Civil War 1861 Incidents, Atrocities and Gore What the Public Knew Then That You Don't Know

Introduction

The year of 1861 was full of incidents that few people today are aware of. This book brings forward what the public knew then, but does not know now.  The cause of the American Civil War was not only over slavery as in the mix were state rights, tariffs, taxes and trade.  This book concentrates on the war and the slaves.  Shown within these pages is as it was for both the north, the south and for those enslaved shown in the words of 1861.

The Civil War officially began on April 12th in 1861 but did you know the first prisoner was taken three months earlier in January? Do you know the scenes of battles such as, an artillery man lay on the ground, nearly exhausted from loss of blood, and too weak to get out of the way of the tramping troops and horses that flitted about him. A mounted horseman came toward him when he raised the bleeding stumps of both his arms and cried out Don't tread on me Capt'n! See! Both hands are gone.

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The news of the day traveled among the population in simple ways by telegraph, newspaper, written letters, and reports and also by word of mouth by travelers.  Often newspaper articles that had been published in one news print would show up weeks later republished in another newspaper.  Items shown on these pages are under the date it pertains to unless no date is mentioned.  In that case it is shown under a date the report was found.  Direct quotes are not noted or shown as such with quotation marks as it makes the reading to confusing and the entire book is quotes.  When wording shows with ‘  ‘ or   , it is within the original quote.

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Often in early reports and newspapers there were spelling and punctuation errors, odd words used and words used in wrong ways. Some of those errors were due to the typesetter, but often it was error due to the writer.  Some errors of the past have had corrections done for readability.  There are a few areas where the original writer of 1861 was very independent with their use of various punctuations and wordings.  At times you will see a corrected word or an added word in brackets.  Words that were used at the time that have no general meaning today were left as originally written and spelled.  Some error areas have not had corrections done to allow for the flavor of the time frame so do expect to see some errors in the standard of today.

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This book opens with a brief time line summary for the last half of 1860. 

Welcome to the world of 1861 in the words of 1861.

1861 The North and the South

The Fifteen Slave States

Alabama

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Mississippi

Missouri

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

1860 Notable Events

Prior to 1861 there were notable events.  Following are a few from the later part of 1860.

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Jun 21, 1860

HIGHEST CASH PRICES FOR NEGROES.

The Subscriber is in the market, and will pay the highest cash prices for Negroes of any age suitable for the Southern market.

Signed: C. T. Stevens,

Clinton, Sampson Co., N. C.

Originally published June 21, 1860  this was still advertised on January 3, 1861.

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Jul 21, 1860

Published July 21, 1860 this was still advertised January 3.

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Jul 12, 1860

WANTED. Negroes, Negroes Wanted.

Gentlemen, your old customers are yet in market. All you who have negroes for sale, would do well to give us a call, or address POWELL & McARTHUR, Clinton, N.C.

Signed: L. A. Powell and J. A. McArthur

Originally published July 12, 1860 this was still published on of January 3, 1861 in the Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, N.C.

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Aug 2, 1860

State of North Carolina – New Hanover County.

Whereas, information hath this day been made to us, James Garrason and F. H. Bell, two acting Justices of the Peace, in and for said county, upon the oath of James P. Moore, that Peter, a slave, of dark complexion, medium size; five feet five or six inches high, rather good looking, and aged about twenty years, the property of said James P. Moore, has runaway and lies out, supposed to be lurking about the county, in Longcreek, Lower Black River and Upper Black River districts, committing acts of felony and other misdeeds: These, therefore, are to command the said Peter, in the name of the state of north Carolina, to surrender himself forthwith to his said master, or some other person: and we do hereby order this proclamation to be published at the Court House door, and two other public places in New Hanover county; and we warn said slave if he does not immediately surrender himself as aforesaid, it shall and may be lawful for any person to take him dead or alive, without accusation or impeachment of any crime whatsoever. Given under our hands and seals, this 2d day of August, A. D., 1860.

[Signed]: Jas. Garrason, J. P., (Seal), F. H. Bell, J. P., (Seal)

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RUNAWAY from the subscriber, about three months since, a negro woman named BRIDGETT. She walks lame, but quick, of dark complexion, low built, aged about 35 or 40 years. She is supposed to be lurking on the Sound, in the neighborhood of Wrightsville. The above reward will be paid for her confinement in Wilmington Jail, or for her delivery to the subscriber. 

Dated: Aug. 2, 1860.  Signed: Jere. J. KING.

Note: This was still published in 1861 on Jan 3 in the Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, North Carolina.

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Aug 9, 1860

I will give a reward of twenty-five dollars for the delivery of the said Peter to me at my Plantation alive, or Fifty dollars for his head. 

Dated: Aug. 9, 1860 by Jas. P. Moore.

Note: This was still published in 1861 on Jan 3.

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Nov 6, 1860

Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States under the new Republican Party replacing James Buchanan.  Lincoln was against slavery but had said that he would not interfere with it where it existed.

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Nov 22, 1860

RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on the morning of the 5th instant [Nov 1860], my Negro Man Dick, 24 years of age, about 5 feet, 5 or 6 inches high, quick spoken, and intelligent. Also, Negro Woman SUSAN, (his wife,) and boy child, 2 years old. Susan is about 20 years old, very likely, with very white teeth.

I will give the above reward to have the Negroes delivered to me, or secured in any jail so that I can get them again.

[Signed:] William H. Holmes,

Clinton, Sampson county, N. C.,

Nov. 22, 1860.

Note: This was still published in 1861 on Jan 3 in the Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, North Carolina.

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Dec 20, 1860

South Carolina seceded from the Union, the first state to secede.  After the war it was readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868. [Excerpt:]

We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance adopted by us in convention on the twenty-third day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying amendments of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed; and that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, under the name of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved.

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Dec 21, 1860

South Carolina Forts

On the 21st, Maj. Anderson spiked the guns in Fort Moultrie, burned the gun carriages, and, with his troops, took possession of Fort Sumpter [Sumter].

He did this on his own responsibility, and for his own safety. The South Carolinians have taken possession of the evacuated Fort and Castle-Pinkey.

The movement of Maj. Anderson took the Seceders by surprise. He is now in a safer place, and can defend himself to much better advantage. Gen. Scott says he acted wisely, and has rendered his position almost impregnable.[1]

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Dec 24, 1860

A Slave Insurrection Apprehended.

From a letter from Montgomery, Ala., dated December 24th, we quote as follows: - This is the night fixed upon for the insurrection among the negroes. The alarming accounts concerning the extent of the plot among the slaves in this vicinity, brought to light by the investigations at Pine Level, have created a good deal of excitement in the community, together with extra ordinary precautions. Although tonight the city is under strong military guard, at the same time, police, patrolmen and mounted rangers are on every side watching the slightest movements on the part of the negroes. During the day the negro cabins were visited and examined by members of the vigilance committee; still a single unusual cry in the streets tonight would cause many an unconscious dreamer to start trembling from his sleep.

Sitting here in the quiet of night, l have some dim conception of what must be that frenzy of terror which the near prospect of uprising among the blacks would produce the mere suspicion that this race, so singularly separated by color, but so fearfully enwoven in the lite of every family, these foes the hearthstone, have felt out the motives weapons of war. The truth is that wherever there is a strong and watchful body of whites, there is no fear of uprising among the slaves; here absolute security stops. In a city there is little danger of an insurrection; but nearly all the insurrections which take place in the country, have their origin in the cities, and should the military companies - which now embody nearly all young men, he called away, what would be the securities of the towns?  I am unable to say. The securities of the country are less. I have been in sections - and they are numerous where in an area of six square miles, the death of five men would leave several hundred slaves without a single opponent, and this, too, among a class of slaves restrained by none of the ties of affection which grow up on both sides where the duties, as in cases of house servant's, bring them impersonal association with the family of the minister. The only ground of security, in cases like this, is to cut off all opportunities of congregation and concert, and here lies the burden of the overseer' responsibility – a responsibility that knows no relaxation. There are multitudes of case on the large plantations, where these men do not take off their clothes to go to bed for months, but sleep dressed, with arm at hand, ready at all hour to visit the cabins, and see that no slave is absent.

Under such guardianship, with no prompters, there is little danger. On smaller plantation, where such precautions are impossible, the chief security is the patrol; here it is perfectly well known the slaves pass their nights in the woods, or in the cabins of neighboring plantations, being careful only to be back before daybreak, and to avoid the whip of the patrol. I dwell on these things because, in the madness of the moment, no sections speak more loudly for war than those where the withdrawal of a score of men would leave half a township (if we had such divisions) without protectors. It appears from the development of the plot at Pine Level, that the insurrectionists had gone so far as to divide the anticipated booty, and some had already bartered off their right to mules, &c. There was the usual number of cases of misapplied confidences, &c., thus a widow, living in the vicinity, on being asked if she was not afraid, replied that, in case of danger, she had only to tell her coachman to lie before the door, and she would be safe. The coachman, as you have anticipated, was found to be a ring leader, but enough of insurrections. [2]

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Dec 31, 1860

THE FORTS

Publication date.

FORT MOULTRIE. - All day Saturday and yesterday, our gallant troops were busy in the performance of the carious duties assigned them by the State.

The damage, though as yet unrepaired, is neither so extensive nor so unremediable as was at first thought. Under command of Major Anderson, the work was strengthened in a truly wonderful manner, though many parts of it were unfinished at the time of the evacuation. However, this is all so much labor saved the South Carolina troops, and under the energetic superintendence of Col. Quinn, Engineer-in-Chief, and his efficient corps of aids, chosen principally from the Washington Artillery, the work commenced is being busily pushed forward to completion. A large force of laborers have been put to work, and in a very short time everything will be set in order.

Contrary to expectation, none of the guns of the fort are materially injured. Those that were spiked were rendered useless for the time being only. The instruments used to stop up the touch holes were simply wrought nails, most of which have already been taken out. None of the guns were injured by the application of tar either inside or outside—and the way the impression got abroad that this substance had been used by the evacuating party, was from the charred appearance of the tar, always used as a coating to protect the guns from the weather, after it was burned.

Carriages for the heavy 8-inch Columbiads, bearing on Fort Sumter, which were destroyed by fire on the night of evacuation, are being re-constructed with all possible dispatch in this city. The iron works of the old guns is capable of being used again, so that, after all, not much time will be lost.

In deserting the fort, military men say Major Anderson did as little harm to the works as it was possible for him to do. He might have done a great deal more. He might have blown up the work, or might have injured it to such a degree that it would have been rendered worthless even after a year's labor had been spent in repairing it. As it now is, tomorrow night will see it almost as strongly fortified as it was on the 26th.

THE GARRISON AT CASTLE PINOKNEY were in most excellent spirits throughout yesterday. The discipline maintained is rigid, and well adopted to render the post a security and reliance in time of danger. Its position renders it very valuable to our people, and with the vigilant troops who now hold it, we may rest secure. Nothing of interest has occurred at the post since its occupancy, and, in all likelihoods, nothing in the premises will be needed but the maintenance of the present good order and watchfulness.

THE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT FORT SUMTER. - From the accounts of a number of laborers who were sent from Fort Sumter on Friday night, our reporters have gleaned a mass of highly interesting details in relation to the strength and present condition of the great fortress which now forms the last stronghold of Federal authority within the limits of our State.

About six weeks ago, when there were no troops in Fort Sumter, the Federal officers in charge of that post proposed to the workmen employed in completing the fortifications, and who then numbered about 150 men, that they should enlist in the United States service, and thus vary the monotony of handling the trowel and the derrick, by a little daily practice with the musket and the howitzer.

The workmen, most of whom were from a Southern city, at first demurred from this somewhat extraordinary proposal, alleging that they came to work and not to fight; and, finally, after consultation among themselves, they flatly refused to become the thankless tools of coercion. The benevolent officers, as there was no help for it, suffered the matter to drop for a while, and the work of getting the guns in position and otherwise strengthening the fortress, was resumed by the stalwart Baltimore mechanics and laborers without any more martial propositions.

Thus matters wore on until the transfer of the garrison of Fort Moultrie "to Fort Sumter. On Thursday evening, when the Palmetto banner floating over Castle Pinckney, and the rockets from Fort Moultrie announced to the look-outs on the ramparts of Fort Sumter the occupation of both those works by the State troops, the impression was quite prevalent among the United States officers that a sudden attack upon their own position would follow. The laborers were again hastily summoned together—again the officers endeavored to coax them to don the blue cloth and brass buttons in defense of the fort, and again the sturdy sons of toil declined the tempting offer. Finding that the workmen were immovable in their resolve not to participate in any contest with the forces of South Carolina, the officers thought that the next best thing was to get men who could evince no sympathy for Federal tyranny out of the way as soon as possible. The boats were accordingly manned shortly after nightfall, and the larger portion of the workmen were quietly taken over to Fort Johnson. The workmen say that this was done by order of Capt. Foster, who, it will be remembered, was in Charleston that same morning (Thursday).

The dreaded attack not having taken place, the laborers and mechanics returned on Friday morning, when about eighty of them, including all the master mechanics, weary of a position so full of danger and alarms, announced their intention to quit. On demanding their pay, they received drafts on the North, instead of the specie in which the government usually pays its employees, and, glad to get away, they embarked at 4 o'clock on Saturday morning on a schooner for Charleston.

On arriving in Charleston, they found themselves in a strange city and destitute of means. A purse was promptly made up for them among some of our liberal citizens, and on Saturday afternoon they departed for their homes on the steamship Keystone State. Previous to leaving, however, they related the following facts concerning the post they have just left:

The force now remaining in Fort Sumter consists of about one hundred and thirty men, fifty of whom are laborers, and the rest troops belonging to the artillery branch of the United States service. These [unreadable] sufficient to man about one half the guns [unreadable] the guns were all mounted. Fortunately, however, this is far from being the case. Out of seventy-five pieces of heavy ordnance now in the fort, only eleven are fully mounted. These are all casemate guns [unreadable] include the nine guns of that face of the fortress fronting towards Sullivan’s Island. Two more of these casemate guns were nearly mounted on Friday evening, but the work of getting them in position is necessarily slow and tedious, and, with the force now at work, it is impossible to mount more than three guns per day at the utmost. The heaviest guns, too, which are the ten-inch Columbiads, have yet to be mounted. One of the casemate guns at one of the angles of the walls has been placed in position so as to cover Castle Pinckney. The garrison were on Friday evening getting ready to mount some of the casemate guns on the South side of the walls.

Besides these heavy pieces, four of the lighter barbette guns are mounted upon the ramparts, pointing towards Morris' island. These are so arranged upon pivot carriages as to sweep around the whole horizon. The magazine of the fortress is well stocked with an immense quantity of grape, canister and shells, and about seven hundred barrels of powder. All the small arms and stores of Fort Moultrie have been transferred with the garrison, and there is a sufficient accumulation of provisions to last, in case of necessity, for six months at least. Four large cisterns contain an ample supply of fresh water, but it is now well understood that Fort Sumter has no fuel to spare.— The rumor current in the city that a number of the guns in Fort Sumter, which are not yet mounted, had been spiked by the Southern workmen, is without foundation.

THE ARSENAL. - Colonel John Cunningham, having been ordered by Gov. Pickens to take command of the Arsenal, completed this order yesterday (Sunday) about half past 1 o'clock. At that hour Capt. Humphreys gave up the command to Col. Cunningham. The Federal flag was lowered after a salute of 32 guns, the State troops having been drawn up in order, presenting arms. The Palmetto flag was then attached, and run up with a salute of one gun for South Carolina. The Arsenal is now in command of Col. Cunningham, of the 17th Regiment.

WHAT THE LADIES CAN DO. - In reply to many inquiries from fair friends we would say that they can serve the State at present by preparing roller bandages three and four inches wide, six yards long, of long cloth. They will be acceptable to the Surgeon-General's department. It has also been suggested to us that, in anticipation of the casualties which we have every reason to fear may occur at no distant period, the daughters of Carolina prepare lint in abundance, which can easily be obtained by the unravelling of old linen. In the event of any collision, the comfort of the wounded would imperatively demand this provision.

MILITARY MOVEMENTS. - A detachment of the Citadel Cadets, under command of Major Stevens, left this city on Sunday for Morris’ Island.

The Charleston Riflemen also left the city on Saturday last, under command of Capt. Johnson, for James' Island.

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Dec 29, 1860

Worthy of Imitation

The following correspondence needs no comment:

CHARLESTON, Dec. 29, 1860. - To L. M. Hatch, Quartermaster General, S. C. M. : Sir – I offer to the service of the State my force free of charge, and will direct their labor myself so long as we can be of service.

[Signed] C. GAILLARD.

P. S.— My friends are as ready as myself.

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CHARLESTON, Dec. 29, 1860

C. Gaillard, Esq.: DEAR Sir — Your offer is gladly accepted.  This is work and not talk.

The State now needs the strength of all who can work. People must work before they can be prepared to fight. At the moment your offer came I was feeling the want of one hundred men to repair the causeway built back of Sullivan's Island during the revolution.

Very respectfully,

LEWIS M. HATCH, Quartermaster General, S. C. M.

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Andrew T. Harlee, lately a clerk in Washington, has arrived in Charleston, as bearer of dispatches from the South Carolina Commission. Mr. Harlee is one of many Carolinians who have lately resigned office in Washington.

We take pleasure and pride in recording the fact that some of the employers of the young men who are now under military service, have given them notice that salaries will not be suspended. [3]

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Alabama

Sale of Negroes

The negroes belonging to the estate of Samuel Townsend, deceased, were sold at auction in Huntsville, Alabama, on Monday and Tuesday of last week. The bidding was very high, and the prices far exceed the expectations of every one. One hundred and sixty-three negroes, old and young, were sold for $134,642, the average being $823.14 [$826] apiece.[4]

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1860 Federal Marine Disasters

Steamers – Ships – Barks – Brigs – Schooners – Sloops

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January 1861

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Jan 1, 1861

The Richmond Enquirer advises Maryland and Virginia promptly to interpose to prevent Mr. Lincoln’s inauguration at Washington, by taking possession of the capitol without delay. It says such step will be unavoidable, sooner or later. [5]

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We understand that the President of the United States had concluded to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Secretary Floyd, of the War Department, by appointing General Scott to that position, and had even proceeded so far as to forward his nomination to the Senate for confirmation; Secretaries Thompson and Thomas, however, hearing of the fact, declared that they would instantly tender their resignations if such appointment was made; which declaration caused the President to change his decision and revoke the appointment. Postmaster General Holt was then requested to act as Secretary of war interim, which he has consented to do.

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Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, in a letter addressed to persons in Philadelphia, favors the proposition of Mr. Adams, to admit New Mexico as a State. He says slavery can never be established there, as agriculture can only be carried on by irrigation. He doubts the expediency of further acquisitions of territory at present, as they would only give occasion for disputes, arising from differences of opinion upon the slavery question, which are irreconcilable.

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The Post General has ordered warrants to be drawn in favor of the mail contractors in South Carolina for about thirty-six thousand dollars, being the balance to the credit of the Department deposited with the Assistant Treasurer at Charleston, thus securing to the postal service all accrued funds in that seceding State.

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T. S. Peters, Esq., a citizen of Alabama, opposed to secession, publishes a letter to the President, asking him what degree of protection are those to expect from the General Government who wish to remain in the seceding or revolutionary States, and to continue citizens of the United States of America, loyal to the Constitution, the Government, and the laws thereof?

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Agreement with South Carolina

[Excerpt]:  It seems to be settled that there was an agreement between the Administration and the chiefs of the South Carolina treason, that the status quo of the forts in Charleston harbor was to be preserved, without reinforcements, South Carolina, on her part, agreeing to abstain from attack, until she had tried negotiations here with Congress, for a peaceful surrender of the forts. It is this agreement, doubtless, to which Miles referred in his speech in the South Carolina Convention, in which he said, that if at liberty to state matters which were confidential, he could satisfy everybody that South Carolina had no reason to trouble herself about the Charleston forts.

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FLORIDA

The New York papers publish an extract from a letter received in that city from Key West, which is eminently suggestive. The writer says:

There are enough Union men in this town to carry the day, if they could be sure of protection against invasion from the South. Men will remain true to the Union, if Government would provide for their protection by garrisoning the forts.

And it is so, as we are advised and believe, in other Southern States, which are being carried in for secession. A reign of terror prevails, and there is no national force, under cover of which the sound elements can rally. It is the treachery of the Administration which has ruined every-thing. But all this will be changes, after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln.

The writer says, further:

The fort here, Fort Taylor, has sixty heavy guns mounted, and is in so good a condition of defense, that one hundred men can hold it against five thousand for a reasonable time. Fort Jefferson, at the Tortugas, has no guns mounted.

It is not merely the trade of the Mississippi, but the trade between our Atlantic and Pacific ports, which these points in Florida command. The idea of yielding these to the handful of people in what is called the State of Florida, who have been living on Government money for the last thirty years, is absurd.

Florida costs us five million in the original purchase, and has cost ten times that in its protection. But it is well worth the money. The positions of Pensacola, Tortugas, and Key West, can