He instantly fired and sent his shot completely over the enemy. I then opened from my bow guns, and the action became brisk on both sides for about twenty minutes, the enemy firing by broadsides. At the end of this time the enemy hauled off, and stood down the river, rounding to occasionally and giving us broadsides. This running fight continued until he reached the shelter of the batteries on the Iron Banks above Columbus. We continued the action, and drove him behind his batteries in a crippled condition. We could distinctly see our shells explode on his decks. The action lasted over an hour, and terminated, as I think, in a complete defeat of the enemy's boats, superior in size and number of guns to the Essex and St. Louis. sick. Regimental and brigade surgeons should apply all their energy and their abilities to procure the material necessary for the outfit of regimental hospitals, and not cease in their exertions until all their requisitions are filled. They should specially take care that no patient lies on the ground in the hospital tent, but on a bed of boards, (bunk with straw mattress,) that proper stores are provided, and that competent nurses are selected from the different commands. In case complaints are necessary, they should immediately be made to the commanders of regiments and brigades. The lives of those intrusted to our command and care must be guarded and preserved by any means, and those made responsible, who, by their carelessness and neglect, are guilty of the loss of valuable lives. On the twelfth, Gen. McClernand requested me to make a reconnoissance toward the Iron Banks. I did so, and offered the enemy battle by firing a round shot at their battery, but they did not respond, nor did I see any thing of their boats. I have since been informed, through the General, that the boats of the enemy were completely disabled, and the panic became so great at the Iron Banks that the gunners deserted their guns. The fire of the St. Louis was precise, and the shot told well. The officers and men of this vessel behaved with firmness, Mr. Riley, the first Master, carrying out all my orders strictly, while the officers of the gun divisions, Messrs. Loving and Ferry, paid particular attention to the pointing of their respective guns. Mr. Britton, my Aid, paid all attention to my orders, and conveyed them correctly and with alacrity; in fact, all the officers and men on board behaved like veterans. Your obedient servant, W. D PORTER, Flag-Officer Foote, in forwarding this report, utmost to prepare himself, in this time of rest and Regimental officers of the day should strictly per form their duties, and should be made responsible by the field officers and the general officer of the day for any neglect regarding this order. Commander. CAIRO, Jan, 13, 1862. says: Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary Navy. Doc. 14. GENERAL SIGEL'S ADDRESS. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, To the Officers of the Third Division: Is our present situation, where the different regiments are suffering in a most deplorable degree by sickness, it should be the earnest duty of all officers and commanders to do their best for the comfort and moral support of their men. It is, therefore, necessary to give continuous and strict attention to the cleanliness of the camp and tents, to the diet of the soldiers, and all matters relative to the condition and treatment of the The attention of commanders of companies is specially directed to such paragraphs of Article 13, Revised Army Regulations, as are applicable to the object to be attained. They should occupy and divert their companies by regular drills, with or without arms, by marching them out of their camps, by practising them in target-firing, and by instructing them theoretically. Commanders of regiments and brigades should supervise their of ficers in the fulfilling of these duties, and going through a regular course of instruction in tactics and the laws and regulations of war. The best instructed and most efficient officers should, without regard to rank, be selected by the commanders of brigades or regiments for the different branches of instruction, and every officer do his inactivity, for the earnest duties of practical warfare. To further the great object of mutual help and assistance, to raise our position, as defenders of a great cause, and to promote that good understanding and harmony among officers of the same regiment or corps, which is so essential and of so great importance in the hour of distress and common danger, I earnestly and kindly recommend that the officers of each regiment should form a military association, and meet regularly, to discuss all questions in relation to their common interest and the good of the public service. I need scarcely remark that we have to consider our special situation as military men, and have to respect Article 26, Army Regulations. That, besides this, such an association should not make it their object to substitute their proceedings to the but, at the same time, I refer to the fact that in provisions of Articles of War Nos. 34 and 35; almost all regiments of the militia such associations have existed and exist yet, and that they have been of the greatest usefulness to all commands by which they have been organized. well the fatal effects of this winter season as we Let us try whether we are able to stand as will stand the fire of our enemies. F. SIGEL, Brigadier-General Commanding. Doc. 15. THE RESIGNATION OF GEN. SIGEL. GERMAN MASS MEETING AT THE COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW-YORK, ON THURSDAY, 16TH JANUARY, 1862. THE great meeting in favor of Gen. Franz Sigel, which took place at the Cooper Institute, was attended by more than ten thousand of the most respectable and solid adopted citizens of German birth, and was characterized by most enthusiastic speeches and resolutions. The object was, to give expression to the feelings of the Germans of this city and its environs, on the resignation of Gen. Sigel, and to take measures for bringing his claims prominently to the notice of the Govern ment. The meeting was called to order at half-past seven o'clock, and R. A. Witthaus unanimously called to the chair. On opening the proceedings, Mr. Witthaus spoke as follows: FELLOW - CITIZENS: Permit me to express my deep appreciation of the honor conferred upon me of presiding over this mass meeting of patriots, congregated here to-day in order to support one of their countrymen, who, immediately at the commencement of this unholy rebellion, offered his life and property, promptly and fervently, to the Administration, for the maintenance of the Constitution and the just cause of the Union. We are not here as Democrats or Republicans, but as men who love liberty, justice and the Union. We desire to retain in the service of our adopted fatherland, the eminent talents of a General who, by his energetic perseverance since May, 1861, probably prevented the secession of one of the brightest stars from the Northern constellation. General Francis Sigel-crowned with the twin laurels of the Old and the New World, Baden and Missouri-is a name which fills with irresistible power each patriotic heart, whether native or adopted, with the fullest confidence and most ardent enthusiasm. In July, 1861, he covered the flag of our Union with ineffable glory at Carthage; there history wrote his New World certificate of the most eminent generalship, while the rebel banner was biting the dust. When Jackson, Price, Rains and Parsons acted the traitors to their country, we find Franz Sigel forming German regiments, and educating them defenders of this beloved land of our adoption. In reading General Sigel's report of the battle of Carthage, to General Sweeney, dated 11th July, 1861, we cannot help esteeming his modesty, for not his, but the heroic deeds of his officers, are portrayed with justice and impartiality. In Springfield we do not admire Franz Sigel as the commander only, nay, he shines especially as a man; for, with the greatest self-sacrifice, he there cared for the wives and children of those Union men who were absent and in the ranks of the Federal army. Gentlemen, to sustain Franz Sigel in his patriotic work; to procure for him from that Administration for whom he labored to this day with such unflinching patriotism, due attention and a well merited support, and to obtain this for him in an honorable, respectful and reliable manner, is the purpose of this mass meeting. To understand order to be enabled to vote on them knowingly, I the resolutions, prepared by a Committee, and in will permit myself to mention a few facts from creditable authority. When Gen. Hunter took command in Missouri, it was resolved, in a council of war, to advance upon the enemy. General Sigel was placed in command of the advance division, with the order "to attack the enemy wherever he found him, and to engage him until the arrival of the principal or general army." In the mean time, however, the general army retreated, of which Sigel received information by the merest accident, and this accident only saved him and his division. Gen. Sigel immediately fell back upon Springfield, and, as before mentioned, he found there a great number of women and children, whose husbands and fathers were absent serving in the Federal army. Helpless and unprotected, they were exposed to the savage fury of the pursuing enemy. In the same position he found thousands of loyal men who, confiding in the strength of the Federal army, had freely expressed their Union sentiment. Nothing had been done to protect all of these. The retreat of the general army was ordered without any necessity, against all rules of warfare, and to the destruction of thousands of confiding citizens. At that period Gen. Sigel intended to resign, for he considered it dishonorable to serve under a command which could betray in so shameful a manner such a prosperous country, and thousands of confiding citizens; but the report of the removal of Gen. Hunter from that command, and the hope of yet being useful to Missouri, made him reconsider that intention. After Gen. Halleck had entered upon the command, the persecutions toward Gen. Sigel became systematic. He was chicaned, ignored and neglected; his division was never completed. Officers, under the influence of Sigel's name, formed regiment after regiment, but when completed they were detailed to other commanders. The complaints of Gen. Sigel have never met with a reply. His troops suffered for want of the most necessary supplies, and his requisitions for them remained unattended to and unexecuted, and every opportunity to aid Missouri has been designedly denied him. At last the inhabitants of Southwestern Missouri petitioned the President to grant them military protection, and designated Gen. Sigel as the person in whom they had the most confidence. His Excellency, President Lincoln, referred that petition to General Halleck, and recommended Gen. Sigel especially to him. Upon this, on the 24th of December, Gen. Sigel was placed in command of the troops in and about Rolla, comprising from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand men; but four days after, on the 28th of December, by order of Gen. Halleck, Gen. Sigel was superseded by Gen. Curtis, whose commission bears the same date as that of Gen. Sigel. This left him no alternative but to tender his resignation, which he did on the 31st of December, 1861. Whatever may be your DOCUMENTS. 33 opinions of his Excellency, President Abraham ousy and narrow-minded nativism, even in such Professor Glaubensklee was then called on to read a long list of Vice-Presidents and Secretaries, who were accepted by the unanimous vote of the meeting. Mr. Hugo Wesendonck was next introduced, and read the resolutions, as follows: Whereas, it has been reliably reported that General F. Sigel has been superseded in the command of a part of the army of Missouri, and that he has been compelled, by systematic neglect, to tender his resignation; and whereas, it is the duty of all those who are well acquainted with his eminent abilities as an officer and his pure character as a man, to endeavor to retain his services for the country in this its hour of trial; therefore, Resolved, by the citizens of New-York, in mass meeting assembled, that among the many patriots now sacrificing their lives and their fortunes for the integrity of the Union, they do not know of any one animated by purer motives and more efficient as an officer than General Franz Sigel. That he was among the first who rose for the suppression of the infamous rebellion which now lacerates our beloved country, and that a large portion of the army of Missouri was called into existence by him. That without his efforts and the efforts of those who assisted him, the State of Missouri would now be out of the Union, and that no other commander has done more for the preservation of one of the most brilliant stars in our flag than Gen. Franz Sigel. ⚫ That he has shown military ability of the first order, and that the battle-fields of Missouri are everlasting monuments of his valor and his superior tactics. Mr. Wesendonck, in presenting these resolu- The resolutions, as read, were approved by the Mr. Friedrich Kapp was then introduced to address the audience, who drew at length a comThat his character is unstained by any re-parison between Gen. Sigel and the German porproach, and that his patriotism is pure and above cavil. That he is dearly beloved by all under his command, and that he enjoys the unbounded confidence of a large portion of the army as an officer of the first rank. That the country cannot dispense with the services of a commander who is equally great in conquering the enemy and in preserving those under his command from destruction. The position of Gen. Sigel was nearly the same. to the Union. That we have not the slightest doubt that his resignation was dictated by the principles of honor and by his sense of justice, and was entirely consistent with his duties as a soldier. That we notice with indignation, that low jeal-Missouri from the Union. (Bravo.) The speakVOL. IV.-Doc. 3 er alluded to the slave question and slaves as contrabands, taking a radical view of the question. They should demand for Gen. Sigel such a position, in which he could be properly placed, to the advantage of the country, while this war is carried on. Mr. Weil Von Gernsbach was the next speaker, who gave an exposition of the bright military and private career of Gen. Sigel. He criticised, in a very sarcastic manner, the measures of certain military leaders and government officers, with regard to the war in Missouri. He said that either our army in this manner would become discouraged and demoralized, and that the free institutions in this country would be overthrown, and, for centuries to come, lost to liberty, or the strong arm of the people would one of these days raise against the ill-advised measures of its leaders. The chairman appointed, when the speaker had concluded, the committee named in the resolutions, as follows: Friedrich Kapp, Weil Von Gernsbach, and Andreas Willmann. The assembly were, in conclusion, addressed by Messrs. Reinhold Solger and Sigismund Kaufmann, after which the meeting adjourned. The Committee, named in the resolutions, went to Washington on the 20th January, 1862, and on their return made the following report: We deem it our duty to make you, as President of the Sigel Mass Meeting, the following report of our mission: Your letters to Hon. F. A. Conkling, and to the other honorable members of Congress, had the desired effect, in securing for us a most cordial and friendly welcome. To-day we were honored, through the introduction of F. A. Conkling, M.C., by an audience with His Excellency, President Abraham Lincoln. You would confer a great obligation upon us, and no doubt upon every patriot of German birth in New-York, by handing the following report to the various daily papers. With sentiments of profound esteem, WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. 23, 1862. The undersigned Committee, appointed by the Sigel Mass Meetings held on the sixteenth and seyenteenth inst., in New-York and Brooklyn, in order to present the unanimously adopted resolutions to His Excellency the President, Abraham Lincoln, hereby respectfully report: That His Excellency the President has honored us this morning by an audience, and, after the reading and presentation of the resolutions, we have received the following reply: nor any However, being desirous to retain in the service of the United States so eminent an officer as Gen. Sigel, whom none could esteem higher than His Excellency did, he, the President, had already, before being informed of the petitions and resolutions of the adopted citizens of German birth, instituted inquiries with the view to redress any wrong which may have been done to Gen. Sigel; at the same time His Excellency the President reassures us of his determination that while he should decline the acceptance of Gen. Sigel's resignation, he intended to give him a command in or out of Missouri, in accordance with his established abilities. The interest of the service did not demand at present an addition to the number of the Major-Generals of the army, but as soon as such necessity should exist, the claims of Gen. Sigel should be considered as among the first in order. The President further remarked, that since Franz Sigel had been appointed a Brigadier-General, nothing had transpired to diminish His Excellency's exalted opinion of the eminent talents and capabilities of Gen. Sigel, but, on the contrary, all ascertained facts had combined to confirm the same in every manner possible. His Excellency the President took further occasion to express his sincere satisfaction with the patriotism shown by the adopted citizens of German birth during this unholy rebellion, and particularly acknowledged the so well known and meritorious services of Gen. Franz Sigel. FRIEDRICH KAPP, ANDREAS WILLMANN, R. WEIL VON GERNSBACH, Dr. C. KESSMANN, S. KAUFFMANN. Doc. 16. THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS, KY.* OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL THOMAS. GENERAL ORDERS, No. 40. The General commanding has the gratification of announcing the achievement of an important victory, on the nineteenth inst., at Mill Springs, by the troops under Gen. Thomas, over the rebel forces, some twelve thousand strong, under Gen. George B. Crittenden and Gen. Zollicoffer. The defeat of the enemy was thorough and complete, and his loss in killed and wounded was great. Night alone, under cover of which his troops crossed the river from his intrenched camp and dispersed, prevented the capture of his entire force. Fourteen or more pieces of artillery, some fifteen hundred horses and inules, his entire camp equipage, together with wagons, arms, am munition, and other stores to a large amount, fell into our hands. Neither the original resignation of Gen. Sigel The General has been charged by the General- Captain James B. Fry, A. A. G., Chief of Staff, Headquarters Department of the Ohio, Louisville, Ky.: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in carrying out the instructions of the General commanding the department, contained in his communications of the twenty-ninth of December, I reached Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles north of the intrenched camp of the enemy, on the Cumberland River, on the seventeenth inst., with a portion of the Second and Third brigades, Kinney's battery of artillery, and a battalion of Wolford's cavalry. The Fourth and Tenth Kentucky, Fourteenth Ohio, and the Eighteenth United States Infantry, being still in the rear, detained by the almost impassable condition of the roads, I determined to halt at this point to await their arrival, and to communicate with Gen. Schoepf. The Tenth Indiana, Wolford's cavalry, and Kinney's battery took position on the road leading to the enemy's camp. The Ninth Ohio and Secord Minnesota (part of Col. McCook's brigade) encamped three fourths of a mile to the right, on the Robertsport road. Strong pickets were thrown out in the direction of the enemy, beyond where the Somerset and Mill Springs road comes into the main road from my camp to Mill Springs, and a picket of cavalry some distance in advance of the infantry. General Schoepf visited me on the day of my arrival, and, after consultation, I directed him to send to my camp Standart's battery, the Twelfth Kentucky and the First and Second Tennessee regiments, to remain until the arrival of the regiments in the rear. Having received information, on the evening of the seventeenth, that a large train of wagons, with its escort, was encamped on the Robertsport and Danville road, about six miles from Colonel Stedman's camp, I sent an order to him to send his wagons forward, under a strong guard, and to march with his regiment, (the Fourteenth Ohio,) and the Tenth Kentucky, (Col. Harlan,) with one day's rations in their haversacks, to the point where the enemy were said to be encamped, and either capture or disperse them. Nothing of importance occurred, from the time of my arrival until the morning of the 19th, except a picket skirmish on the 17th. The Fourth Kentucky, the battalion of Michigan engineers, and Wetmore's battery, joined on the 18th. About five and a half o'clock, on the morning of the 19th, the pickets from Wolford's cavalry, encountered the enemy advancing on our camp; retired slow ly, and reported their advance to Col. M. D. Manson, commanding the Second brigade. He immediately formed his regiment, (the Tenth Indiana,) and took a position on the road, to await the attack, ordering the Fourth Kentucky, (Col. S. S. Fry,) to support him, and then informed me in person that the enemy were advancing in force, and what disposition he had made to resist them. I directed him to join his brigade immediately, and hold the enemy in check until I could order up the other troops, which were ordered to form immediately, and were marching to the field in ten minutes afterward. The battalion of Michigan engineers, and Company A, (Thirty-eighth Ohio,) Capt. Greenwood, were ordered to remain as guard to the camp. Upon my arrival in the field soon afterward, I found the Tenth Indiana formed in front of their encampment, apparently awaiting orders, and ordered them forward to the support of the Fourth Kentucky, which was the only whole regiment then engaged. I then rode forward myself to see the enemy's position, so that I could determine what disposition to make of my troops as they arrived. On reaching the position held by the Fourth Kentucky, Tenth Indiana, and Wolford's cavalry, at a point where the roads fork, leading to Somerset, I found the enemy advancing through a cornfield, and evidently endeavoring to gain the left of the Fourth Kentucky regiment, which was maintaining its position in a most determined manner. I directed one of my aids to ride back, and order up a section of artillery, and the Tennessee brigade to advance on the enemy's right, and sent orders for Col. McCook to advance, with his two regiments, (the Ninth Ohio and Second Minnesota,) to the support of the Fourth Kentucky and Tenth Indiana. A section of Kinney's battery took a position on the edge of the field, to the left of the Fourth Kentucky, and opened an efficient fire on a regiment of Alabamians, which was advancing on the Fourth Kentucky. Soon afterward, the Second Minnesota, (H. P. Van Cleve,) the Colonel reporting to me for instructions, I directed him to take the position of the Fourth Kentucky and Tenth Indiana, which regiments were nearly out of ammunition. The Ninth Ohio, under the immediate command of Major Kaemmerling, came into position, on the right of the road, at the same time. Immediately after the regiments had gained their position, the enemy opened a most determined and galling fire, which was returned by our troops, in the same spirit, and, for nearly halfan-hour, the contest was maintained, on both sides, in the most obstinate manner. At this time, the Twelfth Kentucky, (Col. W. A. Hoskins,) and the Tennessee brigade, reached the field, to the left of the Minnesota regiment, and opened fire on the right flank of the enemy, who then began to fall back. The Second Minnesota kept up a most galling fire in front, and the Ninth Ohio charged the enemy on the right, with bayonets fixed, turned their flank, and drove them from the field, |