May

31

A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary, May 1862

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by John Beauchamp Jones

MAY 31ST.—Everybody is upon the tip-toe of expectation. It has been announced (in the streets!) that a battle would take place this day, and hundreds of men, women, and children repaired to the hills to listen, and possibly to see, the firing. The great storm day before yesterday, it is supposed, has so swollen the Chickahominy as to prevent McClellan’s left wing from retreating, and reinforcements from being sent to its relief. The time is well chosen by Gen. Johnston for the attack, but it was bad policy to let it be known where and when it would be made; for, no doubt, McClellan was advised of our plans an hour or so after they were promulged in the streets. Whose fault is this? Johnston could hardly be responsible for it, because he is very reticent, and appreciates the importance of keeping his purposes concealed from the enemy. Surely none of his subordinates divulged the secret, for none but generals of division knew it. It must have been found out and proclaimed by some one in the tobacco interest. It is true, Mr. Randolph told Mr. Jacques a great battle would begin at 8 A.M., to-day; but he would not propagate such news as that!
But the battle did not occur at the time specified. Gen. Huger’s division was not at the allotted place of attack at the time fixed upon. His excuse is that there was a stream to cross, and understanding Gen. Longstreet was his senior in command (which is not the fact, however), he permitted his division to have precedence. All the divisions were on the ground in time but Huger’s, but still no battle. Thousands of impatient spectators are venting their criticisms and anathemas, like an audience at a theater when some accident or disarrangement behind the scenes prevents the curtain from rising.
At last, toward noon, a few guns are heard; but it was not till 4 P.M. that Huger’s division came upon the field. Nevertheless, the battle began in earnest before that hour ; and we could hear distinctly not only the cannon but the musketry.
The hearts of our soldiers have been inspired with heroic resolution, and their arms nerved with invincible power to overcome the difficulties known to be in the way. Every one is aware that the camp of the enemy, on this side of the Chickahominy, is almost impregnably intrenched; and in front of the works trees have been cut down and the limbs sharpened, so as to interpose every obstacle to our advance.
Ever and anon after rapid firing of cannon, and a tremendous rattle of musketry, a pause would ensue; and we knew what this meant! A battery had been taken at the point of the bayonet, and we cheered accordingly. One after another, we could in this manner perceive the strongholds of the enemy fall into our hands.
Toward sundown it was apparent that the intrenched camp had been taken; and as the deep booming of cannon became more distant, and the rattle of musketry less distinct, we felt certain that the foe was flying, and that our men were pursuing them. But we knew that our men would take everything they were ordered to take. They care not for wounds and death. This is their only country. But the enemy have a country to run to, and they hope to live, even if defeated here. If they kill all our young men, the old men and women, and even our children, will seize their arms and continue the conflict.
At night. The ambulances are coming in with our wounded. They report that all the enemy’s strong defenses were stormed, just as we could perceive from the sounds. They say that our brave men suffered much in advancing against the intrenchments, exposed to the fire of cannon and small arms, without being able to see the foe under their shelter ; but when they leaped over the breastworks and turned the enemy’s guns on them, our loss was more than compensated. Our men were shot in front; the enemy in the back—and terrible was the slaughter. We got their tents, all standing, and a sumptuous repast that had just been served up when the battle began. Gen. Casey’s headquarters were taken, and his plate and smoking viands were found on his table. His papers fell into our hands. We got a large amount of stores and refreshments, so much needed by our poor braves! There were boxes of lemons, oranges, brandies and wines, and all the luxuries of distant lands which enter the unrestricted ports of the United States. These things were narrated by the pale and bleeding soldiers, who smiled in triumph at their achievement. Not one in the long procession of ambulances uttered a complaint. Did they really suffer pain from their wounds? This question was asked by thousands, and the reply was, “not much.” Women and children and slaves are wending to the hospitals, with baskets of refreshments, lint, and bandages. Every house is offered for a hospital, and every matron and gentle (laughter, a tender nurse.
But how fares it with the invader? Unable to recross the swollen Chickahominy, the Yankees were driven into an almost impenetrable swamp, where they must pass the night in water up to their knees. The wounded borne off by them will have no ministrations from their sisters and mothers, and their dead are abandoned on the field. If Huger had come up at the time appointed, the enemy would have been ruined.

May

31

Evacuation of Corinth — The Movements and Designs of the Rebels.

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May 31, 1862, The New York Herald

The news of the evacuation by the rebel army under Beauregard of their stronghold of Corinth created in this city yesterday quite a breeze of excitement, and every variety of speculation and conjecture as to the present designs and plans of Jeff. Davis and the movements of his armies.

The prevailing idea was that if Beauregard had abandoned Corinth it was because he had transferred a large proportion of his army to Richmond. There is, too, some plausibility in this theory, if we may judge from recent events and revelations in Virginia. While General McClellan’s powerful army is close upon Richmond, and is steadily and solidly approaching nearer from day to day, we find that the rebel leaders in that quarter have contrived not only to maintain all the appearances in front of a superior opposing force and of an impending desperate struggle for the “Confederate” capital, but that they have also contrived to reinforce very heavily the columns of Jackson, Ewell, Johnson and other rebel guerrillas among the mountains of Western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Thus they have not only prevented the junction of General Fremont with General Banks, but have managed, with overwhelming numbers, to drive the latter, by forced marches, day and night, completely out of the Shenandoah valley and across the Potomac river into Maryland — involving the loss to us of several depots of valuable military stores, a considerable proportion of prisoners of war, the protection of large numbers of sick and wounded soldiers, and all the moral advantages which had been gained among the local population of a conquered region of ten thousand square miles.

Such events as these are well calculated to strengthen the impression that Beauregard, from his camp at Corinth, has of late been so reinforcing the rebel army at Richmond as to enable it to provide for these successful Virginia forays in the rear of Washington, and at the same time to exhibit from day to day a bolder front against General McClellan. We incline, however, to the theory that Beauregard has his eye upon Memphis, and is only maneuvering to secure the back door of escape for his army and to Jeff. Davis & Co. across the Mississippi river. Once over that stream, he can find subsistence in Arkansas to carry him into Texas, and in Texas to carry him safely into Mexico. But he has no time to lose. Commodore Farragut’s gunboats from New Orleans are steadily moving up the Mississippi. A few days more and the gap between them and Memphis will be closed — an operation which, if he does not move at once, will enclose Beauregard, and cut off his escape in that direction and his present sources of subsistence.

In his camp at Corinth his principal supplies — collected in the surrounding counties of Tennessee and in Arkansas — are drawn from Memphis, because the cotton region of country south of Corinth to the Gulf was, even a year ago, short of provisions for its local population, although receiving constantly large amounts, now cut off, from Tennessee and Kentucky. Of course, then, with the country south of him exhausted, and with the region to the westward, which only scantily supplies him now, in danger of being cut off, Beauregard must move forward and fight or evacuate, or he will be starved out. Hence our impression that he retains the bulk of his army, in order to work his way to the right bank of the Mississippi before it is too late; and the probability is that he has commenced that undertaking.

There is nothing to eat for his army of 150,000 men to the eastward, or we might assume that he has been and is moving it to form a junction with the rebel army of Richmond. We dare say that the chief object of these late rebel raids in the Shenandoah valley and in the mountains of Virginia farther west was the capture of our depots of provisions at various points; for the rebel army at Richmond is upon short rations, if we may judge from the famine prices of provisions of all descriptions there, as published in the Richmond newspapers.

But whatever the designs of the rebels may be, East or West, we see from their recent operations, from Winchester back among the Virginia mountains almost to Kentucky, that they exceed us in numbers at every point of collision. It follows that if, with half a million of soldiers in the field, we cannot spare enough from other quarters to overwhelm at every point the rebels in Virginia, the President has acted very wisely in calling for more troops from our loyal and patriotic people to supply all these deficiencies in Virginia, from General Banks to General Fremont. We hope, therefore, that the President will encourage the splendid volunteering now going on until at least two hundred thousand additional troops are in the field; for then we can so strengthen our surrounding cordon of armies in every quarter as to enable them to move all together upon the beleaguered enemy, and, in a single dash, to crush out this rebellion and utterly destroy its means for any further resistance, even of guerilla warfare.

We are prepared, meantime, for such news from General Halleck, and General McClellan at any moment as will substantially end this war; but the complete work will only be the more speedily and cheaply accomplished with an additional army force of two or three hundred thousand men. They can be raised in thirty days. Our late expensive reverses are due to the malign influences, intrigues and schemes of the abolition faction of Congress against General McClellan. We have had enough of this. Now let us go forward and put down at once this rebellion, and thus put an end to these abolition schemes for the demoralization of our army and the overthrow of the Union and the government.

May

31

News from General Banks’ Army.

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May 31, 1862, The New York Herald

WILLIAMSPORT, May 28, 1862.

It is no longer contraband to state that from the hour of recall from the pursuit of Jackson beyond Harrisonburg, and the […..] up of all General Banks’ army except two small infantry brigades, fourteen guns and two regiments of comparatively inexperienced cavalry, every officer was firmly imbued with the belief that should Jackson and Ewell combine to assail us we were completely at their mercy. It must be supposed that all the force above mentioned could be concentrated to repulse the enemy in case of an attack. At least one half of the infantry force was required for special service, such as guarding trains of wagons, bridges, railroads, &c., while the cavalry were required to be continually on the scout to guard against surprise.

When your correspondent temporarily left camp at Strasburg on the Sunday previous to the bloody affair at Front Royal, it was known that hordes of guerillas were swarming the mountains and lakes of the north and south forks of the Shenandoah on our rear and flanks; but no indications could be obtained of any contemplated attack. Still the very weakness of our army would, is known to the rebel commanders, be sufficient to induce an onslaught with even equal numbers.

At the hotel in Front Royal, on the night of the 18th your correspondent saw an accomplished prostitute who has figured largely in the rebel cause, and having seen her but a short time previous at Martinsburg, her presence at Front Royal at a time when the rebels were surrounding it, suspicions were aroused that she meant mischief. She was pointed out to the military commanders there and her arrest ordered. It is now known that she was the bearer of an extensive correspondence between the rebels inside and outside of our lines. I have the following statement from an officer who participated in the battle at Front Royal: — After you left Front Royal, Bell Boyd made a trip to Winchester, in company with a cavalry officer. While there she was arrested by the military authorities, but, with her usual adroitness and assumed innocence, she got clear of any charge of treachery, and returned to Front Royal again. An hour previous to the attack on Colonel Kenly, Belle went out on a rise of ground south of the town, and was seen to wave her handkerchief towards the point from which the centre of the attack was made.

Your correspondent cannot vouch for the strict accuracy of all the foregoing, but undeniably proof exists here of her treason. Belle now reposes on her laurels in the rebel camp.

The first intelligence of the attack on Front Royal was brought to Winchester by one of the Ira Harris Guard, and was telegraphed to General Banks at Strasburg by Captain Flagg, Assistant Quartermaster United States Army. But fifteen minutes elapsed after the rebels were discovered before Colonel Kenly’s command was completely surrounded. The details of the murderous affair having been published are omitted in this letter.

The large quantity of medicines and surgical instruments and hospital stores at Winchester were destroyed by Medical Purveyor Baxter while the enemy were in town. Dr. Baxter passed through a storm of balls and shells, and was several times fired on from the Taylor House, where he had boarded for weeks.

Collis’ Zouaves d’Afrique, a battalion of Ira Harris Guard, under Colonel De Forrest: Captain Hampton, of the Pittsburg battery, a few of his men, and a small body of infantry, were cut off by the main body of the enemy between Middletown and Winchester.

The whole force consisted of less than one thousand men. The Zouaves and cavalry had been detailed to destroy the bridges after our retreat. Captain Hampton, after securing his guns, went to the rear to bring off his battery wagon and forge. Finding their retreat cut off, they retraced the road to Strasburg. Several times Hampton checked pursuit by the enemy’s cavalry by mounting a stove pipe on his carriage and placing it in position till the infantry has passed ahead. The ruse was not discovered by the enemy. Reaching Strasburg, this force collected thirty-five abandoned wagons loaded with commissary stores. Thence they took the mountain road north, and by a circuitous route, and came in sight of Winchester only to find themselves in the enemy’s rear. Taking the road to Bath, followed by a battalion of rebel cavalry, they finally reached the Potomac near Hancock and reached here last night with but small loss. On one occasion the Zouaves (only about seventy in number) kept at bay for a quarter of an hour a brigade of the enemy, and perhaps saved the whole force. The Zouaves are General Banks’ body guard, and appear to have been well selected for such an important duty. The following is their loss: — Killed, Jaques Laurier, William McClane, James M. Britton. Wounded, Charles Fedelaw. Missing, none. At Hancock the Zouaves found secreted and brought off six cases of rifles.

Less than fifty wagons, out of about 500, including many considered worthless by General Shields when he left this column, have been lost, and the enemy have derived but little benefit from what was abandoned on the road. A large amount of old camp equipage turned over to the Quartermaster was burnt. One of the principal acquisitions by the enemy was between 600 and 1,000 European rifles, left there by General Shields when he joined Gen. Banks’ command. The safety of so large a portion of our transportation and stores is undoubtedly attributable to the experience of Capt. Holabird, Chief Quartermaster, and Capt. Beckwith, Chef Commissary.

Brigadier General S. W. Crawford, late surgeon under Anderson at Fort Sumter, and afterwards Inspector General under Gen. Rosecrans, in Western Virginia, has been appointed to the First brigade of Gen. Williams’ division, recently commanded by Col. Donnelly.

Messengers just report (three P.M.) heavy firing between Harper’s Ferry and Charleston. Our picket on the Virginia side of the Potomac have been driven by a superior force of the enemy.

May

31

Important from North Carolina. — The Release of Fourteen Hundred Union Prisoners.

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May 31, 1862, The New York Herald

Our Special Army Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, N.C., May 25, 1862.

The correspondence that I sent you, that occurred between Major General Burnside and the Generals commanding the rebel forces in this State, has explained quite fully to you why the large number of Union prisoners that have been detained in this State have been finally released. The great exertions of General Burnside have been, as usual, blessed with an entire and most flattering success; and the joy that it occasioned must be felt in all parts of the country that have proved loyal and true to the constitution and the Union. It is, of course, useless for me to dilate upon the happiness that will be experienced by thousands, from the fact that some fourteen or fifteen hundred men will be once more restored in safety to their firesides and the bosoms of their families and friends. Apart from those ties that are always sacred, how many more will rejoice that so many brave and noble fellows will be freed from a long and cruel confinement among those who should have been the first to welcome them with outstretched hands and hospitable hearts, as brothers. The many and well authenticated accounts that we have received of the horrors of warehouses, “mills” and “sheds,” will materially increase the depth of this feeling, and render the welcome that those true patriots will be certain to get on their return to their homes, more impressive and lasting. Men who nobly rushed forward at the hour of need to rescue their country from the curse of a vast rebellion, and who, after fighting as only such men can fight, were incarcerated in Southern dungeons and subjected to the most horrible treatment for a year, should, upon their happy deliverance, receive an ovation at the hands of the people that would testify the way their services have been appreciated, and which would be to them of more value than all the passive admiration that could be bestowed upon them. It would stimulate them to still further exertions, and prove to the world at large how earnest are the people for the restoration of this country to its former position, as second to none on the face of the earth.

New York need no pressing on such a matter, as she, with her natural impulsiveness, is always ready and willing to spring forward and render the proper homage to those who deserve it. Everywhere, then, let these noble fellows be received with shouts that will be a slight recompense for the sufferings they have endured, and make them feel that, in all cases, absence does not conquer love.

At the time the news of the expected delivery of the prisoners to the federal authorities was made known, your correspondent was staying at Newbern, waiting for an advance; but a desire to be among the first to welcome back to their homes this band of patriots, as well as a wish to impart to the readers of the HERALD an idea of them as they first returned to us, prompted me to step on board the steamer Cossack, Captain Bennett, that had been ordered to proceed to Washington, N. C., and there to receive on board as many of the men as she could safely carry and convey them to New York. We left Newbern on the 23d of May (and, by a singular coincidence it was Friday), and after a short and very pleasant passage, owing to the kindness of the captain and his officers, we reached the blockade just five miles below Washington. As the Cossack was much too large a steamer to get through the obstructions, she anchored below them, and we went the balance of the way in small boats rowed by contrabands. We expected to find the first instalment of prisoners there when we entered the town, but we were much surprised to learn that we were the first bearers of these glad tidings. Colonel Potter, commanding the forces here, was not aware of the fact, and, I need not say, was much pleased to know that such a thing was about to take place. We consequently settled ourselves down to patiently await the coming of the gallant fellows but Saturday and Sunday passed over, and still no signs of their appearance. There was some little discussion as to how they were to come, and why this route was to be taken, instead of Beaufort, which would be much better. The intention, as understood, was to take them down to Tarboro, and down on flats to Washington, as the depth of water in the Tar river is not great enough to permit a steamer to ascend any distance. The Beaufort route would only create a great deal of unnecessary trouble, as many of the railroad bridges between Goldsboro and Newbern have been destroyed by the rebels. The only trouble anticipated is, that in crossing the swash the Cossack, with her large living freight, may be unable to get over, and cause much trouble in the transfer of the men to another vessel. However, I will not anticipate trouble unnecessarily, but will hope that no evil will attend their passage home.

May

31

General Roswell S. Ripley.

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May 31, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

In pursuance of orders, General RIPLEY, on Thursday morning, left the scene of his labors every since the secession of South Carolina, to join the grand army of Virginia at Richmond. He was accompanied by Captain LEO. D. WALKER, Chief of Staff, and Captain FRANK RAVENEL, Aid, with Captains ROLLINS LOWNDES, WILLIAM KIRKLAND and JULIAN MITCHELL, Volunteer Aids. We wish them a speedy transit, and the opportunity of achievements in the field.

We have already mentioned, as the cause of General RIPLEY’S transfer, a difference of opinion between the Commanding General of the Division and himself, touching the relative danger of land and water attack this spring and summer, and the relative importance of field and harbor works; but especially concerning the abandonment of Coles’ Island and Battery Island, in the Stone River, and Cat Island, near Georgetown, contrary to his judgment. Differing materially in his views, he conceived it justice to all parties not to occupy a position so responsible, without the ability to carry out his own ideas. Hence his request repeated, and the late transfer. In stating these facts, we express no opinion. The future will tell its own tale.

We take the occasion of his departure to notice the services General RIPLEY has rendered South Carolina and the city of Charleston. On a former occasion we stated his usefulness, as Lieutenant Colonel of the Battalion of South Carolina Artillery, in putting Fort Moultrie in fighting trim, after its abandonment by ANDERSON, and in organizing and disciplining his command to its very high condition of efficiency, as evinced by the fight of April 12th and 13th. We also alluded to his indefatigable labors in getting the wreck of Fort Sumter into its present state of strength for the defence of the harbor.

Late in the summer, on the 27th of August, in accordance with the almost unanimous wish of the people of Charleston, Gen. RIPLEY was made a Brigadier General, and assumed command of the defences of the State. Many of the works along the coast had been located by Gen. Beauregard, and had been going on under the supervision of Major Trapier, who himself located some of them. The works were unfinished. The guns intended for them were scattered along the coast without proper carriages, and without ammunition. Many of them were afterwards got from Richmond by the exertions of Gen. GONZALES. The troops — few in number, badly armed and not well disciplined — were distributed about the State — on the islands and in the interior — and were suffering from camp diseases.

The fortifications on Hilton Head and Bay Point were built, according to written specifications of Gen. BEAUREGARD, by Captains LEE and GREGORIE, of the Engineer Corps, supervised by Major TRAPIER — the General’s first impression being changed. These works were visited on the 10th of September, for the first time, by Gen. RIPLEY. They were approaching completion. At Bay Point he ordered cross traverses and a covered way on the exterior of Fort Beauregard to be added, and at Narrows, an entrenchment across the Island. In the rear of Fort Walker, on Hilton Head, he directed an entrenched camp to be constructed, if there should be time, after the completion of the work, with bomb proofs for the protection of the infantry which was to support it. Gen. RIPLEY had only time left to make the best of what had been done, and to carry out the plans of others as well as he could. His own idea was, in preference, to have abandoned Bay Point, put double the work and all the guns on Hilton Head, to have closed Beaufort River at Fort Littleton by obstructions and a strong battery. Also, to have permitted ingress and egress into Broad River under the fire of the Hilton Head batteries, as at Pensacola Bay — protected by a strong entrenched camp, rendered bomb proof — with Scull Creek closed up, and the ferry to the main secured. But the expedition from the North was notoriously afoot, and there was no time to make these changes.

About the end of September, Gen. DRAYTON was commissioned and ordered to take charge of that portion of the State. He assumed command about the middle of October. The attack of the grand fleet of the United States occurred on the 7th of November. The two forts litely finished were manned by raw troops, working the insufficient and hastily mounted armament — the last gun mounted only the day before the fight. They had but 20,000 pounds of powder and were without previous artillery practice. After a terrific bombardment, bravely sustained, they yielded. The expedition was more formidable than any one had expected, and the guns of Fort Walker, owing to the inexperience of the gunners and the want of powder and practice, were not as well served as it had been hoped they might be. However great the disappointment, subsequent events have proved that the result of that fight was not so discreditable as was at first thought. General RIPLEY, leaving General TRAPIER at Charleston, got to Hilton Head late in the engagement, only in time to say to General Drayton that he was ready to support him with reinforcements in resisting any attempt to land or storm the work if he was disposed to hold the island. With this understanding he went to Bluffton to collect and bring up troops, having written to Commodore Tatnall requesting him to obstruct Scull Creek by sinking one of his fleet across it, and having send despatches for all available troops. While there, before night, intelligence reached him that the plan of holding the island had been abandoned, the work was evacuated, and that our forces were in full retreat for the ferry and the main, where they arrive that night. By the exertions of Capt. THOMAS M. HANCKEL, of Gen. RIPLEY’S staff, in collecting flat boats, the whole command on Bay Point Island was enabled to make a safe retreat. Gen. LEE, of Virginia, arrived at Hardeeville that evening, as Major General who commanded South Carolina and Georgia. At 10 o’clock, p.m., he held an interview with General RIPLEY, and assumed command.

It is due to General BEAUREGARD’S reputation to say that the requirements of his specifications, viz: fifteen guns, including six shell guns of heavy caliber, bearing on the channel from each side of the entrance to Port Royal, were never furnished. The armament of each fort was inferior to his requisition.

The Charleston and Savannah Railroad was adopted as the line of defence by Gen. LEE. In preparation for its security, Gen. RIPLEY labored assiduously for two or three weeks at Pocotaligo and Coosawatchie, under the direction of the General. He was then ordered to assume again the command of Charleston. In the mean time, under the expectation of enterprise on the part of the enemy, and early attacks towards Charleston, the works at North and South Edisto had been dismantled and the guns removed, to the great regret of Gen. RIPLEY, who deemed it unnecessary and injurious.

Gen. RIPLEY had, all last summer, made experiments to obstruct the harbor, so as to hold vessels, attempting an entrance, under the powerful batteries of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. The enemy had, however, partially blocked the harbor by the celebrated stone fleet, showing that no immediate intention was entertained of attacking Charleston by water. It was clear that any attack would be made by land; and to meet this danger Gen. RIPLEY devoted himself to the land defences within his district. To this end he erected the entrenchments of James Island, building them for the distance of several miles with redoubts and lunettes. He located and constructed the entrenchments in Christ Church, extending several miles; and also those across the Neck, near the city. He built the batteries on the south side of Wappoo River, and strengthened and added to the batteries on Coles’ Island and Battery Island, located by Gen. BEAUREGARD. He commenced the Fort on Middle Ground Shoal in the harbor, and equipped and mounted Castle Pinckney. General LEE approved of his plans and labors. Thus matters went on, until the naval combat between the Virginia and the Monitor developed the grave fact that iron-clad vessels could be constructed to resist the heaviest batteries, and that forts were inadequate to protect our harbors. Seacoast cities could be captured, in a comparatively cheap and easy method, by the water approach. General RIPLEY now judged the danger to be from this quarter, and was desirous, over two months since, to commence the herculean task of substantially obstructing the harbor of Charleston. He was also desirous of erecting a strong work for a number of guns at Vinegar Hill, on Morris Island, with a supporting battery under the guns of Fort Sumter. These works were wanted for the security of Fort Sumter from batteries. But the land defences were still not completed, and Major General PEMBERTON succeeding Gen. LEE, still deemed that there was danger from a land attack. He caused all the force at the disposal of General RIPLEY to be employed in strengthening James Island. Latterly, however, since the fall of New Orleans, steps have been taken for harbor obstruction. The fall of Fort Pulaski, under the fire of land batteries mounted with Parrott guns, indicated the necessity of protecting Fort Sumter from a similar attack from Morris Island; and steps have now been taken to prevent their erection.

It is not probable the enemy will attack Charleston until their preparations of iron clad gunboats are complete, and until, too, they shall be able to spare a formidable land force for the enterprise. This may not be until after they win one of the great pending battles. With success and activity on the part of our grand armies, the attack on this city may be indefinitely postponed. Our danger is from delay and inactivity. In this view, the best defence of Charleston will be made at Richmond and at Corinth. Decisive victories there will incapacitate the enemy from attempting its reduction under circumstances favorable to their success and without danger of failure.

We have thus briefly mentioned General RIPLEY’S chief services in South Carolina. He has throughout labored devotedly and intelligently for our security. Night and day his office has been open, and his zeal and energy have never flagged. With great fertility of resource and courage in undertaking, his military knowledge is high and his judgment excellent. Although brusque in manners and unpopular with some, he has inspired the utmost confidence and respect in all those associated with him in military matters. Whatever ignorance and prejudice may conceive — in our opinion, Gen. RIPLEY is an officer of great skill and energy. Whatever the loss to Charleston, it will be gain to the army of Virginia.

May

31

News from Gen. McClellan’s Army.

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May 31, 1862, The New York Herald

Our Special Army Correspondence.
CAMP ON THE CHICKAHOMINY.
NEAR RICHMOND, May 26, 1862.
Yesterday we again pulled up stakes and departed for the vicinity of the rebel capital. The country as we progress becomes more open and diversified, and houses, which, since we left the immediate vicinity of Yorktown, were few and far between, now spring up from points on every side, and give to the country an air of civilization which is refreshing to behold. Some of these residences still retain their look of cheerfulness, and not a few of them are inhabited by the families of the owners, minus the males, with the exception of those who are of such an advanced age as to be unable to enter the army of Jefferson Davis. In one of these houses, distant about seven miles from Richmond, and now some miles within our lines, was found the family of the rebel General Robert Lee, consisting of Mrs. Lee, her daughter-in-law, the wife of Colonel Lee, of the Kent Cavalry, and two nieces. From what I can learn concerning them, it appears that they were sent here from Richmond by General Lee, about six days before our forces advanced and took possession, and have been living here under guard of Union soldiers since the arrival of our advanced guard. When the grand army came up, one of our generals sent a party of soldiers to search the house occupied by Mrs. Lee and family, with a view to secure some valuable papers which were supposed to be secreted in the house. The soldiers made the search, and after having become satisfied that there was nothing contraband, except the ladies, on the premises, were about to depart, when Mrs. Lee handed a note to the officer in charge, which was directed to the commanding officer of the division, with the request that it should be handed to him in person. The note was delivered per instructions, and is as follows:
TO THE GENERAL IN COMMAND: —
SIR — I have patiently and humbly submitted to a search of my house by men under your command, who are satisfied that there is nothing here, that they want, all the plate and other valuables having long since been removed to Richmond, and are now beyond the reach of any Northern marauders who may wish for their possession.
WIFE OF ROBERT LEE, General C. S. A.
What this note was intended for is plainly to be seen, and how it took the General can be better imagined than written; but what occasions most surprise is the fact that of their having been sent to this place by Gen. Lee, who could not but know that our troops would take possession of the place in a few days, perhaps hours. Is it safer for the families of rebel generals to be within the lines of the despised Union army? Or have the tables been turned, and the army of Jeff. Davis taken up that which was ascribed to the army of Abraham Lincoln, viz: the burning of property, ravishing of innocent females and laying desolate the happy firesides of peaceful citizens whose only wish has been to be alone? We live with the expectation of seeing Mrs. Davis and family within the present week, and of welcoming her to the care of Union soldiers.
We are now lying within close shooting distance of the rebels, and occasionally one of our pickets is made to bite the dust by the hand of some lurking rebels. The work goes on spiritedly, and the weather could not be more propitious.

May

31

The Fight at Pocotaligo.

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May 31, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

The details, thus far received, of the affair at Pocotaligo, are scant. As mentioned in this paper of yesterday, the enemy’s forces did not advance beyond Old Pocotaligo — two miles from the line of the railroad. Checked at that point, they began their retreat by our troops. The fighting was kept up until about noon yesterday. Of the relative losses on both sides we have no authentic statement; but passengers, who arrived by the Savannah Railroad yesterday afternoon, stated that quite a number of the Yankee marauders had been killed, wounded and made prisoners, while our loss was comparatively small.

A private despatch from Capt. W.L. TRENHOLM, of the Rutledge Mounted Riflemen, dated last evening, says that the fight was then over. Dr. P. C. GODDARD, a private in the Mounted Riflemen, was killed. Private G. C. HUGHES was wounded, and is a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. Private C. J. LAWTON was seriously, and private ROBERT STEWART slightly, wounded.

Dr. GODDARD was a practicing physician in Monroe, Walton county, Ga. He was born, we believe, in the Parish of St. John’s Berkley, and when the war broke out, hastened to enter the ranks of the defenders of his native State. He had just been appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Eutaw Regiment, but, at the time of his death, he had not yet been apprised of the fact. He leaves a widow, the daughter of the late JAMES WHITE, of this city.

We give below an account of the fight, taken from the Savannah News of Friday:

The enemy landed from their gunboats yesterday morning, one thousand to fifteen hundred strong, and suddenly advanced towards the line of the Savannah and Charleston Railroad. They had advanced as far as Old Pocotaligo, about a mile and a half from the road, when they were met by the Rutledge Mounted Riflemen, numbering ninety men, when a sharp skirmish ensued. The Riflemen, being the only troops, held the Yankees at bay for some time, fighting them at short range across the old road. Just before reinforcements arrived the enemy made a precipitate retreat in the direction of their gunboats, pursued by Col. Walker, with a body of cavalry, who came upon the ground just as the enemy retired.

The Rutledge Mounted Riflemen, who, our informant says, had all the first of the fight on our side to themselves, lost one man killed and three wounded, with one or two taken prisoners by the Yankees, who are reported to have had three men killed. Col. Walker, of the cavalry, had his horse shot under him.

The appearance of the enemy at that point was sudden and unexpected, and their retreat so precipitate that our troops did not have an opportunity to punish their temerity. The movement was no doubt a feint to draw our forces from Charleston, for if they seriously intended to make an attempt to get possession of the road, their effort was a very feeble one. The conduct of the Rutledge Rifle corps is spoken of in high terms of praise.

May

31

Affairs at Corinth.

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May 31, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

CORINTH, May 23d.

Two days ago I was congratulating myself that I had returned to Corinth just in time to witness the battle of the West. I found the army in a state of great excitement owing to the very general belief that its fate was to be decided within forty-eight hours. But these forty-eight hours have passed, and we are still where we were a week ago. It is useless to make any further predictions. My expectation of this fight seemed to be based upon facts, and its disappointment does not encourage me to look again into the future.

It is now raining heavily, so of course all operations must be suspended for the present. Halleck is fortifying himself at a very short distance from our lines. It is my opinion that he will not, if he can avoid it, be forced to fight until he feels himself perfectly prepared. He is mounting siege guns upon the neighboring hills, and when he is ready, he will probably proceed to batter this position with shell and ball for eight or ten days, killing very few, perhaps, and doing no great harm, but exhausting our men by the ceaseless watchfulness which they will be compelled to assume. That object attained, he will then, I suppose, advance to the general assault.

A prisoner brought in yesterday reports that the enemy have lain for the last two nights on their arms, looking for an attack from us. He adds, that Siegel has lately come up with large reinforcements, and that others are behind.

I regret to say that desertions from our army are very frequent. Fifty-eight men left a Tennessee regiment in one day. One wretch of this description — a deserter from Hindman’s brigade — was captured and shot yesterday morning.

The utter falsehood of the rumor, which I mentioned in my last, from Columbus, as to Halleck having withdrawn across the Tennessee River, will show you what little dependence is to be placed on reports originating at a distance from the scene of operations. Here also canards, almost as outrageous, are forever floating on the surface of conversation. These, of course, I shall not trouble you with repeating.

KAPPA.

May

31

The Yankees in Savannah River.

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May 31, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

The Savannah News of Friday says: ‘The Yankee gunboats, mentioned by us as being in the river below Fort Jackson on Wednesday, were still in view yesterday, but had taken positions further down, near Tennessee Creek. It is thought by some that the boats were engaged in removing their batteries on Oakly Island, and large volumes of white smoke rising in that direction, yesterday afternoon, induced the belief that they were burning their cabins at their abandoned batteries. Others are of opinion that the steamers brought men and guns for the erection of batteries on Elba Island, with a view to shell our batteries.’