Lincoln Sneezed

by Brian Boyington

  Amina:

  As the battle see-sawed at the breaches smoke, gunfire erupted from the British supply column as the Liberian light infantry attacked from the rear. The envelopment was complete. Haskins lead his last reserves to blunt the assault on the supply wagons, and died in combat. With the General down, confusion reared its ugly head.

  At that moment, General Driver relieved the main road with 5,000 soldiers and Jeremiah, arrived in company with three regiments on the back road. With fresh troops, the Liberians surged forward, driving the British back down the hills. Prevented from moving forward and with their supply train burning behind, the surviving British senior officers asked for terms.

  General Driver met in a house on the Amina Road with Colonel Stewart and the surviving British senior officers. He began by saying: “Your invasion of our country was unprovoked and was nothing more than a gambit to add to your Empire. We are an independent nation and demand to be recognized as such. You had no say in starting this war, but as soldiers were required to fight in it. I commend you for your bravery. President Warner has given me the authority to establish an armistice agreement. I do not want permanent enmity between our nations, so I prepared to be generous.” General Driver then pulled out three copies of paperwork with the terms which were non-negotiable:

  1. The British will abandon their cannons and stack their rifles. Officers may keep their swords and side arms. All non-food and medical materials in the supply train are forfeit as spoils of war.

  2. Medical supplies will be provided to treat the wounded.

  3. You can bury your dead with the honors they deserve.

  4. At your discretion, the bodies of the deceased officers are subject to transport back to England.

  5. The Liberian Army will escort your infantry columns back to Bomi, where they can board the troopships and leave. Your safe passage during the retreat is guaranteed.

  After giving Colonel Stewart and his officers time to read and digest the terms Driver continued. “Failure to take these terms as written will result in the resumption of hostilities. You are surrounded, without hope of reinforcements. I urge you to accept.”

  With great resignation and an epithet aimed at Demon Murphy, Colonel Stewart in the capacity of senior officer signed all the copies and the other high officers signed below his name. Colonel Stewart received one copy of the armistice. General Driver kept one, and the other was couriered back to President Warner. British casualties were heavy. 1,751 died in the battles for Amina. 1,103 died in the naval battle of Monrovia, most from the battleships that sank and the Glorious which was run aground to avoid sinking.

  The USS Stonewall sustained little damage, but seven sailors died, and 15 were wounded. Most of these were crew stationed at the Parrot gun, which was in an exposed position on top of the forward casement; with only a bulwark for protection. Several of the wounded sustained amputated limbs. The fallen sailors received full military honors at the funerals. Beached sailors constituted replacements for the dead and disabled crew members.

  Monrovia:

  The surviving British sailors were rescued and kept under guard in the bombproof shelters below the ramparts in Forts Monroe and Clay, with the wounded treated by Liberian physicians. Glorious was salvaged and towed back to Monrovia for repairs. Commodore Simmons and his surviving officers gave their paroles and received lodging in a hostel.

  Bomi.

  The British columns entered Bomi. Colonel Stewart conferred with the Marine Major who was commanding the garrison of the town. The Commandant was incredulous about the defeat by native soldiers and the deaths of General Haskins and so many of the soldiers. He sent a signal to the troopships to dock at the pier to take on the dispirited troops. Without the lost spoils of war, the transfer of the troops to the ships moved quickly. Within two days the troop ships and escorts departed and sailed up Lake Piso and out into the Atlantic towards Freetown.

  The Liberian soldiers re-entered the town and raised their flag. Later they marched to the entrance of Lake Piso to view the remains of the forts, which had been virtually destroyed by the bombardment. After a search for and burial of human remains, they departed.

  Liberian casualties were heavy. Over 753 died in the battles for Amina. Another 300 died defending the forts. Families brought the fallen soldiers back to their villages for burial. The funerals went on for weeks. Obadiah, Malachi, and Jeremiah returned to Providence, where they attended many of the funerals and met with the families.

  First, they went back to Obadiah’s farm. Betsy, Hannah, Jonah, Josiah, Deborah and Ruth were there to greet them. There was great joy that the families had been rejoined. They all shared a meal and exchanged stories. Obadiah. Jeremiah and Malachi listed attentively at the stories of how life had changed on the home-front. Betsy, Hannah, Jonah, Josiah, Deborah and Ruth listened with rapt attention at the recounting of the battles At Amina and Monrovia, and how USS Stonewall had turned the tide at a crucial moment during the battle for Monrovia.

  Then, as the talking slowed down Hannah, Jeremiah, Malachi, and Betsy left for their farms. Obadiah and the children walked over to Emily’s grave. Deborah and Ruth had planted flowers, Jonah and Josiah had carved a headstone and a stone bench. Deborah and Ruth confided that they both visited often and spoke to their mother. Sitting on the bench seemed to draw them closer to her. Obadiah turned to the children and said: “Please, I would like to be alone with your mother for a while.” They all hugged him and walked back to the farmhouse.

  Obadiah began: “Emily my love, I miss you so. I have so much to tell you and only wish I could hold you while I tell you my stories.” He sat down on the bench and began: “I have been jumped up to a general now, fancy that General Obadiah Driver. You would like my new dress uniform; you would call it very elegant. Imagine, just seventeen years ago we were escaped, slaves. Now we are in a new country, we fought a war with England and won! Now that is an incredible story, where do I begin…”

  Chapter 12

  Two days after the battle, the merchant clipper ship Yankee from Boston sailed into Monrovia. The Yankee’s captain, Robert William Treat, a former Captain in the United States Navy observed the damaged forts and the salvage operations on the captured and sunken Royal Navy battleships. He also saw USS Stonewall docked at the navy pier. After unloading his trade goods and taking on cargo, he received an invitation to the United States Embassy. Ambassador Says asked him to sail directly back to Washington to deliver dispatches. Says provided him with a letter of credit for compensation by the State Department.

  Captain Powell, was a former classmate of Robert Treat at the Naval Academy. He gave him a guided tour of USS Stonewall and described the battles with the Royal Navy. Robert listened with interest and was fascinated by USS Stonewall’s durability and construction. All those battles, with just dents and cracks in the iron plates. Powell gave Robert a sealed account of the naval battles, plus recommendations to improve the USS Stonewall’s design. Powell also discussed with Treat his ideas for a new type of warship. Treat enthusiastically suggested to Powell that he add the plans for his design for the new warship to the packet containing his recommendations for USS Stonewall. Treat also agreed that the Yankee would transport Powell’s disabled sailor’s home. A cabin usually occupied by passengers was refurbished to accommodate these men. The next day, escorted by USS Stonewall the Yankee sailed for Washington DC. After three days sailing, the Stonewall turned back to Monrovia.

  Hampton Roads, VA

  The Yankee sailed into Hampton Roads and berthed at the naval dock to make it easier for the disabled to obtain medical care. As a former Naval Captain, Robert Treat used his contacts to secure an appointment with the Naval office. He told them he had just arrived from Monrovia and had dispatches for Admiral Farragut and the State Department.

  Admiral David Farragut had just returned from meetings in Washington. He was a family friend of the Treats and was one of the sponsors of Roberts’s appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapoli
s. Anxious for news, he warmly received Captain Treat into his office. Farragut welcomed Robert then asked: “Has your life been eventful since you resigned your commission.” Robert replied: “The family’s shipping business has been growing rapidly. We added three clipper ships this past year. We have active trading partners in Halifax, Great Britain, France, the Italian States, Constantinople and the Moors in North Africa. Yankee’s previous port of call was Casablanca before her arrival in Monrovia; which was to be my last port of call before returning to Boston. Life does have its quirks, which is why I am here.”

  Admiral Farragut then asked: “What was the situation in Liberia before your departure?” Treat replied: “It appears that the Liberians won the initial engagements. USS Stonewall defeated several Royal Navy vessels. The British Army was cut off and forced to surrender at a place called Amina to the northeast of Monrovia.” Treat then handed Farragut the sealed envelope from Captain Powell, and the dispatches from Ambassador Says.

  Treat then continued: “Captain Powell is quite the hero in Monrovia. According to his logs, USS Stonewall was forced into a fight with 2 Royal Navy ironclad frigates and defeated them both. Days later, the Royal Navy was bombarding the forts, with the potential of reducing them both. Powell sallied out in the Stonewall and defeated three battleships in succession. He has described it in detail in his report.”

  Farragut stated: “Robert in behalf of the Navy and the State Department I commend you for being so diligent delivering the information and the dispatches.” Then with a touch of irony said: “There is always a place for you in the Navy. I know of an impending appointment that would suit you perfectly. Your record was exemplary.”

  Treat replied: “The family shipping company supported me at the Academy and then in active service throughout the Great War. Now in peacetime, they might not be so accommodating.” Farragut, not wanting to give anything away said: “One never knows what the future will bring. Please give my best regards to your parents. Let them know Virginia and I received the invitation to Joanna’s wedding. We will be honored to attend.” Then with a deep sigh, he said: “Before leaving port, you can provision Yankee from Naval stores. I will order them to provide you what you need.”

  Chelsea, Massachusetts

  The Yankee sailed into Boston Harbor through Roosevelt Roads, past the massive granite fortification named Fort Warren into the inner harbor. As Yankee sailed past newly constructed Fort Winthrop, Treat ordered the sails to be trimmed and tacked to starboard into Chelsea Creek. A short while later, he docked at the family shipyard. Leaving the unloading of Yankee’s cargo to his first mate, Robert walked up the dock to his father’s office, which was on the second floor of a large dockside warehouse. There was a large porch in front of the office, which provided his father a panoramic view of the waterfront.

  William Robert Treat was proud of his second son. He was standing on the porch looking out into the harbor when Yankee tacked into Chelsea Creek. Yankee was two weeks overdue, and with every passing day, William had feared the worst. Seeing Robert walking up the pier, William hurried down the stairs and greeted him warmly. Bypassing the office, they walked up the hill to Treat House, which was an imposing three-story white brick structure overlooking the harbor.

  One of the maids saw Robert and his father as they were walking up the hill, she hurried into the house to Mrs. Treat’s drawing room. Annabelle Treat was quilting with her mother-in-law Abigail. She looked up impatiently and said: “Mildred, you have work to do; why are you interrupting me?” All excited Mildred replied: “I am sorry to interrupt Mistress Annabelle, but Captain Robert is home and is walking up the hill with Mr. William!” With broad smiles on their faces, Annabelle and Abigail walked serenely out to the piazza just in time to see the men climbing the stairs.

  As mistress of the house, Annabelle ordered refreshments to be set out in the drawing room, and the quilt stands folded back to the wall. Only after being served the tea and sweet bread was Robert asked about the voyage. William was particularly interested if Robert had been in Monrovia during the Royal Navy’s attack. Robert described his voyage, his arrival in Monrovia days after the attack, his tour of USS Stonewall and his meeting with Admiral Farragut. He related how Farragut had offered him a commission to resume his career as a naval officer. He noted his parent’s sigh of relief when he recounted refusing the offer. Robert finished the tale by informing his parents and grandmother that the Farragut’s would be attending Joanna’s wedding.

  The Treats were an old New England Yankee family which first settled in Connecticut. Their ancestors had married into both the Pilgrim and Puritan families and had a rich history as a seafaring family. Treat owned ships were armed as Privateers in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 and preyed on British ships near Halifax and in the Caribbean. The prizes captured enriched the family and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

  Robert was the first in his family to serve as a naval officer, graduating Annapolis in 1855. His early years were on the Africa Station, where the United States Navy worked with the Royal Navy to interdict the slave trade. During the Civil War, he sustained wounds while serving as a Lieutenant on the USS Cumberland, when it sank in the engagement with the CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads. Robert received commendations for bravery, as even though wounded he was one of the last to abandon the sinking ship.

  Following his recovery, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and appointed to command the ironclad gunboat USS Memphis on the Mississippi River. Following the capture of Vicksburg, Treat was promoted to Commander and was appointed to command the Sloop of War USS Chelsea. He served with the Gulf Blockade Squadron and was part of Admiral Farragut’s fleet during the Battle of Mobile Bay. USS Chelsea participated in the bombardment of Fort Morgan, which forced it to surrender.

  Promoted to Captain, he ended the war blockading Galveston Texas, the only Confederate port still open. USS Chelsea captured three blockade runners and forced two others to be grounded and burned. On July 1, 1865, USS Chelsea steamed triumphantly into Boston, was decommissioned and placed on reserve at the Navy Yard. Robert resigned his commission and joined the family shipping business.

  Washington DC

  Three days after receiving the dispatches and accounts of the war in Liberia, Farragut was meeting in the White House with President Lincoln, Ulysses S Grant, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells and Secretary of State Seward. All received copies of the documents, and a cable with the same information sent to Ambassador Adams in London.

  Lincoln began asking Wells: “Gideon what is your assessment of Captain Powell’s actions? Were they justified or provocative.” Wells Replied: “Mr. President as HMS Hector attacked USS Stonewall, Powell was entirely justified. In my estimation, an unprovoked shot across the bow of a warship is in itself, an act of war. Powell’s return shot was totally justified. It would have been an act of cowardice to submit to British aggression. The logs are clear; HMS Hector fired the first shot. HMS Valiant then became a combatant by supporting HMS Hector.”

  After a pause, he continued. “The second engagement was also justified. The Royal Navy already identified USS Stonewall a combatant. Powell chose the perfect moment to sortie out of the harbor. The Royal Navy battleships were heavily engaged. The USS Stonewall’s timely arrival helped to turn the tide. Hells bells, he and his crew might be eligible for prize money. After all, he drove the HMS Glorious to be grounded and captured.”

  Lincoln then asked Admiral Farragut his opinion. Farragut replied: “I agree with Secretary Wells, Powell was completely justified. He fought his ship brilliantly. Not only that, he produced a provocative critique of USS Stonewall and how her design can be improved. He also provided a design for a totally new type of warship. Provided his designs prove feasible, they could revolutionize naval warfare.” Lincoln then queried “Do you have the designs?”

  Farragut passed out copies of Powell’s drawings and continued: “Captain Powell proposes an ironclad vesse
l, 400 feet long, 70 feet wide amidships, tapering to an ax ram bow and a rounded stern. He suggests a freeboard of twelve feet be totally ocean-going. The superstructure will begin forward of amidships, with a gun turret forward and another one aft. He also has proposed two opposing offset wing turrets amidships. That will allow the forward and aft turrets the angle of fire up to 240 degrees. The amidships turrets will have an 180-degree angle of fire. He has an extraordinary idea for the muzzle loaded cannons. He proposes steam powered hydraulic gears to raise and lower the guns. That will make elevating the guns easier and the ability to lower them to clean and load.

  He proposes this vessel have all steam powered propulsion, as masts and rigging will interfere with the turrets arc of fire. There will be four steam boilers with double stacks located just aft of the amidships superstructure, powering two propellers. I have already requested for Erickson to examine the plans. If these plans are feasible, the vessels would be the most powerful warships in the world.” Lincoln, setting the plans aside, said to Farragut: “Admiral, keep me informed on Erickson’s opinion. This design is intriguing.”

  Lincoln next addressed Seward: “Mr. Secretary what is the diplomatic situation? Has Ambassador Adams reported any reaction from the British government following their defeats in Liberia”?

  Seward replied: “Adams has cabled back that Her Majesty’s government has not reacted. It is likely that the reports have not yet reached them. It is a ten-day sail from Freetown to London. Allow another week for the survivors to gather and reports prepared in a manner to avoid blame for the defeats. I should expect a cable from Adams almost any time. Our plans to wrest Canada from the British Empire will depend on the angst displayed in the British reply.” Lincoln nodded in assent, then addressing General Grant he said: “General, what is your progress in assembling the required number of troops.”