Protected: 1863 July 9: “Nearly every man I think had rather have been with the reg[iment] … than to have had no part in those fights”

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1863 June 13: The Siege of Port Hudson and Other News

Unlike last week, this week the Polk County Press in their summary of the week’s news finds the news to be “considerable.”  This is from the June 13, 1863, issue of The Prescott Journal.  The Siege of Vicksburg lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863; the Siege of Port Hudson lasted from May 22 to July 9, 1863.

The News.

The news of the week is considerable, though unsatisfactory as regards its source, but very little of an official character has been sent over the wires from the war department.  The siege of Vicksburg up to the 7th inst. was progressing satisfactory, and it was stated that PEMBERTON [John C. Pemberton] would soon be obliged to surrender to Gen. GRANT [Ulysses S. Grant].  The rebels are short of provisions, their men only being allowed fourteen ounces of food per day.  The bombardment is going on day and night and the best part of the city has been burnt by our shells.  The rebels were obliged to shoot nearly 500 horses, on account of not having feed for them.  Reports from rebel sources place GRANT’S losses before Vicksburg as enormous, while reports from GRANT put figures at 2,000 all told.

On the 27th of May GEN. BANKS [Nathaniel P. Banks] fought the rebels a severe battle at Port Hudson, and defeated them with great loss.  The loss on our side was first reported at 4,000, but is now only estimated at 1,000.  An official report dated before Port Hudson, May 30th, gives an account of the attack on that place.  In speaking of the negro troops, it says they answered every expectation formed of them.  Their conduct was heroic.  No troops could be more daring or determined.  They made during the day three distinct charges upon the batteries of the enemy, suffering very heavy losses, and holding their position at night fall, with the other troops, on the right of our line.

The highest commendation is bestowed upon them by all the officers in command, on the right, and justifies all that has been said heretofore, as to the eficiency [sic] of origanization [sic] of these troops.  The history of this day, proves conclusively to those who were in a condition to observe the conduct of the regiments, that the government will find in this body of troops effective supporters and defenders.  The severest test to which they were subject, and the manner in which they encountered the enemy, leave upon my mind no doubt of their ultimate success.  They require only good officers and careful discipline, to make them excellent soldiers.

Our losses in killed, wounded, and missing, from the 22nd, to this date, are nearly 1000, including I deeply regret to say, some of the ablest officers of the corps.

Among the wounded were General NIEL [sic] DOW [Neal S. Dow],¹ and Gen. SHERMAN [Thomas W. Sherman].²  The latter is not expected to live.

Reports from ROSECRANS’ department [William S. Rosecrans] show that he is feeling the enemy.  Skirmishing is of daily occurrence and several sharp engagements have transpired at Franklin and along the line, with repeated success to the Union arms.

From the Potomac army we have it that HOOKER [Joseph Hooker] crossed the Rappahonnock in force, and made a reconoisance [sic] with the loss of five men.  Our troops are everywhere on the move, and we expect to have news of great battles, and we trust victories, for our next issue.

1.  During the Union assault on Port Hudson on May 27, Dow was wounded in the right arm and left thigh and sent to a nearby plantation to convalesce where he was captured by Confederates in early July. He was imprisoned for eight months and then exchanged Confederate General Fitzhugh Lee on February 25, 1864. His health deteriorated in prison and as a consequence he resigned from the Union Army in November 1864
2.  During the May 27, 1863, attack on Port Hudson, Sherman was severely wounded, which led to the amputation of his right leg. His injuries were so severe that he was not expected to live. Even the newspaper in his hometown (Newport, Rhode Island) printed an obituary for him. For the rest of the war he held only administrative commands in Louisiana.

1861 December 4: What Are We Fighting For?

Following are several small articles from the December 4, 1861, newspapers, on a variety of topics.

From The Hudson North Star:

“WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR ?”—Clearly to maintain the Constitution and the Union and uphold the loyal masses. It is no part of President Lincoln’s policy to take the slaves of loyal men, nor would they interfere with those other rebels unless they find the rebels using them to the destruction of the government. This is the true ground, and this the ground upon which all loyal men stand in relation to slavery.—Washington Chronicle.

THE TWO SHERMANS.—There is considerable confusion among newspaper readers, in regard to the two General Shermans now in the service.  Gen. T. W. Sherman, the commander of the military forces which accompany the Great Naval Expedition, is a native of Rhode Island, and the Sherman who gave his name to the celebrated Battery of Flying Artillery.  W. T. Sherman, is the commander in Kentucky, a native of Ohio, and a brother of Senator Sherman of that State.

From The Prescott Journal:

We have received a letter from Mr. H. BOUGHTON,¹ in which he says ;—

After I arrived in Madison, I spent a few days in the city, and often heard the remark that the Lyon Light Guard was the best company that ever came into camp here. I am in charge of the hospital, with 20 sick on hand, and go by the name of Warden, which position I expect to hold for a while. The surgeons are experienced and skilled.

1.  You might remember from a “Private D” letter in November that Hart Boughton was from Madison, and was in Company G of the 12th.

1861 December 4: Update on Port Royal

From The Hudson North Star of December 4, 1861, comes an update on the aftermath of the Battle of Port Royal.

Note: The writer of this report uses a colloquialism from the time, that we find repugnant, when talking about the freed slaves.

FROM BEAUFORT !

Tybee Island Occupied.

DARKIES AVERSE TO LABOR.
____

NEW YORK, Nov. 29.

United States transport, Ocean Queen, from Port Royal Nov. 27 has arrived.

Commodore Dupont¹ [sic] had transferred his flag from the Wabash to the Susquehanna.  He together with Gen. Sherman² had just returned from Hilton Head on the steaner McClellan from Tybee Island, having landed a force of United States marines there who had commenced repairing the fortifications and constructing new ones.

A fleet of eight gunboats was off Tybee to cover the troops if necessary. The rebels had sunk two vessels between Tybee Island and Fort Pulaski in the narrow part of the Savannah river [sic], to prevent the federal fleet from getting to that city.

A small schooner had been sent up to one of the Islands above Hilton Head, to load with cotton and would sail in a few days by order of the naval authorities.

The fleet that fitted out at Hilton Head for another expedition was ready and awaiting orders which were expected by the Bienville, just arrived.

Beaufort³ [South Carolina] was still occupied by the federal troops, not being considered of importance at present. Two gunboats were still at anchor off that place. The city was visited daily by officers of the army and navy.

There had been no engagement between the federals and rebels, nor had any of the latter troops been seen either at Hilton Head or Beaufort. But little or no use could be made of the darkies as they do not care much at present for any unnecessary exertion. They are having too good times to do any work.

The British steam frigate Immortality was still at anchor. The transports were busy disgorging their immense stores. The Vanderbilt would sail for New York in about two days. Wharves and store houses had been erected and were being rapidly fitted. The health of the troops was generally good.

Herald’s despatch—The Navy Department is in receipt of a despatch from Captain Dupont, containing the report of Commodore John Rogers⁴ [sic] of the Pocahontas, dated Sunday Nov. 24th, off Tybee Island. He states this point entirely controls the ship channel to the Savannah river, which is only within 500 yards of the Fort, and the possession of it close[s] the harbor of Savannah and that Fort Pulaski is at the mercy of our forces the moment the latter desire to take it ;  also, that reliable accounts inform him that Savannah was being evacuated by the people as fast as possible, feeling that Com. Rogers [sic] would attempt to take possession of it.

He further states that Com. Tatnall⁵ [sic] of the rebel fleet had it as his opinion that the entire rebel defences of the southern coast are abandoned as they could not stand the armament of our fleet.

1.  Samuel Francis Du Pont (1803-1865) was a member of the prominent Du Pont family and a career naval officer. In June 1861 he was made president of a board formed to develop a plan of naval operations against the Confederacy. He was appointed flag officer serving aboard the steam frigate Wabash as commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. On November 7, Du Pont had led the successful attack on the fortifications at Port Royal, which enabled Union naval forces to establish an effective blockade of the southern waters of Georgia and the entire eastern coast of Florida.
2.  Thomas West Sherman commanded the ground forces at Port Royal.
3.  Due in part to its early occupation as the result of the Battle of Port Royal, the city of Beaufort became a center of emancipation efforts for newly freed slaves during the Civil War.
4.  John Rodgers (1812-1882) was Union naval commander at the start of the Civil War. At the Battle of Port Royal, he led a boat crew ashore under a flag of truce and found the fort abandoned, and he therefore raised the Union flag.
5.  Josiah Tattnall (1794-1871) was a Confederate naval officer during the Civil War and he commanded the Southern naval units during the defense of Port Royal.

1861 November 27: General Sherman’s Proclamation After Taking Port Royal

Text of a proclamation made by General Sherman to the people of South Carolina, from the November 27, 1861, issue of The Hudson North Star. No, this is not the William Tecumseh Sherman of  “Sherman’s March to the Sea” fame, but rather Thomas West Sherman, also a Union Army general.

Proclamation of General Sherman¹ to the People of South Carolina.

The proclamation of General Sherman is one of the best State papers issued during the war, and as it was no doubt submitted to the Administration before the fleet sailed, it will give to the whole country another authoritative assurance of the strictly constitutional character of the objects for which the war is waged; and of the determination to act not only vigorously but mercifully and justly in its prosecution.

The following is the proclamation, issued after the landing and taking possession of the forts:

TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA :

In obedience to the orders of the President of these United States of America I have landed on your shores with a small force of national troops. The dictates of a duty which, under the Constitution, I owe to a great sovereign state and to a proud and hospitable people, among whom I have passed some of the pleasantest days of my life, prompt me to proclaim that we have come amongst you with no feelings of personal animosity, no desire to harm your citizens, destroy your property, or interfere with any of your lawful laws, rights, or your social and local institutions, beyond what the causes herein briefly alluded to, my render unavoidable.

Citizens of South Carolina : The civilized world stands appalled at the course you are pursuing ! appalled at the crime you are committing against your own mother—the best, the most enlightened and therefore the most prosperous of nations. You are in a state of active rebellion against the laws of your Country. You have lawlessly seized upon forts, arsenals, and other property belonging tour common country, and within your boarders, with this property you are in arms and waging a ruthless war against your constitutional government, and thus threatening the existence o f a government which you are bound by the terms of the solemn compact to live under and faithfully support. In doing this you are not only undermining and preparing the way for totally ignoring your own political and social existence, but you are threatening the civilized world with the odious sentiment that self-government is impossible with civilized man.

Fellow Citizens : I implore you to pause and reflect upon the tenor and consequences of your acts, if the awful sacrifices made by the devastation of our property, the shedding of internal blood in battle, the mourning and wailing of widows and orphans throughout our land and are insufficient to deter you from further pursuing this unholy war. Then ponder I beseech you, upon the ultimate but no less certain result which its further progress must necessarily and naturally entail upon your once happy and prosperous State. Indeed, can you pursue this fratricidal war, and continue to imbue your hands in the loyal blood of your countrymen, your friends, your kinsman, for no other object than to unlawfully disrupt the confederacy of a great people—a confederacy established by your own hands, in order to set up were it possible, an independent government, under which you can never live in peace, prosperity, or quietness.

Carolinians : We have come among you as loyal men, fully impressed with our constitutional obligations to the citizens of your State; those obligations shall be performed so far as in our power, but be not deceived :  the obligation of suppressing armed combination against the constitutional authorities is paramount to all others. If, in the performance of this duty other minor but important obligations should be in any way neglected, it must be attributed to the necessities of the case; because rights dependent on the laws of the State must be necessarily subordinate to military emergencies, created by insurrection and rebellion.

T. W. SHERMAN
Brig-Gen Commanding
Headquarters, Port Royal, S. C. Nov. 8th.

1.  Thomas West Sherman (1813-1879) was a career military officer. He graduated from West Point and served with distinction in the Mexican War. At the start of the Civil War, Sherman was serving in the U.S. Artillery when he received a commission as brigadier general in May, 1861.  Sherman, commanding the ground forces, had just captured Port Royal in a combined Army-Navy operation.