American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

March 23, 1861 Saturday
Fort Chadbourne, Texas was abandoned by Federals. The state of Texas ratified the Confederate Constitution: yeas 68, neas 2.

Brigadier General Edwin Vose Sumner, USA, is assigned to command of the Department of the Pacific.

President Lincoln receives no visitors today. Cabinet meets in long session; presumably discusses affairs of state.


March 24, 1861 Sunday
Nothing of consequence occurred.


Edwin Vose Sumner

Sumner was born in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1819, after losing interest in a mercantile career in Troy, New York, he entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant in the 2nd US Infantry Regiment.

He married Hannah Wickersham Foster (1804–1880) on March 31, 1822. They had six children together: Nancy, Margaret Foster, Sarah Montgomery, Mary Heron, Edwin Vose Jr., and Samuel Storrow Sumner. His son Samuel was a general during the Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion, and the Philippine-American War. Sumner's daughter, Mary Heron, married General Armistead L. Long in 1860.

Sumner later served in the Black Hawk War and in various Indian campaigns. On March 4, 1833, he was promoted to the rank of captain and assigned to command B Company, the U.S. Dragoon Regiment (later First US Dragoons), immediately upon its creation by Congress.

In 1838, he commanded the cavalry instructional establishment at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. He was assigned to Ft. Atkinson, Iowa Territory, from 1842 until 1845. He was promoted to major of the 2nd Dragoons on June 30, 1846. During the Mexican-American War, Sumner was brevetted for bravery at the Battle of Cerro Gordo (to lieutenant colonel). At the Molino del Rey he received the brevet rank of colonel. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 1st US Dragoons on July 23, 1848. He served as the military governor of the New Mexico Territory from 1851–53, and was promoted to colonel of the 1st U.S. Cavalry on March 3, 1855.

In 1856 Sumner commanded Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and became involved in the crisis known as Bleeding Kansas. In 1857, as commander of the 1st Cavalry Regiment (1855), he led a punitive expedition against the Cheyenne, and in 1858 he commanded the Department of the West. Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott assigned Sumner as the senior officer to accompany President-elect Abraham Lincoln from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C., in March 1861.

In February 1861, Brig. Gen. David E. Twiggs was dismissed from the Army for treason by outgoing U.S. President James Buchanan, and on March 12, 1861, Sumner was nominated by the newly inaugurated Lincoln to replace Twiggs as one of only three brigadier generals in the regular army, with date of rank March 16. Sumner was thus the first new Union general created by the secession crisis. He was then sent to replace Brig. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, then in command of the Department of the Pacific in California, and thus took no part in the 1861 campaigns of the war.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

March 25, 1861 Monday
Rumors and reports from Charleston were thick; the crisis was not only mounting but becoming somewhat muddled. Col. Ward Hill Lamon, acting as a messenger for the Federal government, conferred with Gov. Pickens and Gen. Beauregard.

Having returned to Washington, Fox reported his assessment of Sumter's condition to Lincoln. He affirmed the feasibility of his plan, noting that at night it would be impossible to see small landing boats before they reached the fort. He confirmed that Anderson's troops were getting short of provisions, and set April 15 noon as the deadline for resupplying them.

Over the next few days, Fox met "frequently" with Lincoln, cabinet members, and military authorities. He answered the objections of army officers like Scott, who considered a relief expedition impracticable, and presented testimony from high ranking navy officers that supported his case. During one of these discussions, Fox cautioned that valuable time was being lost and that he "ought to be allowed to take the preparatory steps if there was any possibility of sending it out."

Meanwhile news of Fox's report became public by the 27th.

The Federal ship, U.S.S. General Rusk, arrived in Key West today with a complement of 300 men for service at Fort Jefferson ( Dry Tortugas ) and in the city.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

March 26, 1861 Tuesday
President Lincoln met with his Cabinet nearly the whole morning concerning the growing crisis and at night with Secs. Seward and Welles, and Sens. Harris (N.Y.) and Preston King (N.Y.) at state dept. to discuss appointments.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

March 27, 1861 Wednesday
Stephen A. Hurlbut, back in Washington from a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, reported to President Lincoln. There was in South Carolina and Charleston "no attachment to the Union . . . . positively nothing to appeal to." A separate southern nationality was an "established fact." Equally conclusive was Hurlbut's appraisal of the Confederacy's designs on Forts Sumter and Pickens. He had "no doubt" that southern forces would repulse any type of relief effort, even a ship containing only provisions and no troops. Even if the government abandoned Sumter, the crisis would continue as the South would "demand" Pickens and the remaining federal forts in Florida. Thus, any attempt to maintain and enforce federal authority within the limits of the Confederacy would mean "War, in fact, War in which the seceding States will be united and the others disunited." Hurlbut's traveling associate, Ward H. Lamon, agreed with Hurlbut's assessment. South Carolina was being swept by a madness that was hurrying the masses into open rebellion. According to Lamon's Carolina sources, war could be avoided only if the federal government acquiesced in peaceable secession and refused to reinforce its southern forts. Any attempt to reinforce Sumter would bring "the tocsin of war."

Chevalier Joseph Bertinatti, chargé d'Affaires from Italy presents credentials; President returns good wishes. Lincoln interviews W. H. P. Denny of Dayton, Ohio, who applies for position of postmaster. Mrs. Lincoln and friends visit Mount Vernon, home of George Washington.

Beauregard advised Jefferson Davis the evacuation of Fort Sumter "ought to be decided upon in a few days." He recommended that "this state of uncertainty ought not to last longer than is necessary to have all our preparations made to compel ... a surrender, should the United States Government not be willing to withdraw ... peacebly."

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

March 28, 1861 Thursday
Cassius M. Clay calls at White House and declines appointment to Spain; decides to accept St. Petersburg post and receives thanks of President. Carl Schurz calls at White House and learns he is appointed minister to Spain. President Lincoln submitted some fifty appointments to the Senate before it adjourned and held his first state dinner for cabinet and special guests including Gen. Scott. Sometime during this day, General Scott advised Lincoln not only to evacuate Fort Sumter, but also Fort Pickens in order to avert war. In a memorandum, Scott reasoned that if Sumter alone were abandoned, it would be attributed to "necessity," rather than a willingness to conciliate the South. Only "the evacuation of both the forts would instantly soothe and give confidence to the eight remaining slave-holding States, and render their cordial adherence to this Union perpetual." The "liberality of the act," Scott argued, might also induce the seceding states to return. This same day, Lincoln, still weighing Fox's remarks, requested him to prepare a list of the ships, men, and supplies he would need. Fox immediately returned a list of requirements for both the army and navy. That evening, following the state dinner, Lincoln gathered his cabinet to inform them of General Scott's new position. They unanimously dissented from Scott's advice to abandon Pickens. Montgomery Blair accused Scott of "playing politician," by offering a political rather than military assessment of the situation. Lincoln then called a formal cabinet meeting for the next day to consider the entire situation.

Gov. Pickens told the South Carolina Convention that six hundred men would be needed to hold the Charleston Harbor forts.


March 29, 1861 Friday
With a critical cabinet meeting scheduled for this day, President Lincoln passed a sleepless night and arose on this Good Friday feeling "in the dumps." The cabinet meeting began at noon. “I desire that an expedition, to move by sea, be got ready to sail as early as the 6th of April next” to attempt to resupply and perhaps reinforce Fort Sumter – President Lincoln had made his decision after many opinions and consultations. Forts Sumter and Pickens would be held. The Cabinet had reversed its stand – Seward was still against trying to hold the fort; Chase and Welles were in favor of holding and reinforcing; Smith was still in favor of evacuation; Blair remained in favor of holding on, and Bates wrote, “I think the time is come either to evacuate or relieve it.” Thus opinion was in large part changed. Where previously the vote had been five to two against holding on, it was now three to two in favor, with Bates hedging and Cameron not recorded. President and Sec. Seward interview Capt. Montgomery C. Meigs on possibility of relieving Fort Pickens, Fla.

Mississippi ratified the Confederate Constitution.

Austin, March 29, 1861

Dear Sir:

I have received intelligence that you have or will soon receive orders to consantrate [sic] United States troops under your command at Indianola in this State, to sustain me in the exercise of my official functions.

Allow me most respectfully to decline any such assistance of the United States Government, and to most earnestly protest against the consentration [sic] of troops or fortifications in Texas; and request that you remove all such troops out of this State at the earliest day practicable, or at any rate, by all means take no actions towards a hostile movement till further orders by the Government at Washington City or particularly of Texas.

Thine
(signed) Sam Houston

To
Col Waite of
U.S. Army,
San Antonio,
Texas.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

March 30, 1861 Saturday
President Lincoln announces visiting hours from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. The President again discusses California appointments with Sen. Baker (Oreg.) and James W. Simonton, Washington representative of San Francisco "Bulletin," who opposes Baker. Simonton makes personal remarks about Baker and offends President, who throws Simonton's list of appointments in fire. Mrs. Lincoln establishes White House "at home" between 2 and 4 P.M. each Saturday until further notice. President Lincoln writes to Illinois State Auditor Jesse K. Dubois, who is "sorely disappointed" that Lincoln did not name J. P. Luse to head Minnesota's Indian Affairs office. Lincoln explains, "I was . . . sorry . . . at not being able to give Mr. Luce the appointment . . . Of course I could have done it; but it would have been against the united, earnest, and, I add, angry protest of the republican delegation of Minnesota. . . So far as I understand, it is unprecedented, [to] send an officer into a state against the wishes of the members of congress of the State, and of the same party." Troubled over suggested appointment of "Lizzie" (Elizabeth Todd Grimsley), cousin of Mrs. Lincoln, to Springfield post office, Lincoln writes former law partner, John T. Stuart: "Will it do for me to go on and justify the declaration that Trumbull and I have divided out all the offices among our relatives?"


Colonel Robert E. Lee

Early in the evening of March 1, 1861, Robert E. Lee arrived at Arlington. How he returned from Texas is not known; probably taking a steam vessel from Indianola (Corpus Christi today) he no doubt traveled first to New Orleans, where he either took trains to cross the country, or took a steamer to New York and then a train down to Washington. Several weeks after his return to Arlington, he received a letter from Lorenzo Thomas, the temporary Adjutant General of the Army, informing him of an offer from Secretary of War Cameron tendering to him a commission as colonel in the First Cavalry Regiment. Lee accepted the commission on March 30, 1861.

Lee’s return from Texas raised some eyebrows: A year earlier, Brigadier General David E. Twiggs, a hero in the War with Mexico, had been in command of the Department of Texas. In December 1859, due to advanced age and acute illness, Twiggs, a native Georgian, left Texas on a leave of absence, taking up residence in New Orleans. Lee took his place. On November 7, 1860, just as Lincoln was elected president, General Scott ordered Twiggs back to duty. In December 1860, Twiggs arrived at Army headquarters in San Antonio and relieved Lee of the department’s command. Lee then removed himself to the headquarters of the Second Cavalry Regiment at Fort Mason, a hundred and forty miles away.

The question was asked at the time: Why should Robert E. Lee, sound of mind and body, be relieved at such a perilous moment and Twiggs, a true invalid, pushed in his place? The answer given, is that either the secessionists wanted Lee out of command, or Lee, himself, wanted out of the command. In either event, General Scott accommodated him, by ordering him to report to Washington by March 30th. And, as Lee left Texas for the journey east, Twiggs surrendered the Army’s posts and materiel in Texas, to the secessionists

It is inconceivable, given what is known about Lee, that, had he remained in command of the Department of Texas when the secessionists came to San Antonio in force, he would have surrendered the military post and its stores to the secessionists. Presumably, Lee would have acted as Major Robert Anderson was acting in command at Fort Sumter. Lee would have probably resisted the secessionists’ effort to take possession of the military post and its stores with force of arms.

Had this happened, it seems likely to have placed him, in the public eye, clearly in support of the Union’s effort to coerce the seceded states and made him a political liability in the eyes of Southern leaders, making him unacceptable as a commander of Confederate forces. A reasonable suspicion arises from this that the Southern politicians, led by then Secretary of War, John Floyd, of Virginia, may have induced General Scott to order Twiggs back to duty; indeed, Twiggs may well have returned to duty, prompted to do so by the politicians; for no sooner had Twiggs arrived in San Antonio than he was peppering Scott with messages seeking to be relieved. Scott accommodated Twiggs by ordering Colonel C.A. Waite, commanding the First Infantry Regiment at Camp Verde, to assume Twiggs’s position. Waite arrived at San Antonio on February 18, just after Twiggs surrendered the post and a day after Lee had passed through the town on his way to the coast to take passage home. Why was it necessary to do this, when Lee was already in command? Some would say there had been treachery in Texas.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

March 31, 1861 Sunday
President Lincoln summons Capt. Meigs and instructs him to prepare, in conjunction with Col. Erasmus D. Keyes, military secretary to Gen. Scott, a project for relief of Fort Pickens, Fla. Meigs and Keyes report to President with plans for relief of Fort Pickens. Lincoln, after discussing plans, orders them to go to Scott with instructions that the President wishes this thing done without fail. Scott added only a few details, and the project was "definitely adopted." At the same time it was rumored in Washington that Fort Sumter would be evacuated. So at least did the Confederate commissioners believe after their contacts with Seward through Justice John A. Campbell. Lincoln, of course, had made his decision to maintain Federal hold on the fort.

In Texas, Fort Bliss was yielded by the Federals.

Secretary of the Navy Welles ordered 250 men transferred from New York to the Navy Yard at Norfolk, Virginia.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 1, 1861 Monday
President Lincoln was still much involved with various Federal appointments, compiling lists, and writing memoranda. He signed an order to fit out U.S.S. Powhatan, upon the advice of Sec. of State Seward, to go to sea at the earliest possible moment under sealed orders which were apparently issued unknown to the Navy Department. It became a confused situation in which Powhatan was kept out the Fort Sumter expedition. The vessel was not to be used to reinforce Fort Pickens in Florida. This confusion culminated in the firing upon Fort Sumter by Confederate forces several days later and there is much debate as to whether the confusion was intentional or accidental (for the conspiracy theory see http://americancivilwar.com/authors/Jos ... -1861.html ).

This same day Seward sent Mr. Lincoln “Some thoughts for the President’s consideration.” The “thoughts” were really policies for the President to follow and virtually suggested that Seward be allowed to act as a prime minister in carrying out foreign policy and actions against the Confederacy. He advised changing the question from one of slavery to Union or disunion. He would terminate the Federal occupation of Fort Sumter, but maintain the other forts. At the same time Seward proposed demanding “explanations” for alleged hemispheric interference from Spain, France, Great Britain, and Russia, and suggested sending agents into Canada, Mexico, and Central America to create a “spirit of independence.” If satisfactory “explanations” were not received from Spain and France, he would ask Congress to declare war, hoping this would reunite the nation. The President drafted a reply, but it is not clear whether it was given to Seward or not. He probably did discuss the paper orally. Mr. Lincoln could not see the distinction between Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens. As to handling policy, the President tactfully affirmed that he, not Seward, was President.

President Lincoln writes to Gen. Scott: "Would it impose too much labor on General Scott to make short, comprehensive daily reports to me of what occurs in his Department?"

Confederate General Braxton E. Bragg reported that he has 1,116 men under his command at Pensacola and that his forces were busy fortifying Forts McRea, Barrancas, and in the areas around the lighthouse and naval hospital.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 2, 1861 Tuesday
President Lincoln and his family spend two hours at Washington Navy Yard and receive a 21-gun salute. During an afternoon drive, Mr. Lincoln visits military barracks. Lincoln directs Sec. Seward to pay Capt. Meigs $10,000 "from the secret service fund" before Meigs leaves on expedition to reinforce Fort Pickens, Fla.

A large contingent of Confederate troops arrived in Pensacola today to augment the forces under the command of General Braxton E. Bragg.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 3, 1861 Wednesday
The Cabinet of President Lincoln met to discuss the Fort Sumter crisis and the President sent Allan B, Magruder to Richmond to arrange possible talks between Lincoln and Virginia unionists, preferably former Cong. George W. Summers (Va.). President attends wedding of Commandant Franklin Buchanan's (USN) daughter at Navy Yard, but arrives too late for ceremony. Col. Keyes interviewed by President, who signs blanket order authorizing him to organize expedition to Fort Pickens, Fla.

At Morris Island in Charleston Harbor a Confederate battery fired on the American schooner Rhoda H. Shannon.

The South Carolina State Convention ratified the Constitution of the Confederate States 114 to 16.

A "test vote" in the Virginia convention shows a 2-1 margin against secession.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 4, 1861 Thursday
The Virginia State Convention meeting in Richmond rejected 89 to 45 a motion to pass an ordinance of secession and submit it to the people.

In Washington President Lincoln held a secret meeting with John B. Baldwin, Virginia unionist, in which he reportedly considered surrendering Fort Sumter in exchange for Virginia’s loyalty but rejects it. The President also informed Gustavus Vasa Fox that the expedition to Fort Sumter would be sent, and drafted a letter, signed by Sec. of War Cameron, to Maj. Robert Anderson that “the expedition will go forward, …” The President hoped that Anderson could hold out until April 11 or 12, when the expedition would attempt to provision the fort, and if there was resistance “will endeavor also to reinforce you.” It was desired that Anderson hold out, but the decision would be up to him.

Officers and crewmen of the U.S.S. Powhatan, who have been on shore leave in Pensacola, were ordered back to their ship as the Federal warship prepares to depart the port.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 5, 1861 Friday
Federal forces gave up Fort Quitman, Texas, another in a long series of such actions. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Welles ordered U.S.S. Powhatan, Pawnee, Pocahontas, and Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane to provision Fort Sumter, but Powhatan had already headed for Fort Pickens.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 6, 1861 Saturday
President Lincoln sent State Department Clerk Robert S. Chew to Charleston, S.C., to deliver to Governor Pickens the message that an attempt would be made to supply Fort Sumter with provisions only, and that if there was no resistance, no reinforcement would be made. Capt. Theodore Talbot, who had just returned from Fort Sumter, accompanied Chew. Mr. Lincoln also learned that the plans to reinforce Fort Pickens, Fla., with Regular Army troops had not been carried out. The Federal naval commander had refused because of lack of direct orders canceling an agreement of the Buchanan administration not to land troops. A special messenger was instructed by Washington at once to carry orders for the landing of troops. Secretary of State Seward was directed by the President to restore Powhatan to the expedition to Fort Sumter, but it was too late to countermand its orders to go to Fort Pickens. The President conferred with governors of Indiana, Ohio, Maine, and Pennsylvania about military status of militia, and once more with Virginia unionists who want assurances that Forts Sumter, S.C., and Pickens, Fla., will be evacuated. He was still seeking ways out of the dilemma, while at the same time taking aggressive action to retain Fort Sumter.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 7, 1861 Sunday
Naval Lieutenant John L. Worden left Washington for Fort Pickens, carrying specific orders for the landing of troops by the Navy. At Pensacola, Confederate commander Braxton Bragg asked Secretary of War Leroy Pope Walker for permission to fire upon any reinforcements to Pickens. Walker at Montgomery replied April 8 that Bragg should resist and that an attack on Pensacola itself was expected.

At Charleston General Beauregard told Major Anderson that no further intercourse between Fort Sumter and the city would be permitted.

Virginia unionist John Minor Botts, former congressman, conferred with President Lincoln on means of keeping Virginia in the Union.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

April 8, 1861 Monday
State Department Clerk R.S. Chew arrived in Charleston and read to Gov. Pickens President Lincoln’s message that Fort Sumter would be resupplied but not reinforced unless there was resistance. Gov. Pickens read the message to Gen. Beauregard, military commander for the Confederates. All military forces of the South in the Charleston area were ordered to their stations. During the night there was a false alarm that war had started at Charleston. In Washington Sec. of State Seward unofficially informed the Confederate commissioners in the capital that the United States had a peaceful policy and would defend its possessions only when attacked. The commissioners wired Pickens that they thought Sumter would be evacuated. From New York the Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane departed for Fort Sumter, carrying relief supplies. Prominent New York Republicans George Opdyke, David Dudley Field, James Wadsworth, and Horace Greeley write to Lincoln and recommend that he name someone from their "wing of the party" to the post of Surveyor of the Port of New York. Lincoln had already chosen a Greeley-backed candidate to fill the Collector's position. On Greeley's envelope, Lincoln jots down a comment about the fractious New York Republicans: "Greely, Opdyke, Field & Wadsworth, in favor of having the two big puddings on the same side of the board."

Maj. Anderson drafted a response to President Lincoln's letter of April 4, expressing surprise at the information it contained. He explained that Ward H. Lamon's visit had convinced him that Fox's plan would not be carried out, and he warned that an effort to relieve the fort under these circumstances "would produce most disastrous results throughout our country." Anderson added that Fox's plan was impracticable and would result in a loss of life which would far outweigh the benefits of maintaining a position of no military value unless the surrounding Confederate positions were taken. Anderson concluded that his garrison would, nevertheless, "strive to do our duty, though I frankly say that my heart is not in the war which I see is to be thus commenced. That God will still avert it, and cause us to resort to pacific measures to maintain our rights, is my ardent prayer." Anderson's letter never made it to Washington. It was seized by South Carolina authorities when the Confederate government issued orders to stop his mail.

Georgia Gov. Joseph E. Brown took possession of the U.S. mint at Dahlonega.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00