1862

  1862 Calendar

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January 19 1862 (Sunday)

General Zollicoffer's army spent the night of the 18th and the early morning hours of the 19th struggling over muddy roads through a driving rainstorm. The mud sapped their strength, but more importantly the rain would prevent many of their ancient (some dating back to the War of 1812) flintlocks from firing in the impending battle.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, -- DIVISION, C. S. ARMY, Gainesborough, Tenn. GENERAL: The night was dark and gloomy; a cold rain was constantly descending, rendering the march extremely difficult and unpleasant. This, together with the almost impassable condition of the roads, rendered so by recent heavy rains, so much retarded our progress, that at daylight we had not advanced more than 10 miles from Camp Beech Grove, thus consuming nearly six hours in marching this short distance. Just at dawn on the morning of the 19th, and while the troops were toiling slowly along through mud and water, sometimes more than a foot in depth, I heard the report of several guns, fired in quick succession, apparently about half a mile in advance of me. This firing I supposed [to be] from the enemy's pickets, who had discovered the approach of General Zollicoffer's brigade...The rapid and continuous fire in front convinced me that General Zollicoffer had encountered the enemy in strong force and a determined and sanguinary conflict had commenced. I immediately moved my command forward at double-quick...Advancing very near the enemy, we kept up a constant and most destructive fire until we were forced to quit the field and fall back before superior numbers. Returning a short distance we rallied and renewed the contest, but were again assailed by an unequal force and again driven slowly back, stubbornly contesting every inch of ground over which the enemy were advancing. The action had now become general all along my entire line--the Federals fighting with unusual vigor and courage. Reenforcements of the enemy continuing to pour in upon us in every direction, the ground was soon covered with the dead and wounded, and the discharge of small-arms and the roar of cannon were incessant. I am, general, very respectfully, W. H. CARROLL, Brigadier-General.

As the battle lines swirled - General Zollicoffer, wearing his white rubber raincoat, became confused. He rode towards the nearest troops and began to shout orders. As he approached a Union officer, Colonel Speed S. Fry, he declared "We must not fire on our own men." Fry, who at first mistook Zollicoffer for a comrade, replied to him, "Of course not." Just then a Condererate soldier fired at Fry, wounding his horse. Fry responded by leveling his revolver and putting a bullet into Zollicoffer's breast. With the General down, there was no one to rally the men as the Union quickly brought up reinforcements.

Felix Kirk Zollicoffer

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., DEPT. OF THE OHIO, Camp near Mill Springs

A portion of the enemy halted at a fence, with the evident intention of making a stand, when Colonel McCook commanded a "charge bayonet," which command was instantly repeated by Lieutenant-Colonel Kise, of the Tenth Indiana, and was splendidly executed by both regiments. The enemy now gave way and fled in every direction in the utmost confusion, being hotly pursued by all your forces in the field. MAHLON D. MANSON, Colonel, Comdg. Second Brigade, First Division, Dept. Ohio.

It was over quickly. For the first time a Confederate army had been routed in battle. The Rebel soldiers stumbled back over the muddy roads whence they had come. Many felt betrayed -- how could they fight with weapons that would not shoot! When they reached Beech Grove camp, they did not stop. After ferrying themselves over the Cumberland River they quietly dispersed back into the Tennessee countryside.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Somerset, Ky.

On reaching the intrenchments we found the enemy had abandoned everything and retired during the night. Twelve pieces of artillery, with their caissons packed with ammunition; one battery wagon and two forges; a large amount of ammunition; a large number of small-arms, mostly the old flint-lock muskets; 150 or 160 wagons, and upwards of 1,000 horses and mules; a large amount of commissary stores, intrenching tools, and camp and garrison equipage, fell into our hands. The steam and ferry boats having been burned by the enemy in their retreat, it was found impossible to cross the river and pursue them; besides, their command was completely demoralized, and retreated with great haste and in all directions, making their capture in any numbers quite doubtful if pursued. By order of Brig. Gen. G. H. Thomas: GEO. E. FLYNT, Assistant Adjutant-General.
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January 20 1862 (Monday)

Crittenden sent the following dispatch describing his defeat at Mill Springs. It was later charged that Crittenden was "in an almost beastly state of intoxication" throughout the battle. He was found guilty of intoxication by a Court of Inquiry and reduced to the rank of colonel. He quietly resigned his commission and served out the rest of the war as a civilian staff member in the Army of the Trans-Mississippi.

HEADQUARTERS, Monticello, Ky., January 20, 1862. SIR: On the night of the 18th (at 12 midnight) I moved my force from Beech Grove and attacked the enemy at 7 o'clock the next morning. After a very severe fight of three hours I was compelled to retire, and reoccupied my intrenchments. The enemy advanced the same evening and opened their batteries upon US. Finding it was impossible to remain where I was, I crossed my command to the south side of the river by a steamboat on the night of the 19th. I am now on my march to Celina or some other point on the Cumberland River where I can communicate with Nashville. The country is entirely destitute of provisions. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. B. CRITTENDEN, Major-General.

The second stone fleet was sunk in Charleston harbor. This strengthened the grip of the blockade on this important seaport.

Flag Officer Farragut was given command of the Gulf of Mexico - from west Florida to Mexico. His primary objective, however, was to be New Orleans.

In North Carolina, General Burnside's approach had been detected. Three pilots pressed into service by the Union Navy had escaped to warn the Confederate defenders of the impending assault.

HEADQUARTERS, Washington, N. C., January 20, 1862. General BRANCH: SIR: Captain Wallace, who has just returned from the sound, reports that 125 sail of the enemy are at Hatteras; 100 of them inside the sound at 4 o'clock yesterday evening. The twenty-five outside, large-class steamers. They had pressed into their service all the pilots. Three of the pilots had made their escape and gave the information. The pilots report that the fleet is for Roanoke, Washington, Hyde, and New Berne, and that a portion of them would move this morning. Your obedient servant, R. McMILLAN.

General Halleck returned to work today. He had been out for the last four days with the measles. When he read the report of Buell's success at Mill Springs he was in shock. The road to Nashville was open and Buell was in the driver's seat. Halleck needed a victory or all his plans for command in the west would be in vain.

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January 21 1862 (Tuesday)

The Union army had punctured General Albert Sidney Johnston's Kentucky line. It was only a matter of time before the next blow was struck. The question remained....would the rest of the line be able to hold back the Union onslaught?

CLARKSVILLE, January 21, 1862. Maj. Gen. W. J. HARDEE, Bowling Green: MY DEAR SIR: Our forts are still in an unfinished condition, and will remain so, unless the 2,000 men who are now here are ordered to work on them immediately; if necessary, night and day. There is a great deal of work done on the forts, but they are unfinished, and in the present condition do no earthly good, and are no more effective for defense than if they were in their original condition before a spade of dirt was removed. More energy must be infused into the work of preparation here for defense, or we will be unprepared, if the enemy should pass Fort Donelson and march around it. We hear the enemy are in force 6,000 strong at Murray, about 25 miles north of Paris. We don't know the truth of this report, but the people of Paris are in a great state of excitement about it. They believe the report to be true. I need not apologize for my urgency, for I cannot and ought not, in the position I occupy, to stand still in such a moment as this. Ever your friend and obedient servant, GUS. A. HENRY.

Meanwhile, in Kansas, Captain Irving Fuller was busy chasing horse thieves and depredators.

CHAS. G. HALPINE, Major, and Assistant Adjutant-General. On the next morning, January 21, 1862, at 4 o'clock a.m., Lieutenant Sprague joined my command with 20 men and reported for duty. At 8 a.m. of the same day I sent out Lieutenant Sprague with 25 men in search of horse-thieves and depredators and stolen property, who succeeded in capturing 5 of the stolen horses and 2 jayhawkers, and returned at 2 p.m. of the same day. I then proceeded with the balance of my command to the farm of Sueter Dixon, a noted jayhawker, and took from his farm 20 horses and 2 shot-guns, the property of citizens of Kansas and Missouri, to whom I restored their property upon their bringing satisfactory proof of ownership. L W. FULLER, Captain, First Missouri Cavalry.

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January 22 1862 (Wednesday)

It would take several days for news of the disaster at Mill Springs to reach General A.S. Johnston. Realizing that his flank was exposed, he once again turned to Richmond for reinforcements. Once again, his plea fell on deaf ears.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Bowling Green, Ky., January 22, 1862. General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-General :

I have just received a telegram from General Hindman announcing the defeat and death of General Zollicoffer at, Webb's Cross-Roads, on the road from his position to Columbia. If my right is thus broken as stated, East Tennessee is open to invasion, or if the plan of the enemy be a combined movement upon Nashville, it is in jeopardy...The road through this place is indispensable to the enemy to enable them to advance with their main body. They must have river or railroad means of transportation to invade with a large force...If I had the forces to prevent a flank movement they would be compelled [to] attack this position, which we doubt not can make a successful defense...If force cannot be spared from other army corps the country must now be roused to make the greatest effort that they will be called upon to make during the contest. No matter what the sacrifice may be, it must be made, and without loss of time. Our people do not comprehend the magnitude of the danger that threatens. Let it be impressed upon them. All the resources of the Confederacy are now needed for the defense of Tennessee. With great respect, your obedient servant, A. S. JOHNSTON, General, C. S. Army.

Brigadier-General W.F. "Baldy" Smith accompanied several gunboats on a reconnaissance of Fort Henry. His observation that "two gunboats would make short work of Fort Henry" would kick-start Union offensive action as both generals Grant and Halleck were looking for a quick victory to match Buell's success.

HEADQUARTERS r. S. FORCES, Camp at Callaway, Ky., January 22, 1862. To the ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters District of Cairo, Cairo, Ill.:

I went up in the Lexington to have a look at Fort Henry. As the river is now 14 feet above its very low stage a week since, we took the right-hand channel of the island, just below the fort, and got about 2½ miles from it...The appearance of the work corresponds with the rough sketch that General Grant has seen in my quarters at Paducah. The hill on the west bank, which commands the fort some 60 feet or so, seems to be covered by a thick growth of timber. Judging by the number of roofs seen in the fort it must cover considerable space...I think two iron-clad gunboats would make short work of Fort Henry. There is no masked battery at the foot of the island, as was supposed, or, if so, it is now under water. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. F. SMITH, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

The Confederate Congress today passed a resolution delineating the number of guns required for each rank of officers of artillery.

The President is authorized to appoint one brigadier-general for every eighty guns, one colonel for every forty guns, one lieutenant-colonel for every twenty-four guns, and one major for every sixteen guns. Approved January 22, 1862

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January 23 1862 (Thursday)

Stonewall Jackson returned to Winchester where he established his winter headquarters and was reunited with his wife. The men he left at Romney, (west) Virginia were not so fortunate. Colonel Fulkerson sent a letter, on this date, which was to be shown to the Adjutant General, the Secretary of War and, if necessary, the President. The letter described the dreadful condition of the forces at Romney.

ROMNEY, VA., January 23, 1862. Hon. WALTER R. STAPLES: MY DEAR SIR: I write you a few lines to enlist your influence as a public man in behalf of that portion of the Army of the Northwest now stationed at this place. This part of the army, during the last summer and fall, passed through a campaign in Northwestern Virginia, the character of which in. point of suffering, toil, exposure, and deprivations has no parallel in this war, and scarcely can be equaled in any war. After all this hardship and exposure, and many, with much labor, had built winter huts, a call was made upon them to march some 150 miles to Winchester. This march was made about the 1st of December, in very inclement weather... After arriving at Winchester an expedition was ordered to Morgan County and to this place...Now we are ordered to remain here during the remainder of the winter. A more unfavorable spot could not be selected. This place is of no importance in a strategical point of view; the country around it has been exhausted by the enemy, and its proximity to the enemy and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad will wear us away by heavy picket and guard duty. Besides this, there is no suitable ground and not sufficient wood here...We have not been in as uncomfortable a place since we entered the service. I will ask you, in view of these facts, to see the Adjutant.General, the Secretary of War, and the President, if necessary, and impress these considerations upon them. Yours, respectfully, SAML. V. FULKERSON, [Colonel Thirty-seventh Virginia Infantry.]

The Confederate Congress passed another resolution extending the enlistment period to three years or the duration of the war.

In Missouri, General Halleck ordered that all who had failed to pay their assessments for the aid of pro-Northern refugees were to be arrested.

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January 24 1862 (Friday)

Stonewall Jackson formally reported to General Joseph E. Johnston his reasons for leaving Loring's brigade at Romney.

WINCESTER, VA., January 24, 1862. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Commanding Department of Northern Virginia: GENERAL: I arrived here yesterday evening from Romney, where I left General Loring, with about 4,000 infantry, three companies of cavalry, and thirteen pieces of field artillery. General Garnett's brigade is en route for this place. I fear that the enemy is determined to rebuild the railroad from Hancock westward, and I am not in a condition to prevent it, as the troops of this district will do well if they but hold their positions...This great desire to reconstruct the railroad shows its importance to the enemy, and I am in favor of destroying it at once, so as to put away this bone of contention. But to do this I require a regiment of cavalry for a few days. Can you not send it to me? Respectfully, your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON, Major-General.

Any hopes that General Buell had of a swift movement into East Tennessee were dashed as General Thomas reported impassable roads and the need to build and repair bridges. Thomas' men were already on half rations and, if anything, the area they were occupying was even more desolate and barren than the section of Kentucky that they had just left.

SOMERSET, January 24, 1862. General ]). C. BUELL, Commanding: My scouts have returned and report the roads from this place to Monticello in an almost impassable condition. The enemy have entirely dispersed and gone to their homes. The engineers have commenced on the flying bridges at Waitsborough, and will progress with them as rapidly as possible. If I had two engines, the engineers could build two steamers in a short time. They would be of very great importance in our operations on the river. Very respectfully, GEO. H. THOMAS, Brigadier-General.

Brigadier-General Jeff Thompson commanding at New Madrid, a fortified river town on the Mississippi reported an enemy demonstration in his front.

NEW MADRID, January 24, 1862. Col. SOL. G. KITCHEN, Clarkston: DEAR COLONEL: The enemy are making a demonstration from Charleston as well as on your side of the swamp. I will hold myself in readiness to support you, and will send some cannon down early in the morning or to-night. I am alive to the importance of defending the plank road, and hope you will give them hell if they come before I get there; and if you have to retreat come over the plank road, as I will hold this end against the devil. M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. -----

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January 25 1862 (Saturday)

Stonewall Jackson's winter of discontent would continue. General Loring, today, forwarded a letter signed by eleven of his officers directly to Judah Benjamin, Secretary of War, thus bypassing Old Jack. The letter described the pitiful living conditions of the men, their squalid living conditions and the fruitlessness of occupying Romney. Benjamin would respond by ordering Jackson to recall the brigade to Winchester. Jackson would fire back by arresting Loring, pending a court martial, and tendering his resignation from further service in the Confederate Army.

JANUARY 25, 1862. Brigadier-General LORING, Commanding Army of the Northwest: GENERAL: The undersigned officers of your command beg leave to present their condition to your consideration as it exists at Romney. It is unnecessary to detail all the service performed by the Army of the Northwest during the last eight months. The unwritten history of that remarkable campaign would show a degree of severity, of hardship, of toil, of exposure and suffering that finds no parallel in the prosecution of the present war, if indeed it is equaled in any war. After being worn down with unremitting toil and wasted by death and disease, the remainder were about preparing quarters to shield them from the storms of winter in a rigorous climate. Many had prepared comparatively comfortable quarters, when they were called upon to march to Winchester and join the force under General Jackson. The terrible exposure and suffering on this expedition can never be known to those who did not participate in it. When men pass night after night in. the coldest period of a cold climate without tents, blankets, or even an ax to cut wood with, and without food for twenty-four hours, and with some of the men nearly two days at a time, and attended by toilsome marches, it is not to be thought strange that some regiments which left Winchester with nearly 600 men should now, short as the time has been, report less than 200 men for duty. Instead of finding, as expected, a little repose during midwinter, we are ordered to remain at this place. Our position at and near Romney is one of the most disagreeable and unfavorable that could well be imagined. We can only get an encampment upon the worst of wet, spouty land, much of' which when it rains is naught but one sheet of water and a consequent corresponding depth of mud, and this, too, without the advantage of sufficient wood, the men having to drag that indispensable article down from high up on the mountain side. We regard Romney as a place difficult to hold, and of no strategical importance after it is held. Besides, the country around it for some distance has already been by the enemy exhausted of its supplies. When we left Winchester, a very large proportion of your army would have enlisted for the war, but now, with the present prospect before them, we doubt if one single man would re-enlist. In view of all these considerations we ask that you present the condition of your command to the War Department, and earnestly ask that it may be ordered to some more favorable position. Respectfully,
WM. B. TALIAFERRO, Colonel, SAML. V. FULKERSON, Colonel, VAN H. MANNING, Major, J. W. ANDERSON, Major, A. V. SCOTT, Captain, JESSE S. BURKS, Colonel, D.A. LANGHORNE, P. B. ADAMS, Major, J. Y. JONES, Captain, R. H. CUNNINGHAM, JR., Captain, JOHN A. CAMPBELL, Colonel.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHWEST,
Romney, Va., January 26, 1862.
As this is a respectful communication, and presents for the consideration of the honorable Secretary of War the true condition of this army...I deem it proper to respectfully forward it for his information. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. LORING, Brigadier-General, Commanding, &o. -----

On another front, Judah Benjamin attempted to advise Joe Johnston on the proper procedure for granting furloughs to the men who had re-enlisted as prescribed by the bounty and re-enlistment act. The issues of furloughs, bounties, and elections of officers would continue to bedevil the Confederates and hamper the effectiveness of their army.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., January 25, 1862. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Comdg. Department of Northern Virginia, Centreville, Va.:

In relation to the time when the furloughs are to be granted, the VIIIth paragraph of the general order gives such instructions as were deemed prudent. I could not undertake to determine when and in what numbers the furloughs could be safely granted...It seems scarcely possible that in the present condition of the roads an attack can be make; and it is surely better to run a little risk now than to meet the certain danger of finding a large body of your men abandoning you at the expiration of their terms, now nearly about to expire... All I can say beyond what is contained in the general order is to advise, very urgently, that you go to the extreme verge of prudence in tempting your twelve-months' men by liberal furloughs, and thus secure for yourself a fine body of men for the spring operations. The rest I must leave to your own judgment. I am, your obedient servant, J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War. -----

Brigadier-General N.G. Evans reported that "negroes on Edisto Island (off the coast of South Carolina) attacked our pickets. I wish to capture the party and check this insurrection. The negroes have evidently been armed by the enemy, who are no doubt lurking in the rear." The ensuing expedition captured about fifty slaves. General Evans further stated "should any of the negroes be convicted, they should be hanged as soon as possible at some public place. The negroe fellows not implicated directly, I propose to iron heavily and work them under guard on the causeway." The expedition was aided by a slave named "Old Joe" who "confessed to having heard of the attack...and said he could lead us to the rendezvous of the attacking parties."

U.S. Grant was chomping at the bit. He had made several attempts to launch a strike at the Confederates, but each time had been held in check by the short leash of General Halleck. It seemed to him as if he were watching his military career slowly dissolve in a sea of inactivity while other Union commanders somehow managed to seize the day. Baldy Smith had given him a new opportunity...attack and seize Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. As Grant made plans to meet with Halleck and, once more, push for a quick action, he started making preparations for a combined land and naval attack...the kind of assault that would become his trademark in the west.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Cairo, January 25, 1862. Capt. J. C. KELTON, Saint Louis, Mo.:

I have this evening issued a circular, calling upon the company and regimental commanders for a list of river and sea-faring men of their respective commands who are willing to transfer to the gunboat service. Men are absolutely necessary before the gunboats, now nearly ready for use, can be used. I contemplate transferring such men as desire it to that service, subject to the approval of the department commander. U.S. GRANT, Brigadier-General.

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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