1862  
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THE MAP ROOM (McDowell)


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May 11 1862 (Sunday)

  Two months after her historic showdown with the Monitor, the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimac) is scuttled.  Her deep draft prevents her from ascending the James River and the loss of Norfolk leaves her without the deep-water port necessary for continued operations on the Atlantic coastline.  

FORT MONROE, May 11, 1862.  P. H. WATSON, Assistant Secretary of War: The Merrimac was blown up by the rebels at two minutes before 5 o'clock this morning. She was set fire to about 3 o'clock, and the explosion took place at the time stated. It is said to have been a grand sight by those who saw it.  EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

   Brigadier-General Gabriel Rains, commanding the rearguard of Longstreet's Corps, is trying to slow the advance of McClellan's army on the York Peninsula.  To aid in this task, Rains asks for permission to use torpedoes (land mines), "A shell which can be prepared and unprepared in a moment, and a sentinel to keep our own people off, are all that is wanted for our protection."  Longstreet denies the request, "as he does not recognize it as a proper or effective method of war."  The matter is forwarded to Secretary of War George Randolph for a final determination.

Whether shells planted in roads or parapets are contrary to the usage's of war depends upon the purpose with which they are used.  It is not admissible in civilized warfare to take life with no other object than the destruction of life. Hence it is inadmissible to shoot sentinels and pickets, because nothing is attained but the destruction of life. It would be admissible, however, to shoot a general, because you not only take life but deprive an army of its head.  It is admissible to plant shells in a parapet to repel an assault or in a road to check pursuit, because the object is to save the work in one case and the army in the other.  It is not admissible to plant shells merely to destroy life and without other design than that of depriving your enemy of a few men, without materially injuring him.  It is admissible to plant torpedoes in a river or harbor, because they drive off blockading or attacking fleets.  As Generals Rains and Longstreet differ in this matter, the inferior in rank should give way, or, if he prefers it, he may be assigned to the river defenses, where such things are clearly admissible.  G. W. RANDOLPH.

     Brigadier-General George Morgan, charged with protecting the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, complains that his force is, "entirely powerless against the rapid movements of partisan cavalry" after John Morgan's raiders capture and burn fifty railroad cars and a locomotive.

LOUISVILLE, May 11, 1862.  A. STAGER. The rebel Col. John Morgan captured a passenger train on Louisville and Nashville Railroad at Cave City between 12 and 1 o'clock, taking two officers...and 6 privates prisoners. He burned 45 freight cars and 4 passenger cars and blew up a locomotive. He released all the passengers, and they have returned to Louisville....His object was to capture the train from Nashville with rebel prisoners on board; but the train was intercepted and stopped before reaching Cave City, and returned to Nashville.  H. W. STAGER.  
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May 12 1862 (Monday)

   Captain John Montgomery reports on a successful naval attack upon Union gunboats  near Plum Point Bend, located on the Mississippi River four miles above Fort Pillow.  In the attack the U.S.S. Cincinnati is sunk and the U.S.S. Mound City is severely damaged.

FLAG-BOAT LITTLE REBEL, Fort Pillow, Tenn., May 12, 1862. General G. T. BEAUREGARD,  Comdg. C. S. Army of the West. SIR:   Our boats left their moorings at 6 a.m., and proceeding up the river passed round a sharp point, which brought us in full view of the enemy's fleet, numbering eight gunboats and twelve mortar boats. The Federal boat  [Cincinnati] was lying nearest us....The General Bragg...dashed at her; the  [Cincinnati], firing her heavy guns, retreated toward a bar....The Bragg continued boldly on under fire of nearly the whole fleet, and struck her a violent blow that stopped her further flight, then rounded down the river under a broadside fire and drifted until her tiller rope, that had got out of order, could be readjusted. A few moments after the Bragg struck her blow the General Sterling Price...ran into the same boat a little aft of her starboard midship, carrying away her rudder, stern-post, and a large piece of her stern. This threw the [Cincinnati's] stern to the Sumter...who struck her, running at the utmost speed of his boat.  The General Earl Van Dorn...directed his attention to the Mound City, at the time pouring broadsides into the Price and Sumter. As the Van Dorn proceeded, by skillful shots from her 32-pounder...silenced a mortar boat that was filling the air with its terrible missiles. The Van Dorn, still holding on the Mound City's midship, in the act of striking, the Mound City sheered, and the Van Dorn struck her a glancing blow, making a hole 4 feet deep in her starboard forward quarter, evidenced by splinters left on the iron bow of the Van Dorn. At this juncture the Van Dorn was above four of the enemy's boats.  As our remaining boats, the General M. Jeff. Thompson...the Colonel Lovell...and the General Beauregard...were entering boldly into the contest...I perceived from the flag-boat that the enemy's boats were taking positions where the water was too shallow for our boats to follow them, and, as our cannon were far inferior to theirs, both in number and size, I signaled our boats to fall back, which was accomplished with a coolness that deserves the highest commendation. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,  J. E. MONTGOMERY,  Captain, Commanding River Defense Service.

     General Samuel Curtis is named military governor of Arkansas as soon as his forces reach Little Rock, fifty miles from his current location.  Undefended Little Rock, once captured, will be the second Confederate state capital to fall into Union hands.

MONTEREY, May 12, 1862.  General SAMUEL R. CURTIS: On reaching Little Rock you will assume the direction of affairs in Arkansas as military governor. All civil authorities who are untrustworthy, or who will not take the oath of allegiance, will be removed from office and others appointed in their place. The telegraph will follow you as soon as possible.  H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

     Ulysses Grant's request to assume direct command of at least one wing of the army advancing on Corinth, Mississippi, is denied by Henry Halleck.

 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Monterey, May 12, 1862.  Major-General GRANT,  Commanding, &c. : GENERAL: Your position, as second in command of the entire forces here in the field, rendered it proper that you should be relieved from the direct charge of either the right wing or the reserve, both of which are mainly composed of your forces. Orders for movements in the field will be sent direct from these headquarters to commanders of army corps, divisions, brigades, or even regiments, if deemed necessary, and you will have no more cause of complaint on that score than others have.  I am very much surprised, general, that you should find any cause of complaint in the recent assignment of commands. You have precisely the position to which your rank entitles you. Had I given you the right wing or reserve only it would have been a reduction rather than increase of command, and I could not give you both without placing you in the position you now occupy. You certainly will not suspect me of any intention to injure your feelings or reputation or to do you any injustice; if so, you will eventually  change your mind on this subject. For the last three months I have done everything in my power to ward off the attacks which were made upon you. If you believe me your friend you will not require explanations; if not, explanations on my part would be of little avail. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,  H. W. HALLECK, Major-general.
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May 13 1862 (Tuesday)

   Benjamin Butler closes three New Orleans newspapers.  The New Orleans Bee for publishing, "an elaborate...argument in favor of the cotton-burning mob."  The New Orleans Delta for, "an article of to-day's issue [which] discusses the cotton matter."  And,  the New Orleans Crescent which is owned by J.O. Nixon, "a rebel now in arms against the Government of the United States."

     Nathaniel Banks withdraws his troops down the Shenandoah Valley to Strasburg.  Joe Johnston, fearing that Banks' men will be used to bolster George McClellan's forces on the York Peninsula, orders "Stonewall" Jackson and "Old Bald Head" Ewell to unite and attack before Banks' withdrawal is complete.

  HEADQUARTERS, Cross-Roads, New Kent County, May 13, 1862.   Major General EWELL: GENERAL: I have written to Major-General Jackson to return to the valley near you, and if your united force is strong enough to attack General Banks....Have the Federal army closely watched, that no portion of it may move without your knowledge....Your whole force should, of course, be brought into action if you and General Jackson together are strong enough to fight.  Most respectfully, your obedient servant,  J. E. JOHNSTON, General.

     After Monday's successful naval engagement upstream from Fort Pillow, General Beauregard asks Jeff Thompson if the Confederate rams can be used to attack Union gunboats downstream from the fort.

C. S. RIVER DEFENSE SERVICE, Gun-boat General Bragg, off Fort Pillow, May 13, 1862--8 p.m.  General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Commanding C. S. Army, Corinth, Miss.: GENERAL: Your telegram suggesting our trying the...boats downstream is received. Upon reflection you will find that none of the rams will answer downstream, except when manned by a "forlorn hope" to accomplish some specific object. After the first "butt" downstream, whether it be fair or foul, your boat is lost, for you cannot back upstream to strike again, and in drifting down you will be at the mercy of the enemy....Our only hope is to make ourselves useful "upstream," and we will keep the enemy at this point in check until they are largely re-enforced. Yours, most respectfully,  M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Brig. Gen., Missouri State Guards, Comdg. Confederate Gunners.  
  
  Slave Robert Smalls is an expert steamer pilot and a member of the crew of the Confederate steamer Planter.  Under cover of darkness, Smalls pilots the Planter past Rebel guard-boats in Charleston Harbor to freedom.

HDQRS. 2D MILITARY DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Charleston, S.C., May 13, 1862. Brig. Gen. R. S. RIPLEY, Second Military District. GENERAL: I have to report that the steamer Planter was stolen from Southern Wharf at between 3 and 3.30 o'clock this morning and taken to the enemy's fleet, off the bar, where she was visible till late in the forenoon....The Planter is a high-pressure light-draught boat...and has been employed in the Confederate service in the transportation of ordnance....She was under the command of C. J. Relyea as master...with a colored crew, eight in number, and all slaves. Neither the captain, mate, nor engineer were on board at the time of her departure....Four of her colored crew and one of the colored crew of the steamer Etowah are missing, and are supposed to be parties to the theft....The Planter after leaving the wharf proceeded along the bay as far perhaps as the Atlantic Wharf, where, after a short stoppage and the blowing of her whistle, she was turned and proceeded on her course to sea. She passed Fort Sumter at 4.15 o'clock, and was reported by the sentinel on duty to the officer of the day. She was supposed to be the guard-boat and allowed to pass without interruption. I have the honor to be, yours, most respectfully,  F. G. RAVENEL, Aide-de-Camp.
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May 14 1862 (Wednesday)

  George McClellan writes President Lincoln requesting reinforcements for his 'undermanned' Army of the Potomac.

CAMP AT CUMBERLAND, May 14, 1862. His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. All my information from every source accessible to me establishes the fixed purpose of the rebels to defend Richmond against this army by offering us battle with all the troops they can collect from east, west, and south....Casualties, sickness, garrisons, and guards have much weakened my force, and will continue to do so. I cannot bring into actual battle against the enemy more than 80,000 men at the utmost, and with them I must attack in position, probably intrenched, a much larger force, perhaps double my numbers. It is possible that Richmond may be abandoned without a serious struggle, but the enemy are actually in great strength between here and there, and it would be unwise, and even insane, for me to calculate upon anything but a stubborn and desperate resistance....I most respectfully and earnestly urge upon Your Excellency that the opportunity has come for striking a fatal blow at the enemies of the Constitution, and I beg that you will cause this army to he re-enforced without delay by all the disposable troops of the Government. I ask for every man that the War Department can send me. GEO. B. McCLELLAN,  Major-General.

     Lieutenant-Colonel John Keith threatens to burn Houma, Louisiana in retaliation for the brutal murder of two Union soldiers.

PROCLAMATION. HOUMA, LA., May 14, 1862. A foul and unnatural murder of two American soldiers, repugnant alike to the instincts of humanity and the practice of civilized warfare, has caused the presence of this portion of the U.S. Army among you, for the sole purpose of bringing to justice the guilty. Although the cowardly miscreants may have fled, fearing the swift and righteous retribution which should follow the perpetration of their horrible crime, they are known to the citizens of this place. By withholding the names of the guilty parties and their present hiding places they make themselves parties to the crime, liable both in law and justice to suffer the penalties of the same....The atrocious nature of the crime itself-- the indecent, shameless, and un-Christian-like burial and robbery of the dead-- taken in connection with the unseemly conduct of prominent citizens on the occasion, and the vile indignities offered to the mutilated bodies of these two soldiers, have forever disgraced the town of Houma, which disgrace can only be obliterated by a prompt co-operation of its citizens in bringing the guilty to justice.  [U]nless the names of these murderers are given up within forty-eight hours...not a vestige of the town of Houma shall be left to identify its former location, and the plantations in the parish of Terre Bonne shall suffer in a like degree.  JOHN A. KEITH,  Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-first Indiana Volunteers.
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May 15 1862 (Thursday)

  J.H. Norris of Calloway County, Missouri, is on trial for his participation in the  burning of the Wellsville Depot of the North Missouri Railroad Company on December 21st, 1861.  Norris testifies that on the night in question he was, "at home in Callaway County with my family."   Norris also tells the court, "I stayed with my two children, one of the age of five and the other seven years. I was called up to go [to Wellsville]...but got excused on account of my family. My wife is dead."  

THURSDAY, May 15, 1862--10 a.m. The Court...proceeded to the trial of J. H. Norris....The court and judge-advocate were then duly sworn and J. H. Norris was arraigned on the following charge and specification:  CHARGE: Violation of the laws of war. Specification.--In this, that J. H. Norris, a citizen of Missouri, taking advantage of the unsettled state of the country with others unknown and within the lines of the United States did burn and destroy and did aid in burning and destroying one building the property of the North Missouri Railroad Company, which building was necessary to the use of said company in the transaction of their ordinary and legitimate business. This at or near Wellsville, Mo., on or about the 21st of December, 1861....[The court sentenced]...the said J. H. Norris, to be shot to death at such time and piece as the commanding general of the department may direct.  Finding and sentence confirmed. The sentence will be carried into effect at such time and place as may be hereafter designated by the general commanding the department. In the meantime the prisoner will be confined in the military prison at Alton, Ill.  H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

     Union gunboats attempting to ascend the James River and attack Richmond are stopped by the guns of Fort Darling, located on Drewry's Bluff, eight miles below the Confederate capital.

U.S. STEAMER WACHUSETT, City Point, James River.   Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Commanding Army of the Potomac. GENERAL:  The Galena, Monitor, Naugatuck, Port Royal, and Aroostook ascended this river to within about 8 miles of Richmond, when they met with obstructions in the river which prevented their farther advance. The obstructions consisted of a row of piles driven across the channel, and three rows of vessels sunk also across the channel...Just below these obstructions on the south or west side of the river were very formidable batteries, mounting fourteen guns, among them 11-inch shell, 100-pounder rifles, and nothing less than 8-inch shell guns. The river there is very narrow, the bank some 200 feet high, and the guns so situated that they can be pointed directly down on the decks of the vessels. The sharpshooters can come on the banks and pick off the men on the vessels' decks. The gunboats were engaged about four hours with the batteries and then retired, having expended their ammunition....The vessels not much injured, except the Galena, which had eighteen shots through her sides and deck.   I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.  W. SMITH, Commanding U. S. Steamer Wachusett.

     Confederates soldiers entrenched in and around Corinth, Mississippi, are facing a severe shortage in potable water.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Corinth, May 15, 1862.  Generals VAN DORN and BRAGG: GENERALS: The...scarcity of water in this locality renders it necessary that immediate steps should be taken to have dug artesian wells. [It] becomes necessary that each army should endeavor also to procure these wells as soon as practicable; hence you will take immediate steps to obtain the necessary machinery for boring said wells or to contract for the same.  Respectfully, your obedient servant,  G. T. BEAUREGARD.

     Confederate ladies in New Orleans are charged with unladylike behavior by Benjamin Butler.  Butler's harsh order earns him the sobriquet "Beast Butler" .

General ORDERS No. 28. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, May 15, 1862. As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated in-sults from the women (calling themselves ladies) of New Orleans, in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall, by word, gesture, or movement, insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States, she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation.  By command of Major-General Butler:  GEO. C. STRONG, Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff.

     Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard responds to Butler's assault on Southern womanhood.

MEN OF THE SOUTH: Shall our mothers, our wives, our daughters, and our sisters be thus outraged by the ruffianly soldiers of the North, to whom is given the right to treat at their pleasure the ladies of the South as common harlots.  Arouse, friends, and drive back from our soil those infamous invaders of our homes and disturbers of our family ties.   G. T. BEAUREGARD, General, Commanding.
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May 16 1862 (Friday)

 Union men committing violent crimes are stirring up Confederate guerrilla activity in northern Virginia.

POTOMAC CREEK, May 16, 1862.  Major-General McDOWELL: Captain Harrison, of the Ninety-fifth New York, in charge of party loading dirt for siding 1 mile south of Aquia Creek Station, having retired a few steps into the woods this morning, was fired at by a supposed rebel, the ball passing through his cap and grazing his head. He fired five barrels of his revolver at the assassin, then sent a squad in pursuit without success. Guerrillas are forming in various parts of the country, provoked by rapes and other crimes committed by Union men. Cases have occurred in this vicinity recently of an aggravated character. You will require efficient protection in the rear. When I see you I can give further particulars.  H. HAUPT, Colonel, &c.

     Irvin McDowell, commanding in northern Virginia, orders escorts for all supply trains to prevent further crimes from being committed in the area.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK, Opposite Fredericksburg, Va., May 16, 1862. Hereafter no trains, either brigade or supply, will be sent for supplies unless accompanied by a commissioned officer and 3 mounted men, whose duty it shall be to prevent any teamsters from entering houses on the route or from committing irregularities of any kind.   By command of Major-General McDowell:  SAML. BRECK,  Assistant Adjutant-General.

     Tensions are on the rise between Union troops in Kansas and Missouri.

HEADQUARTERS MISSOURI STATE -MILITIA, Saint Louts, May 16, 1862.  Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: SIR:  I would respectfully suggest...that an order be issued from the War Department forbidding the troops of Kansas to enter Missouri or those of Missouri to enter Kansas unless at the request of the respective commanders. This appears to me to be a necessity, resulting from the bitter feeling existing between the border people, which feeling is the result of old feuds....It is useless to attempt to disguise the fact that the chief difficulty now in the way of the speedy pacification of Missouri is the disposition of lawless bands of border men and of troops raised on either side of the line to commit unjustifiable acts of violence to persons and destruction or seizure of property....Without this it will be difficult to prevent open hostility between the Union troops of Kansas and Missouri. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,  J. M. SCHOFIELD, Brigadier-General.
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May 17 1862 (Saturday)

   Mexican President Benito Juarez has been forced to stop payments on the country's massive foreign debt.  The debt owed to Great Britain, France, and Spain was incurred during their recently concluded civil war.  Emperor Napoleon III is trying to use this fiscal weakness to increase French influence in Mexico.

President: France will take and keep Acapulco and Western Mexico. Prevent them.  WM. PICKERING, Governor of Washington Territory.

     Don Carlos Buell's tardiness draws the ire of John Pope as Union forces continue their slow advance on Corinth, Mississippi.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,  May 17, 1862.  Major-General HALLECK: General Buell was unwilling to move this morning until he examined the ground he was to occupy, and I have been out with him ever since early this morning. Is it not too late to reach and occupy properly the designated positions before dark? Unless you direct otherwise, the movement will be postponed till morning..... Please reply, as my command will be held ready to move until I hear from you.  JNO. POPE, Major-general.

     Buell's tardiness also exposes the right flank of  "Cump" Sherman's division as Sherman explains to Henry Halleck:  "I dislike exceedingly to give up Russell's; it has cost us pretty hard fighting and some lives and will cost more the next time, but the force there is exposed."

CAMP ON CORINTH ROAD, MISS., May 17, 1862.  Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,  in Field: General Buell, without reasonable excuse, has failed to occupy the position assigned him yesterday. You will therefore use your own discretion about holding Russell's. If you deem it at all perilous, fall back, and it can be reoccupied to-morrow.  H. W. HALLECK, Major-General.

     Jefferson Davis writes to Joe Johnston to insure that Johnston will not give up Richmond without a fight.

RICHMOND, VA., May 17, 1862.  General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON: GENERAL: There is much manifestation of a determination that the ancient and honored capital of Virginia, now the seat of the Confederate Government, shall not fall into the hands of the enemy. Many say rather let it be a heap of rubbish.  To you it is needless to say that the defense must be made outside of the city. The question is, where and how?...There are disadvantages to you in operations below the stream [Chickahominy], but if you must choose between that plan and one which gives the enemy the co-operation of his river transports and gunboats, it would seem that the balance would be on the side of the former.  As on all former occasions, my design is to suggest, not to direct, recognizing the impossibility of any one to decide in advance.  Very respectfully and truly, yours,  JEFFERSON DAVIS.

And thats the way it was 136 years ago this week.
Author: Rienzi99@civilweek.com
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