The War News.

The War News of the week past has been a confused medley of conflicting reports.  This much is certain, there has been severe fighting, and Richmond is not taken.  How great a defeat befel [sci] our armies !  Whether in reality it was any defeat at all !  Whether Stoneman [George Stoneman] has joined Hooker [Joseph Hooker] !  Whether Hooker and the army are on the North or South side of the Rappahannock !  are questions difficult to answer.

Any person who can sift out the “reliable” news, from the mass of reports, can have a situation for a while as editor of this paper.

Our own impression is that we have met with no serious disaster, and that the confidence of the army in itself and its leader is unimpaired.  In the West, Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] has gained a great victory.

The News.

The news this week has been of a conflicting and desultory character, and but little reliance can be placed upon the newspaper reports.  The censorship exercised over the telegraph is most strict and rigid, and what little can be obtained is base and unsatisfactory, but provokingly suggestive.

The latest from HOOKER is that he has crossed the Rappahannock and we may look for stirring events soon in that direction.

The STONEMAN cavalry raid within the rebel lines, was one of the most daring of the war.  Richmond papers, which have been received accross [sic] the lines are filled with particulars of the exploit, cutting of supplies, breaking up railroad and telegraphic communications, and creating general consternation in Dixie.  Among the rest, LEE [Robert E. Lee] is openly blamed for permitting it—so inglorious and humilliating [sic] to the Confederates.

The redeeming feature is General GRANT’s operations near Vicksburg.  He has thus far been successful and we look for a general victory and the speedy downfall of that rebel stronghold.

 The Washington Chronicle says that VALLANDIGHAM [Clement L. Vallandigham]¹ has been sentenced by BURNSIDE [Ambrose E. Burnside] to Tortugas² for two years.

1.  The Prescott Journal ran this news of Vallandigham:  “The President has changed the sentence of Vallandigham, and ordered him sent South.” On May 1, 1863, Vallandigham had given a major speech charging that the war was being fought not to save the Union but to free the slaves by sacrificing the liberty of all Americans. This after General Ambrose E. Burnside issued General Order Number 38, which warned that the “habit of declaring sympathies for the enemy” would not be tolerated in the Military District of Ohio. Vallandigham was arrested on May 5 for violating General Order Number 38, and was tried by military court on May 6-7. President Lincoln overrode Burnside’s sentence, ordering Vallandigham deported and sent to the Confederacy.
2.  The Dry Tortugas are a small group of islands, located at the end of the Florida Keys, “Las Tortugas” being the Spanish name for The Turtles. The U.S. bastion there remained in Union hands throughout the Civil War and was used as a prison until 1874.

Ed continues this letter on May 21, and then again on May 23.  The original letters are in the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Grand Gulf, Miss, May 18^th / ’63

Dear Parents,

                             This letter leaves us a long way from Memphis and it will take some time to reach you.  We are now at this point which was captured by our forces on the 3rd inst. [May] having arrived here last evening at 8 o’clock after a 4 hours ride on the Steamer Forest Queen.  The 2nd & 3rd brigades are here and the 1st is yet to come.  Our Reg’t has no tents, so we get along for shelter as we can, that is we make tents of our oil cloths, which with the shade of the trees protect us very well from the rain and hot sun.  There is no danger of our taking cold.  I think on experiencing any other bad effects, for we are used to all this.  Our Camp is up on the bluffs over-looking the place, high and dry and we shall be healthy here if anywhere.  [paragraph break added]

I have been out in the country to-day on a foraging expedition some 4 miles and in sight of Port Gibson, which was captured on the 1st inst. [May] so I can tell you a little how it looks.  We took the road leading from the lower end of of [sic] town ( I say town, but is completely burned up) which cuts circuitously through bluffs.  I can tell you better how it looks by saying the country is all hills and the soil rather clayey, with quicksand — a great country to fortify.  The inhabitants planted every foot of their ground to corn—no cotton.  Now the country is in our hands and we thank them for the corn, as also, the fruit that will be ripe in 6 weeks, peaches and figs.  The rebels had no idea they would have to give up all so soon, if at all, but there’s where they made a mistake, for our boys are driving them back to their strong hold every time they make a stand and there is certain victory for them.  [paragraph break added]

We can hear the roar of cannon daily and there is no bad news from the front as yet.  The report is here our boys have captured a wagon train of 300 wagons loaded with provisions.  No rations have left here for a week (, though there is a plenty,) the troops living largely on the rebels.  Jackson is in our possession, for a fact, and report says, the bridge on the Big Black; so it says a good deal more, too, but whether true or not, our army is bound to have, Vicksburgh [sic], surely.  The soldiers here have unbounded confidence in Gen. Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] and say if he was superseded, there would be trouble in the army.  I was agreeably surprised at the news, of course.  The rebels had good fortifications here, & might have made it another Columbus if they had so tried, but our gunboats are the thing that make them get out of their stron[g]holds.  There are 6 or 8,000 darkies here and hundreds more arriving daily.  Several negro regiments are organized already & are to be armed.  Scores of them come down on the point opposite the mouth of the Big Black river every day, and are taken off to this side in skiffs by their brethern [sic] who are already free.  If you, or any body else wish to see the good effect of the [Emancipation] Proclamation, come down here.  O it hurts the rebels wonderfully, to array the blacks against them in any capacity.  [paragraph break added]

But I must stop for to-night & go to bed, so good night,

Edwin Levings

Edwin Levings letter of May 18, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

The President’s Proclamation.

We print elsewhere the proclamation of the President in relation to foreigners and the draft.  All those who have declared their intentions of becoming citizens of the United States, but have not exercised the rights of suffrage, are allowed sixty-five days from the date of this proclamation to leave the country, otherwise they will have to abide by the draft.  This does not exempt those who have voted at any election, whether state or general.  The idea of the President is that those who have shared in the benefits of the government, have sought its protection, and exercised the privileges conferred by it, must do their share in upholding and sustaining it.  This is certainly correct reasoning, and not injustice to the parties reached and affected by it.—State Journal.

By the President of the United States.
PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States at its last session enacted a law entitled “An act for enrolling and calling out the national forces and for other purposes,” which was approved on the third day of March last; and—

WHEREAS, It is recited in the said act that there now exists in the United States an insurrection and rebellion against the authority thereof, and it is, under the Constitution of the United States, the duty of the Government to suppress insurrection and rebellion, to guarantee to each State a republican form of government, and to preserve the public tranquillity; and—

WHEREAS, For these high purposes a military force is indispensable, to raise and support which all persons ought willingly to contribute; and—

WHEREAS, No service can be more praiseworthy and honorable than that which is rendered for the maintenance of the Constitution and Union and the consequent preservation of free government; and—

WHEREAS, For the reasons thus recited, it was enacted by the said statute that all able-bodied male citizens of the United States and persons of foreign birth who shall have declared on oath their intention to become citizens under and in pursuance of the laws thereof, between the ages of 20 and 45 years, with certain exceptions not necessary to be here mentioned, are declared to constitute the national forces, and shall be liable to perform military duty in the service of the United States when called out by the President for that purpose.  And—

WHEREAS, It is claimed by and in behalf of persons of foreign birth within the ages specified in said act who have heretofore declared on oath their intentions to become citizens under and in pursuance of the laws of the United States, and who have not exercised the right of suffrage or any other political franchise under the laws of the United States or of any of the States thereof, that they are not absolutely concluded by their aforesaid declaration of intention from renouncing their purpose to become citizens, and that, on the contrary, such persons, under treaties or the law of nations, retain a right to renounce that purpose and to forego the privileges of citizenship and residence within the United States under the obligations imposed by the aforesaid act of Congress:

Now, therefore, To avoid all misapprehensions concerning the liability of persons concerned to perform the service required by such enactment, and to give it full effect, I do hereby ORDER AND PROCLAIM that no plea of alienage will be received or allowed to exempt from the obligations imposed by the aforesaid act of Congress any person of foreign birth who shall have declared on oath his intention to become a citizen of the United States under the laws thereof, and who shall be found within the United States at any time during the continuance of the present insurrection and rebellion or after the expiration of the period of sixty-five days from the date of this proclamation, nor shall any such plea of alienage be allowed in favor of any such person who has so as aforesaid declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States and shall have exercised at any time the right of suffrage or any other political franchise within the United States under the laws thereof or under the laws of any of the several States.

(signed)             ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President,
WM H. SEWARD, Sec. of State.

WAR NEWS !

Gen. Grant’s Great Victory.

Cincinnati, May 9

The Gazette has a special dispatch from Memphis the 7th, saying that Grant captured Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, and Willard Valley.  Grant’s main army on Wednesday was thirty miles up Big Black river, marching on the rear of Vicksburg.

                             Headquarters Grand Gulf, }
May 3, via Memphis, May 7. }

To Major General Hallack, Gen’l-in-Chief :

We landed at Bowlingsville April 30, and moved immediately for Port Gibson, met the enemy eleven thousand strong four miles south of Port Gibson, at 2 a.m. on the 1st inst., and engaged him all day, entirely routing him, with the loss of many killed and about 5,000 prisoners besides the wounded.

Our loss is about 100 killed and 500 wounded.¹

The enemy retreated towards Vicksburg, destroying the bridges over the two forks of the Bayou Pierre.

These were rebuilt and pursuit has been continued until the present time.

Besides the heavy artillery at this place, four field pieces and some stores were captured, and the enemy was driven to destroy many more.

The country is the most broken and difficult to operate in I ever saw.

Our victory is most complete, and the enemy is thoroughly demoralized.

Very Respectfully,
U. S. Grant, Major Gen. Commanding.

1.  The battle of Port Gibson cost Grant 131 killed, 719 wounded, and 25 missing out of 23,000 men engaged. The Confederates suffered 60 killed, 340 wounded, and 387 missing out of 8,000 men engaged. (National Park Service website on Battle of Port Gibson.)

]]> http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/1863-may-16-battle-of-port-gibson/feed/ 0 chalmer1861 http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/1863-may-9-union-league-rally-in-prescott/ http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/1863-may-9-union-league-rally-in-prescott/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 15:18:37 +0000 UWRF Archives http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/?p=14439 ]]> Following are the small items from the May 9, 1863, issues of The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press.

From The Prescott Journal:

 .
  Four companies of the 30th, including Co. F, have gone to St. Louis.  Two companies are going to Superior [Wisconsin].¹

From The Polk County Press:

— Lieut. Col. Hamilton, of the 7th Wisconsin, having been honorably discharged on account of wounds received at the battle of Gainesville, has returned to his home in Milwaukee.²

—  An exchange [newspapers] asks the following question:

If a woman marries a man aged between 36 and 45, thus exempting him from the first class of conscripts, which alone is likely to be called out, is she not guilty of “disloyal practices ?”

1.  E. B. Quiner in his Military History of Wisconsin states: “On the 2d of May, 1863, companies D, F, I and K were sent to St. Louis, as guards for transports in the Indian Expedition, under General Sully.” The 30th Wisconsin, you may remember, is Colonel Daniel Dill’s regiment, and Company F—the Salomon Tigers—came primarily from Pierce County. Although The Prescott Journal does not seem interested in them, Company D is also from northwestern Wisconsin, being raised primarily from Saint Croix County. (Available in the UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866), this quotation is on page 790. A digital copy is available on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website.)
2.  Charles A. Hamilton, from Milwaukee, was wounded August 15, 1861, at Gainesville. He resigned on March 3, 1863.

A sentence three-quarters of the way down—“There was no time from Friday morning to Monday night but Hooker could have attacked and defeated Lee, but he lacked the ability to give the order”—was the opinion held by many at the time, and is also the general opinion of historians since the battle. The soldiers and many of General Joseph Hooker’s corps commanders felt they had fought well but had been mishandled by Hooker, and that the campaign had been a waste.  Hooker will be relieved as the commander of the Army of the Potomac on June 28, just three days before the Battle of Gettysburg.

The last article (after the photograph) is an estimate of the number of Union soldiers killed in the battles of Chancellorsville.  The estimate is coming early after the battle and is low, and is only the Union casualties.  The estimates now are anywhere from 14,000 to 17,000 Union soldiers killed, plus another 15,500 wounded, captured, and missing.  The Confederates lost somewhere between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers killed and another 11,000 wounded, captured, and missing.  Although the Confederate figure is smaller, it represents a larger proportion of the total Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, which was somewhere between 57,000 and 61,000, compared to the 97,00- 134,000 for the Union Army of the Potomac.

DEFEAT OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

HEAVY LOSSES

Hooker’s Army on this side of the Rappahannock.

(The singular fatiuty [sic: fatuity] which has so long hung around the Army of the Potomac, has not deserted it. Today the land is darkened with the tidings of another Great Disaster.  It is impossible at present to estimate its extent or cause. We give but one of the many dispatches—all vague, but all admitting a new disaster.—Ed. JOUR.)

NEW YORK MAY 7.

The Tribune extra of the 5th says the Army of the Potomac has recrossed the Rappahannock at United States and Bank’s [sic: Banks's] Fords, and is marching back to the old camp along the Acquia Railroad.

Sedgwick [John Sedgwick] was overwhelmed by numbers and hardly able to escape.

Frederiskburg and Heights are reoccupied by the rebels.

Sedgwick lost about 5,000 and saved his artillery and trains.

Our crossing at United States Ford was affected without loss.

Tuesday the 6th corps, recently engaged at Chancellorville [sic], recrossed, and is marching back to Falmouth.

Hooker’s retreat caused a great panic at Acquia Creek.

Crossing commenced Tuesday night, covered by Mead’s [sic: George G. Meade] and the 5th corps.

Lee’s sharpshooters [Robert E. Lee] picked off the artillery horses and mounted officers.  The rebel batteries occupied all the advantageous positions, and fired vigorously on Hooker’s camp.¹

A consultation of corps commanders decided the enemy to be too powerful.

Sedgwick failed to join Hooker, and being hard pressed, crossed the river to prevent annihilation, the experiment costing 6,000 men.

This, added to the council of corps commanders, shook Hooker’s confidence, and he ordered the evacuation of his strong position.

The army is greatly demoralized by this inglorious retreat.

There was no time from Friday morning to Monday night but Hooker could have attacked and defeated Lee, but he lacked the ability to give the order.

The Tribune closes saying the army is safe, less 10,000 men, and a much larger number unfit for duty.

The World’s extra has the following:  Richmond papers of the 5th say Stoneman’s cavalry [George Stoneman] destroyed all bridges between Richmond and the Rappahannock, tore up railroad, cut telegraph, and ventured within a few miles of Richmond consequently no communication can be had of Lee’s army.

The official intelligence from Stoneman states after the above he deployed his immense force forming of [a] line of observation to detect rebel reinforcements.

Hooker was forced back in consequences of superior numbers and generalship of Lee.

It is rumored that Lee has massed his army on our right and Hooker will change his base.

Hooker is much disheartened, but there is hope yet.

General Hooker and His Staff after Chancellorsville (see footnote 2)

OUR LOSS IN THE LATE BATTLES.

Special Dispatch to the St. Paul Press.

WASHINGTON, May 7.

The Evening Star says Gen. Hooker is understood to have estimated his loss in the late battles, at about 10,000 all told, killed, wounded, and missing; also that he brought all his material away safely from his late position, and that while we were so unfortunate as to lose some artillery, we have taken at least as many pieces as we have lost.

1.  General Hooker’s headquarters was struck by a cannonball and he was stunned by a concussion.
2.  This photograph was taken shortly after the battle at Chancellorsville.  Joseph Hooker is seated second from the right.  From Original Photographs Taken on the Battlefields During the Civil War of the United States, by Mathew B. Brady and Alexander Gardner, Hartford, Conn.: [Edward Bailey Eaton], 1907, which is available in the UWRF University Archives and Area Research Center (E 468.7 .E14 1907).

Young’s Point, La, May 13^th, 1863

Dear Parents,

                             I do not know as I can mail a letter here, but I can begin one and have it ready if a chance offers.  7 years ago to-day I entered R. F. [River Falls, Wisconsin] for the first time and to-day landed on Young’s Point, Louisiana.  I did not dream then I should now be a soldier and be down here, but so it is.  We have just come off the Steamer Continental and are waiting for the boat to be unloaded, when we march down across the Point, some 9 miles, & take the boats again for below.  We can see Vicksburgh [sic] from here and by the aid of a field glass, see some rebel flags and batteries.  Most of Grant’s army are below [Ulysses S. Grant].  I think we shall go below to the boats to-night.  We had a fine time coming down from Memphis.  Left here at 7 o’clock Monday night and next morning arrived at Helena [Arkansas].  Went through the cut-off or bayou that leads from the mouth of White river  into the Arkansas [river] about noon.  Napoleon is a deserted village.  Most of the plantations and buildings are ruined, done generally by our gunboats & troops.  The guerrillas  in the neighborhood of Greenwood fire into the transports but the gunboats are there now.  In that vicinity the guerrillas came in sight of us yesterday & a gunboat which escorted us down 10 or 12 miles, threw shell and made them skedaddle.  I have no time to write a long letter & shall have to cut this short & speak of the minutiae hereafter.  We go down by land below Vicksburgh [sic] this afternoon 9 miles to the transports & then go down to Grand Gulf, perhaps going up Black river or march to the rear of Vicksburgh [sic].  [paragraph break added]

Map showing the Memphis to Vicksburg area, 1862-63 (see footnote 1). Red are places mentioned in Ed’s letter, blue are others places Ed mentioned in previous letters.

We are both well and in fine spirits & so are the other boys.  Now write us soon & often and long letters.  Our tents and all superfluous, or unnecessary baggage is to be left here.  Homer is tying up some things to leave behind.  You must not be anxious about us.  Be assured of our warmest affection & remember us in your daily devotions.  I close reluctantly and we both bid you good bye & hope to hear from you soon & often.  Direct via Cairo & Memphis.

Yours Affectionately,

Edwin Levings

1.  This map is from A Bird’s-Eye View of Our Civil War, by Theodore Ayrault Dodge, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1911 (in the UWRF Library E 470 .D64): page 96. This is the 3rd edition of this book; the first edition, published in 1883, is available digitally on Google Books.

Edwin Levings letter of May 13, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

]]> http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/1863-may-13-we-can-see-vicksburgh-from-here-and-by-the-aid-of-a-field-glass-see-some-rebel-flags-and-batteries/feed/ 0 chalmer1861 Map showing the Memphis to Vicksburg area, 1862-63 (see footnote 1). Red are places mentioned in Ed's letter, blue are others places Ed mentioned in previous letters. Edwin Levings letter of May 13, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/1863-may-9-the-polk-county-press-coverage-of-chancellorsville/ http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/1863-may-9-the-polk-county-press-coverage-of-chancellorsville/#comments Sun, 12 May 2013 15:26:13 +0000 UWRF Archives http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/?p=14357 ]]> Following is the main war news column from The Polk County Press of May 9, 1863.

The News.

On Monday the 27th ult. [April], Hooker’s army [Joseph Hooker] crossed the Rappahannock in four places.  The enemy were confounded.  We captured their pickets and took 400 prisoners.

The 11th, 12th, and 5th corps mov[e] towards Kelley’s [sic] Ford, and reached there Tuesday morning [April 28].  A brigade had been guarding the ford for two weeks.  We crossed on pontoons, superintended by Gen. Howard [Otis O. Howard].  No enemy was to be found except a few pickets.

Stoneman’s cavalry [George Stoneman] crossed the next morning [April 29].  The wagon trains were parked near Bank’s [sic: Banks's] Ford, and it was evident a communication would be forced from there to the troops at Kelly’s Ford.

From 11 to 1 o’clock irregular firing was heard from the direction of Gorman, on the Rapidan.  It is supposed that the enemy are trying to check the rapid march of our troops.

At noon on Tuesday the 1st¹, 3d and 6th corps broke camp, and said at daylight on Wednesday the enemy’s pickets and reserves were captured, and two bridges built four miles below Fredericksburg.  Twenty men of the 11th Pennsylvania were wounded.

A third bridge was constructed and a sufficient force to hold the bridge crossed two miles further down.  Reynolds’ last corps [John F. Reynolds] constructed the bridge in the face of the enemy’s rifle pits, and effected a crossing.

The resistance was stubborn, but short.  Our artillery fire was too severe for the enemy who fled, leaving 87 prisoners from the 13th Georgia and 6th Louisiana regiments.

They report Jackson [Stonewall Jackson] as commanding the right wing.

Couch’s 2d division [Darius N. Couch] was in the rear of Bank’s [sic] Ford, with full facilities for crossing.  The corps which crossed at Kelly’s Ford are moving towards Chancellorville [sic], south of Fredericksburg.

Gen. Hooker’s headquarters are now in the saddle.

NEW YORK, May 4th.—The Tribune has just issued an extra as follows:

Our news by mail from the Rappahannock is up to Sunday morning [May 3].  At that time our left wing was in possession of Fredericksburg and of the first line of redoubts on the hill behind it, and was feeling its way to the second line.

The river was crossed and the redoubts carried with great ease and very slight loss of life.  The rebels had marched away in the directions of Chancellorville [sic] to attack our right wing, and were posted, leaving at first, 10,000, but subsequently not more than 5,000 to 7,000 in their works, as was ascertained by reconnoissance [sic] from Lowe’s balloon [T. S. C. Lowe].

The firing, both of musketry and cannonading, on the right in the direction of Chancellorville [sic], was very heavy.  The enemy had been forced to fight on ground of Hooker’s choosing, as he promised his soldiers.

It was believed in both wings that Stoneman’s expedition to cut off the Railroad between the rebels and Richmond, had proved successful, thus cutting off the only path of retreat.

SUFFOLK, May 4.—At nine o’clock yesterday morning Gen. Peck [John J. Peck] sent a force of infantry, cavalry and artillery across the Nansemond River at Suffolk, to make a reconnoissance. They advanced cautiously up the Old Petersburg turnpike, and when two miles out encountered the enemy in rifle pits thoroughly manned.  The 89th New york and 13th New Hampshire made a spirited and successful charge upon the rebel works, and carried them after a heavy resistance.  The enemy fell back out of range, leaving their dead and some wounded on the field.

Col. Ringgold² of the 103d New York regiment, was shot while leading his regiment in front, and died during the night.  The Chaplain of the 85th New York was wounded.

Advices from Cape Girardeau say the rebels under Marmaduke [John S. Marmaduke], after having their rear assaulted and suffering severe loss, finally escaped across the Whitewater river, burning all the bridges behind them.  They were disappointed by various raids in the direction of Chalk Bluff on the Arkansas line.  The result of this raid is reported a complete disaster and a cowardly flight before greatly inferior numbers.

NEW YORK, May 5.—The latest from Gen. Hooker’s army is just received from Washington.  The battle of Sunday [May 3] was renewed on Monday morning.  Gen. Sedgwick [John Sedgwick] had taken possession of Fredericksburg.

Eight hundred prisoners including an entire regiment, the 23d Georgia, were brought to Washington this morning and marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the old Capitol prison.

Two officers, Major General Evans [Clement A. Evans], of South Carolina, and a Brigadier whose name was not learned, were prominent among the number.  Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee [Fitzhugh Lee] is a prisoner in Washington.

The news from Western Virginia after a brief lull, rises into significance once more.

Our latest advice says that Mulligan³ was repulsed near Falmount and the Baltimore and Ohio bridge at that point was entirely destroyed.  A large force of rebels now occupy Morgantown.  The Baltimore and Ohio railroad suffered severely.  The bridges at Fairmount and Cheat River were blown up.

Advices from Vicksburg report that Gen. Sherman [William T. Sherman], with a fleet of transports accompanied by gunboats had landed and made an attack on the rebel batteries.

Gen. Burnside’s army [Ambrose E. Burnside] has crossed the Cumberland, attacked the enemy, and drove them before him.  We may look for stirring news from this direction before long.

The St. Paul Pioneer of the 6th says:  News was received in this city last evening that three men belonging to Company D., Eighth regiment, and a cattle drover named Foot of St. Cloud, were killed by the Indians on the Fort Ambercrombie route, at a place called Old Crossing, about thirty miles this side of the Fort, on Saturday last.

The St. Paul Press of the 7th has the following:

Hooker has made no progress but holds nearly the same position near Chancellorville [sic].  He is entrenching himself and waiting for the reinforcements which to the number of 80,000 were on their way to him, under Heintzleman [Samuel P. Heintzleman].  Sedgwick’s corps, too, had been driven from the Fredericksburg redoubts which they had won by such splendid bravery, by overwhelming masses of the enemy, and having recrossed the Rappahannock, is also on its way to strengthen Hooker’s right.

1.  The 1st of May 1863 was a Friday.  This Tuesday was April 28.
2.  Benjamin Ringgold (abt. 1827-1863) was killed on May 3, 1863, before Suffolk “while gallantly leading his regiment into action.” (Col. Ringgold’s Funeral, New York Times, May 14, 1863).
3.  James A. Mulligan (1829-1864) was colonel of the 23rd Illinois Infantry, an “Irish Brigade.” He commanded the Union forces at the First Battle of Lexington (of the Hemp Bales, in Missouri), and later distinguished himself in other engagements in the Eastern theater. At this point in time he was assigned to the Middle Department. On July 3, 1864, Mulligan will distinguish himself in the Battle of Leetown in Virginia, and late in July he will be mortally wounded at the Second Battle of Kernstown.

]]> http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/1863-may-9-the-polk-county-press-coverage-of-chancellorsville/feed/ 0 chalmer1861 http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/1863-may-9-the-deaths-of-stonewall-jackson-and-hiram-berry-at-chancellorsville/ http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/1863-may-9-the-deaths-of-stonewall-jackson-and-hiram-berry-at-chancellorsville/#comments Sat, 11 May 2013 15:19:02 +0000 UWRF Archives http://thecivilwarandnorthwestwisconsin.wordpress.com/?p=14377 ]]> In The Prescott Journal’s column next to the one titled “Glorious News from the Rappahannock!” is the following, more somber news from the Battle of Chancellorsville on Saturday May 2, 1863.  This report, published in the Journal on May 9, is from Tuesday May 5.

The Battle of Saturday.

OUR RIGHT WING TURNED.

Hooker’s Old Corps charge on the Rebels.

GREAT LOSS OF THE ENEMY !  !

NEW YORK, May 5.—The Times’ corespondent states that after three days of skirmishing on both sides, the Rebels on Saturday afternoon and evening attacked our right flank.  Jackson [Stonewall Jackson] with his whole corps of 40,000 men throwing himself impetuously on Howard’s 11th corps [Oliver O. Howard], but the movement was only partially successfully, and reinforcements being sent the rebels were handsomely checked.

Battle of Chancellorsville, by Kurz & Allison (see footnote 1)

Howard’s corps consisted of Schurz’s [Carl Schurz] and Stienwehr’s [sic: Adolph von Steinwehr] divisions.

The Times’ correspondent states that this corps abandoned their position behind their breastworks, and rushed panic stricken, towards headquarters.  Our right was thus completely turned and the rebels in a fair way of doubling us up.

Gen. Hooker [Joseph Hooker] was immediately in the [there was a fold in the newspaper and this line was blocked when microfilmed] commander of his own old corps, Berry,² he shouted:

“General, throw your men into the breach.  Receive the enemy on your bayonets.  Don’t fire  a shot.  They can’t see you.”

They rushed gloriously at double quick to the rescue, pushing forward, a horrid army of glittering steel.  The enemy were checked and retired to the breast works just abandoned by Howard’s corps.

Batteries were immediately massed on the crest of the hill, pouring in a terrific fire until far in the night.

Gen. Pleasanton [sic:]³ also checked a flying battery of a dozen pieces, and drew up his little brigade of cavalry, with drawn sabres to protect the guns.  He had them double shotted with cannister [sic], and swept the enemy’s position murderously.

In this charge of the rebels they took twelve pieces of cannon. The Germans fled past Hooker’s headquarters in a panic—many members of the staff with pistols and sabres vainly endeavoring to stay their flight.  Sykes’ regulars are picking them up [George Sykes].

The artillery combat continued until midnight.  Gen. Hooker and staff were all the time under the severest fire.

That night (Saturday) the men slept on their arms.  Sunday, at five o’clock in the morning, the rebels could be plainly seen on the plank road, about a mile and half from Hooker’s headquarters at Chancellor’s house, which house had been penetrated the evening previously, by a shell.  Our line of battle was immediately formed, and in half an hour our advance became engaged.  Soon, battalion become engaged, the enemy advancing his infantry in overwhelming numbers, seeming determined to crush ours.

1.  This digital image is from an original 1891 Kurz & Allison print, available at the Library of Congress. The UWRF University Archives & Area Research Center has in its Special Collections a copy of Battles of the Civil War: The Complete Kurz & Allison Prints, 1861-1865, Birmingham, Ala.: Oxmoor House, 1976 (Oversized E 468.7 .B3 1976). In the foreground of this scene one sees the accidental wounding of Stonewall Jackson on May 2, that led to his death on May 10, 1863.
2.  Hiram Gregory Berry (1824-1863) was from Maine where he was a carpenter, a navigator, a state legislator, and the mayor of Rockland before the Civil War. At the beginning of the War he offered his services to the governor of Maine to raise a regiment.  For his gallant service at the First Battle of Bull Run he was promoted to brigadier general in March 1862. Berry’s decisive action at the Battle of Williamsburg benefited General Hooker and he was promoted to major-general in November 1862. Berry was killed by a sharpshooter at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863.
3.  Alfred Pleasonton was fond of promoting himself and he continued that practice at the Battle of Chancellorsville by claiming that he temporarily halted an attack by Stonewall Jackson’s Corps and preventing the total destruction of the Union XI Corps (Howard’s) on May 2, 1863. He was persuasive enough that General Hooker told President Lincoln that Pleasonton “saved the Union Army” at Chancellorsville. Battle reports, however, indicate that Pleasonton’s role was considerably less important than he claimed, which puts this account into question. Pleasonton’s claims earned him a promotion to major general of volunteers as of June 22, 1863. When Hooker relieved General George Stoneman after Chancellorsville, he temporarily named Pleasanton as Stoneman’s replacement. For more on Pleasonton see the Cast of Characters.

Memphis May 10^th 1863.

My Dear Parents,

                             We have been looking impatiently for a letter several days but none have come.  I now write you in great hurry as we yesterday were notified that to-day our Division leaves for Vicksburgh [sic].  The order was very unexpected, but you will probably hear of it ere this reaches you.  All now is preparation for the trip and I have barely time to write having just come in from on picket.  We shall go on the boat this evening.  The 3^rd Brig. goes first and the 2^nd and 1^st soon follow.  We are all in good spirits & health and ready to go where we can do any good.  We may go to some point this side of Vicksburgh [sic] but do not know for certain.  You must write us very soon and very often.  Will you?  All of you!  Gen Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] is said to be making great progress & there is all confidence that he will succeed,—he is now in the rear of that stronghold.

The news from Hooker’s army [Joseph Hooker] is rather discouraging,—he has had to recross the Rappahannock to his old camp on acct. of the rains, overwhelming number of rebs, &c., but his army is not demoralized.  Our loss is estimated at 10,000 and the rebel loss at 20,000, but the papers lie as usual, & we shall have to wait till things get settled ere we learn the truth.  [paragraph break added]

The secesh here are very bold & sacy saucy just now, but they dry will dry that up shortly or I mistake.  I believe, should I head them utter their treason & abuse, I would try very hard to knock them right smart.  I could not stand much abuse from them & they should see whether a Yankee could fight or not.  If I ever get a chance to sight my rifle on any of them, as now seems likely, I promise you all I’ll take cool, deliberate aim.  The boys are ready for them and when the tug of war comes, I have all confidence, their blows and bullets will count.  I am not discouraged at the results of Hooker’s campaign, but I am greatly provoked at the impudence if these secesh, but perhaps they will sing a different song soon if Vicksburgh [sic] falls.  God grant it may & that our arms everywhere may be completely victorious.

12. M — I have just finished eating dinner & now proceed with my letter, but I must close rather abruptly as I am hurried.  Homer is going up town after some things to take with us and can not write now.  The weather is warm but there is a good freeze.  Perhaps it would be a good plan to spend some of this money on a yours cold for it will rise in value.  Have you got that money?  We expect a letter from you to-day.

Remember us to all our friends and to that best of all friends the Savior in your prayers.  Write us soon & give all the news.  Good bye.

Very affectionately yours,

E.D. Levings
Co. A 12th W. V.
3rd B. 4th D.
16th A. Corps
via Cairo & Memphis

Edwin Levings letter of May 10, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls