The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 24

Author: Morris, John M., ed
Publication date: 1863
Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck
Number of Pages: 886

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¡prognostications of the future, that who- character of a noble son of our mother Not long after his return from Califor- jever or whatever people or party set State- nia, in the fall of 1856, he was orderedjabout an unworthy or unjust purpose,. "One of the few, the immortal names That was not born to die." it illumines a fateful passage in the Na- to Kansas and stationed at Fort Reily. must sooner or later fail, and receive the ! disgrace due to their corrupt motives."s one Imindred and twenty miles beyond the western border of Missouri. While here, he was an interested spectator of

* Woodward's Life of Gen. Lyon, p. 235.

And again, after the inauguration of

. Woodward's Life of Gen. Lyon, p. 2.12.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1803 ]

tion's destiny. No fear that that story will be forgotten, or ever fail to be re- hearsed when our patriot heroes and their exploits are called to remembrance,

emblem of their country's rightful au- thority. Harney's policy was unfortu- and no fear that it will ever become trite. nately feeble, rendering the loyal power

Establishing himself in the St. Louis Arsenal, the whole territory around a hot-bed of madness, all seething and fomenting with the secession treason, with what caution and cireumspeetion, and again were the rebels awed and with what williness and strategetie skill, their plans disconcerted. with what resolution and foresight did

Governor Jackson and Gen. Price he first seeure his firin foothold, and then now devised a new expedient to gain organize his means for a rapid and subju- gating progress through the State! Out- witting the traitorons Governor Jackson

Gen. Lyon and offered to pledge them- in council, and outgeneraling him in the selves to certain quasi loyal measures, on field, the Union canse grew strong and prevailed through- the overmastering strength of its defender and champion.

A vast amount of arms and public property was stored in the St. Louis Arsenal, which the secessionists designed to appropriate ; Lyon decoyed away the mob, and then placing all that was val- uable on a steamer, snecessfully trans- ported it to Illinois. The withdrawal of United States troops from all localities outside the Arsenal was demanded on some absurd dogma of the States rights' theory ; Capt. Lyon refused compliance, and in turn demanded to be told what articles of the Constitution were violated by keeping them where they were. A

Utterly failing in his diplomatie treach- ery, Gov. Jackson had no resort but open war, and on June 12th he issued a Proc- lamation setting forth how unjust and intolerable it was for the " brave-hearted Missourians" to be faithful to the Con- rebel camp of instruction, named in honor stitution and Government of the United | discourage, if not disperse them. In the of Jefferson Davis, was established just outside the city, and supplied with arms stolen from the Arsenal at Baton Rogue. Capt. Lyon, on the 10th of May, sur- rounded it with several thousand troops, placed twenty eannon in position, and compelled it to surrender in thirty min- utes. St. Louis forthwith became a fur- States, and exhorting them, "to rally to the flag of their Stute," and "drive out the invaders who have dared to desecrate the soil," bearing the Stars and Stripes of the United States! The next day two steamers with Gen. Lyon and fifteen hundred troops, started from St. Louis for Jefferson City. The Governor im-

nace of rage and riotous tumult ; Lyon |mediately abandoned his capital and re- quelled it by a prompt and decisive blow. Gen. Harney arrived and assumed chief command ; but Lyon still remained the staunchest supporter and vindicator of great dignity, and breathed throughout the loyal sentiment. The first brigade the spirit of his own resolute determina- of Missouri Volunteers was organized ; Lyon was elected their General, and on the 17th of May he received a similar tion. On the 16th, his force increased to two thousand. Gen. Lyon started for Booneville, where an engagement occur- appointment from the President. The red the next day, in which Gen. Lyon's small but disciplined force, in twenty minutes, routed and put to flight the thirty thousand nnorganized, ill-armed adherents of Governor Jackson.

secessionists in Potosi became bold and obnoxious ; they woke up one fine morn- ing to find the town surrounded by a detachment of Lyon's men, and soon wit- lessed the departure of their leaders as prisoners to St. Louis. The Confederate commeneed the march to Springfield. flag was to be raised with great celebra- | The whole distance of two hundred tion of the event at De Soto; Lyon's

multitude in ludicrous fright, captured twenty-seven hundred men, with four the rag, and raised in its place the pieces of artillery, but on the way he was reinforced by three thousand men from Kansas, under Major Sturgis, so that on his arrival at Springfield he had about five thousand effective men, but

impotent, while it encouraged the enemy, and he was removed. Again the com- the period of enlistment of a large part mand devolved upon Lyon, again the had expired. This was the little force policy was vigorous and unmistakable,

with which he was to contend against the vastly larger army of Gen. Price, supported by the army of McCullock. Our space will not admit a detailed ac- count of all the operations by which the enemy was baffled and battle delayed in

time and opportunity to perfect their treason. They suoght an interview with |hope of reinforcements, which never came until the final desperate engage- ment at Wilson's Creek, on August 10th. condition that the Home Guard should be disbanded and the loyal troops con- fined to the locations then occupied, their professed object being to keep the On the 29th of July, the four armies col- lected on the southern border of Mis- souri, amounting altogether to twenty- three thousand men, under Gens. Price, State neutral. They were crafty, but McCullock, Pearce and McBride, were Lyon was wise. He indignantly rejected their proposals, and furthermore demand- ed the nullification of all State action which impeded the free action of the United States forces, or in any way quali- fied the loyalty of Missouri.

united at Cassville, and on the 6th of August the rebel body encamped and fortified itself on Wilson's Creek, at a favorable position, some twelve miles southwest of Springfield. Since it was impossible to hold Springfield against a superior force and a retreat of the Union army would add sneh prestige to the rebel cause, Gen. Lyon determined as a desperate resort to attempt to surprise the enemy in their camp and strike a blow which should at least weaken and

afternoon of August 9th, he left Spring- fiehl, his little army in two columns, one commanded by himself, and the other by Col. Siegel. They arrived in sight of the hostile watch fires the same night, and in the morning effected a complete sur- prise. The ensuing conflict, while one of the most unequal, was by universal testimony one of the most skillfully and strennously contested, not only of this war, but of any war. The battle raged

treated to Booneville. Lyon issued a counter Proclamation at Jefferson City on June 15th. It was a document of; for six hours, and how terribly may be learned from the fact that the rebels acknowledged a loss of over five hundred killed, while the Union loss was two hundred and twenty-three killed, and about a thousand wounded and missing. Early in the engagement Gen. Lyon's horse was shot under him, and he was three times wounded. The closing seene of his life cannot be more graphically As soon as a train could be formed, he described than it has been by his biogra- pher, Dr. Woodward.

" Mounting another horse. he rode back to the front, in order to rally the thinned and bleeding, but not dishearten-

miles was accomplished in eleven days. omnipresent men dispersed the rebel At the start his army consisted of ed lines for a fresh attack. He no

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

directed the fragments of one or two a: B .. Nings. Tenn. Our los. 100: Con. nessee. Thirteen Laurel miles away on regiments to charge the chemy with felerate loss : . o. the Potomnac, it was the signal for the rapid

the bayonet. Many of their officer- were O.s. 11. Skill cavalry reconnoisance by movement of Gen. Hocker. Is called, and disabled, and they called for a leader. Kipatrick. Gen. Meale withdraws across not in vain. for the victorious army a: Vicks- With countenance blanche I from the loss the Rappahannock. burg. and appointed its gallant lealer to the

of blood, and Laggard frem anxiety, Gen. Oct. 11-17. Repulse of the rebels a: Col- commaal ci all thef res operating between Lyon threw himself to the Lot of the Horsvite. Tenz. Col. Hatch pursues and the Alleghanies an I the Mississippi river. column, and, with hat waving, cheereil it drives them from Byhalis. Miss_ and again onward. Inspired with almost suverhu- from Wyatt, Miss.

Though it was a vietuty for the Confede- rates, they have gathered so little fruit there- man energy by the heroism of their chicd. O .:. 12. Reconnoisance in forse across the from that they call i: a virtual defeat. Eis: the men rushed forward, serttering the Rappahannock by three corpsand the caraby Tennessee, with its pork and forage, its coal. enemy like chatt. But ia :hat charge the division of the army of Le Potomac. Se- titre an! salt. is still lost to them. Their brave Lyon fell. Our country. in the vere cavalry fighting.

crisis of her darkest peril. Ios: thet hous one of her clearest heals an I stontest lus in Silne Co., Mo .. by Gen. Brown.

hearts. He placed no value nya repose. comfort. or even life. when the lact that toe, Va. Capture of 5 guns and 450 pris- thrown out of pesttion and dislocated. and he lovel with all the devotion of his Quers. generous soul, demmule l their sacrifice."

Record of Events.

The events of the past month are import- O .... 19. Gez. Grant takes commandof the ant mure for what :Ley foreshadow than for Sept. 27. Expulsion of guerrillas from the [ gernents of the Ohio, the Cumberland, say substantive interest they possess of them- vicinity of Donaldsonville. La, by Gen. Dur- asl the Tennessee.

bridge.

Ost. 19. Severe engagement a: Buckland " momentous transition periods when the Sept. 25. Defeat of Shelby's rebel cavaky Mil's :.: seen KSpatrick's single division elements are rushing into new combinations " at Moffat's Store, Franklin Co., Ark.

Sept. 28. Occasional firing at the ruins of if ritrent of cur forces.

Fort Sumter.

Oct. 1. Firing renewed against the fort tion. Alt., Er Ger. Sherman. with great vigor.

Oct. 2. Successful cavalry rail from Nor- Pie D ... Ark.

folk, Va. to North Carolina. Destruction of salt works. de. Q:25. Cavalos of Gen. Bring driver this object is showndel in doubt and obscur- below Ifadel- Min. Tent ... with loss of 300. iss. Ye:it is possible tLa: Gen. Bragg, with Oct. 3. Defeat of a portion of Wheeler's Oct. 22-31. Continuelan I effective bien- the design of turning the left flank of Gen. rebel cavalry at Anderson's Cross Roads. bar Iment of Fert Saniter. Iss ses face wall Thomas, has advanced toward's Knoxville,

Tenn, with loss of 300.

batterel down. O.t. ::. Capture cf the Leights opposite army have been sent to Southwestern Vir-

Oct. 3. Skirmish at Morganzin. Ln. Feds- rals hold their position, though afer cons le- Brown's Ferry. and opening of the Tennes- rable loss.

see Ber.

On the other Land, much has been done Out. 25. Gen. Hooker defeats Longstree: Ly the Union army to secure and strengthen its hold on this disputed territory. 1. Coity

s: Wauzatcife. Tenn.

Oct. 5. Useless artillery firing of the rebels from Lookout Mountain agafin: the p.si: . o Planes Factory, Tenn. of Gen. Rosecrans.

Oct. 31. Hawkins' guerrillas routed is an I concert of action have been obtained by the appointment of Ger. Grant to the com- man ]ofall the forzes in this cheater of the wa .. 2. Communications have been cremed be- Fer the Connecticut Wir Pressd. Review of Events. NCHEZ FOCE. tween Prilgeport ani Chattanooga ris Ten- Desste river, and the question ci supplies has :Lus becz aflematively settled. 3. Gen.

Oct. 5. Unsuccessful attemp : : > biow cp the Ironsides of Charleston Harter, by a torpedo.

Oct. 6. Massacre of Gen. Biaut's staff'ar I body gunel at Baxter's Station, Kansas, EF Quantrell's etwas.

.As the smoke clears away from the Ad!I. Barnsile's cavalry have teen constantly po- trading the whole of Ex: Tennessee, and by

the battle of Chickamauga turns out to Lave Oct. 6. Gen. Mitchell defeats the rebel ben one of the most fearit! in its camage. this means the post !! ility of surprise liss cavalry of Gen. Wheeler, a short distance anl one of the most important in its mili- teen removed. 4. Heavy reinforcements, below Shelbyville, Tenn. tory bwicy,, that have been flugl: derfor and :: Gen. Sherman. have been alvancing Oct. 8. Gen. Crook Jefeats Gen. Wheekr Full twenty-five per cent of either to Gen. Themis, by the way of the Mem- at Farmington. Tenn., killing and wean Ing arny !! ere . negoi were killed, woun lel an I phis .. n ! Chattanooga Rafiroad. Corsilera- 120. and capturing 000 prisoners sols b- io ters.

Oat. 9. Saccessisl rail ci the Felera's. under command of Gen. Wister. Esto Mar- thews Co., Va.

Art :L. Lospir nature of the battle.

In a military vier, it at onee gave colossal the Mississippi a: Memy Lds. For it in the Oct. 10. Gez. Burnside defeats the rebels proportions to the compuign in Middle Tez- fortunes of war Gen. Barasile should be

HO, r Stance has been met, and more is

gatitalon b .l si les of ceas- thousand mon. The Union anti.fra :- I. Ye: if this road be repaired wis sixteen thousand. These Songs and securel. it will form a most valuable spoon Jary Ine oftperilous, with its base on

magnificent. natural line of defense along the

0.2. 13. Uiter defent of Shelby's guerril- Blue Ridge, from Gordonsville to Chatta- Logga. is turned at its southwestern extremi- O .t. 1e. VEstery cf Gen. Meade at Bris- tr. The army of Gen. Bragg is thereby its communionting distance from Richmond Oct. 15. Gen. MePherson defeats the is now foll one thousand miles. though pre- rebels a: Canton, Miss, capturing 200 pris- viously it was only five hundred. Czers.

selves. They naturally belong to those

ani :L. entire rebel enva'ry. Brave and preparatory to the coming storm.

The great stakes at issue are Chattanooga O.g. 21. Rebels defentel at Cherokee Sia- and Ens: Tennessee. To recover these posi- tous is an imperious con Tion to the physi- O.2. 23. Repulse of Gen. Mammaicke at cal and military vitality of the Confederacy. What their leaders Lare certainly done for

ani that porverfil dernekments of Gen. Lee's Sofa to operate against Gen. Burnside.

Det. 3. Capture of MeMenvile, Tema .. by the Confederate Gen. Wbodies.

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1863.]

forced from East Tennessee, and thus the Louisville and Nashville line be threatened or destroyed, yet Gen. Thomas would not be obliged to evacuate Chattanooga if he could employ this secondary line to Memphis, which in reality is shorter than the other, and far less exposed to formidable flank at- tacks.

During the early part of last month it be- .eame evident that Gen. Lee was executing a threatening movement upon the right flank of the army of the Potomac. Thereupon Gen. Meade deemed it prudent to withdraw aeross the Rappahannock, which he did in perfect order. The rebels still persisting in

You have seen that when the Constitution was made, this country (or this "Land," a> the Constitution calls it) was inhabited by a " People" having all the qualities of one Nation. Putting aside all tanciful theories of lawyers, historians, politicians and philos- their purpose to outflank him and get in his ophers, you know that in fact this "Peo- ple" then was one Nation-a Nation sub- stantially one in breed, one in language, one in religion, one in history and traditions, one country, one in everything which, in real matter of fact, makes a nation one and sepa- rates it from all other nations. So much you know for certain, if you know any- thing for certain.

rear, he finally fell back to Centreville. Dur- ing this retreat the advance of Lee came up with the Union rear guard at Bristoe, but were sadly discomfited. At Centreville Gen. Meade drew up his army in line of battle, and for two days awaited the attack of the enemy, who, however, at this time were busi- ly engaged in destroying the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. The destruction of the road was so complete that it would take a month to rebuild it. When this was ac- complished, Gen. Lee retreated to his origi- nal position on the Rapidan.

It is alleged, and the evidence seems to support the allegation, that this destruction of the railroad was the principal and imme- diate object of the Confederate General- that he thoughit that the delay of rebuilding, rendering, for the present, all active opera- tions on our side impossible, would allow him to send, and that, aeeordingly, he has sent large bodies of troops to overwhelm Burn- side. Whether this really was his plan, and, if so, whether it has been successful, events will soon decide. As to any other design which he may have contemplated in this movement, he was completely foiled by the soldierly conduct of Gen. Meade.

Late dispatches are to the effect that, after an ineessant and terrifie bombardment, Gen. Gillmore has demolished the sea face wall of Fort Sumter. It is to be hoped that this de- molition will suffice. The overland Texas ex- pedition is progressing steadily. By the latest accounts Gen. Franklin had reached Opelousas, La., marching by the same route that Gen. Banks took last spring. No seri- ous resistance had been encountered, as the enemy has adhered to his policy of retreat- ing as fast as the Federals advance. A for- midable land and naval expedition, under command of Gen. Banks, has just left New Orleans. Its destination, however, is un-

For the Connecticut War Record.

THE CONSTITUTION.

NUMBER FOUR ..

The words of the Constitution are words of your mother tongue. If you cannot understand them, nobody ean. Therefore- we repeat it-trust your own common sense to tell you what they mean.

leaving marks npon it to show that it might pass through changes, but not one mark or sign to show that it was ever to decay or ever to lose, in any part of our land, its irresistible power as the " supreme," and only, and everlasting Constitution of the United States of America.

As the Constitution was designed for an immortal existence-which may God grant unto it-so was the Government, which the Constitution called into being, designed to endure through all ages; and as the Consti- tution covers forever our whole land like a sky, so the Government, through which alone the Constitution pours its happy influ- ences upon us, covers forever our whole land like an atmosphere.

This Government is not a "feral" gov- ernment, acting upon a mere "Confederacy in laws, one in habits and customs, one in of States." It is a National Government, acting directly on the whole "People of the United States " as one Nation. Consider this proposition, and exercise your common sense upon it a little. If, as a man of com- mon sense, you can say that " the People of You have seen also, in the first sentence of the Constitution, that this Nation therein the United States" are not a Nation, but that the inhabitants of Connecticut are one spoke as one Nation-" the People of the Nation, and the inhabitants of Rhode Island United States"-and that, as one great Nation declaring its high and final will, another, and the inhabitants of Massachu- setts another, and so on-and if you ean (not as thirteen little natious making a tem- see in the Constitution that the Government porary "compaet" with each other,) it did of the United States has no right to govern "ordain and establish " the Constitution.

either of those little nations except so long Once " ordained and established," the Con-and so far as that little nation shall remain stitution was, and still is, as itself says, willing to be governed by it, then indeed you "the supreme law of the land," binding may say that the Constitution is a sort of upon every State, county, town, man, woman : " federal compact " feebly holding together, and child in " the land," and binding upon until some accident shall happen, a "Con- the strongest State as firmly as upon the | federacy " of absurd little nations or States; feeblest child.

and that there is in this land no such thing

Now mark this. The Constitution con- as a National Government, acting, with real tains provision for its own amendment, but governing power, upon one great Nation. no provision contemplating as possible, at And what a trifling, belittling conception of any time or in any contingency, its own this broad country of yours and of its grand overthrow or the dissolution of the Nation. and mighty Government you will have thus When you have read the Constitution |got !

But, looking at things as they are, and as is seen plainly enough in the first sentence, you see them with your own eyes, you know already quoted,) that the great National it is stark nousense to say that the people of aet of "ordaining and establishing " the Connecticut are a separate Nation, and the Constitution, was an act done for all time. people of Rhode Island another, and that The Constitution was not created for any the whole people of this great country are temporary purpose. It was designed to en- no Nation at all. He who thinks to make dure until the earth and the sea shall give up you believe such nonsense takes you for a their dead. Of a work so noble we may fool. Just as nonsensical is it to deny that say, without irreverence, that as God, by the the Constitution creates a real National word of His mouth, did "ordain and estab- Government, having the right and power to lish " the universe, leaving upon it marks to govern forever all persons who may inhabit show that it might change, but no maik to! this city or State or any other eity or State, known, save to those who ought to know it. show that it was ever to perish, so " the great or small, in every part of our common People of the United States," by their word, country ; - aud that too, whether any of those did " ordain and establish " the Constitution, persons may like to be so governed or not,

CE" Against passion we must oppose reason.

through, you will see clearly, (what indeed

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[ NOVEMBER,

It is true that, as we shall see hereafter, The Business of To-day. the Constitution confines the action of the Once more our gallant State is summoned to Government of the United States chiefly to send men to the fight. THE PEOPLE have plainly national affairs,-leaving local matters to be said " we must and will crush this rebellion to atoms, and that speedily. We demand, at once, measures more vigorous, thorough and decisive." The President replies: "To prepare well for fu- ture battles, is the sure way to make them fewer and less bloody. Give me men and the war shail not, for lack of disciplined troops, again slacken till the triumph swift coming, and final, shall close the struggle forever." regulated by those inferior authorities known as State-governinents, county-governments, eity-governments, town-governments, and so forth. But for this very reason the Govern- inent of the United States is properly called the National Government. And you cannot too tightly eling to this plain truth-carry- We should respond to this call at once. To shrink or delay will not postpone the issue. Now, is the time to strike blows, quick and heavy. ing it along in your mind as you read the Constitution-that the Constitution has be- stowed upon our country a National Govern-

Consider our own business prosperity and the financial soundness, and their utter bankruptcy. Compare the sure and steady advance of our ar- mies, converting even temporary defeat into per- manent advantage, with the desperate and fruitless

ment, " ordained and established" by the ! stagnation and ruin among the rebels; our own

whole Nation, for all time, and operating directly and everlastingly upon every human being (willing or unwilling) in the Nation, and having rightful and eternal sway over nighting of the nation's foes. Contrast the former every ineh of ground within the limits of font-poken sympathy of foreign nations, and their the National territory. And you cannot too ; ofen aid to the rebels, with the present cutting coldness and prudent cantion. Mark our own profuse abundance and cheerful courage, and the now evident poverty and failing hearts of the rebels.

often remind yourself that under that illegiti- mate word "federal," as applied to our Gor- ernment, and under that treacherous word " compact," as applied to the Constitution.

These serve to illustrate the sound conviction -- and under that false word " Confederacy," . deepening daily, North and South-at home and as applied to the Nation, lic, coiled up. the ; abroad, that the lawless revolt is a hopeless failure. The invasions of Lee are ended. The raids of John Morgan are finished. The wary Meade and the gidlant Burnside are steadily advancing to chisp hands and unite their strength. Lee must beat them both or evacuate Virginia. The per- rattlesnakes of secessionisin, disunion and anarehy. Never use those words. Look with suspicion upon them wherever you see them. Distrust the man who habitually uses them. Patriotic men often use these sistent Grant is gaining ground daily, while Blunt words through thoughtlessness. But men and Banks advance the starry banner with vigor anl auvarying success. who use them habitually and designedly, es-

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 24

Author: Morris, John M., ed Publication date: 1863 Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck Number of Pages: 886

Author: Morris, John M., ed
Publication date: 1863
Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck
Number of Pages: 886