The Civil War Day By Day Sesquicentennial Thread

[farmersdaughter]

Battle of Williamsburg
Battle of Fort Magruder
May 5 1862

The Battle of Williamsburg, also known as the Battle of Fort Magruder, took place on May 5, 1862, in York County, James City County, and Williamsburg, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the first pitched battle of the Peninsula Campaign, in which nearly 41,000 Federals and 32,000 Confederates were engaged, fighting an inconclusive battle that ended with the Confederates continuing their withdrawal.
Following up the Confederate retreat from Yorktown, the Union division of Brig. Gen. Joseph Hooker encountered the Confederate rearguard near Williamsburg. Hooker assaulted Fort Magruder, an earthen fortification alongside the Williamsburg Road, but was repulsed. Confederate counterattacks, directed by Maj. Gen. James Longstreet, threatened to overwhelm the Union left flank, until Brig. Gen. Philip Kearny's division arrived to stabilize the Federal position. Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's brigade then moved to threaten the Confederate left flank, occupying two abandoned redoubts. The Confederates counterattacked unsuccessfully. Hancock's localized success was not exploited. The Confederate army continued its withdrawal during the night in the direction of Richmond, Virginia.[1]


Background

When Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston unexpectedly withdrew his forces from the Warwick Line at the Battle of Yorktown the night of May 3, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan was taken by surprise and was unprepared to mount an immediate pursuit. On May 4, he ordered cavalry commander Brig. Gen. George Stoneman to pursue Johnson's rearguard and sent approximately half of his Army of the Potomac along behind Stoneman, under the command of Brig. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner. He also ordered Brig. Gen. William B. Franklin's division to board transport ships on the York River in an attempt to move upstream and land so as to cut off Johnston's retreat. However, it took two days just to board the men and equipment onto the ships, so the maneuver had no effect on the battle of May 5; Franklin's division landed and fought in the Battle of Eltham's Landing on May 7.[3]
By May 5, Johnston's army was making slow progress on muddy roads and Stoneman's cavalry was skirmishing with Brig. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, Johnston's rearguard. To give time for the bulk of his army to get free, Johnston detached part of his force to make a stand at a large earthen fortification, Fort Magruder, straddling the Williamsburg Road (from Yorktown), constructed earlier by Brig. Gen. John B. Magruder.[4]

Joseph Hooker's 2nd division of the III Corps was the lead infantry in the Union Army advance. They assaulted Fort Magruder and a line of rifle pits and smaller fortifications that extended in an arc south-west from the fort, but were repulsed. Confederate counterattacks, directed by Maj. Gen. James Longstreet, threatened to overwhelm Hooker's division, which had contested the ground alone since the early morning while waiting for the main body of the army to arrive. Hooker had expected Brig. Gen. William F. "Baldy" Smith's 2nd Division of the IV Corps, marching north on the Yorktown Road, to hear the sound of battle and come in on Hooker's right in support. However, Smith had been halted by Sumner more than a mile away from Hooker's position. He had been concerned that the Confederates would leave their fortifications and attack him on the Yorktown Road.[5]


Longstreet's men did leave their fortifications, but they attacked Hooker, not Smith or Sumner. The brigade of Brig. Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox applied strong pressure to Hooker's line. Regimental bands playing Yankee Doodle slowed the retreating troops as they passed by, allowing them to rally long enough to be aided by the arrival of Brig. Gen. Philip Kearny's 3rd Division of the III Corps at about 2:30 p.m. Kearny ostentatiously rode his horse out in front of his picket lines to reconnoiter and urged his men forward by flashing his saber with his only arm. The Confederates were pushed off the Lee's Mill Road and back into the woods and the abatis of their defensive positions. There, sharp firefights occurred until late in the afternoon.[6]
While Hooker continued to confront the Confederate forces in front of Fort Magruder, Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's 1st Brigade of Baldy Smith's division, which had marched a few miles to the Federal right and crossed Cub's Creek at the point where it was dammed to form the Jones' Mill pond, began bombarding Longstreet's left flank around noon. Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill, commanding Longstreet's reserve force, had previously detached a brigade under Brig. Gen. Jubal A. Early and posted them on the grounds of the College of William and Mary. Hearing the sounds of Union artillery, Early and Hill hurried in that direction. Splitting his command, Early led two of his four regiments (the 24th and 38th Virginia Infantry) through the woods without performing adequate reconnaissance and found that they emerged not on the enemy's flank, but directly in front of Hancock's guns, which occupied two abandoned redoubts. He personally led the 24th Virginia Infantry on a futile assault and was wounded by a bullet through the shoulder.[7]
Hancock had been ordered repeatedly by Sumner to withdraw his command back to Cub Creek, but he used the Confederate attack as an excuse to hold his ground. As the 24th Virginia charged, D.H. Hill emerged from the woods leading one of Early's other regiments, the 5th North Carolina. He ordered an attack before realizing the difficulty of his situation—Hancock's 3,400 infantrymen and eight artillery pieces significantly outnumbered the two attacking Confederate regiments, fewer than 1,200 men with no artillery support. He called off the assault after it had begun, but Hancock ordered a counterattack. The North Carolinians suffered 302 casualties, the Virginians 508. Union losses were about 100. After the battle, the counterattack received significant publicity as a major, gallant bayonet charge and McClellan's description of Hancock's "superb" performance gave him the nickname, "Hancock the Superb."[8]
At about 2:00 p.m., Brig. Gen. John J. Peck's brigade of Brig. Gen. Darius N. Couch's 1st Division of the IV Corps arrived to support and extend the right of Hooker's line, which had, by this stage, been pushed back from the cleared ground in front of Fort Magruder into the abatis and heavy wood about 600 – 1,000 yards (910*m) from the Confederate fortifications. The morale of Hooker's troops had been affected terribly by the loss of Captain Charles H. Webber's Battery "H" of the 1st U.S. Light Artillery and Captain Walter M. Bramhall's 6th Battery of the New York Light Artillery. Peck's arrival on the field and his brigade's recovery of Bramhall's battery came at a critical moment for Hooker's division, which was on the verge of retreat.

Aftermath

The Northern press portrayed the battle as a victory for the Federal army. McClellan mis-categorized it as a "brilliant victory" over superior forces. However, the defense of Williamsburg was seen by the South as a means of delaying the Federals, which allowed the bulk of the Confederate army to continue its withdrawal toward Richmond. Confederate casualties, including the cavalry skirmishing on May 4, were 1,682. Union casualties were 2,283

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 6 1862

—The rebels having evacuated the works in front of Williamsburgh, and continued their retreat toward Richmond, the place was occupied by the Union forces under the immediate command of Gen. McClellan.—(Doc. 96.)
—General Franklin’s division of the Army of the Potomac left Yorktown in transports, to proceed up the York River to West-Point.—N. Y. Evening Post, May 8.
—At Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States Circuit Court, at the April term, 1861, the Grand Jury found an indictment of treason against James W. Chenoweth, for furnishing supplies and munitions of war to the rebels. At the present term ex-Senator Pugh, counsel for the defendant, moved to quash the indictment on the ground that the first clause of section two, article three, of the Constitution, which provides that treason shall consist only of levying war refers to rebellion, while the second clause, “or adhering to their enemies in giving aid and comfort,” relates only to a public war with a foreign enemy. Justice Swayne gave his decision to-day, sustaining the motion by quashing the indictment— Cincinnati Enquirer, May 8.
—This afternoon a detachment of the Fifth New-York cavalry made a reconnoissance from New-Market towards Harrisonburgh, Va., and when about five miles from the town they encountered upwards of two hundred of Ashby’s cavalry. They charged on the rebels and pursued them within two miles of the town, killing ten and taking six prisoners. The National loss was one killed and the battalion adjutant taken prisoner.—Baltimore American, May 8.
—J. P. Benjamin, the rebel Secretary of State, in answer to an inquiry by a Southern firm, whether cotton purchased on foreign account would be treated as exempted from the general law which declares that all cotton shall be destroyed when it is about to fall into the hands of the enemy, says:
“I know no law which prohibits the purchase of cotton on foreign account, but I am not aware of any law or reason of policy which should induce this government to extend to property thus purchased greater protection than is extended to that of our own citizens. It is the settled determination of the government to allow no cotton to fall into the hands of our enemies, as it is perfectly well known that they would seize and appropriate to themselves all cotton they could find, without regard to ownership. If your correspondents buy cotton they must expect to share the same risks as are incurred by our own citizens.”—Richmond Dispatch, May 7.
—The rebel schooner C. C. Pinckney, from Charleston, S. C, for Nassau, N. P., was captured by the United States gunboat Ottawa.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 7 1862

—This afternoon the rebel pickets above Columbiana Bridge, on the east side of the Shenandoah River, Va., were driven back by detachments under Col. Foster, who was subsequently ambuscaded by two rebel regiments. The action lasted an hour, when Foster withdrew in good order. The enemy did not pursue. A company of Vermont cavalry was cut off and surrounded, but escaped by swimming the river. The enemy’s loss is not known, except seven prisoners, belonging to the Sixth Virginia and Seventh Louisiana, which indicates that the enemy’s force was one of Ewell’s brigade.—(Doc. 8.)
—General Franklin’s division, Army of the Potomac, was attacked while landing at WestPoint, Va., by the rebel Army of the Peninsula. After a hard fight the rebels were repulsed with considerable loss, and the landing effected. (Doc. 9.)
—A Letter from Algesiras, Spain, published this day, gives the final account of the pirate Sumter. She had lain closely blockaded in Gibraltar, by the United States gunboat Tuscarora, which lay in Spanish waters within sight of her, for two months. Thirteen of the Sumter’s crew meanwhile deserted to the gunboat. Seeing no other end to such a state of affairs, the Captain of the Sumter discharged his crew and sold his ship.—N. Y. Times, May 7.
—General Cox’s advance, consisting of part of the Twenty-third Ohio, under Major Cauley, occupied Giles’s Court-House and the narrows of New-River, driving out the rebels, who were taken by surprise. A considerable quantity of commissary stores was taken, and some twenty privates made prisoners. The surprise prevented the burning of the place, as the rebels intended. The citizens remained, and most of them seem loyally disposed.—General Fremont’s Despatch.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 8 1862

—Nine Union regiments, under Generals Milroy and Schenck, fought fourteen thousand rebels, under General Jackson, at McDowell, in Virginia, from six till nine P.M., when they fell back to the town of Franklin in good order. (Doc. 10.)
—The bombardment of the rebel batteries on Sewell’s Point and Craney Island was actively carried forward by the Monitor, the Naugatuck, and other vessels of the fleet. The Merrimac finally appeared, but as she evinced a disinclination to come out into the roadstead, and the National vessels were equally disinclined to go up to her, the combat ceased. The scene was an exciting one for some time, and was witnessed by President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton.— (Doc. 26.)
—Messrs. Richardson, Knapp, and Robinson, of Illinois; Law and Voorhees, of Indiana; Allen, White, Noble, Pendleton, Morris, and Vallandigham, of Ohio; Johnson and Ancona, of Pennsylvania, and Shields of Oregon, issued an address to the Democracy of the United States, setting forth party organization as a positive good and essential to the preservation of public liberty. —Cincinnati Gazette, May 9.
—Four companies of the Seventh Illinois cavalry, under command of Major Aplington, when reconnoitring within a mile and a half of Corinth, Miss., discovered two rebel regiments of infantry in position on both sides of the road. Major Aplington gallantly charged upon them, but fell pierced by a ball through the brain. Four of the Union troops were slightly wounded; the rebels suffered the loss of thirty killed and wounded, and four prisoners.
—The United States Senate passed a bill establishing Beaufort, S. C, as a port of entry.
—The iron-clad gunboats Galena, Aroostook, and Port Royal left Fortress Monroe and started up James River, at six o’clock this morning. Immediately after their departure, the rebel tug, F. B. White, came out from Craney Island, having left Norfolk this morning with a crew and two citizens on board, on a mission to Tannery Point, but they run over to Newport News, and surrendered to General Mansfield!—Baltimore American, May 9.
—Three brigades of General Buell’s army seized the portion of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad between Corinth and the Grand Junction, and thus cut the communication between those points.—Chicago Times, May 9.
—Governor Clark, of North-Carolina, in response to a demand of the confederate government for more troops and transportation, informed that government that it “had received all the aid from North-Carolina that it could expect, and that no more troops would be permitted to leave the State.” —N.Y. Herald, May 19.

 

[farmersdaughter]

Battle of McDowell
May 8 1862

The Battle of McDowell, also known as Sitlington's Hill, was fought May 8, 1862, in Highland County, Virginia, as part of Confederate Army Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's Campaign through the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War. It followed Jackson's tactical defeat, but strategic victory, at the First Battle of Kernstown.

background
columns departed West View and Staunton, Virginia, on the morning of May 7, marching west along the Parkersburg turnpike. Elements of Brig. Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson's brigade composed the vanguard. At mid-afternoon, Union pickets were encountered at Rodgers' tollgate, where the pike crosses Ramsey's Draft. The Union force, which consisted of portions of three regiments (3rd West Virginia, 32nd Ohio, and 75th Ohio) under overall command of Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy, withdrew hastily, abandoning their baggage at the tollgate and retreating to the crest of Shenandoah Mountain.
The Confederate force split into two columns to envelope the Union holding position on Shenandoah Mountain. Milroy ordered his force to withdraw and concentrate at McDowell, where he hoped to receive reinforcements. Milroy also positioned a section of artillery on Shaw's Ridge to impede Johnson's descent from the crest of Shenandoah Mountain. These guns were soon withdrawn with their supports to McDowell. By dusk, Johnson's advance regiments reached Shaw's Fork, where they encamped. Because of the narrow roads and few camp sites, Jackson's army was stretched 8–10 miles back along the pike with its rear guard at Dry Branch Gap. Jackson established his headquarters at Rodgers's tollgate. During the night, Milroy withdrew behind the Bullpasture River to McDowell, establishing headquarters in the Hull House.

Battle

Starting at dawn on May 8, the Confederate advance crossed Shaw's Ridge, descended to the Cowpasture River at Wilson's House, and ascended Bullpasture Mountain. The advance was unopposed. Reaching the crest of the ridge, Jackson and his mapmaker, Jedediah Hotchkiss, conducted a reconnaissance of the Union position at McDowell from a rocky spur right of the road. Johnson continued with the advance to the base of Sitlington's Hill. Expecting a roadblock ahead, he diverged from the road into a steep narrow ravine that led to the top of the hill. After driving away Union skirmishers, Johnson deployed his infantry along the long, sinuous crest of the hill. Jackson asked his staff to find a way to place artillery on the hill and to search for a way to flank the Union position to the north.[3]
About 10 a.m., Brig. Gen. Robert C. Schenck arrived after a forced march from Franklin, West Virginia. Being senior to Milroy, Schenck assumed overall command of the Union force at McDowell with headquarters at the Hull House. He deployed his artillery, consisting of 18 guns, on Cemetery Hill and near the McDowell Presbyterian Church to defend the bridge over the Bullpasture River. He deployed his infantry in line from McDowell south along the river for about 800 yards. He placed one regiment (2nd West Virginia) on Hull's Hill, east of the river and overlooking the pike. Three companies of cavalry covered the left flank on the road to the north of the village.[3]
Schenck and Milroy sent out skirmishers to contest the base of Sitlington's Hill along the river. As Confederate forces on the crest of the hill increased in numbers, Schenck and Milroy conferred. Union scouts reported that the Confederates were attempting to bring artillery to the crest of the hill, which would make the Union position on the bottomland at McDowell untenable. In absence of an aggressive Confederate advance, Schenck and Milroy attempted a spoiling attack. Milroy advanced his brigade (25th Ohio, 32nd Ohio, 75th Ohio, 3rd West Virginia) and the 82nd Ohio of Schenck's brigade, about 2,300 men. About 3 p.m. Milroy personally led the attacking force, which crossed the bridge and proceeded up the ravines that cut the western slope of the hill.[3]
In the meantime, Jackson had been content to hold the crest of the hill while searching for a route for a flanking movement to the north. He had decided against sending artillery up the hill because of the difficulty of withdrawing the pieces in the face of an attack. Union artillerymen on Cemetery Hill elevated their pieces by digging deep trenches in the ground for the gun trails and began firing at the Confederates in support of the advancing infantry. Schenck also had a six-pounder hauled by hand to the crest of Hull's Hill to fire on the Confederate right flank above the turnpike (some accounts say a section of guns, another says a whole battery). The Union line advanced resolutely up the steep slopes and closed on the Confederate position. The conflict became "fierce and sanguinary".[3]
The 3rd West Virginia advanced along the turnpike in an attempt to turn the Confederate right. Jackson reinforced his right on the hill with two regiments and covered the turnpike with the 21st Virginia. The 12th Georgia at the center and slightly in advance of the main Confederate line on the hill crest bore the brunt of the Union attack and suffered heavy casualties. This was largely due to the fact that the regiment was armed with smoothbore muskets and were consequently unable to do much damage to the rifle-equipped Federals.[4] The fighting continued for four hours as the Union attackers attempted to pierce the center of the Confederate line and then to envelope its left flank. Nine Confederate regiments were engaged, opposing five Union regiments in the fight for Sitlington's Hill. At dusk the Union attackers withdrew to McDowell.[3]


Aftermath

At dark, Union forces withdrew from Sitlington's Hill and recrossed to McDowell, carrying their wounded from the field. Union casualties were 259 (34 killed, 220 wounded, 5 missing), Confederate 420 (116 killed, 300 wounded, 4 missing), one of the rare cases in the Civil War where the attacker lost fewer men than the defender.[2] About 2 a.m. on May 9, Schenck and Milroy ordered a general retreat along the turnpike toward Franklin. The 73rd Ohio held their skirmish line along the river until near dawn when they withdrew and acted as rear guard for the retreating column. Ten men of the regiment were inadvertently left behind and captured. Shortly after the Federals retired, the Confederates entered McDowell. Schenck established a holding position on May 9, but only minor skirmishing resulted. For nearly a week, Jackson pursued the retreating Union army almost to Franklin before commencing a return march to the Valley on May 15.[3]
Some historians consider the battle of McDowell the beginning of Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign, while others prefer to include the First Battle of Kernstown, Stonewall's only defeat. The battle of McDowell is studied today by military historians for several reasons. At the tactical level, it can be argued that the Union forces achieved a draw. Milroy's "spoiling attack" surprised Jackson, seized the initiative, and inflicted heavier casualties, but did not drive the Confederates from their position. At the strategic level, the battle of McDowell and the resultant withdrawal of the Union army was an important victory for the South. The battle demonstrated Jackson's strategy of concentrating his forces against a numerically inferior foe, while denying his enemies the chance to concentrate against him. Jackson rode the momentum of his strategic win at McDowell to victory at Front Royal (May 23) and First Winchester (May 25

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 9 1862

—This night the rebels evacuated Pensacola, Florida, and set fire to the forts, navy yard, barracks, and marine hospital. General Arnold, at Fort Pickens, commenced a bombardment when the destruction of property was begun, with the hope of saving a portion of the forts and property. The steamers Bradford and Neaffie were burnt Fort McRae, the hospital, and navy-yard were destroyed. The barracks were saved, as were also the foundry and blacksmith shop in the navy-yard.—(Doc. 13.)
—This morning, a company of rebel cavalry, one hundred strong, under command of Captain Walker, made a dash on Washington, N. C, with the avowed purpose of capturing all the Federal officers, and suddenly returning before the gunboats could open upon them. But the pickets heard them approaching, and several of them united their squads, and poured a raking fire into them, killing Captain Walker and five men, besides wounding several others. The cavalry immediately retreated without effecting their purpose. None of the Union troops were injured. The pickets engaged were from company A, Captain Redding, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts.
While this affray was going on, some secessionists assassinated two recruits for the First regiment North-Carolina volunteers, in another part of the town, and beat their brains out.—Newbern Progress, May 10.
—General Hunter declared “the persons in the three States, Georgia, Florida, and SouthCarolina, heretofore held as slaves, forever free.” —(Doc. 28.)
—Captain Connet, company E, Twenty-seventh Indiana volunteers, (Colonel Gazlay’s,) stationed with a squad of forty-eight men to guard a bridge at Elkton station, twelve miles from Athens, Ala., was attacked by six hundred rebel cavalry, under Col. Tom. Woodward, of Kentucky, and after a fight of half an hour, was captured, with all his men, five of them being killed. Captain C. was severely wounded. The rebels lost thirteen, who were buried at Athens.—Nashville Union, June 5.
—Two guerrillas were hung at Chester, Va., this day.—The House of Representatives adopted a resolution tendering its thanks “to Major-General George B. McClellan, for the display of those high military qualities which secure important results with but little sacrifice of human life.”—A fight took place at Slater’s Mills, Va.—(Doc. 106.)
—General Paine’s division of the Union army of the South-west was attacked in position two miles beyond Farmington, Mississippi, by the rebel division of Gen. Bragg. Bragg was held in check for five hours, but being heavily reenforced, Gen. Paine withdrew across the Tennessee River by Gen. Pope’s order.—(Doc. 24.)
—The town of Burning Springs, in West County, Western Virginia, was burned by a party of guerrillas known as the Moccasin Rangers. — Wheeling Intelligencer.
—General Butler announced by general order that one thousand barrels of beef and sugar, captured from the rebels, would be distributed to the poor of New-Orleans City.—(Doc. 29.)

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 10 1862

—White House, on the Pamunkey River, Virginia, was occupied by a company of National cavalry, who secured seven thousand bushels of wheat and four thousand bushels of corn. The rebels had burnt the railroad bridge and town, and torn up the road for some distance towards Richmond.—N. Y. Commercial, May 12.
—The rebel schooner Maria Teresa was captured this day by the United States gunboat Unadilla.—(Doc. 32.)
—A Union meeting was held at Shepardsville, Carteret County, N. C, this day. H. R. Bell was called to the chair, and Thomas Hill was appointed secretary. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we deeply regret the unfortunate occurrence of the present war now progressing between the Federal Government and the Southern States.
Resolved, That in our opinion said war was brought on by a few hasty politicians, and not by any act of the Federal Government.
Resolved, Further, that we believe it to be the duty of all Union-loving men to meet and speak their Union sentiments, and also to take measures to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Resolved, That we desire protection by our Federal friends.
Resolved, That since it has become necessary to appoint a Military Governor for the State of North-Carolina, we heartily concur in the appointment of the Hon. Edward Stanly, to fill that office, and agree to invite the said Edward Stanly to visit us at Shepardsville.
—A plot was discovered in Paducah, Ky., spread among the people there of secession proclivities, by which the town was to be handed over to the rebels within a week. Information was given by one of their number.—Nashville Union, May 11.
—New-Kent Court-House, Va., was occupied by the National forces under the command of General Stoneman. The rebels, on leaving the town, destroyed two buildings containing commissary and quartermaster’s stores. — Boston Transcript, May 12.
—Cumberland, Va., a small town on the Pamunkey River, was deserted by the rebels and immediately occupied by the National troops.— National Intelligencer, May 12.
— The iron-clad steamer Ironsides, was launched this morning at Kensington, Philadelphia, Pa., in the presence of an immense crowd. The christening was performed by Commodore Stewart, of the “Old Ironsides,” at whose suggestion the name of “New Ironsides,” was given. —A Naval engagement took place near Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River between a rebel fleet of eight iron-clad gunboats and a Union fleet of six. Four of the rebel boats had rams. Two of the rebel boats were blown up, and a third sunk, when the remainder retreated precipitately under the guns of Fort Pillow. The National fleet was commanded by Capt. C. H. Davis.— (Doc. 30.)
–By General Butler’s order, there were seized at the office of the Consul of the Netherlands in New-Orleans one hundred and sixty kegs, each containing five thousand dollars in specie.— (Doc. 33.)
—General Wool, with five thousand men, landed at Willoughby’s Point, in Hampton Roads, and immediately marched upon Norfolk, Va. At five miles from Norfolk he was met by a delegation of citizens, who formally surrendered the city into his hands. It was immediately occupied, and Gen. Viele made Military Governor.—(Doc. 11.)
—A Meeting of the citizens was held at Bay River, N. C, for the purpose of forming a company of Union Home Guards. F. B. Silverthorn was chosen President, and Mathias Powers Secretary. Mr. Francis T. Riggs offered the following resolution, which was passed by the meeting:
Resolved, That if any of our company betrays the trust reposed in him, by giving aid to or revealing any of the operations of this company to any rebels, without instruction to do so from the proper authorities, he or they shall be immediately apprehended, and dealt with as traitors deserve.
Over ninety-seven of the citizens signed the roll. The president of the meeting addressed them effectively, and was authorized to appoint a captain and three lieutenants for the company. The object of the meeting was to clean out the lower part of the county of all traitors whatsoever, by apprehending them and carrying them before the military authorities of the Federal government—Newbern Progress, May 24.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 11 1862

—The jayhawker Cleveland, whose band of robbers had infested Northern Kansas for some months past, was arrested at Ossawatomie by Lieut Walker and ten men of the Kansas Sixth. Cleveland broke away from the guard, and was killed while attempting to escape. One of his band named Barbour, was arrested at the same time, and taken to Fort Leavenworth for safe keeping.
—Craney Island, Va., was abandoned by the rebels yesterday, and to-day the National forces took possession of the fortifications and raised the flag of the United States.
—One hundred and forty of Morgan’s cavalry at noon to-day captured forty-eight freight and four passenger-cars and two locomotives at Cave City, Ky. Morgan supposed the train would contain two hundred and eighty cavalry prisoners, bound northward. The operator at Cave City, however, gave notice of these facts to Bowling Green, and stopped the upward train. Among the captured Nationals were Majors Helveti and Coffee, both of Wolford’s cavalry, and one other Federal officer and three or four soldiers. The rebels burned all the cars except two, and the locomotive.—Louisville Journal, May 12.
—The rebel iron-clad steamer Merrimac (Virginia) was blown up by order of her commander at her anchorage off Craney Island, Va.—(Doc. 12.)
—A letter from Albuquerque, New-Mexico, of this date, says: The Texans have continued their retreat to El Paso, and will leave the country entirely. They were greatly demoralized, broken up in bands, and devastating the country, and threatening to kill their General, Sibley, who, they say, deceived them by informing them that it was only necessary to march into the country, which was anxious to receive them, and all they had to do was to drive out the Federal officers, and that they would live and possess the country in ease and luxury.
The Colorado volunteers, (Pike’s Peakers,) and some one thousand regulars, are at and in the vicinity of Fort Craig, under command of Col. Paul. Gen. Canby has reestablished his headquarters at Santa Fe, where he and the staff are at present—Missouri Democrat.
—An expedition consisting of six squadrons of the First Wisconsin cavalry, from Cape Girardeau, Mo., went to Bloomfield yesterday, and early this morning fell upon the rebel Col. Phelan’s camp, scattering them in every direction, with one killed and eleven captured. A large number of horses and a quantity of camp equipage were also taken. A rebel force, numbering five or six hundred, infest Chalk and Poplar Bluffs, impressing all the men. The country is being swept of horses, cattle and supplies, which are sent South. The people are in a state of great terror.—Indianapolis Journal.
—The United States gunboats Freeborn and Island Belle, cut out of Piankatank River, in Virginia, two large schooners, one empty, the other loaded with whisky. Five persons were found on the shore of this river by the Captain of the Island Belle, who represented themselves as deserters from the confederate army.—N. Y. Times, May 24.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 12 1862

—General McClellan, in camp at Roper’s Church, Virginia, sent the following despatch to the War Department:
“Commander Rodgers writes me to-day that he went with the gunboats yesterday past Little Brandon. Every thing quiet and no signs of troops crossing the river. He found two batteries, of ten or twelve guns each, on the south side of James River; one opposite the mouth of the Warwick, the other about south-west from Mulberry Point.
“The upper battery, on Hardin’s, or Mother Pine’s Bluff, has heavy rifled pieces. Between the batteries lay the Jamestown and Yorktown. Commander Rodgers offered battle, but the gunboats moved off. He silenced one battery and ran past the other.”
—Harvey Brown was confirmed as Brevet Brigadier-General in the United States army.
— President Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring that the blockade of the ports of Beaufort, Port Royal, and New-Orleans shall so far cease and determine, from and after the first of June next, that commercial intercourse with these ports, except as to persons and things and information contraband of war, may from that time be carried on, subject to the laws of the United States and to the limitations and in pursuance of the regulations which are prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.— (Doc. 14.)
—Commander Palmer, of the United States steamer Iroquois, demanded the surrender of the city of Natchez, Mississippi, to the naval forces of the United States.
—Two regiments from Kentucky and Tennessee attempted to desert from the rebel army, near Corinth, but were forcibly detained.—The rebel steamer Gov. Morton was captured.
—The United States Senate passed Mr. DooIittle’s bill providing for the collection of taxes in the insurrectionary districts.—During a debate on the motion fixing a time of adjournment, Mr. Wilson called Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, to order for uttering treasonable sentiments. After some explanation the point of order was withdrawn, and the motion laid on the table.
—A Convention of Unionists was held at Nashville, Tennessee, this day. Patriotic resolutions were adopted without dissent, and eloquent addresses were made by Governor Andrew Johnson, William H. Polk, General Campbell, Wm. B. Stokes, W. H. Wisner, Edmund Cooper, and others. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to the people of the State; and the policy of Governor Johnson was “cordially approved.”— (Doc. 97.)
—The Charleston (S. C.) Courier of this date congratulates the citizens of Charleston upon their being four times stronger than New-Orleans. Large consignments of stones from Columbia and the interior, and iron chains and other materials will soon be on their way to aid in constructing a stone wall to block out the invaders from approaching within shelling distance of the city. The Southern papers condemn General Butler’s order No. 28, as “cowardly and infamous,” but do not publish it
—This night a party under Lieut. Flusser of the Commodore Perry went on shore six miles above Elizabeth City, N. C, and three miles into the country, and recovered the White Point Light-House apparatus. To prevent information of the movement being conveyed to some rebel cavalry in the neighborhood, all the men found on the route were retained until every thing had been conveyed to one of the boats, which was done by some rebel teams pressed into the service.— Official Report

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 13 1862


—Martial law went into force in Charleston, S. C, this day. Squads of the Provost-Marshal’s guard were to be seen here and there in the more public portions of the city, and many a luckless wight, in military or semi-military costume, who had no furlough or leave of absence to show, was trotted off to the guard-house, where he either did have, or at some future time will have, an opportunity of giving an account of himself. In more than one instance eminently peaceful individuals, affecting the jaunty and warlike “Beauregard cap,” were hauled up with that true military sternness which is deaf alike to entreaties and remonstances. The quiet precincts of the City Hall were suddenly converted into a veritable camp, to the manifest delight of the urchins who thronged the railings of the enclosure, gazing admiringly upon the taut canvas walls.
There was a great rush at the passport office. Owing to the very limited time allotted for the preparation of passports, only a small portion of those desiring to leave the city were accommodated with the indispensable documents. Some arrangement should immediately be made to remedy this great inconvenience to the public. If the passport system is to be carried out, it is absolutely necessary that the passport office should be open to applicants at all hours —or nearly so. Otherwise, persons passing through the city upon legitimate business will be subject to unreasonable and altogether needless delay.— Charleston Mercury, May 14.
—Gen. Fremont with his command reached Franklin, Western Virginia. He went thither by forced marches, as it was apprehended that an attack would be made on Generals Schenck and Milroy, already in that neighborhood. — The Army of the Potomac made an average advance of twelve miles to-day.—Major-General Halleck at Monterey, Tenn., issued an order expelling newspaper correspondents from his lines.
—General Butler at New-Orleans, issued the following order:—”It appearing that The New Orleans Crescent, a newspaper published in this city, is owned and edited by J. O. Nixon, a rebel, now in arms against the Government of the United States, the Commanding General of this Department orders that the publication of that newspaper be suppressed; and that no publication, by pamphlet, handbill, or otherwise, in any form whatever, shall be made from said office after the promulgation of this order.”
—Brigadier-Gen. Kelly was, with a force of National troops, attacked this afternoon in a pass at Reedy Creek, Va., by guerrillas firing from the mountain-top, but no one was killed or wounded. His men made a gallant charge up the mountain, and returned the guerrillas’ fire with so much spirit, that they fled and made their escape.— Gen. Kelly’s Despatch.
—The rebel armed steamer Planter was run out of the harbor of Charleston, S. C, by a crew of negroes, and surrendered to Commander Parrott, of the United States steamer Augusta. At four o’clock in the morning, Robert Small, pilot of the Planter, got up steam, cast off his moorings, took on board, besides his regular crew, five women and three children, hoisted the rebel and Palmetto flags, steamed down the bay, saluted the forts as he passed them, pulled down the flags when he got past the last fort, hoisted instead a white flag, and steamed boldly out to the blockading vessel.—(Doc. 36.)
—Suffolk, in Virginia, was occupied by Major Dodge with a portion of General Wool’s command.—General Wool’s Despatch.
—Eight hundred and eighty-five prisoners, released from Richmond on parole, left Old Point. Ninety rebel prisoners, who were to be returned to Richmond, positively refused to go, and took the oath of allegiance.—N. Y. Tribune, May 14.
—A Reconnoitring party, under Brigadier General Smith, had a skirmish with the rebel pickets, near Monterey, Tenn., which resulted in killing two, wounding three, and capturing five rebels. The National loss was two.
—At New-Orleans, La., General Butler issued the following order:
It having come to the knowledge of the Commanding General that Friday next is proposed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, in obedience to some supposed proclamation of one Jefferson Davis, in the several churches of this city, it is ordered that no such observance be had.
Churches and religious houses are to be kept open, as in times of profound peace, but no religious exercises are to be had upon the supposed authority above mentioned.
—Last evening the rebels commenced shelling Fort Wright, on the Mississippi River, from behind Craighead Point, which, until yesterday, was occupied by the National mortar-boats. They kept up a fire during the night, the shells exploding wide of the mark. They are provided with mortars equal in weight of metal to those used by the Federal fleet.—Chicago Tribune, May 15.
—Dr. Nathan S. Jarvis, surgeon of the regular army, died at Baltimore, Md., this morning.
—Natchez, Miss., surrendered to the Union fleet, under the command of Flag-Officer Farragut—(Doc. 108.)
—The Mobile Evening Telegraph, of this date, contains the following: As is customary, a handcar is sent from Pass Manchac down to Kenner, to ascertain if the road is clear; if so, a signal is given to the conductor of the regular train. In this instance, on Friday evening, the first handcar went down and was questioned by the Federal pickets and allowed to pass. The second car attempted to run past and was fired upon, killing two men and wounding two others. One of the men killed is said to be Mr. Crickard, Assistant Quartermaster at Camp Moore. The third handcar that went down they seized, and took the other two and the hands on board prisoners. Then about twenty-five Federal soldiers came up on the hand-cars and fired on our soldiers stationed to guard the bridge. The Federals set fire to the bridge, and our forces fired two shots at the enemy, when they retreated toward New Orleans. Our forces then went to work and extinguished the fire.
—Genekal Negley, of the army of the Southwest, occupied the town of Rogersville, in Northern Alabama, and drove the rebels across the Tennessee River.—(Doc. 35.)

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 14 1862

—President Lincoln, accompanied by Secretary Stanton, and Captain Dahlgren, visited Fredericksburgh, Va., to-day. The Martha Washington conveyed the party to Acquia Creek, from whence they were taken by railroad to Gen. McDowell’s headquarters, opposite Fredericksburgh. The occasion was made a gala-day. Flags were displayed from the steamboats and shipping at Acquia Creek. Several regiments were reviewed by the President. In the afternoon Mr. Lincoln, accompanied by General McDowell, Gen. Patrick, and a body-guard, visited and rode through the streets of Fredericksburgh. The President was greeted by the troops and many of the citizens with the utmost enthusiasm. A National salute was fired by one of the batteries in Falmouth. The Presidential party returned late in the evening to Washington.
—A skirmish took place about five miles from Trenton Bridge, N. C, between a detachment of Union troops under command of Colonel Amory, consisting of twelve companies of cavalry, the Seventeenth and Twenty-fifth Massachusetts infantry, and a section of the Third New-York artillery, and a body of rebels secreted in the woods along the roadside. After a fierce contest, which lasted only about ten minutes, the rebels were routed, leaving nine of their number dead on the field, among whom was Lieutenant Rogers, a favorite officer among them.—N. Y. Tribune.
—A soldier, belonging to Col. Catherwood’s regiment, Sixth Missouri State Militia, named Donegan, was inhumanly murdered by “bushwhackers,” within gun-shot hearing of his father’s house, from which he was returning unarmed to his regiment. Several outrages of this kind having occurred about this time in the neighborhood of Cameron, Missouri, Col. Catherwood detailed a scouting party of sixty men, under the command of Capt Bassett, to ferret out the perpetrators. After four days’ ceaseless riding, they succeeded in capturing eighteen prisoners, twenty-nine Mississippi rifles, and three kegs of powder.—Missouri Democrat.
—The Charleston Mercury of this day publishes the following circular, which, it says, is “the deliberate expression of probably the largest, wealthiest and most influential class of the citizens of New-Orleans,” and says, also, that “for reasons that will be manifest to all,” no signatures are attached to it:
“To Cotton Planters. — New-Orleans has fallen, not degraded or enslaved, but yielding to armed ships with guns levelled at the homes of our defenceless wives and children. The escutcheon of Louisiana is unstained, and her flag has been desecrated but by her enemies. None could be found among us so vile, low or degraded as to lower her national insignia. We have yielded to brute force but for the moment.
“It becomes now the duty of all planters to display more than ever their patriotism and devotion to their country. They have sealed that devotion upon the battle-field. Now let us fight our enemies, as well by burning and destroying every bale of cotton upon the river or rivers liable to capture, as well as refusing ever to ship or sell a bale of cotton until peace is declared and our nationality is fixed. Let their conquest be a barren one.
“The merchant fleets of Europe and of Yankeedom will soon be bringing their riches among us to trade with us, expecting an exchange of cotton. If commerce is once revived we are enslaved for ever. Let Europe howl at the waste the barbarity of the North will have brought upon the country. The United States Government has promised renewed trade to the world so soon as our ports are opened. If we are true to ourselves, there will be no trade, and the countless millions of foreign products will be without purchasers. How long will they remain idle spectators of such a scene? The Powers of Europe will see that there is no sentiment of regard for the old flag—that we despise the race; and when we withhold or destroy our property, they will find that Unionism is dead for ever.”
The United States steamers Ceres and Lockwood pursued the rebel steamer Alice up Roanoke River, and captured her about two miles below Williamston. She had on board bacon for the rebel army, and the church-bells of Plymouth, which were to be cast into field-pieces. At Plymouth, the Commodore Perry found the lantern from the light-boat at the mouth of Roanoke River, concealed in the Custom-House.— Official Report.
—In the United States Senate Mr. Wright, of Indiana, presented a petition from citizens of that State, asking Congress to stop the agitation of the negro question and attend to the business of putting down the rebellion.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 15 1862

—A company of infantry of General Geary’s command was ordered to Linden, Va., to remain stationed there. A detachment of seventeen men, guard to the company wagon, reached there a short time before the main body of the company, which was on a train. They were attacked by a body of cavalry, variously estimated at from three to six hundred, coming upon them from four different directions. The Nationals resisted them, keeping up a sharp fire under shelter of the depot, which was riddled with bullets. Gen. Geary’s men were overpowered; one was killed and fourteen were taken prisoners, three of whom were wounded, when the enemy hastily retired under fire.— General Geary’s Despatch.
—The United States gunboats Galena, Monitor, Aroostook, Naugatuck, and Port Royal were repulsed from Fort Darling, on the James River. The one hundred pound gun on the Naugatuck exploded at the first fire.—(Doc.37.)
— Great excitement existed in Richmond, Va., on the approach of Gen. McClellan’s army and the gunboats. A joint Committee were appointed by the Legislature of Virginia to communicate with Jeff Davis in relation to the defence of the city. The General Assembly resolved that the capital of the State should be defended to the last extremity. Governor Letcher issued a proclamation calling all the officers out of service, and others who were willing to unite in defending the capital, to meet at the City Hall that evening. The meeting was held amid great excitement and enthusiasm. The action of the Governor was warmly commended.—(Doc. 109.)
—In the Senate of Virginia Mr. Collier submitted a joint resolution declaring that slavery is the fundamental doctrine of Southern civilization.— (See Supplement.)
—A skirmish took place, nine miles east of Batesville, Arkansas, between a party of the Fifth Illinois cavalry, under Lieut Smith, and a small force of the enemy. The rebels were repulsed, leaving in the hands of the Unionists, a major, a captain, and one private. The Union party lost none.—Missouri Democrat.
—Alexander H. Brown, Assistant Provost Marshal at Charleston, S. C, issued the following regulations in reference to travelling in that department:
“With the view of preventing any unauthorized person of color, bond or free, from leaving the city, the following regulations have been adopted by this department:
“1. Railroads and other means of transportation are forbid conveying, without a passport, any free person of color or slave from the limits wherein martial law prevails.
“2. Applications for passports for free persons of color must be made by their guardians or other responsible white person.
“3. Applications for passports for slaves must be made either by their owners or responsible representatives or agents.
“4. Travelling with a white person will not dispense with these regulations.”

 

[tennvols77]

Great thread. Appreciate the work farmersdaughter.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 16 1862

—The following General Order, made by President Lincoln, at Norfolk, Va., on the eleventh of May, was this day issued:
“The skilful and gallant movements of Major Gen. John E. Wool and the forces under his command, which resulted in the surrender of Norfolk, and the evacuation of the strong batteries erected by the rebels on Sewell’s Point and Craney Island, and the destruction of the rebel iron-clad steamer Merrimac, arc regarded by the President as among the most important successes of the present war. He therefore orders that his thanks as Commander-in Chief of the Army and Navy, be communicated by the War Department to Major-Gen. John E. Wool, and the officers and soldiers of his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the brilliant operations mentioned.”
The United States steamer Oriental was wrecked on Body’s Island, thirty miles north of Cape Hatteras, N. C.—The Senate of the United States confirmed the nomination of Brevet Major Gen. Wool to be Major-General of the army.
—At New-Orleans, La., General Butler issued the following orders:
“The New-Orleans Bee newspaper having published an elaborate though covert argument in favor of the cotton-burning mob, is hereby suppressed. No publication of any description will issue from that office until further orders.
“The New-Orleans Delta newspaper having, in an article of to-day’s issue, discussed the cotton question in a manner which violates the terms of the proclamation of first of May instant from these headquarters, the office of that paper will be taken possession of and its business conducted under direction of the United States authorities.”
“It is hereby ordered that neither the city of New-Orleans, nor the banks thereof, exchange their notes, bills or obligations for confederate notes, bills or bonds, nor issue any bill, note or obligation payable in confederate notes.
“On the twenty-seventh day of May instant, all circulation of or trade in confederate notes and bills will cease within this Department; and all sales or transfers of property made on or after that day, in consideration of such notes or bills, directly or indirectly, will be void, and the property confiscated to the United States — one fourth thereof to go to the informer.”—(Doc. 38.)
—Two Union gunboats opened fire with shot and shell on Darien, Georgia, without inflicting any damage.—Fast day in the rebel States.— Savannah News, May 17.—(Doc. 39.)
—Colonel Johnson Hagood, Provost-Marshal of the Second Military District of South-Carolina, issued the following from his headquarters at Charleston:
“In compliance with instructions received from Brigadier-General Ripley, Capt Francis D. Lee, Engineer Corps, is empowered to impress any negro carpenters and other artisans, not now employed in government service, whether the same be slaves or not Captain Lee will be furnished with such force as may be necessary to carry out the instructions.”
—The National Intelligencer this morning contains an article, three columns in length, denouncing Gen. Hunter’s proclamation, and asserting that the President will revoke it
—Commodore Goldsborouoh with the Susquehannah, the Wachusett, the Dacotah, and the Maratanza moved up the James River, Va., to reduce two batteries on the south shore, and found the batteries abandoned.—N. Y. Times, May 21.—(Doc. 110.)

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 17 1862

—At Galveston, Texas, Captain Henry Eagle, commanding the United States naval forces, sent the following message to the commander of the rebel forces at that place:
“In a few days the naval and land forces of the United States will appear off the town of Galveston to enforce its surrender. To prevent the effusion of blood and destruction of property which would result from the bombardment of your town, I hereby demand the surrender of the place, with all its fortifications and batteries in its vicinity, with all arms and munitions of war. I trust you will comply with this demand.” General Herbert replied that when the land and naval forces made their appearance, the demand would be answered. At the same time he advised the people of the city to “keep cool— there is no danger. When the enemy lands and endeavors to penetrate into the interior, he will be fought on every inch of ground. In the mean time, every man should stand by his arms, and be ready to take the field at a moment’s warning.”—Houston Telegraph, May 23.
—There was a general advance of the Union lines towards Corinth, with much skirmishing and several severe engagements. General Sherman’s division lost forty-four killed and a number wounded, in attacking Russell’s House, but succeeded in dislodging the rebels from that position.— (Doc. 41.)
—Tue gunboat Currituck, accompanied by the transport steamer Seth Low, made a reconnoissancc up the Pamunkey River, Va., for the purpose of capturing or destroying two rebel steamers and several smaller vessels supposed to be at or near Casey’s Point, about ten miles below Newcastle. On reaching that point the vessels were not found, and the gunboat continued the search until within a mile of Newcastle, where two companies of infantry landed and marched to an elevated position, from which they discovered all the vessels in flames, they having been set on fire to prevent their capture by the Currituck. The object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, the companies reembarked and returned to the White House.—N.Y.. Times, May 20.
— The gunboat Penobscot, Captain Clitch, opened fire on the shore batteries at Newlet Inlet, near Wilmington, N. C. The attack brought out the position and power of the guns and batteries, and this being all that was wanted, the gunboat soon ceased to fire.—National Intelligencer.
—The advance-guard of the Army of the Potomac reached the Chickahominy River at Bottom’s Bridge, about fifteen miles from Richmond. The rebels destroyed the bridge, and the march of the Union troops was obstructed.—McClellan’s Despatch.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 18 1862

—A skirmish took place near Searcy, on the Little Red River, Arkansas, between one hundred and fifty men of Gen. Osterhaus’s division, and some six hundred rebels, under Colonels Coleman and Hicks, in which the latter were routed, with a loss of one hundred and fifty left on the field and quite a number wounded.
—A fight took place at Princeton, Va., between the Nationals under the command of General Cox and a body of rebels under Humphrey Marshall, in which the Nationals lost thirty killed and seventy wounded.
—S. Phillips Lee, United States Navy, commanding the advance naval division on the Mississippi River, demanded the surrender of Vicksburgh to the authority of the United States.— (Doc. 111.)

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 19 1862

—Gen. Stoneman’s brigade of McClellan’s army advanced to within fourteen miles of Richmond, Va. They left their encampment near White House at daybreak this morning, and preceded by the signal corps, pushed on to a point six miles above Tunstall’s Station. Soon after they reached a position within four miles of the Chickahominy, where the signal corps discovered a body of rebel cavalry drawn up in line to receive them. The National pickets fell back a few yards, when one company of the Sixth United States cavalry came up and charged upon the rebels, driving them back and capturing two of their horses. The Nationals lost one horse.
—General Hunter’s proclamation, by which the slaves in Florida, Georgia, and South-Carolina, had been declared free, was officially repudiated and pronounced void by President Lincoln.— (Doc. 42.)
—Governor Yates, of Illinois, issued a proclamation calling for recruits to fill up the volunteer regiments from that State. Many of our regiments, he says, entered the field with numbers scarcely above the minimum. These have nobly done their duty, and many have purchased lasting honors with the price of their lives, and it remains only for us to maintain what they have achieved, and therefore I call upon the people of Illinois to raise men in every precinct in the State for the regiments that were sent from their own sections, to fill up their own companies. Relying upon the same patriotism that has thus far furnished a brave and noble host at the shortest notice, I send forth this proclamation, and confidently expect a prompt response that will maintain the present glory of our State.
—A reconnoissance was made to Clinton, nine miles, south of Newbern, N. C. The rebels’ advanced pickets were met, and a skirmish ensued, resulting in the loss of one Lieutenant and four privates belonging to the Nationals. The rebels lost nine killed and two prisoners.
—Lieutenant S. M. Whitesides, with eight men of company K, of the Sixth cavalry, captured a train of one hundred mules and eight contrabands belonging to the brigade of the rebel General Whiting, near the advance of General McClellan, en route for Richmond.
—The Legislature of Virginia adjourned in accordance with a resolution previously adopted. In the House of Delegates, the Speaker, Mr. Sheffey, of Augusta, delivered an affecting valedictory.—(See Supplement.)
—This afternoon a boat went ashore from the Wachusett, lying in the James River, Va., with a flag of truce, containing six officers and twelve men. The surgeon of the ship had been sent for from the shore, and the officers and the men, and the rest remained to guard the ship. For some reason, the party in the boat were fired on by some twenty or thirty men, and simultaneously the party on shore were attacked and all taken prisoners. Of the party in the boat, the master’s mate, Almy, of Philadelphia, and W. P. Pierce, seaman, were instantly killed. Henry Johnson was severely wounded in the face, breast, and neck; Brown, wounded in the kidneys; John Close, wounded in the thigh. The three latter were placed on the George Washington and carried to Fortress Monroe; but Brown, who was severely wounded, died in an hour after being put on board. Among the prisoners taken were Baker, engineer; Paymaster Stockwell; the Surgeon of the ship; Depford, signal officer, detailed from the army; Thos. Green, coxswain; J. O’Marley and Frank Cousin, seamen; and several others.—(Doc. 112.)
—John T. Monroe, Mayor of New Orleans, and other municipal officers of that city, were arrested by order of Gen. Butler, and sent to Fort Jackson.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 20 1862

—Edward Stanly, of North-Carolina, received his commission as Military Governor of that State. He is invested with the duties and functions of that station, including the power to establish all necessary offices and tribunals, and suspend the writ of habeas corpus during the pleasure of the President, or until the loyal inhabitants shall organize a State government in accordance with the Constitution of the United States.
—Lieut.-Col. Downey, who was sent to Wardensville, near Moorfield, Va., after the guerrillas who recently overpowered a party of convalescent soldiers in that neighborhood, reported having killed the notorious chief, Umbagh, and three men, and that he wounded four. He took twelve prisoners. The Nationals lost nothing.
—A train of seventeen wagons, laden with government stores, which left Rolla, Mo., on Monday last, was overtaken to-day, when about twenty miles out on the Springfield road, by a band of rebel guerrillas, who burned the wagons and their contents, and carried off all the mules, eighty-six in number.—Four United States gunboats bombarded the rebel works on Cole’s Island, Stono Inlet, S. C, when the rebels burned their barracks and evacuated the Island.
—Lieutenant-Colonel West took possession of Tucson, Arizona, this day, without firing a shot The confederate troops stationed in that city fled across the Rio Grande on his approach, and the citizens of Tucson who were imbued with secession proclivities started for Sonora. The citizens of the town came out and met the troops in great numbers, greeting them with cheers, and of their own accord sent out wagons and brought in loads of forage for the animals, which were worn out by their march from the Pimos around by Fort Stanford.—Los Angeles News.
—A party belonging to General Fremont’s command, under Col. Crook, made a successful descent upon the Central Railroad at the Jackson River depot, Va.
—The rebel pickets were driven across Bottom’s Bridge by skirmishers of General Couch’s division of the army of the Potomac. On the right General Stoneman’s advance reached New Bridge, also on the Chickahominy.
—General Shepley, Military Commandant of New-Orleans, informed the citizens of that town, that, in the absence of the late Mayor, he, by order of Major-General B. F. Butler, commanding the Department of the Gulf, would discharge the functions which appertained to the office of mayor, until such time as the people of New Orleans should elect a loyal citizen of that city, and of the United States, as Mayor.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 21 1862

—To-day the battle of Philips’s Creek, Mississippi, was fought by the second division of General Halleck’s army, commanded by Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Davies. The rebels were routed, leaving a good many prisoners, guns, haversacks, blankets, etc., in the hands of the Unionists.—(Doc. 113.)
—Commodore Prentiss, with the United States steamer Albatross, penetrated the interior waters of South-Carolina as far as Georgetown, and up the Waccamaw River ten miles above the city, but having an insufficient force, he did not make an attack.
—General Stoneman, in company with Prof. Lowe, made a balloon reconnoissance this morning, from Gaines’s Mills, Va., and reaching«n altitude of five hundred feet, obtained a complete view of Richmond with the aid of a glass. Very few rebel troops were visible within the limits of the city, but at the left of it, on the line of the road leading to Bottom’s Bridge, a large number were seen.
—At one o’clock, to-day, two mortars opened on Fort Pillow, and the firing was kept up at intervals of five minutes, until six in the evening. It was returned three or four times by guns from the rebels, either from the fortifications or from their mortar-boats, their shells bursting wide of the mark, and doing no damage.
Deserters from Fort Pillow state that one hundred and eighty dead bodies were removed from the rebel rams and gunboats on their return from the late naval engagement On the Mexico, whose boilers were exploded by a well-directed shot from the Benton, every man was either killed or so badly scalded as to render recovery doubtful. None of the rebel vessels, according to this story, were entirely sunk, but three of them were so badly disabled as to be rendered almost useless. The impression at the fort was that they had been badly whipped.
—Three regiments, consisting of the First, Second and Twentieth Kentucky, under command of Col. Sedgewick, made a reconnoissance near Corinth, Mississippi, for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the enemy. After some sharp fighting, which lasted for about two hours, in which he had some thirty men wounded, Col. Sedgewick, being completely successful, returned to camp.—(Doc. 114.)
—Recruiting offices which had been previously closed were reopened by order of the United States Government.
—Brigadier-General I. P. Hatch, commanding the cavalry in Gen. Banks’s division, on his retreat, with a detachment of one hundred and fifty of the Fifth New-York cavalry, attacked a large body of Ashby’s cavalry near Strasburgh, Ya,, killed six, captured the same number, and “drove the remainder before them several miles at a full gallop, without the loss of a man.”
—General McClellan sent the following despatch to the Secretary of War:
“I have just returned from Bottom’s Bridge. Have examined the country on the other side, and made a reconnoissance on the heels of the enemy, who probably did not like the skirmish of yesterday. The bridge will be repaired by to-morrow, and others built as the camps have advanced to-day.”

 

[farmersdaughter]

may 22 1862

—An enthusiastic meeting was held at Portsmouth, Va., at which resolutions were adopted expressive of devotion to the cause of the Union, and condemnatory of the heresy of secession. Johannes Watson was elected President and R. S. Staples, Secretary.—(Doc. 101.)
—This morning while the Seventy-sixth New York regiment was marching through the city of Washington a number of civil officers provided with judicial papers, seized two negroes and soon placed them beyond the possibility of rescue.
An effort was made to arrest six or eight other alleged fugitive slaves, when many of the soldiers interposed, pointing their muskets at the police and warning them of the danger of persistence. They therefore retired — the negroes departing under the protection of their military friends.
—The foreign consuls at Galveston, Texas, in view of an expected attack upon that place by the United States forces, communicated with Captain Eagle of the Santee, with a purpose of fixing upon some point that might be respected in the bombardment, as a point of refuge for foreign subjects; when Captain Eagle replied:
“Let me assure you, gentlemen, that no person can deplore more than myself the misery that would result from the bombardment of the town of Galveston, and its fortifications, yet it is a duty that will become necessary to enforce its surrender. It is not in my power to give you any assurance of security during the bombardment, for it is impossible to tell what direction the shot and shell will take.”—Houston Telegraph, May 23.
—General Prentiss’s troops, captured at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn., were paroled by the rebels at Montgomery, Alabama.—Mobile Register, May 27.
—This day company I, of the Seventeenth Massachusetts, left Newbern, N. C., on a scouting party to seize a quantity of cotton which the rebels were reported to have stored near Pollocksville, for the purpose of burning or carrying off as opportunity favored them. The party had proceeded but a few miles beyond the Union outposts, when, at the fork of the roads leading to Trenton and Pollocksville, they were suddenly met with a brisk discharge of musketry from every side. The woods all round suddenly became brilliant with the flashing of the pieces, and the party, deeming it probable that the rebels were too numerous and strongly posted to hazard any thing like a determined resistance, withdrew after firing a few rounds. The loss of the Nationals was three killed and eight wounded.— N. Y. Herald, May 30.
—The Court of Impeachment for the purpose of trying West H. Humphreys, late District Judge of the United States for the second district of Tennessee, on charges of treason presented by the House of Representatives, was organized in the Senate Chamber at Washington, D. C., this day.
—Six rebel pickets were captured near Battery Island, on the Stono River, S. C., by a small reconnoitring party from the United States coast survey steamer Bibb

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 23 1862

—Colonel Kenly’s command of infantry and cavalry, in General Banks’s department, was driven from Front Royal, with considerable loss, by a large body of rebels.—(Doc. 43.)
—Captain Tilford, stationed with forty men on the east side of the Rio Grande, seven miles below Fort Craig, N. M., received a summons to surrender from a band of two hundred Texans. He refused; but after fighting for three hours, was obliged to retreat to Fort Craig with the loss of three wounded.—Denver Herald.
—Portions of the army of the Potomac crossed the Chickahominy River in two places, at the Railroad Bridge and at Bottom’s Bridge.
—The battle of Lewisburgh, Va., was fought this day. The rebel Colonel Heath attacked Col. Crook with three thousand infantry and cavalry, and six cannon. After a spirited fight of an hour, the rebels were put to flight in utter confusion, and their flight soon became a rout. Col Crook captured four rifled cannon — one so near his position that it was loaded with canister—and caissons, and eight rounds of ammunition.
The rebels, in the early part of the fight, carried off their killed and wounded, but left on the field thirty-eight dead, including several officers, and sixty-six wounded. A hundred prisoners were captured, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Finney, Major Edgar, and others. Three hundred stand of arms were taken. In the evening, to secure their retreat, they burned Greenbrier bridge, beyond which they could not be pursued. Crook’s victory was won only by hard fighting against greatly superior forces. The Nationals lost fourteen killed, sixty wounded, and five pickets captured. Some of the wounded were shot in the streets of Lewisburgh, as they were returning to the hospital, by the citizens of the town.—(Doc. 44.)
—The town of Grand Gulf, Miss., was shelled by the Union gunboats Richmond and Hartford. Considerable damage was done to the town, but no person was injured.
The reason assigned for the shelling was, that two United States transports loaded with soldiers were fired into by a masked battery of four guns in the vicinity of the town.—Jackson Mississippian, June 4.

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 24 1862

—A skirmish took place at Craighead Point, near Fort Pillow, Tennessee, between a party of Federal pickets and a large body of rebel infantry. After the two parties had exchanged a few shots, the Union gunboat Benton opened fire upon the rebels and brought on an engagement with the batteries at Fort Pillow, which was closed by the Benton retiring to her position with the Union fleet.—New-York World.
—Five companies of the Fourth Michigan regiment, under Bowen, of the Topographical Engineers, and Lieutenant Cusher, of the Fifth cavalry, acting with the Topographical corps, crossed the Chickahominy a short distance above New-Bridge. At Cold Harbor a small command of thirty men, of the Fourth Michigan, succeeded in getting between four companies of the Fifth Louisania regiment, who were out on picket-duty at the bridge, and a brigade of rebels who were supporting them.
In the mean time, the rest of the regiment and the squadrons of cavalry approached the bridge, thus attracting the attention of the four Louisiana companies. The first knowledge the rebels had of the near presence of an enemy, was the firing from thirty muskets at pistol-shot range, making havoc in the ranks and causing a serious panic, while the main body advanced in front and opened a deadly fire.
The result was, that thirty-seven of the enemy were taken prisoners, fifteen wounded, and between sixty and seventy left dead on the field. Among the prisoners was a lieutenant. Lieut. Bowen had his horse shot under him during the skirmish.[1]—(Doc. 45.)
— A Union meeting was held at Murfreesboro, Tenn., at which speeches were made by Andrew Johnson and others. — Louisville Journal, May 26.
— Yesterday General Stoneman’s brigade and the brigade of General Davidson, of Smith’s division, advanced from New-Bridge up the Chickahominy to Ellison’s Mills, on Bell’s Creek. Here they encountered four regiments of the enemy’s infantry, with nine pieces of artillery and a command of cavalry. Of these, two regiments of infantry and three pieces of artillery were on the opposite side of the creek. The rest of the infantry, composed of the Eighth and Ninth Georgia regiments, under General Howell Cobb, were posted in a favorable position to resist McClellan’s advance to Mechanicsville.
Fitlar’s and Robertson’s batteries of the Second artillery, were quickly brought into action, and after firing some one hundred and fifty rounds the rebels withdrew, with their guns — not however, until one of them had been dismounted — to the village, covered by their infantry and cavalry. Four regiments of General Davidson’s brigade, with Wheeler’s battery, were then sent around, but night coming on, they went into camp, within six hundred yards of the enemy.
This morning at daylight, the batteries on both sides opened, Wheeler confining his guns to shelling the houses behind which the enemy’s infantry were concealed. The fire was too hot for the rebels, and they left the village, a portion retiring across the Chickahominy, the remainder falling back to the railroad. The Thirty-third New York regiment were the first to enter the village. The houses showed unmistakable evidences of the accuracy of the artillery, some of them being riddled in a dozen places. The rebels carried off their killed and wounded, one man excepted. The Union casualties were two killed and four wounded. Colonel Mason, of the Seventh Maine, was slightly injured by the explosion of a shell.
General Stoneman then sent two squadrons of the Eighth Illinois cavalry under Major Clendennin, three miles further up the river, and caused to be destroyed the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburgh Railroad.
—The British steamer Stettin was captured this morning while attempting to run the blockade of Charleston, S. C.—Charleston Mercury, May 27.
— A reconnoitring party from Pope’s command had a skirmish near Corinth, Miss., resulting in a complete rout of three rebel regiments, with loss of knapsacks, blankets, and haversacks, several were killed and wounded, and six prisoners were taken. The regiments fled in confusion across the creek. The national loss was four wounded.
— A party of National troops from the Fifth Virginia regiment, and Captain Fish’s company of Connecticut cavalry, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Latham, surprised a guerrilla band on Snuff’s Mountain, Randolph County, Va., and put them to flight, capturing most of their arms and equipments, and without any loss on the National side.— Wheeling Intelligencer, May 27.
— The steamer Swan, laden with one thousand bales of cotton, and eight hundred barrels of rosin, was captured off the coast of Cuba by the United States brig Bainbridge, and bark Amanda, and sent to Key West, Florida, for adjudication.—National Intelligencer, June 2.
—A reconnoissance in force was this day made from General Keyes’s headquarters, for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the rebels in the neighborhood of ” the Pines,” some eight and a half miles from Richmond, Va.—(Doc. 115.)
[1] A despatch to the War Department from General McClellan mentions this affair as follows:
“Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the rebels from Mechanicsville, seven miles from New-Bridge. The Fourth Michigan about finished the Louisiana Tigers. Fifty prisoners and fifty killed; our loss ten killed and wounded.”

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 25 1862

—General Banks at Winchester, Va., with about four thousand men, was attacked and compelled to retreat by Gen. (Stonewall) Jackson and Ewell with fifteen thousand men.—(Doc. 15 and 102.)
—The Government of the United States called for additional troops, and issued the following order:
Ordered—By virtue of the authority vested by an act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further orders, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of troops and munitions of war, as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business.
— The National forces under Gen. McDowell, advanced towards Richmond, and encamped on the Massaponax, six miles from Frcdericksburgh.
— The news of General Banks’s defeat, and the sudden call of the Secretary of War upon the State militia, created the utmost excitement at the North, not only among the military themselves, but among the thousands connected with them. The greatest enthusiasm and eagerness to march at once to any field of service named by the Government was every where apparent
— Great excitement existed in Baltimore, Md., consequent upon the rejoicings of the secessionists of that city, at the defeat of General Banks and the repulse of the First Maryland regiment— (Doc. 116.)
— A Reconnoissance of the rebel works at Vicksburgh, Miss., was this day made by the United States gunboat Kennebec, under the command of Captain Russell. The Kennebec approached within about two miles of the works, when a battery of four guns opened on her, killing one man and wounding another.—New-York Evening Post.
— General McClellan issued an order to the effect that upon the passage of the Chickahominy River, the troops of the army of the Potomac were to be “prepared for battle at a moment’s notice.”—(Doc. 117

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 26 1862

—The Eighth, Eleventh, Seventy-first, and Thirty-seventh regiments New-York State Militia were ordered by the Governor of the State of New-York to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to Washington.
—The Seventh regiment, New-York State Militia, left New-York for Washington in response to the call for troops to defend the capital.—The Twenty-fifth regiment, New-York State Militia, met at Albany and resolved to volunteer their services.—The Thirty-second regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, under the command of Col. F. I. Parker, left Boston for Washington this evening.
—General Banks’s command crossed the Potomac safely at Williamsport, Md.—(Doc. 15.)
—This day, by order of Gen. Dix, commanding the Department of Maryland, Judge Richard Carmichael and James Powell, Prosecuting Attorney, of Talbot County, Md., were arrested at Easton, in that county, by the United States Marshal, upon a charge of treason. Some resistance was apprehended, and a body of military proceeded from Baltimore to insure the arrest, which was made in the court-room. The accused were lodged in Fort McHenry.
— Intelligence was received at Washington that the United States steamer Shawsheen, with one company of the Ninth New-York regiment, on the ninth instant, proceeded up the Chowan River, N. C, to Gates County, and destroyed fifty thousand dollars’ worth of bacon, corn, lard, fish, etc., belonging to the confederate government. The warehouse containing it was burned, and as the party were returning to the boat they were fired upon by thirty rebel cavalry, but succeeded in driving them off, and killing the leader.
—General D. E. Sickles resumed the command of the Excelsior brigade, N. Y. S. volunteers- —The Confiscation Bill passed the United States House of Representatives.
— The British steamer Patras was captured, twenty-two miles off Charleston bar, by the United States gunboat Bienville, Commander Mullaney, while attempting to run the blockade. Her cargo consisted of gunpowder, rifles, coffee, and a large quantity of quinine. She had no papers showing her nationality or port of destination.
—A skirmish took place near Grand Gulf, Miss., between a small party of Union troops, commanded by Lieut. De Kay, which landed from the gunboat Kennebec and a body of rebel cavalry, resulting in the retreat of the Unionists, and the loss of their leader, Lieut. De Kay, who was killed at the first fire.
—Lieutenant Frank C. Davis, of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, returned to Fair Oak Station, after successfully delivering a message from Gen. McClellan to Captain Rodgers, in command of the Union gunboats on the James River.— (Doc. 118.)

 

[farmersdaughter]

May 28 1862

—A public meeting was held in Richmond, Va., for the purpose of enrolling the names of such of the citizens as chose to form themselves into a Home Guard for the defence of the city.—Stringent orders in respect to communication with Norfolk, were published by General Wool—The Seventy-first regiment, N. Y. S. M., left New-York City for Washington.—The Legislature of Virginia appropriated the sum of two hundred thousand dollars to defray the expense of removing the women and children of Richmond to a place of safety. Mrs. Jeff Davis was sent under the care of ex-Senator Gwin to Raleigh, N. C.
—Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, issued an order relieving the militia who rallied in obedience to the proclamation of Monday, and they returned to their homes, except such as volunteered for three years or the war. The men generally expected to serve three or six months, not knowing that an act of Congress required the service for an indefinite period.—At Newbern, N. C, the evening schools established by Dr. Vincent Colyer for the education of colored persons were closed by order of Governor Stanly.— N. Y. Tribune, June 4.
—The United States mail steamer Northern Light, under the command of Captain Tinklepaugh, in lat 31°, lon. 73° 35′, captured the rebel schooner, Agnes H. Ward, of Wilmington, N. C. She was found sailing under the rebel flag and papers, and bound for Nassau, N. P., with a cargo of cotton, turpentine, and tobacco. The mail steamer took her in tow and carried her into New-York.
—The Charleston and Savannah Railroad at Pocotaligo, S. C, was destroyed by the National troops under the command of Col. Christ.
—Pierre Soule was arrested at New-Orleans, La., by order of Gen. Butler.—N. O. Picayune, May 29.
—General Shepley, Military Commandant at New-Orleans, ordered that prayers should “not be offered up for the destruction of the Union or Constitution of the United States or for the success of the rebel armies.”
—Lieutenant-colonel Sickles, in command of four companies of the Ninth Illinois cavalry, had a skirmish with a party of rebels near Cache River bridge, Arkansas, totally defeating them. Captain Blakemore, with three companies of the same regiment, pursued a party of rebels, mortally wounding one and taking one prisoner. Captain Buel with his company, pursued another party, but they succeeded in making their escape. —Jacksonport, Ark., Cavalier, June 9.
—Three strong columns advanced and reconnoitred within gunshot of the rebel works at Corinth. They were commanded respectively by Generals Thomas, Buell, and Pope. The rebels hotly contested the ground at each point, but were driven back with considerable loss. The column on the left encountered the strongest opposition. The National loss was twenty-five killed and wounded. The enemy left thirty dead on the field. Some five or six officers and a number of privates were captured.—Halleck’s Despatch