Lincoln’s Farewell
From the editor: After bidding an emotional farewell to his mother, President-elect Abraham Lincoln heads to the train station to begin his trip to Washington, D.C., and the White House. A crowd of nearly a thousand people gathers at the train station in Springfield, Illinois, to say farewell to their native son. Much has happened since Lincoln was elected last November, and none of it has been good. A despondent Lincoln has this to say to his followers: “My friends - No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe every thing. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.” (1)
February 10 1861 (Sunday)
Texas Commissioners Thomas Devine, Samuel Maverick, and Phillip Luckett inform John Robertson, Chairman of the Committee of Public Safety, that they have requested that Department of Texas commander David Twiggs give them “a written statement of what he was willing to do” regarding the Federal installations, equipment, and ammunition in Texas. The Commissioners are worried that Twiggs may be stalling for the arrival of additional re-enforcements “en route with a provision train” from Arizona. They conclude: “Upon one point General Twiggs is fixed and apparently unalterable--that is, that the troops in Texas under his command shall retain all their arms, with the means to carry them out of the State.” In the meantime, Captain Bennett H. Hill, First U.S. Artillery, is attempting to secure the mortars, siege guns, and ordnance stored at the Brazos Island Depot, on the north end of Brazos Island on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
HEADQUARTERS FORT BROWN, TEX., February 10, 1861.
Maj. [William] A. Nichols, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Department of Texas, San Antonio: I have detached an officer and twelve men of this command to Brazos Santiago, to protect the public property there…. There is a heavy brass battery there, and quite a number of heavy iron guns and carriages, and I have been led to apprehend, from some rumors that I have heard, that an attempt may be made to seize both the public buildings and stores there, and I conclude it to be prudent to send a small guard there for their protection…. The battery of brass guns I have ordered to be sent to this post. Should the general commanding the department conclude to retain a command at Brazos, I suggest that it be drawn from Ringgold Barracks. One of the companies constituting the garrison of this post is a light battery, and as most of the men are required for the care of the battery horses, but few are applicable to the ordinary garrison duty, and as this post is an extensive one, the duty will fall heavily on that part of my own company that remains here. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B.H. HILL, Captain, First Artillery, Commanding Post.
February 11 1861 (Monday)
From Fort Pickens, Florida Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer, First U.S. Artillery, reports that he is continuing the work of “mounting guns on the ramparts” and “blocking up the casemate embrasures.” Slemmer also notices that the Confederates are “mounting heavy guns, 8-inch columbiads” in a battery that “would rake two bastions and the connecting curtains of this fort.” He complains to Colonel William Chase, commanding the Florida State Militia, who responds: “I am determined to make good the assurances that I have given, that no attack shall be made on Fort Pickens, and to discontinue all preparations for one.” Although Chase does not consider the work on the battery in question as “aiming at an attack,” he agrees to “give orders for the discontinuance of the erection of the battery.”
FORT PICKENS, FLA., February 11, 1861.
Col. WM. H. CHASE, Commanding the Forces of Florida: I observe you are erecting and arming battery west of the lighthouse. I deem it my duty to protest against its further continuance, and also of all batteries which may bear on Fort Pickens. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
A.J. SLEMMER, First Lieutenant, First Artillery, Commanding.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. President-elect Lincoln leaves Springfield, Illinois, en route for Washington, D.C.
2. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passes a resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. Presidential nominee Jefferson Davis leaves Brierfield Plantation, Mississippi, en route for Montgomery, Alabama.
2. John Wilkes Booth performs as Pescara in The Apostate at the Gayety Theatre in Albany, New York.
February 12 1861 (Tuesday)
Texas Commissioners (Devine, Maverick, and Luckett) officially demand that David Twiggs deliver “all the arms of every description, military stores, including quartermaster's, commissary, and medical stores” in the Department of Texas to “the sovereign People of the State of Texas.” If Twiggs does not consent, the Commissioners demand that he assure them in writing that he has no plans to make any movements or dispose of any public property “until the 2d day of March next.” Twiggs gives his reply: “The troops now in the Department of Texas shall retain their legitimate arms in possession, and march out of Texas with them.”
SAN ANTONIO, February 12, 1861.
Messrs. THOS. J. DEVINE, SA. MAVERICK, P.N. LUCKETT, Commissioners on behalf of the Convention of the People of Texas.
GENTLEMEN: To the first of the foregoing interrogatories we have the honor to state that we are willing that everything shall remain in statu quo until the 2d day of March next, provided that the general commanding the department shall not receive or, lets from higher authority than himself to remove the troops from Texas, or find it necessary to resist the inroads of marauding...Indians--the enemies of Texas and of our common country--or attack upon the troops or military posts in Texas by irresponsible parties coming from any quarter whatsoever. With regard to your second proposition, it is hereby agreed that no movement or change of perdition of the troops shall take place…. We are, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
[David] H. VINTON, Major and Quartermaster. [Major] SACKFIELD MACLIN, Paymaster, U. S. Army. [Robert] H.K. WHITELEY, Captain of Ordnance, Military Commission.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. President-elect Lincoln gives a speech in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2. In Saint Louis, Missouri, Major Justus McKinstry, A.Q.M., reports that ordnance stores at Napoleon, Arkansas, “en route for the posts on the Arkansas River, have been seized by certain individuals pretending to act for the State of Arkansas.”
February 13 1861 (Wednesday)
Major Robert Anderson, First U.S. Artillery, reports that everything remains quiet at Fort Sumter. His only complaint is that “one of the South Carolina guard-boats” has been coming too close to the walls. He writes to South Carolina Governor Francis Pickens: “Knowing that your desire to prevent…the recurrence of anything calculated to add to the excitement which already unfortunately exists, I deem it my duty to report that the guard-boats…have recently violated your orders by coming too near our walls.” However, Pickens has just received word from Howell Cobb, President of the Provisional C.S. Congress, that they have taken charge of the "questions and difficulties" now existing “between the several States of the Confederacy and the Government of the United States.” Pickens responds: “I am perfectly satisfied that the welfare of the new confederation and the necessities of the State require that Fort Sumter should be reduced before the close of the present administration at Washington.” He concludes: “If an attack is delayed until after the inauguration of the incoming President of the United States, the troops now gathered in the capital may then be employed in attempting that which, previous to that time, they could not be spared to do.”
HEADQUARTERS, CHARLESTON, S.C., February 13, 1861.
Hon. HOWELL COBB, President of the Provisional Congress: Let me offer you my warm congratulations upon the success which has attended you in the organization of the Provisional Government. May it be equal to the emergency of every occasion which can arise, and be to each State in this new confederation the efficient guardian of those rights, which, ignored or usurped under the former confederation, has united these States in the bonds of a new political compact....In the absence of any explanation or direction connected with the telegram received from you, I have assumed that the policy and measures which have been adopted by this State…will be recognized as proper. In the consideration of the question of Fort Sumter, I have not been insensible of those matters which are in their nature consequential…. If peace can be secured, it will be by the prompt use of the occasion, when the forces of the United States are withheld from our harbor. If war can be averted, it will be by making the capture of Fort Sumter a fact accomplished during the continuance of the present administration, and leaving to the incoming administration the question of an open declaration of war…. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
F.W. PICKENS, Governor of South Carolina.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. While President-elect Lincoln is addressing the Ohio State Legislature in Columbus, Ohio, the Electoral College officially chooses him at the 16th President of the United States.
2. In Saint Louis, Missouri, sixty-one year old William Harney, commander of the Department of the West, is ordered to abandon Fort Smith, Arkansas, and withdraw the garrison to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, because it is “no longer safe to send supplies of any description up the Arkansas River.”
3. A new state law bans unauthorized militias in Missouri; including the pro-secession Minute Men and the pro-Union Wide Awakes.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. Delegates to the Virginia Secession Convention assemble in Richmond, Virginia, to determine if Virginia should secede from the United States. At present there is little support for secession.
February 14 1861 (Thursday)
David Twiggs begins implementing plans for marching the men in his department out of Texas. The troops at Fort Duncan, on the Rio Grande River, are to march to Brazos de Santiago where a streamer will be waiting. “Companies C and E, Third Infantry, will move to Fort Brown, in Brownsville, Texas, without delay, to replace the garrison ordered out of Texas.” And, “Company B, Third Infantry, will repair at once to Fort Duncan, and relieve the present garrison of that station.” In addition, Captain Steven D. Carpenter, First U.S. Infantry, is worried about his deteriorating position at Camp Cooper, on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River, near the Butterfield Stage Road.
CAMP COOPER, TEXAS, February 14, 1861.
Major [William A.] NICHOLS [A.A.G., Department of Texas]: I have just received information from a source which cannot be doubted that a force is concentrating about this post for the purpose of attacking us, and of taking possession of the public property here. This force is concentrating about the camp--coming in by small parties. An express passed thirty near here yesterday, and the herdsman saw several about the herd yesterday. I shall use what force and Vigilance we can to protect ourselves and property. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S.D. CARPENTER, Captain, First Infantry, Commanding Post.
February 15 1861 (Friday)
From his post as U.S. Army Paymaster in Albuquerque, New Mexico Territory, Major James Longstreet offers his services to the state of Alabama. He writes to Governor Andrew B. Moore, “I am the senior officer of the army, from Alabama, and should be the first to offer her such assistance in my profession as I may be able to render.” Longstreet graduated from West Point in 1842, and was 54th in his class of 62. He later served in the Mexican War, where he earned two brevet promotions and was wounded.
ALBUQUERQUE, N. MEX., February 15, 1861.
His Excellency Governor A.B. MOORE, Montgomery, Ala.: Our communication with the States is so very irregular that I can form but a very indefinite idea as to what is to be the result of the troubles now agitating our country. I presume, however, that Alabama is out of the Union ere this. I desire, therefore, to tender through you my services to her, should she need a soldier who has seen hard service…. I should have returned to my State in anticipation had it been possible to do so, but a severe winter season and the hostile attitude of the Indians between this and the settlements render the trip next to impossible. With the greatest respect, I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
JAMES LONGSTREET, Major, U.S. Army.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. President-elect Lincoln gives a speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before traveling to Cleveland, Ohio.
2. The steamer Daniel Webster with Major Fitz-John Porter, A.A.G., and Captain George Stoneman, 2nd U.S. Cavalry, leaves New York harbor bound for Brazos de Santiago to begin the evacuation of Federal troops from Texas.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. The Provisional C.S. Congress, currently meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, passes a resolution calling for “immediate steps” to be taken to obtain possession of Forts Sumter and Pickens, “either by negotiations or force, as early as practicable.” President-elect Jefferson Davis is given authorization to “make all necessary military preparations for carrying this resolution into effect.”
2. Delegates from the newly seceded state of Texas arrive in Montgomery to take part in the Convention of Seceded States.
3. Rafael Semmes resigns his commission with the U.S. Navy.
February 16 1861 (Saturday)
The Texas Commissioners (Devine, Maverick, and Luckett) formally demand the surrender of all “military posts and public property” in Texas. David Twiggs agrees, but insists that his men “retain their arms and clothing” and “such means of transportation” out of the state. Rather than continue to negotiate, the Commissioners order Colonel Benjamin McCulloch, Texas State Militia, to take the Texas Arsenal in San Antonio by force of arms. Captain Whiteley reports: “Troops of Texas entered San Antonio early this morning, and have taken possession of the arsenal and all public storehouses in the city.” It is Whiteley’s opinion that “matters will remain in statu quo” until an agent is sent to “receive and receipt” the public property.
Report of Lieut. Col. [William] Hoffman, Eighth U.S. Infantry.
SIR: Soon after 4 o'clock of the morning of the 16th I was notified that there was some excitement in town, and on repairing to my office...I heard the corporal of the guard report to the officer of the day that in consequence of a demand by a large force that he should surrender....In a very short time the building used as an arsenal was taken possession of, and companies of armed men occupied the streets near where our companies were quartered, and in front of the commissary building. A thousand to twelve hundred men are reliably said to have been in the town at the time. Things remained in this state, without any noise or disturbance of any kind, till some time after daylight…. I had ordered that our men should not leave their quarters, but should be prepared to resist any attempt to take their arms; and between 9 and 10 o'clock, wishing to relieve them from this constraint, and to avoid any chance of accidental collision, I proposed to move the command into camp at a convenient distance from town…. After some discussion of the feasibility of the plan of the troops going out by Indianola and up the Mississippi, with the approbation of General Twiggs, who was present, I gave the assurance asked for, and immediately issued the necessary orders for the companies to go into camp…. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. HOFFMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel Eighth Infantry, Commanding.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. President-elect Jefferson Davis is introduced to a cheering crowd in Montgomery, Alabama. Davis proclaims: “The time for compromise has now passed.” (2)
2. James M. McPherson, Battle cry of freedom (New York, NY 1988), p. 259.
Sources for Week 7:
1. Abraham Lincoln, The collected works of Abraham Lincoln, vol. 4 (New York, NY 1953), p. 190.