I Accept This Commission
From the editor: In a brief ceremony at the White House, Ulysses S. Grant receives his appointment as lieutenant-general in the United States Army. Grant is the first man to hold this rank on a permanent basis since George Washington. President Lincoln gave Grant a copy of his speech the night before, he also expressed the hope that Grant would "say something which shall prevent or obviate any jealousy of you from any of the other generals in the service" and "something which shall put you on as good terms as possible with the Army of the Potomac." The President even went so far as to give Grant some ideas for his acceptance speech. When it comes time for Grant to issue his address, the obviously uncomfortable general ignores Lincoln's recommendations and, giving full credit to his men, uses his own words. In doing so, Grant sends notice to President Lincoln, General-on-Chief Halleck, and Secretary of War Stanton that he is going to be his own man. However, it is also obvious to Grant that to function as commander of all the armies of the Union, he is going to have to come East. After meeting with George Meade, Grant makes a series of critical decisions. Rather that replace Meade, Grant decides to leave him in place even as he makes his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac. Despite this rather cumbersome arrangement, Grant feels it will relieve some of the animosity felt by the Eastern generals as well as shield him from the administrative responsibilities of running the army. Initially, Meade is also satisfied with this arrangement. He remarked later: "I was very much pleased with General Grant. In the views he expressed to me he showed much more capacity and character than I had expected." Henry Halleck will also remain in place. Although stripped of his title as General-in-Chief, Halleck will serve as Grant's "office man & military advisor" in Washington. In addition, Grant taps his favorite subordinate ‘Cump’ Sherman to head the armies in the West. Shortly after his Washington visit, Grant returns to Tennessee to confer with Sherman. Later, Sherman described Grant's plan: "He was to go for Lee, and I was to go for Joe Johnston." Despite all of Grant's successes in the West, many remain doubtful and few can restrain themselves from reminding the new commander that he had "not yet met Bobby Lee."
March 06 1864 (Sunday)
Despite fierce criticism from the North about conditions in the prisons located in and around Richmond, Virginia, Isaac Carrington, the Commissioner of Prisoners, has insisted that Union prisoners are being properly provided with food and shelter. His brother William, serving as Medical Director, cites the “depressing effect of homesickness” for the high mortality rates at Belle Island, in which “590 died out of 2,200 in hospital last month.” According to Doctor John Wilkins, the Surgeon-in-Charge of *General Hospital No. 21, many of his patients are dying “before they had been in the hospital twenty-four hours.” He continues: “It is so common an occurrence for the patients sent from Belle Isle to be speechless or delirious and unable to give their names, &c, that I have requested the surgeon in charge…to pin their names…on the lapel of their coats.” However, George Semple, the Surgeon in Charge at Belle Island, reports that "overcrowding of the camp is now being rapidly reduced by transfers." He continues: "The number of prisoners being sufficiently reduced, the irregularities of the surface of the camp are to be filled up and the ditches and drains cleaned out." In addition, recent Union cavalry raids have sped up the process of transferring prisoners to the new facility in Andersonville, Georgia.
Report on the sanitary condition of Belle Isle and the causes of mortality among the patients by Surg. G.W. Semple.
MARCH 6, 1864.
Surg. WILLIAM A. CARRINGTON, Medical Director: Into the camp containing an area sufficient for the accommodation of about 3,000 men have been crowded for many months past from 6,000 to 10,000 prisoners. To prevent escapes they have not been allowed to visit the sinks at night. These deposits of excrement have been made in the streets and small vacant spaces between the tents.... The whole surface of the camp has thus been saturated with putrid animal matter. Surrounded by such circumstances the prisoners have been totally careless of personal cleanliness.... The bread is made of corn-meal, unsifted or bolted. Not separating the bran from the meal tends greatly to cause and continue the two diseases (diarrhea and dysentery) most prevalent among the prisoners.... To the crowded and necessarily filthy condition of the camp, the absence of personal cleanliness of the prisoners, the meager rations, and the effects of cold may be added the depressing effect of long-continued confinement without employment, mental or physical, and with little hope of an early termination of the imprisonment.... The commanding officer and his subordinates have done all within their power to carry out [what has been] suggested toward the sanitary condition of the camp, but the number of officers and the guard and police seem too small to reestablish and enforce such system of police as would enable the medical officers to discharge their duties with as much efficiency and satisfaction as amongst our own troops in the field. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WM. SEMPLE, Surgeon in Charge U.S. Prisoners on Belle Isle and in Barracks.
*Editor’s Note: General Hospital #21 was a large six-story brick building, formerly the tobacco factory of R.A. Mayo Company, later the Gwathmey Tobacco Company. It held between 600 and 700 sick and wounded prisoners.
After conferring with Department of the Gulf commander Nathaniel P. Banks about the Red River expedition, ‘Cump’ Sherman returns to Vicksburg. He immediately details A.J. Smith “to command a strong, well-appointed detachment” with orders to join Banks at Alexandria, Louisiana, “on or before the 17th day of March.” The only difficulty remaining for Banks is securing the cooperation of Department of Arkansas commander Frederick Steele. Banks writes to General-in-Chief Henry Halleck: "General Steele appears to have changed the plan entertained when he last communicated with me.... He is now apprehensive, in consequence of the reduction of his forces, that he can only enter upon a movement for the diversion of the enemy in the direction of Arkadelphia, without any expectation of joining us at Shreveport or any other position on the river.... I respectfully request that orders may be given to him to co-operate with us upon the point named, in accordance with the plan originally proposed by you."
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Vicksburg, March 6, 1864.
Brig. Gen. A.J. SMITH, Comdg. Expedition up Red River, Vicksburg, Miss.: Proceed to the mouth of Red River and confer with [Admiral David D. Porter]; confer with him and in all the expedition rely on him implicitly, as he is the approved friend of the Army of the Tennessee, and has been associated with us from the beginning…. General Banks will start by land from Franklin, in the Teche country, either the 5th or 7th, and will march via Opelousas to Alexandria. You will meet him there, report to him, and act under his orders.... Now, Red River is very low for the season, and I doubt if any of the boats can pass the falls or rapids at Alexandria. What General Banks proposes to do in that event I do not know, but my own judgment is that Shreveport ought not to be attacked until the gunboats can reach it.... My understanding with General Banks is that he will not need the cooperation of your force beyond thirty days from the date you reach Red River. As soon as he has taken Shreveport or as soon as he can spare you you will return to Vicksburg with all dispatch.... I am, with respect, &c.,
W.T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. G.G. Meade reports that yesterday’s Richmond Sentinel announced the “capturing” of Dahlgren’s party, and that “Colonel Dahlgren was killed in the skirmish.”
2. In New Orleans, J.A. McClernand is directed to “leave for an examination of the posts at Matagorda Bay and Brownsville [Texas].”
3. In Vicksburg, Colonel C.A. Gilchrist, 12th Louisiana Infantry (African descent), returns from an expedition to Grand Gulf, Mississippi. He reports: “We marched 250 miles, injured our transportation, exposed our lives, got but few recruits, and as far as ending the war is concerned, we did…nothing at all.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. R.E. Lee informs Secretary of War Seddon he “cannot recommend the execution” of prisoners from the “Dahlgren party.” He writes, “I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity.”
2. Wade Hampton warns that "a determined and concentrated attack" on Richmond could be successful. He writes, "The enemy could have taken Richmond.”
3. L.S. Ross, Texas Brigade, reports that U.S. forces abandoned Yazoo City, Mississippi. He writes, “The whole force re-embarked late in the evening and moved off down the river.”
March 07 1864 (Monday)
From Alexandria, District of West Louisiana commander Richard Taylor reports on the increasing Union activity in Louisiana: "My spies report the Red River expedition as ready to start at once.... I trust he may make no move for ten or twelve days, for it will take that time to complete [Fort] De Russy. We can make a formidable defense against gunboats now, but the fort is in no condition to withstand an attack in the rear.... I am pushing everything to the utmost to place De Russy in as good a state as it can ever be put, but it will never stand any protracted siege." William T. Sherman also has the Confederate works at De Russy, ten miles below Alexandria, on his mind. He writes to Admiral Porter: "At all hazards and at whatever cost we should meet General Banks at Alexandria on the 17th instant.... General Banks will move so as to turn the position at De Russy, so that a mere display of force on its water front will, connected with the movement of our troops on land, lead to the evacuation of the fort and it may be the surrender of its armament and garrison." Sherman also sends an update of his preparations for the campaign to Ulysses S. Grant: "I saw the admiral [Porter] and learned that...a large and effective gunboat fleet would be at the mouth of Red River ready for action.... General Banks is to command in person, taking with him 17,000 of his chosen troops.... Inasmuch as General Banks goes in person I could not with delicacy propose that I should command, and the scene of operations lying wholly in his department, I deemed it wisest to send A.J. Smith.... I will inspect Memphis, and in a few days will hasten to Huntsville to put myself in command of my troops in that quarter, and will be ready for war at once."
LITTLE ROCK, ARK., March 7, 1864.
DEAR SHERMAN: I have been wishing to write you for some time, but you fly about so that I cannot keep track of you. The newspapers make you omnipresent almost.... You have swallowed several rebel armies whole and been annihilated several times yourself. However, our conjectures have all been put at rest by a bearer of dispatches from General Banks.... If you and Banks move up Red River, it is my opinion that the rebels will run without giving battle.... I regret exceedingly that I am not prepared to move with my effective force and help run those fellows into Mexico at once, but if the contemplated movement is made, Arkansas will be cleared of rebel troops. I have no doubt but that Price and some members of his staff have gone to Europe--deserted. The wife of one of them told me on her way to join her husband that she was going to make her husband go.... When the women give it up, the rebels cannot hold out long. I will write you at Vicksburg. Yours, truly, and in haste,
FRED'K STEELE, Major-General.
Braxton Bragg, the newly installed chief military advisor for President Davis, urges Joe Johnston to begin preparations for an offensive. He writes: "The enemy is not prepared for us, and if we can strike him a blow before he recovers success is almost certain. The plan which is proposed has long been my favorite, and I trust our efforts may give you the means to accomplish what I have ardently desired but never had the ability to undertake." Despite the many messages that have been transmitted to District of East Tennessee commander James Longstreet about combining forces, Bragg has yet to officially reveal the plan to ‘Old Joe.’ During his long recuperation in Richmond, John Bell Hood became an unofficial member of the city's high society. Upon his arrival at Dalton, Georgia, as a corps commander, Hood makes it clear that he intends to continue communicating with his high ranking friends. He writes to Secretary of War Seddon: "I inclose to you two letters, one sent to the President and one to General Bragg.... I am an earnest friend to the President and am ever willing to express to him my ideas in regard to the approaching campaign. There is more depending upon our coming campaign than ever before, and I want the troops concentrated…. Grant's great point is to overpower by numbers. We should be prepared to meet him.... We have a sufficient number of troops, if thrown together, to defeat his entire army, and I think it all-important that we should make certain of it. I hope you will think of this matter, and I shall be delighted to hear from you."
DALTON, GA., March 7, 1864.
His Excellency President JEFFERSON DAVIS: I am exceedingly anxious...to have this army strengthened so as to enable us to move to the rear of the enemy and with a certainty of success. An addition of 10,000 or 15,000 men will allow us to advance.... We should march to the front as soon as possible, so as not to allow the enemy to concentrate and advance upon us....The troops under… [Leonidas Polk] and [William W. Loring] united with the forces here, and a junction being made with General Longstreet, will give us an army of 60,000 or 70,000 men, which, I think, should be sufficient to defeat and destroy all the Federals on this side of the Ohio River. I sincerely hope and trust that this opportunity may be given to drive the enemy beyond the limits of the Confederacy. I never before felt that we had it so thoroughly in our power. He is at present weak, and we are strong.... My prayer is that you may be spared to our country, and that we may be successful in the coming campaign. Please present my kindest regards to Mrs. Davis..., and believe me, with great respect, your friend and obedient servant,
J.B. HOOD.
Other Union activity reported on this date.
1. In Vicksburg, Colonel J.H. Coates, 11th Illinois, returns from the Yazoo River expedition with “one thousand bales” of cotton to be delivered to the “special agent of the Treasury Department.”
2. From Germantown, Tennessee, Colonel LaFayette McCrillis, 3rd Illinois Cavalry, reports a scout returned from Quinn’s Mill, Mississippi, with a captured private.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. E.K. Smith, Trans-Mississippi Department, directs that lard “be issued to the troops…at the rate of 10 pounds per 100 rations” and that “the following articles may be issued in lieu of fresh beef or bacon: Jerked beef, half pound per ration. Fresh pork, three-quarters of a pound per ration. Mutton, 1¼ pounds per ration.”
March 08 1864 (Tuesday)
Last week General G.T. Beauregard traveled to Florida to determine the feasibility of forcing the Union army from Jacksonville. He concludes it isn’t possible “with our present means” and blames the lack of a direct rail connection. He writes: “Had the gap between Lawton [Station] and Live Oak [Station] been filled by a line of railroad..., as urged by me more than a year ago, the…enemy would at once have been driven out of Florida." Plans to fill the gap were approved in May 1861, but have been held up by a lack of iron. Major Minor Meriwether of the Engineer Bureau has been placed in charge of the project, but is prohibited from taking the necessary iron from the Florida Railroad because of an injunction in favor of the railroad president David Yulee. Still unsure of the soundness of his defensive line, Union commander Truman Seymour urges that additional artillery be sent to Jacksonville. He writes: "I have again to urge that guns may be provided here, without delay, of such a nature as will indicate that we may not evacuate this place in a hurry.... I shall be glad to have any siege guns, 24-pounder James rifles..., siege howitzers, carronades, 24-pounders, anything of a tolerably heavy caliber and size. Two or three such might be spared from Fort Pulaski.”
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Jacksonville, Fla., March 8, 1864.
Brig. Gen. [John W. Turner], Chief of Staff: Deserters come in constantly and report that if they knew that they would be kindly treated, and not sent North, many more would come to us. One recently from Dalton, Ga., gives a firm conviction that when the time of service is out (May 1), many of the rebel regiments will stack their arms and refuse to fight longer. If guns were here so that I could place strong confidence in the resistive power of these works, an expedition would be sent at once to occupy Palatka, but I do not like to weaken this command unless the works are perfected, armament and all. The hastening of cannon is therefore urged. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. SEYMOUR, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
James Longstreet sends a letter to ‘Fritz’ Beauregard asking if his command can spare mounts for his proposed plan of invading Kentucky. "I write this to ask if you cannot, by reducing your transportation to the lowest practical point, furnish us with 2,000 horses and mules. I think that I would prefer mules for mounted infantry. I can see no other practical way by which we can move at all, and if the enemy continues to hold his present lines we will soon be obliged to abandon ours for want of supplies." Before ‘Old Bory’ can respond, President Davis informs Longstreet that he should focus on uniting his command with Joe Johnston. Davis writes: "I do not know how the horses could be obtained, and in view of all the difficulties attending such a movement..., it seems to me best...that you and General Johnston should unite your forces near Maryville, and crossing the Tennessee River near Loudon..., move toward Sparta, where, with your united forces, you will be between the enemy's divided forces at Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville, and be in condition to strike either one of them." Davis continues: "Every preparation should be made for whatever operation is to be undertaken without attracting attention, and when the movement is commenced it should be carried out with the greatest promptitude and energy." Robert E. Lee is also in favor of combining the forces of Johnston and Longstreet for a thrust into Tennessee.
CONFIDENTIAL.
HDQRS. ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, March 8, 1864.
Lieut. Gen. JAMES LONGSTREET, Commanding, &c, Greeneville, Tenn.: I see no possibility of mounting your command without stripping all others of animals and rendering them immovable.... If you and Johnston could unite and move into Middle Tennessee, where I am told provisions and forage can be had, it would cut the armies at Chattanooga and Knoxville in two and draw them from those points where either portion could be struck at in succession as opportunity offered. This appears to me at this distance the most feasible plan. Can it be accomplished? By covering your fronts well with your cavalry, Johnston could move quietly and rapidly through Benton, across the Hiwassee, and then push forward in the direction of Kingston, while you, taking such a route as to be safe from a flank attack, would join him at or after his crossing the Tennessee River. The two commands upon reaching Sparta would be in position to select their future course; would necessitate the evacuation of Chattanooga and Knoxville, and by rapidity and skill unite on either army.... A victory gained there will open the country to you to the Ohio. Study the subject, communicate with Johnston, and endeavor to accomplish it, or something better. We cannot now pause. I will endeavor to do something here to occupy them if I cannot do more.... Wishing you all success and happiness, I am, very truly,
R.E. LEE, General.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. U.S. Grant arrives in Washington and meets with President Lincoln in the White House.
2. From Fort Monroe, B.F. Butler reports “a flag of truce brought “48 Union officers and 600 odd privates delivered for exchange.”
3. P. St.G. Cooke, commanding at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reports a “morning scout” was “ambushed 5 miles out.” He reports: “Re-enforcement drove the enemy. “
4. Colonel J.J. Phillips, 9th Illinois Mtd. Infantry, captures Courtland, Alabama, “driving the enemy out.” Phillips continues and also captures Moulton. He reports: “We took a number of prisoners.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. M. Jeff. Thompson, famed leader of the ‘Swamp Rats,’ who was captured last August, writes a letter to H.D. Terry, commanding the prison at Johnson’s Island, complaining “a large amount of baggage” has been stolen.
March 09 1864 (Wednesday)
In the aftermath of the spectacularly unsuccessful Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid, Secretary of War James Seddon and Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin step up their efforts to bolster the effectiveness of the Confederate Secret Service. Nestled within the administrative confines of the Signal Corps, Confederate agents will now be asked to do more than carry messages across the “Secret Line” between Richmond and Washington. Established in 1862, the Signal Corps employs nearly 1,200 men, most of whom were recruited for their special abilities. One likely target for recruitment is actor John Wilkes Booth, who is scheduled to perform at the Saint Charles Theatre in New Orleans next week. In addition to having a network of pro-Southern friends, both the proprietor and the manager of the theater are known for their rebel sympathies. As a famous Shakespearean actor, Booth’s ability to travel throughout the country and into Canada without raising suspicion would make him a valuable addition to the Confederate cause.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, Va., March 9, 1864.
Mr. Thomas E. Courtney is hereby authorized to employ a band of men, not exceeding twenty-five in number, for secret service against the enemy.... The band shall operate according to the rules and regulations of this Department for such organizations, and under the restrictions contained herein or that may be prescribed hereafter.... Such work as may be necessary may be executed at the workshops of this Department, and powder, chemicals, &c., be furnished.... For the destruction of property of the enemy or injury done, a percentage shall be paid in 4 per cent. bonds, in no case to exceed 50 per cent. of the loss to the enemy, and to be awarded by such officer or officers as shall be charged with such duty by this Department.... Passenger vessels of citizens of the United States...is not to be the subject of operations.... But the public property of the enemy may be destroyed wherever it may be found. While flag-of-truce boats pass between any point within the lines of the enemy to any point within the Confederate lines no torpedo or other engine of destruction shall be so placed or used as to endanger their safety.
JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.
Colonel Lucius B. Northrop, Commissary-General of Subsistence, reports that during the first week of January 1864, 1,611 pounds of meat disappeared from trains leaving Richmond. In addition, 1,057 pounds of salt pork was stolen from the Staunton line. Northrup reports: "From the beginning of the war to the present constant representations and suggestions have been made in respect to transportation. These evils have been aggravating. For the last sixteen or eighteen months they have been threatening fatal results, which have received every attention possible from this bureau." He continues: "For months we have been living from hand to mouth, and if the last reserve of flour at Lynchburg had not been used for the army destitution must have ensued. That condition is now impending, with no apparent remedy." Quartermaster-General Alexander R. Lawton is also growing increasingly pessimistic about the ability of the Confederacy to supply adequate food and forage to its armies.
RICHMOND, March 9, 1864.
Lieutenant-General LONGSTREET, Commanding, &c., Greeneville, Tenn.: It is painful to me to feel conscious that this Department cannot accumulate such supplies as will place our armies in the field under the most favored circumstances.... I confess that I was not a little disconcerted when I first learned that it was necessary to ship corn to your command. This corn practically comes from Georgia whether sent from a depot in Virginia or not, for Virginia is out of corn.... Last year at this time no corn was brought to Virginia from any point beyond North Carolina, and the army was subsisted on wheat flour. Now nearly all the corn used for horses is brought from Georgia, and the Subsistence Department has consumed all the flour and relies upon corn to be ground up into meal for the bread of the army. To supply all this will require all the available rolling-stock of all the roads between this and Georgia, without allowing for the frequent disturbance caused by the movement of troops and raids of the enemy, &c. You perceive, therefore, what a task there is before us, and how impossible it is to accumulate supplies at points so distant (by circuitous railroads) from the point of production.... If the passenger trains are all stopped what becomes of the furloughed soldiers, conscripts, &c., coming into the army every day by hundreds? I thank you, general, for writing to me freely. I will always be pleased to hear from you, and will respond to your calls whenever it is possible.
A.R. LAWTON, Quartermaster-General.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. G.G. Meade, citing the impending resumption of “active operations,” orders all officers to “make the necessary arrangements to send beyond the lines of the army” all “ladies at present visiting them.”
2. I.J. Wistar, commanding at Yorktown, Virginia, leads an expedition into King and Queen County, Virginia. Wistar is instructed “to deal with those citizens who…ambushed [Colonel Dahlgren].”
3. C.K. Graham, commanding the Naval Brigade, leads an expedition to the Piankatank River, Virginia. He reports: “The boats…captured a schooner with a rebel mail and 66 boxes of tobacco.”
4. From Brownsville, Texas, F.J. Herron reports “news from the interior of Mexico confirms the reports of the defeat of the French at Guadalajara, by the Juarez troops.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. President Davis returns a bill to the C.S. Senate “to provide for the promotion of officers in certain cases.” According to Davis, the bill confers the “power of appointment on commanding generals not warranted by the Constitution.”
2. J.R. Chalmers, commanding the cavalry in North Mississippi, is relieved of command by N.B. Forrest and ordered to “report to Lieutenant-General Polk.”
3. M.W. Ransom reports a skirmish near Suffolk, Virginia. He writes: “We attacked them today, and after a short struggle drove them in a rout out of the town.”
4. Lt-Colonel J.S. Mosby leads an ambush of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry near Greenwich, Virginia. He reports: “The casualties numbered 9, all taken prisoners.”
March 10 1864 (Thursday)
When George Meade proposed breaking up the Third Corps of the Army of the Potomac, he drew the ire of its old commander Daniel Sickles. Wounded at Gettysburg, the one-legged general has spared no effort to defend his actions at the Peach Orchard and to denigrate the efforts of Meade. In addition, the dissolution of his corps will leave Sickles without a command when he is able to return to active duty. Writing anonymously under the name of Historicus, Sickles charges that Meade wanted to retreat during the battle last July. In response, Meade issues a circular to his general officers: "Your attention is respectfully invited to the articles which have recently appeared in the newspapers, charging the commanding general with favoring a retreat of the army from Gettysburg.... The commanding general desires that you will furnish him...with a short statement, giving your recollection of what transpired at the council." Five generals from the Army of the Potomac immediately come to the aid of their commander. David B. Birney, First Division, Third Corps, writes: "These articles...were penned by some person ignorant of [my report]. It was.... confined almost entirely to the operations of the division and corps whilst under my command." George Sykes, Fifth Corps, writes: "[I] was present at a meeting... [and] remember...the expressed determination of each commander present to fight that battle out then and there, and never received or heard of any order directing a retreat of the army."
HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, March 10, 1864.
Brig. Gen. [Seth Williams], Assistant Adjutant-General: I took no minutes of the council of corps commanders held on the evening of that day, but my present recollection is that three questions, viz, of attacking the enemy, of sustaining an attack, or taking up a new position, were submitted. The council was unanimous--with, I think, one exception--to sustain the attack in our then present position. At no time in my presence did the general commanding insist or advise a withdrawal of the army, for such advice would have great weight with me, and I know the matter did not engage my serious attention. I am positive that the general commanding could not have insisted, much less have given the order, to withdraw the army from its position. In a council on the evening of the 3d, the two questions of following the enemy or moving on parallel lines were submitted, and I think the council were unanimous, and their decision adopted by the general, of moving parallel to the enemy, and attacking him when possible. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN SEDGWICK, Major-General, Commanding.
Despite the great pains that ‘Cump’ Sherman took to ensure the destruction of the Confederate railroad network in central Mississippi during his recent raid on Meridian, Leonidas ‘Bishop’ Polk is confident that he can soon get the trains rolling again. He writes: "The day after the enemy retreated from Meridian I ordered the concentration of large working parties upon these roads for their reconstruction.... They will all be finished in twenty days, excepting the Meridian and Jackson road. I shall increase the force upon that and shorten the time allotted for its completion." Polk continues: "About 60 miles of telegraphic connections were destroyed. They have all been reconstructed, and all the roads and communications are re-established. They will connect with Jackson and Canton in a few days." Polk is utilizing the slaves who were not confiscated during the raid and whatever raw materials he can get his hands on to repair the vital rail line.
DEMOPOLIS, ALA.
DEAR SIR: Below please find report of damage done the railroads by the enemy in their late movement on and occupation of Meridian:
SOUTHERN RAILROAD. Between Jackson and Meridian--4 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length, 950 feet; 47 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length 3,248 feet; 4 miles of track torn up, iron badly burned and bent, and most of the cross-ties burned. Five thousand cross-ties will be required, 300 bars of iron, and 500,000 feet of bridge timbers to complete the work. It can be done in forty days.
ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS RAILROAD. Between Demopolis and Meridian--3 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length 160 feet; 5 pieces of trestle-work destroyed, aggregate length 600 feet; 9 miles track torn up, iron badly burned and bent, and about one-half the cross-ties burned; 100 rails entirely rendered unfit for service.
MOBILE AND OHIO RAILROAD. Sixteen miles of track torn up, iron badly burned, and most of the cross-ties burned; 5 miles iron torn up, but not burned; the bridges and trestles all burned on 47 miles of road....The bridging and trestling is of such character that it can be put up as rapidly as the iron can be straightened and the track laid....The difficulty of procuring tools and materials has hitherto retarded the work very much, but that cause has now principally been overcome.
SOUTHERN ROAD. Sixty hands go to work tomorrow, 140 more on Monday next, and as many of the forces on the Alabama and Mississippi Rivers Railroad as may be necessary to complete it as soon as that road is through. All of which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant,
[Colonel Samuel Tate, President Memphis & Charleston Railroad].
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. U.S. Grant accepts his commission as lieutenant-general in a brief ceremony.
2. W.T. Sherman writes a congratulatory letter to Grant: “You are now Washington's legitimate successor…. I believe you are as brave, patriotic, and just as the great prototype, Washington.”
3. From Alexandria, Virginia, R.O. Tyler reports “a party of guerillas” stopped a carriage and captured 2 horses, about “3 miles beyond our picket-line.”
3. W.W. Averell reports “nine rebels, assembled at a wedding near Winchester, were captured” by a U.S. patrol.
4. Colonel W.H. Lawrence, 34th N.J., reports a raid on Clinton, Kentucky, “by about 40 guerillas.” He reports: “They captured some 35 or 40 mules and horses.”
5. Colonel S.G. Hicks, 40th Illinois, reports “guerillas made another raid” on Mayfield, Kentucky, robbing the “stores of Union men.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. The C.S. Congress passes an Act for “the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus” in cases of persons arrested “by order” of the President, Secretary of War, or the commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department.
2. Lt-Colonel J.S. Mosby reports that “a detachment” of his men “defeated a superior force of the enemy’s cavalry” near Greenwich, and another near Charlestown, West Virginia, capturing “21 prisoners.”
March 11 1864 (Friday)
From Vicksburg, Andrew Jackson Smith prepares his men for the voyage up the Red River. He writes: “The signal for getting up steam will be one gun from these headquarters one hour before starting…. Upon the signal for starting being given, the boats will swing out into the stream, each general commanding leading his command." However, "a violent rain-storm" slows Nathaniel Banks march. He reports: "The roads [are] in such condition as to make a march impracticable for at least four days. Should the storm not recommence I shall probably march on Monday or Tuesday next, and shall expect to strike the Red River below Alexandria within seven days thereafter." With the Union troops on the move, Confederate commander Richard Taylor rushes to put the finishing touches on his defenses at Fort De Russy. He reports: "There are thirteen boats at the mouth of Red River…. There are ten guns mounted at De Russy, and I feel some confidence that nothing can pass, even if the obstructions are removed.... I should hope to give a good account of Banks if the rivers will keep down."
Report of Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith, commanding detachments of Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps.
GENERAL: On arriving at the mouth of the Red River, at about 12 m., March 11, 1864, a dispatch was received from Major-General Banks, stating that the heavy rains had so delayed his column that he would not be able to reach Alexandria before March 21, 1864. On conferring with Admiral Porter, I learned that Fort De Russy, a strong fort on the right bank of Red River, equidistant from the mouth of Red River and Alexandria, and mounting ten guns, had been garrisoned by the enemy and which it would be necessary to take before we could proceed to Alexandria. It was therefore deemed best to act against it in conjunction, the army in the rear by land and the navy by river…. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant,
A.J. SMITH, Major-General.
Union authorities learn of the fate of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren from survivors of his party that make their way to Federal lines. Judson Kilpatrick writes: "Twelve men of Dahlgren's party have come in. They state that Colonels Dahlgren and [Major Edwin F. Cooke], with about 80 men and a large number of negroes, were ambushed…on Thursday evening.... The colonel was killed and 7 men wounded…. Cooke ordered his men to scatter and make for the river…. Colonel Dahlgren's servant has also come in. He reports seeing the colonel's body on the roadside stripped of his clothing and horribly mutilated." When the story is verified by accounts written in Southern newspapers, Benjamin Butler expresses his outrage. He writes: "I see by a Richmond paper...that the officers who accompanied General Kilpatrick…and were captured…have been confined in irons…. Before I take any action in relation to it I desire an authoritative confirmation.... I therefore shall not be considered…as making a threat when I announce the determination of my Government to return the promptest and severest retaliation for the treatment of those officers, if I learn this report is possibly true."
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE COMMISSIONER, FOR EXCHANGE, Fort Monroe, Va., March 11, 1864.
Hon. ROBERT OULD, Agent for Exchange, Richmond, Va.: I have the honor to request that the body of Col. Ulric Dahlgren, late of the U.S. Army, which we learn is buried in Richmond, be permitted to be forwarded by flag-of-truce boat, to be delivered to his afflicted father, who is waiting here to receive it. As remains of officers have been forwarded to their friends in this manner I trust this request may be granted; specially so, because I see by the Richmond papers that some circumstances of indignity and outrage accompanied the death. You do not war upon the dead as these papers would imply, and would it not be desirable to prevent all supposition that your authorities countenance such acts by delivering the remains to the bereaved family...? Respectfully, your obedient servant,
BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General and Commissioner for Exchange.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Colonel B.F. Onderdonk, 1st N.Y. Mtd. Rifles, reports his men charged the camp of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry at Carleton’s Store, Virginia. He writes, “[The rebels] fled in disorder.”
2. Colonel W.B. Stokes, 5th Tennessee (U.S.) Cavalry, reports a skirmish on Calfkiller Creek, Tennessee. Stokes reports that “after a stubborn…resistance,” the C.S. force was dispersed “into the mountains.”
3. Captain R.M. Ekings, 34th N.J., reports a scouting party sent to “arrest a gang…who were reported to have murdered a negro” returned “without success.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. In Camden, Arkansas, T.H. Holmes is relieved of command of the District of Arkansas, “at his own request.” Sterling Price is to assume command of the department.
2. R.S. Ewell sends a flag of truce across the lines near Cedar Run, Virginia, requesting that U.S. pickets “be withdrawn…to prevent conversation.”
March 12 1864 (Saturday)
After receiving several cryptic messages from Braxton Bragg regarding plans for an offensive, Joe Johnston finally snaps. He writes to Bragg: "I have had the honor to receive your letter...in which I am desired to 'have all things in readiness, at the earliest practicable moment, for the movement indicated.' The last two words quoted give me the impression that some particular plan of operations is referred to; if so, it has not been communicated to me." Ever a stickler for military protocol, Johnson continues: "Permit me…to remind you that the regulations of the War Department do not leave the preparations referred to to me, but to officers who receive their orders from Richmond, not from my headquarters." Johnston's dispatch has its desired effect as Bragg quickly sends details of the plan he has been working on with President Davis. He writes: "It has been intimated to you that the President desired a forward movement by the forces under your command, and it was suggested that [preparations] should be commenced immediately. I now desire to lay before you more in detail the views of the Department in regard to the proposed operations, and to inform you of the means intended to be placed at your disposal."
CONFIDENTIAL.
HDQRS. ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES, Richmond, March 12, 1864.
General J.E. JOHNSTON, Commanding Army of Tennessee, Dalton: It is not deemed advisable to attempt the capture of the enemy's fortified position by direct attack, but to draw him out and then, if practicable, force him to battle in the open field. To accomplish this object we should so move as to concentrate our means between the scattered forces of the enemy…. To accomplish this it is proposed that you move…so as to reach the Tennessee River near Kingston, where a crossing can be effected; that Lieutenant-General Longstreet move simultaneously by a route east and south of Knoxville, so as to form a junction with you near this crossing. As soon as you come within supporting distance Knoxville is isolated and Chattanooga threatened, with barely a possibility for the enemy to unite.... If by a rapid movement…you can precipitate your main force upon Nashville, and capture that place before the enemy can fall back for its defense, you place him in a precarious position…. It is needless, general, for me to impress upon you the great importance, not to say necessity, of reclaiming the provision country of Tennessee and Kentucky.... No effort will be spared in bringing to your assistance the resources of the Government not essential at other points. Communicate fully at once, and afterward in detail, as points may arise requiring action. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BRAXTON BRAGG, General, &c.
Despite the weather induced delay that is holding Nathaniel Banks at bay, A.J. Smith begins his movement up the Red River. He reports: "We proceeded up Red River to the mouth of the Atchafalaya Bayou; thence with the transports down the Atchafalaya Bayou to Simsport, a point on its right bank near the mouth of Bayou De Glaize and 30 miles by land from Fort De Russy, reaching Simsport at about 5 p.m." Richard Taylor finds it hard to believe that a concerted Union effort is underway. He reports: "The enemy are concentrating at the bay, so as to leave no doubt of their intention to move up the Teche very speedily.... Difficult as it is to credit, all my information points to the certainty that Sherman will co-operate with Banks to some extent…. If I can complete De Russy, so as to get it off my hands, it will be a great relief."
Report of Maj. Gen. John G. Walker, C.S. Army, commanding division.
GENERAL: [Captain Leander H. McNelly, C.S. Scouts,] ... reports that the enemy had six gunboats and two transports at Simsport, and that they were landing troops when he left, about an hour by sun this evening.... This is doubtless Sherman's force from Vicksburg, as they certainly did not come up the Mississippi.... I am embarrassed to know how to cover Fort De Russy, as against such a force as the enemy evidently has it would be extremely hazardous to risk an engagement on this island around Marksville, out of which there is no egress except by the bridge over Bayou Du Lac. I shall retain the steam-boat Countess here to carry off whatever may be necessary to move, and send her off at the last moment that it will be safe for her to remain. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J.G. WALKER, Major-General, Commanding.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. H.W. Halleck is relieved of duty as General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, and officially replaced by U.S. Grant. W.T. Sherman is assigned command of the Military Division of the Mississippi and J.B. McPherson is assigned command of the Department and Army of Tennessee.
2. I.J. Wistar reports he returned to Yorktown Virginia, due to bad roads and high water.
3. Judson Kilpatrick reports “the people of King and Queen Court-House have been well punished for the murder of Colonel Dahlgren.”
4. Lew. Wallace is assigned command of the 8th Corp and of the Middle Department, and J.G. Blunt assumes command of the District of the Frontier.
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. Wm. Steele is directed to “proceed without delay” to Galveston, Texas, and assume “command of the defenses at that point.”
2. H.P. Bee is ordered to “proceed without delay with his whole available force [to] Alexandria, La.”