1862

  1862 Calendar

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March 9 1862 (Sunday)

At 6 o'clock in the morning the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimac), commanded by Lieutenant Catesby Jones (Commodore Buchanan was injured in the previous days action), returns to Hampton Roads. Jones is intent upon sinking the U.S.S. Minnesota which had been run aground the day before. As the Virginia approaches, the U.S.S. Monitor darts from behind the screening frigate and steams forward to attack. A Virginia midshipman later testifies, "We thought at first it was a raft...and when suddenly a shot was fired from her turret we imagined an accidental explosion of some kind had taken place on the raft." Yesterday, the Virginia had demonstrated the superiority of iron over wood, today as the Monitor engages the Virginia it is iron against iron.

No. 1. -- Extract from Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy.

All efforts to get the Minnesota afloat during the night and into a safe position were totally unavailing. The morning was looked for with deep anxiety, as it would in all probability bring a renewed attack from the formidable assailant. At this critical and anxious moment the Monitor, one of the newly-finished armored vessels, came into Hampton Roads, from New York, under command of Lieut. John L. Worden, and a little after midnight anchored alongside the Minnesota. At 6 o'clock the next morning the Merrimac, as anticipated, again made her appearance, and opened her fire upon the Minnesota. Promptly obeying the signal to attack, the Monitor ran down past the Minnesota and laid herself close alongside the Merrimac, between that formidable vessel and the Minnesota. The fierce conflict between these two ironclads lasted for several hours. It was in appearance an unequal conflict, for the Merrimac was a large and noble structure, and the Monitor was in comparison almost diminutive. But the Monitor was strong in her armor, in the ingenious novelty of her construction, in the large caliber of her two guns, and the valor and skill with which she was handled. After several hours' fighting the Merrimac found herself overmatched, and, leaving the Monitor, sought to renew the attack on the Minnesota; but the Monitor again placed herself between the two vessels and reopened her fire upon her adversary. At noon the Merrimac, seriously damaged, abandoned the contest and, with her companions, retreated toward Norfolk. Thus terminated the most remarkable naval combat of modern times, perhaps of any age. The fiercest and most formidable naval assault upon the power of the Union which has ever been made by the insurgents was heroically repelled, and a new era was opened in the history of maritime warfare. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy

Mansfield Lovell, commanding at New Orleans, reports that the city has been "completely stripped of every body of organized troops."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 1, New Orleans, La., March 9, 1862. Hon. J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: SIR: The four Mississippi companies of Hardcastle's battalion which were here I have ordered to join their own corps, now with General A. S. Johnston. You will thus perceive that this department has been completely stripped of every organized body of troops....Persons are found here who assert that I am sending away all troops so that the city may fall an easy prey to the enemy....If the enemy intends an attack here he will make it soon, and I trust no further calls will be made until we are placed in a defensible condition. Respectfully, your obedient servant, M. LOVELL, Major-General, Commanding.

U.S. Grant finally sends a report of his troop strength and disposition to General Halleck who warns Grant, "Don't let such neglect occur again....I am deeply ashamed to telegraph back to Washington time and again that I was unable to give the strength of your command."

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE, Fort Henry, March 9, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo.: Infantry present and for duty, 35,147; cavalry, 3,169; artillery, 12 batteries---aggregate number of pieces, 54; men, 1,231. Location: Infantry embarked on expedition, 25,206; at landing above Fort Henry, awaiting transportation, 5,740; Clarksville, 1,173; Fort Donelson, 2,328, 1,216 of whom are under marching orders for the Tennessee as soon as transportation can be had. At Fort Henry, 700; cavalry, 1,900, embarked on expedition. U.S. GRANT, Major-General.

President Lincoln meets with his cabinet to discuss the bleak state of affairs in Virginia. After the meeting Lincoln drafts General Order #3 which relieves George McClellan from command as general-in-chief and assigns him to command of the Army of the Potomac only. The White House releases the Order to the press without notifying McClellan. "Little Mac" learns of his demotion when Brigadier-General Randolph Macy telegraphs him after reading it in the National Intelligencer newspaper. General Order #3 also merges the departments of Missouri and Ohio giving overall command in the west to Henry Halleck.
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March 10 1862 (Monday)

The Grant-Halleck squabble has reached the attention of President Lincoln and Secretary of State Edwin Stanton. In an effort to end all the rumors and innuendoes streaming from Halleck's desk, Adjutant-General L. Thomas wires Halleck telling him to file an official report detailing any unauthorized or insubordinate acts committed by Grant.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, March 10, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, U.S. A., Commanding Department of the Mississippi, Saint Louis : It has been reported that soon after the battle of Fort Donelson Brigadier-General Grant left his command without leave. By direction of the President the Secretary of War desires you to ascertain and report whether General Grant left his command at any time without proper authority, and, if so, for how long; whether he has made to you proper reports and returns of his force; whether he has committed any acts which were unauthorized or not in accordance with military subordination or propriety, and, if so, what. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

In New Mexico Territory, Harry Sibley's men, marching north since their victory at Valverde, reach Albuquerque only to find that the Union garrison has set fire to all of its supplies and fallen back to Sante Fe. After Sibley pushes north to Sante Fe, he discovers that depot also burning as a result of Union Department Commander Colonel Canby's "scorched earth" policy, thus denying the hungry Confederates much needed supplies.

HEADQUARTERS, Fort Union, N. Mex., March 10, 1862. Col. G. R. PAUL, Commanding Fort Union. COLONEL: In consequence of the near approach of the enemy, and his not having troops to defend the place, Captain Enos, assistant quartermaster, abandoned Albuquerque on the 2d instant, having first loaded up a train with his most valuable stores, started it to Santa Fe, and destroyed the rest...On the 4th instant I deemed it necessary to pursue the same course, as Santa Fe was not defensible, being commanded on all sides by hills....I am glad to say that it (the train) has arrived under the guns of Fort Union, and that the enemy has gained nothing of importance along the line. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. L. DONALDSON, Major, Commanding District Santa Fe.

The First Florida Battalion is busy, "removing the iron from the track of the Florida Railroad and (the) Jacksonville Railroad." The Confederacy is unable to manufacture enough iron for railroad track and is being forced to cannibalize lesser used railroads to repair more important tracks in Georgia and Virginia.

The threat from the Rebel ironclad C.S.S. Virginia is felt in Maine as the Governor, I. Washburne, Jr., orders all five Maine batteries to Portland, "where they might be useful in preparing defensive works."

In Richmond, Virginia, Jefferson Davis, unaware of General Joe Johnston's retreat from Manassas, wires Johnston with instructions to, "maintain your position" in Manassas" as adequate reinforcements will be sent shortly.

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March 11 1862 (Tuesday)

General George McClellan is cautiously directing an advance into the recently unoccupied Rebel lines around Manassas, Virginia. Traveling with McClellan is division commander Irvin McDowell who had led the disasterous Union attack at Bull Run the previous year. The old battlefield was shell blasted with treetops twisted in all directions and sun bleached bones of dead soldiers lay scattered around in the mud.

Journal of events in the commands of General Irvin McDowell, U. S. Army.

Tuesday, March 11, 1862.--Pitched the tents and arranged the office....(W)ent to Centerville and Manassas, escorted by General Cooke's cavalry and Colonel Davies' cavalry. Found no enemy. They had evidently left in haste, leaving tents, clothing, the railroad, and other property. We came back over the battle-field of Bull Run; found the Stone Bridge broken....We all took a lunch at Manassas, and our lunch basket proved a godsend to a good many hungry people, among others General McClellan. We found houses (that is cantonments) for rebel soldiers. They must have had a very large force there; probably it came fully up to our estimate. They have burnt most of the town. Irvin McDowell, Major-General

Thomas K. Cartmell resigns as Provost Marshal of Winchester, Virginia as Stonewall Jackson evacuates the city. Thomas and younger brother Mordecai enlist in Captain William H Harness' newly organized cavalry company under the command of General Turner Ashby. The third Cartmell brother, Robert, is serving as 1st Sergeant of Company A, 39th Battalion.
*Editors note: The Cartmell brothers are distant relatives of the editors of this page.

Generals John Floyd and Gideon Pillow, who had fled prior the fall of Fort Donelson, are relieved of command by order of Jefferson Davis.

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March 12 1862 (Wednesday)

General John Porter McCown, commanding at New Madrid, Missouri reports, "All quiet at our forts....Fifty-two guns mounted at Island 10 and Madrid Bend....All will be in hand tomorrow morning." Meanwhile, the Union expedition down the Tennessee River, begun March 6th, has reached Savannah, Tennessee opposite Pittsburg Landing with the transports crowded four and five deep on both sides of the river. Confederate scouts are on hand to observe the Union landing.

HDQRS. 4TH BRIGADE, 1ST CORPS, 2D GRAND DIV., ARMY OF MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, Capt. Roy MASON HOOE, A. A. G., Corinth, Miss. Near Corinth, nine miles towards Pittsburg, March 12, 1862. SIR: A mounted courier has just reached me with a verbal message from Major Baskerville, stating that the enemy had landed a force at Crump's Landing 18,000 strong, firing upon the cavalry pickets, driving them in. Yours, respectfully, ALFR. MOUTON, Colonel Eighteenth Regiment Louisiana Vols., Comdg. Fourth Brig., C. S. Forces, Mississippi Valley.

JACKSON, TENN., March 12, 1862. Major-General POLK: General Chalmers telegraphs from Iuka: Some of boats in sight at Eastport when my pickets left at 6 o'clock this morning. Enemy were at Savannah last night with thirty-three transports and three gunboats. Did not disembark wagons and horses. All on board at sunset. They said they would start for railroad this morning early. There is not water enough for the gunboats to go to Florence. They will stop at Pittsburg or Eastport. The enemy took in all pickets and guards at night. Later.— Shelling Eastport; two gunboats in sight. I advise you to keep your forces well in hand for any movement. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General, Commanding.

The Aeronaut, T.S.C. Lowe and his balloon are ordered to join McClellan's army at Fortress Monroe located at the mouth of the James River.

Mr. T. S. C. LOWE, Aeronaut, Army of the Potomac: SIR: You will make arrangements without delay to send to Fortress Monroe, Va., a balloon with all the requisite apparatus and materials for inflating it and making ascensions, and an aeronaut to manage the same. By order of Major-General McClellan: J. N. MACOMB, Lieutenant-Colonel, Aide-de-Camp, in Charge of Balloons

Brigadier-General John Bell Hood is assigned command of the Texas Brigade in Joe Johnston's Virginia army.

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March 13 1862 (Thursday)

Stonewall Jackson reports on his withdrawal up the Shenandoah Valley to protect the main army's western flank and guard the eastern passage of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nathaniel Banks, moving in Jackson's wake occupies Winchester, Virginia.

CHARLESTOWN, March 13, 1862. Brig. Gen. R. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff: General Hamilton occupied Winchester this morning at 7 o'clock. The rebel force left the town at 5 o'clock yesterday. The cavalry of the enemy left but an hour in advance of our forces. The railway and telegraph will be put in immediate operation between Harper's Ferry and Winchester. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.

General McClellan begins to shift troops from Manassas to the Virginia Peninsula. This increase in Union activity alarms Confederate commander John Bankhead Magruder.

YORKTOWN, March 13, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General: Today the enemy drove in our pickets 4 miles below Young's Mill. Troops are being again landed at Newport News from the Baltimore boat. Please order at once to Williamsburg by the James River boats the regiment which the Secretary of War said he would send. J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding

Despite J.P. McCown's earlier optimism, he gives the order to evacuate New Madrid concentrating his forces at Island #10.

MADRID BEND, March 13, 1862— 11.30 p.m. General POLK: GENERAL: I this moment arrived from New Madrid. The enemy re-enforced and rapidly pushing their advance against our works. They have 8-inch and 24-pounders. Our gunboats are not sufficiently protected for such heavy metal. Upon consultation with Commodore Hollins and General Stewart I gave the order to evacuate the place. My boat (Mohawk) was hit in going to Fort Thompson. The enemy's batteries are not below Tiptonville. As soon as New Madrid is evacuated the commodore, Hollins, will drop down to Tiptonville and keep the river open below. As soon as I have my forces disposal to prevent the enemy crossing from New Madrid I will try and send part of my re-enforcement's back. J.P. McCOWN, Brigadier-General.

Unable to comply with Washington's request to report specific instances of unauthorized or insubordinate acts committed by Grant, General Halleck backs down and releases him from house arrest at Fort Henry.

SAINT LOUIS, March 13, 1862. Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT, Fort Henry: You cannot be relieved from your command. There is no good reason for it. I am certain that all which the authorities at Washington ask is that you enforce discipline and punish the disorderly. The power is in your hands; use it, and you will be sustained by all above you. Instead of relieving you, I wish you as soon as your new army is in the field to assume the immediate command and lead it on to new victories. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

General Ambrose Burnside, having ascended the Neuse River on Wednesday, lands his troops twelve miles from his next objective.......New Berne, North Carolina.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General : The enemy are in large force in Neuse River--ten steamers and one transport; are about 12 miles below New Berne. The pilot reports fifty vessels coming up. This is General Branch's report, date 9 p.m. yesterday. R. C. GATLIN, Brigadier-General

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March 14 1862 (Friday)

At 7 o'clock in the morning Burnside launches his attack on the Confederate forces defending New Berne. After a four hour engagement, "the position was finally carried by a most gallant charge of our men." After the battle the Rebels retreat towards Kinston, North Carolina.

MARCH 14, 1862.--Battle of New Berne, N. C. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, In the Field, March 1862. At about 7.30 o'clock Friday morning the fire opened along the line from the railroad to the river....The skirmishers of the enemy, finding themselves on the flank of the Militia, fired at them a few shots from their flank files, which caused a portion of them to flee in great disorder....I received a message from Colonel Clark, of the Militia, informing me that the enemy were in line of battle in great force on his right. I instantly ordered up the remaining five companies of Colonel Avery's regiment, and the whole ten opened a terrific fire from their Enfield rifles. The whole Militia, however, had now abandoned their positions, and the utmost exertions of myself and my staff could not rally them. Colonel Sinclair's regiment very quickly followed their example, retreating in the utmost disorder. This laid open Haywood's right and a large portion of the breastwork was left vacant. I had not a man with whom to re-occupy it, and the enemy soon poured in a column along the railroad and through a portion of the cut-down ground in front, which marched up behind the breastwork to attack what remained of Campbell's command....Seeing the enemy behind the breastwork, without a single man to place in the gap through which he was entering and finding the day lost, my next care was to secure the retreat....Arriving in town, I found it in flames in many places and evacuated. Orders written in the street under the lurid glare of the flames were dispatched in every direction through the town to search for Colonel Lee....Colonel Lee, finding himself in no condition to make resistance, had properly drawn off and marched up the Kinston Road. Following on...(I directed) all the officers I could overtake to conduct their men to Tuscarora, the nearest railroad depot. L. O'B. BRANCH, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

MARCH 14, 1862.--Battle of New Berne, N. C. No. 13. -- Report of Col..Edward Ferrero, Fifty-first New York Infantry. HDQRS. SHEPARD RIFLES, FIFTY-FIRST REGT. N. Y. VOLS., Near New Berne, N. C., March 1862. At 6 a.m...I took my line of march up the railroad until within 300 yards of a collection of brick-kilns....Finding that we could not engage the enemy in this position the lieutenant-colonel and myself proceeded to make a reconnaissance in advance, parallel with the railroad, a distance of some hundred yards. The ground here was undulating, forming a number of deep ravines. We discovered the enemy's batteries and rifle pits extending a distance of a mile and a half, in front of which were deep ravines obstructed by an almost impassable abatis....A continuous fire was then kept up on the enemy, which they returned with great vigor, making sad havoc in our ranks. My loss at this point was very severe, owing to the exposed position of the troops when advancing to fire. The action continued for about three hours, when, we having expended nearly all of our ammunition, I applied for re-enforcements, when the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Regiment was ordered to our support. They having discharged one volley I was ordered to charge, which the men executed gallantly, planting the colors on the ramparts. The enemy fled in great confusion toward New Berne. I have the honor to be, general, your very obedient servant, EDWARD FERRERO, Colonel Fifty-first New York Volunteers

General Pope is amazed that Confederate forces were evacuated from New Madrid.

HEADQUARTERS MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT, Near New Madrid, March 14, 1862. Major-General HALLECK: To my utter amazement the enemy hurriedly evacuated the place last night, leaving everything. They were landed in the woods opposite and dispersed. They have been landing troops here ever since we arrived, and I am sure almost that they have withdrawn all their troops from Island No. 10. I can send you the cavalry for Steele, but would prefer to send other regiments. Please inform me as to your wishes about my further operations. I shall reconnoiter Island No. 10 to-day. JNO. POPE, Brigadier-General.

Major-General U.S. Grant re-assumes command of the Savannah expedition.

Fort Henry, March 14, 1862. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Saint Louis, Mo.: After your letter inclosing copy of anonymous letter, upon which severe censure was based, I felt as though it would be impossible for me to serve longer without a court of inquiry. Your telegram of yesterday, however, places such a different phase upon my position that I will again assume command, and give every effort to the success of our cause. Under the worst circumstances I would do the same. U.S. GRANT, Major-General.

Major-General David Hunter is given command of all troops in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida in the newly created Department of the South.

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March 15 1862 (Saturday)

Jacksonville, Florida on the Saint John's River is evacuated by the Confederates. It is quickly occupied by the Fourth New Hampshire Infantry who capture, "Seven saw-mills, 4,000,000 feet of lumber, a large hotel, four or five private dwellings, the railroad depot, and (a) gunboat in process of construction."

Jefferson Davis wires General Joe Johnston expressing his displeasure at being kept uninformed of Johnston's withdrawal from Manassas.

JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Culpeper Court-House. RICHMOND, VA., March 15, 1862. GENERAL: I have received your letter of the 13th instant, giving the first official account I have received of the retrograde movement of your army....Before the receipt of yours of the 13th I was as much in the dark as to your purposes, condition, and necessities as at the time of our conversation on the subject about a month since. 'Tis true I have had many and alarming reports of great destruction of ammunition, camp equipage, and provisions, indicating precipitate retreat; but, having heard of no cause for such a sudden movement, I was at a loss to believe it. Very respectfully, JEFFERSON DAVIS.

General Beauregard, alarmed at increasing Union activity in and around Savannah, Tennessee, requests reinforcements to be sent to Iuka, Mississippi.

DECATUR, March 15, 1862. The PRESIDENT: General Beauregard requested me to re-enforce him yesterday with a brigade and two regiments at Iuka, as he expected battle. I have sent on to-day Hindman's brigade and two regiments of Wood's by rail to Corinth and Iuka. Generals Beauregard and Bragg are at Jackson; General Ruggles at Corinth; my advance, under General Hindman, at Courtland; the remainder of my troops in this vicinity. The rains have been excessive and yet continue, rendering movement of troops for the present impossible. The enemy are assembling large forces at Savannah, threatening an attack near Bethel and Purdy. The railroad bridge there destroyed by enemy. The provisions and stores from the main depots have been secured, and many more are being secured for future use. A. S. JOHNSTON, General, C. S. Army.

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

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