Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

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Horatio Nelson Taft

March 9, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SATURDAY 9

A rainy morning but most of the day was rather pleasant. No particular news stirring. Spent an hour after dinner with Bro. at the office of Dr John W [Bulkley?] and his father Solomon [Bulkley?] talking of Williamstown people &c. Went down to Willards with Bro. and from there to the “National” to see Philip Dorsheimer. He had left on the 3.10 train. We got the evening NY papers. Called at “Kirkwoods” and came home about 9 o’clock and read the news till 11 o’clock and then went to bed.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of  Congress.

Post image for “Fort Sumter is silent now only because of the weakness of the garrison.” — Confederate Records

“Fort Sumter is silent now only because of the weakness of the garrison.” — Confederate Records

March 9, 2011

War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
Montgomery, March 9, 1861.

Brig. Gen. P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston:

GENERAL: Your report of the 6th instant has been received at this Department. What you have done and what you propose to do is approved. Push forward your contemplated works with all possible expedition, especially with the view to prevent the re-enforcement of Fort Sumter. This must be prevented at all hazards, and by the use of every conceivable agency. Fort Sumter is silent now only because of the weakness of the garrison. Should re-enforcements get in, her guns would open fire upon you.

There is information at this Department–not official, it is true, but believed to be reliable–that five or six United States ships are in New York Harbor all ready to start.

The United States steamer Pawnee has left Philadelphia suddenly for Washington, fully provisioned and ready to go to sea, and it is probable that the effort to re-enforce Sumter may be made by sending in men in whale-boats by night. Should this plan succeed and the garrison be re-enforced sufficiently to stand an assault the attempt may be made to fight their way up by five or six war vessels.

In his report to this Department Major Whiting suggested the possibility of re-enforcements by land. Upon examining the map it occurs to me that this possibility might be accomplished in two ways: First, at the south of Morris Island there is an inlet which connects with Schooner Creek, and affords a water communication in the rear of all our works directly up to Fort Sumter. The creeks are, however, very winding, and probably if taken in hand at once could easily be obstructed by sinking flats or boats. Second, Stono River affords, I should think, an entrance to vessels of from eight to twelve feet draught, which may land troops on James Island, or go through a cut known as James Island Cut. Neither method, I take it, would be practicable if any troops were on James Island; but in the absence of them a sudden rush might possibly avail.

These suggestions are made without special knowledge, and are submitted for your consideration.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. P. WALKER,

Secretary of War.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – March 9, 1861

A Diary of American Events – March 9, 1861

March 9, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

—The Southern Confederacy Congress passed an act for the establishment and organization of the army of the Confederate States.—(Doc. 44.) —Times, March 16.

Post image for “We are abusing one another as fiercely as ever we have abused Yankees. It is disheartening.”—A Diary From Dixie

“We are abusing one another as fiercely as ever we have abused Yankees. It is disheartening.”—A Diary From Dixie

March 8, 2011

A Diary From Dixie by Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut.,The American Civil War

March 8th.—Judge Campbell,¹ of the United States Supreme Court, has resigned. Lord! how he must have hated to do it. How other men who are resigning high positions must hate to do it.

Now we may be sure the bridge is broken. And yet in the Alabama Convention they say Reconstructionists abound and are busy.

Met a distinguished gentleman that I knew when he was in more affluent circumstances. I was willing enough to speak to him, but when he saw me advancing for that purpose, to avoid me, he suddenly dodged around a corner —William, Mrs. de Saussure’s former coachman. I remember him on his box, driving a handsome pair of bays, dressed sumptuously in blue broadcloth and brass buttons; a stout, respectable, fine-looking, middle-aged mulatto. He was very high and mighty.

Night after night we used to meet him as fiddler-in-chief of all our parties. He sat in solemn dignity, making faces over his bow, and patting his foot with an emphasis that shook the floor. We gave him five dollars a night; that was his price. His mistress never refused to let him play for any party. He had stable-boys in abundance. He was far above any physical fear for his sleek and well-fed person. How majestically he scraped his foot as a sign that he was tuned up and ready to begin!

Now he is a shabby creature indeed. He must have felt his fallen fortunes when he met me—one who knew him in his prosperity. He ran away, this stately yellow gentleman, from wife and children, home and comfort. My Molly asked him “Why? Miss Liza was good to you, I know.” I wonder who owns him now; he looked forlorn.

Governor Moore brought in, to be presented to me, the President of the Alabama Convention. It seems I had known him before; he had danced with me at a dancing-school ball when I was in short frocks, with sash, flounces, and a wreath of roses. He was one of those clever boys of our neighborhood, in whom my father saw promise of better things, and so helped him in every way to rise, with books, counsel, sympathy. I was enjoying his conversation immensely, for he was praising my father² without stint, when the Judge came in, breathing fire and fury. Congress has incurred his displeasure. We are abusing one another as fiercely as ever we have abused Yankees. It is disheartening.

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¹ John Archibald Campbell, who had settled in Montgomery and was appointed Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President Pierce in 1853. Before he resigned, he exerted all his influence to prevent Civil War and opposed secession, although he believed that States had a right to secede.

² Mrs. Chesnut’s father was Stephen Decatur Miller, who was born in South Carolina in 1787, and died in Mississippi in 1838. He was elected to Congress in 1816, as an Anti-Calhoun Democrat, and from 1828 to 1830 was Governor of South Carolina. He favored Nullification, and in 1830 was elected United States Senator from South Carolina, but resigned three years afterward in consequence of ill health. In 1835 he removed to Mississippi and engaged in cotton growing.

Post image for “This Evening was the first Levee of Mr Lincoln at the ‘White House.’ Myself, Brother C R, and Julia went.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“This Evening was the first Levee of Mr Lincoln at the ‘White House.’ Myself, Brother C R, and Julia went.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

March 8, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1861.

Rather a cool day but cloudy with indications of rain at night. Shepherd Patrick of Norwalk Ohio called upon me today. I showed him round the office. This Evening was the first Levee of Mr Lincoln at the “White House.” Myself, Brother C R, and Julia went. The crowd was so great in the House that hundreds left without seeing the Prest. It was a perfect jam. Elegant Ladies dresses and Elegant Officers uniforms fared bad in the crowd. Got home about 10 and staid there quite as long as was desirable to us.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of  Congress.

Post image for “…the first work in order is to endeavor to keep re-enforcements from getting into Fort Sumter…” — Confederate Records

“…the first work in order is to endeavor to keep re-enforcements from getting into Fort Sumter…” — Confederate Records

March 8, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY,
Charleston, S. C., March 8, 1861.

Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:

“Every one here seems to be gradually becoming aware, through my cautious representations, that we are not yet prepared for the contest, and that the first work in order is to endeavor to keep re-enforcements from getting into Fort Sumter by increasing our channel defenses.”

SIR: The Department letter of the 2d instant has been received, but could not be answered sooner. Governor Pickens, who obligingly affords me all the assistance in his power, as well as all his officers, suggests that the State of South Carolina should continue to defray all the present current expenses incurred within its limits, so as not to complicate the present moneyed difficulties of the Confederate States Government. This would probably be a very proper arrangement.

With regard to the supposed temporary dissatisfaction of the State troops, alluded to by you, upon consultation with the governor, he advises that the brigade of State Regulars should remain as at present organized, until required to enter the Federal service, but in the mean time to be under my orders. Its commanding general and staff have readily assented to this arrangement, and by the order of the governor (already communicated to the War Department), it must have been seen that all the troops (State, Regulars, and Volunteers) in or about Charleston have already been put under my orders, and I can perceive among them no spirit of opposition or dissatisfaction. On the contrary, they appear to be animated with the most kindly feelings towards me, and seem highly pleased at the order assigning me to their command.

I have already given the information here that cavalry would not, at present, be called into the service of the Confederate States.

Every one here seems to be gradually becoming aware, through my cautious representations, that we are not yet prepared for the contest, and that the first work in order is to endeavor to keep re-enforcements from getting into Fort Sumter by increasing our channel defenses, which I hope to be able to accomplish in about a week or ten days. In the mean time I will go on organizing everything around me.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

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Horatio Nelson Taft

March 7, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY 7

Somewhat frosty this morning, but a bright day. In the office all day. W VanMaster of Lyons called again. Went with him to the seed room and procured a variety of garden seeds, grape cutting, tea plants &c for him. Bro C R and also Julia were at the office today. Went with Bro after three o’clock to [“Klomans“?] and got some oysters and ale. Intending to go to the Navy Yard, but concluded that it was too late. Came home and dined at 4, did not go out this evening. Bro & I staid in parlor.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of  Congress.

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At the Court of St. James

March 7, 2011

Diary of George Mifflin Dallas, United States Minister to England 1856 to 1861

1861. March 7.—Dined with Lampson, for the time being a resident in a capital house at the farthest end of Eaton Square. Went at eleven to Lord Chelmsford’s for fifteen minutes. A youthful dance.

The news from home a shade more promising. A word of meditated coercion in the inaugural of the 4th instant may be the last nail in the Union’s coffin.

Post image for Operations in Florida – Braxton Bragg assigned to Confederate troops at Pensacola

Operations in Florida – Braxton Bragg assigned to Confederate troops at Pensacola

March 7, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

WAR DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, March 7, 1861.

Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG,
Provisional Army, C. S. A., Comdg. Troops near Pensacola, Fla.:

SIR: By the inclosed order you will perceive that you have been signed to the command of the troops at and near Pensacola, Fla. It is of the greatest importance that the Government here should be accurately informed of the state of affairs in that quarter. The Secretary of War, therefore, desires that you will as soon as possible forward to this office a comprehensive report of whatever may come under your observation, especially in regard to affairs immediately connected with Fort Pickens. You will also be pleased to make reports to this Department as often as it may be convenient for you to do so. Very little information in respect to the nature of the service and its requirements at the station to which you have been assigned to command has reached this Government. The Department is anxious to know accurately the condition of things there and the necessities of the service, so that it can act with full intelligence, which is so much wanting at present. A return of your command is required.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. DEAS,

Acting Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure. ]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
NO. 1

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
Montgomery, Ala., March 7, 1861.

1. Brig. Gen. Braxton Bragg, of the Provisional Army, Confederate States of America, is assigned to the command of the troops in and near Pensacola, Fla., to which station he will proceed without delay.

*……….*……….*……….*……….*……….*

By command of the Secretary of War:

GEO. DEAS,

Acting Adjutant-General.

Post image for Report of Brig. Gen. G. T. Beauregard, C.S. Army—”A general view of the condition of the offensive works of this harbor..,”

Report of Brig. Gen. G. T. Beauregard, C.S. Army—”A general view of the condition of the offensive works of this harbor..,”

March 6, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

HEADQUARTERS C. S. ARMY,
Charleston, S. C., March 6, 1861.

SIR: In obedience to War Department orders of the 1st instant I arrived at this place on the 3d instant, and immediately reported to Governor Pickens for military duty. That day we inspected the floating battery now being constructed here. On the 4th instant we inspected the works on the southern portion of the harbor (Morris Island and Fort Johnson) and yesterday those on the north (Fort Moultrie, &c., including Castle Pinckney).

I have now the honor to state that I coincide fully in the opinion and views contained in Maj. W. H. C. Whiting’s letter preceding his full report, and that, as I have not time to write more fully on the subject, I desire that portion of his letter referring to the above works should be annexed to this report, and a copy thereof sent to me for my files.

On Morris Island the flanking defects are being remedied, and will probably soon be completed, as well as the position, &c., of said works will permit. I have ordered that only six mortars, instead of twelve, intended for that point, should be put in position there. I have ordered the construction of a series of small batteries of heavy guns, two in each, and twenty in all, well protected by traverses along the channel shore of that island, said batteries to be about fifty or one hundred yards apart (according to the nature of the ground), to prevent the broadsides of a vessel, from silencing them in a few minutes. When those batteries shall be ready, I will remove into them all the heavy guns I can dispose of. I have ordered to that island the whole of Colonel Gregg’s regiment, with two short 12-pounders and one light battery, for the protection of said works, selecting a strong natural position to protect their right flank from a land attack.

I have ordered an additional battery (for two mortars) to be constructed near Fort Johnson, to receive half of those intended for a defectively-placed mortar battery, to the south of said work, the latter not being in itself of much importance, containing only an open battery of four 24-pounders bearing on the inner harbor. At Fort Moultrie, towards the north of Fort Sumter, I have ordered additional traverses to be thrown up, of a better construction than those already there, for the protection of the channel guns against enfilade from Fort Sumter. Between Moultrie and the western extremity of Sullivan’s Island I have ordered the construction of a four-gun concealed battery, to enfilade the channel face of Sumter, having nine or ten guns (en barbette) bearing on the Morris Island works. I have ordered two more 32-pounders to be added to the extreme five-gun battery, commanding the Maffitt or northern shore channel into the harbor, and I have selected the site of two more mortar batteries, of two each, to take in reverse the casemate and barbette guns of Fort Sumter bearing on Morris Island.

I have fortunately found that we would soon have mortars enough for all our present wants; but, generally, the carriages and chassis of nearly all the guns, especially those on the Morris Island works, are either defective or not of the proper kind. I am going to remedy this defect as soon as practicable.

I find that the gorge of Fort Sumter is too much inclined to the guns on Morris Island to be breached by them at this distance (thirteen hundred yards); and, moreover, they have double the number of guns bearing on them, reversing thereby the advantages of the attack over the defense. If we succeed in constructing my enfilading battery on Sullivan’s Island we will then have a preponderating fire against said gorge wall (four feet six inches thick); but, as already stated, at about thirteen hundred yards, and at an angle of about fifty degrees.

I find that the battery of heavy guns (10-inch columbiads), which I proposed putting up in the vicinity of Fort Johnson, would be impracticable (if we had said guns), the grounds being too low and marshy.

I have now given you a general view of the condition of the offensive works of this harbor, and I am of the opinion that, if Sumter was properly garrisoned and armed, it would be a perfect Gibraltar to anything but constant shelling, night and day, from the four points of the compass. As it is, the weakness of the garrison constitutes our greatest advantage, and we must, for the present, turn our attention to preventing it from being re-enforced. This idea I am gradually and  cautiously infusing into the minds of all here; but, should we have to open our batteries upon it, I hope to be able to do so with all the advantages the condition of things here will permit. All that I ask is time for completing my batteries and preparing and organizing properly my command, which is still in a more or less confused state, not having yet my general staff officers around me. So soon as I shall have here a competent engineer officer (Major Whiting arrived here on the 4th, and will probably leave again for Savannah to day, where his presence is required), I will send to the department a plan of this harbor, with the position, &c., of all the works marked thereon. Those Drummond lights, ordered from New York, will be here in about ten days.

I remain, sir, very respectfully,

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General L. P. WALKER,

Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.

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