An Englishman in New York

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

July 1862

Sir

We are used to wars in an area where there is a compactness, where there is a narrow range of climate. The United States, or whatever it turns out to be, is vast and encompasses a range of climates, from the pleasant New England, to the humid and oppressive bayou areas that are almost like Africa. This past month has seen fighting along the whole frontage of the conflict.

A push into Cumberland, Tn by Gen’l McCook was pushed back by forces commanded by Gen’l Bragg, though the losses are reported slight. Gen’l Curtis’ move on Fort Smith, Ar suffered a greater repulse with the Rebel forces being stronger than might have been expected. At Winchester Gen’l Tyler advanced with his force to discover at least twice the enemy in place: he retreated but took a significant toll of the rebel forces for all he had to quit the field of battle. Louisville saw another engagement where the number fallen was roughly equal, though here Gen’l Smith was killed for the Union, and reports are that Gen’l Jones was also lost by the Rebs. At Glasgow Gen’l Wallace forced Gen’l Zollicoffer to retreat with a loss of more troops and a substantial number of artillery pieces.

Gen’l Forrest again committed damage to the union rail system in Cairo district. As usual the cavalry of Stuart and his subordinates make life miserable around Washington, this time having the audacity to raid as far north as Baltimore.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

August 1862

Sir,

Kentucky is falling under Union control. Gen’l Buell engaged a Rebel force in Louisville and pushed them back scoring a 4:1 casualty toll on the enemy. These battles are not without danger, another Union commander, Gen’l Wood has passed away due to wounds sustained in the battle.

Stuart and his riders continue to disturb the peace of any area worth raiding, this month reports come in that they have ranged as far as Gettysburg. I understand that Mr Lincoln rages and prays for a decent cavalry commander to combat this man and his troops.

I am given to understand that there is an ambitious co-ordinated move on Bowling Green in Kentucky, whether it works or not remains to be seen. It looks to be the largest troop movement of the War to date.

Huntington in W Virginia has been occupied by the Union forces under Gen’l Sumner.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

September 1862

Sir

The bells ring out in Washington. There is great rejoicing. Gen’l McClellan has liberated Bowling Green and scored a major victory against the rebels who have fallen back into Tennessee. Only one small corner of Kentucky remains ungoverned by the Union.
In order to support McClellan’s drive a force from Cairo attacked Paducah as a diversion. This was, of course, beaten back by forces under, we gather, Gen’l R E Lee. This was not without loss, as over 4,000 casualties were taken and numerous artillery pieces lost. However, the pinning of much of the Confederate force here meant that they could not move to support in Kentucky. Likewise a diversionary move on Winchester sought to mislead the enemy. The battle of Bowling Green was joined, and although the losses on the Union side were significant (9,600 men and 10 artillery pieces) those on the Confederate side significant (6,600 men and 70 artillery pieces). In the grim arithmetic of war the Union can take these losses far more than their southern cousins.

IN the West Gen’l Sheridan’s fast riding cavalry overrun the enemy militia in Van Buren and Gen’l s’ Siegel and Reynolds follow close behind to seize possession.

Gunboats slip their moorings at Cairo, run the gauntlet of the Paducah shore batteries unscathed and send a Confederate gunboat scuttling downstream to Memphis.

Unfortunately the raiding of the southern cavalry continues, which puts a damper on the celebrations of this great victory.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

October 1862

Sir

The weather begins to close in, winter approaches. Cavalry again ranges across the Union borders, becoming ever more audacious. They swoop down and attack units on march in area that are thought safe.

Little of moment to report at present.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

November 1862

Sir

A substantial setback for the Union. Forces already triumphant in the re-conquest of Kentucky followed up into Clarksville and suffered a severe drubbing. There are reported casualties of over 14,000 men whilst the rebel forces seem to have come off lightly with around 3,000 lost. The Union has lost a significant amount of its artillery train in the battle also. Northern Generals look glum. In Gallatin another battle occurs and it is reported that Gen’l Buford is wounded and Gen’l Ewing is killed with another disproportionate loss of 9000 Union to 1,000 Rebs. In what looks like another diversionary attack Hurlbut is thrown back at Paducah with a loss of 3,500 to 1,300.

In Madison, Gen’l Grant pushed the Rebs out of their defences to continue his southern drive.

There is the troublesome repeat of cavalry raids across the whole front.

Bells do not sound for victories in Washington. Indeed sir, the mood is very subdued as we look towards Christmas.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire
December 1862

Sir

A bleak midwinter, little moves. The men on both sides are shivering and dying in their encampments. Even the cavalry remain at home!

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

January 1863

Sir,

A new year begins, and with it no respite for the troops. There are tales everywhere of wretched conditions, of poor supplies, and of mounting sickness in the camps. It is generally to be wished that spring will come soon, though with it doubtless the unleashing of the terrible southern cavalry menace again.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Titanwarrior89]

Keep e'm coming.  I am enjoying these.[:)]

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire
February 1863

Sir,

As I have the ability to scan the casualty lists I must emphasise that we need to put energy into studying the effects of keeping lots of troops in close proximity to each other in poor accommodation. I gather that on both sides of the lines there are significant losses to disease and the cold.

Despite all the privations, men still stream to the colours, and the factories send out more and more war materials.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

March 1863

Sir

The Rebels are faster to react to the Spring, out west in Madison Gen’l Bragg crosses the Arkansas River and assaults Gen’l Grant’s forces with a 3:1 or better advantage and pushes him back from newly acquired territory. I gather Grant was less than pleased to discover his supporting Generals sitting in camps and not marching to his aid! I gather General Grant knows a few words normally only used by sailors!

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

April 1863

Sir

Little to report, some sluggish skirmishing on the Tennessee border is really all that has taken place. It is as if the union has yet to wake from its winter torpor, whilst the Rebels are content to attend on the Union pleasure.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

May 1863

Sir

Ther has been a large battle in Clarksville, Gen’l Johnson pushed Gen’l Halleck back in his invasion attempt, there are large casualty lists on both sides.

Now the better weather has come the lands round Washington are again ablaze and Gen’l Forrest is also raiding in Cairo.

Thought I am not party to specifics, I gather there are several Union armies on the move, my next report could be one of significant action.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire
June 1863

Sir

The Union appears cursed, movements in New Kent, Clarksville and Paducah, all coinciding, are all turned back with significant losses. Mr Lincoln’s position looks somewhat precarious. There are moves afoot to form a ‘peace party’ to attempt to negotiate with a Confederacy that seems to be all too strong and resilient.

The North needs a major victory, and it needs it now.

After almost two years of war it must also be noted that an economy that is sound and has not overreached itself is as important as the troops on the field of battle.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire


July 1863

Sir

Gen’l Sheridan is making a name for himself. He is fast becoming the North’s equivalent of Stuart and Forrest, this month with a sweeping raid which reached the fork of the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers. Likewise the north bank of the Cumberland is also ablaze, Of major troops movement I can report none, the Union would appear to be sitting back and recovering after its bloody Springtime.

One of Lincoln’s strongest critics in a speech the other day declared, ‘It be the economy, you dullard’. It certainly seems to have been Mr Lincoln’s weak spot. His administration has been, how shall we put it, ‘taken advantage of’ by a great many industrialists who have taken orders for new ships, new armaments, and have begun to create new factories – all of course with the ‘guarantee’ that they will help to bring the war to a speedy conclusion – but in fact are mainly about lining their pockets with gold.

It is noted that Lincoln’s new finance minister has taken the ‘bull by the horns’ now, but whether this will be in time to tame the beast must be a matter of speculation at present.

This is a new type of warfare, one where the winner may well be the one whose economy is best managed to support, in the long term, the fighting capacity of a nation.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.


A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

August 1863

Sir

General Winfield Scott has died. He represented the last of a generation of ‘Army’ and it is to be speculated upon what the new commander, whoever he is, will bring to the task.
Little occurs, A month when really the union should be capitalising on the good weather has not produced any moves of note.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

There will be a fortnight's halt while I am on holiday.....

Roger

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

September 1863

Sir

A month again where the armies face off along the lines. However I understand there is much reorganisation in the union forces, and it would seem that Lincoln has decided on new faces to enervate his failing strategy.

It remains to be seen whether the newly promoted, and as yet untried Gen’l Grant and Gen’l Sherman who take up respectively Army and Theatre command 2will fare any better than their predecessors.

Large tracts of the Union lie devastated by cavalry raids, with the North seemingly unable to effect repairs, there is much disquiet amongst the voters.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[O.O. Howard]

I am glad to see you back

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

October 1863

Sir

I gather there has been little activity on land this last month, though there are rumours of significant naval movements the outcomes of which are seemingly, and uncharacteristically, kept a close secret from myself and others.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.

[Roger Neilson II]

To Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister, British Empire

November 1863

Sir

Indeed some naval action was ‘on the cards’. It has not turned out quite as expected though. Union naval forces landed troops at New Bern in North Carolina and they swiftly overcame local militia forces there. However and amazing new development has occurred with the appearance of fully armoured ships. The south, despite a supposed inability to produce such industry to manufacture materials needed has managed to put together a significant fleet of ironclad ships and these have sallied forth and stand between the Union resupply and their forces at New Bern.

The North seems unable to counter this as they have not developed the numbers needed and their wooden hulled ships are no match for these behemoths. Given the South’s dominance, and the general disquiet and the state of the Northern economy I feel it is only a matter of time before the Lincoln administration must quit.

How this affects our own foreign policy is for Parliament to decide, but the choice would seem to be between recognition of the South now, or once the war is concluded. I can see no way the North can recover.

More significantly, for ourselves, and on a military matter where I feel I have more of a case for offering an opinion, the appearance of these new monsters of the sea renders all current naval doctrine irrelevant and I would urge that the Admiralty immediately begins to rethink our building programme and tactics.

I remain your most humble and obedient servant.

A.L. Freemantle, Col, Guards.