01-14-1861 Skedaddle e-journal

The effects of the nip of Saturday night were greatly apparent in the Hudson. Large fields of strong ice floated with the tide during the entire day and rendered the travelling in the ferry boats tedious and difficult. The greatest caution and care were necessarily introduced in the guidance of the barks’ of the Hoboken ferry—notwithstanding which, however, several times during the day the passengers were greatly frightened with the idea that the hulk had been pushed away and that they occupied unenviable quarters on a field of ice.

Frozen to Death in Jersey City.

Coroner Gafney yesterday held an inquest on the body of Michael Hanlon, who was found frozen to death in Greene street. The deceased had been in the habit of wandering about the city mending old tin ware, and was generally of a loose and vagrant disposition. It is supposed that while in a state of intoxication he laid down, and was frozen in the manner mentioned.

Georgia.—Large Arrival of Powder at Savannah.

The Savannah Republican of the 10th inst. says; —A schooner arrived here yesterday, from the North, with 200 barrels common powder, 75 kegs rifle powder, and a large quantity of musket powder, the property of the State….

The Star of the West.

The Star of the West, now surrounded with uncommon interest on account of her adventure in the harbor of Charleston, finally returned to her dock at the foot of Warren street yesterday morning, where large numbers wended their way during the day to see her. The gates on the upper end of the dock, however, were closed against all unauthorized applicants for admission, compelling those whose curiosity had brought them to the spot to content themselves with looking at her stern and starboard side.

THE MARK OF THE CANNON BALL is upon the port side, facing the dock, and was consequently visible only from within the forbidden enclosure. She bears no other traces of damage from the firing. The dent referred to is a little forward of the wheelhouse, under one of the portholes, and about three or four feet from the surface of the water. It is elliptically or egg shaped, showing that the ball struck the vessel obliquely, at an angle of about thirty or forty inches with the keel, and in a direction from the stern towards the bow. The impression of the ball, which must have been an eighteen-pounder, is about six inches wide at its broadest portion and about nine or ten inches in length. The missile sank into the wood only to the depth of about half its own diameter, showing that its force was considerably spent on reaching the vessel.

THE DEBARKATION OF THE TROOPS was accomplished at half-past seven o’clock yesterday morning. During the previous night the Star of the West was considerably inconvenienced by the large masses of ice floating in the river, and two anchors were wrenched away. She left her anchorage in the harbor—a position she had maintained since her arrival—and steamed into the slack water to avoid the floes of ice. She then passed down the bay to Robbin’s Reef, and thence back to a point a little above Governor’s Island, where, about three o’clock yesterday morning, the steam tug came alongside to take off the soldiers; but the commanding officer, deeming it an unpropitious moment on account of the terrific frost, and Captain McGowan fearing accident from the masses of ice, the movement was postponed. Those on board the vessel describe the cold at this time as of unusual severity. The sides of the ship were covered with ice, while the whiskers of the officers on duty were congealed with their respiration. Such was the keen state of the atmosphere during Saturday afternoon that a stove had to be put up in the soldiers’ quarters to make them any way tenantable or comfortable.

After leaving Governor’s Island the Star of the West steamed for the slack water off the Jersey shore, and passed through it until she reached a point opposite Bergen Heights, where she anchored. The steam tug here came alongside once more, and the troops were disembarked about half-past seven o’clock. The steam tug then put off and landed the soldiers at their old quarters, Fort Columbus, on Governor’s Island. The Star of the West immediately after raised her anchor and steamed to her dock foot of Warren street, which she reached about eight o’clock.

HER APPEARANCE YESTERDAY presented nothing unusual to the spectator, looking from the wharf, save the American ensign floating at her stern. On board, however, were plentiful evidences of her recent occupation by troops and of her warlike destination. Upon the main deck piled up against the sides of the wheelhouse, were some twenty or thirty cases of muskets, marked with the words ‘Major T. R. Holmes, Fort Columbus, N. Y. Harbor.’ These were the arms of the soldiers who were sent to reinforce Fort Sumter. Occupying various positions on the same deck and in the hold were some hundred or more barrels of pork and other stores for the provisioning of the troops, and a quantity of supplies for the garrison at Fort Sumter. A number of boxes of cartridges were also stored away.

The quarters of the troops were in the forward cabin or steerage. An inspection of this locality at once exhibited the recent presence of military men. The floor was littered with old straps and other military paraphernalia, bearing the letters ‘U.S.,’ while the remnants of their meals were strewn around, forcibly reminding one of the soldier’s life in camp and field. The number of berths originally in the steerage had not been sufficient to accommodate the detachment, and mattresses had been spread in the forward part of the cabin to supply the deficiency in the sleeping arrangements.

The particulars of the attack upon the Star of the West have been stated in an official manner by Captain McGowan. A few further details in regard to the affair possess a great deal of interest. The first shot fired passed across the bow of the vessel and struck the water about a ship’s length ahead. The American ensign at the fore peak was then unfurled, and the vessel continued on amid the fire of the battery; but receiving no answer by signal from Fort Sumter in response to the hoisting of the American flag, and a couple of vessels coming down the harbor at the same time, apparently with a hostile intention, her head was turned for sea once more.

During all this trying time, with the guns of the battery continually pouring out their deadly missiles, the most admirable order was preserved on board. The soldiers were sent below, and no one allowed to remain on deck except the officers and crew. The captain and first officers were at the pilot house, while the second mate was ready on the forward deck to get the relieving tackle to work in the event of any of the balls striking the wheel and preventing control over the vessel’s movements. That there was good need of this precaution is shown by the close proximity of a ball that passed over the wheelhouse. The shots fired at the vessel during the first part of the attack struck short of her, but, glancing up from the water, ricocheted over the vessel, and were plainly visible during their flight in this second direction.

Charleston Mercury

Florida Takes her Forts.

PENSACOLA, January 12. — Fort Barancas, and the Pensacola Navy Yard, were taken possession of, at half past one o’clock today, by the Alabama and Florida troops. The Federal troops had already deserted the post after spiking the guns, and have occupied Fort Pickens. A ship with provisions is at Fort Pickens.

Capt. SHEPHERD intends running small steamers with men, under the guns and attack the Fort. The Georgia troops, perhaps, will be necessary. Gov. BROWN, of Georgia, has telegraphed Capt. COLQUITT, who is in attendance at the Convention, to be ready with his company. He may be needed very soon. Maj. CHASE is in command of the Florida and Alabama troops.

From Louisiana.—The Forts Occupied by the State Troops—The Pelican Flag Floating Over Them—Secession Certain, Etc.

All the troops in New Orleans were under arms last night, by order of Governor Moore. Five companies embarked this morning at two o’clock to seize the Arsenal at Baton Rouge. The Orleans Battalion Artillery and four companies embarked at eleven for Forts Jackson and St. Philip, forty miles below, on the Mississippi, commanding the approach of New Orleans. The wharf was crowded with citizens, who vociferously, cheered the departure of the steamer. Three companies left this afternoon on a steamer to seize Fort Pike, on Lake Pontchartrain. New regiments of troops are being organized. A rumor prevails that the war steamer Crusader is coming up the river, and the highest excitement prevails. Texas and Florida will also seize their fortifications. The troops in Tennessee and Mississippi are arming.

Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office

MONDAY 14—Something of a snowstorm today. Tonight is more like rain freezing as it falls. The walks are a glade of ice. There appears to be a more hopeful feeling abroad today in reference to the affairs of the country. The Govt is geting into the hands of Union men. The Cabinet is now composed entirely of that class. Genl Dix taking the place of Thomas. His first assistant (Clayton) has also resigned to save himself from being turned out. It is rumored today that all “seceders” are to be turned out if they do not resign their posts in the different Depts. Spent the evening next door, Mr Bartletts, clerk in State Dept.

Adams, Rev. Dr............................................... 10

Anderson, Major Robert............. 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 14

Axson, First Lieutenant Chas. H...................... 14

Axson, Lietenant C.H........................................ 9

Bates, Edward............................................ 11, 12

Beecher, , Rev. Dr............................................ 10

Bellows, Rev. Dr.............................................. 10

Bethune, , Rev. Dr........................................... 10

Bigler, Senator William...................................... 5

Boag, (Lieutenant)............................................. 9

Botts, —.......................................................... 12

Brown, Governor Joseph Emerson................ 6, 8

Buchanan, President James 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Cameron, Simon......................................... 11, 12

Capers, (Major).................................................. 9

Chamcey, , Rev. Dr.......................................... 10

Chapin, Rev. Dr............................................... 10

Chapman, D..................................................... 15

Chase, Salmon P........................................ 11, 12

Chateaubriand.................................................... 1

Clark, Governor Henry Toole.......................... 10

Cobb, Howell..................................................... 7

Crittendon, Senator John................................ 5, 6

Doubleday, Captain Abner................................. 9

Du Chailler, M............................................... 8, 9

emminger, Christopher Gustavus..................... 10

Fife, Dr. (Dentist)............................................ 15

Fillmore, President Millard............................... 12

Floyd, John Buchanan................................ 4, 5, 7

Foster, Captain J. G.,......................................... 9

Garlington, A. G.............................................. 10

Graham, William A.......................................... 11

Graham, William Alexander............................. 12

Greeley, Horace......................................... 11, 12

Harlee, W. H.................................................... 10

Hicks, Governor Thomas Holliday.................. 14

Hogany, , Rev. Dr............................................ 10

Hoge, Rev. Dr.................................................. 10

Jackson, Andrew................................................ 7

Jackson, President Andrew.............................. 12

Jamison, David F............................................. 10

Keitt, L. M....................................................... 14

Lebleux, L. F.................................................... 10

Letcher, Governor John................................... 14

Lincoln, President-elect Abraham.... 4, 11, 12, 13

Magrath, Andrew Gordon................................ 10

Manning, Governor John Laurence.................. 14

Mason, Senator................................................ 14

McCullough, Ben............................................. 13

McIntyre, Mr.................................................... 14

McKibben, Mr.................................................. 14

McKibben< James........................................... 14

Melchers, Captain A........................................... 9

Pickens, Governor Francis W...................... 5, 10

Pierce, President Franklin................................ 12

Porter, Rev. A. Toomer (Chaplain).................... 9

Raphall, Rev. Dr.............................................. 10

Rhett, R. Barnwell............................................ 14

Richardson, F. D.............................................. 14

Scott, General Winfield...................................... 5

Scott, Robert E.......................................... 11, 12

Seward, William H..................................... 11, 12

Smith, Rev. Dr. J. C......................................... 10

Spring, Rev. Dr................................................ 10

Stockton, Dr. (Chaplain).................................... 9

Stockton, Rev. Mr............................................ 10

Taft, Horatio Nelson............ 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15

Taft, Mrs. Horatio Nelson.................................. 9

Taylor, Rev. Dr................................................ 10

Thompson, Rev. Dr......................................... 10

Toombs, Senator Robert Augustus.................. 15

Tyler, Captain John.......................................... 12

Van Dyke, Rev. Dr.......................................... 10

Vinton, Rev. Dr............................................... 10

Weed, Thurlow................................................ 12

Welles, Gideon................................................. 11

Wells, Gideon.................................................. 12

Weston, P.D.J.................................................... 9

White, Captain E. J............................................ 9

White, E.J........................................................ 10

White, Rev. Dr................................................. 10

Wilkinson, William........................................... 10

Williams, Rev. Dr............................................. 10

Wilmot, David................................................. 11

Woodruff, Lucius............................................. 14

Rather than try to fit a week’s worth of material into each issue, starting with Volume 2, Issue 16 will be about 20 to 30 pages long. Depending upon the events of the time period covered, some issues may have seven days worth of material, some may only have a couple of days, and others may have nine or ten days. The previous issues of Volume 2 attempted to cover one full week in about the same amount of space.

Starting with Volume 2, Issue 17, each issue will have an index for the names of individuals mentioned in that issue. Skedaddle is intended to be for those who are interested in the civil war and those who are doing genealogical research. The name index will provide additional benefit for those using Skedaddle for genealogical purposes.

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January 14, 1861

New York Herald