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

Post image for “The news from the South is bad as it can well be.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“The news from the South is bad as it can well be.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

January 6, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SUNDAY 6

It has been said that “there are no Sundays in revolutionary times” and this has been a dark and anxious day. The Members of Congress have been together in small companies trying to agree upon some plan that will satisfy all sides. The news from the South is bad as it can well be. It looks as tho the North must prepare for a fight. If nothing but a fight will satisfy the South they can have one probably if it comes to Govt or no Govt.

______

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 – January 6, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 6, 1861

January 6, 2011

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

—A meeting of citizens, irrespective of party, was held at Chicago, Ill., this evening. The resolutions adopted express love for the Union; regard every attempt to rend it as the basest treason and most insane folly; regard the Constitution of the United States as forming a union between the people of the several States, and intended to be perpetual; and every attempt by a State to secede or annul the laws of the United States, is not only usurping the powers of the general Government, but aggression upon the equal rights of the other States; that peaceable secession, if possible, must necessarily be a matter of agreement between the States, and until such agreement is made, the existing Government has no choice but to enforce the law and protect the property of the nation; that in view of what is now transpiring in the Southern States, of threats to prevent the inauguration of a President, constitutionally elected, it is incumbent upon the loyal people of the several States to be prepared to render all their aid, military and otherwise, to the enforcement of the Federal laws; that Major Anderson deserves the thanks of the country for the course pursued by him.—Evening Post, Jan. 8.

—A company of marines was put into Fort Washington, on the Potomac, 14 miles south of Washington city.

—Forty tons of shot, shell, and powder, were forwarded from New York city by Adams’ express for New Orleans; reported to be destined for Mexico, but believed to be for Louisiana.

—Several volunteer companies of Washington were on parade, and upon dismissal were directed to carry their guns to their homes with forty rounds of ball-cartridges each.

—The Alabama and Mississippi delegations in Washington held a conference, and telegraphed to the Conventions of their respective States, to advise immediate secession, as they consider that there is no prospect of a satisfactory adjustment. A caucus of Southern senators at Washington advocated separate and immediate secession.—Times, Jan. 7.

Post image for “My position will… enable me to hold this fort against any force which can be brought against me…,” Operations in Charleston Harbor

“My position will… enable me to hold this fort against any force which can be brought against me…,” Operations in Charleston Harbor

January 6, 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., January 6, 1861.

Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: Through the courtesy of Governor Pickens I am enabled to make this communication, which will be taken to Washington by my brother, Larz Anderson, esq. I have the honor to report my command in excellent health and in fine spirits. We are daily adding to the strength of our position by closing up embrasures which we shall not use, mounting guns, &c. The South Carolinians are also very active in erecting batteries and preparing for a conflict, which I pray God may not occur. Batteries have been constructed bearing upon and, I presume, commanding the entrance to the harbor. They are also to-day busily at work on a battery at Fort Johnson, intended to fire against me. My position will, should there be no treachery among the workmen, whom we are compelled to retain for the present, enable me to hold this fort against any force which can be brought against me, and it would enable me, in the event of a war, to annoy the South Carolinians by preventing them from throwing supplies into their new posts except by the out-of-the-way passage through Stono River. At present, it would be dangerous and difficult for a vessel from without to enter the harbor, in consequence of the batteries which are already erected and being erected. I shall not ask for any increase of my command, because I do not know what the ulterior views of the Government are. We are now, or soon will be, cut off from all communication, unless by means of a powerful fleet, which shall have the ability to carry the batteries at the mouth of this harbor.

Trusting in God that nothing will occur to army a greater number of States than have already taken ground against the General Government,

I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Operations in Florida

January 6, 2011

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

U.S. ARSENAL, CHATTAHOOCHEE, FLA.,
January 6, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor herewith to inclose a copy of the order given to Colonel Dunn, the commander of the troops which took possession of this arsenal. I telegraphed this morning to you.

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

E. POWELL,
Ordnance Sergeant, U. 8. Army.

Capt. W. MAYNADIER, Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

.

[Inclosure.]

.

STATE OF FLORIDA, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Tallahassee, January 5, 1861.

SIR: Reposing special confidence in your patriotism, discretion, and integrity, I hereby authorize and empower you to raise a company of picked men and proceed to the Apalachicola River and seize and possess the arsenal, arms, ammunition, stores, buildings, and other property now in the possession of the General Government, and retain the same subject to my orders. You are requested to act with secrecy and discretion. You are further authorized to call out the Seventh Regiment Florida Militia for all aid in its power to render that you may deem necessary to retain occupation of said arsenal.

M. S. PERRY.

By the governor State Florida:
T. S. VILLEPIGUE, Secretary of State.

Post image for “He said he was going to show me what a convention was like.”—Sarah Bradford

“He said he was going to show me what a convention was like.”—Sarah Bradford

January 6, 2011

The American Civil War,Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

January 6th, 1861.—This morning we went to Mount Zion to hear Mr. Blake preach. It is a treat to listen to his sermons, he uses such beautiful language and he explains the passages of Scripture he reads, so clearly that it really stays in our minds and we remember. All ministers do not do this. Today he spoke so earnestly of the representatives of the people of Florida, now in convention assembled in Tallahassee. He spoke of the heavy responsibility resting on them; of the high compliment paid them by the people of Florida, in trusting them with an issue of such paramount importance. He said we, none of us knew which way was best; we must trust in God and do good. We must remember that our strength cometh from on high and the way to gain that strength is to pray to the Lord, for He has said “knock and it shall be opened unto you. Ask and ye shall receive.” Of course I cannot tell it as he spoke it, but it made every one feel solemn and as if some share of the responsibility rested on each one of us.

Mr. Blake took dinner with us and Eddie came with him. He is just the shyest little boy. When the company were all gone Father told me to ask Lulu to get me ready to go with him to town next morning. He said he was going to show me what a convention was like. I was so happy at the thought of going and my heart fell when Mother said: “Surely, Dr. Bradford, you are not going to take the child away from school?” (Mother does not like us to miss any time) but Father said, “Yes, I am going to take her with me in the morning, this is history in the making, she will learn more than she can get out of books and what she hears in this way she will never forget.” I am so glad. I am so excited I cannot hold my pencil steady but I must write this down.

Operations in Florida

January 6, 2011

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

CHATTAHOOCHEE, January 6, 1861.

The arsenal has been taken possession of by the State this morning, 7 o’clock. My forces too weak to defend it. I have refused keys of magazine and armory. Answer, with instructions.

E. POWELL,
U. S. Arsenal.

Captain MAYNADIER,
Chief Ordnance Department.

Post image for “This City is threatened and the Citizens do fear that a Mob will have possession of it…”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“This City is threatened and the Citizens do fear that a Mob will have possession of it…”—Horatio Nelson Taft

January 5, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SATURDAY 5

People were startled today to hear that the U.S. Forts and Arsenals at Savannah & Mobile had been taken possession of by the Revolutionists. Where this is all to end God only knows. It looks dark for our Country at present. But there is still a strong feeling that the Government will be upheld. This City is threatened and the Citizens do fear that a Mob will have possession of it unless measures are taken to defend it; incendiary fires occur every night and we feel very unsafe.

______

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 At the Court of St. James.—George Mifflin Dallas, United States Minister to England.

At the Court of St. James.—George Mifflin Dallas, United States Minister to England.

January 5, 2011

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

1861. January 5.—….Mr. Motley, the historian, called and spent an hour in chat. I expressed my great delight with his recently issued work, the “Dutch Republic.” Told him I had noted two new spellings, Escorial and Burghley; the first he said was unquestionably correct, the second he took from the Lord Treasurer’s uniform mode of signing his name, though it was spelled very variously. In the course of conversation he avowed the opinion that Walsingham, not Burghley, was the great Minister of Queen Elizabeth, and he thought that Elizabeth had taken to herself merit and glory which really belonged to the British people generally. We turned over the distressing condition of American politics. He is for saving the Union at almost any sacrifice; but I thought I could perceive that he entertained the theory that, maintaining the name, the flag, and the Constitution, we should be happier and equally great without the cotton States. He is inveterately hostile to slavery. Now that his two volumes are making him famous, he proposes to be presented with his wife and daughter at Court. Of course I shall be proud to gratify his wish in that respect. I think he remembers that the literary fame of Washington Irving made him chargé at this Court and subsequently Minister at Madrid. Lincoln can give me no more acceptable successor. The foundations for such an appointment are more broad, more durable, and in every way more satisfactory than those of mere political partisanship.

Post image for Susan Bradford.—”Cousin Rob does not care about the convention..,”

Susan Bradford.—”Cousin Rob does not care about the convention..,”

January 5, 2011

Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

January 5th, 1861.—This is Saturday and Mother lets Lulu make candy on Saturday and if she, my black mammy, will let us, we help with it. She says we “do not help but hinder;” maybe she is right. Cousin Rob is spending the day here and Lulu has promised to teach us how to make the candy baskets, which we love to have her make for us. Cousin Rob does not care about the convention, he is going to school in town but comes home Friday after school and goes back Monday morning. He is calling me now to play Graces, so will say goodbye for this time, little diary.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – January 5, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 5, 1861

January 5, 2011

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

—A large meeting was held at Norfolk, Va., this evening. Strong speeches were made, urging the citizens to arm themselves and place themselves in a state of defence for any emergency, which were loudly cheered.

Resolutions recommending the Legislature to organize thoroughly the military power of the State, and prepare for civil war should it occur; scorning coercion; and preparing to resist invasion, were unanimously adopted.—National Intelligencer, Jan. 7.

—Apprehensions of an attack on Washington are subsiding, in consequence of the measures already taken. General Carrington, of that city, has issued a call for a military organization for its defence.—(Doc. 15.)

—In the State Convention of Florida, assembled at Tallahassee, resolutions were offered declaring the right of Florida to secede, and the duty of the State to prepare for secession, made special order for the 7th.

Resolution was unanimously adopted in the Missouri Senate, instructing the Committee on Federal Relations to report a bill calling a State Convention.— Times.

—Steamship Star of the West, Captain McGowan, cleared at New York for Havana and New Orleans. Two hundred and fifty artillerists and marines, with stores and ammunition, were put on board in the lower bay by steam-tug, and in the night the ship went to sea, supposed to be destined for Charleston.

—The South Carolina Convention adjourned this morning, subject to the call of the president—Evening Post, Jan. 5.

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