War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Tuesday, June 25.—A thunderstorm and heavy rain at 3:30 a.m., clearing off at 10 a.m. Visited the light-house at the Head of the Passes and took a receipt for the property deposited there, from the Pass à l’Outre and South Pass houses. Visited also the telegraphic station and held communication with both passes. Both blockading [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Monday, June 24.—This morning dispatched an officer on board the Ivy to bring away the oil and lamps from the South Pass, that that light may also be extinguished. The object was accomplished. All the seacoast lights at the passes are now out. Both blockading vessels are lying close at their anchors, and there is [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Sunday, June 23.—Yesterday the master of the Pilots’ Association and several of his pilots came on board, having been brought by the Ivy. With the exception of the master, they all agreed to take the ship to sea, whereupon I retained one of them and dismissed the rest. Both the Brooklyn and Powhatan at their [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Saturday, June 23. — The Ivy returned from the pass and reported that none of the pilots were willing to come on board , and having received also the following dispatch (through Captain Duncan ) from the Southwest Pass, viz : Applied to the captain of the house of pilots for a pilot for the [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Fridy, June 21.—Practiced the crew at division quarters in the morning and at general quarters in the afternoon and tried a couple of shell with the Borman fuse. Just at nightfall I received the following dispatch: June 21, 1861. Captain: I am desired by the commanding officer to state that the Iry reports that the [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Wednesday, June 19.—At 4 a.m. came to anchor between Forts St. Philip and Jackson. Captain Brand called on board on the part of the commanding officer, Major Duncan. At 11 visited Major Duncan at Fort Jackson and witnessed some experimental firing. The fort is an attractive spot, with plenty of green grass and fine shade [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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Tuesday, June 18.—At length, after many vexatious delays, I have been enabled to leave the city of New Orleans. This morning at 10:30 a.m. we got up steam and dropped down to the barracks magazine and took in our powder. Weather very warm and mosquitoes very troublesome. At 10:30 p.m. got up steam again and [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“…a rout would be as effective as taking prisoners, by spreading demoralization in their ranks.”

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Headquarters Department of Pennsylvania, Chambersburg, Pa., June 11, 1861. Colonel Lewis Wallace, Eleventh Indiana Regiment, Cumberland, Md.: Sir: By direction of the commanding general I to-day telegraphed you in reply to your query, “What shall I do with prisoners?” “Tis well not to have many prisoners. Such as you take imprison and treat kindly. Success [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

We have it in our power to unite that people firmly to us forever.

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Headquarters Department of the Ohio, Cincinnati, June 11, 1861. Colonel E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General: Colonel: I sent by telegraph to-day General Morris’ telegram in relation to troops in Western Virginia. It is long, but of such importance, that I felt it necessary to transmit it as it was. I cannot urge too strongly the [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Will you help us? Can you help us in time?—Western Virginian appeals to Jefferson Davis

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Mill Point, Pocahontas County, Va., June 10, 1861. President Jefferson Davis: Dear Sir: Having the best interests of our country at heart, and having taken an active part in the welfare of this county from the first appearance of danger to the present hour, I feel confident you will hear me. While I have no [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Railroad and Canal Destruction

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Headquarters Virginia Forces, Richmond, Va., June 10, 1861. Col. Eppa Hunton, Commanding, Leesburg, Va.: Colonel: Your letter of the 8th instant has been received, and it is hoped that you have accomplished the destruction of the bridges upon the Loundoun and Hampshire Railroad, and otherwise rendered the road unserviceable to the enemy. Unless any of [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“…the batteries should be rendered as secure as possible…”

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Headquarters Virginia Forces, Richmond, Va., June 10, 1861. General T. H. Holmes, Commanding, &c., Fredericksburg, Va.: General: It is probable that, realizing the inutility of cannonading the batteries at Aquia Creek with smooth-bore guns, the naval force of the United States will hereafter employ rifled cannon, of large caliber, at long range. It is reported [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

First Steamboats Purchased for the Mississippi Gunboat Fleet.

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Report of Commander Rodgers, U. S. Navy, regarding the purchase of three steamers for naval service. Cincinnati, June 8, 1861. Sir: I have, after consultation with General McClellan, and after inspection by Mr. Pook, the naval constructor, bought three steamboats for naval service in these waters. They were called the A. O. Tyler, the Lexington, [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

A commission of inquiry and advice in respect to the sanitary interests of the U. S. forces…

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War Department, Washington, June 7, 1861. Mixed Commission, Medical Bureau: The Secretary of War has learned with great satisfaction that at the instance and in pursuance of the suggestion of the Medical Bureau, in a communication to this office dated May 22, 1861, H . W . Bellows, Prof. A. D. Bache, LL. D.; Prof. [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Paroled in Texas.

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Adjutant-General’s Office, Washington, June 5, 1861. Superintendent Maryland Recruiting Service, Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Sir: Special Orders, No. 150, dated at War Department, Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, June 4, 1861, a copy of which has been sent to you, directs Privates A. P. Andrews and Richard Cassidy, Second Cavalry, to report to you for duty. These [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Beauregard appeals to the people

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Headquarters Department Of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, June 5, 1861. …. To the good People of the Counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William : A reckless and unprincipled tyrant has invaded your soil. Abraham Lincoln, regardless of all moral, legal, and constitutional restraints, has thrown his abolition hosts among you, who are murdering and imprisoning [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Munitions suggestions and request for instructions from the Ordinance Office

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Ordnance Office, Washington, June 3, 1861. Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War: Sir: This office not having received any official information as to the entire military force which will be in service, and such information being essential for making its preparations to supply the stores which it is its province to furnish, proposes to assume [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Attack on Aquia Creek Naval Battery

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Headquarters Department of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Va., June 1, 1861. Sir: The enemy attacked the naval battery at Aquia Creek yesterday about 10 a.m. The enemy had three war steamers and some small transports, not containing, however, many troops. They had some long boats or launches; but, so far as observed, made no preparation for landing. [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

The Troops that the Traitor Twiggs abandoned—Lieutenant Slemmer and his brother officers—”Southern chivalry” suffered POW U.S. troops to be exposed to starvation

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Extract from New York Courier and Enquirer, May 29, 1861. The remnant of the U. S. troops which the traitor Twiggs abandoned to the tender mercies of the Southern chivalry ”in Texas will arrive here to-day from Havana, and we indulge the hope that somebody will feel it their duty to receive them in a [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies