HIGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS: The Rebel Batteries at Aquia Creek Struck by Federal Lightning; JEFF. DAVIS IN RICHMOND; Editorial-The Habeas Corpus, and the Merriman Case (6/2/1861)

The steamer Gipsey, from Farlington via Fort Washington at 10 o'Clock this morning, brings the following information, which had been received at the latter place:

The engagement at Aquia Creek resulted in the retirement of the Freeborn and Anacosta, after a severe fight, in which a number were killed on both sides. The two steamers retired to await the Pawnee.

The Pawnee stopped at Fort Washington, to await the arrival of the transport Baltimore, with troops, supposed to be the New-York Seventy-first Regiment. The Pawnee and the Baltimore proceeded in company.

The official report of the affair at Acquia Creek represents the conduct of the naval officers as daring and efficient, and deals with particularly the contest of yesterday. The enemies' batteries within range were silenced, but a gun at a distance could not be harmed. A seaman on board one of the Federal vessels was wounded. It is not known what damage was done to the rebels, but it is certain that the shells burst over or near those who were serving the guns.

A lady who arrived here this evening, says that the vessel on which she was a passenger passed within sight of Aquia Creek, this afternoon, and she distinctly saw the engagement then taking place.

Reports continue to represent the Seventy-first Regiment of New-York as having gone to Aquia Creek, but this is incorrect. Although last night orders for them to be in readiness to depart at a moment's warning were issued, they were subsequently revoked.

By the arrival at the Navy-yard of the steamer Resolute, Lieut. BUDD, commanding, we have full particulars of the attack on the batteries at Aquia Creek yesterday.

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/3964081/posts

Highly Important News: The Rebel Batteries at Aquia Creek Struck by Federal Lightning– 2-4
Jeff. Davis in Richmond: Account of His Journey and Reception – 4-6
Letters from the Parents of the Late Col. Ellsworth – 6
Quadroon Regiment – 6
The Sharp-Shooters – 6
“Contraband of War” – 6
Uniform of the Confederate States Army – 6-7
Editorial: The Habeas Corpus, and the Merriman Case – 7
Davis at Richmond – 7

"The Sharp-Shooters – 6"

Back on the subject of Sharp's repeating rifles versus, say, the Springfield rifled musket, Wiki says this about the Springfields:

"Rifles were more accurate than smooth bore muskets, and could have been made using shorter barrels.
However, the military was still using tactics such as firing by ranks, and feared that shorter barrels would result in soldiers in the back ranks accidentally shooting front rank soldiers in the back of the head.
Bayonet fighting was also important at this time, which also made militaries reluctant to shorten the barrels.
The Springfield Model 1861 therefore used a three band barrel, making it just as long as the smoothbore muskets that it had replaced.
The 38 inch long rifled barrel made it a very accurate weapon, and it was possible to hit a man sized target with a Minié ball as far away as 500 yards (460 m)."

Of the Sharps, Wiki says:

"Sharps rifles are a series of large-bore, single-shot, falling-block, breech-loading rifles, beginning with a design by Christian Sharps in 1848, and ceasing production in 1881.
They were renowned for long-range accuracy."

Wiki puts the Sharps effective range at 1,000 years.

But apparently, what really mattered was that the Springfield was 58 inches long, while Sharps was only 47 inches, and Army authorities worried that the shorter Sharps might shoot their own troops in the back of the head!
Also, bayonets on longer rifles were more effective.

And, of course, Sharps cost double the Springfield.

"Editorial: The Habeas Corpus, and the Merriman Case – 7"

Here our editors rehearse the arguments repeated many times on these CW threads, about Lincoln's supposedly unconstitutional use of Habeas Corpus in the Merriman case.

The editors concede that normally only Congress can revoke the right of Habeas Corpus, but then claim that in wartime the requirements of war supersede those of the Constitution, and so the government was within its authority to ignore Crazy Roger Taney's writ.

In the end both the Confederate and Union congresses authorized their presidents to suspend Habeas Corpus, though neither attempted to justify (or sanction) their suspensions before authorization.
And, Crazy Roger excepted, no court censured Lincoln for his actions.

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