1863 December 26: The Union’s Military Resources

Two separate, but related, articles from the December 26, 1863, issue of The Prescott Journal.  The second is a handy list of what generals are currently in charge of which Corps.

Our Military Resources.

The following extract from the Report of the Secretary of War, will give an idea of the magnitude of our military resources:

THE ORDINANCE DEPARTMENT.

The specific duty of the Ordinance Department is to supply arms and munitions of war for sea coast and frontier fortifications, and for the forces in the field.

The expenditures for these purposes during the last fiscal year amount to $42,313,630.21.

The canon, small arms, and accoutrements, for men and horses, and ammunition obtained during the late fiscal year by purchase and by manufacture, were as follows: 1,557 field, siege and seacoast cannon, with carriages, caissons and other implements; 1,082,841 muskets and rifles for foot soldiers; 282,389 carbines and pistols for mounted troops; 1,295,000 cannon balls and shells; 1,295,000 cannon balls and shells; 48,719,862 pounds of lead and lead bullets; 435,000 cartridges for artillery; 259,022,216 cartridges for small arms; 347,276,400 percussion caps; 3,925,369 friction printers; 5,764,768 pounds of gunpowder; 919,676 sets of accoutrements for men; 94,679 sets of accoutrements for cavalry horses; 2,281 sets of artillery harness, each set for two horses.

An immense amount of material has been prepared for the different arsenals, and work in wood and leather large quantities is advanced toward completion for the manufacture and repairs of all the various machines and implements of war in use in the service.  The quantities of the principal articles of ordnance materials in the control of the department at the beginning of the war, the quantities of these articles on hand on June 30, 1863, are shown in the following tables, viz :

	Articles.	On hand at beginning of the war.	Procured since the war began.	Issued since the war began.	On hand for issue June 30, 1863.
	Siege and sea-coast artillery	1,052	1,064	2,088	927
	Field Artillery	231	2,784	2,481	487
	Firearms for infantry	487,884	1,950,144	1,550,576	886,001
	Firearms for cavalry	81,268	338,128	827,170	42,226
	Sabres	16,933	387,555	271,817	82,671
	Cannon Balls and shells	363,591	2,562,744	1,745,586	1,180,749
	Lead and lead bullets in lbs	1,801,776	71,776,774	50,045,515	23,024,025
	Cartridges for artillery	28,248	2,238,446	2,274,490	492,504
	Cartridges for small arms	8,292,800	522,204,816	878,534,104	151,913,012
	Percussion caps	19,808,000	749,475,000	715,036,479	74,246,530
	Friction primers	84,425	7,064,709	6,082,505	1,005,629
	Gunpowder in lbs	1,110,584	13,424,363	13,071,078	1,463,874
	Saltpeter in lbs	2,923,348	6,231,731		8,155,079
	Accoutrements for infantry	10,930	1,831,800	1,680,220	162,010
	Accoutrements for cavalry	4,320	194,466	196,298	2,498
	Equipments for cavalry horses	574	216,658	211,673	5,562
	Artillery harnesses, double	587	18,666	17,485	1,767

The resources of the country for the production of arms and munitions of war have only commenced their development, yet their extent may be inferred from the enormous quantity of supplies shown by the foregoing tabular abstract to have been furnished during the last two years.  At the beginning of the war we were compelled to rely upon foreign arms and munitions.  Now all these things are manufactured at home, and we are independent of foreign countries not only for the manufacture. but also for the materials of which they are composed.  The excellency of the arms and munitions of war of American manufacture which have been supplied by the Ordnance Department to the Army has been so obvious that our soldiers are no longer willing to use those  which have been imported from other countries.  The efforts made during the war to extend and improve the manufacture of arms and munitions, have resulted in discoveries of great importance to the country, in peace as well as war.  Among the arts thus improved is the manufacture of wrought iron, now rivaling the qualities of iron of Sweden, Norway and England.  This country until the present year, has relied upon those countries for material to make gun barrels, bridle-bits, car wheel tires and other articles requiring iron of fine quality.  Iron of our own production is now superior to that obtained abroad.

The law of 1808 made a provision for the annual expenditure of $200,000 for arming the militia of the States.—That sum is insufficient for the wants of the increasing population of the country.  Two millions should be annual appropriated for that purpose, until all States are supplied in proportion to the population with the same number of arms that have been distributed in some of the States to meet the exigencies of war.—From the report of the Chief of Engineers, it appears that the grants made by Congress for fortifications at the last session amounted to $5,350,000 for permanent works, and $700,000 for temporary works.  These liberal provisions allowed very material progress being made upon important fortifications now under construction, and of essential modifications, being effected in old works and existing batteries to obtain largely increased efficiency by preparing them to receive ordnance of greatly increased calibre, and to store great bulks of ammunition, with additional safety therefor.  These important objects have been very generally realized.  Difficulties existing last year in the procurement and transportation of materials, and in obtaining the requisite amount of skilled and ordinary labor, have increased, but these difficulties have been surmounted to such a degree that the general result is very favorable, and our seaboard and border fortifications are now in condition to afford a formidable defense, decidedly stronger than last year.

THE ARMY CORPS.—The several army corps, with their commanders, now stand as follows:

1st Army Corps—Maj. Gen. Newton.  [John Newton]
2d Army Corps—Brig. Gen. G. K. Warren.  [Gouverneur K. Warren]
3d Army Corps—Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles.
4th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger.
5th Army Corps—Maj. Gen Geo. Sykes.
6th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick.
7th Army Corps—Consolidated with others.
8th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. R. C. Schenck.  [Robert C. Schenck]
9th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. John G. Parke.
10th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gilmore [sic].  [Quincy A. Gillmore]
11th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard.  [Oliver O. Howard]
12th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. H. W. Slocum.  [Henry W. Slocum]
13th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. E. O. C. Ord.  [Edward O. C. Ord]
14th Army Corps—Brig. Gen. J. M. Palmer.  [John M. Palmer]
15h Army Corps—Maj. Gen. John A. Logan.
16th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut.  [Stephen A. Hurlbut]
17th Army Corps—Maj. Gen J. B. McPherson.  [James B. McPherson]
18th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler.  [Benjamin F. Butler]
19th Army Corps—Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks.  [Nathaniel P. Banks]
20th Army Corps—Consolidated with others.
21th Army Corps—Consolidated with others.
22d Army Corps—Maj. Gen. Augur.  [Christopher Columbus Augur]

1863 December 26: Another Update on Colonel Murphy

The following short update on Colonel Robert C. Murphy is from the December 26, 1863, issue of The Polk County Press.

COL. MURPHY.—A friend writing us from Washington concerning the recent restoration of Col. MURPHY, of this County, to his old rank and command, says :

“The President referred Murphy’s case, last May, to Judge Advocate Holt [Joseph Holt], for a report thereon, and promised Senator Doolittle [Wisconsin’s senator, James R. Doolittle], and other friends of Murphy, that if the report exorotate [sic] him, he should be restored, whether such restoration pleased or displeased Republican or Democratic politicians.  On the 30th day of May, last, Judge Holt filed his report in favor of Murphy in the War Department, from the files of which, some rascal stole it, before it reached the President.  The fact of this report having been completed and filed did not reach the President, in the midst of his many cares and duties, until about the first day of November last.  “Old Abe” after some investigation, failed to find the thief or the paper, and directed the U. S. Judge Advocate to make and file another, which he did on the 21st day of November last.  This report entirely exonerates Murphy from all blame, and the President has ordered to be recinded [sic], the military order that dismissed him, the effect of which now is, to put him back into the service with the rank of Colonel, and to give him full Colonel’s pay from the day of his dismissal at Holly Springs¹.  Murphy will probably go on the Staff of Gen. Casey [Silas Casey] now.”

1.  The Raid on Holly Springs was December 20, 1862. Murphy was officially dismissed as of January 10, 1863.

1863 December 26: “There is no war news of importance this week”—But Plenty of Small Items

Following are the smaller items from the December 26, 1863, issues of The Polk County Press: and The Prescott Journal.  The two editors seem to have put their newspapers to bed before Christmas Day and instead will be taking the upcoming week off.

From The Polk County Press:

— There is no war news of importance this week.

— Rebel losses at Knoxville are reported at 5,000; national loss, 1,000.

— The father of Gen. Sigel [Franz Sigel], died in Germany on the 17th of August last.

— A dispatch from Concord states that New Hampshire is rapidly filling up her new quota of troops by volunteering.

— The Monitor Weehawken sunk at anchor inside the Charleston bar on Sunday the 6th inst., carrying down four engineers and twenty-six of the crew.  It is expected she will be raised.

— Our of the fifteen regiment of nine months’ men from Massachusetts who went to the war, there were but 117 killed or died from wounds.

— The Supreme Court of Iowa has decided that the law allowing soldiers to vote is Constitutional and valid.—The seat of Hon. J. B. Grinnel and the election of a large number of the Members of the Iowa Legislature was contingent upon this decision.

— The rebels hold Union officers prisoners at Richmond as follows :—One Brigadier General, 14 Colonels, 23 Lieut. Colonels, 28 Majors, 246 Captains, 264 First Lieutenants, 297 Second Lieutenants.  They will now soon be exchanged.

— It is said that the question of reconstruction will be fearlessly advocated in the rebel Congress now in session at Richmond, and that many of the “last ditch” fellows are inclined to favor it.  The President’s last proclamation will be a good basis for them to work on.

— The Oconto Pioneer says that in the rebel army the Generals Bragg [Braxton Bragg], Polk [Leonidas Polk] and Cheatam [Benjamin F. Cheatham].  To them the hero of Vicksburg has been turning his attention, and the people of the North have about come to the conclusion that he can play at Polk-er, Bragg, and Cheat-em too!

From The Prescott Journal:

Items.

— Recruiting is going on briskly.—Most of the towns in the county are offering extra bounties, and their quotas are nearly full.

— The Reporter says River Falls was honored by a visit from Capt. Maxson [Orrin T. Maxson].  The Capts’ face is well browned by Southern suns, but we will bet he blushed clear through the tan at this exhibition of toadyism.

— Rev. A. B. Peabody was exempted from the draft on account of his age.

— We learn from the State Journal that Col. DILL [Daniel J. Dill] has received orders to remove the 30th Reg. to Camp Washburne [sic], Milwaukee.

— The JOURNAL is the only paper in the St. Croix Valley which published the President’s Message.

— W. H. York [William H. York], of the 20th, is Post Quartermaster at Brownsville, Texas.

— The Hastings Democrat hoists the name of Geo. B. McClellan, as a candidate for the Presidency.  It won’t win.

  From the beginning the President [Abraham Lincoln] has waited for the People.  He has made sure of a solid foundation of popular support before he would take a step forward ;  yet every step forward has been in the right direction.  If the process has seemed slow to the impatience of an impulsive and ardent Radicalism—it is not, as many have thought, because he has been mentally slow to arrive at positive conclusions ;  but because the People were slow to give him a united or preponderating support in carrying out his convictions.

BEECHER ON THE PRESIDENT.—In his Thanksgiving sermon, H. W. Beecher spoke thus of the President :  “We owe a debt of gratitude to God for the Chief Magistrate of our land.  He is wisely and surely pioneering the way to the liberty of this nation.  One man there was whom God’s hand had ordained to break our foreign bondage.  If it were possible to honor more than him another whom God has ordained to break the bondage of a worse oppression in our land, then the second should be greater than the first ;  but joined together, one and inseparable, we shall hereafter hear on jubilees the shouts, “Washington and Lincoln—the fathers.”

1863 December 30: “I am told 107 men of the Regt. have reenlisted; what do you think about our joining the Veterans”

 A short letter that looks to be a continuation of Edwin Levings’ December 24 letter.  The original letter is 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.

Natchez, Dec 30th, 1863

My letter has lain over several days as you see. I thought Homer would write, but as he has not, and is on picket to-day.  I will mail at once.  Nothing new since Christmas.  We are both well and are patiently looking for letters.  I wrote Mr. Gibson yesterday.  I am told 107 men of the Regt. have reenlisted.  What do you think about our joining the Veterans.  We have no notion of it, but would like your opinion.  It is raining to-day and I am improving the time in reading, writing, &c.  I have a book, Father, which I shall send you when I have finished reading it.  We expect Gen. McPherson [James B. McPerson] down here shortly to review us.  Mother, what sized photography would you like?  They come at 6 dollars per doz.  Would have got them & sent them, but had not money enough.  Shall have next pay day, & will get them for you.  Write soon, E.D. Levings

Edwin Levings letter of Decemeber 30, 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

1863 December 26: The Sinking of the USS Weehawken

The USS Weehawken was an ironclad monitor in the U.S. Navy. Launched on November 5, 1862, and commissioned on January 18, 1863, she was a larger and improved version of the USS Monitor. She had been deployed in the blockade off Charleston (S.C.) harbor since February of 1863. On 7 April, the Weehawken led the Union fleet in the first major naval assault against Confederate installations in Charleston harbor. On August 23 and September 1-2, the Weehawken was one of the ships that bombarded Fort Sumter, pounding it to rubble. On the morning of December 6, 1863, the Weehawken lay anchored off Morris Island, in Charleston harbor, during a moderate gale. Suddenly, the ironclad signalled for assistance and appeared to observers to be sinking. Attempts to beach the vessel failed, and she sank five minutes later.

A court of inquiry found that Weehawken had recently taken on a considerable amount of heavy ammunition in her forward compartments. This change excessively reduced her forward freeboard, causing water to rush down an open hawsepipe and hatch during the storm. As the bow sank, and the stern rose, water could not flow aft to the pumps and the vessel foundered

The following article was taken from the December 26, 1863, issue of The Prescott Journal.

APPALLING DISASTER.

LOSS OF THE MONITOR WEEHAWKEN.

Correspondence N.Y. Herald.

UNITED STATES TRANSPORT FULTON, OFF CHARLETTON [sic], December 8. 1863.—At two o’clock on Sunday afternoon, while a furious wind prevailed from the northwest, the iron-clad Weehawken, lying at the entrance of Charleston harbor, went down at her anchorage—went suddenly, swiftly, and unaccountably to the bottom—and carried with her, to a horrible death beneath the waves, four of her engineers and twenty-six of her crew.

Saturday had been a bright and beautiful day, with scarcely a breath of air astir, and with a calm, unruffled sea.—During the night a breeze sprang up, and the wind blowing freshly at daylight on Sunday, increased by noon to a violent storm.

The iron-clad fleet was lying meantime at its usual anchorage.  The frigate New Ironsides was stationed off Morris Island, at a distance of about one mile due east from Fort Wagner—or, as it is now called Fort Strong.  North of the Ironsides lay the flagship Philadelphia, distant about one hundred yards.  The Weehawken was next, anchored two or three hundred yards to the northward of the flagship.  The first signal of distress was made from the Weehawken, at a few minutes before two o’clock.  The signal was seen and answered at once by the flagship, from which four boats were sent to her assistance, and by the South Carolina, which sent two of her boats to the Weehawken‘s aid.  The tugs Dandelion and Iris were also at once called up, and with them commander Duncan,¹ of the Weehawken, who chanced to be on the flagship, and in conversation with the Admiral, when the signal was made, proceeded immediately with the hope of running his vessel to the beech [sic].  He had scarcely left the Admiral, when the officer of the deck made out from the Weehawken a new signal, and immediately reported her to be sinking.

A moment later she settled swiftly down by the head, careened slightly over to starboard, and disappeared beneath the waves.

“Sinking of the Monitor “Weehawken” at the Siege of Charleston, December 7th [sic], 1863; from a sketch by W. T. Crane²

It is impossible to convey any idea of the appalling nature of this disaster.  It came with the suddenness of a thunderbolt.  When the first signal of distress was made no one divined how serious was the danger, and when, at length, the vessel went down, it was difficult for those who saw her disappear to credit the evidence of their own senses.  The confusion on the flagship, arising mainly from the difficulty of launching her boats, and the desire of both officers and men to be first in them, was most intense and painful.  The wind was now blowing with great fury and the boats which hastened from all sides to the scene encountered great peril in picking up from the water the few who had succeeded in getting away.  As many others were rescued from the surging waves by the launches of the flagship, the South Carolina and the tugboats Dandelion and Iris.  Thirty perished.

All day the Weehawken had labored heavily in the sea, which kept her decks constantly submerged, and which frequently swept in huge volumes into her forward hatch.  Towards noon the crew commenced paying out chain, to ease her ;  but, accustomed as they were, in every gale, to the shipping of such seas, it is believed that they had grown confident and careless of danger, and paid no heed to the encroaching waters until it was too late to resist them.  They dreamed of no peril till the waves had fairly yawned to swallow them.  Then, when it was known for a certainty that the vessel was to be lost, a paic [sic] of fright and fear benumbed them, and the terror-stricken crew below had little power to help themselves.  There were men in irons between decks, and the sergeant at-arms rushed frantically away to release them.  Poor fellows, they all went down.

There were invalids in the sick bay, and to their relief the surgeon sent his steward, who never returned.  There were firemen at the furnaces, to who vain shrieks for a helping hand at the pumps were made.  A few of the confident were rushing to their quarters to save their effects, jostling the timid on their way to the deck to save themselves.  It was in the midst of scenes like this that the Weehawken went down.

I believe that none of the officers perished save the four assistant engineers, who were overtaken by the flood before they could make any effort to escape.—Commander Duncan had only taken command of the Weehawken on Saturday, having been detached from the Paul Jones to relieve Commander Calhoun.  The officers’ clothing, the paymaster’s funds and the papers of the ship sank with her.

The yeoman was brought alive on board the flagship, and died in spasms a few moments afterward.  Various parties were picked up and taken to the nearest vessel, where every provision was made for their comfort and restoration.  Those of the crew who were saved are now scattered in small squads throughout the fleet.  It is impossible to procure at present the names of those who were lost.

The Weehawken is lying in five fathoms of water, and will soon be raised.—Until she is brought up, no on can tell with certainty why she sank.

1.  Jesse A. Duncan.
2.  This engraving was published in The Soldier in Our Civil War: A Pictorial History of the Conflict, 1861-1865, Illustrating the Valor of the Soldier as Displayed on the Battle-field: from Sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor, Beard, Becker, Lovie, Schell, Crane, Davis and Numerous Other Eye-witnesses to the Strife, edited by Paul F. Mottelay and T. Campbell-Copland, (New York: Stanley Bradley Pub. Co., 1893), vol. 2: 184. The UWRF Archives has only volume 1 of this book; this copy of the image comes from the Naval Historical Center’s website, Photo #: NH 58709.

1863 December 28: Rufus R. Dawes Affidavit Supporting A. D. Andrews

The original letter is in the A. D. Andrews Papers (River Falls SC 357), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Head Quarters 6th Wis. Vols. Culpeper C. H. Dec 28^th/63.

I certify on honor that I was in command of the 6^th Reg’t of Wis. Vol’s during the engagements near Gettysburg Pa. on the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd days of July 1863.  On the morning of the 1^st of July in the march from Emmittsburg [sic] Md. toward Gettysburg Asst Surgeon A. D. Andrews was at his place in the column on duty with the Regiment.  When, on that morning, the Regiment, most unexpectedly, moved forward to engage the Enemy Surgeon Ward, Medical Director of the Division, as authorized by Gen. Orders, directed Asst Surgeon Andrews to fall out of the column and report to him for instructions during the action.

I saw no more of Asst Surgeon Andrews until the morning of July 4th, but have abundant information that he was faithfully and fearlessly on duty, under instructions from his Medical Director, during the battles of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd of July.  On the morning of July 4^th Asst Surgeon Andrews came to the Reg’t to all appearances quite unwell, and worn out with the arduous service of the three days battle.  I understood him to be on duty at a Hospital in Gettysburg, and gave directions that his horse be sent there.  I gave him no instructions to remain with the Regiment as the enemy were still confronting us and I considered him under orders from the Medical Director.

The Regiment marched in pursuit of the enemy on the 5^th of July, Asst Surgeon Andrews remaining at Gettysburg as I supposed under orders from the Medical Dept.  No official information of each district having reached the Reg’t, after ample time had been allowed, Asst Surgeon Andrews was returned as “absent without leave” from July 4^th until continued to be so reported until August 5^th when when [sic] news received of him of absence from proper authority on certificate of disability.

Dr. Andrews participated with his Regiment, in his line of duty, in the battles of Gainsville, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fitz Hugh’s Crossing and Gettysburg.  He is a skilled surgeon and always a faithful and efficient officer.  That he considered himself lawfully and properly on duty at Gettysburg from July 4^th until ordered by the Medical Director of the Corps (Dr. Hurd) on or about July 25^th to return to his Reg’t, I have not a doubt.

Rufus R. Dawes
. . . . . . . .Lt Col. 6^th Wis. Vol’s

Affidavit from R.R. Dawes, December 28, 1863, from the A.D. Andrews Papers (River Falls SC 357) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1863 December 26: News of the Week is Mostly Political

Following is this week’s news from The Prescott Journal of December 26, 1863.

THE NEWS.

— A bill has been introduced into “loyal” Virginia legislature, in session at Alexandria, to abolish slavery in the counties excepted by the President’s proclamation.

—The Radical triumph in Missouri is complete.  Rosecrans [William S. Rosecrans] takes Schofield’s [John M. Schofield] command, while Curtiss [sic: Samuel R. Curtis] supersedes Ewing¹ in Kansas.

— The rebels have repealed the substitute clause in their Conscription act, and all those who have sent substitutes must now go themselves in addition.

— The official vote of Wisconsin has just been canvassed.  It stands :  Lewis 79,934 [James T. Lewis] ;  Palmer 55,199 [Henry L. Palmer].  Union majority 24,815.

—Senator Wilson,² Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs strongly opposes the repeal of the $300 clause.

— A dispatch from Washington says the conscription bill will not be amended until after the holidays, and that the draft will be postponed for twenty days from the 5th of January.

— A later dispatch says the reported postponement of the draft for twenty days was a falsehood.  It is now said that it will positively take place on the 5th of January.

— Gen. Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] has captured, since the war broke out, 461 cannon and 90,000 prisoners.

— An important decision of the Supreme Court, rendered in July last, in the habeas corpus case of Martin Conway and James Gibbons, is published.—It is to the effect that children who come to this country with their parents, while minors, acquire none of the rights of citizens unless themselves naturalized or declared their intentions.  Hence they have no right to vote and are not liable to draft.³

— Morgan [John Hunt Morgan] escaped across the Tennessee River, sixty miles above Chattanooga, on the 18th.  He rode a fine race horse, presented him by some Garrett Davis Kentuckian, and was accompanied by an escort of thirty men.—Fourteen were captured, and the old thief himself had a narrow escape.

— The Toronto Globe cordially endorsed the President’s Proclamation to the Southern people, predicts that it will be a great success, and believes the rebellion is on its last legs.

— The Message of Jeff Davis [Jefferson Davis] and the report of Mr. Memminger, the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, present the condition of the rebellion as such that, if it were not infamous, it would be pitiable.  When we come to look into the receipts of the rebel Treasury, we find that the War Tax has, during a year, yielded $4,128,988 ;  the sequestrasion [sic] of the property of Union men, $1,862,550 ;  customs, $934,708 ;  export duty on cotton, $8,101 ;  patent fund, $10,794 ;  altogether, $6,945,341.  And this in Confederate currency worth six cents in gold on the dollar.  The rest of the Confederate revenue has been made by printing notes, which are now to be focibly funded.  He admits the violation of the contract entered into by the Government with the note holders, but says he can’t help it ;  that if his scheme is not promptly adopted, “taxes become fruitless by reason of the depreciation of the money.  The army can neither be paid, clothed, or fed ;  arms and munitions of war can no longer be supplied ;  the officers of the Government can not be supported ;  and the country must succumb.”

— Ten Senators and fifty-five members of the lower House answered to their names when the Confederate Congress was called to order.  Hunter,⁴ of Virginia, occupied the chair of the Senate, and Bocock,⁵ of the same State, called the House to order.

— Senator Wilson² expresses the confident belief that the present Congress will not repeal the $300 clause of the enrollment act.

— The brave General Corcoran [Michael Corcoran] died at Fairfax Court House on Tuesday evening, from the effects of a fall from his horse.

1.  Thomas Ewing, Jr. (1829-1896) was an attorney, a leading free state advocate, a Union general during the Civil War, a two-term U. S. Congressman from Ohio (1877-1881), and he narrowly lost the 1880 election for Ohio governor. He was a delegate from Kansas to the Peace Conference of 1861 and was elected the first chief justice of the new state of Kansas in 1861. He resigned his judgeship to recruit the 11th Kansas Infantry and was elected as its first colonel. Ewing was promoted to brigadier general in March 1863, for his leadership at the Battle of Prairie Grove. He was given command of the District of the Border, which comprised Kansas and western Missouri. Ewing issued General Order № 11 in retaliation for William Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence, Kansas. The order commanded that civilians with southern sympathies living in four Missouri counties be expelled, and if they did not leave voluntarily, they would be forced out by Union cavalry. In September and October 1864, as deputy commander of the St. Louis district under William Rosecrans, Ewing played a major part in thwarting Sterling Price’s invasion of Missouri.
2.  Henry Wilson (1812-1875), a U.S. senator from Massachusetts (1855-1873), was one of the Radical Republicans in Congress and a strong opponent of slavery. He was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia, and of the Committee on Military Affairs. In 1872 he ran with Ulysses S. Grant and served as U.S.  vice-president from March 4, 1873, until his death on November 22, 1875.
3.  Martin Conway and James Gibbons were “alleged to be unlawfully restrained of their liberty” at Camp Randall by Captain Samuel Harriman, after being given into his custody by the deputy provost marshal of the 3rd district of Wisconsin because they failed to report to the proper officers  after being drafted. They claimed that because they were of foreign birth and brought to the United States as minors, and, while they had voted, they had never declared their intention to become citizens, they were not subject to the draft. The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed that they were not “citizens” and therefore the laws of Congress regarding the draft did not apply to them. (“In the Matter of the Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Martin Conway and James Gibbons, Wisconsin Reports: Cases Determined in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, vol. 17 (Chicago: Callaghan): 543-46.
4.  Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter (1809-1887) had been a U.S. representative (and Speaker of the House of Representatives) and senator (1847-1861) from Virginia before the Civil War but was expelled from the Senate on July 11, 1861, for support of the rebellion. He was a delegate from Virginia to the Confederate Provincial Congress at Richmond; Confederate Secretary of State (1861-1862); served in the Confederate Senate from Virginia in the First and Second Congresses (1862-1865) and was President pro tempore on various occasions. In February 1865 he was one of the peace commissioners that met with President Abraham Lincoln in Hampton Roads. Hunter was briefly imprisoned at the end of the Civil War. After the War he was State treasurer of Virginia (1874-1880) and collector for the port of Tappahannock, Virginia, in 1885.
5.  Thomas Stanley Bocock (1815-1891) was a U.S. representative from Virginia before the Civil War. He was elected a representative to the Confederate Congress in 1861. Bocock became speaker of that body in February 1862.

1863 December 19/26: Quota Credits for Volunteers

An important piece of information for those worried about the draft—towns/villages, towns/townships, and wards within cities will be credited for anyone who volunteers and the number of volunteers will reduce the draft quotas for those towns and wards.  This was printed in The Prescott Journal on December 19, 1863, and in The Polk County Press on December 26, 1863.  The following is the version from the Press, the only difference being the initial title of “Notice” and the first paragraph.

NOTICE.
__

As there has been considerable discussion as to whether the several towns in our county will receive credit for volunteers sent, we publish the following order of Adjutant General GAYLORD on the subject :

Order Authorizing Credits of Quotes to Towns and Wards.

HEAD QUARTERS STATE OF WIS. }
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE. }
MADISON, Dec. 9, 1863. }

GENERAL ORDER No. 22.

The following correspondence from the War Departments published for the information of the people of this State :

WAR DEPARTMENT, }
PROVOST MAR. GENERAL’S OFFICE, }
Washington, Dec. 2, 1863. }

Hon. James A. Bell and Wm. H. Bogart Washington D. C. :

GENTLEMEN—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of  your communication of the 2d inst., and a reply as follows :

The following propositions submitted by your commission, on the part of the Governor of New York, have received the approval of the War Department, and will govern in the matters referred.

1st.  That quotas apportioned to towns and wards in the several Congressional districts in the state of New York, and that assurance be given to such towns and wards as may furnish their full quota of volunteers under the recent call of the President for 300,000 men, that they will be exempt from the pending draft, should one be rendered necessary in January next.

2d.  That the several towns and wards receive credit for all such volunteers as may have been mustered into the service of the United States since the draft, and that the number so credited  be deducted from their portion of the quota assigned the State under the recent call :

WAR DEPARTMENT, }
PROVOST MAR. GENERAL’S OFFICE, }
Washington, Dec. 3, 1863. }

Lt. [sic: Col.] Charles S. Lovell, A. A. Provost Marshal General, Madison, Wisconsin.

COLONEL :—I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of my letter of the 2d inst., to the Hon. James A. Bell and Wm. H. Bogart, and to say that the principles therein announced will as far as they may be applicable, govern with regard to the State of Wisconsin.

Please communicate immediately this information to His Excellency Governor Salomon [Edward Salomon].

I am, Colonel, very respectfully your obedient servant,

Signed,          JAMES B. FRY,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Provost Mar. General.

By order of the Governor
. . . . . . . . . . . . .AUG. GAYLORD,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjutant General.

Christmas 1863 in Northwest Wisconsin

Various holiday items from The Polk County Press throughout December of 1863, plus Harper’s Weekly’s Christmas 1863 illustration by Thomas Nast.

From The Polk County Press, December 5, 1863:

CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT.—A meeting was convened at the School House in this village on Monday evening last, for the purpose of taking steps toward getting up a Christmas Tree entertainment, in this village on Christmas Eve, for the benefit of the children.  A good number of our citizens were present, and committees were appointed to take the matter in hand.  A programme has been prepared which will be carried our with spirit and in such a manner as will give pleasure to all who attend.  The Festival will be held in the Court House, which will be decorated and supplied with all the conveniences necessary.  Doors open at half past 6 o’clock. Admission is 25 cents.— Children under 14 years of age will be admitted free.  The proceeds of the evening will be used to purchase Sabbath School books for the village Sabbath School.  A general invitation is extended to the public.

From The Polk County Press, December 12, 1863:

— We think that owing to the accident¹ which recently happened, and the absence of several of our citizens, that our Christmas Tree entertainment should be given up.—We know this to be the mind of several of the Executive Committee, and we mention the matter that others may consider what is best to be done.

SHOOTING MATCH.—There will be a shooting match in the village of Osceola, on Christmas Day.  Turkies [sic] and chickens by the hundred will be on hand.  But who is going to have charge of the match? ask one.  Why who should but BILLY WILSON !  He is the only man who gets up fun for the boys in Osceola.  Yes BILLY is the boy, and all hands must burn out and take a shot.

From The Polk County Press, December 19, 1863:

— R. & F. WEBB have some nice china toys and other pretty things for Christmas presents.

— We understand that the Christmas Tree entertainment in this village has been given up.

— The “Sports” in this vicinity will please bear in mind BILLY WILSON’s Shooting Match, which comes off in this village, on Christmas day.

— We shall issue our next paper on Thursday on account of its being Christmas, Friday.  Articles to secure an insertion must be handed in by Wednesday morning.

A Christmas Salutation.

The season of old time festivity is again upon us.  Pile on the Yule log and let the hearth around which we gather in these December days blaze brightly.  As we are gathered around our home circles and look back upon the Spring time and the Harvest, we have abundant reason to be thankful, and rejoice that Providence has been so kind to us.  It is right that a season of festivity should crown the going out of the old year, as it is but the offering of grateful hearts, to a beneficent author of all good, and well pleasing in his sight.  Why should we not rejoice in our blessings and render up tribute of thanksgiving to Him?  In what way can we do this better, than by making our own hearth-stones, the place of our heart-offerings.  But our sympathies should not be circumscribed by our own family circles only ;  but let us impart to the poor, the afflicted, and the unfortunate a portion of our good cheer, and divide with them the fireside, the  festivities, and the friendly sympathy of our hearts.

Let us recall with gratitude those who have left behind them their joys, and who while we thus sit, are lying upon the tented field, with the blue sky above them, and the thoughts of the dear ones far away, in their breast.  They are our country’s brave ones, and let us cherish their brave deeds, and make their names in wreaths of evergreen upon our walls, and let the little flocks, left to us as an heritage, be especial objects of our mercy and solicitude.  “For inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these” remember ye do it unto the Savior, whose birth upon the plains of Bethlehem, caused the morning stars to sing together on Christmas morning eighteen hundred and sixty-three years agone.   For the religion of Christ, is the religion of humanity, and the solider who wages a just battle for humanity—wages it for Him who stilled the waves of Galilee.

Let us repeat to the children the stories of the heroes who stood on Bunker Hill and Saratoga ;—who shivered and wandered with bleeding feet around the bleak wastes of Valley Forge,—and of him who crossed with his band of heroes over the waters of the Delaware on the tempestuous night, with clouds of adversity around his pathway and the light of God’s promises in his soul, that guided him like the pillar of cloud, and the pillar of fire on his pilgrimage.—So shall they grow up to reverence the battle-scared Freemen of the first and second revolution.  So shall we love our country, and our country’s defenders, with a strong and a more earnest love.

Let the fire burn brightly, and let song and story cheer the Christmas days of old ’63.  We send you greeting with our PRESS, and hope to jog along through the days and weeks of the coming year by your side.  We shall share in your joys and participate in your sorrows—we shall work with you and for you —we ask that you will return us your sympathy, your good wishes, and earnest efforts in our behalf.  So shall we be of mutual benefit to each other and when another Christmas time shall bring its wonted joys and sorrows, its pleasures, and its mournings, we may feel that you, friends and neighbors of Polk County, are drawn nearer to us, and we to you, than ever.  That we have come to know and understand  your wants and wishers better and you have learned to know us and our truer feelings more thoroughly than in the Christmas time of the past.

So in this world of ours let us journey along, in Charity and in Hope, judging all our friends in sympathy and kindness , going out among our fellow mortals in the days and years that are still before us.  Then shall the Christmas fire burnt brightly and festive days be joyous indeed, and though years my rest within winter snows upon our heads, the heart shall be over full for youth and bid defiance to the ravages of time.

From The Polk County Press, December 26, 1863:

— We wish our readers one and all a MERRY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS !

From Harper’s Weekly,² December 26, 1863:

Home on Furlough for Christmas, from “Harper’s Weekly,” published on December 26, 1863²

1.  Jennie Kent and Edward Armstrong drowned after falling through the ice while skating.
2.  A Thomas Nast illustration with multiple vignettes. The center image shows a Civil War soldier, on furlough, coming home for Christmas. The oval vingette on the left shows little children asleep in bed, and Santa Claus with a bag of gifts on his shoulder. This is Nast’s first representation of Santa as we know him today. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ Chalmer Davee Library has microfilm copies of Harper’s Weekly for 1858-1865 (UWRF online catalog).

1863 December 24: “I hope you don’t think the soldiers can not enjoy Christmas”

The original letter is 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.

Camp of the 12th Wis. Vols.
Natchez Miss  Dec 24th /’63

Ever Dear Parents,

                               We were gladdened yesterday by two letters from you of the 23rd and 29th ult.  When you told what you were all about, I imagined myself once more at home.  A soldier’s greatest pleasure is a letter from home, never is he so joyous as when the cry ~ Mail! Mail! caught up by a hundred tongues, rings out through the camp.  No matter what his situation,—whether languishing with disease or, rugged with health ;  whether toiling on the march or, silently watching at the post of danger ;  whether absorbed in his own thoughts or, but just aroused from pleasant dreams of home and friends — the letter receives a warm welcome.  I could but poorly portray the happy scenes occasioned by the arrival of the mail.  One can not write to soldiers too often.  It is impossible.  [paragraph break added]

I told you in my last we had quit chasing rebels till they showed signs of fight, at least.  I was wrong.  Yesterday noon we returned from another hunt — was gone 48 hours and marched 48 miles precisely.  Our course was north-east or up the river, to Fayette, distant 26 miles.  The march most of the way by night.  I got eight hours sleep in all.  Our strength was a little above 2000.  The results of the expedition were as usual — a few prisoners.  A marine force coöperated with us, but the butternuts smelt the rat and skeddadled [sic], all but a couple hundred, a day or two before we came up.  The Cav. skirmished with them some and captured a few.  I did not shoot at anybody, nor did anybody shoot at me.  My only regret is I wasted about 4 rounds of hard tack.  It is impossible to make a successful movement along the Lower Miss. with any thing but Cav.  We have not half enough.  Our purposes are discovered by the rebels and thwarted every time before we can do anything.  The rebels have the best horses in the country and they can run where they please without much injury.  A short time since the steamer “Brazil”  was fired into 40 miles above here with musketry and artillery and completely riddled.  Two women were killed instantly and several other persons wounded; and thus stand matters on the Lower Miss.  We must have more Cav.

Reenlisting has commenced in the regiment.  With what success I am not well advised.  A few in my Co. have reenlisted, none that you know.  The larger and better part of the Co. are disposed to keep out of it.  The accessions to the Veteran Corps from the other companies will doubtless be larger.  If 2/3 of the Regt. reenlist it will go back to the State in a body and recruit, for the balance.  No danger of that, I guess.  The Col., Capt. and others are doing that in Madison now.  The Capt. will think we are not very patriotic, but there is a thing or two that we know, ~ never will serve under Co A’s commiss[ioned] officers again.

Well, it is Christmas Eve and here I am writing.  What are you doing to-night?  We would like to be with you tomorrow, but shall have to wait awhile longer, I guess.  It is time I were abed and I bid you good night.

Dec 25th ~ Well!  Christmas Day is here, and the boys are getting ready to spend the day down town as suits their inclinations.  I hope you don’t think the soldiers can not enjoy Christmas.  Of course, they all think of home, then & would gladly spend the day there.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas.  This must be my Christmas present ~ a poor affair, it is true, but none the less welcome, I know.

26th ~ I must tell you how I spent yesterday.  3 of us took our dinner down town at the Jefferson House ~ very good ~ nothing extraordinary.  Then we came back to camp, found two letters for us, one from you of the 6th & another from Ellsworth,¹ & 4 boxes of pills.  Much obliged to you.  Ellsworth expects his papers soon, which give him a Commission Corps de Afrique.  He is true blue & one of the best correspondents I have.  We have received that box of nice things you sent us, Mother.  My paper is all gone & I shall have to reserve the answers to your questions for the next letter.  With kindest wishes to you all I close.

E. D. Levings

1.  Ed and Homer Levings’ cousin, Ellsworth Burnett, also from River Falls. He is currently in Company A of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry. Instead of a commission in a U.S. Colored Troops regiment, Ellsworth will be commissioned captain of Company F in the new 37th Wisconsin Infantry, in April 1864.

Edwin Levings letter of December 24, 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