Messieurs et Mesdames, good evening

[GNLaFrance]

Monsieur le general has directed me here to introduce myself. I have been a reenactor with the Third US Infantry Regiment (1860-1865) but am not currently active due to age and health issues. Currently I'm with the GAF and NCOWS and a member of the NRA and NMLRA and trying to get to the range whenever possible to get my Minimum Monthly Requirement of powder smoke. I hope to read and post on interesting topics.

Third US Infantry Regiment (1860-1865)
Grand Army of the Frontier
National Congress of Old West Shootists
CAS City

[unionblue]

GNLaFrance,

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you for the links to the websites you have provided.

I hope that you will enjoy your time here and share your experiences with us.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[timewalker]

Let me add my welcome. Good to have you.

[GNLaFrance]

Thanks for the welcomes, gentlemen. I didn't mention I'm changing my military impression to the Navy, which was my real-life service and which is, IMO, not recognized enough in terms of its importance in the War. I'm building a library of books and other material on the history of the CW Navy and especially the Potomac Flotilla.

I'm the CO of the Naval Detachment, Dep't of the Atlantic, GAF with the rank of Acting Lieutenant Commander (that and a $5 bill will get me a mochaccino latte at Starbucks). Basically, I am the Naval Detachment, but there's always hope.

I'm also building a civilian impression, that of a Baltimore businessman who is working as a spy for Pinkerton. It allows me to be nosy and carry "protection".

[John Gross]

Wow, you've been reenacting since 1860-1865. Cool. Talk about authentic

Welcome.

John Gross

Originally Posted by GNLaFrance

Monsieur le general has directed me here to introduce myself. I have been a reenactor with the Third US Infantry Regiment (1860-1865) but am not currently active due to age and health issues. Currently I'm with the GAF and NCOWS and a member of the NRA and NMLRA and trying to get to the range whenever possible to get my Minimum Monthly Requirement of powder smoke. I hope to read and post on interesting topics.

Third US Infantry Regiment (1860-1865)
Grand Army of the Frontier
National Congress of Old West Shootists
CAS City

[M E Wolf]

Salutation Monsieur,

Soyez bienvenus à la Conversation de Guerre civile. J'ai de l'espoir vous trouverez ce forum utile et agréable.

J'attends vos postes impatiemment.

Respectueusement soumis,
M. E. (Wolf)Loup
-------------------------------------------------------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 5 [S# 5]
No. 1. -- Extract, embracing the "First Period," from Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's report of the operations of the Army of the Potomac from July 27, 1861, to November 9, 1862.
CHAPTER II.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the United States Navy.
It was on the 27th of September, 1861, that General Barnard, chief engineer, in company with Captain Wyman, of the Potomac flotilla, had been instructed to make a reconnaissance of the enemy's batteries as far as Mathias Point. In his report of his observations he says:
Batteries at High Point and Cockpit Point, and thence down to Chopawamsic, cannot be prevented. We may, indeed, prevent their construction on certain points, but along here somewhere the enemy can establish, in spite of us, as many batteries as he chooses. What is the remedy? Favorable circumstances, not to be anticipated nor made the basis of any calculations, might justify and render successful the attack of a particular battery. To suppose that we can capture all, and by mere attacks of this kind prevent the navigation being molested, is very much the same as to suppose that the hostile army in our own front can prevent us building and maintaining field works to protect Arlington and Alexandria by capturing them, one and all, as fast as they are built.
In another communication upon the subject of crossing troops for the purpose of destroying the batteries on the Virginia side of the Potomac General Barnard says:
The operation involves the forcing of a very strong line of defense of the enemy and all that we would have to do if we were really opening a campaign against them there.
It is true we hope to force this line by turning it, by landing on Freestone Point. With reason to believe that this may be successful, it cannot be denied that it involves a risk of failure. Should we, then, considering all the consequences which may be involved, enter into the operation merely to capture the Potomac batteries? I think not. Will not the ********, assisted by one other gunboat capable of keeping alongside these batteries, so far control their fire as to keep the navigation sufficiently free as long as we require it? Captain Wyman says yes.
It was the opinion of competent naval officers, and I concur with them, that had an adequate force of strong and well-armed vessels been acting on the Potomac from the beginning of August, it would have been next to impossible for the rebels to have constructed or maintained batteries upon the banks of the river. The enemy never occupied Mathias Point nor any other point on the river which was out of supporting distance from their main army.
When the enemy commenced the construction of these batteries the Army of the Potomac was not in a condition to prevent it. Their destruction by our army would have afforded but a temporary relief, unless we had been strong enough to hold the entire line of the Potomac. This could be done either by driving the enemy from Manassas and Aquia Creek by main force or by maneuvering to compel them to evacuate their positions. The latter course was finally pursued, and with success.
About the 20th of February, 1862, additional measures were taken to secure the reopening of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The preliminary operations of General Lauder for this object are elsewhere described.
I had often observed to the President and to members of the Cabinet that the reconstruction of this railway could not be undertaken until we were in a condition to fight a battle to secure it. I regarded the possession of Winchester and Strasburg as necessary to cover the railway in the rear, and it was not until the month of February that I felt prepared to accomplish this very desirable but not vital purpose.
The whole of Banks' division and two brigades of Sedgwick's division were thrown across the river at Harper's Ferry, leaving one brigade of Sedgwick's division to observe and guard the Potomac from Great Falls to the mouth of the Monocacy. A sufficient number of troops of all arms were held in readiness in the vicinity of Washington, either to march via Leesburg or to move by rail to Harper's Ferry, should this become necessary in carrying out the objects in view.
[end of excerpt]
---------------------------------------------------
PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER,No. 3
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, March 8, 1862.
Ordered, That no change of the base of operations of the Army of the Potomac shall be made without leaving in and about Washington such a force as, in the opinion of the General-in-Chief and the commanders of army corps, shall leave said city entirely secure.
That no more than two army corps (about fifty thousand troops) of said Army of the Potomac shall be moved en route for a new base of operations until the navigation of the Potomac from Washington to the Chesapeake Bay shall be freed from enemy's batteries and other obstructions, or until the President shall hereafter give express permission.
That any movement as aforesaid, en route for a new base of operations, which may be ordered by the General-in-Chief, and which may be intended to move upon the Chesapeake Bay, shall begin to move upon the bay as early as the 18th March instant, and the General-in-Chief shall be responsible that it moves as early as that day.
Ordered, That the Army and Navy co-operate in an immediate effort to capture the enemy's batteries upon the Potomac between Washington and the Chesapeake Bay.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General.
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[CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, December 16, 1861.
The Major-General Commanding directs that hereafter all deserters, prisoners, spies, "contrabands," and all other persons whatever coming or brought within our lines from Virginia shall be taken immediately to the quarters of the commander of the division within whose lines they may come or be brought, without previous examination by any one, except so far as may be necessary for the officer commanding the advance guard to elicit information regarding his particular post; that the division commander examine all such persons himself, or delegate such duty to a proper officer of his staff, and allow no other persons to hold any communication with them; that he then immediately send them, with a sufficient guard, to the provost-marshal in this city for further examination and safe-keeping, and that stringent orders be given to all guards having such persons in charge not to hold any communication with them whatever; and, further, that the information elicited from such persons shall be immediately communicated to the major-general commanding or to the chief of staff, and to no other person whatever.
The Major-General Commanding further directs that a sufficient guard be placed around every telegraph station pertaining to this army, and that such guards be instructed not to allow any person, except the regular telegraph corps, general officers, and such staff officers as may be authorized by their chief, to enter or loiter around said stations within hearing of the sound of the telegraph instruments.
By command of Major-General McClellan:
S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General..
----------------------------------------------
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 72
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, February 26, 1862.
All deserters from the enemy, prisoners, and other persons coming within our lines will be taken at once to the provost-marshal of the nearest division, who will examine them in presence of the division commander, or an officer of his staff designated for the purpose. This examination will only refer to such information as may affect the division and those near it, especially those remote from general headquarters.
As soon as this examination is completed--and it must be made as rapidly as possible---the person will be sent, under proper guard, to the provost-marshal-general, with a statement of his replies to the questions asked. Upon receiving him the provost-marshal-general will at once send him, with his statement, to the chief of staff of the Army of the Potomac, who will cause the necessary examination to be made. The provost-marshal-general will have the custody of all such persons. Division commanders will at once communicate to other division commanders all information thus obtained which affects them.
By command of Major-General McClellan:
S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 5 [S# 5]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating Specially To Operations In Maryland, Northern Virginia, And West Virginia From August 1, 1861, To March 17, 1862.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#2
[excerpt]
Lieutenant Harrell, of the Navy, attached to the United States steamer Union, informed an officer of cavalry yesterday that there was on board his vessel a rifle cannon, probably a 64-pound gun, and one of the best in the Potomac flotilla, which is too heavy for the Union, and if the Army will transport it to its proper position, the Navy will land it at a suitable point. The cavalry officer said the information can be considered official, and he reported it to me. But there is no heavy truck here by means of which such a gun [can] be transported.
[end of excerpt]
-------------------------------------------------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 5 [S# 5]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating Specially To Operations In Maryland, Northern Virginia, And West Virginia From August 1, 1861, To March 17, 1862.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#3
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO BE DERIVED FROM THE NAVY-YARD AND POTOMAC FLOTILLA.
The Navy has four side-wheel passenger boats, two of which are, however, now at Hampton Roads, which will carry each, say, 500 men, in all, 2,000. Also the ferry-boat Stepping Stones, which will carry 1,500. Also about eight gunboats, belonging to flotilla, and tugs, which would tow barges enough to carry 20,000 men.
It would only be necessary, therefore, with the means the Navy Department could furnish, to provide barges to be towed..
QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT.
The quartermaster has now in his service the following vessels:

One steamboat, which will carry 1,000
One steamboat, which will carry 800
Three steamboats, which will carry 500 each 1,500
Two now at Annapolis, which will carry 1,500 and 800 2,300
Besides which he has usually four or five Schuylkill barges employed, which will carry, say, 400 each 2,000
7,600
[excerpt]
To carry out these views, or whatever views the Commanding General may adopt, a special agent should be appointed, who should be either a member of the Quartermaster's Department or a Navy officer. Such an officer as Lieutenant Phelps, U.S. Navy, who assisted me in establishing ferries, &c., would be admirably calculated. Lieutenant Wyman, lately of the Potomac flotilla, expressed a desire to serve with the Army.
Mr. Cathcart, a clerk in the Treasury Department, is a nautical man, full of expedients and resources, and very familiar with the Potomac River and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal; he would be a very proper man for this service.
Respectfully submitted.
J. G. BARNARD,
Brigadier-General, Chief Engineer, Army of Potomac.
--------------------------------------------------------
Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 2 (Campaigns etc.)
Battles, Campaigns, Etc., in Maryland
(1861)
April 12-14 Exp. from Point Lookout to Westmoreland County UNITED STATES---Cavalry (Detachment); 36th Colored Infantry; 3 Gunboats Potomac Flotilla.
May 11-14 Exp. from Point Lookout to the Rappahannock River UNITED STATES--36th Colored Infantry and Potomac Flotilla.
June 10 Skirmish, Point of Rocks UNITED STATES--2d Colored Cavalry. Union loss, 2 killed.
Juno 11-21 Exp. from Point Lookout to Pope's Creek.. UNITED STATES--2d and 5th Cavalry (Detachments); 36th Colored Infantry and Sailors Potomac Flotilla.
===============================================
CONTINUED

[M E Wolf]

Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 2 (Campaigns etc.)
Battles, Campaigns, Etc., in Maryland
(1861)
April 12-14 Exp. from Point Lookout to Westmoreland County UNITED STATES---Cavalry (Detachment); 36th Colored Infantry; 3 Gunboats Potomac Flotilla.

May 11-14 Exp. from Point Lookout to the Rappahannock River UNITED STATES--36th Colored Infantry and Potomac Flotilla.

June 10 Skirmish, Point of Rocks UNITED STATES--2d Colored Cavalry. Union loss, 2 killed.

Juno 11-21 Exp. from Point Lookout to Pope's Creek.. UNITED STATES--2d and 5th Cavalry (Detachments); 36th Colored Infantry and Sailors Potomac Flotilla.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy O.R.-- Series II--Volume 1
Statistical Data Of Ships.
United States Vessels. "D"-"H"
U. S. S. EUREKA.
Acquisition.--Purchased, August 22, 1862, from Washington prize court.
Cost.--$285.
Description.--
Class: Screw steamer.
Rate: 4th.
Tonnage.--50.
Dimensions.--Length, 85'; beam, 12' 8"; depth, 3' 6".
Battery.--September 30, 1864, 1 heavy 12-pdr., 1 light 12-pdr.
Disposition.--Sold at auction, September 15, 1865, to Mr. Mackell, by William L. Wall & Co., for $90.
Remarks.--Captured in April, 1862, in Potomac River by Potomac Flotilla.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy O.R.-- Series II--Volume 1
Statistical Data Of Ships.
United States Vessels. "I"-"M"
U. S. S. LESLIE.
Acquisition.--Borrowed, early in 1861, from War Department, for use at Washington.
Description.--
Class: Screw steamer.
Rate: Tug.
Tonnage.--100.
Disposition.--Delivered, June 2, 1865, to Army, at Baltimore, Md.
Remarks.--Tender to Potomac Flotilla, 1862-3. Cost of repairs while in naval service was $2,983.03.
-------------------------------------------------------------
U. S. S. MOUNT WASHINGTON.
Acquisition. -- Built at Philadelphia, 1846. Transferred, April 21, 1861, by War Department, as the Mount Vernon. Name changed to Mount Washington, November 4, 1861.
Description.--
Class: Side-wheel steamer.
Rate: 4th.
Tonnage.--500.
Dimensions.--Length, 200'; beam, 24'; depth, 9' (hold).
Draft.--October 18, 1864, 6' 6".
Speed.--Maximum, 12 knots; average, 5 knots.
Engines.--One; beam, low pressure.
Battery.--May 16, 1863, October 18, 1864, November 11, 1864, May 30, 1865, 1 32-pdr. 47 cwt.
Disposition.--Sold at public auction, June 21, 1865, at Baltimore, Md., to L. McMurray, by Commodore T. A. Dornin, for $9,100.
Remarks.--Cost of repairs while in naval service was $33,441.41. Actively employed in the Potomac Flotilla.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Navy O.R.-- Series II--Volume 1
Statistical Data Of Ships.
United States Vessels. "N"-"S"
U. S. S. PRIMROSE.
Acquisition.--Purchased, January 14, 1863, at Washington, D. C., by Bureau of Construction and Repair, from A. H. Cunningham.
Cost.--$15,000.
Description.--
Class: Screw steamer; wood.
Rate, rig, etc.: 4th; tug.
Tonnage.--94.
Dimensions. -- Length, 83'; beam, 17'6"; depth, 9'.
Draft.--About 7'.
Engines.--Single; high-pressure. Diameter of cylinder, 20"; stroke, 20".
Battery.--January 26, April 20, July 14, September 30, December 31, 1864, March 31, May 31, 1865, 1 30-pdr. Parrott rifle, 1 24-pdr. howitzer.
Disposition.--Sold, March 17, 1871, at Washington, D.C., to Captain J. W. Denty, for $600.
Remarks.--Name changed to Primrose from Nelly B. Vaughn, under which she was purchased Ordered, January 15, 1863, to be fitted for service at Washington Navy Yard for use in the Potomac Flotilla; June, 1865, ordered to be fitted up for duty at Washington Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $56.77. Commissioned, February 26 1863, at Washington Navy Yard.
--------------------------------------------------------------
U. S. S. SATELLITE.
Acquisition.--Purchased, July 24, 1861, at New York, N.Y., by George D. Morgan from Hammond.
Cost.--$19,000.
Description.--
Class: Side--wheel steamer; tug; wood.
Rate: 4th.
Tonnage.--217.
Dimensions.--Length, 120' 7"; beam, 22' 9"; depth, 8' 6".
Battery.--August 5 1861, 2 VIII-inch; September 12, 1861, 1 VIII-inch 55 cwt.; September 14, 1861, 1 VIII-inch 55 cwt., 1 30-pdr. Parrott rifle.
Disposition.--Captured, August 23, 1863, by Confederate boat expedition, in Rappahannock River.
Remarks.--Commissioned, September 27, 1861, at New York Navy Yard for Potomac Flotilla.
================================================== =====
Navy O.R.-- Series I--Volume 4 [S# 4]
List Of United States Vessels Of War Serving In The Home Squadron And Potomac Flotilla During The Period Covered By This Volume.
NAME. RATE. TONNAGE. CLASS. CREW. GUNS.
Alleghany Fourth 989 Screw steamer 30 6
Anacostia Fourth 217 do 67 2
Bailey Coast Survey schooner 12
Baltimore Fourth 500 Side-wheel steamer 18 1
Brooklyn Second 2,070 Screw steamer 381 24
Ceres Fourth 150 Side-wheel steamer 39 2
Cœur de Lion Fourth 110 do 29 3
Constitution Second 1,576 Sailing frigate 62 16
Crusader Fourth 545 Screw steamer 83 5
Cumberland Second 1,726 Sailing sloop 288 24
Dawn Fourth 399 Screw steamer 34 2
E. B. Hale Fourth 220 Screw sloop 46 4
E. H. Herbert Chartered tug
Edwin Forrest do
Flag Third 938 Screw steamer 116 7
Forward Revenue cutter
General Putnam Fourth 123 Side-wheel steamer 17 2
Harriet Lane Third 619 do 5
Howell Cobb
Huntsville Third 840 Screw steamer 52 3
Ice Boat (a) Fourth Philadelphia ice boat 50 2
Island Belle Fourth 123 Side-wheel steamer 24 2
Jacob Bell Fourth 229 Side-wheel tug 29 2
Keystone State Third 1,364 Side-wheel steamer 133 6
Macedonian Second 1,341 Sailing sloop 280 22
Massachusetts Second 1,155 Screw steamer 112 5
Merrimack First 3,200 Screw frigate 480 92
Mohawk Fourth 464 Screw steamer 78 7
Montgomery Third 787 do 66 5
Monticello Fourth 655 do 96 5
Mount Vernon Fourth 625 do 50 3
Mount Vernon (b) Fourth 500 Side-wheel 40 1
Niagara First 4,582 Screw steamer 387 12
Pawnee Second 1,289 Screw sloop 94 8
Penguin Fourth 389 Screw steamer 69 5
Perry Fourth 270 Sailing brig 77 7
Philadelphia Fourth 500 Side-wheel steamer 24 1
Pocahontas Third 694 Screw steamer 95 6
Powhatan First 2,415 Side-wheel steamer 217 11
Powhatan (c) Fourth 500 do 14 1
Quaker City Second 1,428 do 129 4
R. B. Forbes Fourth 329 Screw steamer 95 6
R. R. Cuyler Third 1,200 do 134 10
Reliance Fourth 90 do 17 2
Resolute Fourth 90 Tug 16 2
Rescue Fourth 111 do 20 2
List of United States vessels of war serving in the Home Squadron and Potomac Flotilla, etc.--Continued.
NAME RATE. TONNAGE. CLASS. CREW. GUNS.
Sabine Second 1,726 Sailing frigate 375 49
St. Louis Third 700 Sailing sloop 118 18
Satellite Fourth 194 Tug 43 2
Savannah Second 1,708 Screw sloop 264 26
Seminole Third 801 do 120 5
South Carolina Third 1,150 Screw steamer 115 5
Stepping Stones Fourth 226 Side-wheel steamer 21 1
Supply Fourth 547 Store vessel 171 4
Thomas Freeborn Fourth 269 Side-wheel steamer 67 2
Tigress Chartered tug 32
Underwriter Fourth 341 Side-wheel steamer 4
Union third 1,114 Screw steamer 75 4
Valley City Fourth 190 do 48 4
Water Witch Fourth 378 Side-wheel steamer 56 3
Wyandotte Fourth 464 Screw steamer 71 5
Yankee Fourth 328 Side-wheel steamer 48 2
Young America Fourth 173 Tug 13 1
================================================== =====
SORRY, REGARDLESS OF EDITING THE BOX, CHART WOULD NOT LINE UP WELL

Hope this is of help.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[diddyriddick]

Welcome aboard, Sir! I'm glad you're here.