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Jan 25 1863 (Sunday)

After spending a day to mull over his decision, Abraham Lincoln sends a message to Ambrose Burnside, "Please meet [me]...at 10 o'clock this morning." The Army of the Potomac, Lincoln fears, is too frail to survive a major purge and as a result, Burnside must be relieved of command. Edwin Sumner and William B. Franklin are also to be reassigned from their commands in the army. In a surprising choice, Lincoln selects Joseph Hooker as the new commander. Hooker has, "not only...schemed against Burnside, but his moral reputation stood none to high." His headquarters, according to Charles Adams, son of John Quincy Adams, is "a place where no self-respecting man liked to go, and no decent women could go."

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 20. - WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. GEN.'S OFFICE, Washington, D.C., January 25, 1863. The President of the United States has directed: That Maj. Gen. A. E. Burnside, at his own request, be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac. That Maj. Gen. E. V. Sumner, at his own request, be relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac. That Maj. Gen. W. B. Franklin be relieved from duty in the Army of the Potomac. That Maj. Gen. J. Hooker be assigned to the command of the Army of the Potomac....By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Work is continuing on the canal near Young's Point in an effort to bypass the Confederate guns at Vicksburg. To cross this narrow peninsula the canal must be four miles long, and deep enough for gunboats and transports to pass through. "Direct your attention particularly to the canal proposed across the point. The President attaches much importance to this." Realizing that he is now committed to a river campaign, Ulysses Grant decides to rejoin the expedition and assume command of the army.

MEMPHIS, TENN., January 25, 1863. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: I leave for the fleet at Vicksburg to-morrow. Since leaving there...I have not had one word from them. The constant rains and tremendous rise in the river may operate against us for the time being. U.S. GRANT, Major-General.

Fearing that the Union Navy may succeed in bypassing the Vicksburg fortifications, John Pemberton bolsters his river defenses. "Send over a detachment to the other side of the river with orders to keep up bright fires along the whole front of our batteries during the whole night....These fires should not be more than 100 paces apart....I can think of no other plan for exposing the gun-boats to our attack in case they attempt to run by us at night." Pemberton also orders up additional ammunition, "Hurry up ammunition for 10-inch, 8-inch, and 32-pounders....Don't care where from," and increases efforts to hinder the Union canal building efforts.

SPECIAL ORDERS. - HDQRS. DEPT. OF MISS. AND EAST. LA., Vicksburg, January 25, 1863. Messrs. James Russell and David Reddit will proceed with the utmost dispatch to Point Lookout, and cut the levee effectually at that place, with the purpose of flooding the country now occupied by the enemy's army opposite Vicksburg....J. C. PEMBERTON.

In a continuing effort to harass William Rosecrans' supply line, Rebel cavalry attack a supply train near La Vergne, Tennessee. "A train of cars were attacked....Two cars were burned; 55 prisoners captured and paroled by the enemy--a cavalry force under command of Forrest." Before they can destroy the entire train, Union infantry "relieve the train, and [succeed] in saving the locomotive and several cars."

MILL CREEK, NASHVILLE AND CHATTANOOGA RAILROAD, January 25, 1863. - Lieut. Col. C. J. DICKERSON, Commanding Tenth Michigan Infantry. - COLONEL: In a short time after the train moved, I heard firing up the track. Supposing it to be an attack on the train....When we came within a few yards of the train we could distinctly hear the rebels at work burning the train. Someone hallooed, "Tom, hurry up; the devils are burning the train!" We were now opposite the train, and I gave the command, "Rally on the right file." They jumped from the cars and ran for their horses....We gave one yell and charged on them....We drove them into the woods, until we saw at least two companies of cavalry in line waiting for the car-burners, who were about 40 in number. They retreated over a hill and we left them. We now devoted our attention to putting out the fires which they had kindled on the train with rails. Some of the fires had got pretty well to going, and one car was partly burned up. After putting out the fires, we ran the train into our camp....THOMAS BRANCH, Sergeant Company I, Tenth Michigan Infantry, Comdg. Guard to Construction Train on Nash. and Chat. R. R.


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Jan 26 1863 (Monday)

Ambrose Burnside takes his leave of the Army of the Potomac and sends a final message to the army. "The short time that [I] directed your movements has not been fruitful of victory, or any considerable advancement of our lines, but it has again demonstrated an amount of courage, patience, and endurance that under more favorable circumstances would have accomplished great results." A relieved Burnside is persuaded to take a thirty day leave of absence instead of resigning his commission and quickly boards a train to his home state of Rhode Island. The new commander of the army Joseph Hooker, is describes as, "tall, shapely, well-dressed...; his fair red and white complexion glowing with health." There is also relief among the soldiers when the change is announced. "We was very glad to hear that Burnside had been relieved as he was all played out and the boys had no confidence in him at all." In appointing Hooker, Lincoln underscores his growing lack of faith in Henry Halleck. Not only does Lincoln neglect to consult his general-in-chief before making the decision, he also accedes to Hooker's stipulation, "that he will have no dealings" with Halleck. According to Hooker, neither he nor the Army of the Potomac "expected justice at his hands." The President also addresses Hooker's recent comments about the need for a "dictator" and makes it clear that he is not entirely happy with his new army commander.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., January 26, 1863. - Major-General HOOKER: - GENERAL: I think it best for you to know that there are some things in regard to which I am not quite satisfied with you....I think that during General Burnside's command of the army you have taken counsel of your ambition, and thwarted him as much as you could, in which you did a great wrong to the country and to a most meritorious and honorable brother officer. I have heard...of your recently saying that both the Army and the Government needed a dictator. Of course, it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command. Only those generals who gain successes can set up dictators. What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship....I much fear that the spirit which you have aided to infuse into the army, of criticizing their commander and withholding confidence from him, will now turn upon you....Neither you nor Napoleon, if he were alive again, could get any good out of an army while such a spirit prevails in it. And now beware of rashness. Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories. Yours, very truly, A. LINCOLN.

Braxton Bragg's defensive line stretches from Shelbyville to Wartrace in Middle Tennessee; with his supply line, the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, running south to the Tennessee River. There are four gaps; Bellbuckle, Liberty, Guy's, and Hoover's which Bragg's army must protect. At least one of Bragg's generals, "Old Reliable" William Hardee, is unhappy with this defensive alignment.

HDQRS. HARDEE'S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Tullahoma January 26, 1863. - General BRAXTON BRAGG: - GENERAL: I send you...a map of the country immediately around this place....I desire you will indicate...what points you wish fortified, the nature and extent of the fortifications, &c....It is too important to be intrusted to a subordinate....It will be seen by the map...that this position offers few, if any, advantages for defense. It can be turned, not only by the direct road leading from Manchester to Decherd and Winchester, but, from the nature of the country, our flanks can be turned at this point. I see no advantages in this position which can compensate for superiority of numbers. With high respect, your obedient servant, W. J. HARDEE, Lieutenant-General.

Although the Union Navy's first ironclad, the U.S.S. Monitor has been lost at sea, four new "monitors" have been built and are currently stationed at Port Royal, South Carolina, in preparation for an assault on Charleston. "Abolition fleet at Hilton Head reported four frigates, four gunboats, and forty transports....This may indicate future movements on Charleston or Savannah." Major-General David Hunter, fresh from heading Fitz-John Porter's court martial, and newly re-appointed commander of the Department of the South, is gathering a ground force to assist the navy's upcoming campaign.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, Port Royal. - S.C., January 26, 1863. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.: - GENERAL: We are anxiously expecting the arrival of the re-enforcements from New Berne, N. C., but none have yet come....Let me not be thought troublesome in again urging...the importance of having all the requisitions from this department...filled as speedily as possible, in order that the Army may not be behind when the Navy is ready. It would be a reproach to our branch of the service, or at least a chance of honorable distinction lost, should we not be able to take part in the reduction of Charleston....Believe me, with high esteem, your very obedient servant, D. HUNTER, Major-General, Commanding.


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Jan 27 1863 (Tuesday)

Confederate Brigadier-General William Steele, commanding at Fort Smith, Arkansas, reports on the poor conditions in the Indian Territory. "I...find them in an exceedingly destitute condition....The snow-storm, high water, and want of forage has prevented the trains from going to their destination with supplies." Sensing the weakness of the rebel forces in Arkansas, Unionist Cherokees are considering abrogating their treaty with the Confederacy. "There is a proposed meeting of the Cherokee council and committee....I understand they propose rescinding the ordinance of secession..., and of other actions of a similar nature."

HEADQUARTERS INDIAN TERRITORY, Fort Smith, Ark., January 27, 1863. - [General D. H. COOPER :] - GENERAL: It is a source of much regret to know that there has been such gross mismanagement and neglect on the part of commissary agents in failing to forward...the necessary supply of breadstuffs, &c....Your intention to fall back with your command so as to be more convenient to your supplies, is approved of, as there seems to be no other alternative....It has been impossible to leave this portion of the country...without abandoning all this country to our enemies, or rather...an organized enemy--bands of traitors who abound in this vicinity. As long as a cavalry force could be detained here, efforts to ferret out and destroy these bands...were attended with considerable success; the necessity, however, of sending the cavalry to some point accessible to forage, has rendered the general in command powerless in this respect....Very respectfully, J. F. CROSBY, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Jefferson Davis writes to Alabama Governor John Gill Shorter about his recent resolution "expressing readiness to unite with other States in guaranteeing the debt of the Confederate government." Davis regards this as a most important step. "The Government...must have ample means and credit, and our financial system cannot fail to acquire the liberty from the policy you have inaugurated." The President is also pleased with Georgia Governor Joe Brown's recent efforts to urge planters to grow less cotton and more food crops. According to the Richmond Examiner, "If all citizens were intelligent and patriotic, not another leaf of tobacco or pod of cotton would be seen in the fields of the South until peace is declared, and a harvest of those necessaries on which our existence as a nation depends, would be ripened by the next summer's sun, such as was never before seen in the land."

RICHMOND, VA., January 27, 1863. - His Excellency JOSEPH E. BROWN, Milledgeville, Ga.: - SIR: I have...read...your letter indorsing a copy of an act and joint resolution of the Legislature of Georgia, partially prohibiting the cultivation of cotton in the State during the continuance of the war, and urging upon planters the necessity for increased attention to the production of provisions.....The possibility of a short supply of provisions presents the greatest danger to a successful prosecution of the war. If we shall be able to furnish adequate subsistence to the Army during the coming season we may set at defiance the worst efforts of our enemy. A general compliance by the farmers and planters, therefore, with the suggestions of this joint resolution will be the guaranty of our independence. Very respectfully, yours, JEFFERSON DAVIS.


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Jan 28 1863 (Wednesday)

Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles is determined that the attack on Charleston is to be a strictly Navy affair and Rear-Admiral Samuel Du Pont is well aware that Welles expects him to repeat David Farragut's capture of New Orleans. To test his new monitors, Du Pont sends Commander John Worden and the U.S.S. Montaulk to Ossabaw Sound to capture Fort McAllister. The fort, located at the mouth of the Ogeechee River on Genesis Point, is constructed from sand and mud and protects the backdoor approach to Savannah. After bringing the Montauk to within 150 yards, Worden pounds the fort with 450-pound shells for four hours to little effect. Major Gallie's hard pressed defenders inflict forty-six hits on the gunboat, but also do little damage. A New York newspaper writer comments, the Rebels might as well have been "throwing beans against a brick wall."

CHARLESTON, S.C., January 28, 1863. - General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector-General: Two enemy's gunboats and three steamers attacked for several hours yesterday Fort [McAllister], Genesis Point, on Great Ogeechee. Attack repulsed; nobody hurt in fort. Two steamers went out this harbor safely last night and one came in with various army supplies. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Although Commissary-General Lucius Northrup is an old friend of Jefferson Davis, his efforts to feed and supply the Confederate armies have been criticized since the battle of First Manassas. He is now hearing complaints from Robert E. Lee. "We have now about one week's supply, four days' fresh beef, and four days' salt meat, of the reduced ration. After that is exhausted, I know not whence further supplies can be drawn." Northrup is an ardent proponent of the policy of impressing needed military supplies from local populations. This is a policy that Robert E. Lee is not willing to implement. "A resort to impressment would...produce aggravation and suffering among the people without much benefit to the army." Northrup also complains that Lee is not conserving meat by having his men eat the necks and hoofs of the cattle. Lee is bolstered in his quarrel with Northrup by Secretary of War James Seddon. "The reports that I have called for are less satisfactory to me...than I had hoped, and they shall certainly arouse all the powers I can command to remove the difficulties....You may rely on my best exertions in my sphere here to maintain your army in comfort and efficiency."

SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT, January 28, 1863. Fifteen months ago this Bureau foresaw that the supply of cattle in Virginia would be exhausted....The Commissary-General of Subsistence urged the argument of subsistence as imperative. After the repulse of the enemy the Commissary-General of Subsistence urged the necessity of opening the northern districts of Virginia to the operations of this Bureau, and several times since General Lee was notified of impending want, so that it has been long understood. Last winter the Commissary-General of Subsistence urged that the necks and shanks of beeves, usually excluded by regulations, should be used so as to make the most of what was obtained....I had done all that was in my power...The order of the War Department...reducing the rations of meat and increasing that of flour...has not been observed in the army of Virginia for a period of between three and four months, by order of General Lee, and the use of the whole beef (necks and shanks included), which was attempted to be instituted by the Commissary-General of Subsistence, has not been observed in that army....But for...the failure to economize beef, the supplies for General Lee's army would have lasted several weeks longer....Respectfully, L. B. NORTHROP, Commissary-General of Subsistence.

The long border between Texas and Mexico has served, since the beginning of the war, as a magnet for merchants, speculators, and cotton dealers. The development of this trade has been a mixed blessing for the Confederacy. Private speculators, able to out-bid government agents, are rapidly cornering the stocks of cotton needed to barter for military hardware and supplies. Local commander Colonel Luckett also complains that the agents, "are men totally incompetent to transact properly....They are constantly bidding one against another, causing the Government to pay excessive prices." With cotton speculation running rampant, local military authorities, especially General Hamilton Bee, have begun to demand that, in exchange for the necessary licenses, merchants must agree to return a portion of their profit to Texas in the form of military supplies. When Jefferson Davis learns of this arrangement, he orders Theophilus Holmes to remove all restrictions on the cotton trade, reminding the general that only the Confederate Congress has the right to pass laws governing foreign commerce.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., January 28, 1863. - General T. H. HOLMES: - GENERAL: No law of the Confederate States imposes any restraint upon the exportation of cotton through Mexico....The Department has never prohibited the exportation of cotton through Confederate ports and disclaims all power to do so. Congress alone can pass an act embargo of or non-intercourse. It alone has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to lay restraints upon foreign intercourse. The consequence is that the order (No. 25) issued by you, and the expanded regulations of Brigadier-General Bee..., is not approved by this Department. As soon as this letter reaches you will countermand your own order and revoke the order to, and authority exercised by, General Bee, and instruct him to confine his action hereafter within the limits of law and in submission to civil authority on this subject....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.


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Jan 29 1863 (Thursday)

The rise of Joe Hooker to command of the Army of the Potomac is met with bemusement by Robert E. Lee. In correspondence, he refers to him as "Mr. F.J. Hooker" in honor of his sobriquet, "Fighting Joe." Hooker meanwhile, is busy establishing his headquarters staff. His new chief-of-staff Dan Butterfield, is seen as a skilled administrator and is evidence of Hooker's determination to shake up and reorganize the army. Butterfield was a business executive before the war, running the eastern division of his father's American Express Company, and has devised several special bugle calls for the army, including the much beloved "Taps." He also displayed considerable bravery under fire while commanding a brigade during the Peninsular campaign and is working on a manual called "Camp & Outpost Duty for Infantry."

GENERAL ORDERS No. 2. - HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp near Falmouth, Va., January 29, 1863. The following-named officers are announced on the general staff of this army: Maj. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, chief of staff. Brig. Gen. Seth Williams, assistant adjutant-general. Lieut. Col. Joseph Dickinson, assistant adjutant-general. Brig. Gen. James A. Hardie, judge advocate-general. Brig. Gen. Henry J. Hunt, chief of artillery. Brig. Gen. M. R. Patrick, provost-marshal-general. Col. Rufus Ingalls, chief quartermaster. Lieut. Col. F. Myers, deputy chief quartermaster....Staff officers absent from the command will report for duty without delay. By command of Major-General Hooker: JOS. DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant-General.

The slow moving, single-tracked R.F. & P. Railroad, capable of running only two trains a day, is one of the main reasons that Robert E. Lee is having such difficulty keeping his army supplied. The superintendent and director or railroads William Wadley, is convinced that the time has come for the government to take a more active role in seeing that the railroads are properly maintained and operated efficiently. "My experience...has convinced me that...some additional authority will be necessary to enforce the requirements of the Government....The best and probably the only remedy capable of reaching the difficulty will be an act of Congress providing for Government to take possession of any railroad that fails to perform promptly Government transportation." Quartermaster-General Abraham Myers is now using special agents to insure the delivery of supplies to the army.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, January 29, 1863. - I immediately sent up a special agent with 1,000 shoes, and complete suits for [Hays']...brigade....General Jackson's corps is said not to be so well supplied as General Longstreet's....So soon as I receive Colonel Corley's report, I hope to be able to state where the fault lies, if any exists. Almost every day supplies are sent up. Yesterday 5,000 of each article of clothing were dispatched. A. C. MYERS, Quartermaster-General.

John Pemberton continues to strengthen the defenses in and around Vicksburg. "I have written to Captain Kennow, of the steamer Webb, requesting his co-operation in preventing the canal across the neck opposite Vicksburg....Together with the co-operation of our land batteries, the mouth of the canal on this side can be held." The large Union army camped along the Mississippi River is also worrying President Jefferson Davis.

RICHMOND, January 29, 1863. (Received January 30.) - Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON: Has anything or can anything be done to obstruct the navigation from Yazoo Pass down? JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Colonel Patrick Connor leads an expedition from Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, against the Shoshoni camp of Chief Bear Hunter. "From information received...the encampment of a large body of Indians [is] on Bear River, in Utah Territory, 140 miles north of this point." It is Bear Hunter's band who, Connor believes, "murdered several miners during the winter..., and...who had been murdering emigrants on the Overland Mail Route for the last fifteen years, and the principal actors and leaders in the horrid massacres of the past summer." Connor's men march through bitterly cold weather in an effort the surprise the Shoshoni Indians. "Their uncomplaining endurance during their four nights' march from Camp Douglas to the battle-field is worthy of the highest praise. The weather was intensely cold, and not less than seventy-five had their feet frozen, and some of them I fear will be crippled for life." The Indian encampment, near Battle Creek ravine, is attacked at dawn and after an initial repulse, Connor's men succeed in flanking the Indians' position and routing them from the ravine. The battle turns into a massacre and most of the warriors are killed, plus a number of women, children, and old men. Henry Halleck rewards Connor for his victory with a promotion to Brigadier-General. "I congratulate you and your command on their heroic conduct and brilliant victory on Bear River. You are this day appointed a brigadier-general."

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF UTAH, Camp Douglas, Utah Ter., February 6, 1863. - Lieut. Col. R. C. DRUM, U. S. Army, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific. - COLONEL: As daylight was approaching I was apprehensive that the Indians would discover the strength of my force and make their escape. I therefore made a rapid march with the cavalry and reached the bank of the river shortly after daylight in full view of the Indian encampment....I found that Major McGarry had dismounted the cavalry and was engaged with the Indians, who had sallied out of their hiding places on foot and horseback, and with fiendish malignity waved the scalps of white women and challenged the troops to battle....After being engaged about twenty minutes I found it was impossible to dislodge them without great sacrifice of life. I accordingly ordered Major McGarry with twenty men to turn their left flank, which was in the ravine where it entered the mountains....My men fell fast and thick around me, but after flanking them we had the advantage and made good use of it. I ordered the flanking party to advance down the ravine on either side, which gave us the advantage of an enfilading fire and caused some of the Indians to give way....Those who did escape from the ravine were afterward shot in attempting to swim the river....We found 224 bodies on the field, among which were those of the chiefs Bear Hunter, Sagwich, and Leight....I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. EDW. CONNOR, Colonel Third Infantry California Volunteers, Comdg. District.

Casualties for the day: Union 67 Indians 384.


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Jan 30 1863 (Friday)

Pierre G.T. Beauregard sets a trap for the nine-gun screw steamer Isaac Smith, which has established a pattern of coming up the Stono River almost every night to shell Rebel camps on James and John's Islands. Field batteries are placed along the river which open on the Union vessel. Their initial volley tears off her smokestack and forces her captain to surrender. "Old Bory" is quick to claim his prize. "I have started the Sumter, light-draught boat....I hope she will be alongside the Isaac Smith in three hours and take the flood tide with her up to Fort Pemberton."

CHARLESTON, S.C., - General S. COOPER: Trap laid for enemy's gunboat-steamer Isaac Smith in Stono River (nine guns, Captain Conover) succeeded perfectly yesterday. It surrendered unconditionally after a short struggle, badly crippled, having 8 killed, 14 wounded, and 95 prisoners, including 10 officers. Our loss only 1 mortally wounded. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Abraham Lincoln's brother-in-law, Confederate Brigadier-General Benjamin Hardin Helm is given command of Roger Hanson's old Kentucky brigade in Braxton Bragg's army. Helm recruited the 1st Kentucky Cavalry in 1861, but has spent most of the war in Louisiana. Another general heading for a new command is Thomas Hindman. After a series of misfortunes in Arkansas, Hindman, described as "a man of genius" who "could have commanded a department, but could not command an army in the field," is to be replaced by William L Cabell. It will be up to Cabell to rebuild Confederate strength in northeastern Arkansas.

SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 25. - ADJT. AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, Richmond, January 30, 1863. Brigadier-General Hindman is relieved from further duty in the Trans-Mississippi Department. He will repair to Vicksburg, Miss., and there await further orders. By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant-General.

General Grant returns to Young's Point and assumes command of the expeditionary force. "Major-General U.S. Grant, commanding Department of the Tennessee, hereby assumes the immediate command of the expedition against Vicksburg." Disappointed with the progress of the canal, Grant looks for other ways to advance his army. "I find that Lake Providence, some 60 miles above here; which connects with Red River through Tensas Bayou, Washita and Black Rivers, is a wide and navigable way....I have determined to make the experiment." Grant's arrival is not welcomed by John McClernand who fears that he will be supplanted, once again, from command of the expedition. "I claim that all orders...should pass through these headquarters....If different views are entertained by you, then the question should be immediately referred to Washington; and one or the other, or both of us relieved. One thing is certain, two generals cannot command this army, issuing independent and direct orders to subordinate officers."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Before Vicksburg, January 30, 1863. - Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT, Commanding Department of the Tennessee: I hasten to inquire whether its purpose is to relieve me from the command of...the Mississippi River expedition, or..., whether its purpose is to limit my command to the Thirteenth Army Corps. I am led to make this inquiry, because..., it conflicts with the order of the Secretary of War, made under the personal direction of the President...of which the following is an extract...:
"It is the wish of the President that General McClernand's corps shall constitute a part of the river expedition, and that he shall have the immediate command, under your direction." I repeat that I respectfully ask for an explanation of this seeming conflict of authority and orders, that I may be enabled to guide my action intelligently....Am I to understand that I am to act on my own judgment..., or simply by your directions? It is quite obvious that...while having projected the Mississippi River expedition, and having been by a series of orders assigned to the command of it, I may be entirely withdrawn from it....Your obedient servant, JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General, Commanding.

Confusion reigns supreme about the fate of the Dix-Hill exchange cartel. Jefferson Davis' recent pronouncement that Union officers will no longer be exchanged has caused controversy in Richmond and in Washington, and threatens to cause the whole agreement to collapse. "A Richmond paper...gives the information that Jeff Davis' retaliatory proclamation is strongly opposed in the Confederate Congress."

Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives January 30, 1863. Resolved, That the General-in-Chief of the Army be directed to inform the House of representatives whether any rebel officers captured by the Army of the United States have been granted parole since the proclamation of Jefferson Davis refusing to parole or exchange captured officers of Union regiments.



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Jan 31 1863 (Saturday)

After the successful operation on the Stono River, Beauregard decides to unleash his two ironclad rams, Palmetto State and Chicora, on the Union blockading fleet off Charleston harbor. The 9-gun steamer Mercedita is rammed and set on fire and quickly surrenders. The ten-gun sidewheel steamer Keystone State is also forced to haul down her flag before limping out to sea. "I discovered that she was endeavoring to make her escape by working her starboard wheel....Her colors being down, I at once started in pursuit....She then hoisted her flag and commenced firing her rifled gun, her commander, by this faithless act, placing himself beyond the pale of civilized the honorable warfare." "Old Bory" is quick to claim that the blockade is lifted. "The outer harbor remained in the full possession of the two Confederate rams. Not a Federal sail was visible, even with spyglasses."

PROCLAMATION. - HEADQUARTERS LAND AND NAVAL FORCES, Charleston, S.C., January 31, 1863. At about 5 o'clock this morning the Confederate States naval force on this station attacked the United States Blockading Fleet off the harbor of the city of Charleston, and sunk, dispersed, or drove off and out of sight for the time the entire hostile fleet. Therefore we, the undersigned, commanders respectively of the Confederate States naval and land forces in this quarter, do hereby formally declare the blockade by the United States of the said city of Charleston, S.C., to be raised by a superior force of the Confederate States from and after this 31st day of January, A.D. 1863. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General, Commanding. D. N. INGRAHAM, Flag-Officer Commanding Naval Forces in South Carolina. Official: THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.

Beauregard's proclamation lifting the blockade is important because if true, the Union will have to issue new notices of blockade before it can be reestablished. Lieutenant Parker, executive officer of the Palmetto State, is not impressed with "Old Bory's" action. "I thought the proclamation ill-advised." One crew member of the C.S.S. Chicora is even more blunt. "They say we raised the blockade but we all felt we would have rather raised hell and sunk ships." To allay any international controversy, Samuel Du Pont orders the U.S.S. New Ironsides to join the two ironclads still blockading Charleston.

HDQRS. 176TH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA, Saint Helena Island, S.C . - Rear-Admiral S. F. DuPONT, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. - SIR: Upon our arrival off the harbor, which was at about 8.30 in the morning, [we] found lying there the blockading squadron, some of which were at anchor....Vessels could be seen in the inlets, and by the aid of the glass a fort, said to have been Sumter, was visible....Being thus near the site of the engagement, and so soon after it came off, we do not hesitate in the least to pronounce the statement that the blockade was raised not only absurd, but utterly and willfully false in every particular; and the statement of the English consul...that the squadron could not be seen even with the aid of powerful glasses is one equally false, and one that impels us to conclude that it would require a powerful glass truly to be able to discover one particle of truth or honesty in the composition of these gentlemen....We have the honor, sir, to be, your most obedient servants, A. A. LECHLER, Col., Comdg. One hundred and seventy-sixth Regt. Penn. Militia., W. F. FUNDENBURG, Surgeon, One hundred and seventy-sixth Regiment Penn. Militia., TAYLOR C. NEWBURY, Captain Steamship Cossack.

Relations between Departmental Commander Samuel Curtis in St. Louis and John Schofield, heading the Army of the Frontier, are quickly going sour. Curtis, a former Republican congressman and ardent abolitionist, is insisting that the army be withdrawn to protect Missouri. Schofield remains adamant that his army should remain on the offensive. In an act of defiance and frustration, Schofield takes his views directly to Henry Halleck in Washington.

UNOFFICIAL. - HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, Springfield, January 31, 1863. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington, D.C.: - GENERAL: General Curtis...informs me that it is impossible to get supplies..., and hence that we have nothing to do but to wait until the Arkansas River shall be permanently held by the forces from below....I see no necessity for our lying idle to await so uncertain a contingency. On the contrary, I believe we may be placed in position to add much to the probability of speedy success in the effort to open the Mississippi. There is no considerable force of the enemy north of the Arkansas River; indeed, I believe they have all gone, or are going as rapidly as possible, to Vicksburg....The war is, of course, ended in this part of the country, at least for a long time to come, and I am impatient of this long idleness. I am, general, yours, very respectfully, J. M. SCHOFIELD, Brigadier-General.

U.S. Grant responds to General Pemberton's challenge. "I regard the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and shall obey every order of his, but as yet I have seen no order to prevent my taking immediate command in the field." Joe Hooker, also adjusting to a new field command, is pleased to learn that Washington is to be made a separate military district. This, Hooker feels, will give him the opportunity to concentrate his energies on getting the Army of the Potomac "in proper condition for field service before the coming spring." Hooker is also able to rid himself of "Baldy" Smith, who he considers an "evil genius," and Burnside's old Ninth Corps, by shipping them both to Fort Monroe. Robert E. Lee's army, however, is still in fighting trim. After the long roll is called, orders are issued to fill haversacks with snowballs. "We were in line of battle on a hill and Kershaw's formed and come out to fight us....The field officers was on their horses and when they come against us, they come with a holler...! Great God, I never saw so many snowballs fly so in my life."

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 1863. - Maj. Gen. JOSEPH HOOKER, Commanding Army of the Potomac: - GENERAL: The Ninth Army Corps...will be sent to Fort Monroe, to report to Major-General Dix.....Major-General Heintzelman is in command of the troops in the immediate vicinity and for the defense of Washington. These officers will cordially cooperate with you to the full extent of the means at their command. Their forces, however, are not sufficient to resist a strong attack from the main army of the rebels, and we must, therefore, look to the Army of the Potomac to either cover these places or to succor them in case they should be seriously threatened by the enemy....In regard to the operations of your own army, you can best judge when and where it can move to the greatest advantage, keeping in view always the importance of covering Washington and Harper's Ferry either directly or by so operating as to be able to punish any force of the enemy sent against them....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

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