Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

April 26, 1862 – Latest from Fortress Monroe

Fortress Monroe, April 22.—A small row-boat arrived here this morning, from Norfolk, containing three men, a woman, and two children, refugees.

They report that the Merrimac is still at the Gosport navy yard. Workmen were engaged in placing iron shields over her port-holes. It was supposed that the improvements would soon be completed, and the Merrimac be out again in two or three days. She was aground on the last day she came out, as was generally supposed here.

Posted inUS Civil War

April 22, 1862 – The Late Fight Near Yorktown

We have not had, by telegraph a clear and satisfactory account of the fight near Yorktown, in which the Vermont regiments were engaged. Neither do the letters from the army tell all we want to know about its purpose and proceedings. The following from a letter dated near Lee’s Mills, gives the clearest account of it we have seen:—

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April 21, 1862 – Battlefield Trophies

We have received several trophies from the battle-field of Shiloh, which are alike Interesting and significant. Mr. Wm. R. Elliott, of the Crescent Blues, Crescent Regiment, who fought bravely through the battles of the 6th and 7th, and who was wounded in the leg near the close of the last day’s fight, has presented us a Yankee private’s coat, which he captured and appropriated. The coat is composed of good blue cloth, well made, and is certainly an excellent article of wearing apparel. Were it not for the brass fixings on the shoulder straps and “old Abe’s” buttons, it would be as genteel a coat as one would wish to wear in cold, or moderately cold weather. The garment shows in what style the soldiers of our enemy is are fitted out.

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April 20, 1862 – Excitement in Washington

Quite an excitement was occasioned, about dark this afternoon, by the sudden movement of All the troops of all arms stationed in the immediate vicinity of the city towards the several bridges across the Potomac. The streets and hotels were immediately filled with a variety of wild and absurd rumors. The infantry columns filled the streets and avenues, the artillery and cavalry shook the earth with their heavy tramp, activity was everywhere, and although wondering at the sudden summons, all pressed eagerly on to action. Upon reaching the river side, the commander of each regiment was interrogated by an officer of the staff of General Wadsworth, commanding the division, as to the condition of his regiment, and was informed that he had been called out by order of the Secretary of War, to ascertain with what promptness the troops here could be put in motion, prepared for action. The precision and promptness of the response to this call were particularly gratifying. It manifested the readiness of the whole division upon any emergency.

Posted inUS Civil War

April 18, 1862 – What the Yankees are Doing With the Port Royal Contrabands

The steamer Atlantic left New York a few days since with a large cargo of army stores, and about sixty passengers, who accompanied Mr. E. L. Pearce, the government agent in charge of the plantations and contrabands at Port Royal. Three-fourths of the number are to be superintendents of the abandoned estates, and will direct the labors of the negroes who are to be employed in such agricultural pursuits as cotton culture and raising vegetables for their own support, and for the use of the army at that point.