Lincoln Sneezed

by Brian Boyington

  The French are nervous, particularly about our intentions towards Maximilian. Napoleon III hopes our preoccupation with Canada will give his Austrian protégé time to consolidate his power. The French and Great Britain are traditional enemies, and it is in France’s self-interest to stay out of any conflict between the United States and Great Britain.

  Spain is concerned about our previous aspirations to liberate Cuba. However, I don’t expect any difficulties as Queen Isabella is threatened by internal strife and is struggling to keep her crown. The last thing she needs is a conflict with us.

  The Russians now understand why we were so anxious to purchase Alaska. Alexander II expresses amusement over the ‘black eye’ we just gave Great Britain. He sold Alaska to us, as he was unable to defend it against the British.”

  The French-speaking Canadians in Quebec pose an interesting problem. The chairman of the Quebec National Assembly, Pierre-Joseph-Oliver Chauveau feels betrayed by the British. He wants union with the United States, but only if we allow Quebec to be autonomous and self-governing. As head of the majority party, he would have been elected as Premier of Quebec if the war hadn’t interfered. I told him Quebec could join the Union, as a sovereign state. He just laughed at me and said you just fought a civil war to put paid the idea of state sovereignty. This issue will take some time to resolve, but he seems to be willing to work with us.” Seward then walked back to his chair and sat down. Lincoln then gestured to Grant who stood up and walked to the head of the table and brought attention to a map on the wall.

  “Mr. President, with the coming new year we must be ready to pursue total victory. To succeed, we must drive the British back to Europe. We have the resources, the armies, and naval assets to complete what we began. Presently, the British have four significant areas of military presence in the Western Hemisphere: Halifax, Victoria, Bermuda, and Jamaica. Winter weather precludes action against Halifax and Victoria. However, Jamaica and Bermuda are ripe for the taking. The battles in Penobscot Bay and Boston have significantly reduced the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Squadron in presence and abilities.” Then looking at Secretary Wells Grant said: Gideon, please describe our plans.”

  Grant stepped aside as Secretary Wells stood up and began: “Mr. President, the engagements between our turreted ironclads and the wood hulled Royal Navy are definitive proof that the era of wooden warships is over. At this moment in time, we have a decisive advantage and would be negligent not to use it. Adding to that strength, USS Kalamazoo was commissioned in Brooklyn 3 days ago and will begin sea trials off Long Island in January. She will be a much-welcomed addition to our fleet. Her three sister ships are on schedule for completion by March.

  We have two fully capable fleets, Admiral Dahlgren’s and Admiral Porters. We will use them while time is on our side. Admiral Dahlgren’s ironclads will blockade and reduce the fortifications in Bermuda while other fleet elements escort the transports bringing General Sickles’ army group from New York. Admiral Porter’s naval forces will do the same in Jamaica. He will accompany General Johnson and his army group across the Caribbean. During the winter, the likelihood of encountering a significant storm in either place is remote.

  We can use similar tactics as we did at Veracruz with mosquito ships and surf boats. As you are aware, the Mosquito Fleet comprised shallow draft paddle wheel steam powered schooner gunboats. Each boat as armed with four 32lb carronades. The surf boats landed 5,000 men in a matter of hours. There are twelve new mosquito ships which have been launched, armed and should be ready by early January. These can provide the infantry close in fire support during the landing. Six each will be assigned to support roles in Bermuda and Jamaica. We have also purchased five other coastal steamers for this purpose. Once they are in naval docks, they will be appropriately armed.

  “Admiral Farragut, you have been selected to be in overall command of both of these landings. The fleet operations will be essential for victory. We believe the best way to make use of our advantage, is that these attacks should begin in February at the latest. General Sickles and General Johnson have been instructed to provide you with readiness estimates of their forces no later than the first week of January.

  Time is of the essence, as the Royal Navy will undoubtedly respond, taking ships from their Channel and Mediterranean fleets. When we are in control of two of their bases and supply centers, Great Britain will have a 3,000 mile supply line, which will be very vulnerable. That will hamper if not cripple their efforts.

  I have additional good news. By March, USS Kalamazoo’s sister ships USS Passaconaway, USS Quinsigamond, and USS Shackamanon will supplement our fleets. USS Stonewall has also arrived in Norfolk Virginia for a scheduled refit and will be available for action in three or four months. A forward turret will replace the casement and deck mounted Parrot Gun. We will reuse the existing guns in the turret.

  At this point, the plans are fluid and will depend on the available resources. Please provide me with your readiness assessments no later than January fifth.” Then Secretary Wells resumed his seat. Grant walked over to the end of the table and addressed General Chamberlain.

  “Your defense of Boston was masterful, and the capture of three Royal Navy frigates will be valuable when we attack Bermuda and Jamaica. I expect that the Royal Navy counter-attacks will be launched to retake Quebec and at coastal communities in Maine, New Hampshire and in Massachusetts. These attacks likely will be led by ironclad battleships. Depending on the severity of the winter the ships could come as early as April; although I think May will be the most likely time of arrival. The past engagements at Kingston Ontario, at Fort Knox in Maine and Fort Warren in Boston demonstrate that masonry forts do not withstand bombardment by modern naval artillery. We must hurt them at sea and defeat them on land.

  I will provide Commodore Treat with ocean-going ironclads, plus additional coastal defense monitors. The response to the British threat by the volunteer regiments around Boston was decisive. We will give you additional regular army regiments. However, you need to develop readiness plans to activate the volunteers as the threat arises. The overall command in the sector is yours. Delegate as you see fit. You have three months to prepare. I have high confidence that you will be ready.”

  Grant resumed his seat, then Lincoln stood. With a broad smile on his face, he stated: “These plans are preliminary but are sound. Mary has arranged for refreshments. We will adjourn now for the Christmas Holiday and will meet in early January to finalize the operations.” After refreshments and a social period, Lincoln’s guests departed in their carriages to celebrate the Christmas Holiday at home with their families.

    Chapter 22

  Boston, Massachusetts - January 10, 1868

  William Treat, aboard his privateer Governor, led his flotilla of five privateers past the reconstruction efforts at Fort Warren. William named The Governor after a distant ancestor Robert Treat, who was an early Puritan governor of New Haven Colony and one of the founders of New Ark, in the Colony of New Jersey.

  The Governor was a large clipper ship and carried 30 cannons. Next in line were the Yankee, Abigail, Rambler and Winnisimmet, which was the name of the Indian tribe which inhabited Chelsea before colonial settlement. They were also clipper ships and mounted 20 guns each. Four of William’s sons captained the Privateers: Yankee, by his namesake William, Abigail by Samuel, Rambler by Josiah and Winnisimmet by Nathan.

  William preferred the ‘Wolf Pack’ method of privateering, with the ships spread in an arc, all within sight of at least one of each other. When one of the flotillas sighted a merchant ship, the others would converge. If they sighted a warship, they would try to escape. If escape were impossible, the five would attack. Fighting warships was not profitable and could lead to damage and loss of one or more of the ships.

  Treat led his flotilla towards Bermuda. The Royal Navy frigates and troopships which escaped Boston sailed northeast from Portsmouth, New Hampshire heading towards Halifax. That made sense as the cable to London star
ted from there. Bermuda might not yet know of the war, and the commerce to and from Great Britain could be easy pickings. Even if Bermuda was aware, due to the number of Royal Navy Atlantic Squadron warships sunk or captured in the recent battles; there would be limited warships to protect the merchantmen.

  William set a course east-southeast to intercept merchant ships using the Gulf Stream to speed their voyage to Great Britain. One week into the expedition, Winnisimmet signaled to Rambler, Three sails in sight. Rambler passed the signal to Governor, which sent the signal to Yankee and Abigail. Within 3 hours all five ships were converging on the three sails, which turned out to be three merchant ships traveling in company. As Winnisimmet closed on the lead merchant ship, the others began to scatter, but it was too late.

  Treat’s flotilla had cut off avenues of escape. With Winnisimmet converging from the port side and Rambler converging from starboard the merchant captain of the lead ship shortened sail as a signal of surrender. Winnisimmet with gun ports open drew alongside and grappled the merchant ship. Nathan boarded with an armed party and presented his Letter of Marque to the captain and determined the registry of the vessel was from Bermuda. He learned that Bermuda had known of the war and convoys were being formed. With the cargo manifest obtained and the merchant crew locked in the hold, the captain and first mate gave their parole and transferred to other vessels. A prize crew took over the vessel.

  Governor, Abigail, and Yankee captured the two other merchantmen, which were also of Bermuda registry. William and his sons met aboard Governor to celebrate their success. The merchant crews had the option of being placed ashore in Boston or joining the expedition; where they would share in future successes. More than one half agreed to join. Several were Americans and others were foreign nationals. These were divided between the ships, to make up for the prize crews which sailed the captured merchantmen to Boston. Over the next three weeks, the Treat ships captured eight more prizes. Three of them were on the way back to Boston.

  Treat vessels intercepted four other merchant ships, but when the ownership and registry were proven to be non-British, they were advised to be careful as they were in a war zone. William, enriched by his captures, decided to return to Boston. Joanna marriage was in two months, and it was time to go home.

  The next day they were intercepted by the United States Navy sloop of war; USS Kearsarge. William Treat aboard the Governor hoisted the Stars and Stripes and welcomed the boarding party. William met the Navy lieutenant and presented his Letter of Marque from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the paperwork from the prize ships which were still in the company. He also revealed he had obtained valuable intelligence from the captains of the captured vessels and those of the foreign vessels he had let go. The lieutenant invited him to board USS Kearsarge to provide the information to Captain Winslow.

  Treat was brought to the Kearsarge and taken to the quarterdeck, while the lieutenant brought the paperwork to Captain Winslow. Several minutes passed, while William admired the armament of USS Kearsarge. The lieutenant returned and brought him to Captain Winslow’s cabin. Winslow was staring out the stern window, turned and said: “Master Treat, welcome to USS Kearsarge. I observe from your reports that your company has enjoyed good hunting. My officer indicated that you have valuable intelligence, please sit down elaborate.” Captain Winslow’s servant brought a bottle of wine and served each glass before leaving.

  William Treat began: “The Masters of the British merchant ships are a sullen lot, but by and large have not been any trouble. Much of my information comes from their crew, with almost half of their members volunteering to join my company. Many of them are free blacks, which favored the North during the Civil War. They were only too happy to join with us. There also were quite a few ‘down on their luck’ Americans which signed on as merchant seamen as they are not welcome in Bermuda, and most had recently been released from debtors prison.

  I have documented their stories in my Log Book, and while there are some differences, they all agree that the forts in Bermuda have been allowed to decay and are manned by poorly trained Militia. The militia has been weakened by “Yellow Jack” which ravages the place every summer. The best troops are three companies of native troops from Sierra Leone. They seem not to be affected by the fever.”

  Captain Winslow asked: “Where did you obtain your information about the forts and what information do you have about the armaments.”

  Treat replied: “Those released from debtor’s prison are required to work out their sentences as forced labor repairing the forts. However, in revenge, the convicts were in the habit of mixing some dirt with the mortar. The walls look stout, but are far weaker than if properly repaired.”

  Treat consulted his log, then continued. “The sailors also reported that the battery at the Navy Yard in Hamilton has 10-inch rifled guns. Fort Albert has a battery of rifled 68-pound guns. The other cannons are mostly 32 and long 24 pounders. The British were not too careful and let the workers close while completing the repairs. They were able to overhear many conversations among the officers.

  The British piously say they are against slavery, but assign all the hard work to convicts, who exist in deplorable hulks in the harbor. A slave or an enslaved convict are one in the same. They are mostly part of the background, not expected to live long enough to become a problem at a later date.”

  It was now late afternoon, and Captain Winslow invited William Treat to meet with his off-duty officers in the wardroom. The stewards served coffee and tea. Treat regaled his hosts with accounts of the hunt for British merchantmen, including the chase and capture. Just before the super meal, he was allowed to return to Governor.

  As he returned to his ship, he noted the horizon full of ships. Taking his telescope, he noted dozens of warships. He ordered his ships to turn away. However, several sloops of war herded his flotilla into the center of the fleet. There they remained until dawn. Then they were hailed and Treats presence was requested to attend Admiral Dahlgren on his flagship USS Pawnee. Somewhat confused, but fearing Dahlgren’s intentions, he boarded a US Navy longboat and brought to USS Pawnee. There he was immediately brought to Admiral Dahlgren. Known as a man of few words, Dahlgren went right to the point.

  You must be very proud of your son and his success in Penobscot Bay. He has a bright future in the Navy. I also congratulate you and your fleet for their successes and the valuable intelligence you provided Captain Winslow. There is one more thing I require of you.”

  Handing William Treat a document, Admiral Dahlgren continued: “Here is a receipt for you to complete for the value of two of your ships, their cargo and armaments. I have need of them to deceive the British in Hamilton Town. I have a captured British frigate with me. She will be a deception, with your ships as her prizes. They will enter Hamilton as a Royal Navy frigate with two privateers as prizes. Appearances will indicate a chase by the United States Navy. Once in the harbor, they will become Trojan Horses and fire on the batteries from behind, as my fleet attacks from the front.”

  Giving William Treat a moment to digest this information, Dahlgren resumed: “The ship’s complement will consist of volunteer officers and crew from my fleet. I require unless your men have been participants in naval warfare, they transfer to your other ships. Only experienced naval personnel will participate in this gambit.”

  William Treat opened his mouth to protest, but seeing the determined look on Admiral Dahlgren face and realizing he had limited choices, he changed tack. “I will provide you Rambler and Winnisimmet. They have the smallest crews, and each has sixteen long 24 pounders and four 32 pound carronades. These should be very effective in close quarters.” Admiral Dahlgren agreed, and the receipts were revised to include the particulars of both vessels. Treat was pledged to secrecy and after the transfer of crew sailed off with his diminished fleet.

  Two days later, the lookouts sighted multiple sails heading East South East. Not wanting a repeat of his recent involvement with the United States Navy,
William Treat ordered a change of course due north. Four days later, at dusk his fleet sailed through Roosevelt Roads, into Boston Harbor, docking his vessels at his shipyard on the shore of Chelsea Creek. Greeting his wife, he lamented, excepting his son Robert, ever meeting or trusting a naval officer.

  He was somewhat cheered the next day to see his captured prizes prepared for auction. Treats’ agent, told him that the auctions on his previous prizes and their cargos had netted over $200,000. That total did not take into consideration the loss of Rambler and Winnisimmet.

  Walking with his agent, William said: “All things considered, this was a very successful voyage. Let’s go to the lawyer’s office so I can schedule a hearing with the Admiralty Court. That hearing will settle with me for the value of my commandeered ships. I may just keep one or two of the new prizes instead of auctioning them off. I still have cannons, and I plan to give them some use.”

  Chapter 23

  Hamilton Town, Bermuda, February 1868

  HMS Grogan, with the Union Jack aloft, trailed by two former privateer prizes sailed towards Hamilton Harbor. Closely pursuing was a squadron of US Navy ironclads. Water spouts from near misses erupted all around the three vessels. The lookouts on the battery protecting the Royal Navy Yard sounded the alarm. The battery of four 10-inch rifled cannons was elevated and began to return fire. The Gunners at the twelve 32-pound guns readied their weapons.

  Three Royal Navy 74-gun battleships and two frigates, which had arrived the day earlier from the Channel Squadron, sallied out the South Channel; while HMS Grogan and her captives entered through the north. Signals from the battleships instructed HMS Grogan to join the battle. HMS Grogan acknowledged but needed to stay in the channel to avoid the sandbars and reefs.