re: 150 years ago this day...

Wednesday, 13 January 1864

Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, operating out of Dalton, Georgia, was becoming increasingly surrounded, and felt his force was in danger at its present location. His options, however, were severely constrained when he got a telegram from President Jefferson Davis, informing him that any fallback or withdrawal would have devastating political as well as military consequences. “I trust you will not deem it necessary to adopt such a measure...” Davis wrote. He was not the only president communicating with men in the field today. Abraham Lincoln sent a telegram to General Nathaniel Banks in New Orleans, prodding him to move more quickly to reestablish civil government in Louisiana. Former Confederates, of course, were ineligible to serve.

Captain Thornton A. Jenkins, senior officer present off Mobile, wrote Commodore Henry H. Bell, temporary commander of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron: "I must be permitted to say that, in my judgment, our present weakness at this point, and the incalculable benefits to accrue in the event of success, are a most tempting invitation to the enemy to attack us and endeavor to raise the blockade by capturing or destroying our vessels and to open the way to other successes.

Rear Admiral David G. Farragut, who had arrived in Key West, Florida, on 12 January, was soon to resume command of the West Gulf Squadron.

Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren urged Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to employ torpedo boats in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, similar to the Confederate CSS David, who made the successful attack on the USS New Ironsides, then participating in the blockade of Charleston. "Nothing better could be devised for the security of our own vessels or for the examination of the enemy's position..." he wrote. "The length of these torpedo boats might be about 40 feet, and 5 to 6 feet in diameter, with a high-pressure engine that will drive them 5 knots. It is not necessary to expend much finish on them."

A boat crew from the USS Two Sisters--a tender to the United States flag-ship San Jacinto--under Acting Master Thomas Chatfield, captured the British schooner William, from Nassau, off Suwannee River, Florida, with a cargo of salt, bagging, and rope.

The Confederate Congress, having passed a joint resolution of thanks to General Robert E. Lee, and his officers, Adjutant General Cooper issued an order announcing the fact, with the following preface:

The President, having approved the following joint resolution of Congress, directs its announcement in general orders, expressive of his gratification at the tribute awarded the patriot officers and soldiers to whom it is addressed.

For the military laggard, or him, who, in the pursuits of selfish and inglorious ease, forgets his country's need, no note of approbation is sounded. His infamy is his only security from oblivion. But the heroic devotion of those, who, in defense of liberty and honor, have periled all, while it confers in an approved conscience the best and highest reward, will also be cherished in perpetual remembrance by a grateful nation. Let this assurance stimulate the armies of the Confederacy everywhere to greater exertion and more resolute endurance, till, under the guidance of Heaven, the blessings of peace and freedom shall finally crown their efforts. Let all press forward in the road to independence, and for the security of the rights sealed to us in the blood of the first revolution. Honor and glory attend our success. Slavery and shame will attend our defeat.

General Benjamin "Spoons" Butler addressed a characteristic letter to the Perfectionists of the city of Norfolk, Virginia.

The following report was made by Colonel James A. Mulligan, from his headquarters at New Creek, Virginia: “A soldier of ours, James A. Walker, company H, Second Maryland regiment, captured in the attack upon the train at the Moorfield and Alleghany Junction, on the third instant, by the enemy under General Fitz-Hugh Lee, escaped when near Brocks's Gap, on the fifth instant, and reported to me this morning. He informs me that thirteen of the enemy were killed and twenty wounded, in the skirmish. He also states that there was present under the command of General Fitz-Hugh Lee, three companies of negro troops, cavalry, armed with carbines. They were not engaged in the attack, but stationed with the reserve. The guards, he reports, openly admitted to the prisoners that they were accompanied by negro soldiers, stating, however, that the North had shown the example.”