1862

  1862 Calendar

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February 23 1862 (Sunday)

Major-General Benjamin F. Butler is named commander of the Department of the Gulf. This new military department comprises all of the Gulf of Mexico west of Pensacola Harbor. Butler takes command of 15,223 men and his mission is to cooperate with the Navy in an expedition to capture New Orleans.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, February 23, 1862. Maj. Gen. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, U. S. Volunteers: GENERAL: You are assigned to the command of the land forces destined to co-operate with the Navy in the attack upon New Orleans....This will make your force 14,400 infantry, 275 cavalry, 580 artillery--total, 15,255 men....The object of your expedition is one of vital importance--the capture of New Orleans....Allow nothing to divert you from obtaining full possession of all the approaches to New Orleans....I may briefly state that the general objects of the expedition are, first, the reduction of New Orleans and all its approaches; then Mobile and its defenses; then Pensacola, Galveston, &c....In the mean time you will please give all the assistance in your power to the Army and Navy commanders in your vicinity, never losing sight of the fact that the great object to be achieved is the capture and firm retention of New Orleans. I am, very respectfully, GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding in Chief.

Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks is marshaling his forces for a move up the Shenandoah Valley.

HDQS. DIVISION, FREDERICK, MD., February 23, 1862. Brig. Gen. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff &c.: GENERAL: If the pontoon train arrives to-morrow we shall occupy Harper's Ferry to-morrow night, and be on the road to Charlestown in the morning. It is expected Colonel Geary will seize the heights to-night....(O)ught we not to put in execution the plan of attack on Winchester, if the anticipated battle does not occur outside? This is a favorable opportunity. The roads to Winchester are turnpikes and in tolerable condition, and the only roads that are passable. The enemy is weak, demoralized, and depressed....Our force alone is not sufficient, but we will gladly risk it. I have the honor to be, with great respect, yours, &c., N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding Division.

Brigadier-General Thomas W. Sherman, Commander of the Expeditionary Corps, establishes two batteries on the Savannah River above Confederate held Fort Pulaski. Sherman considers the Confederate coastal defenses to be, "But a cobweb, to be penetrated with ease." He is also satisfied that the Savannah River is, "Closed as tight as a bottle between Savannah and Pulaski."

HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITIONARY CORPS, Port Royal, S.C., February 23, 1862. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding U. S. Army: GENERAL: We have now two batteries on Savannah River of six guns each; one on Jones Island at Venus Point, and the other on the upper end of Bird Island. The river is effectually blocked, but never were batteries put up and maintained under precisely the same circumstances before. The guns were hauled by hand over the soft marsh of Jones Island with the greatest labor the distance of a mile, the marsh knee-deep and covered with water at high tide; indeed, both batteries are actually in the river. Very truly, yours, W. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. P.S. Pulaski is reported to have from six to ten months' provisions for its garrison, about 500 men, but the prisoners say that they have only ammunition enough for two days' fighting.

In New Mexico, General Henry H. Sibley sends a delegation of officers to Fort Craig; demanding the surrender of the fort and its supplies. The Union commander, Colonel Canby, refuses. Sibley, unwilling to attack the heavily defended fort and with only five days rations left, starts his army northward towards Albuquerque, New Mexico leaving Canby and the fort isolated in his rear. Meanwhile, Canby considers his options and decides to remain at Fort Craig.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Fort Craig, N. Mex., February 23, 1862. The ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D.C.: SIR: After the battle of the 21st instant there remained for the troops at this post but three plans of operation: 1. To retain this post to the last extremity....This post is regarded as of paramount importance. 2. To abandon the post and endeavor to throw the force now here above the enemy....This course would involve the loss of the supplies on hand, the abandonment of an important strategic point, and of the sick and wounded who could not be transported. 3. To bring on a second battle with the Confederate Army, and submit this portion of our Army and New Mexico to the chances of that battle. The first of these plans was in my judgment best calculated to secure the ultimate success of our operations....The enemy still occupies a position near the battle-field. His intentions are not yet developed; but as a demand for a surrender has been made, I anticipate, of course, an attempt to enforce it. If it should be made, I have no apprehensions as to the result. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Colonel Nineteenth Infantry, Commanding Department.

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February 24 1862 (Monday)

Stonewall Jackson, aware of General Banks' imminent move up the valley, considers fortifying Winchester, Virginia.

[WINCHESTER VA.,] February 24, 1862. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON: GENERAL: The subject of fortifying is of such importance as to induce me to consult you before moving in the matter. If you think that this place will be adequately re-enforced if attacked, then it appears to me that it should be strongly fortified. I have reason to believe that the enemy design advancing on this place in large force. Respectfully, your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON, Major-General.

General Robert E. Lee is directed to concentrate his Florida troops into a more defensible position.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., February 24, 1862. General R. E. LEE, Savannah, Ga.: SIR: The recent disaster to our arms in Tennessee forces the Government to the stern necessity of withdrawing its lines within more defensible limits, so as to enable us to meet with some equality the overpowering numbers of the enemy. The railroad line from Memphis to Richmond must be defended at all hazards. We can only do this by withdrawing troops from the seaboard. You are therefore requested to withdraw all such forces as are now employed in the defense of the seaboard of Florida, taking proper steps to secure the guns and munitions of war, and to send forward the troops to Tennessee, to report to General A. S. Johnston, by the most expeditious route. The only troops to be retained in Florida are such as may be necessary to defend the Apalachicola River, as the enemy could by that river at high water send his gunboats into the very middle of the State of Georgia. I am, your obedient servant, J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War.

Brigadier-General Richard C. Gatlin attempts to coordinate Confederate defenses in North Carolina. He expects General Ambrose Burnside's next attack to be at New Berne.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH Carolina, Goldsborough, February 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.: GENERAL: Conceiving the town of New Berne, the point most likely to be attacked, I have assembled in its vicinity as large a body of troops as in my power. They are under the command of Brig. Gen. L. O'B. Branch, who also commands the District of the Pamlico. Batteries have been erected on the Neuse below the town and the river effectually blocked. These batteries are open and the guns mounted in barbette, but it is hoped they will not fail to drive off the fleet of gunboats should they attempt to reduce them. Below these batteries are breastworks running front the river to the swamps on Bryce's Creek, which are believed to be impassable. The breastworks are thought to be strong enough to enable our troops to resist and hold them against a large force of the enemy....You will perceive that the force under my command is very inadequate to the defense of so extensive a coast against an enemy who has possession of our sounds and can direct his large columns against any point he may elect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. C. GATLIN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Brigadier-General Abner Doubleday, mythical inventor of baseball, is assigned duty as, "Inspector of the defensive works about Washington."

James DeLong, U.S. Consul-General of Morocco, is having trouble holding his two rebel prisoners.

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Tangier, February 24, 1862. To the COMMANDER OF THE TUSCARORA. SIR: I have the united good will of the British minister and all the consular corps as well as the Moorish authorities....My guards are all Moors and the prisoners have tried several times to bribe them. First they offered them a valuable gold watch and $100 in gold. This is very tempting to semi-barbarians. They finally offered to secure to them $5,000 to assist them in making their escape. I had to put them in irons, and Myers got a case knife and sawed off the rivets and got the irons off and jumped out of the second story of the consulate, but fortunately into the consulate lot. He then got over the wall into the house of a Moor and was again arrested and taken back to his room and the number of guards increased....It may be that the rebel portion of Europeans might combine with the Moors to raise a mob and try to have these men released....So by all means these prisoners should be placed on board a Federal man-of-war as soon as possible, and I trust you will consider the very disagreeable position I am in and release me as soon as possible. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, JAMES DE LONG, U. S. Consul-General.

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February 25 1862 (Tuesday)

Flag-Officer Foote sends his gunboats up both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. The gunboats penetrate up the Tennessee all the way to Eastport, Mississippi. On the Cumberland, the gunboats approach Nashville, Tennessee finding it deserted of all Confederate troops.

FEBRUARY 23-25. Col. J. Ammen's diary of movement from Paducah, Ky., to Nashville, Tenn. [Extracts.] February 25.--Dawn; something like a battery on the bank a mile or more up the river is observed.....When we reached the battery (Fort Zollicoffer, 5 miles below Nashville) the rebels had deserted the place....After this examination we proceeded to the city and the Tenth Brigade took position on the public square....I was the senior officer in Nashville. About noon the mayor, &c., called on me to furnish them a pass to General Buell, to enable them to ask for terms of surrender....During the day many persons called on me and professed that they always had been Union men; told who were rebels, &c.; mutually accused each other; and some informed me where Confederate provisions and clothing had been stored. The places were examined, and tons of salt pork were found, flour, forage, &c., but not much clothing....There are some good Union men, but many more rebels; not a few that were pressed into the rebel service, as they claim. Hard to believe all they say. Col. J. Ammen.

Throughout the winter, the Confederates have maintained an advanced defensive position in northern Virginia centered around Manassas Junction with forward batteries along the lower Potomac River. General Joe Johnston, growing ever more nervous as spring campaigning season draws near, wants to withdraw to positions along the Rappahannock River. However, retreating puts his large accumulation of subsistence stores at Manassas in jeopardy.

HEADQUARTERS, Centreville, February 25, 1862. His Excellency the PRESIDENT: The accumulation of subsistence stores at Manassas is now a great evil. The Commissary-General was requested more than once to suspend those supplies. A very extensive meat-packing establishment at Thoroughfare is also a great incumbrance. The great quantities of personal property in our camps is a still greater one. Much of both kinds of property must be sacrificed in the contemplated movement. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, J. E. JOHNSTON, General.

Major-General Sterling Price, commanding the Missouri State Guard, explains his recent retreat from Missouri into Arkansas to the Governor of Missouri, C.F. Jackson.

HEADQUARTERS MO. S. G., Camp on Cove Creek, Ark., February 25, 1862. His Excellency C. F. JACKSON, Governor of Missouri: SIR: I have the honor to lay before you an account of the circumstances surrounding my command within the last two weeks, compelling me to evacuate Springfield and retreat beyond the State line into the territory of Arkansas. About the latter part of January my scouts reported that the enemy were concentrating in force at Rolla, and shortly thereafter they occupied Lebanon. Believing that this movement could be for no other purpose than to attack me, and knowing that my command was inadequate for such successful resistance as the interest of my army and the cause demanded, I appealed to the commanders of the Confederate troops in Arkansas to come to my assistance. This...I was led confidently to expect, and, relying upon it, I held my position to the very last moment...for on Wednesday, the 12th February, my pickets were driven in, and reported the enemy advancing upon me in force. No resource was now left me except retreat, without hazarding all with greatly unequal numbers upon the result of one engagement....Retreating and fighting all the way to the CrossHollow...under the most exhausting fatigue all that time, with but little rest for either man or horse and no sleep, sustained themselves and came through, repulsing the enemy upon every occasion with great determination and gallantry. Governor, we are confident of the future. STERLING PRICE, Major-General, Commanding Mo. S. G.

Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War, announces that as of tomorrow, February 26, 1862, the President will take, "Military possession of all telegraphic lines in the United States."

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February 26 1862 (Wednesday)

General Leonidas "Bishop" Polk is preparing to evacuate the great river fort on the Mississippi River at Columbus, Kentucky. The Confederates retreat sixty miles down-river to make a stand at New Madrid, Missouri and the fortified positions on Island No. 10.

JACKSON, February 26, 1862. General POLK: New Madrid (is) all important. In my opinion (it) must be watched and held at all costs. All troops at Fort Pillow but mere guard should be transferred there with utmost celerity. If satisfied of the movements of the enemy on New Madrid, place should be re-enforced at once to all possible extent from Columbus. Regiment at Trenton could be sent there as well as some gunboats. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Captain John M. Richardson and forty-one of his Mountain Rangers skirmish with Confederate cavalry near Pea Ridge Prarie, Arkansas. After the fight, Richardson sends half his men to "Mallard's still-house" with orders to, "Destroy Pennington's still-house and the one at Mallards."

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., February 26, 1862. Col. CHESTER HARDING, Adjutant-General, Missouri. SIR: I marched to Mallard's still-house from the northwest. The rebels had fled before us....There were two reasons for destroying those still-houses: First, they were places of rendezvous for the forming secession bands for plunder; secondly, bad men would get drunk there, and go to Union men's houses and expose their naked persons to Union women. I hope you will, and I know every good woman in the State will, indorse the destruction--the burning of those still-houses. They were each worth almost $150. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. RICHARDSON, Captain Mountain Rangers, Mo. S. M.

President Abraham Lincoln signs legislation creating a national currency of United States notes and provides for the sale of stock to finance the currency. The national currency comes to be called "greenbacks" and replaces the metal coins or specie which has been used exclusively prior to this legislation.

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February 27 1862 (Thursday)

An undersized lift-lock on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal at Sandy Hook, Maryland stalls General Banks' advance towards Winchester, Virginia.

SANDY HOOK, February 27, 1862---3.30 p.m. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: The lift-lock is too small to permit the canal-boats to enter the river, so that it is impossible to construct the permanent bridge, as I intended. I shall probably be obliged to fall back upon the safe and slow plan of merely covering the reconstruction of the railroad. This will be done at once, but will be tedious. I cannot, as things now are, be sure of my supplies for the force necessary to seize Winchester, which is probably re-enforced from Manassas. The wiser plan is to rebuild the railroad bridge as rapidly as possible, and then act according to the state of affairs. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General.

Major-General Mansfield Lovell, commanding the Confederate forces at New Orleans, Louisiana, regards, "Butler''s Ship Island expedition as a harmless menace as far as New Orleans is concerned."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NO. 1, New Orleans, La., February 27, 1862. Hon. J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: People are beginning to complain that I have stripped the department so completely, but I have called upon Governor Moore for 10,000 volunteers and militia for State service. Raw troops, with double-barreled shot-guns, are amply sufficient to hold our intrenchments against such troops as the enemy can send to attack them. Besides, I regard Butler's Ship Island expedition as a harmless menace so far as New Orleans is concerned. A black Republican dynasty will never give an old Breckinridge Democrat like Butler command of any expedition which they had any idea would result in such a glorious success as the capture of New Orleans. He will not have 10,000 men for a demonstration by land upon any of the Gulf cities. With much respect, your obedient servant, M. LOVELL, Major-General, Commanding.

General William J. Hardee orders Captain John Hunt Morgan to burn the steamboat "Minna Tonka" which is being used by Federal cavalry to cross the Cumberland River into Nashville, Tennessee.

BUCHANAN, TENN., February 27, 1862. Brig. Gen. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE. SIR: I have the honor to report that on yesterday, the 26th instant, left camp with 12 men for Nashville....When inside the city limits found the pike covered with water, it having been backed up by the great rise in the river....We proceeded into the city on Front street as far as the water-works, and there saw a steamboat--the Minna Tonka. She laid about 300 yards out in the vast field which covered the whole valley. She was chained fore and aft to trees. She laid not over 500 yards above the gunboats and their large fleet of transports. Could see the soldiers distinctly sitting upon the boats, and they were full of them.....My orders were to fire the boat, and then cut her loose and let her drop down stream and set the other boats on fire, but this I found impossible to do, on account of the steamer being so securely moored with chain cables. At least 2,000 citizens gathered around us while we were waiting for the boys to get back from the steamer. They begged us to leave; told us the Federal cavalry were scouring the city; that a large party of cavalry had just passed through the street we were on....We then retraced our steps back to this pike; reached our man who was standing picket just before sundown....We fell back to the place where our men were. I waited a few minutes. The night being very dark, could not see more than 50 yards ahead of us. While sitting listening I heard the clink of sabers about 60 yards from us....They rode up within 50 feet of us and stopped about five minutes. I dismounted and took a shot-gun and started for the fence, where I could easily have killed two or three of them. Just as I was raising to put my gun through the fence they called to each other to fire, which they did and then ran for the city. We returned the fire. One of my men (Peter Atherton) was severely wounded, being shot through the thigh. Reached camp at 12 o'clock last night. Respectfully, JOHN H. MORGAN, Commanding Squadron.

Brigadier-General John Pope is named commander of the newly created Mississippi District encompassing, "All that part of Missouri between Saint Francis and (the) Mississippi River." Pope wires General Henry Halleck that he will, "March to-morrow morning with a force about 10,000 strong and will be in front of New Madrid on Sunday or Monday morning."

The Congress of Confederate States gives President Jefferson Davis, "The power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in cities in danger of attack by the enemy." Davis immediately declares martial law in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

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February 28 1862 (Friday)

Patrick H. O'Rorke, Lieutenant of Engineers, reports on the present condition of the batteries on Jones and Bird Islands in the Savannah River.

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND, S.C., February 28, 1862. Brig. Gen. EGBERT L. VIELE, Commanding U.S. Forces on Savannah River. SIR: In compliance with your directions, I have the honor to submit the following report, showing the amount of work accomplished and the present condition of the batteries on Jones and Bird Islands: Five Parrott guns and an 8 inch siege howitzer were landed on Jones Island, and two of the guns were moved about 200 yards towards their intended positions....As it was not deemed expedient to show ourselves in the daytime, the work was suspended until the next night. The following morning saw our guns in position and ready for action....Fatigue parties were now set at work to throw up a parapet as rapidly as possible, and by night a parapet 8 feet wide and about 3 feet high was thrown up in front of the guns....In consequence of the softness of the mud of which the island is made, it was found impossible to make the parapet sufficiently high at once or to give it a regular shape....A grillage was formed of logs, and upon these planks were laid, increasing the width to 20 feet....The spring tides now coming on, the whole island was covered with water, and our efforts were immediately directed to the completion of a level around the work....There is now a parapet around the work over 1,000 feet in length, from 6 to 10 feet thick, differing on different faces, and from 3 to 4 feet high....About the 19th of this month it was decided by you that a battery should be placed on the north end of Bird Island. It was staked out the next day, and the same night the guns and material were taken from Daufuskie Island to that point and landed. On the following day the platforms were laid and the guns put in position. Since then the levee has been built around the work, and in addition to this another has been built for the protection of the camp of the infantry supports against high tides....Some of the platforms have begun to sink, and will have to be relaid. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant. P. H. O'RORKE, Lieutenant of Engineers, U. S. Army.

Brigadier-General William S. Rosecrans reports the burning of Patterson's Creek Bridge on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from a "neglect of guarding." According to Rosecrans, "It is not the number of guards, but attention that seems to be called for."

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March 1 1862 (Saturday)

The U.S. Consul to Mexico is having great difficulty establishing himself in Mattamoros, Mexico.

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Matamoros, March 1, 1862. Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington: D. C.: SIR: It has been with the greatest difficulty that I have established myself here, as the Confederates had used every possible exertion to get me driven out....The prefect...endeavored in every possible manner to show his authority? and went so far as to enter my room with ten armed men to search (as he said) for gunpowder. Although he would not acknowledge my right as consul until the arrival of my exequatur, still he had seen my passport and appointment, and knew that the general-in-chief had recognized me and had also given me permission to hoist my flag, which was flying over my house at the time. The Confederates occupy both the Texan and Mexican side of the Rio Grande at its mouth, and use every exertion to prevent me from communicating with the U.S. ship Portsmouth....Matamoros is now the great thoroughfare to the Southern States. They pass their coffee, flour, and in fact all the supplies they receive through here. They have also a large pile of cotton on the east bank of the river, to take out when an opportunity offers, or, as they say, burn, in case of an invasion. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient, L. PIERCE, jr., Consul.

At Cairo, Illinois, Mrs. General Simon B. Buckner is given permission to pass within the Union lines, but is forbidden from seeing her husband who was captured at Fort Donelson, Tennessee.

CAIRO ILL., March 1, 1862. Maj. Gen. L. POLK, Commanding at Columbus, Ky. GENERAL: We have just received the following telegram which we forward by Captain Phelps, U.S. Navy, under a flag of truce: SAINT LOUIS, MO., Brigadier-General CULLUM, Cairo, Ill.: Send flag of truce to Columbus for Mrs. General Buckner and the two other ladies and give them permission to visit their friends within our lines, but they cannot for the present visit prisoners of war, that being forbidden by orders from Washington. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

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

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