The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-03-18
4 "REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
PANIC OF L,NcoLN's CABINET.

| PANIC OF LlNCOLh'B CABINET.
. --
Mr.. Gideon Wells Lincoln's Secret airy of q
Navy, is writing some very interesting articl
on the early war history of Linooln's Cabine
In recent number of the GGlGsy he gives @
account of the construction of the Monte
which was intended to meet the terrible Ne
rimao. The Merrimac, however, got out in.
Hampton Roads and destroyed two frigats
before the Monitor reached Fort Monroe. Th
ex.Secretary thus reoounts the manner i
which the news was received by the Washing
ton Cabinet:
On Sunday morning, the Och of March, Will
at the Navy Department. examining the de
spatches received, Mr.. Watson, Assistant Score
| tsry of War, hastily entered with o teleg, m
from General Wool, at Fortress Monroe, Stain,
that the Merrimac bad come down from Nor
folk the preceding day, attacked the feet Ii
Ham ton Roads, and destroyed the Cumberland
and Congress. Approximations were expressed
by General Wool that the remaining vessels
would DO made victims the following day, AND
that the Fortress itself was in danger, for th.
Merrimac was impenetrable, and could take
what position she pleased for assault. I had
scarcely resd the telegram when q message
attendance ut the Executive mansion. The
Secretary of War, on receiving General Woods
telegram, had gone instantly to the President
and at the same time sent messages to the
U
Secretary came to me. / went at once to the
White House. Mr.. Seward aud Mr.. Chase, with
Mr.. Stanton, were already there, had read the
telegram, and were discussing the intellipence
in much alarm. Each ing uired what had been
and what could be done TO meet and check this
formidable monster, which in q single brief
visit had made such devastation, and would,
herself uniDjured, repeat her destructive visit
with still greater havoc, probably, while we
were in council.
/ stated that knew of no immediate steps
that could be taken-that Commodore Colds
borough, who was in command of the North
Atlantic Squadron, had reputation for ability
and skill, but that he, on whom we relied, W as
not at Hampton Roads at this critical juncture,
but in the sounds of North Carolina. There
were, however, other and perhaps as capable
officers as Goldsborough on the station, with
some of the best and most powerful vessels in
the navy, bat Judging from the despatch of
General Wool, they could be of little avail
against this impregnable antagonist. I had
expected that our new iron clad battery, which
left New York on Thursday, would have
reached the Roads on Saturday, and my main
information, az yet, of her arrival. General
Wool made no allusion to her in his telegram,
which it happened was the fret received over
the line that had been completed from Fortress
Monroe only the preceding evening, but as we
now had telegraphic communication, mo-
mentarily expected despatch from Mr. Fox
or the senior naval officer on the station.
SECRETARY STATIONS EXCITEMENT.
Mr.. Stanton. impulsive, and always senea-
tionalist was terribly excited, walked the room
in great agitation, and gave brusque utter
anoes, and deprecatory ans wers to ali that was
said, and csnsured everything that had been
done or was omitted to be done. Mr.. Seward,
usually booysnt and self-reliant, overwhelmed
with the Intelligence, listened In responsive
to Stanton, and was greatly de-
pressed, rs indeed, were all the members, who,
lion of Mr. Blair as we'll as one or two others
naval and military oficera-amoug them,
commander Dahlgren and Colonel Msigs.
THE Merrimso," said Stanton, who was
vehement, and did most of the talking will
change the whole character of the war she
will destroy, seriatiai, every naval vessel she
will lay all the cities on the seaboard und der |
Iontri bution. shall Immediately recall Barn. |
tide; Port Royal must be abandoned. will |
lotify the Governors and municipal authorities !
n the North to take instant measures to pro-
cot their hsrbors.' 1t is difficult to repeat his
anguage, which was broken and denunciatory.
T TO characterizs his manner, or the panic
nder which he labored, and which added to
he apprehension of Others He had no doubt
9 said, that the monster was st tnis moment
q her way to Washington, and, looking out of
he window, which commanded view of the
otomac for many miles, mot unlikely we shall
ave q shell or cannon ball from one of her
ubs 10 the White House before We leave this
'om." Most of Stanton's complaints were
irected to me, and to me the others turned,
OF complsiningly, but naturally for informa-
on or suggestion that might give relief
AZ lh11io ~ cAOSpU NY AtlLA III bn0 uQ- | ,
led Monitor experiment., which we had pre-
lred for the emergency; an assurance that
10 Merrimac, with her draft, and loaded with
on, could not pass Kettle Bottom Shoals, in |
10 Potomac, and ascend the river and surprise !
with q cannon ball, and advised that, in
cad of adding to the general panic, it would :
tier become us to calmly consider the situa-
IN and inspire confidence by acting, SO far as
, could, intelligently and with discretion
d Judgment. Mr.. CHASE approved the sug- 1
stion, but thought it might be well to tele.
aph Gov. Morgan and Mayor 0pdyke, at New g
rk, that they might be on their guard. Stan !;
n said he should warn the authorities in all
9 chief cities. questioned the propriety :
sending abroad panic missives, or adding to j
Q alarm that would naturally be felt, and said =
was doubtful whether the vessel 90 out down Il
d loaded with armor would venture outside
. CSpes certainly she could not, with her n
Aft OF water, get into tho sounds of North a
rolina to disturb Burnside and our forces
are; nor was she omnipresent to make general :
at New York, Boston, Port Royal,
Is, at the same time; that there would DO gen. =
i alarm created and repeated that my de- {.
ndence was on the Monitor, and my conf
noe in her great. "What," asked Stanton, sis
!, size and siren 9Th of this Monitor How n,