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

The American Civil War

Post image for “It is said that Virginia will demand as a preliminary that the U.S. troops now in this City be immediately withdrawn…”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

“It is said that Virginia will demand as a preliminary that the U.S. troops now in this City be immediately withdrawn…”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

February 3, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1861.

A little frozen this morning, but warm the rest of the day with plenty of mud. Wife and boys went to church. I did not go out till evening. Was in at “Willards” Hotel. Quite full of eastern and northern men. Was introduced to ex Gov Gardner of Mass. Very young man for an ex Governor. The “Peace Congress” meets tomorrow. Most of the Delegates are here. It is said that Virginia will demand as a preliminary that the U.S. troops now in this City be immediately withdrawn and that no State that “Secedes” shall be coerced. If such be the case it will make trouble & Virginia herself will be ignored altho she first called for the convention. It cannot mean Peace.

______

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 Transportation of Families–Operations in Charleston Harbor

Transportation of Families–Operations in Charleston Harbor

February 3, 2011

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

FORT SUMTER, S.C., February 3, 1861.

Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: Yesterday and last night, in consequence of the continuance of a storm of wind and rain, very little work was done, as far as we could observe, around us. The rain is still (11 a.m.) continuing. The steamer has not yet left the harbor with the women and children.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Post image for “More talk now of an attack upon Forts Sumpter & Pickens…”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

“More talk now of an attack upon Forts Sumpter & Pickens…”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

February 2, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

SATURDAY 2

Foggy and misty day with water driping from roofs all the time. A Salute of 34 guns was fired today at noon at the Armory on account of the Admission of Kansas into the Union. Many of the Citizens who did not know the cause of the firing were much alarmed thinking that the “fighting” had commenced. No particular news today. More talk now of an attack upon Forts Sumpter & Pickens now held by U.S. troops. In Congress the Republicans are giving ground for the sake of peace. The Peace Convention invited by Virginia meets Monday the 4th. Did not go down to the Ave tonight.

______

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 A Diary of American Events – February 2, 1861

A Diary of American Events – February 2, 1861

February 2, 2011

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

—The United States revenue cutter Lewis Cass, Capt. Morrison, a Georgian, was surrendered by the officer at Mobile to the State of Louisiana.—(Doc. 31.)—N Y. Times, Feb. 6.

Post image for An indirect argument… “in speaking of the courage of the blacks.”—Letters of a Family During the War for the Union

An indirect argument… “in speaking of the courage of the blacks.”—Letters of a Family During the War for the Union

February 1, 2011

The American Civil War,Woolsey family letters during the War for the Union

Abby Howland Woolsey to Eliza Woolsey Howland

8 Brevoort Place, Feb. 1, 1861.

My dear Eliza: As Charley was away at Astoria Georgy sent round for young Herdman, and she and I went with him to hear Wendell Phillips’ lecture. I never saw him before, and found it a perfect treat. A more finished and eloquent sketch I never heard, enlivened by telling anecdotes, and that quiet, shrewd wit which distinguishes the speaker. He made the lecture an indirect argument of course for the negro race; twice in the course of it mentioned John Brown’s name, which was received with a storm of applause, and once, in speaking of the courage of the blacks, he said: “Ask the fifty-two thousand of LeClerc’s soldiers who died in battle. Go stoop with your ear on their graves! Go question the dust of Rochambeau and of the eight thousand who escaped with him under the English Jack! and if the answer is not loud enough, come home!” and (dropping his voice) “come by the way of quaking Virginia!” There was a great crowd, but we went early and had excellent seats, and were perfectly charmed.

On Friday Rose Terry (who is at the Danas) and Dr. Bacon are to dine here. Rose wrote the “Samson Agonistes” it seems, —the fragment about John Brown in the Tribune which we all liked.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – January 31, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 31, 1861

January 31, 2011

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

—The State of South Carolina, by her attorney-general, I. W. Hayne, offered to buy Fort Sumter, and declared that, “if not permitted to purchase, she would seize the fort by force of arms.” The United States, in reply, asserted political rights superior to the proprietary right, and not subject to the right of “eminent domain.”—Times, Feb. 9.

—The United States branch mint, and the custom-house at New Orleans, seized by the State authorities. In the mint were government funds to the amount of $389,000, and in the sub-treasury, $122,000—(Doc. 29.)—Louisville Journal, Feb. 2.

Post image for “If my company was raised to a hundred and a sloop of war stationed here there would be no apprehension of an attack at present.”—Operations in Florida

“If my company was raised to a hundred and a sloop of war stationed here there would be no apprehension of an attack at present.”—Operations in Florida

January 31, 2011

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

FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,……….
January 31, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 26th instant of a communication [following] from the headquarters of the Army dated the 4th instant, ordering my whole company to this fort. I had anticipated the order some time ago. This is the only dispatch I have received from the Department on this subject. There are about sixty men, mechanics and laborers, on the work, who are willing to take the fate of it, and assist in defending the same. I require at least fifty more muskets for these men. If my company was raised to a hundred and a sloop of war stationed here there would be no apprehension of an attack at present. The powder is not the best, and the supply of ammunition is limited except for heavy guns. It is very necessary that the Ordnance Department should attend to it immediately. I have sent a requisition direct to Colonel Craig. The fort is being put in a very good state of defense by Captain Hunt, and will be in a short time able to stand an attack very successfully. With a vessel of war in the harbor a landing could be easily prevented.

I transferred to Major Arnold six 8-inch columbiads, with seven hundred shells; two 6-pounder and two 12-pounder howitzers, with a small supply of ammunition for the latter; 10,000 pounds of powder. He has all of his guns mounted and in position, and is really stronger than I am, as he cannot be attacked by land. We have communication with each other every few days.

In about a week I shall have ten 8-inch guns on the gorge or land front, which will enable me to prevent the establishing of breaching batteries without considerable difficulty. The General-in-Chief may rest assured that this work will not be taken without a severe struggle.

The Macedonian passed Key West on the night of the 29th instant for Tortugas. The Brooklyn arrived in the harbor this morning and will sail to-morrow night. All well on board.

I would suggest that a paymaster be ordered here to pay the troops. Last payment to October 31.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. BRANNAN,
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding.

Lieut. Col. L. THOMAS,
……….Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. of the Army, Washington, City, D. C.

.

P. S.–I send this by the U.S. steamer Mohawk.

.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, January 4, 1861.

SIR: It is the direction of the General-in-Chief that you transfer the whole of your company to Fort Taylor. Be on your guard against surprise or assault, and do the utmost in your power to prevent the seizure of your fort. Consult with the commander of any United States man-of-war in the harbor, and invite his co-operation. Such commander will probably have received orders (if they can be got to him) to act in concert with you.

Major Arnold with his company is ordered from Boston, to proceed by steamer, if possible to garrison Fort Jefferson. There is some apprehension that an expedition is fitting out in Charleston to take one or both of the forts, Taylor and Jefferson. It is hoped that Captain Hunt may, with his workmen, be able to give you some assistance in defending yourself. If necessary for that purpose you may take one or two boxes of the muskets shipped in the Water Witch intended for Captain Meigs.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. W. LAY,…….
Lieutenant-Colonel, and A.D.C.

Capt. John M. BRANNAN,
……………First Artillery, Commanding Key West Barracks, Fla.

Post image for “The southerners here are greatly offended and pretend innocence.”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

“The southerners here are greatly offended and pretend innocence.”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

January 30, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

WEDNESDAY 30

A pleasant cold day, freezing in the shade, Streets muddy. Another Company of Flying Artillery arrived last night — 90 men & four “pieces.” They are quartered in the old Wm Wirt House where Mrs Smith had her Young Ladies Select School or “Institute,” something of a change on those premises. The southerners here are greatly offended and pretend innocence. But in truth these preparations thwart their plans for seizing the City. No news of importance today, but some compromise seems more likely to be made now than heretofore. Did not go down to the Ave tonight.

______

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 “… a third armed body of men took forcible possession of the works and engineer property at Ship Island.”—The Secession of Alabama and Mississippi

“… a third armed body of men took forcible possession of the works and engineer property at Ship Island.”—The Secession of Alabama and Mississippi

January 30, 2011

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

BILOXI, MISS., January 30, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report that the works at Ship Island were visited by an armed body of men on the forenoon of the 13th instant. They stated to the overseer that their object was to take possession of the works, and, also, that they were acting on their own responsibility. After a short stay on the island, they left without interfering in any way with the work. On the afternoon of the same day another party, also armed, landed at Ship Island; their statement to the overseer was the same as that made by the first party. A flag was hoisted previous to their departure that evening. Ten men were left on the island, who occupied a vacant engineer building. As no interference was attempted on their part, operations were continued, so as to close the works as rapidly as possible. On the morning of the 20th instant, a third armed body of men took forcible possession of the works and engineer property at Ship Island. From that moment I considered myself relieved from all connection with those works. The forcible seizure on the 18th instant of the works and engineer property on east end of Dauphin Island (reported to the Department by Lieutenant Reese) has, in like manner, relieved me from all responsibility respecting Fort Gaines. The forcible occupation of Fort Morgan and my arrest at Pensacola have, I consider, relieved me from all connection with my other works, unless it be Fort Pickens, now garrisoned by the line of the Army. My duties are thus restricted to the settlement of outstanding liabilities against the works formerly in my charge. Should the Department, however, consider that I have, or may have hereafter, other duties to discharge with respect to these works, I would respectfully request that I be furnished with instructions to that effect.

……….I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FREDERICK E. PRIME,……..
First Lieutenant, Engineers.

Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. G. TOTTEN,
Chief of Engineers.

.

.

Capt. H. G. WRIGHT:

DEAR CAPTAIN: Dame Rumor says all the expeditions to capture Ship Island have been made without any authority from the governor, and have not as yet received his sanction.

F. E. P.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – January 29, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 29, 1861

January 29, 2011

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

—The United States revenue cutter Robert McClelland, Captain Breshwood (a Virginian), was surrendered at New Orleans to the State of Louisiana.—Times, Feb. 8.

—Secretary Dix’s dispatch to Hemphill Jones, to “shoot on the spot” any one who attempts to “haul down the American flag” caused great enthusiasm.—(Doc. 28.)

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