NEWS FROM WASHINGTON: Thanks to Gen. Wool for the Capture of Norfolk; What is Thought of Gen. Hunter’s Proclamation (5/17/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 5/17/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, May 16.

The skillful and gallant movements of Major-Gen. JOHN E. WOOL, and the forces under his command, which resulted in the surrender of Norfolk, and the evacuation of the strong batteries erected by the rebels on Sewall's Point and Craney Island, and the destruction of the rebel iron clad steamer Merrimac, are regarded by the President as among the most important successes of the present war. He therefore orders that his thanks as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, be communicated by the War Department to Maj.-Gen. JOHN E. WOOL, and the officers and soldiers of his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the brilliant operations mentioned.

By order of the President.

Made at the City of Norfolk, on the 11th day of May, 1862. (Signed.)

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES

THE PROCLAMATION OF GEN. HUNTER

WASHINGTON, Friday, May 16.

HUNTER's proclamation excites scarcely any interest in Washington -- no one attaching any importance to it, as efficacious to produce the end designed. Martial law is only enforced by martial power, and HUNTER has no force at his command adequate to enforce this proclamation. His declaring freedom to all the slaves in three States, when he has no power to free a single one outside of his camp, is regarded in Washington as an act of stultification highly discreditable to any one holding the rank of General, supposed to have ordinary intelligence. If the military power is withdrawn from HUNTER's Department before his proclamation is executed throughout those States, it is conceded that the civil power will not complete or countenance what martial law proclaimed, but did not practically execute. Republicans of radical views see the absurdity of HUNTER's proceedings and some of them claim that the proclamation is a forgery.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: 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: May 2025.
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/4063621/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

News from Washington: Thanks to Gen. Wool for the Capture of Norfolk – 2
From Gen. Halleck’s Army: Continued Preparations for the Great Battle – 3-4
Department of the Shenandoah – 4
Late Events on the Peninsula: The Battle of Williamsburgh – 4-5
Gen. McDowell’s Army: Falmouth as a Summer Residence – 5-6
The Mountain Department: The Advance Movement – 6-7
Gen. McClellan’s Advance: New-Kent Court-House – 7
Editorial: How to Deal with the Rebellion in its New Field of Operations – 7-8
Editorial: Errors of the British Press – 8
A Convenient Region for an Operation – 8-9
Honors for Our Naval Heroes – 9
Rumors of Richmond – 9
Brownlow Belligerent – 9
Editorial: In Memoriam-Concertina – 9
Serrell’s Engineer Regiment-A Bit of Mercy that Should Atone for Tardy Justice – 9

[georgiarat]

Read this almost every day. thank you for posting.