THE SECESSION REBELLION: Disposition of the Federal Troops in Virginia; No Intention on the Part of the Rebels to Advance; Five Thousand of Them at Manassas Gap (5/28/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 5/28/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Monday, May 27.

There has been a serious mistake concerning the naval force now at or near Sewall's Point. I am informed at the Navy Department, that there should be now only the Monticello and two small single gun-boats at that point. The Minnesota ought to be by this time off Charleston, S.C., with the blockading fleet at that harbor.

If there has been an attach, therefore, upon Sewall's Point, as has been reported the past two days, in which the Minnesota was engaged, she disobeyed her orders, which is not at all probable. Such an attack will require quite an efficient water force, to be successful, and such a force is not there now, so far as the knowledge of the Department goes.

It may therefore be some days before we hear of an engagement there, unless Gen. BUTLER thinks it feasible to land a sufficient force to take the position with the aid of the Monticello alone.

THE NEW GUN-BOATS.

The specifications for the new gun-boats are nearly complete. Those for the first class of gun-boats are complete, and will be given out to contractors who desire to examine and estimate them before making their bids. They can be obtained after to-morrow. The specifications are being completed for thirty-five gunboats. They are deemed by our best naval commanders as very efficient vessels, especially for blockading purposes along our coast, where we have so many small rivers and difficult entrances to our ports.

This will not be the extent of our naval preparation.

[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 New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3962855/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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5

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9

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Secession Rebellion: Important News from the Seat of War– 2
Reports from Fortress Monroe and Harper’s Ferry – 2-3
Our War Correspondence: The Alarm in Washington – 3-4
Naval and Military Movements: The United States Naval Register as it is – 4
Ammunition Short – 4
What the London Times Correspondent Saw at Charleston: Letter from Mr. Wm. Russell – 4-6
Editorial: The Sympathies of England – 6-7
Editorial: The Rebels on the Potomac – 7
Editorial: The Proclamation of the British Government – 7
A Motion to Adjourn – 7-8
Editorial: Word from the Insurgents – 8
Important from Pensacola: Affairs at Fort Pickens-Jeff. Davis and Mr. Russell at Pensacola – 8-9
Editorial: The Attitude of France – 9

[Pikachu_Dad]

So what was going on in Frankfurt Kentucky?

https://www.nytimes.com/1861/06/05/archives/the-border-state-convention.html

“In the Border State Convention, now in session at Frankfort, Ky., on May 31, Mr. WICKLIFFE stated that in examining the act under which the Convention was authorized, there were two or three subjects which had suggested themselves as worthy of consideration, and he therefore moved that the Committtee on Resolutions be instructed to inqure into and report upon the following questions:

1. Has the Administration of the United States Government the right and power under the Constitution to acknowledge the separate independence of the seceded States?

2. Has the Administration of said Government, without the consent of Congress, the right to cede and surrender the military forts and naval stations of the United States to any State or States, whether such States have seceded or remain in the Union under the obligations of the Constitution of the United States?

3. If such powers do not, in the opinion of the Committee, exist, then to report in what manner, in their opinion, it may be practicable peacefully to settle the controversy and issues now existing between the United States and the seceded States.

4. Would a National Convention, elected by the people of all the States under the authority of Congress for that purpose, be competent to settle the controversy and acknowledge the independence of such seceded States?
These were received and submitted to the Committee on Resolutions under the rules, without debate. At the request of Mr. CRITTENDEN, his place on the Committee was filled by the substitution of Mr. BEISTOW.”

[dangus]

Ruh-roh. When the NYT says there’s no intention to advance, you know the sh*t’s about to go down.

[Pikachu_Dad]

And naturally the traitorous former Vice President - John C Breckenridge - is at the root of the treason!

“Realizing that neutrality was becoming less and less feasible, six prominent Kentuckians met to find some solution for a state caught in the middle of a conflict. Governor Magoffin, John C. Breckinridge, and Richard Hawes represented the secessionists’ position, while Crittenden, Archibald Dixon, and S. S. Nicholas advocated the Northern cause.[20] The sextet agreed only to continue the doctrine of neutrality, however, and called for the formation of a five-member board to coordinate the Commonwealth’s defense.[21] The General Assembly created the board on May 24 and vested in it supervision of the state’s military, a power reserved in the Kentucky Constitution for the governor.[21]”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_in_the_American_Civil_War

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I just happen to be prepping the June 5 news today. I had skipped that item in my initial survey, but I went back and added it to the list.

[Pikachu_Dad]

So John Breckinridge (2nd in the electoral college/ all his States seceded)
Was made Senator for Kentucky on March 4 1861.

He will be officially expelled on December 4 1861 for treason for joining the rebellious democrats as a Major General.

So as of June 4th, he has been in office for 3 months. He and his cohorts are actively pushing to get Kentucky to secede.

(In office March 4, 1861 – December 4, 1861)