Executive Mansion
Washington Octo. 24th 1861.

Brigr Genl. S. R. Curtis¹

Dear Sir

On receipt of this, with the accompanying inclosures you will take safe, certain, and suitable measures to have the inclosure addressed to Major General Fremont, delivered to him with all reasonable dispatch–subject to these conditions only, that if, when Gen Fremont shall be reached by the messenger (youself, or any one sent by you) he shall then have, in personal command, fought and won a battle, or shall then be actually in a battle, or shall then be in the immediate presence of the enemy, in expectation of a battle, it is not to be delivered, but held for further orders. After, and not till after the delivery to Gen Fremont, let the inclosed addressed to Gen. Hunter² be delivered to him.

Your obdt Servt
A. Lincoln

1. Reprinted in the Official Records War of the Rebellion, 1st. ser. 3. 563-554. The first inclosure was General Orders No. 18, of same date, Oct. 24, from Gen. Winfield Scott, directing Fremont to relinquish his command to Maj. Gen. Hunter. The second inclosure was one of specific suggestions to Hunter, or “the Commander of the Department of the West,” not to pursue Price further, but to restore order and discipline in the army, and to maintain secure defensive positions. Probably accompanying these dispatches was this second letter from Lincoln to Curtis bearing the same date, Oct. 24:
“My Dear Sir: Herewith is a document–half letter, half order–which, wishing you to see, but not to make public, I send unsealed. Please read it, and then inclose it to the officer who may be in command of the Department of the West at the time it reaches him. I cannot now know whether Fremont or Hunter will then be in command. Yours truly, A. Lincoln.”

2. David Hunter, U. S. Military Academy, 1822, served in the Mexican War, settled in Kansas, became a trusted friend of Lincoln’s, and accompanied the President-elect part way to Washington. One of the numerous brig. gens. appointed May 17. 1861, he was made a maj. gen. Aug. 13, 1861. His succession to Fremont was designed to be temporary, he being succeeded Nov. 18, by Maj. Gen. W. H. Halleck. Hunter later held commands in the South, where his liberal slavery views had to be restrained by Lincoln.

Camp Haskell, October 24th. We have marched twelve miles to-day, and are encamped near the house of a friendly German farmer. Our cortege has been greatly diminished in number. Some of the staff have returned to St. Louis; to others have been assigned duties which remove them from headquarters; and General Asboth’s division being now in the rear, that soldierly-looking officer no longer rides beside the General, and the gentlemen of his staff no longer swell our ranks.

As we approach the enemy there is a marked change in the General’s demeanor. Usually reserved, and even retiring, –now that his plans begin to work out results, that the Osage is behind us, that the difficulties of deficient transportation have been conquered, there is an unwonted eagerness in his face, his voice is louder, and there is more self-assertion in his attitude. He has hitherto proceeded on a walk, but now he presses on at a trot. His horsemanship is perfect. Asboth is a daring rider, loving to drive his animal at the top of his speed. Zagonyi rides with surpassing grace, and selects fiery chargers which no one else cares to mount. Colonel E. has an easy, business-like gait. But in lightness and security in the saddle the General excels them all. He never worries his beast, is sure to get from him all the work of which he is capable, is himself quite incapable of being fatigued in this way.

Just after sundown the camp was startled by heavy infantry firing. Going around the spur of the forest which screens head-quarters from the prairie, we found the Guard dismounted, drawn up in line, firing their carbines and revolvers. The circumstance excites curiosity, and we learn that Zagonyi has been ordered to make a descent upon Springfield, and capture or disperse the Rebel garrison, three or four hundred strong, which is said to be there. Major White has already gone forward with his squadron of “Prairie Scouts” to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Springfield. Zagonyi will overtake White, assume command of the whole force, which will number about three hundred men, and turn the reconnaissance into an attack. The Guard set out at eight o’clock this evening. A few are left behind to do duty around headquarters. Lieutenant Kennedy, of the Kentucky company, was ordered to remain in command of our Home-Guard. He was greatly grieved, and went to the Major and with tears in his eyes besought him to permit him to go. Zagonyi could not refuse the gallant fellow, and all the officers of the Guard have gone. There is a feeling of sadness in camp to-night. We wonder which of our gay and generous comrades will come back to us again.

Fremont’s Hundred Days in Missouri was published in three installments in The Atlantic Monthly. The anonymous author appears to have been a member of Fremont’s staff with a disdainful bias towards Missourians, even those who were pro-Union.

24th. Rather strange life–smoking and such talk!

Thursday, 24th–The flag was run up at half mast today, in honor of the death of Colonel Wentz, of the Second Iowa Infantry. Clothing and arms for our regiment have arrived at Davenport. The boys are glad to know that our regiment is to be equipped before leaving the State–ours is to be the first so equipped.

24th.–A little skirmish to-day, amounting to almost nothing. A party of four or five hundred went out in the morning, came upon the enemy’s pickets, and firing on them, drove them in. Then, on returning, our four or five hundred found five men in the field, drawing manure, and well armed with shovels and dung-forks. We took them all prisoners, without losing a man! Wonder, if by to-morrow, this cannot be magnified into another “Great Victory,” to offset the terrible disaster at Edward’s Ferry. This “Grand Army of the Potomac” is a great field in which to win glory. Victories make glory, and victories with us are very cheap.

October 24th.–The heaviest blow which has yet been inflicted on the administration of justice in the United States, and that is saying a good deal at present, has been given to it in Washington. The judge of whom I wrote a few days ago in the habeas corpus case, has been placed under military arrest and surveillance by the Provost-Marshal of the city, a very fit man for such work, one Colonel Andrew Porter. The Provost Marshal imprisoned the attorney who served the writ, and then sent a guard to Mr. Merrick’s house, who thereupon sent a minute to his brother judges the day before yesterday stating the circumstances, in order to show why he did not appear in his place on the bench. The Chief Judge Dunlop and Judge Morsell thereupon issued their writ to Andrew Porter greeting, to show cause why an attachment for contempt should not be issued against him for his treatment of Judge Merrick. As the sharp tongues of women are very troublesome, the United States officers have quite little harems of captives, and Mrs. Merrick has just been added to the number. She is a Wickliffe of Kentucky, and has a right to martyrdom. The inconsistencies of the Northern people multiply ad infinitum as they go on. Thus at Hatteras they enter into terms of capitulation with officers signing themselves of the Confederate States Army and Confederate States Navy; elsewhere they exchange prisoners; at New York they are going through the farce of trying the crew of a C. S. privateer, as pirates engaged in robbing on the high seas, on “the authority of a pretended letter of marque from one Jefferson Davis.” One Jeff Davis is certainly quite enough for them at present. [continue reading…]

Thursday, 24th.—An account reached us to-day of a severe fight last Monday (21st), at Leesburg—a Manassas fight in a small way. The Federals, under General Stone, came in large force to the river; they crossed in the morning 8,000 or 10,000 strong, under command of Colonel Baker, late Senator from Oregon. They came with all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war, and rushed on as if to certain victory over our small force. “But when the sun set, where were they?” They were flying back to Maryland, that her hills might hide and her rocks shelter them. They crowded into their boats, on their rafts; multitudes plunged into the water and swam over; any thing, any way, that would bear them from “old Virginia’s shore.” Our men were in hot pursuit, firing upon them incessantly, until the blue waters of the Potomac ran red with blood. It was a “famous victory,” as old Caspar would say, and I am thankful enough for it; for if they come to kill us, we must kill or drive them back. But it is dreadful to think of the dead and the dying, the widows and the orphans. Mr. William Randolph, who brought us this account, says there were between five and six hundred prisoners, a number of wounded, and 400 killed and drowned—among them Colonel Baker killed. They had no business here on such an errand ; but who, with a human heart, does not feel a pang at the thought that each one had somebody to grieve for him— somebody who will look long for the return of each one of the four hundred! The account goes on to state with exultation, that we lost but twenty-seven killed. There are but twenty-seven bereaved households in the length and breadth of this Confederacy from this one fight—a great disparity, and very few considering the violence of the fight; but it is difficult to think with composure of the lacerated hearts in those twenty-seven homes!

October 24.–Mr. Shufeldt, U. S. Consul at Havana, telegraphed to Capt Wilkes, of the U. S. sloop San Jacinto, at Trinidad, to bring his vessel to Havana, in view of the numerous Confederate vessels finding refuge there, and remaining there unmolested to ship cargoes and return; perhaps, also, in view of the presence there of the rebel commissioners Mason and Slidell, en route for Europe.–National Intelligencer, November 1.

–An interesting correspondence between Gen. Mclernand and the “Confederate” Gen. Polk, on the subject of a recent exchange of prisoners, was made public.–(Doc. 105.)

–Capt. H. L. Shields, of Bennington, Vt., was arrested, charged with having carried on treasonable correspondence with the rebels. He obstinately denied the charges made against him, and promised to bring sufficient evidence of their falsity. He was conveyed to Fort Lafayette. Capt. Shields graduated at West Point in 1841, served ten years in the regular army, and was twice brevetted for gallantry in the Mexican War.–N. Y. Times, October 28.

–President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeus corpus for the District of Columbia. The judges and lawyers had made themselves so troublesome by their officious interference with military affairs that this had become necessary. –N. Y. Evening Post, October 24.

–The steamer Salvor, captured whilst attempting to run the blockade into Tampa Bay, Florida, arrived at New York.–Western Virginia almost unanimously voted in favor of a division of the State.–The funeral of Col. Edward D. Baker, who was killed at the battle of Ball’s Bluff, took place at Washington, D.C. The remains were deposited in the congressional burying ground.–Reports were circulated throughout the country that Gen. Banks had been killed and his army slaughtered, that Gen. Sickles’ brigade had suffered a similar fate, and that the Confederates had crossed the Potomac, both above and below Washington.– Baltimore American, October 25.

–This night a skirmish occurred between Gen. Ward’s pickets and a scouting party of about one hundred rebels in Green County, to the southwest of Campbellsville, Kentucky. The captain of pickets unfortunately was taken prisoner, but the National forces suffered no other loss, though there were several of the rebels killed and wounded. A Tennesseean who was attached to the Federal forces killed two of them.–Louisville Journal, October 26.

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 Line connected with the eastern section of Great Salt Lake City, thus connecting the wires between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

1. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

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 have offered battle against such superior numbers. They may disgrace Gen. Evans; but I trust our soldiers will repeat the experiment on every similar occasion.

Wednesday, October 23.—A clear day. The enemy in great force around Leesburg. We can see the church steeples of that place. Skirmishing kept up all day. In the evening our battery received orders to embark and cross the river,—Capt. Tompkins, having come back from Harper’s Ferry, with the right section, the evening before,—three guns were already loaded on a canal boat, together with Company C, First Maryland Regiment, and started; but the current of the stream being too strong, and losing half of the oars, they had to return again. Orders awaited us already to disembark immediately, and return to camp. All the troops withdrew from the Virginia shore before daylight,—eight thousand men in all.

WEDNESDAY 23

This has been another sour day, some rain and mist and some sunshine. I have staid pretty close and have not been out. Chas & Sallie were here an hour or two and Doct Smith (Rev) called in the afternoon. An important battle is expected to “come off” up the River soon. The Union cause looks a little brighter and the immense forces seem to be getting more into working order. The Potomac is now pretty well blocked with rebel batteries for some twenty miles.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

Daily Chronicle & Sentinel [Augusta, Ga],
October 23, 1861

Col. Greer, of one of the Texas Regiments engaged in the battle of Oak Hills, relates the following incidents:

The battle raged hottest around the house of an old gentleman named Sharp, near the center of the battle field. After the roar of the cannon and the rattle of small arms had ceased for a short time, an old lady came out of the house with a bundle of clothes on her arm, passing over and around the Dutch that lay in the yard, and near the fence, to hang out the clothes. Placing her spectacles high upon her nose, her right arm akimbo, she exclaimed, in a singular and doleful tone, “Well dese folks have kicked up a monstrous fuss here to-day.”

23rd. Changed my quarters for noncommissioned staff–was sorry.

Wednesday, 23d–There was a large fire in town today. New companies for the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Regiments are arriving in camp nearly every day; also new troops for the Second Iowa Cavalry in camp at the Fair Grounds.

October 23rd.–Up at six, waiting for horse and man. At eight walked down to stables. No one there. At nine became very angry–sent messengers in all directions. At ten was nearly furious, when, at the last stroke of the clock, James, with his inexpressive countenance, perfectly calm nevertheless, and betraying no symptom of solicitude, appeared at the door leading my charger. “And may I ask you where you have been till this time?” “Wasn’t I dressing the horse, taking him out to water, and exercising him.” “Good heavens! did I not tell you to be here at seven o’clock?” “No, sir; Carl told me you wanted me at ten o’clock, and here I am.” “Carl, did I not tell you to ask James to be round here at seven o’clock.” “Not zeven clock, sere, but zehn clock. I tell him, you come at zehn clock.” Thus at one blow was I stricken down by Gaul and Teuton, each of whom retired with the air of a man who had baffled an intended indignity, and had achieved a triumph over a wrong-doer.

The roads were in a frightful state outside Washington–literally nothing but canals, in which earth and water were mixed together for depths varying from six inches to three feet above the surface; but late as it was I pushed on, and had got as far as the turn of the road to Rockville, near the great falls, some twelve miles beyond Washington, when I met an officer with a couple of orderlies, hurrying back from General Banks’s head-quarters, who told me the whole affair was over, and that I could not possibly get to the scene of action on one horse till next morning, even supposing that I pressed on all through the night, the roads being utterly villanous, and the country at night as black as ink; and so I returned to Washington, and was stopped by citizens, who, seeing the streaming horse and splashed rider, imagined he was reeking from the fray. “As you were not there,” says one, “I’ll tell you what I know to be the case. Stone and Baker are killed; Banks and all the other generals are prisoners; the Rhode Island and two other batteries are taken, and 5000 Yankees have been sent to H___ to help old John Brown to roast niggers.”

October 23.–To-day a battle was fought at West Liberty, Ky., between a part of the Ohio Second, supported by one company of cavalry belonging to the Ohio First, and two pieces of light artillery on the side of the Federals, and seven hundred rebels. The rebels were completely routed, with a loss of twenty-one persons killed, the number of wounded not stated. The Federals captured thirty-four prisoners, fifty-two horses, ten or twelve mules, two jacks, and one large bear, and a great number of guns, knives, and other articles. None killed on the Federal side, and only two wounded–-one of them a flesh wound in the thigh, the other shot on the end of one of his thumbs.

General Nelson, with Colonels Marshall and Metcalfe’s commands, took Hazelgreen, routed two hundred rebels, took thirty-eight prisoners, and established his head-quarters in the house of G. Trimble, one of the leading rebels. There was not a gun fired at that place.

The troops at both places were acting under General Nelson’s orders, the whole belonging to his brigade.–(Doc. 103.)

–When the Union troops were withdrawn from the Virginia side, near Harper’s Ferry, this night, the Sixteenth Indiana, occupying the most advanced and exposed position, were not aware of any withdrawal until the rest had been successfully ferried over. They lay upon the cold ground, almost frozen, with loaded muskets in their hands, every moment expecting a furious and overpowering assault from a concealed and reinforced enemy, whose numbers were known to exceed our own by many thousands; yet the only murmurs uttered by these hardy sons of the Northwest were at the orders to retire without disputing the ground inch by inch with their adversaries. Slowly and mutteringly they retired to the place of embarkation, picking up and loading themselves down with the knapsacks, canteens, guns, and equipments left there by others who had retired before them.–Balt. American, Oct. 30.

–Mr. Charles J. Helm, late United States Consul at Havana, arrived there in the British steamer from St. Thomas, with credentials from the Confederate Government, naming him consul for the Southern Confederation. He presented his papers, asking to be admitted as Consul, but the Captain-General would not do any thing in the matter beyond reporting the case to the Home Government. Other consuls, though the Madrid Government may not have granted the exequatur, are at once admitted to the free exercise of their office before that formality, but this will not be the case in the present instance.–N. Y. Com. Advertiser, Oct. 30.

–Fifty men of the Sixth Indiana regiment, under Lieutenant Grayson, were attacked on the road near Hodgeville, Kentucky, by about double their number of rebels, whom they repulsed. Three rebels were left on the field dead, and five wounded. Three of the Union men were severely wounded, Lieutenant Grayson being of the number.–(Doc. 104.)

–General Fred. W. Lander was ordered to the command of the brigade recently commanded by Colonel Baker. Only a few hours subsequent to his assumption of the command, and while engaged in a reconnoissance, he received a musket ball in the calf of the leg. It was extracted.–N. Y. Times, Oct. 24.

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.

1. 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 that there were only three Confederate regiments there. But crossing a river in boats in the face of a few Southern regiments, is no easy matter. And this being the People’s War, although Gen. Evans, in command, had received orders to fall back if the enemy came in force, our troops decided for themselves to fight before retreating. Therefore, when seven or eight regiments of Yankees landed on this side of the river, two or three of our regiments advanced and fired into them with terrible effect. Then they charged; and ere long such a panic was produced that the enemy rushed in disorder into the river, crowding their boats so much that several went to the bottom, carrying down hundreds. The result was that the head of the serpent received a tremendous bruising, and the whole body recoiled from the scene of disaster. We had only some 1500 men engaged, and yet captured 1000 muskets; and the enemy’s loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, amounted to 2000 men. This battle was fought, in some respects, by the privates alone—much of the time without orders, and often without officers.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1861.

Col E D Baker was killed yesterday in the fight near Leesburgh. The event has thrown a general gloom over the City especialy at the “White House” where he was esteemed as an intimate friend. Saw Judge McCook today in the office of the Sec’y of the Interior. The Judge came out of the fight at “Bolivar” unhurt with the exception of the graze of a ball across his forehead. I did not see the Sec’y today. My health is improving but cough some yet. The weather is Damp and chilly. I have only been to the Pat office today.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of   Congress.

Tuesday, October 22.—Arrived at Edwards Ferry by six o’clock A. M. Two thousand men were already landed on the Virginia shore, opposite the ferry, others were continually crossing on canal boats. Since daylight, rain fell incessantly. On the Virginia side, skirmishing was going on all day. At five o’clock both lines of battle advanced. A brisk fight commenced. Two brass howitzers of Rickett’s battery, First United States Artillery, did good execution, being in position on the Virginia shore. While the fight continued, the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, Col. Geary, the Twenty-ninth , Col. Mury, and Van Allen’s cavalry, were sent as reinforcements across the Potomac. Fighting ceased an hour afterwards. Capt. Vaughan went to the enemy’s lines, under a flag of truce, to see about some of his wounded men in the hands

Benton Barracks Mo.
Oct 22, 1861

General¹

I was ordered yesterday by telegraph to march back all the troops I had sent down on the Iron Mountain road, which was no doubt intended as a preliminary for sending them West. The order conveyed also a scathing reproach saying “the whole affair has been grossly exaggerated Col Carlon should have kept the road open without any additional force.”²

An hour after I had to day responded by a kind of remonstrance showing the probability of conflict and [illegible] all I had sent; I received the telegraphic report of our success at Fredericktown, and further that the execution of the order to withdraw all I had sent would have left Pilot Knob and [illegible] without a man to guard them.

It is not therefore safe to withdraw the force [guarding the bridges–crossed out], and it would in my judgment be far better to send more and drive the enemy to the swamps or to Arkansas which is easy to do. But I am standing under two suspended orders, yours to send the Wisconsin 8th East, and Fremonts to bring them back here for the purpose of sending them West.

The first at my instance was suspended by you, the latter is suspended by me [and between you both, I suppose I will be suspended!–crossed out] to secure Pilot Knob and the railroad from [continue reading…]

Camp White, October 22d. The bridge is built, and the army is now crossing the Osage. In five days a firm road has been thrown across the river, over which our troops may pass in a day. The General and staff crossed by the ferry, and are now encamped two miles south of the Pomme-de-Terre.

Fremont’s Hundred Days in Missouri was published in three installments in The Atlantic Monthly. The anonymous author appears to have been a member of Fremont’s staff with a disdainful bias towards Missourians, even those who were pro-Union.

Democrat and Planter [Columbia, TX],
October 22, 1861

Recruits are wanted for immediate service in the Confederate Army, to serve in a company of Flying Artillery, at Velasco. Each man will provide his own horse, and such arms as he has, at least two suits of winter clothing, and a pair of blankets. Apply at Columbia, Brazoria county, to Capt. W. G. Mosely, or to Lieuts. H. P. Gayce and J. H. Dance.