1862

  1862 Calendar

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January 12 1862 (Sunday)

General Albert Sidney Johnston knew that time was running short as his out-numbered and out-gunned army faced the Union Army along a 300 mile front running from Columbia, Kentucky to the Cumberland Gap. Each of his generals (Polk - Columbia, Hardee - Bowling Green, Zollicoffer - Mill Springs) needed more men, more guns, more cannons, and more ammunition. These needs could only be answered in Richmond.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Columbus, Ky.,

General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Bowling Green, Ky.: My available force is greatly reduced by sickness and absences. I have resisted all applications for leaves and furloughs as strongly as possible and have issued orders to bring back all absentees...There are many regiments in my division who are without arms and several poorly armed. The unarmed regiments are stationed at Forts Pillow, Donelson, and Henry, at Trenton, Union City, and Henderson Station I also send you a weekly report of the troops at this post,(*) and am sorry to remark that they have been much reduced by sickness. My effective force is now, as you will see, only about 12,000. I have the honor to be, general, respectfully, your obedient servant, L. POLK, Major-General, Commanding.

The Union Army showed increasing signs that it was waking from its self-imposed slumber and it was only a matter of time before they challenged the Confederate defenses in Kentucky and Tennessee.

CAMP NEAR BARREN RIVER, January 12, 1862. Major-General HARDEE, Commanding Confederate Army, Bowling Green, Ky.: I have also learned from another reliable source that from 2,500 to 3,000 of the enemy have left Columbia for Burkesville; that two or three more regiments have left the same place with the intention of marching to some point on the Cumberland River above the position occupied by General Zollicoffer. I understand that General Zollicoffer's force is at Mill Creek, about 5 miles above Creelsborough and 20 miles above Burkesville. If such is the case, the enemy have gone to Burkesville for the purpose of cutting off his supplies up the Cumberland River. I am, with respect, your obedient servant, B. H. HELM, Colonel, Commanding First Regiment Kentucky Cavalry.

Headquarters Western Department Bowling Green, January 12, 1862 Col W.S. Statham,Comdg. -Fifteenth Reft. Miss. Vols. Hdqrs. Gen Zollicoffer, Upper Cumberland The position of General Zollicoffer is too important and too exposed to permit of any reduction of force, particularly so great a reduction as the removal of your regiment would be. The general is satisfied that you will soon have an opportunity under General Z. of contributing to turn back the invaders of the South. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W.W. Mackall, Assistant Adjutant-General

Johnston was forced to shift troops from one command to another to counter shifting Union pressure. A fact that was not lost on Union general U.S. Grant.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Cairo, January 12, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo.: I have just learned through the Memphis Appeal, and also from a man who has just made his way from New Orleans and who spent Thursday and Friday at Columbus, that seven regiments have left Columbus recently for Bowling Green. I am now inclined to believe that the garrison of Columbus is now weaker than it has been for several months back. It is also probable that the best-armed and best-drilled troops have been taken. U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General.
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January 13 1862 (Monday)

Literally being banished to Siberia by President Lincoln, Simon Cameron was on his way to his new post as Minister to Russia. Lincoln wasted little time in casting about for a successor. He wanted Edwin McMasters Stanton. Stanton had been Cameron's legal advisor and brought boundless energy to the job. He was also unswervingly honest and open in his handling of military contracts. Until recently he had referred to Lincoln as "that long-armed creature", "the original gorilla", and "a low cunning clown" and it remained to be seen how well he would fit in with Lincoln's official family. Lincoln himself said that Stanton reminded him of an old Methodist preacher who got so wrought up in his prayers that his congregation was obliged to put bricks in his pockets to hold him down. Lincoln quipped, "we may have to serve Stanton the same way, but I guess we'll let him jump a while first."

Naval Lieutenant Warten was given orders to take command of the U.S.S. Monitor which was under construction and nearing completion in New York.

Burnside's fleet reached Cape Henry two days prior and continued to sail southward to Cape Hatteras. On this date it was his by a fierce northeaster just as over one-hundred ships were trying to get into Hatteras Inlet. Some ships were able to enter the inlet in comparative safety, some put out to sea to ride out the storm and others used double anchors and full chains to prevent grounding in the swirling storm. Several ships were lost in the storm including the City of New York loaded with ammunition, the Grapeshot a floating battery, the army gunboat Zouave and the schooner T.P. Larned. The storm would not subside for three days.

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January 14 1862 (Tuesday)

There were further indications of an imminent offensive action by Union forces in Kentucky.

FORT HENRY, January 14, 1862---(via Danville). General POLK: A messenger reached here just now from Paducah with information, from a reliable sources that a division of 60,000 men, supported by eleven gunboats and thirty mortar boats, carrying not less than 160 guns, will move up Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers on next Thursday. I sent copy of letter by mail. A. HEIMAN, Colonel, Commanding Fort Henry.

Lt.-Colonel Anthony reported on his recent skirmish which resulted in the burning of the town of Columbus, Missouri.

Headquarters, Camp Johnson, Morristown, Mo. Captain Merriman was sent with 50 men to Columbus. The people of Columbus informed him there was no enemy in that vicinity, but on his return....was fired on from ambush by Colonel Elliot, who had secreted himself in the bush. Capt Merriman was forced to retreat. They then scoured the bush for miles around, but found no enemy...Captain Merriman, on the day of the attack on him, burned the town of Columbus, having learned it was the rendezvous of Colonel Elliot, and the people of the town having decoyed him into ambush. Fifty or sixty Union families availed themselves of the opportunity to move out with him. D.R. Anthony, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding First Kansas Cavalry -----

William Hearst, erstwhile member of Col. Lowe's regiment in Jeff Thompson's Missouri army was sentenced to death by hanging for his participation in the burning of the Big River Bridge. Fortunately for him his sentence was commuted to confinement in a military prison for the duration of the war by General Halleck on account of his "general ignorance and stupidity".

EXHIBIT A.
Being illiterate I was made the dupe of bad men who have hitherto borne such a good name in my neighborhood that I was led to place confidence in them. I never entertained a thought of overthrowing the Government, but went to Thompson's army through fear of Federal troops whom I was induced to believe were coming upon me and my neighbors with fire and the sword to commit an indiscriminate slaughter. The bridge was fired by others not by myself. The statements of the witness Wilson are untrue. He was present at the burning of the bridge and was as active as any of the men of Thompson, and as much rejoiced at our success. I have been humbugged into the folly and crime of rebellion. I saw the deception practiced upon me, and felt the folly and crime I had been guilty of. I sought to return to my allegiance. I was assured of safety in so doing. WILLIAM HEARST.

The finding and sentence are approved; but in consideration of the recommendation of the members of the commission, on account of the general ignorance and stupidity of the prisoner the sentence is mitigated to confinement in the military prison during the war. H. W. HALLECK, Major-general.

A border dispute threatened to break out between Iowa and Missouri as jayhawking expeditions were being mounted in both states to capture rebels and traitors.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, January 14, 1862. Lieut. Col. H. C. NUTT, Aide-de-camp, &c., Council Bluffs, Iowa : I have learned that troops from Missouri have been to Sidney and demanded the surrender into their hands of the persons arrested on suspicion of having assaulted Mr. Fugitt; that the authorities in charge of the prisoners very properly refused to surrender them; that the Missouri troops, on their return, arrested in this State and took with them to Missouri one or more citizens of this State, and that such a state of feeling exists in Fremont County and in Atchison County, Mo., that there is imminent danger of collision between people...A system of reprisals between the States must not be allowed to grow up. Our people must not enter Missouri, as was done a few days since, arrest persons and bring them to this State for trial, and people from Missouri must not demand prisoners in the hands of the civil authorities of this State or arrest persons in this State and carry them to Missouri for trial. Such state of things can produce but one result, and that is a border war...Inform all that jayhawking expeditions into our State cannot be permitted under the claim of taking the property of rebels. The evil result of such course must be apparent. Very respectfully, SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

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January 15 1862 (Wednesday)

Edwin Stanton was officially confirmed by the Senate as the new Secretary of War. He would remain in the Cabinet until 1868. A year later Grant would offer him a seat on the Supreme Court. He died on Christmas Eve in 1869, four days after being confirmed by the Senate.

Stonewall Jackson was finally able to reach Romney, (West) Virginia with the bulk of his army after spending the last several days slogging through ice, mud, sleet and snow. His army was but a shadow of its former self as in this battle with the elements - the elements were clearly the victor.

Albert Sidney Johnston, hearing the thunderclouds of impending disaster sent an impassioned plea to Richmond for more men and material. The plea would fall upon deaf ears.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Bowling Green, Ky., (Received January 15, 1862.) Hon. J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: SIR: The calls made upon the Government from every assailable point on our frontier for additional force would make me hesitate to add to your embarrassment by asking for re-enforcements, were the gravity of the occasion less which urges me to press upon your attention the effort about to be made by the Federal Government, with a large army (estimated on reliable data at not less than 80,000), to invade the Confederacy through Central Kentucky towards Tennessee. They have justly comprehended that the seat of vitality of the Confederacy, if to be reached at all, is by this route. It is now palpable that all the resources of that Government will, if necessary, be employed to assure success on this line. The line of the Barren affords the means of a strong defense, but my force is not sufficient to enable me to avail myself of it (23,000). I do not ask that my force shall be made equal to that of the enemy, but, if possible, it should be raised to 50,000 men. If the public service would permit, I beg leave to suggest that a few regiments might be detached from the several armies in the field and ordered here, to be replaced by new levies. No doubt the strongest attack the enemy is capable of making will be made against this place, and we ought not surely to put in jeopardy the result by failing to meet it with a force sufficient to place success beyond hazard. With great respect, your obedient servant. A. S. JOHNSTON, General, C. S. Army.

General Henry A. Wise also sent a plea to Richmond for more men and material for his command at Roanoke Island as Burnside's armada was but 30 miles away. His plea would also be unsuccessful.

On January 15, 1862, General Wise writes to the Secretary of War: I am sure you will not adjudge me importunate when I inform you that I returned from Roanoke Island to Norfolk last Saturday. I hasten back after a short reconnaissance to apprise headquarters and the Department that there are no defenses there; no adequate preparations whatever to meet the enemy, and to forward all the means in my reach as speedily as possible, to make the key of all the rear of Norfolk, with its canals and railroads, safe...Any boat drawing 7 feet water or less can pass the Croatan Sound as far off as 1¼ miles from any battery, and the enemy's guns can silence our batteries there in a very short time. Neither battery is casemated, and our men now there are untrained to heavy pieces mounted on navy carriages...We want ammunition and men. In a word, almost every preparation has to be made. Delay is defeat now at Roanoke Island, and with present means I combined can't guarantee successful defense for a day.

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January 16 1862 (Thursday)

After finally reaching Romney, T.J. Jackson wanted to continue his winter campaign by attacking Cumberland, Md. -- a major terminus of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad -- and capture the storehouses there. However, the bedraggled condition of his troops forced him to postpone the attack.

The war drums continued to beat along the Kentucky/Tennessee border as Brigadier-General Tilghman, commander of Fort Henry, braces for the impending Union assault.

FORT DONELSON, January 16, 1862. Major WILLIAMSON: The following telegram received: Colonel QUARLES, Commanding at Clarksville: Information has just reached me that the enemy at Calhoun intend to move most of its force to the Ohio; thence by boat up the Cumberland to Canton; thence on you at Donelson, and General Clark at Hopkinsville. The force to move from Calhoun to be 12,000 strong. POWHATAN ELLIS, JR., Assistant Adjutant-General. -----

FORT DONELSON, January 16, 1862. Brigadier-General TILGHMAN, Fort Henry: DEAR SIR: All orders have been promptly obeyed. All things are ready. I have thrown out pickets below; have had them stationed so as to give us the earliest possible information. I have had the whole command turned out and put to cutting timber and preparing rifle pits, so as to protect the approaches. Everything will be done that can be accomplished by energy and industry. The men are cool and determined. Most of the sick were sent off yesterday. Respectfully, yours, &c., J. W. HEAD, Colonel, Commanding Post. -----

Under cover of a naval bombardment, boat crews from the U.S.S. Hatteras landed at Cross Keys, Florida. They spiked several guns and burned seven small blockade runners, the wharf of the Florida Railroad, the telegraph office and several flat-cars before withdrawing.

Off the coast of North Carolina the Northeaster finally subsided, but numerous other problems became apparent to General Burnside. Many of his ships had been damaged in the storm and a shortage of food and water loomed large as the fleet had only carried enough for a short voyage. However, the most severe problem was that most of the ships could not cross the 71/2 foot "swash" to enter Pamlico Sound. Ballast would have to be thrown overboard, tugboats would need to be found and troops disembarked to get many of the ships safely over the "swash" and into the Sound. All of this would take time - time the Confederates on Roanoke Island could use to fortify and get reinforcements.

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January 17 1862 (Friday)

General T.J. Jackson renewed his efforts to attack Cumberland, Md., but had to, for a second time, cancel his plans for lack of enough effective troops. Conditions were such that in one unit only 15 men were able to walk. In his official report, Jackson blamed General Loring for his inability to continue his winter offensive.

Headquarters Valley District Winchester, Va. After the arrival in Romney of General Loring's leading brigade, under Colonel Taliaferro, I designed moving with it Garnett's brigade and other forces on an important expedition against the enemy, but such was the extent of demoralization in the first-named brigade as to render the abandonment of that enterprise necessary. T.J. Jackson, Major-General, Commanding

Flag Officer Foot began naval operations on the Tennessee river sending several gunboats to reconnoiter Fort Henry.

Near Mill Springs, Ky., the vanguard of General George Thomas' column halted 10 miles north of the Confederate encampment. With his army stretched for miles behind him, Thomas decided to consolidate his forces before attacking Zollicoffer.

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January 18 1862 (Saturday)

The Congress of the Confederate State today enacted legislation that "created into a temporary government the Territory of Arizona" with "the institution of slavery in said Territory to receive all necessary protection, both from the Territorial Legislature and the Congress of the Confederate States."

Former President John Tyler was buried on this day at Hollywood Cemetary in Richmond, Virginia.

The U.S.S. Kearsage was ordered to Cadiz, Spain to track down Commander Raphael Semmes and the C.S.S. Sumter which was enjoying much success wreaking havoc on United States naval traffic in the Atlantic.

Stonewall Jackson finally put an end to his offensive by ordering his troops into winter quarters. General Garnett and the Stonewall Brigade were ordered back to Winchester, while General Loring and his brigade were directed to stay in Romney. Jackson's decision to leave Loring's brigade behind was highly controversial due to the broken down condition of the men, the desolation of the area, and the difficulty in obtaining necessary food and shelter for them. The decision exacerbated the strained relations between Loring and Jackson.

Headquarters Valley District Winchester, Va.

Believing it imprudent to attempt further movements with General Loring's command against the Federals, I determined to put into winter quarters, in the vicinity of Romney, and accordingly gave directions to Lieut. Col. S.M. Barton to select suitable locations for the several brigades, and steps were taken for putting the troops into huts as rapidly as practicable...I directed General Garnett to return to Winchester, in the vicinity of which his brigade proceeded to construct its winter quarters. T.J. Jackson, Major-General, Commanding

Colonel Benjamin Helm, President Lincoln's brother in law, sent the following note regarding the precarious position of General Zollicoffer.

HDQRS. FIRST REGIMENT KENTUCKY CAVALRY, Camp at Skegg's Creek, January 18, 1862

Brigadier-General Buckner, Commanding Second Division, Bowling Green

GENERAL, I am satisfied that the enemy are concentrating a large force to attack General Zollicoffer. I fear that the enemy do not intend to attack the army at Bowling Green, but will quietly send forces in the direction of General Zollicoffer, both above and below him, on the Cumberland River, and by that means get a large force into East Tennessee. I do not know the strength of General Zollicoffer's division, and I fear the enemy are moving on him in such numbers as to overwhelm him. B.W. HELM, Colonel, Commanding First Regiment Kentucky Cavalry

At Beech Grove, on the banks of the Cumberland River, generals Crittenden and Zollicofer held a council of war. Theirs was an untenable position, superior Union forces to their front and the roaring Cumberland River to their backs. At length, the decision was made....ATTACK!!!!!!!

Many years later Colonel Bennett Young described the predicament.

The location on the north side of the Cumberland river, in Pulaski county, was made by General Felix K. Zollicoffer, without the approval of Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, then commanding the Department of Tennessee. At this late date it is difficult to understand why General Zollicoffer crossed the Cumberland river, leaving that uncertain stream - unfordable at this point - behind him, with nothing but a sternwheel steamboat and two barges to secure his transportation in case of defeat, and to cross over to the north side of the river and engage in combat. It is but just to General Zollicoffer and General Crittenden to say that a council of war had been called, and it had been the unanimous opinion of those who took part in it that the wise thing to do was to leave the entrenchments at Beech Grove, almost on the banks of the Cumberland river, and march ten miles towards Somerset and attack the Federal forces then at Logan's Crossroads, nine miles south of Somerset.

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

REFERENCES

THIS WEEK IN THE CIVIL WAR (1861 CHRISTMAS EDITION)

THIS WEEK IN THE CIVIL WAR (1862 NEW YEARS EDITION)

LAST WEEK IN THE CIVIL WAR

NEWS FROM THE REAR

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