Posted inBiographical US Civil War

April 30, 1862 – Death of Major General Smith

Photo of General Smith in uniform, showing him staring in to the camera. He has an impressive mustache.

The Union has lost one of its ablest defenders, and Pennsylvania a noble, upright citizen, ever zealous for the public good. General Charles Ferguson Smith died at Savannah, Tennessee, on Friday last, from an illness contracted at the time of his occupation of that town. The deceased officer was a son of Dr. Samuel B. Smith, of Philadelphia. From the date of his graduation at West Point, in 1825, his advancement, not only in rank, but in the esteem and confidence of his fellow officers, was merited and rapid. Commencing his military career as a second lieutenant of artillery, his distinguished merit on the fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Cherubusco, and Contreras, raised him in quick succession to the rank of Major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. At the time of his death he was colonel of the Third Infantry—one of the best regiments in the service. Such worth as his could not lie dormant in the present struggle.—In August last he was made a brigadier general. At the taking of Fort Donelson his valor was conspicuous, alike to friend and foe, and won for him the rank of major general.

Posted inUS Civil War

April 29, 1862 – Capt. Farragut’s Letter to the Mayor

The following is the letter sent to the Mayor by Capt. Farragut yesterday:

U. S. Flagship Hartford
At Anchor off the city of New Orleans, April 28, 1862

To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the city of New Orleans:

Your communication of the 26th inst. has been received, together with that of the City Council:

I deeply regret to see, both by their contents, and the continued display of the flag of Louisiana on the Courthouse, a determination on the part of the city authorities not to haul it down. Moreover when my officers and men were sent on shore to communicate with the authorities, and to hoist the United States flag on the Customhouse, with the strictest order not to use their arms unless assaulted, they were insulted in the grossest manner, and the flag which hd been hoisted by my orders on the Mint, was pulled down and dragged through the streets.

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:—

Posted inUS Civil War

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.

Posted inUS Civil War

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.