Arrested Developments
From the editor: During James Longstreet's long tenure as Robert E. Lee's second-in-command in the Army of Northern Virginia, he mirrored his commander's equanimity and equipoise. However, this changed when Longstreet traveled to Georgia and Tennessee. Accustomed to having Lee's confidence, Longstreet was put off by Braxton Bragg's cold and distant demeanor. Longstreet returned Bragg's disdain and repaid his new commander by adding his voice to those who sought Bragg's removal from the army. Nevertheless, when Longstreet was given a semi-independent command in East Tennessee, he showed that he had more in common with Bragg than he cared to admit. Disconcerted by his failure to capture Knoxville, Longstreet, like Bragg after Chickamauga, sought to shift the blame onto his subordinates. Longstreet relieved his own second-in-command Lafayette McLaws because he “exhibited a want of confidence in the efforts and plans [of the] commanding general,” despite the fact that McLaws was a childhood friend and a West Point classmate. In addition, Jerome Robertson, commander of the Texas Brigade, was arrested “for conduct highly prejudicial to good order and military discipline.” And finally, there is the strange case of McIvor Law who had served in John Bell Hood's division longer than any other brigadier. Longstreet actively campaigned for Micah Jenkins to become the divisional commander instead of Law after Hood’s wounding at Chickamauga. Law resigned his commission rather than serve under Jenkins and then changed his mind after being given permission to travel to Richmond to deliver the resignation. Longstreet responded by having Law arrested for obtaining leave under false pretenses. Well aware that his actions reflected as poorly on his own ability to command as upon his subordinates, Longstreet also sent his own request to be relieved to Richmond. While President Davis and Secretary of War Seddon took this request seriously, the scarcity of qualified corps-level commanders precluded any immediate changes. After three long years of war this deficiency has become so serious that Robert E. Lee, already concerned about the performance of his two corps leaders Dick Ewell and A.P. Hill, is forced to admit: “I do not know anyone to take his place.”
January 03, 1864 (Sunday)
When Union cavalry are detected advancing east up the Powell River Valley, William E. ‘Grumble’ Jones maneuvers his cavalry brigade to cut them off near Jonesville, Virginia. He reports: "The weather was intensely cold. Many of my men could not be started from their camps. Every halt of a few moments fires were started, and probably more than half of those who did leave were far in rear before daylight. The road was rough and in many places almost impassable from ice, but onward we went with all that could or would go. One man was frozen to death and many were badly frost-bitten. Arriving at daylight in the vicinity of the enemy, well nigh conquered by the hardships encountered by my poorly clad and shod men, I had the satisfaction to find we were unexpected guests. No pickets were on the road we came." After a fierce firefight, the Federals are forced to surrender. Jones continues: “Feeling secure of the prey my men were kept well sheltered, and skirmished just enough to keep the enemy firing his artillery to exhaust its ammunition…. [The enemy] took position on a neighboring eminence. As soon as he was far enough from his shelter to make return impossible a general assault was ordered, a surrender [was] enforced in a few minutes.”
Report of Colonel Wilson C. Lemert, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry.
COLONEL: I regret to inform you of the loss of [Major Charles H. Beeres'] command, Third Battalion, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, parts of two companies Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, [First Lieutenant Amos B. Alger] and 17 men, Twenty-second Ohio Battery, 2 mountain howitzers and 1 3-inch Rodman gun.... I directed Major Beeres to attack the rebel force at Jonesville, which was reported to me as 400 men.... Major Beeres' command camped at Jonesville..., and as I learn only picketed the road in the direction of Stickleyville. At daybreak [General Jones' command] attacked Major Beeres from the direction of Mulberry Gap, completely surprising and for some time driving him into confusion. The major finally rallied his men and fought the enemy till 3 p.m., when, his artillery ammunition having been some time exhausted..., he surrendered his force of about 250 men, 1 rifled gun, and 2 mountain howitzers.... I have the honor to be, colonel, your obedient servant,
W.C. LEMERT, Colonel, Commanding Forces at Cumberland Gap and Tazewell.
Shenandoah Valley commander Jubal Early's hope of sending an expedition to cut the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is foiled when Union cavalry are spotted in Front Royal, Virginia. Edward L. Thomas, Thomas’ Brigade, reports: “The enemy, in considerable force, have made their appearance at Front Royal. I sent one of my regiments early this morning to Strasburg to guard the road leading out to Front Royal, should they attempt to cross the river. I think it prudent to move my whole command back to Fisher's Hill, the other side of Strasburg.” The Union cavalrymen quickly return to Warrenton. Colonel John P. Taylor, Second Division, Cavalry Corps, reports: “From information received at Front Royal, General Early, with 10,000 mounted men and eight pieces of artillery, is between Woodstock and Strasburg, about starting on a raid for the purpose of striking the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, by way of Winchester and Martinsburg.” To further deter any Rebel activity, Jeremiah C. Sullivan, First Division, Department of West Virginia, sends another small cavalry force into Winchester.
Report of Col. William H. Boyd, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CAPTAIN: I left Charlestown and went to Winchester, by way of Berryville. All the way going there we were told a large force were in Winchester. Upon nearing the town I divided my force, about 300 men, so as to cover all approaches or exits, except on the west side, and then dashed in simultaneously. A perfect skedaddle took place; a great many rebels took to the houses and were lost.... From citizens and prisoners I learned that [John Imboden's] camp had been on the outskirts of the town..., but a telegram was received about 11 a.m. ordering him to fall back, as [Meade's Army of the Potomac] ...was supposed to be crossing near Front Royal.... It growing dark, I prudently retired to Charlestown.... Early's division never came any lower down the valley than Middletown.... The enemy foraged very close, carrying off everything in the way of forage.... I am led to believe that there has never been a larger force than about 800 in or about Winchester within the last week.... I am, captain, with much respect, your obedient servant,WM. H. BOYD, Colonel Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, Commanding.
Casualties at Jonesville, Virginia:
U.S.: 360 (12 killed, 48 wounded, 300 captured/missing)
C.S.: 28 (5 killed, 23 wounded)
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. F.J. Herron is assigned command of the U.S. Forces on the Rio Grande, with his headquarters in Brownsville, Texas.
2. Colonel W.K. Kimball, 12th Maine, leads an expedition from New Orleans to Madisonville, Louisiana, for the purpose “of opening a source of certain supplies for the army, particularly lumber.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. G.T. Beauregard reports the enemy has been reconnoitering “in vicinity of Dewees Inlet north, and Long Island, indicating possible movement in that direction.”
2. Major H.W. King, Chief Commissary, reports 50,000 pounds of salted pork, 148 barrels of flour, 2,400 pounds of rice, and 1,900 pounds of sugar were destroyed during the “raid of the Yankee forces” at Salem, Virginia.
January 04 1864 (Monday)
Commissary-General Lucius Northrop receives an unwelcome report about the status of supplies in Richmond from *S. Bassett ‘Chester’ French, Major and Commissary of Subsistence: "I regret being compelled to inform you that the entire stock of breadstuffs in this city has been exhausted, and we are now unable to respond to requisitions from Lee's army. The reserve of flour and hard bread has been consumed, and the receipts of corn for the past week have been totally inadequate to our daily wants." An unhappy Northrop replies: “[This] as been long expected.” Despite this dire news, Lee is adamant about refusing to have his army forage freely for supplies. He writes: "Neither the law or regulations of the War Department, in my opinion, give me that power. I am authorized...to impress provisions and forage when occasion required, and I have exercised that power under certain emergencies, through the proper officers of this army, but withdrew it when the necessity passed." Lee continues: "I may be mistaken, but I have never heard of any reduction in the meat ration issued to the troops in and about Richmond, Petersburg, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, or in the Southwest.... Many of them could with propriety, I think, be placed on lighter diet than troops in the field.... I understand that at the present time the army of General [Joseph E. Johnston] is receiving full rations.... I am always glad to hear of troops receiving abundance of provisions at any point, but think all ought to fare alike, if possible. It stops complaint and produces more contentment."
RICHMOND, VA., January 4, 1864.
General R.E. LEE, Commanding Army of Northern Virginia: The Commissary-General of Subsistence has ordered some 90,000 pounds of salt meat from Wilmington for your army.... The emergency justifies impressment from stock on hand for year's consumption by private parties and corporations of so much as is required for immediate use of army. This should be done so as to be most equal and least odious.... Very respectfully and truly, yours,
[President Jefferson Davis].
*Editor’s Note: A Virginia lawyer before the war, French received a commission as Extra Aide-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief and was considered “the jauntiest little man (130 pounds) in the Army of Northern Virginia.”
From Cumberland, Maryland, Department of West Virginia commander Benjamin F. Kelley reports that his situation has stabilized. He writes to Colonel James A. Mulligan, Second Division: "As the enemy have not attacked..., I am satisfied that they are not prepared to attack any fortifications, and will not attack you. You will therefore push the [Eighth West Virginia Regiment] right on to me here on its arrival." George Meade informs General-in-Chief Henry Halleck that "if the present fall of snow should continue it will stop for a time all military movements." Meade is responding to Halleck's request that he move against Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley. Meade continues: "At present, with snow on the ground, the only passable road open...is not practicable, from the balling of the snow in the animals' hoofs.... I am still of the opinion that the operations against Early, to be effective, should be from the railroad and defensive, and the character of the season and roads, together with the difficulty of procuring supplies, after exhausting those carried with them, will render nugatory any effort made from this army to cut off Early's retreat."
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, January 4, 1864-10.30 a.m. (Received 12.20 p.m.)
Maj. Gen. H.W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: An officer from [the] cavalry division sent into the Shenandoah Valley, arrived...reporting the Shenandoah River not fordable, and that [Colonel John P. Taylor, First Pennsylvania Cavalry,] was returning, his command broken down from the severity of the weather and the bad condition of the roads and want of supplies.... The Shenandoah cannot be crossed without a bridge, and it is doubtful whether a bridge train can be transported at the present season and weather.... With my army weakened by the detachments already made, and the large number of furloughs granted, I feel reluctant to send a large force away, particularly as I doubt the practicability of moving it over the roads we are compelled to use at this season. I would rather suggest sending troops by railroad if they are required for defensive purposes. Please give me your views whether I shall send back the cavalry or a strong force of all arms.
GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Specifications are issued for hospital and ambulance flags: "For general hospitals, yellow bunting nine by five feet, with the letter H, twenty-four inches long, of green bunting, in center. For post and field hospitals, yellow bunting six by four feet, with letter H, twenty-four inches long, of green bunting, in center."
2. Colonel T.J. Harrison, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, reports he “proceeded to the other side of the Cumberland Mountains with 200 men” to Sparta, Tennessee. He reports: “My orders [were to] concentrate at that point in the evening, arresting all the men that could be found.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. From Wilmington, North Carolina, W.H.C. Whiting, Cape Fear District, reports “the enemy are sounding Shallotte and Lockwood's Folly.” He writes: “My 30-pounder Parrott burst..., killing 1 man.”
2. From Fort Sumter, Lt. Colonel Stephen Elliott Jr., C.S. Artillery, reports “the boom in front of the sea and eastern portions of the gorge faces was successfully laid [and] remains in position.”
January 05 1864 (Tuesday)
Last year, James H. Clanton, commanding the Eastern Division of the Confederate Department of the Gulf, recruited and organized a brigade in southeastern Alabama. Because of earlier drafts, the unit consisted mainly of “paid substitutes, impressed conscripts, foreigners, [and] men who had previously been exempt from service.” Unrest within the brigade, especially in the *57th Alabama stationed at Camp Pollard (at the junction of the Alabama & Florida and Mobile & Great Northern railroads), swiftly turns into open mutiny. Clanton reports: "Sixty out of 300 of a detachment at [Camp Gonzales] mutinied...and said they would do no more service. [Captain Baily M. Talbot] acted with decision, and arrested the entire party…. [I have] ironed those who were ringleaders in the contemplated rebellion--the "Peace Society," as it is called--and have secured the names, oaths, pass-words, and grips of the concern…. They confess everything, and seem badly whipped." From Mobile, Dabney H. Maury, reports the incident to the Richmond authorities: "The fact is established that an organized opposition to the war exists in our midst; that a secret association has been formed in the army, and with many members in the country, seeking peace on any terms."
*Editor’s Note: Colonel John Porter Warner Amerine, 57th Alabama, was court-martialed after being implicated in the planned mass desertion. He had personally raised Company K in Pike County and received a bounty of $3,950 for his efforts.
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