Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-02-09
7ze
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
February 4, 1852.


eral Heitzleman's position, took seven
sy-eight men from the regiment and
started out in search of a body of
Confederates who had been reported
to be in Pohick church. Not finding
the enemy at the church the Federal
soldiers proceeded to Occoquan, where
they encountered them. A brisk fire
was maintained for time, when the
Federals withdrew.
]. P Benjamin, secretary of war for
the Confederates states, issued an or
der for the impressment Of all salt
petre found in the hands of any but
the manufacturers or Confederate au-
thorities, the same to be paid for at
the rate of forty cents a pound The
order was made necessary by the ex-
tortion that had been practiced on
the Confederate government by bands
of spectators, VINO had obtained
corner on the commodity.
The Richmond Examiner uttered a
strong plea to the citizens of the
south, asking them for more active
support of the Confederacy, and warn
ing them against too great security
in their recent victories.
February 5, 1862.
All doubt whether.the state of Cali
fornia would adhere to the United
States was set at rest by the receipt
of a message from Governor Stanford
to Salmon P. Chase, secretary of the
treasury. The message was as fol-
lows: Il am instructed by resolu-
ton of the legislature of California
to inform you that this state will as
sumo and pay into the treasury of the
United States the direct tax of 1854
538 apportioned to this state by the
act of congress.
(Sfgned) LELAND STANFORD,
Governor of California
The British schooner Mars, laden
with salt, was captured off Fernan-
dina, Fla, by the United States steam
err keystone State. Her charter party
disclosed her intention of running the
blockade A small sum Of money was
found aboard, among it being bank
bills and certificates of deposit in
South Carolina and Georgia banks.
Brig. Gen. T. r. Meagher, accom-
panied by General Shields and STAFF.
formally took command Of the Irish
brigade, in the Union army of the
Potomac, amid great enthusiasm and
great rejoicing or officers and men.
General Shields made an address to
the troops.
Jesse D. Bright was expelled from
the senate of the United States.
February 6, 1862.
Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river,
one of the important positions in the
first line of Confederate defense. was
taken by squadron of gnnboats UNI
der Flag Officer Foote. General Grant,
in command of an expedition that left
Cairo against the fort, learning that
the enemy intended to reinforce, or
dered an immediate attack, before his
entire force had come up The infan-
try moved into position, one division
to intercept retreat from the fort and
prevent the sending of reinforce
ments, another to the high west bank,
commanding the works, and the third
along the east bank, ready to assault
or support the first division.
AT half past twelve the squadron,
consisting of the iron-clad gunboats
Cincinnati, Commander Stembel; Es-
sex, Commander Porter; Carondolet,
Commander Walker, and the St. Lou
is, Lieutenant Spaulding commanding,
with the old gunboats Conestoga, Ty-
Ter and Lexington astern, in the sec
ond division, steamed up the river and
opened fire on the works. The fire
was returned. At half-past one shot
entered one of the boilers on the Es-
sex and put her out of commission,
scalding and injuring twenty mine Of
ticers and men, including Commander
Porter. A quarter of an hour later
the Confederates, overpowered by the
force of the fire against them, ceased
practice and lowered their colors.
Flag Officer Foote accepted the sur
render. Twenty pieces of artillery,
barracks and tents capable of accom-
modating $4,000 men and quantities
of stores fell into the hands of the
Union force. General Tilghman and
twenty-nine prisoners were captured.
The balance of the garrison escaped.
The naval force, which had alone been
engaged lost forty men killed or
wounded.
The United States house of repre-
sentatives passed a treasury demand
note bill, providing for the issuance
of $150,000000 in demand notes. which
were to received as legal tender for
all purposes. 1t became known as the
Legal Tender act.
The Burnside expedition. having
crossed a difficult bar, advanced on
Roanoke island.
Secretary Seward declined Frances
offer of mediation.