[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous Harper’s Weekly thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3948261/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Great Gaines Case – 1-2
The “Daniel Webster” at Point Isabel, Texas – 1, 3
The Principle of Centralization – 2
The Public Credit – 2
The Lounger – 2-5
Humors of the Day – 5
Bird’s Eye View of Society – 5-7
Swift and the Mohawks – 7-8
Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, Ch XXXI-XXXII – 8-10
Elisabetta Sirani – 10
Domestic Intelligence – 10-11
Foreign News – 11-12
Paul Lee’s Wife – 12, 14-15
American Scenes – 13
The New Tariff on Dry Goods – 15
The Latest Martyr – 15
An Olio of the Year 1800 – 16
Boathouse and Landing at Fort Pickens –17
Lost! – 17, 19
One of the Flank Casemate Batteries at Fort Pickens, Florida – 18
John Daunt – 19-20
Consulting the Oracle – 21
Reads the Papers – 21

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 12 (reply #41).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3948261/posts#41

1

2

Bruce Catton, The Coming Fury

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 12 (reply #42).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3948261/posts#42

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Mary Chesnut’s Diary, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 13, 1861

After breakfast I accompanied Gov. Wise to his room. He advised me to remain a few days before proceeding elsewhere. He still doubted, however, whether Virginia would move before autumn. He said there was a majority of 500 Union men then in the city. But the other Convention, to meet on the 16th, might do something. He recommended me to a friend of his who distributed the tickets, who gave me a card of admission.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p.18

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-april-13.html

Charlotte Cross Wigfall to Louise Wigfall, Saturday, April 13, 1861

Saturday, April 13.

The news is glorious for us. No one hurt on our side, and no damage of any consequence to our batteries. Your father has been at Morris's Island all yesterday, and all night. He however wrote me not to expect him and I did not feel uneasy, as Captain Hartstein told me it was utterly impossible for boats to land with such a high sea. This morning Fort Sumter is on fire (produced from the shells it is thought). They say the flag is at half mast and has been so all the morning — a sure sign of distress. The fleet will try to relieve him, of course, but it will be in vain, and thus, I trust in God, this business will end. Heaven has favored our side, and we are all grateful to a Kind Providence. I doubt if your father returns before night.

SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in ’61, p. 40

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/charlotte-cross-wigfall-to-louise_7.html

Diary of Corydon E. Fuller: Saturday, April 13, 1861

The news must thrill the heart of the mighty North, and arouse a. spirit of desperate resistance to the hordes of the secessionists. If war must be, may it be quick and terrible, and may traitors learn that the arm of the government is not yet powerless in the vindication of National honor and of the glory of the old flag.

SOURCE: Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 308

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/diary-of-corydon-eustathius-fuller.html

[Demiurge2]

The item on “centralization” of government reminds us that the NYT hasn’t changed its views much over 160 years.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Louis T. Wigfall to Major D. R. Jones, April 13, 1861

Head Quarters, Confederate States Army,
CHARLESTON, South Carolina,
April 13, 1861.

Major:

I have the honor to report that between one and two o'clock this afternoon, the flag having fallen at Fort Sumter, and its fire having ceased, I left Morris's Island, with the consent and approval of General Simons to demand the surrender of the work, and offer assistance to the garrison.

Before reaching the Fort the flag was again raised. On entering the work I informed Major Anderson of my name and position on the staff of the Commanding General, and demanded the surrender of the Fort to the Confederate States.

My attention having been called to the fact that most of our batteries continued their fire, I suggested to Major Anderson that the cambric handkerchief, which I bore on my sword, had probably not been seen, as I crossed the Bay, and requested him to raise a white flag; which he did. The firing then ceased from all our batteries — when Major Anderson lowered his flag and surrendered the Fort.

The time and manner of the evacuation are to be determined by General Beauregard.

Before the surrender I expressed the confident belief to Major Anderson that no terms would be imposed, which would be incompatible with his honor as a soldier, or his feelings as a gentleman — and assured him of the high appreciation in which his gallantry and desperate defence of a place, now no longer tenable, were held by the Commanding General.

Major Anderson exhibited great coolness, and seemed relieved from much of the unpleasantness of his situation by the fact that the proposal had been made by us that he should surrender the work, which he admitted to be no longer defensible.

I take great pleasure in acknowledging that my success in reaching the Fort was due to the courage and patriotism of Private William Gourdin Young, of the Palmetto Guard; without whose aid I could not have surmounted the obstacles.

I have the honor to be with the highest respect.

LOUIS T. WIGFALL.

MAJOR D. R. JONES,
Asst. Adjutant General,
Confederate States Army.

SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in ’61, p. 45-6

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/07/louis-t-wigfall-to-major-d-r-jones.html

Major Robert Anderson to Brigadier-General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, 2:20, April 13, 1861

FORT SUMTER, S.C., April 13, 1861 — 20 min. past 2 o'clock.

GENERAL: I thank you for your kindness in having sent your aide to me with an offer of assistance upon your having observed that our flag was down — it being down a few moments, and merely long enough to enable us to replace it on another staff. Your aides will inform you of the circumstance of the visit to my fort by General Wigfall, who said that he came with a message from yourself.

In the peculiar circumstances in which I am now placed in consequence of that message, and of my reply thereto, I will now state that I am willing to evacuate this fort upon the terms and conditions offered by yourself on the 11th instant, at any hour you may name to-morrow, or as soon as we can arrange means of transportation. I will not replace my flag until the return of your messenger.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Brig. Gen. G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Charleston, S.C.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 1 (Serial No. 1), p. 14-15; This letter is quoted in Samuel Wylie Crawford’s The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p. 437.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2017/04/major-robert-anderson-to-brigadier_8.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from January 29 (reply #12).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3928904/posts#12

Nicole Etcheson, Bleeding Kansas: Contested Liberty in the Civil War Era

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Governor Alexander Ramsey to Simon Cameron, April 14, 1861

WASHINGTON CITY, April 14, 1861.

Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War,

SIR: As the executive of the State of Minnesota, I hereby tender to the government of the United States, on the part of that state, one thousand men to be ready for service so soon as the necessary information can be communicated to the people there. As the legislature is not in session, and will not be, unless specially convened, before January of next year, may I ask whether you would feel justified in saying that the reasonable expenses that may be involved will be furnished by the general government in view of the facts above stated! I am pleased to say that in all this I have the advice and support of the senators from Minnesota, and know that it will be heartily and promptly responded to by the people.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

ALEXANDER RAMSEY.

SOURCE: Minnesota. Board of Commissioners on Publication of History of Minnesota in Civil and Indian Wars, Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 1

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/governor-alexander-ramsey-to-simon.html

Governor Alexander Ramsey to William H. Acker, April 14, 1861

WASHINGTON, April 14, 1861.

Wm. H. Acker, Adjutant General Minnesota,

SIR: In the excitement which the attack and reduction of Fort Sumter occasioned here and elsewhere in the East, the states all around made a tender of generous support to the government, and aware that the patriotic people of Minnesota would be offended if there were any delay on my part in doing the same on their behalf, I at once hastened to the War Office and addressed the foregoing communication to General Cameron. The call now issued to the states for men, does not, as you will doubtless have learned by telegraph ere this, include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or Michigan; but our contingent should be in some degree of readiness, for the call may shortly be extended to us. You had better, therefore, be on the qui vive, and I will write you again to-morrow.

If troops are asked of us, they will probably rendezvous at St. Paul, and the expense of uniforming and of transportation will be borne by the government here.

Very truly,

ALEXANDER RAMSEY.

SOURCE: Minnesota. Board of Commissioners on Publication of History of Minnesota in Civil and Indian Wars, Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 1

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/09/governor-alexander-ramsey-to-william-h.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of William Howard Russell: April 14, 1861-1st entry (Russell describes spending the day in Baltimore, then leaving for Norfolk on the steamer “Georgiana”.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-william-howard-russell-april_21.html

Diary of William Howard Russell: Sunday, April 14, 1861-2nd entry (Russell gradually makes his way to Norfolk. A long but rewarding read.)

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/06/diary-of-william-howard-russell-sunday.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 12 (reply #43).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3948261/posts#43

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 12 (reply #44).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3948261/posts#44

1

2

Jean Edward Smith, Grant

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from February 23 (reply #6)

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3937001/posts#6

1

2

3

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume One

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Mary Chesnut’s Diary, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Beriah Magoffin to Simon Cameron, April 15, 1861

FRANKFORT, KY., April 15, 1861.

Hon. SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary of War:

Your dispatch is received. In answer I say emphatically Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister Southern States.

B. MAGOFFIN,
Governor of Kentucky

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 1 (Serial No. 122), p. 70

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/01/beriah-magoffin-to-simon-cameron-april.html

Oliver P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, to Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA,
INDIANAPOLIS, April 15,1861.

TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States:

On behalf of the State of Indiana, I tender to you, for the defence of the Nation and to uphold the authority of the Government, ten thousand men.

OLIVER P. MORTON,
Governor of Indiana.

SOURCE: Indiana Republican State Central Committee, Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana: A Sketch of His Life and Public Services, p. 15

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/oliver-p-morton-governor-of-indiana-to.html

Simon Cameron to Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois, April 15, 1861

WASHINGTON, April 15, 1861.

His Excellency, Richard Yates:

Call made on you by to-night's mail for six regiments for immediate service.

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

SOURCE: T. M. Eddy, The Patriotism Of Illinois, Volume 1, p. 78

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/simon-cameron-to-richard-yates-governor.html

Proclamation of Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois, April 15, 1861

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 15, 1861.

I, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, hereby convene the Legislature of the State, and the members of the twenty-second session of the General Assembly are hereby required to be and appear in their respective places, at the Capitol, on TUESDAY, the twenty-third day of April, A. D. 1861, for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary, upon the following subjects: The more perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the State, and placing the same upon the best footing to render assistance to the General Government in preserving the Union, enforcing the laws and protecting the property and rights of the people; also, the raising of such money and other means as may be required to carry out the foregoing object; and also to provide for the expenses of such session.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed at the City of Springfield, the 15th day of April, A, D. 1861.

RICHARD YATES.

By order of the Governor:
O. M. HATCH, Secretary of State.

SOURCE: T. M. Eddy, The Patriotism Of Illinois, Volume 1, p. 78-9

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/proclamation-of-richard-yates-governor.html

Governor John A. Andrew’s Special Order, No. 14, April 15, 1861

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Headquarters, BOSTON, Apr. 15, 1861

SPECIAL ORDER, No. 14th

You are hereby ordered to muster the Regiment under your Command, in Uniform, on Boston Common, forthwith, in compliance with a requisition made by the President of the United States. The troops are to go to Washington. The Regimental Band will be dispensed with.

By order of His Excellency JOHN A. ANDREW,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief

To Col. EDWARD F. JONES 6th Regt.
To Col. ABNER B. PACKARD 4th do.
To Col. DAVID W. WARDROP 3rd do.
To Lieut. Col. TIMOTHY MONROE 8th do.

To Brig. Gen’l. B. F. BUTLER,

SIR: The foregoing order has been sent direct to the Colonels therein named.

WM. BROWN, C.R.

SOURCE: Jessie Ames Marshall, Editor, Private and Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler During the Period of the Civil War, Volume 1: April 1860 – June 1862, p. 15

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/10/governor-john-andrews-special-order-no.html

Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, April 15, 1861

CINCINNATI, April 15, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE: — . . . We are all for war. The few dissentients have to run like quarter-horses. A great change for two weeks to produce. As the Dutchman said, "What a beeples." Poor Anderson! What a chance he threw away. The Government may overlook or even whitewash it, but the people and history will not let him off so easily. I like it. Anything is better than the state of things we have had the last few months. We shall have nothing but rub-a-dub and rumors for some time to come.

All pretty well. Mother thinks we are to be punished for our sinfulness, and reads the Old Testament vigorously. Mother Webb quietly grieves over it. Lucy enjoys it and wishes she had been in Fort Sumter with a garrison of women. Dr. Joe is for flames, slaughter, and a rising of the slaves. All the boys are soldiers.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 9

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/rutherford-b-hayes-to-sardis-birchard_27.html

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Cabot Jackson Lowell, April 15, 1861

MT. SAVAGE, April 15, '61.

Do not send the box yet — this war news is so startling that I do not quite know where I am, — I should be sorry to see the box miscarry and find itself in a Southern-Confederacy State.

I fear our Government will be hard pushed for the next six months — it can raise 75,000 men easily enough, but can it use them after they are raised? I am not over hopeful, dear, — it may be my liver again.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 197

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/10/charles-russell-lowell-to-anna-cabot_8.html

Diary of Caroline Cowles Richards: April 15, 1861

The storm has broken upon us. The Confederates fired on Fort Sumter, just off the coast of South Carolina, and forced her on April 14 to haul down the flag and surrender. President Lincoln has issued a call for 75,000 men and many are volunteering to go all around us. How strange and awful it seems.

SOURCE: Village Life in America, 1852-1872, p. 130-1

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/09/diary-of-caroline-cowles-richards-april.html