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

The New York Herald May 22, 1862 The last proclamation of President Lincoln, we are sure, from the abundant evidence around us and the testimony of our newspaper exchanges, has greatly strengthened and extended the public confidence of our loyal States in his sagacity, patriotism and firmness of purpose as the head of the government [...]

MAY 22D.–To-day I had, in our office, a specimen of Mr. Memminger’s oratory. He was pleading for an installment of the claims of South Carolina on the Confederacy; and Mr. Walker, always hesitating, argued the other side, merely for delay. Both are fine speakers, with most distinct enunciation and musical voices. The demand was audited [...]

May 22, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Ship Island fortifications destroyed to keep them from the rebels. Flag-raising at the Post-office, Washington. Speeches of the President and cabinet officers. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

Civil War Era Photographic Portraiture no. 3 Sold at auction June 2015 for $6,875. Heritage Auctions description: “Confederate Soldier Quarter Plate Tintype. Stunning 1861 Melainotype of a Confederate officer. Really, for quality, condition and content one of the finest Confederate images we’ve ever offered. Plate with embossed Melainotype patent information embossed along bottom edge, unquestionably [...]

MAY 21st. – Being in the same room with the Secretary, and seen by all his visitors, I am necessarily making many new acquaintances; and quite a number recognize me by my books which they have read. Among this class is Mr. Benjamin, the Minister of Justice, who, to-day, informed me that he and Senator [...]

May 21, 1861 Missouri declares its neutrality in the Civil War Confederate Congress votes to move its capital from Montgomery to Richmond. Sterling Price signs an agreement with William Harney, essentially handing Missouri over to federal forces. Confederate Congress votes to move its capital from Montgomery to Richmond. A Chronological History of the Civil War [...]