THIS WEEK IN THE CIVIL WAR

1862

1862 Calendar

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From the Editor: General John Floyd has two objectives in mind when he marches his brigade into Fort Donelson. Protect the flank of Albert Sidney Johnston's retreating army and bring all the troops in Donelson to Nashville before the position becomes untenable. The attention of both Floyd and Johnston is focused on the Union's seemingly 'invulnerable' fleet of gunboats. On Friday, the gunboats attack and, to the suprise of all, are beaten back. Confident that he has accomplished all that can be expected at Donelson, Floyd prepares to attack the encircling Union troops and lead his men to Nashville. The attack in successful and the road to Nashville is forced open. It is at this point that the Confederate command structure breaks down. While General Simon B. Buckner is positioning his men to cover the retreat, General Gideon Pillow orders all the Confederate forces back to their original positions. Buckner appeals to General Floyd who, in turn, confers with Pillow. Floyd, paralyzed with indecision, is convinced by Pillow to order all the troops back into the fort's trenches. Grant's counter-attack later in the afternoon ends the debate. The Confederates are, once again, trapped in Fort Donelson. Late Saturday evening another council of war is called to order. Three options are debated. Attack again in the morning, hold the fort for another day or............... surrender.

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February 9 1862 (Sunday)

Brigadier-General Gideon Pillow arrives to take command of Fort Donelson. He exhorts his men to, "Drive back the ruthless invaders from our soil and raise again the Confederate flag over Fort Henry."

U.S. Grant wants to quickly move on Fort Donelson, but "high water and mud prevent transportation of...baggage and artillery." Meanwhile, the "pilfering and marauding disposition" of his men causes Grant to issue General Field Orders No. 5.

GENERAL FIELD ORDERS No. 5. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Fort Henry, February 9, 1862. The pilfering and marauding disposition shown by some of the men of this command has determined the general commanding to make an example of some one, to fully show his disapprobation of such conduct....Every offense will be traced back to a responsible party. In an enemy's country, where so much more could be done by a manly and humane policy to advance the cause which we all have so deeply at heart, it is astonishing that men can be found so wanton as to destroy, pillage, and burn indiscriminately, without inquiry. By order of Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant, commanding: JNO. A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

In Alexandria, Virginia, the Reverend J.R. Stewart is arrested for "omitting to read the prayer for the President of the United States and for Congress and declining to do so after twice being asked."
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February 10 1862 (Monday)

General Pillow reports to General John Buchanan Floyd about the condition of Fort Donelson. He states, "I have reached this place and find everything quiet." Later in the day he supplements his report to Floyd.

HEADQUARTERS FORT DONELSON, February 10, 1862. General FLOYD: I am apprehensive, from the large accumulations of the enemy's forces in the neighborhood of Fort Henry....I am pushing the work on my river batteries day and night; also on my field works and defensive line in the rear. In a week's time, if I am allowed that much, I will try very hard to make my batteries bomb-proof. With great respect, GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General Don Carlos Buell finds another reason for his inability to support Grant's position at Fort Henry.

FEBRUARY 10, 1862--1.30 p.m. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding U. S. Army, Washington, D.C.: My ordnance officer has made frequent report of the worthless character of certain arms sent here....The muskets sent to Kentucky are unsafe and demoralize the troops. Propose to alter them...(they) ought to be replaced at once. D. C. BUELL, Brigadier-General.

U.S. Grant is waiting for gunboats. He tells Flag-Officer Andrew Foote, "I have been waiting patiently for the return of the gunboats....Please let me know your determination in this matter, and start as soon as you like. I will be ready to co-operate at any moment." Grant plans to have his troops ready to march by the 12th.

GENERAL FIELD ORDERS No. 7. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Fort Henry, February 10, 1862. The troops from Forts Henry and Heiman will hold themselves in readiness to move on Wednesday, the 12th instant, at as early an hour as practicable. Neither tents nor baggage will be taken, except such as the troops can carry. Brigade and regimental commanders will see that all their men are supplied with 40 rounds of ammunition in their cartridge-boxes and two days' rations in their haversacks. By order of Brigadier-General Grant: JNO. A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General

What was left of the Confederate naval fleet guarding the Carolina coast has fled, following their defeat at Roanoke Island, to Elizabeth City. With further retreat blocked, Commodore Lynch decides to make a stand. In a short engagement, the entire fleet is destroyed (7 ships) and Marines aboard Union gunboats capture Elizabeth City. Union losses are reported as 2 killed and 7 wounded.

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February 11 1862 (Tuesday)

Flag-Officer Foote has "three gunboats (ready) to proceed up the Cumberland River." With the gunboats on the move, Grant prepares his troops which "will leave tomorrow, as rapidly as possible."

Henry Connelly, Governor of New Mexico, reports a force not "exceeding 3,000 men" within "20 miles of this place." He expects a battle to take place "most likely on the 13th." The militia has been called out to augment the 1,200 troops stationed at Fort Craig. The Fort is spread over ten acres on the west bank of the Rio Grande River with twenty-two adobe and basaltic-rock buildings surrounded by an adobe and earthen wall. The forces approaching are commanded by Brigadier-General Henry Hopkins Sibley who had started his troops up the Rio Grande four days earlier to begin their conquest of New Mexico Territory. Sibley planned, after taking New Mexico, to march on to Colorado, Utah and California. The ultimate goal "of the campaign was the conquest of California."

Colonel Foster reports the capture of "Chariton, North Missouri" complete with "19 rebels, 18 horses, and 142 kegs of powder."

In Washington D.C., the Adjutant General's Office is complaining about the "enormous waste...of blank forms issued from this office." The waste calls for "prompt correction" and new regulations that "will be strictly enforced."

[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]

February 12 1862 (Wednesday)

Lieutenant-Commander Seth Ledyard Phelps reports on his excursion up the Tennessee River. His gunboats were able to "destroy everything on the Tennessee to Florence, in Alabama."

Lieutenant-Commander Phelps: We have returned to this point from an entirely successful expedition to Florence at foot of the Muscle Shoals, Ala. The rebels were forced to burn six steamers, and we captured two others, beside the half-complete gunboat Eastport. The steamers burned were freighted with rebel military stores. The Eastport has about 250,000 feet of lumber on board. Captured 200 stand of arms and a quantity of clothing and stores, and destroyed the encampment of Colonel Drew at Savannah, Tenn. Found the Union sentiment strong.

General Halleck reports, "General Grant has invested Fort Donelson on the land side, but he cannot transport his siege artillery from Fort Henry. Half the country is under water." General Pillow is aware of Grant's arrival, he tells General Floyd, "we shall have a battle (tomorrow) morning....The enemy are all around my position and within distance to close in with me in ten minutes march." Floyd then reports on the situation to General Albert Sidney Johnston.

CLARKSVILLE, TENN., February 12, 1862. General JOHNSTON: I have thought the best disposition to make of the troops on this line was to concentrate the main force at Cumberland City, leaving at Fort Donelson enough to make all possible resistance to any attack which may be made upon the fort, but no more. The character of the country in the rear and to the left of the fort is such as to make it dangerous to concentrate our whole force there our troops would be in danger of being cut off....I received by telegraph your authority to make any disposition of the troops which in my judgment was best, and acknowledged it by a dispatch immediately. I am acting accordingly. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN B. FLOYD, Brigadier-General, C.S. Army.

General William W. Loring responds to the charges leveled against him by Major-General T.J. Jackson.

RICHMOND, VA., February 12, 1862. Hon. J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: SIR: In compliance with your request of this morning I have the honor to supply the following answer to the charges preferred against me by Maj. Gen. T. J. Jackson....I can scarcely be held responsible for the results when I had no control over the cause. That portion of my command was rendered unfit for active service by marches of cruel severity, which prostrated it, was a fault, but can only be attributed to him who ordered it. I obeyed the instructions of my superior. While I gave every attention in my power to the march, the state of the roads and the inclemency of the weather rendered it impossible to avert the sickness and suffering of the troops. It is hardly possible that an important expedition could have been frustrated, for this inefficient part of my force, as stated, was but one-third of the whole, and only that particular force was called for.... An intimate acquaintance with the Army Regulations and the customs of the service for some twenty-six years has failed to inform me of the fact that a respectful and truthful statement by commanders of the condition of their commands was other than a duty, and when it was accompanied by a request for the amelioration of their condition, humanity and the customs of the service require their common superior to give it his most serious consideration....Should this reply be deemed not satisfactory, I respectfully request that a court-martial be ordered to ascertain the merits of the case. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. LORING, Brigadier-General.

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February 13 1862 (Thursday)

Brigadier-General Henry A. Wise writes to Jefferson Davis in an effort to explain the "defeat and disasters" that occurred at Roanoke Island."

CANAL BRIDGE, CURRITUCK COUNTY, N. C., February 13, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, &c.: SIR: You are aware already, doubtless, of my defeat and disasters. I did my best to prepare for the unequal conflict. Unequal it was. In vain I appealed for re-enforcements; the reply was an order to my post, and that "supplies, hard work, and coolness, not men," were all that was needed....The North Carolina troops had not been paid, clothed, or drilled, and they had no teams or tools or materials for constructing works of defense, and they were badly commanded and led...and they did not fight....About 600 of my (Virginia) Legion withstood the enemy for half a day on the 8th....Twice the enemy, at least 8,000 strong, were repulsed with slaughter, and it was not until they passed a dense, deep swamp, thought to be impassable, and outflanked us on the right...(that) the Legion gave way, but never surrendered....The forts on the island were all out of place...leaving several of the landing points on the south end without any defenses....We had but four indifferent mules for our pieces and they were killed....Such were the odds and the deficiencies of our defenses, yet my men fought firmly, coolly, and stubbornly up to the muzzle, to wounds, death, and captivity. With the highest respect, your obedient servant, HENRY A. WISE, Brigadier-General.

Judah Benjamin, Secretary of War, reassures North Carolina Governor Henry T. Clark that the dangers in North Carolina are "greatly exaggerated." Brigadier-General Lawrence Branch, commander at Newbern, N.C., did not share Benjamin's optimistic opinion. He begins preparations to counter Burnside's next thrust into the North Carolina coast.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, Goldsborough, February 13, 1862. Brig. Gen. L. O'B. BRANCH, Commanding, &c., New Berne, N. C.: GENERAL: In regard to casemating the guns, I can see but one plan which could be adopted without making greater alterations than we can at present spare the time for. It would decrease the number of guns but add much to their efficiency, and each gun might be casemated separately....The plan is this: Let two rows of strong posts, say sixteen inches or more in diameter, be set in the ground about twenty feet apart, and a heavy plate placed on each row to give a support to the roof. . I send a sketch, but I am fearful you will neither understand the poor drawing nor worse description....I hope the breast-works for infantry are complete, and have their flanks protected by river and swamps, so that they cannot be turned. That is absolutely necessary. In regard to the enemy we know but little. I hear that much excitement exists in Richmond in consequence of his proximity to the railroads from Norfolk to Roanoke and the Roanoke bridges. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. C. GATLIN, Brigadier-General.

General Floyd marches his Virginia brigade into Fort Donelson and takes command. This marks the fourth command change at Donelson since the fall of Fort Henry. Floyd reports that "the enemy's gunboats are advancing." Grant's men "are in force around our entire works."

The West Virginia Constitutional Convention, meeting at Wheeling, adopted a provision that "no slave or free person of color should come into the state for permanent residence."

U.S. Grant was promoted to command the Department of West Tennessee. To fill his absence, General Halleck appointed Brigadier-General William Sherman to take over as head of the Department of Cairo which was headquarted at Paducah in western Kentucky. Sherman's rebirth as a field commander was due mainly to the unrelenting pressure from the powerful Ewing family. Sherman's wife Ellen, daughter of Senator Thomas Ewing, was thrilled and she wrote to thank Halleck. "May ecstacy & glory ever attend you!"

[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]

February 14 1862 (Friday)

Albert Sidney Johnston, aware of the trap that newly reinforced Fort Donelson could become warns General Floyd, "if you lose the fort, bring (the) troops to Nashville, if possible."

The weather in Tennessee has turned very cold. Grant reports, "This morning the thermometer indicated 20* below freezing." Despite the cold, five gunboats arrive to augment Grant's force and with the "enemy now...driven inside their outer works", Grant launches his attack.

FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862. General Johnston: The enemy are assaulting us with a most tremendous cannonade...becoming general around the whole line. I will make the best defense in my power. JNO. B. FLOYD.

To General Floyd it appears to be Fort Henry all over again. He wires A.S. Johnston, "the Fort cannot hold out twenty minutes...Four gunboats advancing abreast." But, Foote's gunboats cannot withstand the plunging fire emanating from Fort Donelson's high bluffs. Foote himself is wounded and, one by one, his gunboats are disabled and float back downstream. Floyd, regaining his composure sends an update to Johnston, "the gunboats have been driven back. Two...seriously injured. I think the fight is over today."

NASHVILLE, February 14, 1862. We have just had the fiercest fight on recond between guns and gunboats, which lasted two hours. They reached within less than 200 yards of our batteries. We drove them back, damaging two of them badly and crippled a third very badly. No damage done to our battery and not a man killed. GID.J. PILLOW, Commander.

A dejected Grant wires headquarters.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, In Field, near Fort Donelson, February 14, 1862. Brig. Gen. G.W. CULLUM, Cairo, Ill.: Apprearances indicate now that we will have a protracted siege here...The ground is very broken, and the fallen timber extending far out from the breastworks, I fear the result of an attempt to carry the place by storm with raw troops. I feel great confidence, however, of ultimately reducing the place....Please inform General Halleck of the substance of this. U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General

"Generals Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner meet in council soon after dark." They are victorious, but also surrounded and the enemy is being strongly reinforced. During the council it is "decided to attack the enemy on his extreme right and right center at 5 o'clock in the morning. It (is) believed that the enemy might be thrown back and an opportunity secured to withdraw to safety."

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February 15 1862 (Saturday)

At 4 o'clock in the morning Grant receives a message from Flag-Officer Foote to come down-river and confer with him about his disabled gunboats. Shortly after Grant leaves, General Pillow, commanding the Confederate left wing, attacks.

About 5 o'clock next morning (the 15th) the left wing, under General Pillow, moved to the attack. Brisk fires were opened and kept up by the enemy and responded to with spirit from our lines, his men generally overshooting, while ours were constantly warned to aim low.... After a long struggle the enemy finally gave way, at first falling back slowly. Our troops pressed forward, and about 9.30 o'clock his right wing was in full retreat. Now the cavalry on our extreme left was brought up and charged with effect on the retreating enemy....In the mean time the fires of our left wing were heard steadily advancing, driving the enemy back upon his right center....The enemy, being now pressed in front of his center by this advance and on his right flank by the pursuing forces of General Pillow's division, retreated rapidly for some distance towards his left wing; but, receiving heavy re-enforcements, the pursuit was checked, and finally the retreating foe made a firm stand, opening from a field battery strongly supported by masses of infantry. J. F. GILMER, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Chief Engineer Western Department.

In the early afternoon cavalry commander Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest reports, "we have driven them back without a reverse from the left of our intrenchments to the center having opened three different roads by which we might retire." Simon Bolivar Buckner's division is "being established in position to cover the retreat of the army." The road to Nashville is clear. But then, reported Buckner afterword, "the plan of battle seemed to have changed and the troops were ordered back to the trenches."

About I o'clock an order was given by General Pillow recalling our forces to the defensive lines. Our forces having returned, they were ordered to the positions they occupied the day previous, involving a march of over a mile for the troops on the extreme right. The enemy at the same time advanced with his re-enforcements to attack that flank, and by a prompt movement succeeded in effecting a lodgment within the lines just as our exhausted forces arrived....A vigorous attempt to dislodge him faded, and at length our men, having suffered much, fell back, leaving him in possession of that portion of our defenses. J. F. GILMER, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Chief Engineer Western Department.

Grant, notified of the battle taking place in his absence, races back to his command. He desperately wires Andrew Foote and prepares to counterattack.

CAMP NEAR FORT DONELSON, February 15, 1862. ANDREW H. FOOTE. Commanding Officer Gunboat Flotilla : If all the gunboats that can will immediately make their appearance to the enemy it may secure us a victory. Otherwise all may be defeated. A terrible conflict ensued in my absence, which has demoralized a portion of my command....I must order a charge to save appearances. I do not expect the gunboats to go into action, but to make appearance and throw a few shells at long range. U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

FORT DONELSON. I ordered a charge upon the left (enemy's right) with the division under General C.F. Smith, which was most brilliantly executed, and gave to our arms full assurance of victory. The battle lasted until dark, giving us possession of part of the intrenchments....At the points thus gained, night having come on, all the troops encamped for the night. U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General.

At nightfall the fighting ends. Grant succeedes in carrying the outer lines of fortifications, but the Fort itself remains in Confederate hands. At 11 PM, General Floyd sends word of the days "sanguinary conflict" to Albert Sidney Johnston. Johnston quickly informs Richmond of the brilliant "victory".

FORT DONELSON, TENN., February. 15, 1862--11 p.m. A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON: The enemy having invested our lines, it was determined to attack them, which we did this morning at 5.30 o'clock. General Pillow led the attack upon the enemy's right flank, and, after a most obstinate and sanguinary conflict, succeeded in driving the enemy from his position and forcing him back towards his left flank. General Buckner led the attack on the right, in which many of his troops displayed commendable determination and courage. General Johnson led his command with firmness and spirit in the conflict. Nothing could exceed the steady and determined courage of many of our troops, with numbers much less than half. The enemy maintained a successful struggle, which continued for nine hours, and resulted in driving him from the field, with a loss on his part of 1,240-odd killed and wounded, of whom 1,000 were killed. About 300 prisoners,-six pieces of artillery, and 1,000 stand of arms were captured. Our own loss amounted to about 500 killed and wounded. They have a force of forty-two regiments. JOHN B. FLOYD, Brigadier-General.

EDGEFIELD, TENN., February 15--midnight, Hon. J.P. Benjamin: We have had to-day at Fort Donelson one of the most sanguinary conflicts of the war. Our forces attacked the enemy with energy and won a brilliant victory. A.S. JOHNSTON, General, C.S. Army

Just prior to midnight, Generals Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner hold another council of war.

In a council of general officers, held after night, it was unanimously resolved that if the enemy had not reoccupied in strength the position in front of General Pillow the army should effect its retreat, and orders to assemble the regiments for that purpose were given by General Floyd; but as the enemy had late in the afternoon appeared in considerable force on the battlefield...a reconnaissance was ordered by General Pillow, under the instructions of General Floyd....This reconnaissance (to) be made by Colonel Forrest.

S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest is sent out into the frigid night. His mission is to determine if Union forces re-occupy their former ground. In the meantime, orders are sent to the various commanders to prepare to "cut through the enemy's right."

And thats the way it was 136 years ago this week.

Author: Rienzi99@civilweek.com

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