London, October 25, 1861 Our American news comes much in the old way, always of a chequered character. First, we are compelled to blow away a great deal of froth on the top of the cup, and then we find the liquor more or less muddled beneath. The impression is that “some one has blundered.” [...]
MANASSAS JUNCTION, VA., October 24, 1861. Dear Mother: I received your letter this morning and was very glad to hear from you all, but was very sorry to hear that sister was sick. There were 544 prisoners brought in here yesterday morning from Leesburg, an account of which you have seen in the paper ere [...]
OCTOBER 24th.—We made a narrow escape; at least, we have a respite. If the Yankee army had advanced with its 200,000 men, they would not have encountered more than 70,000 fighting Confederate soldiers between the Potomac and Richmond. It was our soldiers (neither the officers nor the government) that saved us; and they fought contrary [...]
October 24, 1861 The first transcontinental telegraph line across the United States is completed. Western Union completes the final segment of the transcontinental telegraph from Denver to Sacramento. People of West Virginia vote overwhelmingly in favor of creating a new state. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Western section of Pacific Telegraph [...]
OCTOBER 23d.—The President is highly delighted at the result of the battle of Leesburg; and yet some of the red-tape West Point gentry are indignant at Gen. Evans for not obeying orders, and falling back. There is some talk of a court-martial; for it is maintained that no commander, according to strict military rules, should [...]
October 23, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Writ of habeas corpus suspended in the District of Columbia, in all cases relating to the military. Skirmish at West Liberty, Mo. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
OCTOBER 22d.—We have news of a victory at Leesburg. It appears that the head of one of the enemy’s columns, 8000 strong, attempted a passage of the Potomac yesterday, at that point pursuant to the programme furnished by the lady from Washington. That point had been selected by the enemy because the spies had reported [...]
October 22, 1861 The Army of the Potomac [CS] is placed under the Department of Northern Virginia. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Office of the Democrat (secession), at Terre Haute,Ind., destroyed by a portion of the 43d IndianaRegiment. Rebel camp at Buffalo Mills, Mo., broken up. The rebel batteries on the [...]
OCTOBER 21st.—The enemy’s papers represent that we have some 80,000 men in Kentucky, and this lulls us from vigilance and effort in Virginia. The Secretary of War knows very well that we have not 30,000 there, and that we are not likely to have more. We supposed Kentucky would rise. The enemy knows this fact [...]
October 21, 1861 Union forces under Colonel Edward Baker are defeated by Confederate troops in the second major battle of the war. Battle of Leesburg [CS]; Battle of Ball’s Bluff [US]; Battle of Harrison Island [US]; General Nathan Evans [CS] defeats General Charles Stone [US]. Oregon Senator Edward Baker, field commander, becomes the first (and [...]
OCTOBER 20th.—A lady, just from Washington, after striving in vain to procure an interview with the Secretary of War, left with me the programme of the enemy’s contemplated movements. She was present with the family of Gen. Dix at a party, and heard their purposes disclosed. They meditate an advance immediately, with 200,000 men. The [...]
OCTOBER 19th.—Col. Ashby with 600 men routed a force of 1000 Yankees, the other day, near Harper’s Ferry. That is the cavalry again! The spies here cannot inform the enemy of the movements of our mounted men, which are always made with celerity.
October 19, 1861 President Davis tries to quell an on-going dispute between Generals Johnston [CS] and Beauregard [CS]. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Skirmish at Big Hurricane Creek, Carroll Co., Mo. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
OCTOBER 18th.—I cannot perceive that our army increase as much in strength, particularly in Virginia. The enemy have now over 660,000 in the field in various places, and seem to be preparing for a simultaneous advance. It is said millions of securities, the property of the enemy, are transferred to the United States. It is [...]
Bird’s Point, October 18, 1861 We yesterday drew our overcoats, and splendid ones they are. The cloth is light blue and they reach nearly to our feet. They have capes on them that come over a fellow’s head nicely nights. The weather is about like you have I expect, but I know we will be [...]
October 18, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Pacific Telegraph Line completed to Great Salt Lake City. Brigham Young, the Mormon chief, sent a congratulatory dispatch to President Lincoln. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
OCTOBER 17th.—Hurlbut has been released from prison. Mr. Hunter has a letter (intercepted) from Raymond, editor of the New York Times, addressed to him since the battle of Manassas.
October 17, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Rebel army retired from Halifax Court House and also from Leesburg, Va. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
OCTOBER 16th.—Col. M. applied to me to-day for a passport to Maryland, bringing a strong letter from Mr. Hunter, and also a note from Col. Bledsoe, Chief of the Bureau of War. He seemed thunderstruck when I informed him that Gen. Winder had obtained an order from the Secretary of War to detain him. A [...]
October 16, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Recapture of Lexington, Mo., by a small Union force under Major White, the main body of the rebels having previously evacuated the city. Rebels routed at Bolivar, near Harper’s Ferry Sharp skirmish at Ironton, Mo. Battle at Pilot Knob, Mo.; rebels routed. A [...]
OCTOBER 15th.—I have been requested by Gen. Winder to-day to refuse a passport to Col. M____r to leave the city in any direction. So the colonel is within bounds! I learn that he differed with Gen. Winder (both from Maryland) in politics. But if he was a Whig, so was Mr. Benjamin. Again, I hear [...]
London, October 15, 1861 In your last letters I am not a little sorry to see that you are falling into the way that to us at this distance seems to be only the mark of weak men, of complaining and fault-finding over the course of events. In mere newspaper correspondents who are not expected [...]
October 15, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Jeff. Thompson captured 50 Union troops at Potosi, Mo. Three steamers dispatched from New York after the “Nashville.” Defeat of the rebels at Frederick, Mo. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, [...]
OCTOBER 14th.—Kissing goes by favor! Col. M____r, of Maryland, whose published letter of objuration of the United States Government attracted much attention some time since, is under the ban. He came hither and tendered his services to this government, but failed to get the employment applied for, though his application was urged by Mr. Hunter, [...]
Boston, October 14, 1861 My impression is that we are on the eve of great movements and the naval expedition, if successful, will open the ball. We can see little in the papers, but it looks to me as if the correspondents were at fault. But in truth McClellan is coiling himself up for a [...]