Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff

IX. Intrigue Along the Mississippi

CHAPTER NINE INTRIGUE ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI he Mississippi River was the key to the war in the West. By seizing control of the Father of the Waters, the North would accomplish two major objectives: eliminating Louisiana , Arkansas, and Texas from the war, and freeing navigation from St. Louis to New Orleans. The resulting change in morale would hold even greater significance. If the boys in blue could pitch their tents along the Mississippi's banks the North would brim over with confidence while the South would be submerged in despair. Just as the fabled river was the key to the war, Vicksburg was the key to the river. The only remaining Confederate railroad to the trans-Mississippi region ran through the city. There was a hairpin turn in the river below the bluff on which Vicksburg stood, making it difficult, if not impossible, to run transports by the city's guns. Halleck reduced resistance above the city; Farragut scattered the Confederates below Port Hudson, Louisiana, an innocuous fortress which would stand or fall with Vicksburg. Truly the Mississippi city was the Gibraltar of the Confederate States of America. The administration was willing to go to any length in its efforts to open the river and take Vicksburg. The campaign began on a hot Sunday afternoon in early August, 1862, when an Assistant Secretary suggested that Halleck designate a division to march down the Mississippi, gathering slaves as it went, to free both the bondsT Intrigue Along the Mississippi 109 men and the river. Most of the Cabinet members present thought the idea sound. Shocked at the mere hint of putting guns into the blacks' hands, Old Brains told the solons they could attain their object in a less objectionable manner by putting new men into old regiments and letting them open the river; however, there were not enough troops available, and perhaps it seemed best to drop the visionary plan. Halleck told Francis Lieber that "there is in this administration , or rather I should sayin the cabinet, a power of weakness ,—a courage of timidity, that attempts everything and yet does nothing. Not satisfied with having so many irons in the fire that nearly all burn, new ones must be thrust in daily." This time, however , Halleck's lack of enthusiasm blunted the eagerness of Lincoln's advisors and they abandoned their proposal.1 Halleck may have thought he had permanently defeated the ridiculous notions of the enterprising politicians, but he did not take into account John A. McClernand's ability to sell himself to others. An erstwhile volunteergeneral from Illinois with a record ofloyalty to the Democratic partyin the state,McClernand wanted a chance to become a hero. After McClellan edged himself into the position of general-in-chief, McClernand offered profuse congratulations, then exhortations to "please give me a chance to do something."2 When McClellan ignored the hint, the eager volunteer sniffed the political breeze and caught the prevailing aroma of Republicanism. He began to clamor for a vigorous prosecution of the war and cooperation between Democrats and Republicans. McClernand approached the Republican governor of Illinois, Richard Yates, and persuaded Yates to take him on the governor's staff as a recruiter. Yates asked Stanton's permission, but meanwhile the impatient McClernand wrote directly to Lincoln for a leave of absence. The President showed his general-in-chief the message. Old Brains was decidedly miffed at McClernand's flagrant disregard 1 Donald (ed.), Inside Lincoln's Cabinet, 107; Halleck to Lieber, November 23,1862, Lieber MSS. 2 McClernand to McClellan, November 5, 1861, John A. McClernand Manuscripts (Illinois State Historical Society Library, Springfield, 111.). no Henry Wager Halleck of protocol and sent him a stinging rebuff.8 The intrepid McClernand ignored Old Brains and continued his efforts to get to Springfield , which he planned to use as a springboard to a more glorious position. Eventually, with Lincoln's help, his wish was granted and on August 25, 1862, Halleck gave him orders to report to Yates in the state capital.* Entertaining no thought of rotting in Springfield while honor and fame awaited him in another field, McClernand then cast his eye on the most coveted enterprise on the river—capturing Vicksburg. He wanted an independent command and left Illinois for Washington on September 23 to begin conniving for it. Immediately upon his arrival the capital hummed with rumors. Political correspondents of the President talked of...