The Great Winnebago Chief
From the Editor: President Lincoln’s choice of Simon Cameron as his Secretary of War was made for all the right political reasons. Unfortunately, it came with a myriad of negative consequences, most of which were directly related to Cameron’s financial ties to the railroad industry. Cameron’s rise in politics was closely paralleled by his reputation for corruption. In 1847, he was given the nickname as the ‘Great Winnebago Chief’ after being accused of siphoning off money owed to the tribe. Cameron’s tenure as Secretary of War has been marred by a continuous string of controversies that has steadily eroded Lincoln’s confidence. Cassius M. Clay’s decision to leave his post as Minister to Russia gives Lincoln an opportunity to remove Cameron and ensure that he is far from the levers of political power. When Cameron learns he is to be sacked as Secretary of War, he begs President Lincoln for a cover story to prevent his “political destruction.” This is followed by a game of charades between Lincoln and Cameron, played out in open letters to the New York Times. However, the old ‘Winnebago Chief’ has the last laugh when, upon his return to politics in 1866, he wins re-election to the U.S. Senate. After serving for another decade, he resigns his seat and is succeeded by his son J. Donald Cameron, who keeps the Senatorial seat in the family for another twenty years.
January 05, 1862 (Sunday)
Secretary of State Judah Benjamin writes to Theophilus Holmes, Aquia District, concerning the condition of the 35th Georgia. Because of their “bad condition,” Benjamin asks Holmes to “relieve this regiment from exposure and picket duty” until the men have “recovered from the effects of the measles and other camp maladies.” He continues: “Humanity requires that I should try some way to prevent suffering and mortality among these troops just called from a southern clime and weakened by disease.” Benjamin also pens a note regarding the Trent Affair to Louis Heyliger, the Confederate States Agent at the port of Nassau, on New Providence Island.
Richmond, Va., January 5, 1862.
LOUIS HEYLIGER, Esq., Nassau, New Providence: The Northern Government has…submitted to the peremptory demand of Great Britain for the surrender of [Commissioners James Mason and John Slidell], and thus there is no prospect of immediate hostilities between those two powers, although everything portends the rupture of their friendly relations at no distant day; still, we cannot wait for such eventualities, and must now abandon any hope of having the Gladiator convoyed, and rely on ourselves alone for getting in her cargo. The Fingal (a Confederate blockade runner) is still very closely blockaded in Savannah, and, indeed, the whole attention of the enemy seems to be diverted to that port, and they appear to rely principally on their stone fleet for the blockade of Charleston. At Brunswick, in Georgia, there have been no enemy's vessels in two months past. The fort is a fine one, and there is a railroad leading directly to Savannah. At Wilmington there is hardly a show of a blockade. At Georgetown, S.C., hardly any risk. If a vessel could manage to approach any one of these ports so as to make the last sixty or seventy miles of her run during the night, there is scarcely a chance of her capture.
J.P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War.
Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson continues his push into western Virginia. William W. Loring's Army of the Northwest is directed to destroy the railroad bridge over the Big Cacapon River and Lieutenant-Colonel Turner Ashby’s cavalry and “a working party” under Captain Rawley T. Colston, Second Virginia, is ordered to try again to breach Dam No. 5 on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. It is Jackson’s hope that a break in the dam will “destroy any vestiges of hope” that the Union high command might have of “supplying Washington with Cumberland coal by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal” and force the Union to relay twenty-five miles of railroad track “west of Harper's Ferry.”
Report of Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, C.S. Army.
MAJOR: General Loring was directed to proceed with [Colonel Albert Rust's] command [Third Arkansas], and [Colonel William Gilham's 21st Virginia], if necessary, and complete the work that had been intrusted to Colonel Rust, if he should find that it had not been already executed. General Loring, having with his artillery driven off the enemy who were defending the bridge, destroyed the structure and railroad buildings, and also the telegraph for some distance, and rejoined me at Hancock.... Lieutenant-Colonel Ashby, who, in command of a detachment composed of some cavalry and an infantry force under [Major Elisha Paxton, 27th Virginia,] and a working party under Capt. R.T. Colston, had been enlarging the break in Dam No. 5, joined me at Bath. From the most reliable information received the force of the enemy at Bath was 1,500 cavalry and infantry, with two pieces of artillery. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
T.J. JACKSON, Major-General, Commanding.
Yesterday, Don Carlos Buell, Department of the Ohio, explained in a letter to President Lincoln his reservations about moving quickly into East Tennessee: “Arms can only go forward for East Tennessee under the protection of an army.... As earnestly as I wish to accomplish it, my judgment has from the first been decidedly against it.” Lincoln quickly responds, “Your dispatch of yesterday has been received, and it disappoints and distresses me.”
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, January 6, 1862.
Brigadier-General BUELL: My distress is that our friends in East Tennessee are being hanged and driven to despair, and even now I fear are thinking of taking rebel arms for the sake of personal protection. In this we lose the most valuable stake we have in the South. My dispatch, to which yours is an answer, was sent with the knowledge of Senator [Andrew Johnson] and Representative [Horace Maynard], of East Tennessee, and they will be upon me to know the answer, which I cannot safely show them. They would despair, possibly resign, to go and save their families somehow or die with them. I do not intend this to be an order in any sense, but merely, as intimated before, to show you the grounds of my anxiety. Yours, very truly,
A. LINCOLN.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. N.P. Banks is ordered to send “strong re-enforcements” to Hancock (MD). Col. D.A.M. Donnelly, 28th N.Y., is directed to “march immediately.”
3. Col. J.A. Garfield, 18th Brigade, advances to “within 5 miles of Paintsville (KY).”
4. Major T. Herrick’s 1st Kansas Cavalry is sent to Johnson and Lafayette counties, Missouri, to confront and capture Col. Ben. Elliott, 8th M.S.G., whose men are “committing depredations upon Union men.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. Secretary Benjamin responds to J.E. Johnston’s complaint that important military secrets are being published in the Richmond newspapers: “The state of the law is such as to give no remedy for this wrong through the courts.”
2. N.C. Governor Clark informs the War Department “the Burnside expedition…is destined for Pamlico Sound and New Berne.”
3. A.S. Johnston, Western Dept., writes to Secretary Benjamin: “Let us convert our country into one vast camp of instruction…and fix our military establishment upon a permanent basis.”
4. Firing across the Potomac River, the artillery batteries of T.J. Jackson shell Hancock (MD).
January 06, 1862 (Monday)
Influential Missouri Congressman Frank Blair, Jr. questions Henry Halleck, Department of the Missouri, about the “vigor” of his carrying out the contentious General Orders No. 24, which forces Missourians who refuse to sign a loyalty oath to make contributions to help alleviate the “suffering families driven by rebels from Southwestern Missouri.” Blair writes: “Recently it was intimated from Saint Louis that an effort was being made by some of our Union friends in Saint Louis to induce you to relax the order, if not to recall it entirely. Halleck responds: “Don't trouble yourself about Orders, No. 24. It will be rigorously executed in good time.... The growl of secessionists don't trouble us a particle. I expected it. The delay in its execution has resulted in this way: the first list was not fairly made.” Halleck also explains why he has been unwilling to cooperate in offensive operations with Don Carlos Buell.
SAINT LOUIS, January 6, 1862.
Hon. F.P. Blair. Jr., Washington: You have no idea of the character of the material I have to work with. The German troops are on the brink of mutiny. They have been tampered with by politicians, and made to believe that if they refuse to obey my orders and demand the return of [John C. Frémont] the Government will be compelled to yield. Meetings to this effect have been held, and high officers are implicated. They are closely watched, and I have the threads of the conspiracy. Don't be alarmed at an explosion. I am prepared for it, and will put it down. I have already cut off its legs, and will soon get its head. All I ask of my Washington friends is to keep cool and let me work out my plans. I understand the problem, and will solve it in time. Yours truly,
H.W. Halleck
After yesterday’s shelling, ‘Stonewall’ Jackson prepares to attack Hancock, Maryland, and issues a demand of surrender to Union commander Frederick W. Lander. Jackson reports: “I demanded the surrender of Hancock, stating that if the demand was not acceded to the place would be cannonaded. The commanding officer refused to comply with my demand, and I cannonaded the place for a short time, and proceeded to construct a bridge for crossing the Potomac about 2 miles above the town.” Before Jackson can finish his preparations, reinforcements led by Colonel Dudley Donnelly begin to arrive. When he learns that Lander’s forces have been reinforced, Jackson decides to forgo the attack in lieu of his ultimate objective.
Report of Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, C. S. Army.
MAJOR: The enemy was re-enforced to such an extent as to induce me to believe that my object could not be accomplished without a sacrifice of life, which I felt unwilling to make, as Romney, the great object of the expedition, might require for its recovery, and especially for the capture of the troops in and near there, all the force at my disposal. The invader having been defeated and driven across the Potomac, the telegraph line broken at several points, and the railroad bridge across Big Cacapon destroyed, thus throwing material obstacles in the way not only of transmitting intelligence from Romney to Hancock, but also of receiving re-enforcements from the east, arrangements were made for moving on Romney. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
T.J. JACKSON, Major-General, Provisional Army Confederate States.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. President Lincoln rejects suggestions from several senators to remove G.B. McClellan as General-in-Chief for inaction.
2. Secretary of State Seward informs Lord Lyons that “Messrs. Mason, Slidell, Eustis and Macfarland” have been delivered “to the custody of the commander of the British war steamer Rinaldo.”
3. General Orders #60 is issued stating that “all medical officers taken prisoners are to be unconditionally released.”
4. H.W. Halleck informs President Lincoln and D.C. Buell it would be “madness” to “attempt any serious operation against Camp Beauregard or Columbus (KY).”
5. From Cairo (IL), U.S. Grant reports “the rebels have a chain across the [Mississippi] river…above Columbus.” He continues, “Between each pair of the boats a torpedo is attached to the chain.”
6. In Romney (VA), B.F. Kelley, Railroad District, orders Col. S.H. Dunning, 5th Ohio, to make a “detail of six companies” for an expedition to Blue’s Gap.
7. Schuyler Hamilton assumes command of the Saint Louis District.
8. Col. J.A. Garfield orders a squadron of Ohio Cavalry to “Jennie's Creek (KY) and learn whether the enemy is still there.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. President Davis asks M. Lovell, commanding in New Orlean to assign Dan. Ruggles to command the district “stretching from the Rigolets to Pascagoula.”
2. Secretary Benjamin assures N.C. Gov. Clark “we are fully alive to the necessity of defending your coast.”
3. H.A. Wise, recently appointed commander of the District of Albemarle, departs Norfolk (VA) to conduct a “reconnaissance of [Roanoke Island] and its defenses.”
4. Henry Heth is appointed brigadier-general in the C.S. Army.
January 07, 1862 (Tuesday)
Ambrose E. Burnside, Coast Division, begins loading his troops onto their awaiting flotilla in Annapolis, Maryland. Among the troops being loaded are the 53rd New York, commanded by Colonel Lionel D'Epineuil, 53rd New York, a Frenchmen with dubious claims of service in the French Army. D’Epineuil’s unit boards the John Trucks, a sailing bark of about 800 tons, and crowds seven hundred men onto one lower deck designed to hold half that number. *Once aboard ship, D'Epineuil, being told they were only going to “remain on board for five or six days at most,” orders the regimental sutler off the ship. Before departing, George McClellan gives Burnside some friendly advice: “I would urge great caution.... Say as little as possible about politics or the negro. Merely state that the true issue for which we are fighting is the preservation of the Union and upholding the laws of the General Government.”
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, January 7, 1862.
Brig. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Commanding Expedition: After uniting with Flag-Officer [Lewis M. Goldsborough, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron,] at Fort Monroe, proceed under his Convoy to Hatteras Inlet, when you will in connection with him take the most prompt measures for crossing the fleet into the "Bulkhead" into the waters of the sound.... Your first point of attack will be Roanoke Island and its dependencies.... The commodore and yourself having completed your arrangements in regard to Roanoke Island and the waters north of it you will please at once make a descent upon New Berne, having gained possession of which and the railroad passing through it you will at once throw a sufficient force upon Beaufort, and take the steps necessary to reduce Fort Macon and open that port.... The temper of the people, the rebel force at hand, &c., will go far toward determining the question as to how far west the railroad can be safely occupied and held.... A great point would be gained in any event by the effectual destruction of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad…. With my best wishes for your success, I am, &c.,
GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding-in- Chief
*Editors Note: Due to a series of misadventures, the D’Epineuil Zouaves would remain on board the John Trucks without fresh water for 38 days before finally returning to Annapolis, Maryland.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. President Lincoln orders H.W. Halleck and D.C. Buell to “designate a day” they will “be ready to move southward in concert.” He adds, “Delay is ruining us.”
2. G. Wright, Dept. of the Pacific, writes to Senator Latham: “Should we get involved in a foreign war our entire sea-coast…is open to assaults.”
3. The Dept. of North Carolina is created, to be commanded by A.E. Burnside.
4. From Port Royal (SC), T.W. Sherman, Expeditionary Corps, reports he is trying to “open Wall's Cut” on the Bull River. If successful, he plans to “throw gunboats into Savannah River” cut off Fort Pulaski, shell Fort Jackson, and afterwards the city.”
5. J.T. Boyle, 11th Brigade, reports a “rebel steamboat...loaded with men and cannon” heading towards Burkesville (KY). Boyle reports he is moving his force to Burkesville and is “not willing to see the Cumberland [River] surrendered, without a struggle.”
6. In Rolla, Missouri, S.R. Curtis, District of S.W. Missouri reports his cavalry “entered Marshfield, 22 miles from Springfield,” but “found no rebel force.”
7. The expedition led by Col. Dunning skirmishes with Virginia militia at Hanging Rock (VA). T.J. Jackson reports the enemy “drove back our troops from their fortifications, burned their huts.”
8. Col. J.A. Garfield reports a skirmish at Jennies’ Creek (KY).
9. The 1st Maryland Cavalry is involved in an action at Bloomery Gap (VA).
10. The U.S.S. Conestoga, commanded by Lt. Commander S.L. Phelps steams up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers in Kentucky. He reports, “The rebels are industriously perfecting their means of defense both at Dover and Ft. Henry.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. S.C. Governor Pickens warns President Davis “the feeling of General Ripley, towards General Lee may do injury to the public service.” He explains, “His habit is to say extreme things even before junior officers.”
2. J.K. Duncan is appointed brigadier-general in the C.S. Army.
3. Col. D. Leadbetter, commanding at Knoxville (TN), takes charge of the 130 political prisoners being held there.
4. Lt. Col. W.E. Peters, 45th Virginia Militia, sends scouts to Pack’s Ferry, who report the enemy crossed the New River, but were “driven back by a number of the citizens.”
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