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by Horatio Nelson Taft

Saturday Feb 28th 1863

There does not seem to be anything in particular to note down. We hear of some skirmishing with the rebels at various points but nothing of much consequence. At Vicksburgh, where perhaps the largest forces are opposed to each other, I think the plan is not to attack the Batteries but to invest the place and cut off their supplies and starve them out. No attack on Charleston or Savannah yet. There appears to be some trouble with the Commanders as to precedence or rank. Genls Hunter and Foster are the officers. This question of rank together with the jealousy existing betwen West Point officers and Volunteers has led to an infinite deal of trouble during this war. Some Genls have been so unpatriotic as to wish to see some other Genl defeated rather than assist him to be successful. For this and for acting in this way, Fitz John Porter was cashiered and dismissed the service. He was a Maj Genl. There are now about twenty Indians here from the western borders of Minnesota holding a talk with the Prest and the Indian Commissioner. I think there is but little sympathy for them anywhere since the Massacre up there last summer. Mrs Swisshelm stated that not less than fifteen hundred men, women, and children fell victims. She lives in St Cloud Min. It is said that the Indians were instigated by the Southern rebels to rise on the whites.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Charleston or Savannah, or both, are now awaiting, breathless, the onslaught of the greatest war fleet ever seen in our hemisphere. The crisis is upon them. Many a beating heart longs and burns to be with the envied defenders of those cities, under command of the heroic and devoted Beauregard, this day. Many a Confederate soldier would make a present of ten years of dull existence in exchange for […..] crowded hour of glorious life’ under our flag upon those forts and batteries, and under the eye of such a chief.

Charleston has envied Richmond; Savannah has been kept from her sleep by the fame of Vicksburg. Their garrisons, lying idly in their quarters, have pined that they were not sharers in the passage of arms at Fredericksburg, when the Georgian Lawton stood the battle brunt with his brigade, and Maxey Gregg poured out the last drop of his noble blood for the independence of South Carolina! At last those slighted cities have their turn; those injured soldiers receive attention. Do not their hearts leap up at the summons to the battle? Will they not make the names of Charleston and Savannah names of terror to the craven Yankee heart from this day to the ending of the world?

We know not accurately what number of iron clad ships the enemy have got in their armada; but they will have no use for anything short of iron clads in face of our forts. Charleston and Savannah have both had time for preparation. They have both long known that they were coveted objects of the foe. Charleston, above all, that first, in that hour of Fate, struck down the felon flag of the Yankees, and rang, through the throat of cannon, the death knell of a foul and rotten Union — Charleston is the choicest morsel to glut the dearest vengeance of the Puritan heart. May God fight for the gallant city! A smashing defeat of the armada in those waters now, would almost — we think — make the affectionate soul of the gentle Northwest turn a little more to thoughts of peace. Every ship of the […..] sunk, will give rise to a constitutional scruple in the Democratic conscience. The disgrace of their striped rag will make them feel that our friendship must be cultivated, and that their own war debt is a thing to be repudiated. Diplomatize for us, then, ye bullets of Sumter! Soothe our great Northwest for us, ye batteries of Beauregard!

RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

In the last few days we have glanced at the objects which the United States have in this war, and at the different measures they will attempt to carry out, in arranging terms of peace with the Confederate States. We have sought briefly to point out the dangers to which the Confederate States will be subjected in closing this war. With vigilance and energy of preparation on the part of our Government, so as to prevent any serious disaster during the coming Spring, the signs at the North and in Europe are strongly indicative of the cessation of hostilities.

When the Confederate States shall be recognized, and the illegal blockade of our coast shall be removed, we shall rise from our attitude of difficulty and unfair depression in full power and with great resources, having earned unwilling respect for our courage and character, and having impressed the world with the practical importance of our products to its comfort and prosperity. The United States will be let down under the moral effect of the recognition of our independence. Those immense advantages they have hitherto had, through the unmolested command of our communications by our want of a navy and the one-sided neutrality and tacit acquiescence of foreign nations in a paper blockade, will be ended. The markets and workshops of the world will then be accessible to us. And it is not likely that our opportunities will be thrown away. The difficulties about keeping up the numbers of the United States‘ troops are already almost desperate. The disbandment of three hundred thousand in May, the small prospect of recruiting them, and the demoralization and dissatisfaction throughout all their forces and in the Northwestern States, portend disaster and failure, and a termination of the struggle, if we but do our part. When, from internal and external causes, the North begins to collapse, then the Confederate States will be plied with terms for closing the war, and the fearful and weak kneed and short sighted amongst our public men may jump to obtain the boon of present peace on terms fraught with commercial dependence, growing inferiority and certain trouble.

In the history of the two sections of the old Union, the South credulously put her interests in the hands of her public servants with small accountability for their conduct. The North, on the contrary, had a sectional policy, and brought her Read more

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

RICHMOND, February 27. — A Proclamation of the President will be published in the papers tomorrow, appointing the 27th of March as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, and inviting the people of the Confederate States to repair on that day to their usual places of public worship and join in prayer to Almighty God that he will continue his merciful protection over our cause, scatter our enemies, and set at nought their evil designs, and that he will graciously restore to our beloved country the blessings of peace and security.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

RICHMOND, February 27. — A despatch, dated Frankfort, Ky., gives some particulars of the disposition of the Democratic Convention at that place by the military. The Kentucky House of Representatives, by a decided vote, having refused to the Convention the use of their hall, the Convention rented the Theatre. Delegates from forty counties were present, and DAVID MERRIWETHER was elected Chairman. On taking the Chair, he expressed the hope that the Convention would do nothing which the Government and loyal citizens would not approve. In the meantime, a regiment of soldiers, with fixed bayonets, formed in front of the theatre, and when the call of counties was made, Colonel GILBERT, the commanding officer of the troops outside, took the stand and informed the Convention that none but men of undoubted loyalty to the Government would be allowed to run for any office. He advised the delegates to disperse to their several homes, and in future to desist from all such attempts to precipitate civil war upon the State. The assemblage then adjourned. There was some excitement in the city, but no disorder.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We publish, by request, the following article from the Richmond Dispatch, in regard to the loss of New Orleans. For our own part, we have never been able to gather the data necessary to form a satisfactory opinion as to who is responsible for that grievous disaster. It is high time, we think, that the matter should be thoroughly sifted, and the people informed whether the fall of the Crescent City is due to the shortcomings of the army, or of the navy, or of the government.

HOW NEW ORLEANS WAS TAKEN — A YANKEE OPINION OF THE SUPINENESS OF OUR NAVAL OFFICERS.

The capture of the Harriet Lane has brought to light a correspondence showing that New Orleans might easily have been held by the Confederates, and that the dash of the Federal vessels was a last and desperate move on the part of the bombarding forces, the success of which surprised even its projectors themselves. The Houston Telegraph of the 16th ult. contains a letter written by Commander Wainwright, of the steamer Harriet Lane, to Commander D. D. Porter, relating to the Confederate defence of New Orleans, and how that city was taken by the Federals. It will be seen from the extract we give below that Commander Wainwright regards their success as owing mainly to the […..] of our naval officers:

U. S. STEAMSHIP HARRIET LANE,
SHIP ISLAND, June 1, 1862.

SIR: In reply to your communication of the 29th ult., I have to state that on the afternoon of April 22d, a signal was made from the flagship Hartford for all commanding officers to repair on board. Though not positive that the signal was intended to apply to the officers attached to the mortar flotilla, I determined to present myself in obedience thereto, which I accordingly did. I found assembled all the commanding officers of the fleet, with the exception of those attached to the mortar flotilla, myself being the only representative of that branch of the squadron. Upon repairing to the cabin of Read more

February 28, 1863, The New York Herald

The particulars of the rebel cavalry raid across the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford, which we announced yesterday, have been received, and it appears that it was a force of Stuart’s famous corps, commanded by himself, which made the attempt, in which they were completely defeated and driven back over the river, barely in time to save themselves, as the waters began to rise at that moment. However, about fifty of General Stuart’s men, including two officers, were taken prisoners. It is presumed that it was the determination of General Stuart to make his way to Potomac creek and destroy the railroad bridge over which the supplies of our army are now conveyed. The enemy, after crossing at Kelly’s Ford, succeeded, by a strong attack, in breaking our thin line of cavalry outposts at one or two points, capturing a small number of our men. Our cavalry outposts reserves were brought up, the lines immediately re-established and a force sent in pursuit. At last accounts they had not returned.

Rumors were rife in Washington yesterday that General Hunter was about to be relieved from the command of the Department of the South, and General Burnside’s name was spoken of in connection with the succession. It was also said that certain parties were preparing charges against General McClellan with a view to a court martial. These reports were extensively talked of in the streets and places of public resort.

The news from Kentucky confirms the intelligence which we published yesterday that the rebel retreating force near Mount Sterling were severely handled by our troops. Two hundred prisoners were taken, and all the captured wagons were recovered which the rebels had seized in their bold attack upon our trains.

Reports from Lake Providence, via Cairo, state that the canal across the peninsula is almost completed, the work having reached from the lake to within a few rods of the river. The canal is one hundred and fifty feet wide, and is dug down to within one foot of the level of the lake.

It is said that General Van Dorn has crossed the Tennessee river at Florence with 8,000 cavalry to reinforce General Bragg. The expedition from Corinth, under Colonel Corwan, is reported to have captured two hundred rebels, under General Rodley, at Tuscumbia, on the 22d inst., with a large amount of ammunition and a provision train.

Our news from the South today is not very important. The Richmond Enquirer of the 24th, which has been received, contains nothing relative to the news from Vicksburg, but it furnishes some additional news of the capture of the Queen of the West, the principal facts concerning which we have published before.

by John Beauchamp Jones

FEBRUARY 27TH.—No news from any quarter to-day.

Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is discontented with his command in the West. The armies are too far asunder for co-operative action; and, when separated, too weak for decisive operations. There is no field there for him, and he desires to be relieved, and assigned to some other command.

I was surprised to receive, to-day, the following very official letter from the Secretary of War:

“RICHMOND, VA., Feb. 27th, 1863.”

J. B. JONES, ESQ.

“SIR:—The President has referred your letter of the 19th inst. to this department.

“In reply, you are respectfully informed that it is not deemed judicious, unless in the last extremity, to resort to the means of supply suggested. The patriotic motives that dictated the suggestion are, however, appreciated and acknowledged.

“Your obedient servant,

“JAMES A. SEDDON,

“Secretary of War.”

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Washington Friday Feb. 27th 1863.

The rain fell in torrents last night and increased the depth of the flowing mud in the streets. It has been a dull day. Very little news stirring, nothing of a decisive character. Congress will adjourn next Wednesday and it will have done a good deal of important work this Session. The Conscription Bill and the Finance Bill embracing the uniform Currency bill are of a most important Nature. Elections soon come off in Conn. & N Hampshire and some other states and the disunionists or “Copperhead” Democracy are straining every nerve to carry them. Should they succeed many good men apprehend that forced resistance will be made in such States to any further raising of troops should they be called for. Much depends upon the organization of “Union Leagues” in combining the loyal strength in those States to act in concert against their Enimies. This is a trying time for our Country. Enimies in front with arms in their hands, and Enimies in the rear giving those Enimies comfort and support. God grant we get safely delivered from the perils which surround us. That our Country may survive her present trials, and emerge from the firey ordeal, more glorious than ever & purified, though baptised anew in the blood of her choicest sons.

February 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

In almost every newspaper one takes up now he finds an article, in a conspicuous place, headed ‘Plant Corn,’ addressed to the planters and farmers; and in several States, South Carolina included, laws have been passed, restricting planters to three acres cotton per hand this year. To both of these propositions I give my hearty consent, and conform my practice. Last year I reduced my cotton acres four-fifths, and this year I have pitched my crop at one-third less than the last. The law should have forbidden planting more than half an acre for each hand, which would have insured an ample supply for the Confederate States and domestic uses. As it is, the planter, by putting all his manure on his best three acres, and giving them garden culture, may make, in this State, a full average crop; and many will do it to the utter neglect of corn and other grain. The law fell far short of the mark.

But in what? (I beg pardon if I offend any.) I think the preposterous attempt of legislators to regulate prices by laws, which has been tried in all ages and times, from Moses down, and which has never met with any real success in a single instance, the planters and farmers not only have poor encouragement to make breadstuffs and provisions, but are deterred from it, and nearly deprived of any power to do it.

There seems to be no end to the performance and the endurance expected of them.

Firstly. The impressment law takes from them an important proportion of their hands to do for the army what in all other countries the armies do for themselves — entrench and fortify.

Secondly. The repeal of the Exemption Law seems to be about to take from them their managers, leaving them only men over forty-five years, who are hard to find willing to take their places; too old at best for active operations; mostly broken down old men, new to the negros, and liable to be called out, also, at any moment. I think that the law exempting one white man for every twenty negros was putting it too low. It should have said for forty or fifty, which would have prevented most of its abuses. Forty or fifty negros constitute one of the controlling plantations of a neighborhood, and its discipline is very important to all. But many, left to themselves under a negro driver, or an imbecile white man, wholly new to them, will scarcely make a support for themselves, much less contribute to support of armies and town people. I speak after thirty years’ experience of personal management of three to six times that many negros. They would steal all Read more

February 27, 1863, The New York Herald

The rebels appear to be actively engaged in making raids on this side of the Rappahannock. It is stated by a Washington journal that on the night before last a picket guard of Union cavalry, on the Chantilly roads, out of Centreville, was pounced upon, and all but one man captured, by a force of a hundred rebels, after firing two rounds. It is also ascertained that a number of the enemy crossed the river the same night at Kelly’s Ford, a few miles from Rappahannock Station, threatening Stafford Court House; that quite a large body of them occupy Warrenton, and that Stonewall Jackson is pushing up the valley towards Strasburg.

By an arrival from Port Royal we are put in possession of further information concerning the difference between Generals Hunter and Foster, the leading facts of which we before published. General Hunter has peremptorily ordered the staff of General Foster to leave his department and proceed North by the first steamer; and he has also put General Stevenson, of General Foster’s corps, under arrest at Hilton Head, for stating in conversation with his brother officers that he objected to the employment of negro troops in the government service, and that he would as soon be beaten as employ them as soldiers. However, as General Foster has since gone to Washington for instructions and again returned to Port Royal, it is probable that the difficulty as to the commands will be all settled, and everything will be soon right again.

The news from the West is important. From Kentucky we learn that the enemy were retreating from the State by way of Mount Sterling and Hazel Green, and that Colonel Kinkle, with a force of eighteen hundred men, was pursuing them. On the other hand, despatches from Cincinnati tell various stories of the progress of the Kentucky raid — one to the effect that Gen. Breckinridge is advancing on Lexington with twenty thousand rebels, and that our troops were falling back upon that point. The Union transport Hetty Gilman, with forage and provisions, was captured by a band of Morgan’s guerillas at a point five miles from Woodbury, on Barren river, and fears were entertained that the steamer D.B. Campbell, bound for Bowling Green, would share the same fate.

The rebels were overtaken yesterday near Mt. Sterling, and were completely beaten, after a brisk fight. Read more

February 27, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Army Correspondence.

HEADQUARTERS NEAR VICKSBURG, Feb. 9, 1863.

The situation in this vicinity remains unchanged. The improvement in the weather has caused a corresponding improvement in the spirits of the men. The surgeons in this department are laboring faithfully to prevent a prevalence of diseases induced by the character of the country, and other unfavorable considerations which act adversely to the health of the unacclimated.

Three deserters, who left Vicksburg on Saturday, crossed the river evasively and came within our lines. They state that the recent exploit of the ram Queen of the West, which passed all the Vicksburg batteries in safety, has caused the greatest excitement throughout the city. Nobody imagined that one of our boats would attempt to run the gauntlet. They say that the rebel steamboat City of Vicksburg, which the ram run into, was really injured much more than was at first supposed. From their statements it appears that her hull was considerably damaged, and that the rebels, despairing of being able to make her useful henceforward, had concluded that the machinery must be removed and the steamboat abandoned. He said men were already at work removing the machinery, and while this was being done she was partly supported by barges. From this shore, however, she does not appear to be greatly damaged.

The rebels about Vicksburg continue very active. When the atmosphere is clear, as it is at present, the city looms up in prominent proportions, and the men can occasionally be seen working on their batteries. They are constantly strengthening their position. It is a part of the policy of the rebels, and a policy that they have always persistently pursued, to spare no labor in rendering seemingly impregnable whatever position they may have assumed. Such is the case at Vicksburg. Knowing what a vital point it is, they are using all their energies to make it unapproachable. From this neck of land we can see them working on their batteries on the bluffs at Vicksburg, just as from Falmouth we could see the rebels working on the batteries on the hills at Fredericksburg.

The water is six or seven feet deep in the canal. At present it runs through only sluggishly. It is presumed, however, that something will soon be done to render the idea of passing Vicksburg safely with our army perfectly practicable. Read more

February 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Commercial reconstruction is the grand object of the war with all the capitalists and people of the North who are not Abolitionists. They are unwilling to give up the special privileges and advantages unjustly and unconstitutionally conferred upon them in the Union, and to live upon their legitimate, fair and proper resources. They still wish to prosper at our cost. The loss of a special, unrestricted commerce with the South, and discriminations against other nations, must be ruin to their hot house commerce, and ruin to their navigation and manufactures, which, under the Union, were created and fostered by Congressional enactments. Every brick in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, if it could rightly display its origin, would have ‘from the South’ written on it. With the loss of the trade and navigation of the South, real estate and stocks of all kinds, in all their cities and town, must go down in value. The mighty tide of prosperity, which, like the Gulf stream, rolled from the South, and apparently as unchangeable, would be diverted from their forced channels to other nations; and they would have to go through the terrible process of living on their own resources, while we transact our own business on the best terms in the markets of the world. To save them from so mighty a catastrophe, they have plunged into war and bankruptcy, deeming war and bankruptcy cheaply purchased, with the commercial reconstruction which would place them where they were before the war began. With a Zolverein established between the Confederate and the United States, the cities of the Confederates will be as they have heretofore been, but suburbs of New York and Boston. Our whole foreign trade will be carried on by Northern cities; and their jobbers will be our gracious intermediaries. Charleston, Savannah, Norfolk and Mobile will advance, by the small portion of their native population, which shall not emigrate to more prosperous regions, whilst Yankee agents and emissaries will swarm over the land to carry on our trade. Their insolence and interference will be proportioned to their success, and irritations and discontent prepare the way for another revolution, or the gradual and final overthrow of our civilization.

For ourselves, we frankly declare that if the great contest in which we are engaged does not secure us freedom from Yankee intervention and control in our commercial as well as political relations, we will deem the contest a failure. How have Great Britain and other nations established their conquests in Asia and America? First, a trading port is established — then exclusive mercantile and commercial interests are obtained — then intervention — then conquest. To suppose that such a people as the Yankees, once having us under their control by peculiar commercial privileges, will ever allow Read more

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Washington Thursday Feb 26th 1863

O Mud Mud. I have waded over crossings today where composition was at least six inches deep and of the consistency of thick cream. The snow has all melted and the water is mostly still on the surface of the ground. I had letters from Julia and the boys this evening, and I wrote to my Sister Androus today. I am having my old Indigo blue cloak made into an over coat. I think the Tailor has stolen about one third of the cloth, for there is nothing left to speak of. I hardly know whether to submit to the cheat, or have a quarrel with him. There is a good deal of confusion tonight down below. It is past eleven, and the loud talk still keeps up. I think there must be whiskey there, for that is the origin of about all the disorders in the City. I must leave this house by Monday next. It is reported tonight that Genl Siegel has resigned. I hope the report is not true as such an officer cannot well be spared at this time. I attended the League meeting this evening. There was a large attendance and much enthusiasm. “Honest Truman Smith” of Conn. was initiated and afterwards made a speech query, Is any old polititian (as he is) entitled to the prefix “honest” to his name? The papers contain no particular news today. Gold 168. Yesterday 172.

by John Beauchamp Jones

FEBRUARY 26TH.—We have good news from Vicksburg to-day. The Queen of the West, lately captured by us, and another gun-boat, attacked the Indianola, the iron-clad Federal gun-boat which got past our batteries the other day, and, after an engagement, sunk her. We captured all the officers and men.

February 26, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Let us suppose that the world at large has no interest in the establishment of a great Slaveholding Confederacy of Republican States, and that the question of admitting Non-Slaveholding States into the Confederacy, or of unrestricted commercial intercourse with Non-Slaveholding States, is merely a question of interest and security for the Confederate States — it is impossible, it appears to us, to find any good reasons for either policy. We have bitter experience upon this matter; and this experience has proved that Slaveholding and Non-Slaveholding States cannot live in harmony together. From the beginning of the United States Government (indeed before it was formed) — in the Convention which framed the Constitution — the jealousy and rivalry which two such distinct forms of labor and society seemed necessarily to produce, arose with the fiercest antagonism. Nothing but the absolute safety and existence itself of the States, in their early formation, drew them together. They were too weak to stand apart; and for this reason, and this alone, they submitted to the compromises contained in the Constitution of the United States. Nor did this antagonism cease its operations under the Union of the United States, until at length it has ended in separation and the most cruel and bloody war. It is impossible for the experiment of uniting Slaveholding and Non-Slaveholding States under the same government, to have been made under more favorable terms and circumstances than those which prevailed over the Union of the United States. From its commencement, the whole operation of the United States Government was in favor of the Non-Slaveholding States. The Slaveholding States were made tributary to their aggrandizement and wealth in every way that the wit of their statesmen could invent, until at length the Slaveholding States were practically, in all their commercial and pecuniary relations, colonies of the Non-Slaveholding States. Their brilliant career in prosperity and power consequently surpassed that of any people, probably, the world ever saw. The Constitution was set aside by Read more

February 26, 1863, The New York Herald

The United States transport Star of the South arrived at this port yesterday morning, bringing as passengers the surviving officers and crew of the gunboat Hatteras, which was sunk off Galveston on the 11th of January last by the rebel privateer Alabama. From them we glean an interesting narrative of the destruction of their vessel as well as full particulars of their eleven days stay on board of the Alabama, and their experience while at Port Royal and Kingston, Jamaica, previous to their arrival at Key West.

The following are the names of the officers and crew of the Hatteras: —

Lieutenant Commanding — H. C. Blake.

Acting Master and Executive Officer — H. O. Porter.

Assistant Surgeon — E. S. Matthews.

Assistant Paymaster — F. A. Conkling.

Engineers — J. C. Covert, J. Colp, B. C. Bourne, J. H. Butman.

Master’s Mates — F. J. McGrath, J. W. Haslitt, A. H. Berry, D. Harvey, J. P. Harnot, J. G. Crocker.

Captain’s Clerk — T. W. Weisenthal.

There were also one hundred and two seamen, composing the crew of the Hatteras, on board.

The main particulars of this contest have already been published; but, in justice to the gallantry of those who were in charge of the Hatteras, it will not be here out of place to again advert to them, as there are many incidents connected therewith which have not yet been made public.

It was on Sunday, January 11, that this encounter with this now famous rebel vessel took place. On the afternoon of that day, about half-past three o’clock, a signal was made from the flagship Brooklyn, then lying off Galveston, to the steamer Hatteras to sail to the northward and eastward. After sailing about an hour and a half the lookout signalized a steamer Read more

February 26, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We have some late and trustworthy tidings from Beaufort, which fully confirm the news heretofore published, of a personal difficulty having occurred between Major Generals HUNTER and FOSTER. The quarrel related to precedence in rank, and concluded by General FOSTER informing General HUNTER that sooner than fight under him, he would fight against him; and, suiting the action to the word, General F. dealt General H. a blow in the face. General H. was not slow to assert his belligerent rights, and replied by striking General F. on the head with a billet of wood, drawing blood profusely. Before hostilities could be resumed the combatants were separated. FOSTER, after ordering the debarkation of his division on St. Helena Island, left for Washington to have his position defined. Meanwhile, it is currently reported at Beaufort that HUNTER will try Genesis Point and Causten’s Bluff as preliminary steps to the attack on Savannah, and at the same time march against the railroad at Pocotaligo; and thus, if successful, get the inside track from his rival. The attack on these points, it was thought, would take place about the 1st of March; so that we may hear some stirring news in a few days from the coast. Of course, every […..] in grey’ is perfectly delighted at the prospect of getting India rubber clothes and blankets, to say nothing of waterproof boots, &c., &c.

We learned from the same source whence we obtained the above information, that there are over 30,000 troops at Port Royal, and more expected.

February 26, 1863, The New York Herald

No movements have taken place in the Army of the Potomac. It is stated that the diminution in the rebel army at Fredericksburg is not so great as has been reported, although some troops have been sent to Charleston and some to Suffolk. Generals Lee and Jackson are still at Fredericksburg.

Despatches from Cairo state that a large fleet of gunboats left Memphis on Sunday, and proceeded down the river. One of our gunboats passed into Lake Providence, and found a band of rebels, with a large number of negroes, felling trees across the narrow passages to obstruct the passage of our boats. She shelled one company of them away.

Three thousand men are daily engaged in cutting the canal across the peninsula near Vicksburg. Our mortar boats are still in position and keep up an occasional fire on the batteries of the enemy. Despatches from Cairo dated yesterday say that nothing has been heard there of the Queen of the West or the Indianola. The steamer Belle of Memphis, while landing passengers on Monday night at a point thirty-six miles above Memphis, on the Arkansas side of the river, was boarded by a dozen guerillas, but she immediately backed out and the enemy were compelled to jump ashore.

We give today a most interesting account of the late sinking of the United States steamer Hatteras by the pirate Alabama, furnished by the officers and crew of the former vessel, who arrived here yesterday. From the facts detailed, it will be seen that it was a very gallant affair on the part of the Hatteras, and that, although destroyed, her officers and men, especially Captain Blake, the commander, had cheerfully staked their lives upon the encounter, and were prepared to brave the worst. But she did not go down without inflicting severe damage upon the Alabama. Sixteen balls perforated the Hatteras, shattering her sternpost and completely crippling her machinery just at the moment when she was about boarding the rebel vessel and was only twenty-five yards distant from her.

The Conscription bill of the Senate, which passed the House yesterday, includes in those liable to be drafted into the army to serve for the term of the existence of the rebellion, not, however, exceeding three years, congressmen, assemblymen, alderman, Quakers, clergymen, Indians and Negroes. It is, therefore, most sweeping in its provisions, and, if carried out, will leave but few homes in the North without a representative in the army. The amendments of the bill will turn over to the civil authorities all persons arrested by the Provost Marshals for treasonable practices.

A report reaches us from Boston that General Banks was fired at by some unknown person on the night of the 12th instant, as he was leaving the City Hotel at New Orleans to attend the French opera. The ball, however, did not take effect either upon the General or any one else; neither has there been any trace of the would-be assassin, nor has any news of this attempt upon the life of the Commanding General arrived here, although our dates from New Orleans are to the 13th.

edited by G.W. Cable

Feb. 25th, 1863.—A long gap in my journal, because H. has been ill unto death with typhoid fever. I nearly broke down from loss of sleep, there being no one to relieve me. It was terrible to be alone at night with a patient in delirium, and no one within call. To wake Martha was simply impossible. I got the best doctor here, but when convalescence began the question of food was a trial. I got with great difficulty two chickens. The doctor made the drug-store sell two of their six bottles of port; he said his patient’s life depended on it. An egg is a rare and precious thing. Meanwhile the Federal fleet has been gathering, has anchored at the bend, and shells are thrown in at intervals.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Washington Wednesday Feb. 25th 1863.

A bright pleasant day but the Snow has mostly melted and the thin mortar composition lies from four to eight inches in depth in the streets. Little boys are at the crossings broom in hand trying to keep back the flood from a narrow path and saying “Please give me a penny.” I fear they do not get many, few will give a five cent “shin plaster” or “stamp” and cents are scarce which is bad for the boys. Went up to the Capitol after leaving office and the “Enrolment Bill” passed while I was in the chamber of the “House.” It now only needs the signature of the President to become a law. Wrote to my sister Harriet and to (?) today. Sent Agricultural Reports to Capt Budd Sag H. and to Dr Ford of Chemung NY. This evening I have been to hear the celebrated Mason-Jones, the Irish Orator. He was a fine speaker and all that I had expected. He spoke about one hour and a half without the least hesitation and without a note or scrap of writing. His subject was “John Philpot Curran.” The House (Willards Hall) was crowded. Four Soldiers have called upon me today for assistance in getting their discharge papers, or pay, or for clothing. A stream of discharged soldiers has been flowing through the R Road Depot for the past two months, from one to two hundred pr day. It is astonishing how prevalent the heart disease has become since this war began. I think it should in most cases be called the “faint heart” disease.

by John Beauchamp Jones

FEBRUARY 25H.—On the 18th inst. the enemy’s battery on the opposite side of the Mississippi River opened on Vicksburg. The damage was not great; but the front of the town is considered untenable.

The Conscription bill has passed the United States Senate, which will empower the President to call for 3,000,000 men. “Will they come, when he does call for them?” That is to be seen. It may be aimed at France; and a war with the Emperor might rouse the Northern people again. Some of them, however, have had enough of war.

To-day I heard of my paper addressed to the President on the subject of an appeal to the people to send food to the army. He referred it to the Commissary-General, Col. Northrop, who sent it to the War Department, with an indorsement that as he had no acquaintance with that means of maintaining an army (the patriotic contributions of the people), he could not recommend the adoption of the plan. Red tape is mightier than patriotism still. There may be a change, however, for Gen. Lee approves the plan.

by Gideon Welles

February 25, Wednesday. Had a brief call from General McClellan this P.M. He looks in good health, but is evidently uncomfortable in mind. Our conversation was general, — of the little progress made, the censoriousness of the public, of the dissatisfaction towards both of us, etc., etc. The letter of General Scott, of the 4th of October, 1861, complaining of his disrespect and wanting obedience, is just brought out.

I well remember an interview between these two officers about the period that letter was written, the President, myself, and two or three others being present. It was in General Scott’s rooms opposite the War Office. In the course of conversation, which related to military operations, a question arose as to the number of troops there were in and about Washington. Cameron could not answer the question; McClellan did not; General Scott said no reports were made to him; the President was disturbed. At this moment Seward stated the several commands,—how many regiments had reported in a few days, and the aggregate at the time of the whole force. The statement was made from a small paper, and, appealing to McClellan, that officer replied that the statement approximated the truth. General Scott’s countenance showed great displeasure. “This,” said the veteran warrior, “is a remarkable state of things. I am in command of the armies of the United States, but have been wholly unable to get any reports, any statement of the actual forces, but here is the Secretary of State, a civilian, for whom I have great respect but who is not a military man nor conversant with military affairs, though his abilities are great, but this civilian is possessed of facts which are withheld from me. Military reports are made, not to these Headquarters but to the State Department. Am I, Mr. President, to apply to the Secretary of State for the necessary military information to discharge my duties?”

Mr. Seward explained that he had got his information by vigilance and attention, keeping account of the daily arrival of regiments, etc., etc. There was a grim smile on the old soldier. “And you, without report, probably ascertained where each regiment was ordered. Your labors and industry, Mr. Secretary of State, I know are very arduous, but I did not Read more

February 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Supposing that we are able to hold our own in Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina, there may come, in May, proffers of peace. Here will be our greatest danger. We never feared the issue of the war. Indeed, originally, we did not think that it would take place. The inability of the Northern to subjugate the Confederate States, appeared to us so clear that we did not think the Northern States would attempt it. In this, however, as in some other matters, we gave the Northern people credit for more than they possessed. In our opinion too, as expressed freely and frankly at the time, the policy of temporising, apparent timidity and procrastination, from December, 1860, for over a year, encouraged if it did not inspire the idea of conquering the South in the minds of the Northern people. They have attempted it, and now there is not a man, we presume, in the United States who does not see and deplore the ignorance and folly which induced the mad enterprise of subjugating the Confederate States. Their intense greed and ambition blinded their perceptions, and has dragged down upon them hideous ruin, and suffering yet to come, incalculable. Failing to subject us by force, they will now attempt to circumvent us by diplomacy. They will, most probably, first propose that we should return to a union with them under the Constitution of the United States, with such guarantees as we shall desire. Their second proposition will be, to come into a union with us under our Constitution. These propositions, we have no doubt, will fail. There will come two other propositions far more dangerous in their character: first, that we should enter into a commercial union with them, by which all the commercial privileges they have heretofore enjoyed, and by which we have been practically their dependencies, shall be restored to them; and second, this failing, to admit portions of the Free States into our Confederacy. These are the two propositions which we will have to meet, in our opinion, more dangerous to our real independence and peace than the war itself.

Commercial reconstruction differs from the admission of Free States into the Confederacy, most essentially in the mode of bringing it about. The admission of Free States into our Confederacy can only be accomplished vote of two-thirds of the whole House of Representatives in the Congress of the Confederate States, and two-thirds of the Senate, the Senate voting by States. But commercial reconstruction may be established by treaty, which is made by the President and Read more

February 25, 1863, The New York Herald

The long pent up enthusiasm of our sleighing population has found ample vent during the past two days. Before the snow storm people began to believe that winter had neglected us this year. The seasons seemed to sympathize with the distracted condition of the country, and were dreadfully confused, so that we had bits of summer weather in December, and February came in smiling like spring. The beautiful snow has made all this right, however, and for two days we have had a semi-carnival on runners. The streets, avenues and Central Park have been crowded with elegant sleighs of all sorts, patterns and descriptions, and both old and young New York have been as jolly under the fur robes and behind the jingling bells as was proper during such excellent sleighing. On Monday evening, when the fireworks blazed in the parks in honor of Washington — whose patriotism all eulogize and few imitate — the scene was one of fairy land. The gorgeously varied hues of the pyrotechnics were brilliantly reflected from the dazzling surface of the snow — the clear, cold air was filled with balls of vari-colored fire eclipsing the stars — the skyrockets marked their fiery paths upon the dark blue sky — the tinkling and jangling of thousands of sleigh bells made most merry music, with which the voices of the gay carnivalists mingled sweetly and cheerily — sleigh after sleigh dashed past in quick succession, or paused, with half affrighted horses, among the crowds at Union square — and no stranger, visiting this metropolis for the first time, could have been induced to believe that all this splendid merriment and costly display was during the most momentous crisis of the most desperate civil war which ever troubled the world. Such is life, and such are the Americans.

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