Welcome the Hour of Conflict: William Cowan McClellan and the 9th Alabama
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Welcome the Hour of Conflict: William Cowan McClellan and the 9th Alabama
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Overview
In the Spring of 1861, a 22-year-old Alabamian did what many of his friends and colleagues were doing—he joined the Confederate Army as a volunteer. The first of his family to enlist, William Cowan McClellan, who served as a private in the 9th Alabama Infantry regiment, wrote hundreds of letters throughout the war, often penning for friends who could not write home for themselves. In the letters collected in John C. Carter’s volume, this young soldier comments on his feelings toward his commanding officers, his attitude toward military discipline and camp life, his disdain for the western Confederate armies, and his hopes and fears for the future of the Confederacy. McClellan’s letters also contain vivid descriptions of camp life, battles, marches, picket duty, and sickness and disease in the army. The correspondence between McClellan and his family dealt with separation due to war as well as with other wartime difficulties such as food shortages, invasion, and occupation. The letters also show the rise and fall of morale on both the home front and on the battlefield, and how they were closely intertwined. Remarkable for their humor, literacy, and matter-of-fact banter, the letters reveal the attitude a common soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia had toward the day-to-day activity and progression of the war. John C. Carter includes helpful appendixes that list the letters chronologically and offer the regimental roster, casualty/enlistment totals, assignments, and McClellan’s personal military record.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780817357863 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | University of Alabama Press |
| Publication date: | 06/15/2014 |
| Edition description: | First Edition, First Edition |
| Pages: | 456 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.50(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Welcome the Hour of Conflict
William Cowan McClellan and the 9th Alabama
By John C. Carter
The University of Alabama Press
Copyright © 2007 The University of Alabama PressAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8173-5786-3
CHAPTER 1
Preparing for War: Alabama to Richmond
January 14–June 20, 1861
We have met for the last time under the government of the United States. — Thomas Joyce McClellan
Four days after South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, Alabama governor A. B. Moore called for the election of delegates from all the counties of the state to attend the Alabama Secession Convention in Montgomery starting on January 7. On January 6, 1861, Thomas Joyce McClellan arrived in Montgomery by train from Limestone County, along with Nicholas Davis from Madison County. Elected by the citizens of northern Alabama, they were two of the "cooperationist" delegates who were not in favor of immediate secession. Few of these delegates actually opposed secession, but the north Alabama faction was competing for power within the state Democratic party by taking a stance that opposed the south Alabamians' position on secession. Led by William Lowndes Yancey, the south Alabamians were attempting to push through the convention an ordinance of secession that would immediately take Alabama out of the Union. As one historian has observed, the cooperationists' real objective "was to raise doubts in the popular mind about the extent to which immediate secession was a carefully considered response to the threat. Yancey's opponents wished to make it appear a hasty, radical proposal, generated by emotion and replete with concealed pitfalls." The delegates from the northern counties (Limestone, Madison, Jackson, Lawrence, Morgan, Marshall, and DeKalb) led a strong effort to oppose immediate secession, and they looked for ways to preserve slavery and Southern institutions while keeping Alabama from finding itself alone and out of the Union.
Attitudes toward secession may have also been shaped by both cooperationists and secessionists who attempted to determine the possibilities for securing redress of their political grievances and for guaranteeing their rights as citizens in the Union. Age may also have played a factor, as "older" delegates such as Thomas McClellan found themselves in opposition to younger delegates who became the proponents of the secession movement. Rather than just being a cooperationist, Thomas McClellan was guided by a more Reconstructionist Union sentiment.
Despite the efforts of the cooperationists, on January 14, Alabama voted for secession by a vote of sixty-one to thirty-nine. Thirty-three of the dissenting delegates (including Thomas McClellan) issued an address to the people of Alabama declaring that the ordinance of secession should have been submitted to the people for their ratification or rejection. The day the convention ended, Thomas McClellan wrote home to his wife, Martha:
We have met for the last time under the government of the United States. I have no language to express my feelings when the new flag was unfurled in the Capital, to see a large crowd of both men and women transported with joy at such an event, without seeming to have no regret for the old stars and stripes ... but it is as I conceive now, the duty of all good citizens to uphold and support the State in the action it has taken as it is the only government we have got ... I see no other course but to submit to it, we must not do anything that would look like any willingness on our part to submit to the policy of the black republican party. You I know will feel as accutly as I do the necessity of separating from the land of our birth and the graves of our ancestors, and the only thing that makes the thought of it supportable is the hope that we may be again reunited.
Thomas returned to Limestone County and found a county in complete opposition to the conclusion of the convention. A week after the convention, the people of Athens, Alabama, raised the Union flag over the court-house and vowed to meet any traitors head-on. All efforts at harmony failed until the firing on Fort Sumter in April 1861, and then, as Capt. Thomas Hubbard Hobbs stated, "never did a political sentiment die so speedily a death as that of reconstruction has died in North Alabama." With the out-break of hostilities, Union sympathizers faded into the background as a silent minority until the Union occupation of northern Alabama in 1862. Like many Southern people, Alabamians became very sensitive to Union rhetoric, and the election of Lincoln had already galvanized their criticism. The firing on Sumter spurred the South into action, and emotions ran high as former opponents to immediate secession turned toward it to oppose Northern coercion. The South, however, may have moved too quickly and was not prepared for the coming conflict. Historian Clement Eaton believes that the South did not weigh the chances of war and acted largely on a wave of resentment and an artificial sense of honor.
As sentiment in north Alabama changed, regiments of volunteers were raised by local politicians such as Thomas Hubbard Hobbs and George S. Houston, who relied on the idea of glory and the prospect of a short, winnable war to recruit young men to join the Southern cause and head for battlefields far from home. The local fairground opened for the Limestone County volunteers to receive minimal military instruction before taking the trains to Virginia. As the volunteers trained, Thomas McClellan turned his attention to working for the new Confederacy when he joined the Alabama legislature. And he watched as three of his sons went off to the war.
The spring of 1861 was a time for young men to separate from their families and come to grips with the military way of life. Pvt. William McClellan hoped he would be able to go into battle and lay his life on the line so that after the war he could be proud of the part he played in Southern independence. Many soldiers and civilians viewed the coming war as a second American Revolution, and they saw themselves in the same light as their grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Trains from Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee were formed to deliver troops to Virginia. Lt. Col. Edmund Kirby Smith was sent by the Confederate government on May 3 to Lynchburg, Virginia, to coordinate the arrival of the troops and get them quickly on to Richmond. Confederate officials were concerned about the small number of troops in Virginia as they watched the growing number of Union forces along the banks of the Potomac. The best intelligence pointed toward an invasion through Fairfax County or through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
William McClellan prepared to leave for the war as a member of the Limestone Greys, a local company (Company H) commanded by Capt. David Houston, the son of Gen. George S. Houston of Athens, Alabama. At the same time Thomas Hobbs organized his own company, the Limestone Troopers, which would later become Company F. On June 3, 1861, Hobbs moved his company into camp at Clem's Spring, which was about six and one-half miles northeast of Athens, and one of the finest springs in the region. They had quickly moved there from the fairgrounds, because it was located too close to Athens and the railroad line, and many of the men had been leaving camp to go home in the evenings.
While the Limestone companies drilled, George Houston was becoming concerned that the secretary of war, Leroy Pope Walker, had not called for the local volunteers to be received into military service. Walker replied that he would be glad to accept the companies if they would provide their own arms; and he told Houston, when they had arms, to send the companies on to Richmond and their transportation would be paid for by the Confederacy. The call for the companies to leave the Athens area came on June 4.
June 6 was the last day in Athens for Company F, as they were finally on their way to Richmond, Virginia. (Company H would leave several days later.) Captain Hobbs described June 6 as "a very sad day, and one which impressed its sadness on the most thoughtless of the company ... For myself I feel nothing but an imperious sense of duty could justify my leaving home at this time. But, having been connected with a military company for nearly two years in time of peace, I thought it unbecoming me to play citizen in war." Later, the Athens Banner reported the departure of Company F from Limestone County:
The news having reached the friends of the volunteers comprising Hobbs' corps, that it would leave for Richmond by the 1 ½ train, large numbers assembled at the depot, long before that hour, and they still continued to arrive, until the departure of the train ... The Rev. Mr. [A. F.] Lawrence ... stepped immediately in front of the corps, and after a spirited address, which was softened and rendered doubly affecting by an occasional tear streaming down his cheek ... presented each member with a copy of the Holy Bible. Immediately succeeding this ceremony, the Mayor presented to each of the commissioned officers and the four sergeants, a company roll and concluded the ceremonies by a speech and an appeal for pocket change for two or three members who were known to be without it ... The slow movement of [the] train not going beyond the speed of a footman at a walk afforded a last "fare-you-well" and one more lingering look, and grasp, of the hand of friendship.
The train stopped at Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama; Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Knoxville, Tennessee; and Bristol and Lynchburg, Virginia, before arriving at Richmond. East Tennessee was still a bastion of pro-Union sentiment, and trains approaching Knoxville the week before had been fired on by Union men. The Limestone troops, however, passed through the region without incident. As the train arrived at Lynchburg, Virginia, the men were unloaded and marched across town to board another train to the north. This was necessary due to the difference in gauges of the railroad tracks of the Tennessee and Virginia Railroad and the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. First, however, the Limestone County Troopers were invited to the house of Ambrose Rucker, a Lynchburg native and friend of Captain Hobbs, who provided a warm meal for all of the men. While in Lynchburg, both companies were sworn in for military service and given physicals (the entire regiment would later be sworn in at Richmond). Upon reaching Richmond, Virginia, on the morning of June 11, the Troopers marched north across the Mayo Bridge and went into camp at Camp Reservoir, near the city waterworks on the site of present-day Riverview Cemetery. Houston's company arrived after supper on June 19. They joined the 35,000 Confederate troops who had arrived in Virginia from several Southern states. Eventually, nearly 30,000 Alabamians would serve in the Army of Northern Virginia during the war, and more than 9,000 would die in that service.
Eight hundred miles from home, the Alabama troops stood on the brink of history anticipating the coming of the great battle — the one that would take place at Manassas on July 21. The Limestone County troops settled into the routine of camp life and began daily drilling. There was, however, time for sightseeing and visiting family and friends in Richmond, as well as writing letters to family back home.
The McClellan family members in Athens were already concerned for William's welfare, and they started their own letters to him. Along with his mother and father, William's siblings corresponded with him: his oldest brothers, Robert and John; and his sisters, Martha Catherine (Kittie), Sarah (Sallie), and Matilda. Matilda was the first to write to William in Virginia.
Matilda McClellan to William Cowan McClellan
[Athens]
June 15th 1861
My Dear Brother,
Though it is entirely uncertain whether this will reach you or not I cant refrain from writing you a few lines-I trust to fate for its safe destination. The evening you left Nick Richardson, & Lady, and Hal Malone came home with Mr. [Nick] Davis and the next day Billy R[ichardson]- and Mr Childs (Ann Childs son) came out and had a gay time on the creek [Limestone Creek], fried their own fish &c Friday they all took dinner with us. I wished often during that day that you had some of our fare. You must write word how you live and give us the incidents of interest which occured by the way and indeed everything interesting connected with yourself. We are anxious to hear about what company you got into and became more so after hearing of the number who got drunk at Decatur. Pa was very grateful for the attention paid you by your friends the day you left. We havent heard one word of news since you left but probably will to day as it is P.O. day. Mr Gilbert staid here last night and wanted some of your hounds for Mr. [Alexander] Blackburn but we refused to let him have any save the two you spoke of giving away- the two little dogs are growing rapidly so I imagine I recon because I feed them a good deal. We have had no rain yet. The hands have been tieing up wheat to day. Pa thinks it has more rust than he saw a while back. I mentioned going down to Athens tomorrow. Kittie's [Martha Catherine McClellan's] examination will come off Monday Tuesday or Wednesday. I havent heard from Nath Fletcher since you left Sunday morning. I cant get off this morning. Uncle Andrew came about two o'clock and looks better. You must be sure to write often. Troops are passing here in great numbers. Good bye your sister Matilda. We have heard that Nick Davis received his commission to raise a thousand rangers. Mr Moore came in this evening and had a good time hearing Uncle Andrew talk about stealing horses for our government. I have heard that Bob Lane and Mrs Goode are married.
Matilda McClellan
William Cowan McClellan to Thomas Joyce McClellan
Richmond, Va.
June 20th [1861]
Dear Father,
After a long and tiresome trip of one week we have at last, arrived in this Company in fine spirits although about one fourth of them has the diarreah. We were detained upon the road at several places, Chattanooga 8 hours, Cleavland 24 hours, Knoxville 12 hours. We were cheered all along the road with inthusiasm save about half of Tennessee- that is the portion we went through. Cleavland is about the size of Huntsville and is intensely Union. Dink Thach was along, and drunk all of the time. He took down the Union flag at Cleavland. You have doubtless heard before this time of the evacuation of Harpers Ferry. From what I can learn about the affair, it was evacuated purely because the Confederates could not hold it, owing to the inefficiency of the fortification about which so much has been said. A high officer told me today that 4000 defenders could not hold it against 8000 assailants. Lincoln was bringing his entire force to bare against that point. There is 50,000 troops stationed at Richmond now, and are pouring in by the thousands. When our little band reached the encampment a shout was raised like or louder than thunder. Our company is camped at a beautiful pine grove about one mile from town. We have a splendid Spring about three hundred yards off. We were sworn into the Confederate service and examined by a Surgeon at Linchburg [Virginia]. All but one in our company was pronounced sound and fit for service. The Surgeon complimented our Co. very highly. He said we had more muscle and breathing power than any Co. he ever examined. Capt. Hobbs Co. is encamped next to us. I had a talk with him about going into his Co. He says he enrolled my name, and made no other calculation but that I should join him. I expect to decide the matter tomorrow- which Co. I will go into. [Capt. David] Houston told me I could not get a transfer unless I got a substitute. My blood boiled with rage when he told me this. I told him the arrangement was made in Athens; and that no gentleman would require more under the circumstances. Upon the whole we had a very exciting talk, but quit friends, to all appearances. He seems now to be trying to make amends for his injustice to me, by inviting me to ride with him in a hired carriage, over the city. If it was not for my mess I would not hesitate a moment about the course I should pursue. There is six besides myself as clever fellows as ever slept beneath a tent. The following is the names of the Boys: Rufus Jones, James Cain, George Hendricks, Dud Minga, William Everett, Ben. Williams who is the best cook in camp. I have made many friends in our Co.- sincere friends I think. Tell John not to join any Co. as a private if he can do any better. If he and Mr. Davis raises the Co. they are contemplating I will join it. I will send you the Richmond Inquirer two or three times a week as I can get it for five cents. The above was written amid noise, bustle and confusion with nothing to write on but my bundle of cloths. After I was done a man accidentally tramped on it. Next time I will try to do better as our mess is going to get a table. Write to me as soon as this comes to hand. Give my respects to all my friends. I will write again in a day or too. Dink Thach has a Spasm on him from drinking, while I am writing. Tell Mother the bottle of Jimaca ginger proved very serviceable to me.
Your son
W.C. McClellan
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Welcome the Hour of Conflict by John C. Carter. Copyright © 2007 The University of Alabama Press. Excerpted by permission of The University of Alabama Press.
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Table of Contents
Contents
List of Illustrations,Acknowledgments and Dedication,
Introduction,
1. Preparing for War: Alabama to Richmond, January 14–June 20, 1861,
2. Waiting for the Great Battle: Richmond to Manassas, June 21–July 21, 1861,
3. Manassas to Centreville, Virginia: July 22–September 21, 1861,
4. Camp at Centreville, Virginia: September 27–December 31, 1861,
5. The Road to the Peninsula: January 8–March 24, 1862,
6. The Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles: March 25–July 27, 1862,
7. The Second Battle of Manassas to Fredericksburg, Virginia: August 9–November 18, 1862,
8. The Fredericksburg Campaign: December 3, 1862–February 9, 1863,
9. Chancellorsville, Virginia, to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: February 20–July 9, 1863,
10. Orange, Virginia, to Petersburg, Virginia: August 22, 1863–October, 1864,
11. Prison and Home Again: January 2–June 2, 1865,
Epilogue,
Appendix A: List of the Letters,
Appendix B: 9th Alabama Regiment Casualties/Enlistment Totals,
Appendix C: 9th Alabama Regiment Officers and Infantry Assignments,
Appendix D: Pvt. William Cowan McClellan's Military Record,
Appendix E: 9th Alabama Regimental Roster for Companies F and H,
Notes,
Bibliography,
Index,