Posted inUS Civil War

May 27, 1861 – From Norfolk

Special Correspondent to The Dispatch — Norfolk, VA, May 25, 1861

About two thousand troops embarked yesterday from Fortress Monroe, and proceeded South in small steamers and gun boats. At the same time all of the vessels that had been captured and held as prizes at that place sailed and went to sea. There are only four vessels left at Old Point and in Hampton Roads, viz : the Cumberland, the Minnesota (frigate,) and two small steamers  

Posted inUS Civil War

May 26, 1861 – Movements of the Federal and Rebel Forces

The steamer Norfolk has arrived.  

Gen. Butler left Fortress Monroe yesterday, with 4,000 troops in propellers, and landed them near Lindhaven.  

An officer just from Washington says the War Department received to-day accounts of the erection of several new and formidable batteries near Norfolk, and there were 15,000 troops between Norfolk and Sewell’s Point.

Posted inUS Civil War

May 25, 1861 – Effects of the Blockade

The Niagara, which gave notice of the blockade of Charleston, has not been all the while at that port. In her absence, several vessels have come in, landed with merchandize, etc. The “old government” will have to do better than this, or raise the blockade. We are satisfied that Great Britain and other commercial countries will not permit a “paper blockade” of our ports.

Posted inUS Civil War

May 24, 1861 – The War Begun in Earnest

Death of Col. Ellsworth after hauling down the rebel flag, at the taking of Alexandria, Va., May 24th 1861

Death of Col. Ellsworth after hauling down the rebel flag, at the taking of Alexandria, Va., May 24th 1861

A Midnight March

Movement Upon Alexandria and the Virginia Heights  

Brutal Assassination of Col. Ellsworth In Alexandria.

A Swift and Terrible Retribution

Last night was a stirring one indeed. Through the day and evening the reports of contemplated military movements kept the populace on the qui vive to which excitement fresh fuel was added on its being whispered that various Regiments had been ordered to prepare for immediate service; the words dropped also by Gen. Thomas at the Seventh Regiment camp that the storm was about to burst, indicated that a decisive move was to be taken. The general idea among the troops was that an advance was to be made into Virginia, but nobody seemed to be posted as to the exact purposes entertained at headquarters.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

First Prize for a New Orleans Privateer

Steamer Calhoun

Says the N. O. Delta:

The swift low pressure steamer Calhoun, Jack Wilson, fitted out here as a privateer, sailed from this port last evening, and outside the bar captured a prize. A bark, the “Ocean Eagle,” Capt. Luce, from Rockland, Maine. Cargo 3144 bbs. lime.

The Calhoun is admirably equipped for her peculiar service, having 100 of the bravest experienced men on board, and carrying large guns and an ample supply of small arms.

Posted inUS Civil War

May 23, 1861 – Letter from Camp Anderson

Soldiers in camp (Matthew Brady)

Correspondence of the Belmont Chronicle.  

CAMP ANDERSON.  

LANCASTER, Ohio, May 20, 1861.  

Dear Chronicle: I presume your readers are all aware that Capt. Tallman’s company of Belmont boys are in the 17th Regiment, at Camp Anderson, Lancaster, Ohio; and, according to promise, I will try to give you some account of their situation, &c.  

We are in a most beautiful camp — occupying the fair grounds of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society — a beautiful, level piece of ground, about one mile North of the city of Lancaster, well supplied with good water and covered with a nice green sod.