On Friday, July 5, 1861, the Battle of Carthage took place in Missouri. This was the largest battle to date in the Civil War.
Governor Claiborne Jackson's State Guard had been on the run since they were routed at Boonville on June 17. They headed toward the southwest corner of the state to regroup, and met up in Lamar on July 3 with another group of State Guards led by Sterling Price. Jackson now had around 4000 inexperienced soldiers and another 2000 that had no weapons.
Lyon was pursuing Jackson's militia from Boonville, but could not keep up. Meanwhile, Colonel Franz Sigel led another detachment of 1100 Union troops toward Lexington to cut off Price's retreat. Sigel headed on to Carthage to try to catch the fleeing States Guardsmen, unaware that the two groups had already merged.
Learning that Sigel was at Carthage, Jackson took command and advanced to attack the smaller, but better trained and armed force. The two armies met about ten miles north of Carthage.
The battle opened around 8:30 a.m. It began as an artillery duel that was largely ineffective. Eventually Sigel realized how outnumbered he was. With his line fully extended, the State Guard line extended past both of his flanks. Sigel began an orderly withdrawal that turned into a running battle that lasted most of the day. Sigel was eventually able to escape the trap, withdrawing back through Carthage before escaping to Sarcoxie.
Casualties were light. Union: 13 killed, 31 wounded. State Guard: 12 killed, 64 wounded, 1 missing.
The battle was fairly insignificant, not a great tactical or strategic victory, but the pro-Southerners in Missouri had not had much good news lately and celebrated their first victory. The State Guard had almost taken Sigel by surprise and destroyed his army. Only a skillful withdrawal had saved him. The State Guard was able to link up with Confederate troops, mostly Texans and Arkansans, led by Ben McCulloch on July 6, and continue the fight for Missouri.
Showing posts with label Claiborne Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Claiborne Jackson. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
150 Years Ago: Boonville and Greeneville
Months of tension reached a climax in Missouri on Monday, June 17, 1861, near the little town of Boonville.
A meeting had been set up days earlier in St. Louis to try to bring some peace to the divided state, but it had ended with Union General Nathaniel Lyon declaring war on the pro-Southern leaders, Governor Claiborne Jackson and General Sterling Price.
After the meeting, Jackson and Price fled to the state capital of Jefferson City. They quickly decided that the capital could not be held and retreated with the State Guard northwest to Boonville. They needed time to consolidate the militia forces at Boonville and Lexington, and to train and arm them. But time was the one thing Lyon did not intend to give them.
Price had planned to retreat from Boonville if Lyon's army showed up, but he became ill with dysentary and traveled on to Lexington where more militia forces were gathering, leaving the governor in charge. Jackson, fearing the political price of another retreat, decided to have the showdown at Boonville.
Lyon's army of 1700, two volunteer brigades, a company of regulars and an artillery battery, advanced down the Rocheport Road toward Boonville. They ran into Colonel John Marmaduke's regiment of militia, some 500 men, positioned around a house, its outbuildings and a wheat field. Union artillery fire drove the militiamen back, but they quickly regrouped on a nearby ridge. More artillery fire drove the militiamen back through their camp to the fairgrounds east of town. Supported by fire from an eight-inch howitzer aboard the
Augustus McDowell on the nearby Missouri River, the Union forces flanked the line of militia and the retreat quickly turned into a rout. The militia disintegrated; the men scattering in all directions.
The bulk of the fighting lasted less than thirty minutes and casualties were light on both sides, but the consequences were huge. The Union army now had control of the Missouri River and much of the state, including the state capital. Although the fighting in Missouri would continue throughout much of the war, Governor Claiborne Jackson's dream of putting the state in the Confederacy were over. Much of the militia would retreat with Jackson to the extreme southwestern corner of the state and attempt to regroup.
Also on this date, in Greenville, Tennessee, delegates met in a convention to discuss ways to keep east Tennessee in the Union.
The pro-Unionists of East Tennessee followed a script that was very similar to the one the pro-Unionists of western Virginia followed. The main difference was that the Tennesseans did not have a Union army nearby to help them out.
The east Tennesseans met in Knoxville on May 30-31 to protest Governor Isham Harris's efforts to align the state with the Confederacy. One of their biggest grievances was that Harris had called for a statewide referendum on June 8 to approve an "Ordinance of Secession," skipping a convention to debate the issue. After many speeches condemning the governor and the state legislature for their disregard of the U.S. Constitution, the delegates agreed to meet again if Tennessee voters approved secession.
The Greeneville convention got underway on June 17. The first two days were spent mainly on organizing the convention, debating voting rules, and speechmaking. On the third day, the delegates heard two similar sets of resolutions. The first called for the formation of military companies, and pledged retaliation if any convention members were harmed or if the region were occupied by Confederate forces. The second set of resolutions was less violent in nature, mainly resolving to send a memorial to the state legislature seeking its consent for the region to form a separate state.
The second set of resolutions was adopted after much debate. The memorial was sent to the legislature, which rejected the convention's bid for statehood. The legislature promised not to pass any conscription laws, but the governor sent Confederate troops into the region to protect secessionists there. Many delegates fled to the north or went into hiding.
In other news, in Washington, Thaddeus S. C. Lowe ascended in a tethered balloon some 500 feet above the White House to demonstrate the effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance. Using a telegraph set he communicated with Lincoln, "I have the pleasure of sending you this first dispatch ever telegraphed from an aerial station..." In July 1861, Lowe would be named Chief Aeronaut of the Union Army Balloon Corps. He made several successful observations, but disputes over his operations and his pay forced his resignation in 1863.
A meeting had been set up days earlier in St. Louis to try to bring some peace to the divided state, but it had ended with Union General Nathaniel Lyon declaring war on the pro-Southern leaders, Governor Claiborne Jackson and General Sterling Price.
After the meeting, Jackson and Price fled to the state capital of Jefferson City. They quickly decided that the capital could not be held and retreated with the State Guard northwest to Boonville. They needed time to consolidate the militia forces at Boonville and Lexington, and to train and arm them. But time was the one thing Lyon did not intend to give them.
Price had planned to retreat from Boonville if Lyon's army showed up, but he became ill with dysentary and traveled on to Lexington where more militia forces were gathering, leaving the governor in charge. Jackson, fearing the political price of another retreat, decided to have the showdown at Boonville.
Lyon's army of 1700, two volunteer brigades, a company of regulars and an artillery battery, advanced down the Rocheport Road toward Boonville. They ran into Colonel John Marmaduke's regiment of militia, some 500 men, positioned around a house, its outbuildings and a wheat field. Union artillery fire drove the militiamen back, but they quickly regrouped on a nearby ridge. More artillery fire drove the militiamen back through their camp to the fairgrounds east of town. Supported by fire from an eight-inch howitzer aboard the
Augustus McDowell on the nearby Missouri River, the Union forces flanked the line of militia and the retreat quickly turned into a rout. The militia disintegrated; the men scattering in all directions.
The bulk of the fighting lasted less than thirty minutes and casualties were light on both sides, but the consequences were huge. The Union army now had control of the Missouri River and much of the state, including the state capital. Although the fighting in Missouri would continue throughout much of the war, Governor Claiborne Jackson's dream of putting the state in the Confederacy were over. Much of the militia would retreat with Jackson to the extreme southwestern corner of the state and attempt to regroup.
Also on this date, in Greenville, Tennessee, delegates met in a convention to discuss ways to keep east Tennessee in the Union.
The pro-Unionists of East Tennessee followed a script that was very similar to the one the pro-Unionists of western Virginia followed. The main difference was that the Tennesseans did not have a Union army nearby to help them out.
The east Tennesseans met in Knoxville on May 30-31 to protest Governor Isham Harris's efforts to align the state with the Confederacy. One of their biggest grievances was that Harris had called for a statewide referendum on June 8 to approve an "Ordinance of Secession," skipping a convention to debate the issue. After many speeches condemning the governor and the state legislature for their disregard of the U.S. Constitution, the delegates agreed to meet again if Tennessee voters approved secession.
The Greeneville convention got underway on June 17. The first two days were spent mainly on organizing the convention, debating voting rules, and speechmaking. On the third day, the delegates heard two similar sets of resolutions. The first called for the formation of military companies, and pledged retaliation if any convention members were harmed or if the region were occupied by Confederate forces. The second set of resolutions was less violent in nature, mainly resolving to send a memorial to the state legislature seeking its consent for the region to form a separate state.
The second set of resolutions was adopted after much debate. The memorial was sent to the legislature, which rejected the convention's bid for statehood. The legislature promised not to pass any conscription laws, but the governor sent Confederate troops into the region to protect secessionists there. Many delegates fled to the north or went into hiding.
In other news, in Washington, Thaddeus S. C. Lowe ascended in a tethered balloon some 500 feet above the White House to demonstrate the effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance. Using a telegraph set he communicated with Lincoln, "I have the pleasure of sending you this first dispatch ever telegraphed from an aerial station..." In July 1861, Lowe would be named Chief Aeronaut of the Union Army Balloon Corps. He made several successful observations, but disputes over his operations and his pay forced his resignation in 1863.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
150 Years Ago: Lyon Captures Jefferson City
Image via WikipediaOn Friday, June 14, 1861, Union General Nathaniel Lyon captured the Missouri capital, Jefferson City, without a fight. Governor Claiborne Jackson and General Sterling Price fled south to Boonville, where the state militia were gathered. Jackson's administration was now a government-in-exile; Lyon had seized the machinery of the state government.
In a meeting earlier in the week that had been set up to attempt to bring some peace to Missouri, Lyon had declared war on the pro-Southern forces in the state led by Jackson and Price. The seizure of the capital was just the first step. He would, with barely a pause, move on to Boonville to battle the state militia forces there.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
150 Years Ago: A Meeting in St. Louis
On Tuesday, June 11, 1861, moderates in Missouri arranged a meeting between Union General Nathaniel Lyon, Frank Blair, Governor Claiborne Jackson and Sterling Price in St. Louis to try to keep the conflict from spreading in the state. They met around 11 a.m. at the Planter's House hotel. The meeting lasted for four or five hours and was very stormy; the two sides had opposing goals and neither trusted the other.
At first, Lyon deferred to Blair, his political counterpart, but as the meeting progressed and grew more contentious Lyon became more outspoken. For a short time it seemed like an uneasy ceasefire between the two sides might be established. Governor Jackson offered to disband Price's pro-Southern state guards and remain neutral if the Federals would disband the pro-Unionist St. Louis home guards and promise not to move troops into any part of the state not already occupied by Federal soldiers.
Lyon refused, demanding that the militia be disbanded but refusing to disband the home guards. Then declared,
Also on this date: The Wheeling Convention
At first, Lyon deferred to Blair, his political counterpart, but as the meeting progressed and grew more contentious Lyon became more outspoken. For a short time it seemed like an uneasy ceasefire between the two sides might be established. Governor Jackson offered to disband Price's pro-Southern state guards and remain neutral if the Federals would disband the pro-Unionist St. Louis home guards and promise not to move troops into any part of the state not already occupied by Federal soldiers.
Lyon refused, demanding that the militia be disbanded but refusing to disband the home guards. Then declared,
"Rather than concede to the State of Missouri the right to demand that my government shall not enlist troops within her limits, or bring troops into the State whenever it pleases, or move troops at its own will into, out of, or through the State; rather than concede to the State of Missouri for one single instant the right to dictate to my government in any matter, however unimportant, I would see you, and you, and you, and you, [pointing to each man in the room] and every man, woman, and child in the State dead and buried. This means war. In an hour one of my officers will call for you and conduct you out of my lines."Rather than wait for the escort out, Jackson and Price left immediately for the capital, Jefferson City. On the way, Jackson ordered the destruction of key bridges and telegraph lines. He also issued a proclamation calling for 50,000 militia:
"Rise, then, and drive out ignominiously the invaders who have dared to desecrate the soil which your labors have made fruitful, and which is consecrated by your homes."Lyon quickly had his troops on the move toward the capital.
Also on this date: The Wheeling Convention
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
150 Years Ago -- The St. Louis Riot
Image via WikipediaOn Friday, May 10, 1861, the situation in St. Louis turned violent.
Union General Nathaniel Lyon, with two companies of regulars and several thousand German Home Guards, surrounded the state militia at Camp Jackson and demanded their surrender.
The militia protested, but had no choice but to surrender. Soon the 639 enlisted men and five officers were marched through St. Louis to the arsenal to be paroled. A crowd gathered to see what was going on, and when they saw the prisoners surrounded by the hated Dutchmen, they became more and more hostile, and soon erupted into violence.
From The Coming Fury by Bruce Catton:
"A woman screamed 'They've got my lover!' and ran close to spit on one of the guards; the guard turned on her with his bayonet and chased her down the street, wholly ignoring the storied sanctity of Southern womanhood. A drunken man with a revolver tried to break through the cordon, was pushed violently away, and began to fire, wounding an officer. Some of the Germans fired in reply; then the column wavered to a halt and suddenly the firing was general. In the beginning, it was said that most of the soldiers fired in the air, but this did not last long, and many of the bullets found human targets. In a little open square (William Tecumseh) Sherman stood watching with his small son at his side. When the firing began, he pulled the boy to the ground and lay over him to protect him; he estimated that at least 100 bullets passed over them before the firing died down. Smoke clouds drifting across the pavement veiled the movement of running men and women, and there was a wild uproar of musket fire, shouts, screams, hoarse cries of command, and the clatter of hurrying feet."
When it was over, at least 28 people -- civilians, soldiers and prisoners -- were dead.
"St. Louis was a wild town that night. Thousands of people were on the streets, asking for news, prepared to make news on their own account. Groups paraded back and forth, shouting, brandishing weapons, now and then firing in the darkness, some carrying the United States flag, others bearing the flag of the Confederacy. Proprietors of saloons, restaurants, and theaters prudently shut up shop, fearing a general riot. A store selling firearms was raided, and fifteen or twenty rifles were carried off before the police could disperse the mob. Somehow, general rioting was averted, but trouble broke out afresh the next day when one of the German regiments, marching from the arsenal to its mustering place, fell afoul of an angry crowd at Fifth and Walnut streets. In the senseless firing that resulted, from six to twelve persons were killed -- some of them, it was believed, soldiers hit by wild shots fired by their own comrades."
At Jefferson City, the state capital, the legislature was in session. They leaned toward the Union until the news arrived from St. Louis. Suddenly, they were vehemently pro-Confederate. They passed a bill authorizing Governor Claiborne Jackson to spend two million dollars to repel invasion. The bill also put every able-bodied man in the state in the militia, gave Jackson the power to appoint all militia officers, and made criticism of the governor an offense that could be punished by court-martial.
They adjourned for the evening, but were called back into an emergency session around midnight. The rumor was that 2000 Federal troops were on the way from St. Louis to capture the capital.
"That midnight session was eerie; tense, shadowed, poised halfway between the desperate and the ludicrous. Almost everybody came to the meeting armed, some men excessively so. Rifles were stacked in the aisles, or leaned against desks; some members sat in their places with guns between their knees, and some wore heavy belts to which were fastened revolvers and bowie knives; and there were armed guards at the doors. The tension was allayed when it became known that the Osage bridge, which must be crossed by any despotic Dutch levies that intended to enter Jefferson City, had been burned. There would be a breathing spell, then. The solons voted to send the state treasure to some safe place out of town, voted to do the same with the state's supply of powder, and then adjourned for the night, their weapons unused. In the morning it was learned that the march on the capital was not taking place after all."
Lyon's actions kept Missouri in the Union, but put the entire state in an uproar. Suddenly everyone was choosing sides, and many of those who had been for the Union before were changing sides. Among these was Sterling Price, a leading citizen of the state, a former governor, former Congressman, and Mexican War veteran. Jackson commissioned him a brigadier general and put him in command of the militia.
Monday, May 09, 2011
150 Years Ago -- Lyon's Ride
Image via WikipediaOne of those strange, weird, seriocomic episodes of the war occurred on Thursday, May 9, 1861. Union General Nathaniel Lyon, disguised as a woman, took a ride through Camp Jackson, searching for signs of subversion and rebellion.
Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson was planning to take the state out of the Union, and wanted to capture the St. Louis Arsenal in the process. He assembled the state militia on the outskirts of St. Louis, ostensibly for drill and instruction. The plan was for the militia to capture the arsenal using some cannons sent by Jefferson Davis. The militia named their encampment Camp Jackson in honor of the governor.
Lyon had figured out the plot though. By the time the guns arrived, the muskets in the arsenal were gone. Now, Lyon was determined to close down Camp Jackson. But first, he needed to do a little reconnaissance.
Although Camp Jackson was open to all, and Lyon could have easily strolled through the place without much trouble, he dressed himself in an improbable disguise. Lyon, who had a full beard and a head full of bright, bushy red hair, dressed in a black dress and veil, got into a buggy with a black coachman, and had himself driven through the camp. If anyone asked, he was Frank Blair's mother-in-law out to see the sights.
When his trip was complete, Lyon was more determined than ever to stamp out this nest of rebellion as quickly as possible.
Sunday, May 08, 2011
150 Years Ago -- Jeff Davis's Guns Arrive
On Wednesday, May 8, 1861, the guns Jefferson Davis sent to Missouri finally arrived -- too late to do any good.
Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson was trying to take his state out of the Union. He had his eye on capturing the St. Louis Arsenal for the Confederate cause as well, and had hatched a plot with Jefferson Davis. Jackson would assemble the militia for drill near the arsenal; Davis would send artillery pieces to help them capture it. The guns arrived too late. Most of arms the Confederacy coveted had already been removed.
Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson was trying to take his state out of the Union. He had his eye on capturing the St. Louis Arsenal for the Confederate cause as well, and had hatched a plot with Jefferson Davis. Jackson would assemble the militia for drill near the arsenal; Davis would send artillery pieces to help them capture it. The guns arrived too late. Most of arms the Confederacy coveted had already been removed.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
150 Years Ago -- the Department of the Ohio
On Friday, May 3, 1861, the U.S. War Department created the Department of the Ohio, organizing the troops being raised in the Northern states near the Ohio River -- Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. George McClellan, a West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, was named as its first commander.
Also on this date, in Washington, Lincoln expanded his call for troops. He had called for 75,000 militia in his war proclamation on April 15. Now he was calling for 42,000 more. He also directed that the regular army by increased by over 22,000 and the Navy by 18,000. As Congress was not yet in session, he did this without their approval.
In Missouri, Governor Claiborne Jackson addressed the state legislature which he had called into special session. Jackson, who was toiling to take the state (and the St. Louis Arsenal) out of the Union, told the legislators that Missouri should remain neutral for the present, but should start arming for its own defense.
Also on this date, in Washington, Lincoln expanded his call for troops. He had called for 75,000 militia in his war proclamation on April 15. Now he was calling for 42,000 more. He also directed that the regular army by increased by over 22,000 and the Navy by 18,000. As Congress was not yet in session, he did this without their approval.
In Missouri, Governor Claiborne Jackson addressed the state legislature which he had called into special session. Jackson, who was toiling to take the state (and the St. Louis Arsenal) out of the Union, told the legislators that Missouri should remain neutral for the present, but should start arming for its own defense.
Monday, April 25, 2011
150 Years Ago -- Strange Times in Washington, Missouri and Tennessee
Thursday, April 25, 1861
Washington had been in a state of siege since the Baltimore riot on April 19. Railroads and telegraph lines to the capital had been cut, isolating it from the rest of the nation. No orders could get out; the only news that could get in was rumors -- mostly of an impending Rebel invasion.
The 6th Massachusetts Regiment had made it through the riot to Washington, but now the capital was cut off. More troops were on the way, but there was no news of them. Inspecting the troops that had been wounded in the riot, a despondent Lincoln told them, "I don't believe there is any North. The 7th (New York) Regiment is a myth. Rhode Island is not known in our geography any longer. You are the only Northern realities."
The 8th Massachusetts Regiment, led by General Benjamin Butler, had followed closely on the hills of the 6th Massachusetts. Hearing of the disturbance in Baltimore, Butler had detrained his regiment, the 8th Massachusetts, at the head of Chesapeake Bay, commandeered a steamboat, and headed for Annapolis, Maryland. After a short delay coming ashore, these troops were put to work reopening a route to Washington, repairing the railroad and the equipment.
The first troops sent forward were the 7th New York. They entered Washington on April 25, followed closely by troops from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The route was open and Washington's siege was lifted.
Missouri would get out of hand very quickly. The governor, Claiborne Jackson, was trying to take the state out of the Union. In fact, he had worked out a plot with Jefferson Davis to capture the St. Louis Arsenal. Davis was sending cannons. Jackson would call the state militia into camp for drill and instruction. They would camp near the arsenal and take the facility when the cannons arrived.
Frank Blair and Nathaniel Lyon were determined to keep the state in the Union. Blair, the youngest son of the prominent Blair family, had begun forming his own militia, the Unionist Home Guard, composed mainly of German immigrants. Lyon, the commander of the arsenal's garrison, was temporarily in command of the Department of the West. General William Harney had been called away to Washington. Lyon quickly began inducting Blair's Germans into the United States Army.
Blair and Lyon knew that Jackson was after the arsenal. It was one of the most important military installations in the country -- a large complex dedicated to the manufacture and storage of arms and munitions. They would soon take very proactive steps to keep it out of the hands of the Confederates.
Illinois Governor Richard Yates enters the story on this date. He too was worried about the security of the arsenal. Working with Blair and Lyon, he sent Illinois militia into Missouri. On the night of April 25, they removed 20,000 muskets and 110,000 cartridges and transported them to the Springfield Armory. Blair kept enough of the muskets to arm the Home Guard.
On February 9, voters in Tennessee had voted against holding a convention to consider secession. Now, after Fort Sumter and Lincoln's call for troops, the sentiment had changed. Most of the Unionism in the state had simply evaporated.
Governor Isham Harris called the legislature into special session on this date. He recommended that the legislators declare Tennessee independence and enter into an alliance with the Confederacy. He also proposed that they pass "such legislation as will put the State upon war footing immediately." The legislature went into secret session to consider Governor Harris's proposals.
Washington had been in a state of siege since the Baltimore riot on April 19. Railroads and telegraph lines to the capital had been cut, isolating it from the rest of the nation. No orders could get out; the only news that could get in was rumors -- mostly of an impending Rebel invasion.
The 6th Massachusetts Regiment had made it through the riot to Washington, but now the capital was cut off. More troops were on the way, but there was no news of them. Inspecting the troops that had been wounded in the riot, a despondent Lincoln told them, "I don't believe there is any North. The 7th (New York) Regiment is a myth. Rhode Island is not known in our geography any longer. You are the only Northern realities."
The 8th Massachusetts Regiment, led by General Benjamin Butler, had followed closely on the hills of the 6th Massachusetts. Hearing of the disturbance in Baltimore, Butler had detrained his regiment, the 8th Massachusetts, at the head of Chesapeake Bay, commandeered a steamboat, and headed for Annapolis, Maryland. After a short delay coming ashore, these troops were put to work reopening a route to Washington, repairing the railroad and the equipment.
The first troops sent forward were the 7th New York. They entered Washington on April 25, followed closely by troops from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The route was open and Washington's siege was lifted.
Missouri would get out of hand very quickly. The governor, Claiborne Jackson, was trying to take the state out of the Union. In fact, he had worked out a plot with Jefferson Davis to capture the St. Louis Arsenal. Davis was sending cannons. Jackson would call the state militia into camp for drill and instruction. They would camp near the arsenal and take the facility when the cannons arrived.
Frank Blair and Nathaniel Lyon were determined to keep the state in the Union. Blair, the youngest son of the prominent Blair family, had begun forming his own militia, the Unionist Home Guard, composed mainly of German immigrants. Lyon, the commander of the arsenal's garrison, was temporarily in command of the Department of the West. General William Harney had been called away to Washington. Lyon quickly began inducting Blair's Germans into the United States Army.
Blair and Lyon knew that Jackson was after the arsenal. It was one of the most important military installations in the country -- a large complex dedicated to the manufacture and storage of arms and munitions. They would soon take very proactive steps to keep it out of the hands of the Confederates.
Illinois Governor Richard Yates enters the story on this date. He too was worried about the security of the arsenal. Working with Blair and Lyon, he sent Illinois militia into Missouri. On the night of April 25, they removed 20,000 muskets and 110,000 cartridges and transported them to the Springfield Armory. Blair kept enough of the muskets to arm the Home Guard.
On February 9, voters in Tennessee had voted against holding a convention to consider secession. Now, after Fort Sumter and Lincoln's call for troops, the sentiment had changed. Most of the Unionism in the state had simply evaporated.
Governor Isham Harris called the legislature into special session on this date. He recommended that the legislators declare Tennessee independence and enter into an alliance with the Confederacy. He also proposed that they pass "such legislation as will put the State upon war footing immediately." The legislature went into secret session to consider Governor Harris's proposals.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
150 Years Ago: Replies
On Tuesday, April 16, 1861, William Brownlow, the editor of the Knoxville Whig, came up with one of the more memorable quotes of the war, writing that he would "fight the Secessionist leaders till Hell froze over, and then fight them on the ice."
The replies to Lincoln's call for militia began coming in. The news from Fort Sumter had triggered a wave of patriotism in the North. The governors were quick to offer their support and soon had more recruits than they could use.
The border states were a different matter though. Lincoln's call for troops was seen as "coercion" of their Southern brethren. The governors replied negatively to Lincoln's call and began making plans to leave the Union themselves.
Virginia Governor John Letcher:
Kentucky Governor Beriah Magoffin:
North Carolina Governor John Ellis:
Tennessee Governor Isham Harris:
Arkansas Governor Henry Rector:
Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson:
The replies to Lincoln's call for militia began coming in. The news from Fort Sumter had triggered a wave of patriotism in the North. The governors were quick to offer their support and soon had more recruits than they could use.
The border states were a different matter though. Lincoln's call for troops was seen as "coercion" of their Southern brethren. The governors replied negatively to Lincoln's call and began making plans to leave the Union themselves.
Virginia Governor John Letcher:
In reply to this communication, I have only to say that the militia of Virginia will not be furnished to the powers at Washington for any such use or purpose as they have in view. Your object is to subjugate the Southern States, and a requisition made upon me for such an object -- an object, in my judgment, not within the purview of the Constitution or the act of 1795 -- will not be complied with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil war, and having done so, we will meet it in a spirit as determined as the Administration has exhibited towards the South.
Kentucky Governor Beriah Magoffin:
I say, emphatically, Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister Southern states.
North Carolina Governor John Ellis:
Your dispatch is received, and if genuine which its extraordinary character leads one to doubt, I have to say in reply, that I regard the levy of troops made by the Administration for the purposes of subjugating the States of the South, as in violation of the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be no part to this wicked violation of the laws of the Country and to this war upon the liberties of a free people. You can get no troops from North Carolina.
Tennessee Governor Isham Harris:
Tennessee will not furnish a single man for the purposes of coercion but 50,000 if necessary for the defence of our rights and those of our Southern brothers.
Arkansas Governor Henry Rector:
In answer to your requisition for troops from Arkansas to subjugate the Southern States, I have to say that none will be furnished. The demand is only adding insult to injury. The people of this commonwealth are freemen, not slaves, and will defend, to the last extremity, their honor, lives and property against Northern mendacity and usurpation.
Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson:
Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and revolutionary in its object, inhuman and diabolical, and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on any such unholy crusade.
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