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re: 150 years ago this day...
Posted on 2/13/14 at 9:14 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Posted on 2/13/14 at 9:14 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Sunday, 14 February 1864
The lovely, and once lively, old town of Meridian, Mississippi, was well stocked with supplies, railroad connections and other assets at the beginning of this morning. By nightfall, its destruction was well under way. Union troops under General William T. Sherman’s command didn’t even have to fight their way into town--it was abandoned as General Leonidas Polk’s Confederate forces, heavily outnumbered, fell back. Sherman’s men had orders to reduce the town’s ability to support the Southern cause, and that they did. “...10,000 men worked hard...in that work of destruction,” Sherman wrote later. “Meridian, with its depots, store-houses, arsenals hospitals, offices, hotels and cantonments no longer exists.” It took five days. The Confederacy’s, and President Jefferson Davis', major fear was that Mobile, Alabama, would be next on the list.
Lieutenant Commander Charles A. Babcock reported on a reconnaissance mission conducted the preceding day by the USS Morse on the York River and Potopotank Creek, Virginia. A sloop, with a cargo of corn and a small schooner, christened the Margaret Ann, were seized and taken to Yorktown. Babcock also swept the river from Moody's Wharf to Purtan Island Point in Gloucester County, Virginia, to verify reports that Confederate torpedoes had been planted there. None were found in that area, but Babcock wrote: "I do not believe there are any torpedoes below Goff's Point, but across from Goff's Point to Terrapin Point and in the forks of the river at West Point I believe, from information received, that there are certainly torpedoes placed there."
Major James Harvey Larrimer, of the Fifth Pennsylvania reserve regiment, Acting Inspector General on General Crawford's staff, was shot dead in a skirmish with partisan guerrillas about two miles east of Brentsville, in Prince William County, Virginia. He was out with a scouting party of some fifty men of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, who, as they were crossing a bridge over Cedar Run, at the point above mentioned, were suddenly fired upon by a band of Confederates concealed in a pine thicket a short distance off the road. His men were driven back across the bridge, but there held their ground until reinforcements could be sent for from General Crawford's division. Colonel Jackson, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania reserves, was then sent out with a portion of his regiment, and on his approach the Rebels retreated. The men then re-crossed the bridge to the point where they had been driven back, and brought away the body of Major Larrimer, which had been left in the hands of the Confederates. The number of Federals lost in the skirmish, besides Larrimer, were three cavalrymen killed and one wounded, and two prisoners.
Gainesville, Florida, was captured by the United States troops under Captain George E. Marshall, of the Fortieth Massachusetts infantry, and held for fifty-six hours against several attacks of the Rebels estimated at double his own number. A large quantity of Confederate stores were distributed among the people of the town, after which Captain Marshall successfully evacuated the place.
It appeared that large numbers of men qualified for military duty were preparing to leave Iowa for the far West, with the purpose of evading the draft ordered by the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Governor William Milo Stone, of that state, issued a proclamation, announcing that "...no person would be permitted to depart in that direction without a proper pass, and that passes would be granted to those only who would make satisfactory proof that they were leaving the State for a temporary purpose, and of their intention to return on or before the day of drafting, March tenth."
Thomas H. Watts, Governor of Alabama, issued the following communication to the people of Mobile:
Your city is about to be attacked by the enemy. Mobile must be defended at every hazard and to the last extremity. To do this effectively, all who cannot fight must leave the city. The brave defenders of the city can fight with more energy and enthusiasm when they feel assured that the noble women and children are out of danger.
I appeal to the patriotic non-combatants to leave for the interior. The people of the interior towns, and the planters in the country, will receive and provide support for all who go. The patriots of this city will see the importance and necessity of heeding this call.
Those who love this city and the glorious cause in which we fight, will not hesitate to obey the calls which patriotism makes.
General Dabney H. Maury, in command at Mobile, on the thirteenth dispatched the following letter to Robert H. Slough, the Mayor of that city:
My dear Sir: I see but little disposition on the part of noncombatants to leave Mobile. Please use every means in your power to induce them to do so without delay.
The Governor of Alabama assures me that he will take measures to secure to the people an asylum in the upper region of country bordering the river above here. I cannot believe that the kind and hospitable people of Mobile, who have for years been opening their homes to the homeless refugees from other parts of the Confederacy, will fall to receive a really welcome and kind protection during the attack on their homes.
Patriotism demands that they leave the city for a while to those who can defend it. Prudence urges that they make no unnecessary delay in going.
I will assist you here with transportation. The Governor says he will make proper arrangements for their reception and entertainment above.
The lovely, and once lively, old town of Meridian, Mississippi, was well stocked with supplies, railroad connections and other assets at the beginning of this morning. By nightfall, its destruction was well under way. Union troops under General William T. Sherman’s command didn’t even have to fight their way into town--it was abandoned as General Leonidas Polk’s Confederate forces, heavily outnumbered, fell back. Sherman’s men had orders to reduce the town’s ability to support the Southern cause, and that they did. “...10,000 men worked hard...in that work of destruction,” Sherman wrote later. “Meridian, with its depots, store-houses, arsenals hospitals, offices, hotels and cantonments no longer exists.” It took five days. The Confederacy’s, and President Jefferson Davis', major fear was that Mobile, Alabama, would be next on the list.
Lieutenant Commander Charles A. Babcock reported on a reconnaissance mission conducted the preceding day by the USS Morse on the York River and Potopotank Creek, Virginia. A sloop, with a cargo of corn and a small schooner, christened the Margaret Ann, were seized and taken to Yorktown. Babcock also swept the river from Moody's Wharf to Purtan Island Point in Gloucester County, Virginia, to verify reports that Confederate torpedoes had been planted there. None were found in that area, but Babcock wrote: "I do not believe there are any torpedoes below Goff's Point, but across from Goff's Point to Terrapin Point and in the forks of the river at West Point I believe, from information received, that there are certainly torpedoes placed there."
Major James Harvey Larrimer, of the Fifth Pennsylvania reserve regiment, Acting Inspector General on General Crawford's staff, was shot dead in a skirmish with partisan guerrillas about two miles east of Brentsville, in Prince William County, Virginia. He was out with a scouting party of some fifty men of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, who, as they were crossing a bridge over Cedar Run, at the point above mentioned, were suddenly fired upon by a band of Confederates concealed in a pine thicket a short distance off the road. His men were driven back across the bridge, but there held their ground until reinforcements could be sent for from General Crawford's division. Colonel Jackson, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania reserves, was then sent out with a portion of his regiment, and on his approach the Rebels retreated. The men then re-crossed the bridge to the point where they had been driven back, and brought away the body of Major Larrimer, which had been left in the hands of the Confederates. The number of Federals lost in the skirmish, besides Larrimer, were three cavalrymen killed and one wounded, and two prisoners.
Gainesville, Florida, was captured by the United States troops under Captain George E. Marshall, of the Fortieth Massachusetts infantry, and held for fifty-six hours against several attacks of the Rebels estimated at double his own number. A large quantity of Confederate stores were distributed among the people of the town, after which Captain Marshall successfully evacuated the place.
It appeared that large numbers of men qualified for military duty were preparing to leave Iowa for the far West, with the purpose of evading the draft ordered by the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Governor William Milo Stone, of that state, issued a proclamation, announcing that "...no person would be permitted to depart in that direction without a proper pass, and that passes would be granted to those only who would make satisfactory proof that they were leaving the State for a temporary purpose, and of their intention to return on or before the day of drafting, March tenth."
Thomas H. Watts, Governor of Alabama, issued the following communication to the people of Mobile:
Your city is about to be attacked by the enemy. Mobile must be defended at every hazard and to the last extremity. To do this effectively, all who cannot fight must leave the city. The brave defenders of the city can fight with more energy and enthusiasm when they feel assured that the noble women and children are out of danger.
I appeal to the patriotic non-combatants to leave for the interior. The people of the interior towns, and the planters in the country, will receive and provide support for all who go. The patriots of this city will see the importance and necessity of heeding this call.
Those who love this city and the glorious cause in which we fight, will not hesitate to obey the calls which patriotism makes.
General Dabney H. Maury, in command at Mobile, on the thirteenth dispatched the following letter to Robert H. Slough, the Mayor of that city:
My dear Sir: I see but little disposition on the part of noncombatants to leave Mobile. Please use every means in your power to induce them to do so without delay.
The Governor of Alabama assures me that he will take measures to secure to the people an asylum in the upper region of country bordering the river above here. I cannot believe that the kind and hospitable people of Mobile, who have for years been opening their homes to the homeless refugees from other parts of the Confederacy, will fall to receive a really welcome and kind protection during the attack on their homes.
Patriotism demands that they leave the city for a while to those who can defend it. Prudence urges that they make no unnecessary delay in going.
I will assist you here with transportation. The Governor says he will make proper arrangements for their reception and entertainment above.
1
Posted on 2/14/14 at 9:10 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Monday, 15 February 1864
Major General William T. Sherman’s men had experienced a long march down from Vicksburg, Mississippi, nearly 140 miles all told, and in the winter with bad conditions, including snipers, to boot. Yesterday, they had arrived in Meridian, Mississippi, and discovered that General Leonidas Polk’s Confederates weren’t even going to make them fight for the place, but were withdrawing further south. They had been given a good night’s rest and as of this morning were feeling quite fine. This morning, they were given their orders: walk unimpeded into the town ahead and tear it into little nasty bits. They were to take shovels, rakes, and implements of destruction and tear up the railroads, the stations, the public buildings, the hotels, arsenals, depots, and anything whatsoever that looked like it might provide aid and comfort to the Confederacy or the soldiers thereof. The men voraciously obeyed their orders. Orders to leave private homes unmolested were largely, but not entirely obeyed.
Rear Admiral Charles H. Bell of the Pacific Squadron ordered Commander William E. Hopkins, commanding the USS Saginaw, to cruise in Mexican waters and warned: "It is believed that on that part of the coast of Mexico which you will visit during your present cruise there are many persons calling themselves citizens of the United States who are watching an opportunity to seize upon any vessel suitable to make depredations on our commerce. You must, therefore, be extremely careful, particularly when at anchor, that no boats approach without being ready to repel any attempt which may be made to take you by surprise. A sufficient watch on deck at night, with arms at hand, and the men drilled to rush on deck without waiting to dress, is absolutely indispensable in a low-deck vessel like the Saginaw."
The Confederate Congress tendered its thanks to Commander John Taylor Wood, his officers, and men "...for the daring and brilliantly executed plans which resulted in the capture of the United States transport schooner Elmore, on the Potomac River; of the ship Allegheny...and the United States transport schooners Golden Rod, Coquette, and Two Brothers, on the Chesapeake; and, more recently, in the capture from under the guns of the enemy's works of the United States gunboat Underwriter, on the Neuse River, near New Berne, North Carolina, with the officers and crews of the several vessels brought off as prisoners."
Flag Officer Samuel Barron reported from Paris to Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory: "From all the information I can get there seems to be scarcely a single Yankee vessel engaged in regular trade between any two places. But should our efforts to keep cruisers afloat abate or prove less successful doubtless their enterprise will again be brought into lively activity to relieve their present more than half-starved commerce."
The USS Virginia, Acting Lieutenant Charles H. Brown in charge, seized the blockade running British schooner Mary Douglas off of San Luis Pass, Texas, with a fully loaded cargo of bananas, coffee, and linen.
The USS Forest Rose, under Acting Lieutenant John V. Johnson, came to the relief of Union soldiers who were hard pressed by attacking Confederate troops at Waterproof, Louisiana. The 260-ton gunboat compelled the Southerners to retire under a heavy bombardment. The commander of the Northerners ashore wrote Johnston: "I hope you will not consider it [mere] flattering when I say I never before saw more accurate artillery firing than you did in these engagements, invariably putting your shells in the right place ordered. My officers and men now feel perfectly secure against a large force, so long as we have the assistance of Captain Johnston and his most excellent drilled crew..."
The following account of the affair was given by Lieutenant Commander Greer, of the steamer Rattler: “A force of about eight hundred cavalry, of Harrison's command, on the fourteenth made an attack upon the post, driving in the pickets and pressing the troops very hard. Fortunately for them the Forest Rose, was present. Captain Johnson immediately opened a rapid fire on them, which drove them back. He got his vessel under way and shelled the enemy wherever his guns would bear. They hastily retreated to the woods. This lasted from three to five P. M. At eight o'clock, the enemy attempted to make a dash into the town, but Captain Johnson, who was well advised as to their approaches, drove them back. Eight dead rebels and five prisoners were left in our hands. Our loss was five killed and two wounded. Captain Johnson says some of the Negroes fought well, but for want of proper discipline a majority did not. Lieutenant Commander Greer arrived with the Rattler, after the fighting was over. He then proceeded to Natchez, reported the facts to Commander Post, and asked him to send up reinforcements. The next morning he dispatched two hundred men and some howitzer ammunition to Waterproof. Upon arriving at that place on the fifteenth, he found that in the morning the enemy, who had been reinforced in the night, and whose forces now consisted of two regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery, had again attacked the post. The Forest Rose, whose commander was ever on the alert, was ready for them. A few well directed shells stopped them from planting their battery on the plank-road, and drove them off in confusion. The attempts of the remainder to advance were frustrated by the Forest Rose. Captain Johnson says that Captain Anderson asked repeatedly for me to take his troops on board and throw them across the river, while in every request he (Johnson) declined, and could only tell him to fight. After I got the enemy to retreat he felt more easy, and discontinued his requests to cross. I do not think Captain Anderson was intimidated, but, by the bad discipline of his officers and the incapacity of his men, he became panic-stricken. The ram Switzerland arrived about the close of the fight and joined them. The rebel loss, as far as known, was seven killed, a number wounded, who were taken off, and several prisoners, among them a lieutenant, who were taken to Harrison. Our loss was three killed and twelve wounded. In the two days fight the Forest Rose expended two hundred and seventy shell.”
Colonel William A. Phillips, directing the expedition to the Indian Territory, reported to Brigadier General John Milton Thayer--commanding at Fort Smith--that he had driven the enemy entirely out of that region, and in several skirmishes killed nearly a hundred Rebels, and had captured one captain and twenty-five men.
Judge Stewart, of the Provincial Court of Admiralty, Nova Scotia, gave judgment that the capture of the Chesapeake was an act of piracy, and ordered restitution of the vessel and cargo to the original owners.
Major General William T. Sherman’s men had experienced a long march down from Vicksburg, Mississippi, nearly 140 miles all told, and in the winter with bad conditions, including snipers, to boot. Yesterday, they had arrived in Meridian, Mississippi, and discovered that General Leonidas Polk’s Confederates weren’t even going to make them fight for the place, but were withdrawing further south. They had been given a good night’s rest and as of this morning were feeling quite fine. This morning, they were given their orders: walk unimpeded into the town ahead and tear it into little nasty bits. They were to take shovels, rakes, and implements of destruction and tear up the railroads, the stations, the public buildings, the hotels, arsenals, depots, and anything whatsoever that looked like it might provide aid and comfort to the Confederacy or the soldiers thereof. The men voraciously obeyed their orders. Orders to leave private homes unmolested were largely, but not entirely obeyed.
Rear Admiral Charles H. Bell of the Pacific Squadron ordered Commander William E. Hopkins, commanding the USS Saginaw, to cruise in Mexican waters and warned: "It is believed that on that part of the coast of Mexico which you will visit during your present cruise there are many persons calling themselves citizens of the United States who are watching an opportunity to seize upon any vessel suitable to make depredations on our commerce. You must, therefore, be extremely careful, particularly when at anchor, that no boats approach without being ready to repel any attempt which may be made to take you by surprise. A sufficient watch on deck at night, with arms at hand, and the men drilled to rush on deck without waiting to dress, is absolutely indispensable in a low-deck vessel like the Saginaw."
The Confederate Congress tendered its thanks to Commander John Taylor Wood, his officers, and men "...for the daring and brilliantly executed plans which resulted in the capture of the United States transport schooner Elmore, on the Potomac River; of the ship Allegheny...and the United States transport schooners Golden Rod, Coquette, and Two Brothers, on the Chesapeake; and, more recently, in the capture from under the guns of the enemy's works of the United States gunboat Underwriter, on the Neuse River, near New Berne, North Carolina, with the officers and crews of the several vessels brought off as prisoners."
Flag Officer Samuel Barron reported from Paris to Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory: "From all the information I can get there seems to be scarcely a single Yankee vessel engaged in regular trade between any two places. But should our efforts to keep cruisers afloat abate or prove less successful doubtless their enterprise will again be brought into lively activity to relieve their present more than half-starved commerce."
The USS Virginia, Acting Lieutenant Charles H. Brown in charge, seized the blockade running British schooner Mary Douglas off of San Luis Pass, Texas, with a fully loaded cargo of bananas, coffee, and linen.
The USS Forest Rose, under Acting Lieutenant John V. Johnson, came to the relief of Union soldiers who were hard pressed by attacking Confederate troops at Waterproof, Louisiana. The 260-ton gunboat compelled the Southerners to retire under a heavy bombardment. The commander of the Northerners ashore wrote Johnston: "I hope you will not consider it [mere] flattering when I say I never before saw more accurate artillery firing than you did in these engagements, invariably putting your shells in the right place ordered. My officers and men now feel perfectly secure against a large force, so long as we have the assistance of Captain Johnston and his most excellent drilled crew..."
The following account of the affair was given by Lieutenant Commander Greer, of the steamer Rattler: “A force of about eight hundred cavalry, of Harrison's command, on the fourteenth made an attack upon the post, driving in the pickets and pressing the troops very hard. Fortunately for them the Forest Rose, was present. Captain Johnson immediately opened a rapid fire on them, which drove them back. He got his vessel under way and shelled the enemy wherever his guns would bear. They hastily retreated to the woods. This lasted from three to five P. M. At eight o'clock, the enemy attempted to make a dash into the town, but Captain Johnson, who was well advised as to their approaches, drove them back. Eight dead rebels and five prisoners were left in our hands. Our loss was five killed and two wounded. Captain Johnson says some of the Negroes fought well, but for want of proper discipline a majority did not. Lieutenant Commander Greer arrived with the Rattler, after the fighting was over. He then proceeded to Natchez, reported the facts to Commander Post, and asked him to send up reinforcements. The next morning he dispatched two hundred men and some howitzer ammunition to Waterproof. Upon arriving at that place on the fifteenth, he found that in the morning the enemy, who had been reinforced in the night, and whose forces now consisted of two regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery, had again attacked the post. The Forest Rose, whose commander was ever on the alert, was ready for them. A few well directed shells stopped them from planting their battery on the plank-road, and drove them off in confusion. The attempts of the remainder to advance were frustrated by the Forest Rose. Captain Johnson says that Captain Anderson asked repeatedly for me to take his troops on board and throw them across the river, while in every request he (Johnson) declined, and could only tell him to fight. After I got the enemy to retreat he felt more easy, and discontinued his requests to cross. I do not think Captain Anderson was intimidated, but, by the bad discipline of his officers and the incapacity of his men, he became panic-stricken. The ram Switzerland arrived about the close of the fight and joined them. The rebel loss, as far as known, was seven killed, a number wounded, who were taken off, and several prisoners, among them a lieutenant, who were taken to Harrison. Our loss was three killed and twelve wounded. In the two days fight the Forest Rose expended two hundred and seventy shell.”
Colonel William A. Phillips, directing the expedition to the Indian Territory, reported to Brigadier General John Milton Thayer--commanding at Fort Smith--that he had driven the enemy entirely out of that region, and in several skirmishes killed nearly a hundred Rebels, and had captured one captain and twenty-five men.
Judge Stewart, of the Provincial Court of Admiralty, Nova Scotia, gave judgment that the capture of the Chesapeake was an act of piracy, and ordered restitution of the vessel and cargo to the original owners.
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