ON THIS DAY: Friday, Nov. 1, 1861

Brig. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, commander of the Department of the Cumberland (which comprises much of Tennessee and Kentucky), writes an alarming letter to his wife, Ellen. Believing himself outnumbered, outgunned, and unsupported, he is in despair—or worse. “The idea of going down in history with a fame such as threatens me makes me crazy, indeed I may be so now.”

Sherman sounds pathetic. “God knows that I think of you and our dear children all the time, and [wish] that we might hide ourselves in some quiet corner of the world…Now I find myself riding a whirlwind unable to guide the storm.”

Not only Ellen will worry about Sherman’s mental state. Soon, those concerned about him will be taking action.

In Washington, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, accepts Lincoln’s invitation to replace Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott as commander of all Union forces. Lincoln wonders out loud if McClellan can handle the tremendous responsibility, but the cocky Philadelphian tells him, “I can do it all.” It won’t be too long before Lincoln –and many others—will be wondering of McClellan can do anything.

ON THIS DAY: Thursday, Oct. 31, 1861

In Cairo, Illinois, Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the District of Southeast Missouri, spends a chunk of his day giving a deposition requested by the House Select Committee on Government Contracts. The committee is fulfilling its oversight function by questioning busy generals.

Grant crisply answers questions about problems with some Austrian muskets (plenty), the beef being supplied his soldiers (not so good), hay being supplied army animals (not good, either), the financial condition of his quartermaster department (poor), and the nature of various boats attached to Grant’s command.

On this day as well, Rep. Elihu B. Washburne of Illinois, a friend of Grant’s, writes Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, “Genl. Grant…is one of the best officers in the army, and is doing wonders in bringing order out of chaos. He is as incorruptible as he is brave….[He and General McLernand] complain they have no money, and are greatly deficient in arms.”

ON THIS DAY: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1861

Sickness ravages the camp of the 23^rd Ohio in western Virginia.

[More on this when your humble blogger returns from out of state in a few days.]

ON THIS DAY: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1861

Maj. Rutherford B. Hayes writes a long diary entry, and also a long letter to his young son.

[More on this when your humble blogger returns from out of state in a few days.]

ON THIS DAY: Monday, Oct. 28, 1861

Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant writes to St. Louis headquarters about buildings in Mound City that could be used as hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers. Grant urges seizing them, as they are believed to be largely owned by Confederates.

[More on this after your humble blogger returns from out of state in a few days.].

ON THIS DAY: Sunday, Oct. 27, 1861

From western Virginia, Rutherford B. Hayes writes long letters to wife Lucy and Uncle Silas Birchard.

Grant writes to Western department headquarters in St. Louis, reporting on the poor condition of his equipment.

[More on this after your humble blogger returns from out of state within a few days.]

ON THIS DAY: Saturday, Oct. 26, 1861

From his headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, Brig. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman writes yet another worried letter, this to brother John Sherman, a member of Congress (House 1855-61 and Senate 1861-77). “My force is ridiculously small…[I] feel that I am about to be sacrificed….I tell you, and warn you of the danger. So far as my power goes, I cannot promise to prevent the enemy reaching the Ohio River at a hundred different points.”

Sherman’s nightmares will not come true. Although the Confederates hold the southern edge of Kentucky—most of which they will lose in a few months—they will make no threatening moves toward Ohio for a year—and fail then as well.