Shirker

Posted on April 6, 2012 by SUMPTER

A couple paragraphs that made me ask a lot of questions:

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 7, 1862:

A leap for liberty.

–On Saturday a colored individual, named John Williams, was carried before the Mayer for the rather novel offence of jumping from the window of Jno. Hagan’s office in order to escape from working on the batteries. It appears that Williams, as a member of the colored fraternity, had been notified of his liability to contribute a little of his personal exertion towards erecting certain batteries near this city. Failing to respond to the intimation he was taken up and at the time of his attempted escape was in process of being transferred VI et armis to the scene of his future usefulness. The case presenting several model features for constellation, the Mayer continued it in order to discontinue the amount of guilt involved in attempting to escape from work.

There’s no indication that John Williams was a slave. I guess the state has a right to conscript individuals for its protection? Apparently Barney Moore was also free.

From the same Dispatch issue:

Death of a Faithful Negro.

–Our readers in this city will doubtless remember the lean form and meek face of an old negro man who dispensed the Dispatch to its many subscribers in the metropolis for years past; his name was Barnett Moore. We are called upon to record his death, which we do with sincere regret. He died yesterday morning after a brief illness. For more than a quarter of a century he was a carrier of newspapers, to which daily avocation he sometimes united, that of preacher to his colored brethren.–Faithful in all that he undertook, neither summer’s sun or winter’s storm ever deterred him from laying at each door the daily news; and his humility and honesty of heart made a friend of every one that knew him. Poor Barney! He was many a time a weary with his tedious round of duty, but at last, full of infirmity and years, he has been gathered to his fathers, where the weary are at rest. –He fulfilled the term of life alletted to man, being about seventy years of age. Peace to his ashes.

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Big Tow Operation

Posted on April 5, 2012 by SUMPTER
USS Westfield by R.G. Skerrett

Helped tow ships over the bar at Mississippi's mouth

150 years ago this fortnight a native son of Seneca Falls, New York wrote some letters home from far, far away at the mouth of the Mississippi River. JOHN was a mate in the Union navy that was preparing for an assault up the river to capture New Orleans, the largest city in the Confederacy. Steamers were towing other ships over the sand bar at the Mississippi’s mouth. The following letters were published by a Seneca Falls newspaper.

From Commodore Porter’s Fleet

The following letters will be read with interest, as coming from JOHN ARNETT, son of WM. ARNETT, of this village, who is now Master’s Mate on the U.S. Steamer Westfield, in Commodore Porter’s Fleet:

Adm. David D. Porter, Lt. Commander, on deck of U.S. Steamship Fulton. (between 1862 and 1865; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpbh-03367)

David Dixon Porter

U.S. Steamer Westfield
March 30, 1862.

We are here in the Mississippi River, towing vessels over the bar at the mouth of the river. All of the bomb fleet are here with the exception of the steamer “Octorora,” which is the flag ship of the fleet. There are thirty sailing vessels and seven steamers in the fleet, besides the frigates Richmond, Pensacola, Mississippi, Colorado, Verona, Cayuga, and every day some vessel comes to join the Expedition. We are going to have a hard fight before we take New Orleans as the rebels are doing all in their power to beat us. Forts Jackson and St. Phillip are between us and New Orleans, and are very strongly fortified, and there are batteries all along the River from there to New Orleans. I was talking with a Pilot to-day, who is a prisoner that was taken while running the blockade; he told me that just below the forts they had constructed a large raft composed of drift-wood fastened with chains, and so arranged that they can let it all break and come down on the fleet when the attack commences. The story is verified as we do not see any drift-wood floating down the River, which at this season of the year is usually full of it. The weather is warm and pleasant. All of the houses are closed around here, and the owners, with their families, have gone to New Orleans. There is a little Rebel steamer that runs in sight of us every day, and when one of the gun-boats makes a start she will “make tracks” up the river, as she is a fast sailor. I wish we could get her within range of our one-hundred-pound rifle gun once. We have to work slow, as there is almost always a donse [sic] fog here on account of the fresh water uniting with the salt, and some of the large ships are hard around, and we have plenty of work to do. I think before this reaches you the battle will be fought, as everything is working with all possible despatch [sic], so as to avoid the hot weather and get up the River before June. This mortar fleet is a “big thing.” I think the frigates will go ahead of us as we shall have the second division of Mortar schooners to tow. The mortars can throw two-hundred-pound shells four miles with accuracy at a target, and twice that distance with a full charge. I saw one of the shells strike a small house, and the way the shingles and boards flew was a caution. I am very well contented, and anxious for the ball to open. I have been on the sick list but once and that did not last twenty hours. An unfortunate accident occurred yesterday. One of the Mates in casting off a hawzer [hawser], had his hand badly smashed

Yours &c.,

JOHN

____________________

Map showing the defenses of the Mississippi below New Orleans and Farragut's attack 24 April 1862. by Robert Knox Sneden

Forts along the Mississippi - obstacles to New Orleans

U.S. Steamer Westfield
April 5, 1862.

We are at anchor in a dense fog up the River a few miles, and this is the first quiet day I have had in some time, as we have been very busy towing vessels over the bar. It is Sunday, and thinking a few lines to you would be better than “turning in,” (as I have just come off the watch) I sit down to write:

We had general muster service and and inspection service this morning – how unlike the Sundays at home – tracts are distributed, and the sailors read them (as a general thing) with much interest. We do not carry a chaplain, as our vessel is not allowed any, but we have some very good men on board. The weather is warm, and I regret that I did not bring some light clothing along, but I think I can get a suit made on board. How would you like to see me in a roundabout again? That is the Navy style of summer coats. We shall be away from here when the hot weather sets in if we are successful in taking New Orleans, which we will without doubt before this reaches you.

A little skirmish took place yesterday a little further up the river between one of our steamers and a Rebel Gunboat, but the …[missing data from newspaper clipping]… make the attack on the forts in a few days, and when they are taken New Orleans is ours if Commodore Foote does not get the windward of us. Please give my kind regards to Mr. JENNINGS, and say to him that I have seen WM. PENFIELD once again and he seemed glad to see me, he is coming to see me to-morrow again, and wished me to give his regards to Mr. JENNINGS and family.

Yours, &c.,

JOHN

____________________________

April 9, 1862.

Nothing of importance has transpired since writing the foregoing. We have got the vessels all over. General BUTLER arrived yesterday and reported to the Commodore that his forces were all ready, and when they arrive and we coal and mount four more guns, we shall be ready to move up the river. My health is very good, and has been since I left home, while my old complaint is entirely cured. I am very well contented and have the good will of every one on the ship. God bless and preserve you all.

JOHN

USS Octorara (1862-1866) Watercolor by Alex Stuart. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Porter's flagship - the USS Octorara

Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862, depicting the mortar schooner flotilla commanded by David Dixon Porter during the April 1862 attack on the forts below New Orleans.

Porter's Mortar Flotilla (the Westfield on far left)

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Yorktown Naval Battery

Posted on April 4, 2012 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today General George McClellan began the Union army advance up the Virginia Peninsula.The rebels say they are ready for a “second battle of Yorktown.”

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 4, 1862:

The army of the Peninsula.

Yorktown Naval Battery. March 31st, 1862.

To the Editors of the Dispatch:

In a late issue you are induced to promise the speedy prospect of stirring news from the Peninsula. You will then admit a correspondent this quarter, although not yet herald of the good news which your readers are eagerly looking for. Your information was doubtless correct as to the advance of the enemy in force; but the latest intelligence from below is to the effect that he has retreated in somewhat inglorious haste, and our army will probably be again consigned to disappointment and the every-day monotony which succeed those oft-repeated rumors of attack. Still, this sudden withdrawal of the enemy’s forces may be only a feint, and a few days may develop something more definite and satisfactory. Come when they may, they can never find the army of the Peninsula more ready and willing to receive them. Our defences are complete by sea and land, and our brave boys, of every corps of the service, have attained an efficiency of discipline and drill which renders them fit to cope with the best trained armies on the globe.

The enthusiastic spirit evinced by the various branches of the army, in responding to the call for re-enlistments, has been emulated here to a very satisfactory extent. A large portion of the troops of this command were originally recruited for the war, and within the last two months the twelve months volunteers have re-enlisted almost to a man — There are but few who have not gone in for the war, and with these few the delay is a mere question of time.

We, of the Naval Battery, were among the first companies to take position on this river, in May of last year, and we naturally reflect with some degree of pride that we are among the veterans of the Peninsula. The company is now being re-organized for the war by that accomplished officer and universal favorite, Lieut J. Hatley Norton, at present Adjutant of the Battery. In addition to old members, we are receiving volunteers from other twelve months companies, to augment our number to the maximum prescribed by law.

Should the long-looked-for advance of the enemy be a combined attack by land and water, we may safely promise you that the river batteries will give a good account of themselves. Prudence forbids my writing more definitely as to the strength of our position at the present juncture. But we are confident in the better that the chapter in our history which will record the second battle of Yorktown, will be one of the most glorious in the annals of Time.

G. W. F.

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Where’s Jasper?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by SUMPTER

See the 57th Article of War

Edwin McMasters Stanton, seated, with his son Edwin Lamson Stanton, standing in profile (between 1852 and 1855; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-19600)

'fountain of almost feminine tenderness'?

It’s been a long time since I’ve copied anything from JASPER, The New-York Times’ antebellum Charleston correspondent. After the surrender of Fort Sumter JASPER escaped north to write again another day. In this piece he makes Secretary of War Stanton out to be more tender than his public demeanor would suggest and questions the federal policy of controlling press reports on military movements.

From The New-York Times April 4, 1862:

OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.; THE HEART OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR INJUSTICE OF THE FIFTY-SEVENTH ARTICLE OF WAR.

WASHINGTON, Friday, March 28, 1862.

An incident has recently transpired which brings out in bold relief a most touching instance of delicacy in one whom the public look upon as the grim, stern, and even Draconic, Secretary of War, Mr. STANTON. It shows that deep down in his heart there wells up a fountain of almost feminine tenderness. About two weeks since a private in one of the New-York regiments was killed while on picket duty at our outposts on the Potomac. He was a young man, beloved by his companions, and the sole hope of a widowed mother. When she heard of his death she hurried on here from Rochester, hoping, through the aid of the Government, to have her son’s remains sent to his native place. She found that it would cost her quite a heavy sum, and far more than her slender purse would permit. Disappointed, and with her cup of sorrow now filled to repletion, she was about to return unsuccessful, when an old army officer, Capt. MAGUIRE, volunteered to aid her through a letter to the Secretary of War. Mr. STANTON was so impressed with her story that he immediately sent an order to the proper officer, with instructions to have the dead soldier disinterred, properly coffined, and forwarded, with every memento of respect, to his home, free of charge, to the devoted mother who had offered her all on the altar of her country.

When you hear from me again it will be from the tented field — from a corps d’armee marquee. I should like to tell you something about my own particular corps, but I look with holy horror upon the 57th Article of War, and religiously refrain. Let it be observed, however, that it is not in consonance with the spirit of our institutions to refuse to allow the loyal people, who are spending their blood and treasure like water in the cause, to know the facts about our preparations, while the friends of the C.S.A. — to be counted by the scores in every street in Washington, and in many cases still holding office under the Union Government — remit almost daily, to the would-be destroyers of the Union, all the facts they wish them to know. It is hardly worthy of a great power to so dread the publication of facts. We ought to feel that we are now so strong, and that the South is so contemptibly weak and utterly unable to cope with us, that we might as well let them know the full and entire strength of our armies. They would then see the utter hopelessness of resistance, and would gladly lay down their arms, in expectancy of a general amnesty. So think, and so will the mass of the people echo, the sentiment of. JASPER.

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Letter from a “bagged rebel”

Posted on April 2, 2012 by SUMPTER
S.B. Buckner CSA (between 1860 and 1870; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-07431)

Out of the clink?

Fort Warren at Boston Harbor “had a reputation for humane treatment of its detainees.” Given the circumstances, I’d say that newspapers and whiskey from your home state (especially if that state is Kentucky) would go on the humane side of the ledger.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 3, 1862:

Letter from Gen. Buckner.

The Louisville Journal, of the 15th, publishes the following as a letter from General Buckner. Of course, Prentice could not forego the opportunity of exhibiting as a blackguard, and the “bagged rebel,” as he called Gen. Buckner, is treated to an extraordinary specimen of the Journal’s characteristic style:

Fort Warren, Mass., March 4, 1862.

To the Editors of the Louisville Journal:

Among other luxuries of which I have been deprived since my imprisonment, is the pleasure of perusing those chaste and refreshing notices with which, for some time past, your paper has honored me; and although in my progress through the North I have met with many attempts on the part of the press at an imitation of your peculiarly felicitous style of misrepresentation, I have found none to equal the original. I am, therefore, under the necessity of applying at the fountainhead. I inclose two dollars, for which please send me your country daily to the following address.

Gen. S. B. Buckner,

Care of Col. Dimick,

Fort Warren, Mass.

P. S.–Since writing the above, our friend, Col. R. W. Hanson, has reached this celebrated resort, and desires me to add that the present of a demijohn of whiskey, which he learns you have promised him, would never be more acceptable than at this time — the locality and the latitude, as well as the sentiments of our neighbors up the harbor, holding out most tempting inducements to cultivate a taste for that delightful beverage. As a matter of caution, however, he urges me to add that he hopes, if the liquor be of good quality, you will not venture to taste it, as he might thereby incur much risk of losing it altogether — a privation which, however agreeable to yourself, would be attended with serious inconvenience to himself during the prevalence of the prevailing “nor’easters.”

S. B. B.

After Simon Bolivar Buckner surrendered unconditionally at Fort Donelson he was imprisoned at Fort Warren until August 15, 1862, when “after five months of writing poetry in solitary confinement [?], Buckner was exchanged for Union Brig. Gen. George A. McCall. The following day he was promoted to major general and ordered to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to join Gen. Braxton Bragg’s Army of Mississippi.”

Skipping over the rest of the Civil War: Buckner was governor of Kentucky from 1887-1891. His son served as an American general in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. Simon B.Buckner, Jr. was killed by Japanese artillery fire during the Battle of Okinawa.

Georges_Island_and_Fort_Warren_in_Boston_Harbor

Fort Warren still stands

The photo of Fort Warren is licensed by Creative Commons.

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“Melt the Bells”

Posted on March 31, 2012 by SUMPTER

CW_Arty_Confederate_Napoleon

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 1, 1862:

To the patriotic — the value of Church Bells.

The Ordnance Bureau of the Confederate States the use of such bells as can be spared during the war, for the purpose of providing light artillery for the public defence. While copper is abundant, the supply of deficient to convert the copper into bronze. Bells contain so much tin that 2400 pounds weight of bell metal, mixed with the proper quantity of copper, will suffice for a field battery of six pieces.

Those who are willing to devote their bells to his patriotic purpose will receive receipts for them and the bells will be replaced, if required, close of the war, or they will be purchased at prices.

Bells may be directed as follows: …

The Government will pay all charges to these places, and receipts will be promptly returned to the proper parties.

Persons and congregations placing their at the service of the Government, are requested to send a statement of the fact, with a description and weight of the bell, to the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance at Richmond, for record in the War Department.

From the same issue:

Patriotic example.

–The congregation of the Second Baptist Church in this city have set an example that may challenge emulation, but for self-sacrificing patriotism cannot be excelled. They met not long since and by unanimous vote gave their church bell to be cast into cannon to be sued in the public defence. To show that this was not an empty promise made for effect, they immediately had it taken down to be put to the use indicated. At the same meeting at which the resolution above stated was passed, it was determined to subscribe and such sufficient to purchase enough metal to add to that in the bell to form into a battery to he called the Second Baptist Church battery. Mr. John F. Tanner, and influential member of the church, and largely engaged in the foundry business, promised on behalf of himself and associates that the battery should be ready at an early day, and without cost to those who furnished the material. The churches in New Orleans (a large proportion of them being Catholic) have, with the sanction of their Bishop, adopted the same course.

It is said that in 1862 General Beauregard came up with the idea of using church bells to make cannon. “Melt the Bells” was a poem published in the Memphis Appeal.

Richmond’s Second Baptist Church supports the Dispatch article: “During the Civil War the church assisted the Confederacy in many ways, from preparing bedding and bandages, to donating the steeple bell and selling the pew cushions, to furnishing some members to defend the city.”

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Turning Over in His Grave?

Posted on March 30, 2012 by SUMPTER
Henry Clay (no date recorded on shelflist card; LOC: LC-USZ62-5106)

Never would want the Pelican flag over New Orleans

Disunion was off the table for the Great Compromiser

150 years ago this week The New-York Times was speculating on Union operations on the lower Mississippi. In a long article that quotes heavily from the Richmond Daily Dispatch the editors try to piece together some information about what the federal forces might be up to and what tactics the rebels are using to defend themselves. The Times gets things going with a patriotic opening paragraph. Here’s a couple excerpts.

From The New-York Times March 29, 1862:

NEW-ORLEANS AND ITS APPROACHES AND DEFENCES.; THE DEFENCES OF NEW-ORLEANS.

Twelve years ago, HENRY CLAY, speaking in the United States Senate, uttered the memorable words: “I say in my place, never will we, who occupy the broad waters of the Mississippi and its upper tributaries, consent that any foreign flag shall float at the Balize, or upon the turrets of the Crescent City — never, NEVER!” It is over a year now since other flags than the Stars and Stripes — the miserable three-barred bunting of rebellion, and the yellow Pelican rag — were raised upon these turrets; and for all that time until now have they flaunted defiance in the face of the nation, and barred out from their heritage those who dwell on the upper tributaries of the father of waters. The time is now at hand, however, if it has not already arrived, when these alien emblems shall be torn down and made the winding-sheets for secession, to be replaced once more on Balize and turret by the flaming symbol of Union and Nationality.

NO-NYT 3-29-1862

3-29-1862 NY Times map

There are various indications that operations have actually been begun against the river and lake defences of New-Orleans by Gen. BUTLER and Capt. PORTER. …

… There are also said to be other formidable obstructions of various kinds in the river, to prevent the passage upward of a fleet. A correspondent at Ship Island, writing recently, says:

“I have conversed with some prisoners recently taken, in reference to the obstructions placed across the Mississippi by the rebels to prevent the passage of Federal men-of-war. From them I learn there is an immense raft of logs, containing eighty thousand feet, stretched across the river at a point called the ‘Jump.’ The raft is secured to the banks of the river, on either side, by heavy chains, which are dropped when any of the Confederate steamers pass. This formidable obstruction is commanded by a strong battery.”

Lake_Borgne_de_la_Tour_map_1720

1720 map

New-Orleans is the great commercial and financial emporium of the South. It is the great Southern cotton emporium. Superior cheapness of transportation by water draws thither all the cotton produced in Middle and Western Tennessee. Arkansas, Eastern Texas and Mississippi. The tobacco, hemp, and the cereals of our vast Western empire find their way thither from the same cause. Half a continent pours its productive wealth into its bosom, and finds thence its way to the markets of the world. It is, in brief, the key to the wealth, the prosperity and advancement of fifteen States, its possession would be of vast material benefit. It would afford us at once the means of forcing the States of Texas, Louisiana and Western Mississippi back to their allegiance, and serve as the point from whence we could force our other rebellious sisters of the Southwest back to their duty. The fact of its capture would inspire the utmost terror throughout the entire South. A moral paralysis would fall upon the boldest spirits of secessionism.

The population of the City, by the census of 1860, was 168,472. This has doubtless been greatly reduced since that time, but, allowing for the operation of all reducing causes, and it still probably numbers considerably rising a hundred thousand souls. If we may not now daily look for news of its full, we may at least anticipate learning what is virtually the same thing — that Gen. BUTLER and Capt. PORTER have captured all its defences, opened up the river, and hold the contumacious city at the mercy of the mortars.

La Balize, Louisiana “was the first French fort and settlement near the mouth of the Mississippi River …”

New Orleans, sketched from the opposite side of the river upon a mast of a vessel during a very low water (S.Pinistri - artist;1839 Oct; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-23151)

Crescent City - 1839

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Peninsula Prelude

Posted on March 29, 2012 by SUMPTER
Virginia-peninsula

Twixt the York and the James - guard your buttermilk

As Union General McClellan ships his huge Army of the Potomac to Virginia Peninsula a couple sketchy reports are published by the Richmond press that seen to indicate things are heating up around Yorktown.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 29, 1862:

From the Peninsula.

advises from the Peninsula are a little exciting. They represent the enemy in large force on Yorktown. The inhabitants are leaving that region by very means of transportation at their command, in anticipation of the grand struggle that seems to be pending. A slight skirmish took place on Thursday, in which Lt. John W. Wise, of the Old Dominion Guard, was in the [?]. No other casualties are reported. A time is looked for, and the most news from that quarter is expected.

From the same issue:

Drummer boys captured.

–Three Yankee drummer boys were recently captured by our pickets near Newport News while at a farmer’s house in search of buttermilk and other plunder. When taken before Gen. Magruder they were very communicative, and wished to know from him the price of drummers in this section. They were brought to Richmond on Thursday night, viz York river, and lodged with their fellow-prisoners.

Even the Yankee drummer boys seem mercenary. Maybe not “beauty and booty” but at least “buttermilk and booty”.

The map is licensed by Creative Commons.

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Working on the Railroad

Posted on March 28, 2012 by SUMPTER
Culpeper Court House, Va. Freight train on Orange and Alexandria Railroad (O'Sullivan, Timothy H August 1862; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-01078)

Orange and Alexandria Railroad, August 1862

Adviser Lee’s First General Order

In early March 1862 Jefferson Davis recalled Robert E. Lee from the South Carolina area to Richmond to serve as the president’s military adviser. At the time the Richmond Daily Dispatch hailed Davis’ decision – Lee’s caution was like Washington’s caution and could turn out to be advantageous; he did a great job fortifying the more southern coast and it would be good to have all the armies under one “commander-in-chief”.

Presumably the following is the first of General Lee’s orders in his adviser job. Lee is trying to make sure the railroad are less dangerously chaotic. Apparently military commanders were not coordinating with a railroad’s Supervisor.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 27, 1862:

A Sensible order.

The order we publish below will commend itself to every reflecting person. It is well known that it is necessary to have the utmost system in the management of railroads, to promote the safety of persons and the maximum efficiency of the machinery. To the Superintendent, who is best acquainted with the movement of the trains, the condition of the rolling stock and road, the grades, length of turnouts, and capacity of the several water stations, and to him alone, the subordinate officers look for orders; and when such orders are interfered with or countermanded by military officers, we are sure the interests of the Confederacy must suffer. Where the transportation is so great as it has been during the war, it is impossible to effect it without the best system, and any interference, however good the intentions, may, and probably will, prevent such system from being carried out. Whenever, as in this order, the whole responsibility rests on the Superintendent, we may confidently say, all that can be done towards expediting Government demands, with the facilities at hand, will be. This order leaves the military men to do the fighting, and the Superintendents alone to do the running, in which capacity we are sure they will each do their part well. Like all other orders emanating from its source, it is excellent, and will no doubt give universal satisfaction to the railroad officers throughout the Confederacy.

General Robert E. Lee

Avoiding 'destruction of life and property, as well as obstruction to all transportation'


Headquarters, Richmond, Va.,

March 20, 1862.

General Orders, No. 1.

To avoid the danger, if not the certainty, of frequent collisions, and the consequent destruction of life and property, as well as obstruction to all transportation, it is absolutely necessary that the movements of railroad trains should be under one undecided control. These considerations make it imperative that all trains should be regulated in their movements and speed only by their conductors and engineers, in accordance with the regulations and time-tables of the company. All the operations of a road should be controlled by its Superintendent, or other authorized officer, and all orders for transportation of every kind, and the movement of every train, will be directed through him, when the exigencies of the service demand a variation from the regular schedule. Disregard of this rule will inevitably be attended with disastrous consequences.
By order of

Gen. R. E. Lee.

W. H. Taylor, Asst. Adj. Gen.

The March 27th Dispatch issue also alludes to a more recent and more immediately urgent general order. General Order No. 16 cancels all furloughs and leaves of absence. The Union advance makes it imperative that all soldiers get back to their units.

On March 14, 1862 General Lee wrote a letter to his wife (living at the White House plantation on the Pamunkey River) in which he expresses concern about the Yankee advances and foresees that he might not be at his desk job in Richmond for too long:

How long it will be practicable for you an[d?] Charlotte to remain there I cannot say. The enemy is pushing us back in all directions, and how far he will be successful depends much upon our efforts and the mercy of Providence. I shall, in all human probability, soon have to take the field, so for the present I think things had better remain as they are. Write me your views. If you think it best for you to come to Richmond I can soon make arrangements for your comfort and shall be very glad of your company and presence.

Disunion has a good piece that looks at the relationship between Davis and Lee.

The White House - Pamunkey River, Va. (McIlvaine, William, 1813-1867, artist; 1862; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20003)

White House in Federal hands - later in 1862

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Apathetic Farmers

Posted on March 27, 2012 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 27, 1862:

The crops.

–The crops of the present year, as we were yesterday informed by an intelligent farmer of Henrico, are very backward both in that county and all adjacent ones, the planters seemingly being apathetic about the matter and indisposed to put forth their usual exertion. So many homilies have been read by the press on the absolute necessity of a full and prompt attention to agricultural duties, that we are not disposed to repeat a “thrice-told tale.” It suffices to say, that while there may be enough grain in the country to last another year, it is the bounden duty of every farmer to see that we are on the safe side by making assurance doubly sure. Very few, if any, of the Henrico farmers have yet planted their oats, and the time has arrived for corn to be planted; and yet, in a majority of instances, ground has not been broke for that purpose.

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