Lincoln Sneezed

by Brian Boyington

  The next morning, Lord Stanley and his guests took his barge to London. Vansittart was given his orders and sailed on the evening tide. Parliament was summoned to meet three days hence, and Disraeli was scheduled to give his speech.

  He started providing a recollection of Liberian aggression. He then elaborated on Kennedy’s version the fate of the missionaries.

  “I know of those men; they were some missionaries, said they wanted to bring the Gospel to the heathens. Now those savages in Liberia have murdered them.” After a deliberate pause, Disraeli seemingly agitated continued: “Not only killed them but then conquered the poor tribes these good Christian men tried to enlighten. Worse still, in an attempt to cover up their perfidy they tortured the survivor into a so-called confession.” Then almost shouting Despicable”!

  The Members of Parliament were on their feet shouting condemnations of Liberia and demanded the upholding of the Honor of England. After the noise had abated, Disraeli continued: “The Freetown Colony is in dire danger. Immediate action needs to be taken to send a rescue expedition to prevent its conquest. We need to vote, and we need to VOTE NOW … WHAT SAY YE.” Again the members rose to their feet applauding a unanimous AYE vote. As Parliament adjourned, Disraeli whispered to Earl Derby: “We have our war, and now with Parliament’s blessing we can call up the reserves.”

  Washington DC July 1867.

  An urgent cable from Ambassador Adams reached the State Department. Secretary of State Seward immediately sent a courier to the White House to ask for a meeting with President Lincoln and any available cabinet. Late July was the hottest time in the summer, and many members were vacationing at their homes, in Newport RI or Bar Harbor Maine. Grant and Farragut were in DC to discuss progress since the meeting in April. They received invitations to the White House for a meeting with Lincoln and Seward.

  Lincoln spoke first and said: “Seward has received a cable from Ambassador Adams. Apparently the British are willing to go to war over Liberia. Secretary Seward, will you please elaborate.”

  Seward stood up and began: “Adams’ cable is very troubling. The Parliament has voted to punish Liberia, and the British have called up the reserves. His agents in Ireland indicated that at least five regiments are boarding transports in Ireland. They should be ready to sail in a few days. Other officers have reported the diversion of all trains to Scotland to Scarpa Flow. The trains are full of regiments stationed in the United Kingdom. The gossip in the pubs indicates the transports will meet up with elements of the Mediterranean Fleet, then sail to Freetown.”

  Lincoln asked: “How reliable is this information?” Seward replied: Adams’ cable stated that he had confirmed the reports from multiple sources.” Lincoln replied: “Adams is a very meticulous person, and if he sees a danger than it is real.”

  Farragut then spoke up. “I have seen reports that a regiment from Bermuda sailed last week, reportedly for Halifax. I did not take notice of it at the time, as the rotation of regiments between Bermuda, Halifax and Jamaica are quite routine. The Governor General in Bermuda has command of the Royal Navy Atlantic Squadron based in Bermuda. However, the squadron is spread out between the three ports. I am not aware of any movement from Jamaica. Lincoln then asked Farragut: “What progress has been made to bring the navy up to a war footing”?

  Farragut replied: “We refit the eight seagoing monitors before their recommissioning. Six of them the USS Agamenticus, USS Monadnock, USS Miantonoth, USS Towanda and the USS Onondaga are double turreted, with a 15” Dahlgren and a 15” Parrot gun in each Turret. The USS Dictator has a single turret with two 15 inch Dahlgrens.” The three turret USS Roanoke has 15 inches Dahlgren and Parrot guns in each turret. The refitting of the 18 coastal monitors is complete, following the sea trials. They have one turret, and the cannons upgraded to twin 15-inch Dahlgrens.” Lincoln then asked: “How are they deployed”?

  Farragut replied: “There are two fleets. These include the Atlantic Coastal Fleet, commanded by Admiral Dahlgren and the Gulf Fleet commanded by Admiral Porter. Dahlgren’s First Fleet will have the responsibility of protecting the coast from Savannah to Maine. First Fleet consists of the USS Agamenticus, USS Onondaga, USS Miantonoth, USS Weehawken, USS Sangamon, USS Roanoke, USS Catskill, USS Canonicus, USS Saugus, USS Nantucket, USS Mahopac, USS Manhattan, USS Montauk and USS Nahant.

  Porter’s Second Fleet will patrol from Key West to Texas. The Gulf Fleet includes USS Tecumseh USS Towanda, USS Dictator, USS Catawba, USS Oneota, USS Ajax, USS Wyandotte and USS Keokuk. Both fleets have support vessels including steam frigates and sloops of war. USS Monadnock and USS Comanche are in San Francisco under the command of Commodore Samuel Phillips Lee. There are also frigates and steam sloops of war as support vessels.”

  After checking his notes, Farragut continued: “Ocean-going monitors in progress include the USS Puritan, which is nearing completion and when commissioned in September will have two turrets with two 20 inch Dahlgrens. After sea trials, her assignment will be to wherever the perceived threat is the greatest.

  Construction on the four Kalamazoo class ocean-going monitors was halted after the war but is now underway. They will be launching within six months and commissioned within one year. They will be twin turreted with two 20 inch Dahlgrens in each turret. The Kalamazoo will be the first launched probably in December. These ships will be 345 feet long, 56 feet at the beam and will have 10 inches of armor on the hull, 3 inches on the deck and 15 inches on the turrets and pilot house.”

  Lincoln then turned to Grant and asked: “General Grant, what are your preparations for the Army.” Grant replied: “Major General Joshua Chamberlain is in command of the New England Theater. That will include Lake Champlain and the neighboring upstate New York counties. Currently, he has 50,000 regular army troops, which will be supplemented by local militia. The train service is ample between Boston and the rest of New England. That will assist with troop movements as required.

  His primary focus will be on coastal defense. To that end, he is reinforcing the existing coastal defense fortifications with 15-inch Parrot Guns. To support the fortifications, he is building a fleet of upgraded Neosho Class river monitors in Bangor, Searsport, and Bath Maine. The upgrades include 4-inch armor on the hull, 6 inches on the turret and pilothouse, with 4 inches over the stern wheel. The turrets will have twin 15-inch Dahlgrens. The stationing will be on the Penobscot & Kennebec Rivers in Maine. They have been enlarged to accommodate the heavier weight.

  Chamberlain is also refitting the Casco Class harbor monitors for active service in Boston, Portland, Portsmouth and Narragansett Bay. The turrets will have both 11 inch and 15-inch Dahlgrens. The shipyard in Searsport, Maine have turretless Cascos which have with deck mounted 15-inch Parrot guns.” After checking his notes, Grant continued: “Major General Daniel Sickles is in command of the defense of New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. He will coordinate with Chamberlain in defense of Connecticut. There are three Neosho monitors under construction at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and three more in Newark. As they will be operating in deeper waters, they will be different from Chamberlain’s variety. Instead of the paddle wheel, there will be single screws. This upgrade will better enable them to defend against naval assault in open water.”

  Lincoln queried: “What of protection to the remaining ports along the East Coast.” Grant replied: “General Edward Ord is Commander of the Mid-Atlantic region, which extends from Philadelphia to Wilmington. His headquarters is in Hampton Roads. Neosho’s are also under construction in Philadelphia, Baltimore Hampton Roads, and Wilmington.” Grant then discussed the Great Lakes: “Construction is underway of 10 upgraded Neosho Monitors at the shipyards in Detroit, Buffalo, and Cleveland. These will be able to patrol Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and support troop activities. Training to the ground forces will also take place in central Ohio, upstate New York and in central Michigan.”

  Grant then described his most controversial move. He continued. “Julia and I made a social call to Robert E
Lee and Mary Ann at West Point. During the visit, we discussed the current difficulties with Great Britain. I offered him the command of ground forces from Georgia to Texas. We finished our cigars, and Robert graciously declined, saying his campaigning days were over. He did suggest Joseph E Johnston. Robert made some good points.

  First, Johnston is well respected throughout the south and is an able field commander. Second, he is an engineer and will be able to improve the area’s coastal defense installations. Third, he is chaffing with his inactivity and anxious to prove his loyalty. Lastly, Jefferson Davis and other Southern leaders will feel they have again trusted citizens. After Robert had finished, I told him those were the same attributes which led me to offer you the job. Lee respectfully declined, but urged me to consider his recommendation.” After a pause, Grant said: “I haven’t offered Johnston the position, but with your permission, I will.”

  Lincoln leaned back in his chair, looked at the ceiling and sighed deeply. He then said: “Do you think that Johnston can stand up to the political pressures from Davis and some others”?

  Grant replied: “Johnston and Davis seldom agreed on anything, even when Davis was President of the Confederacy. I don’t believe that Johnson would tolerate any undue influence from Davis, or anyone else for that matter.” Lincoln then looked at Farragut and Seward. Both nodded concurrence with Grant. Lincoln then said: “Then talk to him, if he is agreeable offer the position.” Lincoln then asked: “General Grant, what part will you play in this drama”? Grant smiled and laid out a map of the Canadian border along the Lake Erie. “If war comes, General Sherman, General Rosecrans, General Meade and I will lead an invasion of Canada from three directions. Sherman and Meade will jump off first, crossing into Canada from Detroit and Port Huron with 50,000 men.

  Rosecrans I will cross over above Buffalo with another 50,000 men, capture the Weller Canal and sweep up the Niagara peninsula. We should meet up at Hamilton, Ontario, then move on to Toronto. With the Weller Canal in our hands, we will have a secure and navigable line of supply across Lake Ontario. That will also provide us the opportunity to bring our ironclads all the way up to Quebec City.”

  Lincoln leaned forward, stroking his beard and said: “Does that not present the risk of the British being able to defeat both You, Meade, and Sherman separately?” Grant paused, then replied: “That is a slight possibility. However, at the most, they will have 50,000 militia, which could be backed up by 10,000 - 15,000 British Regulars. None of the militia units have ever seen meaningful combat. They were totally ineffective in the Fenian Invasion earlier this year. The only reason the Fenians lost is they were unprepared for a long campaign. It is very unlikely the militia could stand up to a concentrated artillery barrage, followed by a frontal assault across their line.”

  Grant paused to drink some water then continued: “We will also have cavalry regiments with all of our armies to scout ahead and create as much mischief as possible. Depending on the opposition, the cavalry could move in behind and cut off their lines of supply.” Lincoln leaned back then said: “I will leave the strategy to you, the plan looks sound.” Seward then spoke up: “What assistance can we offer Liberia.” Lincoln replied: “We have provided them with more than 30,000 trained soldiers, and supplied cannons, Sharps rifles, and Spencer repeating rifles. We also gave them the Parrot guns to supplement firepower at the two forts guarding Monrovia. It will be up to them to provide a proper defense.” Seward then asked: “Can we at least offer them naval support.”

  Farragut then spoke up: “The Royal Navy will come in force to escort their ground troops. I don’t want to involve our ships in an avoidable battle with the Royal Navy. USS Stonewall & USS Kearsarge have been instructed to avoid engagement and only observe unless attacked. If attacked, they have been taught to defend themselves to the utmost.”

  Chapter 8

  August 1867

  Twenty troopships containing 15,000 British soldiers escorted by four, 74 gun wood battleships and four steam frigates from the Channel Fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Thomas Symonds, aboard the three-decker 96 gun Battleship HMS Aurelius sailed into Gibraltar. Two of the escorts were the ironclads HMS Valiant, which had recently returned from Bermuda and the HMS Hector. Both were 32 gun broadside frigates. There they were joined by four 74 gun battleships and two steam frigates and two steam sloops of war from the Mediterranean Fleet. There they replenished supplies for two days; then sailed towards Freetown.

  The Hector and Valiant were screening 5 miles ahead of the fleet, with the other frigates and sloops screening on the flanks. On the fifth day, HMS Hector was dispatched to investigate an unidentified sail reported to the northwest; and after two hours determined that the USS Kearsarge was shadowing the fleet. The Hector sailed towards the Kearsarge, and when it approached within one mile, the Kearsarge sailed off to the southwest. HMS Hector pursued for more than an hour, then broke off and returned to the flagship. After an interview with Admiral Symonds, Captain Jacobson was instructed to go back to his station. Symonds ordered the fleet to sail straight for Freetown arriving three days later.

  Monrovia:

  The Kearsarge sailed into port and signaled for a meeting with Ambassador Says. A carriage was waiting for Captain Winslow as the Kearsarge tied up to the dock. Picking up his log book, he turned to his Executive Officer George Dewey who had the watch and stated: “Mr. Dewey, the ship is yours.” He descended the gangplank boarded the carriage and was transported to the United States Embassy and ushered into Ambassador Says office.

  Says, seated behind his desk said: “This is a surprise Captain Winslow, you were not due back for two weeks. What did you encounter?” Winslow reported: “A Royal Navy convoy was sighted two days ago. I estimate they were five days south of Gibraltar. I observed seven ships of the line, at least twelve transport ships and a screen of frigates. At least one of the frigates is an ironclad.”

  Says asked: “Where you observed.” Winslow replied: “Yes, we were chased off by the ironclad. She followed for about an hour then returned to the convoy. She just wanted us to stay away.” He then presented Says with his log book. After examining the appropriate entries, Says shook his head and said: “We must see President Warner.”

  One hour later, Says and Winslow arrived at the Executive Mansion. The Majordomo admitted them to the drawing room to wait for the President to come. While they were sipping coffee, President Warner arrived. They both immediately stood up. Looking at Says’ dour expression, Warner said: “I suspect you have news and it is not pleasant.”

  Says began: “Mr. President, Captain Winslow has arrived unexpectedly. He encountered a Royal Navy fleet.” Raising his eyebrows, Warner requested: “Captain, please provide your report.”

  Winslow picked up his logbook and began to read: “17th August year of our Lord 1867, third watch, two bells. The main masthead lookout shouts Sails-Ho port side 60 degrees east-northeast. Minutes later all the masthead lookouts were reporting many sails at the same heading. Third Lieutenant Parker was sent aloft with a glass. At three bells he noted an unknown number of Ships of the Line, troopships, and escorts. We altered course to the east to get a better look. At five bells we changed to a parallel course that we might be mistaken for an escort.

  We continued that course verifying the number of ships. We determined there were at least twelve troopships, two three-decker battleships, 6 two decker’s, plus escorts. At seven bells the lookout on the fore-mast shouted Sail-Ho 160 degrees south-southeast. Lieutenant Parker put the glass on the sail and verified it was a frigate, on an intercept course. I had Parker come down from aloft and had the decks cleared for action.”

  Looking up from the log book as he turned the page, Winslow continued: “At one bell of the fourth watch the frigate was about one nautical mile distant on a parallel course. At that time I was able to identify it as an ironclad of the Hector Class. We raised our colors and altered course to the southwest. The frigate came about and followed us until three bells. It then brok
e off changing course to the east. We maintained course until five bells, then altered course for Monrovia.” Winslow then closed the log book, signaling the end of his report.

  President Warner paced the room then said: “This does not make any sense. Why plan an invasion of Liberia without diplomatic activity? I must call an emergency meeting of the cabinet. As Congress is not in session, and the cabinet members are on vacation, it will take a few days to get them together.”

  Says’ replied: “Ambassador Adams has emphasized to the British Government, that an attack on Liberia, would be considered as an attack on United States sovereignty. It is hard to believe they would be so incautious to risk war.” He then turned to Winslow and said: “USS Stonewall is due back in two weeks. I want you to return to the Kearsarge, fill your coal bunkers and sail to Washington at all available speed.” Dispatches will be delivered to you before you depart.” They took their leave from President Warner. The carriage dropped Says off at the embassy and Winslow at the Kearsarge; which sailed with the next tide.

  August 23, 1867 - Freetown

  Symonds met with Kennedy. Also attending the meeting were Major General Sidney Smythe and Brigadier General Daniel Haskins. Symonds was the commanding officer of the military operation. Smythe was the commander of the army regiments, and Haskins was his adjutant.

  Kennedy, directing his question at Symonds asked: “Is everything in preparation for the invasion?” Symonds replied: “Will there not be a final diplomatic initiative to avoid war?”

  Kennedy, seeming to be annoyed replied: “Why do you think the Crown went to all the cost and effort to bring you all here if all we were to do was talk?” Symonds answered: “You being a diplomat should realize that diplomacy without the realistic threat of force is pointless. Our military presence, which the Liberians now realize is here, is that realistic threat.” He looked over at the two generals, who nodded their assent.