THIS WEEK IN THE CIVIL WAR

1862

1862 Calendar

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From the Editor: In the cold, dark early morning hours of Sunday, February 16th, Fort Donelson surrenders. In a bizarre, late night council of war, General Floyd turns over command to General Pillow who, in turn, passes command to the third ranking general in the fort, Simon Bolivar Buckner. Generals Floyd and Pillow cross the Cumberland River and flee. Buckner, an old friend of Union commander U.S. Grant, hopes to rely upon that friendship for honerable terms of surrender. In that hope he is sorely disappointed. Grant offers no terms except "unconditional surrender." Using his pen as forcefully as he has utilized his army, Ulysses S. Grant becomes, in the northern newspapers, "Unconditional Surrender Grant."

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February 16 1862 (Sunday)

General Nathan Bedford Forrest's scouts are out probing the Union lines besieging Fort Donelson. Before they could return, Generals Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner receive intelligence from the troops who report "dogs barking" outside of the lines and the sounds of Union troops "re-investing our position." When the scouts return they report, "The enemy (is) in large force occupying his original position." Scouts sent to the river road report that the "overflowed valley was not practible for infantry; that the soft mud was about half-leg deep, and that the water was about saddle-skirt deep on a horse."

No. 51. -- Report of Brig. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, C. S. Army. With these facts all before Generals Floyd, Buckner, and myself , General Floyd said: "Well, gentlemen, what is best now to be done?" Neither General Buckner nor myself having answered promptly, General Floyd repeated his inquiry, addressing himself to me by name. My reply was that it was difficult to determine what was best to be done, but that I was in favor of cutting our way out. He then asked General Buckner what he thought we ought to do. General Buckner said his command was so worn down, cut up, and demoralized that he could not make another fight; that he thought we would lose three-fourths of the command we had left in cutting our way out, and that it was wrong; that no officer had the right to sacrifice three-fourths of the command to save one-fourth. GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

With the reconnaissance complete, the generals consider their remaining options.

No. 51. -- Report of Brig. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, C. S. Army. The proposition to cut our way out being thus disposed of, I remarked that we could hold our position another day and fight the enemy from our trenches; that by night our steamboats that had taken off the prisoners and our mounted men would return; that during the next night we could set our troops on the right bank of the river, and that we could make our escape by Clarksville, and thus save the army. To this proposition General Buckner said: "Gentlemen, you know the enemy occupy the rifle pits on my right, and can easily turn my position and attack me in rear or move down on the river battery. I am satisfied he will attack me at daylight, and I cannot hold my position half an hour....I then said: "Gentlemen, if we cannot cut our way out nor fight on there is no alternative left us but capitulation, and I am determined that I will never surrender the command nor will I ever surrender myself a prisoner. I will die first? General Floyd remarked that that was his determination; that he would die before he would do either....Thereupon General Buckner said that, being satisfied that nothing else could be done, if he was placed in command he would surrender the command and would take the fate of the command. General Floyd immediately said: "General Pillow, I turn over the command? I replied instantly: "I pass it." General Buckner said: "I assume it; bring on a bugler, pen, ink, and paper." GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

General Forrest, unwilling to surrender his command, brings his 500 cavalrymen to the river road.

No. 71. -- Reports of Col..Nathan B. Forrest, Tennessee Cavalry. I moved out by the road we had gone out the morning before. When about a mile out crossed a deep slough from the river, saddle-skirt deep, and filed into the road to Cumberland Iron Works....Over 500 cavalry had passed, a company of artillery horses had followed, and a number of men from different regiments, passing over hard-frozen ground. More than two hours had been occupied in passing. Not a gun had been fired at us. Not an enemy had been seen or heard. N. B. FORREST, Colonel, Commanding Forrest's Regiment of Cavalry.

General Pillow, accompanied only by Mr. Rice, "a citizen of Dover and volunteer aide-de-camp", crosses the river "in a small hand flat, about 4 feet wide by 12 long," General Floyd escapes in the predawn hours, "with such portions of his division that could be transported in two small steamers."

General Buckner waits until "near daylight Sunday morning." He orders his troops back to their positions "in the intrenchments" and sends a note, under a white flag, to Federal commander, Brigadier-General U.S.Grant.

HEADQUARTERS, Fort Donelson, February 16, 1862. Brig. Gen. U.S. GRANT, U.S. A. SIR: In consideration of all the circumstances governing the present situation of affairs at this station I propose to the commanding officers of the Federal forces the appointment of commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and post under my command, and in that view suggest an armistice until 12 o'clock to-day.I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.

Grant sends his reply.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD, Camp near Fort Donelson, February 16, 1862. General S. B. BUCKNER, Confederate Army. SIR: Yours of this date, proposing armistice and appointment of commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received. No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Buckner accepts and the Confederate forces remaining at Fort Donelson surrender unconditionally.

HEADQUARTERS, Dover, Tenn., February 16, 1862. Brig. Gen. U.S. GRANT, U.S. A. SIR: The distribution of the forces under my command incident to an unexpected change of commanders and the overwhelming force under your command compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose. I am, sir, your very obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army.
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February 17 1862 (Monday)

Scouts sent out by Brigadier-General Don Carlos Buell report, "The town of Franklin (Ky) is now clear of the enemy. They are pushing on for Nashville." Meanwhile, General U.S. Grant issues General Orders No. 2, congratulating the troops of his command for the "triumph over rebellion."

GENERAL ORDERS No. 2. HDQRS. DIST. OF WEST TENNESSEE, Fort Donelson, February 17, 1862. The victory achieved is not only great in breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in one battle on this continent. Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the maps of our united country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people. U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Union gunboats have penetrated up the Savannah River isolating Fort Pulaski.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, &C., Savannah, Ga., February 17, 1862. Col. C. H. OLMSTEAD, Commanding, &c., Fort Pulaski: COLONEL: From the position the enemy has taken in the Savannah River, it becomes necessary that you look to your defense in that direction.... As far as it is possible your safety will be anxiously cared for, and for the present your communication with the city will have to be by light boats over the marsh and through Wilmington Narrows to Causton's Bluff, or by any other mode by which you can better accomplish it. I am, sir, R. E. LEE, General, Commanding.

Near Big Sugar Creek, Arkansas, Lieutenant-Colonel Clark Wright reports on a brief skirmish with the retreating elements of General Sterling "Old Pap" Price's Missouri Army. During their flight Price has to post guards to prevent the men from dropping out and "falling asleep in the bushes."

HEADQUARTERS WRIGHT'S BATTALION, Camp Cart, Big Sugar Creek, Ark., -February 17, 1862. Col. E. A. CARR, Acting Major-General, Commanding -Fourth Division. We were formed at the creek when the charge was sounded. Colonel Ellis, leading the charge, took the road and received a heavy cross-fire from the enemy....For a few minutes the fight was well contested on the right, the heavy timber and dense underbrush affording good covering for the enemy. I ordered a saber charge after firing our carbines and pistols, but soon found that the brush was too dense to make it rapid enough. Consequently we returned sabers and fought our way through with carbines. My battalion moved steadily forward, routing the enemy, driving him beyond the brush into the open ground beyond, at which point I received an order to fall back. I am, very respectfully, colonel, your most obedient servant, CLARK WRIGHT, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Wright's Battalion Cavalry.

The Confederate Congress passes a resolution, "To make disposition of negro slaves captured from hostile Indians." The act declares that, "All negroes who are slaves belonging to hostile Indians" are to be delivered to the head chief of friendly tribes "as captured property."

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February 18 1862 (Tuesday)

Major-General Henry Halleck, jealous of Grant's lightning successes, offers command of Grant's troops to General Buell.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, February 18, 1862. Brigadier-General BUELL, Louisville, Ky. : To remove all questions as to rank, I have asked the President to make you a major-general. Come down to the Cumberland and take command. The battle of the West is to be fought in that vicinity. You should be in it as the ranking general in immediate command. Don't hesitate. Come to Clarksville as rapidly as possible. Say that you will come, and I will have everything there for you....I am terribly hard pushed. Help me, and I will help you....We came within an ace of being defeated.... A retreat at one time seemed almost inevitable. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

President Jefferson Davis and Secretary of War Judah Benjamin have come to the same conclusion: "We cannot hold our entire coast and frontier, and we must withdraw from the defense of the whole Gulf coast except New Orleans." Accordingly, Major-General Braxton Bragg is ordered to withdraw all forces from "Pensacola, East Florida, and Mobile" and "hasten to the defense of Tennessee."

General Samuel R. Curtis chases the Confederate Missouri army into Arkansas. His forces occupy Bentonville (Ark), which is "entirely deserted...at 20 minutes past 12 o-clock." Halleck reports on the movement into Arkansas to General George McClellan.

SAINT LOUIS, February 18, 1862. Major-General MCCLELLAN: The flag of the Union is floating in Arkansas. General Curtis has driven Price from Missouri, and is several miles across the Arkansas line, cutting up Price's rear and hourly capturing prisoners and stores. The Army of the Southwest is doing its duty nobly. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

Grant's victory at Fort Donelson causes an unexpected logistical problem for General Halleck.....thousands of prisoners of war. Halleck wires Indiana Governor O.P. Morton, "How many prisoners can you accomodate?" Morton agrees to take 3,000 prisoners. Another 5,000 are sent to St. Louis, 1,500 go to Evansville, and 500 wounded prisoners are transported to Cincinnati.

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February 19 1862 (Wednesday)

A flotilla of gunboats carrying the Ninth New York embarks on a mission, "For the purpose of proceeding up the Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers and destroying the bridges of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad." As they near Winton, N.C. on the Chowan River, "a negro women on the shore" motions the boats to approach. After doing so they receive, "the fire of about 700 infantry or more." The fleet comes to anchor seven miles away and, after a consultation, it is agreed, "To return the next morning and burn the town."

STEAMER VIRGINIA, 0ff Roanoke Island, N. C., . Brig. Gen. J. G. PARKE. About 11.30 a.m. of the 20th instant our gunboats arrived and took their positions, some above, some below, and others opposite to the town.... The guns were placed in positions so as to command the approaches to the town; the regiment drawn up in line awaiting the attack of the enemy.....It was soon ascertained that the enemy had retreated as soon as our force appeared in sight....I then ordered that every building...should be fired....This, I believe, is the first instance during the war on our side where fire has accompanied the sword. I am, most faithfully, your obedient servant, RUSH C. HAWKINS, Colonel Ninth Regiment New York Volunteers.

General Henry Sibley's Army of New Mexico crosses the icy waters of the Rio Grande seven miles below Union held Fort Craig. Sibley intends to move north of Fort Craig and re-cross the Rio Grande at Valverde. This will cut their supply line and make the Union forces, under Colonel Edward Canby, fight outside the fort. To counter this threat, Canby sends Captain James "Paddy" Grayton and his scouts to stampede the rebel's cattle. That night they lash boxes of 24 pounder howitzer shells to the backs of mules and lead them toward the cattle herd. "They lit the shells and headed the mules in the direction of the bunched cattle." The mules, however turn and follow Grayton back towards the river. Grayton and the scouts barely escape, "as the shells and mules blew up behind them."

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February 20 1862 (Thursday)

General George McClellan, under increasing pressure to mount an attack, wires General Halleck, "In less than two weeks I shall move the Army of the Potomac, and hope to be in Richmond soon after you are in Nashville....We will have a desperate battle here." To facilitate the attack, balloons are being used for reconnaissance along the Potomac River.

HEADQUARTERS HOOKER'S DIVISION, Camp Baker, Lower Potomac, Maryland, February 20, 1862. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: My observations from the balloon satisfy me that the batteries in my front can be stormed and carried...whenever a suitable night presents itself for that service...I now have the means, with the aid of the flotilla, of landing three brigades of my division on the rebel shore and of demolishing the batteries regularly....The free navigation of the river will give us immense advantage over the rebels. Very respectfully, &c., JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

Flag-Officer Andrew Foote's gunboats reach Clarksville, Tennessee. Foote sends for the authorities of the city who tell him, "The rebel soldiers had left the city and...fled to Nashville." Later in the evening, General Halleck, attempting to reap the rewards of the swift Union victories in Tennessee, asks General McClellan for "command of the armies in the West."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, February 20, 1862---8 p.m. Major-General MCCLELLAN, Washington, D.C.: I must have command of the armies in the West. Hesitation and delay are losing us the golden opportunity. Lay this before the President and Secretary of War. May I assume the command? Answer quickly. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

At Tangier, Morocco, Africa, United States Consul James DeLong has two suspected secessionests arrested.

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Tangier, February 20, 1862. To the COMMANDER OF THE U.S. STEAM SLOOP OF WAR TUSCARORA. SIR: Two secessionists landed here yesterday from a merchant French steamer, Ville de Malaga....One of whom I am informed from undoubted authority is a lieutenant of the pirate Sumter, the other, has been acting as U.S. consul at Cadiz....Both of whom are commissioned to purchase coal at Cadiz to supply the Sumter....They are now held as prisoners in the U.S. consulate at this place. Given under my hand and seal of the U.S. consulate at Tangier, Morocco, Africa, the day and year above written. JAMES DE LONG, U.S. Consul.

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February 21 1862 (Friday)

Union and Confederate forces clash at Valverde, a ford over the Rio Grande River, seven miles north of Fort Craig, New Mexico Territory.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Fort Craig, N. Mex., February 1862. The ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D.C. SIR: The battle commenced at an early hour in the morning and was continued with unvarying success until about 5 o'clock in the evening, when, in a desperate charge of the Confederates, McRae's battery was taken, the supporting party repulsed and thrown into confusion and driven from the field at the moment that success seemed certain. The battle was fought almost entirely by the regular troops (trebled in number by the Confederates), with no assistance from the militia and but little from the volunteers, who would not obey orders or obeyed them too late to be of any service. The immediate cause of the disaster was the refusal of one of the volunteer regiments to cross the river and support the left wing of the army....Large numbers of the militia and volunteers have deserted, but this adds to rather than diminishes our strength. Among the killed are Captain McRae, Captain Bascom, and Lieutenant Mishler. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.

Lieutenant-Colonel William R. Scurry of the Fourth Texas Cavalry leads the final desparate charge which breaks the Union line and forces the Federals to withdraw into the protective confines of Fort Craig.

VALVERDE, N. MEX., February 1862. A. M. JACKSON, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of New Mexico. Just before sunset Lieut. Thomas P. Ochiltree, of General Sibley's staff, brought an order to prepare for a charge all along the line, of our position, went our brave volunteers, unmindful of the driving storm of grape and canister and musket balls sent hurling around them. With yells and ringing shouts they dashed on and on, until the guns were won and the enemy in full retreat before them. After carrying the battery, their guns were turned upon themselves....The rammer being gone, a flag-staff was used in its stead....In the last brilliant and successful charge, which decided the fortunes of the day, there were six companies of the Fourth Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers....When the head of the column reached the opposite shore we were ordered to return. Night closed in on the hard-won field of Valverde. This brilliant victory, which, next to Heaven, we owe to the heroic endurance and unfaltering courage of our volunteer soldiers, was not won without loss. Of the regiment which I have the honor to command there were 8 killed and 56 wounded, 2 of which were mortal. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. R. SCURRY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Fourth Regt. Texas Mounted Vols.

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February 22 1862 (Saturday)

* WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY *

George Washington's birthday is celebrated in the hall of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Washington's farewell address is read and rebel flags, captured in battle, are presented to Congress by the Adjutant-General Lorenzo Thomas. The War Department issues the following order to commemorate the occasion.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, February 22, 1862. The following order has been received from the War Department: It is ordered that there shall be inscribed upon the colors or guidons of all regiments and batteries in the service of the United States the names of the battles in which they have borne a meritorious part....It is expected that troops so distinguished will regard their colors as representing the honor of their corps--to be lost only with their lives--and that those not yet entitled to such a distinction will not rest satisfied until they have won it by their discipline and courage. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

Lincoln is unable to attend the ceremonies. Two days earlier, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the President's 11 year old son "Willy" had died. On this day, William Wallace Lincoln is being embalmed in the White House Green Room. The White House itself is being enshrouded in black crepe. Mary Todd Lincoln is confined to her room in a state of shock. She would be incapable of attending the funeral to be held on Monday the 24th during a fierce storm, "With gales so powerful that they blow off roofs, knock down chimneys, and rip flags to shreds."

In cold and rainy Richmond it is Inauguration Day. The procession forms in the old Virginia Hall of Delegates and then moves to Capitol Square alongside the equestrian statue of George Washington. The Right Reverend John Johns, Episcopal Bishop of Virginia, issues the oath of office to Jefferson Davis in a steady rain. Davis is described as looking "singularly imposing" with a "pallor painful to look upon."

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

Author: Rienzi99@civilweek.com

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