Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 06.djvu/456

 LINCOLN

LINCOLN

Aug. 2, 1861, in a Federal victory; "Wilson's Creek, Mo., Aug. 10, 1861, in a Federal defeat ; Hattaras Inlet, N.C., Aug. 28-29, in a Federal victory, and Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21, in a Federal de- feat. On the retirement of Gen. Winfield Scott, Oct. 31, 1861, General McClellan succeeded him as general-in-chief of all the armies of the United States. The year closed with the capture of Port Royal, S.C, Nov. 7, 1861, and on the same date the indecisive battle of Belmont, Mo., between Generals Grant and Polk. On Nov. 8, 1861, Captain Wilkes, in command of the U.S. steamer San Jacinto took from the English mail steamer Trent the Confederate commissioners James M. Mason and John SlideU, and the President, by the advice of Secretary Seward and other mem- bers of his cabinet apologized to the British Government, explaining that Captain Wilkes should have brought the steamer into port as a prize, as we had always contended, instead of adjudicating the case liimself at sea, and there- fore gave up the commissioners. The President issued his "General War Order No. 1," Jan. 27, 1862, in which he directed " that the 22d day of February, 1863, be the day for a general move- ment of the land and naval forces of the United States against the insurgent forces,"' and while it was not found practicable to carry his order through, it quieted the tumult in the north, where there was an almost universal demand that the Federal army should proceed at once to cap- ture the Confederate capital, making the battle cry "On to Richmond." The campaign of 1862 opened with the victory at Mill Springs, Ky., by the Federal forces under Gen. George H. Thomas, Jan. 19 and 20, and on Feb. 6. 1862, Fort Henry, Tenn., surrendered to Flag-OfEcer Foote. General Burnside, who had been placed in command of the department of North Carolina Jan. 7, 1862, won a Federal victory at Roanoke Island, N.C., Feb. 8, 1862, and Fort Donelson, Tenn., surrendered to General Grant Feb. 16, 1862. These Union victories were rejieated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., by Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, March 6-8, 1862, and the battle of New Madrid, Mo., by Gen. John Pope, March 14, 1862. On March 8, 1862, the Confederate ram Virginia (late Merrimac) wrought havoc with the Federal fleet at Hampton Roads, Va., and was herself de- feated by the U.S. iron-clad Monitor, March 9, 1862. The Confederate victory at Newbern, N.C., March 14, 1862, was followed by the Federal vic- tories near Winchester, Va., March 2.3, by Gen. James Shields ; at Shiloh, Tenn., by Grant, April 6-7, 1862 ; the capture of Island No. 10 with 6000 men by Flag-Officer Foote and General Pope, April 7, 1862, and the capture of Fort Pulaski, Ga., by Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore. April 10-12, 1862. On April 24, 1862, the Federal fleet under

Flag-Oificer Farragut passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and on April 25 New Orleans was captured. On May 5, 1862, General McClellan forced the Confederates to evacuate Williams- burg, Va. ; Gen. John E. Wool captured Norfolk, Va.. May 10; Hanover court-house, Va., was cap- tured by Gen. Fitz-John Porter, May 27, and on the same day General Beaureguard evacuated Corinth, Miss. In a series of battles, May 27. May .31 and June 23 to July 1. which included Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, McClellan was forced to change his base to the James river, as Gen. T. J. Jackson had marched down the valley and threatened Washington, which prevented the President from carrying out his intention of sending McDowell with his 40,000 men to his support. On June 3, 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee was appointed to the chief command of the Con- federate army, and on June 26 he engaged Mc- Clellan at Mechanicsville, Va. The ensuing seven days" battles, ending July 1, resulted in McClellan being ordered to evacuate the Peninsula and join Pope's Army of Virginia. Tlie Confederates were again victorious at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9. 1862, in the battles between Manassas and Washington, B.C., under Pope, Aug. 26 to Sept. 1. 1862, and in the battle of Richmond, Ky., under Kirby Smith, Aug. 30. 1862. In September, 1862, Lee began his invasion of Maryland and crossed the Potomac near Point of Rocks. The President asked Mc- Clellan to resume the command of the Army of the Potomac. On Sept. 15, 1862. Harper's Ferry with 12,000 men was surrendered to Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, and after the battle of An- tietara, Md., Sept. 16-17, 1862, Lee retreated to- ward Richmond. The Federal army under Rose- crans were victorious at luka, Miss., Sept. 19 and at Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3-1. 1862. and the Con- federates under Bragg made an unsuccessful at- tack at Perry ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862. On Nov. 5, 1862, Gen. G. B. McClellan was removed from command of the Army of the Potomac and Gen- eral Burnside was appointed in his place. The disasters which befell the army did not end. how- ever, with McClellan's removal, as unexpected defeats were suffered by General Burnside at Fred- ericksburg, Va., with a loss of 12.000 men. Dec. 11-15, 1862, and by Gen. Joseph Hooker at Chan- cellorville, Va., May 1-5, 1863, and no positive gains were made in the west. Meantime the sub- ject of the emancipation of the slaves had en- gaged the President. On March 6, 1862. he sent to congress a special message recommending the adoption of a joint resolution : " That the United States ought to co-operate with and aid pecun- iarily any state adopting gradual abolishment of slavery." This proposition was not cordially re- ceived by the border states and made evident the fact that emancipation was not desired. Tlie