May 1861 Archives - Civil War Chronicle

Montgomery, AL., May 7 – The Confederate Congress made official today what has been known throughout the South for nearly a month. The lawmakers recognized and declared the existence of war with the United States.”

VMI Prof Gets Strategic Post

Harpers Ferry, VA., May 7 – This strategic Potamac River town, which was evacuated by a Union garrison two weeks ago has been occupied by confederate troops. The Rebel force is under the command of a young Virginia Military Institute professor, a former captain at a western outpost in Utah, is Lt. Col. Thomas J. Jackson. Reports also reached Washington this week that a former U.S. army officer and West Point grad is training Confederate cavalry troopers at Harpers Ferry. The officer, a former captain at a western outpost in Utah, is Lt. Col. James E.B. Stuart.

War Brings Mardi Gras to South

Montgomery, AL., May 12 – While the South rushed deeper into its preparations for war this week, all was not gloom and shadow here in the Confederate capital. Quite to the contrary, gay parties and nighty formal balls have given the city and air of mardi gras.

Newly formed regiments from all over Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana pass through the city daily on their way north. Officers and men alike receive great acclaim from the people here.

Special canteens have been inaugurated throughout the city. And Montgomery’s loveliest belles serve the troops refreshments during their stop-over. One young lady when asked if she enjoyed her work replied, “I just don’t know what I’d do without the war to look forward to.”

This seems to be the attitude throughout much of the South. Although the long hours put in daily by President Jefferson Davis and his advisors, and the trainloads of troops moving northward attest to the seriousness of the times, it is also a big festival, a mammoth picnic for the great majority.

Bands and musical organizations of all kinds are in great demand. Oddly enough, the song hit that is sweeping the South was written by a Yankee in New York. The song was heard for the first time here in the capital on the day of President Davis’ inauguration last February 18.

A member of one of the bands on that day had formerly played with Bryant’s Minstrels in New York City and had arranged the number for the inauguration band. Since then the tune and words have swept the Confederacy. Marching troops sing it, dance orchestras swing it, and one Montgomery church organist played it as a hymn last Sunday. The tune is called “Dixie,” and was written by Yankee D. D. Emmet.

Navy to Block All Rebel Ports

Washinton, D.C., May 12 – The role of the United States Navy in the war against the South has been announced. Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles told Washington newsmen today that the navy has been given the responsibility for “closing all Rebel ports”.

With only 70 plus seaworthy ships “the Navy has been given one of the most responsible roles in the war against secession,” said Welles.

Bemoaning the lack of naval craft, Welles asserted that this arm of the service would require a tremendous build-up to accomplish the mission before it.

Operation “Anaconda,” the name given to the task of closing the ports, will attempt to seal the Southern harbors from all trade. If successful; the operation could have an important bearing on the war, since nearly all of the Confederate fighting equipment must come from abroad.

There is skepticism even in the Lincoln cabinet concerning “Anaconda.” Secretary of State Seward fears international complications with France and England if these nations refuse to recognize the blockade. Both have shown interest in the rebel cause.

Lincoln has approved the strategic concept of the operation and ordered round-the-clock work at all navy yards.

The President also issued a call this week for 42,000 volunteers for the regular army and navy. This was the first official act to indicate that the government might be in doubt as to the length of the war. All other volunteers were recruited for three months. This week’s call was for three-year enlistments.

Touche, Abe

Washington, D.C., May 12 – Kentucky, another of the states torn by secession and union sympathies, was heard from this week. An outspoken Rebel and senator from the state wrote to President Lincon violently protesting the movement of Federal troops to Cairo, Ill.

Lincoln answered with another of his short, terse notes: “Your letter received and duly considered. In reply I can only say to you, a senator from Kentucky, that had I known Cairo, Ill., was in your senatorial district, I would not have sent any soldiers within a hundred miles of that point.”

North Carolina Out

Raleigh, N.C.; May 19 – There is great rejoicing here tonight. The state legislature passed with an overwhelming majority, this afternoon a resolution to withdraw from the Union. Two volunteer regiments were recruited in the capital within one hour after the announcement of secession.

Claims Neutrality

Louisville, KY., May 19 – The Kentucky legislature has resolved to keep neutral in the war looming between the North and South. Factions for both the Union and Confederacy, however, are actively engaged in recruiting state regiments.

‘Tracks’ to ‘Stars’

St. Louis, MO., May 26 – Capt. Nathaniel Lyon, who last week forced the surrender of Confederate militia at Camp Jackson, MO., was promoted today to brigadier general.

Capital Moves

Richmond, VA., May 30 – All official government correspondence of the Confederacy comes from Richmond now. The seat of the Confederate movement was moved from Montgomery, Ala., this week. President Jefferson Davis and his lawmakers will meet in the Virginia capitol building for all future sessions.

Cadets Divide Allegiance at West Point Finals

Ceremony Was Solemn

West Point, N.Y., June 2 – There was none of the traditional graduation festivities here at the U.S. Military Academy today. The ceremony was a solemn affair. Thirty-four cadets were in this year’s senior class. A third of these refused their commissions in the U.S. army and will side with the Confederacy when they return to their homes in the South.

Many southern states cadets had left the academy prior to graduation. Eleven today failed to step forward and accept their U.S. Army lieutenant’s commissions. These formed a line, passed in review and received the salute of the entire cadet corps before leaving the field. It was a solemn occasion.

Many of the young cadets whose loyalties placed them on different sides have been roommates during their four years at the academy. The farewell handshakes and goodbyes were without the usual gay and carefree back-slapping of past graduations.

Gets Top Post

Richmond, VA., June 2 – Gen Pierre G. T. Beauregard, hero of Fort Sumpter, arrived at Richmond this week to take over command of Confederate forces in the east. Throngs greeted the outspoken and aggressive Southern general when his train pulled in the Confederate capital.

Battle Flash!

Wheeling, VA., June 3 – Word was received here tonight that a Confederate force has been “met and defeated” in the mountains south of here by troops of Gen. G.B. McClellan’s Ohio Command. The Federal field commander was Gen. Wiliam Rosecrans. The skirmish took place today in the pro-union country of Western Virginia near Philippi Races.

State is Born

Wheeling, W. Va., June 10 – At a convention here today of delegates from the western counties of Virginia, a motion was made to form a new state. The loyal Union elements of this area have seeded from the state of Virginia and formed the new state of West Virginia.

Montgomery, AL, April 29th – Great strides were taken this week here in the capital of the Confederacy to ensure that this nation is launched properly and legally into the world family of nations. President Jefferson Davies’ message to the Confederate Congress today detailed the reasons for secession and explained the incidents leading to the firing on Fort Sumter.

The Congress reconvened this morning for its second session facing the huge task of getting legislation under way for the new government. The President’s message was read by congressional leader Howell Cobb because President Davis has been confined to his home with a severe cold for more than a week.

The first Confederate money appeared on Montgomery’s streets yesterday. The Central Bank of Alabama released the first of this printed currency in $50, $100, $500, and $1000 denominations.

Attorney-General Judah Benjamin has started work on the formation of a Confederate Supreme Court. However, despite his title of “brains of the Confederacy”, Benjamin is getting little cooperation on his court plan from Davis and the other cabinet members with so many pressing war problems to receive priority.

Volunteers Ease Threat to Capital

Washington DC, May 6 – An estimated 17,000 troops arrived here this past week to strengthen the capital garrison. Regiments from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and as far away as Vermont have streamed into the city since Monday.

There is still a great lack of organization but the immediate threat to the capital has been removed. If nothing else, the presence of these three-month volunteers has eased the tension in the city. The fear of a Rebel army moving in the District of Columbia no longer shoes on the face of every city resident.

But if all is going well in Washington, the Union was receiving some hard blows i other quarters this week. The governor of Missouri, Claiborne Jackson, in a letter to his state legislature has denounced Lincoln in no uncertain terms. Jackson declared the President’s call for troops “an unconstitutional and illegal act”. He said Missouri’s interests were identical with those of the other slave-0holding states, and that a the “proper time” it was the state’s duty to follow the secessionists example.

This is a stinging political defeat for the Federal government whose leaders have hoped to keep Missouri neutral in this sectional fight. The words of the Missouri governor have torn to shreds the famous David Wilmot paper, the Missouri Compromise.

Although it had been expected hourly, the wire to the White House yesterday from Nashville, Tenn., was another hard body blow to the Lincoln government. The Tennessee legislature has passed an ordinance of secession and is not allied with the Confederacy,. A White House spokesman said the wire was “particularly cutting” to the President. Is referred to the ordinance as a “Declaration of Independence”.

Fire Zouaves Arrive

Among the many and varied uniformed troops arriving in the capital this week was the much publicized and gaudy regiment of New York Fire Zouaves. This unit, under the command of dashing young Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, is attired in a unirform of Sky-blue trousers bloused over white leggins, short red jackets topped by an Eqyptian fez complete with tassel for headgear. The regiment is one of the best drilled outfits in the city today and is equipped with the new .58 cal. Sharps rifles.

Troops Fire on Mob in St. Louis

St. Louis, MO May 19 – It has been a tragic week in the great river city. Months of bitterness burst into a bloody riot last Friday evening that took the lives of 28 persons.

Union troops under the command of Capt. Nathaniel Lyon fired into a mob of Rebel sympathizers when the latter stoned the marching column. The soldiers, mostly recruits from the German section of St. Louis drew the mob’s wrath when they marched on Confederate Camp Jackson west of town earlier in the day. Lyon surprised Gen. D. M. Frost and his rebel troops, about 800 in number, when he surrounded the camp about non and demanded their surrender.

Frost reluctantly ordered his men to lay down their arms. it was during the return to the city with their prisoners that the marchers were stoned, and fights broke out with the rioters. As the mob broke through the ranks of the column with clubs and stones scattered shots were fired. Then one platoon poured a volley into the attackers and the riot was broken.

Blood stains of the dead and wounded can still be seen today, a week later, on St. Louis’ cobblestones. “A grim reminder of the terrible conflict that is ahead” said one bystander, a Mr. Ulysses S. Grant, who witnessed the bloody riot.

Student Faces Teacher

Cincinnati, Ohio, May 19 – Gen. George B. McClellan has been given command of the Federal force moving into western Virginia to hold these pro-union counties from the Confederates. Reports from Richmond indicate that the young McClellan will be met by troops under his old commander, Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Colonel Ellsworth Killed as Fire Zouaves Lead US Occupation Troops into Virginia

Alexandria, VA., May 24 – Federal troops occupied this Virginia town today and more streamed across the Potomac from Georgetown to take positions on Arlington Heights.

The first blood of the war to fall on Virginia soil flowed this morning in Alexandria. Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, commander of the colorful New York Fire Zouaves, was shot and killed shortly after his regiment marched into town. J.W. Jackson, proprietor of the Marshall House, shot the colonel as the latter was returning from the upper story of the hotel carrying a Confederate flag which had been flying from a window there. Jackson was killed instantly by a member of Ellsworth’s regiment.

At 2 a.m. today, under President Lincoln’s orders, more than 10,000 Union troops crossed the Potomac on bridge and steamer and took up positions at strategic points on Virginia soil. Under the command of Gen. Joseph K. F. Mansfield, the Federal force, including infantry, calvary, and several batteries of artillery, tonight holds the high ground on the Virginia side of the Potomac overlooking Washington.

No Confederate troops opposed today’s operation, but Rebel cavalry was reported in Manassas only 18 miles to the South.

An eyewitness gave the account of the shooting in Alexandria:

“The Yankee troops marched into town from the river dock about 6 o’clock. The Zouave regiment was in the lead. As the soldiers approached the Marshall House, Col. Ellsworth noticed the Rebel flag floating from an upper story. He immediately ordered two men from the ranks and let the way into the hotel.

He tore the flag from the staff and was returning downstairs when he was confronted by Mr. Jackson, who levelled a double barrel shotgun at the colonel and demanded the flag. Ellsworth refused to turn over the Confederate colors and ordered the hotel man arrested.

Jackson fired one shot at Ellsworth and turned to fire at one of the Zouaves. Before he could pull the trigger the seconds time, one trooper had run a bayonet through Jackson who fell dead on the stairs. Col. Ellsworth also died instantly with a bullet in his heart.”

Both sections of the country are enraged tonight at the day’s happenings. Reports from Richmond indicate that the South does not intend to let Union troops occupy Virginia soil very long. From across the river in Washington, the death of the Zouaves colonel has brought cries of immediate reprisals against the Rebels.

Col. Ellsworth was a close friend of President Lincoln. His body was taken to the White House.

May 1861

South Declares War