Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 14, 1862 – Destruction of the Merrimac

Com. Tatnall reports as follows to the Rebel Secretary of War :

“We observed from the Merrimac that the flag was not flying on Sewell’s Point Battery, and that it appeared to have been abandoned. I dispatched Lieut. J. P. Jones, the Flag Lieutenant, to Craney Island, where the Confederate flag was still flying, and he there learned that a large force of the enemy had landed on Bay shore, and were marching rapidly on Norfolk ; that Sewell’s Point Battery was abandoned, and our troops were retreating. I then despatched the same officer to Norfolk, to confer with Gen. Huger and Captain Lee. He found the Navy Yard in flames, and all the other officers had left by railroad—that the enemy was within a half a mile of the city, and that the Mayor was treating for its surrender.

On returning to the ship he found that Craney Island and all the other batteries on the river had been abandoned.

It was now seven o’clock in the evening, and this unexpected confirmation rendered prompt measures necessary for the safety of the Virginia.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 10, 1862 – General McClellan’s Address to his Victorious Army

The following address was read to the army on Tuesday evening at dress parade, and was received with an outburst of vociferous cheering from every regiment.

HEADQUARTERS, Army of The Potomac,
June 2, 1862

Soldiers or the Army or the Potomac I have fulfilled at least a part of my promise to you. You are now face to face with the rebels, who are held at bay in front of the capital. The final and decisive battle is at hand. Unless you belie your past history the result cannot be for a moment doubtful. If the troops who labored so faithfully and fought so gallantly at Yorktown, and who so bravely won the hard fights at Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover Court House and Fair Oaks, now prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. The events of every day prove your superiority. Wherever you have met the enemy you have beaten him. Wherever you have used the bayonet he has given way in panic and disorder. I ask of you now one last crowning effort. The enemy has staked his all on the issue of the coming battle. Let us meet him and crush him here in the very centre of the rebellion.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 8, 1862 – Intercepted Rebel Letters

A Philadelphia Lady Made Prisoner

Extract from Letter, dated Richmond (Room No. 212 Exchange Hotel,) April 13.

I have just arrived from Culpepper Court House. I had orders to take a lady to this place, who is a prisoners. She was caught while trying to cross our lines and go to Philadelphia, where her husband is. I assure you, Fanny, that it was a very unpleasant duty, although she was very intelligent, and by no means handsome.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 6, 1862 – Consistency

Kenosha, Wis., June 2, 1862

Editors Chicago Tribune:

Thousands and tens of thousands of men are anxious to aid our army in making intrenchrments, and otherwise; and yet, while every division of the army is suffering, and rendered comparatively inefficient for the want of such help, we will not accept of it. These men will work for their subsistence; and yet we pay others three times as much for the same service.

They are acclimated to the hot climate of the South, and we get unacclimated men, and have steamer load after steamer load of sick crowding all of the hospitals of the country. They are rugged and used to severe toil, and we get clerks and men unaccustomed to exposures like those of camp life.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 4, 1862 – An Incident of the Battle of the Forts

Captain Boggs, of the Varuna, tells a story of a brave boy who was on board his vessel during the bombardment of the forts on the Mississippi river. The lad, who answers to the name of Oscar, is but thirteen years of age, but he has an old head on his shoulders, and is alert and energetic. During the hottest of the fire he was busily engaged in passing ammunition to the gunners, and narrowly escaped death when one of the terrific broadsides of the Varuna‘s rebel antagonist was poured in. Covered with dirt and begrimed with powder, he was met by Capt. Boggs, who asked “where he was going in such a hurry?” “To get a passing-box, sir; the other was smashed by a ball!” And so, throughout the fight, the brave lad held his place and did his duty.