Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-27
CIVIL WAR so YEARS AGO.
How North and south Were Preparing
for the Great Conflict.
CFrom Harper's Weekly)


(From Harpers Weekly.D
The month of June 1851, was one of
ceaseless energy for those in authority in
10th North and South. Although neither
section of the country really unders TODD
the size of the huge task that had been
undertaken, both had settled down, with
the first flush of anger departed, grimly
but determnedly. to prepare for war.
The military powers had not yet been
developed. Leaders had not been found
There was not man in the regular army
who had ever commanded a thousand
men in the field, while many of the OFF,
GERS had resigned to cast in their lot with
the seeding States. In the navy there
was not a single officer who had ever
had under him a larger squadron than
one of three of four vessels. The highest
rank In the service at this time was that
of commodore. The highest holding ac-
tual command was captain; but many
of these officers were hidebound by tradi-
lion ana superannuated in years.
BY the middle of June North and
South had turned to in earnest The
country at large had resolved itself In
to two great drill camps. But. just as
IN April and May. the political element
was to the fore. There was little real
discipline and little knowledge Every
thing had to be learned in the great
school of experience. The greatest war
college Of the world was about to open
its doors Men were merely matriculat-
ing for the four-yearS' course that was
to turn them out as citizens again. but
marked forever as soldiers. over the
fair face of the South were to be scatter
cd hundreds of the battlehelds. Yet
there was no prophet who dared fore
cast the future-or perhaps. saw 1t.
Europe was waiting and watching
anXiously. England realized 10y this time
how deeply she was concerned. King
Cotton was paramount. There We're two
parties at swords points In the North,
the peace at any price party" and the
hot heads" who. although unorganized,
kept continually urging the government
to act, not recognizing its unprepared-
less. Here follows a summary of the
principal events both naval and mill
tar, tctwccn June | and July 16, fever
lsi! days that ushered in the first big
hattie. Bull Run, which took place o.,
July q:
June |. lsjl.--The British government
prohibited the Unlted States and CON
eederate armed vessels from bringing any
prizes 20 Brtish ports,
June 3-General Beauregard took com
monG sf the confederate forces at Man
nsyaA J,u ctor. Surprise of confederate
troops - Philippe. Va, by United Sta ,e.
forcm under Colonies Dumont, Kolly and
lander, Colonel Kcll. was severely
wounded
June G.--Thtrty-fve Virginia cavalr'
were captured at Alexandra. They took
the oath Of allegiance and We're relca: ed
June Ex-Governor Jackson % Missouri
issued u proclamation calling 5000 stat'
militia in service. TO protect tho lives
liberty and property OF the citlss,.s Of
the State"
June H.-Harper's Ferry was ev>cuat ot
by the confederate forces, who destroyed
all destruct!ble property.
June ia sl:irmish occurred at Sen
cca Minis. Nd \ confederate captair
and two men were killed by Majol
EvwettA command.
June ls.-Eight hundred Union home
guards, under Captain Cook, were sur
plISfh at lamp 'blti hO. ny Nplll'itl
ates from Warsaw. Twenty-Five were
killed. % wounded, % prisoners: As o
| the enemy We're killed or wounded.
June 2O.-Cornelius Vanderbilt otfere,
| all the steamships of the Atlantic ant
! pacicc company for the service of IN
| government
| June 2.-Confederate batteries at Ma
| thids Point. Na.shelled by United State
steamers Pawnee and Freeborn. EN-
| gaGement of United States steamer Mont
! icellO with confederates at Carter
| Creek, Va Secession of Tennessee pro
claimed by Governor Harris. Vote. l04,
9l3 for, to i79S against.
June c5.-The Virginia vote vas an
nounced to be ,SSl for, and 81 Ia
against secession
June @1-Engagements occurred be
tween the gunboat Freedom and confcd
crate batteries at Matthias Point. Car
tGin Ward Of the Freedom was killed.
June 2S-Skirmsh at Shorters HI
| Va. Union loss, one killed and on
wounded; confederate loss. two killed
June 29-The steamer ST. Nicholas an
three briggs were captured by secession
lists on the Chesapeake,
July THE confedcrates were drive
from Martinsburg Va, by A1orcrombie
Brigade General Patterson's division
The Union loss was three killed and
wounded; the confederate loss, 80 killt
ana wounded, 90 prisoners.
July 3-The Arkansas military boar
called out 10000 men to repcl invasion.
July i,-I'nited States Congress met
special session, a skirmish occurred
Uarpcr's Ferry between the New Yoi
9Th regiment and tho Confederates. III
coCcral loss vas two killed and thr'
wounded.
July 4-7.-The United States stean
South Caroline captured or destroyed
"essels of Galveston,
July 5-Battle at Carthage, Mo, n
Union forces, under Coolnel sigel, nur
bcred LOO; the ccnfedorates. i,Cc0, Tl