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Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
 | | From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/4/2010 2:52:43 PM | Hi,
The following are excerpts from Welles' diary during the Gettysburg Campaign.
Welles was President Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy.
30 June: "Lee and his army are well advanced into Pennsylvania, and they should not be permitted to fall back and recross the Potomac. Halleck is bent on driving them back, not on intercepting their retreat; is full of zeal to drive them out of Pennsylvania. I don't want them to leave the State, except as prisoners. Meade will, I trust, keep closer to them than some others have done. I understand his first order was for the troops at Harper's Ferry to join him, which was granted. Hooker asked this, but it was denied him by the War Department and General Halleck."
"We have no positive information that the Rebels have crossed the Susquehanna, though we have rumors to that effect. There is no doubt the bridge at Columbia, one and a half miles long, has been burnt, and, it seems, by our own people. The officer who ordered it must have been imbued with Halleck's tactics. I wish the Rebel army had got across before the bridge was burnt. But Halleck's prayers and efforts, especially his prayers, are to keep the Rebels back, — drive them back across the "frontiers" instead of intercepting, capturing, and annihilating them. This movement of Lee and the Rebel forces into Pennsylvania is to me incomprehensible, nor do I get any light from military men or others in regard to it. Should they cross the Susquehanna, as our General-in-Chief and Governor Curtin fear, they will never recross it without being first captured. This they know, unless deceived by their sympathizing friends in the North, as in 1861; therefore I do not believe they will attempt it.
I have talked over this campaign with Stanton this evening, but I get nothing from him definite or satisfactory of fact or speculation, and I come to the conclusion that he is bewildered, that he gets no light from his military subordinates and advisers, and that he really has no information or opinion as to the Rebel destination or purpose."
1 July:"July 1, Wednesday. We have reports that the Rebels have fallen back from York, and I shall not be surprised if they escape capture, or even a second fight, though we have rumors of hard fighting to-day."
2 July: "Met Sumner and went with him to the War Department. The President was there, and we read dispatches received from General Meade. There was a smart fight, but without results, near Gettysburg yesterday. A rumor is here that we have captured six thousand prisoners, and on calling again this evening at the War Department I saw a telegram which confirms it. General Reynolds is reported killed. The tone of Meade's dispatch is good."
3 July: "July 3, Friday. I met the President and Seward at the War Department this morning. A dispatch from General Meade, dated 3 P.m. yesterday, is in very good tone. The Sixth Army Corps, he says, was just arriving entire but exhausted, having been on the march from 9 P.m. of the preceding evening. In order that they may rest and recruit, he will not attack, but is momentarily expecting an onset from the Rebels.
They were concentrating for a fight, and, unless Meade is greatly deceived, there will be a battle in the neighborhood of Gettysburg. I hope our friends are not deceived so that the Rebel trains with their plunder can escape through the valley."
July 4, "Saturday. I was called up at midnight precisely by a messenger with telegram from Byington, dated at Hanover Station, stating that the most terrific battle of the War was being fought at or near Gettysburg, that he left the field at half-past 6 P.m. with tidings, and that everything looked hopeful. The President was at the War Department, where this dispatch, which is addressed to me, was received. It was the first word of the great conflict. Nothing had come to the War Department. There seems to have been no system, no arrangement, for prompt, constant, and speedy intelligence. I had remained at the War Department for news until about eleven. Some half an hour later the dispatch from Byington to me came over the wires, but nothing from any one to Stanton or Halleek. The operator in the War Department gave the dispatch to the President, who remained. He asked, "Who is Byington? " None in the Department knew anything of him, and the President telegraphed to Hanover Station, asking, "Who is Byington?" The operator replied, "Ask the Secretary of the Navy." I informed the President that the telegram was reliable. Byington is the editor and proprietor of a weekly paper in Norwalk, Connecticut, active and stirring; is sometimes employed by the New York Tribune, and is doubtless so employed now.
The information this morning and dispatches from General Meade confirm Byington's telegram. There is much confusion in the intelligence received. The information is not explicit. A great and bloody battle was fought, and our army has the best of it, but the end is not yet. Everything, however, looks encouraging. •
Later in the day dispatches from Haupt and others state that Lee with his army commenced a retreat this A.m. at three o'clock. Our army is waiting for supplies to come up before following, — a little of the old lagging infirmity. Couch is said to be dilatory; has not left Harrisburg; his force has not pushed forward with alacrity. Meade sent him word, "The sound of my guns should have prompted your movement." Lee and the Rebels may escape in consequence. If they are driven back, Halleck will be satisfied. That has been his great anxiety, and too many of our officers think it sufficient if the Rebels quit and go off, — that it is unnecessary to capture, disperse, and annihilate them.
Extreme partisans fear that the success of our arms will be success to the Administration. Governor Curtin is in trepidation, lest, if our troops leave Harrisburg to join Meade, the Rebels will rush in behind them and seize the Pennsylvania capital. On the other hand, Stanton and Halleck ridicule the sensitiveness of the Governor, and are indifferent to his wishes and responsibilities. Of course, matters do not work well."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/6/2010 1:42:30 PM | 6 July:
"The army news continues to be favorable. Lee is on the retreat, and Meade in hot pursuit, each striving to get possession of the passes of the Potomac."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/7/2010 1:41:02 PM | 7 July,
"July 7, Tuesday. The President said this morning, with a countenance indicating sadness and despondency, that Meade still lingered at Gettysburg, when he should have been at Hagerstown or near the Potomac, to cut off the retreating army of Lee. While unwilling to complain and willing and anxious to give all praise to the general and army for the great battle and victory, he feared the old idea of driving the Rebels out of Pennsylvania and Maryland, instead of capturing them,, was still prevalent among the officers. He hoped this was not so, said he had spoken to Halleck and urged that the right tone and spirit should be infused into officers and men, and that General Meade especially should be reminded of his (the President's) wishes and expectations. But General Halleck gave him a short and curt reply, showing that he did not participate and sympathize in this feeling, and, said the President, "I drop the subject.
This is the President's error. His own convictions and conclusions are infinitely superior to Halleck's, — even in military operations more sensible and more correct always, — but yet he says, " It being strictly a military question, it is proper I should defer to Halleck, whom I have called here to counsel, advise, and direct in these matters, where he is an expert." I question whether he should be considered an expert. I look upon Halleck as a pretty good scholarly critic of other men's deeds and acts, but as incapable of originating or directing military operations."
"...At the moment of receiving this delegation I was handed a dispatch from Admiral Porter, communicating the fall of Vicksburg on the fourth of July. Excusing myself to the delegation, I immediately returned to the Executive Mansion. The President was detailing certain points relative to Grant's movements on the map to Chase and two or three others, when I gave him the tidings. Putting down the map, he rose at once, said we would drop these topics, and "I myself will telegraph this news to General Meade." He seized his hat, but suddenly stopped, his countenance beaming with joy; he caught my hand, and, throwing his arm around me, exclaimed: "What can we do for the Secretary of the Navy for this glorious intelligence? He is always giving us good news. I cannot, in words, tell you my joy over this result. It is great, Mr. Welles, it is great!"
We walked across the lawn together. "This," said he, "will relieve Banks. It will inspire me." The opportunity I thought a good one to request him to insist upon his own views, to enforce them, not only on Meade but on Halleck."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| civilwarguyincanada
Southern, ON, Canada
Posts: 1416
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/7/2010 8:10:45 PM | These are fascinating, Rick.
In these days of instant communication by all sorts of means, it was fascinating to read how Lincoln came to know about things in Gettysburg.
Thanks for posting this series,
Cheers
Ed
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/8/2010 1:50:30 PM | 8 July:
"July 8, Wednesday. There was a serenade last night in honor of the success of our arms at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The last has excited a degree of enthusiasm not excelled during the war."
...The Potomac is swollen by the late heavy rains, and the passage of the Rebel army is rendered impossible for several days. They are short of ammunition. In the mean time our generals should not lose their opportunity. I trust they will not. Providence favors them. Want of celerity, however, has been one of the infirmities of some of our generals in all this war. Stanton and Halleck should stimulate the officers to press forward at such a tune as this, but I fear that they are engaged in smaller matters and they will be more unmindful of these which are more important. Halleck's policy consists in stopping the enemy's advance, or in driving the enemy back, — never to capture. Enough has been said to S. and H. to make them aware of the urgency of the President and Cabinet, and I trust it may have a good effect, but I do not learn that anything extra is being done. The President says he is rebuffed when he undertakes to push matters."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/10/2010 2:53:34 PM | 10 July:
"July 10, Friday. I am assured that our army is steadily, but I fear too slowly, moving upon Lee and the Rebels. There are, I hope, substantial reasons for this tardiness. Why cannot our army move as rapidly as the Rebels? The high water in the river has stopped them, yet our troops do not catch up. It has been the misfortune of our generals to linger, never to avail themselves of success, — to waste, or omit to gather, the fruits of victory. Only success at Gettysburg and Vicksburg will quiet the country for the present hesitancy. No light or explanation is furnished by the General-in-Chief or the War Department."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/11/2010 2:53:48 PM | 11 July:
"I fear the Rebel army will escape, and am compelled to believe that some of our generals are willing it should. They are contented to have the War continue. Never before have they been so served nor their importance so felt and magnified, and when the War is over but few of them will retain their present importance."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| joe mieczkowski
Fairfield, PA, USA
Posts: 327
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/11/2010 3:20:38 PM | Good stuff Rick
Joe
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You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. -- Simon Cameron
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| texasbob
Texas Hill Country, TX, USA
Posts: 624
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/11/2010 7:11:55 PM |
Quote:11 July:
"I ... am compelled to believe that some of our generals ... are contented to have the War continue. Never before have they been so served nor their importance so felt and magnified, and when the War is over but few of them will retain their present importance."
VR, Rick Schaus
--Rick Schaus
This sounds quite reminiscent of things I heard during the Vietnam War, not just from suspicious civilians but from some Army and Air Force officers (including a relative of mine and several colleagues). They believed that they got more and faster promotions because of the war and hence more money and status. War brought them rewards and opportunities for rapid advancement.
In view of the very large salaries paid today to our "volunteer" military personnel, I can't help but wonder if some of the same thinking is not at work. I recently heard a retired AF colonel advise a young man to join the Marines and go to Afghanistan because he would be very handsomely paid.
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Cheers y'all,
And with full respect for all who fight the fight against obfuscation, the sowing of confusion, deception, falsification, fabrication, and other intellectual dishonesties,
texasbob
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| scoucer
Berlin, Germany
Posts: 507
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/11/2010 10:27:29 PM | Hey Texasbob,
I don`t want to hijack the thread but your comments have touched a point that I have thought about for some time. Really several points that, maybe, seem to hang together.
Since the ACW, military success or service, in the USA, seems to be a way into politics in a way that would have been unthinkable in Europe. At least until the fascists showed up. How many former ACW generals, Union and Confederate, got into higher political positions ? ( Hey Mike Johnson, Phil Andrade and several others I could mention, take note, the question is rhetorical !) Presidents, Presidential nominees/candidates, Governours, Congressmen ? In Europe I can only think of Wellington ( a pretty rotten Prime Minister ). I can imagine Moltke being insulted at the suggestion of being Kanzler.
Eisenhower, like Grant, becomes President. Montgomery as Prime Minister ? -Forget it ! I start thinking of JFK, Kerry, even of McCain.
I start thinking of Custer having a Democrat nomination in mind as he cocked up at Little Big Horn.
Were so many losses in the Overland Campaign the result of northern Governours recruiting new regiments, instead of filling up the regiments they had like the confederates, because they could then offer new commissions to friends and political favourites, a sort of second wave of political generals ?
Is this tradition harmful to the american military in it`s present situation, or post WW2 ?
Your thoughts and of course everbody else as well would interest me.
All the Best
Trevor
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`Hey don´t the wars come easy and don´t the peace come hard`- Buffy Sainte-Marie
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| sicklesrightleg
Quakertown, PA, USA
Posts: 30
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/12/2010 1:48:24 PM | RE: How many former ACW generals, Union and Confederate, got into higher political positions ? As far as Civil war veterans becoming President of the United States, there were Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley.
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Live long and prosper,
Steve
addendum to Murphy's Law: You will never run out of things that can go wrong
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/13/2010 2:00:17 PM | 13 July:
"July 13, Monday. The army is still at rest. Halleck stays here in Washington, within four hours of the army, smoking his cigar, doing as little as the army. If he gives orders for an onward movement and is not obeyed, why does he not remove to headquarters in the field? If this army is permitted to escape across the Potomac, woe be to those who permit it!
The forces which were on the Pamunkey have been ordered up and are passing through Baltimore to the great army, which is already too large, four times as large as the Rebels, who have been driven on to the banks of the Potomac, and are waiting for the river to fall, so that they can get back into Virginia without being captured or molested, — and Meade is waiting to have them. Drive them back, is Halleck's policy."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/14/2010 2:12:59 PM | 14 July:
"July 14, Tuesday. We have accounts of mobs, riots, and disturbances in New York and other places in consequence of the Conscription Act. Our information is very meagre; two or three mails are due; the telegraph is interrupted. There have been powerful rains which have caused great damage to the railroads and interrupted all land communication between this and Baltimore.
There are, I think, indubitable evidences of concert in these riotous movements, beyond the accidental and impulsive outbreak of a mob, or mobs. Lee's march into Pennsylvania, the appearance of several Rebel steamers off the coast, the mission of A. H. Stephens to Washington, seem to be parts of one movement, have one origin, are all concerted schemes between the Rebel leaders and Northern sympathizing friends, — the whole put in operation when the Government is enforcing the conscription. This conjunction is not all accidental, but parts of a great plan. In the midst of all this and as a climax comes word that Lee's army has succeeded in recrossing the Potomac. If there had been an understanding between the mob conspirators, the Rebels, and our own officers, the combination of incidents could not have been more advantageous to the Rebels.
The Cabinet-meeting was not full to-day. Two or three of us were there, when Stanton came in with some haste and asked to see the President alone. The two were absent about three minutes in the library. When they returned, the President's countenance indicated trouble and distress; Stanton was disturbed, disconcerted. Usher asked Stanton if he had bad news. He said, "No." Something was said of the report that Lee had crossed the river. Stanton said abruptly and curtly he knew nothing of Lee's crossing. "I do," said the President emphatically, with a look of painful rebuke to Stanton. "If he has not got all of his men across, he soon will."
The President said he did not believe we could take up anything in Cabinet to-day. Probably none of us were in a right frame of mind for deliberation; he was not. He wanted to see General Halleck at once. Stanton left abruptly. I retired slowly. The President hurried and overtook me. We walked together across the lawn to the Departments and stopped and conversed a few moments at the gate. He said, with a voice and countenance which I shall never forget, that he had dreaded yet expected this; that there has seemed to him for a full week a determination that Lee, though we had him in our hands, should escape with his force and plunder. "And that, my God, is the last of this Army of the Potomac! There is bad faith somewhere. Meade has been pressed and urged, but only one of his generals was for an immediate attack, was ready to pounce on Lee; the rest held back. What does it mean, Mr. Welles? Great God! what does it mean?" I asked what orders had gone from him, while our troops had been quiet with a defeated and broken army in front, almost destitute of ammunition, and an impassable river to prevent then escape. He could not say that anything positive had been done, but both Stanton and Halleck professed to agree with him and he thought Stanton did. Halleck was all the time wanting to hear from Meade. "Why," said I, "he is within four hours of Meade. Is it not strange that he has not been up there to advise and encourage him?" I stated I had observed the inertness, if not incapacity, of the General-in-Chief, and had hoped that he, who had better and more correct views, would issue peremptory orders. The President immediately softened his tone and said: "Halleck knows better than I what to do. He is a military man, has had a military education. I brought him here to give me military advice. His views and mine are widely different. It is better that I, who am not a military man, should defer to him, rather than he to me." I told the President I did not profess to be a military man, but there were some things on which I could form perhaps as correct an opinion as General Halleck, and I believed that he, the President, could more correctly, certainly more energetically, direct military movements than Halleck, who, it appeared to me, could originate nothing, and was, as now, all the tune waiting to hear from Meade, or whoever was in command.
I can see that the shadows which have crossed my mind have clouded the President's also. On only one or two occasions have I ever seen the President so troubled, so dejected and discouraged.
Two hours later I went to the War Department. The President lay upon a sofa in Stanton's room, completely absorbed, overwhelmed with the news. He was, however, though subdued and sad, calm and resolute. Stanton had asked me to come over and read Dana's1 report of the materials found at Vicksburg. The amount is very great, and the force was large. Thirty-one thousand two hundred prisoners have been paroled. Had Meade attacked and captured the army above us, as I verily believe he might have done, the Rebellion would have been ended. He was disposed to attack, I am told, but yielded to his generals, who were opposed. If the war were over, those generals would drop into subordinate positions."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/15/2010 2:55:15 PM | 15 July:
"...Seward called on me to-day with the draft of a Proclamation for Thanksgiving on the 29th inst. With Meade's failure to capture or molest Lee in his retreat and with mobs to reject the laws, it was almost a mockery, yet we have much to be thankful for. A wise Providence guards us and will, it is hoped, overrule the weakness and wickedness of men and turn their misdeeds to good."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/16/2010 2:12:37 PM | 16 July:
"Lee's army has recrossed the Potomac, unmolested, carrying off all its artillery and the property stolen in Pennsylvania. When I ask why such an escape was permitted, I am told that the generals opposed an attack. What generals? None are named. Meade is in command there; Halleck is General-in-Chief here. They should be held responsible. There are generals who, no doubt, will acquiesce without any regrets in having this war prolonged.
In this whole summer's campaign I have been unable to see, hear, or obtain evidence of power, or will, or talent, or originality on the part of General Halleck. He has suggested nothing, decided nothing, done nothing but scold and smoke and scratch his elbows. Is it possible the energies of the nation should be wasted by the incapacity of such a man?"
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/17/2010 6:25:07 PM | 17 July:
"At the Cabinet council...
Some remarks on the great error of General Meade in permitting Lee and the Rebel army with all their plunder to escape led the President to say he would not yet give up that officer. "He has committed," said the President, "a terrible mistake, but we will try him farther." No one expressed his approval, but Seward said, "Excepting the escape of Lee, Meade has shown ability." It was evident that the retention of Meade had been decided.
In a conversation with General Wadsworth, who called on me, I learned that at the council of the general officers, Meade was disposed to make an attack, and was supported by Wadsworth, Howard, and Pleasonton, but Sedgwick, Sykes, and the older regular officers dissented. Meade, rightly disposed but timid and irresolute, hesitated and delayed until too late. Want of decision and self-reliance in an emergency has cost him and the country dear, for had he fallen upon Lee it could hardly have been otherwise than the capture of most of the Rebel army."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Rick Schaus
Capon Springs, WV, USA
Posts: 504
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/18/2010 4:07:24 PM | 18 July
"Had Meade done his duty, we should have witnessed a speedy change throughout the South. It is a misfortune that the command of the army had not been in stronger hands and with a man of broader views, and that he had not a more competent superior than Halleck. The late infirm action will cause a postponement of the end. Lee has been allowed to retreat — to retire — unmolested, with his army and guns, and the immense plunder which the Rebels have pillaged. The generals have succeeded in prolonging the war. Othello's occupation is not yet gone."
VR, Rick Schaus
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| Red Bailey
Dewey, AZ, USA
Posts: 840
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/18/2010 5:38:06 PM | Gideon Welles' observations are great reading from the mind of one of Lincoln's cabinet officers. However, the simple fact that Lincoln, Stanton, and Grant retained Meade in Commander of the AOP until the end of the war seems to imply that there was no one better able to do that job, including Mr. Welles.
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'War is often the result of the failure to reason' - Anonymous
As usual,
Red
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| kp
Belle Vernon, PA, USA
Posts: 269
| | Re: From the diary of Gideon Welles | | Posted on: 7/18/2010 9:06:37 PM |
Quote:RE: How many former ACW generals, Union and Confederate, got into higher political positions ? As far as Civil war veterans becoming President of the United States, there were Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley.
--sicklesrightleg
Minor point: Andrew Johnson was given the rank of Brig. Gen. so that he could be appointed military gov. of Tennessee. He never saw combat.
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With respect,
KP
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