Our National Renown …

Posted on July 3, 2012 by SUMPTER

… depends on crushing the rebellion

Seven_Days_July_1_1862 (Map by Hal Jespersen, www.posix.com/CW)

Blue lines headed for Harrison’s Landing

150 years ago today the editors at The New-York Times came to grips with the fact that the Union Army of the Potomac was not going to be capturing Richmond any time soon. In fact, the army was considerably farther from Richmond than before the “Week of Battles”. (By the time this was published the army had backed up even more to Harrison’s Landing) The editors urged the citizenry to become even more resolute in defeating the rebels.

From The New-York Times July 3, 1862:

The News from Richmond The New Call for Volunteers.

We have at last full reports of recent movements in front of Richmond. We are sorry to say that they do not fully sustain the encouraging interpretation which the public sought to put upon the brief announcement, that our right wing had been attacked and had withdrawn to the other side of the Chickahominy. We have now no room to doubt that our army has met with a very serious reverse, and that it is in a condition of peril, which, if not imminent, at least calls for the instant and energetic efforts of the Government and the country.

Two of the regular corps of the TIMES Reporters left Gen. MCCLELLAN’s headquarters, which are now on the James River, on Monday afternoon, and reached this City last evening. They were spectators of the events which they describe, and although their reports are of necessity written in haste, and may, therefore, err in matters of detail, there is no reason whatever to doubt the entire accuracy of the narrative they give of the principal movements of the opposing forces. …

Our whole army, therefore, now lies upon the James River, at a point called Turkey Bend, within reach, and under cover of our gunboats. Supplies will speedily reach it from Fortress Monroe, and it seems, indeed, to have withdrawn its stores in good order and without serious loss.

Unknown location. Unidentified Union volunteer with shouldered rifle and bayonet in photographer's studio (Between 1860 and 1865; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-04763)

Many more needed – Union volunteer in photographer’s studio

Beyond all question, this intelligence will fall with heavy weight upon the public heart. It is entirely unexpected, and shatters the high hope which the whole country has of late indulged, that, with the fall of Richmond, the end of the rebellion was close at hand. But this depressing effect will be temporary. A day’s reflection will rouse the whole country to the necessity of another effort to crush the rebellion. However we may regret the necessity for further sacrifices, there is no alternative. “We have no election, even if we were base enough to desire one.” We cannot yield to the rebels in arms without absolute and permanent disgrace, — without complete ruin to all our hopes of national renown, without the loss of everything that makes our country great, prosperous and free.

The Government will meet this crisis with an intrepid spirit and a determined purpose, — and it must be met by the country in the same temper and with equal courage. The President, as if in anticipation of such a contingency, has already called for 300,000 additional volunteers. Every man of them ought to be enrolled within a fortnight. We shall have, we hope, no wranglings in the Press or elsewhere over the past, — no criminations or hostile criticisms, — no attempts to screen demerit or exaggerate defeat. The country needs the best service of all her sons. Let the only contest be for precedence in the race for her rescue!

Reading the war news in Broadway, New York (Illustration from: Illustrated London news, 1861; LOC: LC-USZ62-112561)

Times: Union-lovers have “no election” – read it and weep … and then fight harder

Hal Jespersen’s map is licensed by Creative Commons.

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“two immense omnibuses”

Posted on July 2, 2012 by SUMPTER
The heart of the rebellion: scene of the late Seven Days battles near Richmond; new base of operations of the Army of the [P]otomac. (Philadelphi Inquirer,1862; LOC: g3884r cw0650200 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3884r.cw0650200)

Sister cities filling up with the wounded

used to transport the wounded in Petersburg

The Seven Days’ Battles were bloody; some of the Confederate wounded were being sent to Petersburg

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 2, 1862:

The old adage

of the right thing in the right place was exemplified on yesterday in the appearance here of the two immense omnibuses used between the railroad depots in our sister city of Petersburg. They were in charge of a committee appointed to bring in the wounded from the battle field; and to those who know the character of the people of the Cockade city, it is needless to say they did good service.

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Rear Guard in the Swamp

Posted on June 30, 2012 by SUMPTER

The Battle of White Oak Swamp was fought 150 years ago today. William Farrar Smith was promoted for his “gallantry” during the battle. The following image is from U.S. History Images:

Battle of White Oak Swamp: The Rear Guard - Showing General W. F. Smith's Divisions (Mottlelay, Paul F. and T. Campbell-Copeland, eds. The Soldier in Our Civil War. New York: Stanley Bradley Publishing Company, 1885.)

Smith’s rear guard at White Oak Swamp

Robert Knox Sneden mapped the June 30th troop positions:

Position of Union Army 30th June 10 1/2 a.m. and 2 1/2 p.m. (LOC: gvhs01 vhs00041 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.ndlpcoop/gvhs01.vhs00041)

Smith on the Union right

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Crimson Tide in Virginia

Posted on June 29, 2012 by SUMPTER
Battle of Savage's Station (From a sketch made at the time by A.R. Waud, 1862. (LOC: LC-USZ62-8288)

Battle of Savage’s Station

Both The New-York Times and the Richmond Daily Dispatch 150 years ago were having trouble keeping up with all the battles and troop movements during the Seven Days’ Battles, including the June 29th Battle of Savage’s Station. (In fact, the Times is still reporting Richmond’s imminent fall)

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 1, 1862:

The great battle.Continuation of the fight.successful Engagement of Magruder.Sunday’s operations.the enemy still retreating.incidents.&c., &c., &c.

The intelligent reader will understand, and perhaps appreciate, the difficulties attending an accurate compilation of all the incidents connected with the operations of the armies around Richmond for the past five days. It is almost impossible to afford in detail descriptions of the several engagements which have shed such imperishable lustre upon the arms of the Confederacy, and which have finally resulted in the overthrow, complete and disgraceful, of the hosts marshaled under the banner of subjugation.

Of the important results which must inevitably flow from our successes, and the discomfiture of the Northern army under McClellan, it is needless at this time to speculate. Suffice it to say that from the opening of the grand ball on Thursday afternoon down to the hour which witnessed the enemy in full retreat, the efforts of our forces were attended with unbroken success, and at no time did the brave men upon whom hung the hopes and the confidence of the country, falter or waver in their determination to make the victory decisive. Battery after battery was stormed with the most daring disregard of human life, and the apparently impregnable positions of the enemy were carried at the point of the bayonet with the most impetuous ardor. Never did men fight more bravely, and never was valor more surely and signally rewarded.

Plan of the Battle of Savage's Station Virginia. Sunday, June 29th 1862. Fought by the 2nd and 6th Corps. by Robert Knox Sneden (gvhs01 vhs00090 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.ndlpcoop/gvhs01.vhs00090)

Crimson lines pour out the crimson tide

Our loss is heavy, both in officers and men. The soil of Virginia, the grand old mother of States is enriched with the best blood of her suffering Southern sisters, and from every State of the Confederacy the martyrs of liberty have united in pouring out the crimson tide as a rich and imperishable libation upon the altar of the one great common cause.–There is no discrimination to be made between the gallant men who constitute the most magnificent army that was ever arrayed in combat. As sons of the Confederacy they fought, and as sons of the Confederacy they conquered. If one corps distinguished itself more than another in this, the greatest battle ever fought on this continent, it was on account of its position on the field.

Our reports thus far published are up to Saturday evening. Sunday skirmishing began at an early hour and continued through the day at different points along the line. The great battle of the day, however, took place in the evening near the York River railroad, some three miles from the battle field of the “Seven Pines.”Gen. Magruder conmmenced the attack about four o’clock, by advancing upon the Yankee entrenchments. The first line was taken after a sharp conflict and the enemy driven to another. Waiting only long enough to get the artillery in position this also was stormed, and so on until seven forts had been occupied, the Yankees fleeing from each in wild confusion. The firing continued until 10 o’clock in the night, when the battle ceased. In this brilliant fight the men of Gen. Magruder’s division won great honor and maintained the fighting reputation given them on the Peninsula. The Yankees fought desperately and contested the ground closely, but they could not stand the fierce charges made upon them. The loss was heavy to the enemy, one hundred and seventy-five Yankees were laid dead upon the field, and eight hundred prisoners were taken. Our loss was not heavy, although many a good man was injured.

The advance of our men upon the enemy is described by an eye-witness as exciting in the extreme. From one fortification to another they rushed with an impetuosity that could not be checked. In their advance several magazines were exploded and an immense quantity of stores destroyed. Arms, baggage, overcoats, knapsacks, caps, and h cks, were scattered along the route in profusion. The latest accounts of yesterday represent the Yankee army cut in twain and trying to escape towards the James. …

Plan of Battle of Savage's Station Va. by Robert Knox Sneden LOC: gvhs01 vhs00091 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.ndlpcoop/gvhs01.vhs00091)

Sneden maps the situation at 6 PM on the 29th

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Doctors Without Boundaries

Posted on June 28, 2012 by SUMPTER

Captured surgeons free to leave.

Southern comity with Uncle Sam

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 28, 1862:

War Department, Adj’t Inspector General’s office, Richmond, June 26, 1862.

General Orders, No. 45.

I. A General Intelligence Office, to enable the friends of the sick and wounded to find them out, to facilitate communication with the army, is hereby established. Military Commanders and Surgeons will afford all the means in their power to promote the ends of its establishment.
II. Medical officers taken prisoners of war by the armies of the Confederate States will be immediately and unconditionally discharged.
III. The Government of the United States having recognized the principle that medical officers should not be held prisoners of war, and having ordered the immediate and unconditional release of all medical officers so held, all medical officers of the Confederate States, now on parole, are hereby discharged from their parole.

By command of the

Secretary of War.

S. Cooper,

Adj’t and Inspector General,

George Wythe Randolph served as Confederate Secretary of War from March – November 1862.

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Digging Past Vicksburg?

Posted on June 27, 2012 by SUMPTER
View of Vicksburg and plan of the canal, fortifications & vicinity Surveyed by Lieut. L. A. Wrotnowski, Top: Engr. Drawn & lithogd. by A. F. Wrotnowski C.E. Wrotnowski, L. A. CREATED/PUBLISHED [S.l.], 1863.

Trying to get past Vicksburg

150 years ago this week Federal troops began digging a canal that was intended to cut between two sections of the Mississippi River so that Union ships could avoid passing by Vicksburg and its effective cannon defenses.

From A Seneca Falls, New York newspaper published July, 1862:

From Vicksburg.

We are permitted to peruse a very interesting letter from JOHN ARNETT, of our village, received this morning by his parents. It is dated on board the U.S. Steamer Westfield, off Vicksburg, June 30th, and gives an account of the bombardment of that city by the mortar and gunboats, which commenced on the 26th ult. The rebels seem to make an obstinate resistance to the fleet, and from last reports the city had not yet surrendered. – JOHN states that there are five thousand Federal troops near Vicksburg, under command of Gen. WILLIAMS, and that they, together with the contrabands are cutting a new channel for the river, which, when completed, will leave the city a distance of 3 miles from the same. The Westfield and all on board had a narrow escape during the bombardment. He states that a rifle shot from the enemy passed through the starboard wheelhouse and through the armory, bringing up in the passage way, within three inches of the steam cylinder.

The letter is very interesting, and we regret that we have not had time or room this week to publish it complete.

As that National Park Service link points out, the 1862 work on the canal ended after about a month of deaths from disease and heat. The canal was not big enough for ships to pass.

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Carrots and (500,000) Sticks

Posted on June 26, 2012 by SUMPTER
Hon. Edward Stanly of N.C. (between 1855 and 1865; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpbh-01285)

Olive branch backed up with 500,000 bayonets

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 26, 1862:

“Governor”Stanly makes a speech.

–The Yankee paper published in Washington, N. C., called the New Era, contains, in its issue of the 19th inst., a report of Stanly’s speech, made in that town on Tuesday, the 14th. We have seen a copy, and can find nothing in it to change our opinion in the least of the man. He says “Mr. Lincoln called upon an old son of North Carolina to bear he the olive branch of peace,” and he “implores” his hearers “to come back” into the Union, “and those bright bayonets” which now seem to flash enter and indignation will assure you protection, and happiness !” “Remember the North has over 500,000 men in the field, and while a piece of iron can be found in the earth — while a grain of gunpowder can be manufactured — each one of them is ready to pour out his last drop of blood for the Union.”

The Wilmington Journal calls attention to these quotations especially to show the inconsistency of the man. At one breath he is imploring the people to return to the Union; in the next he is holding forth threats of destruction with “bright bayonets.” if he is not obeyed; yea, “500,000 men will shed the last drop of blood for the Union;” that is, the subjugation of the South. The Journal has information that a good many persons were present to hear what stably had to say, but they manifested no disposition of approval of his course. They could not, as a matter of course, give public expression to their feelings of disapproval, being surrounded by Yankee bayonets. His reception in Washington was that of coldness. No attention was paid to him by the citizens, although it is differently reported in the Era.

Edward Stanly was a Whig from North Carolina who supported the Union over states’ rights. In 1853 he moved to San Francisco to practice law. Apparently the war brought him back East because in May 1862 President Lincoln appointed him military governor of eastern North Carolina. Stanly resigned in March 1863 because, as North Carolina Historic Sites points out, although he was a Unionist, he was also opposed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. He returned to his San Francisco law practice.

Stanly’s nephew was Confederate General Lewis Armistead.

Eastern portion of the Military Department of North Carolina / compiled from the best and latest authorities in the Engineer Bureau, War Department, May 1862. (LOC: g3900 cws00121 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3900.cws00121)

Mapping the eastern part of Stanly’s military department

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Merciful McClellan

Posted on June 25, 2012 by SUMPTER
An army mule. September 28, 1863 (by Edwin forbes,1863 Sept. 28; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20572)

Thanks, General

A Kinder, Gentler Army?

The first part of the following is an order by General McClellan forbidding his troops to maraud the locals, which would seem to me to make good policy sense. As you can read, the second order controls the speed that army mules and horses are driven. My first reaction was “Twilight Zone” because certainly humans and animals have already been killed and mangled in battle, but I guess it makes sense to control speeds and not wear the animals out before it is necessary. Maybe what put me off is The Times Mercy headline.

From The New-York Times June 22, 1862:

ORDERS BY GEN. McCLELLAN.

…

MERCY TO BEASTS.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

CAMP LINCOLN, Va., June 12, 1862.

1. All fast riding or driving of public horses and mules is positively prohibited, unless in case of necessity. Trains will not move faster than a walk, except under written orders to the officer or wagon-master in charge. Officers sending mounted messengers with dispatches, which are to be carried at a faster pace than a walk, will indicate on the envelope the gate the messenger is to take, whether a trot or a gallop. The same directions may be indicated by the seals of the envelope — one seal for the walk, two for the trot, and three for the gallop. Officers will be held responsible for the instructions they give to mounted orderlies or trains with regard to their gait.

All Provost Marshals and Provost Guards are specially charged with the enforcement of this order.

2. The present camp of these headquarters will be known as Camp Lincoln.

By command of Major-Gen. McCLELLAN.

S. WILLIAMS. Assistant Adjutant-General.

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His Three Sons

Posted on June 23, 2012 by SUMPTER
Neill_Smith_Brown_by_Mathew_Brady_1849

Apostate’s speech drives out the teenager

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 24, 1862:

Neil S. Brown.

–The Knoxville Register relates an incident which followed Neil S. Brown’s apostasy, which was calculated to bring a blush to the cheeks of the most hardened renegade. Brown has three sons; two of them are in the Confederate army, and one, a youth of about fifteen, was at home. Upon hearing of his father’s making a Union speech, this noble lad sought him, and hearing the confirmation from his own lips, not only expressed his indignation, but declared he could never again set foot beneath the parental roof, but would join his brothers in defence of the South. It is said he has kept his word.

Neill Smith Brown served as Governor of Tennessee from 1847-1849. He was a delegate to the convention that wrote the 1870 state constitution that was required to outlaw slavery.

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Pep talk from General Longstreet

Posted on June 22, 2012 by SUMPTER

Battle sounds worse than it is. “Keep cool, obey orders, and aim low”

James Longstreet circa 1862

Urges his troops to fight against the ‘shame of slavery’

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 23, 1862:

Gen. Longstreet’s address.

The following address has been issued to the men of his division by Gen. Longstreet. It has the ring of true metal, and will be read with interest both by soldiers and civilians. Without doubt this calm and patriotic address, written by a genuine soldier, will have its desired effect:

Headquarters right Wing,

Army before Richmond, June 17th, 1862.

Soldiers:

You have marched out to fight the battles of your country, and by those battles must you be rescued from the shame of slavery. Your foes have declared their purpose of bringing you to Feggary [Beggary?] and avarice their national characteristic, recites them to redoubled efforts for the conquest of the South, in order that they may seize her sunny fields and happy homes. Already has the hatred of one of their great leaders attempted to make the negro your equal by declaring his freedom, they care not for the blood of babes, nor carnage of innocent women, which servile insurrection thus stirred up may bring upon their heads.–Worse than this, the North has sent forth another infamous chief, encouraging the lust of his hirelings to the dishonor and violation of those Southern women who have so untiringly labored to clothe our soldiers in the field, and nurse our sick and wounded. If ever men were called upon to defend the beloved daughters of their country, that now is our duty. Let such thoughts nerve you up to the most dreadful shock of battle; for were it certain death, death would be better than the fate that defeat would entail upon us all. But, remember, though the fiery noise of battle is indeed most terrifying, and seems to threaten universal ruin, it is not so destructive as it seems, and few soldiers, after all, are slain. This the Commanding General desires particularly to impress upon the fresh and inexperienced troops who now constitute a part of this command. Let officers and men, even under the most formidable fire, preserve a quiet demeanor and self- possessed temper. Keep cool, obey orders, and aim low, Remember while you are doing this, and driving the enemy before you, your comrades may be relied on to support you on either side, and are in turn relying upon you. Stand well to your duty, and when these clouds break away, as they surely will, the bright sunlight of peace, falling upon our free, virtuous, and happy land, will be a sufficient reward for the sacrifices which we are now called upon to make.

James Longstreet.

Major-General Commanding.

I had no idea that in one week in January 1862 James Longstreet lost three of his young children to scarlet fever.

Southern fears over northerners taking southern land were not unfounded. On June 21, 1862 the Daily Dispatch published a commentary on the last letter a Yankee soldier (killed at Shiloh) allegedly wrote to his wife: he’s already picked out a fine southern farm and they can get white women to do the household chores. In December 1861 a Union captain wrote that he expected industrious northern farmers to occupy and cultivate Virginia farms after the war.

Henrico County, Virginia : prepared under the direction of Lieut. Col. J.N. Nacomb, A.D.C., Chf. Topl. Engr. for the use of Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan, commanding Army of Potomac / drawn by E. Hergesheimer ; photographs by G. Mathiot & D. Hinkle, C.S. Office, 1862. LOC: g3883h cw0559200 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3883h.cw0559200)

Disputed ground -Henrico County by McClellan’s topographical engineer

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