Download FEBRUARY 2, 1863

FEBRUARY 2, 1863
GEN. GRANT'S ARMY, AND
OPERATIONS DOWN THE
MISSISSIPPI
Gen. Grant, since taking command of all
the forces destined for the siege of
Vicksburg, has been actively employed in
drawing in his forces from the posts of the
Upper Mississippi, in the organization of
his army, and in moving it down the river.
A portion of McClernaud's command, in
the advance, had arrived at Butler's “cut
off” opposite Vicksburg, and were engaged
in digging the channel. The river was quite
high.
From rebel sources we learned of the
passage of an immense fleet of transports
by Friar's Point on the 20th.
In the Department of West Tennessee,
under command of Gen. C. S. Hamilton,
nothing of interest has occurred. There was
some alarm at Memphis on the 28th in
regard to a reported advance of a large
rebel fore from Grenada.
In Arkansas, Gen. Gorman's Expedition
up the White River seems to have been
rather profitless, as no rebels were to be
found.
FEBRUARY 6, 1863
Secret Societies among the Slaves
A Federal officer, recently a prisoner of
the South, makes a curious statement
relative to the organization of intelligent
slaves into secret societies. Other officers
have affirmed the same thing, and it is
likewise declared to be a fact by the author
of that impressive work, “Among the
Pines.” The paroled officer says:
“At one place, which it would be unwise
to mention, we found some slaves who
asked us if we were Yankees. On assuring
them we were, and speaking a few kind
words, the asked us to follow them at a
distance to a room of theirs. We had not
been there long before several joined them,
each speaking some word through the key
hole, without which they could get no reply
from those within. The asked us
innumerable questions about the North, the
Administration, and the prospects of the
war, which we answered to the best of our
knowledge. They told us that they were
organized into secret societies throughout
the South, and were patiently waiting for an
opportunity to render the President's
expected proclamation of freedom to their
aid. Several present were men whom their
masters trusted in important transactions,
and many assured me that their masters
could hardly be convinced that they would
do aught against the 'institution,' but placed
the most implicit confidence in them. They
appeared to be well posted in public affairs,
and confident that the Confederacy was on
its last legs, as they said the people
everywhere
were
grumbling
and
complaining of hard times and praying for
peace. One compared the Confederacy to a
closet door in the room, which hung on only
one hinge, and that cracked.”
FEBRUARY 14, 1863
How to Prevent Smuggling Through
Mexico. – There is one way, and one only.
If the government really desires to cut off
the supplies the Confederacy has received
by the Rio Grande and through Mexico, it
should send a force of say 5,000 infantry
and three batteries to Brownsville. It is
supposed that there are at least 5,000 men,
including United States regulars, and New
Mexico and California volunteers, all of
whom are doing nothing (though nominally
“in occupation”) at El Paso. It is estimated
that a force of 5,000 more men could be
raised in Texas, and on the Mexican side of
the Rio Grande, within a few weeks.
Toward the last 5,000, there are now nearly
1,300 men, mostly “Texas Mexicans,” on
the west bank of the river. Half of these
men are mounted and armed, but are short
of ammunition. They have been joined by a
few Americans, and have recently made one
or two raids into Texas. With the 5,000 men
to go from the United States, plenty of arms
and ammunition should be sent for those
who will volunteer on the ground. Under
this scheme, if it is carried out, the federal
government will soon have a force of at
least 15,000 fighting men in Western Texas.
– N. O. Cor. N. Y. World
FEBRUARY 17, 1863
The Fourteenth Wisconsin in Action
On the 2nd instant, a detachment of 125
men, under command of Lieutenant Colonel
Ward, of the Fourteenth Wisconsin, with a
twelve-pound
howitzer,
started
for
Richmond and met with no opposition until
within a mile of the place, when 250 rebel
cavalry made their appearance. In a
skirmish one saddle was emptied on the
rebel side, and three on ours.
Our men returned with six horses
captured from the Confederate cavalry, a
number of mules, fifty head of beef cattle
and several prisoners. Before leaving the
town, they destroyed the Orange Hotel,
from which the rebels fired upon them.
FEBRUARY 18, 1863
Ordered to be Executed
War Department, Adj. Gen.'s Office
Washington, Feb. 9, 1868
General Orders, No. 36.
At a General Court Martial, which
convened at Fort Monroe, Virginia, October
16, 1862, pursuant to Special Orders, No.
131, Headquarters Department of Virginia,
October 15, 1862, and of which Captain W.
N. S. Sanders, Third New York Volunteers,
was President, was arraigned and tried –
Private Sylvester Buel, Company B, 3rd
New York Volunteers:
Charge: “Desertion.”
Specification: “In this; that he, the said
Private Sylvester Buel, Company B, 3rd
Infantry, New York Volunteers, being duly
enlisted in the service of the United States,
at Albany, New York, on or about the 15th
day of September, 1962, did desert the said
service on or about the 26th day of
September, 1862, at Fort Monroe, Virginia.”
To which charge and specification the
accused pleaded as follows:
To the Specification: “Not Guilty.”
To the Charge: “Not Guilty.”
Finding.
The Court, after mature deliberation on
the evidence, finds the accused as follows:
Of the Specification: “Guilty.”
Of the Charge: “Guilty.”
Sentence.
And the Court does therefore sentence
him, the said Private, “to be shot to death
with musketry, at such time and place
as the General Commanding may
direct,” two thirds of the members
concurring therein.
In compliance with the 5th section of the
act approved July 17, 1862, the proceedings
in the case of Private Sylvester Buel have
been submitted to the President of the
United States, and the sentence is by him
approved.
By order of the Secretary of War:
L. THOMAS, Adjutant General.