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| John Ellis Wool. |
April 30, 1861. |
May 9. |
June 7. |
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Troops and subsistence so promptly forwarded to Washington by the Union Defense Committee, under the direction of General Wool, and with the cordial co-operation of Commodores Breese and Stringham, saved the Capital from seizure.1 Fortress Monroe, made secure by the same energetic measures, held, during the entire war, a controlling power over all lower and eastern Virginia and upper North Carolina; and the possession of the arms in the St. Louis Arsenal by the friends of the Government, at that time, was of the greatest importance to the National cause in the Mississippi Valley.
We shall consider this matter presently.
When the troops sent forward had opened the way to Washington, the first communication that General Wool received from his
superiors was an order from the General-in-chief
to return to his Headquarters at Troy, for “the recovery of his health, known to be feeble.”
The General's health was perfect.
He, and the Union Defense Committee (who appreciated his services, and heartily thanked him for them), and the people, were surprised.
The Secretary of War was asked
by the veteran why he had been sent into retirement at that critical juncture of affairs.
A month later,
the minister replied:--“You were ordered to return to your Headquarters at Troy, because the issuing of orders by you, on the application of the various Governors, for arms, ammunition, et coetera, without consultation, seriously embarrassed the prompt and proper administration of the Department.”
This sentence in the letter seemed more extraordinary than the order of the General-in-chief.
The Government, during the time alluded to, could not be consulted.
It was, as it were, shut up in prison, and its rescue from imminent peril had been effected only by the employment of unauthorized measures, less grave than the Government itself was compelled to resort to for its own preservation — measures which it afterward asked Congress to sanction by special act.2 The people were
1 “ I remember how you sustained the Government by forwarding troops for the defense of the National Capital; how, by your zeal in equipping and sending forward, with the means at your disposal, large bodies of patriotic and excellent troops, which came in good time, the tide of rebellion, which commenced at Baltimore, was turned against the enemies of our country. The Government had not the means of defending itself, when they were most needed. This Committee came forward and applied the remedy, and averted the danger.” --Speech of General Scott before the Union Defense Committee, November 8, 1861. Before the close of the year 1861, one hundred and seven volunteer regiments had gone to the field from the State of New York, sixty-six of which were aided by the Union Defense Committee. Of these regiments, ninety were infantry, ten were cavalry, five were artillery, one of engineers, and one a coast-guard.
2 On the 31st of April, 1861, the Union Defense Committee, by unanimous vote, adopted the following resolutions:--
Resolved, That this Committee regard it as an incumbent duty to express their high appreciation of the wisdom, energy, and patriotism of Major-General John E. Wool, commanding this Military District, evinced in moments of critical emergency in the affairs of the country. Resolved, As the deliberate judgment of this Committee, that the zeal, activity, and patriotism of General Wool have been eminently conspicuous in the arrangements made by him for expediting the transport of troops and supplies to the scene of action; and especially so in assuming the responsibility of dispatching the fine regiment of New York Fire Zouaves, commanded by Colonel Ellsworth, thus avoiding the delays which might otherwise have detained them for several days. Resolved, That this Committee desire to express in these resolutions their grateful sense of the distinguished services rendered by General Wool since entering upon his duties in this city; and their acknowledgments to the War Department for affording this community the great advantage of his military skill and long experience in the service of his country. Resolved, That while the organization of the Western Department of the United States, comprising within its limits the National Capital, under the able, judicious, and patriotic management of Lieutenant-General Scott, Commanding General of the Army, insures public confidence and the protection of the National honor, the Committee deem it fortunate for the country that the President has exercised the sagacious discretion of placing the Eastern Department under the control of an officer worthy of all the confidence reposed in him. Resolved, That this Committee desire most emphatically to express their gratitude to Major-General Wool for the promptness and readiness with which he has yielded to their wishes and requests, and assumed great and heavy responsibilities, which the exigency of the case and the difficulties of communicating with the Government rendered necessary; and they most earnestly request the War Department and the President of the United States to ratify and approve the conduct and action of Major-General Wool in these particulars; and also, that he may be continued in command in this city and of this Department. Resolved, That copies of the preceding resolutions, properly authenticated, be transmitted to the President of the United States, Lieutenant-General Scott, and Major-General Wool.
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