Colonel Berdan’s sharpshooters took their departure from Weehawken, N. J., for the seat of war. They are the first of the regiment that have gone into actual service. The uniform of the regiment is peculiarly appropriate for their position as marksmen, consisting of green frock coats, gray pantaloon and green caps. The dress is made to accord with the colors of nature as much as possible and is intended to be worn in summer. In winter the uniform will consist entirely of gray pattern.—N. Y. World, Sept. 6.

—The Twentieth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William Raymond Lee, passed through New York on its way to the seat of war. The regimen left Readville, Mass., yesterday. It numbers seven hundred and fifty men, and has been mainly raised in Springfield and Wareham The men are strong, hardy, and intelligent looking. They are armed with Enfield rifles and are uniformed according to the army regulation. They have with them twenty-five baggage wagons, two hospital wagons, five ambulances, and one hundred and twenty horses A company of sharp-shooters from Massachusetts, Capt. Sanders, with one hundred men, joined the regiment at New York.

At the Park barracks the soldiers partook of an excellent dinner. The officers and many distinguished persons, including Governor Andrew, had a table set for them in the officers’ quarters. When tho dinner was over, Mr. Frank E. Howe spoke of the presence of Governor Andrew, the chief executive of a State which was offering so many of her sons to fight for the Union, and introduced Mr. David Dudley Field, who spoke of the duty of all good citizens in this conflict for the Union, and of the noble efforts of Massachusetts in sustaining the principles which she professed, by the treasure of her lands and the lives of her sons.

Governor Andrew was next introduced, and delivered a speech full of patriotism and enthusiasm for the cause of liberty and freedom.— (Doc. 30.)

—A correspondent of the Baltimore American writes :—I notice the fact that, within the limits of my acquaintance, the gentlemen who now belong to the “Peace ” party are the same who a few weeks since rejoiced in the expectation that Jeff. Davis was soon to appear in Baltimore, “to redeem Maryland from bondage.” Some of them have not yet abandoned the hope of his appearing here “one of these fine days.”

One who has at heart the peace and prosperity of Maryland, would like to hear from the organ of this “Peace ” party an answer to these questions:

1. Would not the success of that party in the coming elections, be everywhere hailed as a triumph of the secession party in Maryland?

2. Would not such a triumph he unquestionably regarded as n pressing invitation to Jeff. Davis to make the visit and attempt the “liberation” aforesaid?

And should Jeff. Davis accept the invitation:

3. What “Peace” relations would be established between Jeff. Davis’ liberators and the guns at Fort McHenry ?

Let these who are interested in the reviving prosperity of Baltimore answer these questions for themselves.

—Major Mordecai, late in command of the Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., published a card denying any complicity in furnishing the rebels with drawings of a machine for expanding rifle bullets, as charged. he acknowledged having allowed Abraham Snyder, the inventor of the machine, to have copies made, but showed by letter dated in January last that he communicated the fact to Col. Craig, of the Ordnance Department, saying that it was not too late to retract the permission if he thought necessary. —Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6.

—At Stralenburg, New Jersey, an organization of secessionists was broken up by the United States Marshal.—N. Y. Commercial, Sept. 6.

—The Memphis Avalanche of to-day contains the following estimate of the Northern peace party: “The peace party of the North is turning out to be an arrant humbug. It is mightily opposed to war, and intensely desirous of peace, and yet unites with Lincoln in his unconstitutional and infernal scheme of compelling the South by brute force to yield up the right of self-government, and submit to the rule of a vile abolitionist despotism, headed by such a creature as Abe Lincoln, and the banditti that surround him.

“They may hold their conventions, whine about peace, and pass their canting resolutions until doomsday, but will never effect a peace on their terms. They may lick the feet of the tyrant if it suits them, but the South will continue to fight him, and against the Government of which he is the dictator, and against the people whom he governs, until she gets rid of them forever.

“The Northern Democracy, after having furnished Lincoln the men to fight his battles, after having hurrahed for the Stars and Stripes as lustily as the black Republicans, and after having been soundly threshed by the South, which they thought to crush, and treated with contumely by the abolitionists, whose tools they made themselves, now begin again their cant about the Union, about compromises, about justice to the South, about making up these unhappy differences, and bring back the seceded States, under the mild and paternal Government of Abraham Lincoln!

“We would recommend to these Northern Democrats, who, belying all their former political doctrines and professions, were so ready to fly to arms to aid Lincoln in crushing the liberties of the Southern people, when they thought they could succeed, to go at some more promising business than Union-saving. If they are still determined that the seceded States shall return into their beloved Union, they had better keep on fighting, as it is their only chance.

“There are some Democrats at the North who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal, who have not been faithless to their principles, but they are few and far between. The mass of them made haste to lend themselves to the support of Lincoln’s iniquitous war, and now only oppose it because they see it is hopeless, and that they gained only insult and ruin by their unprincipled subserviency. If they would restore peace, let them advocate the unconditional cessation of this unrighteous war, and unconditional acknowledgment of the right of the Southern people to govern themselves. That is the only solution of the difficulty.”
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[farmersdaughter]

September 6, 1861

—To-day the National Guard at Conrad’s Ferry, on the Potomac, discerned a body of rebels at work across the river, which, on inspection with glasses, proved to be the erection of a two-gun battery. Word was sent to General Stone’s head-quarters, and a section of a battery was soon provided. The rebels discharged two shells without effect, which were responded to with spherical-case shot, causing a splendid specimen of racing by the rebels. The distance between the two batteries was not less than three-quarters of a mile.—National Intelligencer, Sept. 12.

—Tins morning at eleven o’clock, General Grant, with two regiments of infantry, one company of light artillery, and two gunboats, took possession of Paducah, Kentucky. He found secession flags flying in different parts of the city, in expectation of greeting the arrival of the Southern army, which was reported three thousand eight hundred strong, sixteen miles distant. The loyal citizens tore down the secession flags on the arrival of the national troops.

General Grant took possession of the telegraph office, railroad depot, and the marine hospital, and issued the following proclamation:

I have come among you not as an enemy, but as your fellow-citizen. Not to maltreat or annoy you, but to respect and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy, in rebellion against our common Government, has taken possession of, and planted its guns on the soil of Kentucky, and fired upon you. Columbus and Hickman are in his hands. He is moving upon your city. I am here to defend you against this enemy, to assist the authority and sovereignty of your Government. I have nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors. You can pursue your usual avocations without fear. The strong arm of the Government is here to protect its friends and punish its enemies. Whenever it is manifest that you are able to defend yourselves and maintain the authority of the Government and protest the rights of loyal citizens I shall withdraw the forces under my command.

U. S. Grant,

Brig.-Gen. Commanding.

—(Doc. 31.)

—Several families of Tennessee exiles arrived at Cincinnati, Ohio, in farm wagons today. They were driven from Jefferson County, Tennessee, on account of their Union sentiments, some weeks since.—Louisville Journal, Sept. 9.

—Captain Strong, of the Second regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, had a narrow escape from the rebels to-day. He was out on picket duty, three miles in front of the National lines, on the Virginia side of the river, opposite the Chain Bridge above Washington. Being mounted, and in advance of his men, he was suddenly surrounded and taken prisoner by six secessionists, four infantry and two cavalry. After taking him a short distance to the rear, they demanded his pistols. Thinking this his only chance of escape, he drew a revolver, fired, and shot two of his captors, and then, patting spurs to his horse, he started for the camp on a full run. The rest of the party fired upon him, one ball passing through his canteen, another through his coat, grazing the skin, and a third ball went through his left cheek, passing out of his mouth. Nevertheless, he made good his escape, and came into camp. He is ready again to enter upon his duty.—(Doc. 32.)

—The Navy Department at Washington received from the National squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, intercepted letters from the commander of the privateer “Sumter ” and one of his crew, in which is given a list of the vessels captured by that vessel.—(Doc. 38.)

—This day the following general order was issued at Washington, the head-quarters of the army of the Potomac:

The Major-General commanding desires and requests that in future there may be a more perfect respect for the Sabbath on the part of his command. We are fighting in a holy cause, and should endeavor to deserve the benign favor of the Creator. Unless in case of attack by the enemy, or some other extreme military necessity, it is commended to commanding officers that all work shall be suspended on the Sabbath; that no unnecessary movements shall be made on that day; that the men shall as far as possible be permitted to rest from their labors; that they shall attend divine service after the customary morning inspection, and that officers and men alike use their influence to insure the utmost decorum required on that day. The General commanding regards this as no idle form. One day’s rest is necessary for man and animals. More than this the observance of the holy day of the God of mercy and of battles is our sacred duty.

George B. Mcclellan,

Major-General Commanding.

S. Williams, Ass’t Adjutant-General
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[farmersdaughter]

September 7, 1861

.—The Grand Jury of Westchester County, N. Y., in session at White Plains, presented to the Judge of the Circuit Court, the Yonkers Herald, the Highland Democrat, the Eastern State Journal of that county, and the Staats Zeitung and the National Zeitung of New York City, as disseminators of doctrines, which, in the existing state of things, tend to give aid and comfort to the enemies of the Government, and to prevent a vigorous prosecution of the war by which alone the supremacy of the Government is to be maintained, and National peace and prosperity again witnessed in the land. And they called upon the District Attorney of that county to prosecute the editors and proprietors of these journals if, after public notice, they should continue in their evil courses; and they also requested that a copy of the presentment be forwarded to Mr. E. D. Smith, the United States District Attorney in New York, that he might commence proceedings against the two German papers presented published there, and further requested that a stop might be put to the circulation of these papers in Westchester County.— N. Y. Commercial, September 9.

—Generals Pillow and Polk occupied Columbus, Kentucky, with seven thousand rebels. Jeff. Thompson was in Missouri, directly opposite, with the balance of Pillow’s forces. A reinforcement of Federal troops were sent today to Paducah, and another regiment follows immediately.—Baltimore American, Sept. 9.

—The Knoxville (Tenn.) Whig of to-day contains the following from Parson Brownlow, designed to correct some erroneous notions that prevail in regard to his position on the war question.

He says he entertains the same opinions he always has of “the heresy of secession and the leading men who brought about a dissolution of the Union, and of the motives that prompted them.” He “can never sanction the one nor confide in the other.” He wishes it understood, however, that, inasmuch as he is not a “candidate for martyrdom, or imprisonment” during the war, and has been overpowered by the action of the State at the ballot-box, and by the strong arm of the military, he has determined to “moderate in his tone,” to “cease the course of warfare” he has waged, and to “yield to the necessity upon us—a necessity none of us can avert.” After pledging himself to devote more attention hereafter to giving his readers the current news than abusing the South, he says: “I have fought, editorially, as long as I could accomplish any thing by lighting, and in my retirement to a position of neutrality, I carry with me my unchanged principles, and shall cherish them to my latest hours of life.” He further adds:

“So far as I am individually concerned, I will not be a party to any mad scheme of rebellion, gotten up at this late day, or to any insane attempt to invade this end of the State with Federal troops. And any portion of the Union men of East Tennessee who may be crazy enough to embark in either enterprise, and offer utter ruin, as they are bound to do, shall not, when “the times of these calamities be overpast,” reflect on me for having advised such a course.

I have many old friends and co-laborers in the Union cause, dispersed throughout East Tennessee, who think that I ought weekly to pitch into the State and the Confederate Governments, and into every thing and everybody connected with secession, regardless of consequences; and the more so, as I conduct the only Union paper left in the Southern Confederacy. Not being impressed with any such sense of duty, I most respectfully decline the honors and hazards of so brave and independent a course. And if there is any gentleman in the Union ranks in this end of the State who is desirous to try his hand in it, I will cheerfully yield him my position. But before he embarks, as a new beginner, I will apprise him of the fact that we are in the midst of a fearful revolution—that the civil law has given way to the military rule—and that, if he is fool enough to attempt such a course, the military authorities in the South are not fools enough to tolerate it. I come down from my extreme position, not of choice, but of necessity, and I frankly confess that I have not the courage to meet, in open combat, unarmed as I am, eleven States in arms and in full uniform.”

—At New York City, Algernon S. Sullivan, a lawyer, was arrested at his residence, No. 89 West Fourteenth street, by Sergeant Lefferts, of the detective police. The arrest was in compliance with an order from Secretary Seward. Mr. Sullivan is a prominent lawyer, and well known as one of the counsel of Capt. Baker, of the pirate ship Savannah. He is a western man by birth, and has a brother who is colonel of the Thirteenth Indiana regiment, who was at the battle at Rich Mountain, under Gen. McClellan, and another brother said to be colonel of an Ohio regiment. He admits having written some letters South connected with the Savannah pirates, but claims that they were strictly professional, and that there was nothing in them designed to reflect on the General Government or furnish intelligence prejudicial to its interests in the present rebellion.—-N. Y. World, September 9.

—Joseph A. Wright, ex-Minister to Berlin, arrived at Indianapolis, Ind. he was greeted by a large crowd of citizens, and escorted to the State House square, where be was welcomed in a patriotic speech by Gen. Dumont, Mr. Wright said he did not come to talk about parties or political platforms, when the institutions of his country were assailed. He had nothing to do with them. The Constitution must be preserved and this great rebellion would be put down. He would sustain Mr. Lincoln and the Administration in every effort to sustain the Government. He would never agree to a division of this country. We must be one people. He was for his country first, last, and all the time, and for the prosecution of the war to a successful termination, and for such a purpose would put forth every exertion. —Buffalo Courier, September 9.

—At Louisville J. S. Jackson issued a spirited call for a regiment of Kentucky cavalry, under authority of the United States, for three years or during the war.—(Doc. 39.)

—A Union meeting, called by four hundred men of all parties, who believe in a vigorous prosecution of the war and sustaining the Administration, was held at Danville, Conn., this afternoon. About fifteen hundred persons were present. Strong resolutions were adopted, with great cheering. A prudential committee of ten was appointed. Speeches were made by Hon. R. Averill and Samuel T. Seely, D. D., of Albany.—N. Y. Times, Sept. 9.

—At Newark, New Jersey, Edward P. Wilder, engineer, aged forty-five, was arrested to-day and sent to Fort Lafayette. Intercepted letters exposed him. He was making a rifle battery to send South, and expressed a willingness to fight the horde of northern abolitionists.
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[farmersdaughter]

September 8, 1861

—Yesterday, at Hatteras Inlet, N. C., the schooners Mary Ward, of Edenton, N. C., Daniel Hayman, Captain; the Ocean Wave, of Washington, N. C., Adam Warren, Captain; the Susan Jane, of Plymouth, N. C., David Ireland, Captain, all from the Island of St. Martin, were taken prizes. The Ward and the Wave came square into the inlet, and were boarded by Lieut. Crosby, to whom the captains unsuspectingly committed themselves as being in the illegal trade, and by whom they were taken prisoners and their vessels secured as prizes. They were loaded with salt and molasses. The Susan Jane was seen in the offing standing off and on suspiciously. Lieut. Crosby took the Fanny, with Col. Hawkins on beard, and went out of the inlet to watch her movements. Apparently suspecting that something was out of joint, she stood off, when the Fanny pursued and gave her a shot at long range which did not have the effect to bring her to. At the suggestion of Colonel Hawkins, a secession flag was extemporized and let fly from the Fanny, in answer to which the schooner ran up the Palmetto flag of South Carolina, and at the same time tacked and came round. Soon after, however, seeming to smell a rat, she altered her course and stood off again, and tried to haul down her flag, but did not succeed, on account of its getting tangled. Perceiving that she was making off, Lieutenant Crosby let her have a shot across her bow, whereat she came round and made directly for the Fanny. On coming up, Lieutenant Crosby went aboard and directed the captain to follow the Fanny in. While on their way, Lieutenant Crosby had the following conversation with Captain Ireland: “Is that your flag?” asked Lieutenant C. “Yes, that is the flag I live, fight, and hope to die under,” replied the captain, and he added, “we have cheated the Yankees this time.” “I have to inform you,” said Lieutenant Crosby, “that on the 28th day of August the American fleet made its appearance off this place and commenced to bombard Forts Hatteras and Clark, while a land force landed; that Fort Clark was silenced that day; that on the day following Fort Hatteras was bombarded and captured, with more than seven hundred prisoners; that both forts are now occupied by Federal troops; that I am a United States officer, you my prisoner, and your ship a prize. It is all right, is it not, captain?” The captain instantly collapsed, and took to hard drink.

To-day the Hamet Ryan, Captain Wm. Nixon, appeared off the inlet, and finally stood in. Lieutenant Crosby, with the Fanny, went out, and took her in tow. She proved to be from Halifax, bound to Washington, N. C., with an assorted cargo, previously purchased in New York, consisting of one hundred and forty dozen army brogans, hats, caps, army supplies, and camp and garrison tools, for the rebels. Important papers were found on board, disclosing the extent to which this sort of trade is carried on under the English flag, and implicating certain leading New York houses in it.—(Doc. 39½.)

—Mb. George W. Alexander, who, being implicated in the seizure of the steamboat St. Nicholas, was detained a prisoner at Fort McHenry, made his escape lost night. He was, about four weeks ago, taken from a cell in which he had been confined and placed in a room within the walls of the fort, near the guard-house, on his parole of honor not to attempt to escape “at night.” The following is a copy of the parole, in his own handwriting:

“I, George W. Alexander, Lieutenant, prisoner of war of the United States, at Fort McHenry, Md., do hereby solemnly pledge myself, upon my honor, that if allowed to occupy the guard-room at night, instead of the cells, I will make no attempt to escape during that period.

G. W. Alexander

“Lt. V. A. C. 8.”

In consequence of this dishonorable abuse of a privilege granted by the commander of Fort McHenry, it is ordered that in future no access or communication whatever be had with other prisoners by their friends outside.—National Intelligencer, September 11.

—At Baltimore, Md., this morning, A. Williamson, a coachmaker, was arrested, charged with treason against the National Government. A few days previous it was ascertained that he had been engaged by certain parties to make a wagon with a false top and bottom, to facilitate the transmission of contraband articles south of the Potomac. The accused, after being closely watched, was arrested in the said wagon with a pair of excellent horses, just as he was about leaving his shop. At first he protested his innocence, and invited an investigation. The police soon demonstrated that they were better acquainted with the secrets of his wagon than was supposed, and quickly drew from its secret recesses ample evidence of the guilt of some one. The vehicle had a false floor, and as the police quietly removed it the accused exclaimed, “My God, I am a ruined man.” The articles found embraced among other things some twenty large-size navy revolvers of superior quality, a quantity of gold lace, red flannel, and a package of about one hundred and twenty letters, addressed to parties in Petersburg, Richmond, Norfolk, and Fairfax, some from several first-class business houses in Baltimore. The letters and other articles were sent to Gen. Dix, at Fort McHenry.—Baltimore American, September 9.

—G. L. Bowne, of Key West, Fla., was arrested at Cooperstown, N. Y., on a charge of treason. A large number of letters were found on him from the South, as also other papers of an important character. After the arrest an effort was made to rescue the prisoner by about one hundred of his friends.

The resolute behavior of the officers, and their expressed determination to shoot the first man who persisted in the attempt, prevented the accomplishment of their purpose.—N. Y. Commercial,
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[farmersdaughter]

*this is kind of a side note

Battle of Placito


The Battle of Placito or Battle of the Placito was an engagement between ethnic Mexican settlers, Confederate soldiers and Apache warriors. It took place at the now abandoned village of Placito in Confederate Arizona. The action is a part of the Apache Wars of the mid to late nineteenth century.

Battle

Following the Gallinas Massacre, Lieutenant John Pulliam of the Confederate garrison at Fort Stanton, returned from his patrol in the Gallinas Mountains where he searched for the three dead soldiers, massacred a week earlier.

He arrived at Fort Stanton on September 8, 1861. That same evening a dispatch arrived from the Placito, a Spanish era settlement, occupied by Mexican settlers. The dispatch detailed a current Apache assault on the town, ten miles below the fort. Pulliam was ordered to proceed to the village with fifteen men to help protect it's citizens.

After arriving, at night, Pulliam, his fifteen men and an unknown number of Mexican men, drove the Apaches out of town and then fought off the Apaches all night at a further range. Eventually the natives gave up and retreated back into the surrounding desert.

Casualties are unknown, except for the Apaches who suffered at least five men killed by Pulliam's squad. An unknown number of Apache wounded escaped the fighting. The Lieutenant and his men arrived back at Fort Stanton the following afternoon.
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[farmersdaughter]

September 9, 1861

—The Richmond Examiner of this day says: “A few days ago Col. Albert Rust, commanding one of the regiments from Arkansas, and now stationed at Monterey, proposed to execute a most daring feat, which, but for untoward circumstances, would doubtless have proved successful and stamped him a hero. Calling for volunteers for his enterprise, he accepted the services of eleven hundred men, and with two days’ rations, and stripped of all superfluous clothing and accoutrements, he took a circuitous trail, intending and expecting it to bring him out in the rear of the enemy at Cheat Mountain. His plan was, so soon as they hove in sight of their camps, to fire but one round from their guns and then to close with the foe and to use the bayonet and bowie-knife. General Jackson was to cooperate with him by menacing and attacking the enemy in front so soon as Rust should develop his arrival in the rear by firing. Unfortunately for the success of the enterprise, the trail had not been previously explored, and, instead of carrying Col. Rust to the enemy’s camp, took him six miles behind it, in a direction which rendered it inaccessible, leaving them no other resources but to execute an immediate retreat. So confidently was success counted on that Gen. Jackson drove in the enemy’s pickets, and waited nearly half a day for the signal of Rust’s arrival in the rear to commence the attack in front.

—This morning a serious revolt took place among the New York Rifles, near the camp at Willett’s Point. An entire company, as far as it had been made up, attempted to desert en masse, at the instigation of Captain Cresto, their commander, in order to join another regiment in New York. They were stopped by a special patrol en route, and ordered to return to the camp, and on refusing they were fired upon by the patrol. Two men were killed on the spot and five were severely wounded. Captain Oresto and several of the men were arrested, and the affair was investigated.—N. Y. Herald, September 11.

—In the Senate of Kentucky, Mr. Whitaker introduced a series of resolutions declaring that the peace and neutrality of the State had been wantonly violated by the so-called Southern Confederacy, and calling upon the people to rise and repel the lawless invaders. Governor Magoffin transmitted to the Senate despatches from the confederate General Polk, in which he proposed that the national and “confederate” forces should be simultaneously withdrawn from Kentucky, and that both parties stipulate to observe the neutrality of the State.—(Doc. 40.)

—The Richmond Enquirer of this date has the following: General A. Sydney Johnston has, as we anticipated several days since, been assigned to the Department of the West, and put in immediate command of the operations now in progress on the Upper Mississippi. A better selection for so important a command could not have been made.

—Dr. Robert Ogden Doremus, the celebrated chemist of New York, has made an invention that promises remarkable results in the use of gunpowder. It is made into the form of a paste and is affixed to the Minié ball and becomes hard as rock, so that it can be thrown any distance and not break. The powder is made in the form of a cannon ball, and can be carried in any form that a cannon ball can be. It is also made impervious to water. Experiments have been made, and the matter satisfactorily tested at West Point. A great saving is made in the quantity of powder used, as none is wasted, and the whole is as cheap as common powder.

—This evening as a Government steamer was conveying prisoners from Lexington, Missouri, to Fort Leavenworth, she broke her rudder and was obliged to land, when the boat was seized by a body of secessionists, the prisoners liberated, and forty Federal soldiers captured. —Baltimore American, September 18.

—An immense Union war meeting was held in Faneuil Hall at Boston, Mass., this evening. The “Old Cradle of Liberty” was packed, and every arena leading to it. Thousands were unable to gain admittance to the Hall. Hon. B. F. Thomas presided, and was assisted by the Mayors of numerous cities. All parties were represented.

The crowd was so immense on the outside that several meetings were organized. Judge Lord addressed the gathering in the Hall in a patriotic strain, saying that all the hopes of humanity, civilization, and Christianity were bound up in the present contest. Resolutions in support of the policy of the National Government were offered by William C. Williamson, and enthusiastically adopted. Letters from Robert C. Wintrop, General Butler, and others were also read. Both in the Hall and the vast outside gathering the most enthusiastic patriotism was evinced by the dense masses. Such a demonstration Massachusetts has not seen since the days of the Revolution.—(Doc. 41.)

—Another fiendish attempt to destroy the lives of the National soldiers was made a day or two since on the North Missouri Railroad. The timbers of a bridge near Sturgeon were partially burned, in expectation that a train laden with troops would be precipitated into the creek below, but the design of the villains being known, the train stopped at Mexico, and the troops encamped at that place, where they remained until the bridge was repaired.—Louisville Journal,
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[farmersdaughter]

September 10, 1861

—President Lincoln, Secretary Cameron, Governor Curtin and suite visited the Pennsylvania regiments to-day. The President introduced the Governor and Mrs. Curtin, Secretary Cameron and General McClellan, who were received with enthusiastic cheering. A hand-shaking then took place, General McClellan cordially greeting officers and men. Each man had something cheering to say to the General. One man said, “General, we are anxious to wipe out Bull Run; hope you will allow us to do it soon?” “Very soon, if the enemy does not run,” was the prompt response.

At last Captain Barker, of the Chicago cavalry corps, composing the escort, appealed to the troops not to crowd the General too hard, or shake his hand too much, as before he slept he had a long way to travel, and much writing to do with the hand they were shaking. He promised if they would fall back the General would say a few words to them. They instantly complied, when the General, removing his hat, spoke as follows:—

Soldiers: We have had our last retreat. We have seen our last defeat. You stand by me, and I will stand by you, and henceforth victory will crown our efforts.

— The Eighth regiment of Maine Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Leo Strickland of Livermore, passed through Boston, Mass., on their way to the seat of war. The regiment musters about eight hundred men, recruited from all parts of Maine. They are uniformed in the regular army uniform, a dark blue coat, light blue pantaloons, and a black felt hat. They marched in excellent order, although they have had but little opportunity to drill, as yet. They were without arms, but will receive them at the camp. — Boston Advertiser, September 11.

— The gunboats Conestoga and Lexington left Cairo and reconnoitred down the Mississippi River to-day. They encountered a battery of sixteen guns at Lucas Bend, on the Missouri shore, and two rebel gunboats. They silenced the rebel batteries and disabled the rebel gunboat Yankee, and would have captured her had she not been supported near Columbus. One of the Conestoga’s men was slightly injured. The loss of the rebels is not known.

Twenty national scouts were to-day driven into Col. Oglesby’s camp by two hundred rebels. There are no less than fifteen thousand rebels in camp at Columbus, and they were largely reinforced yesterday. — N. Y. World, September 12.

—At Philadelphia, Pa., William H. Winder, a brother of John H. Winder of the rebel army, was arrested, and all his correspondence and effects seized. Some of the correspondence reveals the way of thinking in the South, prior to Mr. Lincoln’s election, showing conclusively a foregone intention to disrupt the Union. Others detail fragments of conversation to which James Buchanan was a party, and exhibit a general baseness of sentiment in the presence of that functionary which might, at this time, be construed into treason. Winder was the Philadelphia correspondent of the New York Daily News, as copies of his letters were found pasted carefully in blanks, with notes and interpolations. — Philadelphia Press, September 12.

One hundred and Fifty-six of the Union prisoners, selected chiefly from among the members of the New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan regiments, were sent from Richmond, Va, to Castle Pinckney, in Charleston harbor. Among them were Colonel Wilcox, of the Michigan First; Colonel Corcoran, of the New York Sixty-ninth; Lieut.-Colonel Neff, of the Second Kentucky; Major John W. Poster, of the Thirty-eighth New York; Rev. G. W. Dodge, Chaplain of the Eleventh New York; Rev. II. Eddy, Chaplain Second Connecticut; Surgeons Griswold, of the Thirty-eighth New York; Grey, United States Army; Stone, United States Army; Connelly, Second New York; Harris, Second Rhode Island; Captains Downey, Eleventh New York; Fish, Third New York; Farish, Seventy-ninth New York; Drew, Second Vermont; Shurtleff, Seventh Ohio; L. Gordon, Eleventh Massachusetts; Whitington and Jenkins, New York Twenty-fifth; Lieutenants Fay, New York Twenty-fifth ; Hamblin, son of the actor of that name, Thirty-eighth New York; Underhill, Eleventh New York; Worcester, Seventy-first New York; Dempsey, Second New York; Wilcox, Seventh Ohio; Gordon, Second Dragoons United States Army; Caleff, Eleventh Massachusetts; Connelly, Sixty-ninth New York. Captain Ricketts, United States Army, was to have accompanied the party, but is not sufficiently recovered from his wounds to undertake the journey. Included in the number stated above are a number of officers, several of whom are recovering from the effects of the wounds received at the battle of Stone Bridge. The prisoners were marched from the tobacco factories in which they had been confined, to the depot of the Petersburg Railroad, in double files, guarded, by a detachment of fifty men from the Jeff. Davis Louisiana Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant C. W. Brocket, of the rebel army, who are to accompany them all the distance to Charleston. Twenty-five men of the detachment detailed from the Hadison (La.) Infantry, marched ahead of the prisoners, the rear being brought up by twenty-five men of the Natchez (Miss.) Rifles. The party embarked in three cars specially provided for their accommodation, each car being guarded by fifteen Southern soldiers, very fully armed. —Richmond Examiner, Sept. 11.

—A Battle took place about three o’clock this afternoon, near Summersville, Va. General Rosecrans, after making a reconnoissance, found General Floyd’s army—five thousand strong, with sixteen field-pieces—intrenched in a powerful position, on the top of a mountain at Carnifex Ferry, on the west side of Gauley River. The rear and extreme of both flanks were inacessible. The front was masked with heavy forests and a close jungle. Colonel Lytle’s Ohio Tenth regiment of Gen. Benham’s brigade was in advance, and drove a strong detachment of the enemy out of camp this side of the position, the site of which was unknown. Shortly afterward his scouts, consisting of four companies, suddenly discovered themselves in the face of a parapet battery, and a long line of palisades for riflemen, when the battle opened fiercely. The remainder of the Tenth and Thirteenth Ohio were brought into action successively by General Benham, and the Twelfth afterward by Captain Hartsuff, whose object was an armed reconnoissance. The enemy played upon the National forces terrifically, with musketry, rifles, canister and shell, causing some casualties. Colonel Lytle led several companies of Irish to charge the battery, when he was brought down by a shot in the leg. Colonel Smith’s Thirteenth Ohio engaged the rebels on the left, and Colonel Lowe’s Twelfth Ohio directly in the front. Lowe fell dead at the head of his regiment early in the hottest fire, by a ball in the forehead. McMullen’s howitzer battery and Snyder’s two field-pieces meantime were got into the best position possible under the circumstances, and soon silenced two of the rebel guns. The fire slackened at intervals but grew more furious as night approached, when the German brigade was led gallantly into the action by Colonel McCook, under the direction of Adjutant-General Hartsuff, but who, after a furious fight of three hours, ordered the recall of the troops, and the men lay on their arms within a short distance of the enemy all night. The rebel General Floyd fled during the night, and sunk the boats in the river, and destroyed the temporary bridge which he made when he first occupied the position. The turbulence and depth of the river and the exhaustion of the troops made it impossible to follow him. He left his camp equipage, wagons, horses, large quantities of ammunition, and fifty head of cattle. The National troops lost fifteen killed and about seventy wounded, generally flesh wounds. Captain McGroarty, of Cincinnati; Captain McMullen and Lieutenant Snyder, of Ohio, were wounded, but not dangerously. Twenty-five of Colonel Tyler’s men who were taken by Floyd at Cross Lane, were recaptured, and Floyd’s personal baggage, with that of his officers, was taken by General Benham’s brigade, which suffered most. It was commanded by him in person, and Colonel McCook led his brigade. General Rosecrans and General Benham, Colonel McCook, Colonel Lytle, Colonel Lowe, Captain Hartsuff, Captain Snyder, Captain McCullen Burke, of the Tenth Ohio, and the other officers displayed conspicuous personal gallantry. The troops were exclusively from Ohio
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Battle of Carnifex Ferry

September 10, 1861**

Other Names: None

Location: Nicholas County

Campaign: Operations in Western Virginia (June-December 1861)

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. William S. Rosecrans [US]; Brig. Gen. John Floyd [CS]

Forces Engaged: Brigades

Estimated Casualties: 250 total

The last significant fighting in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia in 1861 (American Civil War). A Union force under General Jacob Cox had been sent to the Kanawha Valley to counter a Confederate force commanded by General Henry A. Wise, an ex-governor of Virginia at the start of July 1861. That expedition had succeeding in pushing the Confederates out of the lower valley, and into the more mountainous upper regions. There, Wise had been joined by another ex-governor, John B. Floyd, bringing the combined Confederate forces in the valley up to 7,900, nearly twice as many as Cox had. Despite this, a Confederate counterattack had been defeated at Gauley Bridge (3 September), mostly because Floyd and Wise loathed each other and refused to cooperate.

This lack of cooperation even stopped the two forces camping together. Floyd was camped upstream from Wise, at Carnifex Ferry. This meant that Wise was between Floyd and Cox, but Cox was not the only Union commander operating in the area. The overall command in West Virginia was held by General Rosecrans. Having secured the centre of West Virginia, at the start of September Rosecrans began an overland march towards the head of the Kanawha Valley. His route would bring him out close to Floyd’s position at Carnifex Ferry.
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Rosecrans arrived there on the afternoon of 10 September. That morning he had been camped just outside Summersville, perhaps just over ten miles from Carnifex Ferry. At two in the afternoon he had reached a position two miles from Carnifex Ferry, where he briefly paused to pull his army back together after their march, and resumed his march.

Rosecrans now lost control of events. His advance guard soon encountered Floyd’s pickets. When they retreated back into the main camp, the commander of the advance guard misinterpreted this move as a full retreat, and advanced into the attack. Rosecrans had not choice but to throw in extra troops as they became available. After a short sharp fight Rosecrans pulled his men back and began to prepare for a properly organised attack the next day.

Floyd did not wait to be attacked. Rosecrans’s attack had revealed that his camp was not as well sited as he had thought. Floyd had also been wounded himself during the fighting. Overnight he retreated across the river, finally joining with Wise. They were soon joined by Robert E. Lee, but the autumn weather now intervened, making further campaigning increasingly difficult. After another futile attack on the Federal camp at Gauley Bridge, Lee returned to Richmond. The Confederate force was slowly forced out of the valley, until on 12 November Floyd began a retreat that took him back into Virginia. West Virginia was to be plagued by guerrilla warfare, but no more conventional military action.
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