April 7, 1863 (Tuesday): Fort Sumter Attacked

The Line Attacking Fort Sumter (April 7, 1863) history.navy.mil

FORT SUMTER, April 7, 1863.
    Have visited Fort Sumter. One 10-inch gun carriage and chassis disabled; one 8-inch burst; two rifled dismounted and now replaced; walls badly shaken in two or three places; 4 men badly wounded. The engineers should look out and have material; and laborers for repairs as soon possible. Colonel Rhett, Lieutenant-Colonel Yates, and Major Blanding are doing all that can be done to repair. Do send us something for sand bags to fortify shaken places-if the people send their petticoats and pillow-cases--at once. One steamer should be sent down with what can be furnished to carry ammunition to Morris Island. Some of the enemy have been badly hurt. The Keokuk is probably for sale. Whether the attack will be renewed or not I cannot judge; the probability is that it will, and the men will shoot better to-morrow that to-day. The big torpedo did not explode; I do not know why. Shall go to Morris Island in an hour or so and find out. I don't think we had better say it is over, but will let you know in the morning.


    R. S. RIPLEY.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 14, Part 1, Page 257.

The Union fleet moved to the attack just after 3PM with the Keokuk (a double turret ironclad) in the lead.  The tides were against the attackers and they were also slowed by having to watch for mines (torpedoes) and other obstacles in the harbor.  The Keokuk was hit over 90 times, with numerous hits below the water line.  She was able to pull off to a point near Morris Island where she sank the next day.  Two large guns were salvaged during the war off the ship and one can be seen on the Battery in Charleston today.  The wreck itself is still in the harbor, one of three ironclads whose wreckage remains in whole or part in the harbor.

 

April 6, 1863 (Monday): Confederate Forces Stretched Thin

Vicksburg (etc.usf.edu)

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., April 6, 1863.
General R. E. LEE,
Commanding, &c.:
     SIR: General Johnston telegraphs that a division from Memphis is understood to be on the way to re-enforce Rosecrans. He apprehends, too, that Burnside's forces, in large measure, have a similar destination.  It is, of course, very important to re-enforce General Bragg's army; but the Department, after anxiously surveying all the resources at command, is unable to find troops at its disposal for that end, unless they can safely be sent from the forces in this department. If two or three brigades, say of Pickett's division, to be united with another that may be possibly made up from General Samuel Jones' command, could be spared, they would be an encouraging re-enforcement to the Army of the West.
    It would seem natural that when so large a portion of the troops meant to be guarded against here, as Burnside's division from Newport News, have been withdrawn to the west, they should be met there by a withdrawal of at least a part of our defensive reserves here. I know, however, that your army is largely outnumbered by the enemy in your front, and that it is not unlikely that a movement against you may be made at an early day. I am, therefore, unwilling to send beyond your command any portion even of the forces here without your counsel and approval. I should ask, therefore, your consideration of the subject and the result of your reflections at your earliest convenience.
     With high esteem, very respectfully, yours,


    J. A. SEDDON,
    Secretary of War.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 25, Part 2, Page 708-709.

Lee had placed himself in a good position with Jefferson Davis by keeping him fully informed on the situation faced by his army and consulting on major decisions.  When Secretary of War Seddon approaches Lee about sending troops to Johnston, it is then in a more deferential manner than if Lee had been less adept politically.  The choice would belong to Lee.  

 

April 5, 1863 (Sunday): Charleston Imperiled

Gustavus V. Fox

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 5, 1863.
JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
Eight monitors and all large steamships left Edisto this morning. Four of the monitors just appeared off the bar. Must refer Department to my estimates of the force necessary in event of attack.


G. T. BEAUREGARD.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, April 5, 1863.
General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:
The enemy do not seem concentrating for attack by land. Attack might yet be diverted to Wilmington. Prudence requires that the force there, the only troops possible to be spared, should still be retained. I will telegraph General Whiting to hold Ransom's brigade in readiness.


J. A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.

CHARLESTON, S. C., April 5, 1863.
Brigadier General W. H. C. WHITING, Wilmington, N. C.:
    Eight monitors and three ironsides off the bar; have made landing of four regiments on Cole's Island. Please have the telegraph line opened to Richmond at once, if possible, for my dispatches.


G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HDQRS. SECOND MILITARY DIST. SOUTH CAROLINA,
April 5, 1863.
Brigadier-General JORDAN, Chief of Staff:
    GENERAL: I inclose description of four additional iron-clads, which came into North Edisto yesterday. There are in that river, reported last night, forty-four vessels of all kinds, including eight monitors and
three additional transports which have not debarked any troops. From the most accurate observations that can be made I am induced to think there are landed on Seabrook Island about 3,300 troops. At 1 o'clock yesterday three transports were debarking troops on the southwestern part of Cole's Island (something called Goat's Island), and one transport was lying off the beach empty. Three gunboats, one schooner, and one small steamer in the river off Cole's Island. The scout also saw what he thought was a flat filled with men; it may be the raft referred to in yesterday's report. A large number of men are also reported on Cole's Island; I am inclined to think about as many as on Seabrook Island.     I am, general, very respectfully,


    JOHNSON HAGOOD,
    Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 14, Part 1, Pages 878-879. 

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C., April 6, 1863-8 p. m.
Major-General HOOKER,
Headquarters:
    There is reasonable ground to expect important news hourly from Charleston via Richmond. Will you be on the qui vive for anything from the enemy opposite.


     G. V. FOX,
    Assistant Secretary.


Official Records, Series I., Vol. 51, Part 1, Page 1001.

Taking Charleston was both a strategic and psychological goal for the Union.  It was the seat of the rebellion and the continued presence of the Confederate flag at Fort Sumter was an affront.  Beauregard has correctly intuited there would be no land attack.  The Union Navy was preparing for an all out assault on Fort Sumter.  Fox, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the last dispatch alerts Hooker to the events in Charleston and the possibility they might precipitate activity by Lee.

April 4, 1863 (Saturday): Peck's Report

General John J. Peck

SUFFOLK, VA.,
April 4, 1863.
Major General JOSEPH HOOKER,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:
    GENERAL: I am honored with your communication of the 2nd,* touching the strength and position of my troops; also the strength and position of the enemy in my front. As these data may have an important bearing upon your operations, I most cheerfully proceed to give you the desired information:
    By the inclosed map* you will perceive that a large district is under my command, being, in general terms, all east of the Blackwater and Chowan. Several counties of North Carolina are nominally in General Foster's department, but really dependent upon me for protection. General Viele has a small force at Norfolk. My headquarters are at Suffolk, where I keep nearly the whole force, and from which point I move my columns according to circumstances. The service is hard, and they are kept active when the weather permits. The enemy occupies the Blackwater in force down to the Chowan and probably below Winton.
    From the fact that some 4,000 have been several weeks fortifying Fort Powhatan, on the James, I infer that Chipoak and Birchen Rivers, with Cypress Swamp, form the left of their line. (See military map of Southeastern Virginia, from Coast Survey.)
     All the fords, passes, and bridges are fortified and guarded. He occupies Surry Court-House, and pickets a belt of 5 or 6 miles on this side of the river. The intermediate country is traversed by both, and is the theater of many collisions.
     On the 1st of March, Hood's and Pickett's divisions left Fredericksburg for Petersburg, and General Longstreet assumed command about that time or a few days before. One division started for Charleston, but returned. General Longstreet made a reconnaissance, with General [M.] Jenkins commanding, on the river last week, and returned to Petersburg. My information from numerous sources has been that Longstreet had within 20 or 30 miles of this place 15,000, and 15,000 along the railway this side of Petersburg which he could concentrate in twelve hours, and I was advised from headquarters a few days since that one of our spies had a list of the regiments and the strength, and they amounted to 28,000.
     Deserters who left the Blackwater on the 1st, say that General [M. D.] Corse's brigade of Virginia troops arrived at Zuni on the 23rd; also that a large pontoon train came by rail. They state that Hood's division was expected to follow. A large brigade of Mississippians, under General J. R. Davis, arrived recently from Goldsborough; also a brigade of South Carolinians, under General [John] Bratton. He is strong in cavalry and artillery.  Ever since my arrival, the enemy has been impressed with the idea that an army would attempt this route, and they have watched very closely. Much of the time their force has been greatly in excess of mine. This has been in part due to the demonstrations I have made. My force has been greatly magnified by our people, and the rebel's was rated from 30,000 to 50,000, when I had less than 12,000.

Total infantry for duty
------------------------------------
12,590
Total cavalry
----------------------------------------------
1,683
Total artillery
--------------------------------------------
893
------
Two divisions, total for duty
------------------------------
15,166

     Four of my batteries are good and three are indifferent.
     There is no foundation for the report of an intended evacuation of Richmond.
     It will give me pleasure to advise you from time to time of any important changes made by the enemy and of the information brought to me from creditable sources.
     Wishing you all success in your very responsible command, I remain, very truly, yours,


     JOHN J. PECK,
     Major-General.

*Not Found

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 25, Part 2, Pages 190-191.

Peck had graduated 8th in his class from West Point, but had not found advancement commiserate with his educational attainment.  This may, in part, have been because he was a Democrat at a time when the Republican Party was becoming more zealous about building an army philosophically in tune with their administration.  Peck's intelligence regarding Longstreet's movements and relative strength was relatively accurate, although his command was much closer to the 30,000 end of the 30,000-50,000 man range noted here.

April 3, 1863 (Friday): The President Visits

General Joseph Hooker

EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, April 3, 1863.
Major-General HOOKER:
    Our plan is to pass Saturday night on the boat; go over from Aquia Creek to your camp Sunday morning; remain with you till Tuesday morning, and then return. Our party will probably not exceed six persons of all sorts.


A. LINCOLN.



HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
April 3, 1863.
To His Excellency the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
     Your telegram of to-day has just been received by me. I am rejoiced to learn that you have appointed a time to visit this army, and only regret that your party is not as large as our hospitality. Your wishes will be secured at Aquia on your arrival.
    I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


     JOSEPH HOOKER,
     Major-General, Commanding.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 51, Part 1, Page 1000.

Hooker was a military politician of the first rank.  No doubt he was disappointed not to be able to host a fuller contingent of dignitaries.  Lincoln was coming to Aquia Creek, south of Washington and North of Fredericksburg with his wife and child, one cabinet member, and a reporter.  

April 2, 1863 (Thursday): Mosby Surprised at Miskel's Farm

Miskel's Farmhouse (civilwaralbum.com)

HEADQUARTERS STAHEL'S CAVALRY DIVISION,
Fairfax Court House, Va., April 2, 1863.
    GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report, which is, however, made up from verbal information received from Colonel Price, Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone, and Major Taggart. I will forward the written reports as soon as it is received and shall take all possible means to ascertain the true state of the case.
    It appears that on the evening of the 31st ultimo, Major Taggart, at Union Church, 2 miles above Peach Grove, received information that Mosby, with about 65 men, was near Dranesville. He immediately dispatched Captain Flint, with 150 men of the First Vermont, to rout or capture Mosby and his force.
Captain Flint followed the Leesburg and Alexandria road to the road which branches off to the right just this side of Broad Run. Turning to the right, they followed up the Broad Run toward the Potomac, to a
place marked "J. Mesed." Here, at a house, they came on to Mosby, who was completely surprised and wholly unprepared for an attack from our forces. Had a proper disposition been made of our troops, Mosby could not by any possible means have escaped. It seems that around this house was a high board fence and a stone wall, between which and the road was also another fence and ordinary farm gate. Captain Flint took his men through the gate, and at a distance from the house, fired a volley at Mosby and his men, who were assembled about the house, doing but slight damage to them. He then ordered a saber charge, which was also ineffectual on account of the fence which intervened. Mosby waited until the men were checked by the fence, and then opened his fire upon them, killing and wounding several. The men here became panic-stricken, and fled precipitately toward this gate, through which to make their escape. The opening was small,and they got wedged together, and a fearful state of confusion followed, while Mosby's men followed them up and poured into the crowd a severe fire. Here, while endeavoring to rally his men, Captain Flint was killed and Lieutenant Grout of the same company, mortally wounded (will probably die to-day.).* Mosby's men followed in pursuant and sobered several of our men on the road. Mosby, during his pursuit is supposed to have received a saber wound across the face, which unhorsed him. The rebels took some prisoners and a number of horses and fell back in great haste. In comparison to the number engaged, our loss was very heavy.
    As soon as Major Taggart received the report he sent Major Hall in pursuit of Mosby, and to bring in our killed and wounded. Upon receiving the first intelligence, I immediately sent out Colonel Prive, with a detachment of the Sixth and Seventh Michigan and First Virginia Cavalry, who searched in every direction, but no trace could be found of Mosby or his men, as information reached me too late.
     I regret to be obliged to inform the commanding general that the forces sent out by Major Taggart missed so good an opportunity of capturing this rebel guerrilla. It is only to be ascribed to the bad management on the part of the officers and the cowardice of the men. I have ordered Colonel Price to make a thorough investigation of this matter, and shall recommend those officers who are guilty to be stricken from the rolls.
     The list of killed and wounded will be forwarded as soon as received.
     I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,


    JUL. STAHEL,
    Major-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 25, Part 1, Pages 77-78.

This was the skirmish at Miskel's Farm.  The Union account is the best and most accurate.  Mosby's picks up at the point where he rallied his men and they drove off the Vermont cavalry, failing to mention his being surprised and coming within a near thing of being captured. 

April 1, 1863 (Wednesday): Ship to Shore Fire at Grand Gulf

Fort Coburn at Grand Gulf (civilwaralbum.com)

Report of Brigadier General John S. Bowen, C. S. Army.

HDQRS. 1ST BRIGADE, 2nd DIVISION, ARMY OF Mississippi,
Grand Gulf, MISS., April 1, 1863.
   MAJOR: I have the honor to report that the enemy's boats, three in number, passed down the river yesterday evening at 8. 15. There having been reports of their approach during the day, everything had been held in readiness, the men at their guns and a regiment in the trenches.  Night coming on, a detail was left at the guns (enough to manage them) and the infantry bivouacked in position. Owing to the negligence of the signal corps stationed over the river at Hard Times, and who should have been able to give timely notice, no warning was given during the afternoon, and at night no rocket was sent up to apprise us of their approach. They were perceived by the sentinel at the upper battery as they rounded the point and immediately opened upon. About twenty shots were fired from the heavy guns, twenty-one from the field pieces, and twenty-one from the Parrotts of Wade's battery. The vessels were struck repeatedly. Seven heavy shells were seen to take effect, one raking the Hartford from stem to stern. The firing from the field batteries was excellent, the shrapnel bursting over the decks; but I have no means of discovering what damage was inflicted on the ships,* but the steam ram which passed the Vicksburg batteries was struck once amidships, swung round broadside to the current, and floated down thus, firing a lee gun, which could only have been a signal of distress.
    All the vessels lay about 10 miles below during the night and passed on down this morning.
    I regret to report than one of the 20-pounder Parrott guns burst at the fourth fire, killing 2, mortally wounding 1, and wounding 7, besides some scratches. I append a list. #. I entered the battery just as the gun exploded, and it affords me pleasure to bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the men there. Though many were knocked down, besides the wounded, only an imperceptible pause in the firing was occasioned, the men sprung up and to the other guns so quickly. The lieutenant of the burst gun replaced Numbers 1. of the next piece, who was killed, and it would not have been possible for the enemy to have discovered the accident from any slackening of the fire.
    The firing from the upper battery (Captain [J. B.] Grayson's) was excellent. The lower battery, where the accident occurred, was manned by Wade's and Guibor's companies of light artillery.
     I inclose a report on the circumstances attending and the causes of the bursting of the gun.
     Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    JNO. S. BOWEN,
    Brigadier-General, Commanding.
 
    Major R. W. MEMMINGER,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

* Rear-Admiral Farragut, U. S. Navy, reported that the Albatross was not struck; that the Hartford was struck once, killing 1 man and that the Switzerland was struck twice, but received no damage.
# Nominal list, omitted, reports 2 men killed and 1 officer (Captain Henry Guibor) and 1 man wounded, of Guibor's battery; 1 officer (Lieutenant John Kearney) and 5 men wounded, of Wade's Battery.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 24, Part 1, Page 486.

The Confederate defenses along the bluff at Grand Gulf overlooked a wide bend in the river.  It would be difficult to pass them.