The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for our blog. As the Civil War has wound down, so has our blog viewership, which fell by 1% since last year.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 24,000 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Following is President Andrew Johnson’s Proclamation of Amnesty as it appeared in the June 3, 1865, issue of The Polk County Press. This also appeared in the June 10, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.
The Classes Excepted from its Benefits.
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS, The President of the United States, on the 8th day of December, 1863, and on the 26th [sic] day of March, 1864, did, with the object to suppress the existence of rebellion, and induce all persons to return to their loyalty, and to restore the authority of the United States, issue proclamations offering amnesty and pardon to certain persons who had directly or by implication participated in the said rebellion ; and,
WHEREAS many persons who had so engaged in said rebellion, have, since the issuance of said proclamations, failed or neglected to take the benefits thus offered thereby ; and
WHEREAS, many persons who have been justly deprived of all claim to amnesty and pardon thereunder by reason of their participation, directly or by implication in said rebellion and continned [sic] hostility to the Government of the United States, since the date of said proclamation, now desire to apply for and obtain amnesty and pardon ; To the end, therefore, that the authority of the Government of the United States may be restored, and that peace, order and freedom may be established, I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do proclaim and declare that I hereby grant and assure to all persons who have directly, or by implication, participated in the existing rebellion (except as hereinafter excepted) amnesty and pardon, with restoration to all rights and property, except as to slaves, and, and except in cases where legal proceedings under the civil laws of the United States providing for the confiscation of property of persons engaged in rebellion have been instituted.
But on the condition nevertheless that every such person shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation, and thenceforth keep and maintain said oath inviolate, and which oath shall be registered for permanent preservation, and shall be of the tenor and effect following, to wit :
“I do solemnly sear or affirm in presence of Almighty God that I will henceforth faithfully defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States there under [sic], and that I will, in like manner abide by, and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves, so help me God.”
The following classes of persons are excepted from the benefits of this proclamation :
First. All who are, or shall have been pretended civil or diplomatic officers, or otherwise domestic or foreign agents of the pretended Confederate government.
Second. All who left judicial positions under the United States to aid the rebellion.
Third. All who shall have been military or naval officers of said pretended Confederate government above the rank of Colonel in the army or Lieutenant in the navy.
Fourth. All who left seats in the Congress of the United States to aid the rebellion.
Fifth. All who resigned, or tendered resignations of their commissions in the army or navy of the United States to evade duty in resisting the rebellion.
Sixth. All who have engaged in any way in treating otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war persons found in the United States service as soldiers, seamen, or in other capacities.
Seventh. All persons who have been or are absentees from the United States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Eighth. All military and naval officers in the rebel service who were educated by the United States in the Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy.
Ninth. All persons who held the pretended offices of Governors of the States in insurrection against the United States.
Tenth. All persons who left their homes within the jurisdiction and protection of the United States, and passed beyond the Federal Military lines, into the so-called Confederate States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Eleventh. All persons who have been engaged in the destruction of the commerce of the United States, upon the high seas and all persons who have made raids into the United States from Canada, and been engaged in destroying the commerce of the United States.
Twelfth. All persons who at this late day, seek to obtain the benefits hereof, by taking the oath herein prescribed, who are in military, naval or civil confinement or custody, or under the hands of military authorities, or agents of the United States as prisoners of war, or persons detained for offenses of any kind, either before or after conviction.
Thirteenth. All persons who have actively participated in said rebellion, and the estimated value of whose taxable property is over $20,000.
Fourteenth. All persons who have taken the oath of amnesty as prescribed in the President’s proclamation of December 8th, 1864, or an oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States, since the date of said proclamation, and who have thereafter kept and maintained the same inviolate.
Provided, that special application may be made to the President for pardon, by any person belonging to the excepted classes, and such, if any, will be liberally extended as may be consistent with the facts of the case, and the peace and dignity of the United States. The Secretary of State will establish rules and regulations for administering and recording the said amnesty oath so as to insure its benefit to the people, and guard the Government against fraud.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
| Done at the city of Washington | ||
| …the 29th day of May, in the year | ||
| …of our Lord one thousand eight | ||
| [L. S.] | …hundred and sixty-five, in the | |
| …independence of the United | ||
| …States the eighty-ninth. | ||
| ANDREW JOHNSON. |
By the President :
. .WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
The following reports on the Battle of Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road come from the November 19, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal. The battle was fought October 27-28, 1864, as part of the Siege of Petersburg. You will also see it referred to as the Second Battle of Fair Oaks. Union General Benjamin F. Butler attacked the Richmond defenses along the Darbytown Road with the X Corps. The XVIII Corps marched north to Fair Oaks where it was soundly repulsed by a division under Confederate General Charles W. Field. The Confederate forces took some 600 prisoners. The Richmond defenses remained intact and the Siege of Peterburg continued. For some basic information on many of the soldiers mentioned here, see footnote 1.
From the Nineteenth Regiment—How it fought and lost at Chapin’s Farm.
NEAR RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 28, 1864.
EDS. STATE JOURNAL :—On the arrival of the veterans of the 19th at Point Comfort, Va., they were, by request, ordered to the front. The three years men were held in Norfolk, Va., to do provost duty, except very few, such as officers and sergeants, who were needed with their companies, and a few patriots banished to the front semi occasionally because of their love of whiskey or some other darling weakness.
The veterans, their commanding officers and the banished patriots, continued on the lines on the west of Chapin’s Farm till the 26th, when we were relieved by a part of the 3d division, 18th army corps.
Our division (2d) rested for the night and on the morning of the 27th we started for the right of our lines, where we arrived about 12 M. We rested about half an hour, then advanced about one mile beyond the Fair Oaks Battle field, deployed to the left of the highway and advanced through a pine copse where we engaged the enemies skirmish line. We then advanced in good order, in battle line, on the double quick, driving the enemy across a ploughed field on an ascending plane, till we came within one-eighth of a mile of a rebel fort. The ground then descended, and on went the 2d brigade, 2d division, till close on to the walls of the fort, where we were met with an enfilading fire from right and left as well as a direct fire from the fort.—Our brigade numbered about 600 souls, in an open field, exhausted by an advance of three quarters of a mile, through a shower of rebel bullets, on the run, now encountered two ditches and the fort all manned by about 1500 rebels ; just imagine, 600 in the field, exhausted from 12 miles march, the last three quarters of a mile on the run, led against 1500 rebels, well covered by breastworks, fronted by deep ditches, and protected by an abuttis. Yes on went our brave fellows, cheering amidst the death rattle of their comrade and the encouraging hurrah, or bravo boys, of their commanding officers, every one of whom endeared himself to the men of the 19th. More noble and patriotically amongst them stood Capt. Patrick Bennett, who to the moment of his death, shouted “give it to them, boys,” as he led waving his hat high above his head. I have always doubted the manhood of large men, but our Adjutant, Chipman A. Holley, 6 feet 6 inches, towered on to the enemies breastworks, every inch a man ; and so died the burly, but noble hearted Lieut. Wright, but sir, not a man nor officer faltered till the very air seemed be turned from its course by rebel bullets, then we lay down and hugged the earth close, fighting as best we could for three long hours, vainly looking for reinforcements.
About 5 p. m., Col. Fairchild [Lucius Fairchild], acting General in charge of our brigade, composed of the 148th and 89th New York and the 19th Wisconsin, gave orders to retreat ; but alas, it was too late, many rose to their feet but to fall dead or wounded, others seeing they could fight on their face and hands, but never retreat with any show of life, continued the battle till we fell back, while the rebels advanced and took those who remained prisoners.
Capt. Martin Scherff, Co. F, Capt. H. Wentworth, Co. K, and Adjt. C. Hollery, are all prisoners at Libby Prison, Richmond. From Col. Strong we only know he was wounded through the knee and left on the field. He asked some men and an officer to help him off, all of whom, for some patriotic reason, declined retarding their own progress in such undertaking.
Lieut. Lowery went in like a man at the head of his division, and was last seen on the hill close to the fortifications.
Capt. Spain was the commander of the Division led in by Lowery (companies D, and C,) but the General this day detailed him as Brigadier officer of the Day, whose duty it then became to see that every man and officer remained with his regiment and did his duty on the field, and faithfully did he perform his duty.
The men in past times often accused their officers of cowardice, and Spain knew it, and on the field twice we came near having a panic. Acting General Fairchild, his Assistant Adjutant General Capt. Puhlman, of the 19th, and the rest of his staff, assisted by Capt. Spain and Col. Murry of the 148th “Division officer of the Day,” in vain tried to ally the men by prayers and threats, and impelling their way, when Spain shifted his place from the front of the men to their rear, thus getting between them and the rebel fire. He then yelled “now boasters run and leave your officers, here we stand between you and your enemy.” Whereupon the 19th said “no never, we’l [sic] stand by you,” and again we formed a line. Again the line was broken and could not be formed. Capt. Spain was then the only officer of the 19th with us, and he being a Captain was on the left of the other two Regiments. The line should be started on the right, but neither the 148th nor the 89th being able to start the line, Capt. Spain then jumped to the front, and says to the 19th Wisconsin, “forward and right oblique to the right, till we show our neighbors from New York how to form a line under an enemies fire,” and we did so. We then mustered 15 men and 5 Sergeants and the Captain.—An officer then jumped to the front of the swaying mass, composed of the remnants of the 148th and 89th and yelled “New York dare do what Wisconsin can,” and again our line was formed, and here we remained till the 9th Vermont was ordered to our front. Our whole brigade at this time would number perhaps, 60 men.
On our first attempt to stop the stampede, one of the General’s Aide, a Captain of the 2d Pennsylvania, had his ear split open with a musket ball.
After night, Major Vaughn [sic] got off the field and assumed command of the Regiment, and behaved throughout most nobly.
1st Serg’t. Howard of Co. I, was wounded in four places, and when his son, a private in the same company was helping him off the field, he got his scalp cut with a ball, that covered his head and face with blood, but did no serious harm ; the young fellow marched boldly off, and conveyed his parent clear off the field and to the hospital, where they both remained.
The names of the 15 men and 5 Sergeants who formed and took the right of the Brigade are
Co. A—1st Serg’t. C. A. Chandler, E. A. Burton, Wm. Swetland, James Curtis, Wm. Pitt and John Wearing. Co. D—Corp. Michael Kane, G. W. Norris and Thomas Brand. Co. E—Joshua Davis and George Chafee. Co. G—Serg’t. Wm. A. Hollenbeck, S. A. Lamphear and Cyrus Kidder. Co. H—1st Serg’t. T. Cherroin. Co. I—1st Serg’t. Wm. Taylor and his son A. Taylor, D. T. Watters and James Smith.
We lost our colors, and charge it to those who ordered us to charge and do an impossibility for our numbers. There were some 20 more of the boys conveying the wounded to the hospital.
X.
The Nineteenth Regiment—Letter from Major Vaughan.
Correspondence of the State Journal.
CHAPIN’S FARM, Va., Nov. 1, 1864.
MESSRS. EDITORS : On the morning of the 27th ult. the 19th Wisconsin was ordered to join a reconnoissance [sic] in force, consisting of a large portion of the 18th Army Corps. We left camp at 5 A. M., with three days’ cooked rations, proceeded in a northerly course, passing through a portion of White Oak Swamp, and arrived on the old battle-field of Fair Oaks about 2 P. M. same day. At this point our advance became sharply engaged with the enemy’s skirmishers, driving them back a distance of three-fourths of a mile into their works. Fairchild’s brigade, composed of the 89th and 148th New York and 19th Wisconsin, (only the veterans being with us,) was at once sent forward to charge a six-gun fort, and in doing so had to pass over an open plain three-fourths of a mile wide, subject to a withering cross-fire as well as a direct one from the works we were charging. In crossing this plain or open field full one-half the brigade fell. The advance succeeded in reaching within one hundred yards, but could go no further, and, as a protection, laid down in this position and remained some two hours, expecting supports would come to our assistance. It was now about 5 P. M., and the “Johnnies” knowing they had us, charged out over their works and captured nearly the whole of the regiment. Some few escaped, choosing rather to run the fire of a storm of rebel bullets than be sent to the “Hotel de Libby” [Libby Prison] or Belle Isle [Belle Island Prison]. Among the fortunate was your humble servant.
We took into the fight about one hundred and eighty men and nine officers. Our loss is one hundred and forty men and eight officers. Among those known to be killed are Capt. Patrick Bennett, of Co. E, from Racine county, and Lieut. John Wright, of Co. H, residence Milwaukee. Capt. Martin Scherff, of Co. F, Capt. Harmon Wentworth, of Co. K, and Adjutant C. A. Holley are prisoners in Libby. Lieut. Wm. Spiegleberg was wounded and brought off the field. Lieut. Col. R. M. Strong (known to be wounded) was last seen on the field. Fears are entertained that he died upon the field, as nothing can be heard of him. Lieut. James G. Lowery and Orderly Sergeant A. E. Christie, of Co. D, are wounded and prisoners in hospital in Richmond. Very few of the wounded succeeded in getting off the field.
I am unable to inform you further at this time. Very respectfully, S. K. VAUGHAN, Major Com’dg.
From the Nineteenth Regiment—Losses in the Recent Movement.
PROVOST MARSHAL’S OFFICE, } Head Quarters, District of Eastern Virginia. } NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 1, 1864. }
Editors State Journal :—The following is a copy of a letter just received from the front :
CHAPIN’S FARM, Oct. 30, 1864.
CAPT. TABOR [sic] :—You of course retain a lively interest in your Company, (Co. A) and there never was a time when active sympathy was more needed than now. John has written you, undoubtedly, most of the particulars of the fight of last Thursday. He was not in the charge, and of course could not see all that I saw. Captain if you had been there, and lived to get out, you would have been proud of your old company. The whole regiment and brigade went in like heroes, but it was sheer madness to attempt to carry those works with a single line. Our regiment was on the extreme left of the assaulting line, and was exposed to a murderous cross-fire, as well as to a direct fire from the front. Col. Strong fell during the advance, shouting “Go in, boys, I’m hit !” He is said to have received a ball in the leg, and could not be got off the field, but is probably a prisoner, as the rebels charged out and killed or captured all that were left. Major Vaughn [sic] showed great pluck, and was one of the very last to leave the field. He came off unhurt amid a shower of bullets, only a single ball passing through his coat. Poor John Fuller fell short through the breast, while carrying the colors. Carpenter caught them up and he too fell. Our flag was lost, but with it was lost most of the regiment.
Captains Scherff and Wentworth and Adjutant Holley are in Libby Prison, as we learn from a rebel paper. Captain Bennett was brought off the field dead. Lieut. Lowry [sic] and Sergt. Major Earthman are missing. Only two Orderly Sergeants came off unhurt—Charroin and myself. Howard, of Co. I, was severely wounded. Nolan was hit twice and is supposed to have been killed. The rest are missing. The casualties in Company A were as follows : Sergt. Dwinelle, wounded in both legs, hand and head—all slight ; Corp. Fuller, killed ; Corp. Rathbun, wounded in hip ; — Grote, in head ; Dick Thorne, in hand ; Sergt. Palmer, Corporals Apker and Hobby, Bingman, Cooper, O. H. Dwinnelle, Enser, Fordick, Gahrigen, Hollinshead, Livingston, Mallow, Miner, N. H. Pitte, Pietzsch, Sanborn and Winchester are missing.
The Regiment now consists of 84 men, organized as one company, of which I am Orderly Sergeant, Charroin Sergeant Major and Adjutant, and Spain Captain.
C. A. CHANDLER.
I learn that of Company B only three are left. Their names are as follows :—Charles Kribbs, Frederick Munzer and Jacob Grether.
Col. Sanders is still very low, but hopes are entertained of his recovery.
A. C. B.
1. Men mentioned in this post:
The following is from The Prescott Journal of September 24, 1864.
Some of the Copperhead papers are stating that Gen. HOOKER [Joseph Hooker] supports the Chicago nominations. How much truth there is in the report let the subjoined speech indicate.—The hero of the Battle in the Clouds [the Battle of Lookout Mountain] was at Watertown, N. Y., on a short visit to some relatives there when the news of the victory of Atlanta came. In the evening, the people got out the old Wide-Awake torches of 1860, formed a procession, and called upon the General. He came forward and addressed them as follows :
“FELLOW-CITIZENS. You have come here to rejoice at the success of the Union arms, in which I am ready to join you heart and hand. My business is fighting not speech-making ; but let me now tell you that the army of Sherman [William T. Sherman] is invincible, and cannot be disheartened. We must treat this rebellion as a wise parent would a vicious child—he must whip him into subjection—no milder discipline will answer the purpose. Some are crying peace ; but there can be no peace where there is no peace ! This Union must be preserved, and there is no way of preserving it but by the power of our arms—by fighting the conspiracy to death.
This rebellion is tottering now while I speak ; it is going down, down, and will soon tumble into ruin. Politicians may talk to you about the cause of the war, but I say put down the insurgents—first whip them, and then talk about the cause of it if you have nothing else to engage your attention. I believe in treating the rebellion as Gen. Jackson treated the Indians—whip them first and treat with them afterwards. The Union cannot be divided, let politicians talk as they may ; for if division commences, where are you to end? First, the South would go, then the Pacific States, then New England, and I hear that one notorious politician has advocated that the City of New York should secede from the Empire State. In such case, there would be no end to rebellion. Gentlemen, every interest you have depends upon the success of our cause, every dollar you possess is at stake in the preservation of this Union. It will better accord with my feelings to see the limits of our glorious country extended, rather than circumscribed, and we may feel it a national necessity to enlarge our borders at no distant day. This Union, gentlemen, cannot be dissolved, as long as the army have guns to fight with ; furnish men and muskets, and the Union is secure. Fellow citizens, thanking you for the honor of your call and the patriotic spirit you manifest, I bid you a cordial good-night.
1. “[Portrait of Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, officer of the Federal Army],” by the Brady National Photographic Art Gallery (Washington, D.C.), ca. 1860-65. A digital copy is available from the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
We read a small bit about the Battle of Mobile Bay back on August 13, but this is a much fuller description. The following is from the August 27, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.
The Attack on Mobile.
Admiral Farragut [David G. Farragut] in a letter to Com. Palmer¹ at New Orleans says :
“At an early hour on the 5th our fleet dashed in in [sic] couples, sailed into the pass close under the guns of Fort Morgan ; pouring in broadside after broadside of grape and cannister [sic], thus driving the gunners from their places, and leaving our vessels exposed only to the fire of Forts Gaines and Powell, which was of course less effective on account of the distance. At the same time Gen. Granger’s [Gordon Granger] land batteries enfiladed Fort Gaines, and caused the evacuation and blowing up of Fort Powell. In passing the fort the Oneida received a shot, which temporarily disabled her machinery, but she was safely towed through the fire by her consort. Our monitor Tecumseh was one of the foremost vessels, and sank almost instantly, carrying down about 100 men, including Capt. Craven. The gunboats having passed out of reach of the forts, were pursued by the formidable rebel ram Tennessee and three iron clads. The ram was immediately attacked, and battered so effectually that it was obliged to surrender in a few minutes. The ram was but slightly injured.
The Herald’s correspondent off Mobile says :
“When the Selma surrendered to the Metacomet, on boarding her it was found that she had lost fearfully. Her deck was covered with dead and dying and her scuppers ran with blood. Her commander, Lt. Comstock,² formerly of the United States navy, was lying dead across the breech of a gun with his bowels torn out. The Tennessee attempted to avoid the Monitors and made for the wooden ships, but the flag ship and the Monongahela followed her up. The latter struck the Tennessee amidship with her terrible prow, causing the huge rebel monster to reel like a drunk man. The Hartford then grappled the Tennessee, but further bloodshed was saved by the latter hoisting the white flag.—Horrible slaughter was visible here as on the Selma. Capt. Garaud [sic]4 now commands the captured ram. We captured nearly three hundred prisoners.”
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The New Orleans Era says that Admiral Farragut chose a novel position in going into the fight off Mobile, and maintained it throughout all the terrible fighting. Desiring at once to overlook the enemy and watch the movements of his own fleet, he ascended the maintop of the Hartford and was there lashed fast. A speaking-trumpet was run down to the deck, and an officer stationed at the lower end to receive the Admiral’s orders, and pass them to the officer whose duty it was to see them executed. This proved to be a most admirable arrangement.
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The following official dispatch has been received by the Navy Department.
FLAG SHIP HARTFORD, MOBILE BAY, }
August 5, 1864. }
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
SIR :— I have the honor to report to the Department that this morning I entered Mobile bay, passing between Forts Morgan and Gaines, encountering the rebel ram Tennessee and the gun boats of the enemy viz : the Selma, Morgan and Gaines.
The fleet was under way by 5:45 and in the following order :
The Brooklyn with the Octorara on her port side.
The Hartford with the Metacomet.
The Richmond with the Port Royal.
The Lackawanna with the Seminole.
The Monongahela with the Tecumseh.6
The Ossipee with the Itasca.
The Oneida with the Galena.
On the starboard of the fleet was the proper position of the monitors and iron-clads. Fort Morgan opened upon us at 10 minutes past 7 o’clock, and soon after the action became lively. As we steamed up the main ship-channel, there was some difficulty and the Hartford passed on ahead of the Brooklyn.
At 40 minutes past 7 the monitor Tecumseh was struck by a torpedo and sunk, going down very rapidly and carrying down with her all her officers and crew with the exception of the pilot, and 8 or 10 men who were saved by a boat that I sent from the Metacomet which was alongside of me.
The Hartford had passed the forts before 8 o’clock. Finding myself raked by the rebel gun-boats I ordered the Metacomet to cast off and go in pursuit of them, one of which, the Selma, she succeeded in capturing.
All the vessels had passed the forts by 8:30, but the rebel ram Tennessee was still, apparently uninjured, in our rear. A signal was at once made to all the fleet to turn again and attack the ram, not only with guns, but with orders to run her down at full speed. The Monongahela was the first that struck her, and though she may have injured her badly, yet she did not succeed in disabling her. The Lackawanna also struck her, but in effectually. The flag ship gave her a severe shock with her bow, and as she passed fired into her a whole port broadside of solid 9-inch shot and 13 pounds of powder at a distance of not more than 12 feet. The ironclads were closing upon her and the Hartford and the rest of the fleet were bearing down upon her when at 10 a. m. she surrendered. The rest of the rebel fleet, viz : Morgan and Gaines, succeeded in getting back under the protection of Fort Morgan. This terminated the action of the day.
Admiral Buchanan [Franklin Buchanan] sent me his sword, being himself badly wounded with a compound fracture of the leg, which it is supposed will have to be amputated. Having had many of my own men wounded and the surgeon of the ram Tennessee being very desirous to have Admiral Buchanan removed to a hospital, I sent a flag of truce to the commanding officer of Fort Morgan, Brig. Gen. R. L. Page,7 to say that if he would allow the wounded of the fleet as well as their own to be taken to Pensacola, where they could be better cared for than here, I would send out one of our vessels, provided she would be permitted to return bringing back nothing that she did not take out. Gen. Page consented, and the Metacomet was dispatched.
The total loss on our side was 40 killed and 88 wounded. On the rebel ram Tennessee were captured 20 officers and about 170 men ; on the Selma were taken 90 officers and men. I will send a detailed dispatch by the first opportunity.
. .Very respectfully,
. .D. G. FARRAGUT,
Rear Admiral Commanding West Gulf Blockading Squadron.
1. James Shedden Palmer (1810-1867) entered the U.S. Navy at 14 as Ship’s Boy and became a midshipman less than six months later. In 1836 he was promoted to lieutenant. He commanded the Flirt during the Mexican War and became a commander in 1855. During the Civil War Palmer commanded the Iroquois and the Hartford. He was promoted to captain in July 1862 and commodore in February 1863. He commanded the Naval Station at New Orleans and the West Gulf Squadron during 1864. In 1865 he was given command of the West Indies Squadron. On July 25, 1866 Palmer became a rear admiral.
2. John Henry Comstock (1840-1864) was the executive officer of the CSS Selma. He was born May 24, 1840, in Clinton, Louisiana. He had been attending the U.S. Naval Academy since at least 1858, where he was an acting midshipman; he resigned on January 30, 1861. In May 1861 Comstock enlisted in the Confederate Navy and was a midshipman, serving on the CSS McRae. Next he commanded the CSRS St. Philip (1861-1862). In October 1862 Comstock was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. Also in 1862 he moved to the CSS Florida—renamed CSS Selma in July 1862—and then to the CS steamers Morgan and Gaines in the Mobile Squadron (1862-1863). On June 2, 1864, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant, with rank from January 6. In 1864 Comstock was serving on the CSS Selma in the Mobile Squadron, where he died on August 5.
3. Engraving of the USS Metacomet capturing the CSS Selma, by Winham, “from a War-time sketch,” published in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, edited by R.U. Johnson and C.C. Clough Buel (New York: Century Co., 1887-88): vol. 4, page 394; available in the UWRF Chalmer Davee Library, E470 .B346. Image is available digitally on the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph #NH 42219.
4. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Pierre Giraud joined the navy as acting master in August 1861 and was the executive officer aboard the U.S.S. Morning Light, which was engaged in patrolling the eastern approaches for vessels suspected of running contraband cargo into Southern ports. Later, as part of the Savannah blockade, Giraud was serving under Captain Worden on the USS Montauk in February 1863 when the warship cornered the legendary CSS Nashville and destroyed the Confederate vessel within minutes of opening fire. Giraud had commanded the 11-inch battery of the Montauk. Giraud was then promoted to acting lieutenant on August 5, 1863. He was also cited for “gallant conduct” during the April attack on Fort Sumter in which Montauk was a part.
In November 1863 Giraud assumed command of the USS Tennessee, a former Confederate side wheel steamer captured by Farragut at New Orleans, and during the spring of 1864 the USS Tennessee cruised the Gulf of Mexico looking for blockade runners. Giraud then joined the crew of the eight-gun steamer USS Ossipee as a volunteer. At the Battle of Mobile, Giraud found himself at the center of the action when the Ossipee was signaled to ram the crippled CSS Tennessee. Immobile, unable return fire, and with Admiral Buchanan wounded, the CSS Tennessee struck her colors prepared to surrender. Amidst the smoke and chaos Tennessee was rammed and boarded by Giraud. Afterwards, the Tennessee was refitted and temporary command given to Giraud.
In October 1864 Giraud took charge of the USS Mobile, the ex-USS Tennessee renamed, and promptly set about capturing several blockade runners. The worn out USS Mobile was then ordered to New York for repairs following storm damage. In New York Giraud received the acclaim of Admiral Farragut who wrote in glowing terms to Secretary Welles of the officer’s deportment and conduct. Giraud was promoted to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant-Commander on December 9, 1864, but was destined to see no further active service. He remained in command of the Mobile until she was sold out of service in March 1865 and was then assigned to the three-gun sailing vessel USS Onward. Pierre Giraud was honorably discharged on January 15, 1869.
5. This is the central image from a World War I recruitment poster of the U.S. Navy showing Admiral Farragut lashed at the top of the Hartford. It was drawn by Henry Alexander Ogden and published by the Strobridge Litho. Co., Cincinnati & New York, c1917. The image is from the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
6. This should be the Monongahela with the Kennebec. Not mentioned in Farragut’s list is the van of monitors led by the Tecumseh, also including the Manhattan, Winnebago, and Chickawaw. Altogether, there were 18 U.S. ships that day.
7. Richard Lucian Page (1807-1901) was a cousin of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Page joined the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in March 1824. he was promoted to Commander in 1855 and commanded the USS Germantown from 1857 to 1859. When Virginia seceded in 1861, he resigned from the Navy and became an aide to Virginia Governor John Letcher, supervising construction of fortifications on the James, Nansemond, and Pagan Rivers. He received commissions in the Confederate Navy as commander, and later captain. In 1864, Page was commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate Army and was in command of the garrison that controlled Fort Morgan during the Union’s attack on Mobile Bay. On August 23 General Page unconditionally surrendered the fort, because his troops had little usable gunpowder. Indignant, he broke his sword over his knee instead of surrendering it. He was held prisoner until September 1865. After the War, Page was superintendent of Norfolk public schools (1875 to 1883).
Fierce but inconclusive fighting had occurred in Georgia at New Hope Church on May 25, 1864, at Pickett’s Mill on May 27, and at Dallas on May 28. By June 1 heavy rains were making the roads impassable to a 19th century army. On June 14, one day after Edwin Levings’ letter and following eleven days of steady rain, Union General William T. Sherman was ready to move again. But he won’t get very far, very fast because of the Confederate rifle pits and breastworks described by Edwin.
On June 27, Sherman will attempt to break the stalemate by attacking the Confederate position on Kennesaw Mountain. Big Shanty—mentioned here—will be a site of major fighting in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
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.
1½ miles beyond Big Shanty,
Ga. Monday, June 13th, 1864.
My Dear Parents,
An opportunity is offered for mailing letters at 4 P. M. and I gladly improve it to inform you where I am, how I am, and what is transpiring here. We are at the front, right up to the rebels who are strongly intrenched along the mountains about 18 or 20 miles from Atlanta and are pecking away with some spirit. We are doing the same to them. Are posted on the left of the R. R. which is in operation up to our lines. In front of us at the distance of 1 mile is Lost Mountain, at the base of which the rebels have breastworks and forts ready to receive us. On the summit is stationed their Signal Corps and it is thought they have two heavy guns up there also. We are in the valley, which is of a rolling surface, and are intrenched also. Our camps and fortifications are in the edge of the woods about 1 mile from theirs. Our breastworks we built yesterday and the day before of rails logs, timber &c, with earth thrown up in front. The rifle pits are but 60 rods beyond and but 80 or a 100 rods from the rebel pits. I do not know whether the intention is to charge the rebels over such ground or not. If it is, there will be a bloody time. The enemy has all the advantage and it looks as though he could keep it if we move forward in his front. The belief is that 2 Corps have moved to flank them, and our demonstrations are mainly to divert their attention. Certainly, the rebels have a tremendously strong position and I think Sherman had got something to do before he gets them out of it and captures Atlanta. As yet the rebels have not opened on us with artillery in our front, (I mean the 17th corps) but they can shell our camp if they choose, in which case we shall have to make for our works. They would evidently like to draw us out, and then they would treat us to some of their “water melons,” I think. It is stated by the best authority that Johnson’s [sic: Joseph E. Johnston] force is 80,000. 7 A. [Army] Corps, at least, are represented here, the 4th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 20th & 23rd.
I wrote on the 9th to you from near Acworth. We are about 6 miles from there. The 3rd Div. had the advance the following day & drove the rebels from Big Shanty. The rebels’ cars left that morning, and ours came in yesterday, blowing loud and long, to let the rebels know we can keep ourselves in supplies. The next morning we moved forward and took up our present position. We expected a battle but did not have it,—there was some warm skirmishing later in the day and our Brigade lost a few men, none from the 12th. We advanced through the woods to to [sic] open fields, the rebels retreating. Then my Co. lay down under cover of the woods till relieved at night by another. The balance of the regiment in the meanwhile throwing up breastworks. We are already [sic] to receive the butternuts, now. It rains hard all the time and we can’t keep dry ¼ the time. Has rained everyday for the past 10 days. [June 13 being the 11th day.] I sleep with one Hodges. We have put up our oil cloths & sleep above the ground, the water running under us. Our hard marching is over and I am thankful. [paragraph break added]
I had a letter the other day from Cousin Almond. He says it rains all the time there, and but but few crops are in. (That was May 31st) Uncle Myron’s resignation was accepted and he is home,—at Canton with his family. Uncle Israel is at Madrid on a visit. Cousin Daniel Packard had been wounded and was home on 30 day furlough. Geor A. Packard is among the wounded under Gen. Butler [Benjamin F. Butler]. No particulars from him. I have written you all of interest. I will write when I can and you must do the same, not waiting for me. I have the best of health and shall try and keep it. I shall look for Homer next week. By that time I hope we shall have the privilege of telling the people of victory. I hear no news from Richmond. I wish you would send me papers,—some with miscellaneous reading, any kind you have. You do not know what a pleasure it is to us to have something to read, situated as we are. I think there is not a sick man in the Company. The regiment draws rations for 740 men. We left quite a number behind, some of whom are sick, some tired & some afraid to come to the front. But I must close. Now write to me good long letters, and God be with you all.
Your affectionate boy,
Edwin
.
The grave of a Civil War soldier being honored for Memorial Day. Julius Dohm, who served in Company A of the 18th Wisconsin Infantry was living in Maiden Rock (Pierce County) when he was drafted in 1864. After the War, he lived in the Town of Farmington (Polk County). His grave is located in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Farmington.
The following resolutions from the state Union Party were published in both The Polk County Press and The Prescott Journal of September 26, 1863.
Resolutions Adopted by the Union State Convention.
Resolved, That this convention cordially approves the following propositions, contained in the call under which it assembles :
That the Union be preserved in its integrity ;
That the Constitution and laws of the United States be enforced throughout the whole national domain ;
That the rebellion be suppressed, not by compromises with or concessions to traitors, but by the sword, whose agency they have themselves invoked ;
Tat the national administration should be heartily and generously supported in its efforts to put down the rebellion.
Resolved, That the dignified courteous and patriotic manner in which the Hon. Edward Salomon has discharged the duties of the office of Governor—devolved upon him by the decease of Gov. Harvey [Louis P. Harvey], at a most important period in our political history, meets our cordial approval ;
Resolved, That this convention, following the example of the Union Conventions of Ohio and other States, present to the loyal voters of Wisconsin the names of the persons this day nominated, as Union men, not as partisans, without reference to their political antecedents, and ask for them the support of all loyal men without distinction of party.
Resolved, That we deplore the partisan hostility which has been and is being awakened against the Government by interested politicians and designing demagogues of the North, believing that it can only tend, by encouraging rebels, to protract the war ; and instead of kindling the patriotism, to arouse the animosities of our people, and to occasion elsewhere the same riotous, diabolical, and anarchical scenes, which have already disgraced the commercial metropolis of the nation.
Resolved, That the warmest thanks of the loyal people are due, and are hereby tendered to the brave and devoted soldiers who have rallied to the defence of the old flag, and nobly and persistently fought the battles of the country, and met and vanquished on so many fields the hosts of rebellion, seeking to destroy our national life, and that we pledge ourselves, before Heaven, to sustain them, by filling up their thinned ranks in the most expeditious manner, until the end of this rebellion shall come, and peace be restored to the land.
Resolved, That we admire and reverence the steadfast loyalty of the Union men of the South, which, amid so many temptations and persecutions, has kept them faithful to the old flag ; that in their sufferings they have our profound sympathy, and that it is the duty of the Government at the earliest possible moment, to deliver them from rebel oppression.
Resolved, That we recommend to the loyal people of the several districts and counties of the State such a re-organization of the committees as will ensure a more perfect Uion organization between loyal Republicans and Democrats in political action.
Resolved, That the loyal people of Wisconsin, friendly to the maintenance of Republican institutions upon the North American continent, cannot look with indifference upon armed intervention by European powers, and the establishment of an empire upon the ruins of our sister Republic of Mexico, and that in due time, of whatever duties and responsibilities God in His providence shall cast upon the Republic of the United States, growing out of such intervention, Wisconsin will be ready to bear her full share.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 