April 19, 1861 Friday
“Whereas an insurrection against the Government of the United States has broken out in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas,” therefore a blockade of the ports of those states was declared by President Lincoln in a proclamation. Later the blockade was extended to Virginia and North Carolina. While not immediately very effective, the blockade in time became a major instrument of war and for nearly four years was to make its impression upon the outcome of many events. Even at first, merely on paper, it did to some extent defer foreign shippers. Later, while blockade-runners continued to get through, the risks grew greater and greater. Historians have argued over the effectiveness of the Federal blockade, some claiming that at its best a few blockade-runners, at least, always got through, while others point out that the mere declaration of a blockade prevented many ships from sailing which otherwise would have taken advantage of the Southern need for both military and civilian supplies. The Federal Navy Department went to work rapidly to pull in its far-flung vessels and get them on blockading stations at major ports, meanwhile buying, building, and equipping new vessels for similar duty. On the other hand, both Southern and foreign vessels soon became adept at evading the naval blockaders. While events were sporadic in other fields of war, the blockade went on relentlessly, day after day, off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, making its partly unsung contribution to the results of the conflict.
More dramatic in these early days of the Civil War was the clash of soldiers and civilians in Baltimore. In response to the call of President Lincoln, the 6th Massachusetts had left home, moved through New York toward Washington. At Baltimore it had to detrain partially to transfer to the Washington depot. There had been talk of trouble from pro-secessionists in Baltimore for some days and the Federal government was faced not only with the defense of Washington, but with keeping touchy Maryland in the Union. In Washington politicians as well as military men were organizing companies, patrolling streets, and guarding Federal buildings. Harper’s Ferry, evacuated by the Federals, had been taken during the morning by Virginia troops, and now a fracas in Baltimore. There were even fears of an attack on the capital. Baltimore was the major eastern rail center near Washington and with it cut off, Washington could well be in danger. Mayor George W. Brown of Baltimore said no notice of the coming of the troops was given him or the police. The crowd of bystanders grew as the rail cars were dragged by horses between stations. An angry crowd of secessionists tried to keep the regiment from reaching Washington, blocking several of the transports, breaking windows, and, finally, forcing the soldiers to get out and march through the streets. The throng followed in close pursuit. What had now become a mob surrounded and jeered the regiment, then started throwing bricks and stones. Panicking, several soldiers fired randomly into the crowd, and mayhem ensued as the regiment scrambled to the railroad station. The police managed to hold the crowd back at the terminal, allowing the infantrymen to board their train and escape, leaving behind much of their equipment as well as their marching band. Four soldiers and twelve civilians were killed, and scores were injured (for an excellent account of the first soldiers to die and what happened to them, see
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_17867658?source=rss_viewed particularly if you are from Mass, NH, or Me). Maryland officials demanded that no more Federal troops be sent through the state, while Baltimore's mayor and police chief authorized the destruction of key rail bridges to prevent Union troops from entering the city. Secessionist groups, meanwhile, tore down telegraph wires to Washington, temporarily cutting the capital off from the rest of the nation. The North was outraged; New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley even called for Baltimore to be burned to the ground. Upon arrival in Washington the 6th Massachusetts was quartered in the Senate Chamber at the Capitol. Miss Clara Barton finds them temporarily quartered in the Senate Chamber of the U. S. Capitol and provides supplies from her own household for their comfort. An overwhelming response to her request for additional supplies for the troops marks the start of her legacy as one who receives, stores, and distributes supplies during the Civil War. With the Baltimore riot, rumors flew thicker than ever. Washington was in effect cut off from the north via the railroad. See
http://readme.readmedia.com/Seventh-Reg ... 61/2258444 for an excellent account of a Northern militia regiment mobilizing but keep in mind that this one had its act together and was not typical of all regiments that mobilized. For a Southern perspective of the militia see
http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/article ... ssion.html .
As the troops of Virginia moved into Harper’s Ferry, aging Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson was assigned Federal command over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. More Federal troops were leaving New York for Washington; merchants of New York pledged their loyalty to the Union. With Baltimore cut off, naval officers immediately began embarking troops at Philadelphia and the head of Chesapeake Bay to bring them to Annapolis by water and then to Washington by rail. Capt. David G. Farragut, a Southerner living in Norfolk, Va., left his home for New York City and eventual service with the Union.
Townsend's Account of Robert E. Lee's Interview with Scott,
E. D. Townsend was assistant adjutant general of the U.S. Army at the time.
General Scott knew that he [Lee] was at Arlington Heights, at the house of his father-in law, Mr. Custis, and one day asked me if I had seen or heard of him lately. I replied in the negative, except that he was on leave and at Arlington Heights. Said the general, "It is time he should show his hand and if he remains loyal should take an important command." I then suggested that I should write a note to Lee and ask him to call at the general's headquarters. "I wish you would," replied the general. The note was written and the next day, April 19, 1861, Colonel Lee came to the office. The general's was the front room of the second story. His round table stood in the centre of the room and I had a desk in one corner. The aides were in an adjoining room with a door opening into the general's. When Lee came in, I was alone in the room with the general and the door to the aides' room was closed. I quietly arose, keeping my eye on the general, for it seemed probable he might wish to be alone with Lee. He, however, secretly motioned me to keep my seat and I sat down without Lee having a chance to notice that I had risen. The general having invited Lee to be seated, the following conversation, as nearly as I can remember, took place. General Scott: "You are at present on leave of absence, Colonel Lee? Colonel Lee: "Yes, General, I am staying with my family at Arlington." General Scott: "These are times when every officer in the United States service should fully determine what course he will pursue and frankly declare it. No one should continue in government employ without being actively employed." (No response from Lee.) General Scott (after a pause): "Some of the Southern officers are resigning, possibility with the intention of taking part with their States. They make a fatal mistake. The contest may be long and severe, but eventually the issue must be in favor of the Union." (Another pause and no reply from Lee.) General Scott (seeing evidently that Lee showed no disposition to declare himself loyal or even in doubt): "I suppose you will go with the rest. If you purpose to resign, it is proper you should do so at once; your present attitude is an equivocal one." Colonel Lee: "The property belonging to my children, all they possess, lies in Virginia. They will be ruined, if they do not go with their State. I cannot raise my hand against my children."