USA > New York > New York City > The Union defence committee of the city of New York. Minutes, reports, and correspondence; with an historical introduction > Part 13
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By command.
E. D. TOWNSEND, Ass't Adj't-Gen'l.
To the Quartermaster-General.
Commissary-General of Subsistence.
Surgeon-General.
Paymaster-General. Colonel of Engineers.
Colonel of Topographical Engineers. Colonel of Ordnance."
Mr. Schuyler will verbally communicate to you upon many points of interest, which want of time precludes me from entering upon, and his observations render unnecessary.
I am respectfully, Your obed't serv't,
TO JOHN A. DIX, EsQ.,
CHAS. H. HASWELL.
Chairman Union Defence Com. of N. Y.
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Report of George T. M. Davis [ Special Agent]
NEW YORK, May 1, 1861.
DEAR SIR:
In obedience to the instructions of yourself and Theodore Dehon, Esq., on behalf of the Union Defence Committee of this city, I proceeded to Washington with the various communications designed for the President and several members of the Cabinet.
After overcoming various difficulties in traveling with any degree of safety or dispatch, I arrived at Washington on Saturday evening the 27th ulto. at about six o'clock.
I met the President by his appointment at eight o'clock the same evening, remaining with him until nearly half-past nine, the Sec- retary of State, the Hon. Wm. H. Seward, being present during most of the interview.
The communications forwarded by the Committee through me explaining fully the object of my mission, the President entered freely into the consideration of their subject-matter.
I explained to him, with a frankness and freedom that a per- sonal acquaintance of twenty-eight years justified, the true state of feeling that pervaded the public mind of this city, their anxiety that a speedy termination should be made of the rebellion on the part of certain States against the Government of the United States, by decisive and energetic action, and the willingness on the part of the citizens to contribute both their blood and their treasure to any extent that might be necessary to suppress this rebellion within the shortest compass of time that was possible.
The following memorandums made immediately after that inter- view, and one on the subsequent morning with Mr. Seward, by his own appointment, will convey to the Committee in the fewest words I can command, the views of both the President and Secretary of State as then and there expressed.
The President informed me that he had caused full information through the proper departments to be made to Mr. Haswell on be- half of the committee, in answer to all the information your Com- mittee desired, so far as the public interests would justify. He regarded the censure of the city press upon the administration as unjust. Could not say that he had ever felt any actual danger of the capture of the capital by the forces of the rebelling States, although from Sunday until Tuesday evening of last week, in the absence of any reliable tidings as to the whereabouts of the New York Seventh Regiment and the Massachusetts regiment, he was.
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to some extent, uneasy. So soon as the first detachment of Northern troops arrived all his uneasiness disappeared. He had been severely censured for turning back the half-armed and unprovisioned troops from Cockeysville. It was proper he should say that act was en- tirely his own, both General Scott and his Cabinet differing with him as to the policy of such order. But as his suffering them either to remain there or to advance after the negotiations he had had with Governor Hicks and the Mayor of Baltimore, might be tor- tured into an act of bad faith on his part toward those gentlemen, he was determined to remove all pretense for such imputation at any and all hazards. The President felt, judging from what had transpired subsequent to this act on his part, that good faith had been observed by both Governor Hicks and Mayor Henry towards him. They had it in their power to concentrate forces at different points and greatly delay the advance of our troops to the capital, where but five hundred regulars was the only reliable force to protect it in the event of a surprise. They could have done this by annoy- ing us at Perrysville, as well as between Perrysville and Annapolis, and at the Relay House. But nothing of the kind had been attempted, and the result was, the line from Perrysville via Annapolis to Wash- ington had been kept open, until thousands of troops had been con- centrated at the capital without any collision or the jeopardy of a man.
The administration had good reason to believe the crisis was passed in Baltimore, that a reaction was taking place, and that the loyal citizens were gradually obtaining the mastery of the mob.
The President added, he could easily have destroyed Baltimore, but that it would have been visiting vengeance upon a large body of loyal citizens, who were the property-holders, for the sake of pun- ishing the mob who had committed the outrage upon the Massa- chusetts troops, but which mob, as to property, had little or nothing to lose.
That General Scott had entire charge and control of all the mili- tary operations for the suppression of the existing rebellion, and had not been interfered with, save in the single instance of the Presi- dent ordering back the troops from Cockeysville.
General Scott had daily reported to him that he, the General, was ten days in advance of the rebel forces in all their movements and preparations, and this the South would soon find out if they ventured an attack.
The President felt that if the Committee and the citizens of New York would exercise a greater degree of patience, or manifest the
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same confidence in the administration that it had placed in them, the results would demonstrate to the country at the proper time that everything had been done that could be, and with as much dis- patch as possible, to suppress the rebellion and avoid unnecessary shedding of blood and destruction of property. That General Scott was compelled first to ascertain who were loyal and who were dis- loyal, both in the army and navy, before he could move, and his embarrassments in this respect alone had been far greater than either the Committee or the public could conceive of.
The President expressed unlimited confidence in the Committee and the highest regard for them individually, as well as for their opinions and suggestions. But that they should avoid, as well as the public, pushing the administration into any excess of action. That the Government knew what were the strategic movements of the rebelling States, which, of course, the Committee could not know, and that the movements'of the Government were based upon that knowledge.
The administration now felt safe, and that their action would be found fully up to any existing or future necessities that might arise. The united uprising of the free States, and especially the demonstra- tion and prompt and energetic action of the city of New York, the President considered, had accomplished more toward checking any. aggressive movements at the South than any army we could have marched upon them, and that the Committee might feel assured that while the administration were determined to act with all the dis- patch and decision in their power, they would at the same time as strenuously avoid everything like a spirit of revenge toward the South.
Governor Seward could not see the necessity of these frequent messengers from the Committee, all seeking the same information. That when the first messenger arrived Mr. Seward himself, upon personal solicitation, had persuaded the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and General Scott to give power of attorney to different members of your Committee to act in emergencies for their respective departments, thus virtually placing the government under their control. That the complaints and censure against the admin- istration or any of its members were without cause. That when this rebellion culminated the administration had but one or two ships of war at their immediate command, the army was greatly demoralized, so far as its officers were concerned, the capital was threatened, and its only reliable force for defence was the eight hundred regu- lars then quartered at Washington. The enrolled militia force of
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the District of Columbia was not regarded as reliable in the emergency of a sudden attack until Northern reinforcements could be got there; and that the unexpected collision in Baltimore, upon the passage of the Massachusetts troops through the city, had interposed unlooked-for obstacles in their promptly reinforcing the capital for its protection. That the administration would not be precipitated into any action that looked like a spirit of re- venge toward the South, and that their sole design was to preserve the integrity of the Union by winning back the disloyal to loyalty, and not to wage aggressive war upon any portion of the country.
That before even we could defend any threatened part of the Government, an army must be organized and sufficiently disciplined for service, and this, too, from entirely raw material. That troops had come forward without a biscuit in their knapsacks, in many in- stances unarmed, and in an exhausted condition from the effects of a sea voyage and forced marches from Annapolis to Washington. That but two weeks had transpired since the President issued his proclamation for volunteers, and that because in that brief period an army had not been organized, rendered effective for service, and accomplished results that the public desired, the administration had been assailed without stint.
That General Scott had entire control of the military operations for suppressing the rebellion, and had only been interfered with in the one instance in which the President directed the return of the Pennsylvania troops from Cockeysville, after the Baltimore affair.
Mr. Seward remarked that although that order was given by the President against the advice of every member of his Cabinet, as also of General Scott, it had nevertheless turned out to have been an act of great wisdom, as daily results in Maryland were now developing.
That General Scott was now seventy-six years of age, and that he, Mr. Seward, almost hourly visited him to prevent the General from overworking himself. And that if the citizens of New York did not desire the loss of his invaluable military services, never more valuable than at this crisis, they would avoid precipitating action beyond what General Scott, as well as the administration, knew was necessary. That they now felt entirely safe, as they were at least ten days in advance of the enemy, and that this advantage they did not intend to lessen.
That the administration would strike when and wherever it was most for the advantage of the Government it should strike, but
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would do nothing that evinced a spirit of revenge toward any of the rebelling States.
That Mr. Haswell had been furnished every proper facility to give the Committee full and reliable information, which would be continued so long as he remained at Washington. But, to avoid confusion, it would be better to confine these communications to one channel, either Mr. H. or myself, or such other person as the Com- mittee might designate.
In reply to the suggestion I was directed by Mr. Dehon to make, that arms from Canada could be obtained upon the advice of Lord . Lyons, etc., Mr. Seward replied that General Scott reported that there was no want of arms, and all that was required was sufficient time to distribute them with safety at the different points where they were most needed for equipping the volunteer militia.
That it was more than useless to send forward either unarmed or unprovisioned troops. And that when fighting became indispen- sable, the administration would be found with the will and the ability to do its whole duty to the country.
Mr. Seward regarded the prompt and united action of the citi- zens of New York the greatest lever that could have been employed in eventually overthrowing this rebellion ; and that he could not believe that either the city or the State of New York desired any unnecessary shedding of blood. That a reaction had already com- menced, and that the power of the Government, backed by the united voice of the free States, was being felt in a far greater degree than could now be made public, but which would gradually develop itself. That the prompt response of the country to the President's proclamation was working great good ; but that these movements, if precipitated, might destroy all that good, and work a positive injury.
The above is the substance of the interviews I had with the President and Secretary of State.
They are respectfully submitted to the Committee, with the simple suggestion that the violent attacks of a portion of the city press upon the President and members of the Cabinet are not only working a positive injury to the country, but will be found, when the proper time for disclosure arises, to have been as groundless as was the assault of one of that city press upon the gallant Major Anderson for his evacuation of Fort Sumter.
I collected reliable information as to the number and position of our troops, so far as they had arrived up to the 30th instant, the want of proper provision on their disembarkation from this city, their
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efficiency, etc., which I will communicate in writing to the Com- mittee should they so desire. Respectfully,
Your obed't serv't, GEO. T. M. DAVIS, .4 Exchange Place.
PROSPER M. WETMORE, EsQ.
Reports of William E. Dodge.
PHILADELPHIA, 10 P.M., May 1st, [1861].
DEAR SIR : On my arrival here I found our friend C[arlisle] in bed quite used up by the excitement and travel of the past week ; he has telegrams from his friends, who will be here to-morrow, but they say nothing of their success. He handed me several letters from home to read, one enclosing a large handbill advertising a meeting for the 6th inst., which is out on Richmond and the Seces- sion leaders in a style which indicates that they are determined never to submit to their acts. When I have seen his friends will write you fully, and can then decide as to future movements.
Truly yours, WM. E. DODGE.
I send this under cover to my friend.
PHILADELPHIA, 2 May, 1861.
DEAR SIR : I find the friends of Mr. Carlisle are on the way back, but he is so anxious about the loss of time, he begs me to go at once to Washington, and I leave in a few moments.
From letters he received since he saw you from several promi- nent parties I am confident the feeling is very strong in favor of the Union, and all they want is some aid to drive the Secession men to act with them or leave the country. A strong demonstration will have its effect on all the Union men of the border States.
I feel as if we must in some way help them ; will write fully from Washington.
.
I send enclosed to my firm, who will deliver at once.
Very truly yours, WM. E. DODGE.
SIMEON DRAPER, EsQ., Chairman.
Report of Charles H. Haswell [ Special Agent] WASHINGTON, May 3, 1861. SIR: Your messenger of 1st inst. reached here this A. M. The route hence to New York via Annapolis is now fairly opened.
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Leaves here 3 P.M. daily, Sunday included, and reaches Phila- delphia at 11 p.M.
Leaves Philadelphia at 11 p.M., reaches here at 9 A.M. following morning.
Before I undertook to communicate by telegraph I advised myself as to the existence of any surveillance of messages at Bal- timore, and learning authoritatively that there was, I was compelled to resort to ambiguous expressions.
Hence L. G. S. referred to Lieut .- Gen. Scott, and the parties, when addresses have been given, are the Quartermaster, Commis- sary, etc., at New York.
The Secretary of War is so besieged by applicants for office that . the occupation of his time is injudiciously diverted from necessary duty, added to what the calls on the part of the volunteer forces here for everything, puts all the officers in confusion, and at times I only obtain such information as I require when too late to com- municate by messenger, or at the point of his leaving.
The Pennsylvania regiment made a formal representation to headquarters that they are without food. Upon investigation, it appeared that they had been regularly served with the army rations. This they did not consider a supply. Col. Ellsworth's regiment is here.
To meet the possibility of any misconception on an important point, I will again refer to it.
The reply to query No. 1 in your letter to Messrs. Evarts, Pierre- pont and Weed was given by the Secretary of War, but I feared it was wrong ; in fact, I was so sure of it I went to the proper quarter, and, without cansing any conflict between the two parties, I was directed to advise the forwarding of more troops.
Gen'l Scott advised me last evening that he wanted from eight to nine more regiments here. His spies advise him of from 8,000 to 9,000 of the enemy within one hundred and twenty miles of this.
In a few days there will be two daily lines between this and Philadelphia.
The Seventh Regiment went into camp last evening on Mr. Stone's grounds, about one mile from Willard's, on the same street running north.
I am respectfully, yours, etc.,
CHAS. H. HASWELL.
S. DRAPER, EsQ.,
Chairman Union Defence Comm. of N. Y.
Your son is well.
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Report of Special Committee to Washington
WASHINGTON, May 9, 1861.
GENTLEMEN : On our arrival here we endeavored to reach the points of official information without loss of time. The first visit we paid was upon our General, who, meeting us at the door of his dwelling, invited us to his quarters. We then heard from him his entire views and plans ; we also received from him the most em- phatic expressions of commendation for the patriotism, zeal and activity evinced by the Committee in advancing the very necessary additional force. There had been, and still existed, an entire mis- understanding as to the forwarding of troops between the General and the War Department. The order from the War Department required a complete uniform, camp equipage, etc., etc., etc., while the intention of the General was calculated to go no further than to require the equipment to be such as to enable the troops to do work. A gun and ammunition would have covered the order of General Scott, while the order of the Secretary, as construed by our Gov- ernor, would have required a full and complete supply of everything used in camp and on the field, which at this particular time would have been equivalent to giving our enemies the battle. This, we trust, we have remedied, and hereafter we trust that no governor or military commander will wait for vegetation to produce the forage for the horses, or button manufacturers to supply the buttons from new dies.
General Scott is impressed with the power and readiness of the foe, and is preparing for :
1st. The protection of the persons composing the Government.
2d. The protection of the archives of the Government.
3d. The protection of the buildings of the Government.
4th. The protection of the seat of Government.
5th. The movement of aggression, which means Harper's Ferry, Norfolk, Alexandria, and finally Richmond. General Scott looks forward with the eye of a soldier and the patriotism of a faithful American.
The President received us blandly, and seemed very willing to talk to us freely. His views were chiefly embraced in his frequently repeated assurance that he was governed in all his movements " militaires" by Gen. Scott. We called upon Secretary Chase, who gave us a few minutes, but we elicited nothing beyond a confidence in the patriotism of capitalists and a reliance on getting what money he requires. After all, however, we had no special light
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beyond the fact that he relics upon the institutions that have done so much to continue to do what is required. We were unsuccessful in our attempt to see the Secretary of War ; the Department is at this time enveloped in contract expedients. Those who are unsuccessful talk largely of improper influences, and say things that are all Greek to us, but would seem to apply to the past rather than, to the present of that Department. The Secretary of the Navy we have been unable to confine to any point. He is seen in every direction, with papers, and doubtless full of important measures. We have tried to get him to a point, but the last time we have had a word with him he was seeking Mr. Aspinwall. Probably the Department are in want of some important supplies.
The Secretary of State gave us his views as to the real inten- tions of the Administration, and they were up to the tone of New York. He rebuked with some feeling the indiscretion of some of us in our dispatches, but we cannot see that there has been any mortal wound inflicted. We are to see other gentlemen, make further inquiries, and endeavor to inform others and ourselves as to future action. The war is to be one of aggression on our part, and not to be interfered with by compromise ; the conflict will be hard and strong ; our Government has yet to grow to the importance of the battle ; small matters are to be thrust aside, and new and more serious efforts and preparations are to take the place of the present style of action. There must be a different feeling from that which now exists among the members of the Cabinet itself, and the change must embrace a change of action at other points, which we do not feel at liberty to write. We will pursue our studies and our work until we find ourselves informed of the perfections and imperfections of the hour, so far as they exist here.
Mr. Schuyler is here, and says he will do all he can to continue in our absence the inquiries and the same action in our behalf.
We must be content to be useful, without much hope of being so except when errors and omissions require our service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
S. DRAPER, C. H. MARSHALL.
To R. M. BLATCHFORD, EsQ.,
Chairman pro tem. Union Defence Committee.
P. S .- Since writing the foregoing, a short interview with the Secretary of the Navy has evinced the following.
The Secretary admits a general want of supplies for the work
11
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before him, but says that there is to be no falling back in the action of the Government until secession and rebellion are driven from the land ; that the blockade will be thorough ; all our vessels, save two, one on the coast of Africa, and one in China, are ordered home ; the Niagara is now ordered to the mouth of the Mississippi. Com- modore Stringham has sailed to the Chesapeake to take charge of the squadron, and thence further South. More as we get it.
S. DRAPER, C. H. MARSHALL.
Report of Special Committee to Washington
NEW YORK, 17th May, 1861.
That your Committee left here on Tuesday, and reached Wash- ington via Annapolis the same evening.
On the following day, by appointment made for them by the Secretary of State, your Committee met the President and his Cabinet, all the members of which were present at this interview. Your Committee presented the resolutions which were adopted by the Executive Committee, and they fully stated the objects of their appointment, the condition of the volunteer regiments organized and those in process of organization in this city.
This elicited free and frank discussion on the part of all present. The President and his Cabinet, while conceding the propriety of adhering to the quota of troops assigned to the State of New York, yet viewing her peculiar position and the necessities of the case, after consulting with Lieutenant-General Scott, promptly and un- hesitatingly directed an order to be issued immediately for the ac- ceptance of fourteen additional regiments, to serve during the war, which should be selected by the Union Defence Committee of the city of New York, for immediate service.
Your Committee have been deeply impressed with the assurances of the high appreciation in which the President, his Cabinet, and Lieutenant-General Scott, all hold the patriotic and valuable aid rendered to the country by the city of New York and her citizens in the organization of the Union Defence Committee, no higher evidence of which could be given than by thus delegating to this Committee the selection of the fourteen regiments.
While in Washington your Committee, through the courtesy of the Secretary of War, were invited to be present with the Presi- dent and the Cabinet at a review of several of the volunteer regi- ments and to visit the camp grounds of the New York regiments.
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It is with much pride and pleasure your Committee bear witness to their high state of discipline, their excellent health, as well as the zeal and patriotism they manifest in the service of the country.
In closing the report of their visit to Washington, your Com- mittee take great pleasure in testifying to their cordial reception by the President of the United States, the members of his Cabi- net and Lieutenant-General Scott, all of whom were found to be actuated by a determination to respond to the universal desire of this community to have the existing war prosecuted in the most vigorous manner, both by land by sea ; and through its successful prosecution and early termination to establish the title of the Uni- ted States of America to the name of the "Great Republic," a title and a name thenceforth never again to be called in question at home or abroad; over the whole of whose domain the Stars and Stripes shall float as the sole and honored symbol of American nationality.
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