Interlude VIII
Frankfort, Kentucky, June 24th, 1862
The men stood at attention in crisp grey uniforms freshly made in Nashville, the first new volunteer Kentucky regiment to serve under the banner of the Confederate States. Freshly raised in the last month. Nine hundred native Kentuckians in gray standing proudly with their equipment was enough to make John Breckinridge’s chest swell with pride as they received a congratulatory speech from the Confederate governor of Kentucky.
George Johnson was a man with a ruddy complexion and a crippled arm. Fifty-one years old he had not let that stop him from enlisting in the Confederate army as a private and serving at the battle at Elizabethtown, marching victoriously into Frankfort as a lowly foot soldier rather than riding in with great fanfare. This contrasted him starkly with the elected governor Beriah Magoffin who had fled, but separate from the State Legislature. Now the Confederates were setting up a new government to welcome the state into the new nation.
Breckinridge was hopeful this first regiment was a turning point in the nature of the state, showing that its people were willing to switch their allegiance. However, he reflected sourly, they did not control the entire state. His thoughts were interrupted as a brass band struck up the ‘quick step march’ and the new regiment marched off saluting smartly to the cheers of the assembled crowd.
“General,” Johnson said walking up to him as the crowd began to disperse “ride with me to the Governor’s office would you?” Breckinridge happily obliged. They mounted and joined their small escort to the governor’s residence. “Tell me general what do you think of the new regiment?”
“Green sir, but full of spirit.”
“It’s heartening that the people seem to be accepting our rule, this state is naturally made to line up with the Confederacy, there’s over two-hundred thousand slaves here. I’m sure once the abolitionist gang in Washington makes their true feelings known the people of Kentucky will support us whole heartedly.
“I would think that once Louisville falls the population will see our cause is sure to be triumphant.” Breckinridge said.
“How long do you think until that is general?” He asked. Breckinridge hesitated. “It’s alright, you can be honest with me. I expect to have something to say to my supporters here.”
“Well sir, being completely honest, the city is currently impregnable to our forces. Thomas’s entrenchments are strong, and we don’t have the heavy guns necessary to reduce him. Neither Beauregard nor Johnston has a proper siege train, and we don’t have the numbers to dislodge them by storm. I cannot say how long it would take to reduce the city by waiting.”
“That is not a comforting analysis general.”
“You ask for honesty sir, I can give nothing but my impression of the situation as it stands. Until we gain control of the rivers we cannot be secure. The battle at Columbus has given us an unenviable position on the Mississippi.”
“That will surely require resources from our own sate.”
“It will indeed sir, but as you say; I’m sure the people of Kentucky will rally to our cause. We do control nearly all the state now, and with our cavalry raiding into Ohio and Indiana we will have Union men tied down. The greater portion of their strength in the West is currently invading Canada.”
“British recognition would go a long way winning us support.” Johnson mused.
“It would indeed, but I cannot claim to know the minds of the British.” Breckinridge said ruefully. “Truly we need to hope that their support will draw off further Northern resources preventing them from focusing their strength against us. The more they push north the better things are for those of us here.”
Suddenly there was a shout from the roadway and a gray clad messenger came riding up. His horse was foaming at the mouth and the man was soaked with sweat. He puffed out his checks and saluted, Breckinridge returned it.
“Sir! I bring a message from General Beauregard!” He huffed out. “Island Number 10 has fallen!”
The news sent a shiver down Breckinridge’s spine. That left the Mississippi open all the way to Fort Pillow near Memphis. Memphis was the major Confederate naval yard on the Mississippi, if it fell the Confederates would be forced to rely on shipyards hundreds of miles away, they might never regain the initiative on the rivers! He thought the news over a few moments before turning to the governor.
“Sir, I’m afraid I must go organize my men, we will doubtless be needed at the front soon.”
Confederate Governor George W. Johnson
Washington D.C. June 29th, 1862
The weather was fine as the carriage rumbled through the streets of the capital with its cavalry escort trotting along behind. The president and his General of the Armies rode in relative comfort as the hot June sun beat down on them. The president was in a sunny mood as he talked with news of recent victory.
“So the secesh have been driven down the Mississippi eh?” Lincoln asked with a smile.
“Yes sir.” Joseph K. Mansfield, responded. “Island Number Ten has fallen to Wallace’s force. The rebels were strung out besieging Paducah and were not expecting it. From the river we can now threaten Memphis and Beauregard’s army has retreated from its siege of Paducah to establish a defensive line along the Cumberland River.”
“This is delightful news general. Perhaps we can expect by August the rebels will be driven from Kentucky entirely?”
“It is difficult to determine at this point, the rebel forces at Louisville have not moved and continue their investment of the city, but Thomas writes to remind us they have not the heavy guns to drive him out. Their cavalry is proving a major irritant with raids launched north and west to scatter our troops. More concerning is that Fort Donelson remains in rebel hands, guarding the way to the interior of Tennessee. I am sure that the rebels shall anchor their defences on that lynchpin in order to retain their interior communications.”
“Well I trust your judgement on the matter general, an old warhorse like yourself has seen enough blood and guts to know where and when the enemy will concentrate his efforts. Though speaking of the efforts of the enemy, should we be at all worried about Washington at this juncture?”
“I would think not sir. The city is well defended with forty-thousand men tied up in the entrenchments and fortifications here and on the Delaware, and McClellan and the Army of the Potomac sit well placed to shield us from any rebel assault at Centreville.”
“And how are the rebel dispositions?” Lincoln inquired. Mansfield paused as he considered his answer.
“We receive incomplete reports as to the enemy strengths sir. McClellan’s chief agent, that agent Pinkerton who claims to have foiled an assassination attempt on your life, continuously sends back reports of a rebel force some two-hundred thousand in strength near Bull Run, but I am skeptical of that report.”
“Why so?”
“Well sir if there were two-hundred thousand rebels I should doubt they would have chosen to retreat from the Bull Run battlefield at the start of May. However, I do not know enough about the rebel strength to properly assess this force, as it is entirely possible that they have amassed a great host on our doorstep. Not entirely probable, but certainly possible.”
“How would you interpret this information then sir?” Lincoln asked.
“Well sir, I do not believe that the rebel force exceeds some one-hundred thousand, perhaps one-hundred and fifty thousand. That would seem to match the numbers of men at Second Bull Run by all accounts, save perhaps Pinkerton and McClellan’s. They must have at least one-hundred thousand men staring back at McClellan. We do know reliably that twenty-thousand men are invested at Fort Monroe.”
“Yes and they can stay there until Christ returns for all I care.” Lincoln said with a smile.
“I am afraid sir that is unlikely, all the reports indicate that they shall not last another few weeks before they are forced to surrender. Supplies are running low, and rebel shelling is supported by their naval presence at Norfolk. Once that fortress falls save for the presence of our fleet the British and Confederates will have freedom of action in the lower bay.”
“There is little to be done save an evacuation of the garrison, but Welles believes that to be inadvisable, and with the sorry state of the navy after events in the Caribbean we have much to make up for.”
“It is a regret that eight thousand men must be sacrificed.” Mansfield said sadly.
“But it gives us much needed time to rebuild and rearm in relative security.” Lincoln said. “Do enough rifles get to the men?” Lincoln asked. Mansfield grimaced.
“Not near enough. Oh I concede some get through but they are primarily Austrian and Belgian guns of inferior quality which the men cast aside even for old muskets if given the chance. We are at the moment struggling to completely arm all the new recruits. It is a thorn in the side of the army’s progress I must admit.”
“The greater number of thorns we can push in the British side the happier I shall be. We must show the world we are succeeding, and we must convince those at home we are succeeding as well.”
“You seem concerned sir.” Mansfield said. Lincoln sighed.
“Ah general we have enemies enough in front of us, but it is the fire in our rear which I fear. The nation may rally behind my administration when Britain beats on us, but we must demonstrate success lest others who think they know better than I how to win this war.”
“The election is two years away though sir.” Mansfield said.
“Yes, but the elections for Congress and the various state elections are far closer.” Lincoln replied. “And who knows how far off the wars end is.”
“That is indeed a very good question sir.” Mansfield said as the carriage rumbled on. “Though I must also ask what policy are we to take with the news coming from Kentucky?” Lincoln again sighed.
“Is it that damn business of Hunter’s again?” He asked wearily. Mansfield nodded.
“I’m afraid so sir, the representatives from Kentucky and Missouri have been making noises at the War Department regarding our policy of arming black volunteers.”
“There has been no executive order to that effect.” Lincoln said.
“Yes, but we still receive news that from the West black volunteers are being recruited and armed, though Hunter would swear up and down on a stack of bibles that they are being trained and enrolled as nothing more than pioneers and drivers.”
“Would that the man had never brought up the negro.” Lincoln sighed. “Is there anything that can be done to dissuade him?”
“I have sent two orders for him to cease such activity until the state governments have examined the situation, but so far he has simply sent back the same reply.”
“In any other state such a problem would not exist, but in a state with over two-hundred thousand slaves of course such ideas will raise eyebrows and tensions.”
“Many in your own party sir are very supportive of the idea.” Mansfield said with a note of caution and Lincoln let out a heavy sigh.
“Yes as Mr. Stevens would say we have God on our side if we free the slaves. And while we might have God on our side we would lose Kentucky, and I must have Kentucky.” Lincoln said sharply.
“He could be replaced.” Mansfield said.
“Yes but by who general, by who?”
“I would recommend Grant sir.” Mansfield said. “He organized the planning for the assault on Island Number Ten, he led his men competently despite the reverse at Paducah and has already seen action before at New Madrid and made a good accounting of himself.”
“So the man fights then?”
“He does indeed sir, he does indeed.” Lincoln sat quietly for a moment, there being no sounds save for the bustle of Washington around them, the creaking of the carriage and the snorting of horses from the escort.
“Well then we shall make the necessary arrangements. Perhaps Hunter can be reassigned to a more quiet sector, and perhaps he need not simply disband these Negro companies either.” Lincoln said thoughtfully.
Frankfort, Kentucky, June 24th, 1862
The men stood at attention in crisp grey uniforms freshly made in Nashville, the first new volunteer Kentucky regiment to serve under the banner of the Confederate States. Freshly raised in the last month. Nine hundred native Kentuckians in gray standing proudly with their equipment was enough to make John Breckinridge’s chest swell with pride as they received a congratulatory speech from the Confederate governor of Kentucky.
George Johnson was a man with a ruddy complexion and a crippled arm. Fifty-one years old he had not let that stop him from enlisting in the Confederate army as a private and serving at the battle at Elizabethtown, marching victoriously into Frankfort as a lowly foot soldier rather than riding in with great fanfare. This contrasted him starkly with the elected governor Beriah Magoffin who had fled, but separate from the State Legislature. Now the Confederates were setting up a new government to welcome the state into the new nation.
Breckinridge was hopeful this first regiment was a turning point in the nature of the state, showing that its people were willing to switch their allegiance. However, he reflected sourly, they did not control the entire state. His thoughts were interrupted as a brass band struck up the ‘quick step march’ and the new regiment marched off saluting smartly to the cheers of the assembled crowd.
“General,” Johnson said walking up to him as the crowd began to disperse “ride with me to the Governor’s office would you?” Breckinridge happily obliged. They mounted and joined their small escort to the governor’s residence. “Tell me general what do you think of the new regiment?”
“Green sir, but full of spirit.”
“It’s heartening that the people seem to be accepting our rule, this state is naturally made to line up with the Confederacy, there’s over two-hundred thousand slaves here. I’m sure once the abolitionist gang in Washington makes their true feelings known the people of Kentucky will support us whole heartedly.
“I would think that once Louisville falls the population will see our cause is sure to be triumphant.” Breckinridge said.
“How long do you think until that is general?” He asked. Breckinridge hesitated. “It’s alright, you can be honest with me. I expect to have something to say to my supporters here.”
“Well sir, being completely honest, the city is currently impregnable to our forces. Thomas’s entrenchments are strong, and we don’t have the heavy guns necessary to reduce him. Neither Beauregard nor Johnston has a proper siege train, and we don’t have the numbers to dislodge them by storm. I cannot say how long it would take to reduce the city by waiting.”
“That is not a comforting analysis general.”
“You ask for honesty sir, I can give nothing but my impression of the situation as it stands. Until we gain control of the rivers we cannot be secure. The battle at Columbus has given us an unenviable position on the Mississippi.”
“That will surely require resources from our own sate.”
“It will indeed sir, but as you say; I’m sure the people of Kentucky will rally to our cause. We do control nearly all the state now, and with our cavalry raiding into Ohio and Indiana we will have Union men tied down. The greater portion of their strength in the West is currently invading Canada.”
“British recognition would go a long way winning us support.” Johnson mused.
“It would indeed, but I cannot claim to know the minds of the British.” Breckinridge said ruefully. “Truly we need to hope that their support will draw off further Northern resources preventing them from focusing their strength against us. The more they push north the better things are for those of us here.”
Suddenly there was a shout from the roadway and a gray clad messenger came riding up. His horse was foaming at the mouth and the man was soaked with sweat. He puffed out his checks and saluted, Breckinridge returned it.
“Sir! I bring a message from General Beauregard!” He huffed out. “Island Number 10 has fallen!”
The news sent a shiver down Breckinridge’s spine. That left the Mississippi open all the way to Fort Pillow near Memphis. Memphis was the major Confederate naval yard on the Mississippi, if it fell the Confederates would be forced to rely on shipyards hundreds of miles away, they might never regain the initiative on the rivers! He thought the news over a few moments before turning to the governor.
“Sir, I’m afraid I must go organize my men, we will doubtless be needed at the front soon.”
Confederate Governor George W. Johnson
Washington D.C. June 29th, 1862
The weather was fine as the carriage rumbled through the streets of the capital with its cavalry escort trotting along behind. The president and his General of the Armies rode in relative comfort as the hot June sun beat down on them. The president was in a sunny mood as he talked with news of recent victory.
“So the secesh have been driven down the Mississippi eh?” Lincoln asked with a smile.
“Yes sir.” Joseph K. Mansfield, responded. “Island Number Ten has fallen to Wallace’s force. The rebels were strung out besieging Paducah and were not expecting it. From the river we can now threaten Memphis and Beauregard’s army has retreated from its siege of Paducah to establish a defensive line along the Cumberland River.”
“This is delightful news general. Perhaps we can expect by August the rebels will be driven from Kentucky entirely?”
“It is difficult to determine at this point, the rebel forces at Louisville have not moved and continue their investment of the city, but Thomas writes to remind us they have not the heavy guns to drive him out. Their cavalry is proving a major irritant with raids launched north and west to scatter our troops. More concerning is that Fort Donelson remains in rebel hands, guarding the way to the interior of Tennessee. I am sure that the rebels shall anchor their defences on that lynchpin in order to retain their interior communications.”
“Well I trust your judgement on the matter general, an old warhorse like yourself has seen enough blood and guts to know where and when the enemy will concentrate his efforts. Though speaking of the efforts of the enemy, should we be at all worried about Washington at this juncture?”
“I would think not sir. The city is well defended with forty-thousand men tied up in the entrenchments and fortifications here and on the Delaware, and McClellan and the Army of the Potomac sit well placed to shield us from any rebel assault at Centreville.”
“And how are the rebel dispositions?” Lincoln inquired. Mansfield paused as he considered his answer.
“We receive incomplete reports as to the enemy strengths sir. McClellan’s chief agent, that agent Pinkerton who claims to have foiled an assassination attempt on your life, continuously sends back reports of a rebel force some two-hundred thousand in strength near Bull Run, but I am skeptical of that report.”
“Why so?”
“Well sir if there were two-hundred thousand rebels I should doubt they would have chosen to retreat from the Bull Run battlefield at the start of May. However, I do not know enough about the rebel strength to properly assess this force, as it is entirely possible that they have amassed a great host on our doorstep. Not entirely probable, but certainly possible.”
“How would you interpret this information then sir?” Lincoln asked.
“Well sir, I do not believe that the rebel force exceeds some one-hundred thousand, perhaps one-hundred and fifty thousand. That would seem to match the numbers of men at Second Bull Run by all accounts, save perhaps Pinkerton and McClellan’s. They must have at least one-hundred thousand men staring back at McClellan. We do know reliably that twenty-thousand men are invested at Fort Monroe.”
“Yes and they can stay there until Christ returns for all I care.” Lincoln said with a smile.
“I am afraid sir that is unlikely, all the reports indicate that they shall not last another few weeks before they are forced to surrender. Supplies are running low, and rebel shelling is supported by their naval presence at Norfolk. Once that fortress falls save for the presence of our fleet the British and Confederates will have freedom of action in the lower bay.”
“There is little to be done save an evacuation of the garrison, but Welles believes that to be inadvisable, and with the sorry state of the navy after events in the Caribbean we have much to make up for.”
“It is a regret that eight thousand men must be sacrificed.” Mansfield said sadly.
“But it gives us much needed time to rebuild and rearm in relative security.” Lincoln said. “Do enough rifles get to the men?” Lincoln asked. Mansfield grimaced.
“Not near enough. Oh I concede some get through but they are primarily Austrian and Belgian guns of inferior quality which the men cast aside even for old muskets if given the chance. We are at the moment struggling to completely arm all the new recruits. It is a thorn in the side of the army’s progress I must admit.”
“The greater number of thorns we can push in the British side the happier I shall be. We must show the world we are succeeding, and we must convince those at home we are succeeding as well.”
“You seem concerned sir.” Mansfield said. Lincoln sighed.
“Ah general we have enemies enough in front of us, but it is the fire in our rear which I fear. The nation may rally behind my administration when Britain beats on us, but we must demonstrate success lest others who think they know better than I how to win this war.”
“The election is two years away though sir.” Mansfield said.
“Yes, but the elections for Congress and the various state elections are far closer.” Lincoln replied. “And who knows how far off the wars end is.”
“That is indeed a very good question sir.” Mansfield said as the carriage rumbled on. “Though I must also ask what policy are we to take with the news coming from Kentucky?” Lincoln again sighed.
“Is it that damn business of Hunter’s again?” He asked wearily. Mansfield nodded.
“I’m afraid so sir, the representatives from Kentucky and Missouri have been making noises at the War Department regarding our policy of arming black volunteers.”
“There has been no executive order to that effect.” Lincoln said.
“Yes, but we still receive news that from the West black volunteers are being recruited and armed, though Hunter would swear up and down on a stack of bibles that they are being trained and enrolled as nothing more than pioneers and drivers.”
“Would that the man had never brought up the negro.” Lincoln sighed. “Is there anything that can be done to dissuade him?”
“I have sent two orders for him to cease such activity until the state governments have examined the situation, but so far he has simply sent back the same reply.”
“In any other state such a problem would not exist, but in a state with over two-hundred thousand slaves of course such ideas will raise eyebrows and tensions.”
“Many in your own party sir are very supportive of the idea.” Mansfield said with a note of caution and Lincoln let out a heavy sigh.
“Yes as Mr. Stevens would say we have God on our side if we free the slaves. And while we might have God on our side we would lose Kentucky, and I must have Kentucky.” Lincoln said sharply.
“He could be replaced.” Mansfield said.
“Yes but by who general, by who?”
“I would recommend Grant sir.” Mansfield said. “He organized the planning for the assault on Island Number Ten, he led his men competently despite the reverse at Paducah and has already seen action before at New Madrid and made a good accounting of himself.”
“So the man fights then?”
“He does indeed sir, he does indeed.” Lincoln sat quietly for a moment, there being no sounds save for the bustle of Washington around them, the creaking of the carriage and the snorting of horses from the escort.
“Well then we shall make the necessary arrangements. Perhaps Hunter can be reassigned to a more quiet sector, and perhaps he need not simply disband these Negro companies either.” Lincoln said thoughtfully.
Last edited:
.JPG/220px-Richard_Clement_Moody_(1859).JPG)
.jpg/220px-George_Wright_(Army_General).jpg)
