MAY 29TH and 30TH.—The remainder of the journey was with-out interest, until we arrived at Wythville, Va, where it was discovered Gen. Floyd was in the cars. He was called out and made a speech in vindication of his conduct, at Washington, as Secretary of War, wherein he had caused the transfer of arms, etc. [...]
May 30, 1861 At a convention in Knoxville, a group of Unionists denounce Tennessee’s secessionist actions. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Grafton and Williamsport, Va., evacuated by the rebels. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
To The Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. New York, May 29, 1861 My Dear Sir,—I am extremely obliged to you for the very kind and flattering manner with which you speak of a letter of mine to Baron Rothschild, of which a copy had been handed to you by Mr. [...]
May 29, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 President Davis reached Richmond, the new seat of the Confederate Government. Federals advanced toward Harper’s Ferry; rebels retired toward Martinsburg, Va. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
To Baron LIONEL de ROTHSCHILD, M.P., London. New York, May 28 Dear Baron,—Since my letter by the Africa steamer we have received the proclamation of the Queen, commanding a strict neutrality to her subjects in the struggle in which the government of the United States is now engaged against a portion of its citizens, now [...]
MAY 28TH.—Little or no business was done this day. The Secretary announced that no more communications would be considered by him in Montgomery. He placed in my charge a great many unopened letters, and a special list of candidates for of?ce, with annotations. These I packed in my trunk. As I was to precede the [...]
May 28, 1861 Robert Anderson assumes command of the Department of Kentucky. Confederates seize the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Point of Rocks to Cumberland A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Gen. Butler advanced his forces to Newport News. Savannah blockaded. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard [...]
May 27th.—They look for a fight at Norfolk. Beauregard is there. I think if I were a man I’d be there, too. Also Harper’s Ferry is to be attacked. The Confederate flag has been cut down at Alexandria by a man named Ellsworth,¹ who was in command of Zouaves. Jackson was the name of the [...]
“…whenever it is apparent that a movement, whether by color of State authority or not, is hostile, you will not hesitate to put it down.” May 27, 1861.—Letter from the Adjutant-General to General Harney. Washington, D. C., May 27, 1861. Brigadier-General W. S. Harney, Commanding Department of the West, St. Louis, Mo. Sir: The President [...]
Civil War Portraits—Leaders, Influencers, and the Incidentally Important # 013 Lorenzo Thomas (October 26, 1804 – March 2, 1875) was a career United States Army officer who was Adjutant General of the Army at the beginning of the American Civil War. After the war, he was appointed temporary Secretary of War by U.S. President Andrew [...]
MAY 27TH. –We leave Montgomery day after to-morrow. The President goes to-day–but quietly–no one, not connected with the Government, to have information of the fact until his arrival in Richmond. It is understood that the Minister of Justice (Attorney-General) accompanies him. There are a great number of spies and emissaries in the country—sufficient, if it [...]
Charles Francis Adams, Jr., To His Father Quincy, May 27, 1861.—I got out here last Saturday evening, having that day been relieved at Fort Independence by the 4th Battalion of rifles. We would like to have stayed there longer, and were certainly arriving at a state of very considerable proficiency in drill, but our being [...]
May 27, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 About 100 slaves escaped from their masters and took refuge in Fortress Monroe. General Butler declared them contraband of war and legitimate prizes. Mobile blockaded. Brigadier-General McDowell took command at Washington. Border States Convention assembled at Frankfort, Ky. Kentucky and Missouri only were [...]
MAY 26TH.—The President is sick to-day—having a chill, I believe. Adjutant-General Cooper was in, comparing notes with the Secretary as to the number of regiments in the field. The Secretary has a most astonishing memory, and could easily number the forces without referring to his notes. The amount is not large, it is true; but, [...]
Eliza Woolsey Howland to Joseph Howland at Albany. Sunday (between churches), May 26. I am going over to the Dutch Church at the Corners more, I confess, to hear the news from Washington than for the sermon’s sake. The rumor by telegraph this morning was that Washington was on fire. I am restless and anxious. [...]
MAY 26TH.–Was called on by the Episcopal minister to-day, Dr. Sawyer having informed him that I was a member of the church–the doctor being one also. He is an enthusiastic young man, and though a native of the North, seems to sympathize with us very heartily. He prays for the President of the Confederate States. [...]
May 26, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 New Orleans blockaded by the sloop of war “Brooklyn.” Alexandria placed under martial law. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
MAY 25TH.–There is to be no fight–no assault on Pickens. But we are beginning to send troops forward in the right direction–to Virginia. Virginia herself ought to have kept the invader from her soil. Was she reluctant to break the peace? And is it nothing to have her soil polluted by the martial tramp of [...]
CHARLESTON, S. C, May 25, 1861.—We have come back to South Carolina from the Montgomery Congress, stopping over at Mulberry. We came with R. M. T. Hunter and Mr. Barnwell. Mr. Barnwell has excellent reasons for keeping cotton at home, but I forget what they are. Generally, people take what he says, also Mr. Hunter’s [...]
May 25, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Bridges on the Alexandria and Loudon Railroad destroyed by Union troops. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863
MAY 24TH.—Congress passed, in secret session, a resolution to remove the seat of government to Richmond; but I learn it has been vetoed by the President. There is a strong feeling against going thither among some of the secessionists in the Cotton States. Those who do not think there will be a great deal of [...]
May 24, 1861 Col. Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth of the 11th New York Fire Zouaves is killed in the Marshall House Inn in Alexandria, Virginia, after he and his men removed a Confederate flag. He is generally regarded as the first officer killed while on duty in the American Civil War. Sterling Price refuses to disband [...]
MAY 23D.–To-day the President took the cars for Pensacola, where it had been said everything was in readiness for an assault on Fort Pickens. Military men said it could be taken, and Toombs, I think, said it ought to be taken. It would cost, perhaps, a thousand lives; but is it not the business of [...]
Cairo, May 23, 1861. Lots of men come through here with their backs blue and bloody from beatings; and nine in ten of them got their marks in Memphis. A man from St. Louis was in camp a few days since with one-half of his head shaved, one-half of a heavy beard taken off, two [...]
May 23, 1861 Virginia ratifies the Secessionist Convention referendum by a vote of 132,201 to 37,451 John Floyd commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army Thomas Jackson strikes the B&O Railroad, capturing 56 locomotives